Insight Liverpool summer 2015

August 2015

Exclusive:

R-Charity ÂŁ10million Appeal has landed. How

www.rlbuht.nhs.uk

Make a Difference Awards Staff gather to celebrate success

RLB Nurse Programme Over 200 nurses graduate at St George’s Hall

Four years infection free Ward 6B passes 1500 days without MRSA

will you get involved?

2 World class workforce

How are we performing?

Exclusive:

August 2015

R-Charity £10million Appeal has landed. How will you get involved?

www.rlbuht.nhs.uk

We, along with all other NHS Trusts, continuously monitor our progress against a series of targets that are set both nationally and locally.

This allows us to monitor the delivery of

our key corporate objectives of patient experience and quality of care, patient safety, productivity, people and financial health.

Below is an overview summary of some of our key performance indicators.

Overview to May 2015

rds Make a Difference Awa ss gather to celebrate succe Staff

e

RLB Nurse Programm

ate at St George’s Hall

Over 200 nurses gradu

Four years infection

free

Ward 6B passes 1500 days

without MRSA

Your newlook Insight Welcome to your new-look Insight magazine. As we move ever closer to the new Royal, we thought it was only right that your quarterly magazine also had a revamp.

Patient Experience and Quality All Cancers: 31-day wait Diagnosis to first treatment All Cancers: 31-day Surgery wait for second or Anti cancer drug treatments subsequent treatment All Cancers: 62-day wait Urgent GP referral to treatment for first treatment Screening service referral Referral to treatment Admitted waiting times Non-admitted Incomplete Cancer: two week waits Urgent suspected cancer referrals Breast symptomatic (not suspected cancer) Accident & Emergency % patients waited over 4 hours Patient Surveys To increase by 5% the number of patients who rate their experience as good or excellent Patient Safety MRSA and Clostridium Difficile Clostridium Difficile MRSA Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Assessments Mortality Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) Risk adjusted mortality - all diagnoses Falls 30% reduction in falls by year end Pressure ulcers Grade 2 or above pressure ulcers rate Grade 3 or above pressure ulcers rate Productivity Productivity indicators Daycase Rate Average Length of Spell (Elective) Average Length of Spell (Non Elective) New to Follow Up Ratio Did Not Attend Rates People Sickness absence (July) Sickness absence rate (in month) Finance Financial Performance Financial Risk Rating

Employee of the Month

If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please contact the Quality Department on extension 2293.

The latest winners presented with their certificate are: Our monthly award scheme recognises dedicated members of staff who have gone the extra mile to help patients during their stay or visit to our hospitals.

November: Lorraine Murphy, receptionist, St. Paul’s Primary Care

January: Alma Palisoc, staff nurse, Ward 9HDU

February: Christine Atkinson, foot and ankle specialist nurse, Orthopaedics

March: Albie Sherwood, porter (ISS), Dental Hospital

3

World class workforce

The team behind the ADT Whiteboard picked up the Transformation Award and the Star of the Night Award

Make a Difference Awards - The Winners This year’s Make a Difference Awards were bigger and better than ever before!

• The Staff Star Award - Dr Rema Saxena, consultant nephrologist

In his welcome speech Aidan Kehoe, chief executive said: “I know and share your passion for wanting to provide the very best for the people of Merseyside and it is always incredibly rewarding and humbling for me when I hear about the care, compassion and innovation you provide. I’m proud to work in the NHS and it’s a privilege to work with such fantastic people as you. I want to thank you all for your outstanding contributions this year.”

Divisional Star Awards

Well done to all the winners, those who were shortlisted and everyone who got involved with the event and entered their colleagues into the awards this year.

Directors’ Star Awards

• Surgery - Improving Patient Access Group • Medicine - Bowel Cancer Screening Team

Highly Commended Star Award

• Corporate - Medical Education for the Development of the Simulation Suite

Star of the Night Award

• The Chairman’s Award - Sepsis Improvement Steering Group • The Chief Executive’s Award - Respiratory Research at the Royal Team

The People’s Choice Awards

Employee of the Year Award

• BBC Radio Merseyside Patient’s Choice Award - St. Paul’s Eye Unit

• Peter Baker, Transfusion manager, Blood Sciences

The NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS TDA) confirmed the appointment of Neil Wilcox as a non-executive director at the Trust.

Neil said: “This is a really exciting time to be joining the Trust and I can’t wait to get started. With the new Royal taking shape, we have so much to look forward to.”

• Team involved in development and implementation of Admissions, Discharges and Transfers (ADT) Whiteboard

• Core Clinical and Support Services Healthcare Scientists - Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (LCL)

The twelve award winners were:

New nonexecutive director appointed

Transformation to 2018 Award

• The Liverpool Frailty Service

• Team involved in development and implementation ADT Whiteboard Page 16-17 has a selection of photos from the night. To view more, visit www.makeadifferenceawards.co.uk Once again thanks to everyone who nominated, voted and attended this year’s awards and contributed to such a great evening.

Date for your diary: AGM Find out about how our Trust performed in the last year and its plans for the future at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 22 September 2015.

The AGM will take place at 10am in the Lecture Theatre in the Education Centre, Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Refreshments will be served in the foyer after the presentations.

4

Fundraising

Roy of the Royal Meet RCharity mascot Roy of the Royal, the masked hero who is sworn to watch over the new Royal and the £10million appeal launch. He’s already been spotted around the hospital and across the city – keep an eye out for where he’ll land next.

£10million appeal launch: how will you get involved?

The countdown to the new Royal is officially here with the launch of the R Charity £10million Appeal to raise funds for the new hospital.

Over the next four years, staff, patients and the public – not forgetting R Charity mascot Roy – will all become ‘hospital heroes’ when they pull together in various ways to reach the impressive target. The question is: what will you and your team do?

Funds raised will be used to ensure the people of Merseyside and beyond have access to the best healthcare available in the UK. The new Royal will be amongst the best hospitals in the country, providing world class and innovative treatment and facilities for the city.

The state of the art hospital will have 646 beds - including a 40-bed Intensive Therapy Unit, 18 state-of-the-art theatres and 23 wards and units, including a large clinical research facility. All

in-patients will have their own private, ensuite room.

The new Royal will have an area for relatives visiting patients in Critical Care and imaging equipment to help with early diagnosis of conditions like dementia, breast cancer and heart disease.

Inpatients will enjoy 42-inch Freeview TVs in rooms that will have either a reclining chair or chair-bed for visitors’ overnight stays. Patients and visitors will also be able to enjoy the multi-faith spiritual centre and therapeutic gardens and artwork.

R Charity’s Ged Carter said: “The important question today is: what will you or your team do to get involved? It would be fantastic if every team and department did at least one thing to raise money for our new hospital in 2015.

