24 November 2023

In this issue:

• Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
• Children, Education, Families
• Place, Transport, Infrastructure
• Economy

Looking ahead....

From January 2024 we will be producing a Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West-wide monthly update with information about the health, social care and public health services which are important to the 1.8 million people who live in our communities. In addition, the newsletter will feature updates from our three 'Places' on more local work and projects. We hope you will find this new format interesting and informative.

This is the final edition of this stakeholder update in its present form. Thank you for your support over the last three years.

Please email bobicb.media-team@nhs.net with any queries and we will get back to you as possible.

Health, Wellbeing and Social Care

Join the ‘Primary Care Conversation’ to transform services

The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) is working with health and care partners to develop a strategy and implementation plan for the future of primary care. This includes general practice, community pharmacy, optometry (eye care) and dentistry across BOB.

The ICB will also involve local people and patients to transform the way these services are delivered in their communities and neighbourhoods, enabling the integration of primary care and community services with the aim of improving access to services, people’s experiences of using them and better outcomes for patients.

The work aims to:

• build a shared understanding of the current state of primary and community services and present a case for change
• build a consensus on the future vision for primary care and its integration with community services
• design the way we deliver this care (operating model) and other tools such as digital healthcare support 
• test the practical application of the new model through projects
• capture learning and build capability for phased roll-out of the final strategy.

As part of our programme of work to transform primary care, we have launched the ‘Primary Care Conversation’ to let you share your experiences about these services in an online survey at: https://yourvoicebob-icb.uk.engagementhq.com/hub-page/primary-care  Your views will help to inform and shape an ICB primary care strategy to deliver better care for you.

A printed copy of the survey is available by post or by telephone for people without online access. To request one please contact 0300 123 4465 or email engagement.BOBICS@nhs.net  

New programme launches to help patients leave hospital on time

A new ‘Discharge to Assess’ programme in Oxfordshire will change the process and speed at which patients are offered social care support after a stay in hospital, helping people to leave hospital sooner and supporting them to recover safely in the place they call home.

The approach brings together teams from health, adult social care, therapy and reablement to plan a patient’s best route out of hospital as well as a more joined up way to receive support once at home.

A pilot of the programme has been running in Oxford and north Oxfordshire since July. It has already supported 116 people to leave hospital more quickly, enabling them to recover at home, supported by social workers arranged by the county council. The system is now being rolled out across the county.

Find out more about the new programme by visiting Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Horton hip fracture team named as one of the best in the country

Patients being treated at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury for a hip fracture are getting some of the best care available anywhere as the Hip Fracture Team has once again been named among the best in the country – for the 11^th year running.

The hospital, part of Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), met all its best practice criteria in nearly 92 per cent of patients, compared with a national average of just under 54 per cent - this places the Horton Hip Fracture Team in the top three nationally. The latest figures were published in the annual National Hip Fracture Audit, which compared the performance of trauma units in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2022.

Keystone Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub Abingdon is now open

A new High Street NHS and community mental health hub has  opened in the heart of Abingdon’s town centre. Adults experiencing mental health challenges are able to draw on support from the hub thanks to NHS mental health professionals, peer support workers who have their own experience of mental health challenges, services which help people to remain in work or find employment and third-sector mental health services, to thrive among friends, family and their community. The hub is also linked to patients' local GP surgeries in Abingdon and surrounding areas.

Oxford delivers first new cutting-edge therapy

OUH is now a highly specialised NHS centre offering CAR-T therapies to people with cancer after NHS England expanded access across the country to this potentially life-saving treatment. The therapy, which uses a patient's own immune cells to create a tailored treatment, is a complex and potentially risky treatment but has shown in trials to cure some patients, even those with advanced cancers, when other available treatments have failed. Stephen Milton, 29, (pictured above) from Aylesbury was the first patient to receive CAR-T therapy in Oxford as part of his ongoing treatment for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The development of CAR-T therapy in Oxford, which is expected help at least 20-30 patients each year, has been made possible by a partnership between OUH and NHS Blood and Transplant.

