Chatterbox: 26 February 2021

26 February 2021

Thank you!

Inside this issue: Awards for Junior Doctors: Page 2 Living with a rare disease - Linda’s story: Pages 4&5 Blankets needed: Page 7 Bananas for pyjamas: Page 9 Staff support: Pages 14-19

Our Respiratory Consultants have today issued a heartfelt message to colleagues who have risen to the challenge of COVID-19—thank you. This is their message: “COVID-19 has been a major challenge for all of us within SaTH (and beyond).

However, as Respiratory Consultants working in this Trust , we would like to shine a particular spotlight today on the nursing staff, healthcare assistants and allied health professionals who have been working on the respiratory wards at both sites.

One of the most striking experiences of this pandemic has been the increased numbers of patients who have required non-invasive ventilator support for severe respiratory failure. A lot of this has been delivered on the respiratory ward. These patients are among our sickest. They require significant support from our nurses both in terms of set-up and monitoring of patients on ventilators and also, importantly, in providing care and reassurance to these patients in what can be a very frightening experience.

We have had many patients survive their hospital admission with COVID pneumonia and this has been heart-warming and motivating for all. However, our nurses and healthcare assistants have also cared for many patients who have not survived their COVID illness and they have offered dignity and quality of care for these patients and their families. We have received messages of thanks from relatives about the way our colleagues have taken the time to update them on the phone, recognising that being a relative of an inpatient is a very worrying and isolating time in this period of restricted visiting.

The respiratory ward has been a very calm place to work, despite the pressures both within the hospital and in the outside world. Our ward teams have maintained an outstanding level of professionalism, have looked out for and after each other, and have remained remarkably resilient throughout both waves. Our ward sisters and matron have provided commendable leadership throughout and we have felt well supported. We are so very grateful for everything that they have done and continue to do.”

Coronavirus update A 4-step plan to ease lockdown in England has been announced.

international travel. Holidays will not be a permitted reason to travel

Step 1 will begin on 8 March. From that date, pupils will return to face-to-face education in school and further education in England. Pupils in Wales and Scotland returned on 22 February.

Those seeking to leave the UK must complete an outbound declaration of travel form ahead of departure.

Further information on the changes can be seen Wraparound childcare, such as after-school below and can also be found at www.gov.uk/ clubs, can reopen to enable parents to work, government/publications/covid-19-responseattend education, access medical care or attend a spring-2021 support group.

Outdoor recreation, such as a picnic, is allowed.

This can be on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble.

Indoor visits to care homes start again for a single named visitor.

Students on practical Higher Education courses at English universities who have not already returned and would be unable to complete their courses if they did not return to take part in practical teaching, access specialist facilities or complete assessments will be able to return There will continue to be restrictions on

A caring and talented teenager has been raising money to buy hampers for staff at PRH.

Awards for junior doctors Two junior doctors have been awarded the National 2020 British Gynaecology Cancer Society trainee project prize.

Dr Julie Roope carried out a Quality Improvement Project to improve the system of printed test results being reviewed by junior doctors working on the Gynaecology Ward at PRH. The aim was to identify problems within the current system and make changes to ensure safe and appropriate action is taken with test results. Julie standardised the procedure for junior doctors to follow, so errors that could result in harm to patients are prevented.

Dr Camille Smyth reviewed service changes at SATH to achieve the new NHS England 28-day faster diagnosis standard in cancer, which was launched nationally in April 2020. This was to ensure that all patients referred with suspected cancer of all types have a diagnosis of cancer, or an ‘all clear’ within 28 days of the referral from their primary care physician.

Camille was part of the team which looked into service reviews, change of best-practice pathways and amendment of two-week wait proforma to review standard of care. Audit showed the Trust was able to achieve the 28-day target. This meant earlier treatment for those diagnosed with cancer, which in turn meant better survival rates.

Julie and Camille have been awarded £250 prize money and offered free registration to the annual national conference of British Gynae Cancer society.

Dr Banchhita Sahu, Lead for Gynae Oncology, said: “These awards are a great recognition for SaTH. It shows us as a learning organisation which recognises the role trainees play in service improvement and ultimately providing high quality care to our patients.”

