In this issue News from the and West Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) Introduction Vaccination rollout success COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test ISSUE 02 January 2021 BCWB colleagues Partnership News recognised in New Year Honours List Long COVID analysts, from carers to social care workers their help. As people who work in health and patients to get help Introduction and teachers, those helping to keep our social care, we are often asked by family and at local clinics country moving and ensuring we have the friends for advice. WHoLE Programme supplies we need and all the volunteers – we At the current time, there are two key are one team, working collaboratively to seeks views on The last year has probably been the messages which will help local people prevent and respond to COVID-19. priorities toughest that any of us can remember. to help us: Midland Met That’s certainly true across health And quietly at the same time, we have • Please wait for the NHS to contact you Haulage company and care services, where we’ve been continued to care for people with so about receiving your COVID-19 vaccine many other life-threatening conditions. names big trucks after responding to the worst pandemic in –this will be once they are vaccinating key worker heroes We have continued to care for those people in your age or risk group. a century. with long-term health conditions and to Making time for support people to live independently and • Please be aware of – and stick to – the ‘you’ this year Sadly, many of us will have lost family, rules which apply to your local area; friends, colleagues and at a time of year help them through periods of isolation Award-winning care with a community-wide response. they are there to protect everyone in our for people at the when normally we would be celebrating community. Stay home; protect the NHS; end of their lives and looking forward to a new year full of We have seen significant advances in the save lives. hope, a lot of people are understandably vaccine development and deployment, and › CCGs shortlisted for Thank you once again for everything you feeling anxious, frustrated and tired. At the we are now well underway with vaccinating 2020 HSJ Awards continue to do. It is truly appreciated. time of writing, we have gone back into those most vulnerable to COVID-19. But Trust nurses in a national lockdown with a new strain of once again, this will only be possible thanks double national COVID-19 sweeping across the country, to the dedication and the commitment of awards success bringing us new professional challenges and countless NHS staff – our brilliant GPs, our Mental health personal pressures. pharmacists, our nurses and the many, many Jonathan Fellows lead provider others who have given their time. plans progress But of course, that’s not the whole story STP Independent Chair of the past year. Sometimes the worst However, whilst the vaccine roll-out Job scheme launches circumstances bring out the best in people. continues, the NHS is under immense Food bank partnership We’ve certainly seen that in the Black pressure. We have seen it up and down the Paul Maubach COVID-19 Country & West Birmingham (BCWB) from country and the BCWB is not immune from treatment trial colleagues across our health and care it. We want to thank the public for their STP Senior Responsible Officer and Chief Executive Digital innovation services – from those frontline NHS and support over the last year. So much has been emergency workers, to managers and asked of them, and we continue to ask for Officer BCWB CCGs Welcome to BCWB Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 1 In this issue Vaccination rollout success Introduction Vaccination rollout success COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test BCWB colleagues recognised in New Year Honours List Long COVID patients to get help at local clinics WHoLE Programme seeks views on Trevor Kirby, aged 81, was the ICU Senior Sister Ly Fletcher was priorities first patient vaccinated in the accompanied by a round of applause, Midland Met hospital hub at Walsall Manor. smiles and the odd tear when she Haulage company He’s used to firsts, having been became the first member of staff to names big trucks after one of the first to have the polio have her COVID-19 vaccination at key worker heroes vaccination back in the 1960s. Walsall Manor Hospital. Making time for ‘you’ this year Mrs Joginder Kaur, 80, from Award-winning care Oldbury, said: for people at the end of their lives ‹ “It will make me feel safer.” › CCGs shortlisted for Mrs Kaur’s granddaughter, who 2020 HSJ Awards brought her to the hub, said that Trust nurses in she was so grateful to the staff. double national First in line at vaccination services were Gerry Charanjit Kaur-Deol, practice awards success nurse from Heathfield Family and Maureen Hughes, who had the vaccination at Mental health Centre, said: lead provider Feldon Lane Surgery. Aged 81 and 84, the couple were “It makes a big difference plans progress really positive about the vaccine. when you can communicate Job scheme launches In , Joan and John Dudley, 80 and 81 with someone in their own Food bank partnership had their first doses of the vaccine at Wood Road Surgery language. I love it, I am so COVID-19 in Tettenhall Wood. happy to be involved, part of treatment trial a great team.” Digital innovation Continue reading > Welcome to BCWB Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 2 In this issue

Introduction Hospital Hubs Vaccination The following Hospital Hubs will offer the rollout success vaccine to patients, care home staff and healthcare staff: COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test • Walsall Manor Hospital BCWB colleagues • Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust recognised in New • Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust Year Honours List • Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Long COVID patients to get help Russels Hall Hospital Hub have prepared a short at local clinics video to show you how these vaccination Hubs WHoLE Programme operate, click here. seeks views on www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9UIBlXVv_M priorities Midland Met Haulage company names big trucks after key worker heroes Dr Masood Ahmed Making time for ‘you’ this year Award-winning care Vaccination Services for people at the The following vaccination services, which are primary end of their lives ‹ care based, will offer the vaccine to patients within their › CCGs shortlisted for Primary Care Network (PCN) group from one nominated 2020 HSJ Awards site. Every GP practice across the Black Country and Trust nurses in West Birmingham is linked to a PCN and is offering double national the vaccine to patients. In addition to this, each PCN is awards success signed up to vaccinate patients in local care homes. Mental health Continue reading > lead provider plans progress Job scheme launches Food bank partnership COVID-19 treatment trial Digital innovation Welcome to BCWB Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Jamil Ahmed Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 3 In this issue Dudley In the coming months we will launch new Vaccination Centres; these will complement the existing services and patients will be invited by • Northway Medical Centre (Sedgley, Coseley,Gornal PCN) Introduction letter to attend. The first of these (The Black Country Living Museum) • Feldon Lane Medical Practice (Halesowen PCN) will open this month. Vaccination rollout success • Methodist Church (Brierley Hill and PCN) We will continue to follow the JCVI advice and vaccinate those most COVID-19 got • Revival Fires (Dudley and Netherton PCN) at risk first, and those who work closest with them at the above sites. These are people over 80, care home residents and staff and health symptoms? Get a test • Community Centre (Kingswinford & PCN) and social care workers, then other people in order of age and risk. BCWB colleagues • National Spiritualist Church (Stourbridge, recognised in New Vaccinations for care homes have also commenced. Wollescote & Lye PCN) Year Honours List Long COVID patients to get help Walsall at local clinics • Darlaston Health Centre (Walsall West 1) COVID-19 vaccination WHoLE Programme • Sycamore House (Walsall South 2 PCN) seeks views on First phase priority groups priorities • Forrester Street Surgery (Walsall South 1 PCN) Midland Met • Bloxwich Active Living Centre (Walsall North PCN) Priority Risk group

Residents in a care home for older adults and Haulage company • Oak Park Leisure Centre (Walsall East 1 & East 2 PCN) 1 Staff working in care homes for older adults yrs names big trucks after • Keys Medical Centre (Walsall West 2 PCN) 80 2 All those 80 years of age and over and key worker heroes Frontline health and social care workers yrs Making time for 75 Wolverhampton 3 All those 75 years of age and over ‘you’ this year All those 70 years of age and over and • Wood Road Surgery (Unity West PCN) yrs Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals Award-winning care 4 70 (not including pregnant women and those for people at the • Mayfield Medical Practice Branch (Unity East PCN) under 16 years of age) All those 65 years end of their lives 5 yrs ‹ • Woodcross Medical Centre (Wolverhampton South East PCN) 65 of age and over › CCGs shortlisted for 6 Adults aged 16 to 65 years • Keats Grove Surgery (Wolverhampton North Network) in an at-risk group* 2020 HSJ Awards yrs 60 • Alfred Squire Road Health Centre All those 60 years Trust nurses in 7 of age and over

double national • Whitmore Reans Health Centre yrs All those 55 years 8 55 of age and over Blood cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma); diabetes; dementia; a heart problem; awards success *a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma; a kidney disease; a liver disease, lowered immunity due to disease All those 50 years or treatment (such as HIV infection, steroid medication, 9 of age and over chemotherapy or radiotherapy); rheumatoid arthritis, Mental health Sandwell & West Birmingham yrs lupus or psoriasis; have had an organ transplant; had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA); a 50 neurological or muscle wasting condition; a severe lead provider Rest of the population or profound learning disability; a problem with your 10 spleen, eg sickle cell disease, or you have had your (to be determined) spleen removed; are seriously overweight (BMI of plans progress • Enki Medical (Modality) Whiteheath Medical Centre (Your Health 40 and above); are severely mentally ill.

