Category Archives: Care

Are you concerned about who has access to your confidential information?

hand holding a stethoscope over computer keyboard with a securitNHS Digital are introducing a new tool that people can use to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for reasons other than their individual care and treatment.This is part of a vision to improve patients’ trust and confidence in how data is looked after by the health and social care system, following the failure of the Care.data project two years ago. Further information is available on our Have Your Say page.

The national data opt-out will be available for the public online from 25th  May at https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out-programme

For those who do not want to or cannot access the service digitally there will be also be a national telephone service available on 0300 303 5678.

Join the Which? campaign to fix the care system

Compassionate Elder CareThe Consumer Association (Which?) is campaigning to get the Government to fix the care system, as a matter of priority. Which? estimates that ‘the care home population is already bigger than the City of Manchester and it’s set to grow rapidly over the coming years’.

As increasing numbers of care homes are closing, there are insufficient places for people who need them.  Care homes are struggling to provide the care which individuals need. For some residents this can mean that they are not receiving adequate care, or are having to move to another care home when their existing care home closes. To particpate in the Which? campaign, please follow this link:  https://campaigns.which.co.uk/care-system

No mental health beds in the Harrogate district – a real risk

MH maleThe approved plans for a specialised facility to be built on the outskirts of Harrogate have been put on hold, pending the outcome of a local consultation. There is the possibility that patients will have to travel out of the district to receive care. For patients living with dementia this would be extremely stressful – away from familiar surroundings and people.

To find out how you can express your views and attend a public event to discuss this issue, please visit our ‘Have your say‘ page. There are less than 2 weeks to make your views known.

Act FAST campaign re-launched

Public Health England (PHE) has re-launched the Act FAST stroke campaign, which urges the public to call 999 if they notice any signs of a stroke. While the majority of stokes occur in older people, recent figures from PHE show more first time strokes are now occurring at an earlier age. The average age for males having a stroke fell from 71 to 68 years and for females, 75 to 73 years between 2007 and 2016. Awareness is crucial, so the campaign reaches out to people of all ages.

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Caring for someone with cancer at Christmas?

Marie CurieMarie Curie provides a support line for people living with or caring for someone with a terminal illness 

The Marie Curie Support Line is a free and confidential service for people living with or caring for someone with terminal illness. The service provides practical information and emotional support to anyone that is affected by terminal illness. The service will be available throughout the festive period, including the bank holidays. You can find out more about the support line, including full opening hours, and other support services on the Marie Curie website.

How one NHS Trust has improved end-of-life care

End-of-lfe careOne NHS Trust demonstrates how patient feedback led to improved End of Life Care …..

‘Patient feedback is a vital part of improving NHS Services. Listening to feedback from patients and their families on End of Life Care has helped deliver a more dignified, compassionate and professional experience at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust. Staff in the trust, which provides acute healthcare in outer North East London, have redesigned their processes to make sure that the needs of dying patients and their bereaved relatives are at the heart things. This videoshows how patient feedback was used to create a positive change in services’.  (Source: NHS England Issue 60).