Covers serviceswithin the areas:3 Stafford

3 Stone

3 Eccleshall

Health & Social CareSupport Directory2013 - 14

ContentsContents

Disclaimer

This directory has been compiled to cover health and social care options throughout the Stafford & Surrounds CCG.

Whilst we have taken every care in compiling this publication, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for anyinaccuracies.

All listings are supplied via the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS Choices. Neither Healthwatch Staffordshire nor HealthCarePublications Limited can be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

A note on advertising: We offer businesses the chance to reach potential customers via this publication. It is our intention to clearlyindicate that an advertisement is being displayed and no endorsement or approval by the promoters of any product, service orsupplier should be implied.

All signposted services are up to date as of September 2013.

Healthwatch Staffordshire - About us

Have your say

Healthwatch Champions

NHS Complaints Support Service

Stafford & Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group

Choose Well

Directory Listings

Choosing a GP

GP Surgeries

Pharmacies

Dentists

Opticians & Hearing Centres

Are you a Carer?

Independent Living

Advice on paying for Care

Legal Terms

Care in your home

Nursing & Residential Care

Residential & Nursing Homes

Help & Advice

Another quality publication by Healthcare Publications Limited.If you require extra copies of this directory or interested in advertising infuture editions please contact Healthcare Publications on 0844 800 1214

ABOUT US

What does Healthwatch Staffordshire do?

• Gathers the views and experiences of peoplewithin Staffordshire, about their health and social care priorities

• Will produce reports which influence the way services are designed and delivered throughout Staffordshire

• Provides information, advice and signpostingabout local services, as well as commissioning the NHS Complaints Support Service

• Passes information, issues and concerns to health and social care regulatory bodies and escalate recommendations to Healthwatch England.

What is Healthwatch Staffordshire?Healthwatch is the new, independent consumer champion for health and social care in Staffordshire. Our job is to argue for the consumer interest for all those who use health and social care services in thecounty. Replacing the Staffordshire LINk’srole, we are backed up by a national body,Healthwatch England.

What powers does Healthwatch have?• Healthwatch Staffordshire has a seat on

the local Health and Wellbeing Board - the body that oversees health and social care in the country – and therefore can influence how services are set up and commissioned.

• We have statutory powers to enter and view health and social care services using our trained Healthwatch Champion volunteers who undertake the role of authorised visitor.

• Has a place on the new Quality Surveillance Groups that have been set upin the NHS to monitor provider quality.

Healthwatch Staffordshire is delivered byEngaging Communities Staffordshire (ECS).

ECS is a community interest company thatbrings public engagement, consultation and consumer advice services together in a centralorganisation to create evidence and insight to help improve local health and social careservices.

The Healthwatch network is a new kindof consumer champion in health andsocial care. We will make sure the voiceof the consumer is heard and actedupon. With our independent statutorypowers, the network as a whole has afantastic opportunity to make adifference. Healthwatch England looksforwards to making sure the public’svoice is heard loud and clear by thosewho plan, run and regulate health andsocial care services.

Anna Bradley, Chair of Healthwatch England

Healthwatch Staffordshire

Call us on 0800 051 8371Or visit our website

www.healthwatchstaffordshire.co.ukor email at

enquiries@healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk

Follow us @HWStaffordshire or like us on Facebook at Healthwatch Staffordshire

If you have any questions or queries with regardsto Engaging Communities Staffordshire

Visit our website atwww.engagingcommunitiesstaffordshire.co.uk

or email atcontactus@engagingcommunitiesstaffordshire.co.uk

Follow us @ECStaffs or like us on Facebook

Allowing the public to ‘have your say’ and‘making your voice count’ are thefundamental roles of HealthwatchStaffordshire. Services should be and will bebased on children, young people and adultsneeds and experiences and accountable tolocal people. Every voice counts when itcomes to shaping the future of services andimproving them for today.

We’re here, ready to get started, so come andtalk to us. Your words will make a differenceand by contacting us with your experienceswe will make your voice count.

Healthwatch Staffordshire wants you to haveyour say in a variety of ways whether its byposting a comment on our website(www.healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk),following us on Twitter @HWStaffordshire,liking us on Facebook at HealthwatchStaffordshire,making a complaint using ourindependent NHS complaint support service,or, by using our Free phone number 0800 0518371. What matters is making your voicecount and your local Health and Social careservices are guided and shaped by yourfeedback.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Health related care is provided by the NHS.Social Care is provided by the Local Authority(Council) Healthwatch Staffordshire would liketo know what Health and Social Care issues areimportant to you, your family and friends.

