RD&E News Summer 2016

THE MAGAZINE FOR RD&E STAFF

NNU are first in the country to become UNICEF Baby Friendly

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Royal Devon and Exeter

EXTRAORDINARY!

RD&E’s exceptional staff CELEBRATED at Winner of Winners Awards Page 9

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02 LINDA SHORLISTED for national ITV award

07 RD&E REPLACES

Doris’ stolen nursing medal

www.rdehospital.nhs.uk

NHS Foundation Trust

Follow @RDEhospital

RD&E news Summer 2016

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Index

04 Healthcare Science Week celebrated by scientists 05 First anniversary marked by Maternity Facebook team 06 RD&E apprentices win big at HEESW Star Awards 08 Aquather service launched at RD&E 09 Extraordinary People winner of winners celebrated 11 World TB Day promoted by staff at the RD&E 12 Eddie raises £14,000 for Mardon 13 Bramble School Pupils test out their culinary skills

Tell us your news!

Copy deadline for the next issue is 28th July 2016. The next RD&E News will be published in September.

To get in touch with a member of the Communications Team: James Garnett, Communications Manager 01392 402833, jamesgarnett@nhs.net Gwen Powell, Communications Officer 01392 406941, gwenpowell@nhs.net Or email rde-tr.RDEComms@nhs.net Visit www.rdehospital.nhs.uk to download your copy of RD&E News.

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Welcome W

elcome to the summer edition of RD&E News. In May we celebrated some of our exceptional staff at our third annual Extraordinary People Winner of Winners Awards.

One of the night’s most popular categories was the People’s Award, which was voted for by staff and Members. One of our front cover stars, Nurse Rose Briers, who previously worked on Torridge, was awarded the accolade for the care and compassion she showed when caring for a patient nearing the end of their life. The relative who nominated her said: “This was a very sad occasion in our lives but Rose’s efforts

meant it was a special day we will remember with fondness and will be able to take comfort from. Mum was surrounded and cared for with such love and tenderness.

Rose’s attention meant that mum’s passing was gentle and tender”. You can find out more about all our winners on page 9.

Chief Executive Angela Pedder, who is soon to depart the RD&E to take on a role within the Success Regime, was also recognised at the awards for her outstanding contribution to the Trust for almost 20 years. Chaiman James Brent said: “Angela has served the RD&E, its staff and patients with distinction over the last 19 years and she will be missed. Over this time she has built a first-class leadership team, who will build upon the legacy she leaves.” Read more on page 3.

Linda Shelton makes the final three in ITV Good Morning Britain’s Health Star Awards Linda Shelton, a domestic on the Clyst stroke ward, was one of only three finalists in the ITV Good Morning Britain Hospital Health Star Awards. She was nominated

by Margaret Ford, the daughter of a stroke patient who spent several weeks on Clyst.

In her nomination, Margaret praised Linda for being ‘always cheerful and welcoming’ while working in the ‘challenging environment’ of a stroke ward. She went on: “Linda is very dedicated in carrying out her cleaning duties, often arriving early to make an early start on work, while having a kind word and a smile for everyone.

She takes real pride in her work and always looks to support her colleagues, as well as offering a friendly face and a listening ear.”

As a finalist Linda was featured in a film shown on Good Morning Britain, and received a framed certificate and luxury bouquet of flowers, presented by Chief Executive Angela Pedder.

Linda said: “I love my job and the contact I get with patients and their families. It’s brilliant to be nominated and I’d like to thank Margaret for all the trouble she’s gone to for me.”

Linda Shelton

Chief Executive Angela Pedder to leave RD&E for new role

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D&E Chief Executive Angela Pedder is to move into a new role this summer after leading the Trust for almost 20 years.

Angela is to become the Lead Chief Executive for the new collaborative NHS Success Regime programme in Northern, Eastern and Western Devon.

Angela took the helm at the RD&E in 1996 and she is one of the country’s longest-serving hospital chief executives.

Angela Pedder said: “I have been immensely proud to work with some of the most talented, committed and compassionate healthcare staff over the last two decades. I would like to thank all members of staff - past and present - for

their hard work and dedication to excellent patient care.

“In order for us to maintain and enhance the quality of care and live within our means we will need to develop new ways of working. This will be challenging but I am looking forward to the great opportunity it brings to make health and social care services in Devon sustainable and even better for our population.”

