Healthwatch Warwickshire Rugby Issue 2

Issue 2 Warwickshire

Health & Social Care Signposting Directory 2014 Rugby

CONTENTS Contents Healthwatch Warwickshire Volunteering Clinical Commissioning Group NHS Free Health Check Choosing a GP GP Surgeries Pharmacies Dentists Opticians & Hearing Centres Complementary & Alternative Medicine Advice on Funding for Healthcare Personal Health Budgets Advice on Funding for Social Care Independent Living at Home Are you a Carer?

Care in your Own Home Choosing between Residential, Nursing & Independent Living Residential Care Costs Choosing the Right Care Home Residential & Nursing Care Help & Advice Disclaimer This Directory has been compiled to signpost primary health and social care providers throughout Rugby.

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

All listings are supplied via the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS Choices. Neither Healthwatch Warwickshire nor HealthCare Publications can be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

All signposting services are up to date as of July 2014.

A note on advertising: We offer businesses the chance to reach potential customers via this publication. It is our intention to clearly indicate that an advertisement is being displayed and no endorsement or approval by the promoters of any product, service or supplier should be implied.

Another quality publication by Healthcare Publications

If you require extra copies of this directory or are interested in advertising in future editions please contact Healthcare Publications on 0333 444 0214

HEALTHWATCH WARWICKSHIRE Healthwatch Warwickshire represents everyone in our community; adults, young people and children alike. In order to help shape YOUR services for the future, Healthwatch Warwickshire wants to hear from you on the local health and social care services you receive.

If you want to share your experiences – good and bad – then get in touch.

About us Healthwatch Warwickshire is the independent consumer champion for health and social care.

It is a social enterprise working on behalf of patients and the public to ensure their voice is represented in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of health and social care services.

Healthwatch Warwickshire works with local people and agencies to challenge service providers and drive improvements on behalf of patients and the public. Championing diversity, Healthwatch Warwickshire is rooted in communities and responsive to their needs.

Healthwatch Warwickshire is: • A consumer watchdog concerned with the performance of health and social care providers.

• A consumer champion, promoting the needs, priorities and experiences of patients to commissioners and other agencies.

Our Vision The original vision for Healthwatch, as set out by the Department of Health: ‘Healthwatch will be the independent consumer champion for the public - locally and nationally to promote better outcomes in health for all and in social care for adults’ This has since been extended to include social care for all.

The Board of Healthwatch Warwickshire have worked to develop a vision statement for Healthwatch Warwickshire: Healthwatch Warwickshire stands for ‘the people of Warwickshire having an effective voice in improving health and social care across Warwickshire’

Warwickshire

Aims • Enable people to share their views and concerns about their local health and social care services and understand that their contribution will help build a picture of where services are doing well and where they can be improved • Provide, or signpost people to, information about local health and care services and how to access them • Provide people with information about their choices and what to do when things go wrong; this includes signposting people to the relevant provider • Promote and support the involvement of people in the commissioning and provision of local care services and how they are scrutinised • Recommend investigation or special review of services via Healthwatch England or directly to the Care Quality Commission As a resource for patients and the public, Healthwatch Warwickshire will be credible, recognisable and accessible to the patients and public it serves. It will be representative of its community and serve as a single point of contact for those who currently use services, those who have never used a service, and those who might use a service in the future.

HEALTHWATCH WARWICKSHIRE Healthwatch Warwickshire was formed following a consortium bid between Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action, Age UK Warwickshire and Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Healthwatch Warwickshire works together with these agencies to achieve maximum reach across the county. These recognised and valued existing ‘brands’ are united under the Healthwatch banner, meaning that you can go into your local CAB office, Age UK Warwickshire office or WCAVA building and pick up leaflets, be signposted to or receive information and advice on health and social care related issues.

The Consortium offers a range of particular skills, expertise and a proven track record and has experience of delivering services to communities across the whole of the county.

Core Functions

Get Involved

The core functions of Healthwatch Warwickshire are split across two levels:

There are many ways you can get involved with Healthwatch Warwickshire:

Macro: Promoting the needs and role of local

Sign up to our quarterly Newsletter to find out what is going on at Healthwatch Warwickshire and the work we have been doing to improve services in Warwickshire.

people in commissioning, in the provision and scrutiny of services, for the purposes of improving the overall quality of care in the area and addressing health inequalities.

Micro: Signposting individuals to information

and advice about their treatment and care options and handling complaints, for the purposes of improving the individual service user experience.

Our Partners:

Share your stories with us, so we can build up a picture of the services that are doing well, and those that could be improved.

Come along to one of our events or quarterly public meetings – check the website for details Volunteer with us.

Contact Us Telephone: 01926 422823 Email: info@healthwatchwarwickshire.co.uk Website: www.healthwatchwarwickshire.co.uk Twitter: @healthwatchwarw Address: Freepost RTGB-RHHG-AJUU Healthwatch Warwickshire 4-6 Clemens Street Leamington Spa CV31 2DL

VOLUNTEERING Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to yourself and to others. People choose to volunteer for many reasons, which may be: • To gain and develop skills, knowledge and experiences • To meet new people and make new friends • To get to know the local community • To gain confidence • To help others • To give something back to an organisation or community

At Healthwatch Warwickshire, we have various volunteering opportunities available: Mystery Shopper Are you interested in helping to raise the quality of healthy lifestyle information provided in pharmacies within Warwickshire?

Undertaken with the Healthy Living Pharmacy Board, mystery shopping is used to check the on-site experience that customers can expect when visiting their local accredited Healthy Living pharmacy.

Compassionate Communities Can you dedicate some time each week to help out someone in practical ways to live their lives more fully?

