Cheethams Children's Centre

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Cheethams, where everyone matters, working together to make a difference.

We want to hear what you think.

Please contact: Tel 01782 675126 cheethams@uhns.nhs.uk Facebook UHNS Charity www.uhns.nhs.uk

Information for parents and families

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Contents Quality care second to none . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Miracle boy’s road to recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Amazing 21st century hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

CAU consultants cover 24/7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Designed to make children feel at home . . . 6-7 First class holistic care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Quick action saves baby’s life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Wide-ranging medical specialties. . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Callum supported over a decade . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 State-of-the-art facilities on wards . . . . . . . . . 10

Secure A&E just for kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Hospital@Home benefits all family. . . . . . . . . 22 Safe nursing care at home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Play is part of the treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Doctors and nurses are ‘like family’ . . . . 10

Nurse with specialist expertise. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Chaplaincy’s multi-faith support . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Well-trained staff are the backbone . . . . . . . . 11 Staff with Ryan every step of the way . . . . . . 11 Surgery in the safest hands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Quality is key for hands-on Matron . . . . . . . . 13 Owen shoots the hoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Vital community services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Mum’s tribute to ‘amazing’ team . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Swift action saves lives of twins and mum . . 16 Delivering neonatal intensive care. . . . . . . . . . 17

School ensures education continues. . . 26

Mum's story of her baby's fight for life . . . . . 17 Patients’ feedback shapes services. . . . . . . . . . 27 Nursing assistants part of caring team. . . . . . 28 Research team drives new treatments . . . . . . 29 Academy builds healthy careers. . . . . . . 30 & 31 Secretaries are vital part of team . . . . . . . . . . 31 Need help? Then ask the PALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Fundraising galore warms hearts . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Support service’s integral role . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Intensive Care Unit’s regional role 18 &19

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Close working with hospice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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Commitment to providing quality care second to none

By Melissa Hubbard, CHEETHAMS CLINICAL DIRECTOR

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HEETHAMS has provided healthcare for North Staffordshire’s children for generations. Now our caring consultants, surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and specialist support staff are based in one of the world’s most modern hospitals – the £350 million University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Every parent whose child needs hospital treatment wants to know their son or daughter will receive the best possible care. At Cheethams Children’s Centre – a hospital within a hospital – our patients are at the heart of everything we do.

As well as our clinical facilities, we have everything needed to make children and their families feel as welcome and comfortable as possible.

We have indoor and outdoor play areas, classrooms, cafes and coffee shops.

We are one of the biggest child health organisations in the region, with a host of specialties: facilities which cater for the whole West Midlands, top paediatricians and links to other major hospital centres... but what’s more, we pride ourselves on our friendly approach and our outstanding record of care and treatment.

But there are also very practical reasons why you should choose Cheethams for your child: ■ Our waiting times for a first appointment might be longer than some hospitals, and we are working to reduce them. But the chances are if you do visit another hospital they will either refer your child back to us, or might take some time to see you again.

■ If your child ever needs emergency care the ambulance will bring them straight to us. If he or she has been treated here our emergency doctors have access to an excellent information sharing system, which can produce all a child’s notes, diagnoses and test results at the touch

of a button. If your son or daughter is being treated at another hospital as an outpatient we won’t have access to any of that information.

We endeavour to send parents copies of all letters about their child to make sure they too have the information at their fingertips.

Almost all our patients leave the wards or assessment unit with a copy of a discharge letter which is sent automatically to their GP. Quite simply, we want everyone at Cheethams to subscribe to a quality care system which puts children and families first and is second to none.

As this brochure will show you, Cheethams is committed to listening to patients and their families and tailoring the care they require. Feeling for our patients and putting their needs first are our priorities.

So when faced with a choice, choose Cheethams. It’s a name you can trust.

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Feeling for our patients and putting their needs first are our priorities.

MELISSA HUBBARD

Children’s Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist Julie Eaton prepares nine-year-old Talitha Leigh for chemotherapy at the Cheethams Oncology Suite.

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Cheethams is based in one of world’s most modern hospitals ISTINCTIVELY curved and sparklingly colourful – Cheethams is one of the jewels in the crown of the new £370 million University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

The new complex finally brings a host of services together under one roof as health provision in North Staffordshire takes a giant stride into the 21st century.

The scale of the main flagship hospital is immense from the sheer size of the six storey main building itself with its huge entrance atrium to the scope of the care its 7,000 staff provide.

Beccy Kirkham, Cheethams Directorate Manager, said: “We are a hospital within a hospital – and the new complex is one of the world’s most modern health facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and resources.

“For the first time in its long history Cheethams has purpose-designed, spacious accommodation. We have moved from old, outdated buildings into an amazing new hospital – an important piece in the jigsaw of achieving the highest quality of care for our patients.”

General and highly-specialised services range from heart and brain surgery to renal and dialysis. The Emergency Care Centre will see more than 100,000 trauma and emergency patients a year while Critical Care, once split across six areas, now has a 40-bed home in the main building.

Link corridors connect the new complex to older blocks – transformed and renamed the Lyme and Trent Buildings. Complete with 10 operating theatres, they now house a Central Treatment Suite for 14,000 patients a year and a Day Surgery and Admissions Unit. Cancer and maternity services have their own refurbished blocks.

Fourteen operating theatres in the main building replace those effectively commissioned in the 1950s and now feature ultraclean air using pressurised chambers.

No detail has been ignored as the hospital provides the best possible care and experience while hosting three million visits each year by patients, visitors and staff.

Wards are split evenly between four bedded areas with bathroom facilities and single en-suite rooms across the 1,250 beds on site. Wards and day rooms are flooded with natural light, many having panoramic views over the area. Separate lifts are provided for patients, visitors and facilities management to further preserve dignity and privacy for all.

New facilities further bolster teaching and training links with Keele and Staffordshire Universities for doctors, nurses, midwives and physiotherapists.

Outside landscaping completes a hospital ready to deliver on its vision to: “Provide a world class hospital service and, by building a new hospital equipped with state-of-the-art medical and diagnostic facilities run by highly skilled and talented staff, we will ensure that our patients receive the very best care and treatment.”

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We have moved from old, outdated buildings into an amazing new hospital – an important piece in the jigsaw of achieving the highest quality of care for our patients.

BECCY KIRKHAM

A RAF rescue helicopter at the hospital’s new helipad – just yards from the Accident and Emergency units.

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The spacious entrance hall atrium in the new main building with the eye-catching reception desk at the centre.

The multi-coloured design of the frontage gives the hospital a distinctive identity.

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ROOM WITH A VIEW: Liam Cotton, aged four, checks out a sea-themed mural.

GAMES ACTION: six-year-old Dylan Marchant uses the games console in the play room.

BIG SCREEN TV: Lee Kirkham, aged 14, watches a sports programme on cinema-style television in the teenage zone.

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DAD JOINS IN: Ollie Poole, aged two, with his father Duane in the play area.

CLIMBING FUN: Alexa Poole, aged 17-months, in the outdoor play area.

Newspapers and magazines are on sale at WH Smith’s store in the main reception.

Family friendly facilities help to make children feel at home A suite of rooms sleeping two each with AMILY and child friendly is what en-suite facilities is centrally located to allow Cheethams is all about – from the very parents to stay close to their children when design of the complex and its facilities they are poorly and being cared for in the right through to the dedicated attitude of Children’s Intensive Care Unit. staff. Patients, parents, nurses, doctors and all The school room comes complete with top the support staff played a key role in shaping of the range computers and an interactive the new-look hospital within a hospital. white board – all designed to make sure a Several giant art works produced by local child’s education doesn’t have to come to a artist Emily Campbell give the place a fun and full stop while they are in hospital. stimulating atmosphere and help children feel A second room for adolescents has a at home. Mounted in the double-height cinema screen where films are shown for atrium entrance, the children’s emergency those staying on the children’s wards. There is centre, the intensive care unit and the wards, a second playroom with plenty of toys from wall-sized landscapes range from underwater the home corner to organised activities and a scenes to Alton Towers and a spot-thelarge outside play area with access from all difference mural. Picture ceiling tiles are also planned.

A bright and light outpatients area features an adolescent room with computer games and age-appropriate magazines. There is also a distraction station designed to take children’s minds off invasive procedures with toys and a micro projector so young people can plug in their mobile phones and listen to their own music.

Consulting rooms are fitted out with wall mounted distraction toys while a play room has been kitted out so children can do craft work. Themed Visitors enjoy coffee and sandwiches in the restaurant. events help maintain interest.

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SPARKLING COLOURS: Angel Bell, aged four, in the multi-sensory room.

wards so children can ride, play football and take part in special events.

Hourly comfort rounds on the wards mean constant support is in place for anxious children and their parents with all nursing staff focusing on individual needs. Children in beds can be wheeled around so they don’t miss out. There are bedside folders full of information.

Janet Hagan, Paediatric Outpatients Manager, said: “All our users were pivotal in helping us design our new Cheethams facilities. Being unwell doesn’t mean everything should cease whether it be play or education so we’ve worked hard together to make sure children stay engaged and stimulated.

“We always ask them and their parents what they think. Quite often they’re anxious, upset or worried, so all our staff make sure they feel supported in facilities which are bright, airy and ultimately designed to help them get better.”

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Holistic care in first class environment HEETHAMS has a proud reputation for providing first class health services relating to a range of common childhood problems, injuries and conditions under the banner of general paediatrics.

Through consultant-led holistic care, which is backed up by an expert team of dedicated doctors and nurses, support staff and state-of-the-art facilities, the service is provided to children throughout North Staffordshire as well as regionally and nationally.

