news@QEHB February 2015

Visit our website: www.uhb.nhs.uk

For patients, staff, visitors and volunteers

Page 3 Lottery is proving to be a winner

FEBRUARY 2015

Page 7 Runners signing up for challenge

Pioneering op gives fresh hope to family Pioneering surgeons have enabled the Trust to become the first in the country to carry out a new procedure aimed at restoring feeling and movement to the arms of tetraplegic patients.

Leon Hill, was cycling to work in late 2013 when he was involved in an accident. He sustained a cervical spine fracture resulting in paralysis of his arms and legs, and was referred to UHB following rehabilitation.

Consultant surgeons from the Birmingham Hand Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham have now ‘rewired’ his right arm by transferring multiple nerves, with the aim of restoring independent movement in his elbow, forearm, wrist and hand.

The procedure, known as nerve transfer surgery, was first carried out on a tetraplegic patient in the USA after he was left with upper and lower limb paralysis from a similar spinal cord injury.

He was able to gain independent finger function in his hands, enabling him to feed himself after 12 months, and surgeons at QEHB are hoping for similar success.

Dominic Power, Consultant Hand and Peripheral Nerve Surgeon at UHB, said: “We have been treating patients with complex peripheral nerve injuries using nerve transfer surgery for several years but the extension of this technique to patients with spinal cord injury and paralysis is a recent development.

“This is a very exciting area and it is wonderful for us to be able to offer this reconstruction to patients in the UK for the first time. I want Birmingham to become a national centre for the reconstruction of nerve injury and paralysis.”

Leon, who is now pinning his hopes of regaining some degree of independence, is currently in a private rehabilitation centre while a suitable adapted home can be found for him to return to his wife Amy and their children Harmani, 12, Sienna, five, and Reagan, four.

Amy said: “I was told that this procedure by Mr Power was new, so I was obviously a bit apprehensive. But compared to what Leon had before we had to try anything, to give him some independence for himself.

“He didn’t have any movement at all, so just to give him something, even if it means

Page 8/9 Working together to support our patients Zero tolerance pledge The Trust has been enforcing its zerotolerance approach to staff who abuse their position to commit crimes.

University Hospitals Birmingham instigated three separate investigations into missing drugs from its premises in recent months.

The investigations led to three separate members of UHB staff being arrested by police and charged with drugs offences.

All three people have subsequently been convicted at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Two of the members of the staff no longer work at UHB while the third person is currently being dealt with under the Trust’s disciplinary procedures.

A spokesman for UHB said: “This kind of behaviour goes against the ethos of the Trust and its values and will not be accepted under any circumstances.

“We are taking this opportunity to remind staff that thefts from the hospital will not be tolerated and will always be dealt with as a criminal matter.”

New risk assessment to beat infections

Leon Hill, above and right, with his wife Amy

This is a very exciting area and it is wonderful for us to be able to offer this reconstruction to patients in the UK for the first time.

Dominic Power, Consultant he can move his wheelchair, would be a big improvement. Anything would be better than what he had before.

“The nerve regrows at about a millimetre a day, so it will take time to reach his hand.

It could be six to 12 months before he gets anything like full movement in his right arm.

But the signs are already good. He started to feel some sensation down his arm within a few weeks and could then pull his arm right up to his mouth.”

The surgeon added: “There was one nerve root still working to his right shoulder and upper arm, so he was able to move his shoulder but nothing else.

“So, we were able to transfer these eight nerve branches within his arm to effectively re-wire his limb. This was done by splitting the existing nerves and reconnecting them. We hope to give him the ability to reach with his arm and to grasp by restoring sensation and dexterity in his fingers.

“It is anticipated that he will begin to reinnervate the muscles in the next two to four months and then further improvements in strength and control will occur in the next 12 to 18 months.”

Drug-resistant bacteria will continue to come under attack by the Trust as a new risk assessment for patients is added to its Patient Information and Communication System (PICS). The new question will identify the patients who are more at risk of carrying Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), by finding out whether the patient has received healthcare abroad in the past 12 months.

CPE are bacteria that produce an enzyme that destroys carbapanem antibiotics – drugs that are usually reserved by doctors for the most serious infections. This poses a serious threat to healthcare and leaves very few treatment options when infected.

On admission, PICS users will be asked whether the patient being admitted has received healthcare abroad in the past year – an indicator of possibly carrying CPE, this will alert the infection control team to carry out further screening on the patient.

Dr Beryl Oppenheim, Director of Infection Prevention and Control, said: “Unless we act now to learn from experiences elsewhere across the world, the rapid spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria has great potential to pose an increasing threat to public health and modern medicine as we know it. This new risk assessment will give us another tool to help combat drugresistant bacteria.”

For more information email: infectioncontrol@uhb.nhs.uk

Puzzle page: Delivering thebrainteasers, best in care mind benders and more P15 Find your way around: hospital maps P16 news@QEHB 2015_2_February_batch_process.indd 1

26/01/2015 15:28

2

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | FEBRUARY 2015

Health Talks for Foundation Trust Members Daytime sessions: 10.00–10.30 – Registration 10.30–noon – Health Talk

Evening sessions*: 18.00–18.30 – Registration 18.30–20.00 – Health Talk VENUE: Lecture Theatre 3, Education Centre, Level 1, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Tuesday 17 February Falls: How to prevent a fall Wednesday 18 March Skin: Disorders and treatments Friday 17 April Dementia and Alzheimer’s Thursday 7 May* Organ donation Tuesday 19 May Lungs: Coping with respiratory conditions Wednesday 17 June Sleep: Insomnia and sleep problems Friday 24 July Thyroid: Under-active and over-active Tuesday 18 August Can you hear me? Hearing problems and treatments Monday 7 September* Mental Health Wednesday 23 September Eyes: Common conditions affecting sight Friday 23 October Stroke and TIA Monday 16 November How the brain works Wednesday 16 December Alcohol: The effects of drinking and support available For more information see: www.uhb.nhs.uk/health-talks.htm

Your Care Connected is coming soon A three-month long trial of a project called Your Care Connected will launch later this year.

Your Care Connected is a new electronic system that allows registered doctors and registered nurses to view relevant information from patients’ GP records accessed via the Trust’s Clinical Portal.

Patients from eight GP practices in Birmingham will take part and UHB is among four hospital providers involved in the threemonth trial.

Staff training materials are available via the Trust intranet on the Clinical Portal training pages.

Rachel Wells, Project Manager at UHB, said: “By sharing information between GPs and hospitals, patients could receive safer and quicker treatment and won’t have to remember and repeat information to every medical professional caring for them.

“Here at UHB we plan to use our secure Clinical Portal to display patients’ GP information.

“This will make it as easy as possible for our doctors and nurses to access the details they need to care for patients.”

For more information visit the website: www.midlandsyourcareconnected.nhs.uk

Clinic boost for diabetics A ‘one-stop shop’ for diabetic patients with foot problems is helping to prevent amputations.

The multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital provides those patients deemed at risk of losing a lower limb with a dedicated team of specialists from across the Trust.

The team, which also performs a weekly diabetic foot ward round, is made up of a diabetologist Dr Mujahid Saeed, vascular surgeon Mr Alok Tiwari, podiatrists Mr Ian Wilson and Mrs Stephanie Owen, and, on occasions, microbiologist Dr Miruna David.

Mr Tiwari said: “The multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic and ward round is essentially a one-stop shop for patients with diabetic foot problems, as this has been shown to reduce the risk of major amputations, as well as the number of people being admitted to hospital.”

Around 5.5 per cent of the adult population of England has diagnosed diabetes, with a further two per cent of the population possibly having undiagnosed diabetes. In particular, disease of the foot remains a major threat to people with diabetes and results in around 70 amputations a week across the country, the majority of which are said to be potentially preventable.

Mr Tiwari added: “Diabetes is the leading cause of amputations in this country. In fact, amputations are 15 times more likely in patients with diabetes than other people. Usually, a major amputation is below the knee, but by having a multidisciplinary approach you can reduce this.”

As part of this new approach, the multidisciplinary team at UHB carries out a specialist diabetic foot ward round on Monday afternoons.

“We see diabetic patients with foot ulcers because you become high risk if you have an ulcer. They are a sign that the patient is at increased risk of amputation. Prevention is much better than cure.”

It is always exhilarating each time we prevent an amputation of a toe or toes Dr Mujahid Saeed, Consultant Mr Tiwari said there were major advantages to this multidisciplinary approach.

He said: “What tends to happen is that a lot of people don’t realise what the patient is at risk of so, for example, you can miss a vascular disease.

“There is always a delay between diabetes and vascular clinics, so by seeing them in one place you can identify when someone might be at high risk.

“These are very high risk problems, with the average life expectancy for someone with a diabetic foot problem reduced by around 14 years.”

Dr Saeed, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, and Diabetic Foot Lead, said it had been a major achievement to put the multidisciplinary team together, which he hoped would develop into a ‘truly world-class’ diabetic foot service for their patients.

He said: “It is always exhilarating each time we prevent an amputation of a toe or toes, the foot, or the leg of patients seen by our service. We are now getting more and more people coming along from adjoining trusts and regions to make use of this service. We have also generated research and publications in peerreviewed journals.”

Dr Saeed said it was always encouraging to receive positive feedback from patients, but he added: “We continue to aspire higher in providing best in care, which is the Trust’s vision.”

Diabetes: A patient’s story Diabetic Colin Davies, pictured, says he cannot praise QEHB enough after crediting the hospital with saving his foot – and possibly his life – after he discovered a crack in his heel.

Mr Davies, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2000, needed an urgent angioplasty to clean out the arteries.

The 66-year-old works manager, from Lickey End in Bromsgrove, who is married to Jillian and has a twin son and daughter aged 35, said: “I can’t praise QEHB enough. They were excellent and very professional.

“When I went back for a check-up after having my treatment I was told I had gangrene in my foot, and if I had left it a bit longer I would have lost my foot. And if I had left it much longer still you would have been reading my name in the Births, Deaths and Marriages column.”

Mr Davies said he was ‘so grateful’ to his family for taking him to A&E at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. A crack had appeared at the start of 2014. He sought medical advice and although the foot was becoming increasingly painful he was unsure what further action he could take.

