Christmas 2013 Issue 1
Inside ASC Welcome to our first edition Continuing Professional Development events for all providers of mental health and learning disability care
Inside this issue
The Andrew Sims Centre produces a range of events for professionals working within mental health and learning disabilities. For registered practitioners, these seminars & workshops carry Royal College of Psychiatry CPD accreditation points. Over thirteen years the ASC has built its reputation as a leading provider of continuing
Foreword………………………………...….2 Who is Andrew Sims?………………….2
professional development events, focusing on evidence-based clinical and therapeutic
Kay Toon’s Smartphone Apps……...3
practices for a national multidisciplinary audience.
Details of Kay’s Event…………………..3
We are a self-financing and not for profit department within the Leeds and York Partner-
Interview with Dr David Sims ……..4
ship NHS Foundation Trust, however, our events are open to anyone working within the
Smoking & Mental Health Event…..5
field; health and social care, third sector, NHS and private organisations. We also provide
Event Management ……………………..6
an event management service.
Book Review……………….………………..7
The ASC Phone Number has Changed
January Sale…………………………..…….8
Our new phone numbers came into use on 10th December 2013. For general enquires please use our new number:
T: 0113 85 55638 F: 0113 85 55632 This has not affected our extension numbers.
Newsletter Competition……………….8
Foreword from Dr Douglas Fraser
“We are ideally placed in Leeds and York to provide high quality medical CPD which is accessible to regional and national audiences by virtue of the
Dr Douglas Fraser, Consultant in Gen-
excellent transport links to and from
eral Adult Psychiatry and Associate
Leeds and York”
Medical Director (AMD) for Medical Appraisal, Revalidation & CPD, quali-
Some of Dr Fraser’s own events have
fied in 1988, moved to Leeds as a high-
included Revalidation Ready Training
er trainee in 1995 and was appointed
for doctors, training for medical ap-
as a consultant in March 1999.
praisers and a Coroner’s Court event.
“Continuing
Develop-
“ASC has an unenviable reputation as
ment is essential in order for all doc-
the deliverer of high quality events
tors to remain up to date and fit to
across the region and beyond, priding
practice. It is a major component of
itself on the ability to attract high
the medical appraisal process which
quality speakers on a full range of
informs Medical Revalidation”
topics to meet the CPD needs of doc-
Professional
tors”
“The ASC attracts high quality speakers on a full range of topics “
Who is Andrew Sims? The centre is named after Professor
New website launched www.andrewsimscentre.nhs.uk
Andrew Sims; a former dean (198790) and president (1990-93) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' and its
We launched our new website on September 13th 2013.
first director of CPD (continuing professional development), from 1993-97. He worked as a consultant psychiatrist for Leeds Community and
The updated site is easier for you to navigate around and lets you search by subject or keyword to find the course title or topic you are looking for. The new site has been designed for you to use easily on your tablet or smartphone.
Mental Health Services Teaching NHS Trust (now Leeds and York Partner-
You can see all our recent news articles and latest tweets live on the site.
ship NHS Foundation Trust). He was instrumental in establishing Tuke
It includes information on our event management service and the partners that we
House as a community unit for the
work with. We also have plans in place to make even more improvements to the booking system making signing up for one of our courses even easier for you.
treatment of neurosis, developed the specialist PTSD service and was heavily involved in the development of the Yorkshire Centre for Eating Disor-
If there’s anything else you would like to see on the site that would be useful to you, please let us know.
ders.
You get £10 off when you book your course online. 2
Forthcoming event speaker: Kay Toon launches a range of smart phone apps for survivors of sexual abuse
Kay Toon, Chartered Psychologist, Independent Clinical Psychology Practitioner, EMDR (Europe) Consultant Kay Toon presents her workshop ‘Working with Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse’ at the Village
Kay worked for many years as a
Hotel in Leeds on March
consultant clinical psychologist &
5th 2014
clinical services manager in the NHS and now works independently at
The aim of this workshop is to
The Orchard, Leeds. Kay is returning
increase your confidence when
to training after time out focusing
working with adult survivors of
on other projects, including her new smart phone apps designed to help survivors of sexual abuse.
childhood sexual abuse. You will be provided with information to increase your under-
The exercises in the Apps are based on tried and tested exercises from her Breaking
standing of how the symptoms
Free books, which are an integral part of the recommended training within the work-
and coping strategies relate to
shops.
the abuse; together with a
“k2n The Journey Begins” is the only App available which aims to help the one in
structured way of working
four adults, who have suffered sexual abuse in childhood, overcome their problems.
therapeutically with survivors.
“k2n The Journey Begins” is the first App in the Breaking Free series. The Apps guide survivors step by step through the problems resulting from abuse. They are available
Practical techniques and ways of managing the problems
now for iOS and Android devices. Search for “k2n” on the iTunes or Google Play App
resulting from abuse will be
store.
discussed.
