Welcome back to the Horizon Healthcare patient newsletter. Here we will keep you updated about the latest practice updates, community events, initiatives and important health information.
As November wraps up, we wanted to share some updates and offer some guidance for the upcoming months.
Helping Shape Emergency Care: Get Involved in a PPI Group
Dr. Graham Johnson, an Emergency Department (ED) consultant at Royal Derby Hospital, is inviting individuals with personal experience of receiving difficult news—whether as a patient or relative—to join a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group.
This group will play a key role in shaping a new study exploring the use of filmed conversations to train staff in delivering challenging news with compassion and professionalism.
What Involvement Looks Like:
• Four meetings a year with the ED team.
• Reviewing and discussing study-related documents.
• Providing input into grant applications and project ideas.
PPI members will be compensated for their time in accordance with national guidelines.
Dr. Johnson aims to assemble a group of 10-12 people, with the first meeting planned for mid-December.
If you’re interested or have any questions, please reach out to Samia Hussain via email: samia.hussain4@nhs.net. Your insight could make a meaningful difference to the future of patient care.
Staying Healthy this Winter 🌨️📚
As the colder months set in, it’s important to take extra care of your health. Here are some tips to stay well this season:
- Flu Vaccinations: If you’re eligible and haven’t yet received your flu and covid vaccination, please get in touch.
- Stay Active: Regular exercise helps boost your immunity and energy levels, even during winter.
- Mental Wellbeing: Don’t forget to check in with yourself and loved ones. Shorter days can impact mood, so take time for activities that make you happy.
Spotlight on Mental Health
As the winter months approach, mental health can become a more significant challenge for many, especially those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression triggered by shorter days and reduced sunlight during the winter, often leaving people feeling low, fatigued and irritable.
To support mental well-being, the Derbyshire Community Mental Health Support Map has been updated with the latest information on local mental health services.
This valuable resource, created by the Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service, provides a comprehensive guide to mental health support across Derby and Derbyshire. You can access the map here.
What’s on the horizon?
Over the next month you can look out for:
- December 2 – Jan 5 – Kedleston Hall Advent Trail
- December 8 – The Derby Santa Run 2024
- December 11 – Women in Faith Network: End of Year Celebration
- December 28 – Draw Derby
Join our patient participation group (PPG)
We believe in working together with our patients to improve our services. Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a vital part of this effort, providing a platform for patients to share their insights and feedback.
The PPG is a group of patients who meet regularly to discuss and influence the way services are provided at Horizon. Members have the opportunity to suggest improvements, share experiences and help to shape the future of our practice.
Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 3rd December at 3pm. If you’d like to join and make a difference, please email horizonppg@outlook.com or ask our reception team to book you a space. We welcome patients from all backgrounds, ages and experiences.
Thank you for staying connected with us. We hope you have a safe and healthy December. Keep an eye on your inbox and our social media pages for more updates on upcoming events and tips to keep you merry and well this December! 🎄✨
Warm regards,
The Horizon Healthcare Team