We are happy to announce that we have been shortlisted by The Midcounties Cooperative for people to vote for in April this year!
We would like to invite as many of you as possible to vote for us between the 11th – 24th April for a chance for us to become a Regional Community Charity Fundraising Partner.
As soon as we have more information about this, we will update everyone on our website and social media with the details on how you can vote!
We are urgently looking for volunteers to join our charity, and currently have the following opportunities available:
If you or someone you know maybe interested in applying for any of the above volunteering roles, then please get in touch with our Volunteering Lead (Daniel Watkins) by emailing: volunteering@shropshire-disability.net.
If your an organisation that would like to advertise these opportunities, then please also get in touch with Daniel Watkins using the email above.
All our latest opportunities can also be found by clicking here.
SDN has received a press release from Shropshire Healthwatch and Telford & Wrekin Healthwatch asking that we share this information with our members.
“It has been widely reported over the recent months that the on-going Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of children and young people and this has led to a greater severity of need among many and an increased demand on services at a time when services have had to adapt to working under Government pandemic restrictions and increased staff shortages.
However, the lack of ‘Tier 4’ beds (specialist inpatient beds for the most seriously unwell) in the county means that children and young people will be admitted to either Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or Princess Royal Hospital, or The Redwoods Centre (an adult mental health hospital) while waiting to be moved to a suitable hospital outside Shropshire.
Healthwatch Shropshire and Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin were asked to give these children and young people the opportunity to share their experiences and say what could have been done to improve the help they have received.
Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, said, “The report highlights the need for the system to reduce waiting times and provide information, support and advice for children, young people and their families and schools while waiting for assessment, diagnosis and specialist services to prevent crisis. Alongside this there needs to be close monitoring to ensure children and young people can be prioritised according to need and closer partnership working to include schools and adult services to ensure no child or young person falls into the gaps between services. We heard from families and professionals who were calling for more awareness raising and training to help them to support the children and young people who are struggling.”
Barry Parnaby, Chair of Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin, said “Barry Parnaby, Chair of Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin, said “We have been aware of the pressure many children and young people are under – issues which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. This report provides a unique opportunity to understand and act to improve services based on the knowledge and experiences of young people, as well as their friends, family members and professionals within the sector.
“A key finding within the report centres on the need for additional support for young people and their families when using the services available. Whilst the report has now been completed, we look forward to continuing to work with local providers, users and others to improve services and support people where possible.”
People can read the full report here https://www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk/report/2022-02-09/mental-health-crisis-services-children-and-young-people-shropshire-telford-wrekin
Healthwatch is the independent health and social care champion. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services. It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust are asking more women to take part in a health survey. So far they have received more than 2,000 responses to the system-wide survey, but they would like to get more women from the county and mid-Wales to respond.
Through a Press Release received by the Trust, we have been asked to share the following:
“The survey is the first of its kind in the county and mid-Wales and there is still time to have your say with the survey closing on Monday 28 February.
A Women’s Health Project Group made up of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) and patient representatives across the county and mid-Wales set up the women’s health survey to try to find out the reasons why some women are not coming forward for screening and asking for help with the menopause.
Today (Monday 14 February) also sees the launch of the Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Campaign which highlights the benefits of cervical screening and reminds people that it can help stop cancer before it starts.
The campaign, which has been launched by the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England and NHS Improvement, encourages those eligible for screening between the ages of 25 and 64 to respond to their cervical screening invitation letters and to book an appointment at their GP Practice if they missed their last one.
Two women die every day from cervical cancer in England. Yet it is one of the most preventable cancers and getting screened can help stop it before it starts. Screening checks for certain types of the HPV virus that can cause cell changes to your cervix. Cell changes are easily treated and this prevents cervical cancer.
Part of the women’s health survey looks at cancer screening services for women, as locally the number of women coming forward for breast and cervical screening services has been falling. The aim of the survey is to find out what local women know about screening, what they feel about taking part and what barriers they may face when they are invited to a screening appointment.
The second section of this survey looks at menopause as on average half of women aged 45-65 who have experienced the menopause in the past 10 years, have not consulted a healthcare professional about their menopausal symptoms. The group would like to know more about how much women living locally know about the menopause, how it affects them and their experience of healthcare and what can be done to improve this.
