One & All - Issue 6

Issue 6

Call The Midwife Star at RCHT For website launch

April 2014

New Medical DirectoR First Interview

Care Closer to home Developing services in the West

Competitions & Prizes Tickets to win

Tehidy Park Golf Club Camborne One Year Introductory Membership Offer with effect from 1 April 2014……..£400 (inclusive of four free lessons with our Golf Professional, Jonathan Lamb and a £30 Bar / Restaurant voucher)

Corporate Packages also available to Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust staff & NHS Foundation Trust members at preferential rates, which can be tailored to your requirements

Contact Ian Veale on 01209 842208 for further information www.tehidyparkgolfclub.co.uk

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

CONTENTS www.rcht.nhs.uk

Editorial Communications, Bedruthan House 01872 253216 oneandall@cornwall.nhs.uk

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Design Edgemoor Design 01837 659224 simon@edgemoordesign.co.uk Advertsing Zara Media 01392 201227 grant@zaramedia.co.uk

One and All is published quarterly every January, April, July and October. Copy date for each issue is approximately six weeks before publication.

Cover Picture Call the Midwife star Jenny Agutter with Professor Tony Woolf at website launch. See page 7 for full story.

Photo by West Briton

DISCLAIMER Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly. Edgemoor Publishing cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor.

Welcome

CONTENTS TRUST VIEW Rob Parry - first interview

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My View Older People - Frazer Underwood

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Trust People News & Views

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In Focus Modernising and expanding Services at WCH

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Grapevine Cycle scheme & panto

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Volunteering Awards, volunteers, donations

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Membership News Get Involved

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Motability Cornwall Mobility Centre

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Charitable Funds Gifts, donations & fundraising

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Feature Dementia - Rising to the Challenge

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Patient Story Cervical Cancer survivor tells her story

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Did You Know Paying Patients

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Welcome to the latest edition of One + All – our quarterly magazine for patients, staff, volunteers, Foundation Trust members and anyone with an interest in local healthcare.

It has been another high profile few months for Royal Cornwall Hospitals with a visit from Call the Midwife star Jenny Agutter, appearances in the national BBC television series Countryside 999 and most importantly as one of the first NHS Trusts to take part in the new style Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.

The common thread here is that they all spoke of the extraordinary talent, dedication and professionalism of our staff. For me the best line in the CQC inspection report was the recognition that our staff are “experienced, caring, compassionate and champions for their patients.”

In this magazine we aim to capture just some of the great people and teamwork that make us proud of Royal Cornwall Hospitals and our local NHS. I hope you enjoy the magazine and thank you for your continued support.

Garth Davies Associate Director, Communications at RCHT. oneandall@cornwall.nhs.uk

INSIDE OUT Marathon runners, Minister talks

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WHAT’S ON Diary Dates, Spot the Difference

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TRUST VIEW

Rob Parry, RCHT Medical Director A keen sea swimmer and married dad of four boys, Dr Rob Parry has now taken on the role of Medical Director at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.

Rob is a familiar face around the Trust having worked in the renal department for the last 13 years. He had previously been a junior doctor here in 1991 before leaving to finish his training.

What are your hopes for this role?

What can staff expect?

I am keen to promote excellent patient care and make patients the focus of all that we do.

I’m very patient centred and expect high standards of care but to do that we have to have adequate staffing levels with appropriate training and support.

I want to look at staff development and improve how the clinical teams are involved in decision making and I am keen to support devolving more responsibility to them. My particular focus is on medical staff but I think training should be looked at more broadly.

I hope to also look at the way we communicate with our GP colleagues to ensure there is regular communication on new services and new staff.

What do you believe to be the priorities for the Medical Director in the next three years at a time of major change in the NHS? The future is fairly clear. We will be working in a financially straitened time with a clear drive to move services into the community. We will have to work differently to cope with that. We provide effective specialist and acute care and will need to continue to do so.

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You joined the Trust 13 years ago.

What are your impressions of working at RCHT and standards of patient care and how has it changed in your time here?

There has been a definite move from an environment where finance was the most important driver for the Trust to now, where we are in the process of moving to an environment where good patient care and outcomes are most important.

Why do you think RCHT becoming a Foundation Trust is important and what difference do you think it will make?

It’s clear the impetus is towards all acute trusts becoming Foundation Trusts.

Whatever the individual thoughts and opinions on it, it is obvious that we have to do it or it will be done for us. It is surely better to have ownership of the process than have it happen anyway but from afar.

Becoming an FT will give us more financial control helping us to set budgets that will allow us to be more responsive to local need, that’s a good thing for patients and staff.

I am excited about the challenges ahead. I think the Trust has great staff and we all want to do our best for patients and we need to support each other to do that. n

MY VIEW www.rcht.nhs.uk

Nurse Consultant and Associate Director of Nursing, Frazer Underwood is leading developments in care for frail and older people at RCHT. One & All asks Frazer about his innovative work to transform services.

focus on getting them assessed and treatment started more quickly. The next step, which is linked to the extensive work programme on creating all our wards to be more dementiafriendly is a proposal to create a purpose-built frailty ward on the main hospital site,. This will bring together all the different health professionals patients need to support them during acute illness. As well as a purpose-designed ward environment our hope is to work with volunteers to replicate the memory café sessions that have been so inspirational and successful at West Cornwall Hospital; patients living with dementia are a group for who frailty is a big concern.”

It is as much about keeping frail patients out of hospital though, isn’t it?

“Yes, absolutely. That’s why we are working with NHS Kernow on a frailty pathway – that’s about the different aspects of care available in the community and in hospital – so that we can do more to keep people in their home environment. We want to put services in place that can identify frail patients quickly, using the same assessments and simplify communications between organisations.”

“At RCHT we are putting additional specialist consultants into the Emergency Department to support faster assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning. Better access to Occupational Therapists and specialist nurses in our frailty services will also help to facilitate a quicker discharge process for patients who don’t need to stay in hospital after assessment.”

Why is getting a frail or older person home so important?

How do you define frailty?

“We have to challenge our understanding of frailty,” says Frazer. “Frailty is not a disease, but linked with aging and the variety of medical problems someone has. Some people can be younger and frail, living with with a long-term condition or a complex number of different conditions (for example diabetes, cardiac or respiratory problems or dementia).

All are equally vulnerable as their reserve to recover after acute illness is limited and their resilience to ongoing physical and mental health challenges is low.

So what’s new in terms of care for frail patients?

“This winter we opened a frailty assessment unit to help to take patients out of the conventional route of admission, with the

“When frail patients come into hospital they can quickly lose their confidence, they are at increased risk of harm in hospital, for example getting an infection or having a fall.

More than that is the isolation from their community and support network they have built around them at home. It’s the negative impact on the social and emotional aspects of someone’s well-being which play on confidence, creating a spiral effect that will effect a person’s ability to recover and regain their former independence.”

What more would you like to see happening for frail and older patients?

“There’s great scope for some good research to demonstrate the difference an integrated frailty care can make. We’re already taking part, along with other hospitals across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, in a project that is looking at the experience of patients with frailty coming into hospital and during their stay. There is a sense that people who don’t get onto a frailty pathway have a longer length of stay and poor continuity of care, whereas in a frailty service care is co-ordinated and their experience is positive. We’re hoping this is something we can take forward to demonstrate the benefits we are delivering for the people of Cornwall.” n

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HHHH

‘A perfect evening out’ WhatsOnStage

Win 4 tickets to see

Last of the Duty Free Tuesday 6 to Sat 10 May, 7.30pm Hold onto your sombreros - stars from of one of the UK’s best loved romantic sitcoms are getting back together for one last fling!

‘Last of the Duty Free‘ reunites Keith Barron, Gwen Taylor and Neil Stacy to play-out the next hilarious installment in a series which regularly pulled in TV audiences of over 12 million viewers.

For a chance to win four tickets to the opening night, please answer the following question: In which European country was the Duty Free TV series set?

To enter, please send your answer along with your name, home address, or Department and extension number to oneandall@cornwall.nhs.uk or send it to: One & All Magazine, c/o Press Office, Bedruthan House, RCH There will be just one winner, no cash equivalent prizes.

The competition is open to RCHT staff only, excluding those associated with the competition.

The prize is non-transferable and is available to entrants aged 18 and above.

Al entries must be made by 30th April 2014.

The decision of the Press Office is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The classic bittersweet comedy

Monday 2 - Saturday 7 December

Box Office 01872 262466 hallforcornwall.co.uk Hall for Cornwall, Lemon Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL

TRUST PEOPLE www.rcht.nhs.uk

TV star launches new website for people in Cornwall living with arthritis...

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BC TV’s Call the Midwife star Jenny Agutter visited the Royal Cornwall Hospital in February to launch a website created by the Cornwall Arthritis Trust for local people living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Jenny, whose late mother battled with the condition for 26 years and was cared for at RCH, has been a supporter of Cornwall Arthritis Trust for a number of years.

Jenny said, “My mother complained little but I was aware of the challenges she faced. No two people are the same.

The condition can leave people feeling very alone, with long periods of time dealing with the symptoms on your own. Knowledge is essential to those with rheumatoid arthritis.

In Cornwall there are few opportunities for patients to interact; the website will make a huge difference.”

The website’s key role is to signpost people to local information as well as tested national resources. It has sections on diet, exercise and emotional wellbeing, as well as selfmanagement of the condition, pain relief and complimentary therapies.

Jenny added, “I’m so pleased that this website is now there for everybody in the community. It’s a wonderful, much needed tool, helping them in getting the help they need to manage on a day to day basis.”

Rheumatoid arthritis affects around 1 in 100 people and thanks to advances in treatment and understanding of the condition, far less people are severely disabled by its progression.

“We no longer have a designated space set aside for wheelchairs in our waiting area, because so few people are now wheelchair bound,” explains Professor Tony Woolf, consultant rheumatologist at RCHT. But he and his fellow health professionals are clear in the message that getting an early diagnosis and staying active is vital.

“Treatments have better outcomes if they start early,” says Tony. “If you get aches and pains go and see a health professional for a diagnosis.

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis can now have a career and get a job, perhaps with some modifications, even those in quite physical jobs.

We have to keep finding ways to make it easier for people to live with their condition, gadgets and gismos that can help with everyday tasks and keeping active. That’s what our website is all about, finding ways to manage and to help people to help themselves.”

The Cornwall Arthritis Trust website can be found at: www.cornwallarthritis.org.uk.

New bid to improve knowledge of arthritis among nurses and other health professionals Rheumatologist Professor Anthony Woolf and his team in the

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esearchers at the Royal Cornwall Hospital have been awarded nearly £50,000 of new funding from Arthritis Research UK to improve knowledge and awareness of arthritis among health professionals – as the number of people affected by the potentially crippling joint condition is set to rise.

