Members’ news

Developing urgent care services across

Dear Members, Also in this edition, we describe the services which Dorset Healthcare has Minister of Health & Social Care Matt Hancock been developing to prevent unnecessary recently approved plans for Poole Hospital to admissions to hospital of people with become the centre for planned operations and deteriorating health or in frail condition. treatments in Dorset, and for the Royal Bourne- We are working with GPs to identify mouth Hospital to become the major emergency them so we can offer full health and care care centre. Some of us are pleased that this plan assessments to ensure they get the help can now go ahead, with a £147 million investment they need before a crisis occurs. These patients and of Treasury money in the development of both their families can then be relieved of the stress of hospitals. But there are still many people in the emergency situations at home or of getting to a busy west of the county worried they would not be able acute hospital. In turn, GPs and A&E departments feel to reach the new A & E department at better supported by the strengthening of imaginative quickly enough if they felt they needed it. community health support. It is too early yet to evaluate whether these services are effective in reducing the pressures on GPs and in A&E departments, which have been so widely publicised in the media. But we think this innovative approach should be a win/win for both patients and clinicians. I want these members’ newsletters to provide information which you find useful; please let us know if there is any service or condition that you would like to hear about. I would value hearing your experience Dorset Healthcare is not responsible for providing of using any of our services and any recommendations those acute services for life-threatening illness you have for any improving or innovating community and injury, but we are leading on the provision of health provision. urgent treatment and care for communities outside Jan Owens, Lead Governor the conurbation. We highlighted ways you can access urgent care services in the last issue of Members’ News – by phoning 111 for advice and guidance, or by attending the Minor Injuries Unit/ Urgent Care Centre at a local community hospital. In line with this, you can find ‘Help us to Help You’ information on the back page.

Spotlight on services Support for people Helping people live Health priorities for in west Dorset on the streets with diabetes local children – page 3 – page 4 – page 6 – page 7 Governor profile Spread the word about

In April last year the nine councils across Trust membership! Dorset merged into two – Bournemouth, Poole and We are always looking for more members at Christchurch (BCP) Council and Dorset Council. Dorset HealthCare – it will help us to understand Dorset HealthCare works closely with both these and respond to the needs of our local communities new councils, particularly with social care teams more effectively. for adults, children and young people. Have you told friends and family members about Each council nominates a representative to sit as the benefits of joining the Trust? a Dorset HealthCare Governor and bring the They will be able to: perspective and views of the local authorities into our discussions. They are Cllr Nick Ireland (Dorset  have a say in what we do and help shape Council) and Cllr Chris Matthews (BCP Council). our future plans These Governors help to ensure that we are  receive great discounts through the working together across organisations to provide shopping website Health Service Discounts – the best support we can for local people. including money-saving deals on travel, clothes, restaurants, utility bills, gym Here, Cllr Ireland talks about his background and membership and much more. role on the Council of Governors.  receive regular information and updates in our membership e-newsletter  come along to Trust events, including “I became a partner our Annual Members' Meeting each autumn. governor to Dorset Healthcare following last Membership is completely free, and anyone over year’s Dorset Council the age of 11 living in Dorset can join. elections, although I It will take just a few minutes to complete an have been the liaison application form. You can find it online, along with member to the Trust for more information, at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ the Dorset (County) join-us-1/members Council Health Scrutiny Committee since 2017. If you want to request a printed form, call us on Freephone “My professional career 0808 100 3318. is in IT, although I juggle that with my duties as a councillor. In addition, I’ve been the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on DCC and subsequently DC, since January 2018. “I have a keen interest in healthcare provision. My wife is a nurse, working mostly in acute care that includes roles at Dorset County Hospital and Save the date! now in Yeovil, and her relatives span the spectrum Our next members event will take of the profession. One of my daughters works for place in Christchurch on 18 March. the NHS Confederation, and the other recently graduated as a doctor from Nottingham University We will send you an email detailing the venue and and has started working at St. Mary’s Hospital content for the day shortly, but for now please put in London. the date in your diaries. “I am concerned that the outcomes of Dorset And this year’s Annual Members’ Meeting will CCG’s Clinical Services Review predominantly take place on 21 October. concentrate services in the East of Dorset. I want to ensure the population outside of the conurbation If there is anything you would particularly like to continue to receive the services under the NHS hear about at these events, drop us a line at umbrella that they both need and deserve.” [email protected].

2 Spotlight on west Dorset

At Dorset HealthCare, we divide the delivery of our  North Dorset services into localities covering the east and west of We have been heavily involved in the first wave the county. Here is an update on some important of population health research undertaken in service developments in the west. Dorset – for north Dorset, this has looked at better  Weymouth and Portland management of frailty. Our teams have identified people with deteriorating health and increasing Early in January, we launched a mobile urgent care GP contacts and hospital admissions, and service. Three advanced practitioners, based at provided them with multi-disciplinary assessments Westhaven Hospital, are visiting frail and elderly and person-centred people in their own homes – visits that would care planning. normally be undertaken by GP practices. This has seen the This means visits can be done earlier in the day, launch of a ‘what and the team can link in with other services at matters most’ Westhaven to support people at home and avoid project – working the need for hospital admission. The initial with patients and response to the service has been very positive, their carers to really and you can watch a video about it at understand what https://binged.it/30mgTK3 matters to them, and how we can best support them to be independent for as long as possible.

