The community magazine from the Royal United Hospitals Bath Fit for the Future (page 6)
Look good feel better (page 9)
insight ISSUE 41 SPRING 2019
Ringing the bell on cancer treatment
Child’s play (page 10)
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
RoyalUnited HospitalBath
@RUHBath
inside this issue 4&5 News roundup
Welcome Welcome to this spring edition of insight, our community magazine.
8&9 Keep fit, fight cancer
This is a wonderful time of year and we’re looking
10 A day in the life
forward to a busy and exciting 2019 at the RUH and across the Trust.
11 Patients’ stories
Some of our major projects to make the RUH Fit for the Future are coming to fruition. See page 6 for
Contributors
progress reports on our new RNHRD and Therapies Centre, our new Facial and Orthodontics department, and our modular ward that’ll enable us to carry out upgrading and refurbishment of 16 wards over the next few years. We’ll be welcoming our staff and patients from The ‘Min’ when they transfer to the RUH site later in the year. It’s the end of an era, but the beginning of a new future of further improved services and facilities in
Amanda Varey RUH sports star (page 7)
Josie and baby Ivy Their story (page 11)
first-rate, modern surroundings. On pages 8 and 9 you can read how our Living With and Beyond Cancer services are doing amazing work to ensure our patients get the care and support they need to lead as healthy and active a life as possible, for as long
Royal United Hospitals Bath 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 Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust endorse any of the products or services. 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. ©2019 Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, DN10 6AB
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as possible. And talking about being healthy and active, and with better weather arriving, perhaps it’s time to consider taking some outdoors exercise? Maybe you’ll be inspired by two of our staff who combine important clinical jobs here with top-level sporting success. You can read their stories on page 7. Best wishes and good health James Scott, Chief Executive
We’re smokefree and fighting fumes We’ve introduced a clear air campaign for 2019 at the RUH – by going smokefree and fighting fumes from vehicle exhausts.
thing for us to do, creating a healthier environment for our colleagues, our patients, our visitors and everyone who uses our site.
Firstly, we’re really proud that the RUH is now an entirely smokefree site. As a healthcare organisation it’s the right
Our clean air campaign began on 1 January. Smoking shelters were removed and smoking is now not permitted anywhere on Trust grounds. Vaping is allowed, outdoors and away from entrances and windows. We know that quitting smoking can be difficult, which is why we’re permitting people to vape. For staff, our Occupational Health team are ready to provide regular one-to-one help too, as it’s known that smokers are four times more likely to quit with support. Victoria Downing-Burn, RUH Deputy Director of People, said: “We hope that everyone will understand and respect our new smoke and tobacco-free policy. We’re grateful to all patients, visitors and staff who agree that we’re doing the right thing and are helping to provide a clean and healthy environment for everyone who uses the hospital.”
Switch off when you Drop Off We’re asking all drivers to switch off their engines when dropping off passengers at the RUH. It’s part of our new air quality campaign ‘Switch Off when you Drop Off’ designed to target idling vehicles – especially those that drop off or wait in the main entrance area. RUH Head of Sustainability Hayley Williams said: “We all know air pollution is bad for our health. As a health organisation we have a responsibility to do what we can to protect our patients, visitors, staff and local residents.”
Alongside promoting the ‘Switch Off when you Drop Off’ message, the RUH sustainability team – who are responsible for environmental issues at the hospital – have been working with local bus and taxi companies, as well as patient transport to encourage them to support the initiative too. Hayley said: “We hope people will get behind this campaign, so please, Switch Off when you Drop Off.” www.ruh.nhs.uk
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News Roundup Project SEARCH wins national award Congratulations to Project SEARCH, the partnership at the Trust that helps students with learning disabilities to find jobs, that’s been named a winner in the Health Service Journal (HSJ) national awards. Project SEARCH is a collaboration between the RUH Trust, Fosse Way School in Radstock and Virgin Care. Teacher Tony Kelly said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised by our health service peers for all the hard work we do and the positive impact Project SEARCH has on young people with learning disabilities.
Snow business A huge thank you to volunteer drivers and to all our staff who helped us to continue to run a safe and efficient service for our patients during February’s spectacular snowfall. Many staff went above and beyond to make it in to work and to help, where possible, prevent any disruption to patients. One person was even spotted sledging in! We have robust plans in place for periods of severe weather to ensure we can offer a full range of services. This includes planning for transportation for our staff and ensuring the hospital environment continues to be safe in severe cold and snow.
Project SEARCH is a one year course supported by the Trust that helps students aged 18-24 with learning disabilities to gain work experience and find jobs. The RUH enrols up to a dozen students on the programme and, from their classroom on site, they go out to into the hospital to work as trainees in around 40 departments and wards. A number have gone on to permanent employment with the Trust. Trust Chief Executive James Scott said: “I’m thrilled that the Project SEARCH team was won this award. The Trust is proud to employ people with learning disabilities. With Project SEARCH we help to provide our students with good instruction and tuition to enable them to perform in their roles, and significantly increase their prospects of full-time employment. The RUH is a better place because of them.” The Trust also had two other finalists shortlisted for HSJ awards. In the Patient Safety category, for improved outcomes for inpatients developing Sepsis and Acute Kidney Injury using Quality Improvement methodology; and in the Improving Outcomes through Learning and Development category, increasing capacity and capability in Quality Improvement resulting in improved patient care across the organisation.
There was an amazing and generous response to our social media call-out for 4x4 drivers. We are already in contact with agencies who may be able to support us with 4x4 transport, if needed, and the appeal for volunteer help was an additional measure, if we needed their support too. We are never complacent though, and we’re always looking at what went well and what more we can do to further prepare for the next time we’re faced with difficult weather conditions. 4
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Congratulations – Project SEARCH members with Chief Executive James Scott
Magic time for young patients Young patients are having a magic time when they visit the Children’s Unit – thanks to a generous gift from a former patient of 70 years ago. There’s now a new ‘magic carpet’ machine in the Children’s Therapies Unit, which can project more than 500 moving images onto the floor, not only to entertain youngsters but to help with their treatment too. Children can chase and pop bubbles, kick footballs and play a variety of educational games designed to suit all ages.
