June - July 2020
InTouch New hospital - taking the lead Patient stories: care during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic The Patient Panel honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service The Patient at Home service reflects on pivotal role in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
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Foreword Contents 2
Welcome to In Touch magazine
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New hospital - taking the lead
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Patient stories: care during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
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The Patient Panel honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Hello Welcome to In Touch magazine – your insight into the latest news and updates from across PAHT. This edition includes an update on our work towards a brand new hospital for our community and a great place to work for our amazing people. We explore the stories of more of the patients you have cared for during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, who have praised the treatment received at our hospital. We also congratulate the Patient Panel on their fantastic achievement of receiving The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their dedication to representing the voice of patients at PAHT. I urge you to please take the time to read the article on safe record keeping, which is vitally important for the safe care of our patients. In addition, we focus on the pivotal role the Patient at Home service has had in our coronavirus (COVID-19) response. You can also find out more about the many wonderful acts of generosity during the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) as part of our charity update.
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The Patient at Home service reflects on pivotal role in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
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CQC: safe record keeping - guidance
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Our charity: Thank you to our people and our community for your support
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60 second interviews
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Gastroenterology team maintain prestigious professional accreditation
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#PAHTPeople
If you would like to share your news with colleagues and to see your team featured in In Touch magazine, please let the communications team know via paht. communications@nhs.net. I hope you enjoy the read. Best wishes Lance McCarthy Chief executive InTouch June 2020_V4.indd 2
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New hospital - taking the lead Following an outstanding response from clinicians and operational leaders from across PAHT, the new workstream leads are now in place. These roles are critical to the successful completion of the outline business case for the new hospital with a strong focus on models of care at the forefront.
Garry Court – nursing lead, cancer and diagnostics workstream
June Barnard - nursing lead, elective workstream
The workstream leads are now working at pace to make sure that everyone who will be delivering the care are involved and hosting a number of virtual workshops. The team share with us a brief insight into their inspiration and reasons for getting involved and their ambitions for providing outstanding care in a new hospital.
It is really important that there is a clinical nursing voice within each of the work streams to act as patient advocate when designing the fabric of the building to ensure ease of access, and to ensure that the practicalities of delivering nursing care, changes in treatment pathways, and how patient flows will work in the future are both safe and effective.
First and foremost is my desire to deliver outstanding services and care provision to all who use the services of the trust. This is my local hospital, I have both a personal and professional vested interest in it. The opportunity to be part of a team building a new hospital with new pathways and ways of working is potentially once in a career and very exciting.
Dr Sri Redla - medical lead, cancer and diagnostics workstream
Mr Dennis Kosuge – medical lead, elective workstream
This is an exciting, once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the team designing our new hospital for our staff and our patients. We should ALL actively engage in this process…to come up with an innovative, one of a kind, future-proof healthcare facility in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.
The new hospital programme is the perfect opportunity to introduce major changes…all this can have a big impact on improving the quality of care, patient experience, productivity and efficiency for PAHT and our patients. As such, it is so vital that these important decisions are made by well-qualified teams, representative of the whole of PAHT. I would like to be part of that legacy.
Dr Monica Bose – medical lead, discharge workstream Having worked at PAHT both as a junior doctor and for six years now as a consultant, I am really excited to be involved in this key piece of work to ensure that we have a new hospital within a new healthcare system for the patients of West Essex and East and North Herts that fits their needs, not just for 2025 but for 2075 too.
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Katie Silk – nursing lead, discharge workstream Making sure our patients have the very best care extends beyond their time in hospital. It is vital that as we discuss pathways for our patients that we put in place the links and support needed for their onward journey from hospital. It is such a great opportunity to get this right and to put in place a more connected plan for their care.
Dr Jon Keene – medical lead, family women and children’s workstream Doctors all want to make a difference to their patients’ health and care. What better way to help achieve this than being involved in helping to develop the system that delivers that care? This is an amazing opportunity to ensure the model and layout of care we deliver puts our patients’ journey at the heart of everything we do.
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Jacqui Featherstone – nursing lead, family, women and children’s workstream This is such an opportunity for us to be at the very beginning of the journey of the new hospital; to talk to others around the country about what works and what hasn’t for them, in building a new hospital and learn from them but also to be unique in other aspects.
Claire Jakes – nursing lead, family, women and children’s workstream
Dr Ahmed Soliman – medical lead, urgent care workstream I am confident that bringing colleagues at PAHT together to work on the new hospital programme will foster innovation and improvement across the board, and, importantly, enable everyone to realise their full potential and make PAHT the healthcare provider as well as the employer of choice for many years to come.
