Find out how pets are supporting patient recovery
Read our spotlight on obsessive compulsive disorder Caring for carers – find out what help is available
www.dwmh.nhs.uk
Welcome Welcome to the autumn 2016 issue of One in 4, our quarterly magazine for our 8,000 staff and public members across Dudley and Walsall.
We hope you enjoyed the summer; it’s hard to believe that it’s already autumn. Since the last issue of One in 4 we have held our Annual General Meeting at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on 16 September. It was a great opportunity to look back at the successes of the last year, celebrate our achievements and look forward to our priorities over the coming year, which will very much focus on our partnerships.
Be n R e id
With new opportunities on the horizon, Mark Axcell it’s important that we keep patients at the heart of what we do, ensuring they have access to high quality care. We will continue to look at how we use our resources effectively to create sustainable services. Indeed our Transforming Care Together (TCT) partnership, that we announced earlier in the year, is just one of the ways that we will explore this. Another area that will continue to develop over the coming months is the Black Country Sustainability and Transformation Plan. As a partner, we are working with other health and social care providers in the local area to shape services over the next five years to meet the needs of our local population. You can read more about the ambitions for the Black Country later in this issue. Looking forward, we will be welcoming back the Care Quality Commission in the autumn following our inspection in February. Our staff have been working hard to address the concerns highlighted in the report and a lot of progress has been made. In November, we will be holding our staff awards ceremony to once again celebrate the excellent work that goes on within our Trust. Thank you to all those who have taken the time to nominate a member of staff, it really does make a difference to our staff’s day knowing that someone recognises their efforts.
do it, it’s usually free, it’s usually a conversation, it’s a tap on the back, it’s the acknowledgement of somebody, of somebody’s existence, because with lots of people with a mental illness they can feel very alone.”
People are being urged to do small things, such as going for coffee with friends and relatives who have mental health problems, as part of a campaign. Time To Change Wales’ Reach Out campaign aims to show that people do not need to be experts to talk to others about their problems. It features “champions” who have experienced poor mental health talking about their own experiences. TV presenter, Matt Johnson, has previously spoken of his battles with depression and said initiatives such as this could help prevent the condition from happening:
“Whether it’s asking them how they are, or going for a coffee and a chat, to the cinema or the gym, these can have a positive impact on their mental health and support their recovery.
“The most important thing about reaching out is that anybody can
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ uk-wales-37288123
Meet Buddy, the dog helping mental health patients
Visit us online at www.dwmh.nhs.uk
Activity co-ordinator, Megan Howes, told London Live about Buddy: “He loves people and getting attention, which makes him perfect for this.
Chair
Mark Axcell
Programme manager, Ryan Jones, said: “The Reach Out campaign has a really simple message; we can all do small things that will make a big difference to our friends, family members and colleagues who experience mental health problems.
“For me, my friends and family have been so important to me with preventing future bouts of depression,” he said.
Chief Executive
Ben Reid
A series of adverts featuring the champions will be screened as well as a social media campaign encouraging people to share their stories of helping others or being helped themselves.
“We are really proud to have people with lived experience at the heart of the Reach Out campaign, courageously sharing their stories to help tackle the stigma and discrimination that is still faced by too many people across Wales.”
A dog named Buddy is helping mental health patients feel comfortable and motivated to go to therapy sessions in northwest London. Buddy, a two-year old cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, has been helping patients to relax in therapy sessions at Park Royal Mental Health Hospital over the last three months.
With kindest regards,
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‘Small things’ campaign to promote mental health
“It raises motivation for people – maybe people who haven’t left their bedrooms very much, or maybe have been a bit isolated, will suddenly want to come out and meet Buddy.
Picture perfect: How helpful is social media for our mental health? Whether it’s capturing a picturesque view, a cute pet or a perfect-looking plate of food, many photographs on Instagram give the impression that life is beautiful. But according to new research, images posted on the social network may actually reveal if someone is struggling with depression. Posting photos that are blue, grey or dark in colour and using the “Inkwell” filter, which converts colour photos to black and white, are all clues according to the Harvard study. The researchers believe the photosharing app could be a new form of early detection for mental illness, but is the culture for over-sharing and bragging on social media also to blame for making us feel down in the first place? When the going gets tough it’s natural to frantically search for answers online, wishing you were as positive as those #instagood moments. But Bryony Gordon, journalist and author of the book ‘Mad Girl’, says there is some solace among the selfies. She set up the group Mental Health Mates through social media after battling with OCD, depression and bulimia. Bryony says: “Through the power of social media I’ve met so many new people and it’s a great support. It shouldn’t be your only point of help but it’s that jumping off point to help you realise you are not alone.“ Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37218059
“It’s just proven so beneficial here – it’d just be lovely for every hospital to have pets as therapy dogs.” Source: http://www.standard.co.uk/ news/london/meet-buddy-the-doghelping-mental-health-patientsa3323936.html
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Autumn 2016
Fragile Mind
Pets as therapy
By David Stocks, Expert by Experience When asked to speak at a recent mental health crisis commissioning event, it made me think about my own experiences of having a mental health crisis. As a result, I put together the fragile mind presentation, which can be found on the service user and carer section of the Dudley and Walsall website – www.dwmh.nhs.uk. I realised that, for me, I could break down a crisis into four distinct stages. This was a deeply personal journey and was at times painful to put together. I hope by sharing this I can help people understand what it is like to experience a mental health crisis and by doing so, improve the treatment for people in crisis. Stage one: The silent scream I am screaming inside, but am unable to communicate how I feel, my despair going unnoticed by all around me. This is the first stage of an impending crisis and one of the earliest points it can be stopped. By working closely with care coordinators, carers, psychologists, psychiatrists and the service user, these early signs can be detected and actions taken to stop the crisis in its tracks.
