Building Our Future Together - Issue 1, Summer 2023

CONVERSATION

Researched and written by: Caroline Pickwell, Marketing and Communications Manager

Design and layout by: Alex Sherburn, Senior Graphic Designer and Libby Wheeler, Graphic Designer

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Safe Today,

Hello...

he last six months have been the most challenging in the history of our Trust. There has been much scrutiny and challenge, but this has allowed us to truly take stock of where we are as Trust and where we need to be, and I am pleased to be able to share with you the next steps to building our future together.

Thanks to a number external and internal reports and reviews - including from Dr David Fearnley (Chief Medical Officer from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust), the Good Governance Institute and the ongoing independent review by Professor Oliver Shanley OBE - we are in possession of a great deal of evidence of what has gone wrong and how it has gone wrong.

Although these findings have been at times difficult to read, they have provided us with invaluable insight about what we need to put right.

Our systems failed to provide care that was of a good enough standard and we did not have an accurate picture of what it was like to work for or receive care from GMMH.

Chair Bill McCarthy

We need to do a lot of work to ensure good quality, safe care is offered to everyone who uses our services and that our staff feel supported and empowered to do their work. It is also vital that our communities have trust and faith in their local mental health and addiction services.

Better Tomorrow

We need to do better

The summer will see the publication of our Improvement Plan. We first launched this in draft format in February 2023, where we asked staff, service users, carers, stakeholders, volunteers and the wider community what they thought of it.

Thank you to everyone who took time to share their views. We received over 200 pieces of feedback which we have carefully considered; and the Improvement Plan now incorporates a lot of this feedback.

The plan contains a number of immediate actions to tackle the most urgent quality and safety issues alongside longer-term ambitions to improve everything we do here at GMMH. We have begun to deliver on the plan, around the five key pillars of:

• Patient Safety

• Clinical Strategy and Professional Standards

• People

• Culture

• Leadership and Governance

The common thread which binds these pillars is the continued involvement of our service users, carers and staff who are vital to the success of every part of this plan. We will keep you up to date with progress on this and how you can get involved.

We expect this plan to take us through at least the next two years of our improved future. This does not mean that urgent change will wait – our teams are working very hard to make things better and safer all the time. It is important to know that this is not ‘our’ plan. Whilst we as a Trust are responsible for ensuring change and improvement is delivered, it belongs to everyone who uses, delivers and cares about the services we provide.

It is also important to remember we have some fantastic staff working within our services who are delivering life-changing care for our service users every day.

In this issue we are looking back at the recent Celebrating Excellence at GMMH 2022-23 in association with CIVICA ceremony which was an incredibly inspiring and uplifting event which put our dedicated and compassionate staff firmly in the well-deserved spotlight.

If you want to know more about our improvement journey visit:

www.gmmh.nhs.uk/improvement-plan

I look forward to providing further updates in future issues of Building Our Future Together.

Chief Executive role Changes to the

In April, our Chief Executive

Neil Thwaite announced his resignation from his role.

Neil commenced his tenure as Chief Executive in 2018, prior to that having been in post as the Trust’s Deputy CEO and Director of Service Development.

During his time as Chief Executive he has led the Trust through the global pandemic and ongoing recovery, secured £105 million worth of funding for the much-needed replacement of our inpatient unit in North Manchester, welcomed our Wigan services to the Trust and championed mental health and substance misuse issues across the Greater Manchester system.

Neil said: “Now we have launched our Improvement Plan, which will be implemented over the next two years, I feel this is the right time to hand over the reins to a new CEO. The plan strengthens our approach to ensure the safety of our service users and staff, ensuring high quality care.”

On behalf of the Trust, I would like to pay tribute to Neil as a compassionate, visible leader in our organisation and across our system and I have enjoyed working with him during over the last few months. We wish Neil well for his future and thank him for his many years of dedicated service.

We have started the recruitment process of a new CEO, however I am delighted to announce the arrival of Jan Ditheridge who recently retired from Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (SHSC).

