Chatterbox 15 May 2020

15 May 2020

Shining a light on our SaTH heroes The front of PRH was lit up in rainbow colours last night following Clap for Carers to end the celebrations of International Day of the Midwife, International Nurses Day and National Operating Department Practitioner Day. Clare Walsgrove, Hospital at Night Matron, said: “Our Deputy Director of Nursing suggested we ask someone to light up the front of one of our hospitals and I’m always up for a challenge. I got in touch with our fantastic PRH Estates Site Manager, Dave Chan, who said it was doable if we knew someone.

“By coincidence I saw a post from Alan Brookes, of Betalite, on Facebook of the

last building they lit up, asking for While PRH was lit up, Elaine Griffiths from suggestions of the next one. I got in touch Shrewsbury and Neville Peate from St and he kindly agreed to help us.

Martins organised and took part in a procession of vintage trucks that drove a “It’s just the perfect way to end the lap around RSH for NHS workers and celebrations of International Day of the patients.

Midwife last week, International Nurses day on Tuesday and National ODP day The people in each truck were members yesterday (Thursday) and hopefully it will of the same family and social distancing brighten people’s evening.” measures were observed.

Alan said: “We supply equipment to lots of outdoor festivals, events and theatres.

While that sector is unable to operate we wanted to use our skills and equipment to show our support to the NHS, to spread some hope and to say thank you.”

Elaine’s daughter, Chloe Pugh, who works on the Acute Medical Unit at RSH said that the act was a thank you to frontline NHS workers and all keyworkers and drivers and to spread joy and hope to everyone.  More pictures on page 2.

Above: Sarah Windsor and Samantha Bunn.

Right: Zac Smith and Hilary Bestwick.

Hospital staff make 18,000 single use visors for frontline colleagues Staff at SaTH have created more than 18,000 single use visors to be used by frontline colleagues looking after patients being treated for COVID-19.

The Maxillofacial and Orthodontic Laboratory team, and redeployed staff from the Trust’s Audiology department, used their knowledge, skills and equipment to develop the visors which were in much demand.

In two weeks, their idea was developed and honed, before being approved for use – and in the last three weeks they have made thousands of visors for colleagues working at RSH and PRH. The visors have been created using medical grade foam, acetate sheet and elastic.

Samantha Bunn, Principal Maxillofacial Prosthetist and Laboratory Manager at

SaTH, said: “I was about to leave work when I thought there must be something that we could do to help. I thought we have skills that no one else has and it would be a shame not to use them as a team.

“So I contacted Paul Adams, from our Procurement department, to ask if there was anything that they needed that we could help provide. He said that the Trust was having trouble getting visors at that time, so myself and a colleague started to put together different ideas while the rest of the team worked from home.

Initially, we 3D printed visors however, the demand was too high for the numbers that we could produce with this technique.

the team were back in and trained to produce the visors. It means that as a Trust, we shouldn’t run out now.”

Dr Arne Rose, Medical Director at SaTH, said: “We are seeing some fantastic innovation from our staff in many areas of our hospitals – and this is a brilliant example.

“Sam and her team have done an incredible job in producing thousands of visors which means that, along with the donations we have had from businesses and the national supply chain, we are fully stocked.”

The team is now working on developing oxygen inlets for ventilators. The prototype inlets – which have been created on a 3D printer that was donated “We developed a single use visor which by the League of Friends of the Royal then had to go through an approval Shrewsbury Hospital last year – are now process, it took around two weeks before awaiting final approval for use.

Deaf awareness badges Badges have been introduced to support people who are hard of hearing, as part of Deaf Awareness Week.

The badges, which are now available in the Wellbeing Rooms at each site, support patients and staff who have hearing loss and are struggling more than usual within the present climate due to the use of face masks making it more difficult for them.

The idea is that people will be instantly aware that the person they are talking to struggles with their hearing.

Patients living with dementia are benefiting from knitted octopuses Patients living with dementia at SaTH are benefitting from an initiative which provides knitted and crocheted octopuses to premature babies.

