Welcome to our September newsletter
This month our newsletter includes:
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The last month has been busy at Healthwatch East Sussex with lots of engagement underway.
Throughout September we have been out and about across Rye and the surrounding area listening to people’s experiences of health and care services.
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Thank you to everyone who has shared their views so far, everything we hear can help to improve local health and care services.
There is still time for your to share your experience with us through our online survey, which will be open until the 15th October, after this date we will begin work on pulling together our insight and report.
I had the opportunity this month to attend the Healthwatch England Leadership conference. It was a great event and provided the opportunity to discuss important topics including access to primary care and the primary care recovery plan. It was also an opportunity to catch up with and hear from other Healthwatch teams across the country.
Remember, you can always your experiences from across East Sussex with us at anytime via our Feedback Centre or by contacting our Information and Signposting Service.
Veronica Kirwan
Executive Director
East Sussex Community Voice, delivering Healthwatch in East Sussex
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Healthwatch Poll: Travelling to access health and care services
This month we want to hear how far you typically travel to use key health and care services.
Please share your experience with us via our one question poll.
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Rye Listening Tour 2023 Survey: Share your views
Since the 10th of September Healthwatch East Sussex have been out and about at various locations and community events across Rye and the surrounding villages.
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Just a few of the places we have visited include;
- Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
- Rye Hospital
- Winchelsea Co-op
- Rye Market
- Camber Memorial Hall
- Fairlight Village Hall
There is still a chance for you to share your experiences and views of health and care services in and around Rye, via our our online survey.
If you live in Rye or eastern Rother District, please tell us which services you have used, what your experience was (good, bad or mixed) and any aspects you would like to see change.
Using the feedback we receive we will:
- Share what we hear with health and care commissioners and the local authority
- Make recommendations to local service providers to support positive change.
- Champion the view and experiences of local people
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Survey deadline: 15th October 2023.
If you require the survey in a different format please get in touch by emailing enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk or by calling 0333 101 4007.
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STAMMA - ‘people who stammer face barriers to accessing GP appointments’
STAMMA, the UK’s national charity for people who stammer, have found that people who stammer face significant difficulties when trying to book a doctor’s appointment. Difficulties which have led to distress, delayed appointments and even misdiagnosis.
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Prompted by frustrations from one of their members, they surveyed their members to see whether problems in making a GP appointment were common.
•41% of people who stammer reported they find it ‘very difficult’ using the phone to book an appointment (compared with 23% of people who don’t stammer),
•54% of people who stammer experienced mental distress using the phone to make appointments.
The full results are available here.
STAMMA are now calling for;
• Alternative ways of contacting a GP, in addition to the phone.
• Training of receptionists to recognise and interact with disfluent callers.
• Implementation of opt-in patient record flags for people who stammer or who are disfluent.
STAMMA, have produced a short guide with practical tips and support for Practice Managers, receptionists and other staff, which outlines the steps which can be taken.
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Citizens Advice 1066 – Keep Warm and Well leaflet
In collaboration with the East Sussex Fuel Poverty Co-ordinator, Citizens Advice 1066 have created a new Keep Warm and Well leaflet.
The leaflet includes information on the risks of living in a cold home and the support available (advice and financial) to keep warm this winter.
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Third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services
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New research from Healthwatch England shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.
The survey suggests low public confidence in accessing GP services and preventative care, such as mental health service and non-urgent procedures, while a relatively high confidence in more urgent care, such as A&E and 999 services.
- Out of hours GP services scored the lowest public confidence, with half of people, 50%, lacking confidence in getting timely care from this service
- This is closely followed by non-urgent operations and procedures, 46%
- Mental health support, 44%
- GP services during the day, 42%
- Dental care, 39%
- Nearly a third of people were not confident in being able to access A&E, 31%, or an ambulance or paramedic, 30%
Across those services, an average of 32% of respondents said they were not confident or very confident that the 13 NHS services could provide timely care.
Around a third (31%) of the respondents said they are totally or very confident they could access timely care from those services.
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World Sepsis Day 2023
The 13th September was World Sepsis Day, a global day of raising awareness about Sepsis across the world.
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Sepsis is the body’s life-threatening overreaction to an infection. It used to be known as blood poisoning. Without timely treatment, it can rapidly lead to organ failure and death, but it’s often treatable if caught quickly.
This World Sepsis Day, NHS Sussex asked people to be 'Sepsis Savvy' by knowing the signs and symptoms of Sepsis.
The symptoms of Sepsis vary between adults and children.
A child may have Sepsis if they:
- Are breathing very fast
- Has a ‘fit’ or convulsion
- Looks mottled, bluish, or pale
- Has a rash that does not fade when you press it
- Is very lethargic or difficult to wake
- Feels abnormally cold to touch
An adult may have Sepsis if they show any of these signs:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine (in a day)
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you’re going to die/feeling of ‘impending doom’
- Skin mottled or discoloured
Call NHS 111 or contact your GP if you’re worried about an infection. If you suspect Sepsis, call 999 or visit A&E immediately.
The UK Sepsis Trust have a range of resources for people who have been affected by Sepsis, those who have lost a loved one or anyone who wants to help raise awareness.
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Electric Blanket Testing events across East Sussex this Autumn.
During October, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have arranged free Electric Blanket safety checks at locations across East Sussex.
The checks are open to all, just take you electric blanket along to one of the events for a free safety check. For all of the upcoming dates and times click here.
For more information about the events and advice on choosing and using your electric blanket visit the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service website via the link below.
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Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023
The 9th to the 15th October 2023 is Baby Loss Awareness Week.
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This globally recognised event that provides an opportunity to come together as a community and give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.
The Baby Loss Awareness Week website provides an array of information and signposting for accessing support.
Every year Baby Loss Awareness Week ends with Wave of Light, an opportunity to light a candle to remember all babies that have died too soon. This year Wave of Light is taking place on the 15th October at 7pm.
Ahead of this years Wave of Light a member of the Healthwatch East Sussex Team wanted to share their experience and the importance of Wave of Light. You can read their story here.
For any support or advice please visit the Baby Loss Awareness Week website here: https://babyloss-awareness.org/
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