LUHFT Life - December 2022

Secretary of State visit Health Secretary praises staff during visit to Royal Celebrating our overseas nurses

Recognising the strength of our workforce through diversity

Your staff award winners

Health Secretary praises staff during visit to Royal

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, praised staff at the Trust during a visit to the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Steve was joined by Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England, for a tour of the hospital, where they met with staff on the Critical Care Unit and Ward 4D, who showcased some of the new ways of working in the hospital, which are helping to improve patient care.

They were joined by the Trust’s Chair, Sue Musson, and Chief Executive, James Sumner, and the Royal’s Hospital Leadership Team: Dan Grimes, Dr Oliver Zuzan and Samantha Westwell.

The Health Secretary also held a private engagement session with a small group of staff from across the Trust, to talk about their experiences working within the NHS and describe the pressures they are facing.

James Sumner, Chief Executive of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I was pleased to welcome Steve and Amanda to our fantastic new hospital, to showcase the great work our staff are doing every day to care for our patients.

“The visit also enabled us to talk honestly about some of the pressures health and social care systems are facing, and how we can continue to work together to provide the best care possible to the communities we serve.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “The hospital’s new facilities will improve care for patients across the city, I am delighted to see the facility open for patients and staff.”

Supporting patients to return home

In an aim to reduce the length of stay for patients and get them back to their residence, we’ve opened a nurse and therapy-led Reablement Assessment Hub at Broadgreen Hospital.

This 23-bed ward is designed for patients who require ongoing assessment and intervention before being discharged.The team are encouraging patients to be dressed and engaged in activity during the day and continue the patients’ rehabilitation, reablement and discharge planning already started on the acute site.

Jenny Taylor, Broadgreen Hospital Director of Nursing, said: “This approach supports improvement in the quality of life for our patients, and also supports the community care system by reducing the number of patients requiring residential care.

“We have an excellent team of nurses and therapists who work with patients to provide the treatment and therapy they need to be able to return to their residence. By encouraging patients to get dressed and move about it gives them confidence, which supports their recovery.

“The reablement pathway helps patients re-learn how to do daily activities, and in turn aims to reduces the number of discharge pathways a patient will experience.

“The results in the first month, after admitting 42 patients, are demonstrating this reablement pathway is working, as 21.4% of our discharged patients have seen a reduction in their discharge pathways.”

To ensure the most suitable patients are benefitting from this new service they are being selected from our current ‘Ready for Discharge’ list.

Aintree's Frailty Assessment Unit moves to support patient pathways

The Frailty Assessment Unit has now moved into Ward 28B (formerly SAU). The unit supports both ambulatory and inpatient pathways. The Frailty Unit will remain in this area until the long-term Estate plan is complete and they relocate into the current Clinic A&B area at the front of Aintree Hospital.

New LCL services set to enhance patient care

Phlebotomy has now moved into the Royal hospital. The service is currently working to expand the Simply Book system used at the Aintree site, for use on Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen sites too. Use of Simply Book also means patient access to phlebotomy services will be provided from one point of contact, for ease and simplicity, improving patient experience.

The Royal hospital is now equipped with a state-of-the-art pneumatic POD system. This allows samples to be transported to the lab quickly and efficiently, contributing to the improved turnaround times for results. The system is also connected to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, meaning patients can attend clinic and have much needed chemotherapy the same day.

The LCL Point of Care Team (POCT) has grown over the last four years and now supports 50 blood gas machines, over 1000 glucose meters across Merseyside, over 50 urinalysis devices, 15 Ketone meters and 15 urine pregnancy. The team is constantly looking for new, innovative ways to support LUHFT’s clinical teams.

Over the last three years, LCL have introduced Point of Care COVID testing in A&E at the Royal and Aintree sites to support the patient flow. Brand new gas machines have been installed along with an improved POCT IT system, enabling LCL to connect all gas machines in LUHFT to standardise the service provided, ensuring results are recorded in the patient records.

