News and views from Kirklees Primary Care Trust

www.kirklees-pct.nhs.uk

Issue 13February 2008

Why are so many more babies dying in north Kirklees?That’s the question that prompted an in-depth investigation to find out why the rate of baby deaths in north Kirklees is at least 50% higher than nationally and in Dewsbury more than double the rate for England and Wales.

Briefings for PCT staff began on this issue as the report was being published at the end of January. For those who work in the field of child health the briefings were in-depth and for others less so but it is important that everyone here knows the basics when something like this is announced and is going to hit the media.

As you will know the findings of the report are shocking and were bound to attract media attention. Dr Judith Hooper, Director of Public Health for Kirklees, who headed the study, and her team, wanted to make sure the information was reported in a responsible way and the messages not misinterpreted.

Working with our Communications team and colleagues from Kirklees Council and The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, a plan was agreed to hold a media briefing so that the facts could be presented and explained.

Dr Hooper told the assembled journalists at the briefing that she is shocked by the report’s findings, which reveal high levels of smoking and poor health in pregnant women.

She said the investigation reveals evidence of malnutrition in the mothers leading to low birth-weight babies, an increasing

number of babies suffering rickets and high levels of genetic abnormalities.

She added:“In addition, the average number of rotten teeth in five-year-olds in Dewsbury and Batley is consistently at least double the national average. This points to a poor diet for the whole family and possibly for future children.

“These worrying statistics we’re talking about now are just the tip of the iceberg. Not only are they a tragedy for the families involved but they are equally a disaster for the health and future of the whole area.”

Journalists from newspapers, radio and television attended the briefing session held at Staincliffe and Healey Children’s Centre, Batley. Dr Hooper and Deborah Collis, Assistant Director of Public Health, also did one-to-one interviews and Dr Hooper appeared live on BBC Look North.

They had been joined on a panel to field questions by PCT Non-Executive Director Imran Patel and Sheila Dilks, Director of Patient Care and Professions, plus representatives from Kirklees Council and The Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals Trust.

And, as a result of all the time and effort put into working with the media, the coverage, on the whole, was fair, accurate and constructive.

Further briefing work with staff is being carried out and sessions are being organised with local communities around north Kirklees to help support parents to make healthier choices for their families.

There are plans in place to make sure that consistent information is easily available across the area from GPs’ surgeries, children’s centres, the hospital, libraries, council information points and other places that local people go to for information.

In the summer the PCT will be launching a campaign to promote messages about a healthy diet and lifestyle for the whole family. The NHS is undertaking a major review of maternity services, which includes taking on board the findings from this research, especially to increase support for families who are most at risk.

The full report and a summary are available on the intranet and PCT website.

Infant deaths in north Kirklees

January 2008

Gold for healthy Royds Hall - 2... Kicking chlamydia into touch - 3... In the spotlight - 5... Introducing the new PEC - 6... Have you met Desmond yet? - 8... Training and education - 9... Provider Services update - 10...

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Healthy Schools is a partnership between the PCT and the Learning service. In Kirklees there are two

levels schools can achieve – National Healthy School Status and Kirklees Healthy School Status Gold. In order to achieve National status, schools have to meet set criteria in the areas of physical activity, healthy eating, emotional wellbeing and PSHCE (personal, social, health and citizenship education). For the gold award, schools must achieve extra targets in the same areas and also in the areas of staff wellbeing and the environment.

It is based on evidence that healthier children perform better academically, and that education plays an important role in promoting health, particularly among those who are socially and economically disadvantaged.

Suzy Rhodes, the PCT’s Healthy Schools Co-ordinator, said that Royds Hall High School has made many improvements and has involved the whole school community including an active school council which helps get the message across.

“Another benefit is that the school has a well-equipped gym which

encourages participation by children who don’t like team sports,” she said. “And the school also lets some community groups use their gym facilities.

“All staff and students at Royds Hall High School have been involved in achieving the award which has seen lots of very impressive developments both in and around school.

“The members of the Healthy Schools team who visited the school said that it was one of the best schools they had seen for the positive atmosphere - among students and staff - the excellent learning environment and the way that everybody supported each other to be happy and healthy in their work.”

Lynne Hall-Bentley, PCT Assistant Director Commisioning, was a special guest at the school, spending a morning hearing from staff and students about developments before presenting the award.

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Gold for healthy

Royds Hall KIRKLEESHealthy School Standard Gold

Royds Hall High School, Huddersfield has been awarded the Kirklees Healthy School Standard Gold award.

KIRKLEES

All change for Equipment Stores From April 1 the Dewsbury and Huddersfield Equipment Stores will combine and become the Kirklees Integrated Community Equipment Services. This means the Dewsbury arm will transfer to the Huddersfield location.

Contact details Kirklees Integrated Community Equipment Store (KICES) Unit 1 Ringway Industrial Estate Beck Road, Huddersfield, HD1 5DG

Tel: 01484-300712

Fax: 01484-300713 (Safehaven)

Information sessions District Nurses/Assessors/other health care professionals are invited to one of the following briefing sessions, which are on a “drop-in” basis:

March 4, Batley Health Centre, Health Promotion Room 12.00noon-2.00pm

March 6, Mill Hill Health Centre, Upstairs Meeting Room 12.00noon-2.30pm

Details of all procedural changes will be discussed and copies of the new handbook and related paperwork will be circulated.

