Member news
Message from Chief Executive, Ify Okocha and Chair, Andrew George
We have all seen the shocking scenes of violence, riot and unrest across the country since the horrific and tragic incident in Southport, last week. We know a constant stream of upsetting stories and images in the news and on social media will be causing some people to feel afraid.
Oxleas is committed to equity for all. Our programme Building Fairer Oxleas Services, aims to tackle health inequalities and inequities experienced by the people who use our services and their families. Our well-established Building a Fairer Oxleas programme focusing on our staff, grew out of our response to the murder of George Floyd and the need to tackle systemic racism. We want Oxleas to be a place where people feel comfortable talking about their race, disability, sexuality, gender, lived experience of mental health issues, and to know that they will feel listened to and heard.
Oxleas, as an organisation, condemns racism, in whatever form, whether to our colleagues, our patients or our local communities. We are a proudly anti-racist and anti-discrimination organisation.
If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health help, please visit the Help in a crisis page on our website for signposting.
South London’s NHS 111 for Mental Health service – here to help you
Local people of all ages who have urgent mental health concerns can get specialist NHS help, advice and clinical support when needed by phone, 24-7, through south London’s NHS 111 for Mental Health service.
A new campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the service, run in partnership by south London’s three NHS mental health trusts – Oxleas, South London and Maudsley (SLaM), and South West London and St George’s – and serving 3.7 million people across 12 boroughs south of the river.
People who need to speak to a mental health professional urgently, whether for themselves or a loved one, friend of colleague, are encouraged to call 111 and select the mental health option.
Dr Isabel McMullen, Consultant Psychiatrist for SLaM and King’s College Hospital and Clinical Director for the service, said:
“Since we introduced this local service, run by NHS mental health professionals, hundreds of people in south London have called to get support and advice for their urgent mental health needs. If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, please call your local NHS crisis service here in south London. We have specially trained NHS mental health expert practitioner and clinicians ready to listen, support and help you.”
People who are generally concerned about your mental health and wellbeing but don’t feel that you need urgent or immediate help, please contact your GP or visit the NHS website to find out about support you can get.
People who are already in contact with NHS mental health services can use contact details they have given you for immediate support. If unable to get hold of someone but need urgent help, please call 111.
NHS 111 for Mental Health is a special additional service launched by the NHS in south London to help get local people who need urgent and crisis mental health support the right care and support, when they need it.
For more information: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/
Share your feedback on the NHS 111 for Mental Health service
NHS England would like to hear from people who have accessed crisis mental health care services through the NHS 111 ‘select mental health option’ service. They have published a survey to gather feedback on how people are finding the service and the quality of support they have received.
Responses collected through the survey will be analysed to identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance the quality of care provided.
The survey is available on the NHS website here: Mental health crisis care services – national patient feedback survey - NHS England - Citizen Space
If you require an alternative format of this survey, please contact england.adultmh@nhs.net.
Message from Oxleas Chair and Chief Executive to staff and patients
Dear All,
We have all seen the shocking scenes of violence, riot and unrest across the country since the horrific and tragic incident in Southport, last week. We know a constant stream of upsetting stories and images in the news and on social media will be causing some people to feel afraid. We want to make sure everyone feels supported at this time.
Oxleas is committed to equity for all. Our Building a Fairer Oxleas programme grew out of our response to the murder of George Floyd and the need to tackle systemic racism. Our work grows year by year. We want Oxleas to be a place where people feel comfortable raising issues that relate to race, disability, sexuality, gender, lived experience of mental health issues, and to know that they will feel listened to and heard.
It is worth restating that Oxleas, as an organisation, condemns racism, in whatever form, whether to our colleagues, our patients or our local communities. We are a proudly anti-racist and anti-discrimination organisation. If you are subject to abuse, we would strongly encourage you report it so that you can access the support that you need.
Amanda Pritchard , NHS Chief Executive, has given a strong message of support to colleagues across the NHS. People from more than 200 nationalities make up the NHS workforce. Her statement is at NHS England - Statement from Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive and we support her in saying: 'You are welcome, you are a valued member of our community, and that community should look after you’.
Please take time to support each other. With our thanks for all that you do to care for our patients without judgement or prejudice.
Yours
Ify Okocha and Andrew George
Chief Executive and Chair, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Read the latest edition of Engage
Issue Eight - September 2024
The latest edition of our membership newsletter is now available. Click on the image to read.
Going forward, we will be moving to an annual Engage newsletter, with the next one published in September 2025.
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