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Newsletter - October 2022

Welcome to our October newsletter

This month our newsletter includes:

Eastbourne Listening Tour 2022
On Saturday the 15th October our 2022 Eastbourne Listening Tour kicked off with our launch event at Foundry in The Beacon shopping centre.
As the first event of our Eastbourne Listening Tour, it was great to see so many people visiting the launch including members of the public, local press, the local MP, Deputy Mayor and colleagues from statutory and voluntary organisations.
 
To read more about the launch event you can visit our website here.
 
Following the launch, we have been out and about across Eastbourne carrying out various activities talking to local people about their experiences of health and social care. You may have seen us at:
  • A dedicated Art and Wellbeing Session at Gather in The Beacon.
  • At various supermarkets across the borough, including Asda and Morrisons.
  • Eastbourne Library with our Information and Signposting Clinic.

Getting involved in the Listening Tour 

The Eastbourne Listening Tour continues across the Borough up until the 30th October.
 
We are focusing on ‘meeting people where they are’ so we will be visiting a wide range of organisations and locations across the Borough of Eastbourne.
 
For information on where we will be for the rest of the tour visit the Listening Tour calendar below.
Listening Tour Calendar

Eastbourne Listening Tour Survey


As part of our 2022 Listening Tour, we are gathering views and experiences of health and social care in Eastbourne.

We are keen to hear:
  • Have your experiences of local health and care services been good, bad or indifferent?
  • Whether local health and care services are meeting your needs?
  • How you feel health, care and wellbeing support could be improved?
Survey closes: 13th November 2022
Take the survey here

Latest news and updates

Healthwatch Poll: Your use of Pharmacies


This month we are looking to capture peoples experiences of using pharmacies in East Sussex.

Please take our quick poll and tell us about the services that you have used in pharmacies across the county during the last 12 months.

We'll share the results in our next newsletter. 
Click here to take our poll!

Results for last month's poll

In last months newsletter we asked you about your experiences of considering and/or using private healthcare in the last 12 months.

Nearly two-thirds (61.5%) of respondents had used private healthcare, whereas 30.8% of respondents had not considered it.  

We heard that people had often chosen to pay for services, including dental treatment, surgical procedures and diagnostics, due to challenges in accessing these via the NHS. For some, this came with significant financial implications.  

Tell us your preferences for accessing GP services
Healthwatch in Sussex is asking for your views about getting support from your GP,  including what you think about remote (non face-to-face) appointments.

The short five minute survey can be completed via the link below. 

Some questions will ask you to think about the time since the Covid pandemic (from March 2020). We ran a similar survey in 2020 and want to see if people’s views have changed.

We help to improve health and social care services across the area by listening to people, and using this to influence people who fund services.

There is also an opportunity to enter a prize draw to win one of three £25 High-Street vouchers and volunteer for a follow-up phone call to discuss your views further.

If you have any questions about the survey please contact info@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
Tell us your views here

Are you seeking information for support with the cost of living?
To help people find and navigate the information they may need on cost-of-living, East Sussex County Council have brought together a new one-stop website page which brings together links to key information.  
 
The page draws together details on:
  • Money help and advice
  • Your mental health
  • Help with benefits
  • Your home
  • Employment and learning
  • Transport
  • GOV.UK Help for Households
The site will gradually be developed and update with new information. 
Visit the website here

NHS Sussex – 'Better Health and Care for all' survey
 

Health and care organisations in Sussex have been working together to plan and prepare this winter, whilst developing their 5 year plan to achieve better health and care for people and communities.
To help inform their work, they are keen to hear:
  • How do you feel about the NHS?
  • What would help you and your loved ones stay well this winter?
  • What should their ambitions and priorities be?
  • What's important to you where you live?
Deadline: 3rd November 2022
Take the survey here

What is Social Prescribing? Could it be right for you?
 

Social prescribing means getting connected to non-medical things that can boost your health and wellbeing. 
This could be activities, support groups, volunteers, services, and other opportunities. Depending on what you need and want, it could be for:
  • Support with finances
  • Getting more active
  • Support with mental wellbeing
  • Becoming healthier
  • Getting more socially connected
  • Living well and more independently
The aim is to enable you to make informed and positive changes to your own life.
 
At the moment people may get social prescribing services directly through their GP practice, or through another social prescribing service that their GP can access.
 
More information on social prescribing is provided here by NHS England. 

Stoptober: Stop Smoking 

Stoptober is back, calling on smokers in England to join the 2.5 million others who have made a quit attempt with the campaign since it launched a decade ago in 2012.

Nearly 6 million adults in England still smoke, and it remains the single biggest behavioural cause of preventable death, with 64,000 deaths linked to smoking each year.

Join the thousands of others and start your quitting journey this October.

Just search ‘Stoptober’ for more information and to get the free tools to help you quit.

Every Mind Matters: new campaign
 

Better Health-Every Mind Matters is launching a new campaign helping us find those little things we can all do to look after our mental health and showing us how they can add up to make a big difference; helping us to lead happier, healthier lives and cope with life’s challenges.
 
