Insights from local communities are helping to shape future health and care services
Health and care organisations are listening to local communities to help shape the way services are delivered.
The Integrated Care System, which is made up of health, care and voluntary organisations in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, has just published an Insight Report which shares some of the key findings from local work to listen to communities over the past year. This includes feedback from people who have been referred for diagnostic tests, insights from children and young people about what worries them the most and information from diabetic people about how they want to manage their condition.
The information is being used to shape local health and care services including tailoring how lung cancer checks are delivered where people live and supporting residents in rural farming communities to tackle the issues of loneliness and isolation linked to suicide. It will also be used to respond to the Government’s listening exercise on the future of the NHS as part of its 10 year plan.
Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “The Insight Report brings together some of the great work health, care and voluntary sector partners are doing to listen to local people about their experiences, challenges and what’s important to them. We use this information to influence the way we develop our priorities and deliver our services locally, and it will also be a key part of the feedback we provide to the Government about the future of the NHS.”
The Integrated Care System also launched an Insights Hub earlier this year which is a place where partners can share and search for information. This is helping to reduce duplication and build on the information that local people have already provided through events, surveys and other engagement work.
Seven projects and teams have been crowned winners in the Health and Care Awards 2024. The awards celebrate best practice in the health, care and voluntary sector in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
The awards ceremony was hosted by the Integrated Care System and took place at the John Fretwell Complex last night. A playlist of all the videos for the awards winners is available to watch on YouTube.
The category winners are:
Health inequalities award: Broxtowe Learning Disability Collaborative
Broxtowe Learning Disability Collaborative designed and implemented a series of Learning Disability Health and Wellbeing Roadshows aimed at improving the outcomes and experiences of people with learning disabilities.
The roadshows provided a safe space for people with learning disabilities to have their voices heard and to share their experiences about what matters to them. They also encouraged uptake of the annual learning disability review, raised awareness of the wider determinants of health and promoted a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
Social value award: Rhubarb Farm Team
Rhubarb Farm provides employment and training for people who face barriers, including people in addiction recovery or with criminal records.
They also run a community pantry offering nutritious and affordable food bags twice a week, helping to address food insecurity.
By going beyond standard service delivery and working closely with a diverse range of partners, Rhubarb Farm has created sustainable, impactful solutions that resonate deeply with those most in need.
Equity award: Swim Sista Swim
The Canal and River Trust’s Swim Sista Swim programme is helping black women in Nottingham overcome barriers to taking part in water-based wellbeing and sports activities. Swim Sista Swim is a 12-month programme consisting of a course delivered by black swimming instructors in a safe and welcoming environment in a leisure centre, followed by an introduction to paddle sports on Nottingham’s waterways. Workshops are also offered on hair care and free swim caps are offered that are larger than average swim caps and accommodate thicker, curlier hair.
Women reported of feeling more included in family and community activities and more likely to participate in water-based wellbeing activities that the Trust is offering as part of Nottingham & Nottinghamshire’s green social prescribing offer.
Value for money award: Acute Home Visiting Service for Mid Notts
Any housebound or care home patient requiring an acute same day visit from a GP is seen by a highly skilled and experienced Advanced Nurse Practitioner. They will be an independent prescriber, highly experienced in Primary Care with good skills and competencies in treating urgent conditions, including acute respiratory and cardiac conditions, saving GP time and reducing cost of delivering the care, reducing hospital conveyancing and emergency admissions.
Patients acutely unwell are seen quicker by the team, providing reassurance and treatment earlier than if waiting for a GP visit. Patient surveys feedback near 100% satisfaction and over 12 months more than 2,500 emergency admissions have been avoided, saving £3.375m in secondary care a year.
Partnership award: Men at the Edge
The MEN AT THE EDGE Project started four years ago in response to a high suicide rate in Worksop. The team restored a derelict site and began a project to create a safe space for men in any and of need. Sessions ran several mornings each week with another special morning for veterans, social evenings, men’s breakfast project, lifeline educational projects.
The EDGE is a place of safety, security, solace and support and the number of men accessing it has been growing week by week. The EDGE offers support before, during and after other interventions. People need the service to find a place they can belong and find ongoing care and support from people who care for the long term.
Best outcome award: Diabetes Transition and Young Person Service
The Diabetes Transition and Young Persons Service at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust has developed innovative support for young adults aged 18-25.
Multidisciplinary clinic appointments provide proactive, holistic care by destigmatising discussion about psychological issues. Pre-clinic questionnaires ensure appointments focus on the young adult’s own concerns.
The innovative approaches taken by the team have led to improved health, wellbeing, self-reliance and resilience in the patients.
Prevention award: Opportunistic Flu Vaccinations at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust
Like all vaccination uptake, flu is impacted by deprivation and ethnicity. Clinicians from the area discussed how they could offer flu vaccines on site at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust to improve equity of vaccination uptake.
