Anthem December 2014

Issue 36 December 2014

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

New pharmacy opens page 13

State of the art eye screening equipment to benefit people with diabetes page 24

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That’s Asda Price for ARU The assisted reproduction unit (ARU) at the University Hospital of Hartlepool was delighted to receive a donation of £200 from Asda in Hartlepool.

Clinical lead for the unit Hany Mostafa was delighted to receive the cheque and thanked Asda staff.

Apprentices celebrate success Around 60 healthcare apprentices are celebrating after successfully completing their training at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

The apprentices have been working at the University Hospital of North Tees and the University Hospital of Hartlepool for the last two years, while they have completed a diploma in advanced level clinical health care support level 3, in health and social care at Stockton Riverside College and Hartlepool College of Further Education.

Octagon Marketing Company Ltd specialise in gaining advertising support for magazines so Anthem is now produced, packaged, distributed and delivered at minimal cost to the trust.

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The apprenticeship scheme gives students practical, hands-on experience working as healthcare assistants while gaining a nationally recognised qualification.

Vanessa Wray, 26 from Hartlepool, a mum to two young children, said: “The course was really good. It has without a doubt set me up for a career in health.”

Jolene Brownless, 30 from Hartlepool, said: “This course really makes you find your feet.

I’ve made some really good friends along the way too.”

Sophie Steel, 22 from Stockton, said: “I’ve gained some really good practical experience and now I’m working as a healthcare assistant in trauma and orthopaedics at the University Hospital of North Tees. I want to go on to university to train as a paramedic in the future.”

Amy Harvey, 20 from Stockton, who is working on elderly care said: “You get really good practical experience on this course, that will help me in the future, where I plan to study adult nursing at university. I would definitely recommend it to others.”

Laura Wilkes, 21 from Sedgefield, is now delighted to have secured a job working as a healthcare assistant in the trust’s accident and emergency department. She said:

“I have always wanted to work in healthcare.

Without the support from the tutor and everyone who I have worked with, I really didn’t think I could do it and I’m so grateful to them all.”

The trust’s nursing resource manager Esther Blakey added: “I would like to say a big thank you to the college tutors for all of the support they have given the students.”

Speaking at the presentation, director of nursing, patient safety and quality Cath Siddle said: “As a healthcare apprentice you touch the lives of so many people who will be so grateful for everything you do for them.

You experience and see things you will have never experienced before.

“The apprenticeship programme is fantastic.

It gives you real life experience and you learn about the values associated with nursing in the trust; including those of care with compassion and listening and communicating in a way that patients understand.

“We know that juggling studying, work and family life is not easy, but during this time you grow as people. It is excellent to see so many people successful in securing jobs or going on to develop their careers further. Apprentices play an extremely important role; supporting the nursing staff and making sure our patients get the high standards of care they deserve. I would like to wish everyone all the very best for their future.”

Due to the success of the programme, the trust was shortlisted in the workforce catergory 2014 Health Service Journal Awards.

Members hear about Healthwatch and Momentum Healthwatch

Stockton’s Joanne Shaw-Dunn and Hartlepool’s Tony Leighton gave a presentation about Healthwatch, the successor organisation to Local Involvement Networks (LINks). Joanne explained that Healthwatch: • came about as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 • is a patient voice organisation • aims to gather people’s views and experiences of using health and social care services • influences service design and delivery She went on to say that Stockton Healthwatch’s principles and values are to: • be independent, open and transparent • be a membership organisation, representative of, and accountable to communities • be a champion to those communities most vulnerable and hardest to reach (seldom heard) • be accessible, well connected and to foster positive relationships • be expert, skilled and evidence-based in approach • respect and promote volunteer involvement She then talked about signposting, explaining that Healthwatch did not investigate complaints but they can signpost people to the appropriate organisation to address their concerns. She talked about Healthwatch’s statutory right to enter and view health and social care services and how pleasing it was to see how seriously these visits were taken. Tony Leighton from Hartlepool echoed much of what Joanne said. He also spoke about some special events being held in Hartlepool, such as life-long conditions health seminars and the benefits these brought to local people. Both Healthwatches said they were involved in programmes of work about hospital discharges.

Momentum: pathways to healthcare

Director of finance, ICT and support services Lynne Hodgson gave an in depth update on progress on the Momentum: pathways to healthcare programme talking about service transformation (the clinical services strategy and the master change plan) and technological developments which will benefit patient care.

Lynne talked about the centralisation of critical care and emergency medicine at the University Hospital of North Tees, saying this was done for safety and quality reasons.

She talked about the strategic direction of the trust which, in line with national policy, is to provide care in, or closer to people’s homes, supported by a network of community facilities and a single site hospital. She explained how strategic direction is part of each directorate’s work programme and this informs the business and strategic plan. A vital part of the strategy is engaging with staff and taking them with the trust to support the changes needed to ensure its services are right for future generations.

Lynne talked about technology and the huge programme of work currently underway in the trust to support patient care from electronic patient records, telehealth, videoconferencing, self-checkin, stock control and robotics. She talked about how these programmes were being enabled through improvement to the wireless network, bring your own device and mobile working.

In summarising Lynne said there was a continuous programme of change which had to be planned and delivered while also doing the trust’s main and most important everyday job of looking after patients.

Belinda takes on the Cornish coastal challenge Earlier this year children’s safeguarding nurse Belinda Booth signed herself up for a charity trek, all in the name of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Belinda spent four days on the 50 mile trek across Cornwall’s coast from Lizard Point to Land’s End, camping out each night with her friend Gill, who she trained as a health visitor with in London.

The organised event saw nearly 100 enthusiastic and inspirational people raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Belinda (pictured left) said: “The trek was a tough challenge. We had trained a lot by walking and going to the gym. We had fantastic weather, stunning scenery and we were very well supported by the Discover Adventure team. The team spirit and sense of achievement was felt by all.

“The Alzheimer’s Society is a charity which is very close to my heart.

Dementia affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK. I have known many people who have suffered from what is such a devastating and cruel illness.

“I want to thank everyone who kindly sponsored me. I raised £600. This could pay for 19 people with dementia and their carers to enjoy a singing for the brain session, which uses singing to enhance communication, confidence and wellbeing. In total the trek which had been estimated to raise £80,000 for the charity, raised more than £100,000.

These funds will make a real difference to such a fantastic charity.”

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Hospital radio scoops award Hospital radio station, Radio Stitch picked up a prestigious award at The Catalyst Achievement Awards.

Chairman calls in at citizens’ panel

The team of volunteers, who have been broadcasting in the trust’s hospitals for 38 years were presented with The Volunteer in the Arts Award in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

Radio Stitch broadcasts to patients, staff and visitors at the University Hospital of North Tees and the University Hospital of Hartlepool. The dedicated team of volunteers provide patients with non-stop

We are extremely proud to have received this award.

entertainment and music to make their stay in hospital more enjoyable.

Vice chairman Marcus Summerfield said: “We are extremely proud to have received this award and I am delighted to see the hard work of our hospital radio presenters acknowledged.”

The awards, which started in 2010, are hosted every year to celebrate, recognise and acknowledge the hard work of the volunteers in our community.

You can find more information about Radio Stitch at www.radiostitch.co.uk

Chairman Paul Garvin was a guest of the East Durham Citizens’ Panel recently. The group, which meets in Easington, invites speakers from various organisations to talk about their work.

The chairman talked about NHS foundation trusts, explaining they are independent bodies accountable to an external regulator.

He also talked about the trust’s council of governors and the role it plays.

The chairman (front right) is pictured with some of the members of the panel including John Cairns (seated), who chairs the panel as well as being a member of the council of governors, and governor Mary King (far right of the picture).

(left to right) Tony Beards, Marcus Summerfield and Gavin Walton from Radio Stitch receive the award from a representative from Sherwoods

Consultant physiotherapist achieves professional doctorate A consultant physiotherapist at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has achieved a professional doctorate.

Dr Atle Karstad, who is the only consultant physiotherapist at the trust, was part of the first group to complete the professional doctorate at Teesside University.

The intensive part time course took six years to complete. He said: “In addition to being the musculoskeletal professional lead, a big part of my role is also to lead on research and education, which made me decide to do the professional doctorate.”

Dr Karstad has been an honorary lecturer at Teesside University since 2003 as part of his consultant role and has been the musculoskeletal lead in his consultant role since he was appointed in the same year.

He continued: “My thesis was about 4 Anthem | Issue 36

developing a better understanding of the meaning of interprofessional learning and how professionals work together.

“In spite of being a key element of government policy, exploring interprofessional learning using fourth generation evaluation has not been done before and I wanted to explore this for musculoskeletal services, which are provided both in hospital and in the community.

“A new national framework has been developed based on the research findings.

The work, which will be published, may also be transferable to other specialties.

“It was hard work. It takes over your life and I couldn’t have done it without the support from colleagues in the trust and my family.”

Clinical director for integrated care services Linda Watson added: “This is a fantastic personal achievement for Atle and for the trust.”

Celebrating our care makers Another group of staff who have become care makers joined director of nursing, patient safety and quality Cath Siddle, clinical director for integrated care services Linda Watson and the 6Cs team for a special presentation.

Staff are being given an opportunity to be a care maker and be an advocate for the 6Cs - care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.

The trust has almost reached a milestone,

with nearly 100 care makers.

The team leading the work are three experienced nurses - assistant director for nursing and professional standards, Debbie Blackwood, and senior nurses for professional standards Louise Samuel and Claire Wong.

Debbie said: “We are spending a lot of time with our staff in the hospitals and more recently with colleagues in the community.

“It is fantastic to see so many staff becoming care makers. They are our ambassadors for the 6Cs. Everyone has been so enthusiastic

in helping us drive this campaign forward to make some really positive changes to the service we provide.

“The care makers will continue to keep this campaign running in the future, making sure that we all live by these very important values. The care makers have attended regional event in Leeds which provided a good opportunity to share the good work done within our trust.”

You can read more at www.nth.nhs.uk/about/ trust/how-we-are-doing/compassion-practice/

Caroline’s research set to benefit patients A dedicated physiotherapist has been awarded a masters in clinical research and leadership.

Clinical specialist physiotherapist for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), Caroline Fernandes-James has completed the intensive three year course in just two years at Newcastle University.

