May - June 2021
InTouch A day in the life of our emergency department Back to better Birthday leave New Extranet: coming soon
Foreword 2
Welcome to InTouch magazine
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A day in the life of ED
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A day in the life of ED (continued) Back to better
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Birthday annual leave gift
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New hospital
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New hospital (continued)
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Welcome to InTouch magazine – your insight into the latest news and updates from across PAHT. On Tuesday 4 May, we held a memorial service to remember and honour family members, colleagues and friends who sadly lost their lives over the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you to the chaplaincy team, all of our colleagues who gave readings and those who attended. Thank you for the positive feedback on the service and we will look to hold this as an annual event. Please take the time to reflect on the service, with more details on p.8.
In this edition, you can also read about a day in the COVID-19 memorial service life of our emergency department (ED), when our ED team recently had the valuable opportunity to work with colleagues across the whole of the local healthcare Communications team system to explore new ways of working to improve the shortlisted for award service they provide to our urgent care patients. Digital messaging screens
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CQC: Dementia care
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Our patients said...
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Our charity update
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Our charity update (continued)
Additionally, there is an opportunity to hear the latest about our Back to better campaign, as we focus on you, your health and wellbeing and the future. As our amazing PAHT people, to thank you for all of your hard work through the COVID-19 pandemic, the executive team have enabled you all to receive an extra day of paid annual leave on your birthday this calendar year (2021) – read about how some of your colleagues have enjoyed their special gift on p.5.
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Our brand templates (continued)
You can also find out all about our new Extranet, which will replace Alex. Please refer to the guidance on the branded templates available to you to ensure your documents are appropriately presented. Additionally, in this edition of InTouch we cover the fantastic work on dementia care and how you can get involved, and the latest update from our charity. As always, we focus on our #PAHTPeople too – please contact the communications team if you would like to see your team featured, at paht. communications@nhs.net.
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#PAHTPeople
Best wishes
Trainee biomedical scientist shortlisted for award 14
New Extranet coming soon... Our brand templates
Lance McCarthy Chief executive
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A day in the life of ED Our emergency department (ED) team recently had the valuable opportunity to work with colleagues across the healthcare system to explore new and adapted ways of working to improve the service they provide to our patients. On Thursday, 22 April, we invited representatives from across our system partner organisations to join us for a focused day of meeting with and shadowing our ED team. This gave our partners an insight into the busy and varied work of our ED team, with regular touchpoints throughout the day to share observations, feedback and suggestions. The team were joined by partners including: y Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) y The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) y Essex County Council (ECC) y West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (WECCG) y East and North Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (E&NHCCG) y NHS England and NHS Improvement Thank you in particular to Louise Hall, deputy director of transformation, West Essex CCG, and Paul Cleeland-Smith, head of UEC operations, NHS Improvement,
who were instrumental in arranging the day. The questions to guide conversation on the day were: y How does it feel to work in our ED team? y What is the ED experience like for our patients? y Did the patient meet the criteria for a specialist ED department or Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)? y What community alternatives could have been offered to avoid an ED attendance or UTC appointment? y What opportunities are there for improvement in community or hospital pathways? During the day, we saw patient numbers increase from 29 in ED at 8.30am to 100 by 5.30pm, giving an insight into the fast-paced environment. Key themes highlighted included the challenges of: y The COVID-19 pandemic y Working across the county borders (Essex/ Hertfordshire)
It was noted that: y Effective communication between organisations is vital y Patients attending often do not meet the criteria for either ED or the urgent treatment centre. y There are high fluctuations in activity y Processes can be strengthened to support our patients and people y Opportunities are available with a focus on additional data y More guidance can be given to patients on accessing NHS 111 or their GP surgery y We can carry out work to further integrate NHS 111 pathways y We can review our systems to support booking into a more appropriate service for patients y We can offer further training to our teams on available community pathways y We can review our referral pathways to partner organisations
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Feedback included: “We saw real compassion for patients”
“The Adult Assessment Unit (AAU) is a fantastic facility” - next steps are to develop its identity, vision and purpose
“A polite, kind and compassionate team - feels like a very safe environment.”
Stephanie Lawton, chief operating officer, said: “Thank you to our partner organisations for taking the time to participate in this fantastic session, and to our ED team for your involvement and engagement. It was an extremely beneficial day, with a focus on identifying areas for improvement to incorporate with our action plans in response to the recent CQC report. We are reviewing all learning, observations and feedback to support the further development of our plan for improvement of our services.”
