Countess Matters Winter 2016

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Countess February 2016

matters

Countess’

stroke services

rated among the t more u o d n i best in England F

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02 Trust set to welcome CQC inspectors

06 A Model Hospital…

10 Our Governors’ news…

Celebrating staff at our annual awards

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Contents

04 Celebration of Achievement Awards

08-09 Count on us: Winter pressures special

11 Fundraising round up & a farewell from Janet

Welcome

FROM YOUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The Care Quality Commission set to visit the Countess in February

2016 is another important year in the history of The Countess.

In February we will have the opportunity to demonstrate to the Hospital Inspection Team from the Care Quality Commission what a great organisation we really are. We can show off what we are proud of and good at and point to the areas we know we need to improve.

It is also the year that we make further steps to becoming the Model Hospital and also the year that we begin the journey from financial challenge and deficit to financial balance and investment. The financial settlement for 2016/17 means that now more than ever we need the courage to collaborate and innovate, to integrate our planning and deliver at a pace that has proved difficult in the past. Our local population deserves nothing less.

I wish you all the very best for 2016 – let us together continue to make a real difference.

Tony

The Trust is due to be inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 16 – 19 February . Inspectors will also visit in the week before to hold some public engagement events both at the Countess and Ellesmere Port Hospital sites. The inspection will assess whether the services the Trust provides meet the criteria of the CQC’s five ‘key lines of enquiry’: Are we safe? Are we caring? Are we responsive? Are we effective? Are we well-led?

The CQC will analyse the findings of their inspection and prepare a report for the Trust rating us as one of four possible grades: Outstanding; Good; Requires improvement; Inadequate.

As a Trust we are approaching the CQC as an opportunity to show the excellent care that we deliver to our patients, in our departments.

How Countess staff, patients and visitors can get involved The inspection team is welcome to visit any area (clinical or non-clinical) within the Trust. The inspectors will be visiting various areas within the Trust on Wednesday 17, Thursday 18, and Friday 19 February 2016.

The CQC has requested a series of pre-arranged interviews, however the inspectors are welcome to visit any ward or department within the Trust and speak to any staff, patients and visitors. There will be a number of focus groups arranged where staff, patients and visitors can speak to the CQC assessors regarding any matters. Please look out for more information as to when these focus groups and feedback opportunities will take place on the Trust website and social media accounts in early February.

Countess’ stroke services rated among the best in England The Countess of Chester Hospital’s stroke service is among the top performers in the country, following a national audit by the Royal College of Physicians.

he was back on his feet within days. He was brought by ambulance to The Countess after collapsing while out on an early morning walk. When he couldn’t get up, a passer-by called for help.

Newly available data published shows the Chester stroke team as one of only 14 trusts nationally to achieve an ‘A’ score from the Royal College of Physicians as part of its audit programme, known as SSNAP.

Trevor said: “Within minutes of arriving at The Countess I was given clot busting drugs and transferred to The Walton Centre for a specialist surgical procedure to remove a blood clot. Doctors at The Countess identified the cause of the stroke as an irregular heartbeat. The diagnosis, procedure and treatment all happened so fast. Without this I might have faced weeks in hospital and a lasting disability. Instead I was back at home with my family within the week.”

Each year, an estimated 450 people in the West Cheshire and North Wales area will suffer a stroke and be sent to The Countess for treatment. Over the last 12 months the Chester based clinical team has introduced a range of new approaches, expanded its team and enhanced its research facilities.

The audit looks at up to 30 different aspects of the patient journey including how quickly a stroke patient is seen in Accident & Emergency, the speed with which they are transferred to a dedicated stroke unit and the amount of therapy support that is provided as part of their care.

Stroke consultant Tim Webster explained: “We have made a number of simple, practical and effective changes. We’ve invested further in clinical staff with expertise in stroke care – including having the first advanced neuro vascular practitioner in the country, following training in the United States. Patients now have more time with therapists, especially at weekends, ensuring a faster recovery and earlier discharge home. As a team, we are getting smarter about monitoring real-time performance information on a weekly basis, so we can respond to making service improvements and changes quickly.

In addition, we have established closer working links with The Walton Centre allowing patients rapid access to their specialist services when needed.

