March - June 2020
InTouch Patients thank the teams who cared for them while in hospital with coronavirus (COVID-19) Community rally to support our charity in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) Charity partnership supports family members and friends to share messages with patients in a new way Kind donations for our people from community via Amazon WishList
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Foreword Contents
Hello Welcome to In Touch magazine – your insight into the latest news and updates from across PAHT. Thank you to everyone for your continued amazing response to the challenges and demands COVID-19 is placing on us. Your professionalism, compassion and care are making a huge difference, which is being recognised in many, many messages and social media posts of thanks and praise from patients who you have cared for and from local residents in admiration of your hard work and commitment. You can read more of these on pages six and seven. You can also find out about the incredible support of our community for our dedicated COVID-19 charity appeal on pages 10 and 11. Furthermore, this edition includes our reflections on the evolution of the hospital over the decades as we mark our 55th anniversary, and the special regional training event we hosted, providing an opportunity for doctors to learn more about pathology. We congratulate biomedical scientist Cherie Beckett on being a finalist for a prestigious award and focus on the story of how recruitment advisor Chloe Rich helped to save the life of a baby boy while on her lunch break. You can also read about our staff and volunteers being selected as finalists at The National Patient Experience Awards, and much more. 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.
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Welcome to In Touch magazine
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Patients thank the teams who cared for them while in hospital with coronavirus
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New hospital update
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Kind words from our patients and their families
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Hospital marks 55th anniversary
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Community rally to support hospital
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Hospital hosts regional training event for doctors
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Biomedical scientist recognised as finalist at national awards International Women’s Day
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Recruitment hero helps save baby boy on lunch break
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Staff and volunteers reach finals of prestigious awards
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A spotlight on our overseas nursing programme
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60 second interview: Sally Smith, domestic
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A different perspective: reverse mentoring
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#PAHTPeople
I hope you enjoy the read. Lance McCarthy Chief executive InTouch March 2020_V7.indd 2
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Patients thank the teams who cared for them while in hospital with coronavirus (COVID-19) Patients who have recently been treated for coronavirus (COVID-19) at PAHT have shared their stories and words of appreciation to the staff who cared for them. As they return to their daily lives, three patients discussed their experience of coronavirus (COVID-19) and their stay at our hospital.
Mum-of-two Carmel Smith, 55, a school office manager from Waltham Abbey, said: I first felt unwell on the afternoon of Saturday, 7 March. I hadn’t travelled anywhere previously or been in touch with anyone who had. I didn’t really know what was wrong, I just didn’t feel right. I went to bed early and the following day I still felt unwell with a bad headache, generally quite achy and it was hard to stay awake. I then just felt worse and worse with a temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea, a tight chest and a dry cough and I don’t remember the rest of that week much. On Saturday, 14 March, I was awake all night with the light and radio on, just to hear another
Carmel Smith. voice. I felt so ill that I really didn’t know what to do with myself. The next day I spoke to my dad and he felt that I needed hospital care, but I kept hoping that I would feel better. I got to the point that I was struggling to walk 20 steps from my bedroom to the bathroom and I knew I needed help, so I called an ambulance. I was then admitted to The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. The first couple of days in hospital were a bit of a blur. I slept a lot, and was on oxygen and intravenous (IV) antibiotics. I was still achy everywhere, with an upset stomach and my chest hurt. I was quite tearful much of the time I was there. The days felt very long and the nights even longer. On the Wednesday after I was admitted, my mum was admitted to a different hospital,