It is mandatory for one member of each District Nursing team to attend one of the briefing sessions in order to collect the appropriate number of booklets and information for their team.

Looking after me‘Looking after Me’ is a course for adults who care for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability. The course is about carers making time to look after their own health needs and it aims to help them to take more control of their situation and make a difference to their life. It also looks at communicating with family, friends and professionals, and planning for the future.

Carers who attended the first course last year felt they:

• learnedrelaxationtechniques

• receivedusefulinformationandfacts

• wereabletodiscussissueswithothercarers in a relaxed and confidential setting

• felttheirconfidencehadbeenboosted

• learnedhowtothinkmorepositively

• learnedself-helpmanagementtechniques

• developedtheircommunicationskills

Almost all the participants said that they had learnt ways to keep their stress levels down and find ways of coping when they feel tired. Due to the success of these courses we are running them throughout the year in both north and south Kirklees. The course is presented in an informal group setting, of up to 15 carers. It usually consists of seven weekly sessions, with a week's break after the first one, with each session lasting for about three hours.

For more information and the next dates, please contact Kirklees Carers Gateway on 01484 226050.

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Kicking Chlamydia into touch

Luke Stenchion (left) of Batley Bulldogs and John Gledhill of Dewsbury Rams support BClear about Chlamydia at the derby match on Sunday.

Rugby League clubs are joining forces with the PCT to help kick the sexually transmitted infection, Chlamydia, into touch.

Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Wildcats of the Super League are amongst the teams working with the Chlamydia Screening Programme for North Kirklees and Wakefield to spread the word that getting tested for the infection is as easy as 1-2-pee!

The Chlamydia screening team has arranged sponsorships with various clubs to tell sexually active under-25s there’s a free, simple and confidential test –and treatment – to tackle this common infection. They just have to pee in a pot – no examination nor needles!

BClear about Chlamydia kicked off this month at the Batley Bulldogs v Dewsbury Rams Northern Rail Cup second round game. There was information pitch-side, in the programme and Screening Co-ordinator Vivien Thompson and her colleague Amanda Townend set up a Chlamydia information point at the ground.

Bulldogs’ General Manager, Paul Harrison, said: ”We’re more than

happy to support the BClear campaign. Chlamydia is not something people talk about. If we can help remove the stigma so young people go and get tested, that can only be a good thing.”

In addition to club support the BClear campaign is sponsoring Rams second rower John Gledhill for this season.

John, who joined the Dewsbury team this year said: “Like most people I didn’t know much about Chlamydia before this. I’d no idea you can have it and not realise because there are no symptoms. It’s quite worrying really.

“It’s a bit weird being sponsored by the Chlamydia screening programme, but if I can get the fans to pee in a pot then that’s OK by me. I’m pleased to be involved.”

As part of their support for the campaign, Batley Bulldogs handed over a ball signed by all the match players and this will be used as the prize in a draw for anyone being screened in March and April - if they wish to enter.

Featherstone Rovers is also involved with the campaign along with Sandal RUFC and Ossett Town FC.

Carbon action – 10% less updatePosters and stickers urging us all to take action to reduce the carbon footprint of the local health economy have been winging their way to staff throughout the PCT in the last month.

If you haven’t yet seen them then may be no one in your workplace has asked for them. Put that right by checking with colleagues and putting in an order.

Helena Corder, Director of Corporate Services, is still on the lookout for volunteer Green Champions. So, if you’ve not volunteered yet and you already think green and wouldn’t shy away from encouraging your colleagues to follow suit, step forward!

Would-be Green Champions should approach their manager before volunteering. The job isn’t too demanding and will involve one or may be two meetings a year as well as switching off lights and encouraging others to do the same if a room is being left empty etc.

For more information about Green Champions, posters and the 10% less campaign contact Helena.corder@kirkleespct.nhs.uk

Your local NHS working for a greene

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CARBON ACTION

Green tipReport leaks and dripping taps to Estates Help Desk.

Movers and shakers Starters Nigel Wild, Nurse Practitioner Whitehouse Centre, Shahida Parveen, Clerical Officer CASH, Princess Royal Community Health Centre, Sally Westoby, Dental Nurse, Batley, Amanda Davies, Dental Nurse, Laura Mitchell Health Centre, Kate Remmer, Receptionist/Clerical Officer, Holme Valley Memorial Hospital, Sarah Hanson, Bank Auxiliary Nurse, Nicola Dearden-Roberts, Staff Nurse School Nursing Princess Royal Community Health Centre, Johanne Lee, Community Staff Nurse Dearne Valley, Michelle Clarkson, Bank Staff Nurse,

Paula Griffith, Bank Auxiliary Nurse Princess Royal Community Health Centre, Cindy Carty Peart, Bank Health Visitor, Princess Royal Community Health Centre, Saiqua Bibi, Health Visitor Dewsbury, Deirdrie Petherick, Health Care Assistant, Mill Hill Community Health Centre, David Watt, Health Care Assistant, Slaithwaite Health Centre, Bridget Cookson, Chlamydia Screening Health Advisor, Natalie Dyson, Bank Admin Assistant Moorfield Health Centre, Alison Hyde, Assistant Director Communications.

