Spotlight on York NHS finances as Acomb GP surgery looks to extend

Freedom of Information response confirms no discussions held regarding Priory Surgery move to Lowfields site

With the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (YCCG), which buys services for people in York, heading for a £24 million overspend this year, the spotlight is being turned on some major investment decisions.

The Estates and Technology Tranformation Fund provides investment for General Practices to improve premises and technology.

Grants can be between 30% and 100% of the capital cost.

Part of the purpose of this programme is to “help practices establish infrastructure which enables sufficient routine appointments at evenings and weekends to meet local demand alongside effective access to out of hours and urgent care services”

All schemes have to be implemented by March 2019.

On 2nd June 2016 a local commissioning committee meeting in York decided which projects to bid for. Some have since been added to the approved national list.

The national improvement list for 2016/17 authorises funding for extension work at the Front St (Copmanthorpe), Posterngate and Priory (Cornlands Road) surgeries. The Cornlands Road scheme could cost around £800,000 and would fund an extension for a “new patient lounge” and facilities to “manage long term conditions”.

Four new build schemes are also listed for York.  They are located at Wheldrake, Jorvik/Gillygate South (Terry’s site), Huntington and Priory (Burnholme Health and Well Being campus).

In deciding its priorities, the YCCG had to observe national policies, They are set out here click

The guidance says “It is not anticipated, at this stage, that a further national round of submissions will be offered as it is expected the fund will be fully committed and the pipeline fully populated following this second invitation for schemes”.

The situation at the Priory practice on Cornlands Road came to the fore in the autumn when the York Council agreed to allocate a site at Lowfields for the practice to move into.

Priory had already been working with the Council on providing health facilities at the Burnholme school site on the other side of the City.

Although NHS documents (see below) reveal that the current Cornlands Road premises do require improvement, the local YCCG nodded through the extension scheme in June.

In a response to a Freedom of Information request the YCCG says,

 “The CCG and practice have had no meetings about the relocation” of the surgery to Lowfields.

So, it seems that – with the deadline for funding applications now passed – there is little chance of a health centre being built on the reserved site at Lowfields in the foreseeable future.

…. and there is now even less justification for building on the Lowfields playing fields!

property-services-report

 

Pharmacy opening hours in York over festive season

chemist-opening-hours-christmas-2016

City of York Council, the Vale of York CCG and pharmacies are reminding residents of the support available to help them stay well this winter, and the importance of getting the right care, first time.

Last month, figures released as part of the Humber, Coast and Vale Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) revealed that:

  • 27 per cent of people who book a GP appointment could have had their issue resolved a different way
  • 40 per cent of A&E patients require no treatment.
    The cold weather can have a significant impact on people’s health and residents are being reminded of the services available to them this winter.

Pharmacies across the city can offer confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses such as colds, flu, minor rashes and pain relief.

They can also help answer any questions you may have about the medication you are taking. Many pharmacies are open late into the evening and all have a consultation room so you can speak in private. For a list of pharmacies in York go to www.nhs.uk/service-search.

Residents can also get advice from NHS111 before contacting their GP, the fast, easy and free NHS non-emergency number. When you call 111 you will speak to a highly trained adviser who is supported by healthcare professionals.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. You should use the NHS 111 service if you need medical help or advice when it is not a life-threatening situation. Call 111 if:

  • you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
  • you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
  • you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
  • you need health information or reassurance about what to do next.
    For more information on the 111 service visit: www.nhs.uk/111.

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Have your say on York’s health and wellbeing strategy

Residents across the city are being asked to comment on a draft joint health and wellbeing strategy for the city for the next five years.

York’s Health and Wellbeing Board is inviting people to comment on the draft joint health and wellbeing strategy to ensure that it reflects people’s views and suggestions and that it includes the principles and actions that are most important to improving health and wellbeing in the city for the next five years.

The draft strategy is focused around:health-and-life

  • Mental health and wellbeing – getting better at spotting the early signs of mental ill health and intervening early
  • Starting and growing well – support for the first 1001 days, especially in vulnerable communities
  • Living and working well – promote workplace health and remove barriers to employment
  • Ageing well – reduce loneliness and isolation for older people.

The aim of the strategy, which will run between 2017 and 2022, is to help every single resident of York enjoy the best possible health and wellbeing throughout the course of their life. This will be done by:

  • Promoting greater independence, choice and control
  • Building up community based support
  • Supporting self care and management
  • Greater use of early help though targeted/short term interventions
  • Imaginative use of new technology.

The draft strategy draws on extensive engagement with stakeholders and residents, which saw over 1,200 suggestions received about health and wellbeing in York earlier this year, and a variety of evidence including the city’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The JSNA provided a comprehensive assessment of the health and wellbeing needs in the city.

Councillor Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board said: “This strategy looks to set out the priorities and the focus for investment for the city’s health and wellbeing over the next five years.

