InfoNOW News 15th October 2021

InfoNOW News 15th October 2021

Help us celebrate InformationNOW’s 15th birthday!

Do you use InformationNOW regularly? 

Have you just discovered InformationNOW or have you used it for years? 

We would love to hear from you!

We would like to collect your thoughts on how InformationNOW has been useful to you, either personally or at work. If you would like to send us an email with any good news stories about how InformationNOW has helped you or someone you work with or care for, please let us know!We would love to use any photos or videos too, so please drop us an email at [email protected] And please watch this space. We will be in touch very soon with more about our birthday celebrations

Read more on InformationNOW about  Working with and supporting InformationNOW


Changes to payment for the Tyne Tunnels – Tyne Pass

The tunnels, which continue the A19 north from Jarrow, near South Shields, will stop accepting cash as part of plans to speed up travel time and reduce congestion from November. This may also lead to less pollution in the area, with cars not needing to stop and start again.  The Tyne Tunnels are private roads that do not benefit from centrally-funded maintenance, refurbishment or operational support.  The cost is £1.90 per journey for a standard car.

Customers will have to

  • create a prepaid account
  • Pay Later by midnight the day after your journey
These options can be managed by phone on 0191 574 0030

Keep up to date on how to plan and pay 

Blue Badge holders can apply for an Exemption account that must be renewed annually.

InformationNOW has articles on: Driving as you get older


Need help with transport for a group journey?

The Silverline Memories Mini-Bus is available for use by other non-profit making organisations for a daily charge of £50.  It holds 16 passengers plus a driver, but has no lift or wheelchair spaces.  Drivers must be over the age of 25 and either have the D1 entitlement on their driving licence or have driven a car for more than two years.  The organisation must also hold a Section 19 permit to transport users of their service.  The bus also has a Disabled Badge for ease of parking.

InformationNOW has articles on: Minibus Services


TV Licence majority of over 75 year olds have made arrangements

In June, BBC announced that the overwhelming majority of over-75s households, more than 9 in 10,  have made arrangements for a free or paid licence, or updated them on a change in their circumstances. They are hugely grateful for their support and licensing for over 75 households is now in line with the broader UK population.

In line with general policy, anyone who watches or records live TV programmes on any channel, or downloads or watches BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, must be covered by a valid TV licence.

They are continuing to support the small group of customers who have not been in contact. They will be in touch outlining the simple steps to take to become correctly licensed and there will be customer care visits will begin later this month. These visits have been carefully designed and will be carried out by members of staff who have received special training in supporting older customers, from organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society, and will explain all the options available to customers based on their individual circumstances, including details of how to spread the cost or how to apply for a free licence if they receive Pension Credit.

These are not enforcement visits and the sole aim is to provide people with dedicated support and information.

Read more about the changes

Information NOW has an article on TV Licences


Same day access GP appointments survey

Newcastle-Gateshead NHS CCG is currently undertaking a short survey to better understand the experiences of patients who are seeking to make a same day appointment with their local GP.  They also want to know whether there is anything that GP Practices could do to improve the experience. The deadline for completing the survey is 22nd October 2021.

If you need an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio or braille survey contact [email protected] or 0191 217 2996.

InformationNOW has information sections on Health and Care.


Hate Crime Awareness Week, 9 to 16 October 2021

Hate Crime Awareness Week brings our attention to the damage that is inflicted when a hate crime is committed.  Hate crimes are wide ranging, from abuse or threatening behaviour to emotional pressure or intimidation both online or in person.  It also incudes property damage or physical attacks.

How to report hate crime

Always report any incident of hate crime to:

Northumbria Police. You can:

Cllr Clare Penny-Evans, Chair of Safe Newcastle and City Councillor

“Hate crimes can have a profound effect on victims and their peers and we want to make that point during National Hate Crime Awareness Week. We want people to be aware of the damage they’re causing when they commit these offences, encourage victims to come forward, report their experiences and get the support they need, and make it clear that hate crimes have no place in our city.”

Stop Hate UK is the lead organisation in Newcastle where you can report Hate Crime.  They provide independent and confidential reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.

Organisations that can help:

Read more about Hate crime on InformationNOW


Research & Reports

Action needed to ensure maternity services offer safe, high-quality care

The CQC new report looked at maternity care in England finds continued concern about the variation in the quality and safety of services.
Safety, equity and engagement in maternity services, published this month, recognises that many maternity units across the country are providing good care, but reveals ongoing concerns about leadership and oversight of risk, team working and culture, and the extent to which services are engaging with and listening to the needs of their local population.

