winter 2016/17 - rdash nhs foundation trust€¦ · winter 2016/17 rdash leading the way with care...
TRANSCRIPT
Winter 2016/17
RDaSH leading the way with care
Membership and Engagement special
News for Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust staff and members
Thanks for your ongoing hard work
Kath ryn .
Kathryn SinghChief Executive
from the Chief Executive
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Don’t forget you can also follow us on social media:
@Rdash_nhs
Rdash nhs
If you’ve a story to tell let our Communications Team know. Email [email protected] ring them on01302 796204.
Hello and welcome to the membership and engagement edition of Trust Matters.
I hope you’ve all had a fantastic festive season and I wish you all a very happy 2017. You’ll see in this edition that we recently held our volunteers awards at Doncaster’s Rugby Club. Not only were we able to thank volunteers with a Christmas lunch, we also announced our volunteers of the year. It’s a pity we couldn’t award every single one of our volunteers with an award because the support they give us, whether via peer support, driving patients to appointments, helping with social media and the many other tasks they help us with, is vital. We have around 220 volunteers across our Trust and every single one of them are true stars. We’ve also recently staged our staff awards. They were fabulous and showcased how our staff go above and beyond in their day to day work to help our patients, family and carers. It was great to hear from our service users or loved ones who had nominated staff. It really made the night special. Our main awards are in this edition, but if you want to see the full coverage of the awards you can visit our RDaSH website at this link: http://www.rdash.nhs.uk/category/publications/newsletters/ and read the November edition of our staff Trust Matters magazine.
You may have read in previous editions how we are transforming how we deliver services, moving from business divisions to geographical care groups plus a specialised children’s care group. We’ve news in this edition on the latest staff appointments. Our pioneering Talking Shop also features after being praised as ‘best practice’ by the NHS – you can read about this on page 19. Over the next few months there will also be opportunities for members to stand as Governors in our elections. Have you ever fancied having a go at being a Governor? It is a really rewarding role where you can represent the Trust at events and visits and find out so much more about our organisation. If you want to find out more – keep reading. Don’t forget you can also ‘talk’ to us via Twitter and Facebook – so if you’re on social media and have a comment or question, simply Tweet us or send us a Facebook message. Our social media addresses are next to this column. Also, any information you need about our services can be found on our website here: www.rdash.nhs.uk and you can have your say about our services via our website too here: http://www.rdash.nhs.uk/support-and-advice/have-your-say/ If you want to give us feedback on our services and you don’t have access to a computer, simply call our Patient Advice and Liaison Team on 01302 796537.
Cheryl WatkinsonMembership and Engagement Facilitator.
If you have any comments or suggestions for future editions please let Cheryl know. You can call us free on Freephone 0800 015 0370 or email [email protected]
Welcome...
Chief Executive’s award...
Winner: Neil Firbank, Aspire
Chairman’s award...
Winner: Marianne Bowden, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
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Awards matter
All award winners and runners up photographs can be seen in the December issue of Trust Matters at:http://www.rdash.nhs.uk/42527/november-2016-edition-of-trust-matters-2/
2016
AnnualAwards winners
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Volunteerswin awardsFour of our volunteers have received accolades at this year’s Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Charlotte Dennis scooped the winner’s award for helping our 0-5 Health Visiting Team implement and manage their Facebook page. Our joint runners up were Neil Bills and Andrew Beech. Neil, a volunteer with the Learning Disability Service won his award for working alongside the service’s receptionist, while Andrew, who also volunteers for Age UK in Scunthorpe, received his award for being a champion for our Community Learning Disability Team at the Ironstone Centre, in Scunthorpe. The third award was handed to Daigon North, known for short as Dee, who volunteers on Goldcrest Ward in Rotherham as a peer support volunteer.
RDaSH Chairman Lawson Pater, speaking at the event staged at Doncaster Rugby Club, said: “Across the Trust there are no less than 220 people who volunteer their time. Volunteers know how powerful their contribution is, whether it be a cheery welcome, simply listening to someone’s story, providing help and support to someone as part of their journey in life, or sharing their own journey to help others on their way through life.
“Whatever our volunteers are doing to help others, on behalf of the Board of Directors, the staff you work with, and especially those whom you support in so many different ways, I would like to say a thank you.”
Winner, Charlotte Dennis (award collected by Christina Harrison RDaSH
Children’s Care Group Director)
Runner up Neil Bills
Runner up Andrew Beech
Third Daigon North
Volunteers matter
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Members / Governors Elections
Ever thought of being a Governor for RDaSH?Our Governors are volunteers who are elected to be the voice of our members for a term of three years.
They meet regularly with members and the public to ensure they represent their interests and views at four Council of Governors meetings each year, where they discuss what’s happening in the Trust and have their say on how we can make things better in the future to benefit service users/patients and carers. As well as representing the interests of members and the public, our Governors’ over-riding role is to hold our Non-Executive Directors individually and collectively to account for the performance of the Board of Directors. This means they appoint the Chairman and Non- Executive Directors as well as agreeing the appointment of the Chief Executive.
They play an important role in representing the Trust at events and visits and are asked to look at and talk about the annual accounts, auditor’s report and annual report. They also appoint the Trust’s auditor.
The role is extremely rewarding and all our Governors are fully supported in their role.
