The MPFT Podcast

In this latest MPFT Podcast episode with the Families' Health and Wellbeing 0-19 Service, we hear from Health Visitors Caroline, Kristy and Carolyn talking about Baby Blues - a common experience for many new parents in the first few weeks after giving birth resulting in low mood and tearfulness. A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠⁠. To speak to a Health Visitor please call 0808 178 0611 Links & info: ⁠Families Health and Wellbeing Service 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing (mpft.nhs.uk)⁠ For Free and Confidential Talking Therapy call 0300 303 0923 or visit Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Talking Therapies (staffsandstoketalkingtherapies.nhs.uk) Baby buddy app - The Baby Buddy app (bestbeginnings.org.uk)  Mind - Home - Mind  NHS - Feeling depressed after childbirth - NHS (www.nhs.uk)  Just Family - Just Family | Wellbeing for Children, Parents & Families Staffordshire (justfamily-cic.org)  Samaritans - Samaritans

Joint working can often be key to providing comprehensive and effective mental health care to people in need. The Social Care In-Reach team works closely with health colleagues and external agencies to ensure holistic care for patients, and their unique position allows them to bridge gaps between medical treatment, social support, and community resources. Charlie Thorpe and Naomi Babbs talk about how the service, provided by MPFT in partnership with Staffordshire County Council is making a difference. ⁠A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠.

In this latest MPFT Podcast episode with the Families' Health and Wellbeing 0-19 Service, Caroline talks to Sadie, a children's respiratory consultant nurse about asthma. The episode covers what asthma is, the symptoms, how it is treated, the importance of Personal Asthma Action Plans and ‘Count it out' methods. A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠. Links & info: Families Health and Wellbeing Service 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing (mpft.nhs.uk)⁠ Downloadable ‘Count it Out' chart - PowerPoint Presentation (staffsstokeics.org.uk) Children and young people's asthma fact sheet - Transformation Partners in Health and Care Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk) Your child's asthma action plan | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk) How to use your inhaler | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk) Schools Training Team - Staffordshire County Council (mpft.nhs.uk) Asthma: Just the facts | Health For Teens 5 myths about asthma | Health For Teens

In this episode Gemma and Tori discuss why returning to school after a long break can be a challenging time for many children and young people. While there are often many things that they might be looking forward to, such as catching up with their friends or returning to a favourite subject, there can also be a great deal of anxiety and worry around starting a new school term or year. They talk about strategies to help your child or young person to overcome this and have a positive return to school. A transcript of this episode is available to download. Links & Info: Families Health and Wellbeing Service 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing. The ChatHealth texting service for young people can be reached at 07520 615721. The service for parents and carers is available at 07520 615722. To see available free webinars from the Participation team and book a place, please visit their Ticketsource page. Starting a New School (Health For Teens website). Relaxation exercises to help you sleep (Health For Teens website). The Sleep Charity give advice and resources about getting a good night's sleep. Young Minds is a charity supporting children and young people with mental health and offer advice to parents and carers on a wide range of topics.

In this episode of the podcast we hear from Leanne Borley and Jordan Perrins. Both of them work for the Mental Health Support Team in South Staffordshire. The team work closely with identified mental health leads within schools supporting children and young people with emerging, mild, or moderate mental health difficulties that may be affecting their day to day life. Jordan talks about the mental health difficulties he experienced as a young person, and the work he now does supporting children in South Staffordshire. Follow the team on social media: https://www.facebook.com/SouthStaffsMHST/ https://www.instagram.com/southstaffsmhst/ Further online support: https://sandbox.mindler.co.uk/ https://www.youngminds.org.uk/ A transcript of this episode is available to download.

In this episode Kristy, Carolyn and Caroline talk about 5 Ways to Wellbeing. Our mental health is important and evidence suggests there are ways that we can look after it which can help to improve our mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive, cope better with life's up and downs, and get the most out of life. These 5 Ways to Wellbeing are simple things that we can all try to fit into our everyday lives and give ourselves a boost. Read tips on improving your mental wellbeing (Mind website). A transcript of this episode is available to download.

