RD&E News Winter 2015

THE MAGAZINE FOR RD&E STAFF AND MEMBERS

A Winter’s tale ???

03 Beating PAGE 3 the bugs Celebrating being MRSA free for three years

A special report on how we handled the pressure this winter on page 4&5

09 Intensive Food ICU launches charity recipe book

10 RD&E selected as National Genomics Medicine Centre

www.rdehospital.nhs.uk

NHS Foundation Trust

Follow @RDEhospital

RD&E news Winter 2015

Royal Devon and Exeter

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Index

Welcome

04-05 Winter PRESSURES: Special report 06 Patient Safety Programme Update

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07 RD&E Roll of Honour celebrating some of our extraordinary people 09 Intensive Food ICU recipe book launched 10 RD&E helped me patient feedback 11 Smokestop Midwives help Jane to quit 12 New 100,000 Genome Centre announced 14 Members’ Say how your feedback makes a difference 18 Pharmacists become Antibiotic Guardians 19 New Friends and Family Exhibition with Exeter Health Care Arts

Welcome to the winter edition of RD&E News.

This winter the RD&E, like hospitals across the country, saw a dramatic increase in demand for our services.

Throughout this period, RD&E staff went above and beyond to ensure we continued to provide safe and high quality services for patients. You may have noticed a group of them on our front cover who represent just some of the many different people across the Trust who pulled together when we really needed them to. Read all about it on pages 4 and 5.

Our cover stars are (from L to R): Infection Prevention & Control Nurse Specialist Carlton Kneil; Biomedical Scientist Joanne Price; General Manager Diane Ody; Junior Doctor Tori Moss; Consultant Emergency Physician Dr Gavin Lloyd; Head of Patient Flow Sheila Guinchard; Pharmacist, Sarah Jane Rowlands; Nurse Alina Piper; Medical Secretary, Cherry Evans; Portering supervisor Greg Clover.

Tell us your news!

We’d love to hear about your projects, achievements and successes. Get in touch if you have a story idea that you would like us to consider for the next edition of RD&E News, and don’t forget we love pictures too so send them in!

To get in touch, contact a member of the Communications Team:

Copy deadline for the next issue is 23rd March 2015. The next RD&E News will be published in late May 2015.

Lucy Basten, E-Communications Officer 01392 406186, lucybasten@nhs.net

Accessibility If you would like to receive a Microsoft Word version of RD&E News in large print please ask us on (01392) 403977 2

RD&E WINS INNOVATION FUNDS TO SUPPORT HOMELESS CHARITY

James Garnett, Communications Manager 01392 402833, jamesgarnett@nhs.net Gwen Powell, Communications Officer 01392 406941, gwenpowell@nhs.net

Or email rde-tr.RDEComms@nhs.net

We can also arrange language translation if you do not speak English or arrange for British Sign Language interpretation.

n Exeter-based charity that aims to help homeless people out of hospital and into safe accommodation is to receive a £68,602 cash boost from the NHS. Community Housing Aid will receive the money from the RD&E for their project ‘Bay6’ after the hospital applied successfully for a slice of the NHS England Regional Innovation Fund.

Bay6’s aim is that no-one should be discharged from hospital as homeless and it has been working closely with the RD&E for several months. The cash will allow it to continue its innovative work with the hospital until April.

Bay6 acts as a mediator between RD&E frontline medical staff, social services/housing agencies and the voluntary sector. Once called by the RD&E, one of its team can be on site to assess a patient, often the same day. Subsequent advice and support on a range of issues rapidly speeds up the patient’s discharge into safe and secure accommodation. As a result, RD&E medical staff are freed up and beds are released more quickly for other patients. Emergency Department attendances can also be reduced because the patient has been placed in appropriate accommodation.

Sheila Guinchard, RD&E Lead for Patient Flow, said: “We are a caring profession and we want to know our patients have somewhere safe to go to after discharge. Through our partnership with Bay6 we are giving some of our most vulnerable patients a better chance to turn their lives around.”

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Don’t forget that you can also keep up to date with our latest news by following us on Twitter! We now have over 1,500 followers, and last month another 110 people joined us! Find us at @RDEhospital

(Picture L to R) Consultant Roderick Warren from the Macleod Diabetes & Endocrinology Centre; Senior Vascular Access Nurse Specialist Vicki Shawyer; Judy Potter, Lead Nurse for Infection Control and Joint Director of Infection Prevention and Control; Louise Oakaby, Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist Dialysis Access and Renal Daycase; and Consultant Microbiologist Dr Alaric Colville.

Beating the bugs - RD&E is MRSA free for over 3 years W

e are proud to reveal that the RD&E has been MRSA free for more than three years. This fantastic achievement means that there hasn’t been a single case of hospital-acquired MRSA bacteraemia infection at the hospital since September 2011.

Targets to tackle MRSA have been achieved through a wide range of prevention strategies such as screening patients on admission, isolating patients with MRSA in high risk specialties, providing topical treatments to reduce carriage in hospital and improving hand hygiene compliance.

However, the Infection Prevention and Control Team could not have made this improvement alone and collaborative work with specific teams has been critical. These include: • T he appointment and on-going work of a team of vascular access specialist practitioners to improve the insertion and care of intravenous devices • S kills training for doctors and nurses about the care of intravenous devices

• Re-assessment of such skills annually in high risk areas such as the dialysis service • Changes to the management of patients with infected diabetic leg ulcers • Minimising the use of antibiotics that select for MRSA and other resistant bugs through antimicrobial stewardship programmes led by the medical microbiologists.

Judy Potter, Lead Nurse for Infection Control & Tissue Viability Services/Joint Director of Infection Prevention & Control said: “We are now very proud that we have had no hospital acquired MRSA blood stream infections for more than three years. Whilst MRSA has been reduced in all hospitals in England, we are one of a very small number of organisations that have made such a fantastic achievement.”

RD&E Chairman James Brent added: “Our Members have consistently told us that infection control, and hospital cleanliness, are some of their top priorities, and so this outstanding achievement clearly demonstrates how we have taken their feedback on board.”

What is MRSA? MRSA stands for Meticillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph. aureus). This is a common bacterium that can live harmlessly in the nose, throat and sometimes on the skin. However, Staph. aureus may cause serious harm, such as chest infections or septicaemia, if it enters other parts of the body. This is more likely to happen in people who are already unwell and in hospital, particularly those who have invasive devices such as drips and catheters.

Infection Control Team trains staff in preparation for an Ebola outbreak Due to current concerns about Ebola in West Africa, the Infection Control Team has been working with key personnel across the Trust preparing for the possibility of patients presenting with fever who have travelled to West Africa in the last 21 days.

Training continues to be provided with the emphasis on staff, public and patient safety at all times. Short films have been made (available on the IaN intranet) concerning personal protective clothing, waste and specimen collection. New protocols have been drawn up to ensure all stages of the patient journey through our service are controlled and safe.

Infection Control New Year’s Honours list announced!

The Infection Prevention and Control Team is always keen to honour excellence and, over the last year, there has been much to celebrate.

The team has formulated a ‘New Year’s Honours List’ incorporating awards representing a number of key aspects of Infection Control practice and standards. Hand hygiene has been featured as well as line care, MRSA screening, commitment to training and

audit as well as special awards for contributions to infection control through cleanliness and patient placement.

Judy Potter said: “Such a lot of wonderful work is done across the Trust maintaining patient safety and ensuring hospital stays are free from infection. We wanted to celebrate good practice and honour some of our hard working colleagues.”

A full list of this year’s winners can be found on IaN.

The staff from Culm East and West Wards received their award for ‘Progress in C.diff prevention’

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Special Report

A Winter’s Tale A dramatic surge in patient demand tested hospitals up and down the country to the limit over Christmas and the New Year – including the RD&E. Here we give an overview of what happened here and show some of the many staff groups who worked together to tackle the pressures.

