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  • ChatHealth is crowned national winners in the 2020 Nursing Times Awards

    by Monika Gaubyte | Dec 15, 2020

     

    Chathealth PR

     

    Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy Child Programme school nurses are joining in with the celebrations for the recent Nursing Times Award win for the innovative messaging service, ChatHealth, in the Nursing in Mental Health category.

    ChatHealth is a nationally recognised secure and confidential text messaging service which allows young people aged 11-19 years old to easily and anonymously get in touch with a healthcare professional for advice and support on a wide range of issues that matter to them. These include, healthy eating, emotional health, healthy relationships, drugs, smoking, growing up, sex and sleep.

    Since its initial launch, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy Child Programme were one of the early adopters of the service which gives young people in the area an invaluable opportunity to talk about issues and worries that are standing in the way of leading a happy and healthy life. ChatHealth has now been implemented by more than 50 NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations across many healthcare services.

    During the Covid-19 pandemic, access to face-to-face support has had to be limited, so having virtual access to healthcare has been extremely important in ensuring that young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have had the vital support they need in these challenging times.

    Since the beginning of the pandemic, ChatHealth text services have massively increased. Nationally, ChatHealth services have seen a 50% increase in young people seeking emotional health support. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ChatHealth service alone received 2,726 messages and completed 131 conversations with young people locally.

    Evidence has also shown that young people in particular like the fact that ChatHealth enables them to make discreet contact with health professionals ‘behind a screen’. The users from a recent digital focus group said:

    “They have really helped me a lot with my anger and they helped me today as well.

    "I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the help that I got from the group. I ended up getting a school counsellor and I am on a good path so far and I am fighting to keep it that way."

    Andrea Graves, service lead for the programme said: “We are delighted to be part of the ChatHealth journey, which is an integral part of the services that we offer. Through ChatHealth we ensure that we are reactive and accessible for young people and families in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who are in need of our support and this has been vital through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    Young People can send a message on 07480 635 443 Monday to Friday 9am-4pm to start a conversation with a ChatHealth nurse.

     

  • ‘Your NHS Needs You’: People across Norfolk and Waveney urged to join Covid Vaccine Team

    by Sarah Turner | Nov 24, 2020

    The NHS in Norfolk and Waveney is on the hunt for thousands of vaccinators and support staff to help protect millions of people from COVID-19 quickly when a safe and effective vaccine becomes available.

    By bolstering its workforce the NHS will be able to offer the public potentially life-saving protection from coronavirus in a range of locations, focusing on the most at-risk groups first, whilst at the same time keeping A&Es, elective surgery, GPs and community services going.

    Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (which is coordinating recruitment to Covid Vaccine Teams across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Waveney) said: “When we get a safe and effective vaccine, we are determined to deliver it to eligible people across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Waveney as quickly as possible.

    “But it’s also crucial that we keep vital services running at the same time, so we need local people to join our vaccination teams, either as vaccinators or support staff, or as volunteers.  Whether you are retired, furloughed or actively seeking a way back into work – we would love to hear from you.”

    “We’ll be offering posts on a flexible basis so that people can fit helping out around other work, caring and family responsibilities. So if you want to play your part in this historic effort, please find out more today; your NHS needs you.”

    Roles we are seeking to fill across Norfolk and Waveney include:

    • Clinical Operational Supervisors
    • Registered Practitioners
    • Immunisers
    • Front of house receptionists
    • Post-vaccination Observation Support Volunteers

    While we don’t expect a COVID-19 vaccine to be widely available until January 2021, some work could commence from December 2020. If December is too soon for you, don’t be put off – as the vaccination programme will run into the Spring.

    Parliament recently changed the law to allow a wider group of people to undertake training to deliver vaccines e.g. paramedics, physios, pharmacists, dental professionals, and healthcare scientists.  In all cases, appropriate training, supervision and PPE will be provided to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and our patients.

    Vaccinators and supporting staff and volunteers will potentially work across a range of different vaccine facilities, with local plans to be finalised when the details of approved vaccines are available and a decision on which groups should be the first to get it has been made by the Government.

    If you’re interested in opportunities available across Norfolk and Waveney, we’d love to hear from you.  You can find out more by:

     

  • ‘Your NHS Needs You’: People across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough urged to join Covid Vaccine Team

    by Sarah Turner | Nov 24, 2020

    The NHS in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is on the hunt for thousands of vaccinators and support staff to help protect millions of people from COVID-19 quickly when a safe and effective vaccine becomes available.

    By bolstering its workforce the NHS will be able to offer the public potentially life-saving protection from coronavirus in a range of locations, focusing on the most at-risk groups first, whilst at the same time keeping A&Es, elective surgery, GPs and community services going.

    Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (which is coordinating recruitment to Covid Vaccine Teams across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Waveney) said: “When we get a safe and effective vaccine, we are determined to deliver it to eligible people across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Waveney as quickly as possible.

    “But it’s also crucial that we keep vital services running at the same time, so we need local people to join our vaccination teams, either as vaccinators or support staff, or as volunteers.  Whether you are retired, furloughed or actively seeking a way back into work – we would love to hear from you.”

    “We’ll be offering posts on a flexible basis so that people can fit helping out around other work, caring and family responsibilities. So if you want to play your part in this historic effort, please find out more today; your NHS needs you.”

    Roles we are seeking to fill across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough include:

    • Clinical Operational Supervisors
    • Registered Practitioners
    • Immunisers
    • Front of house receptionists
    • Post-vaccination Observation Support Volunteers

    While we don’t expect a COVID-19 vaccine to be widely available until January 2021, some work could commence from December 2020. If December is too soon for you, don’t be put off as the vaccination programme will run into the Spring.

    Parliament recently changed the law to allow a wider group of people to undertake training to deliver vaccines e.g. paramedics, physios, pharmacists, dental professionals, and healthcare scientists.  In all cases, appropriate training, supervision and PPE will be provided to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and our patients.

    Vaccinators and supporting staff and volunteers will potentially work across a range of different vaccine facilities, with local plans to be finalised when the details of approved vaccines are available and a decision on which groups should be the first to get it has been made by the Government.

    If you’re interested in opportunities available across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, we’d love to hear from you.  You can find out more by:

  • NHS chiefs announce exciting plans for the future of the Princess of Wales hospital in Ely

    by Monika Gaubyte | Nov 23, 2020

    Outline Timescale of PoW

    A three year redevelopment of the Princess of Wales hospital site is planned which will see NHS and social care partners deliver more services for local residents from modern, fit for purpose buildings.

    Matthew Winn, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which owns the hospital site, explained:

    “NHS and social care partners who currently provide services on site are working together to ensure we are able to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population.  A planning application will be submitted in the New Year which will set out ambitious plans to modernise services and create facilities that will vastly improve the patient experience and the working environment for staff.  

    “Our shared proposals are in line with all the local NHS and Councils plans” added Mr Winn “and there has been a broad consensus of support for redevelopment of the hospital for several years from local commissioners and providers of services on site and other key stakeholders.”

    Our collective aim is to:

    • build brand new, modern premises to replace out-dated facilities (retaining the day surgery unit)
    • deliver more day surgery, outpatient, diagnostic and urgent (but not emergency) care services, closer to people’s homes. All current services will remain on the hospital site
    • provide more joined-up care across health and social care services, including for frail elderly people and those living with long term conditions
    • create more physical space to meet the needs of a growing population, reducing the need for people to travel to Cambridge for some services
    • build a new car park(no more than 4 levels) to address the lack of parking on site
    • harness digital technology to deliver modern healthcare including virtual consultations

    Partners are also exploring opportunities to use the site for other community priorities e.g. a care home to meet the needs of local residents.

    Commenting on the plans, Lucy Frazer MP for South East Cambridgeshire said:

    “Ensuring that first-class health services are available within close proximity is a critical local need. To ensure this, it is vital that we expand access to services to those in and around Ely, improving access to integrated services, including outpatient, diagnostic, and urgent care. I am extremely pleased that the Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and partners will soon be bringing forward their proposals for major upgrades at the Princess of Wales Hospital. I look forward to continuing to engage with local organisations as they develop their plans, and will make every effort to secure the necessary funding at a national level.”

    Covid-19 restrictions preclude local residents being invited to view initial plans face to face. However, people are encouraged to visit Cambridgeshire Community Services (CCS) NHS Trust’s website between 1-14 December to view a virtual exhibition and share their feedback prior to submission of the planning application.  Visit the CCS NHS Trust website here

    Two online virtual engagement events will be held to provide an opportunity for local residents to find out more and ask questions about the site redevelopment.  Information on the dates, times and details for accessing these online events will be available on the above website page from 1 December 2020.   

    Artist’s impressions of the site redevelopment

    Artist photo of PoW 1      Artist photo of PoW 2




  • Children's RR team announced as regional winners in NHS Parliamentary Awards

    by User Not Found | Nov 23, 2020
    Congratulations to our fabulous Children's Rapid Response team who have been chosen as regional champions in the Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award.