Bone and Joint Research Group have been awarded the money to work with district nurses and practice nurses and nurses working in care homes. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and podiatrists working in the community and in social care teams will also be targeted, as part of their new research project.

Osteoarthritis affects almost nine million older people in the UK – and that figure is set to rise as the population gets older. Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious inflammatory form of joint disease requiring specialist care.

Professor Woolf says: “People with arthritis receive most of their health care not at hospitals but from health providers in their communities. Most of these health providers don’t have special training in arthritis.

Professor Woolf and his team will recruit people with arthritis from throughout Cornwall, and further afield in Exeter and Bristol, to take part in focus groups and to give their views on what health workers need to know to enable them to care for them effectively. Other focus groups will be set up for health professionals.

The findings from this research will be used to develop training for community-based nurses and other health professionals.

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TRUST PEOPLE

Fight for life spurs family to generous thank you

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atching their youngest daughter fighting for life in the Critical Care Ward at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, spurred a Perranporth family into raising £500 for the Friends of the hospital.

It all began when Caja Walters, 18, suffered complications following an operation to remove her appendix, which had burst. Caja said: “I was so scared, I thought I was going to die. I have never felt so much pain in all my life. I remember looking at my mum and saying ‘please don’t let me die.’’

Doctors discovered that Caja was suffering from peritonitis and only had a seven per cent breathing capacity so the decision was made to put her into an induced coma.

Caja’s dad Juan remembers that at one point, the family were not sure if Caja would survive. “We knew she was in the best place but it was so difficult, as she was our daughter and all we could do was stand back and pray.”

Remarkably, Caja woke up six days later and after a short stay in hospital, was discharged home to celebrate her sister Holly’s 21st birthday. Kirsty, Caja’s other sister said: “We kept saying it was our miracle.”

Despite a slow recovery, Caja has used her illness as inspiration to live life to the full. She has learnt to drive and returned to Truro College to undertake a medical secretary course. She is also considering doing volunteer work within the hospital. She said: “Some people aren’t lucky enough to have family like mine to support them through their illness, so I would like to be able to support those who aren’t as fortunate as me.”

Caja’s family have also become avid charity supporters since her

£140,000 state-ofart cystoscopes to aid bladder treatment The urology team at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust took delivery of £140,000 of state-of-the-art video scopes for bladder inspection which will help to provide the best treatment for bladder cancer patients in Cornwall.

Flexible cystoscopes (endoscopes) are used to inspect the bladder and are usually used to make a diagnosis of bladder cancer.

The seven new-generation scopes have built in cameras which link directly to

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illness and as a way of saying thank you have raised more than £500 for the Friends of the Royal Cornwall Hospital. Caja’s mum Clare said: “The staff in the intensive care ward were amazing. They were so calm and professional and really supported us during this difficult time.”

Beatrice Dyer, Chairman of the Friends, said: “We are always very grateful to receive any donations so that we can purchase extra equipment to support patients and staff.”

monitors and provide a much higher quality image. Nicholas Munro, Consultant Urologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, said: “These scopes produce a very high resolution image and allow us to make accurate diagnoses.

There was a donation of £30,000 from the department’s Urology Charitable Fund to help us purchase these and that money is given by the people of Cornwall.”

Every year more than 200 people in Cornwall are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer, with around 90 dying annually.

If kidney and bladder cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage, around 95 per cent of people are still alive a year later. At a late stage, it drops to just 30 per cent. The most common symptom is blood in the urine.

Caroline Court, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Cornwall Council said: “Better survival for these cancers depends on catching cancer early. If more were detected earlier and Cornwall matched the best in England, 30 fewer people would die in Cornwall each year.”

Mr Munro said: “Just a single show of blood in the urine can be the tell-tale sign of a bladder or kidney cancer and needs investigation. In most cases your GP will refer to a specialist urology clinic at RCH Treliske within two weeks. We will undertake a quick bladder examination (Endoscopy) and kidney ultrasound scan which will identify any problem on the spot, and most patients can be reassured.”

TRUST PEOPLE www.rcht.nhs.uk

Retirement – Sue Cook, Deputy Superintendent Radiographer After 40 years of working for RCHT, Sue Cook, Deputy Superintendent Radiographer has retired from the Trust. Sue has worked in a range of areas within the hospital but most recently has within the community. Sue stated she will miss all her work colleagues, who organised a farewell party for her and even made her a novelty cake.

Sue is planning on sorting out her garden and her house on her retirement, as well going on lots of walks!

RCHT Obstetric and Gynaecology doctors take top awards

Kings of the Castles

The new St Mawes and Pendennis Wards on top floor Trelawny opened in late December with staff moving into the newly refurbished areas.

Pendennis (formerly Poldark Ward) and St Mawes (formerly the Surgical Receiving Unit) have now moved to their new home on Trelawny Level 2.

Contact numbers for both wards remain the same as before: Pendennis: on 01872 253957, and St Mawes on 01872 253032.

A regional award ceremony saw two doctors from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro take top honours.

RCHT’s Mr Tom Smith-Walker and Dr Laura Reddin joined other Obstetric and Gynaecology trainees from across the South West at the event which was held in Torquay. Tom went on to win the 2013 Trainees’ Trainee award and Laura was named 2013 Junior Trainee.

Tom has just finished his specialty training at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and is currently working as a locum consultant while Laura has just completed her first year of specialty training with another six years to complete. Both are hoping to take up permanent posts in the county in the future.

Susie Bates, Obstetrics Consultant, said: “Tom’s peers voted for him because he is a great role model, colleague and teacher.

Laura has achieved a great deal both clinically and academically this year.”

Tom said “This is not only a positive thing for us but also for our department. It’s nice for us to have some positive recognition. We are an active department and do a lot. The department has members actively participating in regional and national training programs as well as contributing to international events. It is great to be part of an active unit.”

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TRUST PEOPLE

Retirements The Sexual Health Hub team at Royal Cornwall Hospital said a fond farewell to two ladies who between them have given over 60 years of service to the family planning team in Cornwall.

Doctor Di Gurd and nurse Jenny Cloke, who are both from Bude, carried out a range of different jobs during their careers.

Jenny was a school nurse who worked alongside Di and due to their love of family planning, decided to build a Young People clinic in Bude, to help support them and educate them with issues such as contraception.

Frances Fuller, Clinical Lead at the Sexual Health Hub, revealed how much they will be missed by staff and patients.

RCH among first to offer new foot ulcer treatment Vascular disease specialists at the Royal Cornwall Hospital are among the first in the UK to offer a new treatment that is helping to speed up the healing of wounds for patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

ReCell is a technique that aids skin regeneration and wound healing which has previously been used successfully in the treatment of scars and burns. For the first time, clinicians at RCHT have trialled its use on poorly healing diabetic and vascular foot ulcers. Their aim was to investigate whether or not it could decrease time to healing, as a supplementary to traditional techniques, employed by specialist podiatrists.

ReCell is an innovative treatment which uses the patient’s own cells in a regenerative process to accelerate healing,

minimise scarring, and reintroduce pigment to the skin.

With a lifetime risk of up to 15% in people with diabetes and owing to their chronic nature, diabetic foot ulcers prove

Safeguarding children team At the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, there is a dedicated team fulfilling the safeguarding children role with their main aim being children’s safety and patient care.

This multi-disciplinary team has a remit which spans from pregnancy through to 18 years of age and as the Trust’s Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children, Alison O’Neill, says: “A lot of

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a significant problem and a huge health burden; often failing to heal and causing further infection, and in some cases, leading to amputation.

Richard Beharrell (71) of Truro was the first of six patients in the UK to be treated with ReCell following a diabetes related foot amputation in April 2012.

Richard says: “I didn’t hesitate when I was asked to take part in the trial. Within a week my foot suddenly started healing; it was a great result. I think it’s an amazing thing. From my point of view it was a lucky break I was there at the right time. I would recommend it and would want to have that treatment again if I needed it. It would be great to see it become widely available to other patients.”

our work is ensuring the right multi-agency help and support is available for families to stop them reaching crisis point where child protection becomes necessary.”

The team, which also includes a Named Midwife and Named Doctor for Safeguarding Children and administration support, say it is frontline medical staff who are ultimately the key in safeguarding children at the Trust.

Alison says: “The role of our team is not to take over from clinical staff or community teams, it is to provide support and advice to our staff who are providing the care for youngsters and their families and empower them in their safeguarding roles.”

The team is supported by a Link network, members of staff from various wards, who provide on-the-ward information and advice to colleagues. This network covers not just children’s wards but extends onto adult wards where there may be younger patients or adults with vulnerable children at home.

Named Doctor for Safeguarding Children, Chris Williams, a consultant paediatrician, says: If a member of the public needs to make a referral, they can do so by calling the Multi Agency Referral Unit, on 0300 123 1116.

Cornwall Health Services Retirement Fellowship Enjoy your retirement join our Fellowship

Don’t be bored and lonely!

Come and join us!

Our plans for 2014/15 include visits to the theatre in Plymouth, a visit to Dartington to watch the glass blowing, Caerhayes Castle to see the camellias in bloom, a trip on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and the branch line from Liskeard to Looe, a mystery trip to include Sunday lunch, and Newton Abbot on market day. In addition we shall have our usual lunches and meetings. So come along and enjoy the companionship and fun which is so much part of the spirit of our group.

Our Fellowship is Cornwall-wide and all our money is spent for our members. We may not be able to offer a benefit scheme or holidays abroad (yet!) but neither do we pay a substantial fee from your subscriptions to a National body.

If you have retired or are about to retire from the NHS or any if its related professions, as a member of staff or a volunteer, do get in touch for more information.

Tel: 01872 863987

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Contact: Margaret Herbert Hon.Sec margirvinherbert@tiscali.co.uk l Roseleigh Frogpool Truro TR4 8RS Tawanroath Engine House Chapel Porth, Photo by Terry Thomas

LEGAL AID REMAINS FOR FAMILY MEDIATION THROUGH ACCORD Accord has been conducting mediation throughout the southwest since the practice was established in 1996. Accord offers the services of 20 independent fully accredited professionals with the vast majority having practised Law. Accord was one of the founding members of mediation in this country and holds a contract with the Legal Aid Agency to deliver family mediation free of charge to clients who are eligible for legal aid.

In April 2013 Legal Aid was withdrawn from solicitors except where there was proven Domestic Abuse or in Care proceedings. It appears that it is not widely known enough that Legal Aid does remain available for mediation.

It remains means tested but for those on certain benefits such as Income Support or JSA (Income Based) this is a passport to Legal Aid and even those in work can be entitled once housing costs, tax & NI and children are taken into account.

Mediation is a voluntary, legally privileged process which involves the parties sitting down with a mediator to discuss issues in order to move towards a settlement. The mediator will take it for granted that

the couple is splitting up, so his or her job is simply to help the couple make arrangements for their children and divide financial assets fairly. A mediator is impartial: he or she cannot give advice on a best position basis, and does not make any decisions for you. The parties remain in control throughout the process and they make the decisions.

