Members’ news

Dorset HealthCare has improved significantly, say CQC inspectors Dorset HealthCare has been rated ‘good’ by England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals after making significant improvements to the quality of services for patients. A team of inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited in November and December to check the quality of eight mental health and three community health care services, as well as assessing our management and leadership. As a result the Trust is now rated as ‘good’ for Staff, patients and friends at Pebble Lodge, our being effective, caring, responsive and well led, mental health inpatient unit for young people, and remains rated as ‘requires improvement’ for celebrated their recent achievements with a party being safe. Overall this moves us up from our and a visit from Aubrey the therapy donkey. previous rating of ‘requires improvement’. Areas which still needed improvements included One of the big successes was a positive shift from ligature points at some acute mental health wards ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’ for child and adolescent and some aspects of medicines management. mental health wards, referring to the Pebble Lodge unit in Westbourne. Chief Operating Officer Eugine Yafele said: “We are delighted that our overall rating has improved, Inspectors found that staff had gone beyond what and are particularly pleased that some services was required and were clearly focussed on the have also been rated as outstanding. This is great wellbeing and recovery of young people. news for patients, carers, staff and our partners.” There was also an improved rating of good for: Andy Willis, Chair of Dorset HealthCare, added:  Community mental health services for adults “This is a testament to the hard work of our staff, and for older people and their desire to continually improve services for our patients.”  Community health services for children and We are now developing an action plan to address young people and issues raised in the report and will work with the  Community health inpatient services CQC to monitor progress.

70 years of the Staff Survey Triangle of Leg Ulcer 70 Conference NHS – page 2 results – page 4 care – page 7 – page 10 Welcome from the Help us celebrate Lead Governor the 70th birthday

We are very pleased with the CQC's of the NHS! rating of 'good' and their positive comments about Dorset HealthCare This year marks 70 years services. Quality in health services since the foundation of is judged on the elements of patient the NHS, and we’re keen experience, patient safety & clinical to make sure Dorset effectiveness. HealthCare is part of the All the staff have worked so hard to make sure celebrations. It offers patients have a good experience, feel safe in their a great opportunity for us care and that their treatments are clinically to raise the profile of the effective. As the Trust Chair said to me: “We have Trust, celebrate all the started the journey to 'outstanding',” which is the great work we do, talk about future developments CQC's highest rating. and involve local communities. The Council of Governors is working on the The celebrations run throughout the year, Trust's Quality Account, a formal report about with a particular focus on May to July, plans for improving the quality of specific services. and we want to showcase as many of The plan for 2018/19 is to: our sites and community teams as we can.  Improve the patient experience in our children and adolescent mental health services by Do you have any using their feedback to develop the service photographs, news  Improve adult patient safety by better detecting clippings or NHS and managing deteriorating conditions memorabilia from 70 the past seven  Do more positive health promotion, particularly decades? Maybe to help reduce smoking and alcohol you used to work consumption. at one of our hospitals The Council is also beginning to receive or have carried out information about the transformation in our voluntary work for us? services following the Clinical Services Review Perhaps you were a across Dorset. We are moving towards joining up patient, and would services and making them more accessible and like to share memories of your care? closer to home. I look forward to sharing examples We have a dedicated area on our website featuring with you in the next edition. news, reminiscences, archive photographs, videos I am very pleased that Alison Fisher (see profile on and a listing of any celebration events around page 6) has been elected as my deputy as there is the county. more than enough work for both so us. Email [email protected] And finally, I'm delighted to invite you to meet your with your ideas, photos and information or any governors at our first member event at the Crown questions you may have. Hotel in Blandford on 20 June. We intend to run a series of events where members can find out more about the great work being done in Dorset HealthCare. It’s also a chance to give us your views – as governors we can then feed that back to the Board to inform the way the Trust manages services. We are really keen to meet you and find out what’s important to you so I hope to see you there (more details on page 5). Best wishes, Jan Owens, Lead Governor 2 Inspirational patient stories celebrate kindness, courage and determination

