The Pulse Spring 2023

LAUNCH OF VIRTUAL CARE PROJECT

WELCOME FROM THE Chief Executive

Welcome to the first edition of The Pulse for 2023. There are lots of exciting things happening in our hospitals right now, all with the aim of doing one, very important, thing – improving our patients’ experience.

I am really proud to share the efforts of our staff who are living our values of Putting Patients First by helping to deliver improvements in patient care. In this edition we share news of some specific projects that are making a positive impact upon waiting times and access to clinical teams.

We are now running a number of Virtual Wards that offer suitable patients the chance to receive hospital-standard care, monitoring and support in the comfort and safety of their own homes. Take a look on page 3 for more information.

On page 10 you can read about our new Ambulance Handover Unit at Peterborough City Hospital. This is a modular unit which was delivered and fitted out in record time to enable us to reduce the length of waits in ambulances when our hospital is very busy. Not only does this mean a better experience, it is also a safer one for our patients as this means we can avoid using corridors as a place for temporary care when all other areas are full.

On the same page you can also read about a new, innovative service for patients with lower limb wounds. Through a new app, wounds can be remotely monitored by clinicians, which enables concerns to be addressed without waiting for an appointment, and, for those wounds healing well, appointments to be reduced, saving time and travel for patients.

Thank you to all the staff involved in these three exciting projects. Also in this edition, we profile some of our staff and volunteers with a focus on their roles. I am particularly proud that we can offer more opportunities to our young volunteers, and hopefully inspire them to pursue a permanent NHS career. Meet young volunteer, Ali, on page 6.

I am pleased to report that the construction of our new main operating theatres block at Hinchingbrooke Hospital is progressing well and we will soon place the final steel beam on the roof to officially complete the build. Read about this important development, and our other plans for the Hinchingbrooke site, in our feature on pages 4 and 5.

Finally, if you are visiting Peterborough City Hospital, look out for the amazing mural recently installed along the corridor towards the outpatients department. It features some fantastic photographs of healthcare in Peterborough dating back over the past 40 years. Some of the staff captured in the photos still work in our hospitals today. You can read the story of how this fabulous artwork came to be displayed in our hospital on page 13.

Caroline Walker Chief Executive Officer

The Pulse magazine is compiled by

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

VIRTUAL WARDS PROJECT - AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO CARE

Our new Virtual Wards are a safe and efficient alternative to ‘traditional’ NHS care, that usually takes place in a hospital setting, and are enabled by utilising the latest technology.

These new Virtual Wards, that specialise in Frailty, Respiratory and Heart Failure support patients who would otherwise be in an acute hospital bed, to receive the hospital standard care, monitoring and support they need in the comfort and familiar environment of their own home. They also help to prevent avoidable admissions into hospital or supporting early discharge out of hospital.

Kim Ashall, Head of Virtual Wards, said: “After much hard work and preparation, working alongside our local health and care partners, we are really excited to have launched virtual ward services for our patients. It’s still early days on our virtual ward journey and as the service develops, across the next year, it is expected that we will be able to offer a wide range of virtual ward services to our patients.”

Dr Deyo Okubadejo, Clinical Lead for Virtual Wards said: “Not everyone requires a hospital stay - our virtual wards will ensure that we can continue to monitor an individual’s health within their home, while at the same time making the very best use of the space we have in our hospitals.”

Helping our frailty patients go home sooner: Focus on our frailty virtual ward

Eligible frail patients who would otherwise have needed to be kept in hospital are now being supported at home. This new virtual ward is helping to reduce frail patients’ length of stay in hospital or, in some cases, avoiding the need for hospitalisation altogether, but ensuring they still get the same standard of care at home.

Our frailty virtual ward model was launched in December 2022, funded by the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Integrated Care System, and delivered in partnership with the Greater Peterborough Network. The aim of the virtual ward was to offer something which was a true hospital

at home service – taking patients who would not normally have been considered suitable for discharge, into the community. Of the first 64 patients referred to the virtual ward, just eight were thought to be better off remaining in hospital. Those treated at home spent an average of 5.8 days admitted to the virtual ward which of course meant 6 days less in hospital. Readmission rates have been in line with the in-hospital frailty ward at about 20 per cent. One such patient, who benefited from the Frailty Virtual Ward, is the ward’s first patient, 90-year-old, Lawrence Hall.

Mr Hall was admitted onto the Frailty

Virtual Ward after attending Peterborough City Hospital’s Emergency Department following several falls and contracting a urinary tract infection. Lawrence spent five days on the virtual ward and received care at home from community nurses from Greater Peterborough Network, before being deemed well enough to be discharged, care that previously would have been provided in hospital.

Mr Hall commented on his stay on the virtual ward, saying, “I am very happy with the service I received and felt happier being able to receive care at home and avoid a stay in hospital. I would recommend this service to anyone.”

