k n Li
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Trust Praised
NHS Foundation Trust
Vickers Four Celebrate 1st Birthday
Page 5
Let’s
Talk Page 4
in Good Hospital Guide again Page 3 Spring 2013
A magazine for staff and patients
Welcome
A
t a time when some parts of the NHS are under the spotlight for delivering poor standards of care, we should remember that there are many, many people working in the service whose compassion, innovation and skill are making a huge difference to people when they are at their most vulnerable.
Reading through this magazine, there are examples of the NHS at its very best and the articles showcase some of the outstanding talent and commitment in our hospitals and the community. It will be important to build on this as we move forward. We are about the enter the second year of our five year plan – Making a Difference and over the coming weeks and I will be inviting you to share your ideas and views about how we continue to provide the best care and experience possible for our patients. I am also very aware that now more than ever we need to ensure we support and develop the people who work here to achieve their full potential. I was pleased to see that the results of the staff survey (page 7) showed that more of you, compared to the national average, would recommend your Trust as a place to receive care or to work. I am also encouraged that more of you felt able to contribute to improvements are work. We still have more to do though and I welcome hearing your thoughts at the upcoming open chat sessions. And finally the last few weeks have been exceptionally busy with unprecedented numbers of patients attending Accident and Emergency. We know that this has a significant knock on effect throughout the rest of the hospitals and community services and so I would like to thank everyone for their hard work in these difficult circumstances. In the next edition of Link you can read about some of the practical measures we are taking to manage the increasing demand, provide good patient care and consistently meet the waiting times standard. I hope you enjoy the rest of the magazine and I look forward to seeing you at one of the Lets Talk sessions or during the ward/department visits I will be undertaking every fortnight throughout the rest of the year. (Find the details of open Sessions on page 4)
Contents 7
13
6
22
27
4 Let’s Talk 5
Vickers Four Celebrate 1st Birthday
6 Services join together in Brearley Outpatients to deliver seamless care 7 New pilot partnership supports patients at home
17 More patients to benefit from Devices for Dignity programme 18 Gastroenterologist wins prestigious prize for outstanding clinical research
8 Would you recommend our care to your relatives?
19 Fresh Start for Kidney Transplant Patients
10-11
22-23 Parents of tiny tots celebrate with a Thank You
Creating Leaders of the future
12 help patients living with dementia 13 Neurology team recognised in NHS Innovation Competition 14 Long Service Awards Recognises Dedicated staff 15
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16 Sheffield Hospital Charity funds new area for young adults
In the spotlight-Diabetic Foot Clinic
20-21
Research matters!
24 Largest OPAT service in UK celebrates its seventh year 25 Do Your Bit for Weston Park Hospital charity campaign 26
Getting to Know You
27
Staff Excel in New Evaluation Programme
Trust praised
in Good Hospital Guide again Better than average survival rates from surgery, low infection rates and high quality care are just three reasons why Sheffield Teaching Hospitals has been named as one of the country’s top large hospital Trusts in the Dr Foster Good Hospital Guide.
G
reat-grandmother Hazel Couldwell, 84, knows all too well why the hospital’s care has been rated highly after she suffered a hip fracture. Hazel suffered a fall in the dark outside her home in Stocksbridge and was rushed to the Northern General Hospital. Hazel quickly underwent hip replacement surgery followed by intensive rehabilitation and continued support at home from the Community Intermediate Care team. Hazel said: “All my care has been brilliant and the staff were amazing. They explained
everything to me and were always checking if I needed anything or asking me how I was feeling. The kindness and care I received from all the staff was second to none.” Our Trust was particularly noted for having lower than expected death rates after surgery and also highlighted as being one of the best five Trusts for having the least number of operations cancelled. Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive, said: “The Good Hospital Guide highlights all UK hospitals performance on the things which really matter to patients including safety and the quality of care. I am therefore delighted that once again the
Guide has highlighted Sheffield Teaching Hospitals as one of the top performing Hospital Trusts in the UK. “Every one of our 15,000 hospital and community based staff play a part in ensuring we continue to deliver a high standard of healthcare to patients and it is their hard work and dedication which has resulted in the the Trust being considered as one of the best in the UK. However we are never complacent and continue to take every opportunity to further improve both the care we provide and the experience patients have when they use our services.”
“The Good Hospital Guide highlights all UK hospitals performance on the things which really matter to patients including safety and the quality of care. Page 3 • Link - Spring 2013
HIV-Hop campaign Wins UK Sexual Health Awards The Centre for HIV & Sexual Health has won this year’s UK Sexual Health Awards for their innovative ‘HIV-Hop’ campaign. The campaign (which was developed for the Centre by diva creative) is based on a ‘rap style’ video featuring MC HIV-Hop and uses a range of multi-media formats to tackle some of the common misconceptions and stigma which surround HIV. The award was presented by Brook in London on Thursday 14th March and the campaign has won the Media Campaign/ Storyline of the Year which is a brand new category for 2013. Steve Slack, Director of the Centre for HIV & Sexual Health Sheffield, said: “We are delighted to win this prestigious national award and feel very humbled considering the high level of work of other contenders. “The video was produced on a shoe-string and we are grateful for all the support from Sheffield City Council, artists who gave their time freely and for the musicians who contributed to the video. We owe a huge debt of thanks to Diva Creative for their collaboration in the project. “It is a timely reminder that young people are still unaware of HIV and how it can be acquired. During these times of austerity it is vital that Sexual Health Services are not cut and it is also important that we improve the delivery of sex education in our schools. “We still have unacceptably high levels of HIV in this country and we need to do more to educate everyone and also to challenge the continued stigma surrounding this infection, otherwise we will see rates continue to rise.” You can view the HIV-Hop video at www.youtube.com/theHIV-Hop
Dates for your diary Don’t miss out on the chance to enter this year’s prestigious Health Service Journal Awards! Key dates: ❚ Monday 15 April – entries open ❚ Friday 31 May – entry deadline ❚ Thursday 18 July – finalists announced ❚ Tuesday 19 November – awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London Keep your eyes peeled for further information from the communications team. www.hsjawards.co.uk/home Page 4 • Link - Spring 2013
Let’s Talk
Open Sessions
Continued from page 2
Open Sessions Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Medical School Friday 5 April
12.30pm
Lecture Theatre 1
Tuesday 16 April
5.30pm
Lecture Theatre 1
Monday 22 April
1.00pm
Lecture Theatre 2
Tuesday 30 April
12.30pm
Lecture Theatre 3
Northern General Hospital, Medical Education Centre Tuesday 9 April
12.00pm
Lecture theatre 2
Thursday 11 April
5.30pm
Lecture Theatre 2
Wednesday 24 April
5.00pm
Lecture theatre 2
Friday 3 May
1.00pm
Lecture theatre 1
Community Services Staff Open Sessions Wednesday 1 may
1.00pm
Hall at Firth Park Clinic
Thursday 13 June
11.30am
Conference Room, Lightwood House
Open Sessions for Hotel Services Staff Friday 10 May
10.30am
NGH, Medical Education Centre, Room TBC
Tuesday 4 June
10.30am
RHH, Medical School, Lecture Theatre 1
Visits to Hospital Departments Tuesday 9 April
2.00pm
RHH
Medical Imaging
Wednesday 8 May
1.00pm
NGH
Department TBC
Wednesday 8 May
4.00pm
RHH
Medical Physics
Thursday 23 May
5.30pm
RHH
Department TBC
Tuesday 25 June
8.30am
NGH
Renal
Thursday 11 July
10.00am
RHH
Ear Nose and Throat
Wednesday 24 July
2.00pm
NGH
Pharmacy
Tuesday 6 August
10.00am
RHH
Department TBC
Tuesday 20 August
9.00am
NGH
Vascular
Thursday 5 September
10.00am
NGH
Cardiac
Tuesday 10 September
12.00noon
NGH
Department TBC
Thursday 19 September
10.00am
RHH
Haematology
Wednesday 2 October
1.30pm
NGH
Brearley 6
Thursday 3 October
10.00am
NGH
Medical Imaging
Thursday 17 October
2.00pm
RHH
Breast Service
Tuesday 29 October
4.00pm
NGH
Medical Physics
Thursday 7 November
10.00am
NGH
Department TBC
Wednesday 13 November
3.00pm
RHH
Urology
Tuesday 26 November
9.00am
NGH
Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit
Friday 29 November
2.00pm
NGH
Brearley 4
Friday 13 November
9.00am
RHH
Neurology
Monday 23 December
4.00pm
NGH
Department TBC
Thursday 9 May
10.00am
Jordanthorpe
Wednesday 12 June
4.00pm
Guernsey House, Abbeydale Road
Thursday 4 July
2.00pm
Green Lane
Visits to Community
Vickers Four Celebrate 1st Birthday Ward staff on Vickers 4 celebrated its first birthday with a party with patients. Not only was the party to celebrate the anniversary, but also as recognition of the fantastic care the ward has provided and the successes of the first year.
