CWP Life Autumn 2020

Issue #14 | Autumn 2020

LIFE Cheshire Wirral Partnership

magazine

NURSING THROUGH GENERATIONS Page 13 Consultant nurse, Claire Maidment tells us about her family's amazing nursing history

10// WE'VE BEEN RATED OUTSTANDING FOR CARING 14// HELPLINE HEROES

Don't miss CWP's first ever VIRTUAL Annual Members' Meeting Thursday 5 November 2020 10.00am This is your chance to hear from our Board and our Council of Governors about the last year and our ambitions for the future, from the comfort of your own home.

Register your interest by emailing: cwp.governor@nhs.net or calling 01244 397381.

You can give flu to your family and patients without having symptoms. Protect those close to you.

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Get your flu vaccination

Welcome to our latest edition of CWP Life. Since our last publication back in March, so much of what we took for granted has changed. That seems a strange thing to write in regard to such a short amount of time, but of course COVID-19 has brought with it challenges that none of us could have foreseen.

I sincerely hope you and your loved ones have remained safe and well throughout this difficult period. In the face of so much uncertainty, it has been wonderful to see the national outpouring of love and respect shown towards the NHS and other key workers.

"It's been wonderful to see the national outpouring of love and respect shown towards the NHS."

Much has been said about the way NHS colleagues across the country have risen to new and unexpected challenges since the outbreak, and I’d like to add my sincere gratitude for the bravery and adaptability that’s being shown every day to overcome this pandemic.

At Team CWP I’m so proud of the way we have come together. From playing a key role in January’s repatriation of British citizens from Wuhan to Arrowe Park Hospital, to the way we continue to support people in the context of COVID-19 today, we’ve seen so many examples of collaboration and innovation it’s impossible to squeeze them all in to one magazine.

NEWS

AN INTRODUCTION FROM: DR ANUSHTA SIVANANTHAN

I hope this edition gives you a flavour of some of the amazing achievements and best practice from the last few months that have helped us continue to provide the best possible care for the people we serve.

For example: • We have been able to introduce a 24/7 mental health urgent helpline, which has already supported over 18,000 people across Cheshire and Wirral since launch.

• During the most intense period of the pandemic we were able to deliver 98% of planned appointments in our physical community services, and 87% of planned community appointments across our mental health, learning disability and children, young people and family services.

• We are immensely proud that during a time of such extraordinary uncertainty we were able to retain our Care Quality Commission rating of Outstanding for Caring and Good overall whilst additionally achieving a Good rating for Safe.

Of course, COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on our black, asian and minority ethnic communities shines a light on some significant health inequalities. This, combined with the systematic inequalities highlighted by the recent Black Lives Matter movement, shows how seriously we must take our commitment to supporting positive change as a society and a health service.

I’m so proud of everyone at CWP for embracing change so wholeheartedly, while still maintaining our aspiration for outstanding care even in the toughest of times. Thank you to everyone who continues to do their very best for others each day.

Best wishes, Anusta Sivananthan, Medical Director

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NEWS

Former therapist returns to NHS to join #TeamCWP John Fillis is one of a number of former members of staff who has recently returned to the frontline to support the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

John retired as a self-employed cognitive behavioural therapist in 2018. His last role in the NHS was working at Ashworth Hospital, Maghull, for 30 years up until 2014. He recently joined #TeamCWP to take up a role at Springview Hospital. He said: “When the announcement came that they were looking for nurses to come back to work, there was no soul searching or weighing up the pros and cons. It was simple, the answer was yes.”

John last worked on a ward six years ago, despite continuing with cognitive behavioural psychotherapy work.

“The speed and support I received during every step of my return to work was astounding. I am now a professional and proud to be working in our NHS with some of the greatest staff this country has ever seen.

"Many nursing colleagues can’t come back, they have retired for good reason and the health of others has unfortunately deteriorated since retirement preventing them from returning.

“We all have to consider our own circumstances and make our own decisions. It’s not about being brave, it is ability that counts; the ability of those around us to help us make the right choice.

"Every email I received and person I’ve spoken to and worked with has given me the confidence to say I made the right choice.

