In Touch - The Alder Hey Charity Philanthropy Newsletter #5 by Alder Hey Children's Charity

Issue #5

In Touch Philanthropy Newsletter

It was amazing to see the incredible distraction technology being used in our radiology department. I heard from staff about the difference this makes in keeping our young patients calm and allowing them to receive the procedures they need. I also visited our hydrotherapy pool, a tranquil oasis hidden in the lower levels of Alder Hey.

If you haven’t visited recently, please do get in touch, we would love to see you. We are holding our next exclusive behind the scenes tour event on Friday 10 November. You are welcome to attend in a group, or we can arrange private tours on a date and time to suit you.

THRO Y P AN

We are always delighted to welcome visitors to the hospital to experience the magic of Alder Hey for themselves. Recently I was lucky enough to be taken on a tour myself with one of my colleagues. Alder Hey is a big hospital and having started at Alder Hey just as we were coming out of the pandemic two years ago, there were many areas I still hadn’t visited.

The part of the tour that had the most impact for me was spending time with one of our Senior Play Specialists, and hearing about the truly transformational work they do. Despite their title, it’s not all about play. These amazing professionals work miracles in communicating with and supporting our patients. They are often called upon by clinicians and parents as the only ones able to encourage children through their treatment, building bonds that last beyond their time with us. Our charity raises funds towards the play specialist service and it was a privilege to hear first hand about the impact it has.

Welcome to the latest issue of In Touch. I’m delighted to share details of some of the exciting projects we are currently working on.

Welcome

ACEY - H

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If you’d like to hear more about any of the projects included in this newsletter, or any other aspect of our work, please contact me or our team at any time. Thank you, as ever, for your support, our work wouldn’t be possible without you.

Tracey Wilson Head of Philanthropy

Spotlight on the Department of International Child Health Meet Dr Barry Pizer, retired Consultant Paediatric Oncologist and Alder Hey’s new Clinical Lead for the Department of International Child Health (DICH). We caught up with Barry to learn more about the DICH and the impact it will have on children around the world and patients here at Alder Hey. What is the DICH? Alder Hey has successfully built a strong worldwide reputation for its significant expertise and strength in international child health. One of the key forces behind our growing global footprint in countries such as Nepal, Malawi and Pakistan is our DICH with its focus on Research, Innovation, Health Partnerships and Humanitarianism.

Over 150 staff from departments including radiography, cardiology and speech and language participate in overseas work each year. For example, in Kenya, our researchers are exploring the links between lung function in preterm infants and respiratory diseases. Their findings will help to create vital local services and interventions that support lung health. We know that staff are eager to carry out international work, so in response to this need, we have established a £30,000 international travel fund. How will Alder Hey patients benefit from the DICH? In numerous ways. Staff return from international work refreshed and with a better understanding of and treatment of infectious diseases. They bring back new skills and ideas, and having worked with limited resources can think outside the box. All of this results in improved patient care.

How long have you been at Alder Hey? I joined Alder Hey’s Oncology Ward in 1995 as a consultant – 28 years ago! Each year 140 children and young adults with tumours are referred to the department. My interests have led me to specialise in brain tumours and over the course of my career at Alder Hey, working alongside a dedicated and growing team, we have developed a brain tumour service which is considered one of the best units in the UK. I retired from my role in Oncology in 2022 but I am still active here through an honorary post and now as the DICH’s Clinical Lead. We are delighted that the DICH has received an investment of over £80,000 from a longstanding Alder Hey supporter.

Supporting young people with Complications of Excess Weight Childhood obesity is one of the most serious global public health challenges we face and levels in Merseyside are alarming. Obesityrelated illnesses are estimated to cost the NHS over £5 billion annually, and 38% of year 6 children in Liverpool are either overweight or obese. Referrals to the Complications related to Excess Weight clinic (CEW), based at Alder Hey, have risen steadily over the last few years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem.

thousand children per year between the ages of two and eighteen who are experiencing health complications related to severe obesity.

The team is working tirelessly to tackle these serious health inequalities by taking action on childhood obesity and using innovation to promote healthy lives for all children.

