staff magazine | Summer 2014
Contents
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4 Awards night showcases best of Estates and Facilities 7 Chapel Allerton event gives AS the attention it deserves 9 Infection Prevention campaign: Be Seen; Be Clean 10 Leeds Dental Institute staff get knitting 12 ENT Department moves to spacious new home 14 Nutrition and hydration takes centre stage
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16 Soaring ambitions fulfilled as double cancer survivor flies solo
Awards night showcases best of Estates and Facilities
Inspiring the next generation
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My job
21 Wide support for NHS Change Day 22
Farewell
24 ‘Street’ star visits new Leeds Adult Haemophilia Unit at St James’s
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Infection Prevention campaign: Be Seen; Be Clean
MP sees heart technology in action at LGI
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Keeping it real
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60 seconds
Bulletin is produced quarterly by the Communications Department. Photography by Medical Illustration Design by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd Send your feedback, ideas and suggestions for the next edition to communications@leedsth.nhs.uk or call ext. 66494/66244. 14
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Nutrition and hydration takes centre stage
Wide support for NHS Change Day
Cover photo: Be Seen; Be Clean: Student nurse, Wilma Saville, teaching visitors about good hand hygiene.
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David achieves lifetime ambition by publishing his own children’s story book Almost 20 years after he first started inventing bedtime stories for his young son, Trust security supervisor David Skerrett has gone into print with a children’s story telling the adventures of Karrott the Kangaroo. The colourful illustrated book, intended for parents to read with their children or for older children to read on their own, fulfils a long-standing ambition for David, as family and friends had been urging him for years to write down his imaginative tales. David, who works at St James’s, explained: “After my son, John, was born I started to tell him bedtime stories, and the ones I liked best I used to make up in my head, and I gradually developed a character of a kangaroo called Karrott, whose name came from his green hair, and the adventures he had in Australia.” In his first book, Karrott the Kangaroo – the Magic Rainbow, David recounts the story of how Karrott goes kite-flying and becomes entangled with a rainbow which transports him to the magic land of Wobniar on the other side, and the fun characters he meets there who finally help him get home.
David’s wife, Carol, who works in Salaries and Wages, and now-adult son John also helped with the book, and John’s friend Cheri Fletcher helped develop the look of the different characters, which were then turned into professional artwork by the publishers, Xlibris. “I’d been talking about doing a book for years, and my late father-in-law Raymond Turner was always telling me I should go into print, so I’m feeling proud that I finally did it, David added. “When I saw the finished book I felt really giddy and I hope parents and children will get as much fun out of the stories as we did.” David is due to retire from work this summer after 30 years at the hospital, firstly as a porter and then in security. He already has plans for follow-up books as he has lots of adventures about Karrott in his head, and is also considering the possibility of the little kangaroo becoming a children’s cartoon character. The book is available on Amazon and David is also selling them personally, with a contribution of the proceeds going to the Leeds Teaching Hospitals charitable foundation.
Prestigious appointment: Dr Jan Clarke, Consultant in GU Medicine
Double honour for LGI service Dr Jan Clarke, Consultant in GU Medicine at the Leeds Centre for Sexual Health at the LGI has been appointed the new president of The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) - the national speciality society for genitourinary medicine. For the first time in BASHH’s ten-year history the chain of office has passed within a single hospital department, as Jan is taking over from her colleague Dr Janet Wilson. There are currently over 1000 members of the BASHH, including some overseas members. The Association membership includes medical practitioners, scientists in the field of medicine and other healthcare workers who have shown a commitment to the specialty. The objectives of BASHH include promoting, encouraging and improving the study and practice of the art and science of diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted diseases including all sexually transmitted infections, HIV and other sexual health problems.
Family affair: Carol and David with the new book
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Special occasion: Director of Estates and Facilties, Darryn Kerr, welcomes attendees
Awards night showcases best of Estates and Facilities Estates and Facilities held their fifth OSCAR event recently to recognise and reward the hard work and commitment shown by staff including porters, ward housekeepers and maintenance teams.
with prizes awarded as follows. The Leadership Qualities award was presented by Julian to Arran Richardson, Facilities Manager and the runner up was Janet Moody, Facilities Manager.
The event was well attended by Estates and Facilities staff, managers, external sponsors, and Trade Union representatives, with prizes presented to the winners and runners-up by Chief Executive, Julian Hartley, Chair, Linda Pollard, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Yvette Oade, and Director of Finance, Tony Whitfield.
Team of the Year went to Martin Lowe and the HPV team and included the contribution by the St James’s Shift Engineers. The A&E Porters at St James’s were the runners-up, with all awards presented by Dr Yvette Oade.
There were four categories this year
Contribution to the Patient Environment/ Experience was presented by Tony Whitfield to Maria Barff, Ward housekeeper on L28 at the LGI and the runners-up were the Electrical team based in Ashley Wing.
really showcased the successes of all our teams over the last couple of years. “I never fail to be impressed and somewhat humbled by the passion and commitment to patient care in the services that our staff display in their dayto-day roles and this event provided an idea platform for this to be recognised by the Trust. The attendance at the event by the Chair, Chief Executive and members of the Executive Team demonstrated the importance that Estates and Facilities services play in delivering safe, effective and high quality patient services.”
Finally, Employee of the Year was presented by Linda Pollard, to Hazel Simpson, Assistant Facilities Manager and the runner-up was Robert Jeff, Porter at LGI. The event was a huge success with £400 from the sale of raffle tickets donated to the Trust’s elderly wards. The night was fully sponsored by some of the many external contractors who work with the Trust, and UNISON, who either donated cash or prizes for the raffles. Leadership qualities: Arran Richardson, Facilities Manager is presented with his award by Chief Executive, Julian Hartley
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Director of Estates and Facilities, Darryn Kerr, said: “It was a great event which
Proud moment: Hazel Simpson, Assistant Facilities Manager receives the Employee of the Year award from Chair Linda Pollard
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Winning team: Martin Lowe, and some of the HPV team and St James’s shift engineers with Chief Medical Officer, Dr Yvette Oade
Fun night: Award winner, Maria Barff, Ward housekeeper on L28, with Chair Linda Pollard and colleagues
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Inspiring the next generation Our Pathology doctors played a key role in getting children interested in anatomy during an event at the Thackray Museum recently.
Well deserved: Professor Paul Stewart presents the award to Dr Etienne Ciantar
Excellence award for undergraduate teaching Congratulations to Consultant obstetrician Dr Etienne Ciantar who was recently recognised with one of the Leeds School of Medicine’s Clinical Teaching Excellence Awards. These awards, given annually to clinicians from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate, are highly competitive and fiercely contested. They are an indication of truly outstanding learning and teaching for Leeds undergraduate medical students, so this is a great accolade for Dr Ciantar and LTHT.
Over 500 children took part in the week-long event designed to allow groups of kids to learn how the body works by dissecting a sheep’s heart. Nine staff from Pathology went to help out over the course of the week, helping to inspire the next generation of young doctors, surgeons and biologists. The event is set to take place again next February during the school holidays. Dr Kerry Turner said: “This event was a fun way to get kids thinking about the human body and maybe even inspire a few budding doctors and surgeons! By giving kids the opportunity to see how one of the most vital organs in the body works, and how fragile it can be, they learned how important it is to take care of their own heart too.”
National roles for MS team In addition, they will conduct surveys of people with MS using their service as well as other health professionals in their area. At the end of Phase II, they will produce local reports and the MS Trust will publish a combined evaluation report on MS specialist services in the UK.
The award also comes with a £2000 grant towards Dr Ciantar’s ongoing development, plus £5000 for the Trust to provide the time to permit this. Among innovations Dr Ciantar has introduced are a weekly antenatal education clinic run by medical students in response to their feedback about lack of opportunity to take histories. Students now take a patient’s history, check blood pressure, dip urine and prepare a management plan which they present to Dr Ciantar. He has changed the Gynaecology & Obstetrics introductory week from a week of conventional lectures to small group workstations. This ensures more participation from the students and ultimately a better learning experience. Other changes include consolidating the personal tutor scheme within the specialty ensuring that all Leeds students have an Obs & Gynae tutor during their rotation. This has proven to be a very positive initiative for students and tutors alike. Dr Ciantar has also supervised numerous student projects which have gone on to be presented in regional, national and international conferences.