Joanne Ward – nursing lead, urgent care workstream
Putting the patient firmly at the heart of everything we do when developing the pathways I believe every baby, child, and systems in the new hospital, young person, woman and their including the fundamental family should receive the best development of new ways of patient experience and journey partnership and the use of a possible. I am passionate about digital electronic patient record involving the community who use (EPR) solution that enables PAHT our services in helping design the and the wider system to share new hospital to ensure the space accurate medical records is key. works for all ages and reduces the This will streamline care and also anxiety in attending the reduce duplication of tasks and hospital. free up time for our clinicians to care for patients. 4 19/07/2020 22:18
Patient stories: care during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Our amazing people have responded to the demands of coronavirus (COVID-19) with extraordinary energy, effort, and dedication to our patients. We have transformed the way that we provide care in the last few months to ensure the safety of our patients and our people. Some of our patients who have recently been treated for coronavirus (COVID-19) at our hospital have shared their stories and words of thanks with us below.
March, I was still very tired, and I felt hot and sweaty. On the Monday morning (30 March) my wife, Pat, was worried about me – I’ve had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for 15 years - but I thought I was all right. She realised how ill I was and called an ambulance. When the paramedics arrived and took my temperature it was 40.4°C, and I was taken to hospital. I was taken to a ward, I had lots of tests and was given antibiotics and paracetamol. I had really good care from all of the lovely staff. While I was in hospital I didn’t think I was feeling too ill really, but when I found out I had coronavirus (COVID-19), I was worried I might die because of my COPD. I tried to take my mind off it, and I slept a lot of the time when I was on the ward. In the afternoon of Thursday, 2 April, my doctor said I was well enough to go home – I was feeling ok by then. I thought, as long it stays like this, I’m good as gold, I want to go home right now!
Those nurses and doctors are the reason that I’m alive – they saved me. I just think they’re angels, they cared so much.” Terry’s wife, Pat, 65, added: When Terry came home he was in bed sleeping for days and days. I think I had it too, but I just felt ill with a bit of a cough and a bad headache. The staff were really nice, and they kept us really well informed about Terry. They really put my mind at rest. Terry said he means every word of thanks for saving his life, and I am looking forward to our 50th wedding anniversary this November. Married grandmother Margaret Ferguson, 66, a retired healthcare assistant in a care home, from Harlow
Margaret said: At the beginning of April, I was feeling unwell and had terrible headaches and just kept sleeping. I wasn’t eating and I lost a stone and a half in weight and I’m feeling a lot better now, day my daughter said ‘right, that’s it’, Terry Philpot. on day. I’m eating and drinking ok, and took me to hospital – it was but I have lost a stone, from 12 Wednesday, 8 April. and a half stone to 11 and a half Married grandfather Terry stone. Philpot, 66, a retired London I didn’t realise how poorly I black cab driver, from was. I was taken to a ward and I Puckeridge, Hertfordshire The staff were one big team was there for so many days. I just working together, everyone did kept sleeping, so I was fine. Terry said: something different, but it all On Saturday, 28 March, I went mattered. I couldn’t have wished I was looked after very well. I to bed early because I was feeling for any more and I am still took it all in my stride – I thought standing here because of them. really tired. On the Sunday, 29 ‘I’m going to get better’. 5 InTouch June 2020_V4.indd 5
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I was discharged on Tuesday, 14 April, and every day I feel stronger. I’ve missed the visits from my family – they could only come to the end of the path. I just want to get outside that gate!
Margaret Ferguson.
couldn’t move, I had an extremely high temperature, and I was so weak. I waited a few more days, as I wasn’t too breathless. However, on 15 April, my husband, John, phoned for an ambulance because he was so worried. By this time I had become breathless and when the paramedics arrived, my oxygen levels were so low. I was taken to The Princess Alexandra Hospital and admitted to a ward. I was treated amazingly, everybody was an absolute star from beginning to end.
I was discharged from hospital on 22 April. When I left the ward in a wheelchair, everyone clapped, but I wanted to be clapping for them, as if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be going outside. I was lucky that I was only in hospital for a week. My husband has been with me at home, although we have been isolating from each other, and luckily he hasn’t had symptoms. I feel absolutely elated that I’m alive, and I’m recovering well, apart from the fact that I’m still very weak.
