News

• MyDESMOND: a Digital Diabetes Programme launches for Adults with Type 2 diabetes

  by User Not Found | May 11, 2020

  During these unprecedented times when group based health education is not possible Luton Adult Services are now proud to offer adults with Type 2 diabetes, MyDESMOND (My Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed), a national online educational programme.

  With the latest figures in the UK showing that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubling in the last 20 years to 3.8 million recorded currently, and about 90% diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

  Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition which develops when the body still makes some insulin but it doesn’t work properly or production is reduced. Management of Type 2 diabetes varies from person to person; some through diet and lifestyle, and others through medication including insulin. 

  General practice data from 2016 - 2017 shows that 13,530 of those adults registered at a practice have a diagnosis of diabetes, amounting to 7.75% of the local population aged 17+, with great variance from practice to practice.

  Evidence shows that those with Type 2 diabetes who attend diabetes education have improved biomedical outcomes (such as HbA1c, weight, cholesterol and blood pressure), improvements in psychosocial outcomes (e.g. quality of life, depression, hypoglycaemia rates) and better behavioural outcomes suggesting that those that attend understand more about their diagnosis and therefore do more to improve their health and well-being.

  Luton Adult Services been offering access to DESMOND group education since 2010 and in the last year alone 724 patients with Type 2 diabetes have attended. To support this, and to increase access to information and support we are now proud to announce the launch of MyDESMOND to anyone with Type 2 diabetes across Luton.

  MyDESMOND*, developed by the Leicester Diabetes Centre, is an interactive digital programme with the following features:

  • Interactive learning and 8-weekly booster sessions to help increase knowledge and confidence about Type 2 diabetes through a range of videos, quizzes and educational materials
  • The ability to track activity levels and even link up to the Fitbit, GARMIN or Google Fit
  • Add weight, blood pressure, HbA1c, diet and cholesterol info to track progress and changes
  • Set daily and long-term goals
  • There’s the chance to compete with others in the MyDESMOND community on the global leader boards
  • Chat with members of the MyDESMOND community
  • Invite friends and family to join in as well through the ‘Buddies’ feature
  • Ask the Expert – connected to the multi-disciplinary team of the Leicester Diabetes Centre

  Fay Westwood – Diabetes Specialist Dietitian, said: “It is hoped that adding MyDESMOND to our portfolio of diabetes education for our patients will go a long way to making a positive difference to the lives of those with Type 2 diabetes. Especially during these uncertain times and when individuals are at home shielding or isolating by sharing clear and concise messages to encourage healthy living along with some innovative features such as the ‘buddies’ and education booster sessions, we hope that those with Type 2 diabetes will reap the benefits.”

  Feedback from people who have been using MyDESMOND from across the UK already has been positive; quotes and findings from a recent national survey by the Leicester Diabetes Centre include:

  “Interesting with great information I have found it very useful.”
  “MyDesmond has turned my life style around for the better.”
  “MyDesmond is an excellent reference to allow me to refresh my knowledge in my effort to self-manage my diabetes.”

  • 90% said the information in the site was ‘sufficiently detailed’
  • 83% agreed the ‘programme was easy to use’.
  • 84% agreed that they ‘enjoyed using this programme’.
  • 89% said that the information within the programme was valuable/extremely valuable.
  • 83% found the programme engaging
  • 86% said that they had a ‘better understanding of my condition’ as a result of using MyDESMOND
  • 62% reported they were more active and 77% changed their diet as a result of using MyDESMOND

  If you are interested in getting access to MyDESMOND, please contact the team on 0333 405 3185 or email:  ccs-tr.diabetesLuton@nhs.net

• COVID-19 Public Donations

  by Sarah Turner | Mar 31, 2020

  We’ve been contacted by several members of the public wishing to show their gratitude to our staff who are going above and beyond to ensure our patients and service users continue to receive high-quality care during this unprecedented time.
  
