The Wiltshire Involvement Network is supported by:
Wiltshire and Swindon Users' Network
The Independent Living Centre
St Georges Road
Semington
Wiltshire BA14 6JQ
The Wiltshire Involvement Network (WIN)
for Health and Social Care
QUICK DOWNLOADS
WIN Leaflet and Registration Form - download
Issue 3 of the WIN Newsletter - download
Activity Report Template
Expense Claim Form for Members
Annual Report 2010/11
WIN PUBLIC EVENT
'Carers and Services that Help people to Live at Home'
Saturday 26th May
10.30am - 3.30pm
Devizes Corn Exchange
10.30am - Refreshments
Please confirm your attendance either by contacting us on 01380 871800 or by email winadmin.wsun@btconnect.com
NEXT WIN PUBLIC MEETING DATE
Monday 18th June 10.30-12.30
Neeld Hall Chippenham
10-10.15 Refreshments
Speakers from:
Royal United Hospital
Please confirm your attendance either by contacting us on 01380 871800 or by email winadmin.wsun@btconnect.com
To view WIN's data protection statement click here. This website contains links to other sites. WIN is not responsible for the data protection and privacy practices within any of these other sites. We encourage you to read the data protection and privacy statements on other sites you visit which collect personally identifiable information.
The Wiltshire Involvement Network (WIN) is a network of people, organisations and community groups working together to improve health and social care services for the people of Wiltshire.
The more people that get involved with WIN the stronger and more influential it becomes. It’s up to you how you get involved – it may be you just want to comment on issues that interest you or you can get more involved by being part of a working group, meeting providers or by helping to raise awareness of an issue or by helping to find solutions. For more information on taking part in WIN visit our Get Involved page.
WIN has a Core Group of 20 elected members who make up the decision making body.
Information from around the County
Join us for our Sight Support day - Devizes Library 13th June 2pm for more details click here
Black, Asian and minority ethnic family fun day 4th August Chippenham click here for more details. Also 16th June at Salisbury click here for more details.
Changes in senior leadership team - The Chair of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Felicity Longshaw, has decided to resign. The Deputy Chair, Anthony Gallagher, has assumed the role of acting Chair with immediate effect pending a formal appointments process led by the Appointments Commission. The Chief Executive, Laura McMurtrie, is taking a period of leave from the Trust. The Executive Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive, Paul Miller, has been appointed acting Chief Executive. Felicity Longshaw said, "I am proud of the progress the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust has made during my five years as Chair but the Trust faces many challenges as it seeks to achieve Foundation Trust status and I believe this is the right time to hand over to a new Chair. I have greatly valued my time as Chair and will remain a firm supporter of the Trust, its staff and its service users." Anthony Gallagher said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Felicity for her service over the past five years. Over the coming weeks and months I will endeavour to ensure that the provision of top quality services is our number one priority.”
SALISBURY DISTRICT HOSPITAL As athletes across the world prepare for London 2012, patients from across Southern England have won the 2012 Inter Spinal Unit Games for Salisbury District Hospital at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury. Please click here for further details.
You are invited to attend An Introduction to Age UK Wiltshire- 13th June 10am - 12.30 - click here for further details. Click here for map. This session is for Age UK Wiltshire volunteers, staff, trustees and people from other organisations working with older people. It aims to give an overview of Age UK Wiltshire’s services and activities and explore how we can work together to help older people.
Six steps to library services for blind and partially sighted people
click here for more details.Consultation on DLA - Personal Independence Payment - DWP are consulting on the new benefit rules underpinning Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (following the Welfare Reform Act 2012 which specifies the structure of the new benefit).
The consultation focuses on the new rules for the Personal Independence Payment including on:
Requirements for reassessing DLA recipients e.g. what people who claim DLA now can expect to change
Passporting arrangements e.g. how the benefit will be a gateway for claiming other benefits
You can access the consultation here http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2012/pip-detailed-design.shtml. Responses must be submitted by 30 June 2012. If you would like any help or further information, please contact Emma Smale esmale@carers.org -07900 335175.
