The Leeds Teaching Hospitals
b bulletin
NHS Trust
staff magazine | June/July 2011
contents
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals
b bulletin
NHS Trust
staff magazine | June/July 2011
20
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Front cover: Standing strong: Parents, families and supporters of the Save Our Surgery campaign.
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Look out for this logo.
It signals where our staff have been working to improve patent safety
13 4-5 Parent power goes into battle at the Armouries
15 Progress towards excellence in Information Governance
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16-17 Commendation for neonatal staff who took on MRSA
Healing hands for cancer patients
8 Dickensian past of St James’s is recalled 11 Event steps up the fight against lung cancer 13 Hundredth patient receives pioneering high-tech lung cancer treatment
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PATIENT SAFETY
Bulletin is produced by the Communications Department Editor: Suzanne Breen Photography by Medical Illustration
19 Think Glucose: Better care for patients with diabetes
Designed by Octagon Design and Marketing Ltd
20-21 Campaign highlights fight against pressure ulcers
Send your ideas, suggestions or articles for the next edition of Bulletin to suzanne.breen@leedsth. nhs.uk or call 0113 2066494.
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Copy deadline is 1st July 2011.
Charity cyclists criss-cross the UK
Cooking up cash The corridors of Wharfedale Hospital were filled with the sweet aroma of home baking in March as staff in the Patient Administration Department held a charity cake and book stall, raising £545 for Comic Relief. Staff baked and donated cakes, cookies, chocolates and home-made lemon curd, as well as a huge number of books. Joan Towers, Assistant Patient Services Co-ordinator, said: “We’re proud to be able to donate this money to such a worthwhile cause. We had fun on the day and were overwhelmed by the generosity of our patients and staff.”
Double vision: (l-r) Twins, Pauline and Joyce Johnson.
Twins devote 84 years to nursing Identical twins, Pauline and Joyce Johnson, have retired from their posts as Sisters in Cardiology at Leeds General Infirmary, after 84 years’ combined service to the NHS. The pair started as cadet nurses at Seacroft Hospital on the same day 42 years ago, when they were just 16 years old. Both ended up working in coronary care. Joyce, second born of the two, said: “I worked at Seacroft Hospital and Joyce worked at Killingbeck. When Killingbeck hospital closed
The money raised will help provide mosquito nets to aid the fight against malaria in Uganda. Comic Relief helps people who face many issues relating to poverty and social injustice in the UK and abroad. Further information can be found on their website www.comicrelief.com.
Pauline transferred to LGI and I went to the coronary care unit at St James’s, and then later to the LGI.” The twins, who spent 30 years working in cardiology, are inseparable: “Ninety per cent of the time we dress the same,“ said Joyce. “We just like doing that. And we like the same things, our tastes are the same. We like the same colours and same styles.” Sister, Michelle Goddard, said: “We will really miss Pauline and Joyce. They were a great double act and it will be hard to fill their shoes. We all wish them a happy retirement.”
Kind donation: Patient Administration staff at Wharfedale Hospital
New “Bridge Clinic” launched to help patients finishing radiotherapy A new clinic to help cancer patients cope following the end of their radiotherapy treatment has been launched in Leeds.
a monthly programme of events.
The Bridge Clinic is being held every Wednesday afternoon in the Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at St James’s University Hospital.
Louise Wem – Macmillan Specialist Radiographer said: “This extra clinic is intended to live up to its name and be a bridge from radiotherapy treatment to resuming everyday life, which we know can be challenging for many of our patients.
It provides the opportunity for informal help and advice as well as support for patients, their family, friends and carers, and will offer
Topics the clinic will cover include tips on relaxation, diet, skin care and coping with fatigue - all common issues which radiotherapy patients may need to address.
“We wanted to give people the opportunity
to meet in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and talk to health professionals as well as have the opportunity to share tips and experiences with others in a similar position. Whilst every patient’s experience is slightly different, we hope having this extra resource to turn to will be beneficial and help make the transition easier.” Radiotherapy patients and their families interested in attending can ring 0113 2066499 for more information on how to book a place.
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Parent power goes into battl
‘Save Our Surgery’ was the loud and clear message from a pair of public consultation meetings The two events, held at the Royal Armouries as part of the national Safe and Sustainable consultation, which lasts until 1 July, were attended by hundreds of parents, families and supporters from across the region, as well as trust staff. Many more demonstrated outside the meeting, chanting and waving placards, as part of a concerted campaign organised by the LGI-based charity, the Leeds Children’s Heart Fund. This has gained widespread media coverage highlighting concerns from every part of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North Derbyshire about the possible closure of the Leeds unit. Pudsey MP, Stuart Andrew, speaking on behalf of a cross-party group of regional Members of Parliament, told the demonstrators that proposals which could see children from Yorkshire having to travel as far as Newcastle or Liverpool were “utter madness”. More than 300,000 people have already signed the electronic or paper petitions
demanding that the Leeds unit is retained. Inside the packed consultation meetings, parents and some children treated by the unit spoke emotionally of their fears should the service be taken away from Leeds. Subjects raised by the audience included a
“Parents spoke of the “gold standard” at Leeds in terms of the co-location of services under one roof, something many of the other centres in the consultation have not achieved” range of concerns about the fairness of the way the four options up for consultation (of which retaining children’s heart surgery in Leeds is only in Option D, the least favoured of the four according to the scoring methodology used). Parents spoke of the “gold standard” at Leeds in terms of the co-location of services under one roof, something many of the other
centres in the consultation have not achieved, and demanded to know why this had not been given more weighting when the options were scored. Travel and patient flows were discussed at length, with many parents speaking of their worries about how long it would take to get sick children to a distant centre, particularly from some parts of the region including the east coast. The likely cost and practicalities of travel and the effect on family life was also highlighted. Other questions focused on concerns about a poor level of engagement with parents and families locally in the process up to now, and in particular worries about not consulting members of the BME community in their own languages, particularly as around a quarter of the Leeds unit’s caseload involves patients from a South Asian background. There were also worries expressed about the effect of any changes on adult services in Leeds, especially for adults with congenital heart disease and pregnant women whose babies are expected to have
Getting the message across: Some of the hundreds of demonstrators showing their commitment to keeping the Leeds children’s heart surgery unit open
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le at the Armouries
s on 10 May over the future of children’s heart surgery in Leeds.
Bishop voices concern The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Revd John Packer, visited the of Children’s Heart Surgery Unit at Leeds General Infirmary in April to meet parents and staff and signal his strong support for the campaign to retain and expand the unit. The Bishop’s visit was in support of the pastoral care given by the Chaplaincy team at the Trust, who work closely with parents and families of children undergoing heart surgery. They have picked up many concerns from families across the region who are worried about travelling as far away as Newcastle, Liverpool or the Midlands if the Leeds heart surgery service was closed. Bishop John met staff and patients on children’s cardiac ICU and on ward 10 and said he was “hugely impressed” by the dedication of staff at the Trust and the strong emotions parents and children felt about the need to keep the service here in Leeds, caring for children from Yorkshire and beyond. He said: “Keeping this excellent facility in Leeds is vital for the well-being of young people in the region. The illness of any child impacts on the whole family, and that’s particularly true where there are complications with the heart. “The Children’s Heart Surgery Unit in Leeds serves a large and diverse population, including some of the least advantaged families in our community. “Sending children far afield to receive care cannot be a good option when the support of family members is crucial. Keeping this service in our region matters for everyone.” For the latest update on the campaign visit the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund website on www.chsf.org.uk
Concerned staff: Matron Dorothy Kitching, Consultant paediatric heart surgeon Nihal Weerasena, Directorate manager Debra Wheeler and Consultant paediatric cardiologist Mike Blackburn were among those attending the Armouries event.
cardiac complications. Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, afterwards praised the participants for putting their points across so forcefully, and he pledged they would all be fed back to the Joint Committee of PCTs, which will be taking a decision later in the year. He also urged people to have their say by filling in the consultation questionnaire
(online or in hard copy) or writing a letter outlining their concerns. ard copy questionnaires and letters H must be returned before 1 July. The address to send them to is: Freepost RSLT-SRLZ-JYYY, Safe and Sustainable, Ipsos MORI, Research Services House, Elmgrove Road, Harrow, HA1 2QG.
