Brief Encounter July 2013 - East Sussex County Council

eastsussex.gov.ukBriefEncounterNews from Adult Social CareJuly 2013How couldEast SussexSeniorshelp you?PAGE 12Who’s onthe phone?Trading Standards spotscams and team up withCare for the CarersPAGE 04

Brief Encounter July 2013In this issue3 Lottery cash to improvehealth of vulnerable people3 ‘Books on Prescription’service goes nationwide4 ‘Spot Scams! Stop Scams!’Trading Standards team upwith Care for the Carers5 Looking after Mum –a carer’s story6 Council launches newonline dementia resource7 Premature death rate inEast Sussex is one of the lowest8 Compliment for… The MentalHealth Recovery Team, HastingsBrief EncounterProduced byCommunicationsNext issue copy deadline:Monday 8 JulyEmail: flora.aldridge@eastsussex.gov.ukor (internal) ~D AS Brief Encounter9 Need information aboutAdult Social Care?10 Arrivals and departures12 How could East SussexSeniors Association help you?Cover photo courtesy of the NationaalArchief (Dutch National Archives).Fax: 01273 481331Contact Centre: Social Care DirectPhone: 0345 60 80 191Copyright in editorial matter and this collection as awhole: East Sussex County Council © 2013. All rightsreserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any formor by any means, without the prior permission in writingof the publisher, nor be issued to the public or circulatedin any form of binding or cover other than that in whichit is published.2

July 2013 Brief EncounterLottery cash to improvehealth of vulnerable peopleWe will receive £220,000 from the BigLottery Fund over the next two yearsto help reduce poor health amongvulnerable and marginalised people inHastings and Eastbourne.Staff in Public Health and Adult SocialCare will use the money to helpcommunities support people with lowlevels of physical activity, poor mentalhealth and poor diets so they can changetheir lifestyles and make best use offacilities in their local area.The project aims to identify and highlightcommunity centres, pubs, church hallsand sports clubs that are available,but not widely used, by marginalisedgroups. We will also encourage residentswho wouldn’t usually see themselvesas volunteers to help their neighboursand support vulnerable people who aresocially isolated or have care needs.‘Books on Prescription’service goes nationwideA service offering ‘books on prescription’ topeople in East Sussex with mental healthproblems is to be rolled out nationwide.Under this scheme GPs ‘prescribe’ topeople suffering common disorders,like anxiety or depression, books theycan borrow for free from their locallibrary. It includes recommended booksfor adults, families and young people.Keith Hinkley, Director of AdultSocial Services, said: “We’vebeen working together with otherlocal authorities on this project– Brighton & Hove, Medway,Portsmouth, Southampton,Slough – andare sharingan overall£1.8 millionpot of lotteryfunding tohelp improvepeople’shealth.”→ Find out how you can become avolunteer on our website www.eastsussex.gov.uk/community/volunteering/waystovolunteer/default.htmthen across the county. Following itssuccess in East Sussex, the servicewill be introduced throughout Englandin June under the banner ‘Reading Well:Books on Prescription’.These books can be a useful first step torecovery for the one in four people in EastSussex who suffers from mental healthproblems at some point in their lifetime.Our library and information service,working with the NHS, was one of thefirst in the country to introduce theservice in 2006, first in Hastings and→ You can find out more informationon our website: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries/booksfilmsmusic/books/goodreads/selfhelpscheme.htm3