When the most recent lockdown was announced, Jezebella Donohoe started a sewing business on Facebook with the help pf her mum, Natasha, and Auntie Nadine.

Nadine made a Facebook selling page for Jezebella, whilst Natasha ordered fabrics and sewing supplies. Items she has made include scrunchies, bows, facemasks and book covers. Their first hamper was for Ward 17 where family friend, Sam Baker, works.

Sam said: “I had the pleasure of presenting the hamper to Ward 17. I have been working on here with an awesome team who have been nursing COVID patients through this pandemic. Thank You Jezebella, this is really appreciated.”

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Services said: “What a lovely idea. I have seen the items and I am sure they will bring a smile to anyone who buys them, as much as our staff who also benefit from this kind deed too.

“We want to say a big thank you to Jezebella and her family for thinking of our staff. This latest lockdown hasn’t been easy for anyone and thoughtful donations such as these let our staff know how much the community appreciates all their hard work and care during the pandemic.”

A further hamper was delivered to the Children’s Ward this week.

Rare Disease Day

“At that time, I knew nothing about this rare disease. There was little information and guidance available outside of the hospital setting.”

spectrum of disabilities, so that we are able to better support each other. This year is the14th year that Rare Disease Day as been co-ordinated internationally.

These are the words of Linda Bradbury, one of our training and support officers. Linda is one of the 3.5 million people in the UK who will be affected by a rare disease during their lives.

“Building awareness of rare diseases is so important because one in 17 people will live with a rare disease at some point in their life. Despite this, there is no cure for the majority of rare diseases and many go undiagnosed.

Linda, who has a rare skin condition called Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris (PRP), has chosen to share her story as part of Rare Disease Day, which will take place on Sunday and is an opportunity to raise awareness of rare conditions and improve access to care, treatment, information and support.

A disease or condition is defined as rare if it affects fewer than one in 2,000 people. There are over 6,000 known rare diseases.

A rare disease will affect one in 17 people at some point in their lives. This amounts to 3.5 million people in the UK. The majority of rare diseases currently have no effective treatment.

Kal Parkash, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, said: “I want to create and influence an ‘everyday inclusion’ culture where staff bring their authentic self to work and where we all have a sense of belonging. My focus is on ensuring that we treat each other with kindness, care and compassion.

“Working with the Staff with Disabilities network, we are keen to raise awareness of the broad

“Rare Disease Day improves knowledge amongst the general public of rare diseases, while encouraging researchers and decision makers to address the needs of those living with rare diseases.”

Linda’s story In November 2013, I returned from a holiday and noticed three tiny red spots on my left hand that I initially put down to an allergy. The rash spread rapidly to my chest and face and within three weeks, the skin on my body was bright red from head to foot, I could hardly walk or use my hands properly, and basically I looked and felt like a burns victim.

My life changed when the first signs of PRP entered my life.

I was initially misdiagnosed with Seborrheic Dermatitis, but when my condition failed to respond to treatment and got worse, I was referred to the Dermatology Department at RSH. A few days later I had a skin biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis.

At that time, I knew nothing about PRP, but l was supported by the Dermatology team and listened to what they said about the condition and treatments available. However, as PRP is classed as a rare condition, there was little information and guidance available outside of the hospital, so I also joined an on-line support group which provided a great deal of information and support.

Adjusting to, and living with, PRP through the acute stage of the disease and during the first year was the most challenging. My appearance changed dramatically. My skin was bright red and swollen, and I was caught up in the shredding and burning cycle constantly, so I had to apply heavy duty emollients and ointments every 20 -30 minutes for months. I lost the ability to sweat and regulate my body temperature and would overheat, and I couldn’t walk or use my hands properly because of the swelling, which meant I could not grasp to open containers, and in order to be able to use my hands at all I had to wear bright blue nitrile gloves 24-hours-a-day. My scalp was also affected and I had thinning hair and also lost most of my body hair.

PRP is an inflammatory condition and not contagious, and although I looked different, in the early weeks before diagnosis I continued to work from the office. However, once PRP took hold of me I had to stop work as I could no longer physically cope with the demands of a busy work environment.

dexterity, as well as coping with exhaustion and still feeling very selfconscious about my appearance.

