Lincolnshire Wire Winter 2015

For staff, patients, GPs, volunteers and all local people

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

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Beyond Good

Contents

3 7 10 11

CQC reinspection – what you need to know Our clinical strategy Membership news Love your liver month

Message from Jane Lewington Our CQC reinspection is round the corner and although we Jane Lewington, are making fantastic progress Chief Executive we all need to do our bit and continue making improvements to ensure we get out of special measures.

Our quality improvement plan has seen some fantastic achievements including: • New incident reporting system providing better quality information, a greater focus on serious cases and robust monitoring and review • Plans for the revamped outpatients reception area have been finalised and new reception staff uniforms have been introduced.

• Introduced the new complaints system, called See it My Way, which focuses on responsiveness, openness and transparency, and involves the patient or complainant being central to the process.

However ahead of the inspection on 2, 3 and 4 February we all need all our staff to complete their core learning, report incidents and near misses, complete documentation correctly and keep medical records tidy. This way we will be able to demonstrate to the CQC that we have identified what we need to improve on and are working hard to achieve these goals.

We’ve seen real commitment from staff in doing their core training and appraisals. However at the time of going to press the number of staff who have had an appraisal has gone from 60% in October to 69% in December. We need to do more to achieve our target of 95% appraised staff by end of March.

We are continuing to make progress with our clinical strategy. This month we will have our preferred financial options for future of emergency care and women’s and children’s services. This will be based on quality criteria such as access and deliverability.

The end of January will be an important milestone for the Trust, but there will still be lots of work to do. Our board will need to approve our preferred models in April, and we will feed into the Lincolnshire Health and Care programme.

The Listening into Action teams are approaching the end of their LiA Rapid journey. I have been blown away by the passion, dedication and enthusiasm of the teams as they look to tackle issues around equipment availability, cleanliness and medications management.

This month we are also looking to launch a further four teams voted for by our doctors at a consultant and SAS doctors event last year.

More information on how to get involved in one of these schemes and on our plans around LiA local can be found on page 2.

We have also launched our second annual staff awards which are due to take place in March. Nominations are now open and I would encourage our staff, patients and members of the public to vote for the team or individual who has really made a difference to the organisation.

Jane Lewington, Chief Executive 2

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Be Proud. Make a Difference

Listening into Action: Join one of the new LiA groups Following an LiA listening event which was attended by nearly 70 consultant and SAS doctors, four new LiA teams are being formed to address the key priorities as voted for by the doctors who attended the event. These are: • Recruitment and retention of medical staff with a particular focus on junior doctor recruitment • Doctors and nurses in charge i.e. those in clinical leadership roles having the authority to appoint and hold staff to account • Reducing elective cancellations • The right patient to the right ward and managing outliers So, we are looking for staff, not just doctors, who are passionate about improving one of these priorities, to join an LiA team to help us to make improvements. We will focus the teams on the site where most of the staff tell us they want to be involved are based.

Once improvements have been made on one site we will rapidly roll them out to all sites.

We will be setting up the LiA teams this month. Each team will have 20 weeks to make a difference and will be supported

by Jane Lewington. Let us know if you would like to be involved by e-mailing the LiA inbox (lia@ulh.nhs.uk).

LiA local is coming to ULHT in 2015!

We have been involving staff in Listening into Action since May 2013 and over 50 LiA teams have been set up to tackle things from recruitment to reducing bureaucracy, from improving outpatients to ensuring the right equipment is available.

We want to bring LiA to your team and involve every member of staff in your area working together to make things better for staff and patients. LiA local will focus on changes that the staff on your ward or in your department want to make to help them deliver even better quality and safety by stopping the things that frustrate them at work every day.

Interested? We are looking for six wards or departments to start LiA local in the New Year. Let us know if you are interested by emailing the LiA inbox (lia@ulh.nhs.uk).

Beyond Good

Be Proud. Make a Difference

Trust to welcome CQC inspectors Our recent achievements HSMR down from 109 to 98.4. This is in line with expected range, as is SHMI score.

Pressure ulcers – 0.5%. The most serious ulcers (grades 3 and 4) have also fallen Cleared backlog of complaints from the old complaints system

Staff are busy preparing for the CQC inspection and working hard to showcase all our great work The purpose of this inspection is to look at areas that caused CQC concern last April. They are amending their methodology so it’s more fitting for re-inspection rather than first time inspection. More than 20 inspectors are expected on site on site 2, 3 and 4 February. They will be talking to staff, patients and stakeholders, and looking at areas rated as “inadequate” and “requires improvement” after the last inspection.

The inspection allows us a real opportunity to really show our improvements. We believe all our hard work on Beyond Good – our quality

‫@‏‬NicBanner massive thanks so much to all at cardiac cath lab & short stay ward.

