staff magazine | Winter 2014
Contents
| www.leedsth.nhs.uk 8 Junior doctors scoop regional dementia awards 9 Compassion in Practice award for A&E nurse Kirsty 12 LTHT staff fundraise for good causes 16-17 Royal opening for Major Trauma Centre at LGI 19 Under African skies 20 “Day One” for trauma care as new Trust fundraising initiative launches 21 # Hellomynameis
4 Royal visit from Jordan strengthens Trust’s international partnerships
6 Showtime for Play In Hospital Week
Dr Kate Granger 22-23 Fond farewell to our longserving staff 24 Introducing the Leeds Female Leaders’ Network 25 My job 27 Regional recognition for
10 Improving the care of our patients with dementia
14 Equal access for all
radiographer Gill Bulletin is produced quarterly by the Communications Department. Photography by Medical Illustration Design by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd Send your feedback, ideas and suggestions for the next edition to communications@leedsth.nhs.uk or call exts. 67381/66494/66244. Copy deadline is 30 January 2015
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50 years of nursing for Barbara
End of an era for Otley Ladies Hospital Group
search for ‘Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’
@LTH Trust
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Celebrations as PANDA unit provides new space for children The Paediatric Ambulatory Near Discharge Area (PANDA) celebrated its grand opening with a small get-together of staff, patients, friends and family. PANDA is a new dedicated space at Leeds Children’s Hospital for younger patients who are ready to go home. BBC Look North presenter and friend of Ward L40, Charlotte Leeming, attended the opening on ward L40 at the LGI where the unit is based, and presented the team with artwork created by her husband, Justin, donated to brighten up the area. The PANDA unit will allow patients who are well enough to go home but are waiting to be discharged leave their beds sooner, giving them more room to play. This means that sick children from elsewhere in the hospital will have access to a bed and eases patient flow through departments. Patients who have to visit hospital daily for IV medication will also make use of the area, allowing them to have the consistency of returning to the same department. The unit has a television and the latest videogames to keep children occupied, as well as access to the playroom on the ward. Those young patients who are waiting will have snacks and meals during the day as normal. During the evening PANDA becomes a quiet space for teenagers on the wards to
watch television and play games before going to bed. Ward manager Clare Hazlegreaves said: “I am especially proud of the way the team have embraced this new way of working. The main emphasis of the unit will be to ensure sick children can move quickly from Paediatric A&E and assessment to an inpatient bed.” Sally Counsell, Staff nurse leading the project, said: “This unit gives children a dedicated area where they can have fun while they wait to go home. PANDA has everything they need prior to leaving the Children’s Hospital, and means that they can play rather than being confined to their beds. It also means sick children are able to get the care they need quicker. “There are pharmacy technicians on hand to help with discharge medication so not only will it be a much better environment for patients, but it will benefit the Trust too.” BBC’s Charlotte Leeming said: “It’s wonderful to see what the team here at the LGI have done with the space. I feel this is going to make a real difference to how children in Leeds experience being discharged and their return home. “Spending any amount of time in hospital can be really stressful for kids, and having to wait to go home on a ward just adds to this. PANDA will now give young patients an environment where they can at least enjoy themselves while they wait.”
Back to the floor: Hugh Cummings, Andrew Matthews, Martin Lowe, Craige Richardson, Kelly Furniss, Sean Dodsworth, Dean Legg, Chris Ayres and Bob Bilton prepare for their shifts
Estates and Facilities go ‘back to the floor’ Senior members of the Estates and Facilities team went ‘back to the floor’ and took part in shifts across a range of front line services. Estates and Facilities provide a diverse range of roles from portering to security, patient catering and ward housekeeping to name but a few. The management team wanted to ensure they had a really good understanding of the challenges their staff face first hand and what better way than walking in their shoes.
Wishing Bulletin readers best wishes for the festive season and New Year Dedicated space: Staff on the unit with BBC Look North’s Charlotte Leeming
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Warm welcome: HRH Princess Ghida meets Ella Rigg, who had been busy preparing gifts for the visit
Royal visit from Jordan strengthens Trust’s international partnerships HRH Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan was delighted to visit our Trust to meet staff and patients and find out more about cancer services in Leeds. HRH Princess Ghida is chairperson of Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation of Jordan, which provides fundraising and support for the King Hussein Cancer Center. This visit comes a year after our partnership agreement with them was signed. The partnership focuses on sharing medical expertise, conducting joint training and conferences as well as engaging in various research activities. We are both committed to pushing the boundaries of healthcare and collaborating internationally for the ultimate benefit of patients and staff alike. The visit included an in-depth tour of the
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A Trust first: The Princess and Trust Chair, Linda Pollard, were involved in a multi-disciplinary team meeting between LTHT and the King Hussein Cancer Center via live video link
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Leeds Cancer Centre at St James’s Bexley Wing, as well as the Leeds Children’s Hospital at the LGI. During the visit the delegation met with staff members and patients. Patients on the children’s oncology ward had prepared a special welcome for the Princess with their own artwork and some specially decorated cakes for the occasion. One of the visit’s highlights was a live video Multi-Disciplinary Team meeting between clinicians in Leeds and in the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, which is the medical arm of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation. This was the first time Leeds has undertaken this type of international MDT. Trust Chair, Dr Linda Pollard said: “It was a great honour to welcome Her Royal Highness and colleagues from Jordan to Leeds and showcase the fantastic services and staff that work here at the Trust as well as further the joint collaboration between both institutions.”
Sharing learning: The Princess met Graham Douglas, charge nurse on the young adult cancer ward, and was keen to discuss his work
HRH Princess Ghida said: “A key recipe for our success is owed to the instrumental partnerships that we forge with the very best in cancer care globally. The purpose of this visit is to solidify the relationship with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals and to set forth the vision and plan for continued collaboration in the coming years.” The partnership is already proving beneficial. Ten senior clinical fellows from the King Hussein Cancer Center will be trained here at LTHT. Two have already started in post, working in pathology/ transfusion and clinical genetics. Plans
Hello my name is: The Princess takes part in the successful campaign to promote compassionate care
are also being developed to potentially assist with nurse training and to work on a peer review programme. The King Hussein Cancer Center is one of the most prominent comprehensive cancer centers in the Middle East that treats both adult and paediatric patients. It opened its doors in 1997 and continues to expand its expertise and services to provide access to stateof-the-art cancer facilities to patients in Jordan and the wider region. They are preparing to undergo a large expansion programme with the opening of a new wing.