Chairman James Brent said: “The RD&E’s loss is Devon’s gain and we are delighted she will continue to play a leading role in the county. I am sure her characteristic passion and commitment to safe and sustainable care for patients will bring major benefits to all communities across Devon and Plymouth.”

Staff give RD&E thumbs up in latest national survey Results from the latest annual NHS Staff Survey show once again that high numbers of RD&E staff would recommend the hospital as a place to work or receive treatment.

The 2015 survey also shows that satisfaction levels with the quality of patient care and the overall staff engagement score are above the national average for acute trusts.

Tracey Cottam, Director of Transformation and Organisational Development, said: “Working in a busy and high-performing acute hospital brings many challenges. However, our staff consistently respond brilliantly and we are very proud of them.”

Connecting Care shortlisted for prestigious HSJ award

Angela Pedder, Chief Executive

Our Connecting Care continuous improvement programme was celebrated at the prestigious Health Service Journal awards in May. The programme, which uses a range of communication tools to help solve problems and strengthen team working, was rolled out across all hospital areas by the Service Development Team in partnership with teams of frontline staff.

Although it did not win the Communication category overall, the programme was highly commended.

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RD&E helped me…

Tweet, tweet @RDEhospital Thanks to A&E, Abbey and Lyme wards. Swift diagnosis at 2 a.m., the right treatment and caring staff during my short stay. @RDEhospital Big thank you for my treatment on Tuesday night, and a big shout to all staff on the Otter ward..all were great. #thanks @RDEhospital Lovely clean hospital, welcoming environment & friendly staff.

Particularly Lynn in the restaurant who helped with a wheelchair @RDEhospital Ross in triage was great.

My daughter appreciated him being so gentle with her sore arm :)

Above-average clinical care for ‘End of Life’ patients The quality of clinical care for patients nearing their lives at the RD&E is above the national average across a range of key indicators, according to the End of Life Care Audit.

The 2015 audit found that in the majority of cases clinicians had documented evidence clearly identifying End of Life patients and that in more than 80% of cases, clinicians had given patients and their loved ones the opportunity to talk about their concerns and that their needs had been assessed holistically.

Dr Liz Toy, Consultant Lead for End of Life Care, said: “These results are encouraging and our aim now is to continue personalising the care we offer to patients so we truly meet their own needs and those people important to them in their final hours and days.”

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Scientists celebrate Healthcare Science Week M

embers of the public had the chance hear first-hand about the benefits of science to healthcare during Healthcare Science Week (14th17th March).

Scientists from the South West NHS Genomic Medicine Centre were on hand in Oasis to answer questions about their pioneering work and how it is already benefiting patients.

A key focus was the ground-breaking 100,000 Genomes Project and promoting potential career pathways within the NHS. Verity Fryer, Trainee Healthcare Scientist said: “Healthcare Scientists make up just 5% of the overall NHS workforce however their work contributes to 80% of diagnoses made. Healthcare Science Week is a fantastic opportunity to focus on some of

the projects and initiatives that healthcare scientists are involved in, across more than 50 disciplines.”

Verity Fryer, Trainee Healthcare Scientist, with Adrian Harris, Medical Director and Dr Julia Baptista, Healthcare Scientist.

RD&E performs well in 2015 National Diabetes Inpatient Audit (NADIA) Inpatient diabetes care at the RD&E has been highly rated in the 2015 National Diabetes inpatient Audit (NADIA). The audit looked at the care of all inpatients with diabetes on a single day.

The RD&E’s Inpatient diabetes team scored highly for patient experience and displayed excellent daily diabetes management for patients across the hospital. Key areas of success include: • an excellent reduction on the rates of hypoglycaemia (11.2%) and severe hypoglycaemia (0%), well below the

average for England; • a continued increase in ‘good diabetes days’ (an average of 5 out of 7 days); • a significant increase in the number of patients receiving a diabetic foot assessment within 24 hours of admission, well above the English average.

Patients also praised the care and knowledge of staff, with 88.7% saying they were satisfied or very satisfied with their care, which places the RD&E amongst the top performing English Trusts in the audit.