T
he Trust has treated 640 people with hip fractures over the last year and the majority of these spend at least a part of their admission on Vickers 4. Since opening Vickers 4 the average length of stay a patient has in hospital after their surgery has reduced to 3 days..
Paul Steele, Ward manager said: “It is fantastic to have the opportunity to thank all the groups that have worked so hard over the past 12 months. Our aim has been to establish a seamless pathway for this group of patients suffering the insult of a fractured hip. Combining
Spud’s Kitchen
staff with talents in Medicine, Elderly Care, Dementia and Orthopaedics has created a multi-layer approach to tackling the many challenges faced by patients and their loved ones, as they overcome the many hurdles to recovery. We are particularly indebted to our
friends in the WRVS, who have so fruitfully volunteered their time to supporting patients on Vickers 4, with reading to, conversing with and providing company for the elderly, in what can be a very distressing time. Here’s to another year of hard work and progress.”
Parmesan crusted chicken and tomato sauce (serves 2) Method
Ingredients: • • • • • •
2 chicken breasts 100g parmesan cheese 100g breadcrumbs 1 tbsp oregano 2 cloves garlic (crushed) 1 tin chopped tomatoes or passata • 1 egg (beaten)
1. Heat oven to 180oC 2. Fry the crushed garlic in a little oil in a sauce pan 3. Add the chopped tomato/ pasatta to the pan along with the oregano, simmer for 2-3 mins and place to one side 4. Mix the breadcrumbs with the parmesan cheese 5. Flatten the chicken breasts with a rolling pin between two pieces of cling film to about 2-3cm
6. Dip the chicken into the beaten eggs and then into the breadcrumbs 7. Fry the chicken until golden on each side 8. Put the sauce into an oven proof dish and then place the chicken on top 9. Cook in the oven for 10 minutes 10. Serve with potato wedges and vegetables or salad of your choice
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Services join together in Brearley Outpatients to deliver seamless care A new Outpatient department has been developed in the Brearley wing, at the Northern General Hospital to enable Respiratory Medicine, Geriatric and Stroke Medicine and Therapy Services to work together in a shared department to deliver the best care to patients and improve efficiency of working for staff.
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he new department has fresh modern decoration and spacious waiting areas, hand wash stations and an electronic check-in area so that patients do not have to wait to register their arrival for their appointment. There are also various consultation and a examination rooms designed specifically for each service, and fully fitted kitchen, bathroom and gym areas for therapy teaching and assessment. Thanks to the large, integrated space, the new unit also provides
Page 6 • Link - Spring 2013
the capacity to deliver dedicated clinics including Lung Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis and Respiratory Physiology. The department is ideally located as it provides easy indoor access to pharmacy and x-ray facilities and is co-located to the Respiratory wards. The new location significantly reduces travelling time between inpatient and outpatient work areas removing wasted time and increasing efficiency. This will give nursing and medical staff more time to deliver care rather than having to constantly move
between areas. Removal of this waste will increase medical and specialist nursing time to care in both inpatients and outpatients. In addition the location will enhance the patient’s journey through reduced travelling time to Radiology and the resultant delays created in clinic awaiting their return. The improved department will ensure all patients attending Respiratory Outpatient Clinics can have all their required investigations on the same day. This will allow quicker diagnosis and improved treatment aswell as
reducing the need for additional hospital appointments. Jane Hopkins, Nurse Director for Emergency Care said: “The new Brearley Outpatient department is more spacious and better equipped to meet the needs of the patients who use our services by providing a purpose built, modern outpatients facility. All patients are welcomed at a centralised reception area with modern check-in facilities, nurses duties are undertaken by a dedicated outpatient nursing team.
New partnership supports
Cancer patients at home The Trust is working with Macmillan Cancer Support to run a two year pilot to enable patients who are living with cancer and other complex health and social care needs to receive treatment and care in their own home.
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he project aims to minimise the risk of crises and inappropriate hospital admissions. The team will provide education to patients and carers to help them to be more aware of signs of deterioration or illness to encourage them to seek care or advise earlier. The service will be managed by two case managers who will be responsible for looking after patients from Weston Park Hospital and the Haematology Department at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital who have been identified for referral by the Specialist Palliative Care Hospital Support Teams to be cared for in the community. It is expected that between 6-10 patients will be per week. The case manager will: • Provide patients with a choice about their preferred place of care • Minimise the risk of crises and inappropriate admissions to hospital • Reduce length of stay in hospital • Enable re-access to specialist services without delay should they need to do so This is an exciting opportunity for the Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support to test out a new and innovative way of working between hospital and the community to deliver seamless care to patients in their own home.
Staff recommend Trust as a place to work or receive care The majority of our staff would be happy recommending the Trust to a friend or family member as a place to be treated, or work according to the latest NHS staff survey. The majority of staff also said they were satisfied with the quality of work and patient care they delivered. The results of this year’s questionnaire, which was sent to over 800 members of staff in our hospitals as well as community health services staff, showed that more would recommend the Trust than the national average. The Trust has also shown improvements in how well it engages with staff and the survey particularly shows that more staff feel they are able to contribute towards improvements at work compared to last year’s score.
Other highlights from the report include:
The project aims to minimise the risk of crises and avoidable hospital admissions.
