Our Trust | Issue 11 | Summer 2019 by LNWH_NHS

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London North West University Healthcare

NHS Trust

Home sweet home Jesse Oldfield had plenty to smile about when he was born at home in Harrow Weald as part of the homebirth service. You can read more about the service on page 10

OurTrust Issue 11 | Summer 2019

Kindly supported by London North West Healthcare Charity

Heart clinic could save NHS millions

igh admission rates for heart failure patients across North West London have led to the opening of a heart failure day care unit that aims to keep all but the most critically ill patients out of hospital. Doctors Stuart Rosen and Harmandeep Singh from Ealing Hospital proposed the six month pilot after the trust admitted more than 1,500 people during 2017/18. Dr Singh said: “It is a national problem which costs the NHS more than £5 billion a year and the pressure on bed space is only going to increase unless we see a sea change in lifestyle. “I regularly see patients who, through no fault of their own, are spending too long in hospital because we don’t have an effective early intervention programme.” The new day care unit, which is based in the hospital’s ambulatory care unit, goes far beyond existing units in the NHS offering a ‘one stop shop’ service focused on treating and discharging patients the same day. It offers a lifeline for patients like Daljit Lota who was admitted to Ealing six times for heart failure in a single year and subsequently spent more than 100 days in hospital.

Dr Harmandeep Singh, third right, and colleagues from the cardiology team

Mr Lota, 67, who lives in Southall said: “I’ve been seen twice at the new clinic and avoided any hospital stays since which is a relief. It makes a big difference being able to go home.”

The unit, which accepts referrals from the hospital’s emergency department and community heart failure nurses, offers a more holistic approach which has won the support of both Imperial College London and Ealing Clinical Commissioning Group.

The heart failure unit saw 212 patients during the six month pilot and helped 160 people avoid hospital admission.

@LNWH_NHS

Several patients required more than one attendance but only a few required hospital admission.

This includes specialist reviews by heart failure, diabetic and respiratory nurses, intravenous iron infusions and blood transfusions, specialist investigations and procedures, onward referrals for advanced heart failure treatment and daily/weekly check-ups as required. Dr Singh added: “The initial results are very exciting and our hope is that this sort of unit could be rolled out across the UK.

London North West Healthcare

The ongoing “ challenge in the NHS is

how to get more from less and we’re offering a service that makes use of existing resources as well as delivering better outcomes.

”

www.lnwh.nhs.uk

Our Trust

The Director’s Cut Simon Crawford, Director of Strategy and Deputy Chief Executive Welcome to the latest edition of ‘Our Trust’ our free magazine for staff and patients packed with the latest news from across our organisation.

Our community teams continue to play a vital role delivering care closer to home, including Penny Estall, one of our longest serving community midwifes and our sexual health team who have opened a newly refurbished centre in Harrow. You can read all about these stories and much more throughout this edition. As we move towards summer we will say farewell to many members of our Ealing community services who will be transferring to Ealing Community

At the time of going to the print, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had just announced that they will be inspecting our services across our main hospital sites in July. It has been nearly a year since our last inspection where we were rated as ‘requires improvement’ and with the help and support of our commissioning colleagues we have put in an enormous amount of work to improve care for our patients. I am looking forward to showing the CQC inspectors everything we have achieved since their last inspection. We will be continuing to provide care as normal during the CQC visit and we will share feedback as soon as we can. Finally, there is a lot to look forward in the coming months including our Trust Open Day at Ealing Hospital on Saturday 27th July. The open day is a great event for the local community and it coincides with Ealing Hospital’s 40th Birthday this year so the Trust Board and I hope to see many of you there.

2 Director’s Cut 3 European leader in knee surgery 4 Sophie’s solution 5 Sexual health centre opens 6 Medical mission to Iraq 7 Hospital charity

8 Staff excellence awards 10 Homebirth midwife 11 Wrestling with success 12 Simply the best 13 Film liaison manager 14 Celebrating success 15 Your Views

The next issue of Our Trust will be published in September. If you have an interesting story to tell or would like to showcase your team’s innovative work in the next edition, please call 020 8869 2235 or email lnwh-tr.communications@nhs.net

Get in touch

In March we celebrated the achievements of our staff and volunteers who go above and beyond at our annual staff excellence awards. The cardiology team at Ealing Hospital has set up a heart failure day care clinic helping keep patients out of hospital. Our surgeons at Central Middlesex Hospital have completed their 100th procedure using robotic surgery for knee replacements. The Board and I recently did a ‘Board to Ward’ walkabout at Central Middlesex Hospital and it was great to meet with so many staff and discuss their issues that the Board could help with but also to see the great work being showcased.

Partners under a new contract. On behalf of the Trust, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to our Ealing community teams for their dedicated service during their time at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. We wish those members of staff transferring across the very best of luck for the future and look forward to continuing to work closely with you as we care for our patients in Ealing.

London North West University Healthcare

It has been an eventful couple of months since our last edition. Following a busy and demanding winter for our hospitals and community services, we were incredibly proud to see a significant improvement in our A&E performance making us the most improved Trust in London and the third most improved nationally.

Contents

NHS Trust

Home sweet home Jesse Oldfield had plenty to smile about when he was born at home in Harrow Weald as part of the homebirth service. You can read more about the service on page 10

OurTrust Issue 11 | Summer 2019

Kindly supported by London North West Healthcare Charity

Heart clinic could save NHS millions

Dr Harmandeep Singh, third left, and colleagues from the cardiology team

Mr Lota, 67, who lives in Southall said: “I’ve been seen twice at the new clinic and avoided any hospital stays since which is a relief. It makes a big difference being able to go home.”

