The Pulse Spring 2017

Spring 2017 | issue 14

the

Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

BELL SOUNDS A TREATMENT MILESTONE FOR YOUNG PATIENTS page 7 Bringing members, staff and PATIENTS the latest Trust news

Message from our

Chief Executive

Amazon ward sends huge thanks to 11 year old’s decision to ‘brave the shave’

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Stephen Graves Welcome to the Spring edition of The Pulse magazine.

This is the last magazine to be published by Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Summer 2017 edition will mark the start of a new era and will include news from Hinchingbrooke Hospital as well as Peterborough City and Stamford Hospitals – reflecting the fact that on 1 April 2017 we will have joined with Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust to become the new North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.

While these are changing times for our staff, our patients are unlikely to notice much difference as the names of our hospitals will remain the same, as will the locations from which services are delivered. You will, however, notice that our website will have changed to: www. nwangliaft.nhs.uk and will present information on all three hospitals.

If you are visiting one of our hospitals, you will see that some of our signage will have been updated to display the new North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust logo. To find out more about the behind-thescenes work taking place to integrate some of our services and to involve local people in our new Trust, please take a look at our feature on pages 4 and 5.

As well as our merger news, there are lots of other important updates in this issue. On page 6 you can read about the new MRI scanner that was installed at Stamford Hospital early in the new year, which is already being put through its paces.

Since our last issue of The Pulse we have also begun treating patients in the Chandra Mistry Renal Unit, which is located close to the Peterborough City Hospital site. This expansion to our renal service has provided 10 additional dialysis stations, enabling us to treat more patients closer to home. Read more on page 12, where you will also find an update on our expansion to Radiotherapy Services.

Finally, I would like to thank our staff for supporting the Trust’s changes to car parking arrangements at the Peterborough City Hospital site. In addition to our two staff-only car parks, we have now provided 150 extra spaces for staff on land adjacent to the hospital site. This has allowed us to make more spaces available to patients and visitors in our main car parks. We know that getting a parking space at busy times can be a challenge and add an extra layer of stress to a hospital visit. By reducing this stress I hope we can improve the overall experience of coming to hospital. We will continue to monitor our Chief Executive, car parks over the coming months to ensure we are making the best use of them.

Stephen Graves

The Pulse magazine is compiled by Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Communications Team. If you have any comments, or would like to make a suggestion about a subject you would like to read about in our magazine, please call the Communications Team on 01733 678024 or email: Communications@pbh-tr.nhs.uk

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Thank you for being a Friend

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Maternity team best in the region for newborn hearing screening p10

Dad’s thanks to hospitals that saved twin daughters’ lives

Jack Hunt School students ‘Take Over’ Peterborough City Hospital

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LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Staff work hard to improve patient journey during pressures During the winter period, the NHS faces rising demand which impacts on a number of departments and services across our hospitals. There is often a lot of negative media around busy waiting rooms and cancelled appointments, but our staff are working around the clock to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

Neil Doverty, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Each year we try to plan accordingly to the difficulties we think we’ll come across.

This year has been especially tough as we experienced a busy emergency department, along with a high number of admissions for very sick, frail patients. The Trust has seen

a very high level of ‘Delayed Transfers of Care’ throughout the year and particularly in the last 3 months. This has greatly affected our patient flow and notably, the A&E 4 hour standard.”

In order to combat some of the pressures this situation brought, the Trust began a ‘Red 2 Green’ initiative which focussed on improving a patient’s journey and making the discharge process as efficient as possible.

Lisa Sharp, an experienced nurse, led on the project: “The idea behind the initiative is that there is a ‘colour code’ to every single day a patient is admitted, according to their personal experience. For example, red days

equate to a patient who may be waiting longer than we would like for test results or perhaps their discharge is more complex and has been delayed. In order to move them to green, staff need to think of innovative ways to make clear these potential blockages and keep patient flow running efficiently across both of our hospitals.”

To help protect vulnerable patients, staff across our hospitals were also encouraged to have their flu vaccination ahead of the winter months. Almost 70% of staff received their vaccine during this season and this was down to the hard work of the occupational health team, alongside the infection control team.

