Countess Matters Summer 2017

Countess matters

Summer 2017

TeleTracking ARRIVES t Find oPuage 6 more

02 New Ferry explosion

03 Spotlight On… Rev Dr Mike Kirby

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07: Stroke Unit’s world first

Countess Charity s launches new appesal 8-9 Page

05 Urolift patient journey

10 Sue’s story

Staff respond to New Ferry explosion

Welcome

FROM YOUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Contents

04 School backs no smoking bid

Great things are achieved every single day at The Countess…

Here you can read about some of the fantastic work that goes on and the people that undertake it. I was incredibly proud of the way our staff responded to the New Ferry gas explosion. Their commitment to care for others never ceases to amaze me.

I was also fascinated to read about Reverend Dr Mike Kirby. It is heartening to know that there are people like Mike within the hospital who are available for us all, patients and staff, to talk to and find comfort with.

I would also like to recognise our porters for their patience as pioneers of the new TeleTracking system.

TeleTracking represents a giant step towards greater transparency, efficiency and effectiveness and it is fitting that our porters should lead the way in this advancement.

And I hope you enjoy reading about the advancements in care made by our clinical teams. Our patients and their care is always our priority and to take the lead in pioneering new treatments is something we can all be proud of.

A GAS explosion in New Ferry, Wirral prompted a major emergency services response and The Countess was among the hospitals identified to take patients.

The incident happened late on a Saturday night, with much media interest and speculation about the developing situation playing out on social media.

To support those working the night shift, more than 70 Countess doctors and nurses who were off duty came into work to help provide treatment and care to those in need arriving by ambulance.

Speaking on behalf of the Emergency Department consultants at The Countess Dr David Wilson said: “We train for this type of incident and regularly test our emergency plans, which we hope never to use. This was a quickly unfolding situation. It was heartening to see that so many Countess staff who were

not in work on Saturday night, reported in for duty to see if there was anything they could do to help. The speed with which everyone responded and pulled together to be there for those in need of care was a credit to themselves and the hospital. We wish all those in the New Ferry community and those affected elsewhere a speedy recovery from the shock of this explosion.”

Medical Director Ian Harvey added: “We would like to say a huge thank you to all those members of staff who acted so swiftly to come into work and treat these patients. In the NHS we talk a lot about the goodwill of our workforce. The scale of response, as well as the compassion and professionalism shown by the dedicated doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants working that night was humbling, and we are grateful to all those involved.”

Diabetes Awareness Week 11-17 June Our Diabetes Essentials team will be actively raising awareness of the disease around the Trust and in the community this month.

Championing the belief that ‘knowledge is power’, they work tirelessly to provide practical guidance for people to support and manage their diabetes by hosting regular sessions across Western Cheshire.

Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or borderline diabetes can attend a session specific to their condition, whether they have current issues or not, and not only get the chance to learn from experts but also meet others in the same position.

The team will be offering free weight and BMI checks, as well as diabetes screening at Ellesmere Port Arcade on Monday 12 June, hosting a stand in the staff restaurant at the Countess on Tuesday 13 June and tackling misconceptions about

the disease on our wards on Friday 16 June in addition to the normal sessions during Diabetes Awareness Week.

Diabetes Essentials dietitian Susan Gallagher said: “We know there are lots of myths out there about diabetes, and this is frustrating and unfortunate for people with these conditions. We want to set the record straight.”

Donald Wilson, 68, who lost a stone after attending one of the sessions himself a year ago, said: “It was inspirational and it really put me on the right track. I’ve come down about four notches on my belt now and I’ve had to dig new holes in it so I’m really pleased.” :: For more information visit their Facebook page @DiabetesEssentials or to book a place on a Diabetes Essentials session call 01244 365234 or email diabetes.essentials@nhs.net

Spotlight on…

Reverend Dr Mike Kirby Mike Kirby spent over 30 years working as a consultant physicist specialising in radiotherapy at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Preston Hospital. Mike helped to set up two satellite centres of the Christie in Oldham and Salford¬ before leaving to study for the church full time in Cambridge in 2010. He now balances working as a lecturer in radiotherapy physics at Liverpool University, being a priest at Chester Cathedral and a parttime chaplain at the Countess.

How long did you spend working in the NHS? I started in 1988 after I did three degrees in physics and I then went into the Christie Hospital to start my training and worked there. From 1988 up until 2010 I was an employee of the Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. I was part of the team that developed the cancer centre in the Royal Preston Hospital, before being made a consultant in 2002 and then going on to develop other satellite centres.