Back to better
Now is our time to focus on the future and how we move to getting Back to better. Please continue to look out for a range of events, webinars, information and updates. Since the last edition of this magazine, the latest sessions have included: y InTouch briefing: Operational focus (Access Board) y InTouch briefing: Operational focus (Cancer management) y Supporting your wellbeing with health psychologist Dr Esther Murray y Compassionate leadership with Professor Michael West, CBE y InTouch briefing: Menopause support App
The next sessions are: y InTouch briefing on Freedom to Speak Up with the National Guardian’s Office y InTouch briefing: Operational focus (Cancer management) y InTouch briefing: Operational focus (Urgent care) y Back to better: Supporting
your mental health with Alexis Powell-Howard from Fortis Therapy y InTouch briefing: Operational focus (Access Board) For more information, take a look at our Back to better Alex page and YouTube playlist. 4
Your birthday annual leave gift As our amazing PAHT people, you will receive an extra day of paid annual leave on your birthday this year for all of your hard work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the NHS cannot take a day off on it’s birthday - you can. To book your birthday annual leave day or find out more, please speak to your line manager. Take a look at how some of our colleagues have spent their birthday annual leave day (right and below).
Jamie Coates, head of recruitment and resourcing said: “After having two official lockdown birthdays, I was lucky enough that this year my birthday fell the day before the restrictions eased. “I used my extra annual leave day on 12 April and managed to book a restaurant for lunch and a pub garden for birthday drinks with my family which was really nice. Luckily the weather held apart from getting a bit chilly in the evening.”
Barbara Carolan, assistant applications support, said: “As I was at home, my family popped by in dribs and drabs throughout the day. “We followed COVID-19 guidelines, however they all had the chance to wish me a lovely day, each of them gave me flowers, which was also lovely. So thank you for my gift of a day off for my birthday.”
Lauren Nash, head of communications, said: “This year was a special year to have a day of birthday leave, as I turned 30. “It was fantastic to have the opportunity to take the time for some rest and relaxation, virtual catch ups with my family and friends, and plenty of cake!”
Helen Weaving, Dolphin Ward manager said: “I had a great birthday, I spent around three hours having a pedicure – my friend is a beautician so it was lovely to have a catch up at the same time too. “It was also a child free day! I hit the shops, which was nice as I usually spend my weekends shopping as I work throughout the week. “Thank you for my extra day of annual leave, it’s much appreciated.” 5
New hospital update Transforming through digital “When we open, we want to be the most technological and digitally enabled hospital in the UK, allowing us to transform the care we deliver and the experience of our people.” That’s the challenge set by our chief executive, Lance McCarthy, and one we are very much focused on delivering. Our new hospital offers an incredibly exciting opportunity to deliver our models of care in new and innovative ways, benefiting both patients and our people. A hospital for the future Hospitals of the future will be high-tech, and will rely on virtual and remote services whenever there is patient benefit in doing so. Our recent experiences with COVID-19 have seen us all embracing digital like never before. There is a lot we have learned from these new ways of working over the last 12 months, and a lot more we can do going forward. Digital by design We have the huge advantage of being one of the few hospitals in the New Hospital Programme (NHP) to be working on a complete new build. This means we are able to think beyond the confines of our current building and its operational constraints, and instead, combine smart
building technologies with cutting edge medical technologies and data sharing capabilities to transform all elements of the patient journey. Improving outcomes through innovation Virtual monitoring, diagnosis and care will be as much a part of tomorrow’s hospitals as X-ray machines and scanners are of today’s.
“Everything from the moment people arrive at the hospital to the way they move through the building, how their treatment is provided and the way in which the building itself is managed will all be supported by new technology and digital solutions. It is really going to be the future of a modern healthcare experience” Michael Meredith, director of strategy and estates Patients will only need to come to hospital when necessary, using remote technology to consult and keep track of their health, and with care delivered in or closer to home. Clinical staff will be able to rely on the most up-to-date and effective intelligence to inform clinical diagnosis, decision-making, prevention, treatment and care planning.
information available at the touch of a button. We will work closely with our integrated care system (ICS) partners to use the latest technologies to build a Learning Health System that will improve and inform clinical practice and population health through continuous learning and access to up-the-minute data.
Using machine learning, artificial intelligence and technology-driven systems and tools, the new hospital will make the latest and best 6
How we’ll do it y by using technologies to track health including remote patient monitoring and virtual services y by creating a patient-centric and data driven learning health system to continually improve outcomes y by using flexible, scalable and secure technology for on demand cloud computing, and rapid adoption of new technologies y by establishing multichannel contact so patients and staff can use what works for them, giving them more time for recovery and care y by going 100% paperfree using electronic patient records, appointment systems and e-prescriptions Ready for anything We are doing our best to anticipate the future demand for our services and what technologies will support that demand effectively. It’s a tricky task as the pace of medical change is such that many new hospitals are outdated even before opening day. But that won’t be the case for us. The New Princess Alexandra Hospital will be a pioneering, multi-functional and highly flexible modern healthcare campus, designed to be ready for anything.
