The Pulse Summer 2021

Summer 2021 | issue 16

THE

North West Anglia

NHS Foundation Trust

IMPROVING OUR URGENT CARE SERVICES PAGE 10-11 BRINGING MEMBERS, STAFF AND PATIENTS THE LATEST TRUST NEWS

WELCOME FROM THE

Exciting redevelopment plans for Hinchingbrooke reach significant milestone

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Chief Executive Welcome to the Summer edition of The Pulse magazine.

A lot has changed since our last edition – both in our hospitals and in everyday life. After a year or more of living with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are now starting to see life return to a little bit more like the normal we used to know.

We have been able to welcome back visitors into our hospitals since May. While we are not operating at our pre-pandemic visiting permissions, we are inviting a relative to visit an inpatient for one hour per day to help us continue to manage the risk of spreading the virus. I hope this is making a difference to our patients’ experience and I appreciate their support and understanding in our cautious approach. I hope that in the not-too-distant future we can resume all normal access to our hospitals for visitors – be that for our inpatient our outpatient situations. However, we will need to wear masks and be aware of keeping our distance for a little while to come.

In this edition of The Pulse, we have put the spotlight on some great work that’s been taking place that’s not related to our Covid-19 response. I am grateful to staff that have ensured we are still able to look forward and make plans for improving future healthcare despite managing the biggest pandemic the NHS has seen in recent years.

See page 4 for news of how we have made good progress with plans to develop a new theatres block for Hinchingbrooke Hospital. Our talented staff are featured across the pages of this edition for some of the great work they are doing for patients. In particular, see page 7 for an amazing mural painted by one of and staff members which is raising lots of smiles in the Endoscopy department at Peterborough City Hospital.

Finally, if you are reading this magazine by chance as you have come into hospital, why not sign up to become a member of our Foundation Trust to receive a copy every quarter – either by post or online – so you can keep up to date with what’s happening in your local hospital?

Becoming a member is free and easy to do – either call our communications team on 01733 678024, email: nwangliaft.membership@nhs.net or visit our website (www.nwangliaft@nhs.uk) to complete the online application form.

Help for patients and families affected by sight loss

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Urgent Treatment Centre set to relocate to Peterborough City Hospital

New text reminder and patient portal introduced

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Caroline Walker Chief Executive

Contact Us 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

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Patient urges women to take care of their heart health

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COVID-19 RESPONSE

KEEPING OUR HOSPITALS SAFE REMEMBERING TO REMAIN CAUTIOUS

Visiting our Hospitals If you are visiting our hospitals for an outpatient appointment or to visit a loved one, please help us keep our patients, staff and you safe by following the below guidance: • Please ensure you wear a face mask or covering at all times within our hospital unless you are exempt. It is important that your mask covers your mouth and nose in order to effectively reduce the spread of germs.

• All patients, visitors and staff are asked to hand sanitise as they enter and exit the hospital, and on entry to and exit from the department they are visiting.

Our hand sanitisation stations are clearly labelled.

• To help everyone maintain social distancing, we ask that all patients and visitors keep left when travelling around our hospitals. When waiting in line, please observe the floor stickers clearly marking where you should stand.

After a very difficult year where the entire nation has had to adhere to so many rules and restrictions, it’s been refreshing to start to see the beginnings of that return to normality we’ve all been so desperate for.

“We are really pleased to have reintroduced visiting to our inpatients,” says Dr Kanchan Rege, Chief Medical Officer. “We very much hope it’s the last time we have to stop family and friends visiting their loved ones as we recognise the stress and upset it causes to have that separation. However, we do also need to remember that Covid hasn’t simply gone away. It’s vital that as a hospital, we continue to protect our patients who are often more vulnerable to infection anyway, and also our staff who we need fit and healthy to carry on operating our services.”

Despite the government imposed restrictions continuing to lift, the expectation to continue them within our hospitals remains. “We have to have a higher standard of infection control and prevention,” says Dr Rege. “For that reason we will carry on as we have done throughout the pandemic, in terms of PPE mask wearing and adhering to high standards of hand washing and adequate social distancing.”

If you are planning on visiting our hospitals as a patient or visitor then please continue to help us keep our hospitals safe and be mindful of others when on the wards or where space is more restricted. Our Hospital Control Team will continue to monitor local prevalence and the potential emergence of new variants, and make changes to our policies as required.

Stay connected with loved ones in our hospitals Our Letters to Loved Ones initiative helps families and friends send messages and family photos to patients staying on wards across our hospitals. These are printed and handed to patients to read and keep.

Please be assured that where a patient isn’t able to read their letter, a member of staff will read it to them. Messages can be sent via email: nwangliaft.lettersforlovedones@nhs.net – please ensure your email includes the patient’s name, hospital name, the ward they are being cared for on and the bay they are in (if known).

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IMPROVING OUR SERVICES

EXCITING REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR HINCHINGBROOKE REACH SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE Plans to create new surgical facilities for patients at Hinchingbrooke Hospital reached a significant milestone at the end of April when national approval was granted for an outline business case to construct a new purpose-built operating theatres block on the site.

The decision enables the Trust to proceed to the final stage of the business case process, and means the redevelopment programme will be one of the first driven forward by the new Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System, a partnership organisation bringing together local health and care organisations.

