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Good Stuff Love to learnAmazing people Patient storySHARING GREAT

STORIES FROM CPFTDEVELOPING NEW SKILLS

RECOGNITION AWARDS RESULTS

WRITING FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The Edenwood Unit, an assessment and treatment unit for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues, was recognised for supporting patients, improving clinical practice and demonstrating a good understanding of patient needs. The rating has improved from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT’ with three elements rated as ‘GOOD’. This is as a result of:

A positive behaviour support model which has led to more patient centred care. Involving patients in developing their care plans and regular review meetings. Improved risk assessment, training and safeguarding procedures. Patients said they felt well supported by staff and staff demonstrated a good understanding of their needs.

Clare Parker, Director of Quality & Nursing, said: “It is extremely positive to note that three areas are now rated as ‘Good’; this demonstrates the support and hard work of our staff. We know that there are still further improvements to be made and we are continuing with work to address this.”

www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk

#CPFTsocial @CPNHSFT @CPFTNHS @cumbriapartnershipnhs youtube/CPFTNHS

Patient Experience Team: for any questions, comments or concerns about our services 0800 633 5547 | pet@cumbria.nhs.uk

Your Governors: represent the views of people like you and always want to hear your thoughts on local healthcare 01228 603761 | AskYourGovernor@cumbria.nhs.uk

Become a member to have your say: as a Foundation Trust we have members and governors – local people that input into how we shape our services. Anyone who lives in Cumbria, is over the age of 14 and has an interest in their local health services can become a member. It is free to join – simply fill in the form on our website.

Get in touch

Trust Talk | SUMMER 2017C L A I R E ’ S

Welcome

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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Trust Talk | SUMMER 2017

Improvements praised by CQC

OUR HOT TOPICS

Communications team for Trust Talk enquiries 01228 603890 | communications.helpdesk@cumbria.nhs.uk

e’re now over half way through 2017 and so much has happened since January. This will be my final Trust Talk welcome as I am bidding

farewell to Cumbria in September to take up post as Chief Executive of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. I am looking forward to my

new role but I will leave Cumbria with a heavy heart. We have achieved a lot in the past four years and are now embarking on some big changes

for the future. This issue of Trust Talk focuses on these changes by celebrating some of

our success stories and the difference that you, our amazing people, make to patients on a daily basis. Reading these stories makes me incredibly

proud. It’s thanks to the ideas of staff, patients and local communities that we have made such progress and by working together with our partners we will continue to do so.In May we were affected by the international cyber-attack but teams worked around the clock to get things back up and running. Disruption to patients was minimal and we were inundated with messages of thanks, support and pride in the NHS. That to me is the Cumbrian spirit – coming together in difficult times, supporting each other and staying positive! I know pressures on our services are high and resources are increasingly stretched so I encourage all staff to look after their own wellbeing as well as continuing to looking out for each other. I will leave in the confidence that the patients, services and staff of CPFT are in the very best position for the future and have all of the skills and expertise to continue to move towards happier, healthier and more hopeful communities across Cumbria. I hope you enjoy this issue of Trust Talk.

Claire MolloyCumbria Partnership NHS Foundation TrustTo see the latest from CPFT please visit: www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk

Since the last edition of Trust Talk we have received results from two recent CQC inspections which have shown positive improvements across our services.

Children’s community services were recognised for providing high quality patient care, improved waiting times and partnership working. The latest inspection has led to a significantly improved rating, leaping from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘GOOD’ overall in all areas. The report also highlighted outstanding practice for the Love Barrow Families initiative. The following factors led to the improved rating:

Improved leadership, governance, culture and waiting times. Staff protecting children and young people from avoidable harm and abuse. Robust safeguarding supervision to ensure staff share best practice. Young people and families felt staff kept them involved in their care. Services are organised to meet the needs of young people. Staff work collaboratively with partner organisations to ensure services provide choice, flexibility and continuity of care.

