New to Wincanton Cares
Concerned about heating bills? Need extra help but can’t afford it? Wincanton Cares is very pleased to introduce our Benefits Officer: Michael Pagan
Find out about benefits you might be entitled to. Meet Michael at home or at a convenient location for you. Discover non-means tested benefits without discussing savings. (Even with savings, you may qualify for non-means tested benefits.) Michael is now part of Wincanton Cares and, like us, he can be trusted. We are delivering free support to older people across the BA9 postcode every single day. Contact him in any of these ways:
Phone: 07514 752 607
Email: michaelpagan@balsamcentre.org.uk
All Change at the NHS?
I must admit, until it was announced that NHS England was to be abolished, I hardly knew it existed. Born in 1946, I thought we jumped from Dr Finlay’s Casebook straight to the NHS via Call the Midwife. But it is not quite like that.
NHS England came into being in April 2012. It is (or was) an ‘arms-length body’ designed to operate independently from the government but remains accountable to it through the Department of Health and Social Care. It is run by experienced healthcare professionals and helps shield the NHS from political interference. It provides national leadership, staff training, information and equipment, aiming for high-quality care and value for money. The Government proposes to amalgamate NHS England with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), bringing the NHS directly under Government control. Previously, the DHSC dealt with funding, administrative, and policy matters; now it will be responsible for the NHS and Social Care as a whole.
How will this affect us, the people of Somerset?
Currently, NHS England runs forty-two Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in different regions of England. Somerset’s Integrated Care Board, also known as NHS Somerset or ‘Our Somerset’ (https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk) brings together various county organizations like hospitals, primary care (GPs, pharmacies, dentists, optometry), social care, local councils, hospices, mental health facilities, and various voluntary communities to create an integrated care system (ICS). Part of this ICS network is the NHS Foundation Trust (https://somersetft.nhs.uk), run by a board of Trustees. It includes our two main hospitals in Taunton and Yeovil and owns and runs Symphony. While most Doctor’s Surgeries are owned and run by individual doctors or partnerships, Symphony owns and runs several surgeries, including Bruton, Martock, and our own Wincanton Health Centre.
The Government plans to introduce improvements to the service over ten years. The amalgamation of NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care is due to take about two years. It is likely that improvements will happen gradually. Changes will slowly unfold. We can live in hope, not panic.
Healthwatch
https://www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/
Phone: 800 999 1286
Open: Mon-Thurs. 9am – 5pm; Friday 9am- 3pm
Amidst the change, there is an organisation that is looking out for us all. Healthwatch acts as the collective voice of the public about health and social care. They want to ensure that those running services put people at the heart of care. Their sole purpose is to understand our needs, concerns and experiences and to speak out on our behalf. No matter how big or small the issue, they want to hear about it from us. Among other things, for example, Healthwatch have helped Wincanton Health Centre’s Patient Participation Group to canvas for a Pharmacy back on the High Street.
What Can Wincanton Library Do for You?
One of the wonderful (if dangerous) things about being human is our capacity for curiosity. It allows us to learn and our minds to expand. In the beginning there was language, our own experience and observation but once we learned ‘the three Rs’ our minds could also learn from books. And when libraries were born learning could be stored and saved.
The Internet, especially with AI, could be more dangerous to our fragile minds – the jury is still out – but we are still going to need reading. And we will still need electricity and rare earths to manufacture and sustain the internet. With climate change and the need for preservation of carbon, books will surely win out – especially if they are FREE from the library!
There are glorious books for children in the Library as well as Storytimes. Every Tuesday at 10.30 in term time there is Rhyme Time for babies. For those who missed out as children there is ‘Read Easy’ – help for adults to learn to read.
There are information books and novels that expand our practical and emotional intelligence. There are book groups and a poetry group so we can meet others for discussion and ideas.
The Library means we can explore other minds – in print or online or live. Did you know that if you have difficulty in getting out of the house the Library will come to you? A friendly Library volunteer will ask you what books you like and arrange to visit you, regularly bringing your books. If you can get to the library and need a computer you are welcome to use one there with always a friendly person to help.
The Library is a safe place for homework or reading and a warm place to be in the winter. There is the occasional coffee morning – the next one is on Saturday 17th May.
Be curious! Visit, explore and have a cup of tea or coffee and a cake!
Opening Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30-1.30, 2.30-5.00, Closed Thursday and bank holidays, Saturday 9.30-12.00.
Neighbourhood Watch Suggests!
What to do to protect yourself from holiday fraud
Check the travel company is legitimate: Do some research first to check, especially if you haven’t used them before. Use consumer websites or reviews from people or organisations that you trust.
Look for these logos of protective insurance organisations on your company’s website:
ABTA (https://www.abta.com)
ABTOT (https://www.abtot.com/abtot-members-directory/)
ATOL (https://www.atol.org)
Use a credit card to pay (if you have one). They usually protect online purchases.
When making a payment only fill in the mandatory details (often marked with an asterisk) such as your address. It’s better not to create an account for the store unless you want to become a regular customer.
Enable 2-step verification if it is available and report any suspicious email to: report@phishing.gov.uk
Regular Monthly Meetings and Events
And finally. If you need help right now:
Or contact us on 07834 597893