Everything from a bump on the head to common infections, from breathing difficulties to life-threatening illnesses and injuries is treated by the highly-skilled general paediatrics team.

Young patients using the service also have access to specialist clinical teams and their

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expertise, who care for children with complex conditions or medical problems.

Many of these specialty areas see Cheethams at the forefront of treatment in the UK and has led to a growing international reputation for excellence as well.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Parakkal Raffeeq said: “From a medical point of view, children are treated holistically, which is why it is important that Cheethams is able to provide all the general and specialty paediatric services under one roof.

“As well as a dedicated team of paediatric doctors and nurses, there is a strong support team too, which includes dieticians, physiotherapists, play specialists and even a school teacher.

“General paediatrics tends to be the first port of call for young

FULLY-RECOVERED: Jessica Pilling at home with her dad Keith.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Parakkal Raffeeq on duty at Ward 217 with Sister Julieanne Wilkes.

patients on Cheethams and they move through the hospital care system from there. We deal with a wide range of young patients from those attending as outpatients, to acute admissions

from A&E, to those who spend several weeks or more on the wards. Every one of these patients receives the same high level of support and medical care to treat their condition.”

Prompt treatment saved Jessica’s life JESSICA Pilling’s parents like to sing the praises of Cheethams medical staff for the way they rallied round to save their daughter’s life after she contracted meningitis.

She was just one day old when she was diagnosed with the Group B Streptococcus infection, the most common form of the life-threatening infection in newborns.

After carrying out a lumbar puncture test to help confirm the diagnosis, the doctors and nurses quickly administered intravenous antibiotics.

At one point Jessica stopped breathing and had two seizures – which meant for a critical 36 hours she was cared for on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Fortunately her condition stabilised and she was transferred back to a ward. Two weeks later

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she was able to go home.

After a series of check-ups and tests, Jessica – who is now two – was finally discharged from Cheetham’s care after 17 months – happily with no ill effects.

Keith said: “We will always be extremely grateful for them saving Jessica’s life.

Everything was such a blur while it was happening but the doctors and nurses were superbly caring and professional.”

Jessica’s mum Nicola said: “The support for the family was magnificent too. For example, I was in complete shock as it was happening and one of the support workers was able to help me so I could express milk to feed Jessica.

“They have been fantastic from start to finish and with their support our little fighter of a daughter has been able to pull through.”

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When Cheethams is a ‘home from home’ TEENAGER Callum McGough views Cheethams as a “home from home” after a decade of treatment for two different types of leukaemia.

It began when he was just four years old and diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

After an initial blood transfusion at Birmingham Children’s Hospital his care was transferred to Cheethams so he was close to his family’s Tunstall home.

Callum paid regular visits to Cheethams for chemotherapy treatment but also found himself in hospital – especially over Christmas periods – after picking up infections.

He was also helped by dieticians and a teacher, and his family benefited from counselling support.

However, when he was nine, and things looked brighter, Callum fell very ill again. After bone marrow and lumber puncture checks he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).

Doctors were surprised because it had no genetic link to ALL. Callum’s dad Tim said: “It was a shock to learn he had contracted this second type of leukaemia. He was immediately taken to Birmingham for another blood transfusion but then transferred back to Cheethams’ care.

“Again he received model treatment and the doctors and nurses were wonderful, understanding people.”

Tim added: “Because of how we were made to feel and the

Callum McGough at Cheethams Outpatients with Staff Nurse Emma Maskery.

length of time Callum was there it really did feel like home from home. He attended Christmas parties, was visited

by Gordon Banks and even had trips to places like Alton Towers. This support was extended to the family, so

Callum’s two sisters were also able to participate.”

Callum, who is now 14, is in full remission. He said: “I feel healthy and like playing sports like rugby. I got a lot of support from Cheethams and everyone was very friendly.”

Centre of excellence for many specialist medical conditions Six-year-old Finley Roberts, who has cystic fibrosis, is helped with the use of a nebuliser by Staff Nurse Marie Ward.

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wide-range of specialist medical conditions fall under the umbrella of General Paediatrics.

Cheethams is a centre of excellence in many of these disciplines, more than a regional children’s centre and in some specialties on a par with dedicated children’s hospitals such as Great Ormond Street, Alder Hey in Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester Children’s Hospitals. Patients from Europe and beyond choose to travel to Cheethams to benefit from its specialist skills and expertise.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Parakkal Raffeeq said: “It is all about choice. Parents and their children have the right to choose whether they are treated at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire or further afield.

“However, the specialist treatment we can provide here sets us on a par with dedicated children’s hospitals found in other areas of the

country. That is why patients outside the NHS and outside of the UK pay to come to Cheethams.

“We also work very closely with dedicated children’s hospitals such as Great Ormond Street, Alder Hey or Birmingham and Manchester Children’s Hospitals so if we do need to refer patients, there is that help at hand.”

The specialty areas include: allergies, asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetics, rheumatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, haematology, epilepsy, neuro disability, oncology, renal and respiratory medicine.

Other areas of expertise include paediatric anaesthesia, orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat clinics, ophthamology and dentistry.

They also include specialist surgery areas such as maxillofacial surgery, spinal surgery, general surgery and urology. Cheethams also forms part of the UHNS regional trauma centre.

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Lexi-Jean Thwaits blows bubbles with Cystic Fibrosis Support Nurse Kelly Bakewell.

Doctors and nurses ‘feel like family’ to Lexi-Jean BRAVE Lexi-Jean Thwaits may look like any other three-year old girl but her lovely smile and healthy complexion hides a debilitating and life-threatening condition.

When she was just three-weeks old Lexi was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder which affects the internal organs – especially the lungs and digestive system.

However through her own positive nature, her family’s determination and the professionalism and support of the team at Cheethams, little Lexi-Jean is able to enjoy her life to the full.

Her mum, Tilly Shaw said: “It was devastating for the whole family when Lexi-Jean was diagnosed. We knew something was not right and at first thought she had an upset tummy – it was a routine heel prick test that picked up the condition.

“But the team of doctors and nurses at Cheethams have been wonderful. They really feel like family to us. They have helped us so much I can’t thank them enough, their support has been incredible.”

Lexi-Jean has to take 25 tablets a day to manage her condition and for the first month after diagnosis she had to visit Cheethams to see the children’s specialist cystic fibrosis team every week.

“After getting used to her medication this dropped down to a visit once every

other month – which will continue for the rest of her life.”

Tilly added: “The visits are for tests and monitoring purposes. She is seen by a consultant, her height and weight is measured and the amount of oxygen in her blood is tested. She also has a cough swab test, and we see a dietician and physiotherapist too.

“Right now Lexi-Jean is mischievous, wonderful and just like any other girl of

her age. Her height and weight are going in the right direction and she is absolutely fine taking her medication.

“We try to shield her from the reality of her condition as much as possible, but even now at three and a half she is asking questions. Cheethams help with this because they have DVDs and a cartoon character which enables children and parents to understand the condition together.”

New facilities boost patient care

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Nursing Assistant Gillian Wood shows one of the overnight rooms for patients’ families.

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EW multi-million pound care, clinical and non-clinical facilities will further enhance general paediatrics for young patients.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Parakkal Raffeeq believes the move to incorporate all Cheethams’ facilities under one roof and on one floor will not only boost all-round treatment but also enhance the ability of doctors and nurses to respond.

He said: “The facilities are state-of-the-art and complement the work of the doctors, nurses and support teams. This, in turn, boosts patient care and our ability to treat them and to look after their families too.

“For instance there are more single patient rooms with en-suite facilities, which give parents and young patients’ more choice.

“There are dedicated overnight rooms for parents too. Wards have been amalgamated into a 50 bed unit – the dedicated Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and Paediatric Assessment Unit are also adjacent, and specialty rooms, such as an endoscopy, bronchoscopy and oncology suites, are close by too.”

Dr Raffeeq said that day care units have been enhanced and that the well-stocked classroom and play areas – equipped with the latest games and consoles – also play a vital part.

He added: “These support facilities are absolutely essential in helping to put patients and their parents at ease. For children staying on the wards for a while they can help to pass the time, stimulate their minds, and in the case of the classroom, help them not miss out on their education.”

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Medical teams are given vital back-up by support services HE general paediatrics service is led by a team of 60 doctors – of which 25 are consultants. These are complemented by a team of nurses, healthcare workers, physiotherapists, play specialists and dieticians, all specialised in child health and care.

There is also a school teacher, a chaplain and many other support service personnel that help to make the holistic approach to treatment possible.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Parakkal Raffeeq said: “Well-trained and skilled staff are the backbone of Cheethams and general paediatrics. Parents can depend on a highly-professional team to diagnose and treat their children alongside a setting that is conducive to putting them at ease.”

The wide-ranging and multi-skilled staff help ensure Cheethams can provide medical care which brings in patients from beyond the region.

For example, the gastro service has an excellent reputation, as does the cystic fibrosis centre, which is recognised nationally as a centre of excellence. Meanwhile, the respiratory medicine specialism at Cheethams has national and international expertise particularly in non-invasive ventilation for children needing long-term help with their breathing.

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Staff Nurse Katie Rhodes checks a bedside monitor.

Steady progress after shock of diagnosis

Ryan Boyd pictured at home looking at his chemotherapy treatment schedule.

WHEN 12-year-old Ryan Boyd came down with a cough and a cold and complained about being tired, his mum Sonia put it down to his new paper round.

But just a few days later worried Sonia was at the University Hospital’s Accident and Emergency department with her son after he developed a lump in his neck – and hours later they were told it was leukaemia.

Eight months later and Ryan’s health is heading in the right direction following regular visits to the Cheetham’s specialist oncology suite for blood transfusion treatments.

