Talking Point April 2014

TALKING POINT April 2014

Flu fighting’s a piece of cake .........

Talking Point is your magazine and it is only as good as you make it.

It is produced quarterly in January, April, July and October each year.

Ideas and stories or suggestions to make Talking Point even better are always welcome.

Please send your ideas to: The editor Lesley Connor Public relations South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust The James Cook University Hospital The Murray Building Marton Road MIDDLESBROUGH TS4 3BW Extension: 55900 Email: lesley.connor@ stees.nhs.uk You can also contact the public relations team on 01642 854343, extension 54343, James Cook or email public.relations@stees. nhs.uk Talking Point is written and illustrated by the public relations team and designed by Octagon Marketing Company Ltd.

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

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Visiting times are changing VISITING times across all wards and hospitals are being standardised as of 1 April 2014.

Routine visiting will be from 3pm to 8pm daily with open visiting allowed in specific areas such as maternity, children’s wards and acute admissions.

Staff can be flexible outside of these times where necessary to support individual circumstances.

Relatives will be encouraged to assist patients if they are visiting them at meal times.

The changes, which affect both acute and community hospitals, have been introduced to help reduce healthcare associated infections as part of the trust’s C difficile action plan.

It is hoped that the extended visiting hours will encourage visitors to arrive at different times which will help staff enforce infection control rules such as having no more than two visitors to each bed at any time.

Standardised visiting times will also be less confusing for relatives, particularly when patients are moving between wards, and the extended hours should help ease traffic congestion on the James Cook site.

Alison Peevor, assistant director of nursing and deputy director of infection prevention and control said: “Visitors can help us in the fight against infection by not sitting on the beds, not coming in if they are unwell, following hand washing guidance on the wards and letting staff know if they see any areas that need cleaning.”

Future model announced for services at the Friarage NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group’s governing body has officially approved the decision to change paediatric and maternity services and the special care baby unit at the Friarage Hospital.

This followed the CCG’s council of members (a representative from each GP practice in the area) unanimous vote in favour of option one which will mean: • Opening a midwifery-led unit (MLU) •D eveloping a paediatric short-stay assessment unit (PSSAU) •C ontinuing to deliver community paediatric nursing and consultant paediatric outpatient services at the hospital Option 1 was also the preferred option of 95% of members of the public who took part in the CCG’s online survey.

Dr Vicky Pleydell, the CCG’s clinical chief officer, said: “We have a legal duty under the NHS Constitution to commission high quality, safe services and are committed to ensuring a transparent and open process is followed.

As such we have engaged widely with the local population to ensure we talk to them about the challenges faced in maternity and paediatric services at the Friarage and to present future options for safe and sustainable service reconfiguration.”

Clinicians and managers from the trust have been in discussions with the CCG for a number of years after concerns were raised about the long-term future, sustainability and safety of these services.

On top of the options being considered, three new proposals were also submitted during the consultation - two from members of the public and one from Richmondshire District Council.

These were all independently assessed by the National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT) which concluded that while elements of the proposals could be worked into a future model, none offered a complete clinically safe or sustainable plan. In endorsing the Council of Members’ decision, the CCG’s governing body voted on six key points: •T o agree the clinical case for change had been strongly made and other options considered •T o agree the views of the public had been sought and all mediums used to ensure a fair and transparent process had been adopted and that the impact on vulnerable groups – and those experiencing health inequalities – could be mitigated •T o endorse the outcome of the GP Council of Members and the preferred option from the public consultation •T o approve an overall investment of £625,000 for 24/7 ambulance, PSSAU to provide sevenday working, for a taxi service out-of-hours and a shuttle bus service (in hours) between the Friarage and James Cook for all specialties •T o agree all investment areas will be formally reviewed by the governing body at six months post-implementation •T o agree an implementation time frame of six months for the new services to start in October 2014 Our staff are now working through the detail on implementing option one.

Flu fighting’s a piece of cake THE TRUST achieved its highest uptake rates to date in the NHS flu fighters campaign with 74.5% of healthcare workers vaccinated and a total of 5,837 vaccinations given to staff working to support patients and families in our care.

Total trust staff - healthcare workers vaccinated:

said: “We are delighted with this year’s results and would like to say a big thank you to occupational health, our flu champions and everyone else involved in making this year’s campaign such as success.

“We would also like to thank all the staff who came forward and had their flu jab, the easiest way of preventing any of us from getting flu and helping to keep your patients and your loved ones at home flu-safe.”

Shortlisted for the NHS Employers award for best flu team, the trust (left to right) Lynn Kell, was nationally recognised for the occupational health (OH) flu nurse, success of the staff flu vaccination Noel Adele, flu champion and diabetes campaign. It was one of a few charge nurse, Eileen Tilley, OH screening trusts to achieve over 70% nurse, Judy Butler, senior nurse, IT and health uptake rates in the country, records, Emma Rushmer, assistant director human a testament to the hard resources, and Pam McCourt OH manager work of everyone involved in the campaign.

The campaign is now being evaluated and work is already underway on planning another successful campaign starting in the autumn.

5,837 out of a total of 7,837 eligible healthcare workers - 74.5% 92.8% of doctors (667 staff) 66% of nurses, midwives and health visitors (1,904 staff) 60.7% of other professionally qualified (730 staff) 79.9% of support to clinical staff (2,536 staff) Essential services (438) staff Total number of staff vaccinated from 1 October 2013 to 31 January 2014 - 6,287

The trust achieved unprecedented uptake rates this year, which is excellent in terms of protecting not only staff “We are but also their delighted with families, our patients and this year’s the NHS services we provide. results.”

Ruth Holt, director of nursing and quality assurance,

Team work: members of the trust flu fighters team 3

What a relief! Urgent care centres reduce A&E pressure

• Back, neck and shoulder injuries (minor)

OVER the past year, staff at the three urgent care centres in the primary care hospitals in Redcar, Guisborough and East Cleveland have seen over 25,000 patients.

With over 2,000 people a month coming in and being treated for minor injuries this has helped relieve some of the pressure at the very busy accident and emergency department at James Cook as well as GP caseloads.

The patients also feel the benefit as they are treated at a location usually closer to their home and probably have a shorter waiting time.

Car parking is also free at all three locations.

The centres are for patients whose injury or illness is not serious enough to warrant a visit to A&E. There are no doctors present at the urgent care centres, but emergency care practitioners and highly-skilled nurses are on duty and appointments are not necessary.

What illnesses/ injuries can be treated at an urgent care centre?

• Bruises, sprains or strains • Bumps, cuts and grazes • Burns and scalds (minor) • Chest infections • Cuts, open wounds and dressings • Ear infections • Eye infections • Fractures and splinting of minor broken bones Healthcare assistant Lynsey Iredale treats a patient’s sprained wrist at Redcar’s urgent care centre including cuts, bumps and grazes, strains and sprains, bites, ear, throat and skin infections and even suspected fractures.

