·      We would like to highlight a recent positive development.  The doors on Ward 35 seem to be unlocked on a regular basis.  The issue of permanently locked doors to wards has been a long standing issue and this improvement in the patient experience is welcomed.

We have made sure that this feedback has reached the staff from this ward and their managers.

 

·      We are concerned about the apparent lack of psychiatric beds/places for female patients in Derbyshire.

 

·      There appears to be some inconsistencies regarding access to electronic devices with electrical flexes on the inpatient wards.

Representatives are looking into this and raising it at the appropriate meetings.

 

·      We have received information about the rise in the number of times patients are readmitted onto the inpatient wards within a 28-day period.

This is being raised at a meeting specifically about inpatient care.

 

 

·      There appears to be ‘cuts’ taking place in staffing across the NHS, however, it seems that they are being called ‘Mutually agreed severance and Voluntary retirement’ rather than redundancy.

This is an on-going concern and we have received some figures but these do not give a complete ‘picture’ of the changes to staff and therefore services, we will continue to pursue this.

 

·      In reference to the two points above, we are concerned about the support available for recovery, maintenance, preventative services and aftercare services.

As above, we will continue to pursue this information.

 

·      Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust say they are committed to the “Care Programme Approach” (a recovery, person centered and an inclusive approach to care) however, some of the statistics used to monitor the implementation of this approach have dropped in the last year.  This is of great concern.

·      Derbyshire Health Care Foundation Trust (DHCFT) are holding focused meetings that will include looking at these issues and Representatives will be participating in these.

 

 

·      Due to the financial cuts being faced by the NHS, there are ongoing concerns about the reduction in skilled staff at the Primary Care Trusts through workers leaving the organization in large numbers.

This is an issue that is likely to continue due to the Government NHS Restructure plans. We will continue to monitor this and raise concerns where services are affected.

 

·      An on-going issue is the lack of training and experience for police officers, when called out to attend to members of the public in distress.  This is often at night and weekends when there is more limited direct access to psychiatric services.  Is it time for a mental health emergency service.

We have recently been invited onto a regular meeting with the police (along with Mental Health Action Group) where these issues can be discussed.

 

·      Effective consultation with service receivers on the Redesign of the Adult (Community) Care Pathway Project still hasn’t taken place.

We have now been invited to attend a series of meetings/events to offer the service receiver perspective on the redesign of community services.