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Insight

THE MAGAZINE FOR NORTHAMPTON GENERAL HOSPITAL PATIENTS AND VISITORS Northampton General Hospital

Spring 2016 ❘ Issue 58

NHS Trust

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BEHIND THE SCENES to keep the hospital running smoothly – See page 18

Supported by the Northamptonshire Health Charitable Fund

 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S COLUMN

PRESSURE CONTINUES, BUT HOPE BECKONS Urgent care continues to be our main concern, and this dominates all our efforts, impacting negatively on staff as well as patients, with delays to elective procedures and risks to quality of care. Our performance against the 4-hour urgent care standard has again been poor recently and this is partly because there is a continual difficulty in discharging medically fit patients. Pressure continued through what proved to be a relatively mild winter, with more admissions than last year, more referrals in medicine than ever before and the acuity of patients reaching its highest level. It is clear that, in order to really become efficient, we do need to have some more acute hospital beds. We cannot keep running the hospital with 100% of our acute beds full at all times. Our task for this year is therefore to set out the case that shows that by investing in 60 more beds we will be offering better and more efficient care so covering the cost of the investment. With the support of our regulators and commissioners, we could create two additional wards at the Cliftonville end of the site, ensuring that we develop new ways of working to maximise efficiency and cover the costs required. We have already been successful this year in obtaining loans for capital equipment to replace high cost items such as linear accelerators, CT scanners and MRI scanners. This type of loan is at an affordable interest rate and is currently the best way to finance this expenditure. Keeping our patients safe during the winter and pulling together during the junior doctors’ strikes tested all of us, and I’m proud of the efforts of ‘Team NGH’ in meeting the challenges. We still get some great compliments that stress the friendly, caring nature of our people - even when it is very busy. We’re very much hoping that more beds in 2016 will mean that we can continue to improve our services and ensure all our patients receive their care in the most appropriate location without delay.

Dr Sonia Swart

Chief Executive Northampton General Hospital

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Download our app and watch the video! Insight is now more than a magazine! Welcome to another edition with added video content, which you can see on your smartphone or tablet with our amazing new app, NGH Plus. Just download the app from the App Store or Google Play, follow the instructions below, then point it at the photos which show the ‘Scan photo for video’ symbol here. Download the NGH Plus app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).

Point your device at the photos where you see the AR content logo pictured right – and wait for the surprise. Double tap for a full-screen.

Open the app with a simple tap.

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MORE INSIGHTS FROM SONIA WITH OUR NEW NGH PLUS APP W

ith our new NGH Plus app, you can now see and hear our chief executive Dr Sonia Swart as well as read her regular column in Insight. Simply point your phone or tablet at the image below and watch her latest quarterly update about life at Northampton General Hospital.

NEWS 

Brian Stone BEM

VOLUNTEER BRIAN IS HONOURED B

rian Stone, one of our Friends of NGH volunteers, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours. Brian, aged 77, was nominated for providing more than 20 years’ service to a range of charities and organisations in Northampton since his retirement from the borough council. However his association with NGH goes back much further – as 60 years ago, aged just 17, he used to deliver the dinner trolleys from the hospital kitchens to patients on the wards every Sunday! Since then, his many volunteer roles have included being a church visitor to care homes (firstly with Mount Pleasant and then Milton Malsor Baptist churches), home visitor for Northamptonshire Association for the Blind, membership secretary for the NHS Retirement Fellowship, Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, fire victim supporter, cycling proficiency examiner for RoSPA – and many more! Since 2001 he has been a volunteer with the Friends of NGH, first as a guide and buggy driver, and now as a ward visitor. Despite currently suffering from prostate cancer himself, Brian found the time to visit lonely, elderly patients last Christmas. He said he was “absolutely amazed” by the award and that he got a lot of enjoyment out of his voluntary work. “I had been out shopping when I returned to find a letter from the Cabinet Office on the mat. It said I had got an award for services to the community in Northampton. “I was amazed. I don’t really know what I have done to deserve

it. My wife Hilary deserves a lot of credit as she has been very understanding when I have spent time volunteering on Christmas and Boxing Day.”

Brian talks to a patient on Althorp ward

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 PEOPLE NEWS

NATIONAL AWARD FOR LISA AND THE TEAM C

ongratulations to our Macmillan lung cancer nurse specialist Lisa Wells, who has won a national award for leadership and innovation in cancer nursing - the Lynn Adams Award presented by the UK Oncology Nursing Society. Lisa, along with Julie Reece, Rebecca Tapp and Georgie Morris, developed a proactive model of care which enables them to assess and prioritise the holistic needs of lung cancer patients – and provide personalised support either in their own home or in clinic. They run a telephone support clinic and contact patients proactively to find out how they’re coping. They also operate a rapid response system to help implement a care package or equipment at home to help people remain in their own home. Lisa said: “We try to pick up the problems early and stop them building up to crisis point. We’ve always tried to be

proactive, but this really is a totally It’s been a real patient-focused team effort so the approach and it award is a nice makes a huge acknowledgement and positive of the hard work difference to the care of patients.” that we’ve put in. “It’s been a real team effort so the award is a nice acknowledgement of the hard work that we’ve put in and the challenges we’ve overcome. It endorses the project and the very good outcomes it has achieved for patients. I was presented with a certificate and plaque at conference, but for me personally the greatest reward was to be able to stand up and present at that national oncology forum in front of very senior cancer nurse colleagues.”

Strictly gifts from Glynis and Debbie

Two of our Strictly NGH contestants from last year have presented equipment to hospital departments as a result of their fundraising efforts. Firstly, a big well done to child services PA Glynis Miles, who donated half her Strictly NGH sponsorship money to buy toys for the child development centre. Glynis raised a total including gift aid of £780, which has been split equally between the CDC and the children’s hearing clinic. The CDC team, who see pre-school children who may have a delay in their development or some other special need, are headed by lead nurse Bridget Mold. Bridget, seen here accepting the gifts, said: “We’re very grateful to Glynis for her generous donation, which means that we have been able to buy some new toys and replace some of our more worn items. “Being tucked away on the second floor means that we’re not one of the most high-profile departments, but it’s lovely when we’re remembered in this way. The children will really appreciate the new toys.”

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Director of operations and deputy chief executive Deborah Needham also took part in Strictly last year, having seen her boss take part the year before. She said: “I thought I would give it a go, it looked fun and I was keen to learn!” Deborah raised over £1,500 which she chose to donate to Dryden cardiology ward. “From the age of 39 my father had quite significant cardiac problems, having had several operations and, at the age of 52, he suffered a massive heart attack,” she said. The ward purchased some telemetry equipment, which is a simple and effective way of heart monitoring for patients on the ward. “Learning to dance was much more difficult than I anticipated and, being quite shy, I found it hard to put on a show on the actual night!” said Deborah. My dance partner was amazing and he put a lot of hours in of his own time helping me to get the steps right. “The whole Strictly NGH team had such a good time, it’s a memory I will keep forever. Due to work pressure over the busy winter period I haven’t managed to get to any more classes, but I do hope to start again in the spring.”