Stage two: Ignition point My screams have gone unheard, I start to break up inside, my mind shattering like glass. This is the second stage of a crisis where I visibly begin to fall apart as I struggle to cope with daily life. If my crisis hasn’t been identified by this stage, it is definitely time for action, before it fully engulfs me. Intervention at this point can stop my crisis developing and the correct treatment can put me on track to a speedy recovery.
Stage three: Inferno All the warning signs have either gone unnoticed, or have not been acted on. This is the third stage of a crisis and is the point at which I would usually contact the crisis team, with my rational mind consumed by my emotions. I am past the point at which I can communicate coherently. It is up to my wife to try and get me the support I need. Caring support and speedy action is what is most needed at this time, to put out the fire before it’s too late.
Stage 4: Broken and blue All opportunities to stop the crisis have failed and all that is left is an empty blue shell. This is the fourth stage of a crisis and I will most likely have been admitted to hospital on the acute ward. This is my last refuge from the world and the demons inside my mind. I am now beyond caring, my life in tatters, time being my only healer now.
Hopes for the future One thing that became abundantly clear through putting together this presentation is the importance of early intervention and how by stopping a crisis in its tracks at the earliest possible point is better, not just for the person experiencing the crisis, but for all involved in their treatment and care. I hope by sharing my experiences, I can help others like myself get treatment at the point it is most needed. From a mental health service user perspective, it may involve telling those closest to you and those involved in your care the signs to look out for and helping them put an action plan together to avert an impending crisis. From a carer or mental health professional’s point of view, it provides an understanding of a crisis from a service user perspective and stresses the importance of identifying the early signs and acting quickly.
It is my hope for the future that more crises are stopped in their tracks before they can escalate and become out of control. 4
We are all familiar with guide dogs and the support that they provide their owner with in overcoming their physical disability, but did you know that pets, including dogs and cats, are being used as a therapy for mental health issues and improving wellbeing? Therapy pets offer help to reduce anxieties and build confidence whilst providing companionship to people who are experiencing ill mental health or distress. It has been proven that we live longer and healthier lives when living with pets. We have lower cholesterol, reduced anxiety and apparently we make fewer trips to our GP and respond better to medical treatment too. One of our occupational therapists, Naomi Robinson, was keen to see if pets could make a difference to some of her patients and set out to trial Naomi Robinson, Occupational Therapist on her visits with Frank the approach. She decided to introduce her pet dog, Frank, a loyal 13 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, to some of her patients to see what impact it might have. Naomi started doing home visits with Frank, providing comfort, reassurance and trust. Naomi found that this helped service users open up to therapy and noted improvements in their interaction with her. Keen to carry on, she started to use Frank more frequently and
has even used him to support people to attend GP appointments, helping them feel more comfortable in opening up about their health concerns. Some service users have been so inspired by Frank that they have decided to have their own pet dogs which has helped them gain confidence and independence.
Iris Garbett enjoying time with Romey at Bloxwich Hospital
Another area where pets have made a big impact has been in our older adult services at Bloxwich Hospital. Geoffrey Clarke, a volunteer, visits the Susan Astin spending time with wards twice a week with his volunteer therapy dog, Romey dog Romey, a female Spaniel who spends time with service users on the ward. Activity coordinators at the site have noted a marked improvement in service user interactivity, saying: “When Romey comes to visit the wards we really notice a difference in how service users interact with each other and staff. She has had a really positive effect on the mood and atmosphere of the ward and has been an invaluable addition.”