Making time for mental wellbeing self-care is important - and embedding these small things as part of your routine can help you feel better and more in control.
These small actions can include:
  • Taking time to do mindful breathing by breathing in and out slowly
  • Planning an hour of screen-free time before bed
  • Reviewing your to-do list and breaking down your biggest tasks into smaller, easier-to-manage chunks
  • Taking a walk
  • Seeing or getting in contact with a friend or loved one
The Better Health - Every Mind Matters website has lots of NHS-approved tips and advice to help you be kind to your mind.

Healthwatch England finds 40% of people don't know where to turn for social care support

Adult Social Care services help people with the practical support they might need to live independently. Many people benefit from social care support, including older people, those living with a physical or learning disability, and those who need short-term help after a stay in hospital.

In England, local authorities are responsible for providing their communities with information and advice about local social care services. They also organise and support care for those unable to fund it themselves, and can organise care services for self-funding individuals who may require assistance to do so.

The latest findings from Healthwatch England show that people don’t always know where to turn for help. And when they do access services, they’re not always fully supported.
Learn more here

Flu vaccinations

This winter, both COVID-19 and flu may circulate at high levels, potentially at the same time.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says there is evidence to show that if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time you are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell.

Flu is unpleasant for most people - but it can have serious consequences for some, particularly those with certain health conditions.

Click here for more information about flu and getting vaccinated. 

Health and Wellbeing Tips from our staff:
 

Being creative can help our wellbeing and can be used to help us relax.

Finding ways to learn and be creative can help you focus your mind or help you process your thoughts and feeling
 
There are lots of things like trying a new hobby or learning a new skill that can help improve your mental wellbeing.
 
For more tips to improve mental wellbeing, visit the NHS’ Every Mind Matters website here, or Mind here.

Healthwatch -  What we have heard about health and care services in East Sussex
In September we received 37 enquiries to our Information and Signposting service related to health and care services. The most common method by which people made their enquiry was telephone, followed by email. We also received 4 ‘Live Chat’ enquiries this month.
 

Dentists  – you told us:

 
  • Dentistry remained the most common enquiry theme this month, and it remains a key cause of concern for many local people.
  • We heard from people reporting difficulty finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients.
  • We also heard from people who were struggling to access emergency dental care.

GPs – you told us:

  • People wanted advice and information on registering with a GP, as they were struggling to find a practice with space to take them on.
  • We also heard from people reporting concerns about poor access to GP’s including significant ongoing frustration with long wait times on the telephone to book an appointment.

Each month we put together a report to feedback on the themes and issues people have contacted us about.
 
Our monthly report provides an overview of the enquiries that we have received via our Information and Signposting service, which includes information on the number of enquiries received, as well as the method of contact, main themes, and location of enquiries.
Read our September Feedback report here

Contact us

If you need information or support in accessing health and care services, please contact our Information & Signposting service via: enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk or 0333 101 4007

Our volunteer activity
We are always on the lookout for new volunteers.
 
Our volunteers currently range from 14 years to 80 plus years, so there is role for you whatever your interest, background or availability.

We offer a wide range of activities for volunteers, including desk-based activities, visits to health and care services, representing Healthwatch at local events and gathering views from the public and communities. 

To join our amazing volunteer team, either:

  • Visit our website here and download an application pack.
     
  • Call Elizabeth Mackie, Volunteer & Community Liaison Manager, 07794 097719 for an informal chat about our volunteer roles.
     
  • Email enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk to request more information.

Events

Making it Happen - Big Sparks Community Event


On Thursday 10th November, Making it Happen are hosting Big Sparks!, an event to uncover, celebrate, inspire, showcase and learn about the amazing things communities are doing in East Sussex.
 
There will be stories, showcases, skills swap, videos, performances open space conversations and more.
 
Book here.

 

Bexhill Primary Care Network - Sea Road Surgery Drop-In – Talk to your Social Prescribers


Social Prescribers at Bexhill Primary Care Network are holding a new weekly drop-in. No appointment is needed.
 
This is available for patients aged 16+ registered with Sidley, Collington & Pebsham, Little Common or Old Town Surgeries.

The sessions takes place:
  • Every Tuesday 2-5pm
  • Sea Road Surgery
For more information, click here.

Rother Voluntary Action: 2022 Annual Event


Rother Voluntary Action is holding it’s next Annual Event on the 14th December at Ashburnham Place, Battle.
 
Date: 14th December 2022
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Ashburnham Place, Battle, TN39 9NE
 
Book here.
 
Booking is essential as places are limited.

Training

Care for the Carers - Think Carer Training


Care for the Carers provides a free, 'Think Carer' programme of Carer Awareness Training at locations across East Sussex and online.

Training content includes:
  • Unpaid carers and the impact of caring
  • The importance of identifying and supporting carers
  • Support available, signposting, making a referral
  • A ‘Carer Friendly Community’ approach. Why this is important and the role we can all play

Upcoming sessions:

  • Thursday 25th November 2022, 10am – 12.30pm, Town Hall, London Road, Bexhill on Sea TN39 3JX

For more information including how to book, click here.
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