He added: “My wife made me take things easy for a while, but now I am getting my life back to normal. I’m a very active person, I like walking every day and spending time with my two grandchildren. I’ve even taken up fishing again, a hobby I haven’t pursued in years.”

Dr Webster explained: “Trevor experienced a massive stroke and has been left with almost no remaining symptoms. His total stay in hospital was five days. Without the clot busting drugs, also known as

thrombolysis, it would have stretched into weeks and have left a significant disability requiring daily carers or even the need for nursing home care.

“Over the last two years we’ve placed a lot of focus on improvements to stroke care services at The Countess. This top rating in the latest SNNAP audit is truly rewarding and a credit to the hard work of a fantastic multi-disciplinary team.”

Team scoop regional award in recognition of achievements The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust stroke team was also crowned the Most Innovative NHS Team for its innovative way of improving stroke care at the regional North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards 2015.

Business Performance Manager James Stevens said: “It’s a big surprise to win.

These awards are very important and are recognition of all the week in week out hard work. It makes people want to go into research and innovation and it will definitely take us to the next step.”

“Our colleagues in Accident and Emergency as well as the hospital radiology team have contributed to this success. It helps that we also have access to a good infrastructure at the Chester hospital, with a modern intensive care unit, state of the art scanning facilities and the South Mersey Arterial Centre vascular network based here.”

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Stroke survivor Trevor Jones, 65, from Connah’s Quay says the speed with which he received diagnosis and treatment meant

Celebrating staff at A very popular award winner Betty Cheers - our Unsung Hero!

Partnership Award has been shared this year between our Stroke Services and our Dementia Team The Countess of Chester Hospital celebrated the hard work and dedication of staff at an annual Celebration of Achievement awards in November.

The awards ceremony, sponsored by Medicash, University of Chester, and Jane Lewis Agency, was held at Chester Racecourse.

The nominees also enjoyed a performance by the Countess’ choir before watching video clips detailing why their colleagues felt they were so deserving of recognition.

Living the Values award is scooped by Alistair Finney for his ‘can do’ attitude.

Chief executive Tony Chambers commented: “Our Celebration of Achievement Awards is the event I look forward to the most each year.

It highlights the great work being achieved by the people and teams shortlisted and presents us with an opportunity to say a very public thank you to them for their commitment, resilience and ultimately, their care.

“We always aim to make our Volunteer of the Year winner is Des Reilly.

Famous for ‘Des Tours’ and a Countess legend

Governor of the Year chosen by fellow governors is Helen Clifton

The Countess Cornerstone Award goes to HR Business Partner Team who are always prepared to ‘think outside the box’

community proud with the care we deliver and without a shadow of doubt, this year’s nominees and winners make me very proud.”

• Countess Unsung Hero Award - Betty Cheers, ward clerk • Living the Values Award - Alistair Finney, charge hand porter • Volunteer of the Year – Des Reilly • Governor of the Year award – Helen Clifton • The Partnership Award shared between the award winning Stroke Team and the pioneering Dementia Team • Countess Cornerstone Award – HR Business Partner Team • Commitment to Learning Award - George Patchett, payroll and pensions assistant • Patient Choice Award for outstanding care – Sue Blake, advanced nurse practitioner

our annual awards Our Commitment to Learning award sponsored by the university of Chester goes to Payroll and Pensions Assistant George Patchett Quality Improvement of the Year award goes to the Cancer Services Team for their hard work, commitment and determination

The Outstanding Individual Achievement of the Year goes to Chris Jones our Senior Orthopaedic Trauma Clinical Nurse Specialist

Patient Choice winner for Outstanding Care sponsored by Jane Lewis Agency is Advanced Nurse Practitioner Sue Blake • Patient Safety Award - tissue viability nurse specialists & Ellesmere Port Hospital Nursing Team • Quality Improvement of the Year Cancer Services Team • Leonie Kenny Award for inspirational leadership - Alex Holroyd, Karin Daelemans and Natalie McKeown (joint therapy team managers)

The Leonie Kenny award for Inspirational Leadership goes to Joint Therapy Team Managers

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Libby Martin, Radiology Support Manager.