Tell us what you would like HealthwatchStaffordshire to do for you:

1. Are you happy with the Health and Social care you are receiving?

2. Do you have a relative or friend living in a Care Home? Are you/they happy with the care they receive? Positive or Negative experiences

3. Can you get an appointment with your GP (Doctor) when you need to?

4. Have you had to stay in hospital recently, ifso, what was it like?

5. Do you or a relative suffer from a long termillness; are you/ they happy with the help and support you /they receive?

6. Do you know what services are available and how to choose the right one, when you need urgent care?

Thank you for giving us your feedback. Thiswill help Healthwatch Staffordshire tocontinue to prioritise its work.

HEALTHWATCH CHAMPIONS

Become InvolvedAnyone can become involved with Healthwatchand contribute to its activities becauseeveryone’s views matter. You can do as muchor as little as you like – from filling in a survey,attending the occasional meeting about anissue of personal interest, signing up as aHealthwatch Member or becoming aHealthwatch Champion

What are Healthwatch Champions?Healthwatch Champions are volunteers whoact as the voice of the local community. Theytalk to local people about the quality of health& social care in their area and are committedto supporting Healthwatch Staffordshire toimprove services. This role is vital to theimprovement of local services by prioritisingthe issues that really matter to you in yourown local area.

Healthwatch Champions can undertake asmuch or as little as they like from a range ofChampion specific roles.

Role of a Champion include:• Be the eyes and ears of local people and

raise issues of concern

• Make recommendations on how to improve local services

• Tell people about Healthwatch and encourage them to become involved

• Promote Healthwatch events and projects tolocal people

• Liaise with other people/groups involved with engagement work

• Attend meetings, groups & events as a Healthwatch Member, representing your ownviews based on personal experience

• Talk to patients about their experiences of using health and social care services

• Visiting health & social care providers, as part of our Enter & View portfolio and activity.

How to become a Healthwatch ChampionNo qualifications are needed to become aHealthwatch Champion; just a willingness tolisten and talk to a range of individuals, anopen mind and a desire to raise the voice oflocal people.

Champions who are authorised by HealthwatchStaffordshire will undertake relevant trainingand some roles will require a Disclosure andBarring Service check (previously CRB check).

You can become a Champion by:Contacting Healthwatch Staffordshire on0800 051 8371 or emailing atenquiries@healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk

From here we will send you an informationpack with additional information aboutHealthwatch Staffordshire. This will include arole descriptor for Champions and anapplication form for you to complete andreturn to us.

It is only with your support that HealthwatchStaffordshire can make a difference to thequality of local services.

Anyone can apply to become a HealthwatchChampion, however if you wish to take a lessactive role you can sign up to be aHealthwatch Member where you receiveregular updates and newsletters.

NHS COMPLAINTS SUPPORT SERVICE

NHS Complaints Support Service

“The NHS Complaints Support Service is thereto provide advocacy support to people whowish to make a complaint about the service –or lack of it – that they have received during aHealth Service delivery circumstance.”

Delivered by POhWER, advocates will supportan individual through the complaints process.They will explain the options available andsupport you to pursue your chosen course ofaction.

ECS/Healthwatch Staffordshire will beworking alongside POhWER in order to providethe advocacy service to those who wish toengage with health care services inStaffordshire.

They do not however investigate or encouragecomplaints, nor do they offer legal or medicaladvice.

The NHS Complaints Support Service isfree, independent and confidential.

What can they do?

• Provide individuals with a Self Help Information pack to help them find their own way through the complaints process

• Explain how the NHS complaints procedure works

• Listen to a complaint and discuss options available

• Help individuals to write letters regarding complaints

• Attend meetings and give support

• Speak to other agencies on your behalf when requested

• Provide information on other services an individual may wish to access

• Help to obtain medical records

POhWERUnit 25 & 32,

Staffordshire UniversityBusiness Village

Dyson Way Staffordshire

Technology Park Stafford

StaffordshireST18 0TW

E: pohwer@pohwer.netW: www.pohwer.net

Tel: 0300 456 2370

STAFFORD & SURROUNDS

As part of the changes to the NHS broughtabout by the Health and Social Care Act 2012,Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and StrategicHealth Authorities (SHAs) ceased to exist onthe 31 March 2013.From April 2013, groups of General Practicesknown as NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups(CCGs) commission health services for theirlocal populations. Commissioning healthservices involves identifying the health needsof the population and ‘buying’ theappropriate high quality services necessary tomeet those needs within the budgetallocated.CCGs are membership organisations andtherefore member GP practices will becentral to our work as Stafford and SurroundsCCG, There are 14 member practices cateringfor the population of around 144,000 inStafford and Surrounds• Stafford• Stone• Eccleshall

