Welcome to the latest update from Healthwatch Bradford and District, your voice on health and social care. Read on for key talking points around access to local GP practices plus the latest news about local NHS services, including hospitals and vaccines. You can also catch up with the latest information, advice and support including cancer checks, mental health support and neurodiversity.
GPs answer your feedback about access to local practices
Access to services at local GP practices is one of the most common things we hear about from members of the public in Bradford district.
Since COVID, for a variety of reasons, the ways in which GP practices operate have been evolving.
How can you get the best out of your practice in 2023? Here, local GPs respond to common feedback from people in Bradford district and shed light on how they're working to meet rising demand amid a shortage of staff.
Dr Junaid Azam, from Park Grange Medical Centre in Bradford, and Dr Caroline Rayment from Grange Park Surgery in Burley-in-Wharfedale, respond to feedback about how many people have been struggling to make an appointment. They explain how you can help them manage a big increase in demand since the pandemic.
When it comes to GP practices, one of the most common gripes we hear from people in Bradford district is about reception staff. But practices say they have seen a big rise in abuse from the public. The two GPs share their thoughts.
Many people have told Healthwatch that they get frustrated that they can’t always see their named GP at their local practices. Dr Azam and Dr Rayment respond to your feedback.
Healthwatch England: Strengthening primary and community care services
GPs, dentists and pharmacies, also known as primary care teams, are most people's first port of call when they develop symptoms of ill health. The range of services available to patients have evolved in recent times, but these services still play a crucial front-line role in treating patients, signposting them to other services and coordinating care.
What is social prescribing?
Around one in five GP visits are for non-medical problems. Many things that affect our health can’t be treated by doctors or medicine alone. This includes loneliness, money problems, housing, education or employment status. NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.
In other news from Healthwatch England:
- The challenges in accessing healthcare facing the eight million people in the UK live alone
- Why health and care services should see feedback as an opportunity
- In England and Wales, 25.7% of the population are from ethnic-minority groups. The views people share with Healthwatch shows these groups face inequalities when accessing healthcare
We're here to listen to your views on local health and care
Our team is out and about talking to people from all our communities and taking part in key events like this cancer screening event for people with a learning disability in Bradford.
We want to hear about your experiences of local health and care services, good or bad. What works well? What could be better for you?
All feedback, large or small, helps paint a picture of how local services are working for our communities.
Could we come and meet your group or members of your local community and talk about your experiences? Are you planning an event? Would you like to help people have their say by taking some of our leaflets and posters for your group or community venue?
How to get involved in our work
ENTER AND VIEW: Healthwatch Bradford and District has a legal power to visit health and social care services and see them in action. This power to Enter and View services offers a way for us to meet some of our statutory functions and allows us to identify what is working well with services and where they could be improved.
Being an Enter and View (Authorised Representative) Volunteer involves visiting health and social care settings across Bradford district to gather feedback and see how well the services are working.
This is a great opportunity to get involved and influence improvements in local health and social care. Training and support will be given by Healthwatch staff.
YOUNG HEALTHWATCH: Are you aged 16 to 24 in Bradford district? Are you a passionate voice for your community, campaigner for change, social media expert, video guru or just love talking to others and making connections?
We can give you a platform to make sure young people's voices are listened to when it comes to developing health and social care services in our district. If you're in education, planning a career in health and social care, journalism or digital media, we can help you develop your skills and give you experience which will look great on CVs and applications.
If you're not, but want to shine a light on the issues that matter in your community or give a voice to those who go unheard, that's great too. This is a chance for all of Bradford's young people to set the agenda and shape the future of health and care services.
WEST YORKSHIRE VOICE: This is a network that brings together individuals, groups, local panels, networks and organisations to ensure the voice of people is at the heart of health and care decision-making in West Yorkshire.
The network especially wants to hear from people with experience of health and care services, unpaid carers, people from diverse communities and those who might not normally get involved in formal groups.
Jude Woods, West Yorkshire Healthwatch said: "Ensuring we hear from a wide variety of people is essential to help health and care services meet the needs of all our communities. We especially want to hear the voices of those who experience the greatest health inequalities and who we might not usually hear from. Please come forward and get involved."
Latest news from local health and care services
Thousands of patients to be offered the chance to travel for treatment
NHS England has announced that hundreds of thousands of NHS patients waiting longer than 40 weeks for treatment will be offered the opportunity to travel to a different hospital, if it means they could be seen sooner.
