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Oxfordshire Link
has been set up to actively seek peoples views on Health and Social care
services, with a view to improving them. Faringdon Area project has formed a
Health group, with a view to extending and improving services for
Faringdon. Faringdon health services As a rural area, Faringdon has special needs. Because we have no mainstream hospital, no community hospital, no minor injuries unit, we have to travel to Oxford or Swindon. For out of hours GP services we have to travel to Witney Are there services that we should have here in Faringdon, now that we are a bigger town? We have 2 medical practises, one dentist, 2 pharmacies- and not much else. How could these be improved? Could they be providing more services? Have you any information about local health and care services that would be useful to others? Let's share experiences, opinions and knowledge.
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| Please send your Comments about health services in Faringdon, names will not be published |
| Changes in benefits
calculations From 2 November, anyone receiving Child Benefit should be aware it will no longer be counted as income when the councils calculate Housing or Council Tax Benefit. The change will be good news for many families on low incomes, who may find themselves better off each month. And some people who previously didn't qualify may now be eligible for help. There are also likely to be some changes for the over 60s on state pension credit, as the £6,000 lower savings limit has been raised to £10,000. In both cases, if people already receive housing and/or council tax benefit, the councils will recalculate any entitlements and notify them of any changes. 21/10/09 |
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| Out of Hours service - the
detail The Out of Hours service is managed by the PCT using a number of providers, 1. The City and South is directly provided by the PCT 2. The North is provided by PML (a not-for-profit local cooperative) The coverage of this service is Monday to Friday 18.30 to 23.00 and Sat/Sun/Bank Holiday 08.00 to 23.00. 3. The county overnight service is provided by Harmoni (a private contractor) This service covers from 23.00 to 08.00 daily. All the Out of Hours services are based on the model of patient calls (via a common call centre) being triaged by an experienced General Practitioner (GP) who will consult with one of 4 possible outcomes; 1 Provide advice on the telephone. 2 Invite patient to come to the OOH base for face-to-face assessment (see below for further details). 3 Visit the patient at home – this could be undertaken by the GP or an experienced specialist nurse (See below for further details). 4 Refer on to another agency. Home visits It is the doctor’s professional medical opinion combined with knowledge of the patient’s personal circumstance and mobility which results in a home visit being recommended. Consultations can vary regarding their urgency. Once a doctor has assessed whether the visit is required he will assign an urgency rating and this is then time controlled as follows; Urgent: within 1 hour Less Urgent: within 2 hours Routine: within 6 hours. Base visit distances If a patient is invited to attend the OOH to see the doctor we always try to ensure they visit the nearest convenient location. During the evening and weekends we operate from 6 bases; a. Banbury b. Bicester c. Witney d. Oxford city e. Abingdon f. Henley This gives excellent coverage across the county for access. There is no direct measure of distance; it is based on convenience. Overnight the service is operated from 4 bases with Henley and Bicester closing at 23.00. October 2009 |
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Free prescriptions for cancer patients
in England from 1/4/09 It's estimated that cancer patients will save more than £100 a year which will make a big difference especially as most people's income drops significantly after a cancer diagnosis but the extra costs mount up. Apply for a medical exemption certificate by collecting an application form from your GP surgery or oncology clinic Oct 2009 |
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Tell the PCT your views on the Urgent
Care service We all know we have to travel to Witney to see a doctor out of hours. If you don't or can't drive yourself then you either need to get a friend or an expensive taxi to take you. There is no public transport 12+ miles each way is too far - in my view I think the PCT needs our help in getting them to understand the implications of this lack of proximity. Tell the PCT of your experience or what you think Extract from Oxfordshire PCT website ‘Urgent care’ provides the assessment and management of common problems where the patient thinks there is moderate degree of urgency. Much of Urgent Care is delivered as part of day to day general practice and out of hours services, pharmacies, minor injury units, Accident and Emergency departments (A&E). Please tell the PCT your views either by: email to Urgentcare.feedback@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk or via the Online form on www.oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk I completed the online form - but it restricts what you can say- I suggest using email. But remember to tell them you're from Faringdon, and say if you want to be kept informed Lets inundate the PCT so they cannot fail to hear the strength of opinion from Faringdon 10/10/2009 |
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Drinking and Drug