Playtime on the magic carpet
Emily Graham, Head of Children’s Therapies, said: “The magic carpet is an amazing addition to our resources. Our therapy team are using it to treat children with orthopaedic problems, and neurological and complex needs, as well as on the ward and in the hospital school. It’s a fantastic toy and a piece of technical equipment that will make a huge impact on the care we provide patients and their recovery.” The projector is a gift from the will of Peter Dabney, who was treated 70 years ago at the former Bath Orthopaedic Hospital and wanted to repay his gratitude. This is the second magic carpet at the RUH. The first was acquired following a successful bid to the Trust’s Innovation Panel – which supports and provides funds for projects to improve patient care and experience or increase efficiency across the hospital – by RUH Clinical Engineer Nana Odom and is available for any ward or department to use in the wider hospital.
New X-ray machine for cardiac care Cardiac patients at the RUH are now benefitting from a new X-ray machine that gives clearer and improved images of coronary arteries.
Going purple for premature babies We’ve been lighting up the front of the RUH in purple to help support international health awareness days. For World Prematurity Day we joined hospitals from all over the UK and worldwide to raise awareness of premature birth and the sometimes devastating impact it can have on families. Around the world, 15 million babies are born prematurely every year and one million of these will not survive. Sadly, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under five. The lighting up event was so successful, with scores of messages and posts on social media, that we repeated the exercise just before Christmas to mark Crohn’s and Colitis awareness week. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, affecting more than 300,000 people in the UK.
Our new catheter laboratory
Catheter Laboratory 1 at the RUH has recently been refurbished, including the control and equipment rooms, and the new X-ray machine – a GE Healthcare monoplane – installed. Sharon Slade, Specialist Radiographer, said: “The new X-ray machine provides us with a far clearer image of the coronary arteries, while its specialist software packages enable us to see and position coronary stents in far more detail. The machine is one of the newest from GE and will enable us to complete procedures using less radiation, which is beneficial to both patients and staff.”
The Catheter Laboratory at the RUH is where a variety of tests and procedures, including ablation, angiogram, angioplasty and the implantation of
pacemakers, are carried out. It is staffed by a team of specialists made up of cardiologists, radiographers, cardiac physiologists and nurses. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Fit for the Future
Some of our major building projects – making the RUH Fit for the Future Reception area, ne – are taking shape rapidly and nearing completion. w OMFS departm
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From the outside the RNHRD and Therapies Centre is still a hive of industry, with windows and cladding being fitted. Inside it’s equally busy with scores of skilled tradespeople – plumbers, bricklayers and electricians – hard at work. Empty rooms are being insulated, plastered and painted ready to become offices, treatment areas, changing cubicles and gymnasium space. Miles of pipework and cabling are being fitted to provide essential The new RNHRD and utilities like light, power, Therapies Centre heating and water. It’s a massive project and there’s still a lot to do – but the new Centre is on target for completion in early summer. Colleagues relocating from the RNHRD in Bath city centre have had behind the scenes visits, all part of their preparation to move into their new home later this year.
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Coming earlier, in March, is our new Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic Department (OMFS) in Zone C of the main hospital. Old offices and the former Chapel have been refashioned and a new storey built above the Lansdown restaurant to provide extra rooms. It’s an inventive use of space that will provide a centre of excellence for facial and orthodontic services.
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Our new modular ward is in place, being fitted out internally and linked to the main hospital. It will create the space to allow another 16 wards, one at a time, to move in while they New modular ward are upgraded and refurbished.
RNHRD on the move in Autumn
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– Bernard Ireland House architect’s drawings
Elsewhere, work is underway to extend and refurbish one of our residential buildings, Bernard Ireland House, to accommodate specialised services that are relocating from the Min later this year. It will provide specially-designed residential accommodation, group treatment areas including therapy and group rooms, office space and a dedicated therapeutic courtyard area. 6
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As buildings take shape inside and out, staff at the RNHRD are preparing for the big move in autumn, when services relocate from the Mineral Water Hospital building to the RUH site. The ‘Min’ building is a much loved landmark building in Bath, but our new facilities will allow us continue to provide high quality care in a modern environment tailored for patients and staff. If you’re currently a patient at the RNHRD, here is quick outline of what you can expect later in the year when services and staff join colleagues on the RUH site. We’ll be providing lots more information in the next edition of insight. Services provided at the ‘Min’
New location in autumn 2019
Bath Centre for Fatigue Services
The RNHRD and Therapies Centre.
Bath Centre for Pain Services
Bernard Ireland House.
Clinical measurement – Dexa
Nuclear Medicine.
Clinical measurement – Xray
Fracture clinic.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Complex Cancer Late Effects Rehabilitation services
RNHRD and Therapies Centre, with accommodation provided at Bernard Ireland House for residential group programmes.
Research and Development
Wolfson Centre, a purpose built unit on the RUH site.
Rheumatology services including specialist and general services and biologics
RNHRD and Therapies Centre, with accommodation provided at Bernard Ireland House for residential Ankylosing Spondylitis group programmes.
Therapies
RNHRD and Therapies Centre
RUH sporting superstars Our staff aren’t only experts in their field of healthcare – some of them also find time to combine important clinical jobs here with top-level sporting success. People like our Lead Critical Care Pharmacist Amanda Varey, who has been selected for the Team Bath 2019 netball squad. This is Amanda’s fourth spell with Team Bath, previously winning the Vitality Superleague title – the UK’s top level, elite netball competition – in 2010 and 2013. Amanda, who plays wing-attack, is an experienced international player with 44 senior international caps and having represented Wales at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Amanda Varey
season in the Netball Superleague and my fourth with Team Bath. I am extremely excited to finally be working within Bath whilst also competing for the Team Bath franchise. The RUH have been incredibly supportive of my sporting commitments enabling me to compete at this level. Both the Critical Care team and Pharmacy department have shown great interest in my achievements to date and I look forward to hopefully sharing more successes with them in the not too distant future.
