A newsletter for the 2,500 people who work and volunteer at Noble’s Hospital in the Isle of Man – sharing information, marking achievements and awards, and highlighting strong teamwork Published by the Department of Health and Social Care, Crookall House, Desmesne Road, Douglas
Noble’s News
Autumn 2017
Georgina Thompson
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elcome to the first edition of Noble’s News – a new place for colleagues to share information and items of interest from across the hospital. So how did this come about? A group of volunteers formed an editorial board at the beginning of this year, and set about looking at what benefits a newsletter could bring and how they could make it happen. The board members come from a wide range of backgrounds from across the hospital and are now on the lookout for articles and ideas which can make the
Your newsletter for your hospital newsletter project go from strength to strength. It’s designed to be somewhere to celebrate good work, mark achievements and awards, and strengthen camaraderie. And it should also be seen as an opportunity to share information on issues or developments which may not affect all of us directly, but are important to know as we share the same working environment. The main thing to
remember is that the newsletter will only be as successful as staff allow it to be – by contributing articles, ideas, pictures and feedback. If you’ve got something you want to share, or would like to suggest an idea, then please let a member of the editorial board know. Full contact details for every member of the board are included on page two and you are invited to get in touch – even if it’s only to discuss
an idea in the first instance. Publication is planned to take place each quarter, and with edition one now published it’s time to turn attention to edition two and what stories you feel need to be brought to wider attention. So, please take a look through what’s been produced this time, let the board know what you think and take note on how to submit an article – your hospital wants to hear from you.
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Noble’s News Autumn 2017
Got news to share? Here’s how By Stephen Parry Communications Officer The success of Noble’s News lies entirely with the contribution made by you – the people who work and volunteer at the hospital. The editorial board is made up of staff from many backgrounds who would be pleased to discuss ideas, but they’d be equally happy to receive articles and submit
them for publication on your behalf. So how do you go about it? l If you have an idea and are not sure what to do next, phone or email any member of the board who will be able to offer advice on what to do. l The next stage is submitting words and images – this should be done by email to any member of the editorial board or to editorialboard@nobles.
dhss.gov.im l Attach Word documents for text and jpg files for images – please do not embed images on to Word documents as they are difficult to extract and often too small to use. l Provide the name and job title of the person who wrote the article, and include contact details in order to check information if there are any queries. l If you’ve supplied
an image, please ensure everyone on the picture has given permission for their picture to be used in the newsletter. l On the covering email provide names for everyone on the picture, and include job titles where appropriate. Noble’s News offers a great opportunity for staff and volunteers to share information and celebrate success – let’s make of the most it!
Editorial board members can help you get the good news stories from your area of the hospital in a future edition of Noble’s News. Use the instructions outlined in the article above to get advice on how to go about it. Pictured following the final board meeting ahead of the publication of the opening edition are, from left, Cathie Robinson, Stephen Parry, Mike Quinn, Diane Batty, Leslie Murphy, Jayne Kerruish, Liz Lillis-Ingram and Anna Featherstone
Editorial board Mike Quinn, Interim Director of Hospital Services mike.quinn@nobles.dhss.gov.im 650142 Jonathan Davies, Communications Executive jonathan.davies@gov.im 685138 Editor-designer: Stephen Parry, Communications Officer stephen.parry@gov.im 686563
Chukwuka Anaziah, Doctor chukwuka.anaziah@nobles. dhss.gov.im Janet Austin, Systems Administrator janet.austin@nobles.dhss.gov.im 682324 Diane Batty, Recovery Nurse diane.batty@nobles.dhss.gov.im 650476 Frances Butler, Children’s Therapy frances.butler@gov.im, 642563
Amy Hamm, Doctor amy.hamm@nobles.dhss.gov.im Gill Horsey, Stroke Nurse gillian.horsey@nobles.dhss.gov.im 650953 Jayne Kerruish, Senior Nurse Jayne.Kerruish@nobles. dhss.gov.im, 650763 Anna Featherstone, Cancer Services Team anna.featherstone@nobles. dhss.gov.im 650735
Liz Lillis-Ingram, Thie Bee Commercial liz.lillis@gov.im, 650559 Martin Lynch, Renal Nurse martin.lynch@nobles.dhss.gov.im 650172 Leslie Murphy, Midwife leslie.murphy@nobles.dhss.gov.im 650030 Cathie Robinson, Personal Secretary, Pathology cathie.robinson@gov.im 650621
Noble’s News Autumn 2017
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The welcoming staff at Noble’s are stuck in a Time Warp again!