In support: Pictured are Revd Jane Parker, Dorothy Kitching, Heather Wardle, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, Rt Revd John Packer, Stephanie Carncross, Sandra James.
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Important work: Specialist biomedical scientist in biochemistry, Terri Bateman.
Specialist status for biochemist Terri Congratulations to Terri Bateman from St James’s Blood Science Department of Pathology who recently completed a portfolio making her a specialist biomedical scientist in biochemistry. She is the first person in biochemistry at St James’s to complete the portfolio since they were introduced by the Institute of Biomedical Science in 2005. The portfolio enables biomedical scientists to provide evidence of training, practical skills,
specialist knowledge and competency gained in the two years after registration into the profession. Assessment was carried out by an external assessor who looked through the portfolio to ensure information was correct and then a twenty minute presentation was given by Terri and a tour around the laboratory. Terri said: “The portfolio involved two and a half years of completing knowledge and competencies on a wide range of chemistry tests performed in routine biochemistry, toxicology, biochemical genetics, paediatric screening, steroids, cellular immunology and
microbiology.” The Blood Sciences Department of Pathology is an important department in the hospital as much of the clinical work carried out is dependant on pathology test results. Terri explained that completing the specialist portfolio in clinical biochemistry helps the care given to patients. She added: “Knowing the importance of tests, timely analysis and significance of results can help in prioritising tasks in the busy clinical setting of biochemistry, resulting in more informed results and quicker turn around times.”
Barbara retires after 38 years The Chancellor Wing gym at St James’s was busier than usual for one day last month as the friends and colleagues of Head of Physiotherapy, Barbara LeRoy, came to celebrate her long and dedicated service to the Trust and wish her a fond farewell as she retires. It was at this same gym that Barbara started her career at the then named Leeds Eastern Health Authority, in April 1973. Over the past 38 years she has taken on many roles including Senior Physiotherapist, District Physiotherapist, Divisional Manager of Clinical Support Services then Head of Physiotherapy from March 1999. Janice Martin, Clinical Physiotherapy Manager, said: “Barbara leaves a legacy of good practice and respected professionalism behind. The wealth of knowledge behind the quiet smile is vast! We all wish her a very long and fun filled retirement.”
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Well respected: Head of Physiotherapy, Barbara LeRoy, is wished farewell by her colleagues.
Kids fight hand bugs at LGI The Trust’s paediatric wards have been the focus of an extensive campaign to fight infection over recent months, the latest element of which has been the launch of a kids’ competition to design a placemat to encourage patients to wash their hands.
decontaminate their hands: “By focussing on children we hope that they are given lifelong lessons which will help prevent devastating infections. To embed lifelong lessons it is essential that the kids understand the whys and the hows of hand washing.”
PATIENT SAFETY
Jane Hill, GOJO’s Regional Support Executive, said at the training session: “It is an honour to be supporting the infection control nurses in spreading positive hand hygiene messages amongst children which they can take out into the wider world.
Fun-loving Hero Joe from GoJo, the soap manufacturer, paid a special visit to the school room at the LGI to hear the competition results, and congratulate 11-year-old Zoe McGlough on winning the contest. He then gave hand washing lessons, showing the children how they can protect themselves and others from infection. They learnt how easily germs are spread through education packs which included puzzles, word searches and games featuring a grizzly gang of germs, such as Rotten Rhino and Nasty Ninja, representing specific germs. The Infection Prevention team has been working with the division of Women’s, Children Head, Neck and Dental to develop a strategy which deals with environmental cleanliness and staff hand hygiene. A considerable amount of work has already been undertaken and it was decided to extend the remit to include patient hand hygiene. Senior Infection Prevention Nurse, Sue Horvath, explained that it is extremely important to encourage children to
Hand hygiene: Competition winner, Zoe McGlough; with (l-r) Student Nurse, Annaliese Fieldsend; GOJO’s Regional Support Executive, Jane Hill; Deputy Chief Nurse, Clare Linley; Senior Infection Prevention nurse, Sue Horvath.
Healing hands for cancer patients The Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre is to reach out into new areas of St James’s by providing holistic care in the Bexley Wing. The initiative will pave the way for therapists to expand the pioneering ways in which they add an extra dimension to patient care. Studies suggest that as many as 80% of cancer patients seek out complementary care. Some 29 complementary and supportive therapists at the centre volunteer their time and skills to provide free sessions to a growing number of people whose lives have been touched by cancer – patients, their family, and their carers.
Holistic care: Pauline Mason, a Robert Ogden Macmillan volunteer, who offers hand and foot massage to patients, families and carers.
Therapies provided to both men and women include aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, reiki, Indian head massage, cranio-sacral therapy, relaxation, visualisation and hypnotherapy. Therapists see clients in the comfort
of the therapy rooms at the Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre, based on-site at the hospital, or sometimes on the wards. Now, as part of plans to widen and improve access to the therapies, additional space has been set aside on the fourth floor of the Bexley Wing. It has been provided by Nova Healthcare, the company which operates the Leeds Gamma Knife Centre at the hospital. Sadie Smith, the Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre’s information and support manager, said: “Alongside conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, complementary therapies have an important role to play in promoting relaxation and feelings of well-being. “The range of therapies we provide at St James’s are growing in popularity year-on-year. This extra space will help us improve access to them, and help us meet this increased demand.”
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Dickensian past of St James’s is recalled service marks 150th anniversary of Leeds
The role of one of the city’s most notorious former institutions - the Leeds Union Workhouse - h event to mark the start of a year commemorating the 150th anniversary of the workhouse. Few people today realise that the roots of today’s high-tech St James’s University Hospital lie in a past often associated with the chronicles of Charles Dickens. The workhouse, and its adjacent infirmary and ‘moral and industrial training school for pauper children’ gradually evolved into the current hospital. On 28 March this year a commemorative event was held in the St James’s chapel exactly 150 years to the day it was opened as part of the new workhouse. This year’s event tried to replicate as closely as possible many aspects of the original service. The choir of Leeds Parish Church sang, as they did in 1861, and the invited guests represented successors to the bodies that would originally have been involved in funding and administering the workhouse, with the Deputy Mayor of Leeds as guest of honour.
“In its heyday tens of thousands of inmates passed through the workhouse and chapel, and our event was also an opportunity to remember them and the place the workhouse played in the social history of Leeds for generations.”
Changed times: The workhouse inmates in the 1920’s
passed through the workhouse and chapel, and our event was also an opportunity to remember them and the place the workhouse played in the social history of Leeds for generations.” The hospital chapel was designed by architects Perkin and Backhouse and built at a cost to the ratepayers of £24,000. It was originally designed to hold no less than 750 workhouse inmates - men, women and children, kept strictly segregated. The architectural style was described at the time as ‘Byzantian’.
The workhouse was established to look after the most destitute members of society, who were fed and clothed and kept warm but in exchange surrendered their dignity and freedom, doing repetitive labour and living under a strict regime which stifled personal freedom.
It is one of the most striking reminders of the old workhouse, along with the splendid facade of what is now the Thackray Museum. In 1861 they sat amidst green fields, opposite the already well-established Beckett Street cemetery, where the city’s dead were laid to rest, including workhouse inmates in mass pauper graves.
Rev. Chris Swift, the Trust’s Head of Chaplaincy, said: “While the workhouse is something we remember with mixed feelings, it is unlikely St. James’s would have developed as a hospital without that early focus on the care of the sick. Reflecting on life 150 years ago we see how much has changed - but it also reminds us that the care of the elderly and vulnerable remains a big challenge to every generation, including our own.
During the service, Trust Chairman, Mike Collier, read an extract from Dickens while retired hospital chaplain, Rev. Hector Huxham, who was at St James’s from 1967 to the mid-1990s, was among those who delivered Bible readings. A wreath was also laid by the family of staff nurse Nellie Spindler, who was killed by a German shell while serving with troops on the Western Front in 1917, and is commemorated on a plaque in the chapel.
