BetterTogetherLincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s members’ magazine

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ISSUE 12

Lincolnshire PartnershipNHS Foundation Trust

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Much has happened both within our Trust and the wider NHS since the last issue of Better Together was published in October 2010.

As a result of our recent elections, I am delighted to welcome Evelyn Nicholls and Rebecca Millar to our Council of Governors, and our new non-executive director, Lloyd Hogg. We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues in our work in overseeing the performance of our Trust. You can read more about them and their backgrounds over the next few pages. At the same time we extend our thanks to Robert Hall at the end of his term as a non-executive director for his valuable contribution to the Trust.

In this issue we have profiled the important work of our governors and how they, and the members they represent, are so influential in how the Trust develops mental health and care services for its services users. This successful involvement has been reflected in the outcome of the recent national adult community care survey organised by the Care Quality Commission in which our Trust was ranked second nationally.

We are absolutely delighted by these results. You can read more about this survey on page 9.

In February I was heartened to hear of the government’s new mental health strategy, “No health without mental health”. It’s a major step forward in giving mental health the same importance as physical health. It sends out a very clear message that mental health is not about ‘them and us’; it’s about all of us. Once we start to understand that as a society, we’ll be able to manage mental health problems in a much more effective way.

welcome

Council of Governors’ meeting – 13 JanuaryThe governors debated and questioned the contents of the following reports:

■ External audit plan for 2011/12 – (presented by Deloitte’s, the Trust’s external auditors) ■ Performance & draft annual plan for 2011/12 ■ Operational & performance issues currently facing the Trust ■ Anti stigma & discrimination task & finish group ■ Issues group ■ Standards committee ■ Audit & assurance committee ■ Nominations & remuneration committee ■ Development of new rehabilitation unit currently being built in Lincoln.

The governors approved the following: ■ Governors’ planning group to become part of the issues group – to ensure all governors have a say in future agendas ■ Establishment of an involvement committee of the Council of Governors – to develop and oversee the ‘Group of 1000’ (see article on page 7) ■ Membership committee’s terms of reference were amended to allow for more stakeholder representation ■ Standards committee’s terms of reference were reviewed ■ The recommendations in the report: How Accountability, Openness & Transparency is Maintained ■ Involvement in the planning of the Trust’s annual public meeting ■ Not to increase the rate of remuneration for the Chairman and non-executive directors.

Results of elections: Lead governor: Carrie Forrester Deputy lead governor: Alan Daniels The full papers relating to this meeting can be downloaded from the Trust’s website www.lpft.nhs.uk The Council of Governors’ meetings are held in public, with a 15 minute question and answer session for members of the public at the start. The next meeting will be held on 14 April at 4pm in Sleaford. For details contact karen.scott@lpft.nhs.uk or telephone 01529 222240.

New non executive director joins boardExperienced health and local authority director, Lloyd Hogg has been appointed as a non executive director. Lloyd has a wide range of accountancy and business financial management experience from having worked for other NHS trusts and other related public sector organisations. The qualified CIPFA accountant and economics graduate, who now lives in South Holland with his wife, Anne, said: “I am pleased and excited to be joining the Trust and very much look forward to working with everyone, in what are likely to be challenging times for the public sector. I have spent much of my career gaining experience in many areas other than finance, which has given me a broad perspective on healthcare services and the need to focus on both staff and patients.”Lloyd’s appointment was made by the Trust’s Council of Governors and commenced on March 1. He replaces Robert Hall who has reached the end of his four-year term of office. Trust Chairman, Eileen Ziemer, said: “I would wish to place on record my appreciation for the tremendous contribution that Robert Hall made to the business of the Trust. It is essential that we have a wide range of skills and knowledge to help take us forward. I am delighted that Lloyd has joined us, as we continue to develop and improve services for our patients and the people that care for them.” Other current non executive directors of the Trust board are: Lesley Koumi (deputy-chairman), Anne Grahamslaw, George Krawiec, David Finch and Beverley Shears.

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Our Trust has 32 governors, made up of appointed, public and staff governors who act as a key link between service users, the general public and the board of directors.

Understanding the governance arrangements & how it all fits together.

Governance simply means the method of management. All foundation trusts have two groups of officers: directors and governors. Nonetheless, a foundation trust is legally owned by its members, and so it is ultimately accountable to them.

The diagram above represents the governance arrangements of a foundation trust.

Red Arrows: Members appoint governors, who in turn appoint non-executive directors who are accountable to governors. The governors are ultimately accountable to members.

Blue Arrows: Executive directors are accountable to non-executive directors. Non-executive directors are accountable to governors, who are ultimately accountable to members.

This structure is designed to drive efficiency by making its management team directly accountable and accessible to local people.

Who is Monitor & the Care Quality Commission?

Monitor is the independent regulator for foundation trusts. It ensures they are well-managed and financially strong so that they can deliver excellent health care. Ultimately, Monitor is accountable to Parliament through the secretary of state for health.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England, whether provided by the NHS, local authorites, private companies or voluntary organisations. It has statutory powers to regulate the performance of all health and social care providers.

Foundation trusts are run in a similar fashion as co-operatives with key managerial and financial decisions made by its members through a board of directors and council of governors. Local people, service users and staff can become members and governors and hold the trust to account.

How NHS foundation trusts work

Who are the Council of Governors?The Council of Governors represent the views and opinions of its members. Governors stand for a maximum term of three years. Some governors are elected from our membership, others are appointed by our partner organisations:

■ NHS Lincolnshire ■ University of Lincoln ■ United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust ■ Lincolnshire County Council ■ Lincolnshire district councils ■ Lincolnshire Police ■ National Offender Management Services ■ Primary care commissioning groups.

Governors work in partnership with the board of directors to agree what needs to be done to meet the needs of the community

What is a governor’s role & function?Function

■ Appoint or remove the chairman and non-executive directors ■ Approve the appointment of the chief executive ■ Set rates of remuneration for the chairman and non-executive directors ■ Provide views to the board of directors when they are preparing the trust’s forward planning ■ Appoint or remove extrenal auditors ■ Consulted with on any changes to the constitution ■ Receive the annual report and accounts ■ Act as ambassadors for the trust ■ Establish mechanisms for consulting the members and the partner organisations they represent.

