The Pulse Spring 2024

WELCOME FROM THE Chief Executive

Welcome to the first edition of The Pulse for 2024. As you take a look through this edition, you will see some shining examples of our fabulous staff – and the work they do to ensure our patients have a great experience in our hospitals.

Showcasing our wonderful staff, and the wide range of services they provide, is, for me, one of the most favourite parts of my role and it is a privilege to share their stories with you.

On page 3 you can read about our Consultant Urologist Jyoti Shah, who not only started the year by collecting her MBE from King Charles, she has been encouraging hundreds of local men to get a prostate check in her bid to catch this disease as early as possible.

Find out more about how the Trust supports our nursing staff to develop in their roles on pages 5 and 6, where we feature the latest staff members who have gained qualifications. Also, on page 6 we feature members of our Critical Care nursing team who have created a very special wedding box to support end of life patients fulfil a final wish to be married.

I am also pleased to introduce our new in-house interpreter, Andrea, who will support our Portuguese patients, plus feature a new digital improvement to our interpreting services. Finally, check out all our colleagues running the London Marathon in April to raise money for a variety of good causes on pages 10 and 11.

On the subject of good causes, I am very much looking forward to our second North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity Ball on Friday 12 April at the Holiday Inn, Peterborough, where we will be joined by our fab-u-lous patron Craig Revel Horwood. The event is a sellout and I would like to thank all local businesses and supporters for snapping up tickets for what promises to be an amazing night! I look forward to bringing you an update on how the funds raised on the night will support our patients in the next edition of The Pulse, due out in July 2024.

Hannah Coffey Chief Executive Officer

HEALTH BUS IS A HIT

The Trust’s first community clinic to raise awareness of prostate cancer has been hailed a huge success – with over 200 men showing interest in the free health check.

With one in eight men likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, local men were invited to board the Health Outreach Bus just after Christmas.

A total of 52 men were checked, and such was the demand for the initiative, led by Trust Macmillan Consultant Urological Surgeon Miss Jyoti Shah MBE (supported by the Transformation and Urology teams), a further 150 men were put onto an appointment-only waiting list and seen at a later date.

Miss Shah said: “A lot of men like to bury their head in the sand when it comes to their health. But because prostate cancer often

doesn’t have any symptoms – they won’t appreciate the need to go and get checked for a problem that effectively doesn’t exist. However, because there are no signs, that doesn’t mean that it’s not there.”

Subject to meeting specific criteria, men were able to board the bus in Peterborough City Centre and receive an immediate booking to see Miss Shah and her team – who performed PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, a prostate examination and have their blood pressure taken, all within a matter of minutes. She added: “I feel strongly that these kinds of events resonate with many people, and in conjunction with the Trust I am passionate about continuing these community clinics for men.”

Owned by Light Project Peterborough, the bus is expected to be used for similar clinics later this year.

Trust Macmillan Consultant

Urological Surgeon, Miss Jyoti Shah MBE in front of the bus

Trust urology consultant collects MBE from King Charles

Huge congratulations to Trust Consultant Jyoti Shah, who has been honoured for her services to medicine and work in the screening and diagnosis of cancer patients in the community.

Miss Shah - Macmillan Consultant Urological Surgeon – based at Peterborough City and Stamford & Rutland hospitals – was presented with her MBE from King Charles at the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, just weeks before His Majesty’s cancer diagnosis.

She was among a number of professionals honoured, following receipt of the gong in the King’s New Years’ Honours list 2022.

During her career, which has so far spanned over quarter of a century, Miss Shah is helping to lead the fight against prostate cancer by running clinics within the local community. She even took the opportunity to discuss this important topic with His Majesty.

Miss Shah said: “It was an absolute honour to be part of this incredible investiture at Buckingham Palace and to meet with, and chat to, His Majesty about the importance of prostate cancer health checks, screening and awareness.”

Since introducing her Fighting Prostate Cancer campaign in community settings around the UK in 2016, more than 3,000 men have been screened – leading to the detection of around 100 cancer cases.

Miss Jyoti Shah MBE attending the recent investiture at Buckingham Palace with King Charles. She was honoured in the New Year’s Honours list 2022.

THEATRES DEVELOPMENT REACHES ITS FINAL STAGES BEFORE COMPLETION

The development of our Main Theatres on the Hinchingbrooke site is reaching the final stages before it is due to open in June and we think it looks fantastic.

The £30m state-of-the-art building will house 7 operating theatres as well as a dedicated paediatric recovery area, a reception area and a dedicated same-sex recovery area. The first-floor design will have the latest technology including integrated hoists to manoeuvre patients and reduce

the need for staff to move patients on and off the operating table. Audio Visual screens have also been installed, which will provide clearer imaging for clinical teams and provide clinicians with the opportunity to teach junior staff while operating.