This approval takes the Trust a step closer to starting building work on the theatre block development which will house seven operating theatres, recovery and admission facilities and a separate area for children.This will replace the theatres in the main hospital building, which are coming to the end of their operational life.

This exciting project is the second part of a three-phase redevelopment scheme to modernise Hinchingbrooke Hospital. This substantial investment demonstrates the

Artist impression of the proposed new theatre block

important long-term role Hinchingbrooke Hospital will play in the provision of acute hospital care within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough health system.

Phase 1 of the project was completed on time and within budget before Christmas 2020 and has seen major improvements being made to facilities for patients using Urgent Care Services – with the creation of a new Acute Assessment Unit and Ambulatory Care Unit and an expanded Accident and Emergency Department which consistently features in the top ten in the country for good performance against the four-hour

waiting time standard.

Arshiya Khan, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, who is leading the redevelopment programme, said: “These are exciting times for our hospital and we are pleased to have gained national support for our Outline Business Case for theatre redevelopment. While we are working on Phase 2, our eyes are firmly on Phase 3 as we seek to secure urgently-needed investment to support the longer-term plan to ensure our hospital can continue to provide high quality care for our growing population both now and in the future.”

Air ambulances can now land at night Thanks to new night time lighting at Peterborough City Hospital’s Helipad, air ambulances will be able to bring patients that require specialist care to the hospital 24 hrs a day. These patients have usually suffered trauma and other serious injuries.

The helipad, built in September 2011, now offers a 24-hour service meaning that air ambulances such as MAGPAS, East of England, Coastguard Service, and other specialist units can access the hospital day and night. It provides a service for the entire north western part of the region as the nearest alternatives are Addenbrooke’s and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn.

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The lighting was funded by HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country that funds hospital helipads. It is solar powered, reducing the hospital’s carbon footprint.

The pilot can activate the lighting system via a VHF radio transponder miles away from the helipad. Alternatively, staff on-site can operate the system from the ground control panel.

Paul Ferguson Heli-Ops Manager said: “We are eternally grateful to the HELP Appeal and support agencies for the installation of the night lighting system. This enhances our ability to accept aircraft during the hours of darkness and also provides the West of the region with a fully capable helipad.”

HINCHINGBROOKE COMMUNITY TEAM PROVIDES CANCER SUPPORT AT HOME

Help for patients and families affected by sight loss

The Huntingdon Community Cancer Nursing team recently won a Trust award for the care that they provide and have continued to provide during lockdown and it is easy to see why.

Patients affected by sight loss will now benefit from additional support thanks to a brand new role introduced at Peterborough City Hospital in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

The team (which comprises eight clinical staff and one administrator) work across the Huntingdonshire area to support patients who receive a cancer diagnosis.

The pilot project started seven years ago and was initially funded by the Cancer Alliance and since then has continued to grow with over 500 patients to support.

Karen Moseley, Lead Community Cancer Nurse, said: “We are a small team who work across a large geographical area to provide support and care for cancer patients at home.

This could be anything from blood tests, pre chemotherapy monitoring & some cancer treatments. We also work closely with acute oncology and manage side effects of their treatment, which in turn reduces admissions and outpatient appointments.”

Becky Smithers has joined the hospital as the first Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) and is working within the Ophthalmology Department as a full-time member of staff.

“Many of our patients were shielding over the last year and it has been a frightening time for them. They have already been hit hard with a horrible diagnosis, so if we can make it easier by supporting them in the comfort of their own home then that can only be a good thing.”

Following its success a team covering the Peterborough area was launched 18 months ago to provide the same level of care.

Love to Move project comes to Stamford & Rutland Hospital A project designed for patients with dementia, other cognitive impairments and Parkinson’s has been launched at Stamford and Rutland Hospital.

Despite lockdown, Becky has successfully established herself and the ECLO service and has supported over 350 patients to date.

“My role is to offer practical and emotional support to anyone affected by sight loss, including families and carers,” she said.

Becky, employed by the Royal National of Blind People (RNIB) and contracted by the Trust, aims to help people to: • Maintain independence • Better understand the diagnosed eye condition/s and treatments • Help apply for possible benefits and concessions • Refer onto specialist teams who will help an individual use technology for leisure/ employment or education needs, or take up new opportunities

The Love to Move project, which was originally initiated by the British Gymnastics Foundation, is a cognitive enhancement and movement programme that is run within community settings and care homes.

• Continue enjoying leisure activities

After seeing a Love to Move session back in 2018, Victoria Christie, who is a Physiotherapist at the Trust, wanted to incorporate the programme into her work at Stamford and Rutland Hospital. She said, “I have been working with the British Gymnastics Foundation to bring the sessions into the hospital.

cognitive stimulation activities such as alphabet and naming activities and visualisation.”

“The session is set to music from the 40’s/50’s and 60’s, and the activities are based around asymmetric movement patterns to stimulate brain connectivity (on a basic level patting your head and rubbing your tummy). There is also

Love to Move sessions will be a regular occurrence at Stamford and Rutland Hospital moving forward, helping to provide vital support for patients with dementia, other cognitive impairments and Parkinson’s.

Physiotherapists Victoria and Laura delivering

Becky also welcomes self-referrals.

You can email her at: becky.smithers@ nhs.net giving your full name, contact number or address, the eye condition and your date of birth.