State-of-the-art: Dr Asem Mansoor, Chief Executive Officer, King Hussein Cancer Center; Mr Zaid Bitar, Deputy Director General, King Hussein Cancer Foundation; HRH Princess Ghida Talal and Trust Chair, Linda Pollard, are introduced to new equipment by Dr Vivian Cosgrove, Head of Radiotherapy Physics
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Showtime for Play In Hospital Week Play specialists at Leeds Children’s Hospital embraced Play In Hospital Week with a range of fun events. Play In Hospital Week is a national initiative, led by National Association of Health Play Specialists (NAHPS) in association with Starlight Children’s Foundation, to raise awareness of the importance of play on children’s wards. Activities during the week included a themed event based on Disney’s Frozen, face painting, balloon modelling and magic tricks giving kids in hospital something to smile about. Claire Fraser, Play leader, said: “When children are in hospital and are in bed all day they can start to feel very sorry for themselves. Play cheers them up and can help their recovery as they’ve got something else to concentrate on and they’re not dwelling on how poorly they feel. “Play In Hospital Week is a great way to kick start conversations about the importance of play but it’s something we do all year round here.” The play team provide activities like colouring, sticking and painting in their playrooms on each of the children’s wards, as well as spending time with those children who are unable to leave their beds. Play leaders also have an important role in preparing children for procedures and operations using models and role play.
Play specialists: (l-r) Claire Fraser Wards L9 and L11, Neoma Jacobs Ward L10, Anna Grisdale Ward L10 and Suzanne Palmer Ward L9
Theatre team raise a smile The team in Clarendon Wing Theatres have been fundraising to help improve the experience of children undergoing operations at Leeds Children’s Hospital. The recovery team held fundraising events in the department by selling sausages, pies and cakes to purchase two iPads. The gadgets are used by children to distract their attention while the anaesthesia team prepare them for their operation. Will Griffiths, recovery nurse for theatres, said: “Many children are so used to playing computer games at home that it just made sense that it would help relax them when they come into hospital. Having an operation can be really scary, there’s lots going on and the iPads help to calm them. “We can download games featuring their favourite characters and quite often they end up showing us how to play them!” The team are hoping to organise more fundraising events in the future so they can continue to improve the experience of children having operations.
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Fundraising success: (l-r) Theatre team Judy Vincent, Will Griffiths, Laura Cook, Chris Selby and Janet Dixon show off the new gadgets
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Successful amputee course for Seacroft prosthetics team The prosthetics team at Seacroft hosted an amputee’s conference for staff to learn more about amputees and rehabilitation. The event was well attended with delegates from LTHT, as well as visitors from neighbouring hospitals. Speeches were delivered by members of staff, including Mr David Russell, Consultant vascular surgeon for the Trust and Clinical Lead for diabetic vascular disease, Dr Agata Dworak-Kula, Acting Consultant Specialist Rehabilitation, and Mr Paul Harwood, Trauma and Orthopaedic Consultant. Topics included the need to prevent amputation with new ideas for the Leeds region to reduce the number of lower limb amputees and what happens during trauma and working to save limbs. Ruth MacDonald, Occupational therapist, and Deborah Haworth, Prosthetist,
discussed management of upper limb amputees and new innovations around limb prosthetics. Delegates were given the chance to see some early walking aids in action, with demonstrations from physiotherapist Lynn Hirst, Simon Brown and technical instructor Michael Yeadon. Prosthetist Helen Gresty and Vicky Jarvis demonstrated hand casting techniques, and the use of the CAD/CAM scanning system. The conference was also an opportunity for the Prosthetic Physiotherapy and Specialist Nursing team to thank the Friends of Seacroft for their financial support to purchase two pieces of equipment. Owen Pace, Chair, and Pat Pace, Treasurer, from the Friends of Seacroft were at the event to present an Early
Walking Aid, Femurett, which is used for transfemoral lower limb amputees to practice walking before they receive their own artificial limb. He also presented a vital signs LXI machine, which can be used to monitor patients whilst they undergo exercise in the department or if they become unwell. Lynn Hirst, Specialist prosthetics physiotherapist said: “Not only was this a fantastic opportunity to hear from specialists in the field of prosthetics that we have here in Leeds but staff were also able to exchange ideas and learn more about amputees and rehabilitation. “We are also really grateful to the Friends of Seacroft for their very generous donation which allowed us to purchase two pieces of equipment that will really make a difference in our department and to our patients.”
Kind donations: L-R Lynn Hirst, Owen Pace, Ian Farr, Pat Pace and Lisa Meredith with the equipment from the Friends of Seacroft
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Junior doctors scoop regional dementia awards Congratulations to FY2 junior doctor Jessica Maddams who won first prize at the regional dementia awards, and Registrars Helen Speechly and Rebecca Anthony who were the runners-up. The awards were organised by the Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Clinical Network (SCN) for Dementia in conjunction with the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) to recognise quality improvement projects undertaken for patients with dementia.
Regional recognition: Jessica Maddams wins top prize for her project on improving care for dementia patients
The winner was Jessica Maddams, a Foundation Year 2 doctor who had undertaken a project as an FY2. Jessica recommended that pain should be routinely assessed using appropriate rating scales in all patients with dementia and her recommendations have been adopted at the Mount.
Leading improvements: Rebecca Anthony and Helen Speechley receive their runners up award
Runners-up were Rebecca Anthony (Registrar in Geriatric Medicine) and Helen Speechley (Registrar in Psychiatry doing an LTHT attachment) who
The judges were extremely impressed with both projects and felt they could be shared with other Trusts across the UK to help in the care of dementia.
described the development of the LTHT Dementia Intranet site for staff.
Dance event impresses the public A crowd of people in the Gledhow Wing dining area were wowed by the impressive moves of dancers from People Matters Leeds. The performance artists were invited along to perform for the public at St James’s, dancing to Waves by Mr Probz. The group consisted of performers from across the Leeds area, all of whom attend dance and other courses at People Matters. The aim of the dance group is to offer opportunities for learners to get fitter and healthier, express themselves creatively and perform in a variety of locations while raising awareness that people with special needs can achieve in the performance industry. Amy Manacourt, from People Matters, said: “It was a fantastic event and everyone really enjoyed themselves. It was great to have the opportunity to perform in front of so many people, and to showcase the amazing work that the group have achieved.” Sadie Dunne, Lead Nurse Learning Disabilities, added: “Everyone was really impressed by the four performances. At the Trust we have been working closely with People Matters to ensure that we provide an inclusive and accessible environment where everyone can feel free to share their talents.”
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Impressive: The performers who showed off their superb dance skills
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Compassion in Practice award for A&E nurse Kirsty Kirsty Roberts, a staff nurse in the Accident and Emergency Department at LGI has been formally presented with her Janet Whitaker Award for Compassion in Practice. Each year a deserving nurse at LTHT who has qualified in the last two years is eligible for the Award, presented in memory of the late Janet Whitaker, a former member of staff at the Trust. Kirsty was nominated by Senior Charge Nurse Robin Darby and Sister Jane Pilkington, who were impressed by numerous examples of the compassion she has shown to patients and families in often difficult circumstances. Kirsty has also proved very popular with patients, evident in the number of times she is mentioned in thank you cards received by the department. Robin was particularly keen to highlight an incident he has witnessed with the family of a dying man. “The explanation and compassion that was shown to the family and the care and dignity Kirsty maintained in the patient’s final few hours of life was one of those special and privileged positions that we all as nurses hope is delivered every time,” he said. “Kirsty’s soft words of clarification to the family at that difficult time and the
Charge Nurse Robin Darby and Gwen Peel congratulate Kirsty on her award
reassurance she was able to give made me proud as a manager to have such a caring and compassionate nurse within our midst.” Kirsty, who qualified just under two years ago, said: “It’s really nice for me and the whole department to be recognised in this way because people
often thinking nursing happens on wards and this shows that care and compassion is also important in a setting like A&E even though patients are only with us for a short time. I’m really pleased and proud to win the award even though I feel I have only been doing my job!”