A health awards ceremony organised by Dorset Carers Award: Lindsey Oliver (Poole) – HealthCare showcased moving stories of local Lindsey has shown outstanding commitment patients who have recovered from serious to improve the lives of family members who illness and injury. could not cope without her, constantly showing unwavering dedication and positivity, while also The annual Road to Wellness Awards volunteering with the Leonardo Trust and raising celebrate people who have battled to overcome money to help others debilitating physical or mental health problems – or helped others to do so. Outstanding Achievement Award: Lucy Skinner (Poole) – Lucy is 16 years old and has Healthcare staff, relatives, carers and friends spent most of her life in care. She suffers with nominated individuals and groups across six Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, categories. The shortlisted finalists, their depression, cystic fibrosis and diabetes. Despite nominators and other guests all attended a this, she cares for her younger sister and presentation ceremony at The Lighthouse disabled grandmother. She refuses to let her in Poole. health setbacks get her down, and uses her experiences to help other young people. Winners included: Dorset HealthCare Chair Andy Willis, who Group Award: Bournemouth Parent Carer presented the Outstanding Achievement Award, Forum – This group provides a voice for, as said: “I’m extremely humbled and moved by the well as support and advice to parents/carers stories of courage, determination and positivity. of children and young adults with special These awards are a great way of celebrating the educational needs and complex learning or hard work of staff and our courageous patients in medical disabilities using their experiences to help others.” Kindness Award: Cassie Merry (North Alison Mullins said: “This award has given me Dorset) – At just 16 years old Cassie has such a boost, and I think it will give many people experienced many challenges in her life – the strength to keep going and believing. I also battling depression being just one. Yet she think it’s wonderful that carers are recognised, continues to show great generosity and as they play such a pivotal role in a person’s kindness, using her own experiences to recovery.” help other young people Inspiration Award: Alison Mullins (Weymouth) – Alison was left with life-changing physical injuries and mental health problems following a vicious attack whilst working as a police officer in London. Now having returned to her hometown, her resilience is inspirational, and she is using this to support others Courage Award: Gerry Bruce-Ahrens (North Dorset) – Gerry has suffered multiple traumas throughout her life, including racism, prejudice, rejection and abuse. Yet she raises awareness of women and same sex relationships through Award winners (from left, back row) Lindsey Oliver, writing and talks, fighting for equality and Cassie Merry and Marion Burgess on behalf of the Bournemouth Parent Carer Forum; (from left, front row) human rights Alison Mullins, Lucy Skinner and Gerry Bruce-Ahrens.

3 Staff survey Staff refuse to take results show snow for an answer!

positive Staff across the county pulled out all the stops to get to work and to our patients in freezing progress temperatures in March. Our valiant teams trudged through snow and ice Our recently-published 2017 staff survey results after a weather front dubbed ‘The Beast from showed a number of improvements since last year. the East’ met Storm Emma to create Siberian Just over 49% of staff completed the questionnaire conditions across the county. in the autumn, and key findings included: Many walked to work, some for miles; others  Our staff engagement score (measuring staff worked from a base other than their own, and a motivation, whether we’d recommend the Trust, number of staff came in on their day off to make and how involved staff feel) has significantly sure our patients were safe and cared for. improved for the second year in a row and is Our intrepid district nurses and other staff then well above average when compared to similar headed out to see vulnerable patients at home. Trusts. They included:  People feel the organisation is taking more of  Anna and Alice who walked a three-hour an interest in, and action on, staff health and round-trip from Charminster to Southbourne wellbeing. to make sure a diabetic patient received their  Job satisfaction has improved in five of the six insulin injection key findings since last year, with more staff  The nurse who walked around the five miles recommending Dorset HealthCare as a place of Portland to give insulin injections and to work and to receive care or treatment. palliative care  Communication with senior managers and  Two staff who are normally Poole-based but support from immediate line managers has did essential visits near their homes in Bere improved and more people feel recognised Regis instead. and valued for the work they do. Many staff started early, stayed late, or pulled  Use of patient feedback is also highlighted as longer or extra shifts to keep services running. an area of significant improvement. Some even stayed over at work, including When compared to similar Trusts across the Bridport Matron Jane Turner and senior sister country, we equal the highest scores in areas such Ellen Holmes who slept on blow-up mattresses as effective team working, staff satisfaction with to stay at the hospital for three days and ensure resourcing and support, and support from safe care. immediate managers. Chief Executive Ron Although we’ve made huge progress over the last Shields said a huge three years, we want to be even better. We will be thank you to everyone, exploring how we can reduce the number of staff adding: “There are experiencing violence, harassment, bullying and many inspiring abuse at work (while encouraging people to report accounts of individual such incidents), how we can improve our levels of endeavours by our staff reporting errors and incidents, and how we can on behalf of the people reduce work-related stress. We will also develop of Dorset. It is very our internal communications to gain a deeper humbling and a source understanding of where things can be improved. of great pride.”