“Any patients who present with conditions such as chest pain or acute bleeding, are assessed and immediately referred on to A&E for further treatment and care.”

Student nurse Siobhan Forcey, who is on attachment at the hospital added: “I have been amazed at the myriad of injuries that can be treated here. In the first day I was here I saw a dislocated finger be corrected which I didn’t know couldn’t be done outside of James Cook.

Here at Redcar, there’s also an x-ray department and plaster room. It’s been a real eye-opener.”

The centre at Redcar is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while the other two are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm weekends and bank holidays.

Glen Home, one of the emergency care practitioners and Unison rep, said: “Many injuries and illnesses can be treated at any of the urgent care centres Meet the teams, Redcar above, Guisborough left and East Cleveland

• Headaches • High temperature and fever • Indigestion • Insect stings and animal bites • Minor eye injuries • Rashes and minor skin complaints • Removal of splinters/thorns • Sinusitis • Sore throats • Urinary tract infections and cystitis • Viral infections

Patients with the conditions below should attend A&E • Chest pain • Breathing difficulties • Major injuries • Stomach pains • Gynaecological problems • Pregnancy problems • Allergic reactions • Overdoses • Alcohol related problems • Mental health problems • Conditions likely to require hospital admission

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Hospital first in country to carry out radio-guided lung surgery WHEN Joan Wanless was diagnosed with lung cancer on one side of her lungs and a tiny nodule was found on the other she feared the worst.

Experts explained that it was an untypical case and that if the 6mm nodule was cancerous as well it would be too dangerous to try to operate.

The grandmother-of-eight was dealt a further blow when she discovered the nodule was so small that it would be extremely hard to find during surgery and too high risk to do a biopsy using normal surgical methods.

Luckily for Joan her cardiothoracic consultant Joel Dunning at James Cook had heard of an advanced technique, never before used in this country, that could help them locate the nodule using a small amount of radioactive tracer.

Joan Wanless with husband Gordon and the team who helped make the radio-guided lung surgery possible. (Left to right: radiologist Dr Arivalagan Bapusamy, theatre sister Caroline Baldwin, cardiothoracic consultant Joel Dunning, Joan, head of nuclear medicine Mark Richardson and Gordon)

In order to carry out the radio-guided technique special permission had to be obtained from the Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee and Mr Dunning had to call on the expertise of a number of colleagues including the hospital’s head of nuclear medicine Mark Richardson, radiologist Dr Arivalagan Bapusamy and theatre sister Caroline Baldwin.

“If the nodule was cancer then going through a major operation on the other side of the lungs would have been too high risk so we absolutely had to know what the nodule was,” said Mr Dunning.

“Everyone at the hospital has just been marvellous.”

“The nodule was 1cm deep into the lung so we were not going to be able to get to it safely using normal methods.

“In a presentation I had seen in America someone had talked about injecting a radio active solution near to the nodule and then using a Geiger counter (instrument for detecting emitted radiation) to find its exact location.

So I made enquiries as to whether we could do something similar.”

It was a team effort with radiologist Dr Bapusamy injecting the radioactive solution guided by images from a CT scanner and Mr Richardson Joan working closely with Mr Wanless with Dunning in theatres to husband accurately locate and Gordon remove the nodule.

Mr Richardson said: “It was

a great success. The gamma ray emissions enabled us to find the nodule very quickly using a radiation detector-probe designed for use in surgery.”

Pathology tests revealed the nodule was benign and a week later Joan, 72, had the tumour removed using a form of keyhole surgery known as a VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) lobectomy which is much less invasive than traditional surgery.

Five days later Joan was back at her Middlesbrough home with husband Gordon and is now looking forward to her grandson’s wedding in 2015.

“When they told me I had lung cancer I thought that was it,” said Joan. “When they say cancer that’s the first thing you think of, it’s an awful feeling.

“But when Mr Dunning told me I could have the operation that was the best Christmas present ever.

“All the family had been really down and this news just lifted us up. He gave me a chance and I will never forget that. Everyone at the hospital has just been marvellous.”

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Dedicated surgeon Pat retires CONSULTANT surgeon Pat Durning is looking forward to spending more time with her family and pursuing her other passions of walking and gardening following her retirement.

Pat qualified 41 years ago and has spent the last 25 years at Middlesbrough General and South Cleveland/James Cook.

On leaving she said: “One of the changes that I think has made the most impact is the reduction of junior doctors’ hours and the loss of the team structure. I loved working in a team. Leaving will be difficult initially, but I have a family who I can spend more time with along with walking and gardening. I won’t miss the early morning starts.”

Fellow consultant Mr Imtiaz Cheema said: “I’ve never seen anyone as hard-working as Pat and having shared an office with her for years I will miss her a lot as will all those who have “I’ve never met and seen anyone as worked alongside hard-working Pat. We all wish as Pat.” her a long and happy retirement.”

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Patients and staff to benefit from investment in “This is new technology excellent news THE trust has received £1.4million to invest in new technology for clinical staff.

We were one of 75 organisations across the country to receive the first round of investment from the Nursing Technology Fund after successfully submitting two bids that will deliver real improvements to patient care and safety.

The funding will be used to buy technologies such as tablets and clinical software both in community and hospital settings.

Chief executive professor Tricia Hart said: “This is excellent news and helps to support a key area for us in transforming the way we care for – and treat – patients through improved and co-ordinated information technology.

successfully and helps to rolled support a key out in the community. area for us.”

Thanks to this funding, new high specification and lightweight laptops will be introduced so that mobile working can be more effective, further supporting nurses and our patients.

This will mean forms can be filled in there and then with the patient - saving nursing time - and access to information will be improved through dialling in through the phone network, again improving the patient experience and providing more ‘time to care’. The funds will secure support for over 350 nurses across South Tees and North Yorkshire.

“The bids were developed by The announcement was made nurses – for nurses – and will in March at the NHS EXPO allow us to develop new, conference in Manchester “This is more modern ways of

by Beverley Bryant, working which will not director of strategic about using only help to improve systems and technology patient care but also modern technology at NHS England. benefit our staff.” to support She said: “This is Our two successful about using modern and facilitate projects were: technology to support and facilitate staff.”

• Vital signs monitoring staff in providing - £1million - This patient compassionate and safety initiative will help personalised nursing care. ward-based clinicians to record clinical data on hand held devices, so the NEWS – national early warning score - will be calculated electronically and accurately in a standardised manner. The project further supports the escalation of care for deteriorating and high risk patients based on evidence based protocols so importantly, care will be escalated to the most appropriate clinician to care for individual patients in a timely and efficient manner.

• Mobile computing in community £444,000 - Over the last few years, an electronic patient record has been

“It is about making life easier for staff – for example a digital pen can improve record keeping and reduce paperwork, a tablet or iPad can mean a community nurse can work on the go without needing to make as many trips back to the office, which means more time spent with patients.”