Love to Move on the John Van Geest Unit

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CELEBRATING STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS

GIVING THANKS TO OUR AMAZING LONG SERVING STAFF! Paediatric Registrar wins PAFTA Congratulations to Dr Jenna Harris, paediatric registrar, who has been presented with a Paediatric Award for Training Achievements (PAFTA) – an initiative supported by the prestigious Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Jenna, who works at Peterborough City Hospital, was awarded the PAFTA for Junior Trainee of the Year by the East Midlands School of Paediatrics as a result of the work she completed on rotation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University Hospitals Leicester.

Unfortunately, restrictions on social distancing meant Jenna was unable to collect her award at the School Conference Day ceremony, as this did not take place. However, her colleagues made sure they marked the occasion, with a presentation on Amazon Children’s Ward.

Jenna said: “It was really lovely of the team to make such a fuss. I felt honoured to have even been nominated for the award. It was amazing to see my hard work recognised and how much a valued member of the team I was.

“I’ve rotated back into NWAngliaFT, working in my first job as a paediatric registrar.

I worked in Peterborough as an ST1 and always knew I wanted to come back as it’s a lovely place to work and all of the paediatric team are incredibly supportive.”

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After the year we’ve just been through, saying thank you to our staff has never felt more pertinent or important. Due to the pandemic, our long service awards had to look different to the usual celebratory event we hold annually, and instead awards were presented to individuals within their work areas.

“We were really disappointed that we weren’t able to hold our Long Service Awards ceremony at the beginning of the year,” says Caroline Walker, Chief Executive. “We had almost 200 members of staff reaching milestones from 25 to 40 years’ service to the NHS and when you think about someone dedicating their entire career and a huge chunk of their lives to their healthcare profession, it’s incredibly humbling.

We are so proud of everyone who received an award and so very grateful for their hard work and commitment.”

It was also a record year for staff collecting their 40 year-long service awards, with a number of staff members returning to work following recent retirement or delaying retirement to continue offering their help during the pandemic. “Saying thank you for those who changed their plans around retirement, doesn’t

Christine Wooff from the catering dept at Hinchingbrooke receiving her 40 yrs long service award

seem enough,” says Caroline. “There were times during the peak of the first and second waves that we wouldn’t have been able to continue providing the level of care our patients needed had it not been for our staff pulling together and going above and beyond the call of duty.

Those that were redeployed or returned to work to help us out, provided a lifeline we will all be forever thankful for.”

Consultant awarded certificate of excellence for fifth year Mr Michael Lumb, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Peterborough City Hospital has been commended after being awarded a Certificate of Excellence

by IWantGreatCare (IWGC) for five consecutive years.

Certificates of Excellence are awarded to clinicians who consistently received outstanding patient feedback throughout the year.

Jon Twinn, CEO of IWGC wrote: “This is a fantastic achievement, especially during the challenging year we have had. It has been harder for many to collect feedback during this time, but at the same time, more important than ever to be listening to our patients.”

Mr Lumb said: “I am thrilled to have received the certificate for the fifth year running. Patient feedback is important as it can help us strive

Mr Lumb awarded certificate of excellence

to reach a better understanding of patient experiences and help us improve it in the future. It’s also beneficial to new patients, many of whom tell me that they find reading reviews helpful before coming to see me.”

Sadly, Mr Lumb will be retiring from clinical practice at the end of July after 25 years at Peterborough’s Hospitals. We wish him all the best for the future.

THANKING OUR SUPPORTERS

Local taxi firm raise more than £17,000 for Hinchingbrooke Hospital

NHS WORKER TRANSFORMS PCH’S ENDOSCOPY UNIT WITH MURAL An NHS worker from Peterborough City Hospital has transformed a blank corridor into a work of art, with a mural dedicated to colleagues in the hospital’s Endoscopy Unit.

magnitude. After speaking to colleagues in the department, it became clear that the team wanted something that was personal to the unit, so I chose our lead endoscopist and our newest endoscopist as models.”

Administrator and budding artist, Karen Manchip offered her services after learning that the Endoscopy department was looking for a visual way of displaying patients’ feedback.

The mural has been admired my patients and staff alike, many commenting on how wonderful it looks.

The mural reflects two colleagues, Lead Endoscopist Irfan Armin and Endoscopist Bindu Biju holding an endoscope while exactly 2 metres apart and took Karen 125 hours to paint.

Karen said: “I have always been interested in art and have been drawing since I was 12, but this is my first time creating something of this

“The mural turned out better than I could have imagined” said Petra Darlington, Sister on the Endoscopy Unit. “Everyone who visits the unit has commented on how fantastic it looks. We often have staff from across the hospital sneak down to the department to have a look. We cannot thank Karen enough for all her hard work to create such a masterpiece.”

IBD Patient Panel provides new equipment for wards Thanks to the members of our Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Panel, procedures to insert cannulas in inpatients will now be easier and hopefully more comfortable. The panel has used the funds it raised from past patient events to purchase a specialist piece of equipment that can help identify veins – which is particularly useful for patients whose veins are harder to spot!

Patient panel chairman Jeanine Helliwell presented two vein scanners to Peterborough City Hospital – which are now in use on wards A4 and A10.

Thank you to Jeanine and the panel members for their continued support and for helping improve services for our IBD patients.