Dr Raj Verma, Associate Medical Director for the Children and Families care group, said:“I firmly believe that our team will continue to go from strength to strength on the journey of continuous improvement.”

Trust Talk | SUMMER 2017Trust Talk | SUMMER 2017

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Working together to improve care

The provision of public health services for children in Cumbria has seen a number of changes. A newly designed service, commissioned by Cumbria County Council (CCC), brings together existing health professionals to strengthen support for the most vulnerable children and provide a more equitable service for all children in Cumbria.

A new Public Health and Wellbeing Service has replaced traditional school nursing and will deliver strategic direction and support that will address local health and wellbeing issues.

The new Strengthening Families service will work specifically with the children, young people and families that are vulnerable. They will act as a key professional in the prevention, identification and monitoring of children at risk of significant harm. This service replaces the Family Nurse Partnership service.

The Health Visiting service will continue to provide key contacts and assessments for 0-5 year olds, but there may be some changes made to the services that are currently provided. Work is currently underway to determine these changes. In addition, the Chat Health service will no longer be available from 14th July. Young people seeking professional help are advised to speak to a trusted adult or contact Childline.

Cumbrian health and care leaders have joined forces to deliver seamless care to patients. CPFT are partners in two place based health systems. They cover West, North & East Cumbria, and Lancashire and South Cumbria. Nationally the NHS is adapting to meet the changing health needs of the population. In doing so, health organisations across the UK will be working together to support local communities. This is known as Accountable Care and will enable us to focus on preventing ill health, delivering care outside of hospitals and improving the health and wellbeing of our communities as well as recruiting and retaining staff.

Claire Molloy, Chief Executive, said:“We all want to provide more integrated care to patients closer to where they live and we need to remove organisational barriers to make this happen. This means all partners working and making decisions together in the interests of local communities.”

In West, North & East Cumbria, the first phase could see a shadow single leadership team, shared governance arrangements and support services, between CPFT and North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. In South Cumbria, health and care leaders are considering whether a move of some community services to University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust could help patients to receive more seamless care. This would build on the work already achieved through Better Care Together.

For countywide services, such as mental health and children and families, we are working with commissioners to consider the future. CPFT remains committed to these services and will only make changes if it is believed to be in the best interests of our patients.

Dr John Howarth, Deputy Chief Executive, added:“It’s important to note that nothing will change overnight. We will be working with staff over the coming months to develop this work. I’m confident that this work will enable us to deliver better care for patients and make better use of the Cumbrian pound.”

New boundaries for CCGs in Cumbria and North Lancashire

NHS Lancashire North Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group have undergone changes to their organisational boundaries to form the new NHS Morecambe Bay CCG and NHS North Cumbria CCG.

Morecambe Bay CCG now covers North Lancashire, South Lakes and Furness, and North Cumbria CCG covers Allerdale, Carlisle, Copeland and Eden. The boundary change builds on work undertaken by the NHS across Morecambe Bay as part of the Better Care Together strategy and a similar commitment by organisations in West, North & East Cumbria.

The changes will make local commissioning arrangements simpler and more efficient as well as paving the way to greater integration of health and social care services. The move is consistent with the recently announced Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STP) which place north and south Cumbria in different areas.

Changes to services for children in Cumbria

While we are going through these big changes it is important that you understand the opportunities and challenges ahead. Everyone is being encouraged to give their opinions to help us shape the future services and reach our vision of happier, healthier and more hopeful communities. We’re asking staff to tell us:

What does it really feel like to spend a day in your shoes?

By gathering honest stories from across the Trust we hope to gain a better understanding of your concerns and also opportunities to improve how we work for the benefit of our patients.

We are also having honest conversations about money and talking about how we can build on the savings we have already made. Change can often be challenging so we are looking at how we can support the health and wellbeing of our staff.