“This is about transforming the way in which healthcare is delivered for our communities and creating a much more modern, much more welcoming place for our clinicians to work and our patients to be treated” Phil Holland, chief information officer
New hospital website Coming soon is a brand new website sharing all our plans for the new hospital and providing lots of ways for you to get involved and have your say. The new site will be launched in the coming weeks and we can’t wait to share it with you. In the meantime, you can visit our current site for all the latest information. You can share your feedback or ideas with us any time via paht.newhospital@nhs.net. 7
COVID-19 memorial service On Tuesday 4 May, we held a memorial service for our people. It was an opportunity for us to come together and pause to remember and honour family members, colleagues and friends who have sadly lost their lives over the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service included a minute of silence and contributions from our people and representatives of different faith communities. We were deeply saddened by the loss of our colleagues in the last year.
The people we recognised have now been joined by others who have passed since September. Together they are: Mary Bio, service manager
You can watch the recorded service via our YouTube playlist www. youtube.com/pahcomms or please email paht. communications@nhs. net to be sent the direct link.
Rachel Carey, clerical officer Peter Edwards, maintenance assistant Deyaa Elsandabesee, consultant Lyn Horne, office supervisor, cellular pathology Linda Jackson, domestic ward orderly Sarah Simcox, cardiac technician
We lost Lynsay Coventry, midwife, Saima Bilgrami, Robert Parmenter, ward healthcare assistant and clerk Barclay Mason, senior ED nurse, to COVID-19. Norma Trendell, domestic ward orderly We paused to reflect on our memories of Mary Winfield, all of our colleagues healthcare assistant who have passed away in the last year Our thoughts remain with at the Our Amazing their family and friends. People Awards, held in September.
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Communications team shortlisted for leading industry award Our communications team has been shortlisted for a leading industry award. The team has been shortlisted in the category of Best Event at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Excellence Awards 2021, in recognition of their spectacular staff recognition and health and wellbeing events The virtual event was in place programme. of the annual Event in a Tent. From Monday, 28 September 2020, to Wednesday, 30 September 2020, we invited our people to take part in a series of virtual events, which everyone at PAHT could join from their desk or from home. The three day programme – named Events not in a Tent - gave our people the opportunity and platform to share ideas, develop new initiatives, hear about the support and benefits available, and build relationships from across PAHT.
Ogechi Emeadi, director of people, organisational development and communications, said: “I am delighted to see our communications team recognised for the amazing work on our Events not in a tent. “We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback of how beneficial our people found the virtual events, which shone a spotlight on the work of teams across the hospital and their
shared experiences, with a focus on their COVID-19 experience. “I am extremely proud to see the team shortlisted for this accolade - it is testament to our dedication and focus on supporting our people. On behalf of all at PAHT, good luck for the finals and thank you to the communications team for their fantastic contributions.” The CIPR Excellence Awards 2021 finalists will be announced at an online event in June 2021.
Digital messaging screens – keep a look out We have installed new software onto our digital messaging screens that allows us to produce our own high quality, effective messages for our patients, people and visitors. The screens can also be tailored to each department. If you would like to add a message onto the screen, please email paht.communications@nhs. net. 9
CQC: dementia care We are committed to providing outstanding care for our patients with dementia and support for their loved ones. Dementia Action Week is this month (17-23 May) and at PAHT we will be marking the occasion with a Dementia Friends information session on Wednesday, 19 May from 2pm- and drink. 2.45pm. Our ‘Singing for the brain’ music therapy sessions have Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme continued virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of importance of connecting dementia. It aims to transform with people with dementia the way the nation thinks, acts through music and providing support to their families during and talks about the condition. the pandemic is extremely We are encouraging as many important. If you know of a of you as possible to join the patient who may benefit from session and email Caroline participating, please contact Ashton-Gough, dementia Caroline. clinical nurse specialist, to confirm you have completed It is essential that people it. Additionally, Caroline is living with dementia in the purchasing items to put hospital setting are supported together activity boxes for each to maintain social relationships ward, funded via our charity as and their communication part of the week. needs are understood.