NGH NEWS 

FIRST PATIENT IS TREATED ON NEW LINAC MACHINE Scan the photo to watch a video of Glynis talking about her treatment

Glynis Albrighton, the first patient to receive treatment on the new machine with her oncology consultant Dr Qurrat Mehmood

atients receiving radiotherapy treatment at NGH are benefiting from the first phase of a £5.5 million programme to upgrade our linear accelerator cancer machines. Glynis Albrighton was the first patient to be treated on the first linear accelerator (linac) machine to be installed as part of the replacement programme. She said: “I didn’t know what to expect, but as soon as I came in, everyone was so comforting - explaining everything to me, showing me the machine, explaining what would happen and what the after-effects would be. I felt very confident in everybody.” The new machine is housed in a purpose-

designed converted building connected to the main hospital site by a new glass walkway. Consultant oncologist Dr Craig Knighton said: “With our three existing linac machines all coming to end of their life at the same time and needing to be replaced, the timing was perfect for us to look at the bigger picture to see how we could improve the overall experience of our radiotherapy patients. “With the three new machines, Northampton will be one of the most advanced centres for radiotherapy in the country, with benefits including a greater range of therapies, reduced side effects, and improved positioning of patients producing

better accuracy in targeting cancer cells.” Dr Qurrat Mehmood, consultant clinical oncologist and Mrs Albrighton’s consultant said: “This machine gives superior imaging with the facility of CT scanning, and that gives the detail in making sure the treatment that you’ve planned and designed for the patient is actually the treatment that’s being delivered with regard to the accuracy. “Our patients will benefit from having the reassurance that we’re doing more targeted treatments which should result in better cure rates, and also that we’ll be able to lower the long and short term side effects to tissue that doesn’t need radiotherapy.”

A look on the inside… A linear accelerator is the device most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer. It is used to treat all parts of the body by delivering high-energy x-rays to the region of the patient’s tumour. And this is what a linac looks like on the inside! Before another old machine was dismantled for recycling and replacement, staff took off the covers to demonstrate to staff and patients how the technology works.

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 THERAPIES

Improving the patient experience in Therapies

Patient Allison Harris from Daventry is assessed in the new kitchen area by occupational therapist Winifred Lalule

NEW KITCHEN GYM ENABLES ALL ROUND ASSESSMENTS A

new kitchen facility has been built in the hospital’s inpatient gym, which means that therapies staff can now more easily do full assessments to check whether patients are safe to be discharged home. Head of therapies and limb centre Liz Aldridge explained: “Patients come to the gym to practise their mobility, balance and stamina using physiotherapy equipment. Having the new kitchen area means that they can also try out practical activities

like making a hot drink or food to see how safe they will be on discharge, and whether any equipment or help will be needed at home. “It means that we can carry out both occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy assessments and treatment in the same place, and away from the ward. By doing joint assessments (OT and physio) there is more effective sharing of information, and therapists can more quickly draw

up a treatment plan with the patient to meet their goals for leaving hospital.” Ongoing therapy treatment is often carried out by therapy technical instructors and therapy assistants, who are trained in both occupational therapy and physiotherapy techniques. Liz added: “The new kitchen has advantages for patients and staff. We can maximise the benefit patients get from their therapy session, and it helps make best use of staff time and their skills and expertise.”

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy – what’s the difference? Patients are often confused about these two types of therapists. There are lots of similarities, but here’s one definition of the differences: Physiotherapists primarily assess and treat the mechanical and physiological functioning of the human body when affected by disease, illness, accident or surgery. This includes an assessment of breathing and circulation as well as the ability to move about to prevent pressure sores and mobilise safely. Specific exercise

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regimes are given to help heal and strengthen, and equipment may be used to aid recovery and rehabilitation. Physiotherapists work out of hours on-call to treat patients who are having difficulties with their breathing, using techniques to help the patient cough and clear their lungs. Occupational therapists (often abbreviated to OT) assess and improve the ability of a person to carry out essential activities of daily living for returning to their home environment

through teaching different techniques, providing equipment and /or making recommendations for ongoing support. For example, being able to use the toilet, wash and dress, get out of a chair, make food and drink and adapt to life with a disability. The patient’s ability to see, hear, feel, understand, plan and carry out the activities involved in everyday tasks is assessed to ensure that any risks to their safety are identified and addressed.

TREATING FINGER FRACTURES WITHOUT SURGERY T

herapies are now using a new and the middle finger of her left hand in exciting non-surgical solution to December when she tripped up a kerb and improve the recovery from landed awkwardly. A review by an complex finger fractures, freeing orthopaedic surgeon following up valuable theatre time and her visit to A&E quickly resources, reducing pain, resulted in a referral to our infection and stiffness, and hand therapy team where, We’ve treated leading to a faster recovery she was told, surgery several patients for patients. might be avoided with the so far with Two of our senior new method of healing. excellent results. hand therapists have Senior hand therapist been trained in the new Kate Wakefield technique, known as traction explained: “It is a splinting, and our first patients technique designed by Sarah are reporting a high level of Bradley at Poole Hospital for satisfaction with the procedure. the management of complex finger Abigail Goodes from Kingsthorpe broke fractures, and is known as the Poole

THERAPIES 

Improving the patient experience in Therapies

finger traction splint. It involves the application of a gentle force to the finger or thumb to provide stability to the fracture site. Traditional types of traction splinting required some surgery or they didn’t allow any movement of the finger during healing, which led to finger stiffness. “This type of traction does not require any surgery and provides enough stability to the fracture to allow early movement while healing takes place. This reduces swelling and stiffness and, because there is no surgical procedure involved, the risk of infection and other complications are minimised. More than one finger can be treated at the same time and results are usually seen quite quickly. “We’ve treated several patients so far with excellent results. All have avoided the need for surgery, which is better for them - and also for the hospital because we can use theatre time for other patients.” Abigail had to wear the splint for around three weeks and, despite knocking it badly at one point, soon made good progress and was almost back to normal after following a gentle exercise routine. She said: “The hand therapy team are brilliant - they’re really committed and accommodating. I was really pleased to be able to have early morning appointment slots so that I could still get to work.”

Limb Centre users please get in touch

Abigail Goodes (left) with senior hand therapist Kate Wakefield. Our other hand therapist doing traction splinting is Alice Church.