For most people, mediation is a much less stressful process than going to court. It is also cheaper.

At an initial assessment meeting you are seen on your own. The mediator will check your eligibility for legal aid if you request this and discuss you current situation and concerns with you.

The mediator will then discuss what type of mediation may be appropriate if your case is suitable.

Accord offers mediation across Cornwall, Devon and the Somerset, and Legal Aid to help with the costs where eligible, so there is no need to shy away from approaching a helpful and friendly service where we can assist both parties through the difficulties that arise on separation and you do not need to see a solicitor first. So please contact us to find out more.

Contracted with the Legal Aid Agency

Family Mediation Divorce & Separation

Commercial Mediation

Co-Habitation

Inheritance

Civil Partnerships

Workplace & Employment

Property & Finance Childrens Residence Childrens Contract

Partnership Disputes Contracts County Court Claims Neighbourhood & Land Disputes

For more information contact us today Truro: 01872 225022 St Austell: 01726 77720 Plymouth: 01752 226800 www.accordmediation.co.uk

FEATURE

Modernising and expanding services Over £6.5 million has been invested in West Cornwall Hospital over the last six years, including significant contributions from its League of Friends.

The hospital is now a thriving hub offering acute diagnostic and treatment, close to home. What’s more, the hospital’s recent ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission affirms the high standards of care so often voiced by patients and the local community.

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t’s easy to spot the physical transformations at West Cornwall, a new treatment centre, laparoscopic theatre, upgraded medical and surgical wards, expanded dialysis suite and a refitted main reception but what’s not so easy to see on the surface is the growth in the services on offer.

Today there are more than 40 different medical specialties and services offering outpatient consultations to day case and inpatient treatments and procedures.

Some are quite obvious such as dialysis, blood transfusions and hernia repair but others are perhaps more surprising.

Take for example one of the newest treatments to be introduced at the hospital’s Treatment Centre. It involves the not uncommon problem of excessively heavy menstrual bleeding. Until recently women needing an operation to manage the condition would have had to travel to Truro for surgery under general anaesthetic.

Now, with funding support for equipment from the League

FEATURE

of Friends, gynaecology specialists at West Cornwall are among the first in the UK to be using an innovative technique called endometrial ablation. The treatment takes less than five minutes and can be carried out as an outpatient procedure as it requires only a local anaesthetic.

Another example is the recently set up one-stop diagnosis and pre-assessment clinic for cataracts. Patients go through a three step process where they not only have their diagnosis confirmed but are also measured for their lens implant, screened for their suitability for surgery and given an expected timescale for their operation.

“Around 80-90% of the patients referred to the clinic by opticians or GPs will have a diagnosis of a cataract confirmed and will need to go on for surgery,” explains David Jones, consultant ophthalmologist. “Until now patients would come for an initial consultation and then go away without any certainty of the date for their preoperative assessment or the cataract surgery itself.”

One of the first patients to attend the new clinic was

Paul Tarplee from Carbis Bay. Paul said, “I had started to notice a change in my eye and the likelihood of a cataract was picked up when I went for a check-up with my optician.

They referred me through and I got an appointment within a couple of weeks. I’ve now had the diagnosis confirmed and everything is in place to go ahead with surgery in a few weeks’ time.”

“We started a similar pathway for patients at the Royal Cornwall Hospital some time ago, which has proven really successful,” adds David. “For the majority of patients it avoids a further appointment before their cataract surgery and the big advantage for patients in West Cornwall is that they no longer have to travel to Truro for that preoperative assessment.”

West Cornwall is also at the forefront for treatments for problems such as varicose veins, wet age-related macular degeneration and, thanks to the installation of a hi-tech laparoscopic theatre, a number of keyhole surgery procedures. n One and All 13

Now at the helm of the team co-ordinating care and services at West Cornwall Hospital is speciality lead Dr Neil Davidson. Sharing his time between his role as an acute GP in the hospital’s urgent care centre and shifts with the out-of-hours GP service, Neil has a holistic view on meeting the needs of patients in the West of the county. He is particularly keen to build on the success of the urgent care centre and the impact working with acute GPs is making on inpatient care at the hospital.

“We’ve got doctors on site who can take responsibility,” explains Neil. “That means we can get weekend admissions and more acute admissions. If we can see and manage someone with potential pulmonary embolism, for example, it saves money, it’s good for keeping the hospital busy but most of all “it’s good for patients who don’t have to travel far from home, relatives and friends.”

Neil sees the closer working that brings with other local GPs as a key part in the future development of services.

“Medicine is changing all the time and much more is now able to be provided in outpatients or even at home,” says Neil. “We already provide a huge number of specialties and there is potential for much more. The treatment centre provides superb facilities for walk-in, walk-out procedures and there is great scope for building more links between GP-led clinics, out of hours services and doctor-led clinics within the hospital.”

These close links mean West Cornwall is well placed to play a part in increasing the use of community-based services through traditional NHS and social care providers as well as the voluntary sector. Expertise at the hospital, access to diagnostic tests and use of early intervention services will all help to avoid admission to hospital so that people, particularly the frail or elderly, can be cared for safely in the comfort of their home environment.

Meanwhile developments at West Cornwall continue.

Longer-term plans are being developed to provide new facilities for outpatient clinics and the list of specialties on offer continues to grow.

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National spotlight for West Cornwall’s Urgent Care Centre With viewing figures upwards of 1 million, the Urgent Care Centre team’s part in the recent BBC Countryside 999 series has put the hospital well and truly on the map. Staff at the hospital featured in nearly all of the 15 programmes that went out daily during February and March.

The series followed their work throughout last summer and showcased the wide range of cases they manage at the Urgent Care Centre. With everything from fish hooks in heads, broken bones and injuries from falls to suspected stroke.

The combination of hospital doctors, acute GPs and expert emergency nurse practitioners makes for an innovative model of urgent care, providing a 24/7 service for local people and many visitors to the area, and one which is being seen as a model for others more remote parts of the UK to follow.

FEATURE

A selection of the specialties providing outpatient, daycase or inpatient services at West Cornwall Hospital Cardiology CT Scanning Dermatology Dietetics Diabetes and Endocrinology Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Gynaecology Haematology Head & Neck Neurology Obstetrics and Community Midwifery Ophthalmology Orthopaedics Pain Management Paediatrics Renal Respiratory Rheumatology Sexual Health and Family Planning Therapy Services Urology Vascular Surgery X-Ray

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Grapevine

Cycle way proves a hit with RCH staff

LIVES

IWL - Sign Up now!!

If you are interested in finding out more about Improving Working Lives (IWL) and taking part in the group, please contact IWL via Groupwise – iwl@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk IWL organise and run lots of initiatives for RCHT staff – lottery, photography competition, thank you awards, sports classes, cyclescheme and much more…

We meet every month and always welcome new members!

IWL Staff Lottery Would you like to join the Improving Working Lives Staff Lottery?

The top prize is £3,500 with four runners up prizes of £875.

To have a chance at winning, join the IWL Staff Lottery by emailing iwl@rcht.cornwall.nhs. uk for an application form.

Every month the IWL Staff Lottery draw takes place in the Payroll Department when the winning numbers are randomly generated.

Following the draw the winners are contacted by telephone by the payroll team. Sign up now, it could be you!

16 One and All

The Coosebean cycle route, which provides a safe alternative to the A390 into and out of the centre of Truro, is proving a popular option for cyclists at RCH, a number of whom were among the first to try it out when it opened.

The route also joins existing off-road routes between Treliske, Gloweth and Threemilestone, and offers a scenic pathway for cyclists and walkers behind the Malabar estate. The path also links with Malabar Road, giving nearby residents offroad access to the city centre.

Andy Hayers, a member of RCHT’s Bicycle Users Group said: “The new Coosebean cycle route is a breath of fresh air for the two-wheeled commuters of Truro. It finally allows them to travel to work away from the perils of the main road at Highertown. Its wide and well lit carriageway has a meandering route which is easy on the legs, plus has the

added bonus of great views of the countryside allowing you to take in the scenery while you pedal.”

If you’re interested in taking up cycling to work and want to find out about saving money on the cost of a new bike through the IWL Cycle Scheme call Lizzie Pettet-Smith on ext 2297 or email iwl@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk. For more information on the Cycle Scheme and for a list of businesses that accept vouchers, go to www.cyclescheme. co.uk/8662. If you’d like to know more about secure cycle storage on site, call Andree Trethewy on ext 2901.

Grapevine The RCHT Pantomime: The Wizard of Oz Congratulations to all RCHT staff involved in a spectacular version of the Wizard of Oz. A talented team have breathed life back into the RCHT pantomime which returned for the second year in a row by popular demand.

The pantomime which took place in January over three nights at Truro College raised money for the Children’s Unit and local charity Fleet who support emergency teams in Cornwall.

The RCHT version of the Wizard of Oz saw healthcare professionals leaving frustrations back home for warmer Australian shores only to find that all was not well with the dream downunder.

There was plenty to remind of us of the madness and genius of the NHS and of course audience interaction and jokes at the expense of ‘NHS Management’. Our Chief Executive, Lezli Boswell was a great sport in the audience one night and this was a great show to come together and enjoy the many and varied talents of our staff. Looking forward to next year already!

One and All 17

Volunteer

new

Volunteers Spiritual and Pastoral Care Team welcome three new faces

T

he Spiritual and Pastoral Care Team at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust have welcomed three new chaplains to offer their services and support to patients, families and staff.

Reverend Sandie Ward, Reverend Amanda Stevens and Sarah Chaplin have joined an already active team of chaplains, volunteer pastoral visitors, befrienders and mealtime companions, all of whom provide a very valuable service to the Trust.

Lead by Rev Mark Richards, the chaplains provide spiritual and pastoral care to anyone of any religion or no faith at all. Their services are available every day at any time, to anyone who needs support, comfort and a friendly ear to listen to them.

“We offer a non-judgmental service to anyone who needs support in their life, to family members who have lost a loved one, to a member of staff who has decisions to make in their life and

Friends Mug donation

A donation of 1,000 mugs from Sainsbury’s in Truro is helping the Friends of RCH keep patients and visitors in steady supply of warm refreshments.

Around 53,000 drinks are served by the Friends each year to patients and visitors at the hospital and with such heavy use mugs not surprisingly get broken or damaged. Hostess Service Co18 One and All

need impartial advice”, explains Reverend Amanda Stevens, who has joined from her Methodist ministry in Helston and Camborne/Redruth area. Amanda has a wide breadth of experience in the health and social care sector. “We like to think we are warm, approachable and friendly and here for anyone who needs us.”