You don’t have to have played before, be particularly sporty or super tall (although it helps!) It’s just a really great way to get active, have fun and meet new people. There are lots of local clubs around who are all very welcoming and always on the lookout for new members.”
Amanda said: “This will be my 11th
“I’d encourage anyone to consider taking up netball.
We also have a Commonwealth
Surgeon Serryth Colbert.
RUH in 2015. He continues to row
gold medallist rower in our midst
It’s just one of the many titles that Serryth won before joining the
competitively, having recently won
- Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial
Amanda in action
the Masters World Championships and now training for the 2019
Oarsome! Serryth (front) and his Minerva Bath crew
championships in Budapest. He said: “You can take up rowing at any age – I row at Minerva Bath Rowing Club where our youngest rower is 13 and our oldest is 74, and he’s still rowing internationally and winning gold medals. Like any exercise, it’s a great way to unwind after a busy day or a week’s work. Not only is it great for health and fitness but great fun too.” Serryth’s now training for the Bath Half Marathon, raising funds for his new department at the RUH. You can make a donation at www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/ specialappeals www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Moving On Up – helping you to We’re always being told that exercise is good for us – and that applies to anyone with cancer or who has had treatment for cancer.
The weekly Moving on Up class at the RUH Physiotherapy gym proves the point. Ask anyone taking part and they’ll tell you just how much better they feel. Clive Rathband, from Chippenham, had a stem cell transplant in August 2018. He said: “This is my ninth week. It’s really excellent – it’s a fantastic opportunity to improve. My strength and general fitness has increased tremendously. I have nothing but praise for the people who run these classes and get us to exercise.” Liz Davis, from Chippenham: “This is my eighth week and I just absolutely love it. Since my operation I have been suffering from anxiety for a year, and this is really helping with my wellbeing as well as getting my muscles going and giving me something to look forward to every week.” Magnus Macdonald, from Bradford on Avon: “The class is fantastic. It gets me off the sofa. I was suffering a bit of a loss of confidence about everything, but I’ve 8
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been coming here for ten weeks now and it’s addictive – I want to keep it up. It actually makes me feel that I’m putting myself back together again.” The class is taken through a range of circuit training disciplines, moving from one exercise station to the next every two minutes. Participants lift weights, do squats, step-ups and workouts on the treadmills and bikes. The exercise class is a stepping stone for people to return to physical activity in the community. Regitse Lewis, RUH Therapies Team Lead for Oncology and Palliative Care, said: “In the Moving On Up exercise class we have patients who are awaiting treatment for cancer, are having treatment for cancer or who have finished treatment for cancer. “The benefits of attending here are both the group support that you get as well as the increase in fitness levels, which can lead to an increase in physical function. There is preliminary evidence that physical activity may reduce the recurrence rate and the progression of some types of cancer. Furthermore, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, falls, depression, dementia and diabetes.” The final word and endorsement comes
from Joan Rathband, Clive’s wife. She said: “I’ve been here since he started the exercise programme about nine weeks ago. The incredible change in him physically, mentally and emotionally has been enormous. What this has given him are muscles, strength, self-confidence and self-esteem – and it’s made me confident that he can actually do things at home now for himself again. I can only thank the RUH and Macmillan and those who fund this.” The Therapies, Oncology and Palliative Care Team consists of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and a Live Well Coordinator based at the RUH. We work alongside Macmillan Cancer Support and Dorothy House to help you to live well with and beyond cancer. Please contact us for more information: Therapies Oncology Team: Email: ruh-tr.cancerrehab@nhs.net Tel: 01225 825596 Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre Email: ruh-tr.cancersupport@nhs.net Tel: 01225 824049
o live well with and beyond cancer Meet the RUH Bell Ringers A very special bell hangs in our Radiotherapy Department – a popular and important feature for patients that signals the end of their treatment and the start of the next stage of their life. The bell, donated by the charity End of Treatment Bells, has a plaque that reads: Facing the future – the LGFB team and patients
Look good feel better While it’s important to feel fit and strong, we recognise that personal appearance goes a long way towards helping people to face cancer with confidence.
‘I ring this bell three times well, Its toll to clearly say, my treatment’s done, this course is run, and I am on my way!’ We’ve spoken to three patients about what ringing the bell meant to them.
Kevin James At the end of my radiotherapy course for prostate cancer, I rang the bell so rigorously that it broke – much to the radiographers’ amusement! All the staff in the department are amazing, nothing is too much trouble. They explain exactly what is happening at every stage, putting you at ease and helping you feel as relaxed as possible. The staff seem to really enjoy the bell-ringing ceremonies, I certainly got the feeling that they genuinely cared and were happy for me. There are a lot of men and women going through the system with various forms of cancer and it’s the small things like this that make all the difference.
We work with Look Good Feel Better, (LGFB), the only international cancer support charity providing practical support for people struggling with the visible side effects of cancer treatment. People who attend the monthly pamper sessions learn how to use make-up and skincare techniques to help them combat the visible side effects of cancer. The groups, which host between 10 – 12 people, are run by volunteers with support from RUH and Macmillan staff. Evelyn Glasgow, LGFB volunteer said: “For ladies that attend the session at the hospital it’s a break from something medically happening. They come along to make their skin feel better and with the make-up it’s an uplifting experience for them and us. “We find that everyone comes in a little shy at first, because they don’t know anyone, and they leave a totally different person. Make-up can be a very powerful thing and it can help them face the world.” Patient, Julie Horner said: “I really enjoyed the session, it’s nice to have a focus and something different than a hospital appointment. Evelyn and Rhiannon were brilliant, sharing some very useful tips that I can take home.”
