In Touch - Alder Hey Children's Charity Philanthropy Newsletter #6

In Touch Philanthropy Newsletter

Welcome

CEY - HE A D OF PHIL PY

Welcome to the latest issue of In Touch. We’ve had a great start in 2024 with an array of projects that are going to make an incredible difference to the health and wellbeing of children and their families at Alder Hey. As a charity, our purpose is to raise vital funds to help make Alder Hey Children’s Hospital truly world-class and patient-friendly.

We want every child to experience Alder Hey magic – those little added extras that make the hospital experience the best it can be during a young person’s stay, going above and beyond standard NHS provision. The current fundraising climate for charities is more challenging than ever and the need at Alder Hey continues to grow. We are so grateful for every pound that is donated towards making a difference to the lives of our children. As a team we feel very privileged to be working on such inspirational and transformative initiatives. Our new hospital cinema is due to open later this year and construction is well underway on our new Surgical Neonatal Intensive Unit and Same Day Emergency Care Centre, bringing together world class facilities and a transformative approach to care that is unparalleled in the UK. But none of this would be possible without your continued support. You can read on pages 10 and 11 about the difference

new, high specification ventilators have made over the winter in our busy High Dependency Unit. These were required urgently, at short notice, and it is only because of the generosity of funders and donors that these are now up and running, saving the lives of babies and children every day.

On behalf of everyone at Alder Hey, thank you for your ongoing commitment and kindness, it means the world to everyone here.

Tracey Wilson Head of Philanthropy

P.S. Our next exclusive behind the scenes tour event is on Monday 13th May.

If you’d like to attend, either on this day or for a private tour on a date of your choice, please get in touch - we’d love to see you.

You're invited to an... Exclusive Hospital Tour

Monday 13th May 2024

10am – 2pm

We are delighted to invite you to experience the true magic that takes place at Alder Hey. Join us for a behind the scenes visit, including the opportunity to find out more about our new Alder Hey cinema opening this summer.

Tues 21st May

Alder Hey Children’s Charity invites supporters who would like to know more about leaving a gift in their will to experience the difference those amazing donations make to our brave young patients.

We will be joined by our creative Arts for Health team, who bring magical art and entertainment to our wards. You will have the chance to partake in activities with our artists and musicians to learn firsthand about all the exciting work your gifts help fund. There will be a light lunch provided and a chance to talk to our team about all things Gifts in Will.

SAVE THE DATE... To book your place on either event please contact us

Create, Revive, Thrive – supporting the wellbeing of NHS staff and volunteers

By Tracey Wilson

Since October 2023, our Arts for Health team have been running ‘Create, Revive, Thrive’, a series of creative wellbeing sessions available to our hardworking NHS staff. These are designed to help relieve stress, boost mental and physical wellbeing, and give staff the opportunity to be creative, take time out for themselves and connect with their colleagues.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, these sessions have been free of charge for all Alder Hey staff and volunteers. The wellbeing programme has something for everybody, including activites from DJing to dancing, pottery to photography, and is always aimed at beginners so everyone can be included. The most recent session of the programme was a two day furniture upcycling workshop led by artist Gemma Longworth, host of Yesterday’s Find It, Fix It, Flog It. The workshop served as an introduction to upcycling, where staff could bring in small furniture items from home and transform them using Gemma’s expert tips and tricks.

One member of staff who took part is Rachel Wardle, a Specialist Community Paediatric Respiratory Physiotherapist. Rachel told us:

In my role we look after children across Liverpool with the most severe disabilities, classed as needing high-level support. I am the only full-time member of staff in my team, which can have its challenges and prove quite stressful.

Attending the workshop, I enjoyed socialising with colleagues and the satisfaction of making something and taking it home at the end of the day, it was such a fun experience. It has had such an impact on my wellbeing, the nature of my job is very reactionary and filled with decisions to make, so the opportunity to spend the day relaxing and doing something creative was so beneficial.

