Posts

Have your say on diabetic eye screening

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NHS England would like to hear from people with diabetes and those who support them, about their views on diabetic eye screening and how to improve the service in the future.

The Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) aims to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst those living with diabetes by early identification and effective treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

The screening programme invites anyone with diabetes aged 12 years or over for digital eye screening once a year. Your views will help shape the way the screening programme is delivered going forward.

Fill in the survey

You can also give your views for improving the service by emailing: Trudie.metcalfe@nhs.net

All feedback should be submitted by Saturday 6 August 2022.

Read more about diabetic eye screening (including Easy Read)

If you would like to tell us about any diabetes or eye health services you have used recently please get in touch.

Home care services in Northumberland

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Home care services are a vital way to support people by meeting their health and social care needs in their own homes.

‘Understanding the experiences of people using home care services, then, now and in the future’ was a project designed to find out the experiences of people using services and their family carers in Northumberland. We wanted to find out what is working well for people and also make recommendations for changes or improvements to services, based on what people told us.

This is particularly important at present given the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those using home care services and their families, and the need to prepare for similar situations in the future.

We also wanted to follow up and extend on our previous work which focused specifically on the Coquet Valley, by gathering the views of people throughout Northumberland. Read Home Care Provision in Coquetdale.

This report is an overview of the findings and draws out key recommendations on the issues raised by those who use services and their carers. We have indicated where the recommendations are for Northumberland County Council Adults Social Care commissioners (ASC) or service providers (SP).

Read our findings and recommendations below:

Home care services in Northumberland

Tips on how to reduce loneliness in later life

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Loneliness can affect people of all ages. As we get older, we can be presented with many challenges in our lives that can lead to loneliness. A loss of a partner, family, or friends, retirement, illness or moving into different accommodation.

Whatever the challenge, it can be difficult to find a solution, make new meaningful connections and cope with the loneliness you are experiencing.

Mental Health Foundation has created the following tips to help reduce loneliness in later life.

Read Tips on how to reduce loneliness in later life

Carers Northumberland logo

Spotlight on… Carers Northumberland

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As part of our information and signposting service, we’re shining a spotlight on organisations offering all kinds of support to people in Northumberland. To mark Carers Week 2022 which runs from 6-12 June, this Spotlight on… is all about Carers Northumberland.

Carers Northumberland supports unpaid carers throughout the county, empowering them to have a voice and to have a life outside of their caring responsibilities. It offers information and advice, support for young carers, carers’ groups, education and employment support, Emergency Care Planning, workshops and training. Small grants are also available to enable carers to take short breaks from their caring responsibilities.

As part of Carers Week 2022 Carers Northumberland has organised some walks for all abilities at popular places such as Bolam Lake, Newbiggin promenade and Craster. See what events and activities are coming up at their website.

To get in touch with Carers Northumberland call: 01670 320025 or email: info@carersnorthumberland.org.uk

Diabetes Week – 13-19 June 2022

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Diabetes Week 2022 is coming up from 13 to 19 June. It’s a chance to raise awareness of diabetes and highlight the support available to anyone living with the condition. If you would like to find out more about diabetes and the support available in Northumberland, come along to our free online event on Friday 10 June to hear from Colin Renshaw of Diabetes UK.

Colin will provide information about the different types of diabetes and how to manage and live well with the condition. We will also hear about national and local support available from Diabetes UK and there will be a chance to ask questions.

Find out more and register

Here at Healthwatch Northumberland, two members of our volunteer team have experience of type 2 diabetes and have kindly shared their thoughts below.

James’ Poem

Our volunteer James wrote a poem about his experience of type 2 diabetes:

Got diabetes
From eating too many sweeties
Didn’t care what I ate
Always cleared my plate

What symptoms did I have?
Lots of trips to the lav
Drank like a fish
Even made a wish

Was first given tablets
But didn’t change my habits
Drinking too much coca colas
Along the way I am rotting my molars

Moved on to the hard stuff
Needle is in
Needle is out
Whoops am going to shout

Sugars is o so high
Sugars is o so low
How is going to go
Or maybe it’s going to snow

Have now changed my diet
I can’t really be quiet
How low can I go
Getting a healthier glow

Colin’s Q&A

Volunteer Colin answered some questions for us about his experience of type 2 diabetes and how this affects his daily life:

When were you first diagnosed with diabetes?

22 years ago.

