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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘Mistake' to close health watchdog service, says York manager
The manager of Healthwatch York has said government plans to close the watchdog service are a 'mistake' – and called on local and national leaders to rethink the proposals. Siân Balsom said she is still 'reeling from the news' that the country-wide Healthwatch Network is to close, with the service's role due to be absorbed into local councils and integrated care boards. But Ms Balsom, writing in The Press, said: 'We're not giving up or giving in just yet.' She said Healthwatch York started in April 2013 to put people 'at the heart of health and social care'. And Ms Balsom said York residents can 'keep using and keep relying' on the service until the closure has been finalised. 'We're not giving up or giving in just yet,' says Healthwatch York manager The Healthwatch network is an independent statutory body which patients can contact to improve NHS standards of care. But under the government's plans, people will be encouraged to share their feedback via the NHS app instead. The health secretary, West Streeting, has said 'there are way too many checkers and not enough doers' in the health system. Responding to questions about the closure of Healthwatch England at the Local Government Association's annual conference in Liverpool, he said: 'I think there are lots of ways in which we have tried to create new bodies to fulfil the failure of other parts of the state to do their job effectively. 'I mean, the revolution we're leading in patient voice will mean we can get rid of some of the intermediaries, and we don't need ventriloquists to speak for patients, patients can speak for ourselves if we're given the opportunity to do it.' Siân Balsom, manager of Healthwatch York (Image: Supplied) Ms Balsom said she did 'not recognise this description of our work' from the health secretary. 'We ARE doers,' she said. 'We're out and about week in, week out, visiting care homes, local libraries, sitting down with carers groups and disabled people's organisations, community groups and local charities. 'We work closely with our voluntary sector partners to amplify the voices of those least heard in health and care. 'And we choose our priorities based on what you tell us every day – with more than 160 people in York speaking to us in June 2025 alone.' Ms Balsom said Healthwatch York has 'supported people to navigate complex systems and access the help they need'. 'We've published guides to mental health and wellbeing support and dementia support. 'We've challenged gaps in mental health support both when our mental health hospital was closed at short notice and when we heard ongoing concerns about crisis care. 'We've worked to improve access to GP services. 'We've independently evaluated the changes to the adult ADHD and autism pathway. 'We've taken the concerns of deaf people to the heart of the NHS, helping shape the Accessible Information Standard.' Ms Balsom described the proposals to close the Healthwatch Network as a 'mistake'. 'We urge local and national leaders to reflect on what will be lost if Healthwatch is stripped of its independence,' she said. 'An effective health and social care system must include a strong, visible, and impartial patient voice, one that listens without fear or favour, and speaks up without interference.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'We're not giving up or giving in just yet,' says Healthwatch York manager
Following the government's announcement that the Healthwatch Network is to close, Siân Balsom, manager of Healthwatch York, has called on local and national leaders to rethink the proposals. Press readers will already know the government has decided to abolish Healthwatch England and the network of local Healthwatch organisations. Truth be told, here at Healthwatch York, my small team and I are all still reeling from the news. But we're not giving up or giving in just yet. Healthwatch York started in April 2013. Our role has always been clear to us – putting people at the heart of health and social care. Because the best people to shape services are those using them or, in too many cases, struggling to. Across England, local Healthwatch organisations have played a vital role in raising patient concerns. We shine a light on service failures. We drive improvements through honest, evidence-based reporting. Here in York, we have supported people to navigate complex systems and access the help they need. We've published guides to mental health and wellbeing support and dementia support. We've challenged gaps in mental health support both when our mental health hospital was closed at short notice and when we heard ongoing concerns about crisis care. We've worked to improve access to GP services. We've independently evaluated the changes to the adult ADHD and autism pathway. We've taken the concerns of deaf people to the heart of the NHS, helping shape the Accessible Information Standard. We've worked with the universities in our city to make sure more York voices are heard in research. These achievements were possible because you trusted us to speak up on your behalf. Not as part of the system but as a critical friend holding it to account. We have a seat at the table – attending the Health and Wellbeing Board and other key strategic meetings. But we've always known this isn't our seat – it belongs to each and every one of you, and we use everything we hear every time we take up that seat. Our independence is what enables us to speak both with authority and with integrity. Your voices are what gives our independence real power. We never forget the responsibility we carry to make sure you are heard. We've been told our roles will be absorbed into local authorities and integrated care boards. Our role in listening to people and gathering feedback will be replaced by the NHS app. We have serious concerns about those voices