4 Specialist support to manage pain The service has a culture of working in partnership When you’re managing constant pain, for with current and former service users, leading to a whatever reason, even the most routine activities really positive impact for patients. can become a real challenge. They have recruited a team of ‘Pain Pals’, You may feel tired, anxious and low in mood and ex-patients who use their lived experience to help it can put a strain on your relationships with the other patients and give them support in their time people around you. In short, pain has a major of need. impact on your physical and emotional wellbeing. The pain service volunteers are so valued that they Dorset HealthCare’s Community Pain Service won a Dorset HealthCare Heroes Award in September provides specialist support for people living with last year. Pain Service Peer advisors Barbie, Lynda persistent pain, helping them to retain their and Mike are pictured below left receiving the award independence and live as fulfilling a life as from Steve Cole (left), Governor and Chair of possible. Blandford Community League of Friends. The team deals with all forms of chronic pain, The nomination said: “These volunteers have put so including muscles, bones and joints, the nervous much back into this service. They are exceptional in system, internal organs and unexplained pain. the support they provide, time invested into helping They offer a range of support and treatments, other people in the service despite their own ill health. including: “They use their own experience to help others in  medication and injection therapy a similar situation learn how to manage their pain. They do make a difference to people's lives and  self-management strategies are so invaluable to the service.”  psychological therapy and counselling

 physical therapy to improve fitness and mobility Come along to our member

 complementary treatments, such as TENS engagement event in June clinics, meditation and relaxation group-based pain management programmes. Our governors are hosting a special event in Blandford on Wednesday, 20 June – and you are invited. Taking place at the Crown Hotel on West Street from 2–5pm, there will be talk on how to deal with chronic pain, as well as a chance to learn more about services we provide around sexual health, military veterans, learning disabilities and podiatry. There will also be short presentations by our Trust Chair, Andy Willis, and Chair of Governors Jan Owens. The event is completely free, and you will be able to enjoy refreshments while chatting to our governors and staff. Come along if you can – it will be a great opportunity to learn more about the Trust and the services we provide.