March is when the NHS Staff Survey results are published, and we are delighted to announce MPFT scorded above average in all nine of the key elements of the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, surpassing our previous year's results despite another difficult year for NHS services. In this episode we are joined by two colleagues from our Organisational Development Team (Lisa Whitehouse and Abbie Charlesworth) who discuss the highlights in our results, and also the importance of the survey results in shaping and improving the health and social care services we provide. A transcript of the episode is available for download. Links: Independent report: NHS Staff Management and Health Service Quality (UK Government website) Michael West on compassionate and inclusive leadership (The King's Fund website) NHS People Promise (NHS England website)

Our Safeguarding Team offer an introduction to the White Ribbon campaign, and discuss the recent announcement of MPFT becoming White Ribbon accredited. Website links: White Ribbon UK Rape Crisis England & Wales Refuge A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

To mark Black History Month 2023 we present a discussion between Jack McKinnell (Senior Peer Support Worker from the East Staffordshire Mental Health Support Team), Chanette Barnard (Director and Training Lead at Empower My Voice), and Simeon (a teacher at the Knowledge Room DE).

Unemployment rates are often high for people with mental health issues and the road to a new job can feel overwhelming. Within Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, MPFT is working with specialist mental health employment support service Enable to support people to find work suited to their interests and skills. We chat with Neil Woodhouse, an Early Intervention Support Worker with MPFT, and Matt Morris, Senior Employment Specialist with Enable to explore this further. A transcript of this episode is available to download.

Mike Cooper and Jade Clarke are MPFT Mental Health Nurses who work with local authorities, housing associations, and voluntary and community organisations in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to offer mental health support to people who are sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness. They talk about the support they provide to some of the most vulnerable people in society, what motivates them, and the difference it is making. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Speaking up to raise a concern about anything that gets in the way of good patient care is vital in ensuring lessons are learned and services can continuously improve. To mark Speak Up Month, which takes place throughout October each year, we chat with Kath Chambers, one of MPFT's Freedom to Speak Up Guardians about the role and process of speaking up, and why she's so committed to ensuring this is business as usual across the NHS. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Jo Probyn (Head of Forensics) talks about her experience of being invited to 10 Downing Street to attend the 'NHS Heroes' event as part of the NHS75 celebrations. She also discusses her career path that led to her current role as Head of Forensics, and her receipt of "The Fantastic Place to Work Award" at our recent Staff Awards Ceremony. A transcript of this episode is available to download.

In this podcast episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Beth Barnett, an Occupational Therapist at MPFT. Listen to Beth open up about her career journey, and share the driving force behind her choice to become an Occupational Therapist, and highlight her favourite aspects of the role. If you would like to join our award-winning trust as an Occupational Therapist, check out our latest vacancies on our website. A transcript of this episode is available download.

In this episode we chat with two of our staff about the work that they have been doing to keep inpatients active during a hospital stay to support with their recovery. The fun, inventive approaches that they and others across the Trust have taken to support our patients has led to MPFT being one of just a handful of NHS trusts in the Midlands to receive the Recondition the Nation Platinum Award. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Join Carol and Stacey in this episode of the Parents Podcast Series where they talk about breastfeeding when returning to work. It can be a daunting prospect thinking about returning to work while breastfeeding. Carol and Stacey discuss your rights as a breastfeeding employee and top tips on how to practically manage your return. Further information is available through your Health Visiting Team: call them on 0808 178 0611 or visit the service website. The NHS website has information about breastfeeding and returning to work. Read about UNICEF's Baby Friendly Initiative. A transcript of this episode is available to download.

In this episode of our podcast, we hear from Nicola Ball (Specialist Nurse Practitioner) who works in CAMHS, Lichfield. Nicola talks about the therapeutic benefits of being outside in green spaces, and the development of a garden for children and young people at Holly Lodge in Lichfield. Read about the work for MPFT's Green Team on our website, and follow them on Twitter. A transcript of this episode is available.

