NewsForYou Issue 10 by CDC

July 2010 | issue 10

Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Members’ magazine

Council Governor Election Special Edition

In this issue...

• Focus on...Electro Convulsive Therapy • C.A.R.E.R Event, Let’s Celebrate! • Living with Bi-Polar Disorder • Your chance to win £50 worth of High Street Vouchers!

In this issue Page 2

Welcome from the Chair

Page 3

Living with Bi Polar Disorder Page 4

Pioneering Dementia Appointment is UK first for Trust Page 5

Let’s Celebrate! Page 6-7

Governor Elections Information Page 8

A day in the life of a Vocational Guidance Support Worker Page 9

Focus on Electro Convulsive Therapy Page 10

Our Award Winning Offender Service Page 11

Salford Grassroots Sporting Success Page 12

A day in the life of Governor Carole Hardwick

Contact If you have comments or suggestions please send them to us at: ft@gmw.nhs.uk Call: 0161 772 3857 Or write to: Joanne Pilling Membership Office, Trust HQ, Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 3BL ‘GMW newsforyou’ is available to download and read on our website: www.gmw.nhs.uk page

Welcome to July’s issue of newsforyou, the magazine which keeps members informed of the latest news of Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

held to follow Carers Week 2010 (14th – 20th June). The Celebrating and Recognising Effort & Responsibility (C.A.R.E.R) Event was held in Bolton and was well attended by carers and members from across the region.

In this issue we are focusing on our next round of Governor Elections. The Trust has a Council of Governors who represents the views of their members and we welcome new people to apply to become a Governor- whether you are a carer, service user or member of the public. If you are interested see pages 6 & 7 for more information.

I hope you enjoy this edition of newsforyou We are always keen to hear from people who would like to contribute, so if you have any ideas for mental health or substance misuse articles please contact Joanne Pilling, Communications and Membership Officer on 0161 772 3857 or email ft@gmw.nhs.uk. Don’t forget to also let us know if you are planning to move house or change your contact details so you can continue to receive newsforyou.

This issue features Liam Cunnane, a member of the Trust’s User Action Team (UACT) who has told his story to newsforyou about his experience of living with mental health problems, details of his recovery and why he now wants to give back to those who helped him, see page 3 for the full story. We have included details on page 5 about the successful event which the Trust recently

We are holding our Annual Members Meeting on Wednesday 29th September. All members are welcome, for more details see www.gmw.nhs.uk or contact the membership office on 0161 772 3857.

Yours sincerely

Alan Alan Maden Trust Chair

Calling all members! We are holding our Annual Members Meeting on Wednesday 29th September, as a member you can attend and learn more about the Trust. See the website www.gmw.nhs.uk or contact the Membership Office on 0161 772 3857 for further details.

Living with Bi Polar Disorder Liam Cunnane is passionate about breaking down stigma around mental health. He is a volunteer for two organisations, the Trust’s ‘User Action Team’ (UACT) and ‘New Way Forward’ based in Trafford. It was at the age of 14 that Liam’s personality changed and he felt different. Prior to this time he had been a quiet and studious child who worked hard and was well liked by teachers and his fellow pupils. He became very disruptive in school and was rude to his teachers. Unfortunately, they did not realise that this was more than naughty behaviour and Liam was excluded from school as he was disrupting his fellow students when they were studying for their O Levels (now known as GSCE’s). It was at this time that Liam visited his GP to talk about the situation as it was concerning him, but he was dismissed as having normal teenage feelings that were just a part of growing up. He left school with very few qualifications, despite having a tutor, which impacted on his career prospects. He found it difficult to keep a job for more than a few months due to lethargy and had difficulty sleeping. Liam was 21 when he was eventually diagnosed with Hyper Mania (now known as Bi Polar Disorder). In the months before his diagnosis Liam had not been acting his usual self and was behaving strangely in his local community. He spent four months in the Bridgewater Unit, Trafford (now known as Moorside Unit) which he describes as a very daunting

