September 2024
Healthwatch Bucks
Healthwatch Bucks is your local health and social care champion.
Our updates
Our engagement strategy
Community engagement is crucial to making sure the voices of those using health and social care services in Buckinghamshire are heard and acted on to improve these services. To support this, we've created an Engagement Strategy to guide our efforts in connecting with local communities. Alongside our Communication Strategy, it outlines who we are, what we do, what good engagement looks like, who we aim to engage with, and our plans for 2024-2027. Read the full strategy.
What do?women in Buckinghamshire want from a Women’s Health Hub?
Between May and July 2024, we?collected?feedback from almost 400 women via?an?online?survey and in?person?at?community?events,?focus?and?discussion?groups. You can read our findings and recommendations in?our report.
What is the Medical Examiner Service?
On 13 September we hosted a webinar on the Medical Examiner Service.?
In England and Wales, the law requires that all deaths must be reviewed by either a Medical Examiner or a Coroner before the paperwork is completed and the death is officially recorded. Starting in September 2024, most deaths will be handled by the Medical Examiner Service.
Find out more and watch the webinar?of the?recording.
Patient Participation Groups
We are pleased to be jointly hosting another in person event for PPG leads/chairs together with the Integrated Care Board on 9 October. If you are a PPG lead or chair and have not received details of this event, please contact Fiona [email protected]? ?
Your voice counts
Peace in the park
Aamna and Fiona had a fantastic day on 21 September at Lowndes Park Chesham for Peace in the Park 2024.? Supported by Naresh (one of our board members) and Sundhari (one of our volunteers) we spoke to local residents about their experiences of health and social care in Chesham.?? Peace in the Park is an annual community event celebrating the International Day of Peace and is organised by a group of volunteers led by local councillor Parveiz Aslam MBE.? We were delighted to attend as in previous years and the weather was thankfully kind.? ? ? We heard lots of positive feedback about local GP services, Health Visiting and pharmacy as well as positive experiences of care at both Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals. We also heard concerns around issues such as GP appointment booking systems, access to NHS dentistry and access to the Covid-19 booster as well as hospital wait times and communication challenges.? All of the feedback we gather is collated and used to help improve local services, so a huge thankyou to everyone who shared their experience with us.?
Healthwatch England's eye care survey
Are you happy with the eye care you’re receiving?
With over 600,000 people waiting for specialist NHS eye care, we know that getting the care you need isn’t always simple.
Healthwatch England?want to hear from you about your experiences of eye care services.?Take a few minutes to share your feedback.?
Where to find us
We've been out and about this month to our regular drop ins at the libraries, Hope Church in Chesham and Southcourt Baptist church, as well as events at Chesham Mosque, Bucks College Group Freshers Fayres in High Wycombe, Amersham and Aylesbury and the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust open day at Stoke Mandeville. We have also attended volunteer recruitment events at the Job Centre in Aylesbury and at the Oasis Centre.? Find out where you can see us next month.
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In the news
Lord Darzi declares NHS is in critical condition
Lord Ara Darzi’s review of the NHS has concluded the service is in a ‘critical condition’ with long waiting lists, a deterioration in the nation’s underlying health and problems for people accessing services.
The review will inform the Government’s 10-year plan to reform the NHS, consultation on which is expected to start later this year. Read Healthwatch England's response.
Stoptober
This October, join the 2.5 million people who’ve been inspired by Stoptober.
Even if it’s your first time or you’ve tried before, Stoptober gives you the perfect opportunity to quit smoking.
Stay smoke-free for 28 days, and you’re 5 times more likely to quit for good. With the right support, quitting is easier than you think. Find tools to tips to help you stop smoking.
NHS 111 for mental health help
The NHS 111 service is offering crisis mental health support for the first time.
Millions of patients experiencing a mental health crisis can now benefit from support from NHS 111, the NHS announced in August.
People of all ages, including children, who are in crisis or concerned family and loved ones can now call 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional. Find out more. You can also explore where to find urgent mental health assistance or visit Bucks Safe Haven?if you require immediate support for your mental well-being.
Get help setting up your NHS app.
Whitehill Patient Participation Group have arranged a Digital Drop in event to help patients get support with setting up their NHS app. The events are at:
Winter health hub
There is a new Winter health hub aimed to help you find out how your family, and neighbours can stay well this winter. Visit the website.
Volunteering
Engagement workshop
This month we were excited to host our first engagement workshop for volunteers, helping to develop skills and confidence when talking to the public, helping with surveys or at events. We’d like to say a big thank you to the volunteers who came along for being so enthusiastic and willing to take part and helping to make the session so much fun!
Volunteering
Whether you’re starting a career, or looking for work, volunteering can be a great way to boost your CV. Find out about our volunteering roles. Visit our website or email our Volunteer Coordinator, Mel. ?