The positive power of peer support Our peer support groups, which were set up as part of a partnership project between DWMH, Dudley Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and Integrated Plus, have received some really positive feedback over the last few months since they were first launched. The groups, which are held every fortnight in Dudley (Dudley Peer Support Hub) and every week in Walsall (Walsall Friendship Group), offer those involved the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge, including new techniques and coping mechanisms they may have learnt to help them move forward in their day to day lives. These groups are not about therapy but are there to provide both practical and emotional support to those needing it in a safe non-judgemental environment by signposting service users to the relevant resources available.
The driving idea behind these groups is to offer support to those in similar situations, bringing service users together and showing them that they are not alone. This is reflected in the facilitating of these group sessions, of which our service users, (particularly our EBEs) are heavily involved. Andy, our EBE who leads the group in Walsall along with Karen Crawford, comments: “I think peer support group work is therapeutic as service users can empathise with others with similar mental health conditions.” By empowering our service users to take matters into their own hands, peer support aims to increase the confidence of those involved. Are you currently receiving support from mental health services? If so, you may wish to be a part of our peer support groups. Get in touch today by emailing paulmac@idmc.co.uk 5
Autumn 2016
OCD in the spotlight Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood with people thinking that it consists only of obsessive cleaning and compulsive thinking/behaviours. In actual fact, OCD can exist when a person only experiences obsessive thinking and no sign of compulsions.
A carer’s perspective – Angela Hill
People with OCD can often experience negative, intrusive thoughts and continued feelings of doubt and anger (obsessions). In order to suppress these thoughts or subdue anxieties, they will often repeat an action several times or act on an impulse (compulsions).
Angela Hill also shared her experiences with OCD at our Mental Health Forum and has written an article to share what it has been like caring for someone with OCD.
Although the effects of OCD can be severe for the individual we must also consider those drawn into it, from friends and families to colleagues and employers; OCD rituals can take a huge toll on family life. It is important that continued support is provided to the families or carers as well as those individuals experiencing the condition.
Around 1 in every 50 people suffer from OCD at some point in their lives – that adds up to over one million people in the UK. Source: OCD Action
Treatment There are several ways in which OCD is treated such as medication and psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and emotional freedom techniques (EFT). More information and support can be found via http://ocdaction.org.uk/i-need-information-support.
Jon’s story Our Mental Health Forum in June focused on the topic of OCD and saw service user, Jon, come forward and share his experiences and journey with the condition. Since his diagnosis, Jon has experienced many highs and lows but has now found a way of retaining peace of mind through his own coping methods. Jon was first diagnosed with OCD in 1991, when he became fearful of the intrusive thoughts that he was experiencing. His fear developed into phobias and he was afraid of doing day-to-day tasks such as sleeping in case he stopped breathing or eating in case he choked. 6
There are potentially around 741,504 people living with OCD at any one time. Source: OCD Action
This is an article about my son, Edmund, and is an acknowledgement to his coping with OCD and subsequent journey.
Jon talks about his experiences with OCD at our Mental Health Forum
In 1996, Jon had his first breakdown and was taken voluntarily into hospital for three weeks. Jon found ways to manage and cope with his OCD – even though the intrusive thoughts were still very present - through obsessive behaviour such as checking things (gas, locks, plugs, sockets, taps) repetitively at home. This behaviour relieved his anxiety which developed compulsions in the form of nervous tics.
Looking back to when he was approximately five years old strange patterns of behaviour started to form – other than his school uniform, he would only wear a pair of blue striped jeans and a blue t-shirt; his school uniform was also blue. He used to play ‘his little game’ as we called it, on his own running up and down the garden path. He found school very hard and was often bullied because of his long hair and the fantasy world that he lived in. We sought help but to no avail. As he grew older things had to be done in a certain way such as constant hand washing, being unable to touch food packets or wrappers and the preference to eat alone, away from the eyes of the family.
At the age of 17 he came into mental health services with a severe mental illness. The OCD continued to progress. He would purchase CDs, videos, books, DVDs, but never watch, read or listen to them and they are still in his cupboard complete with packaging twenty years later. We started to see improvements following an appointment with his clinician where his medication was reviewed. He started to touch various surfaces again, put wrappers in the bin and the hand washing was not as regular. The hoarding continued (as it does to this day), along with the wearing of dark coloured clothes and checking of doors and cooking appliances. My next door neighbour had ducklings and asked if he would like a couple to look after. He took them up on the offer and the shed was cleaned out for the ducks to move in. He needed help at first but it didn’t take long for him to look after them. This included feeding them, cleaning them out and, of course, getting dirty hands; he coped marvellously. The duck family quickly increased to six and he still looks after them now. The OCD has not completely disappeared, but it’s a lot less prominent and there’s no need for me to hide the bleach anymore.