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Consultant, Dr Kerry Turner, explains how the heart works to Eloise Regan
Exciting project: Gale Stephens and Julie Taylor
The multiple sclerosis (MS) nursing team here at LTHT has been selected to take part in a nationwide evaluation scheme to assess the value and impact that MS specialist services deliver to the NHS. They will be taking part in the second phase of an important project led by the MS Trust, a national charity which aims to make life better for people with multiple sclerosis. The Leeds team – MS nurses Gale Stephens and Julie Taylor - recently participated in a two-day training programme to help them develop the skills and knowledge needed to collect data about their services which will be used to evaluate and improve what they do. They will now undertake a full year of data collection (2014-15) and analysis with ongoing support from the MS Trust.
Gale, who has been an MS nurse at the Trust for the past 12 years, commented: “We are very excited to have been chosen to participate in this national project. We have a challenging two years ahead but are aware on completion that we will be able demonstrate the value and input of the MS nursing service and the benefits we can bring.” Pam Macfarlane, Chief executive, MS Trust said: “We are looking forward to working with the eleven teams selected for this second Phase of the Generating Evidence in Multiple Sclerosis Services (GEMSS) project. We know how important specialist practitioners are to people with MS; they help them enormously in negotiating the many and complex challenges which MS can present. “By participating in GEMSS the Leeds Teaching Hospitals team will be able to effectively monitor, evaluate and improve their services. The project will also enable us to gather evidence about the contribution which these roles make to patient outcomes, helping us to safeguard these posts for the future.”
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Chapel Allerton event gives AS the attention it deserves Chapel Allerton Hospital recently played host to an event when rheumatologists, researchers, patients and the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) met together with policy makers to ‘talk AS’ at the National Institute for Health Research Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit (LMBRU).
health professionals and the general public. As a result, research in this area is still suboptimal as is the amount of resource put in to the assessment and treatment of this condition.
AS or Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that affects young individuals and causes lifelong symptoms of back pain. A large proportion of affected individuals will develop significant spinal deformities and will suffer from pain, stiffness and early loss of work capacity. This amounts to enormous costs for the individual and society.
The Leeds meeting was organised by Dr Helena Marzo-Ortega, Consultant Rheumatologist at LTHT and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor with the University of Leeds. The meeting was attended by local MP for North East Leeds Fabian Hamilton, as well as Professor Mark Baker, Director of the Centre for Clinical Practice, NICE. A number of issues such as current challenges with the diagnosis, management and treatment of AS were discussed.
However, although the prevalence of AS is similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis and double that of other chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, it remains largely unknown not only to patients who may be unaware of it as a possible reason for their back symptoms but also to
A major outcome of the day was Professor Baker’s assurance that NICE will start the process to develop clinical guidelines which will cover AS next year and his commitment to take this process forward. Fabian Hamilton MP showed great interest in the disease itself and the issues raised and offered to initiate the
process of re-starting a cross party group on arthritis in the UK Parliament. NASS followed this on with further campaigning which culminated in a Parliamentary event. NICE have now started the process of developing clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of seronegative arthropathies including ankolysing spondylitis. More information is currently on the NICE website. Dr Marzo-Ortega commented: “There was a lot of interaction during the event which was valued very positively by all attendants and Mr Hamilton asked to return for a full tour of the musculoskeletal unit at Chapel Allerton Hospital. “We hope the meeting will prove to be a positive step towards influencing government policy as it relates to ankylosing spondylitis and it is an important step forwards in the call for clinical guidelines and a quality standard to improve the care of people with AS in the UK.”
Raising the profile: Dr Helena Marzo-Ortega (centre) with visitors to the AS open event
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World Cup roadshow calls into Children’s Hospital The Leeds Children’s Hospital welcomed a very special visitor to wards L41 and L42, Fuleco, the World Cup armadillo. With the FIFA World Cup 2014 taking place this year in Brazil, patients were invited to show off their footballing skills against the mascot and send a message to the England squad. The event was organised by Continental tyres, who are one of the key sponsors
for the World Cup, as part of a nationwide roadshow, bringing the magic of the World Cup to different areas of the country. Tom Moore, from the Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal, said: “We were delighted to host the Road to Rio Roadshow and glad that Continental included us in the tour schedule. The children loved meeting Fuleco and testing out their footballing skills.”
Good example: Midwife Lisa Porritt and her baby Scarlett
Head turning campaign Look out for one of our midwives, Lisa Porritt, who has become the face of the NHS Leadership Academy’s Frontline nursing and midwifery programme. It is supporting 5000 nurses and midwives to do the job they love even better and increase their influence on how care is delivered. Lisa and her daughter Scarlett will appear on banners, flyers and posters across the country, as well as on websites and social media platforms.
Footie fun: Lois Armstrong, patient on L41 and Lois’ Dad, Chris Armstrong, with Fuleco and Play leader, Katy Inman
Apache helicopter is first for LGI helideck The helicopter deck at Leeds General Infirmary had an unusual visitor in May – an Apache military helicopter on a test flight to practice a city centre landing. This is the first time an Apache has landed at the hospital. The helicopter, which flew from its base at Wattisham in Suffolk, circled the hospital and did two landings on the helideck, which is on the roof of the Jubilee Building and normally hosts flights by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
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The Trust works closely with the army and RAF and occasionally allows its helideck to be used by them for pilots to practice landing on a raised deck in a city environment hemmed in by tall buildings – a very different environment from the one in which the Apache normally operates. The pilot landed perfectly on both occasions, watched by the hospital ground crew who are on firefighting duty for each and every helicopter landing.
Safe landing: The Apache helicopter about to touch down on the Leeds General Infirmary helicopter deck
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Sharing knowledge: Matron for Infection Prevention and Control, Sarah Miller (top left), with colleagues
Infection Prevention campaign: Be Seen; Be Clean Staff across the Trust have been taking time out to talk to patients and visitors about the need for good hand hygiene as part of an Infection Prevention campaign. Student nurses and apprentice clinical support workers have been teaching visitors about good hand hygiene practice, as well as sharing information at the bedsides of patients in order to reduce hospital-acquired infections. During the campaign, the Trust has also begun moving to new foam-based soaps and foam sanitisers, which many people
prefer to the current gel-based products.
too as part of their daily routine.”
Two tag-lines were chosen for the campaign, “don’t make your hands everyone else’s business” and “Be Seen; Be Clean,” to encourage people, including staff, to maintain good hand washing practice in order to keep infection rates down.
“It’s vital that people understand the importance of good hand hygiene, as unclean hands have the potential to spread MRSA, c-difficile, influenza and other bacteria and viruses to vulnerable patients causing complications in their care. In some cases, all it takes to prevent loved ones becoming ill is to wash your hands.”
Matron Sarah Miller, who is leading the campaign, said: “This is a great opportunity to really engage with the people of Leeds on a really important subject. We are asking people to focus on washing their hands with soap and water
If you have any questions about infection prevention or would like to find out more about the campaign, please email infectionprevention@leedsth.nhs.uk
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New outpatient pharmacy offers better patient experience A new £500,000 central outpatient pharmacy has been officially opened by Chief Executive, Julian Hartley, at the LGI. Replacing two smaller pharmacies elsewhere on the LGI site, the new fully refurbished facility is adjacent to a side entrance of the Jubilee Wing in the heart of the hospital and provides a much improved environment for patients and pharmacy staff. The facility is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday and each month dispenses around 13,000 prescriptions for outpatients as well as people being discharged from wards. It includes a £90,000 dispensing robot which helps ensure a safer and more accurate service. Professor Liz Kay, Clinical Director of Pharmacy, said: “Prior to the completion of the new facility outpatient pharmacy services were spread around the hospital in small, cramped facilities with poor waiting rooms and less space for the privacy needed when staff are advising patients about their medicines.