advice A new weekly advice session has started in a mobile unit which visits Faringdon’s Gloucester Street car park and offers a place to go for anyone with concerns about their drinking or drug use. The sessions are on a Thursday from 10.30 am to 12.30pm where key worker Eamon O’Malley is on hand. The private one-to-one room will be available for people to speak confidentially to get advice, have an assessment, or to see a drug or alcohol worker on a regular basis. For further information call the SMART Helpline on 01865 403151 30/9/09 |
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No community nursing beds in
Faringdon I have recently been made aware that a F/don resident could not be given the palliative care he and his family needed, whilst in the final grips of cancer. Why? because the 20 beds at Sobell house are not enough for the county. But why are we (Faringdon) relying on the stretched resources at Sobell House when we have our own purpose built 24 hour nursing unit? Around 15 years ago (don't quote me on the time) the local GP's fought to have a number of beds made available to the community at Ferendune Court, Ash Close. These were short stay private rooms, managed by Anchor Housing. This unit then became managed with 24 hour nursing care and the number of beds reduced. My understanding is there are now NO community beds. Local, primary and NHS funding has stopped. The beds are still there and now are filled privately. Could this community service be reinstated is there no need in F/don and surrounding villages for short term nursing care? I feel this is another F/don amenity that has been left to die its death. 29/9/09 |
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Cheaper prescription
drugs There are concerns that cheaper drugs are being prescribed in place of branded more expensive drugs. If your prescription has been changed, make sure the different drugs are as effective as before. Talk to your doctor. |
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Hospital Travel Cost
Scheme This dept of Health Scheme entitles a patient on certain benefits to reclaim all or part of the cost of getting to and from hospital if they are not eligible for non emergency transport. Further information on 01865 221602 |
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Getting to a
hospital Have a look at hospital transport on this site. It gives information about buses, non urgent transport from the ambulance service and volunteer transport |
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| The Advice Centre, Market Place, Wantage.
01235 765348 Free and confidential advice on debt, legal matters, employment rights, consumer matters. Free solicitors surgeries, fortnightly, by appointment |
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You may be eligible for Attendance
Allowance Attendance allowance is for the over 65's who are in some way disabled or long term sick and need help with personal care. The condition has to last for at least 6 months. The allowance can be awarded even if no-one is actually providing the personal care required, and even if the recipient lives alone. The Citizens Advice bureau would help someone fill in the forms. Once the attendance allowance is awarded, it can be spent on anything they want, such as transport to appointments. Phone 0800 882200 for information and forms |
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British Red
Cross Red Cross House Colwell Drive Abingdon, OX14 1AU Tel: 01235 552 660 Fax: 01235 539 009 email oxon@redcross.org.uk Oxford branch of Red Cross website Care in the home: The British Red Cross provides short-term care and support in the home for people after an accident or illness, giving them the confidence to continue their daily lives. As part of this service, the British Red Cross provides help for people when they first arrive home from hospital. Medical equipment: British Red Cross volunteers provide short-term loans of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, for people with a disability or illness. The main types of equipment we offer are: Wheelchairs, Commodes, Bath seats, Crutches, Walking sticks, Walking frames Equipment is loaned with the option of providing a voluntary contribution. We are open Monday to Friday 1.30pm to 3.45pm. 01235 552 664. Therapeutic care: The British Red Cross offers gentle therapeutic massage for people at times of personal crisis to promote a sense of well-being and relaxation. A service user is offered a relaxing 30-minute session consisting of: Hand care and hand massag, Neck and shoulder massage given through clothing. It aims to: Assist relaxation, Promote a sense of well- being. Offer the opportunity to talk to someone other than a member of staff or family. Transport service: The British Red Cross provides door-to-door transport for people who cannot get about easily, restoring their freedom and independence. By providing drivers with suitable vehicles – and escorts where needed- it becomes possible to make essential journeys and other trips that make life more pleasurable. Our drivers and escorts are all trained in helping people who have difficulty travelling for one reason or another. We normally ask for a contribution to our costs but no one will be refused a service because they cannot pay. The amount is usually based on a mileage rate. If you would like further information or are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact David Cook on 01235 552 673. NB: This service in Faringdon is limited and more costly because there are no volunteer drivers based here. |
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| Dental Survey We would appreciate your help with the Dental Survey, as part of a dentistry project that is ongoing in Oxfordshire. If you could fill in this form and either email it back to: OxfordshireLink@makesachange.org.uk. Or post it back to our Freepost address: Freepost Licence No. RSAJ-YJXC-ATAT Oxfordshire LINk Bourton House 18 Thorney Leys Business Park Witney Oxfordshire OX28 4GE. |
