SEPTEMBER 2021
New Royal Hospital Entrance design revealed
Nursing Times Awards 2021 #TeamLUHFT shortlisted in seven categories
Meet our Interim Chief Executive
Contents
3 4 5 6 13 14 15 16
New entrance design revealed Research ambitions of our new NED
8
Organ Donation Week at LUHFT
Dental students shine Vaccine bus tour Doctors tackle COVID-19 on screen Living our Values
10
Clear vision for the future LFC thank Trust’s “community heroes” New Bistro in the Royal Getting to know you…
12
Our Future Together Roadshows
Send us your stories
SEPTEMBER 2021
Is there an award you’ve received, an innovative way your team is working, an inspiring patient experience or a new patient treatment that deserves recognition? Send your stories to communications@liverpoolft.nhs.uk. 2 | LUHFT Life
Over the top support for amazing care
Front cover image: Each month out cover will feature a member of staff who is living our values.
We want our new staff magazine to reflect all the great achievements and inspirational stories from you and your colleagues. Within LUHFT Life we want to showcase the amazing staff, patients, volunteers and partners that make up our organisation and share what’s happening throughout our hospitals.
Meet our Interim Chief Executive
Sir David Dalton joined the Trust in September as our Interim Chief Executive, read more on page 10.
New Royal Hospital Entrance design revealed
Nursing Times Awards 2021 #TeamLUHFT shortlisted in seven categories
Meet our Interim Chief Executive
If you know a colleague who is caring, fair and innovative and would like to feature on our cover, email: communications @liverpoolft.nhs.uk.
* Some photos taken before COVID-19
New entrance design revealed We have brought forward plans to create a ‘podium’ drop-off entrance at the new Royal site, which will help ease access – and is expected to be completed alongside the building in summer 2022. The podium will provide vehicular and pedestrian access to short stay drop-off points and disabled parking close to the north side main entrance. It will provide easier access for patients and minimise potential traffic congestion on routes around the hospital campus.
Our Trust had an opportunity to reassess the build programme and reconfigure aspects of the construction to better suit current and future patient needs. Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is now open and there has been significant progress on the development of the Knowledge Quarter, bringing increased footfall and traffic to the area, so it made sense to bring forward the planned development of the podium, ahead of the opening of the new hospital. As part of this process we have been working closely with all stakeholders and a planning application has been submitted to create a podium entrance accessed off Prescot Street and via Mount Vernon Street to facilitate airport style drop-off and pick-up points. The podium has been submitted for planning to Liverpool City Council and, subject to approval, construction will commence in January 2022 and is expected to complete in summer 2022.
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Research ambitions of our new NED Helping to shape the future of research at LUHFT is just one of the ambitions of new Non-Executive Director, Professor Tom Walley.
Professor Walley has been appointed as a NonExecutive Director and will take on responsibility as Chair of the Research and Innovation Committee and will also become a member of the Quality Committee.
my role with the Trust will really help make a difference, and my experience will help grow research capability within the Trust.”
Improving health outcomes through research is a priority for LUHFT and evidence shows that clinically research active hospitals have better patient care outcomes.
Tom is the Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research at the University of Liverpool. He was previously a consultant at Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust from in 1991 to 2018, and Professor of Clinical Pharmacology. Tom was awarded a CBE for his services to medicine in 2008 and is a life fellow of the British Pharmacology Society and Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Tom said: “I am excited to be joining a Trust which puts such a high value on medical and health research – a value confirmed by the fantastic research response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is such an important time for research and I’m looking forward to collaborating with patients and partners to expand participation in clinical research and innovation opportunities. I hope
Sue Musson, LUHFT Chair, said: “I am delighted that Tom has been appointed by the Council of Governors to join the LUHFT Board. Tom has a wealth of experience and a passion for the application of research in the health service. He will be a great asset as we implement our new strategy which is focused on growing the Trust’s portfolio of high-quality research and innovation and becoming an outstanding centre for research.”