Launching in Atherstone, this exciting new project aims to re-connect vulnerable people with their community through the compassion and support of volunteers.

This could mean accompanying a person to their chosen activity - be it bingo, the theatre or the local luncheon club – to help that person develop new contacts and social networks.

Enter and View Do you want to drive up quality in the provision of health and social care services across Warwickshire?

As an enter and view volunteer visitor you will visit premises such as GP surgeries, dental surgeries and care homes and gather the views of users of those services through observation and conversation.

These views will then be shared via a written report.

If this is you, then we want to hear from you!

Quality Accounts

If you think you may be interested in volunteering with Healthwatch Warwickshire, then get in touch.

Tel: 01926 422823 Email: volunteering@healthwatchwarwickshire.co.uk Or visit our website: www.healthwatchwarwickshire.co.uk for more information on our volunteering opportunities.

Do you want to help scrutinise and improve the quality of the work of statutory and acute trusts across Warwickshire?

Warwickshire

In line with Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees, a quality accounts volunteer will have the opportunity to comment on the quality account of the NHS trust to ensure it reflects the local priorities and concerns of patients, as well as providing challenge to the performance of local health services.

More to come!

CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP Responsibility for commissioning most health services has transfered from Primary Care Trusts to newly formed Clinical Commissioning Groups groups of local family doctors and other healthcare professionals like hospital doctors and nurses, who will work with the public to plan and buy healthcare for their local communities.

The NHS Coventry and Rugby Clinical Commissioning Group represents all GPs in Coventry and Rugby and comprises of 77 GP practices and covers a population size of approximately 460,000 across Coventry and Rugby, including some of the most deprived areas in the country as a whole.

The CCG has the responsibility for planning and commissioning healthcare and will work with local people and organisations, including Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council and the providers of health and social care, to plan and pay for health services for Coventry and Rugby residents.

Our vision • To improve the health and wellbeing of our community • To provide the best possible patient experience • To ensure choice, value for money and high quality care

Our values • We will ensure our population receives fair and timely access to a choice of services which are safe, clinically effective and patient centred • We will focus on health and wellbeing, preventing ill health and reducing health inequalities • Services should be as local as possible • Our resources should be used effectively and efficiently by investing in services that deliver quality and best value for money • We will be responsive and listen and work with the community, practices and partner organisations • We will enable and empower our workforce and members to be the best they can

Demonstrating our values Values are the underpinning principles that will guide how the CCG governing body, staff and members behave and therefore how they perform and the choices they make when working in clinical commissioning. Values therefore need to be translated into a set of expected behaviours: We aim to be a CCG that: • Considers the impact for the patient first when making decisions • Respects our patient and the local communities we serve • Works with partners and providers to ensure services are integrated, seamless and offer and high quality patient experience • Seeks to build strong relationships with patients, communities, partners and providers • Shows respect and behaves in an open, friendly and honest manner • Invests time and provides support in helping others improve • Makes sure everyone counts and is proud to make a difference • Works in innovative and flexible ways in partnership with others to achieve better value, productivity and outcomes • Is willing to challenge and learn • Continuously looks for ways to improve the health of the population • Ensures the needs of vulnerable groups are met and that prevent is at the forefront of our thinking We are committed to meaningful engagement with communities, patients and carers to make sure that it commissions high quality, value for money health services for local people, based on patient experience and local feedback.

We have a number of ways for you to be involved: • • • •

Become a Health Champion Join a GP Practice Reference Group Attend Health Summits Attend our Public, Patient and Carers Conferences • Respond to our public consultations if we propose any significant changes to services • Follow us on Twitter • Take part in email surveys Getting involved really makes a difference.

For more details please contact Esther Peapell, Communication and Involvement Leadesther.peapell@coventryrugbyccg.nhs.uk or 02476 246158 or 07957 997073

A&E 999 University Hospital Cifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DW George Elliot Hospital College Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7DJ Warwick Hospital Lakin Road, Warwick CV34 5BW

ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY The Emergency Department is for ambulance traffic and critical or life-threatening situations only, and you should only go there or call 999 if immediate emergency care is needed.

Open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week

MINOR INJURIES UNIT Rugby Urgent Care Centre Hospital of St Cross Site, Barby Road, Rugby CV22 5PX Open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week Coventry NHS Healthcare & Walk in Centre Stoney Stanton Rd, Coventry CV1 4FH Open 8am - 10pm, 365 days a year

MINOR INJURIES UNIT Walk-in centres treat minor illnesses and injuries that don’t need a visit to A&E. You do not need an appointment and you will be seen by an experienced nurse or doctor.

GP SURGERY GP Our GP surgeries also have trained nurses who can give advice, take tests diagnose and be able to treat many illnesses that used to be only dealt with by doctors – making the level of service you can now expect from your GP surgery better then ever.

PHARMACIST Go to a pharmacist if you have the symptoms of a cough, cold or think you’ve got the flu a pharmacist is the best place to go as they can usually provide you the help and information you need on the spot.

NHS 111 NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, and is free to call from landlines and mobiles and offers confidential health advice and information

SELF – CARE Ensure your medicine cabinet is well stocked with.

• Anti-diarrheal medicine • Paracetamol or aspirin • Rehydration mixture • Indigestion mixture • Thermometer • Plasters

Your local GP surgery provides a range of services including.

• General medical advice and treatment for an illness or injury that won’t go away • Routine health checks - Travel advice – Prescriptions • Help managing long-term health problems • Immunisations and tests • Referrals to a specialist or a hospital

GP OUT OF HOURS If you need to see a Doctor or a Nurse more urgently and cannot wait until your GP is open again, you can telephone Warwickshire Healthline on 0300 130 30 40 between 6.30pm and 8.00am Monday to Friday, or anytime at the weekend or on a Bank Holiday.

