Publish date: 21 March 2024
Introduction
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) is the largest specialist provider of mental health, learning disabilities and autism services in the south west and one of the largest in the country, with around 5,000 staff supporting a population of 1.9million people
Most of our work is with people in the community who have a severe mental illness. This includes conditions like psychosis, bi-polar affective disorder, schizophrenia, complex emotional distress and trauma. We also provide inpatient services for people with learning disabilities and autism and patients who require a period of treatment in a psychiatric intensive care bed, an acute bed or a rehabilitation bed. We offer talking therapies in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
- Each year we receive around 85,000 referrals
- 260,000 people in our region are affected by common mental illness and are treated in primary care (GPs)
- 17,000 people in our region are affected by severe mental illness and treated by AWP in secondary care
Our Thinking Ahead newsletter provides a snapshot of the work we’re doing to provide high quality, compassionate mental health, learning disability and autism care for the people we serve.
Work starts on a new Learning Disability and Autism Unit for the south west
We recently had the green light to start work on a new specialist mental health inpatient unit specifically designed by and for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. It will be built on the Blackberry Hill site in Bristol but serve the wider south west region
It has been designed specifically to care for individuals with a learning disability or autistic people who would benefit from treatment in a hospital when their needs cannot be met in the community or in a mainstream mental health unit.
It will help bring an end to long-distance placements, making life better both for individuals who need hospital treatment, and for their families, friends, and carers.
This will go hand in hand with improvements to community services to enable individuals with a learning disability and autistic people to live healthier, happier lives at home.
- Construction on the site will start in May this year, with an anticipated opening date of summer 2025.
- For more information click here
Putting the voice of our communities at the heart
We are excited to be launching a new mental health, learning disability and autism forum where members will come together to give their voice, perspective and constructive challenge to work we’re doing and the plans we have here at AWP.
It will be chaired by our Trust Chair, supported by our Chief Executive, and will meet at least four times a year. It will ensure our developments and plans are supported and shaped by a wide variety of insights which will input to the Trust’s Strategy, Strategic Objectives and Annual Operating Plan.
Dominic Hardisty, AWP Chief Executive, said: “This forum will have the ability to genuinely influence, shape and change how we do things, offering unique perspectives and constructive challenge along the way. We are focussed on continually improving the services we’re providing and want the views and experiences of local people and partners to be a key part of that journey.”
For a more information contact Gary Morgan, Associate Director of Communications and Engagement at AWP – gary
Providing inpatient care closer to home
We have been leading the way nationally in our work to reduce admissions to mental health beds far away from patients’ homes. From a peak of 68 patients in out-of-area placements in 2020, there has been a significant reduction, and in December 2023, the trust had no patient in an out of area placement outside of their geographical boundary.
Minimising out of area placements has significant benefits for patients and their families.
James Eldred, Clinical Director for Right Care at AWP, said: “Everyone I work with understood that admitting patients to beds around the country was something that needed to change, but actually delivering the change has been a massive challenge and a very long process. It proves that we can make a huge difference to peoples’ lives even when resources are tight and the challenge is great.”
Supporting people with the right care, in the right place
The local Mental Health Integrated Access Partnership (IAP) is an award-winning and nationally-recognised service which is transforming urgent and emergency care services for people in mental health crisis.
In an innovative collaboration between BrisDoc Healthcare Services, AWP, and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust – as well as Avon and Somerset Police, Avon Fire and Rescue, and voluntary sector organisations – it provides a truly integrated front door service for urgent and emergency mental health care for people in crisis, across both 999 and 111.
The IAP comprises a multidisciplinary team of registered and non-registered professionals, providing both remote and face-to-face mental health triage, assessment and care for patients, as well as clinical support and advice to emergency service professionals. We work tirelessly to get each patient the right care at the right time, providing a seamless, coordinated response that addresses both mental and physical health needs.