For months there were very few signs of improvement, and I suffered relapses along the way. Some days just the effort to get out of the door with all the preparations needed to make myself feel presentable and comfortable was really difficult, but I kept telling myself to take things one day at a time and gradually my condition started to improve. It took 18 months before I started to notice any significant, lasting changes in my skin.

At that point, I realised that the number My face wasn't quite so red and I could one priority was to rest, and try and take the gloves off for short periods. make myself as comfortable as January 2015 was a turning point in possible on a daily basis. learning to live with the disease. I After two and a half months, and with decided I could not be defined by PRP, medical reports provided by the so I adopted a cat and resumed yoga Consultant Dermatologist and GP classes, which helped both my fitness involved in my care, a date was agreed and mental health. to support a phased return to the This has been a life-changing workplace in February 2014. experience. I still have PRP—I do not Adjustments were made for me to believe it will ever go away return to the office, but the workplace completely—but I have adapted, and still proved to be a difficult seven years later I now live with the environment. For example, I suffered remnants of the disease. My skin is from dry eyes and was light intolerant very dry, pale and hyper-sensitive, and because of the disease, but I was in I am heat and light intolerant, with my front of a window with a broken blind in body being unable to regulate direct sunlight, which caused a great temperature, so I often say that I am deal of pain to my skin and "hot stuff" in the workplace. I suffer with discomfort.in my eyes. My appearance flare-ups affecting different parts of my had changed significantly and that body from time-to-time, particularly affected my self-confidence and my during hot weather, so the summer is emotional well-being, and I felt the worst time of year for me when I embarrassed and self-conscious have to lurk about indoors or in the around my colleagues. I found the shadows and the shade. I also have experience incredibly stressful, and extremely dry eyes that require the although the phased return helped, I application of ocular lubricants daily, would be on my knees by the end of and I have developed a cataract. the working day and just collapse on To anyone new to PRP or a similar the bed when I got home, both condition, a note from me to you: take physically and emotionally drained. one day at a time and learn what you Following this unsuccessful return to can about your condition. At my lowest work, my condition rapidly deteriorated point, I gained comfort and friendship and I was signed off sick for a second from support group members who time in May. knew exactly what I was going through.

I returned to work again in July 2014 I continue to be an active member of with support from my GP and the other the group offering support to “newbies” health professionals involved in my and those in need. Living with PRP has care, but still found things heavy going been a long, and at times very difficult, at times. My face was red, swollen and journey, and the memory of PRP is still dry and I was wearing therapeutic there, but things slowly improved over clothing next to my skin and bright blue time and I have, in the main, adjusted nitrile gloves on my hands to help with to living and working with the condition.

New Intranet page to mark LGBT+ History Month A Patient Equality, Diversity and Inclusion intranet page has been developed as part of LGBT+ History Month.

This includes information on topics such as health inequalities, specific patient needs and health promotion.

It also includes resources and quick guides; and links to online training to support all 9 protected characteristics (including sexual orientation and gender reassignment).

If you would like to give any feedback on these pages or would like to request information to be included, please email sath.patientexperience@nhs.net or call ext.

2503.

Knitted blankets needed An appeal is being made for knitters to help create blankets and even bags for patients living with dementia whilst they are staying at SaTH. The Dementia Team is looking for people to help knit or donate knitted blankets for older patients.

The colourful blankets help patients, particularly those with dementia, to find their way back to bed more easily - and also see the edge of the bed more clearly when getting in and out. They also provide a more homely feel to the wards.

The scheme has been successful at other hospitals and now the team is keen to roll it out at RSH and PRH. Karen Breese, Dementia Clinical Specialist Nurse, said: “We had such a good response from the community when we asked if they were able to knit us Twiddlemuffs, which provide a stimulation activity for our patients living with dementia. Now we are asking for help and support again, this time to provide us with knitted blankets and knitted bags.

“Due to infection control, the blankets are single-use items and they will be taken home with the patient when they are discharged.

“The blankets must be knitted using new wool, or if anyone is planning to donate blankets, they need to be brand new.

“The blankets should also be brightly coloured or patterned, and 3ft wide.”