Role ■ Represent the views of local people who have signed up as members ■ Work with the board of directors to agree what is needed in the local community ■ Taking the views of what the community want to the board of directors and taking their messages back about financial and other constraints.

Governance arrangements of a foundation trust

Non -Executive Directors

Executive Directors

Council of Governors

Members

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Communicating with your governorIf you have a question or a concern about the care we provide, or your membership of our Trust, your governor would like to help you.

How to raise a concern with a Trust governor 1) Through governor drop-in sessions or at member events. Governors will fill in a record sheet with you and will forward it confidentially to the membership team for processing, or2) You can send your query by letter, or email it directly to the membership team (contact details at the bottom of facing page).

How concerns are storedAs many of the forms contain confidential and/or personal identifiable information, they are kept securely and not shown to, or discussed with, any third party.Details from the form are entered into an issues log.

What action will be taken?What happens next is determined by the Trust secretary, the governor, and the governor and membership officer. These actions could include, but are not limited to:

■ Referral to the Trust’s complaints procedure ■ Contact to clarify details of the issue raised ■ Referral to a service manager or clinician for advice on a resolution ■ Placing on the agenda for the next governors’ issues group meeting ■ Facilitating an urgent referral to an appropriate service.

Copies of concerns are recorded in the Trust’s issues log, although personal identifiable information is removed, and passed to the issues group for discussion. The issues group will consider if any of the concerns being raised need to be brought to the attention of the Council of Governors and/or the clinical quality and risk committee of the Trust’s Board of Directors

How feedback is givenThe governor and membership officer will advise the governor who recorded the original concern and the member who raised it of what action is to be taken.

The governor and membership officer will, where appropriate, follow-up responses and ensure that the governor and member are informed of the final outcome.

Rebecca Millar(Child & family services – service user constituency). Elected: October 2010“A friend described me in three words: “loyal, ambitious, determined”. I believe anything is possible if you put your mind to it and, as a service user of the eating disorder service, I am proof of that. Whilst I’m an idealist, I’m also a realist and recognise that it may be an upward climb for the Trust to reach its potential.”

“I have never been one to shy away from a challenge and believe my drive and dedication can make a valuable contribution in helping the Trust to provide the best possible service to its users.”

Declaration of interests: Political Party: None. Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

Evelyn Nicholls(Older adult service – service user constituency). Elected: October 2010“I am an RGN 1st level nurse, and I have worked for Lincoln hospitals since 1973 until my retirement in February 2010.”

“To the governor role I bring my skills, knowledge and experience as a clinical nurse, who specialised in elderly care for 37 years, and was a discharge co-ordinator for the elderly.”

“My passion has always been caring for the elderly and mentally infirm to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect, achieving the highest care possible.”

“I communicated with multi-disciplinary teams both in hospital and the community, always placing people at the centre of care.”

Declaration of Interests: Political Party: None. Financial or other interest in the Trust: None

Introducing your new governorsFollowing the recent elections for people to represent our members we have two new elected governors.

RESPECT:Continue to work in partnership

Rebecca Millar (pictured left) and Evelyn Nicholls

could you supply an image for here? could you supply an image for here?

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Governors at work: the introduction of personal budgets

Service user governor for adult services, Celia Evershed, takes a keen interest in the issues facing her constituents. As a result of Celia’s

recent attendance at some mental health support and recovery groups the issue of the introduction of personal budgets was discussed. As this is such an important and current issue which will impact on a lot of our service users, we have attempted to answer some of the concerns raised at these meetings below.

To summarise the current situation, Lincolnshire County Council has decided to stop awarding block contracts to external organisations to provide mental health day care services (with effect from the 1st of April 2011). Instead, service users will be assessed on the level of help and support they need to aid their recovery. Depending upon the outcome of their assessment, they may be given a personal budget which they can spend on the services they feel they need to aid their mental well-being.

Assessments Can mental health assessors make good judgements about service users they do not know? All assessors have been specially trained to conduct these assessments. Where possible service users will be linked to assessors they know. A small number, ie those who only receive services from a psychiatrist or psychologist, may not have had any contact with their assessor before.

Are service users aware these assessments are being carried out? Before each assessment, individuals are informed of the process and what it involves. Assessments are completed in a way that meets each individual’s needs; this includes having a friend or family member present.

Will people be free to choose where they can go to access support? The assessment determines the level of need and a budget is allocated. Service users have the choice and control to look at many options; however they are given help, support and advice to choose the best services to meet their needs.

Can people have a copy of their individual assessments? Everyone can have a copy of their own assessment and their support plan.

Is there an appeals procedure? Individuals can appeal if they are unhappy with the outcome of their assessment.

The assessment questionnaire is not aimed at mental health service clients - why? A standard questionnaire is used for all client groups. Assessors interpret and base discussions around the questions in order to work out an individual’s specific needs with regards to their mental health and the ways that this impacts on their lives.

Can people, who have not been supported by the Trust over the last 12 months, get an assessment? In order to have an assessment by the Trust, people would need to be referred by their GP, on the basis of current mental health problems or social care needs. This is the normal route for accessing Trust services.

FinanceIs there any special funding available for people not yet assessed? The County Council cannot provide any additional funding. Personal budget funding is available to eligible people with effect from April 2011.

Can providers have an interim payment to assist with their cash flows? During the last 18 months, service providers have been encouraged to seek alternative funding sources and to plan for the future once existing contracts expire.

Will the Trust direct people to particular providers? From April service users with assessed support needs will be free to choose the services they need to help them meet their recovery needs, providing it is affordable, using their personal budget. Support and guidance will be provided if needed.

When will providers be told how many people have a personal budget? The Trust has agreed a timetable with the County Council to ensure that all assessments and support plans will be completed in time. Service providers will be given details of future demand as part of this process.

