The Pulse Autumn 2023

WELCOME FROM THE Chief Executive

I am delighted and extremely proud to be Chief Executive of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. Since I took up my role on 11 September, I have been getting to know our staff, patients, volunteers and health system partner colleagues. It has been invaluable to chat to our teams and gain a deeper understanding of what it is like to work in our hospitals. It’s clear to me that we have fantastic staff who are committed to caring for our patients in the best way possible. I look forward to supporting our staff to continue to improve services which provide better outcomes for our patients.

There are some great examples in this edition of The Pulse that demonstrate our dedication to improve services. On page 6, we have featured clinical nurse specialist Nicki Astle’s work to help young epilepsy patients talk more freely about their health concerns, and on page 7 you can read how Dementia Nurse Specialist Alison Gray is championing the launch of the Herbert Protocol at our Trust, a scheme that supports the families of patients with dementia.

Our volunteers are an integral part of life in our hospitals and the way they support patients continues to evolve. Find out how a new volunteer rapid response role is making a real difference in our Emergency Departments and our wards on page 7. On page 5 you can read how one of our volunteers liked her role so much she retrained to join our workforce as a healthcare assistant – see page 5 for more.

Also in this edition, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hinchingbrooke Hospital. It’s amazing to see that we have a selection of staff who were present on day one still working there today! Turn to page 8 to read more.

Finally, I would like to remind you of an important event in our Trust calendar – our Annual Public Meeting. It takes place at Peterborough City Hospital on Tuesday 17 October at 6pm and features a look back at Trust performance for 2022-23 as well as a look at the redevelopment work we are undertaking at all three of our main hospital sites in 2023-24. It would be great to see you there.

Hannah Coffey Chief Executive

Contact Us

The Pulse magazine is compiled by the Communications Team at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. If you have any comments, or would like to make a suggestion about a subject you would like to read about in our magazine, please call the Communications Team on 01733 678024 or email: nwangliaft.communications@nhs.net

WELCOME TO NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE HANNAH COFFEY

We welcomed new Chief Executive Officer Hannah Coffey in September. Hannah took over the lead role at our Trust from Caroline Walker, who has taken semi-retirement following 41 years’ service to the NHS – the last five of them as CEO.

Hannah was previously Acting Chief Executive at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. She has extensive experience in the NHS – joining as a Management Trainee in 1997 and has worked across all sectors, holding a diverse range of executive portfolios.

She spent 10 years fulfilling Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officer positions at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals, and at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

She subsequently took up the role of Director of Improvement and Transformation at Guy’s and St Thomas,’ where she led the development of the organisation’s transformation programme, continuous improvement approach and associated cultural change.

More recently, Hannah was the Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Barking,

Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust where, in a joint role with local commissioning groups, she led their provider collaboration and clinical strategy work. She said: “I am delighted to be joining North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust at such an exciting time. There are many opportunities for us to explore further and work with our local partners to improve services to our diverse communities.

“I am really looking forward to getting to know our staff, volunteers and partner organisation colleagues across all our sites as I undertake my induction programme.

“Finally, I would like to thank former Chief Executive Caroline Walker and the Trust Chairman Steve Barnett for all their support during the CEO handover period. I am delighted to be working with the Trust board and the staff at NWAngliaFT.”

Celebrating our staff at the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Awards!

We are getting really excited as we look ahead to our annual awards event, a black-tie dinner and dance, where we give praise to our wonderful teams and individuals who have won monthly awards throughout the year.

“Everyone who wins a monthly award is then put into the annual awards nominations, in one of the six categories that we recognise in our staff awards system,” says Jo Bennis, Chief Nurse.

“I sit on the judging panel, and it is always such a difficult task to select winners because in our eyes, every one of those nominations is a worthy winner. We all look forward to this event each year because it’s not only heart-warming to hear the amazing stories, but also a reminder of how valued our staff are. Without them, we really couldn’t operate our hospitals and we are immensely proud and thankful to have

so many wonderful people caring for our patients and keeping everything running as smoothly as possible.”

The Outstanding Achievement Awards take place at The Holiday Inn, Peterborough, on Friday 13 October. We will announce all the winners in the next edition of The Pulse –

including those who won our Health Hero Awards. This is the only publicly nominated award of the night, with nominations from patients and visitors. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write a nomination, we will be in touch if yours is one of our winners!

New CEO, Hannah Coffey (left) with former CEO, Caroline Walker (right)

Our 2022 Outstanding Achievement Award winners

RESPIRATORY NURSE PAM SAYS FAREWELL AFTER 50 YEARS IN NHS

With an NHS career spanning an incredible 50 years – Specialist Respiratory Nurse Pam Patton has retired from her role at the Trust.

Colleagues at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital have said farewell to Pam, who has spent the last 20 years of her long NHS career in our Trust treating local patients and mentoring colleagues.