One night, there was talk of going up to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) because my oxygen levels had gone so low. I decided I wouldn’t go to sleep that night, I just wanted to keep breathing, I I really don’t know how to say was so worried. I was very lucky a big enough thank you – what the not to need to be transferred to ICU in the end and just the staff do is just unbelievable. My thought of being back with my heart goes out to them. husband and family kept me going. The nurses and all of the other Married great-grandmother staff were amazing. One morning Pippa Brunton, 62, a community I woke up and felt weak, but in care assistant from Harlow need of being washed, and a kind nurse helped by getting a Pippa said: bowl of water, helping me to wash I came down with flu like from head to toe, and helping me symptoms – a headache and a temperature – on 2 April, so I self- to dress. It made me feel like a human being again. isolated for a week. During this time, as I am a healthcare worker, When the doctors said I could I went to the nearby coronavirus go home, it was emotional. It (COVID-19) testing centre, and was hard being away from my later found that my test was family and only speaking with my positive. husband – I have four children, 12 grandchildren and two greatWhile I was staying at home grandchildren. I started to feel a little bit better, but a couple of days later I found I
Pippa Brunton. I had the best care and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Married father-of-one, Steve Crease, 54, an operations director for a carpentry and joinery company, from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire Steve said: “I was rather poorly in the middle of March, with
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breathlessness, a tight chest, a fever, cough, tiredness and a slight case of diarrhoea. I ended up being sent to A&E at The Princess Alexandra Hospital on 16 March, where I was taken to a ward with suspected pneumonia. I was put onto oxygen as I was struggling to breathe. I then had a COVID-19 test, which came back positive. After a couple of days on the ward, I wasn’t progressing, and was then told I needed to go to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I phoned my wife, who was at home with my young daughter. When I was taken to ICU, I felt frightened. I was ventilated and I don’t remember the first part of it I woke up about eight days later. The doctors and nurses were absolutely fantastic, they got me through all of the issues that I had. I was having breathing issues, sleeplessness and fevers. The staff filled a shower cap with ice to cool me down, but the biggest issue they helped me with was to help me make a card for my daughter’s 16th birthday, which took two nights to make. I can remember that I didn’t know whether it was day or night.
Steve Crease with his daughter Tamzin and wife Sharon.
and my family for saving my life and getting me home to my wife and 16-year-old daughter. I watched first-hand what all the team do at the hospital and how compassionate and caring every single person I came into contact with was – it was very humbling. You will be forever in my heart and my family’s.
Steve and his family have now kindly made a large donation of treats as a boost for the hard-working staff, including chocolate bars and soft drinks. These have been served to our staff by aircrew from Stansted Airport who are offering a refreshment service at the hospital as part of the Project Wingman initiative.
After 11 days, I was gradually getting better, with help from the team and physiotherapists. I was then moved back to a ward and was weaned off of the oxygen. I was in hospital for just over three weeks overall, and was discharged on 7 April. I’m now back to work and doing a few hours a day. I’m feeling fantastic, I still get tired, but I’m getting there.
Sarah Finney, 55, a retired exam after about four days but put it invigilator and former nurse down to the side effects of the from Stebbing, Essex treatment. I then developed a high temperature and a slight cough, Sarah said: followed by feeling breathless and achy, with a lack of appetite. In August 2019 I was Then, I became so unwell that diagnosed with breast cancer, I was admitted to The Princess and after a mastectomy in Alexandra Hospital on 30 March. October, I started chemotherapy Everybody looked after me and on Christmas Eve. Following The nurses were so lovely brought me back to health. I’d like my fifth dose of chemotherapy and welcoming, caring and to say a big thank you from myself on 17 March, I felt unwell 7 InTouch June 2020_V4.indd 7
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compassionate, they chatted and tried to help me relax so I could get some sleep. I continued to be on oxygen and intravenous (IV) antibiotics and was given a blood transfusion as my blood count was found to be low. I continued to be stable and my oxygen dose was gradually reduced, I improved, my appetite picked up and I was able to do more for myself as my breathing improved. I could not leave my room due to my lack of immunity and dependency on oxygen, so I was totally dependent on the nurses to help me with all my care. I was very well looked after and the staff were always happy to assist me. My nine days in hospital were hard, being isolated from my family and not knowing whether I would improve, and the days were very long. I wasn’t scared, as the doctors kept me informed with my treatment decisions and I felt able to ask questions. My recovery at home has been slow but gradual. Initially I was breathless with the slightest exertion and I had a lot of nausea. After about a fortnight that eased and I could physically challenge myself more. At this point I am five weeks post discharge and I can walk the dogs for an hour at a good pace with some breathlessness, but it’s so much better. My lung capacity is still reduced but each day things are a little better. I feel very lucky that despite my low immunity from the chemotherapy, I survived coronavirus and it never caused me to be extremely ill. I am grateful to all the staff at PAHT for their care and dedication and I hope to never see them again (in the nicest possible way!).
Alongside caring for our patients with coronavirus (COVID-19), we have also continued to provide safe, high quality urgent care for all of our patients.
shock. I had had a tracheotomy and couldn’t speak. I understand that I went for surgery on the day of admission and was then ventilated for 24 days, and spent over four weeks in intensive care.
Patient Eileen Kay, 73, a retired management development manager from Elsenham, has shared her story about the treatment she recently received
The care was really, really good. My surgeon, Helen Pardoe, kept looking in on me and all the staff were brilliant. I was in The Princess Alexandra Hospital for a further two weeks until 18 May, when I was transferred to continue my rehabilitation at Saffron Walden Community Hospital. I’m very happy and very lucky to be alive - it was a lifethreatening situation.