Welcome to the new Substance Misuse Governor

time, particularly for a young man who was not very world wise. During his stay Liam was given Lithium, which is a mood stabiliser used in the treatment of Bi Polar Disorder. After his discharge, staff advised Liam that it would be better for his recovery if he moved to a hostel with more support. He moved into the Gables, part of Cheadle Royal Hospital to continue his rehabilitation. He spent two years at the Gables and during this time he worked in the onsite factory, making party decorations. Liam described how with support he kept his job, managed his own budget and lived in a shared house. It was after a conversation with his brother that Liam decided to leave the Gables. He was concerned that if he spent too long there he would be unable to integrate back into the community. He explained his thoughts to his new social worker and she arranged for him to move into a shared house and attend New Way Forward (formerly known as Trafford User Group or TUG). It was during this time that Liam became part of the ‘Monitoring Evaluating Reviewing Trafford Merit Project’. He was part of a recruitment panel which gave him valuable interviewing and communication skills. Liam was kept extremely busy with his volunteering work and it was his inability to turn down opportunities which saw him relapse some years after he was first diagnosed with Bi Polar Disorder. Despite eating healthily and reducing his medication he had put himself under too much pressure and this, coupled with his mother’s deteriorating health saw him return to the Moorside Unit,

Pictured is Liam Cunnane

Trafford for three months. After his time in the unit, Liam was able to move on with his life and he got his own flat through the Making Space Project. He continued to attend rehabilitation sessions at Park House, Trafford for a year. He began to volunteer again with a different organisation, which included facilitating drop in sessions and having wider responsibilities and he continued his work with UACT and New Way Forward. It was at this time that Liam was able to recognise the signs and symptoms that could signal a relapse, it was with help and support from his partner that he is able to find a balance between volunteering and taking time for himself.

Thanks to our members who recently voted to elect a new Governor to the Users of Substance Misuse Services constituency. The Trust would like to welcome Gerald Prescott to the Council of Governors. Gerald is a member of the Trust’s User Action Team (UACT) and is also involved with the Trust’s mandatory induction course. He volunteers within the Trust’s substance misuse directorate and wants to continually strive to improve conditions for service users.

Liam’s advice to other service users: “Look for a volunteering role, it will allow you to be involved and have your say but make sure that you respect your boundaries. “If you are feeling unwell or depressed, make sure you contact your GP. It can be difficult but don’t be embarrassed about it, you are still the same person and you will get better.” Gerald Prescott

Please contact the membership office if you have moved house or if any of your details have changed. We also welcome your comments about newsforyou. If you have something to share please contact the Membership Office on 0161 772 3857 or email ft@gmw.nhs.uk.

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Pioneering Dementia Appointment is UK first for Trust GMW is proud to be the first NHS Trust in the UK to employ a person with Dementia. Mike Howorth from Hale, Cheshire is a retired Orthodontist and was diagnosed three years ago with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite being retired for twelve years, Mike applied for the position and recently joined the team in the Reach Beyond Project as the Open Doors Support Network Facilitator. His new role is to develop and engage with patients via a dedicated forum for individuals with Dementia. Mike applied for the position to share his experience of Dementia with others and can empathise with patients. He will support a forum for patients with Dementia which will give them confidence to offer their views. The purpose of the forum is for the welfare of the patients, to give them a voice and somewhere to put forward their own opinions. Cathy Riley, Manager of the Reach Beyond Project & Voluntary Friends for Older People told:

has been recently developed to allow for volunteers who are interested in giving their time to participate and support patients in relation to social interactions and activities on the ward and help to alleviate the loneliness and isolation some of our patients may feel and to encourage them to participate in the activities provided. There are a large number of volunteers who are involved in the Reach Beyond & Voluntary Friends for Older People Projects and without them the work could not continue. The service was opened eight years ago with an ambitious plan to be an open and visible service to patients, carers and citizens of Salford. Open Doors have also

Pictured are Cathy Riley and Mike Howarth

produced a number of educational DVD’s for use within GMW which include a DVD for carers of people with Dementia. There are plans to create a film to showcase the

work done by Mike in his role as an Open Doors Support Network Facilitator which can be shared with other NHS Trusts.

Remembering the person during Dementia Awareness Week Statistics show that by 2025 there will be over a million people living with Dementia. Dementia awareness week

took place from the 4th – 11th July and the Trust supported the week by holding a variety of information stands across our various services to raise awareness of Dementia to

local people. The theme of this year’s awareness week was ‘Remember the person’ and is about the simple things they can do to make their life more manageable and enjoyable.