and two days later my dad and sister were admitted to another hospital. They were all diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19). My brother was also ill at his home at that time with the same symptoms. I found it very difficult to deal with as by then the seriousness of the virus was really starting to sink in and I was convinced that I might not see my parents again, as both of them are in their 80s and have other health issues. Every single person who was involved with my care was amazingly supportive and caring. When I rang the bell for assistance, somebody came to me immediately, and nothing was too much trouble for anyone, ever. Every single person, from the cleaners to the consultant, were cheerful, attentive and reassuring. Although I felt like I’d been run over by a bus, I always felt that 3
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I was safe and being cared for. They are an amazing bunch of people who deserve every accolade they receive. I was well enough to be discharged home on Wednesday, 25 March. I am so glad to be home. Recovery is much slower than I anticipated. I still have the cough, although nowhere near what it was, and I am breathless on occasion. It’s taking me a long time to get my energy back, but I am feeling a little stronger each day. It’s been difficult to be away from my other family members who were still in hospital but thankfully after a rocky couple of weeks, my sister is home, my brother is on the mend and amazingly both my parents are also coming home now. I have had fantastic support from my daughters, all of my family, and friends who have called and checked in with me every day. It has really helped to know that I have a fabulous support network around me. I will be forever grateful to everyone at The Princess Alexandra Hospital for getting me through this time and to NHS staff everywhere for the amazing job they are doing in such stressful and heart-breaking conditions. Both ambulance crews - those who brought me in and those who brought me home again - were so caring, reassuring and comforting. It is impossible to single anyone out, but I would like to mention one nurse who offered to get in touch with the other hospitals for reassurance as to how my parents and sister were doing. It really touched me that
he was willing to do that for me. My mum’s phone charger had stopped working and a nurse at her hospital went shopping after work and bought her a new one to make sure we could all keep in touch. It’s those extra above and beyond touches that have really stuck with me. Each and every one of them are fantastic and I will be clapping loudly for them again every Thursday night. Please everyone, follow the guidance. Until this virus touches you or your family directly, you have no idea how scary it is, how sick you could feel and that there is a possibility that you or somebody you love could die.
and supportive - they are working hard to save lives. I spent five days in the hospital, and was discharged last week. I am still recovering slowly as the symptoms persist because of my health issues. But day after day, I am recovering. I want to say a big thank you to my heroes at the hospital for their hard work and I encourage others to please follow all of the advice.
Married father-oftwo Lloyd Wood, 68, a chef, from Broxbourne, Mum-of-four Very Masire, 33, a nursery Hertfordshire, said: practitioner from The first signs of me feeling unwell were on Friday, 13 March Harlow, said: after I arrived home from work. I Four weeks ago I began coughing and feeling cold. I had an infection at the time and was taking antibiotics. After a week, I felt worse, and needed to go to hospital, particularly as I have a chronic illness.
felt hot and cold and went straight to bed at around 7pm. I hadn’t been abroad for over a year or as far as I knew, in contact with anyone with coronavirus (COVID-19).
I then continued to feel hot and cold and displayed flu like symptoms for the next few days, but it didn’t seem out of the I had a COVID-19 test, ordinary. However, I collapsed at which came back positive. I around 6am on Wednesday, 18 was transferred to a ward to be March. An ambulance was called treated. I received good care from and paramedics worked on me the nurses and all the staff, God at home before taking me to The bless them. Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, where I was admitted. I was very scared due to my health condition, as I am having During the first stages of my chemotherapy and physically I lost time in hospital, my physical state weight straight away as I couldn’t wasn’t too good, with difficulties eat. in breathing, and walking around proved exhausting. My emotional All the staff were very friendly 4
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state was at times very low. My experience of the care from the doctors and nurses in hospital was very good and I was treated well. I spent nine days on a ward in the hospital in total, and fortunately I did not need intensive care. I was discharged home in the evening of Thursday, 26 March. I feel great now and I am gaining strength, one day at a time.
health professionals, said: We are so glad to see that Lloyd, Carmel, and Very, alongside many other patients, are doing well in their recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19). It is fantastic to hear such high praise for our dedicated teams, who are working hard to support our patients. It means a great deal to our doctors, nurses and support staff to receive these words of gratitude. We are encouraging our patients to continue to get in touch and share thank you messages with our staff, as they are deeply appreciated.
