Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated providers.

A routine appointment. A critical finding. A life potentially changed.In December 2025, our Diabetic Eye Screening Servi...
08/06/2026

A routine appointment. A critical finding. A life potentially changed.

In December 2025, our Diabetic Eye Screening Service identified signs of a serious condition in a 59-year-old patient that led to a diagnosis of a mini stroke just days later.
Because of early detection, treatment could begin quickly, reducing the risk of a major stroke.

Don’t miss your screening — it could make all the difference.

Find out more about our Diabetic Eye Screening Service at: https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/diabetic-eye-screening

Staffordshire’s award-winning Community Managed Libraries are celebrating 10 years of success.After a decade of developm...
07/06/2026

Staffordshire’s award-winning Community Managed Libraries are celebrating 10 years of success.

After a decade of development, Staffordshire County Council’s network of 27 CMLs is one of the most highly regarded in the country. Two have received the Queen’s or King’s Award for Voluntary Service, some have unlocked hundreds of thousands of pounds of funding unavailable to local authorities, while others have provided volunteers with a launchpad to find work or further their studies.

CMLs are delivered by a range of voluntary and community organisations and a unique partnership with Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) who support nine CMLs in the south of the county. The partnership and volunteers also won the prestigious national Health Service Journal (HSJ) Award in 2019.

Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council said: “Our community managed libraries were not the first of their kind, nor is our network the largest, but the innovation and diversification they bring, coupled with the support we provide, make this an outstanding programme.

“As well as providing the core service, these groups have the flexibility to provide a base for services that meet the needs of their communities, whether that’s community taxis and befriending services, or hosting police surgeries and health clinics. With the number of visitors to CMLs to pass 4,000,000 this summer, we know that they’re performing a valuable function.”

Neil Carr OBE, MPFT Chief Executive said: “I remember with great pride the opening ceremony of Holmcroft Community Managed Library in June 2016. I’m genuinely thrilled that with the vision of the County Council and the amazing commitment and dedication of the local volunteers we have seen all of the CMLs we support go from strength to strength in delivering the library offer and in particular supporting the health and wellbeing of their local communities.”

Vital to the success of the CML approach is the commitment made by volunteers. Staffordshire libraries have over 700 volunteers doing IT support, Baby Bounce and Rhyme and delivering community managed libraries. In 2025, Staffordshire volunteers contributed more than 95,000 hours of their time, which, using Government calculations, equates to a value of more than £1,28 million.

Hayley added: “Volunteers come forward to support their libraries for a variety of reasons, but we are always grateful for their enthusiasm, commitment and the breadth of experience they bring to their roles. I’d like to say a huge thanks to all our library volunteers.”

The first tranche of CMLs launched in 2016, operating alongside the 16 larger libraries still directly run by Staffordshire County Council.

While the management group oversees the day-to-day running of the library, the county council provides practical support such as covering agreed costs, underwriting building maintenance, providing Wi-Fi and book stock, so management groups can focus on delivering what their communities want, with the help of a dedicated council support officer.
Werrington Community Library and Wellbeing Centre received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2018, while Shenstone won the King’s Award last year.

Norton Canes and Rising Brook CML received the Community Hub Award at the national Community Managed Library Network Annual Awards 2024 for delivering a diverse range of services to the local community beyond the traditional library offer.

Neil Carr is pictured opening Holmcroft Community Managed Library in 2016.

07/06/2026

Did you know that the button batteries often found in toys, remote controls and small electronic devices can be extremely dangerous if swallowed?

With more of these items in our homes, it’s important to understand the risks and know how to keep children safe.

Take a few minutes to refresh your knowledge and learn what to do in an emergency by listening to the 0–19 Service’s podcast episode.

🎧 Listen here: https://ow.ly/L6uf50XHmnU

Falls are one of the most common causes of injury in later life, but many can be prevented with the right advice, suppor...
06/06/2026

Falls are one of the most common causes of injury in later life, but many can be prevented with the right advice, support and early action. The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Steady On Your Feet website is a new online platform to help local people reduce their risk of falling. It offers free, trusted advice and personalised support for older adults, their families and carers. Whether you want to improve your balance, make your home safer, or learn more about local support, the website is here to help.

You can also find further support from MPFT’s Falls Prevention Service, who help people stay safe, independent and confident at home.

Find out more:
🔗 https://staffsstoke.steadyonyourfeet.org/
🔗 https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/falls-prevention-service

Ten life-size outdoor replicas of famous masterpieces from London’s National Gallery are to be exhibited at St George’s ...
06/06/2026

Ten life-size outdoor replicas of famous masterpieces from London’s National Gallery are to be exhibited at St George’s Hospital in Stafford.

The first group of artworks have been installed on the St George’s Grounds walk, an established route in the hospital grounds intended to boost physical and mental wellbeing through exercise and access to nature, greatly enhancing the experience of patients and service users, visitors, staff, and members of the public who can enjoy the walk at any time. The installation of the remaining pieces will take place soon.

The Arts for Health at Midland Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) team, who promote the positive effect that engagement with the arts can have on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities were delighted to work in partnership with the Gallery. The team aim to support the recovery of service users, both as inpatients and in the community, by providing art-based activities and events which provide distraction from mental health issues, encourage social interaction, increase confidence and self-esteem, and offer a chance to learn new skills.

Eleanor Babb, Arts for Health Lead (pictured) said: “We’re thrilled to have been given the opportunity to exhibit these pictures here at St George’s. There are paintings that people will know and love like the Monet, Turner and Van Gogh as well as some really interesting ones that people may not be quite so familiar with.

