Posted on: 18 December 2020
Our last leadership message of 2020 comes in the form of a video blog from the Partnership's Lead CEO, Rob Webster, who reflects on this most incredibly challenging year and sends his thanks and appreciation to one and all. This week’s written blog is from Sarah Smith, our Public Health Consultant and Director for Improving Population Health Programme.
#ThankYou2020
Watch our end of year 'thank you' film, which gives a very small glimpse of the amazing dedication, care and support that has taken place across the Partnership by our wonderful colleagues and communities.
Our Neighbours Episode 3: ‘Kindness’
On Monday 14 December, Episode 3: ‘Kindness’ to your communities launched. In Episode 3 of the new online reality series, neighbours discuss acts of kindness and send festive messages to help inspire positivity during the winter period.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We kindly ask you continue to champion the campaign by watching and sharing the new episode below so we can inspire more positive action across West Yorkshire and Harrogate.
We also know that many are feeling the mental struggle of Covid-19 and no one should feel lonely or isolated particularly during the festive season. There is a new support section on the ourneighbours.org.uk website where you can filter and find support services from your area for you and your neighbours. Let’s be there for one another and help those find support that need it.
A message of support for health and care staff
Dr James Thomas, GP and Chair of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Clinical Forum, reflects on the past year. The rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine is extremely positive and welcome but we'll all need to help ourselves, and each other, get through the coming months.
This week’s blog comes from Sarah Smith, our Public Health Consultant and Director for Improving Population Health Programme. 2020 has been an unprecedented year for people’s health and wellbeing.
Hello my name is Sarah
2020 has been both an important and challenging year for the health of 2.7million people living across West Yorkshire and Harrogate.
This year has also been the first year that the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Improving Population Health has been up and running, and what a busy year it has been! Our annual report shares the work of our programme, the achievements we have made and where we are going to focus our collective efforts in 2021.
Reflecting back over the last twelve months, a specific experience, which seemed insignificant at time, came to mind. In February, I was interviewing for a climate change lead to join the team. After the first interview, with numbers of COVID-19 cases in mind, we made the decision to respectfully decline handshakes with the candidates.
At the time it felt very odd and uncomfortable finishing the interview without the usual polite goodbye; instead we stood up and opted for an awkward wave. This was not only the last time I shook hands with anyone, it also the first conscious behaviour change I remember making in response to the pandemic. It felt novel at the time but this small change was to be the first of many; in a year where face masks, hand gel, social distancing and back to back Microsoft Teams calls were to become the norm.
This year we have all made changes to how we live our lives to protect our health and that of those around us. Some of these changes have felt difficult and uncomfortable to make but have been important in controlling the spread of the virus.
We have seen first-hand the impact that the pandemic has had on our lives and on health in its widest sense. One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic on people’s health has been the disproportionate impact it has had on different groups of people.
We have seen how the impact of inequalities in social and economic conditions before the pandemic contributed to the high and unequal death toll from COVID-19. The profile of health inequalities has been raised and this is something we haven’t ignored as a Health and Care Partnership. We have made efforts to better understand and address inequalities including through publication of our review into the impact of inequalities by ethnicity for staff and communities and the distribution of Health Inequalities Grant Funding. We will continue this focus in 2021 through the launch of a West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Inequalities Academy in February and for however long it takes to break down the inequalities we know exist. More information on the Academy will be shared in January so do look out for that.
The time to act on health inequalities is now. Reducing health inequalities requires action with equity at the heart. We are now even more aware of these inequalities that exist across our area. Let’s make now the time to come together to do something about it. Whether it be through tailoring support to those who access health and care services, building connections with community groups, being curious about inequalities, improving diversity of representation or changing the way we allocate resources. We all have a role to play.
Similar to the changes in behaviour we have all made over the last ten months to control the virus, let’s rise to the challenge in 2021 and make changes to reduce health inequalities. These changes may sometimes feel difficult or uncomfortable, but this year has shown us that we can do things differently and that, together, small changes to our behaviours can go a long way. If 2020 has taught us anything let’s make it that, collective action can improve population health.
Have a well-deserved break and the very best of health in 2021.
Sarah
What else has been happening this week?
Vaccine programme
A number of local practices are starting to invite and book eligible patients in for the first dose of their COVID vaccine prior to its arrival next week. Those invited will be patients over the age of 80, in line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommendation. The NHS will let people know when it's their turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.
This week saw the first vaccinations for people living in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield as part of the biggest vaccination programme undertaken.
First Annual report from Improving Population Health Programme published
We were delighted this week to publish the first Annual Report from the Improving Population Health Programme. 2020 has been an unprecedented year for people’s health and wellbeing. The pandemic has brought a sharper focus on inequalities in our society and a demand for work at scale and at pace to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged – to consider “what’s good for all folk”. The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Improving Population Health Programme have been in the vanguard of a collaborative movement in the region to identify opportunities and mobilise projects that will make a real difference. The Report provides a digest of the year’s work, case studies and a look ahead to what’s planned for 2021.
