The Pulse Autumn 2019

Autumn 2019 | issue 10

the

North West Anglia

NHS Foundation Trust

Meet our new Young Volunteer Coordinator Page 7 Bringing members, staff and PATIENTS the latest Trust news

Living with male breast cancer – John’s story

WELCOME FROM THE

Chief Executive

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Welcome to the Autumn 2019 edition of The Pulse magazine.

We have had a busy summer across our hospitals! As well as caring for our patients and hopefully enjoying a summer holiday, our staff have been getting to grips with a new Patient Administration System which has been installed across all our hospital sites.

This was a huge project and had been carefully planned over a number of years by a dedicated team of technical staff working with our clinical teams to ensure the new system met our needs. Previously our teams worked on different Patient Administration Systems which was a legacy from the time when our hospitals were part of separate Trusts. Now, the new system enables all sites to operate in the same system allowing the clinical integration benefits to be achieved. Thank you to all the staff involved in this programme and also to our patients who may have noticed a little disruption to services on the switchover weekend on 20-21 July. I am pleased to report that apart from a few technical glitches in the first few weeks, we have embedded the system and our staff have worked hard to familiarise themselves with the new technology.

Just a few days after going live with the new Patient Administration System we welcomed a team of Care Quality Commission inspectors as part of a planned inspection of core services delivered at our three main sites at Peterborough, Stamford and Hinchingbrooke. We do not expect to hear the full outcome of this inspection until later in the Autumn, but initial feedback from inspectors was that they had seen improvements in key areas since our last inspection in 2018, when we were rated as ‘Requires Improvement’. I am hopeful that we have been able to demonstrate the great care that happens in our hospitals every day. I will provide an update on the outcome of the inspection in the next issue of The Pulse magazine.

New Patient Administration System launched across Trust

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Former patient raises over £65,000 for Oncology Department

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We have lots of great news in this edition – you can read about our new matron for Stamford and Rutland Hospital, Caroline Wood. Caroline previously worked in our Infection Control Team and trained as an Occupational Therapist. She brings a wealth of experience to the role and has been getting to know the teams on the Stamford site over the past few weeks. Find out more about her on page 11.

We have also appointed Lwiza Mulenga to a new role that manages volunteering for younger people in our hospitals. I am really looking forward to seeing how we can develop better connections with young people in our hospitals, having been so successful with our existing volunteers. Turn to page 7 to read more about Lwiza and her role.

Chief Executive, Caroline Walker

Finally, you are very welcome to join us for our Annual Public Meeting which takes place at Peterborough City Hospital on Wednesday 18 September 2019 at 6pm. More details are on page 16.

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Caroline Walker Chief Executive Autumn 2019 | issue 10

THE

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Contact Us The Pulse magazine is compiled by the Communications Team at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. If you have any comments, or would like to make a suggestion about a subject you would like to read about in our magazine, please call the Communications Team on 01733 678024 or email: Nwangliaft.communications@nhs.net MEET OUR NEW YOUNG VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR BRINGING MEMBERS, STAFF AND PATIENTS THE LATEST TRUST NEWS

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Husband and wife clock up 80 years of service

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Fast-track Prostate Cancer team nominated for Parliamentary Award

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NHS Rainbow badges launch at the Trust We’re proud to have launched the NHS Rainbow Badge initiative across our Trust.

are each making a pledge about how they will improve the Trust for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The badge is one way to show that the Trust is a non-judgemental, inclusive and supportive place for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Chief Executive Caroline Walker is the executive sponsor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Trust. Caroline said, “We’re pleased to be able to launch the NHS Rainbow Badge scheme which forms part of our broader plan to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at our Trust.

Our board are proud to wear our rainbow badges and we have made individual pledges about the ways that we will support the LGBTQIA+ community.”

The scheme was originally launched at Evelina London Children’s Hospital (part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) and has now been implemented at more than 45 trusts around England.

In exchange for a badge, our staff

Surplus equipment donated to Memorial Home in Sierra Leone A van-load of crutches, walking sticks and walking frames was shipped from Peterborough City Hospital to Freetown in Sierra Leone to help older people and the destitute living in the King George Memorial Home – thanks to a donation by the Trust’s Therapy Services team.

The equipment had become surplus to requirements as some items are not guaranteed beyond one use in this country but can be re-used overseas provided they are in a good state.

Rather than consign the items to landfill, equipment technicians Mark and Tim gathered the items together ready to be shipped. As well as walking aids, the shipment included two wheelchairs and commodes.

Celebrating graduation success Congratulations to the latest group of our staff who received certificates at our graduation ceremony in July. The ceremony celebrates members of staff who have undertaken additional qualifications alongside their work.

The Trust’s link with the King George Memorial Home has come via our Deputy Company Secretary Paul Denton whose wife Lyn visited Freetown last year.

Paul said: “The donated equipment will enable residents to lead as independent a life as possible. Some residents are not able to mobilise as they have no sticks, walking frames or other basic mobility aids. This equipment will also enable volunteers to care for residents in a more dignified manner. I cannot stress how much it will improve the lives of many of the residents.

