Wednesday 18 January 2023
Dear All
I hope that you had a good Christmas break and Happy New Year to you all. Whether you make New Year resolutions or not, January is a good time to think about changes you can make to improve your life, whether it be taking more exercise, eating more healthily or seeing friends and family more frequently. Do think about what you can do to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.
It is interesting how weather can affect our mood and I understand that the long dark days can be discouraging. However, we are now past the Winter Solstice, so the hours of daylight are gradually getting longer. We have had very little sunshine in recent weeks, but I do urge you to make the most of it when it does appear. If you regularly walk through your local park you will see the first spring flowers start to emerge within the next few weeks, snowdrops, followed by crocuses and then daffodils. I do love to see them and they are an encouraging sign that summer is on the way and warmer, brighter days are on the horizon.
There is much to feel positive about at the Trust; we are working hard in partnership with Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust to offer the very best care possible, as you can see in some of the news items below.
No mandate for nurses’ strike at BEH or C&I
In the recent Royal College of Nursing ballot on industrial action, there was no mandate for strikes at BEH or C&I, so we will continue as normal on the days when nurses are striking at other hospitals. Other sectors are also planning industrial action but we have been putting plans in place to ensure that service users continue to receive high quality care and there is minimal impact. You can see information here on what to do on the days that London Ambulance Service holds strikes. Please speak to your usual contact at the Trust if you have any queries.
Update on our estate transfomation programme
December’s issue of "Journey to better mental health" looks back at the progress made during 2022 and forward to the redevelopment of our St Pancras Hospital site in 2023.
Our ambition to become London’s greenest NHS mental health trust and to achieve net zero carbon by 2030, is closely linked to the Transformation Programme. In December we launched our Biodiversity and Nature Sustainability Network. Some great ideas have already been put forward and we will work to develop these this year.
|
Visit to C&I by Minister for Veterans Affairs, Johnny Mercer MP
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer MP, praised staff and called them “heroes” during a visit to St Pancras Hospital.
The Minister heard about the success of the C&I Veterans’ Service, Op COURAGE and spoke to veterans about their experiences on leaving the armed forces and of mental health services. Many described how they had faced challenges after leaving the forces and had, initially, not known where to turn. Several veterans praised the Veterans’ Service, Op COURAGE, and said that there needed to be greater awareness of the work it does among former service personnel. Click here to read more.
|
C&I Choir spreading Christmas cheer
The C&I Choir delighted commuters at St Pancras International Station, performing songs and carols in the run up to Christmas.
The choir also held a carol service at St Pancras Hospital, attended by staff from across the Partnership.
The choir was started by Governors six years ago when they were given funding for projects that would improve life for service users. Currently, about two thirds of the members are service users, alongside several Governors. It meets on Tuesdays at 5pm at St Pancras Hospital and everyone is welcome. For more information, email admin@keychanges.org.uk.
|
Work with us to make services even better
We have created an involvement register so that patients/service users and carers who are interested in engaging with the Trust can express their interest about getting involved. This could range from receiving information such as newsletters or opportunities to share your experiences of our services, to helping us recruit the right staff or helping to shape services and create positive change through participating in Quality Improvement projects.
If you are interested in joining our Involvement Register, please complete this Expression of Interest Form. If completing forms isn’t your thing, then please don’t worry, just contact our Patient and Carer Experience Engagement Lead, Joanne Scott engagement.experience@Candi.nhs.uk or 07833 200188.
Our Dance4Joy social activity group welcomes new members
Our Dance4Joy group is is a great way to meet people, and enjoy physical movement. No experience of dance is necessary. They next meet on Wednesday, 18 January, 2pm – 3pm at St Pauls Church, Camden Square, London, NW1 9XG.
Please contact David at davidvital@talktalk.net or 07763 334128 if you would like details.
|
Our Partnership with Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust (BEH) means we can offer an even higher level of care and greater consistency in services across north London. It will be beneficial to both organisations and to everyone who works at the trusts or uses their services. You will hear more about this in the coming months.
If you have any questions about the Partnership, or about strike action, or if you feel in need of additional support, please get in touch with your usual contact at the Trust.
Please look after yourself and those around you. Take time to contact family and friends and be kind to each other.
Best wishes
Dr Vincent Kirchner
Chief Medical Officer
|