It will also have larger operating theatres to cater for robotic technology if needed and large, bright and spacious staff areas for rest and recovery during their breaks.

Jason Knaepel, Divisional Operations Manager for Theatres, said: “We are all really excited to see the finishing touches being completed. This is a great opportunity for us as a team and we have enjoyed being involved at every step of the way. It is like looking at a brand-new car on the forecourt and waiting for someone to give you the keys. We can’t wait to move in and treat our patients in the amazing facilities.”

Staff and patients wave goodbye to ‘Hinchy the Winchy’

The tower crane building the brandnew Theatres Block at Hinchingbrooke Hospital will be leaving the hospital site imminently as it completes the finishing touches to the development.

The tower crane, named ‘Hinchy the Winchy,’ has been a landmark for the people of Huntingdon since its arrival 18 months ago.

As soon as the crane landed, the Trust launched a competition to name the crane, which saw many suggestions from children and adults. However, the winner was Nick Day, aged 39 from Spalding, who suggested ‘Hinchy the Winchy’ after he heard about the competition on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Breakfast Show, with Dotty McLeod.

After a career that moved from focussing on education to health – one of Peterborough City Care Centre’s most familiar faces has retired after 35 years with the Trust.

A self-styled ‘Jill of all Trades,’ Lynne Biddle has spent more than three decades booking patients in for x-rays, answering the phones, liaising with GPs and assisting Radiographers in a very busy department.

She said: “I love helping our patients and listening to their tales; we have had some very interesting people in, including a very famous actor who played several roles in World War 2 films.

Celebrating our International Nurses and their exam success SAYING FAREWELL TO MUCH LOVED MEMBER OF STAFF, LYNNE

“I have also dealt with some unusual requests over the phone. Once I was asked by a woman who was driving her husband’s Rolls Royce if I could take the x-ray machine out to her, as she couldn’t park the car! I have also had patients ask me when they had to smile, could we take the photo of their best side, and was it in colour!”

Lynne began her Trust journey at the former Edith Cavell Hospital when it opened in 1988 and was there until it closed in 2011. She plans to stay on the bank but has plenty to fill her spare time. As well as having several holidays booked, she intends to resume horse riding again and go on dog walks with the family’s Golden Retriever, Mr Hugo.

Staff graduation event honours achievements

Staff across the Trust celebrated the achievement of completing their Care Certificates and apprenticeship qualifications.

In total, 43 new Health Care Assistants were presented with their Care Certificate awards, which they had achieved within the first fifteen weeks of their employment in the Trust. Another five members of staff were presented with certificates for apprenticeship qualifications, including Healthcare Support Worker, Business Administration and Clinical Healthcare.

We also presented the Outstanding Learner Awards, which are nominated by other colleagues that reflect the Trust values: Putting Patients First, Actively Respectful, Seeking to Improve and Develop, Caring and Compassionate and Working Positively Together.

Hannah Coffey, Chief Executive for the Trust said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to each individual, for their achievements and to the five winners in our Outstanding Learner Awards. This was a wonderful evening of celebration and acknowledging the hard work that our staff undertake for their qualifications.”

Congratulations to our International Nurses who celebrated passing their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in 2023. The Nurses were awarded a certificate at the OSCE celebration event held in February 2024.

Special congratulations to Humu Seido (A9), Siilo Solomon (A9), Ansu Mani (B11) & Owusu Sarpong (DTU) who won special accolades on the night.

Nurses and Midwives, who have trained outside of the UK, are required to pass the OSCE as part of their Nursing and Midwifery Council registration process. The exam is a demanding process, and one of the final stages in registering with the NMC.

Jo Bennis, Chief Nurse for the Trust said: “I’m really proud of our international nurses for their hard work, dedication, and contribution to the Trust. It’s a fantastic achievement passing their OSCEs and receiving their nursing pin.”

Hospital staff help grant wedding wishes to end of life patients

For many couples, planning their dream wedding can take months of preparation –from finding the right dress, organising flowers, booking a photographer and arranging all the decorations.

However, for others, time is precious, and a group of Trust staff are helping end of life patients fulfil their wedding day dreams in hospital.

Natasha Steels-Webb is a Critical Care Outreach Practitioner, and, after seeing first-hand how helping to grant patients’ wishes can have a positive impact, she and colleagues have come up with the idea of a portable ‘Wedding Box.’

There are two Wedding Boxes –where the contents can be used at short notice – at Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, which staff can access via the Chaplaincy Team.

Natasha and her colleagues are now looking to build this by providing a directory weddingrelated service that could be called upon at short notice, and recent media appeal has already led to a number of offers of help from the local business community.

Natasha added: “It is difficult to put into words what a difference these weddings make – but you can see the appreciation in the eyes of the patient and their loved ones that you have been able to make a difference – not purely because it is your job, but because you truly care.”