“We know £10million is a huge target, but I’m confident that colleagues and the public have

what it to takes to get us there. The great news is that we’ve already raised £3.5m on the way to our £10m target, so we’re out of the starting blocks. A lot of activities are now planned which I’d urge everyone to get involved in – there’s a lot to choose from and something for everyone.”(See page 24 for full details of upcoming events) Chief executive Aiden Kehoe added: “Our new Royal will be one of the best hospitals in the country but we need your help to achieve that. The new hospital will transform the way healthcare is delivered in Liverpool, and will give the city a hospital to be proud of. I’ll be getting involved and I encourage you to join me!”

To find out more about what’s coming up and how you can take part, contact the fundraising team by calling into their office behind reception in the Royal, email fundraising@rlbuht.nhs.uk or dial ext. 0151 706 3150.

Our new Royal will be one of the best hospitals in the country but we need your help to achieve that.

5

Fundraising

Hospital heroes take to the ropes for new Royal More than 50 people grabbed a harness and helmet as they abseiled the Royal to raise funds for the new Royal – raising more than £10,000.

While at the Royal, Naomi campaigned to have better environments for young people with cancer. Her family wanted to use the abseil to inspire others just as Naomi did.

Head of fundraising Ged Carter said: “It’s incredible to see teams from across the Trust coming together with members of the public to raise funds for the new Royal. It makes me incredibly excited for the other events we have lined up.”

Naomi’s brother, Peter Daly, could see her room from his nearby flat. He would flash his lights on and off to let her know he was home after visiting and to let her know it was time she went to sleep.

The breast care team’s Geraldine Mitchell said: “It’s fantastic that our families have come to watch us as well as the staff who have their faces squashed up against the windows watching us go down.”

The Daly family were raising funds in memory of Naomi Daly who sadly died of Pneumonia after beating cancer at the Royal.

Peter said: “We had incredible support from the Royal during an extremely difficult time. We want to continue to raise money for the hospital and the heroes who work here.”

Will Weston, interim divisional strategy lead for surgery, said: “The abseil – as well as the other events - demonstrates to patients that we all want the new hospital to be the best it can be.

We want to go above and beyond what the NHS would normally provide.”

All smiles: Will takes part in his first abseil since being in a wheelchair

Hospital heroes: The Daly family wouldn’t let a fear of heights get in the way of raising funds in Naomi’s memory

A three course gunging Director of finance John Graham enjoyed a three course gunging outside the Royal’s main entrance to mark the official launch of the RCharity £10million Appeal.

John received the highest number of votes out of the nine ‘most wanted’ colleagues who were nominated for the Royal gunging.

No turning back: The breast care team before they took to the ropes for vital breast services in the new Royal

Bake off

Staff picked up their aprons and mixing bowls and got down to some serious baking for R Charity Entries were judged by a panel of head chefs from Hope Street Hotel, Double Tree by Hilton and ISS. After a lot of tasting, the judges awarded prizes to physiotherapist Laura Jenions, pre-operative assessment practitioner Michelle Ryder and sister Jan Lacey for their sweet treats. Congratulations!

You can watch the mushroom soup, beans and custard gunging on the Trust’s YouTube channel just search for RoyalLPoolHosps.

6

Improving the quality of life for our patients

Sepsis packs the talk of Twitter Packs to help diagnose sepsis have received approval from across the globe as health workers took to Twitter to voice their praise for a new procedure to take blood cultures from patients.

New blood culture packs are being used to help improve the treatment of suspected sepsis in patients as part of the ‘Sepsis…Time is Life’ project, which aims to improve the recognition and management of sepsis.

Ward 6B’s achievement has been put down to following hygiene protocols

Over four years MRSA free

The packs include guidance on blood culture sampling, as well as all the equipment needed in order to take a blood culture sample.

A ward in our dialysis unit recently reached four and half years of being MRSA bacteraemia infection free.

The new packs are bright yellow and the team behind them - the Sepsis Improvement Steering Group - hopes it will improve the patient experience and care.

Ward 6B passed the impressive 1500 day milestone on 26 May – contributing to our aim of avoiding healthcare-associated infections and providing the highest quality care for patients. They’re already aiming for 2000 days.

By using the new packs, the process of taking blood cultures from suspected sepsis patients will be standardised across all departments. This will also reduce the risk of infection as it means the correct procedure is followed every time a blood culture sample is taken.

The packs should also improve the time between a sepsis diagnosis and when a patient is tested for sepsis, as all the components for taking blood cultures are contained in these packs.

Anthony Duffy, senior lean practitioner said: “As part of the ‘Sepsis…Time is Life’ project, we identified that we would need to use the nationally recognised ‘sepsis six’ bundle to improve the identification, management and treatment of sepsis.

“One of the components of the ‘sepsis six’ bundle relates to blood cultures and the introduction of the packs allows us to identify patients who have sepsis in a more efficient and timely manner.”

The packs have impressed healthworkers from across the globe via Twitter, with people from as far as Spain joining in the discussion about how to improve the process of testing for sepsis.

MRSA bacteraemia is the presence of bacteria in the blood. The infection is resistant to a number of widely used antibiotics which makes it more difficult to treat than other infections.

Ward manager Vicky Ashworth said: “Basic hand hygiene and dialysis protocols are at the heart of this achievement and the whole team is extremely proud. We take infection control very seriously and are aware of the infection risks that surround dialysis procedures. Every member of our team comes on to the ward focussed on ensuring we deliver the highest levels of care.

“It’s essential that we escalate problems to a range of teams including the IV access team, infection control and microbiology so that potential complications can be reviewed and resolved quickly.”

The nature of dialysis, which is used to filter blood, means MRSA bacteraemia is always a threat if not managed carefully.

The infection can lead to a number of serious conditions including septic shock, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and osteomyelitis – a bone infection.

Dr Hameed Anijeet, clinical director and consultant nephrologist, has put the achievement down to the team following protocols and escalating concerns.

Dr Anijeet said: “I’m delighted that we have achieved 1500 days of being MRSA bacteraemia infection free. This achievement is only possible because of the commitment of colleagues to uphold our high standards when dealing with complex dialysis procedures.

We’re already looking at passing 2000 days.”

The view from infection control Infection control team leader Marie Dewhurst said: “Ward 6B has a dedicated team who put the safety of their patients first. Their success in preventing hospital-acquired infections is exemplary and they continually strive to improve their practice.

“On a practical level, if staff are wearing long sleeves, watches, bracelets or rings, washing is restricted and it’s difficult to carry out the Ayliff technique of hand decontamination recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Staff in clinical areas must be bare below the elbows, so no long sleeves, watches or bracelets and only a plain wedding band with no stoned rings. They also shouldn’t wear nail varnish or false nails as bugs can lie underneath or varnish can chip and become a reservoir for bugs.

