Hamilton Health & Social Care Forum

06/02/2024

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Consultation - Closes 15th February 2024

SLLC are seeking additional feedback on the services provided, with the core aim of maintaining the health and wellbeing of the residents of South Lanarkshire. This is your opportunity to provide additional feedback on the proposed withdrawal of some facilities with South Lanarkshire.

To take part in the consultation and for further information click on the link below👇

sllc News - Resident Consultation - Phase 3 - Resident Consultation - Phase 3

03/01/2024

We are back to business.

Wishing you all a very happy New Year from everyone at Hamilton Health and Social Care Forum.

28/12/2023

National Autistic Society – Autism Book Club Survey
The National Autistic Society is currently exploring the possibility of an autism friendly book club in the libraries in South Lanarkshire. They are currently running a survey to help shape the offerings from now until 21 January and would encourage anyone interested to reply.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=rtTbA7Baj0yW8XLXJWAEGC_QvGNepLdAtqfEMYNQY0FUNkZOWU0zWE0yRTZFWlA0VDMwQklYMldOUS4u

26/12/2023

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is an NHS service provided by your local community pharmacy.

If you have a minor illness, a pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice.

You do not usually need an appointment and you can go to any pharmacy.

Your local pharmacist or a trained member of the pharmacy team will give you advice and provide medicine if needed.

To find out more information click on the following link which will take you to NHS Inform website

Information on the services provided by community pharmacies, including NHS Pharmacy First Scotland and the NHS Chronic Medication Service.

23/12/2023

Coping with winter stress –

Be kind to yourself
Things are tough right now and winter isn’t looking any easier. Being kind to yourself has never been more important! There’s no rule book for coping with these challenging times – and whatever you’re feeling, you’re allowed to feel it. So be gentle with yourself. Rather than beating yourself up, give yourself a wee hug and ask: what can I do, in this moment, that I might really enjoy? What might I suggest to a friend if they were struggling?

For further information visit: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/your-health/winter-health/mental-health/

22/12/2023

Hamilton Health and Social Care Forum would like to wish you a very happy festive season.. Take care and look after yourself.

21/12/2023

Lanarkshire residents are urged to familiarise themselves with the wide range of NHS services where they can get help in lots of ways if they feel unwell this winter.

It’s important to go for the right care in the right place in order to keep emergency departments free for those with life-threatening care needs.

People requiring urgent care for a condition that isn’t life-threatening should call NHS 24 on 111 first – day or night – before attending A&E. NHS 24 will assess them by telephone and refer them to the right care, delivered by the right healthcare professional, as close to home as possible. This could include self-care at home or advice on the most appropriate care such pharmacy, optician, dentist, GP or minor injuries unit.

For further information visit: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/your-health/winter-health/

23/11/2023

Primary Care Occupational Therapy

The Primary Care Occupational Therapy Service was previously based within GP surgeries across Bellshill and Hamilton locality areas but is now in the process of being rolled out across Lanarkshire.

Please see this animation which describes how occupational therapy can help people with a range of physical and mental health issues to manage the difficulties they may experience with carrying out the roles and activities that are important to them in everyday life.
https://vimeo.com/853634186/aef473c7e1

There are two ways you can access your occupational therapist:

1. Fill in the attached form and hand in/send to your GP surgery.
2. Telephone our hub on 01698 755175 and speak to one of our admin staff or leave a message with your contact details.

This animation describes how occupational therapy can help people with a range of physical and mental health issues to manage the difficulties they may experience…

22/11/2023

Public meetings to focus on the future of two residential care homes - Dewar House and McClymont House.

The events, run by South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), are open to all members of the public, and participants will be asked for their views and insights on the future delivery of care in the homes, as well as having an opportunity to provide thoughts on sustainable and viable alternatives.

This consultation process is being undertaken as part of a wider plan to address a recurring budget shortfall of £21 million for adult and older people’s social care in South Lanarkshire.

Professor Sengupta said: “The sheer size of the funding challenges that we are confronted with means that increasingly difficult choices are going to be inevitable. The priority for my leadership team and I is to do our utmost to protect services and supports for the most vulnerable and at-risk across all of our communities.

“No decision has been taken about the future of either of these care homes, and we will continue to work with residents and their families as the consultation continues. These events are a reflection of that commitment, and we encourage participation.”

Where and when:
Lanark
• Public Consultation Event - Monday, 27 November 2023, 6 pm - 7:30 pm @ Harry Smith Centre, Lanark
• Public Consultation Event - Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 3 pm - 4:30 pm @ Harry Smith Centre, Lanark

Hamilton
• Public Consultation Event - Monday, 4 December 2023, 6 pm - 7:30 pm @ SLC HQ Banqueting Hall, Hamilton
• Public Consultation Event - Wednesday, 6 December 2023, 3 pm - 4:30 pm @ SLC HQ Banqueting Hall, Hamilton

Key facts
• Please note capacity in the venues is limited, and once the limit is reached, people will be advised to attend another event or submit comments in writing (details will be provided).
• Due to expected demand, people are asked to attend only one event.
• Separate arrangements are being shared for consultation with residents/relatives and staff.
• Officers from SLHSCP will attend to provide context and to support capturing the consultation question responses.
• A Q&A on the consultation and its background can be read here:

We fully recognise the level of public interest in this consultation and we trust this Q&A is both informative and reassuring. This is a live document and we will provide updates as appropriate.

