Extra money to support communities in greatest need

Projects that support people with a higher level of health and care need are set to receive a funding boost.

The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System (ICS), a partnership of health and care organisations, has just approved £4.5m for projects across the city and county.

The Health Inequalities and Innovation Investment Fund was put in place to help provide resources to projects within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire which aim to reduce health inequalities* by finding new ways of working. Bids were received from over 100 projects and, following a competitive bidding round, nine fantastic projects have been selected to receive funding. The ICS will work with those who were not selected to find alternative sources of funding or to refine their proposals.

A key theme across many of these projects is using voices from the local communities impacted to help shape services, reduce barriers to access and in turn better meet the needs of the most at risk populations to help reduce health inequalities in the longer term.

Kathy McLean, Chair of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, said: “There is a huge difference between the life expectancy and quality of life of those people who live in the most deprived areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and those living in the most affluent areas. Other factors such as disability, employment status, housing and mental health can also play a part.

“This fund is aimed to help those people who are currently the most disadvantaged. By offering more personalised, targeted support, we can help to reduce some of those health inequalities and enable people to break that cycle of dependency and live healthier lives.”

Nine projects have been awarded money, including:

Family Mentor Scheme:

The first 1001 days of life is a period of rapid development which is crucial in laying the foundations for good health throughout life. Factors which can support a more positive first 1001 days can be harder for families living in more deprived areas, which can have an impact on health in later life.

The Family Mentor service, which is delivered by Small Steps Big Changes, supports families from pregnancy up to their child’s 4^th birthday. The service is delivered by a highly trained paid peer workforce who have experience of parenting via local voluntary and community sector providers. They work with families with a higher risk of poorer health outcomes by using a toolkit of evidence-based guidance to support the healthy development of babies and young children. The home visiting programme, Small Steps at Home provides regular visits for families up until their child’s first birthday, giving them the support and advice needed to give their babies the best start in life.  

The programme has been conceived and developed with parents and the local community. The service has been running in Aspley, Bulwell, Hyson Green and Arboretum, and St Ann’s and the Health Inequalities Fund will allow this to be extended even more families living in Nottingham. 

Supporting people with Severe Multiple Disadvantage (SMD)

People experiencing two or more issues including mental health issues, homelessness, offending and substance misuse are amongst the most vulnerable to poor health outcomes within our population. These are known as people with Severe Multiple Disadvantage (SMD). The challenges they face substantially increases their exposure to chronic health problems, a shortened healthy life expectancy, and significantly premature death.

The additional funding will help create a service that provides intensive support for people based on their individual needs. The service will be provided through one point of contact who can link the person into support from a variety of agencies and help maintain engagement with those services.

Part of the money will be spent on creating a clinical team for the county to support people with SMD. This team will provide time-limited specialist clinical provision to people who are alcohol dependent and not receiving treatment. It will also support people who are experiencing physical and mental health challenges as a result of homelessness or other issues. The team will proactively target people to help address physical health, mental health and drug and alcohol dependency problems at the same time.

Childhood obesity

There is a concerning rise in childhood obesity rates, particularly in low-income areas, which is more than double compared to affluent areas and is getting worse. Obesity in children can lead to health conditions in later life and the development of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes.

The funding will be spent on a service which will offer community-based personalised weight management support for children and young people who live in areas of deprivation. Services will be tailored around the needs of the young person and will empower them and their families with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their health. The service will address not only the physical aspects of obesity but also the psychological and emotional factors contributing to the issue.

Monthly shout out: DFN Project Search Supported Internships Programme

Congratulations to our monthly shout out, DFN Project Search Supported Internships Programme. The joint initiative brings together Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham University Hospitals and Nottingham College to support local young people with learning disabilities or difficulties to gain meaningful work experience.

The programme, designed by DFN Project Search, enables tutors and job coaches from Nottingham College to teach the interns about the world of work, and to support them to learn various tasks. The work experience placements are delivered at Nottingham University Hospitals, alongside the provision of a classroom for pre and post placement activities.

The work experience interns are based at City Hospital or QMC. They have access to learning from the tutors in a base room, then they attend placements for five days a week. The placements include food production, stores, and waste management.