In Bradford district, patients have been advised that those eligible will be contacted directly by the NHS trust or independent-sector provider whose care they are currently under.
People are asked not to contact their GP practice or NHS hospital proactively regarding this offer.
Eligible patients will be provided with more information in regards to the process when they are contacted by their hospital.
Louise Ansari, pictured, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, said: "Many patients facing long waits for care will welcome the news that they can now choose to travel for treatment if it means they will be seen sooner.
“However, without support from the NHS with transport and accommodation costs, this solution will only help those who can afford to travel for faster care."
News from Bradford hospitals
The annual general meeting and annual members' meeting of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will take place on Wednesday, November 15.
The meetings will be held from 5pm–6.45pm in the Trust’s Sovereign Lecture Theatre, based at Field House, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, BD9 6RL.
Speaking last month while undertaking the duties of trust board chair, Julie Lawreniuk said: "You may have seen the media coverage regarding the resignation of our former trust chair, Max Mclean. In his resignation letter our former chair raised several concerns, those related to the role of our chief executive and around patient and staff safety, both of which are strongly refuted.
"I understand how very concerning it can be when questions are raised about the public service we deliver, and I want to stress that we are committed to delivering high-quality care. Public accountability and assurance are crucial aspects of our work."
Helen was the chief officer of Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group.
Only one adult to attend emergency department with each child patient to tackle overcrowding
Due to a significant rise in cases of winter infections, health professionals at the emergency department at Bradford Royal Infirmary are asking the public for support in reducing overcrowding.
For adults, the person needing care and treatment can be accompanied into the emergency (A&E) department by one person - however, if the waiting room becomes overcrowded, people accompanying non-vulnerable patients may be asked to leave the department.
For people attending the paediatric emergency department, families should send one parent or carer with each child.
New virtual resources to help patients and families
The Virtual Royal Infirmary team at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has produced digital education tools to enhance the experience of patients, and empower both patients and their families, including helping children and families navigate their way through paediatric surgery.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines
More than 70,000 people in Bradford District and Craven have had their COVID-19 vaccine since the NHS stepped up its vaccination programme in response to the risk of the new COVID-19 variant.
Working with the NHS, Race Equality Network and Bradford Council over the last two months, local people have made it clear they prefer to have their vaccinations closer to home.
New sensory room for dementia patients unveiled
A sensory room aimed at improving hospital wards for dementia patients has been unveiled at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.
With its vibrant colours and soothing textures, the room at the Dementia Assessment Unit at Lynfield Mount Hospital has been specifically designed to promote a sense of calm and peace to enhance the lives of people with dementia.
The Dementia Assessment Unit provides 24-hour assessment, care, support and treatment for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia.
Webinars on how Ramadan can affect people with a serious mental illness open to members of the public
Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership is working in partnership with the British Islamic Medical Association to deliver webinars on how Ramadan can affect people with a serious mental illness.
The first was held in October; subsequent webinars will be held on:
- November 28: Clinical management for patients with serious mental illness
- January 25, 2024: Psychological impact of Ramadan for patients with serious mental illness
- February 8, 2024: The role of carers and the community during Ramadan in supporting people with serious mental illness
What factors affect the health of our Black communites?
Bradford Council and the Black Health Forum are collaborating on a health needs assessment survey for Black communities across Bradford district on factors that impact their health.
Members of the public can complete the survey online and a separate link is available for people completing the survey on behalf of organisations. All responses are anonymous - no individuals will be identified.
Advice, information and support
Mental health
Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies, which has helped thousands of people with common mental health conditions across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, has unveiled an exciting addition to the website – Limbic, an innovative mental health referral chatbot.
The free, cutting-edge tool will simplify the process for people seeking support and enable them to embark on their therapeutic journey online.
The refreshed Healthy Minds website is your first step to mental health support in Bradford district. The site includes a directory of services including support groups, mental health advice and information, and you can get personalised information tailored to your needs.
Over the next few years, some important changes will be made to the way community mental health services are going to be delivered in Bradford district.
Cancer checks
Free mouth cancer checks are on offer in Bradford district this month.
With early diagnosis boosting the chances of beating mouth cancer from 50 to 90 per cent, people are being asked to check their mouths and seek advice during Mouth Cancer Action Month.