SALISBURY BREAST CANCER PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM NEW LYMPH NODE TECHNIQUE click here for press release
Calling all Voluntary Community Groups click here for full details
The Swindon & Wiltshire Neurological Alliance is conducting via its website (copies can be sent out in the post on request) www.swna.org.uk a detailed neurological local area support & treatment related survey.
The surveys aim is to establish in the Swindon & Wiltshire catchments area the actual support, attitudes, treatment diagnosis time and so on for all those of all ages particularly children who have Neurological related conditions of which there are over 30 listed on SWNA’s website.
Particular emphasis is being placed on what happens if people have multiple conditions of which a Neurological condition is only one, to see if the current services are all interrelated or not ‘joined’ up? No personal details are required.
The survey results will be analysed at the end of April and will then be fed into the many Neurological related groups working with SWNA to enable future weaknesses in Neurological services to be improved. So if your interested in putting your views, feelings and non personal details of what you’ve experienced within the whole medical arena, please go on the site now.
If you want to be kept informed of any future events by SWNA please let me know, there's no membership fee as SWNA is a volunteer led organisation seeking to improve Neurological services in your area. It can’t do that successfully without peoples involvement whether they themselves, friends or family or acquaintances have or affected by a Neurological condition.With that in mind as 1 in 7 people of all ages will experience a Neurological condition at some time, please pass the details of this survey on as you see fit.
Please spare the time in the next couple of weeks before the closing date to at least have a look and see if you feel its worth you or anyone else you filling in. As they say what matters is weight of numbers!
If you feel SWNA can help to raise or help improve the awareness of Neurological information & support services in Swindon & Wiltshire please let us know, the more heads together the better.
Lastly but importantly: SWNA recently held its second Neurological Training day 21st March 2011. Speakers spoke about Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Acquired Brain Injury, Huntington’s, Stroke & Myasthenia Gravis.
If you want details of or if available presentation copy please contact David Wray Chair SWNA at info@swna.org.uk or I can pass the request on if it’s easier.
The Appointments Commission has officially appointed Tony Barron as Chairman of the Boards for the PCT cluster of NHS Bath & North East Somerset and NHS Wiltshire. The attached release has more information. Click here for full details.
QUESTION FROM PHIL MATTHEWS, CHAIR, WILTSHIRE INVOLVEMENT NETWORK TO CLLR JANE SCOTT - click here for further details
The Public Health Team at NHS Wiltshire and Wiltshire Citizens Advice are working together to improve public health and wellbeing. click here for full report.
Public artwork created by disabled asylum seekers and refugees to be opened in Bristol click here for more information.
Update from Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) Last year the GWAS Board decided not to continue to become a stand-alone NHS Foundation Trust (FT) but instead to join with another trust who was already an FT or on its way to becoming one. Our neighbour, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), came forward to express their interest in becoming our partner and in October 2011, we decided to explore the opportunity for GWAS to be acquired by SWASFT. Since then, both ambulance trusts have been exploring the creation of a single ambulance trust for the South West. If it goes ahead, this partnership will be excellent news for our patients and staff and offers the best way of continuing to improve patient care for the future. It will bring the benefits of combined resources, skills and expertise and will provide more capacity to improve and innovate. Currently, should the acquisition be successfully concluded, the aim is for the larger organisation to be in operation as of October 2012. You can keep updated on the work via the GWAS website: wwww.gwas.nhs.uk. You can also email your questions directly via e-mail at the contact address: feedback@gwas.nhs.uk.
