BSA
Today The magazine for Blue Stream Academy Spring 2019 • Issue 01
Living with
DEMENTIA
“Feelings remain when facts are forgotten”
Pages 7-8
Get Behind 999
Shocking rise in attacks forces NHS Violence Reduction Strategy
Pages 3-4
Front Cover
Blue Stream Academy is the leading provider of online training to GP Practices, Nursing & Care Homes, Hospices, Urgent Care centres and Dental Practices throughout the UK. Our mission is to standardise the UK’s healthcare training, for a consistent delivery of quality care. Our suite of interactive training modules are easy to use, cost effective and in line with CQC outcomes. They are also RCGP accredited and CPD certified, providing over 70 hours of online training. Our services are delivered by our dedicated team, who have extensive knowledge in the provision of eLearning and will do whatever they can to create a positive online training experience. If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas, please contact our editor Brady Braddock via email: brady@bluestreamacademy.com. Alternatively, you can write to us at the address below. Blue Stream Academy Suites 11, 12 & 16 Riverside Business Centre Foundry Lane Milford Derbyshire DE56 0RN Phone: 01773 822549
www.bluestreamacademy.com
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BSA Today | Issue 01
contents Welcome to our first issue of BSA Today!
W
elcome to the first issue of BSA Today! We are delighted to introduce our exciting new magazine from Blue Stream Academy.
As the UK’s leading provider of online training to the healthcare sector, we have collaborated with established authors, organisations and industry professionals to create a unique insight into the current healthcare landscape. In this edition we cover some of the latest hot topics in healthcare, amongst insightful articles, editorials, puzzles and spring well-being tips. So, on behalf of Team BSA, we would like to thank you for your support. We hope you enjoy reading.
07 Living With Dementia
Regards,
Brady Braddock Editor
Dr. Jennifer Bute was a highly qualified senior doctor in a large clinical practice, whose patients included those with dementia. She began to notice symptoms in herself and was finally given a diagnosis of young-onset dementia in 2009.
03
Shocking Rise in NHS Attacks
11
The Importance of Basic Life Support
05
Improving Mental Health in Healthcare Professionals
13
Pancake Day 2019
15
Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring
New government figures reveal that violence against NHS staff in England has reached a five-year high.
Time To Change share their key elements to ensure a healthier workplace.
09
Find out how the LMC Buying Groups Federation can help to save your GP Practice both time and money.
GP and Nurse Revalidation
Clarity Appraisals is a market leading appraisal and revalidation web-based solution, to log appraisal evidence in an intuitive way, guiding doctors and nurses in the process.
www.bluestreamacademy.com
16 17 18
Our favourite recipes to get you ready for pancake day. Five of our spring-wellbeing tips to help you get your spring clean on!
Puzzle Corner
Win m e!
09
How the LMC Buying Groups Federation Can Help You
It’s estimated that each year in the UK there are over 30,000 cardiac arrests that happen outside of hospital. Knowing what to do could help save a life.
#TeamBSA & Blue Stream News Trust Tracy
02
#GetBehind999
Shocking Rise in Attacks Forces NHS Violence Reduction Strategy
New government figures reveal that violence against NHS staff in England has reached a five-year high with over 15% of staff having experienced violence at work. Sadly nurses, paramedics and mental health workers are amongst those most likely to be assaulted. Source: gov.uk
“
Our staff are mums, dads, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. There is more to them than a uniform or voice on the telephone and for them to have to go home to their families hurt or upset is not acceptable Mick Forrest North West Ambulance Service Interim Chief Executive
T
o address this issue the Department of Health has introduced the NHS Violence Reduction Strategy to protect staff, provide better training and prosecute offenders more easily. [This includes:]
• The NHS has begun working with the police and Crown Prosecution Service to help victims give evidence and achieve prosecutions in the quickest and most efficient way. • The Care Quality Commission (CQC) scrutinising violence as part of their inspection regime and identifying NHS Trusts that need further support. • Improved training for staff to deal with violence, including circumstances involving patients with dementia or mental illness. • Prompt mental health support for staff who have been victims of violence. This follows the introduction of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, introduced on September 13th, 2018. The maximum prison sentence for offenders found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker has now doubled from 6 months to a year. Judges must now also consider tougher sentences for a range of other offences - including GBH and sexual assault if the victim is an emergency worker.
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This move is welcomed by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS)
who launched its #GetBehind999 campaign in November 2018. The North West experienced 1,249 acts of violence and aggression against ambulance staff in the last year alone. This is unacceptable and can have a detrimental effect on the trust’s ability to respond to emergencies. Unfortunately, many more incidents go unreported as some staff believe it comes with the territory. The NWAS want to make it very clear that violence of any kind is unacceptable and that health care staff have every right to work safely.