Over the next couple of months, there will be a number of opportunities for members to stand as Governors in our next round of elections.
Could you be our next Governor and represent the views of other like-minded people?
We’re planning to hold our elections very soon, so please get in touch to find out more or receive notification of our information events, which offer the opportunity to come along and talk to Governors themselves about how they see the role.
If you have any questions or would like more information please contact the Foundation Trust Office on 0800 015 0370 or email [email protected]
More detailed information is available online and is listed below (alternatively you can request a hard copy of any of these documents from the Foundation Trust Office).
So you are thinking about becoming a Governor? (NHS Providers, 27 August 2014) http://www.nhsproviders.org/resource-library/so-you-are-thinking-about-becoming-a-governor/
Your duties: a brief guide for NHS foundation trust governors (Monitor, March 2014) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/301286/BriefGuideForGovernors.pdf
Your statutory duties: A reference guide for NHS foundation trust governors (Monitor, August 2013) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284473/Governors_guide_August_2013_UPDATED_NOV_13.pdf
Representing the interests of members and the public (Monitor / Governwell, January 2015) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/411380/Representing_the_interests_of_members_and_the_public.pdf
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Not sure if the elections are for you? Find out what Alex Sangster, our new Lead Governor says about his role…
“Since I was elected as Lead Governor for the Trust in September, I have been taking stock and adjusting to my new role. I am obviously delighted to be given the opportunity to play a more substantial part in the governance of the organisation.
“I believe the key to my success in this role will be my visibility amongst directors, governors, staff and members - they all have a significant part to play in the effective contributions the Council of Governors can make. I believe that we need to embrace the changes in the trust which are on the agenda, embrace the Listening in Action ethos and keep the Council of Governors supported to face the challenges to come.
“A strong sense of purpose and direction for the Council of Governors and a vision of how the role of Governor might be expanded will facilitate better learning and understanding, as well as creating more platforms through committee observation. Focused structure, challenge and scrutiny are the key.
“I am hoping that the Council of Governors will refresh its role and purpose while I am in this position and I intend to introduce some new ideas, whilst working alongside the Board of Directors, at future meetings.
“Meanwhile I would just like to ask all our stakeholders to let me or any other Governor know if there are issues which they believe the Council of Governors can help to resolve and never be afraid to pick up the phone or email me to discuss anything at all which involves the good governance of the trust.”
Watch out for more Governor features in future editions.
Governors can be contacted through the Foundation Trust Office on Freephone 0800 015 0370.
If you would like to see the Governors in action why not come along to one of our public meetings. The dates for 2017 are:
Monday 13 February 1.30pm The Park Suite, Carlton Park Hotel, Rotherham, S60 2BG.
Tuesday 23 May 10am The Green Room, The House, Scunthorpe, DN17 1AB.
Thursday 10 August 4pm RED Centre, Tickhill Road site, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 8QN.
Tuesday 4 November 9.30am RED Centre, Tickhill Road, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 8QN.
Membership matters
Carers invited to take part inTrust Induction... As part of the patient experience session at Trust induction, what all new employees attend, we will be introducing a carer story.
If you know any carers who would be happy to take part and share their experiences of caring for someone who has used, or is currently using, RDaSH services and who will be prepared to come along for a short session to talk to new employees about how it feels for them and how we might improve this experience please let us know. Carers will be supported through the process.
For more information contact Cheryl Watkinson, Membership and Engagement Facilitator on (01302) 798135 or email [email protected]
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Involvement for Carers We celebrated Carers Rights Day on Friday 26 November.
This annual event brings organisations together to help carers in our local communities, know their rights and find out how to get the help and support they need.
In the week running up to Carers Rights Day we went out and about to speak to staff and carers to promote some fabulous examples of how we support carers here at RDaSH.
We even made a short movie about our activities on YouTube, so please check it out at: https://youtu.be/hzQXm8RmFQg
Thanks so much to everyone who contributed - you were the real stars of the show!
Want to know more?
If you’d like to find out how you can be more involved in supporting carers in your service please talk to your Carer Champion or contact Cheryl Watkinson, Membership and Engagement Facilitator on (01302) 798135 or email [email protected]
Membership matters
Pictures from the day...
Serviceuser
CarerProfessional
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Triangle of Care The Triangle of Care is a service improvement programmesupported by the Carers Trust which aims to improve thestandard of practice within NHS services in respect ofpartnership work with family carers. Our RDaSH Triangle of Care Steering Group meets bi-monthlyto provide a strategic and operational steer for the Trust’ssubmissions and associated work plan in support of theTriangle of Care programme.
As part of the Triangle of Care programme and working closely with carers and the RDaSH Triangle of Care Steering Group we’ve developed a training resource for staff to ensure everyone is trained in carer awareness and carer engagementstrategies. We launched this at our meeting on 14 December and are now planning to roll it out across all our services over the coming weeks.
If you’re interested in getting more involved on our Triangle of Care activities please contact Sarah Dean on 01302 796696 or email [email protected]
Here are the dates for the meetings in 2017:
Membership matters
New Carer Champion Network for 2017There are so many fantastic examples of carer engagement across RDaSH, so in order to make sure we share best practice and work on consistent approaches to carer engagement we’re launching our new quarterly Carer Champion Network meetings in 2017!