Reopening of Devizes x-ray facility - “The non-emergency x-ray facility at Devizes hospital will re-open on Wednesday 29 February. This follows the completion of work to replace a waste tank and install a new pump at a cost of some £18,000. It had been intended to re-open the facility earlier in February but final safety checks resulted in additional work being carried out. “The RUH remains committed to the provision of community radiology in Wiltshire and while this essential work was being carried out we made alternative x-ray facilities for Devizes residents available at other nearby sites. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Statement from Kevin McNamara Head of Marketing and Communications Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust “The x-ray machine at Chippenham Hospital broke down earlier this month and, due to its age a repair has not been possible. We are sourcing a new x-ray machine for the hospital but because of the type of equipment needed it will take up to 12 weeks to get it in place. In the meantime we are looking at providing a mobile x-ray machine to accommodate the vast majority of patients seen at the hospital. Patients can attend still attend Trowbridge hospital which offers a walk-in x-ray service for people who have suffered a minor injury between 0900 and 1700 Monday to Friday. Alternatively there is a walk-in x-ray facility at the Royal United Hospital in Bath for non-traumatic injuries as well as an x-ray facility within the Emergency Department.”
Wiltshire Council scheme offers elderly care funding advice Continue reading the main story
A scheme has been launched in Wiltshire to help people plan their finances for care they may need later in life.
Wiltshire Council, in partnership with the Society of Later Life Advisors (SOLLA), aims to offer advice to older people about post-retirement options.
WILTSHIRE COUNCIL’S HELP TO LIVE AT HOME PROJECT - DOMICILIARY CARE ISSUES -
As changes are introduced across the county to home care providers, Age UK Wiltshire (AUKW) has been receiving a number of enquiries from people who are unhappy with the new services they are receiving. AUKW can advise people of their rights and responsibilities and, where necessary, support them in making their concerns known to the provider. However, they would also like to collect evidence of the effect that these changes are having, so that they can identify any common themes. They can then raise these with providers and seek to influence development of the services they offer.
We would like to support this evidence gathering by passing on any issues that are raised with WIN. This information will be completely anonymous, although it would help in verifying the findings if some clients were willing to talk to the provider.
AUKW will be gathering evidence through February and March. If you would like to contribute to this process, please let Mary Rennie, WIN Support Officer for Older People, know. Mary is
based at Age UK Wiltshire and can be contacted by email mary.rennie@ageukwiltshire.org.uk or by leaving a message at the Age UK Wiltshire main office on 01380 727767.
Strike action at the Great Western Hospital - Update
The first day of the strike was yesterday and two further days of action of planned for next week if negotiations between Carillion and the GMB are unsuccessful. This action follows a grievance lodged at Christmas by a number of Carillion housekeeping staff based at the Great Western Hospital, and who are members of the GMB Trade Union.
Clearly our priority is to ensure there is minimal disruption to patients so thought you would be keen to understand what plans we have in place.
Background
The background behind this action centres on three issues raised in a collective grievance by Carillion Housekeeping staff on 21st December:
• Annual leave – concerns raised that some staff were unable to take long term leave (over two weeks) to visit family in India. The arrangements Carillion have in place, which were negotiated with Unite and Unison, means staff can apply for annual leave over two weeks at anytime and they are considered by Carillion on a case by case basis taking into account the needs of the hospital at that time.
• Bullying and harassment – concerns raised about the behaviour of a member of Carillion staff.
• Non-recognition of the GMB by Carillion - Carillion as a national company recognise Unison and Unite but does not recognise the GMB and part of the grievance requested recognition. As Carillion recognise Trade Unions at a national level and not on an individual contract basis, this issue is for the GMB to raise with Carillion nationally and not at a local level and requires the agreement from the two recognised unions.
In response to the grievance, Carillion immediately began an investigation looking at all of the issues raised. This investigation is due to be completed at the end of this week and we are disappointed that a decision to announce a strike by the GMB was made before the outcome of the investigation is known.
The investigation led by Carillion has involved 100 one to one interviews with staff to go through the key issues. The interviews have involved Trade Unions officials and interpreters arranged by Carillion where appropriate. These interviews were completed last week and the Carillion management are now in the process of compiling a report detailing their findings. This report will be shared with the GMB and the Trust, and will be used as the basis to inform any decisions to be taken by Carillion going forward.
These staff are not employed by our Trust and we are not responsible for employee relations within any of our contractors, therefore responsibility to investigate thoroughly and fairly the issues raised by staff falls to the employing body. Similarly any decisions about what Trade Unions should be recognised are decisions for those companies alone.