New Royal leaves a great first and lasting impression on patients

Our first inpatient, 79-year-old Marjorie Sharkey, was ecstatic when she arrived at her ward in the new Royal Hospital, discovering she could watch Coronation Street in the comfort of her single, ensuite room. Having previously had no television to watch her soaps, and a communal toilet and bedroom space, Marjorie could now enjoy some home comforts from her new hospital bed. Marjorie’s praise for our new building has been echoed by outpatients.

June Pinto from Mosley Hill said: “It is a fabulous facility for our city. Everyone involved in its opening should be proud. You can see the thought that has gone into where departments are located. It is fantastic.”

Sue Taylor from Liverpool said: “I’ve been a patient at the Royal for a very long time. There could not be a greater contrast from the old hospital. The new building is so airy and bright. And seeing the new theatres and how they all connect and work together was very exciting.”

This year’s Our Future Together Staff Awards 2022 was a fantastic celebration of the outstanding achievements of our staff across the whole Trust, including those who deliver exceptional service, live the Trust values, and work together to support patients and fellow colleagues.

This year, new awards were handed out for those who represent our values with The Care Award, The Fairness Award and the Innovation Award. For the first time this year, hospital heroes were also awarded for The Leading Light Award as well as other returning categories including Trust Safety, Employee of the Year, Team of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and the Patient’s Champion award, voted for by patients, families, members of the public and Foundation Trust members.

Congratulations to all our winners at this year’s Our Future Together Awards 2022 and to all of those who were nominated and shortlisted.

Your Winners 2022

The Innovation AwardDr Rajiv Sankaranarayanan and the Heart Failure Service

Employee of the YearMaria Thomas

Patient’s ChampionDeclan Dunne and team

The Fairness AwardInternational Nurse OSCE Training Team

Team of the YearVentilation Inpatient Centre

Volunteer of the Year AwardJim Moubray and Rosie the therapy dog

Chief Executive AwardIntegration and New Hospital Team

Leading Light AwardJenny Foster Trust Safety AwardMedicine Management Team

The Care AwardMajor Trauma

Healthcare Support Workers’ Day 2022

Healthcare Support Workers’ Day recognises and celebrates the contribution of healthcare support workers (HCSW) across the Trust.

To mark the occasion, the Corporate Nursing Team prepared a virtual awards ceremony to shine a light on our HCSWs who go the extra mile to deliver the best possible care to our patients. There were four winners for each site for the following categories: Band 2 HCA of the Year, Band 3 HCA of the Year, Assistant Practitioner of the Year, and Rising Star of the Year.

HCSWs were also treated to a day of pamper treatments which includes Indian head massage, reiki and reflexology.

The Trust were also able to hold a virtual careers clinic delivered by the Apprenticeship, TNA, and Learning and Development teams. It was an opportunity for HCSWs to ask questions and explore their career pathway, learning how we as a Trust can help in their development.

The day was a fantastic opportunity to recognise and reward the vital work of our Healthcare Support Workers.

Celebrating our Overseas Nurses

In November, we celebrated our Overseas Nurses to recognise the vital role they play in improving the health and wellbeing of our patients.

To mark the occasion, 250 guests and nurses from many countries came together at St George’s Hall, Liverpool. It was an opportunity for people to share their experiences, celebrate the profession and highlight the strength of the workforce through diversity.

Amongst those taking part in the event was nurse Tashi Lhamo, who travelled to Liverpool in 2011. Tashi, said: “I was born and raised in the South East of India but my parents are from Tibet. I am the first Tibetan to work in the Royal. I completed my nurse training in 2008 and worked for two years and then got an opportunity to further my studies. I came to the UK on a student visa in 2010 and completed my Masters Degree in 2011.

“In 2015, I joined the Trust as an HCA which allowed me to get on the right track. I’m now Deputy Ward Manager!”