The report also points to the pressing need to address the inequalities in outcomes for Black and minority ethic people, which have been further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.Tell them what you think about the Safety, equity and engagement in maternity services report


Opportunities for Action

U=U HIV campaign

In the UK we now have medications that can treat HIV, which allows people to live a near normal life expectancy, which is so different to the life expectancy people were told in the 80’s and early 90’s, but still today there is a lot of ignorance, stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV.

If a person adheres to HIV medication, the virus in the blood reduces to undetectable levels. We can now say with complete confidence that people, living with HIV and on effective treatment, can no longer pass on HIV to others, even when sex is unprotected. This is called U=U which stands for Undetectable = Untransmittable. The Terence Higgins Trust is running an awareness campaign Can’t pass it on which has been running for a number of years now, but we want to get the message to a wider audience.

Organisations for help and support:

Read more on Sexual health on InformationNOW

Autism friendly services in Newcastle

Does your organisation offer autism friendly services, activities or events?

We’re currently reviewing the information that we have for services and support available in Newcastle for people with autism 

If so, please log in to InformationNOW and update your organisation’s listing on InformationNOW to tell us about your services.

or email us at [email protected]


Women and children #DeserveToBeHeard

Women’s Aid have launched #DeserveToBeHeard a new campaign calling for recognition of the impact domestic abuse on the mental health of women and their children.  Read more about the campaign here

Newcastle Women’s Aid provides support and advice locally.

The Home Office have launched StreetSafe, a new pilot service for you  to report where you have felt or feel unsafe. It is anonymous data and you can identify anything form behaviour to street lighting.


Resources

Digital Inclusion Webinar

Wednesday 20th October, 2021, 2.30pm to 4.30pm

AHSN NENC, with support from Health Network North, will be delivering a series of online digital inclusion events which will explore health and care system challenges, showcase best practice in digital healthcare and provide a platform for attendees to share knowledge and learning. The events are aimed at NHS, health and social care, private sector, voluntary organisations and the wider community.The first webinar, ‘No One Left Behind – Improving digital health and care inclusion,’ will take place on Wednesday, 20 October 2021, at 14:30pm.

Speakers on the day include:

  • Dave Belshaw (AHSN NENC)
  • Michelle Thompson (Healthwatch Darlington)
  • Adam Parnaby (Vonne & Open Lab)
  • Lindsay Henderson (Your Voice Counts)
  • Anya Bonner (Better ConNEcted), and Richard Boggie (Difference North East).

During the 2 hour session they will discuss how access to digital services can be improved, highlight some examples of successful digital inclusion work, and provide a platform for debate on future work within this area.

The event will be of particular interest to SMEs across the North East and North Cumbria, cluster networks, NHS innovation leads, health and social care professionals.

Book your place online for No One Left Behind – Improving digital health and care inclusion


Assisted living – new development has accommodation available

Assisted living offers a range of support to cater for different care needs including:

  • reminders to take medication
  • help getting dressed
  • assistance with personal care
  • support to prepare meals
  • care visits of up to 35 hours a week depending on your assessed needs
  • care team onsite 24 hours a day

Addison Court  is a brand new, high quality, assisted living development in the heart of Scotswood with views over the river Tyne.
The scheme is aimed at those who are 55 years and over and offers:

  • modern accessible homes for rent
  • choice of one and two bed homes
  • garden room
  • residents’ lounge with private garden and patio
  • function room/ residents’ lounge with views across the river Tyne
  • café
  • underfloor heating
  • landscaped garden
  • a Your Homes Newcastle Housing Plus Officer from Monday to Friday to provide person centred support

Phone:  07929 825987 or 07880 305972 or  Email

Are you receiving care and have been assessed by the Council? Then complete an application on the Tyne and Wear Homes website.

If you don’t already receive care, please contact Community Health and Social Care Direct to arrange a care assessment.  Deaf and hard of hearing people Textphone: 0191 278 8359 or  Email

InformationNOW has articles on: Housing for Older Peoplehome adaptations equipment and aids

Need equipment or aids to help in the home? Visit Your Equipment Newcastle.


Upcoming Events & Activities at a glance


What’s new on InformationNOW this week

Articles Updated

Organisations Updated


 

Last updated: February 25, 2022