If you can help, please contact Natasha Natasha.steels-webb@ nhs.net.

PEDALLING PENSIONER COMPLETES 100-MILE CYCLE FOR CLINIC

87-year-old Colin Bedford of March recently completed a remarkable 100-mile fundraiser for the North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity, specifically benefitting Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s Eye Clinic.

Since the start of the year, Colin dedicated himself to cycling 100 miles to support the clinic that administered his 100th eye injection and it’s been anything but ordinary. Clad in Victorian attire, and riding various vintage bicycles, including an 1866 Iron and Oak ‘Boneshaker’ and a BSA Huntingdon Cycle Core equipped with a rifle and grenade.

He crossed the finish line at Hinchingbrooke Hospital on his 150-year-old tricycle, receiving cheers from supporters, including Huntingdon Mayor, Councillor Phil Pearce. Grateful for

the care he received over the past 11 years, Colin expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the hospital staff, emphasizing their role in preserving his sight and independence.

Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s Ophthalmology Sister, Elizabeth Trewick said: “Everybody in the team and local community know Colin. He’s practically famous here! We all love his kind nature, positivity, and lovely character, we’re so grateful for all the support he’s given us throughout the years. Thank you, Colin!”

His efforts have raised over £2,500 for the eye clinic and to contribute to Colin’s cause, donations can be made through the JustGiving crowdfunding campaign supporting Hinchingbrooke Eye Clinic.

Colin with supporters, members of the Eye Clinic team and the Mayor of Huntingdon, Councillor Phil Pearce.

Colin dressed in a Victorian three-piece suit and top hat as he crossed the finish line on his 150-year old tricycle outside of Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

MUCH-LOVED HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER PAUL HONOURED WITH POSTHUMOUS AWARD

One of Peterborough City Hospital’s muchloved volunteers has been honoured with a posthumous award for his actions in trying to save the life of a hospital visitor.

Paul Watts, a volunteer at Peterborough City Hospital and the nearby Cancer Wellbeing Service, was known by colleagues, patients and visitors alike for his desire to help.

Paul sadly passed away while on shift in late November last year after collapsing in the hospital’s main entrance, just weeks after performing CPR on a patient he spotted in difficulty at the same location.

His quick-thinking actions led to Paul being nominated for an Outstanding Achievement Award – which was recently presented to his widow Jet (also a volunteer) and their daughter Clare.

Paul was nominated for the award by Critical Care Outreach Practitioner Helen Gillies, part of the Trust’s cardiac arrest team – who also attended the incident as a rapid responder.

She said: “It is well known that early identification and commencing CPR quickly is a vital part of the success of CPR and Paul’s actions were very quick.

“As a volunteer, Paul showed an immense amount of courage and quick thinking to commence CPR. This is something that is not an easy decision to make even as a medical professional.”

A

volunteers.

Jet said: “If Paul was here, he would have been very proud, but would have said that he was only doing what he had to do.”

Among his many duties as a volunteer, Paul was instrumental in attending the staff vaccination clinics during the Covid pandemic and beyond, ensuring they ran smoothly.

Paying tribute to Paul, Trust Head of Volunteering, Carol North added: “Paul was one of the few volunteers that contributed hundreds of hours when we needed it most.

“We remember Paul as a cheeky chap who always looked ahead, helped wherever he could; always with a sense of humour and loads of heart. The team misses him greatly.”

Donations in Paul’s memory have already raised £500 for the Cancer Wellbeing Service.

Cancer Wellbeing Service team flushed with pride at new loos

When it came to officially unveiling the new staff and patient toilets at the Cancer Wellbeing Service, there was an alternative to the traditional ribbon cutting. Flushed with pride at the new loos, staff and supporters of the project marked the occasion with a long length of toilet paper!

The new facilities at the service (based at Peterborough City Hospital) have completed many years’ worth of refurbishment works at the building, thanks to the generosity of local businesses. Now staff and visitors are no longer feeling blue about the loos, thanks to donations of time, materials and fundraising throughout the community; including Helpston-based Stamford Stone Co who provided tiling to ensure the new sanitary ware stands the test of time and Multiplex, who provided all the furnishings and labour for free.

The Cancer Wellbeing Service is a local support service for anyone affected by cancer. The multidisciplinary team of 15 works across Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital to provide specialist and professional support and advice to patients and their relatives both during and after cancer.

special get-together was held recently at Peterborough City Hospital, attended by Jet and Clare, supported by colleagues and other

Volunteer Jet Watts receives a posthumous Outstanding Achievement Award in honour of her late husband Paul, with Rapid Responder Helen Gillies, daughter Clare Watts and Chief Nurse Jo Bennis.