Amazon Ward sends thanks to generous Poppy who has ‘braved the shave’ Young patients on the Amazon children’s ward will benefit from a special young lady’s decision to fundraise for the department.

Poppy Evans

11 year old Poppy Evans, from Castor, has made the brave decision to shave her head in aid of cancer awareness, following a family member’s diagnosis. “Poppy’s Uncle Kevin sadly passed away from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia last year and it affected everyone in our family,” says Emma Evans, Poppy’s Mum. “Poppy’s sister Georgia decided she wanted to shave her head for charity in December, raising just under £1,500. Poppy felt so inspired after seeing the difference her sister made and she really wants to help those suffering with the disease.”

Poppy is donating her actual hair, along with £450 of the proceeds, to the Little Princess Trust, an organisation that creates wigs from real hair for children with cancer.

The remainder of the money raised will be donated to Amazon ward to purchase toys, books and other items that will help make a child’s hospital stay more comfortable.

“We are always humbled when we receive donations,” says Jayne Rootham, Children’s Services Manager, “But even more so when it’s a child going above and beyond, and in Poppy’s case, being super brave, just to make a very valued contribution. We’d love to invite her in to tour the ward and see exactly where the money she raises will be spent.”

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Bringing our two Trusts together The work to merge the two hospital trusts from 1 April 2017 has been gathering pace since the boards of Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust and Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust formally agreed a detailed business case to combine both organisations in November 2016.

A public vote was taken to name the combined trust. The most popular name was North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, with 35 per cent of the votes. The new name gives the trust a fresh identity as one organisation, while retaining the uniqueness of our three hospitals which will continue to be called their individual names - Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Peterborough City Hospital and Stamford and Rutland Hospital.

One important piece of work that has taken place recently is a recruitment drive to sign up new members of the new North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust from across our catchment area, but particularly residents of Huntingdonshire. By becoming members of the Trust, residents

been meeting as part of our merger plans

can play a more active part in their local hospital and potentially influence how it is run. We are pleased to report more than 3,000 residents from Huntingdonshire have become members of our Trust in the past few months, joining our existing members living in South Lincolnshire and Greater Peterborough.

We will continue to promote membership across our wider catchment to ensure even more local people can get involved in their hospitals.

As many existing members of our Trust will know, one of the benefits of being a member is receiving a copy of The Pulse magazine every quarter, which is full of news and information about our services and our fabulous staff in each of our hospitals. We have extended this edition to reach our new Huntingdonshire members ahead of the official launch date of our new Trust to ensure they don’t miss out on the merger update provided on these pages.

If you would like to become a member of our Trust, please check out the details bottom right on page 5.

A ‘safe landing’ on 1 April To ensure that all issues are considered and managed, an implementation board is overseeing the transition to our combined trust and it includes all executive directors from both trusts. It meets fortnightly to ensure there are safe, robust, and efficient plans to manage a ‘safe landing’, on day one and beyond. Decisions are being made regarding what needs to be in place for ‘day one’ and what can be safely delivered after 1 April.

Stephen Graves, Chief Executive of Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals, and of the new combined trust, said: “I am asked if there will be a ‘big bang’ change on 1 April and I remain clear that our individual and collective focus will remain on continuing to deliver safe and excellent care to our patients.

“We are managing the change in a practical way to ensure our clinical services and operational systems remain robust and we continue to provide the excellent services we did on, and before, 31 March.”

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Senior nursing staff from both trusts have

Calling all members

FIND OUT MORE A HOW WE’RE WORK HINCHINGBROOK We will be hosting a series of events at our hospitals to ensure members can get all the latest information on our Trust joining forces with Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust.

Chief Executive Stephen Graves and Deputy Chief Executive Caroline Walker will be providing an update on all the work taking place to combine our two organisations.

Members of the public who are not members of our Trust are also welcome to attend. There will be the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation. Refreshments will be available.