· More members of staff said hand washing materials were always available than the national average · Less members of staff are working extra hours than the national average · More staff had a performance appraisal · Fewer staff experienced harassment, abuse or bullying from other staff relative to the national average Chief Executive, Sir Andrew Cash said: “I am pleased that the survey shows further improvements in a number of areas and that the majority of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to receive care or indeed work. However the survey also highlights areas where we need to continue to support our staff particularly in the current challenging climate. Helping staff achieve a healthy work/ life balance continues to be a priority, as well as doing all we can to ensure our staff are fully supported and encouraged at work. “We are also pleased to report that the introduction of a new mandatory training system has ensured that everyone, including clerical and clinical staff members, receive the appropriate heath and safety training they need according to their role to efficiently meet legal and Trust requirements. This inevitably has meant that some staff, particularly those who do not have patient contact, have experienced a reduction in unnecessary training. This is reflected in the survey which appears to show that fewer staff are being trained. Health and safety is always taken very seriously and we are now ensuring that our training recourses are focused more appropriately on those who require it.” Page 7 • Link - Spring 2013
Trust launches
the new Friends and Family Test
The new nationwide test is a way of gathering patient feedback about their experience and helping to drive further improvements in local hospital services.
A
fter a patient has been told they are ready to be discharged from hospital, they will be given a Friends and Family feedback card which asks the following question: “How likely are you to recommend our ward/A&E department to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?” They will be invited to respond to this question by giving an answer along a five-point scale ranging from ‘extremely likely’ to ‘extremely unlikely’. A simple follow-up question on the card asks why they chose the answer they did, so that the Trust can find out a bit more about their experience and understand Page 8 • Link - Spring 2013
in greater depth what their care was like. The patient will be asked to complete the feedback card before they leave hospital wherever possible so that they can pop it
“How likely are you to recommend our ward/A&E department to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?”
in a special postbox on the ward or in the A&E department before they leave. If they prefer, patients can choose to respond later either online, by Smartphone using a special QR code or on a postage paid card. The individual answers the patients give are confidential and staff will not be able to identify who they are. Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive, said: “We already have a number of ways in which patients can feedback their views on our care and services and we have made numerous improvements as a result of patients’ or visitors’ suggestions. The Friends and Family Test will be a particularly powerful indicator of where we are getting it right
or where we have more work to do. This is because we are asking if a patient would recommend the ward or department to the people who matter to them most.” “The responses we will get back from patients will be combined with other sources of information, to help build on good performance and to make the improvements that patients want to see from our Trust. We are expecting to collect more than 100,000 responses in a year and every month each ward will receive a summary of their feedback so that they can share it with their teams” The Family and Friends Test will begin in all wards and the Accident and Emergency Department by April 2013.
a t n e m e g a Man
The Trust’s Leadership Strategy was approved two years ago and identified the need for an integrated approach to leadership development for first line, middle and senior leaders.
L
eadership development is a fundamental part of the foundation on which the Trust’s Corporate Strategy is built
and as such needs to be ‘fit for organisational purpose’ engaging, motivating and in line with our Leadership Strategy.
Over the past two years the Trust has therefore designed, developed and delivered the following programmes; with new and exciting programmes to follow in 2013.
Current and up coming programmes include: Senior Leaders Development Programme (SLP) The sixth cohort of the SLP is now underway with cohort seven due to start later this year. The SLP is aimed at bands 8a upwards and consists of four elements: 1. The Insights Discovery© development centre 2. Leadership Qualities Framework 360 degree Feedback
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3. S heffield Hallam University work based learning modules 4. Ongoing Personal Development Plan (PDP) and appraisal Insights Discovery © is a personality tool that has its foundations in the work of Carl Jung. It uses colour as a common language for self-understanding, effective interaction and organisational growth. As its entry point, the Insights Discovery © learning
system identifies four colourenergies; Cool Blue, Earth Green, Sunshine Yellow and Fiery Red. The 360 degree feedback tool is based on a framework designed and used by the National Leadership Council, in collaboration with Right Management. It is made up of 7 domains which describe leadership knowledge, skills and behaviour.
The Sheffield Hallam work based learning module is delivered over 6 sessions. Themes relate to the Trust strategy and sessions are delivered by members of the Trust Executive Group. The module offers 15 credits at level 7, approach. The credits can be used towards an MSc in Health and Social Care Leadership or towards another post graduate award within the university.
and Leadership ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management Programme Three cohorts are currently underway, with cohort four due to commence April 2013. The level 3 programme is aimed at leaders or managers new into post, or existing leaders and managers with no previous management qualification. The modular ILM programme runs over approx 12 months (it is under review at present), with STH designed task work and ILM certificated assignments being completed throughout the programme. During this programme delegates will gain knowledge and understanding of the Insights Discovery© colour energies, communication skills, team building, coaching skills, and stress management to name a few. Successful delegates will receive a Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management Skills (A-level equivalent).
Effective Management Series The Effective Management Series has been running since January 2011 providing sessions on ‘hot’ topics each month. Managers can apply to attend any individual sessions they feel are relevant to their management development or for a refresher on a certain topic. There are a wide range of management topics throughout the year and also a chance for managers to recommend subject areas for further sessions.
Session topics include: (list not exhaustive) • • • • • •
Delegation Skills Coaching Project Management Attendance Management Finance Change management
ILM Level 5 Leadership and Management Programme – coming soon We hope to introduce an ILM level 5 into STH in September 2013, with applications being taken early applications will be taken from May. The level 5 programme will be aimed at middle managers with a minimum of two years management experience and will have a mixture of taught sessions and self directed learning run over 13 to 15 months (it is under development at present). The programme will include sessions on Insights Discovery© colour energies, leading innovation and change, powerful presentations, leadership and management, leading teams to achieve organisational goals and objectives, to name a few. As with the Level 3 programme there will be task work, assignments and other methods of assessments throughout the 13 to 15 months.
Coaching and Mentoring During 2013 the Leadership and Management team will be producing a new programme around the Coaching and Mentoring disciplines. If you would like more information regarding any of the leadership and management programmes or your future development please feel free to contact the Leadership Team on the following: • claire.fretwell@sth.nhs.uk Ext 15410 • sue.burgin@sth.nhs.uk Ext 66668 • amanda.kearsely@sth.nhs. uk Ext 66295 Further information will appear in the next issue of Link magazine. For up to date information on the leadership and management portfolio you can also click on the link below: http://www.sth.nhs.uk/NHS/ LearningAndDevelopment/ leadership/
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Hospital Ward transformed Jacqueline Rose getting her shoes shined at Jordanthorpe Clinic’s roadshow
Enhancing Dignified Care
A
s part of the Department of Health (Doh) ‘Dignity Action Day’ Primary & Community Services Care Group organised a ‘Dignity Roadshow’ to help raise awareness around the importance of providing dignified and respectful care.
Funding from the Yorkshire & Humber Local Education & Training Board was used to help enhance focus on the Doh Dignity Campaign and the recruitment of Dignity Champions. An action plan was developed incorporating a variety of initiatives to obtain staff and patient opinion and then identify and share best practice that actively promotes dignified and respectful care. The team recently held Dignity Roadshows which visited different Community Services venues, including Manor Clinic, Jordanthorpe Health Centre, Firth Park Clinic, Lightwood and Beech Hill, to engage with patients and staff and encourage the sharing of good practice. Jan Blaylock, Modern Matron said: “This work will further develop our understanding of dignified and respectful care, influencing future action plans, leading to enhanced patient care and experience.” For more info contact: Jan Blaylock on 0114 3051732 or email j.blaylock@nhs.net or visit www.dignityincare.org.uk Page 12 • Link - Spring 2013
to become Dementia Friendly
Research into creating dementia friendly surroundings has been put into practise on the recently refurbished Brearley 7 ward at the Northern General Hospital.