“In its heyday tens of thousands of inmates
Professor Monty Losowsky spoke during
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the service about the important role the former workhouse infirmary played as it gradually evolved into the city’s first geriatric department at the renamed St James’s. This was not without its problems for many patients, however: many older
Momentous occasion: Rev Chris Swift, Head of Ch (as Jane Douglas, the first matron at the workhous Collier, Chairman.
as chapel ds Workhouse
has been recalled in a special people in the 1950s and 1960s had grown up in an era when the shame and stigma of being admitted to the workhouse was well-known, and for this reason many patients were extremely reluctant to go into the elderly wards which now occupied the workhouse buildings. Following the service, a “workhouse banquet” of beef stew followed by-bread-and-butter pudding, again recalling the menu served at the opening in 1861, was dished up in the Thackray Museum, overseen by a workhouse matron in full costume. Those attending had the opportunity to weigh the bread served with the meal on some original workhouse scales.
Time marches on again Patients, staff and visitors at St James’s will be able to see the time at a glance for the first time in a number of years, now the historic chapel clock is working again.
converted to mains electricity.
The Victorian timepiece, a Leeds-made instrument by clockmaker William Potts had been stuck at five to one after serious problems developed with the mechanism.
The clock has four faces so is visible from many vantage points and is one of the first things people see when coming onto the hospital site from Beckett Street.
It has now been repaired and restored to its former glory, to coincide with the150th anniversary of the chapel.
Rev. Chris Swift, Head of Chaplaincy a Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said:
The clock was once powered by a weight that had to be manually raised each week. Some long-serving members of the hospital’s Estates staff remember having to go into the tower to crank up the mechanism, but many years ago it was
One innovation in the restoration is the addition of an automatic adjustment for British Summer Time, as previously the only way to adjust it was to stop it for 11 hours.
“The clock tower is a real landmark across the St James’s site, with many patients in Gledhow Wing having a view straight across to the clock face. “It’s delightful to see it working again and it looks great with its repainted numerals and new background.”
Afterwards, visitors had the chance to visit an unchanged internal workhouse stone staircase within the museum, not normally open to the public. This dark and grim place, with its one window looking out over the cemetery, affords a stark contrast with the splendours of the lofty and ornate main entrance and stairs, which inmates would never have used. The March event was the start of a year of celebration for the chapel’s 150th anniversary, including a choral concert, a summer serenade, and a special Carol Service in December.
haplaincy & Bereavement Liaison, Tricia Atkinson se), Maggie Boyle, Chief Executive, and Mike
Facellift: Spencer Feredey of clock repairers Smith of Derby giving the chapel clock some TLC.
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Network for Leeds blood cancer St James’s has been named as part of a unique new clinical trial network with access to millions of pounds worth of life-saving drugs for blood cancer patients. Leeds will be one of just thirteen centres in the national network, set up by the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research in response to poor survival rates for many types of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Heart alert on the cards Two fourth year medical students, Janine Atha and Peter Mackley, have designed a card for women with mechanical heart valves to carry, that includes information regarding care in pregnancy and contraceptive options. The duo have also produced an informative e-learning package about the care of women with prosthetic heart valves. Their work was recently presented at an international women’s health conference, and will be shortly available on the local website
www.yorkshirecongenitalhearts.nhs.uk Jo Quirk, Adult Congenital Nurse Specialist, said: “We are very grateful to Janine and Peter for their work. The cards provide concise information for patients and health professionals in the region, with the aim of reducing risk and optimising care for women with mechanical valves. The cards are now in operation and we know they will make a big difference to these patients.” The Yorkshire Heart Centre charity, Take Heart, paid for the cards to be printed.
St James’s will be allocated a research nurse and a trials analyst to help recruit patients who are not responding to current treatment. They will also deal with the time-consuming paper work associated with setting up clinical trials for promising new drugs. Blood cancers are the most common cause of cancer deaths in the under 35s, with new figures released by the charity showing that over 12,000 people are dying of blood cancers each year. With some exceptions, survival rates have improved very little for most forms of blood cancer in the last decade. Professor Peter Hillmen, consultant haematologist at the Trust, said: “Being part of this clinical trials network will increase the access of blood cancer patients in Leeds to lifesaving drugs and treatments. It offers hope to those patients who do not respond to current treatments.”
Innovative work: (l-r) Jo Quirk, Nurse Specialist, Peter Mackley, Janine Atha and Gina McGawley, Head of Clinical Physiology - Cardiology and Respiratory.
Learning new skills
Well done to the clinical support workers and healthcare assistants who recently completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Health. The year-long course, held one evening a week at Park Lane College, included an NVQ 3 and Level 3 BTEC technical certificate on working in the health sector, and a ‘key skills’ qualification which covered areas such as communication, information technology, working with others, and problem solving. The aim of the apprenticeship is to combine on-the-job learning with the knowledge and skills gained from completing a relevant qualification so the participants can make a valuable contribution to the clinical areas they work in.
Gaining knowledge: (l-r) Alison Turner, key skills tutor, Anne Sanz, clinical support worker, Lorraine Lumb, course tutor, Joanne Wilson, clinical support worker/student nurse, Carol McColl, healthcare assistant, Linda Curry, course tutor, Neal Boothman, clinical support worker. Amy Fox, maternity support worker, also completed the course but is not pictured.
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Clinical support worker, Neal Boothman, who completed the course, said: “It was really informative and it was great to learn new skills. It will also help us gain access to further education in the health sector.”
Event steps up the fight against lung cancer Health experts in Leeds attended a special event at St James’s in April to talk about the need for earlier detection of lung cancer, which affects more than 500 local people each year. The event - organised by the Trust in collaboration with NHS Leeds highlighted the importance of the recent awareness raising advertising campaign Got a cough? Get a check - launched in Leeds in January. Dr Mat Callister, Consultant Respiratory Physician at LTHT said: “When lung cancer is caught early, there is a high chance of long-term cure for many people. However, unfortunately around three quarters of the 500 or so patients diagnosed with lung cancer yearly in Leeds are found to have the condition when it is already quite advanced and is much harder to treat.” The campaign aims to empower patients to seek medical advice and encourage earlier referral for chest x-ray so that more people can be diagnosed and treated in the early stages of the disease. The Leeds Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Patient Support Group (LAMPs) along with members of the local public played an important role in the look and feel of the campaign so
that it would appeal to similar people in their area.
is suspected, patients can be seen quickly in hospital for further tests and treatment.
Raising the public’s awareness is just one part of a wider project which includes an innovative chest x-ray walk-in service for the over 50s, awareness raising and education amongst professionals; and a community health educators campaign.
“We’re encouraging people with symptoms to speak to their GP or, if over 50, visit our chest x-ray walk-in services to get checked out. Community education sessions are being delivered in partnership with Leeds City Council and voluntary sector organisations. We are also working with GPs, nurses and other professionals to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis.”
Information presented at the event in April showed that from January to March, 518 people used the walk-in chest x-ray service, and from these nine cancers have been detected - six lung cancers, one lymphoma, and two secondary cancers. Lung cancer survivor, Julie Barham, told health professionals, local dignitaries, patients and the public at the event about her experiences of being diagnosed and treated for lung cancer. Dr Callister stressed that it is vital that people are able to recognise the early symptoms and act on them by seeking medical help. “For most, a chest x-ray will be reassuring and show no sign of cancer. But, in the small proportion where cancer
People aged over 50 can also go to one of the following drop-in venues for a free chest x-ray – no appointment needed: • S t George’s Centre, Middleton (open seven days a week, 9am to 8,30pm); or • S eacroft Hospital x-ray department (open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm). More information about the campaign can be found at www.leeds.nhs.uk/ threeweekcough
Working together: Roy Smith, Leeds Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Patient Support Group (LAMPs), Dr Mat Callister, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Julie Barham, former lung cancer patient, and Ray Whincup, also from LAMPs.
