A newsletter for the 2,500 people who work and volunteer at Noble’s Hospital, Ramsey Cottage Hospital and the Isle of Man Ambulance Service - sharing information, marking achievements and highlighting strong teamwork Published by the Department of Health and Social Care Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas
Connections
Autumn 2018
What next for PPU?
Analysis by Marian Kenny Communications partner, DHSC
S
eptember’s announcement Noble’s private patients unit will close for at least a year met a mixed reaction among staff. In some quarters, genuine dismay verged on anger - while elsewhere there was acceptance that closure is the price for an improved facility. For some it was a hasty decision, for others overdue. Would the move damage the Island’s reputation – or could Noble’s long-term prospects suffer without change?
Risks are balanced against opportunities. The Department is confident that an overhaul both of facilities and the business model for on-Island private healthcare will result in a net gain. A shortlist of potential operators who’ve come forward to express interest, will be invited to discuss their proposals to create a modern, commercially viable unit in partnership with DHSC, before a formal tender process begins. Improvement and growth will be drivers of the service specification. The hybrid nature of the Manx health service suggests any private model will have to be similarly bespoke. It’s a business proposition like no other but demand isn’t in short
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 1
supply. The 2017 Laing Buisson report concluded opportunities to serve a buoyant local market for private healthcare - worth a potential £6m per year - were being lost, with a substantial percentage of residents seeking their treatments off-Island. Designing an attractive and expanded range of services to meet this demand is at the heart of the exercise. It is undoubtedly an unsettling time for the workforce. Consultations are being held with ward staff whose working patterns and preferences will be accommodated as far as possible when they’re assigned to other wards. Clinicians with private practice at Noble’s have left senior management in no doubt
they felt overlooked in the decision. On the positive side, staff can help shape the future, and their input to the PPU upgrade project will be vital. Difficult change is happening all around us. A new era’s dawning for strategic sea services. Isle of Man Post Office is rethinking its entire operation. The financial services sector, one of our economy’s mainstays, is evolving rapidly. We could plough on as we are. But our PPU is heading for the ITU. It needs stabilising, surgery and rehab. The medicine may be hard to swallow but the patient is being offered a new lease of life.
04/12/2018 17:30
1
Connections Autumn 2018
Upskilled RCH dermatology team itching to serve
A
n expanded dermatology service for the whole Island has made big strides at Ramsey Cottage Hospital since it was formed eight months ago. Reorganisation of the Hospitals in April has transformed care provided on Island and made big inroads into some of the NHS’s longest out-patient waiting lists. Professor Philip Harrison and Dr Jenny Shepherd provide full-time consultant cover at the busy northern unit, supported by a dedicated team of three Registered Nurses and two Senior Healthcare Assistants. The team tackles a weekly schedule of clinics, urgent referral and follow-up appointments along with theatre sessions for minor ops. Previously, a visiting specialist saw patients only once a month, meaning many were sent off-Island for appointments and treatment. Now all but the most serious cases are seen here.
