Members' News
Members’ news
New specialist service for school immunisations
A dedicated School Age Immunisation The whole SAIS is made up of 20 staff who Service (SAIS) has launched this month, to are split into two teams, one team covering ensure children aged 4-16 across Dorset the east of the county (BCP, East Dorset get the vaccines they need. and Purbeck), and the other covering the west of the county (North Dorset, West This work was previously delivered by our Dorset, Weymouth and Portland and School Nursing teams, but the new stand- Dorchester). alone Dorset HealthCare service will focus entirely on this activity. The teams include immunisation practitioners, immunisation nurses and It will give schools a central team to contact administrators. They will still work closely for advice and support, and to arrange with School Nursing colleagues, as well as immunisations at a convenient time to fit in schools, parents and carers, to ensure all their busy schedules. The service will also eligible children and young people can reach children who are home educated and access immunisation opportunities to in special schools. improve their chances of remaining healthy.
Planning for the immunisation programmes for the next school year is well underway, and at the same time the teams are running catch-up clinics for immunisations missed when schools had to close during COVID-19 lockdown.
Our Immunisation Clinical Lead Angela Cosser said: “All our staff have expert knowledge of school age immunisations and the Dorset school community, which will enable us to deliver a high quality, responsive service across the county.”
Support available for How we’re running Stand for election as Video support for new parents services remotely a Trust governor mental health issues — page 2 — page 4 — page 5 — page 7 Health Visitors support new “I would encourage all parents to talk to their Health Visitor about how they feel – parents struggling to cope we are interested in the emotional health of the whole family, as well as the practical Health Visiting teams are available across aspects of becoming a parent. We are still Dorset for all new parents who may be here and want to support you.” struggling with COVID-19 restrictions and limited support from wider family members. Our Health Visiting teams are available by phone 9am – 4pm every day. For contact Post-natal depression is a common problem, details of your local team, visit affecting more than one in 10 women within a www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ year of giving birth. Depression can also affect healthvisiting women during pregnancy, and affect fathers and partners. A host of other useful information to help families through the COVID-19 pandemic is However, new parents do not have to cope also available at alone – and should seek help when they need it. www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk Shirley Shailer, Perinatal and Infant Mental If you require urgent mental health support Health Clinical Lead at Dorset HealthCare, said: call Connection, a 24-hour helpline, on “Pregnancy, becoming a parent and caring for a 0300 123 5440. new baby is really exciting, but it can also be a difficult time, with lots of changes and new challenges. As parents adjust to these changes, they will often have help from friends and family, along with support from the midwife, GP and Health Visitor. “During the pandemic it has not been possible for new parents to have contact with family and friends in the same way. There have also been changes to how health appointments are offered and health professionals are now wearing face masks and other protective gear. Understandably, more parents are suffering with anxiety and are feeling isolated.
State-of-the-art eating disorders unit gets the green light We are one step closer to building our new “The current six beds don’t meet the demand two-storey eating disorders unit at St. Ann’s and, as a result, some patients have to go out of Hospital in Poole after Bournemouth, area for treatment. People will now get the care Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council they need and still be close to their friends and approved our planning application. family, which can only aid their recovery.” Depending on COVID-19, we hope to start work Six inpatients can currently be cared for by on the £8 million development in the autumn. our specialist team, but the new building will be able to accommodate ten. Dr Ciarán Newell, our Consultant Nurse for Eating Disorders, said: “We are absolutely delighted this project can go ahead. An increase in capacity is necessary to reduce waiting times and provide specialised care for local residents.