Sending some seasonal positive vibes
Our mini campaign, which aims to spread a bit of positivity across West Yorkshire and Harrogate throughout the pandemic, continues this week with some positive seasonal messages. The campaign has been developed with the West Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum to focus on what we can do, not what we can’t, with simple ways to look after our health and wellbeing. We’re reminding everyone that it’s a great time of year to get outdoors for some fresh air and exercise. Or if the weather is just too miserable to venture outside, we’re hoping people will get in the holiday spirit by watching a favourite Christmas movie, doing a bit of festive baking or getting crafty.
Grief and Loss Support Service to remain open throughout Christmas
The Christmas holiday season can be a time of great joy, but for people who are feeling the distress caused by bereavement or other losses, especially in this year of COVID-19, the upcoming festivities may become a focus for emotions that are hard to cope with. Pandemic restrictions may also mean that the usual practical and emotional support people can get in person from family, friends, faith and community groups during difficult times may not be there.
The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Grief and Loss Support Service will remain open throughout the extended break, with trained counsellors available 8am -8pm every day, including Christmas Day, by telephone or live online chat.
The free, direct-access service, commissioned by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, is delivered by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Independent Hospices Consortium, Bradford Bereavement Services Consortium and Leeds Mind. It offers support, information and advice to anyone struggling with feelings of loss, whether as a result of bereavement or other loss such as loss of a way of life, normal contact opportunities, social and work interactions.
The service is a free telephone helpline that operates 8am-8pm, 7 days a week. Specialist advisors will offer practical advice and emotional support, and where appropriate, can signpost people to local place based services for specific counselling or other support.
Launch of BAME Fellowship Shadow Board
The BAME Fellowship Programme is a collaboration with the public, health and social care sectors to develop our system leaders of the future, with a commitment from our senior leaders to create opportunities. The programme is designed to equip candidates with missing career experience, put leadership skills into practice and provide them with the knowledge and tools to be a successful leader.
The 2020 BAME Fellowship Programme began with the launch of the Senior Placement on 25 November. The shadow board foundation programme forms part of this opportunity and is delivered by a member of the inspiring leaders’ team and it provides them with significant opportunities including board development
The programme involves three core development modules of learning, and the establishment of a shadow Senior Leadership Team (SLE) to support a more experiential feel. The shadow SLE is chaired by one of our senior leaders and supported by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate System and Leadership Development Programme Team. It gives participants an opportunity to present SLE papers and work alongside the paper authors. As part of the programme, a member of the inspiring leaders’ team will sit in on the shadow board meeting to support participants and start to bring the board to life in a safe, supportive and experiential way. The member of the team will then be able to offer participants feedback and comments to support effectiveness. The team member will be a current or previous board member.
The shadow board has ran for two years previously but on this occasion there will include a greater number of BAME colleagues whom will also make up the majority of the membership.
Urgent and emergency care update
The Urgent and Emergency Care Programme Board met on Tuesday, chaired by Pat Keane who is one of the senior responsible officers for the programme. Among items discussed were the programme priorities for 2021/22, capitalising on the opportunities rapid transformation due to COVID-19 have afforded the programme. Key areas discussed were the continuation of implementing the NHS111 First key asks; integrated workforce; further developing our digital solutions; better use of data to inform our decisions and models of care for particular health conditions. These will be worked through in the coming months in order to refresh the work programme for the next year. Colleagues from NHS England / Improvement also attended to discuss the ambulance handover principles. The Board agreed and supported the principles and a task and finish group will be convened to progress this work.
The Board also responded to the feedback received as part of the Care Quality Commission Provider Collaboration Review which took place in October. The responses will be collated and submitted to CQC. More work will be undertaken with place and other Partnership programmes to ensure feedback is considered as part of future work across our area.
West Yorkshire and Harrogate Organisational Development Network
The West Yorkshire and Harrogate OD Network met for their end of year celebration and round-up event, bringing together 30 colleagues from across the Partnership with roles that enable change and transformation to happen. The group were delighted to welcome Helen Bevan, Chief Transformation Officer of NHS England / Improvement Horizons Team to share work in progress on Creating tomorrow today: a radical manifesto for leaders of health and care which describes eight simple rules for designing the future of health and care in complex systems, work she is co-creating with Goran Henriks Chief Executive of Learning, Jonkoping Region, Sweden. The group were inspired by Helen’s session and agreed on how timely and relevant this work was for developing our integrated care partnerships (ICPs) and our Partnership as a whole. We’ve agreed to work with Helen and Goran to test the approach and share learning from our partnership and will host a learning session at the Jonkoping Microsystems Festival in March 2021.
West Yorkshire Prepared (also known as Local Resilience Forum)
West Yorkshire's keyworkers - from police, fire, local authorities, schools and the NHS - have come together to ask everyone in the region to continue following the guidelines, protect each other and prevent the spread of COVID-19, to enable our emergency services and other local services to continue their vital work in keeping us all safe and well.
