Every now and then I am privileged to be part of an event which stands out from the rest. The ‘Think Family’ conference held today by West London Mental Health trust (Hounslow) was one of those!
http://www.wlmht.nhs.uk/
The venue at St. George’s suite, Twickenham stadium was impressive to start with and I have never seen an event fill up so early! There were around 100 health professionals and students from across the area.
http://www.twickenhamexperience.com/st-georges-suite
Dr Alice Parshall, the Clinical Director for Hounslow Service Delivery Unit (SDU), very impressively chaired the day, keeping us to time schedule almost to the second, with some of the best summing up after presentations I have ever heard! Her passion for getting services to work together and being aware that a person with a mental health problem has a family that is crucial to their care and recovery is an approach I would love to see nationally.
First speaker was the wonderful Dr Ian Banks who is a part-time GP, A & E doctor in Belfast but also the president of the European Men’s Health forum http://www.emhf.org/ and medical journalist amongst other things. He effectively delivered a range of statistics showing the vast differences in gender differences around life expectancy and illnesses. There are 3,000 male suicides a year in the UK - a bigger killer than testicular cancer. Dr Banks suggested one theory of the reluctance by some men to go to the GPs was the female 'barrier's, e.g. receptionist, pharmacy staff.
He also quoted research by Madsen and Juhl (2007) which showed from a study of 607 new fathers 6.5% suffered from 'postnatal' depression but the feeling is that many more go undetected. His belief is that men need health issues presented in a more mechanical, lateral format rather than ‘holistic’. Consequently he has written some great books for men in the car manual format! Have a look at the excellent site http://www.menshealthforum.org.uk
I gave my presentation but with the focus today on the effects of my illness on my family and gave some suggestions on how we can make services better for others.
After lunch was a very powerful presentation by Louise Wardale from Barnardo’s in Liverpool. I have admired Louise and the work she has done for several years and today was no exception. She showed a stunning DVD called ‘Telling it like it is’ which conveys what it feels like to be a young carer for a parent with mental health needs. Then the Splinter group of amazing youngsters from Liverpool who are all members of the Barnardo’s Action with Young Carers, gave a drama presentation of the issues affecting them. Stimulating stuff showing how we all need to feel safe, wanted and loved! I cannot recommend the work Louise and her team have done enough – especially their ‘Keeping the Family in Mind’ resource pack. See http://www.barnardos.org.uk/research_and_publications
I loved Louise's message from the youngsters that
'By listening you may be able to understand.
By understanding you may be able to help'.
Next we heard from Sarah Ghani, a Consultant Psychologist and Clinical Lead for Older people’s Services – she spoke about ‘Too old to help? Involving Older family members’. She effectively reminded us of the powerful resource they can be yet are often undervalued for their skills, knowledge and experience. It reminded me that we had done this with my grandparents when I was so poorly. The tendency is to want to protect the older family members yet they can offer great support. I had felt I did not want to upset my Grandma and I know I put an act on when I was with her! Maybe I should have been much more open with her? Mum and I miss her terribly these days, especially when we have a crisis – Mum always says her mother worried over incidental issues but had words of wisdom for big issues.
Very often the last session of a conference is thin on the ground for attendance as people slope off after coffee – not today. The final presentation was given by Graham Crennell (Head of Governance and Risk at Hounslow SDU) and Donna Sloss (Senior Nurse Clinical Lead for Treatment and Emergency Psychiatry). The subject – Home, Pets, the Family and Mental Well-being’. Fabulous!
They showed how important pets are to us humans showing us affection, giving us a purpose to get up, to exercise, etc. Research from America demonstrates how using pets with people with mental health problems can have a significant effect on recovery. A powereful and cheap way to help people – bring it on I say!
The only problem I had was making the assumption that Travelodge would have a hairdryer and an ironing board – oops! Arriving very late due to trains, road works, etc. meant they had all gone! My learning point for my travels in future!!
Other than that the whole event was a joy to be part of and I had one of the most informative and useful days I have had in a long while.
