Trustwide news

The Blog – Prof Joe Rafferty CBE

The Blog, by Joe Rafferty CBE, Chief Executive

In his latest blog, Chief Executive Prof Joe Rafferty CBE has written about how the demand for mental health services will surge in ‘a second pandemic’ in the aftermath of the COVID-19 virus. You can read it in full on our website.

Visiting arrangements across the Trust

Inside our buildings, nothing has changed - COVID-19 graphic

When visiting one of our sites as a visitor or for outpatient care, it is important that face coverings are worn at all times, unless you are exempt under current government guidelines. Safe distance must also be maintained (at least one metre).

Please visit our COVID-19 update page for all latest updates on restrictions.

MC Magazine, Spring 2022 – COMING SOON

MC Magazine - Spring 2022The latest edition of MC Magazine is coming digitally next week. Featuring stories on domestic abuse, power of plants, managing pain, women in football, spring skin solutions and much more.

You can see it first on our social media channels:

 

Please visit our MC Magazine page to see previous editions.

COVID-19 vaccine and young people

We have produced two short animations that will be shared with schools throughout the North West and sent to parents and carers.

The first animation covers the process of what they can expect when the Vaccination and Immunisation teams visit local schools to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine. The second animation covers the facts around COVID-19.

Watch our animations below:

COVID-19 vaccine and young people
COVID-19 vaccination facts

Mental health

Emerging situation in Ukraine and Russia - Op Orbital

Round the clock news of the crisis in the Ukraine and the deployment of UK troops to the Ukraine as part of Op Orbital may impact many in our armed forces and veteran communities.

The Military Veterans Service (MVS) and Op Courage North West TILS service remain committed to supporting our veteran communities and addressing any mental health difficulties people may be experiencing.
Tips for armed forces and veterans.PNG

More details about our services can be found on our news page.

The Life Rooms partner with Public Health Liverpool

The Life Rooms are working with Public Health Liverpool and local libraries, one stop shops and children’s centres to provide people with practical support and learning opportunities that support health and wellbeing, and help people access services in their local community.

Their pathways advisors are there to support people with issues such as:

  • Family and caring responsibilities
  • Mental health and physical wellbeing
  • Financial difficulties
  • Employment and volunteering
  • Social activities and support networks
  • Housing issues
  • Learning
  • Anything else, not listed, that is affecting your day to day life.

Please visit The Life Rooms website for more information.

Mossley Hill Hospital update

After a major programme of works to remove old and unfit buildings at Mossley Hill Hospital, Liverpool, the cleared site was formally handed back to us by demolition contractors Connell Brothers Limited.

The next stages will see site investigations and remedial works to historic Mossley House taking place. This paves the way for proposals to build a state of the art mental health hospital for adults with 80 single en suite bedrooms by 2024, subject to a national approvals process. You can watch the video here or below.

Mossley Hill Hospital - Latest update

Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) Bubble logoZero Suicide Alliance – take the FREE training

The ZSA’s FREE online training courses teach you the skills and confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation with someone you’re worried about.

Recently, the ZSA have launched two new training modules, focussed on veterans and university students.

Please visit the ZSA website.to find out more information about the training modules.

 

Need help in a mental health crisis?

For anyone struggling with stress, anxiety or feeling they can’t cope with day-to-day life, including thoughts of suicide, contact us on one of the freephone numbers below or visit our Urgent Help section of the website..

Urgent Mental Health Helplines - Crisis lines graphic

If you live in Liverpool or Sefton (16+), call 0800 145 657

If you live in Halton, St Helens, Warrington or Knowsley (all ages) call 0800 051 1508

Text messaging support service

If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stressed you can contact text messaging support which is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service.

HEAL and REACH text messaging mental health support.png

  • For people who live in Liverpool or Sefton, Text HEAL to 85258 for immediate support, available 24/7.
  • For people who live in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington text REACH to 85258 for immediate support, available 24/7.

Please visit SHOUT for more information about this text messaging service.


Physical health

A review of our winter plan

Looking after yourself this winter - graphic

Data up to the end of January 2022 highlighted the positive and significant impact of Mersey Care’s winter plan.

Across the different schemes implemented, the forecasted number of potential bed days saved was nearly 46,000, 21 percent more than originally planned.

The opening of more beds earlier than originally planned in Longmoor House and a significant increase in the productivity of Telehealth services, with new services being developed in response to COVID-19, were all contributory factors in the positive results being recorded.

Services such as Pulsed Oximtery@Home and the COVID Virtual Ward have also resulted in a higher flow of patients. The number of potential admissions prevented has been significantly higher, although there may be less patients on a caseload at any one point in time.

The overall forecast number of bed days saved within our community services is equivalent to 217 – 38 more than the original plan.