Tuesday 13 September 2016

Speaking The Power of 3 conference Birmingham Sept 22nd

Hi 

With heart  thanks to my great pal Andy Jones @mynameisAndyJ and Philip Shelley @hcashells  the kind invite to speak at the Power of 3 Conference in Birmingham on September 22nd   

I have had the great privilege to speak for Andy before at the Hospital caterers association  @hospitalcaterer  conference   http://www.hospitalcaterers.org/ last year in Glasgow and for Philip at Musgrove Park hospital at the end of 2015  

 I am very grateful to be invited to speak by Andy and Philip at this important   event 

You can register at the link here to attend 

Tommy 


Monday 12 September 2016

Please take part in our survey! VIA People Powered Health And Wellbeing




Please take part in our survey!
In order to support this proposal we are currently undergoing several scoping exercises to understand the current situation of co-production in Health and Social Care, and are asking those with long term conditions and those who work in health and social care (both frontline and strategically) to fill out a survey to share their experiences.
§  If you work in health and social care please fill complete this survey >
§  If you access support and services please complete this survey >
Completion of this survey is completely voluntary and anoymous and should take no longer than 15 minutes. The survey will close on the 12th of September.
This will be used as part of our evidence base and help shape the future work of the programme and provide the ground work for the development of a Scottish Co-Production Strategy for Health and Social Care.


Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html
DCV photo DementiaCarerRGBlandscape3_zpsa2f3d5ff.jpg

Sunday 11 September 2016

#RCNchat Tuesday 27th September, 7-8 Dementia – skilling nursing stafffor the future

#RCNchat
Tuesday 27th September, 7-8

Dementia – skilling nursing staff for the future
Many of us will know someone living with dementia, or may well be living with dementia ourselves. It’s a condition that predominately occurs later life, and is more common as we all live longer.

With more than 1 million people expected to be living with dementia in the UK by 2020, how do we ensure nurses have the skills to provide them with support and care they will need?
Nursing staff currently play a crucial role in providing support to those living with dementia and their carers, both in community and in hospital settings. But many nurses believe their role in dementia will only grow.
In a recent RCN survey, 45% of nurses thought that dementia would prove the biggest health issue of the future. 84% said that they are already seeing their workload affected by the ageing population.
Although nursing staff strive to provide the best care, too often people living with dementia can end up in hospital wards which are not appropriately adapted to meet their needs.
The RCN is piloting a scheme with independent care homes to help make them more ‘dementia friendly’ and has previously introduced five principles in acute care for improving the quality of care for people with dementia and enabling the best possible support for their carers.
At RCN Congress in June, members highlighted several issues of concern about dementia care, including a lack of awareness and resources, and a feeling that care was not of a consistently high standard.
Our  Project Engagement Lead Tommy Whitelaw, spoke at the RCN congress in June about his experiences of caring for his mum Joan. He spoke movingly about the need to champion person-centered care, and to look beyond a person’s diagnosis to engage with them as an individual.
You can also find out more about Project Engagement Lead Tommy Whitelaw’s keynote address given to congress in June, and read the pledges made by delegates on the day here.

This chat will discuss how we can skill nursing staff with the right tools, using the experiences of people living with dementia and their carers to improve dementia care in the future
Joining the chat
  • @Profleadolder – Dawne Garrett, Professional Lead for Care of Older People and Dementia
  • @RCNOPF – RCN’s older people forum
  • @TommyNTour
  • @DementiaCarerVo
To take part, log on to twitter and use #RCNchat
Tuesday 27th September, 7-8pm 
Find out more information on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/145944742519185/
Background reading

RCN pages on Dementia https://www.rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/dementia 

RCN Professional resources https://www.rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/dementia/professional-resources 

RCN’s dementia care commitment https://www.rcn.org.uk/professional-development/publications/pub-004235 

Alzheimer’s Society https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ 

Alzheimer’s Society: Types of dementia http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/

Triangle of care, guidance developed by RCN and Carers Trust to help meet the needs of carers of people with dementia when the person they care for is admitted to hospital https://professionals.carers.org/triangle-care-dementia 

Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prime-ministers-challenge-on-dementia-2020/prime-ministers-challenge-on-dementia-2020 

HEE dementia awareness online course http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/dementia/open-access-sessions/

The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project http://dementiavoices.org.uk/ 

Dementia UK resources for health professionals https://www.dementiauk.org/for-healthcare-professionals/free-resources/ 

RCN Congress debate on Dementia http://www2.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/congress/2016/agenda/debates/19-dementia