Comedy show is a hit By Alison Price Lead Clinical Pharmacist
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oble’s Hospital Comedy Show was held on Saturday 24 June at a packed Gaiety Theatre giving a surreal, and sometimes risqué, look at hospital and life on the Isle of Man. Once seen, never forgotten! The show included staff from many different roles – administrators, doctors, health care assistant, nurses, pharmacist, a physiotherapist and a radiographer – and the cast, band, choreographers and backstage crew had a lot of fun putting the show together in their own time. Last year’s show raised £7,000 for charity but this year’s managed to surpass that total, with £8,685.20 donated to Bridge The Gap and the Manx Care Appeal. This year’s script was mainly written by Dr Matt Todd and Mr Ian Wright, but it was a real ensemble production with ideas contributed by all the cast. The show featured sketches, videos,
Hard up consultants consider their pension plans song and dance numbers by the enthusiastic cast. The programme followed a series of ‘apps’ on a tablet screen featuring local weather, duolingo Manx lessons, Isle of Man satnav and Trip Advisor, among others. Our very own Freddie Mercury promised that ‘We Will Rock You’ and then an unforgettable ‘Rocky Horror’-style routine followed the arrival of two junior doctors, who were welcomed by Noble’s staff, including Dr Todd in an amazing outfit as the Trans-Physician. ‘Robodoc’ and ‘SuperVet’ considered how consultations may take place in the future when patients will be treated somewhat differently. The first half closed with
The Full Monty team prepare to leave their hats on
a group of male consultants reviewing their pensions, concluding that finances would be improved by stripping as in ‘The Full Monty’ which they proceeded to do – assisted by a group of the girls in an ingenious shadow-play. The second half opened with the powerful ‘Sound of Silence’ echoing thoughts about the ‘grounds of Noble’s’. Videos featured a hospital version of a ‘Top Gear’ challenge and ‘The Shawshank Redemption’. The ever-popular boy band sang their own version of ‘No Matter What’, focussing on problems associated with smoking – and giving it up. The show concluded with a Grease mega-mix showing
how ‘We Go Together’ and that a ‘Perfect Day’ involved all the hospital helping patients. We would like to thank PokerStars, which has supported the show for the past four years, and the BIG Manx Community, our supporting charity. Unfortunately our director, writer, singing coach and inspiration Dr Todd is leaving Noble’s in September and he will be greatly missed. We would like to thank him for his enthusiasm and wish him all the best for the future. Keep a look out for information on next year’s show – new people are always welcome and there’s no previous experience required!
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Noble’s News Autumn 2017
Schwartz Rounds proving effective Schwartz Rounds are proving an effective way for colleagues to understand what it’s like to work in a 21st century healthcare environment. Schwartz Rounds are a multi-disciplinary forum designed for everyone within the Department of Health and Social Care to discuss and reflect on the emotional and social challenges associated with working in healthcare. Each Round includes three or four guest speakers, either clinical or non-clinical staff from within DHSC, who present a five-minute verbal presentation on a personal story relating to the topic of the given round. Each speaker reflects on how the experience affected them emotionally, and how they felt about the experience overall. Schwartz Rounds commenced in September 2016, with the topic ‘A Patient I’ll Never Forget’, with guest speakers including a Consultant, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Medical Secretary and Heath Care Assistant. To date, seven rounds have taken place, with 170 staff from DHSC having attended, representing more than 21 different healthcare professions. Topics covered have included: ‘Caught between the patient and their Family’, ‘Working at Night’, ‘Thrown in at the Deep End’ and ‘Being on the other side: When the professional – or their family – is the patient’. The next Schwartz Round, ‘The Value of Listening’, will take place on Tuesday 26 September, 1pm till 2pm, at the Scott Foundation Room, Keyll Darree. All staff within the Department of Health and Social Care are welcome, both clinical and non-clinical.