Improved facility: Chief Executive, Julian Hartley with Professor Liz Kay, Clinical Director, and the wider Pharmacy team
“Our new central space is bright and modern and has been designed with the needs of our patients and pharmacy staff in mind. As well as giving a far better patient experience, bringing staff together in one location greatly improves team working, and our team are delighted with the space they have
which makes such a difference to their working day.” Opening the facility, Julian paid tribute to the hard work of pharmacy staff and the planning team in creating the new facility and keeping the outpatient service running smoothly during the changeover.
Leeds Dental Institute staff get knitting for babies in Africa Kind-hearted staff at the Leeds Dental Institute have set up a knitting group to produce much-needed garments to help newborn babies in two African countries. The group is the brainchild of John Ahn, Senior house officer in Restorative Dentistry, who was so moved by the plight of the youngsters and the high mortality
rate in Africa that he decided to teach himself to knit so he could start to help. He used books and a Youtube video to pick up the basics, and is now proficient with his needles.
and death. Simply covering the baby’s head with a knitted hat and the body with a blanket can maintain a baby’s body temperature, thus reduce the risk of death caused by hypothermia.
John explained: All newborn babies in Africa are at risk of hypothermia which can lead to increased risk of infections
“Last year I started to knit hats in response to the high infant mortality in Africa, then organised a knitting club at the Leeds Dental Institute early this year. We now have staff from various departments in the group and come together once a week to knit clothing and other items such as hats, blankets, jumpers and teddy bears for babies in Kenya and Uganda. “Furthermore, a lot of staff family members have supported us from home by sending in additional clothing. We are now hoping to expand the charity group so that more babies could have a much better chance of survival. We believe there are a lot of people who are interested in helping these babies but do not know where to start.”
Knitting up a storm: John Ahn, Senior house officer in Restorative Dentistry (centre) with colleagues at the Leeds Dental Institute
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John is always interested in getting more knitters involved, so if you would like to help, please email john.ahn@leedsth.nhs.uk.
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MP sees heart technology in action at LGI Elmet and Rothwell MP, Alec Shelbrooke, took the opportunity to see the latest medical technology in action during a visit to the LGI Interventional Cardiology Unit. It is used in catheter ablation, one of the only truly curative procedures in cardiology and has provided life-saving devices such as cardioverter defibrillator implants, around 150 of which are fitted every year to patients at the Interventional Cardiology Department in Leeds. During his tour, led by Dr Chris Pepper, Consultant Cardiologist, Mr Shelbrooke
changed into theatre scrubs and was given the opportunity to observe device implants and catheter ablation being carried out in the unit’s operating theatre. He also met arrhythmia patients in the Pacemaker Clinic. Mr Shelbrooke said, “We are fortunate to have one of the UK’s largest cardiology units in Leeds. The Interventional Cardiology Department is a prime example of how medical technology can be applied to benefit patients and make the NHS more efficient. It was a pleasure to experience it first hand to see the difference it is making to patients’ lives.”
Good cause: The Surgical pre-assessment team fundraise in style
Hats off to surgical team Staff from the surgical preassessment unit in Lincoln Wing, took part in Wear a Hat day this year in support of Brain Tumour Research and Support across Yorkshire (BTRS). The team wore old-fashioned nurses’ hats for the day and each participant along with patients on the unit donated generously to the charity.
“Wear a Hat day was well received by both staff and patients - we all had a lot of fun.”
Factfinding visit: Mr Shelbrooke (left) with Dr Chris Pepper
Saying it with flowers
Rachel Wilson, Charity Manager at BTRS, said “We are very grateful for the continued support we receive from Mary and her colleagues at St James’s. Raising awareness of the condition and BTRS is key to helping more Yorkshire brain tumour patients and their families.
St James’s has become the first hospital in the country to offer visitors the choice of buying silk flowers from a vending machine. The machine has been installed alongside one of our older adult wards in the Gledhow Wing as part of a partnership between our Facilities team and craft supplier, Country Baskets. Buying silk flowers as a present means they can be taken home by the patient after discharge to brighten up the home environment as well as used at the bedside.
Nurse Mary Shearer organised the day, leading staff at St James’s in their fundraising efforts. Mary said: “Wear a Hat day was well received by both staff and patients - we all had a lot of fun. It’s a very worthwhile charity and we will continue to support their work by running events like this.”
Floral gift: Patient Pearline Berry with Staff nurse Jane McGowan and Steve Wood from Country Baskets
“Across the Yorkshire region, over £5000 was raised for Wear A Hat Day, which will be used to support people living with brain tumours and to fund research into helping to treat them.”
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Welcome to new Non-executive Director Dr Bill Kirkup CBE joined the Board of the Trust as a Non-executive Director in April, bringing a wealth of senior experience to the organisation from a long and distinguished NHS career. After qualifying in medicine in the 1970s, Dr Kirkup specialised initially in gynaecological cancer surgery before moving into public health. He was appointed a consultant in 1986, and went on to hold a variety of posts in public health, including at a national level. He has also worked overseas, advising on health and reconstruction in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr Kirkup retired from his post as Associate Chief Medical Officer and Director General of Clinical Programmes at the Department of Health in 2010. Since then he has led reviews of diabetic retinopathy screening and all non-cancer screening for National Screening Committee (2010-11) and the review of untoward deaths in the
Oxford paediatric cardiac surgery service (2010-11). He was Member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and is currently involved in two high profile NHS inquiries, the Morecambe Bay Investigation and the Department of Health investigation into the activities of Jimmy Savile at Broadmoor Hospital. Commenting on his appointment, Dr Kirkup said: “These are challenging times for the NHS with more emphasis than ever on providing safe and effective care and improving clinical outcomes, and I hope my experience in this field will be useful for the Board. “Leeds Teaching Hospitals is one of the country’s biggest trusts with fantastic potential to develop its reputation and services, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping its future.” Chair Linda Pollard CBE added: “Bill’s reputation and the high esteem in which he is held is second to none and we are extremely fortunate to be joined by
someone of his calibre. “His broad experience will be a huge asset to our Board as we get to grips with the significant challenges facing the organisation in a fast-changing environment. I am looking forward to working with him as we continue to strengthen the top team.”
ENT Department moves to spacious new home Staff working in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department at the LGI have moved up a floor in the Brotherton Wing to a spacious new home with much improved patient facilities. The unit, which sees around 25,000 patients every year, can now be found in a newly-refurbished department on C-floor of the wing. Senior Sister Vanda Scorgie and her colleagues are delighted with the new department. “We feel extremely lucky to have such a bright, modern environment which is physically much bigger, giving us more flexibility including extra treatment rooms,” she said.
Bright new home: Staff in the ENT department at the LGI
“We now have much more comfortable waiting areas, a new quiet room, a children’s play area, dedicated adult and children’s audiology rooms and space for speech and language therapy too.
we have. We have been lucky to secure some artwork donated by Leeds Museums and that helps create a really calming environment which has made a big difference.”
“Many of our patients have been with us for some time and were apprehensive about the move but they’ve been really complimentary about how bright and clean it looks and the extra facilities
Nicky Rowe, Business Manager for the ENT Department, added: “This move has been a great opportunity to boost teamwork because as well as creating a larger patient area we have been
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able to bring our consultants and secretarial support together in the same department. “This really speeds up working practices and improves patient care because everyone involved is now close at hand. “Moving services is always a challenge but everything was extremely well planned and went like clockwork so we avoided disrupting patient care.”