PHARMACIST You can speak to any pharmacist for advice on how to treat lots of minor injuries and common complaints such as coughs colds, bites, stings, aches, and pains. They also offer help with healthy living issues such as losing weight or giving up smoking.

NHS 111 Is a new national telephone service if you need medical help fast, but it’s not life - threatening. NHS 111 provides a new way to ensure people receive the right care, from the right person, in the right time and place.

SELF CARE Many patients make appointments to see their Doctor or Nurse, when they could be using a well stocked medicines cabinet or visiting a pharmacist to treat their symptoms – and getting the same help or advice a lot quicker. Self care is the very best choice you can make for treating very minor illnesses and injuries.

FREE NHS HEALTH CHECK Who is it for?

The NHS Health Check scheme is available across Warwickshire.

If a person is aged between 40 and 74 and hasn’t already been diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or had a stroke, they may be invited by their GP for the NHS Health Check by letter, text or they may be offered the NHS Health Check when they are at their GP for another reason.

Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, and some forms of dementia. The good news is that these conditions can often be prevented – even if you have a history of them in your family. Have your free NHS Health Check and you will be better prepared for the future and be able to take steps to maintain or improve your health.

Why do I need an NHS Health Check?

We know that your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and dementia increases with age. There are also certain things that will put you at even greater risk.

These are: • Being overweight • Being physically inactive • Not eating healthily • Smoking • Drinking too much alcohol • High blood pressure • High cholesterol Both men and women can develop these conditions, and having one could increase your risk of developing another in the future.

• In the brain a blocked artery or a bleed can cause a stroke • In the heart a blocked artery can cause a heart attack or angina • The kidneys can be damaged by high blood pressure or diabetes, causing chronic kidney disease and increasing your risk of having a heart attack • Being overweight and physically inactive can lead to type 2 diabetes • If unrecognised or unmanaged, type 2 diabetes could increase your risk of further health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease and stroke

FREE NHS HEALTH CHECK Even if you’re feeling well, it’s worth having your NHS Health Check now.

We can then work with you to lower your chances of developing these health problems in the future.

What happens at the check?

This check is to assess your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.

Questions you may have Why do I need this check? I feel fine!

The NHS Health Check helps to identify potential risks early. By having this check and following the advice of your health professional, you improve your chances of living a healthier life.

But don’t these conditions run in the family?

• You’ll be asked some simple questions.

For example, about your family history and choices which may put your health at risk

If you have a history of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease in your family then you may be more at risk. Taking action now can help you to prevent the onset of these conditions.

• We’ll record your height,weight, age, sex, and ethnicity

I know what I’m doing wrong.

How can the doctor help me?

• We’ll take your blood pressure

If you would like help, we will work with you to find ways to eat healthily, reach your healthy weight, be more active, cut down your drinking, or stop smoking.

• The check will take about 20-30 minutes

• We’ll do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol level

What happens after the check?

We will discuss how you can reduce your risk and stay healthy.

• You’ll be taken through your results and told what they mean. Some people may be asked to return at a later date for their results • You’ll be given personalised advice on how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle • Some people with raised blood pressure will have their kidneys checked through a blood test • Some people may need to have another blood test to check for type 2 diabetes. Your health professional will be able to tell you more • Treatment or medication may be prescribed to help you maintain your health

If I am assessed as being at ‘low risk’, does this mean I won’t develop these conditions?

It is impossible to say that someone will or won’t go on to develop one of these conditions.But taking action now can help you lower your potential risk.\

Will everyone have this check?

This check is part of a national scheme to help prevent the onset of these health problems.

Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 who has not been diagnosed with the conditions mentioned will be invited for a check once every five years. If you are outside the age range and concerned about your health, you should contact your GP.

HEALTHY LIVING The choices we make about how we live can have a significant effect on our health. Eating a healthy diet, doing regular exercise, not smoking and not drinking too much alcohol can help you stay well and enjoy a long life.

Keeping fit and healthy can be a challenge if you are living with a long-term condition, but it will make a big difference to your wellbeing. If you’ve been thinking about making changes to your lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, losing weight, eating healthily, drinking a little less alcohol, or doing more exercise, there’s plenty of help and support available.

Talking to your GP and other healthcare workers, including pharmacists, is the first step. They’ll help you look at your lifestyle and suggest changes that are suitable for your condition and any treatment you’re having. Your health or care worker can also let you know about local services that can help you.

For example, if you want to start exercising but you're unsure how to, your GP can put you on the Exercise on Referral scheme. These schemes are run with local gyms and fitness centres and can include swimming. Ask at your GP practice for more information.

Your GP can also help you if you want to stop smoking, for instance by enrolling you in a clinic where you’ll get support from other people who are also trying to stop. Nicotine replacement therapy and other stop smoking treatments provided by your GP can also help you resist cravings and boost your chances of quitting successfully.

You're never too young or too old to switch to a healthier lifestyle. Children who learn healthy habits at a young age will benefit from them throughout their life. And giving up bad habits can improve your health at any age.

Stop Smoking for good Giving up smoking is probably the best thing you can do to improve your health. Research shows that smoking is responsible for almost one in five of all deaths in the UK. This means that smoking causes an estimated 110,000 deaths a year.

Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack as people who have never smoked. Smoking also increases your risk of developing many cancers and lung disease.

Get active, feel fitter, live longer Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and even happier life.

Adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Young people (5-18) should do 60 minutes every day.

If you do this, it can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.

Rethink your drinking Drinking too much alcohol could increase your risk of getting 14 major diseases, including mouth and throat cancers, liver cirrhosis, strokes and mental health problems.

