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Spring 2022 | issue 19

THE

BRINGING MEMBERS, STAFF AND PATIENTS THE LATEST TRUST NEWS

North West Anglia

NHS Foundation Trust

CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF NWANGLIAFT P4-5

Relaunch of North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity

WELCOME FROM THE

Chief Executive

Welcome to the first edition of The Pulse for 2022. The start of the year brings lots of important news for our Trust, and we have captured it in this edition to share with you. As you read this, we will be marking two years since our clinical teams first began caring for patients suffering from Covid-19. Little did we know, back in March 2020, how far-reaching an impact Coronavirus would have on all our lives. For our staff, it was a step into working in a way they had not encountered before and with that, for some, came difficult experiences in caring for people who sadly lost their lives. Our staff have been amazingly dedicated and determined to help us continue running our hospitals under challenging circumstances – particularly in the peaks of infection rates. We will always be grateful to them.

Trust leads the way in helping patients fight Covid-19

I am pleased to report that while we are still caring for patients with Covid-19 in our hospitals, we are not seeing the same levels of severity of infection that we once did. Although for patients who are unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated, we are still seeing more becoming very seriously ill. So I would urge anyone to get your vaccination record up to date as quickly as possible to help us fight Covid-19 together. For patients who are clinically vulnerable, we have developed a service using the latest antiviral medicine to help them fight Coronavirus should they test positive. This has been a great success and you can read more on pages 8 and 9. On 1 April we will celebrate five years since the formation of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust and in this edition we take a look back at all the major milestones in developing improved patient services reached in the last five years. Take a look on pages 4 and 5 for more.

Breast cancer patient qualifies as a nurse despite undergoing cancer treatment

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Also on 1 April we will welcome a new Chair to our Trust Board of Directors. Professor Steve Barnett joins us from Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust. Steve lives in Cambridgeshire and has worked in the NHS for more than 30 years, I very much look forward to working with him. You can read more about him, plus a farewell to our outgoing Chair Rob Hughes, opposite on page 3. Finally, I am pleased to report that we have started construction work on our new, purpose-built operating theatres block at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, which is part of our redevelopment programme for the hospital. You can find out about the build and what it means for patients, on page 7.

Cancer Wellbeing Service turns 30

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Caroline Walker Chief Executive Spring 2022 | issue 19

THE

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Apprenticeships provide great career opportunities in our Trust

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

APRIL MARKS 5 YEARS OF NWANGLIAFT P4-5

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New chair appointed to our Trust board We are delighted to be welcoming Professor Steve Barnett as Chair of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust’s Council of Governors have formally approved Professor Barnett’s appointment, which will begin on 1 April 2022. Professor Barnett joins the Trust from Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust where he has served as Chair since 2018 and has successfully led the Trust on an impressive journey of improvement. He brings more than 30 years’ of experience working in senior positions in the NHS and related bodies, at a local and national level, and his appointment will see him return to work in the area in which he lives. He said: “The hospitals that make up North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust have been my local hospitals for almost three decades. Some of my children were born there and members of my family have received exceptional treatment over recent years, therefore it is an organisation that is extremely close to my heart. Chair Rob Hughes

FAREWELL TO OUR CHAIR ROB HUGHES

“I very much look forward to joining North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust – and my local hospitals – in the months to come and to working together with staff, Governors, patients, system partners and wider stakeholders to further improve our services and the experience of our patients, their families and staff.” Steve Barnett joins the Trust from Queen Elizabeth Hospitals in Kings Lynn

Our Chair Rob Hughes will step down on 31 March 2022, having served his maximum term of nine years in the role. Rob joined us in 2013 having previously been Managing Director of Mars Food UK. As well as being our Chair, he is currently Vice-Chair at Brain Tumour Research and also the Chair of the charity Anna’s Hope, which supports children with brain tumours. In Rob’s nine years with us, we have seen significant change and challenge in the NHS. He has helped oversee the development of our hospital services across our sites, supported our merger in 2017 in which North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust was formed, and, more recently, supported our staff as they have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. Chief Executive Officer Caroline Walker said: “It has been an honour to work with Rob. I remember his first day in 2013 as it was also my first day as Director of Finance for the organisation. Rob has been a huge support to me, particularly since I became Chief Executive, for which I am very grateful. I know I speak on behalf of the Board of Directors when I say how much we all have appreciated his guidance. We wish him well for the future. Rob Hughes said: “It is a key time for our Trust as the health and care system works together in a more cohesive way to provide good local care for our population and I look forward to seeing how this develops in the coming year. I have been proud to be chair of the organisation for the past nine years and I would like to thank our amazing staff, my colleagues on the board, governors and local health system colleagues for their hard work and dedication during my term as Chair.”

