SWANO - The South West Alliance of Neurological Organisations
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news and events

calendarIf you would like to receive occasional news from SWANO, as well as information about future events, simply click on the button below, which will open up a blank email. There's no need to do anything other than send the email and we will be in touch with news of any forthcoming events. We won't use this information for any other purpose.

SWANO events

Please use this link for news and event information requests only. For all other correspondence please use the links on the contacts page.


Latest news - February 2010

Important Care Quality Commission consultation
In February the Care Quality Commision published a consultation Assessment of quality in 2010/11, which includes neurology as one of the subjects for their future special review programme. This represents an important opportunity. Further information here ......


National Carers' Survey

  • Do you spend several hours a day caring for an adult aged 18-65 years old with a long term neurological condition?
  • Would you like to influence change in services that allow carers to take a break?

If the answer to both of these questions is "yes" then a Kings College research team would like to hear from you. They have been commissioned by the Department of Health to find out about carers' need for and experience of replacement care services (also known as respite care). They would like carers to complete a survey to help them do this. If you are interested further details are available on their website at: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/medicine/depts/palliative/arp/eval/carers.html


Devon news
New specialist Parkinson's nursing service in Devon started by the PCT with financial support from PDS. For further info contact Lee Baxter on lee.baxter@nhs.net


Neurological study day 8th February 2010
South Wiltshire Special Interest Group for progressive neurological conditions invite you to 'Neurology Matters', a study day aimed at providing a basic overview of some of the most common neurological conditions. Download flyer and booking form here.


Gloucestershire news
Neurological Commissioning Support (a joint initiative between MSS, MNDA and PDS), is completing a review of all neurological services in the county. For further info contact Mike McKevitt on mike.mckevitt@mndassociation.org

Two additional Parkinson's Disease Nurse specialist posts have been established by the PCT with financial support from the PDS - currently being recruited. For further info contact Geoff King on gking@parkinsons.org.uk


New research from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care
View a South West PCT by PCT breakdown of shortfalls in spending of government funds allocated for breaks for carers. More info here


Cornwall news
Free fitness programmes from Cornwall & Isles of Scilly PCT extended - more info here


North Somerset news
A review of Quality Requirements for NSF for LTNCs is underway. For further info contact Ruth Gazzane on Ruth.Gazzane@nsomerset-pct.nhs.uk


Planning care:  the patient's perspective
This new report from the Royal College of Nursing and National Voices by Patient View highlights the value of service user involvement at every stage of care planning. Download a copy of the report here


Prevalence figures for MS revised upwards
New research released by the MS Society shows that there are likely to be around 100,000 people with MS in the UK - a 20 per cent increase on previous estimates. This suggests that there are likely to be in excess of 9,000 people living with MS in the SW. More info..>>


Monitoring NSF implementation
SWANO is currently helping the national Neurological Alliance to monitor progress on implementation of the Long-term (Neurological) Conditions National Service Framework (NSF) in the South West. The results will be published on the SWANO website and elsewhere in due course. PCTs can complete the online survey here.


Levers for Change - 1st May, Taunton
In partnership with the SW Long Term Conditions Team SWANO helped to make the Levers for Change event in Taunton a great success. All presentations from the event can be downloaded from here


SWANO joins national Neurological Alliance
SWANO has joined the Neurological Alliance (NA), a national organisation campaigning to ensure that everyone with a neurological condition can access high-quality services and good information from their first symptoms, throughout their life. Website: www.neural.org.uk


SWANO working with Great Western Ambulance Service
Knowledge of individual neurological conditions amongst ambulance staff is variable and, despite best intentions, personnel are not always fully aware of the complexities of some of the conditions encountered. SWANO is working currently with the Great Western Ambulance Service to support its staff in working with people with different conditions. Watch this space for latest developments.