Jan has over 40 years NHS experience and is a dual-qualified nurse and is a very experienced Chief Executive.

During her time at Sheffield she led the organisation through the pandemic and has supported them out of ‘special measures’ –now known as Oversight Framework Level 4 - and away from an ‘inadequate’ Care Quality Commission rating. This valuable experience will undoubtedly help us navigate the coming months as we launch the final version of our Improvement Plan.

On her appointment, Jan said, “When I was asked to consider this opportunity, it didn’t take long to make the decision to say yes! I know you have had a tough time. I can see you have the determination to make things different and better and I think I can help you with that. Thank you for letting me join you. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Neil said, “Having met Jan, I know her approach and experience will help GMMH on its improvement journey and I wish her every success.”

Jan began her role with GMMH in July.

I would like to extend my warmest thanks to everyone who is on the improvement journey with us. Your dedication, commitment and compassion are so welcomed and appreciated –it is something we never take for granted during these challenging times.

With best wishes,

Bill McCarthy Chair

During these challenging times, it is important that we shine a light on the dedication of our workforce over the last 12 months.

We asked teams to share their stories of outstanding patient care and support from staff, volunteers and bank workers from across the Trust.

We received an incredible 317 nominations in 13 categories and on the evening of Wednesday 29 March, we came together to celebrate and reward the shortlisted nominees and winners for their hard work and dedication over the past year at the Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays.

The event was hosted by Gavin Ramjaun, known for his work on popular TV and radio shows in the UK, as well as speaking about men’s mental health and his life experiences with diversity, racism and breaking barriers.

Our Recovery Pathways co-produced table centres with service users for the event and one lucky winner from each table got to take this home with them on the night - thank you to the whole Recovery Pathways team for these beautiful gifts.

We were thrilled to attend the event alongside our sponsors, whose contributions covered the entire cost of the evening – and we once again thank our sponsors for their support.

Congratulations to everyone who received a nomination – even if they were not shortlisted, they received a personal letter from the Chair and CEO outlining why they were nominated.

During the ceremony, we also said thank you to members of staff who had given over 45 years’ service to the NHS during it’s almost 75 years of existence.

Recognition Long Service

During the Celebrating excellence at GMMH event we also recognised the outstanding long service of some of our staff, providing over 45 years’ service to the NHS

Brian Griffin

Julie Grimoldby

Patricia McLaughlin

Josephine Wilson

Sponsored by PAM Occupational Health Solutions

Aimed at a team (either in the traditional sense or as part of a project) who have worked together to deliver clinical care, supporting each other to do their best and delivering first class patient care.

Clinical Team of the Year

Sponsored by CIVICA

Runners-up

Bolton Mental Health Liaison Team

The entire Bolton Mental Health Liaison Team is hard working, dedicated and compassionate. Their focus every day is ensuring that patients get high quality assessments and care. The team always goes above and beyond, advocating for patients and their families to get the best care possible.

Perinatal Community Mental Health Team across Greater Manchester –Psychological Therapies Team

The Perinatal Community Mental Health Team were asked to rapidly expand their workforce in response to the NHS Long Term Plan. With creative and careful planning, recruitment has been a great success, despite the very challenging environment to attract clinicians and therapists to work in the NHS. Their hard work at expanding the service has meant that service users and their babies, are gaining quicker access to high quality psychological care and evidence-based psychological therapies.

Salford Community Mental Health Team (Adults of Working Age)

The Salford Community Mental Health Team for Adults of Working Age works as a cohesive unit from support workers, right through to consultant level with enthusiasm, innovation, passion, and with quality of care for service users at the forefront of everything they do. They are solutions-focused and have driven forward many initiatives to help solve problems they have been facing, including integrating job roles, as well as introducing new systems and processes to the team.

Healthcare TeamsSecure Children’s Services

The Healthcare teams are located in two Secure Children’s Homes, Barton Moss and Marydale, and work in a niche environment, looking after complex young people. During a challenging year for the teams, the CQC rated Barton Moss Healthcare as Good and Marydale Healthcare as Outstanding, displaying the dedication and commitment that the staff have in providing an excellent healthcare provision for young people.