The heart failure unit saw 212 patients during the six month pilot and helped 160 people avoid hospital admission.

@LNWH_NHS

Several patients required more than one attendance but only a few required hospital admission.

London North West Healthcare

The ongoing “ challenge in the NHS is

how to get more from less and we’re offering a service that makes use of existing resources as well as delivering better outcomes.

”

www.lnwh.nhs.uk

100th knees-up for robotic team “ S urgeons at Central Middlesex Hospital (CMH) celebrated the completion of their 100th procedure using robotic surgery for knee replacements.

We’re hopefully be using the same robotic system to perform hip replacements within the next couple of years.

The computer-guided system generates a 3D model of the knee allowing replacements to be fitted more accurately than the traditional ‘jig’ technique.

Bartlett originally travelled to the US where the robotic assisted procedure is widely used.

Orthopaedic surgeon Simon Jennings said: “Logic suggests that if we can fit the replacement more accurately it will feel better and people can get up and about more quickly. “I visited a surgeon in America who was doing these as day cases which was extraordinary although a little premature in my opinion. “The initial results are promising and there is a significant saving for the NHS because people are discharged within a couple of days.” The CMH team carried out more than 400 traditional knee replacements last year and Simon and surgical colleagues Ian Holloway and Matthew

”

CMH is now the leading exponent of Navio robotic surgery in Europe and will become a training centre for visiting surgeons. Simon added: “It’s exciting for us because it’s showcasing our work to a global audience and I do believe it is the way forward regarding knee replacements. “The NHS carries out more than 70,000 knee replacements a year and that figure will continue to grow as we live longer. If we can offer something that produces better results for our patients and is more cost effective that has to be a winner.”

Watch our video about robotic knee surgery at bit.ly/2YI2PIH

Surgeon Simon Jennings, left, and surgeons from Saudi Arabia visit CMH to see robotic knee surgery in action.

Capital success for A&E team Analysis of Accident and Emergency performance data reveals the Trust is the most improved A&E in London and the third most in England during the last two years. The analysis - produced by the Health Service Journal using national figures - showed Type 1 attendances seen within the four hour target rose from 50.7% in Jan 2017 to 77.1% in Dec 2018. Type 1 attendances are the most critically ill patients. The improvement comes despite rising numbers of patients at the trust’s A&E departments at Northwick Park and Ealing hospitals, which peaked in January 2019 with 13,025 Type 1 patients receiving treatment. This represents an increase of 817 patients compared to the same time last year - a growth of 7%. Northwick Park Hospital is one of the busiest A&E departments in the country receiving a daily

average of 90 emergency ambulances, rising to 140 on the busiest days. The total number of ambulances that arrived at Northwick Park grew by 15% between December 2017 and December 2018 Dr Jon Baker, Divisional Clinical Director for Emergency and Ambulatory Care said: “A&E departments across the country are experiencing significant demand. It’s therefore encouraging to see this improvement given the increasing

13,025 the rising number of Type 1 patients receiving treatment in January 2019.

Heading in the right direction: A&E performance has improved

complexity and volume of patients we are seeing. “There are still challenges ahead and we remain under pressure. This January in particular was exceptionally busy. “There is room for improvement but we’re heading in the right direction and everyone in the team and across the trust deserves recognition for that.”

Our Trust

Sophie helps fracture patients’ take a break from hospital

Board to Ward walkabout at Central Middlesex Hospital In April, Trust Board members including the Chairman, Peter Worthington and Chief Executive, Dame Jacqueline Docherty took part in a Board to Ward walkabout and tour at Central Middlesex Hospital (CMH). The ‘Board to Ward’ session kicked off the 20th birthday celebrations of the Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Centre (ACAD) which culminated in a special birthday tea party. During the walkabout, the Board members were able to visit a wide range of staff across a number of services at CMH including the pharmacy team, pathology, theatres and recovery, diagnostics, outpatients including the eye service as well as the Gladstone wards and the Abbey suite. The walkabout provided the Board with the opportunity to speak with staff on the frontline in their areas of work and to hear from staff about their achievements but also some of the issues they face in their day to day working.

Taking a break: Sophie and her fellow physios

hospital ward specialising in treating fractures has designed a new care pathway that offers faster discharges by offering home based physio sessions. Sophie Russell, a highly specialised physiotherapist working at Northwick Park Hospital, noticed otherwise healthy patients being kept in hospital longer than necessary because they remained unsteady on their feet.

800 bed hours through early supported discharge. Sophie added: “We provide patients with the confidence and support to carry on their rehabilitation at home with up to four visits a week for the first fortnight after which it is reduced. The pathway was set up with the help of occupational health who ensure any home adaptations are carried out.

Sophie, 27, said: “No-one likes being in hospital longer than they have too. It’s frustrating for the patient and bed demand is high so I looked at how we could address both problems.

“It’s nice to see patients’ progress. They usually leave hospital and we never see them again and working with them at home gives me a better appreciation of what the challenges are.”

The Non-Weight Bearing Pathway has accommodated 25 patients since it was introduced last summer saving the hospital

Sophie won the Quality and Improvement category at the annual Staff Excellence Awards for the pathway.

Praise for trust’s savvy buying skills The trust’s procurement team has been praised by NHS England and NHS Improvement for a dramatic upturn in performance. The team, which is responsible for purchasing goods and services totalling more than £250m a year, climbed from being the 70th to 25th most efficient trust in a national league table. It is also now ranked as the fifth best performing trust in London.

The Board would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to all the staff involved for the great care they are providing to patients at CMH and beyond every day.

CEO Jacqueline Docherty (l-r) with principal pharmacist Debbie McGrath and Professor David Taube, one of our non-executive directors

Northwick physios cure for language barrier

decision to offer a pain management course in Gujarati has been welcomed by the local community.