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Alan’s Russian adventure Lead resuscitation officer, Alan Hargreaves, visited the Russian Federation to teach advanced techniques in dealing with medical emergencies. The Advanced Life Support Course (ALS) deals with the diagnosis and management of emergencies which may lead to cardiac arrest, as well as the management of a cardiac arrest. The Russian Resuscitation Council have a memorandum of agreement with the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and had been wanting to implement ALS for some time but unfortunately lacked the expertise, so Alan was invited along to help out and lead the course. Dr Artem Kuzovlev, a consultant anaesthetist, co-ordinated the proceedings, with Alan teaching two back-to-back courses over three days. “It was a fabulous opportunity and a fantastic experience. I am grateful to the ERC for inviting me, and LTHT for supporting this particular trip,” Alan explained. The course is aimed primarily at medical staff. Senior nursing staff working in critical care are also regularly in
Lead resuscitation officer, Alan Hargreaves (right), with one of the course delegates
attendance. Since becoming a member of the ERC he has also taught in Libya, Serbia, Lithuania, Sweden and Iceland. Alan said: “The medical staff were enthusiastic and appreciative of our teaching. Alongside myself, there
were instructors from Germany and Slovenia. More courses will be required before Russia can set up independent courses themselves, so I am hopeful to have the opportunity to return.”
Epic fundraising challenge as Mike gets on his bike Dr Mike Bosomworth, lead clinician in blood sciences based at LGI, is attempting the bike ride of a lifetime this autumn to raise money for the Yorkshire Brain Research Centre. He will be cycling 4,200 miles from New York to San Francisco achieving 100 miles per day with just one rest day in the week. The epic challenge will take Mike seven weeks to complete.
“Being able to prevent or cure dementia would do so much to improve people’s lives.” Mike said: “I have been working for the NHS for 40 years and when I reached my 60th birthday I wanted to celebrate these milestone anniversaries and take on the biggest challenge of my life.
“My dad and aunt both had/have Alzheimer’s. Being able to prevent or cure dementia would do so much to improve people’s lives and help the NHS in these austere times. I want to raise as much money as possible for the Yorkshire Brain Research Centre.” Mike has already cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, he regularly takes part in the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride, has cycled coast to coast, completed parachute jumps and climbed Kilimanjaro - all for charity. This epic bike ride however is his biggest challenge. Mike will be camping and staying in motels throughout the route paying all his expenses. 100% of money raised will go to the Yorkshire Brain Research Centre. The Centre needs to raise £2m by 2015 to conduct research and clinical trials into Parkinson’s disease, MS, Epilepsy and Dementia.
Good cause: Dr Mike Bosomworth, ready for his cycle challenge
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Nutrition and hydration takes centre stage National Nutrition and Hydration week was celebrated in style across the Trust this year with various events and initiatives designed to highlight the importance of good nutritional care for our patients. Our dieticians and the patient catering team led ward-based activities including audits of nutritional care, promoting protected mealtimes, posters, display stands and educational material to emphasise the importance of good nutrition. The Trust retail catering outlets joined in and provided free bottled water and fruit with meals for staff and visitors The focus of the national event and highlight of the week was Worldwide Afternoon Tea on the Wednesday. It was chosen to demonstrate how this simple meal occasion is ideal for promoting and improving nutrition and hydration. Lynn George, Clinical Dietetic Manager, said: “From a nutrition and hydration perspective, afternoon tea clearly supports the ‘three meals and two snacks a day’ message, helping to boost calorie intake in patients with a poor appetite. It can also have an important social and emotional role.” “Patient catering already provides afternoon tea and cake on the older adult wards and all nutritionally vulnerable patients can access this via our snack menu.” For Worldwide Afternoon Tea, all inpatients
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Patient focussed: Kirsten Foster, Clinical dietetic manager (Paediatrics), Andy Pola, Facilities supervisor (Catering), and Diane Spalding, Facilities dietetic adviser with samples of the children’s menu
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were offered a cake in celebration of the event and some wards joined in the spirit by getting out the bunting and involving patients and visitors. Afternoon tea was also served to patients and staff in the Bexley and Gledhow dining areas.
“Thanks to all staff for their hard work and enthusiasm in making the week a great success.” The Children’s Hospital had a fun week including menu tasting sessions; afternoon tea in the Pavilion and the teenage cancer patients made an animated video about the digestive system - this can soon be accessed from their web page
Tea break: Sue Chapman and Stephen Robinson being served free tea and healthy snacks by Sophia Joof and George Karlis in the Gledhow Wing
Chief executive, Julian Hartley, and his colleagues Suzanne Hinchliffe, Chief Nurse, and Dr Yvette Oade, Chief Medical Officer, joined in the celebrations by attending various events. Lynn said: “Thanks to all staff for their hard work and enthusiasm in making the week a great success - It was a lot of fun and clearly highlighted the importance of good nutrition and hydration for our patients.”
The Power of Three During Nutrition and Hydration week, a special emphasis was placed on the power of three challenge.
Cake treat: Mr Alfred Hepworth, patient on ward J14, with Chief Nurse, Suzanne Hinchliffe
The challenge asked staff to arrange themselves in a team of three - a caterer, a dietician and a nurse- and to follow the journey of a patient meal, from being prepared in the kitchens to the return of the empty plate. They were asked to record all the barriers and examples of good practice that they observed from their own professional perspectives. Lucy Pearson, Dietitian, said: “By working as a team, staff added their professional opinions to improve nutrition and hydration across the Trust. The power of three helped to identify areas that staff found cause problems, ensuring the best patient care and experience, as well as good practice throughout the Trust.”
Best practice: (l-r) Miryam Iqbal, Staff nurse, Lucy Pearson, Dietitian, Janet Moody, Facilities manager, and Ward housekeepers, Libby Wall and Jayne Bashforth
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Soaring ambitions fulfilled as double cancer survivor flies solo Chris Garbett is living proof that a cancer diagnosis is no bar to living your dreams, after twice beating the disease and recently achieving a lifelong ambition to take to the skies to learn the art of gliding, allowing him to fly solo for the first time. Chris, aged 62, had been interested in flying since his childhood, and tried it as a young man, but a busy family life and a career as a university lecturer meant he did not get the chance to get to grips with his hobby properly until around the time a cancer diagnosis changed his life forever.
“Like most lads of my age, I read avidly war books and had a great interest in aviation.” He explained: “Like most lads of my age, I read avidly war books and had a great interest in aviation. This progressed through other things like Airfix kits and balsa wood models. “As I grew I kept this side interest in aviation. In the 1970s I had some trial flights in a glider and that was it, I was hooked. ‘Someday, I’ll take this up’ I thought, when time and money allow. “I hit my mid-life crises and when my colleagues were buying fast motorbikes, or making fools of themselves in various ways, I decided I was going to be Biggles. “I joined a Gliding Club in 2005. It was going fine but I became tired and irritable and a few other symptoms, so gave up flying for a while. In 2008 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and, of course, I was devastated.” Chris was offered the opportunity to have ground-breaking robotic surgery at St James’s University Hospital, undertaken by Professor David Jayne. “After recovering from the surgery I underwent chemotherapy and started to think about things I would do when I was well again,” Chris added. “One of the things I promised myself was that I would
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Taking off: Chris proudly shows off his glider
spread my wings and fly. “I could say that it was the thought of gliding that kept me going, but of course, it wasn’t. My family was the main thing that kept me going, my family and friends. They gave me the support to think that when I’m back to normal I’m going to do certain things, one of which was gliding. Eventually I felt well enough and started gliding again, at Burn Gliding Club near Selby. Effectively I started from scratch again but I was progressing, slowly admittedly, but still progressing. Then in 2012; four years after my first diagnosis the thunderbolt hit again; Cancer again this time it was in my liver.
“Yes, I’ve had cancer; yes I’ve had cancer twice. Yes I am a glider pilot. Are the two connected? Well not really. Luckily for me, bowel cancer was a semicolon, not a full stop.” “This time I knew what to expect. Of course flying had to stop. Again I drew support from my family. Again, I went through postoperative recuperation until I finally felt well enough to go back to the gliding club.