Aimed at a team (either in the traditional sense or as part of a project) who have worked together to deliver support services, helping each other to do their best and delivering on the Trust’s objectives.

2Non-Clinical Team of the Year

North View Project Team

The North View Project team have worked tirelessly to secure over £100 million of funding to build a new state of the art replacement for the current Park House inpatient service in North Manchester.

The team have faced and overcome some significant challenges to deliver the project with most of the work carried out through the challenges and restrictions of the pandemic, meaning that the team have regularly had to adapt and innovate along the way.

Runners-up

Catering Team

The Catering Team works hard every day to make catering across the Trust seamless and engaging, providing essential food and goods to staff and service users to ensure all needs are met. They are constantly adapting to change when issues arise such as the pandemic, operational pressures and new standards issued. Despite this, the Catering Team performs at the highest level at all GMMH sites and Catering Team interactions with all departments are always a key part of everyone’s day.

Community Development Work at No.93 Health and Wellbeing Centre

No.93 is a vibrant community centre that provides a range of innovative and accessible wellbeing sessions and activities for the local community and service users, carers and volunteers. They are committed, professional and hardworking, and despite being such a small team, provide an incredible service to so many people. Last year over 15,900 people accessed the community offer at No.93, helping to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Recovery Pathways ServiceWellbeing through Creativity

The Wellbeing Through Creativity arm of the Recovery Pathways Service offers a variety of practical projects and courses, ranging from Textiles to Green Wellbeing. The team are unique in that they are made up of professional artists and practitioners who are able to offer a nurturing environment that not only promotes positive mental health and wellbeing but provides participants with creative opportunities to support recovery and empower people.

The category is aimed at an individual who has either previously been (in the last 12 months) or is currently, a student, apprentice or trainee who has shown a high level of commitment to their learning and applying their learning to the provision of the highest quality of care and services, inspiring others along the way.

Learner of the Year

Sponsored by BD Joinery

Jamie Hilton, Mental Health Practitioner, Bolton CAMHS

During Jamie’s non-medical prescriber training, she volunteered to jointly create the Bolton CAMHS Non-Medical Prescribing Assessment an Treatment Clinic.

Jamie played a critical role in the successful delivery of the model, and in its first 12 weeks of existence, it proved to be effective both clinically and from a training perspective. Jamie continues to be committed to using her training to deliver quality care for young people presenting with depression and anxiety.

Runners-up

Anthony Quinn, Youth Support Worker, Rapid Response Team

Anthony has been a Youth Support Worker for many years and brought with him a wealth of experience and knowledge when he joined the Rapid Response Team at its inception in 2019. He has an incredible natural ability to build good professional relationships to complete effective work to reduce risk and improve outcomes. Whilst doing this role, he has pushed himself well beyond his comfort zone by doing a Social Work Apprenticeship, which he will complete in March 2023.

Catrina Kay, Occupational Therapist, Adult Forensic Services

Catrina qualified in summer 2022 after a desire to work with forensic patients and embarked on her first post in the profession of occupational therapy on the Edenfield site. She had a difficult first few weeks and took the decision to step down to a support role whilst she reconsidered her options. After support from her manager, she decided to join the preceptorship training programme. To return to a profession in healthcare so early on in a career is something to be celebrated and she should be proud of her achievements.

Joanne O’Donoghue, Medical Secretary, Central Manchester

Joanne recently completed her Business Administration and Maths qualifications during the challenging times of the pandemic. She stayed positive and professional throughout her training and came up with innovative ways to provide clerical support during throughout the pandemic. With her persistence, determination, and support she passed her qualifications and is now providing support as a Medical Secretary.

Mohammed Shabir, CT1 Psychiatry Trainee, Wigan

Mohammed is a Core Psychiatry Trainee and throughout his training, quickly made a great impression on his team. He is easily accessible, and always willing to help others. His rapport and communication skills with patients is also excellent. The level of clinical input he has given to his team was well above his level of training, and his grasp of understanding the skills needed in psychiatry has been phenomenal.