FIVE YEARS OF NWANGLIAFT

MARKING FIVE YEARS CARING FOR PATIENTS AS NORTH WEST ANGLIA NHS FT On 1 April 2022 we will mark the five year anniversary of the formation of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust was formed to oversee the running of Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospitals on 1 April 2017 when Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust formally merged with Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust. Shortly after the merger, The Trust set out its vision to ‘work together to provide outstanding care for our local communities’ and began a programme of clinical integration across services at each of its hospital sites to ensure greater continuity of care for patients, regardless of which hospital they attended. Charlie (2) with a member of our Play Team

Chief Executive Caroline Walker, who oversaw the merger programme in her previous role as Director of Finance for Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said; “We are hugely grateful to our staff for the way they responded to the needs of our new organisation. For some it meant a change in the site they were based at or settling in to expanded teams or learning new systems. None of those changes are easy but, five years on, it is a good time to reflect on how much we have been able to achieve and improve services for patients and give staff more opportunities to progress their careers.” Since 2017, the Trust has taken some significant steps on its journey of growth and development:

• S ix months after North West Anglia NHS FT was created, it expanded to take over the running of outpatient and radiology services at two satellite sites in Cambridgeshire – The Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely and Doddington Hospital – plus radiology services at North Cambs Hospital in Wisbech and the City Care Centre, Peterborough. • I n April 2019, 100 paediatric services staff from Cambridgeshire Community Services transferred to our Trust to deliver care to youngsters attending Holly ward and Children’s Outpatients at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. • T he Trust took a major step forward in integrating patient care systems when it launched the new Patient Administration System across all sites in August 2019.

• In November 2020, the first phase of the Hinchingbrooke redevelopment project was completed, which resulted in an improved Emergency Department and a new Acute Assessment Unit and Ambulatory Care Unit for patients needing urgent care.

On 1 April 2017 we welcomed the first NWAngliaFT baby, who was born at Peterborough City Hospital

• We have reconfigured the way our trauma and orthopaedics patients are cared for by creating a new, gold standard service using the expertise of our clinical staff in a dedicated set of wards at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals. Within this, we have created a seven-day therapy unit that supports patients to have an improved recovery experience, with better clinical outcomes, and be able to leave hospital sooner. • Our Emergency Centre at Peterborough City Hospital was expanded in a project to accommodate the Peterborough Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) within our facilities in July 2021. The UTC was previously located close to the city centre and it’s services run by Lincolnshire Community Services Healthcare NHS Trust. • Finally, as we reach our fifth anniversary, the Trust is about to begin construction of a purpose-built, state-of-the-art operating theatres block at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, which forms phase 2 of the hospital redevelopment programme. As we mark North West Anglia NHS FT’s fifth anniversary, we are looking forward and planning for the next three years with the publication of our Trust’s strategy. This will shape our journey to work in collaboration with our health and care system providers to provide outstanding care for our local communities.

NORTH WEST ANGLIA HOSPITALS’ CHARITY

RELAUNCH OF TRUST CHARITY INCLUDES FAB-U-LOUS CHARITY PATRON Lite Gait equipment purchased on Ward B11

How we are supporting our patients and staff

We were delighted to announce a celebrity patron for our Trust charity during its relaunch in January 2022. Our Trust Charity supports patients and staff at Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospitals. Dr Kanchan Rege, Chief Medical Officer for the Trust said: “This is a really exciting time for our hospitals’ charity. Not only are we relaunching with a fresh new look, we now have the a-maze-ing Craig Revel Horwood as our charity patron.”

North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity is always looking for ways to use generously donated funds that support both patients and staff at the Trust.

The new-look North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity relaunched at an online event with Trust staff, where the announcement of the new celebrity patron was made. The surprise event was held online allowing staff to safely come together for the announcement.

A fantastic example of this support came in the form of the purchase of equipment called the Lite Gait, which is a body support assisted walking device alongside a treadmill – to enable Stroke patients to access ‘Central Pattern Generators’ to facilitate the initial steps in the process to re-learning to walk.

Staff were also given the opportunity to meet Craig and ask questions at an online 45-minute live lunchtime chat.