Nurse, Rijomon Varkey, from India, highlighted: “Getting a job here is just the beginning. There is plenty of opportunities to develop.”

The celebration also included performances of songs and dance from around the world and many of the nurses wore traditional attire to their country of origin.

Celebrating Transgender Awareness Week with Butterfly Clinic

To honour Transgender Awareness Week, we spoke to Laura Rose and Hayley Holloway from Butterfly, a dedicated sexual health service for transgender and non-binary people run by Axess Sexual Health. We discuss how and why the clinic was founded, the best things about working in the team and look forward to plans for Butterfly’s future.

What is Butterfly, and where is it based?

Butterfly is a sexual health clinic for trans and non-binary folk. Based on David Lewis Street on Mondays and at The Arch in Knowsley, it is the only clinic of its kind in the North of England.

How did Butterfly start and why?

Butterfly started in 2019. Previously, we had trans patients visit our regular sexual health service and it got us wondering how we could improve the patient journey for them. We went onto engage with the trans community and after a lot of collaborative working to understand the barriers that trans people face, the clinic opened – our patients even chose the name Butterfly. Last year, we also opened to nonbinary patients.

What services do Butterfly offer?

At Butterfly we offer full sexual health screens, PEP and PrEP discussion, vaccine administration and cervical cytology to name a few. A full list of services can be found at axess.clinic!

How are Butterfly celebrating trans awareness week?

This week, we launched our walk-in service in Liverpool City Centre, making it even easier for trans patients to get the help they need. We are also working collaboratively with gender dysphoria clinical service C-MAGIC at our Hanover location on Mondays – this bridging method means more advice and better care is available to patients. Our social media will also mark the occasion, too!

And finally, what are the future plans for Butterfly?

We aim to open a Butterfly clinic in every one of our Axess areas (Cheshire East, Warrington and Halton).

For more information, including contact information, times and locations, visit: www.axess.clinic/ services/butterfly-clinic.

The power of donation

During Organ Donation Week 2022 in September, we shared the story of a retired firefighter whose life was transformed after receiving a kidney from his daughter. In November 2021, Kirsty Poole underwent surgery at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital to donate her kidney to her father, Alan Jones, who has chronic kidney disease.

Mum-of-two Kirsty said: “The whole family had a lot to gain from a successful transplant. Dialysis would have been life-altering – and my parents deserved a second chance at life, to have their independence back. They’ve done so much for our family. I have no regrets donating my kidney. I’d do it again tomorrow.”

Alan had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in his mid-20s and until two years ago led a normal life. When the 68-year-old’s kidney function severely deteriorated he was told his best chance of a long-term quality of life was to receive a kidney from a living donor.

Kirsty discussed the prospect with her husband, Lee, who works as a consultant in critical care at the Royal, and had a chat with living donor co-ordinator, Ann Strong. After a tissue type blood test came back as a great match, she spoke to her parents about the idea – who were taken aback by their daughter’s decision. She said: “They were anxious but pleased. But I wanted to do it, so we proceeded with all the investigations, scans and blood tests. After about six months we were told it was definitely doable and my dad tested well enough to receive the transplant. I remember Ann calling me at work and giving me a date that was three weeks later. It suddenly felt very real.”

The surgery went well, and Alan is recovering and back to doing the things he loves. The effects of renal failure had prevented him from walking longer distances, or gardening without significant fatigue, but now the grandfather has his life back on track.

Mr Sanjay Mehra, Clinical Lead and Consultant Transplant Surgeon, said: “Although the new organ donation law was adopted in 2020 so that adults are ‘opted-in’ to organ donation unless they state otherwise, the family wishes are still taken into consideration before any decision is made. It’s so important that you share your wishes with your loved ones, so they are clear on your views.”

On average, only a third of transplants are from living donors – yet receiving a kidney from a living donor has many advantages over deceased kidney donation.