However, in 2001 Jon turned to alcohol and not eating or sleeping due to a family issue. His depression became prominent again and he would spend most mornings and evenings waiting at a bridge contemplating suicide. Jon experienced his most severe relapse in 2015, leading to him spending three months in hospital. Following treatment, he was discharged to home treatment and developed his own methods to cope with the intrusive thoughts. He was referred to Woodside Day Centre in Dudley which really supported his recovery. He helped to run dancercise classes, history groups and is planning to run an ancestry group. He has also joined a peer forum and has volunteered to take part in training for peer-to-peer support. Jon’s keen interest in history and ancestry has led him to play an active part in helping at the Dudley Archives.
You can see more information on Jon’s coping methods on our website www.dwmh.nhs.uk/about-the-trust/ mental-health-forum/
Angela Hill shares her experience of caring for someone with OCD
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Autumn 2016
Caring for carers
Triangle of Care second star
We acknowledge that being a carer requires a lot of hard work and dedication. This being said, you may not feel like you are getting the support you need as a carer to carry out your job as effectively as possible. Luckily, we have a range of carers support groups at hand for you to get involved with in both Dudley and Walsall.
Supporting our carers in Dudley
Supporting our carers in Walsall
Tea and chat group
Walsall Carers Support Service
In October, we will see the launch of our tea and chat, a group set up to help support carers rights. The group, which will be held on a monthly basis, will be an opportunity for carers to come along and learn about local groups, carers assessments and benefits, seek advice and share experiences. Guest speakers from a range of fields including Department of Work and Pensions, fire service, and advocacy services will also come along to cover various topics which carers might find useful.
The Walsall Carers Support Service offers support to those caring for someone aged 18 and over with complex mental health needs. This person does not have to be under our services, however they must fill the criteria for secondary mental health services. Walsall Carers Support Service offers carer’s assessments and support plans, advice and information on mental health, specific training courses and information, support groups and links to other carer services. It also offers a wide range of advice and information for carers and ways to support them. These include:
Effectively this group will enhance our carers journeys, giving them the opportunity to get together and build wider networks. This will ensure we are meeting the needs of both those whose loved ones are in our care and those carers outside the organisation who may be seeking that extra support. For those carers whose loved ones have been discharged, this will act as a continuation of support. The group will be facilitated by Dudley Carers Network, a local group at our Henry Lautch Centre, Bushey Fields Hospital in the ADL kitchen, a neutral comfortable environment for all.
• Benefit advice
If you would like to find out more about this group or to get involved please contact Tracy Cross on 01384 324531 or email tracy.cross@dwmh.nhs.uk
If you wish to access this service please contact Pam Bevan on 01922 608900 or email pamela.bevan@dwmh.nhs.uk
Naomi Ball and Debbie Bills promoting support for carers
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• Complementary therapy such as: aromatherapy, reflexology, yoga, etc.
• Information about carers breaks and respite care • Advice on stress management and coping skills • Advice on returning to employment
As you may be aware the Trust was awarded a gold star award in 2014 as part of the Triangle of Care membership scheme for their commitment to carers, the first in the region to do so. This award demonstrates the commitment and hard work that staff have put into making sure carers are included across all mental health services. Two years on, along with trying to maintain our current gold star status, we are in the process of working towards obtaining our second star. In order to do this, there will be a lot of hard work from those involved and ensuring that we are engaging with carers as much as possible will be key. If you would like more information about Triangle of Care, please contact Hassan Omar on 01384 324584 or email hassan.omar@dwmh.nhs.uk
Informal carers course The informal carers course is aimed at those carers who provide care and support to someone with a diagnosis of Dementia. The weekly course runs for two hours over a six week period. The aim is to provide carers with more information about Dementia and the different services that are available for them to access. It’s also a great opportunity for them to meet other carers and share experiences with one another. At each session there are regular guest speakers, activities and quarterly reviews. This is a closed group and booking is essential. Carers are able to attend following a carers assessment. Invitations are normally sent out to around ten carers for each course with the course running around three to four times a year depending upon demand.
Asian Women’s Carers Group The Asian Women’s Carers Group takes place on the first Thursday of every month at Brace Street Health Centre in Walsall from 10.30am – 12.30pm. This is an informal but informative support group with regular guest speakers, activities and events.
The group gives carers a chance to share their experiences with others in a safe and supportive environment, to learn new skills and gain more knowledge of what services are available to them. It also gives carers a chance to take a break and get involved with a range of activities. If you are a carer and would like to attend this group then please contact Sue Powell on 01922 608500. Please note, you must be a female of an Asian origin who cares for someone under secondary mental health services to join.
Carers Men’s Group Julie Higgins, Carers Team Support Service Worker regularly holds a support group for any male carer. This is a friendly and supportive group who meet at the Watermill Goscote, Walsall. This is an informal session, with regular guests speakers. If you would like to find out more or attend the Carers Men’s Group contact Julie on 01922 608500.