“Fortunately, the family had a meeting without inviting me and decided I should go

Delivering the best in care

You said, we did…

to the QE. It was so bad that I couldn’t sleep lying down in bed. I had to go to sleep sitting up on the settee.

“After I was admitted, they arranged for me to have an angioplasty to clear out the arteries in my leg and also gave me some powerful drugs which caused me to lose a lot of weight.”

Mr Davies said he felt well enough to start sleeping on a bed again after a couple of weeks, while the treatment he continues to receive from the Head of Podiatry has led to the large crack in his heel gradually reducing in size.

Hara Sidiroupoulou with the new cups used by patients on W410

You Said: Patients on Ward 410 commented to staff that they couldn’t have a ‘proper mug of tea’ in the small cups provided on the ward.

As a trauma ward, many of the patients are either frail, elderly or recovering from fractures and so often have difficulty holding or lifting objects.

We Did: Hara Sidiropoulou, Dignity and Patient Experience Champion on Ward 410, took up the challenge and said: “We endeavour to provide the best care possible and part of this is making patients feel ‘at home’ whilst they are in hospital. Although the small cups might seem like a trivial issue, it’s important that we try to make patients as comfortable as possible during their stay. We want to promote a sense of independence and wellbeing which is especially important in the long-term.

“To this end, I found and ordered ‘unbreakable’ melamine cups which hold a ‘proper mug’s worth’ of tea but are also light and easy to handle.

“For patients who require assistance eating and drinking, and are therefore part of the Trust’s red tray system, I have found red double-handed cups which comply with this system and are unbreakable.”

Ward 410 didn’t stop there, and with the support of Ward Manager Claire Knowles, Sister Julie Jones, the ward’s Patient Experience lead, and with the collaboration of all ward staff, Hara aimed to increase the social aspect of dining on the ward still further.

She continued: “We have also acquired foldout tables and tablecloths which we place in patients’ four-bedded rooms so patients can have lunch together – this gives a homely feel.

“Patients often have afternoon tea and snacks, read magazines, play games or simply share relaxed social time around these new tables. Staff have donated CDs and DVDs, along with a CD player and radio so patients can benefit from an uplifting ambience.

This is particularly beneficial for patients who have dementia. In addition, one of our staff nurses, Emma Bailey-Wright, acquired funding which she used to provide some special games and activity materials especially for patients who have dementia or learning difficulties.”

The initiative has been so successful that it has been rolled out to other wards and even attracted interest from other Trusts at last year’s Patient Experience Conference.

3

FEBRUARY 2015 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Survey prompts call to take test for HIV More than half of HIV patients seen by University Hospitals Birmingham during the past 12 months were heterosexual, according to new figures.

Of the 1,309 HIV positive people who attended the Trust’s HIV clinics throughout 2013, a total of 707, or 54 per cent, were heterosexual.

The figures continue to counter the widely held belief that the majority of people living with HIV are gay.

A new report published by Public Health England, entitled West Midlands HIV Spotlight, also reveals that the largest proportion of new HIV diagnoses among the region’s residents continues to be through heterosexual contact.

Although the proportion has fallen from 74 per cent in 2002, heterosexual contact remains the largest exposure group, accounting for 48 per cent in 2013.

Consultant Physician Kaveh Manavi, Lead

of the HIV Service at UHB, said: “This report, as well as our own experiences, clearly demonstrates that heterosexual individuals are just as likely to become infected with HIV, if not more so.”

Dr Manavi appealed for more people to obtain HIV testing. In particular, he advised older adults to get tested for the virus after also revealing that 120 of UHB cases, around nine per cent, were above the age of 50.

The West Midlands HIV Spotlight report summarises trends in HIV infection in the region’s residents up to 31 December 2013.

The overall finding of the report is that the number of West Midlands residents newly diagnosed with HIV fell by three per cent, from 390 to 379, in 2013. This brings the cumulative total to 7,376 cases, with almost two thirds (4,796) diagnosed in the past 10 years.

During the same period, a total of 5,510 West Midlands residents accessed HIV-related care in the UK in 2013, with almost a quarter aged 50 or over.

Overall, the HIV Spotlight report reveals that there has been a 159 per cent increase in the number of individuals accessing care since 2004, and a 420 per cent increase in those aged 50 or over.

This reflects the dramatically improved lifeexpectancy for those who are diagnosed early and treated appropriately, the report concludes.

Free and confidential HIV testing is available seven days a week at UHB sexual health services. Individuals can book their appointments online via our website at: www.birminghamsexualhealth.co.uk/ book-an-appointment.htm

Lottery is proving a winner with staff Trust employees are signing up to the Birmingham Healthcare 50-50 Club Staff Lottery.

Not only can lottery members win prizes of up to £1,500 in the monthly draw, they can also benefit from vouchers. One of the lucky winners has been Donna O’Neill, Payroll Operations Manager who has won two prizes since joining the lottery. The first was £100 in September 2013 and then £500 in October 2014. Donna has also been able to receive shopping vouchers with the part of her stake that the lottery always returns to members.

Half of the entry stakes are reclaimable as vouchers annually. In November this meant £1,125 was handed out in Boots vouchers, £280 was claimed by members for the National Garden Centre scheme, which is also valid at Homebase. Vouchers can also be issued for dental charges.

Chris Finnemore, Senior Finance Manager, said: “We know many staff are already members of the draw but we hope more will now see the benefits of signing up.”

QEHB and The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will be holding a free one-day conference for nursing auxiliaries in March to help celebrate and support future developments in the role.

Hosted by Executive Chief Nurse Philip Norman, the event will include speakers such as former QEHB Chief Nurse Kay Fawcett, Regional Director of the RCN, Paul Vaughan and David Sheard, Chief Executive of Dementia Care Matters.

They will be touching on a number of topics including the new national care certificate and the importance of accountability.

A number of workshops will also help to reinforce the conference in areas such as: ‘making specialling special’, continence care, the 6 Cs, the code of conduct, and dignity in care – which will inform auxiliaries of the small changes that can be made to make a real difference to patients and carers.

Michelle Field, Senior Nurse for Education said: “This conference offers the Trust a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution made to patient care by the Trust’s auxiliaries, providing the opportunity to share good practice, knowledge and understanding of what makes great care.”

The conference is being held on Monday 23 March 2015 in the Postgraduate Centre at QEHB. For more information about the conference, email: michelle.field@uhb.nhs.uk

Long Service Awards

Donna O’Neill and Chris Finnemore, Senior Finance Manager/Analyst

To find out more about how to take part in the draws then contact either the General Office or UHB General Ledger team on ext. 53853. Email: Leanne.Neeld@uhb.nhs.uk to join or claim benefits. Draws take take place on the third Tuesday of every month; except for December’s draw, which takes place on the second Tuesday.

High quality care from dialysis service The Trust cares more than 1100 people who have so little of their own kidney function that, in order to stay alive, they need dialysis treatment.

Now the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, which is the second largest dialysis centre in the UK and one of the largest in Europe, is set to further enhance its services in the coming year.

A wide range of developments have already been introduced by the renal team in recent years. These changes have helped put the Queen Elizabeth at the top of measures compiled by the UK Renal Registry. This organisation promotes high quality care through audit and takes detailed data about the treatment of dialysis patients from all UK renal centres.

In the latest 2014 UK Renal Registry report (figure 6.1a p 146) the QE came out on top of one of the crucial measures, which is how is

Conference puts nursing in spotlight

how well the blood is cleaned during any dialysis session, known as the urea reduction ratio. In addition, the findings show how the QE service has one of the best survival rates for patients on dialysis in the whole of the UK. Dr Clara Day, Lead for Haemodialysis, said: “These excellent achievements reflect all the hard work and dedication of the entire renal multi-disciplinary team who care for QE dialysis patients. We look forward to the opportunities that 2015 brings to further improve dialysis care.”

The team has worked hard over the last few years to try to reduce the negative effect on patients’ quality of life that requiring dialysis brings.

Clara said: “We actively encourage home dialysis therapies as peritoneal dialysis or home haemodialysis which allow patients to fit dialysis around their lives.

“For those who undergo three times a week in-centre dialysis (about 900 patients) we currently have 11 satellite haemodialysis units in addition to our unit in the hospital.

“This means that patients across the region have a dialysis unit close to where they live.

We work closely with the private sector organisations Fresenius Medical Care and Diaverum to allow development of bespoke units and have recently opened four new units in partnership with Diaverum.

“Excitingly the QE is to open a further new unit in 2015 in the Smethwick area in partnership with Assure Dialysis Services.

However, we are also very focused on the quality of dialysis as well as the environment where we provide the service.”

For more information visit: www.renalreg.org

If you have completed 25 years’ service or longer in the NHS you will be entitled to a Long Service Award.

For further information contact HR First Contact Team on ext. 51577 for an application form.

Keep up with UHB online: www.uhb.nhs.uk www.facebook.com/ QEHBofficial www.twitter.com/ uhbcomms

Contact the editor: Annie Roberts, news@QEHB, Trust HQ, QE Medical Centre, Edgbaston, B15 2PR. Email: annierhealth@gmail.com

See www.uhb.nhs.uk for the latest news

4

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | FEBRUARY 2015

5

FEBRUARY 2015 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Flu vaccine boost

Chief Executive of QEHB Charity Mike Hammond, Senior Sister Andrea Fernyhough, Sister Fatim Bandali, Fundraising Assistant Michael Tivey

Frontline staff on Ward 621 will be extra perky this year as they settle in to use their prize for vaccinating almost 95 per cent of their staff against the flu.

The competition, set up by QEHB Charity to help boost the number of frontline staff receiving the vital flu vaccine, helped see numbers receiving the jab rise by almost double compared to 2013.

The prize – a coffee machine with a year’s worth of refills – was handed to Ward 621 who saw off tough competition from Ambulatory Care, who vaccinated up to 85 per cent of their frontline staff.

Ward 621 and senior sister Andrea Fernyhough was handed the prize by Mike Hammond, Chief Executive of QEHB Charity.

Andrea said: “We are ecstatic that we have won this competition but have seen this as more about our duty of care to patients than for the prize.