Pam started her training aged 19 in Birmingham in 1973 and once qualified, she started work in major trauma and burns at the Accident Hospital. She continued to work in Birmingham in between growing her family and relocating to Cambridgeshire with her husband and three children in 1987.

On joining a nursing agency, she was offered work at Papworth, Addenbrookes and Hinchingbrooke. After doing this for a year, she was offered a permanent post on the Chest Medical Unit at Hinchingbrooke. She enjoyed it so much that she stayed 14 years. After five years as a Junior Sister however, she felt more than ready for promotion.

This came in the form of an opportunity to manage a new service for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in Peterborough – which she did for nine years, before joining Peterborough City Hospital’s Ambulatory Care service as an advanced nurse practitioner.

But missing her respiratory roots, Pam eventually found herself back working in her area of expertise, and a service that she has been instrumental in developing over the years.

As well as helping to grow the respiratory service in Hinchingbrooke, Pam has also delivered training and education to staff across the Trust.

She said: “My highlights are definitely getting the positive feedback from staff I have mentored and having the feeling that I have really made a difference.”

Pam’s retirement comes as the NHS celebrates its own 75th milestone. She was

presented with a long-service certificate and gifts by the Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Walker.

However, Pam isn’t cutting ties with the Trust completely, and as of October 1 is taking on a six-month educator project to upskill medical and nursing colleagues.

She said: “I hope this will enable the continuation of excellent care from the door to discharge for this group of patients.”

Specialist respiratory nurse Pam Patton receiving a warm farewell from colleagues

Pam pictured with North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Officer Caroline Walker (left) and Chief Nurse Jo Bennis

TRUST SAYS FAREWELL TO COMMUNITY MACMILLAN CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST

Having dedicated almost four decades to caring for cancer patients across Cambridgeshire and the Fens, long-serving Pet GraingerSmith is retiring as Community Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist. A well-known and much-loved figure in the communities in which she serves, Pet – who was instrumental in the Trust introducing complementary therapies to cancer patients – plans to turn her attention to another passion in her life … horses.

Pet (pictured) joined the Trust 39 years ago, originally as staff nurse on 1Z at the old Peterborough District Hospital and was then first sister in the Day Centre (now the Robert Horrell Macmillan Cancer Wellbeing Service) helping to deliver palliative care. Her desire to offer patients a range of alternative therapies as part of end-of-life care saw her being awarded charity funding to visit China to learn acupuncture.

Qualifications in Reiki, massage, reflexology, Indian head massage and aromatherapy followed. Pet said: “The Trust was certainly ahead of its time in the nineties when it came to offering a holistic option in its palliative care programme.”

Pet has spent many years delivering palliative care to patients in the community. She added: “I cannot think of a better job – where spending precious time with a patient, offering psychological support, controlling symptoms and making a difference is a privilege.”

Now aged 72, Pet plans to swap her many miles of driving each week for a four-legged mode of transport.

A lover and keeper of horses for many years, she is saddling up to volunteer at her local riding for the disabled school, as well as intending to learn a new skill, playing Polo!

Paying tribute to her colleagues, Pet said: “I am going to miss a lot of people. This team is great and there is not one of them I wouldn’t rejoice in looking after me if I needed it. They are all fabulous with compassion, empathy and knowledge. I have been privileged to be a part of all of this.”

Our people Kim Crichton

After spending 18 years as a full-time mum, Kim Crichton was looking for a new challenge and a renewed purpose in life - and that’s when she discovered volunteering for the Trust.

Kim, a former nanny, knew she wanted a role where she could be close to and care for people, and successfully answered an advert looking for volunteers at her local hospital.

As a rapid response volunteer, Kim enjoyed being a listening ear and keeping people company, but really wanted to do something more hands on and patient focussed. Kim began her volunteering in August 2022 and initially spent a few hours a week chatting to patients and guiding visitors around the hospital.

In May of this year, after completing her training, Kim was offered a HCA (Healthcare Assistant) role. Kim now

Fundraisers help to ‘bake a difference’ to support breast cancer charity

Take a group of family and friends, mix in a huge selection of homemade cakes and stir in a giant auction, raffle and tombola - and you have the recipe for the perfect charity event!

Now in its fourth year, the fundraising Afternoon Tea was organised by keen baker and breast cancer survivor Cetti Long – with the cherry on top of the cake being a visit from the Breast Cancer Now charity itself.

proudly wears her HCA uniform on B5, where her focus is very much on ensuring patients are comfortable, assisting with feeding, personal care and answering any call bells from nursing colleagues.

“The first time I put the uniform on, I and my family were so proud. It felt great. Being a HCA has given me a purpose in life and is where I want to be.”

Kim – a former Trust Outstanding Achievement Award winner – was also nominated to represent the Trust at this summer’s NHS 75 commemorative service at Westminster Abbey.