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he new dementia ward was carefully designed to create a calming, less confusing environment for the elderly patients whilst helping them maintain their independence. The refurbishment also promotes socialising and interaction between staff and other patients. The ward’s day room has been re-decorated and turned into a comfortable ‘Living Room/ Dining Room’ hub, providing familiarity to the patients. Hospital staff have introduced reminiscent music, TV shows and artwork to create a warm and cosy atmosphere and spark stories and conversations. Kerry Blackett, Arts Co-ordinator at the Trust, said: “New settings can be difficult for patients with dementia to feel comfortable in. We used principles from The Kinds Fund’s Enhancing the Healing Environment scheme to completely transform the ward to cater to their needs. The new layout helps patients keep their independence as they are able to move around the ward, take themselves to the toilet and find their way back to their beds more easily. As each bay is colour co-ordinated, patients are able to
recognise the familiar area, this along with simple signage which uses images rather than words, prevents confusion.” The traditional nurses station has been taken away to open up the ward and create a social space for patients and staff. Staff can now work in the bay areas where there are chairs and a table for note taking, observations and handovers which has makes patients feel more included. Chris Morley Deputy Chief Nurse, said: “Patients on the whole seem calmer as there is more room to move around. The refurbished ward uses many techniques such as LED lighting to prevent falls and create a relaxing ambience. Staff now find it easier to encourage patients to eat away from their beds in the new dining room which is beneficial in getting patients moving and interacting. Previously patients were often drawn towards the ward exit and had to be persuaded back to their bay, this took up a lot of staff time and patients grew anxious when they found the door locked. The new design prevents this and now patients very rarely try to wander out of the ward.”
Kerry Blackett, Arts Co-ordinator with Helen Litchfield Housekeeper in the revamped Brearley 7
Neurology team
recognised in NHS Innovation Competition A service developed by a team in the Neurology Department reached the finals of the Medipex’s 2012 NHS Innovation Competition for its novel life changing Neurology Psychotherapy Service.
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he service uses psychotherapy to treat symptoms that cannot be attributed to medical problems. Around 20% of patients in general neurology clinics have medicallyunexplained symptoms and around 30% of patients attending epilepsy clinics suffer non-epileptic seizures (NES). The service looks at innovative ways to support these patients. The Medipex Awards are open to NHS staff members, academic teams and companies across the Yorkshire and Humber and East Midlands regions who have developed innovative ideas to improve patient care across the NHS. Neurology’s Lead Clinician
Dr Richard Grunewald, and colleagues Dr Markus Reuber, Edel Dewhurst, Andrew Enever, Stephanie Howlett, Carina Mack, Rebecca Mayor and Aimee Morgan-Boon were highly commended in the Mental Health Award category for developing and running the Neurology Psychotherapy Service based at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Dr Grunewald explained: “Our specialist psychotherapy service is a comprehensive treatment package, developed through review of the literature available, on-going service evaluation and work with service users and self-help groups. Often initially misdiagnosed, our patients were previously referred to community mental health services, but a lack of appropriate therapy resulted in
frequent emergency admissions. Our website for patients with NES attracts over 1,000 new users per month from around the world and we also have a selfhelp booklet. Neurologists also assess the patients’ health status before and after psychotherapy, allowing us to calculate service effectiveness.” An evaluation of the service showed 25.5% of patients that were followed up were seizurefree and a further 40.4% had half the amount of seizures as before the treatment. Dr Grunewald added: “I was delighted that all the staff who work hard to support our often vulnerable patients were recognised in this way. We continue to look into ways to further develop the new service.”
“Our specialist psychotherapy service is a comprehensive treatment package, developed through review of the literature available, on-going service evaluation and work with service users and self-help groups.” Page 13 • Link - Spring 2013
Long Service Awards recognises dedicated hospital staff Over 240 members of staff have been recognised and thanked for their hard work, loyalty and commitment at a Long Service Award ceremony in the Trust.
W
ith more than 5776 years of service between them, colleagues from across the Trust were presented with their Long Service Awards which recognises 20, 30 or 40 years service.
Tony Pedder, Trust Chairman, presented certificates to staff and said: “I was delighted to see staff representing so many areas and staff groups throughout the Trust. This was a wonderful opportunity to say thank you to the people who work so hard day after day for patients and their families.
Anne Jenkinson was one of the staff members who received a certificate for her 40 years of service. Anne started as a student nurse, progressing to Staff Nurse then Sister in Cardiology and then to Senior Sister in Diabetology. Anne is now a Moving and Handling Advisor at the Northern
General Hospital. Ann said: “The part of my job that I have always enjoyed the most is looking after patients. Caring for them has definitely been the highlight although I have taken on varied roles over the years. My colleagues and friends have also made it an enjoyable place to work.”
Members of staff attending the Awards Presentation were: Northern Campus 20 years Des Barnsley Julie Bashforth Dawn Cockshaw Viv Granger Kath Hawke Michael Burnell Jennifer Martin Andrea Mitchell Heather Rankin Jonathan Rowe Maxine Stansall Page 14 • Link - Spring 2013
Mark Warren Louisa Watkins Kay Wright
30 years Sandie Collier Joanne Ferraby Dianne Hughes Mandy Newton Angela Phoenix Jane Pratt
40 years Robina Degenhart
Lynn Duncombe Barbara Entwistle Robert Haslam Anne Jenkinson Janet Wilson
Central Campus 20 Years Fiona Armitage Donna Bennett Christopher Caddy Stephen Cockayne June Craig Bonny Davidson
Jackie Hodgkinson Deborah Meyer Andrea Reid Lynne Rossiter Susan Simmons Sue Spurr Linda Taylor Justine Walker
30 Years Valerie Haylor Richard Ryan Karen Whitney
“I was delighted to see staff representing so many areas and staff groups throughout the Trust.
30 ye
In the spotlight
Diabetic Foot Clinic T
he Diabetic foot clinics are very busy with a large number of patients coming through the doors each week. The clinics are led by a multi-disciplinary team of staff which involves• • • • • •
P odiatrists Doctors Vascular Surgeons Orthopaedic Surgeons Nursing staff Diabetes Specialist nurse for education and advice • Orthotist • Plaster technician • Photographer • Receptionists and clerical staff • Ambulance service • Volunteer staff • Porters • Phlebotomist • X-ray service • Pharmacy service Dr Rajiv Gandhi, Consultant Diabetologist, said: “Diabetic foot ulceration if not treated appropriately can lead to devastating complications such as major amputation. It requires the input of many different disciplines and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals should be immensely proud of the fantastic team they have assembled.” “Some diabetic patients experience complications such as impaired blood flow due to damaged blood vessels and peripheral nerve damage. Nerve damage and a lack of circulation to the feet could result in ulcer formation. Patients with nerve
ears award
damage may not feel pain in their feet so ulcers can go undetected for some time if the feet are not inspected regularly. It is essential that foot ulcers are treated promptly and appropriately in order to prevent further deterioration of the foot.” Patients have praised the clinic which gives them access to a
number of services relating to their condition on that same visit enabling the staff to work together as a team to provide a convenient, quality care service for the patients. The clinic is held twice weekly at the Northern general Hospital and once weekly at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
Chief Executive, Andrew Cash visited the clinic at NGH and was shown around the department by Podiatrist Maria Haley. Patient Tim Hancox from Handsworth, said “It is an excellent service and all the staff are extremely helpful and very friendly.”
rew Cash Chief Executive Diabetic Foot Service with And
Patient Tim Hancox Page 15 • Link - Spring 2013
Sheffield Hospital Charity
funds new area for young adults Thanks to the generosity of local supporters, Sheffield Hospitals Charity has been able to fund the renovation of rooms within the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to create a space for young adults diagnosed with a cancer, including Leukaemia’s and Lymphomas.