Partnership PCN) Enjoy life. Protect yourself. Job scheme launches © Crown copyright 2020. Public Health gateway number 2020355. 08.12.2020 Food bank partnership • Brasshouse Community Centre - (Caritas PCN and Central Health Partnerships PCN) Further Vaccination Centres and community pharmacies will stand up COVID-19 in the coming weeks when further supplies of the vaccine become treatment trial • Portway Lifestyle Centre (Citrus Health PCN, Newcomen PCN available; we will confirm these sites when we are able to do so. Digital innovation and Oldbury and Langley PCN) People will be contacted by the NHS as and when they become • City Hospital - Cardiac Rehab Gym (i3 PCN, People’s Health Welcome to BCWB eligible for the vaccine; there is no need to call their GP or pharmacy. Partnership & Urban Health PCN) Engaging with cancer For details of the priority list, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus patients to increase • Lyng Community Centre (Health Vision Partnership & Together access to healthcare 4 Healthcare) Continue reading > Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 4 In this issue Dr Salma Reehana, Clinical Chair, Wolverhampton CCG, said: "It’s excellent news that our local hospitals and all our Primary Introduction Care Networks are now live and able to administer the COVID-19 COVID-19 got Vaccination vaccine to local patients. rollout success “We hope that, by delivering the vaccine at many different sites in symptoms? Get a test COVID-19 got the community, the opportunity to have the vaccine is accessible symptoms? Get a test to our most vulnerable population. BCWB colleagues It's important that people do what they can to prevent recognised in New "I would like to remind people that they should not contact Year Honours List the NHS for a vaccine, we will contact people to arrange an the spread of coronavirus. If you think you have appointment when they are eligible. symptoms, no matter how mild, then you must self- Long COVID isolate and book a test immediately. patients to get help "Vaccination is only one step in the fight against coronavirus at local clinics and we all still need to remain vigilant and follow the new You can have a swab test to check if you have coronavirus WHoLE Programme lockdown restrictions." (COVID-19) now. seeks views on You can only get a free NHS test if at least one of the priorities following applies: Midland Met Vaccinating care home residents • you have a high temperature Haulage company Local GPs and hospital staff have teamed up to begin vaccinating • you have a new, continuous cough names big trucks after vulnerable care home residents against COVID-19. key worker heroes • you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed Using state-of-the-art refrigerated boxes, the teams have been able • you’ve been asked to get a test by a local council Making time for to bring the vaccine out of healthcare settings direct to care homes – ‘you’ this year where many of those most vulnerable to the effects of the virus live. • you’re taking part in a government pilot project Award-winning care • you’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result. for people at the The care home vaccinations are led by GPs, offering the vaccine to end of their lives patients within their wider Primary Care Network (PCN) group. You can also get a test for someone you live with if ‹ they have symptoms. › CCGs shortlisted for Dr Ryan Hobson, GP partner at Lichfield Street Surgery, the first 2020 HSJ Awards practice hub to begin working in Walsall care homes, said: If you’re going into hospital to have surgery or a procedure, Trust nurses in “It is a huge achievement you may need to get tested. The hospital will arrange this double national to move so quickly for you. Contact your hospital department if you have any awards success from having a vaccine questions. Mental health available in selected You cannot use this service to get a test if: NHS sites, to being able lead provider • you’ve come to the UK from a high-risk country plans progress to bring it direct to our • you’re planning to leave the country Job scheme launches vulnerable care home residents. • your employer or school has asked you to get a test but you Food bank partnership have no symptoms. COVID-19 “This was only made treatment trial possible by collaboration If you have symptoms, get a test as soon as possible. Call 119 for information on booking a test. Digital innovation with our partners, in particular Walsall Welcome to BCWB Together and the Trust. It Engaging with cancer really shows what can be patients to increase achieved when the NHS access to healthcare works together.” Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 5 In this issue BCWB colleagues recognised in Introduction Vaccination New Year Honours List rollout success COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test A nurse and pathologist from the Black Country and West Liz said: BCWB colleagues Birmingham have been recognised in the New Year Honours “Nursing is my life, I give it my all every day, so it’s amazing to be recognised in New List for their contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. honoured in this way for doing my job. These are unprecedented Year Honours List times for the NHS, and I’m delighted to have been able to help other Dr Paul Harrison, Clinical Director for Black Country Pathology Long COVID healthcare professionals to do their jobs safely every day too.” Services (BCPS), has been awarded an MBE, while Liz Corrigan, patients to get help General Practice Nursing Professional Lead for the BCWB at local clinics Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for Black Country and West Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP), receives the British Birmingham CCGs, said: WHoLE Programme Empire Medal. seeks views on “I’m delighted that nurses are getting the recognition they priorities Although these professionals have different day-to-day roles, their deserve for their contribution to the country’s COVID-19 response. honours both applaud the contribution they and their teams have Midland Met Liz is a greatly respected colleague who is an asset to our team, made to the battle against COVID-19. colleagues and patients.” Haulage company Liz, a nurse of 25 years who lives in Wolverhampton, has been honoured names big trucks after Dr Harrison said: key worker heroes for her role supporting GP practices to manage their response to coronavirus, including making their systems and premises safe for “It has been a very busy but rewarding two and a half years leading Making time for patients and leading on the local staff COVID-19 swabbing hub. the pathology services and during that time we have seen a huge ‘you’ this year amount of changes. It has meant we have managed to cope better Dr Harrison’s honour is for his role in bringing together all four local Award-winning care with the challenges COVID-19 has brought and we now deliver a pathology services to form the Black Country Pathology Network. for people at the better service for our patients. However we could not have made Under his leadership, the network’s swabbing hub has been central in end of their lives these improvements and be where we are today without the ‹ helping Trusts manage COVID-19 patients. He also led on one of the › CCGs shortlisted for incredible team I represent.” largest antibody testing programmes of staff and patients in the UK. 2020 HSJ Awards Steve Field CBE, Chair of Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: Trust nurses in double national "Paul has worked so hard under extremely demanding awards success circumstances to ensure all the requirements placed on the Mental health laboratory have been maintained and test results delivered as lead provider quickly as possible. His work this year cannot be overstated and on plans progress behalf of our patients and staff I want to say a huge thank you for his commitment and dedication.” Job scheme launches Food bank partnership COVID-19 treatment trial Digital innovation Welcome to BCWB Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 6 In this issue Long COVID patients to get help at local clinics Introduction Vaccination rollout success Patients suffering with the long-term symptoms of “These new clinics will serve the people of Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and West Birmingham who are COVID-19 got coronavirus can now access specialist help. symptoms? Get a test experiencing symptoms of long COVID. To access the clinics The assessment centres are taking referrals from GPs for people you will need a GP referral and will then go to a local hospital BCWB colleagues experiencing brain