She added: “Being a volunteer with the Trust is so rewarding. I would say to anyone, ‘Do one day and you will be hooked.’”

For anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at one of our hospitals, please visit hch-tr.Volunteering@nhs.net.

Held in her garden, our communications and engagement specialist Cetti was again supported by generous family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and local businesses –with over £2,700 raised.

Cetti said: “Breast Cancer Now is a wonderful charity, and one which I turned to during many months of treatment and uncertainty.

“It continues to provide a source of ongoing support and advice so I was particularly thrilled and honoured to have been contacted by the charity a few weeks ago, asking if they could attend the event. It was a pleasure to welcome them to our growing Afternoon Tea family.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – we look forward to hearing how YOU are fundraising.

Stamford leads the way to help raise Hospitals’ Charity profile

Our new charity hub at Stamford and Rutland Hospital has received some roar-some feedback since its opening a few weeks ago.

The previously unused room in the main entrance of the hospital has been given a makeover, to transform it into a visual and functional resource for use by the North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity – giving staff, patients and visitors the opportunity to find out more about its work.

As a dedicated space to raise the profile and work the Hospitals’ Charity, it also provides a focal point for sharing fundraising ideas – so please pop in and see us if you want to have a chat about anything.

Officially unveiled by one of the Hospitals’ Charity mascots, Stamford has been chosen as the location to launch what is hoped to be the first of three Charity Hubs, with others currently being planned for Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital. These will also incorporate the patient experience and volunteer recruitment teams.

YOUNG EPILEPSY PATIENTS GIVEN PLATFORM TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS

Our young epilepsy patients at Hinchingbrooke Hospital are now being given a platform on which to share any mental health concerns about the condition.

The hospital’s paediatric epilepsy team has joined forces with a research psychology team at University College London to reach out to patients as young as six.

Called the Lucy Project, the research study encourages youngsters with epilepsy to talk to their healthcare professionals about any worries they have surrounding the condition, and feelings generated as a result. This could range from feelings of sadness, to being unable to understand why they may be behaving differently at school or home – with the project providing a safe space to talk alongside psychological support and advice.

Leading the project on behalf of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust is clinical nurse specialist (paediatric epilepsy), Nicki Astle (pictured).

Along with consultant Dr Rajalingam, Nicki works with researchers from the project who then assess and suggest ways in which to support the patient.

Nicki said: “We now see patients on a regular basis and the programme means that children aren’t waiting or being signposted elsewhere to talk about things that are worrying or concerning them about their condition.

“Having epilepsy as a child is a big deal; it can impact on their mental health and the feedback from young patients is that they just want someone to talk to.”

The study runs until March 2024 when the findings will be assessed and the future of the service – including the possibility of rolling it out to Peterborough City Hospital.

Online pain management service to reach more patients

The Trust’s Department of Pain Management has launched an online option to help reach more patients needing to access its services. The development of this option has been in the pipeline for almost three years and is an extension of the current patients offering. People referred to the department can benefit from a multi-disciplinary team approach, involving medical consultants, specialist nurses, physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy and administrative staff.

The department accepts referrals from primary care across Cambridgeshire, Rutland, parts of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The online option is in addition to face-to-face workshops to meet

the needs of patients preferring to access their therapy using technology.

Some people will always prefer an inperson option, so face to face workshops will also continue.

The new, convenient virtual sessions are designed to meet the needs of many more patients referred to the service and forms part of a service delivery improvement.

Dr Sarah Ronaghan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, explained: “As part of our patient pathway, patients can attend information sessions and workshops to learn about the science of chronic/persistent pain and strategies to help them self-manage. They also get the opportunity to meet and learn from other patients living with pain.

“In 2020 we felt strongly that we could be offering this opportunity to patients online, however, there have been many hurdles to overcome since September 2020 when we started the ball rolling.

“We’re very grateful for the support we received from the IT department and our admin staff to get this off the ground.”

TRUST JOINS NATIONAL SCHEME TO SUPPORT FAMILIES OF DEMENTIA PATIENTS

The Trust is backing a nationwide scheme that encourages staff and carers to compile useful information in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.

The initiative – called The Herbert Protocol –is being introduced in all inpatient, outpatient and emergency departments across our local hospitals, and is spearheaded by our Dementia Team.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary, along with partners including the Dementia Action Alliance and the Discharge Dementia Advisors (Alzheimer’s Society), have set up the scheme locally.

Trust Dementia Nurse Specialist, Alison Gray (pictured) said: “The Herbert Protocol is an early intervention and risk reduction scheme to help find vulnerable people who are at risk of going missing.

“Through our staff and this initiative, carers are being asked to fill in a form and keep it updated so that it is ready to hand or send to the police should it be needed. This will help save vital time at the start of efforts to locate the missing person.”