AI tool could help thousands avoid fatal heart attacks

An AI tool which can predict the 10-year risk of deadly heart attacks could transform treatment for patients who undergo CT scans to investigate chest pain, according to new research carried out at the Acute Multidisciplinary Imaging and Interventional Centre (pictured) at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre.  In the first real-world trial of the AI tool, it was found to improve treatment for up to 45 per cent of patients and to be cost-effective. This technology has the potential to save the live of thousands of people with chest pain, who may not have been identified as at risk of a heart attack, and therefore may not have received appropriate treatment to lower their risk. The researchers hope it could change the management of patients referred for investigations across the NHS.

Heart attack risk decreased in new mums by self-monitoring BP

Self-monitoring blood pressure after giving birth could help to cut new mothers’ risk of future heart disease and strokes, according to new research by Oxford researchers.

Not only is cardiovascular disease the leading cause of women’s deaths during and immediately after pregnancy in the UK but also complications experienced during pregnancy can have a lifelong effect on women’s cardiovascular health.

In the largest trial of its kind, the Oxford team, who were supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, found that taking daily blood pressure readings at home and personalising medication doses in the weeks after giving birth improved blood pressure control for the first year after a hypertensive pregnancy. It also drastically reduced readmissions due to high blood pressure

New Oxford Health service launched for young people

Oxford Health has unveiled a new Hospital at Home service to provide an alternative to psychiatric hospital care for young people who have a moderate to severe learning disability or a severe degree of functional impairment associated with an autism diagnosis.

The new service is in line with the provider collaborative objectives providing care close to home, reducing admissions, length of stay, waiting times and provides earlier discharge from inpatient care. Read the full story here.

Virtual Reality technology to treat agoraphobia 

A virtual reality treatment (VR) has been recommended for use in NHS mental health services for the first time. The gameChange VR program was developed by a multi-partner team of university, health and industry experts including researchers from Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre  and targets a problem that is common in people diagnosed with psychosis: intense fears about being outside in everyday situations. Read more on the Oxford Health website.

Volunteers needed among family carers of people living with dementia

A new carers study, iACT4CRERS, has opened and the Oxford Health Memory and  Cognition Research Delivery Team is calling for volunteers.

Participants may be eligible if they are aged 18 or over, living in England, currently providing support to a family member living with dementia, are experiencing some worries or anxiety and are willing to receive online support for this. Internet access and access to a tablet, computer, or smartphone is also needed

Smokefree pledge signed by OUH Board

OUH Board members signed the NHS Smokefree Pledge to show the Trust’s commitment to helping smokers kick the habit and providing supportive smokefree environments.

OUH Chair Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, Chief Executive Officer Professor Meghana Pandit, and Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Brent signed the pledge on behalf of the Trust (all pictured above).

The pledge matters because almost 75,000 people in England people die from smoking related diseases in England each year.

OUH supports people to quit smoking with an in-house Tobacco Dependency treatment pathway for patients who are admitted, a Here for Health drop-in service run by health promotion practitioners who can speak to patients, visitors and staff about quitting smoking, and a wide range of difference resources for those who are thinking about quitting.

OUH Trust Board news

Claire Feehily joins the Board of Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) as a new Non-Executive Director on 1 December, replacing Anne Tutt whose term of office ended on 30 November. She was appointed by the Trust’s Council of Governors earlier this year. Existing Non-Executive Directors Sarah Hordern and Claire Flint have been appointed to the roles of Vice-Chair and Senior Independent Directors respectively, also from 1 December – both positions were previously held by Anne Tutt.

OUH nurses invited to Buckingham Palace reception

OUH nurses Daniela Costa and Ariel Lanada were  invited to a reception hosted by His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for nurses and midwives working in the UK. Daniela is a Senior Anaesthetic Nurse in West Wing Theatres at the John Radcliffe Hospital and the President of the Portuguese Nursing Association in the UK . Ariel, pictured, is a Divisional Lead for Practice Development and Education at OUH and Chairman of the Filipino Community of Oxfordshire.