Described by her team as “the best manager in the world”

• Haygarth Medal for Nurse of the Year - Sam Walker, lead infection control nurse • Outstanding Team Achievement of the Year - Evolve Team

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Libby Martin, radiology support manager

The Haygarth Medal for Nurse of the Year. Won by Sam Walker our lead infection control nurse.

This year’s Patient Safety Award goes to the Tissue Viability Nurse Specialists and Ellesmere Port Hospital Nursing Team

Our highly commended colleagues Beryl Blacklock, Julie Scanlan and Joe O’Grady

The Outstanding Team Achievement of the Year goes to the Evolve Team.

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• Outstanding Individual Achievement of the Year, Chris Jones, senior orthopaedic trauma clinical nurse

The future of The Countess as The Model Hospital…

The next year will be an important one for stabilising and rebalancing the West Cheshire health system.

As a workforce, The Countess demonstrates an approach to caring, leadership and stewardship that will see this hospital emerge as the front runner for defining what a model hospital should be. Read on to find out more from Chief Executive Tony Chambers about why 2016 will see the Trust focus on doing something different…

Collectively we know The Countess inside and out. Many of us have worked here for years and we care deeply about the place and our professions, but most of all about our patients.

We’ve reached a point in time when we have to face answering a truly difficult question. Why is what we are doing in the NHS just not good enough anymore?

In my mind there are four reasons…

1. There is a major problem with the numbers…

The numbers just don’t add up. We are spending more than we earn as a hospital. If we carry on as we are we will lose control. By this we mean that we risk losing control of our services, our work and our quality of patient

care. We risk losing control of our hospital and our future. It really is that serious. We need to develop. We need to plan. We need to deliver. And we need to do it quickly. We must draw on our Countess strength of character and completely reimagine what a hospital could be.

2. There are not enough doctors and nurses…

There aren’t enough doctors and nurses being trained. Gaps are already there for us to see – from GPs in primary care, to nurses on our wards and emergency department consultants in the hospital.

The reality is that we will never have enough doctors and nurses. Even if we did, we can’t actually afford them. So instead we need to rethink how we deliver care with our ageing workforce to our ageing community.

3. Expectations of care are changing…

Healthcare does not stand still, nor do patient expectations. Most surgery is now done as a day case. Most admitted urgent care patients are older people.

We carry out tests on patients more and more. The cost of drugs is rising.

We are treating people for longer and at greater cost. At the same time some of the things we do now harm our patients. There are even times when we over-test. Patients cannot book an appointment on-line, and medically fit patients are essentially ‘stuck’ in hospital. How is this good enough? As services change and develop – so too must we.

4. Because it is our responsibility…

We are stewards of this hospital, our patients rely on us. None of us will be here forever. If we were to hand over the keys to the hospital front doors

tomorrow, what would be found?

When each of us leaves this place and the care of our patients to the people that follow us, we have a responsibility to leave the NHS in a better way than we found it.

Have we done this yet? I am not sure I can honestly say I have, or that we have collectively as a Countess team.

And so, this is why we all need to change.

You’ll start to see more, hear more and learn more about The Model Hospital in the weeks and months ahead. It will be a key focus for us in all that we do here at The Countess in 2016 and I look forward to your interest, support and contributions in making it count.

With best wishes – Tony Chambers, Chief Executive

Maternity services national survey results

New Red Cross Service to support Accident and Emergency

With a core team consisting of four members of staff and two volunteers, the service has the flexibility to call on additional volunteers if required. The service operates from Monday to Friday between 4 and 8pm with one vehicle for patient discharge and another vehicle for equipment delivery.

Helen Featherstone, Red Cross service manager, said: “After a patient has been discharged, we will take them home and help them to settle in by putting the heating on, making them a cup of tea and a light snack, contacting a relative or neighbour and giving them information about other sources of support. We find that the emotional support and care given by our staff is important in the first hours after discharge and makes it less likely that

a vulnerable person will call for further medical assistance.

“The Red Cross also has a support at home service which supports people to regain their independence and re-establish their daily routine. This might involve shopping for groceries, paying bills and other logistical tasks and rebuilding their confidence after a stay in hospital. We can arrange for staff from the service to visit vulnerable people who we have taken home from hospital.