Patient Lawrence Hall with staff from the virtual wards programme

HINCHINGBROOKE REDEVELOPMENT IS WELL

Hinchingbrooke is one of five hospitals across the East of England impacted by structural issues relating to concrete panels used in the construction of some of the walls and roof. These panels, made of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete), have been reviewed by structural engineers. Our Estates and Facilities team is working on a rolling programme across the affected areas of the hospital to ensure that we can be aware of any faults as soon as they arise, implement safety measures and carry out remedial works.

In addition, the Trust continues to work closely with NHS England and with other hospitals impacted by RAAC to develop our plans for creating a new hospital on our Hinchingbrooke site. The Trust is currently awaiting confirmation about what funding support it will receive and we will share the details with you as soon as we can.

Theatres build made watertight

The redevelopment of Hinchingbrooke Hospital is continuing to take shape as the work to build the Main Theatres reaches the final construction stage. Work will then begin on the interior of the building.

Over the next few months, our partners at GRAHAM Construction will install the final steel beam into the roof of the structure before making the building watertight and creating the link corridors, which will connect the theatres block to the Treatment Centre and main hospital building.

The theatres block will comprise 7 stateof-the-art operating theatres with a dedicated Paediatric area; reception to create a welcoming environment; and the ability to incorporate the latest approaches and technology to treat our patients. This includes ‘barn theatres,’ which are open plan operating theatres, and robotic technology, should these be required in the

“I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT WHILE WE UNDERTAKE THIS ESSENTIAL WORK ON OUR SITE.”

External shot of the Theatres build

WELL ON ITS WAY

future. The theatres will provide the ideal training environment for new surgeons and operating practitioners of the future.

We will also be waving goodbye to the 36-metre-high tower crane, which has been a feature on our site for many months with its 60-metre jib which carries a maximum of 12 tons. The crane was named ‘Hinchy the Winchy’ as a result of a Trust competition, won by local man, Nick Day. Nick, and our two runners up, received artist sets and met with the Theatres team to receive their prizes.

RAAC works continue throughout the spring

If you have recently visited our Hinchingbrooke site, you may have noticed there is quite a bit of work going on outside at the front, in the main entrance and within some of our wards.

Our Estates team are doing essential maintenance across the site. Following feedback from a recent accessibility report, work began in January to widen the footpaths, install additional drop kerbs and add handrails to some areas. The pedestrian crossing was also moved slightly further away from the junction and repainted to make it clearer. As a result of these works, the short-term closure of some car parking spaces at the rear of the hospital site has taken place with the creation of new temporary parking at the front of the site, leading to an increased footfall in that area.

In February 2023, the team started work on strengthening the ceiling within the Costa Coffee shop, Amigo store and the main thoroughfare. We managed to relocate Costa Coffee to the Treatment Centre and provided additional facilities to ensure that patients, staff and visitors could get refreshments in alternative areas while the work took place.

Other work scheduled includes Plum Ward, Jasmine Ward, Bay Tree Ward and the Garden Restaurant. The Garden Restaurant, located on the first floor of our site, will remain open while the work takes place in stages to minimise disruption.

Chris Howard, Senior Project Lead for the RAAC Programme, said: “I would like to thank everyone for their support while we undertake this essential work on our site. We have tried to keep disruption to a minimum wherever possible and find alternative solutions for all, which has not been easy, but the RAAC team have worked hard to achieve this so we can keep our hospital running as usual.”

Pathology and Pharmacy getting ready to move in

The ground floor of the new Theatres block will be home to our Pathology and Pharmacy departments who will move across from the main hospital once the new building is ready.

Chris Howard, Senior Project Lead for the RAAC Programme, said: “Both our Pathology and Pharmacy departments are looking at the final design stage to move across to the new development which, upon receiving final approval, will provide the teams with fantastic new facilities which will benefit staff and patients for the future.”

Pathology

Matthew Smith, Pathology Services Manager, has been working with the Redevelopment Project Team to design the initial plans for our future Pathology Department.

He said: “This is an exciting opportunity for our team to get involved with what our future Pathology Department will look like and to create laboratory facilities fit for the future and that we can be proud of. We are looking to create an environment which will be a great place to work, with expanded opportunities to train our future pathology staff. We have looked at lots of options and hope to create a layout which will utilise the space efficiently, enable us to have state-of-the-art equipment and provide opportunities for service developments over the coming years.”

The design is currently being reviewed and once approved, building could begin shortly and be completed by the end of the year.

Pharmacy

Adam Smith, Deputy Chief Pharmacist, is keen to develop facilities that will enable his team to utilise their space, whilst achieving efficiencies and making the department more accessible for all.

He said: “It has been great to look at a wish list and incorporate changes which will benefit our staff and patients. Our pharmacy robot is 10 years old now and technology has changed so much in that time that we are really excited to have a new robot, which will speed up the dispensing process. We hope to create a dedicated consultation room which will be dementia and autism-friendly, so if any of our patients are struggling then they have somewhere to go where they can feel safe. We want to make pharmacy as accessible as possible, not just for our patients, but for our staff as well, so we are looking at installing hearing loops and lowering the dispensing hatch to accommodate all.”

