Help us help you to breathe more easily

Help shape plans to improve the health and wellbeing of people with COPD and asthma. The Department of Health is developing a national strategy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in England, working with the British Lung Foundation and Asthma UK. The strategy is due to be launched next year and is designed to help improve patients' health and well-being. The strategy covers better prevention and changing behaviour for those at risk, diagnosis and treatment, through to better care for people with COPD at the end of life. It will also highlight the similarities and differences between the diagnosis and care of COPD and asthma. The views, insight, and experiences of people with COPD and asthma and their carers are needed to ensure that the plans in the strategy meet their needs. The event is being held on 30th November 2009 at the Thorpe Park Hotel, Leeds. Click here to book your place.

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Supporting people to live well

The first national Self Care Awareness Week takes place from the 9 – 15 November 2009 and aims to raise awareness of the information and support available to help people, and especially those with long term conditions take control of their own health and wellbeing.

Self Care covers every aspect of living a healthy life, from brushing our teeth to looking after ourselves when recovering from illness. People with long term conditions are already doing this well but some are still unaware of the choice of support and information available to help manage their condition. For instance, everyone with a long term condition can have a personalised care plan, access to courses and support groups as well as knowing about the right equipment to help live healthy and stay independent.

Activities to support Self Care Week are being held around the country; in addition, charities including Men’s Health Forum are involved in the week to inform people and those with a long term conditions that being able to self care puts you in charge of your own healthcare.

CHAIN members are encouraged to support the campaign and raise awareness locally by displaying the self care week posters in GP practices, writing about the week in newsletters and using the web buttons and banners on both online and offline materials. These are available on the Department of Health’s website at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_107585

People living with a health condition, or who just want to learn how to look after their self better, can ask their healthcare professional for information on the advice and support available or visit www.nhs.uk/yourhealth.

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Partners in Care - A Training Package for Involving Families in Dementia Care Homes

Following admission to a care home, family and friends may feel uncertain as to how they now 'fit in' to their loved one's life. This training package, comprising a booklet and DVD, is designed to encourage family participation in the care home and develop a constructive partnership between staff in care homes, families and people with dementia.
The DVD and booklet provide material for four separate training sessions for use by mixed groups of relatives and care home staff. Each session explores a different theme: sharing information, sharing the care, developing supportive relationships and making it work. With a clear and flexible layout, group exercises and notes for the facilitator, this training package will enable professionals and relatives to develop positive and fulfilling ways of working together and improve the level of care for those with dementia. Click here to order your copy.

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Podcast from St Christopher's Hospice – Palliative care support to community psychogeriatric team

View this Podcast from St Christopher's Hospice, London, who have appointed an experienced clinical nurse specialist (CNS) to work with people with advanced dementia and their carers, with the support of a palliative medicine consultant and learn more about their findings.

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National Dementia Strategy Launched

The first ever National Dementia Strategy is a landmark document that will transform the quality of dementia care. It sets out initiatives designed to make the lives of people with dementia, their carers and families better and more fulfilled. It will increase awareness of dementia, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and radically improve the quality of care that people with the condition receive. Proposals include the introduction of a dementia specialist into every general hospital and care home and for mental health teams to assess people with dementia.

Practical Advice to help Family Doctors Support Carers

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the RCGP have teamed up to launch a self-assessment toolkit for Primary Care Teams. It is designed to help them pool knowledge/skills and build on existing good practice; put in place systems for identifying carers at the earliest possible stage; and share good practice with colleagues nationally. It comprises chapters on developing an action plan; case studies; and sources of further information.

Courses for (Mental Health) Carers

Carers Connections is a series of sessions/courses about mental health subjects. The sessions are aimed at any carer but particularly mental health carers. Click here for the course programme and dates.

Looking After Me: Carers' Course (2008 Dates)

‘Looking after Me’ is a FREE course for carers. The course is about helping them to make time to look after their own health needs. It aims to help them take more control of their situation. The course is aimed at anyone who looks after someone who is ill or or who relies them. Click here for course details, dates and booking info.