“We were called to an incident where a male patient was bleeding in the street. I went in a rapid response vehicle and on arrival the man quickly became violent, lashing out and throwing punches as well as spitting blood, smashing my glasses in the process.
Did You If you can’t Know..? speak when
999 ... press 55 to be TRACKED you phone
An off-duty police officer stopped to help and an ambulance arrived minutes later. My colleague was also injured in the attack whilst trying to diffuse the situation, resulting in a fractured hand. Adrenaline was pumping and all I could think to do was continue to help treat this patient. It was only afterwards that I realised that I had been badly injured and sought hospital treatment, I was immobilised due to fears of a spinal injury”.
Mersey
Cheshire
Cumbria
Trust Wide
111 Service
Assualt
542
265
280
141
43
5
0
1276
Without a Weapon
583
283
176
126
81
4
0
1253
Aggression
369
275
179
125
60
4
29
1041
Assualt Caused by Having to Restrain a Patient
223
99
133
58
20
1
0
543
Swearing
127
134
74
31
18
5
38
427
Threat of Physical Violence
117
63
70
22
13
2
2
289
Other Factors
58
40
42
20
11
0
0
171
With a Weapon
73
25
19
14
7
0
0
138
North West Ambulance Services are asking the public for its support in condemning acts of violence and aggression by providing pubs and clubs with posters and beer mats to press home the message.
Sexual
57
36
10
13
4
0
9
129
Knife at Scene
67
24
15
11
5
2
0
124
Threats/Other
49
32
24
13
10
0
0
128
Racial Abuse
31
23
16
0
5
1
16
88
Blade
2
1
23
2
0
0
0
8
The pledge will be available on the Trust’s website www.nwas.nhs.uk and its Twitter (@NWambulance) and Facebook pages. If you would like to get involved and publicly pledge your support, please contact: communications@nwas.nhs.uk
Homophobic Remarks
3
0
1
0
0
2
0
6
Religious Abuse
1
3
1
0
0
0
1
6
Stick/Club
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
5
With a Knife - Threatend With a Knife or a Bladed Instrument
55
16
32
11
2
0
0
103
2359
1321
1059
587
279
26
95
5726
Out of the 1,249 incidents reported: • • • • • •
47 of these were sexual assaults 94 involved a blade 32 involved racial abuse 26 involved a stick or a club 12 were incidents of religious abuse 466 were physical assaults
www.bluestreamacademy.com
(1 April 2013 to 31 March 2018)
TOTAL
TOTAL
Lancashire
Number of incidents as reported by NWAS staff
Greater Manchester
-Andrew Omerod, Specialist Practitioner East Lancs.
from your Dialing Location
04
Improving The Mental Health in Healthcare Professionals
Working with employers from a variety of sectors over the last eight years has given us a good indication of what works to ensure a mentally healthy workplace. These key elements are incorporated into the ‘Time to Change Employer Pledge’.
T
his gives organisations the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to opening up the conversation about mental health. So far, over 1,000 organisations have made that commitment. We advise employers to adopt an approach which promotes well-being for all staff, tackles the causes of work-related mental health problems and supports those members of staff experiencing a mental health problem. Initiatives such as enabling flexible working hours, regular catch-ups with managers and giving staff opportunities to build supportive networks, can help staff get a better work-life balance and strengthen relationships. Employers who invest in these approaches send a clear message to their staff that the organisation appreciates and values the well-being of every employee. When it comes to creating a more open working environment, there are some key things employers can do to encourage conversation about mental health: Engage with Key Awareness Days Time to Talk Day 2019 took place on the 7th February and provides an opportunity to open up the conversation about mental health on one day when hundreds of other workplaces do the same. Find out how to get involved at www.time-to-change.org.uk Lead by example More senior partners and other senior staff need to be open about their own experiences with mental health problems to show that it isn’t a sign of weakness and it won’t hinder your career if you open up to your colleagues. Be clear about why a mentally healthy workplace is valuable A workplace where everyone is encouraged to talk openly about their mental health creates a positive, inclusive and more productive workplace for everyone.