“Open Doors has been our most successful project to date. The service has been involved with various schemes and this particular project will allow us to identify patients’ needs and hear their views about our services which will help us to make improvements in the future.” The Reach Beyond service organises volunteering groups, provide ward buddies and sit on interviewing panels for various vacancies in the Later Life Services. The buddy service page

Pictured is (left to right) Janine Appleby, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Harry Johnson, Specialist Registered Mental Health Nurse and Rilwan Adebiyi, Specialist Registered Mental Health Nurse at an information stall in Trafford.

Pictured is Ann Collins, Advanced Practitioner in Dementia Care with visitors to the stand.

Lets Celebrate! Local carers were celebrated as part of a unique event to capture real life experiences of caring as well as highlighting what local services are on offer for this exceptional group of people. The event, Celebrating and Recognising Effort & Responsibility (C.A.R.E.R) organised by the Trust in Bolton was attended by carers from across the region and celebrated the hard work and dedication they give. Chris Taylor, Project Manager for the Bolton Carer Demonstration Site spoke to attendees about the work that GMW is undertaking in Bolton to develop services for carers of people with mental health problems. The trail blazing project is one of only 25 in the UK and is funded by a grant from the Department of Health.

role.” Michael and Jean Haslam, who are carers from Bolton, gave a frank and honest account of their caring experience. They also praised the service developments which GMW is making for carers of people with mental health problems, such as greater carer engagement and collaboration and also the introduction of physical health and well being assessments for carers. They said at the event: “Carers need a friend, someone with empathy who doesn’t judge, but actively listens. The developments outlined for carers support services are excellent and we wish the Bolton Carer Demonstration Site every success.” Anne Broadhurst, a Carer Governor for GMW talked to attendees about her experience of being a carer and why she stood to become a Carer Governor for GMW. Anne talked about the importance of ensuring that service user and carer’s opinions are heard at the very highest level in GMW.

Chris said at the event:

Anne commented:

“Carers will be respected as expert care partners and will have access to the integrated and personalised services they need to support them in their caring

“I am a full time carer and for a long time I didn’t even consider myself as such, a story which is echoed by other carers. I became a Governor because I believe it is

Pictured are the attendees during the Carer event

Pictured is Chris Taylor giving his presentation

important to have the views of service users and carers on the Council of Governors.” The event was introduced by GMW Chair, Alan Maden who said of the event: “The C.A.R.E.R event was a great success, carers from Bolton and surrounding areas were able to learn more about the services that the Trust provides. The feedback from those attending was very positive and carers were able to interact and share experiences with one another.”

idea so much support was available.” “Caring is not something you learn, you do it thought necessity and love.” “Michael’s story- absolutely fantastic!”

Governor Watch

Cath Moran, Director of Operations and Nursing at GMW who also attended the event said:

GMW Governors are always promoting the good work the Trust does at a variety of exhibitions and events.

“I would like to thank everyone who attended the event for making it such a huge success. This has allowed us to interact with local carers and hear firsthand about their views and opinions of the developments to services in Bolton. We want to interact with them as much as possible to help us to shape our services. We see them as a vital part of their loved ones care and recovery. ”

Most recently, Service User Governor, Margaret Willis attended the ‘Live & Learn Open Day’ and is pictured here with the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, at one of their last events in their term of office.

In answer to the question “what did you learn from today?” some feedback comments from the event included: “About carer support- had no

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Who’s the Guv? ANNE’S STORY: GMW became a Change it, Guv! Foundation Trust “I am in 2008, this was Anne. I am great for us because a full it meant we could time carer form our Council of for my Governors who could son, who suffers get involved and from a help us to develop severe and our services. enduring We elect new Governors to the Council regularly and this round of elections is set to be action packed. We spoke to some of our existing Governors to see what they have to say about the role and what made them want to stand...

“I am Gerald. I am a Substance Misuse Governor for the Trust. I wanted to become a Governor because I believe that ‘recovery’ is the key to finding closure for users of substance misuse services. My work experience in ‘alcohol and drugs’ and my attendance on various courses has meant I have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge. With my dedication and passion I want to continuously strive for improvements in services.”