Alcohol is believed to be responsible for as many as 22,000 premature deaths in England and Wales every year. But it’s not just binge drinkers who are at risk: regularly drinking more than the recommended limit can cause significant health problems.

CHOOSING A GP Choosing a GP can seem a daunting task, especially if you have just moved into an area and don't know anything about the local health services. But there are some easy ways to find the doctor to suit you.

It's important to be registered with a doctor because you'll need them to refer you for specialist hospital and community treatment services.

A surgery may refuse an application to join its list of patients if: You don't reside in the surgery area.

It has formally closed its list of patients, eg when a practice has more patients than it can deal with or not enough doctors - this is less common than it used to be.

If your application is refused, the surgery must write to you and give the reasons for this.

How do I find a surgery?

Most surgeries operate a fairly strict catchment area system, and only those who live within the area may be able to register.

This isn't to be awkward, but ensures a GP can visit a person at home in an emergency in reasonable time.

To find your closest surgery, visit www.nhs.uk Use the GP tab in the 'Services Near You' box and search using your postcode.

What if I have a complaint or concern about my GP or Practice?

How do I register?

First raise it with the staff member concerned or the Practice Manager.

This is straightforward and far easier than most people realise. Simply take your NHS medical card along to your chosen surgery. You will then be asked to sign a registration form.

It may just be an issue of poor communication.

Ask at your practice for a copy of their Complaints process to follow.

Not all NHS trusts issue medical cards. If you don't have one, the receptionist will give you form GMS1 to fill in.

If you are not happy with how they respond to your concerns then you can write to NHS England and they will allocate someone to look into your complaint.

Once you've completed and returned the forms, your local NHS will transfer your medical records to your new surgery and write to you to confirm your registration as a patient with the surgery.

Many surgeries ask a new patient to attend a ‘registration medical’ that checks your general health.

What if I can’t get an appointment?

If you can't get a doctor's appointment or have a non-urgent health problem or query, you can contact a nurse by ringing 111 at any time.

Write to NHS England PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT. Tel: 0300 311 22 33 Email: england.contactus@nhs.net If you want to help improve services in your GP practice you can join a Patient Participation Group.

Ask at the practice for details of how to join yours.

GP SURGERIES GP Surgeries

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PHARMACIES Pharmacies

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DENTISTS Dentists

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OPTICIANS & HEARING CENTRES Opticians

Hearing Centres

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COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE If you're thinking about whether or not to use a complementary or alternative medicine, the first step is to learn as much as possible about the treatment.

The availability of complementary and alternative treatments on the NHS is limited. Some, such as acupuncture, may be offered by the NHS. You should find out: What is the evidence that this treatment is safe for you to take? For example, Ginseng has been associated with higher blood pressure and may be inappropriate if you already have raised blood pressure (hypertension).

If you are using complementary or alternative medicine to treat a health condition - what is the evidence that the treatment works for your condition?

Acupuncture There is no one health condition or set of conditions that acupuncture is meant to treat.

Instead, Acupuncturists use the treatment for an extremely wide range of health conditions.

Sometimes, patients combine acupuncture with conventional treatments that have been prescribed by a GP or Hospital Consultant. If you are being treated by an Acupuncturist for a health condition, it is advisable to discuss this with your GP. Acupuncture is often used to treat musculoskeletal conditions (of the bones and muscles) and pain conditions, including: • • • • • •

Headache and migraine Chronic pain - including neck and back pain Joint pain Dental pain Post-operative pain Post-operative nausea and vomiting

Chiropractic Chiropractic treatments are often used for musculoskeletal conditions (affecting the muscles, bones and joints).

Conditions commonly treated by chiropractors could include: • Lower back pain • Neck pain • Shoulder pain and problems

• Slipped discs • Leg pain and sciatica • Pain or problems with hip, knee, ankle and foot joints • Pain or problems with elbow, wrist and hand joints • Fibromyalgia

Homeopathy Homeopathy is used for an extremely wide range of health conditions. Among the most common conditions that people seek homeopathic treatment for are: • • • • • • • •

Asthma Ear infections Hay fever Mental health conditions, such as depression, stress and anxiety Allergies, such as food allergies Dermatitis (an allergic skin condition) Arthritis High blood pressure

Osteopathy Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints.

Conditions commonly treated with osteopathy: • • • • • • •

Lower back pain Neck pain Shoulder pain Arthritis Problems with the pelvis, hips and legs Sports injuries Problems with posture caused by driving, work or pregnancy

Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is a type of complementary therapy that uses hypnosis, an altered state of consciousness.

When might it be helpful?

• • • •

Irritable bowel syndrome Losing weight and quitting smoking Skin conditions Anxiety, pregnancy and childbirth

ADVICE ON FUNDING FOR HEALTHCARE There are several options for funding care and understanding them, and which ones apply to you can be complicated. These options depend on your need for care and support, as well as your personal and financial circumstances.

The main sources of support are the NHS and your local Social Services department, depending on your circumstances.

NHS care The NHS is responsible for funding certain types of healthcare and equipment you may need. In some situations, the NHS is also responsible for meeting care needs. This is usually when someone’s need is mainly for healthcare rather than social care. NHS care could be provided in hospital but it can also be in someone’s own home or elsewhere in the community.

When care is provided through the NHS there is no financial assessment and no care charges to pay.

However, people are only eligible for NHS care in certain circumstances.

NHS continuing healthcare If the person you care for has very severe and complex health needs, they may qualify for NHS continuing healthcare. This is an ongoing package of care that’s fully funded by the NHS.

Nursing care If someone goes into a residential care home but needs some element of nursing care, they’ll get a payment from the NHS to help pay for their nursing care. This is called a registered nursing care contribution (RNCC).