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Talk things through with line managers Line managers should feel comfortable having conversations about mental health with employees. It doesn’t need to be difficult or scary, simply raising the issue or asking how they are feeling is a great start. Avoiding the issue could make people more inclined to hide their mental health problems, which is worse for both the employee and the business in the long run. Raise awareness and talk to each other Things will only change if we are all more open with one another about mental health. Encouraging employees at all levels of the organisation to speak about their mental health at work by talking publicly about it at events and meetings, and raising awareness through blog posts or the intranet can be a great way to do this. Feedback from employers tells us that this makes the biggest difference in starting a cultural shift. Be clear about how employees will be treated fairly Employees need to know that they will be treated fairly and without negative consequence if they disclose a mental health problem at work. Sign the Time to Change Employer Pledge By signing the Time to Change Employer Pledge, employers commit to opening up the conversation about mental health at work and making sure staff feel supported to talk about their experiences. According to the Centre for Mental Health, poor mental health in the workforce costs businesses the equivalent of £1,035 per employee every year. So investing in the positive mental health of staff will save money long term, with healthier, more productive, and more loyal employees
Jo Loughran
Director, Time to Change Time to Change is the mental health anti-stigma campaign run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.
For further information on mental health, visit these websites: Mind.org.uk Sane.org.uk Rethink.org Blurtitout.org
We have a 24/7 Healthcare Professionals Palliative Care Helpline. 01736 757707
HOW CAN CORNWALL HOSPICE CARE HELP YOU
COMMUNITY SERVICES Our Community Services provide support and information for patients, relatives and carers affected by terminal illness in Cornwall. Our aim is to provide comfort, information, advice and peace of mind for the patient and those around them. We’ll offer appropriate advice and care with time to talk, in confidence, with our expert staff in a place close home.
Find out when and where our Community Services are www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk E-mail communications@cornwallhospice.co.uk Phone 01726 829874 www.bluestreamacademy.com
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Living With Dementia Feelings Remain When Facts Are Forgotten
Jennifer Bute was a highly qualified senior doctor in a large clinical practice, whose patients included those with dementia. She began to notice symptoms in herself and was finally given a diagnosis of young-onset dementia in 2009. After resigning as a GP, she resolved to explore what could be done to slow the progress of dementia.
I
was a senior doctor in a large medical practice and also involved in medical education. Sadly, I had to take early retirement because I developed dementia.
“
I am sure in another 15 years people will be appalled at how little we did for dementia sufferers!
Dr Jennifer Bute
My father also had dementia so I am privileged in having family, my professional medical skills and ‘inside’ perspectives on the condition, to analyse things and work out strategies. We all naturally expect improvement after a stroke nowadays, even if the damage is still there in the brain. So why not with dementia? I am sure in another 15 years people will be appalled at how little we did for dementia sufferers. I started giving talks and speaking at conferences on dementia. After national exposure in the press, as well as on the Radio and TV, I was asked to write a book about who I was and the principles I teach in care homes to anyone including medical staff, carers, relatives and managers. My Book ‘Dementia from the Inside’ was published in November 2018 and features autobiographical information about my journey [I have had a bit of a bumpy road] and also medical research evidence and case studies.
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Jennifer believes that her dementia is an opportunity, as well as a challenge and that the person ‘inside’ remains and can be reached, even when masked by the condition. Since then it has become her passion to help people understand it.
Things that trigger a meltdown
There are seven situations that could precipitate my meltdown. They will also apply, in varying degrees, to anyone living with dementia: • Being in unfamiliar surroundings • Trying to cope with a task that is too complicated • Travel • Being unwell • Being in a large gathering • Being with unfamiliar people • Having to cope with too much noise.
The Lewy Body Soldier by Norman McNamara Norman McNamara was diagnosed with dementia at only 50 years of age. Whilst out shopping one day in his hometown of Torbay, Devon, he was rudely spoken to by a shop keeper and decided to change the way people see dementia and treat others. “Why is the radio on as well as the television?” I asked. “It’s not” replied Elaine, “Why, what can you hear?“ “I can hear someone else talking; it sounds like they are behind me”.
Triggers are also a factor in behaviour that is not classed as a ‘melt-down’, but is known as ‘responsive behavior’. Sometimes people will become verbally or physically aggressive, which can be alarming and puzzling for families, especially when the person has never exhibited this kind of behaviour before. This can be the person reacting to fear, or frustration, or by misperceiving the circumstances. In one such instance, a wife became very cross when she saw her husband kissing an old lady on the forehead, in a mirror. Sadly, she didn’t recognise the old lady as being herself! It’s best to identify the triggers and avoid them, if possible. It’s always good to be collaborative, rather than instructive, working with the person, not directing them.