Made a stressful experience so easy. You are all brilliant

Fire Information governance Infection control Equality and diversity Health and safety/ slips and trips Moving and handling Risk management awareness Safeguarding adults (level 1)

improvement plan – has done enough to show inspectors we have continued to make significant progress, and enough to get out of special measures. Let’s show that ULHT rose to the challenge.

Safeguarding children (level 1)

Before the CQC come in, take time to think about what your ward, clinic or team has done to improve our services?

5 questions the inspection team will ask about our services

Think of three things to shout about? It could be improvements to patient services, your department’s appraisal and core learning rate or the way you are improving quality or promoting hand hygiene. Don’t be shy. Let’s celebrate how good we are!

Top tweets @ULHTNews Staff took part in @ StopPUday2014. We have reduced incidences by nearly 40% to 0.5%, against the national rate 4-6%.

Core learning is must do training ALL staff do. There are nine courses:

Have you done yours?

Are they safe?

Are they effective?

Are they caring?

Are they responsive to people’s needs?

Are they well led?

@nhsejlew Our front line teams working together to make further progress on standards for 7 day working.

‫@‏‬B19DJO @ckentone @ULHTNews I’ve just finished my #NHSfrontline course and it was amazing! Inspiring and thought provoking from start to finish!!!

@EastMidsLETB #FF proud to be working with @unilincoln @ULHTNews @LPFTNHS on training healthcare professionals of the future #loveourlearners

@suneilkapadia 91clinicians from PHB, LCH & GH got together for our 1st pan trust clinical mtg this pm. Encouraged to repeat.

@pmjp97 Open staff sessions yesterday and today. Reminded by staff of the importance of reporting the positive.

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Our hospitals highlights

Image courtesy Lincolnshire Echo

Be Proud. Make a Difference

Lincolnshire Heart Centre exceeds national targets in first year A 24/7 service to provide gold standard treatment to people suffering a heart attack in Lincolnshire has achieved fantastic successes in its first year.

T

he Lincolnshire Heart Centre introduced the PPCI (Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) treatment in April 2013 performing 464. The procedure involves using a small balloon to restore blood flow to a blocked artery. When performed as an emergency for a heart attack this is known as a primary angioplasty and is the most effective treatment for patients suffering the most severe form of heart attack.

The heart centre has also exceeded the recommended national targets set by the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP).

The target from the time that an ambulance is called until the artery is opened using PPCI (known as call to balloon) is less than 150 minutes. The heart centre achieved this in 87.3% of cases against the national average of 82.3%, achieving an average time of 117.5 minutes.

The centre also exceeded the recommended target from the time of the patient arriving at the heart centre until the artery is opened using

PPCI (known as door to balloon) which is less than 90 minutes. The centre achieved this in 98.2% of patients against a national average of 92.1%, with an average time of 27.5 minutes.

Maria Willoughby, acute cardiac practitioner at the Lincolnshire Heart Centre said: “Achieving a “call to balloon” and “door to balloon” time better than the national averages is even more of a challenge in such a rural area as Lincolnshire.”

Dr David O’Brien, consultant interventional cardiologist and clinical lead, said: “The achievements are a reflection of the dedication, determination and competence of the team involved in driving and providing this service plus the working partnerships that have been developed with the emergency services and the other hospitals within the region. We have also seen a reduction in the length of stay for patients from an average of nine days to three days.”

The service was also shortlisted for the National Patient Safety Awards in London and has been recognised by NICE and the Royal College of Nursing as an example of best practice.

About the Lincolnshire Heart Centre The Lincolnshire heart centre based at Lincoln County Hospital was officially opened on Wednesday 4 September 2013.

The project cost more than £4 million. It has provided new cardiac catheterisation laboratories with direct access for ambulances, a new recovery unit and cardiac short stay unit.

ULHT Bladder Cancer Patient Support Group completes three years

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A County Hospital, Louth patient support group for patients and family of people with bladder cancer has had three years success and is encouraging members of the public and their loved ones to make use of the support group as part of their treatment.

At the meetings, patients share their experiences about their treatment and cancer journey. Many patients have volunteered to be on the buddy register and in turn help those who start treatment or need to have radiotherapy or major surgery for their bladder cancer.

The patient support group started in April 2011 by Haradikar Varadaraj consultant urologist and Angie Parton, urology cancer nurse specialist.

The patient support group is self-funded with initial funding from Macmillan but patients have raised significant amounts through various events.

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Mr Varadaraj said: “I am very happy interacting with the patients and their family at the meeting, answering doubts and questions the patients have and updating about any issues. I would like to highlight the stellar hard work put in by Angie Parton in organising the three monthly meetings for the last three years. Patients also look up to Angie and recognise her dedication to keep these support group meetings on-going without any break.”

