From the Chief Executive
We have been very busy since the last @WL newsletter was published, celebrating some key dates in our calendar.
May is always a busy month and this year was no exception as we marked Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme was loneliness and we launched a digital marketing campaign, focusing on our excellent perinatal mental health services. As a result of this campaign we've already seen an increase in referrals to our service.
Finally, since our last newsletter we received a letter from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, commending the work of our Rough Sleeping Mental Health Programme (RAMHP) team.
Next week is Carers' Week. This year's theme is making caring 'Visible, Valued and Supported' and we will be highlighting the voice of our incredible carers who make up the West London NHS Trust Carers' Council.
Also, our Trust Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be on 12 July, so please look out for joining details nearer the time.
We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter.
Carolyn Regan
Chief Executive
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Trust marks World Autism Acceptance Week
April began with World Autism Acceptance Week (28 March to 2 April). Throughout the week, the Trust shared resources on social media, tackling myths and common public misconceptions about autism, for example, that 'all autistic people are math geniuses' and 'everyone's a little bit autistic'.
The Trust also shared a variety of resources, including videos about how to assess autism and how the assessment process works.
Click here to read more about how the Trust marked the awareness week here.
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Mental Health Awareness Week launches ground-breaking new campaigns and partnerships
The Trust marked Mental Health Awareness Week from Monday 9 May until Sunday 15 May. This year the theme was 'loneliness' and the Trust took the opportunity to launch a number of ground-breaking campaigns, including its digital perinatal campaign and partnership with QPR (see below).
The week also saw the installation of a blue plaque by English Heritage at St Bernard's Hospital to commemorate Dr John Conolly, who was influential in advocating a system of non-restraint which removed the handcuffs, leg irons and straitjackets that were regularly used in most asylums at the time.
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Trust launches digital marketing campaign
The Trust has launched a digital marketing campaign about its perinatal mental health service. Perinatal mental health is crucial in ensuring the health and wellbeing of both the birthing parent and the baby.
If you are pregnant or have just given birth and are suffering from symptoms of perinatal mood disorder, it's much more difficult to care for yourself and another tiny, growing human.
Our recent campaign aims to highlight how important it is to reach out to those who might need us and let them know they're not alone.
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Trust teams up with QPR in the Community Trust to help tackle mental health issues in the community
The Trust also announced its pioneering new partnership with Queen's Park Rangers in the Community Trust during Mental Health Awareness Week.
A team of mental health professionals from West London will be moving into Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, home of the football club, in a bid to reach out to more people who require mental health support.
Dr Julia Renton, Clinical Director of Community and Mental Health Services, spoke to BBC London about the partnership.
Read more about the partnership here.
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International Nurses Day puts #BestOfNursing in the spotlight
Thursday 12 May marked International Nurses Day. This year the theme was #BestOfNursing and we took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the exceptional nurses working for the Trust.
One of our nurse practitioners Jade Thorne took over the Trust Instagram page, showcasing her day to day activities. Meanwhile, the Trust launched a #BestOfNursing competition and staff were invited to nominate nurses who go above and beyond their duties.
A couple of our nursing staff were also invited to meet with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid at the Department of Health and Social Care, where they discussed their experience of being a nurse and were thanked for their commitment and hard work.
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Trust welcomes three refugees into nursing roles
The Trust has also supported three refugee nurses who have found 'meaningful' employment within its services. The Trust teamed up with several charities, including Talent Beyond Boundaries and The Shaw Trust, to explore hiring refugee nurses.
In April, we were pleased to welcome three nurses from Syria and Palestine, who were based in Lebanon, and are now working at Clayponds Hospital. There are also plans for another five refugee nurses to join the Trust by the end of this month.
Read more about how the Trust is supporting refugee nurses here.
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Mayor of London praises Trust’s work to support rough sleepers with mental health problems
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, wrote a letter to the Trust's Rough Sleeping and Mental Health Programme (RAMHP) Team praising them for their hard work.
The programme was launched more than two years ago by a number of agencies, including the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority.
Sadiq said the service makes a 'real difference' to rough sleepers' mental health and has helped people off the streets.
Read more about what Sadiq had to say about the team here.
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West London NHS Trust | www.westlondon.nhs.uk
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