Hertfordshire Healthwatch

Hertfordshire

Information Directory First Edition

Hertfordshire

Prompt and expert care to get you moving again

At Spire Harpenden Hospital we understand how limiting a painful joint can be.

We have a team of orthopaedic consultants who provide fast access to diagnosis and treatment tailored to each patient, offering high quality care with successful outcomes.

We treat patients with private medical insurance, those paying for their own care and some NHS referrals.

Our team is supported by highly skilled nurses, radiologists and physiotherapists, which means we can support you from your first visit through to your recovery.

01582 714 420

2384 SPI Orthopaedic ad.indd 1

info@spireharpenden.com www.spireharpenden.com

30/10/2014 15:38

Welcome

Information Directory

Hertfordshire

Content

About Us What We Do Enter & View Youth ServicesCharities

@HWHertfordshire HealthwatchHertfordshire hwhertfordshire Email: info@healthwatchhertfordshire.o.uk

Disclaimer

Website: www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk

A: The Barn at West Winds, If you would like to enquire about Bank Lane, Warton, placing a feature within future editions Preston, of this directory please contact.

PR4 1AT E: admin@excell-media.co.uk T: 08450 707040 Ltd F: 01772 635 771

SCAN ME

www.excell-media.co.uk

Ltd

This Directory has been compiled to cover health and social care throughout Hertfordshire and will be widely distributed throughout this area.

While we have taken every care in compiling this booklet, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies.

Healthwatch Hertfordshire and Excell Media do not specifically endorse any product, service or supplier advertising in this directory.

Healthwatch Hertfordshire retains the right to subject any organisation advertising to scrutiny in accordance with its powers and responsibilities.

Healthwatch Hertfordshire and Excell Media value the support of the advertisers in enabling this publication to be produced and distributed.

Healthwatch Hertfordshire has not profited from the production of this directory.

About Us Healthwatch Hertfordshire is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in Hertfordshire.

Healthwatch is committed to representing the views of Hertfordshire’s citizens. We work with voluntary and community sector organisations to ensure the voices of service users and communities are heard and represented. We also work with commissioners (the people who order services) and those delivering health and social care to improve services. We focus on important issues using evidence to determine our priorities.

What are our main functions?

Healthwatch Hertfordshire is the independent consumer champion for health, public health, and social care in Hertfordshire. But what does that mean? Our role includes:

Gathering Evidence All of our work is based on what people tell us, either though email, telephone calls, at events we attend, social media, or by comments left on this website.

Challenging Health Inequalities We particually want to find out about the experiences of people who are disadvantaged in accessing services or may have difficulties complaining

Get People Involved We try to promote the involvement of Hertfordshire’s communities in improving and developing services In addition, we work with commissioners. We do this in a number of ways:

Representing the People of Hertfordshire We aim to help commissioners to plan and design services making sure that the views, experiences and needs of patients, carers and users are taken into account.

Monitoring

Signposting

We highlight where services are doing well and also where they can be improved. We carry out visits to services to see how well they are working.

Healthwatch helps people to find information about local health and social care services

Escalation – We can also take concerns to the inspectors and regulators if necessary.

We are here to ensure that YOUR voice is heard.

What We Do Healthwatch Hertfordshire is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in Hertfordshire.

What is Healthwatch?

In October 2012 a national lead body – Healthwatch England (HWE), was set up as an independent committee of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Then in April 2013, the LINk in each area was replaced by a Local Healthwatch (LHW), which now work closely with Healthwatch England, its national body.

And in your area?

A local Healthwatch is an independent ‘incorporated body’, with its own professional staff, but led by experienced and skilled volunteers. Healthwacth Hertfordshire was set up to represent the whole of the county.

Who does Healthwatch Hertfordshire represent?

Patients, service-users of all publicly-funded health and social care services and their carers.

Particularly those individuals and groups who find it most difficult to make their views and needs heard.

Who funds and commissions us?

Hertfordshire County Council is funded by government to commission, and be responsible for monitoring the quality of Healthwatch Hertfordshire. Our funding covers the basic costs of running the organisation and the cost of fulfilling our statutory functions.

How independent is Healthwatch Hertfordshire?

Despite being commissioned by the local authority, Healthwatch Hertfordshire is an independent body, able to critique any publiclyfunded health or social care service within the county, as well as services outside the area which are used by local residents.

What do we do?

• We have the power to ‘Enter & View’ all publicly-funded health and social care services.

• We lead a patient-led inspection regime that replaces the old Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) inspections.

• We can recommend investigation by the CQC, where it identifies an urgent need for close scrutiny of a service.

•

We systematically gather views and experiences of patients, service users and the community as a whole on the quality of the health and social care services provided to them.

