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New social and health care information points opening in Northumberland

2011-12-19T00:00:00

New Social Care and Health Information Points in Northumberland

December will see five new information points opening. Social Care and Health Information Points are being developed through a partnership between Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust and Northumberland County Council. The information will provide people in Northumberland who have a disability or a long-term illness with information and advice about services and sources of support to help them to remain independent.

The information points will be based in libraries in Amble, Berwick, Morpeth and Haltwhistle and also in the information centre at Cramlington (Yourlink).

The dates for the information points open days are as follows:

+        Morpeth Library - 12 December, 10am to 2pm
+        Berwick Library - 13 December, 10am to 2pm
+        Haltwhistle Library - 14 December,10am to 1pm
+        Cramlington information centre (Yourlink) - 15 December, 10am-2pm
+        Amble Library - 16 December, 10am to 1pm

UK First as Disability Training Website Unveiled

2011-12-20T00:00:00

A website that provides comprehensive one-to-one training for individuals with disabilities has been launched as the first of its kind in the UK and has been produced off the back on an extensive piece of EU-backed research.
Training provider e-Quality Learning's approach was developed following research carried out in partnership with the Centre for Design and Research at Northumbria University. Its assistive software training is designed to deliver one-to-one training for people with disabilities to help with challenges in their employment or education.

Newcastle-based e-Quality Learning started in late 2010 with two people and now has 15 employees with an ongoing recruitment drive also underway. Its one-to-one e-learning services are aimed at employers, government bodies, universities, colleges and schools that have employees or students with disabilities.
For more information please visit: www.e-qualitylearning.com

NE Community Newsletter

2011-12-19T00:00:00

The winter edition of the North East Community Services Newsletter, the Chronicles of Neuro Partners is available here

The National Key Scheme

2011-10-10T00:00:00

NKS offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the UK. Toilets fitted with National Key Scheme (NKS) locks can now be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores, bus and train stations and many other locations.

The National Key Scheme Guide 2011 can locate the 9,000 accessible toilets across the UK fitted with the NKS lock. This valuable resource is the only guide of its kind and 'opens doors' to independent living.

Radar's NKS smartphone App can instantly locate the nearest toilet facility and receive directions by road, bus or foot. iPhone app £4.99 is available from the App Store at www.apple.com

Or keys are available through the Real Opportunities Centre in Redcar or available from

www.radar-shop.org.uk

www.ageukincontinence.co.uk

NNA Film

2012-01-11T00:00:00

The NNA has made a powerful and moving film with the support of several members of Northern Neurological Voices to introduce the work of the charity to would-be funders and the general public.

To find out more about living with a neurological condition, please click here to access the NNA film

NHS 'facing neurology disease time bomb'

2012-01-18T00:00:00

The BBC have reported how campaigners are concerned that the NHS in England is facing a time bomb if it does not get to grips with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

The Neurological Alliance, which represents 70 groups, said a combination of poor services and rising case numbers was causing problems.

To read more about this story click here

National Alliance launches a new online campaign

2012-01-20T00:00:00

For more information about the new online campaign please click here

MS Society Awareness Week: Benefits and MS

2012-02-01T00:00:00

Date: Wednesday 21 March 2012, 2pm to 5pm
Location: Marriott Metrocentre, Gateshead

Programme:

2pm: Registration and tea and coffee
2.30pm - 4pm: Talks and speakers questions
4pm - 5pm: Questions and Answers Forum

Whether you have MS or help care for someone who does, it is worth checking whether you can claim any benefits, tax credit or other financial help. This event is an opportunity to understand the financial support available.

Overview of benefits, tax credit and financial support
Update on recent or planned changes
Practical information and support available

Book your place at: www.mssociety.org.uk/events
or call 020 8438 0799
or email infoteam@mssociety.org.uk

These talks are free of charge and open to all affected by MS.

PSP Awareness Week

2012-02-24T00:00:00

The theme for Awareness Week 2012, to be launched on 22nd April, is 'A Million to beat PSP' and we hope that all our supporters will join us in raising money to fund more research in to PSP and CBD. For more information please visit our website.

The mind's eye project

2012-03-13T00:00:00

The Mind's eye project is an exhibition of life photography taken by adults living with head and brain injury. It was organised by Headway Gateshead and South Tyneside.

To find out more about the project and see pictures form the exhibition please follow this link http://www.themindseyeproject.co.uk

New Changing Lives North of Tyne Service for Neurological conditions

2012-03-19T00:00:00

Momentum and The Stroke Association have recently been successful in securing funding for a new service North of Tyne to build on the achievements of the South of Tyne project. The Changing Lives Service North of Tyne aims to extend the referral criteria to neurological conditions, acquired and traumatic brain injury to relieve pressure on statutory services also providing much needed resources.

A unique staff model has been recruited to integrate various skills and consists of Community Integration Coordinators, an Assistant Psychologist and a Job Coach. The team is integrated within Momentum and work closely with a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and an Occupational Psychologist. The new service can offer community integration and prevocational support to prepare clients for the Vocational Rehabilitation service where appropriate.

For further information please contact:

Community Integration Coordinators
Kelly Oliver Dougall, Koliverdougall@momentumskills.org
David Harvey, Dharvey@momentumskills.org
Sara Cronin, Scronin@momentumskills.org

Assistant Psychologist
Amy Ofield,Aofield@momentumskills.org

Job Coach
Joanne Chapman,Jchapman@momentumskills.org

Northumberland Research

2012-03-19T00:00:00

A research team at Northumbria University has been awarder funding by DEFRA and the EU to research how Green Rehabilitation services can be developed in Northumberland.

The NNA is supporting this research

If you feel that you would like to take part in the study or ask more questions about taking part. Please contact Kelly Heartshorne by 31st March 2012.