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he new area has been redecorated and funky artwork and large comfortable chairs added. A television, games console and internet access have also been installed to help keep young patients occupied while they are waiting for an appointment or receiving treatment in the room.
the hospital for his condition to be monitored. “Coming back to the hospital is so much better now because
of the new room. When you are not feeling one hundred percent it’s nice to have a really comfortable place to sit in.
22 year old Daniel from Stannington is one of the patients who has benefitted from having access to the new area. Daniel was diagnosed with Leukaemia and had to undergo chemotherapy for six weeks. He was also given a bone marrow transplant. As a result of his treatment his health has now improved, but he has to return to
More importantly, it has also meant that I’ve been able to talk to other people coming for treatment who are a similar age. This has really helped me. It’s good to have someone to talk to who understands what you are going through, because they are in the same position.” The application for funding for the new area was submitted to the Charity by the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Service, which supports young adults, aged 16-25 years old as their needs are a little different to those of young children or adults. The TYA team aim to compliment the support already given by clinical teams by helping to ensure that young patients get all the help they need at such a difficult time in their lives.
g in at on d y b ce n re fe if d a e ak m p el H unwanted clothing Sheffield Hospitals Charity is encouraging businesses, schools, colleges, community groups and groups of families and friends to gather together their unwanted quality clothing and donate it to the Charity for recycling. The Charity will arrange a collection point and agree a date, to pick up the bags and take them away. The new “Bags for Change” scheme is an easy way to raise Page 16 • Link - Spring 2013
money and unlike similar schemes, the Charity receives 100 per cent of the profits from recycling the clothing, this means more money can be spent on improvements that will benefit patients and their families. Norton Free Primary School was the first school to sign up to the new fundraising initiative and managed to donate over eighty bags of clothing. Helena Button, Head Teacher at Norton Free
School, said: “So many people benefit from treatment provided by our local hospitals, so it’s great that our staff and pupils can make a difference in such a simple way. Children grow so quickly and need their clothes replacing so this is the perfect solution as it clears space at home and helps others.” David Reynolds, Director of Sheffield Hospitals Charity said: “At a time when a lot of people are struggling with their finances this scheme
is a really good way to help others in need, without having to part with any money. It’s a small amount of effort, but it means we can help our hospitals to continue delivering high quality clinical care.” If you would like to organise a collection please email julian.fifield@shct.nhs. uk or call 07977 269 523. Clothes collection bags should not to be taken to any hospital sites, bags will only be picked up from agreed collection points.
More patients to benefit
from Devices for Dignity programme over next few years
Join the Super Draw Lottery for just £1 a week Sheffield Hospitals Charity has just launched its weekly Super Draw Lottery. Play for as little as £1 per week and help to improve the experience of patients, their families and the staff who care for them at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. One lucky individual wins a jackpot of £2000 every week, plus there are a range of other
fantastic prizes to be won. All winners are notified, so there is no need to worry if you don’t check the winning numbers. All prize money is paid by cheque and posted out to home addresses. If you would like to organise a collection please email julian.fifield@shct.nhs.uk or call 0114 271 1351.
Devices for Dignity (D4D), a health innovation programme based in the Trust, have been awarded further funding to continue to improve the quality of life of patients with long term conditions.
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fter a successful first four years, D4D have been awarded £800,000 funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to continue to bring together clinicians, patients, industry and inventors to help produce devices or aids which solve real areas of need for patients. D4D specialise in developing devices or technologies that help people perform tasks more independently, or assist them with daily living. This can range from remote controls for house lights to sophisticated communication aids. Wendy Tindale Clinical Director for Devices for Dignity said: “We are delighted to receive the funding for the next four years from the NIHR. We are proud of our
real partnership approach which translates research and innovation to the patient’s bedside. We will build on our successes and continue to focus on identifying unmet patient needs and to design, develop and evaluate medical devices to address these needs to help patients maintain dignity and improve their quality of life.” New diagnostic techniques for patients suffering incontinence and an on-dialysis exercise programme which could help maintain muscle function and prevent patients becoming dependent on wheelchairs or get fit for a transplant are just some of the innovations D4D is involved with. For more information please visit: http://www. devicesfordignity.org.uk/. Page 17 • Link - Spring 2013
Gastroenterologist wins
prestigious prize for outstanding clinical research Dr Reena Sidhu, Consultant Gastroenterologist, has won the prestigious British Society of Gastroenterology Hopkins Endoscopy Prize for her dedication to care and research.
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he annual prize is awarded to those who have produced the best clinical research in the field. Dr Sidhu, based at the Regional Gastroenterology and Liver Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, is the first female doctor to be recognised with the award for her work towards improving patient care in Endoscopy. Professor Sanders, Consultant Gastroenterologist, congratulated Dr Sidhu. He said: “Everyone here at the Unit is very proud of Dr Sidhu’s success; she is the most published Consultant in the UK in this field and thoroughly deserves this honour. Her success yet again ensures that patients in Sheffield have the highest standard of care in what is the largest small bowel endoscopy service in Europe.” The award winning unit have recently been awarded a £25K grant by Westfield Health to purchase further novel endoscopic equipment. Page 18 • Link - Spring 2013
Dr Sidhu said: “I am delighted to receive this honour. We have a fantastic Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital with a great team supporting our patients. Furthermore the unit have always been well supported by Westfield Health who have underpinned our success with their sustained investment.”
“I am delighted to receive this honour. We have a fantastic Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital with a great team supporting our patients.”
New Year, Fresh Start for Kidney Transplant Patients The Sheffield Star and Radio Sheffield have backed a campaign to get 12,000 more people on the NHS Organ Donor Register before The Westfield Health British Transplant Games come to Sheffield in August.