If you’re currently a Carer Champion and would like more information please get in touch.
Our first event will take place on Wednesday 22 March at 10.30am in the Woodfield Park Community Hall, Doncaster, DN4 8QP. Please get in touch for more details or to express an interest in attending.
Publications/Links:
• The Triangle of Care, A Guide to Best Practice in Mental Health Care in England: https://professionals.carers.org/sites/default/files/triangle_of_care_2016_latest_version_0.pdf
• The Carers Trust website: https://carers.org
It’s free and really easy to join us today at https://secure.membra.co.uk/RDaSHApplicationForm/ Email: [email protected]
Wednesday 8th February 10.30am - 12.30pm. Light (room), The Point, 16 South Parade, Doncaster, DN1 2DR. Wednesday 12th April 10.30am - 12.30pm. The Orange Room, The House, Brumby, Wood Lane, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN171AB.
Wednesday 14th June 10.30am - 12.30pm. Conference Suite, Voluntary Action Rotherham, The Spectrum, Coke Hill, Rotherham, S60 2HX.
Wednesday 9th August 10.30am - 12.30pm. Light (room), The Point, 16 South Parade, Doncaster, DN1 2DR.
Wednesday 11th October 10.30am - 12.30pm The Orange Room, The House, Brumby, Wood Lane, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN171AB.
Wednesday 13th December 10.30am - 12.30pm. Conference Suite, Voluntary Action Rotherham, The Spectrum, Coke Hill, Rotherham, S60 2HX.
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Membership mattersPatient and Public Engagement New local patient forum being developed
We’re looking to establish a forum for patients, carers, staff and partners to come together and work on specific projects around acute mental health services in Doncaster. We held a ‘Big Conversation’ during December to come together to talk about what that forum should look like. If you’d like to be involved and work with us as the forum develops, please get in touch.
New Patient and Public Engagement Network for 2017
Following the approval of the Trust’s Patient and Public Engagement and Experience (PPEE) Strategy, we held an event in November for patients, carers, staff, members, Governors and partners to come together and share their thoughts about how the Listen to Learn Network might look going forward – these contributions have been invaluable in formulating a future purpose and format. After taking your views on board our Chief Executive Kathryn Singh will formally launch our new Patient and Public Engagement Network at its first meeting on Tuesday, 24 January, 10.30 am at the Community Hall, Woodfield Park, St Catherine’s, Tickhill Road, Doncaster, DN4 8QN.
The new Network meetings will include a formal item, reporting on progress made and specific actions associated with the PPEE Strategy, a patient/carer experience of how they have been involved in some of this work, along with a marketplace to enable Network members to make contact with those responsible for delivering the nine themes of the strategy and offer them the opportunity to be involved in specific pieces of work as well as demonstrating evidence of how work has progressed.
Future Network meetings will be held on a quarterly basis across all of our localities and at different times of the day so as many people as possible will be able to get involved, here are the dates for 2017:
Tuesday, 24 January 2017 – 10.30am to 1.00pm Woodfield Park Community Hall, Tickhill Rd, Doncaster DN4 8QN.
Wednesday, 26 April 2017 – 1.00pm to 3.30pmUnity Centre, St Leonard’s Rd, Rotherham S65 1PD.
Thursday, 27 July 2017 – 10.30am – 1.00pmScunthorpe venue TBC
Wednesday, 25 October 2017 – 1.00pm to 3.30pmWoodfield Park Community Hall, Tickhill Rd, Doncaster DN4 8QN.
I hope you agree that this a very exciting time for the Network both in terms of providing opportunities for patients and carers to work with the Trust and we look forward to working with you in 2017.
If you’d like a copy of the new Patient and Public Engagement and Experience Strategy please get in touch or visit our website www.rdash.nhs.uk
Patients - do you have a story to tell?Hearing your story can reveal a great deal about the culture of our Trust and the quality and effectiveness of the services we provide.
It helps us develop a clear picture of quality across our organisation, and by actively listening to patients and their families and responding to what they say we can develop a caring and compassionate culture, supported by the delivery of safe, effective and responsive care.
We want to ensure all our patients and their families feel informed,supported and listened to, so that they can make meaningfuldecisions and choices about their healthcare. Our aim is to gain an understanding from the patient or their family’s perspective of what good care looks like, what’s not so good and what we can improve to make their experience more positive.
By listening to patient stories we get a clear view of the patient as a whole person rather than a clinical condition, this helps us to better understand how healthcare fits into their wider lifestyle.
Your views provide real life experiences that our Board of Directors can put together with hard data to get a true picture of how the organisation is working. We want to learn from both the positive and less positive experiences and share good practice and developments across the Trust.
Our ultimate aim is that patients’ and families’ views and experiences will become part of any service redesign, innovation or improvement, empowering patients and their families to become active stakeholders and true partners in the delivery of their healthcare.
If you’d like to share your story and would like to find out more please get in touch with Cheryl Watkinson for more information.
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Membership matters
Robert Jenkins, Aspire Peer Mentor (centre) is pictured with the Patient and Public Engagement and Experience team at a recent board meeting.