Following his diagnosis Ryan has been put on a three-year course of chemotherapy treatment. Initially, this involved trips to the oncology department three times a week for powerful Regimen C treatment, which has now been reduced to once a week. Eventually he will be required to attend the clinic once

every three months for tests including a lumbar puncture, while continuing his chemotherapy treatment in tablet form at home in Abbey Hulton.

Sonia praised the staff at Cheethams, who have been there for her family at every step of his treatment.

She said: “The doctors and nurses have been great from the moment Ryan was diagnosed. It was a real shock but their support really helped us. They have let us know what the situation has been every step of the way and explained what treatment Ryan would be having and why.

“Ryan was very poorly at first but he is much more like his old self now – he has certainly got his sense of humour back.

“He hasn’t been able to attend school for the last few months but we are hopeful he will make a fresh start of it in September and move on with his life.”

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Staff Nurse Sue Dudley with baby Hollie Rowlands whose hip spica cast had just been changed to continue the manipulation of her bones so they develop properly.

Surgery cases are in the safest hands S

URGICAL staff and facilities mean any child who needs an operation during their stay in hospital is literally in the safest hands.

Experienced specialists are there to care at all stages of the process, and parents and families have the significant reassurance of a paediatric anaesthetist, on call 24 hours a day.

Ultraclean theatres in one of the world’s most modern hospitals are already earning the praise of visiting surgeons from hospitals like Alder Hey, who regularly run specialist clinics at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. And they are particularly impressed by one thing money can’t buy... the friendliness and professionalism of staff across the directorate.

Specialists include paediatric orthopaedic surgeons who have a busy caseload of emergency surgery, such as fractures, and planned procedures which may treat conditions present at birth like hip problems identified in babies.

Ear, nose and throat surgeons who specialise in children’s cases perform some of the dozens of

procedures carried out at Cheethams every week, as do maxillofacial and dentistry colleagues and specialists in spinal injuries and deformity and ophthalmology.

Paediatric plastic surgeons are also on hand to give support in emergency cases.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Anna Pigott said: “The new facilities are fantastic, with special ventilation systems making them really ultraclean and reducing the risk of infection. We are able to treat our young patients in the very best facilities, with the very best staff and skills.

“Recovery staff are trained specifically in looking after children coming out of theatre, and the Operating Department Assistants also have a great deal of experience in paediatric care.”

There are wards at the hospital for children visiting for planned day case surgery, or more serious cases who need to be in hospital prior to their operation. All receive Cheethams trademark package of kind, friendly care from staff who put children’s needs first.

Dr Pigott explained: “One surgeon who is based at a large children’s hospital but visits us here regularly to perform specialist procedures says while the facilities are excellent, the friendly helpful staff are what he really enjoys.”

Surgeon Ted is on hand to welcome children to theatre.

Pictured in the anaesthetic room are, left to right, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist Dr Maggie Babb, Consultant Children’s Orthopaedic Surgeon David Emery and Senior Operating Department Practitioner Amanda Cope.

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I am passionate about maintaining the high standards we have set and that the well-being of the children and their families is central to everything we do.

MATRON MANDY MELLOR

Matron Mandy Mellor outside Cheethams.

Matron combines authority with a welcoming manner C

HEETHAMS Matron Mandy Mellor cuts a distinctive figure of authority on the wards. Her striking purple tunic with black piping uniform ensures she stands out from the rest of the nursing staff as she goes on her “quality walkabouts” – with a sharp eye on standards of care and cleanliness.

Part of the role of the modern matron is to be a reassuring presence – a duty Matron Mellor aims to carry out with a welcoming “hands on” manner which has been refined by a 30-year nursing career – 15 years spent as an acute paediatric nurse.

“I like to think I am very approachable person for patients and their families as

well as the nursing staff – and have an ‘open door’ policy,” she said. “But I have the very serious job of making sure high quality care is provided to all the children in a safe and clean environment and to this end I am meticulous and strict.

“I am passionate about maintaining the high standards we have set and that the well-being of the children and their families is central to everything we do.

“I think it is important to find the time to speak to patients and their families to check they are satisfied with all aspects of the care they are receiving – including such matters as being happy with the food.”

Matron’s walkabouts take in the

monitoring of infection control screening and any concerns over this or ward cleanliness are dealt with swiftly – as she has the authority to take immediate action to rectify any problems.

As well as being the custodian of the patient experience and environment, Matron Mellor oversees the management of more than 200 nursing staff at Cheethams including the Nursing Assistants. She is also responsible for staff development and education.

“Ongoing training is vital to quality of care – we put great emphasis on staff development which is part of ensuring we have the correct skills mix in place on the wards,” she said.

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Rubie-Mae Hancock-Heath, aged four, takes a play audiometry test with Senior Audiologist Neal Ratcliffe at the Child Development Centre.

Owen Rollason and his mum Dawn pictured at the Child Development Centre near to Cheethams.

Owen is shooting hoops despite his disabilities OWEN Rollason likes nothing more than careering around a basketball court shooting hoops and having his mates around to play Xbox.

The 10-year-old is well on top of his work at his new school. He might use manual and electric wheelchairs because of his cerebral palsy but he refuses to let his quadraplegia stop him.

In the words of his mum Dawn: “He’s funny and cheeky and carries on as if he’s no different to anyone else. He used to attend a special school and got a bit lonely during the holidays. Now he’s in

mainstream primary and doing amazingly well. He’s made loads of new friends so it’s lovely that he can have them around to ours.”

He sees his consultant Dr Caroline Groves every four to six months and will be on her caseload until he is a young adult. Owen said: “I like her.

She helps me a lot and is always there for me.”

Mum Dawn, 32, agrees: “She’s amazing. She’s just been there for us all the way through and supported us to get Owen into mainstream school. The help we’ve had has been brilliant.

I’d rate community paediatrics 10 out of 10.”

SLAM DUNK: Owen scores another basket.

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Two-year-old Alfie Dillon is given a test of his movement and learning at the Child Development Centre.

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Wide range of services gives families vital local support S

UPPORTING children and their families to stay local is central to the work of the community paediatric team who are based in a homely bungalow complex right next to Cheethams.

Led by 11 consultants responsible for Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and the Staffordshire Moorlands, a dedicated team supports children from birth to 19 years old through centre clinics and outreach sessions at Leek, Hanley, Bentilee and Shelton. They also organise home visits.

Physio and occupational therapists, speech experts, homeplay and learning practitioners and secretarial staff work in partnership with GPs, teachers, social workers, special schools and the wider hospital service on referrals from doctors, health visitors and neo-natal services.

They deal with a wide range of physical and mental health issues such as bed-wetting, hearing and speech problems, learning and developmental delays and more complex conditions like cerebral palsy.

Extensive investigation leading to diagnosis of any condition can include tests ranging from MRI scans to blood and hearing tests and may involve more than one consultant to help families understand illnesses including epilepsy, global development delay or autism. Visiting neurologists supplement in-house skills and services all designed to encourage families to remain in the area for joined-up treatment and relieve them of the stress of having to travel to other major cities across the country.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Caroline Groves said: “Our holistic approach means we support the child and their family often for years and during what can be a tough and scary time for them all.

“We want to help them stay local and take some of the worry away. For instance one of our mums went outside the area thinking she was getting a quicker appointment.

“But she ended up at two different hospitals when her child needed an investigation under general anaesthetic and months later came to us for tests we were able to organise within a few weeks.”

Lee Bayley, aged eight, left, and his brother Jamie, aged six, have fun with building blocks in the Child Development Centre’s waiting room play area.

James Harrison at home with his mum Amanda.

Mum praises ‘amazing’ help for her brave son JAMES Harrison was perfectly normal when he was diagnosed at 20 months old with the fatal condition Infantile Batten Disease. Now four, he is wheelchair bound and blind. Here his mum Amanda, 39, reflects on the past few years…

“We were completely shocked and devastated when we got his diagnosis in Birmingham. On top of that the travelling was a nightmare so we were referred to Dr Singh at

Cheethams who has experience of Battens. The support we’ve had has been amazing. It’s such a comfort to know it’s there when you need it. Dr Singh has helped James to live as long as he can and for us to have the confidence to put our trust in someone has been huge.

“The staff at Cheethams are very knowledgeable and caring. We’re also being supported by the Donna Louise Trust so we know we’re not alone.”

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NICU

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Emergency Caesarean saved lives of twins and their mum SWIFT action saved the lives of twins Harvey and Lucas Armitt and their mum Sarah Cannon when an infection forced their delivery by emergency Caesarean just 25 weeks into her pregnancy.

But the boys, weighing little more than a bag and a half of sugar between them, then had a 13-week battle on their hands in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Sarah, 20, said: “It was horrible. I didn’t really understand what was going on but my partner Kev was really strong. I was in tears when I was wheeled through in my bed. When I first saw the twins they were all skin and bones, they were so little.

“At first we took it hour by hour, then day by day and week by week. I didn’t let myself believe they’d be okay until the week before we came home. But the staff were all ace. They’ve been amazing. I can’t fault any of them.

“We’re home now. Harvey’s a real mummy’s boy and Lucas is dead laid back, very relaxed. I’m so proud I want to show them off to the whole world.”

Kevin added: “The staff were absolutely phenomenal, saving Sarah’s life and the boys’ lives. They never gave us false hope but just did everything they could to make us feel at ease and give us the children we’ve always wanted.”

Sarah Cannon and Kevin Armitt with their twin boys Harvey, left, and Lucas.

Student Midwife Barbara Renshaw cares for a baby in an incubator on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Staff Nurse Lauren Thorley monitors a ventilator on the ward.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Kate Palmer in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

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Staff Nurse Rachel Edge updates the patient records of 15-day-old Hayden Hussein.