This film has been produced by West Yorkshire Prepared, the region's Local Resilience Forum - a multi-agency partnership working together to help our communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and major incidents. For more info, visit www.westyorkshireprepared.org.uk
Partnership Suicide Prevention Campaign (aimed at colleagues)
By regularly checking in with our colleagues and ourselves we can work together to help reduce staff suicide. The West Yorkshire and Harrogate ‘Check-in’ campaign aims to reduce staff suicide and promote a wellbeing culture by normalising the conversation around suicide and mental health. ‘Staff’ includes all colleagues, working and volunteering across the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and we are inviting you to sign up and join in with the campaign.
The campaign has been co-produced via a multiagency project team, focus groups and insight. The insight summary video can be found here
Please sign up to access all the free resources and guidelines available to your organisation – there will be a range of assets for you to adapt locally to suit your organisation needs via a web portal which will include presentations, social media materials, email signatures, links to creditable online training, posters, zoom backgrounds and much more.
The campaign will launch at the end of January.
Florence Nightingale Foundation Digital Fellowships
The Florence Nightingale Foundation has expanded their range of scholarships for 2021 to include opportunities for digital leaders and digital fellows.
- The Digital Nurse/Midwifery Leadership Scholarship is available to nurses and midwives who want to lead in the digital transformation of the NHS at a regional and national level. This programme is suitable for those on track for a senior digital leader role in the next two years, or for those already leading digital change and aspiring to take up systems system leadership roles.
- Digital Fellows aims to enable established and experienced digital leaders to undertake supported work based learning within the national team. Funding has been secured for two full time fellows to work on NHSX led programmes
See the leadership scholarship pages on the Florence Nightingale Foundation website for more information.
Leeds works together to keep older people safe
A new campaign is being rolled out in Leeds to raise awareness that people aged 60 and over are at greater risk of health complications from COVID-19. It will also promote ways to advise people how they can continue to stay active and connected safely while reducing physical contact.
This comes as West Yorkshire continues to remain in the highest COVID-19 alert areas ahead of the relaxing of rules announced by the Government over the Christmas period.
To support residents of 60 and above to live healthily, and keep mentally well during this time, the NHS in Leeds, alongside Leeds City Council and community and voluntary sector organisations are coming together to share and promote a programme of positive messages over the winter season. This includes messages that encourage people to stay connected safely to reduce the risk of social isolation. The campaign will target employers and employees in the city so that they can take steps to protect their own colleagues as well as customers. This includes advice for skilled tradespeople who need to access people’s homes. According to the 2011 census around 20% of Leeds’s population are aged sixty or over and it is now recognised that this age group is more at risk of developing more serious health complications from COVID-19. To find out more about the campaign and to get tips to keep family, friends and colleagues safe please visit www.takecareleeds.co.uk
New West Yorkshire young peoples’ mental health unit named
The project board for West Yorkshire’s new child and adolescent mental health unit have agreed its name. Following consultation with young people including residents at York’s Mill Lodge and Leeds’ Little Woodhouse Hall, and with Leeds Community Health Trust Youth Board members, the name of the unit will be...
...Red Kite View.
Read more about the unit and its development over 2020 on the Leeds and York Partnership website.
New Voluntary, Community Social Enterprise report
A survey of voluntary and community organisations in West Yorkshire and Harrogate during October found more than a third (35%) of organisations may not stay open beyond March 2021. Charities and voluntary groups across West Yorkshire and Harrogate were invited to take part in the ‘Voluntary and Community Enterprise Sector Resilience Survey’ to help measure the impact that the coronavirus continues to have. Voluntary Action Leeds co-ordinated this survey, along with other Third Sector organisations and the Universities of Hull, Leeds and Sheffield.
The Partnership’s People Board
The Board met on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Brendan Brown, CEO Lead for the Programme and CEO for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. Board members include Health Education England, university, voluntary, community and social enterprise and council colleagues. There was an update on the recruitment for pharmacy and placement availability in community primary care. Connections will be made to the clinical forum and the pharmacy group for the area.
Colleagues received an update on the Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities’ review and the recommendations agreed at the Partnership Board on the 1 December. There will be quarterly updates to the Board to ensure progress at pace. Colleagues were keen to build on the recommendations and to ensure wider partnership engagement for delivery, for example inclusive recruitment with targets to demonstrate we are meeting targets. Board members were clear that the report recommendations and action points belong to all leaders across all sectors and local places to deliver outcomes. A group of colleagues from the Board will meet in January. There was also an update on the NHS England / NHS Improvement proposals for legislative changes. The Partnership will be responding to the engagement on the proposals for 8 January.
Climate change virtual summit – evaluation report
Earlier in 2020 we held our first Climate Change Summit to explore how the Partnership can work to reduce the effects of climate change and prepare for its impacts across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. The Climate Change Summit evaluation report is now available to read on the Partnership website.