I have recommended the wellbeing sessions to all of my colleagues. I think it is such a brilliant programme which all staff members and volunteers should take advantage of if they can.

The Wellbeing Programme is set to run until September this year.

For more information about projects supporting NHS staff and volunteers, please contact:

tracey.wilson@alderhey.nhs.uk

Putting families first - our new Same Day Emergency Care appeal

By Alan Newton-French

When a child like Zac needs emergency care in hospital, it can be an incredibly traumatic experience for the whole family. Everything can feel emotionally raw and uncertain, and all parents and carers want to do is return home feeling safe and reassured with their child.

After many years of planning and development, our new Same Day Emergency Care Centre is set to open its doors at the end of 2025. Our new centre will bring together worldclass facilities and a transformative approach to treatment and care. This will ensure that children are seen in the right place, at the right time, by the right clinician, so families can return safely home as soon as possible.

“ As you can imagine it was quite a shock when the GP told us that Zac would have to go to Alder Hey and be seen by the doctors there. At that moment you don’t know what to think and the last thing you need is to sit in A&E for hours on end with an upset and distressed child. ”

Jane, Zac’s mum

Creating a new gold standard for Emergency Care

Alder Hey is a centre for excellence in paediatric emergency care and we are extremely proud that this innovative new ‘same day’ emergency care model has been developed right here at our hospital. We are currently using temporary facilities to pilot this new approach, however, when our brandnew centre opens, we will transform the care experience of the children who turn to Alder Hey for support.

To ensure that children with the most urgent conditions receive priority support, our new centre will allow healthcare professionals working out in the community to refer their patients directly to us for a booked appointment slot. This will provide peace of mind for our families, drastically reducing the amount of time they need to spend in hospital.

Leading

the way in Emergency Care

During December, Alder Hey’s Emergency Department ranked 2nd nationally and 1st in the NorthWest region for waiting times.

85% of our children and young people were seen and treated within 4 hours against a national NHS target of 76%.

This would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our wonderful Emergency Department team.

Alder Hey’s Emergency Department ranked 1st in the North-West for waiting times in December

What will our new Same Day Emergency Care Centre look and feel like?

Zac has been one of the many young patients who have successfully accessed our same day emergency care pilot. He was referred directly to us as he had been feeling under the weather. After receiving tests, Zac was quickly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Zac’s mum Jane described the impact that being able to access same day care had on their family: Alder Hey Children’s Charity is raising funds to provide enhancements to this new family-friendly centre which are above and beyond core NHS provision. This includes medical equipment, comfortable seating, and bright, playful cubicle decorations, to provide the care and experience that young patients like Zac need and deserve.

“ Having a personal appointment slot is a wonderful feature, as our son was really upset and so being able to go straight through as well as the expert care and facilities on offer helped to calm him and us down and make sure that we quickly got the care he needed. It really makes the world of difference and helps to make a stressful situation that little bit more manageable. Having access to a service like this helped to deal with the shock of a diagnosis when the whole family were already upset, so being able to be comfortable and receive quick and quality care was vital. ”

Our new Same Day Emergency Care Centre has been designed with our families at its heart and will feel warm and welcoming throughout.

Central to its design will be a 24-bed space to support children who are most in need of intensive observation and investigation. All clinical areas will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment, so that we can provide the highest levels of care when it’s most needed.

The centre will be decorated in calm and relaxing colours and waiting areas will include nature-themed artwork and a feature play wall for children, supporting them to feel at ease during their time with us. All clinical spaces will also be familyfriendly, with comfortable reclining seating for parents and carers and televisions to provide distraction and normality.

Waiting areas will include nature-themed artwork and a feature play wall for children

For more information about how you can support this important appeal, please contact:

Coming soon to Alder Hey... The Magic of Cinematherapy

By Charli Canfer

We’re thrilled to share an update on the progress of our ambition to establish a stateof-the-art hospital cinema onsite at Alder Hey. Our fundraising appeal is well underway to ensure this groundbreaking project's success, bringing the magic of cinema to all at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital this summer!

