NHS Salford CCG has been shortlisted for Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards 2021 in two categories. These awards are the only Greater Manchester-wide awards to recognise members of paid and unpaid workforce who regularly go above and beyond to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Greater Manchester.
The virtual award ceremony will take place on Thursday 11th November 2021.
Inclusion Champion category
Salford CCG (Primary Care Liaison Nurse for people with a Learning Disability and Adult Safeguarding Team), Learning Disability Nurses and Speech and Language Therapists employed by The Learning Disability Team (Salford Royal Foundation Trust), Salford Primary Care Together and Salford GP practices have been nominated and shortlisted under Inclusion Champion category.
People with learning disabilities face serious health inequalities and they faced it even more during Covid-19 pandemic. To prevent this, the team came up with this idea so that having a learning disability would not become a barrier to having a Covid-19 vaccination.
Each GP practice holds a register of people with a learning disability. Registers were cross matched with data held by the local Learning Disability Team to ensure that all people with a learning disability were identified. A database was established, which enabled vaccine uptake to be tracked and followed up.
- Working in partnership with Salford Primary Care Together, Learning Disability Nurses trained up to administer and deliver the Covid vaccine. Close contact was maintained with GP practices to track uptake and identify people who would benefit from a more individualised approach.
- An easy read information Covid-19 vaccination booklet and invite letter was sent to all people who had not received their vaccine with follow-up phone calls to non-responders.
- A dedicated vaccine booking line was set-up.
- Each person was offered the option of a home visit by a Learning Disability Nurse, which meant they could receive the vaccine in an environment that was familiar and by a health professional who understood their needs.
- Unpaid carers were also offered the vaccine. Repeat visits were made to those who struggled to engage the first time and planned around individual needs and circumstances, such as routines important to the person.
- For those who could attend a vaccination hub, dedicated sessions were held, enabling longer appointment times, shorter waits, and a calmer environment. Sessions were also held at special education colleges.
- For those people who were unable to engage in having a vaccination due to complex needs or behaviours, best interest meetings were arranged and were attended by GPs to help plan an individualised way forward.
Collaborative Champion category
The Stay in Touch volunteer service has also been shortlisted for an award under Collaborative Champion category. The Spirit of Salford Helpline was set up in March 2020 for residents who were self-isolating and shielding to get help, support and advice on lots of different issues that they might be facing during the Coronavirus pandemic.
There were many partners from across the city involved in supporting residents with
- Food boxes
- Benefits – finding out what you’re entitled to and help to apply.
- Council tax – if your income has reduced we can check if you’re eligible for discounts.
- Debt advice – managing your debts, especially if your income has reduced.
- Digital help – improving your digital skills so you can do more online.
- Getting emergency supplies if you’re in a crisis situation – for example nappies, baby milk, gas and electricity.
- Housing advice or help if you become homeless.
- Pet support – we can arrange things like dog walking if you are self-isolating and have no family or friends to support you.
- Regular phone calls – if you’re feeling lonely we can arrange regular phone calls.
- Salford Citizen’s Advice – advice on everything from your employment and housing rights to support for disabled children and much more.
- Skills and work – help and advice on employment, skills and training.
There were also many community groups and social enterprises who responded with varied support including free delivered readymade hot / cold meals.
As a partner the CCG set up the “stay in touch” service. This was a telephone based service whereby volunteers made calls to people identified through Spirit of Salford as needing regular social contact. .
The calls will be to enabled people to feel ‘connected’ by having a voice at the end of the phone and feeling they are not alone. Volunteers offered a friendly voice to talk about everyday things such as the weather, TV, interests etc. The calls were also to check in and ensure people have the support they need and their situation hasn’t changed.
Seven facilitators were recruited from the CCG team to support the volunteers and to record support given and actions taken by themselves and volunteers.
Here are all the shortlist annouced for Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards 2021.