The Limb Centre at NGH, which provides multi-disciplinary prosthetic rehabilitaion for amputees and people with congenital limb deficiencies, is now also part of the Therapies directorate. The centre is re-launching its user group and newsletter. Users of the service are warmly invited to learn more about this by contacting the Limb Centre direct on 01604 545891.

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 NEONATAL CARE

The family of Dr Gosset join NGH staff and families who received care from Gosset ward, and (below right) Dr Harry Gosset

CELEBRATION MARKS 50 YEARS OF SPECIALIST BABY CARE F

amily and former colleagues of pioneering children’s doctor Isaac Henry “Harry” Gosset recently gathered to mark 50 years of specialist care for premature babies. They were joined by parents and babies who had first-hand experience of the care provided at the 50-year-old Gosset neonatal ward at an event to celebrate the life of Northampton’s first

Unveiling of commemorative plaque outside Gosset ward

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consultant paediatrician. Dr Gosset worked hard to plan for the much-needed ward but sadly died just three weeks before it opened. Chief Executive Dr Sonia Swart said: “Dr Gosset’s pioneering work in neonatal medicine and the successful establishment of premature baby care in Northampton is an important and ongoing legacy. From the outset he was determined to provide the very highest quality and most progressive care to the children of Northamptonshire. And this is an ethos which we continue to share today. “Fifty years after its opening, the Gosset unit proudly bears his name and continues to uphold the ideals from which he devoted his practice.” Dr Andrew N Williams, consultant community paediatrician and curator of the hospital archive, said: “Dr Gosset was a pioneer in neonatal care and set up one of the first premature baby units in the UK. His invention, the icterometer – which helped to measure jaundice - undoubtedly prevented severe disability in many children.” Parents and babies were well represented at the event. Katy Powis, clinical educator on Gosset ward, read a letter from mum Theresa Wright who said: “The staff in Gosset are amazing! Watching them work with our babies melts my heart. They treat them with so much care. To me this made it easier to go home at night. Gosset made me feel safer in knowing my son was in caring hands.” See more of Theresa’s letter on our website at http://bit.ly/1PVX66Q

SMOKE FREE 

Stop before your op – and get well sooner Whatever the reason for your stay in hospital, don’t let cigarettes make it even longer! Quitting before or during your hospital visit can speed up your recovery and reduce the risk of complications. If you are coming in to hospital for an operation, and you are a smoker, we strongly advise you to stop smoking as soon as possible because this will help you make the best possible recovery. Why? After an operation non-smokers are less likely to suffer ill effects from an anaesthetic. They will usually make a quicker recovery than smokers, with less complications, and an operation scar is likely to heal more quickly.  Giving up smoking before your operation can reduce the risk of complications and improve your recovery  As soon as you quit smoking your body begins to repair itself straight away  The longer you manage to stay stopped the more repair work your body can do  Research shows that on average, smokers spend two days longer in hospital recovering from an operation than non smokers If you smoke you are more likely to develop chest infections and blood clots in your legs or

lungs after an operation. Your wounds will be slower to heal and you will generally make a slower recovery. You may also be at more risk of infection than non-smokers.  Smokers have a one-in-three risk of postoperative breathing problems  Also, smokers are twice as likely to be admitted to hospital in the first place  Smoking can also contribute to the development of post-operative lung and heart problems  Smokers are 12 times more likely to develop wound healing complications Don’t just take our word for it. Download our video and listen to what surgeon Mr Alistair Jepson and anaesthetist Dr Chris Frerk have to say. The wisest thing for you to do is to give up smoking completely as soon as possible. NGH is a smoke-free site. If you don’t feel ready to quit smoking, please consider nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches to make your stay more comfortable and safe. These products can be used instead of smoking for a short period of time while you are in hospital. The longer you have stopped smoking before your operation the better, but it is important that you are on NRT before you come in to hospital.

How can you stop? Stopping smoking can be difficult, but with a trained Stop Smoking Advisor it is much easier and you’re up to four times more likely to quit successfully! We understand that different things work for different people, so our free and confidential local service will help you find what’s right for you. Contact the Northamptonshire NHS Stop Smoking Service today Call 0845 601 3116 or email: Smokefree@nhft.nhs.uk Or visit the national website smokefree.nhs.uk

Stop before your op. YOU can do it. We can help.

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NGH PEOPLE 1 W

Many congratulations to our first group of healthcare assistants who undertook four hears of hard parttime study to graduate with the Open University Diploma in Higher Education of Adult Nursing – they’re now fully fledged nurses! A big well done to (left to right, front row) Philip Turricki, Charlotte Ray, Debbie Cooke, Monika Stawiatz and, not shown, Lucy Bazeley-Chambers. Staff within Main Theatres, including Geoff Smith and Steve Wolstencroft seen here, have created a mini gym using two exercise bikes donated by staff members with the help of the charities team. Staff can use the bikes before and after work or during breaks to do High Intensity Training – of which it’s been shown that as little as 10 minutes a day can improve both physical and mental wellbeing. Discharge coordinator Kate Chaplin has retired after 47 years at NGH, having first joined the health service as a pre-nurse in 1966. Kate worked as a staff nurse, then ward sister, before taking on her latest role nine years ago. She said: “I’ve really enjoyed working here, and every day has brought new things.” We wish her well and hope that she enjoys being off on her travels again soon! National Care Certificates were introduced in 2015 to help encourage quality and consistency in care provided by healthcare assistants across the UK, and here is director of nursing Carolyn Fox presenting certificates to some of our first cohort of 29 HCAs to achieve the qualification. Well done all of you! Congratulations to divisional manager Matt Tucker who recently graduated from Birmingham University with a MSc in Healthcare Leadership following a two-year programme of study that he said had “three golden threads running through it: care quality, patient experience and equality and diversity”. Congratulations to skin cancer coordinator Emily Roberts, who won three months of Trilogy gym sessions with a personal trainer - thanks to a free draw for those taking part

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in our staff opinion survey. Emily was already a member of the on-site gym, having returned when Trilogy took over the facility last year. She said: “I’m very happy with everything here, it’s very well equipped and very convenient if you work on site.” A big well done to everyone who took part in our Quality Improvement Day, which showcased projects by participants in our Aspiring to Excellence leadership course, registrar management and development course, and presentations of audits to highlight quality and safety improvements. Seen here is Dr Rianna Burrill, whose audit on I’m very happy with antibiotics for everything here, it’s early onset very well equipped neonatal and very convenient infection was if you work on site. judged to be one of the winning presentations.. Well done to Anna Desborough, Pauline Gibbings and Hollie Watts who were out and about raising awareness of the symptoms of mouth cancer and the importance of early detection. The head and neck cancer team were based in the Green House in the Grosvenor Centre where they indulged in a Blue Lip Selfie – part of this year’s national awareness campaign. Well done to Sarah Love and Hemali Tailor from the medical equipment library who both decided to donate some of their long hair to the Little Princess Trust, the charity that provides real hair wigs to boys and girls that have sadly lost their own hair through cancer treatment. Welcome to Olivia Clymer who has joined the NGH board as a non-executive director. Olivia’s early career was spent with the Environment Agency, which subsequently led to roles in related areas in both the public and private sector. Her experience and interests in social care, systems transformation, mental health and advocacy will we are sure be a valuable addition to our board.

