News Archive
Leicestershire LINk has told the Government that HealthWatch England must be, and be seen to be, independent. It should not, as at present envisaged, be a committee of the Care Quality Commission but be a separate body, able to do its important work, including calling Councils to account if they do not provide a properly funded and independent Local HealthWatch. The LINk also calls for a majority of members of the HealthWatch England Board to be from Local HealthWatch – the people who can say what is good and what needs to be improved in health and social care services throughout the country.
Speaking today John Baker, Chair of Leicestershire LINk said that he "welcomed the opportunity to explain to the Government the way to develop a truly independent HealthWatch England to lead Local HealthWatch, the independent consumer champion for health and social care".
The LINk Project Group met with Malcolm Lowe-Lauri, CEO of University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) to ask your questions about UHL services. The questions ranged from care standards in hospitals, updates on recommendations made by the LINk and new medicines service by pharmacists.
The Department of Health has issued a press release announcing further changes for implementation of HealthWatch.
Some of the key changes are:
- Local HealthWatch will now start in April 2013, not in October 2012 as originally planned. This will give the LINk and Local Council more time in setting up Local HealthWatch.
- After a huge response from LINks and other stakeholders, the Department of Health will now make money available for existing pathfinders.
Geoff Smith, Leicestershire LINk HealthWatch Lead said:
"For patients and the public Lansley's announcement of a six month deferral of the start up of HealthWatch Leicestershire is good news - HealthWatch England will now be able to ensure that Local Authorities do a good job in establishing the 'independent consumer champion for health and social care' that the White Paper envisaged. The announcement also gives hope that he will also listen to the experience and expertise of LINks who have told MPs and Peers of the changes that are essential to improve the Health and Social Care Bill, not least to ensure that the funding provided to local authorities by the Department of Health for HealthWatch is spent to enable it to deliver its promise. Having said this, as a result of Government cuts to Local Authorities, our major concern is the issue of securing adequate funding during the transition period".
Find out more about HealthWatch.
Leicestershire LINk held an engagement event in response to the publication of a Social Care White Paper (due to be published in spring 2012). The Government wants to change the social care system because "people have said it's unfair, confusing and let's down the people who need it the most." The event was an opportunity to share ideas about how the social care system could be improved.
Read the report to find out what was said by Leicestershire LINk members and attendees at the engagement event.
Over 40 people have contributed ideas and attended workshop sessions on what they feel should be included in Leicestershire's Carers Strategy, such as increasing the number of carers taking up Personal Budgets and focusing on the health of carers. This strategy will cover services for Carers across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The Carers Task Group will be keeping an eye on the progress and await the draft which goes out to wide consultation in February / March 2012. The launch of the Carers Strategy will coincide with Carers Week in June 2012.
NHS Choices have developed a new online tool that enables you to find and choose services the NHS service you need such as hospitals, GPs, support for carers, pharmacies and dentists in your area. This useful tool contains additional information about the services for example; key facts, quality and safety, user ratings and services offered.
A Policy Briefing has been produced which summarises the key points from the NHS Operating Framework.
Give your views on the health care services you believe should be a priority in East Leicestershire and Rutland in the coming years. By 2013 when Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are abolished, the East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group (ELR CCG) will have responsibility for buying healthcare services for residents in Blaby, Market Harborough, Rutland, Melton Mowbray and Oadby and surrounding areas. To help ensure priorities meet the needs of local people, the ELR CCG is keen to hear the views of members of the public, patients, carers and partner organisations.
To celebrate National Carers Rights Day on Friday 2nd December, volunteers from the Leicestershire LINk Carers Task Group will be at Sainsbury's Fosse Park to answer questions and provide information about the support available for carers. The aim of Carers Rights Day is to make sure carers know their rights, know about practical support and raise awareness of their needs.
Volunteers will be on hand to provide information from CLASP the Carers Centre, Carers Action, Crossroads, Age Concern, Leicestershire LINk and other organisations.
Pop into Sainsbury's Fosse Park to meet the volunteers and find out more about carer organisations, from 7am to 11pm on Friday 2nd December, Monday 5th December or Tuesday 6th December.
John Marshall, Leicestershire LINk Carers Task Group member and former carer said: "These events enable us to reach out to carers and provide the information and advice on support services available to them".
The launch of a hard-hitting campaign this month aims to shock people into keeping A&E free for life-threatening cases this winter. Using an image of people queuing up outside Leicester Royal Infirmary, each has a caption underneath which says where they should have gone for treatment. Last in the queue is a wreath, representing someone who should have been at the front of the queue.
Choose Better is challenging the public to play their part in keeping A&E free for those suffering from the most serious illnesses and injuries during one of the busiest times of the year. Leaflets and posters will be displayed in GP surgeries, health centres and community centres with the Choose Better message and members of the public will be able to pick up their own pocket-sized information guides giving details on where to turn when they or a member of their family fall ill, and advice on where best to seek treatment.
For more information on Choose Better visit www.choosebetter.org.uk