The Nursing Technology Fund was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron at the end of 2012 with the application process launched by NHS England in 2013. In this first wave, NHS England received 226 applications, led by nurses, from 139 trusts.

Olympic spirit STAFF who attended a basic service improvement workshop or training aimed at service improvement have been awarded a bronze, silver or gold Olympian certificate.

All staff who received them are now registered as members of the service improvement faculty and committed to improving and developing services at the trust.

Love nursing….

LOVE was in the air as part of the trust’s latest recruitment drive for more nursing staff…

A new ‘love nursing’ campaign - launched as an open event on Valentine’s Day - attracted almost 70 potential new members of staff.

The event was targeted at a number of key areas with current vacancies including acute and specialty medicine, cardiothoracic services, neurosciences, surgery and trauma and aimed to give people a ‘taster’ of life on the frontline.

This included the opportunity to talk to nursing staff working at similar levels about life on the wards, what they like about their jobs and similarly, some of the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.

Aimed at newly-qualified nurses, those wishing to return to the profession at a staff nurse level or simply nurses who want a career change, this latest event is one of a number of different approaches the trust is taking to recruitment.

In recent months, assessment centres have been set up which look at matching candidates to suitable posts following group exercises (based on a nursing scenario), individual interviews and a drug calculation test.

Recruitment processes now also embed ‘Compassion in practice’ – the chief nursing officer’s vision and strategy for building a culture of compassionate care which is based around six values – care, compassion, courage, communication, competence and commitment.

For further information on the awards or the service improvement faculty contact the corporate improvement team on 01642 282454 extension 52454 JCUH. Eleven poster presentations supported the formal session.

Annette Johnson, cardiac rehabilitation manager, won with a poster on ‘integration of the acute and community heart failure specialist nurse services’.

Staff awarded with their silver awards: Janet Griffin; Joanne Angus; Judith Connor; Sharon Dixon; Mandy Headland; Alison Lonsdale; Paula Thompson; Julie Poultney Staff who received gold: Val Gair; Ann Marie Hall; Gill Husband; Lesley Green

Director of nursing and quality assurance, Ruth Holt, said: “With all the financial challenges facing the NHS, there is a perception that we aren’t recruiting any more but we always need nurses – they’re a crucial part of our healthcare team and our biggest group of staff.

“As we’re such a large organisation we wanted to host an open day to showcase some of the career opportunities available for nursing staff and, importantly, give them a chance to talk to colleagues already working here and later visit some of the clinical areas they might be interested in joining.”

Building on the success of the event, a further open-day was planned at the end of March at the Friarage Hospital.

Patient Nick Biggs, gold medal paraolympian with chief executive Tricia Hart at the service improvement workshop 7

You’ve given us a snapshot of your working lives what next?

Fond farewell to Jan AFTER 38 years dedicated service to the NHS, Jeanette Wayman, operating department practitioner (OPD) at Friarage theatres has retired.

She initially trained as a radiographer, moving to theatres in 1980 as a trainee operating department assistant (ODA).

Since qualifying she has covered the main theatre areas - scrub, recovery and anaesthetics. An extremely knowledgeable and experienced ODP she enjoyed teaching students.

Well respected by all her colleagues including anaesthetists and surgeons, Jan has many friends throughout “We the hospital and will be would like sorely missed.

to wish Jan a very happy retirement.”

Jackie Codd, senior ODP/ team leader said: “We would like to wish Jan a very happy retirement and all the very best for the future. She is expecting her first grandchild later this year so will have much to occupy her time.”

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THE 2013 NHS staff survey results have now been published with South Tees being placed among the top 20% of trusts across the country in 15 of the 28 key findings.

Our overall indicator of staff engagement – a key measure - also increased which is important as we know there is a direct relationship between staff engagement and the experience of our patients.

Research has shown a relationship between staff engagement and individual and organisational outcome measures, such as staff absenteeism and turnover, patient satisfaction and mortality; and safety measures, including infection rates.

Our best ranked scores were:

“The important thing for us to act on the results.”

• Percentage of staff agreeing their role makes a difference to patients

• Percentage of staff believing the trust provides equal opportunities for career progression or promotion • Percentage of staff witnessing potentially harmful errors, near misses or errors in the last month • Percentage of staff experiencing harassment, bullying or abuse from patients, relatives or the public in the last 12 months • Percentage of staff reporting errors, near misses or incidents witnessed in the last month (this is encouraging as last year this was identified as an area we needed to improve) While the key areas identified for improvement are: • Percentage of staff receiving health and safety training at work in the last 12 months

“I think, as a snapshot, it shows we are holding up well under pressure.”

While the biggest improvement compared to last year was the percentage of staff agreeing their role makes a difference to patients, with our figure jumping from 89% to 93%.

Chief executive Professor Tricia Hart said: “It’s a mixed set of results which isn’t surprising given there has been a significant amount of change happening in the NHS but I think, as a snapshot, it shows we are holding up well under pressure.

“The important thing for us to act on the results and share widely with staff the action plans we intend to put in place to make improvements.”

• Percentage of staff feeling pressure in the last 3 months to attend work when feeling unwell • Staff motivation at work • Percentage of staff able to contribute towards improvements at work

• Percentage of staff receiving well-structured appraisals in the last 12 months From this month, NHS England is also introducing the staff ‘friends and family test’ in all NHS trusts with a vision that all staff should have the opportunity to feedback their views on their own organisations at least once a year.

It’s hoped this initiative will promote a cultural shift in the NHS and strengthen the staff voice - as well as the patient voice – by providing further opportunity and confidence to speak up if issues arise.

Hundreds unaware they have Paget’s disease RHEUMATOLOGISTS at James Cook are urging people to be more aware of Paget’s disease – a common bone disorder which affects hundreds of people across the South Tees area without many of them even knowing about it.

Paget’s disease is characterised by excessive breakdown and formation of bone which results in weakened bones that can lead to pain, misshapen bones, fractures, and osteoarthritis.

But many people have no symptoms at all so they do not even realise they have the disease unless it is discovered by a chance when the patient is having an x-ray or blood test for another problem.

Dr Stephen Tuck, consultant rheumatologist at James Cook and vice chair of the Paget’s Association, said the disease affects 1- 3% of over 55s.

“A large number of people have Paget’s disease but do not know about it,” he said. Or if they have been diagnosed by their GP they think there is not a lot you can do about it, which is not true.

“The number of Paget’s patients we are seeing is nowhere near the number actually out there.

“We are urging anyone over 55 with painful or misshapen bones to see their GP and anyone who has been diagnosed with Paget’s disease to ask about the treatments available.”

Paget’s can be controlled using medication that can be given as tablets

“A large number of people have Paget’s disease but do not know about it.”

Rheumatologist Dr Stephen Tuck and chemical pathologist Dr Stewart Pattman pictured with Diana Wilkinson of the Paget’s Association on a recent visit to James Cook or through a drip directly into the blood stream.