Intermediate care Some people can be eligible for intermediate care from the NHS. This is provided on a short-term basis and is intended to help people recover from an injury or illness and stay independent.

Intermediate care is often provided to elderly people who are being discharged from hospital, and may help someone to keep living in their own home rather than moving into a care home.

Aftercare People who were previously detained in hospital under certain sections of the Mental Health Act will have their aftercare services provided free.

PERSONAL HEALTH BUDGETS Personal Health Budgets Personal health budgets are being introduced by the NHS to help people manage their care in a way that suits them.

They have been piloted in a number of places across England and, from April 2014, anyone receiving NHS continuing healthcare will have a right to ask for a personal health budget.

What is a Personal Health Budget?

A personal health budget is an amount of money to support your identified health and wellbeing needs, planned and agreed between you and your local NHS team. The aim is to give people with long-term conditions and disabilities greater choice and control over the healthcare and support they receive.

Personal health budgets work in a similar way to the personal budgets that many people are already using to manage and pay for their social care.

Can I have a personal health budget as well as a personal budget for social care and support?

Yes. If you already have a personal budget for care and support from social services and your NHS team agrees, you can also have a personal health budget and ask for both to be combined.

Do I have to have a personal health budget?

No. If having a personal health budget does not work for you, your local NHS will provide the care you need as it has always done.

What is the difference between a personal health budget, a personal budget, an individual budget and a direct payment?

A personal health budget is for your NHS healthcare and support needs.

Together with your NHS team (such as a GP) you will develop a care plan. The plan sets out your personal health and wellbeing needs, the health outcomes you want to achieve, the amount of money in the budget and how you are going to spend it.

A personal budget is for your social care and support needs.

You can use a personal health budget to pay for a wide range of items and services, including therapies, personal care and equipment. This will allow you more choice and control over the health services and care you receive.

A direct payment is one way of managing these budgets, where you get the cash to buy the agreed care and support you need.

You don’t have to change any healthcare or support that is working well for you just because you get a personal health budget, but if something isn’t working, you can change it.

• Personal health budgets should help people get a better service from the NHS. They should not make things worse.

Who can have a personal health budget?

The first group to be able to ask for a personal health budget, from April 2014, will be people getting NHS continuing healthcare, which is NHSfunded long-term health and personal care provided outside hospital.

Local NHS organisations will be free to offer personal health budgets to other people if they think an individual will benefit. It is the Government’s long-term aim, to introduce a right to a personal health budget for people who would benefit from it.

An individual budget includes your social care and support needs plus other funding, such as independent living.

Key points

• You do not have to have a personal health budget if you do not want one.

• You should have as much control over decisions as you want.

• NHS and social care organisations should work in partnership with you and with each other.

• If you are not able to have a personal health budget, you can still speak to your NHS team about how your needs can be met in another way that is more personal to you.

ADVICE ON FUNDING FOR SOCIAL CARE If someone isn’t eligible for free care from the NHS, their main source of support will be social services. In this case, there are rules that determine whether or not they have to make a financial contribution. These rules vary depending on whether the care is provided in a care home or in their own home.

Local authority community care If you or the person you're looking after has difficulty with their personal care, they should consider getting support from social services by having a community care assessment of their needs.

Your income (including any benefits) and capital will be taken into account when calculating whether you have to pay anything towards the care that you or they will receive.

In some cases a person may have a mixed package of care, including some that is NHS-funded and some that is provided by social services, for which they may be charged.

Direct payments If you are assessed as needing community care services and qualify for social services funding, they must offer you direct payments as an option.

If someone isn't able to manage their own direct payments, it's possible for another person to manage the direct payments on their behalf.

Direct payments are part of a move towards ‘personalised’ social care so that people have more choice and control over the support they get, letting you choose and buy the services you need yourself, rather than having it arranged for you by social services.

It's important to know that if you receive a direct payment to pay a care worker or personal assistant, you become an employer and have legal responsibilities.

Direct payments can be made to: • Disabled people aged 16 or over (with short or long-term needs)

Normally, an assessment is carried out before a service can be provided by the social services department of a local authority. However, if the services are needed urgently, the local authority can provide a service without carrying out the assessment.

• Disabled parents for children’s services

The local authority uses the community care assessment to decide whether a person needs a community care service and, if they do, whether it can be provided by the local authority.

Choosing direct payments

The assessment considers what types of services are needed by the person being assessed.

A wide range of services could be needed, from aids and adaptations in the person's own home to care workers or residential care.

Where there are disputes about the process of the assessment or the care plan, there are ways that decisions can be challenged. For more information on challenging decisions, speak to your local Healthwatch team.

The local authority is obliged to carry out a community care assessment when they become aware that someone may be in need of community care services. This may mean that an assessment is offered even if you or the person you look after have not specifically requested one.

• Carers aged 16 or over (including people with parental responsibility for a disabled child) • Elderly people who need community care services The choice of direct payments is voluntary. If you decide to have direct payments, you can change your mind about this at any time. If you no longer want direct payments, contact your local social services and ask them to arrange services instead.

It's possible to try direct payments by asking social services for a direct payment for some of your support while you continue to get your other support directly from social services.

Direct payments can only be spent on things that will meet the assessed needs of the person getting them. If you spend a direct payment on something that doesn't meet your needs, social services can recover the money from you.

Everyone who gets support from social services should have their needs reassessed at least once a year.