Keynote speech from Tommy Whitelaw at RCN Congresshttp://www2.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/congress/2016/news/keynote-speech-from-tommy-whitelaw 

Dementia Carer Voices https://dementiacarervoices.wordpress.com/ 

Join the RCN’s Older People’s forum https://www.rcn.org.uk/get-involved/forums/older-peoples-forum


Thursday 8 September 2016

New Film launch Wednesday 28th September at Broomfield Hospital,

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Healthwatch Essex are launching their new training film on Wednesday 28th September at Broomfield Hospital, where Tommy Whitelaw will give a short speech at the end.
The agenda for the evening is looking like as follows:
6pm – Arrival/Buffet
7pm – Start of Film Premier
  • Welcome and introduction – Tom Nutt, CEO
  • How Broomfield Hospital will be using the film in induction training – Julie Green
  • FILM
  • Short talk from a patient about their experience – ‘This is Me’
  • Dementia Carer Voices, Project Engagement Lead, Tommy Whitelaw
8pm – Close
The film is in collaboration between Healthwatch Essex, Broomfield Hospital and Dementia Carer Voices.  We are extremely honoured to be partners and featuring in the film, which will help out with training across the hospital.
Special thanks to Sophie Blythe from Healthwatch Essex for her continued support and involvement.
Keep a look out on Twitter @HWEssex and @DementiaCarerVo for more info.
Thank you.
                          

Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html
DCV photo DementiaCarerRGBlandscape3_zpsa2f3d5ff.jpg

Social Security in Scotland – ALLIANCE Survey and Event Invitation

The Scottish Government is currently asking for views to help shape the way that it will use its new powers relating to social security.  Under the Scotland Act (2016), control of a range of benefits including Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and others has been devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

As always, the ALLIANCE would like to hear from you. 

Firstly, we have published a short online survey on the principles of the new social security system in Scotland.  The survey is open until Wednesday 21 September and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.  A second survey will be published in the coming weeks on particular elements of social security and how these should be managed.

The ALLIANCE is also holding an event for people with experience of accessing or navigating the social security system in order to gather views on ways in which it could be improved to better support people living with long term conditions, disabled people and unpaid carers.  The Scottish Government’s Minister for Social Security, Jeane Freeman MSP will be joining us to hear your views.

The event will take place on Wednesday 28 September from 9.45am to 12pm, followed by lunch.  It will be held at the ALLIANCE office, Venlaw Building, 349 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4AA.

If you would like to attend, please contact event@alliance-scotland.org.uk or telephone 0141 404 0231 to secure your place.


Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html
DCV photo DementiaCarerRGBlandscape3_zpsa2f3d5ff.jpg

Monday 5 September 2016

Congratulation to all the Nominees and Winners Kate Granger Awards 2016.

hello

Hi

I am now home from a very emotional day at the Kate Grainger awards . I was  so  very honoured to be a shortlisted Finalist
I would like to extend my Congratulations  to all the Nominees and Winners 

Thank you for such a brilliant day and for the warmth,Kindness and inspiration from all I met on the day 

Tommy 












Its with great emotion and pride that I can let you know that I have been shortlisted as a finalist in the Individual category of the Kate Granger Awards 2016.
Having Followed Kate's Story and incredible impact over the last few years   “I can only say how  honoured and humbled i am  to be shortlisted for this award.
kate's story and campaign has had a massive impact on so many including myself and #hellomynameis is often  part of my talks and my story on caring for my mum 


I was sitting at home the other night after receiving the news thinking about My mum and Kate who sadly recently passed away thinking  on how my mum would have loved  to have  met Kate as kindness was at the heart of how they both lived 
I would like to congratulate all the nominees and to all to have made the shortlist of nine and look forward to attending on September 7th 

 I would like to thank Joan @thebestjoan, a friend and truly inspiring transformation nurse, for taking the time to nominate me. I am extremely proud of Dementia Carer Voices’ work and to work alongside my Director and Mentor Irene Oldfather, our Chief Executive Ian Welsh,  and the rest of the team at the ALLIANCE.”

My friend,Director ALLIANCE Director Irene Oldfather said
The Kate Granger #hellomynameis campaign has touched hearts and minds, and changed clinical practice across the UK. To know that our Dementia Carer Voices engagement lead Tommy Whitelaw has been shortlisted for such a prestigious and compassionate award is in some ways not surprising given Tommy’s poignant story of caring for his mum Joan and his outreach across the UK. But I think we all feel moved to know that Tommy was selected by Kate herself in her last days. It is fitting given Tommy’s story, which is about love, care and compassion. The ALLIANCE is proud that work which tells the story of people themselves has been recognised in this way. Congratulations to Tommy and all the finalists.”

