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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness

@hwwestfurn.bsky.social

41 followers 40 following 160 posts

Your voice matters! 📣 We’re here to listen and improve health & social care in Westmorland & Furness - one story at a time #HWWF https://bit.ly/3QLoxZw

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · Aug 14

Do you struggle to get to GP, hospital, or other health appointments?

We’re collecting your experiences to push for better transport in Westmorland & Furness.

📝 Take our 5-min survey: https://bit.ly/3HoIzbd

💬 Your voice matters.

#Cumbria #HealthcareAccess #PatientTransport #PublicTransport #UK

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 5h

Want to know more or download the self-assessment template?

🔗 https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/accessible-information-standard-self-assessment-framework/

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#AIS #Accessibility #Healthwatch

NHS England » Accessible Information Standard – self-assessment framework

www.england.nhs.uk

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 5h

They can also:
✅ Review and improve systems
✅ Train staff to meet communication needs
✅ Make services more inclusive for everyone

It’s all about making sure no one is left behind when accessing health & care information.

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 5h

By completing the self-assessment, organisations can:
✅ Identify people’s communication needs
✅ Record & flag these needs
✅ Provide info in accessible formats (large print, easy-read, Braille, BSL)

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 5h

How can organisations meet the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)?

The AIS self-assessment framework helps health & social care providers make sure everyone can access and understand health information

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 1d

The Accessible Information Standards are a legal requirement and commit to ensuring that services are more inclusive for all🧏

Ensure your services are compliant with these steps.

Assess your level of compliance on the NHS website🔗 https://bit.ly/46wcpnX

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 2d

Getting to appointments along the #A590?

We’re listening to your experiences - whether you drive, take the bus or use community transport.

💬 Share your story before 31 Oct: https://bit.ly/3HoIzbd

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 3d

📢 The NHS Accessible Information Standard ensures everyone gets health, support & care info in a format they can use.

Despite being in place since 2016, many accessibility needs are still unmet.

Find out more🔗 https://bit.ly/AISNHSWebsite

#Accessibility #AccessibleInformation #HealthEquality

NHS England » Why it’s important

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 3d

Whether it’s feedback, ideas or just curiosity about what we do, stop by and say hello!

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 3d

✨Sunday 19th October✨

📍 Penrith Leisure Centre Fun Day, 10am to 2pm

Try out fun taster sessions like Boccia, wheelchair rugby and Mitsuru karate! Leila will be there to chat about your experiences of health and social care, and offer local signposting information.

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 3d

📍 Kirkoswald Village Hall, 2pm to 4pm

“Keeping Safe and Warm” community event hosted by Kettle Calling, with Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service. Free raffle, electric blanket testing and advice on staying warm this winter.

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 3d

✨Saturday 18th October✨

📍 Staveley Village Hall Coffee Morning, 10am to 12pm

Hosted by the Staveley Village Association raising funds to maintain and improve local facilities. Pop in for a chat and a brew!

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 3d

We’re out and about again this weekend. Come and say hello! 🚗

Leila, our fab Engagement Officer, will be joining a few brilliant community events to hear your views on local health and care services.

Follow the thread to see where you can find her (1/5)

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 4d

Ever struggled to get health or care info in a way you can understand?

That’s what the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is for.

It’s the law making sure people with disabilities, sensory loss or communication needs aren’t left behind.

Got an experience? Share it with us.

#AIS #Accessibility

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 5d

It should be easy to understand your health & care needs.

That's why, in collaboration with Healthwatch Lancashire, we’re working to make info accessible for people with disabilities, sensory loss or communication needs.

Have a story? We’re listening! 💬

#AIS #Accessibility

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 15d

Great to hear you’ve already had a check with the team!
We hope plenty of people made the most of it today too 😊

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 15d

Come and see us at the A590 Roadshow! 🚗

We'll be at Rampside Hall on 7th October, 9:30–11:30.

Partnering with Barrow ICC who'll be offer blood pressure checks for attendees.

Pop by to share your experiences, ask questions and get involved!

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 18d

Proposals to change Level 3 critical care at Furness General have raised lots of questions.

The #NHS is holding public sessions across #SouthCumbria in October (face-to-face and online) to hear your views.

Find out more and see how to book a session here:

Have your say: Future of Furness General Level 3 intensive care - Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness

The announcement about proposals to change Level 3 intensive care provision at Furness General Hospital has understandably received a strong … Read more

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 19d

Last Wednesday we joined the Macmillan Coffee Morning with Drop Zone Youth ☕💚

There was a sea of amazing treats and it was a great chance to meet everyone, introduce ourselves and chat about our transport project 🚍

Big thanks to all who welcomed us!

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 24d

For many adults, #autism diagnosis isn’t about a “cause” - it’s about recognition, understanding & the right support.

In our Adult Autism Pathways report, people told us about long waits, unclear referrals & struggles navigating the system.

📖 Read the full report: http://bit.ly/46zxPiB

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 25d

Did you know the #NHS Health Check can help prevent serious illness but many men are missing out?

🔵 Only 37% of eligible men say they’ve ever been invited

🔵 Most who attend value the experience & would go again

🔵 Awareness drives attendance

Read more 👉 http://bit.ly/42IaCJW

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 27d

Here in Westmorland & Furness, cancer came up as a top women’s health issue.

Read more about local experiences in our Women’s Health report:
https://healthwatchwestfurn.co.uk/report/womens-health-project-summary-report/

#CancerCare #WomensHealth #Healthwatch

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 27d

“It took 3 days to get a #GP call back after finding a lump. It was an aggressive cancer.”

Many patients share powerful stories of both excellent & delayed #CancerCare.

Read Healthwatch England's article on what patients told us:

Understanding cancer care from the patient’s perspective

Patients often report positive experiences for cancer treatment services. In the most recent national cancer survey, respondents scored NHS cancer care services higher than the previous year, scoring them an average of 8.94 out of 10. Find out what people have told us about their experiences of canc...

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · 27d

Only 67.1% of patients in England started #cancer treatment within 2 months of an urgent referral.

This is well below the 85% target.

Delays in diagnosis & treatment can be devastating.

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · Sep 16

Living with #ChronicPain? You’re not alone 💛

Many face long waits and poor access to care but supportive, #HolisticTreatment can help.

Read @healthwatchengland.bsky.social's latest blog on the challenges and how the #NHS can do better: http://bit.ly/41SAu5M

#Healthwatch #HWWF

Why support for patients with chronic pain must be improved

Living with chronic pain can limit your ability to live and work, yet it is a reality for millions of people in England. Find out the problems people are facing and what services can do to better support people living with pain.

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Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness @hwwestfurn.bsky.social · Sep 11

Have your say on the future of #EyeCare in England! 👀

#RNIB is running 2 online focus groups this autumn (2.5 hrs each, via Teams).

Your feedback will shape conversations with #NHSEngland on long-term planning📝

👉 Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/uYJ5M2MEXP

📧 [email protected]