Typically, as the kidney has come from someone who is fit and well, it works almost straight away and lasts longer for its recipient. There is also a shorter wait for the transplant as someone has come forward, compared to the average three year wait from a deceased donor.

What is living donation?

I have no regrets donating my kidney. I’d do it again tomorrow.

LIVING OUR VALUES

Our values are 'the way we do things around here'. They are the very core of who we are, for every colleague, patient and individual who comes into contact with us. Our values enable us to work together more effectively and to deliver great patient care more consistently. We see examples of our values in practice on a daily basis, and each month we will celebrate individuals or teams who are clearly caring, fair and innovative.

Improving quality in Liver Services

The Liverpool Liver Unit has become the first team in the North of England to receive the coveted IQILs Level 2 accreditation, the highest level of accreditation.

The award recognises and accredits teams who demonstrate the highest standard of services for liver patients and is the culmination of years of hard work from the LUHFT team.

“We’re delighted to receive the IQILs level 2, as recognition of the fantastic work that the team are doing” said Helen Caldwell, Nurse Consultant in Hepatology.

“I’m really proud that the assessors recognised some of the innovative ways of working within the service, from new patient pathways to the brilliant work of the multidisciplinary team and our Clinical Nurse Specialists. They also noted our work with the homeless during COVID-19 where we were able to engage with previously very hard to reach patients to improve their access to care.

“We’ve already started developing our next five year plan for how we can continue to improve things for liver patients in Liverpool.”

Tree planted to mark Queen’s legacy at Broadgreen

LUHFT and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital have received a special tree from The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) “Tree of Trees” initiative.

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital, join over 300 organisations from across the UK which were recently announced by the QGC as recipients of these special trees in The Queen’s name.

Presented by Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, the tree was planted on 25 October 2022 adjacent to the main entrance on the Broadgreen Hospital site.

The tree becomes part of the living legacy in honour of Her Majesty, joining over a million trees already planted across the UK as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

Sue Musson, Chair of LUHFT, said: “I am delighted that our work to promote a greener environment has been recognised in this way. It is an honour to have been chosen to receive one of these special trees, which will stand as a tribute to The Queen’s legacy at our hospital site for years to come.”

VALUES

Running for wellbeing

Congratulations to Dr Nikhil Sharma, Divisional Medical Director for Medicine at Broadgreen, for completing the 2022 London Marathon in aid of the LUHFT staff wellbeing fund.

On 2 October, Dr Sharma completed his run raising an incredible £1,605 via his Just Giving page.

“Over the course of the last few years I've seen our staff constantly going above and beyond for the good of our patients”, he said. “We thought the pandemic was going to be difficult and staff literally put their lives on the line to care for our community. Since then, the situation has remained challenging, but our staff have risen to the occasion every time.

“I'm proud to work in Liverpool and with such incredible, brave colleagues. That's why I wanted to train for and run this marathon - to raise some money to invest back into our staff's wellbeing.

“Every single person that works for our organisation deserves the best we can offer.”

£1,605

raised in aid of the LUHFT staff wellbeing fund

Patient’s mother praises dental team for great care

After being selected by a patient for Team of the Month, the Surgical Day Bed Unit for Oral Surgery, received their awards from our Chair Sue Musson.

The patient’s mother commended the team for their outstanding experience whilst at the Dental Hospital and recognised them for being caring and wonderful.

The nomination letter says: “When my daughter attended her surgery she was made to feel so welcome and the procedure was explained so clearly. I was able to stay with her whilst she was put under anaesthetic, which made the whole experience less stressful for us both. I was also kept fully informed of my daughter’s progress throughout surgery and afterwards she was observed so closely by the caring staff team who did all that they could to care for her and her wellbeing.”

Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year

Thank you to all colleagues for your dedicated and committed work throughout the year.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023 from all of the Trust Board.

Musson, Chair James Sumner, Chief Executive

Sue