Notes of the Disability Consultation Panel Held on Monday 5 December 2016 at 10.30am In, The Boardroom, the Cottage, Ballymena

Transcription

1 Notes of the Disability Consultation Panel Held on Monday 5 December 2016 at 10.30am In, The Boardroom, the Cottage, Ballymena Present: Elizabeth Black, Ballymena Access Marian Boyd, Disability Owl Shed Ken Boyle, Disability Owl Shed Lyn Campbell, Carers NI Claire Campbell, Susan Campbell, British Deaf Association Elaine Coulter, NHSCT Acute Services Rep John Davies, Mental Health Karen Eaton, Disability Owl Shed George Gorman, Ballee Visually Impaired Club Jackie Hogg, Compass Advocacy Network David Humphreys, Arthritis Care Alison Irwin, NHSCT Rosemary McAuley, Ballee Visually Impaired Club Samuel McAuley, Ballee Visually Impaired Club Donna Morgan, NHSCT Head of Service Learning Disability John Nicholl, Deafblind service user Marlene Ritchie, NHSCT, Physical Disability Rep Elizabeth Taylor, Guide Dogs for the Blind Torie Tennant, Guide Dogs for the Blind (Chair) Frank Warwick, Ballee Visually Impaired Club In Attendance: Rosie Budd, interpreter Alison McElvogue, interpreter Maire McCotter, volunteer co-ordinator Janet Beck, interpreter Donna McGlinchey, interpreter Mrs Irwin welcomed members to the meeting and introductions were made. 1

2 1. Apologies Jane Brady, NHSCT Human Resources rep Shaun Canny, RNIB John Carberry, service user Ann Collins, Mobilise Joy Hammond, NHSCT Mental Health rep Thomas Quigley, Jordanstown School Elvin Simpson, Autism Reference Group Chris Tay, NIAMH Advocacy Rep 2. Volunteer Co-Ordinator Maire McCotter, the new Volunteer Co-Ordinator for the Trust attended to seek advice from the Panel with regards to recruiting volunteers with disabilities. Volunteering is open to all and people with disabilities are currently under represented. Volunteering within the Trust comes in many forms such as meet and greet, hospital radio, befriending and help within adult centres. Panel members suggested that the recruitment process should not be seen as a barrier. Mr McAuley shared his experience of being interested in hospital radio but was told it would not be suitable as he is blind. Miss Tennant suggested that staff responsible for recruiting and other volunteers already in post should receive Disability training. Ms Susan Campbell queried if a deaf client would volunteer would the Trust pay for the sign language interpreter support. Miss Tennant asked what is expected of volunteers to ensure that there are clear boundaries as to where volunteering ends and staffing begins. Ms McCotter advised that there is currently an 8-10 week turnaround time from application process to being appointed. The maximum number of hours per week is 15.5hours but most volunteers start out doing 2 hours and then build it up. Volunteers can be aged 16+ and travel expenses are included. Mrs Lyn Campbell suggested advertising amongst young people as many may apply as part of Duke of Edinburgh. Ms McCotter to arrange a meeting with Hugh Nelson and Mrs Irwin to look at issues and come back to a later meeting with an update. 2

3 3. Notes of last meeting 26 September 2016 Mrs Irwin queried if anyone had been in touch with the Trust artist. Miss Tennant advised that she has put her name forward and Jackie Hogg advised that the Ballymena Base is also involved. Visual Awareness Training a team based within the Brook in Coleraine have requested Visual Awareness Training, Guiding a Blind person. Claire to talk to John Nicholl following the meeting. Letter to Pharmacies all 127 letters were issued and Mr McAuley helped the with any queries received from Pharmacies. Ballymena Health and Care Centre Mr McAuley and Miss Tennant advised that they would feel more comfortable carrying out Braille signage checks if an appointment was made and a member of Trust staff accompanied them around the building. to make contact with Diane Power or Dolores Scullion from Capital Development. Mrs Irwin provided an update on the wheelchairs at Ballymena HC Centre. Advice from Occupational Therapy is that the portering style wheelchairs are the most suitable for the reception. These are suitable for the clinic and if you require assistance a member of staff from the clinic should provide assistance. Mrs Irwin to forward the advice received to Ms Elizabeth Black for information. Panel members suggested establishing how other establishments such as Tesco or B&Q have self propelling wheelchairs readily available. Mrs Irwin to share the notes of this meeting with Craig Green and Shane Elliott. If anyone has any further information to help the case they should inform the. Regarding the tactile/corduroy markings around the staircase, Panel members again highlighted their concerns regarding safety and that it is not acceptable that this issue remains unresolved. Mrs Irwin explained that the Trust takes advice from specialists on safety and risks and the markings create more of a risk to all service users however Mrs Irwin will share the Panels concerns with Capital Development regarding Ballymena Health and Care Centre. Mrs Irwin 3

4 Letter to Musgrave Park Hospital Ms Collins requested a letter to go to Musgrave Park Hospital on the availability of carbon fibre callipers. Mrs Irwin was in contact with the service manager from the Belfast Trust and read out the response. The minutes of the last meeting were agreed by all. The minutes will be uploaded to the Trust s website. 4. Terms of Reference Mrs Irwin included the points suggested at the previous meeting in the Terms of Reference, as below; - Represent the views of all disabled people - Aim to reduce the stigma and labelling of people with disabilities throughout the Trust - Work together with the Trust to create an accessible environment for everyone - Lead the way in encouraging best practice and excellent ways of being accessible - Be a positive force for change in all areas of disability - Educate staff and each other Mrs Irwin read through the draft Terms of Reference and all members agreed they were happy with the content. Terms of Reference to be circulated and put on CD and will be uploaded to the Trust s website. Now they are finalised, Mrs Irwin will seek out appropriate staff to attend from the 4 operational divisions within the Trust. Mrs Irwin 5. Recent Consultations Mrs Morgan updated Panel members on the Take-A-Break consultation, (based on the outcome of review of short breaks for adults with a learning disability and their carers); the consultation period is currently extended to 31 January This is to allow targeted consultation events with those directly involved. 4

5 Delivering Together this is a document currently out for consultation from the Minister for Health, based on a co-design and co-production vision for government for the next ten years. This consultation closes on 20 January 2017, the link to the document will be circulated to members and the will find out from the Department of Health if the document is available in alternative formats. 6. Local Issues Mrs Irwin congratulated Mr John Nicholl on his recent award within Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Sports Awards. Mr Nicholl was awarded Disability Sports Person of the Year for his achievements in archery. Mr Nicholl updated Panel members on his involvement within blind archery. Mr McAuley informed all those present of his and Mrs McAuley s presenting on Radio Cracker up until Christmas Eve. They feature on Tuesdays 7pm to 8.30pm and Sundays 5.30pm to 7pm. 7. Any Other Business Since the meeting in September Miss Tennant attended the Trust s Leadership conference with Mrs Irwin. Miss Tennant delivered a speech on her involvement with the Panel. Mrs Morgan who also attended the conference congratulated Miss Tennant on her speech and advised that staff who attended were very impressed. Mrs Irwin also informed members that Mr Nicholl and Mrs McGlinchey were involved in making a video at the conference to highlight communication and interacting with service users. 5

6 8. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday 6 March 2017 at 10.30am in the Boardroom, The Cottage. MINUTES FORMALLY AGREED & SIGNED OFF BY CHAIR Signed:... Date: 6