Brief Intervention for Smoking Cessation

Stop Smoking Wales is offering free, 2-hour Brief Intervention training for all professionals who are regularly in contact with smokers.

Brief intervention is a method of discussing smoking and quitting in a positive, non-confrontational way to encourage smokers to think about giving up and enable them to access specialist support when they are ready.

Powys training date: 25 January in Newtown but other dates across Wales also available.

To book or for more information contact: SSWTraining@wales.nhs.uk or call 01792 607381.

 

Stroke Training Course

The Stroke Training department deliver training to external organisations in order to drive up stroke care standards.

Please see below a Commissioned and Individual Access stroke training course:
14 January 2016 - Powys County Council – Stroke Fundamentals & Recovery

The individual access courses are open to anyone who wants to learn more about stroke. Individual learners may book places by visiting their website or by calling 01527 903911. If you would like to book your place, please email stroketraining@stroke.org.uk.

They are also now offering distance learning qualifications for individual learners who would like to gain a qualification in stroke. This course is distance learning mixing individual working time with support and guidance from one of their stroke trainers. For more information on this course please click here.

NEW! They have now released their Professional Masterclass dates for 2016. Their Masterclass is aimed at professionals working in stroke care enabling them to gain valuable CPD.

If you require any further information on the Stroke Training department and what they do, please get in touch. Llinos Wyn Parry Head of Life After Stroke Services - Mid and North Wales Telephone/Ffôn 01745 508525 Mobile/Symudol 07717 275719 stroke.org.uk

PTHB Board meeting summary - December 2015

http://www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/1145/2015%2012%2010%20December%202015%20-%20Summary.pdf

Recruiting 3rd Sector Rep - Supporting People Management Board

The Supporting People Management Board is seeking a Third Sector Representative to Constructively challenge and contribute to the development of the Supporting People Programme

The Supporting People Programme is a grant-funded programme to local authorities for the delivery of housing related support to people at risk of losing their home through a variety of factors including social isolation, poverty and inequality of opportunity

Job Specification
Powys Supporting People Commissioning Plan
Terms of Reference for the Supporting People Management Board

For more information or to apply contact Freda Lacey PAVO’s Senior Officer Health & Social Care freda.lacey@pavo.org.uk on 01597 822191

Carers’ Commissioning for Powys

Carl Cooper, Chief Executive of PAVO, raised the subject of the Carers commissioning/specification at a recent Health & social Care Integrated Leadership Board meeting with colleagues from the Council and Health Board.

We have been informed that information relating to the commissioning process will be with us within one week’s time. As soon as we have this information we will send it out to you and ensure that the Sector is kept informed of the opportunity to attend any update meetings about this.

We are mindful of the delay in this commissioning process and are doing our best to highlight the importance of communication with the Sector.

Flu Vaccine and long term health conditions

http://www.pavo.org.uk/policy-and-partnerships/partnerships/health-social-care-and-wellbeing/service-planning-groups-health-social-care/flu-planning.html

Recommissioning of Children and Young Peoples Independent Advocacy Services - Meet the Buyer Event 08/01/2016

Powys County Council, on behalf of the Mid and West Wales Regional Programme Board, will be commencing the procurement of Independent Professional Advocacy services for the region of Powys, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire local authorities, in January 2016.

There will be a 'Meet the Buyer' event for all organisations wishing to find out more about this contract and the procurement exercise at 10.30am - 12.30pm on Friday 8 January 2016 at the PAVO Offices, Unit 30 Ddole Road Industrial Estate, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6DF.

If you have an interest in these services or potentially wish to consider bidding for the contract (either individually or in partnership with other organisations) then it is recommended that you attend this event.

