Ann Hunt retiresAnn has worked for the Trust for 18 years and has always made sure that Thornton Wards patients personal needs were met (she even made sure all the plants had been watered!). She never sat down for 5 minutes, staff and patients will miss her greatly. She has been known as the Tea lady for staff, making sure that they never run out of tea and coffee.Thornton are now recruiting a new tea and coffee person (doesn’t have to be a lady – we are all for equal opportunities). Declarations of interest to be sent to Rachael Shaw, Ward Matron for Thornton Ward.

 Bradgate News Issue 1, [April]

2014

A message to inspire!We don’t work in the NHS because its easy, we work in the NHS because we care. And our Trust has staff who are passionate about the job they do.Budgets, targets , audits. These are noble pursuits necessary for the trust, but care, compassion, and courage. These are what we strive for.

To quote from Whitman:‘Oh me, oh life of the questions of these recurring. Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities filled with the foolish.What good amid these oh me oh life.The answer, that you are here, that life exists and identity.Let the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.’

WHAT WILL YOUR VERSE BE?(Inspired by the Dead Poets Society)

By Adam Somauroo

[Text goes here]

From the staff conversation held in January you identified that you wanted a newsletter specifically for the Bradgate Mental Health Unit staff.The newsletter aims to keep us informed of all the great work that happens here by sharing good ideas, celebrating great work , advertising what is happening over the next month and generally keeping in touch with one another.

We hope that it can be released every month but this is dependent on your involvement. We would like to invite everyone who works here to

submit anything they feel relevant for publication in the newsletter, from great ideas to inspirational quotes.! It doesn’t have to be a full article, just a short snippet, or outline of what you want to share.

Please submit any news you would like included, or if you are interested in becoming part of the team that puts it together please let me know at gemma.ablewhite@leicspart.nhs.uk or speak to Joel McCann or Sam Wilson.

Let’s shout about what we do well!

The Bradgate MHU newsletter is launched!

 Page 2

New vision statement approvedStaff across the Bradgate Unit have helped shape our new vision statement – a unifying mission for us all.

Supporting Nursing Assessment in Practice

SNAP Updates 2014

These sessions provide part of the annual mentor update required by the NMC, which all Mentors and Practice Teachers, of both pre and post registration nursing students must attend.• 29th May , 2-4pm – Sign off mentor update-

Alfred Hill Centre• 26th June, 9-5pm – SNAP update- Alfred Hill• 25th September- sign off mentor update- Alfred

Hill Centre• 15th October-1-5pm-SNAP update- Herschel

Prins Centre• 27th November- 9-5pm-SNAP update- Alfred Hill

Centre

For further dates contact anthony.bailey@leicspart.nhs.uk

Learning and Development

Widening Participation

Do you need to improve your maths or English? If you would like to know more about accessing courses contact

The Widening Participation team on 5485

A small core group of you met to create a vision statement for the Unit. The 6 Cs were used to help put together a compelling statement for all in the unit to work to.

It is hoped that each ward will take a part of the statement and come up with how they are going to put it into action and begin to share great work and ideas with each other!

 Page 3

Roving Reporters!Watch out…Joel McCann and Sam Wilson are out and about in the Unit doing 60 second interviews with staff! They hope to catch us and ask 4 questions so we get to know one another and increase our understanding of the different roles we undertake!Joel McCann’s first interview was with Liam Carver from the bed management team.

Training on siteSharon Clay, the Practice Development Nurse for the Bradgate MHU can provide bespoke training for individual areas as requested.

Training on the following topics is available and can be arranged for your area;• Advice/consultation and

training on the management of aggression.

• Learning disability awareness ( green light toolkit)

• Track and Trigger training.

• Morgan risk CPA• Checking and searching• Record keeping• Supervision training

Please contact Sharon Clay on Heather Ward ext. 2559 to discuss further.

Q- The perception is your team has a hard job to do. What is the most difficult aspect of your working day? ‘Deciding who is priority to admit onto the unit. A decision is made on the risk of the patient’ Q-Some of your targets are hard to meet, how do you deal with the frustrations this must bring? ‘We must try our best, a target is a

target if you don’t hit target at least you know you did all you could!’Q-What drove you to work in the NHS?‘You help people! I love to help people and enjoy the care environment. We make a difference and sometimes Improve peoples lives’Q- Give me an example of a good day and a bad day as a Unit support worker.‘ Good day – when everything goes well and runs smoothly. When you have been able to achieve requested admissions’‘Bad day- When there are no beds available for admissions required. Having to try to find beds with wards !’

"I am very impressed with the care the staff have given my husband, its the first ward that has managed to join the dots between physical care and mental health care, I haven't seen my husband this well in 2-3 years“- Comment made to Aston Ward by a patients relative.

Heather Ward are working well with Sandra Kelly from personality disorders team in utilising case discussion groups to enhance consistency and identify difficulties..

Staff feedback from Thornton Ward “The work environment, with a few exceptions, is great. I feel really relaxed, working with a very good team, and fully supported by everyone. No matter who you are, and for how long you have been here, you are listened and taken into consideration. That increases your work satisfaction. Constant feedback and a very

visible polite matron counts for the other two.”

Comment about Watermead ward from the Friends and Family test- ‘All staff very supportive. Made to feel safe very quickly and made to feel like my own opinion was worth listening to, particularly with us. Felt like I was able to have some say in my treatment. Though I came in and thought my world, my whole world was falling apart, they helped me get the pieces back. ‘

Michelle Brewin, Beaumont Ward says ’ my staff are motivated and dedicated to patient care and we rarely receive any complaints. I am extremely proud of all my staff.’

Great Feedback at the Bradgate Unit