MARGARET’S STORY:

Speak up, Guv! Gerald Prescott, Substance Misuse Service User Govern or

Who are you, Guv? “I am Carly. I want to spread the word about services that are available for young people who suffer from mental health and substance misuse problems. I also want to raise the profile of mental health conditions to reduce stigma.”

JAMES’S STORY:

Get involved, Guv!

Margaret Willis, Service User Governor

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Step forward, Guv!

mental Anne Broadhurst, illness. I Carer Governor wanted to become a Governor of the Trust to make sure that the voice of a carer is heard.”

CARLY’S STORY:

Carly Wilde, Other North West Public Governor

GERALD’S STORY:

“I am Margaret. I stood to be a Governor to represent the views of service users in the region. I want to get involved to improve services for people with mental health conditions.”

“I am James. I am a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Young Persons’ Directorate based at The Gardener Unit and FACTS. I began my NHS employment as an Assistant Psychologist at the Edenfield centre 12 years ago. I am keen to explore the opportunities and experiences that being a Governor brings in the interest of my personal and professional ical log cho Psy James Millington, or development. ern Gov ff Sta ies rap The

Council Governor Election Special Feature SUES’S STORY:

HAZEL’S STORY:

Stand up, Guv!

Be counted, Guv!

“I am Sue. I am a public governor for Bolton. I wanted to become a Governor to be part of public decision making in the NHS.

“I am Hazel. I am a public governor for Trafford. I wanted to become a Governor because I was a teacher for many years and I care about the well being of young people. I want to raise awareness of the mental health issues that affect young people and am involved in services which are available to help them.”

I enjoy participating in the team Susan Haworth, activities of Bolton Public Governor the Council of Governors and assisting the Trust in improving services.”

Location: Pendleton Gateway, Room 1, 1 Broadwalk, Pendleton, Salford M6 5FX Date/Time: Tuesday 17th August 2010, 15.00-16.00

Volunteers and staff from our garden centre will be talking about how gardening improved their lives. You can see what they have grown and even do some gardening yourself!

Get fit!

Location: Lecture Theatre, Bolton Science and Technology Centre, Minerva Road, Bolton BL4 0HA Date/Time: Wednesday 18th August 2010, 12.30-13.30

We will be running a Health Promotion Assessment to look at key areas where you can make improvements to benefit your overall health. You can also challenge a friend or colleague to a Wii competition.

Are you stressed?

Location: Cafe, Meadowbrook Unit, Salford Royal Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester M6 8HD Date/Time: Tuesday 24th August 2010, 15.00-16.00

Take our test to see if you are affected by stress, if so we will have a therapist on hand to offer taster massages. ‘Plus, boost your image by seeing what colours suit you best.

BOB’S STORY:

Help us, Guv!

Hazel Carter, Trafford Public Governor

“I am Bob. I am a public governor for Salford. I wanted to become a Governor because I have been involved with mental health services for the majority of my professional career. I believe that people who have issues with their mental health are underrepresented and I wanted to give them a voice through my role as a Governor.”

FAREED’S STORY:

Let’s work together, Guv!

Fareed Bashir, Medical Staff Governor

Bob Davenport, Salford Public Governor

Gardening is good for the soul!

“I am Fareed. I am a Staff Governor for the medical constituency. I am a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist based at the Edenfield Centre. I wanted to become a Governor to represent the views of my fellow medics and to share views of staff members to the Council of Governors.”

For further information or details contact Joanne Pilling, Communications and Membership Officer on 0161 772 3857 or email: ft@gmw.nhs.uk

Relaxation is key!

Location: Patients Cafe, Moorside Unit, Trafford General Hospital, Moorside Road, Urmston, Manchester M41 5SL Date/Time: Thursday 26th August 2010, 15.00-16.00

Come along to learn about the benefits of holistic therapies and even have a taster session. Plus, another chance to boost your image by seeing what colours suit you best.

Food! Glorious Food!

Location: Pankhurst Room, Waterdale Restaurant, Greater Manchester West Trust Headquarters, Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 3BL Date/ Time: Thursday 2nd September 2010, 15.00-16.00

You are what you eat, as the saying goes and eating well is vital for a healthy mind and body. Learn more about the benefits of eating well whilst sampling blueberries to improve your short term memory, pumpkin seeds for enhanced brain power and much more!

