News from Cumbria Action for Health

The latest news from Jozi Brown, Senior Engagement Officer at Cumbria CVS

An opportunity to engage in the design of the Cumbria Health and Social Wellbeing System
13 April 2015, 1 to 4pm
Newton Rigg, Penrith
Many of you will have heard Colin Cox (Director for Public Health here in Cumbria) speak about the future of public health, and plans to develop universal and targeted health and care prevention services. The vision is for the service to support people in Cumbria to live well, by addressing the factors that influence their health and wellbeing, and build their capacity to be independent, resilient and maintain good health for themselves and those around them.

This session is an opportunity for you to engage at the ‘design’ stage of this process and will be of particular interest to any of you that are involved in supporting and/or delivering ‘preventative services’ for frail and/or vulnerable people in Cumbria.

We’ll circulate an agenda and briefing document in the near future but in the meantime – book a place by completing the booking form and return it to info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
We expect there will be lot of interest in this meeting so please get your bookings in as soon as possible.

Allerdale Health and Wellbeing Forum Third Sector Representative vacancy
Eden Health and Wellbeing Forum Third Sector Representative vacancy
As discussed at last week’s Cumbria Action for Health Network meeting, we have been asked to recruit third sector representatives for both the Allerdale and Eden Health and Wellbeing Forums. I have attached (for each locality):

• Cover note
• Terms of reference for the Health and Wellbeing Forum
• Role description for the representative
• Application form for the vacancy

These are voluntary roles, reasonable travel expenses will be covered for attending forum meetings.
If you are interested in the role(s) please complete the appropriate application form and return to me by the 16 April 2015 via email jozib@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Please pass the information on to anyone/organisations that may be interested.

Eden Primary Care Community Development
NHS organisations in Cumbria are at the start of developing a Primary Care Community for the people of Eden which is faced with its own special challenges of having one of the highest elderly populations, significant rural isolation and a reducing younger population and workforce

They would welcome input from interested people who feel they can contribute and energise their plans with their ideas and expertise; to help shape, improve and sustain the health and wellbeing of our diverse Eden population

If you are interested in attending future patient and public focus groups for the development of the Eden PCC then please contact the Clinical Facilitators
Eden Primary Care Community Development Office: 01768 24565

Margaret Nelson margaret.nelson@cumbria.nhs.uk Mobile: 07795051668
Maria Howe maria.howe@cumbria.nhs.uk
The Report of the Morecambe Bay Investigation (The Kirkup Report)
An independent investigation into the management, delivery and outcomes of care provided by the maternity and neonatal services at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust from January 2004 to June 2013.
Web link to the full report: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/408480/47487_MBI_Accessible_v0.1.pdf

Furness Listening Event – Have your say on key health services to help identify improvements
Local GPs, hospital doctors and senior healthcare managers want to know your thoughts on four key health services at the Furness Listening Event, Monday 23 March 2015 from 12 noon to 2pm at Banqueting Hall, Barrow Town Hall. Poster and invitation are attached, please pass on to anyone who may be interested.

A reminder: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust – Seeking Your Views (book by 20 march 2015)
We would like your views on how can we ensure that everybody can access our services. For example, how can we improve our communications and information to patients, families and carers? How can we improve your experience when visiting our services? How can we improve our recruitment policies and processes?

We would particularly like to hear from people who have, or who represent people with protected characteristics as identified in the Equality Act 2010, which are age; disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation.

To hear your views, you are invited to attend an event in your local area:
Morecambe, The Platform 27th March 2015 1pm – 3pm
Kendal, Town Hall 1st April 2015 1pm – 3pm
Lancaster, The Storey 2nd April 2015 1pm – 3pm
Barrow, The Forum 8th April 2015 9.30am – 12.30pm
Ulverston, Coronation Hall 8th April 2015 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Tea, coffee and a snack will be provided. I would advise you that there will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters attending all the events.
We believe that the providing equality of opportunity to patients, their families and carers, and staff is fundamental to ensuring that our hospitals are a Great Place to be Cared For; Great Place to Work. Managing diversity and inclusion underpins the Trust’s strategic plan to ensure that people from all communities in our local area and beyond want to access University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for care and treatment.

At the session we will:

1. Talk to you about how the Equality Act 2010 can have a positive impact on the way you access health care at the Trust.
2. Seek your views about how the Trust intends to meet its public sector equality duty under the Equality Act.
3. Confirm whether we are planning appropriate action and if we have missed something important, to seek your views about what else we should include.

We would be grateful if you could confirm your attendance at one of the events with Vicki Davies, Trust Headquarters by completing one of the reply slips which are attached to this email and returning it by email to Victoria.Davies@mbht.nhs.uk or post to Vicki Davies, Trust Headquarters, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Burton Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RG by 20th March 2015.

