Healthwatch Torbay is the independent champion for health and social care in Torbay, South Devon, home to over 136,281 people in the three main coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
We take your experiences of using health and care services - both good and bad, and share these with those who have the power to make change happen.
The NHS is already facing record demand on urgent and emergency care services – October and November were the busiest on record for A&E attendances and the most serious ambulance callouts. Industrial action means these services will be under increased pressure so it is vital that people use the services available appropriately.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases
If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
GP services are not impacted by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
Ambulances will still be able to respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.
There will be fewer ambulances on the roads during industrial action, with the NHS prioritising those with life-threatening needs. As a result patients whose conditions are not life-threatening may not get an ambulance on strike days.
During strike days, there is an expectation 999 services will be exempt; however, it is likely 999 call handlers will be very busy. NHS 111 call centres will have fewer staff, with longer call response times expected across the system. As a result, we are urging anyone with non-urgent care needs to first seek help from NHS 111 online.
Are you suffering from low mood, anxiety, panic, fears or depression?
70% of respondents, so far, rated their experience of mental health and wellbeing services in Torbay as POOR.
Have you, or someone you know, been suffering from low mood, anxiety, panic, fears or depression? Are you getting the support you need? Has your experience of using NHS mental health and wellbeing services been good, or could it have been better?
It’s quick and easy to share your experience with us by completing this anonymous online survey
YOUR voice will make a difference.
Healthwatch listens to your experiences and share these with organisations like NHS England because we all want to improve services and make a difference to people’s lives.
Click the play button to watch the video on YouTube
New films support vaccines and health checks for people with a learning disability
People who have a learning disability and those who care for them are being reminded that it’s not too late for them to have a free flu vaccination and additional Covid-19 booster.
Preventing Covid-19 and flu is particularly important for people with learning disabilities, who are much more vulnerable to both viruses.
A series of three new films, launched by NHS Devon and Devon County Council highlight the importance of having both the vaccinations and annual health checks.
Are you struggling to access health and care services this winter?
With the NHS under extra pressure this winter, we need to hear your experiences of care to help services understand what is working and spot issues affecting support for you and your loved ones.
The NHS is facing added pressures this winter. This means that it can be more challenging for people to receive the care they need.
Feedback from the public can play a vital role in helping health and social care services understand what is working and spot issues affecting the care of local people. This is why we have launched a campaign to get more people to share their experiences of care this winter.
If you or a loved one have used GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, care homes or other support services this winter, we want to hear about your experience.
Prestigious award for Rowcroft’s ‘Hospice at Home’ team
Rowcroft Hospice is celebrating after winning the ‘choice and control award’ at the NHS South West Personalised Care Awards in December. The charity’s ‘Hospice at Home’ team scooped the award for their expert service in delivering care at home across South Devon to people in their last two weeks of life.
The purpose of the South West Personalise Care Awards is to recognise and thank people who work in the health and care sector in the South West and to focus on the ‘What Matters to You’ approach where patients work together with healthcare professionals as equal partners.
The map shows the locations of all of our Healthwatch Assist Network members.
Our Assist Network allows us to build links with communities so we can gather information about the health and care services they use. We simply want to know what is and is not working. This information is fed back into the community and shared with key healthcare decision makers who can learn from good practice and make improvements to local services.
Can't see your community group on the map? Join the Network today and become an Assist member to join the map with so many others!
Healthwatch Torbay are supporting Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) to gather feedback from men about what matters to them about their health.
The information you share will be anonymised and shared within a report to TSDFT, which will help to inform them about the changes required to services they provide.
TSDFT provide joined up care across the community, delivering services from Torbay Hospital and community-based health and social care.
TSDFT are keen to find out what matters to men and help them improve their understanding of their health. They would be grateful if you could take the time to complete a short survey and share your views.
Strep A is a common type of bacteria. Most strep A infections are mild and easily treated, but some are more serious.
Common symptoms of strep A include:
- flu-like symptoms
- sore throat (strep throat or tonsillitis)
- a rash that feels rough, like sandpaper (scarlet fever)
- scabs and sores (impetigo)
- pain and swelling (cellulitis)
- nausea and vomiting
Parents should trust their judgement when their child is poorly. Speak to your GP or call 111 if your child is poorly and getting worse. A pharmacist can also give advice about how to ease your child's symptoms and whether you need to see a doctor.
Health and Soial care skills accelerator programme
The Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme (HSSAP), is an exciting new programme, part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and developed by Devon County Council, in partnership with a consortium of all the Devon NHS Trust, three local authorities and further education providers, with representatives from adult social care providers, primary care and Proud to Care.
The project runs until the summer of 2023 and aims to support the following areas.
Pathways into the health and social care sector for the unemployed or those looking to change careers
Development and upskilling of staff in health and social care roles through Level 1, 2 and 3 progression, with both apprenticeship and non-apprenticeship pathways on offer
Progression from apprenticeships into higher-skilled occupations e.g. Nursing, social work, allied health professions etc.
They can also support unpaid carers (those looking after, family, friends or neighbours) in a variety of ways and can offer bespoke certified and non-certified courses on request.
Active Devon offering several training opportunities during early 2023
Local non-profit organisation, Active Devon, has recently released a number of dates for training during the early part of 2023, focused on their work linking physical and mental wellbeing interventions. Check out the list below for upcoming training dates, which include online and in-person events aimed primarily at organisations that deliver various activities.
All training and workshops are free to attend. There are also opportunities for small funding pots to support physical wellbeing activity that improve mental wellbeing.
Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions.
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:
are 50 and over
have certain health conditions
are pregnant
are in long-stay residential care
receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system
If you're eligible for the free flu vaccine, it's likely you can get the COVID-19 seasonal booster.
SignHealth are a passionate and caring Deaf-led team working towards a future where there are no barriers to good health and wellbeing for Deaf people, they partner with the NHS and service providers across the country.
Engaging Communities South West (ECSW) are the inclusive, innovative and independent champion for the aspirations of local people who manage the contract for Healthwatch Torbay and run other different community projects.
If you would like to receive the ECSW email newsletter, please click the link below to subscribe.
Healthwatch Torbay
Paignton Library & Information Centre
Great Western Road
Paignton
TQ4 5AG
Telephone: (Freephone) 0800 052 0029
Text Message: 07469 244112
Email: info@healthwatchtorbay.org.uk
Healthwatch Torbay is the independent champion for health and social care in Torbay, South Devon, home to over 136,281 people in the three main coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