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RADIOLOGY’S NEW PICC SERVICE  RADIOLOGY

New technology and a new way of working are speeding up treatment of patients needing intravenous therapy, and helping them get home sooner

ccess for patients requiring a peripherally inserted central catheter, or PICC, has been transformed by a new service provided by nurses and radiographers in the NGH radiology department. A PICC is a thin, soft flexible hollow tube inserted through a vein in the arm, whose tip ends in a large vein near the heart. The majority of patients requiring a PICC are receiving chemotherapy but it can also be used for other types of intravenous treatment (including total parenteral nutrition, or antibiotics therapy), monitoring or interventions such as repeated blood sampling. Consultant radiologist Dr Amanda

Bisset said: “As well as being more clinical lead Dr Bisset to transform comfortable for patients, sparing a disused corner of the radiology them from repeated needle sticks and department into a purpose designed protecting small veins from the room for the PICC insertions. irritating effects of some They now provide a intravenous medication, the centralised service for all lines can allow patients to NGH patients who require The lines can leave hospital and receive this procedure. allow patients to treatment at home. This Joanna said: “It’s a leave hospital and results in a more positive service that was provided experience for patients, only in oncology and receive treatment as well as releasing much haematology for their at home. needed capacity within patients, but there are the hospital.” other reasons why PICCs are Radiology superintendent needed, besides chemotherapy. Alison Edwards and lead PICC For instance a patient might need nurse Joanna Brown worked with it for intravenous antibiotic therapy, to

“T h fo r PI wh a da u so m e f Lead nurse Joanna Brown (right) and radiology assistant Carol Daly track the positioning of a PICC line into a patient

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The PICC team (left to right) senior staff nurse Sinead Stancombe, radiology assistant Irene Aldrich, consultant radiologist Dr Amanda Bisset, superintendent radiography Alison Edwards, radiographer Stuart Poole, PICC line lead nurse Joanna Brown, radiology assistant Carol Daly.

help them continue their treatment at home. It was often difficult for doctors to get appointments for a PICC line insertion for a non-oncology/haematology patient – and that sometimes would mean a longer hospital stay for the patient. This service will help improve patient experience by enabling them to have their treatment in their own home. Two Above all, the members of staff, new service is a radiology great example of nurse departments within Sinead the hospital working Stancombe

together.

h a n k y ou b o t h s o m u ch h e l p t od a y g ett i n g t h e I C C li n e i n. Y ou m a d e at cou ld h a ve be e n a nt i n g ex pe rie n ce i nt o et hi n g re l a x ing a nd f u n. God ble ss.”

and radiographer Stuart Poole, were trained to carry out the procedure, and now work alongside Joanna to provide a daily service that fills that gap. It has more than doubled capacity to over 80 potential appointments each month, each line insertion taking between 60 – 90 minutes to complete. Joanna said: “We have adopted some new medical technology – known as the Sherlock tip confirmation system – which uses magnetic and ECG realtime tracking of the tip of the PICC during insertion. This helps to position it accurately and avoid the need for a subsequent chest x-ray to confirm that it is in place. It means that the PICC

can be used straight away without delay, reducing the time to treatment, and the time spent in hospital.” Dr Bisset added: “We’ve also produced a new after-care booklet to help reduce complications such as line displacement and infection. The improved record keeping and centralisation of the service within radiology means that results are now easily audited. “Above all, the new service is a great example of departments within the hospital working together across their normal boundaries. Staff within oncology and haematology worked with us in radiology, and have been extremely helpful in getting this service off the ground.”

What is a PICC line? A peripherally inserted central catheter is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time (eg, for chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy, or intravenous feeding). It is a thin tube that enters the body through the skin at a peripheral site such as the upper arm, extends to a large blood vessel near the heart, and stays in place for days or weeks.

A PICC line

Diagram showing placement of a PICC line

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 CHARITABLE FUND

(Left to right) Sandra Adcock, Caroline Donaghy, Alison McCulloch and Denise Marchant

MEET OUR CHARITY TEAM N

orthamptonshire Health Charitable Fund is the charity that supports NGH, and also mental and community healthcare across Northamptonshire. Alison, Caroline, Denise and Sandra are a friendly, enthusiastic team who have over 20 years of experience between them, and they are passionate about how the charity can help provide the best possible facilities for our patients, visitors and staff. Community fundraiser Alison McCulloch said: “The hospital receives government funding for healthcare but there is always so much more that we can do. Thanks to generous donations from the public and local businesses we are able to provide those extras that help being in hospital more comfortable.” The team has recently helped donors and fundraisers with scores of events to support the £350,000 refurbishment of our chemotherapy suite, as well as provide state-of-the-art equipment for the simulation suite, and a much-needed transport incubator and a parents’ room for Gosset (neonatal) ward. “There are literally hundreds of ways you can raise money for the charity,” said Alison, “from taking part in an event to organising 14 ❘ Insight

your very own. You are welcome to fundraise or donate funds to the department or ward of your choice, or we can let you know which area in the hospital is in need at the time. “We always need extra support so whether you’re holding a cake sale or running a marathon why not think of making a donation to support your local hospital. You would be joining an incredible group of people who give their time, talents and creativity to help thousands of local patients and their families when they need it most. “We would love to hear from you and find out how we can help you with your donation or fundraising. Perhaps we can promote your event, help set up a justgiving page, lend you a charity t-shirt or a donation can, or you might need an A-Z list of fundraising ideas! “Our supporters range from teens to their nineties, and every penny we receive goes towards making a real difference. Why not get your family, work colleagues or school friends involved to help make it even more of a success? “Your support will help to make life better for many people and could potentially benefit you and your loved ones

in the future. Whatever you decide to do this year, do something extra special and please help us provide the best possible care for our community.”

