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  • Supporting healthier futures: pregnant women and families urged to quit smoking during pregnancy

    by Gabrielle Landemoo | Jan 24, 2025

    We’re here to help parents-to-be and families take a big step toward a healthier future. Smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health risks for both mums and babies, including complications during pregnancy, low birth weight, and an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). That’s why we’ve launched a new campaign to provide support, information, and resources to help mums quit smoking.

    We know you want the best for your baby. Stopping smoking is another step you can take in keeping you both healthy. Speak to your health visiting team today!

    Quitting smoking during pregnancy has incredible benefits - not just for your baby’s health, but for your wellbeing too. It can improve your energy levels, reduce stress, and even help save money for the things that matter most.

    Kate Howard, Chief Nurse, said:

    "Quitting smoking is one of the most important things a mother can do to protect her health and her baby’s health. It helps keep the baby safe and healthy and gives them the best possible start in life. We know giving up smoking can be hard, but through our campaign we will be highlighting how you can get help and support to give up for good.

    “By avoiding smoking – both during pregnancy and around young children – you can build a healthier future for yourself and your children. Make today the day you change their lives for the better."

    Our ‘smoking in pregnancy’ campaign is designed to offer you the guidance you need to take that first step, including tips for quitting and information on where to get further help.

    You’ll find all the details on our dedicated webpages and social media pages, where we’ve made it easy to access trusted advice and local resources. Whether you’re ready to quit now or just want to learn more, we’re here to support you.

    Web links:

    Norfolk and Waveney

    Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

    Bedfordshire and Luton

    Social media links:

    Norfolk and Waveney

    Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

    Bedfordshire and Luton


    If you are a health or educational professional and would like us to send you the ‘smoking in pregnancy toolkit’ please email justine.maher2@nhs.net

    It’s never too late to quit smoking. We’re here to support you and your family


  • Trust Board Public Meeting – 29 January 2025

    by Sarah Turner | Jan 23, 2025

    A set of papers for the board meeting has been published on our website here. If you would like to join this meeting, please do email ccs.trustsecretary@nhs.net who can provide you with further details. Whilst this is a meeting held in public, rather than a public meeting, there is usually an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions at the end of each meeting.

    In addition, members of the public can submit any questions to the board for consideration by emailing ccs.trustsecretary@nhs.net - please keep questions brief and to the point, and use ‘Trust Board Meeting Question’ in the subject heading of your email. Responses will either be posted on the Trust’s board meeting webpage following the meeting or can be found in the minutes published in due course.

  • New Group Board announced

    by Sarah Turner | Dec 16, 2024

    From 1 April 2025, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust are coming together as a specialist community health and care group.

    Members of the new Group Board are now confirmed.

    Lynda Thomas CBE - Chair

    Graham Nice – Non-Executive Director

    Catherine Dugmore – Non-Executive Director

    John Kennedy – Non-Executive Director

    Njoki Yaxley – Non-Executive Director

    Anna Gill OBE – Non-Executive Director

    David Crawford – Non-Executive Director

    Steven Crowe – Non-Executive Director

    Matthew Winn - Chief Executive Officer

    Dr Caroline Kavanagh - Chief Medical Officer

    Kate Howard - Chief Nurse and AHP Officer

    Anita Pisani - Chief People Officer and Deputy Chief Executive

    Laura Clear - Director of Strategy and Transformation

    Rachel Hawkins - Director of Corporate Affairs

    The new group is interviewing for a Chief Information Officer this month and will be advertising for a Chief Finance and Resources Officer in the new year.

    Lynda Thomas, Chair of the new Group Board, said: “I am delighted to announce our new Group Board members. Together they bring tremendous skills, experience and knowledge of our communities and a passion for improving community health and care across our region.

    “I am confident that together we can do even more to improve care and to support our communities and our staff, whilst making our services stronger and more resilient.”

    The new Board members will formally start their roles on 1 April 2025 and we will hold our first group Board meeting in April 2025.

    New team brings significant experience from both Trusts

    Matthew Winn and Dr Caroline Kavanagh already work in a joint capacity across the two Trusts. Lynda Thomas, Laura Clear, Graham Nice, John Kennedy, Njoki Yaxley, David Crawford and Steven Crowe are currently on the Board of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, and Anita Pisani, Kate Howard, Rachel Hawkins, Anna Gill and Catherine Dugmore are on the Board of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.