    The Luton & Bedfordshire Children’s Rapid Response Team was set up in April 2013 offering a model of closer to home services for children with acute health needs. The team has worked tirelessly at improving the patient journey and avoiding the need for attendance in the busy acute setting. The innovative approach that the team has taken in designing local urgent care protocols to keep children and young people in the community has significantly improved caring for children at home. By working alongside other colleagues and agencies the team’s approach offers services that are more convenient for people and reduces hospital admissions from GPs and A&E by facilitating advanced care in the community.

    Children's Rapid Response

     

    Nominated by Luton MP Rachel Hopkins, our champions will now vie with around 70 regional winners for a national award, which will be presented at a special ceremony in the Palace of Westminster in July 21.

    Well done to everyone involved.

  • Innovative project to help vulnerable elderly people wins prestigious award

    by User Not Found | Nov 19, 2020

    Award

    An innovative project, which helps nurses, GPs and social care staff identify frail, elderly people with long term conditions so that they can be treated and cared for at home has won a prestigious national award.

    Andy Boocock, Information Analyst with Luton Adult Community Health Services designed an easy to use interactive digital data dashboard for partners across health and social care as part of a wider programme of work to meet the challenges posed by the town’s growing elderly population. The tool allows elderly people to be identified, whether they are living in their own homes or care homes, so that health care plans can be put in place to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

    The Population Health Management Tool project won the Improving Care for Older People Award category of the HSJ Patient Safety Awards recognising its outstanding contribution to healthcare.

    The Luton Adult Community Health Services team – part of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust – were recognised for “their ambition, visionary spirit and the demonstrable positive impact that their project has had on patient and staff experiences within the health and social care sector.”

    Andy said: “This tool brings together the data from hospital and accident and emergency admissions of frail, elderly people over the age of 65 and presents it in such a way that it can be easily understood by those working in the health and social care sector. It is documented in one place so that everyone can use it and we can prioritise the health needs of elderly people.”

    The team works with partners in Luton and Dunstable Hospital, primary care, social care, ambulance service, mental health and voluntary sector and this tool helps them to provide joined-up care for the people they serve.

    GP Haydn Williams said: “This is an incredibly powerful tool. It helps us to organise our frailty clinics and to address the needs of our elderly patients before they get sick so that we can anticipate their health needs. 

    “During Covid, it has allowed GPs to very quickly identify those patients in care homes so that we can put care plans in place to help them should they get sick.”

    Pete Reeve, Service Director, Luton Adult Community Health Services added: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award. Although this award goes to CCS this is really a testament to the collaborative approach in the Luton system; colleagues from our Primary Care Networks have been instrumental to making this work. 

    “We know that elderly people who need medical help recover far quicker at home surrounded by their families and we work with our partners to make that possible. This tool helps us to identify those vulnerable elderly people who need our help and put in place care plans to prevent them having to go into hospital unnecessarily.”

    Luton CCG has been very supportive with this project, it’s forward thinking and innovative ethos have really driven forward innovation in Luton.

    Amanda Flower, Associate Director, BLMK CCGs said: “The relationships in Luton that allow collaborative pieces of work such as this to flourish have taken time to develop and are so important.  It’s great to be a part of it – we can really build on this.”

    The HSJ Awards judging panel said: “This is an excellent example of improving care for older people. Patients too often fall through the gaps and there often isn’t the technology to identify these patients. 

    “The population health tool is a great example of being able to identify patients early and put steps in place to prevent a deterioration of their condition. This is a truly responsive collaborative partnership approach to supporting older people with clear benefits applied during Covid-19.”

  • Virtual Board Meeting - 18th November 2020

    by Sarah Turner | Nov 12, 2020

    Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust board meeting on Wednesday 18th November, which was due to take place in public, is being held virtually.

    A set of papers for the board meeting has been published on our website here.

    There will be an option for members of the public to 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.

  • Wonderful generosity helping to support disadvantaged children in the community ​

    by Kirstie Flack | Oct 29, 2020

     

    Dreamdrops iPad DonationCambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust’s charity, Dreamdrops, has recently donated nine iPads and a laptop to the Huntingdonshire Community Group’s Covid-19 Response team to help disadvantaged children and young people in the community.

    The group`s founder Cllr Patrick Kadewere said “We are very grateful to the Dreamdrops charity for their generous donation, we have been working with many vulnerable families throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and a problem we found during school closures was a lack of access to technology.

    "This donation will assist local children to improve in their education and access their homework easier. We have liaised with Mr Bennet, Headteacher of St Peter's School in Huntingdon, who have identified students in need, for these iPads to be donated to.”

    Anne-Marie Hamilton, Chairman of Dreamdrops said: “This donation will help benefit local children and give them the lifeline they need to stay in touch and interact with their school, particularly if we have another local lockdown.  We cannot thank everyone enough for their kind generosity during such a difficult time.