“The display links in beautifully with the wider grounds’ enhancement work we and colleagues in Estates and Allied Health Professions have been working on. The exhibition is already inspiring new creative projects which will benefit our hospital community, including our ongoing partnership with Wolverhampton University students who brightened up an inpatient mental health ward garden with their mural creations, and future creative workshops for service users on the wards.

“Outdoor enhancement projects like these really help transform our hospitals, sparking off conversations, adding purpose and interest to walks in the grounds and encouraging service users, their families and our staff to get outside and enjoy spending time in nature in our beautiful grounds.”

The artworks were brought to St George’s Hospital as part of the community legacy of the National Gallery Art on Your Doorstep Project 2025-2027, first displayed by The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Bethesda Gardens, Hanley, which brings art to outdoor public spaces for people to enjoy without being restricted by opening hours or entry fees.

“The National Gallery is delighted that the legacy of Art on Your Doorstep lives on at St George’s Hospital. Our life‑size reproductions let people experience these works up close and without barriers, often in unexpected places, making art feel more immediate and accessible than a traditional gallery visit,” said Alex Kavanagh, Head of Exhibitions at the National Gallery.

The artworks will be on display at St George’s Hospital until April 2027.

05/06/2026

Do you have 20 minutes to listen to Amy and Katie on the MPFT Podcast?

Amy shares her journey from Children’s Nurse to navigating her own mental health challenges after childbirth. She talks about how hearing others’ stories helped her realise she wasn’t alone 💙

Now, she supports others using her lived experience - offering understanding, connection and hope.

👉 Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZSIaUXYJiU

We were really pleased to welcome Josh Newbury MP for Cannock Chase to West Chadsmoor in Cannock to visit with our Child...
05/06/2026

We were really pleased to welcome Josh Newbury MP for Cannock Chase to West Chadsmoor in Cannock to visit with our Children & Families services, who are providing community-based treatment and support for children and young people locally. We’re proud of our staff and teams for all they’re doing to make a positive difference to the community and are grateful to the MP for taking the time to join us today.

We are seeking feedback to help shape our new Food and Drink Strategy 2026-31.Good nutrition and hydration are fundament...
05/06/2026

We are seeking feedback to help shape our new Food and Drink Strategy 2026-31.

Good nutrition and hydration are fundamental to the wellbeing of patients, staff and our communities, which is why we’re looking to hear a broad range of perspectives on how we ensure high quality, nutritious food and drink is provided at all MPFT sites. You can find out more and provide feedback by visiting www.mpft.nhs.uk/food-and-drink-strategy

The survey will close on Friday 26 June.

this heartfelt feedback for Pine Ward at The Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury 💙"The Redwoods Centre and particularly Pine W...
04/06/2026

this heartfelt feedback for Pine Ward at The Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury 💙

"The Redwoods Centre and particularly Pine Ward is one of the happiest, kindest & most caring environments I have ever encountered in my life. The staff are literally saints, their patience and thoughtfulness quite astonishing and the characters are inspirational. From the moment of arrival, tired, forlorn and at my wits end, I have in a very short time learned so much, laughed a lot and met some people who have become & will remain the closest of friends. Pine Ward thank you for everything."

A huge thank you to the team on Pine Ward for making such a meaningful difference every day 👏

&Compassionate

Research involving Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) and Keele University focusing on improvin...
03/06/2026

Research involving Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) and Keele University focusing on improving care for women in prison living with severe mental illness has been recognised at a prestigious event at the House of Lords.

Two studies presented at the event, hosted by Baroness Hyde of Bemerton were part of a programme of work funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) looking at how primary care services for imprisoned women can be improved, as well as improving the ways that they can be involved in co-designing research studies and outputs.

Prof Carolyn Chew-Graham OBE, Honorary Professor of Primary Care Mental Health with MPFT and Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University was a Co-Chief Investigator of one of the studies, which was hosted by MPFT and examined the provision of primary care for women in prison and how it can be improved. Prof Tammi Walker from Durham University was also a Co-Chief Investigator.

Prof Walker also led the second study focused on patient engagement, with findings from both studies being presented at the event. The research team has worked with the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG), comprising women with experience of imprisonment, convened by Co-investigator Paula Harriot, Chief Executive of Unlock.

Women in the prison system can often have complex mental health problems, often dealing with these alongside long-term physical health conditions. These problems are also compounded in women from racial minority backgrounds. Little is known about how imprisoned women with severe mental illness use prison primary care services, how well these services meet health care needs, and how services are experienced by different women from ethnic groups.

The research involved conducting interviews with both women in prison who live with mental illness, and the staff supporting them (clinical and non-clinical), to identify the key challenges affecting their care.

The findings from this study indicated that the prison regime can be a barrier to addressing health needs of women, due to factors including short sentences, limited time prisoners spend out of their cells, pressure on staff resources, and prison ‘lockdowns’ which take priority over healthcare appointments. The research team will use their findings to develop a framework to support prisons offer more person-centred and ethnically sensitised care for imprisoned women with mental illness.

The team obtained additional funding from the NIHR Three Schools Mental Health Programme to work with members of the LEAG to develop resources for women entering prison, a video about involving women with experience of imprisonment in research, and a toolkit for researchers working with women who have experience of prison.

Prof Chew-Graham said: “We are proud of the outputs co-produced with women from our LEAG and very grateful to our colleague Paula Harriot for convening and facilitating the LEAG. It is good that NIHR recognised the value of our study and provided adequate funding for all our co-production activities.”

Prof Walker added: “What’s been most important in this work is doing it alongside women with lived experience. Through meaningful PPIE, and with Paula Harriot’s leadership of the LEAG, we’ve been able to make sure those voices genuinely shape the research. We’re also very grateful to the NIHR for supporting this work. For us, that’s a feminist commitment not just listening to women but taking their knowledge seriously and building it into change.”

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