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2016

Mental Health in Suffolk - Our Annual General Meeting 2016. Find out more on page 2.

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Festive break - Office closure information P5

Making a difference to new parents in Suffolk P7

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2016P2Mental Health in Suffolk - Our AGM

We held our third Annual General Meeting on 27th October 2016, to celebrate our achievements and also to shine the spotlight on some of the most pressing challenges facing our local health and social care

economy today.

The day began with an introduction by our Chief Executive (Andy Yacoub), who thanked everyone that has been involved with our work and highlighted some of our key impacts throughout the year. He shared our Annual Report 2015/16 highlights video to demonstrate the extent of our impact and the breadth of work with which we are involved.

Our first guest speaker was Norman Lamb MP.

Norman Lamb has been the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk since 2001 and was appointed Minister of State for Care and Support at the Department of Health in September 2012.

He delivered a speech about his concerns for the future sustainability of NHS and social care services, indicating that we risk “sleep walking toward a disaster” unless action is taken to address the serious challenges facing our local and national health and care system. You can read about early plans to ensure that the NHS has a sustainable future from page 5.

He also shared some personal reflections on his experiences of trying to access NHS care for his son, who was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at the age of 16. He described inequalities in the system that mean physical health care is prioritised over mental health care and that he believes prevents people from getting the care they need.

“I don’t want to live in a country where you can get great care if you can afford it but you don’t get anything, or you are left waiting too long, if you can’t afford it – but that is the reality of what we are heading towards…” – Norman Lamb MP at the Healthwatch Suffolk AGM 2016

Finally, Norman Lamb closed his speech by describing the need to reduce the number of people who lose their life through suicide, describing it as a “moral imperative”.

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Our second guest speaker was Natasha Devon MBE.

Natasha is a writer, campaigner and pundit. She is co-founder of the Self Esteem Team and the Body Gossip Education Programme. She also advises politicians on mental health, education and young people’s rights.

Natasha spoke about the three skills that she believes can be incorporated into school culture to promote good mental health. She described these as critical thinking, teaching coping mechanisms and talking about emotions in a healthy way.

“If you don’t teach children healthy coping mechanisms, then they will find their own…” – Natasha Devon MBE at the Healthwatch Suffolk AGM 2016

She also spoke about the approaches needed to address the mental health needs of different individuals. In particular, she focussed on what is needed to address the mental wellbeing of men.

“If men and women instinctively respond differently to emotional distress, it stands to reason that we need different solutions; we need some kind of tailored intervention.” – Natasha Devon MBE at the Healthwatch Suffolk AGM 2016

Watch again: Search “Healthwatch Suffolk” on YouTube to visit our page and view the videos of our speakers filmed on the day.

Our latest #NHSSelfieStars share their experience of NHS care in Suffolk

People have continued to share their selfies and experiences of NHS services in Suffolk with us .

It has never been more important to share your views and we love to hear about your experiences, so please keep sharing them. You can follow us on Instagram to see what people are sharing or sign-up to receive our newsletter. We have the role to use your experiences of care to shape, influence and improve local health and social care services.

Send us your selfie and a comment on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram (use #NHSSelfieStars). You can also rate and review your care within any health or social care service in Suffolk using our feedback Centre.

www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/services

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Funding reduced for all community pharmacies – Have you noticed a difference?

In October 2016, the Government announced that community pharmacy in England will see its budget reduced by 4 percent to £2.7 billion in the year 2016/17, with

further cuts planned thereafter.

This means that community pharmacies will be funded in a different way with new payment

schemes. The Government says this will place a greater emphasis on rewarding pharmacies for the quality of services provided to the public.

There are concerns however that the new package of funding will force some pharmacy

owners to reduce services provided to local communities at a time where the health and care

system is placing a much greater emphasis on self care and on being cared for in the community.

We are aware that there may be some local challenges faced by the introduction of the new funding models and that this could impact on the services available to people in the county.

Have you noticed a change to community pharmacies in your local area?You can share your views by leaving a review on our website. You can also send an email to info@healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk or call us on 01449 703949.

My Health, Our Future: Children and Young People’s Mental Health Over the next six months, Healthwatch Suffolk is working with eight schools to identify the needs of teachers, pupils and the wider school curriculum in respect of mental health and wellbeing. It will mean that steps can be taken to increase support and promote healthy psychological development for young people.

As part of the project, young people will have the opportunity to talk about their views on mental health and wellbeing and about how their school could improve its approach to maintaining the wellbeing of pupils. Teachers and professionals will also have a say as the first stage of the project involves the launch of a teacher survey to all secondary school teachers in Suffolk .

For more information, please visit our website.

My Health, Our Future

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A new plan on how all organisations involved in health and social care can work together differently across east and west Suffolk and north east Essex has been published. We are helping to gather feedback to shape the future of care in Suffolk.

Our local health and social care services face some big challenges. People are living longer, our population is getting older and the type of care that people need is changing. Our health and social care services therefore need to change too because they will become unaffordable over time.

Local leaders have been working together to develop plans that seek to ensure the future of our local services. These are called Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) and there are two areas that cover Suffolk. One for north east Essex, west and east Suffolk and another separate area for Norfolk and Waveney.

You can view details of the STP for Norfolk and Waveney on the Healthwatch Norfolk website (www.healthwatchnorfolk.co.uk).

Andy Yacoub (Chief Executive of Healthwatch Suffolk) said:

“It is only right that we are engaged with this work. We have been actively involved with the north east Essex and east & west Suffolk STP at strategic, communication and engagement levels, working with Healthwatch Essex.

We feel strongly that patients, carers and the public must be at the very heart of the development of any new transformation plans. Such opportunities should be presented at the right time, by the right people and when the public’s views can be as influential as possible.”