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our patients who all received transplants at the Northern General Hospital have shared their stories as part of the campaign. GRANDAD John Methven was visiting Scotland when the call he’d been waiting for came - his chance at a new life was here. Transplant surgeons at the Northern General Hospital finally had a donor kidney to replace John’s, which had been ‘destroyed’ by his health disorder. And just hours later a panicked John had made it back to the hospital. He said: “I got the call and the doctor said, ‘Can you get to Sheffield quickly? Get down here as soon as you can’. But when I got there I had high potassium levels because I’d got so
worked up on the way down and they had to wait a bit.” John, of Staincross, Barnsley, had spent two months in intensive care after he was diagnosed with vasculitis, which causes inflammation of the blood vessels, in 2005. He said: “The doctors told me that, as well as killing the nerve endings, it was destroying my kidneys. “I spent two months in intensive care and was told there was a good chance I could last a few years without dialysis - and that lasted until 2008. “From then I had to go to a mobile unit three times a week for dialysis treatment. It really
ties you down and takes four hours a time. They say it takes five years off your life but now I’ve got a new kidney I should get some years back. Without the transplant my condition would eventually have been terminal.” And the difference to John’s life following the operation is marked. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “After dialysis I used to feel okay but then the following day you know you need it again. Now it’s almost like I can forget all that.” But John and fellow kidney transplant survivors Deborah Revill, Roy Simpson and triple transplant survivor Iain Morley, of Lincolnshire, are the lucky ones. They all had their operations at the Northern General in the same few days, at the end of December, and are on the path to recovery,
although they will have to take anti-organ rejection drugs forever. Others are not so fortunate, like the five patients who have died waiting for an organ transplant in South Yorkshire since last April. An emotional John, who is writing to the bereaved family of his kidney donor to say thank you, said: “Everyone should be signed up to the donor register. “I think about the person and their family because they’ve given me this chance at life. I feel sorry for them but I am extremely grateful.” Signing up takes just minutes and can be done online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or by texting SAVE to 84118 or by calling 0300 123 2323.
‘ Photo by Barry Richardson’
The Sheffield Hospitals Charity are also supporting the Games and have provided a grant to help build up awareness for people to register as donors. Kidney transplant patients Roy Simpson, John Methven, Deborah Revill and Iain Morley received gift of life this Christmas Page 19 • Link - Spring 2013
a m h c r a Rese Meet Simon Heller
S
imon is Professor of Clinical Diabetes at the University of Sheffield and Director of Research and Development and Honorary Consultant Physician at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
them then this will improve their long-term health and reduce mortality while we wait for a cure for Type 1 diabetes. The latter is sadly still many years away.
long-term condition for patients to so manage as it is very complicated, this from hopefully what we learn programme may also be applied to other self managed conditions.
In layman’s terms, what diabetes research are you doing, and what does it involve?
What motivates/excites you personally about doing diabetes research?
This research has been very rding as the intervention rewa We are undertaking research developed has had have we to understand the benefits and ts on quality of life effec r majo with limitations of training adults for patients with Type 1 diabetes d Type 1 diabetes (which is diagnose and has transformed the way in ts) mostly in children and young adul which the condition is managed e to self manage their diabetes mor in the UK. The ability to answer effectively, adjusting their insulin clinical questions which have dose/eating patterns to maintain occurred to me in the clinic by their blood glucose. devising experiments (in this case This is radically different from whether we can train patients to the traditional way of giving insulin self manage their diabetes more treatment in which the doctor/ effectively and what the benefit the nurse chose the insulin dose and might be) is very exciting and patient (and family) had to fit their seeing the benefits in one’s clinical nal life around this decision. The origi lifetime is something unique. We d trial showed improvements in bloo work - couldn’t have undertaken this glucose control (which prevents long onal Nati al the of clinic ort his supp ived the rece n with Simo term complications) and major and Institute for Health Research. diabetes training at Queen’s tained improvements in quality main his and am Medical Centre, Nottingh of life for patients. research training at the University We are trying to understand of Nottingham and Washington whether some patients do better University, St Louis, USA. than others, what the barriers He was Editor in Chief of Diabetic are to carrying out training Medicine between 2000 and is successfully, how cost effective it 2004. He is currently a member of ing train and whether delivering the Diabetes UK Research Committee, course in different ways (over 5 the JDRF Scientific Review Board and weeks instead of 5 days) is equally MRC College of Experts “We want to try and effective. We have also piloted a course using insulin pumps in work out the best How does your research fit this is if see to arch rese of nce ie adva ? into the bigger picture time to deliver this a more effective way of delivering what are the implications insulin treatment. training and, in time, for tackling diabetes, what
might it lead to in the future, and what might it mean for patients?
Diabetes patients live with their disease 24 hours a day, therefore doctors and nurses cannot always be there to assist them. If we can understand what the barriers to managing are and devise better ways of supporting and training Page 20 • Link - Spring 2013
Why is this research important? We want to try and work out the best time to deliver this training and, in time, try and improve the course and support for patients so they can self manage their diabetes more effectively. Type 1 diabetes is arguably the most challenging
try and improve the course and support for patients so they can self manage their diabetes more effectively.”
atters! Communicable Diseases' Research Day
THE SECOND annual research day organised by the Academic Directorate of Communicable Diseases proved to be a great success – with over 100 people, including clinicians and representatives from patient groups attending.
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eld at the end of November at St Mary’s Conference Centre, on Bramall Lane, the event was a key opportunity for directorate staff to share the latest information about current patient engagement initiatives and best practice. Focus points for discussion included successes in directorate research in the past year, approaches and top tips on how to best involve patients in clinical research, and an update on HIV research activities. Dr Christine Bowman, Clinical Director, said: “The Directorate’s annual research day is a great way for us to come together and reflect on past and current successes. We were delighted with the quality of the presentations and discussions.” Short ten-minute presentations were also given from staff on a broad range of research areas. The development of a website
promoting hepatitis C research, the role of the Clinical Research Facility and an account from an OPAT nurse about patient engagement were among the topics discussed. Professor Dockrell, Academic Director reflected that “The research activities presented emphasised the multi-disciplinary nature of research in the directorate and also the highlevel of commitment from both patients and health-care providers to embedding research into our clinical care” To find out more about the Academic Directorate of Communicable Diseases’ annual Research Day, or to register your interest in next year’s event, contact: Dr Christine Bowman Christine.bowman@sth.nhs.uk Or Prof David Dockrell d.h.dockrell@sheffield.ac.uk or sarah.moll@sth.nhs.uk Direcorate Research Co-ordinator
Sharing good practice: Dr Ann Chapman Consultant, Infectious Diseases with Dr Christine Bowman Clinical Director, Communicable Diseases at the research event
Matron Sharon Clarke with proud new family: Luke Robinson, Beth Whitaker and baby boy Nolan and Dr Poulter MP
Health Minister visits Jessop Wing Maternity Unit
Dr Daniel Poulter MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, met nationally acclaimed maternity and fertility experts on a recent visit to the Jessop Wing Hospital in Sheffield.
T
he Jessop Wing, which opened in 2001, is a purpose built maternity unit where approximately 7,500 babies are born every year.
During his visit, Dr Poulter took a look behind the scenes in the laboratories in Jessop Fertility, a specialist Unit for IVF. He then toured the Labour Ward where he met proud new mum and dad Beth Whitaker and Luke Robinson, aged 25 from Oughtibridge. He then visited the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where specialist care is provided for sick and premature babies born in Sheffield and those transferred from other units who require this expertise. Dotty Watkins, Head of Midwifery said: “We were delighted to welcome Dr Poulter to visit our hospital and have a look around the facilities that we take pride in. We were also thrilled to be given the opportunity to introduce Dr Poulter to our staff and of course our patients whose care is at the heart of everything we do.”