The cuddly aquatic creatures are produced by the charity ‘Octopus for a Preemie’ as a novel way of comforting premature babies as it’s thought that gripping the soft tentacles might remind early term newborns of the umbilical cord and the safety of their mother’s womb.

The Dementia Team has linked in with the charity and has been given 40 of the octopuses after realising the calming affect they have on patients who are living with dementia.

Karen Breese, Dementia Nurse Specialist, said: “People with dementia may become anxious and distressed in hospital as it is such a strange and noisy environment, so by giving that person something to occupy their hands can benefit them.

Patients who have already been given an octopus have relaxed by playing with their legs. They are also good for improving dexterity and grip strength.”

 Karen Breese, SaTH’s Dementia Nurse Specialist, with the knitted octopuses. help improve the care and experience of patients with dementia.

stopped SaTH’s Dementia Team continuing to look for new ways to improve the care and experience they offer for people living with dementia.

Karen said: “Five-years-ago we launched our Twiddlemuff campaign to provide a stimulation activity for restless hands and As well as the knitted octopuses, the in 2018 we introduced doll therapy to team is also: help reduce stress and anxiety by evoking  Piloting new dementia-friendly name happy memories from the past.

This isn’t the first time that Karen and her badge stickers to go on Personal team have thought outside of the box to “Alternative therapies, such as the Protective Equipment (PPE). The highknitted octopuses, dolls, snoozing pets visible yellow name badges with black and knitted bears, which we have also text are recognised as highly introduced, are becoming more popular readable, aiding patients and visitors as they are often seen as a more with visual impairments and dementia attractive alternative to traditional to be able to easily identify staff medication and less intrusive than one-to names. This is more important than -one care with a staff member.” ever at the moment as the traditional staff name badge is often covered up With a quarter of patients at SaTH living

by PPE. with a dementia or some form of confusion, team members are trained to  Painting the walls of the Acute ensure they know the benefits of using Medical Unit at PRH, as well as Ward the knitted octopuses and how to 10 at PRH and Ward 22 at RSH, with carefully select patients who may benefit bright colours to make a patientfrom this unique method of care. centric environment for people living with dementia.

Nurses are also provided with information sheets and training and will  Introducing Patient ‘About Me’ discuss the holistic therapy with families Passports are being placed into before introducing the cuddly toys. bedside lockers. When completed by the patients, of a family member of This week was supposed to be Dementia carer, the short document lets staff Action Week however the activities and  HealthCare Assistant know more about the person they are events planned across the country have Alex trials one of the caring for, such as their hobbies, had to be postponed due to the yellow name stickers on favourite food and if they wear coronavirus pandemic. This hasn’t top of her PPE. glasses or use hearing aids.

SaTH playing a key role COVID-19 and the imp Our hospitals are playing a key role in vital research into COVID-19 and the impact of the pandemic.

 Dr Adrian March

The Research & Innovation and Clinical Trials team at SaTH is at the forefront of research into learning more about the virus and finding an effective treatment Almost 800 COVID-19 patients are taking part in clinical research studies at SaTH. Dr Nigel Capps, Director of Research and Innovation, said: “As yet there are no proven treatments for COVID-19 and we urgently need to find cures if we are going to save lives. We are harnessing our expertise to support cutting edge research into COVID-19.

“We have opened seven studies in response to this pandemic with the aim of helping clinicians and scientists develop a better understanding of COVIDled by Dr James Moon, Consultant  The UKOSS (UK Obstetric Surveillance 19; its presenting symptoms, how and Anaesthetist and Intensivist.

System) study. This study is looking why the virus affects certain people more at Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes  The PRIEST (Pandemic Respiratory than others and hopefully to help to of Pandemic Influenza or Novel Infection Emergency System Triage) develop effective treatments.”

