Monthly archives: December 2019

Unity – Arriving patients in outpatient clinics

A quick reference guide showing the process colleagues should follow to check and update patients as having arrived in clinic is now available on the following link.

CD57 How to Check & Update Patient Status in Outpatients

Colleagues are reminded to review the guide and ensure patients are checked in appropriately to prevent unnecessary delays in treatment.

Heartbeat: World of Work to give opportunities for unemployed

World of Work (WoW), a unique work experience placement programme designed and funded for job seekers and unemployed people aged 25 plus is now being delivered by our organisation thanks to a successful bid made through Birmingham City Council.

To be eligible for the scheme individuals need to meet the referral criteria and live within the Birmingham and Solihull catchment area. Led by Liza Gill, Volunteer Service Manager, the programme aims to attract 150 unemployed or job-seeking residents. Over a year they will be separated into five groups. Each cohort will attend an eight-week training programme. Over that time they’ll be upskilled to help them approach the world of work with confidence.

Launched on 4 November, so far 16 people have enrolled in the first training programme. They will benefit from a thorough induction, a work experience placement as well as interview and CV workshops. There will also be the opportunity to benefit from further education, training or to even join an apprenticeship.

There’s even the possibility of joining our inhouse Trust Bank agency. Everything has been planned to help attendees apply for future job roles.

An innovative project steering group has been formed by Eddie Edmead, Major Grants Manager for Your Trust Charity and incorporates several representatives from key departments around our organisation. Eddie led the way securing funds for this project, working closely with Birmingham City Council, Department of Works and Pensions and the European Social Fund.

He also ran one of the very first sessions and said: “We are enthusiastic about this new and exciting venture. We’re looking forward to achieving some great outcomes with the work placements within our Trust, as well as potentially with partnership service providers.”

Liza Gill, Volunteer Service Manager, added: “We’re thrilled to see this programme launch. A lot of hard work has gone into it from all involved. We’ve got a comprehensive training plan in place for all attendees. We’ll also be offering tailored support throughout to help achieve the best outcomes.”

If you’d like any further information about WoW, please contact Liza Gill on 0121 5074891.

Safe and well checks – do you know about referring your patients?

Safe and well visits are an initiative carried out by West Midlands Fire Service. The safe and well visits are open to all although we prioritise those most vulnerable and at risk, they are also completely free of charge. There is no criteria for the service  it is for any patient that we feel would benefit from a ‘safe and well check’.  We can also refer patients who are bed bound, reduced mobility or limited to the upstairs of their property in order for the fire service to flag them on their system as at risk if a fire breaks out in their property.

We are now partnering with the fire service with this service and have a referral form that is linked to our trust and the aim is to increase the number of people we are referring to the service in order to ensure that our patients are receiving all the possible support they can when returning home.

The visits are carried out by operational firefighters, based at 38 community fire stations, and usually take around an hour. They will aim to complete these checks within 72 hours of discharge. Possible indications for referral on include but not limited to:

• Smoking, alcohol, medication and drugs
• Mental health
• Cognitive, visual or sensory impairments
• Mobility including slips, trips and falls
• Hoarding
• Loneliness and social isolation
• Healthy eating and lifestyle
• Home security/fire checks/monoxide detector and alarm fitting
• Road safety

A handbook complements the visits, providing vital fire safety information, general safety and health or wellbeing advice. A copy is left with the household, along with information on any actions or referrals/signposting made by the visiting crew. Further information can be found by clicking here.

In order to complete a referral you just need to complete the form below with all the relevant information and email to westmidlands.fireservice@nhs.net.

Safe well form

For more information please contact jannine.hall@nhs.net.

Introduction to Mindfulness

Does it ever feel like your mind is constantly full of worries of the future, or concerns of the past?

Mindfulness is a relaxation and coping strategy centred on bringing our attention back to our thoughts, feelings and sensations in the present moment in a non-judgemental way. Mindfulness is an effective way of managing feelings of anxiety, stress, depression and low mood. This is a three hour workshop which will help you understand and implement the mindfulness practice.