This award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to outcomes for service users and improved safety, or the standard of care delivered. The individual will actively tackle and improve the patient safety culture within their area, team, or the Trust.

Outstanding Contribution to Patient Safety Award

Sponsored by Red Tree

Winners

Charlotte Hammond and Elizabeth Williams, Atherleigh Park

Charlotte and Liz have both recently been successful in obtaining clinical lead roles, however, selflessly put their promotions on hold and supported redeployment to inpatient wards, supporting newly qualified staff and displaying excellent clinical leadership.

Charlotte and Liz have always been passionate about maintaining patient safety, whilst utilising positive risk taking to ensure patients are autonomous in their care.

Runners-up

Infection Prevention and Control Team, Nursing and Governance

The Infection Prevention and Control Team have supported the Trust through the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as providing annual support to deliver flu vaccinations for staff. The small team works with passion, determination, and compassion, providing outstanding care to ensure all parts of the Trust are safe for patients and staff members.

Emma Sims and Charlene Cocker, Priestners Unit

Emma and Charlene became physical health leads for Priestners Ward following changes in the team. They show commitment to quality improvement by supporting patients and helping them to play an integral role in their own physical health, by encouraging exercise, diet, understanding medication or personal care, ensuring the patients values and beliefs are the forefront of our decision making.

We’re looking for an individual who is delivering care or treatment in an inpatient environment for this award. This person will have gone above and beyond, always putting the care of our service users at the forefront of everything they do.

Outstanding Care (Inpatient) Award

Runners-up

Adam Morris, Service Manager, Laureate House

Adam has dedicated the last 20 years of his nursing career to South Manchester and has worked tirelessly to support service users in urgent care and inpatient units at Laureate House. He can often be found on the wards talking with patients and staff, checking, and clearing environments, supporting training, and learning where needed. He has such a positive attitude and caring approach with improvements to patient safety at the heart of what he does.

Kate Evans-Parry, Activity Coordinator and Wellbeing Lead, Moorside Unit

Kate has recently taken up a new role arranging activities for patients and for staff wellbeing on Moorside. She is passionate about her job and every single person who has stepped through the doors has benefitted from her ideas. She comes to work in her own time to decorate the unit and organise events such as Moorfest, which included daily activities such as silent discos, relaxation groups, staff breakfasts and so much more.

Saeeda El-Faki, Deputy Ward Manager, Bronte Ward

Sadie is dedicated, selfless and committed to her everyday role in delivering the best possible care for her patients. She often goes over and beyond her role and despite the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of working on a busy acute ward, Sadie does so with a smile in her face and a genuine kindness for patients and colleagues alike. She is truly inspirational and deserves special recognition.

Steven Curless, Healthcare Assistant, Priestners Unit

Steven moved to the unit after offering to support the ward during a challenging period. He is well respected by our patient group, and they often speak of how he is unconditionally supportive and hard working. Steven embodies every value you could want in a member of staff, he is honest, genuine, reflective, compassionate, hardworking and committed to improving our patient and staff experience at work.

We’re looking for an individual who is delivering care or treatment outside of an inpatient setting, including at home or in a community setting. This person will have gone above and beyond, always putting the care of our service users at the forefront of everything they do.

Outstanding Care (in the Community) Award

Ann Flint, Recovery Worker, Community Rehabilitation Team

Ann is a Recovery Worker who puts so much effort and energy into her role. She always puts herself forward for covering visits or helping staff, and this has been instrumental in delivering our service.

Ann will do anything within her remit to help service users and she recently dedicated her time and effort to helping one of our community patients sort out their garden and kitchen, improving their home environment to support recovery.

Runners-up

Andy Hogg, Transition Worker, Barton Moss Secure Care Centre

Andy Hogg is a Transition Worker who works extremely hard and goes above and beyond to ensure the health needs of our young people are identified, prioritised, and supported at Barton Moss Secure Care Centre. He has created and driven so many initiatives and his work is of a standard that we are incredibly fortunate to have as part of our healthcare provision. Andy has also forged relationships with other community providers to help with additional support in the community following discharge.