CEW clinicians are keen to develop a digital web-based platform to support patient information and management. The platform will have the capability to receive and store physical activity data in a diarised format,

The CEW clinic is a relatively new service that was established nationally in December 2021. Patients who access this service are children and young people with a BMI in the 98% percentile. The aim of the CEW service is to offer intensive support to approximately one

Children receive specialist treatment and tailored care packages developed with their family which includes things such as diet plans, mental health treatment and coaching. The waiting list for patients to be able to access these services is currently at least eight months.

...taking action on childhood obesity and using innovation to promote healthy lives for all children

which can be reviewed by families and clinical teams for monitoring progress and to set new activity targets. The benefit of remote monitoring within a web-based platform will ensure that patients, their families, and clinicians will have access to a single, centralised log with engaging paperless content. The platform will address exercise, nutrition, and psychology to improve patient experience, combined with digital tools to remove barriers such as transport and lack of home support. They believe the new technology will play a significant role in empowering our young people, through interesting content and treatment monitoring to make positive lifestyle changes. If you would like more information about how you can support our innovation programmes, please get in touch:

amanda.jones@alderhey.nhs.uk

You are invited to join us for live music and refreshments at Alder Hey’s annual Christmas light switch on event Wednesday 29th November, 3pm – 4:45pm Please RSVP by Tuesday 21st November

Rhianna.Mcdermott@alderhey.nhs.uk

07702 076857

New ‘Same Day Emergency Care Centre’ to open in 2025 Being admitted to an emergency department (ED) can be an extremely upsetting experience for our patients. For younger children it may represent their first ever visit to an acute clinical setting. In this department, we often see families at their most vulnerable, as they await a diagnosis for a child who may be in significant pain or distress. To support the future development of patient care, our ED and General Paediatric team has identified the need for a new Same Day Emergency Care Centre. This centre will provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to streamline emergency care at Alder Hey in a bespoke new family-friendly setting. It will be focused on providing a unique ‘one stop shop’ model of care incorporating rapid patient assessments by the most appropriate clinical team. This will allow children to return safely home with their families as soon as possible, ideally on the same day as admission. 6

Why is this new centre needed? Due to unprecedented demand on GP and primary care services in our local communities, Alder Hey’s ED is now under more pressure than ever. Our current ED was designed to accommodate a maximum of 150 attendances a day, however during peak winter months when we see a huge surge in demand, we often experience as many as 300 attendances daily.

To help improve patient flow our ED and General Paediatric teams have designed a new rapid assessment patient pathway, consisting of a Paediatric Assessment Unit and an Urgent Treatment Centre. However, the current physical ‘footprint’ of the department is not able to fully facilitate these ambitious plans. There is a need to expand and develop this service to ensure we continue to provide a safe care environment for our patients and families.

Ensuring our children are cared for in the right place, at the right time In our new Same Day Emergency Care Centre, children will have access to the most appropriate and effective clinical support upon their immediate arrival at Alder Hey. This will help to eliminate bottlenecks in the pathway and free up space in our ED and on General Paediatric wards. This ensures that the most critical patients can be quickly identified and receive care and support when they need it most. Construction on our new Same Day Emergency Care Centre will commence this winter with an aim to complete in

2025. The new centre has been designed with the needs of our families at its heart. It will incorporate a 16-bed assessment unit where children will be treated in their own cubicles, always providing privacy and dignity. All clinical areas will be equipped with stateof-the-art facilities which ensure both the greatest comfort possible for children and the highest levels of clinical care. The centre will also facilitate an enhanced Urgent Treatment Centre, consisting of 4 clinic rooms where rapid assessment, diagnosis and treatment will take place and provide scope to enhance the Trust’s digital ED offer for patient who can remain at home.

The centre has been designed with familyfriendly waiting area facilities which will be decorated in warm and calming colours throughout. It will include comfortable seating for families, televisions and themed artwork to provide distraction and a bespoke timber feature tree with LED lighting, echoing Alder Hey’s natural parkland setting. There will also be a feature play wall for children, helping them to feel at ease and to take their minds off any discomfort they may be experiencing. Our new Same Day Emergency Care Centre will be unrivalled in terms of its facilities and capability compared to other paediatric centres in the North West and nationally. Alder Hey Children’s Charity is raising funds to provide enhancements to this innovative new centre which are above and beyond core NHS provision, transforming the hospital experience for our children in the future.