“Until mental health affects you or your family you don’t realise how much professional help you need.” Quote from one of our carers
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Autumn 2016
Public encouraged to ‘pop in’ to boost emotional wellbeing Our Community Development Workers (CDWs) are holding an emotional health and wellbeing drop-in session in Dudley this autumn.
Wards mark royal celebration
Work for us – join our Trust
To celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, staff and patients alike held a number of events across our sites to mark the important milestone.
We are currently looking for a number of people to join our Trust and help fill a range of rewarding vacancies. In particular, we are looking for nurses and other clinical staff to join us and be a part of our success. If you are passionate about improving people’s lives and think you have what it takes or know somebody who does, get in touch! The opportunities are endless.
At Bloxwich Hospital, our activity coordinators paid homage to the Queen’s life through an evening of music, games and refreshments, including tea, cakes and mocktails! At Bushey Fields Hospital, service users enjoyed afternoon tea put on by our catering services, consisting of tea, cheese and biscuits and scones. Communal living areas were adorned with patriotic memorabilia, including the all-important Union Jack bunting.
Service users on Ambleside Ward at Dorothy Pattison Hospital were also keen to mark the celebrations and held a traditional afternoon tea supported by staff. Family members were invited to the celebrations which included a selection of delicious home-made cakes and poems. Attendees praised the event and extended congratulations and gratitude to the staff that brought it all together. Thank you to all service users and their loved ones for attending and to staff for helping us celebrate The Queen and her lifetime achievements.
What makes us stand out from all the other mental health trusts in the country? Well for starters, we are a nationally-recognised, award-winning mental health trust that provides services to a population of approximately 560,000 children, adults and older adults across Dudley and Walsall. Not only do we have a range of exciting nursing vacancies on offer, we also offer rewarding career opportunities in a variety of fields such as psychiatry, counselling, pharmacy, accounting, IT, estates and facilities or workforce development and training. More information on these roles can be found online at NHS Jobs – www.jobs.nhs.uk
Staff engagement is our priority
The session will provide members of the public with the opportunity to find out more about improving their general and mental wellbeing in a friendly, safe and comfortable environment.
As a smaller Trust, we offer our staff a close-knit, friendly working environment. Staff engagement, recognition and wellbeing are vital to the success of our organisation. We strive to provide an environment in which our staff can showcase their skills, innovative solutions and dedication to healthcare. Along with our workplace advisors, we have engagement champions, a group of over 30 staff that provide your voice on a number of things.
The drop-in sessions are a vital opportunity for the local community to gain information from our CDWs who will be on hand to signpost the appropriate services and organisations to individuals.
As one of our Dignity Champions, Sadie has worked with a range of people from children to adults, but she particularly loves working with those who have Dementia. Evidently, there is something for everyone here at DWMH; whatever your speciality is, we will support you every step of the way.
How do I apply? If you have a passion for providing patient-centred healthcare and are a determined, forward thinking worker, we would love to hear from you! All of our job openings are advertised on NHS Jobs. We also post vacancies on our social media accounts. If you’d like to discuss one of our vacancies or talk about working at DWMH, you can contact our Recruitment Team by phoning 01384 325021 or emailing recruitment@dwmh.nhs.uk. Alternatively, you can post any questions to Recruitment Team, Trust Headquarters, Trafalgar House, 47-49 King Street, Dudley DY2 8PS.
Spread the word! We look forward to having you on board.
At our Trust, we take a keen interest in developing staff and keeping them satisfied. Service users decorate biscuits at Dorothy Pattison
No booking or appointment is necessary and the session will run from 1:00pm – 2:30pm on: • Tuesday 18 October – Dudley Library For more information, please contact Iram Maan, Community Development Worker on 01384 366517 or email cdw@dwmh.nhs.uk
Why our Trust?
Bushey Fields Hospital celebrates the Queen’s birthday with memorabilia
The staff benefits are endless These include the NHS Pension Scheme, generous annual leave entitlement (which increases after five years of NHS service), and pay progression. We are committed to the personal development of our staff which is why our People and Workforce Development team provides a fully comprehensive education service supporting staff to carry out their roles effectively. We utilise annual appraisals and personal development planning to ensure our staff are continuously achieving their goals. Finally, you will be working in the heart of the Black Country, one of the country’s most hospitable places to work, live and visit. What’s not to like?
