Lisa welcomed everyone and also Mike Rich CEO of Barnet Carers, Valerie and Dr Angela our Trustees, Andrew – who delivers our seminars and is also ‘Community Development Manager’ at Carlton Court Care Home and also Marcello the Manager of Christies Care Agency.
Lisa started with informing everyone about the special event on Friday 11th June at 2pm to 3pm which is during Carers week and also informed everyone that Theresa Villiers MP will also be joining us. At this point Lisa asked Mike if he had any other updates. Mike mentioned the important role carers have in the community. We have 20,000 carers in Barnet.
Mike also mentioned that there was a zoom event next Tuesday 15th June at 2pm to 3pm. The Royal Free Hospital Foundation Trust is determined to improve the experience of carers and those they care for. As part of this improvement programme, they are looking for the experience and opinions of carers who have used one of the hospitals in the group - The Royal Free, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals. If you would like to join then please click on the link below provided by Mike and you will then be sent another link on the morning of the meeting.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carers-at-the-royal-free-hospital-trust-tickets-158591111283
Lisa then mentioned about the recent news regarding Aducanumab – a drug that targets cause rather than symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. This was in the news a few years ago but was unfortunately not successful in the trials. The drug tries to breakdown the plaque that build up in patients’ brains in early onset Alzheimer’s disease. It has been approved in the US and hopefully this will also be approved and used in the UK soon. Lisa then mentioned that Stephen had a 4 minute video about Aducanumab and also shows Stephen and his wife Brenda being interviewed by the Science Editor. Stephen and Brenda have volunteered to enter in clinical trials before and you can read about this on our website. Here is the video link below to watch;
It was now time for Andrew’s seminar and today’s topic was “People Handling” Andrew presented his slides discussing the importance of making sure any manual handling is done safely without injuring our backs. Andrew showed some pictures of our spine and the talked about the mechanics of how the spine works and how it can be injured. Andrew then showed a 4-minute video called ‘Child’s Play’ which showed how children instinctively knew the correct ways of lifting but when we grow up into adults we unfortunately get into bad habits and lift incorrectly. It was a very interesting video. Please see link of the Child’s Play video below;
There were a few questions after Andrew’s seminar and Lisa also went round asking everyone individually if they had any other matters to discuss. Lisa also mentioned that in her recent meeting at the council’s Adults and Safeguarding Committee, officers mentioned that people would no longer be just able to just turn up at the Finchley Memorial Hospital for non-urgent treatment. They would need to book an appointment by calling 111 or through their GP. Their aim is to reduce the pressures in the A&E hospitals. Lisa spoke at the committee stating that this would not work and people would end up going to the A&E hospitals for treatment. This would impact the A&E hospitals and add more pressure as people would find it difficult making appointments. Lisa received unanimous support Cross Party and the Chairman instructed officers to ask the Director of Public Health to email Lisa and discuss further.
Andrew then mentioned about a very good pillow that would assist someone who has fallen on the floor to safely get up again. Please see the link below for the pillow;
A member mentioned that she has tried to obtain the ‘Age UK Life Book’ but has been having problems. Lisa said that she would email Helen Newman CEO of Age UK Barnet and will hopefully provide a response at the next carers group meeting.
‘AGE UK LIFE BOOK’ can now be downloaded. It is now downloadable and printable so there’s no longer a need to send away for it. Lisa has done a bulk order and will hopefully get some hardcopies sent to her.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/end-of-life-planning/lifebook/
Lisa then mentioned that at her doctor’s surgery, she saw on the noticeboard a notice about ‘Do you want your medical records to stay confidential to this practice, or to be downloaded to the NHS central record system (NHS “Spine”)? ‘This prompted a discussion following on from last week’s carers group meeting about NHS APPS and whether we should be concerned about our personal details being sold to other organisations. The notice in the doctor’s surgery explains how you can complete and sign an Opt-Out form or do nothing. Please see Opt-Out Form attached to this email and see other links below.
See Guardian article - Your medical records are about to be given away. As GPs, we’re fighting ...
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/03/gp-nhs-digital-data-patients-records-england
How to opt out:
https://medconfidential.org/how-to-opt-out/
Make your choice. Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning:
https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/
Updates
As from Monday 14th June, I will be changing the program slightly. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday zoom sessions will start - At 2pm everyone joins the session for the chat and then at 2.30pm the Karaoke will start until 3pm. The rest of the programme stays the same. (A new poster will be on the website to confirm these changes).
- Please note there are NO AFTERNOON SESSIONS on Monday 28th June, Tuesday 29th June and Wednesday 30th June
- The Carers Group Meeting however on Tuesday 29th June will still go ahead and will be run by Keren and Mark on this day
- Depending on what the Prime Minister announces soon, if all restrictions are lifted then our first face to face dementia club session will be on;
- Wednesday 7th July at the Finchley Memorial Hospital at 2pm to 4pm and WEEKLY thereafter.
- More sessions and venues will start as we return to normal. I will keep you informed.
- Please also note in your diaries the Dementia Club UK reunion party on;
- Monday 26th July at the Friends in Need ‘FIN’ community centre East Barnet Baptist Church Crescent Road, Barnet EN4 8PS at 2pm to 4pm
