Healthwatch City of London Bulletin 34
Healthwatch City of London Board Meeting in Public
Our next Board Meeting in Public is on Friday 14th May between 13:00 and 15:00. The meeting will be held via Zoom due to the current restrictions.
Join us for an update on progress on implementing the new telephone system at the Neaman Practice and the provision of the Podiatry clinic. This month we will be joined by Chris Pocklington, Director of Group Operations from Barts NHS Trust, who will talk to us about Planned Care hospital services and what to expect post the COVID pandemic. Your chance to hear about tackling waiting lists.
If you’d like to join us, please send an email to info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Neaman Practice update
Last week Healthwatch City of London held a meeting with the Neaman Practice, in attendance were partners from the Practice and the management team following several concerns you raised.
We discussed amongst other matters communications from the Practice with patients, had an update on the new telephone system, although there are still some faults on the system, which engineers are working to resolve. We are meeting again on the 20th May so please do let us know if there is anything you think we should be raising with them to help improve services and of course tell us what you like about the practice.
You will know that we have been working hard to get access to the podiatry clinics sorted out and have been liaising with both the Practice and the Homerton Hospital. Thanks to the hard work of our Associate Board members Stuart Mackenzie and Cynthia White who have both put an incredible amount of work into making this happen. You too can make a difference for residents of the City of London, please contact us about becoming a Board Member or volunteering for Healthwatch City of London.
Statement from the Neaman Practice.
Dear all patients,
It is has come to our attention that there has been uncertainty and confusion about how the Podiatry clinic at the Neaman Practice currently operates.
This service is not run by the Practice. It is provided by Homerton Hospital, and the practice facilitate a space to allow patients to receive care closer to home. Eligibility criteria, frequency of clinics and governance of this service is decided and managed by the Homerton Podiatric Medicine and surgery Service.
In order to clarify the uncertainty regarding their clinics, we have met with the service and can provide the following guidance.
• Foot health have confirmed that they would be running a 6 weekly clinic at the Neaman Practice. The next clinic in on 4/6/21.
•This clinic is only for patients currently on their caseload. Patients not on the caseload will need an appointment with a GP to see if they meet the eligibility requirements for the service.
•We have highlighted the need for effective communication from this service with regards to helping us assist them in making these clinics run smoothly.
•Unfortunately, as they use a different clinical system, they will not allow us to directly book patients into the clinic. However we have made all our Reception aware of how to signpost patients with regards to booking appointments.
•There is a separate Toenail cutting service available for patients who do not meet the criteria for Foothealth. This is a Charity and does incur a small fee (£15). Again our reception team are happy to signpost patients to this service.
For further information on the toenail cutting service see the leaflet below:
There is a charge of £15, and the service is available to City and Hackney registered patients/residents deemed as vulnerable, over 55, living alone or a carer – at risk of mobility issues or falls.
To refer someone, phone Hoxton Health on 020 7739 2533 and supply the person’s name and their phone number. Hoxton Health will then contact people direct to make an appointment. The clinic is at Hoxton Health, St Leonard’s Hospital, Nuttal Street, N1 5LZ or you can request a home visit, this is available to people unable to attend clinic. Please note you must be able to independently sit up, remove shoes and socks, and handle money, or you must have a carer present to use the service.
Hoxton Health Foot Clinic
Neaman Practice Patient Participation Group
The Neaman Practice is holding the next Patient Participation Group or PPG as it’s known on Monday 17th May 2021 between 2.30pm -3:30pm, Healthwatch City of London understand that invitations for the meeting, which will be held over Microsoft Teams, have been sent to members who have attended previously.
If you have not received an invitation and wish to attend, you can complete the form on their website Patient Participation Group - The Neaman Practice
If you do have a complaint to make, you can do so by following the Practices’ complaints procedure and completing their on-line form. It helps the practice to know what you are finding difficult because unless they know they aren’t able to make things right. To help us help you please do get in touch with us at info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk Your complaint will remain anonymous if you so wish.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Focus group
To coincide with this week’s Mental Health Awareness week, we are holding our Mental Health and Wellbeing focus group on Friday 14th May.
