Our core purpose is to work with people and lead communities in improving their mental and physical health and wellbeing for a better life; through delivering excellent and responsive prevention, diagnosis, early intervention, treatment and care.
People who use the services of the Trust have the right and expectation to the following Core Care Standards:
Assessment is the way we find out about how you are and what difficulties you might have, work out what treatment or support you might need and how we can help. Assessments are carried out by trained health professionals.
We will talk to you about your situation, any difficulties you have, discuss what you would like to happen, and what’s important to you.
The assessment process may vary depending on your needs and the service you are referred to. We may sometimes be asked for an opinion (a consultation) but may not need or be able to fully assess your needs.
Waiting for an appointment - You may have been given an appointment to meet with a member of staff from our services. Please read our Waiting Well guide which gives hints and tips about keeping well whilst waiting to see someone
We will find out with you what your needs are
When you are referred to our services, we will arrange for someone to assess your situation and work out with you what your needs are. This will be someone who knows about the type of difficulties you have.
We will:
Think about:
Find out more
These sites have online help pages and telephone helplines for you to be able to call, both in and out of hours and also you can read about getting help.
A plan of care is something that describes in an easy, accessible way the services and support being provided, and should be put together and agreed with you through the process of care planning.
Agreeing a care plan with your health professional means being able to talk about your situation, how it affects your life, what you want to do, and what you can do for yourself with the right support. It's about being given all the information you need, being listened to, being able to ask questions, and feeling able to say what's really important to you. The plan that is agreed should be the result of this process.
Care plans will also recognise that people can be in control of their lives and can regain a meaningful life despite a serious physical or mental health problem. Staying well and wellbeing approaches, and health promotion initiatives such as smoking cessation, physical health etc. will be an important part of this, as well as Recovery Tools and techniques such as Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP).
You will always be involved in your plan and receive a copy of it. Ask your health professional for a copy to take away with you.
The care plan is a way of working out with you what we are going to do to help you. We want to help you to be as well as you can be. We write these plans down in something called a care plan which is how we can make sure everybody is doing what is agreed.
Your care plan might be in a letter or on a form or in another way that suits you. This might include any of the examples shown below. Please click on any of the links below to view the example forms.
Many people will have their care plan in a folder like the one shown, we can email your care plan to you, please confirm and check your email address and ask the team to do this.
You can download a copy of the Your Care booklet to read more about your Care Planning and how you can be involved in making things work for you.
The booklet contains lots of useful phone numbers and links to websites which might be helpful as you work out what works best for you.
Writing Good Care Plans is a booklet provided to staff which gives information and advice about how to write good care plans: care plans that are clear, accessible, developed in partnership, and meet the needs identified.
The booklet is structured into different sections and provides information about Care Planning Standards, Person Centred Planning, Managing your own Care Plan, Safety Planning, Involving Families and Carers, Communication and Choice.
Any plan of care needs to be monitored and evaluated to see how it’s working. It will get out of date in time, and needs to be reviewed regularly to make sure it’s still right. It’s important to check that you are happy with the way things are going.
Reviews should be designed around the needs of the person concerned, and should include contributions from everyone involved in the care plan. Review is an ongoing process, and not necessarily a single meeting.
We want to make sure that your care plan is implemented, flexible, regularly reviewed for effectiveness, changed if it turns out it's not working, and kept up to date to support your changing needs. Reviews are the way we do this. Having a copy of your care plan with you when you attend appointments is a good way for you to refresh what your goals are and what you want to achieve. The important message is review your care plan constantly, that way you will always be progressing.
When held:
How:
What:
Including such as:
A review is a chance to see how the plan is working, and your care plan should be reviewed regularly with you, at least once a year. Before your review, think about how you feel about how things are going:
Click here for the 'How well is the plan working?' grid which your health professional may use with you. Or you can download a copy of the Your Care booklet.
Don't forget, you can bring someone with you to a review who knows that you think. You might also like to read our information leaflet on Advocacy.
Click here to see our leaflet - How to get more out of your appointment with your psychiatrist
Any care process is improved by having a co-ordination role. Co-ordination of care means that a named worker will oversee your care and treatment, keep in close contact with you, and liaise with others involved.
The way co-ordination works will be different in different services:
Whatever the system or name, they are there to make sure that services work for you, and that you have continuity in your care, treatment and support because of good communication between you and all of those who provide it.
Who:
For you (the person using the service) this role would include making sure that:
Co-ordination of care means that a named worker will co-ordinate your care and treatment, keep in close contact with you, and liaise with others involved. Sometimes they have extra responsibilities, such as Care Co-ordinator's do under the Care Programme Approach (CPA). The way co-ordination works will be different in different services.
You can download a copy of the Your Care booklet to read more about Care Care Co-ordination.