Dental students shine Congratulations to the 67 dental students who passed their final examination this year. Given the extraordinary challenges that we have all faced over the past year, out of 71 students, this is an excellent achievement. It has only been possible through remarkable collaborative working between the staff of the Liverpool School of Dentistry and Liverpool University Dental Hospital. 4 | LUHFT Life
Additionally, the Liverpool School of Dentistry achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 95% in the annual National Student Survey. This was 15% above the average for UK dental schools. A further indicator of the commitment of the whole team at the Dental Hospital to producing dental professionals of the future.
Vaccine bus tour Throughout August our vaccination team were out and about visiting communities on a mobile COVID-19 vaccination bus. To ensure everyone had the opportunity to get their vaccine, LUHFT teamed up with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group to encourage more people within local communities to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. Staffed by vaccinators from our Trust, the bus targeted areas where the take up of the vaccine was lower, providing drop-in appointments for both first and second doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations. Diane Haddock, Associate Director of People (Occupational Health and Wellbeing), is also the Trust’s lead nurse for occupational health. In December 2020, she was the first nurse to vaccinate a patient at the Trust, 92-year-old ex-serviceman, Ray Grist, and is passionate about getting as many people as possible vaccinated. Diane said: “We know there are still large numbers of people unprotected against the virus in Liverpool and wanted to reach out to those who hadn’t taken up the offer of an appointment. “Everyone over age of 18 is now able to come forward for their vaccination, and it’s the best way that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness.” This COVID-19 vaccination bus demonstrates the fantastic collaborative working with our fellow partners in the city. We’re proud to be working together to be able to vaccinate our communities. Staff from Liverpool University Hospitals have already helped to vaccinate over 90,000 people since the programme began, and by supporting the mobile COVID-19 vaccination bus, we hope to reach even more and help protect as many people as possible in our city.
Doctors tackle COVID-19 on screen Our doctors have been using the media in the fight against COVID-19. In an aim to educate the community and help people understand what’s happening within our hospitals, our doctors have been talking to the BBC and radio stations to ensure the right messages are reaching the public. Our Medical Director, Dr Tristan Cope recently spoke to BBC’s Gill Dummighan about the pressure staff are under and the huge demand for care. While Infectious Diseases’ consultant Dr Paul Hine, discussed why Liverpool has one of the lowest rates for vaccinating young people. Additionally, Deputy Medical Director, Dr Paul Fitzsimmons was on Capital FM promoting the COVID-19 vaccination bus and why it’s important we take the vaccine out to community who might struggle to travel.
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LIVING OUR #TeamLUHFT shortlisted at Nursing Times Awards 2021
Congratulations to four of our teams, who have been shortlisted for an amazing seven awards at this year’s Nursing Times Awards 2021! These nominations recognise the incredible work of our colleagues at LUHFT, and that despite one of the toughest years, our staff have adapted in many innovative ways to ensure that quality care continues for our communities. The awards ceremony will take place in October 2021.
Shortlisted teams: Intravenous (IV) team • Shortlisted in Infection Prevention and Control, and Patient Safety Improvement • The IV team at Aintree University Hospital successfully implemented ultrasound guided IV cannulation as a safe, effective alternative to midline insertion in the upper arm for patients with poor IV access. The innovation now reduces the number of failed cannulation attempts, increases first time success rate and improves patient experience.
Endocrine Specialist Nursing team • Shortlisted in Managing Long-term Conditions, Patient Safety Improvement and Promoting Patient Self-management • The Endocrine Specialist Nurses created an innovative and informative ‘Hydrocortisone Emergency Management’ education video for patients with adrenal insufficiency. As face-to-face group education sessions could no longer take place due to COVID-19, the video enabled patients to manage their condition in a timely manner and prevented potential admissions.
Ambulatory Home Ventilation team • Shortlisted in Respiratory Nursing • The Home Ventilation team based at Aintree University Hospital have transformed the way patients start home mechanical ventilation, meaning they no longer need to spend several days as an inpatient at the start of their treatment. This has improved patient experience, and also frees up acute ventilation beds.