Big ConversationLincolnshire
Members of the public were invited to a joint event in November hosted by Healthwatch North Lincolnshire in partnership with RDaSH at The House, Scunthorpe, to talk about local health services in North Lincolnshire and how organisations can work more effectively together. Feedback received at the event will be used to produce a summary report by Healthwatch North Lincolnshire that will include some analysis to the findings from the questions raised at the event. Both organisations will continue to work together to explore ways to further gather more patient experience information over the coming months.
We hold monthly drop in sessions, which are run by Governors and are an excellent opportunity to find out more about what’s happening locally in health care services provided by RDaSH.
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Membership matters
Members
drop in... We would like to meet you! • Would you be interested in meeting your Governor?
• Do you have a question about Trust (RDaSH) services?
• Would you like to share your views or ideas with us?
• Do you want to know more about how you can benefit from your membership?
Our Governors would really like to meet with you as members and local people to find out what you really think about your local health services that we provide in your area and give you the opportunity to share any ideas you might have to help us shape services in the future.
Why not drop in for an informal chat anda cup of coffee or tea at:
The RAIN buildingEastwood Lane, Rotherham, S65 1EG
On the THIRD Thursday of each monthBetween 1pm and 3pm
The Wellness Centre45 Montrose Avenue, Intake, Doncaster, DN2 6PL
On the SECOND Monday of each monthBetween 2pm and 3.30pm
For further details visit www.rdash.nhs.uk/about-us/foundation-trust
Or call us on Freephone 0800 015 0370.
Email [email protected]
Big Conversation
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News matters
Success at Rotherham ShowOur staff spread the word of our services at the recent Rotherham Show.
Tens of thousands of visitors headed to Clifton Park over the September 10 – 11 weekend and kept our staff busy, both in the Saturday drizzle and in the Sunday sunshine.
Our staff took the health bus along and spread the word on the services on offer in the borough to raise the profile of what we do.
Staff helped to promote our Rethink Your Drink campaign, research initiatives, showcased how we’re transforming, our children’s mental health and drug and alcohol teams were on hand and our membership and patient engagement staff helped to recruit more than 50 new foundation trust members. A further 20 people also asked how to volunteer – so we’ll be working to sign them up!
Organiser, Cheryl Watkinson, our Membership and Engagement Facilitator, said: “We all had a fantastic couple of days at the show – and spoke to so many people about the services we have on offer, on how they can be involved with the Trust and on how to volunteer. Our staff were a credit to the Trust and helped to showcase the excellent services we have.”
Here’s a selection of photos from the weekend.
*Information courtesy of NHS Employers
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Recovery month celebrated in styleSeptember is Recovery Month when people who have reclaimed their lives from drug or alcohol addiction celebrate their recovery and make it visible in the community, providing living proof that recovery is possible. And once again our services have celebrated in style!
Big hearted competitors raise £130 for charityRecovery Month kicked off early in Doncaster when big hearted competitors from Scunthorpe, Doncaster and Rotherham helped to raise £130 after taking part in the third annual Recovery Games.
The event at Hatfield Activity Centre, Hatfield Marina, Doncaster is held to celebrate recovery from drug and alcohol dependence by Aspire Drug and Alcohol Services and around 400 service users, volunteers and staff from Aspire, ADS and RDaSH compete in Gladiator-style events.
Aspire Agile Case Manager Neil Firbank, who organised the event, said: “It was a fantastic day. Everyone who attended had a great time and we couldn’t have asked for better weather.
“The Recovery Games event was all about having fun and breaking down stigma, barriers, and it was a chance for people who use drug and alcohol services to show their commitment to giving to others and we’ve raised a marvellous amount for the charity Aurora.”
As well as the games, health professionals were on hand for help and advice, along with motivational speakers, fun activities for families, children and friends, and much more.
Anyone wanting to see the photos from the day can click here: http://aq.be/b5f4bd
RRECOVERY GAMES
RECOVERY GAM
ES
Recovery matters
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Doncaster service gives SMART advice Doncaster people who are recovering from drug or alcohol problems are now getting self-help advice and support through meetings with people who have successfully beaten their own addictions. Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service’s volunteer peer mentors bring their own personal experience of addiction and recovery to help others who have the kinds of problems they have overcome. A group of them have recently completed training to become Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART)facilitators, and are now able to offer small group meetings to support people in their recovery. Aspire Service Manager Stuart Green said: “SMART Recoveryhelps people decide whether they have a problem, builds up their motivation to change and offers a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery. “We’re already trained our staff in SMART, so we’re really proud of our peer mentors for giving up their own time to train to become facilitators. It demonstrates our commitment to mutual aid and visible recovery in the community.” Anyone who would like a confidential chat about drug oralcohol issues, please ring (01302) 730956, or visit Aspire’s live chat at www.aspire.community
Aspire Volunteer/Peer Mentor Coordinator Lydia Rice (left) and Service Manager Stuart Green (right) pictured with Peer Mentor and SMART Facilitator Paul Walker (centre).
Rotherham recovery artwork wins top prizeA group of Rotherham people who have recovered from drug and alcohol problems have beaten off competition from across Yorkshire to win a prestigious art prize in Leeds.
Volunteers and staff from our Rotherham Drug and Alcohol Service were named as winners for their work entitled ‘Relapse and Recovery a game all the family can play’ in mixed media category of The Art of Recovery 2016 at Leeds Corn Exchange,after a unanimous decision by the four competition judges.