The CCG has established five key prioritieswhich form the focus of its work for the initialyears of its existence. These priorities are:• Prevention • Transformation • Health & Wellbeing • Distinctive Commissioning • Programme Specific

The CCG has a strong clinical focus and recordof engagement with partners which is reflectedin its values; which are: • Quality First • Prevention of ill-health • Decisions driven by the views and

involvement of our patients • Integration with a wide range of Partners• Openness and honesty• Contribution of all members and staff NHS Stafford and Surrounds CCG is committed toworking in partnership with local people andorganisations to improve the health andhealthcare of the local population. The CCG is also committed to develop stronglinks with local authorities, other NHS bodies(e.g. the Mid Staffordshire NHS FoundationTrust), local hospices, charities and other groupsin and across Staffordshire and the surroundingareas.

CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP

Stafford and Surrounds Patient Participation Groups

Consisting of a group of volunteer patients,the Practice Manager and one or more of theGPs from a practice, Patient ParticipationGroups (PPGs) meet on a regular basis todiscuss the services on offer and howimprovements can be made to benefit allparties.

PPGs help practices to put both the patientand healthcare at the heart of everything theydo. Often the action taken by the PPGs alldepends on the local needs of individuals inthe locality.

In Stafford and Surrounds CCG all GP Practiceshave Patient Participation Groups alreadyestablished. As these are not public meetings,to get involved, you must contact your localGP Practice directly for further details. For more information about NHS Stafford andSurrounds CCG visit:- http://www.staffordsurroundsccg.nhs.uk/

Write to:-NHS Stafford & Surrounds Clinical

Commissioning GroupGreyfriars Therapy Centre

Unit 12 Greyfriars Business Park

Frank Foley WayStaffordST16 2ST

Telephone: - 01785 221050 or 01785 221041

Email: - Staffordccg.feedback@northstaffs.nhs.uk

Getting Involved with the CCG

Stafford and Surrounds Clinical CommissioningGroup (CCG) recognises the vital role thatpatients and the public will have to play inorder to achieve our vision of promotinghealth and wellbeing throughout Stafford andthe Surrounding area, therefore engagementis crucial in ensuring that we listen to whatthe community has to say about theirhealthcare services. As such we arecommitted to genuine and proactiveengagement with anyone who wants to workwith us to achieve our aims.There are a number of ways that you cansupport Stafford and Surrounds GPs and theClinical Commissioning Group to shape localhealthcare services that meet the needs oflocal people.

One of the easiest ways for individuals to getinvolved is to join the Patient MembershipScheme. Anyone is entitled to join if they areregistered with a doctor within Stafford,Stone or the surrounding area, and have anactive interest in health issues locally. ThePatient Membership Scheme is designed togive people and organisations the opportunityto have more say in the NHS and activelyparticipate in designing and shapinghealthcare services.

CHOOSE WELL

Don’t be a time loser, be a time chooser, and make sure you getthe right treatment, in the right place, at the right time. Yourtime is a precious thing. Hundreds of people spend hours atAccident and Emergency each week for minor illness and ailmentswhen other services would have been more appropriate.

Choose Well – Facts and Figures

• 51.4m GP consultations are for minor ailments alone, which would clear up by themselves, or with a little help from an over-the-counter remedy from a pharmacy, this is 18 percent of the GP workload nearly half of these consultations are generated by people aged 16 – 59 years.

• Up to 40,000 GP visits per year are for dandruff; 20,000 go to their local surgery for travel-sickness and 5.2 million with blocked noses.

• Two million people who go to A&E could either self-care or have been treated elsewhere in the community 12 percent of peopleadmit to having used A&E in the past even when they knew there was nothing seriously wrong with them.

• The estimated cost of treating people who go to A&E but who could have either self-treated or gone else where, is £136 million a year this is the equivalent cost of 6,500 nurses.

The following pages will provide details of where and when toaccess the right health services in Stafford and the surroundingareas and what your choices are.

Choose Well

A&E 999 ACCIDENT AND EmERGENCYOpen 24/7, 365 days a year.

The A&E department in Stafford andSurrounds is at: Stafford Hospital–Weston Road, Stafford, ST16 3SA

The Emergency Department is for ambulance traffic and critical orlife-threatening situations only, and you should only go there or call999 if immediate emergency care is needed.