Leavers Doreen Stephenson

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Chlamydia screening steps up the pace Chlamydia screening across the whole of Kirklees is becoming more visible as our public health teams step up the pace of their awareness campaigns.

Their aim is to increase substantially the screening take-up by sexually active16-25 year olds. They are tackling this requirement from a variety of angles: from sports sponsorship, prize draws and bus advertising, to liaising with colleges, talking to people at nightclubs and hiring an advertising van.

In addition to the support from the Batley and Dewsbury rugby league teams in the north, (see story page 3) players from Halifax RLFC and Huddersfield Town FC have also been promoting the campaign. Both team captains helped to launch the latest initiative in the Calderdale and Huddersfield area. Also the first of three prize draw mini campaigns is under way. Wee for a Wii is where those who are screened are entered into a draw for the latest coveted Nintendo console.

The University of Huddersfield is backing the screening programme with good features in the student magazine, weekly bulletins and a link to a Facebook page.

Across the North there is internal and external bus advertising on many routes plus a striking Advan (pictured) which, during half-term week, toured Cleckheaton, Liversedge, Heckmondwike, Mirfield, Batley, Birstall, Dewsbury, Thornhill, Savile Town and Earlsheaton,

spending time at the Showcase Cinema, Birstall and amongst nightspots on Bradford Road, Batley.

A good read? Book

review

The first half of Dr le Fanu’s four-hundred page text tells readers that the 1940s to mid-1970s can be considered to be modern medicine’s golden age. Doctor Bjorn Ibsen’s work during Copenhagen’s horrendous polio epidemic of 1952 is one of twelve instances which Fanu ranks as ‘defining moments’ for this highly successful era. Also included in this half is John Chorley’s determination within the field of hip replacement – assisted by a fortuitous chat between his eager technician and an industrial salesman peddling the new plastic HWMP. Nudged along by the undercurrent of war, the period was one of great experimentation, technological development, and remarkable growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

However, the second half of Dr Fanu’s book argues that the rest of the century is marked by a decline in progress. Le Fanu

believes the previous decades relied on hard work, luck, and ‘free gifts’ from the unfathomable world of biology. Research chemists had won a roulette-like game against complex nature. Testing thousands of drugs established new therapies; but there was little advance in understanding the underlying causes of human ailments. Advancing medical knowledge in this fashion of blind testing could not and did not continue indefinitely.

The two central philosophies that tried to maintain the century’s earlier decades of success are named as New Genetics and Social Theory. Fanu believes both failed to deliver their hoped for improvement. In the former, investigating fragments of DNA has not reaped rich benefits because, in the main, genes are not an important cause of disease in humans. Furthermore, while the logic of gene therapy assumes genes work independently, Fanu claims

The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine, Dr James Le Fanu, Little Brown Book 1999

they function in groups and resist our efforts to unravel cause and effect.

Social Theory had an admirable mission: to prevent ill-health by improving the environment, for instance, changing chemical pollution, poverty and diet. Apparently, at one time the Department of Health (page 314) recommended a diet that allowed just one or two biscuits per day. The author argues that our biological feedback mechanisms generally protect us from widely promoted worries over a modern lifestyle, and he also highlights the need for statistical research to consider conflicting factors (like the importance of age in cancer mortality) and clinical experience that indicates fresh conclusions. Too often, statistically derived knowledge has proven unreliable.

This is a controversial book which might lose Dr Fanu a few friends, perhaps especially those who are epidemiologists. As well as being an interesting read, its themes are available to medical students in need of a thesis: they could compile a detailed response to the issues for the current decade.

Neil Richardson, Corporate Services, St Luke’s House

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In the spotlightThis month we talk to Alison Hyde, the PCT’s newly appointed Assistant Director of Corporate Services. She has responsibility for communications, patient and public involvement, PALS and the graphics team.

What are the best things about your job?After just a week it’s a bit difficult to tell! I’m still finding my way around and having come from the Strategic Health Authority in Newcastle the range of responsibilities the PCT has is mind blowing!

…And the worst?Definitely the travelling. I live in North Yorkshire and it takes me two hours to get to work. So I shall be spending a lot of time at weekends getting to know the area and finding somewhere to live.

How would you describe yourself in three words?A typical Gemini!

What do you do in your spare time?I’m tempted to say what spare time! I love the sea so I go out to some of the lovely local beaches as much as possible. Peter, my husband, is a bird watcher (please note, not a twitcher) so we walk a lot. Having grown up in Wales I am a fanatical armchair rugby fan (union, I’m afraid.) My biggest interest is creative writing. I am three quarters of the way through a novel set in Victorian England, which I hope to finish this year. Mind you, I did start writing it five years ago.

What is your pet hate? Intolerance of other people’s beliefs and values.

Where was your best holiday?On the coast of Northumberland the Christmas before last. We have been many times, but it was always an ambition of mine to see the sun rise over Holy Island on Christmas Day and we did. It was absolutely wonderful to walk round the island in the bright, frosty air and just take in the wonderful, peaceful, scenery.

