The aim of the charter is to publicly commit the district’s NHS services to being fully respectful and welcoming to local lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people.

Senior NHS managers will sign the pledge on Thursday 17 May to mark IDAHO Day; an international day to end homophobia. Chief executives from NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds; Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Airedale NHS Foundation Trust; and Bradford District Care Trust will take part.

The pledge will confirm that all local NHS organisations are committed to equality, diversity and human rights policy and support efforts to achieve equality across all diversity areas, including sexual orientation.

It also states that services accept people’s sexual orientation and do not regard being lesbian, gay or bisexual as disorders to be treated. It makes clear that the local NHS does not offer, and does not plan to offer, any form of ‘conversion treatment’ to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

The local IDAHO Day event has been organised by Bradford’s Equity Partnership, with support from Bradford Council, the NHS and the Midland Hotel. After the charter signing there will be an evening of celebration and remembrance, with speeches and candle lighting.

Lynne Carter, head of equality and diversity at NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds, said: “This is really good news as it reflects the strong relationship across the local NHS, working in partnership with the Equity Partnership, and our shared vision for health services which are accessible and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

Rebecca Hewitt, manager of the Equity Partnership, said: “IDAHO Day recognises the achievements of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities but also remembers that some people still suffer homophobia and transphobia in their everyday lives. I’m really pleased that the local NHS is supporting the LGB&T community by reaffirming its commitment to make health services welcoming to everyone.”

NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds was voted the most lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) friendly organisation at the recent Equity Partnership LGB&T awards for its work to improve access to health services in the district.

The award recognised the achievements made by the local NHS to raise awareness of LGB&T health issues among service providers, including GP practices and hospitals, so that their services are welcoming and respectful of everyone.

An NHS service and a local leisure centre are joining forces to promote positive mental health during a national awareness week.

The Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) team from Bradford District Care Trust and Keighley Leisure Centre are hosting an informative event to raise awareness of mental health issues and promote good health as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2012 (21 – 28 May).

Between 9am and 3pm on Thursday 24 May, members of the public of all ages are invited to the Leisure Centre on Hard Ings Road, Keighley, to find out more about how to look after their mental health. The event will provide a chance to speak with experts from the EIP team and take part in discounted exercise activities including an aerobics class, yoga class and swim session. People who have overcome mental health problems in the past will also be on hand to talk about their experiences and answer any questions.

Claire Walker, Service User Support and Development Worker said: “Mental ill health affects one in four people. The aim of the event is to demonstrate how people can look after their mental health, but also to highlight the help that’s available locally should they need it.”

The team of health and social work professionals, which are based at Somerset House in Bradford and Meridian House in Keighley, specialises in working with young people and families affected by psychosis where the young person is experiencing mental health problems for the first time.

For more information about the event please contact Claire Walker on 07534 257532 or claire.walker@bdct.nhs.uk.

Bradford District Care Trust has welcomed Dr Susan Butler and former special advisor, Ralph Coyle, to its Board of Directors.

Prior to joining the organisation Dr Butler spent more than twenty years as a general practitioner, and a further nine years as a primary care trust medical director, most recently of NHS Hull. Ralph has been a special advisor to the Board for the past four years, before this appointment.

Dr Susan Butler said: “I’m really looking forward to getting involved in the work of the Trust and feel my previous NHS experience across the region will be of value to the organisation as it moves towards Foundation Trust status and beyond.”

Ralph Coyle said: “After four enjoyable years as a special advisor to the Board I am extremly pleased to be appointed a non-executive director. I am committed to helping the Trust to become recognised as one of the country’s leading providers of integrated health and social care.”

Both non-executive directors are set to serve the Trust for four years from 3 May, with remuneration of £6,096 a year.

Mike Smith, Acting Chair, said: “The appointments of Susan and Ralph highlight our intentions to progress as an organisation. Susan’s wealth of regional NHS knowledge and experience, combined with Ralph’s previous and valued involvement with the Trust can only stand us in good stead as we look to build momentum with our Foundation Trust application and become more accountable to the communities we serve.”

Dr Butler and Ralph join Non-Executive colleagues Derrick Palmer and Nadira Mirza, who oversee the strategic direction of the Care Trust.

These appointments are in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.  All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Both Susan and Ralph have declared no political activity in the last five years and do not hold any ministerial appointments.

The Family Nurse Partnership service, run by Bradford District Care Trust, secured the donation of life-like dolls and books from MedEquip4Kids to help support young mums in breastfeeding their baby.

The donation also included a number of educational books for teenage parents, including young fathers.

Alex Horsfall, Family Nurse Supervisor, said: “The resources are a huge boost to our service and we can’t wait to start making the most of them in our work with young mothers and fathers across the district.

“They will really help us to promote and support demonstrate safe and effective breastfeeding amongst our young parents.”

The Family Nurse Partnership works with young parents, aged nineteen or younger from early pregnancy until the child turns two, to help them understand their baby, develop emotionally and build positive relationships. The dedicated family nurses also encourage young parents to fulfil their aspirations for baby and themselves.