Homecoming for consultant Dr Shepherd seized the opportunity to head-up a fully-fledged service for the Manx population. Firmly settled in Andreas – where fittingly, she keeps a flock of Loaghtan sheep – she’s been commuting to Manchester for a number of years. Now she can have it all - professionally, she’s thrown herself into developing a vital medical service, while at home she’s maxing-out on a bucolic Island life. ‘To go from a monthly visit by a dermatologist to a full time consultant is a massive step for the Island’, she said. ‘I grew up here and moved back to the Island after University, but needed more work than was available at the time, to maintain my accreditation. So I worked away during the week and returned at weekends.’ ’I’m thrilled to be back in Ramsey, we have plenty of space and good light and I’ve inherited the most fantastic team of nurses from endoscopy. They’ve embraced their new challenge with so much
enthusiasm and goodwill, it’s humbling to see how far they’re prepared to go to ensure we offer a first class service. They frequently go the extra mile, taking on extra work and staying late.’ Professor Harrison is with the team for 12 months and is enjoying Manx life to the full, gaining the inside track on the Island’s myriad cycle routes. He maintains links with his former hospital in Lancaster and hopes to commission Islandspecific research from its epidemiology unit. Demanding body of work for committed team The team sees patients referred with suspected skin lesions on an urgent referral basis, while those with chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are referred by GPs when other avenues of treatment are exhausted. Among all cancer specialities, skin cancer has the most referrals and currently the team receives 20 each week - although fewer than 25% are lesions that require removal. The
most serious melanomas are fast-tracked to Whiston hospital in Merseyside as before, but most patients’ needs are met in Ramsey. The 24 month waiting list has been reduced by nine months since April and although still lengthy, the extra clinic capacity is expected to surpass demand within the next year. There are hopes future funding will allow a plastic surgeon to join the team, to offer out-patient consultations and day surgery, and the long-term vision is to rebrand as Isle of Man Skin Centre. Hospital manager Oliver Radford said: ’We’re very lucky to have this unit in Ramsey. Dermatologists are a rare find in today’s NHS – they’re in huge demand in the UK and beyond. So we’re lucky to have Dr Shepherd who’s wanted to return to the Island to work clinically for a long time, and Dr Harrison who’s thoroughly enjoying the change of scene while still being close to colleagues and friends across.’
L-R: Ana Videira receptionist, Alison Mitchell, Dr Jenny Shepherd, Georgia Smith, Lisa Riley
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 2
04/12/2018 17:30
Connections Autumn 2018
2
Library steps back in time to engage dementia sufferers The Look Back Times is a tool which can be used with family members and carers, or alone for reminiscence and a feeling of familiarity. This initiative has been successful in the UK and we wanted to bring something similar to the Isle of Man.
with dementia and takes the reader back in time to remind them of advances, events, recipes, and much more from yesteryear. The series began with Spring/ Summer 1962, and future issues continue on from here, bringing the past to life, helping to stimulate reminiscence and foster familiarity. By Stacey Astill and Jessica Webb Keyll Darree Library
A
s part of a new library initiative, we are piloting
the distribution of a bi-annual newsletter called The Look Back Times. Nostalgia is the theme and our newsletter is for those
We’ll be sending out the newsletter twice yearly, and it will be available on our website or if you would like to subscribe please email us at: librarykeylldarree@gov.im
Dementia can be an isolating illness which makes it difficult for those affected to feel engaged. One of the issues can be knowing what to say, or how to start conversations with dementia sufferers.
Self-referral scheme sparks interest in Scotland
B
ack in 2016 the Audiology team put in place a new system which meant that patients over the age of 50 with suspected hearing loss could refer themselves to Audiology without first having to consult their GP. At that time - and it’s possibly still the case –
ours was the only NHS audiology service in the British Isles offering such a facility. It makes services far more accessible, as well as saving hundreds of hours of GP practice time. That progressive step took the team to the finals of last year’s Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence. And now it looks as though word is spreading. A few weeks ago Stephen
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 3
Griffiths, Consultant Audiologist and Head of Audiology Services, was contacted by the national lead in Audiology for NHS Scotland. He explained that NHS Scotland is looking at implementing a similar scheme across its audiology services and is very interested in the way we went about it here, the benefits it brought and what they could learn in Scotland from our
experience. It’s too early to say whether NHS Scotland will go ahead with the selfreferral across its audiology services, but it’s great to know that they’re looking at something pioneered on the Island, and where our approach may have a real and lasting influence.
We’ll let you know what happens…
04/12/2018 17:30
4
Connections Summer 2018
Audiology service reaches out to Chernobyl’s Children
E
very year local charity Friends of Chernobyl Children (FOCC) provides a muchneeded holiday for disadvantaged children from Belarus. The young visitors all live within the Chernobyl disaster area, often in polluted and impoverished conditions.
the host family. Their story tugged on the heart strings and got me thinking how I could get involved.’ He added: ‘ Sadly we don’t have the room to host a child at home, but I asked if they had hearing tests along with their health checks and was surprised to find no FOCC group in the British Isles offered this.’
