Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership

CYP Monthly Newsletter February 2023

Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership sent this bulletin at 01-03-2023 11:48 AM GMT

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Children and Young People

Monthly Newsletter

February 2023

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Welcome to the February edition of GMEC Children and Young People Monthly Newsletter. This edition of the newsletter begins a series which will introduce more of our Clinical Leads.

Frances Carbery, Children and Young People's Programme Manager says: "The Greater Manchester Children’s Physical Health Programme is underpinned by the NHS Long Term Plan, the national Children’s Transformation Programme, the Greater Manchester Children’s Plan and the Children and Young People (CYP) CORE 20 PLUS 5 framework.

Within the programme we have key areas of work which aim to address health inequalities and to reduce variation in care and outcomes for CYP across Greater Manchester. Our programme of work includes three long-term conditions; diabetes, epilepsy and asthma, and tier two healthy weight provision. We support and lead on other quality improvement projects such as virtual wards, Children’s Community Nursing Teams and Long Covid.

Our Clinical Leads and Clinical Advisors for the various workstreams ensure that clinical voice is at the heart of all quality improvement work. They also facilitate the voices of children, young people and families to ensure co-production where possible.

We work closely with children and young people stakeholders from across the Greater Manchester Health and Care system to ensure that CYP are considered in policies and strategies. The recent publication of the CYP CORE 20 PLUS 5 framework has placed additional emphasis on the importance of addressing health inequalities and inequity, something that has always been a key part of the work of the Strategic Clinical Networks. We strive to reduce unwarranted variation across health care provision and outcomes in Greater Manchester, and to achieve the best health outcomes for our children and young people."

Dr Jim Bruce, Greater Manchester Children's Strategic Network Clinical Lead

As the Clinical Lead for the Network I provide the focal point of leadership for the SCN. My role is to promote engagement from the range of clinical, medical and nursing representation. I help to ensure that the correct clinical input happens so our programmes continue to improve, and services are changed where necessary. I also chair the Clinical Steering Group, which oversees the work of the Network.

The Network embraces a cradle to grave philosophy which acknowledges and understands the impact of a good start to life and the beneficial consequences to our adult population. We are involved with providing, commissioning, and receiving (if you are a user of service) a range of services integral to the health and well being of our population.

The input and voice of children and young people themselves are vital, and are at the heart of our development plans. We work closely with Greater Manchester Youth Combined Authority and in partnership with the Children’s and Adolescent Mental Health Services and our Maternity Network.

We have 3 clinical leads in the arenas of diabetes, asthma and epilepsy. In addition, our Network covers a broad spectrum of activities ranging across preventing avoidable hospital presentations and admissions, self-management by families, implementing national health strategies at a local level and bed-management strategies across GM.

The pandemic and our recovery from the challenges has changed many perspectives. From my own position I remain determined to ensure that the source and drive for change and improvement is owned primarily by the young people themselves.

Epilepsy Clinical Leads

Dr Amy Wilson

Consultant Community Paediatrician and Epilepsy Lead, Salford Care Organisation, Northern Care Alliance

Tell us about yourself and your role.

I enjoy developing a relationship with families and seeing the children and young people over a longer period of time. Epilepsy is a particular interest for me because there can be very good outcomes. I also enjoy the teamwork which is involved in community working.

I love seeing the children and young people as they are all so different and often quite entertaining. I enjoy helping them and their families to understand their health needs and improve their quality of life.

There is a national transformation project for children and young people with epilepsy. The National Epilepsy Care Programme is working towards addressing the historic deficiencies in epilepsy care through a comprehensive change programme that delivers care from cradle to grave in epilepsy. We are working towards services being equitable and learning from areas with good practice so that the same high standard of care is received wherever you live in the country.

What would you tell your younger self at the start of your career?

The training programme seems so long at the time, but it is worth spending the time to end up doing the job you will really enjoy.

Any hobbies, interests or superpowers you'd be prepared to disclose?

In my spare time I am mainly a taxi service for my teenage children. I also bake bread, go to the gym a lot (to balance out the bread) and I have 4 chickens who are very spoilt.

Debbie Garner

Paediatric Epilepsy Nurse and Epilepsy Clinical Lead, Salford Royal Foundation Trust

Tell us about yourself and your role.

I have been qualified as a Children’s Nurse for 22 years: 17 years in the community and I have been working as a Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurse for 6 years now.