North West London is home to a large Gujarati community whose older patients sometimes poor grasp of English means they struggled to understand the ESCAPEprogramme for addressing severe knee and hip pain. In response, physiotherapists at Northwick Park are the first in the UK to translate Working out: patients working out in the gym the six week programme which combines translated into other languages so that as many people as educational self-management and coping possible benefit. strategies with an exercise regimen for each patient. “The pain caused by arthritis has no language barriers, Physios Karsh Patel and Arti Inamadar translated the so interventions that can help shouldn’t be hindered sessions ensuring the sessions were accessible to the by language either. It is wonderful to see that the local whole community. physiotherapists have responded to the needs of their Professor Mike Hurley, originator of the ESCAPE-pain local community and taken the time to translate the programme, said: “It’s really great to see our programme programme into Gujarati.”

Surgeon gave me back appetite for life

woman who couldn’t eat solid food for two years has thanked surgeons at Northwick Park and St Mark’s for ‘giving me my life back.’ Diana Wassing, 71, endured two failed procedures at another hospital after her stomach pushed itself up into her chest in a condition known as a paraoesophageal hernia She was initially told to eat pureed food but weeks stretched into months and months into years with any attempt to eat solids resulting in gagging and vomiting.

too trusting and should have sought a second opinion.” Her condition worsened when she started getting reflux where acid from her stomach was washed back into throat burring it. “I’d wake up at night literally gasping for air. It was a real nightmare and I was only told retrospectively after the initial procedures that I might never eat solids again. No-one warned me of that before.”

Her condition became so bad she couldn’t even eat a slice of bread.

A chance encounter with a woman who had suffered the same problem but had a successful procedure put her in touch with surgeon Alberto Martinez Isla.

Diana, who lives in Foxfield Close, Northwood, said: “It was absolute hell and being told I just had to live with it was horrible. In retrospect, I was far

Three months after her third procedure she tentatively ate a piece of chicken – the first solid food she could keep down in nearly two years.

Hospital volunteer still going strong... at 90 Beryl Jones likes to keep busy. The sprightly octogenarian is one Northwick Park’s longest serving volunteers after originally working with the Red Cross offering free massages and nail care to patients.

She worked as a bank clerk in the City but stopped working to devote herself to Cathy, her third child, who was mentally disabled. “There was no understanding or support for physically and mentally disabled children back then. “Children like Cathy weren’t allowed to go to school because they were labelled as mentally subnormal and not capable of being educated. It beggars belief nowadays. It was really Dickensian but things slowly improved over the years.” Beryl and her daughter were among the first patients to use Northwick Park when it opened in

Diana is now working her way through a ‘bucket list’ of food that was previously denied her. “I love my food and to be denied that simple pleasure that everyone takes for granted was life changing. I was in despair until Alberto said he’d do his best to put things right. “I’ve had a burger, Sunday Roast and Chinese so pizza and curry are next on the list!” Mr Isla, who specialises in upper intestinal tract surgery, said: “The two nets that were surgically placed to avoid the stomach moving out of place again had become badly twisted and was effectively choking this patient’s oesophagus.

Surgeon Alberto Martinez Isla

“It was a tricky procedure but her quality of life was badly affected and I wanted to do all I could. “I’d always advise patients to seek a second opinion if they aren’t happy. No-one in discomfort or pain should simply accept one person’s opinion. “No-one should be afraid to exercise that right.”

Council leader opens Caryl Thomas Clinic

arrow Council Leader Cllr Graham Henson cut the ribbon to officially re-open a refurbished sexual health clinic in Harrow.

The Caryl Thomas Centre in Headstone Drive now offers a ‘one stop’ service for contraception and testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The refurbished building has doubled its previous capacity enabling staff to see up to 100 service users a day with shorter waiting times, extended opening hours, online services and access to a network of community support .

Nowadays, she works in the more sedate environs of administration two days a week and was nominated for Volunteer of the Year in the national Unsung Hero Awards. “It’s nice to be recognised,” said the 90 year-old who originally came to London as a teenager from the Welsh Valleys.

“I couldn’t believe it at first. It was such a relief to know I was on the mend.”

It is part of a wider programme of improvements across the London boroughs of Harrow, Brent and Ealing who have commissioned London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust and its partners to create a unified sexual health service called ‘One.’ Beryl Jones

I’ll be 90 this year and it’s “ nice to still feel useful. ” 1970 and continued to do so until her daughter passed away. She started volunteering 50 years ago helping mentally disabled children including setting up a toy library before working for the Red Cross and finally Northwick Park Hospital for the past 15 years.

Cllr Henson said: “Harrow’s previous sexual health service provided a range of fragmented sexual health services at various locations so I’m delighted we now have something that is fit for the 21st Century. “It’s a positive example of partnership working and also links up with the new pan-London e-Service which allows patients to have test kits sent to their home or collected from the centre. For more details about accessing sexual health services on line, see www.nwlondonsexualhealth.nhs.uk

“I always felt that I should volunteer as a thank you to the hospital over the years. The consultant who looked after my daughter was so kind it felt like the right thing to do. “I think everyone should volunteer in some capacity because helping people does as much good for you as it is for them.”

It’s a snip: Council leader Graham Henson opening the centre

Our Trust

Doctor runs mobile health clinic in Iraq An Iraqi born doctor working at St Mark’s regularly returns to the Middle East offering medical support to residents living in his hometown of Basra in Iraq.