To contact your Local Authority Department for an assessment, to be re-assessed or for further information please call 01926 410410 or email ac-sswebenquiries@warwickshire.gov.uk

INDEPENDENT LIVING AT HOME Suggestions for making life easy: External Adaptations • Handrail at front or rear entrance of dwelling • Provision of whirly clothes line or path leading to clothes line • Widening of paths around the property • Defining steps for people with visual impairments • Outdoor lighting • Paved areas for wheelchairs

General Internal Adaptations Around one in five adults in the UK is disabled, and more than 1 million of those live alone. With the right support and facilities, leading an independent life with a physical or learning disability is now more achievable than ever.

Aids and Adaptations If you or a member of your family has difficulty living in your home due to a long-term illness or disability, you may be able to get help by adapting your home to better meet your needs. You can apply to your local council for a disabled facilities grant. The grant helps you adapt your home to make it suitable for a disabled person. Depending on your income, you may need to pay towards the cost of the work to the property.

You could get a grant from your council if you are disabled and need to make changes to your home, for example to: • Widen doors and install ramps • Improve access to rooms and facilities - eg stairlifts or a downstairs bathroom • Provide a heating system suitable for your needs • Adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use

How can I find out more about the aids and adaptations that would help me?

Contact your social services department on 01926 410410 about what difficulties you are having at home. They will send an occupational therapist to carry out an assessment and provide advice on which equipment or housing adaptation needs suit you best.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Additional stair rail Changing door knobs to lever handles Lowering of Yale locks Re-siting of electrical sockets at a convenient level Additional power points Provision of intercom & door unlock systems Provision of rocker light switches Adjustments to or additional lighting Relocation of clothes hanging rails Accessible window openings Provision of letter cages or delivery shelves in entrance hall

Kitchens and Bathrooms • Lowering or replacement of high wall hung cupboards • Additional storage space in kitchen • Lowering of cooker mains switch • Installation of extractor fan with accessible controls • Level access shower • Overbath shower • Provision of non-slip/tactile surface • Provision of storage space for wheelchair • Ramps • Special baths • Special toilets • Step in shower • Widening doors for wheelchair access

Major Adaptations • Bathroom extensions (ground floor showers & W.C’s) • Bedroom extensions • Hardstandings • Major internal rearrangements • Re-design or re-organisation of existing kitchen • Stairlifts • Vertical through floor lifts

ARE YOU A CARER? A carer is anybody who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty or disability. All the care they give is unpaid and about one in ten of us is a carer. Many carers don't see themselves as carers and it takes carers an average of two years to acknowledge their role as a carer.

It can be difficult for carers to see their caring role as separate from the relationship they have with the person they care for, whether they are a parent, son, daughter, sibling or friend and many people do not see themselves as carers. They simply may think of themselves as a friend or family of the person they care for.

It is because of this that they often don’t realise that there is help available to them as well, such as how to get: • Assessments • Direct payments • Home care • Housing adaptations • Funding for short breaks or respite Some carers can suffer from poor health because of the demands of their caring role. For example, back pain can result from lifting or moving the person being cared for. It may also be difficult to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine while caring.

Without the right support, being a carer can be an extremely stressful role.

• Ask for help: We all need help from time to time and carers are no exception. Help is out there, you only need to ask!

• Know your rights: It sounds simple, but knowing what you’re entitled to and what support is available can help a great deal.

• Tell your GP: Your GP practice can record that you are a carer to ensure you get your annual flu vaccination and additional support as a carer.

• Have an assessment: This can sound a little daunting at first, but ensuring that you and the person you care for get an assessment of yours and their needs. Your local authority can give you access to a whole host of additional practical help and support.

• Be a little selfish! We all need time to ourselves, but it’s particularly important for carers. This could be as simple as setting some ‘me’ time aside for a relaxing bath or a night out.

There are a estimated 80,000 Carers in Warwickshire,help and support is available locally from the Warwickshire young Carers project or Guideposts.

If you’re a carer and you need some one to talk to contact:

Warwickshire Young Carers' Project

4 Holly Court Holly Farm Honiley, Warwickshire CV8 1NP 01926 485486

Guideposts Carers Service

4-6 Clemens Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 2DL 01926 833909

CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME If you are finding it difficult to manage at home you could consider using the services of a home care provider. Home care providers employ care assistants who can help you with bathing, washing and dressing.

The staff who work for these agencies are trained in personal care and safety procedures, moving and handling, hygiene and infection control. If you require nursing care at home, many agencies employ registered nurses.

Please find the care agencies registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), who are located in Rugby.

Organising your own home care If you are thinking about arranging your own home care it is a good idea to ask any agencies you approach the following questions • • • • •

Are there different rates for weekends/evenings?

Are there any extra charges i.e. for the carer's travelling expenses?

What sort of services do you provide?

If you provide me with a service, can I contact you out of office hours? If so, how?

Are your carers trained? Are you registered with the Care Quality Commission?

To check up-to-date information on the providers of homecare visit www.cqc.org.uk or scan the QR CODE with your Smartphone.

Care Provider

Address

Telephone

CHOOSING BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL, There are many types of residential care homes available. These include permanent care homes for older people, homes for younger adults with disabilities and homes for children. They may be privately owned or run by the voluntary sector or local authorities. You may want to consider in detail the many options for residential care before you make a decision.

Older people Care homes for older people may provide personal care or nursing care. A care home which is registered to provide personal care will offer support, ensuring that basic personal needs, such as meals, bathing, going to the toilet and medication, are taken care of. In some homes more able residents have greater independence and take care of many of their own needs.Some residents may need medical care and some care homes are registered to provide this. These are often referred to as nursing homes. Some homes specialise in certain types of disability, for example, dementia.

Adults aged 18-65 There are also residential care homes that provide care and support for younger adults with, for example, severe physical disabilities, learning disabilities, acquired brain injury, progressive neurological conditions or mental health problems.