The transformation has already begun, with plans in motion to repurpose an underused staff lecture theatre in the hospital atrium. This specially designed space will offer an immersive cinematic experience, providing a reprieve and a source of joy for the courageous young patients at Alder Hey.

Having a cinema within

our hospital means we can give those children and young people who can’t normally go, the opportunity to still have that magical movie experience.

Nathan Askew, Chief Nursing Officer at Alder Hey

With up to 348 children and young people hospitalised at any given time, the need for a positive and stimulating care environment is paramount. The hospital environment

The cinema will have room for hospital beds to ensure all patients can join in

can be daunting, especially for those facing complex, life-limiting conditions and treatment journeys that mean extended periods away from the routine of school and home, and the comfort of simple activities such as watching films with family and friends. The cinema aims to bridge this gap, offering a lifeline to reduce stress, boost mental health, and provide a sense of normalcy.

Someone who would have benefitted from the cinema during their time at Alder Hey is 7-year-old Ivy, who has undergone three open-heart surgeries at the hospital to date, among numerous other procedures.

Clare, Ivy’s mum, told us:

If this facility had been available whilst Ivy was in hospital it would have given her a bit of normality and the opportunity for a break away from the ward as the days can be so long when you are stuck in one room. Going to the cinema allows Ivy to escape into another world and forget about all the procedures she is going through and makes her feel like any other child, and it is so great that the children at Alder Hey are going to get this opportunity too.

Cinema possesses a unique ability to transport us to different worlds, offering a temporary escape from the stresses of everyday life. Films can evoke strong emotions, create empathy, and provide a platform for children to connect with and explore their feelings. The screenings will also allow patients to bond with each other through sharing memorable moments with their families, and staff, reinforcing a positive hospital experience.

The Alder Hey cinema is a wonderful example of how, together, we can realise projects that go above and beyond core NHS standards to improve patient well-being and create better outcomes for young people. We’re delighted that we will soon be able to offer this haven of magic and wonder to patients and families at Alder Hey and we deeply appreciate your ongoing support for this appeal.

Alder Hey mascot Oli will welcome children into the cinema

For more information

about how you can donate towards our new Alder Hey cinema, please get in touch:

charli.canfer@alderhey.nhs.uk

The cinema will be located in the hospital atrium

A colourful walkway will invite children into the cinema

Providing personalised ventilation to help our young patients breathe

By Jennifer Graham

Breathing is something that comes naturally. Many of us don’t even notice or think about it. However, at some point all of us, no matter how briefly, will have experienced the shock of losing our breath. Imagine if you had to live with the constant threat and fear of having to fight for every breath. For patients living with respiratory conditions, this is their reality. This everyday experience is heightened during the winter months with increased hospital admissions putting additional strain on our High Dependency Unit (HDU).

Fortunately, new and emerging technologies can greatly improve care and patient outcomes, and so in the summer of 2023, ahead of the winter pressures, Alder Hey Children’s Charity launched an urgent appeal for new and improved ventilators. Thanks to the fantastic response of our UK and international donors, our clinicians and patients had access to the latest state-ofthe-art Servo-U Ventilators in time for the challenging winter season.

Since the new Servo-U Ventilators were installed, they have supported the treatment journeys of some of our most clinically vulnerable patients, from babies with bronchiolitis through to children with complex neuro-disabilities, who often have illnesses with multiple organ involvement, requiring extended periods of ventilation.