Working alongside emergency service, urgent care and voluntary sector colleagues, the IAP provides a range of 24/7 services within the South West, from our sites across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
About the Mental Health Integrated Access Partnership - YouTube
A Green Approach to mental health treatment
There are many approaches to helping our service users manage their illness or support their recovery. But did you know that access to outdoor space and spending time in nature is one of them?
Green social prescribing is the practice of supporting people to engage in nature-based interventions and activities to improve mental and physical health. It has been part of the treatment of mental health conditions since the 1800s.
Here at AWP we are passionate about green social prescribing and the intervention, experience and benefits it brings for people who use our services.
Mathew Page, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Green Social Prescribing is effective in offering something to everybody, no matter what they are going through. Along with connecting with nature, increased physical activity, reduced stress and anxiety, and reduced social isolation are just some of the benefits.”
In partnership with Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations we use nature as therapy, and scale the intervention to suit the needs of an individual from low key straight forward interventions, right through to providing complex interventions for people in hospital who have a high level of need. This could be as part of a weekly allotment group or in a more targeted setting with specialist providers such as the Wildlife Trust.
Bringing green social prescribing in to our everyday practice, AWP is part of Healthier with Nature which is the Green Social Prescribing Programme for Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire and was one of seven national ‘test and learn’ sites for green social prescribing across England.
Watch the video here to learn more about Green Social Prescribing at AWP, and visit the Healthier with Nature website to find out more about the Green Social Prescribing Programme for Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire.
Talking Therapies in Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire
Our Talking Therapy service has been out and about across Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire encouraging people struggling with stress, anxiety and low mood to reach out and get the help available.
Staff from the service recently visited the Royal United Hospital in Bath to speak to staff, patients and their families. Being in hospital can heighten anxiety and stress for a patient and their friends and family.
The Talking Therapies service also now provides a dedicated course for people living with diabetes.
Lucy Kozlowski, Clinical Psychologist, BSW Talking Therapies Lead for Long Term Conditions said “CBT is an important part of treatment for diabetes. We know that living with diabetes can bring many challenges and that self-management of the condition can be hard work. Talking through your thoughts and feelings with a trained CBT therapist can aid with developing new more helpful ways of thinking about diabetes as well as helping you to develop effective self-management strategies, boosting your confidence, wellbeing and overall health.”
The service is FREE and confidential for people who live and/or has a registered GP in the BSW area. You can also self-refer to the service by calling:
- BaNES on 01225 675150
- Swindon on 01793 836836
- Wiltshire on 01380 731335
Milestone hit for eliminating Hepatitis C
We're delighted to announce that our Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Drug and Alcohol Service has declared micro-elimination of
Hepatitis C.
Micro-elimination is a new way of tackling Hepatitis C in local areas. It uses a series of targets to make sure that people are being diagnosed and getting the treatment they need quickly and easily.
NHS England has set a target to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2025 and the World Health Organisation hopes to eliminate the virus world wide by 2030.
Noreen Mughal, Community Services Manager, said: “We are so proud and grateful to our dedicated team who have worked exceptionally hard to achieve Hepatitis C micro-elimination. This is an incredible achievement in being the first service in the South West to reach this milestone.”
Inclusive Employers – AWP ranked top NHS Trust in country
We have been named top NHS Trust in the country, and 10th overall, in the 2023 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers list. This is the sixth consecutive year that AWP has featured in the ‘Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers’ list.
Crossed the Line campaign to support gambling addiction
AWP has now launched the South West Gambling Service for people across the south west who are experiencing harmful effects of gambling.
In January we launched our ‘Crossed the Line’ campaign to encourage more local people to get the help they need. The South West Gambling Service was originally launched in Bristol last year. It has now expanded to support anyone aged 18 and over living in the south west. The service offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, group sessions, virtual sessions over the telephone.
We are pleased to be working in partnership with Bristol Rovers FC on the campaign.
Chris Gillmore, South West Gambling Service Clinical Lead said: “The impacts of harmful gambling are widespread, affecting people’s relationships and health. Figures demonstrate this is a growing issue and we will work to protect people from the damaging impacts of harmful gambling.”