Listening For the Meaning Behind the Words
Changes in thought patterns often come out as words which can be significant in expressing needs or feelings, even if they are not easy to recognise. It’s therefore important to listen to the meaning behind the words. www.bluestreamacademy.com
For example, although a person with dementia may ask “what time is it?”, this could infact mean, “What am I meant to be doing?”. Although each situation is different, a helpful answer could be, ‘it’s 4 o’clock and we will be having tea very soon.’ Or saying “I want to go home,” could mean that they are not feeling at home and that they’re not at ease within themselves. Dr. Bute believes there are three basic principles when it comes to understanding people with dementia • There is Always a Reason why the person is behaving the way they are • Feelings Remain When Facts are Forgotten • Familiar Patterns of Behavior Continue. With the help of her son, Jennifer runs www.gloriousopportunity.org which is free to use, and offers different resources that are suitable for all ages. She also posts weekly updates to her dementia blog which is accessible through the main website
Just then, a dark shadow ran in front of me fleetingly and darted off at speed, disappearing before my very eyes. The shock on my face told Elaine I had just seen something awful, and yet she hadn’t, this was how it all started, this was when we knew Lewy Body had come to call. This is as honest and as raw as it gets- it’s not a book full of medical terms, plaques and tangles but an account of everyday life living with this awful disease of dementia. The Lows, the Highs (yes there are some) and hopefully also a positive outlook on this awful disease. Because we still have hope, we must always have hope! If we don’t - what next? The Lewy Body Soilder is available to purchase as a hardback or ebook from Amazon priced at £9.13* *Price correct of print date
The Purple Angel was born on 12th January 2012. It was formed as a steering group to try and make Torbay the first Dementia Friendly resort in the country. By giving out information on how shops, businesses and other services can support people who have these progressive diseases, The Purple Angel Dementia Campaign raises awareness, gives hope to and empowers people with dementia. Purple Angel create bespoke MP3 players with personal songs designed to help them eat, drink, socialise and improve their well-being. The results within hospitals and care homes are astounding! In care homes it is estimated that 80% of people have dementia or very significant memory problems but only 5% have access to art and music. There are powerful examples of where music can change lives. The effects of live and recorded music on people with dementia can be profound. Even when someone is unable to talk, music becomes a powerful form of communication and engagement for themselves, their family and their carers. Find more information about Norman and his great work with Purple Angels at www.purpleangel-global.com
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How the LMC Buying Groups Federation Can Help Your GP Practice Save Time and Money
I
t’s never been an easy task for GP practices to ensure they are consistently getting a good deal from existing suppliers due to practice staff’s ever-increasing workload. However, working with the LMC Buying Groups Federation can present opportunities for individual practices to identify greater savings on practice necessities without increasing workload or pressure on staff. The task of procurement is often delegated to staff that don’t have much experience in this field and who already have a large ‘to-do’ list. The LMC Buying Groups Federation save GP Practices time and money by carrying out their procurement needs. They negotiate discounts on a range of products and services - from online training and medical consumables to stationery and insurance. They already achieved the most competitive prices for over 6,000 GP practices across the UK. How can a practice make savings with the LMC Buying Groups Federation? The LMC Buying Groups Federation offer GP practices in the UK free
membership and an opportunity to identify how much individual practices can save with a free cost analysis service. They loan out their procurement consultant who has over 30 years of experience to carry this out. How Does it work? • Send the LMC Buying Group at least 3 months’ supply of invoices on products and services you currently use in the practice. • Their procurement officer will work out how much you could save using their Buying Group approved suppliers. • Findings will be presented to your practice and they will help you to make the switch. In 2018, the LMC Buying Group identified a collective saving of £29,000 for 6 GP Practices on their medical consumables, stationery, website design, recovery oxygen, waste management and confidential waste shredding. One practice in Warrington with a list size of 16,000 saved £6,016 on practice necessities when switching to Buying Group approved suppliers.
Figures vary depending on the size of your practice and the products and supplies used. Overall, the Buying Group can identify between 15-30% savings for your GP Practice products and supplies. Additional Services The LMC Buying Group also provide additional services such as a recruitment platform for GP Practices to advertise practice vacancies (clinical and non-clinical) for free and an online Community packed with resources for General Practice. Access to these services are exclusive to members only. You can register with the LMC Buying Groups Federation for free at: www.lmcbuyinggroups.co.uk/members/ Feel free to contact LMC Buying Groups Federation: 0115 979 6910 info@lmcbuyinggroups.co.uk www.lmcbuyinggroups.co.uk LMCBGF LMCBuyingGroup lmc-buying-groups-federation
GP & Nurse revalidation
R
evalidation became a legal requirement in December 2012 and was introduced to improve the quality of medical care across the UK, ensuring doctors are working to a good standard.
colleague and patient feedback, and continuous professional development. Every five years a doctor’s ‘folder of evidence’ is reviewed and the GMC will decide whether a doctor may remain on the register.
The General Medical Council (GMC) set out the requirements for all doctors to prove that they are fit to practise medicine. Annual appraisals are central to the revalidation process, as they are the platform to demonstrate reflective practice,
A similar revalidation requirement was introduced for nurses and midwives in April 2016. Every three years, they need to revalidate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) so they can continue practising as a registered Nurse or Midwife.