The event is open to everyone and we will be discussing mental health provision in the City of London, identifying access issues and any gaps in the services provide to you. We will be joined by colleagues from MIND and City Connections. Please join us between 11:00am – 12:00am via Zoom. Here are the joining details: https://zoom.us/j/91874111747?pwd=N3N1eCtOTFdpU1dxbEpHaVBSYUQ4Zz09
Meeting ID: 918 7411 1747 Passcode: 276063 Dial in: 0203 481 5240 United Kingdom
How are we performing? Let us know by completing our Survey.
Today we are launching our Annual Survey to help us better understand how you see us and if we are achieving our goals.
How are we doing? Do you know what we do? What more would you like to see from us? How can we help you?
Let us know by completing our survey and you will help us understand how you see us and how effective you think we are. You can also let us know where you think we should focus our efforts more and where you think we have been successful.
You can complete the survey by using the link below or give us a call and we can complete it over the phone.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HWCoLcommunityannualsurvey or call 020 3745 9563.
Further easing of restrictions from 17th May
From 17 May restrictions across the Country will be eased further.
From Monday you can socialise indoors in a group of up to six people or two households, including for overnight stays. Up to 30 people can meet outside. Pubs, theatres, and other venues can open indoors. Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can open for people on holiday. Read the guidance on what you can do on the Government website.
Vaccination availability
Vaccinations are now available if you’re aged 38 or over, of if you'll turn 38 before 1 July 2021. You can book appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy now, or wait to be invited to go to a local NHS service.
Regular rapid self - testing
To continue to stop the spread of COVID 19 now lockdown is easing, it is important to take twice weekly tests. About one in three people with coronavirus do not have symptoms, but can still infect others. Anyone in England who does not have symptoms can now get regular rapid lateral flow tests to check for coronavirus.
Getting tested regularly is the only way to know if you have the virus. If all those with positive tests self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading. The government is urging everyone to take these tests, even if you have had the vaccination. Follow the link to a guidance video and instructions in different languages COVID-19 self-test help - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How do I get regular rapid tests? There are two ways.
Go to a test site
You can go to a rapid lateral flow test site to get a rapid test.
If you go to a test site:
- you may need an appointment, so check before you go
- a trained helper might be able to help you do the test
- you'll get a text or email with the result when it's ready
Find your nearest rapid lateral flow test site
Get a test to do at home .
You can collect up to 2 packs of 7 tests from a local pharmacy or test site:
Here is a link to the pharmacy sites in North East London where you can collect the test packs
You can get a pack of 7 tests sent to your home. Order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK
If you do tests at home, you'll need to report your results online or on the phone.
Tell us if you experience any difficulties.
Let us know how useful you have found the information we provide on COVID 19, the test and trace system and the vaccination programme.
We have devised this really short survey to find out your views.
Second COVID 19 vaccinations
The North East London Clinical Commissioning Group has published the leaflet attached below to remind everyone to get their second vaccine.
Please remember that:
- It takes two full doses of the vaccine to keep you safe
- The first dose gives you partial immunity
- The second dose maximises your protection
If you booked your vaccinations via the National Booking System or 119, you should have booked your second appointment at the same time as booking your first. If you received your vaccination at a Primary Care site, John Scott Centre or the Bocking Street Centre, you will be contacted by your GP surgery to book your second vaccination appointment. If you have not received this within 77 days of your first vaccination, please contact the GP confederation on 0207 729 7236.
Upcoming Healthwatch City of London Events
One of Healthwatch City of London’s purposes is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. To ensure we hear about and know of your concerns we run regular events. Ideally, we’d like to hold them face to face, but because of the current pandemic we are restricted to Zoom events.
Please see a list of our events below with joining details.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Focus Group – Friday 14th May
Overview: An opportunity for residents, workers, students and service providers to discuss mental health provision in the City of London, identifying access issues and any gaps in service provision. We will be joined by colleagues from MIND and City Connections.