Care can be provided for adults with more than one condition and some homes have expertise in providing care for adults with alcohol or drug dependency.

These homes offer permanent residence or provide care for a temporary period until the adult is able to live independently or move to a different type of accommodation.

Choosing between residential care and independent living Social services normally encourage younger adults who they assess for support to be as independent as their circumstances allow. The care plan for adults with disabilities will consider what independent tasks they can carry out and how they can be helped to achieve more. Even if adults have very severe disabilities their needs are reviewed from time to time to check whether residential care or a very high level of support is still appropriate.Supported living may be an option for younger adults. This allows people to live independently in the community but with basic support. The support offered includes help with setting up a home and managing finances, and assistance with cleaning and shopping.

For older people there are various alternatives to residential care. These include sheltered housing and extra care housing schemes, which offer independence with an increased level of care and support.

For many people there is also the choice of living independently at home with community care support.

NURSING & INDEPENDENT LIVING Choice of accommodation The law says that where the local authority is funding accommodation it must allow the person entering residential care to choose which care home they would prefer. Social services must first agree that the home is suitable for the person’s needs and that it would not cost more than they would normally pay for a home that would meet those needs. If the person chooses to go into a more expensive home, a relative or friend may be able to ‘top up’ the difference in cost.

Choosing a care home Care homes may be arranged through the local authority but many people will want to arrange them independently. It is a good idea to visit several homes before making a choice. Make sure you spend enough time in each home to get a good idea of what it is like.

Respite and short term stays Residential care home stays don't necessarily have to be permanent. Temporary stays can be arranged for respite care (in which you take a break from caring for somebody else), or as a trial period before a permanent stay.

Temporary stays can give you flexibility when covering unexpected events, such as: • Palliative care (which manages or reduces pain) after a hospital stay or illness • Support for newly disabled people and their carers • Enabling someone to continue living independently if they live alone and suddenly require care • Giving someone a chance to try potential future homes

What your choices are A list of all nursing and residential care homes within your locality can be found on the following pages. Every care home in England must be registered with the national regulatory body Care Quality Commission (CQC).

They inspect each care home on a regular basis and write an inspection report for you to read. It is advisable to read this report before making a final decision.

To check up-to-date information on the Nursing and Residential care homes within your locality visit www.cqc.org.uk or scan the QR CODE WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE

RESIDENTIAL CARE COSTS In some cases the residential care needed by the person you're looking after may be paid for by the NHS under the NHS continuing care scheme. The care may also be provided free of charge because it is 'intermediate care'. It may be free because the person you're looking after has previously been a mental health inpatient. If this is the case, the services are funded under the Mental Health Act.

Get personal advice on care funding

Residential care is also free if the local authority could charge but decides not to do so. This can occur if the stay in residential care is only temporary (normally less than eight weeks), or if the residential care is for a child. If none of the above applies, the person you're looking after will be given a financial assessment. This is also known as a means-tested assessment. They will be required to give information about their income and capital. There are rules that determine how income and capital are treated. Some types, including benefits, can be disregarded. The financial assessment will work out how much the person you're looking after will be expected to contribute towards the cost of their care home fees.

The cost of your care will vary depending on its type, intensity, specialisation, location and duration. For example, a place in a residential care home will cost hundreds of pounds a week.

Decisions that have such financial implications should be made with advice and only after considering the costs of alternatives.

Owning Property There are rules that explain how the property of the person you're looking after will be taken into account In some cases it can be disregarded, this is the case if a partner is still living in the property.

The capital limit for residential care is ÂŁ23,250.

Local authorities will investigate if they believe that the person you're looking after has deliberately reduced their capital to avoid paying care home fees. There is a scheme called the deferred payment scheme which allows someone who goes into care to keep their property and still get help from the local authority with paying care home fees. The local authority recovers the fees from the proceeds when the property is sold. This scheme can also be used if there is a delay in selling a property.

Self-funders After the means-tested assessment, the person you're looking after may receive a decision that they will have to pay their own care home fees.

People paying their own fees are referred to as self-funders. Self-funders will still receive advice about the arrangements for residential care. Once a self-funder's capital reaches ÂŁ23,250 the local authority is responsible for helping out with the care home fees. This will require another assessment.

The cost of care and support is likely to be a longterm commitment and may be substantial, particularly if you opt for residential care. If you or a member of the family need to pay for care in a care home, it’s important to seek advice tailored to your individual needs.

For example, the cost of a care home needs to be weighed against the cost of care and support that may help you remain in your existing accommodation.

The costs of long-term care can be significant and how you may wish to arrange to pay for it is a big financial decision for most people. Cost can vary across the country and different care homes will charge different amounts based on the level of care needs, the quality of the accommodation, or the area of England it is in.

Few of us will have the income or ready access to the cash to pay for their ongoing care needs. Often people find that they need to sell or remortgage their home to pay for care or enter into an equity release scheme. Before taking such significant financial steps it is advisable to get proper independent financial advice. For advice on selffunding care, visit the Money Advice Service or the Society of Later Life Advisers. You may also have previously arranged an investment or insurance plan to fund your care. Again, it is worth taking independent advice on these potentially significant financial arrangements.

Find out more about paying for care on the websites of: www.ageuk.org.uk www.carersuk.org www.findmegoodcare.co.uk www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk www.societyoflaterlifeadvisers.co.uk

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARE HOME All care homes vary in their quality, and it can be hard to know what qualities to look for when choosing a home.