WINTER, more than any other season, is never a quiet time for a hospital.

Hospitals know this and prepare hard for it - the RD&E, like other acute hospitals, has a robust winter Capacity Plan, containing a whole range of actions and measures designed to cope with higher numbers of patients.

But demand over the Christmas and New Year period proved far higher even than the peak levels allowed for in

the Capacity Plan.

Emergency admissions rose sharply as large numbers of patients presented with serious respiratory problems and needed a hospital bed. Emergency Department attendances remained high, making it harder to hit the 95% four-hour waiting time target, and some areas were hit with Norovirus.

As beds became more and more scarce, the pressure went from serious to severe, and the Trust, for a brief period, declared an internal Significant Incident.

This allowed clinical and non-clinical management teams to immediately mobilise extra staff, space and resources – over and above the higher levels pre-allocated in the Capacity Plan - and call on the support of other health and social care

partners in Devon. The priority was to ensure urgent and emergency patients could be treated safely. Regrettably, this meant many elective procedures had to be cancelled.

Staff across the hospital, already working hard, dug even deeper. From frontline clinical staff through to pathologists, porters, secretaries and managers, everyone played their part.

By mid-January, the pressures had started to ease somewhat and the winter was starting to look more ‘normal’ again – busy, but not severe.

For RD&E staff, its patients and their families, and for the NHS across England, it had been one of the toughest Christmas and New Year periods for years.

Em Wilkinson-Brice, RD&E Chief Nurse/Chief Operating Officer, said: “I would like to pay tribute to our staff who once again have demonstrated they are willing and able to go the extra mile to deliver high quality, safe care in even the most testing times. I also want to thank our patients for their understanding, particularly those affected by cancellations.

“We continue to work with our health and social care partners to radically transform our services. This should ensure that our system locally provides patients with the right treatment, at the right time, and in the most appropriate setting.”

What was it like for our staff?

Diane Ody, General Manager “The staff’s response to deal with the pressures was just outstanding.

They went way beyond what was required of them. Their commitment and professionalism allowed us to continue to deliver quality care and maintain patient safety throughout our busiest time.”

Tori Moss, Junior Doctor “The team worked really well together to keep on top of the workload. I predominantly did rapid assessments, and at times it was difficult to make sure every

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patient coming in via ambulance was seen at the door and had the necessary immediate investigations due to the volume of patients coming in.”

Gavin Llloyd, Consultant Emergency Physician “The current winter crisis is clearly a challenge for emergency departments and acute trusts across the UK. I can also empathise with nursing and medical colleagues in acute medicine who would have felt just as much strain, but not got the same media attention. We look forward to a time when the well-publicised issues raised

in the College of Emergency Medicine’s STEP campaign are addressed.”

Sarah-Jane Rowlands, Pharmacist

“Despite particularly long hours and an exceptionally high work load, the Pharmacy Team were great and raised their game. Our focus was to efficiently and calmly meet all requests for medications.”

Greg Clover, Portering Supervisor “The biggest challenges were making sure all new areas that

Special Report

Read more of our patient feedback on

RD&E Roll of Honour

page 10

Page 7

What our patients told us…

Many patients who visited the RD&E during this exceptionally busy period gave us their feedback:

“The Acute Medical Unit staff were very attentive and considering how busy the unit was I was very happy with the care I received.

Amazing service on a bank holiday.”

“The staff were very friendly and polite and kept us constantly informed about delays.”

“Staff were absolutely wonderful, nothing was too much trouble, any doubts or questions we had were answered simply and honestly. Despite the hospital being at full capacity a member of staff somehow managed to check everything was well and to offer comfort.”

were opened and needed to be equipped with beds, lockers, and bedside tables were done so in a timely manner - but that it didn’t compromise patient movement to their booked appointments.”

Alina Piper, Registered Nurse “It was very stressful.

Trying to meet patients’ needs on a ward that is not normally open to inpatients was hard. Continuity was also difficult with different staff being on each day.”

“A hospital is only as good as its staff and you have the best at the RD&E!” “My experience of your hospital and staff has been exceptional, from the gentleman who welcomed us at the entrance, the guys that served us coffee, right through to the admin staff, nurses, housekeeper, anaesthetist and of course my consultant.”

“Although staff were very busy, no one was rushed and they treated each patient as an individual, checking and re-checking everyone was as comfortable as they could be.”

“I cannot express enough how impressed we were with the care my father received and the compassion my mother and myself were shown by every member of the team.”

Carlton Kneil, Infection Prevention & Control Nurse Specialist “Our biggest challenge has been to ensure that, despite the demanding circumstances, infection risks to patients and staff were minimised. This has been achieved through assessment, isolation and prompt diagnostic testing of suspected infectious patients.”

Joanne Price, Biomedical Scientist “It has been very busy due to increased requests for Norovirus and Influenza testing,

Working 24/7 to juggle capacity Head of Patient Flow Sheila Guinchard played a key role throughout the busy winter period with the Site Management Team. The team work 24 hours a day to juggle hospital capacity and demand for beds, making sure every patient is placed in the best possible bed for their needs.

“We always knew that this winter was going to be quite challenging, but the surge in emergency admissions in early January happened quite suddenly after the bank holidays. Patients were arriving through Emergency Department and via their GPs in Acute Medical Unit, and our priority was to make sure they were seen as quickly as possible to maintain patient safety.

“When the Significant Incident was declared, it enabled us to open 57 extra beds in day case areas to increase our capacity. This put extra pressure on our support services such as portering, linen, catering and admin, and we brought in staff for extra shifts.

“The pressures were immense and the challenge was huge but overall the period was managed extremely well.

From top to bottom everyone played their part and pulled together when we really needed to.”

even Christmas day and Boxing day. Everyone in Microbiology has worked really hard to get the results out so that beds can be freed up and infected patients can be isolated.”

Cherry Evans, Medical Secretary “It was extremely pressurised. We needed to ensure that all of our patients received the correct information in a timely manner regarding their cancellation of surgery and felt reassured that we have their best interests at heart to deliver patient care.”

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Patient Safety Programme update: the Quality Improvement Academy (QIA)

The QIA has already achieved a great deal

By Bernadette George, Lead Nurse Patient Safety & Risk

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aunched in 2013, the Quality Improvement Academy (QIA) is an organisation run by junior doctors, for junior doctors, to encourage and run quality improvement and patient safety projects with support from Trust management.

The QIA has already achieved a great deal.

Many of these projects have been published in BMJ Quality Improvement reports and presented both nationally and internationally, whilst QIA itself was shortlisted in the Patient Safety category of the 2014 Health Service journal Awards.

• Implemented a new, clearer drains chart in plastic surgery • Implemented a new bespoke plastic surgery/ hand injury clerking proforma • Improved the system for ordering renal tract imaging • Increased the efficiency of the hand trauma clinic

In addition to this, we have:

• Implemented the Dr-Toolbox website, an online reference source providing information for all junior doctors on working practices, which has improved the handover when juniors rotate between specialties

• I mplemented systems to enhance communications between junior doctors and phlebotomists, thereby minimising duplicated blood tests and preventing delays in blood results

• Improved the prescribing of antibiotics in Trauma and Orthopaedics • Improved the way blood taking equipment is stored on medical wards reducing delays in taking emergency blood tests.

• S tarted a project to implement electronic job books across all wards, improving accountability and reducing errors

With the new QIA year launched in September 2014, many new exciting projects are already underway to build

on their first year’s success, including developing stronger links with QI groups across the Peninsula and plans for an Exeter QI Conference this Spring .