Caroline, who has worked in the trust’s lung health department at the University Hospital of North Tees since 1999, was delighted that her application was accepted to complete the course and has since passed with flying colours.

She said: “It was a very strict application process. This was a one off opportunity and a great opportunity, which I didn’t want to pass me by.”

The course was funded by the Department of Health through the National Institute for Health

Research and Health Education England Clinical Academic Training Programme.

This is the first time that this funding has been available for nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Caroline continued: “I completed my masters in physiotherapy in 1996 and since 1999 I have done a range of courses including a COPD diploma, spirometry, Buteyko breathing, but a research qualification is new.”

Caroline works part time at the trust and had to complete three study days each month and exams every three weeks during the first year.

Her research project looked at the uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation for patients who are admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation of COPD. Caroline added: “The results

of this small study have shown us that a significant number of patients with this condition are housebound so we know that this will lead us to further work.

“I was so pleased to have received a merit. It was a very demanding course and I had to be organised, but it was the best experience ever. I have moved from being a clinician to a clinical academic.

“Without the support of my colleagues including consultant physician Richard Harrison, the lung health and the COPD team, research and development manager Jane Greenaway, the trust’s library, medical photography, deputy clinical effectiveness manager John Blenkinsopp and Eileen Scott, this research project would not have been possible.

“I am so grateful for their support and advice which has allowed me to adapt the research. Also, I’d like

to thank my manager Steve Pett who has been very supportive, encouraging and flexible to allow me to complete this project.”

Specialist services manager Steve Pett added: “I am extremely proud of Caroline. Her knowledge and work that she has put into this project will be a huge benefit to the staff Caroline works with and to the patients.”

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Help to quit for Stoptober The trust’s stop smoking team supported the national stop smoking campaign - Stoptober throughout the month of October.

Farewell Peter Colleagues said farewell to mail room porter Peter Mallaby who left the trust after 14 years.

Peter said: “I’ve really enjoyed working here, but I’m looking forward to retirement.”

We would like to wish Peter (pictured second from the right) the very best.

“Have a safe bonfire night,” say fire and health services Fire and health services joined together to wish local people a safe and enjoyable bonfire night. Head of community safety Dave Turton from Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “We know people enjoy the nights leading up to 5 November and bonfire night itself, but what was a fun evening can turn to tragedy very quickly if people don’t treat fire and fireworks with respect.”

Matron in accident and emergency at the University Hospital of North Tees Stuart Harper said: “The last thing we’d wanted to do was stop people enjoying bonfire night but it can lead to serious consequences, so we worked with the fire service to remind people to take care. Thankfully we don’t see anything like as many firework injuries as we used to but one is one too many and we wanted to do everything we could to try and prevent incidents which can cause serious harm.”

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Stoptober is a 28 day initiative, which is backed by Fresh – urging smokers across the country to stop smoking. Stoptober is a great time for smokers to make a positive change in their lives and quit. It’s a time when family, friends and colleagues can all make a start together.

We tailor our service to support every individual smoker.

People who quit for 28 days are five times more likely to stay smoke free. This is one of the reasons why Stoptober is such a fantastic campaign.

The trust’s stop smoking manager Pat Marshall said: “Talking to someone who knows what you’re going through and is there for you along the way can make a huge difference.

Stop smoking medicines can help with nicotine withdrawal symptoms like cravings, headaches and feeling irritable.

“We tailor our service to support every individual smoker to give them the best possible chance of quitting. Up to 12 weeks of help are on offer from your local NHS services, so people who stopped in October will be smoke free for Christmas. A 20 a day smoker will save up to £670 to help with presents and festivities.

“No matter what their reasons, if people are thinking about quitting smoking, their best chance of success is to visit one of their local NHS stop smoking sessions. We see thousands of people at our sessions and we want to continue to see more.”

Friendly help to is on offer 1,100 people to smokers at a number of across the Tees stop smoking sessions and also pharmacies and GP area set a quit practices across Stockton, date as a result Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Hartlepool. of the Stoptober Pat continued: “Quitting smoking campaign. isn’t always easy. People who receive help and support from their local stop smoking services are much more likely to successfully quit and are up to four times more likely to stay smoke free.

“Stoptober is a great time for smokers to make a positive change in their lives and quit smoking.

“If people stop smoking, they will soon feel fitter, will save money, will have better skin and teeth and will reduce the risk of any serious smoking related diseases.”

If you want to quit smoking you can find out about your local stop smoking sessions at http://www.nth. nhs.uk/services/stop-smokingservice/ or phone us on 01642 383819 during office hours.

Stockton Duathlon helped me lose three stone This year’s Stockton Duathlon helped podiatrist Sheree Lyons on the road to losing three stone and dropping two dress sizes.

Fun day for children with diabetes Local children who have type 1 diabetes and their families enjoyed a fun day organised by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s children’s diabetes team.

The team organised the day of fun at Preston Park which saw children aged 11 and under from Stockton, Hartlepool and Peterlee, compete in games including a baton race, rounders an egg and spoon race and a treasure hunt which led the group of 40 to a delicious picnic.

The day also gave families with type 1 diabetes an opportunity to get to know other families in a similar position.

Dietitian Charlotte Codling (pictured centre) said: “We see the children at their clinic appointments and in their own homes, but this was an excellent way for us to get to know the families better and for them to get to know us.

“The children had a great time socialising with other children. It’s a fantastic way for them to support each other. We’re hoping to hold more events like this in the future.”

“I’d like to thank everyone who came along on the day and also to Bayer who sponsored the event, providing children with a fantastic picnic and goody bags and for their support and help in

making the day extra special.”

The facts about type 1 diabetes

I’d like to thank everyone who came along on the day.

• People with type 1 diabetes are usually diagnosed when they are under 40 years old

Sheree enjoyed it so much that she has already signed up for next year’s event in April.

She said: “Last year I was a complete beginner to running and cycling. With the help of the trust’s health trainers I was able to follow a training plan which prepared me for the event.

“The event is a fantastic way of motivating yourself to get fit and be healthy. It certainly did for me – it has helped me to lose nearly three stone and lose two dress sizes. I have completely changed my lifestyle and I have seen the benefits. It has also given me the confidence to enter other events too. I am planning to take part in the Stockton Council trail run, for example.

“I would certainly recommend the event to others. It’s a great day out and it is open to people of any ability.”

The event has three different ability levels.

There is a standard distance race which involves a 10k run, 40k cycle and 5k run, a sprint course involving a 5k run, 20k cycle and ending with a 2.5k run and a novice distance - setting off with a 2k run followed by a 10k cycle and a 1k run.

The event will be held on Sunday 26 April.

For information visit http://events. stockton.gov.uk/stockton-events/ stockton-duathlon-festival-2015/

• Type 1 diabetes happens when the body does not produce any insulin. This means that glucose produced in the breakdown of food stays in the blood • Having type 1 diabetes isn’t anyone’s fault • If someone is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes they will need insulin injections or insulin using an insulin pump • Children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes need insulin treatment for the rest of their life

Some of the symptoms to look out for...

• Excessive thirst • Going to the toilet more or bed wetting • Weight loss • Tiredness

Sheree with her brother Shane at last year’s duathlon Anthem | December 2014 7

Raising awareness of hypoglycaemia Diabetes nurse specialist Julie Sinclair has signed up to support a campaign to highlight hypoglycaemia – a potentially dangerous complication of diabetes.

TALK Hypos launched during Hypo Awareness Week 2014 (29 September–5 October 2014) and aimed to improve the management of hypos, which often go under-recognised or under-reported by people with diabetes.

Julie said: “Hypos are when glucose in the blood falls to a low level and are one of the most common diabetes complications.

“Symptoms may include a pounding heart, trembling, hunger, difficulty concentrating and blurred vision and, left untreated, they can become serious and cause unconsciousness.

“The ambulance service and hospital are regularly seeing patients who have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have this problem. Highlighting it will hopefully encourage patients and relatives to talk about what can cause hypoglycaemia and help to prevent this.”

Simon O’Neill, director of health intelligence, Diabetes UK, said, “People with diabetes can fail to report hypos to clinicians for a range of reasons, including lack of awareness, a fear of losing their driving licence and a belief that their healthcare professional is not able to make a difference.”

TALK Hypos, supported by Novo Nordisk and Diabetes UK, provides an acronym to encourage people with diabetes to discuss hypos with their doctor or nurse: • THINK: Do you know what a hypo is?

Do you suffer from hypos?

• ASK: your doctor or nurse about hypos and discuss them as part of your consultation • LEARN: what can be done to better manage your hypos, including lifestyle and treatment options • KEEP: track of your hypos for discussion with your healthcare professional

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Brendan Foster (left) and Seb Coe (right) with Tracey

Millionth GNR finisher inspires staff health campaign A campaign to encourage more staff to become active has been backed by the one millionth finisher to cross the finish line at the Great North Run 2014.

Contract support officer Tracey Cramond, who completed the 13 mile run in three hours and two seconds, has raised just under £800 for Butterwick Hospice.

Tracey starting running just last year after her mum passed away. She said: “I completed the Great North Run last year and raised funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, but I was delighted to get a place in our local Butterwick Hospice team this year.

“I am really proud to have taken this recognition for the North East. Not only am I very grateful to everyone who has donated funds for a fantastic local charity, but I also want to encourage others to get active – anyone can do it!”

Tracey was presented with a unique finisher’s medal by Lord Sebastian Coe, a limited edition print of The Great North Run finish line presented by Brendan Foster and a special pair of gold trainers by race sponsor Puma in recognition of being the landmark millionth finisher. In March next year she will compete in the Round the Bays race in Auckland New Zealand that inspired the Great North Run creator Brendan Foster.

Chief executive Alan Foster said: “We want to encourage staff to improve their general health and fitness and we’re asking them to pledge to take part in some physical exercise. It is about creating a fitter and healthier workforce.

“I would like to congratulate Tracey on becoming the one millionth finisher to complete the Great North Run and I would like to thank her for backing this campaign to encourage colleagues to lead an active and healthier lifestyle.

“We are totally committed to the health and wellbeing of our staff. Keeping fit doesn’t have to be about running a marathon; it can be something as simple as using the stairs instead of the lift, eating healthier food or stopping smoking.

“We know staff work incredibly hard, providing high quality care to patients. To do this staff

need to look after themselves.

