Our unique Ask the Board Online facility allows anyone to make a comment or ask a question to the board using this form.
A response is provided as part of the Chair’s Report to the board meeting, which is publicly available as a video shortly after the meeting.
The archive of previously asked questions and our responses is provided below.
How to search the archive
You can search all responses using the below field and clicking the Filter archive button. This will search the name, date, comment/suggestion/question, and our response fields.
If you have any questions about Ask the Board Online, contact the Communications Team at communications@combined.nhs.uk
Name:
Michelle Craggs
Date:
June 27, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Comment / Suggestion / Question:
Can you please tell me how many young people with ADHD get transferred over to adult services?
How many of these young people will regularly see a psychiatrist to meet the nice guidelines?
Our response:
Liz Mellor explained that the Trust did not collect this data Trust wide as yet but it was available in local teams. All CYP were assessed as part of the transition policy at 17 years old. Liz Mellor advised there were some opportunities to expand CYP services up to 25 years old to enable better transition as outlined in the Long Term Plan.
Children and Young people have access to psychiatrists when their needs determine it but the Trust operates a multi-disciplinary team approach across all service areas with a range of professionals dictated by patient need and agreed with patients and carers as part of the care planning approach. Most of children and young people do not need to see a psychiatrist and benefit from the range of experience we have within the Trust and we feel fortunate we are able to offer that range.
Name:
Michelle Craggs
Date:
June 27, 2021 at 11:58 am
Comment / Suggestion / Question:
How will the trust address the long waiting lists for Camhs? Many children are struggling due to the very long waiting lists and it’s not acceptable.
Our response:
Liz Mellor advised the Trust recognised there were some waiting times for some parts of Children and Young Persons (CYP) services and this was not acceptable and some increase in demand was visible at various parts of the CYP pathway. To address this the Trust were implementing a number of new initiatives which included, increased recruitment, better use of technology for greater access, investment in commissioning and working with partner organisations and meeting demands in different and more innovative ways as part of transforming services.
Name:
Michelle Craggs
Date:
June 27, 2021 at 11:55 am
Comment / Suggestion / Question:
Will the Camhs team be given training about writing and producing reports for EHC plans? At the moment many Camhs workers don’t understand their role and importance in this process.
Our response:
Liz Mellor provided a response advising the Trust was working with Local Authorities to consider how to ensure as a health provider it was sufficiently contributing and ensuring information required was accurate and appropriate. Liz Mellor advised this was an ongoing process and included the upskilling of staff when needed
Name:
Michelle Craggs
Date:
June 27, 2021 at 11:50 am
Comment / Suggestion / Question:
The trust must embed digitalization very quickly. It’s silly a waste of money and resources writing prescriptions. Patients need to focus on their recovery and carers spend all their time caring they should not be chasing prescriptions that the trust write.
When will the trust consider moving over to digital prescriptions that can be sent to the pharmacist?
Our response:
Dr Buki Adeyemo advised the Trust had committed funding for the establishment of electronic prescribing as part of the Digital Aspirant Programme. It was advised that the project was ongoing and would be rolled out across the Trust. Dr Adeyemo advised that the Trust was aware of an early national pilot taking place which was being closely watched and the Trust was committed to joining a soon as NHSX provide the go ahead.
Name:
Jamie Ward
Date:
May 11, 2021 at 9:55 am
Comment / Suggestion / Question:
I have had a few questions lately around long term Covid community clinics. Are there any specific clinics currently available for patients to access support/aftercare if they fit the criteria?
Our response:
Jonathan O’Brien confirmed there was a Staffordshire wide post-COVID MDT clinic which included Occupational Therapy, respiratory, psychology and will soon include GP representation.
Advice, information and help for patients who continue to experience difficulties after being diagnosed with COVID-19 is available on the ‘Your COVID recovery’ website which can be found at: https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/
Patients are identified as potentially needing more specialist physical or psychological support due to persistent symptoms for more than 28 days following a positive COVID-19 test result (or clinical diagnosis of likely COVID-19), difficulty in following self-care advice or other post-COVID health concerns. The referral route is via GP who will screen, triage and direct patients to the post-COVID MDT if indicated.
