It is now 12 months since Healthwatch Surrey recruited seven Citizen Ambassadors (CAs) with the express purpose of playing “a full and active part” in the “transformation programme in health and social care”. In practice this means providing an independent citizen perspective within the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System’s transformation workstreams and proactively seeking [...]
I think I am just beginning to appreciate the enormous revolutionary impacts and benefits that healthcare technology in all its many forms has the potential to give to patients, healthcare workers, organisations, the NHS and society in general. A revolution so large it might even be seen from space! As the lead for the [...]
February has been a great month for our Maternity Advice Line. Nearly a year after it first launched, the project has won two innovation awards this month, not to mention being featured on Channel 5 news earlier this week! It’s also attracted the interest of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, [...]
Our Maternity Advice Line has just won the Innovation in Practice award from the British Journal of Midwifery - only one week after collecting the Innovation award at the National Maternity and Midwifery Festival. And the service has also been applauded by Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care. “I [...]
A walking programme pilot for people with diabetes has resulted in improvements in weight, blood pressure and sleep patterns for the twelve participants. There’s plenty of evidence to show that physical activity improves the health and wellbeing of those with diabetes. It can increase the amount of glucose used by muscles for energy and [...]
Surrey Heartlands has introduced DrinkCoach, a new Skype-based coaching service for Surrey residents aged 18 and over who are drinking above recommended levels and want support to reduce the amount they drink. Most people enjoy a drink; however research shows that almost 30% of adults in Surrey drink above the recommended levels. Regularly drinking [...]
We have recently secured funding for two major estates projects in Weybridge and Banstead. This means we can work with borough councils, Surrey County Council and wider partners to develop a common masterplan for use of local space in those areas. This latest work will be instrumental in providing key supporting evidence when submitting [...]
We are funding a new programme to support people with mental health problems access more help locally. This new model will be tested in three primary care networks in Guildford, Banstead and Chertsey, starting in Spring 2019. Primary care services act as the 'front door' of the NHS and includes general practice, community pharmacy, [...]
New Government guidance says people with diabetes can now check their glucose (blood sugar) levels using flash glucose monitoring and continuous glucose monitoring as an alternative to finger-prick testing while driving cars and motorcycles. A continuous glucose monitor is a small device worn just under the skin. It measures glucose (sugar) levels continuously throughout the [...]
Surrey Heartlands has been awarded an additional £37,000 by NHS England to help us achieve the framework for Enhanced Health in Care Homes. This programme involves care providers working with GPs, community staff, hospitals, social care, individuals and their families, and wider public services to deliver care in people’s homes as well as care [...]
