PEOPLE BELFAST 09 Dec.1 No

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1 PEOPLE No. 1 Dec 09 BELFAST

2 Belfast People is published quarterly to report on the people behind the issues that affect Belfast Health and Social Care Trust - staff, service users, their friends and families. PEOPLE No. 1 Dec 09 BELFAST Cover picture June Clark, Macular Clinic, Mater Hospital

3 West Belfast and Greater Shankill employability and job progression project June Clark started worked in the Mater Hospital in Support Services back in Then one day she noticed a poster on a staff notice board. This chance encounter would change the direction of June s working life forever. The poster provided information on West Belfast and Greater Shankill Employability and Job Progression Project. This would provide an opportunity for those who might be interested in a move from support services into an administrative position within Belfast Trust. Tuition in Essential Skills in English, Maths and Business Administration would be part of the programme. Work-based experience in an administrative environment for a period of one year was also included. June read this information, but thought it was not for her. However, she spoke to a number of her colleagues she worked with in the Mater and thought, well why not have a go. June said, I initially thought that I could not do work in an area like Medical Records, but then why not? The advantage of the programme was that your own job would be held open for you, and if I started the programme and discovered it was not for me then I could go back to my old job. I also felt nothing ventured nothing gained! She applied and started on the training programme which involved attendance one day per week in the Millennium Centre on the Springfield Road combined with work placement in Medical Records. June gained a great variety of experience in the different areas she worked in. She finished her training programme in the Mater s Accident and Emergency Department and on 9 November 2009 started work in the new Macular Clinic in the Mater Hospital. June thinks the whole experience has been worthwhile, I would advise anybody who was in a similar position to me to have a go, because you have nothing to lose and much to gain. The West Belfast and Greater Shankill Health Employment Partnership is a partnership between the health sector, community groups and UNISON. Since the development of this partnership, 137 people have gained employment in Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, 65 of whom were long-term unemployed. Existing staff have enjoyed career progression and access to learning and development opportunities which previously may have been unavailable. This project is an excellent example of partnership working. 04

4 A POSTER ON A STAFF NOTICE BOARD CHANGED MY WORKING LIFE FOREVER

5 Neighbours &Friends It s so simple that most of the time we do it without a second thought. Yet turning the key in our own front door, the key to our own home, is much more than an open and shut case. 06 For Sylvia, Lewis, and eighteen other people with a history of mental health problems, turning that door key to a home of their own has literally changed their lives. As residents of the new Millburn Close development they will, for the first time, have a home to call their own. They have all been able to move on from hospital and other forms of care to supported living in the community.

6 As many as one person in four in Northern Ireland will suffer poor mental health at some stage in their life. For some, the illness, while manageable, will have a major impact on their lives and on their levels of independence. But with support, and the right approach, mental illness no longer needs to be the barrier it once was. Commitment The 10 million housing scheme is underpinned by Belfast Trust s commitment to helping people recover from mental illness and to supporting as many people as possible people with mental health problems in the community. It has been made possible by Belfast Trust, the Northern Ireland Association of Mental Health, Habinteg Housing and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive working closely together. The twenty residents will be supported by a team of twelve staff from the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health who will be available over the twenty-four hour period. Just like anyone moving into a new home, Sylvia, Lewis and the others have been preparing and making plans for some time. Having spent considerable time in hospital or residential care some of the planning they have had to do involves many of the basic routine domestic chores that they will soon take for granted. Shopping One of the things I ve been doing to get ready for my new house is going shopping for myself, explains Sylvia. You have to plan out for the week and get what you need. I ve been going to the supermarket and getting food and then seeing how much money I have left. She s also been choosing her duvet cover and other personal items for her new bedroom as well as furniture and curtains for the rest of the house. Sylvia has lived in residential homes for people with mental health problems for most of the past seven years. She s looking forward to a home of her own and the responsibility and opportunities it brings.

7 Neighbours &Friends I was always hopeful that I could move on from where I was, she says. Now I ll be in my own bungalow. It ll be lovely, very nice, says Sylvia, the smile staying on her face long after the words have gone. Lewis is also happy to have a flat of my own. He, too, has spent many years in residential care because of his mental health. But it hasn t dampened his sense of enthusiasm or his sense of humour. Settle in As if he hadn t enough to do moving into his new home, Lewis has also been giving a helping hand to the others. Come moving day he s planning to help others to settle in. He has most of his own packing done, so is ideally placed to give others a helping hand. I could have had a house or a flat, explains Lewis, but everyone coming into Millburn Close has their own assessment and a flat was better for me. Lewis will be living close to some of the people he has known from residential care over the years. Both Sylvia and Lewis lead active lives. Moving into their own homes in Millburn Close has given them the same priorities that many of us enjoy: pride in their own home, good neighbours, being part of the local community and, perhaps of most importance, the chance to live a full and active life on their own terms. Sylvia attends a day centre most days, she has worked in catering and every weekend goes shopping with her mum. You ll find Lewis at the gym and the leisure centre a couple of days a week. He too attends a day centre, is involved in computer studies and even finds time to play in a rock group with three friends. He wouldn t be drawn on his plans for a flat warming party, but Sylvia is in no doubt about her first evening meal in her new home. I have the first dinner already worked out, she says. I ll definitely be cooking steak. We used to live in the home together, he says and now we ll still be. We re neighbours, but we are best friends too, he explains. 08

