February News

This month's newsletter is full of news and updates, including information about local services and ways of getting involved as an Expert by Experience:

• Healthy eating workshops
• Have your say: Barnet Council scrutiny 
• Suicide prevention: 19 February 
• Call for Experts by Experience: Mental Health Act  
• New Barnet Hospital entrance

As always, you can contact us if you would like to share your views on health and social care in Barnet.

Healthy Heart

Our Healthy Heart team have had a busy few weeks, working with peers in Barnet’s African, Caribbean and South Asian communities to promote heart health. In addition to our usual rota of events, we’ve started delivering our new 'Food Bingo' workshops to community groups. So far, we’ve provided sessions for residents at the Barnet African Caribbean Association, Burnt Oak Nepalese Community Group and at an Age UK Barnet event. 

These fun and educational healthy eating workshops have been developed in consultation with our Clinical Reference Group. They promote heart health through learning about:

• 5 a day foods
• Healthy carbs (e.g., quinoa, wholemeal pasta)
• Proteins (e.g. fish, tofu)
• Healthy oils (e.g. flaxseed, sunflower)
• Reminders to maintain good habits like reducing salt and staying active.

For more information, see our Healthy Heart webpages.

Barnet Council - scrutiny survey

Are there local services which you think could be improved, for the benefit of the whole community? Barnet Council is consulting the public on their scrutiny priorities for 2025/26. 

To share your views, fill in their short survey by 28 February (scroll down to 'Suggest a topic' to access the survey). 

As well as council services, you can suggest other public service organisations for scrutiny, including the NHS, police and housing associations. All suggestions will be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in June, and those agreed will become part of the committee's workplan. 

More details are on the Barnet Council website. To request a paper questionnaire or another format, or if you would like someone to help you complete the questionnaire, email scrutiny@barnet.gov.uk 

Workshop: 19 February

Influence Barnet’s Suicide Prevention Strategy by sharing your experiences - workshop on 19 February. 

Do you have lived experience of  suicidal thoughts, or of losing someone to suicide? This session will provide a safe, supportive environment and help guide the development of Barnet's Suicide Prevention Strategy, to improve support for others.

If you are a resident of Barnet over the age of 18  and you feel comfortable talking about your experiences and listening to the experiences of others, this group is for you. Vouchers will be provided as a thankyou for your time. 

This Lived Experience Workshop will take place on Weds 19 February at The Network, 24 Hendon Lane London N3 1TR, from 11am to 1pm - register here. 

Call for Experts by Experience

Do you have experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act? Or are you a relative or carer of someone who has been through this experience? 

Barnet Council is bringing together a panel, including people with lived experienced of Mental Health Act assessments, to help improve the process. 

The panel, planned for April 2025, will review the work of Approved Mental Health Practitioners, who carry out Mental Health Act assessments. There are options to join the panel either online or in person. Full preparation and support will be provided, and participants will receive vouchers as part of the council’s reward and recognition policy.

To express your interest or learn more, email: engage.adults@barnet.gov.uk

New Barnet Hospital entrance

Barnet Hospital's renovated Urgent Treatment Centre is now open. The new entrance is located to the right of the hospital’s main entrance.  

All visitors to the Urgent Treatment Centre and Accident and Emergency (A&E) can now use this dedicated front door. On arrival, patients will be given an initial assessment in the Urgent Treatment Centre  and, if necessary, transferred to A&E for further care.

More work is planned, including on the hospital's ambulance handover area.