    New Group Board 1

  • Trust Board Public Meeting - 20 November 2024

    by Sarah Turner | Nov 18, 2024

    A set of papers for the board meeting has been published on our website here. If you would like to join this meeting, please do email ccs.trustsecretary@nhs.net who can provide you with further details. Whilst this is a meeting held in public, rather than a public meeting, there is usually an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions at the end of each meeting.

    In addition, members of the public can submit any questions to the board for consideration by emailing ccs.trustsecretary@nhs.net - please keep questions brief and to the point, and use ‘Trust Board Meeting Question’ in the subject heading of your email. Responses will either be posted on the Trust’s board meeting webpage following the meeting or can be found in the minutes published in due course.

  • Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust Earns Carer Friendly Tick Award for Outstanding Commitment to Supporting Working Carers

    by Rachel Everett | Nov 07, 2024

    Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (CCS NHST) has been honoured with the prestigious Carer Friendly Tick award from Caring Together Charity, recognising its dedication to supporting staff with caring responsibilities through inclusive workplace initiatives and policies.

    The Carer Friendly Tick award acknowledges CCS NHST’s commitment to fostering a work environment that supports and values working carers. The award’s judging panel commended CCS NHST for its “exemplary” Employment Adjustments Passport, noting it as a model of best practice and “gold standard” support. Additionally, the Trust’s policies on paid carers leave and the formation of a Caring Responsibilities Network were highlighted as standout contributions to carer support within employment.

    Sharaon Lapao and Anita Pisani Carer Friendly Tick

    Established in September 2023, the  Caring Responsibilities Network is for those on maternity/paternity leave or who have parental responsibility roles as well as individuals who are working carers of loved ones or wish to act as allies. Its aim is to unite anyone with caring responsibilities across the trust and foster a supportive community and  dedicated space where colleagues can share their experiences, offer advice, and signpost to resources, strengthening a culture of inclusivity.

    Angela Hartley, Deputy Director of Workforce, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been awarded the Carer Friendly Tick award as it not only recognises our commitment to supporting our people to balance their professional roles with their personal caring responsibilities, it also reflects our dedication to fostering a compassionate and inclusive workplace culture.

    “We understand the unique challenges faced by staff who are also carers, and we are committed to providing them with the flexibility, understanding, and resources they need to thrive both at work and in their caregiving roles. Achieving this accreditation is a testament to our ongoing efforts to create a supportive environment where all staff feel valued and empowered.”

    Sharon Lapao, Advocate for the Caring Responsibilities Network, said: “I pursued the Carer Friendly Tick award because I truly felt CCS NHST deserved recognition for the supportive culture we’ve built for working carers. The understanding and flexibility I’ve experienced here, both from my team and my line managers, have empowered me to continue growing in my career. This support is something I haven’t encountered elsewhere, and it’s made all the difference.”

    Supporting carers in the workplace has become increasingly important, with at least one in seven workers balancing work and caring responsibilities. In fact, each day, 600 people are forced to leave their jobs due to these challenges. This award signals CCS NHST’s dedication to retaining and supporting these vital members of our  workforce

    For further information, please contact Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust’s Communications Team on 0300 555 6655 or email ccs.communications@nhs.net

    Pictured left to right:

    Sharon Lapao – Network Advocate for CCS NHST Caring Responsibilities Network

    Anita Pisani – Deputy Chief Executive CCS NHST

  • Community Diagnostic Centre brings state-of-the-art facilities closer to home

    by Sarah Turner | Nov 04, 2024

    Charlotte Cane, MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, joined patients and staff on 1 November to celebrate the official opening of the new Ely Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC).

    Situated at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely, the brand new state-of-the-art equipment and facilities will enable thousands of patients to quickly and efficiently access vital diagnostic services such as MRI and CT scans, without needing to travel to an acute hospital site such as Addenbrooke’s. This will reduce waiting times whilst easing the pressure on acute hospital services.

    CDC

    The Princess of Wales Hospital site, managed by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, brings together services from primary, secondary and community health care providers – from GP services through to specialist diagnostic and treatment services – right in the heart of the community.