Steve’s Taxis, based in Huntingdon and St. Neots, has been raising money for Hinchingbrooke Hospital since May 2019 by donating 10p from each customer’s fare. So far an incredible £17,000 plus has been raised and they will continue until their £20,000 target has been reached.

The generous donation will be used to purchase items for staff rooms on hospital wards and clinical areas which will benefit staff while on breaks during long shifts. It will also be used to improve outside seating space for both staff and patients.

Caroline Walker, Chief Executive at the Trust said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Steve’s Taxis. Their generosity means we can purchase items to improve break time facilities for Trust staff. This is particularly important at a time when looking after your health and wellbeing is vital.

Steve Woodham, Owner and Managing Director at Steve’s Taxis commented: “We are especially motivated to raise money for Hinchingbrooke Hospital because we are aware that hospital staff are trying to cope with extra workload caused by the pandemic.

“We provide transport for staff, their children and patients to and from the hospital. Our services have kept running throughout and we have done as much as possible to help people struggling with lockdown.”

Steve’s Taxis was established in 1977 and is based in Huntingdon and St Neots, they have over 140 vehicles in their fleet making them the largest taxi company in Huntingdon.

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WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES

A new mum’s feedback “I just thought I’d message to share my experience with you as well as say thank you to your team! What started off as a simple pregnancy changed when I was under investigation for possible thyroid cancer at 24 weeks.

“When I went for my consultant appointment at 28 weeks, Miss Lia could not have been more supportive, kind and reassuring. She was the best advocate and only wanted the best care for me. She liaised regularly with the other consultants involved in my care to ensure they were all on the same page.

She took my concerns and feelings into consideration at every step. When the decision came for me to have an elective section she took the time to explain why they felt it was the best option but never made me feel like the choice wasn’t mine to make. Then the day came! We had the best surgery team who helped calm and reassure me. They made the whole experience amazing and even though it wasn’t the birth I had dreamt of, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Pippa was our midwife in recovery and again, we couldn’t have asked for better. She was simply amazing! She guided my husband to get our baby dressed, she helped me breastfeed and even advocated for me to get up and showered as soon as I felt ready. All the staff on the ward were kind and helpful! Nothing was too much and there was no judgement when it was my baby crying all night. One specific midwife on the ward even shared her own experience of a thyroidectomy (my next surgery to remove my thyroid and tumours). I don’t know if she even knows how much her kindness helped a very hormonal new mum! I’ve kept her anonymous on purpose. The whole team at Peterborough were fantastic and a credit to the trust. I would recommend them hands down every time. You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves. Thank you for giving me the best experience and delivering my boy into this world safely! Baby Edison born 05.05.21.”

Abbie Rock

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CHILDREN’S ASSESSMENT UNIT OPENS AT PETERBOROUGH CITY HOSPITAL Younger patients requiring specialist paediatric treatment at Peterborough City Hospital will now be seen, assessed and treated in the new purpose-built Paediatric Assessment Unit, following its opening in May. The unit, also known as Jungle, has relocated into a specially designed modular build with dedicated treatment and stabilisation rooms, and isolation areas to meet the needs of acutely unwell children. In keeping with the Jungle theme, the walls are adorned with illustrations of wildlife to encourage a calming environment.

Dr Tim Jones, Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Lead for the Jungle Paediatric Assessment Unit, said: “We’re delighted to reopen the unit in this new and improved space. Hospital can be especially daunting for our younger patients, but our teams

have worked closely with the contractors to create a warm and welcoming environment, equipped with everything we need to enhance patient care.”

Originally the Jungle Paediatric Assessment Unit was located within the Emergency Department before being temporarily moved to the Amazon Children’s Ward as part of the Trust’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Moving the unit out of its temporary location on the ward to its new home will also allow us to re-open day-case beds to offer more elective surgery as part of our plans to recover the activity delayed by the pandemic,” said Dr Jones.

The relocation of the unit is part of a wider project to improve the hospital’s urgent and emergency care services. You can read more about this on page 10.

New Trust-wide Paediatric Transition Service A new paediatric transition service has been introduced across the Trust, to improve long-term outcomes for young people aged between 11 and 25 years that have ongoing health conditions.

John-Paul Rhodes, Paediatric Transition Co-ordinator said: “The service will support young people, and their families, as they transition from child health care settings to adult health services, which can be daunting for them. Our goal is to help them through this journey and ultimately improve their

patient experience and health.”

The service will utilise the Ready, Steady, Go transition tool that was developed by Dr Arvind Nagra at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, which helps young people of all abilities identify aspects of their lives that they may need some extra support with.

If you would like to get in touch with the team you can contact 07856 336 356 or email john-paul.Rhodes@nhs.net.

CONTRACEPTIVE CHAMPIONS AT NWANGLIAFT

Meet our new Head of Midwifery

A survey carried out at by the Trust highlighted that over 80% of women would like contraception provided before discharge from the Maternity Department. National guidance also recommends that postnatal woman should be counselled about contraception and provided with it as appropriate before they leave the hospital. Access to contraception has been particularly difficult during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prior to her appointment she held an interim Head of Midwifery position at North Middlesex University Hospital where she held the position of consultant Midwife leading on high risk pathways and the implementation of national initiatives. Hazel is a women focused midwifery leader determined to improve services for women and maternity teams alike. Her strategy for transformation is to develop highly functioning teams through inclusive, compassionate and visible leadership.