A few of the other new projects we are supporting this year include: • A multidisciplinary team project focusing on improving prescribing of antibiotics across the hospital • Improving access to equipment for rapid chest drain insertion • Improving antibiotic provision in the community for respiratory patients • Improving the “Post-Take” ward round in Acute Medical Unit.

If anyone wishes to learn more or become involved in a project whether doctor, nurse or other allied health professional please don’t hesitate to email us on: rde.quality@gmail.com

Introduction of ‘traffic light’ scoring for feverish illness in children less than 5 years New resources have been produced to help staff recognise sepsis in children a leading cause of preventable death in children under five. Staff from the Paediatric and Emergency Departments are raising awareness of the condition within the RD&E to ensure early identification and prompt treatment for young patients.

To ensure staff are compliant with

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NICE guidance for children that present with feverish illness, they have introduced a number of resources to help identify patients who are at risk of sepsis using a traffic light assessment system. These include: • Visual reminder ‘credit cards’ for all staff to carry if they see children with fever • Posters of the traffic light system in the ED and Paediatric Assessment Unit

• Stickers to be inserted into medical notes of any child presenting with a fever • Stickers to contain information on information given to parents.

Please contact Hannah Williams, Cluster Manager for Child and Women’s Health, or Dr Rebecca Franklin, Consultant Paediatrician, if you would like any further information on this project.

RD&E Roll of Honour

There are many talented and dedicated staff at the R&DE who work tirelessly to provide high quality care for our patients. Over the last couple of months, several of them have been recognised for their hard work …

Alison Wootton wins NHS Emerging Leader of the Year

Clinical School Nursing Awards celebrate problem solving

Assistant Director of Nursing Alison Wootton won the award for NHS Emerging Leader of the Year at the Regional NHS Leadership Recognition Awards. The award sees Alison recognised as one of the region’s most talented, dedicated and inspirational leaders and she will now be entered into the National Leadership Recognition Awards. Well done Alison!

Find out more about Alison on page 16

RD&E narrowly misses out on

Nursing and midwifery staff’s innovative responses to ‘compassion’ were celebrated at the inaugural Clinical School Nursing Awards. Charge Nurse from Durbin Ward Alex Moore was announced the winner, for his work on ensuring that patients with a Neck of Femur fracture are transferred onto a pressure relieving mattress as soon as possible.

Recognition for patient safety

HSJ Awards

work at NHS QUEST Awards

Two teams from the RD&E narrowly missed out on top honours at the Health Service Journal awards. The Trust was in the running in the Compassionate Care and Patient Safety categories. This year the HSJ awards received a record 1305 entries so it is a massive achievement to have been shortlisted.

The RD&E has been awarded two NHS QUEST Awards for our quality improvement and patient safety work. Lead Nurse for Patient Safety & Risk, Bernadette George, collected the Trust Participation Award and the Site Lead of the Year Award for her great patient safety work.

Julie Vale awarded place on King’s Older Persons Nurse Fellowship Senior Nurse for Older People Julie Vale has been awarded a coveted place on the Older Persons Nurse Fellowship programme at King’s College London. Julie said: “This will help me to become recognised as a national expert in caring for older people.”

Tissue Viability Team receive recognition from Wounds UK The Tissue Viability Team have received national recognition for their work on wound cleansing and diagnostic interventions. In November, Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Joanne Woolhead had her poster ‘Larval therapy: treatment of last resort or diagnostic intervention’ displayed at this year’s Wounds UK conference. Meanwhile Senior CNS Juliet Price and CNS Michael Ellis’ co-written article, ‘An evaluation of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of octenilin® for chronic wounds’, was published in November’s Wounds UK Journal.

Medical Imaging Team receive coveted ISAS accreditation The Medical Imaging Team have been recognised for providing high quality radiology services to patients by achieving the UKAS Imaging Service Accreditation (ISAS).

They have become one of just

16 NHS Trusts across the country to have been granted the official accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service on behalf of the Royal College of Radiologists and the College of Radiographers.

(Picture L to R) Joanne Woolhead, Juliet Price, Michael Ellis

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Would you like to nominate a member of staff for an Extraordinary People Award?

Visit www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/trust/ extraordinary_awards or Telephone 01392 403977

Autumn Winners Excellent Care – Roy Abbott, Physiotherapy

Exemplar – Jon Whybrow, Extra Mile Team – Clinical Measurements Wynard Ward

Roy was nominated by a patient, “Roy’s compassion, care and attention to my needs is really appreciated. He respects me as a patient and I like the way he listens to me.”

Senior Clinical Scientist Jon Wybrow unexpectedly passed away in November 2013. In her nomination, Clinical Scientist Helena Wilding spoke of Jon’s passion, drive and commitment to his job.

Exceed – Louise Rattenbury, Matron, Neonatal Unit Louise was nominated by Leanna Toms from SNUG: “Louise has worked collaboratively with myself and all the parents to drive positive change, keeping the family at the centre of everything.”

Wynard were nominated by Nigel Lawrence for their integrity, adaptability and their belief in putting their patients and families first.

Exceptional Achievement – Torridge Ward

Extra Mile – Jill Harrower, Ward Housekeeper, Bolham Jill was nominated by Pete Squire: “Jill plays a big part in helping staff give the best possible care. Jill has very high standards and never lets them slip.”

Consultant Ray Sheridan nominated Torridge: “As one of only a handful of units offering ‘faecal transplants’ for recurrent C.Difficile, they have transformed the lives of patients.”

Food and mood: Some of the many how the Clinical Psychology Team help useful techniques for reduce emotional eating reducing emotional he RD&E Clinical Psychology Team which acknowledges that many people T work across a range of areas in with obesity have had to deal with eating include: the hospital, from pain management adversity in their lives, including bullying to neuro-rehabilitation services.

They use a variety of psychological therapies to help patients with physical health problems to cope with their condition.

One of the areas they are working with is the Exeter Medical Obesity Service. Clinical Psychologist Dr Kate Pearson explains: “The Exeter Medical Obesity Service (EMOS) is a specialist service which supports patients to achieve weight loss, provides education, guidance and follow-up to patients requiring bariatric surgery, and support of patients following surgery. The EMOS team comprises medical consultants including Dr Katarina Kos (Clinical Lead), dieticians, a consultant psychiatrist, clinical psychologists and physiotherapists.

“We take a compassionate perspective,

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and prejudice. In order to ensure that patients are well supported in meeting their personal goals we meet as a team to identify how their individual needs are supported best. Where appropriate, patients are offered consultations with the team psychologists or psychiatrist. For binge eating and emotional eating - two common psychological issues in people with obesity - group programmes are run by psychologists and dieticians.

We encourage a balanced diet and an increase in activity, and teach a range of psychological strategies to help reduce over-eating and promote a more helpful way of responding to emotions. In order to achieve a sustainable lifestyle change, as necessary prior to referral for weight loss surgery, it is important to tackle any unhelpful habits and learn new techniques and eating behaviours.”

• identifying triggers of over-eating e.g. by keeping a food and mood diary • assessing over-eating risks in the immediate environment (e.g. removing supplies of biscuits from the desk drawer) • practising being self-compassionate: losing weight and changing eating habits is difficult, and being a “supportive coach” rather than a self-critic is more likely to lead to success.

Dr Kate Pearson (pictured front left) with the multidisciplinary team

Angela’s online!

Intensive Care Unit launch charity recipe book D

avid Cameron, Michael Caines and Rick Stein are just some of the big names who have provided recipes for ‘Intensive Food’, a charity cookbook in aid of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Trust Fund.

The recipe book, which contains a collection of over 300 recipes from ICU staff, friends and special celebrity guests, was launched in December at an event attended by staff, the Lord Mayor of Exeter and former ICU patient Rolf Clifton.

All the proceeds from sales of the recipe book will go towards providing extra comfort for patients and their relatives during their stay on the unit.