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Parents of
celebrate with
Parents of twins who were born weighing on wedding anniversary by asking friends and fa ward that cared for their sons, rather than g
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homas and Joshua, who spent their first four months of life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Jessop Wing hospital, came back to the ward to present the £900. Joshua and Thomas’s mum Kim said: “They
Victoria Clark cheering up patients and staff whilst raising cash for children in need
Well done to all staff that took part in Children in Need 2012 One member of staff, Victoria Clark, Ward Clerk in the Anticoagulation Clinic really went the extra mile rasing money in her daring outfit. Page 22 • Link - Spring 2013
were extremely sick babies with a lot of problems and the staff were magnificent in knowing how to deal with it.” Kim added: “The staff were clearly experienced in knowing how to deal with us and our emotions which were all over the place, and became like family as the unit was a second home
f Tiny Tots
h a Thank You
nly 1lb 8oz and 1lb 10oz marked their 25th amily to make donations to the neonatal giving gifts. to us. We can’t ever thank them enough for the tireless work and dedication they have for their job. They are Angels. We would like to thank everyone for their support and generous donations including our family and friends, Dr Shurmur and his staff, and especially Lauren Hirst.”
“They were extremely sick babies with a lot of problems and the staff were magnificent in knowing how to deal with it.”
Largest OPAT service in UK celebrates seventh year Congratulations to the Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) team who recently celebrated the service’s seventh birthday! The OPAT service is now one of the largest in the UK and has treated over 2000 patients with intravenous antibiotic therapy as outpatients or in their own
homes, saving 24,000 inpatient bed days across the trust. Dr Ann Chapman, Consultant and Clinical Lead in Infectious Diseases, said: “The service continues to expand and has recently set up an exciting new collaboration with Community Services to increase access across all patient groups.”
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Bariatric Empathy Suit W
e are caring for increasing numbers of bariatric patients across the whole organisation. Many requests to the moving and handling team for specific handling advice relate to safer handling of the larger patients in the Trust. Following a successful bid for funding from the Trust League of Friends, the moving and handling team have recently purchased a Bariatric empathy suit. Wearing the suit allows the staff to experience the restrictions both in their normal range of movement and their normal movement patterns. This helps them to gain a better understanding of how to support bariatric patients when they require assistance to move. Wearing the suit also improves spatial awareness regarding how much room bariatric patients need to be able to move freely. This is often an issue, particularly when trying to navigate down narrow busy corridors e.g. in some out patient clinics The suit will also allow staff to more realistically use the equipment specifically designed for moving and handling bariatric patients with a more accurate understanding of how
much ‘space’ the larger person takes up in the equipment and how this impacts on their ability to handle the patient safely. Enhancing training, and making it a more realistic experience for the staff improves the transfer of those skills back to the workplace, ultimately enhancing the patient care experience. Increased staff confidence in turn increases the patient’s confidence in the staff who look after them therefore they are more likely to positively engage and co-operate with staff with regard to their movement and handling issues. The suit is available to the moving and handling trainers across the organisation for them to use in their local training. It is envisaged that use of the suit in this way will enable the keytrainers to target some of the specific issues unique to their own areas, again, improving patient care. Support from the League of Friends for this purchase is much appreciated and the benefits will be seen across the organisation for many years. To arrange loan of the suit, please contact Susan McChrystal on ext 66829 or via email susan.mcchrystal@sth.nhs.uk
like Steph!
Stop Smo Having trouble sticking to your New Year’s resolution to stop smoking? Why not use the help of our STH smoking cessation experts.
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ne member of staff who is glad she did is Stephanie Wilcock, Medical Secretary in Plastic Surgery Oral & Burns. Stephanie contacted the service who ‘went the extra mile’ to support her on her journey to become smoke-free by providing
support, advise and help to access nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Stephanie said: “Pam Hancock from the team really kept me motivated. She went out of her way to help me quit. I can now taste more, and do more without feeling breathless. I was also wasting a lot of money on cigs, £6
Stephanie’s top tips -O ccupy yourself. Keep your hand busy, I used an empty Nicolette inhaler to hold. - Wean yourself off with help from NRT. - Treat yourself with the cash you save to keep motivated.
Stop smoking clinics are now available at: Northern General Hospital, Occupational Health building, Silverwood Thursday afternoons 1.30pm - 4.30pm If you are interested in quitting, call the OH service on 01142 714737 to book an appointment. NRT medication will be supplied FREE for the first two weeks – but only for a limited time period. So sign up now; don’t wait! We are hoping to commence a second clinic on the central site and will keep you updated. (For further enquiries please call 08000684490) Page 24 • Link - Spring 2013
Do Your Bit
for Weston Park Hospital charity campaign
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oking a day, so I am not only healthier I am a lot better off!” With the money Stephanie saved from ending her 20 a day habit she was able to treat herself to a gym membership and re-decorate her kitchen and hall. She added: “Seeing the saving’s are great, it keeps you motivated. After the first few weeks of quitting I used the money that would have gone in an ashtray to paint my kitchen and hall and then after the first month or so I had enough to buy a nice new kitchen table and I don’t allow smoking in there now!”
t is estimated that one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lives, so having the best cancer research, treatment and care available locally is an important issue that affects almost everybody. That’s why Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH) has teamed up with the city’s Lord Mayor and not-for-profit health insurance company Westfield Health, to support Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity’s £1.3million ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign to fund a new world-class Cancer Research and Treatment Suite at Weston Park Hospital. STH and the Lord Mayor are encouraging staff to ‘do their bit’ and get involved with the campaign. There are many ways to get involved, from taking part in one of the charity’s events, or entering a sponsored run, walk or cycle ride, to volunteering, organising your own fundraising event or donating towards the cause.
The charity is also organising a 5-a-side football tournament, the Team of Steel, which will take place at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane on Sunday 26th May. Places are still available and teams will get the chance to play against legends teams from Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday. Westfield Health will match any donations to the campaign pound for pound, up to £250,000. Former Weston Park Hospital patient Petrina Drury, 39, is backing the campaign having overcome Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – a cancerous growth of cells in the lymph system ten years ago. She said: “Thanks to the wonderful treatment and care I’ve received at Weston Park Hospital I came through the cancer and I’ve been fortunate to go on to have children. “The best part is being able to have a normal life, just like anyone else. Getting the children ready for school and nursery, working, coming home, doing bath and
bedtime – it’s not exciting, but it is normal!” Rachel Thorpe, Non Executive Director of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “We are delighted to welcome the support of the Lord Mayor and Sheffield City Council in helping to raise the profile of our biggest campaign in ten years, and we are urging people across the region to support us. “With one in three people being diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, most people will know someone who has been affected by the disease. “Every single donation counts, no matter how big or small. The campaign is all about encouraging people to ‘do their bit’ and support us to help us reach the target of £1.3 million.” For more details on the Do Your Bit campaign please visit www.do-your-bit.org.uk. Donations can also be made by texting ABIT01 followed by your chosen amount, eg £3, to 70070, or phoning the Cancer Charity office on 0114 226 5370.
National No Smoking Day 13th March This year’s theme ‘Swap Fags for Swag’ was all about what smokers will gain when they quit – as well as improved health, they’ll have extra cash to spend on whatever they like! For more information visit: www.nosmokingday.org.uk
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Getting to
Know You Dr Suvira Madan, Consultant Orthogeriatrics and Community geriatrics Suvira has been in Sheffield since April 2003, initially as a Specialist registrar and then as a Consultant from July 2005. She along with her colleagues have taken on challenging and innovative service developments in orthopaedics and community, crossing their traditional boundaries, to deliver high quality medical care for the frailest of the frail. What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
Who do you admire most?
Seeing frail elderly patients recover after breaking their hips and getting their life and confidence back. I admire how multiple teams and different specialities all work together in a timely fashion to get it right for elderly patients.