Meet one of our young volunteers

Ali is one of our Young Volunteers in Patient Experience, and an aspiring medic who is gaining valuable experience volunteering at Peterborough City Hospital.

Ali said: “I am very proud to be part of the NHS, being part of such a community of dedicated individuals who centre the care and wellbeing of others is an incredible environment to volunteer in and be a part of, hence why I chose to be a volunteer. Working as a mealtime companion, I assist in maintaining nutrition and hydration in patients, tea and coffee rounds as well as aiding with mealtimes, encouraging patients to eat and drink independently. Observing the difference that my role makes to patients and ward staff is truly rewarding.

“The exposure gained from such a patient facing role is incredible, meeting new patients daily who all have their own story about their journeys and having patients compliment the work you do makes it very rewarding and motivational. As an aspiring medic, such a volunteering programme has aided my application in many ways. This role has highly boosted my communication and interpersonal skills and developed my skillset in patient care whilst giving me that familiarity with medicine and the ward structure.”

SURGEON LEADS TEAM IN TREATING HAND TRAUMA PATIENTS IN EAST AFRICA

Hand trauma patients in East Africa have been receiving treatment at a new purposebuilt healthcare facility in a service launched by a Peterborough City Hospital surgeon and his team.

Consultant Hand and Wrist Surgeon Jonathan Jones took unpaid leave as part of his semiretirement plan to spend four weeks working for the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) - making a difference to the lives of patients thousands of miles away in Malawi.

The trip to the central public hospital was part of a transitional plan to deliver this new subspecialty service in a new purpose-built healthcare facility.

Mr Jones was among the first in a team of hand surgeons to visit the new Lilongwe Institute of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery (LION) where patients are treated free of charge.

He said: “The team quickly integrated with the local orthopaedic department, both seeing and treating a large number of hand trauma resulting from road traffic accidents and

industrial accidents in addition to machete (“Panga”) injuries from street crime.

“We developed processes of care and organised equipment, including hand instrument sets, and set up weekly teaching sessions on hand surgery and a virtual multi-disciplinary team service with surgeons working in “National Centres of Excellence” in the UK.”

Patients treated by the BSSH included a 90-yearold diabetic woman who was suffering from severe index finger infection.

Mr Jones added: “She was very satisfied with her treatment and paid me a delightful compliment, that she would give me some of her land - which I was told is really equivalent to a big thank you!”

The BSHS and the British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) will assist LION in the delivery of treatment for elective and traumatic conditions of the hand for the next five years.

For more information on the project please visit www.bssh.ac.uk/about/lion_hand_unit.

Consultant hand and wrist surgeon Jonathan Jones with his team at LION

Young volunteer Ali making a hot drink for patients

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON PUTS BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR BONE CANCER RESEARCH

Having spent the cold, dark winter months in training – Consultant

Orthopaedic Surgeon Rupert Clifton is stepping into spring and ever closer to the London Marathon. Hoping to double the amount he raised from his first London Marathon a few years ago, Mr Clifton is aiming to hit the £3,000 mark for Bone Cancer Research when he takes on the 26-mile route in April.

of the cancer spectrum and to try and raise its often-overlooked profile.

“My career has enabled me to see and treat patients diagnosed with primary bone cancer, which has included children and adults of all ages. Any donations received mean that money will go directly to a very small, deserving charity to raise funds for people diagnosed with his devasting condition.”

He said: “Part of my aim is to again raise funds for Bone Cancer Research and to try and highlight with friends and colleagues alike the lack of research funding given to this devastating area

Mr Clifton was also among six health heroes (along with fellow consultant Rebecca Schofield) to be honoured for the part he played in helping to save the life of a man who had suffered a cardiac arrest. He was first on the scene to tend to a fellow Stamford Striders Club runner who was not breathing and immediately began administering cardiac pulmonary resuscitation. His quick-thinking actions, along with others who came to Mr Comber’s aide last February, resulted in him being presented with Royal Humane Society’s Resuscitation Certificate.

Meet our new Professional Nurse Advocate Angela Scotney

The Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Angela Scotney as the new Lead Professional Nurse Advocate. The role is designed to support staff through a continuous improvement process that builds personal and professional clinical leadership, improves the quality of care delivered and supports professional revalidation. This support will be offered to nurses, nursing associates and health care assistants.

Angela said: “I feel extremely privileged to have been appointed. I see the role as being a positive step forward in contributing to a culture where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to bring their best self to work.”

Professional leadership and clinical supervision are essential in enabling staff to continuously improve the care they provide to patients and their families, as well as to protect their own and their colleagues’ health and wellbeing. Part of the role will involve overseeing the growth of the PNA profile, implementing, and embedding this work activity into organisational work streams.