“Thank you to the Therapy Services team for agreeing to support this donation, especially Mark and Tim who spent a great deal of time peeling the Trust stickers off each item before they were shipped!”

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PATIENT STORY

Living with male breast cancer – J Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers affecting women, but did you that each year 390 men are diagnosed with the disease. We spoke with John Simper, a patient under the care of Peterborough City Hospital, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of this year and has undergone a mastectomy on his right-side, a lymph node clearance and chemotherapy.

Here is John’s story: “It’s January 2019 and this year looks like it’s going to be a great one. Work is good, I’m going to my friend’s wedding in July and I’m going to be an uncle!

“One weekend my brother and I take my Dad to see his beloved West Bromwich Albion and apart from the result, it’s a really good day. On the way home we have our orders to stop off and get some takeaway food for everyone. I decided to have a kebab with salad and chilli sauce, of course! The next morning I don’t feel right. It’s not that I feel ill but something inside just doesn’t feel as it should. I put it down to the kebab. The days and weeks pass by and I am still not feeling right. My right nipple is really itchy and I notice a small lump underneath it. I try all sorts to make it better – I change my washing powder and I even

put a plaster over my nipple. I check it every day but it stays the same. So I decided to do something I wouldn’t recommend to anyone but we have all probably done it. I type my symptoms into google.

“Male breast cancer may be rare, but it is so important that men check themselves and please, if you notice anything different about yourself – anything at all – just go and get it checked out.”

“After double checking each symptom one at a time, I put my pains down to a cyst. Nothing too bad - just a harmless cyst. No need to bother my GP now.

“A few more days pass I notice the lump getting bigger and the itchy pain isn’t going away. Truth be told, I am getting worried and scared yet I don’t do anything about it. I don’t even make an appointment with my doctor. If I keep putting it off or ignoring it, surely it will go away right? Wrong. It doesn’t go away and it takes me another couple of days to finally pluck up the courage to book an appointment at my doctors.

“I arrive at my doctor’s surgery feeling pretty

good, but I’m here now so I might as well get it checked out. My GP says she is pleased to meet me and jokes that I am a new customer to her. This isn’t too bad, I think to myself. I am examined and she tells me that although it might only be a harmless cyst, I need to be referred to Peterborough City Hospital’s Breast Unit immediately. Like many of us, I have a family history of cancer so it is best to get it double checked.

“After various tests and checks at the specialist breast care unit, I’m called in for my results.

Being told you have cancer is life changing. It’s something no one wants to hear.

“My thoughts jump to getting it sorted and starting treatment, but then it dawns on me. I wasn’t even going to visit my GP. What could have happened if I just left it? I didn’t think my symptoms were serious enough to bother them and if I am being completely honest I was afraid of what my doctor would say.

“Male breast cancer may be rare, but it is so important that men check themselves and please, if you notice anything different about yourself – anything at all – just go and get it checked out.

“The help and support I have received from all the staff at Peterborough City Hospital,

Support breast cancer research by donating your unwanted bras Staff, patients and visitors are being encouraged to donate their unwanted bras at a new bra bank in the main atrium at Peterborough City Hospital to help raise money for The bra bank at Peterborough City Hospital’s main atrium

breast cancer research.

The initiative was launched by the Research and Development Team who have partnered with the national charity Against Breast Cancer to collect used, new and surplus bras. The charity works with recycling partners to give the bras a new lease of life in developing countries where these items aren’t affordable. For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £600 to fund breast cancer research.

Fiona Maxton, Lead Nurse for Research and Development, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has donated their bras - so far we have collected four liners which is around 400 bras!

“Breast cancer has touched us all in some way, whether personally or through family and friends, and we know just how vital research is to improving care for those affected by breast cancer. What better way to contribute to breast cancer research than to donate old and unwanted bras! By supporting the bra bank initiative you are not only supporting research, but also certain areas of Africa where women have limited access to affordable bras.”

The bra bank initiative will be coming to both Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospital very soon.

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John’s story the Woodlands Centre and Hinchingbrooke Hospital has been second to none.

Everyone is so caring and that makes such a big difference.“ Since being diagnosed, John has been blogging about his experiences to help raise awareness specifically amongst men. You can read more of his story at: https://johnsimper.wordpress.com

Symptoms of breast cancer in men Signs of breast cancer in men include: • a lump in the breast tissue behind the nipple – this is usually hard, painless and does not move around within the breast • the nipple turning inwards (inverted nipple) • fluid oozing from the nipple, which may be streaked with blood • a sore or rash around the nipple that does not go away • the nipple or surrounding skin becoming hard, red or swollen • small bumps in the armpit Read more about the symptoms of breast cancer in men on the NHS website.

John is raising awareness of male breast cancer

What you’re saying about our Breast Unit “Thank you so much for your support, kindness and much laughter earlier in the year on my little journey.”