Events in 2009
calendar Levers for Change 01.05.09 Taunton
In partnership with the SW Long Term Conditions Team SWANO helped to make this Levers for Change event a great success. All presentations from the event can be downloaded from here

Events in 2008

calendar Making the Connections 12.04.08 Taunton
This event saw the launch of SWANO's directory of information about neurological conditions and organisations in the South West. You can read about the day and download speakers' presentations here.

calendar Neuro Study Day 10.09.08

The Vassall Centre
Gill Avenue
Fishponds
Bristol
BS16 2QQ

Tel/Minicom: 0117 965 3651
Directions

NB Please do not contact the Vassall Centre for details of this event (see below)

The Vassall Centre

This informative event provided:

  • An overview of prevalence of different neurological conditions
  • Up to date information on symptoms and management
  • Information on how SWANO member voluntary organisations can provide assistance and support for families
  • Information on how we can support health and social care professionals to plan and commission care and support

Speaker biographies

Sue Waldon-Smith, Neurology Nurse Practitioner, North Bristol NHS Trust
Sue qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1988, having undertaken her training at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff . Following experience in General Surgery, she moved work in neurosurgery, initially at Charing Cross Hospital , then at Barts, the National Hospital for Neurological Diseases and in Maida Vale. She undertook a neuroscience post-registration course at Atkinson Morleys Wimbledon 1990.

Having worked as a neurosurgical sister for 7 years, she took a post as a Ward Manager on a neurology ward. She moved to Bristol in 2004 and is currently working in the Department of Neurology at Frenchay Hospital as a Neurology Nurse Practitioner with a specialist interest in MND, peripheral neuropathy and dystonia.

Hilary Fairfield, Regional Care Development Adviser, MND Association
Hilary has worked for the Motor Neurone Disease Association as the Regional Care Development Adviser for the West of England since March 2006. Her role is to improve services for people with MND in the area, through working collaboratively with Primary Care Trusts, Social Services Departments and professional staff. She also advises and supports people with MND and their families, as required.

Hilary spent 30 years in the NHS, having originally trained as a nurse, midwife and health visitor, before undertaking a number of management and Director roles within health and social services.

Jill Lyons, Specialist Nurse, PSP Association
Jill is the PSP/CBD Nurse specialist working for the PSP Association, covering South Wales and South West England. Her job is to support people living with PSP/CBD and their carers via telephone, local support group and at clinics. Jill has been working for the PSP Association since January 2008, prior to this role she worked in Care of the Elderly and Stroke rehabilitation.

Daiga Heisters, National Education Advisor, Parkinson's Disease Society
Daiga is a registered nurse and has always been passionate about the contribution of nurses to patient care. Having trained at Leicester General Hospital in the early 1980's her career has taken her from clinical nursing posts into management and clinical education within the Health Services of England and Latvia . She joined the Parkinson's Disease Society in September 2007 to take on the newly created role of National Education Advisor.

Her role enables her to influence education policy and delivery to enhance the knowledge of all health and social care professionals, thus improving care for people with Parkinson's.  

Jane Andrews, Chief Executive Officer, Headway Bristol
With a background in industry originally in sales and marketing and later in business management Jane joined Headway Bristol as CEO in November 2007. Since then she admits to being on a very steep learning curve with regard to brain injury as well as the voluntary sector generally and it's role and relationships with the PCTs, NHS Trusts and Community Care.

Jane states: “I am amazed by the complexity not only of the symptoms of people with brain injuries, but also of the path they and their families and carers have to take through the health and social issues which they face.”

Denise Owens, MS Specialist Nurse, North Bristol NHS Trust
Following qualification, Denise worked as a ward sister on a Young Disabled Unit for people with Neurological conditions for twelve years.

She has been working as a MS Specialist Nurse in Bristol since March 2003, based at Frenchay Hospital.


Sue Waldon Smith
Denise Owens

Speakers' presentations

Additional presentations will be uploaded when available


Hilary Fairfield - Motor Neurone Disease Download Powerpoint presentation



Sue Waldon-Smith - Anatomy & Physiology of the Brain and Spinal Cord Download Powerpoint presentation



Jill Lyons - Nurse Specialist - PSP Association
Download Powerpoint presentation

Across the NHS South West, there are estimated to be nearly one million people living with some type of neurological condition. Check out the figures here: The number of people living with a long term condition in the NHS South West area

 

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