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Huge cheque from Sam helps bone marrow transplant patients Leeds Grammar School pupil Sam Best recently handed a huge cheque for over £16,236 to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in the Bexley Wing at St James’s as a tribute to everything the facility did to help his late father. In his memory Sam has organised two events to raise money for the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Fund, the second event being a charity dinner in 2010 which raised the money which has just been handed over. Bone Marrow Transplant Programme Director and consultant haematologist, Dr Gordon Cook, said: “I had the great privilege and pleasure of caring for Sam’s father, a patient of the transplant programme who sadly died.” He paid a warm tribute to Sam for his efforts: “This is a fantastic achievement by any standards but even more remarkable in the context that Sam was studying for GCSEs at the same time he organised the event. “The money will be used through the BMT Fund to provide patients with additional levels of comfort as they battle their illness through the treatment offered in the bone marrow transplant facility. “Furthermore the money will also support staff in their endeavours to continue their professional development and education, which invests in the future provision of bone marrow transplantation in Yorkshire. “On behalf of all in the Bone Marrow Transplant team I warmly and sincerely thank Sam for all his efforts and his remarkable achievement.”
Improving the patient experience: (l-r) Andy Wilson, CR UK Local Engagement and Development Manager, Carol Sleigh, Improvement and Development Manager, Yorkshire Cancer Research Network, Tom Mansell, Macmillan Information and Support Officer, Eleanor Jones, Radiographer.
Patient information goes electronic Cancer patients and their families are set to benefit from improved information services in oncology waiting areas thanks to a £40,000 project to install 19 state-of-the-art information screens across the Trust. The screens will be used primarily to raise awareness of the supportive care services available. Content will include information about support groups, psycho-social services, research trials and general cancer information for patients and visitors. Staff in each area will also be able to add live updates to their own screen to inform patients about waiting times and other relevant issues. The project has been funded by the Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre with a contribution from the Yorkshire Cancer Research Network and collaboration from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and Cancer Research UK.
Great effort: Sam hands the cheque to Bone Marrow Transplant Programme Director and consultant haematologist, Dr Gordon Cook.
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Macmillan Information and Support Officer Tom Mansell has been leading the project and is delighted by the progress made. “We are confident these screens are going to make a big impact both on the quality of patient experience in the waiting areas and on the up-take of supportive services.
“Over 130 patients have been consulted to try to ensure screen content is relevant and the scheme will be reviewed after 3 and 6 months to assess whether patients are happy with the information being displayed and changes will be made as required”, he said.
“We are confident these screens are going to make a big impact both on the quality of patient experience in the waiting areas and on the up-take of supportive services. To add variety to the viewing experience, patients, their family and friends are being invited to submit landscape photographs from around Yorkshire for display on the screens. As well providing beautiful, relaxing images for everyone to see, many people visit these waiting areas regularly over periods of weeks and even months and we hope they will enjoy seeing their own photographs being displayed. Anyone interested in finding out more about the project or who would like to suggest content for the screens should contact - Tom. Mansell@leedsth.nhs.uk
Hundredth patient receives pioneering high-tech lung cancer treatment The Bexley Wing at St James’s has just treated its 100th patient using highly advanced Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT), a technique which benefits patients with potentially curable lung cancer for whom conventional surgery is too risky. Bunty Pritchard-Jones, from Otley, was the 100th patient to be treated using the SBRT technique since the programme started at St James’s in late 2009. She marked the occasion by sharing a celebratory cake with the radiotherapy staff involved in her treatment. Bunty, 71, a former health visitor and before that a ward sister at both Wharfedale Hospital and Chapel Allerton Hospital, is full of praise for the hospital and the technique, which offers a new way of tackling a tumour that would have previously been inoperable. Seemingly a simple health problem choking when drinking a cup of coffee at her daughter’s house - started off a chain of events with her GP, who sent her for an X-ray when the tumour was discovered. She was quickly referred to St James’s and identified as likely to benefit from the
SBRT technique. “My treatment has been completely wonderful, I can’t express how grateful I am to everyone involved and the kindness and consideration shown to me,” Bunty said. “Reading things in the news about the NHS made me apprehensive but in fact coming to the hospital has far exceeded my expectations. “If I had been a film star paying thousands of pounds for a private clinic I could not have received better treatment. The standard of care from all concerned: ambulance drivers, porters, receptionists, radiographers, nurses, managers, lung nurse specialists, doctors and consultants, has been exemplary and so much appreciated by me.” Dr Kevin Franks, Consultant in Clinical Oncology - who spent two years in Canada performing lung SBRT research before moving to Leeds to launch the treatment in
Yorkshire - said: “Lung cancer is responsible for 1 in 7 new cases of cancer and is responsible for more than one in five of all cancer deaths. “This new technique enables us to treat patients like Bunty with potentially curable lung cancer for whom conventional treatment is not an option. Using new state of the art technology at the St. James’s Institute of Oncology we can deliver the same radiation dose in 3-8 compared with 20-30 treatments. This more than doubles the cancer control rates to over 90% with the advantage of less visits to hospital and less side effects. “It is therefore a very significant advance in our ability to fight lung cancer and we envisage that it will improve survival rates. We are delighted that we have already been able to treat our 100th patient and look forward to helping many more in the future.”
Full of praise: Bunty Pritchard-Jones with Dr Kevin Franks and many of the Bexley Wing staff who have helped with her treatment
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Inspirational effort from Richard Despite his own ill-health, 69-yearold Richard Fryer has spent the last 10 years raising money to help fund research into cancer. In total, he and a small group of friends have raised a staggering £250,000. The death of a close friend from cancer was Richard’s initial motivation over 10 years ago. At the time, he teamed together with two cancer patients, Gordon and Pauline, to form the GPR (Gordon, Pauline and Richard) group. Richard is the last surviving member of the group and continues to fundraise with two others, Brenda and Eileen. Richard, who has been a patient at St James’s for many years, said: “It is a way to say thank you for what the hospitals in Leeds have done for me personally.” Lisa Emmett, Senior Physiotherapist, said: “Richard is an inspiration who despite significant respiratory problems for which he uses a ventilator overnight, spends most of his spare time volunteering and fundraising to help others.’ Richard runs a stall in Chancellor and Clarendon Wings on a regular basis, as well as in supermarkets across Leeds. The stall is mainly made up of goodies that have been made or donated. A regular donator of knitted baby clothes is 101-year-old, Rosaline Ware.
Caring touch: Richard on his stall in Chancellor Wing at St James’s
Around 7 years ago, Richard was invited to an evening function at Buckingham Palace, where he met The Queen. All the money raised goes to the Leeds Cancer Research UK Centre, based in Bexley Wing at St James’s. The centre was launched last May and is the latest in a unique chain of Cancer Research UK centres which are
helping to set the pace for national and international progress in understanding the genetic factors and changes that cancer causes and the spread of the disease. In particular the centre focuses on urological cancers including bladder, bowel cancer, malignant melanoma and the diagnosis of blood cancers.
Reunion time for LGI nurses - 50 years on Seven nurses who started training at Leeds General Infirmary in May 1961 returned to the hospital this May for their 50th anniversary reunion.
Organised by Avril Campbell of Leeds, the group had travelled from across the UK and from as far away as the United States.
Chris Hewitt from Corporate Nursing organised a nostalgic tour of the LGI to areas the nurses recalled with fond memories, including the Chapel, where a number of chairs have been purchased in memory of late colleagues. They also went to places they were more happy to forget - such as Matrons office! Avril was amazed to see herself on the historical display board outside the chapel. When the photographer came to take the picture many years ago she was picked by Matron as she was the only nurse wearing her uniform correctly she had no idea then that her picture would end up in such a public place. The visitors were very impressed with some of the newer areas of the hospital, particularly the Take Heart Roof Garden in the Jubilee Wing with its views of the helipad and A&E - a stark difference to how the buildings looked in 1961.
Turning back the clock: With Chris Hewitt (centre) outside Littlewood Hall are former LGI nurses Helen Slater, Elizabeth Meyrick, Avril Campbell, Patricia Taylor, Christine Musgrave, Margaret Denison and Ann Williams.
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From the LGI the nurses visited Roundhay Hall, where their training was based, and concluded the day with a well-deserved dinner.