“Staff need to be as healthy as possible to do their job and their wellbeing has to be a priority.

That’s why we’re supporting staff to lead a healthier lifestyle by making it easier to gain free access to health advice and support and get involved in initiatives at work.

“We want to invest in staff, keep them healthy and encourage them to pass on good advice to patients.”

Last year the trust was awarded the gold award for improving health and wellbeing in the workplace at the North East Better Health at Work Awards and more recently the trust picked up a continuing excellence award.

You can still to make a donation to Tracey’s chosen charity, the Butterwick Hospice at https://www.justgiving.com/tracey-cramond3/

First diabetes foot care clinical forum a great success The Durham Centre was the venue for the first Northern Diabetes Footcare Clinical Symposium. Well over 100 health professionals from across the North East and Cumbria involved in the care of people with foot problems connected with having diabetes packed the Durham Centre on the outskirts of the cathedral city.

Podiatrists, diabetes specialists, vascular The feedback I’ve surgeons, GPs, practice received so far is nurses and microbiologists very positive and gathered to it looks like this share the latest day will be the evidence and developments first of many. in this area of medicine from specialists in the field of diabetes care, podiatry, vascular surgery and microbiology.

Organisers Kate Mackay and Rahul Nayar, the co-ordinator and chair of the Northern Diabetes Foot Care Network introduced attendees to the event, and outlined

the several successful interventions developed by the network with support from NHS England and Diabetes UK, to address the challenge facing all health care professionals. Their aim is to reduce the unacceptably high rate of unnecessary major amputations in people with diabetes by 50% over the next five years.

Delegates had the opportunity to attend interactive workshop sessions and take ideas for future developments back to their own organisations. Consultant diabetologist Nicky Leech and principal podiatrist Nikki Coates from Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust led a workshop on medical assessment of the diabetic foot. Delegates looked at case studies and discussed the best care and treatment for the patient. Consultant vascular surgeon Andrew Brown from City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust talked about vascular surgical referral criteria and delegates had the opportunity to discuss examples and what the appropriate referral would be. Consultant microbiologist Giuseppe Bignardi, also from City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, led a workshop on microbiological assessment and management which gave delegates

The delegation from the trust (left to right) Podiatrists Monica Gunn, Paula Kindleysides, Rachel Sedgewick and Andrea Thompson, diabetes associate specialist Seema Ijaz, podiatrists Geoff Phillips and consultant microbiologist Rashmi Dube

We are

the opportunity fortunate to have to discuss different types a diabetes foot of infections care network in and the most effective ways of our region. treating them. South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust consultant diabetologist Simon Ashwell talked about reducing the risk of circulatory disease and said every professional in the room could use the three As, as set down by the national centre for smoking cessation and training, (ncsct.co.uk/vba); in other words Ask, Assess and Advise if patients are still smoking, advise about the risks and act by encouraging patients to use stop smoking services which are the most effective way to stop smoking and stay smoke free.

The event concluded with a presentation by keynote speaker Martin Fox from Manchester who is one of the few vascular specialist podiatrists in the country. In a talk which was challenging and engaging, he talked about the need to address the root cause of foot ulcers, saying patients were more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than have to have the affected leg amputated. He argued for the need for more vascular specialist podiatrists to assess patients in the community and ensure that only patients who needed to be were referred to vascular surgeons.

Delegates certainly left the event with food for thought.

Consultant diabetologist Rahul Nayar from City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, who chairs the Northern Diabetes Footcare Network, said: “We are fortunate to have a diabetes foot care network in our region. Sharing good practice through the network has improved outcomes for patients. However we can always do better to ensure our patients are getting the very best care we can offer and that is what the day was all about.

“The feedback I’ve received so far is very positive and it looks like this day will be the first of many. I’m delighted about that because it’s excellent that health professionals from all over the region are prepared to work together in this way to benefit patients.”

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New website launched North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has officially launched its brand new website – www.nth.nhs.uk People can access information about their local hospital and community services provided by the trust. The new site contains lots of useful information, including a detailed A-Z of services, a consultant directory, driving directions, parking details and visiting times.

The trust teamed up with website design company Mixd to develop a user friendly site which is fully responsive to mobile devices so it is just as assessable from a smart phone or tablet as it is from a desk top computer.

Head of communications Claire Young (pictured) said: “A lot of research was carried out during the design stage of the project with members of the public, who told us what they wanted see on the website. The site was built to focus on this content.

“We wanted to develop a website that is clear and easy to access information, so that people could find the information they wanted quickly.

“People can also join the trust as a member through the website, view our latest news and download annual reports and other corporate documents.“

Golfers swing into action for palliative care Seaton Golf Club has now raised more than £60,000 for the trust’s Macmillan palliative care service after holding yet another fundraiser.

Bags of sunshine for poorly children

Over the last 18 years the club has held a golf day for the service, raising more than £3,000 each time.

All funds raised go to helping the service improve what it does to care for patients with life limiting illnesses and to support their families and friends.

Macmillan clinical nurse specialist Jason Black visited the club to accept a cheque and to thank them.

Sisters Emily and Ava Young came up with an idea to make bags of sunshine to cheer up poorly patients in the children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Tees.

The girls decorated paper bags and filled them with toys, gifts and sweets and also included a message in each bag.

Play specialist Sandra Jackson said: “This was such a sweet gesture by Emily and Ava. It was lovely to meet such kind children, well done girls.”

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Jason (right) with Ian and Allison

He said: “What Seaton Golf Club do for us every year is absolutely fantastic.

“These funds go straight back into palliative care at the trust and help improve the service. More and more people want to be cared for in their own home and this money helps us to do this. Being able to be cared for at home can make a huge difference to patients.

“We really do appreciate all the support and funding we have had from the golf club over the years – we can’t thank them enough for their generosity.”

The event, organised by committee member Ian Phillips and secretary Allison Malham, sees up to 200 golfers pay to take part as well enjoy a barbecue and raffle.

Ian said: “We have had club members who have been cared for by the Macmillan palliative care service, so it is something which is close to our hearts.

“Every year people turn up to support the cause and it seems to continue to grow in popularity. It is one of our big events of the year – we want to give as much as we can to this fantastic service.”

Apprentice programme going strong for four decades An NHS apprenticeship which has helped start up hundreds of careers has celebrated its 40 year anniversary.

The Northern and Yorkshire NHS Assessment Centre’s estates apprenticeship programme for NHS organisations was set up by Bill Murray OBE in 1974 as a way of providing training in engineering, electronics, plumbing and joinery.

Bill was chief executive at what was formerly known as the South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Apprentices from across the years as well as ones currently going through their training were invited to a special event at the Radisson Blu hotel in Durham.

Centre manager Eileen Bayles said: “Forty years on this apprenticeship programme is going from strength to strength.

“These guys are the crème de la crème and I know they will go on to have a major role in keeping our NHS buildings, all the water, electrical and heating systems, joinery – and all of the complex medical equipment found in the modern hospital – well maintained and safe for patients and the staff providing care.

“The scheme is successful because the apprentices know they have to work hard all the way through, but they also know the rewards are great. They get great support from their parents and families as well as from their own organisation. Every year we see how the apprentices progress and it makes me really proud to see them develop their skills as they go through the scheme.”

This year’s winners were: • Jake Hopkins, a multi craft mechanical engineer at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, was the winner of the Special Award cup • Benjamin Johnson, a medical engineer at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, won the Hefma Apprenticeship of the Year • Jordan Pearson, an electrical engineer at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust – 4th Year Apprentice of the Year • Dan Munroe, mechanical engineer at Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust - 3rd Apprentice of the Year • Sean Cook, electrical engineer at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust – 2nd Year Apprentice of the Year • Lyndon Nelson, mechanical engineer at City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust – 1st Year Apprentice of the Year

In the pink Staff in education and organisation development raised £100 for breast cancer care at their fundraising event.

President of the Yarm Women’s Institute Doreen Hutchinson hands over the cheque to children’s diabetes lead nurse Bev Day, with secretary of the Yarm Women’s Institute Carol Martin and dietitian Charlotte Codling (left)

Women’s institute donation to help support children with diabetes A generous donation from the Yarm Women’s Institute will help children who have type 1 diabetes.

The group presented a cheque for £100 for the trust’s children’s diabetes fund, which was raised after the group organised a Caribbean Calypso party.The successful event was attended by around 70 people.

Children’s diabetes lead nurse Bev Day said: “We’re very grateful for the donation which will benefit children who have

type 1 diabetes. We care for around 150 children who have type 1 diabetes.

“We’ll be using the funds towards a social activity for the children we care for. We know that it’s not always easy for the children or their family.

Bringing the children together and encouraging them to socialise with each other really helps bring children together, so they don’t feel alone. It’s about providing that extra support and education to help the children and their families.”

Anthem | December 2014 11

Up and about again after surgery done under local anaesthetic Five year old boy holds charity walk in aid of children’s ward Caring five year old Harley Scott raised £100 for sick children being treated at the University Hospital of North Tees.

Harley and his mum Sara Watson organised the community walk from his home in Whitton Grove, Stillington to Whitton Bank nearby to raise funds for the hospital’s children’s ward.

Hospital play specialist Clare Wise (pictured with Harley) said: “Harley told his mam he wanted the children in hospital to have the money as he feels sorry for them. When I spoke to Harley to ask what we should spend the money on he told me to buy toys for the children.

“We would like to thank Harley for thinking of us – it’s a very generous gesture.”

12 Anthem | Issue 36

A Hartlepool man is up, about and enjoying his walks on the coast again after having his hernia operation done under local anaesthetic. Harry Robinson, 86, from Clavering has a heart condition which meant he would have been unable to have a general or spinal anaesthetic , However his second hernia in 30 years was making him uncomfortable. Associate specialist surgeon Manuf Kassem discussed the possibility of surgery under local anaesthetic with Mr Robinson and it was agreed this should go ahead.

Harry said: “I knew with my heart condition I wouldn’t be able to have a general anaesthetic but my hernia When we needed to discussed having be done and when we the surgery under discussed local anaesthetic having the I was happy to surgery under local anaesthetic go ahead.

I was happy to go ahead.

“I was a keen The doctors today golfer and can do your operation walker while you’re awake and, and, if like me you’ve though I can’t get got other medical around as problems, this is much as I far safer. used to, I still enjoy a short walk by the sea and I was keen to get back to being able to do this.”