Gold standard for facilities staff support services Congratulations to our facilities staff support services, who have been awarded the Investors In People gold standard, joining the top 7% of accredited organisations across the UK who believe in realising the potential of their people.
The team, including Darryn Kerr, Director of Estates and Facilities, Craige Richardson, Deputy Director of Estates and Facilities (Operations), and Carol Longbottom, Deputy Head of Facilities Staff Support Services, show off their award with Dean Royles, Director of HR and OD
Staff support services include Employee Care Services, Health and Fitness, Staff Nursery teams and are located across site. The team is currently made up of 73 members of staff.
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Improving the care of ou
We know that around 25% of adult general hospital beds are occupied by people w Staff across the Trust are working on implementing new initiatives in their departme
A&E takes step forward in supporting patients with dementia The A&E team at St James’s recognised that there was a high elderly population, including those with dementia, coming through their doors. It can be scary for anyone coming into hospital, but for patients with dementia it can be especially confusing. The team wanted to do something extra within the department to make their experience more comfortable.
music more often as there’s been a lot of research showing how beneficial music is for patients with dementia.” Nicola Stockburn, Senior sister, said: “The staff are really passionate about this and it isn’t just work to them. We’re proud as a team that we’re able to make a real difference to our patients with dementia.
Clair Clarke, Clinical educator, set up a working group which meets bi-monthly so they could look at ways to better support dementia patients coming through A&E.
“The teaching that Clair provides is amazing and really gets you thinking about the language used when talking to patients. It’s not just about getting the environment right - it’s also making sure we support patients through the whole experience.
The department has always operated in teams - blue and green - but this was recognisable only by staff rather than patients. The team found that patients responded better to being guided by colour and so they painted the different sides of the department with their relevant colours. This made it easier to direct people around and for patients to recognise where they needed to be.
“They may only be in the department for a comparatively short space of time, but it’s really important we get the treatment right for patients with dementia. If we get it wrong it could mean the difference between patients receiving the right care. By the team in A&E getting patients’ care right when they first arrive, the rest of their journey through the whole hospital is better.”
A grant from the Charitable Foundation helped the team to purchase dementia friendly clocks which show the day and date as well as the time to help orientate patients. They also bought packs of reminiscence cards which can be used to encourage conversation and keep patients occupied during their time in the department. Simon Riley-Fuller, Matron, said: “This project isn’t just about painting walls and making the department look nice. There’s a real reason behind it and that is that colours stand out in people’s memories and makes it simpler for patients with dementia, as well as other patients and relatives. “I am really proud of how the team have responded to this. They’ve had lots of input and all of the work we’ve done has come from their ideas and feedback. They’ve all put in lots of effort and worked really hard to make the care we provide to our patients the best it can be and that’s the most important thing.”
Selected cubicles on each side have vinyl flowers on the walls to help patients locate their own space. This meant that patients could be directed to their cubicle using easily recognisable colours and pictures, rather than numbers or letters. The team are also working on making all signage in the department dementia friendly. Clair said: “Part of making our department more dementia friendly is making changes to the environment by incorporating the bright colours but it’s also in our communications. I lead training sessions on how staff can communicate with patients with dementia and how subtleties in the things you say can make a real difference. This work also has extra benefit for patients where English is not their first language or if they are confused. “I’m really pleased with the improvements in the department already but there is more we’d like to do. One of the ideas we have is to use
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Making a difference: (l-r) Nicola Stockburn, Senior Sister, Clair Clarke, Educational Practitioner, Simon Riley-Fuller, Matron
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ur patients with dementia
with dementia and it is really important that we get the care of these patients right. ents to improve patient experience.
Team effort: (l-r): Steve Shaw, Fire safety officer, Andrew Tunstall, Corporate planning manager, patient, Kenneth Galli, Pauline Newsome, Clinical educator, Beverley Deplacido, Senior sister, Dawn Holmes and Sophie Grant, Ward housekeepers, and Emma Muneri, Staff nurse
Ward J14 pilots dementia friendly initiatives J14 at St James’s is our dementia friendly pilot ward and the team have been working really hard to make it more suitable for our patients with dementia who have to stay in hospital. Pauline Newsome, Clinical educator, has been leading on the project on the ward and getting other members of the team involved. Andrew Tunstall, Corporate planning manager, and Steve Shaw, Fire safety officer, have been particularly instrumental in this work by securing funds and taking photographs to place behind patient’s beds. The photographs give patients a topic of conversation and provide familiarity with their own bed space. This idea is also
being introduced into other wards across the Trust. Patients have also benefited from new signage to improve way finding around the ward. This helps patients find the toilets easier as the signs are larger, brighter and feature pictures which makes them more recognisable. One of the latest additions to the ward is new crockery which not only benefits those with dementia but all patients on the ward. The crockery is brightly coloured as it allows patients to more easily see what they’re eating and identify the edge of the plates. Plates are lipped at the edges so that patients can scoop the food to the edges when eating to encourage independence. Cups are
also easier to handle. Since introducing these to the ward, there has been less food wastage and patients are more independent during meal times. Pauline said: “As the Dementia Friendly pilot ward for the Trust we want to try out new ideas and see what works well so it can be rolled out in other wards. We’re really pleased with the improvements we’ve made on J14 so far and we’ve got more in the pipeline too. “We’ve recently purchased a RemPod, which is a pop-up reminiscence room to create a therapeutic and calm environment on the ward. It gives patients somewhere to spend time away from their beds during their time with us and encourages conversation.”
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Charity focus
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A round-up of fundraising activities for the Trust
LTHT staff fundraise for good causes Memory Walk for Alzheimers The A&E team at LGI did a Memory Walk at Roundhay Park in support of the Alzheimers Society. Senior Sister, Lauren Asquith, organised the walk as a fun way to raise awareness of dementia within the A&E team and also to raise money for their department to help make the start of a dementia patient’s journey in hospital more comfortable. Items include memory and visual aids to occupy the patients time in the department. Lauren said: “The walk was really successful and we had fun even though it rained all day. I’d like to thank all my colleagues who turned out for such a great cause and everyone who supported us.”
Dementia aware: The LGI A&E team wanted to help make dementia patients’ time in hospital more comfortable
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Ice Bucket Challenge for St James’s ICU You won’t have been able to miss the ice bucket challenge! Dawn Emery, Staff Nurse in the Dermatology Clinic at Chapel Allerton, used the challenge to raise money for ward J54 (ICU) at St James’s.