Ealing Hospital hails new chaplain Hospital Chaplain Julia Bevis-Knowles knew she’d be happy working at Ealing thanks to the help of a hospital porter.

he had decided to recce the site before her job interview and ended up getting lost until the porter came to the rescue. “It was the smallest of things but made a real impression on me and reflects the sense of ‘family’ here,” said Julia Ealing hasn’t had a dedicated on-site chaplain for a couple of years and Julia, who originally trained as an occupational psychologist, has been helping raise its profile with the help of Lead Chaplain David Byrne. “We’re here for everyone regardless of faith and I’m part of a growing team including Hindu, Muslim and Sikh chaplains. I find the dog collar is always a good conversation starter when I’m doing my rounds.

Laith Al-Rubaiy helps people in outlying areas of the city where medical care is rudimentary and the nearest health centre miles away.

“Hospital is a crossroads of sorts where people often reflect on life because of their personal circumstances. The big questions come up that we tend to avoid when life is going smoothly. Our role is to be there, listen and offer support to patients, relatives and hospital staff.”

The consultant gastroenterologist said: “I’m indebted to my home country and this is the least I can do. Iraq is still recovering from the conflict but things are slowly improving. “There is still a lot of damage to the infrastructure, with a shortage of clean drinking water, sporadic electricity and a lack of pharmaceutical drugs and equipment.

Isn’t there a conflict between medicine and spirituality? Laith Al-Rubaiy, above, treating patients in a mobile health clinic

“On previous visits we were offering vaccinations and treating a lot of chest infections, diarrhoea and infectious diseases because of insanitary conditions.

Watch our video about Laith’s trip on at bit.ly/2HrM2nB

“Basra used to be called the Venice of the Middle East because of its confluence of waterways but they are now polluted, which has added to the health problems.”

“

Dr Al-Rubaiy helps staff a mobile clinic from a converted van and is being supported by UK-based charity AMAR. His work in Iraq has included building on national projects including bowel cancer screenings, and blood borne viral hepatitis screening.

The Iraqis are a resilient people and really appreciated our efforts on previous visits. I am hopeful that the country has turned a corner and what we need now is peace and stability so that we can rebuild.

”

“They aren’t so far apart and it is often about finding common ground. I’ve recently been reflecting with medical colleagues on the question of pain and how persistent pain often seems unresponsive to drug therapies. “It has generated some interesting discussion about the nature and potential sources of pain as well as highlighting the contribution of different perspectives within holistic approaches to care.” Julia is the first to admit that faith can be something of a journey.

It’s good to talk: hospital chaplain Julia Bevis-Knowles

“

We’re here for everyone regardless of faith and I’m part of a growing team including Hindu, Muslim and Sikh chaplains.

”

She grew up in South Wales where faith was an important part of valley life and going to church and chapel three times on a Sunday wasn’t unusual. “I loved being part of these close knit communities but nevertheless, drifted away from my faith as a teenager. It wasn’t until I won a swimming scholarship to America and wandered into a church one day that I reconnected with it. It just felt like I was home.” Julia graduated as an occupational psychologist working for a government department but couldn’t help thinking there had to be more to life. “The feeling just grew and I subsequently trained to be a lay hospital chaplain, and then an ordained priest within the Church of England. “I’m glad I listened to my feelings of unease and to those encouraging voices around me it’s brought me back to where I feel I belong.”

Charity hopes to raise millions

Big-hearted volunteers are already busy helping raise money for the trust. Food manufacturing company Bakkavor raised nearly £400 for the Rainbow Centre at Central Middlesex Hospital as well distributing toys in the waiting area. Abdullah Khan, Head of Operations at Bakkovar, has pledged to help support other areas of the hospital. Staff on Dickens Ward raised £400 through a bake sale to raise awareness of National Delirium Day. The money will be used to help pay for specialised equipment and clinical nurse manager Medhavi Dabee discovered some keen bakers among her staff. St Mary and Arcangel Michael Copic Orthodox Church personally delivered new toys and games to Jack’s Place children’s ward and various toiletries and gifts to the elderly wards.

Are you interested in supporting your local hospital? If so you can: • Organise your own fundraising activity/event Here to help: The charity team

• Take part in a walk, run, cycle or swim

new hospital charity hopes to harness the goodwill of the community helping raise money for equipment and various initiatives.

“We need to make that as easy as possible for people and are here to support them in the practicalities of organising events and raising money.”

London North West Healthcare Charity (LNWHC) will proactively co-ordinate fundraising and hopes to contribute millions over the coming years.

The trust has received more than £1.8m in donations and legacies during the past three years and, in return, provided more than £2.5m in grants for ward refurbishments, equipment and improving patient care.

Wendy George, Head of Charitable Funds, said: There is a lot of competition in the charity sector but we’ve assembled a team with a proven track record. “It is early days but I’m confident we can move from simply accepting donations and money left in wills to actively promoting fundraising. “There is a lot of goodwill towards the NHS. It’s a public institution and we find people want to raise money and leave donations but often don’t know how.

It’s most recent project is contributing £1.5m to the creation of the newly centralised West London Vascular and Interventional Centre at Northwick Park Hospital. The money is strictly ringfenced and can’t be spent on redressing financial shortfalls within the organisation. The five person charity includes community manager Simon Pitts who comes from Barts Charity.

“It’s a completely different setup but the fact that we have a blank slate is a great opportunity. People want to donate and fundraise for their local hospitals but often don’t know how. Our job is to help facilitate and support those activities.” One of Simon’s proudest achievements was helping to set up the Transform Trauma Appeal to raise money for the Centre for Trauma Sciences at The Royal London Hospital. It was subsequently championed by the Sunday Mirror which ran a series of articles on its work and has raised more than £350,000.

