News & Updates
Newham Talking Therapies – QI project to increase the numbers of referrals from young black men aged 18-25
18 October 2023
By Rachel Glover – Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner The journey began in 2021 and was inspired by a service audit completed using the Black Asian Minority Ethnic BABCP positive practice guideline, which evaluated best practices across IAPT services with a focus on race. The audit highlighted a lack of representation from Black males in Newham,… Read More
Improving trauma-informed support during pregnancy to women and birthing people from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds with moderate to severe fear of birth (tokophobia)
12 October 2023
By Dr Amanda Spong (Principle Clinical Psychologist), Zareen Kazim (Assistant Psychologist), and Linnea Miklaucich (Improvement Advisor) Tokophobia represents a profound fear of childbirth. Women and birthing people who experience adverse events during childbirth have an increased risk of developing tokophobia in subsequent pregnancies. The risks of adverse events are higher for women and birthing people… Read More
Transforming Dual Diagnosis Care: Fostering Collaboration for Improved Service User Experience
12 October 2023
By Chloe Preston, Improvement Advisor In this 5-minute read, learn how CMHTs in Luton are working collaboratively with external organisations to improve the care of dual-diagnosis service users. There is a growing recognition of the profound challenges faced by individuals coping with both mental health issues and substance misuse. These individuals often endure some of… Read More
Enhancing the Role and Recognition of SAS Doctors in ELFT
12 October 2023
A dedicated team of Specialist, Associate Specialist, and Specialty (SAS) Doctors have started a project to address a pressing equity issue around their treatment and recognition. This initiative seeks to empower SAS Doctors, contributing to reshape the healthcare landscape and improve patient care. The Equity Issue: The central issue that the ELFT team is tackling… Read More
Are Questionnaires Fit for Purpose? New Project Aims to Adapt New Approach in Autism Service
12 October 2023
By Dr. Guy Ansah-Palmer (Locum Specialty Doctor in Aldgate and Moorgate Wards) with contribution from William Diaz (Improvement Advisor) Problem All service users on Aldgate Ward have a diagnosis of autism as well as, in some cases, comorbid mental illness. It was recently highlighted that the standardised questionnaires (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWS), the Simple… Read More
Reducing inequalities in access to services – Newham Specialist Psychotherapy Service
12 October 2023
By Japneet Ahluwalia-Rao (Clinical Psychologist), Isaac Akunde (Clinical Psychologist) and Lucy Brewer (Improvement Advisor) As a project team of clinicians and people with lived experience of caring and/or accessing services, we have been working on understanding how racial inequalities operates within access to the Newham Specialist Psychotherapy Service (SPS). Our service examined their caseload data… Read More
Removing barriers for under-represented groups accessing care in Tower Hamlets Psychological Therapies Service
12 October 2023
Vahishta Pardiwalla (project lead), Abi Harris, Gabriel Meszaros, Louise Hamilton Vickers, Ayesha Pudaruth, Aurora Todisco (carer), Elliott White (sponsor), Dalila Magdu (coach) The Tower Hamlets Psychological Therapies (THPTS) service conducted an in-depth analysis of their caseload data in relation to the 2021 census data for Tower Hamlets. This revealed a significant disparity: Despite Bangladeshi individuals… Read More
Increasing early identification of Bangladeshi people at the end of their life in Tower Hamlets
12 October 2023
By Sabeen Jabbar (Advance Care Planning Nurse) and Clarissa Sorlie (Improvement Advisor) The Advance Care Planning Team in Tower Hamlets Community Health Services supports people in the last year of their life with future planning, encompassing conversations about their physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs. This includes discussions about preferred place of care, preferred place… Read More