“Everyone was so kind, friendly, courteous and professional.

My appointment ran smoothly throughout. You are all a credit to the NHS! I cannot praise you all enough.”

“It was such a treat for me to come to Peterborough breast unit yesterday and to meet so many lovely smiling people.

Thank you.”

“Thank you to everyone at the Breast Unit for all your support and care!”

“Thank you to everyone at the Breast Unit for all your support and care so far. Surgery was a big decision but I was very well informed which enabled me to make the decision that was right for me.”

“What a fantastic facility. The staff were all brilliant. Consultant, nurses, radiographers, receptionist were all great.”

Follow our Breast Unit on Twitter @PCHBreastUnit

“These people, from receptionists to consultants and everyone in between deserve medals for their dedication to their profession. I’m very grateful to have been looked after by such amazing people.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

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TECHNOLOGY AT THE TRUST

New Patient Administration System Launched across Trust A new computer system which stores detailed information on all patients has been successfully installed across all of our hospitals. It went live on Monday 22 July - following a weekend of hard work by a wide range of staff across our hospitals.

The huge project saw 1.67million current and archived patient records transferred from two separate Patient Administration Systems into one bespoke system which will also serve patients using outpatient and radiology services at Doddington Hospital and the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely. At the same time, we merged the systems in use in its Emergency Departments and theatres across Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals, to provide greater continuity across our sites.

David Pratt, Director of Finance, and executive sponsor of the project, said: “This new system takes us another step further in unifying our Trust since the merger of Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals with Hinchingbrooke Hospital in April 2017.

“Our clinical staff who work across our hospital sites have previously had to

The project team worked hard to roll out the new system across our sites

navigate two different clinical systems to perform key tasks, such as looking up test results, accessing patient correspondence and dictating letters. Our new Patient Administration System provides one system

for all these functions. This enables us to provide more seamless care for patients and will improve safety and increase efficiency. I would like to thank our staff for their support in implementing this new system.”

Maternity services embrace digital with roadshow Our Digital Midwives joined up with colleagues at the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge to deliver roadshows as part of Digital Leaders Week.

They held roadshows at Peterborough City Hospital, Hinchingbrooke Hospital and the Rosie Hospital which they used to highlight digital resources that can make life easier for expectant parents. This includes NHS apps, online feedback forms, website translation tools, access to online records and more. The roadshows were fun and informative, and attended by many mums-tobe and staff.

Our team at Peterborough City Hospital is currently working

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to be rolled out to women booked at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in early 2020.

IT Specialist Midwife Dani Harper said, “Technology is having a positive impact in many areas of our lives, including social media, applications for just about everything we do and now we can even manage our health needs online.

The roadshow toured three sites in Cambridgeshire

with NHS Digital to develop the Maternity Online Digital Care Record. This system will allow expectant mums to view their appointments, access their maternity notes,

complete preferences and see other information through their smart phones or other devices.

We are one of 20 accelerator sites to be offering this new functionality. It is expected

“Using digital resources gives women greater visibility, control and access to trusted information about their pregnancy. This helps to reduce barriers between women and healthcare professionals and improve the overall maternity experience.”

Meet our new Young Volunteer Coordinator Lwiza Mulenga has joined the Trust as Young Volunteer Coordinator. Lwiza’s role involves engaging with young people to get them involved with volunteering at the Trust.

Young Volunteer Coordinator Lwiza Mulenga

What is your background?

“After university I volunteered in Cambodia for three months. I really enjoyed the experience and it proved to me that I wanted to work in the volunteering sector. I took on a role with the National Citizen Service (NCS) working with young volunteers. I then moved to a tuition centre where I worked with young people aged between 4 and 14. I really enjoyed giving back in the education centre and now I’m looking forward to seeing how I can help in the healthcare sector.”

What does your new role involve?

“I will be working with our young volunteers aged between 16 and 25. I will be the main point of contact for them and help them navigate through their volunteering journeys with the Trust. My role covers all of our sites, but I will be working on developing a volunteering programme at Peterborough based on the successful initiatives at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.“

What are you looking to achieve?

“I want to make an impact in our different departments by bringing in more young volunteers. I hope to help recruit volunteers that are diverse and have not worked in the NHS before – for example there are very few young male volunteers.”

What can young volunteers bring to the Trust?

“Young people can bring a fresh air to the Trust and a voice that we have been lacking.

They can bring skills and experiences that can

be useful and innovative to the Trust.

“Overall by having young people volunteering we can tap into a new part of our community and make young people feel empowered.”

Volunteer Manager Barry Pridmore said, “Lwiza is joining the Trust to focus on

increasing the involvement of young volunteers. The role is funded by the Pears Foundation for two years and enables us to meet the requirements of the NHS 10 year plan, engaging young people to enhance the patient experience and also to support staff of the future to gain skills and experience to support their development.”