The team created a daily data flow of all unvaccinated patients which was ‘matched’ with NUH outpatient data. Unvaccinated patients attending outpatients were texted, prior to their appointment, offering them a vaccination on site. The offer was also promoted via posters, leaflets and via consultations. In total 1249 people received a flu vaccination at NUH and 83% of those vaccinated were in the ‘at risk category’.
Dr Kathy McLean, Chair of the Integrated Care Partnership, said: “Congratulations to all our winners, who have demonstrated that partnership working is having a genuine impact on the people of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. I’ve been blown away by the quality of the entries we’ve received and it’s been fascinating to speak to so many people who are doing excellent work to help improve health and care for local people.”
Shortlist announced for Health and Care Awards 2024
Our panel of expert judges from across the system have now completed the shortlisting for this year’s Health and Care Awards. All shortlisted entries have now been contacted and invited to our awards ceremony on 6 November.
Dr Kathy McLean, Chair of the Integrated Care Board, said: “Thank you to everyone who entered our Health and Care Awards. Just like last year, we had a fantastic response and some incredibly high calibre entries demonstrating how they are making a real difference to the health and wellbeing of people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. I’m really looking forward to hearing more about the projects and people at our awards ceremony on 6 November.
“Those entries who didn’t make the shortlist should still feel incredibly proud of the fantastic work they are doing.”
The shortlisted nominees are:
Health Inequalities Award:
Broxtowe Learning Disability Collaborative
Targeted Lung Health Check Programme
The Pythian Club
Equity Award
Digital and Social Inclusion Co-ordinators
Swim Sista Swim
Early Intervention Speech and Language team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Value for Money
Nottingham University Hospitals Theatres HIT Lists and Robotic-Assisted Surgery Programme
Acute Home Visiting Service for Mid Notts
Advice On Prescription
Partnership Award
MEN AT THE EDGE
Nottinghamshire County Council Adult Social Care Commissioning Team and ADVIS in partnership with Nottinghamshire Deaf Society, NHFT Deaf MH Team and Deaf Co-production Group
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Universal Healthy Start Vitamin programme
Best Outcomes Award
Jane Ferreira: Waiting well, living well with MSK Together
Pharmacy Primary Prevention Service
Diabetes Transition and Young Persons’ Service
Prevention Award
Supported Independent Living Service
Opportunistic Flu Vaccinations at NUH
Healthy Little Minds
Social Value Award
Amy Roach
Rhubarb Farm
Macmillan Beyond Diagnosis Service
ICS transformation podcast
Dr Kathy McLean talks to senior leaders from the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System about the importance of lifting our gaze from day to day work and taking a more transformative approach.
The panel includes Anthony May (Chief Executive at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust), Melanie Williams (Corporate Director at Nottinghamshire County Council), Lucy Hubber (Director of Public Health for Nottingham) and Dr Stephen Shortt (Deputy Medical Director for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB).
Bassetlaw Place Based Partners stand together
Bassetlaw Place-Based Partners stand together in condemning the violence, threats, and racism we’ve witnessed across the nation this week.
Everyone, regardless of race, beliefs, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or background, deserves dignity and respect.
If you experience or witness a crime, including physical assault or verbal abuse, please report it immediately through the following options:
A message of solidarity from health and care leaders
The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire health and care system stand firmly against the violence, threats and racism we’ve seen over the past week.
Our health and care teams are made stronger by our diversity. Every individual – regardless of their race, beliefs, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or background – deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Discrimination of any kind is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. We encourage our health and care teams to report any forms of abuse through their usual channels. We are here to support you.
To anyone who is affected by the recent events, whether you are a colleague or a citizen, our message is simple: you are welcome and you are a valued member of our community.
Ashfield groups to benefit from new Community Hub
Community and voluntary groups in Ashfield will have a new space to meet, as the Ashfield Community Hub officially opened its doors today.
The Community Hub, which is free to use, is based in the Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Centre on Portland Street in Kirkby in Ashfield.
The work to refurbish the hub is part of an NHS Property Services programme to transform vacant spaces in health centres, GP practices and hospitals into areas that can be used by the community.
The ongoing costs for running the Community Hub will be funded by NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It will be managed by Mid Nottinghamshire Place Based Partnership, who will work with local groups and organisations to ensure the space is used effectively.
Dr Thilan Bartholomeuz, local GP and Clinical Director for Mid Nottinghamshire Place Based Partnership, said: “This is a fantastic new space which is free of charge for community and voluntary groups in Ashfield. Not only will this support existing groups in the area, but we also hope it will encourage others to think about setting up a new group or class. By having a great range of activities for local people, we can support them to stay active, well and connect to others in their local community.”
Adam Hill, Chair of Mid Nottinghamshire Place Based Partnership and Chief Executive of Mansfield District Council, said: “Thank you to all the partners who have been involved in bringing the Ashfield Hub to life. We are now working with organisations in Mid Nottinghamshire, such as Ashfield District Council, Ashfield Voluntary Action and Active Notts to make sure we utilise the space in the best possible way.”