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Joining details: https://zoom.us/j/91874111747?pwd=N3N1eCtOTFdpU1dxbEpHaVBSYUQ4Zz09
Meeting ID: 918 7411 1747 Passcode: 276063 Dial in: 0203 481 5240 United Kingdom
Healthwatch City of London Board Meeting in Public – Friday 14th May
Overview: Healthwatch City of London will be giving an update on the work we have carried out over the past few months. We will also be joined by Chris Pocklington, Director of Group Operations from Barts NHS Trust, who will talk to us about services restarting post the COVID pandemic and waiting lists.
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Joining details: If you’d like to join us, please send an email to info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Listening to City Carer’s event – Friday 21st May: An opportunity for Carer’s to provide feedback on their experience of Health and Social Care.
Overview: This week we will be joined by Jordann Birch, Partnership and Engagement Assistant Public Health from CoL who will discuss what support carers need that is currently not being met. This group is for all unpaid carers who live in the City of London. We would love to hear from young carers too, if you know a young carer please let them know about this forum.
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Joining details:
https://zoom.us/j/94726863167?pwd=eUc0R1BqMzR6NWZIM1VzRGZPVElrZz09
Meeting ID: 947 2686 3167 Passcode: 510073 Dial in: 0203 481 5237 United Kingdom
Healthwatch City of London Drop-in session – Thursday 27th May
Overview: An opportunity for residents, workers and students to raise issues about their experience of Health and Social care with the staff of Healthwatch.
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Joining details: https://zoom.us/j/92041262576?pwd=dDBwYnM1bzB0VGVRR3R6ZG5BcDJGZz09
Meeting ID: 920 4126 2576 Passcode: 166020 Dial in: 0203 901 7895 United Kingdom
Join the Neighbourhood Forum
A new Neighbourhood Forum is being set up for the communities of the City, De Beauvoir, Hoxton and Shoreditch Park by Hackney Council for Voluntary Service.
The Neighbourhood Forum has the aim of improving the lives of everyone who lives in the area with local services being accountable to local people.
People need to know about the facilities and services that are available to them (both informal and formal), which need to be accessible to all who want to use them. The interests and needs of residents need to be understood, together with what is missing locally, and recommendations made to those who are responsible.
You can join the next session on Wednesday 19th May at 2pm. Click here to register and see the full details on the leaflet attached below:
City Carers Community - resident led event
An Introduction to Latin Dance via Zoom 15th May
Learn the basics of Latin Dancing from a little Salsa to Chacha and more. Suitable for beginners. Taught by the enthusiastic Mauricio, he has been teaching Latin moves, promoting and Djing for over 25 years.
Open to City Carers, friends, family, and City residents of all ages. 2.45pm- 3.45pm starting 1st May 2021.Come and join in the fun session. Booking is required, for the zoom link email to: CityCarersCommunity@gmail.com
Dragon Café in the City
The next virtual Dragon Café in the City session is taking place next Wednesday, 19 May, on Zoom.
The award-winning Dragon Café in the City is free and open to anyone working or living in the City and provides a (virtual) space for them to release the pressure, try something new, and engage in creative activities designed to foster positive mental and physical wellbeing.
Next week’s programme includes: Self-massage, Creative collage workshop, Yoga, and Reading Friends Group
The programme can be found online here.
Latest Covid-19 statistics for the City of London.
The joint City and Hackney Public Health Intelligence Team produce regular statistics on Covid-19 levels and vaccination uptake data in the City. The site is updated regularly and accessible at. https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-data
Keep up to date with the latest advice
HWCoL are constantly updating our advice and information pages. Please make sure you visit them regularly.
Get in touch with Healthwatch City of London.
Visit our website for more information, news and events, have your say about your care, and spread the word about Healthwatch City of London.
www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk email: info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Tel: 020 3745 9563 Facebook: facebook.com/CoLHealthwatch Twitter: @HealthwatchCoL
Portsoken Health and Community Centre, 14-16 Little Somerset Street, London E1 8AH