The members’ meetings will take place at all three hospitals to ensure as many local people as possible have the opportunity to attend: • Stamford Hospital, Meeting Hall – Monday 13 March, 6.30pm • Peterborough City Hospital, Denis Bracey Suite – Thursday 16 March, 6.30pm • Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Partnership Suite – Monday 20 March, 6.30pm

members!

ABOUT KING WITH KE HOSPITAL

Working Together: Haematology Services Patients in the Huntingdon area who suffer from blood disorders, such as leukaemias, lymphomas and myelomas are now able to access a wider range of Haematology services at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, as consultants from Peterborough are working across Huntingdon and Peterborough hospitals to enhance patient care.

Dr Alex Fowler

The Clinical Haematology team, including consultants and specialist nurses, now provide specialist medical and nursing expertise at Haematology clinics at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, as well as Peterborough and Stamford hospitals.

Cathy Flatters, Lead Haematology Nurse at Hinchingbrooke, said: “We have been running the service without a permanent consultant for some time now, having struggled to recruit.

“At Hinchingbrooke we have a brand new chemotherapy unit, support staff in place and now we have the expertise to deliver a more enhanced and secure service. One of the things I am really looking forward to is restarting our clinical trials. This will give our patients so many more options for their treatment.”

Consultant Dr Alexis Fowler will be based at Hinchingbrooke Hospital two days a week. Other members of the consultant team will operate between sites each week.

Dr Muttuswamy Sivakumaran, Consultant on the Haematology team said: “Expanding our team to cover Hinchingbrooke Hospital will give all our patients access to a larger team of experts across the whole range of blood diseases at their local hospital.

Get ready to vote Public governors are being recruited from across Greater Peterborough, Huntingdonshire and South Lincolnshire to help play an important part in how their local hospitals are run.

Our new Trust, which will be called North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, will require 17 public governors and 7 staff governors to sit on its Council of Governors.

This body ensures that the views of members, as well as those of the wider community, are represented appropriately.

Ballot papers will be issued to Trust members to vote from 1 March 2017, and the announcement of results will be on 24 March in readiness for the new Trust’s merger on 1 April.

If you would like to become a member, please contact membership@pbh-tr.nhs.uk, or call 01733 678024.

“In addition, we will all be using the same clinical system, which means that patient information will be shared by clinicians across sites, giving patients a more responsive service.

“This also means younger Haematology patients, in the 19-24 age range, from the Hunts area will no longer need to travel long distances for treatment, and they can now access Clic Sargent services, which are specially developed to meet the needs of young adults.”

Patients who require specialist inpatient care, will continue to receive their treatment at Peterborough City Hospital.

Do you know about the benefits of becoming a member of the Trust?

• You will be able to vote for new governors to represent your views on the Council of Governors of the new Trust.

• You will receive copies of our hospitals’ magazine The Pulse which will be fully revamped for the new summer edition.

• You will be invited to attend membership meetings throughout the year.

• You will be entitled to register with NHS Discounts, to receive a range of discounts on certain everyday items.

If you would like to apply to be a member, please contact membership@pbh-tr.nhs.uk or call 01733 678024.

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IMPROVING OUR SERVICES AT STAMFORD HOSPITAL

Thank you for being a Friend The Friends of Stamford Hospital has provided funds for MRI equipment for our new scanner and a new Optometry machine.

Sue Brooks, Matron and Site Manager at Stamford Hospital, said: “We are particularly grateful to The Friends of Stamford Hospital who paid £10,000 toward equipment to support our new MRI scanner, including trolleys and transport chairs.

“Last year the Friends also purchased an Optometry machine for the hospital which cost £27,600. The new machine allows us to take biometry eye measurements prior to surgery, which means patients can now undergo this procedure closer to home.”

Stamford Hospital redevelopment heralds new era of patient care Stamford Hospital is being redeveloped so it can provide modern standards of clinical care and continue to deliver good patient experience for everyone. On completion in July, the redevelopment will bring about a vast enhancement of the services we currently provide, including a state of the art MRI scanner and refurbished health clinic.

