LUHFT Life - issue 2

AUGUST 2021

Learning what you love Nursing associate journey

Meet your Staff Governors Giving you a voice

Investing £15m at Aintree

Welcome W

elcome to the second issue of our staff magazine, LUHFT Life.

This edition demonstrates that despite the ongoing pressures that our hospitals are under, when we work together we can achieve so much. I am incredibly proud of all colleagues for their resilience and dedication to our patients.

This month we have opened nominations for the Our Future Together Staff Awards, so if you know of a team or individual that has delivered outstanding work this year, or who really stands out for living our values of being caring, fair and innovative, make sure that they are recognised by nominating them for an award.

We have also welcomed our new cohort of junior doctors to the Trust. On page 15 you can learn a bit more about Dr Rachael Ellks, who is part of our Medical Education team and provides invaluable support to our juniors during their time with us.

Our ongoing city-wide campaign against COVID-19 continues and in this issue you can find out more about the work we are doing at the vaccine hub based at the Pier Head.

Additionally, our role in the early stages of the pandemic has been acknowledged nationally at a special service of commemoration and thanks giving that some of our infectious diseases’ colleagues attended on the NHS’ 73rd birthday. Held in London, it recognised the commitment and continuous hard work NHS colleagues have demonstrated throughout the pandemic.

Finally, in our commitment to further developing our estate, this month we opened the refurbished main entrance, which is part of Aintree Hospital’s £15 million development – find out more on page 10.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of LUHFT Life!

Chief Executive

Send us your stories

AUGUST 2021

We want our new staff magazine to reflect all the great achievements and inspirational stories from you and your colleagues.

Within LUHFT Life we’ll be covering key Trust priorities but we also want to showcase the amazing people that make up our organisation and share what’s happening throughout our hospitals.

Is there an award you’ve gained, 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

Learning what you love Nursing associate journey

Meet your Staff Governors Giving you a voice

Investing £15m at Aintree

Front cover image: Each month our cover will feature a member of staff who is living our values.

Festus Taylor, Training Nurse Associate at Aintree, is building on his skills with the aim of becoming a registered nurse to provide our patients with quality care. Read more on page 11.

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

Opening the new vaccination centre is Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, alongside (L-R) Steve Warburton, CEO, Debbie Herring, Chief People Officer and Diane Haddock, Associate Director of People (Occupational Health and Wellbeing), from LUHFT and Dr Fiona Lemmens, Chair of NHS Liverpool CCG.

Waterfront vaccines

In an aim to be more accessible for people to get their COVID-19 vaccination, we’re now supporting a new site at the Pier Head and have closed the Royal Liverpool vaccination hub.

“The staff and volunteers at the Royal Hospital site have been amazing with almost 50,000 doses of vaccine administered there since December 2020. But as they move back to carrying out more routine care, we need to say a massive thanks to everyone involved and look to this new facility to take over the baton,” said Jayne Wood, Director of Vaccination and Testing for the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership.

Many of our vaccination teams will be continuing to support the community at the new hub, which is a joint collaboration

between our Trust, Liverpool CCG and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and is supported by Mersey Travel.

Together this demonstrates our role as an anchor institution within the city and the wider impact we can have within the community that we serve.

With everyone from the age of 18 now being invited for their vaccination, the new site is expected to be extremely popular – it’s open seven days a week and offers walk-in and booked appointments. It’s designed to administer around 600 jabs every day - the same as the hospital facility it is replacing.

You can book an appointment at the Mersey Ferries centre via the NHS website or by calling 119.

The Aintree Vaccination Hub remains open too.

Bringing a wealth of experience to new role Congratulations to Prof Christopher Holcombe who has been appointed as Medical Director for the Division of Specialist Medicine.

Chris is a breast surgeon who has worked as a consultant in Liverpool since 1996. He’s held many clinical leadership roles at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, across Merseyside and Cheshire as well as nationally.

