West Bridgford dementia information event a ‘huge success’

Over 100 people attended a dementia information event organised by Carefound Home Care, with over £300 raised for Rushcliffe Dementia Action Network (RDAN).

The team from Carefound Home Care in West Bridgford organised a dementia information event at Gamston Community Hall earlier this month in partnership with Rushcliffe Dementia Action Network (RDAN).

The event presented a relaxed opportunity for people to learn about local groups and organisations available to help people living with dementia and their carers.

Over 100 people attended on the day and there were stalls from a range of groups including Alzheimer’s Society, Bloomin Dementia, FarmEco, Flintham Museum, Forget Me Notts and Memory Lane Café. Information sessions were also provided by Actons Solicitors about Lasting Power of Attorney and by Alzheimer’s Society about their Dementia Friends programme.

Shelley Taylor, Recruitment & Community Manager at Carefound Home Care in West Bridgford, said: “At Carefound Home Care we’re passionate about supporting people to live well with dementia and being a member of RDAN is an important part of this. It was an absolute pleasure to arrange and be part of this event which gave RDAN the opportunity to showcase what it does best – providing information and resources to people living with dementia in Rushcliffe.”

“It was wonderful to see so many people attend and we were blown away by the generosity of some of our local businesses who donated raffle prizes.”

People at the event were able to enjoy a sing-along with Helen Tooth from The Joyful Jukebox who provides interactive music sessions and won the Rushcliffe Health and Wellbeing Award last year.

A raffle was also held with over £300 raised for RDAN, made possible by donations from local businesses including The Flower Room, Waterstones, Inspirations, Boots, M&S, The Goose at Gamston, Pets & Friends, and The Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club.

Gwynneth Owen, Project Lead for Rushcliffe Dementia Communication and Support Project, said: “The event was a huge success, not just because over £300 was raised for RDAN, but there were also lots of lovely networking and supportive conversations with local people affected by dementia who really enjoyed it.”

“I am immensely grateful to Shelley and the Carefound Home Care team for their vision and enthusiasm for making this event happen. Thank you also to the other RDAN members who baked cakes, set up stalls, served coffee and generally mucked in – I am so proud of our network!”

To find out more about RDAN or Carefound Home Care in West Bridgford and the home care services they offer please call 0115 7270941 or visit www.carefound.co.uk/west-bridgford.

Award-winning work of local health team recognised on the national stage

The Nottingham West Primary Care Network (PCN) Pharmacy Cardiology team shared their success story on the national stage at the recent NHS Confederation Primary Care Conference.

The conference, held in London, highlighted opportunities to really show what primary care can do if it is supported and empowered.

Beth Rushton, Senior Clinical Pharmacist and Clare Watson, Health Inequalities Lead, were asked to speak about the PCN’s award winning hypertension service as part of a session entitled Unlocking the potential: tackling local health inequalities through greater collaboration between general practice and community pharmacy. The session included a panel discussion chaired by Professor Bola Adebowale, National Lead for Health Inequalities. 

Clare explained that every three minutes someone, somewhere dies in the UK from a heart attack, stroke or other form of cardiovascular disease yet we know that these catastrophic illnesses are very preventable – not just through changes to lifestyle, but by treating high-risk conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol.  Broxtowe has a population of 114,600 people and is one of the most densely populated boroughs in the East Midlands, with 56% of the population being 65 years old or over and 19% of the population living with limiting long term illness.

The hypertension service is delivered through a pharmacy-led partnership across all 12 Broxtowe GP surgeries and a large number of community pharmacies. Clare said: “The small team has been working with patients who have a raised blood pressure in their medical record but who did not have a formal diagnosis of high blood pressure (known as hypertension). 

“The team offers further assessment through blood pressure monitoring at home or attending a community pharmacy to have a 24hour blood pressure monitoring completed. They then review the results, order any additional tests such as bloods, urine tests and heart monitor, and diagnose hypertension where appropriate. The team continue to care for diagnosed patients, signposting them to support services such as smoking cessation, weight management and social prescribing teams, they also prescribe and change medication as needed until their blood pressure BP is well controlled before handing back the care of the blood pressure to the GP.

“By helping people to better manage their blood pressure, we can reduce their likelihood of a stroke or heart attack.”

In the first twelve months of the service, the Pharmacy Cardiology team:

•           Reviewed more than 3,250 patient records

•           Achieved a 26% hypertension diagnosis rate

•           Freed up 3,103 general practice appointments.

