|
"People who use services have the most valuable insight. Your point of view matters"
|
| |
|
Introduction from Helen Henderson, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Derbyshire, and board member for the Integrated Place Executive and Derbyshire Health and Wellbeing Board
|
| |
|
As we step into the new year, it’s important now more than ever to work together to improve our healthcare system. I want to share some thoughts about the important workshops happening this January and February, and why involvement from local people is so important.
At Healthwatch Derbyshire we make sure your views on health and care services are listened to, to help improve standards of care. Our role is to collect your feedback to make sure that services work for the people who use them.
We’re supporting workshops being run by Joined Up Care Derbyshire that aim to shape the future of NHS services in our area. These workshops will be held in Derby, Chesterfield, and online, making sure that as many voices as possible can be heard. To find out more about these workshops visit the Derbyshire Involvement website.
Read more. |
| |
|
In our January newsletter
|
| |
|
We aim to celebrate and share good examples of how partners across the health and care system are working together to achieve our shared missions.
This month's newsletter includes:
- How Olly's health and happiness improved
- First Making Room for Dignity service users move in
- GP teams showcase their work
- Dental summit will shape future priorities
- "Highly supportive" programme improves efficiency for GP practices
- Health and care employers support older and younger people into work
We hope you enjoy reading about what is happening in our health and care system. If you would like to contribute an article or share your great work, please email ddicb.communications@nhs.net. |
| |
|
"Our story shows how NHS teams should provide personalised care"
|
| |
|
A young man who had spent much of his life in residential care has seen his health and happiness dramatically improve, thanks to a move into his own home.
The story of Olly Gray, who has severe learning disabilities and autism, has been hailed as an example of how the NHS in Derbyshire should work better with patients by providing a service that is personalised to their needs.
His parents Sue and Owen were so grateful for the support they were given and are so pleased with the improvement in Olly's health that they asked to share his story with NHS managers - through a film, photographs and a written story.
Olly, who is aged 29, had lived in NHS-funded accommodation from the age of 14, where he was provided with 24 hours a day support by carers.
However, a team from the NHS then worked together with Olly and his parents over nearly two years to help him to move into his own bungalow, where he is supported by his own team of carers.
Read more. |
| |
|
First Making Room for Dignity facility opens to patients
|
| |
|
The first service users have moved into their new Making Room for Dignity facilities at Walton Hospital in Chesterfield.
Following a £2.8 million refurbishment programme, Bluebell Ward has opened its doors to 12 older adults who transferred from the Hartington Unit at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital site.
The move was the result of four years of meticulous planning and collaboration with staff, patients and carers.
The new facilities provide sensory environments and increased access to outdoor spaces, ensuring therapeutic activity begins from the moment someone is admitted.
Each service user will have their own en-suite bedroom and control over their environment, with the ability to adjust the lighting and temperature to suit their needs.
Ward manager Nicola Owen is excited about being part of the first Making Room for Dignity team to make the move.
She said: “It’s a great honour to be the first Making Room for Dignity facility to open. The new ward will not only be a therapeutic and more comfortable environment for our service users but will be a wonderful place to work.”
The bedrooms provide privacy and dignity while communal spaces will encourage engagement in meaningful activity.
There are quiet spaces and easy access to green spaces, including an occupational therapy garden which has been created with help from Chesterfield College students.
The garden features raised beds so service users can enjoy easy access to hands-on gardening.
Nicola added: “The garden is a fantastic addition. Currently our service users on Pleasley Ward have to be escorted outside by a member of staff. For our service users to be able to visit the garden whenever they choose is just one of many wonderful improvements we are looking forward to.” |
| |
|
Primary Care teams in Erewash welcome Dr Kathy McLean, ICB Chair, for visit
|
| |
|
GPs, receptionists, social prescribers and care navigators were just some of the staff from primary care in Erewash who welcomed ICB Chair Dr Kathy McLean for a visit.
Teams from across practices talked Dr McLean, Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board Chair, through the local model and ways of working to help inform commissioning decision-making.
The visit, to Park View Medical Centre, in Long Eaton, was organised by the GP Provider Board which represents general practice across Derby and Derbyshire.
It explored a raft of initiatives being used in general practice to increase access and quality of care for patients and make the most of resources.
Read more |
| |
|
Top up your vaccine protection this winter
|
| |
|
There's still time to get your flu and Covid-19 vaccinations this winter.
From Thursday December 19 onwards, walk in provision is available for Covid-19 vaccinations until January 31 from the find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.