Exeter teams celebrate success at BMJ Awards Page 6

Maternity Facebook page celebrates 1st year

NNU ‘trailblazers’ first to achieve full Baby Friendly accreditation

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he Neonatal Unit has become the first in the country to be fully accredited by the prestigious UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative. The accreditation, achieved in February, demonstrates the unit’s commitment to providing the highest quality of care for the hospital’s youngest patients and their families.

Sue Prosser, Senior Nurse for NNU, said: “We are really proud to be the first to achieve this accreditation. The team have worked closely with families and our parent support group SNUG, really listening to their needs and concerns. This has ensured that changes to practices and facilities have been made with the baby and family truly

at the heart. We’re all conscious that this is only the start of our journey and we are looking forward to continuing to work with our families as true partners in care.”

Francesca Entwistle from UNICEF UK presented the award to the team at a celebration event on 4th March. She said: “I know how hard everyone here has worked to make this happen and I would like to congratulate every single person involved - you are all trailblazers! You have shown that it is possible to put mother and baby-centred care at the heart of the neonatal ward, giving the babies in your care the best possible start and supporting breastfeeding and strong relationship building in those crucial early days.”

The Maternity Services Facebook page celebrated its first anniversary in May. Set up by a small group of Supervisors of Midwives, with a little help from the Communications Team, the page has enjoyed unprecedented success and has been embraced by patients past and present.

Since its launch as a pilot on May 5th 2015 the page has gained over 3,000 likes from mums across Devon. It has provided information on a range of topics, has provided a place for mums to discuss feedback on their experiences, and offered followers the opportunity to have their say on proposed service changes.

Supervisors of Midwives Zita Martinez and Naomi Curtis, who led the team, said: “The page has enabled us to showcase the fantastic service we offer and be completely open and transparent with our women and their families. We are thrilled with the positive feedback we have received and look forward to engaging further with our users on service development in the future.”

To find out more about setting up a Facebook page for your service please contact the Communications Team on rde-tr.RDEComms@nhs.net or call ext. 2833/6941. www.facebook.com/RDEmaternity/

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Patient Safety: this year’s highlights Throughout 2015-16, the Trust’s annual Patient Safety Programme achieved some great work: • Skin Matters – There’s been a 49% reduction in grade 1-4 pressure ulcers across the Trust, against a target of 20%. Whilst 85% of patients receive all the SKIN bundle interventions.

Jessica and Catherine with Julie Carter, Apprentice Learning Facilitator

RD&E apprentices win big at HEESW Star Awards Two RD&E apprentices were announced as winners at the Health Education England South West Star Awards during National Apprenticeship Week (14-18th March).

Jessica Dillon, an HCA from Creedy Ward, won the Inspirational Apprentice award, whilst Catherine Cox, an NA from WEEU, scooped the Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award. Both received a trophy and a £500 bursary for their continued professional development.

Jessica and Catherine joined the RD&E in 2014 through the apprenticeship scheme and have made the most of the opportunities provided by Workforce Planning and Development to progress in their careers.

Julie Carter, Apprentice Learning Facilitator, said: “Completing the apprenticeship has helped Jess to grow in more ways than one. She has grown to be a more confident positive person and this shows in the excellent care she gives. Catherine has also been a model apprentice student and this has helped her to achieve at a high standard in her work and also as a person.”

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• Sepsis – the Trust signed up to the National Sepsis CQUIN. As a result 91% of patients admitted as an emergency were screened for sepsis and the levels of patients with severe sepsis receiving intravenous antibiotics within the first hour remain high.

• Acute Kidney Injury – the Trust has achieved 100% of the discharge summary of the national CQIN by establishing electronic charts for AKI.

• Think Glucose – 93% of patients received the Triple Assessment during their hospital stay, whilst improvement work continues towards the meeting the target to undertake the assessments within 24 hours of admission.

• Reducing Harm From Falls – we have achieved 95% Trust wide compliance with the falls care bundle and achieved our target of a 30% reduction in avoidable harm.

• Reducing Mortality – Following the launch of a revised Mortality Review, approximately 50% of adult in-patient deaths have been reviewed. Our Standardised Hospital Mortality Indicator (SHMI) across all 72 views is in the ‘as expected’ or ‘lower than expected’ banding.

• Medication Safety Thermometer - This was deferred but will be a key component of the 2016 / 2017 Patient Safety Programme.