The chaplains are able to support many different teams, patients and carers across the Trust but they also cover community hospitals within Cornwall. Reverend Sandie Ward, who has moved to Cornwall from Guernsey, takes responsibility for the pastoral work at Bodmin and Newquay Community Hospitals and Reverend Amanda Stevens is responsible for pastoral care at St Austell and Fowey Community Hospitals. Sarah Chaplin has also joined the team as an Honorary Chaplain with 15 years’ experience of pastoral work in Church ministry both in Wales and now in Cornwall. She is based at the Royal

ordinator Suzie Woodier was delighted when Sainsbury’s said they’d donate the mugs to the Friends.

Suzie said: “I am delighted with this kind donation. I only asked if they were able to offer us a discount for buying in bulk! Their donation means we have saved that money and can now use it to purchase something else for patients and staff at the hospital.”

The Friends offer a complimentary refreshments service to patients and visitors in a wide range of waiting areas including the Sunrise Centre, Headland Unit, Haematology department, Mermaid Centre and they have recently launched a small service in gynaecology.

Before going into use the mugs were all labelled with the Friends logo. Again this was done at no cost to the Friends

Cornwall Hospital, Truro and is hoping to raise the profile of chaplaincy within the hospital setting and in the community.

The team is based next to the Hospital Chapel on the first floor of the Tower Block where there is also a prayer room available for one and all. As a member of the Cornwall Faith Forum the team works actively with faith leaders from across the County.

If you would like further information on the Chaplaincy or if you feel you or a patient/family member would benefit from speaking to someone, please contact 01872 252883 or in an emergency, the On-Call Chaplain can be contacted via the main switchboard 01872 250000.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Trust please contact the Voluntary Services Office on 01872 253737 or email rcht.voluntaryservices@rcht. cornwall.nhs.uk

after Jeff James from Fosters Pottery in Redruth donated his time and equipment for free.

Mark Winsor, Sainsbury’s Truro store Manager, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support the Friends of the Royal Cornwall Hospital, as it is such a worthwhile cause. It’s been great to come and see what the Friends do for the hospital and we hope to be able to support them again in the future.”

Volunteer Friends coffee bar re-launch The Friends of the Royal Cornwall Hospital have been getting to grips with their new coffee bar following its revamp at the end of last year.

The modern café now features a sectioned off seating area in a bright and colourful setting and sells many of the old favourites as well as a range of sandwiches.

Adding a feel of privacy, new banners featuring the Friends logo and Queens Award logo, which the combined leagues of Friends of RCHT were awarded last June, shield those using the café from the hustle and bustle of the Tower Block reception entrance.

If anyone is interested in volunteering their time and gaining retail experience in the café, please contact the Voluntary Services Office on 01872 253737.

St Michael’s Friends donations Nearly 60 people danced the night away at The Smugglers Inn, St. Erth Praze in November to raise £172 for the Friends of St Michael’s Hospital, Hayle.

The event, which was organised by the Friends, saw Shaky’s Golden Roadshow provide a much appreciated disco and guests enjoyed pasties.

Mike Rowe, Chairman of the Friends of St Michael’s, said: “The evening was a great success, and we raised £172 for the Friends which will be added to existing funds for the purchase of “extras” for patients, visitors and staff.”

The Friends have already decided that the money will go towards a large fridge for theatres staff and two surgical hand tables. This follows on from previous donations to the physiotherapy gym and items for Outpatients. Mike added: “Longer term, we intend to contribute towards the complete refurbishment, redecoration and furnishing of Reception and the Outpatients Department.”

New Starters RCH

Jason Gregg, Symon Stephens (Hospital Radio); Vinodh Arumugam, Sameer Dhumale, Julia Hill, Clarinda Moore, Khine Oo, Helen Taylor (ED); Sally Berriman, Jean Goddard, Di Russell (Pastoral Visitor); Howard Vaughan (Chapel Helper); Kate Foulsham (Maternity); Ashleigh Coleman, Rebecca Mckenzie,

Awards highly commend RCH co ordinator The Friends of the Royal Cornwall Hospital did well at the Cornwall Voluntary Services Awards again with Audrey Miller being highly commended.

Audrey has been a volunteer with the Friends of RCH for nine years having joined after her retirement. Audrey started off providing refreshments as a hostess to patients at the Sunrise Centre once a week and then took on the co-ordinator role looking after 24 volunteers.

Beatrice Dyer, Chairman of the Friends, says: “The coordinator roles are a seven days a week job and involve supporting and looking after the volunteers to ensure there are two people available to serve drinks every shift. If the rota cannot be filled, Audrey steps in, sometimes completing three to four duties a week. She also orders the supplies and ensures the service is second to none.”

Audrey always greets people with a friendly smile, easily breaks down barriers by offering a cup of drink and this helps allay fears, opens a conversation and she has made many friends through her work.

Seven years ago, Audrey lost her husband to cancer. While never referring to her own loss at work, she says she is now much more aware of the needs of patients and their families and it has made her even more committed because of the support she received.

For the last 12 years Audrey has been involved with Cancer Research in St Agnes working tirelessly to raise funds. She has been Chairman of the local branch for the last five years leading them to raise £18,000 last year. A born organiser she is instrumental in organising coffee mornings, the Sundowner family evening (raising £8,000 last year), Bingo sessions and with a band of helpers and cooks, serves Big Breakfasts and Annual Themed Dinners as well as leading volunteers to collect over £6,000 at Healey’s Cider Farm last year from donations as visitors had their photograph taken holding the Olympic Torch.

Audrey has also been Treasurer of Children’s Hospice South West - St Agnes for the last four years. In order to raise money she designed and with help got a “Little Harbour” area made in one of the public gardens in St Agnes where children could play and adults are invited to make donations. Over £4,000 has been collected and she has spent summer 2013 repainting and reviving this area as it has had so much use.

Louise Roach, Rebecca Osborne, Laraine Brassington (Breastfeeding Support Project); Charlotte Cook (Mealtime Companion), Kathryn Cook (Rheumatology & Mermaid); Linda Robinson (Mermaid), Ann Fielder (Critical Care); Jo Krezel (Audiology); Maureen Ledden (PAC); Roz Porter (Hostess); Cathy Proctor (Cardiac Forum); Laura Hattam, Matthew Cook, Jess Milne (Dementia Pod); Rebecca Inkster (Headland); Glynis Ball (PAT

a dog); Anna Smyth (Play Specialist); Ann Taylor (Coffee Shop); Jenny Treloar (Patient Surveys); Helen Bennett, Alexandra Ziarko (Hydropool); Stuart Ralphson (Learning Difficulties).

WCH Pat Carroll (Outpatients)

SMH John Broadbridge (PAC), Kay Curtis (Day Case Unit) One and All 19

Volunteer

Latest Donations Over the last few months the Friends have donated a number of items of note to different departments across the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

As is a Friends festive tradition, some 500 gifts were wrapped by 14 Friends and delivered to the hospital before Christmas for distribution to all patients on Christmas Day. This year, special parcels of reindeer dust were also given to the Children’s Wards.

Also in December, the Chairman of the Friends Beatrice Dyer visited the Critical Care Unit to see in action a £25,000 complex care bed which had been purchased by the Friends.

The complex care bed is for use with patients with spinal and pelvic injuries and allows clinical staff to move patients with greater stability.

Peter Johnson, Advanced Practitioner on the Critical Care Unit, said: “It’s an amazing piece of kit and we really appreciate the Friends’ donation which has allowed us to get it. The bed was designed with clinical input so has a range of uses. Here it will mainly be used on the Trauma wards.”

Although not a trauma centre, the Trust is a level one trauma unit so does have patients with traumatic injuries. Mr Johnson said: “We do have patients with spinal injuries in our CCU because they often require stabilisation prior to transfer to Derriford Hospital, a specialist centre.”

20 One and All

The Friends were also able to help out with the transfer of patients by providing a transfer trolley. While the trolley cost over £12,000, it has led to a £30,000 improvement in the way patients are transferred.

Mr Johnson said: “The new trolley has meant we can now store equipment such as monitors more securely under the patient.”

Mrs Dyer said: “It just goes to show that while some of the things we donate are not big in size or price, they can make huge differences to patients and staff and can kick start new services or ways of working.”

One such new way of working is in hepatology. The donation of a small Fibroscan machine costing almost £30,000 has virtually replaced liver biopsies in a massive proportion of patients.

Liz Farrington, Hepatology Nurse Practitioner, says: “Liver biopsies involve a local anaesthetic and as with all anaesthetics and procedures can have complications and side effects. The Fibroscan enables us to check the liver in a non-invasive way and quickly. A biopsy is a day case procedure whereas the scan takes about ten minutes at no risk to the patient and results are available much more quickly.”

The Fibroscan machine uses sheer waves. It sends a pulse into the body and it is then possible to measure the stiffness of the liver. Liz said: “As a liver gets scarred through liver disease or cirrhosis, it gets stiffer. A floppy liver is good sign. If we can see that the person has no scarring we can discharge them quickly.”

Patients undergoing amputations have benefited from the donation of four pneumatic post amputation mobility aids (PPAMs). Physiotherapists use the aids to get patients who have had a leg amputation up and moving and on the road to recovery and their first steps.

Kirsty Worden, Senior Physiotherapist, said: “We usually try and get a patient up on the PPAMs by day four post operation.

These devices provide a big psychological boost as well as practical support to patients. It allows them to get back on two legs and try walking again. This is important for them because they are likely to be in wheelchairs for around three months while they wait for artificial legs. We see around 70-80 patients a year who need to use the PPAMs so these four will make a big impact on a lot of people.”

Mrs Dyer added: “It is lovely to know that our donation of £1,000 for four PPAMs will benefit all these people and make such a difference to their recovery.”

Smaller items have included a desk for the hospital radio’s new second studio and the information board for Cornwall Endometriosis Centre. n

Membership News www.rcht.nhs.uk

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is looking to welcome more people to its Foundation Trust membership Anyone aged 11 years or above can become a member – it is open to public, visitors, patients, carers or staff "

As a member you can be involved as much as you’d like. There is no requirement for regular participation although you may like to take advantage of members’ first invitations to open days and department tours and receive news and information on joining hospital groups or volunteering opportunities. Members also receive an electronic news bulletin every month and a copy of the Trust magazine One & All every three months.

Becoming a member is a good way of supporting your local hospitals and gives you a voice in shaping the future of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. As a member you are also entitled to vote in our Governor elections or stand for election as a Governor.

Our Governors attend community meetings and provide a welcome link between their local communities and the Trust. To see who your local Governor is, go to www.rcht.nhs.uk and put Shadow Council of Governors into the search box.

The Trust’s Membership Officer Maxine Moustrides is on hand to provide more information on becoming a member or to attend any group’s meeting to give a talk on membership. For more information on membership, signing up or booking a talk, contact Maxine on 01872 252858 or email maxine.moustrides@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk

RCHT is aiming to become a Foundation Trust.