90 per cent of last year’s cohort of interns has gone on to achieve paid employment locally, including many at Nottingham University Hospitals. Their new roles include administration, food service, pest control, and warehouse operatives. The programme also demonstrated improvements to the self-esteem, confidence and health of participants.

Michelle Place, Apprenticeships & Widening Participation Lead at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said, “We are delighted that DFN Project Search has been recognised by the Integrated Care System as a great example of a true partnership approach. The four partners all work closely to promote the success of the interns, and are always very happy when an intern gains employment”

Owen is one of the people who completed the 2021 scheme and has since secured a position in Pest Management at Nottingham University Hospitals. Owen said, “When I first started at the hospital in 2021, I had no social skills, no confidence and was mainly shy.

“But once I started working in the hospital working with Jamie (mentor) working at the stores, it gave me a boost of confidence. Not only that, but waking up the next morning being happy and looking forward coming to work.”

The project demonstrates the Integrated Care Strategy’s principles of equity in everything and integration by default, and works towards the strategic aims of tackling inequalities and supporting the broader and economic development of our communities.

Healthcare leaders across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire praise the ‘spirit of the NHS’ during 75th anniversary celebrations

Health leaders across the NHS in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have shared their reflections as the NHS celebrates 75 years.

The NHS was formed on 5 July 1947 and since its establishment, it has innovated and adapted to meet the needs of each generation. The NHS nationally treats more than a million people every day with health leaders praising staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making this possible.

As the NHS marks 75 years, it is a time to celebrate our people and look to a future where we continue to put patients first. To commemorate the 75^th anniversary, healthcare leaders from across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have shared their reflections.

Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “The 75th anniversary is the perfect time to look back and reflect on what has been achieved but it is also a chance to look forward and build on this work, and over the last few months that is exactly what we have been doing. We are developing a local NHS Joint Forward Plan which will set out how NHS core services will be recovered and made sustainable following the pandemic. Our aim is to work with our healthcare partners to follow a joint ambition to allow every person in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to enjoy their best possible health and wellbeing.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank our incredible NHS teams of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly with passion and resilience through the good and the bad. Their relentless efforts embody the true spirit of the NHS, and I am proud to be able to say I work alongside such talent and compassion. Finally, I also want to thank you, the public, for continuing to support your local NHS – we will always be here for you, your family, and loved ones in times of need.”

Anthony May OBE DL, Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), said: “The 75^th anniversary of the NHS provides the opportunity to reflect on past achievements, recognise where we are today, and to look ahead to the future. Since 1948, the NHS has supported many innovative research discoveries, from organ transplants to vaccination rollouts, national screening programmes, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and DNA mapping. The NHS has championed life-saving, evidence-based medicine and made huge strides in improving life expectancy.

“As the NHS reflects on what is needed to strive after the most turbulent time in its history, our People First report helps set the direction for NUH to do the same via a framework through which our three biggest barriers flow, recruitment and retention, and culture and leadership can be tackled.

“Despite our challenges, NUH does so many things well and it is humbling to be part of it. I want to thank all NUH colleagues, volunteers and our system partners past and present for everything you have done and continue to do for our local community.”

Paul Robinson, Chief Executive of Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: “Celebrating the 75^th Birthday of the NHS is really important. This day gives us the opportunity to celebrate the fact we have access to free healthcare provided by the dedicated and skilled NHS workforce, who do amazing things day in, day out. I’m so proud of every one of my colleagues and feel privileged to be a part of it all.” 

Ifti Majid, Chief Executive at Nottinghamshire Healthcare, said:

“It’s fantastic to be celebrating 75 years of the NHS with our colleagues, patients, carers, volunteers, partners and communities. The NHS is a big part of all our lives and at Nottinghamshire Healthcare our diverse workforce is proud and privileged to be part of this great healthcare system, providing expertise and skills caring for patients and their families.

“We’ve come a long way from the day the NHS was launched – a service which has always benefitted from staff from across the world, from the Windrush Generation of 1948 to today’s workforce.  And with ever advancing technology, research, and great opportunities to innovate and work closer with partners across health and care, together we look forward to shaping the health services of the future.”

Lou Bainbridge, Chief Executive of Nottingham CityCare CIC, said: “As the largest provider of NHS health community services, Nottingham CityCare plays a vital role in the local healthcare system to keep people well in the place they call home.

“Today, on the 75^th birthday of the NHS, we are celebrating our wonderful staff and the difference they make every day to the health and wellbeing our communities. We deliver a broad range of services to the people of Nottingham including urgent care, virtual wards, rehabilitation services, long-term conditions support, adult community and children’s (0-19 years) services, alongside specialist services such as palliative care and tissue viability. Our staff also work collaboratively with health and social care system partners and providers to deliver joined up care and an NHS fit for the future.

“I am proud of Nottingham CityCare’s staff and would like to thank them for the exceptional work they do to deliver excellent care.”

A group of 18 NHS staff members from across the system, including healthcare professionals, volunteers and staff network chairs, are joining other NHS staff, senior government and political leaders, health leaders and celebrities at a service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the NHS 75^th birthday.

Dr Lisa Ledger takes on ICS Chief Allied Health Professional project role

Dr Lisa Ledger started a 6 month secondment with the ICB in March of this year, in the project role of Chief Allied Health Professional (AHP) to scope AHP leadership across the system and make recommendations where AHP leadership should be positioned in order to achieve greatest impact.

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are the third largest workforce in the NHS comprising 14 distinct, registered professions. They deliver solution-focused, goal-centred interventions that empower and enable patients to maximise their independence and harness their potential. They work across organisational boundaries practising in most clinical pathways. Crucially, without AHPs, there would be no patient flow through the system, making them an essential part of the patient’s healthcare journey.

Dr Ledger is passionate about the importance of the project: “I have worked across healthcare, community services and private sector in a career spanning over 27 years, more recently in the HEI setting at the University of Derby.

“I am qualified Occupational Therapist, with a passion for person centred practice and to provide the highest quality alongside effective delivery. I have specialist research and clinical skills in pressure ulcer prevention, rehabilitation and long term conditions. I am a compassionate, inclusive leader and have involvement regionally and nationally in several research, workforce and transformation spaces.

“I feel extremely passionate about the AHP project role, as AHPs have a unique and critical role to play in enabling the ICS to achieve it’s strategic intentions around prevention, tackling health inequalities and integration. If you wish to find out more about the project, please do contact me on l.ledger@derby.ac.uk.”

Did you know? There are 14 Allied Health Professions (AHPs): art therapists, dramatherapists, music therapists, podiatrists, dietitians, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, osteopaths, prosthetists & orthotists, paramedics, physiotherapists, diagnostic radiographers, therapeutic radiographers, speech & language therapists.

Dementia Care Webinar – Shaping the future

Wednesday 17 May 1-2pm

Join us on MS Teams for a look at Dementia Care now and in the future.
We will be joined by Dr Jill Langridge, GP, Dr Ola Junaid, Psychiatrist, Dr Aamer Ali, Geriatrician and Tom Carter from the Alzheimer’s Society to discuss:

• Diagnosis, evidence based interventions and care for the future
• Young onset dementia, coexisting mental health and future medications
• Innovative work in the system, alongside resources and support services.

Click here to join the webinar

ICS Partners Assembly

Join us for our second Partners Assembly at MediCity, Beeston, NG90 6BH on Monday 15 May (10am – 1pm).

Our Integrated Care Strategy has now been launched and we want to explore how we can:

• involve more people in shaping health and care services in the future
• embed the Strategy within organisations
• all play our part in making the Strategy a reality.

We’re also focusing on sustainability and our marketplace will feature information about some of the initiatives underway across the Integrated Care System to reduce our carbon footprint and products from green providers. With this is mind and where possible please consider active travel options when making your way to the venue.  Walk, wheel, cycle or run are all forms of ‘Active Travel’. Active Travel simply means making journeys in physically active ways.

The event will offer an opportunity for you to network and make links with other organisations and representatives who are working to put the needs of our citizens at the heart of our Integrated Care System.