News

EpSMon  (EPilepsy Self MONitoring), the freely downloadable epilepsy app developed as a collaboration between an Oxfordshire based charity and Cornwall based clinicians, has been showcased as part of the G7 Summit, happening 11-13^th June in Cornwall. 

The G7 Summit will see political leaders from UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy, plus the EU, meeting in Cornwall to discuss key worldwide issues; and is an opportunity to promote the innovations produced across the County.

Cornwall House is an exhibition telling the story of how, within a rural economy, the region’s innovative, creative and emerging sectors hold the answers to some of the biggest questions world leaders are asking.  The exhibition focuses on 5 key areas highlighting the sectors and opportunities which position Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as a leading region in the green and digital industrial revolution.

Within the innovation zone e-Health Productivity and Innovation in Cornwall (EPIC), a project led by the University of Plymouth and funded by the European Regional Development Fund is showcasing some of the enterprises it currently supports with the development of eHealth innovations

EpSMon is the digital patient version of the free clinical Seizure and Safety Checklist  tool, and has had over 4,000 downloads across the UK since its launch in 2015. It is supported by a Development Group  of leading experts in the field, and is entirely funded by epilepsy bereaved families  supported by SUDEP Action, in memory of their loved ones.

Through the pandemic, as risks for people with epilepsy have risen , the EpSMon project has also received support across the South-West by organisations Psychoanalytica, SUVO, and EPIC who are working with SUDEP Action to accelerate uptake of the app.

Through a short series of questions, checking against known epilepsy and health risks, EpSMon is able to quickly provide information and a recommendation to people living with epilepsy on any risks, supporting communication with health professionals, when risks are worsening. 

This vital information has the potential to save young lives, as at least 21 people with epilepsy die prematurely each week in the UK, and at least 42% of deaths due to their epilepsy (including those due to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy; SUDEP ) are thought to be preventable through improved risk information and better engagement with health services.

SUDEP Action, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Cornwall Hospital developed the app in 2015 to help people with epilepsy to better understand and monitor their epilepsy, epilepsy risks and overall wellbeing.

Since then the app has won five prestigious health awards (including from the British Medical Journal, and Health Service Journal’s Patient Safety awards), has taken part in the NHS Innovation Accelerator Programme, during which is was part of the  NHS’s 70^th birthday celebrations, and most recently has been  reviewed by ORCHA (an independent health app reviewer), and adopted into their app library. Two recent national reports into deaths in  people with learning disabilities, and doubling of deaths in  expectant/new mums have also recommended EpSMon as a solution to help reduce avoidable epilepsy deaths, and improve the lives of those living with the condition.

Find out more about EpSMon: www.sudep.org/epsmon or contact epsmon@sudep.org
Learn about it’s companion tool, the SUDEP and Seizure Safety Checklist: www.sudep.org/checklist

For free epilepsy risk information: https://sudep.org/epilepsy-and-risk

Join the nation’s biggest tea break to say thank you to Cornwall’s NHS heroes who have gone above and beyond to keep us safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT) are calling on residents to show an outpouring of love and thanks by raising money to support the health and wellbeing of their heroic frontline NHS staff during the NHS Big Tea.

The event will be held across the nation on Monday 5 July, which also marks the 73rd birthday of the NHS.

People can get involved by hosting their own event or they can show their support by taking 5 minutes to enjoy a tea break, donating £5 to support staff at CFT, and tagging 5 friends on social media and calling on them to do the same.

Stephanie Pomeroy, fundraising manager at CFT, said: “Since March 2020, frontline community staff across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have worked tirelessly every day, risking their lives, and putting others before themselves, to continue to serve our communities.

“The NHS Big Tea is not only a chance for us to say thank you to our incredible NHS superheroes, but also a chance for us to take a break and reflect on the past 14 months. So please join us this July in raising a cuppa to our NHS.”

There’s never been a better excuse for a brew, and by hosting a tea party with colleagues, friends or family, or taking 5, you will be helping to raise important funds to support the health and wellbeing of community frontline staff in Cornwall.

