News for You - Summer

Summer 2019 South Tyneside and Sunderland

NHS Foundation Trust

NEWS YOU for

Armed Forces

Covenant

MBE for Chaplain

Linda Longstaff

Introducing our All in a day’s work

Faye Wright

new matern ty service Pictured - members of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Maternity team

STAFF MAGAZINE

NEWS for YOU

Content page

03

page A welcome message from our Chief Executive

12

page Path to Excellence - next steps

22 Hand Hygiene Day

into Health 04 Step careers event

14 Our helicopter heroes

the executives...

23 Ask Liz Davies

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Celebrating our Reservists

16 Our new staff governors

of two 24 Appointment Consultants

08 News round up

honour 17 MBE Chaplain Linda Longstaff

25 New maternity service

a day’s work 09 AllFayeinWright

Reporting 18 Excellence System

26 Our social circle...

10 Ground-breaking bowel cancer research

the spotlight 19 InAssurance Team

talk about 27 Let’s organ donation

A&E 11 Children’s Services South Tyneside

after your 20 Looking health and wellbeing

28 Our shuttle bus service

Our leadership team

Ken Bremner

Kath Griffin

Melanie Johnson

Shahid Wahid

Julia Pattison

Peter Sutton

Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development

Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health Professionals

Medical Director

Director of Finance

Director of Planning & Business Development

Liz Davies

Sean Fenwick

Andrea Hetherington

Andy Hart

Alison King

Director of Operations

Acting Director of Corporate Affairs

Steve Jamieson

Head of Communications

Director of Information Management & Technology

Director of Performance

Director of Estates & Facilities

Chief Executive

@STSFTrust

www.stsft.nhs.uk

www.facebook.com/STSFTrust @STSFTrust

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Summer 2019

Welcome from Ken

to the Summer edition of NEWS for YOU!

I want to begin by saying how much I have appreciated all your enthusiasm and hard work over the last few months as we have become South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

Chief Executive Ken Bremner, MBE

One of the most successful schemes has been the shuttle bus service which runs between the two hospitals regularly from Monday to Friday. I know many of you have found it helpful to attend meetings and catch up with colleague both new and old. I would encourage you to keep using it wherever you can.

In April, we sent out the first Communications Survey to get your opinions and views on how we communicate and engage with you currently and where we need to keep improving. We got a great response which really helps us to look at what you think works well and what doesn’t. Using your feedback we are looking at improving the current team brief process and will soon be sharing dates for the next round of my Chief Executive Roadshows and the Director Briefing Sessions, including increasing the venues that we go to.

We do appreciate it is not easy for you to have the time to attend these but do try to come along if you can. My colleagues and I really do enjoy meeting you all at these sessions and hearing what you have to say about working at our Trust.

This summer will see important changes to maternity and children’s A&E services in South Tyneside. On Monday 5th August we are launching our new maternity service which involves the opening of our new midwifery-led

birthing centre in South Tyneside. This will provide more choice for local women across our two localities who want to experience a more calming environment and natural birthing experience.

Also on Monday 5th August we will see changes to our children’s A&E services at South Tyneside District Hospital. This means that from that date the service in South Tyneside will close every night from 10pm and open every morning from 8am.

We’re making this change so children from South Tyneside who need emergency hospital treatment during the night will have equal access to specialist consultant-led care 24/7.Critical staffing pressures on our current service in South Tyneside mean this is not always possible and these changes will further strengthen the resilience of our services.

Both these changes are the result of months of planning and consultation with partners and staff and I want to say thank you to colleagues within these departments who have helped us plan towards the launch in August.

Finally, as we approach the summer holiday season I hope you manage to spend some time with family and friends. As always – thank you for all you do to care for our patients and support each other - I am proud of you all.

