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Hello everybody and welcome to the second edition of our newsletter, In FiVE: Latest news from Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire.
Just a reminder that the aim is straightforward – we’ll inform you of the latest news, developments and outline what’s coming up in five concise, jargon-freesections.
We also aim to impress – by showcasing staff best practice and achievements.
Another priority is to interact with you and to involve you. Our fifth and final section will provide a regular forum for you to ask questions, tell us what’s new or express views.
If you haven't already done so, don't forget to subscribe so we can keep you up to date as we go forward.
Let's find out what's new - In Five!
Janice Hewitt, Chief Accountable Officer
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1. An opening word from . . . an inspirational athlete
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A man whose dramatic life transformation was praised by Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy has revealed the secret of his success to In Five.
In just over three years, Phil Jones from Cumbernauld has almost HALVED his body weight, morphing his 27-stone frame to a well-honed 14 stone physique.
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Following the Rio Olympics, the former fast food lover turned cycling fanatic – who was introduced to Sir Chris Hoy after the flying Scotsman inspired his fight back to fitness – has revealed the three main ingredients to a positive life change.
"The first was inspiration, which came from watching Sir Chris carrying the flag into the Olympic Games opening ceremony four years ago," said Phil, pictured right before his incredible transformation.
“Finding the dedication to stick on a course that led me to a healthier life was vitally important – as was having access to the information that equipped me with the knowledge to sustain my change to a healthier life."
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Although super-fit Phil carried out his own research, he has encouraged others to tap into the online supports now live under Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire.
As well as community-based health and social care services, a variety of supports and activities geared to helping people take the first step to healthier, independent and safer lives are available.
Phil said: “When you do make that first step you never look back. If I can turn my life around for the better, anyone can.”
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Councillor Harry McGuigan, Chair of North Lanarkshire Joint Integration Board, said: “Phil’s story is an inspiration. We also welcome Phil’s endorsement of the support we have in place as we are committed to our mission, which is safer, healthier, independent lives for the people of North Lanarkshire. We’d encourage people looking for information on support to visit the online resources that can make a difference.”
Phil's amazing story has recently made national headlines, putting Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire in the spotlight.
To read his tale in full click on this link. Find out about supports and information available here.
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2. Values in action
Poignant tribute to health and social care team's dedication
Health and social care professionals in Cumbernauld have been described as ‘guardian angels’ for the support they provided a local woman during a traumatic year.
On New Year’s Day 2015 Mabes Brown’s mum, Mabel, had a stroke. Six days later Mabes’ sister, Lesley, died suddenly, at the age of 47, following a brain haemorrhage.
Then, five months later, Mabel was diagnosed with cancer and her health deteriorated rapidly. She passed away in January this year, at the age of 74. Mabel was supported, however, to live her final months and days with her family.
Care was provided by the Cumbernauld Intensive Home Support Service and NHS Lanarkshire’s Community Nursing Service. The staff worked closely and linked in with Mabel’s GP and palliative care nurse to provide intensive support.
“Before we were referred to the team, I’d promised my mum I’d do everything I could to ensure she could be at home,” said Mabes, pictured above, front row centre.
“With that, to be honest, came a lot of pressure as a carer. But the team – the nurses, home carers and their managers – would recognise when I was struggling. They always had a light, human touch.
“Having that release – and the reassurance that I was doing everything right – let me focus on my mum and make the most of the last few months we had together. They were our guardian angels.”
Read Mabes’ poignant tribute to the team in full here.
Fantastic fayre serves up the best of joined-up working
 Our Occupational Therapy Community Mental Health Teams got crafty this summer – by laying on a fantastic fayre.
Patients were given the opportunity to showcase their skills in craft activities, such as card making, ribbon craft, woodwork, jewellery making, decoupage and knitting.
The fayre was organised by H&SCNL partners from NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council and the third sector. Lee Samuel, Specialist Occupational Therapist, said: “Building on an event last Christmas, the summer fayre aimed to further increase patients’ confidence, self esteem and communication.”
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3. What's new?
Have your say on Lanarkshire’s new healthcare strategy ‘Achieving Excellence’
NHS Lanarkshire is developing a new healthcare strategy ‘Achieving Excellence’ to help people live longer, healthier lives. The vision is to provide safe, effective and person-centred care to patients of all ages by doing the right thing, on time and in budget.
Achieving Excellence is one part of a trilogy of plans, along with Joint Strategic Commissioning Plans produced by Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, which will deliver modern health and social care services
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Achieving Excellence sets out a number of proposals including:
- Plans for a £400m project to replace or fully refurbish Monklands Hospital
- The delivery of high quality specialist services in centres of excellence
- Increased use of technology to help patients manage their own conditions
- The development of more community service
- A long-term model for the provision of trauma and orthopaedic surgery in Lanarkshire.
You can have your say in the following ways:
The consultation will run until 1 November.
'Ask once - get help fast' national project to be piloted in Lanarkshire
A NATIONAL mental health project that seeks to deliver an ‘ask once - get help fast’ service for people in distress is to be piloted in Lanarkshire. Known as Distress Brief Intervention (DBI), staff across a wide range of agencies will be trained to help people in distress manage difficult emotions and problem situations at the earliest possible stage.
Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire is among partners chosen to host the national DBI team on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Until March 2017 the focus will be on establishing all the national programme team and supportive programmes such as training, evaluation and mental health literacy. The test programmes will start thereafter.
Janice Hewitt, Chief Accountable Officer of H&SCNL, said: “This is a hugely important service for us to pilot in Lanarkshire. It recognises that mental health can affect any of us at any time. We need to ensure that we have services in place for those with long term illnesses and those who only need us for short episodes in their lives.
“Having well-trained health and social care staff as well as those from other partner organisations is critical in improving the mental health and well-being of our communities in Lanarkshire. It is our mission to provide the right support at the right time and in right place.” Read the full story here.
Secure emailing in H&SCNL
 A new distribution list has been added to Microsoft Outlook which provides contact details of staff within NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council. Emails sent to addresses in the NHSL address book and NLC will be sent over a secure link. Details on how to access the new group ‘NHS Staff’ are available here for NLC staff. Details on how to access the new group ‘NLC Staff’ are available here for NHS staff.
Staff are reminded to exercise caution when sending emails to outside agencies as the security of the information cannot be guaranteed.
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4. What's next?
JIB meetings
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The last meeting of the Joint Integration Board (JIB) which is chaired by Councillor Harry McGuigan, was held on Tuesday 12 July.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 13 September.
JIB papers and minutes can be read here.
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Strategic plan progress
 Work continues around the Strategic Commissioning Plan, which will set out the detail of how the models of care for integrated service provision will be transformed, redesigned and improved to deliver the national health and wellbeing outcomes and H&SCL’s local ambitions.
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Subsrcibe now!
We hope you are enjoying In FiVE. If you haven't done so already, don't forget to subscribe to the next edition. It’s easy. Just click this link, enter your email address and the next issue will appear automatically in your inbox!
5. Your views - we're listening
The latest edition of InFive wouldn't have been possible without your input. We want to hear from you.
What’s working well for you? Do you have any questions you’d like answered? What's your hopes and what challenges are you working to overcome?
We also want to know about your successes - so we can spread the word on your achievements. Get in contact now!
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