“I didn’t quite have to start from scratch again, almost, but not quite. With perseverance and the patience of my instructors, eventually on a grey day I was passed suitable to go solo. “Sitting the first time, on my own without an instructor behind me, it crossed my mind that, having survived two possibly fatal illnesses, was this tempting Providence? Before I could dwell on that I was away, climbing, and then I was flying this thing all on my own at about 1600 feet above the ground. Of course everything went well. My instructors knew what they were doing, and I knew what I was doing. I landed safely and the next big challenge was to be able to buy everybody a drink in the club bar. “I am still progressing. Having gone solo doesn’t mean that I’m a qualified pilot. I’m learning to fly other aircraft and working towards my next gliding qualification. “Looking back, yes cancer does stop you doing things. It stopped me going gliding, twice in fact. But in my case, it only stopped me in the sense of a postponement, not a permanent cessation. Yes, I’ve had cancer; yes I’ve had cancer twice. Yes I am a glider pilot. Are the two connected? Well not really. Luckily for me, bowel cancer was a semicolon, not a full stop.”
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New pump saves bed days on ambulatory care A new infusion pump scheme which allows patients to go home sooner has been pioneered in the recently-opened Ambulatory Care Unit in Bexley Wing. As well as improving the patient experience, between April and December 2013 it had already saved 1,000 bed days – a significant figure as an average bed day costs £240. The Ambulatory Care Unit was set up last April with the aim of reducing hospital inpatient stays for haematology and oncology patients receiving intensive high dose chemotherapy. Part of their treatment can be delivered using a SMART infusion pump developed by Smiths Medical, meaning patients do not have to stay in hospital overnight. Claire Ferris, Ambulatory Care Sister at St James’s, commented: “The new unit allows this group of patients to be treated as an outpatient, staying at home between check-ups, or staying at our patient hotel. It also enables the patient to have a friend or relative staying with them and supporting them. “The quality of care is excellent, with one nurse available for every three or four patients. Our main aim was to make the experience of patients having this type of chemotherapy more personal and less
hospital based. We’re really proud to have achieved this for our patients. “Early feedback is showing that it has made a huge difference. The bed days saved by using this process means that patients who really need to stay in hospital for their treatment have to wait less time and get their treatment sooner than they would have done previously.” The pump enables the delivery of patients’ chemotherapy or intense hydration overnight in the comfort of their own home or patient hotel room. Patients attend the Ambulatory Care Unit during the day for their treatment to be started, undergo routine blood tests and be clinically assessed. There is a 24 hour helpline for patients, so there is always someone to assist them if they become unwell or need reassurance. Claire added: “I am so proud of this great new service we offer at the hospital. It’s fantastic to see it up and running and making a huge difference to our patients. Feedback so far has been amazing. Patients are so grateful they don’t have to stay in hospital and can lead a more ‘normal’ life in which chemotherapy doesn’t dominate their every thought. We are thrilled with the pumps and are hoping to extend this service in the future.”
Proud moment: Laura Brown and Julie McMonigle holding their awards
Success at apprenticeship awards Congratulations to three of our apprentices who won awards at the Health Education Yorkshire & the Humber NHS Apprenticeship Awards and the Leeds Apprenticeship Awards. Julie McMonigle, currently working on ward L31, won Apprentice Champion of the Year, while Laura Brown, was named HEY&H Intermediate Clinical Apprentice of the Year. Another apprentice, Paul Atkinson won the Leeds City Council Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Both Laura and Paul were placed on Respiratory ward J12 for their training and are now working there as permanent Band 2 Clinical support workers. Julie continues to actively support the Trust in promoting apprenticeships at careers events and progression fairs, sharing her own positive experience of being an apprentice. Karen Vella, Head of Organisational Learning, said: “The awards are a fantastic recognition, not only of the amazing commitment we see from our apprentices, but also the hard work and dedication from all of the people involved in the scheme who help to recruit, train, assess and support individuals to achieve their qualification.”
Award winner: Paul Atkinson at the Leeds Apprenticeship Awards Improved care: Nurses Rebecca Dowling and Grace Gerona with patient James Harker
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My Job
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What else have you done in your career so far?
Shaun Preece is Senior Charge Nurse for Major Trauma but is currently working in Vascular. He has worked at the Trust for 18 months. Summarise the main aspects of your role? I am employed as the Senior Charge Nurse for Major Trauma, however, I am currently covering the Senior Charge Nurse post on the vascular ward at LGI. I am responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the vascular ward; ensuring patient safety, driving good practice, direct line management of staff and ensuring there are robust patient flow processes in place to support a positive patient experience.
I trained at Pinderfields General Hospital and took my first job as a registered nurse there on an acute vascular ward. I then came across to LTHT to take a post in Accident and Emergency at St James’s. I found my niche in Emergency Nursing and decided I wanted to do this overseas. I travelled to New Zealand where I did a variety of roles. These include being a Charge Nurse in ED, setting up and managing one of New Zealand’s first Medical Assessment Units, I did a stint as an Operations Manager for Medicine and then a secondment as the Quality and Risk Manager. Following this, I jumped pond and took a role in Australia, as Senior Nurse Manager for Emergency and Acute services. I came back to the UK 18 months ago and returned to LTHT. I was lucky enough to be involved in the planning and set up of the new Major Trauma Centre / Major Trauma ward - which has proved to be a huge success. For the last 5 months I have been managing and providing leadership to the vascular in-patient ward, L15. I am really enjoying working within this specialty and the challenges that come with it. My role in vascular has been
made easier as I have the pleasure of working alongside an extremely hardworking and committed team.
What’s the best thing about your job? I really enjoy being able to influence change and engaging staff with service improvements. I think that the CSU I work in (Trauma & Related Services) value each and every member of their team and promote an environment where staff feel included and heard. I feel proud to be a part of Trauma & Related Services.
What is the one thing you would change at LTHT to help you do your job better? I think that the Nursing teams at LTHT do an amazing job with the resource we have available. An increased nurse to patient ratio would complement the fantastic work that is already done. It is exciting to hear that our Chief Nurse has secured funding to improve the nursing numbers across the Trust.
What’s your best advice to a new starter at the Trust? Get involved. Share your ideas. Engage with your management team.
Generous donation for neo-natal care Deputy Medical Director and Consultant neonatologist, Dr Bryan Gill, was delighted to welcome former patient, Matthew Garner, and his parents, back to our hospitals recently. Mrs Garner gave birth to three premature babies twelve years ago but it was only Matthew who pulled through thanks to his neonatal care. They came to meet Bryan to hand over
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a cheque for £550 raised by family and friends for the Neonatal Unit. Bryan said: “It was fantastic to see Matthew and his parents again. He’s a thriving 12 year old boy who is passionate about football and plays for his local team. We’re very grateful for their kind donation which will go towards helping other families and babies who receive care, both now and in the future.”
Fantastic gift: Mrs Garner, Matthew Garner, and Dr Bryan Gill
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Kind donation benefits patients with lymphoedema Patients with lymphoedema now have ready access to a brand new Hivamat machine which is helping to ease their treatment. The machine was kindly donated to the Lymphoedema team based at Wharfedale Hospital by the Leeds Lymphoedema Link (LLL) - a local organisation that supports people around the region affected by the condition. Lymphoedema is caused by fluid collecting and swelling in the body’s tissue, which can lead to pain and a loss of mobility. The Hivamat works by using electrical currents to stimulate tissue while the patient is massaged in order to
manually drain the fluid. Jan Carr, Chair of the Leeds Lymphoedema Link, said: “We are grateful for all the team here have done for us, and, hopefully, donations such as this go a little way to showing our appreciation. The machine will make their work easier and treatments more successful.” Jacqueline Banks, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Lymphoedema, commented: “With the new Hivamat, we can now offer a greater number of treatments and run clinics from both Wharfedale and St James’s at the same time. This will really benefit our patients and we’d like to thank the LLL for their kind donation.”
Lucky numbers: Some of the winners at the prize draw event
Well done to our flu jab prizewinners Congratulations to all ten of the winners in the flu prize draw, who were chosen at random from everyone at LTHT who had a flu jab in this winter’s campaign. Over 75% of staff chose to get protected to help keep our patients safe - a new record. As a thank you, everyone who had a jab was eligible to take part in a free draw co-ordinated by Chief Nurse, Suzanne Hinchliffe.