The Isle of Man blood donor service team
Blood donor service alters way it works
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he nurse-led Isle of Man blood donor service is currently in a very healthy position with good stock levels and a large number of both regular and newly-registered donors. This, together with improvements in modern surgical techniques, means that the service can sometimes have too much blood of certain groups while still
needing to buy some O Negative units from the UK. In order to avoid people donating unnecessarily, it is prudent to alter the way the service works. This has led to donors with specific blood groups being targeted in order to more closely match the demands of the Island’s population. As a consequence, it means that people of certain blood groups will not be called as often as they have been in the past. There has been an increase in visits to local busi-
nesses, including Barclay’s, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Skandia, PokerStars and Microgaming, who support the new approach. Instead of donors supplying a whole unit of blood, samples are taken in order to identify groups with a view to calling on people as they are needed for future requirements. In this way, the team hopes to guarantee blood stock levels for the Isle of Man while reducing the number of units that may go to waste.
Ben’s portfolio ‘best of year’ Ben Kelly has completed his Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) Certificate of Competence. This is a professional qualification which demonstrates that Ben has met the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of proficiency in order to register as a Biomedical Scientist. The certificate is awarded for a combination of academic qualifications and the completion of an IBMS Registration Training Portfolio in an IBMS-approved laboratory. Ben joined the Biochemistry Department in August
Ben Kelly 2016 after gaining his degree in Biomedical Science at Edinburgh Napier University and started his portfolio
shortly after. This included modules covering Professional Knowledge, Equality and Diversity, Research, Health and Safety, and Communications as well as covering Biomedical Practice and Workings of the Laboratory. His portfolio was assessed by a verified external assessor who described it as being ‘the best one seen this year’. Ben will now move on to undertake his Specialist Portfolio in Biochemistry and colleagues wish him every success. Well done, Ben!
Noble’s News Autumn 2017
Engage with staff survey and be sure to have your say
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Carnival success for wheelie bin team
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his is the third year that the Isle of Man Government is conducting an employee engagement survey, and this year’s will run from October 2-27. Surveys will be sent via email if you have computer access and there will be paper copies and iPads available at various points around Noble’s Hospital throughout the four weeks for those who don’t have computer access. The employment engagement survey is a real opportunity for all of us to have our say on what we think matters, what we think works well and
what we feel could be better. It gives us a platform to be part of how our services develop by giving us a direct voice to the management teams – and your voice is important! The survey will be managed by an external provider and your anonymity / confidentiality is assured. Please get involved and have your say!
Meet Laura Warren . . . Hello – I just wanted to say a quick hello and introduce myself. I’m Laura Warren and have recently taken up the role of Organisational Development Lead for your Department. Organisational Development is a long-term and systematic approach to change and transformation that will help make the DHSC a place that we all want to work for and be part of.
I will be working with Ruth Hannah and Andrea Tabb, as well as you and your teams, to support the delivery of the many projects and initiatives developed in partnership with the Department that form the DHSC Organisational Development Plan. If you would like to know more please get in touch either by email laura. warren@gov.im or by calling 685259.
