APRIL 2012

You and Your Care

ServiceS Step Forward

Take a sneak peek at our new rehab facility for people with

mental health problems - p10 & 11

opening the doorGypsy and Traveller Communities set to benefit

from ground-breaking work - p14 & 15

You’re all StarS!Find out who scooped the awards at our You’re a Star Awards 2012 ceremony - p6, 7, 8 & 9.

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In this Issue

There have been that many people celebrating recently we’ve struggled to keep up! We should probably start with an apology for the amount of pages taken up with celebrations… but we say probably because we’re not going to. That’s because we believe the celebrations have been more than justified!

Yes, our annual ‘You’re a Star Awards’ made a triumphant return to recognise some of our many unsung health care heroes. Fifteen nominees took centre stage at the National Media Museum last month but you’ll have to turn to pages 6, 7, 8 and 9 to find out who took the coveted trophies back to their place of work.

And it’s not just staff who have been celebrating. Service users from our Adult Mental Health Services also attended an exclusive awards ceremony in recognition of their efforts to source and secure full-time employment with the help of the E-factor. Flick to pages 22 & 23 to see how they got on.

We also took a trip to the opening of our new Step Forward Centre for a sneak preview of the impressive facility for those previously based at Ward 2, Daisy Bank. Turn to pages 10 & 11 to see the inspiring unit yourself.

That’s not all either, on pages 14 & 15 we find out about the great strides being taken to offer services to Gypsies and Travellers, catch up with community engagement workers in our Older People’s Mental Health Services on page 18 and look at why we’re currently recruiting 31 health visitors on pages 16 & 17.

Phew! If that wasn’t enough there’s also your usual news in brief from around our services and the chance to bag yourself a large chocolate egg in our regular Coffee Break section on page 27 – good luck!

Have a great couple of months and we’ll see you in June!

Communications TeamIf you require this document in a larger text format please contact the Communications team.Front cover photograph courtesy of the Telegraph & Argus

LEFT TO RIGHT: Sam Hirst, Linzi Clark, Charlotte Garrity, Jayne Murphy

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To ‘Like’ our facebook page, search: Bradford District Care Trust

Follow us on twitter for the latest news: @Bradford_DCT

Have you Got News for us?Don’t forget we are always on the look out for great gossip, exciting events and touching tales - if you have something to shout about please let us know!

Jayne MurphySenior Comms ManagerTel: 01274 363551Email: jayne.murphy@bdct.nhs.uk

Charlotte GarrityActing Comms ManagerTel: 01274 228174 Email: charlotte.garrity@bdct.nhs.uk

Linzi ClarkComms AssistantTel: 01274 228351Email: linzi.clark@bdct.nhs.uk

Ben CullimoreMulti-Media DesignerTel: 01274 228173Email: ben.cullimore@bdct.nhs.uk

p6 You’re all Stars!

p10 Taking a Step Forward for Mental Health Services

p12 Breaking Barriers in Men’s Health

p14 Opening the Door to Gypsy and Traveller Communities

p16 Could You Be a Health Visitor?

p20 Moor Lane Stages Rescue Mission

What’s Inside?

p6

p12 p16

p20

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ClinCialBuddyingBaCk for 2012 Our pilot project, which saw Board members buddy-up with consultants to get an insight into each others roles, has been re-launched for 2012 due to its success. Under our Clinical Buddying Programme, Board members attend ward rounds, case conferences, team meetings, outpatient clinics and forums with consultants to see first hand the types of patients seen.

Dr Mahmood Khan, Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Medical Director, is leading the initiative. He said: “We recognised that clinicians and Board members had a limited understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities. This project gives the Board an insight into some of the pressures faced by frontline staff and some of the clinical complexities that we deal with.”

Michael Smith, Non-Executive Director, who is taking part in the project, said: “You can’t know or understand what’s happening in an organisation just by attending Board meetings. Engaging with clinicians in this way really helps inform your decisions.”

Dr Khan added: “The feedback from clinicians was that they felt they could talk openly about a range of issues with their buddies, knowing that it was being heard by and taken up by someone at Board level.”

award forHealtHfaCilitationteamOur Health Facilitation Team has been recognised for improving health services for people with learning disabilities. They received the accolade from Bradford People First* (BPF) at their recent Healthy Living Event.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford and members of BPF presented the team with a silver award.

Krystal Hemmingway, Strategic Health Facilitator, also picked up a gold award for having had the largest impact on improving health services for people with learning disabilities in the last 12 months.

In the last edition of Connections we told you about the work Krystal and the team have been doing. This includes advising GPs how to carry out annual health checks, and talking to them about the reasons why people with learning disabilities are more likely to die early and the types of illnesses they are prone to.

She said: “I feel really honoured to have been singled out for this award, but it is the team who really deserve the recognition.”

Well done team!*BPF is a self-advocacy group, run by people with learning disabilities, for people with learning disabilities.

News in Brief

(L-R) Ruth Foster, Denise Priestley, Krystal Hemmingway, Sadie Dunne and Sarah Bearder with their awards.

Michael Smith, Non-Executive Director, joins Dr Mahmood Khan on a ward round.

5

Dr Sarfaraz Shora, a third year Psychiatry Trainee in our Community Drug and Alcohol Team, walked away from the Annual Yorkshire and the Humber School of Psychiatry Conference with a top award for the best poster.

The poster, entitled “Audit of use of Community Treatment Orders within Bradford District Care Trust” impressed judges with its presentation and scooped the top prize from nine other hopeful candidates.

Dr Shora said: “I was very happy to win what is quite a prestigious award. To be selected for my efforts is very encouraging - it will make me try just as hard at future events!”

loCaldementiaServiCeSat yourfingertipS This month we’ve launched an exciting new online tool for professionals who work with people with dementia and their carers. Ever been asked by service users or their cares where to find out about things like council tax benefits, winter fuel payments, memory clinics and social activities.

Well you can now signpost them to the right place with the help of our new online directory, which has details of more than 250 dementia services in Bradford.

