Here are a selection on useful questions and answers on health and social care services. Email us at info@healthwatchcroydon.co.uk with your suggested questions and we will try to find an answer them.
General Terms
Not sure what all those abbreviations mean when you talk to to health professionals? Use the NHS Confederation ‘acronym buster’
Accessing or changing services
If you are referred to hospital or other NHS services for NHS specialist treatment or diagnostic tests by your doctor, dentist or other health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)
Find out more at http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcosts/pages/Travelcosts.aspx
Your hospital, doctor, consultant or occupational therapist may refer you for an NHS assessment to decide what wheelchair or mobility equipment you are entitled to on the NHS. This may be a wheelchair provided by the NHS or vouchers to give you more choice.
You may choose to buy or hire equipment yourself.
Information on choosing mobility equipment, wheelchairs and scooters and how to get help:
Information about where to loan or hire a wheelchair in Croydon:
https://www.croydon.gov.uk/healthsocial/adult-care/support-at-home/adaptations/suppliers
You can change your GP at any time without having to give a reason.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1088.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=158
Carers
Many carers don’t realise that they’re missing out on a National Insurance credit. Each year’s credit could boost their State Pension by £230 a year once they reach State Pension age (2016/17 figures). (Jill Robson DWP)
Watch a short video on Pension Tube which explains Carers’ Credit
Go to www.gov.uk/carers-credit for more information
Care homes and home care
There are regulations that protect care home residents and those who visit them, such as their partners, family and friends.
Read this guidance from the Care Quality Commission: http://www.cqc.org.uk/help-advice/what-expect-good-care-services/visiting-someone-care-home
The care home staff should make it as easy as possible for you to visit your relative or friend. They should respect your relationship and give you as much privacy as they can.
Making a complaint should not cause problems for the resident or their relatives.
Read this quick guide to arranging your home care to find out:
- What you can expect from a good home care service
- Where to find information
- What to do if you are not happy with the standard of care