I will forever be grateful to the absolutely incredible people who helped me. Sharon McNally, director of nursing, midwifery, and allied
Our new hospital – the plan We are just about to take the first step on an amazing journey to transform healthcare for the population we serve. We have had a vision for a modern, brand new hospital for many years and with your help we are going to bring that vision to life. We are going to develop a building fit for the 21st Century with technology at its heart that will be a fabulous place to work, allowing us to deliver outstanding healthcare.
capital projects in the NHS today. As we emerge from the pandemic, we have all learned a lot. We now know what works and what has presented us with significant challenges. Our new hospital could not be better timed. We will make this the first pandemic proof hospital in the country and possibly the world.
More than just a hospital Our ambition is that our hospital is more than just a hospital. Yes, it will deliver modern, outstanding, Our clinicians have been integrated healthcare, but it will working with the strategy team to be much more than that. It will be assemble a crack team of experts part of the community it serves. including architects, health care We want the hospital to have planners, town planners, land space for people to relax, an agents and a host of others to atmosphere that supports loved ensure we have the skills we ones at difficult times and an need to develop one of the largest environment that attracts the best
to work in our team. We will be developing the inside and outside space for use by the whole community. We will be working with partners, staff and patients in the coming months with a massive engagement programme to understand what they want and need our amazing new hospital to deliver for them. Watch out for future updates so your voice can be heard. How do we get there? The first hurdle is to develop an outline business case (OBC) by February 2021. For this we will have to define our clinical model, develop the master plan (how the buildings fit) for the site and detailed 1:200 drawings which show all the departments, the 5
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This picture shows an artist’s impression of a possible hospital design to stimulate our thinking.
rooms and the landscaping.
organisations to develop new integrated models of care, Then we must complete a full developing solutions that business case (FBC), which is the overcome the challenges we all final design of the building and face every day. all the intricate details, including fixtures and fittings and design Your chance to shape our details. This needs to be complete future by December 2021. We can’t do it without you. There has been an outstanding response Finally comes the exciting bit – we to the first call to clinicians, start to build our amazing new nurses and operational staff to get hospital. We know it is important involved in the development of the to our people and patients to future model of care. This model move in as quickly as possible, so of care will provide the details we plan to have this completed by needed to ensure that we provide December 2025. the first pandemic proof hospital, commissioned post-COVID-19. However, it won’t all be plain sailing. There will be many However, as we all know, it is not challenges to overcome, we will just clinicians that make a hospital have to be agile and flexible work - it takes many, many more in our thinking. We will need including domestics, porters, to work across disciplines and catering, maintenance, training
and education and library teams to name but a few. We want you all on this journey, so please take any opportunity to get involved. Design brief Work has also started on the exciting plans to develop the design brief for the new hospital. Your ideas and suggestions along with those from our patients and people who have visited the hospital will be vital in ensuring that the architects have the details they need to produce an outline design of the proposed facilities. Updates This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build one of the best hospitals in the country. We have all fought hard to gain this opportunity so now it’s time to get involved - be part of our future. 6
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Kind words from our patients and their families You are all doing a great job in difficult
Amazing dedication, thank you to everyone.
circumstances. All the best. Stay safe.
All the staff at PAH and other hospitals are doing a remarkable job and we are truly grateful to every one of you. Thank you.
Thank you to all staff caring for the community.
A wonderful hospital filled with kind, compassionate and caring staff. What a blessing you are to so many people. You are all in our prayers at this time.
You supported my husband throughout the last year of his life. I would like to make a donation to help you now in your hour of need. Thank you for all the fantastic care you have given me and my family over the years, and the incredible dedication you are all showing in fighting COVID-19.
Thank you for all your hard work.
You are all amazing and wonderful to work with.
Raising funds and
Thank you for
spirits. Thank you to
looking after
every person who works,
us all.
cares and donates.
