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Hello and welcome to your Physical Disability Forum newsletter!
 

We hope you’re doing okay despite the new lockdown restrictions. We know it’s a tough way to start the New Year so if you need anything do let us know.
Your story can make a real difference! Get yourself heard!

We really do want you to share your stories with us. Have you been to hospital or tried to get a GP appointment recently? Are you waiting for a social care assessment or do you have a loved one in a Care Home? Are you shielding? Is your mental health struggling? Whatever your experience, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch with us on forums@engagingkent.co.uk 
National Strategy for Disabled People
 

The next South East Regional Stakeholder Network meeting takes place on Tuesday the 19th of January. Disabilities Minister, Justin Tomlinson, will be at the meeting to discuss the National Strategy for Disabled People. Forum member, Anna Morrell, will be attending and she has invited everyone to share any thoughts or comments directly with her.

This is our opportunity to put your thoughts in front of the Government Minister for Disabilities so please let us know your thoughts, so Kent have some input in the National Strategy for Disabled People.

Please contact Anna on anna.morell@disabilityrightsuk.org if you wish to give feedback.

Are you getting the support that you need?

What help you are getting currently, what help do you need and what may you need help with in the future?

All of these questions, and more, are part of an online survey by Forum members, Centre for Independent Living Kent (CiLK). By completing the survey you will help CiLk, and others, to understand how they can better support you. 

You can get started here. 
Your feedback has improved Covid testing sites for people who need extra support

People who are Deaf, Blind or who need extra help will now get better support at Covid testing sites across Kent thanks to your feedback.  We heard stories from people who were visually impaired who found it hard to understand the written instructions at testing sites.

Thanks to them, we were able to escalate these stories. Staff at the testing sites will now proactively ask people if they need help and have had training on how best to support people.

Your feedback has the power to make a difference for lots of people so get in touch on forums@engagingkent.co.uk
New COVID-19 testing sites in Kent & Medway
 

Seventeen testing sites have opened across Kent for people who don’t have any Covid symptoms. One in three people are thought to have Covid but aren’t showing any symptoms and so could be spreading the virus unwittingly.

The testing sites offer free tests for anyone without COVID symptoms. If you do have COVID symptoms you will need to book a test at a COVID testing site.

The tests will offer people who don't have any Covid symptoms, a rapid result. This will help to reduce the number of people who are spreading the virus and reduce the rates of transmission across Kent.

Find your nearest testing site on our website here.
Do you know someone who has had a stroke recently? 

Your story could help improve the stroke service for other people.

Our friends at Healthwatch Kent are keen to hear from anyone who has had a stroke since June 2020. They are particularly keen to hear from Medway residents who have been treated in a Kent hospital.

Everything you tell them could help the next person who has a stroke. They’ll make sure decision makers hear your story and make changes as a result.

Please get in touch with Healthwatch via their friendly Helpline which is available anytime on 0808 801 0102

Alternatively, you can share your story here
When will you get your Coronavirus vaccine?
 

We are watching the biggest vaccination programme in history. With so many people in need of the vaccine, health experts are asking us to be patient whilst they work hard to vaccinate people as quickly as possible.

We have a new helpful article on our website which can lead you to information on the NHS national priority list as well as a place where you can leave feedback about the vaccine.

Read it here!
Have you tried to get a dentist appointment during Covid?

Are you unsure on how to get a dental appointment during the pandemic?

We have recently put a new article on our website which tells you how to find a dentist and book an appointment. You can find it here 

For urgent advice on any oral health issue, you can call NHS 111 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Email us anytime at forums@engagingkent.co.uk and please share our newsletter with anyone you think would be interested.

That’s all from us, take care! Rheanna, Adam and Mick