To donate blankets, email karen.breese@nhs.net

Activity Boxes for people living with dementia, purchased from the Dementia Appeal, were delivered to all wards and areas last week.

When someone is living with dementia, their cognitive function may be decline over time and often more so in hospital. Continuing to do as much as they can at their current ability level keeps patients active and may even help maintain skills longer.

Participating in activities can help to prevent frustration, boredom and behaviours that can be seen as a challenge to staff.

Activities can:  help the person maintain independence  help maintain skills  improve self esteem  improve the quality of life for the person with dementia  often compensate for lost abilities  allow the person to express his or her feelings especially music  bring pleasure to the person as the contact is not connected to direct personal New stock can be requested from the Dementia team – RSH ext 3571/ PRH ext 4679. Items are single use in a sealed box.

Notice Board

Cleanliness Services and SaTH Charity have been overwhelmed by the response from members of the public, community groups, and local businesses to our nightwear appeal.

At the start of February Joanne Yale, Head of Facilities, put out an appeal to ask for donations of nightwear for patients to create a stock of new nightwear “gifts” that could go home with the patients, whilst maintaining the essential stock we need inside the hospital.

No-one could have predicted how far the word would have spread or the generosity of our community. Hundreds of pounds-worth of new nightwear has been donated by Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco, Morrison and New Look to name just a few of the companies.

Hundreds of pounds-worth has also been donated by members of the public who have often bought multiple new items. We have also received a vast array of handmade items made with the most incredible care and attention.

from Mel Chamberlain, who works at retailer Preworn, who started a nightwear collection especially for us.

Joanne said: “It is almost impossible to express our thanks to everyone who has made a donation. We have had deliveries almost every day since the initial request, and we are still receiving regular donations now.

It has been a wonderful response and seems to have touched many people to have gained this amount of support.”

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Services, said: “This appeal has seen a very different type of response from people who have come forward to help. All corners of our community have rallied to provide nightwear: bought items, hand sewn items and donated nearly new items from lostloved ones.

“We have received hundreds of emails offering help and support. One lady told us she had received a premium bond win and thought it was a lovely thing to spend the money on – and has Community groups have arranged drop-offs and since been in touch to say she has won two collections, including a huge delivery from Market further premium bonds wins and will be donating again.”

Drayton Rotary arranged by our own Teresa Tanner, Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children If you hear of anyone who would like to contribute & Young People, and her husband Paul. to this appeal, ask them to contact the SaTH Charity Team at we.supportsath@nhs.net.

We also received a further enormous delivery

Notice Board

Long service award for Clare Clare Simpson, from the Bowel Cancer Screening team, has been presented with her long service award.

Clare began her nurse training in 1976 at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, before going on to work at The Royal Hospital and New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.

The first 25 years of her career were spent in Oncology until she moved to help set up the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme at New Cross.

In 2014 Clare took retirement to help look after her grand-daughter but continued to work on the bank for both Wolverhampton and SaTH. In 2017 she was able to return as a permanent member of staff and joined SATH’s Bowel Cancer Screening Team as a Specialist Screening Practitioner.

She said: “In my years in the NHS I have been fortunate to have worked in a variety of interesting and challenging roles. During this time I have been privileged to have worked with the most lovely, enthusiastic and professional people you could wish to have alongside you.”

Take-away lockers now available

PAGES 14-19

At SaTH your wellbeing matters and that’s why we all need to take some time to consider the factor

The COVID-19 crisis has affected us all, whether this is within our personal life or at work. This is why this w ranging from exercise, nutrition, sleep, financial advice and mindfulness. You will be able to find useful tips,

Each Wednesday our staff wellbeing team will be walking round our two hospitals to speak to you, ask how selves. They will be in their purple wellbeing t-shirts so do look out for them – they are there to help you.