A note from one of our valued staff members Sadie Bond, Activity Co-ordinator for the Older Adults Service in Bloxwich shares with us why she loves working for the Trust: “Firstly I think the staff here at the Trust are fantastic! I particularly love working at Bloxwich as we are just like one big family. I have worked here for over 25 years and can’t see myself leaving anytime soon. I really care about the patients in our care and there is no better feeling than supporting them on their road to recovery.” 10
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Staff dig deep
Autumn 2016 Self-refer into our Dudley and Walsall Talking Therapies services
What is talking therapies? Talking therapy is a type of treatment that involves talking to a therapist about your thoughts and feelings to help manage low level mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The purpose of talking therapies is to help you understand your feelings better, and to change your behaviour or the way you think about things. Dudley
Walsall
Who can access the service? Our Dudley Talking Therapy Service supports individuals aged 16 or over (a school leaver) who are registered with a Dudley GP.
Who can access the service?
What type of therapy do they offer? Our team of highly experienced therapists provide a range of psychological therapies to help people get back to enjoying the most from their life. Psychological Therapies offered include wellbeing workshops, computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT), group or individual therapy, guided self-help and signposting to other support services. How can I access the service? You can self-refer into the service by visiting http://www.dwmh.nhs.uk/ enhanced-primary-care-dudley/ or calling freephone number 0800 953 0404, Monday – Friday between 9am - 4.30pm (excluding bank holidays). Alternatively, you can speak to your Dudley GP. Once a referral is received, we will contact you within 72 hours to offer you an assessment; this will generally be a telephone appointment with one of our qualified practitioners.
Dudley and Walsall Talking Therapies Service, supporting you to get back to the things you enjoy.
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Our Walsall Talking Therapies Service supports individuals aged 17 or over who are registered with a Walsall GP. What type of therapy do they offer? Depending on your needs, we can provide many kinds of treatments in line with best practice, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Guided Self-Help, Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and our series of six, weekly wellbeing courses. How can I access the service? You can self-refer into the service by visiting www.dwmh.nhs.uk/ttwalsall or by calling freephone number 0800 953 0995, Monday – Friday between 9am - 4.30pm (excluding bank holidays). Alternatively, you can speak to your Walsall GP. Once you have completed your self-referral, we will contact you by telephone to offer you a brief assessment. We will discuss your current needs/difficulties and what type of therapy might be best for you. We can also suggest alternative services that might be better suited to meet your needs. If you are looking to talk through your concerns in a safe and confidential setting with a trained practitioner without prejudice, then our Talking Therapies services may be for you.
Our staff work continuously hard to make sure our service users are receiving the best possible care, so it is great to see staff going above and beyond to raise money for charity.
Older adults services gain seal of approval
Jackie Moylan and Lindsey Taylor from our Older Adult Inpatient Services took part in a charity zip wire at the National Dive Centre in Gloucester raising money for Alzheimer’s Society. Their challenge saw the pair go along a 700m wire over a quarry. Both women unfortunately lost their grandmothers to Alzheimer’s and have worked alongside service users with Dementia for many years, making the cause extremely close to their hearts. If you would like to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Carl-Taylor74.
Our older adult inpatient wards at Bloxwich Hospital (Linden Ward and Cedars Ward) and Bushey Fields Hospital (Malvern Ward) have received an Accreditation for Inpatient Mental Health Services (AIMS) award, with all three achieving the highest level of ‘excellent’.
Another member of staff, Gary Prosser, a porter at Bloxwich Hospital, held a duck race in aid of Alzheimer’s Society. The race was held on 16 July on the River Severn in Bridgnorth where 400 ducks were named and numbered by Gary in an exciting race. Together with a barbeque and raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, a massive £2,545 was raised for the cause.
Public invited to find out about young people’s mental health
Strawberry afternoon tea Last year, staff on Clee Ward at Bushey Fields Hospital held a Strawberry Afternoon Tea event in aid of Breast Cancer Care – the only UK wide specialist breast cancer support charity. Following the success of last year’s event, the afternoon tea was held again this year on Friday 19 August and saw staff from across the site come along to donate and enjoy home baked goods, tea and strawberries. Many members of staff purchased a pin badge to show support for the cause and a total of £172 was raised.
shey Fields Staff at Bu ise money ra l ta pi os H ncer Care Ca st ea Br r fo
This achievement follows the success of retaining our national accreditation for Memory Assessment Services in March, the ‘good’ rating for Older Adult Services in the Trust’s most recent CQC inspection and positive comments on Bloxwich Hospital’s inpatient services from the West Midlands Quality Review Service for Frailty. The ‘AIMS – Wards for Older People’ is a program set up by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. They work with services to
assure and improve the quality of older adult inpatient mental health services. Accreditation assures staff, service users, carers, commissioners and regulators of the quality of the service being provided. We are delighted to have received these awards and we will continue to dedicate ourselves to ensuring that service users and their families are receiving the highest quality care.
Our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will be holding two open door events over the coming months to give the public the opportunity to find out about our mental health services for young people. Staff at Canalside in Walsall are hoping for a spooktacular time holding a Halloween themed event on 31 October, 10am – 4pm. Throughout the day people will be able to drop in and find out about the range of services we provide for young people. The event will also see the launch of the new Autism Spectrum Disorder Service for young people, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder clinics as well as iCAMHS, our intensive support service.