Bringing the magic of cinema to Alder Hey Cinema has the power to transport us to different worlds, away from the stresses and anxiety of everyday life. Seeing the latest superhero and animated films is something that many of our children look forward to, providing memorable shared experiences with family and friends. However, our longterm patients living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, miss out on this experience at a time when creative escape and distraction are needed more than ever. Alder Hey Children’s Charity is raising funds to bring the magic of cinema to Alder Hey by creating our very own onsite ‘MediCinema’ a specially designed cinema that provides the full immersive cinema experience to our children and young people in a safe, calm and relaxed environment. These bespoke cinemas are equipped with comfortable seating with space for wheelchair users and patients who need to stay in their hospital beds, dimmed lighting, 8

I came back to the ward singing the cinema’s praises and telling the other patients all about it. This was a good way to chat to other patients as well as we talked about our favourite films. Anne, a patient in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London

and therapeutic soundscapes. Created with young patients in mind, the colourful and luxurious cinema space will facilitate high levels of comfort, giving them the best possible film-watching experience that they truly deserve. The MediCinema content collection features a wide selection of films specifically chosen for their calming and uplifting qualities, including special sing-a-long versions for children to enjoy together.

Supported by the film industry, MediCinema will also provide access to latest releases so that children don’t miss out on the excitement of new film releases maintaining their connection to life outside the hospital and helping to reduce isolation. All screenings are completely free; alleviating the financial pressure on parents and ensuring that no child will miss out.

Providing opportunities for socialising is crucial for supporting mental and emotional health. A cinema in the hospital will help build a sense of community, support new patients settling in, and provide opportunities for shared experiences. We are seeking funding for the cost of building, installing, and running a state-of-the-art cinema on-site at Alder Hey to bring the innovative magic of cinematherapy to patients, families, and staff. There are currently 6 other MediCinemas in the UK, and patient experience feedback has been incredibly positive:

93% 95% 96%

believe MediCinema helps to reduce anxiety and stress believe attending MediCinema helps to give people a sense of normality in hospital agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, 'Going to MediCinema gives me something to look forward to

The cinema has made him remember he is a normal happy boy who is just going through a crisis in hospital. It's allowed him to remember he can have fun, that he does have a life outside of hospital and that he is a normal lad. Thank you. Lucy, mum of 11-year-old Leo, a patient in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Alder Hey will be the very first hospital in the North West to host a MediCinema and this wonderful opportunity will delight hundreds of people who will be able to enjoy films daily. As part of our trust-wide efforts to create healthier and happier futures for young people, MediCinema will help create positive hospital experiences and elevate patient experience to the highest possible levels that Alder Hey prides itself on. If you would like more information about how you can support our efforts to bring the uniquely special magic of cinema to young patients, please do get in touch:

charli.canfer@alderhey.nhs.uk

I saw a MediCinema poster and it was like a shining light. It gave me something to look forward to. It's motivated me and made me feel like I can get better. Kai, a patient in St Thomas’ Hospital, London 9

Theatrical Minds: Engaging Patients through the Arts We are incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with Liverpool’s Everyman & Playhouse theatres. This internationally renowned organisation has provided our Sunflower House residents struggling with mental health conditions, including self-harm and eating disorders, with a creative platform to express themselves, and play an active role in their recovery journeys. Theatrical Minds seeks to combat the damaging impact of depression and isolation which can accompany their conditions by immersing them in the magic of theatre. Working with two experienced youth workers from the Everyman over 12 months, patients take a hands-on role in exploring and developing their own interests in theatre and drama. Theatrical Minds invites storytellers to turn their creative ideas into a series of short plays; our artists develop colourful and imaginative storyboards, designers produce props, our performers bring the ideas of their peers to life, and our young cinematographers capture the performance. 10

One of the most exciting dimensions of the project is visiting the Everyman. Due to popular patient demand, this year’s programme will feature even more behind-the-scenes trips to meet with stage technicians, costume designers and actors. This engagement has a significant impact on our patients’ confidence, particularly those who find group situations difficult. It’s wonderfully inspiring for patients to learn about different career paths. One former patient enjoyed the project so much that they were accepted onto the Everyman Youth Theatre programme, a huge milestone and a testament to the value of the project.