Are you still involved with any clinical services now?

Yes, because the students I teach now are radiographers and we train them to go to Clatterbridge, Royal Preston and also the Christie so I’m involved through that. Our students do blocks of academic work and then they go out for clinical work for six to eight weeks at a time. It’s part of our role to make sure they’re trained in the systems for each place they go to so they can hit the ground running.

Have you been sounded out by the radiology team at the Countess?

talking about science and faith and how I hold the two together. We had a great hour simply chatting about how they can be complementary and not opposing, as some might think. The biggest difficulty in balancing the two (or three) jobs is time!

No, not yet. I want to get in touch with them just to let them know I’m interested in their work. Many chaplaincies will also always admit that they could do more for the staff as well so I’m hoping that will be my calling here. We know the pressure all staff are under so we want to help. Spiritual care is whatever a person needs to support them, which may or may not include a faith.

Is it strange to be back in a hospital setting on this side of the fence?

It’s very comfortable from a certain aspect, but it’s also very different. I always loved seeing patients, although I only got to see a few in my role, but there was always a clinical goal in mind. Now it’s about trying to approach patients and being someone they can talk to.

What do your students think about your work?

It’s great to be in that position because the majority of young people now haven’t come through a church environment.

You’re there to answer their questions and lots of them can’t understand the balance between science and faith. They can’t see how you can be a physicist, particularly, and a person of God. My third-year students stayed behind after a lecture with me,

What do you do to unwind?

I’m a very simple person so it can be as easy as going to coffee shops to have breakfast and read the paper. When I go on holiday the nicest thing is putting away my watch, phone and just having a good book for company.

What’s your favourite film?

Apollo 13. It’s about creativity in the face of adversity. There’s this clip where people down on Earth are being tasked a difficult problem and have to solve it with just the equipment they have on the ship. It’s inspiring to see that kind of ingenuity in an incredibly stressful situation.

Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?

The Queen. I’ve met the Queen, Prince Philip and recently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well. In curacy in Blackburn we had the Royal Maundy so I was very privileged to be there in the service and to say prayers in front of the Queen and to meet her afterwards. I was recently one of the priests involved with the Duke of Westminster’s memorial, where I also met Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They were very gracious, lovely people. :: Rev Dr Mike Kirby will be hosting ‘Faith & Science’ discussion on 5 July at 7pm in the Education and Training Centre. All are welcome to attend.

Spiritual Care centre survey Head of chaplaincy services John Kingsley and his team will use the findings to shape how they work going forwards.

Here are some of the results: • 74% of people know there is a Spiritual Care Centre at the Countess • 66% of people know where it is

• Only 33% are aware it is open 24/7 “We had over 100 people get back to us which is brilliant,” John said. “Thank you to everyone who did reply. We’re going to take these findings and try to raise awareness by increasing the service’s visibility on the website and intranet.”

Would you like to help?

Volunteers are needed to help escort patients and visitors to chapel services on Sunday mornings between 10am and 12pm.

The role involves visiting wards in the hospital and finding out if any patients would like to attend a church service before then going back to help take people along to the Spiritual Care Centre.

Some training will be needed to be completed for this role, which is perfect for friendly and outgoing individuals. Anyone interested should contact John on 01244364543 or email john.kingsley@nhs.net.

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Thank you to everyone who responded to the Spiritual Care Centre survey earlier this year.

Local schoolchildren help tackle smoking on site The Countess of Chester Hospital has recruited local schoolchildren in its bid to tackle the issue of smoking on hospital grounds.

The Trust recently asked pupils at nearby Upton Westlea Primary School to design posters to help get the message across to patients, visitors and staff that the Countess is a Smokefree site and the children in Mr Spruce’s Year 5 class and Mr Hall’s Year 6 class were happy to oblige.

Upton Westlea Primary School’s headteacher Mrs Kath Carruthers said: “Designing the posters for the Countess of Chester Hospital campaign to stop people smoking on the grounds has highlighted to the children the health risks suffered by smokers. The project has enabled them to not only use their art skills but also research the effects of smoking. Many are now saying ‘I will never smoke’. The posters they’ve designed are amazing. They are vibrant and eyecatching whilst still conveying an important message. I am extremely proud of all the children who have participated in this very important campaign.”