Brief Encounter July 2013‘Spot Scams! Stop Scams!’Last month was Scams AwarenessMonth. Citizens Advice and the TradingStandards Institute teamed upto highlight the problems ofscams, tell people how toavoid being taken in andhow they can fight backagainst the scammers.Every year more than3 million people in the UKfall victim to scams losinghundreds and thousandsof pounds. It’s estimatedthat nearly half of people inthe UK (48%) have been targetedby a scam and that £3.5billion islost to scams every year.There are hundreds of scams: fakelotteries and prize draws, bogus healthcures, dodgy investment schemes,Trading Standards team upwith Care for the CarersTwo members of our Trading Standardsteam have been helping out Care for theCarers across East Sussex.Lee Ede and ElizabethBowring visited carers’groups throughout thecounty, talking aboutcold calling and scammailing in particular.Between January andMarch earlier this year,Elizabeth and Lee visited11 different groups of carers,describing some of the things carersshould look out for to help those they lookafter not to get caught out.“More than3 million peoplein the UK fallvictim to scams.”“I really enjoyedworking with Care forthe Carers. Everyonewas really interactiveand found the talksinteresting.”pyramid selling, phishing – to namejust a few. New scams appear as morepeople become aware of them, andas criminals try to keep onestep ahead.Anyone can become avictim of a scam, but itis the most elderly andvulnerable members ofour community who arelikely to be targeted.The Citizens Advicewebsite has handy tipson how to spot a scam, howto better protect yourself andhow to take action to stop scams.→ For more information or to reporta scam victim, please contact CitizensAdvice Consumer Service on08454 040506.Elizabeth said ‘I really enjoyed workingwith Care for the Carers. Everyone wasreally interactive and foundthe talks interesting. It’sgood to be involved withorganisations like Care forthe Carers, because it’suseful information thatcarers who can pass itonto to the people theylook after.’Care for the Carers providessupport for unpaid carers inEast Sussex.→ For more information visitwww.cftc.org.uk4

July 2013 Brief EncounterLooking after Mum –a carer’s storyWe know that balancing caring responsibilities with home and workcommitments can be a real challenge.By giving you support and flexibility where needed, we can help you giveyour loved ones the necessary support while continuing to contribute at work.What our colleague told usFor Carers Week 2013, we hear from a colleaguewho has been looking after their mother who hasdementia.“I’ve been working for the Council since 2012. When Istarted my mother had already been diagnosed withvascular dementia and heart problems. I’m her maincarer and, together with help from a local homecareagency and support from family, Mum has been ableto remain in her own home where she wants to be.“Since January her condition has worsened a lot. She’sbeen admitted to hospital once, is becoming moreunstable on her feet, and now has heart failure as wellas further decreased capacity due to the dementia.This means I need more time to speak to doctors,nurses and other specialists, sort out medication andattend hospital appointments, which hasn’t been easy.“It can be hard being a carer from an emotional andphysical perspective. In previous jobs I haven’t foundit easy to be open about my caring role, but heremy manager and colleagues have been supportiveand also offered advice about services and supportavailable. Along with having the flexibility to adjustmy work during the week and to balance work andcaring roles, I feel supported and able to cope.”5

Brief Encounter July 2013Council launches newonline dementia resourceWe’ve launched new online‘one-stop shop’ for peoplewith dementia and theircarers.It’s very importantthat people living withdementia, and those whocare for them, are ableto access informationabout the range ofdementia conditions andthe support available tothem in the county. TheDementia Information Hubprovides easily-accessibleinformation and resourcesin one place.Dementia prevalence in East Sussex is one of the highest in thecountry, but getting an early diagnosis and being supported tolive well can help people continue to enjoy full and active lives.The new information hub covers subjects from the start to the endof the dementia journey, including general information on thedisease and details of services on offer in East Sussex.It also includes links to other relevant sections of the countycouncil's website and other sites of interest such as the Alzheimer’sSociety and NHS Our Health South East.→ Find the hub at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/dementia6