Services are arranged by local areas under topics like ‘money and benefits’, ‘help with daily living’, ‘legal issues’ and ‘housing and travel’ to make it easy to find the information you need.

Chris North, Project Lead said: “We wanted to pull together information about all local services for people with dementia, whether they are provided by the NHS, the local council or voluntary sector. This resource gives professionals the information they need to support people with dementia and their carers right at their fingertips.”

To use the dementia directory go to www.bdct.nhs.uk/dementia/

ward 24 tHankSSoCietyOur specialist assessment and treatment ward for people with dementia has received a boost thanks to a surprise donation from Keighley Soroptimist Society. Ward 24, which is based at Airedale General Hospital, gratefully accepted a cheque for £455 from the society at a special evening meeting.

Jacquie Edwards, Ward Manager, said: “It was a lovely surprise and the donation will really go a long way to helping local people with dementia. We’re going to buy an orientation board which will help service users understand the date, day of the week, month and weather.”

The purchase of the board comes on the back of a trip to Stirling University where staff from the ward looked at alternative ways of improving the ward environment.

A spokesman for the Soroptimist Society, a volunteer service for women, said: “Soroptimists are aware of the problems that come with an ageing population and feel that supporting agencies that help people with dementia is important.”

Introduction

Community Treatment Orders were

introduced in November 2008, by new

sections 17A-G being inserted into the

Mental Health Act 1983 by the Mental

Health Act 2007.The importance and

ethics of CTO is still being widely debated

amongst professionals and patients’

groups. There are intricacies concerning

process of CTOs, particularly in relation

to having separate teams for in and out-

patients, complexities surrounding consent

to treatment and recall outside of working

hours.

We conducted this Audit to review pattern

of CTO use, outcomes, overall usefulness

and adherence to standards in Bradford

District Care Trust. This was achieved

through retrospective study of electronic

case note records on Rio (Electronic

patients’ record system).

Methods All patients who have been placed on CTO at any one

time since its introduction in Nov 2008 and up until

start of this study on 31st March were included. This

process identified 66 patients, everyone at different stage

of CTO. A data collection form was devised by the

author in consultation with Trust’s Mental Health Act

Office, taking account of local policies and procedures.

Standards were derived from Code of Practice. Data

was gathered from Patients’ Electronic Case record and

paper notes where available. A pilot study was initially

conducted to examine feasibility of audit questionnaire.

62% were males, 38% females and mean age of the

patient in the sample was 44.

55% of patients were within age range 30-49 years, with

majority (29%) aged 40-49 years.

Results

The largest ethnicity of the patients in the sample was

White British (46%), followed by Asian Pakistani

(19%) and Back Caribbean (11%).

27.3% of patients were from City CMHT (covering

busy inner city) followed by 25.7% from Assertive

Outreach (AOT). Community Rehabilitation service

successfully managed 9% of CTO patients without

having to recall any of them.

Diagnostically, Schizophrenia was over represented

(61%), followed by Schizoaffective disorder (12%)

and Bipolar Affective Disorder (9%). Other diagnoses

included Drug Induced Psychosis, Severe Depression

with Psychosis, Organic Personality Disorder and

Emotionally unstable personality Disorder.

‘Compliance with treatment’ was found to be a

condition on 100% of patients CTO’s in the sample.

In 92% of cases, conditions attached to CTO were

documented to have been discussed with patient.

‘Other’ condition themes put on CTO’s were: Number of patients

To attend outpatient reviews / follow up

appointments / allow community staff to

monitor progress

38

Engage with community team /Mental health

professionals

8

Accepting medical examination for management

of diabetes

1

Not to get drunk / to see care coordinator for

appointments

1

To engage in agreed therapeutic activities 1

Total49

There was documented evidence of communication

between inpatient and community Responsible

clinician in 62% of cases.

You and Your Care

Audit of use of

Community Treatment Orders

Dr Muhammad Adnan Hafeez (ST5), Dr Sarfaraz Shora (CT3) and Dr Mahmmod Khan (Consultant Psychiatrist),

City Mental Health Team, Bradford District Care NHS Trust

58% of patients had a risk assessment in place prior to

the effect of the CTO, however 42% did not. 94% of

patients had their progress regularly reviewed through a

Care Programme approach.

77% of cases had a SOAD certificate in place after

1 month (3 months). 8% (n=5) were treated under

section 64G and 15% (n=10) had no documentation of

SOAD.

76% (n=51) has had MHRT and their outcomes are as

follows:

OutcomeNumber of patients

Discharged from CTO5

Not discharged, remain detained15

Remains on CTO30

N/A - meeting adjourned 1

Total51

Recall rate was 31.8 % of which 80% had their CTO

revoked and 20% were discharged within 72 hours.

Outcome of recall

OutcomeNumber of patients

CTO revoked / section 3 24

Discharge within 72 hours4

Total 28

CTO was renewed in 65% of patients. 48.5% of patients

are currently on CTO and 31.8% were discharged by

Responsible Clinician (RC) or Hospital managers/

Mental Health Review Tribunal.

Conclusions

CTO has been successful in reducing involuntary

readmission rates in majority of patients. City CMHT

and AOT have taken a major share of patients on CTO

and most have been successfully managed. In particular,

Rehab Team renewed all their patients on CTO and

without resorting to recall. There were few instances

of lack of communication between inpatient and

community RC and in many cases Risk Assessments

were not documented prior to commencement of

CTO.

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Conditions put on CTO

ConditionsCompliance with

treatment

Prevent risk of

harm to own

health/safety

Protect others Convey to hospital

for A&T

Other

Nu

mb

er o

f Pa

tien

ts

66

54

25

49

1

Care TrustBradford District

trainee SHineSat ConferenCe

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CORPORATE SERVICES

You’reall Stars!

Bringing Bringing you all the action straight from the red carpet, we joined in the celebrations at this year’s ‘You’re a Star Awards’! After searching high and low across our entire organisation to find the stars of 2011/12, the winners of our annual staff awards ceremony were finally revealed at a glitzy Oscar’s-style ceremony.

Nearly 300 members of staff and their guests packed into the National Media Museum in Bradford to recognise and celebrate our health care heroes.