Multidisciplinary CPAP team • Shortlisted in HRH The Prince of Wales Award for Integrated Approaches to Care • During COVID-19, a new approach enabled staff from Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and Critical Care to deliver Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) safely and effectively in a ward-based setting – rather than Critical Care. A multi–disciplinary nurse and physio-led enhanced training package was implemented to upskill many nurses to have the knowledge to provide CPAP in other areas, easing pressure on Critical Care.
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VALUES
Congratulations to Ward 4B, Urology, our Team of the Month. The team were presented with their award, following a patient nomination. The patient, who has autism, praised Ward 4B for the excellent care they provided in what was an “unexpected and overwhelming experience” for them. The patient said: “Being on my own in hospital was challenging, but the staff on 4B made sure I was kept informed and well looked after. “If I didn’t understand what the doctors were telling me, the nurses were quick to visit and explain things in ways I would understand. I really appreciated the lengths they went to during my stay.”
Become a Wellbeing Champion Making sure staff are supported is our priority at LUHFT, so we are introducing Wellbeing Champions across the organisation. We know many teams and staff are already engaged in wellbeing initiatives, but the aim is to ensure that all colleagues are aware of the support available to improve mental and physical wellbeing. We are looking for staff from all disciplines, grades and working patterns to volunteer for this role. Which is in addition to your day-to-day work and at the discretion of an individual’s manager. For information email: Sam.Holder@liverpoolft.nhs.uk
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Organ Donation
To highlight the importance of Organ Donation Week, we caught up Transplant Co-ordinator, Michelle Tarpey, to showcase #TeamLUHFT’ We caught up with Alex Warner, a living donor who – despite delays due to COVID-19 – donated her kidney to her mum, Joan Warner, in November 2020 at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
“My mum needed to be stronger before we could undergo a transplant - the consultant noticed that she had a rare genetic condition which affects your blood and immune system, and overtime can damage your kidneys.
“In 2018 when my dad died, we realised there was something seriously wrong with my mum – a trip to A&E the next day discovered she had a rip in her bowel. Surgery was scheduled to stich it back up but on the day I just had this awful feeling,” said Alex.
“It wasn’t until November 2020 that the operation was rescheduled. However, due to the pandemic, staff contacted us regularly through video calls and always provided clear advice and support.
“The bowel surgeon called and said that following her operation, mum would be put on a life-support machine. She then had renal failure and was on a dialysis machine. In a short space of time she’d gone from being perfectly healthy to being seriously ill. “The consultant explained she’d need a kidney donation, and I just said; it’s me I’m the donor. Of course it doesn’t just work that way, you need tests and you need to prepare psychologically. It turned out I was a perfect match.
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“We had three weeks of complete isolation and in incubated rooms in the hospital before the surgery. On 16 November 2020 I was finally able to donate my kidney to my mum. “When I saw mum post-op I could see the instant effects – her eyes were brighter and her skin had changed colour. “The surgery went brilliantly, the kidney was pumping instantly and I was out of hospital in three days and my mum in a week. “We are forever grateful to all the Kidney team at the Royal. If you are thinking of giving then I would encourage you to reach out and do your research. You won’t regret it!”
Week at LUHFT
p with living donor, Alex Warner, and LUHFT Renal ’s incredible work caring for our kidney patients...
I was so pleased to get the opportunity to become part of the transplant team. I’ve always loved the process – from the start to the end of the journey, it’s something amazing, said Michelle Tarpey, Renal Transplant Co-ordinator, who joined the team in July 2021.