What we do  Enhance patient care and family support by providing those extras that help make being in the hospital more comfortable  Improve the hospital environment to provide a more welcoming and attractive space for staff, patients and their families  Contribute to clinical research  Help staff to develop their keep their skills and knowledge up to date  Provide state of the art specialist medical equipment that can reduce treatment time and improve outcomes for patients

How you can get in touch The charity team are based at NGH, and we’re here to help so please give us a call on 01604 545091. Our office is open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm but please leave a message if we happen to be out. You can email us at greenheart@ngh.nhs.uk Find us on Facebook - Northamptonshire Health Charitable Fund

PORTERS KEEP THE HOSPITAL MOVING

BEHIND THE SCENES 

eet some of a team of 75 people that NGH really could not do without. Our porters have always played a vital role in moving patients between waiting areas, wards, clinics, theatres and the discharge suite. With the hospital becoming busier all the time, their help in maintaining the ‘flow’ around the hospital is proving increasingly valuable. As well as transporting patients, porters also carry out many other important duties. They move beds, medical equipment and furniture, fetch new mattresses, blood and gases, deliver the post, give directions to patients and

Stephen Somers

help out in countless other ways. Portering supervisor Phil Briggs said: “We’re the first port of call for the site team or on-call managers when they need something in a hurry. It’s a very diverse role and we try to respond to every call as quickly and as professionally as we can. “We do everything, we’re everywhere, and we’ve seen it all. We’re everywhere from the labour ward and theatres to the mortuary. We see birth and death and everything in between. “I’m very proud of the job that we do. We go home at the end of the week and know that we’ve earned our money!” And the porter’s role, like the rest of the hospital, is getting busier. Patient movements alone have been increasing from 14,000 a month to over 19,000 during the last two years, and are on course to reach a yearly total of 200,000 by March 2016. Coordinator Stephen Somers takes all the calls that come through from the wards and clinics for patient transfers – plus requests to remove confidential waste, supply and move equipment and everything else – and issues them to the porters available. He said: “We can get up to 200 calls a day,

the phone is non-stop and we have people coming in all the time. It’s very, very intense and the guys are on the go all the time, and they have to be coordinated through me as the central point.” It’s usually an 8.30am – 5.00pm job for Stephen because most of the workload comes through when clinics are running, but there’s never a dull moment. “There’s a lot of pressure, and it’s a far cry from my previous customer service management job in the private sector, but I still enjoy it after almost seven years in the role.” Despite the variety of tasks and the increasing workload, it’s the human aspect of the job that brings satisfaction to both the porters and the patients. Compliment letters often come from patients thanking the surgeons and nurses for ensuring that their stay in hospital led to a successful outcome. But very often they will also mention the porters, and many other ‘behind the scenes’ staff, for their care and attention. Adrian Bryan – known throughout the hospital as ‘Ady’ – is a porter in his tenth year of service. Ady said: “I think it’s the best job in the world. I do get job satisfaction, and if I can make just a little >>

Scan the photo to watch a video of our porters in action

Just some of our 75-strong team of porters

Insight ❘ 15

 BEHIND THE SCENES

16 ❘ Insight

“The porter who took me for an x-ray wheeled me down to EAU, the porters who took me for my CT scan, were amazing, professional and dedicated, caring people - I would like to say a very big thank you to them for all caring so much”

Porters keep the hospital moving continued

‘Ady’ Bryan

bit of difference to someone’s welfare it makes my day. “The medical team talk to patients about their condition and treatment, and sometimes that’s not always pleasant – so when a porter comes along we can change the subject and be a breath of fresh air. We’ll talk to them about anything, and if I can put a smile on their face I know I’ve done my job.” Ady spent 25 years in engineering before his career change and doesn’t regret a single moment in becoming a porter. “It’s hard graft, make no mistake. You’re on your feet all the time and it’s certainly very physical – there’s no need to go to the gym! The workload’s increasing, and we do so much more than people think. But I never clock watch as I’ve done in previous jobs. If it’s a job you like it’s very fulfilling to say the least. I even miss the place when I’m not here.” James Ross also changed careers two and a half years ago when wanted a job he would both find rewarding and keep him fit

and active. He said: “I’d actually retired, but before that I was a London taxi driver. I do quite a few miles in a day here too. “Most of all I like the patient contact. Sometimes when you pick a patient up they can be quite down, so if you have a chat or a joke – or just listen – it can lighten their day a bit and there’s a lot of satisfaction in that. Occasionally people don’t want to talk, and you get a feeling for that. “It’s a pretty similar career to taxi driving really – picking people up and taking them where they want to go. The difference here is that it’s the other way around. I get to see the back of their heads and they don’t get to see mine!”

Insight ❘ 17

 BEHIND THE SCENES

YOUR FILE’S IN THEIR HANDS

Meet some of our 69 medical records staff - another team working ‘behind the scenes’ to ensure that the hospital runs efficiently

ith over a quarter of a million for everyone who comes into hospital.” sets of patient notes stored on Kathy Clarke is a member of the site, and up to 1,800 patients ‘access’ team within the department, being seen every day at NGH, there’s a who provide copies of records required by major task for our medical records team patients, solicitors and the police, under to ensure that notes needed for the terms of appropriate legislation. appointments, admissions and “Each request has a deadline, operations are stored safely some more urgent than and delivered where and others, and every week our We’re always when they’re needed. team of five receive about conscious that these “We scan the barcodes 80 requests,” said Kathy. are not just pieces of on every file to track “Some patients have them wherever they have paper or electronic five or six volumes of been taken to, and we data, they’re notes, possibly more, so have an accuracy of 98.25 whereas some requests patients’ histories per cent,” said manager may take us only a and patients’ lives. Craig Smith, “and even matter of minutes, others with emergency admissions can easily take two or three we can often have the notes on days to complete. the ward before the patient has “We have a lot of requests by even arrived there.” telephone, with patients wanting different “We have 260,000 sets of notes stored sorts of information. A lot of people just in the main library or portakabins on site, want to know their blood group for instance. another 112,000 stored off site, and around But we can’t give out information by phone 220,000 that we’ve scanned for retrieval because we have to check the identity of the electronically,” said Craig. “However we’re person asking, and then send it by post to always conscious that these are not just them. We have a form people can complete pieces of paper or electronic data, they’re if they want access to their records and we patients’ histories and patients’ lives. Our department has a really crucial role to play always check their ID.”

Craig Smith

18 ❘ Insight

Kathy Clarke

Kevin Barton

Space is at a premium in the filing area, so the paper records stored on carousels are regularly culled. Lita Hickey and Jackie Palmer both work in the archiving team, who are responsible for culling and scanning the files to make them available for electronic retrieval by medical staff instead. Lita said: “When an adult patient >>

Richard Thwaite

Lita Hickey and Jackie Palmer

Insight â?˜ 19

 BEHIND THE SCENES

A few of our 69 medical records staff

hasn’t been into the hospital for two years, or a child for five years, we cull their files, strip them down, prep them so they’re suitable for feeding into one of the two scanners (named ‘George’ and ‘Mildred’). After a validator has checked that it’s been done correctly and everything’s in order it’s uploaded to Documentum, so everything can be accessed online.”