  If you’d like to make a donation to the Trust’s Charitable Funds, which enable us to support staff in a variety of ways, you can do so online via our JustGiving page here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cambridgeshirecommunityservicesnhstrust-charitablefunds-608 - thank you.

   

• Call for young people’s contributions for Bedfordshire and Luton ChatHealth competition

  by User Not Found | Mar 17, 2020

  EXTENDED DEADLINE - now 11 May 2020

  Are you aged 11-19 years and have a passion for design? Your local NHS needs you to help create our new promotional materials!

  ChatHealth is a health and wellbeing service for 11-19 year olds, which allows them to text the school nursing team for help and advice, and Luton and Bedfordshire Community Services are calling for young people’s help and skills to design our new ChatHealth poster.

  The winning entry will work with our communications team to finalise their design and get to see their poster appear all over the county, as well as win a competition prize of £50 vouchers (of your choice).

  The poster needs to be clear, bright, and eye catching and convey the following key information:

  • The ChatHealth contact number: 07507 331450 for Bedfordshire or 07520 616070 for Luton
  • That you will be texting your school nurse
  • That it is for young people
  • That it is confidential
  • Some examples of the areas of support, for example: healthy relationships, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing, sexual health, smoking, drugs, alcohol, and bullying 

  You can use shapes/symbols/imagery and it can be hand designed on paper (and scanned in) or in digital format. Please email your competition entry, along with your Name and School/College to ccs.communications@nhs.net by closing date 11 MAY 2020. The winning entry will be notified via email and their school on the 1st June 2020. 

  Please also share and display the Chathealth competition poster at school or any other relevant locations for young people. 

  Here are some examples of ChatHealth posters that have been used elsewhere in the country that can help inspire you:

   

  Find out more about ChatHealth in Luton here, and in Bedfordshire here.

• Olmo Lounge raises funds for local children’s charity

  by Kirstie Flack | Mar 16, 2020
  
  The wonderful staff from the Olmo Lounge in Huntingdon has raised nearly £1,000 for Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust’s charity, ‘dreamdrops.’
  
  The Olmo Lounge is a new neighbourhood café bar on Huntingdon High Street. The lounge is committed to engaging with the local community and as part of this they wanted to connect with a local charity, which strikes a chord with their team and customers, to support their efforts and raise funds.
  
  Kylie Knipp, General Manager said: “We wanted to raise money for a local charity and were keen to support dreamdrops, who are such a worthy children’s charity.
  
  “We raised the money by donating 50p from every burger and 10p from every coffee sold in the first month of trading. We had a great first month selling 2,576 coffees and 1,367 burgers!  We hope the money raised will benefit the charity and look forward to working with the charity in the future.”
  
  Anne-Marie Hamilton, Chairman of dreamdrops said: “We are so grateful to everyone at the Olmo Lounge, in particular Kylie, for raising such a large amount of money for our charity. We are thrilled that they chose dreamdrops and the money will be used to help support children and their families in the local community.”
  
  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: Kylie Knipp, General Manager of the Olmo Lounge and Anne-Marie Hamilton, Chairman of dreamdrops.
  

   

• Bedfordshire Community Health Services first in East of England to win Unicef UK Gold Award

  by User Not Found | Mar 03, 2020

  

  Health visitors from Bedfordshire Community Health Services are the first in the East of England to receive a Unicef UK gold award for their work.

  The service, which is part of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, is also one of only thirteen in England to receive the prestigious Unicef Achieving Sustainability (Gold) Award. It celebrates excellent and sustained practice in the support of infant feeding and parent-infant relationships. The service held a celebration even on 27 February, attended by staff, volunteers, partners and local MP Mohammed Yasin.

  Sarah Pickford, Baby Friendly Lead, said: “Staff and volunteers work so hard to support mums and babies and promote breastfeeding, and it’s wonderful to see their commitment recognised with a Gold Award. We’re incredibly proud of the support we’re able to offer mums in Bedfordshire, and determined to build on our success too.”