fog, anxiety, depression, breathlessness, fatigue for diagnostic testing, and face to face support. If you think recognised in New and other debilitating symptoms. you might be suffering with long COVID then please visit Year Honours List NHS England has provided £10 million for the network of clinics, www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk or speak to your GP.” Long COVID which started opening at the end of 2020. There are now 69 operating patients to get help across the country with hundreds of patients already getting help. at local clinics New research has shown one in five people with coronavirus develop WHoLE Programme seeks views on longer term symptoms. Around 186,000 people suffer problems for priorities up to 12 weeks, the Office for National Statistics found. Midland Met The new centres bring together doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to offer both physical and psychological Haulage company assessments and refer patients to the right treatment and names big trucks after key worker heroes rehabilitation services. Making time for Sites are now operational in the Black Country and West Birmingham ‘you’ this year so patients can access services if they are referred by a GP or another healthcare professional, so that doctors can first rule out other Award-winning care for people at the possible underlying causes for symptoms. end of their lives ‹ Dr Helen Ward, Chair of the Respiratory Black Country and West › CCGs shortlisted for Birmingham STP Clinical Learning Network: 2020 HSJ Awards “In the first wave of the pandemic many people did not recover as Trust nurses in quickly as they’d expected. We had no idea what long COVID was double national – the world had never seen COVID-19 before. We set up the clinics awards success locally to support patients throughout and after this latest wave of Mental health the virus. lead provider “I’m delighted that patients now have places to turn to across the plans progress country and on a national scale doctors will be able to learn from Job scheme launches our collective experience and offer tailored support to patients.” Food bank partnership Paul Maubach, Chief Executive Officer, BCWB CCGs, said: COVID-19 treatment trial “The NHS has invested £10 million to meet the additional demand created by ongoing COVID-19 symptoms in a proportion of Digital innovation the population. This investment has been used locally to bring Welcome to BCWB together the right professionals to provide physical, cognitive and Engaging with cancer psychological assessments for those experiencing suspected post- patients to increase COVID syndrome (long COVID). access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 7 In this issue WHoLE Programme seeks views on priorities Introduction Vaccination rollout success The Wider Determinants of Healthy Life A presentation based on the report has been delivered to a wide range of stakeholder COVID-19 got Expectancy (WHoLE) Programme is one Lucy Heath, Director for the meetings in all five places across the Black symptoms? Get a test of the first programmes of work led by Academy, said: the Healthier Futures Academy. Country and West Birmingham: Citizen BCWB colleagues Forums, Health and Wellbeing Boards, “Good health matters to recognised in New The purpose of the programme is to help Integrated Care Partnerships, NHS Trust Boards individuals and to society, but Year Honours List local partner organisations: and Commissioning Committees. we don’t all have the same Long COVID opportunities to live healthy • better understand their local populations This posed the following questions: patients to get help lives. To understand why we in terms of the interactions between the at local clinics • What priority should be given to each need to look at the bigger wider context of their lives and their health WHoLE Programme of the target socio-economic outcomes, picture, the circumstances in seeks views on • develop a set of priorities for action and why? which we are born, grow, live, priorities • engage relevant stakeholder and • Are there additional intervention work and age. These include Midland Met community groups mechanisms that should be considered for our surroundings, the food we • co-design, and collaboratively implement realising the target outcomes? eat, the money we have, the Haulage company quality of our education and names big trucks after and evaluate, projects relating to the • What specific candidate interventions our work, the homes we live key worker heroes social, economic and environmental might be considered? circumstances in which people live to in and the family, friends and Making time for • Are there specific population cohorts that facilitate improved population health. communities we have around us. ‘you’ this year whole-system action should focus on? These factors have the strongest The WHoLE Programme report ‘Working Award-winning care In addition, an open-invitation event was influence on our health and Together for a Healthier Post-COVID Future’ for people at the held in December to focus on ‘What if wellbeing and are often outside end of their lives was published in September 2020. You can ‹ everyone had what they needed to thrive?’ of our control. We need to think › view the report on our website here. CCGs shortlisted for Over 70 local people attended (virtually). It differently and act across society 2020 HSJ Awards explored the inequalities participants had on these social determinants Trust nurses in faced, observed and felt strongly about, of health. This report starts to double national and what our communities would look like explore these issues. awards success without inequalities. “Although COVID has made Mental health The feedback from these meetings is currently many of these issues worse, we lead provider being collated into a report to the Healthier have faced them for many years plans progress Futures Partnership Board that meets at the with little or no improvement. Job scheme launches end of January. So we need to do something Food bank partnership This will inform the Wider Determinants different. We are sharing the report with communities and COVID-19 of Healthy Life Expectancy Programme as starting a conversation to ask treatment trial it moves to phase 2, which will focus on about their experiences, what it Digital innovation designing, appraising, implementing and evaluating interventions. would look like if we got it right Welcome to BCWB and what changes we can make Engaging with cancer to achieve this.” patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 8 In this issue Midland Met – the new university hospital build Introduction Vaccination continues throughout the pandemic rollout success COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test It has been long in the planning, and has followed a path Rachel Barlow, SWB NHS Trust Director of System BCWB colleagues challenged with numerous obstacles, but the new university Transformation, commented: recognised in New hospital is on course for completion with only a slight delay “The Midland Metropolitan University Hospital project is, as you Year Honours List numbered in days. can imagine, made up of many people, teams and stakeholders. Long COVID Once our new hospital is open, it will have a far-reaching impact, Dr David Carruthers, Acting Chief Executive of Sandwell and West patients to get help not only on those we care for but also for colleagues and our Birmingham NHS Trust, advised: at local clinics community in terms of regeneration, jobs, housing, our charitable WHoLE Programme “MMUH will meet its completion date in Summer 2022. It is endeavours, transport and so much more.” seeks views on good to report that despite COVID-19 the project is only 20 days priorities behind schedule.” Midland Met Once complete the acute hospital will offer maternity, children’s and Haulage company inpatient adult services to half a million people. Since 6 January 2020, names big trucks after when construction began, Balfour Beatty have worked hard to make key worker heroes the vision a reality, and in spring this year we expect the power to Making time for go on. Despite the pandemic, last summer the Trust held 17 internal ‘you’ this year socially distanced clinical engagement workshops with over 350 Award-winning care attendees. These discussions have fed directly into the planning for for people at the the acute care model. end of their lives ‹ NHS staff are shaping the service they will provide, and this › CCGs shortlisted for collaborative approach will continue once the doors have 2020 HSJ Awards opened to patients. In practical terms, progress has continued Trust nurses in in clinical