Great North Running: Helen and Karen prepare to run and raise cash for Candlelighters
Running for Candlelighters Helen Edwards, who works for the Clinical Research Network based in Bexley Wing at St James’s, successfully completed the Great North Run to raise money for Candlelighters. Helen took on the half-marathon with her friend Karen and brother Edward.Helen said “We chose Candlelighters as it is a charity close to Karen’s heart after they supported her cousin and his son.The Great North Run was a fantastic experience made worthwhile for a great cause. Thanks to everyone at LTHT for their sponsorship and support.”
Dawn said: “I did the ice bucket challenge in memory of my brotherin-law Andy Taylor who had a rare condition called Caroli Syndrome and died at St James’s ICU. I raised £360 which I am really pleased with.” Dawn and her nephew, Andrew Taylor, presented the cheque to Jane Atkins, Sister on ward J54 (ICU).
‘Cool’ fundraising: (l-r) Andrew Taylor, Dawn’s nephew, Dawn Emery, staff nurse at Chapel Allerton and Jane Atkins, Sister on J54 at St James’s. Dawn raised funds for J54 with the ice bucket challenge
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Midwifery conference in Prague Sarah Bennett, BME Specialist Midwife and Alison McIntyre, Matron for Midwifery, joined over 3700 midwives from around the world at the 30th International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Conference in Prague.
Pilot scheme: The team on J52 lead the way on the ‘Ticket Home’ initiative
‘Ticket Home’ discharge initiative launched across the Trust Leeds Teaching Hospitals is always looking at how we can improve patient experience in our hospitals, and a key element of this is around discharge and reducing unnecessary length of stay. A working group was set up to ensure that required improvements are made and the ‘Ticket Home’ initiative was discussed, in partnership with the Advisory Board. ‘Ticket Home’ has been piloted on J52 at St James’s and is now being officially launched across the Trust. Patients are given a ‘Ticket Home’ on admission clearly showing their predicted discharge date. A number of goals are set by the healthcare team and the patient, in some circumstances this may also include the patient’s family or carer, identifying what needs to happen before a patient can be discharged from hospital. The date is just a guideline and can be subject to change to ensure a safe discharge. ‘Ticket Home’ will be able to show us if patients are being discharged earlier and if there are fewer problems associated with planning. We’ll also be able to learn from patients about their experiences
around discharge planning.
Sarah, who had received the Mary Seacole Development award in 2010, was also asked to present at the conference. Her presentation explored the experience of midwives caring for women seeking asylum, showed the findings and recommendations from her study and how these had been implemented in practice. Sarah said: “I was overwhelmed by the positive response to my presentation, both at the conference and from other midwives contacting me afterwards. The conference was a unique opportunity to share experiences and insights from midwives from all over the world.”
Shaun Preece, Matron for Hepatorenal, said: “It is vitally important that we have the right processes in place to ensure that all of our patients are discharged in a safe and efficient way. “‘Ticket Home’ promotes communications between the multidisciplinary team and our patients. I’m excited to see the outcomes that this will have on patient experience.” Helen Brown, Senior sister on ward J52, added: “Staff are really engaged with this and it has helped strengthen our working relationships with other colleagues involved in patient care.” Patient Mr Maurice Hesling said: “I was given my ticket home on the day I came into hospital. I now have a clear idea of when I will be going home and what I need to achieve first, which means I can plan. I think it’s fantastic and will benefit all patients.” If you’d like to learn more about this initiative, please contact Shaun Preece, Michelle Fielding, Quality Improvement, or Dawn Marshall, Director of Nursing (Operations).
Invited speaker: Sarah Bennett presented to midwives from around the world
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Equal access for all Ambulato to improv
LTHT is committed to ensuring that all patients have equal access to our services. The Blind and Partially Sighted Advisory Group and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Group meet quarterly and are led by the Patient Experience Department, alongside patients, staff and representatives from partner organisations. The groups provide support and insight into the needs of patients, staff, visitors and volunteers, as well as improving accessibility. For example, both groups were consulted on the Trust’s Equality and Diversity Action Plan and the Friends and Family Test. They also advise departments on how to better engage patients with a sensory impairment.
Sayed Loonat, Deputy Patient, Carer and Public Involvement Manager said: “It’s really important that patients with disabilities are able to access our services in the same way any other patient can. These groups allow us to gather insight from patients who visit our hospitals and help us to make their experience better. “We have recently introduced department visits, where members of the group visit services across the Trust to see how accessible they are for patients. We can then feedback any findings so that improvements
can be considered. We want to help departments across the Trust get it right for every patient every time, no matter what time of the day or night it is.” Howard Beck is the Chair of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Group. Howard works for Leeds City Council in adult social care but also accesses services at LTHT as a patient.
Howard said: “Coming into hospital can be frightening for anybody. As a deaf person, I find that fear is deeper as you’re also worrying about communications barriers and wondering if you’ll be able to make sense of everything that is being told to you. I need to understand the doctor, but the doctor also needs to understand me. “I have been involved with the advisory group at LTHT for some time as I think it’s important that services are accessible for everybody. I have seen that things are definitely improving.” The patient experience team are keen for both groups to establish better working relationships with staff across the Trust. They can provide training on deaf and blind awareness, as well as advise on the accessibility of services. To find out more, please contact elizabeth.alarcon-rhodes@leedsth.nhs.uk or sayed.loonat@nhs.net.
The Ambulatory Care Team is looking forward to new patient-centred improvements to the service after winning the prestigious Hilda Knowles award earlier this year. Ambulatory care is an innovative, multi-disciplinary, patient focused service for those diagnosed with cancer and provides treatment outside a traditional ward setting. Patients are monitored closely during and after their treatment in the Unit, and are given 24 hour contact details should there be any issues. This means patients maintain their independence and overall wellbeing by spending less time in hospital, and thereby reduce waiting times for those people whose treatments do require them to be inpatients. Patients are now receiving their chemotherapy treatment up to five times faster, and there has been a 20% reduction in elective inpatient admissions within haematology. Now in its 11th year, the Hilda Knowles award was set up by Mr Adrian Knowles and family and is given in recognition of excellence and innovation in the care of adult patients at hospitals in Leeds. Attached to the award is a £1500 prize-fund, which is used to help buy in additional resources for the team that wins the award.
Change to non m We launched the new LTHT policies and an electronic interface for Appraisal and Pay Progression in April 2014. Since then, we’ve achieved 95% compliance which is a fantastic achievement!
Equal access: (l-r) Rosie Horsman, Elizabeth Alarcon-Rhodes, Sayed Loonat, Lucy Smith, Stephen Burton and Howard Beck of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Group visited A&E to discussed accessibility for patients
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Dean Royles, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development said: “Appraisals are a brilliant opportunity for staff to work with managers on their performance, development and support needs. They help to ensure that staff can understand how well they are doing and how they can best support high quality patient care - something we are all working towards.”