This year over 80 nominations were received for our values inspired categories, but just 15 were shortlisted, with five winners and ten runners-up – all chosen by an independent judging panel.

Before the main event, each of the shortlisted nominees got a visit from a film crew to capture them in their daily working lives and showcase why they’ve been nominated. This was then broadcast at the awards ceremony for all to see, leading to a buzz of excitement as guests speculated who would scoop which award.

Taking home the first award of the evening, Respect, was Bradford Working Women’s Service, for the way they support women to be safe, often during challenging and traumatic times.

Michelle Khan, Team Leader, said: “I’m so proud of my team – each and every one of them works hard to protect the safety of working women and they do so with such dignity and care. This award means a lot to us all, and we’re looking forward to discussing with the women how best we can make the most of the prize money.”

YOU’RE A STARAWARDS2012

reSpectBradford Working Women’s Service

CORPORATE SERVICES

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The Openness award was claimed by Principal Speech and Language Therapist, Jane Norton, who developed fifteen educational videos to highlight various speech and language problems commonly experienced.

Jane said: “I’m absolutely amazed that I have won; I don’t quite know what to say! In my eyes the real stars are the patients, so this award is for them.”

Taking the Improvement award, sponsored by Shipley College, back to Adult Mental Health Services was our Well-being Services. This

was for the work they’ve done to transform the service over the past couple of years.

Lynne Ash, Well-being Services Manager, said: “Winning the Improvement Award is a fantastic achievement for our team and for the people who use our services. We have worked with service users and carers to change the way our services operate from traditional day centre services to a vocationally focussed service supporting people into education and training, voluntary work and employment within the communities in which they live.”

improvement Well-being Services

In my eyes the real stars are the patients, so this award is for them.

Every year I’m amazed at your commitment and dedication to improve the health and well-being of people locally.

Jane Norton, Principal Speech & Language Therapist

Simon Large, Chief Executive

CORPORATE SERVICES

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The Excellence award, sponsored by Hempsons Solicitors, was collected by Shagufta Balquis, Mental Health Therapist on Ashbrook Ward, much to the delight of the audience.

Shagufta said: “My team and I do some amazing work as we play a crucial role in service users recovery and in helping them to put their lives back together following a mental crisis. The award really belongs to my wonderful team, service users and their families for sharing their heartfelt stories with us and inspiring us to work hard. Excellent work cannot be achieved by one individual, it really is a team effort.”

The Working Together award, sponsored by Sovereign Health Care, was presented to staff and Community Health Champions from Seniors Show the Way, who have excelled in their team work to deliver an outstanding service promoting positive health to people aged over 50.

Catherine Pitts, Team Co-ordinator, said: “This week marks the end of the three year Big Lottery funding for us, so to win the Working Together Award is a fantastic and timely recognition for why the project has been successful.

Over three years Seniors Show the Way has supported 1400 people to become Community Health Champions who have in turn had a positive health impact on over 5000 people in the district.

Catherine added: “These achievements have been as a result of the way the committed and hard working staff team has worked with our fabulous Champions who have been so giving of their time, knowledge and passion.

“It was lovely to be able to share the awards evening with some of our Community Health Champions and to be able to share the stage with them to receive the award.”

working togetherSeniors Show the Way

excellenceShagufta Balquis,Mental Health Therapist

Excellent work cannot be achieved by one individual, it really is a team effort.

Shagufta Balquis, Mental Health Therapist

CORPORATE SERVICES

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reSpect award

Bradford Working

Women’s Service

openneSS award

Jane Norton, Principal Speech

and Language Therapist

improvement award

Well-being Services

excellence award

Shagufta Balquis,

Mental Health Therapist

working together award

Seniors Show the Way

marvellous marbella! Well done to Bridget Bray who was the lucky winner of our holiday to Marbella, kindly donated by Medic Care Ltd. Bridget was randomly selected at the event in a raffle draw and we wish her and her partner a lovely trip. WINNERS:

All our runners up received a certificate to mark their achievements and each of the winners took home a trophy; certificate and prize money worth £1000 which can be used to improve their service area or personal development.

The prize money, and the You’re a Star Awards main event was generously sponsored once again by Bradford-based Sovereign Health Care, to whom as a Trust we are very grateful for their continued support.

Russ Piper, Chief Executive of Sovereign Health Care who sponsored the event, said: “With Sovereign being Bradford based and encouraging good health, we were delighted once again to be a key supporter of the

‘You’re a Star Awards’ in recognition of the impact the Care Trust has on the lives of local people.”

We would also like to thank our other event sponsors: Shipley College, Hempsons, General Physics Skills Training Academy, Medic Care Ltd and Leeds City College.

On the back of the event our Chief Executive, Simon Large praised staff for their hard work over the past year.

He said: “Every year we recognise staff at the awards, and every year I’m amazed at your commitment and dedication to improve the health and well-being of people locally.

“I know we are delivering services to be proud of across our organisation – the event recognises just a few of those, but I’d like to extend my thanks to all our unsung heroes.”

YOU’RE A STARAWARDS2012

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

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It’s a new building, new name and a new way of working for staff in our Adult Mental Health Services’ in-patient rehabilitation team.Staff and patients from Ward 2 at Daisy Bank moved to their new home, on the Lynfield Mount Hospital site, in early March.

The Step Forward Centre provides therapeutic rehabilitation for people aged 18 and over. It was officially opened by the MP for Shipley, Philip Davies, and around 120 staff, service users and stakeholders turned out on the day to catch a first glimpse of the new facilities.

Over four months the building was fully refurbished and redecorated, with 12 brand new en-suite rooms for both men and women, alongside purpose built kitchen and laundry facilities, making it the first of its kind in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

Taking a StepForward for MentalHealth Services

Pictured: Barry Seal, Chair, Philip Davies MP & Ward Manager, Jo Garland open the new centre.

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ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

“It’s a much more modern and brighter setting,” said Jo Garland, Ward Manager, “it’s a calming space for people to work at their recovery and to develop relapse prevention skills.”