“It’s essential staff challenge - in a polite manner - any practice they see that does not meet this standard. If staff feel unable to challenge they should raise the matter with the department manager or Infection Control Team. Infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility.”

7

Improving the quality of life for our patients

“I bet you couldn’t eat like me” A member of our dietitian team used Dietitians Awareness Week (8-12 June) to find out what it’s really like when patients are asked to change the way they eat.

Renal dietitian Hilary Morgan followed a strict haemodialysis diet after a patient jokingly challenged her to see what it’s really like to follow a strict diet plan.

Hilary’s strict routine meant she had to reduce her fluid intake as well as the amount of salt, potassium and phosphate she was allowed each day.

that I could eat in a restaurant was challenging and shows that people who have special diets can often find it hard to socialise in that way.”

where people could use body composition scales to find out their BMI, muscle mass and ideal weight and also find out about the importance of fibre and a healthy diet.

To prepare for each day, Hilary needed to plan her meals in advance as well as plan her fluid intake to last the day.

As well as a fun weigh-in, diet enthusiasts came face-to-face with the Bristol Stool Tart - something which proved very popular on social media.

The theme for this year’s Dietitians Week was about promoting healthy bowels and introducing more fibre into diets.

To mark the awareness week, the team manned a stand in the foyer of the Royal

Hilary added: “The cake was definitely a talking point. I think people didn’t know whether they should think it looked appealing or not!”

Haemodialysis patients need a special diet to compensate for lack of kidney function.

The kidneys, when working, help to regulate blood levels of potassium and phosphate, help fluid balance and make urine. Salt, potassium and phosphate are found in everyday foods.

Hilary said: “It was definitely a challenge and probably a little harder than I thought it would be before I started. Asking a patient to change the way they do something can often be easier said than done so I wanted to put myself in their shoes and see what it’s really like. This week will definitely enhance the advice I give to patients.

“The hardest part was monitoring my fluid intake and eating out. Finding something

The Bristol Stool Tart was a big talking point on social media

Hilary Morgan found the strict diet very challenging

Donor Paul’s mission to raise awareness Volunteer Paul Dixon is on a mission to encourage people to sign up to the Organ Donor Register and raise awareness of how it saves lives.

Since starting at the Trust as a volunteer in January 2015, Paul has encouraged more than 1700 people to register for organ donation, but he has no intention of slowing down.

We carry out around 100 kidney transplants each year for patients across the North-West including Merseyside, North Wales and the Isle of Man. More donors are needed; thousands of people are waiting for life-saving transplants across the country with less than 5000 people dying a year in circumstances where they can become a donor. Kidney transplantation can also be performed from living donors – 39 transplants from living donors were performed at the Royal in the last year.

Paul, who donated an organ to a woman he didn’t know in 2013, said: “On average I’ll help around 50 people a day to register, but to get those 50 I’ll have speak to at least 200. I had no idea that you could donate an organ to a stranger until I saw a news feature on TV – after that I signed up straight away.

“It’s important that we encourage people to sign up because it really does make a difference. Apart from two awareness weeks, it’s quite quiet throughout the rest of the year.”

to discuss that decision with our families.

Organ donation can save those who are in desperate need of help and give them a second chance.

“By considering donating organs, as well as helping the person in need of them, we’re also helping their families by relieving them of the burden of making that difficult decision.”

You can usually find Paul wearing his red organ donation t-shirt on the mezzanine, by reception or by the phlebotomy department between 8.30am and 4.30pm every Wednesday.

Figures show that 82% of the population want to donate or would consider donating, yet only 50% have discussed with their families and on average three people die a day that are in need of a transplant. People can register to donate a kidney or other organs if they die.

Dr Peter Hampshire, clinical lead for organ donation, added: “It’s vital that we get more people to register for organ donation, and

Paul wants to raise awareness of just how vital organ donation is

8

Improving the quality of life for our patients

Success Storey for breast care machine Britain’s most decorated female Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey DBE took time out from her Rio 2016 training regime to officially launch a new mammography machine at Broadgreen Hospital.

The state of the art Mammography equipment was presented to the breast screening unit at Broadgreen Hospital by breast cancer charity Boot Out Breast Cancer.

grateful to Dame Sarah for taking the time out to officially open our new facility. We would like to thank Boot Out Breast Cancer founder Debbie Dowie and everyone who helped to fund our new Mammography machine. Having this additional machine will enable us to provide screening to more women across Merseyside, helping to detect

breast cancers sooner and save lives of many more women.”

Dame Sarah added: “I am very proud of the work of Boot Out Breast Cancer in raising funds for the equipment. It’s so fantastic to know that the equipment we are presenting today will make such a difference to the people of this community and beyond.”

The charity raised around £130,000 for the breast screening machine through a range of fundraising activities including a glamorous Vegas themed ball in March 2015, which raised more than £96,000.

Dame Sarah was joined by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Tony Concepcion, Boot Out Breast Cancer Founder Debbie Dowie, Trust chief executive Aidan Kehoe, director of the Liverpool NHS Breast Screening Programme Dr Cathryn Beattie and members of the breast screening team.

Dr Cathryn Beattie, director of the Liverpool NHS Breast Screening Programme, said: “We are extremely

The state of the art Mammography machine was presented by Boot Out Breast Cancer

Living with Dementia The dementia team used Dementia Awareness Week (21 – 27 May) to highlight information available in the Dementia Care information pack.

The team took to the mezzanine in the Royal to promote the handy pack which offers advice to patients and carers who live with dementia across our hospitals.

The pack also includes a dementia directory which signposts patients to community teams and charities such as Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK.

interactive and shouldn’t take longer than 40 minutes to complete.

“Dementia can make a patient’s stay much more difficult. For example a patient with dementia might say they’re not hungry because they’ve just eaten when in fact that meal they remember was fish and chips with a relative 15-20 years ago. This training is about helping all staff to engage with patients living with dementia.”

Volunteers provide vital dementia support.

Amongst other things, volunteers help

patients with memory boxes – a collection of items from a particular era which can evoke memories. Memory boxes can contain anything as long as it means something to the patient.

To complete the online training, visit the dementia care page on the Trust’s intranet.

Alternatively go to www.scie.org.uk/ publications/dementia.

To find out more about the information pack, contact Shaun Lever by emailing shaun.lever@rlbuht.nhs.uk

There are around 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK. An estimated 400,000 people have dementia but don’t know it.

Dementia training, which all staff are encouraged to complete, is available on the intranet. Training comes in three stages: bronze, silver and gold and covers views of dementia in the media, facts and common misconceptions about dementia, common symptoms, clinical terminology and causes of symptoms.

Shaun Lever, dementia practitioner, said: “It’s vital that all staff are dementia aware.