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Clarity Appraisals is a market leading appraisal and revalidation web-based solution, offering an intuitive and time saving way to log appraisal evidence and demonstrate they are fit to practise. Structured templates and a traffic light system help guide doctors and nurses through the process, easing the burden of what can be a challenging and time consuming professional requirement
Staying Safe Whilst Lone Working
Health care in the community is nothing new: The occupation’s origins can be traced back as far as the 19th century. However, times and needs change and things are now evolving faster than ever before.
D
emands on healthcare workers are particularly strained in a system that is continually underresourced. It’s nothing new to suggest that working alone in the community is a recent development. However, legislation on employment safety has tightened dramatically. Everyone has a right to work in a safe environment and that includes those who work by themselves regardless of profession. Government plans are to increase community healthcare spending worth £3.5 billion a year by 2023/24 and ‘24 hour rapid response teams’ are set to heavily benefit. Healthcare will reside away from hospitals and clinics like never before. There are very real, tangible benefits to providing care in patient’s homes but the issue of lone working raises valid arguments as to how safe it truly is? Some of the most searched questions on Google relating to lone working
www.bluestreamacademy.com
are ‘what are the risks involved?’ and perhaps more ominously, ‘How many lone workers are attacked each day?’ The answer is approximately 160. Thankfully, the healthcare sector is ahead of the curve when it comes to lone working practices. Every NHS Trust has its own thorough Lone Worker Policy. They give guidance on producing dynamic risk assessments – a foresight into any potential threats, as well as training methodology to help deal with real-life scenarios, such as conflict and de-escalation techniques. A high priority is to give a lone worker the ability to call for help when it is required. Principle risks include accidents, injuries and threats of violence or abuse. Being able to quickly, and often discreetly call for assistance is vital. Technology plays its part in this role. Personal safety alarms and mobile phone applications, such as those provided by Skyguard are widely used by lone working community
healthcare workers. A press of a dedicated button or quick ‘shake’ of the phone will connect the user directly to an Alarm Receiving Centre which is operated 24/7. Here, Controllers can tell who is in need, where they are (via GPS positioning) and listen in and understand what action to take. The outcome is a rapid emergency response capability which has been proven to be life-saving on countless occasions. With growth in community healthcare set to increase, it is no suprise that over 150 NHS Trusts are already utilising Skyguard’s technology to help keep their staff safe
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The Importance of Basic Life Support
It is estimated that each year in the UK there are over 30,000 cardiac arrests suffered away from hospital. One in five people have witnessed someone collapse who requires CPR, but the majority are not able to help. Strengthening the community response to cardiac arrest by training and empowering more bystanders to perform CPR and by increasing the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at least doubles the chances of survival and could save thousands of lives each year.
B
lue Stream Academy wants to strengthen employee response in delivering better lifesaving treatment to those who require it. We aim to do this by training and inspiring staff to confidently perform CPR and by increasing skill and confidence levels in using Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Basic life support describes a set of life-saving first aid techniques, that are used in emergency life-threatening situations until the casualty can be cared for professionally, either by paramedics or in hospital. These techniques can help people who are unconscious, in cardiac arrest, choking or drowning and can mean the difference between life and death. Blue Stream Academy wish to encourage the learning of basic life support and we believe that everyone should get the opportunity to learn these life-saving techniques. Our Basic Life Support modules are a great resource and can also be used as refresher for those who have already completed manual training. We have expanded our existing Basic Life Support module to include:• • • •
Adult Basic Life Support Child Basic Life Support Infant Basic Life Support Automated External Defibrillator Training (AED)
All of our these modules include training on: • • • • •
assessing the situation and checking for a response treating an unresponsive breathing casualty and putting them in the recovery position treating an unresponsive non-breathing casualty (CPR) compression only CPR dealing with a choking casualty both mild and severe
An AED is a portable machine that automatically sends an electric shock to the heart muscle to return it to its normal rhythm. Once opened, the AED provides full instructions on how to operate it. Our module includes videos and instructions on the safe use of AEDs. In any working environment it is vital that there are trained first aiders who can deliver first response care. It is also helpful for everyone to have undertaken Basic Life Support and for them to feel confident in delivering care to an unconscious casualty. The Life Support and AED modules are accessible on the Blue Stream Academy eLearning suites from the 7th February 2018
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1 in 5 witness someone collapse who requires CPR, but the majority do not know what to do.