Carly Davies, Specialist Occupational Therapist, Wigan Community Therapies Hub

Carly regularly goes above and beyond in her role at the Wigan Community Therapies Hub, building trust to encourage family engagement with services in the Wigan area. Carly builds rapport with service users, and is a strong advocate, working with charity organisations to provide additional support for service users in the community. Recently, she helped someone who was in a difficult situation to navigate barriers to access provisions, whilst always keeping safeguarding as a priority.

David Robinson, Mental Health Practitioner, The Therapy Hub

David has worked at the Therapy Hub for many years and is a dedicated member of staff. He is very caring and kind, and service users love spending time with him. Last year, when a service user did not attend the Therapy Hub on his usual day, David had a feeling something wasn’t right. He went to their home address to find them in a life-threatening situation, and David gave him the help and treatment he needed. Without his quick thinking and intuition, the outcome of this could have been very different. This is just one example of the outstanding care given by David.

Martin Dentith, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Salford Community Mental Health Team

Martin has been a long-standing member of the Cromwell House Team in Salford. His meticulous approach to his clinical work, alongside his colleagues, has allowed him to not only run three large clinics, but allowed a greater level of access for service users to access these clinics. Martin also shows amazing levels of compassion and empathy for the service users he cares for, and he is amazing when advocating for these individuals.

This category is aimed at an individual who demonstrates behaviours that empower and enable individuals, providing compassionate and inclusive leadership throughout their work and is trusted by those they work with for their fair and consistent leadership style.

7

Inclusive Leader of the Year

Sponsored by CIVICA

Denise McArthur, Team Manager, Trafford Early Intervention Team

Denise is a superstar in her many roles as manager, nurse, colleague, motivational leader, and wellbeing chair for the Trafford Early Intervention Team.

Denise enables her staff to feel welcome, comfortable and valued in their roles. Denise is committed to devoting her time and experience to the team and service users, engaging in service user visits and carer contacts.

She also shows her appreciation for the team by nominating ‘Star of the Month’ to recognise their hard work.

Runners-up

Angela Sharples, Administration Manager, Central Manchester

Angela often goes above and beyond in ensuring that staff work in a setting where they can feel safe and supported. She provides help in ensuring that the work area is accessible for staff, fostering an inclusive and supportive working environment. Angela also creates an atmosphere of understanding and support, which is a positive influence on everyone.

Marc Reed, Associate Director of Capital, Estates and Facilities

Marc is compassionate and takes time to understand the people who work with him and their personal life challenges. Marc holds drop-in meetings with his senior team every Monday, which is informal and allows a regular opportunity for peer leaders to bring problems for a quick discussion and resolution. He models accountability and understands the importance of the environment within the therapy that our service users receive.

Laura MacConnell, Senior Practitioner, Trafford Early Intervention Team

Laura offers unwavering support to service users and carers and demonstrates very high standards, despite challenges faced. Laura recently stepped effortlessly into a leadership role, continuing to provide insightful guidance every day. Her support for others is faultless and she helps to model and shape the next generation with compassion and respect.

Susan Bryan, Operational Manager, Salford Community Services

Susan is an incredible role model and an inspirational leader in Salford Community Services. She is not only professional in the way that she works, but extremely knowledgeable and skilled. Susan is very good at nurturing talent and includes her team when producing solutions to any challenges the teams may face. She empowers staff to use the skills and knowledge they already possess to not only provide the best care for service users, but to become leaders within their own teams

Volunteer of the Year

Sponsored by Integrated Health Projects

Runners-up

Eddy Sharples, Volunteer, The Therapy Hub

Eddy is a Volunteer Gardener at the Therapy Hub and runs the Garden Group on a Friday. He is great at chatting to service users and is a well-liked member of the team. He is always making others smile, he is kind and caring and always puts 100% into everything he does. He has some brilliant ideas and is always positive about change. Eddy will be helping the Therapy Hub to move forward with their eco-project and has lots of knowledge and skills that will benefit service users.