This piece of equipment was purchased for the Stroke Therapy Team on Ward B11. Tanya Riddlesdell, Stroke Therapy Lead at the Trust, said “The charity team was exceptional in supporting us to acquire this piece of kit which has been invaluable on the Ward. The Lite Gait has given patients opportunities to learn to walk again.”

The Strictly Come Dancing judge said: “I was thrilled and truly touched to be asked to support my local hospitals’ charity as patron. “It has been a tough couple of years for the NHS and I salute staff for all the great work they are doing. I’m looking forward to supporting the charity to help raise funds which will directly help patients and staff by improving their experiences. Philip Fearn, Charity Project Manager for North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity, said: “We directly support the Trust’s patients and staff and we’d love everyone to be involved in our fundraising events going forward. You can find out how to make a donation or support us with fundraising events by visiting our new website www.NWAngliaHospitalsCharity.org.”

Craig Revel Horwood, our Charity Patron

If you’d like to support North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity* you can donate via text: • To donate £5, text THXNHS to 70970 • To donate £10, text THXNHS to 70191 Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme (Charity No: 1149800), operating as DONATE. Texts will be charged at your standard network rate. For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org. The Trust’s charity has recently undergone a complete refresh with a new name, logo and charity patron and will continue to go over above for their patients and staff. *Registered Charity No. 1050601

TRUST DEVELOPMENTS

NEW OPERATING THEATRES BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE AT HINCHINGBROOKE HOSPITAL Building work to create a new, purpose-built operating theatres building at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, began in February. The construction of the new theatre block marks the culmination of a twoyear process to obtain funding and planning approvals, led by the hospitals’ Redevelopment Steering Group. It will be built on land between the main hospital building and the Treatment Centre and is due to open in mid-2023. It will replace the theatres in the main hospital building, which are coming to the end of their operational life. The new building will benefit from the latest green energy systems, such as photovoltaic and air source heat pumps, to ensure a low carbon impact on the environment. This plan has already been awarded an ‘excellent’ rating under the BREEAM rating benchmark for sustainable design and construction. Patients will undergo surgical procedures in one of 7 operating theatres that incorporate the latest thinking on operating theatre design and technology. There will also be a separate area for children to be cared for. Caroline Walker, Chief Executive Officer at the Trust, said: “This is a major step for our team at Hinchingbrooke who have been keen to bring to life our plans to modernise our services. It is an exciting time for our patients and staff, particularly those working in our existing theatres, as they have been closely

involved in planning the new operating environment they will be working in.” The theatre block development at Hinchingbrooke is the second part of a

three-phase redevelopment scheme which aims to replace the old hospital building and modernise Hinchingbrooke Hospital, which opened in 1984.

Exciting news on the Stamford Clinical Strategy Stamford and Rutland Hospital was redeveloped in 2017 which saw key clinical areas modernised and improved. Specialist services, such as the pain management centre and awardwinning one stop prostate clinic are located on the site. Now, the Trust is taking a fresh look at other areas of the site to further develop services for patients. Mary-Clare Miller, Stamford Clinical Strategy Lead Clinician, said: “We have a growing number of patients using our services at Stamford, so there is now a need to upgrade and develop some of our

other facilities, which will also see us be able to fulfil the key requirements set out in the NHS long-term plan. “Our new clinical strategy aims to develop services at our Stamford site that meet the specific health needs of the people of South Lincolnshire and Rutland, while we continue to provide the specialist services already established. We are working with staff across the Trust and the wider health system to determine the needs of the local population and subsequently deliver our aspirations for the future of Stamford & Rutland Hospital.”

We will bring you more on this once the strategy has been finalised in the coming months.

TWO YEARS OF COVID RESPONSE

TRUST LAUNCHES VIRTUAL RESPIRATORY WARD TO HELP PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 RECOVER AT HOME The Trust has launched a ‘Virtual Respiratory Ward’, which will enable some patients to be treated in their own homes, rather than having a prolonged stay in hospital. The initiative will enable patients to continue their recovery in the comfort of their own home whilst being carefully monitored by designated staff to maintain the highest standard of safety and care. Eligible patients, who meet certain clinical criteria, will be admitted onto the Virtual Ward, which will free up around 40 beds within our Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke hospital sites. Dr Robert Buttery, Consultant in Respiratory at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, said: “Empowering and enabling patients to complete their recovery in their own homes represents a significant development