Trust’s heritage receives boost from National Lottery The Trust has received a grant of £58,000 from the National Lottery Heritage fund. Over an eighteen month period, a number of projects will be undertaken, including proper archiving of Trust’s heritage items, the creation of a community stained glass window, and events and exhibitions to highlight the Trust’s heritage.

Other projects will include providing talks

to primary school and year 12 pupils and community groups, exploring a timeline of clinical research and development, and training volunteers to become Specialist Volunteer Heritage Ambassadors.

Commenting on the award, Heritage Lead Shan Barcroft said: “We are delighted to receive this grant. It will enable us to share the Trust’s heritage with patients and public

alike in exciting and interesting ways.”

We will be advertising for volunteer heritage ambassadors in the near future but if you are interested in this role please contact Shan Barcroft on 01733 677912. If you are know of a community group that would be interested in receiving a talk please let Shan know.

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Recognising our supporters

Former patient raises over £65,000 for Oncology Department Marianna and Rich Wheelan

Families make donations to bereavement services The Meadow Suite at Hinchingbrooke Hospital has received donations from families as acknowledgement of the care provided by the bereavement services.

Marianna and Rich Wheelan donated mood lighting, items for the memorial garden, memory boxes and a money donation to the chaplaincy service.

Sherrie and James Beech raised over £2000 at a quiz night. They used the money to buy a coffee machine, camera, bedding, books, baby clothing and items for the bereavement garden.

They also contributed towards the mood lighting.

Former patient Mark Cross recently presented the oncology department at Peterborough City Hospital with a donation of £10,360, bringing his fundraising total up to £67,000.

Mark began fundraising for the department nine years ago after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Every year, with the help of family and friends, he organises an annual Charity Fun Day at the GER Sports and Social Club in March, which sees darts players of all levels competing in tournaments. The fun day also includes a tombola, raffle and a sporting memorabilia auction.

“I decided I wanted to give something back to the department” said Mark. “It was during my chemotherapy that I witnessed first-hand the incredible job that all who work in the Oncology Department do. They work with compassion, care and were always there for me to offer advice and listen to all of my concerns.”

Dr Karen McAdam, Consultant Medical Oncologist, who received the cheque on behalf

of the Oncology research fund said: “We are incredibly grateful to Mark and his family for their continued support over the years. A simple thank you does not seem enough for all their efforts. The money will be used to fund local research in oncology as we continue to investigate how to improve treatments and care for future oncology patients. Mark’s donations have enabled us to employ a radiotherapy trials radiographer who has helped us recruit into important breast cancer trials.”

Over the years, Mark’s donations have enabled the department to purchase comfortable chairs for patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, sky ceilings for the Linear Accelerator bunkers, which give patients a view of the summer sky while they are lying down for prolonged periods of time, helping to keep them relaxed and calm whilst receiving their treatment.

It has purchased an ECG machine and in latter year the funding has been used for clinical trials research including funding a radiotherapy trials radiographer, to improve recruitment into radiotherapy and breast clinical trials.

Lucy and Joe McGregor raised money at their son Isaac’s funeral, and Lucy’s brother donated artwork.

A sofa bed was also donated by Kym Fields who was representing Cambridgeshire Sands, a charity that supports bereaved families.

All of the families wanted to say thank you to the suite, its wonderful staff, and to provide some comfort to other families in their time of need.

Boost for Peterborough’s Dementia Charitable Funds

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Peterborough City Hospital’s Dementia Charitable Funds has received £250 from Alice Vickers.

and other crafts by hand and sells them.

She is an amazing lady and an inspiration to all - this will be her third donation.

Dementia Specialist Nurse Alison Gray said: “Alice is 99 years old and in September this year will be 100. She makes sensory balls

“She receives a regular a regular copy of Pulse and started fundraising because of the articles that appeared in the magazine and

to support many people that are diagnosed with dementia.”

Her daughter Julia Jarman is a local children’s author and has donated some of her books for the Trust to sell at cake stalls.

In total, they have raised £550 for the fund.

Woodlands Centre receives generous donations Patients at the Woodlands Centre at Hinchingbrooke Hospital will benefit from two donations which will be used to buy new phlebotomy chairs.

Peter Sharpe and his family raised £1000 by holding a raffle at his 80th birthday party.

Janet Harbour and her family at the Cardiac Ward

New reclining chairs donated to City Hospital Patients and relatives at Peterborough City Hospital are benefitting from new chairs after two families made donations in memory of their loved ones.

Janet Harbour and her children donated £600 towards the purchase of specialist reclining chairs on the Cardiac Ward in memory of husband and father Alan Harbour. Alan sadly passed away last year aged 68 after spending time on the ward after being diagnosed with heart failure.

“Overall we raised £2,600 and decided to put the money towards reclining chairs for patients’ relatives.”

Janet said: “We wanted to give something to the ward to show our appreciation for everything they did for us and decided to ask family and friends for donations at his funeral rather than flowers. Overall we raised £600 and after speaking with staff, we decided it would go towards reclining chairs that would help patients with heart failure.”