The dates and locations as follows:

Tuesday 3rd April 2012 at 2pm: Dene House Farm, nr Longframlington

Tuesday 10th April 2012 at 2pm: Choppington Social Welfare Centre, Choppington

Wednesday 18th April 2012 at 2:30pm: Dene House Farm, nr Longframlington

Kelly Heartshorne
Researcher/ Occupational Therapist
E-mail:kheartshorne@hotmail.com
Tel: 07968 024 726 (they will call you back soon so you don't have to pay a call a mobile)
If you are unable to contact via the above, you can call 01904 470302 and leave a message

Role of Individuals Service Funds in delivering personal budgets

2012-03-28T00:00:00

This report, published by Groundswell, considers the pressing challenge of introducing personal budgets for everyone and the important role that ISFs can play in making choice and control work for people with the most complex needs. Choice and Control for all explores current practice in personalising care and support within commissioned services, describes what we have tried and learned through our work with providers and sets out a framework for personalisation in residential settings. ISFs could be a key part of a local strategy for making personal budgets happen at scale.

>> The report can be downloaded from Groundswell's website (open window)

NICE to publish quality standard for neurological conditions

2012-03-28T00:00:00

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has announced that it proposes to produce a quality standard for (rarer) neurological problems, such as muscular dystrophy. For the first time there will be guidance available to health and social care professionals on high quality care for people with neurological conditions. To find out more about quality standards visit the NICE website.

Goverment watchdog finds neuroservices are 'well below' standard

2012-03-28T00:00:00

A crucial report on services for people with neurological conditions has been published by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the government spending watchdog, in response to the National Audit Report into the state of neurological services.

The report says that neurology services are poorly coordinated, and has lacked national leadership. It makes a number of recommendations including the appointment of a national clinical director for neurology

North East Step out for Stroke Family Fun day and Walk

2012-04-13T00:00:00

Step out for stroke family is a focused event that is Happening at Saltwell Park in Gateshead on Saturday 26^thMay, This event is organised to raise awareness of Stroke. Please come and support us.

Further details about this event and entry forms for the walk can be found here

Parkinson’s launch UK research study

2012-04-16T00:00:00

Newcastle and Carlisle are two of 31 centres taking part in a UK study "Tracking Parkinson's" which will for instance look at blood indicators as tools to aid diagnosis. This study aims to recruit 3,000 volunteers - people recently diagnosed with Parkinson's (in the last three years) and those aged under the age of 50 at diagnosis, and their brothers and sisters - to take part in clinical study.
To find out more about how to take part in Tracking Parkinson's call our freephone helpline 0808 800 0303, or visit www.parkinsons.org.uk/tracking for full details.

Hardest Hit conference - have your say

2012-04-16T00:00:00

• Are you a disabled person who has been hit by welfare and benefit cuts, or through changes to local services?
• Are you concerned about cuts making tackling disability hate crime more difficult, or wider reforms like changes to support towards housing cost and council tax, meaning the disabled could miss out?
• Are you a carer, someone who works with, or alongside, those affected by these changes?

If so, please come along to this event to help build our regions response to an ongoing programme of cuts falling on disabled people.
Listen to people tell their own story how the cuts have affected them and find out more about what we can do to try and stop the disabled being hit harder than society as whole.

When: Friday 1st June 2012
Where:Banqueting Suite & Pandon Room
Newcastle Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8PG

To register, go here to to fill in our form online:

http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1670&ea.campaign.id=14388&utm_source=HH_NE_Signup_Form&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HH_NE_Signup_form

or email northeast@hardesthit.org.uk

• The event is free to disabled people, their carers, those from charities or Trade Unions to come along.

• If you would like to attend as a visitor from a commercial or public sector organisation there is a charge to attend.

Please email Stephen Powers at northeast@hardesthit.org.uk to find out more about your organisation exhibiting or to be invoiced for a £25 Public/Commercial visitor place.

Event supported by Trade Unions and Disability Charities together as the Hardest Hit North East Coalition.

Hardest Hit website: http://thehardesthit.wordpress.com/
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/379262242106062

And..a brilliant short film by 'Shoot Your Mouth Off'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhzl6T91BzQ

Government response to the Public Accounts Committee Report

2012-05-04T00:00:00

The government has now published their response to the Public Accounts Committee recommendations on improving neurological services, including services for people with Parkinson's. The Neurological Alliance, Parkinson's UK, along with the MS Society and MND Association have been working with the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee to explain the ongoing issues with neurological services, and detail how these services could be improved.

We were very disappointed by the Department of Health's (DH) response. We felt that their response failed to address the real problems highlighted by the Public Accounts Committee. In particular, a key issue with neurological services has been a lack of national coordination. However, the DH's rejection of a National Clinical Lead and emphasis on hands-off monitoring and direction demonstrates they do not recognise this specific problem in neurological services, nor are motivated to address it.

The Neurological Alliance is now considering how we can ensure these vital issues are addressed in government policy, given this reaction from the Department of Health.

Have you got a personal health budget – do you want one?

2012-05-09T00:00:00

Recently, peoplehub picked up the rein to host the online forum for people with a personal health budget on its new website, www.peoplehub.org.uk The peoplehub network aims to connect people with direct experience of personal health budgets, empower them with clear and accurate information and provide an opportunity for their voices to be heard. The forum, previously on NHS Choices, is a virtual space where people with a personal health budget (or who are interested in having one), their families and carers can talk about their experiences, ask questions and support each other. The forum is the first part of the peoplehub website to go live, with new content coming soon. peoplehub Understanding personal health
alth budget on its new website, www.peoplehub.org.uk The peoplehub network aims to connect people with direct