Citizens’ Advice provides free impartial and confidential advice about a variety of issues including housing, money benefits and employment.
Opening times for drop-ins:
Harrogate: Mon – Weds and Friday 9.30am – 12noon
Ripon: Mon, Thurs and Fri 10.30am – 1pm.
Find out more at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cravenandharrogatedistrictscab
The Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire has published an independent review into the experiences of service users of the police. This in-depth study focuses particularly on the use of the 101 non-emergency number. Click here to read the report. It is also available on our ‘Publications’ page.
Following our forum meeting on November 26th which suggested ways in which the principles of the NHS are being undermined, members expressed concern about how the the NHS could be protected. The presentation also highlighted the role whistleblowers play in alerting others to concerns about the NHS. But, what are the consequences for the individuals involved. Do they receive any protection?
The Care Quality Commission is currently seeking your views on its plans for the new role of Public Guardian, which aims to support whistleblowers. See our ‘Have Your Say‘ page for details, before December 9th 2015.
Update
We had a an eye-opening meeting on Thursday November 26th when we found out what is happening to the NHS and the ways in which its principles have, and are, being undermined by successive governments. Following the showing of the DVD about the NHS -‘The Sell Off’, which exposed some of the covert strategies which suggest that the NHS is being privatised by the back door, there was a lively discussion about how patients could try to rescue the NHS.
Carers UK has produced a new factsheet which provides clear, up-to-date information for carers who are looking after someone who is coming out of hospital.
The factsheet outlines carers’ rights during the discharge procedure, the steps that should be followed when a person being cared for is discharged, and what to do if things go wrong. The information has been fully updated following the implementation of the Care Act 2014.
It was great to see a show of solidarity from the people of Harrogate district at the vigil for peace, last night.
People are being urged to help the frail and elderly this winter. This is a key message of the NHS ‘Stay Well This Winter’ campaign. Keep a watchful eye on elderly neighbours and relatives, and encourage them to stay warm and visit their pharmacist at the first sign of a cough or cold and to get their flu jab. Find out how some of Britain’s favourite and best known TV stars and celebrities have backed this year’s NHS winter campaign. Age UK is also running the ‘No one should have no one at Christmas’ campaign, which highlights that over a million older people say they haven’t spoken to a friend, neighbour or family member for over a month.
The popular Christmas Market returns to Harrogate on Thursday November 19th and continues until November November 22nd. There is a complimentary bus service running from Stand 1 in the bus station to the Crown Hotel and back. For further details of the market, please click here.
There will be a presentation about current changes in the way that NHS services are funded and managed, followed by a discussion about current issues affecting older people.
Click Invitation to November 2015 meeting for further details
The White Rose Credit union is now for anyone who lives or works in Harrogate District, Craven, Leeds and Wakefield. The new Credit union for our district will bring improved financial wellbeing and resilience for residents and help with better budgeting.
For further details see ‘New Ventures & Special Events‘ section on the ‘Events’ page.