Welcome to the October issue of your Healthwatch Barnet newsletter

This month's newsletter is full of news and updates, including special events from our partners. Included in this issue:

• Research Coordinator vacancy
• Barnet Patient Voices Group
• Black History Month
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• World Mental Health Day

As always, you can get in touch by email or phone if you would like to share your views on health and social care in Barnet.

Research Coordinator

We are looking for a new Research Coordinator. 

Are you passionate about patient and public engagement, effecting system change, and improving services?  Are you confident to design and carry out research, and tell the story of the findings in briefings and reports?  Are you a well-organised project coordinator, with great attention to detail? If so, we’d love to work with you to improve the experiences of people using health and social care services in Barnet.

In return for your commitment to the cause, you will become part of a friendly and supportive team, working within a focused but flexible culture, where diversity is valued and you can bring your whole self to work. 

Please note, this post is only open to people with lived experience of disability, including mental health issues or another long-term health condition. 

To apply for this role, please see the link below.

Barnet Patient Voices Group

At Healthwatch Barnet, we like to promote patient involvement in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of health services. This month the NHS Royal Free London Trust have an opportunity for you to get more involved in the work of Barnet Hospital.

The Barnet Patient Voices Group (BPVG) is a group of patients and carers who have an interest in Barnet Hospital. It is run by the Barnet Hospital patient experience team. The group meet online each month, for an hour and a half, to discuss the latest projects taking place at Barnet Hospital and to offer their views. They ask members for a minimum commitment of attending six out of 12 meetings a year.

For more information, please see below. If you'd like to apply to join the group, contact Barnet Patient Voices at rf.bh-patientexperience@nhs.net for an application form and to discuss any questions.

Black History Month

The NHS was founded 75 years ago, in 1948 - the same year that the passengers of HMT Empire Windrush disembarked at the Port of Tilbury. Many passengers who migrated to Britain after the Second World War would go on to work for the NHS. 

This Black History month, events are taking place across Barnet. The 2023 theme of ‘Celebrating our Sisters’ highlights the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities.

At Healthwatch, we are particularly keen to celebrate the huge contribution which the black and minority ethic community have made to building the NHS. 

In 1948, an unprecedented number of healthcare staff were needed for Britain’s new health service. Many of these workers came from abroad. Indeed, seven passengers on the Empire Windrush listed their occupations as ‘Nurse’. These included Ena Clare Sullivan - you can find out more about her life in the national archives. 

Today, the NHS workforce represents over 200 nationalities - doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, domestic staff and porters. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 55,400 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year.

This year we wanted to remind you to check your chest regularly - if you are unsure of how to do this, please visit Coppa Feel!

Breast cancer is a common cancer, but it is treatable: 9 in 10 women survive breast cancer for 5 years. In some cases breast cancer may be preventable. Lifestyle factors can lower the risks, as can being tested for the BRCA gene. If close family members have had breast cancer, then speak to your doctor to determine if genetic testing may lower your risks. 

For more information on the statistics above, see Breast Cancer Now: Breast cancer facts | Breast Cancer Now

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is on the 10th of October. This year we wanted to remind you that there are resources out there to help you if you are struggling, which can be found here: Mental Health Resources | Healthwatch Barnet. Winter can be a difficult time, with the nights drawing in earlier, so those of us experiencing mental health difficulties may feel more affected. 

Self care is incredibly important so we pulled together some things you could do to help during this time: 

1. Keeping up physical activity and movement - it may be cold, but being outside - even briefly - can help us feel more grounded
2. Accessing community to feel more connected with others - this could be in-person or online
3. Keeping a mood diary - this can help with noticing patterns, understanding what helps lift our mood and what triggers us
4. Incorporating periods of relaxation and rest into our days, even when we are very busy!