March 2015 Issue 12
Gateshead investing in dementia care Over the last 18 months QE Gateshead has invested around £160,000 into schemes that are improving local services for patients with dementia. The three main projects this investment funded have made a real difference to the lives of patients who use the hospital and other dedicated units in Gateshead. The condition is a key priority for the NHS with an estimated 25% of acute beds occupied by people with dementia. In 2013 the QE was successful in getting a grant from the Department of Health to invest more in the care of people with dementia. The Trust has now created a dementia-friendly outpatient facility, a gym at our Woodside Unit (a dementia day care service for younger people) and an outdoor garden modelled on the famous Saltwell Park after research by two of our consultants showed that access to nature could help with dementia symptoms. Hilary Lloyd, director of nursing, midwifery and quality at QE Gateshead said: “We know that one in 14 patients over the age of 65 currently has a diagnosis of dementia and that this number will increase because of an aging population. Our patients tell us that what they need from us is kindness, compassion, a smile, understanding and most importantly to be their voice when they are unable to speak. “At QE Gateshead we’re tackling this in a number of ways including more training for staff and changes to the way wards can be designed. After some real investment Ward 23 is now a ‘dementia friendly’ unit, which has meant looking at everything from signage to lighting and working out what we can do differently.
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Emergency Care Centre transfer Thank you for your help and patience during the major transfer of hospital services into the new ÂŁ32m Emergency Care Centre which is now open to the public.
At the start of the year services including A&E, the Emergency Assessment Unit (EAU), the walk-in centre, GATDOC, Paediatrics, ambulatory care and the short stay unit all fully transferred into the new building.
The building also includes a new main entrance for the QE with all visitors and patients coming into the hospital through the new atrium in the Emergency Care Centre building. The process has been a smooth and successful one so thank you for your assistance during this exciting time for QE Gateshead. The fantastic new unit brings state-of-the-art healthcare services to people across Gateshead and the bright, modern building includes single occupancy rooms with en suite bathrooms for all patients in the short stay wards. The new Emergency Care Centre building not only has a unique design and facilities, but it completely changes the way patients are cared for during an emergency by bringing together a wide range of services. A new road entrance with a dedicated area for emergency vehicles is currently being installed, changing the flow of traffic through the site. Vehicles now access the site using a new road entrance in front of the new building (just past the existing junction which is now closed off). You can find more information including videos and pictures on our website by visiting: www.qegateshead.nhs.uk/emergencycarecentre For enquiries about the ECC please contact Darren Makepeace on 0191 4453838 darren.makepeace@ghnt.nhs.uk or the ECC switchboard on 0191 445 2171.
Working together to beat Sepsis Spot it, treat it, beat it. Staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead have been looking at innovative ways to tackle the deadly medical condition sepsis which kills 37,000 people a year in the UK alone. Sepsis is a common and potentially life-threatening condition triggered by infection. Common signs and symptoms are fever, increased heart rate, increasing breathing rate and confusion. The outcome for patients improves dramatically if sepsis is recognised and treated quickly. Andy Rooks, Senior Charge Nurse and Project Lead for Sepsis at QE Gateshead said: “The key to treating sepsis is early recognition, using a system called the sepsis six to give effective treatment and involving senior medical staff early. No one profession can do this alone and true team work is required to save lives. “Here at Gateshead we’re trying to raise awareness of the condition among staff. We held an event that brought together lots of staff from different wards, areas, specialties and job roles to give them a chance to think creatively about the barriers to giving great sepsis care. The staff looked creatively at how to Spot it, Treat it and Beat it.’ The feedback was amazing and staff can influence their own area’s sepsis care.”
Cancer consultant riding for funds A surgeon from the QE is taking part in a six day bike ride in the searing heat of the Italian Dolomites mountains to raise money for his patients. Mark Katory is a specialist in colo rectal cancers and the team of three specialists at the QE see about 200 new patients every year just from the Gateshead area. Now he is planning to raise as much money as possible to help all cancer patients at the QE. He explained: “I see on a daily basis both the devastating impact it can have on families and the extraordinary work being undertaken by the NHS to work with some of the major cancer charities to improve the care on offer to our patients. The five year survival rate for colo rectal cancer is 50% nationally. “I am hoping to raise around £5,000 to improve the facilities and experience we can offer to patients at the QE. I’d like to purchase some new equipment for our theatres and we have a very good endoscopy department at the QE but I know they need some new equipment too.” Mark admitted that the six day bike ride covering 600km climbing to more than 54,000 feet is going to be a challenge. “The cycle ride sounds like a killer but I am motivated to do it because it is such a good cause and one I truly believe in. The only thing that is preventing me from not going is because I have agreed to do it for our hospital charity and that the money raised will really make a difference to help people. That is also what will stop me from giving up once I am out there.” To sponsor Mark and the team you can visit www.justgiving/mark-katory and for updates on progress look out on Twitter (@QEfunds) or Facebook (QE Gateshead Charitable Funds) and look for #raiddolomites.
The Bright Ideas in Health Awards 2015 is an annual competition organised by NHS Innovations North, which is a service delivered by RTC North Limited on behalf of the Academic Health Science Network North East and North Cumbria. The closing date for entries into the Bright Ideas in Health Awards 2015 has been extended to Monday 6th April 2015. The awards ceremony will take place at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel on Thursday 21st May 2015. Entries can be submitted to the Bright Ideas in Health Awards by clicking here. Please contact sarah.black@nhsinnovationsnorth.org.uk for more information if required.
Online feedback from patients Patients now have more ways of providing feedback than ever before including all our social media channels and NHS Choices. This increased level of feedback lets us understand what areas are working well and helps us learn where we can improve. To see some examples of our feedback click here or find out more about our social media by visiting: www.qegateshead.nhs.uk/ socialmedia
BOC oxygen supply BOC’s home oxygen supply contract covers 12 North East CCGs (excluding Cumbria) and the provider is introducing a quality programme from 1st April 2015 to ensure all oxygen patients know how to manage their medicines and use their inhalers correctly. If an issue is recorded BOC’s patient reps will inform the patient’s GP to ensure action can be taken as appropriate. A dedicated leaflet will be left with patients for their information.
Stay in touch We hope you enjoyed reading this issue of Health Matters and would love to hear your views on the newsletter. If you would like to submit stories or offer any feedback on the content please get in touch with Helen Groom (helen.groom@ghnt.nhs.uk) or Ross Wigham (ross.wigham@ghnt.nhs.uk). Thanks for reading and please continue sending us your story ideas and suggestions.