Staying with local host families, they enjoy lots of fun activities, clean air and a fair bit of pampering during their Manx vacation. The children also have a number of health checks and for the first time this year, hearing tests were among them.
Stephen liaised with the Isle of Man group facilitator Norman Rivers who accepted his offer to provide hearing screening without hesitation, and in July, 16 youngsters attended the Children’s Audiology Clinic for a range of checks.
Stephen Griffiths, Head of Audiology said: ‘I was fortunate to meet one of these youngsters last year and got talking to
Stephen adds ‘Our dedicated team had a fantastic fun day with the kids who were all so incredibly well behaved, had impeccable manners
Stephen Griffiths - Audiologist
and were grateful for everything being done for them. Fortunately, they all passed their tests with flying colours and we were able to help a girl who already had hearing aids. We checked and serviced her aids to ensure she was getting maximum benefit and wouldn’t miss out on anything during her stay because of her hearing loss.’
Stephen has since shared this experience with his UK Audiology peers in the hope that other groups across may benefit from similar checks. ‘It’s another first for the Isle of Man audiology service, but kudos aside, it was simply a pleasure to offer this to the group and we look forward to meeting them all again next year.’
St John Ambulance takes off for the airport
S
t John Ambulance volunteers have begun transporting patients and staff from Noble’s to Ronaldsway, a job previously undertaken by the Isle of Man Ambulance Service.
St John Ambulance and crew with air ambulance nurses Gary Jones and Emma May
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 4
After meeting the road ambulance in a dedicated hangar, the patient and medics will continue their journey to the UK in the Isle of Man air ambulance. The air ambulance com-
pleted 400 journeys in 2017. During the busy TT period St John Ambulance has always stepped in to help, and this new service means that patients will not have to wait while an ambulance attends 999 calls. The service will run during daytime Monday to Friday as most patients travel during these hours, while the Isle of Man Ambulance Service will continue to transport air ambulance patients for overnight emergency flights.
04/12/2018 17:30
Connections Summer 2018
Physio tackles extreme challenge in search of record Nina Barker at the end of the challenge bottom of Ben Nevis
Work hard, play hard sums up Ramsey locum physio Nina Barker’s attitude to life.
Isle of Man’ produced suggestions galore and the rest as they say, is history.
he sporty New Zealander didn’t know where the Isle of Man was when her UK recruiter suggested a job here - but it was worth a look. A quick Google search ‘outdoor activity,
Not long after relocating, Nina saw a challenge she couldn’t resist – and it was going to prove a steep learning curve. Soon she was planning to take on the national Three Peaks Challenge with other locum physios. ‘I looked at previous
T
records and noticed a man had done it biking, but no female had done so,’ said Nina, ‘so I decided I could be the first woman to complete it.’ On the morning of 28 September she began a gruelling odyssey that would see her cover 700 km of cycling and hiking between and up the biggest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland. ‘I hiked up Snowdon, biked to Scafell Pike, hiked up that, biked to Ben Nevis, hiked up that. As far as I know I am the first female to complete this challenge, I have submitted my evidence and hopefully my new record will be approved.’ Her final time was 54 hours
5
22 minutes – and we can only assume the physios’ expert stretches and massages worked a treat. Nina said: ‘I encouraged my Facebook friends and @nomadkiwi Instagram followers to donate to a charity and comment on it. It meant donations went to lots of charities including cancer research, cochlear implants for children, mental health charities and the flying doctors service. People commented with who they donated to so that we could all learn of the many great causes we can support.’ Well done Nina and we hope you’re now enjoying hiking and biking through the Manx landscape, up hill and down dale!