The main benefits of becoming a Foundation Trust are:

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• RCHT will have greater freedom to decide, with Governors and members, our future strategy and the way services are run for the benefit of the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

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• RCHT will have more freedom to set its budgets locally based on the needs of the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

• RCHT will be able to keep any money it makes to invest in new and improved services locally for the benefit of the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

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NHS Foundation Trusts are not-for-profit, public benefit corporations. They were created to devolve decision making from central government to local organisations and communities. They provide and develop healthcare according to core NHS principles - free care, based on need and not ability to pay. In time the expectation is that all NHS Trusts will become NHS Foundation Trusts and we would like membership support to ensure our success. n

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Please send completed forms to: FREEPOST RTCC-SGTG KHBC, Bedruthan House, RCHT, TR1 3LJ One and All 21

ADVERTORIAL

Cornwall Mobility Centre Cornwall Mobility Centre is a registered charity based on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site in Truro. The centre provides a range of specialist services and equipment for people throughout the South West Peninsula to help with independent living and mobility.

Referrals The centre carries out assessments on behalf of the DVLA, Motability, GPs and other health professionals. Members of the public are able to visit the centre privately or on referral from Primary Care. Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists also use the centre with their patients.

A full driving assessment costs £75 with the DVLA or Motability covering the total if it is their referral. If a GP, other Health Professional or individual requests one, the total has to be paid by the individual.

The most common reason for a driving assessment is because of a health condition including stroke or dementia.

The centre also carries out adaption driving assessments – for people who may have lost the use of a limb or have weakness such as in the cases of stroke.

Come and visit The centre is open to the general public to come and visit and see the work it does and the equipment and services it provides.

For RCHT staff and medical students wishing to visit, please contact the centre by phone on ext 4920. The centre is based on the Royal Cornwall Hospital Site. Follow the signs for the Diabetic Centre.

For more information see the website: www.cornwallmobilitycentre.co.uk n

Getting mobile with Motability at Vospers The centre started 25 years ago in a small shed at Tehidy Hospital supplying driving assessments and later Scooters and wheelchairs to patients undergoing rehabilitation. With money raised by the residents of Cornwall including several thousands of pounds from the Friends of Royal Cornwall Hospital, and a lottery grant, the centre moved to its current site opposite the Kedhlow Building with the Duchess of Kent officially opening it in 1994.

Over the last two decades, the centre has grown to include a team of 21 people who provide information, advice, technical support, vehicle adaptions, services, repairs and driving and access assessments to the people of Cornwall and organisations. It has an Independent Living Centre with an abundance of equipment for assessment and sale and is Motability accredited to carry out assessments/sales on powered wheelchairs and scooters.

Keen to see how the centre has changed over the last 18 years, Chairman of the Friends Beatrice Dyer and Committee members Carol Hill, Paul Brown, Heather Davey and Pam Jewiss enjoyed a tour of the centre and even had a mini Driving Assessment!

All driving assessments are carried out by the centre’s four advanced driving instructors Ron, Amanda, Paul and Lois and include a session on a driving simulator at the centre before a session out on the roads.

Amanda said of the assessments: “Our aim is to keep people as independent as possible for as long as possible by hopefully returning them to driving following an accident or illness. We know people get nervous about the assessment, but it’s not like going to a driving test centre. We don’t take people’s licenses away. We simply lead them through the assessment and then make recommendations. Sometimes for safety reasons, those recommendations are that the licenses are revoked. However, sometimes it might be as simple as advising them on ways to make it easier for them to drive.”

22 One and All

Vospers have been working closely with Motability for over 30 years. As the UK’s leading car scheme for disabled people Motability provides hundreds of people with affordable, convenient, trouble-free motoring through the provision of a new car.

The scheme means people with disabilities are able to use their government-funded mobility allowances to lease a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter. The most popular option, chosen by over 95% is the contract hire of a new car. Insurance, road tax, breakdown cover, servicing, tyre and windscreen replacement are all included in a single monthly payment.

The team at Vospers St Austell and Truro offer a friendly welcome and a wide selection of cars to pick from, including the very latest Ford and Fiat models on the Motability scheme.

Matthew Gilbert-Ingold of Vospers explained,“The team have been specially trained in order to help customers find the right car to suit their needs. We’re proud of the expertise and knowledge we have built up over the years of working with Motability. I’d invite anybody accessing the Motability scheme, or coming to the end of their current agreement to pop in and view some of the latest vehicles available and chat to our friendly team.”

Many cars are available simply by customers transferring their allowance to Motability for the period of the agreement.

On larger or more expensive models, an additional payment (known as an Advance Payment) may be required. For most Motability customers, a standard production car is suitable, although adaptations are also available, such as push-pull hand controls and left-foot accelerators.

For information on the Motability Scheme visit www. motability.co.uk or to contact the team at Vospers call 01872 226228 or 01726 874070 or visit www.vospers.com for Motability offers available.

CHARITABLE FUNDS

12 Days of Christmas

Following the success of the second 12 Days of Christmas Charitable Funds giveaway which saw 70 applications for the 12 days of gifts, teams are now starting to receive the items they have been able to purchase with their wins.

The 12 Days of Christmas gifts are made possible through a combined pool of money from RCHT’s Listening Into Action program and generous community donations to Royal Cornwall Hospitals’ General Charitable Fund.

The first to receive their equipment were the Older People’s Nurse Specialists Wendy Burnett and Emma Worden, Day two winners, who had put in a bid for 20 personal hearing devices for use across the Royal Cornwall Hospital site including the new Frailty Unit.

Listening Into Action Bonus Prize: The Learning Disabilities Liaison Team picked up the £2,000 prize which they will use to buy computer tablets to make possible their innovative idea to have their range of easy read materials more accessible to patients with learning disabilities.

Day 10: Conference-type telephone for the Neonatal Unit which will allow them to better involve families when they are using interpretation services.

Day 9: The therapy team at Marie Therese House with their bid for a Wii console and accessories, an increasingly popular technology in rehabilitation.

Christmas Day: The grand winner of the Christmas Day £3,000 was specialist respiratory ward - Wellington. The team there will be spending the money on six new care trolleys.

Day 8: The Eye Unit Team’s bid for £500 to re-equip their play area and toy store in the patients’ waiting area. An inspirational poem called “A Child’s perspective”, written by 11-year-old Tegan - daughter of eye unit clinical nurse specialist Louisa Hooper - caught the attention of the 12 Days of Christmas judging panel, who awarded the team £500.

Day 7: The outpatient physiotherapy team at West Cornwall Hospital with their bid for £500 for a new set of anatomical demonstration models, posters and text books to use for patient and student education.

Day 6: Pain Management Team at RCH for their bid for match funding to build a wall between the staff rest room and the patient reception area.

Day 5: £1,000 for the Children’s Community Therapy Service based at Nancelverne School in Penzance.

24 One and All

CHARITABLE FUNDS www.rcht.nhs.uk

Day 4: The Eldercare team received £1,000 to set up a “dignity store” for patients when they are going home from hospital. Doctors Julia Bell and Victoria Nicholson highlighted the predicament of many elderly patients who are admitted in their night clothes. The “dignity store” will have with male and female packs containing essential items such as socks, briefs, trousers or skirts, t-shirts/vests and jumpers.

Day 3: Delivery suite with their bid for three comfy reclining chairs which will help to provide a better experience for fathers needing to stay overnight when their partner has had a difficult delivery, their baby is unwell on the neonatal unit or when a baby has sadly died.

Day 1: £1,000 for the paediatric wards and teams on Harlyn, Fistral and the CLIC unit for two smaller bids to buys lots of new toys and entertainment items and replace the ward mobiles that help to make a more homely environment for young patients. n

Community Fundraising Events

23/4/2014 – Ant Barrett and friends, Tom Pearson, Andy Cunningham and Matt Jago are cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats in memory of Ant’s father, Frank. Proceeds will go to The Phoenix Acute Stroke Unit.

Support Ant and the Phoenix Unit here: www.justgiving.com/Ant-Barrett-LETJOG-2014

25/5/2014 – Brett Seaborne and the Dirty Dozen take on the Dartmoor Challenge! Proceeds will go to the Children’s Wards.

To find out more, contact Fundraising Manager, Jessica Silye: Jessica.Silye@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk.

22/6/2014 – Nicola Bloom is hosting a Family Fun Day at Trewoon Village hall from 11 am – 7 pm.

Proceeds will go to the Haematology Unit.

Attend this great event, or support the Family Fun Day by following this link: www.justgiving.com/Nicola-Broom To find out more, contact Fundraising Manager, Jessica Silye: Jessica.Silye@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk

Toy Appeal RCHT Research Associate Dr Jo Erwin is looking for donations of toys for the Toy for a Toy appeal. The appeal is aiming to raise funds for a walker, paint a mural and buy toys for youngsters on a burns unit in Kenya.

While working with a training programme in Kenya in 2013, Jo came across a young child with severe burns.

Seven year old Habon’s lower body from the waist down is scarred and because of a lack of knowledge around caring for burns victims, the young child was

suffering from contracture, where the scarred skin was pulling painfully tight inhibiting movement.

Jo said: “Burns like this happen frequently in Kenya where families cook around an open fire in their home. There just isn’t the knowledge at local hospitals around basic care for burns victims. Just having an understanding of positioning a patient and splinting the legs would have helped Habon and lessened or even prevented her contracture.”

Visiting Habon in the main hospital after her operations Jo met with the staff on the paediatric burns unit and was hugely impressed by their dedication

and compassion. They asked Jo if she could help them make the ward more stimulating for their young patients there. They particularly asked for toys (there are none at the moment), a walker and a mural to brighten up the ward.

Shipping goods to Kenya is expensive so Jo’s Toy for a Toy Appeal is asking for toy donations which will be sold in the UK to raise money to buy the walker and toys in Kenya and also to paint a mural for the ward.

If anyone would like more information about helping with this appeal please call Jo on 01872 256431.

One and All 25

CHARITABLE FUNDS

WI fashion show raises £646 for Mermaid Centre

T

he Mermaid Centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital was the lucky recipient of a £646.50 donation from Mawnan Smith Women’s Institute.

Mawnan WI president Jenny Ragg and WI Breast Cancer Nurse Specialists Carole Williams member Jean Wattis met and Jo Brand with WI president Jenny Ragg and WI member Jean Wattis, and Breast Cancer with the Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist Frances Lambert Nurse Specialists and Specialty Director Sheikh Ahmad, a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, to hand over the cheque.

Every year Mawnan WI organise a fundraising event for a local charity or organisation. It was decided that the money should go towards the Mermaid Centre as a number of their members had been touched by breast cancer.

Donation set to provide extras for children’s hearing service The Audiology department has received £2,035 from the mother of a 15 month old little girl who was discovered to be profoundly deaf when she was six weeks old.