These include: Clinical Director for Breast and Endocrine surgery, Clinical Director for Cellular Pathology, Cancer Lead for the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Chair of Hospital Medical Board for the Royal and LUHFT, Medical Director for the Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network, deputy chair of NHS England’s Breast Clinical Expert Group. Chris is also currently president of the Association of Breast Surgery.

As an active researcher and triallist, with particular expertise in window of opportunity

studies in breast cancer, he currently chairs the iBRANetwork for the rapid and safe innovation of new techniques and devices within breast surgery.

Chris brings his wide range of experience to the Division of Specialist Medicine and is looking forward to working with a hugely committed team at this very challenging time.

Outside of work Chris has four children, seven grandchildren, is actively involved in his local church and likes to get away to the Pembrokeshire beaches and Scottish mountains whenever possible.

Prof Christop her Holcombe LUHFT Life | 3

Special service for dedication On the 73rd birthday of the NHS, three members of our High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) team attended a special service of commemoration and thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Maz and Suzanne at St Paul’s Cathedral

Angela Gillespie and Maz Hoyle in their HCID PPE at the sta rt of the pandem ic

Hosted by NHS England, they joined 80 other NHS colleagues, as well as NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens, NHS Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis and England’s Chief Nurse Ruth May at the service which recognised the dedication and commitment of all those who have played their part in combating coronavirus.

“I was so overwhelmed by the nomination and opportunity to attend this amazing event. Although the three of us attended, we were representing the Infectious Diseases department at the Trust as a whole. We were honoured to be part of such a special occasion,” said Maz Hoyle, Infectious Diseases Advanced Nurse Practitioner, who went with Matrons Suzanne Marshall and Angela Gillespie.

Surprise call from Liverpool FC superstar Thanks to his five-year-old daughter, Lee McNeil, from our endoscopy administration team enjoyed a surprise one-on-one chat with Liverpool Football Club’s superstar midfielder, Thiago Alcantara.

Thea wanted to celebrate her dad, who is being treated for rectal cancer, so wrote to the club to ask if he could have a surprise, saying: “I don’t really like football, but my dad loves it. He’s the best daddy in the world.

Even when he’s tired, he tucks me into bed and stays with me until I’m fast asleep. He deserves a surprise for everything he does for me.”

LFC teamed up with NIVEA MEN to arrange the surprise video call between Thiago and Lee, who had no idea what was happening until he was shouted by his fiancée, Amanda, who he met at the Royal whilst they were both working in the pharmacy team.

“When I first saw Thiago, I was completely taken aback! I’ve been a season ticket holder since I was about eight. To see one of your heroes like that – it’s just amazing,” said Lee.

4 | LUHFT Life

The team were some of the first NHS colleagues in the country to care for a positive COVID-19 patient, as the specialist unit at the Royal is one of only five HCID Treatment Centres in England.

The expert team assisted at the quarantine centre at Arrowe Park Hospital, where British citizens who had been repatriated from Wuhan as well as passengers from the affected Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan were staying in isolation.

Steve Warburton, Chief Executive, said: “I am incredibly proud of all our staff. The challenges they have had to overcome this year whilst providing outstanding patient care is nothing short of inspiring.

“Our Infectious Diseases team played a huge role in how we responded as a Trust to COVID, and it’s great news that Maz, Suzanne and Angela were invited to this special service to represent the team. The recognition is very well deserved.”

Inspiring the

In July we won the Standout Partnership Award at the DFN Project SEARCH 2021 Spotlight Awards

next generation

I’ve wanted to work in healthcare for a while - my dad used to work at Alder Hey. I’ve really enjoyed my internship here at Liverpool University Hospitals; it’s been a great experience and I’ve liked getting know different people.

Charlie Martin

Charlie Martin, aged 22, is one of 12 young people from Greenbank College in Aigburth who have been taking part in a full-time internship across our sites. He has spent the last year working in the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) at Broadgreen Hospital and with the portering team.

DFN Project SEARCH is an international programme designed to help support young people with learning disabilities and autism gain marketable skills that will help them to be work ready.