In this episode Carol and Caroline talk about reducing the risks of accidental poisoning in children. From kitchen cleaner to medicines and things lurking in your garden shed, keeping them away from children is so important. We all wish we had eyes in the back of our heads but being more aware of where we store things in our homes should help us to reduce those risks. You can find more useful information on the MPFT website, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website, and the Child Accident Prevention Trust website. A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment, sensations and thoughts. Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves a little better. In this episode, health visitor Carol shares how mindfulness can be enjoyed in every day experiences and invites you to join her on a short guided meditation concentrating on your breathing, to help you focus on the here and now. Information about mindfulness on the NHS website. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Sleep is so important, but busy thoughts can whizz around our heads, making it difficult to settle. Join Health Visitor Carol as she invites you to follow a guided meditation to help quiet your mind in readiness for sleep. She uses a visualisation technique where you will imagine walking along a beautiful beach, keying into your senses, before finding a comfortable spot to rest, relax and sleep. Advice on the NHS website for those suffering from sleep problems. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this latest episode of The MPFT Podcast we hear from Leanne Macpherson (Head of programmes at the Community Foundation for Staffordshire). Leanne describes the Community Foundation's role in approving grant applications to organisations seeking to provide community-based projects that help support people in Staffordshire with mental health illness. This work is part of the Community Mental Health Transformation programme in Staffordshire. You can learn more about the Community Foundation and their work online. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Join Carol (a health visitor within the 0-19 service) as she talks you through a physical activity to help shake off feelings of tension or stress from the body. This can be a useful technique to share with children; they too might benefit from shaking off feelings of tension or worry. Or you could decide to do this activity together with your child just for the fun of it! A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode Health Visitors Carol and Caroline talk about crying babies and the ICON messages that help people who care for babies cope with crying. Babies start to cry more from about 2 weeks old and starts to get less each week after 8 weeks old and whether there is a reason or not it can be frustrating, upsetting and extremely stressful. They share advice to help with crying and what to do when the crying gets too much. The ICON website The ICON Crying Plan template Baby Sling Safety A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast, Lyse Edwards (Head of Operations for the Children and Families Care Group) talks with Gill Phillips (developer of Whose Shoes, a game for co-production) and Rachel Crook (one of the Professional Lead Nurses in the Care Group) about the Whose Shoes Game, and how the Care Group are hoping to use it to shape services. They share details of two upcoming workshops where Whose Shoes will be in use: to help develop perinatal services on Wednesday 3 May to explore how we better join up care for children and young people on Wednesday 24 May 2023 to which parents and professionals are invited Further details of these events can be obtained from involvement@mpft.nhs.uk This workshop is also being developed and delivered in partnership with Newbold Hope and Yvonne Newbold (who has her own experience of looking after her son with complex needs). To find out more about Whose Shoes you can also check out Gill's Podcast. A transcript of this episode is available to download.

In this latest episode we hear about the collaborative work being undertaken by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, and colleagues from Primary Care (GP Practices) across Staffordshire. Their work is helping those people suffering from Serious Mental Illness (SMI) deal with both their mental and physical health problems. A transcript of this episode is available on our website.

We are celebrating gaining University Trust status from Keele University. From Tuesday 4 April 2023, we will be known as Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. We will continue to use MPFT, for short, as this is widely used and well recognised. The award is in recognition of our contribution to research and education over a number of years. We play an active part in training the next generation of health and care professionals, as well as improving services offered locally and nationally through our research programmes. In this episode, we will hear from some of those who have led the way in marking this exciting new chapter for the Trust.

In this episode Health Visitors Caroline and Leanne talk about bed sharing or co-sleeping with baby. They share evidence-based advice so that parents can make informed decisions about their choices, but also highlight when it is considered dangerous. A transcript of this episode is available for download. Website Links: The Families Health and Wellbeing Service 0-19 The Lullaby Trust Baby Sleep Info Source UNICEF: Caring for your baby at night and when sleeping A guide to buying safer sleep essentials

