Covers serviceswithin the districts:3 Lichfield

3 South Staffordshire

3 Tamworth

Health & Social CareSupport Directory2013 - 14

ContentsContents

DisclaimerThis directory has been compiled to cover health and social care options throughout the South East Staffordshire and SeisdonPeninsula 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 May 2013.

Healthwatch Staffordshire - About us

Have your say

Healthwatch Champions

NHS Complaints Support Service

South East Staffordshire & Seisdon Peninsula

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 & Support

Care in your home

Choosing between residential care and independent living

Residential & Nursing Care 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

• Will pass information, issues and concerns tohealth 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 committed tosupporting 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 is free,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

SOUTH EAST STAFFORDSHIRE & SEISDON PENINSULA

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 the South EastStaffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula CCG.There are 31 member practices catering forthe population of around 210,000 across thetwo distinct localities, including

South East Staffordshire

• Lichfield• Burntwood• Tamworth

Seisdon Peninsula

• Codsall• Wombourne• Kinver• Penkridge

The CCG has established three key prioritieswhich have been selected to address localhealth needs. These priorities are:

• Frail Older People• Long Term Conditions• Quality Improvement

As approximately 8% of the total CCG populationis aged over 75, there is a need for them tosupport this group, to ensure that suitabledecisions are made for these individuals inrelation to their care. In the long term they wishto reduce both the number of hospitaladmissions and length of stay for this group.

South East Staffordshire and Seisdon PeninsulaCCG is committed to working in partnership withlocal people and organisations to ensure thatthe services they commission are in line withthe needs of the community. Already they havebegun to develop strong links with localauthorities, other NHS organisations, localhospices, charities and other groups in andacross Staffordshire and in the NorthBirmingham and Wolverhampton areas.

CLINICAL COMMISIONING GROUP

Getting Involved with the CCG

“One of the first areas the CCG have focusedon, alongside business development, isengagement.” South East Staffordshire andSeisdon Peninsula CCG is committed toproviding high quality healthcare thatgenuinely reflects the needs of the localpopulation. It is therefore vital that theylisten to what the community has to say abouthealthcare services. As such they arecommitted to genuine and proactiveengagement with anyone who wants to workwith them to achieve their aims.

In order to engage with patients and thecommunity they serve, they are currentlyestablishing the ‘NHS In Touch’ scheme, whichenables an individual to have a say indesigning and shaping health services in theirlocality.

By completing an ‘In Touch’ registration form,the individual’s details will be recorded on aconfidential database. An In Touch newsletterwill then be sent to keep members of thescheme up to date with developments in theCCG and let them know how they can getinvolved.

South East Staffordshire and SeisdonPeninsula 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 the South East Staffordshire and SeisdonPeninsula CCG the majority of practicesalready have an existing PPG. To getinvolved, contact your local GP Practice, andsee if they currently have an existing group. Ifthere isn't yet a PPG at your practice, ask ifthey are planning to set one up.

For more information about NHS South EastStaffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula CCG visit:- www.sesandspccg.nhs.uk

Write to:-

NHS South East Staffordshire and SeisdonPeninsula Clinical Commissioning GroupMerlin HouseEtchell RoadTamworthStaffordshireB78 3HFTelephone: - 01827 306132Email: - sessp.ccg@nhs.net

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 per cent 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 South East Staffordshire andSeisdon Peninsula and what your choices are.

Choose Well

A&E 999 ACCIDENT AND EmERGENCyOpen 8am - 10pm, 365 days a year.The A&E department in South East

Staffordshire and the SeisdonPeninsula is at : Stafford Hospital -Weston Road, Stafford ST16 3SA

The Emergency Department is for ambulance traffic and criticalor life-threatening situations only, and you should only go there

or call 999 if immediate emergency care is needed.

NHS WALk-INCENTRE

Walk-in centres treat minorillnesses and injuries that don’t

need a visit to A&E.

Burntwood Health and Well-BeingCentre - High Street, Chasetown,

Burntwood WS7 3XH,Telephone: - 01543 687440 (Appointment are needed).

Open 8am - 10pm, 365 days a year

mINOR INjURy UNITS

Lichfield - Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, Trent ValleyRoad, Lichfield, WS13 6EF Telephone: 01543 412900

Tamworth - Sir Robert Peel Hospital, Plantation Lane, Mile Oak,Tamworth, B78 3NG Telephone: 01827 263800

South Staffordshire - Holly Hall Clinic, Stourbridge Road,Dudley, DY1 2ER Telephone: 0330 1239225

OUT OF HOURS URGENT CARE

If you live in Tamworth or Lichfield you should contact theStaffordshire Doctors urgent care on 0300 7900247If you live in the Seisdon Peninsula you should contact Primecareon 0300 5550277

GP GP Surgery Our GP surgeries also have trainednurses who can give advice, take

tests diagnose and be able totreat many illnesses that used to

be only dealt with by doctors.