Thanks to all staff at PAH for their fantastic efforts on behalf of the community, and best wishes to all patients and those affected by COVID-19. 7
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Hospital marks 55th anniversary by reflecting on its evolution over the decades We marked the 55th anniversary of The Princess Alexandra Hospital on Monday, 27 April, with the hospital having served many generations of the community of west Essex and east Hertfordshire. The official opening ceremony was held on 27 April 1965, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy. HRH Princess Alexandra is The Queen’s cousin and a working member of the Royal Family. An account of the official opening of the hospital, held in our library archives, describes the event in vivid detail. The Princess (pictured right) arrived by helicopter at Harlow Heliport on Tuesday, 27 April 1965, in particularly dark and wet weather. From here she was taken by car to the soon to be opened hospital which was to be named after her (a well-kept secret at the time). During this car journey, she was met by some 1,500 people, mostly children, along Second and Third Avenue, determined to endure the weather for a short glimpse of the Princess. By the time she arrived at the hospital in the early afternoon, the sun started to break through the clouds and the marquee event was flush with 600 guests ready to meet the Princess and formally open the hospital. After giving an address to the guests, she was brought to the front door of the hospital and given the key by Mr
Photo courtesy of George Taylor S.E.T. Cusdin, architect for the hospital. It continues: A cheer was heard throughout the crowd and after a short interlude; people began to enter the building. After unveiling a ceremonial plaque for Princess Alexandra Hospital, she went on a tour of the facilities with an entourage of doctors and nurses to welcome her.
of a modern acute hospital. This includes computerised tomography (CT) scanners, which were first used in the UK in 1972. They continued to be used at the hospital from the 1970s, and in September 1998, HRH Princess Alexandra revisited the hospital to officially open the new CT scanner suite in the X-ray department.
The radiology department at PAHT performed 32,236 CT investigations in 2019 and it has now been announced that we It was reported in the papers are to receive £447,000 from the as follows: scores of children Government for a new state-ofand mothers pushing prams had managed to gatecrash the tickets- the-art CT scanner, to be installed this year. This will support early by-invitation only event. They diagnosis of cancer for our crowded round the walk for a patients. glimpse of the Princess. Following this momentous day in 1965, the hospital saw the implementation of many procedures and treatments that are now a mainstay of the work
The hospital was established as The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in April 1995, providing services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital 8
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in Bishop’s Stortford, and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping. In the years since the hospital first opened, it has undergone modernisation and development, including recent additions such as the Charnley Ward and renovation of Ray Ward. However, much of the site remains recognisable to how it looked in previous years. In October 2019, the Government announced that PAHT is to receive funding to rebuild a new hospital in Harlow for our patients, community and people. The details around the funding and the timeframe are currently being finalised and we are completing our business case for the new hospital.
community and giving our thanks to our colleagues for their hard work and dedication.
of support for our hospital, with extremely generous fundraising, gifts and kind words for our teams during this time. We are reflecting on the vital role of PAHT in our
While coronavirus (COVID-19) remains at the forefront of the national consciousness, we are also looking to the future. We continue to progress our plans and I’m delighted to be working towards a new hospital for Harlow to serve our community, the next chapter in the story of The Princess Alexandra Hospital.
27 April 2020
Lance McCarthy, chief executive, said: The hospital is marking its 55th anniversary as we manage the demands of coronavirus (COVID-19), and as ever, our amazing people are here to provide high quality care and treatment for the people of west Essex and east Hertfordshire. While the appearance of the hospital may have changed, the professionalism and compassion of our PAHT people over the years is a constant.
On the 55th Anniversary of the Opening of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow I send to you all my very best wishes. To each of you I send my heartfelt thanks for the brave work you are carrying out in these difficult times.
HRH Princess Alexandra
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Community rally to support hospital charity in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) Thank you to everyone involved in sorting and delivering the gifts that have been kindly donated to our people.