The event, now in its second year is held by social care and health charityChange, Grow, Live (CGL), to showcase artwork produced by people working towards recovery across Yorkshire including substance use, mental health, physical health and offending. It aims to act as a platform to inspire further pieces of work.
RDaSH Team Leader Steve Graham said: “We are so proud of our team for bringing this award back to Rotherham!
“The artwork depicts a snakes and ladders board, to represent the ups and downs associated with the journey to recovery from drug or alcohol addiction – and the end square is the rest or your life!”
The artwork is now on display in Leeds before it returns to Rotherham, where itwill take pride of place at the service’s base at Carson House on Moorgate Road.
Anyone who would like a confidential chat about drug or alcohol issues, please ring (01709) 447704.
Pictured with their prizes are RDaSH Recovery Workers Danielle Heald (front left) and back right Katie McDermott with volunteers Barbara Whitby (front centre), Heather Bunting (front right) and Chris Johnson (back left).
Artwork on display at the exhibition in Leeds.
Recovery matters
Leanne is reclaiming her life thanks to New BeginningsIn celebration of Recovery Month, here’s how a Doncaster mum of three whose alcohol addiction was so severe she didn’t leave the house for three years is reclaiming her life, thanks to the support she’s receiving from New Beginnings.
Leanne (43) was drinking a litre bottle of vodka every day, feeling depressed and experiencing periods of self-harm - even contemplating taking her own life, when she became seriously ill with pancreatitis. She was admitted to Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service’s New Beginnings Specialist Detoxification Inpatient Unit, where she took the first steps on her road to recovery.
Leanne said: “It was a lonely existence. I’d lost interest in everything and just felt numb. My kids are all grown up. They could see I was going downhill and wasn’t acting like their mum anymore – I just sat on the settee in my pyjamas and dressing gown, drinking and watching TV.
“I wanted to change, but I didn’t have the strength to do it on my own, so I just carried on until I made myself ill. The doctors told me if I didn’t stop I’d be dead within two years.”
After undergoing a specialist detox Leanne, is now participating in Aspire’s Structured Day Programme, experiencing a wide range of therapies and interventions to support her in her recovery and continued abstinence.
She added: “Coming to New Beginnings is the best thing I’ve ever done and I can’t believe how far I’ve come in just a matter of weeks.
“I’ve experienced problems with drugs in the past and there were some personal reasons why I drank the way I did, but with the help of the brilliant staff and supported by my peers on the programme, I’ve been able to get to the root cause of my problems and I’m learning new ways how to make them more manageable, so I’m more able to cope with negative feelings.
“My husband and family can’t believe the change in me!”
Leanne’s husband is so proud of her progress he’s thrown out the old settee and replaced it with a new one, along with completely redecorating their home, to reflect her fresh new start.
Leanne said: “New Beginnings has given me my life back and I feel free again.
“I’m rebuilding my relationships with my children and seeing my mum again, as she didn’t know how to deal with me before.
“I’m appreciating the important things in life, like reading stories to my four grandchildren, which I wasn’t able to do in the past – they thought I was too poorly.
“I’m taking pride in my appearance and enjoying getting out and about on the bus or walking my dogs. I’m also noticing little things like the birds singing, and the warmth of the sun on my skin – all things that I missed out on before when I was stuck inside the house.”
She added: “I’m sharing my story because if it helps just one person to consider getting help I’ll be happy.
“I’ve learned that it’s not possible for me to have just one drink – I can’t have any. We’re randomly tested for alcohol and I love seeing the clear breath test!
“I’ll never go back to my old life, I’m proud of the new me!
Anyone who would like a confidential chat about drug or alcohol issues, please ring (01302) 730956, or visit Aspire’s live chat at www.aspire.community
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Recovery matters
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Recovery matters
Wellbeing and Recovery MattersAs part of our continuing features on recovery, this month we feature Dee, one of our Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
My personal experienceAs we work to be a more people focused organisation which places wellbeing and recovery at the heart of everything we do, we continue with our series of recovery stories. This month we feature Diagon North, known for short as Dee, a Peer Support Worker, on Goldcrest Ward at Swallownest Court, Rotherham. Here’s Dee’s story in her own words.
“I have suffered with mental health issues since childhood. I first started hearing voices at the age of ten. My family are devout spiritualists and assured me they were spirits and they believed I was “psychic” so I never associated them with mental issues.
“Aged 12 my symptoms had progressed. I had started self-harming and making attempts on my life, I was violent to my peers and staff at the children’s home, where I was living. I began drinking, taking drugs and abusing solvents on a daily basis. I did not know this behaviour was fueling my mental health problems.
“I was in my early teens when I was admitted to an adult psychiatric unit while I waited for a bed on the adolescent unit and this began my long journey with services - doctors, nurses, nursing assistants and external care teams. Aged 14 the doctors diagnosed me as having borderline disorder
personality disorder. I wasgiven no information or therapy I was just given medication and on my way I went.
“In 2010 things had become really
bad and I was seeing the intensive care team. Things got worse until they came to a head in September 2011 when I took a massive amount of amphetamine. I also mixed some powders attempting to create explosives. I lit a fuse that thankfully went out or who knows what would have happened if it have worked.
“After some time in custody I was taken to Swallownest Court. A lot of my first few days there are a blur but I found myself on PICU – the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit - and that was where I met Shirley Wilson among others who became instrumental in my treatment and recovery.