However, as Carillion is a key supplier of ours providing important support services to our staff and patients, we do of course have a keen interest in ensuring that issues are dealt with fairly, resolved quickly, and have minimal impact on our patients and the running of the hospital. We have been in close contact with Carillion management to seek assurances that the investigation is being conducted properly and that they have robust plans in place to continue to deliver services during any strike action.
Current situation
Whilst we are disappointed that a number of staff have chosen to take part in the strike action, I am pleased to report that there has been no impact on patients or the hospital during the first day of action.
The plans Carillion have in place mean that additional support has been secured from other parts of their business ensuring cleaning and the hostess operation continue without any drop in service. This support is from qualified staff who work on other Carillion contracts and we are grateful for the support they are providing in maintaining a clean environment for our patients.
With issues of this nature, there are always different figures highlighted in the media about how many staff were involved in the strike. Based on yesterday’s strike, overall there were 65 staff who were scheduled to work but who took part in the action. The additional staff Carillion have in place more than covers these gaps.
Ahead of the two planned strike days next week, we will be working with Carillion to see what lessons (if any) from yesterday’s events may need to be factored into plans for next week to minimise disruption and we will keep the public informed through the local media and through our website.
Activities for over 50s in Wiltshire – update 14 February 2012 - click here for further details.
Wiltshire Warmth event – Friday 2nd March - Ridgeway Care & Repair are organizing a Wiltshire Warmth event in the Neeld Hall in Chippenham from 10am until 2pm to promote keeping safe and warm this winter. Flyers have gone out for the event and we would like to invite any voluntary groups with an interest in older or vulnerable clients to have a table. Spaces are free although we ask that you bring a prize for a raffle to go towards Age Concern – Chippenham who are helping to publicise the event. Lots of flyers have gone out publicising the event so it should be well attended. If you have a service which you would like to promote you can not afford to miss it! Call now to reserve a table on (01380) 735437. For further information contact Becky Bell, Project Manager Wiltshire & Swindon - Ridgeway Care & Repair Phone (01380) 735437 Email wcr@asterliving.co.uk
Small Project Funding for local events to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee and Olympic Torch Relay - Trowbridge Area Board has set aside £5,000 from its budget to allow groups in the Trowbridge Community Area (the Parishes of Trowbridge, Hilperton, West Ashton, North Bradley & Southwick), constituted or not, to bid for grants of up to £300 for projects/activities to celebrate the Queens’ Jubilee or the Olympic Torch Relay event.
(click here for Guidance notes and click here for application form). The deadline for applications is 31st March 2012 but applications will be assessed on a first come first served basis until all the funding is allocated. For more information please contact Rachel Efemey
Tel: 01225 718608 or Email: rachel.efemey@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Do you suffer with Memory Loss or have a loved one who does? Are you a Carer or a Support Group involved with people with Memory Loss? For full details of Event on 2nd March click here.
A fun way to check your hearing click here for more details.
Stakeholder update from the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - For full updated report click here.
Participation and Involvement Strategy Consultation
The Participation and Involvement Strategy aims to achieve better outcomes for children, young people, parents and carers through listening to them and developing better services based on what they say. Within the strategy there are 6 priorities identified to develop a strategic approach to participation and involvement in Wiltshire. Participation and Involvement Strategy - for consultation closes 23rd April 2012. Consultation responses can be emailed to Pathways@wiltshire.gov.uk. For general consultation enquiries please contact Damian.Haasjes@wiltshire.gov.uk Lead officer – Voice and influence, 01380 735787 or Christina.Gregory@wiltshire.gov.uk Support Officer – Voice and influence, 01380 735789
Swindon and Wilts Neurological Alliance swna.org.uk - Study day aimed at giving health and social care professionals an overview of some of the most common neurological conditions - click here for full details
Are you an older person? Do you care for an older person? Do you have experience of using social and/or health care services for older people?
Age UK is currently seeking to recruit people with your knowledge and experience to join our Acting Together project as Experts by Experience. For more information click here.