Beth added: “The service not only helps to reduce heart attacks and strokes and the devastating impact these can have, this dedicated and specialist team is also freeing up thousands of general practice appointments so that GPs and other primary care staff can focus on patients who have more complex needs.

“If the programme was adopted nationally, it has the potential to prevent nearly 3,000 cardiac events in the UK over the next 3 years, freeing up almost 2 million GP appointments and saving the NHS £35.5m.”

The team won the 2023 PrescQipp awards ‘Integrated and joint working’ category and was also shortlisted in the National General Practice Awards in the ‘Clinical Improvement: Public Health and Prevention’ category.

Revolutionising menopause support in Rushcliffe

In Rushcliffe, they’re revolutionising the approach to menopause healthcare! The innovative initiative, involving GP-led group menopause consultations, with social prescribing support, has just concluded its pilot run with extraordinary success. 

The groups  were set up as a way to allow women more time to discuss these issues with GPs, and allow for the needs of people in the same situation to be met together.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Women participating in the programme report smoother access to GP advice, a profound sense of being heard, and a strong support network, alleviating the isolation often felt during menopause. Clinicians and patients alike applaud the efficiency and effectiveness of this approach.

South Notts News talked with Jackie, 59 who along with being a social prescriber, is also a participant in the group, and she shared more about why it is so fantastic, and what is involved.

Jackie joined the group not long after it started in Autumn last year, and hasn’t looked back.

“I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago, and I was put on HRT. I’d had night sweats and was struggling on three hours sleep, memory issues etc.  I just thought it was just a part of life but this group made me realise these were menopause symptoms, I’d never put the two together.”

“The group is absolutely fantastic, it makes you realise you are not on your own, what you are going through is perfectly normal and I have learnt so much from other people.

“GPs are there to advise on things we can do to help our symptoms, such as with diet and exercise, for example, where you can get natural oestrogen in your diet and what foods you can eat to get that, if that is the route you wanted to go down.

“If you did want to have medication the GPs go through choices, such as patches, gels, tablets and there are able to prescribe there and then, which is brilliant.”

The GPs are supported by social prescribers. They set up and facilitate the groups. They are also about to talk to participants about how they might be able to support with things such as anxiety, or if people are feeling isolated, and what help is available.

Jackie continued “Every woman I’ve spoken to at the group has been really positive and said this needs to be offered to all women. I would definitely recommend to anyone struggling, get yourself on to a group session. You find out so much and it’s a great support to meet others going through the same.”

Women can be referred to the group by staff at their GP practice, including the receptionists, GPs and nurses, so if this is something you think would benefit you then please speak to them about it.

How could advice on prescription help you?

Advice on prescription aims to improve mental health and wellbeing by supporting patients with non-medical issues that may impact their health. 

The team at Citizen’s Advice in Broxtowe can provide practical information, advice and ongoing support to patients who are experiencing problems such as housing, employment, welfare benefits, rising debts, money management and other practical matters. 

A carer recently needed support, and turned to his GP for help. His GP put him in touch with a social prescriber, which led him to the team at Citizen’s Advice.  Social prescribing aims to provide support that looks at you as a whole person, not just your physical or mental health needs. The support considers your physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. By helping you find solutions to the causes, such as support with housing, debts, finances or employment and by becoming more involved in your local community.

He is a full-time carer for his wife who suffers from severe Crohn’s disease and has had much of her bowel removed. Due to issues linked to her condition he has to shower her at least five times a day. She is depressed and has frequent suicidal ideation. Her sleep patterns are erratic and she must be watched whenever she is awake.

He is exhausted and sleep-deprived and now suffers stress and anxiety as well as some physical health problems. A social prescriber from a surgery in Broxtowe, sent him to Citizen’s Advice for help sorting out his benefits. His wife has applied for Limited Capability for Work benefits but he now has to also fill in a Universal Credit 50 form for himself and he had no idea where to start. An Early Intervention Worker at Citizen’s Advice Broxtowe, started by helping him fill in the UC50 form so he will now get £86.50 a week. Sally Bestwick, Operations Director at CA Broxtowe, part of CA Central Nottinghamshire said:

“He was under the impression that his wife’s Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim was for both him and his wife. I was able to advise him to make a separate PIP claim for himself, potentially bringing into the household an annual benefit of £8, 500.

“He is isolated as his wife’s mental health means that she won’t have any visitors to the house. We informed him about online support forums for carers such as, Carers UK www.carersuk.