Appropriate
re-
sponses to disclosures of child “The Apps are aimed at younger people and other people who are increasingly using their mobile phones to access information and support. They allow survivors who are embarrassed or ashamed about past abuse to access and work on the Apps in private and whenever they want to. Friends and families of survivors may find the Apps increase their understanding of the effects of abuse.” Kay Toon
Kay’s event—Working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse: http://www.andrewsimscentre.nhs.uk/ events/435/working-with-survivors-of-sexualabuse/
abuse are crucial to the wellbeing of a survivor and part of the day will be dedicated to exploring the best ways to handle disclosures.
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Interview: What our delegates say. Course Review Interview with Dr David Sims, Bradford District Care Trust
What was your impression of speaker
I know of Mary Robertson's work and
Professor Mary Robertson’s expertise in
reputation in the field. I have had some
the field?
correspondence with her in the past and
Professor Mary Robertson lived up to
the opportunity to speak to her had to
her reputation as the expert in the UK.
be taken.
She was clear, definitive and challenging.
David Sims is a Consultant Psychiatrist, based in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and a specialist in Learning Disabilities and the Autistic Spectrum.
Mary told me a lovely story of her last meeting with my father. I was delighted to be able to pass on her good wishes to him, and to share our mutual admiration of Mary's work over many years. Why did you choose this course? I have had an interest in the diagnosis and management of Tourette Syndrome for many years and have been on the list
We were delighted to have Dr David Sims attend this event. He is the son of Professor Andrew Sims who the ASC is named after.
Event: Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome Essentials, 18th Sept 2013
of interested consultants held by Tourettes Action.
“In many ways it is the example of a dedicated clinician as a model for how to be oneself that sticks most after such an event.” Has the seminar made a difference to how you are working? The seminar supported my clinical approach of psychoeducation. I came away with renewed confidence in helping fami-
With Speaker: Professor Mary May Robertson
lies and with great pleasure at meeting so many colleagues who will take the message back to teams around the region. I have seen many families where there is a
If you have any feedback from an Andrew Sims event that you have attended, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.
child or young person with Tourette Syndrome. Professor Robertson has been fantastic as an advocate for these individuals and their families and schools. Colleagues on the course were also fascinated by the topic so I think it was right for the group, the afternoon was wonderfully paced.
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Physician, George Gilles de la Tourette
The highlights of the course were too many to number but the discussion about concepts such as suggestibility in Tourette Syndrome got me thinking totally novel thoughts. I think that the afternoon was so special in having a chance to see the reflections of a working life thinking about a special group of people and their families. This brought out the mutual respect of clinicians and patients and the collaborative learning over decades. In many ways it is the example of a dedicated clinician as a model for how to be oneself that sticks most after such an event.
Forthcoming Event Essentials: Smoking and Severe Mental Illness: Are we doing enough? Wednesday 12 February 2014 Presented by: Professor Simon Gilbody, DPhil FRCPsych FRSA, Department of Health Sciences, University of York and Hull York Medical School
“A commonly held belief is that people with SMI cannot quit smoking or that it will be bad for their mental health to do so. This is not true, and these misperceptions will be tackled directly� Stopping smoking is the single best thing that anyone can do to improve their health and people with severe mental ill health (SMI) are three times as likely to smoke as the rest of the population. Professor Gilbody has seen smoking and severe mental illness pass from being a fringe interest in mental health services to become a strategic aim and key NHS performance target. Simon was chief investigator of the first NHS/NIHR clinical trial of services designed specifically for people with SMI to help them quit or cut down. In 2013 he contributed to a specialist report for the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Physicians on the potential of smoking cessation programmes for people with SMI. His work has been used by the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training to design online training programmes specifically for people working in mental health services, since 2012, 1415 NHS practitioners have passed this speciality module. Through this event Professor Gilbody provides you with an overview of the epidemiology of tobacco use in people with SMI and reviews the potential benefits of cutting down or quitting.
A commonly held belief is that people with SMI cannot quit smoking or that it will be bad for their mental health to do so. This is not true, and these misperceptions will be tackled directly. You will learn how to raise the topic of smoking in consultations and respond to commonly-asked questions. Commonly encountered barriers will be covered as well as the practical management of smoking cessation for those who take psychotropic medication.
http:// www.andrewsimsc entre.nhs.uk/ events/440/ essentials-smoking -and-severemental-illness/
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Event Management Projects Alongside the programme of CPD events, we manage projects for other organisations and departments, including one off projects or annual events.
In November 2013, we worked in partnership with Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber to manage their regional NHS Leadership Recognition Awards. The event was a fantastic success, with many inspirational people recognised for the great work they do. We loved every minute of it, from planning the details months in advance, to seeing the reactions of the audience on the day. It was heart warming to see the support that colleagues gave each other as they received awards for the impact they have on the individual lives of the people they work with. During the event at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, the delegates were treated to a vintage tea room lunch, and throughout the day were entertained by performers from Hoot Creative Arts, an
Yorkshire and the Humber NHS Leadership Recognition Awards
arts and health organisation from Huddersfield, featuring performances from Locomotion Dance and Guitar Orchestra. 9 inspirational leaders were presented with awards on the day, and the hard work of all nominees was recognised with a presentation on stage.