What our patients say Nicola Thrift-Sommers (45) from Huntingdon was the first patient to be admitted onto the Virtual Respiratory Ward, spending 14 days on the Ward before being discharged. Nicola, who is classed as a more vulnerable patient due to her leukaemia, was receiving treatment for Covid-19 in a side room on Pear Tree Ward when staff from the Virtual Ward approached her with information about a transfer. Nicola said: “I was extremely worried when I tested positive for Covid-19, having leukaemia makes me a very high risk patient, so going into a hospital environment was both extremely daunting, but also reassuring to know I was being looked after by healthcare professionals. “I spent a week in hospital, in a side room to both protect me and fellow patients from the virus. It was an extremely difficult time, I was in contact with my loved ones, but it was hard to not have them nearby. I was therefore happy, although initially anxious, to be transferred onto a Virtual Ward, which meant I could go home and still receive the support of specialist nurses. “My experience on the Ward has been

professionals and each patient will be conducted daily and tailored observations and follow-ups will take place depending on the patient’s needs. Patients will be asked to carry out simple tests during the day and input data onto the Trust’s Virtual Ward system. Patients will also have access to help and support should they need it at any time.

Dr Rob Buttery

in how we deliver healthcare. It is likely we will see this model roll out to a number of healthcare conditions.” Communication between healthcare extremely positive. I was in daily contact with specialist nurses and the daily questionnaire on the virtual ward system was very easy to complete. My initial nervousness about whether it was the right move to leave the care and support of a physical ward, soon drifted away and I felt

Dr Kanchan Rege, Chief Medical Officer at the Trust, said: “The Virtual Respiratory Ward provides a fantastic opportunity to think differently about how we can manage our inpatient care. Maintaining the highest standards of clinical safety must be at the forefront of our minds as we embark on this exciting project. The introduction of a Virtual Ward will release bed capacity that can be reallocated to individuals who need a higher level of care.” very reassured and supported by the virtual system in place. “My 14 days on the virtual ward were very comfortable, I felt supported and I had a welcome boost of knowing that on the other side of the door of the room I was isolating in, were my loved ones.” Nicola spent 14 days at home on our virtual ward

We are leading the way in helping patients fight covid-19 A new drug therapy to help those patients at the highest risk from Covid-19 infection is now being offered in a specialist clinic at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. The Covid Medicine Delivery Unit (CMDU) started running on Thursday 23 December 2021 administering Sotrovimab, a new therapy which had only been approved for use days earlier. The clinic provides a one-off 50ml infusion of antibodies to clinically-vulnerable patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 and are within the first five days of infection. Dr Kanchan Rege, Chief Medical Officer, said: “At the time we set up our clinic, it was the only one to do so in Cambridgeshire. Cambridge University Hospitals is now assisting us, but it has been a real coup for us to commence the clinic and support some of our most vulnerable patients. “The type of patients who are benefitting from this therapy include those on immunosuppressants or chemotherapy, in other words, people who require extra help to defend themselves against Covid-19. “While this is a relatively small patient group, it is really important for us to be able to help them avoid developing complications and needing admission to hospital. “I’d like to thank all the team involved in setting up the clinic at a time when our hospitals have also been under pressure.” Drug used in Monoclonal Antibodies clinic

Kelly Irvine, the first patient in the Covid Medicine Delivery Unit, receives her infusion overseen by Deputy Charge Nurse Binu Kunjukunju

First patient: Kelly Irvine Kelly Irvine (32) from Peakirk near Peterborough was the first patient to receive the infusion of Sotrovimab after testing positive for Covid-19 a few days before attending the clinic. As a result, she was able to enjoy a symptom-free Christmas. Kelly is classed as a more vulnerable patient as she has a form of arthritis and takes immunosuppressants to combat the condition. She said: “My husband tested positive a few days before me and I started to get a sore throat and a feeling similar to a cold. There is always a worry I could become more poorly due to my condition so I was relieved to know I could have this treatment. The opening of the clinic was really good timing for me. “The infusion was quick and the staff in the clinic were really friendly. By the second day post infusion I felt back to normal and have been fine since. For people with health issues that make them more vulnerable, it is great to have this as a treatment option.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Hinchingbrooke welcomes new cohort of Nursery Nurses Nursery Nurses work together with staff in maternity to provide families with the best care and ensure they are able to go home together, while making the process of leaving hospital a much smoother one. Natasha Stepney, one of our Nursery Nurses, said: “My role involves supporting the families of babies who require some extra support or monitoring. I look after the babies who require observations due to medication in pregnancy/labour, babies born when the birthing person has had Group B strep, diabetes/ gestational diabetes, babies who have low blood gases, babies who develop jaundice, babies born small or early, babies who require antibiotics, babies who have an NG for feeds and babies who struggle to maintain their temperature and many more reasons.