The initial training is extremely visual and

The dementia team took to the mezzanine to highlight the dementia care information packs

9

Improving the quality of life for our patients

Lumps, bumps and sarcomas A free sarcoma learning module, which has been jointly written by Coonoor Chandresekar, consultant surgeon at the Trust, is available at www.learning. bmj.com/learning

Barbara’s tumour grew to roughly the size of a football Barbara is now looking forward to carrying on with her life

The module, which is supported

by Sarcoma UK, aims to help healthcare professionals by improving overall awareness of sarcomas, improving confidence in identifying ‘red flag’ features of sarcomas and providing an insight into the specialist investigations option available to patients.

Don’t ignore those lumps and bumps After a long day’s work in her Rhodes café 12 years ago, Barbara Payne put the swelling on her buttock down to a pulled muscle picked up during the busy day.

Conscious that the lump was growing, Barbara sought the advice of various GPs when she came back to the UK. Barbara, a keen walker from Southport, said: “I put the lump on my buttock down to a pulled muscle or some swelling after being on my feet all day. The lump was painless and various GPs had told me years ago that there was nothing to worry about, so I thought I shouldn’t question it.”

More recently she started to feel back and sciatica leg pain.

“I was seeing a different GP about an entirely different matter when I brought up the lump. I explained how my clothes wouldn’t fit properly and how I would feel numb after sitting for a short period of time.

After showing her the lump I was sent for a scan straight away.”

The scan showed a large football size sarcoma deep in her buttock which was pressing on her sciatic nerve and bowel.

Anything larger than a golf ball raises concerns of a sarcoma - a rare cancer that develops in the supporting or connective

tissues of the body such as muscle, bone, nerves, cartilage, blood vessels and fat.

Barbara, 61, was fast-tracked to the Royal where a skilled team from the Liverpool Sarcoma Service and Colorectal team assessed her tumour.

The size and location of tumour meant there was a risk of her losing the sciatic nerve function and as well as a section of her bowel. A successful operation removed the football sized tumour and it was found not to be cancerous.

“After the operation I was told that the bowel specialist, Mr Richard Heath, was on standby for bowel surgery just in case things were too severe and part of my bowel needed to be removed,” remembered Barbara.

Barbara, who provides care for her elderly parents, has successfully recovered from having the tumour removed and is looking forward to carrying on with her life.

Barbara continued: “Had I waited longer, a section of my bowel would have been taken away and I would have needed a colostomy bag. I’m so grateful for the work carried out by the Royal sarcoma team.

“It has made a big difference to my life. I was always trying to hide the lump but now I can buy new swimwear for my next holiday and not have to worry about that.

“Having a colostomy bag would have made caring for my parents very difficult. All I would have been able to do is sit with them while someone else provided care - I didn’t want that.”

Coonoor Chandresekar, consultant surgeon at the Royal, urged people to have lumps checked out even if they are painless.

Mr Chandrasekar said: “Harmless lumps and bumps are common. However, lumps that grow bigger than a golf ball could turn out to be a sarcoma cancer. Thankfully Barbara’s tumour was removed without any complications and she has made a full recovery. The large tumour didn’t have any cancer cells, which is brilliant news.

“Many lumps are painless and deep which can make sarcomas difficult to identify even for experienced GPs – especially if they are in the buttock, abdomen or thigh. To help GPs we have produced a learning module in the British Medical Journal called ‘Lumps, Bumps and Sarcomas’, which is proving to be a valuable resource for them.”

10 Exceptional Patient Experience

Trust in equality top ten for second year running A national lobbying group which campaigns for the treatment of LGBT patients has ranked our Trust as one of the top ten healthcare organisations committed to improving the health of LGBT people.

Stonewall ranked the Trust seventh out of 44 NHS organisations for the second year running.

Organisations are assessed in a number of different areas including patient policy and practice, staff training, engagement and communication, data collection, improving the health of LGBT patients and workplace equality.

Our hospitals became smoke-free in March 2015

Some of these improvements include collecting sexual orientation data from patients, offering additional LGBT cultural awareness training to staff, dedicated training for managers and equality and human right practitioners and cultural awareness sessions.

Our smokefree hospitals

Stonewall’s research demonstrates that there are many lesbian, gay and bisexual people who continue to face poor health outcomes as well as expecting poorer treatment from health services.

We, along with other Merseyside trusts, became smoke-free in March 2015. Since then, we have seen a significant reduction in smokers outside our main entrances.

Participating in the index sends a powerful message about our commitment to equality in healthcare, tackling health inequalities and striving to deliver high quality healthcare for everyone.

However we would like to remind patients, visitors and staff that this is a smoke-free hospital.

Andrea Smith, equality and diversity manager, said: “Being ranked in the top ten of Trusts committed to improving health for LGBT people is fantastic news as it shows the work we do to support our LGBT community. Liverpool is an incredibly diverse city and it’s important that the diversity is reflected in our healthcare.”

We have freee nicotine replacement patches which are available to all inpatients – just ask your nurse.

Patients who smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day will need the Nicotinell

21mg patch once every 24 hours, while patients who smoke less than 20 cigarettes per day will need the 14mg patch once every 24 hours.

Please remember that staff should not accompany patients outside to smoke. Any patients leaving wards whilst attached to medical equipment should be fully informed about the risks involved.

Details of local Roy Castle Fag Ends support groups can be found at www. roycastle.org.uk

Next steps: • Continue our campaign to reduce smoking, which includes staff and patient communications and education • Increase signage in other parts of our grounds (aside from the main entrance) • Work with partners to ensure patients are aware of the benefits of stopping smoking, particularly before surgery

11

Exceptional Patient Experience

Margie’s pride at opening Cancer Wellbeing Centre On Thursday 30 April long-term cancer patient Margie Sheilds opened the doors to a new wellbeing centre for cancer patients, after receiving over a decade of treatment for cancer herself.

Having spent 12 years visiting the Linda McCartney Centre, Margie Shields was guest of honour at the opening of the Cancer Wellbeing Centre at the Royal.

Maureen said: “The Cancer Wellbeing Centre provides complementary therapies to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer at our hospitals.

People can donate to the Cancer Wellbeing Centre at www.justgiving.com/CancerWellbeing-Centre.

“The centre relies on volunteers and donations in order to provide their services, so we want as many people as possible to know about the work we do here.”

If you would like to find out more about volunteering for the Cancer Wellbeing Centre, contact Maureen Gildea on 0151 706 4603.

The Cancer Wellbeing Centre is a place for patients and carers to take some time out to relax during what can be a long and stressful journey through their cancer treatment. The centre will provide complementary therapies to patients and those closest to them during their treatment, including a range of massages and other relaxation treatments.

Margie has been diagnosed with cancer twice, first breast cancer in 2002, then two years later bone cancer, which Margie is still receiving treatment for.