Nina biking between Snowdon and Scafell
Smart system refreshes ward food ordering By Helen Quayle Production Manager Central Production
T
ablets of the electronic variety are helping improve the food ordering service in Noble’s wards, saving time and offering patients more information on their choices than ever before. In July, the catering department began trials of an ordering system using
an iPad, doing away with a pen and paper set-up. Previously, ward staff would ask each patient in turn what they’d like for lunch and supper. This information would be collated on a meals order sheet and then faxed to the catering department each morning. Now, the system records each patient’s choices on an iPad and the information is sent to the catering department database at the click of a
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 5
button. The new approach obtains a more accurate food order from the wards and allows patients to see very easily what meals are available to suit their specific dietary requirements – be that gluten free, textured c and e or renal. Each dish produced in the central production unit is made to a standardised recipe which has been analysed by dieticians to give accurate protein and fat contents. Meals are also categorised for allergens
and all this information is available on the iPad which has the added bonus of including pictures for each dish. The trial began on wards 1 and 2 and by September after a few teething problems, it was rolled out to wards 11 and 12. It’s hoped the remaining wards will have their iPads by the end of the year, and there are plans for each ward to be able to order their weekly dry goods online in the near future.
04/12/2018 17:30
6
Connections Summer 2018
Committed staff inspire next generation at professions day
Students with Victoria Makin - Radiographer By Claire Green and the complexities and Practice Development Nurse increasing demands on his service. Russell described Professions Day the expert pre-hospital at Noble’s has care his team would give given Health & Fred and introduced the Social Care students Stroke Pathway. Several of from University College the students are keen on Isle of Man an insight joining the ambulance serinto the diversity of cavice and Russell answered their questions fully and reers available to them thoughtfully. on Island – including some they’d never After Russell came Gill thought about before. Horsey, Specialist Stroke Nurse, who detailed the Eleven students and their thrombolysis service oflecturer, former Operating fered at Noble’s, continuing Department Practitioner the care pathway initiated Liz Hignett enjoyed an by the ambulance crew. immersive themed day Gill’s empathy and profesorganised by the Practice sionalism shone throughout Development Team. The group followed the journey her presentation and the students commented on of imaginary patient Fred, how positive and inspiring whose wife had called they found her. an ambulance because
A
she suspected he’d had a stroke. The first speaker was Paramedic Russell Thornhill, who spoke passionately about his work,
Next came Diagnostic Radiographer Victoria Makin who explained her role in caring for Fred, despite finishing a night shift only a couple of hours before! She showed x-rays
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 6
of stroke-affected brains and how they change over the course of time. Recently-qualified, Victoria also shared experiences of her training and life as a student radiographer. Healthcare Scientist Jenny Tonkinson-Hoare gave a lively practical demonstration of 12-lead ECG and echocardiogram recording, with the help of glamourous assistant Mark Haith. The students commented that they hadn’t previously seen this as a career option open to them. In the afternoon, Sarah
Elliott, Speech and Language Therapist and Dietician Josie Wade give a presentation on their input to a stroke patient’s recovery. The students were surprised to learn that Sarah’s job isn’t just about speech, but would also involve swallowing assessments and recommendations. With the aid of “Flat Stanley” Josie demonstrated alternative feeding methods, including naso-gastric feeding. Student Dietician Stephen Logan gave the UCM students valuable insight into life as a healthcare student. This was followed by Consultant Anaesthetist Kate Teare who gave a wartsand-all talk about life as a medical student, junior doctor and consultant. All the students came away with a newfound respect for doctors after discovering the amount of time and effort it takes, not only to qualify, but the years of study that follow to reach the top of their profession. Physiotherapist Kitty Henry gave an insightful talk about how she would be involved in Fred’s rehabilitation, speaking with passion about the
Students watch demo by Jenny Tonkinson-Hoare
04/12/2018 17:30
Connections Summer 2018 trials and tribulations of her work and the satisfaction she gains from it. The students had not realised that physiotherapy could be so varied and some are looking into work experience placements to see if this is the career for them. The final speakers of the day were Sarah Shortall, Occupational Therapist, and Carol Kelly, Referral & Assessment Officer from the Reablement team. They played a moving video highlighting the importance of Occupational Therapy in helping Fred to regain his independence. Throughout the day, it became clear what a fantastic team we have working not only within Noble’s but also in pre and post-hospital care. Everyone who spoke mentioned that whilst they have a role to play in
patient care, they couldn’t do it without all the other professions playing their part. The UCM students provided positive and insightful feedback after the event, saying that it had opened their eyes
to careers they had not previously considered. The Practice Development Team would like to thank all the professionals who gave up their time to meet the UCM students – you have helped to inspire the professionals of the future.