Manuf Kassem said: “The surgery took about 45 minutes and, because I could talk to Mr Robinson all the way through, I could carefully anaesthetise the area I was working on and check with him if he could feel anything. Our amazing theatre team also talked to him as I was operating and he didn’t feel worried at all. He was up and about, drinking tea and having a sandwich shortly afterwards and within three hours he went home.

“For me as a surgeon it is fantastic to be able to offer this because someone with multiple or severe medical problems would have not to live with something as uncomfortable as a hernia and its potential life threatening complications of bowel obstruction and strangulation. It was good to see Mr Robinson in clinic recently and see how well he is doing.”

Mr Robinson added: “When I had the other hernia 30 years ago I had stitches and an overnight stay in hospital. This time I was asked if I wanted to stay but I felt well and, knowing my wife May was at home, I wanted to go home to recover there. This time there were no stitches to take out; the wound is healing well and I’m getting back to normal.

“I know some people might prefer to be asleep during their operation but for me there was no choice because of my heart condition. I’d say don’t let being awake put you off. The doctors today can do your operation while you’re awake and, if like me you’ve got other medical problems, this is far safer. The staff took really good care of me and I wasn’t worried at all.”

Staff who worked on the project line up at the official opening

Outpatient pharmacy a new venture for trust’s commercial arm North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s commercial arm Optimus has opened its first shopping outlet.

Panacea, a relocated outpatient pharmacy which also offers high street pharmacy services to patients, visitors and staff has been officially opened.

The branding for Panacea was designed by degree students from Cleveland College of Art and Design in Hartlepool who are

Pharmacy manager Linda Spencer with superintendent pharmacist Kate Gilchrist

studying to work in the commercial world.

The winning design was by first year student Sami Howe. Sami cut the ribbon to declare the pharmacy open today.

Chief executive and Optimus board member Alan Foster said: “Becoming an NHS foundation trust gave us freedoms to start up commercial ventures. The trust is the sole shareholder of Optimus and all surpluses come back into the trust to contribute to patient care.

“Panacea is the new outpatient pharmacy where people who have had drugs and medicines prescribed in our outpatient clinics can take the prescriptions to be dispensed.

We hope in future we can dispense all prescriptions because this would be very handy for staff and other visitors.

“In addition to being able to have their prescriptions made up patients will be able to buy the range of products you’d expect to see in any high street chemists and staff and other visitors will also be able to take advantage of the new facility.

Sami cuts the ribbon, watched by chief executive Alan Foster

“The advantage of having the freedoms to set up a venture like this is the money stays in the NHS. We believe this will be a major asset for the University Hospital of North Tees and it will be popular with patients, visitors and staff.”

Panacea has its own pharmacist and will employ its own staff.

Anthem | December 2014 13

Staff raise money for hospice children’s pool Paediatric consultants Sharon Probert and Kavitha Sakamuri visited the Butterwick Hospice to present a cheque for more than £1,500.

The money will help pay for the children’s hydrotherapy pool to be repaired. Sharon and Kavitha organised a cricket and curry night at

Thornaby Cricket Club.

Sharon said: “We would like to thank everyone who came along and contributed to this fantastic cause.

“Some work is needed to ensure this pool is repaired and reopened and we wanted to do everything we could to help make sure this happens.”

Hospital welcomer celebrates 80th birthday Hospital welcomer Ann Lanchester - who has been greeting people at the reception desk at the University Hospital of North Tees for more than 20 years – has celebrated her 80th birthday.

Over this time Ann has welcomed thousands of people into the building with a smile on her face.

Her main role is to offer help and information to any visitor walking through the front doors of the hospital.

Ann was one of the first welcomers to join the trust after the scheme was set up by June Reay, who has since sadly passed away.

She said: “I am here to help people.

That might be by offering people directions or walking with them to where they need to be.

“I have always enjoyed being here, meeting and working with so many people. I remember when I first came here to ask about volunteering. I had been made redundant from my job and was looking for a new opportunity.

June was really helpful and supportive and I will always be grateful for that.

The women at the WRVS shop at the hospital were very helpful. I have made friendships with so many of the women there, as well as many of the other staff.”

To find out more about volunteering visit www.nth.nhs.uk/jobs/volunteer

Ann (middle) with receptionists Maureen Dingwall and Yvonne Satterly 14 Anthem | Issue 36

Director of nursing, patient safety and quality Cath Siddle (second left) presents certificates to Gillian Garner, Linda Wildberg and Claire Ranson

Wards score top marks after SPEQS visits Six of the first wards to be visited by the staff and patient experience and quality standards panel (SPEQS) scored 100% feedback.

The new panel has replaced the patient experience and quality standards (PEQS) to reflect that staff as well as patients are now being asked about for their views.

Director of nursing, patient safety and quality Cath Siddle has presented all of the six wards with certificates and chocolates to thank them.

She said: “I would like to congratulate all of the wards who were visited by the SPEQS panel – they all received top marks.

“It is vital that we are always looking to gather feedback from patients and staff so that we can learn what we are doing right and also where mistakes are being made.

“We are now carrying out SPEQS visits in the afternoons as well as the morning so we can talk to relatives and carers during visiting time.

“These visits are incredibly valuable and really help us make changes to improve

the care we provide and to improve staff’s experience working at the trust.”

The 100% wards were orthopaedics, the short stay unit, trauma unit, elderly care, emergency assessment unit, and the joint replacement unit at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Joint replacement unit ward matron Linda Wildberg said: “Any manager is only as good as their team and I am proud of each and every one of them.

“We aim to care for our patients as if they are our family. The SPEQS are important because they ensure standards remain high and that any issues are acted on.”

The reviews, which are held in different areas in hospital and community settings every month, look at issues including cleanliness of equipment, including commodes, compliance with ‘bare below the elbows’ and first impressions of the environment.

Reminding children to look after their teeth

From left to right, respiratory nurse Lisa Johnson, senior clinical matron respiratory Dorothy Wood, senior physiotherapist Amy Wynne and respiratory nurse Barbara Siddle

Tees community dental service oral health advisor Marie Burgum visited children at Brambles Primary Academy in Middlesbrough to hand over a box of dental health goodies as a prize for taking part in National Smile Month.

National Smile Month is organised by the British Dental Health Foundation to improve oral health and raise awareness.

The campaign is all about encouraging people to be

aware of oral health and how to look after their teeth.

Marie said: “This prize is recognition of the work the school children have done to promote the importance of looking after their teeth.

“We work with people in the community to promote good oral health messages.

Taking care of your teeth and gums not only benefits your oral health, but it also contributes to good general health and wellbeing.”

Classes to help people with a chronic chest condition Education classes for people who have been diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are now being offered to patients.

The free classes, which will be led by respiratory nurses and physiotherapists, are designed to help people to understand their condition and give them tips on how to stay healthy and well.

Senior clinical matron, respiratory, Dorothy Wood, said: “Our new pulmonary education programme for newly diagnosed COPD patients or patients who have COPD but are not particularly troubled by it.

“We aim to improve people’s knowledge and skill to manage The staff are their condition and make sure they are aware of the services excellent, I’ve had a available to help them when they lot of worries which don’t feel particularly well. have been ironed “As COPD is a progressive disease it can begin to affect a out and I found it person’s breathing and confidence very beneficial. when they least expect it to, so we hope that by showing them some basic exercises to maintain their fitness and providing tips on keeping well individuals will find their diagnosis of COPD less troublesome than it needs to be by putting them in control.”

Classes will be available in Hartlepool, Stockton, Seaham and Peterlee at a variety of venues. People should contact their GP in the first instance if they are interested in attending.

The classes have proved popular with patients and have helped to ease any concerns.

Alan Taylor, from Stockton, who has used the service, said: “The staff are excellent, I’ve had a lot of worries which have been ironed out and I found it very beneficial. It’s given me an alternative to get out of the black tunnel.”

Cycle challenge helps raise £9,000 for breast unit Colleagues from Wilsonart in County Durham completed a three day cycle challenge to raise almost £9,000 for the breast unit at the University Hospital of North Tees.

Sixteen members of staff cycled 313 miles from London to Paris in three days as part of the challenge.

Wilsonart, a kitchen worksurface manufacturer based in Shildon, raise money for a different cause every year.

The company’s managing director’s wife was treated at the unit.

The team said: “The staff’s dedication, hard work and essentially the overall care that is given to patients and families is undeniable, with staff going over and beyond expectations.

“Therefore we wanted to show our recognition to the staff for all their hard work and show support for the care and treatment of future patients in the breast unit.”

Lead cancer nurse Jan Harley said: “I would like to thank Wilsonart for making such a generous donation. This really is fantastic and all of the money will go back into patient care.”

Anthem | December 2014 15

School visit to la

Students from The King’s Academy in Coulby Newham v University Hospital of North Tees.

Senior biomedical scientist Andrew Ward gave the group a tour of the microbiology laboratories, the mortuary and spoke to them about a career in healthcare science.

Clinical educator Steven Yull runs a class for flu vaccinators

The fight against flu Once again the trust has been stressing the importance of staff having their flu vaccinations.

The drive to increase the number of staff having the annual flu jab began at the beginning of October and within less than a week more than 300 staff had been vaccinated, as the occupational health and wellbeing team, together with ward vaccinators, have been providing convenient clinics and visits to wards to offer the vaccination to all staff and volunteers.

Head of occupational health and wellbeing Jude Cooper, who is leading the campaign, said: “We’re encouraging staff to protect themselves, their family and their patients against flu by having the vaccination.

“People can often make the mistake of thinking they’re fit and healthy so flu won’t affect them, but just a few years ago the flu outbreak claimed more than 600 lives in the UK, with more than 70% of the deaths among 15 to 64 year olds.

“It’s very important for staff to get the vaccination to minimise the risks of developing the flu when they’re exposed to patients who have flu themselves and to prevent themselves carrying the flu virus to others including their friends, family, other patients and relatives.

“We’ve been dispelling any myths about the vaccination too. The seasonal flu vaccine does not carry any live virus, which means the vaccine cannot give you the flu.”

To lead the way, the chief executive and executive directors have had their vaccination to encourage staff to get their vaccination as soon as possible.

Chief executive Alan Foster gets his flu jab from occupational health advisor Bob Drysdale 16 Anthem | Issue 36

The students, who are all in the first year of an A level in applied science, was part of their investigation of science at work part of their course.