Phlebotomists Elaine Looney, in the bin, Kenny McAllister, right, and Garry Graham are pictured ahead of competing as the blood clinic’s ‘The Vein Whispers’ team in the Wheelie Bin Race at Douglas Carnival on 16 July. The team managed to clinch second place, from two teams. They also secured the title of bestdecorated bin and claimed a £50 prize which was donated to Race For Life. Mike completes Snowman Legend 71.6 Mike Hayler from the Histology Department completed the Snowman Legend 71.6 in July. The event is a half ironman triathlon event which takes place in the heart of Snowdonia, where competitors take on a challenging 1900m swim, 91km cycle and a 31km run.
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Noble’s News Autumn 2017
Coffee shop is at the heart of the hospital T
hie Bee Coffee Shop facility is the community heart of Noble’s Hospital. For many, it represents the only respite area in the hospital for patients away from their wards. The coffee shop was set up with patients and their families in mind, and opened for business on 29 October 2012. The team recognised the importance of the area to the general ‘feel good’ factor of the hospital, so were eager to avoid a high street environment aimed at office workers. Instead, the intention was to create a place where customers could relax and forget that they were in a hospital for a few moments. The coffee shop soon became a popular, comforting area in a short space of time. The corporate image was created after the team staged a competition throughout the hospital to name the staff restaurant. Staff were fully engaged in the process and one produced the name ‘Thie Bee’, which translates from Manx as ‘House of Food’. Soon after, the team decided that ‘Thie Bee’ could also work for the newly-acquired
Thie Bee Coffee Shop Inset, the team, from left: Nayara, Lynne, Steph, Josie and Matt coffee shop and began the planning and designing process, in conjunction with a local company, which produced the now instantly recognisable Thie Bee fairy. Staff strongly believe that the Thie Bee brand – which now includes Thie Bee Vending and Thie Bee Hospitality – is a pioneering government project that has delivered a unique hospital/custom-
er-focused service attracting excellent feedback. The hard work was acknowledged in 2014 when the Thie Bee team became finalists at the 2014 Awards for Excellence for teamwork.
Staff are proud of what has been achieved with the coffee shop and the way it helps the public, and feel part of the healing process for many patients, their families and friends.
Noble’s News Autumn 2017
New full blood count analysers The Haematology Department will soon have new full blood count (FBC) analysers. The current ones have been in service for six years and have reached the end of their life. Between them they have performed some 600,000 cycles including processing more than 500,000 patient samples with the Haematology Department currently receiving nearly 90,000 FBC requests each year. The new analysers will help staff maintain patient service provision, include rapid turnaround times and a high degree of accuracy and precision in terms of quality assurance. The introduction of the new analysers will achieve a cost saving of around 10 per cent in terms of cost per test. The analysers are also used by colleagues in the Microbiology Department to analyse cerebral spinal fluid.
Clockwise, from left: David Watt surges into an early lead at the beginning of the race; taking control on the home stretch; celebrating his new world title status
Tin bath champ T
he Pathology Department can claim to have a world champion among their number after David Watt claimed the men’s title at this year’s World Tin Bath Championships in July. David ditched his lab coat to tackle the event in Castletown harbour for the first time. The pressure was on after his dad and brother had both competed before – but the celebrations soon got under way at the end of a hotly contested race as David became the first in the family to win! It was a successful day all round as David took home the men’s trophy, the team trophy – and three big bottles of whiskey.
Take a look at new and improved therapies site By Frances Butler Clinical Team Lead, Children’s Therapy Teams in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (OT) have been working hard behind the scenes, in collaboration with the Government website team, to bring you a new-look, easy to navigate website. Rebecca Crease and Mary Espie from Physio, with Claire Collister and Chris Jackson from OT, have been the essential cogs in the wheel as this work has been developed and pulled together. It is hoped that representation and descriptions of the different sections of these two
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key services, and the useful links on the site, will help people to find what they need and access a broad spectrum of information. This initiative fits in with the Government strategy of our digital future in helping to improve patient and public information within this important area of health. The gov.im/therapy pages launched at the end of May. The number of website hits is being monitored and will be analysed at the end of one year. We hope to hear some positive feedback so please encourage people to access the site and let us know about their experience.