•

We are able to report the public’s’ views, circumstances and conclusions on services quality to council scrutiny committees; to CQC, the local and national regulators; and to other appropriate bodies.

• We have membership of Hertfordshire County Councils Health and Wellbeing Board where we are able to act as a ‘critical friend’.

• We represents, at the Health and Wellbeing Board and generally, the interests and views of all the communities in the area.

What We Do What other services do Healthwatch Hertfordshire provide?

How do we work with national organisations?

•

Healthwatch Hertfordshire is accountable to Healthwatch England and work closely with that national body to provide a collective picture for it to carry out its role as national champion.

We provide opportunities for local people to discuss and report on aspects of health and social care provision in their areas, and systematically feed this information into commissioning processes.

• We promotes and support the involvement of patients and the public in the commissioning and provision of local health and care services.

• We provides signposting information to the public about access to health and social care services as well as to advocacy services, when support in making a complaint is needed.

We also work with CQC locally to exchange information and raise issues and concerns.

How do we work with local voluntary and community organisations?

Healthwatch Hertfordshire works with and involves voluntary and community sector organisations in our area, to ensure we fully engage with all parts of the community.

How do we make sure people get heard?

By involving local voluntary and community groups and through running groups of our own to reflect patient and community needs. We also be use social media so people can use services like Twitter to share their views.

Who pays for Healthwatch?

The Government pays Hertfordshire County Council to commission Healthwatch Hertfordshire, which is an independent charity.

Enter & View What is Enter & View?

Enter and View is one of the statuary powers that Healthwatch Hertfordshire have. It involves us sending trained volunteers – called Authorised Representatives – to go to various health and social care locations and monitor and report on their findings. Paying particular attention to the needs of the people using those services, these reports are then used to help improve things where necessary, which means Healthwatch Hertfordshire Enter and View Representatives are able to have a powerful impact on the quality of the services provided throughout the county.

‘Enter and View’ is the opportunity for Authorised Representatives: To go into health and social care premises to see and hear for themselves how services are provided • To collect the views of service users (patients and residents) at the point of service delivery • To collect the views of carers and relatives of service users

• To observe the nature and quality of services – observation involving all the senses • To collate evidence-based findings • To report findings and associated recommendations – good and bad – to providers, CQC, Local Authority and NHS commissioners and quality assurers, Healthwatch England and any other relevant partners • To develop insights and recommendations across multiple visits to inform strategic decision making at local and national levels

Become an Enter & View Representative We are continually looking for people to become Enter and View Representatives. If you are interested in working with us to help improve services around the county, or would just like to find out more information about what the role entails, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch by calling us on 01707 275 978

Healthwatch Hertfordshire Youth It is important that young people are represented when it comes to Health and Social Care services. To do this Healthwatch Hertfordshire has a dedicated youth membership offer.

Frankie, our Youth Health Ambassador is a young person himself and it is his job to hear young people’s experiences of using local services as well as to encourage involvement.

With the help of other young people Frankie has developed a youth membership scheme.

Anyone under the age of 25 who joins receives quarterly newsletters, volunteering opportunities, invitations to events and our Healthwatch Youth Membership pack which includes loads of giveaways!

@HWHertfordshire HealthwatchHertfordshire hwhertfordshire Email: info@healthwatchhertfordshire.o.uk Website: www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk

If you are interested in becoming a youth member or would like to get in touch to let Frankie know about your experience of using health and social care services please see the contact details below:

What makes an ideal care home?

A friendly, stimulating atmosphere for older people Well trained, caring staff A convenient, central location

LUTON

Hertfordshire A1(M) M1

Find it,

in one of our 24 homes in Hertfordshire

HODDESDON

M25

• Residential, Respite and Day Care • Competitive fee rates, not for profit • Accredited providers of Specialist Dementia Care

For information on any of our homes or our care services:

www.quantumcare.co.uk

Tel: 01707 393293 email: info@quantumcare.co.uk

We Listen to you, We have Time for you, We treat you with Care.

Aero Medical Ambulance Service is based in the South East of England, located close to main London road routes to access areas quickly.

Aero Medical Ambulance Service is an independent provider of quality private ambulance services. We have a well known reputation for specialising in medical repatriations within the UK and Europe since 1974.

Aero Medical Ambulance Service offer a friendly and professional service to meet your requirements. All our ambulances are kitted to deal with all needs of the patient. Patients receive a high level of care, from the moment of first contact to ensure all their needs are met.

WE OFFER: • Ambulance Transfers • Hospital Appointments/Visits • Emergency Ambulance Response • Air Ambulances • Medical Cover for events • First Aid and Medical Training

www.aeromedicalambulance.com • Tel: 0203 651 5129 • 24/7 365 Days

You’re unique…our care is too At Trembaths, Elmside and Archers Court, we can describe our care in one word – individual.