If this sounds like something you would like to get involved with, then you can come along and meet us at one of our sessions, you can get more information about being a Governor, talk to existing Governors and take part in other activities. Book your place by ringing 0161 772 3857.

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A day in the life of a Vocational Guidance Employment Services Consultant Jan Southworth is a Vocational Guidance and Employment Services Consultant based at Bowfell House, Trafford. The service covers the Community Mental Health Teams in the North and South of the borough. Jan has a wealth of information and training in Information Advice and Guidance and, along with Care Coordinators works closely with people in receipt of secondary services. This forms part of the Care Programme Approach (CPA) that is put in place to help the service user’s rehabilitation. 1) What is a Vocational Guidance and Employment Services Consultant? I lead a small team of Vocational Guidance and Employment Workers (also known as Career Advisors) and we empower service users by giving them professional vocational guidance and to increase their employability and to facilitate their efforts to enter and to progress into paid or voluntary employment, training or education. We also help people who receive a CPA (and have an allocated Care Co-ordinator) who want to return to and remain at work. We can liaise with their employer to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their working environment so page

4) What are the highlights of your career? I am extremely proud to be in my current role as I was obliged to take medical retirement from a rewarding career in Training and Marketing for a Career Service. When I was first diagnosed with Lupus I was paralysed from the shoulders down and had to undertake complete rehabilitation. I feel my condition puts me in a unique position to understand the challenges that service users face.

Pictured is Jan Southworth

they are able to continue in their role. I write a regular information bulletins which I send to colleagues in mental health services, for example about the introduction of ‘fit notes’ to replace ‘sick notes’ and about developments in education and back to work schemes. I encourage colleagues to contact the team with any queries or, requests for research into any type of role.

2) What does an average day consist of? I suffer from Lupus, a debilitating illness so it is especially important that as a working mum, I am organised because my condition causes limited movement, fatigue and acute pain. I am fortunate to work with an Access to Work Personal Assistant, Julie Naden who has many years experience in administration and secretarial work and she provides personal and practical support to me. My working day can be very demanding and involves providing consultations and researching complex

information for service users, checking referrals and prioritising appointments. Every day is different and because we are always receiving referrals which vary in urgency we need to be flexible to meet requirements and be able to prioritise cases.

3) What are the challenges in your role? One significant challenge when helping people with mental health illnesses are the perceived and actual barriers which may make it harder for them to achieve a sense of purpose through work or study self enrichment, sustained well being and intellectual stimulation. We aim to make sure that people take reasonable steps into employment rather than relapsing because they have taken too much on. Whilst attitudes are changing, we spend a great deal of time reassuring employers that they can provide an appropriate good working environment to support our service users who are often trained skilled and experienced personnel.

With regards to my role, I have taken what was a one person role and developed it across Trafford. The model has been used by Trusts in other areas. The project has achieved two National Institute of Carers Guidance (ICG) Awards, for social inclusion and equal opportunities and we are often consulted by national organisations working with those who have mental health issues and disabilities, which is a great privilege.

5) How do you become a Vocational Guidance and Employment Services Consultant? The profession is an increasing popular option for graduates who are encouraged to become Registered Practitioners and members of the ICG. Applicants may study for the Qualification in Career Guidance (QCG) at University or may undertake a Level four NVQ in Advice and Guidance. I was involved in developing the qualification in Advice and Guidance during my time as a University Moderator for what was then, the Diploma in Career Guidance.

Focus on... Electroconvulsive Therapy In this edition of GMW newsforyou we are looking at Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT); a controversial method of treating severe symptoms of depression. ‘It was recently in the press stars such as Bev Collard, who plays Liz MacDonald in Coronation Street have undergone ECT treatment for conditions such as depression. newsforyou speaks to Stephen Finch, the lead ECT nurse from GMW’s Bolton service, and also a member of National Association of Lead ECT Nurses, (NALNECT). He is the lead organiser for the Third National ECT Nurse Conference, taking place in Birmingham on 15th September. 1) What is it? Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is used to treat the symptoms of severe depression, catatonia or a prolonged manic episode. The procedure involves the administration of a sedative and muscle relaxant before a carefully controlled electronic current is passed through the patient’s brain inducing a seizure which is necessary for the treatment to work.

but not the electronic current. Sham treatment has shown an improvement in the wellness of some, although the Royal College of Psychiatrists note that this may be because of the additional attention and treatment received. ECT is used once medication, talking therapy, and other psychological and social supports are exhausted, and so adds another dimension to the recovery process. Medication and talking therapy may still be used in addition to ECT to ensure the positive outcomes of the treatment are sustained.

