Faringdon Area Project

Health Project - 24th November 2008

Present: Julie Farmer, Daphne Saunders, Sally Bull, Pat Saunders, Gene Webb, Emily Norton, Clive Davis, Colin Desborough, Sue Jeffs, Ali Burzynska, Toby Warren, Lan Jenner, Jane Haynes 

  Julie welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted that the aim of this meeting was to identify issues that could then be taken to a wider community.

Lan commented that some of the issues that were raised at a previous meeting are already being dealt with at District and County level however, she emphasised that this group needs to make sure that Faringdon has an input into the issues.

A question was raised regarding transport to local hospitals and the following suggestions were made.

Wantage Volunteer Drivers will transport patients from Faringdon to hospitals in Swindon and Oxford, This group transported 561 patients to local hospitals last year and the scheme is supported with Grant Funding from Faringdon Town Council and Vale of White Horse District Council. The Volunteer Drivers do need a larger bank of drivers and it was suggested that the Health Group Project could look at how this could be done in Faringdon.

It was suggested that this group could also organise a central information point locally, so that people who are needing transportation etc can find out what is available. It was also suggested that this Information Point could be based at the Faringdon Health Centre. It was felt that it would also help if Health Centre staff had an awareness of the scheme and also were encouraged to refer patients to the scheme. It may be possible to apply for grant funding for a co-ordinator to oversee this project.

Dial-a Ride/Rural Ride provide transport to enable people to get to activities out of the town and it was pointed out that there are grants available for new projects in rural areas. This was highlighted by Ali who told the group about “Adding Life to Years Project” that has recently begun in Great Coxwell. Lan pointed out that patients also need to be more proactive when they discuss their treatment with their GP’s and they could ask for a time to be specified on their appointment request to make sure that they have time to get to the hospital.

It was suggested that the group should invite Philip Newbold, Rural Transport Partnership Officer to a future meeting. Jane will contact. Lan told the group about Link (Local Involvement Network) which is a forum for patients at medical practices, this links in with the local consortia that is looking at the services that are offered in the area. Dr Gavin Bartholomew is the contact for the Faringdon Area Group. Gene offered to contact Dr Bartholomew on behalf of the group. It is possible to get reimbursement for constant travel but this is not common knowledge and it was questioned as to how people would find out about this. Lan will find out if there is a leaflet available on transport and reimbursement, she also suggested checking the Oxfordshire website and begin to gather information. 

Clive raised the issue of 999 calls from Faringdon – it appears that when ringing about an emergency that staff in control centres do not seem able to locate the town and when they realise that it is not in London they then ask for a postcode which they then refer to Devizes Police. Toby said that this should be referred to the Neighbourhood Action Group. There is a new area Commander in Abingdon and he is keen to identify and deal with problems such as this. He also pointed out that the emergency services will always send someone no matter where from. Gene mentioned that when an ambulance is called,  it is not possible to get to Faringdon within the target of 8 minutes as they are based in Banbury.  Thisis one of the reasons that Faringdon has a First Responder Team (Gene did point out that these people are volunteers, and much appreciated.) It was felt that there is some confusion about what should be expected and Gene will contact the South Central Ambulance Trust to clarify Faringdon’s position.

Clive mentioned that the number of retirement homes/ homes for the elderly has dropped in Faringdon with the closure of Ferngrove and there does not appear to be anything to replace them. Ali will find out if this is something that Age Concern will look at.

The main issue is that services are available, but people are not accessing the information. There needs to be central community involvement i.e. activities, groups. It was suggested that Churches Together have volunteers who wish to help.  Thishas already happened in areas such as Oakwood and Ferundune but they do not visit within the private home. The Carers Group has a befriending scheme; this is not necessarily for people needing carers but just someone to talk to. Emily will contact Sue and Ali to co-ordinate the help. 

Julie kindly offered to produce a leaflet that can be uploaded to the faringdon.org website and be available at the Family Centre and also Job Centre for when people are requesting the attendance allowance. Everyone was asked to provide information on such schemes to Julie (email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

A Citizens Advice Bureau service was to be provided at the Faringdon Health Centre. We need to find out if this has happened. The contact is Ann Groom the CAB manager in Abingdon.

Carolyn Williams asked that the meeting looked at the maternity services provided for Faringdon residents.  This was discussed and it was felt that the services provided from Wantage were good. However, we question  how home births are arranged. 

Ideas:Evening appointments for the mobile screening unitPossible Health information exhibition/event in Faringdon

Date for next meeting to be confirmed in the New Year.  The VWHDC Disability Group will be invited to join the next meeting.  Please would you all bring forward for the group’s attention any problems on local heath matters or suggestions that could be implemented to improve standards in and around Faringdon.