“You really get to know your patients. They are going through a life changing experience and it can be a lengthy process, so you need to support them. It’s an emotional and often hard time for the recipient because they know it’s likely someone will die before they can have their transplant.” Michelle first became interested in organ donation when she spent 10 years as a staff nurse in Critical Care at Arrowe Park Hospital. If a patient is suitable to become an organ donor they’re taken to ITU in a controlled environment on a ventilator. “While in Critical Care I worked closely with the specialist nurses for organ donation (snod) and I was really inspired to become more involved. In Critical Care I’d meet families while providing care for their loved ones and I’d see the heart-breaking decisions they had to make. “I then joined the organ donation team at Aintree, where I stayed for three and a half years. It allowed me support families at their worst time and help them feel comfortable with any decision. “There is a thorough assessment before an organ donation checking the donor’s medical history, talking to their families
and GPs - we need to ensure that it’s the best decision for the recipient.” Michelle then became a diabetes specialist nurse for four years at the Royal. She continued: “When the opportunity came up to be part of the transplant team I jumped at the chance. “I’m still learning, but part of my new role is to educate recipients. Some are really positive, while others don’t want to accept that they’re on dialysis. “We need to find out if the recipient is suitable for surgery. They often have complex health concerns, so a transplant isn’t the best option for everyone, and we help patients understand each decision. An organ is a precious resource and needs to be compatible and ensure it will improve their life afterwards.” Michelle, who returned to ITU during COVID-19, added: “We’re keen to get back to the transplant numbers preCOVID-19. Our living donor numbers are still low but it’s all about managing the risk and whether the donor is completely fit and healthy to donate. “Everyone should have a conversation with their family and friends. Make your feelings clear if you would like to donate your organs and it’ll ease any pressure at a difficult time.”
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Meet our Interim Chief Executive
” The people of Liverpool and beyond deserve healthcare that is provided to the highest standard.”
This month we welcomed our new Interim Chief Executive, Sir David Dalton to the Trust. LUHFT Life caught up with him to find out more about his first few weeks. “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to help LUHFT move forward. I’m keen to ensure that this next period will present an opportunity to look to the future and that together we can generate a new sense of stability, purpose and confidence within the Trust – across all its sites and services.
meeting; meet with key partners from across Liverpool city region; attend the Great Care Leadership event and meet with staff from different wards and departments across all sites. The warm welcome that I have received from everyone and the sense of positivity for the future of the Trust has been so encouraging,” said Sir David.
“As I outlined in my first few days, I will endeavour to meet with as many colleagues as possible to find out what are the real challenges that they face, so that we can tackle them together.
Sir David brings with him a wealth of experience within the sector and is well known for his work in quality improvement and patient safety. Previously, he was the chief executive at the Walton Centre for over seven years and then at the Salford Royal for 18 years. At Salford, the trust progressed to become an organisation with an international reputation for safety and quality, gaining an ‘outstanding’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating.
“I’ve already had the opportunity to chair the Trust Management Group; attend my first Council of Governors
“I have a simple philosophy that the people who are best placed to find solutions to problems are the people who
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Sir David Dalton’s three priorities: Purpose: the Trust’s overarching purpose is to deliver outstanding healthcare which is safe, effective and caring. We will launch a new approach to quality improvement and patient safety that will enable this to be achieved. People: the Trust’s ambition and plans can only be achieved with the commitment of the people who work for it. I believe that colleagues will give their best if they feel genuinely involved and supported, and if leaders listen and understand the impediments which can sometimes get in the way of them providing great care. I will work with leaders and staff through the organisations to achieve this. Partners: Liverpool can be stronger if it acts together. I will explore how we can unite with partners, in different ways, to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in the city region.
work every day in our wards and departments who know what prevents them from providing great care. I want to find new ways of giving people the power to make improvements.
fund 12 additional doctors who will help ease pressures at the front of the hospital – I expect this will be the first of many changes that will have a real beneficial impact for our clinical teams.
“When there have been issues identified I believe we should understand them and do our best to think through ways we can resolve them, and it is important that we are open and transparent in doing so.
“The people of Liverpool and beyond deserve healthcare that is provided to the highest standard, and everyone who works for the Trust needs to be supported to provide such care. The commissioning of the long awaited new Royal hospital is a key component of delivering to these high standards, and so I hope my experience of building the new hospital at Salford Royal will be helpful to you.