Start sending your invitations and set up your own JustGiving fundraising page so that your guests can donate extra funds on the day. Or download the Big Tea sponsorship form.  

If hosting an event in person, please remember to follow the COVID guidelines to keep everyone safe.

Whether in person, virtually, or on your own, get involved on Monday 5 July to show an outpouring of gratitude and love to the NHS in Cornwall.

For more information, email Stephanie Pomeroy.

Event resources:

• NHS Big Tea sponsorship form
• NHS Big Tea invite poster

Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock has today (Monday 24 May 2021) taken a whistle-stop tour of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Mr Hancock visited the Isles of Scilly to be briefed on an ambitious project to create a single health and care campus with a co-located workforce.

The campus would include GPs, a pharmacy and dentist as well as minor injury, urgent care, mental health, adult social are and voluntary sector services. The campus would also incorporate bedded care to replace those currently provided by the hospital and Park House.

He also took the opportunity to thank the team who had delivered the local COVID-19 vaccination programme who have delivered a fantastic rate of delivery despite the location and logistics of the islands. He also met the local health and care team including a new baby delivered just the night before!

Councillor Robert Francis, chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, commented: “The council recognises the need for high quality on-island social care and residential care and it is one of our top priorities. The opportunity to be at the forefront of the integration of health and social care is something we welcome. Not only does it make best use of the skills and resources we have available, but by collaborating with our health partners we can increase resilience and help to safeguard the continued provision of services for islanders for years to come. We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to personally brief the Secretary of State on the ambitious work we have carried out so far and plans for future integration.”

"Securing the best possible model of care for the integration of health and social care is a priority not just for Scilly but for all parts of the UK. The Health Secretary’s visit to Scilly allows us to show how this model can work and why it is imperative for Scilly both to enhance the care given and retain and support their excellent health and care team. I know the Health Secretary is keen to find a way to support this integration and I will continue to press hard for the investment that will enable this transformation", added Derek Thomas, MP for St Ives, west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

On returning to the mainland, Mr Hancock took the opportunity to meet clinicians and managers from the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust where he heard about the recent and ongoing investment into the hospital’s infrastructure including plans for women and children’s building programme which includes maternity, neonatal and paediatrics.

Royal Cornwall Hospital is part of the Government’s Hospital Infrastructure Plan (HIP). Last year, the Prime Minister announced the details of the 40 new hospitals which will be built by 2030, backed by an initial £3.7 billion as part of the biggest hospital building programme in a generation.

RCHT Chief Executive, Kate Shields, said “It’s an exciting period for our hospitals and local health and care services.  We have our biggest ever investment in buildings and infrastructure happening over the next few years and our plans to work ever closer as an integrated care system give us a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop services that are truly working together for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

Mr Hancock was shown the site where construction of new inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic facilities - which will form part of the new MRI and oncology unit - is underway as well as the modular built, progressive recovery unit. Both schemes will release space for future development.

While in Truro, he took time to look around some of the existing areas that will be replaced by the new buildings and to stop and chat to hospital staff.

Mr Hancock rounded off his visit at the St Austell Healthcare GP practice where he was able to talk to clinicians about their experiences of integrated care and their involvement in the vaccination programme. The St Austell primary care network has delivered 27,541 vaccinations out of the total 551,758 doses delivered since December 2020.

James McClure, GP partner at St Austell Healthcare, said: “We have made great strides in our commitment towards integrated care including taking the lead in social prescribing which has been adopted by many of our colleagues in primary care across the county and employing a lead integration nurse as well as 3 integration emergency care practitioners/nurses, which have transformed interaction with the community. We are also very proud of the part that we have played in the roll-out of the vaccination programme and helping to protect our most vulnerable and get everyone back on the path of normality.”

Mr Hancock later shared plans for transforming care models in health and social care with the county’s health and care leaders.