For details, go to » lnwh.nhs.uk/lnwh-charity you can also email lnwh-tr.charity@nhs.net or call 020 8869 3367.

• Make a secure donation through our website • Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter

or more details about how we can support your » Fefforts, go to: www.lnwhcharity.org.uk 020 8869 3367 or smail at lnwh-tr.charity@nhs.net Charity No. 1083634

Trust improves cancer figures Cancer targets are improving or being bettered across North West London. The Trust is now in the top half of performing trusts in the UK for the first time. Latest figures show it surpassed the national 62 day target (85.6%) with 85.6% for the wait between when a hospital receives an urgent referral for suspected cancer and the start of treatment. This ranks the trust as 30th from 131 trusts across the UK. It also improved on the national 31 day target (96%) with 97.6% reflecting the time between the meeting at which you and your doctor agree the treatment plan and the start of treatment.

Our Trust

NHS celebrates healthcare heroes

The Trust celebrated the achievements of hospital and community staff at an annual awards night to honour those who give the very best care across the London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing and Harrow and beyond.

hirteen awards were up for grabs with shortlisted candidates ranging from nurses, physiotherapists and ward managers to midwives, security guards, groundsmen and a consultant geneticist. Chief executive Jacqueline Docherty and trust Chairman Peter Worthington presented the awards to an audience of more than 500 people. Candidates were nominated by patients, colleagues and families and represented the best of the best reflecting the trust’s core values of Honesty, Equality, Accountability, Respect and Teamwork. The Trust received its largest ever number of nominations for 560 individuals and teams. This was

whittled down to a shortlist of 42 by a judging panel of staff and patients. It was the fifth awards ceremony and they just keep getting bigger and better with more than 500 people attending the event at the Bobby Moore Room in Wembley Stadium. Chief executive Dame Jacqueline Docherty said: “Our aim is to provide excellent patient care by putting patients at the heart of everything we do and these awards are our way of saying thank you and showing our staff that their efforts do not go unnoticed. “We have some very dedicated, hardworking and committed people working at our Trust and I am proud of all the nominees. Congratulations to everyone.”

The winners were: • Emergency and Ambulatory Care - Therese Barrett • Integrated Clinical Services Dr Virginia Clowes • Integrated Medicine The Respiratory Team • Surgery - Nagaraj Prashanth • Women’s and Children’s Dr Sivapathalingam Jeyashanker • Unsung hero - Finance Team • Heart Hero - Maria Elena Nabre • Quality and Improvement Sophie Russell • Volunteer of the Year - Ajit and Veena Saib / Beryl Jones • Fundraiser of the Year – Lynne May • Learner of the Year - Alex Stavrou • Lifetime Achievement Dr John Knottenbelt • Team of the Year Ward 3 North, Ealing Hospital

“I am proud of all the nominees. Congratulations to everyone.”

Two of the longest serving winners were A&E consultant John ‘JK’ Knottenbelt who has worked in A&E for 25 years and volunteer Beryl Jones. “It’s nice to be recognised,” said 89 year-old Beryl who is one of the hospital’s longest serving volunteers. Sophie said: “ We provide patients with the confidence and support to carry on their rehabilitation at home with up to four visits a week for the first fortnight after which it is reduced. The youngest winner was 27 year-old Sophie Russell, a physiotherapist who designed a home based rehab programme for patients recovering from fractures. Patients under her care have collectively spent 500 days at home which they would have otherwise spent in hospital. The event was generously sponsored by LNWH Charity along with sponsors Ambulance Transfers Ltd, Harrow College, Verseone Group, Montagu Evans and Elis.

Our Trust

Community midwife celebrates 40 years

ommunity midwife Penny Estall traces her passion for home birth back to her childhood growing up on a farm.

Three’s company: Katy Oldfield, baby Jesse and community midwife Penny Estall

Wedding bells on rehab The bells were ringing for all the right reasons in Northwick Park’s Regional Hyperacute Rehabilitation Unit when it hosted a wedding for patient Sajjad Jaffer and his partner Zainab Moledina. We wish the happy couple all the best for the future in what was a first for the hospital.

Her mother had five children at home including Penny who, in turn, was present at her baby brother’s birth. Penny, 62, said: “You are more aware of Nature in a rural community and seeing animals give birth and breastfeed their offspring it only seemed natural that my mother did the same.” “I’ve been a midwife for nearly 40 year and it’s still a great privilege to be present at a birth. I still find it an amazing experience and have shed a few tears over the years.” Penny is a lifelong advocate of home birth, despite the relatively small number of woman favouring home over hospital. Unhealthy lifestyles, groundless scare stories about the risks of home birth and a lack of community midwives have all contributed to just one-in-fifty babies in England and Wales being delivered at home last year - just 2% of the 600,000 plus babies born. It’s a situation Penny would like to see change. “There are a lot of misconceptions around homebirths and some see it as some risky alternative lifestyle choice. “In reality, it is a far more relaxed experience. I’ve worked in hospital labour wards and as a community midwife and am a passionate advocate of the latter. “Women are far more at ease at home with their family and give birth in their own time. I’ve had a baby pop out as soon as I arrived while others have taken several hours. It’s up to mum and baby when it puts in an appearance.” “I’ve been privileged enough to be present as some beautiful home births. “I remember one instance where a mother with her new born was joined in bed by her other children and husband while myself and a colleague sat back and had a cuppa and a biscuit.” So how many babies has she delivered since she qualified as a midwife 38 years ago?