Y U&THE BIGGER PICTURE

THE GOOD STUFF

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Clinical Nurse Specialist Craig Stevens recently visited Budapest for a conference on Psychodrama with young people in mind. Psychodrama is an experiential form of therapy that allows those in treatment to explore issues through drama. It uses role play and group dynamics to help people gain greater perspective on emotional concerns, conflicts, or other areas of difficulty in a safe, trusted environment. CPFT run a psychodrama group for young people accessing mental health services.

Craig, who attended the self-funded conference in his own time, said:“As I am the only psychodrama psychotherapist in Cumbria, the experience of being in a room with many others was in itself very rewarding. I learnt a great deal about ways of working with younger children and look forward to implementing these techniques when the opportunity arises. The work I do with adolescents has been improved by the techniques regarding spontaneity that I saw in Budapest.”

A project to help people in mental health crisis to get the right help, at the right time, by the right people is up and running across Cumbria. Health and social care providers, Cumbria Constabulary, voluntary organisations and patients have worked together to develop a pilot called the Multi Agency Crisis Assessment Service (MACAS).

Peter McCall, Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, said:“Too many times have people in mental health crisis been sitting for hours in police cells or A&E – this is completely inappropriate and potentially damaging for the person who is in need of help. We have created a totally different approach and we are already seeing results.”

One element, a telephone line called the Single Point of Access (SPA), allows professionals such as the police to speak to a mental health practioner when faced with someone who is in crisis.

Dr Stuart Beatson, Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Medical Director for mental health at CPFT, explains:“The advice given at that point can deescalate the crisis. The SPA line professional has full access to patient notes so they can access care coordinators and any other service needed.”

Work is also underway with voluntary organisations to introduce Community Hubs – safe places where someone with mental health issues can go for professional support.

CPFT teamed up with North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust (NCUH) to help hospitalised patients across Cumbria get up, dressed and moving as part of the national #endPJparalysis campaign. Bed rest can reduce muscle strength by 2-5% in the first day and up to 10% in the first week. If an elderly patient is dependent on that 10% to manage at home, the effects of a week in hospital can be very far reaching – they can lose confidence and their independence.

Barbara Pinguey, specialist physiotherapist at NCUH, said:“By getting up, dressed and moving, patients can speed up their recovery, get home sooner and maintain their normal routines. We ask patients and relatives /carers to help us by ensuring they or their loved ones have clothing and footwear as well as pyjamas.’’

Janet Folland, Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at CPFT, added: “It’s great to be working together on this campaign and the enthusiasm from staff is fantastic. The pledges staff have made are a sign of their dedication and drive to do what’s best for patients.”

CPFT has teamed up with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) to deliver emergency first aid training, known as Heartstart, to children in Barrow. Almost 70 year six pupils from two primary schools, Greengate Junior School and St George’s School, attended the training and learned what to do if someone is choking, bleeding, suffers a heart attack or is unconscious.

Lauren Watson, Chain of Survival Coordinator at NWAS, explained: “These sessions are really practical and get the children fully involved. There’s a lack of basic first aid skills in this age group and we believe that needs to change. But it’s not just about teaching first aid; it’s about building confidence too. The children leave knowing what to do if they’re in a situation where someone needs their help and have the confidence to put their skills into action.”

Paula Hillman, Deputy Head at Greengate Junior School, said:“The training made our year sixes feel like trusted young adults, which is just what they want. They were really interested in the content and loved the practical bits – it was perfect for this age group. Many now want to continue their first aid training which is great.”

As well as saving lives, Heartstart training also gives the children a chance to learn more about what being a paramedic entails and encourages them to consider a potential career in this area.

Pauline Preston, Business Manager from CPFT, added:“We want to encourage local communities to get more involved in healthcare and by working with children we hope to spark an interest at a young age.”

Trust Talk | SUMMER 2017

Better mental health crisis support

Get up, get dressed, get moving

Barrow children given life-saving training

Using drama for mental health

WINNER (NON-CLINICAL) | CLINICAL GOVERNANCE TEAMThis team has been in place for less than two years, and formed by joining up several teams across support services. In a short amount of time they have developed themselves into one team which always focuses on providing support to improve quality, safety and learning lessons directly to care groups.