“As well as taking people home after their discharge, we can collect their medicines which helps to reduce waiting time in the hospital. We also deliver specialist equipment recommended by occupational therapists to make it easier for discharged patients to live more independently at home.

“Depending on availability, we will also be on hand in A&E to sit with vulnerable people who are on their own, offering emotional support and companionship.”

One of Helen’s immediate priorities is to develop and build a successful working partnership with Countess staff so that they will have a clear pathway to discharge patients using the Red Cross A&E discharge service.

Long service awards thank colleagues for their commitment The Trust held a special ceremony in December, to thank colleagues for their long service to The Countess. More than 20 people attended the lunch time event to be presented with a certificate and gift from the Chairman on behalf of the Trust.

New partnership sees shared learning with Swiss University on nursing roles The orthopaedic trauma nursing team is hosting a very special visit from Switzerland. Lisa Myers, a qualified nurse is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) at the Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Switzerland. This is one of the few academic institutes in Switzerland providing graduate education for nurses. ANP is still in its infancy in Switzerland so Lisa and the University of Basel contacted Countess consultant nurse specialist Sandra Flynn to arrange a three day work placement shadowing the orthopaedic trauma advanced practice nursing team where the roles are well established and integrated into clinical practice.

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The New Year marks the start of a new community and voluntary sector partnership at The Countess. The British Red Cross has started a new Accident & Emergency (A&E) discharge service at the Chester Hospital. It is based on the success of a series of national pilot initiatives last winter to give doctors and nurses the confidence to discharge vulnerable patients safe in the knowledge that the British Red Cross will see them home.

Findings from the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) national survey of more than 20,000 women suggest that the majority who gave birth in February 2015 had a better experience overall compared to the results from previous years, across the 133 NHS trusts in England. Access to midwives, choice of where to give birth, and the quality of information are particular areas where the NHS appears to have improved. Published in December, the findings highlight women’s responses to questions in themes around access to care, personal choices, type of birth and emotional wellbeing. Results for The Countess show they are keeping up with the rest of the country and better than other Trusts for new Mums feeling their stay in hospital after their birth was the right amount of time.

WINTER SPECIAL: ‘Count on This winter clinical colleagues have been working behind the scenes to showcase and share what it is like to be working in the hospital during the busy winter months. It is part of a ‘Count on Us and Count on You’ campaign running from January to early March, seeing news stories featuring in the local papers and social media outlining the different pressures faced by healthcare services and how the West Cheshire community can help and show support for their local NHS.

make sure they know what to do if their little ones get sick.

This edition of Countess Matters features Paediatric Consultant Ravi Jayaram and Interim Director of Operations Lorraine Burnett telling their side of The Countess winter story. Look out for more features in the local news and on our website in the weeks ahead.

“But if your child is really struggling, for example if they are choking or look pale or blue, again, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, A&E is available with junior doctors, senior nurses and consultants on hand to offer diagnosis and treatment.”

Countess consultant and TV expert Dr Ravi Jayaram offers winter health tips for parents.

Winter is well and truly here and with it the common bugs, viruses and general illnesses children pick up at this time of year.

But how can parents tell whether their child needs medical attention or just a little tender loving care? And what services are available to choose from when your child falls ill?

Dr Ravi Jayaram, Consultant Paediatrician at the Countess of Chester Hospital and expert on Channel 4s Born Naughty, has issued some handy tips for parents over winter to

“Firstly I’d like to reassure people that if your child is unwell particularly over the weekends and bank holidays, that GPs are there.

“There is always a GP service available.

If you ring your GP out of hours you will automatically be put through to the out of hours service here at the Countess Health Park so you don’t have to go to Accident and Emergency.

Dr Ravi has put together a list of common complaints and how to deal with them and the Trust has also made a film advising parents on common ailments which can be viewed from the Trust website www.coch. nhs.uk “Children don’t have the best hygiene, they don’t put their hands over their mouths and under 5s will get, on average, 12 viral colds a year,” he said.

“That’s a lot of coughing and snotty noses.

It can be a worry for parents, particularly if the symptoms persist, but in reality most children will be fine with paracetamol and a little tender loving care.