But it’s not just a lick of fresh paint and a new name, it’s also a new way of working, as Jo explained: “It’s a massive change for the service. We’re using a new care plan tool called the Sunshine Model, which means service users are able to plan and be involved in their own care; they are more engaged in their rehabilitation.”

Staff work with people before they come into the centre so they can fully assess their needs and every service user is involved in every stage of their care planning with an individual rehabilitation plan tailored to their needs.

Mark Trewin, Senior Manager in our Rehabilitation Service, said: “The centre’s been designed and set up to develop service user’s skills and improve their lives. It will be a place in which we support people to find the best in themselves and to achieve what is important to

them. The concept of recovery means different things to different people; from being able to live independently to being able to care for themselves, to learning, working and living life to the full in many different ways.”

An occupational therapist works with service users on everyday skills like cooking and budgeting

to help prepare them for life back in the community, while an activity co-ordinator helps them take up activities in the community such as swimming, voluntary work or going to college. It’s a step forward towards supporting people in their own homes or as close to home as possible.

Jo added: “It’s very much led by the individual as we recognise everyone’s recovery is unique.“

Service users were involved at every stage of the new centre’s design.

After seeing the new facilities one service user commented:

“It’s really good, I like that the bedrooms have a bathroom. The colours are very nice and it’s much better than the old place.”

As he officially opened the new centre Philip Davies said: “Step Forward will provide a meaningful, supportive and joined-up step on the road to recovery – one which recognises that everyone’s recovery is unique.”

If you think you have a service user who might benefit from this service the team is now accepting referrals by email stepforwardreferrals@bdct.nhs.uk

As a result of the move the team has new contact details as follows:

Staff Office: 01274 251401 & 01274 251402Ward Managers Office: 01274 251403 Fax: 01274 363462

Sunshine Model The Sunshine Model is used to identify a person’s needs and how to meet them. This is a tool which allows people to:

• Identify the needs they have

• Plan changes they want to make

• Measure the progress they make

The Sunshine Model looks at the different areas in a person’s life. It helps them see which areas are going well, and others which aren’t going so well. By seeing what is not going well it allows people to decide what they want to change.

It’s a calming space for people to work at their recovery and to develop relapse prevention skills.

A unique partnership project for men in Keighley who are experiencing mental health problems has gone from strength-to-strength.Working with a local community centre and independent mental health units, our Health of Men Team has been smoothing the path back into the community for a number of men over the past 12 months.

The men, who are all from different cultures and backgrounds, support each other at weekly meetings by discussing their health problems and taking part in activities.

From gardening or cook-and-eat sessions to weight management or general health talks, the men are making great strides towards healthier lifestyles and social inclusion.

Merv Pemberton, our Community Health Improvement Practitioner and project founder said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant! The project is a world away from traditional mental

health units and is all about promoting better well-being and a brighter future.

“Despite English being many of the men’s second languages, the project has united the group, breaking down barriers to communication and the stigma surrounding mental health.”

Partnership working with the Sangat Centre, The Willows and Ghyllside, has seen the men attending other groups across the Bradford district. They now have more confidence to travel, meet other people and have greater knowledge of men’s health - a real success we’re sure you’ll agree.

Ghulam Rabani, Sangat Centre Manager, explained: “It’s a great

way of bringing different communities together. Everyone is welcome to the group and it creates a sense of belonging. It also teaches people a lot about respecting each other.

“The partnership work we’re all involved with is helping us all to live and prosper together for the future of our next generations.”

SPECIALIST SERVICES

Breaking Barriers in Men’s Health

It’s a great way of bringing different communities together.

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To find out more about how our Health of Men Team is improving men’s health locally please visit: www.bdct.nhs.uk/healthofmen/. If you are interested in joining the group, new members are always welcome on Thursday’s 11am -1pm at the Sangat Centre in Keighley. Please contact Mr Rabani on 01535 610263.

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

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As the only Trust in the country* to provide supported housing for people with mental health problems, Connections headed out to one of our Supported Housing Teams to find out more.The South West Team is one of four providing a range of support to adults who are experiencing mental health problems. But despite their housing-related title, they go above and beyond just providing tenancies.

Eddie Wardle-Anderson, Assistant Unit Manager, explains: “Sourcing suitable housing and agreeing appropriate levels of support is our main role. But, we are committed to doing more, and work with service users to help them regain control in other areas of their lives too.”

Not only does the team offer service users somewhere to call home, they also provide vocational and educational activities, help them improve their everyday skills and encourage them to move towards independent living.

“We work with tenants to help them manage their own lifestyles,” Eddie continues, “for example we help them sort their bills out, we assist them with their money and we support them to appointments – everyday occurrences for many, but a real challenge for others.”

And you don’t need to look far for success stories, as Jan Hackshall, Assistant Unit Manager, explains: “Eighteen months ago we accepted a service user from a residential care unit. He had failed tenancies and couldn’t get a tenancy elsewhere, was very unwell and had a bad risk history. With our support though, he now has his own property and the future’s looking bright. We gave him a chance and he took it.”

The team’s duties don’t stop with service users either. They spend time challenging stigma, working with local police and community officers and building relationships with neighbours in a bid to protect vulnerable tenants.

“Many people are open to the idea and become quite protective of service users living next door. It takes time to create the understanding and build a level of trust,” Eddie explains, “but it’s worth it.”

To find out more about the team’s referral process, or for more information,

please contact Alyson Thompson, Administration Manager on 01274 323482.

Breaking Barriers in Men’s Health

Meet the Team:

South West Supported Housing

It takes time to create the understanding and build a level of trust, but it’s worth it.

If you want your team featured in the next edition of Connections, email us at communications@bdct.nhs.uk with a brief overview of what your work involves. Leave a contact name and number and we’ll be in touch to do the rest!

*to the best of our knowledge!

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SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICES

Opening theDoor to Gypsiesand TravellersGypsy and Traveller Communities in Bradford are set to benefit from our services after ground-breaking work was undertaken by a member of staff.While conducting research for her university course, Olwyn Lidster, Community Psychiatric Nurse in our Substance Misuse Services, was horrified when she uncovered the truth about the discrimination Gypsy and Traveller communities face from society.