"If you’re thinking about returning to the NHS you have already taken the first step. Keep safe, keep smiling."

CWP Celebrates Virtual Pride 2020 Staff from across CWP have shown their PRIDE this year through a variety of virtual activities.

During the run up to the national NHS Virtual PRIDE event, which took place in May, #TeamCWP shared their brightest selfies to raise awareness of the LGBT+ community – and for a chance to win some homemade rainbow cupcakes baked by office manager Emma Moore! support assistant within the Community Dermatology and Epilepsy Team) shared their sexual orientation stories to spread awareness of the Trust’s LGBT+ staff network and to encourage colleagues to sign up for the NHS Rainbow Badge scheme, which was officially launched at CWP in February.

Mel said: “It’s great that CWP celebrates Pride and has the LGBT+ Network. I am proud to be a member and would definitely encourage people to join to make connections with others, raise awareness and be instrumental in making changes too.”

Emma said: “I was overwhelmed by the amount of selfies we received! The engagement the competition got really shows how much CWP colleagues value equality, diversity and inclusivity.”

Staff members Mel Bloor-Steen (executive assistant to the chief executive and chair) and Jen Davies (administrative

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Home comforts provided by sensational Silk Ward During the COVID-19 pandemic efforts were made across CWP inpatient units to ensure that people accessing services were as comfortable as possible during unprecedented circumstances.

“They have enabled us to encourage social engagement as well as providing a sensory tasting experience with new foods that can promote discussions and reflections on past life experiences.”

In addition, activities such as croquet, gardening and a garden party have been organised, making use of the outdoor facilities available in the state-of-the-art unit that was opened in early 2020. Ward staff have also gone the extra mile to ensure that patients can maintain contact with their loved ones during a difficult period.

At Silk Ward in Macclesfield, ward staff and occupational therapists have been working tirelessly to ensure patients are kept entertained and active, despite visits from their loved ones being restricted.

Kate Sharp, lead occupational therapist, said: “Occupational therapy staff have organised a range of themed events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Themed restaurant lunches have incorporated a range of culturally diverse meals from across the world, for everyone to enjoy.

Partnership brings new roles to mental health CWP has partnered with Health Education England as part of a national programme of work to introduce new roles, or expand existing ones, in mental health services.

Gary Flockhart, CWP director of nursing, therapies and patient partnerships, said: "We introduced the voluntary Lived Experience Connector (LEC) role in 2016 as a way of involving people with lived experience of services in the Trust’s provision of staff training. The aim is to help staff understand the whole journey and the individual needs of each person. LECs inform the whole learning experience and provide trainees with continuous support and feedback in their journey to develop person-centred practice. After overwhelming success supporting Nursing Associates, LECs are being introduced throughout CWP and each Board member now has one too.

"At CWP we have found the benefits to be twofold in helping give value to people who share their experiences and feedback with us, alongside providing really valued learning to our trainees and wider workforce.”

The partnership has seen the development of a suite of resources to encourage other health and care providers to introduce the dynamic new role for people with lived experience of mental health services including a video and animation available at www.cwp.nhs.uk

Sue Belt, ward manager, said: “One of the most rewarding initiatives we ran was to help families feel closer to their loved ones. Our patients chose a matching coloured pair of handmade knitted hearts; one heart for the patient to keep and the other to be given to their family.

"Each heart came with a card and a verse explaining the reason behind it, which allowed people to have a special keepsake and feel more connected with their relative.”

New joined up service The Wirral Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and Complex Care service has transferred to CWP this summer. The team support people in the community with case management and review of individually commissioned packages of care across Wirral.

"Providing closer care to home with more community based support and reducing delays, resulting in improved experiences for people"

Suzanne Edwards, CWP director of operations, said: “Delivering this service will enable us to build on the established All Age Disability and Mental Health service so that together we can improve our offer for people with continuing health care and complex needs to achieve a fully integrated all age service for Wirral residents.

"Moving forwards, our focus will be upon early intervention, providing care closer to home with more community based support and reducing delays, resulting in improved experiences for people.”