Our hospitals highlights

Be Proud. Make a Difference

Innovative service for hip fracture patients continues to shine Our innovative way of managing hip fractures at Pilgrim Hospital has come out on top for the second year running.

The information published in the 2014 annual report of the National Hip Fracture Database has revealed that compared to 182 hospitals, Pilgrim is top for ensuring that patients are operated on quickly. This has a major impact on patients’ ability to make a full recovery.

Pilgrim was also the number one hospital in the country for achieving best practice criteria in the National Hip Fracture Database reports for 2013 and 2014.

The average length of stay for patients is also one of the lowest in the country at 12.7 days compare to a national average of 15.3 days.

The hip fracture team at the hospital, led by Mr Theo Joachim, recognised the need to improved standards and care for patients admitted to hospital with fractured neck of femur.

To address these issues the team revolutionised the care of patients who have hip fractures, by improving optimisation therefore reducing the time to surgery and providing robust after care.

The team also achieved success at the National, 2014 Patient Safety and Care Awards in July, winning both the Clinical Leadership and Musculoskeletal Care categories.

Improvements have been achieved by changing the way clinical teams work, ensuring such cases are treated as a priority, and innovatively using operating theatre time, to reduce delays.

Care provided to hip fracture patients is audited for the following standards: • fast admission to orthopaedic care;

Speaking of their success, Theo Joachim said: “The project has been a fantastic success in helping to shape the healthcare delivered at the Trust. Most hip fractures are suffered by frail elderly patients, for whom the injury is lifethreatening. Therefore, the improvements we have made are saving lives.

• surgery within 48 hours and within normal working hours;

“We have worked very hard to develop excellent care for our patients and it is a testament to the continued hard work of the team that we have been able to maintain this success in delivering high quality care.”

• assessment and appropriate treatment to promote bone health;

• nursing care aimed at minimising incidences of pressure ulcers; • routine access to orthogeriatric medical care;

• falls assessment • surgery within 36 hours of admission

Dates for the diaries – clinical discussion forums Regular clinical discussion forums are being set up on the three main hospital sites. These are intended to become a forum that updates staff on clinical hot topics such as the progress of the clinical strategy.

Clinical and non-clinical staff are invited.

Come along to get involved and shape the future of our hospitals.

Pilgrim: Monday 16 February, 5pm, Committee Room 1

Lincoln: Monday 23 February, 5pm, Lecture Theatre

Lincoln: Monday 20 April, 5pm, Lecture Theatre

Grantham: Tuesday 17 February, 5pm, Meeting Room 3

Grantham: Tuesday 7 April, 5pm, Meeting Room 3

Pilgrim: Tuesday 21 April, 5pm, Committee Room 1 winter 2015

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Patient Praise

Be Proud. Make a Difference

New parents praise midwives at Lincoln hospital for exceptional care

H

aving a baby can be a daunting experience, which is why we have caring and supportive midwives on hand every step of the way.

Eloise Croft, 22, and partner Sam Rumley, 24, from Newark became the parents of Isabelle Grace Rumley on Sunday 2 November 2014.

Although the birth wasn’t as straightforward as they were hoping, the care they received was second-to-none.

Eloise describes her experience: “Throughout our duration on the Nettleham ward before we had Isabelle we met staff who were helpful and thorough when explaining the details of my care. I stayed on the ward for just over a week and all the staff were friendly, reassuring and made me feel at ease throughout my stay.

“Although during the busier periods it was sometimes difficult to discuss a matter immediately with the midwife who was caring for me, when I pressed my buzzer there was always a staff member who took the time to answer my questions and reassure me.

“One of the midwifes who looked after us several times whilst in clinic as well as on the ward was Rachel, who we had previously helped us through a tough time in 2013 when we had delivered our little boy after 6

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a termination at 21 weeks gestation due to severe congenital abnormalities. She has a positive calming effect on us, which helped us a lot throughout our stay, and her friendly nature made us feel comfortable and reassured that we were in very good hands.

She always made time to explain any details I was unsure of and talk through any worries I had to make our birth as positive as possible.

couldn’t have stayed half as strong without her encouragement and support and for that we are very grateful!