“We have since helped him make a claim for Council Tax Rebate and collect all the proofs.

“He had been put off applying for a Blue Badge for his wife because of the cost of getting a GP letter as proof. We advised him that his wife will automatically qualify for a Blue badge once she is awarded enough mobility points on PIP.”

This is just one example of how advice on prescription can help someone struggling. This carer has faced a lot of challenges but the team at Citizen’s Advice have helped to make his life a little easier and helped him get the financial support he is entitled to which will reduce stress and anxiety and improve day to day life.

If you could benefit from this service please do speak to your GP or ask reception if they have a social prescriber at the practice.

Introducing South Notts PBP Convenor Paddy Tipping

Reflecting our commitment to partnership working and relationship building across South Nottinghamshire, we’re delighted to welcome Paddy Tipping to the South Nottinghamshire Place-Based Partnership leadership team.

Paddy took over as our Partnership’s Convenor in Autumn 2023 from Nottinghamshire Healthcare Chair, Paul Devlin. As an ex-MP and councillor, Paddy has a wealth of experience across the public sector in Nottinghamshire, with particular skills in building relationships and making change happen. He also has relationships across the patch, joking: “My grandkids take the mickey and say I’ve got a big Christmas list! But we are who we are.”

Paddy was MP for Sherwood from 1992 until 2010 and held roles such as Parliamentary Secretary for the Privy Council Office and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons under Tony Blair. He became Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012, holding the role until 2021, and is committed to public life, currently working a Board member at Nottinghamshire Healthcare and on the Board at Framework, the housing and homelessness charity.

Showing no signs of slowing down after a long and illustrious career, Paddy recently took over as our Partnership Convenor, a role that oversees the development of the Place-Based Partnership (PBP). His first reflections of how the partnership is developing have been positive, commenting: “There are some great really enthusiastic people working across the partnership and I’ve been really impressed by the commitment of the district and borough councils. They see this as a big opportunity and we need to listen to their agenda and be clear this isn’t just a health agenda but a common agenda we need to forge.”

On what attracted him to the role, Paddy said: “It fits in with everything I have done in my working life. I was a county councillor for a long time, a local MP for a long time, a government minister and then the Police and Crime Commissioner, so I’m used to partnership working. I used to work in the Cabinet Office, which co-ordinated teams across Government, and I think my strengths lie in building partnerships, sharing priorities and agreeing timetables so we can make a real difference. I have a wide range of skills but still have plenty to learn.

Paddy also has firm roots in the voluntary sector. As well as his work with Framework, he is also committed to the environment and has been involved in the development of the new health centres, such as Mary Potter.

A lot of his work has been connected to South Nottinghamshire, and he says: “I’ve been around a long time and know the area well. I’ve worked in Gedling before, in Rushcliffe, in Broxtowe and of course, when I was an MP, I had an office in Hucknall. It’s a familiar patch for me but clearly its challenging with four district and borough councils involved. I’ve been involved with Nottinghamshire County Council most of my working life and I’ll be encouraging them to be fully engaged with place.”

While acknowledging that these are tough times for many public sector organisations, Paddy believes that this might also be a real opportunity to think differently about how we approach and deliver services.

He says: “It’s easy to change when you have a growth budget, but nobody has a growth budget at the moment. So, if you want to do new things, and there are new things that we want to do, you have to make some judgments about priorities and think about what you might give up.

“More particularly, we could pool budgets to make a difference. For example, I’ve been working with a family where there are six different care workers, all wearing different hats, going in to help. Surely, we can do something about things like that, and integrated working gives us an opportunity to focus on that and how we can do things differently.

“There’s a tendency to drive change from the top down, but one of the really interesting things about the PBP is the opportunity to build from the bottom up. There may well be tension between what people say they want to do and what the commissioners want to do, but handling and managing those tensions is sensitive but not impossible.”

One of the aspects Paddy is particularly enjoying is getting out and about across the area. He’s been out and about across all our Integrated Neighbourhood Working towns – Arnold, Eastwood, Cotgrave and Hucknall – and says: “It’s great getting out there, talking to people on the ground and getting their views on what needs to be done.

“Building relationships online is difficult when you’re building from the bottom up, so actually getting out there and meeting people makes a real difference. Everywhere is making progress and they are all different areas and we need to celebrate that.

“It’s about learning from each other and there’s definitely the opportunity to do that. There’s the opportunity to look at what we do in South Notts and compare it to what’s happening in the City, which will be different, and it’s different in Mid Notts and Bassetlaw too. We need to talk to each other.”