In order to facilitate postnatal contraception the role of Midwifery Contraceptive Champions has been developed. The champions undertake a training programme in order to qualify.

Yearly training is required to maintain this role and the champions lead contraceptive provision on the wards or in the community.

Training is undertaken at both Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke hospital and there is already a group of trained midwives across both sites and within the community who are able to support women with this, with a plan in place to train another group of midwives later in the year.

Initial contraceptive uptake has been fantastic with over 60% of women leaving Peterborough City Hospital with a form of contraception.

Hazel Cathcart joined our trust in January 2021 as Head of Midwifery having previously held senior midwifery leadership positions in North Central London.

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Rebecca McKay, one of our contraceptive champions, said: “I am so proud of our Midwifery Contraceptive Champions. They have worked very hard to achieve their competencies and are doing a fantastic job supporting post-partum women with contraceptive choices and provision.”

Community Midwifery Bags Thirty Community Midwife Bags landed with midwives at the Trust thanks to funding from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG. Each bag contains everything a community midwife would need for births at home, including any emergencies, with everything easily and quickly accessible.

Liz Phillips, Maternity and Neonatal Commissioning and Transformation Programme Manager, at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG, said, “We’re delighted that our first specially designed community midwife bags are already in use by our hospital partners, which we hope will help make sure that every mum and baby has the best possible birth experience.”

Kerry Fletcher, Lead Midwife for Community Services, said: “We are really excited to receive the Baby Lifeline Bags through the Local Maternity Neonatal System. The bags are equipped really well and organised into sections, making it easy to find anything you need at a homebirth.

We are now able to reduce the number of bags the Community Midwives carry when on call, making on calls much easier.”

Community Midwife, Kirsty O’Connor with her bag

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IMPROVING OUR URGENT AND EMERGENCY CARE SERVICES

IMPROVING OUR URGENT AND EMERGENCY CARE SERVICES AT PETERBOROUGH CITY HOSPITAL Over the last 12 months, staff have been working on a large scale project to reconfigure the Urgent and Emergency Care services at Peterborough City Hospital, with the aim of improving the hospital experience for our patients.

The project will deliver new facilities such as a new Paediatric Assessment Unit (read more on page 8) and purposebuilt Surgical Assessment Unit, where patients with a confirmed or probably surgical condition will be assessed, treated and observed in one area, before they are either discharged or admitted to a ward. This will help reduce the number of hospital admissions by ensuring only those requiring inpatient care are admitted to a ward.

Dr Athar Yasin, Clinical Lead

increased capacity for same day emergency care.”

The resuscitation area in the Emergency Department has been transformed as part of the works. The previously open-plan eight-bedded area has been converted so that each bay is now situated in an enclosed cubicle, affording more privacy and allowing for its own individual ventilation system.

for Emergency Medicine, said: “Our improved Urgent and Emergency Care services will help us ensure patients are seen in the most appropriate care setting for their needs, reduce

waiting times and improve their overall hospital experience. The reconfiguration will also help us reduce hospital admissions through a streamlined assessment process and

“This will help reduce the risk of spreading any kind of infection to other patients should a Covid-19 patient or a patient involved in a chemical incident be admitted,” says Dr Yasin.

“It will also provide patients and their relatives with more privacy during their stay which is very important when families are dealing with a difficult or unexpected situation.”

New Urgent Care redevelopment now complete following a £2.75m investment Work to improve the Urgent and Emergency Care services at Hinchingbrooke Hospital is now complete, following a £2.75m redevelopment of the facilities.

The Urgent and Emergency Care team has recently appointed more nurses and doctors and created new roles of Physician Associates and Advanced Care Practitioners. These roles mean that some of the nursing and paramedic colleagues can now gain new qualifications, build on their experience and have an option of becoming clinicians. Taking some of the pressures off the doctors and finding themselves new careers.

The project, which started in 2018, has resulted in the creation of a brand new Ambulatory Care Unit, a brand new Children and Young People’s ED, an increase in rooms in the Emergency Department, separate purpose-built mental health rooms for adults and young persons and a new purpose-built Ambulance Assessment Area.

Dr Pallav Bhatnagar, Lead Consultant for the Emergency Department at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, said: “The redevelopment of our A&E and Urgent Care is fantastic news for our population. It has given us additional space to work with. Now we can see more

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patients, more quickly and give them a better patient experience.”

Dr Bhatnagar, said: “Our staff are very excited with the new development and are looking forward to providing better and quicker service to our patients. Despite challenges of COVID-19, we are proud to have achieved our performance target of 95%. We are one of very few in the country to do this.”

What is an urgent treatment centre?

Urgent treatment centres offer treatment for an illness or injury that requires urgent attention but is not life-threatening situation. These include: • Sprains and strains Artist Impression of the new UTC at

• Suspected broken limbs

Peterborough City Hospital

• Minor head injuries

URGENT TREATMENT CENTRE SET TO RELOCATE TO PETERBOROUGH CITY HOSPITAL ON 1 JULY 2021 Peterborough’s Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) will relocate to Peterborough City Hospital this summer, as part of the Trust’s urgent and emergency care service.