The children’s artwork was so good that the Trust has displayed the winners’ posters in the main reception and all of the children’s posters will be used as part of a social media campaign to ask people to refrain from smoking when at the hospital.

Executive Director of People & Organisational Development at the Countess Sue Hodkinson said: “Despite being a Smokefree Trust we still have a big problem with people smoking on our grounds. We are not alone in this but rather than put it in the ‘too hard to do drawer’ we thought we would try a fresh approach.

We are so pleased we did as the children

have designed some fantastic posters which we hope will catch everyone’s attention a lot more than the traditional signage and make them think twice before lighting up at the hospital.”

When asked about their involvement in and inspiration for the project it was clear they had all put a lot of thought into their posters.

No Smoking at the Countess – the kids have their say: Daisy Turrell, Year 5 said: “I did the big no smoking symbol in the middle just so it’s clear that you shouldn’t smoke because it’s bad for you.”

Taylor Thorp, Year 5 said: “I made the figure look like the Joker because I know that the Joker is bad in Batman movies so you can link it to smoking being bad.”

Preston Craig, Year 5 said: “I think it’s very important to tell people not to smoke because people in hospital might already be in there for smoking so they might not want to get worse.”

Enayah Miah, Year 6 said: “It’s really important to tell people not to smoke because people are already suffering in the hospital and they can make it even worse.”

used to work there [at the Countess] before she had my baby brother. When Mrs Carruthers told her she was really, really happy and proud of me.”

Issie Wheeler, Year 5 winner said: “It feels good to know my poster is going to be used at the hospital. My Mum’s going to take me to go down and see it some time.”

Sue Hodkinson added: “Thank you to all of the pupils for taking part. I really hope their posters will help us to take another step towards becoming a truly Smokefree hospital.”

Janae Thomas, Year 6 winner said: “I feel really proud of myself that it’s going to be used at the hospital because my Mum

UROLIFT PROCEDURE GETS ALAN BACK ON PAR

“I can go out now and not worry,” Alan said.

“Most people don’t like going to hospital so to be able to have it and go home was great.”

Mr Awsare said: “It’s wonderful to hear how well Alan is doing. It’s really satisfying because you want to improve a patient’s quality of life with minimal intrusion and Urolift does just that. For patients like Alan who might not be medically fit enough to undergo other procedures it’s a great outcome. From the Trust’s perspective it also saves in-patient beds and I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”

In and out in a day…

Other surgical procedures for BPH can lead to a short stay in hospital and up to six-eight weeks before getting back to normal, but Urolift allowed Alan to be back home 10 hours later…

8.24am – Alan is admitted by staff nurse Julie, who reviews the pre-op paperwork, checks everything is as it should be and completes a blood test.

8.39am – He is asked to hand in a urine sample, before moving on to the wards.

9.05am – On the wards staff prepare him for the procedure, including administering a local anaesthetic and sedation.

10.55am – On the table and procedure begins.

Mr Awsare comments: “He couldn’t have had any other procedure. The alternative for Alan

would have been living with symptoms and eventually a permanent catheter.”

Anaesthetist Dr Thirunavukkarasu Viswanathan says: “I’m really excited about being involved in starting Urolift. It’s much faster for us and patients recover much quicker.”

11.20am – Alan is taken out of theatre to recovery.

11.37am – Mr Awsare heads over to recovery to speak to Alan. “I feel okay, I can’t remember anything from it,” Alan says.

12.50am – Mr Awsare has a debrief in theatre with his team after operating on Alan and three other patients.

3.15pm – Alan is dressed sitting in his chair and eagerly waiting to hear when he can go home.

3.27pm - Alan is told to stay with someone for 24 hours as a precaution but is discharged – now he just has to wait for his lift!

4.15pm – Alan’s daughter Sarah arrives to take him home. As he leaves Alan reveals how pleased he is with the staff at the Jubilee: “They were excellent. I can’t fault them at all.”

Alan leaves the hospital a few hours later

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Heading out for a round of golf has always been a way for Alan Miller to relax and have fun. It’s a chance to escape life’s stresses and just worry about the odd bogey.

The Ellesmere Port grandfather of five has been a keen golfer throughout his adult life and for 14 years he’s played with the Chester Heart Support Group every Monday at Pryors Hayes Golf Club. You could set your watch by him reaching for his trusty driver to tee-off at 8.44am each week, in all weathers.