References Warwick Medical School (funded by the BHF) Resuscitation Council (UK) British Heart Foundation
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AND AED USE Basic Life Support for adults, children, infants and the safe use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) On the 7th of February we will be releasing a suite of 4 new eLearning modules focused on Basic Life Support and safe AED use. •
Basic Life Support for adults, children and infants
•
Recognition of symptons of cardiac arrest and immediate treatment (CPR)
•
Putting a person safely into the Recovery Position
•
Compression-only CPR
•
What to do if someone is choking
•
The safe use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s)
Each module is followed by an in-depth test of knowledge and understanding: the trainee must score above 80% to pass the course and receive a certificate. To find out how we can meet your training needs, please contact us on:
01773 822549 Alternatively contact us at info@bluestreamacademy.com or visit our website www.bluestreamacademy.com
Pancake Day 2019
Get your frying pans to the ready, pancake day is fast approaching! (5th March) As people up and down the country stock up on eggs, milk and flour, BSA Today have put together some of our favourite recipes, to help you have a flipping good day! Whether you’re sticking to New Years resolutions and fancy a healthy or vegan alternative; or if you have a sweet tooth, try our delicious chocolate filled pancakes with caramelised banana.
Perfect Traditional Pancakes
Prep: 5min Cook: 15min Ready in: 20min Serves: 8
1. In a large bowl, sift together 200g flour, 3 1/2tsp baking powder,
1tsp salt and 1tbs caster sugar. Make a well in the centre and pour in 300ml milk, 1 egg and 50g melted butter; mix until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour or scoop
Super Healthy Pancakes
Prep: 15min Cook: 30min Ready in: 45min Serves: 10
1.Sift 50g self-raising and 50g wholegrain
flours into a bowl or wide jug and tip any bits left in the sieve back into the bowl.
the batter into the pan, using approximately 4 tablespoons (60ml) for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot. To make them extra traditional, add lemon juice and lightly sprinkle with sugar.
Add the yolks of two small eggs and a splash of 150ml milk then stir to a thick paste. Add the remaining milk a little at a time to prevent lumps in the batter.
Vegan Tomato & Mushroom Pancakes
2.Whisk the egg whites until they stand up in
Sift 140g white self-raising flour and a pinch of salt into a blender. Add 400ml soya milk and blend to make a smooth batter.
3.Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat and
Prep: 5min Cook: 30min Ready in: 35min Serves: 8
1.Heat a little oil in a medium non-stick frying pan until very hot. Pour
about 3 tbsp of the batter into the pan and cook over a medium heat until bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake. Flip the pancake over with a palette knife and cook the other side until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter, keeping the cooked pancakes warm as you go. This will make approximately 8 pancakes.
2.For the topping, heat the oil in a frying pan. Cook 250g button
mushrooms until tender, add 250g halved cherry tomatoes and cook for a couple of mins. Pour in 2tbsp soya cream (or 2tbsp milk and a handful of pine nuts) then gently cook until combined. Divide the pancakes between 2 plates, then spoon over the tomatoes and mushrooms. Scatter with chives.
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stiff peaks, then fold them carefully into the batter – try not to squash out all the air.
pour in enough batter to make a pancake about 10 cm across. Cook for just under a minute until bubbles begin to pop on the surface and the edges are looking a little dry. Carefully turn the pancake over. If it is a bit wet on top, it may squirt out a little batter as you do so. In that case, leave it on the other side a little longer. Keep warm while you make the remaining pancakes. Serve with your favourite healthy toppings (we love berries and low fat yoghurt!)
Potato Pancakes Prep: 15min Cook: 30min Ready in: 45min Serves: 12
1. If you don’t have 250g cold mashed potatos, cut up and cook 2 medium floury potatoes in boiling water until tender. Drain well and press through a potato ricer or mash, weigh out and allow to cool.
2. Sieve 75g plain flour and 1tsp
baking powder onto the cooled mashed potato. Whisk 2 eggs and 125ml semi-skimmed milk together and add to the potato mix with 1tbsp chopped chives, mix the batter until smooth.
3. Heat a large non-stick frying
pan over a medium heat. Add 1/2tsp sunflower oil and a knob of butter, when sufficiently hot, start to cook the pancakes. Add 1 tbsp of batter for each pancake and cook four at a time.
4. Cook for roughly 1 minute until the underside is golden brown
and small bubbles appear. Flip the pancakes and cook until they are golden.
5. Remove from the pan and keep warm while you cook the
remaining pancakes in the same way, adding a tiny bit of oil and butter to the pan when needed. Serve the pancakes in stacks with creamy scrambled eggs, crisp rashers of streaky bacon and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Did you know:Most food historians say that the earliest pancake-like dish, was was made by Romans in the first century from milk, flour, eggs, and spices. They called the dish ‘Alita Dolcia’. Rather than drizzling them in syrup, they’d use honey to sweeten them, they were then sold hot from vendors on the corners of the new Roman market squares.