Maxine Philips, Volunteer, John Denmark Unit

Maxine has always been pleasant, approachable, and friendly with patients and staff. She has recently been learning British Sign Language and makes great effort to interact with patients and to develop her communication skills in such a specialised unit. She uses her initiative with groups and supports patients in cooking sessions, showing patience and encouragement in a positive manner. She has made a real difference in helping to improve the quality of the service we provide for patients in their social activities.

This award recognises the continued selfless dedication of our volunteer and service user representative workforce.

Petra Hedemalm, Psychosocial Intervention Volunteer, Achieve Trafford

Petra has proved time and time again that she is totally committed in supporting the Psychosocial Intervention team and the residents of Trafford with their addictions.

Petra has gained valuable experience over the last 24 months and actively supports group sessions by co-facilitating. She offers a hearty welcome to Achieve Trafford with a smile on her face, and her compassion and welcoming nature shines through.

Andy Marsland, Volunteer, Recovery Pathways

Andy volunteers with the Green Wellbeing service at Studio One, part of Recovery Pathways. He is an integral part of the service, always sharing his knowledge with kindness and humility. He brings a lightness and focus to sessions, as well as good humour, and is loved by all service users and staff alike. He has helped to create an inspiring and useful garden. This new outdoor space encourages staff, service users, and visitors to linger in the garden, supporting their mental health and wellbeing.

Working behind the scenes, possibly in corporate or support services, this award is aimed at a non-clinical individual who motivates colleagues, lifts everyone’s spirits and supports those who are working on the front line, supporting the delivery of care for our service users.

Support Staff Star Award

Sponsored by City Build

Marie Coulton, OD Manager, HR and OD

Marie leads by example in being a coach, using her own coaching styles and acting from the benefit of the wisdom that her knowledge and experience has given her, and this is reflected in the training she provides.

She always embodies our Trust values, which is so essential in helping to not only improve the lives of service users, but also for our staff by supporting all levels of management.

Marie is also extremely passionate about improving the work environment for our GMMH colleagues.

Runners-up

Bernard Bruce, Receptionist, Chorlton House

Bernard provides a consistently warm, personcentred, and polite welcome to Chorlton House. Nothing ever seems to be too much trouble in terms of supporting people, ensuring transport is arranged, people are acknowledged, and concern is expressed appropriately. He’s a real credit to GMMH. He is often deals with difficult situations and never seems fazed. Bernard is caring and always provides the kind of front of house welcome we would all want to receive.

Jess Jose, Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy

Jess can always be relied upon. He is extremely polite with both staff and patients and nothing is ever too much trouble. He regularly provides cover at short notice without any issue or complaints. He has brought some good ideas with him using his previous experience, which has helped to improve the workflow within the department. He is always cheerful and this is emulated across the whole team.

Karen Mallard, Domestic (Sodexo), Blake Ward

Karen regularly works on Blake Ward as part of a contract with Sodexo and ever since she started to work on the ward, the standards have been amazing. The ward can be a challenging place to work, having to use a lot of additional skills to ensure that the environment can be kept clean and tidy. She always keeps on top of everything to an exemplary standard. Blake Ward is truly a better place for her being part of the team.

Tracy Vjestica, Project Manager, IM&T

Tracy has only worked as part of the IM&T Department for a short period of time. In her role, Tracy has been instrumental in the adoption of a new digital technology which is helping staff to dictate clinical records straight into the patient record system. Her creative skills are amazing, and she has a whiteboard in the office that she updates daily with motivational messages. Tracy is so enthusiastic, such a joy to be around, and a delightful member of the team.

Recognise and reward an outstanding member of staff from the bank (NHS Professionals) who provide clinical or nonclinical support when additional help is needed in your team.

Flexible Worker of the Year

Sponsored by NHS Professionals

Winner

Quite Phiri

Quite is a pleasure to see at work, she is always happy, smiling, and willing to help any of her colleagues. She is welcoming, friendly, professional, and spends lots of time with the young people to build a therapeutic relationship.