And what are his ambitions for the next 12 months? He says: “I lecture at the university where I say in times of austerity there are two things you can do. You can either retreat into your bunker and do the statutory work, or you can say this is tough, we are all in a difficult position, we all want to do similar things, so let’s talk about how we can work together. How we can build strong partnerships, how can we notionally pool budgets, and what are the things we really want to do?

“When I used to work in the Cabinet Office we had a rule of three, which were the three things we really want to do. I’m slightly anxious that integrated work systems are trying to do too much and we need to focus on things that are achievable.

“So, in terms of my three, I would first look at how we can start to move some resources into primary and community care, starting with developing examples of good practice of where this is working.

“Secondly, we need to focus on prevention and working with our communities. This might mean challenging commissioners to think differently about their sense of direction and what they’re doing. I believe they are committed and are putting funding into preventative work, which is key as we transform communities.

“And finally, having a long-term interest in domiciliary care from my council days, we really need to get a handle on social care, the Cinderella service. Again, I think we can start small, look at examples of good practice and build on this.”

When he’s not working, Paddy likes to spend time with his five grandchildren, as well as being a keen walker. He’s president of the Ramblers Association and as a result (and we’re back to work again!), he’s particularly passionate about green social prescribing and has been impressed with Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s commitment to this.

It’s clear that Paddy has lots of ideas and is driven to supporting the partnership as we build from our communities up. We look forward to his leadership as we continue our journey.

‘Inspiring’ event on the health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability

Nearly 50 people attended an event focused on the health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability, which was described as ‘inspiring’, ‘’positive’ and ‘informative’.

The sharing event, held in Trowell, was hosted by Clare Watson, Health Inequalities Lead at Nottingham West Primary Care Network (PCN) and Chloe Corden, Active Lifestyles Manager at Liberty Leisure Limited (LLeisure). The aim was to share the learning from a year of prolonged listening at a series of health and wellbeing roadshows, to share actions already taken based on what they heard and to agree on ways to build on this work collectively.

The roadshows were funded by a grant of £2,000 from Health Innovation East Midlands to Nottingham West PCN to engage with people living locally who have learning disabilities – to see how local services could better support them to live more healthily.

The PCN, in partnership with LLeisure, has reached hundreds of people by holding six roadshows with patients with learning disabilities, their parents and carers alongside local partners from the health, care, leisure, and voluntary sector.

Sharing the learning

Clare and Chloe opened the event by explaining that there are unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes and life chances for people with a learning disability and that their access to services, experience and opportunities can all be improved.

Clare said: “We think big but we’re starting small. Each of us can make a difference. Through the roadshows, we wanted to improve outcomes and experience locally but we knew that we weren’t the right people to come up with solutions or even identify the problems. We needed to hear the voice of patients from the start.”

The roadshows were a great partnership success story. There were six events with 35 partners engaged. The roadshows were designed to be a fun, safe space to share voices and opinions.

General feedback was that people with learning disabilities want to be known, they want to be spoken to directly and involved in decision making that directly affects them, and that language is important – for example, one attendee said that people were ‘talking upside down language’ – where a negative result in health isn’t usually a bad thing but a positive result may be.

Chloe added that attendees said they want access to everyday activities, and that feeling safe is necessary for a positive experience. “The aim is to have adjustments put in place without needing to be asked and remembering that when we get the small things right, we really do make a difference.”

The roadshows also encouraged people to try out social and physical activities such as Nordic walking, tandem riding and Boccia – and sessions are being established locally to encourage people to get involved and benefit their physical and mental health.

Looking to the future

The attendees did some group work on the topics of health, education and training and physical activity, discussing the issues, barriers, solutions and who was best placed to lead on implementing specific changes. The feedback included:

Health

• Carers often worry about what will happen with their children when they are no longer here. Ideas included community and living networks where people can live independently surrounded by people who know what their needs are.
• Continue work on having a learning disability champion in every surgery.
  • Offer additional services such as a sensory clinic for giving vaccinations or diabetes checks in places where people feel comfortable, for example at a day service, and have a named person for patients with a learning disability in the GP surgery.