Peter Simkins It gave me something to look forward to. I noticed the bell whilst sitting in the waiting room on my very first day of treatment and I thought about what it would feel like to ring it. Over the course of my treatment I saw others ring the bell and happily congratulated them, each time looking forward to it being my turn. It means a huge amount to people, it signifies the end of what has usually been a long and difficult journey. On the day someone rings the bell, all the staff and patients gather around, often joined by some close friends or family invited to watch too. They may say start by saying a few words, often thanking the staff, and then finally ring the bell greeted by lots of applause and cheers.
Alphonso Archer On my second day of treatment, whilst sitting in the waiting room drinking my routine pint of water, several radiographers walked in and formed a guard of honour tunnel. A lady came through and everyone started clapping as she duly ‘rang the bell’. That second day bell ringing became my motivational countdown for the end of my 20 days of radiotherapy. I wanted it to be my turn, not just for it to be over, but for another chapter in my life to begin. My prostate cancer was caught early and for this I consider myself very lucky. Thanks to the team at the RUH for such high standards of care for which I am eternally grateful. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Child’s play – it’s just what the doctor ordered Play is a crucial part of the care we offer children and young people. Play helps children cope with any pain and fear while they are in hospital and can have a big influence on their recovery and overall hospital experience. Jo Powell is a Healthcare Play Specialist in our Children’s Unit. She told insight about why she loves her job. What’s your background? I trained as a nursery nurse when I was 18, and after a short spell of working as a nanny I started work as a nursery nurse on the Children’s Ward (ENT) at Bristol General Hospital. I joined the RUH as a nursery nurse in 1991 where I ran the pre-admissions programme for children, the Hedgehog Club. Why is play important in a hospital? Play in hospital helps children understand what will happen and why, what they need to do and how they might feel. We use it to alleviate fears and anxiety, promote recovery and to ensure an all-round better hospital experience. We have toys that we use to normalise medical procedures, such as Ernie who is a puppet with a cannula in one hand and ‘magic cream’ – local anaesthetic cream – on the other. Children can give Ernie medicine via the cannula or send him to ‘special sleep’ using a breathing mask and tube – he even snores! We also have a small model MRI scanner made out of Lego with moving parts so we can show children what to expect.
Model MRI scanner 10
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Play specialist Jo Powell with Ernie the snoring puppet
What do you enjoy most about your role? I enjoy referral work from consultants, often for children with chronic long-term conditions who are struggling to accept a procedure or have suffered a bad experience in the past. I see them on a regular basis in the run-up to a procedure and find it really rewarding when they go on to have a positive experience. Can you describe a typical day? My day begins at 7.30am with a handover from the multi-disciplinary night team. I then make sure the play room is safe and set up for the day ahead and prepare the morning activity. I will then visit any children going to theatre that day, preparing them through play for their procedure. Next I visit all the inpatients and speak to any new patients and their parents or guardians to explain our play facilities, encouraging a play room visit or individual play session if they are cubicle-bound. At 9.30am I will meet with the hospital school teacher and hand over any school age children. Then I check my diary for any planned MRIs and prepare for any visitors such as the giggle doctor or artist in residence.
In the afternoon, I’ll revisit inpatients and have extended play sessions with longer stay patients or patients in isolation. At 3.30pm it’s time to clear up and head home to relax with a long hot bubble bath! What skills make a great play specialist? I’d say the main ones are to always be compassionate, calm and adaptable, the ability to work autonomously and to be tactful, emotionally intelligent, confident and assertive. Also creativity and resourcefulness, as there’s not always funding so you need to make the most of what you’ve already got. How do you become a play specialist? You will need to gain registration with The Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust (HPSET) and a licence to practice by completing a Healthcare Play Specialism Foundation Degree. This is an integrated 2 year academic / workplace degree – offered at a number of locations – the closest to Bath being Cardiff and Vale College. If you weren’t a play specialist what would you be? That one’s easy - a florist.
Patient experience – helping us to do better We’re committed to ensuring that we give patients, their families and carers the best possible experience – and your feedback is a crucial part of helping us to achieve that. We actively engage with people who use our services, listening to what you say and making improvements where necessary. Which is what we did after hearing Josie and baby Ivy’s story and from Bridget and her son Harry. Both mothers told us of the practical difficulties they encountered in being able to stay close to their children on the wards – and we’ve since made the changes they asked for.
Josie & baby Ivy’s story
Bridget and Harry’s story
“I was told I needed an immediate C-section at 27 weeks and five days of my pregnancy. The anaesthetist I met first was really good and put me at my ease, making me laugh, and there were Josie so many professional people and Ivy around me, preparing me for theatre. The midwife stayed with me from the moment I arrived until after the C-section, and really helped me to keep calm.
“Harry is known on the Children’s Ward and, when he had a seizure on New Year’s Day in 2017, he was admitted and I was able to stay with him, sleeping on a chair that converts to a bed. I was very impressed with that.
“When Ivy was born she was taken straight to NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). I was really worried – I’d wanted to have the most natural birth possible. It was hard for me not to have that initial skin to skin contact with her. I was really upset. Eventually I was taken, in my bed, to see her for the first time. “When she came out of intensive care we were moved to a different room. This wasn’t explained to me and it was quite a shock to turn up one day to find she had moved. In intensive care the nurses were watching over Ivy all the time and checking she was happy and comfortable. In the new room I just felt there wasn’t as much help. I was still nervous about handling and changing Ivy and it would have been nice to have had someone watching and advising. I did feel quite alone in that room. Also it would be good to have a specialist to advise about breastfeeding and premature babies. Another difficulty was having to leave Ivy at night – that was really hard. I wanted to stay with her as much as possible. I think there should be the option of being able to stay in NICU next to your baby, because four or five parent rooms aren’t enough.” What we did As a result of Josie’s story, changes were made to improve the experience of parents in NICU. This includes making sure parents are consistently informed if their baby is moved; providing overnight beds for parents to stay beside their baby when the NICU accommodation is full; and implementing training for all staff on how to support mums to breastfeed their babies.