areas, with partitioning in the clinical areas almost double national complete, and ductwork installation to the first zones on levels awards success two and three nearing completion. Mental health Fire stopping is progressing throughout the building, plus ductwork, lead provider medical gas, domestic water services, sprinklers installation and plans progress electrical in-wall containment. The next programme milestone is Job scheme launches the second side boarding to the partition walls which began last November. On the wards the first side partitions are well underway on Food bank partnership levels five through to nine and installation of high-level ductwork has COVID-19 progressed across levels seven and eight. treatment trial Digital innovation Welcome to BCWB Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 9 In this issue Mark Barratt - Clinical Team Mentor at West she could continue to support patients and Haulage Midlands Ambulance Service her team through the pandemic. Mark plans and tracks the progress of clinical Introduction John Mallinson - 111 / 999 Call Handler support days which all ambulance staff get Vaccination Ambulance Service company names each year, to ensure their learning and skills rollout success remain at the highest level. In addition, he John responded to the recruitment appeal COVID-19 got big trucks allocates students to their mentors to ensure to support NHS efforts in dealing with symptoms? Get a test they get the best learning opportunities the pandemic. He joined West Midlands BCWB colleagues after key during their time with West Midlands Ambulance Service as a dual trained 111 recognised in New Ambulance Service. / 999 call handler in March 2020. Sadly, Year Honours List John fell ill in September and was rushed to David Dabbs - Distribution lead at Walsall hospital where he underwent emergency Long COVID worker heroes patients to get help Healthcare NHS Trust surgery; his condition deteriorated and he at local clinics David and his team ensure all consumables died aged just 31, leaving behind his wife and are sorted and allocated to the 30 wards at two stepchildren. WHoLE Programme The logistics industry kept the country seeks views on moving during 2020’s unexpected Walsall Manor Hospital – anything from bed priorities challenges, alongside the NHS, which pans to medical items – but COVID-19 has also meant a huge rise in Personal Protective is why BJS Haulage decided to honour Midland Met Equipment. The pandemic has forced David Haulage company their fellow keyworkers by naming and his team into the spotlight. names big trucks after their shiny new fleet of trucks after key worker heroes some exceptional individuals. Louise Newton - Clinical Support Worker at Making time for the Dudley Group Foundation Trust ‘you’ this year Beverley Morris - Head of Continuing Louise has worked for the Trust for eight Health Care at Sandwell and West years, all on the respiratory ward. Her Award-winning care Head of 111 Rob Till explains: Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group compassion and kindness has made a world for people at the “Staff were unanimous in wanting to put In October 2020 Beverley was awarded of difference to patients and their families at end of their lives John’s name forward for this honour. ‹ the British Empire Medal for her leadership what is understandably a very worrying time. › Despite his short time with us, he CCGs shortlisted for and care to patients during the COVID-19 2020 HSJ Awards undoubtedly touched the lives of so many pandemic. She works across many Hilary Stanfield - Catering Supervisor at Black people with his caring nature and desire Trust nurses in independent care home providers and with Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to help. His family lives locally, so they can double national local statutory services. Hilary is from West Bromwich and has awards success worked for the NHS for 50 years, initially as look out for his name on the lorry. I think that is a very fitting tribute to someone who Mental health Molly Henriques-Dillon - Quality Nurse a catering assistant, a role that she took over came to help the NHS in our hour of need.” lead provider Team Leader at Wolverhampton Clinical from her Mum. Two years ago, the café at plans progress Commissioning Group Heath Lane Hospital was renamed Hilary’s in The Intensive Critical Care Unit at The Royal Job scheme launches Molly was awarded the British Empire Medal honour of her incredible service. in October 2020 for leadership and services Wolverhampton NHS Trust Food bank partnership to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Helen Rote - Service Manager, Black The Trust wanted to recognise the whole COVID-19 Molly came out of retirement to lead a Country Healthcare Foundation Trust of their workforce for extraordinary efforts treatment trial quality nurse team for the Black Country and Helen is a service manager in urgent care demonstrated during this challenging year. Digital innovation West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning mental health services at Black Country The Intensive Critical Care Unit sums up the Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. During efforts of everyone across the organisation Welcome to BCWB Groups (CCG), helping to oversee arrangements for 60 care homes. the first wave of COVID-19 she made the who have gone above and beyond to care Engaging with cancer difficult decision to spend nine weeks away for local people when they have been at patients to increase from her son who has a health condition, so their most vulnerable. access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 10 In this issue Making time for Introduction Vaccination ‘you’ this year rollout success COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test New Year often signals a fresh start and can bring hope for BCWB colleagues the year ahead, but for some it is a difficult time of year and recognised in New particularly in the current climate, people might find it more Year Honours List difficult to stay positive. Long COVID patients to get help You may have heard of the phrase ‘Blue Monday’, but what is it? The at local clinics third Monday in January is often referred to as ‘Blue Monday’ and is thought to be the most depressing day of the year due to the gloomy WHoLE Programme weather, post-Christmas debt and money worries. seeks views on priorities Whilst looking after your wellbeing should be a priority at all times, we Midland Met want to encourage people, especially at this time of year, to take some time out to focus on their mental wellbeing. Haulage company names big trucks after key worker heroes Making time for Here are some general tips we can all follow to ‘you’ this year have better mental health: Award-winning care for people at the Try and schedule in some regular end of their lives ‹ exercise. Even a short walk can boost › CCGs shortlisted for your mood. 2020 HSJ Awards Connect with others; whether it’s a virtual call Trust nurses in or a quick text to check-in it’s important to double national If you do feel like your mood is impacting your daily awards success connect with others as it can increase feelings life or you are feeling anxious or struggling to cope then of happiness. Mental health help is available. lead provider Keep learning. Try a new skill or hobby and step • Speak to your staff support service plans progress out of your comfort zone. It’s good to challenge • Improving Access to Psychological Therapies is a Job scheme launches ourselves now and again. confidential NHS service providing a range of evidence- Food bank partnership Help others; whether it’s volunteering your time based therapies. Find out more. COVID-19 or skills or supporting a cause; giving is proven • Speak to your GP treatment trial to have a positive impact on your mental health. • Call the 24/7 mental health helpline on 0800 008 6516 for Digital innovation confidential advice (in the Black Country). Be more mindful. Take notice of what is Welcome to BCWB happening around you and try to remain in • Call the 24/7 mental health helpline on 0121 262 3555 for Engaging with cancer the present. confidential advice (in West Birmingham). patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 11 In this issue The Team of the Year award is a new award in honour of GSF founder Professor Keri Thomas OBE, who has stepped down after 20 years. Introduction This award is in recognition of an outstanding team demonstrating compassion and leadership, and promoting great change. Vaccination rollout success The National GSF Centre for End of Life Care works in association with Hospice UK. Its aim is to enable a