2 Dear Members, COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on our I know many of you health services: many services were reduced, under have been instructions from the Government, and far more use concerned about was made of phone and video consultations. Dorset health services for HealthCare has reviewed that impact and is working children and young to get services up and running again, address people during the waiting times and apply informed choices about the pandemic, so this use of more phone and video delivery. edition focuses on We saw a significant increase in people using NHS some of those. The 111, while Attend Anywhere contacts rose from 40 use of Attend Anywhere increased to 500 calls per week; so patients were able to significantly for this age group and has speak via phone or video direct to clinicians, who been very successful for some services, also saw patients in person when necessary. including speech and language therapy. I’m also pleased that newborn hearing More than 88% of users rated Attend Anywhere as screening is on target to have caught up good or very good; when asked whether they would with all screening by 31 August. use video appointments in future, 78% said yes, 22% no. Staff involved were also predominantly I hope you find this edition informative, positive – it saved a great deal of time and travel, and do let me know if there is anything and they felt many patients had engaged well with you want us to cover next time. Please them. However, staff were concerned about privacy note your Annual Members’ Meeting on issues for some patients and found it was more 21 October, and I’d like to encourage any difficult to assess a person’s general well-being by of you who would like to play a more phone or video. We know a significant proportion of active role in shaping Dorset our population is unable or unwilling to access the HealthCare’s future to stand for election internet, and Dorset HealthCare will continue to as a governor – see page 5 for details. provide face-to-face consultations for those who Jan Owens, Lead Governor need or want them. Governor profile: Anna de Beer At 18 I’m currently the Trust’s youngest governor, and I’m not ashamed to say I’ve had a steep learning curve. Dorset HealthCare is a broad and multi-faceted trust, with lots of different parts and services, so it’s a lot to get to grips with. However, with the help of longer standing governors, plus training days and workshops, I now feel well equipped for my role of governor representing the Dorset/Rest of England and Wales constituency. This experience has further allowed me to I am off to study medicine in September, and understand the impact that decisions hope to eventually work in obstetrics and made at management and board level gynaecology. have on staff and patients, hammering As a student, I have benefitted from Dorset home the importance of my role as a HealthCare immensely. Amazing staff members governor. have offered me the opportunity to do work I feel one of my primary responsibilities is shadowing in colorectal surgery, medical representing members, especially younger physics, radiology and orthopaedics, to name a ones. So if you would like to get in contact few. All my placements left me impressed with with me to ask questions or raise any the quality of care patients received thanks to issues, my email address is: compassionate and dedicated staff. [email protected]
3 Keeping our services running: audiology
To help limit the spread of COVID-19, we are trying to minimise face-to-face interactions with patients and provide support through phone or video calls instead. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t get the advice, care or treatment you need. One service which has continued to meet the needs of patients during the pandemic is audiology, which supports people with hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems. It can’t offer its usual in-person appointments or walk-in repair clinics at the moment, but is looking after people remotely. As well as providing consultations online or over the phone, staff are getting new hearing aids out Karen Dewhurst, Senior Audiologist. to people, either through the post or delivering them by hand where possible. Existing hearing aids can also be repaired and returned promptly, along with new batteries or ear Visiting our sites moulds where needed. Remember, if you do have a face-to- Feedback from patients has been positive. One face appointment at any of our sites, person who had a broken hearing aid replaced you must follow strict guidelines to said: “It was all arranged within a few hours and I help prevent the spread of COVID-19 would like to say a huge thank-you….the and keep yourself and others safe. customer service was outstanding!” Do not come in if you have any Audiology Service Manager Helen Williams said: symptoms of the virus. Stay home “National guidelines have been relaxed during the and follow Public Health advice. pandemic to allow us to carry out remote fittings. If you do come to one of our sites, This has allowed us to reach lots of people who please arrive wearing a face needed hearing aids, and it has worked very well.” covering or mask, and wear it for You can contact the service on 0300 3038640 or the duration of your visit. email [email protected] On entering and leaving the building, you must clean your hands using the hand sanitiser provided. For the latest information on how we are Follow social distancing guidelines running services during the pandemic, visit as much as possible. www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/coronavirus- For more information, go to 1/changestodorsethealthcareservices www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ coronavirus-1/hospitalinpatient- visitors
4 Stand for election and All candidates must be aged 11 or over, live within the constituency they would represent help shape community and be a member of Dorset HealthCare. Nominations must be submitted by 5pm on health services Monday, 7 September. Keep an eye on the governor elections page of our website for If you want to have a bigger say in the future details of the vacant seats and how to obtain development of the Trust and how we deliver a nomination form. services, why not stand as a governor? To find out more about the election process We are holding elections to our Council of or the role of a governor, contact Governors in September. There are six seats Membership Manager, Jacqueline Stratford to be filled by members of the public – two on [email protected] representing Bournemouth, one Poole, and And don’t forget to vote! You will receive a three in the Dorset and Rest of England ballot pack soon and the polls open on 22 constituency. September. There are also two Staff governor places up for grabs. Elected governors represent the views of local people about our services. They raise concerns, inform decision making, help set our priorities and hold the Board of Directors to account. They are also valued ambassadors for Dorset HealthCare, promoting and raising awareness of our work throughout the county. You might typically expect to commit up to two days a month to your role as a governor, which might involve Council meetings, working groups, reading, visits and meetings with members. More information about the role is available at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/governors Polls open 22 September
A virtual Annual Members’ Meeting – save the date!