Chocolate Filled Pancakes with Caramelised Banana Prep: 5min Cook: 30min Ready in: 35min Serves: 4
1.To make the pancake batter, mix 200g self-
raising flour, 1 ½tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp golden caster sugar and a pinch of salt in a large bowl with a whisk. Make a well in the centre, and add in 3 large eggs along with 25g melted butter and 200ml milk. Whisk the wet ingredients in the centre until combined, then gradually incorporate the dry ingredients until you have a thick, smooth batter. Transfer to a jug. Heat the oven to its lowest setting and put a couple of baking trays in to keep the pancakes warm as you cook them.
2.Heat a knob of butter and a drizzle of oil in a
large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. When the butter is foaming, pour circles of batter into the pan, about 8cm wide – leave space between them as they will expand as they cook. Scoop teaspoons of chocolate hazelnut spread from the jar and pop one in the centre of each pancake, then use a tiny bit more batter to just cover the chocolate spread. Continue cooking for 1-2 mins until the underside is golden brown, then carefully flip the pancakes and cook for 1 min more on the other side. When golden, transfer to a baking tray and keep warm in the oven while you cook the next batch.
3.When the pancakes are all cooked, caramelise
the bananas as follows: Wipe the frying pan clean with kitchen paper and scatter in 2 tbsp golden caster sugar. Heat the sugar until it melts and starts to bubble to a deep amber colour, then toss in 2 large sliced and peeled bananas and coat them in the caramel. If the sugar hardens, drizzle in a little maple syrup or water, then bubble for 30 secs until syrupy.
4.Serve the pancakes stacked with the
caramelised banana pieces between the layers and more piled on top. Drizzle over the maple syrup, then scatter over chopped hazelnuts.
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Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring...
T
here is something about this time of year that makes you want to give your home a ‘good clean’ but when you’ve been working all week, the last thing you want to be doing is spending your valuable time doing this. Here are five of our timesaving tips for cleaning your home, as well as your mind!
throw away your 1 Don’t old toothbrush!
shower head 2 Beat build-up
forget your sinks 3 Don’t and taps
old socks to use as 4 Recycle dusting mitts
It is useful for getting into those little spaces that you can’t normally reach! Add a little bleach or cleaning product into some hot water and use it to tackle areas such as tiles, around the edges of your bath or shower and tap spouts.
Sprinkle baking soda onto damp sinks and drainers and scrub with a sponge. If it needs some extra work add some salt to your baking soda.
Ten Minute Tomato Soup Ingredients • • • • • • • • •
6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil 2 garlic cloves, crushed 3 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes 500ml/18fl oz chicken or vegetable stock 1 tbsp caster sugar 150ml/5fl oz full-fat milk 150ml/5fl oz double cream salt and freshly ground black pepper 3–4 tsp basil pesto.
Fill a plastic bag with water and white vinegar and place it over your showerhead. Secure with a band and leave overnight to soak. Run the shower to get rid of the vinegar smell and your shower head should be build-up free!
Use a pair of socks as mitts and wipe dust away from sideboards, tables etc. Cotton is a great material for picking up dust particles.
5 The Microwave Trick
Place a cup of water with a few slices of lemon into your microwave, turn on for 5 minutes and you could have have a beautifully scented microwave in no time! It will also be easier to wipe away any stains or dirt on the inside walls due to the condensation.
Method
1. Over a medium heat, heat a tablespoon of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes into a large pan. 2. Add both the drained sun-dried and the tinned tomatoes along with the stock and sugar and bring to the boil, stirring constantly. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then cover with a lid, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 3. Remove from the heat and, using a hand blender, blend the soup in the pan. Stir in the milk and cream and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
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4. Serve hot with ½ teaspoon basil pesto swirled on the top of each bowl of soup.
The best veg you’ve ever tasted 100% organic, from our farm, free delivery
Call us on the Riverford farm on 01803 227 227 riverford.co.uk
How to reduce stress at work Get sufficient sleep
Talk to someone about your stress
5 tips for sleeping well: 1. Keep your routine consistent. 2. Avoid napping during the day. 3. Exercise regularly. 4. Turn off any light sources – in particular mobile devices. 5. Consider the quality and age of your mattress and pillow.
Opening up about any worries or stress that may be affecting a person can often ease the stress and strain associated with it. Once a conversation has been started suggestions may be made to resolve any issues and reduce stress.
Being optimistic can help reduce stress
Entering the work place with a positive and optimistic attitude can help minimise any causes of stress before they take hold. This can be the first step to living a calm and stress-free lifestyle.
