Issue 5 / Winter 2014
By staff. About staff. For staff.
CONTENT 12
4 A week in the life of Richard Knowles
Ironman fundraiser
6
14
Santa’s helpers
Goodbye Dr Shah
Stella returns to Prince Charles Hospital
8
15 Santa at PCH
9
NHS Wales awards
16
MediWales award
Mis Ionawr
17
10
Virtual walk challenge Stoptober success
11
What you didn’t know about pathology
18
EDITOR’S LETTER T
here’s a couple of well-known sayings about pictures. The first is that a picture paints a thousand words. The second is that there’s a story behind every picture. In the case of our front page of this new year edition of The Courier both are true. Each and every picture which makes up the collage tells the story of 2013 - they speak of the every day routine of normal life in the NHS but they also capture the special moments to be savoured and to be treasured. And finally they recount those rare minutes of light-hearted relief in a hectic schedule, like those to be found at the end of a long summer day opposite A Fish Called Rhondda in Treorchy ... Welcome to the first edition of The Courier in 2014, which - as always - is another bumper e-magazine of features and news about you, the staff of Cwm Taf. We’ve dedicated some of the pages to take a look back at what’s been happening over the last month or so but we’re also looking forward at what’s to come. Our Welsh-language article this time is about mis Ionawr (January) and we have a timely reminder that it’s not too late to enter the NHS Wales Awards - the closing date is January 24. We have all the news from the set of the latest series of the award-winning Sky One comedy drama Stella, which was filmed on location at Prince Charles Hospital and some startling facts fresh from pathology. The Courier is your magazine. If you want to be in it or if you have any ideas for future editions, we’d love to hear them.
Madeleine
Paul Edmonds Assistant editor and designer
Madeleine Brindley, Editor
WANT TO BE IN THE NEXT EDITION? CLICK HERE
A week in the life of ... My name is Richard Knowles, housekeeping manager/ advisor for Cwm Taf University Health Board. I work daily with support from Lisa Rogers, the housekeeping manager at Royal Glamorgan Hospital and Melanie Smith at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon covering all the community hospitals and health centres with the help of the team leaders Colin Wintle, Jayne Williams and Vivien Cartwright. I also liaise with Sue Zobole for community south health centres. From a management perspective, I work closely with Kevin Davies, portering manager and Stephen Barnard, catering manager and our line manager Russell Hoare. I studied hotel and catering management at University College of Salford and previously worked at Trafford General Hospital, the Copthorne Hotel, Miskin Manor, Hilton Newport and Churchill Hotel
before starting at Prince Charles Hospital in 2005. I have seven domestic supervisors at Prince Charles Hospital who support me and deal with daily issues on site, which include audits to meet the national standards for cleaning in NHS Wales; the Free to Lead Free to Care initiative and I work closely with ward managers. Monday I catch up with domestic supervisors to see what’s happened over the weekend and, where required, I see staff members and the nurse-incharge. I’ll look to see if there have been any incidents via the datix reporting system and carry out an investigation if necessary. Melanie and I, together with Nicola Robinson, the HR officer and Alan Lidbury, the Unison representative, hold a staff meeting at Dewi Sant Hospital. We’re consulting on new rosters, providing feedback forms for one-to-ones with housekeeping staff as we move forward with meeting the European Working Time Directive. We’re also ensuring work specifications meet the needs of the cleaning service we provide as we move forward.
Tuesday I’m at Royal Glamorgan with a staff member, union rep and our HR workforce support Patrick Riley – to try to resolve a staffing issue, then, in my role as secretary of the Welsh Association of Health Care Professionals (AHCP), I’m off with Lisa to Neath Port Talbot Hospital for the quarterly meeting. The association is a link for the four UK health services to work together and provide consistency, training and support for each other. It’s then back to Prince Charles Hospital for a senior managers’ meeting in the afternoon with Russell, Steve and Kevin. Wednesday Royal Glamorgan Hospital for a meeting to discuss and review a new plan for recruiting volunteers to help train student doctors, including accommodation, transport and GP surgeries. Later, Lisa and I hold a staff meeting with all housekeeping staff to discuss our agenda for the quarter and as part of our standardisation the same format is used for all sites. Next up is another meeting to discuss standardisation of cleaning disinfectants involving health and safety, infection control, procurement services and pharmacy and then it’s up to Ysbyty George Thomas to join Melanie and team leaders for the site housekeeping meeting and back to Royal Glamorgan for the afternoon housekeeping meeting. From the day’s meetings we collate information from each site to resolve issues discussed
and ready to feedback via supervisors as soon as possible or at the next meeting. Thursday I carry out managerial cleanliness audits of four wards at Prince Charles Hospital with the relevant ward manager, domestic supervisor and estates representative. I carry out these audits every month and I’m reviewing nursing, housekeeping and estates issues – the purpose is to feedback and develop action plans for wards, estates and domestic staff to complete and update. Domestic and hotel service supervisors carry out audits every week across all sites; the managerial audits ensure standards are achieved. In the afternoon, I join Melanie at Keir Hardie Health Park and have meetings to discuss any concerns about the site. Friday Part of my responsibilities include staff accommodation at Prince Charles Hospital and every six months I carry out landlord checks on the property to ensure flats are being maintained by both the organisation and tenant; review fire safety and complete an action plan. We have 98 flats providing a mix of single and married accommodation.
Better services for patients with chronic pain NEW guidelines are being introduced in Cwm Taf University Health Board to improve services for patients suffering from chronic non-malignant pain. A group led by specialist pain clinicians and the pharmacy’s pain lead has been set up to develop the new guidelines which will ensure patients are getting consistent and effective treatment. The work has recently been recognised by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, which awarded the group the Award for Innovations in Healthcare at the national RPS conference in Birmingham. Gareth Tyrrell the Aseptic Service and Clinical Lead Pharmacist for Surgery said: “An increasing number of patients are seeking help for chronic pain - it’s not always easy for them to get the help they need and it can place pressure on the NHS. “Our aim has been to develop new, more accurate ways of assessing and treating types of chronic non-malignant pain and provide guidance about when patients should be referred to the chronic pain service. “This will allow patients in both primary care and hospital services to be referred to the most appropriate specialists for their needs. “This should ultimately mean they are treated more effectively and quickly within Cwm Taf”. For further information regarding the management of chronic non-malignant pain contact Helen Williams, Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist on 01443 443469 or e-mail Helen.williams30fabb@ wales.nhs.uk page 5
Patients say thank you to Aberfan GP and longstanding member of the community ABERFAN will say a fond farewell to their GP of 30 years when Dr Pankaj S Shah of Pantglas Surgery retires on New Year’s Eve. A farewell buffet was held at the surgery on December 19 when patients and staff had the opportunity to say goodbye to their doctor and thank him for his service and commitment to the community over the last three decades.
Dr Shah returned to running the practice single-handedly and was always on call for his 1,200 patients which, by any definition is no mean feat. In 1989, an extension to the building enabled additional rooms to be built which were used by the practice nurses and Dr Shah’s wife Smita who set up well woman and family planning clinics. Dr Shah’s two sons have followed
in his footsteps - Maulik is a GP in Swansea and Hemal works in London. As we all know, behind every GP is an avid receptionist and Cathy Thomas and Margaret Guppy are no exception to that rule. Cathy has worked at the practice for 13 years and Margaret for nine years and both have enjoyed the role immensely. Janett Bickley was the practice manager from 1988 to 2001 and
Dr Shah (pictured, left) arrived in South Wales from the Midlands in 1981 where he began his GP training in New Tredegar, Gwent. In 1982, he joined the Nixon House practice in Merthyr Vale staying there for two years before leaving in 1984 to look for new premises for himself. He found premises at Aberfan Community Centre, where he set up Pantglas Surgery on his own. Dr Chillal joined Dr Shah for a few years but left in 1989 and
From left to right: Maureen Hughes, patient, Jayne Grifiths (former practice nurse), Margaret James, practice nurse,Dr Shah, Cathy Thomas, Janett Bickley and patient Marjorie England. In front, Sheila Lewis, patient. page 6
she joined staff and patients to say farewell to Dr Shah. Cathy Thomas and Janett Bickley pictured outside the surgery. Maureen Hughes, a patient at the practice since the mid-1980s, said: “Dr Shah will be missed in this community.He was always very accessible to his patients. He’s a quiet gentleman who knows his job. “My mother and great aunt were patients in the practice and my son is also a patient.” During the buffet, Dr Shah was presented with a framed illustra-
tion of Pantglas Surgery by Mrs Hughes (pictured).
Dr Chris Jones, chair of Cwm Taf University Health Board said: “Dr Shah served the Aberfan comDr Shah said: “My patients live in munity through thick and thin. a very close community and have Countless people will have benbeen very supportive of me. efitted from his gentle support and professional kindness. “Staff at the practice are very caring and eager to help patients. “The health board wishes Dr Shah and his family a healthy “I have enjoyed working here and happy retirement.” and have many good memories. Time has gone very quickly and I From January 1, 2014, the Panthave made a lot of friends.” glas surgery will be merged with Brookside surgery in Troedyrhiw Following retirement, Dr Shah but patients will still be seen now plans to do locum work and in Aberfan for the foreseeable to play more golf to improve his future. handicap.
page 7
Prince Charles Hospital to star in third series of award-winning comedy Stella PRINCE Charles Hospital will take centre stage when the award-winning comedy drama Stella returns to television screens later this month.
Wales valleys it just would not have been possible. We’re endlessly grateful to these communities for their support and co-operation.
Many of the scenes in the popular Sky One show, co-written by and starring Ruth Jones who received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours, were filmed in the Merthyr Tydfil hospital.
“The third series takes the much loved Stella character in a new direction as a trainee nurse. Early last year I was concerned that we would not find the right locations to make this key storyline work on screen. I need not have worried. We had the great good fortune that an area of Prince Charles Hospital was awaiting refurbishment and the hospital had the vision to see how this could work for Tidy Productions and the NHS.
The Stella crew and actors took over an empty ward, which was awaiting refurbishment, at Prince Charles Hospital during the summer to film scenes for the third series of the show. David Peet, series producer said: “Stella is made by the Welsh TV production company Tidy Productions. It’s a huge hit show for Sky and without the brilliant, warm embrace of the South
Ruth Jones(Stella) far right on set with fellow members of the cast
“They were superb from start to finish and made what could have been a highly complex operation, effortless and fun. This translates directly to the screen
and I would like to thank everyone there for their hard work, kindness and very high standards. From the first moment of the first episode the hospital is a big part of series 3. Thank you”. Josh Dynevor, who was shoot producer of the third series of Stella, said: “Over the course of the summer a few members of staff from Cwm Taf University Health Board came to watch the series being filmed. “They were great to meet, helpful, friendly and accommodating. The scenes we shot at the hospital were some of the funniest in the series and I always looked forward to our visits as I knew we would always be made welcome. “A film unit is a large beast and staff and patients were so helpful to us and our filming always went well. From our point of view, we never came across any problems”.
Success for Cwm Taf University Health Board at MediWales Innovations 2013 Award Ceremony INNOVATIVE passports which help stroke patients track their treatment and recovery have been awarded a prestigious award.
They are now being piloted on a small number of patients from across the health board, following successful focus group work. On receiving the award Dr Head said: “The stroke patient passTHE speech and language deport is unique in being a tool partment at Cwm Taf University that follows the patient throughHealth Board is celebrating sucout the stroke pathway and it has cess after winning the MediWales been developed to be accessible NHS Awards 2013. to individuals with communication difficulties. The Life after Stroke team won the Judges’ Award for the NHS “The award recognises the dedifor the stroke patient passport cation and collaborative work of which was presented to Dr the speech and language theraKathryn Head, the health board’s pists, the multiagency team and clinical lead and speech and stroke survivors. language therapist for stroke at a ceremony on December 10 at “The passport puts patients Cardiff’s National Museum. back in control of their recovery and so far, has been very much The award recognizes the innowelcomed as a tool that facilivative work undertaken to protates communication and enduce a unique set of passports gagement in the stroke recovery to help guide patients and their process.” families through stroke care and rehabilitation. Feedback from stroke patients across Wales indicated that when The interactive documents are they left hospital they felt as designed to prevent patients though they fell through a black feeling lost or abandoned by hole; that they felt abandoned; NHS and voluntary services, esthere was no support for carers pecially after they are discharged from hospital. The passports, which were developed by speech and language therapists with the help of stroke patients and their families, cover the early (hospital) treatment of a stroke, rehabilitation and life after a stroke. Maintained and owned by the patient, the three passports help the individual retain control of their care during their recovery from a stroke.
and that services weren’t joined up. Dr Head said: “As part of the Welsh Government’s Life after Stroke initiative, the health board saw we thought this was an opportunity to develop a resource for patients that covers the whole of their stroke journey, not just life after a stroke.” Kathy McLernon, a specialist speech and language therapist for acute stroke at Cwm Taf University Health Board, who designed the passports, said: “We had really good feedback from the focus group – one person said they wished they’d had this when they’d had their stroke. They said they’d have found things easier and would have known what to ask for. “We’ve found that often things are just done to stroke patient because they weren’t aware what to ask for but these passports will help.” The passports have been successfully piloted in Cwm Taf University Health Board and Dr Head hopes, with further collaboration and funding, they can be rolled out across Wales.
MIS
I2014
ONAWR
Erbyn hyn mae’r twrci ond yn atgof, mae rhai o’r anrhegion a dderbyniwyd oddi wrth y teulu a ffrindiau wedi mynd yn ôl i’r siopau, “Anaddas!”; “Rhy fawr” (If only); “Rhy fach”. Yr hyn sydd o’n blaenau ddechrau blwyddyn newydd yw biliau’r Nadolig, tywydd garw, SAD, nosweithiau tywyll er y byddai ‘Nhad-cu, oedd yn optimist bob amser, yn dweud bod pob dydd yn ymestyn ‘cam ceiliog’ ym mis Ionawr. Cam dinosor sydd ei angen. Ydy’r addunedau blwyddyn newydd wedi mynd ar ddifancoll hefyd? Beth am y ddeiet / ymweliadau cyson â’r gampfa / dysgu iaith newydd? Petaem ni’n gwneud ein haddunedau adeg tywydd braf Mehefin neu Orffennaf byddai mwy o obaith i ni gadw atyn nhw, efallai. Mae nifer o bethau pwysig wedi digwydd ym myd iechyd, ym mis Ionawr, dros y canrifoedd: page 10
•
4 Ionawr 1885 – Y llawdriniaeth lwyddiannus gyntaf ar y pendics yn Iowa gan Dr Williams West Grant
arian yn eu newid. Oedden nhw’n cael “rollovers”? Efallai nad oedden nhw’n cael arian ond anifail o bosibl!
•
11 Ionawr 1922 – Inswlin yn cael ei ddefnyddio’n llwyddiannus am y tro cyntaf wrth drin diabetes
•
30 Ionawr 1961 – Y bilsen atal cenhedlu yn mynd ar werth ond heb fod ar gael ar y GIG
•
31 Ionawr 1747 – Y clinig cyntaf i drin heintiau gwenerol yn agor yn Llundain
Mae Blwyddyn Newydd y Tseiniaid ar Ionawr 31 2014 a’r flwyddyn eleni yw Blwyddyn y Ceffyl, mae pobl sy’n cael eu geni o dan arwydd y ceffyl yn ‘annibynnol’, ‘hyderus’. Byddai’n well gen i ddweud mod i wedi fy ngeni ym Mlwyddyn y Ceffyl yn hytrach na ……. blwyddyn y gwningen …….. er bod gan y gwningen ei rhinweddau …...Ym …… Ym……..
Er nad yw e unrhywbeth i wneud â’r GIG wrth chwilmentan dysgais fod loteri swyddogol, ar gael yn Lloegr ar Ionawr 11 1569 a bod y tocynnau ar werth wrth ddrws gorllewinol Eglwys Gadeiriol Sant Paul, Llundain. Tybed beth oedd y wobr fwyaf enillwyd? Oedd pobl yn dweud na fydden nhw’n rhoi’r gorau i’w swyddi, na fydden nhw’n symud, na fyddai’r
I gloi, os bydd un o’ch addunedau’n ymwneud â dysgu’r Gymraeg, prosiectau’n cynnwys Cymraeg, cofnodi eich sgiliau Cymraeg, cymryd rhan yng Ngwobrau’r Gymraeg mewn Iechyd, Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a Gofal Cymdeithasol 2014 cysylltwch ag Uned Gymraeg Cwm Taf. Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.
success for John GIVING up was something John Waldron never thought about until he caught his 15-year-old son Cory smoking. The 34-year-old who works in the ICT department had smoked 20 cigarettes a day for more than 18 years. But earlier this year John found cigarettes on his 15 year old son and was devastated. He couldn’t believe that his son had picked up his bad habit and started smoking. In a hope that his son would agree, John offered him a challenge: “If you promise to give up smoking I’ll give up as well.” His son agreed. Knowing it would be an extremely difficult challenge for him as well as his
son, John willing to try anything to stop him smoking before he was well and truly hooked. John saw the Stoptober campaign at work and thought it was an ideal opportunity to get help and support. So, on October 4, after getting advice from the health and wellbeing team and receiving the Stoptober packs for support, he started his challenge. Eight weeks on and John is well on the road to success and more to his delight his son has also stopped smoking. John, who has two children, said: “I feel much healthier since giving up smoking. Food is much more tasty and the home environment is much healthier for me and
my family. I also have an eightyear-old daughter hopefully with me not smoking around her she won’t pick up the habit when she’s older. “I’ve had excellent support from my wife and family so that’s helped me along the way. However, I still find it very difficult when I’m out socially. But I’m looking forward to a healthier future with my family and also more money in my pocket as it’s much cheaper chewing gum than smoking.” If you would like support to give up smoking contact www. stopsmokingwales.com
IRONMAN RAISES THE BAR TO £17,500
THE gruelling Iron Man Wales contest has helped a father and son team raise more than £17,500 for Prince Charles Hospital. The exhausting event – a 2.4 mile sea swim, a marathon and a 112-mile bike ride – is the latest fundraiser Steven and Anthony have organised and undertaken to support the haematology department. They have raised a staggering £17,500 over the last six years – the Iron Man Wales event in Tenby earlier this year added £1,100 to their total. Anthony’s father Steven was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2007 and has been through a long period of treatment at Prince Charles Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff. This has been a very difficult time for Steven and his family but it has been made bearable by the professional and caring way in which they have been treated at both hospitals.
page 12
Steven said: “I can’t thank the nurses enough at Prince Charles Hospital as well as the consultant haematologist Dr Bashi. The support and reassurance has been amazing. “Part of my treatment was to have a bone marrow transplant which I had in 2012. This treatment was one of the worst I had to endure. I had this at the University Hospital of Wales but again the staff were fantastic and I can’t praise them all enough.” As a way of giving a little back, Steven and Anthony, came up with a series of fundraising events and over the last six years with the help of friends and family and staff in the department at Prince Charles Hospital, have raised £17,500. The first £250 of every event has been generously sponsored by Sekisui Alveo. Anthony found the Tenby Ironman the most gruelling of all the fundraising events. He finished the event – a 2.4-mile swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride and 26-mile marathon – in 13 hours and 42 minutes.
Anthony, who lives in Merthyr Tydfil, said: “I was completely exhausted but the motivation to carry on came from the fact that I wanted to continue raising money for the haematology department. “The staff and consultant’s quality of care and support is excellent and of the highest quality and has had such a positive effect on my dad which in turn has reassured the family.” Dr Waleed Bashi, consultant haematologist at Cwm Taf Health Board, said: “I am so humbled by the fact that Steven and his son Anthony keep raising funds for the department, we are extremely grateful to them. “The department, staff and more importantly the patients, have benefited from the funds they have raised.”
Santa’s little helpers at Cwm Taf Health Board CHILDREN living in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf will enjoy a merry Christmas this year after staff at Cwm Taf Health Board donated more than £1,300 to buy presents for them as part of the annual Santa Appeal. Gifts have been bought for 52 toddlers, children and teenagers living in the two local authority areas with the donations from people working in departments across the health board.
children and young people service redesign at Cwm Taf Health Board, who helped to organise the donations, said: “When we heard about the Santa Appeal we wanted to get involved and support our local communities.
The presents include baby’s clothes, interactive toys, dolls, gift cards for older teens and chocolates.
Gwenan Roberts, head of organisational development at Cwm Taf Health Board, who also coordinated the appeal, added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response and donations we’ve had from staff
A Santa Appeal is held every year by Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf councils to make sure that no child misses out on Christmas. People are asked to contact a hotline and are given the name and age of a child they can buy a present for. Darrell Clarke, (pictured) head of
“This is the time of the year for giving and we’re really pleased to be able to give something to children who may otherwise not have had anything this Christmas.”
across the health board – pledges came flooding in from the moment we started collecting for the Santa Appeal. “We’ve been able to buy gifts for so many children thanks to the generosity of staff working for the health board.” Councillor Brent Carter, cabinet member for community services at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: “Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council children’s services runs a Santa Appeal each year to provide gifts for some of the most vulnerable children and young people the council supports. “The council very much appreciates the contribution staff in Cwm Taf Health Board have made to the appeal this year.” And Councillor Annette Davies, Rhondda Cynon Taf’s cabinet member for children’s social services, said: “Thank you to staff at Cwm Taf Health Board and indeed to everyone who has contributed to the Santa Appeal this year. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of local people and businesses who support the annual appeal, buying gifts to ensure no child misses out on Christmas.”
Santa comes early to the Emergency Care Centre at Prince Charles Hospital A LETTER to supermarket giant Tesco has paid dividends for the youngest patients at Prince Charles Hospital’s Emergency Care Centre. Thanks to Natalie Swales, a paediatric nurse in the department, children who have suffered an injury or accident now have £200 of new toys to play with when they come into hospital. It was Natalie’s idea to write to Tesco to ask if the supermarket would be kind enough to donate toys to the emergency care centre because its current stock had been so well used they were starting to look a little worn. To Natalie’s surprise, a call from Ceri Randell, community champion for the Merthyr Tydfil store confirmed Tesco would be delighted to donate toys to the centre just in time for Christmas. Diane Wood,
community champion at Tesco’s neighbouring Aberdare store said: “It is so satisfying to know that the community benefits from the service we provide. I love my job – it’s so rewarding.”
Diane Wood, community champion (Aberdare), Ceri Thomas, paediatric nurse, Natalie Swales, paediatric nurse and Ceri Randell, community champion (Merthyr Tydfil).
And Ceri, community champion for the Merthyr store, added: “When I received Natalie’s letter I was only too pleased to speak to Diane to make a joint donation from both stores. I agree with Diane, the role is so rewarding.
A signed Ospreys rugby ball was also donated by Tesco, which the staff at the emergency care centre will raffle at their Christmas party.
“The community benefits from Tesco donations all year round, not just Christmas.” Pictured from left to right are:
The staff at the emergency care centre joined Santa and his elves on December 19 in his grotto in the foyer of Prince Charles Hospital to sell cakes to raise funds for the centre.
NHS Wales Awards 2014 The NHS Wales Awards for 2014 is now open. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the excellent work that is being carried out throughout the Health Board and making a difference to patient care. Have you been taking forward innovative work that’s making a real difference to patients and the way care is delivered? Have you and your team completed Improving Quality Together silver projects that have improved standards and quality of services? Now is the time to tell others about it by entering the 2014 NHS Wales Awards! The Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate work that is delivering excellence in patient care. It’s easy to enter and there are eight categories so lots to choose from: Citizens at the centre of service re-design and delivery – work that involves patients and the public in the planning and delivery of services (supported by Wales Council for Voluntary Action) Developing a flexible and sustainable workforce – models that
5
SIMPLE STEPS
show how the workforce has been developed to meet specific needs such as supporting care in the community (supported by Royal College of Nursing Wales) Improving patient safety – initiatives that prevent or reduce harm to patients (supported by Health Foundation) Improving quality through better use of resources –achieving higher quality services by using resources in a more effective way including money, buildings, equipment and people (supported by Finance Academy Wales) Promoting better health and avoiding disease – clear strategies that have improved health and wellbeing of patients (supported by Welsh NHS Confederation) Promoting clinical research and application to practice –combining academic expertise with clinical practice to improve services (supported by British Medical Association Cymru Wales)
ganisations – partnership working that has improved patient care (supported by Welsh Local Government Association) For the first time there will also be an Outstanding Innovation in Care Award presented to the overall winner in the eight categories (supported by Royal Pharmaceutical Society Wales).
Winning is great! Darrell Clarke, Head of Children and Young Peoples’ Service Re-Design, whose team won the Citizens at the Centre of Service Re-design and Delivery category in 2012, said winning the Award had been a boost for staff. He said, “Winning an NHS Wales Award is a fantastic way to celebrate best practice and share innovative work that is making a difference to patient care with our colleagues across Wales. “I would urge healthcare teams to take the time to enter and who knows it may be you winning in 2014.”
Students improving patient safety and quality - initiatives delivered by students that helped reduce or prevent harm to patients and improve standards of care (supported by 1000 Lives Student and Educator Community) Working seamlessly across or1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Visit www.nhswalesawards.org.uk Read the guidance on entering Choose the category which is right for your work Download the storyboard template form and complete it Submit your entry before the closing date Friday January 24, 2014
Should you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact Karen Field, NHS Wales Awards Manager on (01443) 233347 or email karen.field@wales.nhs.uk
Could you take on the virtual challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats? Teresa Richard’s and her colleague Steve Coleman from the workforce and organisational information team are in the process of walking the length of Great Britain and are now challenging others to follow in their footsteps. Wearing a pedometer to keep track of their steps, they are counting their steps at the end of each day and mapping them out on the journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats. What started off as a way of keeping track of their daily activity soon become healthy competition and a race to the finish. Teresa Richards from the department said: “We look forward to plotting out our steps every day on the map and see who has walked the furthest. It was loads of fun and the best part about it we are keeping fit and healthy at the same time.”
VIRTUAL FINISH
Teresa asked Steve how he felt the virtual challenge was going he said: “The challenge is lots of fun and the fact that I am getting fitter and healthier is a bonus.” The journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats totalled 989.6 miles, which is split into 58 randomly selected checkpoints. If anyone would like any further information about the challenge contact Teresa.Richards@wales. nhs.uk or Stephen.Coleman@ wales.nhs.uk
VIRTUAL START