Progress towards excellence in Information Governance The way in which NHS organisations handle information about patients, service users and employees has been placed under increasing scrutiny in recent years. It is now a firm requirement that all NHS staff, regardless of role or grade, fully understand how to handle these types of information in their day-to-day work.
The Trust’s Information Governance (IG) team, who are responsible for ensuring the Trust adheres to the framework of legal requirements and best practice guidelines set out by the Department of Health, have been working hard to raise awareness with staff about IG issues. They recently achieved level 2 compliance against the 45 different standards set out in the annual IG toolkit. Helene Totten, Information Governance and Data Protection Manager, said: “One of the key factors introduced in the 2010/11 toolkit stated that all staff must be made aware of IG procedures and be appropriately trained. With a workforce of over 15,000 staff, that
was a significant challenge for us and I’d like to thank everyone in the team for their hard work in achieving compliance.” Feedback on last year’s training was overwhelmingly positive, with 49 out of 50 people surveyed rating the programme as ‘good’ or above. In recognition of this achievement, LTHT has been invited to present to its peers at the National Information Governance Board (NIGB) in June. The NIGB is an independent body established to support improvements in IG by monitoring practice and providing advice and guidance to organisations across the country. LTHT’s training programme for 2011/12 started last month and every member of staff, including those working under temporary and honorary contracts, will be required
to complete either a refresher module or an introductory course. The department is aiming to complete the training programme by the end of December 2011. Helene went on to remind staff of the different routes available for them to complete their training: “There are a variety of training format options available, including e-learning, classroom-based learning and lecture-style sessions, as well as one-to-one training for senior management staff.” The wider plan for the team in the year ahead is to firstly consolidate the Trust’s current level 2 toolkit position and then carry out work aimed at achieving level 3 compliance, establishing LTHT as a centre of excellence in Information Governance practice.
Best practice: David Wignall, Assistant Data Quality Manager, leads a classroom-based training session
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Commendation for neonatal staff who took on MRSA Congratulations to the Leeds Neonatal Service who were highly commended at the National Patient Safety Awards 2011 for the work they have done to reduce MRSA in both our nenonatal units. The team were shortlisted in the Infection Control and Hygiene category from dozens of applicants across the country.
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The awards, organised by the Nursing Times and HSJ, recognise the work of NHS staff all over the UK and provide best practice examples of measures other organisations can take to enhance the patient experience and make services safer.
of MRSA colonisations and bacteraemias, compared with other units around the UK. Molecular typing of the MRSA strains suggested cross transmission on the unit. Sharon explained: “This presented us with obvious issues of patient safety, with potential harm caused to the babies, as well as financial penalties to the Trust.”
neonates was reviewed, and informed policy change. In addition to this we contacted other neonatal units around the UK to find out what skin preparation and other infection prevention and control policies were in use. We also looked at neonatal cot spacing in order to improve the environment for our babies”, added Sharon.
The title of the team’s project was ‘MRSA on the neonatal unit - a journey to improvement’. Consultant neonatologist and lead for infection prevention and control on the units, Sharon English explained: “In order to reduce rates of MRSA bacteraemia and colonisation, we put in place a number of interventions which resulted in a 50% reduction in bacteraemias in neonates.
A review of root cause analysis (RCA) investigations took place and a report was developed by a multidisciplinary team based on a period of evidence gathering including reviews of audit and surveillance, the environment, staffing and capacity, induction and education packages, antimicrobial prescribing, line insertion and line care.
Sharon explained that leadership and multidisciplinary working were key drivers in their success. “I took on the role as lead consultant for infection prevention and control on the neonatal units, where previously there had been no identified leadership. We gathered together a team of motivated individuals from several disciplines involved in neonatal care. This team set up weekly meetings to review infection prevention and control issues and to
In 2008 and 2009 the Trust’s neonatal units experienced unusually high numbers
“As part of this work, the best available evidence for skin preparation, line care and surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in
Highly commended: Some of the Leeds Neonatal Service team
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Celebration time for cancer service Staff in the Northern & Yorkshire Cancer Registry and Information Service (NYCRIS) based in Bexley Wing at St James’s celebrated their hard work and achievement in meeting a national target to reduce the amount of time it takes for new cancer diagnosis to be registered on their database.
Proud moment: Sharon English, Lead for Infection Prevention and Control on the units
implement a strategy to address these issues”. A comprehensive package of infection prevention and control procedures and policies were put into place. These included improved infection surveillance, and wider cot spacing, training and education packages and enhanced links between clinicians, nursing staff, theatres, microbiology and management. “The team continue to meet to review policies, surveillance results and any current infection prevention issues, and to make changes where needed. To date there have been no MRSA bacteraemias since the measures were introduced. The number of colonisations now averages 0-3 per month, which is commensurate for a neonatal unit that admits around 900 babies each year”, said Sharon.
Registering this information is extremely important for many reasons. It enables trends to be monitored in cancer incidence, prevalence and survival among different areas and social groups. It also means that the effectiveness of cancer prevention and screening programmes such as breast and bowel, and the quality and outcomes of cancer care, as well as the effect of social and environmental factors on cancer risk can be evaluated. NYCRIS registers over 55,000 new diagnoses every year, and responds to over 4,500 genetic service enquiries, produces new analyses and publications every year and fulfils over 300 individual information requests from clinicians and cancer networks annually. It is also the lead cancer registry for colorectal and haematological cancers nationally and is the home of the National Cancer Data Repository,
one of only two sites in the UK. Nicola Easey, Deputy Director of NYCRIS, said: “I’m extremely proud of the team and want to thank them for their hard work. Like many parts of the NHS, we also have targets to meet. Previously, the national requirement allowed 18 months for completion of all registrations in a cancer registry area. Last year this target was reduced to 15 months for 2009 cases and reduced further to 12 months for 2010 cases. “This meant we had to undertake our own service improvement to meet the deadline in a short space of time. NYCRIS staff have worked extremely hard to improve processes, and ensure that the quality of the service and the data did not adversely dip. We are very pleased to say that the target was met (with a few weeks to spare!) and we continue to improve on the data quality.” “We are particularly proud of our Registration and Data Management and Processing staff who have pulled out all the stops to make this happen. When you consider that we register information on over 55,000 new cases every year, these staff have completed a truly remarkable achievement.”
She added: “There has also been a noticeable shift in attitudes towards infection prevention issues. This includes increased knowledge and awareness of MRSA, a shared ownership of problems arising, and an acceptance of challenge when policies are not followed.” Offering advice to other areas who want to make similar improvements, Sharon said: “My first piece of advice would be to review your infection prevention and control policies and practice now. MRSA and other health care associated infections can be prevented by the introduction of a few simple interventions. If all units adopted some of these policies, a number of them could be prevented. “The impact of good multidisciplinary working can not be overestimated, and improved communication between different disciplines, for example medics and surgeons, clinicians and managers, is of the greatest importance. “Lastly, an initially negative experience has had very positive outcomes. Keep your vision fixed on the light at the end of the tunnel!”
Sweet success: (l-r) Fiona Taylor, Assistant Registration Manager, Sheila Pass, Head of Registration and Lynne Sanderson, Assistant Registration Manager, cutting the celebratory cake.
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Pauline retires after 35 years of nursing Pauline Norbury, Sister in Intensive Care, has retired from the Trust after a long and dedicated career in the NHS. Kind donation: George’s school friends visit ward 9.
Donation in memory of George The school friends of former patient, George Taylor, who passed away after many years battling Crohn’s disease, have ensured his legacy will live on by fundraising to improve the experience of other patients on ward 9 at Leeds Children’s Hospital.
She started her nurse training in 1976 at Scarborough General and in 1980 came to the Trust as a staff nurse on ward 21 at the LGI, which was the Intensive Care Unit. She was promoted to Sister whilst working there. Pauline went on to work as a Sister on ward 20 before being promoted to a Nursing Officer at the LGI. “At the time she was the youngest nursing officer ever appointed at the LGI”, said Janet
Wilkinson, Senior Nurse, ward 3 (ICU), LGI. Pauline returned to work part time as a sister on ward 21 (ICU) after maternity leave and then moved with ICU to ward 3, Jubilee Wing, working full time up to her retirement. Janet added: “Pauline has been a valuable, experienced member of the critical care team and has been a great support for all the staff. She will be greatly missed by everyone on ward 3. Pauline received many gifts and cards at a retirement party held after her last shift.
