In Hinterland this time – a lack of key services causing distant treatment, vegan farmers, councils and the cost of living emergency (have a look at Saunder’s dual state hypothesis!), Levelling Up and Health and NHS Food Banks for staff!! All topped off with the chance to relax in a well-being garden in Leeds...

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Patients with eating disorders sent from England to Scotland due to lack of beds

This article shows just how challenging the lack of adequate services close to home is for people across the UK, but causes to particularly reflect on the plight facing rural dwellers who are the furthest from services. It tells us:

A shortage of beds for severely unwell eating-disorder patients has forced the NHS to send more than 100 women from England to hospitals in Scotland for treatment since 2017.

The cost of relocating patients, which included under-18s, was more than £10m, with one patient staying more than a year in hospital, costing close to £250,000.

The Guardian spoke to families who warned of the toll of travelling hundreds of miles to see unwell relatives. One mother said she had spent hundreds on petrol to visit her daughter and had slept on the hospital floor after being unable to get a hotel.

Experts say that not being close to family and friends can hinder the recovery of many people with mental health problems, as they are isolated from their support network.

Campaigners have warned of a crisis as demand for treatment among those experiencing anorexia and bulimia has “skyrocketed” since the start of the pandemic. Newly released data shows admissions up 84% in five years.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jun/03/patients-with-eating-disorders-sent-from-england-to-scotland-due-to-lack-of-beds

The meat and dairy farmers who are going vegan

It was after Laurence Candy lost most of his dairy herd to bovine tuberculosis that he decided he would no longer send animals to the slaughterhouse.

Our recent work with the National Federation of Young Farmers revealed some ground breaking changes in attitudes and farming practices. This article is an interesting example of people following the national mood and sentiment. It tells us:

"It made me wonder if we can justify the industrial slaughter of sentient beings," says the 50-year-old looking back on the event in 2017. "As a society, we have to question this."

Since last year, Mr Candy has been working with a Scottish-based organisation called Farmers For Stock-Free Farming (FFSFF), which has been set up to support meat and dairy farmers who want to transition to animal-free agriculture.

He is now in the process of selling his remaining animals - 35 beef cattle - and concentrating instead on growing cereals such as oat, wheat, barley and broad beans.

Mr Candy is also switching to "veganic production", which prohibits the use of manure, or any other animal product, to improve the soil. For this, he is working with a body called International Biocyclic Vegan Network, which promotes and certifies plant-based, organic farms around the world.

"It allows for two years to transition out of a livestock enterprise and establish suitable alternatives," he says. "This approach enables the farmer to have a suitable timescale to develop their business plans, without a financial impact."

Mr Candy adds: "I'm trying to add value. There's currently very few farmers growing veganically, but obviously veganism is a growing trend in his country."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61565233

Somerset council declares cost of living emergency

A West Country council has become the second in England to declare a cost of living emergency.

After climate crisis, now cost of living. A good example of local action or just a bit of rhetoric? The issue either way is undoubtedly important…

Mendip District Councillors voted through the motion on Monday evening.

It means the Liberal Democrat-run authority will write to the government asking for more action and organise a conference with support organisations.

Eastbourne in East Sussex became the first council in the country to declare a cost of living emergency earlier in the month.

Mendip is the first district council in the UK to adopt the stance, which is designed to acknowledge and address rural poverty due to rising food and fuel prices.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-61568928

Levelling up the UK: is the government serious about reducing regional inequalities in health?

This is my “long read” tip. There is some really interesting stuff to reflect on here, particularly in relation to the issues around levelling up being wider and with more dimensions than just simply north vs south. Try rural vs urban!

The Levelling Up white paper, released in February 2022 after major delay, outlines the UK government’s much anticipated strategy for tackling regional inequality. The centrepiece of the government’s reform agenda, “levelling up” is presented as a solution to the UK’s longstanding and serious geographical inequalities (box 1). Although levelling up is already permeating political and media discourse,10 the white paper is the first attempt to translate this broad idea into specific policy commitments to tackle place based inequalities: white papers set out proposals for future legislation.

https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj-2022-070589.full

NHS mental health trust sets up food bank for staff

A food bank has been set up by an NHS mental health trust over fears its staff are struggling with price rises.

No don’t do a double take this is true….

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) said it was "concerned about the impact of the cost of living crisis".

It said it had set up a food bank to support those "who may be struggling to afford increasing household costs including food and bills".

Other trusts in eastern England have also started similar initiatives.

NSFT provides mental health and learning disability care for people in more than 50 locations with main bases at Hellesdon Hospital in Norwich, Wedgwood House in Bury St Edmunds and the Woodlands Unit in Ipswich.

A spokesman said it would "keep talking to our staff about how best we can support them and do everything we are able to to help".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-61551457

And Finally

Wellbeing garden at Leeds school to aid pupils' mental health

A great example of bringing the balm of the rural vibe into the inner city!!! This story tells us:

A school has created a wellbeing garden for children and teachers whose mental health have been affected by the pandemic.

An unused courtyard at Chapel Allerton primary in Leeds has been transformed into an "oasis of calm".

Community groups have worked alongside the school to create a space where pupils can relax and enjoy nature.

Headteacher Nicholas Sykes said the "mental and emotional wellbeing" of everyone at school was very important.

The garden will be used for mindful activities and lessons and also be a place that pupils and staff can got to for some quiet time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-61626226