Publish date: 3 May 2024
March's Employee of the Month winner is Abdi Ahmed, SEC - Nurse and Quality Management, nominated by Chengeto Shoko for the value of support
"Abdi works tirelessly within the division with staff and with patients to support inclusivity and greater understand of the anti-racism strategy but also how these impacts on others especially patients form a BAME background. Abdi has offered practical and impactful support to the restrictive practice agenda especially with embedding cultural competency, advocating for Seni's law and giving patients that identify as BAME a voice and a safe space to talk about their experiences and more importantly to support the division to take practical actions to respond in a meaningful way. The BAME forums set up across the division especially the HSS forum have been a major shift and are much appreciated by the patients and staff. Abdi's role and support for staff and especially the international nurses cannot be underestimated. It is beyond words what this has meant for colleagues who have arrived in the country and trust and then division to have someone who is there to support.
New patient forums in Secure to support patients from a BAME background means patients are able to freely discuss what sometimes are complex difficult issues in a safe way and in a way that is comfortable and where they feel heard and validated. Developing a training module with patients and clinicians to support understanding of issues and improvement, supporting cultural competence and intelligence through engagement, support for staff and others and reducing restrictive practices - shared thinking and drive - Seni's law and addressing inequalities and overrepresentation. Abdi meets with all international nurses and has supported staff when there has been incidents and challenges with regards racism and discrimination. Abdi supports teams to reflect and think about these issues in a safe way and this has allowed for open and honest conversations within teams and with patients. Abdi has and continues to be absolutely amazing. "
March's Team of the Month winner is Employment Support Service - Talking Therapies nominated by Samuel Burrows for the value of continuous improvement
"The Employment Support service has been helping patients as part of the Talking Therapies team in St Helens since 2018. This service was introduced to support patients that had various employment issues, covering three key areas:
- Return – Patients absent from work due to sickness, needing support to the return to the workplace
- Remain – Patients who are in work but need support in remaining in their job or in looking for alternative employment
- Gain – Patients who are unemployed and want support in gaining suitable employment.
Due to the success of the service, new teams began in the Liverpool, Knowsley and Halton Talking Therapies teams in January 2024. In a short space of time, the services have become well established, owing to the hard work of all team members. February’s data shows a 50% increase on the expected number of referrals in month. More people are being supported, leading to better overall patient outcomes.
Quotes from staff as below:
The EAs have become invaluable in supporting our patients in such a short space of time. There’s a lot of need with a lot of people at the moment – it’s the stark reality of where things are up to. The work the EAs are doing really helps me as a therapist as they have the expertise to cut through some of the social stressors that can block patients recovery. They’re helping more people feel better quicker. What’s not to love?!
The EAs are all really keen – they’re helping us in more ways than just employment support too; they’re really helping out with service promotion; liaising with the PCNs and attending at events to help us showcase the diverse and growing range of support that is now on offer via the Talking Therapies Teams."
More information about the service
Due to the success of the employment support service in St Helens, new services launched in the Liverpool, Knowsley and Halton Talking Therapies teams in January 2024. The service supports patients, who are on the Talking Therapies caseload, and have additional needs with employment.
This could include, absent from work and need support to return, in work but need support to remain in employment or those who are unemployed and want support to find work. More information can be found on our website. A more in depth report looking at the impact of employment support in NHS Talking Therapies can also be found on our website.