Susan Brooks, Matron and Site Manager, said: “Stamford Hospital is very popular with our patients, with around 40% of people coming from the South Lincolnshire area, as well as Rutland and Peterborough. The number of patients attending our hospital is growing. Last year we saw an increase of more than 5,400 patients. By redeveloping the site we will be able to provide more treatments for patients closer to home, from a modern site that’s better equipped to serve the needs of the community.”

Redevelopment works began on 5 December, and are proceeding in three phases with the final phase scheduled to complete in July this year.

Phase One works underway Phase One includes the Trust’s new MRI scanner, which arrived in January. Works currently underway will provide: • new changing rooms for MRI patients

New Optometry machine courtesy of The Friends of Stamford Hospital

• an additional ultrasound room (in readiness for a new ultrasound machine) • three new clinical rooms and a large waiting room

Redevelopment works underway at Stamford Hospital

• a n outpatients department with additional rooms for adults and children • an improved physiotherapy gym • a new Pain Management suite that will be better for patients The final phases include a new health clinic, Phlebotomy area, Chemotherapy and Lymphoedema and administration suites, imaging booking office, redecorated corridors and a revamped reception area.

New MRI scanner up and running Stamford Hospital’s new state-of-the-art MRI scanner arrived on 8 January and is now installed and fully operational. The first full list of patients attended for scans on 6 February.

Stamford Hospital, said: “The MRI scanner will be a great boost for residents in Stamford and the surrounding areas. We anticipate around 8,000 more patients a year will benefit from this enhanced service.”

Karen Smith, MRI Section Head, said: “Our dedicated team of MRI specialist Radiographers will operate the scanner 12.5 hours a day, assisted by our clinical support staff. We expect to scan around 20 to 30 patients a day between 7am and 8pm Monday to Friday.”

The Trust now has three MRI scanners providing high quality diagnostic investigations for local residents.

Sue Brooks, Matron and Site Manager at

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A warm welcome for patients: Anne Bristow, MRI booking clerk, Karen Smith, MRI Section Head, Rob Miles, MRI Operational radiographer and Debbie Isley, Radiology care assistant.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

SPECIAL BELL HELPS CHILDREN RING IN A NEW CHAPTER A new addition to the Amazon Children’s Ward at Peterborough City Hospital has created lots of excitement amongst some of the sickest patients who have been receiving treatment for childhood cancers.

An ‘end of treatment bell’ has been installed, so that children who have reached the end of their cancer treatment plan can celebrate with a ring on the bell. “The idea behind these bells is similar to the beads of courage that we also use here on the ward,” says Zoe Wilkinson, Lead Play Specialist.

“Children with cancer are unbelievably brave and they deal with an awful lot of side effects and symptoms from both their illnesses and their treatments. Anything we can do to encourage their strength and give them support, is incredible – and these bells do just that.”

The idea to bring one to PCH first arose from the parent of a patient being treated on both Amazon ward and in Cambridge.

“I’ve seen these bells at other hospitals and the smile and joy they bring to a child’s face, and their families, when they finally get to ring them and close the door on such a horrible chapter, is just wonderful,” says Joanne Devaney, whose son Lucas is battling Leukaemia and specifically requested to signal the end of his treatment on Amazon ward.

The bell is supplied by End of Bell Treatment Bells UK, a US based charity, set up by the parents whose young daughter was going through cancer treatment. “The bell is a symbol of hope for families who find

Zoe Wilkinson, Lead Play Specialist, right, with Play Team member Rosemary Hargrave

themselves on this horrendous journey, “ says Emma Payton, Founder of End of Bell Treatment UK. “Some families’ treatment last for years, some for months, and each path is unique to them. We wanted to offer them something at the end, something to say YES,

WE DID IT! Ring it loud, and ring it proud!”

The Amazon ward bell is the 76th to be installed in a UK hospital and has been sponsored by a couple in Oklahoma, who opted to purchase the bell instead of exchanging Christmas gifts last year.

Improving our support for cancer patients The Acute Oncology Team has been providing a 7-day 9-5pm service since January last year and have grown from a one person to a team of 5, providing support for both oncology and haematology inpatients and patients attending the oncology outpatient clinic and day unit.