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team we are grateful to Mr Knowles and his family for choosing the Ambulatory Care service for this award and we look forward to spending the money on improving our patients’ experience.
Ambulatory care intend to use part of their prize money to purchase two iPads, so that patients can have internet access during their time on the unit. This will help to improve patient experience and makes them more comfortable.
can be unpleasant, so some funds are being dedicated to make improvements to the environment. Relaxing landscape photos will become a feature on the walls to help alleviate anxiety and enhance a more tranquil experience.
They also recognise that some procedures patients undergo in the unit
Anne-Marie Kenny, Senior Chemotherapy Nurse, said: “As a
“Under the leadership of Senior sister Claire Ferris, the service has gone from strength to strength and we regularly receive positive feedback from patients.” Dr Kate Granger, who regularly uses the service, said “I have nothing but praise for Ambulatory Care at St James’s. Every nurse is incredibly compassionate and really cares about your individual experience as a patient. It was fantastic to see the dedication of the team recognised when they won the Hilda Knowles award, and I know that they will use the money to improve their amazing service further!” You can now apply for the 2015 Hilda Knowles Award. For the first time, applications are now open to nurses and midwives caring for patients of all ages, and not just adults. You can find out more and download application forms via the nursing and midwifery pages on the intranet.
Patient-centred care: (l-r) Mr Adrian Knowles, Claire Ferris, Senior Sister on the Ambulatory Care Unit/Supportive Care & Haematology Outpatients, Sue Dodman, Matron for the Leeds Cancer Centre, Anne Marie Kenny, Senior Chemotherapy Nurse, and Prof Suzanne Hinchliffe, Chief Nurse
The purpose of The Hilda Knowles Award is to recognise and celebrate your contribution to developing and providing high quality, compassionate care, and to the provision of excellent health and well-being outcomes. This is your chance with colleagues to shout about the big difference you’ve made to patient care here at LTHT. The winning team will awarded a prize of £1500 to support their project.
medical and dental appraisals Around 12,000 non-medical and dental staff need an appraisal every year and they should all now be up to date for this year. From now on, they should all take place during ‘Appraisal Season’ every year - April, May and June. It’s a good idea to start planning for them early as booking ahead will help ensure that they happen. For more information, contact Organisational Learning on mandatory. training@leedsth.nhs.uk. “The new system has enabled me to be more effective and structured in my approach to objective setting and ongoing review of progress. Being able to view the mandatory training record has
allowed better tracking of how up to date I am but also to check where my staff are as well.”
thoroughly recommend the new appraisal and the support provided.” Mary O’Kane - Clinical Dietetics Manager
Julie Leaper - Dietician “Appraisal meetings have become more meaningful with the introduction of the paperwork and system. The process follows through in a logical way with the review of last year’s objectives. There is an opportunity to discuss the behaviours expected of us by the Trust, all of which are important to help us achieve the best for patient care. I can
Additional support: The Organisational Learning team can help with any queries about appraisals and pay progression reviews
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Royal opening for Majo
Patient journey: The Duke started his tour where many patients do - on the helideck of the LGI
mark the official opening of the unit as the regional Major Trauma Centre. The Major Trauma Centre at LTHT is a key part of the UK’s trauma network and looks after both adults and children living in the West Yorkshire region and further afield.
Specialist care: Dr Steve Bush, Clinical Director for Urgent Care at the LGI, gives the Duke a tour of the A&E department
The Trust received a royal seal of approval as HRH The Duke of Gloucester officially opened our Major Trauma Centre at the LGI. The Duke followed the journey of a trauma patient, starting his tour on the helideck where he met some of the crew from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and our Facilities staff, before visiting A&E. While in A&E he was introduced to some of our consultants, who are on
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the front line of urgent care. He then moved on to our scanning facilities, based in A&E, and talked to staff about CT scans prior to having a look behind the scenes of our theatres. The Duke was taken for a brief visit to the Intensive Care Unit, where many of our most vulnerable patients are cared for. He ended his tour on the Major Trauma Ward, where he unveiled a plaque to
Mr David Berridge, Medical Director (Operations) said: “The Major Trauma Centre was established to provide the best treatment, facilities and expertise in a single location, and in its first year of existence it has already led to a dramatic improvement in survival rates and outcomes for the most seriously injured patients. This is a great asset for the whole of the Yorkshire region and the Duke’s visit was a real opportunity to showcase the excellence of our service.” The Duke, who is a cousin of Her Majesty The Queen, is the third highprofile Royal to visit LTHT in the last few months. HRH The Princess Royal and HRH The Countess of Wessex also opened new services at the Trust over the summer.
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or Trauma Centre at LGI
Official opening: The Duke unveiled a plaque on the Major Trauma Ward
Your Medicines Your Health campaign The Trust launched a high profile Leedswide campaign in October, asking patients to bring their medicines into hospital with them. We know that when patients do this, we gain a more accurate picture of their current medical condition and it helps us to provide safer care. It also improves the patient experience by reducing delays on discharge and gives patients more control over their own medicines. There are always links between safer, better, care and cost savings. £300 million per year is wasted in unused medicines in the UK and £5 million in Leeds alone. Encouraging patients to bring their medicines into hospital helps reduce duplication in the supply of medicines that patients already have. It was the Medicines Management & Pharmacy team who identified the many benefits of doing this, who then teamed up with the Trust’s Communications team to plan and launch the campaign. There has been coverage right across Leeds with adverts on buses, promotional material in GP surgeries, community pharmacies, informational flyers sent out to patients, as well as
Spreading the word: Some of the Trust’s Medicines Management & Pharmacy team
roller banners, and posters up across our hospitals. Julie Ellam, General Manager for Medicines Management & Pharmacy, said: “The campaign has been a great success. It is helping staff to open up a conversation with patients about bringing in their medicines when they
come to hospital. We know this is safer for our patients and provides a better patient experience and it is important to get that message out there.” Take a look on the campaign website for more information. Please also join in the conversation on Twitter using #bringyourmeds.
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Golden anniversary as Barbara celebrates 50 years of nursing There were celebrations at Wharfedale Hospital as Senior sister Barbara Martinez celebrated 50 years of nursing. Barbara started her nursing career on 7 September 1964, training at the Leeds General Infirmary. She has since spent the past half-century working in the NHS. She even retired in 2006 but returned a month later to continue the job she loves. Both Chief Executive, Julian Hartley, and Chief Nurse, Suzanne Hinchliffe, attended the event, alongside staff currently working with Barbara at Wharfedale Hospital. International acclaim: Mr Roger Hackney, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Chapel Allerton Hospital
Chapel Allerton recognised as international teaching centre Chapel Allerton Hospital has been approved as a teaching centre for The International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS). Chapel Allerton is one of just four centres in the UK to receive this accreditation and will host surgeons who require further training or exposure to these disciplines.