8 NOW I LL BE IN MY OWN BUNGALOW - IT LL BE LOVELY, SAYS SYLVIA

9 Neighbours &Friends Modernising mental health services As part of our commitment to modernising mental health services Belfast Trust has set itself a number of targets to help improve the quality of live for people with mental health problems. By 2011, we want to achieve: 10% reduction in admission to mental health hospitals 10% reduction in the number of longstay patients in mental health hospitals 13-week maximum waiting time for defined psychotherapy. Millburn Close s carbon footprint During the development of Millburn Close everyone involved has been very aware of the impact buildings can have on the local environment. A range of environmentally features and materials have been built in to each of the houses and flats Trees and shrubs have been planted throughout the development Nest boxes for birds and roosting boxes for bats are being built by local boy scouts and erected on the eaves. Millburn Close working together to improve mental health services Belfast Trust has worked in partnership with a number of organisations and individuals on the Millburn Close project to help provide new opportunities and an improved quality of life for people with mental health problems. Our thanks to: Habinteg Housing Association, the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health the Northern Ireland Housing Association, Bradley Construction and McCutcheon & Wilkinson Architects. 10

10 GETTING THE KEY TO MY OWN HOME HAS CHANGED MY LIFE

11 Shopmobility Belfast at the Royal Victoria Hospital Did you know Shopmobility Belfast has a free manual wheelchair, powered wheelchair and electric scooter service at the Royal Victoria Hospital, or, that Shopmobility also offers a Sighted Guide Scheme at the Royal for people who are blind or partially sighted? The service is there to help those who have a problem with mobility to access the hospital. Whether you are an older person, or you have a disability due to an accident or illness and you have to visit the hospital for an outpatient appointment, or you are visiting a relative or friend in the hospital, Shopmobility is at hand to help you get around the hospital. This includes a specially trained Shopmobility volunteer escorting blind or partially sighted people to their destinations the Royal. Shopmobility has been in operation at the Royal since October 2007 and currently has a membership of 199 people. Its premises are located beside the disabled car park spaces situated on the ground floor of the visitors car park close to the School of Dentistry. Opening hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm each day Monday to Friday, however if your appointment runs over 5.00pm staff will be more than happy to keep their doors open 12

12 SHOPMOBILITY BELFAST AT THE ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL

13 to allow you time to return your wheelchair/scooter. All you have to do is call the number on the card you received on arrival at their office. Irene was delighted with the help she and her husband received from Shopmobility. Following surgery, Irene s husband needed the use of a wheelchair when he had to attend outpatient appointments on three occasions per week for a number of months. Irene was able to park her car, pick up the wheelchair and bring her husband to his appointments. On completion of each appointment she was able to book a wheelchair for the next appointment and this was always ready for her to use. Irene was delighted with the help she and her husband received from Shopmobility On her husband s first outpatient appointment all Irene had to do was complete the Insurance Declaration Form and produce photograph identification. Photographic identification can be, for example, Driving Licence, Smartpass, Blue Disability Card or a utility bill which shows your address. Irene is now a member of Shopmobillity and this allows her to have use of wheelchair access in various locations throughout the Belfast area, all she does is produce her Orange Membership Card, in for example, Forestside, Connswater, Victoria Square and Europa Bus Station. 14

14 You don t have to be a member of Shopmobility to enable you to avail of a wheelchair but it is advisable. However, to have use of the electric wheelchair you must be a member of Shopmobility. The following equipment can be used for the entire day, if necessary, free of charge. However, donations are always welcome as Shopmobility is a registered charity: Shopmobility Belfast at the Royal Victoria Hospital electric scooters powered wheelchairs manual wheelchairs. Ever conscious of the importance of infection control, after each use the wheelchair/scooter is cleaned with antiseptic wipes and antibacterial hand gel. In addition every Friday afternoon, all the chairs are steam cleaned. Wheelchairs/scooters can be booked ahead of time and Shopmobility at the Royal can be contacted by telephoning Peter at (028) during office hours.