John Govett, independent chair of the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership, said: “It was a really excellent meeting with the health secretary and all the health and care partners across the system. Mr Hancock recognised that Cornwall is really progressive when it comes to the development of integration across health and care and the new legislation allows us to take it to the next stage as an emerging integrated care system.”

Staff from Cornwall’s specialist dementia ward in Bodmin are raising money for a new picnic area within the hospital grounds.

The Garner Ward team are embarking on a 300-mile challenge to help fund a space where patients can sit outdoors and enjoy a bite to eat. They also plan to use the area to commemorate those who sadly lost their lives during pandemic.

The team are walking the distance, equalling the length of the Cornwall coastal path, throughout Dementia Awareness Week (17 to 23 May) and beyond. 

Ward manager, Karen Williams, said: “We’ve placed a map of Cornwall up in the meeting room and staff pay an entry fee, before choosing their section to walk and marking it off. We’ll just try to complete as much of it as we can and add each walk to the Just Giving page to monitor how many miles we’ve completed. Friends, family or anyone who wants to sponsor us can do so via that page too. The idea is to have a plaque put in the picnic area in memory of the patients who very sadly lost their lives during the pandemic. All being well, at some stage we’ll be able to have a little ceremony outside and invite relatives along too.”

Garner Ward is a 16 bedded dementia assessment unit based at Bodmin. The team deliver care to patients with all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Earlier this year they were awarded an Unsung Hero Award by the High Sheriff of Cornwall for their hard work and care throughout the pandemic. 

Alan from Camborne, who lost his wife earlier in the year, said: “My wife died from covid in February 2021. I am delighted to hear that the hospital is going to have a picnic area to commemorate the people lost through covid. I was devastated by her death but consider myself very fortunate that she was being cared for in the Garner Ward when she passed away. The care and love shown to her, and me, by the Garner staff was outstanding and second to none. I will be forever in their debt.”

This is the Just Giving page for anyone wanting to support the team with their fundraising. 

People in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are being reminded of the positive impact the natural world can have on mental wellbeing during this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (10 to 16 May).  

Nature is the theme of this year’s event, which is spearheaded by the national Mental Health Foundation charity and aims to encourage more people to connect with the outdoors.  

It is being supported locally by Cornwall Council’s public health team, NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT), as well as other agencies and charities.  

All have a range of support and advice services that can help anyone who finds themselves struggling as the pandemic rumbles on. These are listed below.  

Research by the Mental Health Foundation and its partners shows that going for walks outside was one of the top coping strategies for people over the past year and around 45% of people reported being in green spaces had been vital for their mental health.   

In a survey on accessing mental health support carried out this year by Healthwatch Cornwall, an independent champion for people who use health services in the county, residents also named ‘walks’, ‘air’, ‘sea’ and ‘exercise’ among their stress-busting allies. 

Furthermore, during the first lockdown, 96% of those responding to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Nature in Lockdown survey agreed or strongly agreed that nature has been important for relieving stress and for their mental wellbeing during the first lockdown. Three-fifths of those responding to the survey agreed or strongly agreed that they had connected with nature in a way they hadn't previously. 

During Mental Health Awareness Week, people are being asked to do 3 things:   

• Experience nature: Take time to recognise and grow your connection with nature during the week. Enjoy a moment in your garden, local park, beach or your favourite walk and celebrate the small wonders of nature in your daily life. You might be surprised by what you notice. Nature is everywhere, even in the middle of towns and villages.
• Share nature: Take a photo, video or sound recording and share the stories of the wildlife you have seen or heard during the week, to inspire others to pause and look around them. Join the discussion on how nature makes you feel by using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek  
• Talk about nature: You don’t need to be an expert to encourage others in your family, school, workplace and community to find new ways to connect with nature in your local environment. There are some brilliant resources available and local wildlife groups to join if you want to learn more, do more for nature or inspire others. 

