Be kind to yourself

Written on 18 May 2020.

Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS is encouraging everyone to be kind to themselves to bolster their mental health.

The Covid-19 lockdown is causing anxiety for many people but mental health can be improved by making more meaningful time for yourself.

Everyone will have a different idea of what kindness means to them but it could be time to read a book, go for a walk or listen to music. Whatever it is, find time to do it and see your mental health improve.

If you are experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety or low mood you can be kind to yourself by contacting the Dudley Talking Therapy Service. It includes the offer of free SilverCloud online therapy programmes which allows people to learn about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques, with telephone support from a qualified practitioner, in their own time and at their own pace.

You can self refer to the team online at https://www.dihc.nhs.uk/find-a-service/dudley-talking-therapy-service

Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS is encouraging people to be kind to themselves as part of National Mental Health Awareness week which runs from May 18-24.

Emily Gould, a cognitive behavioural practitioner with Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS said: “We are living in stressful times. Some people are very worried about Covid-19 and the effect it is having on them and their families. We want them to know they are not alone. Dudley Talking Therapy is here to help.”

Find out how talking therapy can help you

Written on 15 May 2020.

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week from 18^th May to 24^th May and Dudley Talking Therapy is inviting members of the public to find out how the service can help them.

Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS is running a public virtual online session with the Talking Therapy team and is encouraging local people to join them.

Dominic Dutton, a High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with Dudley Health and Care NHS said: “Mental Health Awareness Week is a really good opportunity to remind everyone how important their mental health is. We know some people are struggling during Covid with feeling anxious and low or having trouble sleeping. We are here to help with a range of easily accessible online programmes and telephone support from practitioners.”

The session will take place on Wednesday 20^th May at 3.00pm. It will give participants the opportunity to find out more about Dudley Talking Therapy Service, how it can help and how to access support.

You can self-refer to the team online at https://www.dihc.nhs.uk/find-a-service/dudley-talking-therapy-service

Anyone wishing to book a place or find out further details can contact Helen Codd

Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS holds second Board meeting

Written on 30 April 2020.

The second Board meeting of Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS will take place on Tuesday 5^th May, 10am until 12pm.

The papers are available on our website and can be found here

As part of the meeting Board members will be discussing finance, performance and hearing a stakeholder story on the operation of the respiratory assessment centre that has been developed in response to COVID-19.

The meeting will take place virtually using Microsoft Teams due to Government restrictions on social distancing and the impact of Coronavirus COVID-19.

Due to these restrictions we are also unable to invite members of the public to join us in the public session. We are however happy to invite questions from members of the public on the provision of health care served by Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS. Questions should be submitted via and we will respond to them

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TWO GPS JOIN DUDLEY INTEGRATED HEALTH AND CARE NHS BOARD

Written on 05 May 2020.

Two GPs have joined the Board of Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS as Interim Associate Non-Executive Directors.

Both have been selected to join the Board by their PCN Clinical Director colleagues in Dudley.

Dr Gillian Love is the PCN Clinical Director of Halesowen Primary Care Network. She has been a partner at Halesowen medical practice since 1996 having worked in Dudley Group hospital posts and local practices whilst training to be a GP.

Ruth Tapparo is a GP in Stourbridge and the PCN Clinical Director for Brierley Hill and Amblecote Primary Care Network. She has been a Dudley CCG Board member previously and is the CCG’s Clinical Lead for diabetes.

Harry Turner, Chair of Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS said: “Primary Care is at the heart of all we do at Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS. Ruth and Gillian bring a wealth of experience which will be enormously valuable to the Board. I am looking forward to working with them”.

Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS (DIHC) was authorised on April 1^st 2020. It brings together a range of health and care services in one organisation with primary care, delivered by General Practice, at its heart.

The ICP has been created from a partnership of local GPs, NHS Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Appointment of Non-Executive Directors

Written on 03 April 2020.

Five Non-Executive Directors have been appointed to Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS.

The five are:

Ian Buckley – a local businessman and former vice-chair of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Martin Evans - previously Assistant Chief Constable, West Mercia Police

David Gilburt – former NHS Director of Finance end experienced Non Executive Director and Audit Chair

Valerie Little – former Director of Public Health for Dudley

Dr George Solomon – former GP and member of Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG Governing Body

Welcoming their appointment, Harry Turner, chair of Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS said: “I am delighted we have been able to appoint five such high calibre individuals. They each bring particular skills to the board and will ensure the new organisation is independently scrutinised. I am looking forward to working with them and their executive colleagues.”