Better Together e-news issue 50
Welcome from the Chair, Kevin Lockyer
We are proud to mark a special milestone - the 50th edition of our members’ newsletter, Better Together. Since its first issue, Better Together has been a vital link between the Trust and its members, sharing stories of care, innovation, and our community.
Over the years, we have celebrated achievements, introduced new services, spotlighted staff and volunteers, and kept you informed about the work that shapes our Trust. This milestone is a testament to the strength of our community and the importance of staying connected.
First, I would like to thank everyone who worked over the recent Bank Holiday weekends. Not all of our colleagues were able to take these weekends off and were instead ensuring our patients and service users continued to receive the care they need. Your efforts are greatly appreciated, thank you.
In this issue, you will find information on how we are trying to ensure we deliver sustainable NHS services. As always, our patients and service users remain at the heart of all of our decision making, as we work to implement our Trust strategy and our plans for the current year.
We are pleased to include an update on our Eating Disorders service and the new option for adults over the age of 18 to be able to self-refer for support. We hope this extension allows more people to access the support they need. Support for children and young people with eating concerns continues to be provided by our Children and Young People Eating Disorder team, with more information available on our website.
Additionally, our Mental Health Support Team in Spalding is now fully operational and accepting referrals. These teams promote positive mental health for children and young people, delivering evidence-based interventions for mild-to-moderate issues, developing whole school or college approaches, and providing timely advice to staff. More information and self-help resources can be found on our website.
Following the launch of our Enhanced Support and Liaison Service (ESLS) in our learning disability and autism services in December, we have updates on their progress. The service aims to prevent unnecessary admissions and placement breakdowns by ensuring fair access to appropriate care for autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities. Despite being new, the team is continuously refining care pathways and welcomes feedback for improvement.
Mental Health Awareness Week took place from 12 to 18 May, with this year's theme being 'Focusing on Community'. Read on to learn how you can support yourself, your loved ones and others in your local community.
Finally, we have details about our upcoming summer elections for our Council of Governors, and updates from Lincolnshire Recovery College, our volunteers and Lincolnshire NHS Charity.
Happy reading.
Kevin Lockyer, Trust Chair