Hoping to have similar success, our CAMHS team based at The Elms in Dudley are opening their doors on 28 November, 9am – 5pm for an early Christmas themed event. Staff again will be on hand to talk about the treatments we offer and the work of the service. For more information call 01384 324689 for The Elms and 01922 607400 for Canalside.
Family therapy: Tina’s story I first made contact with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) when my daughter was in year 6. Since she was young, she has always had feelings of being sick, struggled to make friends and was bullied, which led to feelings of anxiety. The problem escalated and we went to see our GP who referred her into mental health services. After many months in CAMHS we were referred to the Family Therapy Service. Although we were apprehensive, we found the team to be a big help. The family therapy focused on all of us and taught us strategies on how to cope with our daughter’s illness. The team gave us a controlled environment and professional guidance to discuss sensitive issues and situations. They listened, encouraged, praised, set us many tasks and gave
feedback on how we responded. Appreciation boxes and feedback allowed us to see the bigger picture and the positives, we are not a dysfunctional family, we just faced difficult circumstances and needed help to sort it out. My daughter still suffers from her phobia and anxiety, but she handles it well now. She is a normal independent, stroppy 15 year old girl most of the time. I am relieved and grateful for saying those words. Family therapy has been fantastic for us. I would highly recommend the service and the work the team do to any other families out there struggling with life. If you are under CAMHS services family therapy might be suitable for you. Speak to you care team for more information.
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Why the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) matters
Partnership updates
The MCA for England and Wales has been in force since 2007. The purpose of the Act is to promote and safeguard decision-making within a legal framework. It does this: • B y empowering people to make decisions for themselves wherever possible and by protecting people who lack capacity by providing a framework that puts them at the heart of the decision-making process • B y allowing people to plan ahead for a time when they might lack the capacity
Five key principles The Act is underpinned by the five statutory principles. Principle 1: Every adult has the right to make his or her own decisions and must be assumed to have capacity to do so unless it is proved otherwise. Principle 2: A person must be given all practicable help before anyone treats them as not being able to make their own decisions. Principle 3: A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because they make an unwise decision. Principle 4: Anything done for or on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done in their best interests. Principle 5: Anything done on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done in the least restrictive way.
Filming for our MCA training film
When might someone lack capacity to make a decision? A common myth is that the Act only applies to those with a mental illness. In fact, the Act applies to anybody who is unable to make a decision which could be due to: • Stroke/brain injury • Mental health problem • Dementia • Learning disability • Confusion, drowsiness or unconsciousness • Intoxication
The test to assess capacity Capacity assessments must relate to a specific decision at a specific time and must be fully documented.
Best interest decision making If a person has been assessed as lacking capacity then any action taken, or decision made on behalf of that person, must be made in his or her best interests. The person who makes the decision is known as the ‘decision-maker’ and is always the person who is directly involved with the decision being made. The MCA Code of Practice provides a non-exhaustive checklist of factors that decision-makers must work through in deciding what is in a person’s best interests. The checklist prioritises considering the person’s wishes and feelings and consulting others. For more information on the Mental Capacity Act visit www.dwmh.nhs.uk/service-users-andcarers/mental-capacity-act-2005/
Anyone assessing a person’s capacity must use the two stage test: Stage one: Does the person have an impairment of the mind/brain affecting decision making? If the answer is yes to stage one then progress to stage two
• Communicate their decision (by any method)
• Retain the information (for long enough to make the decision) • Balance the information (weighing up the different options and what this means to them, understanding the consequences)
In our spring edition of One in Four we announced our new partnership with Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust called Transforming Care Together. Since then, we have been busy setting up a Partnership Board to oversee and govern the work we do. We agreed our key objectives, the areas of work we will focus on, and our priorities for communicating with, and involving, people. We also developed a plan that sets out how we will work towards partnership, and were joined by a programme director who will oversee the partnership work.
Artwork by David Stocks representing MCA
there was participation from service users, families and carers, commissioners, local authorities, health organisations and members of the public. These events were a great opportunity for us to hear from people and answer questions about our future plans. Over the last few months our workstreams have met regularly to ensure that the work we do together supports our communities with the right care, at the right time and at the right place. Look out for more information as our work progresses. You are welcome to get in touch with us to discuss any aspect of Transforming Care Together. You may want more information, to ask a question or get more involved in the work we are doing.
Our workstreams (areas of work we will focus on) were set up and launched at engagement events for staff. We also held an event for our governors, and one for our stakeholders where
You can get in touch by emailing tct.partnership@nhs.net or by calling 07469 872190.
