Work plan projects

The work plan project topics identified in 2009/10 were dementia services across Staffordshire, stroke services across Staffordshire and Acute Services across Staffordshire but with an initial focus on the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.  Work has been ongoing in respect of these projects in 2010/2011 as follows:

Dementia Services
Following the tender process for a small research project to identify the key issues in respect of dementia services in Staffordshire, Helen Kara and Debs Sambor of Mercian Research Associates and We Research It Ltd were awarded the contract for the this project which commenced on the 15^th March and will be completed by the end of April 2010.  A Dementia Workshop took place on Tuesday 18^th May 2010 where Helen and Debs presented their research findings to LINk participants and discuss the way forward for identifying the priorities for this project and developing a project plan.  The research report and summary are available to view and download here: Research report, Summary and Recommendations.  The project plan focussed on the area of what information is available through various points of transition for patients with dementia and their families/carers.  The project was underaken by the Community Council of Staffordshire as part of the second phase of their contract to provide community engagement for the LINk.  The work commenced in October 2010 and concluded on 31st March 2011.  The report has been produced for the project and will be available on the LINk website shortly. 

Stroke Services
Following the tender process for a small research project to identify the key issues in respect of stroke services in Staffordshire, Lesley Pattenson and associates were awarded the contract for the stroke project and commenced on 15^th March 2010. A Stroke Workshop took place on Wednesday 19^th May 2010 where Lesley presented her very comprehensive findings and report to LINk participants in order that they could discuss the findings and the way forward for identifying the priorities for this project and developing a project plan.   It was agreed that a second workshop would take place towards the end of June in order to move the project forward.  The final report is available to view and download here.  The project plan focussed on the ongoing rehabilitatinon services for stroke sufferes across Staffordshire.  The project was undertaken by Community Council of Staffordshire as part of phase 2 of their contract to provide community engagement for the LINk.  The work commenced in October 2010 and was completed on 31st March 2011.  The report has been produced for this project and will be available on the LINk website shortly.

Acute Services
A piece of work has been undertaken in collaboration with CQC who are undertaking a 12 month review of Stafford Hospital.  LINk participants were approached to undertake a survey of patient experiences at the hospital from January to March this year.  Several LINk participants volunteered to help with the surveys and the responses received have been good.  The responses will be analysed and the findings presented to a workshop which will be arranged.
Following phase 1 of the Community Council’s contract to provide community engagement for the LINk a project plan was developed to look at several issues raised in relation to Stafford Hospital.  These were:

• Lack of support for wheelchair users visiting the hospital
• Confusion over appointment cards for Stafford and Cannock hospitals
• Waiting times for hospital discharge
• Outpatient experience in hospital out-patients department

This work commenced in October 2010 and was completed on 31st March 2011.  The report of findings and recommendations has been produced and will be available on the LINk website shortly.

Two further pieces of work which resulted from the community engagement activities and prioritised at the LINk AGM in June 2010, were research into respite care services in Staffordshire and Disability Discrimination Act compliance for those with visual and hearing impairments when accessing health services in Staffordshire.  The work was undertaken by the Community Council of Staffordshire and commenced in October 2010 and was completed on 31st March 2011.  The reports for both of these projects have been produced and these will be available on the LINk website shortly.

All the above reports will be considered by the LINk Co-ordinating Group and discussed at the next Co-ordinating Group meeting on Friday 13th May 2011 following which an action plan will be produced.

Engagement and LINk Work Development Activities
Below is a summary of engagement and LINk  Work Development activites which have been undertaken from January to the current date by Bernard Bester, LINk Development Worker:

• Meeting with a group of residents at the O’Connor Centre (Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme) to discuss their experiences at the Edwards Myers Centre with a view to giving feedback to North Staffs Combined Healthcare for their Equality Impact Assessment.  Our feedback was positively received by CHC who are seeking further discussion with the user group.  We are facilitating this in the near future.
• Following discussions with a senior tutor, arrangements were made for a full day of presentations to students at Burton College.  However this was disappointingly cancelled by the college at the last minute and alternative arrangements for the presentations are awaited.
• A discussion following the showing of a DVD on Young People’s Health issues has been held with a group of 20+ A level students at Westwood College, Leek.  The students, many of whom are keen to pursue careers in health and medicine, are with the support of their tutor, keen to become more involved in LINk.  More details to follow.
• Staffordshire LINk attended an event organised by Stoke LINk which dealt with carer’s issues.  Whilst the event was not very well attended by members of the public it was an excellent opportunity for networking.  The presentations made by four of the carer’s attending the event were both powerful and moving accounts of their experience. 
• A meeting took place with the CEO of “Approach” a North Staffordshire Voluntary organisation concerned with the care of Alzheimers sufferers and their carers to explore how we could be mutually beneficial.  Information packs were provided for each of the Alzheimer’s cafes in North Staffordshire.
• The notion of a “Hospital Passport” for individuals with communication problems eg. a learning disability or with dementia, who are entering hospital, has been developed by Mid Staffs NHS Foundation Trust.  This will enable the individual members themselves to provide basic information on their “likes ” and “dislikes” for nursing staff who will provide care for them.  This information along with other personal information should help to improve the care they receive and the communication with them by the range of hospital staff.  Opinions on the Passport were obtained from a range of individuals, service users and care staff who are known to LINk.
• A presentation on the remit and work of the LINk was made to the Parish Forum in the Moorlands.  Over thirty Parishes were represented at the meeting and each parish received a pack of LINk information for future reference.