The department’s love of food and drink sparked an idea for the collection of favourite recipes and the team, led by Consultant Nurse Carole Boulanger and ICU Matron Marie Toghill, have been busy compiling recipes ever since.

The book covers range of sweet and savoury recipes, each tied together with a chapter introduction from ICU Consultant Dr Roland Black. A special final chapter is dedicated to Rolf, who spent over 50 days on ICU last year.

Carole and Marie added: “The final chapter for us says it all. Thank you Rolf for your wonderful contribution - you and many others like you are the reason we continue to love our jobs.”

Hard copies of the book have now sold out, but if you if you would like to register your interest in buying one if there is a second print run please email carole.boulanger@nhs.net Or buy your copy of the Intensive Food ebook online for only £4.99 from Amazon.

(Pictured L to R) Lord Mayor of Exeter Percy Prowse, Consultant Nurse Carole Boulanger, former ICU patient Rolf Clifton, ICU Matron Marie Toghill, and RD&E Chief Executive Angela Pedder at the launch of the Intensive Food recipe book.

You can now read the latest blog from RD&E Chief Executive Angela Pedder on our website. Angela’s monthly blog gives a more personal insight into the latest news and events at the RD&E – everything from patient safety to our Extraordinary People.

Take a look at Angela’s latest blog by visiting www.rdehospital.nhs.uk

Listening to our students In December, the Learning and Development Service held their first student forum to capture the views and opinions of those who have undertaken placements at the RD&E. The students discussed questions such as how their placements could be improved and how they perceived the quality of care at the Trust in groups with senior nursing staff, such as Assistant Director of Nursing Alison Wootton.

The first forum seems to have gone down well with the students involved, with several commenting that it was good to have a “reflective discussion with other students” and that it was great opportunity for “senior staff to hear what it’s like to be a student”.

• Student Forums will be held three times a year, so keep an eye for details of the next one on IaN.

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RD&E E

helped me…

If you would like to share your positive feedback with us please email rde-tr.Positivefeedback@nhs.net

very day the RD&E treats hundreds of patients and many take the time to give us feedback. Here we share some of the recent thank - yous we have received…

Dear RD&E, After being told for two years by my previous doctor that there was nothing wrong with me, a dear friend took me to the RD&E – and I was admitted straightaway with suspected cancer.

I felt so ill that I said I’d not have an operation, but the surgeon Mr Gee told me, very gently, that I had two weeks to live, or with an operation, probably another year. His caring manner gave me second thoughts so I agreed and had a large growth removed.

I have just celebrated thirteen years since that operation and, daily, feel grateful to Mr Gee and the hospital who gave me such care.

Barbara Chivers

Dear RD&E, I just wanted to express my thanks to all the midwives who helped with the delivery of my little boy Sebastian in September. I had a wonderful experience and the three midwives and support staff involved were all brilliant. Thanks to the breast feeding help I received straight away Seb is exclusively breast-fed. Here’s a photo of him milk drunk!

Charlotte

Dear RD&E, I have recently had an extremely successful Bilateral Hip Operation at the RD&E. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere and grateful thanks to everyone, all nursing staff and housekeepers of firstly Dyball Ward then Abbey and Exe wards, involved in my care and recovery. I would especially like my thanks conveyed to Mr Charity who performed my operation. To now be so mobile and free from pain is wonderful and all thanks to his expertise and skill.

Dear RD&E, I was a day patient in Otter Ward, Heavitree for ENT surgery to ‘zap’ weak blood vessels in my nose.

Can you PLEASE pass on my sincere thanks to the theatre sister/ senior nurse, I’m sorry I didn’t catch her name but I was too concerned about what was about to happen. She was holding /squeezing my arm during the Op, and yes it does make a lot of difference even to a 64 year-old man. Thanks again, particularly the lady in question. We all need human contact sometimes.

Tim White

You said, we did…

We always want to hear feedback about your experience at the RD&E. We collect your comments through a variety of methods, from feedback forms and surveys to the Friends and Family Test and comments online.

We take on board everything you tell us, and try our best to make changes to improve our services. Here are just a few changes we have made as a result of your feedback:

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Kenn & Bovey

RD&E website

Following feedback from relatives that patients were not always receiving appropriate food choices and supplements, a simple diet board has been set up in the ward kitchen. This has improved communications between nursing staff and dieticians, and allowed for a more effective handover of patients’ nutritional and dietary needs.

Following a complaint about incorrect contact details on the Trust’s website, Administration line managers are now working with the Communications Team to keep the contact information for their specialties up-to-date.

RD&E selected as NATIONAL GENOMICS MEDICINE CENTRE Page 12

How Jane quit with the help of our Smokestop Midwives J

ane Boden thought that she couldn’t give up smoking. The 22 year old from Exmouth had tried to quit in the past but hadn’t been able to manage it on her own. When she became pregnant with her first child she knew that she should try again.

who chatted to Jane about the impact smoking could have on her unborn baby.

Mair used a doll and a placenta to show Jane how the carbon monoxide she was inhaling through cigarettes was lowering the baby’s oxygen levels.

“All the praise and support they gave me was just brilliant. Eventually I was forgetting to stick the nicotine patches on because I didn’t need them anymore. I’d quit the cigarettes before I was 20 weeks, and by 23 weeks I’d quit the patches too.”

“I wanted to quit, but I thought I couldn’t do it because I had tried giving up before” said Jane.

“It was really scary” said Jane. “Seeing it really made a big impression on me, so I agreed for the Smokestop midwives to give me some help.”

At her 12 week scan, Jane was asked to blow into a carbon monoxide machine, which indicated that she was still smoking.

She was then referred to one of the Trust’s new Smokestop Midwives, Mair Davies,

Mair, along with her fellow Smokestop midwife Beccy Risely, arranged to see Jane at home and weekly at a midwifery centre. They also arranged for Jane to receive Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help her quit.

Jane gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Jake James, in November. She attributes her success in quitting to the support she received from Mair and Beccy. “I just think they’re amazing. They have been a great support and made it seem easy. I feel a lot better now I’ve quit. I’ve got more energy and I don’t have the weird taste in my mouth or stained fingers anymore.”

RD&E Smokestop Midwife Service The Smokestop Midwife Service is available to help pregnant women to stop smoking. Beccy and Mair explain: “Our service offers input for all pregnant smokers throughout the antenatal period. We see women in a range of settings including local birth centres, children’s centres and in their own homes. We offer behavioural support for all women and organise nicotine replacement

therapy treatment via the GP if appropriate. We’ll also support partners or another family member if they wish to quit alongside a pregnant smoker.”

Clinicians can make referrals at any stage in pregnancy.

• If you are pregnant and would like help to quit please call 07500095422 or email rde-tr. smokestopmidwife@nhs.net

Risks of smoking in pregnancy

They have been a great support and made it seem easy

• Smoking is responsible for approx. 5000 miscarriages, 2200 premature births and 300 perinatal deaths annually in the UK • As well as the significant health risks to mothers there are also long and short term health

implications for the baby.

It is linked with increased rates of fetal abnormalities, stillbirth and sudden infant death (SIDS)

• The estimated costs of smoking in pregnancy to the NHS are between £20 million and £87.5 million per year.

* Don’t forget – If you work for the RD&E and want to quit you can also get help from the Stop Smoking Service. Call Steph on 6133 or email s.parker4@nhs.net

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Research and Development at the RD&E RD&E T SELECTED AS NATIONAL GENOMICS MEDICINE CENTRE

he RD&E has been selected by NHS England as one of 11 centres that will jointly lead its 100,000 Genomes Project, which aims to establish England as a world leader in the fight against cancer and rare disease. The RD&E will lead the project in the South West, working in partnership with other hospitals across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

The project involves collecting and decoding 100,000 human genomes – complete sets of people’s genes – that will enable scientists and doctors to understand more about specific conditions.