Dr Richard Sharpe, advanced public health practitioner and lead for mental health services at Cornwall Council, said:  

“Nature is a powerful tool for boosting our mental wellbeing and so we wholeheartedly support this theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Here in Cornwall we are blessed with some truly stunning scenery and opportunities to engage with nature and I would urge everyone to do so.  

“Even small contacts with the natural world, whether it’s a walk on the beach or simply listening to birds singing in your garden, can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting mental health and preventing distress. It is also important that we protect the environment so future generations can continue to benefit.” 

He added: “The pandemic has undoubtedly taken a huge toll on many people’s mental wellbeing and we want everyone to know that it’s ok not to be ok. There is always help and support available for anyone who needs it; no one needs to go through this alone.”  

The interim results of the Healthwatch Cornwall survey, which are due to be published soon, suggest that the number of people struggling with anxiety and depression is on the rise. ¹ 

In 2017 around 5% of people in Cornwall stated they had ‘probable depression and/or anxiety’. This increased to 13% in 2020 and 15% in 2021.  

Over the same period, the proportion of people with ‘possible depression and/or anxiety’ rose from 22% in 2017 to 44% in 2020, and now to 57% this year.  

The Mental Health Foundation  survey also revealed that on a national level:  

• loneliness has risen throughout the pandemic, from 10% of those surveyed in March 2020 to 26% in February 2021 
• fewer UK adults feel they are coping well with the stress of the pandemic. In April 2020, 73% said they were coping well and in February 2021, 64% said this
• feelings of hopelessness across the population showed little change, with 18% of people surveyed saying they had felt hopeless about the pandemic over the previous fortnight, in both March 2020 and February 2021  
• 8% of UK adults surveyed in April 2020 said they had had thoughts and feelings about suicide in the previous two weeks. This rose to 13% in February 2021 
• young adults (18 to 24 year olds), full-time students, people who are unemployed, single parents and those with long-term disabling health problems and pre-existing problems with their mental health continue to be significantly more likely to be feeling distressed, across a range of measures, compared with UK adults generally

Matthew Patrick, chief executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:  

“The past year or so has seen many of us gain an even greater respect for the fundamentals of good mental health. Things like exercise and being outside in nature have certainly been high on the list of natural remedies for stress, anxiety, and low mood, all of which have been impacted by the pandemic.  

“Being in or around green or blue spaces like woods, parks, rivers, lakes or the sea, intrinsically feel like they’re boosting your physical and mental health. There are lots of studies which back-up the emotional benefits of nature too, which is why we see it filtering into healthcare policy. It’s an excellent theme for this year’s national awareness campaign and we are pleased to be working alongside other partner organisations and colleagues on initiatives throughout the week.” 

Dr Paul Cook, NHS Kernow chairman and mental health champion, said:   

“We are committed to making sure that people’s mental health is supported as much as their physical health. The past year has been an incredible challenge for people mentally, even those who have never suffered with mental health issues before have struggled.  

“It will be one of the lasting effects of the pandemic and we are determined as a health and care system to be there for people.”   

Tim Francis, head of joint strategic commission for adult mental health, learning disability and autism at NHS Kernow, added:  

“We are working even harder than ever to deliver the change we have committed to in our local mental health strategy.   

“Delivering the national programme of transformation for mental health, alongside the improvement which our local population have told us they want to see, we believe that people will notice improvements in both their recovery outcomes as well their experience of high-quality services.   

“To achieve this, we be promoting greater partnership working between services and developing preventative care and support, which is delivered closer to people’s home. We will remain committed to working alongside people to co-design services and ensure that we respond holistically as we have through the Covid-19 pandemic.”  

Find out more about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week or join the conversation on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is promoting a series of short films to encourage people with severe mental illness to get their COVID-19 vaccines. 

The films contain useful information on what to expect from the vaccination process and how to prepare before the appointments based on the personal experiences of people who have received their vaccines. 