Exeter teams celebrate success at BMJ Awards

Two Exeter teams have been recognised for excellence in healthcare and research at the BMJ Awards. The Monogenic Diabetes Team, a partnership between the RD&E and the University of Exeter Medical School, won the ‘Diabetes Team of the Year’ award whilst the Anaesthetics Team were recognised in the ‘Anaesthesia Team of the Year’ category for their contribution to the South West Anaesthesia Research Matrix (SWARM).

The Monogenic Diabetes Team

Helping neck breathing patients to re-enter the water Page 8

Doris (pictured centre) with friends

Nutrition and Hydration Week 2016

Elizabeth Melaniphy and Sandra Connor and son Keith Sumption, with RD&E Deputy Chief Executive/ Chief Nurse Em Wilkinson-Brice.

RD&E replace stolen nursing medal for 89 year-old Doris A

former nursing sister who trained at the RD&E during the Second World War has received a replica of a gold nursing medal which was stolen.

Eighty-nine year old Doris Sumption was devastated when thieves took one of her most treasured possessions – a gold medal which she received for being top of her class during her nurse training in 1946.

After contacting the RD&E in the hope of tracking down a replica, Executive Support Secretary Stephanie Collins was able to locate a similar medal in our archives on

which to base a reproduction.

Deputy Chief Executive/Chief Nurse Em Wilkinson-Brice recently invited Doris and her family to visit the RD&E and presented her with a new version, personally donated by Chairman James Brent.

Doris said: “I was delighted when I heard that the hospital had been able to make a replica. I would like to sincerely thank Stephanie, Em and the Chairman for their help. Nursing is not about seeking rewards, it is satisfying in itself to help people in their time of need.”

The Nutrition and Dietetics have been promoting the benefits of eating and drinking well during this year’s Nutrition and Hydration Week (14th – 20th March).

The national campaign, organised

by Patient Safety First, the National Association of Care Catering and the Hospital Caterers Association, promotes good nutrition and hydration as an important part of quality care and safety improvement.

Alongside the Catering Department, the team arranged a whole host of activities including training sessions, an information stand in Oasis, competitions and a Friday focus on staff nutrition. They also took part in the Global Afternoon Tea on 16th March, serving up hundreds of Devon cream teas to inpatients. www.nutritionandhydrationweek.co.uk

The catering team preparing the afternoon tea for inpatients.

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Elections to the Council of Governors 2016 We are looking for both Staff and Public Members interested in joining our Council of Governors.

The elections will be held during the summer and our 19000 members will be given the chance to cast their vote.

Interested in the role?

We are looking for people who are committed to the NHS and have skills that will add real value to our Council. Our Governors have an important role: as well as collectively holding the Directors accountable for our performance, they also ensure that the interests of Trust members are considered.

If you would like to find out more, why not attend one of our meetings for prospective Governors: • Friday 1 July 2016, 13.30-15.00, Seminar Rooms 3&4, RILD • Wednesday 6 July 2016, 17.3019.00, Committee Room, Noy Scott House To book your place or to order an information pack, please contact the Engagement Office on ext 3977 or rde-tr.foundationtrust@nhs.net.

You can also visit: www.rdehospital. nhs.uk/trust/ft/governors.html

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Helping neck breathing patients to re-enter the water The RD&E has become the first NHS Trust in the country to offer patients who breathe through their neck the chance to swim again.

It is estimated that there are over 5,000 people with a permanent Tracheostomy or Laryngectomy in the UK. The procedure unfortunately means patients are unable to enjoy activities such as swimming without the aid of specialist equipment, which can have a detrimental effect on their quality of life.

Thanks to funding from FORCE Cancer Charity, the Trust has embarked on a 12 month pilot to offer patients across the country the chance to learn to swim with a Heimomed AQUATHER™ device.

The service has been launched by the head and neck CNS team and a physiotherapist

who have all undergone intensive training supported by the Trust Resuscitation and Manual handling officers. The device is fully endorsed by the National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC). Any eligible patients with a Laryngectomy and Tracheostomy nationally can apply to take part, and the cost of the device may be covered by Macmillan.

Claire Barber, Lead Head & Neck Specialist Nurse, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer this service for patients as this has the potential to give them back a better quality of life and enable them to take part in hydrotherapy if they need it.

We’ve already seen several patients from all over the country and are happy with the results so far.”