If you wish to attend the 'Meet the Buyer' event it would be helpful if you could confirm your attendance by contacting PAVO on 01597 822191 or melissa.townsend@pavo.org.uk

About the Recomissioning of the Service

Powys County Council wishes to procure Independent Professional Advocacy in order to support those children and young people who are in receipt of care and support from Social Services either as a Looked After Child or a Child in need of Care and Support under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 Sections 171 – 178 (formerly under the Children Act 1989), or Children and Young People Leaving Care - up to 21 years of age, or 25 if in further education under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 Sections 103 – 115 (formerly under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000).

In addition to these requirements there will be additional local arrangements to provide advocacy support to other service areas including Education, and other bodies such as Local Health Boards. These services to begin delivery from 1 July 2016 for at least 3 years. The successful tenderer(s) will be required to deliver a quality service whilst maximising the efficiencies gained by the aggregation of serviceprovision.

The anticipated timeline for the procurement process is:

Milestone Date

Supplier Awareness / Meet the buyer event 8 January 2016
Place OJEU Tender Advert 15 February 2016
Tender Documentation Issued 15 February 2016
Deadline for Tenders to be returned by 14 March 2016
Contract Award Notice 29 April 2016
Contract Commencement Date 1 July 2016

The dates and budget figure provided are indicative and may be subject to alteration by the Council.

To find out more about the tendering process, please contact Greg Jones Powys County Council on 01597 826063 or via email gregory.jones@powys.gov.uk

Univeral Credit Introduction to Powys

Just over a month ago Universal Credit (UC) was introduced in Powys and several customers have transitioned across.

The process of support for people going into UC has not had a great take up nationally but they know that sometimes customers don’t advise the DWP of issues at the beginning but will present with issues later on.

The Money Advice and Support team in Powys council are responsible for the personal budgeting support and digital support for any customers that move across into Universal Credit.

So they just wanted to remind you, if you or any of your staff come across anyone going into UC and who are presenting with budgeting support needs or digital support needs to contact David Morris and or David Preece by email or phone.

They can pick up the referral if you want, or they are more than happy to work with you in the most appropriate way to ensure your relationship with the customer is maintained and for you to deal with the referral.

This is more about in the first instance ensuring the customer’s needs are met and also importantly so that they can ensure that the UC programme is kept fully aware of what is actually happening in Powys with dealing with needs of this sort.

They are looking to work with all their partners on a more cohesive Powys partners approach to budgeting and support work in the not too distant future so they hope they can start this initiative by working together at this early stage in this way.

David Morris, Income & Awards - Professional Lead, Powys County Council 01597 826127
07554333406 david.john.morris@powys.gov.uk

Appointment of Independent Member - Board of Community Health Councils in Wales

The CHC, both Nationally and Locally are seeking to recruit independent members. 

See national recruitment opportunity gov.wales/publicappointments.

PAVO will be seeking to initiate a local recruitment campaign in Mid January for local CHC independent members."

Postponement to "Meet the Directors" event, 12th February, 2016

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event will now need to be postponed until later in the Springtime, 2016. PAVO will be in touch in the new year with further details/information about next steps.

ASD Information Day for Parent, Carers & Professionals in Powys

There are places available on the ASD Information Day as follows:

Audience: Open to parents, carers and professionals
Date: 25th February 2016      Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm      Venue: Elephant & Castle Hotel, Newtown

Facilitators: SCAT Professionals and individual/adult with an ASD
Cost: Free of Charge
Lunch: Please note any special dietary requirements e.g. gluten free
The day will include: Basic ASD awareness workshops such as ‘What is ASD?; Challenging Behaviour, communication and more

Please book your place/s via Trent Self Service or email pwbotu@powys.gov.uk or telephone 01597 827507.  At the time of booking please provide the following information:
Name of attendee, Job Title, Organisation and contact telephone number/email address and state if you are a parent/carer.

Universal Credit at Work - December 2015

A new report – “Universal Credit at Work, December 2015” – published 08 December shows that people claiming Universal Credit are significantly more likely to move into work than those on Jobseeker’s Allowance.