Bridget and Harry
“The next time he was admitted, in October 2017, he was 18 and was placed in the adult Respiratory ward. He was in an area with six men, one of whom was confused and talkative. I couldn’t leave Harry because he is vulnerable, and I’m his advocate and interpreter, so I stayed with him on an upright chair by his bed. I hardly got any sleep and by morning I was exhausted. “A similar thing happened the next month when Harry was admitted. This time I asked for and was given a reclining chair, which I was very grateful for and I managed to get some sleep. “It would be good if the hospital could provide some bedside chairs that can become beds in RUH adult wards, or that could be stored and brought out if needed. It could be flagged on Harry’s care plan and hospital passport. When you’re tired and stressed you don’t feel like trying to negotiate where to sleep. In Children’s they got to know us and would put us in a side or twin room.” What we did Bridget’s story was shared with the Learning Disability team who were successful in a bid to buy recliner chairs for the wards so that family carers can sleep comfortably next to their loved one. All wards have recliner chairs and ‘Family and Carer Boards’ are also on display in each ward highlighting the important role that carers play and that the hospital actively welcomes carers. Sharon Manhi, Lead for Patient and Carer Experience, said: “Honest and moving personal stories like these are absolutely vital to us to help us understand their experience of the care they have received. They help us to learn the good, the bad and what could be done to improve the experience of others in the future.“
To find out more about the work of the Patient Experience Team: Call: 01225 821735 Email ruh-tr.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Research at the Trust As a Trust we have a strong reputation for participating in national and worldwide research, helping to make vital contributions to public health and medical progress. Director of Research and Innovation Tim Craft said: “Research is good for patients, who benefit from being treated in research active hospitals and may have access to new drugs or treatments that might not otherwise be available to them. It’s good for the Trust. It helps to attract and retain high calibre staff, enhances the Trust’s reputation, and is an important source of income. It also helps to inform how we develop the hospital for the future. “This is a really exciting time for the Trust to be increasing its participation in research, with the UK government supporting the growth of life sciences research with significant additional funding.’’
Reducing antibiotic use We have joined a national research programme to look at ways of reducing the use of antibiotics and the growing threat of multi-drug resistant superbugs. This supports the NHS 10-year plan published in January which places antimicrobial resistance as one of its top five priorities for prevention of disease. The Antibiotic Review Kit (ARK) is a package of measures to help doctors, nurses, pharmacists and patients stop
using antibiotics in hospital when they are no longer needed. As well as enrolling hospital staff to the project, the ARK team are encouraging those patients on antibiotics to ask their doctor to review their antibiotics regularly. The RUH is one of 33 NHS Trusts taking part in the ARK Programme clinical study, which began in April 2017.
Smartphone tech and AI for arthritis patients Our researchers are helping to develop an app that allows arthritis patients to monitor their symptoms on a smartphone.
Our partnership with the healthtech company Living With and the University of Bath has been awarded a major grant to develop a Rheumatoid Arthritis
Flare Profiler. It will allow rheumatoid arthritis patients, using a smartphone, to capture disease activity data which will support clinicians to be able to offer timely and appropriate care. An arthritis flare-up is painful and can cause irreversible damage to joints if not treated. It’s hoped the new app and better monitoring will enable clinicians to see patients as soon as it is recognised they are experiencing a flare-up.
Genomes project hits 100,000 target We’re proud of the part we played in the nationwide 100,000 Genomes Project, which has reached its ambitious target of sequencing, or mapping, the genetic makeup of 100,000 NHS patients. The Trust was part of the West of England Genomic Medicine Centre (WEGMC), one of 13 such GMCs, which has contributed more than 4,000 whole genome samples taken from consenting patients and family members. The pioneering 100,000 Genomes Project was set up in 2012 with the goal of harnessing whole genome sequencing technology to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with rare inherited diseases and cancer. The aim was to make the UK a world leader in genomic medicine within five years.
Global breast cancer trial The Trust has become the first site in the UK and Europe to recruit a patient to a worldwide study testing a new combination of drugs to treat breast cancer. Dr Rebecca Bowen, RUH Consultant Medical Oncologist, who is leading 12
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the research study at the hospital, said: “We are delighted to be participating in such an interesting and important trial, allowing our patients to access future treatments which may further improve outcomes in metastatic breast cancer.”
The global study is looking at the effectiveness of combining the leukaemia drug venetoclax with the cancer drug fulvestrant, compared with using fulvestrant alone in women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Our hospital charity The Forever Friends Appeal is aiming to raise a minimum of £450,000 for the redevelopment and expansion of our Breast Unit, so it can continue to provide the very best facilities to help with the increased number of patients that we are seeing and treating every year. Around 6,000 referrals to the outpatients Breast Surgery Services are made every year and of these, 400 patients will be treated for cancer. To meet current demands, improve efficiency and provide a calming experience in a soothing environment, the Unit is in need of considerable redevelopment so we can enhance the exceptional service already provided to support patients living with and beyond cancer.
space for essential survivorship support from dedicated staff, quiet rooms for privacy and dignity where staff can carry out holistic needs assessments, assist patients with prosthetic fittings and an outside area for private retreats. Where appropriate patients using the newly developed Breast Unit will also have access to the facilities of the new Macmillan WISH Centre being built as part of the new Dyson Cancer Centre at the RUH.
Thanks to the changes in cancer care we celebrate the news that patients today are now living with cancer much longer than ever before. The redevelopment will see staff support patients with advice and counselling from a dedicated support centre within the Breast Unit, in the months and years after they leave hospital or complete their treatment. A new waiting area will provide a more welcoming and calming atmosphere. The Unit will have a new area for mammographic and MRI reporting, enlarged consultation suites and examination areas and a dedicated treatment room which will be pivotal in our approach to reducing the length of stay in hospital for patients.