would be interested in joining the Dementia and Delirium Steering Group. Additionally, please get in touch if you are a current dementia and delirium champion, with your updated place of work and contact details, so that Caroline can contact you about a forthcoming study day. A range of training is also available to support your learning, from the core content in the PAHT training booklet to simulations of delirium and dementia to enhance your understanding. There are two additional support networks to be aware of:
y The Carers First carers support group meets twice Patient centred care is vital. We are also working with monthly on a Monday An important tool is the St Clare’s Hospice on the evening. If you are a carer, ‘This is me’ booklet from the Namaste Care programme or recognise a carer/family Alzheimer’s Society, which for people with advanced member who may benefit facilitates our people and dementia. This respectful from peer support, please carers to record important and supportive approach contact jayne.moscow@nhs. information about our patients’ to care for those living with net advanced dementia integrates routines, preferences, likes y The Harlow Dementia Action and dislikes. We are aiming compassionate nursing and Alliance: Dementia Friendly for 75% of all patients living person-centred care with virtual coffee morning takes with dementia to have a individualised, therapeutic place on Fridays at 10:30am, completed ‘This is me’ booklet activities in a group setting or Please follow the link above on a 1-1 basis. These activities to support their wellbeing and for more details. the booklets can be ordered on include sensory stimulation of For more information, please the five senses (touch, hearing, EROS. contact Caroline Ashtonsight, smell and taste) using Caroline would also like to Gough, dementia clinical multisensory techniques such hear from you if you have a nurse specialist, at caroline. as music, therapeutic touch, passion for improving the lives ashton5@nhs.net. massage, aromatherapy, food of people with dementia and 10
Our patients said... “I’m sat at home today thinking about how lovely all of your staff were from the moment I attended A&E. Every single staff member, from the moment I walked through the door, the gynaecology doctor to the porter and the midwives in the labour ward after I was admitted for observation, every time I had pain someone was by my side comforting me and keeping an eye on me. “I have never been treated with so much dignity and respect, care and compassion and just outright outstanding care. I would like to thank each of the staff members from the bottom of my heart. I was gutted I was too unwell to feel I could get them some goodies from the shop, but when I’m back to give birth I most definitely will be! Thank you to all of you lovely doctors, nurses, porters, consultants and midwives, you made my horrible experience the best it could have been.”
“A massive thank you to all of the staff who saved my life during my stay at The Princess Alexandra Hospital.I will be forever grateful to the amazing nurses and doctors for how kind, caring and compassionate you were during probably the hardest experience of my life. “I am now recovering and everything is going well. My family also want to pass on their regards. They spoke with you on a few occasions when I was unable to speak and they are also very grateful for your hard work and for saving my life. “I would like to say you are all being missed by me, as when I left the hospital I felt like I was leaving family and friends behind who I have known for a very long time. My dog is also very grateful, as he went crazy the day I arrived back home! “Thank you for saving my life.”
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Our charity update
The Captain Tom 100 Captain Sir Tom Moore set himself the challenge of walking 100 lengths of his garden to support NHS Charities Together, raising an incredible £38.9 million. Captain Sir Tom’s family pledged to celebrate his life with the Captain Tom 100, asking people to dream up a challenge around the number 100 and do it between Friday 20 April and Monday 3 May. The Princess Alexandra Hospital Charity saw three amazing fundraisers take part earlier this month. One of our fundraisers, Paul Richards (pictured centre), cycled 100 miles on an exercise bike in
his garden, raising £590. Paul said: “I have been cycling all my life, enjoying weekend rides and charity events. I even managed the LEJOG (Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle) in 2008, which was a big achievement. “Suffering with COVID-19 last year definitely affected my lungs and fitness, so I have been fighting to get back to cycling fitness on my exercise bike at home over the past few months.” Well done Paul - and thank you!
Cricket players wanted for family fun day match Matching Green Cricket Club is organising a charity cricket match and would like to play a team from PAHT in a 20/20 match. The club is organising the event as part of a family fun day with a barbecue, stalls and a raffle on Monday, 30 August. If you are interested in playing in the match, or would like any other details about the event, please email paht.fundraising@nhs.net.
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5K May Sign up for our next challenge #5kMay. There is still a chance to participate in a 5k during May – however you choose, donate £5 to The Princess Alexandra Hospital Charity and nominate five of your friends to take part. It’s the perfect way to get active and give back, either by yourself or as part of a team. For more information, please visit the JustGiving page.
Trainee biomedical scientist shortlisted for prestigious national award Congratulations to Donna Morris, trainee biomedical scientist, who has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. Donna is one of three finalists to be shortlisted for the Advancing Healthcare Awards in the category of the NHS Employers Award for Outstanding Achievement by an allied health professional, healthcare science apprentice, support worker or technician. Donna said: “I am honoured to be nominated and shortlisted for this award. As a trainee biomedical scientist, I support the team by carrying out a range of laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
an efficient service for our patients and colleagues at all times.”
“I received my nomination for the support I gave the pathology team during the first wave of COVID-19. I carried out validation checks for COVID-19 tests using specialist machines. Since the first wave, I have continued to investigate results thoroughly and provide training to my colleagues.
Sharon McNally, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at PAHT said: “A huge congratulations to Donna on receiving her nomination and being shortlisted for the final. This a true reflection of her hard work and dedication. Our fantastic pathology teams are often a hidden service; however they play a vital role in the smooth running of the hospital.
“I am extremely proud to see Donna acknowledged for her commitment to making a difference for her patients “The nomination and recognition means a great deal and colleagues. I wish Donna every success at the virtual to me – we have worked so awards ceremony today (21 closely as a team throughout May).” the pandemic to ensure 13
New Extranet coming soon... Alex, our current Intranet, is retiring and will be replaced with a new, modern Extranet this summer. It will be fully mobile enabled to access on smartphones and tablets too, wherever you are. Many of you will be aware that we are currently reviewing the content across Alex. The communications team have been in contact with all teams with a request for you to refresh the information on the pages you manage - thank you to everyone who has completed this so far. The accuracy of your pages is not only
important for you, it is vital when your colleagues need to find some important information fast. Please ensure that key information, such as clinical documentation, is correct. As the content experts, we need your help to look over your pages to ensure they are as up to date as possible, including:
You can also let us know the changes you would like to be made. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact paht. communications@nhs. net.
y Removing old documents y Removing old information y Removing any links to other pages (internal or external) y Ensuring any directions, pathways or advice are all accurate
Our PAHT brand...templates for you The NHS Identity is one of the most cherished and recognised brands in the world. When applied correctly and consistently, it evokes high levels of trust and reassurance. We have a responsibility to protect it and ensure that we use it in line with the national standards expected of us.
It is important that everyone at PAHT follows our brand guidelines. Please take the time to look through the PAHT branding guidance and templates on Alex, under non-clinical, communications, which should be used on every document that you create. Please also update documents/reports that
you prepare reguarly, rather than updating the content from the last version you created. The templates include: y Newsletters y PowerPoint presentations y Posters y Letterhead y Meeting agenda y Certificates 14
y Blank branded document You can also find all of our logos, graphics, the brand colour palette and templates on the shared drive under the ‘communications templates’ folder (shared drive, scroll down to the folders beginning with ‘c’, and click on the communications templates folder).
Please ensure that you copy the document across to your personal drive and do not overwrite the existing file. If you need any assistance with the templates, logos or graphics or have any queries, please contact paht.communications@ nhs.net - if you would like to see any additional templates created, please contact us and we can
look into creating these for you. Our PAHT colour guide We have also created a colour guide that details the RGB codes for our PAHT brand. This can be found on the shared drive under the ‘communications templates’ folder. Please take a look at the brand colours and how to add an RBG code below.
How to add an RGB code: 1. Highlight the text or double click the shape 2. Click on the drop down arrow next to the text colour or colour fill option 3. Click ‘more colours’ 4. Click ‘custom’ on the top toolbar 5. Enter the RBG code in the red, blue and green section, for example: NHS blue is RGB: 0/94/184, so you would enter the following: Red: 0 Green: 94 Blue: 184 6. Click ‘ok’ to save the new colour option
Our patients
Our people
Our places
Our pounds
Our performance
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PAHT People Managers induction programme to resume from June Open to our people in clinical and support roles, the induction programme runs once a month over two days (a week apart) and provides an overview of key people management and operational management processes and policies. The programme is also open to existing staff, who may have recently joined PAHT, or may have been with us for some time but would still find attending the programme beneficial. Details of upcoming sessions are below, which are all via Microsoft Teams, from 9:15am – 3:30pm: 22 and 29 June 20 and 27 July 7 and 14 September 5 and 12 October 9 and 16 November 7 and 14 December Please contact learning and organisational development administration (claudette.dilaimi@nhs.net) for course booking and for an initial induction conversation, contact valerie.brown-beckford@nhs.net, leadership and organisational development practitioner.
A spotlight on our #PAHTPeople Have you met Cherie Beckett, specialist biomedical scientist at PAHT? Cherie assists with the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Cherie joined the hospital 11 years ago as a medical laboratory assistant, before completing her biomedical science degree at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. You can take a look at our #PAHTPeople series on our social media channels: Twitter: @NHSHarlow Facebook: @NHSHarlow Instagram: @princessalexandranhs 16