Andrew (pictured with the students) said: “The visit fits in with the active promotion we do of healthcare science in the trust with a few staff being science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) ambassadors .

“The whole point of the visit was to allow students to see how the NHS uses science in its processes, the people who work for us, the challenges we face and how we make a difference to patient care.

“Visits like this are a great way to promote careers in pathology in the trust.”

Andrew (centre) with the students

County Durha ‘hip joint in hi A County Durham man is back on his feet again after having the second joint of his big toe replaced.

Derek Hancock, 62, a probation officer in the prison service, gave up the football he used to enjoy when he was younger but kept fit by walking and going to the

Derek Hancock

gym. He has run six Great North Runs and the London Marathon. But it was running on the treadmill that alerted him that there was a problem.

He said: “I found I was running on the side of my foot because it was hurting so much. Friends kept telling me I had gout so I went I’d urge to the GP to see what was really with pro going on. I tried like min anti-inflammatories for a ref but they really didn’t touch the pain, so it was back to the GP to see if anything else could be done. It was then that at GP at Dr Jones’ practice decided to refer me to Mr Limaye.

“He told me the cartilage was worn out in the joint and, when bone rubs on bone, you get calcification and deformity which was the root cause of the problem. I was gobsmacked when he told me the treatment options, one of which was to have the joint

aboratories

visited the microbiology department at the

An engagement event in Eaglescliffe

am man has his toe!’

replaced. I’d heard of hip joints and knee joints, but never toe joints, however I weighed up the options and decided to go ahead with the surgery. That was in August. I was off work for just five weeks.

“I only used crutches for a day and a half and, while it’s still slightly painful, it’s anyone definitely getting there. I hope to oblems be back on the ne to ask treadmill soon. I’m ferral. looking forward also to getting my walking boots on.

“I’d urge anyone with problems like mine to ask for a referral. Having this operation has certainly made a huge difference to my quality of life.”

Consultant foot and ankle surgeon Rajiv Limaye added: “We expect so much of our feet and we really take them for granted, until a problem makes it agony to get around.

“Derek did exactly the right

thing by exploring the obvious things with his GP like inflammation, but then being referred for specialist advice and treatment to our foot and ankle service. It’s great to know that Derek is recovering well and starting to do the things he loves again, like walking and keeping fit.”

Board announces “pause” on work for new hospital The trust’s board recently announced it had decided to pause the development work on the new hospital.

While the trust is committed to developing a new hospital to meet the future healthcare needs of the people of Hartlepool, Stockton, Easington and Sedgefield, it was felt that the complexities of the approval process are such that without high-level political support it appears to be unable to get a decision before the end of this parliament.

Chief executive Alan Foster said: “The new hospital is a fundamental part of our integrated health and social care strategy for the 21st century. When the momentum: pathways to healthcare programme was launched it was one of the three strategic aims of the programme, and it still is.

“However a general election is now looming and the board recognises that any new government is likely to wish to review all new developments in the light of its own priorities.

As a result, there will inevitably be further delay in the completion of a new hospital. The board has therefore decided to pause the development work on the new hospital.”

Engagement

Consultant surgeon Raj Limaye

Following the announcement, the trust held a series of public engagement meetings across the area to give people the opportunity to speak to the chairman, chief executive, directors and senior doctors about why the changes being made were necessary.

Alan Foster said: “We have heard a number of views during these engagement meetings and, when our doctors explain the reasons for changing services, people do understand them though they may not necessarily agree with them.

“We plan another series of engagement meetings in the new year so we can have further discussions with the public and our staff about how we can provide more care closer to people’s homes where possible and secure further investment in community based services, while continuing to centralise hospital services where necessary to maintain and improve safety and quality.”

Anthem | December 2014 17

Representatives of the research centres at the launch meeting

Trust to lead a heart trial in newborn babies The trust is the lead organisation for a national research trial assessing treatment of a common heart condition in pre-term babies.

All babies in the womb have a tube outside the heart – known as ductus arteriosus - that helps in shunting the blood to the placenta for oxygen.

This tube is designed to close soon after birth. However in premature babies problems can occur as in a proportion of them it fails to close after birth. This is known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

This can lead to a number of problems including additional work for the heart, heart failure, difficulty in breathing and affecting other systems.

The treatment for closure of this PDA requires medicine that has side effects and in a small proportion even the medicine fails to close the PDA. Neonatologists are uncertain whether babies should be treated for closure of PDA and this is currently a subject of debate around the world.

The research trial – known as Baby OSCAR, is a multi-million pound trial funded by the Health Technology Agency (HTA), the National Institute for Health and Research (NIHR), and sponsored

by Oxford University. It is designed to find out whether 18 Anthem | Issue 36

treating very premature babies for this condition improves their outcome in the short and long term. Professor Samir Gupta from the neonatal unit at the University Hospital of North Tees is leading this trial as chief investigator and has been working with National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), University of Oxford in planning and conducting this trial.

The Baby-OSCAR trial will run in two phases; a pilot and main trial.

Samir Gupta hosted a meeting at the Wynyard Rooms where representatives from the four pilot centres involved in the study came together to discuss at the launch meeting . They discussed the conduct and governance of

the trial and collection of data and monitoring of clinical events and prospective assessments.

Baby OSCAR trial coordinator Nina Jamieson also attended the meeting from NPEU, Oxford.

Samir Gupta commented: “It was a privilege to be joined by a number of colleagues involved in the care of very sick and premature babies at our launch meeting. When conducting research trials it’s vital that we all understand the research design and that it is done at the highest standards putting babies first. The success of any research depends on engagement, conduct and governance of research, and getting support from parents of babies to participate in research

Samir Gupta (right) pictured with Nim Subhedar, a neonatologist at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital

and help in improving care of very preterm babies.”

“The chances of survival and a long and healthy life for babies who are born very early is increasing all the time but we all want to learn and understand more about how to care for these very vulnerable infants.

Research like this, which looks at a relatively common problem in premature babies, is vital and will greatly increase our understanding as well as providing a firm evidence base for future care and treatment.”

Medical director David Emerton, who is the trust’s lead director for research and development, said: “To be the lead centre in a research trial is a real feather in the cap for the trust. It shows the esteem in which Samir is held nationally with a wide neonatal network of clinicians from across the country. He has led the neonatal team at this trust in research which is now recognised for the ground breaking research and participation in a number of national and international trials.”

“We look forward to the outcome of the research trial which will advance our understanding in this area of medicine.”

You can find out more about the trial at http://www.npeu. ox.ac.uk/baby-oscar

Congratulations to our

Shining Stars Congratulations to everyone who was nominated, shortlisted and especially to those who went on to win an award at the trust’s annual Shining Stars awards.

Also thanks to our sponsors and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make the night a success.

Director of human resources and education Ann Burrell said: “I was delighted for the first time to join non-executive director Steve Hall to host our annual Shining Stars Awards. The standard of applications was again this year exceptional.

“Our philosophy of rewarding and recognising our staff is vital to ensuring that staff feel valued and supported in all they do. We want to ensure that quality, value and recognition are the themes which will run through all our activities to enable us to attract, retain, reward and develop our current staff and future staff.

“I would like to congratulate everyone who was nominated for an award. It’s great to have the opportunity to celebrate some of the excellent work and achievements in the trust.”

Anthem | December 2014 19

Non executive director Steve Hall and director of human resources and education Ann Burrell address the audience

Developing excellent services - the specialist deep cleaning team for implementing a fantastic range of services that no other trust in the country have in place.They have done a huge amount of work to help tackle the trust’s Clostridium difficile levels.

20 Anthem | Issue 36

Team of the year - the infection prevention and control team for their genuine yet hard-earned success. The trust’s MRSA rates have been very low for the last six years and the C difficile rate is now very low. The trust compares very favourably with other trusts in our region.

Learner of the year - project facilitator Daniel Evans, who has demonstrated commitment to his personal development but not for his benefit, for the benefit of the team he works in and the wider trust.

Working behind the scenes domestic assistant Liz Russell for her assistance to the mortuary team and the immaculate cleanliness of the department which has been noted in recent reports by external inspectors from the Human Tissue Authority and Clinical Pathology Accreditation.

Student of the year - Joanne Clark who was allocated to ward 4 for her first third year placement on her nursing degree programme and from day one, she proved that she was an exceptionally hard worker who did not let anything stand in her way of success.

Dedication to quality improvement - dietetics team who have reviewed all aspects of their service provision and made considerable progress in reshaping service provision for the benefits of patients

Unsung hero - clinical educator Lynn Hill, who works tirelessly behind-thescenes in our postgraduate team.

Lynn is central to our foundation team and without her the doctors would not settle in as quickly.

Working Working in in partnership partnership -- consultant consultant obstetrician obstetrician Isaac Isaac Magani, Magani, who who has has been the lead for undergraduate been the lead for undergraduate medical medical education education for for women’s women’s health for the past 10 health for the past 10 years. years. He He has has inspired may students to take inspired may students to take up up obstetrics obstetrics and and gynaecology gynaecology as as aa career and some have returned career and some have returned to to the the trust trust to to work work as as doctors. doctors.

Commitment to equality and diversity - community midwife Cath Flanagan, who identified the need for a specialised hospital antenatal clinic for pregnant women who have a substance misuse problem and are considered a high risk group for pregnancy.

Chief executive Alan Foster Anthem | December 2014 21

Leadership award - matron, elective care unit Linda Wildberg who works tirelessly to maintain the highest standard possible and is constantly striving to improve patient care. Linda was described as an inspirational leader.

22 Anthem | Issue 36

Outstanding contribution to volunteering - diabetes nurse specialist Marie Presgrave for setting up Carlton Activity Residential Diabetes Stay for young people with diabetes giving them essential diabetes education, and helping them make friends along with a fun holiday.

Patient focused care - consultant in palliative medicine Jane Bentley, who worked tirelessly to ensure our trust, had a replacement for the Liverpool care pathway when it was withdrawn following a government review.

Governor election results announced The trust has announced the results of its governor elections.