gold standard of care for all people COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test in their final years of life, in any setting, with any condition, given by any care provider. GSF educates and supports staff to help people live BCWB colleagues well before they die, and to die well in the place and the manner of recognised in New their choosing. Year Honours List The awards were announced at a virtual awards ceremony in Long COVID patients to get help December and honour hospitals, care homes, GP practices and at local clinics retirement villages who deliver proactive, personalised, well co- ordinated end of life care. WHoLE Programme seeks views on Cardiology Consultant Dr Robert Huggett said: priorities “The increasing number of advanced heart failure patients and Midland Met unpredictable nature of the disease has historically made palliative Haulage company care difficult in cardiology. The GSF accreditation process has names big trucks after shown that cardiology can be trained effectively in end of life care. key worker heroes “To do this we used targeted GSF training interventions at all Making time for Award-winning care levels, as well as having GSF champions on the wards. We have ‘you’ this year learnt to be proactive in identifying GSF patients and have more Award-winning care conversation with our patients about their future needs so that we for people at the for people at the end can make better decisions.” end of their lives ‹ Trust Chief Executive Diane Wake said: › CCGs shortlisted for of their lives 2020 HSJ Awards “We are thrilled to have received these awards which reflect genuine Trust nurses in concern for those patients who are nearing the end of life and a double national The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust has picked up desire to ensure that they are fully involved in their care plan and awards success two national awards for its care of patients reaching the end their voices are heard. It is very much part of the culture of our Trust. Mental health of their lives. “These have been very challenging times but our staff have lead provider continued to put the needs and wishes of patients at the centre The Trust won the Keri Thomas Team of the Year Award, while the plans progress of their care.” coronary care unit at Russells Hall Hospital has been named Hospital Job scheme launches Ward of the Year. The awards, from the Gold Standards Framework Two other wards at Russells Hall Hospital, which care for elderly and Food bank partnership (GSF), recognise that the coronary care team in Dudley is the first such stroke patients, also achieved accreditation earlier this year, while a COVID-19 unit in the UK to achieve national accreditation for its care of patients further two have now submitted their applications for accreditation. treatment trial approaching end of life. All the areas have spent up to two years working with The Dudley Digital innovation Group NHS Foundation Trust’s palliative care team to embed GSF in Welcome to BCWB their areas. Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 12 In this issue Black Country and West Birmingham Introduction Vaccination Clinical Commissioning Groups shortlisted rollout success COVID-19 got for 2020 HSJ Awards symptoms? Get a test BCWB colleagues recognised in New Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning The system-wide response brought together contributions from Year Honours List Groups (BCWB CCGs) are delighted to announce that our patients, carers, primary and secondary care professionals, volunteers, Long COVID entry, a system-wide response to protect care homes during social care and independent care home staff to identify and support patients to get help COVID-19, has been shortlisted for System Leadership the evolving needs of the resident population of these homes – at local clinics including some incredibly vulnerable and frail patients. Initiative of the Year at the 2020 HSJ Awards, recognising our WHoLE Programme outstanding contribution to healthcare. Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer at BCWB CCG, commented: seeks views on priorities Black Country and West Birmingham CCGs were shortlisted despite “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for System Leadership Initiative of the Year, recognising the collaborative efforts Midland Met the tough competition from over 1000 entries, based on the ambition, and dedication of our staff members over the last 12 months Haulage company visionary spirit and the demonstrable positive impact that the project has had on patient and staff experiences. to successfully implement a system wide response to protect names big trucks after care homes during COVID-19. We are committed to delivering key worker heroes The judging panel is made up of a diverse range of highly influential improved outcomes for our most vulnerable patients, and to Making time for and respected figures within the healthcare community including: Sir be chosen among the other incredible nominees is a wonderful ‘you’ this year Bruce Keogh, Chair, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s FT, Mark achievement. This nomination has been a tremendous boost to Award-winning care Axcell, Chief Executive, Black Country Healthcare FT, and Caroline staff at BCWB CCGs and I am sure it will bolster our continued for people at the Beardall, Director of Workforce and OD, NHS England and NHS efforts to improve our healthcare provision in care homes.” end of their lives Improvement – South East. ‹ Now in its 40th year, the HSJ Awards is the largest annual › In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, staff across Black CCGs shortlisted for benchmarking and recognition programme for healthcare. Through Country and West Birmingham (BCWB) STP initiated measures to 2020 HSJ Awards a rigorous, fair and transparent judging process the awards produce safeguard and protect the vulnerable and elderly population in Trust nurses in a roll call of the best organisations, teams and people in the NHS and independent care homes. The initiative commenced in early March double national the wider health sector. awards success and was led by the Chief Nursing Officer of the BCWB CCGs and involved a multitude of stakeholders who worked collaboratively to The full list of finalists for the 2020 HSJ Awards can be found on Mental health enact contingency plans and mobilise robust packages of support for lead provider www.awards.hsj.co.uk/shortlist-2020. 289 BCWB care homes. plans progress Winners will be selected ahead of the ceremony, which will take place Job scheme launches virtually in March 2021. Food bank partnership COVID-19 treatment trial Digital innovation Welcome to BCWB Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 13 In this issue Trust nurses in double national Introduction Mental Vaccination awards success rollout success health lead COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test The Royal Wolverhampton NHS The success of the programme has provider BCWB colleagues Trust is celebrating after winning two meant that since February, the Trust has recognised in New major national awards to recognise had the highest nurse retention rate in Year Honours List it as the best place to work in the the West Midlands. plans Long COVID UK for nurses and praise its nursing Prof. Ann-Marie Cannaby, Chief Nurse, said: patients to get help recruitment programme. “We are delighted and honoured to progress at local clinics receive this award. WHoLE Programme The Trust was named Best UK Employer for Nursing Staff and its Clinical Fellowship seeks views on “As an organisation, we have always In line with the development priorities Programme (CFP) won the Best Diversity and recognised the importance of diversity Inclusion Practice category at the Nursing plan for the Black Country Midland Met and inclusion practice, so the team and Times Workforce Summit Awards. The I are extremely proud that our suite of to become an Integrated Haulage company Trust was also a finalist in the categories for programmes designed to meet individual Care System, Black Country names big trucks after Best International Recruitment Experience needs of our Black, Asian and Minority Healthcare NHS Foundation key worker heroes category and Workforce Team of the Year. Ethnic (BAME) group and international Trust is continuing to develop Making time for Around 300 nurses have come through nursing staff has been recognised. plans to become a lead provider ‘you’ this year the CFP, of whom 150 are international for mental health and learning “This has given the team a huge boost, Award-winning care nurses, out of 3,700 nursing staff employed as the team continue to build on this work, disability services. for people at the by the Trust. end of their lives so thank you. The plans will mean a greater ‹ The CFP provides nurses with excellent › emphasis on co-production and CCGs shortlisted for “We feel privileged to have earned such an clinical practice exposure and access to strengthened clinical relationships. 