• Getting the COVID-19 vaccine: Personal experience guide for people with severe mental illness, Part 1  
• Getting the COVID-19 vaccine: Personal experience guide for people with severe mental illness, Part 2  

The films which were developed by Public Health England in collaboration with Equally Well UK and NHS England, GPs and experts by experience include a film aimed at GPs and health professionals:

• COVID-19 vaccination: A guide for GPs and teams to support people with severe mental illness

We are reintroducing some limited visiting at our main and community hospitals in a safe and COVID-compliant way. This is in line with updated guidance from NHS England and the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

All visitors will be required to:

• Wear the appropriate PPE and must not be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
• Undertake the current risk assessment

We recommend anyone coming for an approved visit has a Covid lateral flow test prior to coming to the hospital. You can go to a local test site, collect tests to do yourself from a pharmacy or test site, or order them online. You can find your nearest site on the NHS England website or by calling 119.

From Monday 12 April our visiting arrangements are:

Adults

Critical Care, Coronary Care, Higher Care bay on Wellington Ward, Phoenix Ward, and the PICU on Harvest Ward

One identified visitor per day by prior arrangement with the Ward Leader (this must be one of two identified people)

A person receiving end of life care, regardless of their Covid status

The number of visitors will be limited to 3 close family members. This can be increased at the discretion of the Ward Leader to a maximum of 4 (from within the social bubble).

One visitor will be allowed for one hour, but more than one visitor can attend within a 24-hour period.

A person receiving longer term care, eg Garner Ward and Marie Therese House

Limited to one close family contact or somebody important to the patient.

Visiting times will be staggered to accommodate visiting for other patients.

Where possible, visits will be accommodated outdoors.

Visitors will need to be tested for Covid-19 using a lateral flow test.

Exceptional circumstances

These will be referred by the Ward Leader for approval by a member of the Care Group Triumvirate / Senior Leadership Team and approved by one member of the Executive Triumvirate or out of hours Executive on Call.

Paediatrics

One parent at any time and both parents to be present in the event of a critically ill child.

Maternity Services

Pregnant women and people can have one support partner with them at:

• Early pregnancy unit appointments
• ALL maternity scan appointments including growth scans
• ALL antenatal clinic appointments (Community and hospital)
• ALL Community Postnatal appointments
• Day assessment visits
• Throughout labour in Delivery suite and birth centres
• Subject to individual approval, between 2-5pm every day on Wheal Rose and Wheal Fortune wards

To ensure everyone can stay safe;

• All partners are asked to wear a mask at appointments and while moving around the building (unless exempt)
• We ask that partners have a Covid lateral flow test prior to visiting on the wards. You can go to a local test site, collect tests from a pharmacy or test site, or order them online. You can find your nearest site on the NHS England website or by calling 119.
• We will open windows to allow for extra ventilation during visiting times, please ask a staff member for extra blankets for yourself or your baby if required.
• Partners may be asked to wait outside especially in settings with limited waiting room.
• Please follow the guidance given by staff on the day of your appointment. The guidance will differ slightly depending on where you are having your appointment.

You must not visit if you have any of these symptoms:

• New continuous cough
• High temperature
• Changes to your sense of taste or smell

If you do, you must say at home and go online or call 119 to arrange a Covid-19 test.

Many patients with smartphones and mobile devices are keeping in touch using our free hospital wifi. However, we know that not all patients have this technology and we are helping them to keep touch with trust devices, telephone and other messaging options.

At the Royal Cornwall, West Cornwall and St Michael’s hospitals there is also a Staying Connected service where family members and close friends can send a message or photograph through volunteer patient ambassadors. They can email rcht.covidstayconnected@nhs.net leaving the patient’s name, date of birth and the name of the ward they are on (if known), together with the message they want to send, or they can call 01872 253793 and we will call them back.

For community hospitals family and friends can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service team by calling 01208 834620 or by emailing cpn-tr.Palscft@nhs.net.

We will continue to review our visiting policy on a regular basis throughout the pandemic and will do everything we can to help patients and families keep in touch.

We are delighted to have appointed Dr Matthew Patrick as our interim chief executive.

