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Healthwatch News
Experiences of pregnancy, birth and onwards: The views of parents about services and support in Northamptonshire
We asked 77 parents with infants or young children for their views on the help and support they received during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. We wanted to know the views of parent's on the services available to them, and their overall experience, as well as their mental health and wellbeing.
The majority of parents felt they received good support and care, although there were some perceived gaps in services and points where they would have liked more support and information. The quality of care and supportiveness of healthcare professionals had the most impact.
Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) are extremely important, but there is a need for people to understand exactly what they mean and why they are so important. So, Healthwatch Essex has created a video to provide a clear picture of what an STP is, and how the changes in them will impact people, but explaining it to a 10-year-old!
You can find out more about the Northamptonshire STP on our website. Health and social care organisations on the border with Northamptonshire have also published their own STP and the changes in them could affect those on the border with these counties. Find out more via the link below.
Are you interested in becoming a Healthwatch Northamptonshire board member?
Healthwatch Northamptonshire is the independent champion for health and social care in Northamptonshire, and we currently have two spaces for new Healthwatch Northamptonshire Board Members.
The Healthwatch Northamptonshire Board helps guide the delivery of our core functions to ensure we are a robust voice for the people of Northamptonshire in relation to health and social care.
Accessing social care assessments
Imelda Redmond, the new CEO of Healthwatch England, has written an article regarding people's experiences of accessing social care assessments. The public have raised concerns about the need for better information to ensure timely support for those who need it. Concerns raised also include the length of time people have to wait for an assessment to be carried out.
Please follow the link below if you would like to talk to us about your experiences of social care assessments.
Accessible care information
NHS health and social care services are required to ensure their communications are accessible to all. The Accessible Information Standard exists to make sure those with a disability, impairment or sensory loss are given information they can access and understand.
This includes information being available in different formats, such as large print, braille, easy read or via email. While, also providing appropriate support such as a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, deafblind manual interpreter or an advocate. NHS England wants to understand the impact it has had and people's experiences of it.
Find out more on the Healthwatch England website and share your views by filling in NHS England’s survey by Friday 10 March.
Winter pressure on local hospitals
Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals are currently under considerable emergency pressure and are urging local people to use NHS services appropriately. They are asking people to avoid using A&E for any conditions that are not urgent medical emergencies and NGH has also issued some advice about seeking help before things become an emergency.
Mental health first aid course - Daventry
A two-day mental health first aid course is being held on March 28 and 29 2017 at Daventry Leisure Centre. There are only sixteen places up for grabs on a first come, first serve basis, at a cost of £150 per person. All of the proceeds from this course will be given directly to the charity MIND, as the course is being run to sponsor a charity run at the London Marathon.
The course will cover mental health first aid, depression, suicidal crisis, anxiety, personality disorders, eating disorders, self-harm, psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Moving Ahead - Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) have launched a project to tackle the issues facing Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people when accessing mental health services. Moving Ahead: Delivering Equality in Mental Health Services for BME Communities has identified some key areas where change and improvements are needed. They will be visiting local BME communities to talk about the improvements they are making.
To get involved, contact the team:
01604 657789
equalityinclusionteam@nhft.nhs.uk
20:20 Vision Conferences
Northamptonshire County Council is holding a series of events in March for people to have their say about the Future of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Services in Northamptonshire. Look out for the Healthwatch Northamptonshire stand at each event.
They will be holding events at the Park Inn by Radisson, Silver Street, Northampton NN1 2QZ on the following dates:
Tuesday 14 March - Preparing for Adulthood from the Earliest Years
Wednesday 22 March - Early Years (am) and Schools (pm)
Thursday 30 March - Preparing for Adulthood
Zimwomen Association Health & Wellbeing Day
The Zimwomen Association are holding a Health and Wellbeing Day on Friday 24 March 2017, at St. Michael & All Angels, Perry Street, St. Michael's Mount, Northampton, NN1 4HL, from 12pm to 6pm.
There will be a variety of activities including Health Checks, advice and information and exciting stall holders from the health sector, community organisation, charities and local businesses. Look out for Healthwatch Northamptonshire at this event.
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) public member opportunities
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) is looking for patients and members of the public to join a number of national and regional advisory panels across England. The panels include; the Invention for Innovation programme, the Programme Grants for Applied Research programme; the Research for Patient Benefit programme; and the Department of Health Policy Research Programme.
Our mailing address is: Healthwatch Northamptonshire, 3rd floor, Lakeside House, Bedford Road,
Northampton, NN4 7HD
Registered office of Healthwatch Northamptonshire
Registered in England and Wales. No: 8496240
Tel. No. 0300 002 0010
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