But playing 18 holes, or even going for a meal with his wife Carole, became a lot more complicated when the retired engineer started needing to dash to the toilet unexpectedly to urinate.

“It wasn’t very nice really,” Alan said.

“You were afraid if you were going anywhere and the first thing you’d look for is the nearest toilet before you settled down for anything.”

On the course that gave Alan, 69, a second handicap to worry about as he tried to hold out until the ninth hole, which was close enough to make it back to the clubhouse, or he’d have to find a convenient bush to run into. It was also affecting Alan and Carole through the night, with him having to get up four or five times to go to the toilet.

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), which is age-related enlargement of the prostate gland, was causing Alan’s symptoms by preventing his bladder from fully emptying and forcing him to relieve himself more than normal.

Previously this would have been treated by removing part of the prostate in a procedure that would require a general anaesthetic, but a history of heart troubles would have made that more complicated for Alan. Instead Urology Consultant Mr Ninaad Awsare recommended a minimally-invasive new procedure called Urolift, which could be done under a local anaesthetic at the Countess’ Jubilee Day Surgery Centre.

Urolift involves a delivery device being inserted through the urethra, before jettisoning implants into the enlarged prostate that hold it open like curtains on a window to create a clearer pathway for urine to flow down the urethra.

Depending on certain anatomies of the prostate Urolift might not be suitable for everyone with BPH, but for those that can have it, it’s life changing.

With no cutting, bleeding or catheter required Urolift can be completed as a daycase procedure with a shorter recovery time – Alan was back on the golf course within two weeks.

‘enabling change’ TeleTracking arrives at the Countess TeleTracking launched at the Countess in March with a new porter request system.

By the end of this year the Countess will be the first hospital in the UK to use the entire product suite of TeleTracking technology to manage beds, equipment and staff more efficiently.

Changing the way the porters work was the first major step towards that, with ward staff now using a computerbased system to request jobs that are monitored and accepted by porters using hand-held devices.

“It has been an exceptionally busy time for everyone - including the TeleTracking team, the porters, the clinical and non-clinical staff - but everyone has worked together to make sure that the hospital didn’t grind to a halt and our patients continued

to receive the best possible care,” physiotherapist Helen Birley, who worked alongside the TeleTracking team during implementation, said.

“The porters did an amazing job and despite some teething issues, they persevered and kept things going.”

Under the new system porters are given all the information they need for each job immediately, ensuring they can prepare everything they will need and there is less time spent waiting for patients to be ready.

Another benefit of TeleTracking is that all the tasks porters undertake are now logged on the system so it is easier to acknowledge just how hard they work.

“I think it’s going to highlight just how much we do,” porter Dave Smith said.

“There are so many of our tasks that aren’t logged, but under TeleTracking they will be.”

Hardware is now being installed around the hospital, with 4,000 sensors eventually being put above beds and doorways to detect sensors from small devices on patients, staff and equipment.

Tracking movement in this way will provide data to a centralised Care Coordination Centre that will manage patient flow through the hospital.

“We are grateful to all of our porters for being the front runners in adopting this new technology throughout our hospitals,” chief executive Tony Chambers said. “You will see that hand-held mobile devices are now being used by our porters to review and automatically accept requests for moving patients or equipment.”

Stroke unit celebrates world first The procedure, called Magnetically Enhanced Diffusion for Acute Ischaemic Stroke (MEDIS), can potentially push life-saving drugs through the bloodstream faster than they travel normally and significantly decrease the risk of long-term disability.

“In research we need to keep an open mind, but MEDIS is a very simple idea and that’s the beauty of it,” Stroke consultant Mr Kausik Chatterjee said. “It can work and if it does work it will change the whole treatment pathway for strokes.”

MEDIS involves microscopic iron beads being injected via the arm, before a rotating magnet causes them to spin in the blood vessel and force clot-busting drugs through the circulatory system more quickly.

Speed is vital for the treatment of acute ischaemic strokes, with clots in the brain preventing blood flow and causing damage by starving cells of oxygen.

Current thrombectomy treatments involve blood-thinning drugs being injected into the arm without the magnetised iron beads acting as a propellant.

The Countess is one of four research centres in the UK taking part in the trial, but the Chester hospital was the first in the world to recruit a patient to take part.

