Better Together e-news Autumn 2016 - news in brief

Brand new website for steps2change service

Our countywide steps2change (s2c) service has just launched its new website – helping to dispel the myths surrounding talking therapies.

The new site includes information about the free help available locally from the NHS for anyone suffering with common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

s2c Clinical Lead, Steve Skinner said:

There is a stereotypical view that talking therapies involve lying on a sofa with a box of tissues to hand while talking to a counsellor.  This couldn’t be further from the truth and we hope to dispel this myth by providing members of the public with more accurate information on our new website.

Take a look for yourself - logon to www.lpft.nhs.uk/steps2change to find out more.  

Become a Flu Fighter and get your jab

It’s that time of the year again - the clocks have changed and the weather is a little colder, but fear not, the bug-busting Flu Fighters are back.

The Trust has once again joined the call to arms and is promoting the importance of getting a flu jab to all eligible staff, patients and carers over the coming months.

Getting a flu jab protects yourself, your family, colleagues and patients.  The vaccine is typically up to 70 per cent effective depending on the strains of flu that are circulating in any given year.

If you care for someone with a long-term health problem you are also entitled to receive a free vaccination – contact Carers Trust on 0844 800 4361 or info@carers.org for more information.

Become a #FluFighter today.  
 

Portal of care about to open

Lincolnshire is set to improve the way people’s information is shared between health and care workers in order to deliver better care.  The innovative Care Portal will provide a single view of selected information on a person’s health record, such as x-rays, appointment details, medication history and any care plans that may be in place.

It will enable treatment to begin sooner and ensure tests are not repeated.  In addition, if someone has a long-term health condition, where a number of different health workers are involved, they will all be able to view the information in order to coordinate care more effectively.

A public information campaign has now been launched to provide members of the public with details on the Care Portal and how to opt out of the system if they wish.

Sign up to make Lincolnshire Suicide SAFE

Businesses, organisations and community groups are being encouraged to be more aware of suicide and recognise people who may be at risk and need support.

A new county suicide prevention plan – Lincolnshire Suicide SAFE (Supporting Awareness for Everyone) – asks organisations to sign up to a charter and pledge their support to help recognise the signs and triggers for those at risk.

The aim of the campaign is to get local communities involved in helping to prevent suicides and to find out more about what we can all do to support our friends, family, colleagues and neighbour who may be struggling.

For more information or to make a pledge to the Suicide SAFE campaign click here>> 

New CDU planned for Lincoln

A psychiatric Clinical Decisions Unit will be created at our Peter Hodgkinson Centre in Lincoln, thanks to a slice of £406,000 government mental health funding.

It is anticipated that the unit will be operational by March 2017 to support people suffering a mental health crisis in Lincolnshire, diverting them away from emergency departments.

The unit, which will accommodate up to six people, will be used as a place for people to attend out-of-hours, referred by the crisis teams and in close liaison with paramedic colleagues, to prevent delays for people at A&E.

It will enable staff to carry out a full mental health assessment and develop the most appropriate package of care for each individual.