Lived Experience in the Workforce Earlier in November, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust commissioned us to manage the ‘Lived Experience in the Workforce’ conference. The event reviewed and discussed the important contribution that people with personal experience of mental health can make to mental health care. The day went really well. Hosted in the beautiful Met Hotel in Leeds, the event was a unique opportunity to share information and practical advice. Attendees discussed challenges and innovative ideas with voluntary, private and NHS organisations who work in the mental health field.
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Book Review: The Silver Linings Play Book by Matthew Quick Imagine that your life is a film directed by God. A romcom, obviously, complete with happy-ever-after ending. Before the credits roll, there will, of course, be tears, tantrums and misunderstandings, but you know you’ll get there – and get your girl – in the end. Welcome to Pat’s world. (Taken from back cover) The Silver Linings Playbook deals with the story of Pat Peoples, a man in his thirties who has suffered a breakdown and spent some time in ‘the bad place’ – a mental health institution. As the book is set in the US, it is referred to as neural health facility, but is most often called ‘the bad place’ throughout the book. The book deals with mental distress, relationships with family and friends, and mental health stigma as well as insinuating that you don’t have to be clinically diagnosed to have some form of mental health problem (particularly as we are introduced to Pat’s father and his sports fanaticism). Pat seems to have suppressed the memory of what has happened to him. What we do know is that Pat is estranged from his wife, Nikki, and his whole recovery (and indeed his life throughout the majority of the book) centres on making their ‘inevitable’ reconciliation possible. Pat desperately wants to recover as he believes that getting better will mean he and Nikki are reunited. The narrative is simple and almost child-like, and at times it can run in a confusing manner. This reduces as the book progresses and reflects how Pat’s mind is working as he narrates the story. And as Pat travels down his path to recovery the narrative becomes more coherent. As the book begins, we see Pat being discharged from the mental health institution and being taken home by his mother to carry on his treatment in the family home. The return to family life is a struggle for Pat, particularly his relationship with his father. Throughout his recovery, Pat turns to physical exercise as a coping mechanism and at times this seems like an obsession or perhaps a symptom of his obsession with self-improvement in order to win back his wife. As we spend time with Pat we begin to understand why his recovery has been difficult, the importance of the service users’ perspective during their recovery becomes clear. Above all Pat wants to get well, and the book conveys how even the strongest will isn’t always enough to make a recovery complete. Pat slowly becomes friends with Tiffany, an acquaintance from before he became ill, who has also been suffering from mental distress following the sudden death of her husband. Pat’s friends and his therapist warn him about Tiffany, and Pat listens to them but almost disregards their concerns. In his view, the ‘normal’ people can’t understand Tiffany enough to judge her. Some of Pat’s comments about Tiffany’s situation reflect what he himself is feeling and highlights that the service user perspective is hugely important – care should be taken to listen to service users and find out as much as possible. The characters Pat connects with and listens to the most are those who demonstrate an understanding of him, his reality and his hopes and fears. The subject of mental health stigma is also touched on in the book, as Pat is confused and hurt by the attitudes he witnesses towards others with mental disorders, particularly as it isn’t equally aimed at him. This stigma comes from friends, family and even his therapist, which does cause Pat to wonder what they really think about him and his illness. Although clearly fictional, The Silver Linings Playbook gives an insight into what it may be like to experience mental illness and to strive for recovery. Pat Peoples is a character that you can’t help but empathise with throughout the book, while experiencing the duality of knowing what his family and friends must also be experiencing. Overall The Silver Linings Playbook was an enjoyable read, even though the narrative was confusing at times, and it may be a useful tool for garnering empathy and reminding us all that anyone can suffer mental ill-health at any time in their lives, life sometimes just deals us a blow. Review by DW, courtesy of the Mental Health Library, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Feedback? We’d love to hear from you. For you to get the best out of our CPD programme, we keep our event subjects relevant and up to date. We are only able to do this by listening to what you want and taking suggestions for topics and speakers from our course delegates as well as the medical team here at the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. If you have any subjects in mind, if you would like to hear a particular speaker, or perhaps you would like to speak yourself on your speciality, then please get in touch. Our contact details are below.
Don’t miss an event Join the mailing list http://www.andrewsimscentre.nhs.uk/mailing-list.htm
Newsletter Competition Andrew Sims Centre The Mount, 44 Hyde Terrace, Leeds, LS2 9LN
T: 0113-85-55638 F: 0113-85-55632 E: andrewsimscentre.lypft@nhs.net W: www.andrewsimscentre.nhs.org
To celebrate the launch of our newsletter we’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win a free place on any of our One Day Conferences, Master Classes or Essentials Training events http://www.andrewsimscentre.nhs.uk/events/ For your chance to win a free place, all you need to do is tell us: What is the date of our ‘Smoking and Mental Illness’ event? Send your answer to andrewsimscentre.lypft@nhs.net with ‘Christmas newsletter competition’ in the subject line and your name and answer in the email body. The competition closes on Friday 31st January 2014. A winner will be chosen at random and will be notified by the 7th February 2014. Non winners will not be contacted. There is no cash alternative to the prize. The winner can chose any one day event they would like to attend, subject to availability.