The South West Peninsula NHS Genomics Medicine Centre is anticipated to contribute 4,200 genomes from people living in the region.

Recruitment to the project will begin from February 2015.

The bid was led by Professor Sian Ellard, Head of Molecular Genetics, RD&E and Professor of Human Molecular Genetics at the University of Exeter Medical School. She said: “We are delighted to be involved in this landmark project which will give new insights into cancer biology, new ways of diagnosing rare disease and new treatments for patients in the NHS and throughout the world.”

the Research Innovation Learning and Development (RILD) building where the centre will be based

Angela Pedder, Chief Executive of the RD&E said: “This is recognition of the excellent ground breaking research that has already taken place here and our partnership with the University of Exeter. The new Genomics centre- bringing together clinicians and researchers to improve patient care – is in line with our strategic goals of delivering high quality services to the communities we serve.”

The bid was created with the support of the South West Academic Health Science Network (SW AHSN).

Maggie Shepherd appointed Honorary Clinical Professor

Sian recognised for contribution to research Congratulations to Prof.

Sian Ellard, Head of Molecular Genetics at the RD&E and Professor of Human Molecular Genetics at the University of Exeter Medical School, who has won an award from the inaugural Academy for Healthcare

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Science congress. Sian was nominated for her research work in neonatal diabetes, including the discovery of 14 new causes of the disease, which has transformed the lives of patients throughout the world.

The Lead Nurse for Research at the RD&E, Maggie Shepherd, has been promoted to Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of Exeter Medical School. Maggie currently works in the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF) in RILD. The academic promotion is a testament to her growing international reputation in monogenic diabetes and dedication to ensuring research advances are successfully translated into patient care.

Exeter health innovation hub wins second property award The RILD building has been awarded Building of the Year 2014 by The Building Forum for Devon and Cornwall. £27.5 million centre of excellence for health education and research is a partnership between the University of Exeter and the RD&E. This is the second accolade that RILD has been awarded since it was opened in June 2014.

Inaugural Clinical Trials Symposium

(Pictured L to R) Charlotte Kilvington, Dr Gretel Finch and Karen Read

Gretel returns to research after volunteering at RD&E D

r Gretel Finch has been able to return to her career in research thanks to the help and support she received as a volunteer at the RD&E. Having worked as a Research Scientist for many years, including posts at the BBSRC Institute of Food Research and the University of Bristol, Gretel took a career break to care for her young family. During this time she helped set up a breast feeding support group and trained as a Peer Support Counsellor.

In the summer of 2012, Gretel was keen to return to her research career but wanted to build up her confidence and experience again. She approached RD&E Infant Feeding Coordinators Charlotte Kilvington and Karen Read to discuss volunteering opportunities and soon Gretel was using her research skills and Peer Support experience to help them

with their medical audit into Tongue Tie intervention. Whilst volunteering she has also been able to gain clinical practice hours towards her International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) training.

“My time volunteering at the RD&E significantly increased my confidence, skills and experience after such a long career break to apply for a Research Fellowship in maternal eating behaviour at the University of Bristol through the Daphne Jackson Trust, which I was awarded in February 2014” said Gretel. “The RD&E has been an amazing environment to work in and it has been a privilege to work with such dedicated and hardworking professionals, including those from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Research Design Service and the Exeter Health Library.

The collaborative work of research and clinical staff was celebrated at our inaugural Clinical Trials Symposium.

As well as giving staff an update on the progress of the hospital’s clinical trials work the symposium also saw the presentation of the RD&E’s very first Clinical Research Team Awards.

There were 16 submissions from research teams across the Trust and the top three entries - the Emergency Department, Exeter Stroke Team and STOPCUTS - were invited to present their work to delegates. The Emergency Department Research Team (pictured) claimed first prize for truly embedding research within the clinical service at every level.

To find out more contact Leigh Boxall, Lead Research Practitioner, on leigh.boxall@nhs.net or 01392 406915.

• The Daphne Jackson Trust is an organisation dedicated to helping scientists and engineers return to research following a career break by helping with support and retraining. www.daphnejackson.org

Research and Development Annual Report 2013/14 The RD&E’s Research and Development Team has achieved a great deal over the last year. 2013/14 saw a large number of research publications

by RD&E staff, impressive levels of funding secured and the innovation of staff recognised.

Key research partnerships with the University of Exeter and the University of Exeter Medical School also flourished, with the opening of the Research Innovation Learning and Development (RILD) building.

The Trust is also a key member of the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN), and was appointed to host the South West

Peninsula Clinical Research Network (CRN: SWP) this year.

Some of their other highlights in 2013/14 have included: • 139 research publications from staff were included in peer reviewed journals.

• In excess of £12m of NIHR funding and £5m of external grant funding for research projects was secured.

• Over 3880 patients were recruited into NIHR clinical research studies from a total of 180 studies. Nationally the Trust was 9th out of 44 Trusts in our benchmark group for patient recruitment into trials.

• Patient feedback survey demonstrated

that 94% of patients felt valued as a participant in research.

• Research continues into genetic types of diabetes. Professors Sian Ellard and Andrew Hattersley received seven years funding from the Wellcome Trust to support their work on neonatal diabetes.

Exeter has received samples from over 80 countries in the world and is the international leader in this field.

• The number of research active staff in the Trust has increased by 20% in 2013/14. We have seen an increase in non-medical researchers, including Extended Scope Practitioners and nurses acting as Principle Investigators.

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your Member and Governors section

Jeff Chinnock, Head of Stakeholder Communications & Engagement, running a focus group at Members’ Say

A word cloud created from the feedback from the focus groups

Members’ Say Focus Group Feedback S

ix focus groups were held during the course of our Members’ Say event on 27th September 2014. Three of these groups focused on issues concerning the RD&E’s reputation and branding.

Around 40 Members of the Trust attended these three sessions and took part in a lively and informative hour of discussion and activities on what sat behind the reputation of the RD&E. In the first exercise the group was asked to set out the key attributes that sum up the Trust.

Based on a textual analysis of the discussion the key word associations for the RD&E were: • Professional • Good reputation/word of mouth

• T rustworthy

This exercise was broadly positive, though less so than the first exercise. The main negative issues to emerge focused on poor communication and customer care. The primary word associations used for the RD&E brand (based on numbers of mentions) include:

•D elivered with care

•G ood quality

•R esearch

•W aiting - negative

In the second exercise, participants were asked to respond unprompted to the words, images and sounds that came to mind when thinking about the RD&E. This enabled the respondents to think about and discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of the reputation from their own perspectives and that of the wider public.

• P arking - negative

•D ynamic • S afe •C ompetent • E fficient

•Q uality care •G reat medical staff • F riendly The conclusions of these focus groups will be used to better understand the RD&E’s reputation and what Members value about the Trust.

Member surveys Last year we enclosed a survey with the Summer edition of RD&E News and we also followed this up with inviting a small number of Members to a focus group session. The research was designed to explore opinions on the options for care in older age, your experiences of care services, support and funding and your perceptions of the RD&E’s reputation. The results of the survey showed: • Members were overwhelmingly positive about the Trust reputation with the majority agreeing that they have ‘confidence in the RD&E’ and that ‘the RD&E is trustworthy’.

• The survey asked to what extent Members would choose care provided by the RD&E over alternative care providers if the RD&E

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started to provide a similar offering. Over three quarters of respondents (76%) agreed that they would choose the RD&E over alternative care providers, whilst one fifth (20%) were unsure.