If money was no object, what would you buy?A house with a big enough piece of land to give as many unwanted animals as possible a good home.

And finally, if you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?That no-one ever seems to learn from experience. If they did war would be a thing of the past.

Lowerhouses walkers put the boot in to quit smokingWhat a breath of fresh air! Members of Lowerhouses Health Walk are putting their best foot forward to stop smoking with the help of a drop-in support session after their walk.

For seven weeks the group will meet up for just an hour and get help to kick the habit from their local NHS Stop Smoking Team. A special course “Help to Stop Smoking” started on January 22 at Longley Baptist Church in Lowerhouses.

“Joining the walking group was a step in the right direction for

me,” said Ronnie Coward. “I started smoking when I was 13 and I’ve been smoking for 49 years. I’ve tried patches and inhalator and now I’m trying tablets. There’s very few side effects and it’s working for me. I’m saving over £30 a week by not smoking.”

Ronnie, who has had a new heart valve and a heart bypass operation is determined to give up and added “If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

One of the most effective ways to stop smoking is to attend group sessions with other people who are trying to stop. The group will be able to share successes and difficulties, said Joy Thomas, one of the PCT’s Stop Smoking Advisors.

She and her colleagues offer a wide range of support for smokers who want to quit. For more advice about the Stop Smoking Service contact 01484 344285.

To find out more about Lowerhouses Stop Smoking Course, please ring Kath Stewart on 01484 347695 or 07950 386020.

Newsome Next Generation is a Healthy Living Project tackling issues affecting people’s health and well-being. It receives funding from the Big Lottery Fund to develop healthy living activities in the Newsome Ward. The group is part of the Kirklees Walking Network established by Culture & Leisure Services, Kirklees Council, who train and support many local volunteer walk leaders.

Locality working works! We’re not the only ones working in localities and that’s great news and will hopefully make life a little simpler when it comes to delivering services.

PCT staff working in the localities and the Public Health teams, for example, will already know that Kirklees Council and Kirklees Police have created seven localities aligned to our own.

It’s good to know that when a PCT member of staff is discussing an issue in

a particular area (locality) a colleague from Adult Services will know where that is and where the boundaries lie.

So, like us, they divide their patches into: Batley, Birstall and Birkenshaw; Denby Dale and Kirkburton; Dewsbury and Mirfield; Huddersfield North; Huddersfield South; Spen and The Valleys.

Locality Co-ordinators are being recruited now and will be in post in a couple of months’ time. They will be the vital links between the organisations working in these areas.

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Introducing the new Professional Executive Committee (PEC)

MembersThere are seven clinical members…

• David Anderson – GP - PEC Chair

• David Wood – Dentist -Vice Chair, Choosing Health lead

• Anil Aggarwal – GP - Planned Care lead

• Sarah Brackwell – Health Visitor - Clinical Governance and Effectiveness lead

• Ajit Mehrotra – GP - Urgent Care lead

• Dawn Gordon – District Nurse - Patient Experience, Health Outcomes and Patient and Public Involvement and End of Life lead

• Angela Ladocha – School Nurse – Children’s lead

… and seven management members

• Mike Potts - Chief executive

• Brian Machin - Director of Finance

• Carol McKenna - Director of Commissioning and Service Development

• Judith Hooper - Director of Public Health

• Sheila Dilks - Director of Patient Care and Professions

• Peter Flynn - Director of Performance and Information

• Helena Corder - Director of Corporate Services

Other PEC members • Vanessa Stirum – PCT Non

Executive Director

• RepresentativesofKirkleesCouncil:Children and Adult Services - Karen Worrall and Sally McIvor

• Othermembersaccordingtoagenda

Key roles and functions• SupportingtheBoardinthe

development of the PCT’s vision and strategic direction

• Commissioning

• Clinicalgovernance

• Leadingcommunicationwithpartners and stakeholders

The PCT’s Professional Executive Committee was formed in October 2007. Since then, as Chair Dr David Anderson explains, “the members have gained an understanding of the complexity and scope of the PCT; the factors affecting the health of our population; the partners we are working with and the agendas which we have to influence.

“In this the PCT recognises the input of front line clinicians as vital in influencing these policies. An example which demonstrates this commitment

and an approach that I believe in is the involvement of clinicians in practices and district nurse teams in the ‘route to solution process’ in defining the configuration of district nurse teams.”

Dr Anderson continued: “Over the coming year we will bring to the PEC a range of the key service areas and utilise the background and front line experience with patients to improve policies.

“In February we will be discussing in detail, sexual health policies, urgent care and primary care access.

“In the future the PECs will be working on learning disabilities, long term conditions -including diabetes, respiratory medicine and coronary heart disease (CHD), primary care strategy, obesity, alcohol, smoking, cancer, voluntary service strategy and patient and public involvement."

If you would like to be informed when we are discussing any of these topics or would like to make your views known please let me know.

In these service areas the PCT has set up Health Improvement Teams which will also have a remit of engaging with clinicians. In some of these we recognise engaging with the different clinical bodies within the PCT is a major task but, in giving this the priority it requires we have started recruiting dedicated clinical leads who will have one session per week to ensure that the clinical input truly leads the policy.