Porter Gerry retires Porter Gerry Cahill retired earlier this year following a career with Noble’s Hospital which stretched back to 1994. Gerry’s first job was at the former hospital site in Westmoreland Road, Douglas, where he worked on the incinerator. He became a porter in 2004 and gained a reputation for his many hugs as well as his high energy and positive attitude towards staff and patients. Prior to becoming a hospital worker Gerry was a roofer, and came to the island from Liverpool in 1972, when he met Edna, who worked in Ward 2 as
Gerry Cahill is congratulated on his retirement by portering team leader Neil Kaye a Health Care Assistant from 1998 until she took early retirement in 2010. The couple share three children, one of whom, Karen Maddox, continues the family tradition by working at Noble’s in cancer services.
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Noble’s News Autumn 2017
Progress being made By Chris Holland Communications GTS
‘Once we’re scanning at full speed we’ll be processing around 1,500,000 sheets of paper from existing records every month. That’s around 70,000 sheets every single working day’
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t’s been about a year since we made the first official announcement about the move to a Digital Future, stepping away from a paper-based world and into one where joined up digital systems would take on a lot of the strain. The programme was launched at a special event at Keyll Darree, when the full programme of change was announced and the key parts of that programme were spelt out in more detail. We’ve come a long way since then. So let’s take a look at where we are with those core parts of the Digital Future, and what’s still to come. It’s best to start with the project which underpins much of what the programme overall is going to deliver. That’s the scanning (and retrieval, of course) of more than 100,000 general and maternity health records. This project is now very much live. So far we have digitised over a half of a million sheets of paper – around 5,000 records – and we’ve supported more than 120 clinics and multi-specialty patients using digital health records rather than the old paper document folders. There have also been training sessions on MediViewer, the tool which allows users to get hold of the patient information they need quickly and accurately, and there are more sessions to come. Once we’re scanning at full speed we’ll be scanning around 1,500,000 sheets of paper from existing records every month. That’s around
Preparing more records for scanning and digitising 70,000 sheets every single working day. Meanwhile, over at the Order Communications project a pilot scheme is set to start very soon, before we roll-out the new system in short order after that. Once in full operation, specialists at Noble’s and Ramsey can electronically request pathology and radiology tests. Results are then issued electronically.
Just like the Health Records project this is going to remove the need for thousands of sheets of paper. At Noble’s we managed to produce around 750,000 pages of diagnostic reports last year. That’s a lot of paper. Another part of the programme that’s been moving rapidly ahead is Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration. EPMA for short.
This project has two distinct elements: electronic medicines management (EMM) at pharmacy level and the digital prescribing module for the clinicians. Pharmacy has been upgraded and is entering its test phase. Digital Prescribing, after a very thorough look at the systems that are currently being used in other health services, has recently agreed a contract with a UK-based
Noble’s News Autumn 2017
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on our digital future
Using one of the hand-held Patientrack devices for quick patient assessment
Noble’s staff get hands-on training for MediViewer
Dr Gregor Peden, Chief Clinical Information Officer
specialist and expects to go live next year Eventually this is going to mean an end to paper-based prescribing, starting with computers at the bedside before moving on to tablets and other mobiles. Another cumbersome and paper-based process that’s ready to go digital. What about Digital Noting and Assessments? This is currently active in pockets throughout Noble’s as we plan its extension, and work is well under way as we catalogue current paper forms and build digital versions. Key to this is a seamless interface between Digital Noting and the Digital Health
All the equipment is set up and ready to go for the Order Communications pilot
Record. That’s where the focus is at the moment. The Digital Discharge process will result from successful deployment of both Digital Noting and Digital Prescribing. It will allow for immediate transfer of discharge information to the relevant GP Practices. We are working on an interim Digital Discharge process to cover the gap until Digital Prescribing is available. So, a busy time in the digital world. If you have a question about our Digital Future then you can always contact the Chief Clinical Information Officer, Dr Gregor Peden. He’s on gregor.peden@gov.im