“The day is free to attend and it is open to anyone who is interested in Paget’s disease.”

Early treatment can eliminate pain, prevent future fractures and stop problems spreading to the body’s nervous system which could lead to issues such as leg weakness or sciatica.

Diana Wilkinson, healthcare and education officer for the Paget’s Association, recently visited James Cook to see the range of clinics available, help raise awareness and promote the charity’s first information day in the area.

Patients, carers and health professionals are invited to attend the Paget’s Information Day on Wednesday 14 May 2014 at the Middlehaven Conference Suite, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, from 10am to 3.30pm.

Diana said: “The day is free to attend and it is open to anyone who is interested in Paget’s disease.

Those attending will be able to question a range of experts and it is also a great opportunity to meet others with the same condition.”

To book your place call 0161 799 4646. For more information visit www.paget.org.uk

Did you know?

• Paget’s disease is a bone disorder that occurs more commonly as we get older.

• Paget’s is characterised by the excessive breakdown and formation of bone, (bone remodelling).

• The pelvis, femur, and lower lumbar vertebrae are the most commonly affected bones.

• The UK has the highest prevalence of Paget’s in the world • By the age of 80 Paget’s presents in approximately 8% of men and 5% of women 9

My medicines, my health STAFF at South Tees are taking an active part in the ‘my medicines, my health’ campaign which focuses on improving medicines adherence, improving health outcomes for patients and reducing waste medicines.

Targeting patients across Teesside and North Yorkshire who have long term medical conditions, ‘my medicines, my health’ urges people to value the medicine they have been prescribed for their health condition by keeping them safe together in one place and in one bag – and take them with them for key medical appointments such as visits to hospital.

The benefits to patients for using the green medicine bag (or any marked bag) include maintaining familiarity of their own medicines, reducing confusion, empowering patients to manage their own medicines, quicker discharge and reduction of the hoarding of medicines at home.

The benefits of using the green medicine bag for our trust include involving the patient in decision making;

increase patient satisfaction; optimise medicine taking; improved communication and transfer of care as well as improved patient education around medicine.

My medicines my health: Adrienne Stark with a green medicine bag

The campaign, which launched in February, has been on regional TV adverts, radio, social media, and in shopping centres, has had a lot of press coverage.

Adrienne Stark, deputy director of pharmacy at the trust, said: “It is hoped the campaign will help to facilitate accuracy of prescribing on admission, reduce inappropriate dispensing and cut down on avoidable medicine waste. The amount of omitted drug administration will be less and the patients will be less confused with their medicines once they have been discharged.”

Further information can be found on the campaign website www.mymedicinesmyhealth.org.uk or on Twitter @NHSmymedicines.

Dedicated volunteers receive awards FIVE volunteers have received special recognition for giving up their time to help cancer patients at the trust.

Joan Blott, Joyce McArthur, David Phillips, Julie Wootton and Marjorie Auty have

all clocked up five years voluntary service with the Macmillan information centre at James Cook.

“Without our volunteers we would not have a service,” said centre manager Julie Taylor. “And this is our way of saying a big thank you to them for their continuous hard work and dedication.”

Joan, who worked in health records in the NHS, started volunteering in 2007, spending one day a week doing admin tasks and assisting clients.

Joyce, who worked in education, said she started volunteering because she just wanted to help: “I feel this role is rewarding and I

enjoy meeting people and supporting them.”

David, who worked in the RAF and has seen a number of family members battle cancer, spends one day a week helping the bereavement service and the centre.

Julie, who worked as a nursery nurse, helps within the centre entering data and helping with bereavement services. Having cared for her mum who had cancer Julie wanted to give something back to Macmillan and use her experience to support others.

Marjorie, a retired primary school teacher, received excellent information and support from Macmillan when her husband had non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She said “I wanted to do something in return for all the help and support that was given at my difficult time.”

Joyce McArthur, Joan Blott, David Phillips, Julie Wootton, and Marjorie Auty (left to right) receive their five-year voluntary service awards from Macmillan 10

Chief executive professor Tricia Hart presented certificates to the five volunteers at a celebration event in the academic centre.

James Cook first in UK to implant new miniature wireless heart monitor JAMES Cook has become the first hospital in the UK to implant a new miniature wireless heart monitor.

Cardiologist Nick Linker was the first to insert the Medtronic Reveal LINQ™ device which will primarily be used to help pinpoint why a patient is suffering blackouts or an irregular heartbeat.

Traditionally doctors would have implanted a loop recorder the size of a USB stick into a patient’s chest to monitor their heart rate. These devices record on a loop system for up to three years.

If the patient experienced a blackout they would then use a separate device to freeze the recording which could then be assessed by a consultant at the hospital.

The new monitor offers all the same benefits but is a tenth of the size of the traditional loop recorder, making it much more comfortable and less noticeable under the skin – it is nearly invisible to the naked eye in most patients.

On top of this it talks wirelessly to a receiver in the patient’s house which, when the patient is near to it, automatically transmits any unusual heart activity via a wireless 3G signal to a secure

Cardiologist Nick Linker compares the traditional loop recorder to the new Medtronic Reveal LINQ™ device

system that can be accessed instantly by the heart team at the hospital who can then contact the patient if New device they need to see them. no bigger It also comes complete with its than a AAA own implant kit which means battery there’s no need for surgical kit and scalpels. The procedure requires an incision of less than 1cm which can then simply be glued back together.

It is hoped that in the future it could be performed in just 10 minutes in a treatment room rather than in a theatre setting.

Dr Linker said it was fantastic to be the first in the UK to implant the new device: “From my perspective it was a much simpler and quicker procedure and it was very easy to do.

“From a patient’s point of view the device is much smaller so it is more comfortable and you get a much better cosmetic result. And because it does everything the previous device did it is a winner all round.”

Trudie Lobban, chief executive and founder of the Arrhythmia Alliance welcomed the use of the new device for diagnosing patients with irregular heartbeats: “For 50% of people with atrial fibrillation there are no symptoms that suggest that they may have an arrhythmia.

“While we are fortunate that there are a number of treatments and interventions for treating these conditions, the problem is finding those patients before they arrive at the hospital with a life threatening condition.”

Laurence first to benefit from new device Laurence Shine, 54, of County Durham, was the first person in the UK to have the Medtronic Reveal LINQ™ device fitted to monitor his irregular heartbeat.

Mr Shine had the new device implanted after being selected to take part in a research trial by cardio research sisters at James Cook, who explained the process and arranged everything from screening and enrolment to regular clinic visits.

Mr Shine said he had every confidence in the cardio team and happily watched the procedure take place after being given a local anaesthetic.

“All the staff were very helpful and Dr Linker explained exactly what was going on. It all seemed very straight forward so there was nothing to worry about.

“I was surprised how quick and smooth it was - It was as if Dr Linker had done it many times before!”