    “A special thank you to Mick Marks and his team, I-Dash, Eaton Socon and Daniel Shortle, Lion’s Den Computers, St Neots for cleaning and refurbishing the iPads and laptop ready for children to use.”

    Mayor of Huntingdon Karl Webb joined representatives for Dreamdrops and Huntingdonshire Community Group for the handover of theses devices and said “Dreamdrops is my chosen charity for my Mayoral term. It is a real pleasure to work alongside Dreamdrops and Huntingdonshire Community Group`s Covid-19 Response team in supporting local families during these unprecedented times. My thanks go to the generous members of the public for donating these devices, you are truly amazing in your actions, a real example of community spirit.”

    For further information on how you can help raise funds for the charity please visit www.dreamdropschildrenscharity.org or email dreamdrops.dreamdrops@nhs.net.

     Photo L-R: Cllr Patrick Kadewere, Mike Andrews (vice-chairman of Dreamdrops), Christine Luckham (Dreamdrops Committee member), Karl Webb (Mayor of Huntingdon) and Mayoress of Huntingdon, Hilary Meers-Webb.

     

  • Luton MP visits community nursing teams after nominating them for national award

    by User Not Found | Oct 13, 2020

    Luton MP visits community nursing teams after nominating them for national award

    MP Rachel Hopkins Visits luton treatment centreLuton South MP, Rachel Hopkins visited the town’s community nursing teams on Friday (October 2) to find out more about their work and how they have adapted during the Covid 19 pandemic.
    Rachel met specialist nurses from Luton Children’s and Adults Community Health Services working as part of the adults’ TB team and children’s rapid response team. Her visit came after she nominated both teams for the annual Parliamentary Health Awards.
    Rachel said: “It was a pleasure to visit both teams and hear more about their vital work. I was impressed to see how well they are working in partnership with other organisations such as NHS 111 and the town’s homeless shelter to keep the people of Luton safe. I wish them every success in the Parliamentary Health Awards.”

    Rapid response nurses welcomed Rachel at their clinic at the Luton Treatment Centre where children are referred with potentially urgent conditions such as fever or head injury. The team was believed to be the first in the country to introduce direct referrals from NHS 111 for children under five in a bid to reduce hospital emergency attendance. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the service has been extended to cover children and young people up to the age of 16. The clinic now runs seven days a week and covers Luton, South Bedfordshire and villages in central Bedfordshire.

    During 2019, a total of 1,511 referrals were accepted by the team, 835 of which came from NHS 111. The service has successfully enabled 1297 children (86% of those referred) to avoid a trip to A&E, a hospital admission or a visit to their GP; improving accessibility for local families across the county.  

    Lynn Fanning, team lead said: “Our aim is to provide care for acutely unwell children in the community and keep them out of hospital. We are proud to share with Rachel all we have achieved in leading the way in children and young people’s services across Luton and parts of Bedfordshire. Visits like this are a great way to raise awareness of our service and how we work in collaboration with our children’s community teams, NHS 111, GPs, hospital colleagues in A&E and the paediatric assessment unit and the ambulance service.” 

    Rachel also met the adult nurses at the centre who work to control Tuberculosis and reduce the spread of infection in Luton. Their work has led to the number of cases of this life-threatening disease being halved in just six years. The nurses work in partnership with the local hospital, other authorities and the town’s homeless shelter. 

    Mike McMahon, clinical lead said: “It was lovely to meet Rachel today and to explain how we’re supporting people in Luton. TB is treatable but there is still so much stigma surrounding it, in fact it’s the biggest cause of death for women. It’s time to talk about it. 

    “In 2016 we became one of the first community-led services to pilot the national Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening Programme tracing those people who were at risk of developing the disease in the future. We focus on prevention as much as treatment here at the centre”.

    Luton Children’s and Adult Community Health Services are part of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and Matthew Winn, Chief Executive said: “We were delighted to welcome Rachel and thank her for nominating our teams for the Parliamentary Health Awards.

    “Both these teams have led on ground-breaking work in their fields and we are very proud of their achievements to date.”

     
  • Virtual Board Meeting and AGM - 16th September 2020

    by Sarah Turner | Sep 11, 2020

    Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust board meeting on Wednesday 16th September, which was due to take place in public, is being held virtually.

    A set of papers for the board meeting has been published on our website here.

    There will be an option for members of the public to 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.

    Our Annual General Meeting is also being held on Wednesday 16th September at 3.30pm and will be held virtually too.

    A set of papers for the AGM is available here and our Annual Report can be found on our website here.

    If you'd like to join the AGM virtually, please email ccs.communications@nhs.net.

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