For Joel Harris, he has really enjoyed working in the Health and Safety Department at Aintree University Hospital. The 24-yearold has been helping the team with data handling, audits and inspections around the hospital. Joel said:

My favourite part of the internship has been getting out around the site on the inspections. Health and safety is a priority for all; patients, staff and visitors.

I’m very passionate about it and I would like to apply for a job in the sector after this experience. I’d recommend the internship to anyone.

Jenny Darlington, Health and Safety Advisor and Joel’s mentor, said:

Hearing about how much Joel has enjoyed his placement with us and what he has learnt (on top of his already exceptional knowledge in our area!), has made me burst with pride. His confidence has grown massively and is noticeable to all of us. I couldn’t be prouder of this young man and I can’t promote this amazing supported internship project highly enough.

The next group of students will be starting their internships in September, and we are looking for departments who would like to host an intern.

If you would like to find out more information on becoming a mentor, email: Annette.Pollitt@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

LUHFT Life | 5

LIVING OUR 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 caring, fair and innovative.

Honoured by the Queen Dr Lisa Spencer, Consultant Respiratory Physician, has been honoured with an MBE for services to the NHS during COVID-19.

We spoke to Dr Lisa Spencer to find out about some of the work she did during the pandemic which led to her being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

“I feel extremely honoured and proud. It was a complete (but wonderful) surprise when I found out. The most joyous thing for me though, has been the reactions of my colleagues who have been so supportive regarding my award. It really does seem to have cheered up a lot of people, it has been amazing. I would like to thank them all for their kind words of support,” said Lisa.

The award was to recognise work Lisa did, not only locally but nationally too. Working in difficult times, making key decisions and changing national guidance that saved lives and improved care for respiratory patients.

“Alongside my usual role as a Lung Consultant at Aintree, which like many colleagues involved doing extra on-call duties and work. I also ran our Regional Liverpool Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) service single-handedly during the pandemic.

We are the only centre in Merseyside and Cheshire where our patients can access certain drugs, so I had to keep things going for our patients.

“I also hold several national roles, Honorary Secretary for the British Thoracic Society, committee member representing

6 | LUHFT Life

ILD nationally on the Clinical Reference Group (CRG) for Specialised Respiratory Medicine. I represent respiratory medicine on the Royal College of Physicians medical specialities committee.

“During COVID I was part of publishing over 30 separate national guidance documents on various aspects of COVID-19 care. These were important because no one knew what to do – our messaging needed to be consistent to avoid confusion.

I wrote the rapid national NICE guidance for management of ILD during COVID-19. I negotiated changes in prescribing rules for antifibrotic drugs nationally, to enable ILD services to function more effectively during the pandemic.

“I got vulnerable IPF patients added to the shielding lists, so they would be protected and have access to an early vaccine.

These actions are believed to have saved lives.

Many people have done amazing things throughout the pandemic. I am proud to call myself a chest doctor after our speciality’s response. And yes…

I hardly slept for months!

VALUES Joint effort to support asthma patients Great news for our respiratory colleagues, as their collaboration project has been shortlisted for two awards at this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards!

The project, which developed specialist asthma care for patients identified as having high-risk asthma, involved staff from Liverpool University Hospitals, The Innovation Agency, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Primary Care Knowsley.

Leading the way

The project has been shortlisted in both the Primary Care Initiative of the Year and Best Use of Integrated Care and Partnership Working in Patient Safety categories.

Respiratory Consultant, Dr Hassan Burhan, and clinical lead for the Liverpool Asthma Programmes, (pictured) said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award which recognises the collaborative efforts and dedication of our staff members over the last 12 months to successfully implement the proactive management of asthma.

“We know that deaths from respiratory disease in our area are 42 per cent higher than the national average and we are committed to reducing that. To be shortlisted among the other incredible nominees is a wonderful achievement.”

Winners will be announced at the Patient Safety Congress and Awards in Manchester in September 2021.

Supporting Radiology Senior leader, Dan Ordidge, Head of Operations for Imaging, recognises the importance of leadership visibility and is now offering drop-in sessions for staff in the Radiology Department to listen and act on the views of his department.