In episode 63 of The MPFT Podcast, Carol and Caroline (both Health Visitors with the Families Health and Wellbeing Service 0-19) talk about the dangers of button batteries. They share great advice and information about why they are dangerous, what parents and carers can do to keep their children safe, and what action to take if a button battery is swallowed. Finally they encourage you to do a button battery hunt in your own home. Further information about button battery safety can be found on the Child Accident Prevention Trust and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents websites. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast, we hear from service uses and carers discuss why involvement is important and how it has benefitted them. Anyone wishing to get involved with the Community Mental Health Transformation can email mh-transformation@mpft.nhs.uk or telephone 07972 661 246. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast, we hear Lisa Healings from VAST and Garry Jones from Support Staffordshire, discussing how Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations are working to co-deliver the Community Mental Health Transformation. Meet our Provider Partners (MPFT's Youtube channel) A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast we hear from Chris Sands (Chief Financial Officer) and Alex Brett (Chief People Officer) describing Project Synergy: what it is, and why it came into being. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast, we hear Matt Evans, Dr Angela Smith, Nicola Mayo, and Karen Wareham discussing the work taking place for older adults as part of the Community Mental Health Transformation. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast we hear from Neil Carr (Chief Executive) discussing the recruitment and retention difficulties facing the whole of the NHS, and what MPFT in particular is doing to solve these problems. A transcript of the episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast we hear from Charlotte Woodcock (Operational Lead for the Staying Well Service). Charlotte describes what the process and appointments will be like for anyone referred into the service. You can find more information about the Staying Well Service on our website. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Safewards is a national model of care implemented on all of our inpatient mental health wards. This episode features Steve Martin (Associate Chief Nurse) and Gary Firkins (Escalation Management Intervention Service Lead) discussing the principles behind Safewards, how it is deployed in practice, and the positive effects it has. A transcript of the episode is available from our website.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast, we hear from Fiona Moore, Kirstyn Marshall and Veronica Emlyn. They discuss Involvement and the important role it plays within the Community Mental Health Transformation. Anyone wishing to get involved with the Community Mental Health Transformation can email mh-transformation@mpft.nhs.uk or telephone 07972 661 246. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast, we hear from Angie Upton, Dr Sarah Lunt, and Jane Munton-Davies. They discuss what Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust have achieved in the first year of the Community Mental Health Transformation and what we're hoping to achieve in year 2. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast, we hear from Deborah Hargreaves and Michaela Kemp discussing the work taking place for young adults as part of the community mental health transformation. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Mark Fletcher is joined by two members of the Staying Well Service to discuss why the service is in place, who it can serve, and what those people referred into the service can expect. A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast, we hear from Dr Murray Campbell and Dr Waheed Abbasi discussing Primary Care Networks and the changes happening within primary care to support the community mental health transformation. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode Kay Stevenson and Karen Dawson discuss the work that has taken place to complete Phase 1 of the integration of musculoskeletal services in Staffordshire. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode of The MPFT Podcast we hear from Martyn Perry and David Hewitt discussing how digital systems are helping deliver the Community Mental Health Transformation programme, and how those changes benefit local populations. A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode Lisa Williams, Rachel Wooliscroft, Leanne MacPherson and Ben Hollands discuss the Community Mental Health Fund for Adults in Staffordshire. They consider how the fund will benefit service users and information about the eligibility criteria. More information about the fund can be found on the Community Foundation website. A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

In this episode Mark Fletcher, Rachel Wooliscroft and Ben Hollands discuss population health inequalities, how they have impacted on mental health in the past, and what the Community Mental Health Transformation will do to reduce their impact in the future. A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

Helen Klich (Involvement Team Facilitator) is joined by Judithe Best to discuss her involvement in the development of Trust interview and recruitment training. Judithe is a Service User, and her experience of our services, along with her professional experience working in recruitment, have allowed her to make a significant contribution to improving our recruitment processes. This episode is part of our annual Service User & Carer Celebration Day. A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

Steve Martin (Associate Chief Nurse) is joined by Dawn Beech (Clinical lead with Newcastle District Nursing Teams) and Rachel Quarrie (Discharge Liaison Nurse) discuss the recently created role of the Professional Nurse Associate. A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

In this episode we hear from Mike Brooks. Mike is a user of the Rheumatology Service at Haywood Hospital, and is also a Physical Health Peer Support Worker. Mike has been working as a patient representative on the integration of musculoskeletal services across Staffordshire. A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

Cathy Riley (Managing Director of the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Care Group), Sarah Oliver (Clinical Matron, for Adult Inpatients) and Kath Chambers (Freedom to Speak Up Guardian) discuss how the recent case of a whistleblower led to an effort that has embedded a culture of 'speaking up' across the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Care Group. A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

Steve Martin, Dr Matt Tovey and Martyn Perry discuss the implementation of the Trust's Digital Strategy. They talk about how the strategy will benefit staff and service users, reliability of systems, training and up-skilling of staff, and data quality. You can read the Digital Strategy on our website. A transcript of this episode is available by clicking this link.

In this episode we hear from Kieran Doherty, Head of Quality and Governance for Inclusion. Kieran describes his role and his experiences of the pandemic. A transcript of this episode is available by clicking this link.

In this episode we will be focusing on the new Integrated Neighbourhood Teams as part of the transformation of community mental health services in South Staffordshire. A transcript of this episode is available by clicking this link.