WINNER (CLINICAL) | WEST NEUROLOGICAL AND OLDER PEOPLE’S PHYSIOTHERAPY This team consistently performs beyond expectations, made possible only by the hard work and dedication of all staff. Feedback consistently demonstrates their commitment to building meaningful relationships with all patients.

Tracey Mifflin, Physiotherapy Professional Lead: “I'm really proud of this fantastic team who provide a brilliant service to patients in West Cumbria. They’re a dedicated bunch who constantly work to develop and improve.”

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amazingpeople sharedknowhow partnershipsheartofthecommunity

to all our #amazingpeople award winners and nominees

We’d just like to say a big. . .

Kindness Fairness Ambition Spirit

C NGRATULATI NS

2017 Recognition AwardsThis year we introduced our Amazing People Recognition Awards which gave staff the chance to nominate colleagues who they felt deserved to be recognised for their hard work and dedication. We received lots of brilliant nominations which gave the judges a difficult task. The winners were invited along to a small event to celebrate their achievements. 14 Listening into Action (LiA) projects were also celebrated at the event. LiA supports teams to make innovative service improvements and have shown some impressive results.

OUTSTANDING TEAM OF THE YEARUsing teamwork to achieve good practice and improve performance, and demonstrating significant achievements, commitment and compassionate care.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE IMPROVEMENTImplementing improvements and innovative ideas which have enhanced patient experience, improved patient safety and reduced risk.

WINNER | SOUTH LAKES COMMUNITY RESPIRATORY SERVICEThe team has made changes to the way they deliver their pulmonary rehabilitation programme resulting in excellent patient feedback, reduced delays and more choice for patients - all with no additional budget.

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIPLeading staff through organisational development, encouraging and motivating staff to develop and achieve their goals and improve performance due to their contribution and leadership.

WINNER | ELSPETH DESERT, CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, CARLISLEElspeth has shown perseverance to develop a new innovative service (Persistent Physical Symptoms Service) that improves the health and wellbeing of people in Cumbria.

Tim Evans, Deputy Director of Operations:“I am delighted that the work Elspeth has led has been recognised. It is great testament to Elspeth’s passion, commitment and resolve.”

OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALAn inspirational person who demonstrates our values and behaviours. For making an outstanding contribution to the development of services over a period of time, demonstrating commitments to outstanding patient care and overcoming challenges.

WINNER | ANNA COOKE, STROKE SPECIALIST SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST, COMMUNITY EASTAnna identified a lack of good mouth care for ‘nil by mouth’ patients on the acute stroke ward. She has led the nursing and health care team to increase awareness and confidence in dealing with this issue. She established ‘mouth care champions’ introduced suction and mouth care equipment and encouraged improvements for patients.

Paul Attwood, Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Lead:“I am delighted and proud that Anna has won this award. She thoroughly deserves this recognition for all her hard work and commitment.’’

WINNER | SUSAN WORTH, COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSE, CARLISLEBy thinking outside the box she gains trust and builds confidence for individuals to achieve beyond what they thought was possible. Susan has a wicked sense of humour and is able to laugh at herself which helps in getting along with others. Patients cannot help but smile in her company and be lifted in their mood.

Elaine Gorrie, Operational Manager:“We are really pleased for Sue because she makes a real difference by being kind and helping people to feel good about themselves.”

Wendy Gillen, Community Manager:“I am amazed by the innovation this team shows on a daily basis. They are constantly looking for ways to improve and have proved that small changes really do make a big difference.”

One staff member who is a role model and champion for the benefits of learning and development is Colette Doran, who works in the community rehabilitation team in Carlisle.