New women’s health clinic meets patient demands in Stamford

A new outpatient gynaecology clinic is up and running at Stamford & Rutland Hospital offering additional on-thedoorstep care to local women. Demand for the consultantled service (which supports an existing clinic at Peterborough City Hospital) has so far resulted in the clinic seeing around 44 patients each month.

Women attending the clinic are referred primarily with dysfunctional bleeding – bleeding after the menopause, in-between periods, irregularities in the frequency of menstrual cycles, the length of menstrual cycle, and abnormally heavy bleeding which can sometimes be caused by hormonal imbalance. The consultation will usually include a biopsy of the womb lining to detect disease, together with any other necessary treatments.

Bridget Tarney, General Outpatients Sister at Stamford & Rutland Hospital, said: “The Stamford Outpatient nursing team is proud to support the clinician with the care and safety of women undergoing consultation here at Stamford. Our environment within the department is calming and relaxed in nature which in turn supports our women when they are already feeling apprehensive and anxious.”

Susie Mears

Mr Steve Havenga Consultant and Nichola Wells, Deputy Sister at the new Stamford & Rutland Hospital gynaecology clinic.

HINCHINGBROOKE HOSPITAL CONTINUES ITS DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY INITIATIVE

Hinchingbrooke Hospital continues its mission to improve facilities by making them more dementia friendly.

Daisy Ward, the Day Surgery Unit, has been fitted with new blue toilet doors to help improve the experience for people living with dementia, and their carers.

“Blue is known to be an easier colour to see with age-related macular degeneration, which is a central vision disease. Blue is a common colour-blind friendly palette too,” says Alison Gray, Dementia Specialist Nurse. “The ability to differentiate colours can be difficult as a person’s eyesight deteriorates, so not only will the blue doors help a person living with dementia make sense of the world around them, it will also help

people with delirium, sight problems or frail older people.”

The doors were installed thanks to a generous charitable donation from a resident in Huntingdon who wanted to support the development of more dementia-friendly environments and purchase new aids for patients and staff to use.

“Transforming our clinical environments into dementia-friendly spaces will have maximum impact on the health and wellbeing of our patients, both mentally and physically,” says Alison. “Their immediate surroundings can make all the difference to their quality of life and we are extremely grateful to the donor and also our hospital Facilities Team who installed the doors.”

Senior Staff Nurse,

MEET SOME OF OUR FABULOUS APPRENTICES

This National Apprenticeship Week we celebrated the value, benefit and opportunity that apprenticeships bring to our Trust! Did you know that as the UK’s biggest trainer of apprenticeships, over 100,000 NHS apprenticeships have been completed since 2017! A huge Trust welcome to our new apprentices who joined us in April! You can meet some of our apprentices who have already started their career with us.

Lauren Jayne Randall

is a Healthcare Science Apprentice, studying Level 4 Cardiorespiratory at the Trust.

“I enjoy the fact that my role can be so varied, encompassing both respiratory and cardiac diagnostics, allowing me to take my knowledge across from one practice to another. Patient contact is important to me, so I enjoy having the ability to learn while keeping this contact.

“I started my career within the NHS as a school leaver, doing my A-levels as a nursing cadet. I then spent time as a senior health care assistant working closely with high dependency respiratory patients, where my passion for respiratory started. I moved into emergency medicine but missed working with respiratory patients so moved to Respiratory Investigations, where I have developed my knowledge of healthcare sciences. It was here that an opportunity for the apprenticeship arose.”

Sue (Pateman)

Sue has been working at the Trust for 5 years and has gained a lot of experience and knowledge to enable her to provide excellent patient centred care.

“I wanted to expand my knowledge to gain the understanding of why we do things and what affects the treatments have on our patients. The Trainee Nursing Associate role gives me the opportunity to gain those skills and develop my personal education.”

Hospital.

“I’ve worked at the hospital for quite a few years and opening the door for an Operating Department Practitioner has really presented many opportunities. The additional training and advanced study days have been put forward by Hinchingbrooke, the Practice Development team and the Education team. Everything has been great. I definitely do not feel like ‘just an apprentice,’ but as another student, like anybody else.

“Despite the challenges and ever evolving perioperative setting, the skills and opportunities that are being presented to both myself and full time students are the stepping stones to a bright career within the operating department.”

Toby is studying Level 6 Cardiac Science as an Apprenticeship with the Trust.

Having started as a lifeguard, he went on to be a Cardiographer and is combining that with his further studies.

“I mostly enjoy having the opportunity to have a social job, having interactions with interesting people and being able to help in their pathway and care. I work in a team environment, which feels very much like a second family with people to lean on and learn from. There is always more to learn, making for an interesting career!”

