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Shape up 4 Surgery the next phase
Shape Up 4 Surgery (SU4S) launched last year as a campaign to encompass the work dedicated to improving patient surgical experiences and outcomes. This includes empowering patients to understand what they can do to prepare for surgery as well as making improvements to processes and introducing new clinics for frail patients.
The next phase of the campaign is underway, with the recruitment of a dedicated team of volunteers and this is known as Supported Shape Up 4 Surgery. Supported Shape Up 4 Surgery is the empowering patient arm of the campaign. The Trust’s volunteer team is contacting patients who are on a waiting list for surgery and engaging them in what they can do to prepare. This is part of supporting patients to ‘wait well’. The volunteers have undergone rigorous training to do this and a co-ordinator has been appointed to support them. A key piece of this work is obtaining patient feedback and measuring patient outcomes as a result of the supported pathway. Their work also includes helping patients to access the SU4S website and resources, supporting patients to access healthy living services e.g. stop smoking services and free activity events, reassuring patients that they have not been forgotten, identifying and supporting patients who have difficulty using the electronic SU4S resources and offering printed materials or alternative formats, such as information in different languages. Sophie Blow, Clinical Operational Lead for Perioperative Optimisation said: “We are grateful to all the volunteers who are supporting the next phase of this important campaign. With some support from the city Planned Care board a pilot project is also being planned to target the most deprived in the city on a surgical waiting list. The aim of this is to reduce the risk of acute attendances and to support people to be as fit and healthy as possible for their surgery.” Leeds Teaching Hospitals performs in the region of 50,000 elective surgical procedures annually. Due to the pandemic there are now more people waiting than ever before. The team have been able to use innovative data to explore the effects of lifestyle choices on patient’s perioperative outcomes, and this greater knowledge is helping to shape the campaign’s future development. This campaign is utilising information to support patients and improve outcomes, including: • Active smokers in Leeds stay in hospital at least 1 day longer than ex-smokers. • Untreated iron deficiency anaemia is more prevalent in certain populations in the city and if left untreated leads to a longer stay in hospital. • Increasing activity levels in the weeks before an operation reduces a patient’s risk of complications following surgery.
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It also reduces the risk of needing an intensive care bed after an operation and shortens a patient’s stay in hospital. • Doing deep breathing exercises daily before an operation reduces the risk of a chest infection after surgery.
LTHT has appointed two new Associate Non-Executive Directors.
Mike Baker CBE has held leadership roles in the three largest Departments of State. Most recently Mike was Chief Operating Officer at the Ministry of Defence - 230,000 military and civilian colleagues and an annual spend of £49 billion. Mike has experience of delivery, transformation and cultural change in large, complex organisations. He has been Public Sector Director of the Year and was appointed CBE for Public Service in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2012. Mike is passionate about leadership and mentoring. He’s an avid tennis player and qualified football coach. Mike will become a member of Finance & Performance Committee.
Mark Burton is currently Head of Global Services and Public Sector and Head of UK Regions for Lloyd’s Banking Group. A 25year career in finance has seen Mark take leadership roles for several prominent banks, working with clients from around the world and in multiple sectors. Mark has mentored individuals and businesses, including social enterprises. He currently works closely with the Leeds City Region, supporting businesses and working to make the Region a great place to live and work in.
Mark spends most of his leisure time with his family. He’s a keen sportsman and advocate of physical activity. Mark will become a member of Audit and Workforce Committee.
Dame Linda Pollard, Chair of LTHT, said: “Mike Baker and Mark Burton are proven leaders, achieving at the highest level in their chosen fields. Their knowledge and independent insight will offer guidance and scrutiny, helping LTHT provide the best services possible. I’m looking forward to working with them.” Mike Baker CBE, Associate Non-Executive Director of LTHT, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Board of LTHT and looking forward to supporting the service to our patients, partners and dedicated NHS colleagues. I’m proud to say, I’m a member of the Leeds NHS team.”
Mark Burton, Associate Non-Executive Director of LTHT, said: “I have seen firsthand the focus and dedication of the team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, it’s an honour for me to join the LTHT Board. It will be enormously rewarding to play any role in helping the Trust back to better and in our ambition for world-class services.”