5) What do GMW do? Pictured is Stephen Finch

ECT is only used when other treatments – such as psychotherapy and medication – have shown to be ineffective. ECT is administered twice a week, usually lasting no more than one minute, and the average duration of treatment is between six and eight sessions.

2) Where did it all start? The first use of therapeutic seizure induction was documented in the London Medical Journal in 1785, and the first test on a person was recorded in 1937 in Italy. The procedure was introduced into the UK in the 1940’s and was used widely throughout the 1950’s and 60’s for a wide number of mental health conditions. Since then, research has shown that ECT is most effective for treating symptoms of severe depression and so although the use has declined, the likelihood of recovery has increased.

3) Why is it so controversial? ECT, as with many mental health problems and treatments, still has stigma attached to it. Commonly reported side effects include short term memory loss, headaches, stiffness and confusion. However, these side affects can be associated with any procedure requiring anesthetic, and the effects usually wear off within a couple of hours. A UK review in 2003 looked into the effectiveness of ECT, with the number of people finding it useful ranging from 30 – 80%. The treatment can work better for some, which may be part of the reason there are so many mixed reviews.

4) Does it work? Research has been conducted into ECT, using ‘sham’ treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure. Sham treatment involves administering anesthetic and muscle relaxant,

There are currently three ECT clinics based within GMW: one at Royal Bolton Hospital, one at Salford Royal Hospital and also one at Trafford General Hospital. The Trust has an ECT committee with representatives from Doctors across the three areas. In 2003, the Royal College of Psychiatrists established the ECT Accreditation Service (ECTAS) to promote better standards of practice in ECT services in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. GMW plans to consider applying for this accreditation in the near future.

FURTHER INFORMATION The Royal College of Psychiatrists (http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/) and the National Institude for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE - www.nice.org.uk) both publish useful guides which provide further information on ECT. More information on the ECT Accrediation Service can be found at http://www.ectas.org.uk

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Trust’s award winning offender service A Manchester offender liaison service, run by the Trust, has won Greater Manchester Probation Trust’s (GMPT) annual award. The winners of the ‘10th Annual Probation Stars Awards’, set up to recognise and reward the commitment, hard work and professionalism of probation staff, were announced in June at a ceremony held at Stalybridge Civic Centre. Probation staff nominated one of the Probation Trust’s partners who have excelled in helping ensure the protection of the public and reducing re-offending. Manchester Offenders Diversion Engagement Liaison (MO:DEL) service fought off competition from a range of organisations

including police teams, charities and local associations to win the working in partnership award. The judging panel praised MO:DEL as an outstanding example of a service that works successfully with probation, courts and prisons. They were recognised for their work with mentally-ill offenders, which has impacted on offenders receiving the appropriate treatment, improved their access to health and social care services and reduced reoffending rates in Manchester. The award for working in partnership is open to all eligible individuals who have gone the extra mile to deliver offender management services, in partnership with one or more agencies. Matt Paterson, Consultant Nurse and Clinical Lead for Manchester

Pictured is (left to right) Hilary Tucker, Chair of GMPT, Kelly Dalton, Administrator for MO:DEL, Sarah Bruce, Clinical Psychologist for MO:DEL, John Crawforth, Chief Executive of GMPT and Matt Paterson, Consultant Nurse and Clinical Lead for MO:DEL.