7
It is hoped to make this an annual event – if you would like to see your profession represented in 2019, please contact the Practice Development team on 650670.
Students with Kate Teare, Consultant Anaesthetist
Salute to super secretary Jan By Karen Maddox Patient Safety Case Manager
C
olleagues of Jan Jenkins at Noble’s Patient Safety and Quality team celebrated her retirement after 38 years in the Isle of Man public service.
Jan and her colleagues celebrating in style
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 7
During her career, Jan’s worked in HR, mental health and latterly as a Senior Secretary with our team, where she provided a fantastic service to patients for the past 12 years. Jan had a great rapport with patients over the phone and her calming voice and nature has
served her and the public well. An accomplished Senior Secretary, she worked with many staff and patients and has provided a meticulous service during her career at Noble’s. Jan demonstrated great accuracy and tact when dealing with complainants and claims and could always be relied upon to carry out these duties with great professionalism. We’ll all miss Jan as she was an integral part of the team and we hope she enjoys retirement - in which she’s planning to enjoy the sights of the island via rally car around the TT course!
04/12/2018 17:30
8
Connections Summer 2018
Digital Future keeps up the pace experiencing, the delivery time for the desired electronic prescribing solution across our acute care settings is currently under review and the project team is now working closely with the suppliers to urgently determine the best way forward. Further updates will follow as soon as we can. E-Discharge
By Chris Holland Communications, GTS
T
he digital development programme at Noble’s – known as Digital Future – continues to move ahead, with a number of important new deliveries as well as a host of new developments on the way. They are all at different stages so it’s worth taking a look at what’s already been delivered, what’s on the way soon and what is being prepared for the future. Taking them in turn… Digital Health Record (DHR) This is now firmly in the category of business as
usual. The deployment of MediViewer is now complete and in use across all live clinical areas. The scanning of the records library is also complete and the Forward Scanning Bureau now handles around 7000 sheets of paper per day. There is a range of future upgrades in the pipeline and we’ll keep everyone up to date as these are tested and launched. Order Comms (ICE) The project is on schedule to complete delivery of its “paper-light” diagnosticsrequesting procedures and processing changes. ICE is now rolled out to all in-patient and out-patient areas of Noble’s and Ramsey Hospitals. Hospice, OPMHS and Manannan Court are in progress, with 93% of staff at the sites
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 8
having received training. In addition, ICE mobile results viewing is available to users who have an Government-supplied i-pad or android device. Clinical Assessment & Noting –The IT equipment upgrade is in progress, which means that all Patientrack devices will be replaced with iPads. User testing for the Patientrack upgrade has been signed off for desktop machines and is currently in progress for mobile devices. Work is continuing to map the clinical notes, ready for the release of the first clinical note early in 2019 Electronic Prescribing & Medicines Administration (EPMA) Because of unforeseen software development issues that our chosen commercial partner is
The development of an effective E-Discharge platform relies on the successful implementation of both of the Clinical Assessment & Noting and E-Prescribing projects. Once we have both these new systems in place, an E-Discharge solution will quickly follow. Digital Future projects in the pipeline There are a number of exciting projects still in the early development phase. As ever, we will keep you up to date as each of these gathers pace. In short, proposed new change initiatives include: Single Sign-on; E-Referrals; Tertiary Case Management; Integrated Care Record; Clinical Dashboards; and a revision of the current digital dictation solution.