Awards round-up

• The Oxford City Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team, the Community Rehabilitation Patient Flow Lead Team, Timothy Farr from Witney Community Hospital and Perinatal Peer Support Worker Service Margaret Louch each picked up praise at Oxford Health Exceptional People Awards. Find out more about their achievements here.

• Maternity staff based at the Women’s Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital have been named as the South East regional winners in the UK MUM (Maternity Unit Marvels) Awards, run by charity Baby Lifeline.

• Emily Hodgkins has been named as 'Health Play Specialist of the Year' by charity Starlight. The senior health play specialist was celebrated for her work using play to improve the experience of children being cared for at the John Radcliffe Hospital’s Emergency Department, which can be a stressful environment for children.

Children, Education, Families

New director of children’s services for Oxfordshire County Council

Lisa Lyons will be joining Oxfordshire County Council in February as director of children’s services. She is currently director of children and family services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Lisa has nearly 30 years’ experience in children’s and adults’ safeguarding, statutory social care, youth offending, early help, special education needs and disabilities (SEND), education and inclusion services.

New book written for care leavers … by Oxfordshire care leavers

A Care Leaver’s Survival Guide, produced by former children in care from Oxfordshire, is being used by Oxfordshire County Council as a valuable new resource for young people preparing to leave care. The book - which is published by Oxfordshire social enterprise the Office of Care Leaver Advocacy - includes practical advice on subjects such as education, writing a CV, preparing for a job interview, paying bills, housing options, and tips around mental wellbeing. It will be updated each year to cover new policies and legislation, in addition to feedback from care leavers. The guide can be ordered from the Office of Care Leaver Advocacy.

Oxford’s Cuddesdon Corner Family Centre to be refurbished

Families are to benefit from a £900,000 refurbishment of Cuddesdon Corner Family Centre.

The project is jointly funded by Oxfordshire County Council and the Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency. Construction will be led by local contractor ODS starting this month, with completion aimed for summer 2024.

The project will extend and reconfigure the building to provide dual occupancy for the council’s family solutions service and the Oxfordshire Hospital School.

The family solutions service will use the space to provide key support for local families, including a play and learn space and supervised contact rooms. The Oxfordshire Hospital School will base its business support team on site, as well as using the facility to offer virtual teaching to children as part of its outreach work.

Place, Transport, Infrastructure

Final phase of new link road between Wantage and Grove

Construction of the final section of a new link road between Wantage and Grove has begun. Known as the Wantage Eastern Link Road, the new road will extend between the A417 (east of Wantage) and the A338 (north of Wantage). It will also provide direct access onto both the A338 and A417 for the Kingsgrove housing development.

New bus services coming to Oxfordshire

Bus services are being restored to many Oxfordshire communities which have been without regular public transport since 2016.

Following the decision of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet to allocate £1.2 million to improve rural public and community transport, further new services will be launched this month to connect more villages back to the bus network, market towns and the city of Oxford.

These new services are in addition to those funded by the government through the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, including restoration of a service between Carterton and Swindon, new express peak buses from Carterton and Banbury to Oxford, and improvements to other strategic inter-urban routes throughout the county.

A34 Lodge Hill scheme to be fully funded

The A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme has been awarded £17.33 million of infrastructure grant funding through the Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund. This is subject to the agreement of pre-contract conditions and the county council entering into a grant funding agreement with Homes England.

The Lodge Hill junction, which is located between Abingdon and Oxford, currently has north-facing slips only. The scheme will reduce journey times by adding new south-facing slip roads to the A34, as well as make cycling and walking easier and safer in the area.

Consultations open on Oxford’s Local Plan 2040

Oxford City Council has launched two public consultations as the next step in implementing its Local Plan 2040.