    Ely CDC is one of two new centres managed by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), in close collaboration with partners across the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System. The Wisbech Community Diagnostics Centre opened in 2023 at North Cambridgeshire Hospital. The centres are playing a crucial role in speeding up the diagnosis of conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

    Services currently available at Ely CDC include fibroscan, CT, MRI, echocardiogram, phlebotomy, respiratory testing, ultrasound, X-Ray, and Cytosponge which is an innovative new test developed in Cambridge. The centre also provides pre-assessment appointments for patients undergoing surgical procedures.

    The CDC has opened opportunities for new ways of working to address health inequalities and streamline the patient journey to reduce the number of visits patients make. For example, new spirometry and breathlessness pathways coming to the CDCs have been developed to test lung function and detect conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart conditions as early and accurately as possible. The centre is enabling patient pathways to evolve and develop to meet the needs of the community.

    Dr Gary Howsam, Chief Clinical Improvement Officer at NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “This new Community Diagnostic Centre helps local people get the care they need, when they need it, closer to home. By offering crucial diagnostic tests in the community, the new centre offers people in and around Ely a more convenient way to get these tests done, all whilst supporting our hospital teams by freeing up additional time to look after patients in their care.”

    Charlotte Cane, MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, said “I’m delighted that Ely now has its own Community Diagnostic Centre. The availability of crucial tests like MRI and CT scans right here in our community will significantly cut down waiting times for diagnoses and reduce the need for patients to travel to Addenbrooke's. This is a great step forward in making healthcare more accessible for local residents.”

     


  • Appointments made to CCS and NCH&C joint Chair and Group CEO roles

    by Sarah Turner | Oct 03, 2024

    We are pleased to announce that Lynda Thomas has been appointed as the joint Chair of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (CCS) and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) from 1 April 2025. In the newly created joint role, Lynda will oversee the two community providers coming together to create a single specialist community health and care provider.

    Matthew Winn has been appointed as the permanent Chief Executive of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust with immediate effect, in addition to his role at Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and will be the Group Chief Executive going forward.

    Lynda has been Chair of NCH&C since February 2023. She joined the trust from Macmillan Cancer Support, where she became the charity’s first female Chief Executive in March 2015. In her 20 years at Macmillan, Lynda worked in a range of roles supporting people living with cancer and securing ground-breaking reforms in cancer care, support, and treatment.

    Lynda said of the appointments: “These are incredibly exciting times for CCS and NCH&C as we work towards becoming a community NHS group, and I am delighted to have been appointed to Chair both organisations from April. I am really looking forward to working with Matthew as joint CEO, and all of our brilliant staff to bring CCS and NCH&C together for the benefit of our local populations.” 

    Mary Elford, the current Chair at CCS, is stepping down from her role at the end of March 2025. Mary and Lynda will remain in their current roles chairing their respective trusts until 31 March 2025.

    Mary said: "These appointments are an exciting step towards bringing our organisations closer together and I know the new group will be in safe hands with Lynda as Chair and Matthew as CEO.

    "It has been a privilege and a joy to be Chair of CCS and I look forward to working with them both over the coming months as we continue to prepare our organisations for the future, building on the strong foundations we’ve already put in place."

    About Building Trust

    Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust are coming together and as a first step are creating a specialist community health and care group. Find out more on our ‘Building Trust’ microsite.

    MW and LT

  • Update for accessing Bedfordshire and Luton Community Health Services

    by Alex Keep | Sep 27, 2024

    Message for website

    Update for accessing Bedfordshire and Luton Community Health Services

    Following the significant rainfall throughout the night there are road closures across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to help deal with flooding. Our sites are currently unaffected, however we understand travelling around the region will be trickier. The latest flood updates can be found here:

    Please take extra care when travelling to appointments, allow extra travel time and plan alternative routes. If you are unable to attend, please contact us and your appointment can be rebooked.

    You can find contact details on your appointment letter or by visiting:

    Thank you

  • Trust board public meeting – 25 September 2024

    by Sarah Turner | Sep 19, 2024

    A set of papers for the board meeting have been published on our website here. Our Annual General Meeting is also being held on the same day. The annual report and accounts for 2023-24 can be found here.

    If you would like to join either of these meetings, please email ccs.trustsecretary@nhs.net who can provide you with further details. Whilst this is a meeting held in public, rather than a public meeting, there is usually an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions at the end of each meeting.

    In addition, members of the public can submit any questions to the board for consideration by emailing ccs.trustsecretary@nhs.net - please keep questions brief and to the point, and use ‘Trust Board Meeting Question’ in the subject heading of your email. Responses will either be posted on the Trust’s board meeting webpage following the meeting or can be found in the minutes published in due course.

