Meeting with Stephen O'Brien Shadow Health Minister for the Conservatives.

[wendy]

I am wearing a pinky tweed straight skirt, all wool, made in Scotland, a pink Marks and Spencers blouse.
a pink mixture scarf.  All these were bought from the charity shop, but the skirt still had a label on it.

Then I am wearing a bobble knitted waistcoat,(pinks, greys and white) which I knitted over 25 years ago.

Even my hair ribbon came from the charity shop lol  It is a purple bow.

[annie]

Wendy the Pink eh? not Lily the Pink!!

[wendy]

The trains were on time, and I am now back.  I have to write a review for the newspapers tomorrow, so I will post as soon as I can.

Thanks for thinking of me.  I took some pictures.

[sandy4]

Anyone can put words into my mouth and make a better job of saying things. 

[wendy]

Key points:Stephen O’Brien advised 4 key things Tories would do for carers (without giving details on how)
1. Planned & emergency respite provision would be made a priority
2. Promote flexible working options for carers
3. Carers should be assessed when the cared-for is and needs & situation of carer considered, this would give consideration to include help for fuel poverty.
4. NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) should consider the effects on carers when reviewing the cost-effectiveness of treatments or new drugs, and whether these should be available for free on the NHS.
Other commitments: creation of NHS Board and Healthwatch –first to manage second to monitor.
Other points discussed:Ring-fencing of Carers Grant. Stephen said Tories were tempted by ring-fencing but if does happen would be for other other issues before carers, and I doubt whether there will be any move to ring-fencing.
Discussed personalisation agenda and inclusion of carers in formation of indiv budgets. He believes in holistic approach of social and health budgets being pooled.
Discussed issue of regular assessments for carers. Stephen actually likes idea of annual health checks but there are problems of having to tell insurance companies what is found increasing premiums meaning people wouldn’t want them.
Stephen said the Gp's would have to spend some time in Care Homes as part of their training.
He feels strongly that carers needs should be assessed on NEED and they should not be told that there isn't the money available.
Stephen has family members who work in the hospice movement and hospitals. 
He said how important Chill4Us was to all carers and he wants to include us more by keeping us informed of any changes or requesting our thoughts.

Stephen was well aware of the problems that face carers.  He was delighted with your Chill4us Care Watch topics and he said that he would read them all.
He really was. so thank you.
We all tried our best for Carers, it was a pleasure to meet Trevor and Gordon and Moira was wonderful to come with me to meet all three ministers.

[wendy]

Taken at the entrance of the building for our meeting.

[wendy]

another view from the entrance.  This is Westminster Bridge.

[wendy]

Moria, The manager from Norwich Mind , Stephen O'Brien, Wendy, Trevor Ivory the North Norfolk Conservative candidate.

[wendy]

Moira, Stephen O'Brien,Wendy and Gordon, The Political Director from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

[wendy]

This was from inside the modern building, only been there about 7- 8 years.

[annie]

lovely pics Wendy, thankyou

[maureenho]

Edit 1

[maureenho]

Edit 2

[graham]

I'm sure I've seen these before ................. ;D...No no.....I'm wrong. I've just had a close look & we have a very nice frame..........Lovely job !

[wendy]

Maureen has indeed done a grand job, we had to take our own photos, and Mo has put us all on the one picture.
thank you

[maureenho]

It has gone together well, pleased you like it.

Mo

[HotSheila]

Nice piccies Wendy - and glad all went well.  Sheila x

[wendy]

the newspapers have just phoned, i am shaking.

[SWiseman]

Well done Wendy, and good luck. What a great campaigner you are!
Steve

[maureenho]

I have just seen the photo on front page, it looks good.

Mo

[wendy]

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/search/s ... ory=search



I could not find this so I have looked it up and attached it to the topic.


Carer takes her fight to Westminster


Wendy Maxwell is fighting for better support for carers. Photo: Paul Hewitt 
KIM BRISCOE
29 October 2008 13:00



A Norwich carer has taken her fight to Westminster in an attempt to get a better deal for carers.

Wendy Maxwell, of Hellesdon, runs the Chill4Us carers' website and travelled to London to speak to the Conservative's shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien.

Mrs Maxwell took with her the stories and comments of members of the national website so the shadow minister could read about the real issues faced by carers every day.

Mrs Maxwell, who is a carer herself, has already met with the Labour and Liberal Democrat health ministers and politicians and says she is pleased to have now lobbied the three main parties about what help is needed for carers.

She said: “We're really pleased that we have been able to speak to all three now.

“We were impressed with Mr O'Brien's ideas and he kindly gave us over an hour of his time to listen to some of the stories about the circumstances carers face daily.

“Our members had also posted their stories and comments on the site and he was genuinely pleased to be given a copy of these and said he would take the time to read them.”

During the meeting, Mr O'Brien set out his plans on how the Tories would propose to help carers.

This includes making planned and emergency respite provision a priority and promoting flexible working options for carers.

They would also like to see carers assessed at the same time as the cared-for so their needs are also taken into consideration, for example with regard to fuel poverty.

Mrs Maxwell was accompanied by Moria Goodey of Norwich Mind, as well as a lobbyist from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, representatives from Crossroads Caring for Carers and Trevor Ivory, the conservative candidate for North Norfolk.

She said: “I know carers who have to keep the heating on even throughout the summer because the people they care for are so ill and the cost of this for carers needs to be taken into account.”

Another change Mr O'Brien proposed was for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to consider the effects on carers when reviewing the cost-effectiveness of treatments or new drugs and whether these should be available for free on the NHS.

He also wants to ensure doctors spend time in care homes as part of their training and create an NHS board and health watch group to manager and monitor services.

[ians1]

He also wants to ensure doctors spend time in care homes as part of their training

Can't understand how that would help Carers such as myself, we have a GP who is well aware whats what, ie the doctors know there is no money available to pay Carers properly.

Most Carers I meet locally are not aware of any Carers rights day or any charities come to that, and they could not care less about any protests etc.  Mostly they don't have time to get involved with any of these kind of things.  Even the ones with internet access are not really interested. 

Sorry to be a bit negative but thats the way things are here at least.

ian

[wendy]

I agree with you Ian.  But doctors having experience would I feel be a benefit.

http://chill4uscarers.co.uk/campaigning-for-carers/