BREAST CANCER PATIENT QUALIFIES AS A NURSE DESPITE UNDERGOING CANCER TREATMENT A nurse, who successfully completed her nursing degree apprenticeship despite battling breast cancer, has been nominated for a national Our Health Heroes award for the Breakthrough Apprentice of the Year category, with the winner due to be announced as Pulse went to print.

Sharon continues: “Whilst training I also had a separate personal battle due to an illness in 2018, so I juggled my work with my treatment and the staff around me have been so supportive. A10 are a great team to work with, but my mentors Tanya and Rachel really have been fantastic.”

Sharon Maywood received the devastating news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, but was also studying to complete a degree apprenticeship course to become a gastroenterology nurse.

“Being a Nursery Nurse on a maternity unit has the most job satisfaction of any role I have done and I feel very lucky and privileged to be a part of the Lilac Ward team at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.”

Sharon said: “I originally worked in accounting for years, but decided to have a complete career change when I turned 40 and become a nurse. I started as a HCA on Ward A10 at Peterborough City Hospital and joined the Nursing Associate pilot scheme in January 2017 before qualifying in January 2019. I then went on to top up my qualification as a nurse and qualified in February 2021 with no debt and a wealth of experience.”

Within their role the team support all families who stay on Lilac Ward who may have parenting or feeding questions, they advocate for each baby and their families ensuring a holistic approach is taken during their time within our hospital.

However, part way through her course in 2018, Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer. Undeterred she took the brave decision to carry on with her studies, refusing to take a single day off, despite undergoing intensive cancer treatment. Against all the odds, Sharon qualified as a nurse earlier this year.

Sharon rings end of treatment bell

Meet our Overseas Education Team Our Overseas Education Team are a vital cog in the Trust’s every day ability to function. The team cover the whole process of recruiting overseas nurses to fill nursing shortages. The team interviews each candidate via video link, arranges for their arrival, and supports them throughout quarantine and on through an intensive training period of six weeks and beyond. Sue Mpofu, Lead for Nurse Recruitment

in their shoes to help them integrate into local society and help them prepare for their Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) exams before starting work in our hospitals.”

and Retention, says “We nurture, support and empower our overseas nurses with our pastoral support. We put ourselves

The team prepares the nurses for their OSCE mocks, for which they are proud to say students have a 100% pass rate. The students compare their experiences with others in the country, and always come out on top for not only their training, but their care and wellbeing, too.

HEALTHCARE TRANSITION SERVICE EMPOWERS OUR YOUNG PATIENTS The Healthcare Transition Service for our hospitals, is now just over a year old. It is a service that empowers young people, between the ages of 11 and 25 years old, with long-term health conditions as they make the move from paediatric to adult healthcare. John-Paul Rhodes, a Paediatric Nurse with 20 years’ experience, is the Transition Coordinator for the Trust: “Adolescence can be a really tough time for some young people. They experience a lot of change; socially, physically and neurologically. Some patients have known their clinical team since birth and as they transition to adult services, it’s the first time they are taking sole responsibility for their health needs. There are various ways we can support these patients and their families or carers but we will always make these adjustments to meet the needs of the individual.” One part of John-Paul’s role has been to work with different clinical specialities to develop specific pathways, such as in rheumatology. “Working with the Rheumatology Team has been an absolute pleasure. After identifying representatives from the children’s and adult teams we utilised patient feedback, a sound evidence base and a quality improvement process to develop a pathway that will truly improve experience & long-term health outcomes for young rheumatology patients”.

Meet Tania Tania Wingfield is Sister for the Outpatient services at Doddington and Ely Community Hospitals. She has spoken to us about her long serving career as a nurse. “I started as an Auxiliary Nurse (HCA) at a children’s hospital, then did my training, qualifying in 1976. I spent 3 years working on medical wards before completing a Coronary Care Course. Between 1979 & 2001 I worked in critical care settings working my way up to an H Grade (Band 8). I came to Doddington Outpatients in 2004 as a Staff Nurse and am now Sister, looking after the two Community Outpatients services at Doddington and Ely. “I love the patient contact part of my job endeavouring to provide services in the community, primarily for local people and giving them a good experience on their visit. Team working means that we can provide a service that we are proud of.”