With a significant anonymous donation made to the Breast Unit Special Appeal last year, The Forever Friends Appeal has a minimum of £300,000 left to raise and they are appealing to the public for support.
Help us fundraise for the Breast Unit.
By expanding the Unit, there will also be
Your donations in support of this project will enable us to create a superb new Breast Unit, which will improve the patient experience for current patients and for all those who will be referred to the RUH for breast cancer investigations and treatment in the future. There are many ways you can help us reach our fundraising target for the Breast Unit:
Visit our website for more information. Donate – make a one-off donation to the Breast Unit Appeal on our website or set up a monthly direct debit Take part in one of our events – visit our website for more details. Organise a fundraising event – at work or at home with friends and family Leave a gift in your Will – a gift large or small will help towards patient care in the future Volunteer your time – help support our events, help in your community or become an Ambassador. This year, our hospital charity, The Forever Friends Appeal is celebrating a significant milestone - 20 years of fundraising for the RUH. Since 1999, over £23million has been raised, funding major projects to make a real difference to our patients and their families. To find out about the history of the Appeal and its current fundraising campaigns, visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk.
Attend a Forever Friends Appeal ‘Open Evening’ at the Breast Unit between 6pm – 8pm on Wednesday 17th April to hear from staff about its work and how you can support this important Appeal.
www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Membership news
New patient transport service
Caring for you 2019/20 Schedule Thank you to all of our members who took part in the recent Caring for You survey. These are events specifically devised for our members and the public on a range of interesting subjects. They offer you the chance to hear what happens behind the scenes, telling you more about the hospital and the services we provide. We always invite a guest speaker or a clinical team to give you a first-hand account of their day-to-day work. We had a great response to our survey, and it’s been quite a job to decide what topics will be on this year’s schedule. Please bear in mind that these events are becoming very popular with our members, so do make sure you book your places quickly for the subjects that interest you. • All meetings will be held in the Post Graduate Medical Centre (Dept. B20) from 6-7:30pm. • Places must be booked in advance, so please contact the Membership Office on 01225 821262 or email RUHmembership@nhs.net Title
Date
The Value of Therapies
13th March 2019
Research & Development at the RUH
28th May 2019
The Role of Carers in Hospital
23rd July 2019
New Developments at the RUH
3rd September 2019
Restart a Heart
24th October 2019
Medicines Optimisation
13th November 2019
Stroke
21st January 2020
Emergency Department – Working Together
March 2020
Contact us... To book your place at an event, sign up as a member, or find out more about the benefits of membership you can contact the Membership Office on 01225 821262 or ruhmembership@nhs.net 14
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Members at their annual meeting asked about planned changes in the nonemergency patient transport service in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. It has now been announced that, from 1 June 2019, it will be provided by E-zec Medical Transport Services – a family-run company focused on delivering high quality, safe, effective transportation for patients to and from a healthcare setting. E-zec delivers services across the UK and currently provides nonemergency patient transport services across Bristol, Somerset and South Gloucestershire. We are working closely with the company to ensure a smooth transfer of services to benefit our patients. Mark Harris, Chief Operating Officer, Wiltshire CCG said: “We are delighted to be working with E-zec to deliver a non-emergency patient transport service for patients across BaNES, Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Ensuring patients have a great experience when using the service is our priority, and we have carefully designed the contract with E-zec to provide this.”
Can you help our membership grow? We aim to increase our public membership each year, please see our membership form on the next page of this magazine.
Membership and business planning Our Governors play an important role in the drafting of The Trust’s Annual Operational Plan, focusing on key priorities for the coming year and linking these to the Trust’s longer term strategic vision and goals. Our 2018/19 priorities include • our new staff engagement programme Improving Together, empowering staff to make improvements to benefit the care we provide to our patients. • Improving the flow of patients through the healthcare system • Enhancing medicines safety and further improving our care of deteriorating patients. • Quality accounts – including keeping mother and babies together, reducing waiting times for diagnostic tests, ensuring patients go to theatre within 36 hours of admission, and listening to patients and carers to improve services. Governors are involved in a variety of ways in the Trust’s business planning process.
Member Feedback Governors use feedback they receive throughout the year to influence the Business Plan for the next year. Member feedback is gathered through: • Governor Constituency Meetings • General feedback • Caring for You events • Annual General Meeting Your feedback is extremely important to us. By telling us about your experience, good or bad, it means that we can better understand what is important to you, what we are doing well and where there are areas where we need to make improvements. We believe it is important to hear your feedback in order to help us to improve the services that we provide. All of our member feedback is collated and taken to our Council of Governor meeting for review. Feedback is used by our Governors to influence the Trust’s Quality Accounts Priorities as well as the Trust’s Business Plan. Our Governor Strategy and Business Planning Working Group, chaired by Helen Rogers, Public Governor for North East Somerset, reviews plans and strategies regarding the future of the hospital, ensuring members views are represented and the needs of the community. At Governor Away Days, Governors review the Trust’s planning process and member feedback is used to influence the strategic plan. Governors take part in discussion groups on a wide range of Trust topics together with the Board of Directors. Brian Stables, Chairman said: “As you see, our Governors are busy people with an important role to play in the organisation and wellbeing of the Trust, our staff and the community we serve. They aim to ensure that the public is at the heart of everything we do.”