For more information about the service please visit www.bdct.nhs.uk/fnp

While conducting research for her university course, Olwyn Lidster, Community Psychiatric Nurse in Bradford District Care Trust’s Substance Misuse Services, was horrified when she uncovered the truth about the discrimination Gypsy and Traveller communities face from society.

Determined not to let it go unnoticed, Olwyn set out on a quest to give Gypsies and Travellers a voice and raise the Trust’s profile in their communities – where health problems sometimes go unaddressed until it’s too late.

Olwyn explains: “The amount of Gypsies and Travellers who slip through the net because of their backgrounds is shocking. Because they don’t feel able to admit to society who they are and where they come from because of the discrimination they face, they live invisible lives.”

Even those who do want to seek professional help are often too afraid to disclose their backgrounds, or don’t have the skills required, such as reading or writing, to register with a GP.

Olwyn continues: “Yes they have a different culture, but it is in no way less important than anyone else’s. We just need to understand more about their ways of life to be able to offer them appropriate care.”

Helping the Trust understand more about this culture is Violet and her mother, Violet Senior, two members of the Gypsy community. Working closely with them, Olwyn and Bradford District Care Trust have built up a trust like no other and have gained a remarkable insight into the lives of Gypsies and Travellers, and more importantly how best they can begin to look at ways of meeting their health needs.

“Gypsy and Traveller communities are very private,” Olwyn explains, “as a health care organisation we can’t just turn up and offer health checks or raise awareness of the health issues they may be facing – this has to be done from the inside, by those they trust.”

That’s where Olwyn’s work with Violet and her mother is making progress. As community development workers within their communities they are able to raise awareness of important health messages, signpost to help and encourage people to talk about subjects that are usually considered ‘taboo’.

One such subject is that of substance misuse. Like society as a whole, anecdotal evidence suggests there are substance misuse problems amongst Gypsies and Travellers too, but because its taboo those who do need health support are too afraid to ask.

“Anyone known to be involved with substance misuse in such communities,” Olwyn continues, “can face being banished or can be treated incorrectly for their health needs – simply because the right way, such as receiving support from substance misuse services, isn’t known about.”

A needs assessment, funded by the Joint Commissioning Team for Substance Misuse, confirmed this. Undertaken by Violet and support workers from Horton Housing gateway project, the assessment explained to participants what substance misuse was and asked questions to find out what was understood about drugs and alcohol, and if they knew where they could get help. Only two out of more than 50 said they did.

Violet says: “We have a long history of research which shows Gypsy and Traveller communities have stark health inequalities so it would be amazing if the Trust took a national lead – doing some forward thinking and trying to find cost effective ways to change these inequalities. In this current economic climate it’s easy to ignore the hard to reach but Bradford District Care Trust is not willing to let this happen in Bradford. I feel reinvigorated to work towards change.”

Understanding more about the health requirements of Gypsies and Travellers and how this fits with their culture is at the forefront of the work Olwyn and Violet are carrying out, with the full backing of the Trust’s Executive Management Team, commissioners and the local authority.

To help increase awareness of Gypsies and Travellers amongst local NHS staff, the Care Trust is rolling out cultural competency training in services, facilitated by Violet herself, a trained trainer, and is hosting a seminar for staff to find out more about how the organisation can address the health needs of this isolated community.

Nicola Lees, Chief Operating Officer/Director of Operations and Nursing at the Care Trust, has supported the project from day one. She says: “Giving people in other communities a voice and clearing the pathway to our services is critical. This is just the beginning for Gypsies and Travellers in Bradford.”

This week (22 – 28 April) is Depression Awareness Week, which is held every year to challenge the stigma attached to depression.

The Trust, which provides community health, mental health and social care services for people across Bradford, Airedale and Craven, is encouraging anyone experiencing the symptoms of depression to visit their GP.

“Some people still think that depression is trivial and not a genuine illness, “says Dr Andy McElligott, GP and Medical Director at Bradford District Care Trust,” they’re wrong, it’s is a real illness with real symptoms, and it’s not a sign of weakness.”

He says depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days: “We all go through spells of feeling down, but most of us feel better after a few days. When you’re depressed, you feel persistently sad for weeks or months.”

Signs of Depression include:

• Lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Losing interest in the things you used to enjoy
• Feeling very tearful or anxious
• Feeling irritable or intolerant of others
• Low self esteem

There can be physical symptoms too such as:

• Feeling constantly tired
• Disturbed sleep
• Having no appetite
• No sex drive
• Aches and pains

The severity of the symptoms can vary. At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit, while at its most severe, depression can make you feel suicidal and that life is no longer worth living.

Simon Gelsthorpe, Head of Psychological Therapies at the Trust, added: “Sometimes there is a trigger for depression. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, or losing your job or even having a baby, can bring it on.  People with a family history of depression are also more likely to experience depression themselves. The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery from depression.