This comes as Universal Credit reaches a new milestone – it is now available in three quarters of all jobcentres in the UK. A link to the press release is here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universal-credit-claimants-significantly-more-likely-to-get-a-job and the links below provide access the various documents that have been published;

Links:
UC at Work Report,
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-at-work-december-2015

Research:
Estimating the early labour market impacts of Universal Credit
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/481827/universal-credit-estimating-early-labour-market-impacts-dec-2015.pdf

Universal Credit extended gateway evaluation
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/481865/universal-credit-extended-gateway-evaluation.pdf

Working in partnership to tackle fuel poverty

The Welsh Government’s Nest scheme aims to tackle fuel poverty by improving the energy efficiency of existing homes across Wales.

Nest provides free advice to help households reduce their energy bills, increase their income and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The scheme also provides free home improvements for people in receipt of a means tested benefit that own or privately rent their home. These improvements can include a new central heating boiler, loft insulation, or cavity wall and solid wall insulation.

Between 2011 and 2015, over 68,000 householders have contacted Nest and 17,700 have received free home improvements and saved an average of £477 on their energy bills.

Nest complements a range of advice and support services and works with partner organisations, including local authorities and a range of charities and third sector bodies, to reach households in most need. The team of Nest Partnership Development Managers are able to provide presentations and training, and work with partners on joint events and targeted campaigns.

Partner organisations then refer customers to Nest by either signposting the Nest freephone number (0808 808 2244) and website (www.nestwales.org.uk), or by using the dedicated Partner Portal website which provides the partner with feedback on their referrals.

If you think Nest could complement your work and you would be able to help reach people in need of support, please contact your local Partnership Development Manager - Mid and South Wales (rhian.liddiard@est.org.uk), South East Wales (Daniel.StJohn@est.org.uk), North Wales (rick.ward@est.org.uk), or West Wales (peter.hughes@est.org.uk).

If your home is hard to heat, call Nest

The Welsh Government’s Nest scheme is there to help you keep warm and save money on your energy bills.

Nest is open to all householders in Wales and provides advice on saving energy, money management, energy tariffs, and benefit entitlement.

In addition to free advice, if you own or privately rent your home and you or someone you live with receives a means tested benefit, you may be eligible for home improvements at no cost. These may include a new central heating boiler, loft insulation, or cavity wall and solid wall insulation.

If your home is hard to heat, please contact Nest on Freephone 0808 808 2244 for free advice and to see if you are eligible for energy saving home improvements, or visit www.nestwales.org.uk for more information.

Tesco Local Community Scheme - Grants for open spaces

https://www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/tescocommunityscheme/Pages/large-grants-tes

Training Courses for Health & Care Standards for Wales

George Stroud is PAVO's new Intermediate Care Development Officer. His role is to give bespoke information and support on the revised Health & Care Standards for Wales, and other topics, to organisations whose work helps older people, people with long term health conditions and their carers to maintain, or regain, their independence. More here. George is arranging training events across Powys. Find out more and book your place here. Email: george.stroud@pavo.org.uk or ring 01597 822191.

A robin and a BIG hug - it's the Mental Health Xmas 2015 eBulletin!

http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=335616070debf6b60a1997493&id=920a48e3a2&e=c3ea0b1db8

Putting Patients First - Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Please see below link for the December 2015 edition of the Putting Patients First newsletter from The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.    

 http://www.sath.nhs.uk/media/news_archive/2015-12-December/151202-PPF.aspx

In a packed edition you will see that patients and staff at Shropshire’s two acute hospitals—and across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales—are being asked for their views on how the Trust which runs them can maintain services in a safe, effective and dignified way while awaiting the outcome of the NHS Future Fit Programme. This was also discussed at the Trust Board meeting held on 3rd December 2015.      www.sath.nhs.uk

Update Women & Children's Services - Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Please find link below for the latest quarterly newsletter from the Women and Children’s Care Group at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

http://www.sath.nhs.uk/media/news_archive/2015-11-November/151130-WCnewsletter.aspx

In this newsletter you can read about the latest progress on the Children’s Assessment Service at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Learning from the first year of operation, the weekend service is now fully integrated with A&E/UCC with a Children’s Doctor on duty in the Accident & Emergency Department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) from 12noon until 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The Doctor provides a Children’s Assessment Service, supporting A&E clinicians to assess and treat children who attend the department.