Helpful information includes phone numbers, places the person often goes, medication they are taking and a photo of the individual.

The protocol is named after a war veteran of the Normandy landings named George Herbert, who lived with dementia in a care home. George sadly died whilst ‘missing’ in attempts to find his childhood home.

Rapid Response Volunteers available in all staff areas!

A special Rapid Response Volunteer service is available at Peterborough City Hospital, they provide help to other staff working in the hospital. Staff can call the Rapid Response Service and request help in their area.

Sarah Clarkson, Volunteer Coordinator, said: “The service is designed to be called on either last minute or in advance to aid other areas by assisting with things like refreshment rounds in wards and clinics, spending time with patients in need or when they are alone, taking them to hospital appointments in buggies and much more.

“They recently helped in the packing and distribution of refreshments to wards and other areas during the strikes. They have also helped the communications team to frame lots of certificates. We are also planning to provide this service at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in the near future.”

Emergency Department Volunteers gain additional funding

Funding has been secured for another two years at Peterborough City Hospital for the Emergency Department Volunteers. The volunteers, who give their own time to come to the hospital, support staff by providing many different tasks.

Carol North, Head of Volunteering commented: “The ED volunteers are fantastic and really appreciated by staff and visitors within the department. They help out by making patients drinks, complete prescription runs, keep distressed patients’ company, help patients to contact loved ones, give dementia support as well as many other really useful functions.

“This enables hospital staff working in ED to concentrate on clinical duties which helps with patient flow and adds an extra level of care. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.”

HISTORY OF OUR HINCHINGBROOKE

Beverley Balls, Facilities Helpdesk Administrator

Beverley Balls started working at the Huntingdon County Hospital in 1980 as a cleaner before moving across to the Hinchingbrooke Hospital site while it was still being built and cleaning up after the building work was completed.

She said: “I feel incredibly proud to work for the NHS. I always say I am NHS blue blooded all the way through and I feel very fortunate to work at Hinchingbrooke. It is a lovely place to work. Everyone is so friendly and because we have a small hospital, it has a nice community feel to it.

“I worked in the kitchen as a cleaner to start with, but within a week I was asked to take on the role as the supervisor for the evening shifts.

“Since then, I have had a huge amount of support to progress in my career, including

paid for courses and help from my managers and team which made me feel so valued. In 1991 I was given the opportunity to do a management course for catering and became a manager for the Catering Team and was given the Blackmore Thistle Cup for high achievement in my course.

“In 2014 I became the Patient Services Manager for the Portering and Switchboard teams and had planned to retire in 2020, but as the pandemic hit, I knew that I couldn’t leave my team at what was our most difficult and challenging time, so I stayed.

“I am now working as the Facilities Helpdesk Administrator, so I receive all the calls for maintenance support across our Hinchingbrooke site. I have definitely noticed an increase in the need to repair our aging hospital, so the news that we are going to get a new hospital can’t come soon enough.”

This year marks 40 years since Hinchingbrooke Hospital Huntingdon County Hospital and Primrose Lane new site.

The Care of the Elderly Wards opened first, closely followed Maternity Unit towards the end of 1983. Many of our a brand-new building at the time. Here, they share their have seen over the past 40 years.

Wei Chian McIver, Midwife on Maternity Day Assessment Unit

Wei Chian McIver joined the NHS 40 years ago from Malaysia and speaks 3 languages. Besides her nursing and midwifery training, she has worked at Hinchingbrooke Hospital since it opened its doors for the first time in 1983. She said: “I remember us carrying chairs and walking across the road from the old County Hospital, into what was a brand new Hinchingbrooke Hospital. When I first started I worked in the Care of the Elderly wards located at the rear of the Hinchingbrooke site as a pupil nurse in 1983 and worked on every single general ward, before moving across to maternity once I was a fully qualified midwife in 1995.

“When I moved over from Malaysia some of my qualifications were not recognised in the

HINCHINGBROOKE HOSPITAL

Hospital first opened its’ doors in 1983, after the Maternity Hospital transferred across to the followed by the General Medicine Wards and then the our staff can remember their first steps into what was their memories and photos of the changes that they

UK, so I had to study for more qualifications to transition from a State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) to do a conversion course to be a State Registered Nurse (SRN). I would attend night school and work shifts, it was tough but I was determined.

“Hinchingbrooke was a relatively small hospital, like a country hospital, before the Treatment Centre was built in 2005 and extensions to the main hospital were built; everyone knew each other, and staff were and still are friendly and supportive. When I was pregnant with each of my three daughters, I chose to give birth at my place of work because I knew I would receive very good care. My children are now 26, 24 and 17. I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else, it’s so special to know that I had my team around me, and I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else.”