Laughing helps reduce stress
To stretch and relax your hands, neck, and shoulders
Stretching can relax the muscles and relieve tension throughout your body. Stretching periodically throughout the day may lead to a route to a more relaxed mind.
Take a deep breath Taking a deep breath every now and then throughout your day can help you recentre and refocus your thoughts, thus relieving stress.
The short-term affects of laughing can help stimulate the body release endorphins, soothe any underlying tension, and relieve stress.
Puzzle Corner
Win a Goody Hamper!
To be in with the chance of winning a hamper of cleaning goodies, simply fill in the missing words below to reveal the Blue Stream Academy module. Email your answer to: bsatoday@bluestreamacademy.com competition deadline 26/04/19
11 Letters
Chaperoning
10 Letters
Spirometry Complaints
www.bluestreamacademy.com
7 Letters
Prevent Consent
... the puzzle below is just for fun
5 Letters
COSHH
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#TeamBSA
O
ver the past 12 months Team BSA have been involved with a range of charity and commercial events, ranging from a moonlight halfmarathon to an ‘It’s a knockout’ style afternoon to raise money for a group of local charities. Our participation in the MoonWalk Scotland 2018 raised £4,470.55 for the Walk-the-Walk grant, and all 13 of our participants completed the challenge of walking 13 miles between 11pm and 4am. Following this we gathered a team of 12 for an event held in the
Jeans for Genes Day at the office
MoonWalk Scotland 2018
memory of a local lady, who sadly passed away through Systemic Scleroderma and Pulmonary Fibrosis. The team collectively raised £657.32 for The Scleroderma Society, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust and Ataxia UK. This chartitable fundraising was completed alongside meeting thousands of fantastic healthcare professionals at over 25 exhibitions and events that we attended throughout the year! Keep your eyes peeled for further details of Blue Stream Academy’s charitable events in future issues.
Blue Stream News Meet the Team Hi, my name is Jade Smith, I have worked for Blue Stream Academy since 2012.
I have been involved in most aspects of the business from sales to development but have found my passion in researching and writing module content. Blue Stream Academy is like a second family to me, and I can honestly say I love my job and the hard-working people I have the privilege to call colleagues. We all have a genuine passion for the work we do. In my spare time I enjoy walking, camping and cycling with my family... and eating the occasional bag of sweets!
Blue Stream Academy commits to supplying our users with access to an innovative Management of Information System as well as a suite of eLearning modules, all designed in consultation with staff managers.
E
ach of our modules is championed by a subject matter expert, and each of the features on our suite is tested by a varied group of healthcare managers.
Throughout 2018, Blue Stream Academy trained over 150,000 trainees located at 4,500+ sites, to help achieve and/or maintain their positive CQC rating and ultimately provide the highest level of patient care. New features include:
• The release of our most efficient Management of Information System yet – including our new Training Dashboard, the ability to arrange and book face-to-face training sessions, along with more specific department and site settings, and a brand-new audit report setting.
• New module releases such as: NHS Health Check, GDPR, Basic Oral Care, Falls Prevention, Sepsis, Anticholinergic Burden in the Elderly, Cancer Awareness, Maintaining the Cold Chain and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination.
New projects will continue to be released during 2019 – watch this space!
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Trust Tracy
GP Team Member Tracy Adams, is here to answer your questions and give advice to our readers. Feel free to contact Tracy via email: bsatoday@bluestreamacademy. com!
Q
A
I wondered if you could help me? We have an employee in our surgery who is very highly thought of and is exceptional at their job, but they often turn into the office looking as if they have been ‘dragged through a hedge backwards’. She comes into work with unkempt hair, creased clothes and generally disheveled appearance. We have tried making the odd jokey comment such as ‘have you had a rough night?’ etc but she just laughs and does not appear to be fazed. I have also heard people talking about her behind her back and I would hate for her to hear it herself. How do I broach this subject with her without her taking offensive and hurting her feelings? Thank you
Thank you for your letter.
You may find it difficult to approach your colleague with a subject as personal as their appearance as it is a sensitive subject for many people and should be addressed delicately. I suggest that you speak with your colleague face-toface in a private, quiet room. Be direct but kind, maybe offer help. The knowledge that someone is there for them and willing to help will help them feel supported as they struggle with correcting their issues. Perhaps you could offer positive feedback on their work before discussing the issue at hand. This may help cushion the blow and show that you care. Hope this helps!
Tracy
Supporting and developing primary care teams and practices seeking to improve.
See how we can help you develop your primary care team(s) with solutions tailored to your budget: Consultancy and support Coaching Collaborative working CQC preparation Training and development for the whole practice team
rcgp.org.uk/primary-care-development