A bad care home might do the following:

A good care home will probably do the following:

• Offers little opportunity to listen to residents, with most decisions made by staff

• Offer new residents and their families or carers a guide (in a variety of accessible formats) describing what they can expect while they’re living there. Ideally, residents of the home would have helped to produce the guide • Have a majority of staff who've worked there for a long time. They know the residents well, and are friendly, supportive and respectful • Involve residents, carers and their families in decision making, perhaps through regular meetings with staff • Support residents in doing things for themselves and maximising their independence, including keeping contact with the outside community • Offer a choice of tasty and nutritious food, which residents may have helped to prepare • Take into account the needs and wishes of all residents, and provide a variety of leisure and social activities

• Have a code of practice and a set of aims, but doesn’t make them a priority

• Have residents’ care plans that are out of date, and don’t reflect their needs accurately. This means that some residents aren't getting the support they need with their healthcare and personal care • Give residents little privacy. Staff often enter residents’ rooms without knocking, and they talk about residents within earshot of other people • Have staff who don’t make an effort to interact with residents, and leave them sitting in front of the TV all day • Be in a poorly maintained building, with rooms that all look the same and have little choice in furnishings • Need cleaning, with shared bathrooms that aren't cleaned regularly • Deny residents their independence, for example, by not allowing someone to feed themselves because it takes too long As a resident in a care home, you should expect:

• Be in a clean, bright and hygienic environment that's been adapted appropriately for residents, with single bedrooms available. A good environment encourages residents to personalise their room

• The right to be treated politely and with dignity

• Have staff who respect residents’ privacy and knock before they enter someone’s room

• The right to eat food that's prepared in line with your faith, and to worship when and where you want to

• Be staffed by well-trained people, for example, nurses trained in dementia care • Respect residents’ modesty and make sure that they look respectable, while recognising residents’ choice about what they wear • Be accredited under the Gold Standards Framework for end of life care

• The right to privacy for yourself, and your relatives and friends when they visit • The right to deal with your own finances and spend your money how you choose

• The right to choose the food that you eat, and to be given the time and space to relax and enjoy your meal • The right to choose when you get up in the mornings and go to bed at night • The right to complain if you're unhappy with your care

RESIDENTIAL & NURSING CARE Residential Homes

Address

Telephone

Nursing Homes

Address

Telephone

HELP & ADVICE Rugby Borough Council, Town Hall, Evreux Way, Rugby CV21 2RR Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm

Direct Contacts for service departments Benefits:

01788 533433

Housing Repairs:

01788 533888

Refuse and Recycling:

01788 533332

Building Control:

01788 533790

Any other department:

01788 533533

Homeless Advice and Emergencies Housing Team Email: housingservices@rugby.gov.uk Tel: Phone (9am - 5pm) 01788 533837

Community Safety To contact the warden service/initiate a response to an anti-social behaviour incident please ring our reporting line on: 0800 096 8800 or e-mail us at: communitysafety@rugby.gov.uk When the offices are closed the following telephone numbers can be contacted but only in the event of an emergency.

Council house repairs, telephone 01788 533888 All other Council services, including homeless enquiries telephone 01788 579706

Warwickshire Action against Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 408 1552 9am – 9pm Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm Saturdays In an emergency dial 999

Social Care Complaints - Why we want to hear from you!

We need you to tell us how you feel about our social care services. We like to know when we are getting things right, and we also need to know when there are problems. If we have made mistakes or could have done something better, tell us!

You may have comments, suggestions, compliments or complaints about: • The kind of services we offer • The way you get help and services • How helpful our services are • Services you haven’t been given We will: • Listen to what you have to say • Take action where we can • Act as a signpost to others who can help, if we can’t • Respond to you promptly The Customer Relations Team PO Box 9, Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4RR Tel: 01926 414102 • Email: feedback@warwickshire.gov.uk

HELP & ADVICE Free, confidential, impartial and independent advice for all.

BENEFITS – We will find out if you qualify for benefits.

DEBT – We will look at the options for managing your debts.

JOBS – We will help you deal with your problems at work.

HOUSING – We will explain your housing rights and options.

RELATIONSHIPS – We will advise you on how to cope with family problems.

CONSUMER AND ALL OTHER ISSUES – We will look at your rights and advise you on how to tackle consumer problems, ranging from buying products and services to paying gas, electricity and water bills. We can also advise on a wide range of issues, from immigration to tax rebates.

RUGBY OFFICE 1st Floor, Chestnut House, 32, North Street, Rugby CV21 2AG Tel: 0844 855 2322 • www.cabrugby.org.uk Mental Health Emergency Support For mental health crisis support please contact the Mental Help Matters helpline available 24/7.

Tel: 0800 616171 (at busy periods you may need to leave a message, and one of the advisers will call you back) SMS: 07786 202242 • Email: info@mentalhealthmatters.co.uk www.mentalhealthmatters.com The Telephone Helpline consists of a team of highly trained and experienced support workers who use counselling skills to provide you with emotional guidance and information.

Respect yourself – Sexual advice for teenagers There are dozens of Clinics, Doctors, Pharmacies and Counsellors offering sexual health services in the Warwickshire area.

To find a service, visit www.respectyourself.info you can either search using a specific postcode or browse by town.

Drug and Alcohol Action Team If you are worried about your own, or a member of your family’s drug or alcohol use, our services can provide you with expert information, support and guidance: Email drugactionteam@warwickshire.gov.uk Telephone 01926 412468 Drug and Alcohol Action Team Communities Group Warwickshire County Council, PO Box 43, Shire Hall, Barrack Street, Warwick CV34 4SX Have your say on health and social care in Warwickshire.

Healthwatch Warwickshire, 4 - 6 Clemens Street, Leamington Spa CV31 2DL Email: info@healthwatchwarwickshire.co.uk Web: www.healthwatchwarwickshire.co.uk Twitter: @healthwatchwarw • Tel: 01926 422823