News

A promise to bring back a pioneering overnight service at Stratton’s Community Treatment Centre will be fulfilled, thanks to the efforts of dedicated health workers and support from the community.

Back in January 2020 it was announced that the treatment centre would be moved out of Stratton until the end of February to meet the unprecedented demand in health and care services across Cornwall.

The pilot service, which was developed in partnership with the nearby community, launched last August as an innovative solution to bring back overnight services to the hospital as a result of being unable to recruit nurses back in 2017.

The overnight service will resume on Sunday 1 March and will run until 22 August 2020.

The treatment centre will continue to be staffed, as it has been since the launch of the trial, by Kernow Health CIC, which provides the urgent care service NHS 111 to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in partnership with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

John Govett, independent chair of the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership, said: “It was necessary to temporarily close the Stratton Community Treatment Centre during the very busy winter period to ensure that the needs of the whole county were met and services were available where there was the greatest demand.

“Behind the scenes everyone across health and care has been working not only to provide the highest and safest of services to people who need treatment but also to make sure we can get back to business as usual as quickly as possible. I’m delighted that we are able to fulfil the promise we made to re-open Stratton’s overnight service.

“I would like to thank everyone across the health and care partnership for their commitment dealing with the recent unprecedented demand and also the people of Stratton for their understanding and patience during this time.”

Julie Dawson, managing director of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have always remained committed to making sure the overnight service returned to Stratton and thanks to the combined efforts of everyone we are pleased to say that the service will return on 1 March for residents living in Stratton and the north of the county as well as our neighbours over the border in Devon until the 22 August.”

The trial service offers:

• Expert senior clinician whose skills extend beyond a traditional minor injury practitioner
• Appointments for people from Stratton, Bude and the surrounding area who have an appointment to be seen by an out of hours service after contacting NHS 111.
• Treat patients who need to attend the centre with a minor injury out of hours.

The Stratton Minor Injury Unit has been open as usual throughout from 8am to 10pm every day and X-ray from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. In addition support remains available from NHS 111 and in emergencies or life threatening situations 999.

The community treatment centre service will be evaluated and if successful plans for a permanent service at Stratton will be explored.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT) and The League of Friends of the Falmouth Hospital  celebrated the opening of the newly refurbished day unit on Wednesday 19 February 2020, which was officially opened by Barbara Vann, Trust Chair.

£12,000 was raised by the League of Friends to modernise the existing space and meet the growing demand for the services offered at the unit.

 

The day unit is a purpose built facility designed to look after 4 patients at any one time without requiring an overnight stay.

It offers services such as blood transfusions, various infusions, Central Venous Catheter (CVC) line care (PICC lines, Hickman lines), catheter care and dressings.

The majority of patients who will benefit from the unit live in and around Falmouth; however, patients from other parts of Cornwall are also welcome to use the services when unable to access services closer to their homes.

Sarah Raymont, Falmouth Community Hospital team lead for the day unit, said: ”Patients have already commented on how lovely and friendly the unit is and how grateful they are to have such a valuable facility on their doorstep.

“Recently, one patient likened the unit and its staff to a ‘calm oasis in an otherwise huge ocean of treatment’.

“We may only be a small part of their overall journey but for us seeing patients happy and relaxed especially when some have been through so much is our ultimate goal.”

Patients are referred via the Royal Cornwall Hospital or their GP. There is flexibility to allow patients to drop in if required, for example, for blood tests, issues with dressings and catheters. The unit is open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm.

 

The extended opening hours of an X-ray department in a minor injuries unit is helping to reduce the numbers of people going to Treliske emergency department.

Nearly 350 people have used the X-ray department in the minor injuries unit (MIU) at St Austell Community Hospital since launching the additional opening hours from 9am until 8pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays, back in January.

Ahead of the half-term (Monday 17 February – Friday 21 February) holiday people are reminded that the X-ray department will continue to open additional hours until the end of March 2020.