that will never be heard in such a system. Those who don't have smartphones, or the data to use them. Those living with health conditions that mean regular hospital stays are inevitable, and fear speaking out will impact their long-term care. Those who feel they are fighting the system already and have lost faith in its ability to change. Those who just want to tell their story, in their own words and their own time. We know this matters, because people frequently let us know that in telling us it is the first time this happens for them. Having read the NHS 10-year plan and Penny Dash's second review of patient safety, there is real concern they simply don't understand what we do. We've been described as 'ventriloquists' and 'checkers' in a system that needs more doers. We do not recognise this description of our work. We ARE doers. We're out and about week in, week out, visiting care homes, local libraries, sitting down with carers groups and disabled people's organisations, community groups and local charities. We work closely with our voluntary sector partners to amplify the voices of those least heard in health and care. And we choose our priorities based on what you tell us every day – with more than 160 people in York speaking to us in June 2025 alone. We believe the proposed changes are a mistake. We urge local and national leaders to reflect on what will be lost if Healthwatch is stripped of its independence. An effective health and social care system must include a strong, visible, and impartial patient voice, one that listens without fear or favour, and speaks up without interference. Despite the announcement, for us it is business as usual. We will continue at least until new legislation confirms the abolition and this is not expected until 2026. Your voices, your experiences, helping you access the help you need – these remain our priority. Email us at healthwatch@ or phone: 01904 621133. If like us you think independent voice matters, and you want to raise your concerns, please contact your local MP. We also expect to be sharing a petition alongside our Healthwatch network colleagues shortly.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
What you should do if your child has measles and the symptoms to look out for
Earlier this week, Alder Hey Children's Hospital issued an open letter to parents as it had "several children seriously unwell in hospital." The hospital, alongside UKHSA and Directors of Public Health for Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley, shared the letter on its social media platforms The letter said there has been a recent increase in measles cases in Merseyside which is "putting children and young people at risk within out communities and our hospital." It added several children are "seriously unwell" and are receiving treatment at the hospital. NHS bosses said the reason there has been more cases of measles in children and young people is because fewer people are having the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles as well as two other viruses called mumps and rubella. The letter stated that the number of children being treated at Alder Hey for effects and complications of measles is increasing. READ MORE: Astrologer reveals 'luckiest days' in July and one of them is today READ MORE: All parts of Egypt where the Foreign Office advises against travel could invalidate insurance The NHS has shared what parents should do if they suspect their child has Measles. On its website, the health agency states: "Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you think your or your child may have measles." Other reasons the NHS urge people to call NHS 111 includes: your child is under 1 year old and has come into contact with someone who has measles you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system you or your child have a high temperature that has not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen you or your child have difficulty breathing – you may feel more short of breath than usual your baby or young child is not feeding well, or taking less feeds or fluids than usual you or your child are peeing less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies) you or your child feels very unwell, or you're worried something is seriously wrong To look after yourself, and your child, you should see a GP as there are things that can help to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading infection. NHS advises that rest and plenty of fluids can help to avoid dehydration, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen for a high temperature and giving your child paracetamol or ibuprofen if they're distressed or uncomfortable. However, parents should check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you're not sure. Another helpful way to ease symptoms is to use cotton wool soaked in warm water to gently remove any crusts from your or your child's eyes Measles is spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. You're infectious from when you first have symptoms (around 4 days before the rash appears) until 4 days after you get the rash. a high temperature a runny or blocked nose sneezing a cough red, sore, watery eyes Following this, small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips after a few days later. There usually last a few days, according to the health service. A rash usually appears as well, starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the day. The NHS continues to state that the spots from the rash may be raised an join together to blotchy patches and are not usually itchy. It's very unlikely people will catch measles if they have had both doses of the MMR vaccine or they have had measles before but if people are not sure it is meals they should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111. For babies and children 12 months and over, parents are advised to ask at their GP practice if they are unsure about whether they or their child have had the vaccine.
