The Fishermen’s Mission January SeaFit event in Amble was featured on BBC Look North on Monday 31 January.
This regular drop-in event at Amble Quayside brings GP and physio services, plus health information to fishermen and their families, making it easier for them to access healthcare and support. We were there with our Signposting and Information Service, and Project Coordinator Derry was interviewed by the BBC for the piece on the BBC programme.
Our Annual Survey is a chance to tell us about the health and social care services you and your family have used over the last 12 months.
You can tell us what went well and what could have been better.
We’d also like to hear what would make NHS and social care better, and which services you would like to see improve.
Your views and experiences continue to help professionals understand key local issues and how well services are working for you, your family and our communities.
It’s quick and easy to share your thoughts and experiences in our online survey which has just five questions, or you can get in touch to ask for a paper copy and freepost envelope. If you would like to complete the survey over the phone with one of our friendly team please call 03332 408468, or text 07413 385275 to arrange a call back. Closing date is 28 February 2023.
Thank you for having your say and helping us to help providers know what you think of NHS and social care services in our area.
This survey is now closed.
Join us for our next free online lunchtime event on Friday 10 February, 1pm-2pm, to hear from Simon Privett, Volunteer Coordinator for Epilepsy Action. Simon will talk to us about what epilepsy is, how it can present, tips to help manage it and how we can help others living with epilepsy.
We will also hear what support is available from the charity and there will be a chance to ask questions.
Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/Epilepsy-Action-Feb-23
For more information about epilepsy or to find out more about Epilepsy Action visit the Epilepsy Action website.
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Thank you for continuing to tell us about your views and experiences on NHS and social care services last month. What we hear helps us build a picture of what is working well and where there are issues in NHS and social care services, and is passed to those providing services to help with decisions about local care.
Below is our ‘at a glance’ report for December 2022, which gives an overview of the main issues we heard about during the month and some examples of feedback.
Well Up North Primary Care Network (PCN), as part of its health equity drive for the people of North Northumberland, has joined forces with the SeaFit Programme, along with Healthwatch Northumberland and Amble Harbourmaster to deliver a new health equity pilot programme ‘Health at the Quayside’ for the fishing community of Amble (past and present), and their families. The SeaFit Programme is run jointly by The Fishermen’s Mission and the Seafarers Hospital Society.
Dr Saul Miller, Clinical Director of Well Up North says ‘We are really excited to be bringing together those like ourselves who want to help improve the health of fishing communities along the north Northumberland coast. If this initiative proves successful it will make waves all around the British coast given the many fishing communities there still are and their known health difficulties.’
The first event will take place on the 25th January from 1pm to 3pm at Coquet House, Amble, NE65 0AP. There will be a range of free services for retired and active fishermen from health checks, physiotherapist, mental health support, Prostate Cancer UK, a GP, pharmacist and a Social Prescribing Link Worker. Healthwatch Northumberland will also be on hand to listen to the fishermen’s experiences of local health services.
Karen Gibson, Health Inequality Project Lead for the PCN states “This pilot programme is designed to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of our fishermen. Working in the fishing industry is one of THE most challenging jobs. Work-related injuries are high within this industry and time spent at sea means it can be difficult to access appropriate healthcare. We also know that there is anxiety within the community in relation to requirements for the ML5 medical certificates coming into play in November 2023. There will be plenty of information available on this, along with our healthcare team providing on the spot support. We are very much looking forward to working collaboratively with our partners in this pilot. Healthcare in a place based setting in the heart of the fishing community in Amble.
Carol Elliott, SeaFit Manager, says “The SeaFit Programme has been running for the past four years, taking health and wellbeing services to various ports throughout the UK. We are delighted to see the interest that is growing from PCNs and other healthcare providers. This means we are able to connect more fishermen with much needed health and wellbeing support through the Fishermen’s Mission and the Seafarers Hospital Society.
Further dates throughout the year are: Wed 29th March, Wed 31st May, Wed 26th July , Wed 27th September, Wed 29th November. Keep an eye on our events page for details.
For further information about welfare support please contact the Fishermen’s Mission Area Officer Peter Dade 07917 754259
For further information about the SeaFit Programme please contact Carolelliott@fishermensmision.org.uk or call 07486 319621
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The NHS is facing added pressures this winter. This means that it can be more challenging for people to receive the care they need.
Feedback from the public can play a vital role in helping health and social care services understand what is working and spot issues affecting the care of local people.
This is why we have launched a campaign to get more people to share their experiences of care this winter.
If you or a loved one have used GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, care homes or other support services this winter, we want to hear about your experience.
Have you faced challenges or delays accessing health and care services this winter? If you have, we want to know how this has affected your health and wellbeing.
Have you found accessing NHS services easy? Are there any aspects of the care you got that you really valued?
Your positive or negative feedback can help services hear what is working and spot issues affecting care for you and your loved ones.
Please share your experience and help us make NHS decision-makers aware of what needs to change to improve access to care.
We’re completely independent and impartial, and anything you say is confidential.
You can also provide feedback on care by giving us a call on: 03332 408 468
We’d like to hear your experiences of getting a Covid-19 vaccination in autumn/winter 2022.
Delivering the vaccination programme continues to be a massive task for the NHS and its partners and the way the services work has changed over time.
Your feedback will be shared with them to understand what is working well and what could be done better. All information you give us will stay anonymous.
Please tell us how it went when you booked your appointment, what it was like when you visited the vaccination centre, and how things might be improved for the future.
Tell us about your Covid-19 autumn/winter 2022 booster
Latest coronavirus information
This survey is now closed.
Our ‘at a glance’ monthly reports provide a summary of who we have been hearing from and what you have told us. What you tell us helps us build a picture of what is working well and where there are issues in the NHS and social care services we use here in Northumberland.
Often, we can get a quick response to your enquiry or signpost you to the right service. Some issues are already being looked at by other organisations and we pass on your comments and concerns to them so that they have as much feedback as possible from those using services, to help them make decisions and improvements to services.
There are some issues that we look into in more detail and set aside time and resources to investigate further and put together recommendations for change.
Read our feedback report for November 2022
Join us for our next free online event on Friday 13 January, 1pm-2pm, to hear from Russell Fleming, Communications Manager at ME Association. This is the rescheduled date for the cancelled event in December.
Russell has had ME/CFS for 22 years but in recent years has been able to return to work for the national charity.
The ME Association provides support and information to those affected, training and advice to health and social care professionals and funds medical research in the hope that one day there will be effective treatments and even a cure. It also provides advice and support around Long Covid due to its many similarities with ME.
We will hear an overview of ME and Long Covid, management techniques and support available nationally and locally. There will also be a chance to ask questions.
Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/ME-Association-event-Jan-23
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We are your local health and social care champion. We’re here to make sure your views on NHS and social care services in Northumberland are heard.