Dr Priya George, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group Clinical Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: “Thank you to all those women who have taken the time to complete this survey and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t had the chance yet to do so as soon as they can. This is a real chance for local women to let us know if there are any reasons they are not coming forward for cancer screening or for getting advice and support through menopause.
“We would like to find out more about your general awareness of the screening programme, and about menopause, and to understand any barriers that prevent you from being tested and getting expert advice and support when you need it. With this valuable information, we would like to further improve our women’s health services and make them more accessible to everyone.”
The link for the survey, which should take approximately 15 minutes to complete, is available here. All information provided for the survey will be anonymous.
Once the survey results are collated they will be analysed and shared with NHS providers and patient representatives to see how improvements can be made to services and encourage more women to have screening and seek help with the menopause.
For any more information on the survey or paper copies of the survey email sath.engagement@nhs.net or ring 01743 261000 ext 2390.
Also, if you would like to be involved in any future workshops around Women’s Health, please email sath.engagement@nhs.net .
For more information on cervical screening visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening
Local Healthwatch in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have asked that we share with you this press release. They write:
Local Health Champions want to hear about NHS psychological services
Depression and anxiety levels in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin have increased since the start of the pandemic. The Shropshire Primary Care Psychological Therapies Service (also known as IAPT) and Telford IAPT are at the forefront of support and therapy to help people to deal with mild and moderate depression and anxiety. People who want help contact the service directly themselves. The NHS is looking at how these services are organised and are keen to understand people’s experiences. Healthwatch wants to hear from people who have used the service or are waiting for therapy, what went well, what didn’t go so well and any suggestions for improvements.
Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, said, “We want to ensure that the patient voice is at the centre of any service development and would encourage anybody who has used the service to get in touch. All experiences will be shared anonymously.”
Frances Sutherland, Head of Transformation and Commissioning (Mental health, LD & A) Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, said, “We want to ensure these services are easily accessible and support people in the right way which is why we want to understand more about how it feels to be treated by our local services. We are really pleased that Healthwatch have agreed to undertake this work. We want to hear the views of people who have used the services now or in the past so that we can design our service to best meet their needs.”
Barry Parnaby, Chair of Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin, said “Your local Healthwatch and NHS Trust are committed to ensuring the delivery of care is as good as it can be, but to do this, we need to hear from those who have experienced the service. Please get in touch and help to make a positive change.”
People can share their experiences with either Healthwatch Shropshire or Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin through a short online questionnaire for Shropshire
www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk/shropshire-psychological-therapies-service or for Telford & Wrekin www.healthwatchtelfordandwrekin.co.uk/telford-iapt-shropshire-psychological-therapies-service-iapt.
or alternatively by ringing 01743 237884 / 01952 739540
Healthwatch is the independent health and social care champion. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services. It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.
Start Date:
1st February 2022
End Date:
28th February 2022
Start Time:
0001
End Time:
2359
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust are asking more women to take part in a health survey. So far they have received more than 2,000 responses to the system-wide survey, but they would like to get more women from the county and mid-Wales to respond.
Through a Press Release received by the Trust, we have been asked to share the following:
“The survey is the first of its kind in the county and mid-Wales and there is still time to have your say with the survey closing on Monday 28 February.
A Women’s Health Project Group made up of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) and patient representatives across the county and mid-Wales set up the women’s health survey to try to find out the reasons why some women are not coming forward for screening and asking for help with the menopause.
Today (Monday 14 February) also sees the launch of the Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Campaign which highlights the benefits of cervical screening and reminds people that it can help stop cancer before it starts.
The campaign, which has been launched by the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England and NHS Improvement, encourages those eligible for screening between the ages of 25 and 64 to respond to their cervical screening invitation letters and to book an appointment at their GP Practice if they missed their last one.
Two women die every day from cervical cancer in England. Yet it is one of the most preventable cancers and getting screened can help stop it before it starts. Screening checks for certain types of the HPV virus that can cause cell changes to your cervix. Cell changes are easily treated and this prevents cervical cancer.
Part of the women’s health survey looks at cancer screening services for women, as locally the number of women coming forward for breast and cervical screening services has been falling. The aim of the survey is to find out what local women know about screening, what they feel about taking part and what barriers they may face when they are invited to a screening appointment.
