Sunday 31 May 2015

FW: LVSC health update - May 2015

May 2015

Dear colleague,

Welcome to the May 2015 edition of our regular health ebulletin bringing you news from LVSC, Regional Voices (of which LVSC is a constituent member), the Department of Health, Public Health England, Care Quality Commission and NHS England.

Where relevant, the ebulletins may include information from London's voluntary & community sector (VCS) as well as regional policy news - e.g. from the Greater London Authority, NHS England (London region), London CCGs,etc.

We also intend to keep you up to date on the government's Five Year Forward View, including the transformation agenda in London (see LVSC section below to find out more about LVSC's work on this area in the coming year).

If you wish to discuss any items to be included in future bulletins, please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards

Sandra

Sandra van der Feen

Policy Officer, LVSC

sandra@lvsc.org.uk

Mondays - Wednesdays only

 

LVSC news

LVSC's health policy work 2015-2016

LVSC is a constituent member or Regional Voices, one of the strategic partners of the Department of Health, Public Health England and NHS England. LVSC has been funded for another year to take forward the strategic partners programme – Stronger Connections for Better Health. This programme is about building mechanisms for an effective flow of information, intelligence and evidence between voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and the Department of Health, Public Health England and the NHS England.

We have also been funded through our Regional Voices membership by NHS England to help take forward the Engaging Patients and Communities Programme of the Five year Forward View. This work will include improving local commissioning with small VCSE groups; support better involvement in primary care commissioning and other areas.
 
More information can be found on LVSC's health pages. You can also contact Sandra van der Feen, Health Policy Officer, LVSC: sandra@lvsc.org.uk (Mon-Wed only).

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Whole Systems Change: Co-producing models of health & care

The report of the event which took place on April 16th is almost completed but we are still waiting for some information and comments before we can publish it. We do have some additional content regarding the workshops which is available online. They can be downloaded from LVSC's health policy page

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London wide news

London GP mental health scheme helps hundreds, skills up primary care staff and saves thousands

According to NHS England, "more than 600 people now visit their GP instead of the hospital for regular physical and mental health checks thanks to a successful London scheme saving the NHS thousands".

Across Newham CCG's 61 surgeries four teams Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs) are on stand-by to see patients with stable severe mental illnesses who have opted into the service. They no longer visit the psychiatrist in outpatients and can instead be seen at their local practice where they and their carers can get physical health checks

Some of the money saved through this initiative has already been reinvested with East London NHS Foundation Trust to establish new services. The Clinical Commissioning Group is hoping to work alongside patients with mental health problems to support them getting back into the workplace.

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National news

Prime Minister on plans for a seven-day NHS

David Cameron has given a speech setting out his plans for "a 7-day NHS, safe in our hands - for every generation to come.

A press release can be viewed on the government website

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Mental health staff working with police and courts now cover half of England

New Liaison and Diversion teams are now in place across half of the country to ensure that vulnerable people are supported in both police custody and the courts. The first wave began in April 2014 and this initiative has recently expanded to cover 28.5 million people as part of a two year trial.

For more information, visit the NHS England website

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Innovation Test Beds search extended

Health and social care innovators now have until 12 June to express an interest in being part of the Test Beds Programme.

The programme, which opened on 26 March, is inviting expressions of interest from innovators from any sector in the UK and internationally who want to test their ideas to deliver health services in better ways at scale, and in a real clinical setting.  

Through the programme, and with the support of the 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), innovators will partner up with NHS and social care sites to trial new technologies, digital services and other innovations in service delivery with the potential to bring big benefits to patients.  London has 3 AHSNs: University College London Partners (UCLP); King's Health Partners and the Imperial College Health Partners (ICHP)

In practice, a test bed site could mean equipping patients with wearable technology, combined with a new working pattern for clinical and nursing staff, all with the aim of helping people manage long-term conditions, address issues early and reduce preventable trips to hospital.

Over the summer, AHSNs will identify NHS and social care organisations as potential 'test bed sites' which will be matched to appropriate innovators. The partnerships will then receive national support to implement high potential innovations that respond to local clinical needs.

There are also a number of opportunities to find out more about the programme and ask questions. More details are available on the NHS website.