2020 HSJ Awards important award within our industry. structured and supported educational The Trust will continue to work Trust nurses in development to enable them to ‘top up’ to “To be recognised as the best UK with place-based Integrated double national degree level or progress to Master’s level. awards success employer for nursing is beyond amazing Care Partnerships (ICPs) in each and it is thanks to all of the brilliant locality on developing consistent Mental health nursing staff here at the Trust who have and responsive pathways of care, lead provider improving access and reducing out- plans progress made this possible.” of-area placements. Job scheme launches As our plans develop we will share Food bank partnership key updates and progress with you. COVID-19 treatment trial Digital innovation Welcome to BCWB Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 14 In this issue Job scheme launches after trial Introduction Food bank Vaccination helps more than 600 into work rollout success partnership COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test Following the success of the biggest jobs support trial of its kind in the BCWB colleagues world, the Black Country and West Birmingham is getting more support to Russells Hall Hospital has teamed recognised in New help people who have health conditions into work. Year Honours List up with Black Country Foodbank The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has secured £1.1 million from the to provide emergency food and Long COVID Government to continue Thrive Into Work, which helps unemployed people who have patients to get help toiletry parcels for elderly, vulnerable mental or physical health conditions to get back into the workplace. at local clinics patients when they are discharged. WHoLE Programme From 2018 to 2020 the WMCA led the research study which has helped more than 600 The team who discharge patients will seeks views on people back into work. either be providing them with enough priorities Working with primary and community health teams, the scheme integrated jobs support food to make meals for a couple of days, Midland Met with health services. Employment specialists based in GP surgeries and other health and or a food voucher for those who are able to get to a food bank once they are back Haulage company community settings across the region provided intensive guidance to help individuals names big trucks after find and apply for jobs, and prepare for interviews. at home. key worker heroes Due to the success of the trial Thrive Into Work is now being extended to July 2021. Senior Discharge Facilitator Taahira Patel said: Making time for Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: ‘you’ this year “We are here to make sure patients “Getting 600 people back into work is an outstanding achievement, creating Award-winning care are discharged safely and, by joining positive health, social and economic benefits allowing residents to thrive. The for people at the with Black Country Foodbank, we can pandemic has had a damaging effect on employment but schemes like Thrive into end of their lives help our most vulnerable patients have ‹ Work show that the targeted, hard work being put in by the WMCA is contributing › enough food to act as a breathing space CCGs shortlisted for to a fairer, healthier West Midlands.” 2020 HSJ Awards while a longer term solution can be Trust nurses in Research from the Centre for Mental Health on mental health at work shows that developed.” mental ill health is responsible for 72 million working days lost and costs £34.9 billion double national Diane Wake, Chief Executive of The Dudley each year. It is strongly associated with social and economic circumstances, including awards success Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: living in poverty, low-quality work and unemployment. Mental health “Safety of our patients is our top priority lead provider Father of two young children, Matt Wagg, is one of the people who benefitted from Thrive and providing food parcels or vouchers plans progress Into Work. In 2018 he had to leave his job as a delivery driver after osteoarthritis in his knees will really help the most vulnerable in made it too painful to do his job. Being unemployed left the 47-year-old from Oldbury Job scheme launches our community, especially during the feeling he was on the scrapheap. However, after six months of support Matt gained a job Food bank partnership current pandemic.” as a school caretaker, playing an invaluable role in keeping the school operating during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. If you would like to support the treatment trial He said: work of Black Country Foodbank go Digital innovation to their website “I feel so much better compared to how I was before I enrolled on Thrive Into Welcome to BCWB Work, it provided me with someone to push me in the right direction and I’m like a www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk. Engaging with cancer different person to how I was then.” patients to increase access to healthcare To find out more about Thrive into Work visitwww.wmca.org.uk Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 15 In this issue COVID-19 treatment trial at Dudley hospital Introduction Vaccination helping to find cures rollout success COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test More than 100 patients have taken part in a health trial at Dr Michael Reay, who has helped to lead the scheme at BCWB colleagues Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital, paving the way for better Russells Hall, said: recognised in New COVID-19 treatments. "This is an international trial. It was open to the UK in around Year Honours List about March to set up. We were recruited in May. We had a slump Long COVID in COVID-19 so we didn't have any recruits. Once it came to patients to get help September, October, that is when it really hit the peak. at local clinics "People were coming in droves and they still are. We are having WHoLE Programme about three to four patients every day [on the trial. seeks views on priorities "Normally, the trial process takes a long time, years and years. Midland Met In this kind of situation, we have had to size this up in months." Haulage company Despite many patients overcoming COVID, they can remain at risk names big trucks after of illness or even death through after-effects of the virus, such as key worker heroes inflammation inside the body. Making time for Dr Vanessa Moore, trial pharmacist at the Trust, said: ‘you’ this year Award-winning care "COVID-19 infection comes in. Your body responds to COVID-19 for people at the infection, triggers all this inflammatory process, but then triggers end of their lives clots to occur, and then the clots kill you. It is the after-effects of ‹ COVID-19 that can kill a patient. But REMAP-CAP is designed to › CCGs shortlisted for 2020 HSJ Awards help stop those major issues." Trust nurses in Some of the medicines include anti-inflammatory drugs and immune Members of the hospital trust's research team, with Dr Michael Reay at the front, left. double national boosting therapies. awards success The scheme, called REMAP-CAP, sees patients given certain medicines The Trust is also asking people to donate blood plasma, which can Mental health and treatments for illnesses to treat the after-effects of coronavirus. be used to help patients suffering longer effects from COVID-19. lead provider The blood plasma of patients who have fought off COVID-19 is rich plans progress Russells Hall has played an active role gathering data as part of the in antibodies – used to fight off foreign particles. This is known as Job scheme launches international study, with staff from many departments working together. convalescent plasma. Food bank partnership Hospital staff approach the patients to take part and their response to More than 100 patients at Dudley NHS Trust have taken part in the treatments is then fed back to Public Health England, enabling doctors COVID-19 REMAP-CAP scheme so far. It has been a success thanks to the hard treatment trial to find out which medicines are the most effective. work of hospital staff. Different departments have come together to collaborate on the scheme. The trust has recruited more patients than Digital innovation any other trust in England