So far we have appointed:

• Diabetes–MarkFreeman,Consultant

• CHD-ChrisBeith,GP

• Respiratory-AnujHanda,GP

• Technology-DominicGray,GP

• Obesity-GillHawksworth,Pharmacist

• MentalHealth–NicholasKaye,GP

We intend to recruit to other service areas.

Some of the other priorities for the year ahead are:

• PracticeBasedCommissioningandPECworkingtogetherincommissioningaservice which we are told has to be World Class

• ProgressingtheMidYorkshireservicestrategy

• Developmentprogrammetonurtureandprogressclinicalleadershipthroughoutthe PCT

• Developingaprimarycarestrategy

• Maintainingproductivelocalrelationships

• EmphasisingqualityandtheneedtofocusonHealthoutcomesinservicedevelopment.

David Anderson

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PEC members Dr David AndersonDavid is a GP at the Grange Group Practice in Fartown, Huddersfield, where he has worked since 1983. He became a PEC member when PCTs were first set up and was chairman of the former Huddersfield Central PEC, cancer lead and named doctor for child protection. He was appointed chairman of Kirklees PEC from its inception in 2007.

David WoodDavid is vice-chair of the PEC and the lead for Choosing Health. He qualified as a dentist in 1983 and worked in Bristol and Portsmouth hospitals before moving to Mirfield in 1988. He is a part-time tutor at Leeds Dental Institute and has been a member of this PEC since the PCT was created and was a member of the former North Kirklees PEC where he was clinical governance lead

Dr Ajit Mehrotra Ajit qualified as a doctor in India in 1964 and gained a masters degree in general surgery in 1968. He has worked as a hospital practitioner in A&E and as a clinical assistant in ENT. He has been in practice as a general practitioner with a special interest in ENT at the Windsor Medical Centre, Dewsbury since 1972. He is a past chairman of the Calderdale and Kirklees Local Medical Committee (LMC), Kirklees LMC and is at present co-chairman of Kirklees LMC (Chairman of the Dewsbury division). He was appointed when this PCT was set up and is now the urgent care lead for the PEC.

Dr Anil Aggarwal Anil is a GP at Meltham Road Surgery, Lockwood, where he has worked since 1984. He has been a PEC member since the PCTs were set up, and was vice-chairman of the former South Huddersfield PCG Board. He holds an MBA qualification and is a general practitioner with a special interest in dermatology. He is the PEC lead for planned care.

Angela Ladocha – School Nurse Team LeaderAngela is a new member of the PEC. She has been a School Nurse Team Leader in the Huddersfield North locality for almost five years. She has more than seven years experience of working in primary care and over 15 years as a nurse within the NHS, mainly within paediatrics. A general nurse, she has specialist qualifications in paediatrics and school nursing. As well as being a Team Leader she also holds a caseload of schools and is a locality link for child protection and acts as a community practice teacher (CPT) for students undertaking specialist practitioner degrees in school nursing. Her lead area for the PEC is children, families and maternity commissioning.

Sarah Brackwell - Health Visitor Team LeaderSarah has worked for the Trust for three years and was appointed Health Visitor Team Leader at the start of 2007. She began her career as a nurse and worked in a range of critical care settings before training as a Health Visitor. She has worked at a senior level for most of her 20 years in the NHS with responsibilities that included staff development, practice development, clinical governance and outreach services. She is a new member of the PEC and her lead area is clinical governance and effectiveness.

Dawn Gordon – District Nurse Dawn is a district nurse team leader, based in The Valleys locality. She has worked in primary care for 14 years, over seven of which have been in Huddersfield. Her previous experience has been in both hospital and hospice including helping to set up the hospice service in another area. During her time in Huddersfield she was privileged to take up a secondment as Macmillan nurse in palliative care, which further developed her knowledge and skills in this field. A new member of the PEC, her responsibilities involve patient /public involvement and end of life care.

New role for ChrisChris Stephen joined the PCT in December in a new role - Community and Volunteer Engagement Officer. Chris comes from the voluntary sector and many of you may know her as Chris Walker, Chief Executive of North Kirklees MIND.

Chris has a wealth of knowledge regarding volunteers and has previously run therapeutic services based almost entirely with volunteers. Chris has also worked on a freelance basis for the Princess Diana Trust (Diana Memorial Fund) and as a consultant for many other voluntary organisations throughout Yorkshire.

Chris is keen to inform all staff that if they have been considering using volunteers to enhance their service to contact her. Chris is also interested in having a proactive approach to community and voluntary organisations and if staff feel a voluntary or community organisation would benefit from a visit from her she would be happy to discuss this. 07534260943 or e-mail her at christine.stephen@kirkleespct.hns.uk

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Have you met DESMOND yet?DESMOND in case you are wondering, is Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed Diabetics

First step towards a new HQFollowing months of work, a decision has been reached on the location of the new PCT headquarters.

The PCT Board agreed that the land at Bradley Business Park was the preferred choice from the two shortlisted locations in Huddersfield.

The Board’s decision was very considered and took into account the feedback staff provided through consultation and at the roadshows in November. The site was chosen for the space and flexibility of the accommodation as well as the local environment, parking facilities and the ability to co-locate.