What symptoms did you have?

I didn’t have any symptoms, it was picked up during a routine eye examination following sight loss (unrelated).

How did it affect your life?

The main thing is that I have to check my blood twice a day.

How have you managed the condition? What healthcare support did you get? Did you get help from any support organisations?

My diabetes was initially treated with Metformin tablets and I had an annual check with a diabetes nurse. After a period of time I needed insulin to manage my sugar levels and I attended a course on how to use insulin at Blyth Hospital. I continue to have yearly check-ups with a diabetes nurse – these were online during pandemic but are back to in person now.

What is the situation now – how is the condition and have you made any lifestyle changes to improve it?

I have to have meals at regular times and carry something with me to eat. If things get out of balance, I can have a ‘hypo’ (experience hypoglycaemia) but I’m good at spotting the signs.

 

Find out more about diabetes at the Diabetes UK website.

If you would like to tell us about your experience of diabetes services or ask a question about local services and support, please get in touch.

Diabetes UK online event

Online Event – Diabetes UK

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Join us in the run up to Diabetes Week 2022 to hear from Colin Renshaw from Diabetes UK on Friday 10 June, 1pm-2pm.

In this free, online public event Colin will provide information about the different types of diabetes and how to manage and live well with the condition. We will also hear about national and local support available from Diabetes UK. 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/DiabetesUK-June2022

If you would like to tell us about your recent experience of diabetes services please get in touch.

Zoom

Online Event – National Autistic Society

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Come along to our free, online public event to hear from Nellie Allsop from the National Autistic Society who will provide a brief overview of autism and the support available in Northumberland.

Nellie will share an overview of what autism is, drawing on her personal and professional experiences. She will also provide information on how autistic people and their families can access support, both locally within Northumberland and nationally.

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/National-Autistic-Society-event

Two men playing chess in a care home

Care homes forum 9 May 2022

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Please join us for our next online care home forum on Monday 9 May, 10.30am-11.30am.

At our previous forums we have heard how visiting restrictions in care homes have affected people living there and their relatives, more recent experiences of visiting as an ‘essential care giver’ and discussed things ‘we wish we had known’ when our loved ones moved into care homes to help us produce some future guidance to support others.

At our next forum we will be joined by Alan Curry, Senior Manager – Commissioning Northumberland County Council who will try to answer any questions on Northumberland care home visiting alongside the current national guidance.

To register for a space please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

See what we discussed at previous care home forums

Prudhoe Healthy Living Week

Prudhoe Healthy Living Week

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We are taking part in Prudhoe Community Partnership’s ‘Prudhoe Healthy Living Week’, which runs from Monday 25 April until lunchtime on Saturday 30 April at Prudhoe Community Hub (61 Front Street).

Local organisations will be offering activities and information about physical and mental health support throughout the week, and we will be there on Tuesday 26 April from 10am until 3pm.

Come along and see us – we’ll have information and freebies to give away. We’d also like to hear about how you use your local pharmacy services. Hope to see you there!

Healthy lifestyle

Northumberland Integrated Wellbeing Service

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As part of our information and signposting service, we’re shining a spotlight on organisations offering all kinds of support to people in Northumberland.

The Integrated Wellbeing Service focuses on providing specialist health improvement support and training to local organisations and individuals with the aim of reducing health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of those living and working within Northumberland.

The team provides specialist health improvement training and offers support to people who wish to make healthy lifestyle changes. This includes advice and support relating to healthy eating, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and increasing physical activity. Bespoke training packages can also be provided.

Support on offer includes:

  • Starting Well for Life – a programme for children in Reception and Year 6 living in Northumberland and their families.
  • You’re Welcome Quality Criteria – a set of quality criteria for young people friendly community and health services.
  • Ageing Well – Ageing Well plans and works with local people, valuing and respecting their rich knowledge, skills, experience and energy to ensure Northumberland is a good place to grow older.
  • Specialist Health Improvement Support – the Integrated Wellbeing Service provides specialist health improvement support and training to local organisations and individuals with the aim of reducing health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of those living and working within Northumberland.
  • Specialist Stop Smoking Service – offers specialist support to give up smoking. With specialist support you are three times more likely to succeed.
  • Health Trainer Service – the Health Trainer Service can help you make realistic lifestyle changes that are tailored to your needs.
  • Better Health at Work Award – the Integrated Wellbeing Service supports the North East Better Health at Work award, a regional award scheme which recognises and endorses workplaces that motivate employees in developing a sustainable culture of health and wellbeing.
  • Public Health Campaigns – learn more about Public Health Campaigns related to integrated wellbeing.
  • Community Health Champions – the Integrated Wellbeing Service delivers a Community Health Champions rolling programme.