Gratefully received: Members of Leeds Lymphoedema Link with some of the Trust’s Lymphoedema team
Generous donation The Transplant Unit at St James’s has received a donation of £5,300 from the Skipton Craven Lions Club in memory of the late wife of one of its members, Mr Ken Wild.
The winning ten came from across the Trust. They were: Helen Bryant, Verity Bratley, Ian Dunn, Laura Earlham, Emma Hawtin, Claire Foster-Hossack, Claire Leeming, Rita Lewis, Jane Rothery and Dylan Sinnott. Three prizes for the draw were generously donated to LTHT by Sir Ken Morrison of the supermarket group. These were an overnight stay for two at Rudding Park Hotel; a champagne afternoon tea for two at the Goring Hotel in London and the services of a decorator for three days.
Kathryn Wild had a liver transplant on the Unit and received much support from them before she sadly passed away two years ago. Mr Wild who is a District Governor of the Lions Club, and his partner at the Club, Sylvia Marshall, decided to nominate the Unit as its charity of choice for the year. Consultant Transplant surgeon, Magdy Attia, said: “We are so grateful to the Lions for their extremely generous donation. The money raised will go towards liver research.
A random number generator was used to come up with the ten finalists and then used again to allocate their prizes, which were handed out by Suzanne together with Chief Executive, Julian Hartley.
Good cause: Consultant surgeons, Raj Prasad and Magdy Attia with Ken Wild, Sylvia Marshall, and other members of the Skipton Craven Lions Club
Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative’s Leeds branch donated a bike, Sand Moor Golf Club donated a day’s golf for four. Other prizes included a Costa Coffee gift set, an iPad (donated by Informatics) and Facilities also provided a mini iPad and two annual gym memberships.
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News
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New centre focuses on osteoarthritis research Researchers at the Trust and the University are aiming to develop practical ways to help people suffering from painful osteoarthritis, following the establishment of a new experimental treatment centre. Currently, treatments for osteoarthritis are limited to pain killers and physiotherapy until joints reach a stage where a joint replacement becomes possible. Researchers at the Arthritis Research UK Experimental Osteoarthritis Treatment Centre at the University of Leeds aim to fill this treatment gap by developing better and earlier interventions. The centre is being jointly funded by £150,000 from medical research charity Arthritis Research UK and Össur, a global leader of non-invasive orthopaedics, over three years. The centre will focus on osteoarthritis of the knee, which causes pain and disability to approximately six million people in the UK and is increasing as the population ages and becomes more obese – the two major risk factors for developing the condition. More people now have knee replacement surgery than hip replacement surgery, and patients are being operated on at a younger age. Data suggests that for a partial knee replacement the average age is now 64 in men, and 63 in women, compared to 71 20 years ago. “Osteoarthritis has increased between two and four-fold over the past 20 years and will become even more common as the population ages and becomes more obese,” explained Professor Philip Conaghan, who is leading the research. “More than two thirds of people with osteoarthritis have constant pain that affects their ability to perform normal daily activities, partly due to the limited treatment options available to them, and there’s an enormous need to find new ways of treating it, particularly aimed at treating people early and preventing them from becoming chronically disabled.
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Kind donation: The Friends of Alfie Martin, with staff from the Neonatal Service, including Matron Yvette Bartlett, Consultant Lawrence Miall, and Unit Manager, Sue Peak
A lasting legacy Patients, their families and staff on the Neonatal Service will benefit hugely from another generous donation by the Friends of Alfie Martin – this time two specialist ventilators costing £50,000. The charity has supported the service for the past 12 years, in that time donating two specialist incubators, an oscillator machine for ventilation, stateof-the-art wall monitors, and a cardiac ultrasound machine. They are the largest benefactors to Neonatal Intensive Care
Services in the Leeds area. The charity was set up as a lasting tribute to baby Alfie, the son of Fiona and Roger Martin who tragically lost their little boy in 2002. Their aim is to raise vital funds to improve transportation and neonatal equipment to help save the lives of critically ill infants. Matron Yvette Bartlett, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Friends of Alfie Martin and everyone who donated money for the ventilators. This and their other donations have made an enormous difference to the care we provide to babies in Leeds.
Anaesthetists make a big splash for charity Four Trust anaesthetists have raised over £1000 for Sport Relief by completing a 7.5 km team swim. Hamish Mclure, Sarah Monte, Pete Morgan, and Matt Simpson first took on the challenge of swimming 5k but the generous response from their sponsors pushed them to extend it to 7.5km on the day. In total they completed 306 lengths in just two and a half hours.
Team effort: Consultant anaesthetists, Matt Simpson, Sarah Monte, Pete Morgan and Hamish Mclure
Consultant anaesthetist, Sarah Monte, said: “It was great to do this as a team and for such a worthy cause. We are really grateful to everyone who sponsored us.”
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Wide support for NHS Change Day Hundreds of staff at the Trust pledged to positively change some aspect of their day-to-day work as part of NHS Change Day this year. The national event was the second one to take place and aimed at getting people across the NHS to make one small (or large) change to how they carry out their jobs, deliver services or simply behave. At LTHT, many chose to undertake team pledges, which involved wards or departments banding together to make a group effort to improve things around the hospitals.
“As a result of change day Surgical Outpatients now aims to regularly provide a tea trolley when clinics are running an hour behind.”
spend a week eating the very restricted diet many of her patients must follow because of their condition. Sister Lucy John pledged “to lead by example and encourage outpatient staff to have the confidence to interact with patient/service users on a regular basis.” Lucy said: “As a result of change day Surgical Outpatients now aims to regularly provide a tea trolley when clinics are running an hour behind and give announcements when clinics run over half an hour late. “I see members of my team chatting in waiting areas with patients and relatives and I feel proud that they are taking personal responsibility for their actions in public and making a conscious effort to provide a friendly and supportive face for outpatients.”
Volunteering open day a success In a bid to recruit more fantastic volunteers to our hospitals, our Voluntary Services Department invited people to come and find out about the different volunteering roles available at the Trust. The team worked alongside Macmillan cancer care, the Yorkshire Cancer Centre, and Chaplaincy services to run an open day in the Bexley Wing atrium at St James’s. There are currently around 350 volunteers and Voluntary Services aim to more than double this number with new recruits. The event saw 50 new applications from people wanting to volunteer.
For some this included signing up to the pledge “to improve hand hygiene at our hospitals, and encourage all staff, patients and visitors to get involved.” Others made pledges directly at the ‘pledge station’ that was set up in Gledhow Wing foyer on the day itself. Another fantastic pledge came from one of our Paediatric Nephrology Registrars, Dr Amanda Newnham, who pledged to
Valuable work: LTHT volunteer, Colin White meets one of the attendees at the open day
Team work: Physiotherapists, Sarah Seeley, Sarah Polglass, Rachel Waddington, and Caroline Gill
The day gave potential volunteers an insight into the various roles and valuable contribution our volunteers make and the benefits for them, such as gaining work experience, giving something back to the ward where they or a loved one had previously received treatment, or an opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Karen Ayres, Deputy Patient Carer and Public Involvement Manager, said: “Volunteering significantly improves the patient experience, helping Leeds Teaching Hospitals to become the hospitals of choice. It’s also a fantastic win-win situation: for volunteers, offering an excellent opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience, while the Trust benefits enormously from ‘extra hands on deck’, helping with everything from directing someone to their clinic appointment, to assisting with patient feeding at mealtimes.”
Making changes: Matron, Chris Hewitt, Sister, Lucy John, Student nurse, Rebecca Billington, Sister, Nicola Melling, and Matron, Amanda Dean at the pledge station
Shelagh Cooper, from Halton, who volunteers in the Lincoln Wing reception said: “I love helping people. There’s no better feeling than when people come back and say “thank you,” their appreciation makes me happy to know that I have helped.”