Determined not to let it go unnoticed, Olwyn set out on a quest to give Gypsies and Travellers a voice and raise our profile in their communities – where health problems sometimes go unaddressed until it’s too late.

Olwyn explained: “The amount of Gypsies and Travellers who slip through the net because of their backgrounds is shocking. Because they don’t feel able to admit to society who they are and where they come from, they live invisible lives.”

Pictured: Violet and Violet Senior

15

SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICES

Even those who do want to seek professional help are often too afraid to disclose their backgrounds, or don’t have the skills required, such as reading or writing, to register with a GP.

Olwyn continued: “Yes they have a different culture, but it is

in no way less important than our own. We just need to understand more about their ways of life to be able to offer them appropriate care.”

Helping us understand more about this culture is Violet and her mother, Violet Senior, two members of the Gypsy community. Working closely with them, Olwyn has built up a trust like no other and has gained a remarkable insight into the lives of Gypsies and Travellers, and more importantly how best we can begin to look at ways of meeting their health needs.

“Gypsy and Traveller communities are very private,” Olwyn explained, “we can’t just turn up and offer health checks or raise awareness of the health issues they may be facing - this has to be done from the inside, by those they trust.”

That’s where Olwyn’s work with Violet and her mother is making progress. As community development workers within their communities they are able to raise awareness of important health messages, signpost to help and encourage people to talk about subjects that are usually considered ‘taboo’.

One such subject is that of substance misuse. Like society as a whole, anecdotal evidence suggests there are substance misuse problems amongst Gypsies and Travellers too, but because its taboo those who do need health support are too afraid to ask.

“Anyone known to be involved with substance misuse in such communities,” Olwyn continued,

“can face being banished or can be treated incorrectly for their health needs – simply because the right way, such as receiving support from substance misuse services, isn’t known about.”

A needs assessment, funded by the Joint Commissioning Team for Substance Misuse,

confirmed this. Undertaken by Violet, the assessment explained to participants what substance misuse was and asked questions to find out what was understood about drugs and alcohol, and if they knew where they could get help. Only two out of more than 50 said they did.

Violet said: “We have a long history of research which shows Gypsy and Traveller communities have stark health inequalities so it would be amazing if the Trust took a national lead - doing some forward thinking and trying to find cost effective ways to change these inequalities. In this current economic climate it’s easy to ignore the hard to reach but Olwyn is not willing to let this happen in Bradford. I feel reinvigorated to work towards change.”

Understanding more about the health requirements of Gypsies and Travellers and how this fits with their culture is at the forefront of the work Olwyn and Violet are carrying out, with the full backing of

our Executive Management Team, commissioners and the local authority.

That’s why over the coming months Olwyn and our Involvement and Equality Team will be offering you a range of opportunities to find out more, starting with a Learning and Sharing seminar on Monday 18 June 2012. We’re also going to be rolling

cultural competency training out in some services, which will be facilitated by Violet.

Olwyn explained: “Violet and her mother are offering us a route in to their usually highly guarded world. We have a chance to help and as health care professionals we need to take it.”

Nicola Lees, Chief Operating Officer/Director of Operations and Nursing, along with the rest of our Trust Board, has supported the project from day one. She said: “Giving people in other communities a voice and clearing the pathway to our services is critical. This is just the beginning for Gypsies and Travellers in Bradford.”

For more information about this work, or to book on to the Learning and Sharing seminar, please email Olwyn at olwyn.lidster@bdct.nhs.uk or Lisa Wright at lisa.wright@bdct.nhs.uk

Giving people in other communities a voice and clearing the pathway to our services is critical.

Left: Olwyn Lidster

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CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Could You Be a HealthVisitor?

We’re recruiting more health visitors as part of a national drive to give children the best start in life. Our Communications Manager, Charlotte Garrity, went to meet the team at Ling House Medical Centre in Keighley, to find out more about the role.

PICTURED: Health Visitors Nicola Campana, Jo Howes and Trish Breen with Staff Nurse Ellen Parker

17

CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

By 2015 we’ll have an extra 31 health visitors working with us to help and support families in Bradford and Airedale. More than 10,000* children across the area are set to benefit. But what does a health visitor actually do?

James Cooke, Acting Head of Children and Family Services, says they play a vital role in improving lives: “From pregnancy through to a child’s fifth birthday, health visitors are instrumental in supporting and educating families through an important time of their lives.”

This year the profession is celebrating 150 years of providing health care to families. From checking on a child’s development, to promoting healthy living, running support groups and playing an important role in child protection, it’s all in a day’s work for a health visitor like Jo Howes.

Jo, 33 (pictured below), is one of three health visitors based at the practice. She started her career in nursing at 18, qualified at 22 and went on to work in intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary for eight years. After the birth of her first child she became interested in the career and did a two year part-time conversion course.

The mum of two says there are a lot of misconceptions about the role: “Health visiting is not all about weighing babies; it’s about working with children and families at different stages in their lives. Every contact with every family we have, we are promoting public health messages - that’s our main role.”

You might not know that the full job title is actually Specialist Community Public

Health Nurse - Health Visitor. They play a key role in tackling health priorities such as obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse and give advice on things like baby safety and reducing the risk of cot death.

Jo and her colleagues, Nicola and Trish, have approximately 900 children in 700 families in Keighley that they care for. They support families in a number of ways; from helping parents with a child who’s struggling to feed, to supporting mum or dad through an illness or as they try to quit smoking.

“Every day is very different,” Jo says, “it’s a unique profession which makes each working day a new and exciting challenge.”

From post natal depression to domestic violence, child abuse and families living in poverty, health visitors are

sometimes the first on the scene when a family is struggling to cope.

“We are not counsellors,” she says, “but we can offer support and signpost people to specialist services where they can get the help they need.”

Jo says it’s both a challenging and rewarding profession: “The best part of the job is being able to make a difference to families who you can see are struggling.

You feel like every day you make a difference.”

Interested?If you are approachable, friendly, caring and family centred, this could be the career for you.