“I’m hoping this process will promote psychological safety as part of our team ethos, by ensuring that colleagues have an opportunity to speak up.

“I will be out and about, as well as virtually listening to colleagues’ opinions to ensure staff have a say on how the team work together to deliver outstanding healthcare,” said Dan. If you work in Radiology and want to book a slot contact Amanda.woodward@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

Shirley Pringle, our Research Matron at Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, has become the first research nurse appointed to a senior position by National Institute for Health Research, Clinical Research Network: North West Coast.

Shirley is now the Sub-Speciality Lead for Head and Neck Cancer, a role which will see her drive for a continuous pipeline of high-quality research studies and the capacity to deliver these successfully in the NHS.

Shirley said:

It is an honour and privilege to be appointed to this position, particularly as I’m the first nurse to hold this post.

LUHFT Life | 7

Your governors, your voice As a Foundation Trust, our staff, local partners, organisations and community representatives are at the heart of our decision making.

This enables us to respond to the needs of local people and the region.

Giving you a voice...

Our Council of Governors ensure our hospitals meet the needs of our community and gather the views of the Trusts members to give them a voice at the highest level of the organisation. They also appoint the Chair, non-executive directors, and auditors, and are able to challenge the decisions of the Board of Directors.

Our hospitals are managed by the Trust Board which consists of executive directors and non-executive directors.

We have 29 people who sit on our Council of Governors, and they are an integral part of the structure as they hold the non-executive directors to account.

How to contact your staff governors It is vital that staff members are providing feedback to their staff governor.

You can contact your staff governor on Governors@liverpoolft.nhs.uk with any queries you would like putting forward to the Board of Directors.

YOUR STAFF GOVERNORS: Medical practitioners and dentists

AHPs, scientists and technicians

Nursing

Dr Bhavna Kalpesh Pandya

Fiona Daglish

Kelly Hughes

Dr Emma Walker

Sarah Dyson

Peter Halliday

8 | LUHFT Life

Getting to know your Lead Governor, Andrew Moran Before moving to Liverpool, I grew up in Stokeon-Trent as the second of four siblings. In 2002 I relocated to begin a PhD at The University of Liverpool, where I have worked as a research associate since completing my studies.

Shortly after arriving here, I fell in love both with the city and the people of Liverpool. In 2011 I met my future husband and we now live together with our rescue dog Penny and two cats, Ned and Tywin.

I was a public governor for Aintree Hospital, preLUHFT, and wanted to continue to support the Trust, the staff, members and patients so was happy to stand as a public governor in the City North constituency.

I stood for lead governor in order to represent the Council of Governors in the formative years of

LUHFT. My role is that of a link between the Council and the Trust. I’ve represented governors on interview panels and the deputy lead governor and I have a monthly meeting with the Chair and company secretary where any relevant questions or points from governors are raised.

Staff governors are a crucial part of the Council of Governors. They are our eyes and ears on the ground and their involvement allows the Council to triangulate information that we receive from the Board, members and patients.

The experience of staff governors is invaluable, giving a current perspective from the staff to the Board, through the Council of Governors that would not otherwise be possible.

Other non-clinical staff

ELECTION TIME

Be part of something exciting!

Become a staff governor for Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

As a staff member, you can stand in our upcoming election to become a governor.

Joanne Pepper

Our governors are ambassadors for the Trust, represent the views of other staff members and influence how decisions are made and services are developed.

Starting in October 2021, we will be holding elections for seats in the following areas: •

Allied Health Professionals, Scientists and Technicians – 1 seat

•

Medical Practitioners and Dentists – 1 seat

•

Other non-clinical staff – 1 seat Contact the Corporate Governance Team for further details or to register your interest: Corporate.Governance@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

Angela McShane

LUHFT Life | 9

First phase of Aintree’s £15m investment The first phase of £15 million work to rejuvenate Aintree University Hospital, creating a new main entrance and upgrading the Tower Block is complete and officially opened.

Steve Warburton, LUHFT’s Chief Executive, was joined by Metro Mayor for Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, who marked the event with a ribbon cut.