Barbara’s colleagues and friends at Wharfedale said: “What an achievement to celebrate 50 years of nursing. Barbara is a fantastic role model who is loved by us all. She is a professional nurse through and through and continues to wear her uniform with pride.” Barbara is a great example of the dedication that our staff show each and every day and demonstrates what it means to live “The Leeds Way”.
Barbara also attended a 50 year reunion with other nurses who trained at the LGI with her in 1964. 29 of the original 60 nurses from their training group met at the Queen’s Hotel in Leeds for lunch to reminisce and share stories.
Golden moment: Trust celebrates landmark anniversary with Barbara Martinez
Barbara said: “It was lovely to meet up and guess who was who after so many years! We all agreed that we’d had such excellent training at the LGI all those years ago that it set us in good stead for our future careers wherever they have taken us.”
Mr Roger Hackney, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, said: “It’s great that Chapel Allerton has gained this status and is a credit to all of the hard work of the MSK team here. This accreditation means that we will be internationally recognised as a centre of excellence.”
Reminiscing: The nurses shared stories of 50 years since starting their training
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News
Under African skies Staff from the Trust recently shared their skills and expertise with colleagues on the African island of Madagascar. Matron Sarah Miller and Infection Prevention Nurse Martin Parkinson signed up to the OPT-in scheme, which takes medical professionals from the UK and gives them the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with international colleagues through a weeklong teaching programme. Innovative technology: Consultant Mr Giles Toogood and Katherine Sloggett from Surgical Innovations
The scheme is organised by worldrenowned emeritus Professor Anne Chamberlain of Leeds University, who has previously led several teaching expeditions abroad. As part of the OPT-in nursing programme, Sarah and Martin worked with senior nurses and clinicians in the capital, Antananarivo, to help reduce the incidence of common hospital acquired infections and share good hand hygiene and infection prevention practice. Sarah Miller said: “It was wonderful to be able to work with our colleagues in order to improve infection prevention techniques and develop systems whereby nurses and clinicians can share what they have learned. “OPT-in has allowed us to gain a much wider understanding of the challenges that are faced by colleagues working without the benefits of modern healthcare infrastructure as well as those
Skill-sharing was vital to the success of the expedition
common problems that affect both LTHT and clinicians in Madagascar. It was a brilliant opportunity to work through them together by sharing solutions.” Professor Chamberlain said: “I’m proud to have helped organise the expedition. The skills and knowledge we have taught will be cascaded down within the clinics, hospitals and healthcare settings in Madagascar. I am looking forward to returning in the near future with another team.”
Pioneering laparoscopic surgery undertaken at St James’s LTHT consultant Giles Toogood has become one of the first surgeons in the world to perform laparoscopic surgery using instruments only 3 millimetres (mm) in diameter, which will leave smaller scars and aid recovery. Mr Toogood used the kit developed by Leeds company Surgical Innovations to remove the gall bladder of a 36-year-old patient at St James’s. The fact that he was able to use such tiny instruments to carry out the operation means the scars will be smaller than traditional laparoscopic surgery. It also reduces the amount of post-operative pain and provides a 50% reduction in internal tissue damage. Mr Toogood said: “Surgeons have gone from 12mm to 10mm, 5mm and now 3mm, it is a natural evolution to get smaller. The bottom line has to be improved patient outcomes and we believe that 3mm surgery can offer a reduction in post-operative pain and quicker recovery times which is essential.
Matron Sarah and Infection Prevention Nurse Martin shared their skills with both nurses and clinicians
Compared to 5mm, 3mm is like a scratch on the skin – there is a very noticeable difference in the sizes of post-operative scars. It’s incredible and I am delighted that we were one of the first hospitals to use this type of pioneering surgery.”
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“Day One” for trauma care as new Trust fundraising initiative launches The Trust’s Charitable Foundation has launched an exciting new fundraising initiative, Day One, which will support trauma patients across Yorkshire and beyond. Day One brings hope to families in challenging times and improves the quality of life for patients who have suffered major trauma. The LGI is designated as the Level 1 trauma centre for West Yorkshire and all adults and children with major trauma injuries from the region are now being treated by our Major Trauma Centre. Day One is being launched to help the victims of major trauma brought to Leeds to rebuild their lives, provide support for their family and friends, and give them hope in challenging times. Day One is a not-for-profit charity who want to make a positive impact on trauma care by supporting patients and their families during their hospital stay, supporting staff with training and education, funding state-of-theart medical equipment and supporting research and innovation here in Leeds. Day One members are not just
New CT scanner improves experience for patients The new technology at the LGI offers significantly improved image quality which helps medical teams make a more confident diagnosis, particularly in complex cases. The Siemens Healthcare scanner is used by Leeds Children’s Hospital for our younger patients as it is less intimidating than previous models and even features an in-built DVD player to put them at ease!
State-of-the-art equipment: Dr Fahmid Chowdhury, Consultant Radiologist and Meg Bould, Nuclear Medicine Team Leader; Michelle Wheeler, Radiography Assistant; Clare Wolstenholme, Senior Radiographer and Janet Taylor, Vicki Haigh and Clive Mushakwe, Medical Technical Officers, were joined by Philip Tesh from Siemens Healthcare
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Professor Peter Giannoudis is joined by patients treated at the LGI Major Trauma Centre
fundraisers, but a group of medical experts and patients who for the vast majority have experienced major trauma themselves and have been through the highs and the lows on the road to recovery. They understand what a rollercoaster ride it is and know that it is not easy and that it won’t be fixed overnight, but with the right support Day One can help trauma patients through.
Day One will deliver the very best support for victims of major trauma through all aspects of their recovery. From simple advice and education through its website, to legal and financial support from our expects, they will make sure that no matter how tough the journey is, people get the right help, at the right time.
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News
# Hellomynameis Dr Kate Granger We’d like to wish Dr Kate Granger the very best of luck in her new role as a Consultant at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. The contribution Kate has made in her time at LTH both as a Registrar and someone who has campaigned tirelessly to make the care and experience of patients better, has been inspirational. Through her #Hellomynameis campaign, Kate has reinforced The Leeds Way values and played a significant role in changing attitudes and creating a positive atmosphere here at the Trust and across the wider NHS.
making such a valuable contribution to our hospitals and wish her the best of luck in her new role.” If you haven’t already signed up to #hellomynameis it isn’t too late. Just go to the #hellomynameis intranet page, which has information on how to sign up, get a name badge, and add your photo to the LTHT #hellomynameis photowall. The latest person to be added to the wall was HRH Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan on her recent visit to the Trust.