What happens now?It is estimated that it will be 18 months to two years before staff are working in the new headquarters. However, a lot of work will happen between now and then to make sure the new building is suitable for staff when they move in.

If you haven’t had a chance to look at the plans, they are still available in both Beckside and St Luke’s House and will shortly be available on the PCT intranet nww.kirklees-pct.nhs.uk

Look out for regular updates in TalkAbout.

More than 50 healthcare practitioners across south Kirklees attended the launch of the DESMOND patient education programme. They are being trained so that they know all about DESMOND and will be able to refer patients for the programme with confidence.

DESMOND is a national patient education programme aimed at giving people with Type 2 Diabetes the best start in managing their own condition. Participants attend two, three-hour education sessions where they learn more about their health condition and explore self management methods. The sessions are interactive, non-didactic and focus on behaviour change.

The programme also gives patients the opportunity to meet and share experiences with others. DESMOND has been successfully running across the country since 2003 and now runs in approximately a third of all PCTs.

North Kirklees signed up to DESMOND two years ago, and now patients in South Kirklees will have the opportunity to participate in this valuable programme.

To find out more about DESMOND or to refer patients to the education sessions, which start in March contact the Diabetes Screening Team on 01484 466049.

Sam Ingram named as Employee of the Year 2007 is pictured receiving her

award from John Rayner, Director of The Health Informatics Service

HIS staff wards for 2007Winners of The Health Informatics Service (HIS) Staff Awards for 2007 were announced at The Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield just before Christmas. The awards attracted over 80 nominations from customers and colleagues and featured five categories.

The following were successful:Employee of the Year - Sam Ingram, Clinical Information Manager

Excellence in Customer Service - Charles Anderson-Forde, Technical Support Oficer

Innovation and Service Improvement - winners Rob Birkett, Portfolio Manager

Network Services and Erik Kennelly, Data Network Analyst

Most Effective Team - The Wakefield Prisons Project (Julian Butterworth, Chris Colley, Tahira Shariff, Alison Copley, Debbie Hunter, Richard Tyas, Matt Hurl, Dean Davidson, Andrew Mullins, Imran Ahmad and Nick Ball)

Good Citizenship and Sustainability - Caroline Squires, Confidentiality and IM&T Security Offficer

There were also two staff who received 'Highly Commended' certificates: Gawaine Carter, Information Manager and James Thomson, Service Desk Analyst

Healthcare practitioners at the launch

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Be on your guard against…ARSONArson is a high risk for the NHS. It is important that we all play our part in managing the risk to our buildings, our own property and ourselves. We can do this by observing the following:

PUBLIC AREAS including: car parks, lobbies, refreshment areas, receptions, common access corridors, waiting areas, public toilets and lifts.

These areas are open to the public. We need to be able to see what visitors are doing and we need to remove the opportunity for arson. We must have an adequate response to anyone acting in a suspicious manner. Staff MUST ensure that there is no uncontrolled build up of flammable materials,(including waste and litter) internally or externally on any site.

CONTROLLED AREAS including: clinical areas, surgeries, meeting rooms, offices, connecting corridors.

Staff and acknowledged visitors can access these areas and they must display suitable identification or must be otherwise supervised. Visitors must be signed-in and out or checked on an appointment register. Members of the public must not be left unattended. All sites must have a robust system in place for ensuring that all visitors leave controlled areas following the completion of their business and that everyone has left the building when it is locked for the night.

FIRE-HAZARD AREAS including: cleaners’ stores/cupboards, chemical stores, clothes or linen cupboards, disposal rooms (rubbish, dirty linen bags etc.), staff changing rooms/locker rooms, store rooms, ward kitchens, X-ray film stores, medical record stores, stationery cupboards, contractors/workmen’s stores

Only staff and authorised contractors are allowed entry into the fire-hazard areas. These areas must be kept secured from the general public at all times.

SPECIALIST ACCESS AREAS including: lift motor rooms, plant rooms, electrical intake rooms or cupboards, boiler rooms, main gas intake rooms, gas bottle storage or manifold rooms, workshops, confined spaces such as roof-spaces, ducts or voids etc. flammable liquid stores, areas cordoned-off for building works or site maintenance

These areas can be accessed by Estates/Facilities staff, authorised staff and contractors. They may require a ‘Permit to Work’ (see Estates).These areas will be locked when not attended.

General duties – all staffAll staff MUST comply with KPCT procedures including local signage.

CHALLENGING OTHERS: Providing it is safe to do so, all staff are empowered to: • challengestrangersincontrolledareas

and ask for identification • challengepersonsdisplayingsuspicious

behaviour• challengesmokers

If it is not safe, staff must seek support and alert others. If there is a real and imminent threat of arson they must contact the police.

REPORTING INCIDENTS: If you see an incident or identify an area of concern it is your responsibility to report and manage that incident unless it is taken over by a more senior or more competent person (e.g. Police). Examples of incidents include:• fires• attemptedfires• suspiciousbehaviour• unidentifiedorunco-operative

strangers.• build-upofflammablematerials

(waste, linen, litter etc)• unlockedfirehazardandspecialist

rooms.

