1We Put Quality First We Focus on People We Take Responsibility

I am pleased to introduce myself to you as the new interim Chairman of the Trust. I have already met a number of staff and teams in my non-executive director role but I now have the privilege to step into the interim Chairman role for the Trust and look forward to meeting many more of you over the coming months.

I would first and foremost like to pay tribute to our outgoing Chairman, Professor Nigel Ratcliffe. Nigel has demonstrated great leadership in driving forward integrated, safe, well governed care with a front-end focus on our patients and service users.

For those of you who don’t know me, I joined the NHS as a nursing cadet in 1973 and have worked in many and varied roles, both clinically and managerially across mental health and learning disability services. During my career I have held many senior posts, including Director of Nursing and Allied Health professionals and Director of Operations and have experience of major service redesign and transformation, including close working with Social Care through Section 75 agreements.

It has been encouraging since joining the Trust three years ago to meet and hear directly from many staff about their experiences of working within the Trust. This has helped me to understand and triangulate what you tell me with what we see and hear in committee meetings and at Trust Board.

From these personal interactions with staff I know that we are getting it right for our service users and carers and this is testament to all of you and this is what makes me proud to be taking on this leadership role within the Trust.

This year I want us to maintain our focus on three key areas; quality, recruitment and making sure we live within our financial means. The Trust Board has strategies to address these issues, but I want to strengthen our engagement with all staff. The ideas I hear from frontline staff are superb and the board is eager to hear more from you about any initiatives or schemes we could introduce which may bring efficiencies while not impacting on the quality or safety of the services we provide.

I recognise and have heard first-hand about some of the pressures you are managing, yet still you go the extra mile for our patients and service users. It is this attitude and commitment and collective energy and experience which I believe the Trust can harness and use to become a great organisation. The Trust is so well placed with health and social care to be at the forefront of current policy and we need to drive person-centred change and be seen as forerunners nationally.

I would welcome more opportunities to meet with staff from all sections of the Trust; please contact my PA at Morston House.

The Word

Edition 3364 September 2015

DavidDavid Pearson Interim Chairman

What’s In - Issue 336Introducing Nigel Small, COO South Division

The Partnership Trust welcomes Nigel Small into the role of Chief Operating Officer for the South Division, with immediate effect.

Nigel has worked for the NHS since 1987, latterly working as a Director in a fully integrated Health and Social Care NHS Board in the Scottish Highlands, where he was based for over 10 years. Prior to that post, Nigel was a Director in a Primary Care Trust in the East Midlands, following a number of years working within PCGs, Primary Care, and Community Services.

Outside of work, Nigel says “I’m a big supporter of a football team in red and white stripes…but it’s Sunderland, not Stoke! I also enjoy walking

up mountains and mountain biking, despite my age”.

Looking forward to the role, Nigel had this to say, “It is with great excitement that I take on the role of Chief Operating Officer for the South Division. I am eager to get to know as many of you as possible, and to work together to improve the services we offer to the public”.

Director of Operations, Kieron Murphy, on behalf of the Executive Management Team, thanked outgoing Interim Chief Operating Officer Claire Bailey, on behalf of the Executive Management Team, for her “outstanding drive and commitment to the job through times of change for the Partnership Trust”.

2We Put Quality First We Focus on People We Take Responsibility

Mindful MomentThis week’s Mindful Moment has been submitted by Chris Kinson, Edric House Facilities Manager:

Submit your mindful moment to Kieron Murphy Director of Operations on email kieron.murphy@ssotp.nhs.uk or his EA jayne.garrett@ssotp.nhs.uk

“You can do anything, but not everything”

David Allen

2 | COO South Division

2 | Mindful Moment

3 | CQC DROP IN

3 | Calling all actors

4 | Revalidation

5 | Experience Awards

5 | Stronger Together

6 | Thank You

3We Put Quality First We Focus on People We Take Responsibility

CQC DROP IN CENTRE DATES Ahead of the CQC visit during the week commencing 2 November, staff have the opportunity to attend a number of advice sessions. These drop-in sessions provide further information on the visit, and also give an open forum for asking questions about the visit.

The sessions in the table below are the last opportunity ahead of the visit at the start of November to gain more information about the CQC visit.

These sessions do not require enrolment.

Day Venue TimeWednesday 16.9.15 Seminar Room Haywood Hospital, High Lane, Burslem, ST7 6AG 09.30 – 13.00

Monday 21.9.15 Beecroft Clinic, Health Promotion Room, Cannock Chase Hospital, Level 1, Brunswick Road, Cannock WS11 5XY

10.00 – 13.00

Friday 25.9.15 Samuel Johnson Hospital, Group Room, Rehab Dept, Tent Valley Road, Lichfield, Staffs, WS13 6EF

10.00 – 13.00

Thursday 1.10.15 Cross Street Clinic, Room G11, Burton on Trent, DE14 1EG 10.00 – 13.00

Monday 5.10.15 Shelton PCC, Meeting Room 1, Norfolk Street, Shelton ST1 4PB 09.30 – 12.30

Friday 9.10.15 Weeping Cross Health Centre, Bodmin Avenue, Weeping Cross Stafford ST17 0EG

09.30 – 12.30

Wednesday 21.10.15 Seminar Room Cheadle Hospital, Royal Walk, Cheadle, ST10 1NS 09.30 – 12.30

Calling all actors…The Organisational Development Team are currently seeking support from any staff who are actors, and would like to be involved in our Values Based Recruitment Practical Masterclass.