“We see many very sick patients, some of whom are receiving cancer care and more susceptible to illness than others, and catching the flu could really be hugely harmful to them. Indeed it could be life threatening.

“We wanted to ensure that we were not putting our patients at any increased risk.”

Mike said: “Andrea and her team have done brilliantly in helping to protect their patients and the rise in frontline staff from all departments receiving the flu jab will help make sure that patients are not at any extra risk of catching the virus.”

Over 50 per cent of frontline staff have now been vaccinated but Executive Chief Nurse, Philip Norman, said: “It is a fantastic achievement to have vaccinated half of our front line staff but there is still more to be done.

“Ideally, we should be vaccinating at least 75 per cent of all staff across the hospital to ensure patients are protected as fully as possible, and like Andrea’s staff, more need to treat the flu vaccine as part of their duty of care towards patients.”

Ebola virus: Plan in place It is very unlikely that a patient with Ebola virus will come to QEHB but patients and visitors can be reassured that the hospital is well prepared with tried and tested procedures in place.

Experts studying the virus believe it is highly unlikely the disease will spread within the UK with the risk to the public remaining very low.

Staff at UHB have been asked to remain vigilant and have been briefed to ask the following questions if they think a patient has Ebola-like symptoms: 1. Does the patient have a fever or temperature above 38 degrees?

2. Has the patient recently travelled to or resided in the following West African countries – Guinea, Sierra Leone or Liberia.

If the answer to both of these questions is ‘yes’ then staff will follow existing infection control

procedures to make sure patients, visitors and other members of staff remain safe.

Philip Norman, Chief Nurse, said, “I would like to reassure all our patients and staff that the risk of Ebola virus is very low and the Trust is prepared in the unlikely event of an infected patient coming to QEHB.” Screening at Birmingham airport began at the beginning of November and focuses on helping ensure individuals arriving from high-risk areas know what to do if they start feeling ill and can receive expert advice immediately.

For information and guidance about Ebola virus go to NHS Choices: www.nhs.uk/ebola publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/ tag/ebola/

Ebola mythbuster There could be an Ebola outbreak in the UK at any time

We are not expecting a major outbreak in this country and, although there may be a handful of cases, this country has good, well developed and well tested systems for managing infectious diseases.

If there are Ebola cases in the UK, it will then spread to others

Ebola is not easy to catch. An infected person’s bodily fluids would have to enter the mouth, eyes, nose or broken skin. The virus can also be sexually transmitted.

You can catch Ebola from sitting next to someone

You cannot catch Ebola by simply being next to someone on a plane or public transport, touching a surface they have touched or even shaking hands.

Ebola can only be spread through bodily fluids.

If someone with Ebola sneezes or sweats on you – you will catch it

Ebola is not like flu – it is not spread through the air and can only be caught through very close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.

There is currently no known cure

People can survive. Once infected, it can take between two and 21 days for symptoms to show.

Patients given fluids and food have a better chance of survival.

Support for smokers who want to quit Each year more than 80,000 smokers die as a result of smoking-related disease.

Smoking also has a huge impact on the NHS and wider society. In 2009, some 462,000 hospital admissions in England among adults aged 35 and over were attributable to smoking with treating smoking related illnesses estimated to have cost the NHS £2.7 billion in the year 2006/07.

For those who want to break the habit there is support.

Stop Smoking advisor Stephen Pugh, who works for Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Many smokers want to quit but aren’t sure about the best way to go about it.

“The important thing is to find the support that’s right for you. It will improve your chances of quitting and mean there is a better chance of stopping smoking.”

A wide range of options are outlined on the NHS website which offers free help and advice.

These include a chance to sign up to a Quit Kit support pack which helps individuals stay focussed through a smartphone app, email programme or text messages. Others choose to share their challenge online through the Smokefree Facebook community or contact an adviser by phone or online.

The ‘stop smoking’ service also runs regular meetings where people can meet others who are hoping to quit.

Stephen said: “The health risks are well known and for many people they may have already tried to quit and are now making a fresh attempt. It can be very disheartening but, with the right support, this time it can be different.”

Staff at UHBl can attend a weekly support session.

For further information email Helen.E.Roberson@bhamcommunity.nhs. uk or Stephen.pugh@bhamcommunity. nhs.uk Call to Quit 0800 052 5855. Giving up smoking is not easy but with help and support from your local stop smoking service, you are up to four times more likely to stop than with will power alone.

For friendly advice and support on how to quit, call the Birmingham stop smoking team on 0800 052 5855 free or text ‘QUIT’ to 80800.

Visit www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/ stop-smoking for more information

Robot-assisted treatment helps avoid major surgery A patient at University Hospitals Birmingham has become one of the first in the UK to have a cancerous bowel and womb removed without having to undergo major surgery.

The robot-assisted procedure was carried out by means of the da Vinci Surgical System, which was introduced to the hospital Trust in early 2014.

Use of the robot system, which translates a surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, more precise, movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body, enabled the affected bowel and womb to be removed through the woman’s vagina.

Consultant surgeon Tariq Ismail, who carried out the procedure, said: “The robot programme is gradually becoming embedded and we have already done around 50 colorectal, or large

bowel resections. It has gone incredibly well with excellent outcomes.

“In this latest procedure, a female patient was referred to us with bowel cancer. She was found to have an advanced tumour which was attached to her womb.

“So we were able to carry out a procedure completely using the robot. This involved a bowel resection, hysterectomy and bilateral removal of the ovaries, all of which were removed through the vagina.

“So, there were no cuts to the abdomen, no scars, no colostomy bag, and it also meant the patient was able to go home just days after the operation.”

Added Mr Ismail: “This procedure of removing the bowel and womb has probably not been done in the UK with a robot. In fact, it has only

been done in a few centres in the world.”

The first robot-assisted operation at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham was carried out on a prostate cancer patient, who was discharged after just three days.

The da Vinci robot features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system which gives a better depth of vision, while the tiny instruments used can bend and rotate much more than the human hand.

The procedure is known as NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery), whereby “scarless” abdominal operations can be performed with an endoscope passed through a natural opening in the body.

“The detail and the ability to identify plain tissue are phenomenal,” Mr Ismail added. “It enables us to more accurately remove cancer

tissues with less blood loss and less risk to organs and the recovery is much quicker.

The da Vinci Surgical System was purchased with support from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity.

A UHB spokesman said: “The whole team was eager to rise to the challenge of facilitating surgery in this very different way.

Communication is even more important when using the robot and the team has risen to this challenge admirably and provide an efficient and safe environment for the surgeons involved.”

The QEHB Charity funds equipment, research and training which is over and above that which the NHS provides and aims to make a difference to the lives of patients, visitors and staff at UHB. To find out more visit www.qehb.org.uk

See www.uhb.nhs.uk for the latest news

6

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | FEBRUARY 2015

Do Summit Rewarding for the QE Hospital Birmingham For the first time ever, we are joining forces with three other hospital trusts in Birmingham to take our fundraising to new heights.

The Birmingham Hospitals’ Snowdon Challenge will see us, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham Women’s Hospital and the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust come together to take on the largest mountain in England and Wales – Mount Snowdon.

• • • • • •

Scale the heights of this 3,560 ft mountain Tick it off your “bucket list”!

Conquer Snowdon as a family Climb with friends Or on your own (with 200 other people doing it you will be in good company!

At the same time raising valuable funds for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for the ward or area of your choice!

If you would like to join our Snowdon team visit: www.birminghamhospitals.org and click QE Hospital or call 0121 371 4852. Registration costs £30 for adults and £15 for children and includes your travel from Birmingham return and lunch!

#dosummitrewarding Working in partnership with

7

FEBRUARY 2015 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Runners step up to take on challenge Feeling flabby and unfit after the Christmas and New Year festivities? Perhaps one of your resolutions for 2015 is to lose weight, get fit and make a difference for a local cause? Then why not join ‘Team Birmingham’ and run the new Birmingham 10K for QEHB Charity!

We’ve teamed up with the Birmingham Mail to raise £60,000 by entering a team in the Great Birmingham 10K run.

Taking place in the city centre on 3rd May, the 6.2 mile event is a great distance for both new and experienced runners, and offers you the chance to represent Birmingham at its first ever Great Birmingham 10K, whilst raising money for an appeal of your choice.

Fun-runners and elite athletes are welcome to the new course which takes in several of the city’s landmarks, and can enjoy meeting friends in the event village in Centenary Square at the end of the run.

Runners will start in ‘musical waves’ and there will also be a ‘walking wave’ for those who would rather walk the route. In each of the musical waves tunes from the 1970s, 80s, 90s and the 00s will blare out from loudspeakers and entrants can pick which pop decade they would like to start in. Children are also invited to take part. There will be Junior and Mini Runs of shorter distances, which are open to children aged three years and up.

New to running? Don’t sweat it!

Through our partnership with the Birmingham Mail, we’ve also teamed up with Riggs Fitness

Clinical Decisions Unit “Many thanks to you all for the wonderful care I received during my sta y in hospital.”

Critical Care “Thank you seems much too small a word for total professionalism and helpfulness.”

Diabetes Clinic “I have received excellent care from the diabetes team at UHB since 1967. I have been treated kindly and respectfully as an individual with competence and compassion.”

Neurology “This hospital truly delivers the best in l care. Thank you to al y the team, you trul are amazing.”

Trust staff Kate Mansbridge and John Molesworth completed the half marathon in 2014

in Moseley, which will help runners train for the event by offering tips and advice to get you ready for the race.

If you would like to represent Birmingham in the new Great Birmingham 10K whilst raising funds for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, join ‘Team Birmingham’ today by visiting www.greatrun.org/greatbirmingham-10k, or for more information call Abi Cligg on 0121 371 4852.

Karl Hinnett (centre) , who has run over 128 marathons for the char ity, with Beth Hinett, Mark Robinso n and Louise Carroll

Dates for your diary Skydive or Wing Walk for QEHB Charity, Hinton Airfield, Brackley and Damyns Hall aerodrome, Essex

There’s still time to sprinkle some magic QEHB Charity re-launched its ‘Sprinkle some magic’ grant scheme in November 2014.

