For three years the NHS information sharing scheme has been mired in controversy. Now, after the publication of the Data Guardian’s report ‘Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-outs’ there are new standards for data security and NHS England has announced that the care.data project has been abandoned. Now is the time to respond to the consultation (before September 7th 2016) about the rights of patients over the use of their personal healthcare data and their right to ‘opt-out’ of sharing personal data. By participating in the consultation, you can determine the wording of ‘consent’ and ‘opt-out’ to ensure that your personal data is only used by those permitted by you.
Best Foot Forward!
Come to our next Forum meeting to get some really good advice about avoiding falls. As people get older, they are arguably more prone to accidents. Slips, trips and falls are the commonest types and are often preventable. Contributing factors include poor mobility and loss of balance. Facilitated by Gail McCracken, NYCC Falls Co-ordinator, this presentation will heighten your awareness of the risks of falls and highlight ways in which you can improve your safety. The meeting will be held in St Paul’s Meeting Room, Victoria Avenue, HG1 1EL ( opposite Harrogate Library) on July 21st 2.00 – 4.00pm. Entrance £2 (includes refreshments and raffle ticket).
Our annual tea party
This year we had our annual tea party at St John’s Hub, St John’s Church, Knaresborough. It was a lovely day and the views from the terrace were marvellous. Great food and great company enjoyed by all.
A flaming marvel – Cie Carabosse in the Valley Gardens
What an amazing sight! As part of the Harrogate Festival, the Fire Garden display was unique. Such imaginative sculptures brought to life by the light of flames. If you weren’t able to visit the display, you can follow this link for some stunning images.
Thanks to the sponsors for arranging this event and for funding the booking fee.
Scams, scams and more scams
The Metropolitan Police Service has produced its latest edition of ‘The Little Book of BIG Scams’. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the myriad of scams and phishing techniques which are used by criminals. For further details see our ‘Alerts’ page.
Safe places in the Harrogate District
A safe place is where anyone who might need a little bit more help and support, when they are out and about in the community, can call in to get assistance.
Members of the scheme carry a ‘keep safe’ card and may have a wristband. On the card there is a call centre number that can be contacted by the safe place to check the person’s details. The call centre will then contact the person’s responders to make sure someone who knows them the best can come to take them home. The safe place will make sure that the person is safe and feels comfortable until their responder is able to attend. More details about the scheme and local safe places.
‘We all have a story and cannot be understood without it’
‘Stories in dementia care: we all have a story and cannot be understood without it. Life story work typically involves helping people to make a record of some aspects of their life, most often in a book or template, although more creative approaches do exist, including the use of IT and stop frame animation. Increasingly, life story work is being promoted as an important tool for enhancing person-centred dementia care’. To find out more, follow this link to read an article from the Guardian newspaper.
Dementia and Sensory Challenges Booklet
This booklet was inspired by and created with the words of people with dementia to give readers ideas on how to make the lives of people with dementia more pleasant, allowing them to be more socially included and no longer feeling alone. The booklet was created with funding support from the Life Changes Trust. You can download the booklet and an accompanying film here.
York named as first ‘dementia friendly’ station
A short film has been made with the British Transport Police and Virgin Trains East Coast about dementia friendly railways including some of the work done here in York. The link to the video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgUHuAr2QQQ
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New Guide to Healthy Caring
This guide has been produced by NHS England. ‘A Practical Guide to Healthy Caring’ (online pdf) aims to support the 5.4 million carers, and in particular those 1.2 million aged over 65, who make a critical and often under-appreciated contribution not only to loved ones, neighbours and friends, but to the very sustainability of the NHS itself. The Guide is an A4 magazine-style publication that members of the public, professionals and organisations such as CCGs, pharmacists, Fire and Rescue Services and GPs can order free by ringing 0300 123 1002 or through the Department of Health website