HealthWatch - Get involved from the start!

IN JULY 2010, the Government announced plans to set up new independent champions for health and social care consumers called HealthWatchEngland.

Many people already give up their time - via LINks (Local Involvement Networks) and Patient Participation Groups and help shape local health and social care services. To build on this, HealthWatchEngland will be established as the "national independent champion" for health and social care consumers i.e. those who use and benefit from such services.

East Riding LINk is expected to turn into the local HealthWatch which Government documents have described as a kind of "citizen’s advice bureau" for health and social care in the area.

Legislation to establish HealthWatch is being introduced by Parliament. The new bodies are expected to be up and running by 2012.

People interested in helping to shape health and social care services locally - and getting involved with HealthWatch from the start - can find out more by contacting:

Susan Oliver

ERYLINk Office
Challenge House
35 Eastgate North
Driffield

Telephone: 01377 232135
E-mail: erylink@hwrcc.org.uk

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Pharmaceutical Needs Analysis

THE EAST RIDING LINk (Local Involvement Network) has circulated information from the NHS East Riding of Yorkshire that maps the current pharmaceutical services available in the area. This Pharmaceutical Needs Analysis (PNA) is done in order to identify any areas that do not have easy access to a pharmacy or perhaps have local needs or issues.

The key facts for this area - the South West Holderness Ward - show that three pharmacies serve the area (two in Hedon and one in Thorngumbald).

One pharmacy in Hedon (East Riding Pharmacy) gives essential extended hours access to pharmaceutical services in the early mornings, evenings and at weekends. These are listed in the PNA as 'Open from 6.30am to 10.30pm on Monday to Friday 6.30am to 10pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday'.

The PNA states that the NHS East Riding of Yorkshire does not consider that there are any gaps in the provision of pharmaceutical services in the Ward that either need to be filled to meet an immediate gap or need to be commissioned in specified future circumstances.

There are two GP Surgeries, Hedon Group Practice (includes surgery in Keyingham) and Church View Surgery. Extended hours are offered by both GP practices.

The nearest Minor Injuries Units are found in Withernsea, Hull and Beverley.

A smoking cessation clinic is held on Wednesdays in Hedon (Church View Surgery) from 4pm to 6pm. However, there is considered to be a gap in smoking cessation service provision in the area and the commissioning of further services will be considered.

NHS East Riding of Yorkshire also considers that there is a gap in service offering supervised buprenorphine consumption to those in need of this (Buprenorphine is a medicine which is used in the treatment of patients dependent on opioids e.g. heroin) and will commission this low demand service on an individual patient basis.

Potential new services that have been identified are 'NHS Health Checks' which includes support for obesity, for example weight management services and diagnostic screening for vascular disease, and also a need for more residential medication support services.

The NHS East Riding of Yorkshire wants to hear your views on the PNA by Friday 1^st October 2010. You can find all the information you need at their website.

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