The Hessle High School pupils have raised enough money to buy Playstation and board games, comfortable chairs, and laptops so that young patients can work and have social contact with friends, which is especially important when they are in hospital for long periods of time. Sharon Panesar, Play Specialist on ward 9, said: “We are extremely grateful to George’s school friends. Their donation will make a huge difference to our patients and they should be very proud of themselves.”
Fond farewell: Pauline with her colleagues in ICU.
Young patients get flying visit from Easter Bunny Kind-hearted students from the Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron visited Leeds Children’s Hospital recently to hand out chocolate eggs to young patients and their families. The eggs had been generously donated by local businesses, and the students were accompanied by the Easter Bunny as he made his annual rounds. Officer Cadet Rosanagh Hall said: “Al the students were amazed by the bravery and courage shown by the patients and parents that they visited, and were proud to be involved in a charity event that brought some fun and cheer to the wards. “The students were in awe of the standard and quality of care that all of the patients they visited received, and were impressed by the dedication and energy of the hospital staff members.”
Chocolate treat: Abigail, aged 12, with Officer Cadets Emma Wong, Martyn Davies and Lewis Caswell (aka the Easter Bunny)
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The Squadron is a group of university students who have joined the Royal Air Force volunteer reserve whilst undertaking their studies and organise and take part in many charity events throughout the year.
Raising awareness: Kate Russell, Think Glucose educator, and Linda Clapham, Diabetes specialist nurse, on one of the Think Glucose stalls.
Think Glucose: Better care for our patients with diabetes A new project which will reduce the risk of harm to inpatients with diabetes and empower staff to provide them with consistent and effective care is being rolled out across the Trust. Think Glucose was launched at the end of April with a series of screen savers that highlighted the key safety messages. Stalls were also held in the main reception areas across site with resources distributed to staff and information on how to get actively involved. The rollout will continue over the course of the year, with the next phase concentrating on surgical wards at the LGI Juliette Cosgrove, Lead Nurse for Patient Safety, said: “This project is an important contribution to our Trust aim to ensure that patients in our care receive high quality care and are protected from avoidable harm. “When a person with diabetes is admitted into hospital, they often surrender daily selfmanagement of their condition to ward staff, leaving them feeling extremely vulnerable.” Dr Stephen Gilbey, Clinical Director of Diabetes and a lead consultant on the Think Glucose project, is clear that there is a real need to improve the care of people with diabetes in hospital. He said: “The National Diabetes Inpatient Audit (2010) has demonstrated that these patients stay in hospital longer, can have worse outcomes and often receive substandard care of their diabetes while on the ward. We
hope that the Think Glucose programme will help us to resolve these issues”. The project involves collaboration between many healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, dieticians, podiatrists, medical staff, nurses and diabetes specialists. It focuses on five key areas of diabetes inpatient care - identification, insulin safety, management of hypoglycaemia, foot care and referrals. Recommended practice is summarised on the campaign poster that is available for all wards to display. One of the most important aims of the project is to help reduce the risk of insulin-related errors. In order to minimise prescription inconsistencies and mistakes, the Trust’s standardised insulin charts (A-D) should be used. All staff involved in the administration and prescription of insulin are also being encouraged to complete the Insulin Safety e-learning package (http:// healthcareea.vctms.co.uk). The project has so far been rolled out across Medical, Elderly and Respiratory wards. Sessions typically last 20-30 minutes and include games, quizzes and a brief PowerPoint presentation. Pocket guides are provided at the end to make sure that staff have easy access to the correct information when it is needed. With help from dieticians, over 60 staff so far have received carbohydrate awareness training. Another 120 have attended sessions on the management of hypoglycaemia. Comments from staff who have received the training have
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included: “I will make sure a [diabetes] patient eats some carbohydrate at every meal and be more flexible about their choices,” from a housekeeper. Further sessions on medication and foot care are planned. In addition, Trust-wide diabetes study days aimed at all healthcare professionals will run later in the year - Kate (Katherine) Russell, the Think Glucose Educator, can be contacted for more information. Also as part of the project, a new Diabetes and Endocrinology website is under construction and three new diabetes care plans have been developed, which replace the numerous care plans already in existence. Feedback on the new resources have been extremely positive with comments including: “The Think Glucose markers are good for identifying diabetes patients. There is no breach of confidentiality and they ensure that blood glucose monitoring does not get missed,” said Maria Phillips, Junior Sister, Respiratory. As Linda Clapham, Diabetes Specialist and lead nurse on the project summarises: “Think Glucose is about embedding good diabetes care into everyday practice. We are keen to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of everyone involved in the care of people with diabetes. “With at least 15% of our beds having people with diabetes in them, it’s vital that everyone knows how to care for people with diabetes”.
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Campaign highlights fight against
A high profile campaign, ‘Taking the pressure off’, is underway across the Trust this Spring to ra patients and how they can be prevented by following the correct procedures.
Close eye: Sally Blundell, Tissue Viability Research Nurse, checks for pressure ulcers.
Elizabeth McGinnis, Nurse Consultant for Tissue Viability said: “Pressure ulcers are probably the most common cause of avoidable harm to patients in our care. They cost the NHS up to £2.1 billion to treat annually - around 4% of total NHS expenditure. “Most importantly, they cause incredible distress for patients, which often lasts much longer than the illness for which they were hospitalised. They cause pain, immobility, increased risk of infection and death.” The campaign aims to achieve good practice in all clinical areas and includes posters displayed on wards, education materials by the link nurses, leaflets for patients, screensavers, and information for senior nurses at the Patient Care and Safety Day. LTHT has had a Tissue Viability service for nearly 8 years and the team actively promote efficient and effective tissue viability care within the Trust through
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expert clinical advice. The service also includes research, education, audit and strategic development and treats patients with complex wounds, delayed healing, recurrent wounds, and wound infection/breakdown. Typically these patients will suffer from the following illnesses and ailments diabetes; recent weight loss or gain, incontinence, reduced mobility or immobility, immuno-compromised, recurrent infection, acute illness, reduced level of consciousness, and current or previous history of pressure damage.
developing new pressure ulcers in our care.” Advice and training on wound management techniques, for example compression bandaging and VAC therapy and advice on discharge planning for patients with complex needs including Tissue Viability, is also available from the team. This year, the Tissue Viability Link Nurse Group will be relaunched. Elizabeth explained: “Ward walks have been undertaken throughout the hospital by the tissue viability team to identify existing link nurses and invite new staff to the role.
The results of an annual pressure ulcer prevalence audit undertaken last November identified that 13% of our inpatients had pressure ulcers and nearly 10% had acquired them in our care.
“These link nurses will not only deliver quality care at ward level but support their colleagues in achieving the same, resulting in high standards of patient care throughout the Trust.”
Elizabeth said: “We need to be able to assure our patients and their carers that we are doing everything possible to reduce this level of harm and prevent future patients
Whilst the Tissue Viability Team will continue to support staff within the clinical area, further resources have been developed to promote individual staff development
st pressure ulcers
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aise awareness of the distress pressure ulcers cause to our
Happy retirement: (l-r) Christine Middleton and Brenda Saville.
Double farewell for Prosthetics Two members of the Prosthetics Department at Seacroft Hospital, have retired after long and dedicated careers in the NHS in Leeds.
Team effort: (l-r) Clinical Nurse Specialists, Clare Greenwood, Lisa Hill, Andrea Dyer, with Nurse Consultant, Elizabeth McGinnis.
and identification of competencies. A work book and accompanying reference book are now available to download from the Tissue Viability Intranet site and are currently being completed by link nurses throughout the Trust.