If you are interested

in

finding

out more information about our

various apprenticeships, then please contact our Resourcing department: nwangliaft.resourcing@nhs.net

David Fuller is an apprentice student Operating Department Practitioner who works at Hinchingbrooke

MEET OUR LONDON MARATHON

Sunday 21 April will see thousands of runners – both novice and seasoned – lining up to take on the London Marathon. Among them will be a number of Trust staff – here are just a few of their stories…

Sarah Edwards

Helen Gregory

From completing a beginners’ running course in 2019, Macmillan Consultant Radiotherapy Radiographer – Palliative Oncology, Helen Gregory is poised to fulfil a life-long ambition - by taking part in this year’s London Marathon.

And not only will she be on the start line for the iconic event in April, but Helen has set herself a goal of running a race every month during 2024. By the end of the year, Helen will have pounded the pavements and streets around the country to notch up an incredible 159 event miles plus many more during training.

As a member of her local Stamford Striders Running Club, Helen’s training includes regular all-weather runs and half marathons.

She said: “After completing a beginners’ running course in 2019, my love for running really grew during the pandemic and lockdown. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to run the London Marathon and after a number of failed attempts in the ballot, this year will be a dream come true.

“I have the support and encouragement of a great local running community, friends, family and colleagues, and am really looking forward to the whole atmosphere of the event as well as fulfilling a personal goal.”

Helen – who is based at Peterborough City Hospital - will be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that offers care, support and advice to patients and their families not only across the UK, but locally.

From couch to a full-blown marathon in less than 12 months – challenges don’t come much harder than this, but it is one Sarah Edwards is tackling feet first!

Healthcare Assistant Sarah has set her sights on completing the London Marathon after embarking on a couch to 2.5km programme last June. With no previous running experience, and a desire to share her husband’s hobby, Sarah completed her first event in October.

She said: “I decided I needed a challenge - something that meant I couldn’t give up and the London Marathon is something I always had on my ‘before I’m 40 list’ so after watching my brother-in-law last year I signed up.

“Training is hard - I took for granted how hard running is mentally and physically, the longer distances mean I’m also having to find time in the week and some runs are over two hours so it’s getting harder.

“I am a slow runner, and I will be happy to just finish, whether I run, walk or get carried across the finish line - doesn’t matter to me,” added Sarah, who is based at Peterborough City Hospital.

Sarah will be fundraising for Revitalise, a national charity of 60 years and the leading UK provider of breaks and holidays for disabled people. They create lasting experiences and campaign for equal access to breaks and holidays.

MARATHON RUNNERS…

David Moss

This year mark’s Trust Director of Estates and Facilities, David Moss’ third London Marathon – and he is aiming to smash his course record of 3 hours, 30 minutes!

David will pound the streets of the capital for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, having lost his father-in-law to the disease last Autumn.

He has set his sights on an impressive 3 hours 15 minutes run this year, which would hopefully earn him a spot among the fastest finishers in his age group, which leads to an automatic place in the Tokyo and Boston Marathons.

He said: “I am up to the 20-mile mark in my training, and where I train it is quite hilly, so I am hoping this will enable me to achieve a good time on the flat surface in London. I’d love to earn a place to run in Tokyo and Boston, although I am not sure my wife would agree! I am also running in Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on 12 May to support the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal, so there won’t be much time to relax my training after the London Marathon.

“I enjoy running, so to run for a purpose to raise money and awareness of Motor Neurone Disease is really important to me and my family. My father-in-law’s biggest and final wish was for a cure to be found for MND so in the future nobody would have to suffer as he did.”

David has a JustGiving page set up to support his London Marathon efforts. To support it, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-moss75

Georgia Galloway

Joining the thousands of runners on the starting line – and scouting for sponsorship for her chosen charity - will be Georgia Galloway.

No stranger to competitive and social running, Georgia, who is based at the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) at Peterborough City Hospital, will be fulfilling a long-term ambition when she takes part in this year’s London Marathon.

Georgia, from Bourne, is well known in the area for her voluntary work with the local scouts, and her passion for the scouting movement – which began as a teenager.

Along with her friend and fellow scouting volunteer Carolyn Greig, Georgia will be doing her best to raise as funds for Deafblind UK. Aiming for a target of £4,000 they will be supporting the excellent work of the charity where Carolyn currently works.

Georgia said: “I love running, I do it to relax and de-stress and I have wanted to run the London Marathon since my university days. I have tried for many years to get a place through the ballot and then the opportunity arose for me to run with Carolyn for the charity.”

She added: “Training is going well and I am absolutely thrilled to be able to take part in something which has been an ambition of mine for so long while raising funds for a great cause.”

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZONS

We are pleased to have introduced the Supported Internship Programme across our Trust. DFN Project SEARCH is a programme for young adults with a variety of learning difficulties and/ or autism.

