It’s estimated that more than 15 million people in England, almost one in three of the population, suffer from a long term condition. They will also account for many emergency hospital admissions. So caring for people in the community with problems like heart disease, asthma and diabetes is a major part of the NHS’s work in the 21st century. One way Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust is tackling the issue in Huntingdonshire is with a team of highly experienced, senior nurses called community matrons who focus on helping vulnerable older people who have two or more complex conditions, who are vulnerable to emergency hospital admission. The matrons co-ordinate people’s health and social care support and help them self-manage their conditions so they can live as independently as possible. By identifying problems early people are able to get the right care and medication quickly, which if left unchecked, can result in an admission to hospital. Carol Clapham is one of these community matrons. She said: “Life can be tough enough when someone has a long term condition, but if they have several health problems life can become very difficult.

“I visit people at home to assess their health and review the support that may be needed. This can often involve liaising with hospital consultants, GPs, nursing staff, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers to ensure people get the support and help they need. I also often work with the voluntary sector, housing departments and the Benefits Agency to support people’s wider needs, as this can impact on their health and well-being.”

Community matrons will support patients to develop a personalised healthcare plan aiming to improve their quality of life and enhance understanding of their health. Carol has a caseload of around 60 people locally and can see them anywhere from daily, if they’re particularly unwell, to monthly check-ups. She added: “Being a community matron allows me to build a strong relationship with people and make a real difference to their lives. People get to know and trust us, which is really rewarding”. Examples of how Carol helps her clients can be found at www.care-network.org.uk/case studies.

Care Network passes on news from other organisations.... Community matrons tackle long term conditions

Community Matron Carol Clapham with a clients and her husband

Care Network passes on news from other organisations....

On Friday, 26 July Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, visited the recently completed £2 million refurbishment of Doddington community hospital. He was given a guided tour by Matthew Winn, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, Tracey Cooper, Unit Manager, Ely and the Fens, and Carla Stevens, Head of Administration. He was shown the newly refurbished facilities, which includes a new main entrance and reception area, the minor injury unit, outpatients department, offices and landscaped grounds. A new roof has also been fitted to the main building. As well as a chance to look at the new facilities, it was an opportunity for him to meet front line staff to learn more about their day to day role, including the leads for the minor injury unit, radiology, physiotherapy and others, and learned how the hospital also acts as hub for community health services provided in people’s homes in the Doddington area. He also met the Friends of Doddington hospital, who have raised more than £50,000 in the past ten years, including most recently £6500 on new chairs for the outpatient department waiting room and clinical areas. Tracey Cooper, Unit Manager, Ely and the Fens, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, explained: “We’re delighted that Steve Barclay MP agreed to visit the major refurbishment, which reflects our commitment to Doddington community hospital and is a key element of our services for local people. He also spoke to our front line clinicians and took a keen interest in the challenges they face.” Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, said: “I had a very interesting day visiting Doddington hospital. I was delighted to be shown round the new facilities, which are good news for local people. It was also a great opportunity to meet staff to learn about the challenges they face and what I can do as a local MP to support health services. “It was a great pleasure to meet those who do so much to provide much appreciated care for patients in our community. I was also grateful for the chance to meet the Friends of Doddington hospital who have worked so hard to fundraise for the excellent refurbishments and new furniture. They all do a great job in supporting our local hospital and I know that patients will be thankful for their efforts when they come to stay.” Doddington community hospital lies in the heart of the Fens, providing a wide range of services to local people, including thousands of out-patient and diagnostic attendances each year. For further information contact Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust’s Communications Team on 01480 308266; or email CCScommunications@ccs.nhs.uk

Care Network passes on news from other organisations.... Steve Barclay MP visits Doddington Community Hospital

Steve Barclay MP pictured with the Friends of Doddington Hospital

Care Network passes on news from other organisations....

Care Network passes on news from other organisations....

Care Network passes on news from other organisations....

Care Network passes on news from other organisations....

Care Network passes on news from other organisations.... Carers Information & Support Drop In The Carers Support Team is developing a new service in Cambridgeshire. We are facilitating some Carers Support & Information Drop In Sessions at community venues throughout the county. The session will last for between 2 & 3 hours and Carers can either just pop in and receive informa-tion from the Carers Support Managers or professionals from partner organisations, or stay and have some refreshments and some social time with other Carers. There is also an opportunity to have a Carers Assessment or Review completed at the Drop In. There will be regular speakers and activities which will be advertised at the groups and in the Carers Magazine. Below are the venues, times, and dates of all of the Drop Ins running at the moment along with the Carers Support Managers’ contact details.

Venue Day/Times Dates Wisbech Library Union Place Wisbech PE13 1EU

Tuesdays 1.00pm-4.00pm

2nd July, 6th August, 3rd September, 8th October, 5th November, 3rd December 2013, 7th January, 4th February, 4th March 2014

March Library City Road March PE15 9LT

Wednesdays 10.00am-1.00pm

10th July, 14th August, 11th September, 9th October, 13th November, 9th December (Note Monday)**, 2013 15th January, 12th February, 12th March 2014

Littleport Village Hall Victoria Street Littleport Ely CB6 1LX

Thursdays 10.00am-1.00pm

18th July, 22nd August, 19th September, 24th October, 21st November, 19th December 2013 23rd January, 20th February, 20th March 2014

The Youth Room Meadow Centre Catherine’s Road Cambridge CB 4 3XJ

Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm

4th July, 1st August, 5th September, 3rd October, 7th November, 5th December 2013 9th January, 6th February, 6th March 2014

Flaxfields Nichols Court Linton Cambridge CB21 4AF

Tuesdays 10.30-12.30

16th July, 20th August, 17th September, 15th October, 19th November, 17th December 2013 21st January, 18th February, 18th March 2014

Hartford Village Hall Main Street Hartford Huntingdon PE29 1XU

Mondays 10.00am-1.00pm

5th August, 2nd September, 7th October, 4th November, 2nd December 2013

Contact Details for the Carers Support Manager for the above Drop Ins

Gemma Whitehouse 01480 373278 Huntingdon

Fenland & East Cambs Julie Jeffryes 01354 750010

Cambridge City & South Sue Mayes 01480 373281