Find out more at www.rdehospital.nhs.uk

Infection Control Nurse shortlisted for British Journal of Nursing Award Congratulations to Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Specialist Mel Burden who was a shortlisted as a finalist in the British Journal of Nursing Awards.

Mel was nominated in the ‘Infection Prevention Nurse of the Year’ category for her work leading a successful service improvement initiative to reduce the rates of surgical site infection (SSI) within breast surgery.

Mel said: “I’m very proud to have been shortlisted, although I’d like this to be recognised as an award for the whole infection control team. I’d also like to say a special thanks to the infection control audit and surveillance team for their hard work in data collection and analysis.”

RD&E’s extraordinary staff recognised at annual awards evening

#expeople16

Members of staff who have gone the extra mile received special recognition at the RD&E’s third annual Extraordinary People ‘Winner of Winners’ awards.

Scores of staff, Governors, NonExecutive Directors and the Executive Board attended the event in RILD to celebrate some of the shining examples of high quality and compassionate care showcased by the awards. The event was kindly hosted by Radio Devon’s David Fitzgerald.

The evening celebrated all those staff who won in the 2015/16 seasonal awards and saw them nominated again to be in with the chance of being crowned with the prestigious title of ‘Winner of Winners’ for their categories.

Our winners: • Excellent Care – Rose Brier, Nurse on Torridge • Exceed Award – The Breast Care Team • Extra Mile Individual – Nathan Murphy, PEOC Receptionist • Extra Mile Team – The Tiverton Operational Team • Exemplar Award – The CIVAS Team • Rose Briers also won the People’s Award, which was voted on by staff and Members, for the care and compassion she showed whilst caring for a patient at the end of their life.

• Volunteer Award – Roger Hunt who volunteers with the Cardiac Rehab Programme.

The evening also saw Chief Executive Angela Pedder, who is soon to take on a role leading the Success Regime, recognised for her dedication to the Trust for nearly 20 years. Angela was awarded a special Lifetime Achievement Award by Chairman James Brent and received a standing ovation from the audience.

James Brent said: “All winners of these annual awards, and the seasonal awards that feed into them, should be seen as representative of an extraordinarily dedicated, hardworking and passionate workforce who, every day, do what they can to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible or who are keen through their own endeavours to make a real difference.”

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New PSA Tracker gets the thumbs up!

The first evaluation report into the PSA Tracker, which remotely monitors prostate patients, has provided the team with invaluable data help them make improvements to the system.

Some 94% of patients said they preferred to be monitored by the tracker than to come into outpatient department for their blood results, sighting the main benefits as saving time and money, and feeling reassured to have direct access to the Urology team if required.

Some 80% of patients knew how to contact the nurse specialist by phone if they were concerned but only 11% of patients actually needed to.

“No disadvantage at all, you are just a phone call away.”

(Patient comment)

We currently have 566 patients on the PSA tracker and are averaging 20 + referrals per month from Oncology and Urology combined. It is estimated that there have been a large number of clinic appointments which have been more appropriately filled by patients requiring more intense consultations.

Claire Turner, Uro Oncology Nurse Specialist, added: “This system would be suitable for many services that use blood chemistry results to monitor their patients; it is flexible and enables the user to shape their follow up in a way which fits with the ‘Living with and beyond cancer’ agenda.”

Read more about the tracker on IaN.

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Patient Stuart Priscott

Cystic fibrosis patient Stuart goes the extra mile(s!) to take part in research trial P

atient Stuart Priscott is prepared to travel 200 miles to attend clinic appointments for a Cystic Fibrosis research trial at the Trust.

The father of two, who was diagnosed with CF as a child, says: “I don’t view the time spent at the hospital for the trial as time lost but very much as an investment in gaining more time if my quality of life is maintained for as long as possible. I have felt so much better since being on this trial and feel privileged to have had

the opportunity to participate in it.”

It is testimony to his trust and respect for his respiratory consultant Dr Nick Withers and the team at the RD&E that Stuart has continued to receive his treatment in Exeter long after re-locating to Bristol.

Stuart added: “I know the team looking after me has my best interests at heart and I cannot fault the enhanced level of care and support I receive as a direct consequence of being on this trial.”

Staff promote Parkinson’s Awareness Week Staff supported this years’ Parkinson’s Awareness Week (18th – 24th April), a campaign organised by Parkinson’s UK to raise awareness and highlight the support for patients and carers.

Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist Stacey Andrew was available in Oasis to answer questions about the condition and to discuss some of the important research studies the hospital takes part in. The team also organised a cake sale and raised £125 for Parkinson’s UK. Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists Stacey Andrew and Sam Moore joined the Trust in 2014 to help improve care for Parkinson’s patients.

Stacey said: “Parkinson’s is becoming more prevalent due to the increasing age of the population so it’s important to raise awareness of the condition. Coming into hospital when you have Parkinson’s can be a terrifying experience for patients

and carers and I like to think we have had a positive impact on the people we have met over the last two years since being in post”. www.parkinsons.org.uk

(from L to R) Tim Malone, Movement Disorders Research; Anna Hinton, Consultant Physician ; Stacey Andrews, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist; and Dr Sarah Jackson, Movement Disorders Consultant.

More staff achieve The Care Certificate at the RD&E Twenty healthcare apprentices and Nursing Auxiliaries (NAs) have become the latest to achieve The Care Certificate – an assessment which demonstrates their competency and skill in providing safe, high quality care as they begin their careers in the NHS. The group are the second cohort to compete the assesment since its introduction in October 2015, and received their certificates at a celebration event from Deputy Chief Nurse/Midwife Tracey Reeves.

RD&E staff support world TB day The respiratory team marked World TB Day on the 24th March by raising awareness about one of the world’s most deadly infectious diseases, tuberculosis (TB).

World TB Day is organised annually by the Stop TB Partnership. Although instances of the disease are relatively low in the South West, TB rates in England remain one of the highest in Western Europe and it causes nearly one-and-a-half million deaths across the world each year.

In support of the campaign, the RD&E

team were keen to promote increased awareness and education about TB and how it can be spread, and were on hand at an information stand in the main concourse to answer questions.

Respiratory/TB Nurse Specialist Ruth Unsworth, said: “We feel it is necessary to promote this as it is important that people understand about TB, to enable them to recognise the signs and symptoms of the infection early and therefore seek medical advice and receive treatment promptly.” www.stoptb.org

Abbie Rickards, Paediatric Respiratory Nurse Specialist; Ruth Unsworth, Respiratory/TB Nurse Specialist; and Helen Dunning, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, at the information stand at the RD&E.

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Eddie raises funds for Mardon Former patient Eddie Cattanach has raised £14,500 for our Mardon Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre.

Eddie raised the money by cycling 300 miles over five days from Exeter to Cambridge as a thank you for the care he received when he suffered a brain aneurysm in 2013.

Eddie, who now works for The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust at The Woodmill, vowed to pay back the cost of his treatment to the NHS, having been cared for at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and then undergoing two weeks of intensive rehabilitation at Mardon.

Eddie said: “I asked my neurosurgeon Ramez Kirollos how much money had it costed me to do this? He told me ‘about £32,000 Eddie, but you are here on the NHS’.

So I told him - I will get your money back! I’m alive and it’s because of the NHS.” Eddie embarked on his intrepid cycling challenge last September, joined by a team of friends and support drivers. He has raised over £29,000 to date, which has been split between the two hospitals who helped him with his recovery.

Eddie plans to take a break from fundraising this year, but hopes to be able to support The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust in 2017.

Eddie (pictured centre) and his team

Eddie added: “A big thank you to Gill Hardy from Mardon, and Emma Clarke (manager) and Serena Dyer (business administrator) who gave me a job - and trusts me. I’m humble with

the NHS and I think about life but I’m positive , positive and POSITIVE!” http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ team/eddiecattanach

MP visits WEEU to learn more about Sight Loss Advisor service Exeter MP, Ben Bradshaw, recently visited the West of England Eye Unit to learn more about the vital role of a sight loss adviser.

Mr Bradshaw spoke with Tracy Wilson about the vital support she provides for people losing their sight.

Mr Bradshaw was able to understand how having a sight loss adviser present in an eye clinic can free up the time of consultants, signpost people to services they require to continue to live safely and independently and provide a friendly face at a very difficult time.

Tracy Wilson, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, 01392 406126

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First spade in the ground for Chevithorne Appeal

Over 500 books sold for FORCE!