Developing healthcare across the Black Country
There’s also variation in how similar services are provided across the borough, meaning that people can experience different outcomes in their healthcare. Alongside this, we face a financial challenge and we collectively need to find ways to deliver sustainable services using our resources effectively.
In December 2015, the NHS outlined a new approach to help ensure health and social care services are built around the needs of local populations. To do this, local areas will produce Sustainability and Transformation Plans to show how local services will evolve and become sustainable over the next five years.
Stage two: The functional test – is the person able to?:
• Understand the relevant information about the decision (information should be given in a way that they understand, in their preferred communication method)
TRANSFORMING CARE TOGETHER
Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust are part of the Black Country Sustainability Transformation Plan along with all other health and social care providers in the local area.
The challenge In the Black Country, we know that people experience poorer health compared to other areas of the country. For example, there is a higher prevalence of health conditions such as diabetes, depression and respiratory illness.
Shared plans We believe that by coming together to develop a shared plan we can: • Improve the quality of services • Improve the population health • Make the best use of resources we have Over the coming months you might hear more about Sustainability and Transformation Plans as we will be looking to involve patients, carers and the public in shaping our plans. If you are interested in getting involved, contact communication@dwmh.nhs.uk
If the answer is no to any of the above, the person lacks capacity to make that decision at that time.
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6 7 9 Be 2involved,5be a member 7 5 6 Our service users, carers and the public can become ‘members’ 7 3 2 of the Trust. Being a member means that you will receive 1 7 6 4 8 regular updates about the Trust, a copy of One in 4 magazine 9 4 1 6 7 every quarter, the chance to be involved in shaping local 9 8 5 4 mental health services and help reduce the stigma around 6 1 3 8 mental health. You will 4 7 also have access to a range of NHS Discounts available online. As a member you can: • Come along to our events to find out more about common mental health conditions • Participate in consultations and feedback your views on our services • Receive regular information about the Trust • Join in on our membership events
Dates for your diary Events in Dudley • Feelgood Choir: Every Wednesday: 6:15pm – 7:45pm, Dove House, Bushey Fields Hospital Everyone is welcome. People with or without mental or physical health issues. People feeling the stresses of life, and wanting to gain the feel good factor. It’s £3 per visit which helps towards running costs. For any further information please contact Jan Wood on 01384 292059. • Zumba: Every Tuesday, 5:45pm - 6:45pm, Ground floor, Dudley College (Campus opposite Costcutter) Take part in a Zumba session for just £1! This is run by Kaleidoscope’s Wellbeing Service. Call 0121 565 7818 for more information. • Mindful; Colour yourself to calmness: Every Thursday, 2pm - 3:30pm, The Mezzanine, Dudley Library This relaxation drop in will help attendees maintain their wellbeing by remaining calm through Mindfulness. Call 0121 565 7818 for more information.
Events in Walsall • Carer visit to Emma Bridgewater Pottery: Thursday 20 October, 10am, Meet at Broadway North Centre, WS1 2QA Join our Carer Support team on a trip to Emma Bridgewater Pottery in Stoke on Trent. Booking is essential and priority will be for carers. Book via 01922 608500 or email carer.supportservice@dwmh.nhs.uk
We would love to welcome you as a new member of our Trust. For more information visit www.dwmh.nhs.uk contact the membership office on 01384 325015 or email communication@dwmh.nhs.uk for a membership form.
• D ementia drop-in sessions: Are you worried about your memory? Do you know someone with memory problems or Dementia? Visit Accord Group’s Dementia awareness drop-in sessions where you can find out more about Dementia and the ways we can help you or your loved ones.
Contact Us
The Glebe Centre, WS1 3RU, 11am – 1pm, first Friday of every month
Telephone: 01922 607000 Online: www.dwmh.nhs.uk Email: communication@dwmh.nhs.uk Follow us on Twitter @DWbetter2gether
St Martin Church, WS5 3DQ, 10:30am – 12:30pm, second and fourth Thursday of every month
Did you know that we’re now on Facebook? Like our page to find out all about upcoming events, campaigns, job vacancies and news from around the Trust. You can find our page by searching for Dudley and Walsall Mental Health, visiting www.facebook.com/dwmhpt/
Moxley People Centre, WS10 8TA, 12:30pm – 2:30pm, first and third Wednesday of every month Please contact sadat.hussain@accordgroup.org.uk or 01922 725509 for more information. • Remembrance Sunday at Cakes-A-Daisy: Sunday 13 November, 10am – 2:30pm, 36 High Street, Cheslyn Hay, Walsall, WS6 7AD Cakes-A-Daisy has been doing for this event for the past two years and will be continuing their tradition of opening on this special Sunday to offer free tea and coffee to the public who are paying their respects. Book to avoid disappointment by calling 01922 411818.