Discover your voice
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Become a member of RUH
Pass on this membership form to friends and family so that they can help support the RUH by receiving this magazine. What is RUH membership? Being a member provides you with an opportunity to influence how your hospital is run and the services we provide. It’s a great way to keep up to date with and offers a way for you to be more involved if you wish. Membership is completely FREE to anyone aged 16+
Title ......... First Name ..................................................... Surname ........................................................................... Address ............................................................................ ......................................................................................... ............................................. Postcode ........................... Telephone ......................................................................... Email address .................................................................... Date of birth ........... / ........... / ........... Gender:
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Signature ........................................................................ Date ................................................................................ By submitting this form I agree to be a member of the NHS Foundation Trust and be bound by the rules of the organisation. These rules are subject to legislation and the agreement of a written constitution. Full details can be found on our website, www.ruh.nhs.uk/membership
I would like to ■ Keep in touch; receive our quarterly magazine ■ Get involved; attend events and take part in surveys to help us improve our services ■ Work with the Foundation Trust; consider being a future governor Please return your completed form to: Freepost RSLZ-GHKGUKKL, RUH Membership Office, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG The Foundation Trust is required to keep a public register of our members’ names and constituency. If you do not wish to be on this register, please tick here ■ Your details will be held on a database and will be used by the RUH to provide you with information about the work of the Foundation Trust. The information you provide remains confidential and will be held and managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998).
www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Art at the Making Artsparks on the wards Our Artsparks hands-on sessions have been very busy over the past few months, with our visiting artists working alongside children and their families and with medical students and Norland nannies. We have two artists, Edwina Bridgeman and Charlotte Stowell, who have varying styles and work with different materials. They have worked with several young patients with mental health issues. In one of Edwina’s workshops, participants spent time drawing on felt and then transformed their drawings by sewing them in to 3D objects. These objects have become comforters. The ward is a place where young people do not have the same peer pressure as at school and it is valuable for them to have the opportunity to make and play in ways that may seem below their age level. Edwina Bridgeman said: “My aim is to create a space that feels safe and non-judgemental. I often work with the young people at their bedside or, for those feeling slightly more robust, in the playroom. On these occasions I often witness patients offering mutual support to each other which is very encouraging. A student nurse had been observing me at the bedside of a patient and was upset that she may display a lack of care because of the amount of time she was able to spend with each patient. I reassured her that this was absolutely not the case, but it made me think about how frustrating it must be for some staff not to be able to spend the time that they would like to with patients. Being able to spend quality time with patients is at the core of our work.”
Young patients and their Artsparks creations
Art at the Heart are Bath Life Awards 2019 finalists Art at the Heart of the RUH has been shortlisted in the Health and Wellbeing category for the Bath Life Awards 2019. Art at the Heart was established 15 years ago and has grown from a small seed of an idea – a corridor becoming an exhibition space – to a substantial programme which now brings several different established strands of visual, participatory, performing arts and heritage to the hospital community. Thank you to all our supporters in 2018 and we look forward to a new year of great projects with RUH patients, visitors and staff.
Volunteer opportunity We are pleased that Artsparks will continue through 2019 with special thanks to Friends of the RUH who will be funding this project from March. Thank you to St John’s Foundation for their support with funding Artsparks from February 2017 – February 2019 and thank you to Bath Decorative and Fine Art Society (NADFAS) for contributing to the cost of art materials. 16
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We are looking for volunteers who would be interested in accompanying our visiting musicians around the OPU (Older Patient Unit) wards as they perform for patients and their families. The lunchtime performances takes place at 1-1.30pm in a public area such as the RUH Atrium, and two wards are visited in the afternoon from 1.45 – 3.30pm. These performances generally take place on a Friday afternoon, monthly. Volunteers will get to enjoy listening to wonderful live music from professional musicians, and engage and chat with patients. For more information please contact Art at the Heart’s Music Coordinator, Frankie Simpkins f.simpkins@nhs.net Art at the Heart is working alongside The Forever Friends Appeal ‘Friendly Faces’ dementia project. Our musician and artists can help to train volunteers so that they are able to assist or deliver their own workshops on the wards.
of the RUH EXHIBITIONS CENTRAL GALLERY: 1st February 28th April 2019 Show me the Colour - an exhibition from Marshfield Screenprinters
Respiratory ward team winners
Respiratory Ward Weddings The Respiratory Ward team were awarded team of the month in December 2018 for arranging two very special wedding services on the ward, at which our resident musician Frankie Simpkins sang. Frankie The ward team listened to these Simpkins two patients and their partners entertains and recognised their wishes to be married and the urgency to support this, as both patients were nearing the end of life. The chaplaincy team, the celebrants and registrar, and musician Frankie collaborated to make a special day happen in the most difficult of situations. The chaplaincy team supported the couples with the preparations for the registrar and the wedding services that they wished to have, and Frankie sang and played beautifully. This was a huge undertaking in very short period of time.
RNHRD Heritage We are making good progress on the curation of the 18th Century portraits at the Mineral Water Hospital. Three will be loaned to No 1 Royal Crescent in April for their temporary exhibition ‘Image Control’ taking place from 13th April 2019 to 1st January 2020. In preparation these paintings and pastel portrait will be sent to two specialist conservators based in Cornwall who will undertake conservation work on the paintings, the structure and frame, to be returned in good condition. We intend to carry out essential conservation on the whole William Hoare of Bath, self-portrait collection of paintings and pastels portraits in the collection.
This show is the first time that artists Sarah Targett, Dominique Coiffait, Kate Clark and Elena Zitrone will have exhibited as a group. Whilst their styles and themes differ greatly they all share a passion for using colour and print and this exhibition will celebrate both. All the exhibited works will be produced using printing techniques and will vary in price from £50 – £500. All four artists are printmakers and met at Marshfield Screen Print, a small print studio just outside of Bath, to produce many prints like those shown here. Kate and Sarah currently use screenprinting exclusively to realise their work. Dominique, a member of Bath Artist Printmakers, predominantly works with linocuts and Elena uses a wide range of techniques alongside screenprinting such as lithography and etching. Print by Sarah Targett
Print by Dominique Coiffait
Jason Dorley-Brown Jason’s work has been influenced by his years in the photo industry. He has a passion for colour, symmetry, abstract and pop art along with using and mixing ‘old school’ and modern techniques to create imagery.
