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Newsletter - October 2024

Welcome to our October newsletter

This month our newsletter includes:

Directors Update
In our August newsletter I shared that we were in the process of drawing together a Rye Listening Tour 'One Year On' report to demonstrate what work has taken place.

We published our report in September, updating on the activity that has taken place since the tour, and how we have used what you told us to encourage improvement in local health and care services.
The report includes case studies on local transport, oral health in care homes and activity with GPs. We will be continuing our work across Rye and rural Rother to progress these and other themes.

You can also read about our future plans, including how we are refreshing the Listening Tour approach to reach more of the county more regularly. 
 
Veronica Kirwan
Executive Director
East Sussex Community Voice delivering Healthwatch in East Sussex

Latest news and updates

Tell Healthwatch your experiences of hospital outpatient appointment letters 


Healthwatch routinely carry out short surveys to gather people’s views and experiences of health and social care services.
 
This month we’d like to hear from you, your relatives, carers or friends, about experiences of hospital outpatient appointment letters. 

Hospital appointment letters are intended to give you clear information about your appointment and what to expect.
 
Healthwatch in Sussex, the independent champion for health and social care, would like to hear about your experiences to see how the process is working and how it could be improved.

Our poll will only take a few minutes to complete, and your personal data is protected and treated securely. 
 
The poll closes at midnight on Thursday 31st October 2024.
Click here to complete our poll on hospital outpatient appointment letters

Stoptober 2024

Stoptober is back to encourage and support smokers to quit for good.
 
This year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to join the thousands of others who are committing to quitting.

Quit smoking for 28 days and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
 
Stoptober offers a range of free quitting tools including the NHS Quit Smoking app, daily email support, Facebook support group, and expert support from local stop smoking services.

Simply search ‘Stoptober’ for more information or visit the Better Health Quit Smoking Website.

To find local information to help you quit click the button below:
One You East Sussex

NHS Sussex want to hear from local people about their experiences of health and care services

NHS Sussex would like to know how people living in Sussex currently feel about local NHS health and care services

Your views and experiences will support local NHS services such as Urgent Care, Primary Care and Pharmacy First to understand what is working well and where improvements can be made.

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and closes on Sunday 3rd November 2024.

Have your say by clicking the button below:
Share your experiences of health and care in Sussex

Your experiences of Hospital Discharge


In September 2024, Healthwatch sought experiences of hospital discharge, the process of supporting people to leave hospital effectively after treatment.
 
The hospital discharge process should ensure:
  • patients and the people most important to them are engaged in the process
  • transfer out of hospital is safe, appropriate, and timely
  • communication is clear on next steps and how to access support

What we heard:
146 people from across Sussex shared their views with us:

  • 50.0% told us they felt Totally ready to leave hospital at the time they were discharged, 26.7% felt Partially ready, and 20.5% felt Not ready.
     
  • The feature of discharge most identified as Excellent (26.7%) was staff clearly explaining the discharge process. The feature most identified as Poor was how involved friends, family and carers were in the process (40.4%).
     
  • 47.2% respondents rated their experience of hospital discharge as Excellent/Good, 13.7% as Average, and 37.0% as Poor/Very Poor.

To find out what respondents told us they would like to see and our next steps, read the full report by clicking the button below:  
Your Experiences of Hospital Discharge

The Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools launches in Sussex
 

The Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) began formally on the 4th October 2024 to enhance support for children with neurodivergent needs in 40 schools.
The project provides early support to build inclusive educational environments, proactively address mental health challenges, and support collaboration between schools and parent carers, for the benefit of their children.
 
The schools will be supported in partnership with the NHS, local authority education leads, schools, voluntary sector and three local Parent Carer Forums (PCFs).
 
Read more here:
The Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools launches in Sussex

Our host organisation receives 'Think Carer' training 

Earlier this month, the staff team at East Sussex Community Voice (who have been delivering Healthwatch East Sussex since 2013) received Think Carer training from Care for the Carers East Sussex. 
 
'Think Carer' is a free training session to raise awareness of carers and the support available to them. The training is open to professionals and volunteers in the public sector, charities, community groups, and businesses who are in contact with carers.
 
Training content includes:

  • Understanding unpaid caring and the impact of caring
  • The importance of identifying and supporting carers
  • Support available from Care for the Carers
  • A ‘Carer Friendly Community’ approach. Why this is important and the role we can all play.

'Think carer' training is available both in person and online. To find out more, including the upcoming dates, click the button below.
'Think Carer' Training in East Sussex

Rye Listening Tour – One Year On

We are delighted to share our 'Rye Listening Tour: One Year On' report.  
 