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Help the NHS improve by providing them with feedback on your local NHS services

All of us can help improve the NHS by giving feedback after visiting the dentist, a GP practice, or when we use local hospitals, community services and mental health services.  The Friends and Family Test  enables patients to make their voices heard and is a quick way for all patients to give NHS staff a "thank you" or say how things could be better. Patients have already given more than 7 million responses in two years and the Friends and Family Test is now operating across most parts of the NHS.

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Find out how patients rate their quality of life after planned operations

People who receive one of four surgical procedures (hip and knee replacement, groin hernia surgery and varicose vein treatment) can feed back on their quality of life before and after their treatment. This information is known as Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS), that can be used by patients, medical staff, carers and commissioners to understand where some hospitals perform better or worse than one would expect. PROMS are an important source of patient feedback and can help inform people's choice for where they have their surgery or treatment. The results are published on the 'myNHS' website

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Information and resources about integrated pioneers on the NHS website

The NHS website now holds information about the sites in an easily accessible way. It contains

For example the Resource Centre contains integrated care value case toolkits for the different pioneer sits. In London these are:

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Excess winter deaths and morbidity and the health risks associated with cold homes

The guideline is for commissioners, managers and health, social care and voluntary & community sector practitioners who deal with vulnerable people who may have health problems caused, or exacerbated, by living in a cold home. It will also be of interest to clinicians and others involved with at-risk groups, housing and energy suppliers.

This guideline makes recommendations on how to reduce the risk of death and ill health associated with living in a cold home. The aim is to help:

  • Reduce preventable excess winter death rates.
  • Improve health and wellbeing among vulnerable groups.
  • Reduce pressure on health and social care services.
  • Reduce 'fuel poverty' and the risk of fuel debt or being disconnected from gas and electricity supplies
  • Improve the energy efficiency of homes.

Overview

Recommendations

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Events & training

 

Writing that winning tender

18th June 2015 9:30 AM   to   4:30 PM – at Voluntary Action Islington
Further information and registration

With the move away from traditional grant funding, many organisations find themselves having to compete for funding through the commissioning process. This may be to continue existing services or to start new projects. Organisations need to understand the commissioning and tendering process to be able to present a viable case. This course will cover the different types of tendering process, putting a proposal together, preparing a realistic budget, being able to present your case and understanding the nature of contracts to ensure it knows what is being agreed. The London for All course looks at the essential skills involved, including identifying potential contracts, deciding whether to bid, writing an initial response, costing, demonstrating value for money and making your tender stand out

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Taking a deep breath: Cleaning up London's air

Tuesday 7th July 2015
16:30pm - 21:00pm at St Bride Foundation, Bridge Lane, London, EC4Y 8EQ

London continues to suffer the effects of poor air quality leading to around 4,300 early deaths per year. You'll be getting to the bottom of how to develop an action plan and put it into action, working with councils, planners, politicians and other communities.

Event aims:

  • Exploring robust solutions for tackling air pollution through law, policy, technology, behaviour change, sustainable transport, data sharing and community empowerment
  • Discussing how citizen science can help you and your community
  • Developing new ideas and solid actions to improve air quality
  • Meeting people who share your ambitions and who you can make lasting connections with, including policy makers, local planners and other community groups

Please confirm your attendance here

Contact Sam Jelliman s.jelliman@lsx.org.uk 02072349400 for more information

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United Nations – International Yoga Day – Sunday 21 June

DSYM UK in  association with S-VYASA

21 June was declared as the International Yoga Day by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 2014. Yoga, a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in India, aims to transform body and mind.

The aim of the event is to create holistic awareness of yoga and its health benefits.
The event, supported by the High Commission of India, is scheduled for 21st June 2015 at the Archbishop Lanfranc School.

Event information
Link to leaflet

There will be a yoga exhibition in the main hall, yoga workshops in the classrooms and marquee & tents pitched on the playing fields where yoga related organisations would be able to promote their activities or style of yoga.

Workshops & Lectures will be held on:

  • Ayurveda, Pranayam, Mantrachanting, Guided meditation, Chair Yoga,
  • Yoga for children
  • Yoga Therapy for common ailments – Diabetes, Blood pressure, Asthma, Arthritis, Back Pain etc by Dr Robin Monoro

Bookings details will become available soon but you can book the workshops here
 

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ABOUT REGIONAL VOICES This e bulletin is published monthly by LVSC as the London region member of Regional Voices.