  A range of initiatives  are available in Bedfordshire to support breastfeeding, from the Baby Brasseries support groups, to the breastfeeding peer supporter scheme, to the #FreeToFeed campaign promoting breastfeeding when out and about.

  Sue Ashmore, Director of the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative said, “We’re very pleased to present the Gold Award to Bedfordshire Community Services in light of their high standards, clear vision and strong leadership when it comes to improving outcomes for babies, mothers and families. We congratulate all staff involved and are looking forward to seeing what they achieve next.”

  The award is the latest step in Bedfordshire’s Baby Friendly journey, which started in 2009 when they registered and received their first full accreditation by Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative in 2013. However, the service will not be resting on its laurels, with the breastfeeding peer support volunteers and Baby Brasseries going strong, and expansions planned for the #FreeToFeed campaign.

  From improving infant and maternal health to supporting a strong relationship between mother and baby, breastfeeding has been proven to have a huge range of benefits. Mums in Bedfordshire can find out all about the breastfeeding support services available to them on our website here: https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/Bedfordshire/baby-friendly

• Staff rate NHS community Trust best in the country

  by Sarah Turner | Feb 18, 2020

  Staff from Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which delivers services across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk, have rated the Trust the best in the country.

  Matthew Winn, Chief Executive explained:

  “Today, the 2019 national NHS staff survey results have been published.  For the fourth year in a row, we have been rated best in the country compared to our peer organisations in 8 of the 11 themes.  This is due to the fabulous culture we have created with our dedicated staff across the whole organisation.  In the remaining three areas, we were also rated above the national average. 

  “Coming hot on the heels of the Care Quality Commission rating the Trust Outstanding in 2019, this news reflects the amazing commitment of our staff to both their colleagues and service users.  I am incredibly proud to lead such an innovative and passionate workforce.

  “Of course we are not complacent and we will continue to build on these fantastic results in future years.”

  1334 members of staff completed the survey (a 60% response rate compared to a national average of 58%). The 8 themes where the Trust was rated ‘best in the country’ compared to comparator community organisations were:

  • Health and wellbeing of staff
  • Support from immediate managers
  • Morale of staff
  • Safe environment from bullying and harassment
  • Safe environment from violence
  • Safety culture
  • Staff engagement
  • Team working

  The 3 themes where the Trust was rated ‘above average’ compared to community trust peers were:

  • Quality of care
  • Equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Quality of appraisals

  For further information please contact: Karen Mason, Head of Communications, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust on 07754 885331.

  Notes for editors

  Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust provides the following extensive portfolio of services:

  • a range of children’s services to children, young people and families (Cambridgeshire and Norfolk)
  • school age immunisation programme (Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk)
  • iCaSH: Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health Services (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Peterborough, Suffolk and, from April 2020, Milton Keynes)
  • dental services (Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Suffolk)
  • musculo-skeletal services and pelvic health physiotherapy services (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough)
  • the Oliver Zangwill Centre for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation and the Evelyn Community Head Injury Service
  • Children and Adults’ Community Health services for the residents of Luton
  • Children and Adults’ Community Health services for the residents of Bedfordshire are provided in partnership with East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT).

  http://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk

  Follow us on Twitter: @ccs_nhst              Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/CCSNHST 

• National Data Opt-Out

  by Sarah Turner | Feb 17, 2020

  Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning. You can choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You can also make a choice for someone else like your children under the age of 13. Your choice will only apply to the health and care system in England. This does not apply to health or care services accessed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. 

  What is the Opt–Out?
  
  The National Opt–Out was introduced in May 2018 by the NHS. It gives everyone the chance to exercise their right to choose how their data is used for any purpose outside the process of actual treatment. This means it applies to use of your data for “secondary purpose”, usually related to research or planning. The Opt-Out gives effect to the right set out in the NHS Constitution to “request that your confidential information is not used beyond your own care and treatment”. 
  