To be eligible to train as a health visitor you must be a qualified nurse/midwife currently on the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register. You will then need to undertake a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse training programme.

One year courses are available at Leeds University and Huddersfield University.

If you are interested in becoming a health visitor or are thinking about returning to the profession visit www.healthvisiting.org.uk for more information, email healthvisiting@yorksandhumber.nhs.uk or call 0113 305 9431.

*National guidelines recommend that each health visitor has a caseload of 300 - 350 children, meaning up to 10,850 children could benefit from an extra 31 health visitors being employed.

The best part of the job is being able to make a difference.

Since their introduction in March last year, Magda and Zahir have been using their respective backgrounds to improve the way they communicate, understand and support service users across Bradford, helping them to access and engage confidently with our mental health services.

Zahir explains: “It’s about breaking cultural barriers. We understand and respect the diverse needs and beliefs of service users. This allows us to gradually establish a trusting relationship with them.”

Zahir’s Indian and Pakistani and Magda’s Polish backgrounds ensure that a wider range of service users and carers can be understood and get support

from people they can relate to, who speak their language.

Following a referral from CMHT they assess the needs of service users, working closely with partner organisations such as Sharing Voices Bradford, spiritual advisors and community workers to meet the cultural, social and spiritual needs of service users.

Magda said: “We understand that everybody’s needs are different, so we work flexibly. We know at difficult times people want to be close to their family and community, as they draw strength from them.”

Zahir added: “We want to empower service users using a holistic approach whilst raising the profile of mental health services, as well as providing cultural awareness, education and support to our colleagues.”

Magda concluded with: “It’s a great feeling knowing that we can improve a person’s quality of life. We will continue to work towards reducing the stigma experienced by people living with mental and emotional distress.”

If you need to contact Zahir and Magda they are based at Daisy Hill House and can be reached by phone on 01274 228585 or by email:Zahir.daji@bdct.nhs.ukMagdalena.oconnell@bdct.nhs.uk

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Here to improve the care of service users from Eastern European and South Asian backgrounds, Magda O’Connell and Zahir Daji strive to provide sensitive, culturally appropriate support within our Older People’s Community Mental Health Team (CMHT).

Introducing Our CommunityEngagement Workers

OLDER PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

We’d like to thank Mathew Blythe for researching and writing this story whilst with our team on an apprenticeship.

PICTURED: Zahir Daji and Magda O’Connell

It’s a great feeling knowing that we can improve a person’s quality of life.

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ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Reducing Stress in Adult MentalHealth Services Our Primary Care Mental Health (PCMH) teams are helping service users beat anxiety and stress through Stress Pac, a self-help course. Stress Pac is used nationwide to help people manage their stress and anxiety. Our PCMH teams, who offer therapy services to people with mild to moderate mental health problems, receive over 9,000 referrals a year. They introduced Stress Pac in January last year to reduce waiting times.

The course is delivered by therapists in six sessions and covers topics including:

• Howstressaffectsus

• Understandingthecausesofstress, anxiety and worry

• Learninghowtotargetandtackle stress with coping strategies

Naomi Holdsworth, Psychological Well-being Practitioner said: “The first time we ran the course 20 people showed up and they all brought a buddy with them. This means we are not just providing a service to those who have been referred for therapy, we are working directly with their family, partners, and friends.”

Stress Pac was first introduced by the Airedale PCMH

team, but has since been adopted across the North, City and South and West areas, due to its success.

The feedback from those on the course has been encouraging. One attendee said: “My personal experience has been very positive and I feel I have benefited a great deal from it and have identified strategies and actions to use in the future.”

So far more than 150 service users in Airedale alone have signed up and completed the course, which has resulted in reduced waiting times for the service.

Service users are not the only ones who are benefitting from the service, as this attendee explains: “I initially attended to support my partner and gain more understanding of her problems, but now I am glad I came as I recognise that I also have been suffering and have many of the symptoms.”

Linda Haynes, Service Lead, said: “Without the hard work of the staff and in particular the psychological

well-being practitioners we would not have been able to deliver this service.”

As a result of feedback from service users our PCMH teams plan to develop and introduce a similar package for depression. They are also looking at how they could take the course further into the community and possibly deliver it across other non-mental health services and in business environments.

I am glad I came as I recognise that I also have been suffering and have many of the symptoms.

CORPORATE SERVICES

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As I approached our Moor Lane hospital site in Burley-in-Wharfedale, there was nothing to suggest anything unusual was about to take place.

Set in a quiet rural location and surrounded by an upmarket housing estate, the former mental health unit bathed in the spring sun, standing proud in all its glory. Fast forward an hour or so and the scene was completely different.

Six fire engines had raced to the site and a command and control room had been set up outside the main reception. Firefighters swarmed the area and smoke could be seen billowing out of a ward side door.

That’s because the West Yorkshire Fire Service had received reports of a fire in the ward. There were nine ‘casualties’ – eight adults and one child – the ‘fire had taken hold’ and dense smoke meant visibility had been reduced considerably.

One of our buildings took centre stagein a recent training exercise carriedout by our local fire service. LinziClark, Communications Assistant,went along to investigate…

Moor LaneStages RescueMission PICTURED: The recovered

realistic “dummies”

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CORPORATE SERVICES

Taking a step back, I watched as more than 30 firefighters secured their breathing apparatus, pulled on their heavy duty safety gear and made their way inside the building. Those who remained outside shouted orders, organised teams and manned the pumps waiting for information from their colleagues inside.

It wasn’t long before one ‘casualty’ was rescued – an adult – carried out by two firefighters and placed on the makeshift first aid area ready for medics to attend.

And as time passed, the remaining ‘casualties’ were found and removed, the ward was ventilated and the area secured.

Joining me at the exercise and supervising the use of the building was Brian Farmer, our Local Security Management Specialist. He worked with the fire service to arrange this important exercise.

He said: “Moor Lane has been empty for some time now and is the perfect base for training exercises of this nature.

“Not only does it help the fire service carry out their drills, it also shows us they are prepared for an emergency, should one ever unfold on a functional ward.”