06/11/2023

PUBLIC INVITED TO ANNUAL REVIEW OF NHS LANARKSHIRE

Members of the public are invited to attend NHS Lanarkshire’s annual review on Thursday 16 November 2023. The review will take place in the Medical Education & Training Centre, Kirklands Hospital, from 1pm until 3pm and online.

This is an opportunity for members of the public to find out more about the Health Board’s key achievements during 2022/23, and also to hear about more current topics and issues, including key projects such as the Monklands Replacement Project.

The presentation from NHS Lanarkshire will cover the work carried out on Operation Flow in late 2022 early 2023. Health board staff will also update on progress to produce the new healthcare strategy Our Health Together including feedback from . our engagement process earlier this year.

For more information, how to register to attend inperson and for the online link please visit:

Annual Review On this page Annual Review 2022-2023 Finance Reports Previous annual reviews 2019-2020 2017-2018 Annual Review of NHS Lanarkshire 2022/23 Members of the public are invited to attend NHS Lanarkshire’s annual review on Thursday 16 November 2023 to hear about a range of developments to ...

06/11/2023

Your NHS dental practice will be happy to discuss your treatment plan and costs with you before any work is carried out. Brush up on NHS dental treatment you’re entitled to at nhsinform.scot/dentist

01/11/2023

Care Opinion

Care Opinion is a place where you can share your experience of health or care services, and help make them better for everyone. It is safe and simple to share your story online and see other people's stories too. You can see how stories are leading to change.

How Care Opinion works - click the link to watch a short animation explaining how Care Opinion works.
https://vimeo.com/215724873

https://www.careopinion.org.uk/info/about

A short animation telling you what Care Opinion is all about.

01/11/2023

Pharmacy First Scotland

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland allows community pharmacies to give people expert help for treating conditions such as sore throats, earache and cold sores, along with common clinical conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). Pharmacy teams offers advice, treatment or referral to other healthcare teams if required.

This service can help you access the right care in the right place, without having to go to your GP practice or local Accident and Emergency Department for non-urgent treatment.

For further information follow the link:

Background The Scottish Government committed to develop and implement a redesigned minor ailment and common conditions service available to all. NHS Pharmacy First Scotland provides support for people living in Scotland, those registered with a Scottish GP Practice, residents in care homes and care....

01/11/2023

Pop along to this event on Monday 13th November for some amazing advice on staying warm and saving money this winter.

Winter Warmer Land

Hamilton and Blantyre Network are hosting their second event, on Monday 13th November from 10am @ Gilmour and Whitehill Parish Church, Burnbank.

Don't forget to put this date in your diary to join us, there will be everything you need to keep the cold outside this winter.

For more information contact sally on sally@communitylinkssl.co.uk or send us a dm.

19/10/2023

Plans supported to protect the most vulnerable in face of brutal funding gap (Press release from NHS Lanarkshire on 19/10/23)

Progress has been made as health and social care leaders continue to negotiate a brutally challenging budget gap.

South Lanarkshire’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) members, at a meeting yesterday, reaffirmed that the wellbeing, views, and safety of communities will be central to all considerations as consensus was reached on a way forward to resolve immediate challenges.
Business closely followed a meeting last month, with members continuing the discussion of urgent budget recovery actions required to address the immediate £7 million funding gap in the current year.

The budget recovery plan approved combines the use of recurrent and one-off funding, with members all acknowledging the immensely difficult financial outlook that lies ahead for services and communities.

Lesley McDonald, Chair of the IJB, said: “The meeting set out with – and achieved – two clear purposes. Firstly, this was to reach an agreement on the immediate way forward to address the financial challenges facing us here and now. Secondly, and importantly, the meeting was about formalising steps on how we will involve and consult with communities – and stakeholders – as we address these immediate challenges and consider all future options.”

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire IJB, said: “We have been forthright about the challenges we face for many months now. “We also remain dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable and at-risk individuals within our local communities.”

Professor Sengupta added: “As we continue with what is and will be a difficult and crucial programme of work, we continue to appreciate the professionalism and compassion of our staff and the understanding and patience of our communities."

17/10/2023

NHS Lanarkshire Health Improvement team Chris and Laura alongside colleagues from SL Leisure and Helen from VASLan are hosting a Falls Prevention event on Wednesday the 25th of October at Blantyre Life at 11am (postcode is G72 9AS if you are not sure where it is).

16/10/2023

Are you on an NHS Waiting list? If so please read on:
If you are an NHS Lanarkshire patient, currently on one of the waiting lists shown below, you may receive a text message from the NHS Scotland National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) over the coming days and weeks on the mobile number 07860 039092.
This will include a link to a short survey asking if you still need your appointment or operation, followed by a few questions to confirm their identity. People who are answering the survey on behalf of someone else must provide the patient’s details at this stage.
It has now included the waiting lists for:
• General Surgery outpatient, inpatient and day case
• General Surgery Upper gastrointestinal
• Colorectal
• Colorectal Incontinence
• Endoscopy
• Gynaecology
• Ear Nose & Throat Paediatric outpatient, inpatient & day case
• Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Inpatient
• Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Paediatric Inpatient
• Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Local Anaesthetic
• Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Local Anaesthetic Paediatric
And all outpatients for:
• Cardiology
• Gastro
• Neurology
• Respiratory
• Rheumatology
• Orthopaedics
• Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Paediatrics
• Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
• Gynaecology
The new initiative supports local NHS Boards to ensure that information held on NHS Scotland waiting lists is accurate and helping us to reallocate any appointments that are no longer needed to others on the waiting list.
For more information visit https://www.nhscfsd.co.uk/.../national-elective.../