“Shirley asked the doctor to re-assess my diagnosis as I didn’t fit borderline personality disorder entirely. The doctor agreed and my diagnosis was changed to paranoid schizophrenic. Shirley was the one who told me, she explained it all and gave me information and was there to listen. I was not very trusting with authority figures but Shirley bridged that gap earning my trust and was mediating between me and the doctor.
“I moved off the PICU and thought that would be the end of seeing Shirley, but while waiting for an assessment for a forensic unit I bonded with other nurses and nursing assistants. As luck would have it Shirley was promoted as a deputy on the new ward I was on, this made my day.
“The assessment deemed me the right criteria for least restrictive practice and I
was going to a medium secure forensic unit. Shirley and a nursing assistant I’d also come to trust, called Rachel, offered to escort me to put me at ease, which it certainly did.
“When we arrived we were greeted by a stern staff nurse and things just didn’t seem good at all, that’s when Shirley reassured me that I should look upon this as a start to my recovery. Despite trust for Shirley I didn’t believe even she could help at this point.
“Three years in medium and low secure I had psychology and gained insight of my illness. I was ready for rehab. I was given a choice of two hospitals, one being Swallownest Court. I declined that offer but then I got a surprise visit from my external Assertive Outreach Team worker. When I went to the room there was Shirley who once told me I would recover and she was now the manager of the open rehabilitation and recovery ward at Swallownest and asked if I would like to come to the ward for a visit.
“I agreed to go to Swallownest Court rehab ward where Shirley and the staff helped me in getting accommodation and settle in the community. The nursing team really supported me and built a bridge between the hierarchy that is sometimes felt - they don’t get enough credit for the positive impact they have on patients’ treatment and care.
“I have been in the community just over a year and recently Shirley asked if I would like to help on the ward as a peer support worker. This has boosted my confidence and filled my time. I have been inspired by Shirley and the nursing team so much that I am going to train as a psychiatric nurse.”
Why not watch Dee’s story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GviSAeLOkJg
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Hospice matter
Chelsea Flower Show heads to DoncasterA little bit of the world famous Chelsea Flower Show has headed to Balby in Doncaster! For one of the winning designs from the show has winged its way to our St John’s Hospice, off Weston Road. The gold medal winning design called “The Garden Bed”, which was designed by Stephen Welch and Alison Doxey, an English Master Florist, picked the theme of a hospice bed. So after the show was over they split the design into four – donating a quarter to four hospices in the UK.
Gardeners and volunteers at the hospice ensured the donation of four trees and the12 containers of plants were transferred to the hospice garden safely.
Chris Smith, Community Fundraiser for the hospice, said: “What a fantastic donation. The trees and plants are all now transplanted into our hospice garden and look amazing. Our patients can enjoy them when they relax outside. It’s an unusual donation but we really appreciate it – as do our patients who are enjoying the new look.”
Pictured carrying out the work are, from the left, RDaSH gardener Glynn Mitchell, volunteers Rael Todd and Shelley Bojcic, together with hospice Community Fundraiser Chris Smith.
Boost for hospice appealA team of yoga and pilates teachers and students have stretched out to raise £1,208 for the Doncaster hospice appeal.
It’s the second year running that the clients of the Tall Trees Yoga and Pilates Studio at Woodfield Park, have raised cash for St John’s Hospice at Balby. This year they have more than doubled the amount of £557 that they raised in 2015.
Mick Hammond, who runs Tall Trees Yoga and Pilates Studio at Woodfield Park, Balby, ran a yogathon, together with stalls and a therapist offered massages in return for a donation toraise the money.
Mick said: “I am so proud of Tall Trees studio and the dedicated teachers who provide the classes. It is a beautiful place for yoga, we are so lucky and it’s a pleasure and a honour to give a little back by supporting such a worthwhile cause.”Chris Smith, of the hospice appeal, said: “Thank you to everyone who has helpedto raise this money. It will go towardssupporting the patients who use ourservices.”
Chris Smith, Hospice Community Fundraiser, is pictured (back row, second from the left) together with Mick Hammond, (back row fourth from the left) with clients of Tall Trees Yoga and Pilates Studio.
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Pictured from the left is Sister Hanna Brookes of the Inpatient Unit, Trevor Harper, Lindsey Richards, of the hospice, and Elizabeth Taylor one of the hospice volunteers.
Birthday party raises £430 for hospiceWhen Doncaster woman Sheila Harper decided to celebrate her 60th on a summer night, like greased lightning she raised £430 for St John’s Hospice Appeal.
Sheila celebrated her birthday at the Coronation Club, Armthorpe, decided to have a party with the theme of the film Grease and a collection for charity.
Family, friends and work colleagues dressed in 50s gear and put their hands in their pockets to make a donation for the Balby-based hospice.
Sheila decided to raise cash for the hospice, as her sister-in-law Sandra had been a hospice patient several years ago and other family members have fought cancer.
When the committee at the club heard what she was collecting for they matched her donation pound for pound – resulting in the £430 donation.
Lindsey Richards, of the St John’s Hospice Appeal, said: “This is an amazing amount of money. I want to thank Sheila and all of her friends and relatives, together with the club’s committee who raised this for us. Every penny counts at the hospice and we will be using the cash to support our patients.”
