Reading Borough Council launch Dignity in Care Campaign

Reading LINk welcomes the campaign, which aims to drive up standards and make sure that care workers and providers deal with vulnerable adults with the dignity they deserve.

The ‘Dignity in Care’ campaign was officially launched on 22nd January, during a special event at the Civic Centre. The Council invited care providers to come along to the event where they took part in dignity workshops and were given a resource pack to help them embed high dignity standards in their organisations. The invitees were also be encouraged to send care workers to relevant training courses, provided by the Council, to further improve dignity in care.

The event saw the signing of Reading’s new local Dignity Charter, which asks care providers to commit to 12 specific pledges, which include: Having a zero tolerance to abuse, respecting and preserving privacy and confidentiality and enabling the maximum possible level of independence, informed choice and control.

The Council will also be asking care providers to complete an annual assessment to make sure that best practices are implemented at their organisations and that they are meeting the specific charter pledges. This will be monitored by council officers.

For more details click here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21133371

Recruitment Opportunity at NICE - deadline early January 2013

The National Clinical Guideline Centre is setting up a Project Executive Team to oversee the development of five clinical guidelines on ‘trauma’ topics.  The topics are:
 ·        Trauma services ·        Fractures ( excluding head and hip, pelvis and open) ·        Assessment for spinal injury in major trauma ·        Resuscitation following major trauma and major blood loss ·        Complex fractures ( including pelvic fractures and open fractures of limbs)
An advert is on the NICE website for lay members of this team, who, when appointed, will also be asked to serve on one of the guideline development groups, when they are set up later in the spring of 2013. The Patient and Public Involvement Programme at NICE is facilitating this recruitment process for lay people. The advert sets out what we are looking for in applications from patients, carers, and/or their advocates or people who work in a relevant patient-centred organisation, to sit on the Trauma Project Executive Group. You can view this advert here <http://www.nice.org.uk/getinvolved/joinnwc/LayMemberTraumaPET.jsp> , where you are able to find further information about the roles and also the relevant application forms.  The deadline for receipt of applications is 8 January 2013, no later than 5 pm.

This is a rather unusual process for NICE.  The nature of the role and what NICE are looking for is similar to, but different in some respects, from membership of a guideline development group.  NICE hope that there will be applications from people who can take a broad overview of one or more of the topics to be covered by the trauma guidelines – fractures (simple and complex); spinal injury assessment; resuscitation after severe trauma, and trauma services).  When appointed, the lay members will also be asked to be part of a guideline development group relevant to their specific interests.
Lay members of this group will play a key role in making sure that the views, experiences and interests of people who have experienced different forms of trauma inform the development of this advice to the NHS.

If you should have any queries about this opportunity, please get in touch with:
Jessica Fielding
Coordinator, Patient and Public Involvement Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
Level 1A | City Tower | Piccadilly Plaza | Manchester M1 4BT | United Kingdom
Tel: 44 (0)161 870 3280 | Fax: 44 (0) 207 061 9782
email: Jessica.Fielding@nice.org.uk  

WeCare magazine

Reading Link would like to raise awareness and encourage feedback on a new publication aimed at carers in Reading.

Issue 2 of WeCare, a free magazine written by a carer and supported by Reading Borough Council aims to:  identify, support and signpost the rising number of hidden carers in Reading to relevant help, services, activities, tips and information.

To look at the magazine click on the link below.

http://www.reading.gov.uk/residents/HealthandSocialCare/Carers/care-magazine/

Please email any comments or feedback to wecarereading@hotmail.co.uk

Clinical Commissioning Groups Meeting

Friday, 19 October 2012 from 12 to 2pm Meet the Clinical Commissioning Groups and Have Your Say..
Waterhouse Chamber Reading Town Hall Blagrave Street READING RG1 1QH map Reading LINk would like to invite local people to a special event  to meet their CCG's and Patient Participation Groups to  Have Your Say about health and social care services. CCGs are the groups of local GPs and clinicians who will take over commissioning services (buying and designing services) from the Primary Care Trust in April 2013. The CCGs are keen to hear your views and will be discussing their initial commissioning plans for local services. There will also be a chance to hear about the latest developments with Healthwatch and also how you can get involved locally, with Healthwatch and the Patient Participation groups. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and please also let us know if you have any other needs. So come along and Have Your Say! Telephone 0118 982 2962 E-mail address ppi.team@berkshire.nhs.uk

Carer Awareness Information & Training Event on 30th July 2012

 Reading LINk is hosting a special event aimed at carers of all ages and healthcare professionals.

There will be a market place from 1- am to 4pm full of information for carers including:
Crossroads
Mencap
Parenting Special children
Learning Opportunities
Talking Therapies and loads more!

Also available on the day will be FREE health checks by NHS nurses in the Walk -In- Centre surgery. (Please call to book an appointment)
Reading Borough Council will also be holding short seminars at:
11.30am to 2.30 pm: Carers Assessments
11.45am to 2.45 pm  Personal Budgets

Finally the event will include a special Carer Awareness Workshop for healthcare professionals provided by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.  This session will be repeated throughout the day. 

Places for the Workshop are limited so please book early.
Get in touch with us on info@readinglink.org.uk or phone 0118 902 3912

Healthwatch Event Tuesday 19th June

Healthwatch workshop for local voluntary organisations and groups

Reading LINk are inviting local voluntary organisations and groups to attend a workshop to find out about their local Healthwatch.
The health reforms under the new The Health and Social Care Act 2011 has changed the way health and social care services relate to, and hear from, their users, replacing Local Involvement Networks (LINks) with an alternative vehicle, Healthwatch.
Come and find out:
• What is Healthwatch, what will it do and how will it work?
• How can working with Healthwatch help my service users?
• What opportunities does this create for my organisation?
• How can I get more involved?

 The workshop is being held on Tuesday 19 June from 12:15 to 2.30pm.
Attendees are invited to come along for a networking lunch at 12:15 followed by the workshop at 1pm. To secure your place at this event click on the Registration Form weblink below or for more information call the LINk team on 0118 902 3912 or email info@readinglink.org.uk.

This workshop will take place at the Roots for Change event jointly hosted by RVA, The Forum and Reading LINk. This workshop follows on from the Forum Voices AGM and RVA Event beginning at 10am till 12:15pm Come along and hear about key developments in the voluntary, community and faith sector including:
* A Workshop on the Troubled Family Agenda - Reading Borough Council
* Green Energy Workshop – local initiatives to help contribute towards efficient energy use.

To register online, click here:  Healthwatch Workshop Registration Form

Women's Health Day - Saturday 28th January 2012

At The Warehouse, 1A Cumberland Road, RG1 3LB.

This is a free event for women only. This is particularly aimed at Napalese women. Napalese interpreters will be available for translating.

Come along and get a free health check, meet local health and social care services, and Have Your Say to improve local health and social care services. Children are welcome.

Also don't miss.....
Free Massage
Nail Bar
Napalese Food

For more information contact the LINk Team on 0118 902 3912 or email info@readinglink.org.uk