Penny as a young midwife

“People often ask how many babies I’ve delivered. I don’t keep count but it would be hundreds of ‘assistances.’ It’s important to remember the mothers deliver the babies, not me.” Her first delivery as a young midwife was a ‘triple first’ as it was the woman’s first child, Penelope’s first delivery and the baby was delivered standing up. Penny has assisted in more than 100 water births where the baby is delivered in an inflatable birthing pool often set up in the living room. “You can see women in labour immediately relax when they get in the water and the babies are a lot calmer when they delivered. “Some people worry about the baby breathing underwater but they have something called a diver reflex where they naturally hold their breath underwater like a seal.” Penny originally spent 11 years working on a labour ward before making the switch to home births. “It just felt the right thing to do. It is a shame we don’t promote it more actively because I don’t know a mother who regretted the decision. “There are a lot of safety checks in place and, on the rare occasion there is a complication, we simply head off to the maternity ward.” Katy Oldfield has had two home births, the most recent is baby Jesse. “Both home births have been a good experience. My husband’s been very supportive and Penny has always been there to offer advice and support.”

Paul falls for new career as midwife

oofer Paul Byrne made a dramatic career change when an accident left him hospitalised for two months. The 51 year-old fell off a roof breaking eleven bones and during his recuperation decided to retrain … as a midwife. “I knew my days as a roofer were over and the dedication of the nurses really made an impression on me. It got me thinking about nursing as a career and midwifery seemed the most life affirming of the 25 or so specialisms. “The majority of us go through our working lives without feeling we are making a difference and I grabbed the opportunity. It sounds odd but falling off that roof gave me another shot at life.” The education system had other ideas faced with a middle aged builder

who had left school at 16 with no qualifications and wanted to enter an almost exclusively female profession. Paul was refused a grant to do a one year access course and paid his way by returning part-time to roofing, despite doctors saying another fall could kill him. He passed with distinction and subsequently won a place at University of West London. Paul added: “I had to move from Ireland and start from scratch in student digs. It wasn’t easy but where there is a way there is a will.” It is 40 years since men were first allowed to train as midwives in the UK, and they still make up a tiny proportion of the profession Paul is one of less than 200 males working in the 40,000 strong profession and has learnt not to take

thing personally. “I’ve had 118 refusals and counting and that has largely been male partners uncomfortable with me being present. I love midwifery but it demanding job.” Paul describes his role as a cheer leader saying mothers deliver babies, not midwives, although a safe pair of hands is always available if complications arise. So what do people think about his midlife career change? “My family and friends are very supportive and when I tell strangers what I do they usually say just say wow!.” “I’m proud to be a midwife but don’t see myself as anything out of the ordinary. What I have learnt is that it’s never too late to be the person you could have been.”

Hospital porter is a real champ

Steve made his professional debut a year after he first stepped into the ring.

orthwick Park A&E porter Steve Lee Curtis got to grips with more than patients as a former wrestling champion.

“It was great fun. We’d all squeeze into a car, do the show and then travel on to the next event after a night in a B&B.”

The 58 year-old fought during the heyday of British wrestling in the 1970s and 80s sharing the ring with greats including Mark ‘Rollerball’ Rocco, the Dynamite Kid and Iron Fist.

The majority of fights had a staged outcome - with the exception of championship bouts - but the risk of physical injury was real.

His own involvement was sparked by a wrestler who suggested the teenager have a go himself.

Steve’s battle scars include several broken noses and fingers, cracked ribs, concussion and various tears and strains.

He enthusiastically turned up at the gym and found himself ‘sailing through the air and seeing stars’ after one of the trainers asked for a volunteer to wrestle him. “I just remember landing on my back with a real thwack and being surprised how much it hurt.” Steve was hooked despite breaking his nose on two successive visits. He made his pro debut a year later shortening his name from Steve Silverman to Steve Silver and, later, to Steve Lee Curtis in homage to movie star Tony Curtis who was reportedly a distant relative. “I loved every minute of it,” said Steve, who would wrestle up to five times a week at various shows around the country and was crowned British Light Middleweight champion in 1987.

“It’s funny that I work as a porter in Northwick Park’s A&E nowadays because I visited here enough times as a patient.” Steve Lee Curtis with his championship belt and, below, in the 1980s.

The father of two, who lives in Abbots Drive, north Wembley, fell in love with the sport as a boy. “I used to watch it on TV every Saturday afternoon and go to the local shows at Brent Town Hall. “Its heyday was in the 1970s and 80s although it has enjoyed a huge come back in the recent years with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) franchise.”

“Timing is everything. The majority of injuries come from trying to lift or throw someone when you’re out of synch. It takes a lot of practice and, if you misjudge it, it can hurt.” Steve’s big break came in 1987 when the challenger for a national title dropped out and promoters asked Steve to step in as a last minute replacement to fight Bobby Collins. “I won in the first round with a knock out. It felt too quick but that’s the nature of the game. Train hard and always be prepared.” His success was short lived when an injury curtailed his career and he retired without having the

Hat’s off: midwife Paul Byrne

opportunity to defend his title. He did consider a comeback at 50 but several heart attacks prevented his return to the ring. “I still meet up with a lot of the old wrestlers. We’re a tight knit bunch and often hold fan events where we talk about the good old days.” Steve isn’t the only wrestler to have graced the corridors of Northwick Park Hospital. He was preceded by Flower Child, aka Paul Darton, who worked at the hospital during the 1970s. Flower Child entered the ring wearing a kaftan and flower patterned trousers and played the villain by blowing kisses to the audience while fouling his opponents So what does Steve think of the modern day sport in the shape of WWE with its super-sized wrestlers and showmanship? “It’s a bit over the top for me but it is about entertainment at the end of the day and it attracts a big audience. “The British popularised the sport and people still respect the fact that we were athletes as well as entertainers. “I don’t regret a moment of it and have some fantastic memories. My advice is follow your dreams. I did and became a champion.”

