This week’s leadership message comes from Jonathan Webb, Lead Director of Finance for the Partnership and Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Officer for NHS Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group

Posted on: 9 September 2021

Hello everyone, my name is Jonathan, Jonathan Webb

I am really pleased to have been asked to share a leadership message this week across the Partnership. I thought it would be helpful to share my reflections on what has changed in terms of how we manage finances across West Yorkshire over the last five years, and what challenges now lay ahead.

I recall the first meeting I had with Director of Finance and Chief Finance Officer colleagues across West Yorkshire and Harrogate in late 2016. This was the time when integrated care systems were known as sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs). At the time, I worked at NHS England and whilst it was great to see provider, commissioner, and local authority colleagues in the same room, I recall some incredibly unaligned and challenging discussions between NHS provider and clinical commissioning group (CCG) colleagues about the expected value of current and future year contract values. The financial “system” in operation at the time did little to prevent adversarial views, and indeed the separate national regulatory systems did little to help.

If you fast forward to a set of review meetings held during the last week to understand financial planning assumptions for each of our local places (Bradford district and Craven; Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield) in the second half of 2021/22, you will see a completely different picture.

Some of the stand-out points for me and Jane Hazelgrave, Director of Finance at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust who supported the review meetings were that:

Finance leaders in each of our places understand and can describe the financial positions of other’s organisations locally
They are happy for colleagues to speak on their behalf
They are open and honest with each other and their peers
The discussions were as much about quality issues (safer staffing reviews for instance), operational issues (readiness for non-elective winter pressures and elective recovery) and staff health and wellbeing issues, as about money
Where financial risks were identified in specific organisations locally, the default position was to understand, constructively challenge and support and not to blame
There was a readiness to have the same level of openness and honesty with all colleagues from across all our local places – with the end goal being good value for money services that meet the needs of people.

Conversations are on-going at a national level about funding for the NHS for the next six months and beyond, as well as discussions for adult social care arrangements – which is expected soon. Whilst we remain hopeful that the recognition on the part of government and HM Treasury of the significant pressures in health and care services will lead to a favourable settlement, we are expecting there will be a drive towards the efficiency and financial expectations before the pandemic. Indeed, it is possible that the challenge will be greater due to efficiencies not being delivered over the last 18 months. We will see.

Regardless of the financial settlement, the importance of our local partnership arrangements will be paramount to ensure that we manage money within the resource limits we are set and that we utilise all our resources in a way that makes the maximum positive differences to the lives, health, and wellbeing of everyone living across the area. Working together gives us the best chance of delivering on this important ambition.

This ambition requires tenacity and care and will only be successful if a true partnership approach takes place at all levels. I can see these principles and approaches evidenced in our current design for the new integrated care arrangements. Until the legislation is agreed by Parliament the move to create new statutory NHS bodies to replace clinical commissioning groups remains a proposal. You can read more on the Integrated Care Systems page on our website.

Whilst my reflections have focussed on discussions around finance, I know that the nature of conversations across a broad range of ambitions and issues is replicated. For this reason, I feel very fortunate to work with such a committed, professional, and open set of colleagues, and am glad that I can play my part in its on-going development.

I wish you all a good weekend.

Jonathan

Suicide Prevention Day

To mark Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) today’s blog comes from three of the many people who are helping to create a suicide safe West Yorkshire.

Dr Lisa Edwards has lived experience of suicide following the death of her son. She is an Academic at the University of Bradford, a member of the Bradford Suicide Prevention Group and a Trustee of the Charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

Losing a loved one to suicide can be devastating for everyone who knew the person in any capacity. It is not only their family and friends who are bereaved. It is important to consider the whole of the wider community and anyone involved in a loved one’s care, including any mental or physical health services. Research tells us that for each suicide there are 135 people ‘exposed’ to that death (Cerel 2019). Being ‘exposed’ means that they are affected in some way, and this is not dependent on the relationship with the person who took their own life. Being a bereaved mother and understanding in the most painful way, the far-reaching impact of suicide first-hand, has taught me that as much as possible needs to be done from a multi-sector viewpoint to prevent suicide.

In the few years since my sons’ death, progress has been made, but we need to keep moving forwards. We have dedicated research groups in the UK trying to understand and prevent suicide and share examples of good practice in suicide prevention initiatives. You can find a link to these here. Working together in a multi-sector approach where everyone plays their part, including every one of us in society, is the only way we will prevent suicides in our communities. Everyone has their part to play no matter who you are or who you work for. There are many vulnerable groups we need to work with and who need to be considered. The NCISH Annual report 2021 is a good starting point to understand suicides in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Playing my part across West Yorkshire and within my own circles to prevent suicide, and helping those who are bereaved, is the least I can do.