Throughout September 2023 we conducted a Listening Tour across Rye and rural Rother to meet people where they are and capture their experiences of local health and care. 
 
This report provides an update on the activity that has taken place in the year since the tour and how we have used what you told us to encourage improvement in local health and care services.    
Within the report you can read about our future plans, including how we are refreshing our Listening Tour approach to reach more of the county more regularly.  
Read the report here

Have your say on the East Sussex funding gap consultations
Many local authorities have significant funding gaps for next year. East Sussex County Council (ESCC) is facing a funding gap of £55 million. As local authorities have a legal responsibility to set a balanced budget, this means making some difficult decisions about how the Council spends its money in future.
 
The Council will still have a net revenue budget of £538.1 million next year, but every department will need to find savings to close the funding gap. Consultations on some of the savings proposals for Adult Social Care and Health have already started and more proposals for all departments will be considered by the Council's Cabinet in November.
 
The consultations started on 3 October and close on 28 November 2024. Decisions are expected to be made about all of these proposals by Members in February 2025.
 
You can find more information about the proposals and take part in the consultation by visiting the Council’s website:
ESCC Adult Social Care and Health savings proposals
You Said - We Did

We regularly review the experiences you share with us through public events, surveys, our Feedback Centre and Information & Signposting enquiries.

We use your feedback with health and care decision-makers to seek a positive difference. Our 'You Said, We Did' document sets out the issues you raised and any changes you have helped us to deliver during September 2024.

You Said:

We heard from an enquirer with a disability who experiences severe distress when visiting their GP surgery due to its lack of physical accessibility.

We Did:

We contacted NHS Sussex to share these concerns and see if there is anything that can be done to support improved accessibility at their GP practice, or if they can register at or transfer to a more accessible practice.

 

You Said:

We were contacted by an individual facing challenges in their life, caring for a loved one with dementia, who is struggling to cope and feels overwhelmed.

We Did:

We discussed with the enquirer the statutory and voluntary support services they may find helpful. We explained the self-referral pathway for ‘Health in Mind’ who offer support for those experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties.
 

You Said:

We heard from a person whose arthritis meant they were struggling with household chores and mobility, including getting in and out of the bath. They asked if help is available?

We Did:

We told the enquirer about Adult Social Care services and that support may be available via home adaptations and equipment. We provided details for Health and Social Care Connect as the first step would be an assessment.

 
You Said:

We heard from an enquirer who had been deregistered from their GP practice whilst temporarily registered at another practice during a short stay in a nursing home.

We Did:

We provided contact details of the NHS Sussex GP Allocations Team so they could raise the issue and explore a solution. We also shared Care Quality Commission details so they could leave feedback on the care home.
 
‘You Said, We Did’ – September 2024
Tell Us Your Experiences 
Please tell us your experiences of local health and care services via our Feedback Centre and let us know how this has been for you.
 
We want to hear if it has been good, bad or indifferent.
 
Help and support with Health and Care
If you need help or support related to health or care, then please contact our Information & Signposting Service via
 
Tel: 0333 101 4007
Email: enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk

Healthwatch East Sussex: Volunteer Updates
Volunteers continue to participate in engagement and partnership work with health and social care colleagues across East Sussex.
  • Young Healthwatch is looking to recruit more volunteers following a successful visit to a University of Sussex Jobs and Volunteering Fair. Volunteers will have the opportunity to visit departments in Eastbourne District General Hospital that provide paediatric services.
 
  • Healthwatch volunteers have participated in the annual PLACE visits (Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment) to NHS and health services, including sites managed by East Sussex Healthcare Trust, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and St Wilfred’s Hospice.   
    
  • A small group of volunteers have undertaken a desk-top audit of GP practice websites to identify the impact of the British Medical Association guidance on collective action for practices.
 
  • Healthwatch is progressing a Hospital Discharge Project, which will involve volunteers listening to the experiences of people who have transferred to ‘discharged to assess’ beds in the second half of November.   

Do you want to make a difference to health and social care in your area?


Then join our wonderful volunteer team!
  
Our volunteer opportunities are flexible, you can do as much or as little as you want and it can fit around what you already do.

We work across the county and can match you with opportunities that work for you.
 
Whatever your age or background, we would love to talk to you.

If you are interested in becoming a Healthwatch volunteer, then please visit our website via the link below.
 
Volunteering at Healthwatch East Sussex
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