Cathy Nowell from Camborne found out her daughter Jessica was deaf after the routine hearing test provided by RCHT’s newborn hearing screening programme. At first it was thought she had glue ear but upon further testing, her condition was diagnosed. Cathy said: “It was such a shock to all of us.”

After seeing audiology experts at RCHT, Jessica went on to have a cochlear implant fitted at Nottingham Hospital – one of only a few centres nationwide where the operation is carried out - when she was just 11 months old.

Cathy was so impressed with the care her daughter and family received at the Royal Cornwall Hospital she decided to hold a charity event to raise money for the department. Cathy said: “We just wanted to be able to give something back, as they have been so supportive during this time, with reassuring phone calls and a fast referral to Nottingham for Jessica to have the operation.”

Julie Folkard, Head of Audiology at RCHT, said: “We are so thankful to receive this donation from Cathy. It is brilliant they managed to raise so much. We are looking into buying specialist chairs for children to sit in while having hearing tests.”

Julie added: “We pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive audiology service for patients from new-born to old age, with access to the very latest treatments and digital hearing aid technology.”

26 One and All

Make a Donation

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Charitable Fund was set up in 1996 to benefit the patients and staff of the Trust. The fund is a registered charity which manages the money donated for the benefit of the patients and staff of the Royal Cornwall Hospital, St Michael’s Hospital and West Cornwall Hospital.

Healthcare provision at the Trust is funded by the NHS and is tightly controlled to provide the highest level of care for patients. However voluntary donations help to provide the extras that can make life a little better for patients and staff and also aid future diagnosis and treatment. This help includes additional medical equipment, specialist training, medical research and improvements to facilities for both staff and patients.

Many of the donations made are to thank staff for the treatment that they or a relative have received. Some donors remember the Trust in their wills or relatives’ make donations in memory of them.

To make a donation: The charity is grateful for the support of all its donors, no matter what the donation. If you would like to make a donation towards good work in the future, you can do so in a number of ways: Online: Using your debit or credit card at www.justgiving.com/royalcornwallhospitals Cheque: Payable to RCH NHS Trust Charitable Fund Telephone: Using your debit or credit card on 01872 252690 Cash: Via the General Office in the Trelawny building (RCH), General Office (WCH) or General Office (St Michael’s) Standing Orders: Please contact the Charitable Funds Officer for more information on ext 8015 or by email RCHT.charity@cornwall.nhs.uk. Standing Orders provide a reliable source of support for the Charitable Fund.

Legacy and Bequests: A legacy or bequest is a tax free gift left to a charity in a Will. Charitable bequests are of enormous importance to our work.

Please contact the Charitable Funds Officer for more information.

Money donated to the Charitable Funds is used to benefit all departments unless a donor states they wish it to go to a particular area.

To make a request for Charitable Funds (Staff only): A full list of funds and the fund manager contact details along with an electronic copy of the form can be found at http://www.rcht.nhs.uk/ RoyalCornwallHospitalsTrust/WorkingWithUs/ FundraisingAndVolunteers/FundListAndForm.aspx Send the completed form to Stephen Hocking, Finance, Carlyon House, Penventinnie Lane, RCH, Truro, TR1 3LJ or via email to stephen.hocking@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Charitable Fund Registered charity number: 1049687

STEVE’S HUMAN BODY WORDSEARCH Words can go horizontallyand vertically

Solution on page 39

S D L Z B P R N X C B D L I I P G R K T N U L I J J F L Q X A O N M H A N D S V Q H E B P Y Z I E E E X T N L Y J V E P A W D Y T S N X H L C K X T V Y V O L R C O F M E O N H Q H Z V C D O Z T H B C N I H P D S M I K D I D C V N M T G O D Z L A O A P N O S E Y P Y U P U O W W E I C T K T K D T S S P K S Q O Q C I S U J K H A A O I G E Q B Y N M X J L S H C N B Z I N J E L D U N A X U T O T Z F Q F A T P N V K S B O Y O P S V S N S Z L X C N C B N E J Y V D N E C I F I N G E E K H K A B G E C D I H M R W Q L D S S J D B W R T D J H U C T W F D G J U H P N H E X U C N R E I S B O C O J T X O C K U N N S E C Q E P F F Z N H A I R U T T F X M P Y W P K A M Q V X G F V H L U L V R H S S E S S K I F E P X U M S D M W A V G G S V E A R S H U A Y F E P E M R D E N X Y K S N E C K Q D M N W Q R Y X L B B E O A V I K N Q K C Y Y U I W Z N T E E T H X G F U Y O L Y J I R F S G

Z N S N T F O A M A Z R U C N A X P E L B O

!

V F L Z X M K N E E S S E B X B V J R J O K

FEATURE

Rising to the challenge of memory loss

I

t is estimated that by 2021, the number of people with dementia in the UK will have increased to around 1 million and whilst recent breakthroughs show promising signs of earlier diagnosis and treatments, a cure is still a long way off.

Around three quarters of patients admitted to our hospitals will have some form of dementia or memory loss, although only around one third of those will be aware or have had a diagnosis confirmed. With that in mind, the national and local focus on caring for people with dementia is no surprise.

“At RCHT we are working hard to respond to the unique needs of patients with memory loss,” explains Frazer Underwood, Associate Director for Nursing. “There is a big commitment here and over the last 12 to 18 months we have been making very real changes to improve the experience of their stay in hospital.”

28 One and All

FEATURE

Championing dementia Care Our Forget Me Not team – our network of staff who have put themselves forward as champions for dementia care – are spearheading our efforts to make sure patients with memory loss get the individual care they need. With team members on every ward their key role is to guide and support colleagues and to encourage use of the interactive resources available.

Top of the list are the Life Story and This Is Me profile booklets, completed with the patient and/or their relatives, collecting information on their life beyond their medical history such as family members, favourite foods, pets, former working life etc. Others include ‘down memory lane’ newspapers, with old stories and quizzes, and memory boxes.

“All these things provide opportunities to generate conversation and interaction. Something that can be difficult for patients with memory loss and which can help patients to feel more settled in an environment that’s strange to them,” explains Wendy Burnett, Specialist Nurse for Older People. “The memory boxes for instance can be a great source of interest, looking at old photos, postcards, ration books – all sorts of bits and pieces. They are there to be used by staff or volunteers and visitors too.”

The hospital is always looking for small items to replenish the memory boxes. If you have anything you’d like to donation, email wendy.burnett@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk

With You In Mind: Dementia friendly environments A high profile project is making our hospital wards and departments more dementia friendly. Thanks to an injection of almost £900,000 following a successful bid to the Department of Health, our capital planning team has been leading a programme of ‘makeovers’, refurbishing wards and making use of bright colours and clearer signage to make it easier for patients to find their way around.

Better still, is the co-ordination of the programme with community hospital services, who also won a share of the funding, and are working to the same design scheme, so that ultimately all hospitals across Cornwall will share a similar look. “It will make the transition between different hospital settings much easier for people with dementia,” says Frazer. “A feeling of familiarity plays an important part in reducing the anxiety and fear that often comes with being away from home.”

A role for volunteers RCHT is lucky to have around 600 volunteers at its hospitals and for them, supporting our patients with dementia or memory loss can be a rewarding experience.

From carers surveys we know that people with dementia can become lonely and feel isolated when they are in hospital. Our volunteers have time to sit and chat and many play an important role in activities such as the highly successful weekly ‘memory café’ on the medical unit at West Cornwall Hospital. They come from very different backgrounds, some retired, some working, whilst young students are increasingly looking to volunteering as an integral part of health related study at local colleges. n

If you are interested in volunteering at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals, call the team on 01872 253737 or email rcht.voluntaryservices@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk

One and All 29

PATIENT STORY

my

story

Louise is looking forward to calmer seas

Ignorant of the importance of cervical screening, it was a random chat with her mum which triggered a chain of events that changed Louise’s life forever. Louise tells her story in the hope of saving others.

30 One and All

I

t was January 2013 when I was told I had cervical cancer.

It had all started with a random conversation with my mum about having a break from the pill. I’d been on it for years so decided to take a month off. As a result, I ended up having horrendous bleeding, fainting and anaemia, which at the time everyone put down to the pill withdrawal.

My GP asked me to come back after it had settled down so she could check there was nothing else going on. If it hadn’t been for that conversation with my mum and the GP asking me to go back, I’m not sure I would be here now.”

With a self-confessed hate of doctors surgeries, Louise’s symptoms improved and she almost forgot about it. “It just niggled at me and so I made the appointment and I am so grateful I did.”

After an examination by the GP Louise was referred to the Colposcopy Clinic at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and within a few days was being seen by Mr Tito Lopes, Lead Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist.

Louise said: “It was such a whirlwind. I’d gone on my own to the appointment. I think I knew at the time it wasn’t right and my gut instinct told me I was going to get bad news but I just thought ‘get on with it then’ and went alone. Mr Lopes told me it was cancer.”

Louise underwent a biopsy which triggered more bleeding and her mum came to the hospital. “When you have a cancer diagnosis it’s like the cancer SAS coming in! The nurses Emma and Zoe whisk you off into another room and make sure you are ok and give you information. It was overwhelming.”

Within two weeks Louise had had scans and had started treatment which included chemotherapy, radiotherapy and then was sent to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for Brachytherapy.

“The treatment wasn’t nice. I did suffer a lot of side effects, skin complaints with the radiotherapy and the chemo made me really tired. The brachytherapy was a complete nightmare, really awful but the staff are so attentive it makes it slightly more bearable. Everything was finished by the end of March and then it becomes a waiting game until you have your PET scan.”

On July 3, Louise received a call from Derriford Hospital to tell her the PET scan was clear, she was cancer free.

“It was then that I found out how bad it had been. I had never known the staging of my cancer, I’d not asked, it was bad enough I was ill. But when I got the official documentation it showed I had had Stage 3b cervical cancer. My tumour had been seven and a half centimetres. That was quite scary.”

Louise is still having regular checks but is keen to make sure her experience helps others.

“Before all this I didn’t understand the importance of smear tests. I didn’t have any symptoms but I could have had the cancer for years. I just wish I could go back and do it differently.

It is so important to get checked.

PATIENT VIEWS www.rcht.nhs.uk

“It was six months of my life from diagnosis to all clear but that has completely changed the rest of my life. I had to give up my job because it became too much for me physically and I will never be a mother.”

Louise says she has made a point of being public about her situation. “So many people know my most personal details now but it’s been so important for them to know what I have had to deal with. I have a younger sister and she went and had her test right away, friends have too.”

Louise says the lack of importance given to gynaecology health education has to change both at school and at home.

“At school we had the odd sexual health lesson but nothing about these conditions. Parents also need to take a responsibility

We said: Tito Lopes, Lead Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist said “Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged under 35 in the UK and its incidence is increasing. It is worrying the latest data shows almost half of Cornwall’s teenager girls have not completed the full course of HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer. The HPV vaccines do not contain any natural virus so there is no risk of developing HPV from the vaccine.