Phil Walmsely, Chief Operating Officer, said: “This is a positive step towards improving the patient experience and should ensure we get patients in the right place, first time and seen by the right clinician, which will also help us manage attendances to our emergency department.

“The relocation has been a collaborative effort with health and care organisations working

• Bites and stings • Eye problems • Minor scalds and burns • Ear and throat infections • Skin infections and rashes • High temperature in child and adults • Emergency contraception Open 8am – 8pm, seven days a week, with patients able to book an appointment by calling NHS 111 or by walking in.

Think 111 First

From 1 July, patients requiring treatment for minor illnesses and injuries will be seen within the new UTC, which is accessed via the same entrance as the Emergency Department on the Peterborough City Hospital site. The move will bring all urgent and emergency care services in Peterborough together on one site, ensuring patients have access to the right services at the right time.

The unit, originally located on Thorpe Road in Peterborough, will be housed in a modular building that was lifted into the courtyard next to the Emergency Department in April. Once the move is complete, the UTC will continue to open 8am – 8pm, seven days a week, with patients able to book an appointment by calling NHS 111 or by walking in.

• Cuts and grazes

To help minimise waiting times, patients are encouraged to think 111 first: Call 111 and speak to a highly training operator who will be able to book you in to be seen quickly and safely. This could be with a GP, at an UTC or even A&E. The modular build was lifted into place by a crane

together as part of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS) and I want to say a big thank you to everyone involved. I would also like to welcome staff from Lincolnshire Community Health Services, who will be joining Team NWAngliaFT as part of the move.”

The UTC move was approved by the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Clinical Commissioning Group following a public consultation.

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NEWS

CO-PRODUCTION AT NORTH WEST ANGLIA NHS FOUNDATION TRUST The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team at NWAngliaFT has recently launched a new Co-production Programme.

Cancer Wellbeing Service gets a fresh new look The Robert Horrell Macmillan Centre has been transformed to create an uplifting and welcoming environment for people using the Cancer Wellbeing Service.

As part of the transformation, the centre has a brand new kitchen and kitchenette thanks to a generous donation by Bates & Elliott Kitchen Installations and Allbright Property Maintenance. The centre has also benefited from new flooring, art work and soft furnishings.

In keeping with the modern look, new sofas and lighting create a warm and inviting ambiance.

“The transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the wonderful support from local donors,“ said Lisa Deacon, Joint Service Manager. “We are constantly in awe of the generosity of local people and trades; we are so grateful for being able to make clients, carers’ and families’ environment here with us a comfortable and welcoming one.”

Rebecca Hardy, Joint Service Manager, invites you to visit our service to find out how it could help your patients or you and your family. One client said: “I have come away so much stronger and able to tackle situations that before I could not even comprehend.”

The centre is open Monday to Thursday, 9am-4pm Friday 9-12.30 If you would like to get involved with fundraising for the Cancer Wellbeing Service please e-mail lisa.deacon@nhs.net.

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The purpose of this programme is to facilitate the voice of everyone equally and embed coproduction into both service development and evaluations. Co-production is the relationship where professionals and patients share the power to plan and deliver support together, recognising that both partners have vital contributions to improve the quality of care we offer. It’s when people work together to identify/share problems and seek solutions.

We know that within the Trust we don’t have all the answers and want to work with the community, service users and staff to tackle inequalities that challenge our services.

Co-production recognises the importance

Membership updates During Covid we have not had the opportunity to get members involved as we would have liked, but we are looking to do so now.

We will be arranging membership meetings on the subject of the major redevelopment of each of our hospitals and these will be publicised in the coming months.

If you are a member and are reading this as a hard copy but would prefer to receive it via email, remember that you can use our portal. Just log on to: https:// secure.membra.co.uk/memberportal/ NorthWestAnglia. Register your name and create a password and you can be in charge of the information we hold for you.

If you would like to become a member, you can use the same portal to register and create your file.

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust endorse any of the products or services.

that people with ‘lived experience’ can make and have a positive impact on the development of our hospitals. We, as a trust, want to make improvements for health inequalities and want to hear your suggestions on how we can improve.

To find out how you can become a member of NWAngliaFT Co-production programme visit our website, About Us, Co-production.

Join 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!

Twitter @NWAngliaFT @PboroCityHosp @HinchHospital @Stamford_Hosp Facebook Peterborough City Hospital Hinchingbrooke hospital Stamford & Rutland Hospital Instagram North West Anglia NHS FT 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.

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VOLUNTEERS PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN SAVING PATIENT’S EYESIGHT Our volunteers’ contribution to providing great care to our patients is invaluable. Not only do they help us ensure patients have a positive experience during their visit, they occasionally play a vital role in diagnosing a patient and preventing lifechanging conditions.

LifeCycle Project at Peterborough City Hospital

Barbara Wolfe, fondly known as Babs, did just that after spending time with a patient with Diabetes on Ward B6 at Peterborough City Hospital. The patient was reserved at first, but Barbara’s gentle and friendly perseverance meant that in time they started opening up to her.

The Lifecycle Project, a social initiative launched by InfraRed, Bouygues E&S UK and Vercity, has helped provide up-cycled bikes to key workers at Peterborough City Hospital.