Now in their third year the awards were set up by Kate Granger, a doctor who worked tirelessly to raise awareness around compassion in the NHS through her #hellomynameis social media campaign.  There were more than 130 nominations for this year’s awards, and with her friend Dr Natalie Silvey, Dr Kate Granger was able to choose the nine finalists and three winners of the 2016 awards in the days before she sadly died on 23 July. Kate regularly spoke of the awards as her legacy saying,
Being a patient has taught me a huge amount about being a doctor. Prioritising compassionate care in its rightful place alongside patient safety, under the umbrella of quality is perhaps one of the most important things I have learned.
The shortlist is made up of three nominees in each of the three award categories. The first award is for an individual working in the NHS or delivering NHS funded services. The others are for teams or organisations who are part of the NHS, or who deliver NHS funded services. These services can be delivered in hospitals, or in a primary care, community or residential setting.
Thank you
Irene, Tommy, Laura and Ashleigh.
Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html
DCV photo DementiaCarerRGBlandscape3_zpsa2f3d5ff.jpg

Congratulation to all the Nominees and Winners Kate Granger Awards 2016.

hello

Hi

I am now home from a very emotional day at the Kate Grainger awards . I was  so  very honoured to be a shortlisted Finalist
I would like to extend my Congratulations  to all the Nominees and Winners 

Thank you for such a brilliant day and for the warmth,Kindness and inspiration from all I met on the day 

Tommy 












Its with great emotion and pride that I can let you know that I have been shortlisted as a finalist in the Individual category of the Kate Granger Awards 2016.
Having Followed Kate's Story and incredible impact over the last few years   “I can only say how  honoured and humbled i am  to be shortlisted for this award.
kate's story and campaign has had a massive impact on so many including myself and #hellomynameis is often  part of my talks and my story on caring for my mum 


I was sitting at home the other night after receiving the news thinking about My mum and Kate who sadly recently passed away thinking  on how my mum would have loved  to have  met Kate as kindness was at the heart of how they both lived 
I would like to congratulate all the nominees and to all to have made the shortlist of nine and look forward to attending on September 7th 

 I would like to thank Joan @thebestjoan, a friend and truly inspiring transformation nurse, for taking the time to nominate me. I am extremely proud of Dementia Carer Voices’ work and to work alongside my Director and Mentor Irene Oldfather, our Chief Executive Ian Welsh,  and the rest of the team at the ALLIANCE.”

My friend,Director ALLIANCE Director Irene Oldfather said
The Kate Granger #hellomynameis campaign has touched hearts and minds, and changed clinical practice across the UK. To know that our Dementia Carer Voices engagement lead Tommy Whitelaw has been shortlisted for such a prestigious and compassionate award is in some ways not surprising given Tommy’s poignant story of caring for his mum Joan and his outreach across the UK. But I think we all feel moved to know that Tommy was selected by Kate herself in her last days. It is fitting given Tommy’s story, which is about love, care and compassion. The ALLIANCE is proud that work which tells the story of people themselves has been recognised in this way. Congratulations to Tommy and all the finalists.”

Now in their third year the awards were set up by Kate Granger, a doctor who worked tirelessly to raise awareness around compassion in the NHS through her #hellomynameis social media campaign.  There were more than 130 nominations for this year’s awards, and with her friend Dr Natalie Silvey, Dr Kate Granger was able to choose the nine finalists and three winners of the 2016 awards in the days before she sadly died on 23 July. Kate regularly spoke of the awards as her legacy saying,
Being a patient has taught me a huge amount about being a doctor. Prioritising compassionate care in its rightful place alongside patient safety, under the umbrella of quality is perhaps one of the most important things I have learned.
The shortlist is made up of three nominees in each of the three award categories. The first award is for an individual working in the NHS or delivering NHS funded services. The others are for teams or organisations who are part of the NHS, or who deliver NHS funded services. These services can be delivered in hospitals, or in a primary care, community or residential setting.
Thank you
Irene, Tommy, Laura and Ashleigh.
Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html
DCV photo DementiaCarerRGBlandscape3_zpsa2f3d5ff.jpg

My mums name was Joan ,my Mum Had Dementia - our Story 9 Short Films

Tommy’s speech, providing a carer’s perspective,  on the theme of “ No – one ever asked   ” highlighted the transformational impact that ...