The DWP published on 20th July a new Green Paper: Shaping Future Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper. This Green Paper explores how the benefits system can better meet the needs of disabled people and those with health conditions. It was informed by extensive engagement with disabled people, people with health conditions, and their representatives, to hear about people’s experiences of DWP services and priorities for future change. The consultation includes changes which could: Enable independent living and testing the role of advocacy so people who need extra help to navigate the benefits system get the right level of support and information first time. Review how [...]

Share your NHS111 First experience Healthwatch Portsmouth has created this survey to gather widescale feedback on patient experience of NHS111 First on arrival QA Hospital and the public’s awareness of the new access route to the emergency department . As a Portsmouth resident please tell us your first-hand experience of attending QA Hospital’s emergency department from September 2020. You can find the survey here. NHS111 First background NHS111 First is a nation-wide initiative from the NHS, its aim being to ensure that people who require NHS care urgently, but who do not have a life-threatening condition, are directed to the most appropriate service for their need once [...]

The NHS’s plans to better use data held by GPs to support planning services and research has sparked a lot of discussion in recent weeks.  Throughout the pandemic, we have seen first-hand how the data held by the NHS can be an incredibly powerful tool. It has played an essential role in helping to quickly identify those who would need to shield and delivering the largest vaccination programme in the country’s history. But what about in more normal times? How should the NHS use our data to support the planning and design of services or research ground-breaking new treatments? What’s the latest with NHS data?  The latest [...]

There are different tests you can get to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19). The test you need depends on why you're getting tested. The 2 main tests are: PCR tests – mainly for people with symptoms, they're sent to a lab to be checked rapid lateral flow tests – only for people who do not have symptoms, they give a quick result using a device similar to a pregnancy test Both tests are free. Regular tests if you do not have symptoms Anyone can now get regular rapid lateral flow tests without having symptoms. About 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but [...]

People living with learning disabilities and autism are facing “intolerable treatment” at inpatient care facilities and should be able to be looked after at services close to their homes, MPs have warned. A report by the Commons Health and Social Care Committee found that immediate action was needed on the use of “restrictive practices”, such as the use of physical restraint, by staff at inpatient facilities, with MPs describing the current situation as a scandal. The MPs called on Tuesday for a ban on admissions to long-term institutional care for people with learning disabilities and individuals with autism, as the average length of stay at such facilities is six years. [...]

Demonstrating COVID-19 vaccination status All those living in England can now get their COVID-19 vaccination status in digital or paper format.  Those who have had two doses of an approved vaccine can show this as proof of their vaccination status when travelling abroad to some countries or territories. It is important to note that people are asked not to contact their GP surgery about their COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status. Accessing your COVID-19 vaccination status Through the free NHS App By calling 119 and requesting a letter. This must be at least five working days after people have completed [...]

The ‘Grab A Jab’ campaign runs until the end of July and aims to make it easier and more convenient than ever for people aged 18 and over to come forward – crucially boosting the numbers of people receiving their first and second dose jabs. The initiative will also support efforts to accelerate second doses for those aged 40 and over, health and social care workers, unpaid carers and people at higher clinical risk, who will be able to receive their second dose from 8 weeks after their first, instead of 12. People will be able to attend mobile, pop up and pharmacy-led vaccine sites across the South East, [...]