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Swindon Wide Swindon Town Centre
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DEBBIE BATTEN What’s happening to our health services and the NHS?
AD.Dip.CP Dip.Hyp.CS MNCS (ACC) LHS Swindon Involvement Network (Swindon LINk) in association with Swindon Equality Coalition is holding two www.swindontowncentre.co.uk October 2012
Psychotherapy open meetings on Monday 15 October at New College, Queens Drive, SN3 1AH with speakers expert in
and Counselling health care services.
Residents and health service consumers are invited to attend at either 2pm or 6pm to listen, learn and give
Helping to resolve life’s their views on the many questions surrounding the major changes in the National Health Services such as:
difficulties in a safe and • Who plans, who pays, who for some NHS healthcare? HOSC, CQC and LINk stand for? Countdown to Christmas For Business
caring environment. provides? • How can people influence NHS • What are Monitor & Healthwatch? For Shopping
Hypnotherapy • Why do people in some parts of policy? If you plan to attend either of these For Leisure
Help with many issues Swindon die younger than others? • Who monitors the care providers? free events, register for a seat by starts now!
including: Stress, Anxiety, Fears • What help is there for family • What will the council’s role emailing: enquiries@swindonlink.
and Phobias, Weight Loss and carers? in public health be in 2013? org or call 01793 497777. Inside
Stop Smoking • Who decides how much you pay • What is SEQOL and what do www.swindonlink.org
Based in Purton this edition...
t: 07557 100943 It may only be October, and it
e: [email protected] West GP included in list of top 50 most influential in GB probably feels like yesterday
Toothill GP Dr Pe- day with every pa- gaps in patient care Dr Swinyard we were enjoying the amazing
ter Swinyard has tient that enters is now working on a guide for GPs
MEN’S SHOES been voted the our surgery. We to navigate the Government’s Olympic summer, but, like it or
an outstanding selection twenty-ninth of the are the only prac- changes, and to help doctors meet not, Christmas is on its way.
50 most influential titioners to take a the requirements of the Care Quality
• Church’s • Padders doctors in the UK holistic view of the Commission. And inSwindon BID already have
• Loakes • Clarks according to Pulse individual in their www.phoenixsurgery.com
magazine’s an- particular context. exciting plans in place to make this p2
• Barker • Rohde
nual poll. It makes sense that festive season the most enjoyable
• Rieker • Anatomic This is in recog- GPs commission Parkinson’s car boot sale Paralympic Gallery
Gel nition of his role the appropriate Saturday 29 September, yet. Last year’s celebrations
Also an extensive range as chair of the level of clinical care 8am to 1pm, at Lok’nStore, included a wide range of exciting
of slippers now in stock Family Doctor As- for their patients.” Redpost Drive, Rushy Platt attractions in and around town
sociation, and his However, while African drumming, handicrafts, fun
BLAYLOCKS tireless efforts to he is a keen sup- and games. To book a car boot for including the incredible Lights
Bath Road Corner encourage GPs porter of the reform £5, contact Linda Duthie: lindaduth- Switch On and, of course, the odd
Old Town, Swindon to engage constructively with the principles, he is concerned by the [email protected] or 01793 878921. visit from the man himself to our
Tel: 534271 Government’s NHS reforms. way the changes have been imple- In aid of Parkinson’s UK Swindon
Dr Swinyard, who runs the mented. Expressing the significance and District branch special Grotto in the Brunel Centre.
Phoenix Practice, is a champion of of the changes Dr Swinyard said: That’s not forgetting the numerous p3
GP-led commissioning and small “This is the first, and possibly the celebrity visits, with famous faces
practices which are managed last, time GPs have the potential to Step out for Alzheimer’s Your Swindon Market
single-handedly. Speaking to The influence the direction of patients’ The Alzheimer’s Society annual as diverse as Dr Hilary Jones,
Link in 2011 he said: “GPs have care, and offer a patient-centred Memory Walk takes place at Lydiard Keith Chegwin and Swindon Town off to a flyer
keen entrepreneurial abilities, and service strengthened by the continu- Park on Sunday 30 September.