NHS WALk-INCENTRE

Walk-in centres treat minor illnesses and injuries that don’t

need a visit to A&E.Hanley Health

and Wellbeing Centre69/71 Stafford Street, Hanley,

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST1 1LW

Open 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

mINOR INjURY UNITS

Stafford – Cannock Minor Injuries Unit, Cannock Chase Hospital,Brunswick Road, Cannock, WS11 5XY Telephone: 01543 572757

Stone - Haywood Hospital—Minor Injuries Unit, High Lane, Burslem,Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 7AG Telephone: 01782 673500

OUT OF HOURS URGENT CARE

If you live in Stafford and Surrounds Area you should contact BadgerHarmoni on 0300 303030

GP GP Surgery Your local GP surgery provides a range of services including –• General medical advice and treatment for an illness or injury

that won’t go away• Routine health checks – Travel advice – Prescriptions• Help managing long-term medical problems• Immunisations and tests• Referrals to a specialist or a hospital.

PHARmACISTPHARmACIST

Go to a pharmacist if you have thesymptoms of a cough, cold or thinkyou’ve got the flu. A pharmacist isthe best place to go as they can

usually provide you with the help andinformation you need on the spot.

You can speak to any pharmacist for advice on how to treat lots ofminor injuries and common complaints such as coughs, colds, bites,stings, aches and pains. They also offer help with healthy living issuessuch as losing weight or giving up smoking.

NHS 111 NHS 111NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day,and is free to call from landlines and

mobiles and offers confidentialhealth advice and information.

Is a new national telephone service if you need medical help fast, butit’s not life – threatening. NHS 111 provides a new way to ensurepeople receive the right care, from the right person, in the right timeand place.

SELF – CARESELF CAREEnsure your medicine cabinet is well

stocked with• Anti-diarrhoeal medicine• Paracetamol or aspirin• Rehydration mixture• Indigestion mixture• Thermometer• Plasters

Many patients make appointments to see their Doctor or Nurse, whenthey could be using a well stocked medicines cabinet or visiting apharmacist to treat their symptoms – and getting the same help oradvice a lot quicker. Self care is the very best choice you can make fortreating very minor illnesses and injuries.

CHOOSE WELL

Our GP surgeries, also have trained nurses who can give advice,take tests, diagnose and be able totreat many illnesses that used to beonly dealt with by doctors - making

the level of service you can expect from your GP surgery

even better than ever.

CHOOSING A GP

A surgery may refuse an applicationto join its list of patients if:You don't reside in the surgery area

It has formally closed its list of patients, eg when a practice hasmore patients than it can deal with or not enough doctors - this isless common than it used to be.

If your application is refused, the surgery must write to you and givethe reasons for this

How do I find a surgery?Most surgeries operate a fairly strict catchment area system, andonly those who live within the area may be able to register.

This isn't to be awkward, but ensures a GP can visit a person athome in an emergency in reasonable time.

How do I register?This is straightforward and far easier than most people realise.Simply take your NHS medical card along to your chosen surgery.You will then be asked to sign a registration form.

Not all NHS trusts issue medical cards. If you don't have one, thereceptionist will give you form GMS1 to fill in.

Once you've completed and returned the forms, your local NHS willtransfer your medical records to your new surgery and write to youto confirm your registration as a patient with the surgery. Manysurgeries ask a new patient to attend a ‘registration medical’ thatchecks your general health.

What if I can’t get an appointment?If you can't get a doctor's appointment or have a non-urgent healthproblem or query, you can contact a nurse by ringing 111 at anytime.

Choosing a GP can seem a daunting task, especially if you have just moved into an area and don't know anything about the local healthservices. But there are some easy ways to find the doctor to suit you. It's important to be registered with a doctor because you'll needthem to refer you for specialist hospital and community treatment services.

Try to avoid attending A&E for minor complaints

GP Surgery Address Telephone

GP SURGERIES

Your local GP surgery provides a range of services, including general medical advice and treatment forillnesses or injuries that just won’t go away. Your local GP surgery provides a wide range of family health services, as well as advice on healthproblems they can also help with.• Vaccinations, • Examinations and treatment. • Prescriptions for medicines.• Referrals to other health services and social services.• Screening Management of long term conditions preventative care.

PHARMACIES

If you have the symptoms of a cough, cold, or think you’ve got the flu apharmacist is the best place to go, as they can usually provide you the help andinformation you need on the spot.

They can also offer help with healthy living issues such as losing weight or givingup smoking.

For opening times and NHS SERVICES available from your Pharmacy Please scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit www.nhs.uk

Pharmacy Address Telephone

DENTISTS

Dentists Address Telephone

Always ask your dentist whether the treatment they're recommending is available on the NHSand how much it will cost before you go ahead.