As a long-standing patient, Margie knows the emotional effects cancer can have on people and that sometimes, a bit of relaxation goes a long way to help them feel better in themselves.

“Sometimes you can wait a couple of hours for things like test results, so to have a Cancer Wellbeing Centre as a place to unwind will be a huge benefit to patients and their carers.

Margie Shields does the honours alongside Macmillan volunteer coordinator Maureen Gildea

“Cancer can take its toll not only on the person receiving treatment, but their family and carers as well. The fact that carers and family members can also receive treatments from the centre will help everyone involved, as seeing a loved one go through cancer can be just as stressful.

“I tried out Reiki treatment in the centre and it was so relaxing I fell asleep! I felt so chilled afterwards and the rooms provide such a calm environment. I felt like I was on cloud nine.”

Maureen Gildea, Macmillan Cancer volunteer coordinator, runs the Cancer Wellbeing Centre. She wants as many people as possible to know about the services and treatments available at the centre.

The Cancer Wellbeing Centre is a place for patients and carers to relax during their journey through cancer treatment

12 Achieving international recognition for research and innovation

The Laser machine is placed by a volunteer’s bed to assess whether clean air during sleep reduces the number of asthma attacks

Could you play your part in developing lifesaving treatments?

Potential research volunteers were encouraged to find out about how they can play their part in developing lifesaving treatments as part of International Clinical Trials Day (20 May).

The Respiratory Research Team took to the foyer the Royal to highlight some of the research currently taking place and to answer any questions potential volunteers might have.

Our Trust, which is one of the leading centres for research in the UK, recently became the first NHS institution in the world to test new vaccines as part of the Experimental Human Pneumococcal Challenge that, if successful, could reduce the number of respiratory infections – one

of the leading causes of mortality and antibiotic use in children under five.

Angela Wright, senior respiratory research nurse at the Trust, said: “Clinical trials are vital for healthcare as it helps us to find new ways of improving the quality of life of patients. We need to carry out trials to know more about the diagnosis, prevention and management of a wide range of conditions.

“We are constantly driving innovation and improvement in the healthcare we provide. By volunteering for a research study, you can help to shape and develop the future of medicine.”

Volunteers are also being recruited to take part in a study of oral typhoid vaccination.

Consent 4 Consent Consent for Consent is an initiative encouraging people to take part in research opportunities in the Trust.

The initiative contacts patients and other volunteers about potential research projects that they are eligible to take part in making it much easier for people to take part.

Signing up makes it easier for people to take part in clinical trials with in our hospitals. Consent for Consent informs those registered of clinical trials taking place in our hospitals that they may be eligible to take part in.

Signing up does not mean you are agreeing to take part in trials, but that you are interested in hearing about what studies you may be able to take part in.

People can find out more about Consent 4 Consent by emailing c4c@rlbuht.nhs.uk.

The study aims to investigate if the typhoid vaccine increases the immune response to bacteria and could save millions of lives around the world.

Other respiratory clinical trials focus on Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) such as LASER and FAST. Under LASER, a device is placed by the volunteer’s bed side to test if breathing clean air during sleep reduces the number of asthma attacks throughout the year.

The FAST study aims to develop a better way of preventing asthma attacks and is actively recruiting asthmatic volunteers.

Diabetes research opportunities Our diabetes research team is on the lookout for people with type 2 diabetes to take part in clinical trials.

The team is asking for anyone who is treated with long acting and rapid acting insulin - with or without metformin – to get in touch.

Research assistant Angelina Peterson said: “By taking part in diabetes research, you will be helping us to further understand the causes of the condition and to develop life-changing care and treatment for patients.”

Type 2 diabetes is far more common that type 1. Around 90% of adults with diabetes have type 2.

Your involvement can range from trying new blood glucose meters and medications to simply taking part in a questionnaire.

To find out about other diabetes research projects and how you can play your part in developing care for people with diabetes, contact 0151 706 3768 or email diabetesresearch@rlbuht.nhs.uk

13

Developing a world-class workforce

St Paul’s Freedom of the City spectacle March saw St Paul’s Eye Unit awarded Freedom of the City at a ceremony in Liverpool’s Town Hall.

talent of our staff and all those who have supported and worked with St Paul’s over the past 100 years.”

year for a wide range of eye conditions, provides regional, national and global ophthalmic services.

Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Erica Kemp CBE recognised the world renowned unit’s “consistent, long-standing reputation for world class excellence in both care and research” after it was nominated by another former Lord Mayer of Liverpool Roger Johnston.

St Paul’s, which is based at the Royal and sees more than 100,000 patients each

One patient who has benefited from pioneering treatment at St Paul’s eye unit is Margaret Lunt, 83. Margaret remembers the sight-saving surgery: “The treatment was marvellous and I am so grateful because it has meant I’ve been able to live by myself without having to be dependent on others.”

Mr Johnston credited the unit with saving his eyesight after being diagnosed diabetic retinopathy - a condition where damage to the retina can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Professor Simon Harding, chair professor of clinical ophthalmology at St Paul’s Eye Unit, said: “We are thrilled Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Erica Kemp presents the with this highly prestigious accolade; Freedom of the City scroll to surgeon Mike Briggs it is testament to the dedication and

The former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Erica Kemp CBE, said after visiting the unit to see their work first hand: “Visiting St Paul’s Eye Unit was a real eye opener in more ways than one!

The advancement in treatment and technology is incredible at the Royal - I can see why so many eye experts move to Liverpool to be part of this centre of excellence.”

Unsung hero: Headstrong volunteer We’re on the lookout for more volunteers to provide essential support to patients.

Around 200 volunteers work across a wide range of departments who all help to ensure patients have the best possible experience.

“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I felt numb and I automatically assumed the worst. But friends and family rallied round me and accompanied me through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I saw

volunteer with people who are going through cancer. Having been through breast cancer, I felt I was able to offer support and reassurance to people going through a very tough time.”

Christine finds helping patients to deal with losing their hair very rewarding.

Christine Downing, 70 from Chester, volunteers through Breast Cancer Care. She helps patients who are losing their hair as a result of chemotherapy.

“Sometimes people feel better talking to someone they don’t know about what they are going through. Patients come in very stressed or anxious, which is understandable. But they often leave with a smile and feel more reassured. I’m glad that I can help.”

Having beaten breast cancer at the age of 58, Christine has been helping patients to use wigs and scarves and to provide help with scalp care for the past ten years.

Lisa Grant, chief nurse, added: “Volunteers make invaluable contributions on a daily basis – often using their own experiences to help patients. They work seamlessly with staff to ensure patients receive the best possible care and are as comfortable as possible when they visit our hospitals.”

“Breast cancer is very individual and everyone deals with it differently.

Losing your hair as a result of chemotherapy can be incredibly traumatic as many people see it as part of their identity. Not everyone wants to wear a wig, so scarves can be an alternative,” said Christine.