The second section of this survey looks at menopause as on average half of women aged 45-65 who have experienced the menopause in the past 10 years, have not consulted a healthcare professional about their menopausal symptoms. The group would like to know more about how much women living locally know about the menopause, how it affects them and their experience of healthcare and what can be done to improve this.
Dr Priya George, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group Clinical Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: “Thank you to all those women who have taken the time to complete this survey and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t had the chance yet to do so as soon as they can. This is a real chance for local women to let us know if there are any reasons they are not coming forward for cancer screening or for getting advice and support through menopause.
“We would like to find out more about your general awareness of the screening programme, and about menopause, and to understand any barriers that prevent you from being tested and getting expert advice and support when you need it. With this valuable information, we would like to further improve our women’s health services and make them more accessible to everyone.”
The link for the survey, which should take approximately 15 minutes to complete, is available here. All information provided for the survey will be anonymous.
Once the survey results are collated they will be analysed and shared with NHS providers and patient representatives to see how improvements can be made to services and encourage more women to have screening and seek help with the menopause.
For any more information on the survey or paper copies of the survey email sath.engagement@nhs.net or ring 01743 261000 ext 2390.
Also, if you would like to be involved in any future workshops around Women’s Health, please email sath.engagement@nhs.net .
For more information on cervical screening visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening
Event title: Arty Party: Secret Lives
Venue: The Place, Limes Walk, Oakengates, Telford TF2 6EP
Weblink: https://www.theplacetelford.com/
Name: Arty Party with The Place Telford
Email: theplace@telford.gov.uk
Telephone: 01952 382382
Event description: Some of SDN members belong to the group “Arty Party” which is a group of over 100 people with learning disabilities, meeting in Telford and Shropshire to explore, perform, create and celebrate art
This is an opportunity for you to go to an evening of powerful, thought-provoking short fantasy films produced by Arty Party.
Arty Party creates award winning films starring actors with learning disabilities which are shared at film festivals world-wide.
‘Secret Lives’ are an enticing and surreal trilogy of films adapted from original stories by best-selling fantasy author Jeff Vandermeer.
The evening includes a chance to explore a digital installation ‘The Cabinet of Secret Lives’, a curated selection of short films including ‘Secret Lives’ and a Q & A with the ‘Secret Lives’ actors.
The event will finish with a chance to dance your socks off with Arty Party members and DJ David Rickard.
Arrangements: Cabaret Style seating.
Tickets: cost £10 each. To book tickets click the link below: https://www.theplacetelford.com/bookevent/arty-party-secret-lives/271411ARHSNBGNGPVNPDVRLBJVTTLDBLK
Which is the Right Vaccine for me? Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Intergrated Care System have published and asked organisations to share the message about getting the right vaccine and where to get them.
Walk-in vaccination clinics are available for those eligible at the following sites:
The clinics are open for walk-in appointments for anyone 18 or over. Booking is not necessary, you do not need to be registered with a GP, proof of address, immigration status, ID or an NHS number. A few personal details may be taken so that we have a record of who has been vaccinated.
Some clinics aren’t open to everyone – for instance, some are open just for people within a certain age group – so please read the clinic details carefully before you decide to go. Please do not turn up to a walk-in clinic site for a vaccination if a clinic is NOT being advertised.
All Pfizer and AstraZeneca clinics are for both first and second doses (at least 8 weeks after the first dose)
Turreff Hall – Turreff Avenue, Donnington, Telford TF2 8HG
Teldoc, Malinslee – TF3 2JZ
Pfizer Clinics (1st and 2nd doses) for 18 and over
(Further Pfizer clinics are planned at Teldoc for the following dates in August, including 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th. The timing of the clinics will be confirmed ASAP. Please keep checking back at this link https://stwics.org.uk/our-priorities/covid-19-vaccination-programme/walk-in-clinic-times?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= ).