Eileen Kay. during a serious illness. Eileen said: I had a bit of indigestion and I had been to the doctor. I have now been told I had severe diverticulitis (a digestive condition that affects the large intestine) which led to peritonitis (inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen). I don’t know what caused it. I was well before, I was fit as a flea, I gardened, did aqua aerobics and swam, and I was a full-time carer for my husband before he died last year. I had no reason to expect this may happen. I don’t remember a thing. I’m given to understand that I called an ambulance on 5 April. The next thing I knew I woke up in acute care weeks later, it was a total
Miss Helen Pardoe, consultant colorectal surgeon, said: Eileen was admitted with a serious surgical problem of perforated colon. She was in the theatre suite for many hours with a complex anaesthetic, underwent major surgery of more than four hours with us all in full personal protective equipment (PPE), spent weeks in the intensive care unit (ITU), was ventilated, sedated, and then on the ward recovering with the team. While we continue to care for our patients with coronavirus (COVID-19), we are also providing high quality care for patients with a range of life-threatening illnesses and conditions. We were all extremely pleased to see that Eileen has made an excellent recovery and send our best wishes.
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The Patient Panel honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service The Patient Panel are honoured to have received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. They have been awarded the accolade in recognition of their dedication to representing the voice of patients at PAHT. They have been acknowledged for the full range of their work to benefit our patients, including hosting conferences, community meetings and directly supporting the care of our patients by volunteering their time to initiatives to improve patient experience, such as offering tea and cakes to long stay patients in hospital. The panel has established strong networks and relationships with voluntary organisations, colleges, schools and local businesses in joint efforts to improve services at our hospital.
Recipients are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. Award winners this year are diverse, including volunteer groups from across the UK. Representatives of The Patient Panel will receive the award from Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from The Patient Panel will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s award. Ann Nutt, chair of The Patient Panel, said: “We are honoured to have received this prestigious award, which means so much to our passionate and dedicated team of volunteers.
Listening to patients and representing their voice is our vocation and we are proud to support our local hospital in this way. We engage in different ways with the public and staff and enjoy working with many statutory organisations to improve services for patients. Hearing that we had been successful in receiving this award was a fantastic moment for us, and great recognition for all of our volunteers. Lance McCarthy, chief executive, said: We are delighted to see the Patient Panel receive this wonderful and well-deserved award.
The Queen’s Award is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The Patient Panel is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Ann Nutt, chair of the Patient Panel. 9
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Their enthusiasm and effort to support us in our work to continually improve our services in response to feedback from our patients is invaluable. Congratulations to the Patient Panel, and I look forward to building on this amazing foundation as we engage with our community about our plans for a new hospital for Harlow and the surrounding areas. The right honourable Robert Halfon, Member of Parliament for Harlow, said: "Whether it be in my role as an MP, a visitor
The Patient Panel (pictured before the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of social distancing regulations). or as a patient, I've seen the incredible work that the Patient Panel does. They have made a huge difference to the patient experience and our appreciation will never be able to match the work they've done.Â
The work undertaken by Ann Nutt, John Woods and the rest of the team is invaluable to the local community. No one chooses to go to hospital, and it is the work of this team that improves so many areas of healthcare.
The Patient at Home service reflects on pivotal role in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic The Patient at Home service at PAHT has had a pivotal role in the extraordinary response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by supporting patients in their own homes.
cardiology conditions, and others. This may be, for example, urinary tract infections, osteomyelitis (an infection of the bone), cellulitis (an infection of the deeper layers of skin), and infections that exacerbate chronic obstructive The team of doctors, nurses, pulmonary disease (COPD) – pharmacists, healthcare each patient is assessed on an assistants and administrative staff individual basis. support patients in the community with a range of illnesses and The service has a range of conditions, who require hospital benefits including the improved level care but are suitable for this wellbeing of patients in a to be given at home. This includes familiar, comforting environment; medical and post-surgical care for enhancing patient flow; and adults with respiratory, urology, reducing the need for patients orthopaedic, gynaecology, and to be admitted to hospital. This
has been particularly important in effectively managing the demands of coronavirus (COVID-19). The service has also tested and treated several patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) at home since the beginning of March. This means that patients are able to safely recover in their homes, under the care of the Patient at Home service clinical team, following all infection prevention and control guidance to ensure the safety of our patients and our people. The team treat patients with many acute conditions and necessary medical equipment 10
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Home doctor, who will either telephone or visit the patient at home to check on their progress From April 2019-March 2020, the and provide an update on their care. Each patient receives daily service has treated 670 patients nursing visits and has access to at home, equating to 8042 bed speak to the team seven days a days saved (days patients would have otherwise spent in an acute week. The daily visit schedules are supported by senior nurses hospital setting). that report back to the team on Once patients have been referred site and where required patients to the Patient at Home service by will be referred for ongoing support from other health or their hospital doctor, a member of the team will talk to the patient social care professionals. Once about the care required and jointly the patient has recovered, they are discharged back to the agree a care plan. When the care of their GP or the relevant patient is transferred home, the community service. medicine and equipment that is required is provided by the service and brought to the patient's home Hiral Patel, head of the Patient at Home service, said: We when the clinical team visit. The work to ensure that the patient is service take referrals from hospital treated in the right place, by the consultants and from the West right person, at the right time. Essex Single Point of Access Hub, which manages calls from We were proud as a service service providers, including GPs, to achieve finalist status at the to refer care needs to the most Health Service Journal (HSJ) appropriate provider. Awards in 2017 for the ‘Acute, Community and/or Primary Care Each patient remains under Services Redesign’ category, the care of the named hospital following the introduction of the consultant and on a daily basis service in 2016. is managed by the Patient at is provided, including oxygen treatment when required.