Sarah Carter, Deputy Sister, SCBU

Sarah Carter joined the team at Hinchingbrooke 40 years ago and hasn’t left since then. She started her training in the Care of the Elderly Ward, while the Hinchingbrooke site was still being built in 1983 and completed her nurse training in June 1984. She joined the Special Care Baby Unit team before working her way up the ranks to Deputy Sister and has found that she is regularly recognised by parents of children who have been in Special Care. She said: “I lived in the nurse accommodation on site while I completed my training, and it was great to work on a brand-new unit. Babies would be snuggled up in sheepskin to keep them cosy and protected. Premature baby clothes were not readily available to buy, so we used to make them between shifts or during our breaks.

“I have run a parent support group for over 30 years and we are always looking at different ways to help support families. We’ve created journey boxes, baby diaries and milestone cards to mark special achievements each baby has made.

“Technology has been a major change over time. Our babies used to stay with us for much longer periods of time, with many staying until they were 8 or 9 months old

until they were feeding and breathing by themselves. We now have fantastic community support in place now so our parents can take their babies home earlier while still having tube feeds or requiring oxygen and the team support them in caring for their baby at home, which is so much better for the family.

“I have always enjoyed working here. It is a friendly hospital with a great team who are really family orientated. It is an incredibly rewarding role and a privilege to be able to help people at a very difficult time in their lives.”

THEATRES BUILD IS PROGRESSING AT SPEED

Visitors to our Hinchingbrooke site will have seen that the construction of the new Main Theatres Block is progressing at speed. External cladding and windows have now been installed, with the link corridor connecting to the main hospital site.

The next stage of the build will see the connection of the corridor between the Theatres and the Treatment Centre, which should be finished in October 2023. Then the focus will be on the internal elements of the build, including pipe works and electrics. The team will be welcoming the first patients through the door in early 2024.

Mr Arpit Patel, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Mr Arpit Patel joined Hinchingbrooke Hospital 25 years ago as a Junior Doctor and is now a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Here he shares his thoughts on the new Theatre Block that is currently being built.

He said: “This is a really exciting time for us as we move closer to our opening date for our new Main Theatres Block. We are really looking forward to moving into the new facility. Our unit is a small unit, but this is why I have stayed at Hinchingbrooke for 25

years. We have those familiar faces for our patients with the same receptionist, the same doctors and the same people, so we have that continuity of care for our patients. We have always had really good outcomes and positive patient experience, so now that we have the new Theatres it will provide us with the tools we need to work in a state-of-theart environment.

“The new build will provide two Theatres for our elective Orthopaedic Surgery, including hip and knee surgery, with improved efficiencies and better patient flow, so we can reduce waiting lists down and increase our theatre activity as required. The

operating theatres themselves are bigger, modern spaces, with the potential to utilise the space for training purposes, with the future capability for robotics and navigation and the potential to introduce barn theatres if required.”

Architect designs bring Hinchingbrooke’s future to life

Architects working with the Hinchingbrooke Redevelopment Project Team have provided an insight into how the new hospital site might look, following detailed discussions with clinical teams.

The drawings illustrate how the site might look, building towards the rear of the hospital site and adding additional floors to the overall structure. Each element of the build would progress in stages and link to the Treatment Centre and new Theatres Block, which are not affected by the structural issues that the main site is currently facing.

Arshiya Khan, Deputy Chief Executive for the Trust said: “These initial designs provide us with an artist’s impression, so we can visualise how our site may look and how we can connect our Treatment Centre and new Main Theatres Block together. It is a really exciting time for everyone involved and we hope that these drawings will give everyone an insight into our initial ideas.”

CQC UPGRADES RATING OF MATERNITY SERVICES AT LOCAL HOSPITALS

Our Maternity Teams at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals have been delivering a range of care improvements as well as thousands of babies each year – which has resulted in our service being rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

The efforts of the teams working across the units were recognised by CQC inspectors when they visited back in April and as a result the rating for the service has been upgraded from ‘requires improvement,’ to ‘good.’

Inspectors said they could see the significant improvements that had been made since visiting four years ago and how women, people using the service, and babies are all receiving much better care as a result. The implementation of a new system at both sites to prioritise those who presented to triage, helping to keep them safe, was singled out as a fantastic tool. They also highlighted how visible and supportive leaders were, which improved how focused staff were on good care for women and birthing people.

The maternity unit at Peterborough City Hospital was last inspected in 2019, where inspectors had originally ranked it as ‘requiring

improvement’ under the domain of ‘safe’ and ‘inadequate,’ under the domain of ‘wellled.’ Both these areas are now rated good, demonstrating the journey of improvement undertaken. At the Hinchingbrooke maternity unit, inspectors increased its rating under the domain of ‘well-led’ from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good.’