Our Trust agreed to be the host business for a new programme, which launched back in 2022 and works in collaboration with Peterborough & Stamford Colleges and Peterborough City Council. The programme hosts young adults between 18 and 24 who are based at one of our hospital sites for an academic year (September to July), it’s a rolling interview, upskilling and training the students so that at the end of the programme they can be offered the opportunity of substantive employment.

The students are supported by full-time job coaches from the Peterborough & Stamford Colleges, who are based onsite and work with managers/mentors to identify and layer on workplace skills, assess skill acquisition and progress.

Testimonial from the Medical Equipment Team

“We have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with four learning support interns over the last two years. After liaising with the college and the job coaches, it has been possible to offer them the chance to work with the Medical Equipment Team, being supported by the facilities support staff member.

“Our experience with the interns has been incredibly uplifting and fulfilling for all concerned. Their enthusiasm and drive to work hard is astounding and they have all been an asset to the team, with their strong work ethic and positive outlook. They have all been very cheerful and will offer help and support where it is required, with no complaints. They are punctual and work well in a team and independently, once they are confident in their abilities. In fact, it has been a complete joy to see how much their confidence has grown in the time they have spent with us! The team are very lucky to see how confident they are in continuing their

duties with minimal support, but equally knowing that they feel comfortable to raise any concerns they have.

“We have also hired one of the interns, as a substantive staff member in the team and he has joined the Trust and settled in wonderfully. We are incredibly proud of him and are as delighted as he is to be able to offer him a future with us. We are proud to offer support and encouragement to this scheme and ask that others do the same.”

Placements across 2022/23 included:

• Patient Records

• Organisational Development

• Informatics Training and Support

• Data Quality

• Young People Transition Care

• Medical Equipment Team

In 2023/24, 4 more placements have been allocated on Ward B14, Virtual Ward, Resourcing and the Medical Equipment Team.

Trust promotes Hidden Disabilities Sunflower for staff

As part of the Trusts commitment to the development of a culture that promotes and celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is just one of the ways in which its supporting staff.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was created to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding. Staff across the Trust have the option of wearing a sunflower lanyard or badge (for those working clinically) which helps them be identified as having a non-visible disability that is not immediately apparent to others.

A hidden disability is a disability that may not be immediately apparent. They don’t have physical signs and include mental health, as well as mobility, speech, visual, hearing or learning difficulties. They can also include asthma, COPD, and

other lung conditions as well as chronic illnesses such as renal failure, diabetes, and sleep disorders when those diseases significantly impact day-to-day life.

Deborah Gallacher, EDI and Armed Forces Project Coordinator for the Trust said: “Without a visual cue, it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge, or understand the daily challenges faced by

people living with a hidden disability. For example, not every person with mobility issues uses a wheelchair, not every person with a visual disability uses a cane, and not every person with a hearing disability uses a hearing aid. By wearing a sunflower, people with hidden disabilities can signpost to others around them that they have additional needs.”

OUR INTERPRETING SERVICE RECEIVES A BOOST

Following a successful trial last summer, we are delighted to announce that the Interpreter On Wheels (IOW) service has been made permanent fixture at the Trust.

High demand has also seen this service being expanded to other departments in Peterborough, Huntingdon and Stamford, providing additional support for medical staff communicating effectively with non-English speaking patients.

The trial took place in the Emergency Departments at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, as well as the Antenatal Clinic in Peterborough.

New areas now include:

• Maternity Services, Peterborough City Hospital

• Fracture Clinic, Peterborough City Hospital

• Outpatients, Hinchingbrooke Hospital

• Outpatients, Stamford & Rutland Hospital

• Outpatients, Peterborough City Hospital

• Maternity Services, Hinchingbrooke Hospital

• Ambulatory Care Unit, Peterborough City Hospital

The expansion of the remote interpreting service now fully complements North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust’s already indemand in-person interpreter offering.

The IOW expansion comes at no real extra cost to the Trust as it already owns the iPads and the trolleys are supplied by the Language Service Provider free of charge.

Language Line offer live dial-up access to interpreters remotely, based in the UK and overseas and in over 270 different languages. It can provide an interpreter in less than 30 seconds (on average), including out of hours.

Alex Papp, the Trust’s Linguistic and Interpretation Service Co-ordinator, said: “Not only does this tool provide a more streamlined and reliable patient experience, but it can reduce a patient’s waiting time and help already very busy medical staff maximise their time in caring for patients.”

The Trust now has a total of 27 IOW devices and is looking to expand this further to the hospital wards.

Interpreter Andrea Goodman with Assistant Chief Nurse Laura Stent and Linguistic And Interpretation Service Co-ordinator Alex Papp.

Meet our new in-house Portuguese interpreter

In a further enhancement of our interpreting services, the Trust is delighted to welcome Andrea Goodman as our in-house Portuguese interpreter - helping to provide vital communication between our patients and staff.