Coronavirus in Pregnancy. This data study. All patients coming through collection study is collecting data on SaTH’s two Emergency Departments The seven studies taking all pregnant women diagnosed with with suspected COVID-19 are entered place at SaTH are: COVID-19 at any stage in pregnancy into this study which looks at how assessing treatments, and outcomes  The ISARIC (International Severe best to triage patients with in the course of routine care. It is Acute Respiratory and emerging respiratory infections through our Infection Consortium) study. All emergency care system. Dr Adrian patients who test positive for COVIDMarsh, A&E Consultant, is leading on  Dr James Moon 19 are enrolled onto the study to gain this study, which has recruited over a better understanding of the virus 550 patients so far. and any risk factors which may affect  The GENOMICC (Genetics of outcomes for our patients. SaTH has Mortality in Critical Care) study. This recruited more than 170 patients into study looks at the genetics of those this important study which is being patients with COVID-19 who have to be intubated on the Intensive Therapy Unit. This study involves taking a blood sample from the patient which is then analysed to try and identify specific genetic variants which may be linked to mortality from the virus. Dr Nigel Capps, Consultant Chemical Pathologist and Research and Innovation Director, is leading on this study which has recruited 19 patients.  Dr Nigel Capps

e in vital research into pact of the pandemic COVID-19 in pregnancy and neonates with the aim of understanding its natural history and guiding prevention and treatment.

Sister Helen Moore, Clinical Trials Manager and SaTH’s Lead Research Nurse, said: “This pandemic has raised the profile of research and why it is so important to us all. We are really pleased with the response from our patients and how keen they are to be involved.”

 Dr Amy Bowes, FY1, who is redeployed to R&I to help recruit.

Dr Arne Rose, Medical Director at SaTH, said: “These are truly exceptional times, but SaTH is contributing significantly to the wealth of knowledge with the international aim of combatting COVID19.

“This couldn’t have happened without the huge effort put in by all members of our Research and Innovation and Clinical being led at SaTH by Dr Adam Gornall, Trials team, but most importantly our Consultant Obstetrician. clinicians, ward staff and other departments such as pharmacy.”  The RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy) trial. This is being run by Oxford University and involves assessing the effectiveness of licensed drugs added to standard care. These include Lopinavir-Ritonavir (used to treat HIV); Dexamethasone (a steroid), Azithromycin (an antibiotic), Hydroxychloroquine (used to treat malaria) and Tocilizumab (a drug which blocks the immune response).

SaTH has recruited over 40 patients into this study and nationally over 9,800 patients have been recruited into this exciting trial.  The RECOVERY RS (Respiratory Support) trial. This trial is being run

by The University of Warwick and is looking at the most effective ways of delivering oxygen to patients.  The PAN-COVID (Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes in COVID-19) study. This is being run by Imperial College London. It is a global registry looking to learn more about

 Sister Lucy Price, who has been redeployed to R&I team and is helping with data input.

 Sister Helen Moore

Book onto a training course today!

To access MCA/DoLS training please click on the intranet’s training diary and select the category: Mental Capacity, then MCA/DoLS training to book the session for yourself and department.

The training dates available to book are:  20 May, 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm at RSH, SECC  21 May, 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm at RSH, SECC  27 May, 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 3pm at RSH, SECC  28 May, 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 3pm at RSH, SECC  2 June, 1pm to 3pm at RSH. SECC  3 June, 1pm to 3pm at RSH, SECC  9 June, 10.30am to 12.30pm at RSH, SECC  10 June, 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 3pm at RSH, SECC  18 June, 10 to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm at RSH, SECC  22 June, 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm at PRH, Education Centre  23 June, 10.30am to and 12.30pm 1pm to 3pm at RSH, SECC Level 3 Adult Safeguarding is also available on the training diary. Just select the category ‘Safeguarding’ followed by ‘Safeguarding Adult Level 3 training’ to book the session for yourself and department.