Angela added: “My vision is that the PNA role is widely recognised as a valuable contribution in supporting the wellbeing and professional development of our nursing and health care assistant workforce, with the required number of PNA’s in place to ensure that all staff from these work groups are able to access PNA support.”

“MY CAREER HAS ENABLED ME TO SEE AND TREAT PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH PRIMARY BONE CANCER.”

Orthopaedic surgeon Rupert Clifton pictured training for the 2023 London Marathon

Professional Nurse Advocate Lead, Angela Scotney

INTERNATIONAL NURSES CELEBRATE EXAM SUCCESS WITH CEREMONIES

International nurses who joined North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust in 2022, celebrated their exam achievements in ceremonies across Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke hospital.

Over the year 2022, the Trust has successfully recruited 217 International nurses and also supported 9 internal candidates in successfully passing the NMC OSCE exam.

Nurses and Midwives, who have trained outside of the United Kingdom are required

to pass the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as part of their Nursing and Midwifery Council registration process. The test assesses an applicant’s ability to apply their nursing knowledge and skills in a simulated clinical setting. The OSCE exam is a gruelling process, and one of the final stages in registering with the NMC.

Jo Bennis, Chief Nurse for the Trust said: “I am really proud of our international nurses for their hard work, dedication, and contribution to the Trust in what was a

challenging time for them. Joining the Trust and sitting your exams during the pandemic is not easy and it’s a fantastic achievement passing their OSCEs and receiving their nursing pin.”

The Trust’s overseas nurses team recruit nurses from across the world to work at Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospitals, and support them throughout their nursing journey and continue that support even after they’ve passed their OSCEs.

Student midwife shortlisted for Nursing Times Awards

A student midwife at Hinchingbrooke Hospital has been shortlisted for an award from The Nursing Times.

Vicky Gois, a student at Angelia Ruskin University and currently on placement at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, is one of nine nominees for the Student Midwife of the Year category.

This category aims to recognise an outstanding student midwife and to celebrate the understanding and communication skills needed in this field –from clinical skills to academic achievement, as well as interpersonal skills, which underpin the treatment of this patient group and relate to their families.

Vicky was nominated by Holly Ingram, who works at Anglia Ruskin University and is also a Clinical Midwife at the Trust, with several people from the Trust and University also sending in accolades for her resilience,

compassion, kindness and enthusiasm to the midwifery profession.

Vicky said: “I am very thankful and lucky to have been nominated for this award. I have had brilliant mentors during my placements, excellent support at University and as a student, privileged to be involved in women’s care and experiences. To be nominated for the award is extremely flattering and overwhelming but I have loved every minute of my training, the highs and the lows.”

Rowena Chilton, Interim Head of Midwifery at Hinchingbrooke, said: “We are incredibly proud of Vicky and the work she has done whilst on placement with us. She is a great asset to our workforce and is going to make an amazing midwife. We wish her all the best for the awards ceremony next month.”

The awards ceremony will be presented at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on Friday 28 April.

International Nurses celebration at Peterborough City Hospital

Student Midwife, Vicky Gois, standing outside Hinchingbrooke Hospital

International Nurses celebration at Hinchingbrooke Hospital

NWANGLIAFT ACHIEVES COURSE CENTRE STATUS FOR LIFESAVING NEWBORN TRAINING

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust has become a training centre for the Newborn Life Support course for healthcare professionals.

The Newborn Life Support course is for all healthcare professionals who are involved in the care of a baby once delivered and is something that needs to be undertaken every four years. Previously staff have had to go externally to attend training but are now able to have this provided on site and the Trust are able to accept external applicants who may be closer to Peterborough or Hinchingbrooke than another training course.

Amie Thorpe, Clinical Educator, and Dr Philip Amato-Gauci, Paediatric Consultant, are both trained Newborn Life Support instructors and have been leading the project to get accreditation. The team had to go through the process of applying for course centre status through the Resuscitation Council UK where a course facilitator visited from Cambridge to work with the team, offering support and guidance.

Amie said: “We’re really pleased to have achieved course centre status; this has been over 2 years in the making due to the pandemic delaying everything. We couldn’t have done it without the support from the

resus team, particularly Rob Perrott, Kim Stewart, and Anna Rushby, it has been a real team effort to drive this forward and I just want to say thank you to all involved.”

The first course was held at Hinchingbrooke back in November last year and was a huge success with a 100% pass rate in the airway test, congratulations to everyone.

Smoke Free Pregnancy Pathway launched to help pregnant women stop smoking

A new pathway has launched at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke hospital to help expectant mothers become smoke free. The new service offers support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy to expectant mothers who smoke to achieve a smoke free pregnancy.

The new Maternity Tobacco Dependency Service Team at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospital consists of two Smoke Free Pregnancy Practitioners, Afolasade Oyewole and Sam Arts, working alongside Treating Tobacco Dependency Specialist Midwife, Debbie Garner. The team deliver the service in the community and work is currently underway to facilitate video consultations to provide more accessibility and give patients more choice on how they want to attend these appointments.