Great Western Hospital update WIN on Podiatry Services. For further information click here.
People caring for a relative with dementia at home can find out more about coping with the illness at a free training course starting in February 2012. Six weekly sessions will include a look at the different types of dementia and how they affect people, how to deal with everyday situations that might arise, and practical advice on the legal and financial aspects of caring. The course is run by independent Wiltshire charity Alzheimer’s Support and funded by Wiltshire Council. All the speakers are experts in their fields. Anna Littlechild, AS Principal Manager, said: “Carers will learn more about the illness and hopefully feel much better equipped to deal with its effects. A diagnosis of dementia is a very difficult thing to come to terms with for both the person affected and their families. However, there are coping strategies and things that people can do to make living with memory loss more bearable for the person with dementia and their families.
“We have run these courses in the past and one of the best things is that people meet and make friends with others who are going through similar experiences.”
The course will be held at Fullingbridge Farm, off the A350 between Westbury and Trowbridge. If you would like to come along or to find out please contact Stephany Bardzil on 01225 776481.
The Government has accepted the latest recommendations from the independent NHS Future Forum, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today. The NHS Future Forum was asked to carry out conversations with health and care professionals, patients and service users and to provide independent advice on education and training, information, integrated care and the NHS's role in the public's health. For more information click here.
Volunteers needed to help elderly patients VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help elderly patients in Salisbury District Hospital.The psychology team is expanding its award-winning programme, which aims to stave off depression and anxiety. The volunteers will be trained to encourage patients to interact through memory puzzles, discussion groups and reading. A pilot study run on Farley and Redlynch wards has proved highly successful.
Psychology co-ordinator Lizzy Goad said: “Older people often lose independence and self confidence when admitted to hospital, which can lead to short or long term psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. Given that around 66 per cent of our inpatients are over 65 years old, this programme provides vital extra support. More cognitive stimulation and social interaction can help alleviate some of the problems that older people could face when they leave familiar surroundings to come into hospital and provide a more interesting and therapeutic environment for them. The project needs committed volunteers who have an interest in psychology. The work is rewarding and enjoyable.”
Anyone interested can call 01722 425105 or email lizzy.goad@salisbury.nhs.uk.
Smokers get help to quit A national TV and radio advertising campaign has been launched today to encourage smokers to quit. From today smokers can pick up a new and improved NHS Quit Kit from thousands of pharmacies across England to help them stop smoking.
The campaign aims to increase the number of quit attempts by smokers and to help make those quit attempts more successful. It will run until 31 March 2012. More than 7,000 pharmacies across England have already signed up to distribute Quit Kits in 2012 – nearly double the number of participants in 2011.
The NHS Quit Kit has been developed by experts, smokers and ex-smokers, and contains practical tools and advice to help smokers quit smoking for good. For the first time, the Quit Kit includes a new text support programme to give smokers extra help in those tough first weeks.
Other items include:
-
a health/wealth wheel, which helps quitters calculate how much they are saving and the improvements they will see to their health
- tips on how to improve and boost willpower, incuding a quitting planner which helps quitters identify smoking triggers and offers tips on managing cravings
- MP3 downloads that are scientifically proven to reduce cravings
- a wall chart to map progress
- a ‘tangle’ toy to help keep hands busy
- information on other free quitting help such as local Stop Smoking Services
For more information and to find participating pharmacy stockists, visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree
Update for Wiltshire involvement Network regarding Chippenham Hospital Catering Department. Following concerns from members of the public regarding the situation with the restaurant and catering arrangements at Chippenham Hospital and the potential closure and job cuts, WIN requested an update from the Great Western Hospital. Click here to read the full update.
Proposal for New Personal Independence Payment to Replace Disability Living Allowance. From 2013 the Government is proposing to introduce a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment for eligible working age people aged 16 to 64 to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA). To find out what the changes mean, answers to frequently asked questions, Personal Independence Payment briefing notes, second draft of the assessment criteria and the DLA reform consultation and Government response visit the Department for Work and Pensions website here.