This gives you the chance, as the people on the ground, to receive £250, £500 and £1,000 grants to transform the lives of patients at the hospital.

The scheme will continue through 2015, so if you have a suggestion for a grant award please write to us at charities@uhb.nhs.uk, telling us who you are, what you would spend the money on, how it will improve the lives of patients or staff and how much you would like to receive.

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Perhaps you’re looking for a thrill? Want to raise money for an appeal of your choice?

Then why not take part in one of our tandem parachute jumps or dare-devil wing walks and help raise valuable funds for the hospital charity!

A £30 deposit gets you a place on one of our jumps, followed by a minimum of £300 in sponsorship. For the wing walk, book your place with a £50 deposit and raise a minimum of £1,000 for QEHB Charity.

For a list of dates or for more information call Laura Power on 0121 371 4852.

To book online go to: www.qehb.org/ shop/tickets-and-events/parachute-jumpdeposit or www.qehb.org/shop/tickets-and-events/ wing-walking-2015

Tackle an overseas challenge If you’re after a once in a lifetime opportunity that gives you the chance to experience new and exciting things whilst raising money for an appeal of your choice, why not visit our website for details about the different challenge events available, ranging from climbing Kilimanjaro to trekking through the Sahara Desert? Simply sign up online by visiting www.qehb.org/ events, or email Abi.Cligg@uhb.nhs.uk for more information.

London to Paris bike ride 2015 Why not take part in one of the greatest cycle experiences in Europe and cycle from London to Paris to raise money for patients at the hospital?

To sign up and help raise money for any one of our varied and targeted appeals, visit www.qehb.org/event/london-paris-bikeride or contact Abi Cligg on 0121 371 4852 for more information.

c Ophthalmolog y Clini “I was treated like a t VIP from the momen ry ve of m y arrival – a scared and vuln erable ely old man was immediat put at ease.” t Depa rtmen y c n e g r e Em k ke to than “I would li rful staff the wonde r their on A&E fo ce perseveran my g in diagnosin dition.” urg ent con Cancer Services “The nurses in the unit must be the very best in the NHS. Their confiden ce and patient care was second to non e.”

To make a donation to any of the appeals mentioned please visit www.qehb.org or contact the charity’s team 0121 371 4852 See www.uhb.nhs.uk for on the latest news

8

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | FEBRUARY 2015

Practice development: Working together to improve patient care

Support for living donors Left to Right: Sue Moore and Sheryl Parsons, Renal Living Donor Transplant Co-ordinators

The shortage of kidneys for transplantation has been well documented. The Living Donor Scheme partly provides a solution to this shortage. The first living donor kidney transplant at the Trust took place in 1995 and since then there have been almost 750 more undertaken.

The population of living donors is continually growing – therefore the team coordinating their follow-up care has developed a new and flexible way of providing a review service for donors.

Prior to donating one of their kidneys, a donor must have their fitness and suitability assessed. This assessment is co-ordinated by the Renal Living Donor Transplant Coordinators – Sue Moore, Sheryl Parsons and Melissa Manley. They facilitate the assessment process and provide education and support to the donor. If assessed as a suitable donor, the donor’s identified co-ordinator supports them before and after surgery.

Donors donate to patients who are on the Birmingham Kidney Waiting List, with the donation and transplant surgeries taking place at the Trust. In addition, the team also assesses and supports potential donors who may be donating a kidney to someone in another region of the country or even other countries.

After donating a kidney, living donors are offered follow-up for the rest of their lives, to ensure the safety of their remaining kidney.

The surgeon reviews them as an outpatient six weeks following the operation and the renal living donor transplant co-ordinator sees the donor at six months and 12 months post donation.

Donors then have an annual review. This involves them attending the hospital for blood and urine tests plus a blood pressure and weight check. This is followed by a review with the transplant coordinator to discuss any health concerns.

All donors previously had to come back to the Trust for their appointment with the

Making a diffe campaign to su A campaign called ‘Learning Disability Made Clear’ has been launched with the aim of increasing knowledge and awareness of the issues affecting people with a learning disability.

transplant coordinator; this was involving longer and longer waiting times. However, for the past year up to 20 donors each month are now reviewed in a new telephone clinic for their annual follow-up. A week after having their tests and checks, each donor has a timed appointment for a telephone call from the transplant co-ordinator. The co-ordinator and donor discuss the results from the previous week and the co-ordinator provides advice, support and health education over the phone.

The donor has the same access to support and information, without the inconvenience of having to wait to be seen by the co-ordinator in hospital. If however issues are raised at this point of contact or at any point throughout the previous year, a face to face appointment can be arranged.

The telephone clinic has been warmly welcomed by the donors who have provided positive feedback, preferring the telephone clinic over the previous appointment system.

Their attendance at the hospital is now very quick and far more convenient, with savings on car parking charges too.

If a donor prefers, the co-ordinators can arrange for them to have their annual review with their GP. The request for this is facilitated by the co-ordinator and supported with a guidance letter from a nephrologist. The GP communicates the blood results to the hospital team and the donors are still able to phone up for advice or support at any time.

The team feel the telephone clinic has helped make their follow-up service even more efficient. It is allowing them to support the growing number of living kidney donors in a flexible way that is more convenient to the donors.

New dynamic resources have been developed for hospital staff and new toolkits are available which will be distributed across the Trust over the coming weeks.

The toolkit includes communication flash cards, leaflets about understanding autism and dementia, and short films which show a hospital visit from the perspective of a person with a learning disability.

The campaign will cover the West Midlands and the Trust’s Dignity in Care team, who are leading the campaign at UHB, organised an awareness stand in the QEHB atrium. They used the opportunity to demonstrate the new toolkit and answered any questions from staff, patients, volunteers and visitors.

Margaret Harries, Lead Nurse for Older Adults, said: “It’s vital that we communicate effectively with all our patients. We are caring for an increasing number of patients with complex needs so it’s more important than ever to understand the person and open up all channels of communication.

“The toolkit is designed for patients with a learning disability but it’s also hugely beneficial for patients whose first language isn’t English and for patients with dementia.”

The atrium event was also attended by Lisa Proctor from the West Midlands Mental Health Institute, who is leading the ‘Learning Disability Made Clear’ campaign.

Lisa has been taking the toolkit out to hospitals across the region and meeting staff

It’s vital that we communicate effectively with all our patients.

Margaret Harries, Lead Nurse for Older Adults

The team at the launch of the campaign: Learning Dis

who will be putting it into practice.

Lisa added: “It’s great to talk to staff faceto-face and show them how the toolkit works and how it will benefit patients. We’ve had lots of interest from staff, volunteers, patients and visitors, which is really encouraging.”

The Trust has a number of ongoing projects which support patients with learning disabilities.

In the Emergency Department, Senior Sister June Sargeant has developed various strategies to improve communication with deafblind patients.

June, who attended the launch, said: “We have developed a close partnership with the deafblind charity SENSE and developed a fast track pathway utilising tier expertise, produced

If you would like any further information about the Telephone Clinic for Renal Living Donors, contact Michelle Hurley, Department Administrator on 0121 371 5845 or ext. 15845

Did you know?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have recently approved a new Code for nurses and midwives?

The Code is expected to incorporate some new standards relating to; the delivery of compassionate care, the responsible use of social media within healthcare, and a return to previous standards on assisting with emergencies outside of our place of work. The new Code is expected to be published in early 2015.

You can find further information relating to the new Code, by accessing the NMC website, available at: www.nmc-uk.org

The team are always keen to discuss ideas and work with different teams.

Call the team to discuss on 0121 371 4703 or internal: 14703 or email: PracticeDevelopment Team@uhb.nhs.uk Juliet Miller, Dignity in Care nurse, with the cards from the toolkit

Delivering the best in care

9

FEBRUARY 2015 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

erence together: New upport our patients

Fellowship building international links

L–R:Consultant Mr Richard Irving, International Fellow Dr Janan AlAbduwani and Deputy Medical Director Dr Javid Kayani

sability Made Clear

an educational programme and arranged communication and tactile object boxes.

“Our training programme focused on staff putting themselves in the deafblind patients’ shoes. They also receive training on hand signing and using touch to communicate.”

For more information about the ‘Learning Disabilities Made Clear’ campaign, visit: www.learningdisabilitymadeclear.nhs.uk The campaign has been funded by West Midlands Mental Health Institute and is being hosted by Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

The Dignity in Care team at UHB are encouraging staff to complete the Learning Disabilities interactive learning module on the GMC website: www.gmc-uk.org/learningdisabilities.

Once the module is completed, this can be recorded in the Electronic Staff Training Record (ESR). Please complete the online feedback form at the end of the module, print it off and send it to: Dignity in Care Team Room 3, Fourth Floor, Nuffield House, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sue Atkins, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Dementia, explains the toolkit to volunteers

Jo Bubb from the Dignity in Care team with the Hospital Communication Book

A doctor from Oman has become the first to receive a certificate for completing Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham’s (QEHB) two-year International Fellowship programme.

Dr Janan Al-Abduwani was presented with the certificate in November after completing the programme, specialising in ear, nose and throat (ENT).

QEHB’s International Fellowship Programme provides full-time structured and supervised training in identified clinical specialties, with the emphasis on hands-on training for doctors sponsored by their overseas organisations.

The doctors all have had at least three years’ experience in their own country in their chosen specialty and go through a competitive selection process in their home countries before being nominated to the Trust for consideration for the programme.

Richard Irving, Dr Al-Abduwani’s supervisor at QEHB, said: “Janan has just completed a two-year fellowship at the QEHB. She is one of a growing number of international graduates to complete a period of training at our Trust. She arrived with a desire to improve her knowledge in ENT surgery and she returns to take up a specialist post within a major government ENT department in the Omani capital city Muscat. She takes with her many ideas and skills learnt here in Birmingham.”

Dr Al-Abduwani said: “By coming to QEHB, I had hoped to improve my experience in ear, nose and throat procedures and to receive exposure to new procedures, technology and equipment and I have achieved that.

However, the main thing for me was increasing my confidence and experience of how to deliver the best quality care that patients need.”