Jo Bennis, Chief Nurse at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford & Rutland Hospitals, said: “I am extremely proud of our maternity teams and the depth of work that has been undertaken since our last inspection in 2019 and would like to thank our staff for their fantastic support. I’m really pleased that the inspectors could see the dedication and determination of our staff to improve the care our women, babies and their families receive.

“We know there is still work to do for us to progress even further on our improvement journey. We will continue to work with our teams, service user groups, healthcare partners and communities to provide a highquality maternity service.”

Improvements made by our maternity teams in the past 4 years include:

• Implementation of a new system to prioritise women who present to triage

• Investment in the maternity leadership team to include Heads of Midwifery at both sites and a Director of Midwifery to oversee the service

• Creation of a robust Education, Risk and Governance team who have been recognised in various award ceremonies for the work they are doing

• Employment of an Equality, Inclusion and Diversity midwife to support care for the diverse population and hard to reach communities the Trust serves

• Appointment of a maternity nonexecutive director

• Development of a long-term plan to help address risk and issues

Local maternity teams’ triumph at Health Service Journal Awards

Maternity teams at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospital are celebrating winning the Digital Clinical Safety Award category at the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards.

The team’s project to use a digital early warning tool to reduce stillbirth and brain injuries through early recognition, escalation, and intervention. The team were one of 8 nominations to be shortlisted in the Digital Clinical Safety category of the awards across UK and marked the fifth time that the maternity team have been nominated for the HSJ awards, but the first time the team have won.

Dr Manjula Samyraju, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist for the Trust, said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised nationally for the work that we are doing and the ongoing improvements that our maternity services are making. I am extremely proud of the teams for this achievement, the hard work and dedication of each member of the maternity department is what enabled us to receive this award.”

One of NHS Resolution’s four key strategic priorities is to collaborate to improve maternity outcomes and to support the government’s maternity safety ambition to halve rates of stillbirth, neonatal and maternal death and brain injuries that occur during, or shortly after, birth by 2025. Manjula added: “We are continuing to work hard as a service to help reduce the risk of stillbirths and brain injuries through our study

on the Digital Fetal Early Warning Scoring framework. The study has been developed to provide an early warning when changes occur during fetal monitoring to achieve faster medical intervention for better outcomes.”

The HSJ Digital Awards celebrate the power of digital products, projects and services to transform care delivery, enhance efficiency, and improve patient outcomes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NHS – A SUMMER OF CELEBRATIONS

We have been celebrating our hardworking and long-serving staff over the summer with a series of events to mark the 75th birthday of the NHS!

Afternoon Tea parties for our longestserving colleagues were held at Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital – while staff and fundraisers at Stamford and Rutland Hospital were also recognised.

It was a case of giant and creative birthday cakes at our three main sites, with special guests invited to share the occasion.

Our Trust executive team went on a walk-about to hand deliver some of the thousands of commemorative pin badges to staff in their ward areas and departments – all of which was kindly paid for by the North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity.

Many individual wards and departments around the Trust also staged their own NHS 75 celebrations to mark the birthday with strawberry and cream teas and decorated workplaces for staff and patients to enjoy.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Walker, said: “The 75th birthday of the NHS is a

milestone of which we should all be very proud. It has been wonderful for myself and the rest of the executive team to chat with staff and listen to some inspirational stories from their careers within the service over the past few weeks.

“We are lucky to share our hospitals with so many amazing colleagues who should be very proud of the care they deliver.”

And even though the official birthday party is over – there are more great things planned to commemorate the NHS’s 75th anniversary throughout the rest of the year.

Stamford says thank you to staff and fundraisers

Afternoon Tea in the sunshine at Stamford and Rutland Hospital – the perfect way to honour staff, fundraisers and mark the 75th birthday of the NHS. The special event to say ‘thank you’ was enjoyed by around 50 people, against the backdrop of the beautiful staff wellbeing garden.

Colleagues joined volunteers from the Friends of Stamford Hospital, Friends of Peterborough Hospital, Friends of Hinchingbrooke Hospital, the Dreamdrops charity and the Peterborough Cancer Treatment Appeal.

Guests also included Stamford’s mayor and deputy mayor, Cllr Andrew Croft and Cllr Marion Pitt.

The event, funded by North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity, was by Trust chair, Professor Steve Barnett, who also spends some of his spare time as a hospital volunteer.

He said: “Our staff, volunteers and fundraisers are the heartbeat of our hospital and the local community. It has been my great pleasure to see so many of them at the special afternoon tea event and to thank them in person for their commitment and dedication – made all the more poignant in this 75th year of the NHS.”

Staff, supporters and fundraisers enjoy the Stamford and Rutland Hospital thank you Afternoon Tea – funded by the North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity as part of NHS 75 celebrations.