Mr Chatterjee, who is also the stroke lead for the Clinical Research Network, Northwest Coast, said: “This is a rare event and a great achievement for my team. Our record for research, although we are a small centre, is really good and that’s why we were chosen to take part in this ground-breaking study.”

He added: “The support we get from our radiology department here is unique. Our studies are very dependent on radiology helping us and they are very much part of our extended family, but I’d like to thank everyone at the Countess for their support.”

Jacqui Pirmohamed Chief Operating Officer

for Clinical Research Network, Northwest Coast, part of the National Institute for Health Research said: “We are delighted to see another clinical research global first taking place in our region. We congratulate Mr Chatterjee and his team for this groundbreaking research into stroke and look forward to how results from the MEDIS trial can be translated into patient benefit.”

Sean Morris, Chief Executive of Pulse Therapeutics said: “We are delighted to have started the MEDIS trial with Mr Chaterjee and the excellent team at Countess Of Chester Hospital with the recruitment of the first patient. This institution, along with many other stroke research centres around the UK, are excellent partners in which to conduct this ground-breaking study. We have a long way to go but are hopeful that the Magnetically Enhanced Diffusion (MED) System from Pulse Therapeutics and under the excellent leadership of Professor Keith Muir (Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland) as Global PI, can prove beneficial to the many patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke”.

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A stroke patient at the Countess has become the first person to take part in a global study of a pioneering new treatment.

Fundraising roundup

Babygrow Finale Ball The Babygrow Appeal Finale Ball, organised by Babygrow Appeal Committee Chair, Leila Bibby, took place in the grand surroundings of Chester Town Hall. Sponsored by Investec and supported by Vivio and Elegant Resorts.

Our guests enjoyed Champagne and canapes sponsored by Horseradish, an amazing four course dinner and then danced the night away.

Prizes included an Iceland Trolley Dash, fantastic holiday from Elegant Resorts and an original piece of art from Simon O Rourke taking the total raised to £20k.

Lesley Woodhead, Head of Fundraising said: “The Babygrow Appeal Committee is a group of volunteers and Countess staff who have met regularly for the last four

Ball organisers (L to R) Philippa Darlington-Bullock, Mouse Mears, Leila Bibby and Debs Skyme Walker years and have been one of the reasons the appeal has met its goals. On behalf of The Countess and all those who will benefit in future years from the improved facilities I would like to thank the following :- Leila Bibby, Chair, Denise Stevenson, Rowlinsons, Vice Chair and committee members - Alex Walters, Nat West, Ian Gibbons, Yvonne Griffiths, Neonatal Unit, Louise Purcell, Slater and Gordon, Neil Badge, Susan Pemberton and Eric Henderson.

This great group have run, zipped, sung, catered and even gone in the River Dee to get us to this fantastic amount!”

Registered Charity 1050015

Work is progressing towards producing plans and once we have these we will hold an open evening to show everyone.

With just under £100k to go lots of people are helping us with our final push. We aim to complete the appeal in December.

Dates for your diary – Hickory’s Smokehouse Duck Race is on 16 September and Sportsman’s Lunch is Friday 8 December at The Crowne Plaza, Chester. More information is available from The Countess Charity office in the main hospital reception or call 01244 366240.

The Countess Charity is probably best known in the community for the Babygrow Appeal, however the team works with the local community, corporates and grant making trusts to raise money for over 80 funds at the hospital – each one making a real difference to patient care.

Donations can also be made to The Hospital Fund which allows clinical staff to apply for items of equipment that they may need.

The Charity does not replace the NHS but adds to the NHS. We have chosen the strapline “providing more for our patients” to demonstrate this.

We also have a logo which has been designed locally by Hazel Alexander of HKA Design.

As Babygrow promotional items run out we will replace it with items with the new logo spending as little money as possible on the changeover.

Lesley Woodhead, Head of Fundraising, said: “We have started work on fundraising for an Ultra Sound Breast Scanner and two Kidney Dialysis machines. By having additional equipment over and above what the NHS provides means our patients have reduced waiting times. We have had great support already with these appeals and would be delighted to hear from anyone who wants to get involved.

We also have a number of rooms that we wish to renovate in order that’s there is somewhere private for patients family members to hear news and have conversations with those caring for loved ones. A small amount of money really goes a long way and we hope to hear from local companies or organisations who would like to sponsor a room.”

Walk for Wards now in its third year takes place on Sunday 8 October around the Countess Country Park. To get involved or take part for any fund in the hospital please call Angie Lopez on 01244 366672.