»Watch our video about Steve’s

wrestling career at bit.ly/2SbG6RF

Our Trust

‘You’re simply the best,’ says cancer patient

Hospital radio saved my life Radio Harrow presenter David Stone says going on air literally saved his life.

patient has praised the speed and professionalism of St Mark’s Hospital saying it was reassuring to discover one of the world’s leading exponents of bowel cancer surgery was on his doorstep. Alan Kleinman had Alan Kleinman never heard of St Mark’s before he was diagnosed with rectal cancer in the summer but said he couldn’t have wished for better surgical care.

They made me feel “ like part of the family and

“I knew I’d be OK as soon as I met the team,” said the 71 year-old surveyor whose first inkling something was passing blood with his stools on holiday. “I have always been a practical person so it was reassuring to see the same calm, can-do attitude from the medical team. I try to address personal challenges face on and if possible not allow emotions to cloud my thinking”. Alan was surprised just how fast things moved when he went to see his GP. An initial examination was followed by a referral to St Mark’s within a week for an internal examination where Alan was told he had a tumour. CT and MRI scans followed in quick succession and he met with a doctor to discuss surgery but decided to delay the operation. The four hour procedure to remove the infected section of intestine and attach a temporary stoma bag was followed less than two months later by a ‘reversal’ when the bag was removed and the two ends of the intestine re-joined internally. One of the biggest challenges has been Alan’s own impatience with himself. Alan said: “There have been a few small blips in my recovery but my condition has steadily improved and I’m back to feeling like my old self. I’m a naturally energetic person so my wife has had to rein me in at times. “I have lost two stone but think a lot of that had to do with simply not having much of an appetite after the initial procedure. I’m slowly putting the weight back “I’m not easily moved but when the consultant finally gave me the all clear I was totally overwhelmed, burst into floods of tears and hugged him. “My aim is to now get involved in some voluntary capacity with St Mark’s and offer personal input to inform and support patients who are going through a similar experience.”

aren’t afraid to innovate and try different things

”

Tuning in: David Stone

he 29 year-old, who recently won Newcomer of Year at the Hospital Broadcasting Association Awards, has struggled with mental health since his teens. David said: “I began suffering from anxiety and panic attacks when I was young and it got progressively worse to a point where I was housebound for several months.” It was during this period that friends suggested Dave apply for a two week course in radio production. He’d always had an interest in performing having worked as a children’s entertainer under the moniker Dazzler David and, later, at Lego Land. “Things couldn’t have got any worse for me at that stage and radio seemed the perfect way to express myself. Something just clicked and I knew this is what I wanted to do.” David began work experience on various hospital radio shows before choosing Radio Harrow saying he was attracted by the mix of people and energy. “They made me feel like part of the family and aren’t afraid to innovate and try different things out.”

Radio Harrow broadcast from the basement of Northwick Park Hospital and focuses on the health and wellbeing of the local community.

The show’s mix of guests includes people talking about specific medical conditions and hobbies along with playing their favourite music.

He started out as part of a group of presenters on the Harrow Today show providing an eclectic mix of news, views and music as well as taking music requests from patients.

“I like getting people on the show with specific hobbies like trainspotting because their level of interest makes them quite eccentric. I usually trawl social media for potential interviewees and then invite them on the show.

A fortnight later he found himself co-presenting when only two people turned up at the studio. “I got thrown in the deep end but loved it. My brother and I used to mess around doing our own podcast at home so I was used to talking around subjects.” David graduated to his own chat show - This is a Show - within a few months. His first broadcast was interviewing himself about his personal experience of mental health before revealing his true identity at the end of the broadcast. David added: “I’m open about my mental health and hope it encourages other people to speak up. It’s still makes a lot of people uncomfortable but that doesn’t mean you sweep it under the carpet.”

“I’d really like to interview a stamp collector so if anyone is out there...” David’s enthusiasm for radio means has seen him pick up paid work as a producer on a sports station where he has rubbed shoulders with the likes of double Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes. “I’ve worked hard but I also feel lucky to be doing something I living. My advice to anyone out there is to just follow your dream.”

This is a Show

is broadcast every Monday night between 7-8pm. For more details, see www.radioharrow.org

Peter focuses on big picture

eter Asmah has rubbed shoulders with Russian mobsters, helped organise a prison break and even seen the end of the world in his role as film liaison manager at Central Middlesex Hospital.

three days but there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”

It is a popular location with filmmakers and has received numerous makeovers including masquerading as an American hospital in spy thriller Jason Bourne.

Peter added: “I’m on site throughout the shoot ensuring crews stick to the agreed areas and don’t interfere with the day-to-day running of the hospital.

It most recently accommodated critically acclaimed TV dramas Bodyguard, Forgiving Earth, Hard Sun, Love Type D, Pure and Trauma.

“I remember one Bollywood company covering the main hospital entrance sign with ‘London City Hospital’ which I had to step in and remove.”

The trust charge £2,500 a day with companies signing a £10 million public liability insurance agreement before any filming takes place.

Peter said: “We don’t actively promote ourselves as a film location but still accommodate around 10-15 productions a year.

Peter will accommodate several visits by production crews before a contract is signed and checks scripts for anything that may reflect the hospital in a poor light.

“The majority of production companies are here for two to

He drew the line at a group of bloodied people being

whipped in the reception area but did give the green light to 28 Days Later, a horror film whose undead stars didn’t appear in the opening scenes of the ‘abandoned’ hospital. Peter said: “It’s always interesting to watch something being filmed and then see the finished product on the big screen. It’s an amazing transformation.” Adverts, TV shows and films that have featured the hospital include Apocalypse Slough, The British Heart Foundation, Lucky Man, McMafia, Top Boy, Silent Witness and London Kills. So, does Peter have any aspirations to appear in front of the camera? “No,” he laughs. “I’m quite happy to leave it to the professionals.”

