Dear all
 
We wrote to you in December to provide an update on the future of Dudley Integrated Health and Care (DIHC) NHS Trust.
 
As a brief reminder, DIHC was established in 2020 at the start of the Covid pandemic. Since then, the landscape and NHS policy has changed considerably and whilst the clinical model of care for Dudley is still supported positively by all partners, it has been decided that it can be delivered through a place-based partnership rather than through a stand-alone organisation. Following discussion with all partners and decisions made by commissioners - Dudley Council, Black Country Integrated Care Board and Primary Care Networks (see previous stakeholder update), that all DIHC services are now set to transfer to new provider organisations, DIHC has now commenced the mobilisation and transition phase and are working with recipient organisations to ensure a safe and effective transfer of those services.
 
The governance, legal and assurance processes for both DIHC and those organisations receiving services and staff are complex. Due to this, there is a revised proposed endpoint to the process of 1 July 2024. As the School Nursing Service has been subject to a procurement led by the Council, this will still transfer as planned on 1^st April 2024, however all other services and staff are anticipated to transfer on 1^st July 2024, coinciding with the proposed dissolution of the Trust. There is a significant amount of work to be done to achieve these timelines, by ourselves, recipient organisations, NHSE and the Department of Health and Social Care and all partners have committed to do all that is possible to meet the timelines. We expect the majority of work to be completed in March/April 2024, before the NHS England assurance process formally commences.
 
Although our statutory engagement is with respective Healthwatch’s and staff representatives, as an organisation we have been engaging with key stakeholders for several months now to understand any concerns and to ensure accountability and transparency.
 
Our priority is to ensure our staff understand and feel secure with the changes ahead and our formal consultation process with staff concludes on 22^nd March 2024.
 
We would like to assure you that services continue to operate as normal and there will be no change to how patients currently access and receive services.
 
If you would like to discuss any of the information within this communication, please contact
 
Mr Matthew Hartland
Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust
Chief Executive Officer

In October we updated you on the position for Dudley Integrated Health and Care (DIHC) NHS Trust following commissioners and Dudley Place partners reviewing future options for services. As you may be aware, DIHC was established in 2020 at the start of the Covid pandemic. Since then, the landscape and NHS policy has changed considerably and whilst the clinical model of care for Dudley is still supported positively by all partners, it has been decided that it can be delivered through a place-based partnership rather than through a stand-alone organisation.

The aim has always been and will continue to be to work collaboratively with health, care and voluntary sector partners to provide co-ordinated care for the Dudley population, focusing on reducing health inequalities and improving the health of the population. Over the last three years, DIHC have worked hard to make a positive impact by working with patients, communities and wider partners, and this work will continue as services and functions transition into different organisations, still serving the Dudley population.

We are now in a position to provide further clarity following discussion at the Black Country Integrated Care Board (BCICB) and final decisions being made by all commissioners. As such, the destinations for services and functions are:

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust	IAPT/Dudley Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Primary Care Mental Health First Contact Mental Health practitioners Mental Health commissioning function
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust - host of Place Partnership	ICB commissioned primary care services, including: High Oak and Chapel St surgeries Special Allocation Scheme Research Continuing Health Care/Intermediate Care Integrated Medicines Management GP Clinical Leadership Ex-CCG corporate functions Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) staff for Brierley Hill & Amblecote Primary Care Network Halesowen Primary Care Network Dudley & Netherton Primary Care Network Adult safeguarding
Black Country Integrated Care Board (BCICB)	Designated Clinical Officer function Staff not covered by TUPE
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust	School Health Advisor Service Childrens safeguarding
Stourbridge, Wollescote & Lye Primary Care Network	Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) staff via lead practice
Sedgley, Coseley & Gornal Primary Care Network	Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS)  staff via lead practices
Kingswinford and Wordsley Primary Care Network	Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) staff via limited company

*ARRS -includes enhanced primary care roles that support general practice, for example, Listening & Guidance, Paramedics, Health & Wellbeing Coaches etc

DIHC will now commence the mobilisation and transition period and are working with recipient organisations to enable the safe and effective transfer of our services. Services will continue to operate safely in line with all NHS and regulatory requirements until the transition is complete and there will be no change to how patients currently access and receive services.