Colette is no stranger to facing challenges head on. She not only juggles her job as a support worker and her Health & Social Care Level 3 apprenticeship with her family commitments, but she is committed to a rigorous training schedule as an

international javelinist who will be representing Great Britain in the Deaflympics. Although Colette has been deaf since birth she has never let anything stand in her way.

She is a passionate apprentice who is enthusiastic about the power of learning to instil confidence in the care workforce. Already she’s planning her next learning challenge to become an Assistant Practitioner.

Colette says:“Everyone should be encouraged to commit to learning and development because it enhances knowledge, understanding and skills to do the job effectively.”

Colette won her award for North West Apprentice of the Year in Health and Care in June. She was nominated for the Learning Matters Health and Care Awards by the Vocational Learning team.

Vocational Learning Facilitator Stephanie Watson, added:“Colette promotes learning and development in the workplace and she acts as a role model to encourage others. She is constantly motivated to do more but is also a reflective learner who regularly draws on her own experiences to enhance patient communication.”

Trust Talk | SUMMER 2017

Barrow locals have begun training to lead activities that will improve the health and happiness of local communities as part of a scheme to reduce social isolation in Barrow-in-Furness. ‘Furness Wellness Days’, which take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at Walney Cottage, were introduced to bring local communities together and promote health and wellbeing

through a range of different activities. The initiative was launched following conversations with the public who explained that happiness improves their ability to manage their illnesses.

Dr Farhan Amin, GP at Burnett Edgar Medical Centre in Walney, said:“Furness Wellness Days give the people a place to engage with their local community, have coffee and lunch together, and lead and participate in various activities that help them achieve happiness and independence.”

Approximately 50 people of all ages gather to take part in a variety of activities on offer including chair yoga, pilates, meditation and reflexology.

Jo Newsham, Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist, at CPFT added. “It is really important for people to have protected time to focus on their own needs and wellbeing. The activities provided have emotional, mental and physical benefits – we recommend the Wellness Days to many of our patients.”

Learning a new skill, trying something different or achieving a goal can enhance confidence, self-esteem and help people think differently about themselves. From formal study or training, to taking up a new sport or joining a book club, learning can take many forms. Learning about health related topics can encourage people to take ownership of their health and wellbeing, while trying new activities uses different parts of the brain, can enhance concentration and delay the effects of aging.

The Festival of Learning runs during May and June each year and aims to inspire staff to get involved and embrace learning. Staff throughout the Trust have been pledging to learn or try something new – you can join in and let us know your pledges by tweeting us @CPFTNHS #CPFTLoveToLearn!

Karen Dutton, Clinical & Workplace Learning Facilitator said:“We’ve had lots of great pledges, from getting a pilot license to learning to play the Ukulele! We’ve had lots of people pledging to make changes to their health and wellbeing – such as joining a gym, going to a yoga class or practicing mindfulness - while some staff are working towards formal qualifications. Our staff certainly are ambitious and have embraced the spirit of the Festival of Learning.”

Love to learn

Colette wins Apprentice of the Year

Furness Wellness Days

850,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK. Dementia is a progressive disorder that affects how the brain works, in particular the ability to remember, think and reason. CPFT worked with partners and the local community to support national Dementia Awareness Week in May, highlighting the condition and support that’s available.

Helen Todd, Senior Nurse at CPFT said:“When a patient receives a diagnosis of Dementia the impact on the patient and the family can be daunting. We want to ensure they have all the support and information they need, and can access what is available locally to help them manage in future.”

Ann Maxwell, 75 from Carlisle, cares for her husband, Robert, who has dementia.“I consider myself very lucky due to all the support I’ve had since Bob was diagnosed, from different organisations as well as my family and friends. The Memory Matters team told me about a weekly group that they run for carers at Carlisle Library. It’s really informal and gives me the chance to ask any questions or share any concerns. It’s also really helpful to meet others who are going through something similar.”

If you are worried about your own or a loved one’s memory speak to your GP who can refer you to our Memory Matters service. The team run groups for carers across Cumbria, while Age UK and the Alzheimer’s Society also offer local support – visit our website for more details.

Raising awareness of dementia

Weekly Update

Barrow locals take control of their wellbeing

Barrow locals have begun training to lead activities to improve the health and happiness of local communities as part of a scheme to reduce social isolation in Barrow in Furness. ‘Furness Wellness Days’ which take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at Walney Cottage, Barrow-in-Furness were introduced to bring local communities together to promote health and wellbeing through a range of different activities. Originally available on Tuesday’s, the ‘Furness Wellness Days’ are now running on Fridays too due to popular demand. The initiative was launched following conversations with members of the public who all explained that happiness improves their ability to manage their own illness. Dr Farhan Amin, GP at Burnett Edgar Medical Centre in Walney, said: “Furness Wellness Days give the people of Barrow in Furness a place to engage with their local community, have coffee and lunch together, and lead and participate in various activities that help them achieve happiness and independence.” Every Tuesday approximately 50 people of all ages gather at Walney Cottage to take part in a variety of activities on offer including chair yoga, pilates, meditation and reflexology. Attendance at the Friday sessions continues to increase as more people are made aware of them.

Betty Ducie, community member from Walney who attends the Furness Wellness Days said: “Its good fun, it`s exercise and we get to meet people!” Anne Cottam, who also attends the days, said: “It’s very good exercise. I haven’t been able to touch my toes in years until I started coming to these classes.” The activities and therapies were initially available thanks to facilitators from external organisations including Christine Kay Wellness and the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS). As part of the second phase of the programme, the external facilitators are training local people so that they have the knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver the sessions themselves. Following feedback from attendees, local volunteers have developed a transport scheme where local people are collected at their doorsteps and taken to and from the wellness sessions. There are plans to roll out the ‘Furness Wellness Days’ to four additional areas within Barrow in Furness to enable more community participation. www.bettercaretogether.co.uk

www.facebook.com/bettercaretogether

Twitter: @BCTMorecambeBay

05.05.17

Weekly Update

Barrow locals take control of their wellbeing

Barrow locals have begun training to lead activities to improve the health and happiness of local communities as part of a scheme to reduce social isolation in Barrow in Furness. ‘Furness Wellness Days’ which take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at Walney Cottage, Barrow-in-Furness were introduced to bring local communities together to promote health and wellbeing through a range of different activities. Originally available on Tuesday’s, the ‘Furness Wellness Days’ are now running on Fridays too due to popular demand. The initiative was launched following conversations with members of the public who all explained that happiness improves their ability to manage their own illness. Dr Farhan Amin, GP at Burnett Edgar Medical Centre in Walney, said: “Furness Wellness Days give the people of Barrow in Furness a place to engage with their local community, have coffee and lunch together, and lead and participate in various activities that help them achieve happiness and independence.” Every Tuesday approximately 50 people of all ages gather at Walney Cottage to take part in a variety of activities on offer including chair yoga, pilates, meditation and reflexology. Attendance at the Friday sessions continues to increase as more people are made aware of them.

Betty Ducie, community member from Walney who attends the Furness Wellness Days said: “Its good fun, it`s exercise and we get to meet people!” Anne Cottam, who also attends the days, said: “It’s very good exercise. I haven’t been able to touch my toes in years until I started coming to these classes.” The activities and therapies were initially available thanks to facilitators from external organisations including Christine Kay Wellness and the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS). As part of the second phase of the programme, the external facilitators are training local people so that they have the knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver the sessions themselves. Following feedback from attendees, local volunteers have developed a transport scheme where local people are collected at their doorsteps and taken to and from the wellness sessions. There are plans to roll out the ‘Furness Wellness Days’ to four additional areas within Barrow in Furness to enable more community participation. www.bettercaretogether.co.uk

www.facebook.com/bettercaretogether

Twitter: @BCTMorecambeBay

05.05.17

All welcome, Tuesdays & Fridays at Walney Cottage, no need to book.