Mr Shine said he’s impressed by how small the device is compared to the traditional loop recorder. He added: “There was no discomfort during the procedure and all I can feel now is a bit of a bump.”

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Hospital o station and WORK has begun on the long awaited rail station at the back of James Cook.

Have you picked your smart swap?

AS part of National Obesity Week the health improvement service held a smart swaps event at James Cook for staff, patients and visitors.

services/health-improvement/ or smartswaps.change4life.co.uk/

Pick your smart swap…

Food/drink

Swap for

The free event included healthy heart screening, BMI checks, healthy recipes, alcohol awareness and advice on local health walks, cycling schemes and infant nutrition.

Whole milk

Semi-skimmed milk

Semi-skimmed milk

1% fat or skimmed milk

Health improvement manager Carol McArdle said: “Whether you want to lose weight, improve your fitness or eat healthier in 2014 we have a range of NHS services across Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland to help you achieve your goals.”

Butter

Lower fat butter or spreads

Sugary drinks

Sugar free drinks, milk or water

Cheese

Reduced fat cheese

Sugary cereal

Plain cereal

Find out more at southtees.nhs.uk/

Sylvia plans to rock after four decades in the NHS WARD 36 manager Sylvia Wilson has retired after 40 years dedicated service to the NHS, 30 for the trust’s division of trauma.

She began her nursing career as an enrolled nurse at West Lane Hospital in 1973, moving to Middlesbrough General Hospital in 1978, and then to James Cook. After converting to registered nurse she became a sister and has been ward manager for the past 14 years.

Having some ‘me time’, spending more time with her family and grandchildren and more holidays are priorities for retirement. She is also hoping to get out and about and do more exercise namely walking and swimming. Sylvia is also looking to explore her musical talents by 12

finding a local ‘rock choir’ to join.

“I have made lots of good friends and have lots of fond memories”, she said. “I firmly believe there is nothing you cannot achieve in life, if you try and really go for it and my career proves that.”

Glynis Peat, directorate manager for spinal injuries/senior nurse, said “Sylvia is a true stalwart of the NHS and will be greatly missed by her friends and colleagues.

“Devoted to her patients and with a genuine concern for both patients and staff, she will be a hard act to follow.

We wish her a long and happy retirement and all the very best for the future.”

Sylvia celebrates with friends and colleagues at her retirement do

Following a successful application to the local sustainable transport fund, Tees Valley Unlimited secured Department of Transport money for the new station, alongside a number of other initiatives to improve rail facilities across the area.

Construction work – being delivered by Network Rail – started on site in January with the rail halt expected to open this summer for patients, visitors and staff.

Up to 17 trains a day in each direction are expected to call at the hospital and other stations on the line between Middlesbrough and Nunthorpe.

The £2.2million facility will have a single platform providing a fully-lit waiting shelter and seating, full CCTV coverage and passenger information including an electronic screen and public address announcements.

The development closely interlinks with Middlesbrough

“The new will make a contributi transport inf of Middle and the Teesside

on track for new rail d new car park!

Council’s plans for a state-of-the-art sports village off Marton Road, which also includes a residential area on the former Prissick base and Brackenhoe East School sites.

“We are delighted that work has now started on this strategically important rail scheme, developed with a number of our key partners. It will fill a significant gap in the existing rail network and provide an alternative means of access to one of the area’s largest employment sites and other surrounding developments, which are located along a busy transport corridor.

The project has been developed in partnership between Tees Valley Unlimited, the trust, Middlesbrough Council, Network Rail and Northern Rail, which operates the existing train service on the Middlesbrough to Whitby Line.

It’s also hoped the scheme will help to alleviate some of the car parking issues on the James Cook site and help to make access to and from the hospital easier for staff, patients and visitors.

At the beginning of this year, the Board of Directors agreed to plans to develop and finance extra car parking on the James Cook site which will include: structure

w a valuable ion to the nfrastructure esbrough e wider e area.”

• Selling off the Brackenhoe site (which was only a temporary car park) as development land • Buying a piece of land from the council

“This scheme – along with other rail improvements that TVU is funding – should help to increase rail use, contributing “The rail towards our key objectives of creating growth and link will be a cutting carbon across the major boost for Tees Valley”

the trust, our

further down staff and our from Brackenhoe which would be patients.” used to create a permanent car park of 1,100 spaces (this would replace the existing spaces on Brackenhoe – around 900 – plus 200 extra spaces for staff) • S eeking permission to build another car park on vacant land next to the holistic centre (providing approximately 326 additional staff/ patient/visitor spaces) • I mproving access to the hospital by building a dedicated link road to the hospital from Ladgate Lane (in partnership with the council) Director of service strategy and infrastructure Jill Moulton said: “The rail link will be a major boost for the trust, our staff and our patients. It’s something we’ve been talking about for over 25 years and will greatly improve access for patients.

Full steam ahead: Jill looks at the plans

What our partners have to say about the rail halt

“We also hope it will encourage more staff to leave their cars at home and help us reduce our carbon footprint although we do recognise the car parking issues on the James Cook site have to be addressed.”

Managing director of Tees Valley Unlimited Stephen Catchpole

“The new structure will make a valuable contribution to the transport infrastructure of Middlesbrough and the wider Teesside area. It will fill a critical gap in the rail network and over time lead to a substantial reduction in the number of cars using Marton Road. That will help to reduce congestion in this busy area and the benefits will be felt in other parts of the town.”

Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for environment – councillor Nicky Walker

“This partnership is not only adding a train station to the developing community – it is also improving the current service we deliver and we’re thrilled to be part of this exciting project.”

Managing director for Northern Rail – Alex Hynes

13

Purple walkers work wonders HAVING already raised almost £18,000 of their £40,000 target to help towards the redevelopment of the haematology day unit at James Cook, from a couple of ‘purple walks’, Mark Stewart and Brian Jones were delighted to have been able to hand over a further £10,000 from the Jack Brunton Charitable Trust.

trustee of the Stokesley-based Jack Brunton Charitable Trust, Susie Jones contacted Brian because her late husband was also called Brian Jones, and he had received treatment on the haematology day unit for a blood cancer, aplastic anaemia.

Mark, age 40, from Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, was diagnosed with chronic cancer last year. He is a patient on the unit which treats patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders.

Jack Brunton farmed a considerable amount of land in the Teesside area. He decided to put a large sum of money into a trust that would support teams, village halls, conservation within the county of North Yorkshire, but not to individuals. The trustees meet and decide who should get financial help.

Last September, the two best friends organised two ‘purple walks’ around the Tees Barrage area of Stockton on Tees and more than 400 people rallied to the cause and took part, raising £18,000.

Mark appreciated the unit’s dedicated staff and their efforts to lift patients’ spirits, and provide the best possible care. He wanted to thank them and do something which would help to improve the environment for future patients and support their recovery.