5 Focus on Dorset takes top Dorset prize in NHS research Governor awards

Alison An NHS Fisher research study looking into the rehabilitation of I have been a public knee replacement governor for Dorset patients across Dorset has won a prestigious and the Rest of award, thanks to the collaborative work of Dorset England and Wales County Hospital (DCH) and Dorset HealthCare. since September NHS research teams from the two organisations 2017. I was elected were presented with the Outstanding Achievement with a 3-year Award at a ceremony hosted by tenure at a time Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical when the Trust faces an exciting future, so Research Network (CRN) Wessex. I am looking forward to ensuring that all new opportunities mean the people of Dorset get the The CORKA trial – COmmunity based highest quality healthcare possible. Rehabilitation after Knee Arthroplasty – compared hospital-based rehabilitation with rehab in patients’ I am new to Dorset following a career as Chief own homes and is a national trial led by Oxford Executive of a regional Mind – the mental health University. charity, so mental health services are dear to my heart. Over the last few years, much has Dr Ciaran Newell, Eating Disorders Consultant been done to ensure that people who use mental Nurse and Facilitator of Research and health services have as good a service as people Development at Dorset HealthCare, said: “We with physical health needs, but there is still a lot to are delighted to have won this award with our do. However, I am also passionate about ensuring colleagues at Dorset County Hospital. that we do not lose sight of the mental health and “Patients in Dorset have been able to access wellbeing of those with physical needs. Our this innovative research study, which they could healthcare, environments, carer services and not have done separately, and the team has also communication methods therefore need to be benefitted from the training and skill development conducive to recovery and to promote the which is now part of their everyday practice.” wellbeing of our population and workforce. I More of our teams are in the running for awards hope to visit as many Trust locations as possible over the next few months. to see how this is working in practice. Our Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion (CJLD) I firmly believe that the Council of Governors plays service and Communications team have been a key role in the Trust as the voice of the people shortlisted for the national Health Service Journal of Dorset and that is why I stood for election. I also 2018 Value Awards, in the Specialist Services and believe that we can always learn from others, so I Communication categories, respectively. am also taking an interest in our regional Governor Network and the National Governor Advisory And the CJLD service is also in the running to Committee. First impressions are that Dorset win the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities HeathCare has a great reputation for innovation category of the HSJ’s 2018 Patient Safety Awards. and people-centred services; my aim is to ensure Our Steps to Wellbeing team has also been that this continues. shortlisted in the same category.

6 Monkey World goes ‘Triangle of Care’ ape over Trust provides more recognition and support donation for mental health carers

A gift of old curtains and disposable medical A new scheme to strengthen the role of carers in supplies from Dorset HealthCare has been looking after people with mental health problems welcomed by primates large and small at has been introduced across Dorset. Monkey World. Dorset HealthCare has signed up to the Triangle We contacted the world-famous ape rescue of Care approach, which aims to improve centre in response to an appeal for disused communication between health professionals, blankets, pillow cases, towels and sheets, which service users and their carers – sharing are hung in the enclosures and used by the knowledge to help make the right decisions chimpanzees to build nests. and aid recovery. More than 400 old or damaged curtains were Carers have a unique understanding of a donated by our community hospitals in Blandford, person’s mental health history, needs and Weymouth and Sherborne. conditions, and this initiative will provide them with more engagement and support from staff in These were delivered to the sanctuary, near hospitals and also out in the community. Wareham, by Trust Waste Manager Tim Pike and his team – and came in very useful during the Phil Morgan, the Trust’s Mental recent spell of freezing cold weather. Health Recovery and Social Inclusion Lead, said: “It is important Tim said: “We are constantly striving towards a that we offer the best possible more cost-effective recycling and waste manage- experience for people who access ment service, and looking at new and innovative our mental health services, and ways we can dispose of items we no longer use. their families. “These donations not only reduced waste going “We see this initiative as an integral to landfill or incineration, but also helped a local element in continuing to create a wildlife charity which is world renowned for the culture which not only focuses on the individual work it does.” accessing our services, but also those who look And the special delivery didn’t just consist of after them.” curtains – out-of-date medical supplies including We will deliver the initiative in partnership with cotton wool, syringes, sutures and scalpels were Rethink, the Dorset Mental Health Forum, and also donated. the Dorset Mental Health Carers Project. These will be used to stock the centre’s Marianne, from Weymouth, took unpaid leave purpose-built onsite hospital, which houses an from her job for six months to look after her operating theatre, prep area and small lab facility. daughter Lauren, who has been suffering from depression and other mental health issues for around six years. She said: “The Triangle of Care will be a lifeline to carers and give them the chance to seek advice and support in making big decisions. Having a health professional to call on who understands your situation and the pressures you face will have a big impact.”