Emergency Dental ServiceDental Access Centres are available to treat patients who need emergency treatment. This service givespriority to pain relief and urgent care. Not all dentists take on NHS patients, you should check before hand.

Emergency Dentist out of hours: 111Emergency Dentist normal working hours: 111

OPTICIANS & HEARING CENTRES

Opticians Address Telephone

Hearing Centres Address Telephone

Regular eye tests are important because your eyes don’t usually hurt when something is wrong. Manyeye conditions can be treated if found early enough. A sight test is a vital health check for your eyes.It can pick up early signs of conditions that can affect the eyes before you’re aware of any symptoms, Including: • Diabetes• Macular Degeneration• Glaucoma

GWV

G S B EN O I H WJ H E R L CN O S Z L E P H

U L Y T H B X G O

S W M B W G C P T T

O H D C W N Y Z W A V

H N U O C I C R T W W D Q M V B F

ARE YOU A CARER?A Carer spends a significant proportion of their life providing unpaid support to family or friends. Thiscould be caring for a relative, partner or friend who has a long term illness or disability including mentalillness, alcohol or drug misuse or those that are elderly, forgetful or frail.

Caring can be a very difficult , demanding and all-consuming task, no matter how close you are to the personyou care for.

Caring can affect your health making you feel tired, frustrated, stressed and feeling guilty leaving you withno time to yourself. In fact 52% of carers need treatment for stress related problems and many carers feelthey have to give up work because of the effects caring has on their life.

You are not alone! It is estimated there are around 6.5 million Carers in the UK today. You are certainly notalone, but you still need to take care of yourself as well as the person you care for.

Thankfully, armed with the right support and information caring can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.Just follow a few simple tips that can make a real difference.

• Ask for Help: We all need help from time to time and carers are no exception. Help is out there

you only need to ask!

• know your rights: It sounds simple, but knowing what you’re entitled to and what support is

available can help a great deal.

• Tell your GP: Your GP practice can record that you are a carer to ensure you get your annual

flu vaccination and additional support as a carer.

• Have an assessment: This can sound a little daunting at first, but ensuring that you and the

person you care for get an assessment of your needs through the Local Authority can give you

access to a whole host of additional practical help and support.

• Be a little selfish! We all need time to ourselves, but it’s particularly important for carers.

This could be as simple as setting some me time aside for a relaxing bath or a night out.

There are a estimated 80,000 Carers in Staffordshire,help and support is availablelocally from the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire or Guideposts

If you’re a carer and you need some one to talk to contact:

We support unpaid carers of any age in southern Staffordshire, who arelooking after a friend or relative, who because of disability, illness or theeffects of old age, cannot manage at home without help.

CASS is a registered charity, which provides confidential advice, informationand emotional support and a range of other services to Carers living in thedistricts of Cannock Chase, East Staffs, Lichfield, South Staffs, Stafford andTamworth. All of these services are free of charge.

The Carers Centre • Austin Friars • Stafford • ST17 4APAdvice Line: 01785 606675 • Admin: 01785 222365 • Fax: 01785 220665Email: enquiries@carersinformation.org.ukWebsite: carersinformation.org.uk

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Assistive Technology can help vulnerable people and their carers live more independently in their ownhomes.

Telecare, which is part of assistive technology, can support people whose sight, hearing or cognition mayhave deteriorated. This could be due to physical or mental conditions which may have a long-term effecton their health and wellbeing.

There are many Telecare devices which automatically alert a 24-hour monitoring centre or your chosencarer, should you need assistance. There are also Telehealth solutions which monitor medical conditions inyour own home, speak to your GP to find out more about Telehealth.

Telecare Technology Can:• Raise an alarm in case of a fall or emergency• Raise alerts for floods, smoke, carbon monoxide• Support a medication regime• 24-hour reassurance for family and carers in the knowledge that they will be alerted

in the event of an incident.

Telecare may be of benefit to:• Older, infirm or disabled people• People who have been discharged from hospital and nedd additional support at home• People with sensory impairments• Vulnerable people of any age living alone

Telecare also offers support and reassurance to carers in the knowledge they will be alerted in the eventof an incident. In this way, Telecare can be of assistance to carers of people with dementia, physicaldisabilities, learning disabilities and long-term medical conditions.

YOUR IN STAFFORD

Shopmobility is a three way partnership between Stafford Borough Council, Ambucare mobility and NursingEquipment, and Stafford Shopmobility Group. The scheme is a member of The National Federation ofShopmobility Uk (NFSUk), a Uk registered charity. As such, the scheme meets NFSUk’s strict guidelinesin order to offer a great service to those who need it.