Due to restrictions around COVID-19, our Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM) will be a little bit different this year. Virtual AMM It will take place online, via video link, on Wednesday, 21 October. We will review the tumultuous events of the past year and look forward to how the Trust will continue to thrive in a post-COVID world. All members are welcome to take part in the ‘virtual’ meeting, and will have the chance to ask questions. Please save the date, and we will More information about the meeting is available at contact you with more details nearer the time. www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/annual-members-meeting
5 Faster support for teenagers with mental health issues
Young people aged 16-18 in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch who are struggling with their mental health will be able to refer themselves direct to our support services from September. Our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Young people across the county can Services (CAMHS) are trialling a new access support in the current unsettling assessment system in the conurbation. From 14 times via a secure and confidential text September, GPs, social care workers and other messaging service called ChatHealth. professionals concerned about a young person’s The anonymous service gives anyone mental state can refer them to a new CAMHS aged 11-19 a way to get in touch with a ‘Gateway’ service. healthcare professional for advice. And for the first time, 16 to 18-year-olds will be Guidance can be given on sexual or able to self-refer without needing to go through emotional health, alcohol, drugs, their GP. smoking and other things that may be All referrals will be assessed by Gateway staff getting in the way of having a good and, where appropriate, people with a milder quality life. diagnosis will be supported by a new ‘brief Just send a text message to 07480 intervention’ team. Those with more serious 635511 and a member of the Dorset issues will be transferred to the regular CAMHS HealthCare’s School Nursing Team will teams for more specialised, intensive treatment. reply. The Gateway service – which is set to be rolled ChatHealth has now been running in out across the rest of Dorset next year – is Dorset for three years, and since its designed to help nip low-level problems in the launch the service has responded to bud, while also freeing up other CAMHS staff to more than 7,300 messages from young see people with a moderate/severe diagnosis people seeking help or advice. more quickly. Head of CAMHS Stuart Lynch said: “Often a brief, early intervention when someone is feeling low or struggling with a particular problem can help that person recover and prevent a more serious deterioration in their mental health. “The Gateway service and our new team will help us to do this more quickly, and also reduce waiting times for those who require a more in- depth degree of care.” For more information about how to self-refer to CAMHS, visit https://camhsdorset.org/
6 Face-to-face mental health support is back — online After the COVID-19 lockdown forced the closure of drop-in mental health services, we are now offering support in a different way. Face-to-face help for anyone struggling to cope is now available from Dorset’s three Community Front Rooms (CFRs) in Bridport, Shaftesbury and Wareham via video call. Our Attend Anywhere service allows you to speak directly to staff online. All you need is a Chrome or Safari web browser and a web You can access one-to-one mental camera on your device. health support via video CFRs are open Thursday- Sunday, 3.15- 10.45pm. You can arrange an appointment by Sarah Mullins, Business Manager East for the calling the Connection helpline on 0300 123 BCHA, said: “We are very excited about providing video call support. It will offer a vital 5440, or contact staff directly by logging into new channel for people who may be struggling Attend Anywhere via during this difficult time.” www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/access- mental-health/community-front-rooms In addition, you can request one-to-one online chats with staff from our mental health Retreat The three CFRs are run by our partner services in Bournemouth and Dorchester via a Bournemouth Churches Housing Association self-referral form. (BCHA), together with local charities Hope and And if you need to speak to someone urgently Burrough Harmony. They offer a safe space for about your mental health, any time of the day or anyone aged 18 or over to talk through their night, don’t hesitate to call our free, 24/7 problems and work towards possible solutions. Connection helpline on 0300 123 5440. Young people are given a helping hand into adult life Vulnerable teenagers across the county are Abi and Ele pitched the idea alongside former being equipped with a ‘survival kit’ ready for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) when they leave care, to help them remain service user Nikita Roberts. She said: “It can be independent and healthy. really scary leaving care and living on your own. The DNA box is like a big hug on your first night The Dorset’s New Adults (DNA) kit, provided alone.” by Dorset HealthCare, gives 18-year-olds a box of essentials to support them into the adult world. Each box contains foodstuffs, vitamins, hygiene/health products and a blanket, plus information signposting people to a range of advice and support. It aims to help set young adults on the right path and make them less reliant on health and care services. The kit was the brain child of Abi Clark and Ele Jarrett from our Looked After Children’s Health Team. They secured £3,000 in funding for an initial 100 boxes through our From left: former service user Nikita annual staff innovation competition, Roberts with staff members Abi Clark Dragons’ Den. and Ele Jarrett.