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Leading the way for mental health support in schools NEWS

CWP has been successful in a bid for additional funding to extend the mental health support to even more schools.

Mental Health Support Teams are being developed to work within schools across Cheshire and Wirral to support the emotional health and wellbeing of local young people.

The service builds on the existing work of CWP’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, providing advice to schools, young people and their carers, delivering evidencebased interventions for mild to moderate mental health difficulties and supporting the development of mentally healthy schools.

Wirral currently has three teams covering 53 primary schools. In January 2021 the service will be expanding to have three larger teams covering all primary schools in Wirral.

There are currently two teams in Cheshire, one based in Crewe covering 12 primary schools and two secondary schools and one based in Ellesmere Port covering 18 primary schools and two secondary schools.

Angharad O’Neill, clinical lead for the Wirral Mental Health Support teams, said: “We’re delighted that we have the opportunity to be part of this national transformation. Ensuring that our service is developed in conjunction with children and families is hugely important to us."

Mark Bunnell, trustwide CYP IAPT lead, said: “CWP is now one of the biggest providers of Mental Health Support Teams in the country and we are so excited to be a part of this amazing national programme to get more mental health provision for schools. We hope in subsequent years this can be rolled out further across the county.”

CWP nurse awarded Queen's Nurse title

Learning Disability team are RCNi finalists

Tracey Hartley-Smith, clinical lead for Children and Young People’s Learning Disability Services in Wirral, has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.

Recognised for her commitment to improving patient care, Tracey joined CWP in 2019 following a diverse career working with adults and children with learning disabilities.

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CWP is now the biggest provider of Mental Health Support Teams in the North

Tracey has worked for the NHS for 32 years and has previously been recognised for her pioneering work with children with learning disabilities and autism. In 2018 she was awarded the Royal College of Nursing Institute’s Learning Disability Nursing Award for developing a specialist nursing service for children with learning disabilities and autism in North Lancashire.

The East Cheshire Community Learning Disability Team has been announced as finalists in the Learning Disability Nursing category in this year’s Royal College of Nursing Institute Nurse Awards.

The team were recognised for implementing and supporting a memory clinic for people diagnosed with Down’s syndrome, a learning disability and/or autism. Led

by Specialist Nurse Practitioner Stacey Bagley, the clinic has meant that more clients have received a diagnosis of dementia and are receiving tailored ongoing support.

As well as delivering training to the team, Stacey developed a range of pre-assessment tools and undertakes a comprehensive pre-screening of each referral. Assessments are complete within an hour in collaboration with the service user, their family member or carer, and feedback received alongside a follow-up plan the next day.

CWP nurse’s innovation a hit with healthcare professionals Toni Griffiths, community nurse for CWP’s Tissue Viability Service, recently developed a creative tool to help educate people on the importance of Pressure Ulcer damage.

The Tissue Viability service offers in-house education and training to all CWP health professionals and link nurse training, during which photographs are used to educate people on the importance of pressure ulcer damage. Toni was tasked by her manager Mo Dykes to create a more tangible educational learning tool which could be utilised during training.

Toni created a number of polystyrene apples, with each apple being carved out to show the different categories of pressure ulcer damage. Toni said: “The hardest part about this project was cutting out just the right depth for each individual pressure category and trying to make them look as realistic as possible.”

After she was happy with the apples, Toni then began to think about how they could be utilised as an interactive learning aid, allowing individuals attending the training to

become more involved. She created corresponding ‘flash cards’ which offer the learner a brief description of each pressure category in which they must try and match up to the correct Pressure Ulcer or apple.

Toni’s ‘pressure ulcer apples’ have received a flood of positive feedback on social media. Toni said: “I have been blown away with the amount of publicity and kind comments I have received."

Double Health Service Journal recognition CWP, in partnership with NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), have been awarded the Mental Health Service Redesign Initiative at the Health Service Journal Value Awards.

Sheena Cumiskey, CWP chief executive, comments: “The new model of care means local people can access enhanced community mental health services and 24/7 mental health crisis care, alongside a £4.5million investment into two new state of the art inpatient mental health wards which opened in Macclesfield at the start of this year.