To find out more about the weekly activities, please look out for detail in the weekly staff information bulletin Upcoming Wellbeing Wednesdays 17 February - Home Workers Support 24 February - Psychological PPE 3 March - Mindfulness 10 March – Benefits of Exercise 17 March - Nutrition & Hydration 24 March – Resilience

These sessions will be facilitated by Team Prevent and are available for all staff to attend. To book please e

As part of Wellbeing Wednesday, we’ve created a Wellbeing Wheel which is intended to help you think abo complete the Wellbeing Wheel and to develop a Wellbeing Action Plan which you should review regularly. T

rs which have an impact on our wellbeing.

week we’ve launched Wellbeing Wednesdays. Each Wednesday we will be touching on a different topic , resources and we will also be arranging some online sessions.

w you are feeling and what we can do to support you and to promote the importance of looking after our-

n and notifications from the staff app.

Upcoming Wellbeing sessions via MS Teams 3 March 10.30 – 11am – Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises

PAGES 14-19

10 March 2.00 – 2.30pm – Benefits of Exercise

17 March 12.30 – 1.00pm – Nutrition & Hydration Tips

email l.westcott@nhs.net and you will be sent a link for the session.

out your wellbeing and lifestyle. We encourage all staff to work with a trusted colleague or line manager to This booklet also outlines the support available from SaTH to help improve and enhance your wellbeing.

Staff Support

Ultrasound assistant, jan.dibben@nhs.net

Staff Support

Peer-to-peer listeners In many situations, having someone to talk to can lighten our load; when we are listened to this helps us to feel valued.

Therefore we have trained a group of staff from across the Trust as Peer to Peer (P2P) Volunteers to help support colleagues. P2P are trained to provide confidential, non-judgmental peer support, signposting to other internal contacts where appropriate.

P2P listeners are trained in supportive listening skills but they won’t be acting as counsellors.

Teresa Love, Nurse and Workforce Project Office, P2P Lead Teresa.love3@nhs.net Vicki Robinson, HR Advisor Vicki.robinson1@nhs.net Ella Collison, ITU Staff Nurse e.collison@nhs.net Angie Lunt, Recovery Staff Nurse angelamary.lunt@nhs.net Sarah Thomas, Senior Corporate Education Advisor sarahthomas@nhs.net Nerys Cox, Pain Nurse Specialist nerys.cox@nhs.net Jules Lewis, End of Life Care Nurse Specialist jules.lewis@nhs.net Lucy Stanley, HCA SAU lucy.stanley3@nhs.net Nyree Porter, PA nyree.porter@nhs.net

Rachel Hanmer, TCI Administrator Rachel.hanmer@nhs.net Adam Anderson-Woods, Library Assistant, adam.anderson-woods@nhs.net Samantha I'Anson, Corporate Educator s.i'anson@nhs.net

Viv Orme, Radiographer viv.orme@nhs.net Maria Scenters, Library Assistant maria.scenters@nhs.net Erica Davies, Barista erica.davies@nhs.net Sally Roberts, Barista sally.roberts23@nhs.net Elaine Evans, Nurse, TBC Caroline Callister, Workforce Assurance caroline.callister@nhs.net Nick Robinson, Leadership & OD Coordinator nick.robinson5@nhs.net Jeanette Barnes, Specialist Nurse jeanette.barnes3@nhs.net Petro Hryziuk, Champlain petro.hryziuh@nhs.net Megan Griffith, A&E Sister megan.griffith2@nhs.net Mervyn Williams, Champlain mervyn.williams@nhs.net Kirsty Wagg, Specialist Nurse kirsty.wagg1@nhs.net Lynette Charles, Specialist Nurse lynette.charles@nhs.net Jules Lock, EOL Volunteer juleslock@live.com Rachael Maskell, Corporate Education Assistant rachael.maskell@nhs.net

First prize: Richards Jones, Communications Team Second prize: Hannah Brown, Radiotherapy Third prize: Mandy Hill, X-ray Fourth prize: Diana Martin, Workforce Fifth prize: Luke Davies, Medical Engineering

The final word...

I would like to acknowledge a phone call I had with one of the lung cancer nurses. I contacted them on behalf of my dad. The nurse told me her name but I was so upset at the time that I can’t remember. She was so helpful - it was a difficult situation due to me being 400 miles away from my dad and obviously confidentiality made it difficult. She gave me all the advice I needed and was very sensitive and helpful in a difficult situation I would like to say thank you to her. My call resulted in my dad getting the help he needs when he was refusing and very unwell, so the best possible outcome is happening now. So a big thanks to her for her advice and help.