The service continues to evolve and we are actively working with system partners to further enhance integrated care for our local population. We receive a great deal of complimentary feedback from our patients, which means so much to us. Thilo Pillay, senior pharmacist/ clinical specialty support of the Patient at Home service, said: We monitor and supply medication to patients who require long-term antibiotics in the community. We are also looking at novel ways of administering intravenous antibiotics in the community using 24 hour infusion devices. Leanne Worrall, lead nurse of the Patient at Home Service, added: We are committed to providing a high quality service for patients in their own homes that helps them in their recovery. To work as part of a team that
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intravenous antibiotics in my own home, which is much less stressful. I’m sleeping in my own bed and controlling my own oxygen when I need to. I can also use my nebuliser when I need it. With the regular contact with the service, my infections are caught at an earlier stage than before so that they don’t become as major an infection.
delivers hospital based acute care to patients out in their own homes is an absolute privilege. We look after a wide range of patients out in the community with differing conditions, and our patients have nothing but praise for our service and are always glad that they are able to receive their treatment at home.
Patient story
Patricia Connell, 69, from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, a retired solicitor who is married with two children and two grandchildren, has recently benefited from the service. Patricia was treated for an infection and exacerbation of bronchiectasis, a long-term condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection. This is the twelfth occasion that Patricia has been cared for by the Patient at Home service, after previous stays in hospital due to bronchiectasis and asthma. She was first visited at home by the Patient at Home team in November 2017, after developing a lung infection. Patricia said: I was first diagnosed with bronchiectasis in about 2013. I have been on long-term oxygen therapy since 2014, and I have had non-invasive ventilation at night and in the afternoons for three years. I also have a nebuliser. I have been with the Patient at Home team for about three years as I have a number of quite serious conditions and have recurrent infections.
About three years ago I was admitted to The Princess Alexandra Hospital via A&E for inpatient treatment and I was finding it quite difficult. My need for oxygen varies from two litres up to six litres. In a hospital situation this means the nurses have to turn the oxygen up and down for me as the controls are not in reach due to the design of the equipment, whereas I usually can do this myself at home. I was feeling quite stressed about being in hospital and it was suggested that the Patient at Home team could help, which meant I was able to go home later that day and be treated at home three times a day with intravenous antibiotics, I finished the course and felt much better.
It was so wonderful that the team were able to come and look after me at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I’m a shielded patient and I had been inside my house for several weeks before I got the next infection. I spoke to my consultant and the Patient at Home team came to see me. It was obviously very worrying having people coming into the house, but they came with masks and gloves and other protective equipment. They were so professional, kind and caring, I had full confidence in them. They have been really good, keeping me from needing to go to hospital and they have enabled me and my family to have a much more stress-free life. With my conditions, my quality of life would not be as good were it not for them. They have been a life saver.
Before I was under the care of the Patient at Home service, I was going into hospital fairly regularly with chest infections and by the time I got to hospital they were often quite serious. I would end up in A&E or resuscitation. Now I am being referred to the Patient at Home team every seven weeks. They assess me and give me 12
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CQC: Safe record keeping - guidance Safe record keeping is of paramount importance to ensure the high quality care of our patients. We are focusing on ensuring that documentation is of the required standard, as set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the General Medical Council (GMC). In 2019 and 2020, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted some areas for improvement at PAHT:
The trust has still not taken enough action to ensure that records of care and treatment are clear, up to date and easily accessible CQC The services must ensure that staff keep detailed records of patients’ care and treatment CQC We are in a period of transition, moving from paper-based recording of care and treatment to electronic systems. We are currently exploring moving to full electronic patient records. The trust wide documentation action plan is in place to safely manage how we accurately record all care and treatment of patients in a timely manner.
Do
Do not
Use timed entries at the point of care or as soon after
Use abbreviations
Keep clear, accurate and legible records – clearly signed and dated
Make offensive, humorous or personal comments
Document any non-compliance, concerns and actions
Use ambiguous terms
Document escalation and actions Delete or alter the contents of taken – date, time and sign clinical notes in a way that is not trackable Document oral communications (phone calls, in person conversations etc) and actions taken Document informed consent
State objections/plan regarding care or case management Collect, treat and store all data and research findings appropriately Take all steps to make sure that records are kept securely – locked notes trolleys
For further information, please refer to: The Nursing and Midwifery Council website: www.nmc.org.uk The General Medical Council website: www.gmc-uk.org 13
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Our charity: Thank you to our people and our community for your support We have seen many wonderful acts of generosity during the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19). We are so thankful to our people and our community for their support. From gifts and donations to our charity appeal, to kind words from patients, and colleagues getting involved in donating more than 1000 cans to the local foodbank so far, it has been overwhelming to see just how much support our amazing people have been shown by our community – and in turn, the support you have given back. You can read all about the latest updates from our hospital charity below.