The programme, which took off in 2010, aims to develop good long-term relationships with overseas organisations ensuring that only suitable, highly-skilled doctors who have the potential to develop are accepted by the Trust.

Dr Javid Kayani, Deputy Medical Director at UHB, said: “The success of the International Fellowship programme is testament to the excellent reputation that the QEHB has both in training and education and in the quality of clinical services it provides.

“International trainees gain valuable skills through hands-on training, skills which they take back with them benefiting patients and enhancing the reputation of QEHB. “There are 30 training fellows currently at QEHB with a further 15 having undertaken the rigorous application and induction process, with a view to building this programme into the strategic plan for the Trust.”

See www.uhb.nhs.uk for the latest news

10

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | FEBRUARY 2015

Experience of hospital life Students from a leading academy have been learning about life in a busy hospital Trust after embarking on an ambitious work experience project.

The 11-strong group of students from Tudor Grange Academy in Dingle Lane, Solihull, have been taking part in a 15-week placement that has seen them experience many aspects of working within UHB. The Year 12 students, who are all aged 16, have been attending the hospital every Tuesday since September with their placements ending last month.

Among the departments were the Booking Centre, Cardiology, the Human Biomaterials Resource Centre, Information Technology, Learning and Development, the Learning Hub, the New Hospital Project, Pathology, Vascular Surgery, Vocational Development, and Voluntary Services.

Katie Parker, Work Experience/Assessor at UHB, said: “These placements have introduced the students to the world of work. They have developed their communication, computer, telephone and customer service skills, and it has given them an opportunity to gain work experience within a first class hospital setting.

“At the same time, managers have been helping them to understand the working environment, choose future careers, and prepare them for employment, while also boosting their self-esteem and knowledge.”

Dr Christina Barnfield, a member of the senior leadership team at the Solihull academy, said:

Winning clinical idea

L–R: Dr D Silva, Dr K Blyth, Dr R K Khara, and Dr M Patel

Students were able to get a taste for work

“The students are enjoying the experience of working in a medical setting, in particular across so many different departments.

“It has been really popular, both within the school and among the students, and we would love to do it again next year.”

The students will be working towards three A levels alongside their placement, which consists of basic business and administration duties.

One of the students, Cleo Hickenbotham, said: “My placement is going well.

“The people I work with have been very pleasant and are always talking to me, making

sure I know what I am doing and that I understand the jobs I have been given, as well as checking that I am ok.”

Fellow student Ilhaam Faki, who has been placed within the Learning Hub, added: “I have learnt a lot of communication skills for talking to people I haven’t met before. I have enjoyed seeing the different services available.”

Managers of the individual students have variously praised their charges for their punctuality, politeness, and communication skills, as well as their willingness to undertake any task assigned to them.

Dr Manish Patel has been awarded the 2014 Regional Sankey Clinical Prize at the Grand Round presentation hosted by UHB. The four presenting candidates are all to be congratulated for reaching the shortlist.

Dr Patel won the prize for his excellent presentation entitled ‘The effects of haemodialysis on cognitive functions with one week follow-up’ and is pictured with runners up Dr K Blyth, Dr D Silva and Dr R K Khara.

This presentation held in the Education Centre in November, is part of the regular Grand Round Thursday lunchtime meetings. We are grateful for the continuing sponsorship and support of the Sankey Club.

Groups offer help: Patients, families and staff can turn to support from a range of groups at the Trust ALOPECIA Impartial information and mutual support to cope with hair loss Contact Jenny: 07760 95885, 0121 440 5794.

Email: jen@araucaria.demon.co.uk Website: www.alopeciaonline.org.uk ANN CONROY TRUST Support and education for patients living with Syringomyelia and Chiari malformation. Website: www.annconroytrust.org Tel: 0300 111 0004 BECHET’S SYNDROME SOCIETY Helpline: 0845 130 7329. Email: Info@bechetsdisease.org.uk.

Website: www.bechets.org.uk. Birmingham group contact: 07886 304018 or email: anishaz@hotmail.co.uk BIRMINGHAM ARTHRITIS RESOURCE CENTRE The resource centre is located at Birmingham Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Central Birmingham. Tel: 0121 464 2708 Email: barccentre@bham.ac.uk or Website: www.barc.org.uk BREATHE EASY – THE SUPPORT NETWORK OF THE BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION For everyone living with lung disease. Birmingham South Group meets monthly at Moseley Hall Hospital 2-4pm.

Contact BLF Direct on 03000 030 555 or go to w ww.blf.org.uk BRITISH ACOUSTIC NEUROMA ASSOCIATION (BANA) BANA’s friendly West Midlands group meets 3 or 4 times a year for mutual support, information exchange and talks by specialist guests. Group contact: Janet Mercer Email: janet@bana-uk.com Tel: 0121 604 2454. National website and headquarters: www.bana-uk.com Tel: 01623 632143 BRITISH SJOGREN’S SYNDROME ASSOCIATION Support group for sufferers of the auto-immune rheumatic disease. Tel: 0121 455 6532.

BUSY B’S Support group for people with stomas and bowel disease.

Tel: 0121 627 8343.

CYSTITIS & OVERACTIVE BLADDER FOUNDATION Advice line: 0121 702 0820. Email: info@cobfoundation.org and website at www.cobfoundation.org DIABETES UK Has regular support group meetings in King’s Heath for people with diabetes, family members and friends. For further info see www.diabetes.org.uk/In_Your_Area/Midlands and follow link to Birmingham or email racheltier@btinternet.com DIGNITY IN CARE SUPPORT GROUP The group run the Memory Lane Cafe for patients with cognitive impairment and their carers. Cafe is open Wednesday afternoons. Email: memorylanecafe@uhb.nhs.uk Website: www.dignityincare.org.uk D.I.S.C (DEMENTIA INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR CARERS) A service offered specifically for CARERS of people with confusion and memory (DEMENTIA) problems.

Tel: 0121 452 1152. Email: carers@discbirmingham.co.uk Website: www.discbirmingham.co.uk GET-A-HEAD Fundraising and support group for patients who have had head and neck cancer. Tel: 0121 371 5046 www.getahead.org.uk

GROWN-UP CONGENTIAL HEART PATIENTS’ ASSOCIATION Supports young people and adults born with a heart condition.

Tel: 0800 854 759.

HEADSTART BIRMINGHAM Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation Support Group Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month 7pm-9pm.

Seminar room in outpatients department at QEHB. Contact: Patricia Hewlett Tel: 0121 459 7147.

HEADWAY Acquired brain injury drop in service. Wednesdays 1.30pm4.30pm wards 407, 409 & 411. 4.30pm-5.30pm. Second floor restaurant, QEHB. Tel: 0121 457 7541.

HAEMATOLOGY SUPPORT GROUP Meeting at the Centre for Clinical Haematology on a monthly basis for information, social events, friendship and mutual support. Tel: 07766 875111 Email: Haematologys@yahoo.co.uk.

HAEMOCHROMATOSIS WEST MIDLANDS SUPPORT GROUP Offering support and raising awareness. We hold regular local meetings. Tel: 0121 457 8986 Email: info@Haemochromatosis WM.org.uk Website: www.HaemochromatosisWM.org.uk HOME FROM HOSPITAL CARE Free support to Birmingham patients on discharge from hospital Including information, shopping, befriending and respite care.

Tel: 0121 472 4499.

INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES TRUST Listening to people with diabetes and their carers.

Tel: 01604 622 837 Email: enquiries@Iddtinternational.org Website: www.iddtinternational.org KIDNEY PATIENTS’ ASSOCIATION Runs local groups across the West Midlands. Tel: 01922 644 982 Email: flintnf@aol.com Website: www.kidneymatters.co.uk LARYNGECTOMY SUPPORT GROUP Meets monthly at British Legion social club, Quarry Lane, Northfield. A patient led group. Organised speakers at each session. Tel: 0121 627 2360 or 0121 627 2248.

LET’S FACE IT Support group for people with any form of facial disfigurement Tel: 01843 833 724.

MILITARY PATIENTS Military patients will be visited by a representative from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) who will attend to their administrative, welfare, pastoral and spiritual needs.

NATIONAL RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ASSOCIATION Birmingham group at www.brasg.org.uk, Heart of England group contact 01628 823 524, national website: www.nras.org.uk OESOPHAGEAL PATIENTS ASSOCIATION (OPA) National charity offering support and information to patients and carers affected by oesophageal and stomach cancers.

Birmingham group hosts two meetings per year. For information contact 0121 704 9860 Email: enquiries@opa.org.uk Website: www.opa.org.uk

PAIN FATIGUE SUPPORT Meets first Thursday of the month. Noon to 2pm, Erdington Methodist Church. Tel: 0300 330 0640.

Email: painfatiguesupport@hotmail.co.uk.

PATIENTS’ READING GROUP Meets Tuesdays, Weoley Castle Library. 2pm-3.30pm. To book call 0121 464 1664.

PITUITARY FOUNDATION This group for patients, carers and friends meets at the Morris Centre Health and Fitness Club, QEH. The meetings for 2015 are as follows: Sat 28 February (Fisher House), Sat 6 June and Sat 26 September. All meetings are from 10.30am onwards. Contact: 0845 450 0375 Website: birminghampituitarygroup.weebly.com QE LIVER TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP The group meets at 7.30pm on the 3rd Monday of every month (except July and August) in the Faith Centre, Meeting Room level 1, QEHB. Tel: 0121 627 2089 or 01902 679333 (after 7.30pm).

ROY CASTLE LUNG CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Held 1st Tuesday of every month, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. Tel: 0121 424 1433 Contact: Lynne Reaper.

THE NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS SOCIETY The National Osteoporosis Society runs a local support group based in Birmingham. Tel: 0121 429 7366 www.nos.org.uk THE STROKE ASSOCIATION Supporting people affected by stroke. Tel: 0303 303 3100 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) Email: info@stroke.org.uk Website: www.stroke.org.uk TINNITUS Practical support and advice for sufferers including group sessions and newsletters. C/o Birmingham Institute for the Deaf, Ladywood Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8SZ. Eileen: 01384 831032. Email info@tinnitusbham.org.uk TRACHEOTOMY SUPPORT New group for patients following tracheotomy. 0121 627 2248.