We want to make sure that if you need to move between services, or when you no longer need our support, that the process works smoothly and well for you. This might be when you leave hospital, change staff or services, or leave a service.
Any transition, whether discharge or transfer, could be unsettling. However, when done well it can be empowering and a positive experience because it means you are moving forward.
It’s important that the process is clear and that everyone understands it and you are actively involved with the important people in your life.
Discharges and transfers will:
The plan will include:
We want to make sure that if you need to move between services, or when you no longer need our support, that the process works smoothly and well for you. This might be when you leave hospital, change your staff or services, or leave a service. It is important that the process is clear and that everyone understands it.
Click here to download the Your Care booklet and read more about Discharges and Transfers
Read the helpful guide from MIND about leaving hospital after a mental health crisis or the MIND guide on Planning for Recovery after leaving hospital.
Families, parents, and carers are often a vital part of the life of someone who needs the services of the Trust, and they can be the people who are keeping them well and living in the community. Where the person being supported is a child or young person, parents and families are an essential part of the process. The Trust values the role that families and carers play as partners in care, wants to support this role, and work with them for the wellbeing of the person.
If children or young people are supporting a relative as a young carer, they are likely to be a child in need.
Where carer/relatives relationships are not identified as supportive, the individual will be supported to decide how this will be managed
We also recognise that caring for someone who is unwell, or has problems, can have an impact on the lives of families and carers, and we want to help identify any needs they have, and to support their wellbeing wherever we can.
‘A Carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support’
Families, parents, and carers are often a vital part of the life of someone who needs the services of the Trust. We understand that caring for someone who is unwell, or has difficulties, can have an impact on the lives of families and carers and we want to help work out any needs they have, and to support their well-being wherever we can. If you have family or friends who help you with day to day needs, or support you emotionally, there are ways in which they can get help themselves.
Carers in Derbyshire is a website dedicated to providing support and information to Carers living in Derbyshire. The website is packed with information about how you can get help and includes information about mental health, learning disabilities, young carers and much more.
Derbyshire Carers Association provides advice and support for mental health carers in Derbyshire and Derby, and carers of other people in Derbyshire and Derby.
Derby City - find out about Talking Points, an opportunity to talk face to face with a social care worker or contact and Creative Carers in Derby City for support and advice and a chance to take a break and meet other carers.
For older adults in Derbyshire try contacting The Derbyshire Dementia Support Service on 01332 208845. In Derby City call Derby City Dementia Support on 01332 497640 or call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122
Derbyshire Mental Health Carers Forums are a self-help group of mental health carers and ex-carers holding forum meetings and support groups at various locations throughout Derbyshire. Click here for Mental Health Carers Community: Chesterfield and North Derbyshire and Derby City and South Derbyshire Mental Health Carers Forum
Advocacy and Advice for Carers
There may be times when you need help, or someone to speak on your behalf, for example if you're having difficulty accessing benefits or services. An advocate is someone who can help make sure people listen and understand what you need to say. Click here to read about Advocacy Services in Derbyshire and Derby City.
Carers UK has a free advice line for carers. Call 0808 808 7777 or visit the Carers UK website for advice. Carers UK doesn't provide an advocacy service, but can give you information on where to go for help.
You can also call Carers Direct on 0300 123 1053, they provide free, confidential information and advice for carers. Lines are open 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays), 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles.
The Herbert Protocol initiative is named after George Herbert, a Second World War veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia and repeatedly went missing from his care home whilst trying to return home.
The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme being introduced by Derbyshire Constabulary and other agencies which encourages carers to compile useful information which could be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.
Carers, family members and friends or professionals can complete the form in advance.
It is a form which records all vital details, such as medication required, mobile numbers, places previously located, a photograph etc which will help locate the person if they ever go missing. Click here to find out more about the Herbert Protocol
children and young people who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, or is affected by mental ill-health or substance misuse.
Young Carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who regularly care for someone within the family with a physical illness or disability, mental health issues or alcohol or drug dependency.
Young Carers may have little time for themselves and are often unable to attend after school activities, go on school trips or socialise with friends.
Derbyshire Carers Association have a service for Young Carers in Derbyshire and Young Carers can get support and advice from Derby City Council. These organisations can help Young Carers find help and advice and also offer opportunities to meet other Young Carers.
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is part of the Triangle of Care: Carers Included Membership Scheme run by the Carers Trust. We have been awarded two stars by the Carers Trust for our work with Carers and Families. Visit the Triangle of Care website for more information.
The six key standards state that:
1) Carers and the essential role they play are identified at first contact or as soon as possible thereafter
2) Staff are ‘carer aware’ and trained in carer engagement strategies
3) Policy and practice protocols re confidentiality and sharing information are in place
4) Defined post(s) responsible for carers are in place
5) A carer introduction to the service and staff is available, with a relevant range of information across the acute care pathway
6) A range of carer support services is available
When people access our services we respect their rights to confidentiality, sometimes this means we cannot share information with carers and families. However, sharing information is a key part of how we provide better, more effective services that are co-ordinated around the needs of the person and we encourage the sharing of information wherever possible.
