Work starts on improvements to specialist community mental health services for new and expectant mums

By Tim Readman | 12/03/2019 | Comments Off on Work starts on improvements to specialist community mental health services for new and expectant mums

Published on Oct 1, 2018

Mental health services for new and expectant mums in the Humber region and parts of Yorkshire are expanding this autumn using an NHS cash injection worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Having secured part of a £23 million NHS England grant earlier this year, the Humber Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership – an alliance of more than 20 healthcare organisations, Local Authorities and Voluntary Sector organisations – will work together to deliver perinatal mental health services across Hull, East Riding, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Scarborough and Ryedale, and York.

From 1 October, the services will extend to ensure women who experience complex mental health needs, as well as their families receive the support they need and have access to treatments at the earliest possible stage.

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust is strengthening its specialist community perinatal mental health services in Hull and East Riding, whilst working collaboratively with NAViGO and Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust to implement a new service for the North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire areas.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust will provide new, much needed community perinatal mental health services across the Vale of York and Scarborough.

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive and the Mental Health Partnership Lead, Michele Moran said: “We are delighted to have started work on improvements to a much needed service to the Yorkshire, Humber and North Lincolnshire regions.

“So many new and expectant mothers experience mental health problems and we’re proud to work with our partners to extend the perinatal service into underserved areas and hopefully help hundreds of women and their families.”

The funding granted is part of a £365 million plan to ensure 30,000 more women can access specialist perinatal services by 2021.

Michelle Thompson, Assistant Director for Women’s and Children’s services for North East Lincolnshire CCG and the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership Lead said: “Having a baby is a major life event for mums and dads, and it’s natural to experience a whole range of emotions and reactions during and after pregnancy.

“But if these problems start to have a big impact on day to day life, it might be a sign of a mental health problem and this service will provide some much needed specialist support for local families who are experiencing difficulties during or after the birth of their child.”

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New service provider for minor eye conditions in Scarborough and Ryedale

By Tim Readman | 12/03/2019 | Comments Off on New service provider for minor eye conditions in Scarborough and Ryedale

Published on Sep 26, 2018

A new service provider has been announced to deliver a Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) across Scarborough, Ryedale and the Vale of York.

Healthcare Business Solutions UK has been announced as the new provider as a result of a recent formal procurement process.

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be working with the new provider to help mobilise the new service beginning on 1 December 2018.

Both NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG and Vale of York CCG will deliver the MECS from community optician practices in their area meaning many patients will be seen closer to home rather than if they were referred into the hospital eye service.

The service will assess and treat a wide range of conditions, including: ocular pain and irritation, blurred vision, or flashes and floaters.

Scarborough Medical Group GP and NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Associate Chairman, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “When suffering from minor eye conditions it is important you are seen by the right healthcare professional depending on your condition, as well as being able to access the service closer to home and at a convenient time.

“The demand on GPs is currently very high and making sure patients are referred to the correct healthcare professional first time is only going to benefit local practices and hospital services.”

Patients will be seen by an optometrist with additional accreditation in minor eye conditions, within 24 or 48 hours depending of the urgency of the symptoms, so that many patients will be seen sooner than if they made an appointment to see their GP or were referred into the hospital eye service.

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Commissioners welcome results of 360 Degree Survey

By Tim Readman | 12/03/2019 | Comments Off on Commissioners welcome results of 360 Degree Survey

Published on Aug 31, 2018

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has welcomed the results of a national survey which show a high level of confidence in decision-making, leadership and engagement.

The 360 Degree survey, conducted by pollsters Ipsos Mori on behalf of NHS England, was completed by 27 key stakeholders in our area including patient groups, local GP practices, NHS providers, other CCGs and local councils.

Among the findings:-

93 per cent of stakeholders rated the effectiveness of their working relationship with the CCG as very or fairly good, compared to 76 per cent nationally

70 per cent of stakeholders had confidence in the CCG to commission and decommission services appropriately (the national average is 57 per cent)

89 per cent of stakeholders said there was clear and visible leadership of the CCG (compared to 69 per cent nationally) and they have confidence in the leadership to deliver on plans and priorities

81 per cent of respondents said they had confidence in the CCG to act on feedback it receives about quality of services (nationally it’s 64 per cent)

85 per cent of stakeholders said they knew about CCG plans and priorities, compared to 78 per cent nationally, with 70 per cent saying when they had commented on those plans and priorities, their views were considered even if the CCG had not been able to act on them (national average is 53 per cent)

70 per cent of stakeholders said they were very or fairly satisfied with how the CCG involves patients and the public, compared to 64 per cent nationally

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Chairman, Dr Phil Garnett, said: “We rely on strong relationships with a range of health and care partners to be successful commissioners and make good decisions.

“The results of the survey show, by and large, we have those in place and we are good at working collaboratively to address local health and care challenges and engaging and communicating with patients and the public.”

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Kelly’s Place respite facility opens its doors

By Tim Readman | 12/03/2019 | Comments Off on Kelly’s Place respite facility opens its doors

Published on Aug 15, 2018

A new respite care facility for people with profound and complex learning disabilities has opened near Scarborough.

Kelly’s Place, founded by Ali Wilkins and run by Happy Futures Support Specialists Limited, is a bespoke two-bedroom bungalow in Burnside, Eastfield, featuring en-suite bathrooms, tracker hoists and ample moving space for wheelchairs.

It also has a large lounge, a fully equipped kitchen and a sensory room. The facility has been specifically designed to easily accommodate up to two individuals in a safe and comfortable environment.

Upgrading and development of the bungalow into the bespoke facility was part funded by NHS England (£20,000) and part funded by Happy Futures Support Specialists Limited (£38,000) while one of the two beds is funded in its entirety (£39,000 a year) by NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The CCG’s Senior Service Improvement Manager, John Turner, said the CCG had been working with Happy Futures and families to get the facility off the ground since 2014.

“I’m delighted Kelly’s Place is now open,” he said. “It’s a brilliant facility that will offer exceptional support for an individual with multiple learning disabilities, while providing much-needed respite for their families and carers. They will be able to take some time off and have a break knowing their loved one is going to be well looked after in a facility that meets all their needs.”

Support at Kelly’s Place is offered by skilled support workers expertly trained to support those with profound disabilities and complex needs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Individuals can be supported at Kelly’s Place for up to 28 days.

Depending on the individual’s needs, Kelly’s Place offers one-to-one or two-to-one support with full day support and waking nights should it be required. Everyone receiving respite can also use the Happy Futures Skills Centre where they are able to expand existing skills, develop new ones and take part in a variety of activities.

Angela Fletcher, Managing Director at Happy Futures, a domiciliary support provider recently rated OUTSTANDING by the Care Quality Commission, said: “Concerned families made us aware of a shortage of quality respite care in 2014 and we knew something had to be done.

“What we now have is an incredible facility that will go a little way towards addressing the demand for short-term respite care. Throughout this process we’ve had some wonderful support from NHS England and NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, but I particularly want to thank the families we’ve been working with for their dedication and passion.”

There are more images from the official opening event, here and you can view newsletters from Happy Futures, here.

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