The team includes Dr Ayers, Medical Oncology Consultant , Sue Barham, Lead Cancer Nurse, Paula-Joanne Bloodworth, Acute Oncology clinical nurse specialist; Jayne Nimmo, Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse

Specialist, Paula Fulcher, Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Sabeeha Munir, Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Each day there are approximately 60-80 patients in the Trust who have a cancer diagnosis, with the team supporting 10-20 patients who are having treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This includes giving advice on the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, support, checking pathways and speeding up test results.

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CELEBRATING OUR STAFF

Outstanding Orthopaedic team awarded Congratulations to the Orthopaedic Department who were awarded the ‘2016 Outstanding Clinical Team Award’ by Leicester Medical School. This is a prestigious honour awarded annually to the medical team who provided the most highly regarded training programme for medical students throughout their rotation.

Dr David Heney, Director of Undergraduate Medical Education commented, “It is important that the Medical School recognises and rewards those individuals and teams who are committed to delivering excellent teaching and who consistently enhance the student experience.”

Carl Markillie, Surgical Outpatients Services Manager, said: “The department offers a varied and rich learning environment and this award is a huge achievement for those involved. I would like to extend my congratulations to Rupert Clifton and Mark Latimer who arrange the teaching programmes as well as all colleagues working in the department. I would like to pay particular credit to Jon Crosby (Specialty Doctor in Orthopaedics) who is mentioned by name in the nomination.”

Rheumatology research team excel at trial recruitment The Rheumatology Department based at Peterborough City Hospital is actively involved in ongoing clinical research. The team was recently commended for their work in recruiting to The British Society for Rheumatology Biologics register (BSRBR-AS).

The Rheumatology research team

The BSRBR-AS is a nationwide register for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) which was launched in April 2012 and is currently recruiting patients. AS is a long-term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.

Dr Poonam Sharma, Rheumatology Consultant and Principal Investigator for the trial at Peterborough City Hospital said: “This is great news for our department as we have achieved 100% (against the national average of 77%) in the questionnaire return and have recruited to target to the study. I would like to congratulate

my colleagues in the Rheumatology Research team for all their dedication and efforts.”

Research team is going from strength to strength The Research and Development team at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals have gone from strength to strength after recruiting 725 participants to trials and achieving in hitting their target two months early.

This is the biggest recruitment of participants into trials over the last six years and has also seen the growth of research activity within many new specialities.

The team have succeeded in recruiting 725 participants to National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portfolio trials and a further 147 participants to Non-NIHR Portfolio trials from 1st April 2016-9th Feb 2017. This has been a gallant effort by all of those involved.

If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved with research at the hospital please contact r&d@pbh-tr.nhs.uk

Members of the Trust’s Orthopaedic team.

Members of the Research and Development team

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FOCUS ON MATERNITY

Maternity team best in the region for newborn hearing screening

Local parents help to shape our Maternity Services The Maternity Service at Peterborough City Hospital is encouraging women and their partners to help shape and improve maternity services.

The Newborn Hearing Screening Team at Peterborough City Hospital have been recognised as the top scoring team in the region for ensuring newborn babies receive their hearing test by four weeks of age.

The department is working with local healthcare partners and will launch a Maternity Services Liaison Committee, a forum which requires a third of the members to be service-users who can give then help shape the future of maternity services for the local population.

Out of 115 sites in the UK, the team at Peterborough City Hospital were placed first in the region and joint second in the country for the performance, by screening 99.8% of the 5000 babies born at the hospital, which is around 400 babies a month.

The screening process was first introduced 14 years ago and involves putting a small hearing device, with a microphone, into a baby’s ear. A quiet clicking sound, which is not painful, is sent into the ear, which then tests the hair cells in the cochlea.

By screening babies within the first 4 weeks of birth, the Hearing Team can then check which babies are more at risk of hearing loss, which is around 1 to 2 in every 1,000, and be provided with diagnostic testing and additional support as required.

