Resuscitation Council UK has launched a survey to capture feedback on people’s experiences using version 3 of the of the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) form.
If you have been involved in ReSPECT conversations about what matters to you and to plan your care and treatment in a future emergency, or have been involved in a ReSPECT conversation as a family member or legal welfare proxy/lasting power of attorney, the Council invites you to complete its anonymous survey.
Your feedback will help Resuscitation Council UK to understand how the ReSPECT process is being used in practice continue to improve it for others in future.
The NHS is encouraging anyone yet to be vaccinated to get their COVID-19 vaccination this weekend, by opening 350 extra walk-in sites across England.
This ‘Grab a Jab’ weekend you can just turn up at a walk-in centre – there’s no need for an appointment or to have your NHS number. People can also get their second dose at these centres: if you’re over 40, you need to have had your first jab at least eight weeks ago; if you're under 40 then you should have had your first dose at least 12 weeks ago.
The walk-in centres are in addition to the online booking system. There is an online walk-in site finder to help people find the most convenient site for them from a range of locations at www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab.
Consultation opens on Government's data strategy
This week, the Government published its draft strategy on data sharing, Data saves lives: reshaping health and social care with data.
Arguing that the rapid mobilisation of the COVID-19 vaccination service was
was only possible because of investment in digital systems, innovation and skills over the last few years, the strategy states that it is now time for the health and care sector to explore how best to share patient data for both “long-term challenges and…the immediate tasks of rebuilding from the pandemic”.
The data strategy explains the role data will play in the English NHS’s plans for digital transformation and how data can facilitate collaboration across the NHS, adult social care, and public health.
The priorities that underpin the strategy are:
Build an understanding on how data are used and the potential for data-driven innovation, improving transparency so patients have control over how their data are used
Make appropriate data sharing the norm and not the exception across health, adult social care and public health – this is to provide the best care possible and support staff throughout the health and care system
Create the necessary technical, legal, and regulatory framework to make data sharing possible.
The draft is divided into chapters that focus on a different ambition and the commitments required to achieve it.
Thank you to the readers of Weekly News who put themselves forward as potential speakers at this year’s Patient Safety Congress, which takes place in September. The organisers are keen to hear from any other patients who might like to take part before they finalise the programme in the next few weeks.
This is your opportunity, as an individual, to share your experience as a patient with other patients and healthcare professionals.
The organisers are keen to hear from people who can offer constructive insights that are relevant to the event programme and who have experience in any of these areas:
Maternity and neonatal care
Patient and family involvement in incident investigations
Diversity and equality in the workforce and its impact on patient care
The use of technology in patient care
Co-production between patients and organisations
Learning from patient feedback and complaints
Patient deterioration
Sexual abuse and human rights breaches in mental health wards
From the helpline
Accessing medical records for overseas family
Shona*, who lives in Fife, called our free helpline to find out how to locate her brother's GP’s records; her brother had emigrated about 15 years ago and his new doctors believe his notes would be helpful for his current medical treatment.
Our adviser recommended she contact Practitioner Services for information about how to make a request for her brother’s medical records. Practitioner Services support practitioners who deliver primary and community care across Scotland. She could also get in touch with the Healthboard in the area where her brother was living before he emigrated to find out if it’s likely his medical records would have been retained for 15 years or so.
Another option for Shona is to contact the Patient Advice and Support Service, which Citizen Advice runs in Scotland as PASS has additional information that may be useful.
* Name changed for privacy.
To share your experiences with our helpline team, call 0800 3457115 between 9.30am and 5pm on weekdays or email helpline@patients-association.org.uk. See our website for more ways to get in touch.
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Our strategic focus for 2021-25 is patient partnership in the design and delivery of health and care services.
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