7 Trust’s successful breastfeeding campaign heads to Parliament

A pioneering They’ve been so initiative by acclaimed they were also Dorset HealthCare presented to MPs on the to encourage All Party Parliamentary more women to Group (APPG) on Infant breastfeed has Feeding and Inequalities, been showcased which works to improve at the Houses of policies and break down Parliament. stigma around the issue. Our Breastfeeding Caroline Blake Advisory Team (pictured below), from pictured below at Bournemouth, was the Houses of among the mums featured on the posters. Parliament (from left to right: Caroline She said: “I wanted to be involved in this Baddiley, Breastfeeding Educator, standing campaign to show that whether you breastfeed alongside MP Alison for just a day or a week, you haven’t failed – just Thewliss, and Liz Stacey, Breastfeeding keep trying. Advisor Lead for Dorset HealthCare), produced a range of posters featuring local “Breastfeeding is an amazing thing, and creates mums and their babies, coupled with clever a bond between mother and baby, and I think the slogans that offer a ‘softer’, more positive messaging on the posters helps bridge the gap message women can relate to. between reality and expectation.”

And the posters are proving extremely popular, with more than 24,300 shares on the Breastfeeding Network’s official Facebook page and related websites in America. Other NHS trusts and health professionals across the UK have also asked to use them.

8 Young people open Hazel left beaming up about mental after scooping health issues prestigious honour

A couple of young women supported by our Child Purbeck District Lead and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Nurse Hazel Dent has have been talking about their experiences in the been awarded the title local press. of Queen’s Nurse by community nursing Molly, 16, and Nikita Adams, 21, were featured in charity The Queen’s the as part of Children’s Nursing Institute (QNI). Mental Health Week. The honour recognises a commitment to Molly went through problems at school, including high standards of patient care, learning bullying, and is working with the CAMHS team and leadership. to help develop the service based on her experiences. Nurses who hold the title benefit from development workshops, bursaries, network "I think it is good for people to talk with others opportunities and shared professional identity. about mental health to understand the similarities and know that mental health isn’t abnormal,” Hazel (pictured top left) was presented with the she said. accolade at the QNI Awards in London, which she attended with colleagues Emma Leese and fellow Nikita (pictured), QN Hattie Taylor. from north Dorset, was referred to CAMHS when she was studying Staff get in a for her GCSEs in 2012. She wrote spin for charity a poem about her journey More than 30 members of Trust staff put their foot towards recovery, down for a 24-hour charity ‘spinathon’ and raised which was more than £2,150 for two local charities. published in It was all part of a special event held at Fitness . First Poole for staff and members of the public, Talking about how she struggled to fit in, and who took turns to pedal their way through the day the importance of loving yourself and doing things and night. which make you happy, it concludes: The money was donated to mental health charity “When I myself can be happy, Dorset MIND and Poole Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) When I myself can be alright, When I myself can fight the darkness, And do the things I like...

“I don't need to be anyone else, Because who I am is just fine.”

9 Sell-out conference marks 20 years of our Leg Ulcer Service

Two decades ago, Dorset didn’t have a specialist service to tackle the growing problem of leg ulcers. But today, thanks to the passion and commitment of Val Reynolds and her team, we provide clinics across the county, with a current weekly caseload of more than 200 people. The team provides specialist assessments and care, including dressings, bandaging and advice, as well as training for other healthcare staff. And the service celebrated its 20th anniversary in style, with a leg ulcer conference at the Hamworthy Club in Poole, attended by more than 200 delegates. Guest speakers included Joy Tickle, a Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist who has appeared on Channel 4’s ‘Embarrassing Bodies’ programme, and independent wound care consultant Jacqui Fletcher. Locality Manager Sharon Powell closed the conference, and said: “There could not have been a better way to celebrate 20 years of the service. The expert speakers covered many aspects of complex leg ulcer care, providing useful updates and new information.” Sharon also presented the team with a glass plaque to mark their achievements. Val (pictured top right, with Jacqueline Fletcher, International Speaker) said: “We are proud of our healing rates but equally as important is ensuring we improve patients’ quality of life. The conference celebrated our achievements so far, but also helped share good practice so we can improve in the future.”

SAVEMake sure you keep upPlease to dategive us your email address THE DATE so we can communicate with you 12 Sept electronically where possible. You Our Annual Members’ can email [email protected] 2018 meeting will be at The and ask us to update your details. Lighthouse in Poole We will post newsletters on the on 12 September 2018. membership page of the Trust’s Jot it down in your diary and we’ll website: dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ send more information soon. join-us/governors

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