Access to the entrance has been improved and the renovation has given the hospital a contemporary feel, allowing patients and staff to benefit from cleaner, simpler, and safer drop-off facilities.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

As somebody who has represented the area around the hospital, first as a councillor, then a Member of Parliament and now as metro mayor, I’m delighted to be able to cut the ribbon today.

This £15m investment will give patients and visitors a much friendlier welcome and it’s fantastic to see that it comes with lots of environmental benefits too.

This work is part of the Trust’s commitment to improving patient experience and investing in the quality of healthcare facilities available at the hospital.

The work is part of a wider £22.5 million investment programme to refurbish Aintree’s Tower block, which holds 480 beds, and provide improvements to the Emergency Department. The improvements to the Tower Block will make patients more comfortable, with improved insulation, solar reflection and natural ventilation to help manage temperatures all year round for patients and staff on the wards.

Steve Warburton, Chief Executive, said:

The Tower Block development is great news for our patients and staff. The improvements will extend its lifespan by 30 years and is also a vote of confidence in the hospital and the vital role it plays for the city region’s NHS services.

Our staff work hard to provide high-quality care for our patients, and it is important that our buildings support and reflect this.

10 | LUHFT Life

Artwork outside new entrance

Sculptor, Sam Shendi was commissioned to create an installation for the Trust. The colourful attraction can be seen from the entrance of the hospital and represents a metamorphic journey of change.

Learning

what you love Since our first cohort of Training Nurse Associates (TNA) in 2017, we now have 45 qualified band 4 NAs across the Trust. To find out more about the university-based training programme and the role of a TNA, we caught up with Festus Taylor, who’s learning the ropes on Ward 29 at Aintree.

“Everyone calls me Fez, just like Tommy Cooper’s hat, which is always a good icebreaker with patients!” Fez says smiling.

“I’d been working as an HCA at Aintree for just over a year when the role of the TNA became available and my ward manager at the time recommended I apply. I have always been a progressive person, however having kids meant I was unable to attend university full-time to study nursing, so this was an ideal opportunity for me.

“I began my training, which takes 24 months, as part of the September 2020 cohort. The role is designed to bridge the gap between a health care assistant and registered nurses. For me personally, it has given me a better understanding of how to provide person-centred, holistic care to our patients and build a bridge between patients and other multi-disciplinary

teams (MDT). It has been a real highlight for me to have the opportunity to work alongside some amazing MDTs on several occasions.”

Fez, whose long-term goal is to become a fully registered nurse as well as develop supported living projects in the community for people with complex care needs, added: “If you’re thinking of becoming a TNA, I think it is safe to say it is not as easy as it seems. You will have to work hard and stay committed to the course, knowing that your hard work will definitely pay off.

“It’s a very rewarding job and I love to put a smile on the faces of my patients. I always aim to go the extra mile to ensure that patients are comfortable, respected and remain dignified whilst in my care. As the saying goes; If you find what you love doing, you never have to work a day in your life.”

For more information about becoming a TNA contact: Aoife.jacob@liverpoolft.nhs.uk or Sarah.clarke4@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

LUHFT Life | 11

Getting closer to

nature Meet Fiona Megarrell, LUHFT’s new Nature Recovery Ranger! Fiona is one of only three NHS Nature Recovery Rangers in the country and will be bridging the relationship between nature and health across our sites.

“I feel really proud and lucky to have this role. I want to increase biodiversity on our sites for wildlife, but the reason behind the role is to help improve the mental and physical wellbeing of staff, patients and local communities. It will be great to get people outside and involved in activities,” said Fiona.

The project is funded by the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund and has been introduced following research that demonstrated the health benefits of green prescriptions, such as helping prevent long-term medical conditions.

Go outdoors #TeamLUHFT You can now take part in an outdoor team building session with your colleagues.

Choose one of the fun team building tasks for your group to get stuck in to as well as giving back to nature. Each session can be designed around your team’s availability.