The following candidates were elected

Hartlepool Constituency – two positions

Stockton constituency – four positions

Maureen Rogers

Alison McDonough Uncontested

Beverley Hart

Staff

Ann Cains Tony Horrocks Pat Upton John Edwards

Easington constituency – one position Keith Blakey

Non-core public

Carol Alexander Uncontested Chairman Paul Garvin said: “Becoming a governor offers people who are already members

Ann Cains

Tony Horrocks

Pat Upton

John Edwards

Maureen Rogers

Beverley Hart

Keith Blakey

Alison McDonough

of the trust the opportunity to be more involved in their local health service and help us to shape our plans for the future.

“We have elections every year and this allows us to bring in some new governors but also keep some continuity for the council of governors.”

Becoming a governor offers people who are already members of the trust the opportunity to be more involved in their local health service.

Carol Alexander

Duo complete masters degrees Advanced practitioners Ramit Imtiaz and Jayne Pailor in radiology have both passed masters qualifications recently.

Jayne has achieved an MSc in transformational leadership while Ramit has gained an MSc in forensic radiography.

Ramit (right) and Jayne are both advanced practitioners in reporting both accident and emergency and GP images.

Acute radiology services manager Liz Reade said: “I would like to congratulate Ramit and Jayne on passing their masters qualifications – it is a fantastic achievement.

“These masters will be in addition to their responsibilities within radiology and the increased knowledge they now have will only add to the roles they have here with us.”

Anthem | December 2014 23

State of the art eye screening equipment to benefit people with diabetes

I am delighted that our patients are benefiting from this cutting edge technology.

People with diabetes in Teesside and parts of County Durham are benefiting from state of the art digital imaging equipment.

The diabetic eye screening service is using optical coherence tomography (OCT) at Lawson Street Health Centre in Stockton and Peterlee Community Hospital.

OCT produces a high quality 3D scan of the retina. It is used to look at the sections of a patient’s retina. It is particularly useful to see if a patient has a swelling (macular oedema) in the eye, as this scan detects whether there is any excess fluid. This would be difficult to see on a traditional 2D photograph which is used for screening.

Diabetes is a common cause of sight loss and poses a higher risk of developing eye problems. People who have diabetes are invited for screening once a year, although some people are seen more often at one of the clinics run by the trust.

Programme lead Sue Pott said: “When patients attend their screening appointment, they have their eyes photographed as normal using a fundus camera. Our experienced retinal screeners look for any specific indicators of macular oedema and if any are detected an OCT

Retinal screeners Connie Thomas and Michael Arthur look at a 3D scan using OCT 24 Anthem | Issue 36

Retinal screener Nicola Hawkins looks at a 2D scan

will be carried out.

“We see around 20,000 patients at our screening service and provide screening to patients from 12 years old. I am delighted that our patients

are benefiting from this cutting edge technology.

“Having this fantastic equipment on our community sites means that people don’t have to go into hospital as

Improving the standards for patients Programme lead Sue Pott is providing expert advice to other NHS organisations to make sure the standards of the NHS diabetic eye screening programme are the very best for their patients.

Consultant ophthalmologist Chrisjan Dees, retinal screener Connie Thomas, retinal screener Fiona Kirton, programme lead Sue Pott and retinal screener Michael Arthur

We are very

an outpatient for these tests, which lucky to have makes it much more accessible for this technology. our patients. Hundreds of patients have benefited already.”

Consultant ophthalmologist Chrisjan Dees at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust added: “We are very lucky to have this technology.

Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels at the back of your eyes, so we want to make sure we see any changes in your eye health and signs of diabetic eye disease as quickly as possible.

“Screening is so important for people who have diabetes. The sooner we detect any problems, the quicker we can treat the patients before the condition becomes worse.”

People with diabetes can help to reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease by: • always attending their screening appointments • controlling their blood sugar levels • eating healthily • stop smoking • monitoring their blood pressure • taking their medication as prescribed If patients who receive screening in Stockton on Tees need to see a consultant ophthalmologist they are referred to The James Cook University Hospital and if patients who are screened in Hartlepool or Peterlee need to go to hospital to see a consultant, they are referred to Sunderland Eye Infirmary.

You can see details of the service at http://www.nth.nhs.uk/services/diabetic-eye-screening/

Sue has been a peer reviewer for the NHS diabetic eye screening programme for just over two years and has since completed six or seven reviews in that time. The quality assurance visits take place approximately every three years in all young person and adult screening programmes which are part of Public Health England.

Sue, who worked in a GP practice for 10 years before joining the screening programme was the first employee in the trust’s diabetic eye screening programme when it began in 2005. She began as a screener/ grader before becoming senior grader then programme lead more than four years ago.

She explained: “All NHS screening programmes are measured against 19 quality assurance standards and whether or not they meet them. This is done by submitting data along with a pre-visit questionnaire, then peer review interviews which look at every element of the programme, from commissioning, administration, programme management, ophthalmology, grading and figures.

“I have been doing this for almost three years. I put my name forward and took part in the training at St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust in London. As a peer reviewer we sit down and scrutinise evidence along with peer review interviews, a report will be submitted along with recommendations for the programmes to complete.

We’re not there to criticise.

“It’s very good for the programme. I learn a lot to bring back to our organisation. As a programme manager it is really good to look at how other programmes are running and if there is anything we can improve on.

We’re already getting prepared for our next quality assurance visit.

“It is really helpful to meet other colleagues who run NHS screening programmes across the county. Every screening programme is approached with set stages.

“Our main concern is that we meet the objectives of the service – that everyone who should be invited is invited, that we get the results of the screening out to the patients in the recommended time and how we manage patients who don’t come to their screening appointments. Screening is so important and we want to make sure that the service we provide is to the very best standard for our patients.”

Programme lead Sue Pott Anthem | December 2014 25

Cancer patient backs Be Clear on Cancer campaign A patient being treated for bladder cancer has backed the latest Be Clear on Cancer campaign urging people to watch out for blood in their pee.

Dietitian completes Berlin marathon to support children’s diabetes fund Dietitian Charlotte Codling has raised money for the trust’s children’s diabetes fund by completing the Berlin Marathon.

Only two years ago Charlotte had only ever ran 10km and so she decided to set herself a challenge of running a marathon. After running two half marathons in the last year Charlotte continued to increase her training and completed the Berlin Marathon in three hours and 52 minutes, raising £155 for the trust’s children’s diabetes fund.

Charlotte said: “I was really lucky to be selected through the ballot for the Berlin marathon. I made sure that I followed a very strict training plan.

“I chose to support the children’s diabetes charity at the trust, as I work here with children who have type 1 diabetes I have come to understand the massive impact this condition has on children and their families’ life.

“Type 1 diabetes is a life long condition caused by the bodies inability to produce insulin. It is not preventable and currently there is no cure.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me and made a donation to this fantastic cause. I know that the money raised will be very much appreciated and will help support both young people and their families across Stockton, Hartlepool and Peterlee.”

26 Anthem | Issue 36

Lew Hubbert from Hartlepool discovered some blood in his urine following a trip to his allotment one day.

The 70-year-old discovered the same thing during his next visit to the toilet and immediately went to visit his GP. He said: “When I first noticed blood it wasn’t very clear. It was just a blurry colour which didn’t quite look right. I thought it was probably from overstraining myself when I was down the allotment.

“When I noticed it again later that day my wife Pat told me to go straight to the GP, who referred me the next day to hospital.

“It’s strange because there were no other symptoms – I hadn’t gone off my food or lost weight The message and I didn’t couldn’t be feel unwell.

I would urge clearer: if you anyone who see blood in your has sees pee then go to blood in their urine not to a GP. ignore it. Go to see your GP to get it checked out, it may be nothing but if it is cancer then you need to get it treated early.”

Lew visited urology at the University Hospital of North Tees where it was found he had a tumour in his bladder.

Soon after he had an operation to remove the tumour and went through treatments of BCG and chemotherapy.

Lew, who has two children and two

grandchildren, has over the last four years had to have more treatments after tumours have returned in his bladder. He is hoping his most recent course of chemotherapy will prove to be successful.

He said: “For a while after I was quite sad and down about it all, rather than being scared. I had just retired the year before and I wondered why this had happened, but I took on a more positive attitude soon after.

“Now I am just hoping that the latest treatment will be a success.

If I hadn’t noticed blood in my pee then I might have been worse – again, I urge anyone who has the same experience to visit their GP. “The specialist nurses and consultant who have treated me have been marvellous and have kept me fully informed along the way.”

Nurse practitioner in urology Karen Kilburn said: “The message couldn’t be clearer: if you see blood in your pee then go to a GP. There’s every chance that it won’t be cancer, but if it is you need to be treated as soon as possible.”

How to spot bladder or kidney cancer: • Blood in your pee is a key symptom of both types of cancer.

Other bladder cancer symptoms include: • needing to pee very often or very suddenly • pain while peeing

Other kidney cancer symptoms include: • a pain below the ribs that doesn’t go away • a lump in your stomach

The team arrives with their interpreters for their first day’s work

Head of communica tions Claire Young washes her hands at one of the sinks on the hospital site

The first clinical team makes the trip to Cambodia After two years of preparatory visits and setting up the independent charity Transform Healthcare Cambodia, the first clinical team has made the 6,000 mile trip to meet the staff and patients of the Battambang Referral Hospital.

The team, led by former consultant in palliative care medicine Edwin Pugh, arrived at Siem Reap airport on Saturday 1 November. After an overnight stay to recharge their batteries the team made the three hour road trip to Battambang ready to settle in to their guest house and be ready for work on Monday morning.

Through her interpreter she gave lectures on the fundamentals of infection prevention and control.

The first meeting was with the hospital’s medical director Kak Seila and his colleagues.

Through interpreters the team agreed what the plan would be for their stay.

In the afternoon the team had a tour of the hospital which, with its 80 community clinics,

serves around a million people living in the Battambang province.

Consultant obstetrician Steve Wild, midwife Shirley Carter and Michelle Jones, a neonatal nurse from The James Cook University Hospital formed the obstetric team. Their job throughout the stay was to get to know the staff and how they worked, and to identify any needs. During the week they visited a community clinic which had a birthing room.

They were impressed with the cleanliness of the clinic and how proud the midwife in charge was of the service she and her team provided. When asked about needs, the midwife in charge simply asked for a cupboard to keep equipment free of dust in the dry season and her own autoclave (because she shared the one used in the clinic with the team who carried out minor surgical procedures). The midwife explained how transfers were made to the referral hospital if there were complications (a tuk tuk ride) and they saw something they’d never seen before; a specialised Velcro fastened pressure suit used when transferring a

A hand hygiene poster - in Khmer

woman with severe bleeding after birth. The team also observed caesarean sections and natural births in the hospital’s maternity unit.