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Noble’s News Autumn 2017
Share your poetry with Noble’s News By Martin Lynch Renal Nurse
Healthcare assistants Adam Kennedy, Brenda Delaney, Brenda Teare and Carly Devereau receive their certificates from hospital director Mike Quinn, third from left, and Chief Nurse Linda Radcliffe, second from right. Also pictured are Senior Nurse Pam Makin, third right, and ICU Sister Helen Morris
Assistants’ achievements celebrated with awards Health care assistants (HCAs) were invited to attend an awards ceremony earlier this year to celebrate their achievements and listen to presentations about development opportunities and the diverse roles performed by HCAs and social care workers across the Island. The awards included the Care Certificate, Health Care Assistant Award for displaying competence and Health Care Assistant Gold Award for staff members who have achieved a QCF level III and are actively mentoring their colleagues to complete the Care Certificate. HCAs from wards 11 and 12 gave an enthusiastic presentation on the work they are undertaking with the dementia team to make their ward ‘dementia-friendly’ – see page 11. Staff unable to attend the presentation were surprised in their departments by Hospital Director Mike Quinn and Chief Nurse Linda Radcliffe, who presented their awards. For further information on how to apply for HCA awards, contact Leanne Urwin by email on leanne. urwin@gov.im or call her on 642626.
Elvie Cabiara is presented with her certificate by Mike Quinn, left, and Dr Matt Todd
Rizza Santos is congratulated by Mike Quinn
Do you write poetry? Would you like to share your poems with your colleagues? We’re looking to feature poems by members of staff on any subject. As this is the first edition, I have featured one of my own poems, The Reluctance Machine, which was was written a few years ago.
THE RELUCTANCE MACHINE Cold,meancholy continuing forever in dull blue grey perpetuity, lacklustre eyes like blank screens With a flicker of a dream still within them Struggle to focus on reality, As the muted forced conversation of early morning Is briefly illuminated by sudden hollow laughter, Which somehow feels inappropriate , Yet oils the creaking rusty cogs Of the reluctance machine, Drawing long the early afternoon, Thick clouds of warm boredom fold back, Forming Soporific layers of numbing repetition, Eventually turning to slow gradual brightening, As the hours begin to evaporate the tempo begins to increase, And the carousel of the final moments spins faster and faster, Like a funfair in a rainstorm, Becoming a maelstrom of light,movement and emotion.
Noble’s News Autumn 2017
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Finding out about how we can all help people with dementia . . .
Butterfly Scheme is spreading its wings By Sheree Sharman Lead Nurse Dementia
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hen people with dementia or memory problems come into our hospital they can find the experience frightening and distressing. To try and make their journey through the hospital less traumatic I have been seconded to work part-time on a number of dementia projects since November 2016. I have been meeting with members of the multi-disciplinary team to raise awareness of the support that can be provided in the hospital, how we can work together and how I hope to progress these projects with the help of the Older Persons’ Mental Health Service and the Alzheimer’s Society. Alzheimer’s Society dementia support worker Sue Walker joined our team at the end of November to provide activity and support for every patient with a diagnosis of dementia and their relatives. The Alzheimer’s Society has donated an activity trolley to the hospital which Sue and I have filled with a variety of items that can provide interest and stimulation for patients and aid communication.
Right, Sheree Sharman, Lead Nurse Dementia, with Alzheimer’s Society dementia support worker Sue Walker and the charity’s activity trolley Sue has been visiting wards around the hospital to offer support and activities to as many patients as she can. Patients who do not appear to be able to communicate easily are often able to do so with the right type of stimulation via music, pictures or other objects that can bring forward a memory that awakens their interest. Which type of materials will help stimulate conversation and interest will very much be an individual thing for each patient. Watching a person who sits quietly on the ward start to respond by smiling and talking about an experience
The Butterfly Scheme provides a system of hospital care for people living with dementia or who simply find that their memory isn’t as reliable as it used to be. In hospital, dozens of staff can pass through a patient’s life each day and in order to deliver appropriate care, they need to know that a patient has dementia or memory impairment and how to support them; this is where the Butterfly Scheme comes in.