We have produced a leaflet which explains the benefits of sharing information with family and carers and this includes a form which can be completed about what types of information you are happy to share. If you choose to complete this form it is also helpful if it is shared with your health professional.
Sharing Information with Family and Carers Booklet
Advance statement about information sharing and involvement of family/carers
The Who Cares? newsletter is sent out to carers of people with mental health problems every quarter.
If you would like a copy of any previous editions please contact the CPA Service on 01246 515974
We want to provide the best support possible to Carers who use our Services. The Carers Champions are a network of staff members located around our healthcare services who are leading on Carers issues. They are a local link point for staff and Carers to get information and advice.
Click here to view our list of current Carers Champions.
Services only work when the people who use them are equal partners in the care process.
We will take into account peoples history and culture, particularly around communication and access, and respect.
The service will protect your rights, as well as those of other people, and will protect you and others from harm wherever possible.
We will always try to make sure that people are involved as much as they want and are able to be, and have choices wherever possible.
We want to support you to make informed choices through:
Sometimes your ability to make decisions and understand the impact of them can fluctuate. We will take this into account and ask you questions or your thoughts at different times of the day or in different stages of your life. This is really important that we give you the opportunity to really think through decisions even when you might be unwell. If you are not able to make decisions, we will help to protect and empower you.
For local Advocacy services, please see below under 'Advocacy'
“You have the right to make choices about your NHS care and to information to support these choices. The options available to you will develop over time and depend on your individual needs.” “You have the right to be involved in discussions and decisions about your healthcare, and to be given information to enable you to do this.”NHS Constitution
‘Patients must be given the opportunity to be involved, as far as is practicable in the circumstances, in planning, developing and reviewing their own treatment and care to help ensure that it is delivered in a way that is as appropriate and effective for them as possible. The involvement of carers, family members and other people who have an interest in the patient’s welfare should be encouraged (unless there are particular reasons to the contrary) and their views taken seriously.’
We want to make sure you can access the information you need.
If you need information in another language, click on the buttons at the bottom of the front page to translate the whole site, or contact us for a leaflet translation
If you prefer Easy Read, click here
If you need a care plan or other form translating, let us know
If you need the text larger to be able to read it better, click on the text size at the bottom of the page - the more you press on the + button, the bigger the text will get
Every day we make decisions about lots of things in our lives. The ability to make these decisions is called mental capacity. People may have difficulty making decisions some or all of the time. This could be because they have:
If we are concerned that you may not have the capacity to make major decisions about your health and welfare (including personal care), property and financial affairs, or where you live, we will assess your capacity to make these decisions. If you are unable to make some decisions, the Mental Capacity Act says:
The Mental Capacity Act (2005) provides a framework to protect and empower vulnerable people who are not able to make their own decisions. See below for a brief guide to the main provisions of the Act.
Service Users/Patients Please click here for a booklet Making decisions: who decides when you can't?
Carers Please click here to find out about Carers and the Mental Capacity Act and a booklet Making decisions: a guide for familiy, friends, and unpaid carers. Carers and advocates will normally be involved in planning care, and in any reviews.
There are different models of advocacy:
If you need someone to help you have a voice in discussions, you might want to think about having an advocate. You can bring a friend, family member or carer, or use a volunteer or paid advocate.You can access different types of advocacy support, this may depend on where you live or what you need help with.
Specialist advocacy and representation is available for people with mental health problems who have substantial difficulty in being involved in their own care. This includes people who qualify under the Mental Health Act (IMHA service) and/or the Mental Capacity Act (IMCA service). Click here to read about Advocacy Services in Derbyshire and Derby City
Contact:
Independent Community Advocacy
Independent Community Advocacy is a new requirement on Local authorities. If you are likely to have substantial difficulty in being involved in your care and if you do not have an appropriate person to support you the Local Authority has a duty to arrange independent advocacy.
From the 1st April 2009, changes in the law meant that some patients have a legal entitlement to the specialist help of an IMHA. The service is available to anyone who is detained under the Mental Health Act
IMHA's help people to understand and exercise their rights in relation to the Mental Health Act, this can include representing them and speaking on their behalf in a variety of settings including ward rounds, CPA meetings and tribunals. The Mental Health Act Code of Practice provides further information on the role, rights and responsibilities of the IMHA's.
Advocates offer independent support to help people express their views and wishes in relation to the mental health services they are using or wishing to access.
