In March we wrote to you and provided an update on the future of Dudley Integrated Health and Care (DIHC) NHS Trust (see here for previous newsletters). Our mobilisation and transition plans were prepared for service transfers on 1 July 2024 and we were working with recipient organisations to ensure a safe and effective transfer of our services.
 
Unfortunately the general election resulted in an extension to the original timeframes and we are now working to a phased transfer of services. We would like to reassure you that we remain committed to working together with recipient organisations in ensuring there is a smooth transition and there is no change to the way that patients receive care.

Phase 1 occurred on 1 August 2024, which saw the transfer of the following services to Black Country Healthcare FT and three Primary Care Networks:

The final transfer of services is anticipated to occur on 1 October 2024 which will also coincide with the proposed dissolution of the Trust. This consists of services transferring to Dudley Group FT as host for Dudley Health and Care Partnership and Black Country Integrated Care Board. However, this is subject to Secretary of State approval.   Services anticipated to transfer on 1 October: A further briefing will be sent to stakeholders in September.   Mr Matthew Hartland Chief Executive Officer Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust

Dudley Dad is treated at hospital after Healthy Heart Hubs check

A Dudley engineer has thanked the NHS after a random blood pressure check at work led to him having treatment at Russells Hall Hospital.

Phil Watkins, 59, along with colleagues at Petford Group, was invited to have a free blood pressure check as part of a Healthy Hearts Hub initiative by Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust.

The father of two, who is a toolmaker at Petford, had blood pressure of 220/146 – which is significantly high – and was sent to hospital for treatment.

Phil said: “I would urge anyone to get checked out. I didn’t think I needed to but the doctor said I was a ‘ticking time bomb’ so I’m glad I did.”

·       Watch a video about Phil’s story on YouTube.

When health and wellbeing coaches recorded Phil’s blood pressure, they asked him to urgently contact his GP, who sent him to hospital.

Doctors gave Phil medication and monitored him at Russells Hall Hospital for around eight hours as his blood pressure came down.

Phil said: “They asked me if my vision was normal when I arrived and I said it was, but as the medication began to work, I realised I was starting to see things more clearly. My eyesight had deteriorated but I hadn’t noticed.”

High blood pressure puts extra strain on blood vessels, the heart and other organs such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. Persistently high blood pressure can increase risks of serious and potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

Since being in hospital Phil has made healthy lifestyle changes, including cutting out alcohol and reducing salt in his diet. He has been given further medications and will have follow-up appointments with his GP to monitor his blood pressure.

Phil was one of 30 employees who were seen as the Healthy Heart Hubs visited Petford. During the visit, a team of health and wellbeing coaches completed blood pressure readings, finger-prick blood tests and offered general healthy eating and lifestyle advice.

Dr Lloyd Baron, Clinical Lead for Health Inequalities at Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust, said: “Phil’s experience is exactly why we created our Healthy Hearts Hubs. I’m glad he saw our team, got checked out and was able to get treatment. It’s also fantastic he’s now taking such a positive approach to his own health going forward.

“People can experience high blood pressure without realising it. We want to help people in Dudley identify issues like this and get help if they need it. We are especially keen to see those who don’t normally seek help, so I would encourage as many people as possible to come to an event or request a visit like Petford did.

“Since we started the Healthy Hearts Hubs we’ve seen more than 500 people. It only takes a few minutes, but it can make a huge difference.”

Dr Sunil Nadar, Cardiologist from The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: “High blood pressure rarely has any symptoms which is why it is called the ‘silent killer’. It can significantly raise your risk of a life-threatening heart attack, heart failure, or stroke, and the only way to know you have the condition is to get your blood pressure measured.

“High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily (especially reducing salt in the diet), maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking. Some people with high blood pressure will also need to take one or more medicines to stop their blood pressure getting too high – what works best is different for each person.

“Checking your blood pressure is quick, simple and painless, and it could save your life. Selected community pharmacies across the Black Country offer a free blood pressure check service for people aged 40 and over with no previous history of high blood pressure.

