Welcome from the Chair and Chief Executive

It gives us great pleasure to present this summary version of our Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23 for Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

It has been another busy year for the Trust and we have much to be proud of. In May 2022, we received our rating following our Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. Overall we were rated ‘good’ with inspectors praising our open and supportive culture. Whilst there was much to celebrate there are areas for improvement particularly within our inpatient services which we have progressed over the year including works to improve environments and strengthening plans around ligature reduction. What remains clear though, is that we are committed to working with our staff, patients, carers and partners to provide the very best mental health, learning disability and children’s services for the people of the Black Country.

In July 2022, the Trust became the Lead Provider for mental health across the Black Country. We were already the Lead Provider for learning disabilities and autism, and we believe this strategic development will bring greater collaboration and integration across health and care in the Black Country. We are starting to see some of the benefits of this approach with increased partnership working and responsibilities that allows us to plan care that meets the needs of our population.

Again, this year has been challenging for the whole health and care system and we have seen substantial increases in demand for our services with many of our patients often presenting with more complex needs. Our incredible teams have remained resilient and their continued commitment makes us proud of the difference they make.

Transformation continues to be a major theme for us. We have seen some positive developments through our community mental health transformation programme including the launch of specialist dementia nurses, also known as admiral nurses across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. The Recovery College has also expanded into Dudley and Walsall and we’ve received national recognition for how we have been engaging young people to make services more youth friendly.

We also made some key senior appointments throughout the year; including the permanent appointment of Marsha Foster as Chief Executive Officer. We also welcomed Paula Lloyd-Knight as Deputy Chief Operations Officer and Katrina Smith as our Company Secretary, and more recently, David Moon has joined as a Non-Executive Director and Susan Van Genderen has taken up the interim post of Director of Therapies for the Trust.

Our eradication of dormitory wards projects have seen positive progress with building works well underway at our Dorothy Pattison Hospital site with a planned completion date of spring/summer 2024. Our other scheme, the Edward Street Hospital refurbishment is also moving at pace with works due to commence in Autumn 2023, with the building due for completion in 2025.

And finally, we want to express our thanks to colleagues, service users, carers, volunteers, Governors, Board members and partners across the system for helping us all to keep safe and continuing to do what we do best – working together to ensure our communities achieve happier, healthier lives.

Marsha Foster
Chief Executive Officer

Jeremy Vanes
Chair

Who we are and what we do

Across the four boroughs of the Black Country we provide:

  • Adult and older adult mental health services
  • Specialist learning disability services
  • Mental health services for children and young people

We also provide community healthcare services for children, young people and families in Dudley.

Key statistics

3,959 staff

7 hospitals

297 beds

47 community sites

We serve a community of 1.4m

£312.6m annual turnover

Care Quality Commission rated Good

Our highlights of the year

  • We signed up to the national Menopause Pledge and held a number of workshops and groups to support staff experiencing symptoms.
  • Our Thrive into Work employment support service was extended highlighting the vital impact it has had in helping people with long-term health conditions find work.
  • Our Mental Health in Schools project hosted a national visit to showcase the work they have been doing with local schools.
  • We worked with local partners to launch the Cosy Café in Dudley, offering employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities and a space for a hot drink during the winter months.
  • We continued to invest in our digital estate to enhance how we use digital, data and technology.
  • The Recovery College expanded to all boroughs across the Black Country offering free learning and courses for people who have an interest in, or personal difficulties with mental health.
  • Launched an Admiral Nurse service for the Black Country, with specialist nurses supporting families affected by Dementia.
  • Set up the Let’s Talk project, aiming to reduce loneliness and social isolation by working with communities offering a range of free activities for people to take part in.
  • Launched a new Maternal Mental Health service supporting those affected by perinatal loss.
  • We created a Community Inclusion Worker model as part of the journey to tackle health inequalities.
  • Rolled out a core model for mental health services for children and young people, ensuring consistent support is available across all boroughs of the Black Country.
  • Launched our In-Reach to Care Home service supporting care home residents with their mental health needs.
  • The Black Country All-Age Eating Disorder Service was recognised as one of the highest performers in the country.
  • We co-produced an autism roadmap through a series of workshops and events that sets out the support available across the Black Country.
  • Empowered our staff networks to increase visibility and supported them to undertake ambitious projects.
  • Held a range of vibrant equality, diversity and inclusion events on a range of topics hosting national speakers, specialist training and celebrating our rich and diverse culture.
  • Provided financial wellbeing support and advice to staff to support them with cost of living.