Click here to find out more about Derbyshire County IMHA Service
Contact details: Derbyshire Mind, Derby West Business Centre, Ashbourne Road, Mackworth, Derby, DE22 4NB. Tel: 01332 345966, email: enquiries@derbyshiremind.org.uk
Click here to find out more about Derby City IMHA Service Contact details: ONE Advocacy, Stuart House, Green Lane, Derby, DE1 1RS. Tel: 01332 228748.
The term advance decision (previously known as an 'advance directive', or a 'living will'). means a statement explaining what medical treatment the individual would not want in the future, should that individual 'lack capacity' as defined by the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
It can relate to all future treatment, not just that which may be immediately life-saving.
An advance decision is legally binding in England and Wales. Except in the case where the individual decides to refuse life-saving treatment, it does not have to be written down, although most are and a written document is less likely to be challenged.
If the person you care for is aged 18 or older and has mental capacity they can appoint a personal welfare lasting power of attorney (LPA). The person who is given power of attorney (the 'attorney') will be able to make decisions about future medical treatment on their behalf if the person doesn't have the mental capacity to make the decision.
If the person you care for wishes to refuse medical treatment in the future, they should make their wishes known by making an 'advance decision'. This is made when the person still has capacity and is used if they're not able to make the decision themselves at the time of the proposed medical treatment.
If the person you're looking after makes an advance decision, you can't override it unless the LPA was made later and specifies that you have the power to do so.
The code of practice in the Mental Capacity Act provides a checklist of information to be included in any written statement. The statement should include:
For more information
We want to help you to make informed choices through:
Read more about how you can be involved in the Your Care booklet
We want to make sure you are as safe as you can be, and so we will work with you to find any potential areas where you don't feel safe, either with your own or others health and wellbeing. This is so that we can help you to manage these situations, and help you keep safe, as well as your family/carers, staff, and the public.
When you come to our services we will call this Safety Planning and you are key to undertaking this piece of work well. When we talk about a Safety Plan what this means is that you will sit with a health professional and you will explore your history, the social context that you live in, the impact of others upon you and some of life's stresses. You will explore quite a lot of your history and what that means to you fully. Some of us growing up have experienced adverse childhood events which means we are more vulnerable than others as we move through life. It is key that we understand you today in the context of your life experiences. This means we are going to have to ask you some tricky questions, this could be very personal information about hurt or harm. If you don't tell us about these experiences then we cant help you. A key issue in working on these health issues that you want to address is the impact of your physical and psychological health.
We will work together to agree your Safety Plan and we will need to review this regularly in partnership with you. What is key is feeling supported through times of emotional or physical distress. We are here to support you and give our advice on what we think is in your best interests but at the end of the day it is your life and your choices. This will sometimes mean that we will have to way up, on balance, if you continue in your life to make unwise decisions what we will do to support you.
We want to make sure people who use our services are as safe as they can be, and so we will work with the person to find any potential areas where they don't feel safe, either with their own or others health and wellbeing. This is so that we can help them to manage these situations, and help them keep safe, as well as family/carers, staff, and the public. We will always consider safety for children, young people and vulnerable adults, and try to safeguard them. Things we would be concerned about would include: self-harm; self-neglect; suicide; violence; bullying, domestic violence, substance misuse, vulnerability to abuse or neglect, sexual exploitation, moving and handling, infection control, physical health, and falls.
We want to make sure people who use our services are as safe as they can be, and so we will work with the person to identify their personal strengths and skills and identify potential areas or circumstances in which they feel at risk either with their own or others health and wellbeing. This is so that we can help people to manage these situations and enable people to develop some plans for keeping safe.
Derbyshire Healthcare believes that safeguarding is everybody’s business and has put measures in place to protect those least able to protect themselves. ‘Think Family’ means securing better outcomes for children, young people, adults and families by co-ordinating the support they receive from all services. This approach encourages everyone involved in supporting individuals to think about the needs and the situation of the whole family.
We work with other agencies to try and make any safety or safeguarding plans for you, personal to you and all about your support needs
If you are worried about someone or are concerned they are vulnerable or at risk of abuse it is important to let others know. You can visit the Safeguarding section of our website and can find sources of support for adults and children who you think maybe at risk.
You can also find out about more information from Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council by accessing the links below.
If things get difficult enough that you need some extra help in an emergency, keep a list of numbers you can ring.
You could try:
Derby City Careline: During office hours ring 01332 78696 - for out of hours support, please call 01332 786968. The service operates from 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24 hours a day on weekends and bank holidays.
Call Derbyshire: Call 01629 53319 - the call centre is open between 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 4pm Saturdays to provide you with a speedy and direct response.
If you’re worried about a child or adult experiencing or at risk of abuse, you can ring the Police on 999 or 111, or contact:
If you’ve had thoughts of self-harming or are feeling suicidal, contact someone immediately such as a friend, relative or someone you trust. If you feel you’re unable to manage your symptoms and feel unsafe, you need to contact your GP or NHS 111 but for life threatening emergencies call 999.
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