Flu vaccines are available until the end of March. If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service, care home, or their employer if they are a frontline health or social care worker. |
| |
|
Patients helped out of hospital into a "virtual ward"
|
| |
|
Patients in Derbyshire have thanked hospital staff who supported to get home, while still being cared for on a "virtual ward".
University Hospitals Derby and Burton Foundation Trust, working together with Derbyshire Community Health Services Foundation Trust, is running 30 virtual ward "beds" in Derbyshire for cardiac and 10 virtual ward beds for respiratory conditions,
Brian Trowbridge, aged 77, from Derby, was among those able to get home in time for Christmas after moving to a "virtual ward".
He said: “I've been on the virtual ward before and extremely happy with the care I received. Having treatment at home is better as I can sleep in my own bed and not feel upset by the buzzers and noise on the ward.”
Catherine Johnson, who had been taken to the Royal Derby hospital earlier in 2024 for suspected pneumonia was also referred to a virtual ward.
She said: "I was confident that I was in good hands due to how diligent the team were and felt glad to be able to spend most of my recovery at home, as being in hospital can be quite scary."
Read more |
| |
|
Dental summit will shape future priorities
|
| |
|
A "summit" on the future of dentisty and oral health in Derby and Derbyshire will shape future plans and strategy.
The event in December brought together dental commissioners from NHS Derby and Derbyshire, from the NHS England dental commissioning team, from Derbyshire Family Health Service, from both Derby and Derbyshire public health teams and from Healthwatch.
The event focus was on all aspects of dentistry and good oral health. Key issues discussed included:
· Approach to understanding the oral health needs of local people.
· The importance of treating and preventing ill health in the mouth and jaw as well as looking after teeth
· The link between poor oral health and deprivation
· Identifying priority groups of people who would benefit from improved services
A three year plan for future investment and improvement in dental and oral health services is now under development. Detail of areas of investment and improvement are expected later this year.
Clive Newman, director of primary care for NHS Derby and Derbyshire, said: "We know there are challenges for people in seeing a dentist and we know that good oral health is really important for overall health.
"This summit brought together NHS and public health commissioners with Healthwatch to agree shared goals and to plan a route to future improvement.
"The event was very positive in agreeing a shared vision and priorities. We will now take this forward with an investment plan and further research into the oral health needs of our local people." |
| |
|
Grants for community organisations to support vaccination
|
| |
|
Community organisations in Derby are being invited to apply for funding to support flu and covid vaccinations.
Derby Health Inequalities Partnership is offering grants of up to £2,500 per organisations, funded by NHS Derby and Derbyshire, to deliver the programme.
By organising community events, the aim is to improve understanding of vaccines, increase health literacy, and better address the needs of communities who may be marginalised, hard to reach or less likely to take up vaccination.
The grants are open to voluntary sector organisations that have a maximum turnover of £100,000. Priority will be given to those with a turnover under £50,000.
Groups interested in "scaling up" their current provision to reduce health inequalities are also encouraged to apply.
The deadline for applications is Friday 24 January. Further information is available on Community Action Derby website - Funding and Tender Alerts.
If you have any questions regarding the Vaccination Grants, please feel free to contact:
|
| |
|
Thousands have their say on service improvements
|
| |
|
People from across Derby and Derbyshire have contributed their views and experiences over the autumn to Joined Up Care Derbyshire partners.
Improvement programmes are planned in areas including:
- Women's health
- Fertility treatment
- Short breaks for people who have learning disabilities
More than 740 people gave their views in the online survey about women's health services.
Community led workshops are currently running across the city and county. Following this all the feedback will be collated, analysed and used to improve services across Derby and Derbyshire.
The fertility survey received more than 2,000 responses across the East Midlands. This feedback will be reviewed carefully, and the comments will be used by decision-makers to help shape and update the final fertility policy for the region.
A series of workshops was held with users, families and staff about the future of he learning disabilities short breaks service in the north of Derbyshire. Everyone's input will now feed into proposals for the service that are currently being developed.
Read more
|
| |
|
"Highly supportive" programme improves efficiency for GP practices
|
| |
|
By Emilia Betteridge, The Hub Plus, Derbyshire
An improvement programme has helped GP practices across Derby and Derbyshire become more efficient, improve patient access, and support staff in managing demand.
NHS Derby and Derbyshire last year invited The Hub Plus Derbyshire to deliver a local model of the General Practice Improvement Programme (GPIP) – which ran alongside the national initiative to support GP practices in improving patient access.
For the local GPIP, Derby and Derbyshire Local Medical Committee was also invited to work on the programme as a project partner.
