Health News August 2009
Robot speeds up dispensing
Homerton Hospital has introduced a new robotic dispensing system to speed up the sorting of drugs in its pharmacy.
It works by scanning and recognising the barcodes of drug packages and is able to store and retrieve medicines efficiently, accurately and speedily.
It has its own storage area for thousands of different tablets and medicines, an automatic loading system and a high-speed delivery facility, which goes direct to the pharmacists.
Senior pharmacist, Iola Williams, said: “This robot has transformed the way we dispense our drugs at the hospital. It speeds up the dispensing process and reduces the risk of human error.”
24 August 2009
Lightening the load
For this Hackney family, a helping hand from the Council’s Supporting People programme is making all the difference.
Minara Begum, 56, was diagnosed last year with paralysis in both legs, along with other health issues including arthritis and diabetes.
With her husband Eklasmia, 76, also having a heart condition, it was up to their 18-year-old daughter Afia to become a carer and manage the household. It was a lot to take on while also being in full-time education, and when Afia approached City & Hackney Carer’s Centre she was referred to housing association Apna Ghar for assistance, one of the Council’s Supporting People programme providers.
The Begums moved to a Hackney Homes property in Haggerston last November.
Renovation work was needed on the house, requiring complex paperwork which Apna Ghar’s Amarjit Gujral helped with, as well as assisting in liaising with GPs, district nurses, social services, and applying for the Council’s blue badge disabled parking scheme.
Afia said: “If you need anything Amarjit’s there, having her support has been very important for us.”
One of Mrs Begum’s other daughters drives her around, but she also attends weekly training for using an electric wheelchair.
As an unpaid carer, Afia was able to request a carers’ assessment with the Council. She is also eligible to receive a number of free Council services, including the carers’ card, offering discounts at leisure centres, libraries and local shops and support to access work and training opportunities.
Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:
“The Council is committed to helping people stay independent and healthy, and this is an example of a number of positive outcomes for residents delivered by a variety of providers which are part of our Supporting People programme.”
More information
Call the Carers’ Helpline on: 020 8356 5054; or email: carers@hackney.gov.uk
24 August 2009
Charities hold joint celebration
Two local social care charities held a joint celebration to recognise contributions made by volunteers.
Outward and HILT support vulnerable people living in Hackney as well as other parts of north and east London.
Volunteers play an important role in supporting people with learning difficulties to live independently in the community – for example, helping them with their shopping, getting fit or going to college.
The event at Shoreditch Town Hall on 6 August recognised the time, energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers and the positive impact they have on people’s lives.
Peter Little, Chief Executive of Outward, said that the quality of life of people with learning disabilities was greatly improved by the efforts of volunteers.
Susan Storrar, HILT Chief Executive, highlighted the benefits for volunteers – which includes increasing confidence, developing work skills, better career prospects and learning more about disability. If you are interested in volunteering with HILT, call Emma on 020 7014 7452 or with Outward, call David on 020 8709 9142.
24 August 2009
Thirteen proves lucky for some
The borough’s watchdog for health and social care services has elected a new team to lead it through the coming year.
Hackney LINk – which stands for Local Involvement Network – represents local residents and service users. It held its first election for the 13 places on its steering group.
They will attend meetings, forums and partnerships to contribute the views and activities of the LINk, and report back relevant information, Esther Norman, LINk Support and Development Manager, said: “This shows Hackney LINk making real progress in giving people a voice in their local care services.”
Call LINk on: 020 7275 2743; or email: info@hackneylink.org.uk
24 August 2009
Free short breaks in countryside for carers
Free short breaks are available for those who care for Hackney residents. These include travel, accommodation, and food.
The breaks take place at a rural retreat centre in Suffolk, and offer
- a complete break from caring
- new skills to help manage stress
- the chance to make new friends
- time to relax, have fun and enjoy the countryside.
They are available to carers, subject to an eligibility assessment, and dates currently available for this year are 7-9 September; 9-11 September; 2-4 November; 4-6 November. Next year's dates year include 8-10 March and 10-12 March.
A carer is someone who provides help and support to a partner, child, parent, other relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.
The Council provides a range of support services for carers, including:
- free training courses
- support accessing work and education opportunities
- an emergency home respite service
- the Carers Card, offering concessionary rates of up to 50 per cent at Council leisure centres and discounts at local shops.
Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Hackney is committed to improving services for carers, and to valuing their important role.”
3 August 2009
Help to stop smoking during Ramadan
Muslim smokers in Hackney are being offered help to quit for Ramadan, which falls this year between 22 August and 21 September.
Ramadan takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims abstain from food, drink and, for those who smoke, cigarettes, during daylight hours.
NHS City and Hackney is supporting two initiatives to encourage Islamic smokers. Street recruiters will be approaching smokers in some of Hackney’s major pedestrian areas, offering advice on how to access NHS City and Hackney’s stop smoking service. Those who want to quit will be directed to their local pharmacy where counselling and advise on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are available.
Some of Hackney’s mosques are also taking part in a campaign in partnership between NHS City and Hackney and the Muslim Health Network.
Imams at the Suleymaniye Mosque, E2, and Aziziye Mosque, N16, will be giving sermons on smoking and its damaging effects during Friday prayers in the lead up to Ramadan. Stop smoking advisors will be available at some mosques to give advice to people who want to kick the habit. Mosque attendees will also be given Ramadan prayer calendars with stop smoking messages on them to help encourage take up of the service.
For help with stopping smoking you can:
- visit a pharmacist
- talk to your local GP
- call 0800 169 1943.
3 August 2009
Support for residents with dementia
Hackney has been chosen by the Government for an innovative pilot scheme to support residents with dementia.
Community representatives will help to create support groups so those with dementia and their families and carers don’t feel isolated and are in touch with friends who understand their situation.
The £140,000 scheme is known as a Peer Support Network. Advice will also be given to people with dementia and their carers at an early stage, to help them manage the illness better, and support a greater independence from residential care and early hospital admissions.
The Department of Health has chosen the borough to host the pilot, which is being jointly organised by the Council, NHS City and Hackney, the Hackney and City branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, with support from the City of London.
Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “The Council is committed to providing high-quality services that enable adults and older people to live as independently as possible, exercising maximum choice over their lives, and I am delighted that residents will benefit from this innovative scheme”
A total of £1.2 million has also been invested in a new memory clinic and dementia care team in Hackney, which offers increased early intervention to prevent the onset of further mental health illness.
3 August 2009
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
.