“We want everyone in York to have their say on the draft strategy which looks to increase confidence and the resources to play their part in improving health and wellbeing for all our residents.”

To comment on the draft joint health and wellbeing strategy visit www.york.gov.uk/consultations. All views are welcome and the consultation closes on Sunday 22 January 2017.

Bootham Park Hospital closure – York Council reacts

Bootham parkA report will be presented to City of York Council’s Executive on 24 November, recommending actions to be taken by three health agencies following the closure of Bootham Park Hospital.

The hospital closed in September 2015 after an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Following this, the Health & Adult Social Care Policy & Scrutiny Committee agreed to undertake a scrutiny review of the closure utilising the support of an independent expert and NHS England, which was conducting its own review.

The review’s remit was: ‘To understand the circumstances leading to the closure of Bootham Park Hospital, to establish what could have been done to avoid the gap in services in York, particularly for in-patients and their families, and identify any appropriate actions for relevant partners.’

The Committee, independent adviser and a task group carried out an extensive consultation which included all health partners and, via Healthwatch York, mental health service user in the city, their families, carers and staff.

Among the feedback, service users, their carers and families told the consultation that the closure of Bootham Park Hospital was part of a wider capacity and suitability issue for local mental health services and they told of the additional stress caused by having to travel to Darlington, Middlesbrough and beyond, However, most respondents had been happy with staff and the quality of care at Bootham, but expressed concern over the apparent lack of co-operation between agencies delivering services.

The review’s findings led to the following recommendations for Executive to consider:

  • NHS England – a named individual should be responsible for and report on sustained improvements to mental health services in York, that there is a full list of bodies delivering these services and that proactive engagement takes place with residents and service users.
  • Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – should consult robustly and fully ahead of procuring a new mental health unit in York and that details are shared with the committee.
  • The Care Quality Commission (CQC) – should consider how best to transfer services between providers.
  • The Committee requests that these organisations respond to it within three months.
  • The Policy and Scrutiny Committee also agreed that the final report and its recommendations should be brought to council’s Executive and the Health and Wellbeing Board, before being presented to NHS England, TEWV, the CCG and CQC.

Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health at City of York Council, said: “This review enabled councillors to investigate the issues around the closure of Bootham Park Hospital and has made recommendations for actions to be taken by the relevant health agencies. Key points included the need for greater co-operation between agencies delivering services and the need for a robust consultation ahead of the opening a new mental health unit.

“York has a longstanding reputation for delivering progressive, high quality mental health services. I hope this review and its recommendations will support multi-agency work to restore them to a high level and I look forward to working with partners to achieve this.”

Executive will take place on Thursday 24 November at West Offices and is open to members of the public or is available to watch live online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

To attend the meeting, or to read the report click

Suicide levels in York – Council acts

antidepressants_suicide A Council meeting will also assess a five year audit of suicides in the city, between 2010 and 2014 which looked at all deaths in York in which the coroner concluded that it was death by suicide.  The audit was conducted in line with national guidance in order to enable better understanding of the pattern of suicide in the city.

The findings highlight the fact that the number of suicides in York is above the national and regional average and looks to inform suicide prevention work and activities and feed into a future suicide prevention plan.

Recommendations on suicide prevention which will be discussed at the meeting will include:

  • ·        Work towards achieving formal ‘Suicide Safer Community’ accreditation
  • ·        Develop a suicide prevention framework for York
  • ·        Undertake a regular programme of suicide audits
  • ·        Develop ‘suicide surveillance’ and real time ‘early alert’ processes to improve the multi-agency response
  • ·        Provide more responsive support arrangements to those affected by suicide
  • ·        Ensure that those people who are affected by suicide are able to have their views and experiences heard

The report follows a conference held last month which launched an ambition for York to be a Suicide-Safer community and part of a Mental Health Friendly County.

Councillor Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board said: “Suicide devastates the lives of individuals, families and communities. This audit and meeting will look at how we as a city can improve our suicide prevention work and better support our residents. It is important that we talk about suicide and that as a council we continue to work with partners across the city to prevent suicides.”

Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health at City of York Council said: “Every suicide is a tragedy and City of York Council takes the issue of suicide and preventing deaths by suicide very seriously. This audit, which is in line with national best practice, reviews every death between 2010 and 2014 where the coroners outcome was suicide. The audit provides an opportunity to discuss suicide prevention and find areas where we as a city can improve the support available, which will feed into our suicide prevention plan, and I would like to thank officers and partners who supported this work.”
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£178,200 funding for “Safe Haven” at Sycamore House

 Boost for mental health services in York
Sycamore House

Sycamore House

City of York Council has welcomed news that the Department of Health has awarded £178,200 to create a Safe Haven at Sycamore House to provide a place of safety ‘out of hours’ for people who are at risk of experiencing mental health crisis.

The Safe Haven will provide a place of sanctuary for people experiencing out-of-hours mental distress and will provide open access and multi-agency support for anybody who attends.   The service will not only provide an alternative to residents going to accident and emergency but will also look to help users feel able to come to seek support from the Safe Haven before their distress escalates into a crisis.