Offenders Diversion Engagement Liaison service, said of the award win: “The Greater Manchester Probation Trust is one of the highest performing probation services in the country, so I am honoured that they have recognised the hard work and outstanding service that the MO:DEL team delivers.” Cath Moran, Director of Operations and Nursing for Greater Manchester West Mental

Health NHS Foundation Trust, added: “The people who MO:DEL work with often have significant offending histories, experience problems of homelessness, substance abuse and haven’t had access to mainstream healthcare services such as GPs. The service’s work is vital – without it the most vulnerable have nowhere to go and no one to address the underlying mental health issues of those involved in criminal behaviour.”

Kings Fund Grant to Transform Services The Trust’s Inreach Team at HMP Forest Bank deliver integrated care to male mentally disordered offenders in Manchester. They work in the prison to assess prisoners mental health, provide a resource to prison staff on mental health issues and attend reviews if a prisoner is at risk of harming themselves. Ann Aspinall, Community Psychiatric Nurse working for the Inreach team, was invited onto the project to enhance the clinical area of the prison. page 10

The prison have been awarded £30,000 by The King’s Fund to transform the healthcare department. Ann said: “The condition of the clinical environment has a massive impact on how the patients feel. Research has even suggested that recovery times can improve when patients are cared for in an attractive and therapeutic environment.” The project is part of the King’s Fund’s award-winning Enhancing the Healing Environment (EHE) programme, which encourages and enables nurse-led teams to work in partnership with patients to improve the environment in which they deliver care. The prisoners at HMP Forest

Pictured is (left to right): Julie Skeer Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN), Chris Towart Deputy Team Lead, Emma Edwards CPN, Fiona Stubbs Professional Lead and Ann Aspinall CPN.

Bank will be involved in every stage of the building work and the improvements to the area. Work is planned to commence shortly and is expected to be

completed by December 2010. For more information on the King’s Fund visit their website: www.kingsfund.org.uk.

Sporting success for local football team Salford Grassroots West, a football team organised by staff from the Trust, have been crowned 2009/2010 North West Mental Health Football League Champions in one of the most competitive seasons they have seen. Defeating 29 teams, from Blackburn, Bolton, Wales, Preston, Stoke and Manchester, Salford Grassroots West lost just one game of the whole season. This was the first championship the team had made it to, and in seven seasons, the teams’ hard work and dedication finally paid off for the players and the organisers. Following their success at home, Salford Grassroots West went to Germany to compete in the Regenbogen Cup in Haar, Munich. This is an annual mental health tournament and included teams from Austria, Italy, Germany, England and Czech Republic. Unfortunately,

the home success could not be repeated but this tournament gave the players an opportunity to travel abroad that they may not have otherwise been given and they enjoyed the experience of travelling and competing abroad and earned plaudits for their sportsmanship and enthusiasm. However, it wasn’t all bad news in Germany, as the Trust’s Community Care Worker, Jan Drobny (Honza), who is also based in Salford but originates from Czech Republic, led the Czech Republic team of former colleagues to victory in the same tournament. Honza was also awarded ‘Best Goalkeeper’ of the tournament. Eddie Carroll, a Community Care Worker at the Trust along with other GMW staff has been working with the Salford Grassroots West team for a number of years organising games, league programmes and fixtures but Eddie emphasises that the team is service user led and the staff are there for support. Training is on every Friday in Ordsall, and anybody who receives mental health services in Salford is welcome to go along and take part.

Pictured is the Salford Grassroots team

Eddie commented about the team: “The benefits of being in this team are clear to see when friendships are formed during the various tournaments and social events. There are also the mental health benefits for people who in the past have found it difficult to interact with people in the community. The physical benefits gained help to improve people’s self esteem, confidence and mental health. “I am very proud of the team for doing so well this season. It is a great boost for them and it goes to show us all that hard work and dedication really pays off.

“As a team we would like to congratulate the Salford Early Intervention Football Team who also competed in the North West Tournament and will be promoted to a higher division next season.” For more information on Grassroots Salford West please visit www.grassrootsinitativesfc. co.uk If you would like more information regarding the training sessions please contact Eddie Carroll at Cromwell House on 0161 787 6000 or Paddy McElroy at Ramsgate House 0161 708 9512.

Your chance to win! If you enjoy reading newsforyou and think you know a friend or family member who may also like to receive the magazine, why not sign them up?