Sheila is pictured in her Grease gear for her party.
The development is being carried out in partnership between, ourselves and Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and between our charitable funds and the CCG we have invested more than £500,000 into this project.
Now professionals and patients already referred into our services will find it easier to get in touch with us. They simply contact us on 01302 566666 to be triaged into the best service to meet their needs.
This simpler way of working will cover the Hospice, the Specialist Palliative Care team (Macmillan) and the Hospice at Home team. Also, rather than having two separate
community teams in the form of the Macmillan Nurses and Hospice at Home they are now integrated into one team to provide enhanced Specialist Palliative Careservices in thecommunity acrossthe whole of Doncaster.
And the new service covers the entire patient pathway from the patient’s own home to an inpatient hospice bed and it is accessible seven days a week.
Professionals, patients and carers can also call for advice, support, clinical opinion, for information about our out-patients service, day hospice, if they require counselling or bereavement support or want to arrange a multi-disciplinary team discussion.
Hospice staff are pictured at the open day together with Civic Mayor of Doncaster, Cllr David Nevett (4th from left); Dr David Crichton, of Doncaster CCG (6th from left) and far right Lawson Pater, Chairman of RDaSH.
Hospice open dayWe’ve officially launched our new a single point of entry into our hospice services.
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Doncaster shop is best example of therapy on the high street
Our pioneering shop in Doncastertown centre which provides drop-in advice and support for people experiencing issues with their mental health has been praised as best practice within the NHS.
The Talking Shop at 63 Hall Gate provides access to psychological therapies for common problems such as depression, panic or phobias, or simply access to free information or advice - and was recently named as the best practice example of how regions are helping to provide high street access to therapy without stigma by NHS England.
Doncaster woman Emma Stewart (44), a former solicitor found out first-hand about the support the Talking Shop provides when she dropped in after being off work for three years with work-related stress and depression.
Emma said: “Just over two years ago my illness was so debilitating that I could barely leave the house, and couldn’t even face talking to people on the phone.
“I’d heard about the Talking Shop from my GP but it took me some time to push myself into making the trip into town – however it was the best decision I’ve ever made!”
After undergoing an assessment, Emma received individual counseling sessions and has attended a number of group therapy courses, which have helped her find the right solutions to deal with her feelings.
She said: “I’ve come such a long way in the past couple of years, and thanks to the Talking Shop my life is now so much better.
“I’d felt so isolated at home and I wish I hadn’t waited so long to come and get the help I needed.”
She added: “When you come here and join group sessions you realise there are more people than you think who are experiencing the same problems as you, and you’re not on your own.
“The Talking Shop practitioners completely understand everything you’re feeling and they work with you to break the cycle of your negative thoughts. There’s always someone there to call along the way if you’re having any problems.”
RDaSH Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Jane Crothers said: “Around one in four people in the UK will experience some kind of problem with their mental health each year, but people are often embarrassed to admit to how they feel or ask for help.
“When people feel physically ill they don’t worry about telling their friends or employers, and seek help straight away to make them better. Mental health problems should be treated in exactly the same way – it’s not a sign of weakness when you admit to having them.”
Jane added: “Here at the Talking Shop, people can refer themselves by popping in, or they can go to their GP first if they prefer.
“When they come in one of our practitioners will assess them and then make an appointment where we can agree a way forward to help them.
“We offer a range of courses, which last around eight weeks ,at various times during the day and evening to
cater for people who are working, as well as providing individual therapies.”
Thanks to the support provided by the Talking Shop Emma is now feeling well enough to make a return back to work, and is even considering a complete change in her career direction.
She said: “I’d advise anyone suffering at home in silence to visit the Talking Shop, even if it’s just to pick up information on the range of support they offer.
“I’m living proof of the excellent work they do!”
For more information about the Talking Shop, please visit http://www.talkingsense.org ring (01302) 565650, or call into the Talking Shop at 63 Hall Gate in Doncaster’s town centre (open weekdays between 9am and 5pm.)
To read NHS England’s full report please visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mentalhealth/2016/07/27/psychological-therapies/
Emma Stewart (left) pictured with RDaSH Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Jane Crothers at the Talking Shop.
News matters
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Care Group Directors appointedWe recently appointed our Care Group Directors, who have helped the Trust to transform into ‘care groups’ rather than business divisions. This will help to improve and enhance the way we care for our patients.
The appointments are:
DoncasterCare Group Director/
Deputy Chief Operating Officer
RotherhamCare Group Director
North Lincolnshire Care Group Director
Children’s Care Group Director
Mum helps with interviewsOur Rotherham Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (CAMHS) asked a mum to get involved in staff interviews – to help choose the best person for the job!
When the service which is based at Kimberworth Place, off Kimberworth Road, advertised for someone to talk to their young patients – they couldn’t think of a better person to help with the interviews than a mum-of-two.
So Debra West, who works for the Rotherham Parents Forum, came along to help out.
Debra said: “I’ve experience as a mum and represent parents on the forum, so I have a different point of view to take into account when recruiting people into posts for the children’s mental health service. It was great to get involved.”
Gavin Portier, Operations Manager for CAMHS, said: “It’s excellent to have a parent involved in interviews. They bring a different perspective to the questioning. Moving forward we will be doing this more often.”