• The survey also explored perceptions on the requirement for specialist care for an age related condition, such as dementia, stroke or arthritis. Members’ preferences were as follows: - Supported care at home (74%) - Care in a dedicated facility, such as a care home (10%) - Don’t know/unsure (16%) • The survey also asked questions about how Members would prefer their care to be funded in later life. The majority of

respondents (60%) indicated that they would most likely turn to social care or NHS funding to fund future care, while 29% indicated that they would be prepared to spend their own money on care.

The results of the survey will be used to help the RD&E consider how it can best support elderly patients in need of care in the future.

Thanks to all those who responded – your help is greatly appreciated.

Kevin donates ÂŁ1000 to Diabetes Centre Page 17

Medicine for Members Tuesday 24th March 2.30pm The next Medicine for Members talk will focus on the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) outreach nursing service. Mel Sully, Senior AKI Nurse Specialist, will be presenting a highly informative talk on how their team helps to

reduce the progression of AKI, a rapid loss of kidney function which can occur in any patient group.

The talk will be held in the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre at Wonford Hospital.

Places are limited so reserve your place early to avoid disappointment by contacting the Foundation Trust Office on 01392 403977 or email Jenny Jones, Engagement Officer at rde-tr.foundationtrust@nhs.net

Drs Richard and Mary Fortescue Ffoulkes M

ember Barbara Katherine Cork recently got in touch with the RD&E News Team to tell us about her parents Drs Richard and Mary Fortescue Ffoulkes.

Her father Richard had been an anaesthetist at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, the West of England Eye Infirmary and the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital from 1925. Whilst her mother Mary, who was also an anaesthetist in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, is thought to be one of the first women doctors in Exeter. Mary worked as a medical officer in the casualty department of the old Southernhay RD&E

Join us!

We are always looking to recruit more Members to help us shape our services.

Our Members play a vital role in providing feedback and support on how local health care is provided.

Becoming a member is free. You can be as active and involved as you want.

As a Member you get to have a greater say in how our services are run and can attend events such as Members Say and Medicine for Members to gain a deeper

hospital during the Second World War. Following the war, there was a great need for extra hospital facilities in the city so the couple bought Politimore House near Pinhoe and opened it as a private hospital and maternity unit. When the NHS was formed in 1948, a number of beds were also contracted out to the new service.

Between 1945 and 1963 over 10,000 patients were admitted to Politimore House, including several thousand on the NHS, and a total of 1,401 babies were born there.

When the Fortescue-Foulkes retired in 1963, the house became part of the Exeter Hospitals Group and remained a medical

establishment until the new Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital was built in Wonford in the 1970’s.

Thank you Barbara for sharing your memories with us. If you would like to share you memories of healthcare at the RD&E with us please contact the Communications Team on rde-tr.RDEComms@nhs.net or 01392 406941.

insight into the care we provide. You will be able to vote for representatives on the Council of Governors or even put yourself forward for election. You will also receive regular updates from us in the form of our quarterly magazine RD&E News.

To become a Member send your name, address, and email address to Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, FREEPOST NAT 7092, Exeter, EX25BF, or email rde-tr.foundationtrust@nhs.net

Cartoon portrait from the Royal Devon Rudery pamphlet (1940), reproduced in A better provision Fifty Years on by Hazel Harvey (1998)

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your Member and Governors section

2015 Elections to the Council of Governors

W

e will be holding elections to the Council of Governors once again this year, with positions available in all our public constituencies as well as for staff Governors. As in previous years, we plan to hold meetings for members interested in standing as a Governor. All Members who have told

Council of Governors Meeting Dates All Council meetings are 2-4pm • Monday 20th April – Seminar Room 2, RILD • Monday 13th July – Seminar Room 2, RILD • Friday 16th October – Seminar Room 1, RILD Venue: Research, Innovation, Learning & Development building (RILD), RD&E, Wonford, Barrack Road, Exeter.

us they are interested in the role will be contacted and invited to a meeting or to receive further information.

If you would like to register your interest in being a Governor and receive an invitation to a prospective Governor meeting, please let the Engagement Office know on

01392 403977 or by emailing: rdetr.foundationtrust@nhs.net The prospective Governor meetings are likely to be held in June/July 2015 with the elections taking place between July and September 2015. More details of the exact timetable will be in the next RD&E News out in late May.

RD&E Board Meetings 2015 Our Board has 10 meetings in a calendar year (though it can meet in August and December if required) with each meeting having a public and confidential session. Members of the public are welcome to attend the public sessions.

2015 Board meeting dates are: • Wednesday 25th February • Wednesday 25th March • Wednesday 29th April • Wednesday 27th May

• Wednesday 24th June • Wednesday 29th July • Wednesday 30th September • Wednesday 28th October • Wednesday 25th November Please note: from February 2015, the public Board meetings will start at 9am and will finish at 10.30am.

The meetings are held in the Boardroom, Noy Scott House, on the RD&E Wonford site, which is on the ground floor and accessible by wheelchair.

All Foundation Trust members are welcome to attend these meetings. There is no need to book but if you would like more details, please contact the Engagement Team on 01392 403977 or email rde-tr.foundationtrust@nhs.net.

Meet Alison Wootton – one of our Staff Governors Assistant Director of Nursing for the Medical Division Alison Wootton has recently been re-elected as a Staff Governor, having already served a three year term. hy did you want to W become a Governor?

“I felt it would be valuable to be able to put forward what it was like to work in the hospital as a member of a ward team and to be able to put forward messages from patients about what they needed from services.”

You have recently been

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re-elected. Why did you choose to stand again?

“I feel that my role and input has been valuable. I think that I have provided a perspective that has helped the Council understand issues in more depth or from different perspectives. It has offered me a really different set of development and networking opportunities that have helped me develop both personally and professionally.”

Why is it important that we have Staff Governors as well as public representatives?

“I think that the blend of staff and public representatives brings different viewpoints to the role. Ultimately why anyone is there is to contribute to making the care for patients and the services that we offer the best that they can be. Each person on the Council brings a different perspective, different skills and life experience to the role and this all adds together to make us effective in what we need to do.”

Healthcare Science – the clout behind the Clinic Page 18

Lamin benefits from expertise of Exeter hip surgeons

Lamin is now back at work coordinating the Ebola Surveillance programme

S

urgeons at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre (PEOC) have given up their time to perform complex surgery on a patient from The Gambia. Lamin Jawla is now back at work coordinating the Ebola Surveillance programme at Banjul International Airport following a ‘life-changing’ hip replacement.

Public and Environmental Health Officer Lamin needed the surgery after he dislocated his hip in a road traffic accident.

Over time the injury had caused arthritis and I will deformity, but doctors in The Gambia ever be lacked the skills and proud facilities to carry out complex hip of Mr surgery.

Wilson and Mr Gie

Lamin was able to undergo

his specialist surgery in Exeter thanks to the efforts of Kim Fielding, a volunteer and Oncology Nurse, retired PEOC Consultant Mr Gie and PEOC Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Matt Wilson. The surgeons and the anaesthetists gave up their time for free, whilst medical equipment manufacturer Stryker donated the replacement hip implant and Lamin’s employers funded the rest of his care.

Lamin Jawla said: “This procedure made a great impact on my life. I am walking without any pain or discomfort or stress. I will ever be proud of Mr Wilson and Mr Gie for rehabilitating my life back to normal.”

Mr Matt Wilson added: “The decision to perform a complex hip replacement in a young person is never easy but the opportunity to give Lamin back his quality of life and get him back to the hugely important job he is doing in The Gambia was not one we could ignore.”

Bishop of Plymouth joins in the ‘Blessing our Vocations’ service at RD&E The Bishop of Plymouth joined staff for a ‘Blessing our Vocations’ service to celebrate the many vocations and job roles that make up the life of the hospital. Staff and volunteers were invited to bring a symbol of their role along to the service, be it a piece of medical equipment, a pager or even a feather duster, to be blessed on the altar by the Bishop.