“After we had Isabelle, we were transferred onto the transitional care ward as Isabelle was born at 36 weeks. The team were so helpful, especially for my partner Sam who cared for Isabelle whilst I was under a general anaesthetic, Even with his ‘first-time parent’ “Our stay on the Bardney ward did not panic they gave him amazing support and quite go to plan, as helped him through I ended up having the first few daunting When I pressed my buzzer an emergency hours. Thanks to their caesarean, but the care and support there was always a staff staff who helped Isabelle thrived from member who took the time us throughout the moment she was the labour were to answer my questions and born and I do believe it fantastic! Even in is thanks to their help reassure me times of panic they that she continues to kept very calm and do so well! discussed all their concerns with both me “I’d say to anyone who was anxious, to put and Sam at all times. I am very grateful their trust into the teams in Lincoln’s maternity for their quick decision as I know things ward. The staff provide great care and if you may have taken a turn for the worse if have any concerns they are there to help their teamwork wasn’t as outstanding as you. Even during the busier periods there is it is. The midwife who helped us deliver always someone to help and to talk to and Isabelle was Lorrie who helped us so much they always thrive to do their best! Sam and and gave us that extra support to make this labour as positive as possible, even I would like to take the opportunity to thank when Isabelle was struggling. We honestly all the staff.”

Changing our NHS

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Transformation of Lincolnshire’s hospitals is on track

O

ver the last two months, our staff have worked hard help develop preferred options for the future of emergency care and women and children’s services. Following wide engagement with staff and with trust members, the two working groups (set up by the Clinical Strategy Implementation Group) have reduced the long-list of options from Lincolnshire Health and Care (LHAC) into a short-list for each service.

The shortlists have been evaluated against qualitative criteria. So looking at quality (clinical effectiveness, safety), access (distance to travel, patient choice) and deliverability (workforce, timeliness), we now have draft models we believe best meet the needs of patients.

In February, we will be looking at the financial impact data of all options, so will then have preferred options based on both quality and finance.

As well as the big, potentially contentious areas of emergency and women and children’s services, CSIG has set up working groups for orthopaedics and breast services.

The breast services group is chaired by Dr Gurdip Samra, consultant in intensive care medicine and anaesthesia. The group is exploring how best to organise symptomatic and asymptomatic services including the potential to deliver from a reduced number of sites.

Mr Mohit Gupta, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, chairs the orthopaedics group. The

group is exploring retaining trauma based services, and looking to maximise elective work at Louth and Grantham.

Our clinical strategy is moving at a fast pace. Over the next few months, we will seek the views of more staff and the public, and our plans will continue to evolve. But there will still be lots of work to do. Our board will need to approve our preferred models, and which we will feed into the Lincolnshire Health and Care programme.

LHAC is the commissioner-led programme, but the Trust has been asked to lead on hospital reconfiguration on behalf of the programme board. LHAC will then consult with the public on the option(s) later on in the year.

Draft NHS England vision for urgent and emergency care

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In the spotlight

Be Proud. Make a Difference

ULHT’s strengths lie in the staff. There is a desire to want to improve not only for themselves but for the people we serve.

Interview with Suneil Kapadia, Medical Director After 18 months in post as medical director, we caught up with Suneil to find out what his key priorities are and where he feels the organisation’s strengths lie.

1. What is your background / how did you get to where you are?

I qualified 31 years ago, of which 18 were spent as a consultant gastroenterologist at Wolverhampton. During that time I did a range of other things. I was always interested in hospital management and improving patient care. Over the years I have been clinical lead for gastroenterology ( eight years), clinical director for all the medical specialties and A&E (three years) and the equivalent of deputy medical director. I have had a number of interests beyond the Trust in terms of gastroenterology. I was secretary of the British Society of Gastroenterology and assembly member of the United European Gastroenterology society. The former is a national organisation with approximately 3,000 members and the latter has 20,000 members Since joining the Trust I have stopped all clinical practice so I have no direct face to face contact with patients anymore. It was quite a hard decision to make after 30 years of clinical practice. There are not many medical directors that have given up clinical work entirely.

2. Why did you choose to work at ULHT? I’ve been here nearly 18 months now and I like the challenge. When I decided to move to ULHT it was because I liked the fact that it was large multi-site organisation and very different to other places I have worked.. I wanted to work at executive level and after meeting with Jane Lewington I felt I could work well alongside her.

3. What are your objectives over the next 12 months?

There are several pressing objectives I am working on. One of which is working with the staff to get us out of special measures.

In addition and equally important for me, is improving clinical effectiveness and helping to improve patient safety. Other areas of work in progress include the clinical strategy work developing our in house leadership programme. This is not just for medical staff but will also include our senior managers and nurses.

4. What do you think you can bring to the role?

My various roles over the years has given me a depth and breadth of experience. Also having being at the sharp end of clinical practice as a gastroenterologist and physician I have a good understanding of the day to day concerns, frustrations and the needs of clinicians working 8

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in large acute trusts.

5. Can you describe a typical day?

There are three main elements to my job.

One is the here and now relating to special measures and the continued work around that.

The second area is the business as usual work, which given the three sites can be quite a challenge. The third part is the outward facing work, working with other organisations that have an impact on us.