Nicola Griffin, Interim Head of Midwifery at Peterborough City Hospital, said: “We’re really pleased this service is available within our Trust, it means that we’re able to offer a more personalised quit plan with behavioural support, free Nicotine Replacement Therapy, and a friendly

Virtual Pregnancy and Pelvic Floor muscles webinar delivered by Women’s Health Physiotherapists

The Trust is working in collaboration with Cambridgeshire University Hospital to provide online webinars to expectant women, as part of a National Pelvic Health Initiative.

The webinar has been designed to cover the effect of pregnancy on the pelvic floor muscles and offers information and advice on how to care for your pelvic floor muscles both during pregnancy and after delivery.

advisor to maximise the opportunity to become smoke free and improve the future health of both mother and baby.”

The service works closely with the Local Authority Community Stop Smoking Service, Healthy You, and encourages referral of anyone within the family home who smoke as a positive way to support the woman on her smoke free journey. Work is currently being undertaken to facilitate video consultations in order to provide more accessibility and give patients more choice on how they want to attend these appointments.

Liezl Rossouw, Advanced Clinical Practitioner Physiotherapist for the Trust said: “The pelvic floor muscles are often overlooked for the important role they play in bladder and bowel health. Virtual information sessions can empower women with the necessary knowledge to have a healthy pelvic floor during pregnancy and beyond.”

These webinars are held the third Tuesday of each month from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

“THE PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED FOR THE IMPORTANT ROLE THEY PLAY IN BLADDER AND BOWEL HEALTH.”

Dr Philip Amato-Gaucci (left) and Aime Thorpe (right) outside Hinchingbrooke Hospital

New smoke free pregnancy pracitioners, Sam Arts (left) and Afolasade Oyewole (right)

New digital wound care service delivers faster patient service

An innovative new digital wound care management project to help patients with lower limb wounds has launched within the Trust.

The joint nurse-led pilot project that uses an app to auto-measure and analyse tissue types allows patients to upload images of their wounds to a secure portal where they can be assessed clinically.

The aim is to provide an opportunity for remote monitoring, earlier intervention, and better outcomes for patients through the rapid and accurate assessment of wounds as well as cutting down on administrative time.

Gail Curran, Vascular Nurse Specialist said: “The longerterm benefit of the app is the communication between primary and secondary care with instant access to patient wound care progress and concerns raised without having to wait for an appointment, but also being able to reduce the number of unnecessary follow up visits and outpatient appointments if a wound is obviously improving.”

The Trust is delivering the Minuteful for Wound wound care app and portal for its lower limb wound care team jointly with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) which has been successful in winning funding for the digital solution service.

Nurse looking at wound via the new app

NEW AMBULANCE HANDOVER UNIT TO IMPROVE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

A new ‘ambulance handover unit’ has been set up at Peterborough City Hospital in a bid to help combat longer ambulance handover delays and improve patient experience. The new modular unit was installed by Vanguard Healthcare Solutions and is located at the back of the hospital directly in the ambulance drop off point. The building took a month to install and commission and accommodates eight trolley spaces which will act as a rapid triage assessment area. The new provision offers a ‘ready to use’ facility with clean and dirty utility, changing room, toilet, staff area and piped medical gases.

“The Ambulance Handover Unit is a real positive step in helping us reduce handover times and ensure a much-improved, safer experience for our patients,” says Caroline Walker, Chief Executive. “This project is just one of a series of changes and new initiatives introduced to further improve the care our patients receive on admission to and discharge from our hospitals. This includes working with Ashlynn Grange care home adjacent to Peterborough City Hospital, to

provide additional bed capacity for patients no longer requiring acute medical care but are on a reablement pathway.”

It is hoped that the new unit will help to expedite ambulance handover times, using the new receiving area to safely move patients and avoid holding ambulances at the hospital for longer than necessary. The additional capacity and trolley space should also reduce the need for corridor care in the Emergency Department.

Trust awarded Disability Confident Leader status

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust has achieved ‘Disability Confident Level 3 Leader Status’ re-accreditation.

The Disability Confident Scheme is government led, designed to encourage employers to recruit, retain and develop people with disabilities and health conditions in the workplace. Organisations that achieve Level 3 Leader status demonstrate a strong commitment to creating a culture of inclusion and accessibility, and actively promote the employment of disabled people.

Louise Tibbert, Chief People Officer for the Trust said: “We are thrilled to achieve reaccreditation. The Trust is committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. We will continue to work towards this goal by providing support, training, and development opportunities for all employees, and by actively promoting the employment of disabled people.”

To achieve this level the Trust had to undertake a self-assessment which was independently validated. For more information about the Trust and its commitment to inclusion and accessibility, please visit https://www. nwangliaft.nhs.uk/advice-support/edi/.

