Healthwatch Brent calls on Trust to reconsider Northwick Park Hydrotherapy Pool closure

 From Healthwatch Brent

 

The hydrotherapy pool at Northwick Park Hospital, which has been serving people across London for over 40 years, is expected to close at the end of August. 

 

A statement from London North West University Hospital NHS Trust (LWNH) said the new NHS plan makes “a clear distinction” between facilities that should be provided in acute hospitals with those “best provided by community services”. 

 

Hydrotherapy, also known as aquatic therapy, is a form of physiotherapy. It combines massage jets and warm water to help alleviate pain and improve overall motion and muscle strength. Currently the pool supports both NHS and non-NHS patients with musco-skeletal problems such as arthritis, and those recovering from orthopedic surgery. 

 

Thousands of people have backed a petition by Mark Adshead, urging for the hydrotherapy pool at Northwick Park Hospital to remain open. Mark has described the pool as a much-needed lifeline for the community and expects there to be severe consequences for the physical and mental health of patients. 

 

“While we understand that the pool is a popular resource for a small number of patients, it is mostly used by private users. Hydrotherapy is not usually provided in acute hospitals, and the new NHS 10-year plan makes a clear distinction between services that should be provided in acute hospitals and those best provided by community services.   

 

“Our hospital resources must therefore be focused on faster diagnosis, expanding surgical and outpatient services, and providing effective ward care so patients can be discharged promptly and treated equitably.” 

 

Spokesperson for the LNWH trust

 

“This is the only relief I get from painful joints and isn’t available anywhere else in the area.” 

 

Hydrotherapy pool user

 

We urge the LNWH trust to reconsider this decision.

 

If you have used any hospital or community-based services, we would love to hear from you. Share your experiences with us today. We use your feedback to support service design and delivery.  LINK

 

We'll update this section to inform you of the next steps of Healthwatch Brent.

 

Healthwatch Brent - Survivor Stories: In conversation with Michael Rosen. Monday on Zoom 6pm-7pm

 

When Michael Rosen was very ill with Covid  in 2020  it touched many who loved his writing for children as well as others who know him as a fellow political activist. It was only when he emerged from a coma that he found out about all the messages of support that has been sent to his family. He published the diary kept by the NHS staff who cared for him  while he was in a coma and speaks about it HERE.

Michael Rosen has not been afraid to share the role that grief and trauma have had in his life. In speaking out about his experiences – and the lessons he has learned as a survivor – he inspires many more of us to find our own route to recovery and seek out moments of hope and happiness.

Since his personal fight with Covid-19 in 2020, Michael has been one of the most vocal champions of our NHS service, and the great work done by everyday people who take on life-saving professions. His experiences are shared in the book ‘Many Different Kinds of Love: A story of life, death and the NHS’.

More recently, his book ‘Getting Better’ takes a broader look at loss and adversity, considering what it can mean to live well in spite of the dark times that can come to any of us.

Join Zoom Meeting hMeeting ID: 814 5518 7943 Passcode: 549399

Healthwatch Brent: Standing Together Against Cancer with Dame Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director, NHS England. Zoom Tuesday September 27th 6-7pm

 

Standing together against cancer

 

Most of us can share a personal story about cancer, whether from our own experience or that of a loved one. 50% of people in the UK will face cancer at some point in their life – and the vast majority will see it impact a family member or friend.

 

On 27 September Dame Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director for the NHS, will join us to talk about the importance of putting up a united front to make cancer easier to diagnose and treat. From raising awareness of vital health screenings to giving more patients access to the latest technology and treatment options, how can our communities, health professionals and politicians all come together to make a difference? 

 

Dame Palmer also brings first-hand experience as CEO of The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and will share the reality facing our hospitals as they deal with backlog of patients caused by Covid.

Eventbrite link: https://lecture27september.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84114005040?pwd=TFBzZ29Xa1A5b1l3MnlUQ3FJTSs5Zz09

 

Meeting ID: 841 1400 5040

Passcode: 132308

Can we have a GP system that works for everyone? Tuesday 30th August 5.50pm

 

From the Advocacy Project and Healthwatch Brent

In a time of unprecedented demand, many people are finding it difficult to access their GP when they need to – leading to a backlog of patients who don’t know where to go to get care. Meanwhile, doctors are struggling with long hours and the challenge of prioritising those in greatest need while still providing a robust service for the rest of their patients.

So what can be done? We’ve invited Dr Chaand Nagpaul CBE – a London GP, former chair of the BMA Council and current chair of the BMA Racial & Ethnic Equality Forum – to talk about some of the ways we can relieve pressure on the system and keep our primary care service working for everyone.

Sharing insight from his work with the BMA and his own experience as a GP, Dr Nagpaul will discuss the work being done to improve access to services, and the options patients have for seeking care.

Please join us at 5.50pm for a 6pm start. After booking you will be able to access the Zoom link through Eventbrite - it will also be sent via email the day before the lecture. There will be plenty of time for Q&A during the event, but please note that we will be unable to answer questions about individuals' personal circumstances.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/can-we-have-a-gp-system-that-works-for-everyone-tickets-391155144567

Brent Covid19 Event tonight - restrictions, vaccinations, social isolation 6pm tonight

 

ABOUT THIS EVENT
The aim of the event is to signpost Brent residents to key COVID information. We will be looking at:

Current lockdown restrictions Focusing on the upcoming holiday season and what does this mean for me and my family? What can I do if I am feeling isolated? What services are there available for me?

Vaccinations To help you understand the vaccines offered and how they work. Focusing on the flu, COVID-19 and cervical cancer vaccinations.

 
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS
Councillors, Clinical Commissioners and Public Health officials will also be there to answer your questions. So please send us your questions about the above topics before the event by email to info@healthwatchbrent.co.uk

EVENT DETAILS
When: Wednesday 16 December 2020 
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
Where: Online using Zoom

TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
Please register your attendance

One in Four Photography Exhibition - Raising Awareness of Prostrate Cancer in Black African and Caribbean men: Brent Civic Centre from May 21st

From Healthwatch Brent

We have teamed up with Orchid - Fighting Male Cancer and Brent Museums and Archives to bring you a new and exciting photographic exhibition – One in Four.

This photographic exhibition comprising of sixteen powerful and thought provoking portraits of local black African and black Caribbean men to help raise awareness regarding ethnicity being a risk factor associated with prostate cancer. With prostate cancer incidence increasing every year and predicted to be the most common form of cancer by 2030, and with 1 in 4 black African and black Caribbean men being diagnosed in their lifetime this vital exhibition demonstrates the importance and need for awareness and support within the communities.

One in Four forms part of a suite of resources and activities developed specifically by Orchid as part of the “Changing lives, engaging Black African and Black Caribbean men at risk of or with prostate cancer” programme, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund – Reaching Communities Programme.

Enjoy this FREE photographic exhibition!!

When: Tuesday 21 May - Friday 16 August 2019

Where: Brent Civic Centre, Exhibition Wall, Ground Floor, 32 Engineers Way, Wembley HA9