You can find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks near you on the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board website

You can find out more about Healthy Hearts Hubs by emailing .

Patients who are deaf or have hearing loss can face difficulties accessing health and care services.

The NHS in Dudley hosted a Sign Café to discuss these experiences, show what services are currently available and explore how to make them better.

Around 70 people attended the event at the Queens Cross Network, with British Sign Language interpreters supporting conversations on the day.

A selection of anonymous feedback gathered from the event:

·       “A very well organised event, which has brought those who are deaf or experiencing hearing loss with health professionals who are able to help them live happy and healthy lives.”

·       “Very good, kind and very helpful as I didn’t know what the blood pressure levels were. They explained it well.”

·       “It is great to link in with a community whom we would usually struggle to engage with. The event offered us time to share some important information.”

Across 12 stalls, attendees were able to meet experts and receive health advice about:

·       strokes

·       bowel cancer

·       breast cancer

·       healthy eating

·       health and wellbeing.

 

They could also find out about different support services in Dudley, including:

·       care coordinators

·       digital access

·       Healthwatch Dudley

·       employment in the Black Country.

 

Dudley Integrated Health and Care Trust’s (DIHC) Healthy Hearts Hub team also provided blood pressure checks and advice on the day.

The Healthy Hearts Hub team aims to show the importance of nutrition, positive lifestyle choices and regular checks for strong heart health.

A total of 35 people had their blood pressure taken, with six being told to seek further checks and possible treatment.

Dr Lloyd Baron, DIHC Clinical Lead for Health Inequalities, said: “We want to make NHS services more accessible for everyone in Dudley.

“The Sign Café event showed how we can support patients who are deaf or have hearing loss. It was also an invaluable opportunity for us to listen to their experiences and understand where we can improve. Thank you to everyone involved in making this event a success.”   

 

DIHC hosted the Sign Café with support from partners, including:

·       NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board

·       The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

·       Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

·       Dudley Council

·       Healthwatch Dudley

·       Dudley Stroke Association

·       Citizens Advice Dudley and Wolverhampton

·       JAC Healthcare.

As you will be aware, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust (ShropCom) was successful in winning the tender for the 0-19 service in Dudley. Following the successful tender, teams across ShropCom, Dudley Integrated Health Care NHS Trust (DIHC) and Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, have worked collaboratively to ensure a smooth transfer of 0-19 services from 1st April.

Matthew Hartland, Chief Executive Officer at Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust

The School Nursing team have been an integral part of Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust since they joined in 2021 and have made fantastic progress and positive impacts locally. They have presented to Trust Board on several occasions, and the team always go above and beyond.

We have worked collaboratively with Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust to ensure a safe transfer for the team.

The team will be a fantastic asset to Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and I look forward to our continued work with them in strengthening the offer to our children and young people across Dudley.

Marsha Foster, Chief Executive, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

As we prepare for the transition of our Family Nurse Partnership and Health Visiting services to Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust in April 2024, I'm reminded of the meaningful impact these services have had on Dudley's young families.

Our dedicated team, including health visitors, nursery nurses, family nurse staff, community nurses and admin staff, have been instrumental in supporting the growth and health of our community's youngest. This transition is focused on continuity of care, ensuring our staff’s expertise and passion, alongside the positive outcomes for families, guide us into this next chapter.

I feel thankful for the resilience and commitment displayed by every team member during this time of change. I have complete faith that the legacy of these services will continue to thrive and flourish, all thanks to the dedication of our staff who have played a major role in its success.

Patricia Davies, Chief Executive, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust

It’s with great pleasure and excitement that I welcome all 0-19 colleagues from Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to Shropshire Community Health Trust (ShropCom) and, welcome back the School Nursing services from Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust.

Myself and the rest of the Shropcom team have been blown away by the achievements and enthusiasm of our new 0-19 colleagues. I am incredibly impressed to hear about the successful initiatives already in place and we are all excited at the prospect of sharing learning and successes.

Our teams are looking forward to welcoming all of our new colleagues to (what I like to call), our community of fabulous folk, and to working collaboratively to further develop services and patient care across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Dudley and the Black Country.