As identified through the meetings attended by Derbyshire Voice Service Receiver Representatives.

 

• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Psychodynamic therapies focus on revealing and resolving unconscious conflicts that are driving unwanted symptoms) services are being reviewed by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Derbyshire Health Care Foundation Trust (DHCFT).  The way in which people who receive these services and the information they have been given has caused Derbyshire Voice some concern. 

The consultation is continuing till 31st October 2011 and we are working with the PCT in an attempt to ensure meaningful involvement for service receivers. (If you have any views on this subject please get in touch)

 

• We are hearing conflicting information about the plans DHCFT have for supporting Muslim service receivers through the current period of Ramadan (It is the Islamic month of fasting in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality and humility) whilst on the Psychiatric Units.

We are continuing to raise these concerns at a variety of meetings with DHCFT in order to improve the service for next time and other groups.

 

• Once again we are hearing a lot of good things about the Radbourne Unit, in particular Ward 35, including receipt of a Gold Standard Award and the treatment of patients.

This is really positive.

 

• There still seems to be little effective service receiver consultation into the Redesign Projects run by DHCFT on Community Care (Phase 2) and Acute Care.

DHCFT are planning variety of events to consult with service receivers, we will be attending any appropriate meetings.

 

• There appears to be ‘cuts’ taking place in staffing across the NHS, however, it is proving difficult to find out exactly how staff are being reduced, how many vacancies there are, where in the service these vacancies are and how services are affected.

We are raising this at all of the appropriate meetings.

 

• We are hearing that there is an issue with the number of inpatient Psychiatric beds available in Derbyshire.  If this is the case, service receivers could end up being placed in units out of their local area.

Representatives are raising this at the Acute Care Forum

 

• Derbyshire Voice is being asked to take part in many extra pieces of work and projects with no offers of support from NHS partners.  Whilst these opportunities are exciting and worthwhile, we feel that we simply don’t have the additional resources to do carry out work effectively. 

Funding and time are ongoing issues and we are continuing to work with current and funders to resolve this.