Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

On the afternoon of July 10, over 800 staff members from GP surgeries across Northamptonshire attended a Suicide Prevention and Awareness training session during their protected learning time (PLT). The training was delivered by a collaboration involving Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), Primary Care and Public Health. It was led and facilitated by Dr Catherine Massey and included co-produced sections from Lisa Pearson, NHFT Suicide Prevention Lead, Andy Willis, an NHFT expert-by-experience lead, Dr Sohrab Pandey, Clinical Lead in Suicide Prevention for Primary Care in Derbyshire and staff from NHFT’s Mental Health and Talking Therapies teams. The session was open to all Primary Care staff from clinicians to receptionists, administrators and managers. Every member of our Primary Healthcare team is likely to encounter people experiencing suicidal thoughts at some stage, either directly or indirectly, throughout their career and sadly, suicide may also affect any one of us in our own personal lives. Feedback was really positive and emphasised how the training would help professionals to support patients: “This is the best training I have ever been on regarding suicide prevention. So much great knowledge, statistics, and information. But more so, practical and specific support than will really help people.” If you are interested in receiving suicide prevention training for your workplace or organisation, both North and West Northamptonshire councils have more information on how to access training and support. The Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy can also be viewed on both webpages, the links are listed below: West Northants Council: Mental health and wellbeing | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk) North Northants council: Mental health and wellbeing | North Northamptonshire Council (northnorthants.gov.uk) #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth

In June we held our fourth 'Dragons' Den' panel event at Berrywood Hospital. We have a dedicated Innovation Fund at NHFT and the idea behind these events is for staff to get an instant decision about an idea they have which will improve the health, wellbeing, or care of our patients. Our second video of the day features our NSTEP service which provides early intervention in Psychosis for those aged 14-65. The team are pitching an idea called the "Performing Arts and Creativity Programme" which will provide more opportunities for patients to get involved in creative skills, music therapy and performing arts. Find out more about the programme in the video below. #Innovation #MentalHealth #EarlyInterventionInPsychosis #MusicTherapy

In June, we held our fourth 'Dragons' Den' panel event at Berrywood Hospital. We have a dedicated Innovation Fund at NHFT and the idea behind these events is for staff to get an instant decision about an idea they have which will improve the health, wellbeing, or care of our patients. As part of an ongoing series, we will be sharing all of the videos from June over the next few weeks. Today, find out about two innovative ideas which aim to support young people in our county. The first of today's videos is about "Wellbeing in the Woods", a 'waiting well' initiative to support young people and families whilst on waiting lists for autism and ADHD assessments. #Innovation #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #ForestSchool

Saturday 13 July saw members and friends of the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Association come to celebrate a year of activities together at the Northampton County Cricket Club. Many dignitaries and over 300 guests attended the annual celebration, including NHFT’s Chief Executive, Angela Hillery. Other keynote speakers included Mr James Saunders, the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, Mr John Mugerwa, the Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the United Kingdom, and Ms Agnes Baku, the Chief Nursing Officer of Uganda. Angela opened her speech by celebrating the shared values of the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Association, and those of NHFT. She spoke of the successes of our international nursing recruitment programme, and of the diversity and experience that our international nurses have bought to our teams and communities. Other keynote speakers emphasised the importance of collaboration, sharing, education and training, reinforcing the great value of nurses and midwives from all over the globe who are working in the NHS. Photo: L-R: Justine Odwongo (President of Ugandan nurses association, Moses Mulimira (THET representative) Jean Gideon (Treasurer), Ambassador Mugerwa, The Lord Lieutenant James Saunders, CNO Uganda Mrs Agnes Baku, CEO NHFT and LPT Angela Hillery, Tim Mugerwa (Vice president), Joe Lutwama (Chair organising committee)

Are you looking for a career where you can make a difference? NHFT is an outstanding rated Community and Mental Health Trust with a range of careers in a variety of teams. Visit www.nhft.nhs.uk/jobs and grow your career today #weareNHFT

Maria O'Neill works as a Palliative Care Nurse at HMP Littlehey, providing palliative and end of life support to prisoners. Maria recently won the “The Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing Award”, sponsored by Royal College of Nursing in “Care Talk magazine’s” inaugural “Palliative & End of Life Care Awards” which recognises and celebrates excellence in palliative and end of life care. The aim of the awards is to pay tribute to individuals and organisations who provide high quality, person centred, end of life and palliative care, enabling people to have a ‘Good Life and a Good Death’ and recognising accomplishments at all levels from within the social care workforce and hospices. Maria explains what the win means to her and the team; “This win is not only for me but for the whole of Healthcare in HMP Littlehey, we are all part of a fantastic team and one I feel privileged to be a part of. The Healthcare team at HMP Littlehey are second to none and all work together as one big family and support each other. My passion for caring for patients at the end of their lives is the most rewarding and privileged role you could possibly be in.” Read the full story, including what inspired Maria to start working in palliative care herehttps://lnkd.in/evYqVHZY

Do you find talking on the phone difficult? Do you need support with your mental health? We have launched a text message number for those who are unable to use a phone, or find talking on the phone difficult. This service is for those aged 17 and a half years old and over, and is available Monday to Friday, from 9-5pm. You can send a text message to 07480 635531 or start a chat online here https://lnkd.in/etjdw5n3

Stress can affect anyone, but all too often we don’t recognise the signs and symptoms; or if we do, we try to carry on.   But there are ways to cope with, and overcome, the challenges of a busy life or career.   ‘Understanding and Managing Personal Stress’ is a FREE session, run by Recovery College NHFT, that aims to equip you with FIVE ways to manage personal stress.   It takes place on Thursday 18 July 2024, from 10am to 1pm, at the Bangladeshi Centre, Gateway Centre Mill Road, Kingsthorpe, Northampton , NN2 6AX.   Book your place here https://lnkd.in/eQyNfGNq   (Please note, this course was previously entitled ‘Thrive with 5... Ways to Wellbeing’. If you have previously attended this course, the content will be the same).   Recovery College courses are available for over 18s who are NHFT current and previous service users, their family and friends, carers, members of partner organisations, and NHFT staff and are free to attend. #stress #weareNHFT #RecoveryCollege #stressmanagement #northamptonshire #northants #mentalhealth

We’re continuing our celebration of co-production at NHFT! Dan is NHFT’s Patient Engagement Lead at HMP Peterborough which has recently involved its prisoners in developing an important healthcare information pack. In this video, Dan explains that co-production is important because service users are the ones “living and breathing healthcare”. He also explains how service users are helping develop other projects at the prison. https://lnkd.in/eW7RgenU If you would like to get involved in improving our services at NHFT visit: For adults: https://lnkd.in/eTrqZEzc For children: https://lnkd.in/eVctznDV

Our week-long celebration of co-production at NHFT continues today with a focus on the role of young people. As members of our Youth Advisory Board, Ryan, Darrell and Ellie play an active role in helping to shape and improve local services for children and young people. Co-production and participation can mean a whole range of things – from helping to create information leaflets for service users, to sitting on interview panels when we recruit new staff to children’s services. More recently, Ryan, Darrell and Ellie and others like them have been involved in designing and developing our new iDiscover service, a safe and welcoming community supporting children and young people to learn and grow. In these videos, the trio reflect on why co-production has been so positive for them – and why it’s helped to boost their confidence as well as have their voices heard.