VASCULITIS SUPPORT GROUP WEST MIDLANDS (VSGWM) Support group for sufferers of Systemic Vasculitis (e.g. Wegener’s granulomatosis) as well as support for carers. The VSGWM circulates useful information and ideas, with friendly meetings held at least once a year. 0121 243 5621.

WEST MIDLANDS BRAIN TUMOUR SUPPORT GROUP The support group meets in the Faith and Community Centre, first floor, QEHB on third Monday of the month, noon to 2pm.

Contact Sue Wreglesworth on: 0771 7175 236.

Email: sue.wreglesworth@braintumouruk.org.uk WILSON’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP – UK National charitable group offering support and information to patients with Wilson’s disease and their families across the UK. For information and local support contact jerry@wilsonsdisease. org.uk or visit the website www.wilsonsdisease.org.uk YOUNG ADULTS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Is run by a group of young adult cancer patients to offer support for people who have similar needs. No strict age limit but current members in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Meetings usually held last Wednesday of month at The Plough, Harborne. Contact Vicky Stock on: 0784 589 7760. Email: stock.vicky@yahoo.co.uk

Steps have been taken to ensure this information is up to date but please contact the group directly before undertaking a journey.

Support group coordinators can email revisions to their entry to: communications@uhb.nhs.uk. Please mark the email – support group revision.

Delivering the best in care

11

FEBRUARY 2015 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Get on your bike to meet fitness goals

Exercise

of the month

Sport and Exercise Medicine talk through this month’s recommended exercise.

The Trust’s newly appointed cycling coordinator Philip Wilkinson talks about his new role and how cycling might help you achieve your fitness goals.

Why do you like to cycle?

I have been able to ride a bike from quite a young age, but I only recently started cycling on the road. It helps me feel more alert and energised at the start of the day, as well as being the cheapest and fastest way for me to commute.

Dr Kim Gregory, Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine and Emma Batchelor, Consultant Physiotherapist

Why do you think it is important that more people get on their bikes?

There are the green reasons such as reducing congestion, air pollution, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, but really it is about our health and wellbeing.

Being part of the NHS, I believe we have a responsibility to be doing the right things for the future, as well as the right things for ourselves. If more people cycled and more people were fitter it could help reduce pressure on the NHS whilst also improving our own fitness, allowing us to stay healthier and for longer.

Also, the more people who cycle, the more cycling infrastructure will be developed and, the more accessible it will become for future generations.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated this month so maybe now’s the time to find an exercise you can do as a couple or find someone special to share time with?

Regular dancing is a fantastic way of increasing your fitness, whilst spending time with other people in a social environment.

It is great for losing weight, maintaining strong bones, improving posture and muscle strength, increasing balance and coordination and beating stress.

What are the benefits of cycling to work?

People like me who cycle to work do feel happier, more alert and productive during their day and have less time off work due to illness, than people who commute by car.

They are better off as they don’t have to pay for more expensive transport options or parking, often they also have more free time as they don’t have to wait in the ever growing problem of traffic jams.

Also some people often don’t find the time to exercise around work and commuting, so this is combining the two. Not to mention the reduced stress of waiting in traffic or car park queues.

What do you hope to achieve in your role as Cycling Co-ordinator?

I hope that this role will act as a single point of

Big Birmingham Bikes – free bike scheme Do you want to try cycling to work?

Birmingham City Council has bought 5,000 Raleigh bikes under the Big Birmingham Bikes scheme.

The Council are giving away 3,000 to residents who have completed two bike courses and live in certain areas of the city.

A further 1,000 bikes will be available to borrow long-term and 1,000 will be available to hire at 20 cycle centres, in the following locations.

For further information about the Big Birmingham Bikes scheme, and to see if you qualify for a free bike, go to: www.birmingham.gov.uk/bbb

Dance your way to fitness

Cycling coordinator Philip Wilkinson

contact to let cyclists and those who are curious or nervous about cycling to know of the various support schemes that the Trust operates and to act as a signpost to other organisations that can offer advice, training, and discounts.

I will be working in conjunction with the travel co-ordinator to help promote cycling, in addition to alternative modes of transport.

Whether people have suggestions, problems, want to help promote cycling or just need information, then the cycling co-ordinator should be the first port of call.

What cycle support schemes does the Trust currently operate?

The Trust currently offers the Cycle2work scheme exclusively through Cycle Solutions, which enables employers to lease bicycles and associated safety equipment to their employees through what’s called salary sacrifice. This means that employees receive VAT, income tax and National Insurance savings of up to 48% off the retail price of a new bike and safety equipment.

Along with a host of safety awareness

 Cycle centre locations ■ Woodgate Valley Visitor Centre ■ Edgbaston Reservoir ■ National Indoor Arena ■ Billesley Common ■ Saltley Leisure Centre ■ Ward End Park ■ Shard End Leisure Centre ■ Nechells Leisure Centre ■ Aston Villa FC and Aston Park ■ Ackers ■ Sheldon Country Park ■ Small Heath Park ■ Holders Lane Park ■ Calthorpe Park ■ Northfield Eco Centre ■ Kings Norton Park ■ Ley Hill Park ■ Hamstead Park ■ Handsworth Park and Leisure Centre ■ Perry Park/Alex Stadium

campaigns, the bicycle mileage expenses scheme, secure and covered storage, access to lockers, changing rooms and showers at the Trust, there should be no obstacle at QEHB to getting on your bike.

Do you have any advice for people who want to start cycling to the Trust?

For anyone starting to commute by bike I would recommend that they attend a cycling training course.

These courses teach the National Standard for cycling, from how to be visible and basic maintenance, to cycling in heavy traffic. The Trust often offers these courses and they are also frequently subsidised through local authorities.

To contact the cycling co-ordinator, email: cycling.coordinator@uhb.nhs.uk For more information about getting to work, visit the Trust intranet site: uhbhome/getting-to-work.htm

Find a dance class ■ The easiest way to get into dancing is to contact a dance agency in your region on the Dance UK website: www.danceuk.org ■ Find a class near you on the Exercise Movement & Dance Partnership website.

Enter your postcode at the top of the page and get information on times, dates, location and more: emdp.org ■ Dance Near You has a database of 1,000plus dance classes of all levels run by dance teachers, dance schools and studios located across the UK: www.dancenearyou.co.uk ■ To get into wheelchair dancing and find classes near you, contact the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association: wdsauk.co.uk

Information from NHS Choices website If you can’t wait to get your dancing shoes on, visit Change4Life’s Let’s dance section for free online dance routines, games and ideas for all the family.

#VitalToBeVisible A huge thank you to everyone who attended the NIHR SRMRC’s #VitalToBeVisible cycle safety stand in December.

The event was organised by the trauma research team to raise public awareness and reduce injuries by encouraging cyclists to be visible to drivers.

Lead nurse for older adults, Margaret Harries (pictured), was the lucky winner of the free prize draw to win a stylish rucksack full of cycle safety goodies.

Margaret said: “It was a lovely surprise to receive the call to tell me my name had been drawn out of the hat and that I’d won the prize.

“I very much enjoyed meeting the NIHR SRMRC team at the event which was very informative. The research the team is working on with regard to concussion injuries, in particular, is fascinating. I’m really looking forward to the next event later this year.”

For more information on the work of the NIHR SRMRC please contact Rosie or Hannah on 0121 371 4223.

See www.uhb.nhs.uk for the latest news

12

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | FEBRUARY 2015 Advertorial

Effective convalescent care can be critical to ensuring a full recovery There is no doubt that surgery and illness can place a tremendous strain on the body, so the quality of care received during the immediate period of recovery is extremely important.

A well-managed period of recovery can help to reduce the risk of complications and the likelihood of needing further treatment or a return to hospital. This initial period can sometimes lead to a feeling of increased vulnerability, so emotional support can prove to be just as important as physical, practical support.

The level of care and support required will be different for each and every person leaving hospital. For some it may just mean a helping hand with daily chores or errands, whilst others may have more complex medical care needs and require 24-hour managed live-in support.

It is advisable to consider the various challenges that you may face during this period of your recovery such as personal care, medication management, housework and shopping. You may have an existing support network in place and therefore only need assistance in certain areas of your daily life.

Right at Home’s ‘Hospital to Home’ service focuses on allowing discharged patients to recuperate at their own pace, in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.

Each person will receive a full assessment of their individual needs to develop a bespoke care plan and their team of CareGivers are specifically trained to provide compassionate physical and emotional support.

The Right at Home team is experienced in working closely with family members and local healthcare professionals to ensure that each patient’s transition from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham to their home is a smooth and stressfree experience.

Although the ‘Hospital to Home’ service is often set up as a short-term arrangement to assist during a period of transition, clients can retain their care services once fully recovered at whatever level that they feel they require.

aloe vera Enjoy the benefits of

To find out more about any of these services, speak to your local Right at Home team on 0121 363 0046 or visit www.rightathomewestmids.uk

d of A well-managed perio reduce the recovery can help to and the risk of complications further likelihood of needing to hospital. treatment or a return

ORDER ONLINE TODAY:

www.newleaf.flp.com

Emma Dane - Independent Distributor of Forever Living Products Forever Living Products is a member of the Direct Selling Association

ADVERTORIAL

It’s All About the Boys Situated in the leafy oasis of the Calthorpe estate, West House School has educated some of Birmingham’s finest boys for well over a century. During that time much has inevitably changed, though perhaps more importantly much has stayed the same.

The school continues to boast a unique family atmosphere of which founding Headmaster, Arthur Perrott Cary Field, would have been proud. Current Headmaster, Alistair Lyttle, an Old Boy of the school himself, firmly believes that the atmosphere is key to continued success. “West House is very much in the blood,” commented Mr Lyttle. “The staff, parents and pupils all feel a real sense of ownership of what is one of Edgbaston’s great hidden gems. We all regard ourselves as custodians of something far greater than any individual.”