6. Where do you think the organisation’s strengths lie?

The strengths lie in the staff. There is a desire to want to improve not only for themselves but for the people we serve. I think that’s a huge strength and without that it would be difficult to move forward.

7. What drives you?

It’s a determination to bring about change.

I like the challenge. That’s the thing that keeps me going. It’s the belief that we can make things better.

8. What is the best thing about your job?

The executives that I work with keep me sane. They are hugely committed to improving things and although we might be perceived as the ogres of ULHT, we’re actually on the same side as everybody else.

9. What do you think the organisation’s biggest challenge is?

I think there are several big challenges which go hand in hand with each other.

One is our current financial position and how we make our services successful and sustainable.

There are some

things that are within our ability to change to ensure we are as clinically effective as possible. When I started, the compliance with thromboprophylaxis was not as it should be and a number of patients having thrombosis was twice the national average.

However by improving our compliance to above the recommended levels with minimal investment our rate fell down to the expected average. If you reduce complications, you reduce the patient’s length of stay in hospital, which means you can then treat more people. We need to ensure we’re doing the simple things well.

10. What would you say to staff at ULHT? I would say that we can do it. Our staff are more than capable of proving to the people of Lincolnshire that we are a safe hospital that doesn’t need to be in special measures. We also need to work together and think of the work we do for the whole of Lincolnshire rather than being site-specific.

I don’t see it as increasing services for one hospital at the expense of another. I see it as how does that service best fit in for the patients and the population of Lincolnshire as a whole.

In the spotlight

Be Proud. Make a Difference

On the spot…

Suneil Kapadia Who inspires you?

Sir Isaac Newton because he did so much without being shown how.

There was nobody before him telling him how to do it, which I can’t get my head around.

Favourite food Seafood.

First record I didn’t buy it but the first record I ever had was Yellow Submarine by the Beatles.

What are you listening to at the moment I listen to the radio rather than specific albums or songs and I never hear the lyrics, they are like background noise to me. I don’t even sing in the shower! My tastes are quite eclectic.The three radio stations I like to listen to are Radio 2, Radio 4 or Classic FM and it depends on which time of the day as to which I’m listening to.

Where is your favourite place in the world I like India, having spent the first eight years of my life there and having been back several times. I like being by the sea if I can, although having lived and worked in the Midlands and now in Lincolnshire I haven’t really achieved this goal!

If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you take?

A fountain pen and pad to write in, I’m quite practical so I’d need a multi-toolkit and a pair of swimming shorts so I could remain decent.

What do you like to do with your spare time?

It changes with time but I like challenges. Over the years I’ve built a car (a replica of a Jaguar SS100), learnt how to ocean sail (which is no mean feat when you live in the Midlands) and ran a marathon. At the moment I like walking in the country, ski badly, travelling abroad and I’m getting an interest in photography.

ULHT in the news Featured in the Lincolnshire Echo

Jane Lewington spoke to the Lincolnshire Echo to express thanks to ULHT’s staff for coping with demand on services over the winter months. She also thanked patients and their relatives for their understanding during this busy time and our heath community partners’ for working closely with us to ease pressure on our hospital sites.

FIRST PERSON: Thanks to our staff, patients and families over the festive rush Seasonal pressures are nothing new to the NHS.

I want to thank all our staff and our heath community partners’ staff for their hard work, commitment and flexibility.

But like the rest of England, NHS and social care services in Lincolnshire faced unprecedented demand for services over the Christmas and New Year period.

I want to thank all our staff and our heath community partners’ staff for their hard work, commitment and flexibility.

They have all been fantastic over the past few weeks. It’s thanks to them that we have kept services functioning and patients safe.

Traditionally winter is often busier than the warmer months as more people get flu and viruses.

Also, people with long-term conditions such as asthma are more susceptible to the cold weather and often get complications if they catch flu. This does lead to increased attendances in A&E and more emergency admissions.

Featured in the Lincolnshire Echo and BBC Radio Lincolnshire Trust focus on quality leads to lowest mortality figures since 2006/07 United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust’s mortality rate has fallen to the lowest rate for eight years as staff continue to implement across-the-board improvements in patient care.

New data on mortality rates, known as HSMR, show that the 2013/14 score for the trust is 98.4, down from 109 in the previous year and now better than the national average. The figure is the lowest since 2006/07 when the score was 106.

Featured in the Lincolnite As part of an annual column in the Lincolnite, Jane Lewington looked back at the year at ULHT, highlighting the successes of the Trust including a reduction in our mortality rate, success of our Pilgrim hip fracture team and the launch of the hospice in a hospital at Grantham.

Reflections 2014: Rising up to the health challenge - Jane Lewington At this time of year, I like look back over the last 12 months and more importantly look forward to next year.