“These new services are helping more people to continue their lives, with support, in the community whilst providing high quality hospital care when needed.

“Recent events related to COVID-19 have been challenging for all of us in different ways and it means a great deal to

all those involved in the redesign, people who access our services, volunteers, staff and partners, to be recognised in this way. I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make these new services a reality.”

CWP was also recognised in the specialist service redesign initiative category for its leading work on the Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Placement Service.

The team (pictured above) work alongside NHS England and local healthcare commissioners to improve the quality of the patient journey. Rebecca Buxton, ABI case manager, explains: “The transformation of the service to arrange and review placements in specialist rehabilitation units has achieved a better experience for people, including a reduced length of stay in hospital.

"We’re over the moon to be shortlisted for the award but even more so knowing the service is now a consistent source of support throughout though the patient journey.”

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Coming together during the COVID-19 pandemic During the coronavirus pandemic, people accessing services, staff, volunteers and members of the local community have stayed connected in a number of creative ways.

From socially distanced afternoon teas on some wards to a number of generous donations being made to help staff look after their own wellbeing; here are just some of the examples demonstrating the community spirit which has shone through…

Local artist Jo Gough has donated her Dorothy painting to patients and staff on Cherry Ward at Bowmere Hospital. The piece was chosen by Lisa Noden, clinical support worker, for its ‘no place like home’ motto.

"Thanks to all CWP staff that donated face products to Countess of Chester Intensive Care unit."

Staff celebrated the NHS 72nd Birthday by saying #ThankYouTogether to everyone who has helped the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Team CWP colleague Jane Humphreys got creative and donated handmade uniform bags to colleagues.

“Thank you Jane for the handmade uniform bags! They’ll be put to good use by our liaison psychiatry staff.”

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Staff donated a number of face products to give to those working in the Intensive Care Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

"Thanks to all CWP staff that donated face products, we were very grateful."

Dazzling Donations

The young people at Ancora House made a creative tiktok video to say thank you to all CWP staff for their dedication, hard work and commitment during these difficult times.

A number of local organisations and partners have donated gifts to staff and service users to offer support during such a challenging time. Some donations include ‘Rest and Refresh Boxes’ from John Lewis and the BMA, hand creams from Chuckling Goat, chocolates from Hotel Chocolat to the staff at Springview, Easter eggs from colleagues at Arrowe Park A&E and visors to the staff at Westminster Surgery from the pupils at Bishop Heber High School.

“Thanks to our friends and colleagues in A&E at Arrow Park Hospital for their extremely kind donation of chocolate Easter eggs to our staff to show their acknowledgement for all our hard work. It was most appreciated thank you.”

Hopeful artwork created by patients was displayed proudly on Brackendale Ward at Springview.

“A huge thank you to Bishop Heber High School for the amazing visors and for helping to keep us safe in primary care.”

The Vale House Community Mental Health Team took part in the 2.6 mile challenge to help save UK charities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul Bailey said: "Thank you guys for a great effort and day making lots of money for Mind UK!”

The Occupational Health Team at Bowmere Hospital put on a socially distanced afternoon tea on Juniper Ward for staff and patients.

"A big thank you to John Lewis and the British Medical Association for the kind and generous donation of the 'Rest and Refresh Boxes' sent to us for the hard working medical staff.”

“Thank you Chuckling Goat. A wonderful and greatly appreciated gesture.”

Staff and patients at Bowmere made knitted hearts to help to connect patients and relatives who can’t be together in these difficult times. “How lovely, keep up the fab work you are all doing!”

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CQC SAY CWP IS OUTSTAND

Sheena Cumiskey, chief executive, talks about the fantastic news that we have retained our rating of Outstanding for Caring and Good overall following our latest CQC Well-led inspection.

I’m very proud that we have been able to evidence so much positive and caring practice – particularly during a period where the NHS as a whole was experiencing such extraordinary challenges.

"The team went the extra mile to involve patients and their families and carers in every care decision.”