Infection prevention and control specialist nurse Elizabeth Warde was taken on a detailed tour of the hospital, looking at sterile services, theatres, wards and waste disposal.

Through her interpreter she gave lectures on the fundamentals of infection prevention and control. She saw many posters on hand hygiene and safe waste disposal as well as seeing hand washing sinks both inside and in the grounds of the hospital. She was keen to share the audit tool used in the trust to ensure high compliance with hand hygiene.

Diabetes specialist nurse Julie Sinclair met the diabetes consultant who talked through his practice and explained that, due to the prevalence of diabetes, his clinics were always full and extremely busy.

Graham Jones, a lecturer at Teesside University, made very positive links with the hospital’s head of nursing, including making a visit to the new school of nursing which will eventually house 800 students. >> Anthem | December 2014 27

The visit is the first of many designed to achieve the aim of the charity Transform Healthcare Cambodia which is to relieve sickness and to promote and protect good health for the benefit of the public, in particular but not exclusively within the Battambang Province through the provision of training to health care workers, education on the prevention of diseases and hygiene, the provision of equipment and financial support for such other health care related services as resources permit.

Edwin said: “The visit of the first clinical team is quite a landmark for the charity. Without exception everyone felt they could make a contribution and they established promising relationships with the hospital’s clinical team.

There is much to do and the charity plans to send teams to Cambodia every November and February for as long as this is mutually beneficial.

“As well the obvious benefits of reaching out to work with welcoming and dignified people who are rebuilding their society after the atrocities of the Pol Pot regime, people develop personally and professionally from this experience.

The organisations who have supported the team will also benefit from having staff who are prepared to venture into the unknown and work with people whose culture is so very different from their own.”

The February 2015 team is almost complete. It will be led by paediatric doctor Daisy Taylor and consultant physician Sue Jones will be among the members to make the trip.

If you would like to know more about the work of Transform Healthcare Cambodia please visit www.transformhealthcarecambodia. org.uk or like the charity on facebook by searching Transform Healthcare Cambodia.

The charity is actively raising funds to support more teams to go and to buy small pieces of equipment. Please support this work by visiting the website and clicking the GIVE tab.

Steve Wild said: “It was both fascinating and a real privilege to be exposed to the maternity system in Cambodia. Though cultural practices will continue to guide maternity care, I do feel that an ongoing positive relationship with Battambang will enable health outcomes to improve. Now the foundation stones have been laid, I am very keen to return in the future.”

A patient on a drip in the hospital grounds manages a smile 28 Anthem | Issue 36

The postnatal ward in the hospital

The drying area in the sterile services department

Nurses in the children’s ward greet the visitors

The walkway outside the wards

Michelle Jones, Steve Wild and Shirley Carter pictured in the birthing room at a community clinic with the midwife in charge

A very busy hospital – newly delivered mums upstairs, patients waiting for surgery downstairs

Third paediatric conference a success Expert speakers from across the country appeared at the trust’s third Hot Topics in Paediatrics Symposium.

Elizabeth Warde finds out about processes in the sterile services department

The event, held at Middlesbrough Football Club, focused on various specialties regularly seen in day to day clinical paediatric practice.

The conference was aimed at consultants, paediatricians, GPs, specialist trainees, advanced nurse practitioners and senior nursing staff.

Conference director, consultant paediatrician Anil Tuladhar, said: “All of the speakers gave extremely interesting and informative presentations.

“The majority of the speakers we had are leaders in their fields and I know that people who came would have left the event having learned a great deal and all of the feedback we received was very good.”

Topics included: decompensated liver disease; new approaches in managing children with food allergies; children with skull deformities; non invasive respiratory monitoring; metabolic aspects of managing a child with dysmorphic features; muscular dystrophies; acute kidney injuries and the importance of vitamin D. The event was organised by Dr Tuladhar along with consultants Chidambara Harikumar, Sundaram Janakiraman and Ramesh Srinivasan.

The overflow area for the postnatal ward; grandma keeps an eye on the new baby watched by its big sister. The family brings provisions to support the mum and her new arrival

Lynn Laidler, from the events team, with consultants who ran the conference

The hospital’s neonatal unit

Anthem | December 2014 29

Welcome to Dennis Meet Dennis - orthopaedic outpatients’ new resident skeleton.

Orthopaedic practitioner Jackie Wilson and senior healthcare assistant Amanda Rogers won the skeleton as a prize at the Orthopaedic and Trauma Alliance Conference in Nottingham.

Jackie and Amanda (pictured) entered a competition to name certain bones of the body.

Dennis now has a home in one of the consultant rooms, in orthopaedic outpatients at the University of North Tees, which is used for clinical discussions and junior doctor training.

Ward matron Tracy Noble said: “I’d like to thank Jackie and Amanda for entering the competition and winning us Dennis.

“Models like this help us to explain to patients about spines, bones and joints and play a vital role in educating both patients and staff.”

Live exercise puts major incident plans and mass casualty plan to the test The trust took part in a regional multi agency live exercise to put its major incident plans and mass casualty plan to the test.

The live exercise - called exercise STRIDER, involved an accident at Durham Tees Valley Airport. Partner agencies across the region including the fire, police, ambulance, local authorities and most of the NHS organisations took part. This exercise was part of the local resilience forum’s training and exercise programme for 2014 and it was also part of the licencing programme for Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The exact details of the scenario were not released beforehand to keep it as

Thank you for caring for our daughter Three year old Kassidy Gibson and her mum and dad visited orthopaedic outpatients at the University Hospital of North Tees today to thank staff nurse Simona McDonald with chocolates, flowers and a card.

Kassidy, who received treatment for a break in her foot, saw a lot of Simona during several visits to the ward.

30 Anthem | Issue 36

The busy control room

realistic as possible and staff volunteered to act as patients.

Emergency planning officer at the trust Gaynor Young said: “A requirement of the trust is to take part in regular live exercises to make sure our major incident plans and mass casualty plans work effectively.

“For this exercise we also tested our airwaves capabilities with other partner organisations and these worked very well.

Live emergency exercises allow us to highlight any areas where we can improve upon our response so that when there is a real emergency, staff are confident in their roles which ensures the casualties from such an incident receive the best and most effective response and treatment possible.”

Take a look at my photos Consultant anaesthetist Adnan Zuberi has developed a unique way of taking photos.

He has created some themed albums and uploaded some of these on to his YouTube page - for anyone interested in having a look.

The videos include slideshows of his trips to the Eiffel Tower, River Thames and Niagara Falls, as well as snaps of beauty

spots in the local area.

He said: “Photography is my main hobby when I am not at work.

“I started to collect hundreds of photos and have developed a few albums and uploaded them to YouTube – this has helped with sharing with friends and helping promote

the region’s beauty spots. As you can see, I enjoy trying to catch an image from a different angle – it gives an interesting and new perspective to a photo.”

To see some of his photos visit http://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCxCaZThCXquRGjO7ILJaoyg

Anthem | December 2014 31

Cancer patient tells his story in TV campaign Former mayor of Peterlee John Hardy – who was treated for bowel cancer at the trust – has appeared on TV as part of a cancer awareness campaign.

John (pictured) was invited to be on Stand Up To Cancer on Channel 4 recently to speak about his own story. The event, organised by Cancer Research UK, involved a whole evening’s worth of programmes about people who are affected by cancer.

The 67-year-old is now in remission but still had regular check ups with consultant colorectal surgeon David Borowski.

He said: “I was honoured to be asked to take part. I’ve done quite a bit of work with Cancer Research.I was even invited to speak at their annual general meeting in London. I’ve just told them to call me whenever they need me. The night helped raise more than £14million for Cancer Research, an amazing amount of money.”

In September 2012 John was rushed to the University Hospital of North Tees complaining of a pain in his abdomen, which followed a bout of loose stools for a few weeks. John had suffered a bowel blockage with perforation, and urgent investigations revealed this was due to a tumour.

He went on have an operation to have the tumour removed, followed by eight treatments of chemotherapy at the University Hospital of Hartlepool over six months. He has been in remission for a year and a half.

32 Anthem | Issue 36

Charity hits target with life-saving equipment A Teesside charity has reached another milestone, raising funds to help buy two pieces of life-saving equipment thanks to the help of music.

Music v Cancer, a charity which specialises in raising the awareness of cancers and in particular bowel cancer, has helped to buy two video cystoscopes for the University Hospital of North Tees costing £37,000.

The machines can not only detect and give specialists a clear view of the early stages of bladder cancer but can also enable surgeons to treat patients and carry out small procedures.

Tony Larkin, Founder of It’s brilliant to see Music v the results of Cancer, said: our fundraising “It’s brilliant to see the making a results of our difference. fundraising making a difference.

“Cutting-edge technology like this will ensure that patients have the best possible treatment and that symptoms can be detected quickly and acted upon during the early stages.”

The charity has so far raised £142,000 for cancer initiatives since it was set up in October 2010 and previously presented The University Hospital of Hartlepool with an endo-rectal ultrasound machine back in 2012.

The trust matched funded the amount raised

by Music v Cancer for the equipment which

totalled £63,000.

Medical director David Emerton said: “This is an excellent initiative which means we are constantly giving our patients the best possible treatment.

“Our hospitals all contain the essential equipment for treating our patients but through donations like this we can purchase machinery which is at the forefront of technology.”

Alongside Music v Cancer, donations from Support Your Bowel and funding from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust helped to purchase the equipment which will specifically detect and treat bladder cancer.

Anil Agarwal, consultant colorectal surgeon and founder of the Support Your Bowel Charity, said: “The equipment we were using before had much more rigid and uncomfortable scopes whereas now we can provide our patients with much more comfort.

“The camera attached to the scopes is also in high definition meaning we have a much clearer view of the examination area and can also treat patients without the need to put them under a general anaesthetic.

“I would like to thank the many patients and relatives, the local people for generously donating to the charities, it has all added to enable us to buy the equipment for the trust.”

Money was raised through Music v Cancer’s regular Weekender gigs and merchandise auctions. Recent names to support the charity have been the Arctic Monkeys, Gary Barlow and Jessie J, while Jools Holland is the official patron.”