Dr Parshall and her team have a great deal to be proud of and I shall be pointing other areas to them as an example of good practice.
Thank you Suzanne and Jane for asking me to be part of such a wonderful event!
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Are you FINE? NW LSA supervisors
Today I had a good day at ‘Perinatal Mental Health – the whole story’ run by the North West Local Supervising Authority for supervisors of midwives.
It was held at the Holiday Inn at Haydock.
http://www.holidayinn.co.uk/h/d/hi/925/en/hotel/wrtha?&countryId=0925&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-googlemaps-_-hi-_-wrtha&dp=true
The day was chaired by Lisa Bacon who is the Head of Maternal , Child and Social Care Division at the University of Manchester and NW LSA Link Supervisor of Midwives. I was stunned at how she knew all almost 100 delegates by name, as evidenced at question times! Very impressive!
http://www.nursing.manchester.ac.uk/
The day began with Professor Maggie Pearson, from the University of Lancashire who reported her findings on current data and the plans for perinatal mental health networks in the NW. We are still grossly under-funded on these services, e.g. at least 16 specialist beds short in the NW and a huge shortage of specialist staff across the region. On the positive side there is shortly going to be a seconded placement available to develop services and little by little progress is being made – although not as fast as we might like!
www.northwest.csip.org.uk/silo/files/mpimmhfeb08.ppt
Next was me! I was delighted when one midwife reminded me after my presentation that I had missed out my tip about people who say they are ‘Fine’ – she had heard me speak last year. I believe we use this as a standard reply in our society to the basic greeting of ‘hello, how are you’. Saying ‘fine’ is quick and easy and generally we don’t want to know how someone’s bunions are! However, when it comes to asking a postnatal lady how she is ‘fine’ can be an avoidance retort. One Mum told me it stands for ‘I’m f***** up, insecure, neurotic and emotional’! My suggestion to professionals is if they get the reply of ‘fine’ but they instinctively feel they are not, to push a little further by maybe placing a hand gently on theirs, give them eye contact and ask ‘but are you really?’ Often this is all Mums need to open the flood gates to their true status. The midwife who reminded of it has used this technique many times effectively she told me. Thank you Ann! We got it fitted in during the question section to tell everyone else! I find feedback like this so powerful and drives me on!
Carla Mobear and Michelle Greenwood then gave us all an insight into the work they do at the Andersen Ward at Wythenshawe hospital – our NW mother and baby unit. They used two case studies to show some of the severe illnesses they have to deal with and the complex issues involving many other agencies across the region.
http://www.psychiatrynorthwest.co.uk/general_adult_psychiatry/spr_posts/wythenshawe-wieck/index.html
After lunch Professor Margaret Oates delivered her presentation in her usual impressive manner with plenty of information (and humour) around the CEMACH reports on Saving Mothers Lives/Why Mothers die.
http://www.cemach.org.uk/
Following this Kim Gibbon showed how the Wirral have developed their perinatal networks and services over the last few years.
Finally Deborah Forrest, a midwife with special interest in mental health talked about ‘The History Girls – how a mental health history helps’.
A well-planned and useful day! Well done to Marian Drazek and her team.
Thank you for asking me to participate!
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
It was held at the Holiday Inn at Haydock.
http://www.holidayinn.co.uk/h/d/hi/925/en/hotel/wrtha?&countryId=0925&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-googlemaps-_-hi-_-wrtha&dp=true
The day was chaired by Lisa Bacon who is the Head of Maternal , Child and Social Care Division at the University of Manchester and NW LSA Link Supervisor of Midwives. I was stunned at how she knew all almost 100 delegates by name, as evidenced at question times! Very impressive!
http://www.nursing.manchester.ac.uk/
The day began with Professor Maggie Pearson, from the University of Lancashire who reported her findings on current data and the plans for perinatal mental health networks in the NW. We are still grossly under-funded on these services, e.g. at least 16 specialist beds short in the NW and a huge shortage of specialist staff across the region. On the positive side there is shortly going to be a seconded placement available to develop services and little by little progress is being made – although not as fast as we might like!