This replaces the previous weekend service where children were referred to a separate Children’s Assessment Unit (CAU) in a different part of the hospital. As Director of Nursing and Quality, Sarah Bloomfield, says in the newsletter: “We’ve learnt so much from the first year of the Children’s Assessment Service at RSH. The needs are very different at the weekend from weekdays so it makes sense to provide the full service from within the A&E department and Urgent Care Centre. This is more convenient for children and their families, so that they don’t need to be referred to a different part of the hospital.” You can find more details on page 3. www.sath.nhs.uk

Social Services & Wellbeing (Wales) Act

Welsh Government Pages
http://gov.wales/topics/health/socialcare/act/?lang=en

Shelter Cymru Training

Good Finances, Good Living - 16th March 2016 - Gorseinon Development Trust, Swansea
http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=292baa835dba10b6ad2693375&id=ab5ea956f0&e=166efe63d9

Smokefree Me launch/Youth e-cig survey 2015/ Powys' smokefree playgrounds

http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dc40c73deed6b814c75c7f4ea&id=18408a81b2&e=9644b93e15

Patient Involvement Volunteer Opportunity

An opportunity to become a volunteer patient representative for Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital's Patient Engagement and Involvement Panel (PEIP) has arisen.

The Hospital Trust are looking to find a couple of suitable people who could be nominated as Powys representatives on the panel, representing Powys patients who receive service from Shrewsbury and Telford. Previous patient representatives may have had specific interests such as Dementia, Sight Impairment, Diabetes, MS and have had links into local patient groups or networks in Powys. The role is about being widely representative of patients receiving services and facilitating voices to be heard by the Hospital in Shrewsbury/Telford.
Mileage/expenses are paid at between £0.21 - £0.27pence per mile. The PEIP are planning a training date in January 2016 for interested people.

Volunteers will need to have recent experience of services and live within the locality served by Shrewsbury and Telford.

If you are interested in obtaining further information about the opportunity, please contact Sally Yigit at Powys Volunteer Centre on 01597 822191 or email sally.yigit@pavo.org.uk.

Expressions of interest need to be with us no later than January 11th, 2016..

Heath and Care Standards (Wales) 2015 – Support From PAVO

In April this year the Welsh Government published their revised Health and Care Standards. In response PAVO has published an introductory guide ‘Health and Care Standards: What do they mean for my organisation?’ which aims to explain the context and relevance of the Standards to third sector and voluntary organisations and offer simple pointers as to where to go next. In addition to the guide PAVO has also refreshed its webpages regarding the Health and Care Standards.

PAVO is running a series of training events on the topic – across Powys and virtually as a webinar – to help organisations who wish to engage with the Standards. Additional web-resources include a self-assessment tool, due to go-live early in 2016, which will allow organisations to quickly and easily work out which of the Standards apply to their work. To receive PAVO updates on the tool and other materials becoming available over time sign-up here.

This work is being carried out by PAVO’s Intermediate Care Development Officer, George Stroud who can give bespoke information and support on this and other topics to organisations whose work helps older people, people with long term health conditions and their carers to maintain, or regain, their independence. PAVO’s Intermediate Care Volunteer Officer, Sally Yigit is also available to help health and social care organisations to recruit and support volunteers. You can contact George and Sally at:george.stroud@pavo.org.uk and sally.yigit@pavo.org.uk or by calling 01597 822191.

Write Up from Dementia Event in Brecon - 26 Nov

A write-up from Dementia Supportive Communities South Powys Network Event :

http://powysmentalhealth.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/re-live-theatre-dementia-supportive.html