Reflecting on the huge impact that the Servo U Ventilators have had so far, HDU Consultant, Chin Kien EytonChong commented:

“ We’re currently treating a young girl who has been supported by one of the Servo-U Ventilators for a few weeks. She’s gradually getting stronger and has recently started to breathe more by herself. It’s been rewarding to see her recovery journey, and I know she will soon be well enough to be discharged. Having the necessary equipment to be able to fully support patients is truly life changing. ”

Chin Kien Eyton, HDU Consultant

By providing patient-led support, this equipment is delivering better outcomes for our young patients, including reducing the time spent on ventilation and facilitating an easier transition to unsupported breathing. With its state-of-the-art technology, the Servo-U Ventilator minimises the need for intubation and sedation, a process which can be an extremely distressing experience for patients and their families. They also incorporate loose-fitting masks, providing greater comfort, a better quality of sleep, and a reduced risk of pressure sores. Overall, this equipment is making a real difference to the daily lives of patients who need vital help with their breathing.

equipment has transformed the way they work. Chin Kien told us:

In addition to the life-saving care they deliver for our patients, the Servo-U Ventilators have also transformed the hospital experience of families on HDU who face huge upset as they care for their critically ill loved ones. Crucially, these ventilators are virtually silent when operational and their large size display screens mean that clinicians can easily monitor the vital signs of patients from a distance, without disturbing families.

Our HDU team has provided exceptional feedback on how this innovative new

“ The benefit of being able to ventilate our patients through just one machine cannot be overstated. Their functionality is incredibly diverse from advanced NAVA ventilation to high-flow oxygen. This means that children who come to HDU for respiratory support are put on the Servo-U Ventilator and can stay on a Servo-U Ventilator, rather than being moved back and forth to different machines depending on their treatment needs as we worked before. ”

In just a few months the Servo-U Ventilators have become a cornerstone of our critical care capabilities, enhancing the overall well-being of our patients and their families and enabling our dedicated staff to deliver the world-class healthcare that we believe all children deserve. Looking to the future, the extensive functionality offered by the ventilators is allowing the HDU team to develop new and innovative techniques to

A Servo-U Ventilator in place on Alder Hey’s High Dependency Unit

fully utilise the capability of this equipment, ensuring they remain at the forefront of developments in ventilation support.

The ability of our dedicated clinicians to bring about such improvements in patient care would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors.

If you would like more information about how you could fund the latest gold standard equipment for our patients here at Alder Hey, please contact:

Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit reaches £3 million target!

By Tracey Wilson

We are delighted to have reached our £3 million appeal target towards our new state of the art Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This would not have been possible without your support – thank you so much to everyone who donated so generously towards this appeal.

Construction of the new unit started in Autumn 2023 with the underground diversions of heating and water supplies under the footprint of the new development. This preparatory work is incredibly important, allowing the main hospitals heating, cold water and fire hydrants to be maintained. Once these diversions are complete, the foundations will be laid and the main build will commence. The new unit is planned to open at the end of 2025. Whilst this is later than originally hoped for, the additional time taken has enabled us to manage costs, control the risk of complex underground services and ensure the building

works are completed to the very highest standards in the most economical time frame possible. It has also allowed more time to research the very best and most suitable specialist equipment for the unit to support the innovative new ways of working.

Construction of our Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is underway

During this period of building work, every effort is being made to minimise noise and disruption for children, their families and staff, including increased communication and signage. We are actually finding children are really enjoying seeing the diggers onsite, with patients watching from the wards and lots of waving to the digger operators!

I am delighted to be underway with the project and the on site works are progressing really well. It is exciting to see all of our plans begin to come together. All stakeholders, including hospital staff and patients are over the moon with the progress and we can all see the goal in sight of delivering a state of the art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which will help babies and their families for generations to come.

Jim O’Brien, Senior Capital Projects Manager

For more information about our new Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, please contact: tracey.wilson@alderhey.nhs.uk

Children from our on-site nursery celebrate the start of construction

2023 in a nutshell

Over 2,600

of the young people who needed us each week were teenagers

Over 3,000

Around 5,000 virtual appointments attended each month oncology admissions in 2023

6, 928children

6,928

How the money we raised in 22/23 was divided across areas of need at our hospital

Equipment

£104,810

'Magic' (Patient Welfare)

£2,665,086

Research & Innovation

£1,278,778

Campus + Community

£2,126,288

Over 13,000 brave young patients from outside Liverpool needed our expert care each month

Spotlight on Research and Innovation

By Amanda Jones

Meet Dr Gedeon Lemma here at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Gedeon is a clinical innovation fellow, based in our worldleading innovation hub, right within the heart of our hospital building.