Christine has been volunteering with cancer patients for ten years

Christine, a keen line dancer who enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, found a lump in her breast in the shower while she was on holiday in Spain. She felt a pain which helped her to identify it early. She recalls a very turbulent eight months.

how important it was to have support and people to talk to.

“Around two years after the shock of having a breast cancer, I decided to

Could you get involved or do you know someone who could?

To find out more about volunteering, what roles are available and how you can get involved, visit www.rlbuht.nhs.uk/ WorkingForUs or email Angela.Karakus@ rlbuht.nhs.uk. Voluntary roles are also advertised on www.nhsjobs.co.uk

14

Developing a world-class workforce

Celebrating our RLB nurses International Nurses’ Day took on extra significance this year as more than 200 of our nurses celebrated completing a unique new training programme by graduating at St George’s Hall.

The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Nursing Programme will see all 1,780 of our nursing workforce take part in competency training that reinforces their care and compassion and ensures high standards of care continue to be delivered to patients. After completing the training, nurses receive a specially designed badge that acts as a symbol of patient-centred care, passion and hard work.

St George’s Hall provided the fitting setting for the event. The Grade 1 listed building is the sight of Liverpool’s first ever hospital.

Chief executive Aiden Kehoe opened the graduation by welcoming nurses, their families and special guests. He said: “This is a real development in nursing and it comes at an exciting time for the city. Nurses at our Trust are at the centre of the changes in local health and becoming a centre of clinical excellence. Today underlines what we give to patients.”

a nursing workforce which puts patients at the heart of everything we do. Our nurses are passionate about their profession and we want to support them in delivering the highest standard of care on a daily basis while also giving them a means of celebrating their hard work.”

Erica Kemp, who was Lord Mayor of Liverpool at the time, attended the graduation at St George’s Hall. She said: “Nurses do amazing things; everyone in this room does something amazing when they go into work. We all have our own memories and stories of when a nurse has been there for us and made the difference.”

Training will be followed by a specialtyspecific training programme to develop and maintain specialist competencies.

After completing the new training programme, nurses receive a portfolio which documents their hard work and trainingsomething that staff nurse Terry Brady is extremely proud of.

Terry explained: “I’m proud of my portfolio and the work that I do. To be able to help somebody is the greatest job satisfaction that I’ve ever had. This programme proves that we provide extremely good care and that we do make a difference.”

Former president of the Royal College of Nursing Andrea Spyropoulos and its current director of nursing Janet Davies both received honorary badges.

Visit our Trust’s YouTube channel to watch a short film about the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Nursing Programme.

Liverpool has a long standing history of nursing, with the first school of nursing outside London being developed in 1862 by William Rathbone and Florence Nightingale.

In the past, nurses would receive a badge that proudly showed where they had trained. The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Nursing Programme brings that idea back into the profession.

Chief nurse Lisa Grant, whose idea it was to launch the programme, said: “Our nurse programme provides further assurance to our patients and local people that we have

The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Nursing Programme will see all 1,780 of the Trust’s nurses reinforce their training

What our nurses thought Thank you for yesterday, it obviously took a lot of hard work to organise, I really enjoyed it.

Andrea Fazakerley Thank you for a lovely celebration of Nurses’ Day. The venue was perfect and we all felt very special and valued. It was excellentvery emotional!

From all the proud ED nurses

Just wanted to say a big thank you for all your hard work and effort, which made the RLB graduation day such a wonderfully memorable occasion for me.

Much love,

Margie McLoughlin I just want to say thank you very much for all your efforts with the RLB nurse programme and ceremony. It was a wonderful day.

I hope that you are pleased with how it all went!

Thanks again to all involved,

Lucy Hampson I was delighted to be invited to the first Cohort Graduation. I thought the event was superbly organised and went without a hitch well done and once again thank you.

Linda Knight It was a great day and made me very proud to be a Nurse in this Trust. My team thought it

A symbol of care and compassion was wonderful and have never experienced anything like it in any other Trust.

Marie Dewhurst

15

Developing a world-class workforce

Revalidation: nothing to fear The Nursing and Midwifery Council recently updated their code of conduct, which brings with it the process of revalidation.

Revalidation is about all nurses and midwives demonstrating that they practice safely and effectively every three years and will replace the PREP requirements and Notification of Practice form.

Your revalidation renewal date is the date that your registration period will expire. You’ll need to submit your revalidation application to the Nursing and Midwifery Council before your renewal date. You can find out your renewal date by checking your NMC Online account. If you don’t have an account, visit www.nmc.org.uk/registration

• Undertake 40 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) • Obtain five pieces of practice-related feedback • Record a minimum of five written reflections on the Code, CPD and practice related feedback • Provide a health and character declaration • Declare appropriate cover under an indemnity arrangement • Gain confirmation, from a third party, that revalidation requirements have been met.

The new Nursing and Midwifery Council code of conduct is available to download on our Trust’s intranet home page, with a form to confirm you have read the revised code.

For more information on revalidation, you can download NHS England’s revalidation newsletter from the intranet homepage. More information is available on the Royal College of Nursing website – click on revalidation under the workforce tab.

Chief nurse Lisa Grant said: “It’s really important to stress that revalidation is nothing to worry about – in fact it’s an opportunity to demonstrate how good we are at providing high levels of care on a dayto-day basis.

“Your Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Nursing Programme portfolios will be a vital part of the revalidation process as it will clearly document your professional development.”

Revalidation requires nurses and midwives to: • Practise a minimum of 450 hours over the three years prior to the renewal of registration

Revalidation is an opportunity to demonstrate skills and experience

2015 NHS Staff Survey The next round of the NHS Staff Survey is due to begin in September and all staff are being encouraged to take part.

The survey looks at how trusts around the country are performing. It uses the views of staff to drive local improvements and to influence national assessments of quality and safety from both a staff and service delivery perspective.

Staff who take part in the survey, which takes around ten minutes to complete, will once again have the chance to win a number of prizes.

Last year the survey was available in both paper and electronic formats.

Information will be made available in the coming months on how to access the 2015 staff survey.

Results from the 2014 survey, in which 2,250 members of staff responded, showed that the Trust performed better than the national average in communication between senior managers and staff as well as effective team working.

The Trust also performed well when it came to staff recommending the Trust as a place to work and be treated.

Areas where the Trust needs to improve included staff training.

While the Trust performed better than in 2013, return rates for the survey were lower than usual (in line with other similar organisations) meaning that it is more important than ever that staff complete the survey.