  • Norfolk and Waveney’s protecting babies project shortlisted for a prestigious national health award

    by Monika Gaubyte | Aug 23, 2024

    A pioneering project in Norfolk and Waveney to protect children from harm has been shortlisted in the national HSJ Awards 2024 for its innovative partnership approach.

    The ‘Protecting Babies - All Babies Cry’ project was developed by Norfolk and Waveney Children and Young People’s Health Services in partnership with the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership and Norwich City Football Club and has been shortlisted for the reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children and young people award.

    The project focuses on the crucial first 1001 days of a baby’s life and how parents and caregivers can avoid causing unintentional harm. It emphasises that crying is a normal part of a baby’s communication and that while it can be challenging, there are effective strategies that can help to manage it. The initiative provides clear, accessible guidance on how to safely handle a crying baby, alongside practical advice for families and communities to safeguard children.

    The project highlights the strength of collaboration in producing meaningful, life-saving content, with players from Norwich City Football Club playing an important role by sharing their own stories about parenthood and the steps parents can take when things get difficult. This supported an important part of the project, showing the crucial role fathers have in keeping babies safe. The initiative encourages both parents to seek assistance when necessary, ensuring they can offer the best care for their child and safeguard them from harm.

    Lucy Parsons, Head of Safeguarding, and Steph Hambrook, Clinical Lead for Norfolk and Waveney Children and Young People’s Health Services, said: “We are immensely proud to be shortlisted for the reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children and young people award at the HSJ Awards 2024. Our collaboration is a great example of how powerful partnerships can be, allowing us to create meaningful content that shares important messages. This success wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable collaboration from partners across the Norfolk safeguarding system to bring these important messages to life.

    “This recognition is a powerful testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, especially in a year when the competition was so tough and there was an unprecedented number of outstanding entries from other deserving trusts and individuals.

    “Regardless of the outcome on the night, we already feel like winners for having reached this stage. We are incredibly proud to share our success with colleagues from across the sector and to showcase the impactful work and lessons we’ve gained through this essential project.”

    More than 1,350 entries were received for this year’s HSJ Awards. The high volume and exceptional quality of applications showcases the impressive levels of innovation and care continually being developed within the UK’s healthcare networks.

    Alastair McLellan, HSJ editor, said: “It always gives me great pleasure to congratulate our finalists at this stage of the judging process and this year is no exception as we acknowledge Norfolk and Waveney Children and Young People’s Services for being shortlisted in the category of the Reducing Inequalities and Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People Award.

    “However, it’s always important to remember that the HSJ Awards are not just a celebration of success stories but also a platform to shape the future of the NHS.

    “We can’t wait to welcome our finalists to the awards ceremony in November and to recognise and applaud such impressive achievements across the sector.”

    The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Evolution London on 21 November 2024.

    [END]

    For further information contact Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust’s Communications Team on 0300 555 6655 or email ccs.communications@nhs.net

    For more information/media enquiries relating to the 2024 HSJ awards, please contact Rebecca Bright on becky.bright@hsj.co.uk or call: 020 7608 9056.

    Notes for editors

    Norfolk and Waveney Children and Young People's Health Services provide lots of different types of health support and services for children, young people and their families. These include:

    • The Norfolk Healthy Child Programme
    • Norfolk and Waveney Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service
    • Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Support Teams (MHST)
    • Norfolk and Waveney Access to Mental Health services (0-25)

    Families and professionals can get in touch about any children or young people aged 0-19 (or aged up to 24 for those with an additional need or disability) by calling Just One Number: 0300 300 0123 or visit Just One Norfolk for online advice and support: www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk

    Follow us on Twitter: @norfolkcyp

    Follow us on Instagram: @norfolkcyp

    Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/NorfolkCYP/

    About the HSJ Awards

    The most coveted accolade in UK healthcare, the HSJ Awards is the largest annual benchmarking and recognition programme for the health sector. Over the last 40 years, the awards have been celebrating healthcare excellence through huge political, technological and financial challenges within the sector. Through a rigorous, fair and transparent judging process, the awards produce a roll call of the best organisations, teams and people in the NHS and the wider health sector.

    The full list of nominees for the 2024 HSJ Awards can be found at https://awards.hsj.co.uk/

    HSJ Awards

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