Safety

For teams or individuals working in partnership with other professionals or external agencies. This could be to ensure that our service users get help with occupation, leisure, welfare, housing and physical health needs.

Winner: Sarah Littlejohn and Soleman Hossany, Erith Physical Health Check Clinic

This clinic, led by Community Psychiatric Nurses Sarah Littlejohn and Soleman Hossany, has won because of the work they have done in providing health screening and proactively assessing the side effects of antipsychotic medication in their clients. This work has led to a great improvement of the physical health of their clients which has been demonstrated in the results of a national audit. Their health screening programme includes:

a Clozapine Clinic which ensures regular blood samples are taken and clients are fully aware of the positive and negative effects of the medication
a Pharmacy Clinic run in conjunction with pharmacists where clients and carers can meet and discuss any concerns over medication
a Health Clinic for health screening and basic physical health and signposting to other information or care.

An electronic version of the side effects rating scale and the outcome of the physical health check clinic were uploaded onto RiO, the electronic patient information system. Other teams around the trust have been inspired by their example to start routinely assessing the side effects of antipsychotic medication.

Runner up: Mary Aku Arhin and Navinder Jittu, Atlas House Cleaners (Initial)

Mary and Navinder received their nomination for their tireless and uncomplaining work keeping Atlas House clean and hygienic and in providing a calm and safe environment for the patients.

As the service is for people with challenging behaviours, there is often mess and damage, but they are flexible and responsive, always cheerful, have an excellent rapport with patients, and are dedicated to keeping the environment as pleasant as possible for everyone.

The member of staff who nominated them said “They never complain, they are untiring in their dedication to keeping Atlas House clean and fresh…They are true members of the Atlas House Team, that we couldn't do without.”

Commended: Clozapine Clinic, Stepping Stones

The team provides a one-stop service, offering a phlebotomy (blood test) service, clozapine blood monitoring and physical health monitoring for service users prescribed clozapine.

Their service model and documents were recently reviewed by Oxleas pharmacy and found to be benchmarks of good practice which have now been shared with other teams in the trust. They also drive forward innovative service ideas and provide support in emergencies such as when service users’ medication runs out.