Welcome to the March newsletter of Healthwatch Bexley

Healthwatch Bexley is the independent champion for health and social care for the London Borough of Bexley.  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.

New staff members

We are delighted to announce two new members of staff  to Healthwatch Bexley. Carrie Breed, who previously managed the National Breathing Space Wellbeing Project through MIND in Bexley, has joined as Joint Healthwatch Bexley Manager.  Carrie will be working two days a week along side Jayne Garfield-Field who has reduced her hours to one day a week.     Margot Gasparotto joins the team as our Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator. Margot also previously worked within the National Breathing Space Wellbeing Project.     Sarah Richards remains as our Communications and Engagement Officer.   We are very pleased to welcome them both to the team.

Health & Wellbeing Bus Survey

January 2022 saw the pilot launch of the Health & Wellbeing bus.  This is a vehicle that travels around the borough offering: covid-19 testing advice and support to residents about mental and physical health help to people who live and work in Bexley to access the health and wellbeing support they need.   We want to hear from Bexley residents and workers to find out if they have seen the bus or visited the bus since January.  If you would like to visit the bus to find out more the itinerary until the end of March is: - 14,15,16,17 March at Pier Road, Erith DA8 1TB - 18 March at Wolsley House, Wolsley Close, Crayford DA1 4BE

Take the survey

Healthwatch England's Annual Report 2020-21

Find out in Healthwatch England's Annual Report to Parliament how your feedback has helped NHS and social care services improve care and their plans for the future.

Download the report here

Your Care Your Way

Healthwatch are campaigning for healthcare information to be clear for everyone, no matter what your needs are. This means services should provide information in different formats, depending on how you need it. If you’ve been given information that wasn’t clear, then we want to hear from you, share your experiences in this short survey.  Your feedback has the power to help make a difference, share your experiences today!

Find out more about the campaign

Launch of accessible health information

Bexley Mencap have produced three short videos as part of an initiative to make health information more accessible.  The first video is about the Learning Disability Register and encourages people to find out if they should be on it.  The second video on Annual Health Checks reminds people with a learning disability across Bexley to attend their appointments and not to be worried or frightened and the final video is on Community Pharmacies and the services they provide.

Find out more and view the videos

The videos can also be viewed on the new website that Mencap have worked with the NHS to create.  The aim of the new website is to provide accessible information about where to get help with your health in Bexley and about different aspects of health such as mental health, reasonable adjustments and local groups. Visit www.easyhealth.org.uk

Engagement

Throughout the remainder of March we will be visiting the Health & Wellbeing bus to talk to residents about their thoughts on the service offered. As restrictions have eased we are currently working to re-introduce our monthly library visits which will commence in May.  Once the schedule is available the dates will be be advertised through our social media channels and website. If you have an upcoming event that you would like Healthwatch Bexley to attend then please do email us at: info@healthwatchbexley.co.uk

Volunteering Opportunities

Our volunteers play a vital role speaking to local people about their experiences and giving them opportunities to share their views and ideas for how services can improve.  Many of our volunteers spend time in our community finding out what people think of local services in Bexley and raising awareness of Healthwatch. We are currently recruiting for new volunteers so whether you want to gain valuable work experience, help improve care in your community or learn new skills, there are lots of ways you can join us to make a real difference.

Find out more

Vaccination News

An additional booster vaccine dose will be offered to all adults over-75 and the most vulnerable over-12s in the UK this spring. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said an extra dose would help top up their protection against severe Covid-19. Many of the oldest received their latest shot back in the autumn and immunity may now be waning. An autumn booster programme, aimed at a wider group of people, is also planned later this year. Find out more

It’s never too late to boost your immunity with a first, second and booster dose of the COVID vaccine.

Find out more about vaccine clinics in Bexley

Community News and Events

Do you have a complaint about NHS treatment or services? Advocacy for All provides an independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Service for Bexley residents who want to complain about NHS services, including hospitals, mental health services, GP surgeries and ambulance services.  They give people the opportunity to speak confidentially to somebody independent of the NHS and help them through the complaints process. They can support people by writing letters, attending meetings and talking over what to do at each stage. They don’t give legal or medical advice, but can signpost people to the right advice. They try to ensure that complaints are used positively to improve NHS services for the whole community.   Examples of feedback from clients: “My advocate was incredibly supportive”, “Having someone with me was very helpful and reassuring”, “Polite, informative and above all empathetic and patient”.    For more information, please contact: Phone:     0345 310 1812 (option 3)  Email:   bexleynhscomplaints@advocacyforall.org.uk or visit www.advocacyforall.org.uk

Bexley Voice Future Events  Anxiety 0-5 20th March 10am - 12.00 noon (virtual) https://www.bexleyvoice.org.uk/anxiety-0-5.html   Preparing for Adulthood Workshop 26th April 10am - 11.30pm (virtual) https://www.bexleyvoice.org.uk/preparing-for-adulthood-workshops.html   Bexley Voice has worked with the Local Authority to develop a wellbeing resource for parents/carers on coping strategies.  Take a look at their website where you can download lots of useful information  www.bexleyvoice.org.uk

Webinars Vaccines in pregnancy webinar The NHS are hosting a webinar aimed at pregnant women, their partner and families, as well as the wider public who are thinking about getting pregnant. The webinar takes place on Thursday 24 March, 5pm - 6pm  Ask questions and gain an understanding of the COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and how it reduces the risk of becoming unwell.  If you have concerns around fertility raise these with our panel that includes an Obstetrician, a Foetal Medicine Consultant, and a Public Health Consultant. Register for the webinar MSK Webinar Webinar for people with lived experience of musculoskeletal conditions that is taking place on: Tuesday, 29 March 1:00-2:00 pm - http://ow.ly/hcQN50IhjRC Thursday, 31 March 6:00-7:00 pm - http://ow.ly/p1oL50IhjRE Please note that both webinars will have the same content, therefore you only need to attend one. Diabetes webinar Thursday 24 March - 2pm - 4:30pm Join the conversation at the Bexley Strategic Board webinar. Ask Dr Moir, Bexley GP and Diabetes Lead, any questions that you may have about local diabetes care and services. Email your questions in advance to selccg.bexleyquestions@nhs.net Find out more

Take a Look at Our Advice and Information Pages

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If you feel lost and don’t know where to turn, Healthwatch Bexley is here for you. In times of worry or stress, we provide confidential support and free information to help you understand your options and get the help you need. We can also signpost to advocacy services.

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Contact Us

The Healthwatch team continue to work remotely however, you can still contact us via the phone on 0208 304 9344 or 07506 910968 By email on info@healthwatchbexley.co.uk Or contact us through our website www.healthwatchbexley.co.uk