www.northwest.csip.org.uk/silo/files/mpimmhfeb08.ppt
Next was me! I was delighted when one midwife reminded me after my presentation that I had missed out my tip about people who say they are ‘Fine’ – she had heard me speak last year. I believe we use this as a standard reply in our society to the basic greeting of ‘hello, how are you’. Saying ‘fine’ is quick and easy and generally we don’t want to know how someone’s bunions are! However, when it comes to asking a postnatal lady how she is ‘fine’ can be an avoidance retort. One Mum told me it stands for ‘I’m f***** up, insecure, neurotic and emotional’! My suggestion to professionals is if they get the reply of ‘fine’ but they instinctively feel they are not, to push a little further by maybe placing a hand gently on theirs, give them eye contact and ask ‘but are you really?’ Often this is all Mums need to open the flood gates to their true status. The midwife who reminded of it has used this technique many times effectively she told me. Thank you Ann! We got it fitted in during the question section to tell everyone else! I find feedback like this so powerful and drives me on!
Carla Mobear and Michelle Greenwood then gave us all an insight into the work they do at the Andersen Ward at Wythenshawe hospital – our NW mother and baby unit. They used two case studies to show some of the severe illnesses they have to deal with and the complex issues involving many other agencies across the region.
http://www.psychiatrynorthwest.co.uk/general_adult_psychiatry/spr_posts/wythenshawe-wieck/index.html
After lunch Professor Margaret Oates delivered her presentation in her usual impressive manner with plenty of information (and humour) around the CEMACH reports on Saving Mothers Lives/Why Mothers die.
http://www.cemach.org.uk/
Following this Kim Gibbon showed how the Wirral have developed their perinatal networks and services over the last few years.
Finally Deborah Forrest, a midwife with special interest in mental health talked about ‘The History Girls – how a mental health history helps’.
A well-planned and useful day! Well done to Marian Drazek and her team.
Thank you for asking me to participate!
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
Friday, 19 June 2009
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce - 60 Really useful Minutes
Today I presented '60 really useful minutes' to members of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.
http://liverpoolchamber.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/60-really-useful-minutes/
The invitation read
With all the doom and gloom around us in the current economic climate do you need a boost to your outlook? Are you feeling like a hamster in a wheel that daren’t or can’t get out of it?
1 in 4 of us are likely to suffer a mental health problem which requires treatment at some point in our adult life. Look around at your friends and colleagues – if they appear okay then could it be you?!
Do you know what to look out for and what to do to help yourself or others?
I will share some really useful tips to identify the dangers of ignoring symptoms of stress and
give members a tool-kit to encourage positive mental health and well-being.
Happy and healthy businesses will be the ones to go from strength to strength, so come along and spend 60 Really Useful Minutes to increase your chances of being one!
I learnt something really useful - not all PC's are compatible with Windows Vista and just before I was due to start had to do a dash back to my car for my laptop! After what my son Dominic would call a 'run like a woman' in high heels on cobbles, I got started a few minutes later than anticipated. I learnt early on in my speaking career not to assume that IT works and always have a back-up, but today's learning point for me was not to leave it in the car!
Feedback after the session was that I related my mental illness well to parallels with business - having a baby was the catalyst to my mental illness and I asked the audience 'What is yours?'
From the nodding of heads I touched nerves when I outlined some of the signs and symptoms to look out for!
Chamber staff feel my message needs to be heard by many in business as the warnings to look after our mental health are very relevant today.
It was an new angle for me to relate my story and lessons to be learnt from it for the purpose of a business audience - I hope those present left realising the need to be kind to themselves!
Elaine
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Mums in Lincoln! You have a PND support group!
I am delighted to hear that Lincoln MIND group has set up a support group for Mums affected by postnatal illness.
Have a look at their details here
http://www.lincolnmind.co.uk/8.html
I wish them every success with it and am sure it will help many!