The chairs will help patients who are unable to sit in an upright position unaided and will aid in improving respiratory function, blood pressure,

Terry and Jim Staughton are the husband and son of Jean, a patient who was treated at the Woodlands Centre from 2012. They made a donation with money raised from Jean’s funeral, an event held by Avenells Way OAP Group and a personal donation in honour of the excellent care Jean received.

posture for eating and drinking, and strengthening postural muscles to facilitate rehabilitation. It has the ability to recline, tilt and raise legs to maintain a safe position while ensuring patients are comfortable.

Relatives visiting ward A8 will also benefit from new chairs following a donation in memory of Bruce Haworth, who was a patient on the ward before sadly passing away two years ago.

Terry and Jim Staughton

Peter Sharpe

During the last few days of his life, Bruce’s wife Jan stayed with him overnight and couldn’t praise the staff enough for everything. “I wanted to give something back to the staff and asked friends and family to donate money rather than giving flowers at the funeral,” she said. “Overall we raised £2,600 and decided to put the money towards reclining chairs for patients’ relatives.

I stayed with Bruce all the time and it is simple things like comfortable chairs that make all the difference.

Bruce cared for so many families during his life – family was everything to him, personally and professionally and we are delighted that he will continue to help.”

The chairs will be available to relatives whose loved one is staying on the ward.

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Staff Spotlight

Husband and wife clock up 80 years’ of service This year marks a momentous occasion for two well-known staff members at Peterborough City Hospital – husband and wife John and Sandy Ellington. Together they will have clocked up 80 years’ service before the end of the year and neither have any intention of going anywhere soon.

John and Sandy

“We both started our training at the old Peterborough District Hospital site,” says John. “Sandy began as a student nurse and I was a theatre technician.

Although technically we only laid eyes on each other after I had a motorbike accident in my second year and came across a pretty nurse on 5x ward. The rest as they say is history.”

Sandy is Peterborough born and bred, but John moved here from London as a youngster. “I don’t think either of us thought we’d remain working in the same place for all these years,” says Sandy. “We have both been offered jobs in quite far flung places, including Kuwait and Cameroon but we were always so happy here that it didn’t make sense to uproot our lives.”

During their time working at the Trust they have been a part of many projects, including the move to the new City Hospital site in 2011. John played an integral part as a relocation lead for his department and both he and Sandy talk fondly of their amazing work colleagues who have always supported them and made a real difference to their working lives.

“It is very hard to pick out a most memorable time during the 40 years we’ve worked here because there are so many,” says Sandy. “Working in the anaesthetic room, I get to speak to so many different characters and hear the most amazing stories of their lives,” says John. “It’s a real privilege to be able to be with people at the beginning and end of their lives.”

Some might say working and living with your spouse is a recipe for disaster but John and Sandy are an exception to the rule and the longest they’ve ever been apart in 38 years is about three days.

“Sandy is the most hard working and

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dedicated colleague I know,” says John.

“It’s actually brilliant that we can share so many anecdotes from our working lives. I’ll never forget the time we were both working a night shift and I was having a break in the coffee room when I heard this squeal down the corridor.

I went to investigate with another colleague and when we reached the place the noise was coming from, we found Sandy completely drenched from head to toe. There had been a surge from the fire hose and it had blown the end off, letting out 200 gallons of water a minute. Sandy had been trying

to keep the fire hose door shut and the sight of her stood there still makes me smile today.”

Being able to talk about the bad days is also a blessing for John and Sandy, with both having faced some heart-breaking situations. “There are definitely times that have stuck in our minds for all the wrong reasons,” says Sandy. “Having John to talk it through with is definitely a comfort and I’m very grateful to have him by my side in those moments. I’ve always been very proud of John and I hope we have many more working years together.”

STAMFORD FOCUS

Meet Caroline Wood – our new Matron at Stamford and Rutland Hospital There’s nothing like diving in at the deep end when you take up a new role – and Caroline Wood did just that when she became Matron of Stamford and Rutland Hospital and satellite units on Monday 29 July, as one of her first jobs was to host a Care Quality Commission inspection team!

The team arrived as part of a planned inspection on Caroline’s second day in post. She said: “It was good to show the hospital working well and I was delighted to show off all the fantastic work that the staff at Stamford and Rutland Hospital do. I am hopeful that when our report is published in the coming months that we come out favourably.”

Caroline has had a busy first month meeting staff and patients and taking stock of the plans to improve and develop the Stamford site in the future. She said: “Everyone has been so welcoming and offering me advice and support which has really helped me to settle in. Patients have popped their head in to the office to say ‘hello’ which has been fantastic – and something I have not been able

to enjoy before when working in a larger hospital.

“I am really enjoying the role and getting to know my way around. I live in Ketton, so it’s a real treat to live and work locally.”

Caroline, who qualified as a physiotherapist and joined the NHS 20 years’ ago, has worked for our Trust since 2011. She joined us as an acute respiratory physiotherapist before moving to the role of Audit and Surveillance Practitioner in the Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control team in 2016. As an Allied Health Professional, she is extremely proud to have moved into the Matron role.