Liz Whitwood, Newborn Hearing Screening Programme Local Manager at Peterborough City Hospital, said: “Our

team work really hard to ensure that every baby born at the hospital receives the hearing test at the earliest opportunity.

We work closely with families to provide a 7-day family friendly service for everyone, which ensures that we can help the small number of children that are born with hearing impairment each year.”

Fran Stephens, Head of Midwifery at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Maternity Services Liaison Committee is a great opportunity for women to give feedback and work with us and our associated partners to make improvements to the service we offer. After a recent information session held to seek out participants we now have women and partners from all backgrounds to act as representatives on the committee.”

If you would like information about how you can contribute to the future of maternity services, or would like to feedback regarding your maternity experience please contact Fran via email: fran.stephens@pbh-tr.nhs.uk.

Maternity services celebrate UNICEF re-accreditation Maternity staff at PCH celebrated their reaccreditation from the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative last month.

The Baby Friendly Initiative is a worldwide programme of the World Health Organization and UNICEF. It was established in 1992 to encourage maternity hospitals to implement the ‘Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding’ and to practise in accordance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

“Implementing Baby Friendly standards is a proven way of increasing breastfeeding rates,” said Cathy Rai, Infant Feeding Coordinator. “We have worked extremely hard to ensure we give mothers the support, information and encouragement they need. The hospital has achieved level three status and we are thrilled that we can provide such a high level of support for breastfeeding, which will hopefully result in higher success rates across the city.”

Cathy Rai, centre, receives the accreditation certificate with members of the maternity team

The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative provides a framework for the implementation of best practice by NHS trusts, other health care facilities and higher education institutions, with the aim of ensuring that all parents make informed decisions about

feeding their babies and are supported in their chosen feeding method. Facilities and institutions that meet the required standards can be assessed and accredited as Baby Friendly.

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FUNDRAISING NEWS

Bikers fundraising provides new toys for Amazon Ward In December riders from across Peterborough took part in the second ‘Teddy Bear Ride.’ The event saw over 100 cycling enthusiast bike from Yaxley to the hospital, with 150 donated teddies for our younger patients on Amazon Ward and £1700 in fundraising donations.

Wayne Langley, chairman of Peterborough AllTerrain Cycling Enthusiasts (PACE), said: “This was a simple idea whilst out cycling and is now a huge yearly event in the cycling community calendar.

PACE hosted the event, but we joined forces with lots of other cycling organisations including Yaxley Riders, The Gorillas, Wisbech Black Bears, Peterborough City Council.”

Zoe Wilkinson, Play Service Co-ordinator, said: “This event has been a great spectacle over the past two years and the teddies bring a huge smile to our patients’ faces. We are very grateful for the huge efforts that have been made. The money raised will now go towards wall mounted toys, which will provide a much needed distraction to the children who are receiving treatment.”

Dad’s thanks to hospitals that saved twin daughters’ lives A father of premature twin girls has vowed to fundraise as much as he possibly can after two neonatal units saved their lives.

Nathan Curtis, (26) and his wife Steffanie, (27) were devastated when complications from Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome during pregnancy meant that both their babies lives were at risk. But the identical twins fought back and Steffanie had an emergency c-section at 30 weeks gestation.

Charlotte and Millie were born on 3 October weighing just 3lb and 3lb 3oz and both needed intensive care for seven weeks.

Fitness fanatic Nathan, who is in the RAF, is currently fundraising via his My Donate page for a bike ride on 15th April 2017 from Peterborough City Hospital to Leicester Royal Infirmary and back again.

The 82.6-mile round trip was a journey that the couple had to do frequently, before both of the girls were transferred to Peterborough.

Nathan said: “My wife and I are so grateful for all the love, care and support the NICU staff have given not only our two little miracles, but us as parents.

They have made it possible for us to have the greatest gift ever, Millie and Charlotte, home safe and well. We enjoyed our time at both hospitals, as we received so much support throughout

our stay, we really couldn’t have gotten through this without the teams. Thank you everyone in the NICU departments at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Peterborough City Hospital, the staff are the real superheroes.”