The Innovation hub is designed to accelerate the impact of game-changing innovation for the next generation. We are constantly looking at how technology can improve healthcare,

both for healthcare professionals and the children and young people we treat.

Gedeon has over a decade of clinical experience working in the NHS, starting his career as a pharmacist, and now working as a Specialist Registrar in Clinical Radiology. He has a keen interest in the intersection between healthcare technology, innovation, and education. Notably, he co-developed the UK’s first integrated undergraduate medical curriculum that focuses on healthcare and design, marking a significant stride towards innovation being a part of UK clinical practice.

Gedeon’s part time innovation fellowship is funded by Alder Hey Children’s Charity. I caught up with Gedeon to find out more about his role and the projects he is currently working on.

How long have you been at Alder Hey

Innovation and what is your area of clinical interest?

I joined the Alder Hey Innovation team as a clinical fellow in August 2022 on a part-time basis. My role is structured to complement

my work as a Clinical Radiology Registrar. This ensures that I maintain my clinical responsibilities whilst contributing valuable insights and perspective to our innovation team. It strikes an ideal balance, allowing me to combine my interest in medical imaging and interventional radiology with advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence being explored at Alder Hey.

Can you describe a typical day?

Each Thursday, our day starts with a triage meeting to assess proposals we receive from our colleagues across the hospital. Submissions to the hub include ideas or challenges that clinicians encounter every day and ask us to look how technology can solve them. We then evaluate each proposal and decide if it’s something we can advance and explore further.

We’ll then work on ways to enhance our brand through internal engagement with hospital colleagues and discuss ways we can share some of our latest initiatives to raise awareness about what we can offer and to inspire innovation. The remainder of my day is usually devoted to specific project work, meetings, or hosting events and visits to the hub.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently involved in an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) project designed to encourage staff-driven innovations. The programme includes workshops, competitive selection, and the opportunity for healthcare professionals to pitch at a demoday to an internal and external panel. The project focuses on the development of a new surgical instrument to improve surgical access and reduce complications associated with the removal of adenoid glands in children. We are a diverse team of ENT surgeons, innovation managers and graduates. To date, we’ve progressed from the initial pencil design to crafting a 3D printed prototype and are now seeking feedback from local stakeholders. This feedback is crucial for us, as positive validation will enable future discussions with manufacturers, advancing us further in the medical device innovation journey.

What’s the most exciting thing you are seeing in healthcare innovation right now?

The most exciting advancement today is undoubtedly artificial intelligence (AI). Progress in this field is moving rapidly, along with discussions on safe and effective integration of technology into healthcare. These technologies have huge potential to transform many aspects of patient care – from diagnosis right through to treatments. The possibilities make for an exciting future at Alder Hey, where we are passionate about only the very best technology reaching our young patients.

Our mission is to solve the real-world healthcare problems children and young people face today, creating fair access to care and enabling a healthier future for all. If you would like more information about how you can support our Innovation programmes, please get in touch: amanda.jones@alderhey.nhs.uk

TRACEY WILSON

Head of Philanthropy

tracey.wilson@alderhey.nhs.uk

07903 705331

Jennifer

JENNIFER GRAHAM

Philanthropy Fundraiser

jennifer.graham2@alderhey.nhs.uk

07960 016737 Alder

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.

AMANDA JONES

Philanthropy Manager

Registered Charity Number 1160661 Thank You

amanda.jones@alderhey.nhs.uk

07887 987311

ALAN NEWTON-FRENCH

Philanthropy Fundraiser

alan.newton-french@alderhey.nhs.uk

07968 845338

CHARLI CANFER

Philanthropy Officer

charli.canfer@alderhey.nhs.uk

© Copyright 2023 Alder Hey Children’s Charity.