Pictured after carrying out the interviews is, from the left, Gavin Portier, of RDaSH, together with Debra West, parent and of the Rotherham Parents Forum.
News matters
Chief Operating Officer
Jo McDonough Dianne Graham Graeme Fagan Christina HarrisonDebbie Smith
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It’s morale-boosting to get a pat on the back, or a ‘thank you’ from colleagues, managers – and perhaps especially, patients and service users.
Here, in ‘Their opinion counts’, a new regular feature in Trust Matters, is a selection of comments and compliments from the Your Opinion Counts forms.
Memory Services
All the staff we have been involved with have been very understanding of not only our mum, but also of our welfare as carers. Our mum’s nurse is wonderful and very supportive of me and my husband and has a lovely caring manner. Knowing we can contact her is invaluable. We cannot fault any part of this on going care.
Tissue Viability and
Lymphoedema Services
The nurse who came to do the
assessment was brilliant with mum
– she was friendly and professional.
We cannot fault the service she gave
– perfect treatment. Thank you for
looking after mum.
Their opinion counts
Counselling – Drug and Alcohol
Services
My counsellor was warm and friendly
and I found it easy to open up and
discuss the issues in my life in a
way that helped me find my own
answers.
Peer Support Volunteers – Adult Mental Health Inpatients ward
Just speaking to someone who can relate to what’s going on helpedme so much.
Podiatry
The treatment and advice today was
excellent and well needed. I was
delighted after my appointment and
felt much better in my mind. Thank
you.
Personality Disorder (PD) Pathway
– Community Therapies Team
I understand myself more now. I feel
better about myself and hopeful that I
can learn to manage my feelings more
effectively. This has been more helpful
than any other sessions. The therapist
listened to what I had to say and
spoke to me like I am human – I feel
more hopeful about life.
‘First Friends’ – Health Visiting
I was made very welcome by
the team. Excellent advice and
support was given. I felt at ease
joining this group as a first time
mum – I thoroughly enjoyed
attending.
The Living Well CancerInformation Service
Your service demonstrated efficiency and empathy to both my care needs and my financial entitlements. The information given to me at a crucial time helped to relieve some of the anxiety and mental shock I was experiencing during that initial period. Please accept my profound thanks.
Community Access TeamI would like to sincerely thank the
doctors, nurses and support workers
for their amazing support – I truly can
say that if I had not had the daily visits
from the team I know I would not be
here today as I genuinely had lost the
will to live. The support I received was
absolutely fantastic – please pass on
my sincere thanks to all the staff
who visited me.
Hearing Voices Group – Adult
Recovery Team
The information provided at this
group has been current and relevant.
The group has also been helpful with
coping strategies. Being with other
voice hearers has been life changing.
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RDaSH leading the way with care
Did you know that these services are available to the public too?
Sew & SewWe have an onsite sewing room for work for wards and departments, ordering/altering staff uniforms. We also provide this service to external customers. From curtain making/alterations, soft furnishings, embroidery, to garment repairs and alternations, why not contact them today for more information or a quote on 01302 796009.
The LaundryThe Tickhill Road Laundry offers a personal laundry washing and ironing service. Staff and the public can drop their dirty laundry with us and collect them with in two working days, clean and folded. We offer 48 hour turn around on a bag of 20 items for only £7.
For further information call us on 01302 796014. Or visit the laundry website for details and prices: http://www.thelaundryservice.org.uk
Print ServicesBased at Walnut Lodge at St Catherine’s, our in-house print service prides itself on quality and a quick turnaround. If you need any printing for business cards, invitations, flyers, greeting cards, calendars or catalogues, contact the team for a quote. We will price match any orders. If you require design services please contact the RDaSH Communications Department on 01302 798053.
Trust CateringVisit one of our three retail catering outlets on the Balby site. The Food and Drink Café is based on the Tickhill Road Hospital (TRH) site and serves hot and cold freshly produced meals and snacks. The Coffee Shop is based in the main entrance of TRH and serves a range of beverages and sandwiches. Or why not visit the Victorian Tea Room in St Catherine’s House for a speciality coffee and a slice of cake? While you are there you could pop into the Walled Garden Centre and take a browse in the gift shop and garden centre.
Warren NurseryThe Warren Nursery is a well-established, award winning 89 place nursery, which is open Monday to Friday between 7.30am to 5.30pm. We cater for children from four months to four years in two purpose-built buildings.
Our aim is to provide a safe, caring and nurturing environment for our children and strive to deliver an outstanding service to parents.
We offer affordable quality childcare with highly experienced staff, all qualified to a minimum of level 3. We also have an early years professional.
The Hutch The Hutch play scheme is a 40-place holiday play scheme, operating during Doncaster school holidays, from 7.30am to 5.30pm.
We cater for up to 40 children aged from four years (in full-time education) to 12 years, in a newly refurbished building.
We offer affordable quality childcare with our dedicated team of play leaders and assistants, boasting a wide range of skills to help devise activities to entertain our children - from arts and crafts and sport, to cookery and days out - all in the care of qualified and caring staff.For more information about the Warren Nursery and the Hutch Playsheme visit:www.thewarrennursery.org
services
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Trust services for all...
If you would like a copy of Trust Matters in large print, braille, on audiotape or in an alternative language please
contact The Communications Team on 01302 796204.