If you are between 11 and 25 years old, or work with people of this age, with a longterm health condition, please do get in touch with the Healthcare Transition Team: nwangliaft.healthcaretransition@nhs.net

New Emergency Department volunteers join Peterborough City Hospital We are delighted to welcome 30 new Emergency Department Volunteers to Peterborough City Hospital. They will help patients to stay in touch with loved ones or carers and make refreshments, such as teas or coffees. The ED volunteers will also have phone chargers, so patients can charge their mobiles, notebooks, iPads and dementia friendly items. Stuart Toulson, Matron - Urgent & Emergency Care, said: “We are now beginning to see some of our new Emergency Department

volunteers starting to arrive on ED. The support they are providing patients will also be helping our staff to conduct their clinical duties, knowing that the patients other needs are being looked after.” Carol North, Head of Volunteering added: “We also have a new Youth Volunteer Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Kennedy, who has joined us to continue to attract youth volunteers into the Trust. We are also excited to have our first Youth volunteers starting in ED over the new few weeks.”

NEWS

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE CANCER WELLBEING SERVICE IN PETERBOROUGH The Cancer Wellbeing Service, which provides practical and emotional support for people affected by cancer and their family and friends, has turned 30 years old.

Cancer wellbeing service turned 30 earlier this year

The service provides patients and their family’s access to talking therapy, arts and crafts, exercise, complimentary therapy, healthy lifestyle advice, relaxation, benefits and welfare advice, information and high quality group support. Lisa Deacon, Joint Cancer Wellbeing Service Manager at Peterborough City Hospital commented: “30 years ago the Local Macmillan Fundraisers worked tirelessly to raise funds to build this amazing facility, now known as The Robert Horrell building. We support anyone affected by cancer and we’ve been lucky to have a refurbishment of the building over the last three years. The transformation is wonderful, visitors often comment on our calm and spa like space, the ongoing support from local donors means we are able to support more people in a beautiful environment. We also benefit from the many volunteers that give up their time.’ The service began in 1992 after a local fundraising campaign successfully raised £850,000 to create a bespoke building for Palliative Care Day Therapy. The building is named after a local dairyman ‘Robert Horrell’ who donated the land for the centre.

Then in 2016 a new service was launched to provide a holistic wellbeing support service for people affected by cancer including partners, friends and carers. This new service was named the Cancer Wellbeing Service and

Staff take on Winter De-conditioning Games Staff across the Trust have been taking part in the Winter De-conditioning Games since the beginning of November. The games were introduced across the East of England region to raise awareness of de-conditioning, which is the “loss of physical, psychological and functional capacity due to inactivity”.

Teams from across the Trust took up the challenge, aiming to make a difference to our patients, get them up and moving, to use data to improve our care, and to support colleagues to keep active and well. The games has seen positive change implemented across the Trust and a number of teams being accredited for their work with medals awarded from the regional NHS team.

the Palliative Day Therapy team reformed to provide this new service which was a first for a NHS Trust. Anyone looking for support can drop in or call 01733 678570.

PETERBOROUGH CITY HOSPITAL ACCEPTING NIGHT FLIGHTS Seriously ill or injured patients from across the region are benefitting from extended air ambulance flying hours, thanks to a generous donation to the Trust from the HELP Appeal.

Helipad lights from the helicopter cockpit

State of the art helipad lighting is enabling air ambulances to land throughout the night. The lighting installation is also solar powered therefore reducing Peterborough City Hospital’s carbon footprint. All air ambulance pilots can activate the lighting system via a VHF radio transponder or alternatively, staff on-site can operate the system from the ground control panel.

Artwork by Owen Hart

Making our Chief Exec into a ‘work of art’! If you have visited Peterborough Cathedral recently then you might have come across a very familiar face from our hospitals. Chief Executive, Caroline Walker, featured in the ‘Made in Lockdown’ art exhibition displayed at the city landmark during January and February.

Stuart Toulson, Matron for Urgent & Emergency Care, added: “’We are extremely grateful to our friends at the HELP Appeal for ensuring that our team within the Emergency Department can now deliver high quality emergency care across the full 24-hour period. Their generosity will have a very positive impact for our patients.”