No more clearly was the school’s link with its past demonstrated than in the recent ‘West House Remembers’ exhibition, which saw families old and new commemorate the contribution made by former pupils during the First World War. While visitors had the opportunity to view thought-provoking artwork produced by pupils from across the age range, the centrepiece of the exhibition was a moving tribute to the 43 Old Boys who lost their lives during the conflict. There was no story more poignant than that of J M F C Pound, one of the first boys to step through the doors of West House in 1895, and the first Head Boy. After continuing his education at Harrow, he returned to his prep school to present the Pound Cup, awarded annually to this day. He died in the Battle of Beaumont Hamel in 1916, aged 34.

In the spirit of combining the best of its traditions with an education that prepares pupils for life in the middle part of the twenty first century, the school remains determined to be at the forefront of innovation. Following an ISI inspection in 2014 which found the school to be ‘excellent’, the Headmaster is keen to raise the bar even higher. “While we were obviously delighted with the findings of the inspectors, there is a real determination to push boundaries even further”, he continued. “We want the current generation of boys to look back with a real sense of achievement and pride in relation to their prep school days.”

West House School provides education for boys aged between four and eleven, and welcomes both boys and girls into its Early Years Department. For further information, please contact Miss Kim Stevenson on 0121 440 4097.

13

FEBRUARY 2015 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

RESEARCH NEWS

Trials explore ways to improve care The National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC) is leading the way for patient recruitment in two critical care trials.

The Breathe study, led at QEHB by Critical Care Consultant Catherine Snelson, compares two different ways of helping someone to come off a ventilator (breathing machine). This is called weaning.

The two methods are a) helping weaning with a mask covering the nose or face attached to a machine that pushes air into the lungs (called non-invasive ventilation) and b) slowly reducing the amount of work the standard ventilator does until it is no longer required.

Critical care and trauma research nurse Arlo Whitehouse explained: “While invasive mechanical ventilation can be lifesaving, one of the main complications of prolonged ventilation is ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), the commonest ICU acquired infection.

“Delays in weaning lead to a higher chance of VAP and other complications. As such, we want patients to be breathing on their own as soon as is medically possible.”

So far 40 randomised patients and 54 observational patients have been recruited in the ongoing study.

Catherine added: “Both methods of weaning outlined above are currently used clinically but there is uncertainty about which is the most effective.

“This multi-centre study is being undertaken to establish that. We’re really proud to be the UK’s leading centre because the success

How to cope with challenges when under pressure

Amy Millichope and Arlo Whitehouse are undertaking research into ventilators in critical care

and speed of weaning are critical to patient outcomes.”

The NIHR SRMRC is also leading the way in the multi-centre Reprove trial led at QEHB by Critical Care Consultant Tony Whitehouse.

With the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, there is a growing need for alternative drugs, especially in the intensive care setting where patients are particularly vulnerable.

This study is being undertaken to trial the efficacy of a new antibiotic called CAZ-AVI in the battle against VAP and there are currently

five patients in the trial.

“We’ve been approached by other centres for our advice on how to recruit patients as it is very difficult,” Tony said.

“Although we have a number of advantages; a caring, dedicated and highly experienced team working on the largest critical care unit in Europe, trust in research is vital regardless of the calibre of your colleagues or the size of your department.

This is because we are asking a critically ill patient’s families for consent on their loved one’s behalf at a very difficult and stressful time.”

Technologies help to put science on tap Find out more about cutting edge research into hospital infection control and prevention over a pint at a special, free, event on Tuesday 3 February.

The relaxed, informal Café Scientifique starts at 7pm upstairs in the Jekyll and Hyde pub on Steelhouse Lane in Birmingham City Centre.

Dr Beryl Oppenheim, Consultant Microbiologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) and theme lead for the National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC), will be giving a short talk about how she and her team are using new technologies to find out how patients acquire germs and how to stop them.

After you’ve had chance to re-charge your glass, there will be a lively discussion around Dr Oppenheim’s work.

Event organiser Lynsey Rutter from Birmingham Museums explained: “This is a great opportunity for Trust members to find out about some of the work which goes on ‘behind the scenes’ to benefit patients at QEHB.

The National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC) is a national centre for trauma research, bringing together the pioneering advances in surgery and infection control made by military and civilian scientists and medics working together. news@QEHB looks at some of the latest work which is helping to make a difference to the care of patients.

“Our Café Scientifique evenings are always informal, informative and enjoyable and I promise you there will be no PowerPoint presentations as we’ve banned them!”

Dr Oppenheim added: “It’s well known that patients acquire various bacteria and viruses in hospital and that in some cases this can go on to cause infections which can require further treatment, prolong hospital stay or even cause more severe consequences.

“What is usually not known is exactly how the patient acquired the germ, so all the preventive measures need to be very general and we are not always sure whether they are actually working.

“Come and join me and find out how, as a result of a unique collaboration between University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham (UoB), we were able to try out whole genome sequencing on a range of bacteria causing hospital acquired infections.

“This technique was able to give a forensic level of detail about lines of transmission of these bugs and what measures might be helpful

An open seminar focusing on the challenges of maintaining human factors under the most extreme circumstances will take place at QEHB on Friday 6 March.

The seminar, “Human Factors in Extremis: Capturing the lessons of the frontline”, is being organised by the Clinical Human Factors Group (CHFG), the National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC) and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.

An introduction by Lt Col Suren Arul on human factors and the military will be followed by presentations from a number of key military and civilian medical personnel plus an insight into managing risk when there is no alternative to flying into danger from a military pilot.

The varied programme includes a talk on leadership or followership by NIHR SRMRC Deputy Director and Professor Surgeon Captain Mark Midwinter, CBE, human factors in Aleppo by David Nott, MSF and Red Cross surgeon and a closing speech on human factors and the NHS by Sir Bruce Keogh.

Lt Col Arul said: “The last decade has seen unprecedented improvements in the management of battlefield trauma.

“A major reason for this has been the attention to communication, followership, simulation and team training so that professionals can continue to perform under the most austere of environments.

“Join us for this fantastic one-day event – the 9th in the CHFG’s series of open seminars – and hear the lessons we’ve learned from the frontline on how to ensure human factors are at the forefront of care.

“Plus, enjoy the opportunity to make contact with policy makers, practitioners and clinicians.”

To book your place visit: www.chfgopenseminar.eventbrite.co.uk

Dr Beryl Oppenheim

to interrupt the chains of transmission.”

The NIHR SRMRC is a national centre for trauma research based at QEHB, harnessing expertise from the Ministry of Defence, UoB and QEHB to improve care for all patients.

For more information please visit www.srmrc.nihr.ac.uk

To find out more about the Clinical Human Factors Group visit: www.chfg.org

To share your research stories contact Rosie Sanderson and Hannah Brooks.

Email: rosie.sanderson@uhb.nhs.uk and hannah.brooks@uhb.nhs.uk

See www.uhb.nhs.uk for the latest news

14

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | FEBRUARY 2015

Advertorial

COULD 2015 BE THE YEAR YOU PURSUE THE CHALLENGE OF A CAREER IN THE RAF MEDICAL RESERVES?

GET

D E C I T NO

Royal Air Force Medical Reserves provide a wide range of opportunities for clinical professionals ranging from Emergency Care, Casualty Evacuation and Primary Care in our deployed Medical Treatment Facilities and throughout the Aeromedical Evacuation chain. We routinely support the Regular RAF in the UK and on Military Operations throughout the world. We offer an unrivalled opportunity to develop your existing clinical skills in conditions of both personal and professional challenge.

As a Medical Reservist you’ll learn how to deliver quality healthcare in field conditions and in the air. You’ll also learn leadership, management, communication and organisational skills directly transferable to your day job – they may even count towards your Continuous Professional Development. You’ll be paid at the same rate as members of the Regular RAF and can join us at any age up to 50, or 56 if you’ve previously served in the Armed Forces. Most importantly – you’ll have a huge amount of fun and sense of achievement as a member of the UKs Reserve Forces.

4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron have recently moved to brand new, purpose built, state of the art training facilities at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. We continue to support Operations in Afghanistan where our Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics deliver an outstanding level of care to those that need it most. We have received high praise and justifiable recognition for our individual and collective efforts over many years, and we will continue to progress and build on our success.

If you are a Doctor, Nurse, Paramedic, Physiotherapist, Dentist, Dental Nurse, Healthcare or Emergency Care Assistant interested in finding out more about what you can offer, and what you can gain, now is the ideal time to arrange a visit to us.

Forthcoming Information Days are 18 February, 21 March, 22 April – to book your place simply call the recruiting team on 01993 842551 ext 4260 or 4261.

RAF Medical Reserves – providing high quality professionals to support Defence operational capability

ADVERTISE

HERE

Call the sales team on 01909 478822 Every possible care has been taken to ensure that the information given in this publication is accurate.Whilst the publisher would be grateful to learn of any errors, they cannot accept any liability over and above the cost of the advertisement for loss there by caused. No reproduction by any method whatsoever of any part of this publication is permitted without written consent of the copyright owners.

Octagon Marketing Company Ltd. ©2015 Britannic Chambers, 8A Carlton Road,Worksop, Nottinghamshire S80 1PH.Tel: 01909 478822

OCTAGON M ARK ETING COMPANY LTD

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

15

FEBRUARY 2015 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

No. 3588

Your monthly puzzle challenge Quiz Challenge

CROSS CODE 21

22

18

3

11

18 20

16

24

22

15

18

5

20

14 3

10

18

13

7

6

6

22

3

18

14

18

22

12

26

25

13

15

15

10 18

9

25

12

18

24

2

7

26

6

9

9

5

17

18

18

8

22

6

9

16

18

18

16

3

23

2

10

5

7

23

5

21

18

22

18

1

18

26

9

3

10 16

5. Which Roman military leader was criticised by Cicero in his Philippic speeches?

25

NONAGRAM

17

5

17

R E D

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

2

3

4

5

14

15

16

17

18

L

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

R

I

C O T

EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

MAGIC SQUARE

BESIDE A SATELLITE

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines: 33 Good; 39 Very Good; 46 Excellent.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

USING all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

UO

ER BO

OF

FN

OL

AR

Hard

EACH row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

6 7 3 4 2

1 8 2 9

9 5 4 5 7 9 6

4 1

2

1

1 4 5 6 4

7

8

2

8 9 3 3 7 8

8 5 4 7 8 5 6 1 3 7 2 9 4 6 2

8 5

13

GE

6

4

3

TI

NH

13

20

1

E

14

J

2

S

15

I

3

K

16

Q

4

F

17

T

5

18

5 4 3 6 8 2 1 9 7

6 2 7 3 9 1 4 5 8

1 8 6 5 4 3 7 2 9

2 9 4 1 6 7 3 8 5

R

19

O

EASY SUDOKU 8 1 9 4 7 5 2 6 3

6

B

X

7

W

20

D

8

A

21

U

9

H

22

Y

HARD SUDOKU 3 7 5 8 2 9 6 4 1

4 5 8 7 1 6 9 3 2

9 3 1 2 5 4 8 7 6

7 6 2 9 3 8 5 1 4

5 2 6 8 4 9 7 1 3

1 8 7 2 5 3 9 6 4

4 3 9 6 1 7 5 8 2

9 1 5 7 6 2 4 3 8

3 4 2 5 9 8 6 7 1

7 6 8 1 3 4 2 5 9

8 9 4 3 7 5 1 2 6

6 5 3 9 2 1 8 4 7

2 7 1 4 8 6 3 9 5

10

11

12

13

23

24

25

26

C L

V

N

P

M

G Z

MAGIC SQUARE: moan; once; acer; nerd.