Stafford Shopmobility offers the freedom of the town to anyone, young or old, with mobility difficulties. Thescheme means that everyone can do their shopping in a friendly, pedestrianised town centre.

The scheme provides electrically powered wheelchairs, a range of electric scooters, and manual wheelchairs.ShopMobility’s friendly and helpful staff meet customers on arrival and help them decide which form oftransport is most suitable for them. Once the customer has made their choice, comprehensive training is given.

Ideally situated for the town centre, the ShopMobility Unit can be found at Broad Street (ST16 2DE), adjacentto Wilkinson's car park, and is open for business 9.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday, and 9.00am – 2.00pm onSaturday.

Shopmobility has its own, free-of-charge car parking spaces next to the unit, and anyone arriving by taxi canbe dropped off right at the bottom of the access ramp. Customers can ensure they get their first choice ofequipment by calling ShopMobility in advance on 01785 619456.

As well as running the ShopMobility scheme, Ambucare has a wide range of mobility scooters, riser reclinerchairs and daily living aids for sale from the ShopMobility premises. The company takes customer service veryseriously and offers home visits for customers unable to visit the shop. Ambucare also has its own servicedepartment.

ADVICE ON PAYING FOR CARE

You may need to pay for all of your own care, or you may be entitledto local authority funding, NHS care (free) or have entitlements towelfare benefits to help pay for your care and support.

For most people needing social care services, the first place to startis by asking your local authority for an assessment of your socialcare (care and support) needs. As part of this, the local authoritymay also carry out a financial assessment. This assessment willdetermine whether the local authority will meet all the cost of yourcare, or whether you will need to contribute towards your care costor whether you will have to meet the full costs yourself. Some ofthe rules for this financial assessment are applied differently basedon whether you need care in your own home or care in a residentialhome.

There are several options for funding care, and understanding them,and which ones apply to you can be complicated. These optionsdepend on your need for care and support, as well as your personaland financial circumstances.

Get personal advice on care fundingThe cost of care and support is likely to be a long-term commitmentand may be substantial, particularly if you opt for residential care.If you or a member of the family need to pay for care at home or ina care home, it’s important to understand the alternatives. Thismakes advice tailored to your individual needs vital. You can get advice from:

Your local authority – through an assessment of your care andsupport needs as well as advice on which services are availablelocally.

Financial advice from a qualified, independent source – there areindependent financial advisers who specialise in care fundingadvice. They are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority andmust stick to a code of conduct and ethics and take sharedresponsibility for the suitability of any product they recommend.

Care and support services are means-tested and are not free to everyone. Most people have to pay somethingtowards their own care and some will have to pay for all of the costs. Who pays depends on what your needsare, how much money you have, and what level and type of care and support you require.

Every day people make decisions about lots of things in their lives.The ability to make decisions is called mental capacity. Peoplemay have difficulties making some decisions either all or some ofthe time. This could be because they have a learning disability,dementia, a mental health problem, or could be the result of ahead injury or a stroke or a temporary condition such as an illness,accident or the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Listed below are details about some of the legal terms and topicsyou may come across. You may need to contact a solicitor whocan give you impartial advice which you may have to pay for, oryou can contact an advocate who can advise on your behalf.

Lasting Power Of Attorney: allows you to appoint someoneyou trust to make decisions about your personal welfare, includinghealthcare and your financial affairs.

The Court of Protection: can issue Orders directing themanagement of a person’s property and financial affairs if youare incapable of managing your own affairs and do not have aLasting Power of Attorney.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: protects people inresidential care or hospital who are unable to make decisions forthemselves due to a brain disorder. If any of these people needto be restrained, restricted or deprived, in order to give themphysical care or keep them safe, a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguardsauthorisation may be required.

The Mental Capacity Act:• The act’s purpose is to allow adults to make as many decisions as they can for themselves.

• To enable adults to make advance decisions about whether they would like future medical treatment.

• To allow adults to appoint, in advance of losing mental capacity, another person to makedecisions about personal welfare or property on their behalf at a future date.

• To allow decisions concerning personal welfare or property and affairs to be made in the best interests of adults when they have not made any future plans and cannot make a decision at the time.

• To ensure an NHS body or local authority will appoint an independent mental capacity advocate to support someone who cannot make a decision about serious medical t rea tmen t , or about hospital, care home or residential accommodation, when there are no family or friends to be consulted.

• To provide protection against legal liability for carers who have honestly and reasonably sought to act in the person’s best interests.

• To provide clarity and safeguards around research in relation to those who lack capacity.