Jessica Parker is the Suicide Prevention Project Manager for the Partnership and is working with people and partners to create a five-year Suicide Prevention strategy for West Yorkshire.

I believe that each of us can be a force for good and make positive change. Tragically, Jess Office for National Statistics data show that Yorkshire and Humberside have the highest suicide rates for men and for women nationally. I want everyone to be outraged about this, and act. Suicide deaths are unbearably traumatic for loved ones, friends, colleagues, and family and have an inter-generational impact. It could be you.

Evidence shows that there is rarely one cause of a suicide, there are often a build-up of multiple factors in a person’s life. Common risk factors in West Yorkshire are being male, financial insecurity, living alone or in isolation, alcohol, grief, mental and physical health conditions/pain.

The brilliant news is that suicide is preventable and every single one of us can play a part, every day. People and communities prevent suicides, and health and care services have a huge part to play. Crushing stigma and raising awareness are key, and you can do this at home and at work.

This partnership is creating a citizen movement which de-stigmatises suicide and enables people to name suicide, talk about it, and get help. We have local plans and partnerships that you can join, as well as an imminent new action-focused West Yorkshire strategy.

As partners we will try our hardest to improve support and services, and the way they deliver care. As individuals, please be bold, talk about mental health at home, with friends, family and at work. Complete suicide prevention or suicide awareness training. It is a fallacy that people don’t ask for help; research shows that they do. Invite conversations, believe people, be human and be compassionate. This is not too big, or too much, or too complicated – this is about us as people, changing things and in turn changing lives

Kat Trinder is new to the Partnership and is the Communications, Engagement and Partnerships Officer for the Suicide Prevention Programme.

It has been an exciting time to join the Suicide Prevention Programme, with my first project being the development and launch of the new West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention website. This is a resource dedicated to helping people with suicidal thoughts and those concerned for the mental wellbeing of anyone who lives in West Yorkshire.

This has been a great introduction to the organisations that coproduced this information portal, including voluntary, NHS and local authorities who are all working to reduce death by suicide in the region. But there is still more to do. My next challenge is to develop and grow the Suicide Prevention Advisory Network - a quarterly online learning and sharing forum for organisations who work to prevent suicide. If anyone would like to join us, please do drop me an email.

It is our ambition to create a growing movement for change where suicide is prevented. Talking about suicide is a good place to start. Please join the conversation around World Suicide Prevention Day using #WSPD2021. You can also use resources from our Check-In suicide staff campaign.

You can read the full press release about the launch of the website and download social media assets here.

Have a good weekend,
Lisa, Jess and Kat

What else has been happening this week?

#WYHRootOutRacism

Organisations across Calderdale say enough is enough and are joining forces to show their support for the #WYHRootOutRacism movement. They asked people for their views and you can listen to what people have to say here

You can also watch this film from the launch in Bradford on the 23 August.

You can download #WYHRootOutRacism FREE resources from our website.

Please get involved and join over 560 organisations/community allies.

We are also asking people to complete the first evaluation form about how they have used the communication resources.

New pathology laboratory in Leeds comes a step closer

A new pathology laboratory at St James’s Hospital, serving Leeds and hospitals across West Yorkshire and Harrogate, has come a step closer after the completion of demolition of old buildings to prepare for the development.

The site has now been handed back to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust by demolition contractors Connell Brothers after completing their work on preparing the ground for the new state-of-the-art laboratory which will be designed for fast, accurate, routine and specialist testing.

The new laboratory, as part of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Pathology Network, formed through the collaboration of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), will support hospitals across the region to improve diagnostics for patients and help to meet the growing regional demand for specialist treatment and care - as well as providing development opportunities for staff. It is hoped to have the new facility completed in 2023.

Solace helping people survive exile and persecution

Anne Burghgraef Anthea Kilminster Refugees and asylum seekers struggle with extreme levels of anxiety, made worse by the worry and isolation created by Covid-19. Solace, which helps people survive exile and persecution, used health inequalities funding to extend their specialist therapeutic care approach to help alleviate emotional distress.