The staff survey helps trusts to highlight what is working well and pinpoint areas where improvement is needed

16

Developing a world-class workforce

Make a Difference Awards 2015

St Paul’s Eye Unit won the BBC Radio Merseyside Patient’s Choice Award for going above and beyond during a hoax bomb threat

Dr Rema Saxena received the Staff Star Award for her work with patients who are in the final stages of kidney disease

Our Healthcare Scientists were awarded the Divisional Star Awards for Core Clinical and Support Services

Medical Education for the Development of the Simulation Suite picked up the Divisional Star Corporate Award

Peter Baker received the Employee of the Year Award for his work during a power failure in the Haematology Lab and consistent delivery of outstanding work

The team behind the development and implementation of the ADT Whiteboard received the Transformation Award and the Star of the Night Award

17

Developing a world-class workforce

More than 500 members of staff came to this year’s Make a Difference Awards, making it a special night at the AAC Liverpool. Here are a few photographs from the evening.

To view the rest of the evening’s photographs, visit www.makeadifferenceawards.co.uk

Improving Patient Access Group picked up the Divisional Star Surgery Award

The Bowel Cancer Screening Team received the Divisional Star Medicine Award

The Sepsis Improvement Steering Group picked up the Chairman’s Award for their work on combatting Sepsis

The Respiratory Research Team were awarded the Chief Executive’s Award for their impact on patients across the world

The Liverpool Frailty Service were awarded the Highly Commended Star Award

BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips hosted the evening

18

Developing a world-class workforce

‘Drag and drop’ system a success An electronic whiteboard system used to store information on patient locations has been a huge success.

The interactive whiteboard allows staff in the Acute Medical Unit to ‘drag and drop’ patients into beds using a virtual layout of the ward and discharge area.

The team behind the Admissions Discharge and Transfers (ADT) whiteboard won the Transformation and Star of the Night Award at the 2015 Make a Difference Awards.

Judges said that the system “is having, and will continue to have, a huge impact right across the Trust and is a service to be proud of”.

Before the easy to use ADT system was introduced, ward clerks would enter the data on the PAS system which meant data would become outdated during out-of-hours.

The introduction of the new system means accurate, real time information on beds and patients is readily available to the Trust.

Joanne Pepper, deputy head of patient access services, thinks the ADT whiteboard has made a big difference to her department.

She said: “The new whiteboard helps staff to know exactly where their patients are. Visiting doctors, therapy services, support staff and other health professionals can immediately identify which bed a patient is in.

“It has helped to improve patient and visitor satisfaction, patient safety and it’s also helping staff to continue to deliver high standards of care. I can see this system being used right across the Trust.”

The interactive whiteboard has made a big difference in the Acute Medical Unit

A different way of working in the Emergency Department The Emergency Department has introduced a number of changes to the way it works as it gets ready for life in the new Royal.

The Emergency Severity Index allows emergency staff to identify sick patients quickly so treatment can be started straight away.

Changes have been made to the triage system, which has moved from the standard Manchester Triage system to the more intuitive Emergency Severity Index which grades patients’ needs on a scale from one to five – one being the most urgent.

A central triage hub has also been introduced where patients’ needs are ordered before the patient is moved to the appropriate area for the rest of their care. Things like blood tests, X-rays and ECGs are now all done in one place.

Clare Pritchard, matron, said: “The changes that we’ve made will ensure we are in the best possible position for life in the new Royal and ready for Transformation to 2018.

The new way of working is focussed on providing excellent care for patients and ensuring patients are seen in the appropriate time frame.”

19

Developing a world-class workforce

NHS North West Games 2015 Around 1000 members of staff from NHS trusts across the North West came together at Edge Hill University to battle it out at this year’s NHS North West Games which is now in its fifth year.

fun run for all ages, face painting, caricatures, military demonstrations and more.

Alex McCrudden, from Service Improvement and Excellence, said: “There’s a great atmosphere - it’s great to see everyone having so much fun and being so active.

“A lot of hard work goes into planning the event but it’s definitely worth it when you see that everyone’s here to have a good time. There is definitely a competitive edge as everyone wants to do well for their Trust but it’s the taking part that matters.”

Each year NHS staff take part in a range of different sporting events ranging from football, netball, badminton, golf and rounders to a 5k run.

The free event had a family feel, with a 1k family

Staff from our Trust were extremely successful in the events they entered. Our netball team came first while the football team finished an impressive second. Well done to everyone who took part.

The netball team came first while the football team finished an impressive second

Award for critical care study day Our tracheostomy team has received an award from Health Education North West for their work in tracheostomy education.

The tracheostomy study day, which has also been accredited by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, received a Highly Commended award in the Integrated Working

Project category as part of Adult Learners Week 2015.

Critical care consultant Lee Poole said: “I am delighted that the dedication, skill and passion that goes into organising and running the study day has been recognised

by Health Education North West.

“Patients with a tracheostomy, or those with a laryngectomy, can present to the hospital at any time, so it’s vital that our skilled workforce have access to the support they need. Any member of staff with an interest in tracheostomy care is welcome to attend.”

Since 2013 more than 200 members of staff have attended the study day which supports staff in delivering safe and effective care for tracheostomy patients.

A tracheostomy is an opening created at the front of the neck so a tube can be inserted into the windpipe to help patients breathe.

Gill Cunnah from Skills Academy for Health North West presented the team with the award in the Intensive Therapy Unit on 17 May.

More than 200 members of staff have attended the study since it began in 2013

To find out more about this free study day, email Kelie.Beever@rlbuht.nhs.uk or Claire.

Walker@rlbuht.nhs.uk

20 Developing a sustainable health system

New Royal construction update The new Royal is growing day by day with floors zero to three now complete and level four being completed in the coming months.

External walls have been added to the new hospital’s basement and external cladding

and window pods have been added to parts of the new hospital.

Re-alignment of the west side of Mount Vernon Street has been completed and re-alignment of the east side is now underway.

The new Royal is beginning to take shape

Installation of internal works such as drainage, sprinklers and internal partition walls is also underway.

You can see the new Royal grow by watching the latest time-lapse footage on the Trust’s YouTube channel.

11 facts you didn’t know about the building of the new Royal •1 26,026 tonnes of concrete will be used to build the new Royal – more than two and half times the weight of the Titanic.

The new Royal will have: • 987 toilets • 2,384 computers • 409 printers • 18,000 light fittings •1 09 air handling units serving 30 miles of air ducts • All waste will be recycled • T wo miles of copper stripping for conducting electricity • S ince day one 1707 people have been inducted on the new Royal site •A round 80 wagons deliver essential materials everyday

Local apprentice opportunities on display Our construction partners for the new Royal held a recruitment event for Apprenticeships in May. Carillion held the event at the Liner Hotel to promote apprenticeship opportunities in joinery, painting and decorating, health and social care, mechanical and electrical administration and more.

The apprentice day was hosted alongside our Trust and other

partners including Liverpool in Work, Sysco, Hybrid Technical Centre, Imtech and the Trust.