Read more. |
| |
|
The NHS 10 year plan – your chance to have your say in Derby and Derbyshire
|
| |
|
Workshops, meetings and events are taking place in January and February to have your say over the future of the NHS.
Change NHS is hearing views, experiences, and ideas which will shape a new 10 Year Health Plan for England. Thank you to people who have contributed their views already.
We're also reviewing what people have told us previously through engagement, feedback, listening and from our Healthwatch in Derby and Derbyshire.
We will focus particularly on the three "big shifts" identified by the government:
- Hospital to community
- Analogue to digital
- Treatment to prevention
Local events take place on Wednesday, 22 January, in Derby; Thursday 30 January, in Chesterfield; and Wednesday 5 February. Sign up on the Derbyshire Involvement website.
Read more. |
| |
|
Health and care employers pledge to be age-friendly
|
| |
|
Health and care organisations who are part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire (JUCD) have signed the Age-friendly Employer Pledge, a nationwide programme run by the Centre for Ageing Better to make workplaces age-friendly.
This means they we are taking action to improve recruitment, retention and development of workers aged 50 and over.
It also means employers can:
- draw on a wider pool of applicants for each job
- older workers can continue to thrive and contribute
- employers can benefit from the innovation and productivity boost that multi-generational workforces bring.
|
| |
|
Healthcare support workers honoured at awards ceremony
|
| |
|
Derbyshire's annual Healthcare Support Worker Awards celebrated the achievements of colleagues and marked National Support Worker Day on 23 November.
These awards showcased the fantastic work carried out by healthcare, care and all support workers.
The winners came from across the health and care system, including the Royal Derby Hospital, community hospitals, GP practices and community healthcare. |
| |
|
Help to get your health and care career going
|
| |
|
A range of courses and support is on offer to support people into a job in health and care, and to develop people who already work in the sector.
They include:
- careers events at Derby College and Chesterfield College
- interview skills training
- free preparation to work in social care course for people who are unemployed
- paid work experience for school and college leavers
- virtual work experience sessions
Read about all these opportunities in the The Joined Up Careers newsletter.
Read more |
| |
|
Derbyshire Dialogue is an opportunity for our local residents to discuss what matters most to them about health and care services, what's working well, and what we can improve.
Recent
GP Access – This session covered how many GPs we have, how many appointments they offer, and why getting a GP appointment can sometimes be difficult. We discussed how we are implementing the national plan to improve access to GPs, and what we are doing locally.
Urgent and Emergency Care System – This presentation gave an overview of the Urgent and Emergency Care Services that are available, and showcased how we are working to deliver improvements in how we support people in our communities in accessing urgent care services more effectively, in the right place and at the right time.
Upcoming
22 January: Children and Young People's Mental Health – crisis prevention support options – This conversation will be an opportunity to talk about the community support available for children and young people to prevent them reaching mental health crisis, for when they feel that they are 'tipping' into mental health distress or are experiencing mental health distress. We will outline how partners are working together to deliver improvements in how we support children and young people in our communities to access support at these difficult times.
Book your place and find details on upcoming sessions on the Derbyshire Dialogue page.
|
|
| |
|
Public and Patient Insight Library latest reports |
| |
|
The Insight Library is our local source of patient and public insight gathered across Derbyshire health, care, statutory and voluntary organisations. You can search reports by theme, service type, district, and several other categories.
It is open to a wide variety of professionals to help share reports and learning across the system and inform decision-making. Recent reports include:
Seen and heard - Understanding frequent attendance at A&E – Pressure on urgent and emergency care services is at an all time high. The research outlined in this report aims to deepen our understanding of the needs of the population in order to gain further insight into which groups are frequently attending A&E, explore their interactions with health and care services before, during and after a period of frequent attendance, and build a clearer picture of opportunities for earlier identification and intervention.
All reports entered in the library are tagged so that they can be sorted by theme, service type, district, and several other categories. It is also now easier than ever to submit reports to be added to the library via our online form.
Submit reports via our online form or ddicb.engagement@nhs.net. Please ensure you provide permission for us to share the report, as well as details such as the publish date and author name(s).
|
|
|
| |
|
If you have any feedback, or questions, please email us at: ddicb.communications@nhs.net.
Disclaimer:
While every effort has been made to ensure the contents of this bulletin are accurate and up-to-date NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board do not accept any responsibility of any omission or inaccuracy as it is not deliberate. Nevertheless, we will appreciate provision of accurate information to improve our work. Where links are provided to external content, NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board holds no responsibility for such content or accuracy.
|
| |
Joined Up Care Derbyshire
NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, The Council House, First Floor, Corporation Street, Derby DE1 2FS
| |
|