REPORTING TO:• emergencyservicesifnecessary• linemanager(always)• Estates(wheredamagehasoccurredor

maintenance is required) • completeanincidentformandactions

arising.

For support for your investigation contact

Security Management Chris Bedford 07974 391321 or Jane Kennedy 07931 598394.

Training and education - March 2008

Capacity for Challenge3 March, Calderdale Royal Hospital

Infection Control4 March, 1000-1100, St Lukes House

4 March, 1100-1200, St Lukes House

4 March, 1300-1400, St Lukes House

4 March, 1400-1500, St Lukes House

12 March, 1000-1100, Beckside Court

12 March, 1100-1200, Beckside Court

12 March, 1300-1400, Beckside Court

12 March, 1400-1500, Beckside Court

20 March, 1000-1100, Beckside Court

20 March, 1100-1200, Beckside Court

20 March, 1300-1400, Beckside Court

20 March, 1400-1500, Beckside Court

Coaching5 March, Calderdale Royal Hospital

Leadership at the Point of Care DAY 3 Jan Course6 March, 0900-1700, Calderdale Royal Hospital

Information Governance & Records Management5 March, 1400-1630, St Lukes House

Health, Safety & Risk11 March, 1000-1200, St Lukes House

17 March, 1300-1500, Beckside Court

NEW Immunisation & Vaccination13 March, 0900-1230, Dewsbury Health Centre

LEO DAY 4 DECEMBER COURSE 26 March, 0900-1230, Calderdale Royal Hospital

Casual clothesPupils at Batley Girls' High School have sent proceeds of a non-uniform day to the Children's Ward at Dewsbury and District Hospital. The pupils voted to send the £331 to the ward following their annual Arts Enterprise Day at the school in Windmill Lane, Howden Clough, which was held to help develop the girls’ citizenship skills and promote respect for others.

The Arts Enterprise Day, based on the theme Human Rights, was organised by the student council. It explores issues such as fair trade, climate change, poverty and global awareness.

10Provider Services update

sharing successes Earlier this month around 30 members of staff from the PCT and Kirklees Council’s Early Years Service got together to share good practice and development plans for Children’s Centres.

Locality Managers from the PCT joined with Health Visitors, Public Health colleagues, Family Support workers and Locality Managers from Kirklees Council in drawing up plans to develop greater joint working across the area for children and family services through the Children’s Centres.

Children’s Centres are part of the Government’s SureStart initiative, designed to promote the health, education and development of children under five and their families in every community. Jean Samuel of Together for Children told the conference about the national picture and helped set Kirklees activity into context.

The work of Children’s Centres has expanded and in some localities they now offer One-Stop Shops, which offer a whole range of services for families including health and welfare information, advice and support for the whole family together with a Citizens’ Advice Bureau with Welfare Rights workers.

Conference goers reported significant successes within Children’s Centres, such as an increasing number of people taking-up:

• earlyantenatalservices

• parentingsupport

• breastfeedingsupport(andincreasingnumberof mothers breastfeeding for longer)

• healthiereating

Staff at the conference were far from complacent and shared ideas for further improvements to their services. These include reducing smoking in pregnancy and other steps towards reducing infant mortality.

See next month’s TalkAbout for more about Children’s Centres.

Provider Services team leader development programmeMore than 60 Team Leaders throughout Provider Services have attended a five day development programme, giving them the opportunity to develop new and existing skills, to take Provider Services forward and to support their teams.

A big thank you from the organisers to all who attended for their lively and enthusiastic contributions. The course evaluated very well, the feedback is presently being processed.

A big thank you also to all the facilitators who enabled the course to run and gave their valuable contributions and knowledge.

The sixth day of the course will involve each delegate visiting another service to build on their knowledge and gain new ideas. A list of suggested areas of interest and locations is available, some within Yorkshire and The Humber and some further afield. Delegates may if they wish, organise their own placements.

A reminder to Team Leaders: placements need to be booked by Monday February 25 and Sandra.milnes@kirkleespct.nhs.uk (01924 351571) informed.

The final day of the training will take the form of a conference which will be held on April 22 – more details will be available nearer the time - when delegates will have the opportunity to share their learning and experiences.

Get well MargaretMargaret Summers, Locality Manager for Denby Dale and Kirkburton has had a spell in hospital. She is now recovering at home. We wish her well and her colleagues in Provider Services are looking forward to her return.

11

Sue and Richard against a stunning, if chilly, Huddersfield backdrop

Congratulations to…Su Kent, PA to Denise Boyd, Deputy Director Business Development and

Localities, Provider Services. She married Richard Pursell at the Pennine Manor Hotel, Scapegoat Hill, Huddersfield

on January 12. Following the wedding, the couple enjoyed a fabulous honeymoon in

Jamaica. So, remember Su is now Su Pursell.

Options – for new ways of working Provider Services is piloting a new, flexible working scheme called Options from April 1 this year. It will run for a year and if it’s a success it will continue.

At the moment there are a variety of flexible working schemes within the directorate but there are inconsistencies, with some staff being allowed to work flexibly and others not.

Existing schemes are being reviewed now and those currently working flexibly need to apply to their manager for this to continue as well as those applying for the first time. Providing service needs are met and high quality patient care continues to be provided, requests will be accommodated.

