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Local engagement round-up
Older People/Age UK Devon
The recent Age UK Devon report around staff and clients feedback was shared with JEF members. Since the last report, there have been no obvious changes in the feedback or issues Age UK Devon has become aware of, either from clients, carers, or other professionals.
Healthwatch Devon
Feedback was shared with JEF members, focusing on areas such as GP access, pharmacy service difficulties, and user frustrations. The report also reflected on what Health watch has achieved over the year and the difference they have made in Devon. It was highlighted the importance of involving the community and ensuring voices are heard at a wider level and listening to diverse experiences.
Learning Disability Partnership Board
An update was shared on the activities and achievements of the Board, such as the Q&A session with Tandra Forster Director of Integrated Adult Social Care, the Easy Read Training, the bus pass project, and the Health and Social Care Group.
Learning Disability Friendship Groups
The group have been supporting the development of Devon Peoples First webpages by offering their time and suggestions. The group had a face to face meeting in Barnstaple. Various of other involvement from the group includes victim support and Friendship Group posters following group feedback and coproduction, discussion on a possibility of offering Learning Disability awareness training for day services and providers, and finally supporting group members to contact local services for example GP or inform carers where appropriate.
Co-Production
Regular meetings continuing to happen including: Co-production Working Group, Co-production Advisory Group (COAG), Network and general awareness sessions.
The Co-production Working Group have been involved in several pieces of work such as:
- met with a local council to offer advice on how to work and promote co-production
- an awareness session for a local victim support team who want to work more Co-productively on a new project
- COAG around Older People and how they can more involved in co-production for future projects
The Co-production Working Group are also in the process of developing a Stage 2 to the co-production awareness session.
Vaccine Champion Programme
JEF members were introduced to the volunteer vaccination champions programme, which recruits and empowers people from diverse and underserved communities to promote and support vaccination uptake and confidence.
Oliver McGowan Training
Updates on the progress and challenges of the mandatory autism awareness training for health and social care staff.
A JEF member enquired if the training is being distributed to eating disorder units as a large capacity of adults in these units have autism and/or learning disabilities.
Carer Ambassadors
The new Carers Ambassador Programme Manager introduced themselves to JEF members, they also shared some recent activities and feedback from the Carers Ambassadors.
Autism Involvement Group (AIG)
Devon Mental Health Collaborative Alliance (DMHCA) came along update on some of the projects they’re doing in Devon.
Senior Commissioning Officer from the Strategic Commissioning and Market Team was asked for an update on the implementation of the new National Autism Strategy for children, young people, and adults.
Dimensions for Autism (DFA)
JEF members were invited to get involved Autism education and employment fair at Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton, Friday 27th of September, for all educators, universities, colleges, and employers, including apprenticeships, employment, social services for different hospital.
Support for those who have had new diagnosis of autism and give them an opportunity to talk to an autism consultant, this is currently being run Southwest Community Interest Company which is being funded National lottery.
Safeguarding Community Reference Group
The group have started to instead of meeting quarterly they will concentrate on specific bits of engagement on an ad hoc basis. When there is work, it will be shared to the Reference Group members.
Living Options Devon (LOD) Engagement
- Dawlish Autism and Learning Disability Mental Health Unit: A recruitment video has been made using adults with learning disabilities and autism, this video will help recruit the best possible staff for the unit.
- Annual Health Checks: work is continuing to be done to improve reasonable adjustments
- Care Direct Plus Mystery Shopping: LOD have been involved took part in an element of the mystery shopping for the Care Direct Line. Calls took place in June and July, positive changes have happened as a result.
Care Direct Plus
The Care Direct Plus Centre Manager attended the meeting to give the JEF members an update on the progression they have made to help meet the needs of the community with the services they provide, feedback they shared with the members included:
- Call Handling Improvement: significant improvement in call handling at Care Direct Plus, highlighting the reduction in call abandonment and increase in calls answered due to operational changes.
- Feedback on Call Handling: Positive feedback was noted on the improvements in call handling, with suggestions to ensure clarity in messaging for older people.
- Accessibility Concerns: Discussions included concerns about accessibility for non-verbal individuals, particularly from the autistic community, and the need for alternative contact methods like email or web chat.
- Website Navigation: emphasizing the need for clear guidance on accessing services, especially for individuals requiring BSL interpretation or those unable to use phone lines.