The Rt. Revd. Mark O Toole said: “I was pleased to be at the service and to pray in thanksgiving for all those who put their heads, hearts and hands at the service of those who are sick.”

Lead Chaplain Dr Simon Harrison (left) with the Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt. Revd. Mark O Toole (centre)

Kevin donates £1000 to Diabetes Centre for third year running!

Patient Kevin Hooper has donated £1000 to the MacLeod Diabetes & Endocrine Centre (MDEC) for the third year running to say thank you to staff there that have cared for him.

In the past, Kevin found living with Type 1 Diabetes challenging and was not taking his insulin regularly. However thanks to the commitment and support from staff he started getting the regular treatment he needed.

Kevin raised the money by holding a party for over 160 family and friends to celebrate his birthday. He raised around £300 on the night and then rounded up the sum to a thousand with his own money.

Tracey Courtney, Diabetes Nurse Specialist said: “We are all very grateful for his support.

This year, we’re hoping to use Kevin’s donation to make improvements to our education and training facilities.”

Kevin, pictured centre with staff from the MacLeod Diabetes & Endocrine Centre

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results of these lab tests and services are vital

Healthcare Science – the clout behind the Clinic

By Stuart Cannon, Trainee Clinical Scientist at the RD&E

“

Hello, my name is Stuart and I have just started my training to become a clinical scientist. When telling people about my new job, I often get asked: “so what exactly do you do?” So I wanted to try and let more people know just how important science is for healthcare.

Broadly speaking ‘clinical science’ includes everyone in the laboratories and associated departments involved with the tests carried out on patient samples, and currently there are about 300 clinical scientists in the RD&E who work with many technical and supporting staff as well. Quite often the clinical science teams will never come into contact with patients directly however, results of these lab tests and services are vital to help inform doctors when making diagnoses and considering the best treatments for patients.

The team I have joined is the Molecular

Genetics department, located in RILD building, and we specialise in genetics and genomics - extracting, analysing, and interpreting peoples DNA! This service can help doctors understand whether an alteration in a patient’s DNA is causing their disease. For example, a genetic mutation, or change in the DNA ‘code’, may result in some parts of the body being built incorrectly, making people unwell.

However, not all mutations are harmful! For example; a healthy couple who are known to be at risk of having a child with a genetic disorder (such as cystic fibrosis) could be offered genetic testing to see if they are carriers of an unexpressed or ‘hidden’ mutation. This mutation may not be harmful to them but may become harmful when inherited by their children and cause a disease. Therefore, results from a test such as this would allow healthy couples to make informed decisions

RD&E Pharmacists sign up as Antibiotic Guardians The Antimicrobial Stewardship Team has signed up to become Antibiotic Guardians. Antibiotics are some of the most precious medicines that we have. Clinicians rely on them for many aspects of modern medicine, including operations and cancer treatment, however we are at risk of losing them if they are not used responsibly. If antibiotics continue to be used when they are not needed, more bacteria will become resistant to antibiotics, meaning routine treatments could become increasingly dangerous.

To show your support for the campaign visit http:// antibioticguardian.com/ and once you’ve pledged, you can join the campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #antibioticguardian.

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on planning their family.

There are also other applications of genetic testing. For example, certain mutations can tell doctors if someone has a rare inherited type of diabetes, which would mean they would need a different medicine. Or in some cases genetic testing can tell a person if they have a higher risk of developing certain inherited cancers. Amazingly, the DNA of a lung, colon or skin cancer tumour can sometimes even tell us which treatment drugs the lump will respond to, allowing the patient to take the most effective drugs for their cancer as soon as possible!

Healthcare science is ever advancing and is an important part of the healthcare system cumulatively working together to help everyone to live longer. So, if you want to find out more about our service visit www.exeterlaboratory.com, follow us on twitter @Exeter_Lab, or Google ‘genomics education’ for a broader introduction to genomics.”

Dom and Jamie help train hospital staff in Uganda R

D&E Physiotherapist Dominic Hazell and Occupational Therapist Jamie Currie travelled to Uganda in November to help train staff based at Kagando Hospital in West Uganda, and CoRSU Hospital in Central Uganda, where their work was supported by charity Interface Uganda.

Interface Uganda was set up in 2001 by Andrew and Sarah Hodges, a Reconstructive Surgeon and Anaesthetist who worked at the RD&E. It aims to provide essential reconstructive care and rehabilitation for the poor and to equip and train local specialists.

Dominic explains: “Our time at Kagando was spent supporting the work of the lone Physiotherapist Ken working at the hospital. The sheer volume of his workload was incredible and he had to deal with an enormous variety of conditions, including recovery from Malaria, Leprosy and large

trauma from crocodile and hippo attacks.

We were able to ease the workload whilst providing condition specific teaching and supporting the development of Interface Uganda sponsored Physiotherapist Dennis.

People would often travel for days through the Rwenzori Mountains and from the Democratic Republic of Congo to receive treatment!”

Hodges in the rehabilitation of complex reconstructions, assisted by the equipment and materials donated by Interface to CoRSU Hospital. Both participated in the Community Based Rehabilitation outreach programme and became involved in the Disability Sports Day to raise awareness and break down barriers of disability in Africa.”

“CoRSU presented with different challenges as a centre for reconstructive and orthopaedic surgery. Jamie worked closely with Andrew

If you wish to find out more about Dom and Jamie’s Uganda trip visit their blog at www.interfaceuganda.org

FORCE donate specialist chairs

Exeter College Art Student makes a meal out of hospital menus Jayne Gordon from the Plymouth University / Exeter College Foundation degree course has been working with Exeter HealthCare Arts on a photographic project themed on food.

Stephen Pettet -Smith, the Trust Arts Manager, challenges students each year to come up with photographic artwork on the theme of ‘In sickness and in health’.

Jayne has developed her project around the ingredients used in food served to our patients to make pictures that resemble the Dutch Master painters.

The results of Jayne and her fellow students work will be exhibited during the spring.

Arts Community lift the spirits again this winter Exeter HealthCare Arts have once again teamed up with the local arts community to present the annual Friends and Family exhibition - now in its 16th year!

Displayed from the chapel to area B, the second floor corridor is a wonderfully varied collection of artworks produced by artists who have a connection to the hospital. We have talented staff, former staff, outpatients and former patients all loaning their work to brighten the hospital environment. Many of the works are for sale with artists donating a percentage of prices to Exeter HealthCare Arts, which helps with exhibition work throughout the year. Anyone interested in pieces of artwork please contact stephen. pettet-smith@nhs.net or 01392 402366

A grateful patient has raised nearly £3,000 for the FORCE Cancer Charity to purchase two specialist chairs for the Centre for Women’s Health.

The chairs are designed to make a significant difference to the comfort of patients after surgery for vulval cancers, which affects more than 1,200 women each year in the UK. Gynaecological Oncology Nurse Specialists Gail Webb and Jacky Stewart are delighted with new equipment.

“The patients are able to use different settings on the chairs to relieve pressure, enhance comfort which helps promote healing and recovery.”

More information about cancer of the vulva is available from FORCE Cancer Support Centre www.forcecancercharity.co.uk

left to right - Gail Webb, Jackie Stewart, Julia Pitts, CFO, FORCE Cancer Charity

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Christmas on Bramble I

t was a busy couple of weeks on Bramble Ward this Christmas…

• Exeter City FC and Build-a-bear bring some festive cheer Players gave out dozens of teddy bears and signed merchandise to the young patients, with a little help from Grecian the Lion and Bearemy from Build-a-Bear. Exeter City defender Pat Baldwin said: “I hope that we have brought a smile to the faces of a few children this Christmas.”

• Exeter Chiefs deliver Christmas presents for all Stars from the Exeter Chiefs also paid a festive visit to give out presents and Chief’s goodie bags. Prop Brett Sturgess said: “As players and also as parents ourselves,we aim to cheer the kids up, give them a few presents and try and bring a smile to their day.”