This past year has been challenging for United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust but at the same time we have made big improvements to our services.

This couldn’t have been done without the continued hard work, enthusiasm and compassion of our staff and volunteers, who despite significant pressures have remained supportive and dedicated in ensuring that safe and high quality care is delivered to all our patients.

What three things would your friends or colleagues say about you?

My family would say I’m very stubborn or putting it nicely – very focussed. I am late for most things and that I’m by and large easy to get on with, but difficult to get to know. winter 2015

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About our members’

Be Proud. Make a Difference

Peter Palmer

Bernie Gallen

Me and You

P

eter, a Trust member, and Bernie in Quality and Safety talk about their shared experiences of working together on the Trust’s ward assurance programme.

they are escalated. Patients can be open and frank with their feedback, reinforcing the purpose of the ward assurance visit - to give patients and their relatives the assurance that they are receiving the best care available.

Peter Palmer Having previously been a patient at the Trust, I became a member because of an interest in seeing behind the scenes at my local hospitals. I attended the training sessions and obtained a DBS certificate which allow me to put my name forward to sit on committees and take part in ward assurance visits and PLACE inspections.

At the end of each visit, the team holds a frank and open debriefing session. During this we each give a report of our findings and observations. We often comment on each other’s’ reports. This enables the team leader to compile a full report

The ward assurance programme is all about patient care and safeguarding and is run

by Bernie Gallen. I view these visits an opportunity to look for strengths and for weaknesses within the organisation, a chance to support patients and staff and am careful not to criticise or find fault.

Whilst I am happy talking with staff, I enjoy talking to patients and explain to them that I am there as their representative and am free to pass on their comments without fear or favour. I also make it clear that I am perfectly willing to take any concerns they have to the appropriate staff member and ensure that

As a patient representative, I will also send in a written report to the membership office.

It is gratifying, when making return ward visits, to see even the smallest but worthwhile changes being introduced.

As a trust member, the experience gained from ward visits makes contributions at the locality forum meetings easier due to the insight gained. I feel combining attendance at visits and forum meetings gives me a greater understanding of the workings of the hospital and allows me to contribute to improving the patient experience which I’m passionate about.

Bernadine Gallen I am quality and safety manager within the trust, but I started my career as a nurse.

At ULHT, in addition to the many patient safety initiatives such as safety quality dashboards we run assurance visits in clinical and non-clinical areas in line with Care Quality Commission (CQC) methodology. These visits aim to provide evidence that the Trust is delivering high quality care for patients in a safe environment by appropriately trained staff. The reviewers include clinical staff, nonclinical staff and patient representatives. Staff and patients are interviewed, documentation is reviewed and observations are recorded.

Feedback to staff is given via verbal and written reports.

Patient representative input is vital to this process. I have worked with Peter on a number of occasions. He is a regular participant and always gives frank and honest views. He talks to patients and pass on their comments. Peter always contributes at the meetings and gives us very valuable feedback. I really value this and it is so important in running thorough assurance visits. Peter is always happy to take part in patient representative activities, sometimes at very short notice. We are very grateful for the time that he, and all the other Trust members, gives up to help us improve our services.

Join us today We currently have over 1,150 members.

Become a member of our trust and learn more about what we do, have your say and have a direct influence on the decisions we take. Being a member is free and you can be as involved as little or as much as you like.

On 24 March 2015, we are hosting one big membership meeting rather than the 10

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usual four individual locality meetings. This will give members an opportunity to meet more people and we will be celebrating the positive contributions our members have made to the organisation. We will be looking at some of things we have achieved over the last year and our plans for the future. The event will be held in Sleaford and if you would like to come along to

this exciting event please contact the membership office for more information.

Contact the Membership Office Robey House, Lincoln County Hospital, LN2 5QY 01522 572301 foundationtrustoffice@ULH.nhs.uk www.ulh.nhs.uk/foundation_trust/

Living well

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Health and Wellbeing Love your liver month So, it’s the new year and you’ve promised yourself that your new year’s resolutions will be to be healthier, exercise more and eat smaller portions. How long did that last? A day? A week?

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there with the last of the festive chocolate knowing that we shouldn’t but we can’t resist. Or that last glass of sherry we couldn’t possibly just throw away.

In January, it’s the British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver month. It’s to raise awareness of the effect that certain aspects of life can have on our livers. Did you know that your liver is one of the most resilient and robust organs in your body? The human liver performs hundreds of functions to ensure the well-being of various organ systems. These include: • Digestion of food • Reducing sugar and fat levels by converting them to protein to strengthen the body • Protecting the brain from toxic by-products of medicines and alcohol • Maintaining function of the blood Protecting your liver isn’t just a January thing. Think of your liver all year round!