            

Matthew, a psychiatrist moved to south east Cornwall with his wife, who has close family in Cornwall.

Since his relocation in 2019, he’s been helping the Trust on a voluntary basis, with its pandemic planning. Most recently he’s been helping the south east Cornwall primary care network to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine.

Matthew whose NHS career spans 36 years has 15 years of board level leadership which includes 12 years as a chief executive at Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and prior to his retirement, at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Matthew will remain at the Trust for few months, while we recruit a substantive chief executive.

Clinically extremely vulnerable residents are being reminded that wellbeing and mental health support is available to help them get back out into the community as the government advises that they can stop shielding from tomorrow (April 1).

Those coming out of shielding should follow the current rules under the government’s roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions, but they should take extra precautions to protect themselves from Covid-19.

Key points for people stopping shielding are:

• Minimise social interactions and try to reduce the amount of time spent in settings where social distancing is not possible.
• Work from home if possible but those who cannot work from home should attend their workplace. Employers are required to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus in the workplace and should explain measures they have put in place to keep employees safe at work. From April 1 those previously shielding will no longer be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) on the basis of being advised to shield. They may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) or Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), both of which have been extended until September 30.
• Clinically extremely vulnerable pupils and students should return to their school or other educational settings.
• All clinically extremely vulnerable adults should have had their first dose of the vaccine and are advised to take up the second dose when offered. If they have not had their first dose, they should contact their GP.
• Age UK Cornwall and Volunteer Cornwall can help transport vulnerable residents who do not have their own transportation to their vaccination appointment.
• Supermarkets will continue to provide priority delivery slots to vulnerable individuals until June 21. If residents need help getting online, for example to register for an online supermarket account, they can ring Cornwall Council’s support line for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable on 0300 1233334 or contact  Volunteer Cornwall.
• Health services remain available and residents with a medical need or question should contact their GP or health consultant.

Cornwall Council is working with partners in the health and voluntary sector to continue to support vulnerable residents in accessing priority supermarket deliveries and signposting to wellbeing advice.

Emergency food support is available at foodbanks throughout Cornwall. An interactive Help with Food map has been created in partnership with community organisations and is online at Let’s Talk Cornwall.

Lets Talk Cornwall website

Cornwall Council is supporting Age UK Cornwall on a free, Step into Wellness coaching programme designed to provide lifestyle and mental health advice and to support people in getting back into the community.

Further information can be found at Cornwall Link

Step into Wellness – Cornwall Link

To register your interest email stepintowellness@ageukcornwall.org.uk or telephone 01872 266383.

There is general advice and guidance on improving mental wellbeing on Cornwall Council’s mental health pages.

Mental Health

Anyone who may be worried about their own or someone else’s mental health can contact 0800 038 5300 for help and support.

Rachel Wigglesworth, Cornwall Council’s director of public health, said: “We know that shielding has not been easy and we would like to thank everyone who has been shielding and their families, friends and other support networks for their efforts during this challenging time.

“Although clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield from this Thursday, we still recommend that you take extra precautions to protect yourself while the virus is still circulating in our communities.

“These uncertain times mean we are all living and working in unusual ways and this can create feelings of stress and anxiety. If you’ve been shielding from others these feelings can be all the more heightened. But together with our health and voluntary partners there are things we can support you with to help maintain and protect your mental wellbeing.”

Ian Jones, Chief Executive of Volunteer Cornwall, said: “It has been a very difficult and worrying twelve months particularly for those who have been shielding. However, Cornwall’s communities and volunteers have been there to help to ensure people receive the support the need. Now with the backing from Cornwall Council we will continue our assistance to ensure any worries or concerns are addressed to enable people to have the confidence to reconnect with their community.”

Guidance for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19

• For more information or advice on shielding contact  Cornwall Council on covid19@cornwall.gov.uk or call 0300 1233334
• You can also contact Volunteer Cornwall on 01872 266988 or email requestforhelp@volunteercornwall.org.uk