I have always worked with Children and Young People with complex health conditions, but really wanted to work within a specialised area. This specialism isn’t without its challenges but equally is so rewarding and everyday I learn more and more!

I work in an excellent team to support children and young people aged from birth to 19 years who have epilepsy, and I also support families and carers. We are part of the children's acute and ongoing needs service. I enjoy being part of the patients' whole journey from a referral to diagnosis: when a child or young person becomes seizure free is a real positive.

Clinicians recognise the need for a planned and supported transition process for young people with long term health conditions and complex healthcare needs as they move from child centred to adult delivered services and lifestyles. I have successfully transitioned a number of Young People who have secured places at University. Some of them have enrolled as nurses and report that this is because of the care they have received as a child. This is particularly rewarding.

What would you tell your younger self at the start of your career?

Keep going….it will all be worth it!

Any hobbies, interests or superpowers you'd be prepared to disclose?

Hobbies include; fitness, walking, spending time with family.

"Kelly's" Story

Epilepsy is one of the 5 long-term conditions identified in the Core20 PLUS 5 approach to reducing healthcare inequalities. The case study below shows the outcome of close partnership working between health and care to support local child, "Kelly" whose health issues were impacted by her background.

Kelly’ was referred to the epilepsy service via her GP, she had a 6-month history of seizure activity.

"Kelly’s" Mother was contacted via telephone by the Epilepsy Nurse to gather more information. Her Electroencephalogram (EEG - recording of brain activity) was requested and first aid, water safety and general safety were discussed.

The plan was to review "Kelly" face to face in a Consultant Led clinic once her EEG results were obtained. However "Kelly" was not brought to her EEG appointment and a further appointment was offered. A Clinic appointment was arranged to discuss the EEG report and commence medication, but Kelly was not brought to this appointment either. A letter was sent to the family explaining the abnormal EEG and to arrange a further appointment.

There were numerous phone calls between Mum and ESN to discuss her medication regime in which Mum reported that Kelly was ‘not taking her medication’. A home visit was conducted by ESN and the importance of medication was discussed with Kelly and Mum.

There were complex and challenging issues within the family which meant that Kelly had poor school attendance and she was not given the advised dose of medication.

There were numerous plans and interventions of support provided from health, education and social care.

Mum admitted she often forgot to give Kelly’s medication and was not collecting prescriptions from the GP. Kelly would often have days without her medication and at 9 years of age, Kelly was made responsible to manage her medication herself. Kelly didn't always have someone at home to look after her, which put her at great risk due to her young age and frequent seizures. Concerns were raised by the general public about home conditions.

With support from the epilepsy services and after involvement of a number of services, Kelly was placed into foster care where her medication was better managed and she became seizure free.

Get to Know Where to Go

New winter guide for parents packed with tips to keep young children safe and healthy

Parents of young children can find help to stay safe and healthy this winter with a new handy online guide.

The booklet is packed full of tips and information on how to keep little ones healthy, what to do if they become unwell, and the best place to go for expert advice and help. With many families facing the challenge of rising costs this winter, it also includes details on how to find a food bank and where to go with money worries.

The nine-page guide, entitled ‘3 Steps to Keep Healthy and Safe this Winter’, has been created by Greater Manchester Integrated Care and can be downloaded here

It offers tips on everything from putting a first aid kit together, to being aware of common illnesses, and the best room temperature for sleeping babies – plus the latest advice on Strep A.

The booklet also highlights that many parents or carers can get free food and vitamins for young children if they qualify for a Healthy Start Card – thousands of vitamins are waiting to be claimed in Greater Manchester!

It also has clear instructions to help parents and carers decide whether to take their child to their pharmacy, GP or hospital if they become unwell.

The guide is part of NHS Greater Manchester’s Get To Know Where To Go campaign. It’s all about helping people decide where to go when they need medical advice, help or treatment during the winter months - and beyond. The campaign focuses on enabling better, more effective decisions with straightforward and easily accessible information, that also celebrates the breadth and depth of expertise in the NHS.

News Round-up

This is the link to the registration of interest form. This is the link to email Adeeba Khan.

Food and Healthy Weight Project

Recipes for spring/summer use of slow cookers?

Do you have a resource that you or colleagues you know have developed, around recipes for meals that are low cost/low/no fuel cost- we’re looking for recipes or leaflet handouts about this but also about utilisation of slow cookers for making summer recipes- if you do have any that you’d be willing to share can you please send to Zoe.Neilson1@nhs.net thank you, this is with a view to collate the information to share out in due course.

