Recent news
09/12/2019
In the New Year, The Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service will run sessions to teach children and young people recovery techniques.
‘Teaching Recovery Techniques’ (TRT) groups have been used all over the world to help children and young people learn skills to recover from trauma. The Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service Children and Young People’s Team have been using the sessions to teach children, and young people skills and techniques, which they can use to cope with the psychological effects of distressing events.
02/12/2019
If you are a member of the public with experience of hospice at home services, perhaps as a carer or volunteer, the National Institute for Health Research funded OPEL research team want to hear from you. They invite you to feedback on findings from the OPEL Study (Optimum Hospice at Home Services for End of Life Care), a research project being led by the University of Kent and other partners.
Find out more in their OPEL public consensus event leaflet.
02/12/2019
Many people look after someone else but don’t realise that they are carers. If you’re looking after someone regularly because they’re ill, disabled or can’t manage without your support, you may be a carer. Find out what support you can get as a carer by reading Independent Age's free guide.
If you’re in the position that you need to choose a care home in the Camden area, take a look at the Independent Age Report: ‘Evaluating residential care in Camden’ – it’s a review of a pilot project which we collaborated with them on.
Independent Age wanted to find out what is known about quality in care homes and how this is affecting the choices open to older people in need of residential care and their families.
26/11/2019
Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.
Most people use public transport, drive or rely on the kindness of family and friends to get to the doctor, pharmacist, or hospital on time. But, if you don’t have good access to transport, it can mean that you’re late or end up missing your appointment. It can be even harder if you need to attend regular appointments at a hospital for long-term conditions, such as chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
There are lots of reasons why you might not be able to get to NHS services easily for non-emergency issues. For example, we often hear from people who are physically unable to travel, can’t afford transport, or live in a rural area.
Here, we provide some information about the support available to help make this easier for you.
25/11/2019
From 2 December, people who require aftercare services under section 117 of the Mental Health Act and everyone eligible for an NHS wheelchair, will have access to a personal health budget. Personal health budgets give people flexibility, greater control and choice over their health and care support. Over 70,000 people are already benefit. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, the health system will increase access so that up to 200,000 people can receive one by 2024. Find out more.
20/11/2019
The Royal Free Hospital, has introduced an online appointment system to book adult blood tests.
From 1 November patients can book their test online for appointments which are from 21 November onwards. More information on the details to the booking system can be found on the Royal Free website:
The new system will bring a range of benefits including:
- allowing patients, their carers and family members to better plan their visits to the hospital as they will have a specific time for their blood test
- 24/7 visibility of available appointments and the ability for patients to book their own appointments
- the opportunity to view, reschedule and cancel appointments
If patients are unable to book online, they can call the booking line: 020 7443 9757, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
18/11/2019
The Kings Fund have published a new long read. It examines the role of health and wellbeing boards (HWBs) in the development of integrated care systems (ICS). Read more …
18/11/2019
Each quarter Healthwatch England publish a round-up of the issues that people are raising about health and social care services.
Their latest briefing looks at the emerging themes across GPs, hospitals, mental health and social care services. They also take an in depth look at what people with incontinence have said about the support they have received. Read the latest round-up.
18/11/2019
NHS Employers worked with Mind, the mental health charity to promote good mental health in the NHS. Together they developed guidance, tools and resources to support the NHS workforce with their mental wellbeing. Read more ...
12/11/2019
Hundreds more NHS mental health beds are needed in England to help end the practice of sending severely ill patients far from home for treatment, known as out-of-area placements. The report from the NHS Strategy Unit hosted by Midlands and Lancashire CSU, explores the pressures on inpatient mental health services across sustainability and transformation partnerships in England, drawing on a range of datasets, published research and interviews with staff working in mental health services.
12/11/2019
NHS England has published a summary report of the national review into paediatric critical care and specialised surgery in children, which took place in October 2016. The aims of the review were to ensure that services are sustainable and fit for the future, and to reduce any variation in the care being provided.
11/11/2019
Local Authority Health Profiles were recently published. They provide a summary of the health of the population in each local authority area. Intended to help local government and health services understand their community’s needs, they encourage a joined-up way of working to reduce health inequalities and improve people’s health.
06/11/2019
This Children’s Commissioner’s report on the effects of social media on 8-to-12-year-olds examines the way children use social media and its effects on their wellbeing. ‘Life in Likes’ fills a gap in research showing how younger children use platforms which social media companies say are not designed for them. Whilst most social media sites have an official age limit of 13 years, some research has suggested ¾ of 10-to-12 year olds have a social media account.
Dowmload the 'Life in Likes' report here.
05/11/2019
NHS England has published a guide for pharmacists and other NHS professionals to manage the supply of medicines including shortages. Read more…
05/11/2019
NHS England and Improvement has provided details of the CCG 2019/20 shares of the £25m fund for improving hospices and palliative care. The fund was announced in August 2019. The guidance sets out CCG allocations.