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We remain the only Trust across Cheshire and Wirral with Outstanding for Caring overall, and the only mental and community health services trust in the North West to be Outstanding for Caring overall. This is fabulous recognition of the unwavering dedication of colleagues and highlights the shared values that underpin everything we do. Despite the difficult circumstances, I’m so proud that colleagues again embraced the inspection as their

opportunity to shine a light on so much innovative and person-centred work.

As part of the inspection, we were reviewed across five core services spanning each of our four care groups, with fantastic feedback received: •

Child and adolescent mental health wards: “The team went the extra mile to involve patients and their families and carers in every care decision.”

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Wards for people with a learning disability or autism: “Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and understood the individual needs of patients.”

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Community health services for adults: “Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives and supported them to make decisions about their care.”

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Mental health crisis services: “Staff in mental health crisis teams developed holistic, recovery-oriented care plans informed by comprehensive assessment and in collaboration with families & carers.”

DING FOR CARING...AGAIN! •

Community mental health services for people with a learning disability or autism: "Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, and actively involved patients and families and carers in care decisions."

We are immensely proud of the overwhelmingly positive feedback and the key improvements that have been recognised since our 2018 inspection.

In addition to service-specific feedback, we also received some hugely positive comments regarding the Trust overall: •

"The Trust board and senior leadership team had the appropriate range of skills, knowledge and experience to perform its role. The Trust board and leadership team demonstrated a high level of integrity. High priority was placed on doing the right thing for patients, staff and the organisation as a whole."

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"In the majority of services we inspected, leaders were visible in the services and approachable for patients and staff. Staff felt supported by their managers and felt they could raise concerns or approach managers for support."

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"The Trust’s strategy, vision and values underpinned a culture that was person centred. There was a strong commitment to patient and carer involvement and the Trust was moving toward co-designing policy and process with patients and carers."

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"The staff in all areas had adopted and embedded quality improvement initiatives and were using data to improve the quality of service."

"High priority was placed on doing the right thing for patients, staff and the organisation as a whole."

There is of course always opportunity to learn and grow and we will now focus our efforts on addressing identified areas for improvement.

Plans are in place to evaluate these using quality improvement methodology and we will continue to work hard towards our aspiration of achieving an overall rating of Outstanding.

Finally, I’d just like to reiterate my congratulations and thanks to each and every one of Team CWP. Even in the toughest of circumstances, the ongoing commitment to ensuring the people we serve receive the best possible care remains as inspiring as ever.

Best wishes, Sheena Cumiskey, Chief Executive

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Lights Camera Action Find out how the Involvement, Recovery and Wellness Centre have been overcoming challenges when delivering their courses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges for services, not least how to maintain contact with people who access services when face-to-face contacts have been restricted.

volunteers) live with either a physical or mental health long term health condition, we discussed and agreed what we thought would be helpful first. This was self-help strategies for anxiety and stress. We also receive suggestions from volunteers and the users of our service, which we do our best to meet.”

Nowhere has this issue been more pertinent than at the Involvement, Recovery and Wellness Centres where the team endeavour to provide recovery opportunities for people who are referred into the service by practitioners from across CWP. This is done through a variety of courses and workshops.

Facilitated within the centres, they follow an adult education model and aim to deliver a curriculum which contains responsive recovery- focused workshops. However, COVID-19 meant that face-to-face delivery of these courses was impossible. The service came up with the idea to start their own YouTube channel.

Tracey Williamson is the service manager and explains: “Lucie and I were talking about her children and I asked her if they were joining in with the Joe Wickes exercise videos.

We went on to talk about the phenomenon they became and how good it would be if we could do something similar to support the users of our service.

"We then spoke to the team about it and decided to play to their strengths with the tutors, which includes both staff and volunteers, creating videos to support selfmanagement of mental ill health.

"Lucie coordinated and uploaded the videos for publication on the websites. Together, with support from feedback from people accessing our services, we determined what material was most appropriate for the channel.”

Topics for videos so far include; wellbeing exercises, tips for managing distress and relaxation exercises to carry out with children. Expert Patient Programme co-ordinator, Lucie Twigg, says: “As the majority of our team (both staff and

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The volunteers who have taken part have had their say too. Sarah, who takes part in the videos, said: “I have loved taking part in the YouTube channel. It gave me something to focus on and, at the same time, it helped to give patients a little project to participate in and to create something they can be proud of.”