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Farewell
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Denise Fawcett
Fond farewell to longserving staff A fond farewell to all our colleagues who retired from the Trust recently. Some of those include: Health care assistant, Denise Fawcett, has retired from the Hepatobiliary/ Transplant Theatre Team. Denise worked at our hospitals for 19 years, initially at Seacroft Hospital in theatres before transferring to St James’s. Her colleagues in the HPB/Transplant Team said: “We are all really going to miss Denise, she could be relied upon for anything and would help anyone. Her sense of humour and infectious laugh will be greatly missed.” “We wish her happiness in retirement and know she is looking forward to spending more time with her family and helping to look after her grandchildren.” Occupational Health said farewell to the head of its service, Margaret Phillips, as she retired at the end of March. Margaret came to Leeds in 1995 as Nurse Manager at Wharfedale Hospital. Three years later she moved to work in Neurosciences, was acting Divisional Nurse from 2003 to 2004, Matron in Orthopaedics and Plastics from 2004 to 2005 and joined Occupational Health
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as Clinical Services Manager in 2005. In addition to Margaret’s “day job” she was a key manager in providing support, coaching and advice to many colleagues across the Trust. Her colleagues wish her all the very best for her retirement. Staff nurse, Barbara McIntosh, has also retired recently after around 18 years working on-off for the Trust. Barbara was a healthcare assistant when she decided to train to become a nurse as a mature student. Colleague Michelle McGarrell said she was looking upon by the younger students “as a bit of a mother figure and confidant.” She qualified five years ago and returned to work fully trained as a staff nurse. She plans to travel, continue with her recently started ballroom dancing hobby, as well as staying in touch with friends and colleagues. Consultant surgeon, Andrew Thorpe, has retired from Thoracic Surgery in the Bexley Wing. He qualified as a Cardiothoracic surgeon in 1972 and spent much of his career at LTHT at Leeds General Infirmary before moving to St James’s. He will be greatly missed by all the Thoracic team.
Margaret Phillips
Barbara McIntosh
Andrew Thorpe
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UK first for LGI heart team Leeds General Infirmary has become the first hospital in the country to use a new miniaturised heart monitor with child patients. Consultant paediatric cardiologist Dr Mike Blackburn inserted a monitor - around the size of two matchsticks - into the upper chest of two young brothers – Ethan and Kyle Roper, aged 8 and 7, in a short procedure undertaken at the LGI. The Medtronic Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor is the smallest implantable cardiac monitoring device available – around one-third the size of an AAA battery. It is new to the UK and so far has only been used on a handful of adult patients. This technology will allow Dr Blackburn and his colleagues to continuously and wirelessly monitor irregularities in the youngsters’ heart rhythm and help identify if further action is needed. The children concerned have a family history of cardiac problems and have been referred to hospital with recent symptoms relating to this.
Groundbreaking procedure: Dr Mike Blackburn with recipients of the heart monitor, Ethan and Kyle Roper
Dr Blackburn commented: “Heart monitors which help diagnose irregularities with a patient’s heartbeat have been used for many years in both adults and children, but the breakthrough
“As well as being around 20% of the size of conventional monitors, the device has the advantage that it can be placed just beneath the skin, meaning it is as quick and painless as possible to fit and also is
with this device is how small and versatile it is, and that is a particular advantage for young patients.
not noticeable once in place. “It will automatically transmit any unusual heart activity wirelessly to a secure system that can be accessed instantly by the heart team. This means we can continuously monitor the patient’s heart before during and after fainting to identify whether the problem is heart-related.”
Food baskets help older people get back on their feet Food baskets and discharge packs are being provided to older people living alone in Leeds to help them get back on their feet after a stay in hospital or recovering from illness in the community.
to health. There are many schemes in place here at Leeds Teaching Hospitals to ensure that inpatients get all that they need to eat and drink, but concerns arise when they leave our specialist care.
The baskets and discharge packs are being put together by Leeds City Council’s meals-on-wheels team in a bid to make the difficult transition from hospital to home as easy as possible for some of the city’s vulnerable residents. The discharge packs are provided to those in need to help their smooth discharge home.
“The food baskets can help prevent malnutrition. They provide a short term solution to food supply problems until longer term solutions can be sought.’
Delivery of the baskets, which are filled with ingredients to make easy snacks and meals, also allows a member of the health or social care teams to check that discharged patients are coping with their recovery. Kathryn Kearney, Senior specialist dietitian for older adults based at St James’s, said: ‘Nutrition is essential
The Community Meals Leeds service is working closely with the Leeds Community Healthcare Intermediate Care teams, Red Cross and Royal Volunteer Service to ensure those most in need of this service are identified and supported with their nutritional care. As well as the food basket, residents will also get some simple financial advice and fuel poverty information.
Councillor Adam Ogilvie, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, said: “The first few days after leaving hospital can be a very difficult time for anybody. But for a vulnerable, elderly person with little or no support, it is even more uncertain and every bit of extra help in making the transition can make all the difference. “The pilot scheme will see staff at hospitals in Leeds identifying patients over the age of 65, with no carer or family living close by.”
Helping hand: Kathryn Kearney, Senior specialist dietitian, with patient Catherine Kennedy
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Proud moment: (Front row, l-r) Alex Rowell, Haemophilia nurse, Thuvia Flannery, Haemophilia physio, Bernard Atha, former Chairman of LTHT Charitable Foundation, special guest, Antony Cotton, Dr Lishel Horn, Consultant haematologist, Ann South, Haemophilia physio, Angela Westoby, Haemophilia nurse, Musrat Pinnu, Social worker, and Dr Mike Richards, Consultant haematologist
‘Street’ star visits new Leeds Adult Haemophilia Unit at St James’s Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton proved a big hit when he attended the official opening of the Leeds Adult Haemophilia Unit at St James’s. Antony, who plays Sean Tully in the ITV soap, joined patients, families and staff for a celebration event in the atrium of the Bexley Wing which also marked World Haemophilia Day. It featured live music, games and quizzes, and information stalls. The LTH Charitable Foundation generously funded the creation of the facility, which will be a central resource for nearly 700 patients from across the region who use the Leeds service. Cllr Bernard Atha, former Chair of the Charitable Foundation, performed the opening ceremony, and Antony cut a celebration cake made for the event. Guests were given a tour of the unit,
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which is located on Level 3 of the Bexley Wing. The facility gives services for adult haemophilia patients their own dedicated home for the first time, as previously they shared rooms with other clinics. The rooms are used by the hospitals’ haemophilia team including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.
“Users of our adult service told us they wanted their own dedicated space to come to, and feedback from them has been very positive.” Dr Lishel Horn, Lead consultant for the adult haemophilia service said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity to raise our profile and celebrate the facilities we have in place to help people with these
rare disorders. “Users of our adult service told us they wanted their own dedicated space to come to, and feedback from them has been very positive. We are extremely grateful to the Charitable Foundation for funding the conversion of our rooms, and to Antony for coming along to make it a memorable day.” The Trust is one of 28 comprehensive care haemophilia centres in the country, with the adult service at St James’s being mirrored by a paediatric service based in the Leeds Children’s Hospital at Leeds General Infirmary. Haemophilia is an inherited condition that affects the blood’s ability to clot, and around 6,000 people in the UK are affected. Thanks to modern treatments a person with the condition can usually enjoy a good quality of life.
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Glove brings Hollywood technology to dementia research Researchers at LTHT are aiming to employ the state-of-the-art techniques used by Hollywood film-makers to make advances in medicine.
performed when the condition has already developed. Now it is hoped to be able to make a diagnosis earlier using the so-called “dementia glove”.
In a trial at Leeds General Infirmary, patients with Parkinson’s disease will be asked to wear special gloves containing motion sensors to track their movements in a simple test.
The work is part of research in Leeds to tackle neurological illnesses, among them dementia, multiple sclerosis
It is hoped the technology will help them pinpoint subtle changes in movement invisible to the human eye in those developing dementia linked to the illness. Around 127,000 people in the UK suffer from Parkinson’s disease and each year around 10% go on to develop dementia. Experts currently carry out a series of memory tests to diagnose Parkinson’srelated dementia but often these are
“If we could predict dementia, it would be useful for patients to have that prognosis early and give them the right access to treatment.” and epilepsy, which it is hoped will be significantly expanded by the £2m Yorkshire Brain Research Centre appeal launched earlier this year by the LTHT Charitable Foundation.