Andrew Langford, Chief Executive of British Liver Trust told us “our message is to Love Your Liver all year round; I’m delighted we are planning pop up screening events around the country during 2015, and we’d love everyone to hold their own Love Your Liver awareness event if they can.

There are an estimated 2 million people living with liver damage, it’s essential to improve knowledge of how to keep the liver healthy and how to spot the early signs and symptoms of problems. Our liver health screener at http:// loveyourliver.org.uk/love-your-liverhealth-check/ is a great first step everyone can take towards good liver health. To be kept up to date with the campaign please register at www.loveyourliver.org.uk “ [in a pull out box if possible] Dr Sreedharan, Consultant Gastroenterologist said, “Season’s Greetings and a very Happy New Year to you. Your Liver needs tender loving care more than ever during and after the festive season when it works overtime coping with the rich food and alcohol coming its way.

Do not worry! You can look after your liver by following these simple steps: • Enjoy alcohol in moderation and make sure you have 2-3 alcohol free days in a week allowing time for your liver to repair itself • Ensure you include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to help your liver balance the effects of sugary delights • Remember to get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B before your holiday abroad to protect your liver from these infections.

Love you Liver! Enjoy your Life!

Healthy treat recipe Along with other vegetables, beetroot is a great vegetable that may help keep your liver healthy.

This recipe uses beetroot along with ginger (good for the immune system) in a squidgy brownie recipe.

Beetroot and ginger brownie 250g fresh beetroot 100g chocolate (preferably plain) 50g unsalted butter, plus extra for the tin 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 125g caster sugar 2 eggs 50g plain flour 20g cocoa powder 2 balls of stem ginger 1. Line a tray with greaseproof paper. Simmer the beetroot in hot water until soft, then, wearing rubber gloves, slip off the skins. Preheat the oven to 180C. 2. In a food processor, mix together the chocolate, hot beetroot, butter and vanilla extract until the mix is as smooth as you can get it.

3. Combine the sugar and eggs in a large bowl and whip together with an electric whisk for about 2 minutes, until the mix is thick, pale and foamy. Fold the beetroot mix into the whisked eggs.

4. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder, then gently fold to make a smooth batter. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 35-40 minutes. Allow to cool in the tin, then cut into 5cm squares to serve. winter 2015

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5 minutes with...

Be Proud. Make a Difference

Get to know…

Staff and board members tell us a bit about their lives, careers and a few secrets.

Penny Owston, Non-Executive Director

What do you like best about your job?

Working with committed and interesting people What was the first record you ever bought?

The Beatles ‘I want to hold your hand ‘ What makes you proud to work at ULHT? Doing something that matters with committed people Name one thing you couldn’t live without?

Bruce Springsteen’s music Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Bruce Springsteen (for his values), The Dalai Llama (for his wisdom) and Hilary Clinton (for her clout) Who had the greatest influence on your career?

I will tell you over a beer. It is not what you think!

What’s your favourite sport?

Terry Vine

Nick Leeming

Matron, Acute Paediatrics

Head of Emergency Planning and Business Continuity

What do you like best about your job?

Working with a great team of nurses on the wards who care passionately about the children. They inspire me on a daily basis.

What was the first record you ever bought?

First album was Setting Sons by The Jam in 1978. A band who I am still obsessed by now.

What makes you proud to work at ULHT? Hard working staff who give everything to provide care that they would want for their families.

Name one thing you couldn’t live without?

Apart from the obvious family and friends, I would say music. I listen to music continuously at every available opportunity.

Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Tony Benn , Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Very corny, very obvious but what a dinner party!

Who had the greatest influence on your career?

A previous director of nursing that encouraged me, advised me and supported me. Taught me the true meaning of compassionate leadership through her actions.

If you could have any superpower what would it be?

Where is your favourite place in the world?

Super-parent. I have three kids and I still haven’t got it right every time. Anyone that gets it right at least most of the time is Superman/woman in my eyes.

Istanbul…at the moment

Who’s your favourite band?

What’s your favourite book?

The Smiths

The Signature of all Things: Elizabeth Gilbert

What is your greatest achievement?

Tennis

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?

My kindle, a duck down pillow and an everlasting supply of KitKats How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who can be relied on not to take life too seriously.

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winter 2015

Parenting. The hardest job ever.

Where is your favourite place in the world?

Summit of any mountain with a view. Not fussy which. Like being high up.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you? iPad (with WIFI/3G) (would give me all of the music and books plus Facebook that I need plus I could call for help), solar iPad charger, solar powered coffee machine.

How would you like to be remembered?

I’d just like to be remembered

What do you like best about your job?