WARD MANAGER AT LOCAL HOSPITAL SHORTLISTED FOR NURSING TIMES AWARD

An ‘inspirational’ ward manager, whose positive approach has ensured her team are able to learn, develop and trial new innovations has been shortlisted for the Nurse Manager of the Year title in the coveted Nursing Times Awards.

Amy Dewhurst, who leads the team on ward B6 at Peterborough City Hospital, has already won one of the hospital’s own leadership awards for the way she has helped her colleagues develop and take on new skills and roles, and for creating a ‘family’ environment on the ward to welcome new international nursing recruits.

Now she will be judged in the national arena alongside 10 other nurse manager hopefuls at the Nursing Times Awards taking place in London in November.

Jo Bennis, Chief Nurse at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospitals, said: “We are thrilled for Amy to have been recognised in this way. She is an excellent nurse and a great leader, which is a fantastic combination to give the best care for both our patients and staff. This nomination is made all the more special by the fact she has been nominated

her efforts.

Graduation ceremony sees local staff celebrate their achievements

Staff at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust have celebrated the fantastic achievement of completing their Care Certificates and apprenticeship qualifications.

The Care Certificate is based on 15 standards of fundamental nursing care which staff need to complete if they are new to care. In total, 26 new Health Care Assistants were presented with their Care Certificate awards, which had been achieved within their first fifteen weeks of employment within the Trust. Another 11 members of staff across Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford hospitals were presented with certificates for apprenticeship qualifications, including Healthcare Support, Customer Service and Senior Healthcare Support.

This is the first graduation ceremony the Trust has been able to host in person since

the pandemic. Jo Bennis, Chief Nurse for the Trust, said: “After being unable to hold this event for three years it was lovely to see the graduation ceremony return as a face-toface event. It’s a fantastic opportunity to say congratulations and such a joy to celebrate everyone’s success.”

A range of Outstanding Learner Awards were given out during the evening,

nominated by colleagues, for learners that reflect the Trust values and go above and beyond in their work and clinical practice: Putting Patients First, Actively Respectful, Seeking to Improve and Develop, Caring and Compassionate and Working Positively Together.

by the people who work with her and clearly benefit from

“We wish Amy every success in these prestigious awards.”

SPOTLIGHT ON RADIOTHERAPY

As an integral part of the Trust’s overall cancer services, the ever-developing radiotherapy department treats around 1,000 new patients each year.

Located next to the haematology and oncology department on the ground floor, radiotherapy services opened its doors within Peterborough City Hospital in 2011.

During those 13 years, the department has been able to treat more patients locally, as opposed to them having to travel to Cambridge or further afield and we continue to provide the most advanced techniques in radiotherapy treatments with our technology.

The radiotherapy unit, which sits under Trust’s medicine division, currently sees around 90 new patients every month.

June Dean, Head of Radiotherapy said: “What many patients may not be aware of, is that we offer advanced techniques to treat a range of cancer types right here in Peterborough.

“We offer a fantastic, comprehensive and supportive service for the patient – some of whom travel to us from Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and parts of Leicestershire, Norfolk and South Lincolnshire.”

Practises to be proud of at Peterborough City Hospital include:

• Offering some of the most advanced treatment in the region for lung cancer

• Adaptive radiotherapy for bladder cancer –tailored daily around the patient’s needs

• Using ‘cone beam imaging’ to ensure we accurately treat breast cancer more effectively than ever before

• The standard use of a device to visually aid breast cancer patients with their breathing during treatment, this also enables patients with hearing difficulties or without English as a first language to access heart sparing radiotherapy

The department’s 20+ therapeutic radiographers deliver the radiotherapy treatment and are part of a wider team including consultant clinical oncologists, dosimetrists (who work with the individual patient to create their treatment plan) radiotherapy physics (who provide scientific and technical support for the service) and a dedicated radiotherapy nurse specialist

(when patients are referred from outside of the Trust) - all supported by admin and clerical colleagues.

Patients are referred for radiotherapy to a consultant clinical oncologist where treatment options are discussed and then – working with a dosimetrist – a personalised treatment plan is created, checked by the consultant, and then delivered by the therapeutic radiographers – putting the patient at the forefront of their journey.

In addition, the department has a consultant palliative radiographer. Helen Gregory is Peterborough City Hospital’s first Macmillan consultant therapy radiographer in palliative radiotherapy – specialising in the treatment of secondary cancers – and supports the individual patient through their treatment journey.

The department is continually looking to develop and offer new and advanced treatment options for patients, in line with national health guidelines.

One of the most recent innovations is the introduction of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to identify organs and anatomical structures on radiotherapy planning CT scans. Accurately identifying healthy organs and target structures is vital to ensuring radiotherapy can be delivered effectively and safely. Still in its early stages of use within the Trust, the AI system aims to reduce the time taken by doctors to complete this complex radiotherapy outlining process.