Andrea has worked as an interpreter in the UK for the past 13 years, providing services for the Home Office and working as a freelance interpreter for interpreting agencies. As a freelance worker, Andrea had opportunities to interpret within NHS settings such as GP surgeries, physiotherapy, mental health clinics and hospital wards, including surgical.

She said: “Working as an interpreter has given me a strong understanding of the importance of enabling communication between patients and medical professionals. I have experienced very sensitive and emotionally charged situations helping victims of crime, different types of abuse and terminally ill patients. This has given me an understanding of how deeply emotional these situations can be, and how important it is to remain within the boundaries of my role and at the same time achieving the right balance between acting positively and respectfully, while remaining neutral and compassionate.”

CRITICAL CARE INFORMATION BOARDS HELPING RELATIVES OF OUR SICKEST PATIENTS

Staff on the Critical Care Unit at Peterborough City Hospital have created two colourful and informative boards that relatives and patients can use to help explain some of the goings on of a critical care ward. “Being admitted to critical care, or intensive care as some people know it, isn’t a position anyone wants to find themselves in,” says Leanne Lenton, the Healthcare Assistant who came up with the idea of creating the boards. “For everyone who comes on to the unit, it’s a frightening and unsure experience. There are lots of machines, noises, equipment, and staff from all specialties coming and going. It’s not easy to absorb everything you’re being told, especially

Dust off your dancing shoes for the Spring Charity Ball!

Following the success of our first ever charity ball last year (where we raised an A-MAZ-ING £30,000) the North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity is stepping out for another 10 out of 10 fundraising event.

The date for your diary is Friday, 12 April, when the Holiday Inn West in Peterborough once again hosts an evening of fun and fundraising.

We will be highlighting the work of our FAB-U-LOUS staff and volunteers, who regularly go above and beyond in their care of our patients.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Progress Health and Prospect Healthcare, 100 per cent of the ticket price and money raised on the night will go directly to the charity.

If you would like to purchase a table, or you can help supply prizes for the auction and raffle, please contact the charity team via email at nwangliaft. HospitalsCharitySpringBall@nhs.net.

when you’re also on an emotional rollercoaster. We wanted to give a bright welcome to our unit but also provide some vital information.”

The boards are located to the entrance of the ward and outside the relatives room. “It was a fantastic idea from Leanne and our Deputy Sister, Abigail Stacy, says Ros Rippon, Critical Care Sister. “It’s not only a way for visitors to take in the information in their own time but it’s also great for students and staff who don’t ordinarily work on our unit as well.” The boards were kindly funded by the Hospitals’ Charity, and it’s hoped that something similar can be made for critical care at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in the near future.

Stamford staff soon to reap benefits of new Sanctuary Space

Work on a brand-new Sanctuary Space to allow staff to step away from the fast-paced hospital environment is nearing completion. Thanks to funding from the North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity, an unused room at Stamford & Rutland Hospital is receiving a £5,000 makeover to provide a quiet and calming space for staff to take a break in.

The beautifully decorated Sanctuary Space will be equipped with a few home comforts; offering access to one-on-one support or just a space to step away from the noise to enjoy a few calming minutes.

The Hospitals’ Charity initiative is part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of its staff and will complement the already established and well-used staff garden at the hospital.

Matron Caroline Robertson said: “The Sanctuary Space will offer a beautifully decorated and calming room with comfortable furniture to allow staff that vital downtime during the day, to step away from a few moments allowing them to recharge and take a welldeserved break.”

HEALTH FOCUS: MEASLES

You may have seen in the news recently, that cases of measles have been rising. We do not want you to panic or worry about measles, so, for this issues health focus, we wanted to share some helpful information about the infection.

Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. It’s more than ‘just a rash,’ it is a serious illness that can be unpleasant and lead to complications, especially in vulnerable, immunocompromised, or pregnant patients. Having the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine is the best way to prevent it, with around 99% of people being protected following two doses. Check with your local GP to see if you and your loved ones are up to date with this vaccine.

Measles is highly infectious to anyone who is not immune – being in the same room as someone with measles for more than 15 minutes is a significant amount of exposure.

Measles symptoms can include:

• High fever

• Sore, red, watery eyes

• Coughing and/or runny nose

• Small red spots with bluish-white centres inside the mouth

• A red-brown blotchy rash, which appears after several days

Measles starts with a two to four day ‘prodromal’ phase before the rash appears, with a stuffy nose, cough, conjunctivitis and a fever. The rash generally starts behind the ears, spreads to the face, and then expands.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• You think you or your child may have measles

• You’ve been in close contact with someone who has measles and you’ve not had measles before or you’ve not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine

• You’ve been in close contact with someone who has measles and you’re pregnant –measles can be serious in pregnancy

• You have a weakened immune system and think you have measles or have been in close contact with someone with measles

To avoid spreading measles, avoid close contact for at least four days from when the rash first appears. Do not share cutlery, cups, towels, clothes or bedding.