 Mid Dorset

In recent months, each of Dorset’s acute hospitals has been struggling with high numbers of attendances and admissions. All our teams have been working hard to tackle this by  West Dorset preventing unnecessary admissions and Last summer we took over provision of community supporting timely discharge of people home. services in Lyme Regis and Charmouth (from Mid Dorset’s Integrated Community Rehab Virgin Health Care). This means that all west Team has been working closely with Dorset Dorset community services are now provided County Hospital (below) – basing staff in A&E by Dorset HealthCare. and the acute admissions unit to assess patients We work in partnership with Lyme Bay Medical and link with our other hubs and community Practice (below), providing a host of services hospital wards to prevent admissions wherever from one accessible location. We also have four possible. They have attended DCH’s delayed community beds in Lyme Regis Nursing Home for discharge meetings as part of work to help people people who need rehabilitation or end-of-life care. get home, with support, as quickly as possible.

3 New van offers refuge and support to people on the streets

Vulnerable young people, sex workers and others successfully bid for more than £5,300 to get at risk of harm and exploitation on the streets of the idea off the ground and Pauline Smyth, Bournemouth can now seek help and advice from our DWWP Co-ordinator, said it’s already a new outreach van service. making a big difference. Dorset Working Women’s Project (DWWP), part of “The van has been a fantastic addition to our our sexual health services, hits the road in the van service. It provides a much needed support to three nights a week to provide physical, emotional a vulnerable and marginalised group, in a safer and sexual health support to those in need. and more comfortable environment,” she said. Offering a warm and comfortable environment, “It has improved the relationship and including seats and blankets, the van offers a place communication we have with our service users, of safety and refuge where visitors can discuss their giving them a safe place to access the services problems and be signposted to a range of local we offer, as well as providing a confidential and services which can help. non-judgemental service.” And they can also access items such as toiletries, One woman supported by the DWWP said: clothing, food and drink, as well as contraception, “The team makes my life on the streets more treatment for infections and safe sex information. bearable, and the new van is amazing. It’s a safe place, which provides more privacy and The service was made possible by our annual a chance to keep warm and enjoy something Dragons’ Den staff innovation competition. Staff to eat or drink.”

4 Access Mental Health – supporting you in a crisis

If you are struggling to cope or feel yourself nearing a breakdown, Access Mental Health is here to provide help. Designed in partnership with local people, it offers a range of services which provide support at times and places to suit you. You don’t need to be referred by your GP or other health professional, you can just reach out for help when you need it. Mental health professionals and peer support workers will be on hand to help you avoid a crisis and help you find the path to recovery. Here is how you can access the services.

A 24/7 helpline open to all people of all ages. Dorset residents or people visiting Dorset can call direct on 0300 123 5440 or via NHS 111. Trained staff will take your call, provide advice or signpost you to the most appropriate service which meets your needs. You can call on behalf of a friend or relative, too.

Open to anyone aged 18 or above, this is a safe space to seek face-to-face help and support. You don’t need to phone ahead, just turn up and ring the doorbell. It is open every day from 4.30pm–midnight at these locations: Open to anyone aged 18 or above, providing a  30 Maiden Castle Road, Dorchester, welcoming, safe space where you can discuss Dorset, DT1 2ER. problems and work towards possible solutions.  Hahnemann House, Hahnemann Road, There is no referral or appointment needed, just Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5JW. turn up and ring the doorbell. They are open from 3.15–10.45pm, Thursday–Sunday, at these locations:

 The Assembly Rooms, Gundry Lane,

Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3RL.

 Hope Offices, Longmead Ind Est, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8PL.  Unit 1 Leanne Business Centre, Sandford Lane, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4DY. More information is available at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/access-mental- health

5 Helping people live safely with diabetes Diabetes is one of the main issues facing the NHS on a daily basis, accounting for £10 billion (a tenth of its annual budget) each year. People with the condition are more likely to experience heart failure, have a stroke or suffer from depression – yet it is estimated more than two-thirds These are open to anyone in Dorset, don’t understand their diabetes or how to reduce the and you can find out more information at risk of complications. www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/diabetes/patients. Around 32,000 people have a diabetes diagnosis in We have also launched a three-hour session for Dorset, and we have specialist staff helping people people who have had a diabetes diagnosis for at manage the condition and learn more about it. least a year. Called Refocus, it allows patients to Nurses, healthcare assistants, dieticians and podia- choose the issues and experiences they want to trists are based in clinics around the county, support- discuss. ing patients and advising how to avoid problems with The Refocus team was recently named runner-up food, alcohol, the menopause and much more. in the Diabetes Education category of the national Education is a key part of our approach, and – in Quality in Care Awards (below), and we are planning partnership with Dorset’s three acute hospital trusts to roll the sessions out at locations across Dorset. – we run two on-going programmes for patients. For people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, we deliver 12 hours of group education over two months at these venues:  Rossmore Community Library and Learning Centre, Bournemouth  Community Centre, Bournemouth  Leisure Centre, Bournemouth  Poole Hospital  Wareham Parish Hall  Community Learning and Resource Centre, Wimborne. Animal magic at Pebble Lodge