The variety of things I deal with from working on major incident policies and preparing for things like the Ebola virus and chemical decontamination incidents to preparing exercises to test the resilience of our staff.

Name one thing you couldn’t live without?

I can’t go too long without decent coffee but absolutely love riding my motorbike and can’t really choose between them.

How would your friends and colleagues describe you?

Loud Proud Yorkshire nutcase.

Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Billy Connolly because he is a great raconteur and has travelled the world entertaining people.

Sebastian Coe as is a great Olympian, politician, was the driving force for the London Olympics and is still very active in the athletics world. I think he would be great company. Third would be Justin Bieber so we could all pick on him.

Who had the greatest influence on your career?

I spent 24 years in the military and that was down to my Grandad. He was a paratrooper in World War II, jumped into Arnhem and later became the first Regimental Sergeant – Major of the Battalion. He then became a very successful publican and used to keep me and the whole pub entertained with stories of his escapades “during the war” so much so I couldn’t wait to join up.

If you could have any superpower what would it be?

I’d have to plump for time travel as then I could go back and tell the executive of Decca records that I think he should listen to that Beatles tape again!

What is your greatest achievement?

That I always try to look on the positive side of life. I have experienced two personal tragedies’ and I think that having a positive outlook even during difficult times is my greatest achievement.

How would you like to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as a thoughtful, loving person, who loved his life and lived it to the fullest. And therefore I had better not die until I get to that point.

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Providing accessible and affordable transport for our local community Using fully vetted volunteer drivers, driving our minibuses or their own vehicles we have transported disabled and older people who struggle to use public transport in the county for nearly 30 years.

Our fleet of accessible minibuses are available to anyone who lives within 6 miles of Lincoln and outside this zone we can still help with our team of volunteer car drivers.

We can transport our clients anywhere in mainland UK and for any reason, including medical appointments, shopping, visiting friends and family, or holidays.

Our aim is to keep vulnerable people connected with their local community by providing transport when and where they need it.

Our service is expanding rapidly throughout Lincolnshire in 2015. For more info about using our service or becoming a volunteer driver please contact us today.

Telephone: 01522 544983 Email info.lincolndar@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.lincolndialaride.co.uk

NORTH WARREN HOUSE At North Warren House we believe in new beginnings and will endeavour to give our patrons the opportunity to experience new things with all the care and support you and your family deserve.

We pride ourselves on having a highly skilled and dedicated team of carers and support staff who are devoted to delivering personalised care, tailored to meet the varying needs of each individual.

Registered Charity Number 1159525

North Warren House North Warren Road Gainsborough Lincolnshire DN21 2TU

Home-to-home meal service Join us any day of the week for a hearty lunch and a dessert or book a delivery to your door. Simply phone us and we’ll do the rest. Meals at the home are charged

at £3.50 per head or £5.00 delivered to your door. All meals are cooked from fresh ingredients so no frozen veg or packet sauces.

Day Care We offer day care from 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week for your convenience. Relax and watch TV in one of our lounges or join in with one of the many activities on offer. Maybe you just like to read the paper in the garden or help

to feed the chickens, whatever your preference we can accommodate. Be pampered in our state-of-the-art chromatherapy bath or enjoy our fully accessible shower room. Oh and don’t forget to sample our menu fit for a king…

Respite All the benefits of a five star hotel with no lasting commitment. Simply book in for anything from a few days to several weeks and relax while we take care of you. An ideal

opportunity for residents and their carers to re-charge their batteries safe in the knowledge that their loved one is being cared for by dedicated professionals.

Serenity Home Care Services We provide short and long term person centred packages, delivered at your home. The focus of our work is on

improving quality of life for our service users and promoting independence where possible.

Email: serenity.care.company@gmail.com

Web: northwarrenhouse.co.uk

Tel: 01427 612171 winter 2015

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STRAFFORD - QUALITY BUILT IN Strafford Fabrications specialising nationwide in the manufacture and installation of high quality staircases and handrail systems for domestic and commercial projects.

Our traditional or modern staircases can incorporate a wide variety of materials including satin and mirror polished stainless steel, brass and aluminium. Also glass and a wide range of hardwoods are used to compliment our metalwork. We can also offer a powder coating service with a full range of colours.

We are able to offer a bespoke design and manufacturing service or supply products to reflect your own ideas whilst complying with current building regulations.

We welcome enquiries from members of the public as well as architects and developers and will be pleased to advise on any queries you may have.

Our experienced fitters complete installations quickly and considerately with minimum disruption to your property and ensure your complete satisfaction.

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DESIGN PRINT SUPPORT

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

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winter 2015

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Lincolnshire Wire is designed and published by: Octagon Marketing Company Ltd, Britannic Chambers, 8a Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts S80 1PH. Tel: 01909 478822.