New Professional Midwifery Advocate appointed at NWAngliaFT We’re pleased to welcome Emily WitneyFahey as the new Lead Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) for our Maternity Service at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals. The role of the PMA is wide ranging and follows the ‘Advocating for Educating and Quality Improvement model,’ working with service users and maternity staff by supporting midwives to advocate for women. They are focussed on addressing the emotional needs of staff and developing resilience within the units. Emily Witney-Fahey said: “Having a Professional Midwifery Advocate means that staff will have access to onsite support that will advocate for them and their needs. There is an abundance of research surrounding staff wellbeing, and how engaged and supported staff leads to an increase not only in the service user satisfaction, but also the outcomes and patient safety. “For our service users we can support them when making choices about their care pathway.

If any of our service users have any worries or concerns relating to their care, we can facilitate discussions and take necessary action.” Emily will be working closely with Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke Maternity Voices Partnership, and other areas that provide feedback in order to shape the future of Maternity Services in the local area.

Peterborough City College student, Owen Hart produced the silk screen print as part of an art module undertaken during the pandemic lockdown in 2020. “This piece was for a unit called Ordinary and/ or Extraordinary,” says Romina Pinto, Academic Lead for Visual Arts. “It features four faces that Owen felt depicted influential figures in our city – including Caroline Walker. He wanted to highlight the fact that during difficult times, ordinary people are indeed extra ordinary.” Caroline Walker, said: “I am flattered to be included in such a well thought out piece of work. To be featured alongside some very special and outstanding figures within the exhibition was really quite humbling and I send my congratulations to Owen for his hard work.” The artwork also pictures Rachel Nichols, Deputy Group CEO and Principal of Peterborough College, Ray Bisby, Cambridgeshire Police Commissioner and Tony De Matteis, Chief Fire Officer of Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade.

HEALTH FOCUS

NUTRITIONAL TOP TIPS FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Healthy eating is about having a balance of different foods and nutrients in the diet for good health and wellbeing. It is about enjoying your food, at the same time as being mindful about what you eat. If you are wanting to eat more healthily or lose weight, here are some tips that will help you start to achieve the goals you want.

Meet Emma Sharpe, Dietitian at Peterborough City Hospital Emma Sharpe is a Dietitian and Dietetic Assistant at Peterborough City Hospital and provides valuable advice and guidance to patients both on the Hospital’s Wards and in Outpatient Clinics. The role of our Dietitians is to translate the science of nutrition into everyday information about food, helping to advise people on their food and nutrition choices.

• Learn more about your eating patterns by keeping a food and mood diary for a week. Record everything you eat and drink, at what times and how you were feeling. By looking back over this you will be able to see how times, places, people and your mood affect your food intake. • Choose two or three small changes you can start with and write yourself an action plan with clear goals. • Try to have meals at planned times during the day and only include snacks if you are physically hungry. • Aim to eat more fruit and vegetables – recommendations are to include at least five portions (about a handful) of fruit and vegetables each day.

•A t meal times, half fill your plate with vegetables/salad and then divide the other half between meat, fish, egg or beans, and starchy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta or bread. •C hoose foods and drinks that are low in fat and sugar and limit sweet, fatty and salty snacks. •A void eating at the same time as doing something else e.g. working or watching TV, as this can cause you to overeat. •R emember, it takes time for your brain to know your stomach is full so wait at least fifteen to twenty minutes before deciding you need more food if you have just eaten. • P lan some non-food related activities that you can do to distract you from thinking about eating when you fancy a treat or because you are bored •A sk for the right support – it could be a friend, partner, health professional, group or website to help you through the tough times. ……

Emma said, “As a Dietitian I provide nutritional assessment and dietary advice to patients on the wards and in an outpatient clinic. In the hospital our focus is on supporting patients with ill health impacting on their ability to meet their nutritional requirements, and dietary changes to help manage their long term conditions. Dietitians and weight management programmes are available in the community and can be referred to via your GP.” This guide shows you the proportions of food groups to aim for.