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Hospital hosts regional training event for doctors Prior to the implementation of coronavirus (COVID-19) social distancing regulations, we invited junior doctors from across the region to attend a special training event. Foundation doctors – qualified doctors in their first or second year of training – had the opportunity to learn more about pathology at The East of England Foundation Doctors’ Hub Event at The Princess Alexandra Hospital. This included finding out about histopathology (the study of changes in tissue caused by disease) and cellular pathology (the study of disease in organs, tissues and cells). The participants joined in with practical sessions where they analysed tissue samples under a microscope (pictured). In addition, we hosted a careers hub where attendees explored the role of different areas of medicine. This is to support them in choosing a future discipline to specialise in. Speakers from PAHT included Dr Andy Morris, chief medical officer; Dr Jo Howard, deputy chief medical officer and consultant haematologist; Dr Preethi Gopinath, foundation programme director and consultant histopathologist; Dr Dominic Green, core surgical trainee, and Dr Georgia Lucas, foundation year two doctor. They discussed their career paths, their experience of leadership roles, and gave advice about pursuing a career in their particular specialist area of medicine.
Foundation doctors examining tissue samples under the microscope.
Dr Andy Morris, chief medical officer, said: We were delighted to invite more than 35 foundation doctors to join us for this hugely beneficial opportunity to learn more about the career options available to them. It is the third time that we have hosted this careers event for foundation doctors, since beginning the programme in 2018. We are proud of our continued commitment to supporting the aspiring clinical specialists of the future to achieve their career goals.
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Biomedical scientist recognised as finalist at national awards A biomedical scientist at PAHT has reached the finals of a prominent national awards ceremony.
Cherie Beckett.
Cherie Beckett (pictured), who works in the microbiology department, is a finalist for the Chief Scientific Officer’s Awards.
She has been recognised in her The awards are held to recognise field for her role in lecturing and mentoring student biomedical and celebrate the contribution of scientists and being an advocate healthcare scientists to the NHS and across the broader healthcare of her profession among industry networks and on social media. system. The ceremony was due to be held at the Chief Scientific Officer’s conference at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London on Tuesday, 17 March. It was postponed due to the national COVID-19 situation.
Cherie said:
Cherie has been nominated for the Rising Star award.
The biggest reward is inspiring aspiring biomedical scientists into
I am honoured to have reached the finals of the Chief Scientific Officer’s Awards.
the profession, providing support in our network and professional growth. I am passionate about my work and the impact that microbiology has on patient care – supporting our patients with a diagnosis to guide their treatment. Andy Morris, chief medical officer, said: It is wonderful to see Cherie’s hard work and dedication to her profession recognised as part of this prestigious national awards ceremony. Congratulations to Cherie on this amazing achievement.
International Women’s Day We celebrated International Women’s Day by catching up with some of our amazing colleagues across our hospital.
Our colleagues are pictured before the implementation of COVID-19 social distancing regulations.
We created a series of short videos profiling a variety of roles at PAHT, with our executives, nursing, patient experience, library, radiology and microbiology teams taking part.
International Women’s Day is held You can watch the videos on our annually on 8 March to celebrate PAHT social media channels. the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world.
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Recruitment hero helps save baby boy during lunch break At the beginning of February, Chloe Rich, recruitment advisor, set about her usual lunch break, taking a trip into our local town centre. Unbeknownst to Chloe, it was going to be a lunch break like no other. Chloe heard screams close by and instantly rushed to the scene, where a three-month-old baby boy was suffering a cardiac arrest. Chloe, who has first aid training, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the first time in real life, before the ambulance arrived. A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body and can starve the brain of oxygen. It usually happens without warning and someone can be unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing normally or at all.
Chloe Rich.
again; everything around you Chloe’s brave and selfless actions pauses for a moment, it’s so helped the baby to breathe surreal. again before he was taken to our hospital by the ambulance team I’m so thankful I was able to for further treatment and care. help that day and wish the baby and family well. When speaking to Chloe afterwards, she said: At the hospital, Chloe is a As you can only imagine it was a very distressing moment for the family, me and those around us. My natural instinct took over and all I knew was that I needed to help this baby boy to breathe
Nine years ago, Chloe began volunteering at St John’s Ambulance Service where she gained her first aid training. She has since trained others, including children over three years old, assisted with support groups and helped plan local awareness and charity events. Her passion for recruitment advisor where her role helping others and supporting the is to recruit new starters into their local community has seen Chloe successfully take on the role of role, process all new job adverts volunteer unit manager at St and assist with the change process for people entering a new John Ambulance Harlow Events Services Unit. role.
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Staff and volunteers reach finals of prestigious awards Our staff and volunteers have been selected as finalists for two prestigious accolades at the Patient Experience Network National Awards.
Other areas of focus have included metastatic spinal cord compression (a complication caused by cancer that has spread to the spine), ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and treatment. Her programme of advanced training for teams across the hospital has also featured advice on diagnosis and treatment of cancer of unknown primary origin (cancer which has spread, but the initial tumour that caused it cannot be identified).
Their nomination states: This conference has demonstrated that engaging with patients leads to meaningful conversations with service planners and staff delivering the service. It shows that we can all work together to achieve the end goal.
Her nomination states: Cally Bruce. Cally Bruce, acute oncology advanced nurse practitioner (pictured), is a finalist for The Fiona Littledale Award, in recognition of her work to enhance the experience for patients with cancer. In particular, she continues to focus on improving the care for our patients who are receiving chemotherapy treatment and attend our hospital as an emergency with suspected neutropenic sepsis. Neutropenic patients (a term for those who have a blood condition resulting from chemotherapy) are at a high risk of developing neutropenic sepsis and require antibiotics to be delivered more quickly. This is due to their immune system being compromised, meaning they are at greater risk of infection. Together with her team, Cally has rolled out a programme of specialist training for the emergency department to support this.
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Cally and the acute oncology team have done some amazing work across PAHT. Together with her team, Cally is consistently striving to improve the patient experience for those patients coming into our hospital with acute oncological problems (cancer) or who have suspected cancer. Cally and her team will always go the extra mile. In addition, the Patient Panel (pictured) has reached the finals for its members’ work on the Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2018.
This involved hosting a special event at Harlow Leisurezone in March 2018 (pictured), following the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES), to identify what matters to the local community. Working with local partners, the Patient Panel organised workshops for the day which focused on topics such as management of side effects; support for carers; young people and cancer; life after cancer; and financial matters. They then produced a report of recommendations for health and care, education and charity partners to implement in response. Complementing this work was the opportunity to share the findings among established community groups in west Essex.
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The event as part of the Cancer Patient Experience Survey.
Cally said: I’m honoured and humbled to be nominated for such an award and l’m looking forward to joining the Patient Panel for the ceremony when it is rescheduled.
The Patient Panel.
The Patient Panel, pictured before the COVID-19 pandemic. Ann Nutt, chair of the Patient Panel, said:
for patients with cancer reach the finals.
We are delighted to have been selected as finalists. Our members give their time to support the hospital and are committed to making a difference for other patients.
Sharon McNally, director of nursing, midwifery, and allied health professionals, added:
It is testament to the fantastic contributions of Cally and the Patient Panel that their work to Together with Cally, we are support our patients has been extremely pleased to see our work acknowledged on a national towards improving the experience platform.
Congratulations go to Cally and the Patient Panel on this amazing achievement. The awards ceremony, run by the Patient Experience Network, was due to be held at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham, on 18 March. It has been postponed in light of the national coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.
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A spotlight on our overseas nursing programme We are shining the spotlight on some of our fantastic PAHT people as part of the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife campaign; and we caught up with Janet Pandit, sister on Locke Ward.