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
Have a look at their details here
http://www.lincolnmind.co.uk/8.html
I wish them every success with it and am sure it will help many!
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
Are you interested in PROMS?
If you are involved in the health professions you may be interested in two forthcoming conferences.
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
Date: Wednesday 8th July 2009
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester
This one day conference provides a practical guide to measuring and monitoring clinical outcomes using PROMs. You will hear how practitioners are leading the way in using PROMs from involving patients and service users in outcome measurement, using generic and disease specific PROMs in practice to support decision making and improve the outcomes information given to patients and integrating clinical and patient reported outcomes in clinical practice.
Contact: For more information please call Hanisha on 020 8541 1399, email hanisha@healthcare-events.co.uk or visit http://www.healthcare-events.co.uk
Download Brochure:
http://www.healthcare-events.co.uk/conf/booking.php?action=home&id=300
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Venue: 4 Hamilton Place, London
This one day conference provides a practical guide to measuring and monitoring clinical outcomes using PROMs. You will hear how practitioners are leading the way in using PROMs including involving patients and service users in outcome measurement, commissioning and rewarding on the basis of PROMs results and using generic and disease specific PROMs in practice to support decision making and improve the outcomes information given to patients.
Contact: For more information please call Hanisha on 020 8541 1399, email hanisha@healthcare-events.co.uk or visit http://www.healthcare-events.co.uk
Download Brochure:
http://www.healthcare-events.co.uk/conf/booking.php?action=home&id=320
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
Date: Wednesday 8th July 2009
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester
This one day conference provides a practical guide to measuring and monitoring clinical outcomes using PROMs. You will hear how practitioners are leading the way in using PROMs from involving patients and service users in outcome measurement, using generic and disease specific PROMs in practice to support decision making and improve the outcomes information given to patients and integrating clinical and patient reported outcomes in clinical practice.
Contact: For more information please call Hanisha on 020 8541 1399, email hanisha@healthcare-events.co.uk or visit http://www.healthcare-events.co.uk
Download Brochure:
http://www.healthcare-events.co.uk/conf/booking.php?action=home&id=300
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Venue: 4 Hamilton Place, London
This one day conference provides a practical guide to measuring and monitoring clinical outcomes using PROMs. You will hear how practitioners are leading the way in using PROMs including involving patients and service users in outcome measurement, commissioning and rewarding on the basis of PROMs results and using generic and disease specific PROMs in practice to support decision making and improve the outcomes information given to patients.
Contact: For more information please call Hanisha on 020 8541 1399, email hanisha@healthcare-events.co.uk or visit http://www.healthcare-events.co.uk
Download Brochure:
http://www.healthcare-events.co.uk/conf/booking.php?action=home&id=320
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
News from Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health
I have been informed about the Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health by Jill at Mental Health in Higher Education.
The Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health (CEIMH) is one of 74 Centres selected for funding by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Its overall aim is to promote excellence, innovation and creativity in the delivery of interdisciplinary mental health teaching and learning. Central to the CEIMH's philosophy is the promotion of service user and carer involvement, together with an emphasis on collaboratively creating multimedia teaching and learning resources to enhance interdisciplinary mental health education and training.
Have a look around their website at http://www.ceimh.bham.ac.uk
Join their mailing list for useful additions to your work, especially if you are involved in teaching about mental health.
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
The Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health (CEIMH) is one of 74 Centres selected for funding by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Its overall aim is to promote excellence, innovation and creativity in the delivery of interdisciplinary mental health teaching and learning. Central to the CEIMH's philosophy is the promotion of service user and carer involvement, together with an emphasis on collaboratively creating multimedia teaching and learning resources to enhance interdisciplinary mental health education and training.
Have a look around their website at http://www.ceimh.bham.ac.uk
Join their mailing list for useful additions to your work, especially if you are involved in teaching about mental health.
Elaine
www.hanzak.com
If you do nothing else today watch this film and the day will not have been wasted. Wow!
http://ping.fm/p8Bjn
http://ping.fm/p8Bjn
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