Jane Alty, a consultant neurologist with an interest in movement disorders including Parkinson’s, based at Leeds General Infirmary, said the glove measured movement in precise detail as patients performed a simple reach and grasp test to lift up a beaker and put it down. “If we could predict dementia, it would be useful for patients to have that prognosis early and give them the right access to treatment. The changes in movement are very subtle and you can’t immediately see them with the naked eye but the glove has movement sensors which picks them up.” The Yorkshire Brain Research Centre appeal aims to develop the range and breadth of research in Leeds by recruiting more staff and building infrastructure.
Research advance: Dr Stephen Smith, Dr Jeremy Cosgrove and Dr Jane Alty with the dementia gloves.
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News
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Keeping it real Organisational Learning hosted a successful ‘Back to the Floor’ event for staff from the Department of Health (DoH) and NHS Leadership Academy. This programme is part of a new initiative that started in the wake of the Francis Report. It suggested that civil servants should receive practical experience of frontline services, in order to help them in creating informed policies that work for the benefit of patients and staff in the NHS. The visitors from the DH and Leadership Academy followed staff as they went about their daily duties.
The goal was to immerse them in the reality of what happens day-to-day in a busy acute hospital. Efforts are now underway to arrange opportunities for DH colleagues to conduct more enquiry visits across all Clinical Service Units and operational services. Kyle Radge, LTHT Organisational Learning Practitioner, said: “It’s great to offer our colleagues from across the healthcare economy the opportunity to better understand what it means to work in a busy hospital. For many of them it’s a massive culture shock, but they leave
having had a positive experience.” Noshina Kiani, a Programme Coordinator for the NHS Leadership Academy, said: “It was really interesting to spend a week shadowing the Facilities and Estates team. It’s clear that even though staff may work with huge challenges/barriers, they still genuinely believe in what the NHS stands for and are passionate about patient care. “My week at the hospital offered a very real experience that made me question my own role, work practices and understanding of what it’s really like working in the NHS.”
Back to the floor: Jayne Collingwood and Kyle Radge from LTHT Organisational Learning with colleagues from the Department of Health and NHS Leadership Academy
Grateful thanks to top fundraiser Keen golfer and former patient, Richard Maltby, has raised over £94,000 for Trust charities over the last 12 years.
The money raised has been donated to support research into the treatment of patients with bowel and liver cancer.
Richard became a patient in the Trust in 2002 when he was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer. After several operations he has now been clear of disease for over 10 years.
Giles Toogood, Consultant surgeon in liver transplants, said: “This year the total amount raised by Richard is likely to exceed £100,000. This has required immense time and effort from Richard, his family and his friends. The monies have been gratefully received by the ‘Rays of Hope’ charity at St. James’s and also work led by Professor David SebagMontefiore at the University of Leeds.
It was whilst receiving chemotherapy that he started fundraising, setting up an annual golf event at Wetherby Golf Club. Over that time, friends and family have undertaken a variety of fundraising feats such a climbing Kilimanjaro, marathons, a masquerade ball, bowling and several one off donations.
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“Richard continues with amazing energy to raise more money which we both admire and gratefully receive.”
(l-r): Consultants Simon Ambrose and Professor Sebag-Montefiore, with Richard Maltby, Nicola Finkel, and Consultant Giles Toogood
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60 seconds
60 seconds busy, and I hate being bored so I try to pack as much as I can into my free time. I think my family are secretly relieved when I go back to work!
but it’s not really what I’d call a classic!).
What is your ideal holiday destination and why?
Gosh this is a hard question! Anything that is even a little bit interesting is a secret for a reason and so here is a little list of trivial stuff!
New Zealand, I lived there for a few years and I really miss the mountains, the beaches, all the snowboarding, water sports and hiking and, of course, the wineries!
What is your favourite food? Any kind of seafood.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Tanya Tordoff Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Major Trauma, has worked at the Trust for 5 years What do you do to wind down and relax after a hard week at work? Spend time with my children, family and friends. I love having adventures and being
A pilot in the RAF, then we went to war in Iraq and I realised that meant potentially killing people and so I decided it wasn’t for me. Better to mend people than break them!
What is your favourite film? Cry Freedom - it made such an impression on me the first time I saw it as a teenager and it still makes me cry (I really liked DodgeBall too
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust endorse any of the products or services.
Tell us something we don’t know about you …
I once spent quite a long time in the Amazon; I was christened in the same font as the Bronte’s; I cannot abide cheese sauce, wasps or TV talent shows; I have a strange fascination with particle physics and am currently trying to wangle a visit to CERN; I used to live next door to Shania Twain (well, her station backed onto my garden); I am secretly a massive Agatha Christie fan (ssshhh); I am radically opposed to ironing; I once went to the North Pole deliberately to meet Santa (before I had children!); I am a closet florist; I have been in 3 bus crashes, 1 boat accident a train derailment and a minor plane crash and people should think seriously about getting on public transport with me!
Every possible care has been taken to ensure that the information given in this publication is accurate. Whilst the publisher would be grateful to learn of any errors, they cannot accept any liability over and above the cost of the advertisement for loss there by caused. No reproduction by any method whatsoever of any part of this publication is permitted without written consent of the copyright owners.
Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd Britannic Chambers, 8A Carlton Road, Worksop, Nottinghamshire S80 1PH 01909 478822 | www.octagon.org.uk | info@octagon.org.uk
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OCTAGON DESIGN & M A RKE T I NG LT D
Working in partnership with the NHS • FT members’ magazines and literature • Mailing service and socio economic profiling • Annual reports, quality reports and summaries – print runs from as low as 10 copies • Advertising funded social care directories and information • Advertising funded staff magazines • Promotional items e.g. lanyards, pens, balloons, mugs etc • Ebooks
Britannic Chambers, 8A Carlton Road, Worksop, Nottinghamshire S80 1PH 01909 478822 | www.octagon.org.uk info@octagon.org.uk
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STRAFFORD - QUALITY BUILT IN
Strafford Fabrications specialising nationwide in the manufacture and installation of high quality staircases and handrail systems for domestic and commercial projects. We are able to offer a bespoke design and manufacturing service or supply products to reflect your own ideas whilst complying with current building regulations.
Our traditional or modern staircases can incorporate a wide variety of materials including satin and mirror polished stainless steel, brass and aluminium. Also glass and a wide range of hardwoods are used to compliment our metalwork. We can also offer a powder coating service with a full range of colours.
Unit 3 Strafford Industrial Park, Gilroyd Lane, Dodworth, Barnsley S75 3EJ Tel/Fax 01226 296767 Wayne 07766 943937 Brian 07818 258601 E-mail: info@straffordfabrications.co.uk
www.straffordfabrications.co.uk 30
Our experienced fitters complete installations quickly and considerately with minimum disruption to your property and ensure your complete satisfaction. We welcome enquiries from members of the public as well as architects and developers and will be pleased to advise on any queries you may have.
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Norton Connor Solicitors
A life well remembered lives on.
Expert solicitors with the personal touch Based on Town Street in Horsforth Norton Connor Solicitors offer a range of legal services delivered in a professional, friendly and highly accessible manner.
Planning, for the future. Flexible funeral plans.
Residential property, wills, probate, family law. 145 - 147 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds LS12 5BL
Tel: 0113 239 0088
from
ÂŁ2250
We provide one straightforward funeral plan that gives you maximum choice, financial security and an opportunity to remember and be remembered. You can call in at any of our funeral directors to set up the plan, or if you would prefer we can arrange a home visit.
Wm Dodgson & Son Funeral Services Harehills 0113 249 8849 Halton 0113 264 5587 Middleton Park 0113 270 6474
Moortown 0113 268 1603 Kippax 0113 287 2277
GH Dovener & Son Funeral Services West Park 0113 224 9788
Headingley 0113 224 1797
Designed & published by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd, Britannic Chambers, 8a Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts. S80 1PH Tel: 01909 478822
Fax: 0113 258 2715 Email: enquiries@nortonconnor.co.uk