A range of options, including retirement living apartments and person-centred residential, dementia and nursing care, provides continuity and peace of mind now and into the future.

Archers Court is a retirement living with care community, with a 24-hour on-site staff team discreetly providing assistance as required to residents in their attractive, private apartments. Next door, Elmside delivers residential and dementia care, while the nearby Trembaths provides dementia and nursing care. Residents’ private single rooms are served by en suite facilities, and the surroundings promote well-being in body, mind and spirit. With full activities programmes, music therapy for people with dementia and fully trained staff, we can make sure that each person enjoys fulfilment however he or she finds it.

Call or email us, or simply drop in to find out more Archers Court & Elmside: Elmside Walk, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 1HB Tel: 01462 423852 / 01462 451737 Email: Scheme.Hitchin@mha.org.uk, Home.HIT@mha.org.uk Trembaths: Talbot Way, Norton, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 1UA Tel: 01462 481694 Email: Home.LET@mha.org.uk

www.mha.org.uk

17882 Elmside & Trembaths Ad 205x146.indd 1

24/11/2014 10:01

Independent Provider Of Health And Social Care

Reassurance when you need it most

Options Health Care Services Is an independent provider of health and social care services.

Working in close partnership with local authorities and primary care trusts, we provide care and support for older people and those with learning disabilities as well as a range of healthcare services.

Suite 2D, Second Floor Southgate House St George’s Way Stevenage Herts SG1 1HG Tel: 01438 314 840 Mob: 07852 497 266 Email: info@optionscare.co.uk Web: www.optionscare.co.uk

Neville Funeral Service Neville House Marsh Road Leagrave Luton LU3 2RZ t: 01582 490005

Neville Funeral Service 48 Roff Avenue Bedford MK41 7TE t: 01234 359529

e: luton@nevillefuneralservice.com e: bedford@nevillefuneralservice.com

An independent family business since 1875 Memorial Masons In-house Florists Private Chapels of Rest Pre-payment Plans Memory Giving

www.nevillefuneralservice.com

Foxholes offers the finest care in a peaceful countryside setting The spacious family-run home on the outskirts of the town was purpose built in 2012 and is set in 18 acres of picturesque countryside.

Please visit our stunning virtual tour, which gives the opportunity to feel as if you’ve visited Foxholes for yourself at www.foxholescarehome.com or contact us to arrange a personalised tour.

Foxholes Care Home, Pirton Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2EN T: 01462 410767 • E: care@foxholescarehome.com • www.foxholescarehome.com

Who will inherit your home?

Your children? | The Taxman? | The Care Home?

Every Five minutes someone is forced to sell their home to pay for their care.

Don’t leave it to the Taxman | Don’t lose it to the Care Home.

Most people think that it is unfair to work hard all their lives only to have their assets taken from them in the last few years to pay for their care. The law stipulates that if you need residential care the local authority will look at the assets in your estate including your house and savings. If these exceed £13,500, then you must pay for your care fees.

Your house may have to be sold or a charge placed against it or you may have to use all of your savings. With care fees typically ranging from £800-£1250 per week, how long would your home and savings last?

This means your loved ones may inherit substantially less than you had intended, if anything at all.

Call us today to find out how we could protect your assets Our Solicitors have helped thousands of people protect their homes and savings from the local authority and the taxman.

Our Services Include...

Estate Planning Comprehensive Will Drafting Wealth Management Lasting Powers of Attorney

Care Fee Protection Express Probate Service Inheritance Tax Planning Capital Gains Tax Trusts

0800 542 8243

Universal Asset Protection in association with Crown Law Solicitors St Frances House, Olding Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3TA New Who Will Inherit Your House Ad 1

3/10/08 16:30:36

8002 NHH Age Concern Advert

4/28/10

2:33 PM

Page 1

Are you in need of housing?

Are you aged 55+?

North Hertfordshire Homes has eighteen supported housing schemes across the North Hertfordshire district.

If you would like more information please contact the Supported Housing team at: North Hertfordshire Homes, Supported Housing Team, Rowan House, Avenue One, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 2WW Telephone: 01462 704110 Email: supported.housing@nhh.org.uk www.nhh.org.uk

Your voice counts anoymous or not), will be featured on www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk and used to make recommendations for change. You can also call 01707 275 978 with your feedback.

Leave feedback Name of Service

Rate this service provider by circling the appropriate number

Poor

1

2

3

4

5

Outstanding

Summary of your experience (A few key words)

Tell us more about your experience (We would like to hear what was good as well as what could be improved)

About you Name (leave blank if

Are you under 24? you want to remain anonymous)

Address

(please include postcode)

Telephone No. (alternatively your email address)

Healthwatch Hertfordshire Douglas Tilbe House, Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 4PH For full terms & conditions please visit www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk or alternatively call 01707 275978.