How will personal budgets be allocated? Care co-ordinators will help each person organise and manage their personal budget in a way that best meets their needs. This will be supported by annual reviews of each person’s needs and their budget.

What is happening to prevention service funding? The size and scope of the prevention service is dependent on the availability of funding once personal budgets have been allocated.

What is the cost of critical intervention / hospitalisation per client per week? The national reference cost for crisis intervention is £157 per contact; for admission to an adult inpatient ward it is £293 per day.

Miscellaneous Referrals from the Trust to service providers have reduced - why? The number of service users being referred on to providers may have changed as a result of the introduction of personal budgets and the widening of choice that this will bring.

What will happen to people who don’t get a personal budget? People who currently get social care support services from voluntary and community providers and do NOT qualify for a personal budget, can continue to do so, however they will need to pay for these services themselves.

Can people set up their own groups and use their personal budgets to fund them? Individuals can set up groups or alternative forms of support with others.

When people are discharged from the Trust will they be given service provider contact information? People are given all relevant contact information.

Why is the Trust setting up social enterprises? The Trust is not setting up any new social enterprises, however it is supporting the development of a wide variety of organisations that help to improve or maintain people’s mental health.

If you have an issue that you would like a Trust governor to champion on your behalf, please send details to: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Membership Office, Units 8&9 The Point, Lions Way, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 8GG. Telephone: 01529 222276, or email to: info@lpft.nhs.uk

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Designed by our Council of Governors’ membership committee, the events aim to actively involve our existing membership through engaging and stimulating topics. Each event will provide knowledge and encourage discussions led by a range of respected professionals from across our services, supported by governors and speakers from other organisations.

There will be the opportunity for members to sit with their governor at the event and talk openly and freely about their views of the Trust’s services. The new style events will take place regularly at venues across the county.

We are grateful for all levels of input from our members as they are the basis of our foundation trust status - we would like you to

join us at these events to learn and benefit from your membership with us.

The events are entirely free and both members and the wider general public are invited to come along.

Insight into eating disorders The first of these events covered eating disorders and was led by one of our new governors, Rebecca Millar.

Specialists from our eating disorder service were joined on stage by people either suffering with, or in recovery from, an eating disorder.

Feedback from the 60-strong audience appreciated the personal and in-depth

accounts from individuals as well as the level of practical information supplied.

10 new members were signed up at the event and a number of issues were raised with the six governors who attended.

New Style Events Programme

Meet the membership & involvement team

The team are based at Trust headquarters (l-r) Samantha Hackney, Marion Christopher, Amanda Stephens

Samantha Hackney - governor & membership officer “I first started working for the Trust in 2007.When the opportunity arose in December 2010 to carry out a secondment in the membership office I was delighted. I felt that I could make a real difference in supporting the governor and membership relationship through further involvement and engagement of our members.”

Amanda Stephens - membership administrator “I have been employed by the Trust for over two years. My role is to maintain the Trust’s membership database and use creative ways to recruit new members. I particlarly relish the challenge of engaging more hard to reach communities.”

Marion Christopher - involvement assistant “Since January 2009 my role is to involve service users and carers in the business of the Trust. It is important that service users and carers are heard in every part of the Trust.”

“Staff should be prepared to listen and respond to service users and carers’ views and ideas and be able to evidence the impact it has had on accessibility and delivery of services.”

“I work closely with the Lincolnshire Carers Partnership who provide support for carers. It is important that carers are valued and listened to, as often they do not receive the recognition they deserve.”

Some of the people who attended the event

To find what’s happening please go to our website www.lpft.nhs.uk or tel: 01529 222276

Newly created for 2011 is a programme of events which includes governor drop in sessions for members.

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Virtual community launchedThe Trust has launched a new virtual community, the Group of 1,000, to provide another avenue for members to voice their opinions, provide feedback, and generally help play a role in informing decisions.

Any member can participate in the Group of 1,000. All you need to do is contact the Trust’s membership office by telephoning: 01529 222277, or emailing: info@lpft.nhs.uk

Heather Killick, a specialist nurse with our eating disorders team, explained young women are not the only people who can become fixated on what they eat, an increasing number of men also have a difficult relationship with food.

“I suspect there are many more out there with these difficulties but men tend not to talk about things like this, and GPs may not adequately screen for eating disorders in men.”

Whether you vowed to lose weight or just to eat more sensibly in 2011, a New Year diet is a resolution many people make. However for some that can lead to an unhealthy and obsessive relationship with food.

From diet to disorder

Trust involvement assistant, Marion Christopher, said:

“The Group of 1,000 is an important new touch point between the Trust and its members.

Its purpose is to encourage individual members to get more involved in aspects of mental health that interest them. This could result in anything from feedback requests on areas of services; attending meetings and events; volunteering; taking part in focus groups, and more.

The Group of 1,000 is designed to add another dimension to the way our Trust interacts with our membership. It is not designed to replace any existing lines of communication, yet it attempts to engage with people on subjects that are of particular interest to them.

As people try shedding their ‘festive flab’, they may try diets which promise the impossible or turn to new super foods. The media’s seasonal obsession with these regimes only confuses the public over what is healthy.

Heather added:

“The term healthy eating is increasingly misrepresented. It’s become shorthand for dieting. We need to talk in terms of ‘balanced healthy eating.”

“If you eat a healthy balanced diet, exercise regularly, and not indulge in emotional or stress-related eating, your body should maintain its natural weight – which will be different for everyone. We recommend three meals and three snacks a day to achieve weight restoration.”

Restrictive diets are not easily broken but may also be a trigger for people with emotional insecurities or low self esteem, to develop eating disorders.

Heather added: “If you think someone has an eating disorder, talk to them and encourage them to seek help from their GP or they could contact an organisation such as b-eat. Alternatively they could attend our own support group, LINK-ED which is open to sufferers and carers.”