July 2013 Brief EncounterNews in BriefThere’s a new East Sussex Benefit Helpline – 0333 344 0681.Call for advice and information about how the changes tobenefits affect you.Premature death rate inEast Sussex is one of the lowestIf you live in East Sussex, you’re lesslikely to die prematurely from diseasethan those living in other parts of thecountry, new figures have revealed.Statistics published on Public HealthEngland’s Longer Lives website, setup to show how mortality rates varybetween local authorities, put EastSussex among the top areas for lowrates of premature death.The figures, for 2009 to 2011, relateto the number of residents who havedied under the age of 75 from cancer,heart disease and stroke, lung diseaseand liver disease.For overall premature death rates, EastSussex was ranked 48th out of 150 localauthorities and considered among the‘best’ for low mortality rates.Dr Diana Grice, East Sussex CountyCouncil’s director of Public Health,said: “Although people living in EastSussex have low rates of prematuremortality there is still a 13 yearvariation in life expectancy betweenthe wards with the highest and lowestlife expectancy in the county.“These statistics are helpful inidentifying which areas of public healthneed to be addressed to drive down thenumbers of premature deaths. Thereis still more that can be done to reducepreventable deaths of our residents insome parts of East Sussex.“The county is considered among thebest for low premature death rates,but we are committed to improvingthe health of all our residents andwill continue to encourage peopleto improve their wellbeing throughsupport to make changes to theirlifestyles such as stopping smoking,good diet and exercise.”For premature deaths from cancer, EastSussex recorded 102 deaths per 100,000residents between 2009 and 2011. Thisputs the county 55th out of 150.Early deaths from heart disease andstroke in East Sussex were also lowcompared to other authorities, with 51deaths per 100,000 residents over thesame period.Statistics for premature deaths dueto lung disease and liver diseaseare among the ‘best’ in the country,with 17 and 12 per 100,000 residentsrespectively.7

Brief Encounter July 2013Compliment for…The Mental Health Recovery Team, HastingsMs S lived in Hastings, and received occasional support fromAccommodation Officer, John Robinson. She had mental healthissues, and she had Lupus and Reynaud’s disease which restrictedher quality of life. After a short illness she sadly passed away inhospital, and her relative wrote to John thanking him for his support:Dear Mr Robinson,…I would like to take this opportunity to say a bigthank you to you … she thought the world of you andI know she trusted you looking after her welfare …I am so glad you were there for her. To visit her inhospital too, that was very special.Very grateful thanks,PJohn says:“I knew Ms S for more than a decade, and workedwith her on a number of occasions. She was awonderful lady, well read and a talented artist,she loved walking, nature and no matter whatwas happening she always had a smile, it was aprivilege meeting her and getting to know her.”8

July 2013 Brief EncounterNeed information aboutAdult Social Care?Our 2013/14 leaflets have just been printed and are about to bedistributed across the county at a range of outlets. They includelibraries, hospitals, GP surgeries and children’s centres amongstothers – if you know somewhere else you think they ought to be,please get in touch!The leaflets are:IL01 Getting support from Adult Social CareIL02 The cost of your social-care supportIL03 How to make a comment, complaint or complimentIL04 Do you look after someone?The leaflets are designed for anyone who thinks they might needsupport, and you can also get fact sheets with more detailedinformation if it’s relevant to your particular circumstances. If you’dlike to order copies of our leaflets or fact sheets, or you have anyquestions, please email as.documentordering@eastsussex.gov.uk.9

Brief Encounter July 2013StaffArrivals and departuresWelcome to:Liane Ingram, who started ‘officially’as a Project Support Officer in thePersonalisation Development Teamon a 1 year contract on 3 June.Carla Stevens joins the ServicePlacement Team as a PlacementCoordinator this month. Carla willfocus on purchasing homecare forthe Eastbourne area. She has joinedESCC after taking a break fromemployment, and previously workedfor an Eastbourne Care Agency.The team also welcome back JoLonghurst from Maternity leave!The Central Support Team at CountyHall welcomes Christian Walmsleyas the new Office Assistant. The teamalso congratulates Kerry Sussex whois going on maternity leave in June,and welcomes Charlene Lade backfrom her maternity leave.John Cannan, Senior ProcurementOfficer and Phil Stone, CategorySpecialist join the Social CareProcurement Team.Brian Clifford started with LearningDisability DPS this month as aCommunity Development Worker.Catherine Broadwood and NatashaPoole, both Support Workers, startedthis month in Joint CommunityReablement serviceIntegrated Continuing HealthcareTeam are looking forward towelcoming Pauline Snashall who joinsthe team as an administrator on 1 July.Laurence Mullan started in late Mayas Nurse Best interest Assessor in theDeprivation of Liberties Safeguardsteam. Laurence will add to the team’scomplement of three Social WorkerBIAs and they welcome his expertisein nursing to expand the range ofexperience the county wide DOLSteam can offer.Farewell to:Julie Woolgar moves from the CentralSupport Team to the new BusinessServices Department after workingin Adult Social Care for ten years.Amy Cross and Lucy Curtis, SocialWorkers are both leaving theCommunity Learning DisabilityTeam in Hastings in the next month.Cathy Davey leaves the Charter Centrenext month after working in adultsocial care for 22 years. She isretiring on 7 July.Senior Support Coordinator NicolaBooth left Linden Court this month.Rebecca Payne (OT) will be leavingthe Lewes and North Wealden SRTteam at the end of June. They wishher well and thank her for all her hardwork. The team also say goodbye toSophie Wearing (OT) will be goingon maternity leave at end of June –they wish her all the best in hernew journey in becoming a mum!10