Hospital staff give back to the community by donating more than 1000 cans to local foodbank Teams at PAHT have kindly decided to support the Harlow Foodbank by encouraging colleagues to donate cans of food for vulnerable local families.
many staff as possible to take part – those who are currently working remotely can pledge a donation to be made by a team member at the hospital on their behalf.
Dawn Sullivan, general manager of the emergency department, said: “We have been absolutely delighted by the generosity and support the community have The initiative began when the shown us during the fight against emergency department (ED) team coronavirus (COVID-19). launched their ‘We can with a can’ initiative a few weeks ago, We wanted to give something in response to which they have back to show how grateful we seen a great level of support. This are. We heard that the Harlow inspired other teams across the Foodbank needed canned goods hospital to also get involved. The and we thought that with just one hospital has currently donated can from each member of our approximately 1000 cans of food 200-strong team in the emergency to the foodbank – with more department, we could make such adding to the total every day. a difference. The Harlow Foodbank is in need of tinned goods to help local families in these difficult times. They would also very gratefully receive other non-perishable items, such as rice, pasta, noodles, and toiletries. The hospital is encouraging as
Ogechi Emeadi, director of people, organisational development and communications, said: Thank you to the emergency department (ED) team for thinking of this wonderful idea, which we have all been inspired by. We want to keep the initiative rolling,
with many colleagues continuing to join in. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we’ve seen from our local community in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19). We are extremely pleased to be able to make this contribution to help local families who are struggling during these unprecedented times.
Pictured overleaf top: The COVID-19 Strategic Cell at The Princess Alexandra Hospital supporting the ‘Can with a can’ campaign for our local residents Overleaf: non-executive directors supporting the ‘Can with a can’ campaign for our local residents. Some of the canned goods collected so far.
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own family and I can’t imagine what it feels like. A massive thank you to all of the NHS workers, the doctors, the nurses, everyone associated with the hospital and the NHS, you are doing an amazing job for the COVID-19 patients. Thank you so much for your hard work.
Charity, said: Thank you to Adam for making such a thoughtful gesture in donating so generously to our hospital.
The iPads will provide an important way for our patients to communicate with their friends and family members as part of the video call service available at our Shahid Sardar, associate director hospital. The prize draw for the headphones will also give a real of patient engagement, said: We are so grateful to Adam for boost for our dedicated staff. donating iPads to be used for our video call service. Since we introduced the Premier League football star service, we have received makes generous donation of technology products to support fantastic feedback about the difference this has made for our hospital patients and their family members.
Cleaning company kindly donates to local hospital’s coronavirus (COVID-19) charity appeal
A Premier League football star has made a kind donation of 10 iPads for our patients to keep in touch with their families while on our wards.
A local cleaning company have generously donated an astounding £7,500 to help support our hard-working staff during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Adam Smith (pictured right), who plays for AFC Bournemouth, is originally from the local area, and wanted to help us during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response. In addition to the 10 iPads, Adam has donated accompanying cases and 10 pairs of Apple EarPods headphones to be shared with staff in a prize draw. Adam said: I made this donation so that people can FaceTime their families when they are ill and need to speak to them. Hopefully this helps them out and helps the hospital out and makes it more comfortable for them. I have my
It means so much to people to stay in contact with their loved ones during these unprecedented times and helps to keep their spirits up. John Keddie, non-executive director at PAHT, who chairs The Princess Alexandra Hospitals’ Adam Smith.
Cleanbrite, who have specialised in the cleaning industry for over 45 years, wanted to help make a difference for fellow key workers during these unprecedented times and enhance patient care. Darren Edmonston, Cleanbrite managing director, said: We are pleased that our donation will benefit the NHS heroes who go the extra mile every day. I was born and brought up in Harlow, so it means a great deal to support the local hospital. We know first-hand the value key workers are making, the courage of the staff is amazing and we wanted to show our token of appreciation by donating the 15
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funds to help support their health and wellbeing.
The work of the dedicated team who help patients at PAHT get ready to go home has been generously supported by a Ogechi Emeadi, director donation of over £900 from the of people, organisational development and communications Co-operative Local Community Fund. said: A huge thank you to Cleanbrite The hospital have a specialist for their very kind donation, team who focus on helping a we cannot emphasise enough patient get ready to leave and how much this means to our ensure that they have the right people during the fight against conditions at home. coronavirus. We have been overwhelmed by how much the local community want to help our staff and recognise the dedication and commitment they are showing in these challenging times.
We are delighted that the donation will allow us to purchase more clothing for our vulnerable patients. This ensures that the dignity of all patients is supported through the hospital process. Also, for some of our patients who are homeless, they will leave with sufficient clothing to move into their temporary accommodation.
The donation will continue The team have a bank of spare to help hundreds of vulnerable clothing which can be given to people in our community – we are vulnerable patients who may be admitted to hospital with few or no so thankful. additional changes of clothing of their own.
Co-operative donate generously Stephanie Newman, voluntary services discharge coordinator at to hospital team that helps PAHT, said: patients prepare to go home
60 second interviews Celebrating International Nurses’ Day
second interview. Debbie is one of our longest serving nurses at PAHT and joined the trust in 1989 as a critical care enrolled nurse.
International Nurses’ Day took place on Tuesday 12 May, which is celebrated around the world each year on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The day provides us with the opportunity to highlight the contribution of nursing colleagues and reflect on the vital care they provide every day.
When did you join PAHT and how have you found your experience so far? I joined PAHT in 1989 as an enrolled nurse in critical care and went on to undertake further studies to become a registered general nurse. My intention was never to work at one hospital for so long, however, PAHT is such a friendly place with really caring staff.
To mark the occasion, we caught up with Debbie Thomas for a 60
Debbie Thomas.
to become a nurse? When I first started nursing, you didn’t have to complete a degree pathway; I was always a more What steps did you have to take practical hands on nurse than academic, however, I completed 16
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additional studies and courses whilst working to get me to where I am today.
in the Intensive Care Unit (ITU) was a very proud moment, and more recently I was very proud to receive an award and Why did you choose to become recognition for all the work I have a nurse? done relating to sepsis and acute I knew that I wanted to be a kidney injury. nurse since I was very young. I constantly played hospitals with What is the most challenging my dolls and would set up a part of your role? hospital in my dad’s garden shed The most challenging part of my and tried to nurse injured animals role is the dealing with distraught back to health. All my school and families whose loved ones are college studies were directed so sick, especially if the patient is towards a career in nursing. young. It’s such an emotional time and as a senior nurse you are not Can you outline your role at the only looking after the families, but hospital? the wellbeing of our staff too. I worked my way up within our critical care department to What is your favourite/most become a senior sister. Next, I rewarding part of your role? worked within our critical care The most rewarding part of the outreach team and became the role is seeing our patients get lead nurse for sepsis and acute better, so that they start their kidney injury. journey to eventually go home. It’s a lovely and rewarding moment I’ve always enjoyed the challenge when some of our patients return of looking after acutely unwell to see us once they are well patients, as well as disseminating enough. my knowledge to our junior staff, empowering them and giving What advice would you give to them the skills to provide high somebody who is considering a quality care and improve patient career in nursing? outcomes. Nursing is an amazing career and although it is a lot of work, both Last year, I was seconded into mentally and physically, it is also the role of surgical and critical a very rewarding career knowing care matron, however since the that you are making a difference COVID-19 outbreak I was asked to patients’ lives every day. to step back into a matron role to support staff and oversee the How has nursing changed over smooth running of the extended the years? critical care capacity during this Nursing has become a lot busier extremely challenging time for us over the years, and, the demand all. for beds sometimes exceeds our capacity, however, we rise to the Can you describe any stand out demand. The way that we have all moments you have had so far? come together as an organisation There have been many stand out and faced the challenge of the moments throughout my career, ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has however becoming a senior sister been outstanding; I’m truly proud
to work alongside such amazing colleagues and know that this is where I was meant to be.
Shining the spotlight on our fantastic midwives International Day of the Midwife was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on our 171 valued midwives at PAHT. The day marks the global recognition and celebration of midwives and highlights the difference that their essential care makes to so many women and families. We caught up with Victoria Pay, midwife, for a 60 second interview. Victoria joined PAHT in 2016 as a volunteer on our Postnatal Ward and has since completed her degree to become a midwife, read the full interview below: When did you join PAHT and how have you found your experience so far? I joined the team in 2016 as a volunteer on the Postnatal Ward. I am now working as a qualified midwife in all areas across maternity, including the community, which is where I am based at the moment. Everyone has been so supportive and I continue to be inspired by the exceptional care that the team provide to women and their babies every day. Can you talk us through the steps you took to become a midwife? I began my midwifery journey as a mature student and was
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required to undertake studies first in order to be able to apply for the midwifery degree. I chose to study an access to higher education diploma for nursing/midwifery through distance learning, alongside my part time job and being a mother to my two children. The course covered psychology and biology and included a refresher in Maths, English and IT. In February 2016, I had the honour of becoming a volunteer on our Postnatal Ward, where I gained a brilliant insight into maternity care.
moments working as a midwife, but I will always remember the 40th birth I supported as a student and the first birth I supported as a qualified midwife. What is the most challenging part of your role? There are many challenges a midwife can face, however, a big challenge that I have faced so far is not only adjusting from being a student to a qualified midwife, but also adapting to the challenges and changes we have all faced during the current pandemic.
What is the most rewarding part of your role? It’s hard to choose one favourite Victoria Pay. I applied for the midwifery degree part my role, however, being and was over the moon to receive able to support women and their an offer to begin my studies in families through their journey is Nursing and Midwifery Council are September 2016. I completed my very special. good starting points. third and final year in 2019 and began working as a fully qualified Roughly, how many women My time volunteering on the wards midwife in the October. have you helped to give birth? helped me to prepare for my I have helped roughly over 100 training and gave me a fantastic Why did you choose to become women to give birth, including insight into midwifery care. a midwife/what inspired you? those from when I was a student Even as a child, I had always midwife. Where do you see yourself in had an interest in midwifery - it five years’ time? was the fantastic maternity care What advice would you give to I enjoy all aspects of providing I received that inspired me to somebody who is considering a women with midwifery care. In pursue my dream to become a career in midwifery? the future I would love to develop midwife. For anyone considering becoming my practice skills and knowledge a midwife, my advice is to go for it! further by attending additional Can you outline your role at the courses and may consider looking hospital? Make sure that you research into learning how to perform My role as a midwife includes different universities and find out certain ultrasound scans for working alongside women what the entry requirements are. expectant mothers. and their families to develop The open days will give you a personalised care plans and feeling on where will be your first provide them with support, advice choice when you apply to UCAS. and care throughout all aspects of their pregnancy, birth and the It’s a good idea to read current postnatal period. midwifery news and look into what the role of the midwife entails Can you describe any stand out to increase your knowledge moments you have had? midwifery journals, the Royal There are so many stand out College of Midwives and the
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Gastroenterology team maintain prestigious professional accreditation
Ayse Casey, general manager for planned care in the Medicine Healthcare Group, said:
The gastroenterology team at PAHT have maintained a prestigious professional accreditation for their endoscopy services following a rigorous evaluation. The department has been accredited by the Joint Advisory Group for its high quality gastroenterology services at its recent assessment, having held the accolade for the last five years. The team submits supporting evidence yearly, and the next inspection will take place in 2021. This is formal recognition that the department meets high quality standards for safe and effective endoscopy services. Aspects of the service which are evaluated include clinical quality, safety, quality of patient experience, workforce and training. PAHT is one of only 180 service providers, including in private healthcare, to hold the accreditation.
JAG accreditation is incredibly important to the team. It means that the hard work carried out by everyone to maintain quality standards is recognised at a national level. JAG also shares learning internationally so we have insight on global quality standards. While this is a team effort, Leanne Summersell, service manager for gastroenterology, and Andrea Kitchener, assistant service manager, work extraordinarily hard to ensure that evidence is submitted and to make sure documents are kept up to date and meet the requirements.
Dr Lakshmana Kumar, consultant in gastroenterology and lead for endoscopy added: We are delighted for our efforts to be recognised by the Joint Advisory Group. We thank the whole team for their support in maintaining our high quality work. Dr Marcelle Michail, acting chief medical officer, added: Achieving the accreditation is testament to the excellent work and team commitment of our gastroenterology department. Well done to the team on their dedication to providing a highly effective service for our patients.
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#PAHTPeople xxx
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. Although COVID-19 has limited the number of volunteers we can have on site at the moment, we are so thankful to our amazing volunteers who give their valued time so freely. They play a vital role at PAHT and the hard work and dedication that they provide day in, day out, plays a huge part in the everyday running of the hospital - they are invaluable members of the team, thank you.
Marking National Breastfeeding Week Monday 1 - Sunday 7 June marked National Breastfeeding Celebration Week and this year's theme was supporting breastfeeding during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We caught up with one of our fantastic infant feeding midwives, Scarlett, to ask her how women can reach their breastfeeding goals, however they choose to feed their baby. You can watch the full video on our social media channels @NHSHarlow (Twitter) and ‘The Princess Alexandra Hospital’ (Facebook). Produced by the communications team InTouch June 2020_V4.indd 20
Thank you to aircrew for flying in to provide first class service Stansted Airport aircrew have kindly supported our people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by serving refreshments in our designated ‘first class’ lounge area, having conversations and giving you a chance to unwind before, during or after a shift. As the service has now come to a close, we would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved for their generosity in volunteering to support us.
Dietitians’ Week took place at the beginning of June, which aimed to focus on what dietitians, dietetics and those that work to support them do, and explain the diversity within the wider dietetic profession. Did you know that dietetics is the only healthcare profession that is regulated to diagnose, assess and treat nutrition related problems at an individual level? Recently, our dietitians have played a vital role in supporting and caring for patients with confirmed COVID-19. They are able to tailor nutritional requirements for the patient while they are unable to eat or drink, usually through a feeding tube.
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