Keep your eyes on noticeboards, emails and other updates for more information.
04/12/2018 17:30
Connections Summer 2018
9
On yer bike - what’s not to like? Friends of Noble’s help I had to take into the store lighten load at difficult time By Marc Jubb and give to the manager. Cancer Services Team
H
aving seen the email in August 2017 about the Government’s Cycle to Work Scheme, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get back on a bike after a 10 year absence.
Noble’s Hospital dignity Bags
F
riends of Noble’s Hospital has added a thoughtful touch to the sad but necessary process of returning the belongings of a patient who has died to their relatives. The charity’s donated special cotton bags to Mortuary staff for transferring deceased patients’ property back to their families. The ‘dignity’ bags have a Trinity knot design on one side, with
the Friends’ donation acknowledged on the other. Ian Hughes, Mortuary and Bereavement Services manager has welcomed the donation, saying the bags are a big improvement on the previous carrier style. He’s thanked the Friends of Noble’s Hospital for the boost to staff’s ongoing commitment to enhance care for the bereaved. The bags are being distributed to each ward and department, with further supplies held at the Mortuary.
I found the process quite easy from start to finish. All I needed to do was find a local bike store, choose the bike and equipment I wanted, get the reference number and give it to my manager to sign off. From there, payroll was informed and I was issued with a purchase order form, which
Then I got my hands on the bike and equipment, easy! I saw the scheme as a great opportunity to get myself a new bike, improve my fitness and enjoy a tax-free benefit, spreading the cost easily over three years from my salary. If it wasn’t for this scheme then I would never think about spending £1,000 on a bike!!! But since I’ve had the bike, I have also found myself getting out the house for a quick cycle at weekends too, which is great. I would definitely, 100% recommend that all government employees use this great offer.
Deck the wards festive contest returns By Anna Featherstone Following the high standard of entries in 2017, the Best Dressed Ward/Department competition is running at Noble’s for Christmas 2018. The overall winner last year was Women & Children’s Division, The Jane, SCBU and Children’s Ward. Entries for 2018 need to be submitted to Hilary Freestone by Wednesday 12th December and judging will take place on Friday 14th December between 9am and 12 noon.
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 9
The judging categories for 2018 are: - Best Animated/interactive Theme - Best Theme - Best Christmas Tree - Best Reception Area - Best Poem - Best Humorous Entry - Best Social Responsibility Entry Don’t forget to follow the fire safety regulations - these have been circulated to all staff
2017’s winner stole the show
04/12/2018 17:30
10
Connections Summer 2018
Chopper mobilised to help diver
Image courtesy Liz Lillis-Ingram
A UK Coastguard team was dispatched to the Island to aid a diver in urgent need of hyperbaric treatment during the summer. The chopper made a swift turnaround, picking up the patient at Noble’s for transfer to the UK. The diver made a full recovery.
Dipolma pride for Craig
B
iomedical Scientist Craig Pownall has cleared a tough academic hurdle towards gaining a higher specialist diploma in his field. Hours of work compiling the Portfolio section for the Institute of Biomedical Scientists (IBMS) qualification paid off. As well as a big step towards his professional goal, it
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 10
earned him the title Lab Queen for the day! The qualification is an essential step towards promotion to a senior BMS position and ultimately a management role. Once he has the full diploma Craig can apply for Fellowship of the IBMS. Many congrats to Craig – especially on being such a Lab Queen sport!
04/12/2018 17:30
Connections Summer 2018
11
Liz’s shots offer Manx backdrop for TV weather slot
P
hotography is an absorbing hobby and most keen amateurs don’t expect plaudits. But who wouldn’t want a wide audience to see their best shots?
Thie Bee manager Liz Lillis-Ingram always has her camera with her and enjoys capturing Island life and landmarks on film while out and about. Two of Liz’s photos have recently featured as the viewer shot-of-the-
Granda Reports lighthouse
Granada Reports Douglas Head
day on Granada TV’s regional weather reports, showcasing the Island to a potential audience of 400,000. Liz received a deluge of texts and calls from friends and customers who saw
her photos on screen – and we think her creative work with a lens ball in Laxey Glen also deserves an airing. Well done Liz and don’t stop snapping!