She said: “At the moment, few Allied Health Professionals get the chance to step outside of their remit and acquire new skills, but this is a great opportunity for me to work more closely with the nursing teams as well as all the other staff on the hospital site.”

Before joining the NHS at the age of 26, Caroline worked in marketing and management, and so has a wide range of skills to bring to her role.

Caroline Wood (centre) with Chief Executive Caroline Walker and Chief Nurse Jo Bennis

John Van Geest transformed by dementia-friendly décor John Van Geest Unit at Stamford Hospital has been transformed into a ‘home from home’ by new dementia-friendly décor funded by the Friends of Stamford Hospital Staff have worked with Rempods, a company that specialise in improving clinical environments for people with dementia, to decorate the seating area with specialist wallpaper and photos.

Patients using the seating area on the ward can now make themselves comfortable in the ‘living area’ where they can enjoy reading, listening to music or socialising with each other and their visitors.

“We are very grateful to the Friends of Stamford Hospital for their generosity,” said Manager of the John Van Geest Unit Vicky Griggs. “The unfamiliar hospital setting can be confusing for patients with dementia but new décor will help create a comforting and homely environment. We have also hung photographs of popular landmarks in the town so patients who are confused will know that they are in Stamford.”

Did you know?

• John Van Geest is a 22 bedded step down unit, which means it supports patients who no longer need 24-hour medical supervision.

• Patients are often transferred to John Van Geest if they are waiting for care packages or have complex discharge needs • The ward has a lovely garden where patients can sit and enjoy some time outside • Pets as Therapy Dog, Zorro is a regular visitor to the ward • Patients can also book a hand massage or have their nails painted by volunteer Anna Marie

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NEWS

Friends of Hinchingbrooke fund new menus and mural The Friends of Hinchingbrooke Hospital have funded the creation of a fabulous new mural in Audiology to brighten the waiting area.

The mural was designed by former staff member Tom Stebbing. It depicts jungle animals having a hearing test and aims to take the fear out of a trip to the clinic for local children.

The Friends also funded new picture menus designed to help patients with communication needs to choose a meal.

The large-scale, wipeable menus feature pictures of each meal offered on the extensive Hinchingbrooke menu.

New jobs portal developed for local health system Earlier this year, the nine NHS and social care partners that form the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) worked together to attract and recruit more staff to our respective organisations.

In the first collaborative project of its kind, they are now promoting Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as a great place to be employed in health and social care - plus a great place to work and live, a great place to settle, to raise families and to have a career. Whether potential candidates are starting out in work, moving on or looking for new opportunities, the aim of the project is to highlight the roles available at all the organisations involved in the project – including our hospitals.

Staff from Hinchingbrooke and Peterborough City Hospitals took part in the project – with some agreeing to be the ‘stars’ of a video that shares why they like working with us.

This video is available on a new website: www.itsallcomingtogether.co.uk which has been created to not only promote each organisation, but the roles it has available, too. Why not take a look and see whether we have a role that you would be interested in?

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New rehabilitation bike helps stroke patients at Peterborough City Hospital Stroke patients at Peterborough City Hospital now have access to a specialist exercise bike to aid their rehabilitation thanks to a generous donation by the Friends of Peterborough Hospitals.

The exercise bike is available to inpatients having therapy in the stroke gym and will help them relearn movements while building strength in their arms and legs. It also comes with interactive features such as games that help keep patients motivated.

Tanya Riddlesdell, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, said: “We are very grateful to the Friends of Peterborough Hospitals for their support. After Stroke patient Malcolm Trowell tries out the new rehabilitation bike

a stroke, patients may experience weakness in their muscles which can cause problems with movements and balance. The repetitive motion of pedalling helps patients retrain their muscles and relearn movements that they use for everyday activities. This bike is particularly good for rehabilitation as it also has arm pedals, meaning patients can strengthen their arm and shoulder muscles as well.”

The Stroke Therapy Team is also improving patients’ rehabilitation through the use of iPads, using apps to work on coordination and dexterity, as well as cognitive function and problem solving.

Cancer Services awarded Macmillan Quality Environment Mark The Haematology/Oncology Ward and the Robert Horrell Macmillan Centre at Peterborough City Hospital have been awarded the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark (MQEM).

The Peterborough Community Cancer Nurses team

New community cancer service supported by Peterborough Cancer Treatment Appeal The Peterborough Community Cancer Nurses (PCCN) service has benefited from a generous donation of laptops and mobile telephones from Peterborough Cancer Treatment Appeal (PCTA).

Peterborough Community Cancer Nurses team launched in May this year and provides care in the homes of patients with a cancer diagnosis.

Patients in Peterborough are able to selfrefer to the service. The team can perform procedures like giving subcutaneous chemotherapy, as well as removing chemotherapy pumps, PICC and Port line flushes and dressing changes. Blood tests can be provided following discussion with their specialist nurse or consultant. The team also provides emotional and psychological support to patients and their families.