or a memory can be a very rewarding and uplifting experience. As part of her role as dementia support worker for the Alzheimer’s Society, Sue facilitates ‘Singing for the Brain’ sessions in Ramsey, and she’s now introduced this to some small groups of patients on wards in the hospital. The participating patients have enjoyed singing along, or tapping a rhythm and the conversations we have had with patients after the sessions have been really interesting. Sue has chosen to decorate the activity trolley with
butterflies so that she can be easily identifiable around the hospital. She saw it as a way to ensure that a link is made with other dementia projects we are collaborating on including the ‘Butterfly Scheme’. We are also introducing volunteer Conversation Companions, who will be able to provide time to talk with patients and support them with a chosen activity. Together, Sue and I are encouraging staff to make sure that the Butterfly Scheme is continuing to be used around the hospital to identify patients with memory problems, confusion or a diagnosis of dementia. This will ensure these vulnerable patients can receive extra support and understanding from all members of the hospital multi-disciplinary team. The blue or white butterflies are available in a dedicated box on all wards and are used to identify vulnerable patients in the ward areas. There are stickers to attach to patients’ notes and investigation request forms. The ‘This is me’ form can also be found in the box and is a valuable tool in helping to identify how best to support the patient whilst they are in hospital, or when visiting outpatients and other departments. Patients’ relatives can provide valuable information and are often willing to complete the form when asked to do so. It is now possible to put an alert on Medway to identify patients using the Butterfly Scheme. For more information please contact Sheree. Sharman@gov.im or Susan. Walker@gov.im
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Noble’s News Autumn 2017
Employee of the month April: Vera Thomas, Housekeeper ICU/Theatres
May: Paul McCann, Lead Nurse, Neonatal Service
Vera has been employed at Noble’s Hospital for 20 years, and works as a Housekeeper in two critical areas, ITU and Main Theatres. Every day she gives it 100 per cent no matter how big a workload. Vera is dedicated to her job and will strive to help anybody. She has a caring way and even when patients, especially the older generation, are not feeling great or have a loss of appetite, she will always make them laugh and encourage them to eat.
Paul has been involved at all levels on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for many years, and has done so with expertise, compassion and great humility. More recently Paul provided great leadership and support to his team during a difficult period for which the hospital and the respective family are truly thankful.
June: Shirley Watt, Retail Assistant
July: Jane Qualtrough, RN, Orthopaedics
Shirley is always cheerful and smiling – a ray of sunshine when she comes on to the ward. Nothing is too much trouble and she always goes the extra mile to ensure that patients’ requirements are met. She mentally stimulates patients, especially those who have been in hospital a long time. She shows an individual interest in each patient. She is the epitome of how every member of staff at Noble’s Hospital should aspire to be.
Jane Qualtrough received the folllowing commendation from a patient who had undergone a hip replacement: ‘I found Jane to have a professional and caring attitude. When patients are feeling very sick and low she makes them feel pampered and gives exemplary care. Nothing is too much bother for her no matter what time of the night patients are in need. Jane is a credit to Noble’s Hospital.’
May: Karen Hawkins, PACS Manager, Radiology Karen has worked tirelessly since September on the replacement radiology system and upgrade of the picture archiving and communication system (PACS). The work has carried out has been virtually single-handed in and out of hours to ensure a smooth transition.
Paper copies of the nomination forms are distributed around the hospital and they can also be downloaded from the DHSC intranet. Once completed, either email employeeofthemonth.nobles@gov.im or send to Employee of the Month Nominations, Management Suite, Noble’s Hospital. The winner is chosen by the Operations Management Team. All the Employees of the Month will be invited to a celebration next April – when one will win a trip for two to Madeira.