Developed by Tony Connell Learning and Development Consultant and the East Midlands Health Trainer Hub, hosted by NHS Derbyshire County Making Every Contact Count Orientation Session

Learning Outcomes By the end of the session staff will: Be provided with an overview of the MECC Toolkit Understand the economic and personal value of self care Be aware of the underpinning principles of MECC Have identified points of client contact where they could be provided with health improvement information Have produced a ‘vision statement’ on providing health promotion messages Identify any outstanding information needs.

Future forum summary report ‘…every contact must count as an opportunity to maintain, and where possible, improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing’ ‘…preventing poor health and promoting healthy living is essential to reduce health inequalities and sustain the NHS for future generations’.

Why do we work here? What is our purpose of our role in this organisation?

Pre session survey How much of an opportunity do you think you have to promote health and wellbeing with patients/clients you come into contact with? 1 = no opportunity 2 = rarely 3 = sometimes 4 = most of the time 5 = always

The Midlands and East needs to change 19% - 25% of the population smoke 15% - 18% drinking at increasing risk and; 4% - 6% drinking at high risk levels 61% of men do not meet recommended Physical Activity levels 71% of women do not meet recommended Physical Activity levels 22% - 26% of men are obese 24% - 28% of women are obese 75% of men and 71% of women do not eat 5 a day

The value of self-care and preventative approaches to ill health 70% of the health demands made on the NHS are preventable 90% of illness and injury is self treated 90% of NHS interventions are primary care 1% of all illnesses and injuries require hospital care. G Lister 2008

Benefits of MECC For staff Improved and quicker outcomes from treatment e.g. wounds healing Staff have greater ownership of lifestyle change Develop a sense of self- efficacy through educating the public Satisfaction in improving overall outcomes for the patient. For the organisation Increased staff knowledge and competence Improved service quality as more engaged staff Links to QIPP and other national and regional strategies Direct cost savings Less staff sick days through improved health. ‘After the presentation on Behaviour Change, I decided that I seriously needed to lose weight. I have joined Weight Watchers and feel really positive about that’ As a result of the initiative and the success of the pilot, we have embedded it within our physical activity provision. We have improved relationships with partner organisations and are continuing to offer a consistent approach to improving lifestyles

Benefits to service users Better health and wellbeing, quicker treatment outcomes Personal, tailored support in making positive change Getting better and feeling better Increased confidence and motivation Contribution to the reduction of health inequalities.

MECC: a definition There is a need for a culture change amongst organisations towards prevention, to bring the promotion of mental and physical health and wellbeing into the mainstream – doing this has become known as MECC Frontline staff should be trained to raise healthy lifestyle issues opportunistically. This is often known as Brief advice which is less in depth and more informal than a brief intervention. It involves giving information about the importance of behaviour change and simple advice and sign posting to appropriate lifestyle services for support.

What does MECC mean to you MECC means making the best of every opportunity to raise the issue of health behaviours, give facts and dispel myths Staff member’s role is to respond to the health needs of the client by providing appropriate information on where to go for further advice or support.

Discussion A whole systems approach: - to help support a consistent approach to improving lifestyles - to support the workforce to influence positive lifestyle behaviour choices -which is based on ‘making every contact count’ -Individual and organisational components which focuses on ensuring equity of access to health services and equity of health outcomes.

Questions that need answers How much do we do this already? Where do we want to be? Any worries or things that will stop us?

Summary Aim Piloted Flexible Step by step guide to implement Tools Training and workshop slides What next!

Post session survey How much of an opportunity do you think you have to promote health and wellbeing with patients/clients you come into contact with? 1 = no opportunity 2 = rarely 3 = sometimes 4 = most of the time 5 = always

QUOTES ‘‘‘‘ Quotes We amended the Active Together registration form which has enabled many participants to access a wider range of information and services in supporting them to lead healthy and active lifestyles.’ After the presentation on Behaviour Change, I decided that I seriously needed to lose weight. I have joined Weight Watchers and feel really positive about that’ Using a team approach to training provided a chance for managers to know where their teams are at in terms of confidence and explore that… any individualised development work can then take place’ One nurse felt that it was her duty to inform her patient that they were overweight. Another nurse, felt that this was being rude and too intrusive. Together they then discussed different methods of communicating this information in a way which was supportive to the patient instead of dictorial’

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Reproduction of materials These materials may be reproduced for educational or training purposes. Tony Connell, Learning and Development Consultant and the East Midlands Health Trainer Hub should be acknowledged.