Peter Asmah

I’m on site throughout the shoot “ ensuring crews stick to the agreed areas and don’t interfere with the day-to-day running of the hospital.

”

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Celebrating success

St Mark’s surgeon honoured by King of Saudi The work of a cancer surgeon who trained at St Mark’s Hospital has been recognised in her home country of Saudi Arabia. Dr Samar Alhomoud was awarded the King Abdulaziz First Degree Medal for her outstanding contribution to medicine. Previous recipients of the medal’s various classes include various heads of state including Barack Obama “It is a great honour and hope it inspires more women to consider a career in medicine,” said Dr Alhomoud who was voted among the 100 most influential women in Saudi Arabia in 2017. Dr Alhomoud, who spent two years at St Mark’s completing her Fellowship Training Programme in Colorectal Surgery, was presented with the medal by King Abdulaziz. Professor Sue Clarke, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Director of the Polyposis Registry at St Mark’s, said: “Samar is part of the St Mark’s family and we’re all delighted her work has been recognised. “She is one of the foremost authorities on colorectal cancer in the Middle East and sits on numerous influential committees. “She’s an inspirational role model, and achieving what she has as a women in surgery in Saudi Arabia is a massive achievement.”

Team scoop top prize at HSJ awards We’re delighted to report that our Tissue Viability nurses ended up on stage at the HSJ Value Awards for their work with the Chelsea and Westminster and Royal Marsden Shared Procurement Service on standardising the Woundcare Formulary in north west London.

The project won the Financial or Procurement Initiative of the Year category! St Mark’s Hospital also came highly commended in the Specialist Service category for their ten year success story in developing the UK’s high volume locally-advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer surgery service.

Trust appoints new chief nurse Isabel wins research fellowship at St Mark’s Congratulations to Isabel Martin who has been awarded a Royal College of Surgeons of England Research Fellowship. Isabel works in the Polyposis Registry at St Mark’s and is taking a PhD on duodenal polyposis. Her research aims to evaluate the role of gut bacteria and genetics in cancer.

The trust has appointed a new chief nurse. Lisa Knight originally trained as a nurse at Northwick Park more than 30 years ago and one of her major challenges will be addressing nursing shortages and building a workforce for the future. Lisa said: “I’m keen to be a bridge between our wards and board members along with the other senior nurses. “I’ve been busy visiting wards and meeting staff and patients in recent weeks and am excited to be here. The question that is on my mind every day is what can we do better?”

Your views

A big thank you to @LAS_NorthWest and my amazing colleagues @ LNWH_NHS for looking after my mum today. Words cannot express my thanks to you all.

A selection of your comments from social media

Cancer nurse gets MBE

This is a shoutout to the throughly caring, professional and humorous nurses and specialist at Central Middlesex hospital. I was blown away by your professionalism last week, keep up the amazing work.

I had to have a hysteroscopy recently and have to say that the staff were relaxed happy and very kind and attentive. Thank you all for all the effort and care.

We know you’ll join us in wishing huge congratulations to nurse consultant Claire Taylor, who has received an MBE for her services to colorectal cancer nursing. Claire says: “I really am very honoured and also humbled. A massive thank you to the people who nominated me! “I would also like to thank the amazing team I work with here since I started in 1996.” We’re enormously proud of you, Claire!

David flies in on corporate mission

Windrush Nurses at Central Middlesex Hospital taught me how to nurse and above all how to deliver care that was truly compassionate.

I simply wanted to say a massive thank you to the staff of Northwick Park.. A routine surgery could be very stressful for people, but they respected the whole situation and they made it fun!

A huge thank you to Dr Nagaraju & the team in the trauma unit today when my OH was admitted via ambulance following an RTA. Outstanding care & very thorough checks.

Congratulations to David Searle who is the new Director of Corporate Affairs. David, joins us from Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust where he oversaw its successful application to become a foundation trust. His previous roles include serving in the Royal Navy which included a stint as a helicopter pilot.

Sharin recognised in Health Visiting Awards

Give us your feedback

Patient Experience Team - 020 8869 3638 LNWH-tr.PATIENTEXPERIENCE@nhs.net

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Patient Advice and Liaison Services

@LNWH_NHS

NHS Choices - www.nhs.uk

www.lnwh.nhs.uk

Care Opinion - www.careopinion.org.uk

020 8869 5118 - LNWH-tr.PALS@nhs.net

Well done to Sharin Baldwin who has been awarded 3rd place at the Journal of Health Visiting Awards. Sharin was nominated in the Contributions to Health Visiting Education category for her work on fathers’ mental health and wellbeing.

We value patients’ opinions about how an where we can improve services and one of these approaches is the ‘you said, we did’ initiative. This allows us to action your suggestions. Here’s what we’ve done recently:

Fredrick Salmon ward, Northwick Park • YOU SAID: We would love to have ice cream when we can only eat soft foods after surgery WE DID: Fred Salmon ward has installed a freezer and can now offer ice cream all year round.

• YOU SAID: We need more information and more time in clinic when we are having ultrasound guided steroid injections WE DID: Changed clinic lists to ensure that patients whose treatment needed extra time were booked appropriately.

#LNWHOPENDAY

London North West University Healthcare

NHS Trust

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Our Trust | Issue 11 | Summer 2019

Articles inside

Trust appoints new chief nurse

Hospital radio saved my life

Sophie helps fracture patients’ take a break from hospital