The team is modelled on the Hunts Community Cancer Nurses based at Hinchingbrooke Hospital which has been successfully running for the past four years.

The MQEM is a detailed quality framework used for assessing whether cancer care environments meet the standards required by people living with cancer. It is the first assessment tool of its kind in the UK. The MQEM standards were developed in collaboration with over 400 people living with cancer and numerous stakeholders, including the Department of Health. The standards recognise an environment that is: • Welcoming and accessible to all • Respectful of people’s privacy and dignity

Lead nurse Emma said, “We are very grateful to the Peterborough Cancer Treatment Appeal for their generous donation and ongoing support.”

• Supportive to users’ comfort and well-being

PCTA secretary Ron Douglas said, “The Peterborough Cancer Treatment Appeal is delighted to have supported this great new initiative. We have been able to support the first six Cancer Care in the Community Nurses by providing them with information technological equipment to assist them with their jobs and have committed additional funds to assist them further where we can.

It was extremely rewarding to talk to the nurses and get an understanding of how the equipment is helping them, the cancer patients and the Trust with their work.”

• Listening to the voice of the user

The PCTA is a charity dedicated to fundraising for equipment used in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. Since it was established in 1981, the charity has raised £2.4 million.

• Giving choice and control to people using the service The teams involved celebrated their award with Macmillan colleagues in July.

Cancer Wellbeing Service Manager Lisa Deacon

Young volunteers help out at the Robert Horrell Macmillan Centre People visiting the Robert Horrell Macmillan Centre at Peterborough City Hospital will be able to enjoy the spruced up garden thanks to a team of young volunteers.

The eleven young people volunteered for the day as part of their National Citizen Service (NCS) programme.

Social action is an important phase within the NCS programme and empowers the young people to make a difference in their community.

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STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS

The Healer Wheelers

Hinchingbrooke staff get on their bikes to fundraise Sixteen members of staff joined together as the Healer Wheelers to raise £800 for the British Heart Foundation by cycling from London to Brighton.

The diverse group included surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre staff and others.

Some were experienced but others were back in the saddle for the first time in many years. They endured cycling through bad weather conditions, but the sun came out in the end as they rode along Brighton sea front.

Dr Chris Tuplin, Specialty Doctor in Acute Medicine at Hinchingbrooke, also took part in a charity bike ride, cycling 100 miles during the Prudential RideLondonSurrey, known as the world’s greatest festival of cycling. Chris said, “I raised £600 for Macmillan Cancer Support. I work closely with the Woodlands Centre and wanted to support this cause whilst undertaking a challenge.”

Fast-track Prostate Cancer team nominated for Parliamentary Award Our Urology team were nominated for an NHS Parliamentary Award after developing a new service that significantly cuts the waiting times for patients with suspected prostate cancer.

Sue Pilcher and Janine Nethercliffe

The team, which includes Lead Uro-Oncology Nurse Sue Pilcher and consultant Janine Nethercliffe, were put forward for the Excellence in Healthcare Award category by South East Cambridgeshire MP Lucy Frazer.

Sadly they were pipped to the title at the awards which were held in London in mid-July.

However, the service they have helped create is making a real difference to our patients’ care – resulting in earlier diagnosis and faster access to treatment.

Working with local GPs, the team has reduced the wait for a first appointment for patients with suspected prostate cancer from 12 days to 8. Patients now have their MRI scan on the same day as their first appointment, when previously they may have waited for up to two weeks for the scan. In addition, the waiting time for a biopsy has been reduced from 25 to 17 days.

Sue said: “It was a real honour and pleasure to have been shortlisted for a national

award. It is great recognition for our team that spans different departments including radiology and administration staff as well as medical staff. We have all worked together to make a difference to our patients’ care by implementing the service.”

The service is already up and running in the Peterborough and Stamford area and will now be rolled out to patients in Huntingdonshire. This work has been championed by the local Cancer Alliance Board which has had requests from other trusts in the region who are interested in how the service has been implemented.

Our staff go to great heights to raise money Two members of staff at Hinchingbrooke Hospital have taken to the skies to fundraise for important causes.

Chaplain Roger Cresswell raised money for our Special Care Baby Unit and Adult Critical Care Unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital by spending his day off standing on the outside of a flying plane! Roger has an Air Force background but has never experienced flying on a wing.

The money raised will buy additional equipment to enhance the experience and the outcomes for their patients and their families.

Roger says: “The experience was amazing!

What else would a 75 year old employee do on a day off?

“The staff on these units already do so much, and they look forward to being able

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to do more. Their hearts are big and they are grateful for anything we can do.”

Roger Cresswell

Healthcare assistant Molly Wesley took part in a charity skydive to raise money for EACH, a children’s charity that provides support for families and specialist care for children and young people with lifethreatening conditions.

As part of her role Molly cares for people in their last few days of life and hopes to work in a hospice one day.