The Oral Health Team from Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (pictured) is holding a series of events offering free advice and mouth cancer screening, as well as dental advice and a free toothbrush this month:
- Tuesday 7 November, 10am – 12pm, Salvation Army, 371 Leeds Road, Bradford BD3 9NG
- Tuesday 14 November, 11am – 3pm, Bevan House, 14 Piccadilly, Bradford, BD1 3LS
- Tuesday 14 November, 11am – 3pm, Airedale Shopping Centre, Hannover Street, Keighley BD21 3QQ
- Thursday 16 November, 11am – 3pm Broadway Shopping Centre, 20 Broadway, Bradford BD1 1EY
- Monday 20 November, 2pm – 4pm, Bevan House, 14 Piccadilly, Bradford, BD1 3LS
- Tuesday 21 November, 11am – 12pm, Eden Community Association Warm Space Women’s Group, First Floor Keighley Civic Centre, North Street, Keighley, BD21 3RZ
Recent data shows only 51% of women attended breast screening in Bradford District and Craven, a decrease of 5% compared to last year. The national standard for breast screening uptake is 70%.
All women who are 50 to 70 years old should be invited for breast cancer screening every three years. If you have missed your screening appointment, call Pennine Breast Services on 01274 365521.
Prescription savings for people on low incomes or with long-term conditions
Patients with long-term conditions or on a low income could save money on their prescriptions.
People living in the most deprived parts of England receive significantly more prescription items than those living in less deprived areas.
If you are on a low income, or pay for more than three prescription items in three months, or 11 items in 12 months, you could save money on your prescriptions.
This means that if you have a long-term condition - such as sickle cell, asthma, motor neurone disease, HIV, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis - you may be able to save money.
A Prescription Prepayment Certificate covers all NHS prescriptions for a set pre-paid price, or spread over 10 direct debit payments.
If you are on a low income, you could be entitled to help with NHS costs or free prescriptions depending on your circumstances. Check if you’re eligible for help using the online eligibility checker. It only takes a few minutes.
How to get advice from Bradford's school nursing, health visiting and community infant feeding teams by text
Get in touch using one of three Chat Health lines:
- 07312 263223 School Nursing team, for 11-19s to ask questions and receive advice and support
- 07312 263240 Health Visiting team, advice line for parents of under-fives
- 07312 263233 Community Infant Feeding team, for breastfeeding advice and support
Chat Health is a secure service developed by the NHS for the NHS. It enables people to text a specific team in confidence at any time. Texts are acknowledged immediately and then responded to by the duty team in working hours, usually within 24 hours.
Sleep service for children aged 2-11 in Bradford district
A free sleep service has launched to help parents of children aged 2-11 years old living in Bradford District and Craven who are experiencing sleep difficulties.
Run by the Together Trust, a charity highly experienced in providing sleep services, the Sleep Tight service practitioners work with families to create a personalised sleep plan for children.
Baby Week Bradford 2023
Baby Week Bradford is back from November 14-20 with a host of events planned - find out more here.
West Yorkshire and Harrogate stroke patient and carer representative group
Local people, families and carers affected by stroke are needed to work with the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Integrated Stroke Delivery Network and local organisations, to share their experiences to shape the future of stroke services.
Each session with audiologists provides information, research updates and expert speakers.
Next meeting: Focus on the latest research and what’s new from the Tinnitus Conference.
- Thursday December 7, 2.30pm – 4.30pm
- Room 1, Education Centre, Airedale Hospital, Keighley, BD20 6TD
- For more info email richard.vickers@nhs.net or phone 01535 293646
Join Wharfe Valley Pathways in Ilkley for free information sessions on managing anxiety and coping strategies. The sessions will include a chance to talk about unhelpful thought patterns and have a go at mindfulness techniques plus lots of information to take away.
Unpaid carers in Bradford district invited to make their voices heard on Carers Rights Day
Unpaid carers are being invited to share their stories and help improve the lives of others at an event marking Carers Rights Day (November 23, 2023) in Bradford district.
People who look after their relatives or friends are being asked:
- “What are the biggest challenges for you as a carer?”
- “What would make your life as a carer easier?”
Neurodiversity
Bradford and Craven Autism AIM is a free service co-led by and run for autistic adults (aged 18 and over) who get little or no funded support. It works with autistic adults living in or registered with a GP in the Bradford, Airedale and Wharfedale and Craven areas.
Every Monday from 4pm-7pm, the Bradford Autism Hub is open for booked appointments. Find out more about the Hub.
National shortage of ADHD medication
There is a national shortage of the medication prescribed to help manage ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) symptoms which is likely to last until the end of the year.
Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust has shared information to support people who are prescribed ADHD medicine.