Currently, the environment for patients and visitors on the unit is far from ideal, and plans are underway to relocate the services to another part of the hospital during this year.

On seeing the news regarding Mark’s ambitious target, the wife of a former

On completion of the application the trustees agreed to fund a further £10,000 to the project.

Brian’s widow Susie said: “When Brian died the trustees wanted to support the haematology department and this donation is very special.”

Donations can still be made at http:// www.justgiving.com/purplewalk or text - GLAK64 - plus the amount you wish to donate to 70070.

Paul Watkins, head of fundraising for South Tees Hospitals Charity, said: “We very much appreciate this helping hand. Money raised will help us to provide a first class facility for treating patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders – designed with the patient in mind.”

South Tees Hospitals Charity covers The James Cook University Hospital and the Friarage Hospital as well as community services. All donations given are used to enhance patient care over and above the core services and facilities that the NHS provides.

We have big ambitions to make a difference to the experience of patients who need to be cared for in the trust’s nine hospitals and community. With your help we want to: • Keep our hospitals at the forefront of care provision; delivering the best possible care to the region’s population by purchasing state-of-the-art equipment • Enhance our staff’s training to keep our teams up-to-date on medical advances • Create the best possible environments for patients and staff We can only do this with the help of patients, carers, staff and local communities who organise fundraising events and give donations and legacies.

From left to right: Healthcare assistant Vicky Burton, consultant haematologist Dr Dianne Plews, Brian Jones, sister Alexis Wollaston, project manager Margaret McQuade and clinical matron Anne Dewing 14

Further details are available by contacting the charity team on 01642 854160 or visiting their website at www.southtees.nhs. uk/charity.You can also keep up to date with the latest on South Tees charity on twitter @ STeesCharity

Ward gets much needed transformation STEPPING onto ward 3 now compared to a year ago, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the wrong place…

The design also considered the needs of dementia patients and other features were added for staff including ‘note shelves’ so nurses can now write up their notes in the bays and single rooms.

The footprint is the same but the area has been totally transformed – thanks to a £1.3million upgrade.

Taking six months to complete, the project was led by the trust’s service strategy and infrastructure team, in partnership with construction company Interserve.

Based in one of the older buildings at James Cook – the 1 to12 ward block - the refurbishment forms part of longer term plans to improve the overall environment for staff and patients and included: • Increasing the number of single rooms to nine • Putting in seven en-suite bathrooms • Improving overall sanitary facilities • Each bed now has oxygen and vacuum facilities • Creating a quiet room and two ‘hot desks’ for doctors • New staff room • Complete redecoration • New flooring consistent in tone and contrast • Adding a feature wall in each of the bays and single rooms • Replacing all the ceilings

Lead nurse Paula Atkin said: “We set out to achieve the best possible environment for patients and staff.

“In its previous condition, the ward didn’t create an environment which allowed us to deliver modern patient care – it had inadequate sanitary facilities, there was an issue with beds and space and we knew we could do more to address patients’ privacy and dignity.

“Now, while the footprint is the same, it looks completely different and overall we’re very pleased with the result.”

The project was managed and led by project manager Dave Smith and Bruce Davison from Interserve.

Bruce added: “It was great to complete the upgrade of ward 3. It’s another successful P21+ project working in partnership with the trust.”

Representatives from the multiorganisational project at its launch. South Tees governor and Redcar and Cleveland Council cabinet member Sheelagh Clarke (second left) and Susan Watson, director of operational services (fourth left)

Agents bond for partnership working THE COMMUNITY agents project was successfully launched at the end of September last year.

The aim of the project is to enable vulnerable people in Redcar and Cleveland to stay safe and remain independent in their own homes, particularly those who live alone and those who are frail or elderly.

Tees Valley Rural Community Council worked in partnership with South Tees and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to deliver the project which is demonstrating strong effective integrated working.

The three community agents work across Redcar and Cleveland alongside health and social care practitioners, with support from other voluntary sector organisations. Some of the key areas of involvement have been befriending, social activity, assisting with completing forms and transport.

Over the past five months we have seen a steady growth in the number of referrals, totalling in excess of 150 to date. Referrals have been received from a wide range of referrers including, acute and community based health care staff, social care, voluntary sector organisations and self-referrals.

(left to right) Amanda Parry, Paula Taggart, Pauline Oxley, Dave Smith, Paula Atkin and Ann Dixon in the refurbished ward 3

Invaluable support is being provided

by Teesside University to evaluate the project and identify any gaps in service provision.

15

Maternity services gain top safety rating MATERNITY services across the trust have gained recognition for its high quality, safe services for mums and their babies following an intensive review.

The Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trust’s (CNST) maternity standards are divided into three levels and the organisation is now one of very few in the country (around 20) to achieve a maximum level 3 status with one of the best scores – passing 48 out of 50 criteria.

It follows a rigorous assessment over two days looking at all aspects of maternity care over the five specific standards - organisation, clinical care, high risk care, communication, postnatal and new born care.

The assessors’ detailed assessment process included interviews, document and policy checks and examination of health records and review of clinical audits to ensure that these polices and guidelines are implemented consistently in every day practice.

Head of midwifery Yvonne Regan said: “It’s fantastic news and a

real achievement for all the staff who have been working so hard to make it happen – from those responsible for gathering all the evidence together to the staff working on the wards – it’s really been a team effort.

The CNST rating is a very clear indicator of the safety and quality of care provided for mothers delivering at our maternity units, either in the hospital itself or at home with the support of our community midwives.”

The NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) provides an ‘insurance scheme’ to NHS trusts against claims for clinical negligence through the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST).

Trusts have to meet standards of care that show they are promoting and using effective risk management to minimise the risk of harm to their patients. Because of the nature of claims in NHS maternity services (where payments for incidents are high as they often have to support the baby through their life), a separate set of CNST standards are in place for maternity services.

Managing director for the women and children’s centre Fran Toller added: “This is the highest level to achieve nationally and is excellent news for the service and the trust. I’d like to thank the team which led on our detailed preparations for the assessment and all the other staff in both maternity and neonatal services who contributed to this successful outcome.”

16

Melissa Brown (left) and Fiona Downs encourage people to make a pledge on the NHS Change Day stand at James Cook

Making a pledge to improve patient care TRUST staff joined hundreds of thousands of people across the country by making a pledge for NHS Change Day. Now in its second year, NHS Change Day encouraged staff to pledge to do one thing to improve care for patients - no matter how big or small.

Staff made pledges online and at the NHS Change Day Stand in the atrium at James Cook.

Many were even posted on the social networking site Twitter.

Here are some of our favourites: • Learn where different departments are in the hospital, so when patients ask me in the corridor I can send them in the right direction • Listen to patients and explain processes clearly • Use my own experiences to provide more compassionate services • Smile more • Walk down the corridor and speak to my staff rather than sending an email • Thank every therapeutic care volunteer for every minute they give to our patients • Have a positive attitude towards everything I do

• Treat everyone with the respect they deserve Patients were also interested in the NHS Change Day stall, asking questions, taking information away to read and even making pledges themselves such as making sure they attend all their appointments on time.