• Bears for Bramble from the Devonshire Freemasons

Dozens of teddy bears have been donated to Bramble by the Devonshire Freemasons through their Devonshire Teddy for Loving Care (TLC) campaign. W.Bro. John Adcock, the Devon Coordinator for TLC, said: “As long as the children are happy with the teddies then we’re happy too!”

• Marine’s mince pies and mulled wine raise cash for the Lion’s Den

Royal Marie Jason Tooley, from Lympstone Commando Training Centre, raised money over £145 for the refurbishment of Bramble’s outdoor play area by selling mince pies and mulled wine.

• Toys galore from Dawlish Sainsbury’s Dawlish Sainsbury’s Store Manager Steve Roberts and Charity Coordinator Toni Smith popped in to handover boxes of toys that have kindly been donated by staff and customers. The Dawlish store chose Bramble as their charity this Christmas as it was a cause close to their hearts.

Volunteers at the RD&E We work with a range of voluntary organisations at the RD&E, who support us in a number of ways. This issue, we have a spotlight on TRIP Community Transport Association…

Situated in Honiton, TRIP is a provider of transport for the rurally isolated or disabled of all ages and for older people living in rural or urban areas. A fleet of eight accessible vehicles together with over 40 voluntary cars help to convey people to almost every type of medical appointment, day care centres, shopping in local shops or to other places

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for more serious retail therapy. One can also enjoy locations further afield at weekends with coast and country visits, trips to places of interest, pub lunches and holidays to far off destinations including Jersey and the Isle of Wight. All journeys are a door to door service. There is no waiting in the rain for your transport to arrive.

TRIP is the Exeter and East Devon ‘Single Point of Contact’ for information and advice on patient transport to hospital appointments.

TRIP also has a disability shop selling things that can improve one’s life, from walking

sticks to mobility scooters, bathroom attachments to stair lifts, walking frames to lap trays. The office and shop are open from 9.00 to 5.00 Monday to Friday.

Also under the TRIP umbrella is the Acorn Befriending Service. This is for anyone who might benefit from regular visits for a chat or to help someone get more out of life.

For more information on all services contact TRIP on 01404 46529

Maintenance man turned charity bookseller publishes first novel

(L to R) Jessica Donnelly, Grace Ortanez, Brian Kingett and Jane Kingett ready to run for a new OCT machine

WEEU Team raise funds for new medical equipment A group of staff from the West of England Eye Unit (WEEU) have raised £1500 to help purchase new equipment for the unit by completing the Great West Run. Jane Kingett, Brian Kingett, Grace Ortanez, and Freddie Kivuva completed the 13.1 mile route to help fund a new Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT) machine, which they

have now been able to purchase thanks to their efforts and some additional funding from the Trust.

“Our motivation was that were working towards buying something really useful for the unit” said Jane Kingett. “We have had amazing support from patients and staff, and would like to thank everyone who donated.”

Graeme Smith, a Maintenance Assistant from the Estates Department who is well known around Heavitree Hospital for his successful charity book stall in the foyer, has just published his very first novel – a Second World War drama entitled ‘The Awakening of Abraham Brown’.

Over the past five years Graeme has raised over £10,000 for charity through his charity stall, which supports two main charities, the Devon Air Ambulance and Children’s Hospice South West.

Graeme said: “I cannot thank the staff enough at Heavitree for their support and generous donations to the stall over the years and I am delighted to have had my novel published as well.”

‘The Awakening of Abraham Brown’ can be purchased from Amazon or in-store at W H Smith or Waterstones.

Waitrose Community Matters support RD&E comfort packs RD&E ‘comfort packs’, which help the relatives of terminally ill patients, have been given a £294 boost thanks to Waitrose’s Community Matters appeal.

The comfort packs are made up for families and carers of patients who are approaching the last days of their life. Relatives are not always prepared for an extended stay in hospital but the packs, which contain essentials such as toiletries and refreshments, allow them to remain near the bedside for as long as possible.

Shoppers in the Heavitree Waitrose store chose to support the cause by placing their tokens in the Community Matters box at the end of their shop.

End of Life Educational Facilitator Sue Bignell recently collected the cheque from Waitrose with Yarty staff nurse Beth Twitchell. Sue said: “Thanks to Waitrose

we have been able to raise £294, which will ensure the continued success of the comfort packs provided to relatives at this very distressing time.”

Passing of Dr Gordon Francis Mayall It is with sadness that we report the death former RD&E Consultant of Radiology, Dr Gordon Francis Mayall. Dr Mayall was 85 years old when he passed away on 2nd November 2014, leaving a wife and four sons. He has been remembered fondly by Radiology colleagues as an inveterate eccentric with a well-honed work ethic and a heart of gold too.

Dean’s Prize for Hazel!

Congratulations to Antimicrobial Pharmacist Hazel Parker who has been awarded the Dean’s Prize from Imperial College London for attaining the highest scoring MSc mark in the Faculty of Medicine in 2013/14. The prize is a testament to Hazel’s hard work whilst studying for her MSc in Infection Management for Pharmacists.

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£200 raised for Breast Cancer Campaign The Executive Support Office took part in ‘Wear it pink day’ in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign in November.

They raised a fantastic £200 by selling cakes and wearing pink for the day.

Nice work!

Staff at Exeter Mobility Centre raised £67 for Save the Children by joining in the National Christmas Jumper Day on 12th December. Nice work!

RD&E junior doctors to help prevent the spread of Ebola A group of RD&E junior doctors helped support the worldwide effort to stop the spread of Ebola with a charity stand in the Oasis restaurant. They were joined by representatives from Oxfam and collected over £340 for the Oxfam Ebola Crisis Appeal.

stop the spread. This is now a major international crisis, as hospital staff we can only imagine the struggle our fellow colleagues are facing in the countries affected, lets support them in whatever way we are able to - be it financially or with our time.”

Junior Doctor Sarah Merson said: “Nearly 5000 people have died, 10,000 have been infected. We must help

Please consider donating at the Oasis stand or online via https://donate.oxfam.org.uk/ emergency/ebola

Stoma Care team wear purple for Colostomy Association Awareness Day

Deputy Chief Nurse/Midwife Tracey Reeves and Trust Chairman James Brent with some of the cakes on sale

Clinical Measurements Cake Sale The Clinical Measurements Department raised over £240 in aid of local charity the Exeter Ethiopia Link by holding a cake sale in November. The department’s delicious selection of homemade cakes was made in memory of their colleague Dr Jonathon Whybrow, a Senior Clinical Scientist who sadly passed away in December 2013.

Let the Lions do the leg work!

The stoma care nursing team held a stand in Oasis to highlight Colostomy Association Awareness Day. They were joined by Farideh Colthart from the Colostomy Association and Diane Kay from departmental sponsors Coloplast in wearing purple wigs for awareness.

Find out more by visiting www.colostomyassociation.org.uk

Leg party raises £210 for RD&E Patient Debbie Northway has raised over £200 as a thank-you for the care she received at the RD&E. Last year Debbie lost her leg above the knee and has since been attending the Exeter Mobility Centre for prosthetic and physiotherapy appointments. She recently celebrated having her prosthetic leg by throwing a ‘Leg Party’ for friends and family where she raised £105 for Exeter Mobility Centre and £105 for Otter Ward to say thank you to the staff who cared for her.

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Don’t forget you can return your crutches or walking aids your local Exeter GP when you no longer need them. The RD&E have teamed up with the Exeter Lions Club, whose volunteers will collect walking aids from GP practices in the Exeter area and return them to the hospital – saving you a trip back to Wonford and helping our Physiotherapy Department to maintain their supply of crutches.

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