Find out more at the website

Get in touch with the Integrated Wellbeing Service by email: integratedwellbeing@northumberland.gov.uk or call: 01670 623 097.

 

Events

Elderly lady in care home

Care Home Online Forum

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Please join us for our next online care home forum on Monday 17 April, 10am – 11am via Zoom.

Following the discussion about respite care at the last meeting, Carers Northumberland will tell us about a survey it has done and what carers are saying about their experiences of respite care in the county. If you have had recent experience of this we’d like to hear from you.

We will also hear from the new Acute Admiral Nurse Service which provides specialist dementia support in care homes and the community in Northumberland.

We are starting a piece of work with a care home provider to learn from residents, loved ones and those who run and work in care homes what local lessons can be learnt from the pandemic and positive ideas that would help in other “lockdown” or restricted access situations.  We are at the early stages so come along and help us to shape what questions to ask and share examples of good practice you have experienced.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Here to Hear Drop-in – East Bedlington Community Centre

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us in confidence about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16-17 Station Road, Bedlington NE22 7JN on the first Friday of the month, 10.00am – 12.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Prudhoe Community Hub

Healthy Prudhoe Week

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We are taking part in Prudhoe Community Partnership’s ‘Healthy Prudhoe Week’, which runs from Monday 15 May until Friday 19 May at Prudhoe Community Hub (61 Front Street).

Local organisations will be offering activities and health information throughout the week. We will be there on Thursday 18 May from 10am until 3pm instead of our usual monthly drop-in at the Spetchells Centre. Hope to see you there!

Monthly drop-ins

Here to Hear Drop-in – Blyth Community Hub

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions, in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-ins are a chance for residents to tell us in confidence about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Blyth Community Hub, Unit 6, Keel Row Shopping Centre, Blyth on the third Wednesday of the month, 10am – 12pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Monthly drop-ins

Here To Hear Drop-in – Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions, in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us in confidence about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre, TD15 2AS on the second Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Here to Hear Drop-in – East Bedlington Community Centre

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us in confidence about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16-17 Station Road, Bedlington NE22 7JN on the first Friday of the month, 10.00am – 12.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Laptop, glasses and EDNE and Healthwatch Northumberland logos

Online event – Eating Distress North East (EDNE)

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Join us to hear from Maria Lavelle, Training Officer for EDNE (Eating Distress North East), who will talk about the early identification of eating disorders and how best to support those who have one. She will cover how to recognise signs, symptoms and potential triggers of an eating disorder; practical strategies for working with people with eating disorders; and increase your knowledge of local support services in Northumberland and the North East of England.

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/EDNE-event-April-2023

Wansbeck cancer pop up event

Cancer information pop-up event

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Are you or someone you know affected by cancer and looking for information or someone to talk to? This free event at Hirst Welfare Centre, Alexandra Road, Ashington is an opportunity to talk to Wansbeck Community Links, Macmillan, Cancer Voices, Citizens Advice Bureau and Coping with Cancer. Just drop-in, no booking necessary. Refreshments available.

Find more cancer services and support

Blyth Wellness event

Wellness in Blyth Event

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We’ll be at Blyth Community Hub in Keel Row Shopping Centre on Wednesday 15 March, 10.30am – 12.30pm, for the Wellness in Blyth event.

Local community and support groups including health trainers, Magic Memories and Silxteen Bar, will be at the centre offering a friendly face and advice.

Come and speak to us in confidence about NHS and social care services you have used over the last 12 months or pick up some free information.

Laptop, pen and glasses with the Limbless Association logo

Online event – Limbless Association

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Join us to hear from Tania Spurling from the Limbless Association who will talk about the important role the charity plays in working alongside clinical services to provide support for amputees across the UK.

The Limbless Association is the largest civilian limb loss charity in the UK. As a national charity, working with amputees and sector professionals for over 39 years, the Limbless Association offers both practical and emotional support for amputees throughout their pre and post-amputation journey.

This session will provide an overview of the Limbless Association’s services and support available for amputees, their families, friends, and professionals. 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/Limbless-Association-March-2023