Emma Spouse, diagnostic imaging lead at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Since the additional service launched 349 patients have been X-rayed at the St Austell MIU, which is between 12 and 13 people a day.”

Figures also showed that from that number on average between two and three people or 75 patients across 28 evenings had attended the X-ray department at St Austell’s MIU in January.

She added “We opened the X-ray department at St Austell for longer to take some of the pressure away from the Royal Cornwall hospital, Treliske emergency department at its busiest time of day, which is usually early evening.

“We’re delighted with the way in which people have used the service and we hope that they will continue to use the MIU at St Austell Hospital until 8pm, seven days a week until the end of March.”

New X-ray equipment was installed in St Austell X-ray department in 2019 and provides the latest, rapid digital imaging technology.

For the latest emergency department and minor injury unit waiting times visit www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/choosewell

Pharmacists can help treat coughs, colds, sore throats, earache, nappy rash, cystitis (bladder infection), impetigo (skin condition) and emergency contraception. You can also get advice on prescription medicines. Some pharmacies are also open in the evening and at the weekend – visit www.nhs.uk – to find your nearest pharmacy.

Pharmacists can arrange an emergency supply of medicines if you forget to renew your prescription, even if you don’t live in Cornwall and lastly remember to stock up your medicine cabinet with paracetamol, antiseptic etc if you have a condition that can be treated at home.

And remember minor injury units -11 across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly - can treat a range of conditions which have occurred during the previous 14 days. These include sprains and strains; broken bones; minor burns and scalds; head injuries (but not if someone is unconscious); insect and animal bites and stings; minor eye injuries, cuts, bruising and grazes. You will be seen by an experienced nurse, without an appointment.

The X-ray department supporting the minor injury unit at St Austell Community Hospital in now open is  now open longer – 9am until 8pm every day, including weekends and bank holiday until the end of March 2020, as part of measures to keep the Truro emergency department free for those most in need.

If you are unsure if your minor injury can be treated at one of the 11 units, telephone the local unit before travelling (and also confirm the availability of x-ray facilities, if thought to be needed), or call NHS 111. The links below provide opening times, directions and contact details.

• Bodmin Community Hospital – open until 10 pm
• Camborne Redruth Community Hospital – open until 10pm
• Falmouth Community Hospital – open until 8pm
• Helston Community Hospital – open until 8pm
• Launceston Community Hospital – open until 8pm
• Liskeard Community Hospital – open until 10pm
• Newquay Community Hospital – open until 10pm
• St Austell Community Hospital – open until 8pm
• St Mary's Community Hospital, Isles of Scilly – open 24 hours
• Stratton Community Hospital – open until 10pm
• Stennack Surgery, St Ives  - open until 8pm

Up to the minute waiting times for all minor injury units and the urgent treatment centre at Penzance – which is open 24 hours a day – can be found here

If you do have a loved one or friend who is ready to leave an acute or community hospital you can help us help them by collecting them as early in the day as possible because all of our hospitals are very busy right now.

For more information go to kernowccg.nhs.uk/get-info/choose-well/

Updated 11 February 2020

The NHS in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau within 14 days, follow the specific advice for returning travellers.

Anyone who has travelled to China or places listed above in the last 14 days and develops symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, should immediately:

• Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
• Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country

Information for the public is available at gov.uk/coronavirus

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.

The risk of being in close contact with a person with coronavirus or contaminated surfaces is very low at the current time, as members of the public who have visited Wuhan, Hubei province, China are currently in isolation.

Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict regulations. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of the hospital and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others.  Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have today, 23 January 2020 been announced as one of seven areas across the country to accelerate improvements to help mainly older people stay well at home and avoid long stays in hospital.

Today’s announcement takes forward plans set out in the NHS Long Term Plan to enable community teams to respond quickly to peoples’ needs and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

The additional investment will see urgent requests responded to within two hours. In addition, support to help people regain their ability to perform their usual activities like cooking meals, washing and getting about will be provided within two days. The quicker response times will help people to remain well, in their own homes and independent 365 days a year.