We have created a specific section of our website, on which you will be able to find the latest information about the work of our local STPs and feedback views that we can use to influence these important plans.

Visit:

www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/neesuffolkstp

The Healthwatch Suffolk office will be closed from 5pm 23rd December 2016 to 8.00am on 3rd January 2017.

You can email us or call and leave a message during this time and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

info@healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk01449 703949Don’t forget to leave feedback about your experiences too. www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk

Season’sGreetings

Your Local Health and Social Care PLan

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Suffolk Lives Matter – A suicide prevention strategy for the county

In Suffolk, the latest data shows that around 60 people die by suicide each year. Health and wellbeing partners in Suffolk have come together to address this issue with the launch of a suicide prevention strategy called “Suffolk Lives Matter”. While no single organisation is responsible for preventing suicide, a range of professionals from the voluntary and statutory sectors all play a crucial role (including us).

We take our responsibility for safeguarding very seriously and will always take action to protect people from harm. It is essential that we know how to respond and signpost people when necessary. That is why we recently ran a training session for our staff team on mental health first aid. We hope that this training will assist us to engage with people in a way that is most appropriate to their needs.

In addition to the above, we have been promoting opportunities for people to be involved in shaping this strategy and have attended workshops and conferences hosted by Public Health Suffolk. We are also members of the Suffolk Lives Matter Steering Group and task and finish groups, which have a role to shape the ongoing implementation of the strategy across the county.

For more information, please visit www.healthysuffolk.org uk.

Healthwatch Suffolk Mental Health Focus Group (MHFG)

The Healthwatch Suffolk MHFG meets ten times a year, always on a Tuesday afternoon starting at 2.00pm. Dates for 2017 are 24 Jan., 28 Feb.,

(no March meeting) 4 April, 16 May, 20 June, 25 July, (no August meeting) 5 Sept., 10 Oct., 7 Nov. and 19 Dec. The meetings are currently held in the Boardroom at our shared offices at 14 Hillview Business Park, Claydon,IP6 0AJ. The Business Park has a bus stop right outside, First Buses route 88 which runs from both Ipswich and Stowmarket. There is ample free parking and our offices are wheelchair accessible.

The meetings bring together service providers (Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust being the largest but by no means the only provider), commissioners (those bodies who shape and pay for the services) people who use the services, people who care for service users and anyone from the general public interested in mental health.

The agenda covers updates and news items from those who run and pay for local services and gives an opportunity for challenges over the qualiy of mental health care. The MHFG has 2 members on the steering group of ‘Suffolk Lives Matter’ which is Public Health Suffolk’s suicide prevention strategy for the county, updates are given on progress. Cuts to psychiatric liaison services, gaps in commissioned service and parity of esteem funding are also current topics. All those in attendance have the opportunity to give updates on their organisations and to network with other attendees.

Why not drop in and join us? Email dan.pennock@healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk to confirm details as location/dates could change.

Suffolk Lives Matter

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Follow us on Instagram @HealthwatchSuffolk

Mums and their birthing partners will benefit from improvements made by our local hospitals in response to our latest research report, which follows the earlier release of our report about Ipswich Hospital.

An immediate outcome from the Ipswich Hospital report was a change in policy that will see the partners of women having the option to stay overnight to support mum and staff with baby care.

This has been an important project as there is a lack of engagement research for birthing partners to share their experiences. It is for this reason that our local hospitals have genuinely listened to the views expressed and told us about the changes they are making to improve services for new parents across the county.

Two of the hospitals submitted action plans to us with a list of things they intend to take forward. They include things like making improvements to information, reviewing visiting hours and ensuring community midwives have access to technology that will improve communication with patients and those supporting them.

“The changes that the hospitals have made to improve support are fantastic. We are pleased to have been able to champion the voice of birthing partners, who have a vital role to support mum throughout her pregnancy. We know from our conversations with new parents that these improvements will make a big difference to people’s experiences.

The next step will be to discuss the recommendations with the hospitals; checking that they are making a difference for people. We look forward to sharing the results of this process over the coming months.” - Andy Yacoub (Chief Executive of Healthwatch Suffolk)

See the full list of outcomes and download your copy of the report. Visit:www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk

Here’s how we are making a difference for new parents in Suffolk

Making a Difference To New Parents

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If you would like this newsletter in another format please contact the office on 01449 703949

Keeping well during the cold winter months

Local GPs are encouraging people to be aware of the dangers of cold weather and to be prepared.

Everyone aged 65 and over, people with certain long-term medical conditions, young children and pregnant women are entitled to a free flu vaccination. Don’t underestimate just how serious flu can be. It can cause deterioration in a long-term health condition and result in an admission to hospital. Flu can cause middle ear and sinus infections in young children. Flu could damage the health of an unborn baby. If you haven’t yet had a flu vaccination contact your GP practice to make an appointment

• Be prepared - Have you got everything you need in your medicine cabinet?

• Wash your hands - Regularly! • Look out for others • Keep your home warm • Keep active and eat well • Wrap up well • Know what to do should you need help

NHS 111 is a free 24/7 urgent medical telephone advice line. Trained advisors will be able to give you advice on a health condition affecting you or your family.

Suffolk’s Warm Homes Healthy People service operate a local rate helpline number 03456 037 686. Offering free home energy surveys, emergency winter fuel payments, temporary loan of heaters and dehumidifiers and general advice. Eligibility criteria apply. Call the helpline for more information.

Your local pharmacy – Don’t forget your local pharmacist is a great source of help and advice and can advise on the best over the counter medicine for your condition. Many pharmacies are open long hours and you don’t need an appointment to speak to the pharmacist. If you are feeling unwell, pop in for help and advice before making a GP appointment.

For more information on Staying Well This Winter visit: http://www.nhs.uk/staywell/

Staying Well This Winter