If you or someone you care about is affected by gambling. Click here to find out more, or you can refer yourself by calling 0330 022 3175.
Becky Townsend, a Peer Support Worker at AWP is using her lived experience to support others with their mental health.
As a former service user, Becky received Structured Clinical Management (SCM) which is endorsed by Health Education England and is offered to service users in secondary mental health care who present with complex emotional needs (sometimes also known as personality disorder). This evidence-based therapeutic model of care provides a variety of support, including a ‘Problem Solving Group’ which teaches skills and tools to help a person understand and regulate their emotions. This is a ‘diagnosis of hope’ as, with the right treatment and mind-set, a service user can work towards no longer meeting the criteria and leaving recovery with no diagnosis at all.
Becky said: “I am proud of who I am today, since engaging with SCM I’ve gained a sense of self-worth and respect; I am excited about life! I get to work every day with service users who are like how I used to be and, using my lived experience, I am able to support them on their own recovery journey by helping them see that life is worth living, that recovery is possible, and to be that beacon of hope. I offer 1:1 appointments, assist with SCM supervision and training, and even co-facilitate the problem solving group I used to attend! I can’t think of anything more rewarding than giving back to the service that helped me”.
For more information on Structured Clinical Management, Becky has created a co-produced informational video about Structured Clinical Management (SCM) which is now live on YouTube.
AWP Chair announced departure plans
AWP Chair Charlotte Hitchings has announced plans to leave the role later this year, as her third term draws to a close.
Charlotte joined AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) as Chair in 2016 and will leave the role in August 2024.
Charlotte, who lives near Bristol, thanked partners across the local systems for their support over the last 8 years, and reserved particular praise for the staff at AWP who she was “humble and proud to work alongside.”
An announcement of a new Chair is expected in the spring.
“I never dreamt this would be part of my life story”
AWP is one of the largest mental health recruiters of internationally educated nurses in the country. We were thrilled when some of our nurses were invited to a special event with His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the contribution to the NHS of international nurses.
Simon Kasalu, who is the first Internationally Educated Nurse recruited into AWP through this programme, is now helping to ensure staff joining from other countries are well supported on their arrival. He said: “When I received the invitation for the reception at the King’s palace, I couldn’t believe it. I never dreamt this would be part of my life story, so it’s a real honour for me.”
Celebrating 10 years of apprenticeships at AWP
We are proud to celebrate ten years of apprenticeships here at AWP, supporting over 700 staff to start their NHS career.
There are currently 189 staff undertaking an apprenticeship with us in a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles including nursing, business support, pharmacy, and human resources.
Olivia Mears, Business Planning and Development Administrator said: “I am currently completing my Level 4 Project Management Apprenticeship and prior to this I completed my Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. I feel both levels have hugely supported me within my role and helped me to find what I enjoy. I have gained so much knowledge and I am always learning new skills to help me progress in my career within project management.”
Hannah Wright, is a Recovery Coordinator and is studying the Level 6 Social Work Degree Apprenticeship: “I feel much more confident in my role and I have had the opportunity to put all my learning into practice. I have developed various skills that I believe have helped me deliver high quality care to service users.”
Tony Westacott, Learning and Development Manager at AWP, said: “It has been a pleasure to witness the growth of apprenticeship activity across our organisation. The AWP apprenticeship offer has become an important element of a wider strategy as we strive to meet a diverse range of workforce priorities essential to maintaining high quality services.”
If you are looking for your first step into healthcare then AWP have got you covered. Discover the opportunities at AWP here.
Latest Vacancies
There are hundreds of career choices on offer at AWP, from fulfilling frontline clinical roles through to crucial non-clinical administration and support roles, including apprenticeships. Many roles are part-time or support flexible working so that you can manage your other commitments and still make a vital contribution to the work we do. We are committed to inclusion, equality and diversity among the people who work for AWP at all levels.
Visit our jobs page to find the perfect role at AWP for you.
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