to trial convalescent plasma and immune Welcome to BCWB boosting therapies. Engaging with cancer For more information on how to donate blood, visit nhsbt.nhs.uk patients to increase or call 0300 123 2323. access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 16 In this issue Innovations Sub-Group Digital innovation – A forum set up to drive digital innovation and hands on delivery across Introduction all systems and locations. This group has been the main driver behind Vaccination the catalyst for change a lot of the innovative new ways of working. The group consists of rollout success mainly clinicians and specialists from primary care, mental health, acute COVID-19 got and community, working with the STP Academy and the Academic symptoms? Get a test Over the last 12-18 months organisations across the STP Health Science Network. We review the market, both commercial and NHS to look for products to consider and test, taking the clinical and BCWB colleagues have worked together through the Digital agenda to rapidly experiential advice of members. Equally we look at our system for recognised in New implement tools and systems that are changing the way that Year Honours List opportunities to apply digital solutions to introduce improvements. we work as a system. We submit bids for funding across many ‘pots’ and test new initiatives Long COVID to recommend for further roll out – as an example, we are currently patients to get help It is now commonplace for citizens to access online apps for at local clinics symptom checking. Patients are talking to their GP, their consultant working with a GP led company and a major university to test a or their mental health case worker via online video conferencing. conceptual product to reduce falls in care homes. The majority of the WHoLE Programme Community nursing teams and GP networks are monitoring patients' examples at the beginning of this article were borne from this group. seeks views on priorities vital signs remotely, able to identify the first signs of deterioration and so direct services appropriately, enabling earlier discharge from Digital Inequalities Sub-Group Midland Met hospital beds. We have kit in place so that patient consultations, A forum set up to tackle the issue of digital inequalities. As a system Haulage company including live diagnostics, can be carried out remotely over 5G we need to be aware that whilst we can implement digital systems, names big trucks after networks. These are all initiatives that we have introduced as a system, there are large parts of our population that do not have equity of key worker heroes learning from one another, introducing solutions that improve life for access to these. We have therefore set up a sub-group to tackle this. Making time for patients, staff and the general public. The Digital Inequalities programme is based upon three pillars: ‘you’ this year The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the delivery of the Award-winning care programme described in the STP Digital Strategy, so much so that we • Access to Kit – we will be working with the ‘big’ suppliers (Apple, for people at the are currently having to plan a re-write of the strategy. The STP Digital Samsung, Amazon, etc.) to provide access to repurposed tablet end of their lives ‹ Board which owns the plan is a progressive and dynamic forum with devices etc. for those that do not have access to them. › CCGs shortlisted for excellent representation from all organisations within the STP and as • Access to Data – we are working with specialist charities to enable 2020 HSJ Awards such is the driver for change and implementation. those of us that do not use our contracted quota of mobile data Trust nurses in We want IT and digital to continue to be seen as the enabler for each month, to donate this to be redistributed. Those that cannot double national health and care systems. More importantly, digital is also now the afford contracts can apply for a ‘community SIM’ loaded with this awards success catalyst for change. donated data, enabling them to access online services. Mental health There is national recognition that digital is and will continue to • Access to Skills – We are working with Colleges West Midlands lead provider underpin service delivery – NHSX is the national department tasked to take advantage of a recent Department for Education funding plans progress with accelerating the adoption of digital solutions. Locally, the BCWB stream. The ‘Entitlement Fund’ has been in place for a few years to Job scheme launches STP Digital Board is the main forum for oversight of our shared upskill anyone to a basic level of Maths and English, for free, at any Food bank partnership programme of work delivering our core work plan. college. This year the scope has been extended to include digital COVID-19 We have introduced three sub-groups reporting to the STP Digital skills. We are collaboratively designing a brand new course which treatment trial Board to drive our catalyst approach: will be branded as NHS, taking students through, accessing app stores, downloading the NHS App, creating an account, providing Digital innovation Cyber Sub-Group the security and using the app to access health services online. West Welcome to BCWB A forum attended by all network providers to ensure there are agreed Midlands Colleges are very excited about this initiative and have Engaging with cancer standards, that the latest learning is shared and that resilience is plans to take it to a national level. patients to increase optimised. This group puts us at the forefront of digital safety as a access to healthcare system and drives improvements in protecting our systems. Continue reading > Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 17 In this issue We have a lot of exciting work going on across the Introduction STP with participation across our partners. Welcome to the Black Country and Vaccination The work is generating rollout success interest and participation West Birmingham! COVID-19 got from all areas of the symptoms? Get a test STP and wider, working BCWB colleagues with partners across recognised in New the Midlands region. Dean Howells joins Dr Branko Perunovic Year Honours List Upcoming exciting Long COVID initiatives include the Black Country Healthcare to Lead Black Country patients to get help implementation of an STP as Chief Nurse Pathology Services at local clinics wide shared care record WHoLE Programme in 2021, linking primary On 1 January, Dean Dr Branko Perunovic has been appointed as seeks views on care, secondary care, Howells joined Black the substantive Chief Medical Officer of Black priorities social care, voluntary Country Healthcare Country Pathology Services, taking up post on sector, ambulance, NHS Foundation 25 January 2021. Midland Met hospice and housing data. Trust as Chief Nursing Branko is a Consultant Histopathologist and has Haulage company This will then be linked Officer. been leading laboratory services for many years. names big trucks after into a Midlands regional With a long career He has a strong strategic clinical leadership key worker heroes record thereafter. in healthcare, Dean portfolio and for several years has led a large Making time for As well as looking after has worked across multidisciplinary laboratory service at ‘you’ this year the day to day IT systems, the NHS, independent and charity healthcare Teaching Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust. Award-winning care keeping everyone’s data sectors, and was previously executive director of Branko is passionate about developing and for people at the safe and ensuring clinicians nursing and quality at Camden and Islington NHS empowering professional teams, and is forward end of their lives have access to systems ‹ Foundation Trust. Appointed a Queen’s Nurse thinking in embracing innovative clinical › CCGs shortlisted for they need at the point of in 2014, in recognition for his commitment to and digital/technological solutions. He is 2020 HSJ Awards care, we are continuing to high standards of practice and patient-centred enthusiastically looking forward to the opportunity push the innovations and Trust nurses in care, Dean has a passion for developing a of working with the BCPS Staff and leading the equality agenda to ensure double national compassionate and caring culture. Dean is also network, and exploring and developing the service that digital is the catalyst awards success Honorary Professor at the School of Health and portfolio of Black Country Pathology Services. Mental health for change. Education, Middlesex University London. Dr Jonathan Odum, Medical Director at The lead provider For further information Of