Helping local community groups give residents good information about health services
We are collaborating with nine local community organisations to run a series of workshops in May. The workshops are designed to give residents that don't have English as a first language better access to health services.
One of the women who came along to our first workshop told me it was great to learn about the Stroke Navigator.
Health information workshops
Previous research has helped us understand where the gaps in awareness of local health services are. We prepared a series of information slides which partners have translated, or are presenting in English along with interpreting support for those that need it.
- Participants are often pleasantly surprised to learn that weekend and evening GP appointments are readily available in the borough.
- We cover key topics such as interpreting services, and your right to choose where you go for hospital treatment.
- We're promoting navigation services. For example in Islington we have a Stroke Navigator and a Dementia Navigator, who help people affected by these respective conditions to find their way to all kinds of support available in the community.
Participants are also being helped to resolve any problems they are currently having accessing services, for example because their GP won't make a referral, or because they don't know what support is available to help them as a carer.
Maria Gonzalez who is leading the project for Healthwatch, feels that the workshops will make a real difference for local people.
'The organisations we're working with play a really important role in connecting people to help and support in the community.
'One of the women who came along to our first workshop told me it was great to learn about the Stroke Navigator Service. She remembered being visited by them after her husband had his stroke but there was just so much going on at the time because he was getting discharged from hospital, and unfortunately she lost their details. Now she's going to get back in touch to ask them what additional support they can provide.'
Which organisations are involved?
Health information workshops are being delivered by the following community organisations:
Latin American Women's Rights Service, IMECE Women's Centre, Islington Somali Community, Community Language Support Services, Islington Bangladesh Association, Arachne Greek Cypriot Women's Group, Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women's Organisation, Eritrean Community in the UK, Jannaty Women's Social Society