Janet joined us in 2017 through our overseas nursing recruitment programme. Janet is now reflecting on what inspired her to become a nurse, her route into nursing and why she loves her profession. What inspired you to become a nurse? I was inspired by my experience in India, where I completed my diploma in nursing. While there, I saw a nun and sister practising compassionate care for sick people.
my interest straight away. Firstly, I had to complete an International English Language Test (IELTS) to test my English ability which included reading, writing, listening and speaking tests before passing to the next They inspired me to want to make stage of the programme. a difference for patients and their Next, I undertook all of the families whilst in hospital. computerised-based training Can you tell us more about your (CBT) exams which gave me an in depth understanding of route into nursing? the hospital’s policies, National Having worked as a nurse for Institute for Health and Care 11 years in Oman and now for Excellence (NICE) guidelines three years in the UK, I can see and the care we provide to our the clear difference between the cultures and how we care for our patients. patients. In the next stage, I had an interview in India with colleagues I joined the hospital through the from the overseas nursing overseas nursing programme recruitment team – I was delighted which was advertised on the hospital’s Facebook page; I leapt to hear that I was successful following my interview and would at the opportunity and registered
be starting a new nursing role in a new country very soon. The support I have received both personally and professionally has been exceptional; from applying for my VISA to work in the UK, settling into the hospital and my new surroundings, home life support and progressing into my next pay band and role – I cannot thank those involved enough. What would you say to someone who is considering a career in nursing? Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. It can be a hard and challenging role at times, however you are playing an important role within the community and have made a huge difference to your patients’ journey and care. I can guarantee that you will feel immensely proud at the end of each day. 17
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60 second interview: Sally Smith, domestic I also assist with the ordering of patient meals and keep patient nutrition records updated.
days of life, married their partner at the bedside. It was a wonderful moment and meant so much to the patient and their family.
How did you get into it? PAHT is my local hospital, so this Another stand out moment for location and role is perfect for me. me was when the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson came to Penn Ward on his recent visit to PAHT What is the most challenging and took time to speak with the part of your role? whole team – it certainly wasn’t a I take huge pride in my work When did you join PAHT? usual day on the ward! – sometimes there just aren’t I joined the hospital roughly 20 enough hours in the day to years ago. What do you do in your spare complete all tasks. time? What is your job title? In my spare time I enjoy When I first joined PAHT, I worked What is the most satisfying gardening and looking after my aspect of your role? within the domestics team on The most satisfying aspect of my grandchildren. Penn Ward – I now work as a role is knowing that I have made domestic in the catering facilities One thing we don’t know about a real difference to our patients’ department. you? experience and they are happy I’m a very family orientated when leaving the hospital. Can you outline your roles? person and I’m also a qualified My role is to ensure that the hairdresser. Can you describe stand-out kitchen facilities are clean and moments in your team? hygienic for everyday use, ready I can remember this moment so to prepare the freshly cooked meals for our patients and people. clearly – a patient, in their final
What would you do if there was a data breach or cyber attack?
breaches, misleading websites, emails, phone numbers, phone calls or text messages you think may be suspicious. Do not give out private information or reply to emails, text messages, download attachments or click on any links If there was a security breach, would you know what to do? Data in emails if you are not sure that they are genuine. and cyber security are important for us all. Some ways you could protect yourself in a data or cyber Secure your accounts If you do accidentally download breach are: attachments or click on any links - contact the IT Department on Report it x1010 or paht.itservicedesk@ Please report a data or cyber nhs.net to secure the account and security breach immediately on always use strong passwords. Datix. There are many positive reasons for reporting incidents. A strong password: We handle a variety of incidents Is at least eight characters every day and treat everybody long fairly and equally. You can find out Doesn’t contain your more information about incident user name, real name, or reporting on Alex. organisation’s name Doesn’t contain a complete Ensure that you report all data InTouch March 2020_V7.indd 18
word Is significantly different from previous passwords Contains uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols Try and contain any damage If you have made a mistake, think about what you can do to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again. For example, if you have emailed the wrong recipient, you can ask the recipient to double delete the email and provide confirmation that the information has been removed. You could then share what has happened and the actions you have taken to avoid it happening to others in your team. From offline to online, keep I.T. confidential. Find out more at www.keepitconfidential.nhs.uk. 18 01/06/2020 15:53
A different perspective: can you help with our reverse mentoring programme? team. They will then evaluate all applications to find the best match between mentor (colleague in a non-managerial/junior role) and mentee (executive director). If there is a high demand and the team are unable to match The reverse mentoring scheme is you in the first instance, you will remain on the reserve list for an opportunity for those in nonthe next wave of the mentoring managerial/junior roles (Agenda for Change bands 2-5) to regularly programme. meet with an executive director to Those who are selected on this discuss their experiences. Dates occasion will be asked to attend a will be published as soon as the three-hour workshop, followed by initiative is rearranged, following six meetings at approximately one its postponement due to the hour each, over a period of six to COVID-19 response. eight months. Arrangements for how this will be carried out will be The aim of reverse mentoring reviewed at a later date in light of is for a more junior colleague to the COVID-19 response. During mentor a senior colleague, with both gaining a new perspective on this period, both the mentee and the organisation. Both can benefit mentor will complete a handbook recording topics discussed from personal development, and developments from their learning from one another. The conversations. At the conclusion programme sets out to provide an insight into any difficulties and of the programme, they will have the opportunity to decide if they barriers junior colleagues may wish to continue the reverse have faced, with opportunities mentoring arrangement outside of to explore how the more senior the formal programme. colleague could learn from and adapt their leadership approach in The time commitment is response. approximately as follows: In the first instance, the Equality, Mentor development (3 Diversity and Inclusion Steering hours) Group, which is running the Matching and mentoring scheme, is seeking eight (2.5 hours) colleagues to take part. All Mentoring sessions (to of the executive team will be be arranged by mentor participating in the first wave and mentee) (2 x of the reverse mentoring 1.5 hours) programme. Reflective practice and mentoring (mid-point You will be asked to seek temperature check) agreement in principle from (2.5 hours) your line manager and to send an expression of interest to the We are seeking colleagues from across our organisation to share their perspectives with our executive directors as part of an innovative new programme.
Mentoring sessions (to be arranged by mentor and mentee) (2 x 1.5 hours) Reflection and ending of mentoring programme (1.5 hours).
To express your interest, please send an email to Alexandra Anyanwu (aanyanwu@nhs.net) head of core training and development, with your name, job title, area of work, and an explanation of why you would like to take part (in no more than 200 words).
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#PAHTPeople Local club raises £500 to benefit Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) A local club has raised £500 to benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Every year, the Matching Green Classic and Sports Car Club donates profits from its annual car show to a charitable cause. This year, they selected the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), inspired by one of their members who works at our hospital. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team have all had training around supporting the best environment for babies, to improve their long term neurological development and outcomes. In a neonatal setting, loud noises can have a negative impact on pre-term babies, increasing stress and therefore blood pressure and heart rate. Loud noise can also result in decreasing oxygen saturations and increased oxygen consumption. As a result, the team used the funds to purchase equipment known as a ‘SoundEar’ to visually highlight when noise levels begin to increase on the unit so that everyone is aware and can immediately take action to decrease the volume of noise.
Emergency capital investment
The cheque presentation, which took place before the implementation of COVID-19 social distancing regulations.
Opticians make generous donation to hospital’s Eye Unit A local opticians has made a generous donation of more than £1,600 to our Eye Unit. Specsavers Harlow named the Eye Unit as their charity of the year in January 2019. Over the last 12 months, staff and customers kindly contributed £1607.74 to support their local hospital.
Over last year, we have invested emergency capital funds (£4.3 million) in the estate on more than 20 new programmes to improve the safety and quality of our environments for our patients, visitors and people. This includes from the basement, making sure our drainage is working effectively, through to CCTV across the site, heating and roofing.
The funds will be used to purchase technology to facilitate virtual clinics for patients via video conferencing. The funds were raised via a host of activities including cake sales, dress down days, coffee mornings, a tombola, fun days in store and contributions from staff team events.
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