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| Benefits advice at the Pump
Rooms 09.30 - 12.00 24th September 29th October 26th November 17th December Book through Jane.Haynes@bordengate.com Tel: 01367 241162 or just turn up This service has been available for some while, but very little used. I suspect if it is not well used on these dates we'll lose it |
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| Heart attack symptoms from NHSDirect
website The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from one person to another but women are more likely to experience “unusual” symptoms. This can include: a mild discomfort in the chest that makes them feel generally unwell; a pain in their chest that can spread to the back or stomach; a chest pain that feels like bad indigestion or feeling light-headed or dizzy as well as having chest pain. The most common symptoms include chest pain, which can spread to arms, neck and jaw; and also feeling sick or sweaty and short of breath. Are you having any type of chest pain plus any of the following: shortness of breath, sweating, nausea (feeling sick), dizziness or light-headedness, or cold, clammy skin? or Are you experiencing any of these symptoms: •severe pain in your chest or abdomen (tummy) that seems to be moving: i. down your legs, ii. towards your back, iii. from your back towards your abdomen, •a pulsating sensation (like a heartbeat) in your abdomen (tummy), •pain between your shoulder blades, •pain that feels like it is ‘ripping’ or ‘tearing’ along your back bone? If YES NHSDirect advises that you call 999 See NHSdirect Self Help Guide Heart Failure symptoms Breathlessness when you're more active than usual or sometimes when you're resting. Extreme tiredness and weakness. Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet. These symptoms are often caused by other conditions, but they are signs that you might have heart failure. Your doctor may suggest doing some tests to see if you have got heart failure, or to rule it out as a cause for your symptoms. Other symptoms that might be associated with heart failure include: Being woken up in the middle of the night gasping for breath (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea). A cough that will not go away. Nausea (feeling sick). Lack of appetite. Confusion or difficulties in concentrating. If you have already been diagnosed with heart failure and you get any of these symptoms, or the ones you already have do not get better, it could mean that the condition is worsening and you need to have your treatment changed. |
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| Extended surgery hours in
Faringdon Did you know that you can ask for a GP appointment outside the normal surgery hours? Fernhill Practice. Tues and Fridays 0700-0800 White Horse Practice it varies, mostly alternate Saturday mornings, and from once or twice a week, and at different times. A timetable for 3 months is produced to fit in with Drs work times Ask the receptionist |
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| Over 50s keep fit Leisure Centre, Mondays, 1130-1215, £2.65 (unless you are a member) Circuits, aerobics, studio cycling, stability ball |
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| Health Walks Every Wednesday from outside the Bell, 1030 1 mile or 2 More information |
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| Gentle
Exercise Thursday mornings , 1000-1100 at the Bowling Club, £2.50 per session. Good parking Enq: Sue 01367 244778 |
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| Buses to the JR from Park and
ride 3 new services- 600,700,800 from park and ride car parks (Water Eaton, PearTRee and Thornhill) to the Churchill and the John Radcliffe See www.rhtransportservices.co.uk for the timetable July 2009 |
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| Ambulance response
times in Faringdon The government target for responding to the most urgent of calls 75% of calls within 8 minutes. The SCAS, South Central Ambulance Service (Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire) report that they achieve this. However I understand they are only required to provide whole area figures, and are monitored against these. They are allowed to include respponse times if when First responders. In the Faringdon area achieving the 8 minutes target is a different story. The average for 9 months of 2008 show that arriving within 8 minutes is only achieved for about 47% of calls. (and it's only as 'good' as this because of our wonderful local volunteers - the First responders) It seems that Faringdon is not alone. Response times in rural areas across the country(I think) are not being achieved. Because the number of calls is the relatively low, they don't have a noticeably adverse effect on the area wide figures. What can be done about this? Clearly having an ambulance and staff waiting in Faringdon for the 1 or 2 calls each week is not sensible./cost effective. Surely there must be some way to improve the service times? The problem is I don't think SCAS feel the need to do anyhting as they are achieving the targets the government has set overall. Incidentally, Shrivenham is covered by The Wiltshire Ambulance service- some special arrangement in place. July 2009 |
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| New medical services in