Helen Childs, chief operating officer at NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group the lead for Embrace (Ageing Well) said, ‘We are delighted to be announced as one of seven sites nationally to lead the introduction of standardised response times and improved outcomes for people.

“Locally, one in four people are over the age of 65; and we know that historically we haven’t always provided them with the best outcome because we weren’t able to provide rapid, timely access to short term community services. Today’s announcement will allow us to accelerate our plans, as part of the Embrace Care programme, to support mainly older people at home.

“This will be better for people, their families and also means that hospital beds are available for the people who need these very specialist services and expertise.”

In future, people like 84 year old Irene who has two long-term conditions and requires a hospital admission to treat a life threatening medical emergency, will very quickly be referred to the community team. As Irene usually lives independently at home with limited support from her daughter, the community team will talk to her about her discharge and what support she will need to safely return home. Within a week, Irene will be discharged from hospital and into the care of her community team.

Phil Confue, chief executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, added, “This investment will significantly boost our plans to transform how we respond to the needs of older people. GPs, ambulance colleagues and partners from across health and care will have a real alternative to seeking a hospital admission – knowing they can request and receive a response within two hours or days based on what people need.

“For example, in the case of Bill, 78 who has an infection which needs to be treated with IV antibiotics; instead of admitting him to hospital, his GP will refer him to his community team who will help him recover at home. The community team will visit Bill to administer his antibiotics and monitor his recovery, calling on other services to support him as required.”

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will begin to develop its urgent community response services with the design of the new service model ready for April this year. We anticipate full county roll out by April 2021.

The findings from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s scheme will be shared across the South West so similar schemes will be made available to everyone.

Support services for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, including talking therapies, will transfer to Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust from 1 April 2020.

It comes following a request from Outlook South West (OSW) that the existing mental health contract, which it has provided since April 2017, was taken on by CFT which will run until the 31 March 2022.

This request was accepted by NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group.

People will see no change in the way that they receive their treatment and all staff currently working for Outlook South West will transfer to CFT, if they wish.

Dr Adrian Flynn, CFT interim medical director, said: “Outlook South West has always been recognised as a valued and highly successful provider of mental health services in Cornwall.  We are delighted to take on this service and retain the expertise and dedication of OSW by offering them all the opportunity to transfer to CFT.

“The benefits of this decision include a seamless pathway between primary and secondary care for the benefit of people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and reducing gaps between services.”

Outlook South West has delivered the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service in Cornwall since 2008 and through its existing contract with the NHS since 2017. Through the IAPT service, the organisation currently receives just over 16,000 referrals a year from adults across the county. Outlook South West will also transfer its smaller NHS contracts, which include The Suicide Liaison Service, the adult Asperger’s Assessment Service, and a contract to provide specific wellbeing groups for mums suffering from postnatal depression.

Kevin Simpson, Outlook South West director, said: “We are very proud of our achievements as a service. It has grown significantly over the past decade and we’ve been able to help many thousands of people into recovery using evidenced-based treatments, such as CBT. We felt as directors, that in the longer run, the service would be better off being embedded within an NHS organisation. The NHS’ Long Term Plan to further integrate mental and physical health services is one such aspect that will be more seamlessly delivered by an organisation such as CFT. It also means that for local people there will be a closer integration between primary and secondary care services. If that helps to close any gaps between them, then it can only be seen as a positive move for the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

Jackie Pendleton, NHS Kernow chief officer, said: “We would like to thank Outlook South West, who has provided NHS access to the talking therapies service and other mental health support through its existing contract since 2017, for its work and the positive impact it has made to the lives of people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and its professional and dedicated approach.”

This is the time of year when coughs and colds are circulating along with other nasty bugs that can stop your Christmas celebrations in its tracks.

Many people end up at hospitals with minor injuries that could often be treated more quickly elsewhere or at their own home.

People can make sure they are prepared for illness or injury if it strikes by stocking up on over the counter remedies such as paracetamol for aches and pains, rehydration powders for stomach upsets and antiseptics for cuts.