“I want staff to be comfortable in speaking with me so that I, and executive colleagues, can understand the issues you are facing and be better able to support you. “In my first week I met with staff in both of our emergency departments and listened to what they had to tell me. Since then, the Trust Board has committed its support and has agreed an additional investment of £1.5 million to
“Whilst my time with LUHFT will be relatively short, I believe there is much that we will be able to achieve. My aim will be to focus on three fundamental priorities: the Trust’s purpose, its people and its partners.”
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This hospital and the staff are very close to my heart. Not only did they save my life by diagnosing and treating me for an aggressive type of breast cancer at age 36, they also looked after my grandad in his last months, making him feel comfortable, cared for and happy.
Last year I was hit by a car while cycling to work and this abseil was a massive milestone in my recovery. Raising money for the hospital is my way of saying thank you to all the people that helped me, particularly the Aintree Orthopaedic team who put me back together again!
“Having lost my mum unexpectedly just a couple of years before, they will never know how much that time meant. They are selfless, amazing human beings, changing lives every single day.
“I feel so lucky to be able to participate in such an event, I’m getting stronger every day and will always push my limitations! Phil Ashby
Lisa Hartley I was referred to the Roald Dahl centre for haematology a few years ago. From the very first appointment I received such excellent care at every stage of the journey. Not just the clinical care, but I felt so well supported by the team. “This is to show my appreciation and thankfulness for what they’ve done for me. But beyond that, it’s to make sure that my neighbour, family, friends or people in the community can also access the kind of excellent care that I’ve experienced at the Royal. Jo Dunbar
Over the top support for amazing care Over £10,000 has been raised by patients and their families who want to show their support and appreciation to our hospital staff following their excellent care and treatment. They took on the challenge of abseiling 150ft down from the top of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. 12 | LUHFT Life
Clear vision for the future Limit alcohol Excess alcohol can damage our optic nerves and the communications between our eyes and the brain.
Sun protection Ultraviolet light can lead to cataracts and AMD. Wear sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB light.
National Eye Health Week took place in September. We spoke to Dr Nima Ghadiri, a Consultant in Medical Ophthalmology from St Paul’s Eye Unit, he explains simple ways to safeguard eye health. Dr Ghadiri diagnoses and treats medical eye conditions which are related to full-body illnesses. This holistic field requires a broad understanding of the human body and its relationship to diseases which can affect the eye, and requires training in both eyes and general medicine.
Screen time Every 20 minutes look 20 feet in front of you, for about 20 seconds to give your eyes a rest. Here are his top tips: • Eat and drink healthily: Fatty acids found in fish, nuts and oils are crucial for the general maintenance of eye health, as well as structural support in the eye and helping reduce dry eyes. Green leaf vegetables such as kale and spinach help protect the functional centre, while avocados and whole grain foods have Vitamin B, which is important for health of the retina and the optic nerve. • Stay active: Being physically active reduces risk of sight loss by 58% compared to a sedentary lifestyle. Excess body weight is linked to eye diseases such as Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Type II diabetes remain the leading cause of blindness in adults. • Quit smoking: Smokers are four times more likely to experience sight loss. Toxins in smoke can lead to increased risk of AMD, cataracts, dry eye, disorders of retinal blood vessels, optic nerve damage and thyroid eye disease. For help to quit smoking contact our in-house CURE team on cureteam@liverpoolft.nhs.uk or www.smokefreeliverpool.co.uk/ • Protect your eyes: 30,000 people suffer from injuries due to flying bits of metal or wood when drilling, chiselling and sanding every year in the UK. Wear safety glasses when doing DIY. Don’t forget eye protection if you play sports like squash too.