“Even if your child has a temperature or an impressive looking rash it doesn’t mean there is something bad going on. Where parents should be concerned is if a rash, for example, fails the glass test. If you press the rash with a glass tumbler and the colour does not disappear, you need to seek medical advice.

“Similarly if a temperature is accompanied by lethargy and listlessness and a disinterest in food or drink, it is important to have your child seen. If your child remains active and interested in food or drink, you can probably manage them at home.”

But the most visible symptoms do not always indicate the biggest concerns.

“If it is really easy to see why they are unwell, if they have a streaming nose and are coughing and sneezing, then there is probably not much a doctor will be able to do for them.

“But if a child is struggling to breathe, if their ribs are sucking in and out, you ought to get them seen.

“I’ve put together some tips to help guide parents but I also want to reassure mums and dads out there that if their child is unwell, and unwell enough to need to be seen, they will be seen by the right people 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Dr Ravi’s top tips Symptom

Manage at home

Seek medical advice

Snotty nose, cough

Plenty of fluids, paracetamol (always check packaging for correct dosage)

Temperature

If your child is still active, eating/drinking – try paracetamol/ ibuprofen & fluids

If child is listless, lethargic, disinterested in eating/drinking

Rash

If it passes the glass test – press a glass tumbler against it. If the colour disappears, it passes

If the colour remains during the glass test seek immediate medical advice

Vomiting

Frequent small sips of water to prevent dehydration – if child If your child does not pee for 6-7 hours is peeing regularly, they won’t be significantly dehydrated

Coughing

Coughs can generally last 3-6 weeks after a cold has gone.

This is normal

If child is struggling to breathe, if they are choking, if breathing is laboured or so fast they cannot eat or drink, if they are pale or blue

Wheezing

A whistling noise when breathing out. Common in asthma and viral infections Don’t worry if they are managing to talk normally, are active and can drink and eat

If child is struggling to breathe, if their ribs are sucking in and out, if they are too breathless to talk or if they are lethargic

n Us’ and ‘Count on You’ Countess director calls for public, social care services and NHS to support each other in the busy months ahead Winter is the time of year when reports of NHS pressures become widespread, but Lorraine Burnett is working hard to ensure the Countess of Chester Hospital can deal with whatever problems the coldest season brings.

The interim Director of Operations at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust knows this time of year presents challenges. However the hard work and commitment of the doctors, nurses and support staff at the hospital already this winter have given her confidence the hospital will be resilient to pressure.

“For me it’s important that everybody understands that our staff are working as hard as they can, that they want to provide the best care that they can,” she said.

“So that means for the Countess, our staff are having to deal with more patients in hospital for longer and key for me in my role is how I can support my staff who are working really hard and feeling the pressure at this time.”

The Countess has already been planning with social care and community care partners in order to cope with the expected demands of January through to April.

“The main areas we plan for over the winter period are an increase in patients coming to A&E, an increase in patients with respiratory illness and patients who need extra support in order for them to leave the hospital,” said Lorraine.

“We work with social care and community care around providing additional support in the hospital, additional support in patients’ homes and where possible beds outside hospital as patients have got over their acute illness.

“There are other options outside of hospital.

It’s important to contact your GP surgery to see what’s available to you. There will be pharmacies open late nights and those are usually advertised in the local media. You’ve

also got the NHS website and the 111 service who can also signpost you to what services are open and who can help you. Really the hospital is for people who’ve got life limiting and really serious injuries or illnesses.

“It’s difficult because in the hospital when we want to discharge people there’s a long list of why we can’t. Everybody wants to go home, nobody wants to be in hospital but actually we do provide that cover in terms of you’ve got somebody here with you all of the time.

“But we have to realise that hospitals are here for sick people, there are bugs in hospitals, there’s a lot of equipment around so it’s an unfamiliar environment, it’s very noisy as well so you don’t get a lot of sleep. For people who are elderly or are frail, they are better off in their own homes if we can provide them with that level of support they need.

“People can help us in some ways. If you’ve already got a health condition you should make sure you’re looking after that condition appropriately. Ensure you have all the medications you need, that you keep warm, eat well, and take exercise.

“If you feel you’re getting unwell, contact your local GP or your nurse or pharmacist and make sure you get that help early on. Make sure you’ve got your medications and your prescriptions so you’re not going to run out of tablets. Don’t wait to become really ill.”