AFC Telford United, the Bucks Way, Wellington TF1 2TU (delivered by Wellington Pharmacy)
Station Drive Surgery, Ludlow SY8 2AB
Shrewsbury Indoor Bowls Centre – Shrewsbury Sports Village, Sundorne Road SY1 4RQ
AstraZeneca Clinics (1st and 2nd doses) for 40 and over
Pfizer Clinics (1st and 2nd doses) for 18 and over
All Pop-Up clinics will have Pfizer 1st and 2nd doses available for those aged 18 and over
Hollinswood Neighbourhood Centre, 7 Downemead, Hollinswood, Telford TF3 2EW
Shrewsbury Town Football Club, Montgomery Waters Meadow, Oteley Rd, Shrewsbury SY2 6ST
Brookside Central, Bembridge, Telford TF3 1LP
Louise House, Meole Village, Roman Road Shrewsbury SY3 9JN
Telford Balloon Festival, Telford Town Park, Hinkshay Road Telford Shropshire TF3 4EP
Please, if you have not had your first or second jab, please consider going to one of the above walk-in vaccination clinics
Coronavirus cases in Telford and Wrekin have risen for the second week running.
89 new cases have been reported between 31st May and 6th June. 40 more than the previous seven-day period. Telford & Wrekin are above the regional average but below the national average!
No residents have died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test in the past week. One patient with Covid-19 was in a local hospital as of 6 June.
Local health leaders warn that Coronavirus has not gone away, and we must all play our part to keep cases low and everyone safe.
They say “We are starting to see the beginnings of a third wave in our borough. This is happening because cases are rising across the country.
It is understandable that after months of sacrifices, seeing cases rise like this can be dispiriting.
However, it is thought that the vaccine continues to be effective against the Delta Variant, also known as the Indian Variant. Hospital admissions remain very low. Even with the vaccine rollout, we still need to follow current restrictions. We still need to keep doing the right things. Coronavirus has not gone away. We must all play our part to keep cases low and everyone safe.
It’s important that we continue to play our part so we can keep ourselves, our loved ones and local communities safe”.
What can you do?
Please make sure you continue to:
This is to help you access home test kits to Check for Covid twice a week.
Even if you have no symptoms and even if you have been vaccinated, you can still carry the virus without knowing and spread it to others. Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms.
HOME TEST KITS COLLECTION POINTS:
ASSISTED TESTING:
From 12 June, assisted testing will close at the following sites:
Anyone with main or precautionary Covid-19 symptoms, however mild, should book a free PCR test.
You can also order FREE Covid19 Rapid Lateral Flow Tests at this link, https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests they will be delivered in packs of 7 directly to your home.
If you have any of these COVID-19 symptoms:
or if you’re asked to by NHS Test and Trace, you must isolate immediately and book a COVID-19 test online or by ringing 119, and remain in isolation until you receive your test result. You can book a FREE PCR Test at this link https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test it will be delivered directly to your home.
Start Date:
13th July 2021
End Date:
31st August 2021
Start Time:
0001
End Time:
2359
What a pain? If you have used Pain Management services in Shropshire in the last 2 years? Healthwatch Shropshire want to hear from you.
Healthwatch Shropshire are currently looking at pain management services within the county, in the context of the ongoing transformation of MSK services. Connect Health currently deliver pain management services within Shropshire through face-to-face clinics held in Shrewsbury but at the moment mainly using phone or online appointments.
Healthwatch Shropshire want to hear about your experiences of using the pain management service. If you have ongoing pain issues which you have been unable to get help for, either due to the pandemic or because of other barriers, they would like to hear about this too.
Steve Trechard, Executive Director of Transformation for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin CCGs said ‘Across our communities we’re keen to hear peoples’ experiences of the Pain Management Services to help inform our future service developments. Hearing directly from people who have used services is the best way to understand how well we’re doing, but more importantly where we need to make improvements. The NHS and Local Care has been significantly impacted by the Covid Pandemic. We want to hear from you about a range of issues, from how you would like to best access services, how information is best delivered, how we might use digital technology and how we can make our services more joined up. We’d be grateful if you could spare some time to complete the Healthwatch survey or tell them about your experience.’
Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer for Healthwatch Shropshire, told us ‘We really want to hear from people who have been using pain management services as we know that the health system is listening. This is an opportunity for your voice to count and be heard as services are developed.’
How to tell of your experience on pain management services in Shropshire.
Healthwatch Shropshire is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in Shropshire. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services. It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.