Although applications need to be in by February 29 staff have been reassured that if their personal circumstances change during the year, such as their carer responsibilities increase, they will be able to apply to work flexibly after this date.

The Options scheme includes working annualised hours, compressed working hours and the ability to buy additional holidays. Further details are on the PCT intranet.

Front line visits for Tina Tina Quinn, Assistant Director Provider Services, recently spent a couple of mornings out and about with community teams. Here’s her report:“I joined one of our senior community dentists at an out patient clinic over in Calderdale Royal Hospital. The Community Dental Care service works across Kirklees and Calderdale and is hosted by Kirklees PCT. The service provides dental care for children and adults with special needs who are unable to receive their dental care from the General Dental Services. It works in health centres, hospitals and in the patients’ homes

“Part of my time there was spent observing one of our senior dentists assessing three different patients – one child and two adults with special needs. Both adults were subsequently referred on for assessment and treatment under general anaesthesia.

“The morning was interesting and informative and it was clear that the Calderdale and Kirklees Community Dental Care team provides a valuable specialist service.

“I'd like to thank Balqees Bi for help on the day.

“Another morning was spent with one of our community based occupational therapists. The team is based at the Eddercliffe Centre. The service provides assessments at home for adults and children with physical disabilities for the provision of equipment or adaptations within their homes to help them live independently. Members of the team work closely with both housing and social services – the service is a good model for integrated working.

“I went out on a visit to a patient who had been referred by her GP because of severe mobility problems – the family were requesting some adaptations within their home to help the patient remain as independent as possible. The Occupational Therapist took a detailed case history and then observed the patient’s ability to move independently. The patient clearly had great problems moving around her house and was in considerable pain while doing so. Several options were then discussed with the family regarding possible adaptations. The Occupational Therapist will return to the family as soon as possible with a surveyor from Kirklees Council’s housing team to look more closely at the feasibility of the options and to discuss these further.

“I appreciate the time Lisa Brook and the rest of the team gave to my visit."

New neonatal screening leadsGill Buckingham and Nishi Dharni are the new neonatal screening leads for Kirklees PCT. They started at the beginning of the year and work one day each per week.

They are currently contacting appropriate directorates to check they have robust communication links with all areas as well as identifying any training requirements.

Their details:Gill Buckingham, Base: Fartown Grange Mobile: 07904653331

Localities: Huddersfield North, Huddersfield South, Denby Dale & Kirkburton, The Valleys.

Nishi Dharni, Base: Cleckheaton Health Centre, Mobile: 07957774485

Localities: Dewsbury & Mirfield, Batley, Birkenshaw & Birstall, Spen.

News and views from Kirklees Primary Care Trust

Deadline for articles for next issue is 29 February 2008

Get involvedRemember, this is your newsletter and we’d like everyone to be involved.

So, if you have anything you’d like to share please send it to:

Communications team, St Luke’s House, Blackmoorfoot Road, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield HD4 5RH

01484 466044/466223 or email communications@kirkleespct.nhs.uk

Do you love yourself enough to make sure you look after your health? That was the question for local students on the day that love was definitely in the air.

Staff from the PCT helped them with the answer as they took part in a Valentine’s Day Health Event held at Huddersfield Technical College. The event was open to staff and students from the College and from near by Greenhead College.

Many different organisations took part to emphasis god health in its widest sense. Among those supporting the initiative were: Sexual Health, Drug Sense, Kirklees Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, Student Unions, Kirklees Sports and Leisure Services, Kirklees Young People Friendly Kite Mark, plus from the Colleges, their departments of beauty and holistic well being.

Calling all researchersThe Primary Care Research Network (PCRS) is now active in West Yorkshire. They are looking for people interested in participating in research projects, and also for projects to be included in their portfolio.

What is the Primary Care Research Network?The PCRN Northern and Yorkshire is a regional research network and is part of the government funded UK Clinical Research Network. Their aims are to increase high quality research activity across the entire NHS and, in Primary Care, to offer patients and staff the opportunity to become involved in high quality research.

What are the benefits for primary care professionals?There are many, including:

• FreeaccesstotheUKCRNtrainingprogramme

• Opportunitiestobeinvolvedinhighquality research projects

• Accesstonewtreatmentsandservices via the research itself

• Eligibilityforservicere-provisioncosts to cover staff time and involvement in research

Which projects are adopted by the PCRN?The PCRN Northern and Yorkshire works on Primary Care studies that are: funded in open national competition, peer reviewed, of high quality, and of relevance to the NHS. They may come from academia, charities or industry, be qualitative or quantitative, local, national or international. All the projects must satisfy the PCRN requirements.

If you would like to learn more about PCRN research projects, or if you are working on a trial that you think could be included in the PCRN portfolio then contact the local Clinical Trial Co-ordinator - Helen Wright on 07932 078232 or e-mail her at helen.wright@nyren.co.uk

You will find more information about the PCRN and the adopted studies at http://www.ukcrn.org.uk/index/networks/primarycare.html

alentine’s DayA healthy

Sexual Health Advisor Liz Clough with students from Huddersfield Technical College