Kate Rivett, Neonatal Ward Manager at Peterborough City Hospital, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to care for such a lovely family and we are delighted that Charlotte and Millie are at home now.

We are incredibly touched by Nathan’s kindness and generosity in choosing to support NICU through his fundraising efforts and we wish him every success on his bike ride.”

To donate to Nathans fundraising page please follow the link: https://mydonate. bt.com/fundraisers/nathancurtis1

Charity lunch raises £11,000 for Breast Unit Huge thanks go to avid fund-raiser and event organiser Carol Collier, who raised a whopping £11,000 for our Breast Unit at a Ladies Charity Lunch she organised at the Holiday Inn Peterborough in October 2016.

The event, which included celebrity guest speaker Gloria Hunniford, was the second charity lunch Carol has organised following her own treatment for breast cancer at Peterborough City Hospital. The event highlighted the journey that one in eight women undergo when diagnosed with breast cancer, and the importance for women to attend routine mammogram appointments.

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ladies charity lunch I organised raised £8,300.

This money has been used to refurbish two comfort rooms on the Unit, where patients receive news of their diagnosis.”

Specialist Breast Care Nurse, Claire Hall, said: “The money Carol raised prior to this event has made a huge difference to the Breast Unit.

Carol said: “I wanted to do something to say thank you to the Trust for the outstanding care I received from staff on the breast unit, while on my own cancer journey. The first

“The £11,000 Carol has raised this time will go to towards purchasing vision loops with illumination systems, which will be used by our breast surgeons to aid them in intricate surgery. We also hope to put some of the money towards staff training.”

NEWS UPDATE

Jack Hunt Students ‘Take Over’ Peterborough City Hospital Students at Jack Hunt School spent the day shadowing staff at Peterborough City Hospital as part of their work experience, during Take Over Day in February.

A Jack Hunt pupil spends time in the pathology lab

In total 17 sixth form pupils from Jack Hunt School took part in the event, which will enable them to gain first-hand experience of their chosen job role within the healthcare profession.

This will be the fifth year in a row that the hospital has welcomed the students. They have been working in maternity, pharmacy, therapy services, pathology, Amazon children’s ward, radiotherapy, and the cardiac ward.

Chris Game, Assistant Headteacher at Jack Hunt School, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Jack Hunt students to gain first-hand experience of a variety of roles in the National Health Service. We really appreciate Peterborough City Hospital hosting our students and would like to thank everyone involved.”

Nikki Davis, Widening Participation Officer at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS

Foundation Trust, said: “We always look forward to Take Over Day with the students from Jack Hunt School. Our staff really enjoy showing the students what it is like to work

Car parking spaces to increase for patients at PCH The number of car parking spaces at Peterborough City Hospital have increased for visitors and patients.

The Trust has created alternative parking arrangements for staff which has resulted in 150 spaces becoming free for patients and visitors to use in car park A, located at the front of the hospital site.

In total this will now provide 753 spaces for patients and visitors only and 1,329 spaces for staff only. Car parking enforcement will also begin from March to ensure appropriate use of parking facilities and to keep access routes in and out of the hospital site clear for emergency vehicles.

Stephen Graves, Chief Executive of Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have had problems with car parking for some time now and I would like to apologise to our patients and visitors that have been affected by this.

Coming into hospital can be an incredibly stressful experience for our patients and visitors and we want to ensure that getting onto the site and getting to an appointment on time is a smooth process for all.”

in the varying departments within the hospital and to give them the opportunity to gain a better insight into what they would like to do for their future career.”

Focus on Volunteers Our army of volunteers at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals provide a wealth of experience and support to the Trust and to our patients, including the wayfinding assistants, buggy operators, trolley service and Friends shop assistants.

Jean Seal is one of over 300 volunteers and comes in once a week to meet with patients on the ward and hands out the Friends and Family feedback form.

Jean, 71, started working at the Trust 10 years ago with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and visits all 22 wards at Peterborough City Hospital. She provides a listening ear and an opportunity for patients to give feedback on their treatment.

before retiring and I really enjoyed it. I like to be busy and by volunteering my time one day a week, it gives me the opportunity to give something back.”