More information:

LINK-ED tel: 01476 584005 email: heather.killick@lpft.nhs.uk

Beating Eating Disorders (b-eat) tel: 0845 634 1414 email: help@b-eat.co.uk www.b-eat.co.uk

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The Lincoln ‘crisis’ team is the largest, both in terms of the number of staff on the team, (27 employees), and service users on their case load at any one time, (this is currently sitting at 68).

Based at the Peter Hodgkinson Centre (PHC), situated behind Lincoln’s county hospital, the team can expect to handle up to 10 referrals for mental health assessments each day. Many of these come from the hospital’s accident and emergency department. Similarly a large number come directly from the city’s GPs.

ReferralsPeople are referred based on their response to a series of questions in relation to their mental state. This is known as a ‘pierce score’. People who score less than 12 are not considered a mental health emergency. Despite a low score, referral agencies can, and do, request a mental health assessment from the crisis team.

A minority of referrals result in an admission to PHC’s inpatient unit. For the ones that do not require inpatient admission, a considerable amount of paperwork needs to be completed to justify the decision made by the crisis team’s assessor.

Lincoln team leader, Donna Bradford said:

“The decision to refuse admission is not an easy one. If a person is no danger to themselves or others, then with appropriate supervision by the team, they can be successfully treated whilst living in their own homes.”

Generally a person’s mental state is affected by factors in their immediate environment. If the person is in their usual home, then these negative factors can be more easily identified by the team and effective action can then be taken. Part of the role of the crisis team is in-reaching and early discharge, however the pressure on the team means home treatment and assessments must take priority.

The team, like the others across the county, provide a 24/7, 365-days-a -year service. All team members rotate around the wards at PHC, the home treatment service, and liaise with other agencies, to provide a truly multi-disciplinary approach in terms of their skill mix and the care they offer.

Crisis agency liaison Crisis teams work closely with other referral agencies, recovery groups, and support teams, to provide a cohesive and robust care service. Often the Trust’s teams are involved in training staff employed by other agencies. One of the main agencies to receive regular training for its staff is Lincolnshire Police; this involves:

■ Mental health awareness to reduce stigma ■ What we do as a Trust and role of crisis team ■ Mental health illnesses - recognise signs & symptoms ■ Hearing voices and personality disorders ■ Mental Health Act and community treatment orders ■ Scenario & role play to improve negotiation skills

Fast facts about PHC

The Lincoln Crisis teamIn previous issues of Better Together we have profiled the work of the Trust’s crisis resolution and home treatment teams (CRHT).

Now its the turn of the team which covers the City of Lincoln.

The Lincoln crisis team

Wards: Charlesworth Connolly

Resident: Women only Men only

No of beds: 20 22

Average length of stay: 22 days 50 days

Donna Bradford

RESPECT:Support personal recovery and quality of life

Treatment optionsA known service user who has a care co-ordinator in the recovery team is showing signs of relapse. There are discussions with CRHT to assess and consider alternatives to hospital admission, such as:

■ admission to crisis house ■ intensive home treatment ■ joint working and information sharing on a daily basis ■ working with the service user and the care co-ordinator providing a robust care plan and crisis and contingency plan.

Immediate responseA service user contacts the CRHT and is in a very distressed state. CRHT respond to the immediate issues but are unable to provide an enhanced service due to lack of information such as individual triggers.

Special attentionA request is received for CRHT to have daily contact with a service user whilst the care co-ordinator is on annual leave although there is no evidence of increased risk. Whilst this is not considered appropriate use of CRHT, if within this period care breaks down then CRHT would become immediately involved.

Continued assessmentFollowing a period of home treatment the CRHT admitted a service user for further assessment due to increasing risks. CRHT maintain links with the service user by face to face contact and continual assessment both within the ward and during periods of home leave. Discussions continue daily leading to early discharge.

Crisis team in actionThe following are typical of the types of help the CRHT is called upon to provide:

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Chief executive, Chris Slavin, said: “I am really pleased with the results of this survey. The experience of service users is key, so their opinions will always remain one of the most important measures by which we rate our performance.”

Areas where improvements could be made were also identified in the survey. These relate to responding to calls received outside normal office hours. Work has already started to improve our performance in this area.

Service users are satisfied with the high quality care and treatment they are receiving from the Trust according to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) community care survey. For six of the questions posed, our Trust achieved the highest score across all the 66 trusts surveyed. This ranks our Trust as the best performing mental health trust throughout the region, and second overall nationally.

Service users were asked a series of 44 questions relating to their experience of specialist community mental health services. Our Trust is listed in the category of ‘best performing 20 per cent of trusts’. We were the only Trust to score ‘significantly better than average’ on the helpfulness of our care reviews and our performance was rated ‘significantly better than average’ in the following instances:

Community care rated second best nationally

■ The interaction of health and social workers with individual service users

■ Impact of talking therapy services

■ Availability of care co-ordinators

■ Level of service users input into their own care plan

■ Discussing physical healthcare needs and providing support to get appropriate help

■ Providing help in finding and keeping accommodation

■ Responding to a crisis care call.

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New look web site launchedFollowing consultation with service users, staff and others, our Trust has officially unveiled its new look website.www.lpft.nhs.uk is the only web address people will need to find out what is happening in mental healthcare services across Lincolnshire. The site gives up to date information, and encourages people to get directly involved in Trust activities.

Trust communications assistant, Aidan Rushworth said:

“We have listened carefully to people about what they would expect to see on a website representing a mental health trust.

We hope that our new web site will make it easier for people to find the information they need on local mental healthcare services and support. We will continue to listen to the feedback to ensure our web site remains a valuable and useful resource.” Give the Trust your feedback on its new web site www.lpft.nhs.uk by contacting Aidan on tel: 01529 222274 or email: aidan.rushworth@lpft.nhs.uk

Competition to name new rehab centre Help us find the right name for our new mental health rehabilitation centre that will modernise the face of mental healthcare.