Date: Thursday 9 January

Venue: The Berridge Room, Courtyard Gardens, Sandwell Hospital

Time: 10am – 1pm

Note: Future dates and alternative venues are available for all sessions.

For bookings and information please contact Jatinder Sekhon or Emma Williams on ext. 3306.

50 per cent discount at YO! Sushi

UK sushi bar chain YO! Sushi are offering up to 50 percent discount at their restaurants to NHS colleagues and blue card holders.

The offer will run during 20 December – 31 December and is available to use on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Note: In order to receive the discount, please visit the Blue Light website to secure a discount code.

For more details regarding staff benefits across the Trust, please contact amir.ali1@nhs.net.

Mandatory facilitated e-learning training in January

We will be hosting the below mandatory e-learning training on the following dates:

• Thursday 9 January – Education Centre, Sandwell
• Friday 10 January – D46, Sheldon Block, City
•  Friday 17 January – Education Centre, Sandwell
• Thursday 30 January – D46, Sheldon Block, City

Note: No prior booking necessary. For more information please contact karen.morsley@nhs.net.

Retirement Seminar

Are you thinking about retiring?  This seminar guides you through the financial complexities of retirement in a clear and jargon free presentation.  Whether you are planning to retire in the not too distant future or thinking about the best financial options for retirement at a later date this seminar covers: state pensions, NHS pensions, saving and investing, taxation, credit history, mortgage/remortgages, wills and inheritance tax, and how to get the best advice.  This seminar is available for all staff and there will be opportunity for questions and answers after the seminar.

Date: Wednesday 19 February
Venue: Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Postgraduate Centre, City Hospital
Time: 9am -1pm

A representative from the National Health Service Retirement Fellowship will also be giving a short presentation after the seminar.  This will be followed by a short talk from the volunteers service.

For bookings please contact Jatinder Sekhon on ext. 3306 opt. 4

Join in with Christmas Jumper Day

Get your silliest jumpers on and join in with Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 20 December to help raise money for Your Trust Charity.

Text YTCJUMPER to 70085 to donate £2

All proceeds go towards enhancing the experience of all people using our services including staff, patients and their families.

Other items such as Christmas tie/bowtie, hair accessories or socks can be worn – so no excuses.

Free rides for NHS colleagues during festive period

Travel can be tricky over the festive period which is why Uber are offering NHS colleagues discounted travel for up to £20 during Christmas.

For more information and to register, please click the link below:

https://www.uber.com/en-GB/blog/nhs2019/

Heartbeat: Volunteer who battled alcoholism is now helping other sufferers

A former alcoholic has told how she has become a volunteer at our Trust so she can help others in their journey to quitting booze. Rachel Bassett used to drink 12 pints of cider a day and found herself jobless and depressed. But after her referral to the alcohol team, she turned her life around. She now shares her experiences with patients who are seeking help.

Speaking during Alcohol Awareness Week she said: “My recovery has gone from strength to strength and I’m now doing something worthwhile.

“I’ve been there and I know how awful it is. To me, cider was my world. I’d drink up to 12 pints a day. I couldn’t function normally without a drink in my hand. I lost my job and I was housebound because it affected my health so much. I was diagnosed with malnutrition because I stopped eating and my weight dropped to six stone.

“Many patients who come into the clinic for treatment want to talk about what they are going through to someone who understands and I can relate to them. They can feel nervous and agitated. I can help calm their nerves by telling them what to expect.”

Rachel attends clinics each Monday and Tuesday at City Hospital where she speaks to new patients. “I’ve had some very positive feedback, with some patients asking if I will be there when they come for a follow-up appointment.”

As well as interacting with patients, Rachel has also been assisting the alcohol team at promotional events. “When I think back to my time as an alcoholic I would never have thought I’d be here volunteering and helping patients. I could barely walk, let alone talk during my darkest days. But I’m now able to offer my insight and advice to others going through a similar experience. I hope that it helps them in some way.”

Lead Alcohol Nurse, Arlene Copland said: “The feedback we’ve received from patients who have met and spoken to Rachel about their experiences has been positive. Rachel shows them that there is hope and that they can recover and go on to live a normal life.”