05 January 2016
If you've ever suffered depression and it only started when you were 55 or older, the Royal Free Hospital would like to hear from you.
The Royal Free is carrying out a study designed to improve the understanding of the causes of late-onset depression. Volunteers are needed to help researchers investigate neural pathways in the brains of older people with depression, with the aim of developing more effective treatments.
If you would like to take part you will be asked to attend the.......
Read the full article
21 December 2015
Healthwatch Enfield's press release issued in connection with the publication of their report on GP waiting rooms (see this earlier report) sounds a noticeably more critical note than the summary that was issued with the report. In particular, it is evident that in three important areas - patient privacy, information about how to register, and provision for deaf patients - half or more of GP practices were found wanting.
The full text of the press release follows:
Press release -.......
Read the full article
19 December 2015
Healthwatch Enfield has issued its initial report on the experiences of patients in GP surgery waiting rooms. The report looked at the following aspects:
Visible information regarding the following:
Patient Participation Group (PPG)
How to access out of hours care
How to complain
How to register
Publicity for online services
Availability of the GP Friends and Family Test (FFT)
Booking interpreters
The practice’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating
The Improving Access to.......
Read the full article
11 December 2015
Starting on 20th February it will no longer be possible to have a blood test at Chase Farm Hospital without booking in advance.
Currently patients can either pre-book or just turn up and ask at reception. However, after 19th February the second (drop-in) option will no longer be available.
Adult blood test clinics run at the following times:
Monday-Wednesday: 8am-7.30pm
Thursday: 8am-6.30pm
Friday: 8am-4pm
To book a blood test either phone 020 8375 1471 or book online........
Read the full article
10 December 2015
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is asking for feedback from users of hospital services at the Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital.
The request for user input comes ahead of an inspection of the Royal Free London NHS Trust Foundation, due to start in February 2016. The three hospitals are all part of the Royal Free Trust (however, our other major local hospital, the North Middlesex, is not included in the Trust).
The CQC describes itself as "the.......
Read the full article
10 December 2015
If you are registered with a GP in Enfield you can now access new evening and Saturday appointments from one of two hubs in the borough. The hubs in Edmonton and Winchmore Hill will be offering the extra appointments until 31 March 2016. Using the service will not affect registration at your own practice.
How to book
The easiest way to book is through NHS 111, which is free to call and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Simply dial 111 on your landline or mobile to speak to them. You.......
Read the full article
05 December 2015
Local health and social care watchdog, Healthwatch Enfield, has today released a report on young people’s experiences of mental health support in the borough. The report’s findings paint a mixed picture of the availability of help for local young people with mental health needs.Young people told Healthwatch that often the key adults in their lives, such as parents, carers, teachers or youth workers, have little understanding of mental health issues. They reported significant negative.......
Read the full article
and forum comments
04 December 2015
A new website, Get Your Rights, is highlighting that children and young people have a right to high quality healthcare by the NHS. The website, produced by the Council for Disabled Children at the National Children’s Bureau and funded by the Department of Health, provides everything children and young people need to get the most out of the health service.
It includes:
an interactive guide to children’s rights under the NHS Constitution;
videos from children, young people and.......
Read the full article
04 December 2015
NHS England, in partnership with Age UK, Public Health England, and the Chief Fire Officer’s Association and Older People themselves, has published a Practical Guide to Healthy Ageing.
The Guide helps people to stay physically and mentally well by providing “hints and tips” on how to keep fit and independent.
While it is aimed at people of any age, it is particularly relevant for people aged around 70 years or older who are beginning to find that everyday tasks now take them.......
Read the full article
01 December 2015
Residents hoping that the vacant space in the refurbished Palmers Green Library would be used as a health centre, GP surgery or dental surgery will be disappointed by the news that a ten year lease is to be granted to a commercial fitness club operator. The decision could be subject to a Councillor Call In but this would have to be done before this Friday.
Index of Published Decisions
The news that Enfield Council has decided to let the space to Fit4Less (a brand of Energie Fitness.......