“It’s important to seek help from your GP,” says Simon, “many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression,  but the sooner you seek help, the sooner you can be on your way to recovery and the sooner you can access the Trust’s talking treatments (psychological  therapies).

Your GP may refer you to Bradford District Care Trust for talking treatments.  There are different types of talking therapy for depression including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling. However, your GP should be your first port of call; they can refer you to the appropriate local service.

To find out more about talking treatments visit http://www.bdct.nhs.uk/our-mental-health-services/talking-treatment/

• *According to the Depression Alliance

Working with a local community centre and independent mental health units, Bradford District Care Trust’s Health of Men Team has been smoothing the path back into the community for a number of men over the past 12 months.

The men, who are all from different cultures and backgrounds, support each other at weekly meetings by discussing their health problems or engaging in activities.

From gardening or cook-and-eat sessions to weight management or general health talks, they are taking great strides towards healthier lifestyles and social inclusion.

Merv Pemberton, Community Health Improvement Practitioner at Bradford District Care Trust set up the project. He said: “It’s a world away from the mental health units some of them are used to and it’s all about promoting a better well-being and a brighter future.”

Despite English being many of the men’s second languages, the project has united the group and broken down barriers to communication and the stigma surrounding mental health.

The partnership work with the Sangat Centre, The Willows and Ghyllside, has also seen the men attend other groups across district, gain more confidence to meet other people and have greater knowledge of men’s health.

Ghulam Rabani, Sangat Centre Manager, said: “It’s a great way of bringing different communities together. Everyone is welcome to the group and it creates a sense of belonging. It also teaches people a lot about respecting each other.

“The partnership work we’re all involved with is helping us all to live and prosper together for the future of our next generations.”

To find out more about the work of the Health of Men service locally visit: www.bdct.nhs.uk/healthofmen/. New members are always welcome to the group. Anyone interested in joining can drop in on Thursday’s, 11am -1pm at the Sangat Centre in Keighley. Please contact Mr Rabani on 01535 610263 for more information.

Seniors Show the Way, delivered by Bradford District Care Trust, hosts fortnightly reminiscence writing classes in Shipley and is currently recruiting new members.

Shiela Jeffery, a Community Health Champion for Seniors Show the Way, started writing her memoirs a few years ago and set up the reminiscence writing class so others could also preserve their memories for generations to come.

Shiela said: “After being inspired by another Community Health Champion I wanted to give others the opportunity to get involved and get their thoughts and memories down on paper.

“Not only is it an enjoyable exercise to do that provokes lots of memories from the years gone by, it’s also a nice social activity.”

The free class is held on alternative Thursday mornings, 10.30am – 12.00pm at the

Kirkgate Centre, Shipley. The next class will be held on Thursday 19 April.

For more information about the reminiscence writing class please contact Seniors Show the Way on 01274 321911 or by email: seniors@bdct.nhs.uk

Consultants Dr Suzanne Heywood-Everett and Dr Nicola Dawson will be talking about eating disorders in both children and adults at the event at Leeds City College (Keighley Campus) from 6.00 – 7.30pm.
Eating disorders are thought to affect 1.6 million people in the UK*, across all ages.
Dr Heywood-Everett, Clinical Psychologist Consultant, has over 14 years experience specialising in the subject and recently presented at the National Eating Disorders Conference. She said: “We’ll be giving an overview of eating problems before discussing some of the different reasons why eating disorders occur, what might help and what things act as barriers to change.”

Dr Dawson, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, is the Clinical Lead for the Bradford Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Service which works with young people in the community who are battling an eating disorder and their families.

This is a members’ event but non-members are also welcome to attend and there will be opportunities to join the Trust on the day. Membership is free.

To book your place call 01274 363601 or email mathew.blythe@bdct.nhs.uk.

This is just one of a series of talks being held by the Trust. Any suggestions from the public for future talks are welcomed.

Reflecting on the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations whose work has benefitted local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) communities, the event attracted more than 100 guests to the Midland Hotel as the winners of five awards were revealed.

Liz Parsons, Project Officer, Involvement and Equality Team at Bradford District Care Trust, received the award for ‘Most Dynamic LGB&T Champion’, for her work to passionately and effectively champion the rights and interests of LGB&T people in Bradford & district.

She said: “Winning this award feels great and I’m very honoured. The award is recognition and an important way to say thank you to all those people who contribute to LGB&T equality, in particular our network members. It does not matter how small or large that contribution is – it shows we are making progress.”

Lisa Wright, Head of Involvement and Equality at the Trust, said: “As an organisation we’re committed to doing what we can to stamp out the stigma LGB&T communities can sometimes unfortunately experience and I’m delighted Liz has been recognised for contributing significantly to this aim.”

Singer-songwriter Belinda O’Hooley and Yorkshire-born author Paul Burston (‘Shameless’) hosted the glamorous evening and entertainment was provided in the shape of comic, presenter, actor and writer Shelley Cooper and signer-songwriter Jess Gardham.

- News release with thanks to Hannah Kidd, who produced this article while on work experience at the Trust.