The Trust’s new rehabilitation centre is the biggest single investment by the NHS in Lincolnshire for over 25 years. The centre, being built off Long Leys Road, in Lincoln has been designed to achieve a therapeutic and healing environment for people recovering from long-term mental health issues.

Trust clinical lead, Ann Dodd, said:

“We want to find the right name for the centre; one that will be liked and valued by the people we care for, and the people who either work or have an interest in local mental healthcare services.”

The whole service is focused on working towards independence and recovery to enable service users to regain health and wellbeing before being able to move on and live as independently as possible in their local community.

The naming competition is open to every one of all ages and entering is simple. Send your suggestion, with your name and contact details to: Naming competition, FREEPOST RRZH-RGXR-BLHY, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Units 8&9 The Point, Lions Way, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 8GG. Or you could also e-mail your suggestion to: communicationslpft@lpft.nhs.uk

The closing date for entries is 31st May 2011.

A panel of service users, clinicians and Trust staff will draw up a shortlist of suggested names and everyone will ‘vote’ for their preferred choice.

The winner’s prize will include a £100 gift voucher and being invited to be part of the official opening of the new rehabilitation unit in 2012.

The Mayor of North Hykeham, clinicians, nurses, staff and service users were among the many who celebrated the opening of the refurbished reception area and the brand new Forget Me Not lounge in December.

The overhaul, the first at the older adults’ in-patient unit since it opened in 1987, was made possible by capital investments from the Department of Health, the King’s Fund and the Trust. It was also generously supported by Friends of Lincoln Hospital Association, students from the University of Lincoln, and the Trust’s own volunteers.

Project manager, Mark Challinor said: “This investment has not only provided our service users with an improvement to the services available to them, but it has also dramatically improved the environment in which these services are delivered. Service quality and the healing environment are both important in providing the highest level of care.”

Suzanne Sampson, Mayor of North Hykeham, said: “The Forget Me Not lounge and dementia café are so important in helping social interaction between people with dementia, their carers and their visitors.”

WelcomersA small group of new Trust volunteers have been recruited to act as ‘welcomers’. Recognisable by their distinctive burgundy tabards, the welcomers greet visitors and new service users to Witham Court to make them comfortable and ease any immediate concerns.

Refurbished reception opens at Witham Court

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Mark Challinor, Mayor of North Hykeham and Eileen Ziemer, Trust Chairman

Volunteers with Witham Court administrator, Pat Butler (right) and volunteer services manager, Rob Kendrick (left)

“I really like it. It’s nice that someone can offer a friendly face and give reassurance at an anxious time for people” Sophie Empson, volunteer welcomer

For details of volunteer vacancies please contact Rob Kendrick on tel: 01522 523624

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RESPECT: Enable and support our staff

Well-being service for staff unveiledThe Trust has introduced a new well-being service to enable more staff to be available to deliver care.

From January all employees have been able to have early access to a range of psychological therapies to help them cope with common mental health problems to improve their overall psychological well-being.

Associate director of HR, Mike Proud, said:

“The Boorman report presented a compelling case for the NHS to prioritise staff health and well-being, as there is a clear link between staff health and the quality of care provided.”

“The Trust has a genuine commitment to improving the working lives of its employees. By putting staff health and well-being at the heart of our organisation, we will not only help improve the working lives of our employees, but evidence suggests we will make significant savings and improve outcomes for our service users too.”

Part of the well-being service will be the introduction of training courses for staff on managing stress and absenteeism, and improving psychological well-being in the workplace.

Nationally around 172 million working days are lost each year because of employee absences which cost employers at least £13billion each year. The two main causes of sickness absence in the UK are musculo-skeletal conditions and mental health conditions.

www.nhshealthandwellbeing.org

The Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) has completed independent inspections of the Trust’s inpatient units.The unannounced inspections assess standards of cleanliness, food, and the general environment at sites. Following each inspection, the unit is given a score out of excellent, good, acceptable, poor or unacceptable. Copies of these figures are then relayed to the National Patient Safety Agency for external publication.

The inspection teams include NHS staff, service users and their representatives. They carry out annual inspections of all NHS healthcare sites across England. Looking at levels of cleanliness, infection control, quality of the environment, as well as the standard of food offered to patients.

Modern matron and PEAT lead, Dawn Parker, said: “The quality of our service user environments is vital to the well-being of the people who use our services. We are committed to providing the very best quality of care and ensuring that service users are provided with the right food and are looked after in clean, pleasant surroundings is a crucial part of this.”

The PEAT process was introduced in 2000/01 as a method of monitoring and establishing standards within the NHS patient environment.

The Trust uses the annual PEAT findings to identify priorities for resources and improvements. Typically much of this work involves flooring replacements, redecoration and replacement of furniture and patient equipment. The Trust is continuing to invest in major improvement works across its estate; recently this has included refurbishment of the older adults waiting areas at Witham Court, the building of a new rehabilitation unit in Lincoln, and the recent opening of Homer House, a new child and family services therapy and counselling centre in Lincoln.

Service user involvementService users form an integral part of the PEAT process in supporting the Trust to achieve its aim of excellence for a ward environment. The following comments were made by service users involved in the 2010 PEAT inspections:

“Being part of the PEAT team has given me confidence as my views were listened to and valued. Service users have a different viewpoint and to have this heard is empowering. We can make a difference and ensure that best practice is part of every unit.”

“The inspection process itself was interesting and enjoyable, and all the staff on the units were accommodating and welcoming. The PEAT team were very patient and understanding, and were careful not to use jargon and acronyms too readily.”

Contact:For more information or to get involved in the PEAT process, contact: Dawn Parker – tel: 01205 446517 email: dawn.parker@lpft.nhs.uk Marion Christopher – tel: 01529 222271 email: marion.christopher@lpft.nhs.uk

Local action team audits Trust

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Artistic talent showcaseThe Trust staged a public art exhibition featuring a collection of work produced by service users as part of their recovery.The art exhibition – 14th to 20th March – showcased art works produced by service users and Trust staff who have been involved in the Gemini* project and the Aquarius Art Group during 2010. There was a wide range of media on show including paper pulp 3D work, paintings, drawings, ceramics and glassware. The exhibition celebrated creativity and how engaging in art based media helps to support personal creative development thus resulting in positive mental health well-being.