“If you’ve got elderly relatives or neighbours,

offering them support can also make a real impact. I think the cold weather and the dark nights are really difficult for people who live on their own.”

Lorraine admitted that her options were limited when demand increased, but added that every member of staff would be working hard to deliver the best care for those in real need throughout the winter period.

“We don’t have any more wards that we can open, so I can’t just put more beds in,” she said.

“Even if I could it’s important to have the right level of nurses and we can’t go out and recruit because that takes time and there is a national shortage of nurses.

“I can’t stress enough however that our staff are working as hard as they can to provide the best care. Sometimes we might not get that right but it’s important to know that we’re trying.

“We’re willing to put our hands up and say when we’ve got something wrong and try not to do it again because it’s important that we learn. I want to make sure everybody realises that the hospital is under pressure but the staff are working really hard.”

Remember: Out of hours urgent GP care is available in West Cheshire on weekdays after 6:30pm by calling 01244 385 300. Don’t just make A&E your first port of call.

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“We’re used to dealing with pressures, we know there’s an increase in the number of older people in our community so therefore we know that our social care and community partners are already under pressure themselves and they have not been able to provide us with the same level of support as in previous years.

Govenors News Would you like to get involved with your local hospital?

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust held elections during September 2015 and is delighted to announce the results in the following constituencies:

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Governor nomination process will be opening this summer. If you would like to find out more about this exciting role please call Claire Raggett on 01244 365816 to arrange an informal chat, at a time to suit you.

Chester and Rural Cheshire Tom Bateman – re-elected Helen Clifton – re-elected

Please come along and see the Board of Directors and Council of Governors in action. The dates of the upcoming meetings are as listed:

Ellesmere Port & Neston Sue Bagby – Elected

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tuesday 3 May 2016 at 12:30pm

If you would like to contact your local governor, please email Claire Raggett: Claire.raggett@nhs.net or Sandra Faulkner:

COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS Tuesday 1 March 2016 at 3pm Tuesday 3 May 2016 at 3:30pm

Sandra.faulkner1@nhs.net or telephone

All meetings will be held in the Education and Training Centre at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

01244 365816/01244 365284

Please note that timings and venues may be subject to change, so please do check our website for the most up to date information.

Who Are Your Governors Foundation Trust Council of Governors Public

Chairman - Sir Duncan Nichol CBE Ellesmere Port and Neston

Chester and Rural Cheshire

Helen Clifton Until October 2018

Caroline Stein Until October 2017

Marilyn King Until October 2016

Brian Ellingham Until October 2016

Pat Clare Until October 2017

Partnership Organisations West Cheshire CCG

University of Chester

Elizabeth Bott Until October 2017

Sue Sheldon Until October 2016

Sue Elphick Until October 2017

Brian Jones Until October 2018

Sue Bagby Until October 2018

Flintshire CHC

Professor Dorothy Marriss

Tom Bateman Until October 2018

Karen Woodcock Until October 2017

Voluntary Services

Awaiting photo

Cllr Matt Bryan

Flintshire

Carole Jones Until October 2017

Doctors

Dr Ian Benton Consultant Until October 2017

TBA

Local Authority

Geoffrey Lloyd Until October 2016

Nurses/Midwives Qualified

Katie Greenhalgh Until October 2017

Chris Hannah

Staff

Allied Health Professionals/ Technical/ Scientific

Dr Chris Green Until October 2016

Michael Hemmerdinger

All other staff groups

Youth member

Awaiting photo Russell Jackson Until October 2016

Fran Parry Until October 2017

* Period of office is determined by number of votes received

Liz Kevan Until October 2016

Aoife O’Doherty TBA - To Be Announced

Sarah Balogh Steve Bridge Until October 2017 Until October 2017 Updated December 15 - Medical Illustration, COCH

Fundraising roundup Countess Care of the Elderly Project ready for launch

Ward 43 Manager Emma Rudolfsen said: “This is a really innovative and clinically proven reminiscence therapy that is already being used in other hospitals with good results”.

The fundraising team is currently submitting a further bid for funding via Comic Relief and if successful this will enable us to roll out the project at Ellesmere Port Hospital.

