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As part of our work, our Barnet Division is making a number of improvements to services, so more people are able to gain help and support within four weeks. This will enable access to the best service for their needs as soon as possible.
To support this, some changes to the non-urgent referral process only are being introduced. This will include a new approach, set out within the Primary Care Link Working Team structure.
From Monday 6 February 2023 the new steps, below, are being implemented:
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Primary Care Link Working Team: Our Primary Care Link working team have now merged into our Core Community Mental Health teams, with the health care professionals becoming Wellbeing Practitioners. Our Wellbeing Practitioners will become an integral resource in improving access to mental health services and will be delivering a series of initial assessments and interventions for our service users.
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New referral form: A new referral form will need to be completed and then sent to a new referral mailbox which has been set up for all non-urgent mental health referrals. This mailbox will be managed by experienced Wellbeing Practitioners who will screen all referrals with the support of a consultant psychiatrist and an advanced practitioner. This will be a centralised mailbox and will replace the current existing individual core community team mailboxes.
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All referrals will need to be sent via this new mailbox to ensure timely access to Mental Health Services. The new mailbox can be accessed via the following email address: beh-tr.barnetmhreferrals@nhs.net
All referrals will be sent to the relevant Core Community Mental Health Team for discussion and allocation. This process will be completed within a 24 to 72 hour period, between Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm.
Please note: should sufficient information not be provided this referral will be referred back to ensure that the most appropriate service/intervention can be recommended for the individual referred to our services. All referrers will be notified of the outcome of their referral.
Since its implementation, DIALOG+ has been used by many staff and service users across the programme and we’re starting to see some promising results in more streamlined approaches to the way we work, as well as positive service user experience. Previous research has shown that it can significantly improve people’s quality of life and care experience. The system allows service users to rate their quality of life and their care, using a series of questions. Some relate to how people feel about their life – others are how they feel about their treatment.
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It means that a service user’s feelings and perception are put at the centre of a care plan. This rating scale in DIALOG+ generates a conversation and helps to develop a personalised approach to treatment. Chris Wild, Lead Community Engagement Practitioner for Mind in Enfield and BEHMHT, talks to us about a recent case, where DIALOG+ helped to fully support a service user through their treatment and in the end, turn their life around.
“Andreas first came to me with some problems and issues he was finding hard to find solutions for; he had lost his identity and needed some guidance. He has suffered with mental health issues for the best part of his life but never let it get in the way of his objectives - an articulate man with aspiration and dreams.
“We quickly built a rapport, and through DIALOG+, we were able to mark the foundation to his recovery. Andreas was very good at talking about his pains and tribulations in a positive way. DIALOG+ was perfect to monitor our progress through a practical pathway, led by Andreas from start to finish.
“In our first assessment, Andreas had very low esteem and because of this, marked himself incredibly low on the DIALOG scale, saying that it was a reflection on his life at the time. Our first few sessions were about building trust and looking at the tasks ahead. He wanted to feel active, alive, useful, and the only way he could do this was by finding his passion and building momentum to motivate himself. He did this in a number of ways including joining walking groups to maintain a healthy lifestyle; counselling sessions; being proactive in the community; Mind workshops and talking groups.
“Through DIALOG+, we were able to keep track of his progress and work at ways to bring his scoring from 4 to 8. We had to be honest with each other and agree that some tasks would stay low because things like medication and finances were steep hills to climb and would take slightly longer to conquer. But Andreas knew by changing his attitude he could also change his life.
“By our last few sessions Andreas had built his confidence back up once more and his life started to flourish. We had managed together to get his marks on DIALOG+ to a reasonable 6 and 7 leaving a little space for improvement. In 2023 Andreas started his college course to train as a counsellor.”
If you’d like to know more about DIALOG+ email: beh-tr.dialogbeh@nhs.net.
Islington Age UK has just published their latest newsletter with a whole host of activities and events available across the borough, including the newly launched monthly Let's Talk Carers group. Islington Carers Hub provides financial, practical and emotional support for anyone looking after a friend, partner or relative (18yrs+) in Islington.
New workshops and activities available are:
- Talking time for you - useful ways to still feel like yourself
- Carers Trip: Thursday 23 February, 1.30-3pm
- Dance Fitness - Tuesdays (weekly) 3 - 4pm
- British Red Cross, First Aid Online Training
With many more courses and online sessions now released, you can find all information here.
Online recruitment webinar for Occupational Therapists
An online webinar proved to be a success as a recruitment drive for Occupational Therapists (OTs). The promotion was aimed at increasing the applications for these hard-to-fill roles. The Allied Health team has created and implemented an exciting new rotation for experienced OTs. Interested candidates now have the opportunity to choose from seven service lines, with each rotation lasting eight months and applicants being able to choose three areas to work in for one full rotation. If you would like more details or are interested in applying, email marie.oneill4@nhs.net. |
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Spotlight on recruitment
We are currently seeking a Band 5 CAMHS registered mental health nurse. If you, or someone you know, is a UK registered mental health nurse then now is the time to apply. You’ll be working with a skilled team and there’s plenty of support and regular clinical supervision. We are offering a retention bonus of £2,500 for this role (criteria apply). If you want to know more, contact marie.oneill4@nhs.net
C&I Bank
Working alongside NHS Professionals (NHSP), C&I Bank gives you the power to decide when, how, and where you want to work; supporting your lifestyle and making you feel part of the team and community. As a member, you’ll have fantastic benefits including competitive weekly pay rates, management of shifts on the go with access to the ‘My Bank’ shift portal, 24/7 support throughout the year and the chance to work across multiple locations. Find out more on the NHSP website or email michael.brock@nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk directly.
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The first Barnet Service User and Carer Forum Celebration event, held at The Network on Friday 20 January, was well attended and appreciated by everyone involved! The event brought together service users, carers and staff from across Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust (BEHMHT), London Borough of Barnet and community partners.
Barry Day, Managing Director, Barnet Division for BEHMHT, led the keynote discussion on a number of important topics. Service users and carers on the day were fully involved in talks around how communication at the trust could be improved. This then developed into wider conversations about developing a service user and carer communications strategy, that will help drive relevant and timely communications for the people who use our services.
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Guests were then treated to live entertainment by the Satin Dollz (left), who sang songs beautifully from a by gone era. With great food and a fantastic creative workshop, it is hoped this is the start of many celebration events as our Barnet colleagues look forward to continuing strengthen relationships within the local community – particularly with our service user and carers group.
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As the lead provider for the Barnet Wellbeing Hub, in partnership with the local council, Meridian Wellbeing is now running new wellbeing workshops. Both sessions are run by a person centred therapist and you get the chance to learn new techniques - everyone is welcome. |
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Save the date and Zoom link in your diaries, then simply click the link/s below to join the webinar before the session begins.
Every Monday from 4-5pm
Managing Challenging Emotions
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84181069602?pwd=WlZRUVVYLzZiVGVjWkZiSjhBUUtFUT09
Meeting ID: 841 8106 9602
Passcode: 426521
Every Monday from 5-6pm
Supporting Wellbeing and Positive Self-Care
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85258304833?pwd=TkU0eExUdGFEMzVDSGZMN29WanFOQT09
Meeting ID: 852 5830 4833
Passcode: 397708
Meridian Wellbeing produce a monthly newsletter – if you’d like to register to receive this, please email: donna.chan@meridianwellbeing.com.
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