Our GP Surgeries also have trained nurses who can give advice,take tests, diagnose and be able to treat many illnesses thatused to be only dealt with by doctors.

PHARmACIST PHARmACIST

Go to a pharmacist if you havethe symptoms of a cough, cold or

think you’ve got the flu.

You can speak to any pharmacist for advice on how to treat lotsof minor injuries and common complaints such as coughs, colds,bites, stings, aches and pains. They also offer help and provideadvice with healthy living issues such as losing weight or givingup smoking.

NHS 111 NHS 111NHS 111 is available 24 hours a

day, and is free to call fromlandlines and mobiles and offersconfidential health advice and

information

Is a new national telephone service if you need medical helpfast, but it’s not life - threatening. NHS 111 provides a new wayto ensure people receive the right care, from the right person,in the right time and place.

SELF – CARE SELF CAREEnsure your medicine cabinet iswell stocked with.• Anti-diarrheal medicine • Paracetamol or aspirin• Rehydration mixture• Indigestion mixture• Thermometer• Plasters

Many patients make appointments to see their Doctor or Nurse,when they could be using a well stocked medicines cabinet orvisiting a pharmacist to treat their symptoms – and getting thesame help or advice a lot quicker. Self care is the very bestchoice you can make for treating very minor illnesses andinjuries.

CHOOSE WELL

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

Lichfield GP Address Telephone

South Staffs GP Address Telephone

Tamworth GP Address Telephone

GP SURGERIES

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

The next time you or a family member needs healthcareadvice or information, don't forget that you can pop intoyour local Boots pharmacy to access a range of services andchecks.

Your local Boots pharmacist can help answer your questions,give you advice and support or treatment and may just saveyou a trip to the doctor

Our in-store pharmacy servicesWhether it's a relatively minor problem, such as head lice inyour children's hair, or more urgent problems, such as theneed for emergency contraception, your Boots pharmacyteam may be able to help.

Lichfield Pharmacy Address Telephone

South Staffs Pharmacy Address Telephone

Tamworth Pharmacy Address Telephone

PHARMACIES

DENTISTS

Lichfield Dentist Address Telephone

South Staffs Dentist Address Telephone

Tamworth Dentist Address Telephone

Always ask your dentist whether thetreatment they're recommending isavailable on the NHS and how muchit will cost before you go ahead.

Emergency Dental ServiceDental Access Centres are available totreat patients who need emergencytreatment. This service gives priority topain relief and urgent care. Not alldentists take on NHS patients, youshould check before hand.

Emergency Dentist out ofhours: 07731 107470

Emergency Dentist normalworking hours: 111

OPTICIANS & HEARING CENTRES

Lichfield Optician Address Telephone

South Staffs Optician Address Telephone

Tamworth Optician 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

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 are lookingafter a friend or relative, who because of disability, illness or the effects of oldage, 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

Aids and Adaptations If you or a member of your family has difficulty livingin your home due to a long-term illness or disability,you may be able to get help by adapting your hometo better meet your needs. You can apply to yourlocal council for a disabled facilities grant. The granthelps you adapt your home to make it suitable for adisabled person. Depending on your income, youmay need to pay towards the cost of the work to theproperty.

you could get a grant from your council ifyou’re disabled and need to make changesto your home, for example to:

• widen doors and install ramps• improve access to rooms and facilities - eg stair

lifts or a downstairs bathroom• provide a heating system suitable for your needs• adapt heating or lighting controls to make them

easier to use

How can I find out more about the aids andadaptations that would help me?

Contact your social services department at yourlocal council about what difficulties you are havingat home. They will send an occupational therapistto carry out an assessment and provide advice onwhich equipment or housing adaptation needs suityou best.

Assistive Technology can help vulnerable peopleand their carers live more independently in thereown homes.

Telecare, which is part of assistive technology,can support people whose sight, hearing orcognition may have deteriorated. This could bedue to physical or mental conditions which mayhave a long-term effect on their health andwellbeing.

There are many Telecare devices whichautomatically alert a 24-hour monitoring centreor your chosen carer, should you need assistance.There are also Telehealth solutions which monitormedical conditions in your own home, speak toyour 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 can also be of assistance to carers of people with Dementia, Physical Disabilities, Learning Disabilities and Long Term Care medical Conditions.

ADVICE ON PAYING FOR CARE

Care and support services are means-tested and are not free toeveryone. Most people have to pay something towards their owncare and some will have to pay for all of the costs. Who paysdepends on what your needs are, how much money you have, andwhat level and type of care and support you require.

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. Theseoptions depend on your need for care and support, as well as yourpersonal and 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.

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 AND SUPPORT

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. Speak to your local Healthwatch about finding out how to find a personal assistant.

A list of the care agencies registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), who are located in theSouth Staffordshire District localities 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 your locality visitwww.cqc.org.uk or scan the QR CODE with your Smartphone.

CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME

Care Agency Address Telephone

CHOOSING BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL CARE AND INDEPENDENT LIVING

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 withinyour locality visit www.cqc.org.uk or scan the QR CODE WITH yOUR SmARTPHONE

RESIDENTIAL & NURSING

South Staffs Residential Address Telephone

South Staffs Nursing & Residential Address Telephone

NURSING & RESIDENTIAL

Lichfield Residential Address Telephone

Lichfield Residential & Nursing Address Telephone

Tamworth Residential Address Telephone

Tamworth Nursing & Residential Address Telephone

HELP & ADVICE

Age UK South StaffordshirePenkridge Resource Centre, The Roller Mill

Teddesley Road, Penkridge STAFFORD ST19 5BDTel: 01785 788 477 or 01785 788 499

Information and Advice ServiceInformation and advice officers are trained to provide information on a vast range of topics from benefit entitlement to housing and

home safety to long term care. General advice on how to deal with issues with utility companies, telesales calls and doorstep callers

or simply find a tradesperson is also available.

Covers Lichfield, South Staffordshire, and Tamworth

West Midlands Area Office8-9 Windsor Court, Trent Valley Road

Lichfield, WS13 6EU Tel: 01543 255 955

Providing information and support to people with dementia and their carers/families across Staffordshire.

• Community Support • Day Centres • Dementia Cafés

South Staffordshire Citizens Advice BureauCivic Centre, Gravel Hill

WOMBOURNE, Staffordshire WV5 9HA Tel: 01902 897757

South East Staffordshire CitizensAdvice Bureau—Lichfield

29 Levetts Fields, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6HYTel: 08444 111 444

South East Staffordshire CitizensAdvice Bureau—Burntwood

Burntwood Office, Wade House,7 Cannock Road, Burntwood, Staffs WS7 1JS

Tel: 08444 111 444Tamworth Citizens Advice Bureau

The Philip Dix Centre, Corporation Street, Tamworth,Staffordshire B79 7DN

Tel: 01827 305950

Free, confidential, impartial and independent advice.

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

Helping people with a learning disability to speak up and make decisions about what is important to them.

Lines are open 9am - 5pm monday - Friday

0808 8081111

Call Carers Direct on

0808 802 0202

Call the Carers Direct helpline if you need help with your caring role andwant to talk to someone about what options are available to you. If youare 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 inEngland. Lines are open 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday (except bank

holidays), 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlinesand mobiles or you can request a free call back

HELP & ADVICE

South Staffordshire Network for Mental HealthMansell House, 22 Bore Street, Lichfield,

WS13 6LLTelephone: 01543 301139

Website: www.ssnmentalhealth.co.ukEmail: sunetwork@ssnmentalthealth.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ssnmentalhealthTwitter: @ssnmentalhealth

The South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health is a charity withinmental health to champion service user involvement and to ensure that

people with experience of mental illness have a say in how localservices are developed and delivered. They provide up to date and

useful information on local services and projects, signposting toservices helpful to an individual. They also provide a volunteerprogramme, helping people to make a difference within their

community, and challenge stigma and discrimination of people withexperience of mental illness. Individuals can join for free to receive SSN

Mental Health newsletter by post or email four times a year.

M.S Society - T Laurel Avenue, Polesworth,Tamworth, B78 1LT

Telephone: 01827 895719Website: www.mssociety.org.uk/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MSSocietyTwitter: @mssocietyuk

The MS Society is the UK’s leading MS charity, who provides informationand support to people with Multiple Sclerosis

Free MS HelplineThe helpline provides support to anyone affected by MS in the UK.

Lines are open 9am – 9pm Monday - Friday0808 800 8000

South Staffordshire Communitity & Voluntary Action 1 Stafford Street, Brewood, Stafford, ST19 9DX

Telephone: 01902 851675 Website: http://www.sscva.org.uk/info/

South Staffordshire Community and Voluntary Action is a localindependent registered charity that exists to promote, support and

encourage community and voluntary action throughout the rural districtof South Staffordshire

Staffordshire Neurological Alliance4 Bracken View, Brocton, Stafford, ST17 0TF

Website: www.staffsneurologicalalliance.org.uk/

The Staffordshire Neurological Alliance exists to provide a united voicefor those affected by any of the 80 or so neurological conditions and

address the wide disparity in provision across the county.

Rockspur, 2 Carter Avenue, Bilbrook,South Staffordshire, WV8 1HQ

Telephone: 01902844925Website: www.rockspur-house.co.uk/

Rockspur is an organisation with a difference; Rockspur is a servicefor adults with learning difficulties that is led by its members.

Rockspur is a user led service developed with its members at the heart. Rockspur has enabled a group of adults to find

their voices and realise their dreams.

Have your say on Health and Social Care.

Healthwatch StaffordshireCall us on 0800 051 8371 Or visit our website

www.healthwatchstaffordshire.co.ukor email at: enquiries@healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk

yourvoicecount

Making