“As well as cervical cancer, HPV has been known to be responsible for vulval, vaginal, penile and anal cancers but in recent years its role in cancers of the mouth and throat has become apparent with up to a third of these cancers being HPV related. As a result of these findings and the marked benefit shown in relation to genital warts there is mounting pressure to offer the vaccine for boys as well.

“It is anticipated that from 2015 the vaccination programme in Cornwall will be moved to a schoolbased system, similar to most areas in England, to try and increase the level of uptake.

“For now it’s important that parents recognise the safety and marked benefits of the HPV vaccine not only for cervical cancer, but reducing the incidence of abnormal smears and potential precancer changes, genital warts and preventing other HPV related cancers.”

in educating their children. A 13-year-old or 16-year-old will do what they do, they need to understand the risk and get protected. It’s not promoting promiscuity to get your child vaccinated against HPV, its promoting health awareness.”

Louise finds it unbelievable that Cornwall has one of the lowest uptakes of the HPV injection. “It’s bonkers more teenage girls aren’t taking up that option. I would challenge any mother to have a conversation with me about it. They have a duty of care to their children. I can’t have children now because of this. Do you want your children to be in the same situation as me? I cannot stress enough the trauma of the treatment and illness. I’m young and this happened. I’m making the best of a bad situation but if I could have the chance to not have had this, I’d give anything to have been able to have that HPV injection.”

HPV or the Human Papilloma Virus is responsible for causing cervical cancer. Louise said: “I hadn’t heard of HPV before. I knew nothing about anything until January 4, 2013. I would probably never have been aware if this hadn’t happened to me.

If I had known more about HPV and smears and what triggers it, I would have been a lot more conscientious.”

Louise says she is the walking advertisement for why it’s important to be smart about HPV and the smear tests. “I’m still here but there are life-long things I have to deal with. I will never be the old me again. I have a new normal now.”

Louise says it has been a life changing experience.

“People who have known me for years see the changes. I am probably the healthiest I have ever been, I exercise every day. I just look after myself more because it is all about management now and making sure I stay cancer free. I take each day as it comes and just march on.”

Louise says it is a weird situation to be in. “It is horrible and it does affect you. I have a constant ache on a daily basis.

Before this I’d planned on travelling but had to cancel that.

I’d had a physical job as a hotel manager but couldn’t keep it up. Then there are the reactions of others. There are people around me who haven’t coped with it as well as I did. It was difficult for my mum and dad – I don’t think they will ever be the same. No parent wants to think about the possibility of losing their child. The worry always surfaces when it is time to go for my cancer checks but I have to do it.”

Louise says she couldn’t wait for New Year’s Eve to come around so she could close the door on 2013. “I’m hoping I always remain cancer free. I’m looking forward to the future.

I’m just so glad I made all those calls early on and did what I had to do.

“The HPV injection and smear test are intrusive and invasive but that ten minute smear and two minute injection might just be the 12 minutes that save your life.” n

One and All 31

PATIENT STORY

Vulval Cancer: Don’t delay, get checked

H

aving battled with a rare cancer for ten years, a Redruth woman is speaking out in the hopes of making others aware of the condition.

Barbara, 72, was diagnosed with cancer of the vulva ten years ago after undergoing treatments for lichen sclerosus, a chronic inflammatory skin condition.

Barbara said: “I started off with a persistent problem which was a thrush like condition, just itching. I was eventually referred to the Dermatology department and was diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus. I’d never heard of it before.”

Steroid creams were prescribed to treat the problem but biopsies had shown up a more serious problem. Barbara had cancer of the vulva.

“It was 2004 by then and I travelled to Plymouth to have the cancer and lymph nodes removed. In those days the surgery wasn’t done in Cornwall. I then had to have radiotherapy and chemotherapy and I was quite ill afterwards.”

From 2007 onwards the treatment became available locally and this meant Barbara was able to continue her treatment at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust under Dr Elizabeth Venner and Lead Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist Tito Lopes.

There have been more biopsies over the years and Barbara says it is an ongoing process. “I had my operation in 2004 and ended up with a complete removal of that area. Then last year I needed more biopsies. It’s not easy because it’s a very sensitive area but I am just getting on with it really.”

Barbara says she thinks women should be made very aware of vulva cancer. “I had never heard of these conditions in my life before I had them. I want to say to other women that if you have any sort of problems in that area, even if you think it’s just thrush, if it’s been there for a bit go and get it checked just in case. Hopefully its nothing but whether it is or not, it should be treated. Mr Lopes and Dr Venner are absolutely brilliant and I am still receiving treatment but at least I am still here and staying positive. Please do not ignore the problem.”

Lichen sclerosus generally affects the genital skin in men and women. In women it also affects the skin around the anus.

It can start in childhood but most commonly affects women in their 40s and 50s. The most common symptom is severe itching.

The skin has a white shiny appearance which can sometimes be raised and thickened. The condition can also lead to a small risk of developing skin cancer in the affected areas in the vulva.

Cancer of the vulva is a rare cancer with less than 1,200 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK. It is most commonly seen in women over 65 who often have a history of noncancerous skin conditions affecting the vulva, particularly lichen sclerosus and this group account for four out of five cases. It does however affect pre-menopausal women with HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and VIN (Vulval Intraepithelial neoplasia) exposure considered the main risk factors.

Symptoms include a lump, mass or wart-like growth on a section of the vulva, persistent itchiness in the vulva, pain on passing urine and in some cases bleeding from the vulva or passing a blood-stained discharge. n

32 One and All

Thank you

Letters “I received superb professional care in the nuclear medicine department. They looked after me with great kindness and wonderful communication skills; they explained everything to me and made the whole experience less daunting than it had appeared at first.”

NHS Choices “Over the years I’ve had to stay in different wards.

Renal failure, Prostate Cancer, I was admitted with a blocked cartoid Artery which was operated on successfully, and every four months I’m treated by a consultant for severe back pain. In each department I’ve had nothing but kindness shown to me. The nurses are worked off their feet, but still make time treating each individual as if they are the only one on the ward.”

NHS Choices “I attended the Emergency department after my daughter suffered an allergic reaction. The staff were very professional and helpful, ensuring my daughter received swift review and treatment. The doctor took her time to ensure we had all the information required.

We couldn’t fault the service we were provided with and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this department.”

NHS Choices “Just after moving here my partner was diagnosed with terminal cancer. For eight months he was treated at RCH and in short, we were so extremely grateful that he was diagnosed here because the treatment he received was absolutely superb. More recently my daughter had a mole removed, that was pre-cancerous. Again the speed, and service and the attitude of all members of staff has been absolutely first class.” NHS Choices “It should be noted how fantastic the staff were when I was in the maternity unit three weeks ago. I couldn’t have asked for a more fabulous, helpful and caring team. Being my first baby I was petrified and clueless but the team made me feel at ease and helped me through the entire experience. Good job Truro Maternity Ward.” Facebook “For a hospital that works beyond their provisions every summer and now every winter year after year without help or support from the millions of extra visitors to our beautiful part of the country, shows how loyal, dedicated and talented our hospital team are.

Thank you for all your hard work and for everything you have done and will do for my family.” Facebook The Trust has social media sites: Click to like us on facebook at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust And you can follow us on Twitter: @RCHT2013

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We offer part-time study (where applicable) and affordable study options.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Free Care?

C

ornwall has always been a popular destination attracting overseas tourists, migrant workers and passing seafarers and while many come and go without problems, some have to call on the help of the NHS.

While many think of the National Health Service as free, this is not the case, especially for those who come from countries outside of the European Union where often no reciprocal health agreement exists.

During the 2012-13 financial year, the Overseas team at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust has worked hard to ensure over £210,000 owed to the NHS by overseas visitors has been reclaimed.

Of this, £136,341 went directly back to RCHT, and the remainder, nearly £76,000, was reclaimed by the NHS from EEA Member states. Much of this has been made possible through close working with clinical colleagues across the Trust who are now more aware of overseas visitors and the need for their eligibility for free healthcare to be checked.

Kevin Bolt, Administration Lead, Patient Services, said: “The NHS is not free to everyone and hospital charges apply to some patients and this applies to both inpatient and outpatient settings managed by the hospital. The NHS is funded through taxation and it is in the public interest to reclaim healthcare costs from non-exempt patients.

“In the last year the amounts of money we have reclaimed, either directly billing non-exempt patients or claiming the costs of their treatment through reciprocal arrangements has increased 34 One and All

considerably. This is largely because of the work Andria Dawson and the overseas team have been doing within the Trust.”

This work has included attending ward and departmental meetings so that both clinical and non-clinical staff have increased awareness of the Department of Health’s Charging Regulations and the requirement for hospitals to identify and charge non-exempt patients.

By identifying patients early, the team are able to meet with overseas visitors while they are still at the hospital and verify whether an exemption applies to hospital charges and to see documentary evidence that validates their exemption under the NHS regulations.

Mr Bolt said: “The vigilance of the Trust’s staff has made a great deal of difference and we want to thank staff in all departments for the efforts that are being made in identifying overseas visitors. Staff are also more aware that they need to ask if there is an EU Health Insurance Certificate (EHIC) for patients attending hospital who come from the European Economic Area. Those patients with an EHIC are excluded from charges but the costs of their treatment are claimed back from the EU member state, back into the UK Government Treasury through the Department of Health.”

The Paying Patients team deal with two groups of overseas visitors – patients from the EU, and those from non-EU countries.

While the first group are relatively easy to deal with, the second group – non-EU patients – can be more difficult.

Andria Dawson, Private Patients and Overseas Visitor Officer, says: “These patients can be more challenging particularly if we aren’t notified when they are in hospital. It often means talking to patients and insurance companies all over the world and the sums involved often aren’t small. It can add up to thousands of pounds. With these patients it is not about exemption

certificates but more about whether they have insurance or families who are able to pay or organise payment plans. We have many merchant sailors who fall into this category and most of the shipping agents are very good and actually call us to confirm payment details for patients attending the hospital but not always! It’s always worth giving us a call to check.”

Mr Bolt says often people don’t realise there may be a charge, especially if they are Britons living abroad (known as ex-pats). “Ex-pats often think they don’t have to pay and if they are in receipt of a UK pension then that is true but if they are not, they could be liable to NHS charges. UK citizens returning from a period of residency abroad could still be liable for NHS charges under the Department of Health regulations as the test is whether a patient has been ordinarily resident and settled in the UK for the last 12 months.

“The Channel Islands can be particularly confusing. Only Jersey has a reciprocal agreement with the UK for its residents requiring NHS care when visiting the mainland. The other Channel Island states do not have a reciprocal arrangement, so be sure to take holiday insurance when travelling to Guernsey as there is no reciprocal agreement between the mainland and the State for healthcare cover that is free of charge.”

