| January 2024 | Welcome to the third edition of the West Yorkshire Voice Newsletter. Over the last few months members of West Yorkshire Voice have shared their experiences of accessing Primary Care and GPs, Neurodiversity, health in Winter, and many more. We have also shared opportunities to be involved in projects to help shape healthcare services, such as Dentistry.
In each newsletter, we will let you know about what is happening and ways to get involved in health and care across West Yorkshire. We will also share feedback about how people have been able to share their experiences and what has changed as a result of people getting involved and giving their feedback. | | | |  | Sadly Jude has now left their role at West Yorkshire Voice. Jude wanted to say a big ‘Thanks’ to everyone who has helped us progress West Yorkshire Voice so far. And a huge thank you to Jude, who will be missed!
We are now recruiting for a West Yorkshire Voice Coordinator, and will be interview for the role in February - more details can be found here:
https://healthwatchleeds.co.uk/news-events/vacancies/
| | | | |  | The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership delivered ‘The West Yorkshire Neurodiversity Summit’ in December. Information about the event is available here and a second event is being planned for February.
The event brought health and care professionals with partners from education, local councils, community groups, the voluntary sector, and people with lived experience from across West Yorkshire.
West Yorkshire Voice asked people who have lived experience and carers to share their views and ideas with us before the event.
We asked about the long waiting lists for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism assessments, the problems this is causing, and how to do the best for all the people who need support.
Some of the participants came along to the Summit and we have compiled a short report called Life on Hold which lists some of the key issues people shared with us- this will be shared with West Yorkshire Voice members over the next few weeks.
| | | | BSL Interpreting for Deaf people | | In December, Jude had a great online meeting with members of Wakefield and District Society for Deaf People. They told us about the difficulties they face getting BSL interpreters when using health services and the problems this causes. West Yorkshire Voice will continue to listen to Deaf people and help to suggest solutions to the problems people face. | | | West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) meeting- January 2024. Focus on- Winter | At the West Yorkshire ICB Board meeting in January, the ‘focus on’ session looked at Winter pressures and planning.
Thank you to everyone across West Yorkshire who provided responses and shared their thoughts and experiences. The responses to the survey were used to develop a briefing paper to be considered alongside the formal board meeting papers, and to make sure that real experiences are being considered and are influencing decisions.
There were 7 key themes identified, and we made recommendations on these based on your feedback:
- Communication
- Access
- Cost of living
- Loneliness
- Mental health
- Hospital discharge
- Carers
You can find the briefing paper here
There was a really useful conversation around Winter care at the meeting. The report and the feedback from West Yorkshire Voice will be used to inform will be used to inform planning for Winter 2024-2025.
You can watch the ICB meeting here
| | | NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS22). | |  | We would like to invite you to join us to be part of an independent peer review to support our West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion colleagues in their completion of the NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS22).
The EDS22 is the foundation of equality improvement within the NHS. It is an accountable improvement tool for NHS organisations in England - in active conversations with patients, public, staff, staff networks, and trade unions - to review and develop their services, workforces, and leadership. You can find more information about the EDS22 and see the guidance here:
Domain 3 of EDS22 is all about leadership, West Yorkshire ICB are required to collate evidence, rate themselves and carry out some independent peer review. The focus of this review is particularly aimed at people at greatest risk of health inequalities.
We would like to bring together a small group of people/representatives to:
- Receive the ICB’s evidence and reasoning for their scoring against the EDS22.
- Help to develop objectives for improvement.
- Provide general feedback.
As Healthwatch across West Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Voice we are really keen to pilot this group and process, with the potential to develop a ‘Health inequalities Advisory Group’, or something similar.
The group will take place on Wednesday 14th February 1.30-3.30pm. The meeting will be held in person at Healthwatch Leeds Office, with the option to join online via MS Teams. Expenses will be reimbursed, and we can offer payment for involvement for non-professionals.
If you are interested in joining this group or would like more information, please contact info@westyorkshirehealthwatch.co.uk or call 0113 8980035. | | | | March West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board meeting- Focus on hospital access, care, and treatment. | |  | The next West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board meeting will take place on Tuesday 19th March and will be held in Calderdale. The ‘Focus on’ item will be on hospital care and treatment, and we would like to highlight your experiences and what is important to the people of West Yorkshire.
Please complete this survey to share your experience(s)
If you have any questions, queries or would like to be involved further you can get in touch by emailing: info@westyorkshirehealthwatch.co.uk or telephone 0113 898 0035 | | |
|