LEGAL TERMS

CARE IN YOUR OWN HOMEIf you are finding it difficult to manage at home you could consider using the services of a home careprovider. Home care providers employ care assistants who can help you with bathing, washing anddressing. The staff who work for these agencies are trained in personal care and safety procedures,moving and handling, hygiene and infection control. If you require nursing care at home, many agenciesemploy registered nurses.

This is only one option of supporting yourself with care at home. Another could be to employ a personalassistant.

A list of the care agencies registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), who are located in theStafford & Surrounds districts can be found on the following pages.

Organising your own home careIf you are thinking about arranging your own home care it is a good idea to ask any agencies youapproach the following questions:

• Are there different rates for weekends/evenings?• Are there any extra charges i.e. for the carer's travelling expenses?• What sort of services do you provide?• Will somebody visit me before the service starts? • If you provide me with a service, can I contact you out of office hours? If so, how?• Are your carers trained?• Do you take up references on your carers?• Are you registered with the Care Quality Commission?

To check up-to-date information on the providers of homecare in yourlocality visit www.cqc.org.uk or scan the QR CODE with your Smartphone.

CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME

Care Agency Address Telephone

NURSING & RESIDENTIAL CARE

There are many types of residential care homes available. Theseinclude permanent care homes for older people, homes for youngeradults with disabilities and homes for children. They may be privatelyowned or run by the voluntary sector or local authorities. You maywant to consider in detail the many options for residential carebefore you make a decision.

Older PeopleCare homes for older people may provide personal care or nursingcare. A care home which is registered to provide personal care (seethe section on care home regulation, below) will offer support,ensuring that basic personal needs, such as meals, bathing, goingto the toilet and medication, are taken care of. In some homes moreable residents have greater independence and take care of manyof their own needs.Some residents may need medical care and some care homes areregistered to provide this. These are often referred to as nursinghomes. Some homes specialise in certain types of disability, forexample, dementia.

Adults Aged 18-65There are also residential care homes that provide care and supportfor younger adults with, for example, severe physical disabilities,learning disabilities, acquired brain injury, progressive neurologicalconditions or mental health problems. Care can be provided foradults with more than one condition and some homes haveexpertise in providing care for adults with alcohol or drugdependency.

These homes offer permanent residence or provide care for atemporary period until the adult is able to live independently ormove to a different type of accommodation.

Choosing between residential care and independent livingSocial services normally encourage younger adults who they assessfor support to be as independent as their circumstances allow. Thecare plan for adults with disabilities will consider what independenttasks they can carry out and how they can be helped to achievemore. Even if adults have very severe disabilities their needs arereviewed from time to time to check whether residential care or avery high level of support is still appropriate.

Supported living may be an option for younger adults. This allowspeople to live independently in the community but with basicsupport. The support offered includes help with setting up a homeand managing finances, and assistance with cleaning and shopping.

For older people there are various alternatives to residential care.These include sheltered housing and extra care housing schemes,which offer independence with an increased level of care andsupport.

For many people there is also the choice of living independently athome with community care support.

Choice of AccommodationThe law says that where the local authority is fundingaccommodation it must allow the person entering residential careto choose which care home they would prefer. Social services mustfirst agree that the home is suitable for the person’s needs and thatit would not cost more than they would normally pay for a homethat would meet those needs. If the person chooses to go into amore expensive home, a relative or friend may be able to ‘top up’the difference in cost.

Choosing a Care HomeCare homes may be arranged through the local authority but manypeople will want to arrange them independently. It is a good ideato visit several homes before making a choice. Make sure you spendenough time in each home to get a good idea of what it is like.

Respite and Short Term StaysResidential care home stays don't necessarily have to be permanent.Temporary stays can be arranged for respite care (in which you takea break from caring for somebody else), or as a trial period beforea permanent stay.

Temporary stays can give you flexibility when coveringunexpected events, such as:

• Palliative care (which manages or reduces pain) after a hospitalstay or illness

• Support for newly disabled people and their carers• Enabling someone to continue living independently if they live

alone and suddenly require care• Giving someone a chance to try potential future homes

What your choices areA list of all nursing and residential care homes within your localitycan be found on the following pages. Every care home in Englandmust be registered with the national regulatory body Care QualityCommission (CQC).

They inspect each care home on a regular basis and write aninspection report for you to read. It is advisable to read this reportbefore making a final decision.

To check up-to-date information on the Nursing and Residential

care homes within your locality visit www.cqc.org.uk or scan the

QR CODE WITH YOUR SmARTPHONE

NURSING & RESIDENTIAL CARE

RESIDENTIAL & NURSING

Residential Address Telephone

Nursing Address Telephone

HELP & ADVICE

Information and Advice ServiceInformation and advice officers are trained to provide information on a vast range of topicsfrom benefit entitlement to housing and home safety to long term care. General advice onhow to deal with issues with utility companies, telesales calls and doorsteps callers orsimply find a tradesperson is also available. Covers Stone and the surrounding area.