Liz’s lens ball in Laxey Glen
Editorial board Mike Quinn, Director of Hospitals mike.quinn@nobles.dhss.gov.im Chukwuka Anaziah, Doctor chukwuka.anaziah@nobles. dhss.gov.im Amy Hamm, Doctor amy.hamm@nobles.dhss.gov.im Janet Austin, Systems Administrator janet.austin@nobles.dhss.gov.im
Diane Batty, Recovery Nurse diane.batty@nobles.dhss.gov.im Frances Butler, Children’s Therapy frances.butler@gov.im Gill Horsey, Stroke Nurse gillian.horsey@nobles.dhss.gov.im Anna Featherstone, Cancer Services Team anna.featherstone@nobles. dhss.gov.im
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 11
Liz Lillis-Ingram, Thie Bee Commercial liz.lillis@gov.im Leslie Murphy, Midwife leslie.murphy@nobles.dhss.gov.im Cathie Robinson, Personal Secretary, Pathology cathie.robinson@gov.im Marian Kenny Communications Executive marian.kenny@gov.im
Want to get involved? If you have an idea and want to contribute please get in touch. editorialboard@nobles. dhss.gov.im
04/12/2018 17:30
12
Connections Summer 2018
Employee of the month July: Sophie Taylor, Patient Transfer Team A colleague whose father used the service nominated Sophie for the award: ‘I wanted Sophie’s professionalism to be recognised as praise isn’t often given. She is so pleasant and nothing is ever an effort. I imagine the job is quite frustrating at times but Sophie takes it in her stride and empathises with the patient and their family. My dad has developed quite a rapport with Sophie through using the service over the past two years, even though they’ve only met face to face twice. Sophie’s an asset to the team and I can never find fault with any dealings with her.’ September: Natasha Rowlands, Healthcare Assisstant ED
A visitor to Noble’s Hospital said ‘I was up at the hospital visiting a friend in A & E. Natasha was looking after my friend and the care that my friend received was beyond amazing. Natasha was very pleasant and professional but at the same time she was able to have a chat and a joke which made us both feel at ease and calmed the whole situation. What could have been a stressful experience at Noble’s was instead a very pleasant one – which is especially positive as my friend isn’t keen on being in hospital due to her anxiety.’ ‘I think Natasha is a credit to the department and deserves to be rewarded for her hard work and dedication.
August: Lauren Latham, Midwife A colleague said ‘Whilst I was working on Ward 10, a man rang to say his sister had gone into labour at home. Lauren was fantastic, she was calm and gave good clear instructions, calling an ambulance whilst still speaking to the brother. Lauren gave advice in a kind, reassuring manner which must have been a great help in such an anxious situation, as the baby arrived before the ambulance. She stayed on the phone until the ambulance arrived. Lauren impressed me by the way she dealt with the situation in such a reassuring, caring and professional way.’
October: Dr Chris Till, Consultant Anaesthetist A colleague said ‘Dr Till has more or less single-handedly driven the hospital’s flu vaccination program forward in the past few months. He has given up his personal time to help mobilise support for the campaign, he has trained colleagues and delivered some of the vaccinations, the majority in his own time. ‘This will be the most successful flu vaccination programme we have had in terms of uptake and this is down to Dr Till’.
Paper copies of the nomination forms are distributed around the hospital. They can also be downloaded from the DHSC intranet.
Once completed, either email employeeofthemonth.nobles@gov.im or send to Employee of the Month Nominations, Management Suite, Noble’s Hospital. The winner is chosen by the Operations Management Team. All the Employees of the Month will be invited to a celebration next year. We’ll keep you posted.
0002 - Connections_Autumn_2018 Profread-3-12-18.indd 12
04/12/2018 17:30