We will continue to provide regular updates throughout the transition period. If you would like to discuss any of the information within this communication, please do contact us via 

Mr Matthew Hartland

Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust

Chief Executive Officer

 

Mr Mark Axcell

NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board

Chief Executive Officer

Due an increase in measles cases across the West Midlands, more pop-up vaccination clinics have been set up in the Black Country to help ensure people are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.

Children aged five and over and any adults who are yet to receive both doses of the MMR vaccine are invited to come forward.

Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious complications such as severe lung infections and inflammation of the brain. It also damages and suppresses the whole immune system, meaning children can be left much more susceptible to catching other illnesses.

It can spread quickly among communities, particularly schools and nurseries, if children have not had two dose the MMR vaccine.

All children are invited for their first MMR vaccine on the NHS when they turn one. The second dose is given when they reach three years and four months of age. Having two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against MMR and adults and older children can be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before.

The pop-up clinics are being hosted across the Black Country, including:

• Wood Lane Community Centre, Wood Lane, West Bromwich, B709PT, Saturday 27 January, 9am-1.30pm. To book an appointment call 0121 592 1110.

• South & Central Locality Hub, Birchills Street, Walsall, WS2 8NF, Saturday 27 January, 9am-1. 30pm.To book an appointment call 01922 902035.

• Park Village Education Centre, Cannock Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 0RA. Saturday 27 January, 10am-4pm. Walk in, no appointment needed.

• Vaccination van located at Bilston Market, Pinfold Street, Wolverhampton, WV14 0DN. Saturday 27 January, 9am-3pm. Walk in, no appointment needed.

• Vaccination van located outside Poundland in Walsall Town Centre, Lower Hall Lane, St Matthews Quarter, WS1 1PU, Saturday 3 February, 9am-3pm. Walk in, no appointment needed.

The clinics will be staffed by trained healthcare professionals from the NHS and Vaccination UK who specialise in childhood vaccinations and follow all necessary safety protocols. Children will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the clinics.

Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country

Integrated Care Board said: “Measles is a serious but entirely preventable disease that spreads easily between unvaccinated people, in particular children.

“The safest and most effective way to prevent measles is to ensure your child is fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine. It is one of the most studied vaccines in the world, with millions of doses given every year – it is safe for your child, and will protect them, their friends and the wider community.

“It’s important to remember that measles is not just a childhood disease and can be serious at any age. Anyone can catch up on any missed doses and it's never too late to protect yourself. Our pop-up clinics are a great opportunity for children aged five and over, as well as adults who have missed a dose to get vaccinated, so please do book an appointment as soon as you can.”

If people know they have missed an MMR dose, they can walk-in to one of the pop-up clinics for a vaccination. Those who are unsure if they, or their child, are up to date with all their routine vaccinations can confirm their vaccine status by checking:

-their child’s Red Book (personal child health record)

-the NHS app

-or by contacting their GP practice.

For more information about the MMR vaccine, visit the NHS website MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

 

Dudley Integrated Health and Care (DIHC) NHS Trust is encouraging patients to take care of their health in the lead up to Christmas this year.

From Monday 27^th November, through to Friday 1^st December, DIHC will be hosting a pop-up health and wellbeing shop at the Churchill Shopping Precinct in Dudley town centre. The Healthy Heart Hub will run every day from 9.30am until 4.30pm and will be offering free blood pressure checks with tailored support and advice from Health and Wellbeing Coaches.

Throughout the week, local partners will be joining the pop-up shop to provide information and practical advice on a range of health and wellbeing topics including mental health, addiction, sexual health, living independently, ageing well, cancer screening and support services, strokes, learning disabilities, digital access, adult learning and much, much more.

Dr Lloyd Baron, local GP and Health Inequalities Lead at DIHC said, “We know the lead up to Christmas can be stressful and we often do not consider our health during this busy time which can have negative impact on our wellbeing. This is why we wanted to take our Healthy Heart Hub and pop-up shop out into the community; making it easier for people to get a health check in a friendly and accessible environment.”

Matt Hartland, CEO at DIHC said, “It’s fantastic that so many partners are supporting the pop-up shop initiative and creating opportunities for advice, information and signposting. There is so much on offer across Dudley from our voluntary sector and our health and care partners and this is a great way for local people to get involved and be healthy.”