Age Uk South Staffordshire, Penkridge Resource Centre, The Roller mill,

Teddesley Road, Penkridge, Stafford, ST19 5BD • Telephone : 01538 382157

or Age Concern Stone and District, 15 Station Road, Stone, ST15 8jP • Telephone : 01785 817906

Providing information and support to people with dementia and their carers/families acrossStaffordshire• Community Support• Day Centres• Dementia Cafes

Staffordshire Local Service Office, 8-9 Windsor Court, Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 65U • Telephone : 01543 255 955

Information and Advice ServiceAge UK Stafford & District have dedicated signposting assistants on hand to help withinformation, advice and access to services you might need. All information and advice isfree and impartial and available to everyone in the community.Covers Stafford and the Surrounding Area.

Age Uk Stafford and District, Bradbury House, Weston Road, Stafford, ST16 3RS

Telephone : 01785 607060

Helping people with a learning disability to speak up and make decisions about what isimportant to them

Lines are open 9am – 5pm monday – Friday • 0808 808 1111

Free, confidential, impartial and independent advice.We can offer help with a range of problems, including debt, benefits, housing,employment, consumer, relationships and discrimination.

Stafford Citizens Advice Bureau, Vol Services Centre, 131 - 141 North Walls, Stafford, ST16 3AD • Telephone : 01785 814806 or 08444 111 444Stone Citizens Advice Bureau • Stone Town Council Offices, 15 Station Road,Stone, ST15 8jP • Telephone: 08444 111 444

Call the Carers Direct helpline if you need help with your caring role and want to talk tosomeone about what options are available to you. If you are busy at certain times of day,you can send us a message to ask us to call you back for free at a time that is convenient to you.

This service is available for people living in or caring for someone in England. Lines areopen 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) 11am to 4pm at weekends. Callsare free from UK landlines and mobiles or you can request a free call back.

Call Carers Direct on 0808 802 0202

The South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health is a charity within mental health tochampion service user involvement and to ensure that people with experience of mentalillness have a say in how local services are developed and delivered. They provide up todate and useful information on local services and projects, signposting to services helpfulto an individual. They also provide a volunteer programme, helping people to make adifference within their community, and challenge stigma and discrimination of people withexperience of mental illness. Individuals can join for free to receive SSN Mental Healthnewsletter by post or email four times a year.

South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health Mansell House, 22 Bore Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LLTelephone: 01543 301139Website: www.ssnmentalhealth.co.ukEmail: sunetwork@ssnmentalthealth.co.ukFacebook: www.facebook.com/ssnmentalhealthTwitter: @ssnmentalhealth

The MS Society is the UK’s leading MS charity, who provides information and support topeople with Multiple Sclerosis

Free MS HelplineThe helpline provides support to anyone affected by MS in the UK. Lines are open 9am –9pm Monday – Friday 0808 800 8000

m.S Society – Stafford Branch131-141 North Walls, Stafford, ST16 3AD • Telephone : 01785 617045Website : www.mssociety.org.uk/Facebook : www.facebook.com/mSSocietyTwitter : @mssocietyuk

Stafford District Voluntary Services (SDVS) supports and helps to develop other voluntary,community, faith and social enterprise groups mainly in Stafford borough, but somesupport is offered across Staffordshire.

Stafford District Voluntary Services131-141 North Walls, Stafford, ST16 3ADTelephone : 01785 606670Website : http://www.sdvs.org.uk/

The Staffordshire Neurological Alliance exists to provide a united voice for those affectedby any of the 80 or so neurological conditions and address the wide disparity in provisionacross the county.

Stroke Association – Stafford Stroke Support Group150, Hesketh Road, Stafford, ST17 9NFWebsite: www.stroke.org.uk/support/stafford-stroke-support-group

The Stroke Association is there to provide information, advice and support for people withstrokes and their carers. This service is available for all individuals who live in Stafford,Stone, and the Surrounding Area.

The National Stroke Hotline provides help and support to anyone affected by strokes in the UK.

Lines are open 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday. 0845 3033 100

Stroke Association – Stafford Stroke Support Group150, Hesketh Road, Stafford, ST17 9NFWebsite: www.stroke.org.uk/support/stafford-stroke-support-group

Have your say on Health and Social Care. Healthwatch StaffordshireTel : 0800 051 8371Website : www.healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk Email : enquiries@healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk

yourvoicecount

Making