Quite always provides support in a crisis, and she is able connect with the young people and help them to navigate their thoughts and emotions. Her support also helps us continue to provide treatment to a high standard.

Runners-up

Aradhana Woods

Each shift Aradhana works on Sovereign Unit is spent with patients. She makes the effort to speak to every single patient and spends one-to-one time with them, offering compassion and support. She goes above her job role to ensure patients’ needs are met and takes the time to speak to their families when they visit their loved ones. She makes everyone feels safe and offers reassurance to the highest standard.

Ben Onoriezino

Ben is a real asset to Blake Ward. He goes above and beyond every night he works on the ward, showing true dedication to ensure that the best standard of care is delivered and that all patients’ needs are met promptly. He creates a calming atmosphere and a feeling of confidence that the team can deliver the best possible care, and his leadership and organisation is regularly commented on as being compassionate and caring.

Darren Wardley

Darren works part-time in the Estates Team, bringing a wealth of experience. He has brought his expertise on Estates Compliance to improve the team’s performance, as well as writing and reviewing a raft of Capital, Estates and Facilities policies. Darren is always cheerful and willing to help, and he has also helped to provide additional support to deliver the Green Plan. His flexibility and professionalism are to be commended.

Pete Phillips

Pete has been a valuable resource to the Mental Health Liaison Service. He has worked most weekends for the team, taking on additional work outside of his normal working week in another team. Pete is a very knowledgeable practitioner; he is passionate about patient care and always has a positive attitude. Pete has been an incredible asset to the team.

BUILDING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

This category is aimed at an individual or team who has pioneered, or championed, an innovative idea or project – large or small – that has led to significant improvements in service delivery, quality, productivity, or performance, with improved service user outcomes.

Improving Quality through Innovation Award

Sponsored by Red Tree

Runners-up

Achieve Partnership across Bury, Bolton, Salford and Trafford

GMMH are the lead provider for a wide partnership delivering community alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services across Bury, Bolton, Salford, and Trafford. This truly unique and innovative service delivery model involves GMMH in sub-contracting arrangements with seven partners, six of which are from the VCSE sector. A recent review found that the innovative model was working effectively, with partners and wider stakeholders crediting GMMH with providing effective leadership and modelling the necessary culture and behaviours.

Bolton CAMHS – Wellbeing and Staff Development Improvement Team

In September 2022, Bolton CAMHS began a transformation programme to improve the way in which the service works for both staff and service users by seeking to achieve small, incremental changes in processes to improve efficiency and quality, and maximize value while minimizing waste. Their aim was to tap into the creativity, energy, and experience of Bolton CAMHS professionals. Following development workshops, improvements were identified and have begun to be implemented.

Perinatal Trauma and Loss Service (PeTALS)

The Perinatal Trauma and Loss Service has demonstrated a commitment to transforming and improving access to Perinatal Mental Health Care across Manchester. The service offers specific trauma-informed and psychological support for those affected by perinatal trauma and loss. An evaluation of the service has demonstrated significant improvement in health and emotional wellbeing outcomes by working closely with VCSEs to ensure quality, co-produced services, and training initiatives.

Amy Boorn, Peer Support Worker, South Mersey

CMHT, South Manchester

Amy is one of the first Peer Support Workers within a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) at GMMH and she has done a fabulous job of leading the way in the development of this role. As this is a new role to CMHTs, Amy has significantly contributed to reshaping the culture of a traditional CMHT and embedding lived experience into our clinical teams. Amy also champions the role of peer support outside the Trust and using her talent as a musician to raise money for mental health charities.

An individual or team who can demonstrate a commitment to the Trust’s objectives through creating an open and inclusive workplace where everyone – staff, service users, carers, and volunteers – are valued and respected and inclusion and diversity encouraged.

Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Sponsored by BD Joinery

Dr Mariana Vieira, CT3 Psychiatry Trainee, Atherleigh Park

Mariana leads a quality improvement project which seeks to improve GP trainee knowledge and confidence with trans and non-binary healthcare.

This project was born out of Mariana’s passion for improving access to high-quality care for gender diverse patients, developing an in-depth and thorough teaching programme to train GPs.

Winner

Mariana’s dedication and drive to make this programme a reality, and to improve the care delivered to gender diverse people across multiple countries is incredible.

Runners-up

Autism Spectrum Conditions Support Team

The Autism Spectrum Conditions Support Team works in harmony to promote an inclusive ethos, not only for the individuals referred to the service, but for the wider trust footprint. They do this by offering training and support to other teams to help them recognise and overcome the potential barriers autistic people may face when trying to access or engage with health services. The team are continually developing their knowledge and experience to improve care and inclusivity.

Reyana Hussain, Senior Mental Health Practitioner, Bolton Mental Health Liaison Team

Reyana is always supportive of staff when providing opportunities for trainees from different backgrounds to gain clinical experience. Reyana and her team were extremely encouraging in allowing others to learn and grow. She regularly helps staff to obtain placements across the Trust, which has proven to be an excellent opportunity for these learners.

Sovereign Ward, Atherleigh Park

Sovereign Ward is continuously looking for new ways to engage service users and their families, with a range of activities always on offer. The ward also has different themed weeks including activities, food and music to reflect the themes. The themes are based on different cultures, and patients enjoy taking part and learning, or sharing stories and information. The team take an active role in ensuring inclusion on the ward and this is evident in the rapport built as well as the levels of patient engagement.

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This award will recognise a team or individual who has demonstrated a commitment to collaboration and delivered real improvements to the health and wellbeing of those who live in Greater Manchester.

Homeless Hub Services

Homeless Hub Services across GMMH have evolved from one team to a workstream with seven teams operating across Greater Manchester.

GMMH are part of the delivery partnership of the Housing First pilot, with Dual Diagnosis Practitioners and Psychology operating across the footprint, as well as supporting the Rough Sleeper Initiative.

Staff from the Hub have been involved with NICE in the development of new guidance around standards for supporting those experiencing homelessness, and Greater Manchester commissioners have recognised the GMMH service delivery model as an excellent example of best practice.

Runners-up

Cluster 2 Specialist Perinatal Service

The service aims to support mental health during pregnancy and the postnatal period, whilst helping to foster the parent-infant bond and assist the wider family. The team are incredibly caring and compassionate, working collaboratively with service users and their families to create holistic and individualised care plans. The team regularly go out of their way to support patient care and they are also incredibly conscientious and supportive of each other and the wider service.

Emily Thompson, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Bolton Health and Justice

Emily works for a newly established team and with minimal supervision and support, she has developed this new service. She has also built relationships with multiple partners, undertaken assessments of people referred for the service, as well as working to develop the referral process itself. Very few people could have achieved what Emily has, all the while building a fantastic reputation that reflects positively upon GMMH.

Environmental Assessment Team

The environment where service users receive treatment is important to support recovery. The Environmental Assessment Team is made up of technical experts, clinicians, and service users working together to assess environments against regulations. The team gather opinions and use data and clear action plans for improvement, and their contribution to service delivery is outstanding.

Samantha Airey, Counsellor, Central Manchester Psychological Therapies

Since Sam joined the service, she has always put herself forward to improve staff morale and service delivery. Sam volunteered and delivered an Art Therapy session for staff at our last away day, which was extremely well received. Sam often works flexibly with clients, regularly volunteering to see clients on an evening or face to face when the service is struggling to place them. She also volunteers on the Council of Governors as effective and safe patient care is at the heart of what she does.

Nominations for 2023-24 will open later this year!

Celebrating Excellence at GMMH 22-23 in association with CIVICA was planned, organised and delivered as a partnership between Corporate Communications and Human Resources teams.

Thanks to everyone for their hard work in contributing to the success of the awards and once again to our generous sponsors without whom the event would not have been possible.

Thank you to our sponsors

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