For those not aware there is also the Recipe Exchange website (https://recipeexchange.co.uk/) where you can submit recipes to be shared, and see other people’s recipes here too.

CAMHS Bulletin

CQC Changes

The CQC is changing its approach to inspection and assurance. A new Single Assessment Framework (SAF) will be launched later this year. More information on the changes can be found here. The SAF can be found here.

Training and education

Human Rights Training

For any staff who are yet to attend, training sessions are now available to book for 2023. Please find enclosed details and dates on how to book for sessions in 2023.

You can book onto training Sessions A here which are available from 14 February, and Sessions B here available from 28 February until July 2023.

As a reminder, Human Rights Training will become a contractual requirement so please book now whilst these courses are available free of charge.

Free trauma webinars

Identifying and responding effectively to Traumatic Bereavement with David Trickey, UK Trauma Council Co-Director:https://www.acamh.org/event/traumatic-bereavement/
Trauma & Looked After Children: Dealing with distress, restoring well-being, and promoting resilience: https://www.acamh.org/event/trauma-looked-after-children/
CYP MH Training Opportunities: This brochure includes opportunities for Crisis training, Inpatient training, Eating Disorder training and wider workforce upskilling opportunities. All of the training opportunities included within the brochure are either funded by HEE or are available via free online learning. There are no additional costs to services for learners to attend the training programmes.
ARFID Training

Health Education England have commissioned SLAM to deliver ARFID (Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder) training. The online training funded by Health Education England consists of a two full-day intensive programme over two - three weeks per cohort (one full day per week). The training includes a combination of didactic and discussion components, with plenty of opportunity for questions. Events - MCCAED (slam.nhs.uk) For the NW, this is taking place on 24^th February and 9^th March.
Provision of Education

The Quality Improvement Taskforce is undertaking a project exploring the provision of education within CYP mental health, learning disability and autism inpatient settings. We know that there are several different models of provision across inpatient services currently, we know that some units have bespoke classroom environments, whereas others have to utilise space within the inpatient environment. As part of this work we are seeking to gather information regarding these various models. To this end we have created a short survey, which is aimed at either ward/unit staff or individuals who provide education within CYP mental health, learning disability or autism inpatient settings. This information is vital to us understanding the current landscape and we hope the combined outputs of the project will be used to inform future work in this arena. The survey can be accessed via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/jDnmFN15uq.

Upcoming Events

LGA Behavioural Insights Programme: Tackling post-COVID-19 challenges and the cost of living crisis.

March 17th, 11:15-13:00.

The Local Government Association is hosting a free webinar, funded by government, about how councils can use behavioural change techniques when working with communities. The session will feature councils that have used behavioural change techniques to tackle challenges. Themes include how councils are changing behaviours relating to the cost-of-living crisis, for example through supporting residents to reduce their energy consumption and increase take-up of home retrofitting measures.

Councils will also share how they are using behaviour change techniques to support young people to improve their mental health.

Food Foundation Webinar

The Food Foundation are running a webinar in March, discussing autoenrollment and best practices from Sheffield Council. Sheffield instigated what it calls Auto-award processes in 2016 to try and ensure as many children as possible are signed up for FSM and has been monitoring the impact of doing so.

The Council officers who run the scheme will be presenting at the webinar. They will explain what they needed to do and the problems they faced in setting up the processes, and then will answer any questions.

The webinar will be held on Thursday 30^th March, from 11am to 12.30pm, and a link to join will be circulated to GM FSAN members closer to the date.

If you are interested in attending, please do hold the date in your diary and look out for the joining information to follow.

Click here to book for the Bolton Stadium Hotel event.

Click here to book for the Hilton Leeds City Hotel event.

Newsletters from around the network

Council for Disabled Children newsletter

Click here to read the latest CDC newsletter.

#BeWell Wednesday February newsletter

Click here to read February's #BeWell Wednesday newsletter

NW SEND Regional Network newsletter

Click here to read February's NW SEND Regional Network Newsletter.

North West Children and Young People's Transformation Programme newsletter

This issue of the newsletter is dedicated to raising awareness of Children’s Mental Health Week 6-12th February 2023. The link to issue 5 is here. The link to issue 6 is here

See our website for more information on all our networks.

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