“It was during one of our chats that they mentioned their frustration because they could no longer read their books,” said Babs. “Having previously worked in an opticians, I knew that this sudden decline in eyesight could be a symptom of their diabetes and needed to be checked out as soon as possible.

they could investigate. I am pleased to say they are now receiving treatment to restore their eyesight.”

“The patient hadn’t wanted to mention it to staff on the ward because they weren’t in hospital for that reason, but I asked if I could share this with the nurse on duty so

The patient said: “Barbara is an absolute treasure and volunteering is definitely her vocation. She is very friendly and approachable and a credit to the hospital.”

New Volunteering Uniform The volunteering team at Hinchingbrooke Hospital has new blue uniforms which make them much more noticeable for patients and visitors.

They match the uniforms worn by volunteers at Peterborough City and Stamford Hospitals and make the volunteering team much more connected across the Trust.

Carol North, Head of Volunteering said: “Feedback is positive from our volunteers who have said they like that they can be identified from the front and they like the back which says “Can I help you?” The bright blue is easily seen, it’s fantastic having our volunteer

team more visible throughout the Hinchingbrooke site.”

The volunteers have many diverse roles within the hospital and play a huge part in adding great value to patient experience.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact: nwangliaft.volunteer@nhs.net.

The bikes are normally serviced and renovated in prison workshops, providing important upskilling and employment opportunities for prison leavers, who will receive full bike mechanic training.

Unfortunately prison workshops are closed due to the pandemic, therefore local businesses are being used to help with the renovation until the workshops open again.

Staff were able to pick up their bikes at the hospital from Lifecycle Project, who set up a socially distanced collection point, and had someone on hand to check that the bike fitted them correctly.

Jane Joy, Community Midwife said: “I applied to the scheme as over the last 18 months I have lost 7.5 stone in weight. I decided the time to exercise was greatly needed and saw this programme for the bikes so I applied. I was thrilled to win.

That’s how it felt, like I’d won a prize. I’m so excited to get on my bike when it’s not raining. Having done virtually no exercise it’s going to open a whole new world for me. It’s time to tone up now and improve on the hard work I’ve already done.”

There is an overwhelming demand for bikes and the team at Lifycycle Project is keen to source as many as they can. If you have an unused bike and would like to donate it for a good cause then please fill in this form (https://forms.gle/Jy5XjTNUUpGZaYHu5) or get in touch by emailing info@lifecycleproject.org.

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NEWS

Launch of the new maternity website Maternity Services have redesigned their website for a more user-friendly feel and easier access to information.

The team went out on social media asking women to send in images of their own pregnancy journey with the aim of these to be featured on the new website to help showcase the maternity services at both Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals. New sections have been added such as the service during Covid-19, resources during Covid-19 and a virtual tours of the maternity units. If you would like to leave any feedback on the new look you can send a direct message via our NWAngliaFT Maternity Services Facebook Page or email nwangliaft. communications@nhs.net

NEW PATIENT PORTAL AND TEXT MESSAGE REMINDER SERVICE INTRODUCED The Trust has introduced a new patient portal and text message reminder service, designed to make it easier for patients to manage their outpatient appointment.

The new service, provided by DrDoctor, will enable patients to view important information about their appointments online via a secure portal that they can access on their smartphone, tablet or desktop PC. Patients will receive a text message with a link to a secure patient portal where they can: • View important clinic information which may include leaflets and videos • View location information including google maps and floor plans • Add their appointment to their personal calendar P hil Walmsley, Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are very excited to be working with DrDoctor on this innovative project. The new service aims to improve the patient experience by giving patients instant access to information about their appointment, as well as reduce the number of patients not attending their appointment through the use of text message reminders.”

Please be reassured that patients will be able to receive appointment letters in the post if they request not to go paperless.

What does this mean for you?

• You will now receive a text message from a +44 mobile number notifying you of your upcoming appointment with a link to a secure patient portal.

• The text message will clearly state it is from North West Anglia NHS Trust.

• If you are not receiving text message reminders, please ensure we have your correct mobile number, full name, date of birth and postcode on file. Please contact nwangliaft. apptscallcentre@nhs.net to update your details.

• You also have the option to switch to for email reminders via DrDoctor rather than text messages.

Simply change your preferences on the patient portal.

• If you do not want to receive digital communications from DrDoctor, please reply to the text message with the word STOP.

Hinchingbrooke embraces digital improvements Teams across Hinchingbrooke Hospital have embraced digital change as three separate projects were launched in early 2021, all with cross-site working at their core.

The projects, which will further improve efficiency and patient care on the Hinchingbrooke site, aim to enhance key areas such as clinical communication, streamlining the management of patient records and improving the efficiency in viewing diagnostic imaging.

The Electronic Document Management (EDM) System provides staff with patient records in a digital format, allowing for a more streamlined approach to Health Record management across Hinchingbrooke and wider Trust.

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that provides prompt escalation for the management and timely treatment of a patients care.

The introduction of this system has provided greater clinical efficiency whilst reducing clinical risk. It has also increased the number of patients seen in the most appropriate environment, enhancing cross-site working by all sites being on the same system.

Nervecentre is a single software system

The system, which is in operation across the Peterborough City and Stamford Hospital sites, will provide a number of benefits to members of staff and patients, such as: providing real time information on the patient’s acuity, enabling remote access across our hospital sites, increasing the efficiency in reviewing a patient’s management plan and increasing direct care time for patients.

A Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS) has also been launched at Hinchingbrooke. This system enables easier and quicker access for clinical staff to view a patient’s diagnostic imaging cross-site.

YOUR HEALTH

PATIENT URGES WOMEN TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR HEARTS A patient at Peterborough City Hospital is urging women to take more care of their heart health after a recent Angina diagnosis.

Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person but the most common signs of a heart attack are: • chest pain or discomfort in your chest that suddenly occurs and doesn’t go away. It may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing

Coronary heart disease (CHD) kills more than twice as many women as breast cancer in the UK every year. Despite this women are less likely to seek help and see worse outcomes with their treatment.

Christine Tansey, aged 63, from Oundle, said: “I am very active, I don’t struggle with obesity and I don’t smoke, so I am not someone who you would consider to be at a high risk of heart disease. I do think that if I hadn’t gone back to my GP when I did I would probably have had a heart attack by now. I was getting palpitations and chest pain all the time and it was really concerning. Both of my parents had heart attacks in their 50’s, and I work in healthcare so I am very aware of how vulnerable I am.”

Dr Rebecca Schofield, Consultant Cardiologist, said: “Women do not seem to consider their heart health as a priority

• the pain may spread to your left or right arm or may spread to your neck, jaw, back or stomach • you may also feel sick, sweaty, lightheaded or short of breath.

Other less common symptoms include: • a sudden feeling of anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack and health care professionals may be biased when considered the risk of CV disease in women. Women, like Christine, are coming into our clinics far later than they should be because they are not picking up on the signs or are not being referred quickly enough. Promotion of CV disease and early

• excessive coughing or wheezing If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 999 for an ambulance immediately. prevention will help improve outcomes for our local population.”

Mental health support available Looking after your health and wellbeing has never been more important, especially after the year we have had It’s ok not to be ok and there are support services available to you.

Mental health crisis services run by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) have remained open

throughout the pandemic and are available to those in need of additional support.

Other mental health and wellbeing services run by partners in the area include:

Anyone in mental health crisis can call the First Response Service by calling 111 and selecting option 2. (Anyone living in Wisbech can call 111 and then select option 1 and ask to be put through to FRS).

• Lifeline, a mental health helpline, is available from 11am to 11pm every day via 0808 808 2121.

People can also self-refer to the Psychological Wellbeing Service which provides therapies to those who need help with conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress.

To support NHS colleagues dealing with the pandemic CPFT has set up the Staff Mental Health Service. Access to the service is via a referral from an NHS Trust’s occupational therapy team or a GP. For more information on both of these please go to www.cpft.nhs.uk.

• Qwell offers free online wellbeing support for adults in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough via its website: https://www.qwell.io/ • Wellbeing and mental health advice for adults and children is available via the Keep Your Head website: www.keep-your-head.com.

• Centre 33 provides free, confidential support and information for young people up to the age of 25, across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough via 0333 4141809 between noon and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

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STAFF FOCUS

Meet Vicky, Paediatric Deputy Sister in Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s Emergency Department “Working in Hinchingbrooke’s Paediatric Emergency Department is incredibly rewarding and each day is full of variety, it is precisely why I love my job.

Meet Lizzie, Sister in Peterborough City Hospital’s Emergency Department “On completion of my studies at University, I knew that I wanted to work in an acute environment.

That much had always been the case for me as I had a passion for urgent care, and placements I had in the emergency department (ED) and ambulance service had only cemented my love for that area of nursing. I remember leaving my first night shift in ED, my feet were throbbing, I was exhausted, but I was so happy.

I take on a wide range of jobs on a daily basis and care for infants, children and young people who have all sorts of injuries, such as broken bones, wounds or they might be feeling particularly unwell. That variety is why I wanted to become an Emergency Department nurse, the environment gives me the opportunity to constantly learn and build on my skills.

“Everyday in the Emergency Department is different and you are never quite sure what is coming next. I might be assessing a child’s injury and then plastering, or caring for a child requiring rapid stabilisation within the resuscitation environment.

“Building on my skills and the variety of the work are two huge factors to why I love my job in the Emergency Department. The main reason I love to come into work though is

that I am part of a great nursing and medical team who genuinely care and caring for our patients. It is so rewarding to see children improve through immediate treatments. I enjoy being a friendly face at what can be a scary time for our young patients.”

“I love the diversity of nursing in ED we have such autonomy and a really enhanced skill set. I can assist with the intubation of a baby, care for a patient with multiple traumas and suture a wound, all because I am an ED nurse.

I enjoy being there for people on what might be the worst day of their lives, because I know that I will do my best to make that day a tiny bit more bearable for them.”

“I can’t pretend my job is faultless, and the thing I dislike the most is when my best isn’t good enough. We have all had those shifts where it just keeps piling up and you work your hardest but cannot provide the level of care you want to give. That for me is heartbreaking, however I work with an exceptional team who support each other.

“I love my job and how it makes me feel. I love championing patient care, and I still to this day, leave my shift with throbbing feet!”

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Looking to move into the NHS? We have a whole host of clinical and non-clinical you can apply for to become a member of Team North West Anglia.

Simply go to our website to see what role you can take on as part of our Trust: www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk

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