Zio Device is rolled out across Peterborough City Hospital

A new groundbreaking wearable device is helping detect those at risk of a stroke, diagnose atrial fibrillation, and improve waiting times for treatment at our Trust.

The pilot, that is seeing 300 stroke patients wear the adhesive mobile electrocardiogram patch for up to 14 days, will have their heart rhythm digitally monitored to reveal potential causes of stroke.

The small, lightweight patch is applied to a patient’s chest and once in situ, it analyses the patient’s electrical activity in their heart using artificial intelligence.

After patients finish wearing the device, the data is overseen by cardiographic technicians. Within four days, a full report is supplied to the stroke team on our hospital sites for final analysis, reducing the time patients would usually have to wait for investigation and treatment.

This discreet and innovative patch means patients can continue their daily activities almost as normal — like exercising and showering. At the end of the 14 days, patients are asked to remove the device themselves without the need for a return hospital visit. Removal is simple and instructions are provided.

This process will be able to provide faster and more detailed data. The patch can identify atrial fibrillation more accurately and early detection means treatment can begin sooner, potentially reducing the risk of stroke by two-thirds.

OUR TRUST Join the Trust as a Member

As an NHS Foundation Trust, we have governors and members, who all have a say in how we run our three hospitals.

Membership is free and open to all patients and visitors. If you are at least 16 years old and live within our membership area of Greater Peterborough, Huntingdonshire or Stamford and South Lincolnshire, you can help us improve and develop our services by joining us. Just go to https://secure.membra.co.uk/ Join/Peterborough to complete our secure online application form and make sure you fill in all the tabs that you can. Having your email address, for example, will mean that we can contact you on a more regular basis about membership meetings and other things that are going on in the Trust that you may want to get involved in.

If you are already a member, have you checked that the information we hold about you is up to date? You can do this yourself by logging into the same link above. You can update your email address, or your home address, you can also tell us how you would prefer to receive your copy of Pulse magazine – by email or post.

We have membership meetings throughout the year, which have interesting guests talking about different subjects to do with your health and our services. Tell us what you want to hear about so that we can involve your suggestions in our 2024 meetings. Contact us at nwangliaft.membership@ nhs.net with your ideas.

SERVICE SNAPSHOTDEXA SCAN

In this issue, we are launching a new feature, which shines a spotlight on a particular service or treatment. To kick things off, we’re taking a look at the DEXA (DXA) Scan – which falls under Diagnostic Imaging.

DXA stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The scanner uses x-rays to measure bone mineral density and this leads to an assessment of a patient’s risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is thinning of the bones, which in turn could increase the risk of fracture. We all naturally lose bone density as we get older but there are many things that can make this happen faster.

A DXA scan is quite different to a nuclear medicine bone scan, which involves injecting a very small amount of radioactive tracer into the veins prior to the patient being scanned. This type of scan allows us to see any problems occurring within the bones.

With a DXA, patients can often remain fully clothed during the examination but clothing

with any metal on needs to be removed. Once the patient is in position on the scanner one or both hips and the lumbar spine are measured. If a patient has had both hips replaced, a forearm may be scanned instead.

The result of the scan compares the patient’s bone density with someone who is at peak bone mass (aged around 30) and produces a T score:

• T score 0 to -1 is considered within normal limits

• T score -1 to -2.4 is considered osteopenic

• T score -2.4 is considered osteopenic

Patients are referred by their GP or medical team, and the appointment normally lasts for around 20 minutes. Patient information leaflets are sent out about the scans giving an indication of dress code etc.

These can also be found under the Diagnostic Imaging: Patient Leaflets section of the Patient Leaflets information on our website www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk.

Quality publications, that cover a specific demographic to help your business reach new customers

Advertising opportunities available in our staff magazines, care directories, and independent living guides

CARE DIRECTORIES

County, City and Borough Council care directories are comprehensive guides to nursing care, residential care and independent living support. Created for individuals and their families exploring the possibility of moving to nursing/ residential care or seeking advice and support to continue living independently at home.

Hospital at Home: supporting patients in their own homes

NHS STAFF MAGAZINES

NHS publications are circulated throughout hospitals to staff, patients and visitors on a regular basis. Advertising within the publications enables companies to promote their services to NHS employees and are an excellent way to Increase their customer base within this very targeted audience.

OPTIONS CARE AND INDEPENDENT LIVING GUIDES

Options provides older people with important information from health organisations such as CQC, ICB and the NHS. Circulated through various healthcare professionals including Council social work teams, NHS hospital discharge, community nurses, and various age related charities.

To advertise in any of our publications in your area please contact us below