WORD PYRAMID: Have the last word.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – divide; multiply; subtract; add. Total: 3.

K A

L

E E

M

HERE are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up.

You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

EQUALISER 6 10 6 2 6 2 2 6 2 3 3 3

7

8

14

12

14 15

16

16

17 19

18

20

DOWN 1. Scowled when nothing was surprisingly ruled out (6) 2. One trying to impress RAF 5. Disapprove of house with officer – sure to come nothing but sound of noisy unstuck (6) weeping? (3-3) 3. Charles, with his mother, had 7. Have a longing for a drink (6) consumption (6) 4. Assistant took some of the 9. Automatically approve of contents of satchel perhaps (6) device for use in the office (6-5) 6. Passing of time in winter, ten 10. Roared about with lover (6) appeared to be in the barn surprisingly (11) 11. Equestrians’ spin driers (6) 8. Hadn’t learned endlessly 13. Milky or buttery – or about primitive man (11) somewhere between (6) 10. Type of lamp provided by a 16. Slogan used in conflict? (3,3) church (3) 18. Not the friend to have when 12. Person of intelligence (3) it’s raining? (4-7) 14. Cracksman fails to complete 19. Projecting edge of pastry lottery (6) case, say, is returned (6) 15. Wendy, a stranger, showed boredom (6) 20. Hindu goddess takes fellows to old Islamic leaders (6) 16. Hit by nothing more than an expression of enthusiasm (6) 21. Union leader in celebration 17. Refine a ferry transport (6) for two (3)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

10

debar; debark; drab; HANDBRAKE; Down – 1 Postcard; 2 Odium; 3 Ankle; 4 Career; 5 Most; 6 Conifer; 7 herb; kerb.

4

5

6

7

9

11

12

13

13

14

15

16 17

18

19

20 22

All puzzles on this page are supplied by Sirius Media Services.

To try more of our puzzles interactively online go to www.puzzledrome.com

(1) Across – Games; Apron; Yelps.

3

17

Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

FIVE ALIVE:

2

8

PLACE the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

Down – Gravy; Moral; Sings.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Pelisse; 8 Marquee; 9 Risible; 10 Ripping; 11 Yule log; 12 (2) Across – Motif; Drunk; Liked.

Down – Model; Trunk; Faked.

Earthen; 14 Lacquer; 18 Antique; 20 Tangled; 21 Inexact; 22 Chateau; 23 Saddler.

NONAGRAM: Down – 1 Party politics; 2 Lastly; 3 Sybil; 4 Emerge; 5 Prepare; 6 abed; abrade; baaed; bade; bake; Punish; 7 Begging letter; 13 Quelled; 15 Canvas; 16 Radius; 17 Squall; baked; baker; band; bander; bandh; 19 Tweed. bane; bank; banked; banker; bard; QUICK CROSSWORD: bare; bared; bark; barked; barn; Across – 1 Prosaic; 8 Amorous; 9 Sticker; 10 Entwine; 11 Compete; bead; beak; bean; bear; beard; bend; 14 Art; 16 Hews; 18 Sail; 19 Hour; 20 Deem; 21 Lie; 23 Sea salt; 26 berk; brad; brae; brake; braked; bran; brand; brane; bread; break; bred; Scatter; 28 Aliment; 29 Iron age; 30 Layette.

Esse; 12 Pram; 13 Tall; 15 Thee; 16 Hugs; 17 Subtitle; 18 Senator; 22 Israel; 24 Amity; 25 Avert; 26 Slip; 27 Trap.

4

ACROSS 2. Spiciest part of the photograph (3)

21 23

25

26

27

31

ACROSS 1. Fake (5) 4. Leave-taking (7) 8. Hangs around (7) 9. Muscular strength (5) 10. Vital liquid (5) 13. Perpetual (7) 17. Exist (3) 18. Handbook (6) 19. Lightning flash (6) 20. Make a choice (3) 22. Stammer (7) 25. Military trainee (5) 28. Access (5)

Contact the editor: Annie Roberts, news@QEHB, Communications Office, University Hospitals Birmingham, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TH Email: annierhealth@gmail.com Designed by graphics@uhb.nhs.uk

21

29

30

listening to you

20

24

28

PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS CROSS CODE

11

18

PZ1P3588 © Sirius Media Services Ltd

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 The Matterhorn; 2 Statistics; 3 Entebbe; 4 Armchair; 5 Svengali; 6 Loose Women; 7 The tonsils or throat; 8 Stentor (stentorian); 9 A kilt worn by Scottish Highlanders; 10 Pete Townsend.

12

6

21

T

A

RT

7

19

M

RO

8

5

21

O

HA

3

13

N

SE

EG

SUDOKU Easy

KS

OA

WO PN

WC

6

10

10. Emily Perry played the sidekick to which Australian satirist?

FIVE ALIVE DB

2

11

9. If something is xiphoid, what does it resemble?

SPELL out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only D proceed through openings in the G walls. The first letter may appear in any H U chamber.

3

9

WORD PYRAMID

E E L

23

2

9

8. Who was ordered to oversee the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in 1536?

4. Which red supergiant star forms the right shoulder of the hunter in the constellation of Orion?

3

1

5

7. Sean Combs, also known as rapper Puff Daddy or P Diddy, joined the Hollywood elite with which accolade in 2008?

3. What aid to medical diagnosis was discovered by Wilhelm Roëntgen in 1895?

5

1

6. Who plays at Hillsborough Stadium?

2. In which creative area did Gertrude Jekyll make her name?

18

25

23

1. During the reign of which British king did the American colonies gain their independence?

3

25

15

15

22

25

10

10

18

5

16

19

22

12

22

10

10

25

16

10

4

25

10

22

18

15

6

22

5

20

10

9

20

21

25

10

9

3

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

29. White ant (7) 30. Majestic (7) 31. Tiny scrap (5) DOWN 1. Underneath (5) 2. Remorse (5) 3. Complete (5) 4. Annoy (6) 5. Fanatical (5) 6. Very angry (5) 7. Biological group (5) 11. Adjust (5) 12. Burst out (5) 14. Bird’s home (4)

15. Immature creature (5) 16. Bland, sophisticated (5) 17. Bitter plant (4) 21. Attractive (6) 22. Oozes (5) 23. Extreme (5) 24. Aromatic plant (5) 25. Army unit (5) 26. Laundry appliance (5) 27. General course (5)

To visit our website scan this QR code with the reader on your smartphone.

To download a free QR code reader, visit the app store.

See www.uhb.nhs.uk for the latest news

Metchl

Site map

B15 2GW

ey Park Road

venue A m a sh Hintle

ing Old QE Park D rk – Car Pa tient Trust HQ

Busy Bees Nursery

Birmingham Women’s Hospital

Shuttle

n Way Mindelsoh

Shuttle

4

Medical School

Harb

Staff Car Park B1

University Station

Main Entrance

Shuttle

TAXI

orne

/ Patient / Visitor (non - A&E & CDU)

es

icl

o

dt

ive

New QEHB Parking – Car Park A

r tD

e los

h ve

c

Parking on the Queen Elizabeth Hospitals site hn Way Mindelso nly

ss Acce

ts o siden

for re

Shuttle

en

c Vin

Visitor and Patient (non - A&E & CDU)

Shuttle

hn W ay

3

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham 1

Learning Hub

lso

Old Queen Elizabeth Hospital

A&E

Ambulances & Buses only

in de

Staff Post Car Park E Graduate Centre

A&E entrance

CDU

M

Shuttle

Shuttle

Cancer Centre

Clinical and drop-off Decision Unit (15 mins waiting only) (CDU) entrance Shuttle

Nuffield House

Visitor / Pa U / A & E / CD

2

Staff Car Park F

Access to Busy Bees and Staff Car Park F only

Fisher Centre House Club

Shuttle

The Barberry (BSMHFT) The Oleaster (BSMHFT)

Shuttle

Selly O ak

Harbor ne

m

ha ing

Selly Oak

irm

B

When visiting our hospitals we recommend the following car parks: New Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham use Car Park A Old Queen Elizabeth Hospital use Car Park D Emergency Department (A&E) or CDU use Car Park D If you are using a sat nav, please make sure it has been updated recently. The post code B15 2GW will bring you onto the hospital site. Once on site, please follow road signs to the relevant car park.

Hospital entrances

’s ury

b

ns Sai

Info desk

Pedestrian Route

Disabled Parking

Drop-off only

Parking

Taxi rank

Bus Stop Centro / WM Correct at 10/12/14

news@QEHB 2015_2_February_batch_process.indd 16

Cycle Storage

TAXI Shuttle

Shuttle bus Smoking Shelter

The free shuttle bus service runs from 07:00-19:00 Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

1 Outpatients and all

wards/departments (new hospital)

2 Cancer Centre 3 All wards and

departments (old hospital)

4 East Block Day Unit

26/01/2015 15:30