As well as benefitting patients and their visitors we have been able to recruit over 30 volunteers to support the project and who will benefit from personal development, training, skills development, increased knowledge and experience. Our staff will benefit from an increased understanding of a patient’s personality and life, helping them to see better the person beyond the patient.

Babygrow week During week commencing February 29 culminating on Mother’s Day, Sunday 6 March there will be a range of activities including a fabulous raffle taking place to raise funds for the Babygrow Appeal. Thanks to help from our friends in the EBME Department we have a decommissioned Incubator that has spent the last couple of months in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre as a giant’ Collecting Tin’ – and we plan to site this at the hospital during Babygrow Week.

Almost 2,000 join the Santa Dash Our biggest ever Chester Santa Dash supported by Virgin Money took place on December 6th with 1,991 people signing up to dash, run, walk or stroll the 3.3k route.

The sea of red Santas running through the streets of Chester has become a regular sight for shoppers and visitors to the city in early December. Many of our colleagues

from various wards and departments together with Governors and members of the Exec team signed up and despite the onset of rain just as the Dash set off at 10am, most people were still smiling when they got to the finishing line! Sponsorship donations are still being received so a final total has not yet been calculated but we hope that last year’s total will be beaten. If you still have sponsorship donations to pay in these can be handed to the fundraising office in the main reception.

Superb Countess effort for Walk for Wards The first ever autumn “Walk for Wards” took place in the Countess Country Park in October. Over 300 members of staff and patients took part and over £15,000 was raised for a number of different departments. Community Fundraiser Angie Lopez said “It was a beautiful morning and I think what appealed to everybody was that they could raise funds for an area of the hospital that had a special significance to them. We were absolutely delighted that so many members of staff took part – and made such an effort. The Orthopaedic Department brought their skeleton along for company! Also, a big thank you is due to Craig Hough and his catering team for providing bacon butties and refreshments at the end.” The event will take place again in October 2016.

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Identified by Specialist Dementia Nurse Andy Tysoe, the Countess Care of the Elderly Project aims to address the loneliness and isolation of some of our elderly patients, and to consider the effects of the terminal illness of dementia on patients and their families. Funding to implement the project on Wards 34 and 43 was generated through our successful fundraising bid to the Aviva Community Fund last March. We were awarded £25,000 which will be used to deliver a ‘reminiscence interactive therapy’ for patients and their loved ones. Patients will be able to ‘paint’ their memories, favourite music and places on screen which should help lift their mood and better engage with their family, fellow patients and staff.

Fundraising roundup It’s ‘Hell Up North’ for Countess Wallies AMU Ward Manager Rachel Upson-White along with 20 of her colleagues, took part in the “Hell Up North” Marathon in Delamere Forest in October and raised over £5000 towards a new family room in the unit. Rachel said “We see and treat almost every condition you can think of in our unit. As well as short term admissions there are also sad occasions when people don’t go home or the results of tests and scans do not give the patients and their families the news they would hope for. At these devastating times we want to be able to support our patients and their families not just behind closed curtains but in a comfortable quiet area with some privacy for them to sit, gather their thoughts or just generally have some ‘time out’. We are hoping to raise £10,000 and are currently planning other fundraising activities to reach our target”. The team decided to dress up as ‘Wally’ from the “Where’s Wally” books which certainly made them stand out from the other competitors.

Kisiizi Christmas Raffle Many thanks to everybody who bought a ticket for the fabulous hampers on offer in the raffle to support Kisiizi Hospital. We raised just under £1000 which was fantastic! This will be used to purchase more mattresses for various wards at the hospital in Uganda.

A farewell from Janet…

After more than 13 years heading up the fundraising department, Janet Ratcliffe is retiring.

She leaves us at the end of January to spend 12 months in Spain with her husband. Janet said “I am definitely leaving with mixed emotions.

Although I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life, I am also ‘sad’ to go as I have always been very proud to work for the Countess. It is an amazing place and I have had the privilege to work with some truly inspiring people over the years. Our charity contributes in so many different ways to ensure that the hospital provides the very best environment and facilities for our patients, their families and our staff. I am confident that with the team we have in place and the ongoing support of our local community, the charity will continue to go from strength to strength”.

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