The channel continues to grow and is now an embedded part of the service going forward. Tracey is very happy with the progress.

She says: “We as a team are delighted with how the YouTube channel has taken off and how the volunteers rallied round to support us. To our volunteers and staff, I would like to personally say thank you for all you do to support others, no matter what your personal circumstances are.”

To find out all of the latest updates check out @CWP_IRWC on Twitter

Nursing through generations

CWP Life talks to nurse consultant, Claire Maidment (pictured right with her daughter), about her family’s amazing 5-generational commitment to nursing in Cheshire and Wirral.

The Starting Well service brings together early years services, health visiting, family nurse partnership and 5-19 health and wellbeing services including public health nurses and immunisations and vaccinations.

I come from a family of nurses. My great grandmother and grandmother were both nurses in Chester during the first and second World Wars and my great grandmother even set up a Nightingale Ward at Eaton Hall in Chester where she nursed soldiers returning from the frontline. It’s hard to believe just over one hundred years later the UK would be setting up Nightingale Hospitals to meet a very different challenge!

We want to ensure that our children get the best start in life and are safe, happy, healthy, resilient and reaching their potential.

My mum was the third generation of women in our family to go into nursing. She provided community care to the people of Cheshire and Wirral. After seeing the amazing impact she and her colleagues had on people’s lives, I decided to follow in her footsteps to become a health visitor.

I have a real passion for public health and the importance of providing support to families on a range of issues. In 2019 I was appointed to a Consultant Nurse post for the Starting Well 0-19 service which is an amazing job as it allows me to remain clinically focussed but also provides me with the opportunity to work strategically, influencing the delivery of services to support families.

This role has been particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic where we have had to redesign how our service is delivered to families, as most contacts are being undertaken by video conferencing or telephone rather than in the home.

Last year, during a celebration of nursing at CWP, I was presented with a Silver Award by chief nursing officer for NHS England Ruth May for my work leading the Family Nurse Partnership.

This year sees me celebrate 30 years as a nurse and I am delighted my daughter is soon to become the fifth generation, as she commences her nurse training this September at Chester University.

I feel extremely privileged to be a nurse and a part of the NHS as it deals with one of its biggest challenges in modern times.

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HELPLINE HEROES Find out more about the team behind the 24/7 urgent mental health helpline.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it numerous challenges across all walks of life.

At CWP, one of the main challenges was responding to an increase in demand for urgent mental health support.

As a result, earlier this year CWP launched a new all-age urgent mental health helpline for all people who live in Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Wirral. It is run by local staff who are best placed to support those calling in, accessing the support they need as efficiently and safely as possible.

The helpline is part of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve access to mental health support. Originally due to go live next year, it has been fast-tracked to be available to support local people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the phone line is available to people of all ages, including children.

If you require urgent mental health support please call 0800 145 6485. As of August 2020 the helpline had supported nearly 18,000 callers in accessing the urgent help that they needed.

CWP crisis line manager, Todd Jones, is full of praise for colleagues involved in the service.

He says, “The service had to be pulled together at short notice as demand for this service became clear. Originally, we were scheduled to be launching a 24/7 crisis service in 2021 but the COVID-19 pandemic brought the funding

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forward with urgency. Despite the quick turnaround, we were still able to put together a really wide-reaching service, encompassing our entire footprint and providing pathways into many of our specialist mental health and children and young people services.

“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of those working behind the scenes at the Trust.

"However, I would also like to pay tribute to the numerous members of staff who were redeployed to help take the calls for the helpline.

"It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of those working behind the scenes at the Trust."

"Providing support to those requiring urgent mental health help can be a challenging undertaking and I’ve been hugely impressed by the efforts of those who have joined us and experienced how rewarding providing such support is.”

Over the page, meet some of the helpline heroes who have been helping out with the service in its initial phase.

MEET THE TEAM In this edition of CWP Life we catch up with the urgent mental health helpline team: secondment to the crisis line.