Last year’s event attracted almost 190,000 pledges, many of which had a direct impact on improving patient care. This year the campaign’s aim was to reach 500,000.

Regional Change Day lead Beverly Wilson said: “Change Day is a chance for local NHS staff to show that they have the power in their hands to make things better for their patients.

“One small act, from smiling more to greeting patients by their first name, can have an amazing effect – and completely change someone’s experience of NHS care.”

At the time Talking Point went to print more than 502,650 pledges had been made nationally.

Dr Maxine Craig, head of organisation development at the trust said: “Thank you to everyone at South Tees who took the time to make a pledge to help us continue to improve the care we provide to our patients.”

Sharing good practice worldwide THE TRUST welcomed three midwives from Ghana as part of a project involving Kybele – a non-profit humanitarian organisation dedicated to improving childbirth safety worldwide through educational partnerships.

Kybele’s role is to bring professional medical teams into host countries, to work alongside doctors and nurses in their home hospitals, to improve healthcare standards.

Fiona Bryce, clinical director for obstetrics and Kerry Morgan, risk midwife at the trust and Liz Floyd, midwife, are all involved with the Kybele project, working together with Ghana Health Service.

They also work alongside the Institute of Health Improvement (IHI) to see what other organisations are doing to improve healthcare around the world.

advisory role, two or three times a year to help improve efficiency and healthcare practices and ultimately to help reduce neonatal and maternal mortality.

Cecilia, Susana, Victoria

In Ghana, maternal mortality is estimated to be around 560 deaths per 100,000 live births. The leading causes of maternal death are preeclampsia, acute haemorrhage, sepsis, obstructed labour, non-hemorrhagic anemia and unsafe abortion.

Overall, 92 % of women attend at least one antenatal clinic, but only half of all deliveries are attended by a skilled health professional, such as a midwife or physician.

Susana Asamoah – labour ward manager and triage midwives Victoria Ahwireng and Cecilia Tetteh from Ridge “We were Regional Hospital, particularly keen Accra, Ghana, visited Friarage and James to hear from Cook hospitals to see how our maternity the midwives units work.

As part of a developing working partnership to share knowledge, learning and good practice, the trust team regularly visit Ghana in an

and staff at the trust.”

Their aim was to learn from other areas of practice and develop innovative ideas to benefit patient care in their own busy regional hospital in Ghana.

The main focus of their visit was to observe maternity triage to improve the assessment process when women first arrive, give them appropriate advice and ensure early detection of high risk problems. They also wanted to learn more about patient flow and how it is achieved.

Susana said: “We were very interested to see how things work in the UK and we have learned a lot of lessons which we can take home with us.

“We were particularly keen to hear from the midwives and staff at the trust their ideas on good customer care and improving the relationship between patient and midwife so we can get to know our patients better and how they are feeling.

“We want to develop and improve confidence in our service so we can provide the best possible treatment and keep improving services to enhance their quality of life.“ An example of transferable practice that could benefit patients back in Ghana is, sterile water injection – a simple pain measure, and also how the partogram assessment tool for labour can be used to the best advantage.

Fiona Bryce, on behalf of the team, said: “The trust is committed to developing services to improve patient experience and ensure high quality care and it is a great privilege to be able to share professional roles and practice and to understand the reality of working in a hospital in Ghana, and for them to understand what life is like working at our hospitals.

Learning curve: (left to right) Liz, Cecilia, Fiona, Susana, Kerry, and Victoria at Friarage maternity unit

“We were delighted to welcome the midwives and to show them our services and share our specialist skills and we have all gained a lot from the visit. We look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial partnership and support network in the future for the benefit of patients here, and in Ghana.”

17

Ticket to a smooth and speedy discharge GARA ward staff at the Friarage Hospital have introduced a new scheme to ensure patients are kept fully informed about their hospital journey.

The team are issuing ‘my discharge tickets’ to create a smooth and in many cases more speedy discharge home while also helping patients and their families become more involved and informed.

Each ticket has a number of sections which link in with a patient’s journey from admission through to discharge.

Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and nurses update each section of the discharge ticket after discussion with the patient.

Daily goals are agreed and patients can see that achieving these will take them another step closer to discharge.

A red/amber/green (RAG) rating process is used which links with the ward’s patient status at a glance board, so at the bedside the same information and progress can be seen by staff, patients and relatives alike.

The Gara team were inspired to review their whole patient discharge process after attending a three day workshop.

It is hoped the new discharge tickets will promote clear and open communication with patients and their families as well as ensuring all planned care is individually tailored.

Clinical matron Karen Harwood said: “Ward manager Keir Rumins and the whole Gara team have done some fantastic work following on from the discharge workshops and I am very proud of what they have achieved.

“Patients are already starting to see the benefit; with one recently commenting on what a smooth discharge home she experienced.”

It is now hoped the scheme can be rolled out across other wards in the trauma division.

18

Recipients of the long service awards with Marjorie McDonald front centre

Dedicated Marjorie leads the way when it comes to long service OVER 120 loyal and dedicated staff have received long service awards from the chairman of the trust, Deborah Jenkins.

In this elite group, who in total have given 2,795 years of service, was Marjorie McDonald, who has completed 48 years in the NHS. Currently a staff nurse in gastroenterology based in the endoscopy centre at James Cook, Marjorie started work in 1965 at Sedgefield Hospital and for the next two years she was a nurse cadet and student before carrying out her nurse training between 1967 and 1970.

Marjorie qualified in 1971 after maternity leave and worked in Stockton and Thornaby Hospital, West Lane and the rheumatology team at Hemlington before joining the main outpatients team at South Cleveland Hospital in 1983.

She then worked on the surgical day unit and for the last 18 years has been working in

endoscopy where she is a staff nurse.

Marjorie retired from full-time employment at 55 and has been working the last ten years on a part-time basis, but her passion for nursing has never waived.

She said: “All my life I’ve wanted to be a nurse – ever since I was a little girl and I’ve absolutely loved it. I was in the St John’s Ambulance Brigade when I was 12, giving me a fantastic grounding for what was to come.

“I remember in the early years having a Saturday job at Woolworths to supplement my £18 a month salary, but over the years I’ve learned some very valuable lessons. Key ones are that you need to listen to patients; use, or learn, counselling skills and empathise with them. Treat them with the respect and dignity you would want from them.”

During the awards event, the chairman and assembled guests heard high points of each recipient’s careers and a several light-hearted ones as well.

Mayor’s award for heart fund chairman DR ADRIAN Davies has been honoured for his work for local heart charity - South Cleveland Heart Fund.

has made a very real difference, both to Middlesbrough and the wider area.

“Not only is he a leading cardiologist of many years’ standing, he has clearly helped to transform the delivery of heart services across Teesside.