We caught up with Solace’s Anthea Kilminster, Psychotherapist and Anne Burghgraef, Clinical Director, who regularly see people who have experienced war, violence, and persecution with catastrophic impacts on their emotional and physical health. Whilst disproportionately experiencing poor emotional health from traumatic experiences, refugees and asylum seekers are also affected by an ‘inverse care law’ and are under-represented amongst those accessing mental health care.

Watch our video to find out more about how Solace has been able to – and continues to - support those who experience barriers to getting help, in ways which promote their dignity, and respect their cultural identity.

Partnership Board

Our Partnership Board met in public on Tuesday. The meeting was held virtually to ensure people are not at any unnecessary risk of COVID-19. The Partnership Board further strengthens joint working arrangements between the NHS, councils, care providers, hospices, Healthwatch, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

The Board is an important group for the Partnership, which covers Bradford district and Craven, Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield. It brings together elected members, executive and non-executives, and independent co-opted members in one decision making process.

Chaired by Cllr Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council and Chair of Calderdale Health and Wellbeing Board, the meeting discussed our COVID-19 response and recovery including support for minority ethnic communities and staff; adversity, trauma, and resilience; and new research published to celebrate the work of charities, social enterprises, and community organisations across the area.

Rob Webster Board members also discussed the Government’s national proposals to further join up health and care services. The meeting included guest speaker Richard McCann who talked about childhood trauma, adversity, and resilience.

Rob Webster, our CEO lead gave an update on the work we are doing across the Partnership. This included our focus on tackling health inequalities, managing unwarranted variations in care, and using all our resources wisely. In doing so, we work to ensure that the societal and economic benefits of our work benefit all people living across the area. Rob’s report is set in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to affect our work across the Partnership and the health and lives of our communities.

You can read read all the meeting reports on the Partnership Board section of our website.

West Yorkshire and Harrogate Clinical Forum

The Clinical Forum met virtually on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Dr Sal Uka. Forum members include medical directors, GPs, pharmacists, allied health professionals, lead nurses and NHS England colleagues.

Forum members discussed innovation and improvement and work with the Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network to develop true partnerships working at a strategic level. There was also a conversation on improving care for children and young people with complications related to severe obesity. Key to the work moving froward is ensuring we involve allied health professionals, voluntary, community partners and primary care colleague, whilst reaching into families and communities creatively in a culturally sensitive way.

Many young people don’t have access to safe, green space and there is an opportunity to link into existing work taking place across the area to scale up good practice. Having families and schools embedded in the change is extremely important.

New suicide prevention website goes live today for World Suicide Prevention Day

Our new West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention website launched to the wider public on World Suicide Prevention Day today, 10 September. This is a dedicated information portal to help people with suicidal thoughts and those concerned for the mental wellbeing of anyone who lives in West Yorkshire.

Mental health workforce recruitment drive

As part of the workforce recruitment drive, the Mental Health Provider Collaborative is taking part in a series of four virtual recruitment fairs in the coming 12 months. The first event takes place on Thursday 30 September and will highlight opportunities with the Collaborative and the wider system with the overarching theme of Inclusivity and positive action. The remaining Fairs are planned for 13 January 2022, 7 April 2022, and 30 June 2022.

The vFairs platform gives us the opportunity to offer live and pre-recorded sessions on the day and will also be available to delegates to view after the event. A “virtual events hall” will house 15 digital booths for providers to brand for their organisations, embed videos and documents and have interactive sessions with attendees and potential new recruits. There’s more about the project on our website and on the VFairs platform. The Fair is open to all, including the public. People wishing to attend should register here.

Young people spread kindness simply by ‘Looking out for each other’

"Looking out for each other" A brand-new #SpreadTheKindness campaign is set to launch across West Yorkshire and Harrogate on Monday 13 September. This is an exciting new phase of the ‘Looking out for our neighbours’ community campaign that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic inspired over 49,000 people to get involved by making a positive difference to their neighbours’ lives through acts of kindness.

The campaign aims to reach young people aged 15-24 years living, in education or working across the area. WY&H HCP have been working with young people over recent months to make the idea become a reality. We are encouraging organisations or support services working alongside young people to be a supporter and download a digital resource pack at: ourneighbours.org.uk/eachother

This brand-new phase four of the campaign was renamed ‘Looking out for each other’ broadening the original concept of ‘Looking out for our neighbours’ by the young people that came together to co-produce it and make it meaningful to them and their peers.

September is a time of change for many young people, and #SpreadTheKindness will be there to help support and elevate them.

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