Over a third of our staff have signed up to #hellomynameis, pledging to always see the person behind the condition and deliver compassionate and patientcentred care. Chief Executive, Julian Hartley, said: “We have been really fortunate to have Kate working with us and I thank her for
Inspirational: Dr Kate Granger with her team on Ward J27
Dr Kate Granger
Advanced laser surgery tackles eye condition which can cause blindness The eye department at St James’s is leading the way in fighting the debilitating eye condition, keratoconus, using advanced laser technology. Keratoconus, which predominantly affects younger people, is a condition which weakens the shape of the cornea and can lead to blindness. For many patients in the past once the condition progresses to a certain point the only option may be a corneal transplant. Mr James Ball, Consultant ophthalmic surgeon, has pioneered the use of an advanced laser to create a tunnel into which a corneal ring is implanted to correct the shape of the cornea. The team at St James’s began to use corneal
rings in 2007, installing them manually, but the new technique with the laser allows much greater accuracy. The procedure literally takes five minutes using just eyedrops as local anaesthetic and helps 97% of patients treated. The unit at LTHT is one of only three nationally using this technique and now treats 200 patients a year. Mr Ball said: “Before we began offering corneal ring implantation with the laser, the only treatment to improve vision in keratoconus was corneal transplantation. This is a major operation which then needs life-long follow-up. “Since the introduction of this
implantation at Leeds we have seen a reduction in the number of corneal transplants which we are performing for keratoconus.”
Pioneering procedure: Mr James Ball undertaking laser surgery to implant a corneal ring
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Farewell
| www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Paul Westwood
Fond farewell to our long-serving staff A fond farewell to our colleagues who have retired from the Trust recently. Some of those include: Medical Illustration Services are saying farewell to one of their longest serving colleagues Paul Westwood. Paul has worked for the NHS here in Leeds for 40years. He started back in April 1974 as a photographer where his work was mainly subtracting images from
x-rays and putting them onto slides. Over the years Paul has seen many changes within the service but by far the biggest was the advent of digital imaging, which he ably took in his stride! All the team in Medical Illustration wish Paul well in his retirement and hope he will now be able to enjoy his great hobbies of photography, walking and driving his very large new camper van (the new love of his life!)
Katy Johnson worked at the Trust for almost 38 years, initially training as a nurse at the LGI and finishing her nursing career as Senior Sister on the plastic surgery unit. Katy was also the first GP Liaison Officer in the country and finished her career with us in the Leeds Health Pathways and Quality Governance Team where she worked for the past 15 years. Her colleagues in the LHP Team said: “We are all really going to miss Katy. She has been a very supportive manager and a long term friend and colleague.” Peri-operative assistant Mushtaq Aziz has been working in Trust theatres for 18 years, starting at LGI in the cardio-thoracic team and finishing at St James’s working in Upper GI and Thoracic Theatres. The theatre team say that the knowledge Mustaq has gained over the years is phenomenal and he will be dearly missed.
Katy Johnson
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The team at the Manny Cussins Diabetes Centre say farewell to Kay Drury who has worked with the Trust for 31 years after completing her training as an enrolled nurse at St James’s Hospital in 1979. She had a brief hiatus to have her family and then returned to work. Kay
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Farewell
Val Greaves
Kay Drury has worked most of her career in the field of diabetes, becoming a Diabetes Nurse Specialist at the LGI and then moving to Manny Cussins in 2010. All her colleagues and friends would like to wish her a very happy retirement.
Mushtaq Aziz
George Schofield
Ward assistant George Schofield has retired from the respiratory team. George worked as a ward assistant for 15 years and his colleagues have said they will miss his smile to cheer them all up and handing out sweets from the trolley. Val Greaves is retiring after 33 years working for the Trust. Val started her career with us as a receptionist in Elderly Medicine and has worked in various positions across the Trust before her current role as Patient Services Coordinator in Acute Medicine. Her colleagues wish her well for her retirement.
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Introducing the Leeds Female Leaders’ Network More than 200 people from LTHT and the School of Healthcare at the University of Leeds attended the first Leeds Female Leaders’ Network event. The initiative is being led by Dr Jacqueline Andrews, Clinical Director for Chapel Allerton CSU, and Dr AnneMaree Keenan, Assistant Director for NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit. It is also championed by Trust Chair, Linda Pollard. Despite lots of work happening nationally to promote the importance of organisations having a balance of men and women in senior leadership and Board positions there is still only a small number of women in these roles. There is a lot of research evidence to show that having a balanced leadership team leads to a much more productive and successful organisation. The Leeds Female Leaders’ Network aims to support women working in health and academia to progress in their roles and move in to key leadership positions, benefiting both the individuals and the organisations.
Developing leaders: Guests worked in teams to contribute ideas during the event
Chief Executive, Julian Hartley, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Yvette Oade, and Assistant Director for Operations, Clare Smith, all delivered speeches about their personal experiences and how they envisage female leaders
Sharing experiences: Dr Yvette Oade spoke about her personal experiences and the future for female leaders at LTHT
strengthening both LTHT and partner organisations in the future. Initiative: Dr Anne-Maree Keenan and Dr Jacqueline Andrews are leading on the development of the network
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The event was an opportunity for a range of successful and upand-coming female leaders to talk
about their experiences. Using our Wayfinder technology, they were also able to discuss how to best use the network to help develop the female leaders of the future.
What else have you done in your career so far? Throughout my nursing career I have specialised in Neurosurgery (critical care and wards) which is an emotionally demanding but hugely rewarding area to work. After I qualified, I worked in Newcastle Upon Tyne on the Neuro Intensive Care Unit looking after adults and children for 4 years.
Laura Sedgley, Head Injury Nurse, Centre for Neurosciences at LGI has worked at the Trust for 15 years Summarise the main aspects of your role? The post was set up improve the quality of services offered to patients and their families. It was designed to support multi-disciplinary teams to improve the quality of the patient experience, reduce concerns and support the transition between the various stages of the care pathway. I have been in post for 7 months now. The priorities since setting up the role have been to improve communication with patients and families, provide information on head injuries, act as link nurse for families between critical care and the wards to ease anxieties related to transition between the different care environments, to improve relationships with District General Hospitals and the rehabilitation services and to act as an outreach service to patients and families with concerns on discharge.
I moved to Leeds in 1999 and briefly worked on Paediatric Intensive Care before moving to the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (Ward 6) for 3 years. The part of the job I really enjoyed was working with and supporting families, so I took up a post as a Donor Transplant Co-ordinator, which allowed me to develop my experience in family care and support following the decision to consider organ donation and following bereavement. This was a hugely rewarding and challenging job, however not very family friendly due to the on call and long hours, so I moved back to Neurosurgery as a Senior Sister (Wards 45 and L25) in 2009 after starting my family. I really enjoyed the challenge of managing a team and working with them to ensure high standards of care and a positive patient experience. All these different jobs have given me a good awareness of the head injury pathway from acute admission to critical care to discharge from LGI which enables me to support patients and relatives and prepare them for the different challenges at each stage of the recovery process.