Sneak peek inside the Vanguard Unit

Deborah Gallacher (left) and Hyacinth Zozulakova (right) who led on the re-accreditation project

CANCER PATIENTS ARE THE FIRST IN THE COUNTY TO USE ‘BREATHING’ AID DURING RADIOTHERAPY

Breast cancer patients are the first in the county to be using specialised visual aid to help with breath awareness during radiotherapy treatment at Peterborough City Hospital.

The three new devices – costing around £18,000 – assist with the deep inhalation breathe hold (DIBH), a technique used in the treatment of some cancer patients. The new Visual Coaching Device enables patients, in particular those who may be hard of hearing or non-English speaking, to monitor their own breathing through graphics on a screen which move in time with inhaling and exhaling.

Patients previously undergoing radiotherapy as part of their breast cancer treatment were given verbal instructions by radiographers on counting and holding their breath, in order to move the chest wall and protect the heart from radiation.

Senior Radiographer Georgina Williams who is leading the project, said: “The visual coaching devices help to streamline the process, making it quicker and we hope less anxious for the patient.

“We anticipate around 500 patients a year will benefit from this new equipment, which brings the total number of devices we now have to four – one for each treatment room.”

New Dementia friendly items at Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Hinchingbrooke Hospital have purchased new dementia friendly items and received the opportunity to improve dementia friendly environments thanks to an anonymous legacy donation.

Hospitals can be a difficult environment for people with dementia. The level of care is important as well as the environment within which care is delivered.

Well-designed healthcare buildings can help patients to recover better and have a positive effect on their wellbeing. There is clear evidence that the right environment has benefits not only for people who use care services, but also their families, carers and staff.

Information for carers

Partners, relatives, and friends often do not identify themselves as carers and as a result do not get the support that they need. Are you aware that as a carer there are certain services available to assist you and your loved one during their stay.

At the Ward Managers discretion, we can offer the following:

• open visiting

• concessionary car parking

• carers beds

• carers passport

• volunteer’s sitters service

• and refreshments where available

Please speak to the Ward Manager or the Trusts Carers Advisors for further information or support for any of the above. Liz Terry is the Carers Advisor for Hinchingbrooke and can be contacted via 01480 363554 or the Peterborough Carers Advisor Terry Thomas on 01733 677997.

Alison Gray, Dementia Specialist Nurse for the Trust, said: “The anonymous donation has enabled us to get blue doors fitted in all inpatient and outpatient areas and also purchase more blue crockery. Vivid colours improve the ability of wayfinding, navigation and independence. The doors will also support many of our older patients with sight problems. Distraction boxes and silent dementia friendly clocks which display the time as well as additional information including the day and the date.

“We are very thankful that the donation is making so much difference to our patients and their careers.”

Breast cancer patients can now use visual coaching devices during radiotherapy treatment radiotherapy. Pictured with the ‘patient’ are therapeutic radiographer Kim Justin (left) and senior radiographer Georgina Williams.

Nurse holding some of the new dementia items

Sleep service improves patient care and cuts waiting times

Falling asleep at the wheel, increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure – these are just some of the long-term consequences of sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea is when a person’s breathing stops and starts while they are asleep. The most common type is called obstructive sleep apnoea and is thought to affect around four million people in the UK. However, following demand for the service at Stamford and Rutland Hospital, a nurse-led clinic dedicated to assessing the condition is up and running – and has doubled the number of patients seen and halved the waiting list. The clinic forms part of the Trust’s respiratory service (including Stamford and Rutland Hospital’s weekly asthma clinic) and sees around seven patients a week.

Respiratory Nurse Specialist Jacqui Russell explained: “We introduced the sleep apnoea clinic to deal with a general buildup of referrals to the respiratory service as a result of the pandemic.

“We have a large catchment area as many patients can choose our hospital for assessment once they have been referred by their GP. As we didn’t want to keep patients waiting, the Trust invested in some new equipment which has allowed us to see more patients.”

The main symptoms associated with sleep apnoea are regular unrefreshed sleep and continuous daytime tiredness, but severe snoring and pauses in breathing are also common.

Jacqui added: “When patients come into clinic, we look at the sleep pattern, lifestyle and conduct a series of tests. They are sent home with a pulse oximeter to wear on their wrist overnight which measures their oxygen levels.”

STAMFORD AND RUTLAND HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE

There have been some exciting changes at Stamford and Rutland Hospital as part of the long-term redevelopment plans. The former nurses’ accommodation has been demolished and gravelled over in preparation for the next phase of the development. The accommodation had not been used for decades and is surplus to the hospital’s requirements for the future of clinical services to be delivered from the site.

Meanwhile, a new modular meeting call/ education centre adjacent to the main hospital building is now in place and once decorated and fully fitted and furnished, will provide an all-purpose and more up-to-date training, meeting and conference facility.

