Previous communications
As part of the transfer, we will make sure you are informed and involved as much as is possible.
On this page we will share copies of issued communications.
As we progress towards the transfer, we plan to share key updates and information to support you via a dedicated Knowsley 0-19 transfer briefing.
Preparing to transfer bulletin
Issue 1: 21 December 2021
As you prepare to transfer from Mersey Care to Wirral Community Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHC) on 1 February 2022 we will share information that will support you ahead of the transfer.
Welcome to Team WCHC Booklet
All colleagues who are transferring across to Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust received this welcome booklet in the post just before the Christmas break. It contains information about the WCHC and key information to support you with the transition. As you prepare to join the WCHC, you can visit their website and explore the dedicated children and young people’s section - www.wchc.nhs.uk/children. You can also follow the organisation on Twitter @wchc_nhs and like the Facebook @nhs_buzz.
Payroll Forms
So that you are paid at the end of February 2022, WCHC will need you to complete their payroll forms with your bank details.
The completed forms need to be returned by email to annie
Annie Roberts
Human Resources
Wirral Community Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust
Ground Floor Wing 5
St Catherine’s Health Centre
Derby Road
Birkenhead CH42 0LQ
Your start date should be completed as 1 February 2021 and forms will need to be returned by no later than Friday 14 January 2022.
Any queries relating to the HMRC section or the pension form then please refer to the guidance included on the form or the attached document below, if you still require assistance please contact WCHC’s Pensions Team on 01244 364 455 (select option 2).
Guidance on completing payroll form
Recruitment
WCHC is pleased to confirm that they have reviewed the need to recruit to vacancies within the service and there have been some appointments already made for 2.6 WTE Band 5 Nurses and 0.6 WTE School Nurses with further interviews taking place. Mersey Care and WCHC are working closely together to make sure recruitment continues during the transition period.
WCHC will soon be recruiting to the following posts:
- Infant Feeding Lead B7 0.8 WTE
- Enhancing Families Nurses B7 2.0 WTE
- Service Performance Officer B4 1.0 WTE
Links to the recruitment of these posts will be shared with you once the adverts go out.
WCHC is recruiting to the bank. If you are a Health Visitor and wish to join the bank please apply via the following link http://wirralct.healthjobsuk.com/job/v3745918
Please note that when you transfer to WCHC you will no longer remain on the bank for Mid Mersey. If you wish to remain on the bank for Mid Mersey please contact the temporary staffing team who will send you the forms to fill in nursebank
Estates
WCHC has confirmed that the main base for the service will be North Huyton however staff at WCHC are still working through the estates issues and hope to be able to confirm in the new year all of the bases staff will operate from.
Finally, we know how hard you are all working to keep our families safe and on behalf of the leadership team we want you to know that this is recognised and appreciated.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas.
The email is now set up for the Safeguarding Team and will be wchc.knowsleysafeguardingchildren@nhs.net
The contact number for the team will be 0151 244 3322.
All colleagues who are transferring across to Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust received this welcome booklet in the post just before the Christmas break.
Healthy Child Programme in Knowsley - change of provider as of Tuesday 1 February 2022.
From Tuesday 1 February 2022, the Healthy Child Programme in Knowsley, which includes Health Visiting, Infant Feeding, School Nursing and the Enhancing Families Programme will be provided by Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHC).
These services will be referred to as the 0-25 Health and Wellbeing Service in Knowsley.
The Trust currently delivers the Healthy Child Programme in Wirral, Cheshire East and St Helens, providing care and support for over 212,000 children, young people and their families. From birth to adulthood the teams support young families to have the best possible start in life and have a huge impact on the long-term health of local young people and children.
Parents, carers and young people in Knowsley will continue to see the same health professionals in their local communities and should not experience any disruption to the dedicated care and support they already receive, as a direct result of this transfer. We will soon be launching a new contact telephone number for the 0-25 Health and Wellbeing Service, but families can continue to contact the service via the Children’s Care Admin Hub on 0151 244 4387.
Health Visiting and School Nursing Services will continue to be delivered across Knowsley. The School Nursing Service will be launching ChatHealth - a confidential NHS-approved text messaging service for young people aged 11-19. Delivered by School Nurses, young people in Knowsley will be able to access a range of advice and support.
The Enhancing Families Programme will replace Family Nurse Partnership (FNP). The team will continue to provide additional support for parents and families who may require it.
There are no changes to the current referral pathways. Please continue to refer into the services as normal. Over the coming week, we will be altering the names of our service email addresses, but don’t worry - all email addresses will redirect to the new mailboxes. We’ will keep you up to date of all changes.
The Trust has a dedicated children and young people’s website. From Tuesday 1 February parents, carers, and young people in Knowsley will be able to access a range of local and tailored support, information and advice, including videos and resources - ranging from baby packs and fussy eating to puberty support and vaccination schedules, as well as local online support groups.
When the services transfer over to WCHC the team from the 0-25 Health and Wellbeing Service will send you regular updates and will continue to attend local stakeholder networks and forums. You will also receive an invitation to attend a virtual stakeholder event.