  What can I choose?
  
  The National Data Opt-Out allows people to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning purposes. 
  
  The NHS defines confidential patient data as information which identifies you and says something about your health, care or treatment. Information that only identifies you, such as your name and address is not confidential patient information and may still be used. As an example, sending an NHS questionnaire out to a random sample of the public would need to use names and addresses, but would NOT be seen as a use of confidential patient information.
  
  However, sending a questionnaire out to patients with a previous diagnosis of a particular condition would be seen as using confidential patient information as it would only go to people who were known to have had that diagnosis.
  
  Where can I find out more information?
  
  More information about this scheme and how to exercise your rights can be found at: www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.
  
  The Trust’s placed notices at all our services to alert patients to the Opt–Out option for the use of their data for secondary care. . 
  
  Are there areas where the National Data Opt-Out doesn’t apply?

  There is a full list of circumstances where the National Data Opt-Out currently does not apply and where your confidential patient information will still be used. Opting out will not apply:
  
  • where the information is used for purposes relating to your individual care
  • where the confidential patient information does not contain your NHS number
  • if obtaining the number would involve disproportionate effort
  • if you have given consent for your data to be used for a specific reason, such as a medical research study
  • where data is anonymised which means you cannot be identified from the information
  • to national patient experience surveys sent out before April 2019
  • to data shared with Public Health England for the National Cancer Registration Service and National Congenital Anomalies and Rare Diseases Registration Service.
  
  

  
  

• New Chair brings wealth of expertise to NHS Community Trust

  by Sarah Turner | Feb 12, 2020

  Mary Elford has been appointed as Chair for Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which delivers services across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk. 

  Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust said:

  “We are delighted to welcome Mary to the Trust. Her ambition, warmth and passion for patient care embody the Trust’s values. Her extensive experience will be an invaluable asset to the Trust as it leads important integration work in the East of England for adults and children’s care.” 

  Ann Radmore, regional director for NHS England and NHS improvement East of England region said:

  “Excellent community care is at the heart of the NHS’s Long Term plan, and I am delighted that Mary is joining the Trust given her strong commitment to improving patient care. I know that she will work hard to ensure the trust continues to provide high quality services closer to people's homes to enable them to live healthier lives.”   

  Commenting on her appointment Mary said:

  “I am excited to join Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust at a time when community services nationally are beginning to receive the recognition and investment they so richly deserve.  I am passionate about ensuring service users and their families are involved in decisions about their own care and are engaged in developing services for the future.  I look forward to working with the excellent staff at the Trust to build on their Outstanding CQC rating.”

  Mary Elford is currently Vice-Chair of East London NHS Foundation Trust.  She is a member of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel for the NHS and the National Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards.  Mary’s commercial career was with the John Lewis Partnership, where she held a range of senior executive positions. 

  Mary’s appointment as the Chair of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust is for a three year tenure from 1 April 2020.  She will receive remuneration of £30,000 per annum.  Her appointment was made by NHS Improvement and is subject to the Governance Code for Public Appointments.  Mary has not declared any political activity in the last five years.   NHS Improvement ensures that all appointments to NHS trust boards throughout England are made in a way that is open, transparent and fair to candidates.  NHS Improvement routinely publishes information about all the appointments it makes on its website.

  
  
  

• Main reception line at Peacock Centre is working again

  by Sarah Turner | Feb 11, 2020

  We’re pleased to report that the main reception number at the Peacock Centre in Mill Road, Cambridge is now working again and apologise for any inconvenience you may have experienced yesterday while the line was down.

• Important Brookfields Site Travel Update

  by Monika Gaubyte | Dec 04, 2019
  Due to road closures 9am – 6pm in and around Mill Road tomorrow (Thursday), access to the Brookfields site will be affected/restricted. Patients with appointments with Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust services have been (or will be) contacted with advice or alternative arrangements.