She said: “I worked at Peterborough District Hospital

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IMPROVEMENTS AT PCH

Radiotherapy expansion ALMOST COMPLETE The Radiotherapy department at Peterborough City Hospital has expanded to install a third linear accelerator machine, which provides radiotherapy treatment. This addition will enable the unit to treat many more cancer patients locally, preventing the need for them to travel to neighbouring hospitals.

Katie Jephcott, Consultant Oncologist, said: “This extension is wonderful news for patients and the hospital, it will enable the team to treat an additional 700 patients a year. We look forward to the official opening and tour of the new development which will take place over the coming months.”

If you are interested in taking a tour of the department and would like to come along to the opening please contact communications@pbh-tr.nhs.uk or call the Trust communications team on 01733 678024.

Pictured right, Radiotherapy Service Manager Paula Brown pictured with the Trust’s third linear accelerator which will soon be ready for use.

Chandra Mistry Renal Unit opens at Peterborough City Hospital The Trust, in partnership with Leicester’s Hospitals, has opened the new outpatient haemodialysis unit in Peterborough.

The unit is adjacent to the City Hospital, creating 10 additional dialysis stations, enabling the unit to treat more dialysis patients across the region.

The new purpose-built unit, named The Chandra Mistry Renal Unit received its first patients in January.

The name was chosen in recognition of retired Dr Mistry who worked at the former Peterborough District Hospital for over 20 years and is an international pioneer in the world of dialysis.

A formal opening ceremony will be arranged later in the year.

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Commercial Insurance

Personal Insurance

Insurance Solutions for local businesses since 1964 Why customers choose Marlow Gardner & Cooke: • We’re not a call centre, we don’t have call queues • You talk to the same people; you know them, they know you • We take ownership of problems and respond with solutions • You can meet us face to face at our office or on site • Our service includes risk management advice and claims support

Why not let us offer you the best protection from your insurance budget?

01733 328000

insurance@marlowgardner.co.uk www.marlowgardner.co.uk

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Relax and recharge at luxurious Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire - from just £59 Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa combines state-of-the-art facilities with the charm of traditional Victorian architecture. Nestled in the rolling Leicestershire countryside, award-winning Ragdale is just an easy drive or train journey away.

Spring and summer are a great time to take advantage of Ragdale Hall’s variety of days and breaks - from an evening relaxing in the Thermal Spa with friends, family or colleagues after a hard day at work, to a full day enjoying unlimited use of all Ragdale Hall’s award-winning facilities. Or stay on one of Ragdale’s many Spa Breaks, including fitness or just pure relaxation and pampering.

And, with food included in all spa days and stays, you really do have nothing to worry about - it’s all taken care of.

Prices start from £59.00, with a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets and Ragdale Hall Vouchers make the perfect gift and start at just £25.

For more information visit www.ragdalehall.co.uk or call 01664 433000.

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa @ragdalehall or download the free Ragdale Hall app.

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BESPOKE GRANITE & QUARTZ WORKTOPS Lower your costs - made for your home at your home

By using the latest machinery and cutting methods, coupled with traditional best practice, our bespoke cutting service saves you both time and money. Although wood worktops can be fitted with limited knowledge, our templating service will ensure that all worktops are cut and finished to your exact demands, with absolutely no compromise. We cut your worktops at your home to cut your costs.

Call Wayne Herries to day for a no obligation quote on 07758 922570 or email: wayneherries@googlemail.com

Peterborough Milton Golf Club ……a challenging, relaxing and enjoyable destination The only private members golf club in Peterborough that boasts a challenging 18 hole parkland golf course and a relaxing clubhouse.

• Playing membership offers available • Variety of starter groups available • Green fee visitors welcome • Discounts on bar and catering • Social & Practice Ground memberships available For further information contact Andy or Brenda on 01733 380489 (option 1) or e-mail admin@pmgc.org.uk • Visit our website www.pmgc.org.uk Peterborough Milton Golf Club, Milton Ferry, Peterborough PE6 7AG

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Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust endorse any of the products or services.

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