To make the scenario more realistic and to prepare firefighters for ward evacuations, those who entered

the building faced unexpected situations.

Brian continued: “The fire specialists who developed this exercise went to extreme lengths to test the firefighters taking part. In some of the ‘bedrooms’, bags of flour were used to shower those who had perhaps entered the wrong rooms, with ‘asbestos’.

“There were also oxygen cylinders placed around the scene to highlight the potential dangers of a hospital setting.”

After the event I spoke to Dave Cookson, Watch Commander in the

West Yorkshire Fire Service, to see how he felt it had gone. He said: “We spend a long time learning and going over procedures but it is rare that we get to put them into practice in such a meaningful way. The site was perfect and we couldn’t have wished for a better setting - we were able to do so many things in one exercise, the kind of things we would expect to find at a real incident.”

While it was an exciting exercise to watch, it certainly put into perspective the work the emergency services put in behind the scenes to prepare for rescue missions. Fingers crossed we’ll never see them for real in this scenario, but rest assured they’ll be ready if required.

Dave Cookson also wishes to thank Brian Farmer and the rest of our staff who helped make this exercise possible. He said: “Together they have helped West Yorkshire Fire Service maintain our competencies to provide an excellent service that the public expect from us.”

Not only does it help the fire service carry out their drills, it also shows us they are prepared for an emergency, should one ever unfold on a functional ward.

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ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Mental Wealth Awards CelebrateEmployment People who have experienced mental health problems but have defied stigma and the current economic climate to secure employment have been celebrated at an exclusive ceremony.

The Mental Wealth Awards, hosted by Bradford Mental Health Employment Partnership saw service users, partner organisations, regional employers and sporting stars come together to celebrate employment success.

Since 2011, 22 service users have been supported to learn new skills, overcome personal challenges and ultimately gain paid employment. This was the result of our Well-being Services working together with the Cellar Project, the E-factor, Job Centre Plus, Bradford Council and the Strategic Health Authority, all of which make up the Employment Partnership.

PICTURED: The Lord Mayor presented awards

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ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Guests to the event heard from staff members who had been instrumental in supporting people into employment and from two service users who had returned to work after a period in which their lives had been affected by mental health problems.

Not only did the ceremony recognise the fantastic achievements of service users, it also highlighted the employers and support staff who have helped them achieve their employment goals.

Alongside large corporations such as Asda and The Co-operative, Jill Brough in our Finance Department was presented with an award on behalf of our Finance Team who offered a placement to a service user who was doing an accounting technician course.

After collecting the ‘Work Placement Provider of the Year Award’ from Bradford Bulls’ Gareth Cook and Leeds Rhinos’ Jamie Buchannan, Jill said: “As a corporate service

department, direct involvement with service users is limited so this experience has been very rewarding.

“Knowing that the service user’s confidence and employability has been improved and that the placement was enjoyable as well as valuable is the best reward of all.”

The work of the Partnership was also recognised at the ceremony, and praised by senior managers and guests alike.

Mark Trewin, Senior Manager in our Well-being Services, said: “The event was a tremendous success and really showed just how important it is for organisations like ourselves to work with others to give people a chance.

“The Partnership was set up in the belief that people with a mental health problem can achieve full recovery and that employment is a really important part of this process.”

Simon Frances, Department of Health Lead for Employment, helped fund part of the Partnership. Speaking at the event he said:

“Bradford used to have very low numbers of people with mental health problems accessing employment. I am amazed by what you have achieved over the last year as the number of people in employment has risen considerably.”

The event was a tremendous success and really showed just how important it is for organisations like ourselves to work with others to give people a chance.

Congratulations to those who were recognised at the ceremony*: Farrukh Ahmed Gahzanfar Ali Richard Beanland Janette Ford Gavin Lee Martin Lyness Lynda Shepherd David Stevens Lisa Stokes Craig Walker

*Others chose to remain anonymous.

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CORPORATE SERVICES

Go Green for 2012This year has been chosen by the United Nations as the ‘International Year ofSustainable Energy for All’. To mark the occasion we caught up with our Energy and Environment Manager, Naomi Makin, to see what things we can all bedoing, both at home and work, to help the environment and our wallets.

Connections: ‘Going Green’ is a term we hear often, but what does it really mean?

Naomi: It’s about making small changes to the way we work and live to help the environment. Often it’s really simple things such as recycling or turning the lights out – but every little really does help.

Connections: There’s a lot of misconceptions that being more sustainable actually costs more money, is that true?

Naomi: I don’t think it is, no. A lot of what we hear about in the media can make people turn away from the issue because they think everyone who is a little bit greener is trying to single-handedly save the world - it all gets blown out of proportion. Actually in the long-term, being more sustainable can save money. If less energy is wasted, bills are a lot lower.

Connections: What is the Trust doing to be greener this year?

Naomi: Quite a lot - we’re waiting for a report from a local consultancy to see what renewable energy opportunities there are at Lynfield Mount Hospital but we’re looking at things like solar panels and replacing old boilers. We’re

also looking in the long-term to reduce gas consumption at all patient occupied buildings by improving heating controls. We’re handing out sticky thermometers to staff on request so they can better understand room temperatures.

Connections: We heard we’ve also joined the NHS Forest – Plant a Tree Scheme, what’s that about?

Naomi: It’s a novel way to mark a special occasion, for example saying thank you, celebrating the birth of a baby, in honour of retirement or to remember someone. Trees can be purchased for £9.99 and planted in any NHS Trust site of your choice. You also get a gift certificate and the opportunity to put a personal message on the tree. It’s an alternative present for that person who has everything. Not only does it help the planet breathe, it’s a gift that will last for generations!

Connections: Sounds great! How do people find out more?

Naomi: For more information about the NHS Forest Scheme, the sticky thermometers or any other ways to be sustainable, I can be contacted on 01274 363265 or emailed at: naomi.makin@bdct.nhs.uk

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CORPORATE SERVICES

RecycleWhy not put a separate container next to your rubbish bin or printer at work? It makes it easier to recycle your paper, bottles and cans. At home, most council bin collections now provide recycling containers, and the more we recycle, the less the council has to pay for landfill so there is more money to spend on other local services such as street lighting etc.