July 2013 Brief EncounterDavid Parker, Quality MonitoringOfficer for Supporting People, lefton 16 May. He has gone to work forEastbourne Homes.David Rice, Project Support Officer,in Strategy and Commissioning Team,older people, carers, PD and SI leftESCC (career break) for a year toteach English in Argentina at endof May. Karina O’Neill has joinedfrom Children’s Services and willbe covering David’s post whilst heis away.Stuart Crombie left Greenwood atthe end of May.Sally Owen-Thomas, QualityMonitoring Officer (Residential),retires on 21st June, and JuliaGreenfield (Quality Monitoring Officer(Non Residential) is leaving on 28 Juneand will be returning to Alaska.Moving:Jacqui Lewis was successful in aSecondment as a Senior SupportWorker in the Joint CommunityReablement service last month.Michelle Ravenor (Social Worker)has joined the Lewes & NorthWealden NST case managementteam from Eastbourne NST. The teamwelcome Michelle and look forwardto having her.Lynne Holman was covering maternityleave for Charlene Lade and will nowcover for Kerry Sussex as in the CentralSupport Team.Richard Cuming starts a 12 monthsecondment to a Project Managerpost at County Hall next month –he’s currently a senior practitionerin Learning Disabilities.11

Brief Encounter July 2013How could East SussexSeniors Association help you?• Did you know that thecombined membership of theEast Sussex Seniors forums isa whopping 5178 people?• There are 7 (8 includingHope-G, Hastings OlderPeople’s Ethnic Group) seniorforums across the county, withmembership ranging from 72people right up to 1253!The forums come together under theumbrella group East Sussex SeniorsAssociation, otherwise known as ESSA.One of their greatest strengths istheir themed interest groups, withHealth and Community Care beingthe most popular and the Transportand Environment group also has hottopics. Contacting ESSA – or one ofthe area-specific forums – can be abrilliant way to get older people’sperspective or feedback on projects,plans or consultations.Highlights from the forums in thelast year include:Trips and eventsAs part of national Older People’sDay last year, the forums ran around40 events, with hundreds of peopleattending. They’re already working onthis year’s Older People’s Day with lotsof interesting events in the pipeline.Forums also hold other events andactivities throughout the year.Support for campaignsESSA and the forums are backing EastSussex County Council in the ‘Show usyou care’ campaign, and are playinga big part in the drive to get olderpeople online. Eastbourne SeniorsForum have also partnered with Age UK.NewslettersESSA and the senior forums allproduce regular newsletters,which go out to all their members.WellbeingESSA has signed up for the DementiaFriends project to get messages outaround dementia support. ESSA hasalso worked with Welbeing to getpreferential rates for members onLifeline and Telecare.→ Find out more at www.essaforums.org.uk or contact Kate Davies on cate.davies@hotmail.co.uk or June Pratley,Older People’s Engagement Officerjune.pratley@eastsussex.gov.ukPlease deliver to:12