On 8th March, Staff from the RD&E and the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF) were joined by ELF Patron David Fitzgerald to put the first spade in the ground for the new family suite on Yarty Ward.

To donate to the Chevithorne Appeal either: • Visit www.elfcharity.org.uk/ chevithorne-appeal • Write a cheque made payable to “ELF” and send with your details to “FREEPOST ELF CHARITY” • Text ELF505 £5 to 70070 to donate £5

Happy retirement!

• Bramble - CLIC Sargent Clinical Nurse Specialist Sandy Buckle (pictured above, with flowers) retired in May after caring for children with cancer on Bramble Ward for over six years.

• Cancer Services - Dr Anne Hong, the first female consultant to be appointed at the Trust, Alex Harrett, lead for our Radiotherapy Physics Department, and Radiotherapy Services Manager Geraldine Jenner retired –they had a combined experience of 103 years at the RD&E!

#safehands save lives The Infection Control and Prevention Team supported Hand Hygiene Day on 5th May. The ‘SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands’ campaign, run by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to raise the profile of the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare across the globe.

This year the team focused on the importance of good hand hygiene in urinary catheter care.

Mel Burden, IP&C Nurse Specialist, said: “Preventing infections and reducing an avoidable burden on health systems is still critical around the world today and is part

of making sure every healthcare setting is safe for treating every single patient.”

Melanie Thornton and Kevin Marshall chatting to nurse Ana in Oasis.

ED have raised £265 for FORCE by running a second-hand bookstall in their waiting room.

The team were keen to improve the experience for patients and relatives by making the area more user-friendly.

Emergency Consultant Physician Gavin Lloyd suggested the idea and ED Research Assistant Practitioner Jennie Small took on responsibility for the stall early in 2015.

Jennie said: “We know that there is always going to be a wait for patients, so anything we can do to improve that the better!”

Please contact Jennie to donate your books.

Free books for World Book Night!

This Exeter Health Library was lucky enough to be chosen by the Reading Agency to receive a selection of free books to give away for World Book Night 2016.

A stand was set up in the Oasis and all the titles available proved very popular with both staff and visitors, particularly the Elizabethan historical novel “Treachery” and “Last Bus to Coffeeville”. Staff were also invited to sign up for a possible Library Book Club and Library staff took the opportunity to chat about the new Health and Wellbeing Collection, which is currently being developed to encourage reading for relaxation and fun! If you would like more information, please contact medlib@exeter.ac.uk or 01392 406800.

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RD&E supports Dying Matters week During the 9th-15th May the End of Life Steering Group, in collaboration with the Exeter Hospice, supported Dying Matters Awareness week.

The campaign is a national initiative highlighting the importance of talking about dying, death and bereavement.

The aim was to lift some of the taboos and fears when faced with end of life, and to support staff when undertaking difficult conversations.

Throughout the week, the team were on hand at an information stand in Oasis to discuss some of the innovations happening at the RD&E around end of life care. Staff and visitors were also invited to leave a message on a ‘memory tree’ outside the chaplaincy centre.

Fancy wining a signed Plymouth shirt?

The Endoscopy team are auctioning off a signed Plymouth Argyle FC shirt, which has kindly been donated by Chairman James Brent, in aid of Hospiscare.

Please send your sealed bid to Endoscopy (Area F, Level 2), or call ext. 2246.

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Bramble School Pupils test out their culinary skills Forget Bake Off or Masterchef…the pupils of the Devon Hospitals Short Stay School have been creating a range of culinary masterpieces thanks to the Adopt-A-Chef scheme, which pairs up schools and chefs to introduce children to the fun of cooking.

Gary Kilminster and his sous chef Rob, visited in April to help the pupils make a quick and easy lunch from simple healthy ingredients. The pupils soon got stuck in, chopping, dicing and grating to create tasty couscous and pasta salads.

Gary and Rob were in total agreement that the results were brilliant and that everyone deserved the title of Star Salad Maker! Gary will be visiting again in October. We can’t wait!

Gary and Rob with staff and pupils from the Devon Hospital’s Short Stay School on Bramble Ward.

Golfers raise cash for Kidney fund The Axe Cliff Golf Club have raise £3525 for the RD&E’s Kidney Unit.

The men’s and senior sections of the golf club raised the money throughout the year by holding various events including golf competitions, raffles and a charity evening. The teams chose the charity as it was a cause close to their hearts.