Fur and feathered therapy was the order of Patients and staff got up close with sheep, goats, rabbits, the day during two animal visits to Pebble chickens, ducks, a donkey, horses and even an alpaca Lodge, our young people’s inpatient mental courtesy of Hampshire-based Mucky Bucket Farm, health unit in Bournemouth. And they also got to handle some more unusual creatures – including corn snakes, a tarantula and barn owl – during an educational visit by Bournemouth’s Mad 4 Animals. The visits were funded by money raised by the public for patient activities and from the sale of handmade Christmas cards, and were requested by the patients themselves. Rachael Pankhurst, former Ward Clerk at Pebble Lodge, said: “Animals are known to ease stress, anxiety and depression so this was the ideal visit and activity for patients at Pebble Lodge. All the young people really enjoyed the time they spent with the range of animals. And the staff loved it too!” 6 Providing people with the best start in life Following a successful competitive tender, To help families Dorset HealthCare is now delivering the new find the information Children and Young People Public Health and support they Service (CYPPHS) across Dorset, including need quickly and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. easily, we will be introducing more Giving people a good start during childhood is advice by text vital to help ensure good health and wellbeing message and throughout life. digital consulta- Our health visiting and school nursing teams have tions, plus more a crucial leadership, co-ordination and delivery information and role within the Government’s Healthy Child guidance online. Programme. They work with partners – such We will focus on as schools and social care staff – to deliver a what each family comprehensive range of services for children, most needs, and young people and families. take a whole family The new CYPPHS will have four key local health approach to health and wellbeing, and wellbeing priorities: instead of just looking what the children are doing.  reducing smoking in parents, particularly There will be an additional pre-school health during pregnancy and after birth assessment to identify earlier the needs of  increasing physical activity children who may not be school-ready. And we  improving wellbeing and mental health will link in with Early Years providers and schools  ensuring children arrive at school ready to provide practical support with improving to learn and achieve. attendance, achievement and wellbeing.

7 If you are feeling unwell and are not sure what to Help us to help you do, visit 111.nhs.uk online or call 111. They can give you advice, put you in touch with a doctor, book an out-of-hours GP appointment, direct you to an urgent care centre/MIU or call an ambu- It’s important to use the appropriate NHS service when you have a health problem. By stocking up lance, depending on the severity of the situation. your medicines cabinet, you can manage cold We all have a responsibility not to burden local symptoms and minor illness and often nip issues A&E services and use the appropriate service in the bud before they become serious. Your local for the situation. pharmacist is a great source of advice for self care Here are the details for urgent care/minor injuries and symptom management. units across Dorset.

Grazed knee, cough, sore North Dorset: throat – make sure your Blandford Community Hospital medicine cabinet is stocked Milldown Road, Blandford DT11 7DD up and treat at home. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, weekend and bank hols 10am-4pm Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury Unsure, confused, need Magdelene Lane, Shaftesbury SP7 8BD more information – when  Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, weekend and bank hols 10am-4pm you need medical help fast Yeatman Community Hospital, Sherborne but it’s not an emergency.  Hospital Lane, Sherborne DT9 3JU Diarrhoea, headache, pain Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, weekend and bank hols 10am-4pm – when you need advice South West Dorset: on common illnesses and Bridport Community Hospital medicines to treat them. Hospital Lane, Bridport DT6 5DR Mon-Sun 9am-6pm Chest infection, backache – Lyme Regis Medical Centre when you have an illness Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis DT7 3LS or injury that won’t go away Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, closed weekends or you need a prescription. Portland Community Hospital Castle Road, Portland DT5 1AX Strains, sprains, stitches – when you have a minor Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, closed weekends injury that can be treated Weymouth Community Hospital by a nurse. Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth DT4 7TB Mon-Sun 8am-8pm, including bank hols Choking, chest pain, blood South and East Dorset: loss – when you have a life- St. Leonard’s Community Hospital threatening situation and Local Treatment Centre (out of hours) it’s an emergency. 241 Ringwood Road, Ringwood BH24 2RR 6.30 pm–10.30 pm Monday–Friday, 8 am–8 pm Sat, Sunday and bank holidays. Keep up with the latest news Telephone 111 for an appointment. Swanage Hospital You can see all the latest news Queens Road, Swanage BH19 2ES stories about what’s going on in Mon-Sun 8am-8pm, including bank hols Dorset HealthCare’s services by Victoria Hospital, Wimborne Victoria Road, Wimborne BH21 1ER visiting the news page on our website. Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm, closed weekends

Tweet us Go online at: Sentinel House  Call us on  4–6 Nuffield Road @DorsetHealth 01202 277000 Dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk Poole, Dorset BH17 ORB 9