“Thanks to his efforts, heart patients have benefited from the latest state-of-the-art technology and the cardiothoracic unit is rightly recognised as one of the best in the world. His tireless work has made a real difference to countless lives and he thoroughly deserves this mayor’s award.”

His tireless fund-raising has been recognised with a Middlesbrough mayor’s award and Dr Davies was presented with his award by mayor, Ray Mallon, at a ceremony in Middlesbrough Town Hall.

Dr Davies set up the South Cleveland Heart Fund in 1994 and to date the team has raised well over £1 million for the cardiothoracic unit at James Cook, with all funds raised going to the unit to provide equipment, medical and nursing staff training, and research – none of which would have been available through NHS funding.

Mr Mallon, who made the South Cleveland Heart Fund his chosen charity for this Dr Adrian year, said: “Dr Adrian Davies’ tireless Davies receives work over more than three decades his award from Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon

It’s a double!

It was double success at the Lean Healthcare Academy Awards with the trust walking away with the ‘patient choice’ and ‘sustained improvement to patient care’ accolades. Talking Point finds out more about the winning projects.

The dream becomes a reality…

Dreaming of a better service for patients with sleep apnoea became a reality for the directorate of sleep medicine.

use of a mask which helps with breathing during the night to ensure the upper airway in the neck doesn’t close.

For six months, the team at James Cook worked on streamlining its service for patients with OSA – obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome – a serious health condition characterised by pauses in breathing or infrequent breathing during sleep.

But the team was keen to see what more it could do for its patients just by working smarter and more efficiently, producing some impressive results and the ‘sustained improvement to patient care’ award.

Their outcomes included:

Once the condition is diagnosed it can be treated very effectively with CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure therapy – through the

• Significant reductions in waiting times for all aspects of the service including halving waiting times for first appointments

• Improving access to care for patients and ensuring they’re seen in a timely manner • Increasing capacity in the service, allowing the team to offer more ‘sleep solving’ sessions for any patient having problems or issues with their treatment or equipment • Having dedicated areas to see and treat patients • Offering specialist nurse led new patient consultations • Offering a new equipment service Directorate manager Janet Griffin said: “We came into this as a team wanting to create the perfect pathway for our patients and have seen some very impressive results. Winning this award is really just the culmination of all that work but we’re delighted and want to continue to improve the service for our patients.”

Discharge workshops pay off…

The trust also won the people’s choice award for its work on improving its discharge processes – part of the improving patient pathway programme.

As featured in earlier editions of Talking Point, 43 teams took part in discharge workshops between May and October which have helped with patient flow and reducing waiting times.

The workshops included all adult wards in both our acute and community hospitals, plus the orthopaedic and trauma discharge team and case management team with an aim to: • Change culture • S tandardise our discharge practices

through a consistent approach • I mplement a ‘home before lunch’ concept on the wards •G ive teams dedicated time away from their work environment •B e sustainable, meaningful, interactive and fun Improvement manager Julie Poultney said: “I know all the team involved in this project thoroughly enjoyed supporting the ward teams to identify areas of improvement - in fact I felt very privileged to work with such enthusiastic teams and it was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding times I have experienced in my 37 years in the NHS.”

Val’s drive improves efficiency HEALTH care assistant Val Kaczkowski’s drive, enthusiasm and commitment has led to an outstanding individual contribution award from the division she works for.

A valued member of the acute assessment unit (AAU) team in acute medicine, Val embraces her role in the ward and ambulatory care. As an added responsibility she worked alongside the stores team reviewing existing medical and surgical equipment and piloting the ward based topup ordering system.

She has completely revamped the storage system in line with lean principles,

rationalising the ordering to such an extent costs have been reduced in 2013 by 28.94%, a saving of £22,320.40.

Val was nominated for her hard work and this significant achievement by Debbie Christian, acting directorate manager for acute medicine, Jackie Hoggart, ward 15 ward manager and Dr Mahir Hamad, clinical director for acute medicine.

“The procurement team expected to see a slight decrease in costs, but they have expressed their surprise at the actual impact Val has had on reducing costs.”

Debbie said: “I feel Val deserves recognition for her outstanding contribution to the directorate in terms of Val (third productivity and efficiency left) with Debbie savings, particularly in times Christian, Jackie of financial constraint.

Hoggart, Angela Artley senior nurse and Dr Mahir Hamad

19

Flipping great fun

Val Wilson, Margaret Crelling and Pearl Fisher from the Friarage breast cancer support group in x-ray at the Friarage

SHROVE Tuesday’s pancake race saw staff from stores, businesses and other organisations in Northallerton come together flipping a pancake all the way for the Friarage MRI scanner appeal.

Fantastic support for scanner

Suzi Campbell from South Tees Charity and Judith Masterman (pictured) from radiology at the Friarage joined in the fun brandishing their frying pans and attempting to stay on course on the town’s Applegarth playing fields.

A BIG thank you to the caring ladies from the Friarage hospital’s breast cancer support group who have donated a fantastic £1,500 to the Friarage Hospital’s MRI scanner appeal.

Pupils from Applegarth School also took part in their own heats before the trader’s race and were cheered on by their fellow pupils, family and friends.

The friendly, open group offer help and support to breast cancer patients in a safe and confidential setting.

They fundraise to help benefit breast cancer patients at the hospital and regularly donate money for hospital equipment to enhance early diagnosis of breast cancer.

The popular event was reinstated in 2010 by food firm Lewis & Cooper and the 50m race is equivalent to the distance between the town

hall and market cross, where the race used to be run in years gone by.

Suzi said: “Judith and I had a lot of fun taking part and it was very competitive. We were delighted to cross the finish line but were pipped at the post with the prizes.

“A big thank you to everyone who took part in the race and to Lewis & Cooper for choosing us to benefit from the race this year.

“A fantastic £917,600.000 has been raised so far toward the Friarage MRI scanner appeal and we are very grateful to everyone who helped with the event or made a donation for their support.”

For further information about the group or the meetings please telephone Val Wilson on 01609 773964 or specialist nurses, Judith Curtis or Louise Sadler at the Friarage Hospital on 01609 764622.

South Tees Hospitals Charity in partnership with the Friends of the Friarage is to raise £2million for an MRI scanner - an essential piece of medical equipment used to investigate almost any part of the body – at the Friarage Hospital.

Public support is essential in helping us to make the campaign a success and there are a number of ways to make a donation: • Visit the appeal website at www.friaragescannerappeal.org.uk • Contact the appeal office - the executive offices, Friarage Hospital, DL6 1JG – 01609 764936 20

• Drop off your loose change at a collection box in the main reception at the Friarage Anyone wanting to support the MRI scanner appeal can donate online at www.justgiving.com/ FriarageMRIscannerappeal Follow South Tees Charity on twitter and keep up to date with all the latest fundraising news and events @STeesCharity

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