What’s the best thing about your job? Feeling like I have made a difference to patients and families during a difficult time of their lives. Patients and
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My Job
their families have often said to me they feel isolated when they are both in hospital and following discharge home so it is great to have the time and opportunity to hopefully offer much needed support and practical advice following a head injury and prevent people feeling this way and try to help them get back to some normality and independence. I am fortunate to work with a brilliant multi-disciplinary team in Neurosurgery from Critical Care, Wards L24 and L25 to the Rehabilitation services who have all been really supportive and helpful as I have been setting up this new role.
What is the one thing you would change at LTHT to help you do your job better? A growing number of Neurosurgical centres have a “step down” ward with between 8 and 10 beds that nurse patients no longer requiring critical care but who still require close observation due to their increased dependency care needs. This has helped relatives cope with the transition from critical care and the higher nurse to patient ratios, reduce falls and other complications. I am aware that the Centre for Neurosciences management team has visited a similar unit in Liverpool and are exploring the possibility of setting one up in Leeds.
What’s your best advice to a new starter at the Trust? Throughout my nursing career I have been incredibly fortunate to work with some fantastic teams. In every new job I have worked in I have learned something from every team member, so I would probably say listen to and learn from colleagues however senior or junior they are and look after your work colleagues!
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End of an era for Otley Ladies Hospital Group
Flu season: Julian Hartley, Chief Executive, Dr Yvette Oade, Chief Medical Officer, Suzanne Hinchliffe, Chief Nurse, and Dean Royles, Director of HR and OD, are supporting this year’s campaign
Still time to protect yourself and patients from winter flu The race is on to vaccinate as many LTHT staff as possible against seasonal flu to ensure patients are protected over the winter. A huge number of you have already got involved and had your jab. Last year 75.4% of the Trust’s 15,000 employees had their injection, and we delivered the largest number of flu jabs of any hospital trust in the country. This year we want to do even better!
After 64 years supporting Wharfedale Hospital, the Otley Ladies Hospital Group have wound up their charitable endeavours. In total, the group have raised over £85,000 to benefit patients and families at Wharfedale Hospital. The group’s fundraising efforts have helped purchase large and small items for the hospital. Including refurbishment of wards and paying for the building of an overnight room for patients’ families, to buying televisions, books, toys for children and blankets. As well as fundraising, the group have supported the hospital in other ways over the years including knitting thick white wool into stockings for use in the operating theatres and visiting patients. The Ladies have now decided to retire from their charitable efforts, and so to mark the contribution they have made to the hospital for well over half a century, LTHT commissioned a new plaque, celebrating the illustrious history of the group and the dedication of the Ladies past and present. The plaque was unveiled in a small
ceremony in the hospital, followed by afternoon tea and presentations on behalf of the staff and the Ladies. Zoe Kirk, Head of Nursing at Wharfedale Hospital, said “It is the end of an era for us here at Wharfedale. The Ladies have played such an instrumental role in helping staff to provide care by ensuring that we have extra comforts for patients on our wards. “We are all going to miss their support, and would like to pass on our sincere thanks for the contribution they have made to the hospital and the wider local community over the past 64 years.” Margaret Mudd, Chair of The Otley Ladies Hospital Group, said “It has been a privilege to have been part of such a wonderful organisation. It makes me immensely proud to look back on all of the good works that the Otley Ladies have done. “We would like to thank the staff at Wharfedale, both past and present, for all of their wonderful support. We’d especially like to thank Zoe for her efforts in arranging to have the plaque installed to mark the contribution of the group.”
Chief Nurse Suzanne Hinchliffe said: “The flu jab is an essential part of our preparations for winter and it is important each and every one of our staff play their part in ensuring our hospitals are as prepared as possible to meet any eventuality. “Seasonal flu is unpleasant for the fit and healthy but for our vulnerable patients with other health problems it can have very serious and even fatal consequences. We have a duty to them to keep them safe. “As well as frontline staff who come into direct contact patients, we rely on many others behind the scenes to keep our hospitals running and it is essential they too get immunised.” The hospital flu team will be out and about across our hospitals delivering vaccinations. Contact Occupational Health if you’ve not had yours yet.
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A big thank you: The Otley Ladies Hospital Group join members of staff at Wharfedale Hospital to celebrate their efforts.
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60 seconds
60 seconds What do you do to wind down and relax after a hard week at work? I go home and clean my house! My two grandchildren, who are 8 and 9, come to stay with me every weekend from Friday to Sunday so they keep me busy. We usually go shopping and if the weather is nice we’ll go to the park or for walks.
What is your ideal holiday destination and why? I love Ireland. I’m from Co. Cork and haven’t been back for many years but it will always be my hometown.
Eileen Wiltshire, Domestic Assistant, Clinical Psychology has worked at the Trust 32 years
What is your favourite food? I have a cheese and ham sandwich every day! But I do love chicken and Yorkshire pudding with gravy.
What did you want to be when you were growing up? I actually wanted to be a nurse when I was growing up. I absolutely love my job though and I really enjoy coming to work. It’s like my second home here and I love the people I work with.
What is your favourite film? I don’t really watch films, but I do like watching the soaps on television. I also like Strictly Come Dancing and XFactor. Oh, and Columbo on a Sunday afternoon!
Tell us something we don’t know about you … I love walking. I really enjoy going to Roundhay Park or Temple Newsam for a walk as they’re so beautiful and lots of space to explore.
Regional recognition for radiographer Gill Congratulations to Advanced Radiographer Practitioner, Gill Roe, who has been awarded Radiographer of the Year for the Yorkshire and North Trent Region. Gill also attended the national awards ceremony at the House of Commons in November. Gill’s award was based on a project she led to prevent Never Events relating to nasogastric tube placements. She led a multi-disciplinary team of consultants, nurse specialists and the nutrition team to develop a patient-centred approach leading to a change in the way the radiology team work. This project involved training radiographers at both LGI and St James’s, as well as putting together a training package for radiologists. Gill currently works in Bexley Wing at St James’s where she oversees the fluoroscopy service. She has also
previously taken on several advanced practice roles and was also recently awarded her Masters qualification. Gill beat off stiff competition to win the award but her team weren’t surprised saying that her knowledge and professionalism is acknowledged by everyone who works with her.
The radiology team have also been working on a project looking at how venous thromboembolism (VTE) or ‘Deep Vein Thrombosis’ (DVT) are diagnosed. This has also led to a change in the way they work. Radiologists and sonographer joined forces to develop a simple integrated way of highlighting new patients with a VTE quickly so that care teams could quickly and more easily treat them, and investigate if anything more could have been done to try to prevent some VTEs. This process helps specialist teams look in more detail at how these patients are treated and has helped some areas change the treatments they use to try and reduce these conditions.
Gill said: “I’m delighted to have been nominated for, and to have won the regional award for Yorkshire and North Trent. It is nice to obtain recognition for this work and to bring the hard work of the radiology department into the spotlight.” All radiology staff involved in this new system have worked very hard to make it successful. This has highlighted the patient centred professionalism of the radiography team, and the potential role of radiology services in patient safety improvement.”
Top honour: Gill Roe, Advanced Radiographer Practitioner
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