15 1000 operations and counting Belfast Trust s cardiac surgery team is looking forward with confidence. If you are coming in for cardiac surgery, you will be reassured to know that Belfast Trust cardiac surgery survival rates exceed current European standards. The survival rate for a first-time coronary artery bypass in Belfast is almost 98% compared to a European average of almost 95%. Last year our cardiology department carried out over 1000 heart operations, exceeding the target set by the Department of Health, while at the same time reducing the costs on each case to an average of 17,467 compared to 17,860 in the previous year. This fantastic achievement reflects a serious amount of hard work and flexibility as well as a drive to modernise the service, said Dr Brian Armstrong, co-director of cardiac services for Belfast Trust. The whole patient journey has been scrutinised. We have looked at ways of providing better access to cardiac surgery, as well as developing new ways of working, while all the time ensuring that we continually provide value for money. An even better service There have been great changes to how our cardiac surgery teams work which has resulted in more operations each week, and a further two beds are now available in cardiac intensive care to allow us to nurse more of the very sickest patients. We are also able to decrease the length of time patients have to be ventilated after surgery, which means the patient can be mobilised earlier and generally will recover faster. This is great news for the cardiac team in Belfast Trust and for our patients. The tradition of cardiac innovation going back to Professor Pantridge and the development of a mobile defibrillator - which is used today throughout the world - continues to flourish, and the team is on target to help even more patients this year. 16

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17 DON T SUFFER IN SILENCE Domestic abuse is a widespread issue for many people in Northern Ireland. Abuse is not always physical - it can be emotional, financial or psychological. As one of the biggest employers in Northern Ireland with some 20,000 staff, Belfast Trust is committed to the principle that everyone is entitled to live free from abuse. Domestic abuse not only impacts on an individual s overall health and well-being but also on their work, absenteeism and morale, and is therefore a workplace and an employment issue. In recognition of the importance of safeguarding and promoting the health and wellbeing of all staff, any member of staff who is experiencing domestic abuse can now avail of a new pilot service provided by specially trained people within the Trust. SUPPORT Staff from across the Trust applied for the voluntary role of domestic abuse support officers. As domestic abuse knows no bounds in terms of age, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, disability or socio-economic status any staff member could apply. domestic abuse knows no bounds in terms of age, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, disability or socioeconomic status The response from staff has been greater than anticipated and 30 support officers were selected on the basis of their application form and/or related experience. All successful applicants took part in an intensive two-day training course with input from by Women s Aid, Men s Advisory Project, Rainbow Project, PSNI, Social Workers, Staffcare, and the Domestic Violence Unit at Department of Health. 18

18 EMPOWER THE INDIVIDUAL TO TAKE ACTION

19 DON T SUFFER IN SILENCE The aim is not to rescue the individual seeking support instead it is to sign post them to the external organisations who have the expertise in dealing with domestic abuse, says Orla Barron, Equality Manager for the Trust. The support officers discuss options for the individual but ultimately it is the staff member s choice should they wish to avail of any internal or external support mechanisms. Support officers are there to listen and provide information to empower the individual to take action if they want, added Orla. PRACTICAL HELP A support officer can act as intermediary between the staff member and their manager. They can offer practical help such as organising a salary advance, or a different location or telephone number if the perpetrator is continuing to harass the individual in their workplace. Should a member of staff not wish to discuss their domestic circumstances openly with another staff member, information and external organisation contact details are on the Trust intranet. Staff can access help via the intranet, their line manager or Occupational Health. 20

20 SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT DOMESTIC ABUSE In Northern Ireland: 29% of murders are as a result of domestic abuse 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience domestic violence in their lifetime domestic violence accounts for 1/3 of all reported crime 5 people are killed each year as a result of domestic violence over 11,000 children live with domestic violence every day 12 women and 4 men are victims of domestic related assaults domestic abuse escalates over Christmas a person can be abused up to 35 times before they seek help.

21 Belfast Trust Contact Numbers Facility Address Telephone Number Belfast City Hospital 51 Lisburn Road Belfast BT9 7AB HOSPITALS Mater Hospital Crumlin Road Belfast BT14 6AB Musgrave Park Hospital Stockman s Lane Belfast BT9 7GB Royal Victoria Hospital Grosvenor Road Belfast BT12 6BA HEADQUARTERS Belfast Health & Social Care Roe Centre Trust Headquarters Knockbracken Healthcare Park Saintfield Road Belfast BT8 8BH

22 Belfast Trust Contact Numbers Facility Address Telephone Number WELLBEING AND TREATMENT CENTRES Arches Wellbeing & 1 Westminster Avenue North Treatment Centre Belfast BT4 1NS Bradbury Wellbeing & 1-17 Lisburn Road Treatment Centre Belfast BT9 7AA Carlisle Wellbeing & 40 Antrim Road Treatment Centre Belfast BT15 2AX Grove Wellbeing Centre 120 York Road Belfast BT15 3HS Knockbreda Wellbeing & 110 Saintfield Road Treatment Centre Belfast BT8 6GR

23 Belfast Trust Contact Numbers Facility Address Telephone Number OUT OF HOURS TELEPHONE NUMBERS Belfast Trust Gateway 414 Ormeau Services Belfast Office Hours (9.00am pm) (if you are concerned about BT7 3HY the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person) At all other times, Emergency Out of Hours Duty Team (all through the night, at weekends and over Bank Holidays) GP Out of Hours Belfast (North & West) Crumlin Road Belfast BT14 6AG Belfast (South & East) Knockbreda Centre (Recorded message) 110 Saintfield Road Belfast BT8 6GR Mental Health Woodstock Lodge One Point Referral Belfast Monday to Friday 9.00am pm