Trust wide news
In his latest blog, Chief Executive Prof Joe Rafferty CBE has written about the NHS and ‘the new normal’, in a post COVID world.
“The big challenge, not just for Mersey Care but for all health care providers, is how do we make sure this notion of new normal is not just the same as we’ve always done?”
Read Joe’s blog in full today.
Our new website turns one – we want your feedback
A year ago, we launched our new website and aimed to make it more user friendly, accessible and easier to find information.
We are continuously looking to improve the experience of visitors to our website and asking for feedback via this short two minute questionnaire. Thank you for your support.
The region's first heart failure virtual ward
The North West’s only heart failure ‘virtual ward’ has been launched following a successful joint bid from us and Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) to secure funding from the NHS Digital Health Partnership Award.
The funding will allow us and LUHFT to work together to deliver only the second virtual ward of its type in the country and ensure heart failure patients can receive the same care by remaining at home as they would expect from a hospital. Read more in our news section.
Quadruple award win
Our estates team scooped up four awards at the Design in Mental Health Awards which aim to showcase excellence and innovation in mental health.
The awards were all related to our state of the art medium secure hospital, Rowan View, at Maghull Health Park and are as follows:
- Estates and Facilities Team of the Year
- Outdoor Spaces
- Clinical Team
- Art Installation.
Read more on in our news section.
Long COVID Service
Whilst most patients recover quickly from COVID-19, some may have symptoms that last weeks, or even longer. We are accepting GP referrals to our Long COVID Tier 3 assessment and treatment service for residents of Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and St Helens.
The Long COVID Service helps people with signs and symptoms that have developed during or after a COVID-19 infection, providing that these symptoms have continued for more than 12 weeks after the initial infection (or as early as four weeks in patients with a high symptom burden or significant, unmet rehabilitation needs, which cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis).
As Long COVID is a diagnosis by exclusion, patients should have relevant tests completed to rule out any potential alternative diagnosis. As a minimum this should include: chest x-ray, ECG, full bloods and a face-to-face GP consultation, prior to the referral being made.
For further information about referrals, please visit our service page.
MC Magazine (summer 2022) out now!
The latest issue of MC magazine is out now. The summer edition is packed full with stories on talking therapy, cuckooing, mental health, gender dysphoria, staying well and much more.
It is completely free! Share it with your family and friends. Read MC Magazine today.
The Life Rooms expands in to South Liverpool
The Life Rooms has listened to local feedback and has officially opened a fourth centre in Lee Valley and will start helping residents in South Liverpool.
For more information, visit The Life Rooms website.
You can also view their timetable online.
Events at The Life Rooms
The Life Rooms will be hosting a range of partners and events to support their communities
- Stay connected with The Life Rooms Southport, 17 June, 11am to 2pm
- Amparo Community drop-in sessions at The Life Rooms
- Shelter at The Life Rooms
You can find more about these events by visiting The Life Rooms website.
If you know of an organisation who would like to have a presence at The Life Rooms, then please contact LiferoomsPartners
Mental health news
Aspen Wood – latest update
Chairman Beatrice Fraenkel joined clinical staff to mark the installation of the first steelwork for our state of the art £33 million hospital in Maghull.
350 tonnes of steelwork for Aspen Wood has now been delivered, and work has now begun on the new 40 bedded specialist learning disability hospital, at Maghull Health Park.
The hospital is set to open to patients in 18 months. Read more on our website.
Mossley Hill Hospital - latest update
We are forging ahead with plans to create a modern state of the art mental health facility on land at Mossley Hill Hospital, Liverpool, which the Trust owns. The Trust board have approved the business case for this exciting new development and this page is updated regularly with the latest news about progress on the project.
BBC Bitesize talk to our mental health nurse
James is one of our mental health nurses. He mainly works with elderly patients with dementia. Each patient needs individualised care so every day is different…
James shared his story on BBC Bitesize, watch it today.
New school nurse text messaging service launched for 11 to 19 year olds in Sefton
Young people in Sefton are now able to contact their school nurse in a quick and easy way from today following the launch of our new text messaging service.
Sefton residents aged 11 to 19 can message anonymously for help and advice about a range of health concerns, including emotional health, sexual health, relationships, alcohol, drugs and bullying. Read more on our news section.
FREED service extended to Sefton
Funding has been secured to extend the Liverpool First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) service across Sefton, to help even more young people and adults who are battling with eating disorders.
The implementation of FREED in Sefton will transform care for those with eating disorders, or emerging eating disorders, by enabling them to be seen earlier and through a stepped care approach, which aims to provide the most efficient and effective intervention first.
The new service is open to people aged 16 to 25 in Sefton who have had an eating disorder for three years or less. Find out more on our website.
For any other enquiries, please contact Dr Charlotte Jewell, Clinical Psychologist and Sefton FREED Champion at charlotte
Mersey Care to host BAGIS
The British Association of Gender Identity Services (BAGIS) are holding their seventh Scientific Symposium on 16 and 17 June 2022 in Liverpool. Mersey Care, along with the CMAGIC service are incredibly proud to have been asked to host this event.
It will take place in the Mercure Atlantic Tower Hotel and will focus on collaboration, coproduction and community. This event is open to services and clinicians involved or interested in the delivery of healthcare for our trans and non-binary communities.
For tickets and further details including the full programme and keynote speakers for each session, please visit the BAGIS website.
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 website.
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.
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.
You can visit the Give Us A Shout website for more information about the text service.
Physical health news
Our pain management service
Congratulations to our community pain management service, based at Ainsdale Centre for Health and Wellbeing, who featured in a BBC documentary on chronic pain.
More information about the programme can also be found on the BBC website.
Dr Chris Barker, clinical lead for the pain management service, who featured in the documentary, has received national recognition after helping to write a new guideline on the treatment of Fibromyalgia which has been endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians.