InTouch magazine - June - July 2023

InTouch

Welcome to InTouch

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has recognised improvements and removed the conditions from our registration as a service provider in the emergency department (ED) under Section 31 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. This inspection saw the rating for ED move up from inadequate to requires improvement, together with the ratings for how safe and well-led the service is. Thank you to the team for working together to focus on improving our urgent and emergency care services – you can read more on p.3.

We focus on our new Electronic Health Record (EHR), for which the programme launches on 18 July, with more details on p.4. We cover the latest new hospital update, following the exciting news that funding for our new hospital has been reconfirmed by the Government as part of a major funding package for NHS hospitals in England on p.5. Thank you to everyone for working together to manage the demand for our services and keep our patients safe during the recent period of junior doctors' industrial action – you can read more on p.6.

We celebrated our LGBT+ colleagues this Pride Month (June), which is also an opportunity to highlight the diversity and inclusivity of our teams (p.6), and congratulated the patient centred anticoagulation service on being shortlisted for a prestigious award (p.7). We also focus on the power of staff networks for our equality, diversity and inclusion column (p.8); prepare to celebrate the NHS 75th birthday (p.9) and thank you for joining us at This is Us Week (p.9).

You can find out more about the learning and organisational development team being shortlisted for a national award (p.11); take a look at our latest clinical column on cervical screening (p.12); celebrate Volunteers’ Week (p.13); and much more.

This magazine is for and about you, our #PAHTPeople –please contact the communications team if you would like to see your team featured, at paht.communications@nhs.net

Lance McCarthy Chief executive

Update from the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The Care Quality Commission issued its latest report on 16 June, following a visit to our emergency department (ED).

As you will be aware, following our recent update, the CQC has removed the conditions from our registration as a service provider in the emergency department (ED) under Section 31 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The CQC implemented the conditions in August 2021, focusing on that we must:

y Ensure there are sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled, competent and experienced nursing staff at all times to meet the needs of patients within all areas of ED

y Operate an effective system which will ensure that every patient attending ED has an initial assessment of their condition to enable staff to identify the most

clinically urgent patients and to ensure they are triaged, assessed and appropriately streamlined

y Devise a process and undertake a review of current and future patients’ clinical risk assessments, care planning and physiological observations, and ensure that the level of patients’ needs are individualised, recorded and acted upon. This must include, but is not limited to, skin integrity, falls, and mental health assessments

y Implement an effective system with the aim of ensuring all patients who present to the ED have patient observations completed within 15 minutes of arrival and as appropriately thereafter

This inspection sees the rating for ED move up from inadequate to requires improvement, together with the ratings for how safe and

well-led the service is. Our ED was also inspected in terms of how effective and responsive it is, but was not given a rating. This inspection does not affect the overall rating for the Trust, which remains requires improvement overall.

It’s fantastic how colleagues have worked together to focus on improving our urgent and emergency care services –thank you.

We will continue to support our urgent and emergency care colleagues in their journey to sustain improvements and work towards a modern, integrated and outstanding service for our patients.

You can read the full report here >

Best wishes

Lance McCarthy Chief executive

Report now published with improvements recognised in our emergency department (ED)

The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is coming...

Save the date: something big is happening on 18 July

Yes, we really do mean something big, as 18 July marks the official launch of our new electronic health record (EHR) programme at PAHT.

The EHR is one of the biggest transformation programmes PAHT has ever seen. It is core to the delivery of our digital strategy and the strategic priorities in PAHT2030

From 18 July we’ll start to work with teams and specialities across PAHT to design, develop, build and test the EHR programme with our suppliers, Oracle Cerner. From start to finish it will take around 18 months and we will be ready to go live in autumn 2024.

1. Project kick off

2. Design and build

3. EHR testing

4. Staff training

5. Full dress rehearsal

6. Go live

What is an EHR?

A reminder that an EHR is an integrated digital record of a

patient’s care, drawing together information from all systems that store that patient’s data.

It helps facilitate easy access to this clinical data, which includes the Shared Care Record.

An EHR will:

• Transform how we track and store patient data, simplifying health care delivery and administration across the Trust

• Improve patient safety and health outcomes by giving clinicians easy access to a patient’s full medical history and enhance health information sharing amongst integrated care partners such as GPs and social services

What can I expect on 18 July?

Members of the EHR team and our new EHR workstream leads will be out and about across our sites raising awareness of the programme, what it will mean for all of us and how we can get involved.

To mark the occasion, we will also be announcing the new name and brand for the EHR programme with a few giveaways for our people thrown in for good measure.

How can I find out more? For more information about PAHT’s electronic health record and the benefits it will bring, please take a look at AlexNet >

Watch this space – it’s happening soon.

New hospital update

From six to 46 by 2030

Following the exciting news that funding for our new hospital has been reconfirmed by the Government as part of a major funding package for NHS hospitals in England, we thought we’d shed some light on the bigger picture for new hospitals across the country, and what it all means for our new Princess Alexandra Hospital. Back in October 2019, the Government first announced that we would receive funding to build our new hospital alongside five other Trusts. However since that time – due to growing need – the Government set up a national New Hospital Programme (NHP) and has expanded the portfolio from six new hospitals to 46, that now includes the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) hospitals that each need to be rebuilt, all of which are expected to be delivered by 2030. So what is the NHP? Quite simply, it is a centralised approach to all new hospitals, looking at everything from design, planning and construction to clinical delivery and sustainability.

NHP at a glance

The core aim of the NHP is that all new hospitals will be built faster, better and more efficiently through this common approach. Estimates suggest up to 20% cheaper and up to 25% faster.

Move over 1.0, hospital

2.0 is here

At the heart of the NHP is the

‘hospital 2.0’ concept, a vision for how hospital schemes can be delivered with greater efficiency and reduced cost. Over the last few years many of you have given your time generously to the development of our new hospital, and this intelligence has been instrumental in shaping the thinking around ‘hospital 2.0’. Thank you all so much for your support.

Hospital 2.0 at a glance

The potential efficiencies in hospital 2.0 include huge reductions in the components used in hospitals, including cutting the number of door types from a staggering 27,000 to 700. It will also improve sustainability, in line with the NHS Green Plan which aims – amongst other green targets – to reduce the NHS carbon footprint to net zero by the middle of this century. And it will make the most of a building process called modern methods of construction – or MMC. In the April - May 2021 issue of InTouch magazine we explained what MMC is and its value to the NHS, referencing the five Covid-19 Nightingale Hospitals that were built in the first throes of the pandemic in just a matter of weeks, using offsite manufacturing and construction.

What’s next for our new hospital?

This all sounds great, but what does this mean going forward?

The Government’s announcement on 26 May effectively means the New Hospital Programme is now fully underway. And whilst the NHP team works through the detail, our PAHT team will be pushing ahead with plans to purchase the land for our new hospital and finalising our business case.

There’s still a long way to go, and a lot of detail to iron out, but throughout we will be working very closely with the New Hospital Programme and our stakeholders to make sure we are able to deliver the new hospital by 2030.

Michael Meredith Director of strategy and estates

Please note that new hospital building images are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change.

Thank you

My thanks to all of you, our amazing PAHT people, for working together to manage the demand for our services and keep our patients safe during the recent period of industrial action (14-17 June)

I know that many of you will have worked differently in

order to support our patients and each other. Thank you for truly living our values, patient at heart, creative collaboration and everyday excellence

Please remember that taking part in industrial action is a choice and to support your

Celebrating our LGBTQ+ colleagues with Pride

We have celebrated our LGBT+ colleagues this Pride Month (June), which is also an opportunity to highlight the diversity and inclusivity of our teams, who work together to deliver high quality care and experiences.

LGBT+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The + is an inclusive symbol to mean 'and others' to include people of all identities. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognising the influence LGBTQ+ people have had around the world, to educate people in LGBT+ history and raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBT+

community. Pride Month is celebrated in June to honour the Stonewall riots that took place in June 1969.

Activities to mark Pride Month included:

y Safe space meetings: to make sure that everyone feels that their voice is heard, to ask questions or to raise any concerns, in an inclusive and nonjudgmental environment

y Promoting the LGBTQ+ network: the network supports a positive working environment for our LGBTQ+ colleagues and space for people to feel less isolated and authentically

junior doctor colleagues’ individual decision, including during this time as they return from the period of industrial action.

Thank you and best wishes

Lance McCarthy Chief executive

express themselves at work

y Encouraging our #PAHTPeople to wear the NHS rainbow badge: this is a visible demonstration that PAHT is an open, nonjudgemental and inclusive place for people who identify as LGBTQ+

y Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme: We have joined this programme which helps employers to embed LGBTQ+ inclusion in their organisations

You can read more on AlexNet

Patient centred anticoagulation service shortlisted for prestigious award

Our patient centred anticoagulation service has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The team has been recognised in the category of the ‘Improving Medicines Safety Award’ at this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2023.

The HSJ Patient Safety Awards recognise safety, culture and positive experiences in patient care nationally; acknowledging the efforts of teams and individuals across the UK who are continually striving to deliver improved patient care.

Our patient centred anticoagulation service has moved the monitoring of anticoagulant medication care from a traditional hospitalbased service to an approach where patients are cared for in the community.

Anticoagulation treatment reduces the risk of blood clots forming. Most patients taking anticoagulant medication need to do so for life and require regular blood tests to check their levels, which can have a great impact on their lives.

Our anticoagulation team began work in 2019 to establish multi-disciplinary

teams so that patients could have their regular checks in community based-settings, avoiding the need to travel to the hospital and wait there for test results.

The first session was held in Harlow in March 2020 and has since been extended across Bishop’s Stortford and Epping and surrounding communities. The teams have also introduced home visits for patients who are unable to travel to community clinics, which has improved patient safety and reduced the burden on district nurse teams.

There are now 12 sessions each week and since April 2020 over 50,000 tests have been carried out.

Claire Gibson, anticoagulation speciality lead, said: “As a team we are absolutely delighted that our patient centred anticoagulation service has received this recognition. I am enormously proud of the whole team as they work extremely hard and always put the patient at the centre of everything they do.

“Our thanks also go to everyone involved across the multi-disciplinary teams for their engagement and support, which has been pivotal to the success of the service implementation.”

Giuseppe Labriola, deputy chief nurse, said: “This service is not only convenient for our patients, but supports the NHS Long Term Plan that highlights

the importance of patients receiving care closer to home, moving away from traditional hospital-based services, toward a more communitybased approach.

“The anticoagulation team have worked really hard to

develop this new patient centred anticoagulation service and I’m proud of their success in being shortlisted in the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2023.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September 2023.

Everything equality, diversity and inclusion...

The power of staff networks

This month I am focusing on the significant role staff networks can have in an organisation. Staff networks are so much more than a nice to have.

In a post-pandemic environment, perceptions of how inclusive an organisation is play a larger part in people’s decisions about where to look for work - and whether to stay at their current jobs. To meet our aim of recruiting and retaining a compassionate and inclusive workforce, we need to make sure that everyone feels that their voice is heard, and that they have a safe space in which they can air any concerns. Our networks are a key part of that. We spend two thirds of our lives at work, and work has a huge impact on your wellbeing and sense of self.

Networks can:

• champion inclusion

• provide a support group for colleagues

• empower members to actively challenge inequalities

PAHT is proud to support three staff networks led by our people, for our people. They feature members and allies drawn from different divisions and departments, with a focus on a variety of initiatives to bring about change in the workplace.

These networks are:

• The Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage (REACH) staff network, which has become an integral part of our colleagues' support for one another, as well as feeding into equality work across the Trust. The network encourages a culture of fairness, not only for Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) colleagues, but for all of our people. As part of this continued support, the network chair, Andrea Philip, and seven members have been provided with bespoke coaching and development by external provider Krystal Alliance to enhance the leadership skills and effectiveness of the network

• The Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN) was established in February 2022. Take a look at a video on disclosing and recording your disability or long-term health condition here >

• The LGBT+ Staff Network has supported the introduction of the NHS Rainbow Badge initiative at PAHT. Our people are encouraged to sign up to wear a rainbow NHS badge as a visible demonstration that PAHT is an open, non-judgemental and inclusive place for people who identify as LGBT+

Each network chair is a member of our equality, diversity and inclusion steering group, giving our people an additional way to have their voice heard and share their lived experience. A powerful network can rewrite policy, and be the go-to for major decisions. Ultimately, great staff networks can reshape organisational cultures and even change lives. For further information or advice on equality, diversity and inclusion, please contact me at monika.kalyan@nhs.net.

Our staff network email contacts are:

y REACH: paht.race.equality@nhs.net

y DAWN: paht.equalityandinclusion@nhs.net

y LGBT+: paht.equalityandinclusion@nhs.net

Networks are open to all of our people, volunteers and allies - see you there...

Best wishes

Monika Kalyan Head of equality, diversity and inclusion

It's almost time to celebrate NHS 75...

Wednesday, 5 July will mark 75 years of the NHS, and we’re keen to celebrate at PAHT with all our people.

We have a range of events in store for you to enjoy and get involved with, including:

y An InTouch briefing, celebrating PAHT through the decades and looking to the future, from 10.15am11am on 5 July - invites have been sent to all calendars

y A photo display at The Princess Alexandra Hospital, St Margaret's Hospital and Herts and Essex Hospital, on AlexNet and on social media - take

a look at our #PAHTpeople and our hospitals across the years

y Spotlight pieces on our people - these will be shared across our communications channels

y Lance's digital diaryShowcasing the work of our teams and milestones in the

development of equipment and treatment

y A focus on our history at PAHT - You can read all about The Princess Alexandra Hospital from its opening in 1965 to now

y Reflecting on WindrushPlease take the opportunity to celebrate 75 years of the NHS and the diversity of the NHS workforce - this began on Windrush Day (22 June) and also continues as part of NHS 75

We look forward to celebrating with you.

This is Us Week - thank you for joining us...

Thank you to everyone who joined us at This is Us Week - it was great to see many of you taking part.

This is Us Week is our spectacular annual event with an exciting mix of sessions and activities to recognise, celebrate and develop our amazing PAHT people.

It included guest speakers at the Breafast with... sessions; opportunities to find out more about a range of topics at the Learn about... sessions; and wellbeing and information and discussions at the Wellbeing

o'clock series of sessions. Colleagues got involved with the fun at the Board games; joined the Schwartz Round to reflect on what great teamwork looks and feels like;

and even dropped-in to see demonstrations of the da Vinci robot which is used for robotic assisted surgery; and much more.

You can take a look at the photo galleries, videos and recordings of the sessions on AlexNet >

Thank you to everyone involved.

Congratulations to the learning and organisational development team on being shortlisted for a national industry award

Congratulations to the learning and organisational development team, who have been shortlisted for a national industry award.

The team are finalists for the Team of the Year category in the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) Excellence in People Awards 2023.

They have been recognised for their achievements in the last year, including:

y A new onboarding process to ensure a comprehensive and holistic programme for new starters. This features a streamlined twoday corporate induction, an updated managers’ induction, and a new employee forum

y Introducing the PAHT2030 Ready senior leadership programme to support colleagues to bring the PAHT2030 strategy for how we will deliver care and provide services to life

y A new spectacular annual event, This is Us Week, with an exciting mix of sessions and activities to recognise, celebrate and develop our amazing PAHT people

The team of 15 learning and organisational development professionals also support with a wide range of activities including the NHS Staff Survey; appraisals and performance management; learning and development programmes; apprenticeships and work experience.

Mandi Osoba, associate director of learning and organisational development, said: “I am thrilled to see the team recognised by being shortlisted for an HPMA award. It is a fantastic achievement and I thank the team for all their hard work and dedication across the year.”

Ogechi Emeadi, director of people, organisational development and communications, added: “Our amazing learning and organisational development team are committed to supporting the growth of our people and have made great

progress in the last year. “Being recognised at this high standard in the industry is fantastic and I am very proud of the team – well done and good luck for the finals."

The awards ceremony will be held on 19 September at the Royal Armouries, Leeds.

Our clinical column: Why keeping up to date with cervical screening is important

We marked Cervical Screening Awareness Week from 19-24 June, highlighting the vital importance of regular cervical screening to help detect early changes and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

What is cervical screening?

y Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina

y It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer. All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter

y During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix

y The sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called ‘high risk’ types of HPV

y If these types of HPV are not found, you do not need any further tests

y If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. If abnormal cells are detected, you will then be invited for a more detailed examination. Sometimes, if needed, a simple treatment may be carried out to remove the abnormal cells before they

get a chance to turn into cervical cancer

y The nurse or doctor will tell you when you can expect your results letter

Why is cervical screening important?

y Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer

y Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer

y Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV)

y These types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix and are called ‘high risk’ types of HPV

y If these types of HPV are found during screening (an HPV positive result), the sample of cells is then checked for abnormal changes. If abnormal cells are not treated, they may turn into cervical cancer

y Finding high risk HPV early means you can be monitored for abnormal cell changes

y Some abnormal changes may need to be treated so they do not get a chance to turn into cervical cancer

All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment.

Please contact your GP in between being invited for screening if you're worried about symptoms of cervical cancer such as:

y Bleeding between periods, during or after sex, or after you have been through the menopause

y Unusual vaginal discharge

Do not wait for your next cervical screening appointment. For more information, please refer to www.nhs.uk.

Best wishes

Sally Antoniades Lead nurse colposcopist practitioner and nurse hysteroscopist

Volunteers' Week: a time to recognise our fantastic team of volunteers

Volunteers’ Week takes place from 1-7 June each year - it was a chance for us to give thanks and recognition to our fantastic team of volunteers here at PAHT for the invaluable contribution they make to support the care of our patients.

Our volunteers are very much part of the PAHT team and their service underpins our values, including to put our patients at the heart of all we do. Their presence on the wards and departments supports our people and enhances patient wellbeing.

We are proud to have over 100 volunteers who support in many different ways and their roles/duties include:

y Spending time with patients in hospital, which helps to reduce their anxiety and isolation; and enhances patients’ general wellbeing

y Supporting families and carers with simple gestures such as taking time to talk and/or listen which can often help alleviate stress

y Improving the wellbeing of our people by giving them more time to focus on clinical tasks

y Being present in the main reception to welcome patients and visitors and help guide them to where

they need to be inside the hospital

y Arranging camp beds, pillows and blankets for visitors that find themselves staying overnight unexpectedly

The team includes the Butterfly Volunteers who support patients at the end of life; compassionate care/Namaste volunteers supporting those living with dementia, breastfeeding and with learning difficulties - they also support the emergency department.

Volunteers can be found helping in the restaurant, in the chaplaincy team and at the main reception, helping to guide visitors to where they need to be.

Pets

as Therapy

support patients with the companionship of an animal;

and the volunteers at Harlow Hospital Radio give up their time to bring entertainment to patients to brighten up their day.

Phillipa Haslehurst, voluntary services manager said: “We are grateful every day for the invaluable support of our teams of volunteers. Their presence on the wards supports our people and enhances patient wellbeing and we are so grateful for the time they give us.”

Sharon McNally, chief nurse and deputy chief executive said: “Our volunteers are very much part of the team and their service underpins our values; especially, working collaboratively across our partnership to put our patients at the heart of all we do. I really cannot thank them enough for all they do.”

Our patients said...

"To all the staff on Charnley Ward - we cannot thank you enough for the brilliant care you have given my mother.

"Sending all our best wishes to you."

"The care and assistance our loved one has had on Harold Ward has been magnificent from all of the doctors, nurses, and carers.

"Everyone has cared for him so well, everything has been first class."

"The team I met at the angiogram department were incredible and amazing, whilst being extremely professional.

"They made me feel at ease and gave me the strength and confidence to face this all new sequence of events."

Wise about wellbeing...

While you are caring for our patients, or supporting those who provide care, it is extremely important to remember to focus on your wellbeing and to check in with your colleagues too.

There are a wide variety of resources available to you to support your health and wellbeing. Each month, we share practical information and tips as part of our wise about wellbeing feature. This month, we are focusing on the introduction of our new staff health and wellbeing (SHaW) employee workplace support plan and managers' guide.

The purpose of the support plan is to provide a documented record of your individual needs, which support you to function to your maximum capacity in a supportive environment, without prejudice or discrimination. This can be used for any colleague who feels that they may need some additional support at work. For example, a member of staff with a disability or long-term condition. The support plan can be requested by the employee by completing a self-referral to SHaW; or offered by the employer during a managers' referral or during a pre-employment assessment; but is owned by the employee. This support plan should be completed using the staff health and wellbeing workplace support plan guidance document. The support plan contains details of reasonable adjustments agreed between you and your line manager, ensuring that you are able to work to your full potential within a positive and supportive environment.

It is advised that your support plan will need to be reviewed on an annual basis by your manager; this may be alongside the annual appraisal process. It will also be necessary to review the support plan if you are experiencing a change in health and/or have changed roles. You can access details of the full range of health and wellbeing resources on the staff health and wellbeing workspace on AlexNet >

Marking Biomedical Science Day

Did you know that over 70% of all decisions affecting patient diagnosis or treatment involve pathology investigations?

Our pathology team are often hidden behind the closed doors of B23 (next to the pharmacy) and within the Michael Letcher building (building 15).

Biomedical Science Day (Thursday, 8 June), was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the profession and say thank you for

the vital work that goes on behind the scenes, 24 hours a day, bridging the gap between laboratory professionals and their service users.

The team hosted an information stand for our

Welcome to our new #PAHTPeople

In the last month, 28 new #PAHTPeople have joined us:

Oluwasanmi Adejuyigbe

Comfort Agyei-Frimpong

Muhammad Ashraf

Abiola Bamikole

Natalie Booker

Devrim Dilekci

Andrea Gonzalez

Magda Guevara

Summer Hardy

Linda Harris

Mridula Jadhav

Sumaiya Khatun

Philippa Kimball-Smith

Wendy Lea

Michael Long

Alison Makewell

Emmaculata Mamutse

Jade Martin

Daniel Martin

Jannatul Mawa

Elena McLeod

Jean Morrin

Chidi Nwokoma

Georgina Parkyns

Aswathy Sunil

Dennis Udall

Jennyfer Walker

Lorraine Walker

people to drop-in to learn more about the processes in the laboratory, enjoy a cake or two and have their photo taken to pledge support.

The team also prepared a pathology themed quiz with all entries being submitted into a prize draw to win a gift hamper.

Thank you to all involved.

In this time, 43 people have left PAHT - thank you for supporting our patients and our people.