A disabilty is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities i.e. hearing impaired, sight impaired, has a mental health diagnosis, wheelchair user, has dyslexia, ME, etc.
Our practice is currently training staff in Disability Awareness. The session aims to enhance working practice making staff more aware of the needs of people with varying disabilities, this in turn provides a better service for our patients. The following
short film is included in our training which our staff have found very beneficial.
Patient information leaflet
Please click here
Useful Contacts
Advocacy - if you need some independent support finding an advocate might be an option for you. For more information click here
Mencap - Please click here to access the Mencap website.
Stroke Association - click here here to access the Stroke Association website.
Visually impaired - Please click here to download the Wiltshire Sight services leaflet.
Parkinsons - Please click here to access the Parkinson's uk website OR for a Parkinson's Local Advisor, who can help you with:
- Up to date information on Parkinson's
- Emotional support for you and your family
- Information about links to local services
Contact Lucy Scott, Tel 0344 228 3696, Email: Adciser9.southwest@parkinsons.org.uk
Accessible Information Standard
The Accessible Information Standard aims to make sure that disabled people have access to information that they can understand and any communication support they might need.
Do you have any particular communication preferences? For example, do you have impaired sight and therefore need us to write to you in large print?
Please make reception aware of your preferences so that we can make a note in your medical record and comply with your request.
Further information can be obtained by clicking here
New Directory of Services
Wiltshire Council in partnership with Health Watch has launched this new directory of services website, which has a wealth of information.
Please follow the link below for more information.
http://www.yourcareyoursupportwiltshire.org.uk/content/distributionform.aspx?id=16811&itemid=16811
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Wiltshire People 1st - seeking new members
Wiltshire People 1st is a self-advocacy organisation run, with support, by people with learning difficuties. We work to make sure people with learning difficulties are treated fairly and included.
Our Young People's Group meets once a month. It gives those aged 17-25 with learning diffculties the opportunity to meet other people and speak up for themselves about things are important to them.
For more information click here
BOOKING TRANSPORT
PATIENT TRANSPORT TRAVEL DESK
Following discussions last year, Kennet and North Wiltshire and West Wiltshire PCTs, and Swindon PCT are now working in partnership with Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust to provide a Health Transport Travel Desk to arrange the requests for non emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS). This service will provide a Patient Transport Travel Desk situated within the ambulance PTS Control room and have direct access to the ambulance booking system. The service is available for an initial pilot period of 6 months.
HOW DO I BOOK TRANSPORT?
As a result of the above changes, patients are now required to book their own transport, using the following guidelines.
- If it’s your first outpatient appointment at a particular department then please call the patient transport team on 0845 120 5582 (Great Western Ambulance Service Trust). If you are travelling to the Royal United Hospital (RUH) please telephone 01225 826826.
- If it is a follow-up appointment, or you are being admitted then contact the relevant department at the hospital / treatment centre.
Please note that at least 48 hours notice is needed to book transport, therefore you should phone as soon as you get your appointment.
The service will be available between 08.00 and 17.00 Monday to Fridays and transport will be provided free of charge when the patient has a medical need.
THE LINK
A service staffed by volunteers and although there is no fare, they do ask for a donation. If you need help to attend an appointment at the surgery, the hospital or to collect a prescription, please call Link on 07957 367124 (Bradford on Avon) or 07979 129052 (Melksham) or visit their website for more information www.wiltslink.org.uk
WILTSHIRE HOPPER
For travel to and from the Royal United Hospital, Bath. There is a fare to use this service. Please arrange by telephoning 01985 212 213
WILTSHIRE COUNCIL'S BUS TIMETABLE
Comprehensive and up to date timetables can be printed from the traveline website. Please click on the following link to be taken to their page: http://www.traveline.info/
If you are unable to get hold of your timetable via this way, please phone the customer care team on 0300 456 0100.
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Save the RUH Hopper Bus Service!
Connect2 provides patients with a choice of bookable journeys at affordable rates, operating Monday-Friday, from West Wiltshire and some North Wiltshire towns and villages to the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath.
If you would like to support the Connect2 Bus Service then please sign an online petition to prevent this service from being removed:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/campaign-to-save-ruh-hopper-bus
or contact:
Councillors Terry Chivers, Jeff Osborn, Helen Osborn and let them know your views.