7 Staying healthy and happy during COVID-19 The pandemic has been a tough time for everyone. Throughout July we ran a Wellbeing Month for Staff — a campaign to highlight the need for everyone to take time out to recognise, recharge and reflect. There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ way to support emotional or physical wellbeing. So we created a varied programme of free taster sessions, encouraging colleagues to try a new way to exercise, dip their toe into mindfulness, or pick up Louise Jones from Food for a pen and get creating. Thought Cookery School And many of these ideas can be taken up by anyone, whether you work for the Trust or not. While some sessions were led by talented Trust colleagues, other activities were led by a network of Dorset-based teachers – including Sonja Lockyer’s morning wellbeing ritual, Louise Jones from the Food for Thought Cookery School, and Scania Price’s relaxing gong baths (please note these are commercial businesses). We also covered sleep, anxiety, the need for routine, and happiness. There are resources on all these topics on the Steps 2 Wellbeing website. Feedback from staff about Wellbeing Month was universally positive. Danii Imeson, who works in our Learning and Development team, took part in a ‘shake it off’ exercise session via video link. She said: “It was invigorating and fun – I could actually feel myself loosening up and the energy rising. It was fairly gentle, exercise-wise, but I could feel my heart pumping that little bit faster. A great way to spend my lunchbreak, prepping me for the afternoon ahead!” You can read more about Danii’s Wellbeing Month experience, and how she’s been looking after herself during lockdown, on her blog ‘Livin’ COVID-a Loca’. For more resources on looking after your wellbeing, visit our website at: www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/coronavirus -1/mental-healthwellbeing-advice
8 Help us to help you during COVID-19 While the NHS has had to adjust the way it delivers services during the pandemic, it’s still here if you Remember to: need it. • follow social distancing guidelines If or your family members need help with a you • keep cleaning your hands new or on-going medical issue, don’t delay. Below • work from home if possible is a guide about where to seek help, depending on your problem. • wear a face covering if using public transport or visiting health care sites. Remember, if you are feeling unwell and not sure what to do, calling 111 or visiting 111.nhs.uk online The primary symptoms of COVID-19 are: a high is a good start point. If you need to contact your GP temperature (37.8 degrees or more); loss of surgery, please call or use the e-consult form on its taste or smell, and/or a new continuous cough. website – don’t go in person unless you have an If you have any of these symptoms please self- appointment. isolate and call 119 or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus And if there is an emergency, life-threatening for a test. situation, call 999 as usual. Minor Injury Units (MIUs)
Grazed knee, cough, sore Due to the pandemic, we have reduced the throat – make sure your number of MIUs and are providing face-to-face medicine cabinet is stocked consultations only where strictly necessary. up and treat at home. Please call ahead first (either 01305 762541 or the local MIU number shown below) – do not just turn up. Unsure, confused, need more information – when Westminster Memorial Hospital, you need medical help fast Shaftesbury Magdelene Lane, Shaftesbury but it’s not an emergency. SP7 8BD Mon-Fri, weekend and bank hols 8am-8pm Phone: 01747 851535 Bridport Community Hospital Diarrhoea, headache, pain Hospital Lane, Bridport DT6 5DR – when you need advice Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, weekends 9am-6pm on common illnesses and Phone: 01308 426245 medicines to treat them. Weymouth Community Hospital Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth DT4 7TB Chest infection, backache – Mon-Sun 8am-8pm, including bank hols Contact your when you have an illness Phone: 01305 762541 or injury that won’t go away GP surgery or you need a prescription. Swanage Hospital Queens Road, Swanage BH19 2ES Mon-Sun 8am-8pm, including bank hols Strains, sprains, stitches – Phone: 01929 475009 when you have a minor Victoria Hospital, Wimborne injury that can be treated Victoria Road, Wimborne BH21 1ER by a nurse. Mon-Fri 8.30am-8pm, weekends 8am-8pm Phone: 01202 856436 Choking, chest pain, blood Sherborne, Blandford and Portland MIUs are loss – when you have a life- temporarily closed, with staff relocated to threatening situation and Shaftesbury and Wimborne MIUs to improve it’s an emergency. services and extend opening times.
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