Turn off the lightsDuring bright daylight or whenever you will

be away from the office for an extended period of time, switching off is a fast and effortless way to contribute to energy saving – and reducing bills!

Make the switchAt home switch from old style energy intensive light bubs to energy saving compact fluorescents – they use only 20–30% of the energy required by older bulbs and create the same amount of light. LEDs use only 10%, helping reduce both bills and carbon emissions.

Turn on the tapFill up your glasses and reusable water bottles with water from the sink. Reducing bottled water can help to keep nearly a million tons of bottles out of the landfill.

Turn down the heatTurn down your thermostat when you leave for work, or use a programmable thermostat to control your heating settings.

Buy localInstead of relying exclusively on large supermarkets, consider farmers markets and local farms for your produce, eggs, dairy, and meat. Food from these sources is usually fresher and your money will be going directly to these food producers.

Share a carEven if you don’t want to get rid of your own car, using a shared car when travelling to events can greatly reduce the challenges of finding parking, as well as reducing your environmental impact.

Plant a gardenPlant some lettuce in a window box, or grow tomato plants on your doorstep. The satisfaction of having grown something for yourself gives you that feel good factor, even before you consider the money you will save.

Reduce your meat consumptionYou don’t have to become a vegetarian or vegan but consider substituting one evening meal a week for a vegetarian option. If you are unable to think of how to substitute your meat-heavy diet, websites such as Meatless Monday and Eating Well offer numerous vegetarian recipes that are healthy for you and the environment.

This year has been chosen by the United Nations as the ‘International Year ofSustainable Energy for All’. To mark the occasion we caught up with our Energy and Environment Manager, Naomi Makin, to see what things we can all bedoing, both at home and work, to help the environment and our wallets.

CORPORATE SERVICES

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General Public (x15) - We will be representing people from different areas of the district. Elections will take place later in the year and any member can stand for election.

Appointed Governors (x7) - We have been asked to share our expertise and knowledge for the benefit of local people.

Staff (x5) - There will be three of us from our clinical teams and two from non-clinical teams. Elections will take place later this year and any staff member can stand for election.

Your responses to our FT consultation (which ended 5 December 2011) have now been looked at and considered by our Trust Board - a summary of the views received can be found at www.bdct.nhs.uk Taking into account your responses our Council of Governors structure has now been finalised.

Where will the Appointed Governors come from?Barnardo’s (x1) - To represent younger people.

Bradford Metropolitan District Council (x2) - Two places have been provided to reflect the Council’s role and relationship with the Trust in moving towards the integration of health and social care.

Bradford University (x1) - To represent education, teaching and research issues affecting the Trust.

Bradford Assembly (x1) - To represent a wide variety of voluntary/charity organisations across Bradford.

Craven District Council (x1) - This makes sure the people of Craven are represented.

Sharing Voices, Bradford (x1) - To represent Black, Minority and Ethnic (BME) and other seldom heard groups.

What is the Council of Governors?They will represent our members and hold the Trust Board to account for its decisions. They will put forward ideas about a range of issues and will be able to influence important service changes and developments in the future.

OUR COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS

FoundationTrust Update

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1. Spring

2. Chocolate

3. Rabbit

4. Lamb

5. Daffodil

6. April

7. Showers

8. May

9. Flowers

10. Buds

11. Eggs

12. Treasure Hunt

13. Ducklings

14. Walks

15. Sunshine

16. Holidays

17. Crocus

18. Hatch

Coffee BreakwordSearCHCalling all chocolate lovers! If you have a sweet tooth and would love to bag yourself a large chocolate egg, have a go at our spring word search.

All you have to do is find the missing word. Words can be up, down, forwards, backwards or diagonal. When you have found the missing word, send it to us at communications@bdct.nhs.uk no later than Friday 11 May 2012. The winner will be chosen at random and notified after the closing date. Please remember to leave a contact number so we can let you know if you’ve been successful.

Good luck!

A T Y R Y T D A F F O D I L R U Q

S D O Q I J U D W I P B K P B W F

K P L T B U D S B X H C T A H U L

H B R G H F Y Z R H E J E T G Y O

E O A I R H O L I D A Y S S D R W

E J U S N A B S Y H F T A I U P E

S R W Z K G H D A K U I D O C T R

E G G S X S P O M P L B Z U K D S

U B F N C R S Y C Q W B G D L F K

J A I U B H E K I T A A P R I L E

T Y L S O S Y N S R S R L J N S H

R Z C W X P W A L K S B L R G A O

D U E K U I F R M Z M E T C S E T

T R S Y A L U L H S G X D W Z G Y

S W O H D E T A L O C O H C E K J

P L T F P E J M Q F E S S N O W B

E I B R T Z U B G P H R I A P R L

C R O C U S W R I S L D F Y U Q E

B K Y E K T N U H E R U S A E R T

feBruary’S winnerWell done to Margaret Wainwright, Team Secretary at Fieldhead Business Centre. Margaret was randomly chosen as the winner after correctly spotting the missing word of ‘hope’ in our New Year word search. Thank you to everyone who entered.

Get convenient, expert, confidential advice and treatment for a wide range of common complaints from your high street pharmacy without having to wait for a GP appointment, or go to A&E.

• Simplytext‘pharmacy’to64746andreceivethreefreetextswithdetailsofyournearestpharmacy

• OrcallNHSDirecton08454647

Get convenient, expert, confidential advice and treatment for a wide range of common complaints from your high street pharmacy without having to wait for a GP appointment, or go to A&E.

• Simplytext‘pharmacy’to64746andreceivethreefreetextswithdetailsofyournearestpharmacy

• OrcallNHSDirecton08454647

Get convenient, expert, confidential advice and treatment for a wide range of common complaints from your high street pharmacy without having to wait for a GP appointment, or go to A&E.

• Simplytext‘pharmacy’to64746andreceivethreefreetextswithdetailsofyournearestpharmacy

• OrcallNHSDirecton08454647