The Trust is running a competition until the 31st August 2010 for the chance to win £50 worth of High Street Vouchers. To be in with a chance of winning, you need to sign up at least three new members via our website www. gmw.nhs.uk or by contacting 0161 772 3857. To ensure we can record the

responses accurately, when entering details using the online form please ensure that in the field ‘Where did you first hear about our Foundation Trust?’ you enter the name of the existing member and their date of birth. Alternatively, if you do not have access to a computer, you can contact the membership office on 0161

772 3857 with the details of the members you wish to sign up. Please make sure you get the permission of those you wish to sign up to the Trust, members must be at least 14 years of age and live in the North West region.

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A day in the life of a Governor Carole Hardwick Carole Hardwick is Director of Secure and Specialised Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Commissioning for the North West Specialist Commissioning Group and also an Appointed Governor for the Trust. Carole tells newsforyou what a typical day involves. 1) Please give us a brief background to you and your constituency I am an appointed governor, representing specialised commissioning. I work for the North West Specialised Commissioning Group on behalf of the 24 Primary Care Trusts across the North West. We commission a range of specialised and secure services in line with the Carter* recommendations to ensure these services which are generally high cost and low volume are delivered to meet needs and the expected quality standards. My background is as a service planner within the NHS. I have worked for the NHS for over 30 years and in the field of mental health and learning disabilities for over 20 years. I have commissioned secure services for the last ten years, currently leading a team of commissioners and case managers who work across the whole of the North West, including Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire and Merseyside. The focus of work is to ensure services are delivered to meet needs, manage risk, are cost effective, deliver a quality service and support service user’s recovery back to local services. page 12

I am also part of the National High Secure Commissioning Team which is responsible for strategic planning and commissioning of high secure services. Prior to joining the commissioning team, I worked for the NHS Executive to oversee of the delivery of mental health services across the North West. I have also had various regional roles with the Regional Health Authority prior to 1994 when the North West and Mersey regions were merged.

2) Describe a typical day I start work early in order to catch up on correspondence such as replying to emails and preparation for meetings. I attend quite a lot of meetings, particularly at the start of the week including internal meetings to liaise with the team. Monday is also the day for focusing on key areas in the work plan such as addressing demand for services. The rest of the week is a mix of local, regional or national meetings. The nature of the work across the regional and national footprints means that national connections with other commissioners, providers and agencies is crucial for planning, review and change.

3) What are the highlights of being a Governor? The key issues for me are being able to look at the range of services the Trust provides across the footprint of its catchment area. Typically, my work concentrates on the secure and very specialised components of mental health services although clearly these cannot work alone and are part of a wider pathway. The opportunity to hear the range of views and talk to service users, carers or staff across the spectrum of services provides alternative perspectives on issues.

4) What is the most challenging part of your role as Governor? Keeping track of everything going on across the Trust. The Trust has over 50 sites across the North West and there is a great deal of activity and developments for the Council of Governors to be informed about.

5) How did you become interested in the role of a GMW Governor? As the commissioner of secure and specialised services, I have a major interest in how the Trust delivers its total business.

Pictured is Carole Harwick

As a team, we have tried to ensure we have Governor representation where we have a major commissioning role. We do not have the capacity within the team to take on the role of Governor within every Foundation Trust Board and I must therefore be mindful and ensure that my particular interest as a Governor is declared. *The Carter Recommendations The Carter Review, carried out by Professor Sir David Carter, proposes improvements to commissioning arrangements for specialised services in England. The review recommends changes to structure, organisation and powers that will ensure the commissioning process is robust and fair, is understood by all, engages patients and offers optimal value for money.

Insight on In-Reach story correction Further to the article in April’s newsforyou we would like to make some corrections to the story. The team at Hindley Young Offenders Institute is employed by the Trust and compromises a Clinical Lead (Bev Stowell), an Operational Manager, seven Registered Nurses (operating as Community Nurses), a Support Worker, an Art Therapist, two Consultant Psychiatrists, an Administrative support worker, a Senior Psychologist plus Trainee Medics, Psychologist and Nurses. Doctor Lynne Daly worked to develop the current In-Reach model and the Trust’s Clinical Lead Paul Mitchell has worked on the Gardener Unit and the Forensic Adolescent Consultation and Treatment Service (FACTS) within the Young Person’s Directorate.