Alasdair Ben Dixon, Partner, Collective Works said: “From the first consultations at Ashfield Community Hub we saw potential for social impact far beyond the centre itself. Our role was to engage with local support networks, negotiate with stakeholders, and envision a space that could comfortably accommodate this broad brief. We’re happy the finished hub is a calm and welcoming place and hope the flexibility we designed in allows for everything from one-on-one conversations, to digital skills training, textiles workshops, and even pilates classes. It’s a real community asset, which should support diverse local needs, and help people thrive.”
The Family Mentor service is a free service for families living in Nottingham. It is run by Small Steps Big Changes, which is hosted by Nottingham CityCare. Family Mentors are a highly trained paid peer workforce that deliver the Small Steps at Home programme of child development and preventative health support to parents of 0—4-year-olds.
Family Mentors are parents or grandparents from the communities they support who can give advice and support on lots of different topics. They can support the whole family adapt to life with a new baby. Their advice is based on the latest evidence in child development.
In our latest ICS podcast, Dr Kathy McLean (Chair of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board) chats to Donna Sherratt (Head of the Small Steps Big Changes Programme) and Rachel Mabbott (Family Mentor) about the Family Mentor Programme in Nottingham.
Monthly shout-out to the Community Matron team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust
Congratulations to the Community Matron team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust for winning this month’s shout-out.
The team works across Rushcliffe, Nottingham North and East and Nottingham West supporting older people living with moderate to very severe frailty. They help people to maintain their independence and remain in their chosen place of care. This improves the health outcomes of those living with frailty and allows for access to healthcare that would be difficult or impossible for this housebound population. Provision of expert, proactive case management prevents unnecessary hospital admissions, reduces attendance at A&E and allows patients to remain living independently in their own homes, which is what patients tells us they want.
The Community Matrons utilise a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment approach to their care delivery which includes tackling issues such as falls, polypharmacy, advanced care planning, social care, mental health, maximising long term condition control and social isolation. This proactive caseload management is achieved through successful liaison with social services and voluntary organisations and working closely with primary, mental health and secondary care.
The matrons are the lynch pin to co-ordinate all the services that a frail, older person may require, ensuring that services work together to achieve the patient’s goals. Working within a multi-disciplinary team, personalised care plans are discussed and evaluated in order to support a person’s health and social care needs. This illustrates the principles of prevention, equity and integration between health and social care.
Read about how they are making an impact on people’s lives:
Case study 1 “I will be 92 in June this year and I’m totally disabled with a rare form of myositis. My wife is nearly 85 and was registered as partially sighted some years ago, since then here eyesight has continued to deteriorate.
“I just came across the Matron Service when I was discharged from hospital late November 2022, I had been in hospital with pneumonia. The matron came to my home to see how I was coping. She gave me a thorough physical examination and gave me advice with coping with the after-effects of my condition. She spent an hour with me and I was very relieved that the health services were looking after me. She returned at about two weekly intervals on a further three sessions to see how I was coping.
“I value her services as she is readily available for a home visit and very knowledgeable, and has time to deal with any problems or queries I may have. If it wasn’t for this valuable service, I would be requesting a visit from a doctor who might not be able to spend so much time with me. I regard this service as vital for people in my situation.”
Case study 2 “We have had the wonderful Community Matron, visit us over the last four months and she has made such a difference in our lives. My husband has a lot of illnesses with his diabetes, heart failure, COPD and kidney problems it was all getting too much for both him and me. The matron came to see us and explained that she was wanting to support us in looking after his health and to try and improve things where we could.
“She took over two hours on our first appointment and we discussed everything, she examined him head to toe and then we discussed a plan of action. She also helped us with sorting hospital appointments and that was such a help. She asked me how I was and directed me to carer support if I wanted to have it.
“The matron has been a wonderful, caring, kind and compassionate nurse. She is always on the end of the phone if we need her and nothing is too much trouble. She has sorted issues with medications, she ensured that services linked together so my husband got things he needed and she reassured him. She really listens to us both.
“We have been able to plan for the future and make sure that his wishes are written down and that was really good and when she left my husband said he felt calmer and listened to. I can’t praise her enough really, she is a very special person with so much knowledge and expertise and I think she is a rare find in this NHS.”
Case study 3 “Our Community Matron supported us to navigate through a decline in health of my mother-in-law through Parkinson’s over the last year or so. The matron anticipated her care needs and worked with many stakeholders and services to secure the best possible care in a timely, caring and professional way.
“Our Matron always put the wishes and needs of our loved one first and gave them and us as her carers a voice and a path through the challenging months before her eventual passing in December. She took time to get to know our loved one, building a relationship with her, the carers and our family. This allowed her to understand patient need and advocate for this and it built a very high level of trust for us all. We felt so supported throughout, we didn’t even know what we needed or what was available, and the Matron was able to gently work through what was ahead and ensure documentation, drugs, support services were aligned. This relieved a huge stress on us as a busy family, we were prepared for next steps and when the end came it was exactly as our loved one wanted – to be at home and in no pain. This brought an enormous sense of comfort at a very difficult time.”
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