Lead Provider

The Trust has continued to develop its role and influence across the wider Black Country system during 2022/23, and was formally awarded Lead Provider status for Mental Health in July (having successfully held this role for Learning Disabilities and Autism since October 2021).

What is the Mental Health / Learning Disability and Autism 'Lead Provider?

Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) has entered into a single contract with Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) to commission the entirety of the (in-scope) MH/LDA pathway for the Black Country population.

As Lead Provider BCHFT is responsible for the systems performance and 'outcomes' with regards to mental health, learning disabilities and autism.

As Lead Provider BCHFT makes resource allocation decisions (e.g. financial) on where to invest to achieve the best outcomes.

Black Country ICB retains is statutory responsibilities. Clear governance arrangements are in place for the enhanced responsibilities of BCHFT, with a Joint Oversight Committee between the Trust and the ICB.

As Lead Provider BCHFT determines the best arrangements to deliver these outcomes, including through collaborative working with system partners, engagement of Lived Experience Consultants, contracting with other providers and driving transformation.

As Lead Provider BCHFT determines the best arrangements to deliver these outcomes, including through collaborative working with system partners, engagement of Lived Experience Consultants, contracting with other providers and driving transformation.

As Lead Provider BCHFT has a 'delineated arm' of the organisation (the Transformation and Integration Hub) which manages the day-to-day Lead Provider responsibilities and decision-making.

Working with partners and stakeholders across the system, the Trust has led on a number of programmes of change to enhance access to, and quality of services, and in order to achieve a greater emphasis on prevention, mental wellbeing and advancing health equity.

Benefits of the Lead Provider approach

  • Better experiences and outcomes for the people we support
  • Opportunity to develop a shared vision and strategy for services, driving more integrated pathways of care
  • More engagement and co-production with people with live experience, communities and the voluntary sector
  • A direct and mutually beneficial working relationship with partners across health and care, including local authorities and the voluntary sector
  • More involvement for professionals, managers and teams in driving change for the benefit of our communities

Some of our Lead Provider achievements so far:

Learning disabilities and autism

  • We are performing above the national average, for proportion of both adults, and children and young people (CYP), in inpatient settings.
  • Crash Pads are now in place for both adults and CYP, providing an alternative to admission.
  • The Keyworker Team have been recognised as an area of best practice.
  • A specialist trauma focused pathway is being commissioned to help people at risk of admission, or for individuals who have been in hospital for a significant amount of time.

Adult and older adult mental health

  • Our community mental health transformation programme has progressed, aiming to expand and improve provision.
  • We have strengthened crisis alternatives. The Black Country 24/7 Helpline is now nationally accredited.
  • The High Intensity Service User programme in Wolverhampton has supported a 60% reduction in A&E attendances for the service user group.
  • We collaborated with West Midlands Ambulance Service to develop the local model for mental health ambulance response.

Children and young people’s mental health

  • We have strengthened emotional mental health and wellbeing services in the Black Country.
  • We have provided keyworker roles to support CYP who present at acute hospitals following an incident of self-harm or due to concerns around their mental health.
  • We are working with Midland Young Advisors to develop a participation strategy.
  • Developed a avoidance / early discharge​ project for CYP who are accessing eating disorders services to provide wrap-around care in the community,

Keep in touch

We always want to hear from people about the work we do, and we encourage feedback and ideas. If you would like to talk to us please email: bchft.communications@nhs.net.

If you require this document in another language or format such as large print, braille or easy read, contact our communications team on 01384 325015 or email bchft.communications@nhs.net.

To view a full copy of our Annual Report and Accounts, please visit: www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/about-us/publications-reports.

Join our team

We’re always looking for new people to join our friendly team. If you’re looking for a new job where you can really make a difference, check out our latest vacancies: www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/working-for-us.

Or maybe you’re interested in becoming a governor or a member of the trust? Our members and governors represent the people who use our services and the communities we serve. Find out more: www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/about-us/membership.