Richard Wheeler

20 ❘ Insight

Jackie said: “It’s a constant job and at departments across the site. He deals the moment we’re on a major cull of the with eight or nine clinics a day, including filing room because the carousels are very some at our Danetre site in Daventry, each overloaded so we’re taking off all the typically containing between six and folders we can. And then we have 12 patients or more. the major task of prepping “Unfortunately we do them all and getting them spend quite a lot of time The job keeps me on to the system. It seems looking for files that are quite fit, and I have a never ending task, but missing. They might there are 18 of us and simply be misfiled on the an app on my phone we’re a determined team next carousel but more that tells me how - plus we’re getting an likely they’re in another many steps I do. extra scanner to increase department and haven’t The most I’ve done our capacity. The aim is to been tracked or returned. in a day is 30,000. be fully digital by 2020.” We chase them up to get Richard Thwaite is them back in time for clinic, known as the RIP clerk, and in urgent cases will go out responsible for everything related to look for them.” to deceased patients. He said: “I make Kevin Barton is one of eight sure that iPM (the hospital’s electronic medical records porters who distribute patient management system) is up to picked files to all the different departments date, all the notes are looked after, stored around the hospital, ensuring they’re carefully and available for whenever tracked and delivered on time, and they’re needed. We keep notes here for a collecting used notes to bring back for year after someone dies, then for another filing. Kevin has a dual role in that he also seven years off-site.” works as a medical records clerk too. Richard Wheeler is one of 25 medical “We get to see all areas of the hospital,” records clerks responsible for a designated he said. It’s quite a tiring job but I like it clinical area, who ensure that sets of because I enjoy the freedom of being out notes get to the clinics on time for patient and about, walking, and the interaction appointments. Each day he gets a list of with other people. The job keeps me quite clinics taking place seven days later, and fit, and I have an app on my phone that sets about retrieving the files and placing tells me how many steps I do. The most I’ve them ready for portering to the various done in a day is 30,000.”

CLOSER LINKS FOR NGH AND UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS 

GH and the University of The university and hospital will Northampton have announced pool resources on a variety of projects, a research agreement to further drawing on each other’s strengths to improve the care of hospital patients and improve patient care. The agreement the wellbeing of local people. will allow staff and students of both Closer links between the University of organisations to collaborate across a Northampton’s Institute of Health range of subject areas. and Wellbeing and the hospital NGH chief executive Dr Sonia will pave the way for academic Swart said: “This development research to be put into paves the way for a more practice and open up new meaningful research Collaboration can opportunities for research alliance between our only make each of projects to improve health organisations and the the organisations and wellbeing. exploration of new areas stronger together. It Announcing the for future research. formation of a long-term “We already have is an exciting time!” partnership agreement, a proactive in-house the two organisations research and development team and we strive to signed a Memorandum of promote a culture of learning Understanding. They will work and innovation at NGH. We’re together on biological, medical and very excited about the potential for health related research, for the this partnership to bring about direct benefit of people in the county and improvements in patient care and safety further afield.

as well as improving the overall wellbeing of our local population.” Thanks to the new agreement, university academics will have access to real-time clinical environments, equipment, staff and patients to apply their research findings. Professor Carol Phillips, Director of the University’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are very pleased to have begun this collaboration and we have already started to work on a number of joint projects and ideas. Some of our research students have recently spent time in the pathology department and a number of our student nurses are involved in ‘hands on’ audits that have the potential to lead to improvements in patient care. We look forward to working together for the benefit of patients, carers and families - collaboration can only make each of the organisations stronger together. It is an exciting time!”

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr Sonia Swart, NGH chief executive and Professor Nick Petford, vice chancellor of the University of Northampton

Insight ❘ 21

 STROKE SERVICES

STROKE EXERCISES PAY OFF FOR GYM USERS O

ur Community Stroke Team are doing some amazing work, alongside a gym in Daventry, to help stroke patients regain their fitness and reduce the risk of further health problems. Physiotherapist Leanna Dennis decided to set up an exercise group with the assistance of rehabilitation assistant Kelsey Sprintall after a successful pilot showed that patients made huge physical and psychological gains by attending the group – so much so that commissioners provided funding to recruit additional staff to run it. The group started last October at Reach for Health gym in Daventry, and now runs

all year round, alternating between that confidence, poor facilities and lack of access site and Lodge Park in Corby. to local gyms and so on, people with stroke Leanna said: “One of the team’s have not been able to take part in goals is to promote secondary organised exercise regularly or prevention of stroke within easily. That’s why I decided our stroke population. to set up this group in To have this Alongside taking your Northamptonshire. It’s opportunity is a medication and FAST one of a kind as it is run godsend. I feel awareness, lifestyle in collaboration with the modifications – such gym’s own instructors stronger, more as healthy eating and and personal trainers.” confident and I don’t exercise - are the key Participants attend need my walking aid way to decrease your a ten-week programme as much now. risk of stroke. However at the gym, where they due to the physical effects follow a cardiovascular and of the stroke, decreased selfstrengthening programme

Back row, left to right: Selina Lilayut, Pete Swales, Wadge Grzelak, Alan Colsey, Dan Billington, Martin Featon. Front: Liz Mayo, Kate Seychell, Harriet Crossley, Leanna Dennis, Simon Collins

22 ❘ Insight

set up by the physiotherapists and rehabilitation assistants along with the gym instructors. Access is available to all gym facilities including cardiovascular equipment such as the treadmill, bike or rowing machine - and weights machines, hand weights or thera-bands (resistance bands) for strengthening. The community stroke team commit four to five staff to help the three staff at the gym run the group, and then gradually reduce this number over the weeks as gym staff and patients become more confident. Leanna said: “The group currently consists of ten patients - five with mild stroke deficits, three with moderate deficits and two severe stroke patients. We did not want to exclude any patient from attending the group as we see that the more severe patients are At the first session the ones that may need we carry out a the most assistance but series of outcome they can also make the measures, discuss most gains. what patients would “At the first session we carry out a series of like to achieve, and outcome measures, discuss set goals. what patients would like to achieve, and set goals. This patients who attended the helps us determine their starting group have a lower risk of point, and we repeat the outcome falling. Almost everyone felt that measures again at the last session to their mood, quality of life, function, measure their progress with walking speed, confidence and general wellbeing had distance, balance, quality of life, mood and improved significantly.” goal attainment. One participant said: “To have this “The results show that all patients opportunity is a godsend. I feel stronger, increased their walking speed, and more confident and I don’t need my the distance they were able to walk walking aid as much now. My wife in six minutes by at least 50 metres. joined the gym at the same time, and Our balance assessments show that she can do some things for herself as

well now. I have the stamina to walk from the car park into the supermarket and up and down two aisles now before I need a rest. I am working on goals to improve it further as I joined the gym towards the end of the programme. I’m comfortable in the gym and all the staff there are great.” This stroke specific exercise group is only available to patients who have been seen by the community stroke team from 2015.