Faringdon Dermatology - an ongoing project as GP's become more familiar with newly acquired equipment and skills. Dedicated training and review is in place and the project is to be evaluated to see if local GP's can make an impact on the number and nature of referrals to secondary care. Obesity - an ongoing project seeing considerable investment in both time and money. Weight stations have been introduced into all 10 practices; slimming club membership vouchers have been available in all practices; practice nurses have attended training both as a consortium and with the County dietetic team; we are pulling together a resource directory for each area and are working with the recently formed 'go-active' team. Childhood Obesity is high on our agenda as is further collaboration with the Public Health Team. Primary Care alone can not manage this UK wide problem. Footcare - we piloted a scheme in Didcot with Age Concern Sole Mates. Age Concern had been unable to recruit volunteers to work in Didcot so we agreed to fund a paid 'nail cutter' so that older people could benefit from the service. This service is now available in all four of the Vale locations - ask your receptionist for details or contact Age Concern Oxfordshire. Ultrasound - after numerous set backs we are now hopeful that this service will be in place this year. This will provide local ultrasound diagnostic services in all four areas of the group. Local Gynaecology with ultrasound - this should now follow the commissioning of the ultrasound service. Our model requires a 'one stop shop' approach to the provision on local services. DVT diagnostics - introduced in July 2009 across the Group. A simple test carried out within the practice offers quick diagnosis and reduces referrals to secondary care. Older Peoples Services - new, innovative and looking to the future needs of the older population of the Group. Working with Age Concern to help identify need and prevent isolation. This service is able to refer to existing primary care services and primary care will be able to refer to it. Diagnostic Feasibility Study - a one off commissioned study looking at future needs and possibilities within the Vale. Approved but yet to be commissioned, the outcomes of this study should shape future service redesign bids providing diagnostic service closer to home. Local Eye Services - recently approved our scheme has a three streams of service development. The first will look at glaucoma testing, how we might provide enhanced testing within the community. Streams two and three will look at the management of patients before and after cataract procedures and how we might develop greater cross-profession working between general practitioners, secondary care and our local optometrists. Arrhythmia - this service will be introduced in the Vale later this year, around October/November. It will enable GP's to test heart rhythms by the use of a simple monitoring device. This service will reduce the need for patients to travel to and from Oxford for this simple but effective test. Have your say……your views and suggestions are very important to us. There are several ways in which you can either become involved or express your views - Vale Patient Reference Group - we meet quarterly to discuss progress and identify areas of concern. For information please contact your Practice Manager. Your Practice Patient Group - contact your Practice Manager. Write: Vale PBC Group c/o The Practice Manager use your practice name and address Email: tina.coop@btinternet.com |
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| Footcare service from Age
Concern Sole Mates is a simple footcare service to help maintain and improve the independence and mobility of older people in our community. It is not a medical service but a common sense approach to basic footcare. Volunteers spend time with each client chatting while they bathe their feet, trim their toenails and finish with a relaxing, gentle foot massage. We offer this service in older people's homes, day centres and at special footcare sessions in Faringdon Day Hospital. Regular treatments are given every 6 to 8 weeks, dependent on individual need. This service is for older people who are unable to cut their own nails through reasons of frailty and difficulty bending, poor eyesight or problems with dexterity. There is a fee of £10 per treatment. Manager: Joanna Fowler 01865 717615 July 2009 |
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| Hospital discharge letters to GPs in 24
hours, from April 2010 In April 2008 the NHS contract introduced a new national standard: acute hospitals must send a discharge summary to a patient’s GP within 72 hours of the patient’s discharge. In April 2010, this drops to 24 hours. Failure puts hospitals in breach of their contract and they can be penalised financially. But a year into the new contract and two thirds of GPs surveyed by the NHS Alliance say they are still not getting discharge letters on time. One in four GPs says this has put patient safety at risk. PCTs and practice based commissioning groups are beginning to flex their financial muscles. Suddenly, discharge letters are getting a lot more attention than they used to. It is clear that paper-based solutions won’t cut it. The only way forward is standardised electronic discharge summaries, securely transmitted over local healthcare networks. More info |
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| FAST Stroke
Advice FAST requires an assessment of three specific symptoms of stroke. Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms? Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Time to call 999 By calling 999 early treatment can be given which can prevent further brain damage. Stroke Helpline 0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk |
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