Molly said: “I was shaking like a leaf when we got into the plane. My sister was reassuring me telling me how amazing it would be and that I’d love it. The free fall scared me so much that I was filled with adrenaline, then the parachute opened and I relaxed and I’ve never felt such an amazing feeling like it, I felt so calm and free!”

Molly Wesley

Spotlight on being a Trust Governor Our Governors are elected to represent the views of our members on decisions made about the running of our hospitals. They meet every quarter, but participate in other work – including walkabouts and observing at specific Board sub-committee meetings.

Our Governors give us their time and expertise for free (although we reimburse any expenses they may incur in carrying out their role) and are a vital resource in the running of our Foundation Trust.

In this issue of The Pulse magazine, we would like to introduce you to three members of our 28-strong Council of Governors.

Lead Governor Sue Prior – Stamford and South Lincs public constituency

Public Governor Amanda Buckenham – Huntingdon public constituency

“Being a Public Governor since 1 April 2017, I was elected by my fellow governors as Lead Governor in September 2018. I am the point of contact for the rest of our Governors and have specific responsibilities. The role means that I work with the Trust Chairman, Rob Hughes, to help ensure our governors carry out their duties in the best way possible.

This covers any concerns over Board performance, the development of governor engagement with our Trust members and the appointment of Non-Executive Directors and co-ordinating information for their appraisals by the Chairman.

“My parents are both retired nurses and I worked as a Healthcare Assistant before I had my family, so the NHS is firmly engrained in my life. I was elected to be a Governor for the Trust at the point Hinchingbrooke Hospital merged with Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals in April 2017. I attended the public meetings held prior to the merger to find out more about how our hospital would be run by the new Trust and, two years on, I am pleased to see how services are developing.

“As well as Governor meetings and observing at some committee meetings, I attend ward walk arounds and members’ events. I also have regular meetings with our Chairman and the Company Secretary to review agendas and documents, discuss training events and other issues which may have arisen. My background is in legal and commercial affairs, and I also have experience of local authority social care management, which all helps with my role.

“I am passionate about ensuring the voice of all our members as well as my own constituency continues to be listened to by the Trust as it develops its vison, strategies and services.”

“I think the role of Governor is an important one, as we are able to look at situations from the perspective of service users. I particularly enjoy the walkabouts, meeting staff and patients and seeing how things work on the front line.

“Being in this role has really helped me to be able to talk to me mbers of the public about the challenges hospitals sometimes face.

Staff Governor Asif Mahmood – Peterborough staff constituency “I work in the Pathology Department at Peterborough City Hospital, as the Pathology Specimen Reception Manager, where I have been part of an amazing team for more than 16 years.

“I decided to apply for the staff governor role to represent all grades of staff and be their voice at the Council of Governors. As part of our Council of Governors meetings we discuss a wide range of issues – such as patient safety, patient experience or quality of services. I also feel my role helps to give recognition to those staff who are not patient-facing, as without them some hospital functions could not run effectively.

“I also have the opportunity to meet with staff, where possible, to share information about the Trust, its direction and vision, and how it is performing and to monitor, on behalf of the staff, how well the Trust is doing.”

“I like to champion the good work that happens every day at Hinchingbrooke Hospital through my Facebook page ‘We Love Hinchingbrooke Hospital Because…’ which has been well-received by local people.”

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Membership

Find out more about how your hospitals are run Members of the public, as well as those who are members of our Foundation Trust, are very welcome to attend any of our public meetings to find out more about how their local hospital is run.

• Tuesday 26 November 2019 at 1.30pm in the Meeting Hall at Stamford and Rutland Hospital.

Our Board of Directors will meet in public on:

There will be an opportunity for anyone in attendance at these meetings to pose questions to the Board of Directors at the end of the agenda.

• Tuesday 24 September 2019 at 1.30pm in the Board Room at Peterborough City Hospital

In addition, we will be holding our Annual Public Meeting at Peterborough City Hospital on Wednesday 18 September 2019 at 6pm

in the Lecture Theatre which is located in the Learning Centre on Level 4. This event will consist of a look back on our Trust performance during 2018-19 and will also feature a presentation from our Cardiology team. Refreshments will be provided and attendees can take away a free copy of our Annual Report and Accounts. If you wish to attend this event, please contact our Communications Team on 01733 678024 or email: Nwangliaft.communications@nhs.net.

Join us on social media Did you know that you can keep up to date with the latest news from your local hospital through following our social media accounts? We’re on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and even Instagram! @NWAngliaFT @PboroCityHosp @HinchHospital @Stamford_Hosp

Peterborough City Hospital

NWAngliaFT

North West Anglia NHS FT

Hinchingbrooke Hospital Stamford & Rutland Hospital

We also advertise our latest vacancies on social media, so make sure you are following these accounts if you are interested in working for us: Twitter: @NWAFT_jobs

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust endorse any of the products or services.

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North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust’s Recruitment

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