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I love the acting and making the props, and It’s great being able to be as silly or creative as I like, Comments including

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illustrate how valuable this project is to the young people in our care.

Staff at Sunflower House have praised the project; “It’s often mentioned when a patient is discharged from the unit as the thing that they remember and enjoyed most. Patients often struggle to recognise that they have hobbies, but these weekly sessions really inspire them and give them self-worth.” If you would like to find out more information about how you can support the growth and continuation of this incredible project, please contact Jennifer Graham at

Jennifer.Graham2@alderhey.nhs.uk

This innovative ‘social prescribing’ approach has been used extensively in adult healthcare, but Alder Hey is currently one of the only children’s hospitals in the country using it to support the mental wellbeing of our children and young people.

16-year-old Erin*, a long term CAMHS patient living with autism and acute anxiety, recently accessed The Dreamers’ Programme. Based on her creative interests she was offered a series of bespoke pottery sessions. When she started the programme, Erin was spending most of her time in her bedroom, isolated from her family and peers. However, she discovered that she had a real passion and flair for working with clay, and over the weeks her confidence and self-esteem flourished. Thanks to the additional support she received, Erin has now begun to re-engage with the outside world and is looking to pursue further creative activities in her local community. Following her participation in the programme, her CAMHS Key Worker told us that the project had been the catalyst she needed to help her move forward with her life.

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Erin’s story n E ri

Vicky Charnock, Alder Hey’s Arts for Health Manager told us: “The Dreamers’ Programme is having a huge impact on our children and young people and we have been delighted to see patients like Erin discover their inner creativity and transform their lives. Since launching the project in January, sessions have encompassed everything from photography and music, right through to fashion and upcycling. The only limits are the imaginations of our patients.” “This project was named The Dreamers’ Programme by our children and young people as they wanted to inspire everybody involved to ‘dream big’. I really couldn’t agree more.”

If you would like more information about how you can support social prescribing at Alder Hey, please get in touch:

alan.newton-french@alderhey.nhs.uk

Alder Hey has been providing additional support for children and young people who are experiencing life-limiting mental health challenges. The Dreamers’ Programme, is offering our CAMHS patients access to bespoke one-to-one support from a wide range of skilled arts practitioners to complement their clinical treatment journeys.

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Inspiring our children and young people to dream big

*Erin’s name has been changed to ensure patient anonymity. 11

Spotlight on Education Meet Dr Katherine Birch, Director of the Alder Hey Academy here at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. I caught up with Katherine to find out more about her vital role and vision for the Academy. What is your role and how long have you been at Alder Hey? I joined Alder Hey just over two years ago as Director of the Academy. My role was a new one at the time as the Academy had just been created – bringing together several different functions, all of which focus on learning, education and creating opportunities for both our current and future workforce. 12

Can you describe a typical day? Busy, inspiring, and challenging! As the Academy includes so many different areas, and we do so many different things, no two days are ever the same. We focus on learning and development, apprenticeships, medical education, nurse and support worker

education and education-related events in the Academy. We also have a small team looking after simulation, vocational placements, work experience, supported internships and our schools and colleges programme.

What do you enjoy most about your job? The job itself is incredibly varied. Everything we do in the Academy is about supporting the amazing staff who work at Alder Hey or those who are thinking about a career in the NHS which makes my role very rewarding. I’m proud to work with a team of passionate and dedicated staff both in the Academy and in our partner organisations. We are always looking at ways we can improve what we do – whether it’s new ways of supporting students on placement, expanding our apprenticeship offer, developing new programmes for our staff or supporting young people to gain wider knowledge and skills. It’s an amazing team to be part of.

My vision is that we are recognised for the outstanding opportunities we provide for our staff and for others working in the health sector

What is your vision for Alder Hey Academy? My vision is that we are recognised for the outstanding opportunities we provide for our staff and for others working in the health sector (whether locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally). We are also passionate about supporting children and young people in our local communities. Our ambition is to deliver a suite of education-related and skills programmes that will support them to gain employment and life skills which will make a vital difference to their lives.