It’s also worth making sure you add plasters, bandages, a thermometer and tissues to the shopping list.

A well-stocked medicine cabinet will help avoid making unnecessary trips to find a pharmacy or shop that is open over the Christmas holidays and in some cases prevent a journey to the minor injuries unit.

Pharmacists offer year round advice and have private spaces where you can talk in confidence if you wish. They can also prescribe an emergency supply of medication if any visiting friends or relatives forget to renew or bring with them a supply of their regular medication.

Dr Iain Chorlton, chairman of NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We want everyone to have a happy and healthy Christmas.

“During this time of the year too many people turn-up at hospitals with minor injuries and illnesses when they could get quicker, more appropriate treatment elsewhere.

“We need to keep the emergency department free for people who need urgent medical attention for serious illness or injury and potentially life-saving care.

“No one wants to be ill over Christmas but winter and socialising over the festivities often brings with it coughs, colds stomach bugs and flu, which is why it’s important to stock up the medicine cabinet and so you can make sure you can return to your celebrations as soon as possible.”

Visit kernowccg.nhs.uk/choosewell for details of all services, opening and waiting times.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT) has met all the requirements of a warning notice issued by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in April 2019.

The warning notice highlighted a number of issues in relation to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the mid and east of the county.

Today’s news follows an unannounced, focussed CQC inspection of CAMHS services in mid and east Cornwall in October 2019.

The CQC were impressed by the systems put in place by the Trust to deliver sustainable improvements to access and waiting times.

Initially learning of the CQC’s concerns, the Trust immediately reviewed and contacted every young person who was waiting for treatment and remains in regular contact with young people and their families.

Julie Dawson, Managing Director said, ‘This announcement is testament to the hard work of staff in both CAMHS teams and the service as a whole. Everyone has worked together, to address the concerns highlighted by the CQC and to deliver quality of care we all want our young people to receive. We have made tremendous progress which is reflected in the outcome of the unannounced inspection.

‘Since March 2019, we have filled the majority of our clinical vacancies and appointed an additional 31 Clinical Associate Psychologists to work across child and adolescent mental health services. As a result, individual caseloads are much smaller. 

‘However, some young people continue to wait, longer for assessment and treatment than we would like but we have a clear plan in place to ensure we meet our access targets by March 2020. I am confident our processes now ensure oversight from team to Board level to make sure every young person is supported and that we will continue to deliver the improvements our young people deserve.’

The St Ives Community Choir has raised funds for the Stroke Association after choir member, Steve Bassett, suffered a stroke. The choir will perform and present a number of cheques to Lanyon Ward at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital (CRCH) on Friday 22 November at 2pm, to say thank you to the staff.

Steve will join 18 to 24 members of the choir, as well as another former patient, Joan Symons, who will perform for patients, staff and visitors, where they will hopefully encourage everyone to sing along.

‘I never, ever thought I’d be a person to have a stroke,’ Steve commented. ‘I’ve been fairly fit my whole life, so I never thought this would happen. This is to say thank you for the way I was looked after and the way I was treated. I want it to bring awareness to people that things can be done after a stroke.’

Steve had his stoke in February 2017, where he was left paralysed on his left side. His recovery took place on Lanyon Ward where he spoke very highly of the ‘absolutely fantastic’ staff that took care of him, and of his Stroke nurse, Aimee who he said ‘helped me get to where I am today.’

12 months after his stroke, Steve’s wife bought him a set of water colours and he took up painting – something he had never done before.

Steve will personally present an additional cheque of £250 to the hospital from paintings he has sold, as well as donating four framed paintings which he has done whilst in recovery.

Steve commented: ‘I realise how lucky I am. When you’re on a stroke ward you realise what it could’ve been like. I still can’t walk properly and I don’t have full use of my left side, but I realise I’m very lucky. If the paintings can give inspiration to one person, I’d be over the moon.’

More people are surviving strokes than ever before, but it is still one of the leading causes of death in the UK.