Read the full article
and forum comments
03 November 2015
Healthwatch Enfield is surveying opinions about the provision of adult social care in the borough.
Does a care worker come to you or your relative’s home?
Do you think you may need a home care service in the future?
If you answered yes to either of those questions we really want to hear what you think of adult social care in the borough. Please follow this link to complete the survey........
Read the full article
20 October 2015
The Care Act introduces the most significant changes over the last 60 years. If you are a carer, receiving attendance allowance, disability allowance, personal payments then you really need to come along to the Ruth Winston Centre and listen to Michael Sprosson, Health Housing and Adult Social Care Team at Enfield Council to find out how it affects you. There will be a Q&A session after his talk.
The talk starts at 11am at the Ruth Winston Centre in the Davies Room on Friday.......
Read the full article
17 October 2015
At this week's meeting of Enfield Council's Health Scrutiny Standing Workstream a briefing on the provision of and access to GP surgeries in the borough was provided by David Sturgeon, Director of Primary Care Commissioning, NHS England.
The structure of the briefing was as follows:
National context - Funding in primary care (2015/16) to improve capacity and access
GP Contracts and Workforce in Enfield
Current clinical capacity and provisions of access across Enfield
Patient views on.......
Read the full article
07 October 2015
Healthwatch Enfield has published data about the results of "Friends and Family Test" questionnaires submitted by patients attending GP practices in the borough. The data summarises responses for the nine months since the Test was introduced for GP practices.
The Test asks patients to answer the following question: ‘How likely are you to recommend our service to friends and family if they need similar care or treatment?’
Unfortunately, because of the low number of.......
Read the full article
27 September 2015
Healthwatch Enfield Chair, Deborah Fowler, has written to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Jane Ellison MP, to convey Healthwatch Enfield’s concern over the potential impact on people in Enfield of both the overall planned cuts in funding for public health and also the intended distribution of those cuts.
The letter reads as follows:
Dear Ms Ellison MP,
Concern Over Cuts to Public Health
I am writing to express Healthwatch Enfield’s.......
Read the full article
and forum comments
27 September 2015
The Mayor of London has issued a report, Health Impact of Cars in London, which provides the evidence base for future work by policy makers and health professionals. A key finding is that by not driving, but walking or cycling when this is a reasonable alternative, the population of London would gain over 60,000 years of healthy life every year, which would deliver an economic health benefit of over £2 billion annually.
The report's authors point out that most people in London do not.......
Read the full article
26 September 2015
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), will inspect the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust in the week of the 30th November, and would like to hear your feedback about the trust.
Please send your comments by 23rd October to and put ‘Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust - Q3 Mental Health Inspections’ as the subject line.
We will also be in contact with the CQC during the inspection, so feel free to send your.......
Read the full article
30 August 2015
Enfield Clinical Commissioning Group, a body set up as part of the last government's changes to the NHS, is inviting patients and other members of the public to a meeting on 9th September to discuss clinical commissioning priorities for 2015/16.
The information below is taken from the Enfield CCG website.
Have your say on our Commissioning Intentions
Every year your Clinical Commissioning Group drafts Commissioning Intentions which describe what health services we want to buy and the health.......
Read the full article
29 August 2015
A study by Healthwatch Enfield has "found no evidence" that the closure of the A&E service at Chase Farm Hospital has had an adverse effect on Enfield residents being able to access emergency services. The authors of the study report also conclude that the Urgent Care Centre at Chase Farm has been coping well with unexpectedly high numbers of attendees. However, they acknowledge that the A&E service at the North Middlesex Hospital has not been performing well, but, pointing.......
Read the full article
29 August 2015
Do you care for someone with dementia?
We want to hear about your experience.
We are looking for people who care for friends or relatives with dementia to participate in a focus group Your feedback will help us to develop a new survey and improve our understanding of what life is really like to care for someone with dementia.
It will also help us to better understand the impact of a hospital admission on people who have dementia and the importance of working in partnership with carers.......
Read the full article