Each locality was asked to provide a team manager to support.

Sue Jenkins – team co-ordinator: Prior to joining the helpline I managed the Forensic Support Service and East and West Cheshire Street Triage Team.

I applied to work on the new services after I received an email requesting a volunteer for a three month

"The practitioners are able to signpost people to services within the community."

Currently I am a clinical lead and have been involved in developing the service following its launch.

The clinical lead offers support to staff working on the crisis line during the I am very proud to be part of this innovative new service set up to provide 24/7 support for members of our community who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Sophie Appleton – liaison/street triage practitioner: Before working on the helpline I was a liaison practitioner at Arrowe Park Hospital and street triage practitioner working in collaboration with Merseyside police.

I was redeployed to the helpline due to COVID and the possible implications on my physical health.

As part of my role I have offered support, signposting and advice to our callers and sometimes just a listening ear.

We have received a high number of calls, some of which with the caller being very distressed and in crisis.

As a team we have successfully averted some serious incidents.

We are also working collaboratively with other professionals in order to

shift.

The service provides immediate support for anyone who is suffering from a mental health crisis.

Feedback from people who have called has highlighted the importance of feeling they are being listened to.

The practitioners are able to signpost people to services within the community that can offer support and/or refer to mental health services if necessary.

At the same time it is supporting people away from A&E, as this is often not the best place for their care. provide people with a more seamless service.

The role has included offering advice to external agencies such as schools, police, GPs, ambulance and social care.

This has enabled the callers to access the most appropriate service in a timely manner.

Marley Whelan – call handler: I was redeployed to the crisis line from my usual role within the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

From my first shift until my last, the ethos and togetherness shown by all was in true personcentred spirit.

The management team ensured everyone felt supported as we entered a new and uncertain time.

I have been privileged to experience such a widerange of professions, and people, resulting in skills, and friendships that will put me in good stead for whatever challenges or opportunities may come my way in the future.

If you require urgent mental health support please call:

0800 145 6485

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Going the Extra 'Extra' Mile During the COVID-19 period we have been inviting people to nominate their colleagues for special going the extra ‘extra’ mile awards!

Below is a round up of all our winners: • Sean Bryan, staff nurse, Jemma Mulryan, staff nurse, and Suzanne Holmes, ward manager, Brackendale Ward

• Laura Chater, administration hub manager, Vale Royal Adult Community Mental Health Team • Juniper Ward, Bowmere Hospital • Laura Forster, Community Care Team Manager, Dr Rachel McDonald and the Chester Central Community Care Team

Gemma Mulryan Brakendale Ward

Lorraine Leyland Liaison Psychiatry

• Lorraine Leyland, psychiatric liaison nurse, Liaison Psychiatry, Wirral

• Susannah Burke, highly specialist physiotherapist and Sandra Jackson specialist occupational Therapist Chester Central Community Care Team • Cherry Ward, Bowmere Hospital • Trustwide Crisis Line

• Jenny Jones, technical analyst, and Mubin Ali informatics support analyst, ICT Services • Audrey Mellor, administrator, Vale Royal Adult Community Mental Health Team

• Samantha Hare, ward manager, Brackendale Ward • Lucie Twigg, expert patient programme coordinator, Jocelyn Solly Resource Centre

• Lesley Vine, clinical secretary, Springview • Vicky Crawford, support worker, Early Intervention Team • Coronation Road Hub Community Care Team • Jackie Taylor, clinical lead, Vale Royal Adult Community Mental Health Team

• Cherry/Beech COVID cohort ward, Bowmere Hospital • Susan Walker, patient and carer experience coordinator, PACE Team • Rural Alliance Care Community Team • Willow Ward, Bowmere Hospital

• Education Team and Satwinder Lotay, head of safeguarding • Rural Alliance Care Community Team • Procurement Team • Viv Williamson, head of resourcing

Susan Walker PACE Team

• Chris Sheldon, head of human resources CWP is a Foundation Trust that provides health and care services for people in partnership with other organisations.

Our services include mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care.

We have services across Cheshire and Wirral as well as Trafford, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Sefton.

The Rural Alliance Team