Developing our future leaders A group of staff have become the first to complete the trust’s leadership and management development programme.

The programme which runs in partnership with Teesside University will see staff who work in both clinical and non-clinical jobs across the organisation complete the course this year, and teaches students a range of skills over a number of study days before finally taking part in a poster presentation to the board of directors and senior managers.

By the end of the year more than 200 staff will have completed the course, which allows them to learn a wide range of skills including how to manage A leader doesn’t change, necessarily need support staff engagement, to be a manager, building everyone can relationships be a leader. and how to develop a culture of care and compassion, which they can apply within their area of work to support the transformation of services within the organisation.

Director of human resources and education Ann Burrell said: “We are committed to developing our staff at all levels throughout the organisation and to support this we have commissioned several bespoke

Ann with Ian (left) and Matthew (right)

Weight loss on the menu Two men from Hartlepool have turned their lives around thanks to help from a health trust’s health trainer service.

Jen Olver, Marie Gray, Laura McDermott and Emel Bagdatlioglu with their poster on patient safety

leadership programmes”.

“I was really impressed when I was speaking to the group to hear about what they had learned not only from the course, but also from each other. A leader doesn’t necessarily need to be a manager, everyone can be a leader. It is so important that we develop the workforce and this is helping our staff to learn and build on these really important skills to take the organisation forward.”

Bed manager Adam Ruddock explains how to promote a positive attitude and motivate others

Between them, Matthew Clayton and Ian Rowbotham have lost nearly 12 stone with help from health trainer Ann Banks.

Through the 12 session course she runs at the Stranton Centre in Hartlepool, Ann has helped both of them to change their eating habits.

Matthew, 24, from Seaton, referred himself into the service weighing nearly 23 stones.

Since then, he has completed the course and still goes to regular drop ins – to date he has lost seven stones.

He said: “Ann has given me the information and support to help me lose the weight.

I am now eating regular healthy meals, eating fruit and vegetables and exercising four times a week.

“I have now got a job as a postman, so I am really active anyway now. The health trainer service has helped me change my life.”

Ian, 42, from Belle Vue, has lost four and a half stone so far thanks to the 12 session course.

He said: “The course has helped me change my life. I was originally referred to the health trainer service in June last year – at that point I was already starting to lose weight and the The course service has helped has helped me lose even more.

I used to eat food at me change the wrong times of my life. the day, including late in the evening.

“I have suffered with back problems which means I can no longer properly exercise. This has made losing weight more of a challenge but with the help of Ann I am making fantastic progress.”

The trust’s team of health trainers run oneto-one and group weight management sessions across Hartlepool and Stockton for adults over 18.

Anthem | December 2014 33

Mary bows out after 22 years Performance analyst/facilitator Mary Wright retired recently after 22 years’ service.

Mary is a much respected colleague who has helped many colleagues with her considerable knowledge and she will be missed across the trust.

Jill says sad goodbye to MRDU Ward matron Jill Barrett was sad to say goodbye to staff in the medical rehabilitation day unit (MRDU) at the University Hospital of Hartlepool after deciding to leave following many happy years on the ward.

Jill first worked at Hartlepool as a student nurse in 1979, then came back as a staff nurse in 1986.

She oversaw the moving of MRDU from its original base at the front of the hospital site to a new location by the entrance to the main building.

She said: “I will miss all of the staff here – they have all been amazing to work with.

“I feel really lucky to have worked in this unit. It’s a friendly place to be and is full of staff who help each other and who really want to care for patients.

“I feel now is the right time to move on. I plan to relax for a while and will then be coming

back to the trust to work on a part time basis at the University Hospital of North Tees, so people will still see me around.”

Consultant physician David Bruce, who used to work in the unit before leaving the trust earlier this year, spoke at Jill’s leaving party.

He said: “I don’t think Jill will mind me saying that Jill is a very old fashioned holistic nurse who really cares for every patient.

“She was always a pleasure to work with and she will be missed by everyone in the unit.”

Ten thousand steps a day has helped me get in shape Margaret McMullen in occupational health has been walking more than 10,000 steps a day thanks to help from a charity.

Margaret has been covering five miles a day, by keeping on the go at work and walking her dog in the mornings and evenings.

She has been part of the Sustrans active travel programme which has offered her information and advice about how she can get fitter and lose weight.

She said: “I was at the point where even walking up the stairs to occupational health made me out of breath. I knew I needed to get fitter, so when I heard about the Sustrans active travel scheme I was very interested.

“I also wanted to be in shape for my daughter’s wedding, so I

34 Anthem | Issue 36

was very motivated to do well. I followed the advice I was given and I walked everywhere with a pedometer so I could track my walking distance. My BMI has come down, I have lost weight and I feel fitter and healthier.”

Margaret did so well that she won a prize to go white water rafting at the Tees Barrage (pictured).

Sustrans works with communities, policy-makers and partner organisations so that people can choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys and enjoy better, safer spaces to live in.

For more information visit www.sustrans.org.uk

Recruiting volunteers at the information stand

A volunteer out on the ward

Mealtime companions give patients a helping hand A new group of volunteers at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are set to help people to eat well during their hospital stay.

The mealtime companions will be supporting the staff on the wards by encouraging patients to eat and drink in a calm and sociable atmosphere, helping to cut up their food and making mealtimes a more enjoyable and social We’re very experience.

excited to have mealtime companions on the wards.

Associate director of nursing, quality and patient experience Barbara Carr said: “We’re

Quality assurance co-ordinator Louise Parkin

Having someone

very excited to sit and chat to have can make eating mealtime companions a much more on the pleasurable, social wards. We’re seeing an experience for increase in the most patients. number of elderly patients and patients with dementia and we know that those patients often need a little extra help, particularly at mealtimes.

“The idea came about after the hospitals were very busy and we asked for nonclinical staff to volunteer to help the ward staff at mealtimes to encourage patients to eat and assist them with eating their meals.

“We found that the support was fantastic for the ward staff, it improved the patient experience and the staff who had volunteered could see that their contribution was making a real difference to patient care.

“Having someone to sit and chat can make eating a much more pleasurable, social experience for most patients, especially those who may be reluctant to eat or who take a long time to finish a meal.

“The mealtime companions will be supported at all times by a member of staff and they will receive specific training from the nursing, catering, dietetics and speech and language therapy teams to help with communication skills and nutritional knowledge.

“All volunteers play a vital part in helping to support our hospitals and improving patient care and we really appreciate everything they do.”

Louise becomes the first volunteer Louise Deer, who works as a workforce planning officer, has become the first member of staff to become a mealtime companion.

When Louise heard that the trust was looking for volunteers she instantly thought that she could be of help.

Louise said: “Over recent years I have personally been a patient of the hospital when my little boy, Monty was born very prematurely. We both received outstanding care from the nursing and medical staff and I thought that this could be my opportunity to give a little bit back.

“I think that one of my strengths is to make people smile and laugh, as well as offering care, support and compassion to patients. I am really looking forward to giving some time to helping others and talking to the patients”.

Anthem | December 2014 35

Members’

Board of directors meetin gs

noticeboard

rnors meetingshape Council of gove help ce of our members who The governors are the voi lic are mbers and the general pub the future of the trust. Me r times fou d hel are meetings which welcome to observe the 5 201 y uar Jan 15 ay is on Thursd a year. The next meeting s. om Ro at 9.30am at the Wynyard

Your trust needs you!

Please help us to recruit new members. We want to increase our membership so that we are truly repres entative of the community we ser ve and that more people can become involved with the ir local hospital. Please enc ourage your family and friends to join the trust as a memb er and sign them up using the atta ched form, but don’t forg et to include your details! Please return completed forms to The Membership Office, 4th floor North Wing, North Tee s and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Road, Sto ckton on Tees, TS19 8PE. We would especially like to hear from anyone age d 16-25 years old as we have a num ber of potential opportuniti es they could be involved wit h. You can join by contac ting us on membership@nth.n hs.uk, calling 01642 383920 , applying at www.nth.nhs. uk

36 Anthem | Issue 36

The board of directors me et around six times a yea r.

Members of the public and staff are welcome to observe the meetings. Thi s is your chance to see how the board operates and gai n first hand knowledge on the trust’s latest develo pments.

Spaces to attend the me etings are limited so please contact the private office on 01642 383920 in advanc e to secure your place. The next board of directors meeting is on 29 Januar y at 1pm in the boardroom at the University Hospital of North Tees.

nts Membedraneyovneewho is interested ar9.e30inviamtedintothatetend at Members an y 24 January t on Saturda artlepool. the next even e University Hospital of H at th ok a place. board room u need to bo e. yo t bu , ee fr e bership offic The events ar please contact the mem tails For more de

cards hich Membersdha ip rd, w membership ca

he We have launc at any of the rs to staff rates be em m s le tit en the University Shop outlets at Wilbers Coffee pool, as th Tees or Hartle Hospital of Nor s. To obtain nt to NHS discou well as access ntact the co se ea hip card, pl your members 3920 or fice on 01642 38 membership of nth.nhs.uk. membership@

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Join us!

As a member of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust you will join thousands of other like minded people who support our work.

It’s free to join and you can be involved as little or as much as you like.

Membership reply form

For office use only

About you (please tick as appropriate)

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• To become a member you need to be over 16 years

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You will have the opportunity to: • help improve your local services

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• j ust offer your support to the trust and its services You will have instant access to NHS Discounts once you’re registered and the chance to be entered into a prize draw. If you ask for a membership card you can take advantage of reduced rates in any of our Wilbers coffee outlets.

Our membership office is always pleased to hear from people who may be interested in becoming a member of the trust.

Anyone who is over the age of 16 can become a member by: •c ontacting the membership office on 01642 383765

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• emailing membership@nth.nhs.uk •c ompleting the online application form at www.nth.nhs.uk/ joinustoday If you have a QR app you can click here to apply on line.

Or alternatively please fill in this membership application form and send it to the membership office.

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Please return to: Membership Office, University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick, Stockton on Tees TS19 8PE Email: membership@nth.nhs.uk Call: 01642 383765 Online: www.nth.nhs.uk The data you supply will be used only to contact you about the trust, membership or other related issues and will be stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Full details available on request.

Anthem | December 2014 37

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38 Anthem | Issue 36

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