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LFC thank Trust’s “community heroes” Liverpool Football Club welcomed 22 community heroes to Anfield in August to enjoy the Reds’ friendly fixture against Athletic Club. Among those lucky enough to attend were Dr Debar Rasoul, Medical Registrar; Liz Owens, Ward Manager; Robert Ferguson, Volunteer; Vicki Gibbs and Carol Hills, both Domestics. They were joined by local scientists, supermarket workers and community volunteers to enjoy hospitality in the club’s Carlsberg Lounge as a heartfelt thank you for the work they have done during the pandemic. Liz Owens, who works at the Royal, said: “The past 18 months have been very tough and at times exhausting. I was overwhelmed to be invited to Anfield with my family and we really enjoyed the experience together.” Matt Parish, Chief Executive of LFC Foundation, said: “During the height of the pandemic, local communities relied upon the kindness and bravery of so many people in different key roles across the city and as a club we wanted to thank them wholeheartedly. It was such a pleasure to welcome some of our community heroes to our first game back at Anfield. We are truly grateful for their outstanding contributions to our great city and we hope they enjoyed the day and realise how grateful and proud we are of them for everything they do.” 14 | LUHFT Life
New Bistro in the Royal As we improve the catering options across the Trust, the Bistro has recently opened its doors at the Royal. Staff, patients and visitors can all enjoy the selection of food available from the Bistro, which is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am onwards. Sandra Higgins, Catering Manager, said: “We’re keen to provide staff with a variety of menu choices across all our sites, so it’s lovely to be able to open the Bistro which will offer breakfast and lunch options, as well as pastry and cakes. “We’re also currently refurbishing the café within the Linda McCartney centre, so keep a look out for the great selection of vegetarian and vegan food choices that are coming soon and will be available within the Royal.”
Getting to know you… This month we spoke to Terence Harris, Head of Health, Safety and Fire, who explained how a fall into a cage changed his career path and his guilty pleasure is watching Housewives of Beverly Hills! What are the standout highlights or experiences? Due to the procedures and processes I’ve developed and implemented as part of the COVID-19 response, I was asked to present at a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) webinar and have been published in professional magazines. I’m currently preparing a speech for an upcoming conference as one of six most influential safety professionals being interviewed in the UK. What are your hobbies outside of work? Since lockdown, I’ve found myself baking a lot, I find it very relaxing. What’s your favourite thing about Liverpool / Merseyside? I have to say the people are very friendly, nothing is too much trouble. But also the dock front where I’ve lived for six years, I often take a walk along the docks in the evening. What’s your favourite restaurant or café? If I had to choose one, it would be Mowgli on Bold Street. How long have you worked in our hospitals? I’ve worked for the NHS for 21 years, starting as a phlebotomist before landing a full time job as a Health Care Assistant on Ward 25, Rheumatology. I was there for three years, before joining the Emergency Department as a Clinical Support Worker at Aintree working for Angie Slade and Nicki Green, working twilight shifts in Minor Injuries. All while studying for a degree at Liverpool John Moores in the day. My big break came when I was offered a position as health and safety manager at another Trust, and after further study, this led me to my current role at LUHFT coving all sites. Did you always want to work in healthcare? I studied marketing at college but quickly fell out of love with it. My mum, who is a Staff Nurse at LUHFT, told me about a vacancy as a phlebotomist. I got the job and fell in love with the hospital. My career in health and safety started when I fell into a cage walking along the corridor!
What’s your favourite film or song? I’m a massive Marvel fan! You win the lottery, what’s your dream holiday? This one’s a bit cliché but I’d love to go on safari in Africa. You’re stranded on an island, what three items would you want with you? Coffee, Swiss Army Knife, iPad to catch up on Housewives of Beverly Hills! (My guilty pleasure!)
What does your role involve? I lead a team of fire safety, health and safety and manual handling specialists. I am the organisational lead for health and safety and fire and I am responsible for ensuring the Trust continues to meet and comply with UK Legal requirements. What’s your favourite thing about your job? The variety, I can honestly say that no two days are ever the same. My team and I, like most departments, have been incredibly challenged over the past 18 months with the pandemic, learning new skills and resurrecting old ones from my days working in public health. I take great pride knowing the work I do actually makes a real difference to the safety and welfare of patients and colleagues. LUHFT Life | 15