Matron Caroline Wood said: “Work is underway on the new ‘hub’ to support staff well-being and provide a space where staff across the site can take their breaks and enjoy a truly restful place to make the most of their downtime.”

Demolished former nurses’ accommodation to make way for next phase of development

PHOTOGRAPHIC TIMELINE CHARTS HOSPITALS’ RICH 40-YEAR HISTORY

A stunning photographic mural charting 40 years of hospital staff, services and healthcare progress has been officially unveiled at Peterborough City Hospital. The striking piece of art - made up of 150 images captured through the lens of well-known amateur photographer and former paramedic Chris Porsz - has pride of place along the corridor leading to the Outpatients department. The incredible photos record fantastic stories of advances in treatments and technology, changes in uniforms, buildings, and equipment – along with personal highlights from staff past and present and many others

with a connection to North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.

The images were taken by Chris between 1974 and 2010, and the mural project itself - which has been a year in the making - has been funded through a lottery heritage grant.

Designed by Chris’ friend, graphic designer Chris Lane, the scheme has involved several people from across the Trust and is just one of the many ways in which the Trust plans to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS throughout 2023.

Chris said: “The mural is a tribute and shows

gratitude to all our dedicated staff from all over the world who, at great personal sacrifice, got us through the pandemic. Their continued hard work, exemplary and compassionate care depicts the NHS at its very best.”

The mural, also dedicated to the memory of Chris’ late wife Lesley, is based on his book ‘Just Be Kind’. A cheque for £1,500 from book sales was presented to oncologist Dr Karen McAdam and her team.

Half of the money raised will go to local breast cancer clinical trials and to the PCH oncology day unit.

Hospital chaplain receives official license from local Bishops

Lead chaplain Rev Petros Nyatsanza has received his license from two local Bishops at ceremonies in Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke.

Services at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital have seen Rev Petros officially receive his license from Rt Rev Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon and acting Bishop of Peterborough Rt Revd John Holbrook, respectively, in the presence of senior hospital staff and other Trust chaplains.

The license allows him to officiate at services and ceremonies in our hospitals and within the Diocese of Ely and Peterborough, including being invited to preside over weddings, funerals, christenings within the local community.

Rev Petros said: “Being a hospital chaplain is a great honour but receiving the license for the two Diocese makes it official now and my huge thanks to Bishop John and Bishop Dagmar and the many Trust colleagues who

attended the license services.”

Rev Petros is employed by North West Anglian NHS Foundation Trust and works across sites at the Peterborough City Hospital, Hinchingbrooke in Huntingdon and Stamford and Rutland Hospital.

He is part of an eleven-strong Chaplaincy team which provides a multi-faith service all year round; including faith sensitive and compassionate care to the diverse communities that the hospitals serve.

Chris Porsz presents oncologist Dr Karen McAdam and her team with a cheque for £1,500

Graphic designer Chris Lane with amateur photographer Chris Porsz

SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON APPRENTICES FOR NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

In February, the Trust celebrated its brilliant apprentices by sharing their stories and showing the different types of apprenticeships the Trust offers as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

There are two different types of apprenticeships on offer, firstly, there are apprenticeships aimed at helping with progressing skills and longterm career aspirations. The second type is known as the “Direct Entry Apprenticeship Scheme” which is mainly for those who are entirely new to healthcare such as school leavers.

Covering a range of skills and areas from Business Administration and Customer Service, Nursing and Theatre Practitioners, throughout your

Meet our apprentices:

Caitlin Back, Nursing Associate

Caitlin (21) is a nursing associate who is on a top up apprenticeship degree to become a registered nurse. Deciding to enter healthcare because she wanted to make a difference, Caitlin saw choosing an apprenticeship as a way of putting her learning into practice whilst gaining experience.

“I really enjoy working in the NHS as I can provide person centred care and work as part of a team to make a difference to patients’ lives. It is a privilege to care for others.”

Lauren-Jayne Randall, Level 4 Healthcare Science Associate Apprentice in Cardiorespiratory

Lauren is currently studying a Level 4 Healthcare Science Associate Apprenticeship in Cardiorespiratory.

studies with the Trust, you will be supported through your journey and be given the opportunity to receive training designed to help selfdevelopment and can experience “insight weeks” where you can work with different departments in the hospital.

Nikki Martin, Widening Participation Officer within the Apprenticeship team said, “We are proud to recognise the work and value apprentices bring to the Trust. Whether developing the skills of existing staff to support career progression or giving opportunities to young people taking their first steps in a career in health, you can undertake an apprenticeship and a vast range of roles alongside your day-to-day job, so if you’re interested, please talk to a member of the apprenticeship team, or visit our website to see what opportunities are available!”

Mainly based at Peterborough, Lauren’s course is a mixture of both online and practical training, assignments and gaining knowledge. As part of her practical learning, Lauren can run her own clinic, perform diagnostic tests and spirometries.

