26 January 2023
Catch-up flu clinics for children in Luton
‘Catch-up’ flu clinics for children aged 2 to 15 are set to take place in Luton this weekend (Saturday 28 January) and during the February…
Home »
A collaboration between BLMK ICB, NHS digital transformation experts, Arden & GEM, and evidence-based mental health tool developers ShinyMind, resulted in the Shine Programme. This initiative has improved both the wellbeing and resilience of the primary care workforce while simultaneously enabling patients to better self-manage their mental health.
The challenge
The NHS Fuller Stocktake report recognises an urgent need to address the increasing demand upon primary care services to provide proactive and personalised care. It also highlighted that “primary care teams are stretched beyond capacity, with staff morale at a record low” – a challenge we were keen to address.
In addition, with mental health issues affecting 1 in 4 people, we also recognised the need to invest more in mental health support for the local population. This was particularly prudent in supporting people with long term conditions given that poor mental health is the most common co-morbidity for this cohort of patients.
The approach
The overall aim of the project was to simultaneously support the primary care workforce’s wellbeing while helping Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes patients to better self-manage their health. This was achieved via the Shine Programme – a unique solution that utilises an evidence-based mental health digital tool, ShinyMind.
The Shine Programme was designed as a wellbeing initiative for both patients and primary care staff and includes three key elements: the ShinyMind app, a customised ‘prescribing’ portal and a training programme for ‘prescribers’.
The ShinyMind app, which was originally developed for and co-created with NHS staff, blends science and research to offer users interactive exercises, advice and resources that improve wellbeing and resilience. Each practice taking part in the programme was given licences for their staff in addition to 500 annual patient licences.
The programme targeted citizens aged over 18, including those experiencing anxiety and depression, living with long-term conditions or facing the greatest health inequalities. This included access to specific ‘LifePacks’ (e.g.. coping with anxiety and mental wellness) matched to the needs of patients to personalise support and enable better self-management of health conditions.
The outcomes
The first phase of the programme, which launched in 2021, has been successful with feedback from both patients and staff collected through completion of a confidential research questionnaire.
It has addressed multiple objectives including streamlining access to care and advice, providing more proactive personalised for those with multiple long-term conditions, helping people to stay well for longer through prevention, and utilising digital solutions to drive population health management.
The programme has widened access to primary care services by expanding the workforce able to prescribe support to those suffering with poor mental health who aren’t at the threshold to receive traditional mental health support.
Staff findings and feedback:
“Very beneficial not only for patients but for myself”
“Really excited to implement this wonderful programme”
Patient findings and feedback:
“I go on here when I am anxious and makes me feel like I’ve dropped lots of weight off my shoulders – love, love this app.”
“Using this anywhere is helpful, it has made me feel less alone in dealing with stuff, and when I’m stressed it’s like a go to dealing with it. I have been surprised how much it has helped me.”
“For me it’s shown me the right path of the start of a new life.”
You can find more information about ShinyMind on their website here – https://shinymind.co.uk/
Is this what you're looking for?
26 January 2023
Catch-up flu clinics for children in Luton
‘Catch-up’ flu clinics for children aged 2 to 15 are set to take place in Luton this weekend (Saturday 28 January) and during the February…
26 January 2023
Bedfordshire Hospitals’ Midwives win NHS England’s Chief Midwife Officer’s Silver Award
Professor Jacqueline Dunkley–Bent OBE, NHS England’s Chief Midwifery Officer, recently awarded three of our marvellous midwives at Bedfordshire Hospitals these coveted awards. The Chief Midwife…
26 January 2023
Healthy Mother, Healthy Pregnancy Event
Health and care professionals are invited to attend a ‘Healthy Mother, Healthy Pregnancy’ event hosted by the Local Maternity & Neonatal System (LMNS) at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated…
24 January 2023
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
Bedford Borough is encouraging residents who have received a letter from their GP inviting them to a cervical screening test, to attend their appointment. Screening helps to detect any pre-cancer…
17 January 2023
Changes to provider for Ivel Medical Centre, Biggleswade
Statement on Ivel Medical Centre, Biggleswade The GP partners at Ivel Medical Centre in Biggleswade have notified Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) of their decision…
17 January 2023
First ‘Using Quality Improvement to Tackle Inequity’ workshop held in BLMK
A workshop on using quality improvement to tackle inequity was delivered for the first time in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes – a big step forward as part of Bedfordshire,…