Education and training  

• Ensuring tier two Oliver McGowan training is fit for purpose and rolled out as widely as possible – not just in areas mandated, for example within Leisure, to reception staff and ‘gate keepers’ of community services.
• Have better access to adult learning
• CPR training
• Training in active listening
• Support employment by offering an experience of what it would be like to have a job and telling potential employers of costs covered by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Physical activity

• Enablement is key
• Leisure services are open to volunteering activities
• Consider offering people who enjoy physical activity the chance to be a buddy for someone with a learning disability
• Boccia can be played anywhere and training courses are available
• How can we encourage and embed physical activity in services, through the whole system.
• Mapping what is available, advocacy from GP practices by inviting patients to groups and opportunities.

PCN Clinical Director Ali Rounce thanked Clare and Chloe, saying “the energy, drive and passion you have are so evident, you give us hope and inspire us to make a difference. Thank you to everyone who came today for what they brought, building a greater understanding.”

Clare and Chloe also thanked the attendees and the partners in the roadshows from across Nottinghamshire, recognising that they would not have been a success without everyone’s support.

Explore free nature-based groups and activities with the Rushcliffe Big Green Book

The third edition of a directory that details nature-based activity providers and green spaces in Rushcliffe is now available to encourage more people to explore local nature and improve their mental and physical health.

The Rushcliffe Big Green Book gives a wealth of local contacts and information to help groups and individuals find great new health and wellbeing opportunities on their doorstep in the Borough.

To view the latest version, visit www.rushcliffehealth.org/green-book

It features a range of activities such as walking routes, cycling and exercise groups, coffee meetups, wildlife and environmental links, gardening, allotment, food sharing and leisure opportunities at local waterways, parks and open spaces.

There is also additional information on staying active, building strength and details on the health benefits of physical activity including improved sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress and more.

The concept is designed to be used by social prescribers and healthcare workers who want to find activities for their patients, as well as individuals who are looking for local community groups to get involved in.
  

It has been developed as part of the GreenSpace Green Social Prescribing Project that focuses on improving people’s mental health, in line with the national Green Social Prescribing initiative.

Green Social Prescribing provides a way of connecting people to nature-based activities and green groups, projects and schemes in their local community for support with health and wellbeing.

More here: Explore free nature-based groups and activities with the Rushcliffe Big Green Book – Rushcliffe Borough Council

Memory café supports patients with dementia, their carers and families

In Nottingham West, which includes Beeston, Stapleford and Eastwood, a local design team was formed in 2022 as part of the community care transformation programme. The team identified people living with dementia and their carers as a priority to look at providing them with further support.

The team was made up of partners across the area such as Community Health, Social care, The Alzheimer’s Society, Community and voluntary sector group and local citizens, but now is heavily driven by the local community and volunteers. The purpose was to improve access to services and identify gaps for those people living with dementia and their carers.

The memory café was started after Stapleford was identified as being the only one of the three neighbourhoods in Nottingham West Primary Care Network (PCN) without a memory café. The design team were approached by members of the community and worked together to get one up and running, so it has been a true co-produced piece of work.  

The café has proven to be really successful and well attended. It provides an opportunity to have a drink and a chat, play games and have a sing song with others in a similar situation which has proven to be a great support.

Here is what people have said about attending the café:

“I enjoy mixing up with people and having a sing-song. I still went when the weather was bad because I enjoy the company. I enjoy it with Renee” (Brenda, Person Living With Dementia)

“I am a British Army Veteran diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Being a regular helper and supporting my partner to care for her mum brings me enormous satisfaction. The Stapleford Memory Cafe is a wonderful place for people living with memory issues, their families, and volunteers to come together, socialise and share experiences. Everyone gets the rewards of being part of a caring community and having fun. The cafe is a bright and happy place to be”. (Kevin)

“I am so proud of being involved in setting up and running Stapleford Memory Cafe with other dedicated, passionate and positive local people. Previously, my mum who has Lewy Body Dementia and myself as her carer, felt so isolated and lonely, that it really affected our mental health. My mum used to cry a lot because she felt ‘so low’ and I’d cry behind her back because I felt ‘so upset for her’ and ‘all alone’ myself. Since developing the cafe, we have become part of a truly inspirational and supportive community, and we look forward to the fortnightly sessions and singing and games. More so, we look forward to chatting and having a laugh with others in a similar situation to ours. The cafe has really lifted mine and my mum’s spirits which has improved our mental health and confidence” (Steph)

If this sounds like something that would help you or your family then please do go along. It is held every other Wednesday at The Equalised Club, Albert Avenue, Stapleford, Nottingham, NG9 8ET. From 2pm – 3.30pm . All they ask is for a small donation. Please contact Jayne Daykin for more info: jayne.daykin@ntlworld.com or Mobile: 07796651950