Insight ❘ 23

 CHARITABLE FUND

Thank you!

Here are just a few of the many generous donations we have received over recent weeks. Every gift, large or small, enables us to provide that little bit extra to help care for our patients, and we are very grateful to you all – thank you so much.

All donations to the hospital are managed, separately from NHS finances, by the trustees of the Northamptonshire Health Charitable Fund, a registered charity. If you would like to make a donation, or be involved in raising money for NGH, please contact our fundraising office on 01604 545857. Please visit our website for more fundraising stories and details of how you can get involved www.nghgreenheart.co.uk

Bucks Masonic donate new specialised couch

Childrens Wards given new floor cleaning machine Thanks to staff at Tennant Floor cleaning company who have supported Paddington children’s ward by raising £1,258 including a donation by GE Capital Equipment Finance. The money was raised by organising a very successful family fun day with lots of activities ranging from ride-on cleaner races to putting managers in the stocks! Jon Corns and Paul Bateman from the company presented the ward with a new scrubber dryer floor cleaning machine and trained the staff in how to use it.

24 ❘ Insight

big thank you to the Bucks Masonic centenary fund, who have donated a new specialised couch/ bed costing £1,800 to the NGH oncology department, which treats many patients from the North Bucks and surrounding areas as well as from Northamptonshire. The couch is a multi-functional and practical bed which enables patients to either lay back flat or be held upright during examination.

Robin Galvin, a Freemason of Golden Fleece Lodge, was the driving force behind this donation. Robin’s wife was an NGH oncology patient and he wanted to thank them for the “excellent treatment she received and the kind and caring way that she was looked after”. The new couch will be used in a newly converted treatment room where patients can be more relaxed and comfortable at what is a most stressful and worrying time.

Heartfelt thanks to Avery Healthcare Thank you to staff from Avery Healthcare’s Spencer House and Cliftonville homes, who chose to support Dryden ward and the cardiac unit as they had personal links to the ward and department. They raised £1,286.88 bytaking part in an 8-hour treadmill challenge and holding a Summer Fayre. Their donation will be used to make changes to the layout of Dryden Ward to improve efficiency and enhance patient experience.

Last Christmas (you gave us your hearts!)

A toast to netball big breakfast ladies

hree women who play netball for various teams across the county raised funds for oncology by organising a Big Breakfast during the Netball World Cup. Yvonne Blunt, Kelly Walker and Michelle

Last Christmas is now just a distant memory for most of us, but we couldn’t let this issue pass without thanking you all for your overwhelming response to our Christmas Appeal. Your generosity astounded us, and wrapping and delivering all the wonderful presents for our patients was a truly moving experience for all of us. Along with further donations from the local community, the charity was able to give every patient in hospital a gift on Christmas day. Thank you one and all from the bottom of our hearts! Thanks too to our community partners, including the Coventry Building Society’s Northampton branch which kindly accepted presents from the public as an alternative drop off point.

Coles presented a £480 cheque towards our chemotherapy suite refurbishment. They chose to support the appeal as Michelle’s sister was treated there recently. Well done and thank you!

Northampton Lions support the Chemo Suite Cancer patient June Wilkinson came in to meet the staff in the Chemotherapy suite and present them with a cheque for £250. The money was raised by the Northampton Lions, of which June is a member, through the staging of an Autumn Fayre they held at the Beehive in October.

Insight ❘ 25

EMERGENCY SIMULATION AIDS AIR AMBULANCE STAFF  EMERGENCY TRAINING

ir ambulance doctors and input from our midwives, gynaecologists, paramedics from across the UK neonatologists, anaesthetists and emergency have been learning how to cope with medicine consultants so there’s a huge emergencies involving pregnant women and amount of expertise and knowledge we newborn babies at a unique training course can share to deliver a nationally-acclaimed run by NGH. training package in this highly specialist The training programme, the only one of area of care. its kind in the country, has been designed to “The scenarios we’re working with are give air ambulance personnel the skills quite rare for a doctor or paramedic to deal with a range of childbirthin the air ambulance service, related scenarios including so there aren’t as many emergency caesarean opportunities for learning deliveries and resuscitating the skills and techniques as It’s been a really new-born babies. exist with the more routine useful opportunity Thirteen doctors and forms of emergency they to simulate one paramedic took deal with. That’s why it’s emergencies that part in the training in so important that this are quite rare but the purpose-designed course exists, to give them simulation training suite exposure to these scenarios really scary at NGH, which can replicate and the opportunity to real-life scenarios thanks to practice and be assessed.” its specialist equipment and Simulation training manager facilities, including medical-grade Vicky Garrod added: “We’re very adult and infant manikins. grateful to the NGH charity and everyone Dr Tristan Dyer, emergency medicine who supports it, as donations to the consultant said: “The programme has hospital have enabled us to upgrade our

sim manikins to the very latest models. We have a SimMom and baby that incorporate ultrasound, automatic delivery and wireless connectivity which means that we can produce some very lifelike scenarios.” Two course attendees, Suzy Stokes and Zoe Smeed, were agreed that the day had been both ‘fantastic’ and worthwhile. They said: “It’s been a really useful opportunity to simulate emergencies that are quite rare but really scary. To be able to do that and practise teamwork is really important and we would thoroughly recommend the course.”

Scan the photo to watch a video

Dr Tom Odbert

26 ❘ Insight

EMERGENCY TRAINING 

Insight ❘ 27

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28 ❘ Insight

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Insight â?˜ 29

From the Archive

Make and Mend

The bandage making machine

n 1910 Mrs Mary Guthrie of East Haddon Hall founded the Ladies Linen League at Northampton General Hospital. They were a band of volunteers who met regularly to mend hospital bed linen and make bandages. When the bed sheets became worn some of the material would be retrieved and made into pillow-cases and bandages. As NGH was a ‘voluntary hospital’ this saved on annual expenditure for these items. The work of the league very soon expanded to making and mending

East Haddon Hall

articles of clothing for the patients, particularly from the poorer classes. They were often admitted without suitable nightwear or warm clothing. In the 1913 annual report it was recorded that the league had provided 2,253 articles. These included coats, jerseys, knitted suits and dresses, mittens, bed socks and vests. Collections of second-hand clothing were made in the community to donate for this purpose. In WW1 Mrs Guthrie established a ‘war hospital’ for wounded soldiers at

Mary Guthrie

her family home, East Haddon Hall, with 24 beds. This would have been one of the many voluntary aid detachment (VAD) hospitals in the county. Following her death in 1934 a plaque was unveiled in her memory, in recognition of her work running the Linen League. This plaque was originally located at the Billing Road entrance of the hospital and is now displayed in our Historical Archive. Manfield Orthopaedic Hospital in Northampton, which opened in 1925 established the same charitable work, under the name of the Crippled Children’s Linen Guild. They would carry out the same range of services as at NGH. There was also a great demand for outdoor clothing for the children, as a large part of the treatment regime was outdoors in the fresh air, in all weathers. Grateful thanks go to the East Haddon History Society for the use of the images of Mrs Guthrie and East Haddon Hall.

