Welcome to our October newsletter
This month our newsletter includes:
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We had a busy summer here at Healthwatch East Sussex with our Annual Event, 10 year Anniversary, Rye Listening Tour, Summer Roadshow and lots of other project work. With autumn well and truly upon us, we are now focussing on pulling together all that we have heard and getting ready to start on some new projects.
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In this newsletter you will see that we have launched a new survey this week asking people about their experiences of accessing help or support about an ear wax problem. If you have an experience to share, please do complete our survey and let us know how its been for you. To share any other experiences of health and care services, remember to visit our feedback centre.
Veronica Kirwan
Executive Director
East Sussex Community Voice, delivering Healthwatch in East Sussex
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Healthwatch Poll: Have you or a loved one been discharged from hospital in the last 12 months?
This month we want to hear about you or loved ones experience of Hospital Discharge.
Please share your experience with us via our quick poll.
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Last month we asked about your experience travelling to access health and care services/places.
Everyone who responded to our poll lived within 5 miles of their GP surgery, and an overwhelming majority within 5 miles of their Pharmacy/Chemist.
Hospitals required the furthest distance to travel, with 20% of respondents travelling 11+ miles, and 40% travelling between 6 and 10 miles.
Interestingly, the greatest variation was found in the distances that people travel to their dentist and optician, with many travelling further to access these than for other primary care services.
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Tell us your experiences of treatment for Ear Wax
Have you sought help or advice about an ear wax problem in the last two years?
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If so, we want to hear about your experience, including:
- Which services you accessed
- What advice you were given
- Any treatment you received
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Our survey is open until midnight on Tuesday 30th November 2023 and all responses will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Healthwatch will share the findings with decision-makers, commissioners and service providers to help inform delivery of health and care services in East Sussex.
For more information please visit the Healthwatch East Sussex website here.
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Tell South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) about your experience
You can share your experience of local ambulance services anonymously via their Patient Experience Questionnaire.
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The themes and trends will be used to help improve and develop the service for the benefit of other service users.
Completing the questionnaire doesn’t prevent you from providing feedback in other ways, for more information please visit the SECAmb website here.
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Healthwatch England – People struggling to access mental health support
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One in four people in England experiences a mental health problem each year. Timely access to support is key to preventing these problems from worsening.
Healthwatch England's latest insight shows that people are facing:
- Delays in care
- Impacts on the wider family
- Limited choice of support
On World Mental Health Day (10th October 2023) Healthwatch England explored people's recent experiences of mental health services. Read about what people told them and what this means for healthcare leaders by clicking the button below.
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NHS Sussex urges local people to book their winter jabs
The NHS has started to invite people for their free Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations in priority order of risk to book an appointment at a local vaccination service.
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Across the county there will be clinics held in GP practices, community venues, and in pop-up venues.
Once you're invited for your COVID booster, you can now book your jabs directly through the National Booking System.
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Help shape the future of adult social care in East Sussex
Do you have recent experience of being supported by adult social care, or caring for someone who does?
Are you passionate about making services the best they can be? East Sussex County Council want to hear from you!
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The Citizens’ Panel is a group of people that help shape adult social care services and policies. We’re looking for new voices to join the panel. We want to hear from a wide range of people from different backgrounds, locations, and with experience of different care and support options.
What does it involve?
- 4 meetings a year.
- Sharing your views, opinions, and feedback.
- Opportunity to gain new skills and experience.
- Make a difference to services that support thousands.
To apply, ask a question, or request a different format:
Email: asc.equalityteam@eastsussex.gov.uk
Phone: 01273 335 267 to leave a message.
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Work underway on new day surgery unit in Eastbourne
Building work has started on a new Elective Care Hub at Eastbourne District General Hospital. The purpose-built day surgery unit will include a pre-assessment area, four theatres, admission, recovery and discharge space plus associated support facilities.
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The hub is due to open March 2025. Once open, residents from across Sussex will be able to have their day surgery procedure performed more quickly and in a purpose-built environment.
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Stoptober 2023
Stoptober is back and is calling on the over 5 million smokers in England to join the thousands of smokers who are committing to quitting this October.
This year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to join the thousands of others who are committing to quitting for the month of October – quit smoking for 28 days and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
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When you stop smoking good things start to happen - quitting will allow you to start moving better, breathe more easily and give you more money to spend.
Stoptober offers a range of free quitting tools. Just search ‘Stoptober’ for more information or visit the Better Health Quit Smoking Website.
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