David Pollitt is a public Governor and service user. He helps our staff understand the patient’s perspective:

“I use my experience to help ensure that there are more ‘ups’ than ‘downs’ for everyone who uses the Trust’s services in the future. I advise staff to think about the person they are talking to - they must realise everyone is not the same.

“I have a minor speech problem but when a person asks me to keep on repeating myself I just get frustrated and walk away. When people rush me it makes my speech problem

worse. It would be helpful if more time was allowed at appointments and it helps seeing someone who knows me. It is helpful if someone rings me to discuss something rather than sending letters which I can’t always understand. I find it difficult to fill in forms and I need support with this.

“I would advise anyone who has extra communication needs to carry a Health and Wellbeing Passport, available from GP practices, which explains their needs, behaviours, likes and dislikes.”

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Trust Talk | SUMMER 2017Patient care trail blazers

Cumbria is setting the bar high as the first region in the UK to launch its local Allied Health Professional’s (AHP) strategy. AHPs across NHS organisations in Cumbria teamed up to develop new and innovative ways of working to improve patient care.

Helen McGahon, Head of Physiotherapy at North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust and Chair of the West North East Cumbria AHP Leads explained:“This is something that we are really proud of especially as it was developed in partnership with nine different Allied Health professions as well as the voluntary sector and patient representatives. We have a strategy that supports innovation and encourages continued improvement for all of us. It will help raise the profile of AHPs in every aspect of our patients’ health and wellbeing."

The strategy sets out shared agreements between organisations and will lead to more partnership initiatives. Recent initiatives include:

Occupational Therapists in Penrith joined forces with the North West Ambulance Service to create an admission avoidance car which stopped 29 people going to A&E unnecessarily and saved over £80,000.

Home First has helped hundreds of patients receive support from home rather than be admitted into the Cumberland Infirmary through the A&E department.

People who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss must by law be provided with information they can easily understand and be given the right support so they can communicate effectively with health and social care services. This is thanks to the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) which came into force in August. Two service users explain what it means for patients and staff.

Linda Wilson from Egremont explains what the AIS means for anyone who is blind or partially sighted.“The AIS has been a long time coming so I was really pleased when it became compulsory for all Health and Social Care organisations to implement it. Things are changing slowly and there is a lot of work to do but it’s a step in the right direction.

“For anyone who is blind or partially sighted being given information in a format that they can use makes the world of difference. I now get letters from my GP via email which I can access using my screen reader. It allows me to keep my independence. When I receive letters in the post, such as test results, I have to rely on someone else to read personal information to me. I’m also more likely to miss an appointment if it’s sent as a letter as again, I have to rely on someone else to pass the information on. If I could change one thing it would be that more staff consider the communication needs of people who are blind or partially sighted. A ‘one size fits all’ approach doesn’t work so it’s really important to ask patients what specific needs they have.”

Improved communication for all

ACCESSIBLEINFORMATIONSTANDARDWhat is the Accessible Information Standard?The Accessible Information Standard is a new mandatory standard that

all NHS and publicly funded adult social care services must follow.FIVE KEY ACTIONS RECORD

ASKFLAG

SHAREACT

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust | North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust

NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group | Cumbria County Council

Suzanne Rastrick, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer from NHS England and one of the driving forces behind the national strategy, said: “I have massive respect for the work of AHPs in Cumbria. Cumbria is inspirational, I’m holding you up as a shining example of what can be achieved.”

Janet Folland, Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at CPFT said:“This is really significant for Cumbria and shows how forward-thinking we are in terms of improvement. There are so many fantastic things happening in the county and together we can make a huge difference.”

Suzanne and Janet pictured

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

NAVEEN PRABHAKARAN Specialist Occupational TherapistAcquired Brain Injury (ABI) Team

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE A CAREER IN ABI?