After a period out of nursing to raise her family, she returned as a staff nurse in prosthetics, where she has dedicated 20 years of kindness and professionalism to her colleagues and patients. Clinical support worker, Deborah Westwood, said: “Christine’s departure will be a great loss to the department and we will miss her lots. I know she is looking forward to visiting her sister in Canada, also tackling a bit of gardening and enjoying our lovely British summers!”
A series of time out days are also running throughout the year which allow link nurses to critically analyse practice within their individual areas, then together with colleagues they can identify new ways of working to achieve efficient and effective practice reducing pressure ulcer incidence within their clinical areas.
Physiotherapy senior sister, Brenda Saville’s career started in 1986 when she responded to an advert in the Yorkshire Evening Post for physio helpers at St Mary’s Hospital.
The first of these time out days was held in February and achieved a staggering rate of attendance which can be seen as a positive endorsement of the level of commitment at ward level.
In 1991 she joined the newly established Early Walking School for amputees based at Chapel Allerton Hospital. In 2004 Brenda received the Limbless Association’s award for ‘Outstanding service by an individual professional’ for her services to lower limb amputee rehabilitation.
The next time out day is planned for 18th July and will focus on wound management and include the prevention of surgical site infection.
She is particularly proud of her involvement in the development of the body sock - a prosthetic sock for hip disarticulation patients. These products are still produced today and used nationwide.
More information, including a full programme of educational events, can be found on the newly redeveloped Tissue Viability website. The Tissue Viability Team would welcome your thoughts, comments and suggestions and can be contacted on (0113) 3926238.
Staff nurse, Christine Middleton, started her nurse training back in 1965 at the LGI. She went on to work in general surgery, then ICU, then back to the same surgical ward to become its ward sister.
Better care: Tissue Viability Research Nurses, Jimmy Choo and Sally Blundell, with patient, Malcolm Adams.
Christine and Brenda’s colleague’s wished them a fond farewell at a special retirement lunch at the end of March.
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A heart-felt thank you to Harry Staff on the Cardio-Respiratory Unit gratefully received a £1,000 donation from well-known fundraiser, Harry Clements, in March. Harry has been a long-time supporter of the Unit, providing regular donations through his card and gift stall in Beckett Wing at St James’s. Cardio-Respiratory Team Manager, Ruth Tue, said: “Harry’s exceptional fundraising efforts has meant the unit has been able to purchase some much needed equipment, including a height measurer, weighing scales, and blood pressure kit. “The unit is now able to perform these basic measurements in a dedicated area, meaning that patients do not have to move between labs during tests. It has really helped improve the patient experience.” To express their gratitude for Harry’s continued support, staff on the unit are helping him by making a number of cards and small gifts available for sale in their patient waiting area. It has proved very popular with both patients and staff. Kind donation: Harry (centre) with the cardio-respiratory team and some of the new equipment purchased.
Right Royal cuppa for staff For many members of staff the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on 29 April was a normal working day to ensure services for patients were maintained. Nurses on the Children’s Medical Ward at Leeds General Infirmary were able to get into the celebratory spirit thanks to a national tea retailer, who delivered a tea chest including mugs, bunting and flags, to add to the fun on the ward. The initiative was part of a drive to recognise workers from around the country keeping services going during public holidays by encouraging them to take a few minutes for a well-earned cuppa to toast the newlyweds.
Maintaining services: Back row (l-r) Clare Hazelgreaves, Samantha Wadkin and Jane Graham. Front row (l-r) Dawn Roberts, Celia McKenzie and Amy Loker
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Fairway to fundraising success The Richard Maltby Golf Challenge is heading towards its ninth successful year with another charity golfing bonanza planned for July. In total Richard and his helpers have raised in excess of £70,000 for the ‘Rays of Hope’ and ‘Dainton Oncology Wing’ charities, both of which support research into the treatment of patients with bowel and liver cancer.
continued support towards funding research is hugely appreciated. The 2011 Richard Maltby Golf Challenge will
take place at Wetherby Golf Club on Thursday 14th July. To enter a team or make a donation, please email richard.maltby@btinternet.com.
It was Richard’s own experience of bowel cancer that prompted him to start the yearly golf challenge. In 2002 he underwent major surgery to remove his large bowel and a month later had a liver operation to remove 60% of his liver. He went on to receive six months of gruelling chemotherapy. All looked well on his follow up scans but in May 2004 there was a new growth in his remaining liver, and he underwent a second liver operation to remove this. Since that time Richard has had annual scans which have remained clear of disease. It was when Richard was receiving chemotherapy in 2003 that he planned the first of his Charity Golf Days. The event was a huge success and he raised nearly £8000 for the ‘Rays of Hope’ charity. Despite his ongoing health problems, Richard has continued to organise the event each year. The money raised has helped at least 10 junior surgeons complete PhDs and Doctorates. Their work, which includes a possible vaccination for colorectal cancer, has been presented both in the UK and internationally. Richard is now helping as a lay member of the Clinical Trials Committee. His
Making a difference: (l-r) Steph Burland, Steve Morritt, Richard Maltby, Coleen Maltby, Giles Toogood, Simon Ambrose, and David Sebag-Montefiore.
Marilyn looks forward to relaxed retirement Dr Marilyn Bond, Consultant Clinical Oncologist is retiring after 25 years with the Trust. She is pictured here with her husband Professor David Thomas, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, and colleagues.
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Charity cyclists criss-cross the UK Pedal power will be pushed to the limit for a very good cause this month when Simon Smith and his friend Rob Wills ride from one end of the country to the other to raise funds for the Peter Congdon Neonatal Unit at Leeds General Infirmary.
when she passed away.
professional care.
“We were blessed to have the dedicated team at the Peter Congdon Neonatal Intensive Care Unit close at hand. They looked after Martha with total dedication, and I truly believe that her short life was made as comfortable as possible by their
“The team work in extraordinary circumstances week in and week out. Every day they are dealing with people living through their worst nightmares, and they do it with care, dedication and total professionalism. Having spoken to the unit to find out what they would most benefit from, Simon decided he wanted to buy a special kind of baby monitor, a Phillips IntelliVue MP30, which costs £4662.
The pair are both physiotherapists - Rob works for LTHT at LGI and Wharfedale, while Simon works for Leeds Community Healthcare. The fundraising plan has come from Simon’s desire to do something positive to mark the short life of his baby daughter, Martha, who tragically died four years ago, and to raise money for the hospital unit which cared for her. Simon explained: “Martha was terribly ill from the start of her short life and five days later my wife Julia and I were devastated
Also in June a nine-strong team of intrepid staff from the Trust are setting out on an epic one-day coast-to-coast bicycle ride to raise funds for the Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal. The group - including an operating department practitioner, a recovery nurse and seven anaesthetists, all from LTHT - are aiming to cycle all the way from Morecambe to Bridlington a real test of endurance and stamina. Group leader of the attempt, anaesthetist Duncan Johnson, said: “Ordinarily this coast-to-coast challenge would be attempted in 3 to 4 days, but in a brave - some would say foolish - moment we all agreed to try and do the whole 170 hilly miles in a single day. “Setting off around dawn from the west coast we aim to arrive in
Intrepid pair: Rob Wills (left) and Simon Smith
Bridlington some 70,000 pedal strokes later, around sunset. “All this dedication and commitment is in aid of an incredibly worthy cause, the Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal, and a number of the participants work with children helped by this appeal on a daily basis. We’re aiming to make a real difference to the Appeal with our efforts.”
“This is going to be a huge challenge, but it seems a fitting one,” Simon added. “Anyone who has ever come into contact with the team at the Peter Congdon Neonatal Unit will know that they are worth every drop of our efforts and of your donations. Those who have not can rest in the knowledge that if they ever need them they will be there to care.
National effort: Leeds fund raising cyclists are heading far and wide to raise cash for our hospitals
John O’Groats
The staff taking part from Leeds General Infirmary are consultant anaesthetists Dr Stephanie Bew, Dr Matt Clark, Dr Stuart Smith, Dr Alistair Fayle, Dr Dominic Bell and Dr Duncan Johnson, plus operating department practitioner Eugene Sheey and staff nurse Chris Selby. Also joining the team are anaesthetic specialist registrar Dr Caz Farrow and Baptist minister Rev Ashley Hardingham.