The plaque commemorating Mary Guthrie’s work

Correction to the article in our Winter edition: The second children’s ward at NGH was opened due to the closure of Harborough Road Hospital, Northampton - not the closure of ‘Market Harborough Hospital,’ as stated in the article. Our apologies for the error.

The Archive is normally open Wednesday mornings between 8am - 1pm. Please telephone 01604 544868 or email historicalarchive@ngh.nhs.uk to make an appointment. 30 ❘ Insight

Insight Spring 2016 ❘ Issue 58 Keep in touch

NGH has over 1,800 followers on Twitter and over 6,600 people have liked our Facebook page. If you’re not yet one of them, here’s how you can get updates about the hospital and the great work of our employees: Follow us on Twitter @NGHNHStrust Follow us on Instagram Northamptongeneralhospital Connect with us on LinkedIn Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust Like our Northampton General Hospital Facebook page Until our Summer issue in June, you can also keep up to date with NGH news on our website www. northamptongeneral.nhs.uk where you will also find all back issues of Insight. Editor: Peter Kennell 01604 523871 (peter.kennell@ngh.nhs.uk) Designed and printed by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd, Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6AB. Tel: 01302 714528 Insight is a free magazine, and we encourage our patients and visitors to take one home with our compliments. Please pass it on to a friend or relative when you have read it. We are very grateful to the supporters of Northamptonshire Health Charitable Fund for their sponsorship of the magazine in 2016.

NOTICEBOARD   DO SOMETHING AMAZING…

96% of us rely on the other 4% to give blood. Please don’t leave it to someone else. Most people can give blood. If you are generally in good health, age 17 to 65 (if it’s your first time) and weigh at least 7st 12Ib you can donate. You can give blood every 16 weeks, that’s approximately every four months. For more information please visit www.blood.co.uk The next donor sessions at St Giles Church Rooms, St Giles Terrace, Northampton NN1 2BN are: Monday 14 March 3.00pm – 7.10pm Monday 4 April 12.45pm - 3.10pm; 4.10pm - 7.10pm Monday 18 April 3.00pm – 7.10pm Monday 16 May 3.00pm – 7.10pm Monday 6 June 12.45pm - 3.10pm; 4.10pm - 7.10pm Monday 13 June 12.45pm - 3.10pm; 4.10pm - 7.10pm To book an appointment call 0300 123 23 23.

 TRANSPLANTS SAVE LIVES

The NHS Organ Donor Register gives hope to more than 10,000 people of all ages across the UK who need an organ transplant. Yet many people – on average three a day – die before they can have a transplant because there are simply not enough organs available. Do you believe in organ donation? If you would take an organ, would you be willing to give one and help someone live after your death? Register now. Either:  go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk  call 0300 123 23 23 or  text SAVE to 84118  ANNOUNCEMENTS

RETIRED (or soon to be?) NHS Retirement Fellowship (Northampton Branch) meets on first Wednesday of each month at 2.15pm at Northampton East Salvation Army, Northampton, NN3 8EZ. Range of speakers and activities. Open to ex NHS staff, together with spouse or partner. Please contact the chairman Ruth Gould on 01604 846508. BACK ISSUES of Insight are available online at www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk – go to About Us > Documents and Publications

Thank you… … for thinking of making a donation to the NGH charity. We would like you to know that any gift received from you will be used carefully and sensitively. You can make a donation for a specific NGH department or towards an ongoing appeal. Online - please visit our Justgiving webpage at www.justgiving.com/ ngh which is a quick, secure, and tax-efficient way of donating. By post - please make cheques payable to Northamptonshire Health Charitable Fund and post to: Northamptonshire Health Charitable Fund, Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, NN1 5BD. (Please let us know if you would like to donate to a specific department) Mastercard, Visa, Visa Delta, and Switch, payment by credit and debit card can be accepted through the post or over the phone. Regular Giving - you can donate to us on a regular basis by setting up a standing order. Please call us for more information. You can also set up a Direct Debit via JustGiving. Payroll Giving - you can arrange with your employer to deduct a set amount each payday to give to our funds. This deduction is made before calculating your taxable pay, which reduces the amount on which you pay tax. Gift In Your Will - please give us a call to find out how to make a gift in your will to NGH. Gift Aid - remember if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim an extra 25p for every pound you donate from the Inland Revenue under the Gift Aid scheme. This won’t cost you a penny! Please just let us know that you would like to claim Gift Aid when you make your donation. Call us on 01604

545857 Insight ❘ 31

Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery.

Win free theatre tickets

Chicago

“Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery… all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts…” So begins the international awardwinning musical Chicago, which comes to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 May This spectacular show stars West End and EastEnders actor John Partridge (last seen at Royal & Derngate as Prince Charming in Cinderella) as Billy Flynn, Dancing On Ice winner and Coronation Street star Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie Hart, and X Factor winner and real life prison warden Sam Bailey* as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton. Based on events in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with cell block rival, doublemurderess Velma Kelly, they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth

talking lawyer, Billy Flynn. Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago’s sexy, sassy score includes All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle. A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin: it would be a crime to miss it. Chicago takes to the Derngate stage from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 May. Tickets priced from £17 to £42.50 can be booked by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk. *Sam Bailey is not scheduled to perform at all performances. Please check website for more details. For your chance to win two tickets to the 7.30pm performance of Chicago on Wednesday 25 May 2016, answer the five

questions below. Send your entry to arrive by Friday 29 April to peter.kennell@ngh.nhs.uk – or by post to Insight magazine, Communications, NGH, Cliftonville, Northampton NN1 5BD. 1 Who was awarded a British Empire Medal? 2 What is one new type of radiotherapy we will be able to deliver with our new linac machines? (Hint: you may need to listen to Dr Craig Knighton in one of our NGH Plus videos) 3 Where did we recently train air ambulance doctors and paramedics? 4 When is the show Chicago set – in which decade? 5 How many times more likely are you to give up smoking with a trained Stop Smoking Advisor?

 The winner of ‘The Herbal Bed’ tickets in our last competition was Peter Winterburn from Duston. 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, it 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. ©2016. Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN10 6AB. Tel: 01302 714528

Northampton General Hospital 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 Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust endorse any of the products or services.

Designed & Published by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd, Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN10 6AB. Tel: 01302 714528