Tom Morris, Carillion commercial director, said: “Apprenticeships are one of a variety of pathways into industry, providing people with the opportunity to earn while they learn. Apprentices are trained and supported with their career goals and assigned an individual Mentor to help guide them in the right direction.”

Cllr Nick Small with members of the Carillion team

21

Developing a sustainable health system

NHS Sustainability Day To celebrate NHS Sustainability Day (26 March), we held an awareness event in the main foyer of the Royal.

We were joined by R Charity, Carillion, United Utilities and NHS Supply Chain to look at ways to reduce energy use, travel and waste while also looking at how to engage with local business in the community.

Carillion, who brought mascot Ivor Goodsite along for the day, were on hand to talk about innovative sustainability methods in the new Royal.

Ian Stenton, head of sustainability, said: “NHS Sustainability Day is a great way to celebrate the achievements being made to improve sustainability in healthcare. The wide range of partners involved in the event shows how important this issue now is.”

To find out more about sustainability within NHS organisations, visit www.nhssustainabilityday.co.uk

NHS Sustainability Day looks at ways to reduce energy use and waste as well as engaging with local business in the community Up up and away: Students from Sacred Heart School take part in a balloon race to mark our 1000 Days event. What a photo!

Liverpool Community Fund Applications are in for the second wave of the Liverpool Community Fund and evaluation will soon be taking place.

by Carillion as part of the new Royal’s

The grants are designed to help improve

Sustainable Communities Programme,

education, healthy living and to build

gives individual grants of up to £2000 to

stronger communities that are cleaner, safer

The £100,000 fund, which is provided

local charities.

and greener.

22 Exceptional Patient Experience

Thank you to our staff Royal Liverpool I was overwhelmed by the professionalism and care delivered by the wonderful staff . Within the space of a couple of hours I had a consultation an ECG an ultrasound a second consultation and blood taken for later tests and was told I would be given an a appointment for an MRI scan. The staff were truly wonderful polite and courteous I was examined thoroughly and kept informed throughout.

Thanks to everybody involved you should be very proud of the standards you are achieving.

Dental hospital Yesterday I was booked in for two extractions that my regular dentist wasn’t able to perform. Having waited four months for a referral consultation and then a couple more for the actual extraction I expected to be ready, however when they called my name I was suddenly terrified! The dentist and their two assistants were all superb and did their best to put me at ease, further to this I was given the option of just having one tooth taken (I declined) and they frequently checked on me to make sure that I was ok while they were drilling and pulling. The dentist was clearly very experienced and I found that it helped to hear the dentist explaining what they were doing, and within thirty minutes I had left and was on my way home. Overall I would say that every dealing that I have had with the Dental Hospital has been fantastic, I couldn’t fault any aspect of the service they provided to me and if you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in a position similar to mine then you can rest easy as you will be in good hands.

Broadgreen I was diagnosed with Stage 6 Prostate Cancer in January and to say I was shocked by this diagnosis is an understatement.

I had to make the hardest decision in all my life to have it removed on 2nd April, following concerns that it may have come away from the prostate and thankfully the surgeon performed the operation, I feel I owe my life to this amazing person. I went to theatre at 9am and was brought back on the ward at 1pm and the surgeon came to see how I was at 3pm, they returned again before they were finishing at about 7pm, to reassure myself, wife & son that everything went well.

I just want to assure anybody that is in my position that you really are in the very best hands, the surgeon & their team are simply the best! Thank you so very much to you all in Urology, you don’t realise how amazing you all are. We as a family feel blessed with the outcome and it’s all thanks to the surgeon and their team, from clinic, theatre, ward, cleaning and staff who contribute to the excellent work in this amazing hospital.

Thank you.

23

Fundraising

Take on the UK’s biggest mountains for R Charity Do you want to test yourself on the largest mountains in the UK? R Charity is looking for people to take part in this year’s Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for new equipment and facilities in the new Royal.

The Three Peaks Challenge, which takes place on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September, sees walkers take on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon all in the space of 24-hours and you could join them with R Charity.

This test of endurance is for those who want to push themselves, but you don’t have to be Bear Grylls to do it!

Owen Jones is a staff nurse in the stroke department and one of the people signed up to the R Charity Three Peaks team.

He said: “I was really keen to raise funds for the new Royal and this seemed a really fun way to do it – I’ve always wanted to try the Three Peaks Challenge. It’s not going to be easy but everyone will be there to raise vital funds so there will be a great atmosphere.”

Registration for the challenge costs just £49, with a minimum sponsorship fee of £349 and includes travel to the first mountain and all journeys in between.

Loren Slade, events and community fundraiser, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to push themselves to their limits for a great cause. Money raised for R Charity will go towards providing the best equipment and facilities available to patients in the new Royal.”

Sign up and see if you can beat the Three Peaks.

“If I could have cured them by raising money, why would I want the money for myself?”

A grandmother who raised £10,312.68 for charity by letting people into her house – Ringo Starr’s childhood home – sadly passed away in May. Instead of charging Beatles fans to walk through the drummer’s old house in Admiral Grove, Dingle, Margaret Grose, 91, urged tourists to put money in her collection tins which she would then donate to the Linda McCartney Centre.

Margaret was admitted to the Royal in 2004. She was so grateful for the care she received that she decided to capitalise on the generosity of Fab Four fans who came from all over the world to visit her home.

Beatlemania as fans crowded around the house to greet their hero.

Fundraising’s Angela McShane said: “We were all really sad to hear that Margaret had passed away. She was a special lady who raised vital funds to help our patients at the Linda McCartney Centre. She was a fantastic ambassador for the city. She opened her home to the fans and her heart to the charity. Where would we be without a little help from our friends?”

Beatles tour guide Jackie Spencer is attempting to match Margaret’s £10,000 for R Charity. To donate visit: www. justgiving.com/MargaretGrose

Speaking in 2014, Margaret said: “I don’t want money. I want to help people who are ill and have cancer. I lost a sister and brother with cancer. If I could have cured them by raising money, why would I want the money for myself?”

Ringo moved out of Admiral Grove when the 22-year-old was catapulted into a life of fame by The Beatles’ debut album ‘Please, Please Me’. A documentary filmed at the time captured the height of

hope street lunch

Charity lunch piles on the pounds for R Charity Diners at a popular Liverpool restaurant have raised £2,820 at this year’s R Charity Lunch at 60 Hope Street.

The three-course dinner at top Liverpool restaurant 60 Hope Street helped raise funds for worldclass services in the new Royal on Wednesday 27 May. Those who attended were wined and dined, as well as being treated to some live music from local musician Ben Hughes.

Margaret raised more than £10,000 for the Lilnda McCartney Centre

Angela McShane, community fundraiser for R Charity, said: “It’s great to have so many people in the same room having fun and at the same time raising money for R Charity.”

24

Fundraising

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