• Woodland management: Rhododendron removal • Wildflower meadow creation • Spring bulb planting

Fiona will be creating new areas for nature to flourish as well as places where people can enjoy a break in a green space. At Aintree Hospital she is working on a number of projects including maintaining Bluebell Woods, creating a wildflower area and introducing an ‘Incredible Edible’ garden.

• Hedgerow planting

Over at Broadgreen Hospital, Fiona is involved in the new garden that is currently being developed and would also like to create a wildflower meadow and therapy area. To help with these projects, she will be recruiting volunteers to support her work.

For more details or book your place contact Fiona the Nature Recovery Ranger: Fiona.megarrell@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk

• Tree planting • Raised bed design and planting • Pimp your patch

There will be plenty for staff to get involved in. I would even like to host some team building days where staff can work in a specific area they would like to develop. I’ll be sharing a regular list of events and encourage anyone to come along!

12 | LUHFT Life

Digital device donation boost to patient care

OUR FUNDRAISING EVENTS Three Peaks challenge Can you take on three peaks in just 12 hours?

On Friday 24 September, you’ll start early morning and keep going until the final summit, 2,372 feet to the top of Ingleborough, with awe-inspiring views across the Yorkshire Dales.

You’ll also have support from a trained mountain guide, the founder of Big World Treks.

The Medicash Foundation has helped fund 22 new handheld devices, which perform a variety of functions around patient care and safety, at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Staff within the Stroke Unit, Speech and Language Therapy and Dementia Teams have benefitted from using the devices in their areas.

“The funding of these devices by Medicash is a real boost for R Charity, staff and patients within our care. This technology will make a big difference in terms of safety and efficiency within the designated areas across the hospital,” said Lauren Davies, Head of Fundraising.

The devices are used to electronically record vital patient observations such as blood pressure, heart rate and temperature at a patient’s bedside. Staff are then alerted through an early warning system what action needs to be taken. The paper-free system means improved accuracy and speed, and lets staff record and access clinical information without the need to move a trolley between rooms.

Medicash chief executive Sue Weir said: “We are pleased that the Medicash Foundation has been able to provide funding for this important initiative which will benefit hundreds of patients and staff.”

The funds raised on this challenge ensure more people living with a terminal illness can get the extra comforts, care and support they need. The aim is to raise £200 – a £25 deposit is required.

Charity Ball On 1 October, we will host our most prestigious event of the year, the annual fundraising ball.

Set in the beautiful Titanic Hotel, guests will enjoy a drinks reception, three-course meal, luxury goody bag, entertainment and the chance to win some amazing prizes.

Discounted staff tickets are available.

We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors, Laing O’Rourke, Arup, I.F Finishes, Avrenim, Dropjaw Ventures and FK Group for making this event possible.

Follow @RCharitylpool for the latest charity news or email fundraising@liverpoolft.nhs.uk.

Leap of faith

A huge thank you to everyone that took part in our skydiving event at Black Knights parachute centre to raise money for our hospitals: Natasha Carberry, Brian Caveney, Louise Gughrill, Chris Mortimer, Bekah Burnett, Emily Palmer, Dr Houssam Atwa, Annalee Thorne, Laura Jones, Charlotte Moran, Pauline Guy, Robert Foster, Sophia Couch, Connor Harpur and Leonie Hardman.

You are all amazing and have raised over £10,000, which is incredible!

LUHFT Life | 13

Wellbeing sessions set to launch To support staff during the height of the pandemic we set up Wellbeing Hubs to provide a safe and confidential space to unwind, relax, and to get support. From September the hubs will also be used to provide a programme of sessions.

“We want to make sure colleagues get the full benefit of the Wellbeing Hubs, and after feedback from our survey, we are keen to introduce sessions - which are starting next month so that everyone can get involved.

“We have three Wellbeing Hubs, based at the Royal, Aintree and Broadgreen. There are staff helpers who are trained in Psychological First Aid, who cover specific days in each hub and can provide a listening ear, as well as signposting people to services, such as counselling, or our Staff Support

Wellbeing hub

Psychology service,” said Sam Holder, Specialist Occupational Therapist (pictured).