Eve Kennedy, Apprentice Orthopaedic Practitioner

Before starting as an apprentice, Eve had previously studied English Literature and Language along with Health and Social Care at A-Levels before taking a gap year and starting her apprenticeship in the summer of 2021. Based at the Fracture Clinic at Hinchingbrooke, Eve started her journey into healthcare after deciding she wanted to make a difference and provide support to those in need. As an apprentice, Eve helps assist casting and splinting orthopaedic and trauma related injuries. Eve has already completed her Care Certificate and is set to complete her Level 3 NVQ in Healthcare Support as part of her apprenticeship curriculum.

“I enjoy working in the hospital as no person you meet is the same as well as the varied workload. I am constantly learning new things and meeting new people. You get to know the patients you see and the people you work with. And in yourself you know that through working in healthcare not only is your profession a noble choice but truly improving and making a positive difference in people’s life. As an apprentice I get to work with experienced healthcare workers such as orthopaedic surgeons, nurses and HCAs and fellow orthopaedic technicians who are all very welcoming and share their wisdom of the speciality I’m in.”

Chloe Brooker, Apprentice Healthcare Assistant

Chloe Brooker is a Direct Entry, Apprentice Healthcare Assistant who started working at the Trust last year when she was 16. Joining the Trust after completing her GCSEs which included English, Maths and Health and Social Care, Chloe decided to look to further her education by completing her care certificate and NVQ through an apprenticeship.

“I always knew that my end goal was to be working in a medical field and I had personal experience with caring for vulnerable people and knew that this would be a good introduction to working in the Trust.”

“I have received lots of support from everyone in the Trust, whether it was emotional support, helping with training or just answering my questions! The staff on my ward have been really welcoming and have looked after me and I couldn’t be more grateful”

“I enjoy every aspect of my job, but I particularly enjoy getting to sit down with the patients and listen to their stories, while keeping them company, reminding them that we care.”

If you would like to find out what apprenticeships the Trust currently offers, you can take a look at our website www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk.

HOMEGROWN RESEARCH SUCCESS

A Consultant Rheumatologist at the Trust has been successful in securing project seed funding to help develop Trust sponsored research.

Dr Poonam Sharma, was one of the successful applicants to be awarded £10,000 from the Research and Development Department to help initiate her study investigating difficult to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. The funding will support the study design and grant application process.

Dr Sharma currently works on a variety of research studies with patients, including conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Vasculitis and SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). Studies may set out to improve the diagnosis of diseases, genomic understanding of a disease, develop cutting-edge treatments and technology innovations.

She said: “With support from colleagues and Research and Development team Rheumatology are now a research

active department. It’s great news to have been one of the four applicants in securing this funding and I’m really pleased to be able to move further with this new study. I am the research lead for Rheumatology and one of our main areas of focus is to get research grants for home grown research.”

The aim of the fund is to help develop home-grown research within the Trust. The fund is used to provide initial funding to help staff develop their

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.

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust encourages research and development (R&D) activities. Staff may seek funding for their R&D projects from the Research and Development Investigator Fund. Applicants need to demonstrate how their project will lead to a direct increase in research activity in their speciality or area. Priority will be given to projects that are eligible to be included in the NIHR portfolio.

study and support them through the early stages of their project and kickstart the grant application process. Successful grants will lead to a growth in research projects that are sponsored by the Trust and will also contribute to our participation in NIHR portfolio studies. This will ensure Research being delivered from our Trust is focused on our community, ensuring future patient benefit for our local population.

Investigators fund success

The following applications for Investigator Fund Grants have been successful and the Research and Development team would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those involved, who have all been awarded a £10,000 grant.

We are delighted to be working with such a diverse range of studies and departments and look forward to next year’s round for more innovations and “home grown” studies.

Dr Poonam Sharma, Rheumatoid Arthritis Study

Dr Radim Licenik, Stroke Study

Dr Sateesh Nagumantry, Clinical Decision Support System - AI Project

Mr Lukasz Polanski, Reproductive Treatment Outcomes

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GEORGE CROSS REPLICAS AWARDED TO STAFF

Following Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s award of the George Cross to the NHS in July 2021, former oncology patient Mr Graham Martin OMc Kh.T, who is a member of the Friends of St George’s and Descendants of the Knights of the Garter, decided to acquire replica style George Cross miniature pin-brooches to present to staff in gratitude for the treatment he had received from our Trust.

The presentation took place with Dr Jakki Faccenda, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Mr Bhat, Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant, and team members from both departments who had previously treated Mr Martin. “This may be a very small token, but assuredly represents my huge, continuing appreciation and gratitude,” said Mr Martin. In addition, a plaque was made to recognise the contribution of the late Dr

Dr Faccenda said, “The whole team were touched and grateful to receive these George Cross pins as a token of gratitude from Mr Martin. It was lovely to meet him and to hear his story and the outcome of his care from both departments.”

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Lori Calvert, who sadly passed away in 2022 and will be mounted in Dr Calvert’s department in her honour.

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