Print by Jason Dorley-Brown www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Brexit – an update As insight goes to print the news headlines continue to be dominated by Brexit. We’re working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the possible outcomes, with regular meetings of our Brexit Resilience Task and Finish Group. The Trust will continue to monitor the dynamic situation, further develop and test our business continuity plans, risk assess and take action locally and as directed by regulators and the Department for Health & Social Care.
Our shared strategy As we continue to work towards our shared strategy – which includes our vision ‘to provide the highest quality of care; delivered by an outstanding team who all live by our values’ – we’ve created a short video to explain our journey in a bit more detail. In 2017 we asked for your feedback as we developed our strategy for the next three years. As part of this your comments helped to shape our five key goals which will guide our work every day and make
NHS Long Term Plan The NHS Long Term Plan will save almost half a million more lives, with practical action on major killer conditions and investment in world class, cutting edge treatments, and provides a blueprint to make the NHS fit for the future. The plan has been developed by frontline staff, patient groups and other experts. The focus is on making sure everyone gets the best start in life, delivering world-class care for major health problems and supporting people to age well. It sets out how we can overcome the challenges the NHS faces, such as staff shortages and growing demand for services, by doing things differently, preventing illness and tackling health inequalities, backing our workforce, making better use of data and digital technology and getting the most out of taxpayers’ investment in the NHS. We are currently reviewing the detail of the plan and will work with our NHS and local council partners across the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire sustainability and transformation partnership (STP) to develop our local plan for the next five years. There will be opportunities to help shape what that looks like. To find out more about the NHS Long Term Plan visit www.longtermplan.nhs.uk 18
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a real difference to the care we provide. This is how we’ll see our ambitious vision become a reality. These goals are known as our ‘True North’. For each goal we have measures to keep us on track. Our staff all play a part in achieving them in different ways, no matter what their job role is or what band they are. Our True North will guide us in achieving our vision and becoming the best Trust we can possibly be together – living our vision for our colleagues, for our patients and for our communities. Our video explains this in a bit more detail. You can find this on our website – click on ‘About Us’ and then ‘Strategic Plan.’ It will also be on our digital screens across the Trust, and on social media. You can read the full strategy document, Improving Together Strategic Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21 on the website.
Transforming Maternity Services Thanks to everyone who took part in our Transforming Maternity Services Together consultation, which came to an end in February. We’ve seen tremendous interest in the proposal for change to maternity services across the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Local Maternity System (LMS). More than 1,000 people have shared their views through our online survey, written to us or attended one of our public events, drop in sessions or market stalls. We’ve also been out and about in the community capturing the views of people who might not be able to make it to a meeting. Head of Nursing and Midwifery Sarah Merritt said: “We’ve had an amazing response, thank you to everyone who shared their views. All the feedback will be independently analysed by the University of Bath’s Centre for Healthcare Innovation and Improvement and used to help
make a final decision on the proposed changes. Nothing has been decided at this point and no changes can be made until and formal decision has been made by Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Groups. “We’re not proposing to reduce how much we spend, reduce the amount of staff we have or close any buildings as a result of this proposal. However, we are proposing to make some changes, such as the introduction of an Alongside Midwifery Unit, and supporting births in two rather than four of our Freestanding Midwifery Units.”
www.friendsoftheruh.org.uk | 01225 824046 | ruh-tr.volunteers@nhs.net
The Friends of the RUH is a voluntary organisation that provides amenities and comforts for patients and relatives which could not otherwise be provided by the NHS. It also organises volunteers to work across the hospital, fundraise, and run a café and shop that are open seven days a week.
Volunteers Needed We’re always keen to hear from people willing to give their time and help to make a difference. Manager of Volunteer Services Samantha Nolan said: “Our team do a wide variety of jobs around the hospital but right now we are in need of volunteers to staff our shop and café. If you can spare some time to be part of our friendly team, as much or as little as you like, then we would love to hear from you. “All our volunteers receive full training, free car parking and travel expenses. You can volunteer at any age with any level of experience. It’s a great way to boost your CV, learn some new skills and make some new friends.” Friends of the RUH volunteer Terri Lawrence said: “I volunteer in the shop and on the shop trolley. It’s great fun and extremely rewarding, it keeps me out of trouble and I’ve met some lovely and very interesting people along the way. A smiling face and a listening ear can mean a great deal to patients during what could be a very difficult time for them.”
Can you join our volunteering team?
Volunteer Thank You Party Lansdown Cricket Club Thursday 6th June – 6.30pm To secure your place RSVP to: 01225 824046 or ruh-tr.volunteers@nhs.net
Congratulations to pets as therapy volunteer Martin Fricker – who visits the wards with his golden retriever Fudge – for winning the RUH Volunteer Recognition Award, a welldeserved accolade.
Come and join our friendly team! We are looking for: • Shop volunteers – 3 hour shifts available seven days a week • Coffee shop volunteers – 3 hour shifts available Monday to Friday • Mini Shop Trolley – 2 hour shifts available seven days a week • Physiotherapy Equipment Maintenance – A variety of flexible shifts available
Hospital favourites Martin and Fudge.
Our Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday 30th April at 3.00pm in the Post Graduate Centre (B20). Followed by light refreshments in the friends coffee shop (B18). RSVP by the 26th April on 01225 824046 or ruh-tr.volunteers@nhs.net www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Building Resilience in people, enterprises and communities St John’s Foundation work to build resilient communities. Our work includes a Community Outreach Service offering a varied programme of inspiring opportunities for people aged 55 plus.
Call us or visit our website to find out more about our wider work, including almshouse provision and individual funding support.
T: 01225 486400 www.stjohnsbath.org.uk Reg Charity No: 201476
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Designed by: Octagon Design and Marketing Ltd, Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN10 6AB. Tel: 01302 714528
Our “What’s On Guide” is packed full of details of events, opportunities and classes for people over 55 in Bath and the surrounding area. Please let us know if you would like a copy.