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Expert neonatal intensive care – delivered with real empathy INY premature babies, some born as early as 24 weeks, and full-term newborns with a variety of medical problems are given the best possible chance of life at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

An expert team of consultants, doctors, advanced neonatal nurse practitioners, nurses, a breastfeeding and research midwife and healthcare support workers provide round the clock care for up to 26 babies and their families.

Further support comes from pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, paediatric microbiologists and obstetricians. They work in a purpose-designed hi-tech unit on the second floor of the maternity centre, which was opened in 2009.

State-of-the-art facilities include 12 incubator spaces with monitors and ventilators in an intensive care room, eight bays for bigger babies in a high dependency room and another six in a special care room.

Mums and dads can spend as much time with their babies as they want to and are encouraged to help with feeding and nappy changing.

Parents who need to stay over at the unit are accommodated in six en-suite bedrooms, which have kitchen and lounge facilities.

Siblings and grandparents are encouraged to visit but only at set times and with parents present to help cut the risk of infection.

The unit is part of the Staffordshire, Shropshire and Black Country Network so it takes babies from across the West Midlands and has accepted cases from as far away as Swansea. It has UNICEF Baby Friendly status.

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New mum Rosemary Hall with her twins Rae and Jenna at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Consultant Neonatalogist Dr Kate Palmer, who is the unit’s Clinical Lead, said: “It’s a very emotional place with highs and lows where we provide family-centred care for babies and their parents.

“We develop close relationships and for us it’s about empathy and giving choice so we get very positive feedback from mums and

dads. Many keep in touch with us and take part in meetings of our Helping Hands support group after their babies have been discharged from the unit.”

“I’m really proud of my unit and our team are very skilled. They respect each other’s roles and none of them could work without the others.”

Theo resuscitated after he stopped breathing Kelly Kouli and her son Theo with Staff Nurse Emma Warren.

KELLY and Andreas Kouli’s little boy Theo was born seven weeks prematurely weighing just 4Ib 14 ounces. He is now home after a three-week stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Here his mum tells their story…

I was completely shocked when Theo was born unexpectedly at 32 weeks and five days. He arrived 45 minutes after I got to hospital in an ambulance. He was resuscitated after he stopped breathing and went into an incubator in the intensive care unit.

I felt empty and completely spaced out and it took a few days before I felt he was safe and in good hands. A friend of mine was also on the unit because her baby was prem too – so that was good support.

The staff were amazing, every last one of them. They were so reassuring and explained all the time what they were doing like injections and antibiotics. I don’t think I could have coped without them.”

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Cheethams 18-19

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PICU

Specialist unit has key role in intensive care provision for region – and beyond HE specialist paediatric intensive care unit at Cheethams not only serves the University Hospital’s catchment area but also plays a key role in the West Midlands region – and sometimes beyond.

It receives regional funding to deliver 24/7 care to the sickest children in the region and works closely with the KIDS (Kids Intensive Care and Decision Service) initiative and the intensive care unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to ensure that the best care is available to all critically ill children in the area.

The unit’s Lead Consultant John Alexander said: “Although the majority of our patients are from the northern part of the region we serve the whole West Midlands region with patients coming from as far away as Hereford, Coventry, Warwick and Shrewsbury and beyond when necessary.”

Six consultants and 53 highly-skilled nurses staff the modern, spacious eight-bed ward which has the latest state-of-the-art medical technology.

The team moved from their old accommodation on the former City General site in March 2012 into Ward 215 at one of the University Hospital’s recently-constructed, 21st Century buildings. Part of the ward’s impressive facilities are seven bedrooms of various sizes to accommodate the patients’ families in a child and family-friendly department.

“One of our strengths is that we provide holistic care for child and family,” said Dr Alexander. “Being able to accommodate families so that they can be with their children is central to that holistic approach.

We strongly believe that after our first priority of providing care for the child, our secondary duty is to care for the family, because we recognise the complex emotions and pressures of having a child in intensive care.

“The intensive care unit at Cheethams has an excellent record on medical outcomes – as good as any other hospital in the UK. We consistently achieve very short lengths of stay and we try and get our patients back to their referring unit as early as possible. We also have a reputation for high quality care from dedicated and highly-skilled staff.”

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Tom Buckett, his mum Amanda and Staff Nurse Leanne Lovatt look at photographs of Tom running his leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. Inset, Tom with the Torch.

Tom’s ‘miracle’ recovery after complicated brain surgery TOM Buckett was hailed as the “miracle boy” by staff on Cheethams – and it is no exaggeration to say his road to recovery has been nothing short of amazing.

But he has never forgotten the role the medical staff played in his return to health and has made several emotional visits to show his gratitude.

In May 2010 when he was 16, Tom fell through a roof skylight at Clayton Hall Business and Language College in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

One side of his skull was shattered and fragments of bone penetrated deep into his brain. He was put into an induced coma, underwent complex surgery at the hospital and a week later was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

His parents, Amanda and Andrew, were prepared for the worst. Doctors told them Tom might never wake up and if he did his mental and physical faculties could be severely impaired. They said he might never walk or talk again.

Amanda said: “It was hellish. We feared the worst but hoped for the best. But all along the doctors and nurses at PICU were absolutely amazing. They made us feel part of the process, kept us informed with everything they were doing and let us help out with Tom’s treatment.

We did everything from cleaning his tubes to carrying out physiotherapy massage while he was in his coma. It gave us hope and kept us close to him.”

18 Cheethams

After a fortnight Tom was brought out of his coma on PICU and after a long, methodical rehabilitation the determined teenager learned to talk, walk and even run again.

Incredibly, he has gone on to take driving lessons, is part-way through a college Sports Diploma, has completed a football coaching badge with the FA and has even landed a part-time job teaching sports to youngsters.

The crowning glory on his road to recovery came when he was nominated to carry the Olympic Torch. He proudly bore the Flame through Cobridge – exactly two years to the day after he had his accident.

Amanda said: “He has never forgotten Cheethams and keeps going back to tell everyone what he has achieved. In fact he went to the hospital straight after his torch bearing duties.

“Many of the nurses who had seen him on the TV just wept. He then took the Torch around the wards to inspire the patients on there. It was very poignant and I was so proud.”

She added: “They call him the miracle boy on Cheethams and it is an incredible journey, but we know he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the care and attention he received. We can’t ever thank the team enough, they constantly fought to save our precious son and always believed in Tom and never gave up on him.”

In addition to standard intensive care procedures, the unit is a nationally-acclaimed, specialist centre for non-invasive respiratory intensive care – one of reasons why it takes private patients from overseas whose families bring them to Cheethams for world-class treatment. The ward also has specialist support services for patients who have had spinal surgery.

Multi-disciplinary care for all patients is provided by a team of play specialists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dieticians and hospital chaplains. Access to a specially trained psychologist is available for both the child and the family.

Dr Alexander said: “Feedback from parents and patients highlights the personal care we provide the family in addition to the excellent clinical outcomes.

Despite this however, we are constantly striving to improve our standard of care and actively encourage families and children to tell us how we could make our care even better.

“Any parent whose child is admitted to this unit can rest assured that they will receive care for their child and for themselves that is second to none.”

John Alexander, Lead Consultant for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, with a drug infusion pump – an example of the latest state-of-the-art technology on Ward 215.

Staff Nurse Emma Whittingham checks pressure bags on the unit.

Unit Manager Sister Sue Lowndes sets up bed space technology.

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PICU

Specialist unit has key role in intensive care provision for region – and beyond HE specialist paediatric intensive care unit at Cheethams not only serves the University Hospital’s catchment area but also plays a key role in the West Midlands region – and sometimes beyond.

It receives regional funding to deliver 24/7 care to the sickest children in the region and works closely with the KIDS (Kids Intensive Care and Decision Service) initiative and the intensive care unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to ensure that the best care is available to all critically ill children in the area.

The unit’s Lead Consultant John Alexander said: “Although the majority of our patients are from the northern part of the region we serve the whole West Midlands region with patients coming from as far away as Hereford, Coventry, Warwick and Shrewsbury and beyond when necessary.”

Six consultants and 53 highly-skilled nurses staff the modern, spacious eight-bed ward which has the latest state-of-the-art medical technology.

The team moved from their old accommodation on the former City General site in March 2012 into Ward 215 at one of the University Hospital’s recently-constructed, 21st Century buildings. Part of the ward’s impressive facilities are seven bedrooms of various sizes to accommodate the patients’ families in a child and family-friendly department.

“One of our strengths is that we provide holistic care for child and family,” said Dr Alexander. “Being able to accommodate families so that they can be with their children is central to that holistic approach.

We strongly believe that after our first priority of providing care for the child, our secondary duty is to care for the family, because we recognise the complex emotions and pressures of having a child in intensive care.

“The intensive care unit at Cheethams has an excellent record on medical outcomes – as good as any other hospital in the UK. We consistently achieve very short lengths of stay and we try and get our patients back to their referring unit as early as possible. We also have a reputation for high quality care from dedicated and highly-skilled staff.”

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Tom Buckett, his mum Amanda and Staff Nurse Leanne Lovatt look at photographs of Tom running his leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. Inset, Tom with the Torch.

Tom’s ‘miracle’ recovery after complicated brain surgery TOM Buckett was hailed as the “miracle boy” by staff on Cheethams – and it is no exaggeration to say his road to recovery has been nothing short of amazing.

But he has never forgotten the role the medical staff played in his return to health and has made several emotional visits to show his gratitude.

In May 2010 when he was 16, Tom fell through a roof skylight at Clayton Hall Business and Language College in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

One side of his skull was shattered and fragments of bone penetrated deep into his brain. He was put into an induced coma, underwent complex surgery at the hospital and a week later was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

His parents, Amanda and Andrew, were prepared for the worst. Doctors told them Tom might never wake up and if he did his mental and physical faculties could be severely impaired. They said he might never walk or talk again.

Amanda said: “It was hellish. We feared the worst but hoped for the best. But all along the doctors and nurses at PICU were absolutely amazing. They made us feel part of the process, kept us informed with everything they were doing and let us help out with Tom’s treatment.

We did everything from cleaning his tubes to carrying out physiotherapy massage while he was in his coma. It gave us hope and kept us close to him.”

18 Cheethams

After a fortnight Tom was brought out of his coma on PICU and after a long, methodical rehabilitation the determined teenager learned to talk, walk and even run again.

Incredibly, he has gone on to take driving lessons, is part-way through a college Sports Diploma, has completed a football coaching badge with the FA and has even landed a part-time job teaching sports to youngsters.

The crowning glory on his road to recovery came when he was nominated to carry the Olympic Torch. He proudly bore the Flame through Cobridge – exactly two years to the day after he had his accident.

Amanda said: “He has never forgotten Cheethams and keeps going back to tell everyone what he has achieved. In fact he went to the hospital straight after his torch bearing duties.

“Many of the nurses who had seen him on the TV just wept. He then took the Torch around the wards to inspire the patients on there. It was very poignant and I was so proud.”

She added: “They call him the miracle boy on Cheethams and it is an incredible journey, but we know he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the care and attention he received. We can’t ever thank the team enough, they constantly fought to save our precious son and always believed in Tom and never gave up on him.”

In addition to standard intensive care procedures, the unit is a nationally-acclaimed, specialist centre for non-invasive respiratory intensive care – one of reasons why it takes private patients from overseas whose families bring them to Cheethams for world-class treatment. The ward also has specialist support services for patients who have had spinal surgery.

Multi-disciplinary care for all patients is provided by a team of play specialists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dieticians and hospital chaplains. Access to a specially trained psychologist is available for both the child and the family.

Dr Alexander said: “Feedback from parents and patients highlights the personal care we provide the family in addition to the excellent clinical outcomes.

Despite this however, we are constantly striving to improve our standard of care and actively encourage families and children to tell us how we could make our care even better.

“Any parent whose child is admitted to this unit can rest assured that they will receive care for their child and for themselves that is second to none.”

John Alexander, Lead Consultant for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, with a drug infusion pump – an example of the latest state-of-the-art technology on Ward 215.

Staff Nurse Emma Whittingham checks pressure bags on the unit.

Unit Manager Sister Sue Lowndes sets up bed space technology.

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CAU

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Assessment Unit has consultant cover 24/7 ICK children who need to see a paediatrician are guaranteed a specialist welcome at the Children’s Assessment Unit (CAU).

Situated next to the Accident and Emergency Department, the purpose-designed unit has all the skills and resources to assess and diagnose a huge range of medical conditions, which differ from the bumps, breaks and bruises – known as trauma – which are seen at A&E. Conditions seen in the Children’s Assessment Unit range from respiratory problems, chest infections and tonsillitis, through ear infections, gastroenteritis, poor feeding and abdominal pain, to rashes, skin infections and even confused children who appear to be unwell but are not able to say what is wrong.

The young patients can be referred by their GP, who can call the unit and send a letter with the family so they can attend straight away.

Sometimes an ambulance paramedic responding to a 999 call will decide it is more appropriate to bring a child direct to the unit, or a clinician in the A&E department will seek the advice of a specialist paediatrician.

Some patients, who are well known to the Cheethams team because of a long-standing issue like a respiratory complaint, are given an open access plan, which means if they develop a problem relating to their overall condition they can turn up at the unit at any time. Open access plans are decided by consultants in the team.

The unit has unparalleled consultant cover and very sick children have immediate access to a paediatrician 24-7.

Paediatric nursing staff are also on hand at the unit, as well as a play specialist who can help put children at ease, prevent them from becoming bored, or distract them if need be while they are being assessed.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Alex Tabor said: “Sometimes it’s the case that parents are anxious and need reassurance about their

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Four-year-old Isabella Beardmore receives help using a volumatic inhaler from Staff Nurse Natalie Nolan with mum Kelly looking on.

CAU Advanced Children’s Nurse Practitioner Gill Barlow prepare a vital signs monitor in the resuscitation room.

child’s health, or a second opinion.

“We’re happy to help and put their minds at rest, or make the diagnosis and begin the process of starting treatment.”

Children who need to be admitted to hospital either go on to one of the two Cheethams wards, or in the most severe cases can be taken straight to the Children’s Intensive Care Unit.

The CAU team has a commitment to keep waits to a minimum and see families as quickly as possible.

Children arriving at the unit are seen by a triage nurse and children who need to be seen soonest will be seen in that order.

“That’s one of the reasons why we have a level of consultant cover not offered by many hospitals,” said Dr Tabor. “Our specialist staffing levels mean we are able to see children quicker, assess them and make sure they receive the ongoing care and treatment they need.”

Consultant Paediatrician Alex Tabor, right, and Sister Carole Bridgewater check an observation chart in one of the CAU assessment bays.

Lara Di Cesure, aged 10, has Emla cream applied by CAU Staff Nurse Kelly Dinsdale.

Consultant Shyram Marigudd assesses blood test results at the CAU.

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CEU

Emergency Consultant Dr Mark Ragoo and Ambulance Technician Vincent Conlon at the snakes and ladders themed bay in the resuscitation unit.

Junior Sister Jennie Brain assessing Xavia Bromfield, aged five, in the triage area.

Secure children’s A&E is a calm and safe environment T’S an exciting time at the Children’s Emergency Unit when the air ambulance arrives. Tiny patients, waiting to be assessed by a consultant, crane their necks to catch a glimpse of the aircraft, and even the poorly children being brought to hospital by air say it’s among the most exciting things that have ever happened to them.

The whole experience of the purpose-built unit is geared to make the children feel at home and comfortable as they wait to be treated.

Play specialists in the secure waiting areas, a special play area for tinies, TVs playing children’s shows for patients and other shows for parents, and brightly decorated walls are all part of the equation to keep young visitors calm and occupied.

No-one misses out on the experience...

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the most critically-injured young patients are treated in a snakes and ladders themed specially-equipped bay in the adult A&E resuscitation department.

Visitors arriving at the A&E department, either by car or by ambulance, are booked in at reception in the safe, child-friendly department which is separated from the adult unit by a locked security door with its own video entry system.

After being booked in they are seen by a triage nurse within a targeted 15 minutes, where they might be given painkillers, first aid or a quick treatment if possible. Children who need further assessment are seen by a doctor within a target of an hour and may go on to be X-rayed if needed.

The light and spacious facilities were purpose-designed to improve patients’ experience, and many people who visit with their children say they feel like they have their own private hospital!

Facilities, staffing levels and expertise at the unit are so good that it is a regional trauma unit, accepting emergency admissions from as far afield as Wales.

Senior Quality Nurse Gemma Lockyer said: “From the moment they arrive we do our best to keep the children calm and comfortable while preventing them from feeling bored.

“We also keep parents informed of what’s going on, and we find families really appreciate the safe, secure environment in the new Emergency Unit.”

Nine-year-old Abby Cotton in the play zone at the Children’s Emergency Unit’s waiting area.

Senior Quality Nurse Gemma Lockyer and Nursery Nurse Angie Caddick in one of the Childrens’ Emergency Unit’s treatment bays.

Britney Cotton, aged 12, has an arm X-rayed by Radiographer Keiran Duggan.

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Hospital@Home

Cheethams 22-23

Community Children’s Nurse Sam Dowler, right, on a home visit to Summer Lindsay and her mum Sarah.

Better for both child and family FOR three-year-old Summer Lindsay and her family the Hospital@Home service has made a big difference for the better.

A respiratory condition means that Summer is prone to chest infections needing to be treated with intravenous antibiotics – which previously meant she had to be admitted to hospital.

But now, after an initial assessment at Cheethams, she can receive the care at home in Norton, Stoke-on-Trent – delivered by experienced paediatric nurses from the Hospital@Home team.

And the nurses have even trained her mum Sarah to administer the intravenous antibiotics so she can give the early morning and night-time doses. The nurses give the day-time

22 Cheethams

dose either at home or at Summer’s nursery school.

Being able to treat Summer at home has enabled Sarah to carry on with her job as a secretary – and brought more normality to family life for her husband Mark, a finance manager, and their two other children Morgan, aged six, and four-year-old Holly-mae.

“The service has made a big difference to our family life – I don’t know how we would have coped without it,” said Sarah. “We now don’t have to keep travelling to hospital which means I can go to work.

“Summer feels much more comfortable being treated at home than at hospital. The same nurses come to see her and over time they have become her friends.”

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Pioneering service delivers safe nursing care at home pioneering nursing service is enabling children to be discharged early from hospital – and continue their treatment and recovery at home.

The Hospital@Home initiative provides daily home visits by experienced paediatric nurses to deliver specific care which previously would have had to be done on the Cheethams wards.

Treatments such as intravenous medications and the changing of dressings on complex wounds would have meant a prolonged stay in hospital for the children – but now, in the right circumstances, the care can be given at home.

“The service is all about what is best for the child and the family,” said Hospital@Home Team Leader Cathy Morris. “Children with illnesses often progress quicker and have better outcomes when they are in the familiar surroundings of home.

“We work in partnership with the medical staff on the Cheethams wards to identify children and families who would benefit from the service. The final decision is made by a hospital consultant and, of course, the families are involved at all times.

“We provide safe care at home which can help a family to function without the disruption of daily hospital visiting and to keep family life as normal as possible. But the service is not suitable for every child or family and in some cases staying in hospital is the best option.”

Since Hospital@Home was launched in April

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Community Children’s Nurse Simon Runnett, left, liaises with Registrar Dr Manu Sundaram at the Cheethams Children’s Assessment Unit.

2009, the nine nurse team have delivered home care to more than 1,200 children in North Staffordshire. They work shifts to provide visits seven days a week from 8am to 10pm.

The team – which is funded by the primary care trust, the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership – are based at Werrington Clinic but make regularly visits to the Cheethams wards.

Cathy said: “The nurses have all previously

worked on acute paediatric wards in hospitals and have a vast range of experience. They do not wear uniforms which helps to make the home visits more relaxed for the children.”

Although the Hospital@Home team’s main workload is its partnership with Cheethams, the nurses also provide neonatal community services for the maternity hospital’s special care baby unit as well as handling referrals from GPs to provide an alternative to hospital admission.

Leaving the Hospital@Home team’s base at Werrington Clinic to make a home visit is Community Children’s Nurse Liz Blood.

Hospital@Home Team Leader Cathy Morris at her desk at Werrington Clinic.

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Mohammed Abid Khan, aged four, drawing in the indoor play area.

Play Specialist Janet Higham, left, helps to take three-year-old Shelly Ruan’s mind off having a blood sample taken by Staff Nurse Helen Brookes with dad Shu Haz Ruan looking on.

Taking child’s play to a new dimension HILD’S play takes on an entirely new dimension at Cheethams. Play is not just fun for the youngsters – but important therapeutic care to help them cope with their anxieties about being in hospital and their pending treatments.

Supervising the play and recreation sessions are 11 specifically-trained play specialists along with four nursery nurses. The activities centre on an indoor play room and an outdoor area enclosed between Wards 216 and 217 – both well-stocked with toys and games for all ages. There is also one-to-one play on the wards and a multi-sensory “chill out” room with bubble tubes, fibre-optic lights and relaxing music.

“Play is part of our holistic approach to care,” said Cheethams Matron Mandy Mellor.

“Play is what children do – it helps them to relax and is integral to their health. We use play as distraction therapy – to help the children take their minds off their treatments and to create a friendly environment.”

The indoor play room also has a range of arts and crafts activities including painting and drawing – and there is a teenage zone with computers, games consoles and a 50 inch screen TV on which they can play their favourite DVDs. A climbing frame and football goals are among the facilities in the outdoor area where a soft floor surface is part of an emphasis on safety.

Play Specialist Ann Hales, who has worked at Cheethams for 17 years, said they engage the children in play appropriate for their age and their medical condition. “In certain circumstances we play one-to-one with children whose illness means they could be susceptible to infection,” she said.

The play specialists use photographs to

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explain to children who will be having surgery what their journey to theatre will be like.

“The photos familiarise the children with what and who they are going to see and where the journey will take them,” said Ann. “This helps to take away the anxiety of not knowing what is going to happen and ensures they won’t encounter anything unexpected.”

Cheethams has now launched a Sunday Club for children who are having day-case surgery.

The club, which is held every other week, acquaints the children and their families with the ward where they will be treated and explains what will happen.

Two-year-old Luke Boulton is in the driving seat in the outdoor play area.

Play Specialist Vicky McCallum with multisensory relaxation aids at a treatment room in the Children’s Assessment Unit.

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Nurse specialists deliver specific clinical expertise LINICAL Nurse Specialists at Cheethams are delivering highly-skilled, tailored care in four specific medical areas – respiratory, oncology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. The senior paediatric nurses, who have received extensive specialist training, run outpatient clinics and support hospital ward staff.

“They are clinical experts in the treatment and care of children in these medical specialties,” said Matron Mandy Mellor. “Their specialist knowledge and experience about specific illnesses and conditions improves the quality of care for the children.

“They also give support to help the children and their families cope with the psychological effects of having a long-term condition.”

Senior Respiratory Nurse Sadie Clayton leads a six-nurse team for the care of children with respiratory illnesses including cystic fibrosis, asthma and children with long-term ventilation needs.

Two of the nurses, Kelly Bakewell and Siobhan Davies, work specifically with children who have Cystic Fibrosis – contributing to Cheethams’ reputation as a centre of national excellence for treatment of the condition.

Two other nurses in the team, Emma Cooke and Marie Pentland, are responsible for co-ordinating the discharge home of complex patients, usually needing ventilatory help with their breathing.

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Child Asthma Nurse Specialist Jane Peach runs nurse-led asthma clinics and performs skin prick testing.

Along with the other respiratory specialists, Jane also supports and trains colleagues working in primary care in the community to treat conditions such as asthma.

Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist Julie Eaton is supported by three oncology nurses – Becky Boden, Penny Holt and Kelly Walters – in providing chemotherapy services and day case procedures. They also support the nurses on the hospital wards in delivering care and treatments.

Gastroenterology Clinical Nurse Specialist Janis Maginnis runs clinics, performs investigation and assists medical staff in the management of patients with acute, chronic and long-term gastrointestinal conditions. An expert practitioner and one of the most experienced nationally, Janis also answers parents’ questions, explains treatments and gives relevant written information on children’s conditions.

Children with growth endocrine disorders caused by hormonal problems are treated as outpatients by Endocrinology Clinical Nurse Specialist Jill Kelly who provides expert advice and interventions, runs nurse-led clinics and co-ordinates and delivers specialised treatments.

Janis Maginnis, Gastroenterology Clinical Nurse Specialist, with a “hungry mannequin” which is used to show how tube feeding works.

Senior Respiratory Nurse Sadie Clayton, who leads the six-nurse respiratory team, with a volumatic spacer inhaler.

Jill Kelly, Endocrinology Clinical Nurse Specialist, measures the seating height of nine-year-old Joshua Thomas.

Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist Julie Eaton, left, and Oncology Specialist Support Nurse Kelly Walters prepare for a chemotherapy session.

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Chaplaincy Co-ordinator Rev. John Austerberry.

Chaplaincy provides multi-faith support HOSPITAL Chaplains are regular visitors to the Cheethams wards... whether it is supporting and listening to parents or playing with the children.

Sometimes families value a friendly face with whom they can share their concerns or problems, a quiet prayer or even sometimes a rage! Chaplaincy Co-ordinator Rev. John Austerberry said supporting a child as part of the family group was an important part of the team's work.

He said: “Young patients, parents and staff all value the opportunity to see someone who is not from a clinical background at times of difficulty or crisis.”

Roman Catholic, Church of England and Free Church chaplains work at the hospital, and they have links in the North Staffordshire Community to other faiths and denominations.

The new Prayer Centre is situated on lower ground two in the new building, just by lift C. The Prayer Centre provides quiet, contemplative space so families are able to have some time to themselves away from the wards. There are regular services in the Chapel and anyone is welcome to attend the Holy Communion Services on Sundays at 9.30am and Masses on Mondays at 5pm and Friday at 11.45am.

The team will give spiritual, religious and pastoral support for children and their families whilst in hospital, and are never more than a phone call away if they are needed. The chaplaincy team can be contacted on 01782 676400.

Rev. Austerberry said: “We will quite often be seen out on the wards, chatting with parents, or even popping into the playroom or classroom to join in, play with the children or take part in their learning.”

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Hospital School Teacher Helen Dempsey working on an iPad with four-year-old Ethan Birch in the school room.

Hospital school gives educational continuity C

HEETHAMS’ very own “school Six-year-old Finley Roberts within a hospital” makes sure any receives one-to-one tuition child staying on the wards can from Helen. continue to learn and develop in the very best facilities.

A fully kitted out classroom and experienced teacher are there for children from age five to 16.

Long-stay patients or those with conditions like cystic fibrosis who may be in and out of hospital for some time can even work towards their GCSEs and sit exams in hospital.

The hospital’s education team liaises very closely with each patient’s school to make sure there is continuity of education and they move forward in all the subjects they are studying.

The service – rated as “good, with outstanding features” by OFSTED – prides itself on working closely with a child, his or her school, and parents to “The classroom at the heart of our brand new make sure all educational needs are met. hospital is amazing, but if a child is in bed, maybe The well-equipped classroom has books, in traction or even in the Children’s Intensive computer equipment and software to support Care Unit, we will take the lessons to the bedside. learning for children from reception age to Year 11.

“Concentrating on learning can be a useful Young students love its laptops, iPads, portable distraction for young patients, and can help take interactive white board and much, much more. their minds off their condition. It’s also a way of Hospital School Teacher Helen Dempsey, who making their lives as normal as possible while is employed by the local education authority they are in hospital.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Every child is Quite often school staff will come in to visit different and we work very closely with schools their pupils in hospital. to tailor a package to the patient’s needs.

“Everyone is included, and as soon as a “We make sure that whatever a child’s consultant tells us a child is well enough to condition, or however long they need to be in access education we can make sure stimulating hospital, any gaps in their education are learning is an important part of their time in minimised. hospital,” she added.

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Feedback is vital in helping to shape future services W

HERE everyone matters, working together to make a difference – the Cheethams mission statement as it strives to provide the best possible patient experience for children and their families.

Happy staff, parents and children are at the centre of a feedback strategy, which now involves surveying staff and service users in real-time so any issues can be addressed quickly.

Paediatric Outpatients Manager Janet Hagan said: “Feedback from everyone is vital as it helps us shape the service and engage with our children, young adults and users of our services.

“We invited all the staff together following the move to our new hospital for what we called a ‘Listening Into Action’ event to start understanding from staff of all disciplines how we value one another and ensure we place the patient experience as the focus of what we do every day. We now have various workstreams in place, all designed for us to have real-time conversations about how we are doing with staff, parents and children.”

A patient experiences group, consisting of 20 members from all disciplines, and which is growing all the time, meets once a month with information from staff surveys recorded in a continually updated child health document detailing best practice.

Actions to improve the patient experience are planned and rolled out across Cheethams.

A yearly awards ceremony is being set up, an Oscars for Cheethams, which will recognise good service provision. Everyone will get the chance to nominate people for a whole raft

of awards. Continual feedback is vital at Cheethams so the Meridian system, a hand-held electronic device, is handed out to parents and children.

It monitors not just use of time but asks questions about everything from cleanliness to food and treatment to support. It also asks whether service users would recommend the hospital to family and friends and this forms a benchmark of quality at Cheethams.

Feedback gleaned from Meridian and from bedside comment cards helps shape services as comments are passed on to staff, both positive and negative, and to the Trust’s steering group on patient experiences.

Parents are encouraged to speak directly to staff about their experiences and some even address groups of nurses. Planned improvements in the feedback process include the establishment of a patient forum aimed at engaging teenagers through local schools.

Cheethams is also looking at using a survey app called Fabio the Frog – an iPad app which can be tailored to ask specific questions about a patients’ experience.

‘‘’’

We have various processes in place now all designed for us to have real-time conversations about how we’re doing with staff, parents and children.

JANET HAGAN Paediatric Outpatients Manager, pictured above.

Patient Ben Williams, aged six, and his dad Nigel Berrisford are taken through the patient survey

by Nursing Assistant Yvonne Blair using the Meridian electronic system.

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Professor Warren Lenney with five-year-old Evie Pritchard, who had just taken part in a breath test.

Nursing Assistant Rachel Cartlidge with 15-year-old Shannon Pattinson.

Assistants a vital part of caring team BEING a Nursing Assistant at Cheethams is a thoroughly rewarding job ensuring the smooth running of the ward and being a vital link in the multi-disciplinary team.

The Nursing Assistant is called on to be as adept at observing vital signs and removing cannulas as providing patients with home comforts and entertainment.

“The job could be described as a Jill of all trades” laughs Nursing Assistant Julie Muddimer who works on ward 217 as well as on the oncology ward. “We have to be adept both at mopping up spillages and mopping up tears – and not just our young patients’ tears.

We need to be good listeners as well as able to defuse tense situations.”

Cheethams has a large team of nursing assistants – with part-time and shift working patterns there can be as many as 20 to 30 per ward – who provide a first-class support

28 Cheethams

service to medical staff and to patients and their families.

Their day starts with helping young patients with breakfast, washing and toileting. Then there are bed-making and cleaning duties, trays of instruments to prepare for the nurses, the ward to stock and regular “courtesy rounds” to ensure patients are comfortable and to check they can reach the bell should they need anything.

“We don’t give out medication but we do observations such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse and oxygen saturation levels, and we might distract a child whilst a nurse undertakes an unpleasant medical procedure,” added Julie.

“And of course we get asked lots of questions and at Cheethams the ethos is if we don’t know the answer, we go and find out. It’s important not to add to the anxiety patients or parents might be feeling.”

‘‘’’

Research is very much part of today’s clinical picture and on everyone’s agenda... of all the clinical specialties, the children’s directorate is particularly active.

PROF. WARREN LENNEY

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Members of the Paediatric Research Team... left to right Research Nurses Kate Leech, Hilary Shepley and Joanne Tomlinson go through some test results.

Busy research team drives forward new treatments A

f n e en’s ive.

The Guy Hilton Research Centre.

hat-trick of important research projects into respiratory disease is being spearheaded by the children’s directorate at University Hospital North Staffordshire.

Professor of Respiratory Child Health at UHNS and Keele University, Warren Lenney, said: “Research is very much part of today’s clinical picture and on everyone’s agenda. Fortunately, there is a strong research culture within the hospital and university and staff are very motivated – and of all the clinical specialties, the children’s directorate is particularly active.

“We are part of two national research networks which is vital in terms of approval for projects and funding,” added Professor Lenney who is also Regional Director of the West Midlands Medicine for Children’s Research Network.

In addition, he is Chief Investigator for a SPACE study being undertaken amongst 240 young patients at nine cystic fibrosis centres across the Midlands and North West.

The two-year £250,000 project is entering its final stage and is investigating the early detection of lung infections using a mass spectometer – which measures what patients breathe out. It is hoped that if nasty infections can be detected very early in children with cystic fibrosis, prompt treatment will help to avoid further lung damage.

The British Lung Foundation has also chosen North Staffordshire as a pilot site for a study into improving the management of asthma both in children and adults.

“I will be local lead and will be working with general practice and primary care, looking at diagnosis and treatment and the education of patients, their families and carers, into how to control their asthma.

“The aim of the project is to reduce the number of hospital admissions and deaths.”

Funding has also just been approved for a research project into Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease in children to understand what are the most important factors occurring in childhood which greatly increase the likelihood of developing COPD in adult life.

“The common perception has been that COPD is an adult disease but we now know it has its origins in childhood,” explained Prof Lenney.

“In fact the vast majority of diseases have their origins very early

in life which is why it is important to study them in infancy and children rather than wait until adulthood.

“We should aim to prevent them occurring rather than wait until symptoms appear. We know that lung growth in babies is affected by tobacco smoke from before and after birth, by severe viral infections, by pollution and diet and many other factors.” ● Some of the world’s leading scientists and doctors work at University Hospital of North Staffordshire’s Guy Hilton Research Centre. It is at the very leading edge of some groundbreaking research that benefits people around the world, but particularly those in North Staffordshire.

Patients at University Hospital have access to some of the best clinicians because they are attracted to working at the research centre.

This in turn means they may be able to take part in trials of treatments that can not only aid their recovery but help future patients. The Guy Hilton Research Centre is funded

by Keele University, the University Hospital, grants from external bodies and charitable donations.

Donations are especially important because they can make a real difference to the work doctors can do, often buying extra equipment or employing researchers to speed up their discoveries.

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Learning through a demonstration of clinical skills.

Project Nurse Chris Bourne shows James Harvey how to insert a Nasogastric Tube.

Skills academy helps build careers in healthcare mentor pupils with asthma is also being developed. ● Alcohol Awareness to offer insight into the potentially harmful effects of alcohol on young people, whether chronic health conditions related to alcohol abuse or getting involved in crime. ● Why Maths Matters to demonstrate to students how healthcare professionals use maths in their daily working lives.

The academy also arranges over 400 work experience placements throughout the hospital each year and organises events such as bespoke Enrichment Days and Access to Professionals. In partnership with Keele University it also organises the UHNS Medical Summer School to enable Year 12 students to confirm their aspirations of becoming doctors.

In addition, Health Societies made up students interested in an NHS career, are being established in participating schools and colleges and a Young Persons’ Forum is being set up.

The forum will give 14 to 19-year-olds the opportunity to Students help improve hospital services for take part in an young people by reviewing and enrichment day commenting on policies, at the hospital. practices and procedures.

THE Healthcare Careers and Skills Academy at University Hospital of North Staffordshire is committed to supporting students interested in an NHS career.

The academy is developing a number of new projects in partnership with primary care, local FE colleges and universities, including: ● Asthma Awareness to highlight trigger factors that may cause an asthma attack in children as well as the medicines used to both prevent and relieve an attack. A “Buddy” system in schools to support and

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Medical Secretary Iris Parr, sitting, with Consultant Yvonne Humphreys.

Workforce Apprentice Scott Dewey, right, and Clerical Officer Beth Richards – herself formerly an apprentice – in the Healthcare, Careers and Skills building.

Assistants are vital part of caring team ASK any busy consultant who keeps the cogs of Cheethams engine room well-oiled and running smoothly and efficiently and the response is guaranteed to be his or her medical secretary!

The children’s centre boasts a dozen medical secretaries, assigned to individual consultants, who are assisted by 10 medical support secretaries and a further five clerical officers and receptionists, plus an apprentice.

In addition to juggling clinic appointments and ensuring the correct medical notes are to hand for the consultant, medical secretaries type clinic letters and promptly distribute them to parents, GPs and other professional agencies involved in

the care of children.

“Medical Secretaries are often also the first port of call for an anxious parent or relative seeking information or reassurance from the consultant in charge of their child’s care,” said Julie Wheat-Hattersley, Senior Operational Services Manager for the Child Health Medical Division.

“They will then liase between the consultant and parent, ensuring the request or query is dealt with promptly and in most cases, build a good rapport with parents and relatives and become a trusted, reliable and accessible contact.

“It’s a varied and busy role and a very responsible one, but endlessly rewarding.”

‘‘’’

Medical Secretaries are often the first port of call for an anxious parent or relative seeking information or reassurance from the consultant in charge of their child’s care.

JULIE WHEAT-HATTERSLEY

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Care continuity is vital for foster children CONTINUITY of care is paramount whenever Cheethams is looking after youngsters who have been fostered.

Both the foster parents and the birth parents will usually be involved when children are brought in for treatment.

Children who are in the care of the local authority often have specific developmental, physical and mental health needs.

The foster parents may be unaware of details in the youngster’s previous medical history which can only be

supplied by the birth parents.

Dr Kath Burton, Associate Specialist in Community Paediatrics at the Child Development Centre which like Cheethams is situated within the University Hospital, said: “We need to liaise with the parents, and they need to be kept in the loop. They can often supply vital information about the child’s or family’s health history and they may resume care of their children in the future.”

The Child Development Centre’s

specialist Looked-After Children’s Clinic carries out the statutory initial health assessment on children who are in care.

The written report which flows from this often contains vital health information about the children who may have lived in several different locations, which is not otherwise available to hospital staff, such as data from community health records.

Such information may prove invaluable to doctors at Cheethams who are treating the child.

Helpful PALS to contact should there be problems or concerns P

EOPLE with problems, concerns or comments about the services provided

by Cheethams are able to contact the Patient Advice Liaison Service and Information Centre (PALS) based in the new hospital complex.

PALS is a University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust facility providing confidential advice, assistance and support for patients, their families and carers whilst using NHS services.

The staff aim to quickly resolve problems with issues such as food, car parking, treatment on the wards and communications.

Open to all service users young and old and offering an impartial, welcoming, open and confidential service, PALS has four staff members one of whom is full-time. Volunteers also help staff the reception desk.

The facility is situated within the main atrium in the new hospital building, close to Cheethams, and is open between Monday and Friday from 9am to 4pm (not including Bank Holidays).

“We listen to concerns and suggestions and feed them back to the relevant areas within the hospital,” said Pam Goodwin, PALS Manager. “We take up and act on any problems relating to services provided by the Trust and its contractors.

“As well as providing information about NHS services we can signpost people with more serious, complex issues to the Trust’s complaints procedure.”

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To contact PALS telephone 01782 676455 or 01782 676450.

PALS Manager Amanda Butler talks with a patient at the PALS reception in the Main Atrium of the new hospital building.

PALS volunteer John Wise gives advice to a patient.

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Comedian Nick Hancock, who hosted a charity auction, is pictured with Caleb Beech.

Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Sister Kate Foden is presented with a cheque by fundraiser Claire Thomas and her daughter Phoebe whose life was saved by staff at the unit.

HARITY fundraisers always go that extra mile especially when it benefits Cheethams and the thousands of children treated across the world-class complex.

The UNHS Charity supports Cheethams and the wider site, receiving donations this year totalling £554,000. Over a third of that came from more than 1,350 hospital staff, parents and their families, groups, societies and companies. Those charity donations benefited countless areas and services. This year £60,000 went to clinicians for a cot space and equipment to support a baby in intensive care Dad Jim Lovett tackled 40 kilometres of bogs, rocky slopes, rivers and forests in a two-day mountain marathon with friend Liam Bergin to raise £3,811 after the paediatric intensive care unit saved his son’s life.

Edward Lovett was just five days old when he was diagnosed with a kidney infection caused by septicaemia and meningitis.

Jim said: “The staff on the unit were utterly fantastic. It’s only when you’re in a situation like this that you see just how wonderful these people are.”

When Amanda Beech gave birth prematurely to her son Caleb he weighed just 2Ib 4oz and went straight into the neo-natal intensive care. She and Julie Ebrey, whose son Marc was also in the unit, later raised £4,000 when they organised a charity auction hosted by comedian Nick Hancock.

Amanda said: “I always felt my son and I were cared for by

C

Fundraisers go the extra mile to help Cheethams the nursing staff.

I don’t know how I would have got through without their support.”

Parents Claire and Michael Thomas raised more than £1,000 for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for saving the life of their 10-week old daughter Phoebe when she developed bronchiolitis.

Charitable Fund Manager Steve Rushton said: “These sort of stories always warm your heart. We’re so proud of the support we get to provide those little extras that enhance the fantastic facilities and services that Cheethams provide.”

■ To contact the UHNS Charity team telephone 01782 676444, go to www.uhnscharity.org.uk, email charity@uhns.nhs.uk or follow the charity on Twitter and Facebook.

These muddy trainers are made for fundraising...

Jim Lovett who completed a two-day mountain marathon for Cheethams with his wife Jane and their son Edward.

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Clinical Psychologist Dr Carole Martin in the oncology unit on Ward 216.

Paediatric Dietitian Vicky Shepley gives advice to nine-year-old Thomas Vickers.

Support services play integral role in delivering holistic care P

AEDIATRIC support staff across a variety of disciplines help children and their families overcome a whole host of challenges on the wards, in clinics and out in the community.

Three full-time paediatric physiotherapists carry out a rehabilitation role using their experience to assess and treat children to help them get back on their feet.

They treat a variety of conditions ranging from brain injury and respiratory illnesses to multiple trauma patients and day cases. They also provide an out-of-hours and emergency service particularly for patients who need chest physio.

Good nutrition is key to help children recover and the role of the five paediatric dietitians based on site is to treat diseases with therapeutic diets as they work closely with staff, consultants, patients and their carers. They manage many children fed via an alternative route when oral feeding is not possible or insufficient and support families to provide alternative feeding at home.

They also advise on nutrition in cases where, for example, a new patient might be malnourished or has anorexia. They also liaise with the hospital’s catering department to devise special menus where a child has special dietary needs.

Paediatric Dietitian Caroline Hill said: “For us it’s about seeing the difference in children, their growth and well-being and the difference a good diet can make to parents as well.”

Cheethams recognise that coping with illness, hospital treatment and being away from home can be very stressful for the whole family. So five paediatric psychologists support children and their families with the practical and emotional demands of adjusting to illness and preparing for medical procedures.

Each with their own specialist responsibility, they encourage children to

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Finlay Gordon-McCusker, aged 10, receives treatment from physiotherapists Rachel Ritchie, left, and Nicky McClelland.

express their feelings through talking or play and liaise closely with doctors, nurses, dietitians and the physiotherapists.

Clinical Psychologist Dr Carole Martin, who is based at Cheethams, specialises in oncology, general paediatrics and working with patients on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. She said: “The challenge for psychological professionals on paediatric wards is to promote the holistic care of children. Each particular medical condition imposes its own challenge on children and their families and the broader aim of psychologists working in paediatric illness is to help children achieve maximum emotional and psychological well-being.

“Psychological services are now being

considered as an integral part of children's medical care and psychological input will have a direct impact on health outcome and will also reduce levels of psychological distress.

“Family-centred care is ‘best-practice’ in paediatric healthcare settings which necessitates a service responsive to the needs of the whole family, whilst also including the provision of staff support, liaison with other professionals and staff training.

“Minimising the distress of families, normalising their feelings and helping parents to reduce their stress levels will enable parents to better fulfil their parenting role whilst their children are on the ward.”

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Special support from hospice LOSE working relationships with staff at the well-known Treetops Children’s Hospice enable Cheethams to offer extra care to some of its sickest patients.

Young people aged up to 19 who have a life-limiting illness can be referred on to the hospice team for a short stay to give their families some respite from daily care responsibilities, and give the young people themselves a change of scenery.

And in unfortunate circumstances when a terminally ill child might have a short time to live and there is nothing more that doctors can do for them, Treetops offers a calm, caring option where they can receive end-of-life care.

Eight beds at the hospice, in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, are open 24 hours a day, Monday to Saturday.

Treetops is entirely funded through charitable donations, and efforts are underway to raise the cash needed to provide its services seven days a week.

Cheethams Consultant John Alexander is a trustee on the board at Donna Louise and said the hospital valued the additional support the charitable trust was able to offer at the most difficult times.

He said: “Our paediatric oncology service which cares for children with cancer works very closely with Treetops and most of our contact with them is to arrange respite care

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Treetops Nurse Tracey Powell with 14-year-old cerebral palsy patient Katie Talbot, who spends time at the hospice every six weeks.

so the child is looked after in a friendly, stimulating environment and the family are given a break from looking after the child. In some cases, when a child is terminally ill and has reached the end of their treatment, they have a choice of spending their last days and hours in hospital, at home or at Treetops.

“Many like to be at home, but some do not feel comfortable, and some patients are just

too far from home to travel. If they choose Treetops, our palliative care teams liaise with the hospice and make the necessary arrangements.”

Treetops, whose patrons are Stoke-on-Trent born pop star Robbie Williams and Lord Stafford, opened in 2003 and runs a number of fundraising initiatives from dinner dances to sponsored cycling marathons.

Round-the-clock child protection rota is staffed by consultants CHILDREN and young people matter, so all the staff at Cheethams are aware of the need to safeguard and promote their welfare.

A 24-hour child protection rota is staffed by consultant community paediatricians who have responsibility for managing child protection medical examinations.

They are sensitive to the needs of children who require a child protection medical and see them in a special suite of rooms within the children’s department.

Staff members at Cheethams know that they need to share any concerns regarding the welfare of youngsters who may be inpatients, outpatients or visitors.

Staff who have child protection concerns about a young person can discuss them with the Child Protection team based in the Child Development Centre.

The team, which will give them advice and support, is also responsible for training staff and for keeping the Trust up-to-date

with changes to local and national child protection policies and procedures.

The Child Protection team includes the designated doctor for the local health economy, the named doctor and the named nurse for the hospital. The team is supported by an administrator and can be contacted on 01782 679802. ● Child protection specialists at Cheethams are working at the heart of the initiative to safeguard children across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The Trust has representatives on the city and county Safeguarding Children Board and important sub-groups on policies and procedures, training and development and performance monitoring and evaluation.

The relationships pay off for young patients if a child looked after by the local authority needs treatment or medical assessment, when social workers can visit them in hospital as a normal part of their caseload.

Staff Nurse Gemma Henson in the Cheethams child protection suite.

Cheethams staff also liaise with health visitors in the community to make sure they are aware of any patients being discharged so they can continue their care at home.

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Cheethams, where everyone matters, working together to make a difference.

We want to hear what you think.

Please contact: Tel 01782 675126 cheethams@uhns.nhs.uk Facebook UHNS Charity www.uhns.nhs.uk

Information for parents and families