are accustomed to managing risk, ity of relationships with social care.” Register at www.memorywalk. manager Paolo Di Canio all paying decked out in all its festive glory
which we do multiple times each To minimise the risk of leaving org.uk and click on the link to the visits to the town centre. throughout the seasonal period,
North Wiltshire and Swindon Walk with new and exciting decorations
to receive a fundraiser’s pack, or While specific details of this
Age UK to grow service in Swindon turn up on the day. ready to go up in the next few
Age UK has decided to significantly develop and expand its presence year’s plans are being kept firmly weeks, before the town centre
in Swindon and has provided funding for this through Age UK Wiltshire. Join in with two under wraps, it’s safe to say that is illuminated by a very special
Age UK Swindon is offering sev- phone befriending; community tidies inSwindon BID will be making this celebrity’s press of a button at the p4
eral services to older people in the • Presentations and talks to local Christmas one to remember. The Lights Switch On event.
town. Some of these were already groups about Age UK services Residents have a chance to help
established and others are brand including topics such as safety in tidy up Westlea Park on Saturday explosive Christmas Lights Switch Guide to Christmas
new ventures. They include: the home; 6 October, 11am to 1pm. There will On will officially kick off the festive Simon Jackson, CEO of inSwindon Shopping
be games and a barbecue.
• Information and advice through a • Community lunch clubs includ- season in late November, before BID, said: “Christmas is always
telephone service from Monday to ing afternoon activity sessions, People in Freshbrook are being we enjoy the enchanting Festival I’m confident our Christmas
Pool, Darts & Poker Night Thursday between 10am and 3pm; the first of which is now running in asked to take part in a clean up and an enjoyable time of the year,
in aid of Swindon Therapy Centre • Home visits to assist with filling Rodbourne every Wednesday. paint of Mead Park, Worsley Road of Light Parade as we move closer and we’ve already got some programme will bring us more
for Multiple Sclerosis in attendance allowance forms; on Thursday 25 October, 10am to to the big day. exciting things planned this year success.”
Saturday 27 October, 7pm • Personal befriending and tele- For information on any of these 1pm, followed by refreshments in so everyone is very much looking
services call 01793 687018.
Freshbrook Church.
Swindon Snooker Club Turn up and take part in either Have a look at page four of
41 - 42 Fleet Street SN1 1RE Age issues on the agenda of forum of these events or contact Gail Our Christmas Market is also set forward to it.
£10, includes meal and raffle entry Light: [email protected] or to grace Canal Walk and Santa’s ‘Your Swindon Town Centre’
Tickets from Swindon Snooker Club Swindon Older People’s Forum changes to benefits 07940 733430. Grotto will be another festive “We have had a wonderful for some early gift ideas,
or online by donating £10 to Swindon holds its annual general meeting on Transport is available for those Speak to her to organise a tidy fixture for children to enjoy in the summer down in the town centre, and keep an eye on
Therapy Centre for MS at Tuesday 16 October, 1.30pm to 4pm with mobility problems. To register up in your area of West Swindon. www.swindontowncentre.co.uk
http://localgiving.com/charity/swindon- at Gorse Hill Community Centre, interest, mail: dave.abrown@btint- Coming up: Shaw Residents’ Brunel Centre. with our brilliant Olympic and
therapycentre Chapel Street, Swindon SN2 8DA ernet.com or 01793 612037 Association is holding litter pick at Paralympic coverage and Royal for news and updates on all
with the ref ‘therapy centre pool night’ There will be a talk on: ‘Isolation Car parking is available on site. Shaw Village Centre on Saturday And of course, Swindon will be Opera House screenings, and inSwindon BID’s Christmas activity.
Ensure the gift aid option is not ticked of Older People in Swindon – Lets The centre can be reached on 3 November, 10am. Show up on
and your email address is showing make contact.’ Thamesdown bus routes 17 & 20 the day or mail: shaw-residents@ For all the latest news and events visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk 1
so that tickets can be sent There will also be a number of and Stagecoach bus routes 6 & 51. virginmedia.com
information stalls including one on www.sopf.btck.co.uk

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