*The Gemini project is a joint initiative developed by the Trust together with an external professional or educational body, centered on the arts. It aims to introduce service users who have accessed the Trust’s occupational therapy creative service to facilities – both educational and recreational – within their local communities.

For details about Gemini and Aquarius art groups please telephone Terry on 01522 573526.

Gemini Big Draw 2010, drawing inspiration images © Rich Linley, Lincolnshire Echo photographer.

Staff in the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) clinic at the Peter Hodgkinson Centre are celebrating after achieving a category two accreditation awarded by the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Centre for Quality Improvement.

National award for ECT team

The national quality standard benchmarks how ECT is administered and the service is delivered.

Over 300 standards were required to be achieved over a six month period. Many of these standards are comprehensive, however some are aspirational.

Having met all the set standards the Lincoln clinic was then assessed formally by ECT Accreditation Service before being awarded full accreditation. The accreditation lasts for three years and the clinic will be reassessed in 2013.

The accreditation means the clinic now has access to a special forum which allows the team to benefit from networking with others nationwide to share ideas on best practice.

Dr Peter Elwood, consultant psychiatrist said: “This is a fantastic recognition of how hard the ECT team has worked to constantly develop better working practice to improve service user’s experience and maintain the highest possible standards.”

Dial 111 instead of 999A new 111 telephone number has been launched in Lincolnshire to make it easier for the public to access urgent health care services. Lincolnshire was selected as a pilot county to trial the new number which complements the existing 999 emergency phone number.

The free 111 number provides callers with quick access to urgent health care services. NHS 111 call handlers use a standarised clinical assessment system which allows them to assess a callers’ needs. They can then cross match this with the best options to meet these needs thanks to a comprehensive, skills-based electronic directory of services.

Presently around 25% of 999 calls are for things that are ‘neither serious nor immediately life threatening’. The new 111 service has been launched after the NHS identified that the public often find it confusing knowing where to turn to for help in non-emergency situations.

The trial will run for 12 months before a decision is taken about rolling it out to other parts of the East Midlands.

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Receiving their award from NHS Lincs CEO John McIvor (standing behind the team). Left to right: Lynn Davies, Kirsty O’Connor, Neil Harding.

Stamford’s home treatment team has been recognised for their exceptional service to service users at the NHS Lincolnshire Celebrating Success Awards held in February. The team won a Care, Courtesy and Kindness Award in recognition of their outstanding hard work and personal service. Nominations were invited from service users, carers and relatives for those deserving recognition for demonstrating courtesy, kindness, dignity and respect through all aspects of their work.

Edie Butterworth, director of quality and involvement for NHS Lincolnshire said “They are role models for delivering an outstanding service to patients, and provide an excellent example of how we would like all staff to work.”

Trust chief executive, Chris Slavin, said:

“There is some fantastic work that gets done on a daily basis by our staff. I am delighted that our Stamford team has had their hard work recognised so publicly.”

Congratulations to: Neil Harding, Lynn Davies, Kirsty O’Conner and Jane McLean

Stamford Celebrate Success

These comments from a service user helped the team to victory.“During what has proven to be one of the most distressing times in my life I have been fortunate to have the support of the Home Treatment Team. They came to my home, treated me with such compassion and understanding, never judging me.

I would like to nominate the whole team and give them my heartfelt thanks for being such lovely people. I truly don’t know how my recovery would have been without the support of these very special people. It has been difficult to put this nomination into words as they have gone above and beyond Care, Courtesy and Kindness…they gave me hope.”

Q. Tell us about yourself? I have a degree in criminology, a PGCE and for a hobby I get paid to throw bricks at police officers without getting arrested! Q. What is your job at the Trust? My role involves training staff on Web Bomic, Maracis and Choose & Book. I also represent the Trust as a ‘care ambassador’. In this voluntary role I go into schools to talk about NHS careers and arrange for students to visit our units.Q. How did you get into your current role? I left teaching in college and applied for an IT trainer’s job at Pilgrim Hospital. My colleague, Terry Foxon ‘poached’ me to join the Trust some three years ago. Q. What do you enjoy most about your role? No two days are the same! Our training and systems are evolving on a daily basis, so this tends to keep me busy which makes my role so enjoyable. Q. If you could change places with someone for a day, who would that be?I would love to be Greg Wallace from Master Chef, as he gets to taste all those lovely dishes. Q. When are you happiest?When I am with my family and friends – my wife of 30 years, my two daughters, and grandchildren – make everyday a happy one. Q. What’s the best thing about the NHS?Working with a lovely bunch of people who are committed to patient care. The amount of diverse jobs that there are makes everyone’s role important.

Give us a minute – 60 seconds with Kevin Atterbury, clinical systems trainer

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New general manager appointedPaula Holdsworth was appointed as the Trust’s new general manager for specialist services* on January 4.Commenting on her appointment, Paula said: “My focus will remain on service user care, clinical effectiveness, and maintaining a high quality service. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and working with a range of services and teams who want to make a difference to the lives of people.”

Paula’s line manager, director of operations, Ann Hunt, said: “We are extremely fortunate to have had such an outstanding candidate for this important position. With her in-depth understanding of the NHS, impressive track record in both strategic and operational roles and proven leadership abilities, I am confident Paula will play a highly significant role in determining the continued success of the Trust.”

Paula originally joined the Trust as head of clinical quality in 2009, having previously worked in low, medium, and high secure care services.

*Specialist services provide a range of assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation interventions on an in-patient, out-patient, and community basis.

Trust staff from Sycamore Assessment Unit in Grantham were honoured at the Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards for their work caring for the UK’s armed forces and veterans with mental health issues.The Trust, along with seven other NHS trusts from around England, have formed a MOD inpatient network to treat service personnel and help them reintegrate back into the community at the earliest opportunity.