The available dates are:  29 June, 9.30am to 3.30pm at RSH, SECC  1 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm, at RSH, SECC  6 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm at RSH, SECC

 Happy Birthday to Rose Hall who celebrated her 70th birthday this week. Rose is one of our Cleanliness Technicians and a big part of our Postnatal Ward team!

A staff Wellbeing Trolley is being piloted at RSH to give more staff the opportunity of benefiting from the items that have been donated. Items are being distributed through the Trust’s Wellbeing Rooms, Goody bags and by delivery (at PRH). It was felt that a mobile option of distributing hand creams and other donated items would get to areas and individuals who may not have benefitted. Donations are very limited and staff are asked to take items for themselves that they need.

More donations DPD Group employees have shown their support for the NHS by implementing DPD Thursdays. Staff fill boxes with supplies for busy NHS staff providing them with daily essentials to get them through their day.

The contents have been turned into refreshment bags for delivery to staff. *** Matt Green of BSH Global contacted the Trust and offered to supply 15 Bosch coffee pod machines for free. Eight machines were delivered to RSH and seven to PRH, the machines and coffee pods were delivered to the COVID-19 Command Centre and services and wards. *** With the stores at RSH at maximum capacity the use of our fork lift truck was a mini crisis. When Lee Duffy heard the hospital was looking to loan a fork lift he came up with the offer of a loan.

When the world celebrated International Nurses Day on Tuesday May 12, those at SaTH were saying thank you to our own nurses for the care that they provide.

Throughout the celebrations on Tuesday, nursing staff at SaTH received cakes donated by Premier Foods and a number of goodie bags were gifted.

A host of artists, including James Blunt, Jess Glynne, Mel C and Anne-Marie also teamed up to pay tribute to nurses with a virtual concert on YouTube, and these performances were repeated throughout the day on Trust TV screens.

Messages and pictures of support were also shared on social media and a video has been created to share the experiences and inspirations of nursing staff. The video can be viewed here.

Louise Barnett, Chief Executive at SaTH, said: “This year’s International Nurses’ Day come at a remarkable time as the frontline charge against the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

“SaTH’s nurses demonstrate the true mettle that lies at the heart of their profession and it is fantastic to have this opportunity to show our appreciation and to say thank you for all that they do to care for patients.”

Maggie Bayley, Interim Chief Nurse at SaTH, said: “Nursing staff make up more than 50% of our workforce and they truly are the cornerstone of the NHS. “SaTH’s Nurses are dedicated, selfless and compassionate and their commitment has been demonstrated more than ever over the last few months as we all fight COVID-19 together.

“Our nurses continue to work tirelessly, and I’m proud of the values, professionalism and caring they have shown.”

International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every year on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth.

We are not just ODPs

Celebrating National ODP Day

On Wednesday we celebrated National Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Day. ODPs work in theatres and can be an Anaesthetic Practitioner, Scrub Practitioner and/or a Recovery Practitioner. They look after patients in many different surgical specialties.

provide skilled assistance to the anaesthetist whilst they administer the anaesthetic, ensuring that their airway is secure and vital signs are monitored.

They will help with any special techniques for dealing with difficult airways.

The Scrub Practitioner will support the surgeon who is carrying out the Anaesthetic Practitioners will meet the operation. They will have to ensure the patient first. Once they are in the availability and sterility of all equipment anaesthetic room they will go through and ensure that it is accounted for at all some safety checks to ensure the correct times. They will be required to have in patient is having the correct procedure depth knowledge of anatomy and performed safely and apply vital signs physiology, surgical instrumentation as monitoring to the patient. They will

well as many surgical procedures.

The recovery room is the area that the majority of patients will stay in for a minimum of 30 minutes post-operatively.

The anaesthetist will hand over the care of the patient to the recovery practitioner who will monitor and assess the patient to ensure that all vital safety criteria is met before allowing the patient to return to a ward.

At the moment many of our ODPs have been redeployed to ITU to help support the fight against COVID-19. But we still thought it was imperative to celebrate these ‘slightly hidden’ heroes!