Regional Voices Logo

Regional Voices champions the work of voluntary and community organisations to improve health, well-being and care, across England. Regional Voices is a partnership of nine regional networks. Together, we directly connect to over 25,000 voluntary and community organisations. Our coverage is broad, deep and well-established. Our vision is for a society where voluntary and community organisations are connected with decision-makers at all levels, able to influence policy and improve community health, care and well-being through better services.

Regional Voices partnership is hosted by Involve Yorkshire and Humber,Registered charity number 1127119   |   Company registration number 6752034

London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)

Registered charity number 276886   |   Company registration number 1395546

We try to check all the information in this bulletin and the web sites it links to, but we cannot accept responsibility for the contents of the websites and articles or guarantee their validity. Links should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind.

Telephone: 020 7832 5830   |   Email: info@lvsc.org.uk   |   

Our Vision and Services

Our vision is of a society where no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health.

Mental health problems are extremely common across society, with one in four of us experiencing them in any year. Despite being so common, people from all communities will still experience discriminatory attitudes and behaviours that can prevent people from speaking out, seeking support and playing full and active roles in our communities. The impact of mental health stigma and discrimination will vary between communities as mental health has a cultural context that affects the way communities talk about the subject and engage with people who have mental health problems. In some cultures depression, for example, doesn't exist and in others an experience of a mental health problem can be attached to a sense of shame.

For the African and Caribbean communities a key issue is the overrepresentation of young African and Caribbean men in mental health services. Misconceptions and stereotypes have led to a perception that this group is more likely to pose a risk of violent behaviour and, as a result, they are more likely to be treated as inpatients and sectioned when compared to other groups. It is well documented that this has led to a fear of talking about mental health issues more openly and a fear of using mental health services. Research by the Race Equality Foundation (2011) also highlighted fears that discrimination against Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and migrant service users will increase in the austerity climate and whilst commissioning arrangements change.

Our Services

· Provide information, advice, advocacy

· Represent diversity communities in Health Care services, policies and strategies

· Organise training in health and social care in collaboration with local colleges

· Provide human resources ( including interpreters) who are suitable to the diversity communities especially to break language and cultural barriers

· Provides domiciliary care and support

· Provide services such specialised support for people with mental health needs, including people who suffer from short-term memory problems, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

· Provide visits to elderly people and help them with outings and home services

· Participate in local authority and NHS consultations , research events and programmes to voice the needs of diversity communities.

· Increase access to services and rights for disadvantaged people and the most vulnerable of our society

· Help and support unemployed people to look for work, including training and job preparation

· Provide legal advice in a range of issues from on Immigration and Asylum , welfare benefits, housing, health, education, community care, and training, employment, etc.

· Provide advice and guidance, information and practical help so that our service users can access opportunities they are entitled to

· Organise training and other community learning opportunities that provide new skills, increase confidence and motivation

· Support our service users to overcome barriers to learning, employment and training

· Provide support for young people with their education, training, confidence building, employment and social needs.

Objectives of our Diversity Living Programme:

· To promote the inclusion and participation of diversity communities* in integrated care.

· To inform policy, locally and nationally, and assisting in the formulation of effective policies, strategies and good practices in integrated care in order to contribute to improved health outcomes for the people from the diversity communities (e.g. Black and minority ethnic communities) and to ensure health services are able to meet their specific needs.

· To improve the quality of life for diversity people with disability, mental health problems and their families and carers through integrated care by providing inclusive advocacy and information.

· To provide service that enable diversity groups and individuals with disability /elderly and their carers to make the right choice for themselves and have an influence on decisions made about their future.

· To promote the rights of diversity people with disability, their families and carers and make sure their rights are safe and protected.

· To promoting access to information regarding healthcare issues and to raise awareness of the needs of diversity disabled children, young people, older people and their families.

· To promote the rights of older and disabled diversity people, helping them overcome and enable them to participate in decisions about their future

· To provide support and information to those suffering the isolation and loneliness that can be associated with disability and old age

· To fight against mental health stigma in refugee, black and minority ethnic communities and ensure no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health or disability.

*Diversity communities are older people, disabled people, Black, Asian, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities.