The Pulse News from The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Issue 145 Summer 2016
THIS ISSUE Summer 2016 Issue 145
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Contents A word from the Chief Executive
Sim mum and baby join new centre
6-7
Ambulatory care
8-9
Staff awards special
10-11 Trust receives Royal visit 12 14
Trust’s charity plans Career profile: FGM specialist Aissa Edon
Cover: Denise Ahmed, winner of the Compassionate Care Award Photo: Toby VandeVelde Photography (www.vandevelde. co.uk)
Who’s who Produced by: The Communications Department Email: communications@thh.nhs.uk Print: Streamline Your Print The Pulse magazine is for our patients, local people, staff and members of The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Copies can be picked up from the Trust and downloaded from our website www.thh.nhs.uk.
www.thh.nhs.uk ThePulse Pulse 2 The
The Pulse
Sun Awareness Week: stay smart this summer N ational Sun Awareness Week begins on Monday 9 May, with the aim of raising awareness of skin cancer and the dangers posed by harmful rays.
The campaign is run by the British Association of Dermatologists, which is comprised of leading medical professionals with expertise in skin cancer, vitamin D and public health messaging. During the week, the campaign will issue prevention and detection advice regarding skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, and the rates continue to rise. At least 100,000 new cases are now diagnosed each year, and over 2,500 people are killed by the disease each year - that’s around seven people every day. Most skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light damaging the DNA in skin cells. The main source of UV light is sunlight, but artificial sources of light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds also increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Sunbeds for example, can carry a high risk, as the intensity of some of the UV rays they give off can be 10 to 15 times higher than that of the midday sun. By lowering your exposure to the sun you can reduce your risk. You can do this by taking several simple steps as outlined on the right. It is also important to know the signs of skin cancer and make a habit of checking your skin for any
changes. This is especially important if you are at high risk of getting skin cancer or have had treatment in the past. Symptoms can include a lump, lesion or skin discolouration. If you notice one of these symptoms and it hasn’t healed after four weeks, please go and see your GP. While it is unlikely to be cancer, it is best to be sure as the earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat. And this increases the chances of the treatment being successful.
Tips for staying safe in the sun • Wear suitable clothing, including a hat, t-shirt and UV protective sunglasses • Use a sunscreen with SPF30 or more • Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going out. Reapply at least every two hours • The sun is strongest in the middle of the day, so find some shade during this time, especially if you are fair skinned.
WELCOME
Have your say about healthcare in Hillingdon
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he landscape of the NHS appears to be ever changing to accommodate new challenges and priorities. One of these priorities is new planning guidance which has been issued by NHS England to deliver a sustainable, transformed health service that will improve quality of care and wellbeing. The planning guidance outlines a new approach to help ensure that health and care services are planned by focusing on the needs of a specific place (or local population) rather than around individual institutions. As part of this guidance, the Trust is working with key partners to develop a Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for the local health and care economy. We are inviting you to discuss the future of your local NHS services for the next five years and tell us your views at the Future of Health and Care in Hillingdon free seminar on Wednesday 18 May, 1pm-3.30pm Key speakers will include the Trust, Hillingdon CCG and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. The topics covered will include an overview of the new healthcare planning guidance including integrated care, collaborative working and transformation as well as development, plans and actions. The event will take place at Brunel University. To register, go to www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-future-ofhealth-and-care-in-hillingdontickets-24457506059 or call Martel St. Marthe on 01895 203082.
A word from the Chief Executive
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t’s been both an exciting and challenging few months for the Trust. We’ve seen demand for our services reach an all-time high – most keenly felt in our A&E department – where staff have coped admirably despite being rushed off their feet with unprecedented numbers of patients. Back in March we were privileged to get the royal seal of approval for one of our newest service improvements – the new SPECT CT (Computed Tomography) scanner installed in the Radiology Department. The new scanner is one of only two of its kind in the whole country; it enables both CT and MRI scans to be carried out simultaneously, reducing the number of patient appointments. I was delighted to play host to HRH The Princess Royal who paid a visit to formally open the newly expanded department. She was suitably impressed with what she saw – a team of dedicated staff who are doing all they can to speed-up our scanning services and minimise stress for patients (see the story on page 10). Our ambulatory care approach, highlighted on page 6, is also helping to speed-up services for patients and in many cases can help people avoid being admitted to hospital while awaiting tests. It’s good news for patients and means we can prioritise beds for those that need them most. The Trust’s many successes in improving services are thanks to the hard work and commitment of our staff.
Shane DeGaris, Chief Executive
Talking of dedicated staff, I also had the pleasure of presenting our staff awards at our annual celebration event at the end of April, and once again it was heartening to hear the many stories of staff going the extra mile to provide the best possible patient care. There were a great many public nominations and it makes me incredibly proud to be Chief Executive of a place where the staff are so dedicated to what they do. Finally I’m delighted to say that we have put the Trust’s charity on a more professional footing by appointing a Charity Director - Andrew Bickerdike - for the first time ever. The work our valued volunteers and staff do to raise additional funds for the Trust is amazing and with Andrew’s support and professional knowhow we aim to continue to build on their successes. I hope you have an enjoyable summer.
Shane DeGaris
Chief Executive The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
www.thh.nhs.uk 3
NEWS
Sim mum and baby join new centre T
here has been a new addition to the Trust’s Simulation Centre family with the arrival of sim mum and her baby. The Simulation Centre, which opened in November 2015, enables staff to act out clinical scenarios and carry-out a range of clinical procedures with the aid of
robotic ‘patients’ (the sim family). These are high-fidelity sim models (robots) - that are as near to real people as you can get. Trainers control the highly sophisticated models from a discrete control room in real time and observe how the ‘patients’ respond to the treatment being provided.
Staff practice using the new sim model
The sim mum model, which cost £55,000, joins sim man and sim junior – the adult and child robotic ‘patients’. Sim mum is a scaled down version of sim man and focuses on childbirth. She is used for maternity training involving a range of staff including anaesthetists, midwives and obstetricians to practice obstetric emergencies. Some of the key incidents during childbirth that sim mum can simulate include shoulder dystocia, haemorrhage, cord prolapse and uterine inversion. The models’ heart rate, blood pressure and breathing are all responsive to treatment and they can detect if they have been given the correct amount of medication. The centre is kitted out with the most up-to-date simulation kit available and is one of only a handful of its type in the country.
German foundation visit dementia-friendly ward D
elegates from a major German foundation recently visited Hillingdon Hospital to find out more about the Trust’s approach to dementia care. The Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH (Robert Bosch Foundation) is a charitable institution that is one of the leading private foundations in Europe, known for its promotion of natural and social sciences, including public health. The visitors were given a detailed overview by the Trust’s Lead Nurse for Dementia Care, Lorna Kelly, followed by a guided tour of the hospital’s dementia-friendly
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rehabilitation ward, Beaconsfield East. The ward was specifically designed to address the needs of dementia sufferers. It features colour coded walls and distinctive artwork in each bed bay, a general décor that is deliberately nonclinical and flexible lighting that can be adjusted to suit individual needs. There is also an assessment ‘home ready’ kitchen, which helps prepare patients for returning home, as well as direct access to a sensory garden. The delegation took great interest in the sensory room, which
A delegate tests out some of the features of the sensory room
is specially designed to provide patients with stimulation of different senses - sight, sound and touch - in a controlled way. The visit was rounded off with a question and answer session with the ward’s project manager and architect.
PAge title NEWS
Non-medical prescribers: helping to speed up safe and effective care As a patient, it is becoming more likely that you will meet a non-medical prescriber, either at your GP surgery or while being treated in the hospital.
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on-medical prescribers (NMPs) are not doctors; they are health professionals that are qualified to prescribe medicine for health conditions which are within their field of expertise. Nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals, such as radiographers may be NMPs, if they have completed the appropriate training course and exam. The Trust already has 27 practicing NMPs, across a variety of specialties, who are helping to provide more effective care whilst maintaining patient safety at all times. Research shows that non-medical
prescribing has improved the quality of service to patients, not just in terms of convenience but also in terms of improved clinical outcomes. The work of the prescriber allows for a smoother and quicker visit for patients, as they can help patients in several ways, including helping them to manage their diabetes, asthma or blood pressure for example. They may also help them with a prescription if needed as part of a minor illness clinic. This ensures a greater continuity of care for the patient as they are not transferred as frequently from one medical professional to another.
Medicine prescribing is relatively low risk and the Trust has taken steps to ensure that our prescribing practices are safe and effective. In order to qualify as an NMP, the medical professional undertakes an intensive training course. Once qualified, they are also required to undertake and record continual development to ensure they keep up-to-date. Secondly, every non-medical prescriber only prescribes medicine within their own scope of practice to ensure that they are experts within that field. There is also a designated medical professional who oversees and reviews their practice. Frequent audits are also carried out, to reflect on prescribing situations and provide peer to peer support of our prescribing practices.
Life after cancer: event in Hillingdon for anyone living with cancer A
s part of a continuing partnership, the Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support are running an event to explain some of the services that are available for people who have been diagnosed with cancer. There will be talks and workshops to provide advice on a range of subjects, including coping with the diagnosis, nutrition, employment, physical activity, supporting carers and rehabilitation. Advice will also be provided on travel insurance, benefits and complimentary therapies that are available in the community. The event takes place on Monday
6 June, from 3-7pm at the Holiday Inn on Sipson Road. Afternoon tea and refreshments will be served on the day. Lorraine Barton, Hillingdon Hospital’s Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Nurse said: “We’re running this event to reach out to anyone who has been diagnosed with any form of cancer, who may like to know what support is available to them in Hillingdon.” All are welcome to attend, but please register in advance as places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
To register please go to the following link (places and parking are free): Lifeaftercancerhillingdon. eventbrite.co.uk or call 01895 279169. Hillingdon Hospital
www.thh.nhs.uk 5
NEWS
Positive results in staff survey T
he annual NHS Staff Survey provides important information to help measure the quality, safety and delivery of the care provided to patients and the results from the most recent survey show that we are doing well in key areas. Engaging with our workforce has always been a key priority for the Trust and for this we achieved a fantastic 3.86 out of 5 which was above the national average. Overall, we also scored above average in 18 areas with 10 of these being in the top 20 per cent of all acute Trusts in England. One of the key areas we did particularly well in is providing staff with clear roles, responsibilities and rewarding jobs. In this area we were in the best 20 per cent of acute trusts in five out of eight areas including: • Staff satisfaction with the quality of work and patient care they are able to deliver • Recognition and value of staff by managers and the organisation • Staff satisfaction with resourcing and support. The most positive change since the last survey was in the percentage of staff appraised in which we achieved a fantastic 93 per cent – significantly above the national average of 86 per cent.
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A quiet revolution Hillingdon Hospital has been adopting a new approach to caring for its patients, which means many more of them are able to get the care they need without being admitted to hospital.
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t’s great news for patients who are able to stay at home while accessing the clinics, tests and treatment they need and good for the Trust as it means that it’s more able to provide hospital beds for those that need them the most.
Known as the ‘ambulatory care model,’ patients with certain medical conditions are immediately referred for assessment by a medical consultant. They have all the tests they need to help diagnose or evaluate a condition and have a greater range of medicines provided quickly for treating disease. In times gone by, patients were often admitted for a hospital stay while they underwent these diagnostic tests and treatments. It could mean patients spending days, and sometimes weeks, in
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Less follow-up visits are needed.
hospital waiting for results rather than being at home in familiar surroundings. An added bonus is that earlier testing means that treatment can be prescribed more speedily and in some cases this can have a dramatic impact on how well a patient responds. There are also less follow-up visits to hospital needed as everything possible is dealt with in one go. This new way of working has helped the Trust to increase the
Doctors on the AMU ward
number of medically unwell patients it can see on this ‘ambulatory care’ basis and reduced the number of hospital admissions. In 2013, on average the service had helped around 180 patients per month, but this has increased to a current level of about 500 patients per month. Patients suitable for ambulatory care can be referred by their GP, by the A&E Department or through the Urgent Care Centre at Hillingdon Hospital. Depending on the condition, they can usually get all the required tests completed in one day with the results readily available. Once these are known patients can begin any necessary treatment. The service is consultant-led, with experienced specialists in acute medicine on hand to help with diagnoses. Ambulatory care has become a more common place way of delivering acute care in the last few years. The Trust has been able to fully operate the new approach since opening its new
NEWS
n in patient care
Dr Paresh Mistry on a consultation with Mrs Bowes
Acute Medical Unit (AMU) in the Nightingale Centre last year. The new building provided more space to hold specialist day clinics and manage patients in this different way. The service, which is proving popular with both patients and medical staff, is possible because of a partnership arrangement with Hillingdon’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). They work hand-inhand with the Trust to provide a comprehensive package of care for patients.
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This means we are able to prioritise hospital beds for those that need them most.
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A wide range of patients with a variety of conditions will be referred to the service although many are elderly and some will need additional support at
home. This is where therapist services come in. Many conditions are manageable at home but for more vulnerable patients a Rapid Response Team, funded by the CCG, is able to provide temporary nursing support, including an intravenous antibiotic administration service, where needed. Dr Paresh Mistry, a consultant for 11 years, has been practising at Hillingdon for the last three. He oversees ambulatory care at the hospital. He said:” This is very much a common sense and practical approach to dealing with patients who do not need to be admitted. Our patients appreciate the service, which provides a good complement to hospital-based care. It also empowers them to self-manage their own condition and supports an early discharge for many people, which means we are able to prioritise hospital beds for those that need them most.”
The team work closely to provide a package of care for patients
Benefits of ambulatory care include: • • • •
Less risk of infection Improved rest and recovery Patients can stay at home Less follow-up hospital visits needed • Testing and diagnoses is fasttracked • Frees up hospital beds.
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staff awards
Applauding our stars Congratulations to our award-winning staff The Trust celebrated its brightest and best at its recent staff awards ceremony. The annual event, now in its third year, formally thanked staff for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year. More than 120 nominations were received and members of the public were also invited to nominate in the Compassionate Care category. The winners were a closely guarded secret, only being revealed on the night. The evening also celebrated the contribution of staff who have reached a long service milestone with the Trust. Congratulations to the winners and all those nominated!
Outstanding Teamwork Award Paediatric Allergy and Dermatology Team
Winners pictured with Chief Executive Shane DeGaris and Chairman Richard Sumray
Outstanding Demonstration of CARES Values Award Cathy Bryant, ITU Staff Nurse
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Chief Executive’s Team Award Daniels Neuro-Rehabilitation Ward, Mount Vernon
staff awards
Compassionate Care Award
Quality and Innovation Award
Denise Ahmed, Midwife
Harps Shina, ICT Infrastructure Specialist
“I am genuinely touched that the public took the time to nominate me and that this award is an honour and recognition not just for me, but for all my colleagues within Maternity”.
“I am proud to have won the Quality and Innovation award and even prouder to be part of The Hillingdon Hospitals. Thanks to all my colleagues for their support over the years”.
Chairman’s Award - Promoting Healthier Lifestyles
Chief Executive’s Award
Trust’s Catering Team
Zoe McDowall, Theatre Manager
www.thh.nhs.uk 9
FEATURE
Royal visit for Nuclear Trust shows off its newest piece of high-tech equipment to royalty.
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Unveiling a plaque
he Trust’s new Nuclear Medicine Facility received the Royal stamp of approval in March when HRH The Princess Royal visited the hospital. After being greeted by the Trust’s Chief Executive Shane DeGaris along with other members of the Trust Board, Princess Anne was given a tour of the centre by Superintendent Radiographer Mrs Lubna Hussain. She also met members of staff before being given a practical demonstration of the new SPECT CT Scanner. The £900k scanner, which is the focal point of the centre,
Signing a guest book
Greeting members of the Radiology Team
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comprises a gamma camera with an integrated diagnostic CT scanner. The equipment combines the best aspects of two different types of imaging in one piece of equipment, and produces more accurate, combined clinical images. SPECT CT provides a substantially improved service for patients during their treatment as it can speed up diagnosis and means they need to attend fewer appointments. This is particularly beneficial for unwell and frail patients whose stress and anxiety at attending multiple hospital appointments can be greatly reduced. Her Royal Highness unveiled
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We were delighted to welcome The Princess Royal to open the Nuclear Facility a plaque marking the official opening of the centre and signed a guest book. Welcoming the royal visitor, Shane DeGaris said he was honoured that she had come to the centre: “We were delighted to welcome The Princess Royal to officially open the Nuclear Facility. “The new facility is a breakthrough in offering our team a tremendous opportunity to improve the experience of our patients as effectively and quickly as possible. The centre not only provides patients and their families with a more convenient, comfortable environment, but also enables a quicker and more reliable diagnosis. “The journey to bringing this facility to the Trust has taken many years of hard work and it is thanks
FEATURE
Medicine Facility
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Superintendent Radiographer Lubna Hussain gives Princess Anne a practical demonstration of the new scanner
to the dedication of the Radiology Team that we can be proud to now offer this service to our patients.” Janet Robinson, the first patient to be treated in the new facility, was one of several guests to speak to The Princess Royal and said: “I very much enjoyed meeting The
Princess Royal and sharing my experience of the centre with her. The team that treated me are excellent and thanks to this new scanner I’m sure many people will benefit in years to come.”
Princess Anne meets Janet Robinson, the first patient in the facility
Thanks to this new scanner I’m sure many people will benefit in the years to come.
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CEO Shane DeGaris gives a warm welcome to Princess Anne
www.thh.nhs.uk 11
SPOTLIGHT
Exciting developments ahead for Trust’s charity The Trust’s charity, first established in 1996, enables members of the community and generous donors to directly support improvements for patients and staff at both hospitals.
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e have recently appointed our first charity employee, Andrew Bickerdike as Charity Director. He will be spearheading the charity’s growth and development in the months and years ahead.
Andrew brings a wealth of previous charity experience, including five years leading fundraising for The King’s Fund - a charitable foundation which works to improve healthcare. He also led a national corporate fundraising team for Macmillan Cancer Support and is a trustee of the Huntington’s Disease Association of England & Wales.
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The passion and enthusiasm of supporters is inspiring.
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Many will be well aware of the positive impact that NHS charities can have for patients and families, with high profile examples including Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Royal Marsden charities among the most wellknown of the 150 or so active
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Andrew Bickerdike, Charity Director
“The passion and enthusiasm of the supporters, including individuals, organisations, and our wonderful voluntary groups, including the League of Friends and Comforts Fund, is inspiring. I look forward to working with them all to enable us to do even more for patients in the future. Watch this space!” The Trust’s charity is actively looking to make contact with individuals, or organisations and businesses who are interested in getting involved and making a real difference for people.
Everything the Hillingdon Hospitals Charity does is about making improvements for patients and staff at the two hospitals. NHS charities. The Trust already receives donations from supporters including former patients, family members, and members of the community. Throughout the year, Andrew will be working with colleagues at the Trust, patients, and others to help the charity and our wonderful supporters have the greatest possible impact for patients. He will also be seeing how the charity can be developed to better support fundraisers. Andrew said: “Everything the Hillingdon Hospitals Charity does is about making improvements for patients and staff at the two hospitals.
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Some of the personal and very moving stories behind the donations can be viewed on the charity’s online donations page www.justgiving.com/ hillingdonhospitals. You can see examples of the lengths some of our incredible fundraisers go to, as well as make a one-off or a monthly donation to support our work. For the latest on the charity, and how you can support or get involved, take a look at the new facebook page www.facebook. com/HillingdonHospitalsCharity, and follow the charity on twitter at twitter.com/HillHospCharity.
SPOTLIGHT
A team that’s always on the move
ranging from 19 to mid-70s. We also have an increasing number of women in the team and they now make up around one fifth of our workforce”, said Steve.
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No two days are the same and we need to be prepared for all scenarios.
Some of the Portering Team based at Hillingdon Hospital
Often unsung heroes of the hospital world, the Portering Team moves thousands of patients, equipment and other items around the Trust every week.
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hey are a hardworking, friendly team that provide cover seven days a week, 365 days a year, moving patients and a range of items, including notes, vital equipment, and even furniture. In a typical day the team completes up to 250 individual tasks. “One of the most important tasks we carry out every day is an oxygen check. This is to make sure that all oxygen cylinders on the wards are topped up and any replacements are ordered. This is usually the first job done in the morning, unless a patient urgently needs blood or an X-ray,” said Deputy Portering Manager Steve Pettit. Tasks are allocated to porters by the desk controller, who works to ensure that patients with the
greatest need are prioritised first and critical items are safely delivered as quickly as possible. The controller is in frequent communication with the porters, who each carry a radio when on duty. Every day is unique and brings different and sometimes difficult challenges, so the team have to be prepared in the case of an emergency. For example, if a fire were to break out, the porters would assist the fire brigade to ensure they can reach the fire as quickly as possible. If a patient suffers a cardiac arrest, porters have to respond and bring any equipment needed. They need to be on the scene quickly. “As well as helping patients of all ages, we are a team of all ages,
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As porters’ work takes them throughout the hospital into many patient areas, they need to be sensitive to people’s concerns and operate with the utmost discretion. Sam Claridge, Porter, said: “This is an important job that requires serious thought and professionalism at all times. No two days are the same, and this means that we need to be prepared for all scenarios. “For example, being there when a patient suffers a cardiac arrest is a very difficult situation to be in, but you do get a great feeling when you are able to help play a part in saving someone’s life.”
Sam Claridge, Porter
www.thh.nhs.uk 13
PROFILE
Aissa leading the way in FGM prevention A wareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has hit the headlines recently and the issue is one that is close to the heart of Aissa Edon, one of Hillingdon Hospital’s Community Midwife Team Leaders.
Aissa not only carries out her full time role at the Trust but has also worked tirelessly with victims for more than 10 years in France, Belgium and Switzerland and now the UK. Aissa, who spent much of her life in Paris, obtained her midwifery degree in Belgium. For her dissertation, she went back to her birth place of Mali and it was through her research there that she realised there was very little knowledge to ensure that education and prevention could be a driving force in tackling FGM. In 2010, Aissa became a midwife at a hospital in Switzerland. She moved to the UK in 2015 and joined Hillingdon Hospital. She is now Community Midwife Team Leader and FGM Specialist Midwife. Along with her role at the Trust, Aissa has also worked to reach
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“These were all pregnant women who were referred and voluntarily attended. But there are so many more women out there that are either afraid or unsure how to seek help”, she said. In 2015 Aissa was awarded the national Mary Seacole Leadership Award in recognition of her work. It has supported her research - which aims to evaluate FGM care in the UK with a particular focus on the psychological and psychosexual needs of women who have undergone the ritual. This project will look at both women and their partner’s perspectives to find out expectations of care, good practice and identify areas for improvement. The project includes Hillingdon Hospital, along with five other UK hospitals, which will host focus groups to gather information. Aissa has also recently been named one of the BBC’s inspirational women for 2015 and was featured in the BBC World Service radio programme, Global Midwives, telling her own personal story. Aissa said: “Raising awareness is the first stage, but to truly
To truly tackle FGM we need to focus on prevention and education
out to FGM victims in the local community. She established the Hope Clinic in 2014, a centre based in Southall which helps women that have undergone FGM providing information and advice. She says that the problem of FGM is widespread, and she saw around 100 women in the centre’s first six months of operation.
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tackle FGM we need to focus on prevention and education. “Because the consequences of FGM are so far reaching we need an approach that promotes education throughout society, including medical professionals, teachers and the police. “Midwifery is a special job, you can provide care, support and
Aissa Edon, Midwife and FGM Specialist
be part of a family. I love happy endings and it’s a privilege to be there when a new life is born, you are witnessing something special. “Hillingdon is busy, full of hard working people, but I like the atmosphere, people are welcoming.
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I wanted to be a midwife since I was six years old
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“There is also a healthy respect of each field and a general willingness to learn and do things well. “I wanted to be a midwife since I was six years old. If you have a personal interest in something, don’t let anyone else tell you that you can’t do it. “If you are driven enough, nothing can stop you. You just need to find the right place which will give you the wings to fly and achieve your dreams.”
GoVERNORS’ VOICE
Terry Thompson enjoys his first year as a governor I n July 2015, I was elected as one of the public governors for the Central Constituency of the Trust.
The thought of joining such an experienced group as the Council of Governors was a little daunting at the time, but I could not have been more warmly welcomed and received by the other elected governors, staff governors (who are also elected) and Board members of the Trust. The help and advice offered by all has been welcome and very useful. I have also found the PiP meetings interesting and very informative. I would encourage anyone to become a Member of the Trust and to stand for election, when vacant situations occur in their constituency. Fairly early on in my tenure, I was offered training as a PLACE Assessor (Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment). These assessments involve regular and fairly intense, inspections of areas of the hospital wards and out-patients clinics, for condition, cleanliness and the provision of
a suitable environment for those patients with dementia. The assessments are made by groups of about five or six people made up of staff, governors and members of Healthwatch, which is a charitable organisation which monitors health and care on a national basis. The groups are always led by ‘non-staff’ members, such as governors or Healthwatch volunteers. Since moving to Uxbridge in 1976, I have had a long and varied connection with Hillingdon Hospital. My youngest daughter and three of my grandchildren were born here. My experience with Hillingdon Hospital also ranges through various visits to A&E for my own sporting indiscretions to intensive and palliative care and end of life care which I experienced with my parents. I have recently joined the Casualty Support Team at Hillingdon, and this, along with being a governor has provided me with the opportunity to ‘give something back’, to both the
People in Partnership meetings
Our People in Partnership (PiP) meetings take place quarterly and feature presentations as well as a question and answer session. Everyone is welcome.
Terry Thompson, Public Governor, Central Constituency
hospital and the community. Being a governor is both rewarding and informative. It really is eye-opening to begin to understand the range and complexity of the healthcare provision offered by the Trust. I would not hesitate to encourage anyone to become a member and, perhaps, when a vacancy occurs in their area, to stand for election as a governor. The PiP meetings which I mentioned earlier are, perhaps, the best way to become involved and to learn more about the workings of the Trust.
Council of Governors meetings
Both meetings take place from 6.30pm to 9pm:
All meetings to start from 6.30pm and are held in the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.
Wednesday 20 July 2016, Education Centre, Hillingdon Hospital
Monday 11 July 2016
Tuesday 15 November 2016, Education Centre, Hillingdon Hospital
Tuesday 8 November 2016
For further information about PiP meetings or for information on becoming a Trust Member please contact Catherine Holly on 01895 279402 or via pals@thh.nhs.uk.
All are welcome.
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The Pulse readers’ survey
Have your say about The Pulse magazine and win a £20 M&S voucher We hope you find The Pulse informative. However, we are always looking to improve, so would like to hear your views. All respondents can be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a £20 M&S voucher. Please hand your completed survey at main reception at Hillingdon Hospital or Mount Vernon Hospital by Friday 8 July 2016. Alternatively complete online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PXL6CF5 or post to: Communications, Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, UB8 3NN. Thank you.
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