Trust team leader, Gill Hunt, said: “We work as a part of a fully-integrated team to provide a culturally sensitive environment where MOD service users are given individually-tailored treatment that includes where and how it is delivered.”

http://militarycivilianhealthawards.org/

Visionary Training

Example of a cognitive disability model assessment tool

Occupational therapists nationwide attended a cognitive disability model (CDM) training event led by nationally recognised clinician, Pat Jakubiec, and hosted by the Trust.CDM aids the understanding of what a person can do, will do, and may do. It measures a range of abilities which can impact on the way a person with dementia, or a cognitive impairment, processes information. Since such impairments may prevent someone being able to carry out everyday tasks

Our occupational therapists have used the model in the older adult service and it has contributed to successful discharge and helped service users to remain within their own homes. It has also been used to contribute to mental health and vocational rehabilitation.

Feedback from attendees has been enthusiastic; they recognise CDM can impact positively on service users and renewed their belief that the deterioration in function, seen within the dementia process and other conditions, should not lead to a loss of dignity or well-being.

MOD award

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Talking therapies centre gets new home Spalding’s talking therapy service celebrates its continued success with a move to a more central location.

The new Riverside House office and consulting rooms in the town’s High Street were officially opened in January by Trust chief executive, Chris Slavin.

Our Trust has been providing primary mental health services from Wilson House on St Thomas Road for many years. Accessing help with common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety has proved popular with local people and the service has now outgrown its first home.

Its new high street location provides a larger and more modern space for the team of qualified cognitive behavioural therapists, psychological wellbeing practitioners, nurses, counsellors, and employment advisors.

Antony Jackson, team leader, said: “This exciting development provides a much improved therapeutic environment and a more accessible service for the local community.”

RESPECT: Take pride in what we do

The Spalding team at Riverside

steps2change opens new talking therapies centreChesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover talking therapy service celebrated its first birthday with a move to new office and therapy suites.The steps2change service covers a range of approved talking therapies to treat common mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression. In its first year of operation steps2change has achieved increased access to psychological therapies which has received positive feedback from service users and referrers.

The qualified cognitive behavioural therapists, psychological wellbeing practitioners, nurses, and counsellors are employed by the Trust and Mental Health Matters (MHM) who jointly deliver the services on behalf of NHS Derbyshire County.

The Chesterfield premises were officially opened in November by Eileen Ziemer, Trust Chairman, Ian Grant, chief executive of MHM and Tracy McGonagle, primary care psychological therapies lead at NHS Derbyshire County. They demonstrated the partnership through a symbolic hand print.

steps2change is an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service (IAPT). It is an innovative joint venture between our Trust and MHM operating in Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire.

The full address for the new offices is: Spire Walk Business Park, Spire Walk, Off Derby Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 2WG Tel: 01246 267440 www.steps2change.nhs.uk

Left to right,Back Row: Tracy McGonagle, Ian Grant, Chris SlavinFront Row: Caroline Coxon, deputy general manager steps2change, Eileen Ziemer, Catherine Machin, principal cognitive behavioural psychotherapist steps2change

Ash Villa benefits from charity ballLocal young service users to gain from the proceeds of a charity ball

Images: top to bottom.(l-r) Rachel Kirkham, Judith Kearney, Bev Leggitt, Michelle Rudd, Trudi Dowson, Amanda Newman, Elisse Woloschin, Anne Kelly,Jenny Mallott, Trudi Dowson, Gemma Lamb, Kelly Walker

Wellbeing Plan – the new look care programmeCare planning has taken on a whole new look and a new name at the Trust. The Wellbeing Plan has been developed following extensive consultation with service users across the Trust and the new documentation was unveiled in January.

The new approach aims to promote a more collaborative approach to care planning, with service users being actively encouraged to participate fully in the development of their own care plan.

Previously the care plan was three separate documents, but this has now been condensed into a single, more streamlined document. Another key change has been the tone and style of the language used throughout the plan which is now much more service user focused.

The Wellbeing Plan was piloted by the Trust’s four acute inpatient wards to support their discharge planning processes and has since been rolled out across the Trust.

Ann Munro, assessment & care planning coordinator at the Trust, said: “This development represents a very positive step for the Trust in the way it endeavours to engage service users in their care process.”

Top marks for food safety

Ash Villa has been awarded with top ratings for demonstrating the highest standards of compliance in good safety legislation in areas where food is prepared.

Environmental health officers from North Kesteven District Council visited the kitchens of the child and family services unit, where food is prepared and rewarded it with five stars.

The council’s scheme aims to promote food safety and empower consumer choice by making information available to service users. Ash Villa catering staff are confident that precise daily food monitoring procedures involving time and temperature control have helped them to achieve such high standards.

Michelle Rudd, Ash Villa’s manager, said: “We are delighted the council has acknowledged the efforts of our catering team by awarding them with five stars. The team consistently work hard to ensure the highest possible standards of food safety, quality of meals and choice for our service users”

Ann Munro (second left) with Trust staff involved in the Wellbeing Plan event

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Deputy ward manager, Trudi Dowson, said:

“I was motivated to organise the ball to raise funds to buy things that will help improve the recovery of the young people in our care. Local businesses were so generous and donated some really fantastic prizes. Everyone had such a great time that I’ve already started selling tickets for the 2012 ball.”

The Ash Villa ball has raised over £1,500 which will be used to fund excursions, games consoles, bikes, and other luxuries that will enhance the healing process for its young in-patients.

Over 110 people attended the ball held at Branston Hall in February.

The 2012 Ash Villa ball will take place on Saturday February 4th at The Lawn in Lincoln. Tickets cost £40 per person for a three course dinner and entertainment. Just £10 deposit will secure each ticket, which can be purchased from Trudi on tel: 01529 488060.