RECRUITMENT FOCUS

APPRENTICESHIPS PROVIDE GREAT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR HOSPITALS There are lots of career opportunities available within our hospitals and apprenticeships are just one of the many routes that you can take. If you are interested in a career in the NHS and would like to find out more about the apprenticeships that are available, then please look at our website for details: www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk

Hugh Werry – Apprentice Electrician We don’t just have apprentices working in healthcare in our hospitals. Hugh Werry is 18 and studying Installation of Electrical Technical Systems Level 3, which is a four year course. He is based at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. “The appeal for me and the reason I decided to do my apprenticeship is that I like hands on problem solving tasks and as an apprentice electrician it’s what it’s all about. Working for an organisation like the NHS is very rewarding as there are so many possibilities for career progression. “I enjoy many things about the role, including the satisfaction of completing a successful install and passing my exams at college. I have enjoyed every minute so far and I am very excited to see what the next few years has in store for me.”

Sophie Houlihan – Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Sophie Houlihan is studying as a Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship with the hope of completing a two year Speech and Language Therapy top up. She is currently working 29.5 hours a week at Peterborough City Hospital and 1oneday a week at the University of Essex. “I have worked in the NHS for five years now. I feel a great sense of pride in the care we are able to provide our patients in the NHS. I am also unbelievably proud to be working with some amazing colleagues (especially over the period of the pandemic). “I am predominantly working on the Stroke unit at PCH and believe I am able to make a real difference in the care we are able to provide our patients with communication and swallowing difficulties. Being able to see the patients I work with make improvements due to the care I am providing them, is the best feeling in the world.”

Esther Goodhand – Apprentice Pharmacy Assistant Esther Goodhand joined the Trust last year as an Apprentice Pharmacy Assistant and is currently studying a Level 2 in Pharmacy Services. “I became a youth volunteer in 2020 at the Trust where I was placed in three different areas. Volunteering helped confirm to me that a hospital is where I wanted my career to begin. I felt comfortable in the environment, and I enjoyed talking to patients. I am a people person and I love knowing that what I am doing is making a difference. “My favourite thing about the job is that I rotate between the three areas, Inpatient Dispensary, Outpatient Dispensary and Pharmacy Stores. I love that I get to be a part of each team and learn about the journey that the medication goes on.”

MEMBERSHIP

Welcome new governors Welcome to two new public governors who have joined our Trust’s Council of Governors. Geoffrey Freestone has been elected to the South Lincs and Stamford constituency and James MacDonald has been elected to the Greater Peterborough constituency in an election held in late Autumn last year. Geoffrey is a co-chair of a local medical centre patient participation group and James works at the East of England Ambulance Service Trust. In addition, we have welcomed Staff Governor Lori Tudose to represent staff at Peterborough City Hospital. Lori works in the Finance Team at Peterborough City Hospital. Our new Governors joined the Council of Governors for its first meeting of 2022 on 15 March.

Follow us on social media Did you know that you can keep up to date with the latest news from your local hospital through following our social media accounts? We are on Twitter, Facebook and even Instagram!

JOIN THE TRUST AS A MEMBER It is an exciting time to join our Trust as a Member! Our new Trust strategy and ways of working together to provide outstanding care for our local communities and being an anchor in our community mean that the views and experience of our Members is more important than ever. As an NHS Foundation Trust, we have governors and members, who all have a say in how we run our three hospitals. Membership is open to all patients and visitors, past and present. If you are at least 16 years old and live within our membership area of Greater Peterborough, Huntingdonshire or Stamford and South Lincolnshire, you can help us seek to improve and develop by joining us, if you haven’t already, by filling out our on-line application form. This keeps you in control of what information we have about you. You can amend your details if you move house or change email address, etc.

You will also be emailed invitations to events, like our Annual General Meeting and Membership meetings (see below). You will also be eligible to join NHS Discounts.com for discounted products. With uncertainty of government and hospital restrictions at the time of publishing, Membership meetings will continue virtually on Microsoft Teams to start the year. The first took place on Wednesday 2 March and Dr Kanchan Rege, Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, covered Stamford’s strategy and redevelopment plans. You can watch a recording of this Teams meeting on our website if you missed it. Further meetings for the year will be on 11 May for Hinchingbrooke Hospital, the topic is yet to be confirmed, and the Annual Public Meeting will be on 27/28 September.

The link is https://secure.membra.co.uk/ nwangliaapplicationform/.

Our last Membership meeting of 2022 will be on 7 December. Please look out for further details in local press, on our website and in social media.

Membership is free, and members will receive a copy of Pulse magazine, either by email or post, depending on your preference.

We look forward to receiving your membership applications and to seeing you at the Trust meetings this year.

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GRAND VIEW CARE HOME LUXURY CARE IN STAMFORD

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Spring 2022 | issue 19

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North West Anglia

NHS Foundation Trust

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