Some members of the radiotherapy team + radiotherapy physicist Chris Priscott

MOUTH CARE, MORE THAN A GREAT SMILE!

Implemented from a national initiative known as Mouth Care Matters from Health Education England, the Trust is pleased to be part of the project launch within our hospitals, involving a multidisciplinary approach from our Speech and Language therapy team, Practice Development Team, Dental Nurses and Apprenticeship Team to provide the best possible care.

Throughout the summer, staff across our Trust have been attending training to reinforce the importance of why mouth care matters and how to deliver mouth care in a safe and compassionate way to our patients. Mouth care is important for our general health and wellbeing, allowing everybody to eat, speak and socialise without discomfort or embarrassment. Research has shown poor mouth care in hospitals increases the risk of a deterioration of general health in patients which can in turn lead to an increase in hospital acquired infections such as hospital

acquired pneumonia, poor nutrition uptake and potentially longer hospital stays.

Claire Knights, Lead Clinical Educator for Urgent Care, Acute Medicine and Medicine Practice Development Team, who is coordinating the project and facilitating training in collaboration with Clinical Facilitator Tori Fergusson said:

“This project supports our Trust Improvement plan to deliver outstanding care and experience to our patients, empowering staff to improve the quality of care we provide. There has been involvement from so many specialities from Hazel Ferreira Speech and Language Therapy, lead for this project, to Gail Reilly, Apprenticeship Co-ordinator who has actively been facilitating training of mouth care to our Healthcare Assistants on induction. My thanks to everyone involved as it has been lovely working in collaboration with so many individuals to achieve a shared goal.”

Shining the spotlight on our Senior Site Management Team

Working 24 hours a day, seven days a week and always on hand to answer any questions and help resolve issues, are our dedicated Senior Site Management Teams.

They’re a relatively small but mighty team and they work out of both of our acute hospital sites but manage capacity for all inpatient areas at PCH, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford Hospitals.

“It’s quite difficult to describe an average day for one of the Site Management Team, because no one day is ever the same!” says Mary Donaldson, Site Senior Lead. “We cover a huge range of tasks and most of those revolve around problem solving. If there are patients to

be transferred or we need to impose an ambulance divert when one of our sites gets extremely busy, then we work as a liaison between the different teams and hospital site or Trust’s. We have various meetings each day to determine what our priorities are and how we can best work together with all our clinical teams to ensure all our sites run safely and efficiently.”

Logistically there can be many challenges in helping to keep things ticking over, given the locations of each hospital and the number of teams and departments the Site Teams have to consider and communicate with. They complete a ‘sitrep’ at key points during the day which is a way of sharing vital information such as how busy

the emergency departments are, how many patients can safely be discharged that day and what staffing looks like.

“We basically oversee the dayto-day running of our hospitals,” says Caroline Eady, Site Senior Manager for Hinchingbrooke.

“The team working element of our jobs is absolutely imperative to everything that we do and the camaraderie and dedication to the jobs that we do, makes me very proud. Out of hours (overnight), we are pretty much everything to everyone and our decisions need to be quick and effective to prevent any problems arising.”

The Site Management Teams job is highly demanding

and is a constant juggle of internal and external pressures. Mary and Jo both agree that their roles in the Trust is far busier than it once was, with more demands and continued pressure on the need for more inpatient bed capacity. It’s a job that the team are wholly committed to doing well though and in everything they do, the patient comes first. Mary says. “Our aim is to ensure that patients get to the right place first time and receive the best possible clinical care to reduce their length of stay in hospital. Patient safety and experience are at the heart of all our decisions.”

Become a Research Champion

Research Champions are patients, carers, members of the public and people who have taken part in a research study before, as well as those who haven’t. Something they all have in common is that they are passionate about getting more people involved in research so that we can develop better care and treatment for everyone.

If you would like to be a Research Champion and volunteer to help spread the word about health and care research, help research and healthcare staff understand more about the experiences of those who take part in research then please contact the Research & Development department by calling 01480 847511 or email nwangliaft. rddepartment@nhs.net. We’d love to meet you.

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BRAS FOR BREAST CANCER

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so a great time thank all the generous ladies from in and around Stamford for lending their support through regular deposits at the hospital’s Bra Bank.

A collection bin in aid of Against Breast Cancer – located in the Stamford and Rutland Hospital main entrance - continues to attract large

numbers of unwanted bras. The bras are given a new lease of life, recycled by small businesses in developing countries.

For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund research into breast cancer and secondary breast cancer. Bra bins are also located in the atrium at Peterborough City Hospital.

Teaser for next issue: Winter 2023

Thank you for taking the time to read this edition Pulse, we hope you have found it both informative and entertaining. We enjoy bringing you news and achievements from around the Trust and sharing stories about out services and staff.

Look out for the winter issue – out this December.

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