Morecambe
Road trip: Some of the coast-to-coast cyclists - Back row (l-r) Matt Clark, Eugene Sheehy, Dominic Bell, Duncan Johnson. Front row (l-r) Alistair Fale and Stephanie Bew.
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Land’s End
Bridlington
Good luck to the runners The St James’s Kidney Patients Association have arranged for around 30 people to take part in the Jane Tomlinson Leeds Run for All 10K to raise money for the Trust’s renal satellite dialysis units.
The runners include staff from various parts of the Trust, patients, and their relatives. The target is £10,000 so that all the existing TVs in the units are replaced to digital ones in time for the digital switchover. To donate, simply log on to the Just Giving web site - www.justgiving.com/ stjameskidneypatients There are also teams running for Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal, the Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal and other Trust charities. The run takes place on Sunday 19 June.
Good cause: (l-r) Catherine Fernandez, Business Development Manager, Medical Oncology, Kate Brady, Renal Transplant Co-ordinator, Joanne Barwick, Renal Donor Co-ordinator, Clare Ecuyer, Renal Recipient Co-ordinator, Ian Cundell, Treasurer of St James’s Kidney Patients Association.
Fond farewell to Dr Gooi HIV monitoring service, the cellular immunology laboratory and pioneered the introduction of molecular immunological techniques in the field of transplant immunology. He has always been a strong supporter of staff training and education and has helped progress several junior colleagues through both academic and professional examinations. “Under his professional guidance, the Regional Immunology Service was brought into being at the time of the creation of LTHT. Although now joined by other Consultant colleagues, Jimmy has remained a key figure in the team that now extends across two sites with a combined clinical and laboratory workforce of some 50 staff.”
Distinguished career: Consultant Immunologist, Dr Gooi, with colleagues.
Friends and colleagues of Consultant Immunologist, Dr Hock Chye Gooi known to many as Jimmy - turned out in force in April to bid him farewell as he retired from the Trust after more than a quarter of a century. Jimmy began his career working in junior medical posts in Malaysia between 1971 and 1974, before moving to the UK and working across many specialties at East Birmingham Hospital and then Leeds General Infirmary
until 1979. He returned to the Trust in 1986 as a Consultant Clinical Immunologist and Senior Lecturer (Hon) at St James’s and has held this post ever since. John Toolan, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Immunology said: “Jimmy’s impact on immunology services in Leeds has been remarkable. Amongst other achievements, he established the primary immunodeficiency clinic and allergy services. “On the laboratory side he set up the
Jimmy was one of a number of doctors who offered their services voluntarily to the Russian government after the Chernobyl disaster at the International Children’s Medical Centre, Evpatoriya, Crimea in 2000, funding his own costs and making several trips to centres involved in long-term follow up of those affected. In retirement he will continue to pursue his love of Immunology through his research activities but will hopefully allow himself time off to continue to develop his skiing skills and to travel. “Jimmy can leave NHS employment with the high regard and affection of his colleagues and with the satisfaction of knowing that he has made a difference”, added John.
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Leading role in tackling HIV highlighted Lord Fowler and six members of the House of Lords Select Committee on HIV and AIDS in the UK visited the Leeds Centre for Sexual Health in May as part of a series of public evidence sessions looking at how successful policies for preventing and treating HIV and AIDS have been. The committee will produce a report at the end of the summer. care and has played a pivotal role in developing and leading the North and West Yorkshire HIV Network which was inaugurated in September 2010. They also learned about the management of acute HIV on Ward 16, the multidisciplinary management of pregnant women and infected children and the development of a family clinic within the trust. They were impressed with the regional network arrangements and also with work identifying early HIV infection which working with Public Health and community organisations has led to a local prevention campaign.
VIP visit: Staff from the Centre for Sexual Health with visitors from the House of Lords.
Eric Monteiro, Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine and Clinical Lead for HIV said: “Lord Fowler is no newcomer to the field of HIV. It is almost 25 years when as the then Secretary of State for Social Services, he played a key
role in developing the first national HIV awareness campaign ‘Don’t Die of Ignorance’. During their visit to the centre, the committee heard that LTHT has been pre-designated by the Yorkshire and Humber Specialist Commissioning Group as a Specialist Treatment Centre for HIV
Dr Monteiro said: “LTHT should be proud to be the only centre outside the South East of England to be visited by this influential committee. The treatment for HIV has changed dramatically in recent years and life expectancy with early diagnosis is now almost normal. My colleagues and I are concerned however, that patients continue to be diagnosed very late because health care workers either do not think about or are reluctant to test for HIV. Early HIV testing saves lives and any healthcare worker can perform an HIV test”. Information on how to test for HIV is available on the Leeds Health Pathways website.
Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal will receive between £2.40 and £2.96 depending on your network provider. Visit www.leedschildrenshospital.org.uk for further details.
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60 seconds Helene Totten is the Trust’s Information Governance and Data Protection Manager. She has worked at LTHT for 10 years in a variety of different roles. Bulletin went to find out a little bit more about her life in and out of work. In the office…
Q.
What does your typical day at work involve?
There isn’t a typical day for me - no two are ever the same! Having said that, I usually start off by answering a long list of e-mails before preparing for whatever meetings are in my diary. The team spends a lot of its time putting in place procedures to ensure patient and staff information is kept safe and secure, which involves plenty of meetings with a diverse range of staff.
Q.
How did you get to be an Information Governance and Data Protection Manager at LTHT? I started out at the Trust as a Clinic Clerk at the Leeds Chest Clinic and worked my way up to the role of Patient Service Coordinator in Paediatrics. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there but the opportunity to get involved with the work being done in Information Governance proved too good to pass up.
Q.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is that I get to meet and deal with a variety of people from all over the Trust and beyond. In terms of awareness, Information Governance is growing really fast at the moment and is high on the agenda at the Department of Health, so it’s great to be part of such an exciting and fresh challenge for the Trust.
Q.
And there must be something about your work that really frustrates you… A lot of the work we do in Information Governance is very much in its early stages so it can be difficult sometimes because awareness isn’t always where we would like it to be. Having
said that, the team is making a real effort to get out and about around the Trust so hopefully it won’t be long before everyone recognises us and what we do.
Q.
What’s your best advice to a new starter at the Trust?
The Trust is going through a period of real change at the moment so I’d advise new starters to try and get a feel for the direction in which we’re going, and remember that everything we do should be aimed towards improving patient care and experience.
Q.
What are the behaviours that are most important to you? I really appreciate dealing with staff who are approachable - and most importantly, either know their responsibilities regarding Information Governance, or are keen to learn them!
And out of hours…
Q.
What do you do to wind down and relax after a hard day at work? I love going to the cinema and socialising with friends. I’d like to say I relax with a good book and a glass of wine in the evening, but in reality I usually have to turn in for an early night ready for the next day at work.
Q.
If you could go anywhere this weekend, where would you go? I would go to Las Vegas, it somewhere I have always wanted to visit, the bright lights and shows are just my thing.
Q.
You’re sitting down to your favourite meal, what’s on the menu? I’m a real fan of Italian food - my favourite would probably be a plate of bacon and mushroom penne carbonara, but ask me tomorrow and I’d probably say something completely different.
Q.
If you won the national lottery, what would you do?
I know it’s a boring answer, but I probably wouldn’t change much! I’d treat my family and pay off the mortgage, then try and make time for a cruise somewhere sunny and that trip to Las Vegas!
Q.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
An astronaut - not very plausible, but a dream nonetheless!
Q.
What is your favourite film?
I love the Sex and the City series so naturally really enjoyed the films, but I have a wide variety of interests when it comes to film I’m happy in front of anything, from The Devil Wears Prada to The Shining.
Q.
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
My partner and I recently took part in a weeklong contest to win a £30,000 wedding by raising money for the charity Cash for Kids. Unfortunately we missed out on first place but hopefully our contribution made a real difference to those children who need it most in Leeds.
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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 Design & Marketing Ltd. ©2011 Britannic Chambers, 8a Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts. S80 1PH Tel: 01909 478822
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