2015 Club Captain Geoff Wake said: “It has been a pleasure to be involved in raising the money and everyone involved at Axe Cliff wishes to thank the staff of the kidney unit for the great job they do and we all hope this money will help to make a difference in whichever way it is used.”

Dr. Lucy Smyth and Geoff Wake, Axe Cliff Golf Club captain 2015.

Family donate over £3500 to Bolham Ward to say thank you for their care Barbara and David Tilbury have raised over £3500 for Bolham Ward as a thank you for the care staff gave to their late son Patrick.

Barbara and David raised the money as a thank you to the staff through contributions from family and friends. They also received support from the Budleigh Salterton Lions Club, who donated £250.

The family were recently joined by Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw to present their cheque and a plaque to Bolham Ward Matron Anny Willett.

(From L to R) Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter; Alan Tilbury, from the Budleigh Salterton Lions Club; Barbara and David Tilbury; and Anny Willett, Matron on Bolham Ward.

Trees planted for Earth Day Two brand new cherry trees have been planted in the grounds of the hospital to mark World Earth Day (22nd April).

The trees, which also form part of the RD&E’s contribution to the NHS Forest initiative, were planted in the car park close to the entrance to the Centre for Women’s Health.

Wynard Ward hold vintage cake sale for the Eve Appeal

Clare Sellick and her daughter Lucy hand over the blankets to Tiverton Birth Centre.

Bunting to baby blankets Members of Girlguiding Devon recently presented Tiverton Birth Centre with 55 cot blankets, which had been made out of bunting flags. The bunting had been knitted by Devon Brownies to mark their cemetery in 2014. To celebrate their ‘Big Brownie Birthday’ they held a sleepover for over 800 Brownies at Exeter Racecourse and decorated the venue with the knitted bunting. After the event the bunting was made into 225 cot blanks and given to Devon’s four main Mother and Baby Units.

Staff on Wynard Ward have raised over £600 for the Eve Appeal by holding a tea party and cake sale.

The Eve Appeal is a national charity raising awareness and funding research into gynaecological cancers. To mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March, the charity holds their ‘Make Time for Tea’ campaign, which encourages people to hold tea parties to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.

The Wynard team created a fantastic tea party in the ward’s dining room, and the cakes were donated by staff family and friends. www.eveappeal.org.uk

The Wynard Team ready for their Eve Appeal tea party (From L to R: Michelle Perry, Clinical Nurse Specialist Gynacology; Karen Clare, Ward Clark; Tina Jones, Matron.)

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RD&E takes steps towards becoming more dementia friendly Peter Burden, Zena Worters and Doreen Hart from The Exeter Forum hand over their twiddlemuffs.

The Exeter Forum donates twiddlemuffs to ED Keen knitters from The Exeter Forum have donated over 30 ‘twiddlemuffs’ to the Emergency Department to help patients with dementia.

Twiddlemuffs are knitted woollen muffs with items such as ribbons or large buttons attached that patients can twiddle in their hands, providing a source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation.

A member of the Exeter Forum heard about the RD&E’s Twiddlemuffs campaign and encouraged her fellow knitters to join her in creating them.

The Forum knitters have produced 31 in total and recently visited ED to hand over the twiddlemuffs.

The RD&E has signed up to two high profile projects which cement its commitment to improving the experience of patients with dementia and their families when in hospital.

The Trust has just become the 40th member of the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance, a local organisation working towards making Exeter a dementia friendly city. By joining the Alliance, the hospital has committed to introduce actions including promoting our dementia and delirium care plan and providing better support for carers and relatives.

The hospital has also pledged its support to John’s Campaign, which promotes the importance of relatives being able to visit or stay with patients who have dementia or delirium for as long as they wish when they are in hospital.

The Dementia and Delerium Steering Group said: “Encouraging relatives to stay when they can means that the patients are often less frightened and anxious. This then reduces anxieties for everybody and ultimately helps patients recover more quickly, in a calm environment.”

(Left to right) Ginette Clarkson- Senior Nurse for Older People, Jane SwordConsultant Physician (Dementia Lead), Anna Hinton – Consultant Physician, Gina Awad-Exeter Dementia Action Alliance, Flora Smith-Occupational Therapist, Louise Clarke- Practice Lead, Liaison Psychiatry

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