If you would be interested in being involved, please contact Sara Bond, Organisational Development Co-ordinator, for a conversation as soon as possible.

Call: 07812678675

Email sara.bond@ssotp.nhs.uk.

Please note you would need to be available on 9th October (PM) and 20th October (AM) to act at the Masterclasses.

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Health and Character and Professional Indemnity

Each time a nurse or midwife renews their registration they are required to declare that they are of good character and health and that they have professional indemnity arrangements in place. The new Revalidation process will not require staff to do anything differently.

Health & Character – Being trustworthy and of good character is central to the principles within the Code. Good character is based on your conduct, behaviour and attitude both inside and outside your work place; this also includes your social media activity.

You do not need to be totally free from illness or disability to comply with this requirement as many people practice safely and effectively with underlying health (both physical and mental) conditions. Sometimes ill health means you can no longer carry out hands on care but you may still be able to carry out a different nursing role.

If you are unwell at the time of Revalidation you should consider whether your current health problem will stop you being a nurse or midwife. In most instances ill health will not preclude you from revalidating; if you are unsure whether your health condition will stop you from revalidating please discuss this with your manager or one of the Professional Leadership team.

In accordance with the Code you must declare any cautions or convictions to the NMC and your employer immediately and not wait until you renew your registration. This will not change under Revalidation. You do not need to declare any fixed penalty fines for traffic offences unless they have led or are leading to disqualification.

Professional Indemnity - From July 2014 all nurses & midwives were required by the NMC to have professional indemnity insurance in place. All staff employed by the NHS have indemnity arrangements through their employer for the work they do on their behalf.

If you practice privately you must have additional arrangements in place.

Just like health & character you will declare you have indemnity when you revalidate.

If you would like to know more about NMC Revalidation please contact: Caroline Llewellyn – Professional Head of Nursing

CarolineE.Llewellyn@ssotp.nhs.uk

Mobile: 07834 967224

Stronger Together The Stronger Together partnership is committed to working with local people to achieve the changes that they would like to see happen in their communities. Your support will be an integral part of this approach, as you work for and with our residents, on a daily basis. The results of this programme should benefit your surgery and help to improve the lives of your patients in the future.

We have two short surveys that we need as many people as possible to complete; the general survey asks a range of questions about how residents feel about the city and how they can contribute to improving it. There is also another survey that focuses specifically on 'Health and Wellbeing' issues.

We are simply asking for the opportunity to engage with your patients. If you feel that you are able to help in any way, please email stronger.together@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 232395.

More information about Stronger Together, what we are trying to achieve, and how people can get involved, can be found at stoke.gov.uk/StrongerTogether

The best performing teams in July were:

SILVER is awarded to

Newcastle ICT/CIS Team • who achieved their target sample

of surveys scoring above 90% on all core

questions

Haywood Outpatient Physiotherapy • who achieved their target sample of surveys scoring an FFT of 100%

User/Carer Experience Awards

GOLD is awarded to

Congratulations to each of the teams. Each team will receive a signed certificate to acknowledge their achievement.

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BRONZE is awarded to

Oak Ward, Bradwell Hospital• who achieved their target sample of

surveys scoring above 90% on all core

questions

6We Put Quality First We Focus on People We Take Responsibility

Thank YouThe Adult Weight Management Team in Stafford received high praise this week from several service users, with one service user sending this poem as a thank you to the team:

“Don’t you know

If it weren’t for your care and attention

Your endless patience and humour

My life, like so many others

Would not have changed for the better.

When I first walked through that door

Like many others before

With all of my special needs

You all used your expertise

Creating exercises

Using many devices

Increasing resilience

And also my confidence

Thank you all.”

The husband of a service user of Bennion Ward, Bradwell Hospital has expressed his “sincere thanks” for the “wonderful care” his wife received. “The professional manner in which you treated my wife and the kindness shown to her was a great help to myself and my family”.

Staff at Leek Moorlands Hospital Minor Injuries Unit have received great feedback from a service user, “What was good? Everything! Efficient and friendly staff, treated quickly! How can we do better? Keep doing what you are doing, 100% satisfied!”

The Community Intervention Service (CIS) Team in

Seisdon received a note of thanks from a relative of a service user, “On behalf of mother, her family, and me, I wish to express the gratitude we all feel for the care and attention you have afforded her. You have all been very professional and extremely kind to her”.

The Smoking Cessation team based at Norton Canes Medical Centre have been commended for the help they provided to a number of service users “very happy with service”, “having support really helped” and “all round excellent service”.

The Sexual Health Service in South Staffs have received compliments from service users,

“Very warm welcoming greeting from the Receptionist helping me to feel comfortable and enabling me to relax. The doctor I saw was very kind and welcoming, she was professional and informative but also very understanding and helpful. Made the experience easier.”

“Very happy with the service. Quick appointments, very friendly staff and an overall good service.”

“It was a pleasure to be helped out when I needed help from such lovely Doctors and Nurses.”

Sneyd Ward, Haywood Hospital have been given cakes, chocolates and biscuits. “To all the staff on Sneyd Ward to say thank you very much for your care and attention. Best wishes”.

Scotia Ward, Haywood Hospital have also received chocolates and sweets from thankful service users. “To all the staff, with grateful thanks for all the kindness and care you have shown to me. Thank you for getting me back on my feet”.

Please send all compliments to customerservice@ssotp.nhs.uk who are now recording all compliments for the Trust. A range of selected compliments will be forwarded for inclusion in The Word.

Don’t forget to add any thanks you receive into your MOB file.