I admire my 14 year old who has Down syndrome. Every year his teachers always praise his kindness he shows to the less-abled kids in his class in his special needs school. His approach in life is “How can I help you?”
What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud? It actually happens every evening after picking “well-fed kids” from the childminder in Crookes and driving back home to Hathersage. The kids just roar with laughter of their antics in school and all the troubles instantaneously vanish.
What inspired you to work for the NHS? Having gone around some parts of the world and seen different aspects of health care delivery, I can honestly and truly say that NHS provides the best health care service in the world and I am proud to be a part of it.
What is your ideal day off? A difficult one to answer for a full time consultant, mother, home maker and a part time masters university student! I was even rung by a GP for a patient related query when I was underground in Niah Caves, Borneo, this summer holiday. Page 26 • Link - Spring 2013
What has been the highlight in your career so far? The vision I had dreamt of when I had taken the consultant post in orthogeriatrics now turning into a reality. The effort put in by everyone to improve hip fracture care is commendable. There is a still a lot to achieve and aim for.
What do you feel is your best strength? Sanjeev, my husband. He inspires, encourages, guides, supports and is there for me.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? I am crazy about Himalayas –I would be trekking right up to the top with my family and would be admiring the rugged beauty.
Staff Excel in New Evaluation Programme Staff members from the Learning and Development Unit have successfully completed a course on a new evaluation method that can be used to weigh up the costs and benefits of training programme. The Return on Investment (ROI) programme was introduced by Abdi Ltd who have been working with the NHS Yorkshire and the Humber to raise the standard of outcomes planning, monitoring and evaluation of education & training and performance improvement projects. The Trust already uses ROI in other areas including: Data Errors, Apprenticeships in Care, Apprentices in Business Administration, Display Screen Equipment, Moving and Handling, Critical Care (Assistant Practitioner). Staff who have achieved the Return on Investment Award, but couldn’t be present at the presentation are: Sue Burgin, Sam Debbage, Alison Hales, Helen Hanrahan, Janet McAleavy, Mandy Scott, Nicky Sharpe.
Staff from the Learning and Development Department at the award presentation (from left to right: Hayley Hartley, Lorna Smith, Rob Bloor, Mark Gwillam (presenting the certificates and congratulating the staff), Claire Fretwell, Beccy McGeehan, Sue Harrington and Amanda Kearsley.)
Putting the ‘Chef’ in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
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hy not support Sheffield Hospitals Charity and be a Charity Chef? Spend an evening with friends and family whilst raising funds to improve care and treatment for patients in Sheffield. Hold a Charity Chef party… Simply prepare and cook a meal, then ask your guests to make a donation to the Charity in return for their food. This can be a suggested minimum donation or what they would normally spend on a meal out. All the ingredients for a fabulous evening! To find out more visit bit.ly/charitychef email charity@shct.nhs.uk or call 0114 271 1351. Charity Chef was launched at The Wortley Arms, Sheffield in January. The ‘Come Dine with Me’ style event featured members of the charity team working with the restaurant’s chefs to create a bespoke three course dinner for a group of specially selected charity supporters, STH Consultant Anaesthetist and Great British Bake-Off contestant Danny Bryden and the Lord and Lady Mayor of Sheffield. Page 27 • Link - Spring 2013
The School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR)
About Us The School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) at the University of Sheffield is a centre of excellence in research, teaching and consultancy across health services research, health economics and public health.
• MSc Health Economics and Decision Modelling • European Public Health Masters (EuroPubHealth) • MSc International Health Technology Assessment, Pricing and Reimbursement (Distance Learning)
We offer a growing portfolio of high-quality postgraduate taught courses built around our core research strengths and with an emphasis on public health.
New courses: • MSc Social Science and Health • Master of Public Health (Distance Learning) • MSc Advanced Emergency Care (Distance Learning)
The School delivers an extensive range of post graduate study programmes, relevant to the needs of health and social care professionals, managers and those seeking a career in health services research. Currently, we have over 550 postgraduate students studying on taught and research programmes, including students from many overseas countries. Masters Programmes We offer a wide range of postgraduate taught courses, many of which can be studied via attending full time, part time, or distance learning (DL) routes. Our mission is to provide researchled teaching, informed by our position as one of the largest multi-disciplinary Schools of public health research and health services research in the UK. Our Master’s courses are specifically designed to provide you with the analytical skills, the in depth disciplinary knowledge, plus the capacity to deploy critical thinking all of which are essential to working effectively in health organisations in a globalised world. Our courses provide the essential stepping stone for you to become a leader in your chosen area. Existing courses available in September 2013: • Master of Public Health • Master of Public Health (Management and Leadership) • Master of Public Health (Health Services Research) • MSc in Clinical Research
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Research Degree Opportunities ScHARR is one of the UK’s top university departments for postgraduate research studies in the fields of health services research, health economics and public health. ScHARR houses the largest concentration of world leading and internationally excellent health services researchers in the UK (www.researchresearch.com). Please see the ScHARR website for our range of disciplines and research interests including public health, epidemiology, health services research, health economic and decision science, medical statistics, social sciences and mental health. Short Courses ScHARR has a reputation for providing short courses to both the private sector and the NHS. We have continued to develop and improve our service through the establishment of a Short Course Unit (SCU) The programme of short courses reflects ScHARR´s areas of expertise; health services and public health research, and the application of health economics and decision science to the development of health services and the improvement of the public health. The courses, developed and delivered by experienced ScHARR staff, are designed to reflect participants´ different backgrounds and levels of knowledge and expertise.
Our courses cover a wide range of subjects including: • Systematic Reviews • Qualitative Research Synthesis • Literature Searching and Critical Appraisal • Economic Modelling • Statistics in Health Research • Mixed Methods Research • Web 2.0 applications in healthcare Please see the ScHARR website for a fill list of short courses available. Free professional development for NHS staff The Faculty of Medicine is a recognised leader in the field of life-long learning beyond registration for health and social care practitioners. It offers a wide range of academic programmes, short courses and study days to support individual and organisational effectiveness. Our programmes extend knowledge and skills across professional groups and organisational boundaries, enabling students to become confident, critical thinkers engaged in enquiry based practice. A number of free places on ScHARR modules and programmes are available to staff who work in a wide range of professional roles in the NHS in the Yorkshire and Humber and East Midlands Regions or NHS East Midlands, giving staff the opportunity to participate in postgraduate-level study. These places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. See www.sheffield. ac.uk/hsccpd for more details. For enquiries contact: School of Health and Related Research University of Sheffield Regent Court 30 Regent Street Sheffield S1 4DA Telephone: +44 (0)114 222 5454 Fax: +44 (0)114 272 4095
Visit our website at: www.shef.ac.uk/scharr
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Registered Charity Number: 250748 Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) is a local charity that co-ordinates a broad range of services largely provided by its staff and city-wide team of volunteers, giving older people and their families a helping hand when they need it most.
SCCCC has four main schemes: • The Good Neighbour Scheme • Escort Care • Hospital Aftercare • The Accident and Emergency to Home Scheme In many cases, support from SCCCC ensures that older people are able to leave hospital earlier.
To find out more about SCCCC, call 0114 275 7310 / 0114 275 9452 email: mail@scccc.co.uk
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