8 minute read
AHOY THERE MATIES! SOFT PLAY OPENS
Virtual ward at Royal Berks treats 1,000 patients
HI-TECH TREATMENTS: A virtual ward has helped free up bed space at the Royal Berkshire Hospital
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By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today
A PIONEERING virtual ward set up at the Royal Berkshire Hospital has managed more than 1,000 patients since its launch.
Used by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundations Trust’s Covid Medicine Delivery Unit (CMDU), the new arrangement was set up at the start of this year and is the first of its kind.
It consists of medical technology based in the patient’s home which is remotely monitored by clinicians and means patients don’t need to come to hospital while their condition is safely managed.
Treating patients remotely a also frees up beds and resources for the trust.
Dr Joseph Nunan, acute medicine ultrasound fellow, said: “This is a phenomenal achievement that is built on the back of a huge amount of hard work and innovation from everyone in the team.
The CMDU treats high-risk covid patients – those who were advised to shield during the pandemic – with the minimum risk and exposure possible.
The system was designed to reduce the pressure on the hospital during the initial surge of Covid-19 but, following its success, the trust is now looking at ways it can be used elsewhere.
Currently, the trust treats a number of conditions on the virtual ward, including chest infections, pulmonary blood clots, gastric issues and kidney infections,
Treating patients suffering from alcohol withdrawal on the virtual ward has meant the average stay has gone from five days in hospital to receiving their treatment entirely from home.
Steve McManus, chief executive officer at the trust, said: “I’m so proud of the work that the CMDU and Virtual Acute Care Unit (VACU) are doing.
The trust believes the full potential of this style of treatment is yet to be realised and the VACU is exploring the possibility of treating heart failure patients remotely.
This would use new technology to administer infusions that would ordinarily only be possible in person at the hospital. ON THE DECK: The Mayor joined staff to cut the tape to open Pirates Landing next to Elms Field on Saturday. Picture: Steve Smyth Pirates welcomed at new soft play
YOUNG pirates were made to walk the plank on Saturday, as a new soft play centre was opened.
Borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker was on hand to cut the ribbon to Pirates Landing, based in Elms Field.
The centre is, as the name testifies, a bit piratey, and includes slides, ball pits, climbing frames and a café area.
It is part of the town centre regeneration, and its opening had been delayed by the pandemic.
Following the launch, Sarah Morgan, assistant director of commercial property at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Pirates Landing to our Elms Field regeneration.
“While their original opening was delayed by the pandemic they are an amazing business and well worth the wait.
“We’re sure they will be a real hit with local families for years to come.”
The company has another branch in Camberley, and has an aim of providing a fun day out for families, with high quality play equipment kept in shipshape condition. Chris Jefferson, owner of Pirates Landing, said: “Our goal at Pirates Landing is to make a positive impact on the lives of the families in the communities we serve.
“The passionate team at Pirates Landing will always provide a first class captain’s experience.”
Trust scored well by NHS staff
STAFF at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust rate their workplace as a safe and healthy organisation.
Findings from the 2021 NHS Staff Survey show the trust performed better than the national average in a number of categories.
Of those surveyed, 67% would recommend the trust as a place to work, higher than the national average of 58%.
The results also show 80% of staff are happy with the standard of care provided compared with the national average of 67%.
As with all NHS trusts, staff have been under a lot of pressure from the pandemic and the survey is an opportunity to give feedback and voice their feelings about their experience at work.
The Royal Berkshire Trust uses the survey as an insight to their staff and through the survey it has been recognised as a compassionate and inclusive organisation, where staff feel their voice counts.
The survey also highlighted the trust performed above average in areas for staff including flexible working opportunities and learning and development.
Steve McManus, chief executive at the trust, said: “I’m really pleased our staff have rated us well and it’s great to see we are above average in most areas of the survey.
“The trust prides itself on being a supportive workplace and we are working hard to boost staff morale and wellbeing after such a difficult two years.
Initiatives recently introduced at the trust include special thank you cards for staff recognition and a health kiosk on trust sites to support staff in their health and wellbeing.
The trust is also set to welcome back its annual Royal Berkshire CARE Awards later this year.
The Bradbury Centre, is a chance for people to find out about its services.
The charity offers information and encouragement to people who are affected by macular disease – the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK – and other eye conditions who may otherwise feel isolated or alone.
For more details, contact its regional manager Tyler Phillips on 0792 0643 710.
Coffee morning will help sight loss charity
A LEADING sight loss charity is reaching out to people in the Wokingham area who have been diagnosed with a sight loss condition.
The Macular Society will host an information and coffee morning on Wednesday, April 20, between 10am and noon.
The event, at Café Mosaic in
Sue Ryder Hospice takes action to improve patient experience
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today
A HOSPICE has introduced a range of improvements to support patients at the end of their life, including those living with dementia.
Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, based on Liebenrood Road in neighbouring Reading, provides specialist palliative care, advice and support to people across Berkshire who are living with lifelimiting conditions, as well as supporting their families.
Funded by a grant of £1,000 from the John Sykes Foundation, staff at the hospice will now wear dementia-friendly name badges, which feature a large black font on a bright yellow background.
The badges have been created to use colours which make them highly readable for patients with dementia and visual impairments, as well as featuring minimal text and simplified job titles.
Abby Pearson, quality and improvement manager at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, said: “With an ageing population, more people are being diagnosed with dementia than ever before, so it’s essential that we are a dementia-friendly hospice.
“These name badges will help all of our patients to feel in control of knowing who is caring for them, as well as reminding us of the importance of introducing ourselves properly.
The grant from the John Sykes Foundation has also funded soft-close bins to reduce sudden loud noises which can be disturbing for patients with heightened senses, specialist dementia-friendly calendar clocks and soft lighting lamps.
Fern Haynes, head of community fundraising – Thames Valley, said: “We are so grateful to have received this generous funding from the John Sykes Foundation to support these important improvements which we hope will enhance our patients’ experience.
John Sykes, the founder and chair of trustees of the John Sykes Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have awarded the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice with a grant which has been used to purchase equipment for patients HELP: John Sykes visited the hospice with volunteer Sian McCoubrey (second from left) to meet staff and see the changes that have been introduced. They are pictured with Sue Ryder Nurse Melanie Hicks (left) and Housekeeping Supervisor Debbie Harris (right) who are wearing their dementia-friendly name badges Picture: Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice
suffering with dementia.
Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice provides a comprehensive range of services, including inpatient care, day services and Hospice at Home care to people in the community. n For more information, visit: sueryder.org
5 Wokingham Film Society to show BAFTA nominated title Supernova
A BAFTA nominated title will be shown by the Wokingham Film Society in April.
The group will screen Supernova (15) on Thursday, April 28, from 7.30pm
It stars Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci and follows Sam and Tusker, partners for 20 years, on a journey in their camper van to visit people and places in the north of England.
Tusker has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and the pair must make the most of their remaining time together.
The film was shortlisted for two BAFTA awards in 2021, including Best British Feature.
It is screened at The Whitty Theatre, and places must be pre-booked. n For details, visit: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
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