What is it like being on dialysis?

Sarah Charkner, now 39, started with renal failure when she was 29.

Sarah fits dialysis in around her busy life including taking and collecting her 8 year old son Leo from school.

She is waiting for a kidney and pancreas transplant but until that time comes she needs lifesaving dialysis at The Countess.

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Sarah needs dialysis 3 times a week and it lasts from 4 – 6 hours each session. It requires the same energy and exertion as a 26 mile marathon!

Sue’s story How our staff made a difference It was the same corridor Sue Hibbert had walked down every day for years, but it suddenly seemed longer than before.

Maybe it was nerves, but even though the deep blue floor and layout felt familiar this time it couldn’t have appeared more different.

After weeks of feeling something was wrong it was time to get answers.

“Although my smear test came back clear I still felt that something wasn’t right and it needed to be looked at,” she said.

Sue was relieved to know her consultant would be Mr Jed Hawe, remembering his strong reputation from the decade she had spent working as a healthcare assistant at the Countess a few years earlier.

His warm approach softened the news she had been expecting: she had stage three ovarian cancer and would need a

total hysterectomy.

The speed with which Mr Hawe then set about getting her treatment started and the care he showed during that time has left a lasting impression.

“I’m determined but the consistent backup and support I’ve had has been like a security net and I felt very secure,” Sue said. “Mr Hawe came to see me after the operation and he is such a good person.

He’s an excellent doctor but he’s got a lovely personality as well. I can’t thank him enough.”

Sue was also blown away by the attentiveness of clinical nurse specialist Helen Boothman, who was also there every step of the way.

During the follow-up radiotherapy and chemotherapy, when Sue wanted to start getting fit again, Helen advised that organised health walks around the Countess

of Chester Country Park behind the hospital might be ideal for her.

“Nothing has ever been too much trouble for Helen, she’ll look into anything for you,” Sue added. “I really appreciate everything she’s done.”

Eight months after her initial test Sue was given the all-clear in August 2016, but she continues to be a regular visitor to the Countess for follow ups with Dr Hawe and Helen.

“I think having worked here and having interaction with different people I appreciate everything they did,” she said.

“I’m so lucky.” :: You can view a video of Sue’s story on our Countess of Chester Hospital YouTube channel. :: For information about health walks in the Countess of Chester Country Park visit the Land Trust’s website.

Countess of Chester Hospital 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 Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust endorse any of the products or services.

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GoveRnors’ News

STROKE UNIT OPENS NEW GARDEN A new garden has opened on site for stroke patients to both assist with their rehabilitation and also give them somewhere to relax away from the ward.

The new garden, which features an astroturf lawn, soothing water features and raised flowerbeds, was made possible by charitable donations to the unit.

garden will directly benefit our patients and that’s what it’s all about.”

Former patients Victor Piercy, Paul Holding and Mike Hopley looked on during the ceremony, knowing their fundraising efforts during Walk for Wards helped to make this possible.

Therapist Lawrence Holland was the driving force behind the initiative, and it was a true family affair as his proud mother – who actually helped to decorate the garden – came along to the grand opening.

Lawrence also enlisted the help of the Chester Deva Rotary Club and Cambridge Road Community and Primary School who have both held numerous events over the last 12 months to fund both new equipment for the ward and the garden.

“Thank you so much to everyone that has made this possible,” Lawrence said during the unveiling. “All the money raised for this

Lead Governor Tom Bateman, who attended the opening, said: “It’s fantastic that this garden is now available for

patients and it’s the hard work and dedication of people like Lawrence that makes the NHS, and especially the Countess, so special.”

Would you like to become a Governor?

Would you like to get involved with your local hospital – you can make a difference.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Governor nomination process will open during July 2017 and a drop in session on the following date is available to find out more about this exciting role, so why not come along.

28 July 2017 at 12noon – 1pm in the Education and Training Centre If you are not able to make this date, please call on 01244 365816 to arrange an informal chat, at a time to suit you.

Meeting Dates Board of Directors meeting held in public Tuesday, 4 July 2017 at 1pm Council of Governors meeting held in public Tuesday 4 July 2017 at 3.30pm Annual Members Meeting Wednesday, 18 October 2017 at 12.30pm

How to contact your Governors If you would like to contact a Governor please call on 01244 365816.

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All meetings are held in the Education and Training Centre, Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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