I worked as an occupational therapist in Manchester for five years in different specialities including elderly, orthopaedics, community and mental health. However I found working in neurology, and specifically with people with a brain injury, to be both challenging and rewarding because of the complexity of the injury.

WHAT KIND OF THINGS DO YOU DO IN A TYPICAL DAY?

I have to be flexible to manage the needs of my clients which vary hugely from one day to another. I carry out specialist assessments and interventions, provide education and training, support families and the local charity ‘Headway North Cumbria’.

I work with organisations such as the Job Centre, employers, universities and private providers to help clients reach their potential. I work within an interdisciplinary team which means I do a lot of joint working with other professionals such as speech and language therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation assistants. I also enjoy having students as part of the team.

IS THE JOB WHAT YOU EXPECTED IT TO BE?

The job is more than I expected, no two clients are the same. Helping clients achieve independence gives me great job satisfaction. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE CUMBRIA?

Occupational Therapy jobs in ABI are limited so when one was available in Cumbria in 2008, I leapt at the possibility to specialise in brain injury. I didn’t know anything about Cumbria but wanted to give it a try. I have now married and settled here. Although I am from India, I have made Cumbria my home as it gives me the lifestyle that I enjoy and a good work life balance.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR FUTURE SELF WILL ACHIEVE?

Change is inevitable but I embrace it. It gives me an opportunity to see things from a different perspective and learn new skills. I want the best for my clients and the best for the service which will in turn make it the best for me!

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Trust Talk | SUMMER 2017

Writing for mental healthTrust Talk | SUMMER 2017

Amanda Ducksbury, from Appleby, has used her love for writing as part of her recovery and has now published her first book, And I Just Kept on Walking. Amanda, who has been receiving treatment for bipolar disorder and an eating disorder, has recorded her journey through a series of poems inspired by the Lake District and her personal experiences.

Amanda explains:“I joined a writing group for people with mental health problems and found it really helped me. I then moved to Cumbria three years ago and began walking lots in the Lakes which inspired me to write poetry. I can write when I’m feeling elated or down in the dumps and it helps me to gain control of my feelings.”

Kevin McPherson, Community Psychiatric Nurse in Eden Community Mental Health Team, said:“We always tailor treatment to an individual’s needs so when Amanda said she was interested in writing we explored how we could use that to support her recovery. Not only does writing help improve Amanda’s mood, the book has also given her a goal to focus on.”

Amanda added: “Both Kevin and my GP have been really supportive. They have encouraged me to write and look into publishing my poems. It hasn’t been easy but I’m really proud of what I have achieved. The charity has done a lot for me and I wanted to give something back so that others in a similar situation can benefit. I hope the book inspires others in some way and I will continue to write for my own health and wellbeing.”

Helen Mbaye, a Health Visitor from CPFT, has won the first South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support (SCBS) ‘Breast Friend Award’. This award has been launched to highlight the importance of breastfeeding support from Health Professionals, and to thank them for their great work. Helen was nominated for making a significant difference to one young mum in particular.

Charlene commented:“Helen has been supportive, friendly, knowledgeable, and empathetic and has played a significant part in my breastfeeding journey. With Helen's advice I was empowered to trust my body, my son, and natural instincts, which empowered me to stand up to other people’s opinions.”

The judges felt this nomination showed how providing this support for mums can have a much wider effect in other aspects of their life.

Emily Henry, Integrated Team Manager and Helen’s line manager added:“Helen goes the extra mile to provide expert advice and guidance when there are difficulties as well as championing the baby friendly initiative in all areas of her work.”

‘Breast Friend Award’ winner

All profits go to SAFA (Self-harm Awareness For All), a charity that has supported Amanda. ‘And I Just Kept on Walking’ is available from Amazon for £8.

SCBS runs free drop-in groups in Kendal, Ulverston, and Windermere Full details available online at www.cumbriabreastfeeding.org.uk

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