Mr Bolt advises that if a member of staff is unsure about whether charges apply to either an overseas inpatient or outpatient, they should contact the Paying Patient and Overseas Team for help or advice. “Patients from abroad should never be told all NHS care is free – it is not. Although exemptions apply to some overseas patients, it is the overseas team’s role to investigate the circumstances and advise whether or not charges will be raised.”

The Overseas Team will be very happy to visit any ward or department to answer any questions about overseas patients and to check whether they have exemption rights.

There are forms in the Emergency Department and in Outpatients with questions regarding residency and there will soon be a PAS enhancement which will be mandatory and will be asking about a patient’s residency over the last 12 months.

For more information or to notify the team of a non-UK patient please call 01872 252245. n

ACHIEVEMENTS www.rcht.nhs.uk

National stage for innovative nurse specialists Adult inpatient diabetes nurse specialists from the Royal Cornwall Hospital were one of only six teams selected to make presentations on innovative practice at a prestigious national conference at the Royal College of Medicine in January.

CPR Challenge

Amanda Veall, Kim Bull and Amanda Davis, who are part of Peninsula Community Health’s diabetes nursing team, were chosen to present their work on devising a unique simulation training programme for responding to patients with hypoglycaemia – a potentially life-threatening condition for patients with diabetes that occurs when their blood sugar falls dramatically.

“We deliberately picked something that can be easy to treat when correctly and quickly identified,” adds Kim Bull.

“We can do the training out in the ward environment using hi-tech simulation mannequins, so it doesn’t only provide an opportunity to refresh existing, or learn new skills, and test them out in a realistic situation but it also tests out the environment too. You get things out of it you can’t get in the classroom.”

The diabetes specialist nurses put forward their work for the conference and not only had their simulation work accepted for one of the six showcase presentations but were also asked to put forward a presentation poster on a new diabetes toolkit for wards which is being launched across the RCHT in March.

“We’re really pleased to have had our work recognised,” says Amanda Davis. “Our simulation training is the first of its kind specific to the care of patients with diabetes and to have our new toolkit also accepted for the conference is a real bonus. It certainly gives a sense of pride to see our service recognised for innovation on a national stage.”

Congratulations to Dr Harriet Aughey who was the winner of the Postgraduate Centre Open Day CPR Challenge in January.

Harriet, an ST2 in paediatrics, beat off stiff opposition with an outstanding score of over 98% throughout the 2 minute challenge which measured not only the rate of chest compressions but also the depth and overall efficiency of her CPR skills. It’s a testing simulation for any member of staff and despite her petite frame, Harriet demonstrated that it’s something that doesn’t necessarily rely on size and strength but critically on technique.

Harriet (pictured centre right) was rewarded for her performance with a certificate and top prize of an iPad mini with retina display, presented by Consultant Anaesthetist and Director of Medical Education Dr Cate Powell and Resuscitation Officer, Ella Leuzzi. Runner up was F1 Doctor, Richard Maddern.

The Postgrad team would like to thank everyone who came along to the Open Day and if anyone would like to find out more about the training on offer to all clinical staff there is information on their intranet site or you can call the team on ext 2605.

One and All 35

INSIDE OUT

RCHT nurse gives talk to NI health minister A senior nurse from the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust presented at a meeting attended by the Northern Ireland Minister for Health.

Endometriosis Nurse Specialist Cathy Dean, who is also the nurse representative on the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) Council, travelled to Belfast in January to give a speech on the role of the Endometriosis Nurse Specialist and how it contributes to patient care.

Cathy joined the Cornwall Endometriosis Service when it was set up in 2009 by Mr Dominic Byrne, Consultant Gynaecologist. The BSGE accredited centre now treats around 500 women annually with Cathy seeing over 360 women a year.

Cathy’s role is wide ranging and includes a nurse-led clinic for new referrals, assisting the planning of future management, surgery support, post-operative support and follow-up care planning, acting as the patient and public contact and providing support to women with symptoms thereby reducing emergency admissions and GP visits.

Cathy also acts as a resource for other health professionals.

In her role as the nurse representative on the BSGE Council, Cathy attends meetings and an annual conference where ideas regarding best practice are shared. She has also been involved in a collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing, Endometriosis UK and the BSGE in leading a two-day introductory training course for newly appointed endometriosis specialist nurses. * Endometriosis is a chronic and debilitating condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb is found elsewhere in the body. To find out more go to www.rcht.nhs.uk and search for Endometriosis Service.

Trust Marathon runners helping to keep hearts beating Residents and visitors in Truro can expect to benefit from two Public Access Defibrillators thanks to the London Marathon efforts of two staff from the Trust.

36 One and All

RCHT and ASDA working together Combining the weekly shop with a mammogram appears to be a hit with the ladies of Falmouth, Penryn and the surrounding areas.

ASDA Penryn has welcomed the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust’s mobile breast screening unit to their car park for the next six months.

RCHT’s Jenny Bailey (Assistant Practitioner) and Sue Tatham (Senior Radiographer) with ASDA colleagues at the mobile unit

RCHT surgical staff heading to East Jerusalem to train surgeons Robin and Magda Kincaid, two of RCHT’s surgical staff are heading back to East Jerusalem in April to help teach trainee surgeons in the region.

This is the fourth year running the pair have headed to the Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem to provide the Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) course as part of a team of seven.

The purpose is to empower Palestinian surgeons from the West Bank and Gaza to tackle emergency cases which would otherwise be delayed in transit to larger hospitals due to roadblocks and checkpoints.

Five senior Palestinian surgeons were enlisted to help with the course and last year they assisted in teaching the various practical sessions. It is hoped this year they will lead the sessions supported by the UK team. The long term aim of the course has always been for the Palestinian senior surgeons to take over the provision of the course, allowing them to train their trainees themselves.

The team are trying to raise money to buy instruments and hopefully a laparoscopic trainer. Donations can be made via Natasha Photiou on 01872 255017 or email Natasha on natasha.photiou@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk Claire Mensing, a sexual health doctor at the Hub and Juliet Stewart, a Kernowflex nurse, are busy training for the marathon on April 13 but they also now need to raise £2,000 each to enable FLEET to buy Public Access Defibrillators.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Claire or Juliet can log on to www.fleet.org.uk and then click on Claire Mensing or Juliet Stewart in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

“DOWN MEMORY LANE” COLLAGES DEMENTIA? FORGETFULNESS? MEMORY LOSS? A name/place tagged collage can help to reduce anxiety and bring back memories.

These beautifully designed, personal collages can help to stimulate memories and generate interaction. Each one is carefully constructed using information from the patient and/or family to provide a visual source of interest, whether it be family members, favourite places, pets or working life.

Each collage is created by a highly skilled designer as a print or canvas, in a range of different sizes.

We have very personal experience of how dementia can affect a family, and know first hand the benefits of a collage that generates conversation and brings back happy memories.

Wykeham House Station Road Okehampton Devon EX20 1DY Telephone and speak to Simon or Jenny 01837 659224 for more details or Email simon@edgemoordesign.co.uk

Put a smile on your face with a salary sacrifice car To access SalarySacrifice4Cars and find out how you can drive away a brand new fully maintained and insured car for up to three years go to tuskerdirect.com.

Select ‘Create Account’, Company Code (RCHT) Unique Employee Identifier (Your employee number) 0333 400 2020 EETeam@ss4c.com Available to Royal Cornwall NHS Trust employees.

WHAT’S ON

Competition Win – Two tickets for 2 cream teas on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway!

Can you spot six differences from the photos below? For a chance to win, circle the six differences and send your entries to Spot the Difference Competition, Communications Department,

Discover the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway - Cornwall’s only full size railway still operated by steam locomotives.

Relax in style and enjoy a leisurely 13 mile round trip through beautiful countryside, taking in the sights, sound and smells of a bygone age, as the era of a Cornish branch line in the 1950s reveals itself during the course of your journey.

The broad gauge Cornwall Railway was opened between Plymouth and Truro in 1859. It had a station at Bodmin Road and became part of the Great Western Railway in 1876.

Since then the Bodmin & Wenford Railway has operated trains – principally steam, but with some heritage diesel services – over the 6½ miles between Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction via Name……………………………….....................................

Bodmin General.

The railway has now firmly established itself Department (if applicable)…………………............................ as one of the country’s finest steam railways, Contact Number …………………….................................

Cornwall’s only full All correct entries will be entered into a draw and a winner picked at random. There will be just size (standard gauge) one winner, no cash equivalent prizes. The competition is open to all, excluding those associated railway still regularly with the competition. The prize is non-transferable and is available to entrants aged 18 and above.

All entries must be made by 31 May, 2014. The decision of the Communications Team is final and operated by steam no correspondence will be entered into. locomotives………and a A list of winners will be on the Magazine’s Facebook page great family attracktion! https://www.facebook.com/RoyalCornwallHospitalsTrust

38 One and All

What’s On APRIL 21 – 26 – European Immunization week 28 – 4 May – MS week 28 – World day for health and safety at work

MAY Save a baby month National walking month 1 – Patient Information Forum Annual conference 5 – Save lives: Clean y our hands 5 – 15 – Sun Awareness week 5 – International day of the midwife 5 – 9 – National Thrombosis week 6 – 10 – Viral meningitis week 8 – World Ovarian cancer day 12 – International Nurses Day 18 – League of WCH Friends & Mounts Bay Rotary Club: Annual St Michaels Way Walk in aid of League of Friends of WCH

JUNE 1 – 7 – Volunteers week Motor Neurone Disease month 8 – 14 – Cervical Screening Awareness week 9 – 15 – National Men’s Health week 9 – 15 – Carers week 14 – World Blood Donor day 15 – National Bug Busting day 16 – 22 – National Fall Awareness week 19 – World Sickle cell day If you have an event or diary date email us at: oneandall@cornwall.nhs.uk

Newly Refurbished, now two floors full of baby products!

Raleigh Leeds Tour Crank Drive Electric Bike The Leeds Tour is the latest electric bike from Raleigh, featuring the renowned Panasonic Crank Drive Motor System.

Make your daily commute much easier or just use it to help your fitness.

Perfect for the hills of Cornwall.

Phone now to book your test ride.

Come and browse our modern and spacious showrooms where you will find a great range of cots, moses baskets, pushchairs, toys, gifts, clothes, accessories and plenty more.

Stockists of iCandy, Bugaboo, Mamas and Papas, Silver Cross, Babystyle, Phil and Teds, Trunkies and many more.

8 Meneage Street, Helston 01326 561949 enquiries@joywilliams.co.uk

Missed advertising in this edition of One & All and keen to advertise your business in the next issue?

Then please contact our sales team at Zara Media & Design to discuss your requirements on 01392 201227 or email info@zaramedia.co.uk

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Main dealers for Trek, Genesis and Saracen, Focus bikes, plus many others.

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