If you would like more information about how you can support our education programmes, please get in touch:

amanda.jones@alderhey.nhs.uk 13

Your legacy can change lives Gifts in wills from our supporters transform the work we can fund. Creating child-friendly surroundings and helping stimulate poorly children is an important part of our work and is just one of the many ways in which gifts in wills help to change lives for the better.

Summer’s Story Summer, who has Down’s syndrome, became ill with a virus and rash before she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells. Summer’s Consultant, Dr Chris Howell explains “ALL is the most common form of cancer affecting children. It is also more common in children with Down’s syndrome. Treatment for ALL has a number of phases and is most intensive at the beginning. Summer had a tough time for the first few weeks as she was in and out of hospital with a high temperature and other chemotherapy side effects.” One day during her treatment, she was visited by Georgina, who is an Arts for Health practitioner at Alder Hey and cellist at the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. As soon as Georgina started playing Summer’s mood improved, she sat up in bed, clapping and engaging with the staff. Mum Leanne says she sincerely believes that Summer would have “given up” had Georgina not called in and played music that day.

Georgina is clear about the impact of music on our young patients:

By just walking on a ward with a cello and a trolley filled with percussion instruments, young people gather that I’m bringing something different, something non-judgmental, non-medical. The sound of live music on a ward can create a point of focus, it brings people together, we build trust, have fun and keep a sense of play. Summer finished her treatment in 2021. Mum Leanne said:

Summer is going from strength to strength and is loving being back in school full time. She is living her life as a child should, happy, carefree and healthy having plenty of fun adventures along the way

Audrey’s Story

During her lifetime, Audrey Griffiths experienced the magic of Alder Hey on two occasions. Her daughter, Elizabeth, was admitted to Alder Hey as a toddler and successfully overcame a health issue. Years later, Madog, the son of a close family friend was diagnosed with leukaemia aged 2. Madog, was successfully treated at Alder Hey, returning to the the hospital twice a year for check-ups. It was these experiences that influenced Audrey’s decision to leave a gift in her will to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

Elizabeth recalls:

My mother was a remarkable person who is much missed by me and so many others whose lives she touched. She thought carefully about her legacies and wanted to acknowledge the role played by clinicians in Alder Hey in helping not only our family but also in their support of Madog and his family. Audrey sadly passed away in January 2020 aged 98, but her legacy lives on in the happy, healthy futures her gift is helping to secure at Alder Hey.

Imagine if your legacy could bring music to the wards of Alder Hey to be enjoyed by children like Summer. A gift in your will – whatever the size – will enable us to fund crucial projects to transform young lives, like Summer’s. Making your will and keeping it up to date also ensures that your family, friends and causes you care about are taken care of. Your loved ones come first, but a gift in your will to Alder Hey would mean your legacy could have a lasting impact long into the future and create brighter futures for our brave young patients. For more information about leaving a gift in your will, please contact

charli.canfer@alderhey.nhs.uk

Thank You T R AC EY WI LS O N He ad of Phil a nt h ro p y t race y.w ils on@ alde r h e y. n h s . uk 079 03 70 53 3 1

On behalf of everyone at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, thank you for helping us to create bright futures for babies, children and young people.

Rhianna

AMANDA JONES Ph i l ant hropy Manag er amanda.jones@alderhey.nhs.uk 07887 98731 1

RHIANNA MCDERMOTT Phi l ant hropy Event s and Researc h Lead rhianna.mcdermott@alderhey.nhs.uk 07 702 07685 7

A L A N N E W T O N-F R E N C H Phi l ant hropy Fundrai s er a l a n . n e w ton- f rench@ al derhey. nhs . uk 0796 8 84 5 338

CHARLI CANFER Phi l ant hropy Of f ic er charl i . canf er@ al derhey.nhs.uk

Jennifer JENNIFER GRAHAM Philanthrop y Fun d r a i s e r je nn if e r.g r aham2@ a l d e r h e y. n h s. uk 07960 016737