The Safe Haven will operate in addition to the support already provided by Sycamore House, which currently hosts a range of services for mental health service users to aid recovery.

As part of the project Sycamore House will be refurbished and the Safe Haven will have a relaxed, informal, non-clinical atmosphere. The design of the facility will focus on elements that can make a positive contribution to good mental health – ease of access, light, tranquillity, and a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere.

Yesterday, the Department for Health announced the funding that is being made available to improve places of safety across the country. The announcement confirmed the approval of a bid from the York and North Yorkshire Crisis Care concordat, including City of York Council, the Partnership Commissioning Unit (PCU) – an NHS shared service arrangement across the four North Yorkshire CCGs – and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).  TEWV will support the Safe Haven initiative with links from its Crisis and Home Based Treatment Team and work with third sector organisations regarding the staffing of the Safe Haven.

 Once it opens in May 2017 the new service will operate seven days a week between 6pm and midnight.

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£4m project to provide more extra care at Glen Lodge gets underway

Work to extend a City of York Council sheltered accommodation scheme is starting to deliver a £4 million investment to increase and further improve care services for older people.

llr runciman and apprentice danny langdon at glen lodge webGlen Lodge Housing with Extra Care Scheme is being extended as part of the council’s plans to modernise accommodation for older people in the city with 25 new flats and two new bungalows being built.

As well as the proposed extension, the council is also working to extend the existing help and support available to residents – known as ‘extra care’ – so it is available 24 hrs a day, seven days a week. This will enable even more people with higher care and support needs to live at Glen Lodge.

The work is part of the Older People’s Accommodation Programme which aims to give older people more choice and control about the care and support they receive.

Local contractor William Birch is carrying out the works and will have a number of apprentices working on the project. Danny Langdon, David Hayes and Chris Horsley, all at various stages of their bricklaying apprenticeships with York College, are working under their mentor, Steve Bailey, a highly-skilled bricklayer. They will initially be working on the new bungalows and will then move on to the main building. (more…)

World Mental Health Day tomorrow (Monday)

York is backing World Mental Health Day (Monday 10 October) ahead of the launch of an ambition to make York a Suicide-Safer community and part of a Mental Health Friendly County.

World Mental Health dayThe theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, is “psychological first aid”. This looks to focus on basic pragmatic psychological support by people who find themselves in a helping role whether they be health staff, teachers, community workers, or front-line service staff performing a variety of roles, who offer both psychological and social support.

The day is designed to encourage people to consider the role that offering support and reassurance may play in helping those with ill mental health, and how the act of showing care and communicating with someone who may be vulnerable is so important.

The awareness day comes ahead of a conference on Friday 28 October which will launch an ambition for York to be a Suicide-Safer community and part of a Mental Health Friendly County. The event will give people the opportunity to offer their views on how York can achieve these ambitions as well as hear about the work already being done in the city. It will also invite people to have their say on their experiences and where they feel the support available can be improved or just come along and listen to the talks which are taking place.

The event will be taking place between 2pm and 7pm at the Ron Cooke Hub, University of York on Friday 28 October, which will:

  • Share stories about people’s experiences
  • Raise awareness of the issues facing those with mental ill-health, their families and those authorities responding to those in crisis
  • Outline what support is available to people and how this can be improved
  • Discuss prevention and early intervention

Speakers will include professionals and people who have been affected by suicide. To reserve a place please email wdu@york.gov.uk, phone 01904 553017 or visit bit.ly/suicidesaferyork.

Cllr Carol Runciman, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “World Mental Health Day is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and get people talking about mental health issues. This year’s theme focuses on how we can all play our part to help friends, family, colleagues and other people we meet in our local community.

“This awareness day comes ahead of an event we are holding later this month to launch an ambition for York to be a Suicide-Safer community and in a Mental Health Friendly County. We are inviting professionals and people who have been affected by mental health to come along to listen and have their say on how the support already available can be improved.”

Inspector Bill Scott, North Yorkshire Police’s mental health development lead, said: “World mental health day is a chance to talk about mental health, raise awareness and break the taboo. One in four or us will suffer from mental ill-health in any one year and it’s vital that people feel able to talk about it, and get the help they need. Every suicide is devastating for all affected by it, but there are often indicators that people are vulnerable. We want to help build a community where people feel able to talk about feelings of distress or suicidal thoughts, and that there are people who will listen. The aim of the event on 28 October is to bring together people who have been affected by suicide either personally or professionally, to help shape our plans to make North Yorkshire and York a suicide-safe and mental health friendly zone.”

To seek help or support with any problems:

·        Ring 111 to access mental health services – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

·        Contact your general practitioner (GP).  If you do not have a GP or do not know your GP’s telephone number contact 111

·        Phone the Samaritans 24 hour helpline on 08457 90 90 90 for confidential non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

For more information about the international campaign visit