The Staff Support Psychology service is for staff seeking support for issues related or impacting their work. Individuals can self-refer, or managers can request support for an individual by visiting www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/covid-19-hub/ supporting-our-staff/.

“Along with Trainee Associate Psychological Practitioner, Chloe Hird, I will be running the programme of activities which will include mindfulness, relaxation, health anxiety and much more, so there will be different uses for the hub spaces. Make sure you come and meet your health and wellbeing team, we’re here for you,” added Sam.

Build on your skills We have now opened a newly refurbished Library and Knowledge Centre on the first floor of Aintree Hospital’s Clinical Sciences Building.

Facilities include an IT area featuring 27 computers, wi-fi, a quiet study room, training room, printer, scanner, photocopier and an enquiry service. Open Monday to Friday, the Knowledge Centre is accessible via your Trust ID badge.

Although textbooks are centralised at the Royal site, we will be operating a same day service for delivery of textbooks to Aintree Library.

14 | LUHFT Life

Getting to know you…

This month we caught up with, Dr Rachael Ellks, Director of Medical Education and Consultant Physician in Sexual Health, she shares her childhood ambitions to become Prime Minister, how she supports our doctors in training and her love of coffee!

Did you always want to work in healthcare?

I’ve lived and worked in Liverpool for over 25 years, but I grew up in Yorkshire, and still have a Yorkshire accent. I remember saying to a teacher when I was about 11 that I wanted to be Prime Minister. I’m very pleased that I realised how much I loved science, joined St John’s Ambulance, and became a doctor instead!

One of my most memorable highlights was during the first lockdown, when our final year student doctors returned to the hospital to work as a “sub FY1”. I saw them everyday, and I felt so proud when they qualified. We had a mini awards ceremony, as like all students there was no face-to-face graduation.

How long have you worked in our hospitals?

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I came to Liverpool as a medical student in 1994, and since then I have always worked in the Merseyside area as a junior doctor and more recently as a consultant. I undertake most of my clinical work in the community, as I work in Sexual Health.

I’ve been in my “dream job” as Director of Medical Education for the past two years. My office base is in the Education centre at the Royal, and my colleague Dr Simon Mercer has a base at Aintree.

Since lockdown I have been trying to tame my garden, but decided to let it become a wildlife garden instead!

What does your role involve?

I make sure that doctors who are training to be specialist consultants or GPs get access to education, and that they are supported in their jobs to develop the relevant skills.

I am also responsible for ensuring student doctors get a wide range of experience so they can qualify from Medical School.

I don’t do this alone and work as part of a great team in Medical Education.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

I love being part of a team who are so dedicated. They make me smile when I come to work, and I know we are all working together to make education a key part of patient care.

What’s your favourite thing about Merseyside?

It has to be the people and the welcoming atmosphere.

I’ve never felt like I was an outsider.

What’s your favourite restaurant or café?

That’s a tricky one – I feel like we’ve had pandemic restrictions for so long. A great coffee shop, I love good strong coffee!

What’s your favourite song?

I like most music so that’s difficult. Artic Monkeys are in my “top 25” playlist a couple of times and I think some of the band are from near where I grew up.

You win the lottery, what’s your dream holiday?

The Galapagos Islands, but I’m motion sick, so I would probably tour the UK. You’re stranded on an island, what three items would you want with you?

A toothbrush, mosquito net and a cafetiere (with coffee!).

LUHFT Life | 15

Celebrating our employees

We are now back on track with our Employee of the Month awards following an initial halt due to COVID-19. As always, our award winners are hand-picked from a mix of patient and staff nominations and optimise our values to deliver outstanding healthcare.

Here are our Team of the Quarter and Employee of the Month winners so far:

February 2021 Jackie Carter (patient nomination)

January - March, Ward 22 (patient nomination)

January 2021 Catherine Rowan

January - March Ward 16, Trauma & Othopaedics Therapy Team

February 2021 - Wendy Boyd

March 2021 - Monica Moore

March 2021 - Lynsey Blackwood (patient nomination)

Wade Dutton, April 2021

To nominate a colleague or team for an award visit: www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/get-in-touch