Support for Clinical Commissioning Groups to use grants launched
Grants are a fundamentally important part of the funding mix for voluntary sector organisations. However, in the post-Health and Social Care Act commissioning landscape there has been some confusion about the roles of grants and mechanisms for grant funding. NHS England has launched the Bite-size Guide to Grants (with input from Regional Voices), aiming to support clinical commissioners better understand this vital funding mechanism. This is part of Regional Voices wider work to support the voluntary sector with health commissioning:

• supporting NHS England to pilot a model grant agreement (in 15/16)- also launched this week
• working with NHS England and other Health and Care Voluntary Sector Strategic Partners to develop a lighter touch NHS Standard Contract for use with the voluntary sector
• taking part in the department of health/NHS England/Public Health England VCSE funding review- and encouraging you to do the same
• helping to develop a more VCSE friendly funding environment.

Web link: http://www.regionalvoices.org/node/289

Cancer Taskforce Workshops – Share your views to inform change
Come to an informal workshop to:

• Tell us about your experience of diagnosis, treatment and care.
• Suggest and discuss ideas about how we can improve services, care and support for people affected by cancer.
• Help us develop the new five year cancer strategy for England.

Workshops are being held at 11am – 2pm on:

• 23rd March 2015 in central Newcastle;
• 2nd April 2015 in central London; and
• 21st April in central Birmingham.

For more information or to book your place at one please contact us using engagement@cancer.org.uk or 0203 469 8777
Lunch and travel expenses provided. Limited places, so book early to avoid disappointment.
No voice unheard, no right ignored – a consultation for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions
This consultation seeks views to strengthen rights of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues to enable them to live independently. It also seeks to explores views on a number of issues relating to the Mental Health Act which were raised during the recent consultation on the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice. The consultation closes on 29 May 2015.

This consultation explores options on issues such as how people can:
• be supported to live independently, as part of a community
• be assured that their views will be listened to
• challenge decisions about them and about their care
• exercise control over the support they receive with a Personal Health Budget
• expect that different health and local services will organise themselves around their needs
• know that professionals are looking out for their physical health needs as well as their mental health needs

The document also seeks views on a number of issues relating to the Mental Health Act which were raised during the recent consultation on the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice.

The scope of the consultation primarily relates to:
• assessment and treatment in mental health hospitals for people (all age) with learning disability or autism;
• adult care and support, primarily for those with learning disability but also for adults with autism (and the links to support for children and young people); and
• (all those to whom those Mental Health Act currently applies (including children and young people);

This is a consultation by the Department of Health in England. However, the Mental Health Act applies across England and Wales and any changes to the law in Wales would have to be agreed by the National Assembly of Wales
Consultation document: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/409816/Document.pdf
Find out more at: http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2015/march/no-voice-unheard-no-right-ignored-consultation
Representing the interests of members and the public: examples and guidance for NHS foundation trusts and governors
This guidance aims to help governors represent the interests of NHS foundation trusts members and the public. It gives the context for governors’ work and describes examples of what governors could do to promote communication between foundation trusts, their members and the public. It also includes case studies of the practical experiences of foundation trusts and governors.

Web link to the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/411380/Representing_the_interests_of_members_and_the_public.pdf
Lack of social care causing devastating consequences for 100 000s of cancer patients
Hundreds of thousands of people with cancer are left housebound, unable to wash or dress themselves and are even at risk of soiling themselves in their own home due to a lack of social care support, according to a new report published by Macmillan Cancer Support.

‘Hidden at Home – the social care needs of people with cancer’ reveals that one in 10 (11%) people with cancer in the UK, equivalent to at least 160 000 people, say they are constantly or often left housebound due to a lack of support. At least 100 000 people (7%) are constantly or often unable to wash themselves, dress or go to the toilet.
The research provides for the first time a full picture of the widespread social care needs of people with cancer, with around two thirds (64%) having practical or personal care needs. These can include being completely unable to get in and out of bed, move around, cook food as well as being unable to wash, get dressed or go to the toilet independently, or needing a lot of help to do so.

Web link to the report: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Documents/GetInvolved/Campaigns/Carers/hidden-at-home.pdf
Talking about policy on multiple needs – A guide to starting conversations as part of Voices from the Frontline
Voices from the Frontline is an exciting new project to bring the voices of people with multiple needs and those who support them to the heart of the policy debate.

Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM): a coalition of four national charities – Clinks, DrugScope, Homeless Link and Mind – formed to influence policy and services for adults facing multiple
needs and exclusions. Together they represent over 1600 frontline organisations working in the criminal justice, drug and alcohol treatment, homelessness and mental health sectors.

What are multiple needs? People facing multiple needs and exclusions are in every community in Britain. They experience several problems at the same time, such as mental ill health, homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, offending and family breakdown. They have ineffective contact with services, and are living chaotic lives.
That’s why this March they’re starting a conversation about what the next Government should do in order to improve services and systems for people with multiple needs – anyone can join in, and they’ve produced a toolkit to help start this conversation. It contains advice on getting started, and a workshop outline with annotated slides that introduces some of the policy issues.
Web link: http://meam.org.uk/voices/start-a-conversation-about-policy-on-multiple-needs/

Jozi Brown
Senior Engagement Officer
Cumbria CVS