The first consultation is on the plan itself, the key document which – if adopted – will underpin all planning decisions in Oxford until 2040. This aims to build more affordable homes, tackle the climate emergency, and help make Oxford a fairer place for everyone. It also sets out where 9,612 homes will be built across the city by 2040 to help ease Oxford’s housing crisis.  

A second and parallel consultation is on a partial review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule. The CIL is a fee councils charge on development, which pays for infrastructure supporting new homes and businesses.

Find out more by visiting Oxford City Council’s website.

Improvements to free car parks in West Oxfordshire

West Oxfordshire District Council is improving signage in its free car parks and making free long-stay parking permanent in Witney’s Woolgate car park.

The council has been trialling free long stay in Zone G of the Woolgate car park since July 2022 to support local workers. Having proven successful, the change has now been made permanent.

The council will also be maintaining its enforcement action to tackle people parking poorly or misusing disabled bays.

Support for swimming

Six swimming pools across South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse have been awarded over £440,000 by Sport England as part of the government’s Phase 1: Swimming Pool Support Fund.

The award will help finance the maintenance of the indoor swimming pools at leisure centres in South Oxfordshire and the Vale and ensure residents continue to have access to good swimming facilities across the two districts.

More information can be found about Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Swimming Pool Support Fund on the Sport England website.

Reimagining Banbury town centre

Banbury residents, businesses and visitors are being asked to contribute to a new vision to help Banbury town centre flourish through to 2050.

To kickstart the visioning process, the council invited young people from Banbury’s local schools and colleges to take part in a workshop run by Hemingway Design. They said what they liked and what could be improved in the town centre and what things Banbury needed to make it a better place in the future.  

A survey is available at www.banbury2050.co.uk for people to give their views until 15 January 2024.

Cherwell’s office move is a step closer

Plans for Cherwell District Council to relocate from its current headquarters have reached an important milestone. The council’s executive has agreed to move from Bodicote House to Castle Quay in Banbury, which the authority owns.

The move would allow the council to establish new headquarters in a smaller, more modern and energy-efficient space. It would also support the council’s wider ambition to regenerate Banbury town centre. Subject to further work, the move could occur in late 2024.

Economy

Oxford Living Wage increases to reflect high living costs

Oxford City Council has announced an increase in the Oxford Living Wage to £12.49 an hour.

The council is now encouraging new and previously accredited employers to commit to the new rate, which will start in April 2024.

Launched in 2008, the Oxford Living Wage is an hourly minimum pay that promotes liveable earnings for all workers in the city. Over 120 businesses and organisations in the city have already signed up. The list can be viewed by visiting the city council’s website.

Promoting Oxfordshire for business and leisure

A new scheme has launched to position Oxfordshire as a prime destination for business and leisure.  'The Oxfordshire Welcome' initiative, which is run by Experience Oxfordshire and supported by OxLEP, comes on the back of the revival of the county’s visitor economy following the pandemic. Businesses joining the initiative confirm their commitment to delivering great customer service and embracing inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability.

£107m sparks transformation in Oxfordshire communities

Since 2014 OxLEP has secured £107.5 million of investment to support multiple projects to benefit local people and businesses through the government’s Local Growth Fund.

Three rounds of funding from the Local Growth Fund between 2014 and 2017 have supported 30 projects, which are enhancing the skills of local people, enriching places, sparking innovation and enterprise, and boosting connectivity within the county.

By 2030 the projects will collectively create 9,700 new jobs, support 2,800 new learners, develop 1,800 new homes, and enable at least £850 million of new funding for the county.

Oxford City Council launches business matchmaking platform

Oxford City Council has joined forces with Match My Project to launch a ‘matchmaking’ platform for businesses and charitable organisations looking to partner up and do good in the city.

Match My Project Oxford is an online social value platform that helps community projects, businesses and suppliers connect and find ways to support each other.   Businesses and organisations can sign up for free and start looking for matches now.