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Creatures of chaos - ambient people.My teeth, they chatter like jibber dollyMy eyes have become weakened by strengthMy ears only hear painMy mouth is lameI speak to the radioI hear the TVI want defence? Poor me?I want to knowWhat life has to loose Self pity, a burned out fuseI expect a miracle If only I could chooseJohn P

Share your storiesOur Trust is seeking to learn from ways service users and carers make use of our services, and their own experiences. We are looking for a selection of people to share personal stories of how things were during their time with us. The stories will be recorded to help us better understand the service user or carer journey.

If this interests you, please contact Marion Christopher in our involvement team, to find out more, telephone 01529 222271 or email: marion.christopher@lpft.nhs.uk

Help us be greenBetter Together is committed to being ‘green’ and we offer readers the chance to receive this magazine electronically. By sending Better Together out as an email we will require less paper copies to be printed, therefore helping to save trees as well as cutting costs.

If you want to receive your copy of Better Together by email, please send your name and preferred email address to our membership team at info@lpft.nhs.uk

Have you moved?If you’re moving house please contact the membership team with details of your new address. Undelivered mail can cost the NHS money so please don’t forget to let us know!

Useful contacts:BetterTogether editorial team - t: 01529 222275, e: communicationslpft@lpft.nhs.uk Membership team - t: 01529 222276 / 77, e: info@lpft.nhs.ukOr write to us: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Freepost RRZH-RRXR-BLHY, Unit 9 The Point, Lions Way, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 8GG.If you think you need referring to one of our mental health services please visit your GP.

Memory workshops have been taking place across Lincolnshire to raise awareness of dementia and those for whom family or friends may be getting more forgetful

Memory sessions focus on dementia

Local consultants who specialise in dementia and Alzheimer’s gave presentations to help people understand more about memory loss and associated conditions. They also explained what support is available, how to get help from GPs and other health and social care professionals and from third sector organisations.

Carers and people with dementia also participated in the events by answering questions about their own experience and gave advice.

Event organiser, Janet Beament, said: “Many people worry about memory loss and don’t know where to go for help and advice. These sessions were designed to help people understand more about their memory and explain more about dementia and what help is available.”

The sessions were jointly developed with NHS Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council, Age UK, and the Alzheimer’s Society. The need for improved information and advice on dementia has been identified as one of the

key objectives of the new Lincolnshire Joint Commissioning Strategy for Dementia Care.

Following the success of these workshops, the presenting team are keen to look at a similar format for GP’s and primary care staff; if you are interested in hosting one of these, please contact Mary Quint by email: mary.quint@lpft.nhs.uk

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The Trust’s young persons’ support group, Lost Luggage, is seeking new members. The group organise a range of activities to promote the positive aspects of mental well being and challenge stigma.

Previously Lost Luggage has filmed their own DVD, taken part in dramatic workshops, recorded jingles for radio, and much more. It isn’t all work; Lost Luggage members also find time to ‘let their hair down’ by organising social activities for themselves too, such as ten-pin bowling and abseiling.

Lost Luggage is supported by specialist nurses Amy Hitchman and Kerry Hill who work for the child and adolescent mental health service. They have recently taken over the role of facilitators for the group and are both keen to empower young people in Lincolnshire to have a voice in shaping and influencing the services that they receive.

Amy said: “You don’t need to have a mental illness to be a member of Lost Luggage – all young people are welcome.”

For more details about Lost Luggage, please telephone Amy or Kerry on: 01522 535 189

Lost Luggage is repacked

HeadworxYoung People’s page

Self harm on radioIn December, one of our service users gave a candid account of her own mental health difficulties and her journey toward recovery on radio.15 Year-old Chelsey spoke about her experiences of self harm and how she manages her difficulties on BBC Radio Lincolnshire. She was joined by the Trust’s specialist self harm nurse, Amy Hitchman and her primary mental health worker Rachel Bishop. Together they provided a heart-rending account of the difficulties of living with self harm, and the range of help available locally.

Chelsey said: “I urge people who are suffering in isolation like I was, to reach out and seek help – they’ve nothing to be afraid of.”

Amy said: “People who self harm often get bad press and can be labelled as attention seekers - they need to be taken seriously.”

Rachel said: “Self harm is a sensitive and frequently misunderstood topic; Chelsey has been brave to talk about these issues in such an open and public way.”

This publication can also be made available in large print, other languages, braille, audio or electronic formats.

This magazine is printed from 100% sustainable source materials. Please recycle when you have finished reading.

Roland WoloschinStaff

Corporate Services

Jonathan CopeService User

Adult Services

Marina KealStaff

Adult Services

Ann BoothService User

Primary Care and PsychologicalTherapies

Beth HuttonStaff

Primary Care and PsychologicalTherapies

Liz WellsStaff

Child and Family Services

Michelle WigginsPublic

City of Lincoln

Celia EvershedService User

Adult Services

Evelyn NichollsService User

Older Adults Services

Rebecca Millar Service User

Child and Family Services

Graham NichollsStakeholder

National Offender ManagementServices

Sarah Newton Stakeholder

NHS Lincolnshire

Prof Sara OwenStakeholder

University of Lincoln

Ros EdwardsStakeholder

United LincolnshireHospitals NHS Trust

Audrey PestellPublic

East Lindsey

Anne-Marie CoxStaff

Adult Services

Cllr Ron Oxby Stakeholder

Lincolnshire County Council

Lawrence AbramsPublic

South Kesteven

Geoffrey CatlinPublic

Surrounding Areas

Cllr Sue WoolleyStakeholder

Lincolnshire County Council

Diana BroughtonService User

Primary Care and PsychologicalTherapies

Ann Yeates-LangleyCarer

Cllr Pat O’ConnorStakeholder

District Councils

Patricia MassieCarer

Ian RobertsCarer

Carrie ForresterPublic

West Lindsey

Meet your Council of Governors

The Trust has the following governor vacancies:Public – Borough of Boston Public – South Holland Public – North Kesteven

Service User – Child and Family

If you are interested in standing for election for one of these seats, please contact Trust secretary, Peter Howie on tel: 01529 222240 or email: peter.howie@lpft.nhs.uk

Alan DanielsCarer