his appointment, Dean commented: Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: plans progress or if you are interested “I am delighted to be joining the Trust at such in being a part of this “We are very much look forward to Branko Job scheme launches an exciting time for Black Country services. exciting programme, taking up post and I am sure you will join me in Food bank partnership I am very much looking forward to working please contact Mike welcoming him to the Black Country and taking in very close partnership with service users, COVID-19 Hastings, STP Digital Lead up the post of CMO at BCPS.” treatment trial carers and all staff teams in further developing [email protected] a supportive and compassionate culture which Digital innovation Continue reading > continually improves the delivery of great Welcome to BCWB personalised care and clinical outcomes.” Engaging with cancer patients to increase access to healthcare Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 18 In this issue Engaging with Introduction BCWB CCGs appoint Chair Designate to support Vaccination merger application cancer patients to rollout success Dr Salma Reehana has been appointed by the four COVID-19 got Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) – Dudley CCG, increase access to symptoms? Get a test Walsall CCG, Wolverhampton CCG and Sandwell & BCWB colleagues West Birmingham CCG – as Interim Chair Designate healthcare recognised in New for the future Black Country and West Birmingham Year Honours List (BCWB) CCG. Long COVID The Chair Designate role is an interim position to lead It is a huge concern across the STP that a patients to get help the recruitment to the new CCG Governing Body and significant proportion of cancer patients at local clinics support the planning for the start of the Black Country WHoLE Programme and West Birmingham CCG on 1 April 2021. Current are not accessing their appointments for seeks views on CCG Chairs remain in their role until 31 March 2021. diagnostics or treatment. The BCWB CCGs’ priorities Engagement Team is about to carry out Dr Salma Reehana said: Midland Met some in-depth engagement work to find “I am really pleased to be appointed as the Chair Designate for Black Country out why. Haulage company and West Birmingham CCG. There is a lot of work to do before April and one names big trucks after of the first steps is to get the foundation strong for the new CCG to function. I The team will begin by working with cancer key worker heroes will be working very closely with the existing Chairs and the Executive team to managers and others to identify who this cohort Making time for get this right and am very pleased to be working with such a fantastic team of of patients are and find out – through online ‘you’ this year people who have worked so hard during extremely difficult times in getting us surveys, semi-structured interviews and other Award-winning care to where we are now.” engagement techniques – why they are not for people at the presenting in a timely manner. We will then be end of their lives Paul Maubach, Chief Executive for BCWB CCGs, said: able to put into place a practical approach which ‹ encourages them to do so. › CCGs shortlisted for “I’m delighted that Dr Salma Reehana, who is a very experienced local GP, 2020 HSJ Awards is taking up this role as the clinical leader for our new organisation, bringing Alongside this piece of work we are looking at together our existing four CCGs into one. Trust nurses in patient representation in the new STP Cancer Programme through the development of a new double national “Our primary focus at the moment is coordinating our response to the cancer patient and public advisory group, with awards success pandemic and working with all our partners across health and social representatives from each CCG place sitting on Mental health care in each of our towns and boroughs to improve the health outcomes the group. In turn, this advisory group will have lead provider for the 1.5 million people in the Black Country and West Birmingham. input to the following boards and groups: plans progress Dr Reehana will ensure that our new Governing Body has the right leadership Job scheme launches and focus to succeed.” • The STP Cancer Board • The Cancer Programme Group Food bank partnership Dr Reehana has been the Clinical Chair for Wolverhampton CCG since October COVID-19 2017. She is a GP partner with Health and Beyond Group, which covers 10 • The Prevention, Screening and Early treatment trial practices in Wolverhampton. A firm believer in collaborative working between Diagnosis Group Digital innovation different parts of the health economy, she also has a strong background in training • The Living with Cancer and Beyond group. and education, and was awarded a Fellowship by the Royal College of General Welcome to BCWB This will enable us to listen and learn from the Practitioners in recognition of her work in GP education. Engaging with cancer patient’s journey through recent lived experience patients to increase and help us to make the most informed access to healthcare commissioning decisions on the cancer pathway. Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 19 In this issue Engaging to improve 0-5 years Introduction Vaccination vaccination uptake rollout success COVID-19 got symptoms? Get a test Against the backdrop of Covid-19, BCWB colleagues some parents of young children are recognised in New deciding against, delaying, or are Year Honours List hesitant about their children receiving Long COVID routine vaccinations. These vaccinations Get patients to get help help protect children from serious and at local clinics preventable diseases such as measles. WHoLE Programme Missing these vaccinations puts a child involved! seeks views on at risk of becoming very unwell from priorities certain diseases and, in severe cases, can Midland Met cause death. The Engagement Team Haulage company already has some names big trucks after Rotton Park Medical Practice in West good links with local key worker heroes Birmingham discovered that their data from communities across BCWB, before and during their first lockdown back Making time for but we know there is still in March 2020 showed that many parents ‘you’ this year Dr Marok then worked with the CCGs’ had been declining these vital immunisations lots of work to do to listen Engagement Team to develop a short Award-winning care or missing their scheduled appointments to to the voices of our most for people at the anonymous survey which was sent to parents vaccinate children. To enhance their uptake of vulnerable communities. end of their lives with children aged 0 to 5 years. This research vaccinations at the surgery, Dr Parmjit Marok ‹ delved deeper and found that parents did We encourage every citizen, CCGs shortlisted for began a project to improve their childhood not feel an issue with booking appointments, carer and community member 2020 HSJ Awards immunisations processes from when a child is however they felt accessing the service was to get in touch with the team Trust nurses in born and registered at the practice, to when an issue, especially during the COVID-19 and work with us to improve double national parents are invited to bring in their child to outbreak. Parents also felt they could be health and care services. awards success have their immunisations when they are due. better informed about the 0 to 5 year routine Parents were called by the practice team the Get in touch by phone on Mental health vaccinations, including when they are due week before the immunisations were due to lead provider and how safe they are. 0121 612 1447 or email plans progress offer pre-booked appointments, as well as The Engagement Team is now working to [email protected] Job scheme launches being called the day before and the morning of the appointment to remind them. develop this survey further to gain wider Food bank partnership insight from across the STP, with a view to Despite this, the uptake of parents COVID-19 improving communications materials for immunising their children unfortunately did treatment trial parents on how safe vaccinations are and not improve. The practice then undertook how appointments are booked. We are Digital innovation some initial telephone research with parents hopeful that this will improve vaccination Welcome to BCWB which found their main reasons for declining uptake for young children. Engaging with cancer vaccines were religion-based, because of patients to increase personal beliefs, philosophical reasons, or access to healthcare safety concerns. Engaging to improve 0-5 years vaccination uptake Get involved! Building Healthier, Happier Communities 20