If you have some news that you would like us to consider for future issues, or if you have a question, email: trustcomms@stft.nhs.uk or CHScomms@chsft.nhs.uk

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NEWS for YOU

Proud hosts of the first regional, ‘Step into Health’ careers event Working with NHS employers across the North East, we recently hosted a regional careers event at Sunderland Royal Hospital for service leavers, veterans and their families. This helped them to gain a better understanding of the NHS and its partners and of how to access the wide range of jobs available.

Other NHS organisations involved on the day included: • Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust • North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust • Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust • The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust • NHS Business Services Authority • North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust • City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Limited (CHoICE)

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Step into Health provides an access route into employment and other career development opportunities within the NHS to members of the Armed Forces community.

The programme recognises the transferable skills and cultural values that Armed Forces personnel have developed and how these skills and values are compatible with working in the NHS. Our Chief Executive Ken Bremner said:

“We are proud to consider ourselves a forcesfriendly organisation and it is very important to us that we support those who have put their lives on the line for the country. Service leavers have many transferable skills and are experienced in working in a dynamic and diverse environment which make them ideal candidates for roles with NHS employers in our region.”

Summer 2019

We have also reinforced our commitment to supporting British military personnel by resigning the Armed Forces Covenant.

In signing the Covenant, we have pledged to support those who serve, or have served in the military and their families. This means ensuring that, as an employer, no disadvantage is faced by members of the Armed Forces community, and acknowledging that processes may need to be adjusted in some circumstances It also represents our commitment to providing equal access to everything from healthcare, education and starting a new career, to financial assistance and having a home.

The Trust currently employs eight Army reservists, as well as an adult volunteer with the RAF Air Cadets.

Ken Bremner said: “The Reserve Forces are

crucial to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas and their capability in specialist areas such as medicine is particularly important. We are very proud of our own reservists who have to balance their civilian and military lives and who give up their spare time to serve. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude and we wanted to show them that we recognise the valuable contribution that they make.”

As a proud Armed Forces-friendly employer, we also hold the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Gold Award - the highest badge of honour available to those that employ and support those who serve, veterans, and their families.

Kath Griffin, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development and executive lead for the Armed Forces, and Lieutenant Colonel Stef Alexander, RAMC, Commanding Officer Defence School of Healthcare Education, centre, with the Armed Forces Covenant and Step into Health certificates surrounded by Trust representatives and reservists, and Ministry of Defence personnel

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NEWS for YOU

Celebrating our reservists being the best in and outside of work At our Trust we are incredibly proud of our reservist colleagues who give up their spare time to train and serve in the Royal Navy, Army or Air Force.

Find out more about them below:

Ben Banerjee Colonel Ben Banerjee has been a Consultant and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in Vascular Surgery at the Trust since 2004.

Ben joined the army reserves in 1990 while studying at Newcastle University Medical School. Now with nearly 30 years’ service he has extensive experience in the military field.

He has been deployed to war zones including; Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. In 2013, Ben served as the first reservist Deployed Medical Director in Afghanistan.

He was recognised for his role in the reserves and was appointed as Deputy Lieutenant to the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear in November 2014.

In 2015, Ben was recognised nationally in the New Year’s honours list being awarded the Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal (QVRM) for his work with the Royal Army Medical Corps.

He has also raised an incredible amount of money for Combat Stress, a military mental health charity, along with significant contributions to the Army Benevolent Fund.

Helen Scott Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner, Helen Scott, joined the army reserves in 2011 as a Corporal.

By 2012, she was deployed to Afghanistan working within the hospital at Camp Bastion.

Helen explains: “At its peak it was the best trauma hospital in the world and I feel very privileged to have been part of that. It was a rewarding experience and gave me the chance to gain knowledge and skills to transfer back into my role within the orthopaedic department.”

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Upon her return, Helen transferred to 201 field Hospital in Newcastle. Most recently, she has been promoted to Sergeant and is about to embark on the commissioning process to become an Officer - something that she has always aspired to be.

Helen commented: “I have had some amazing opportunities to work with overseas forces in America and Italy. One of the toughest challenges I have faced was trekking through the Grand Canyon, however it was great fun and very rewarding.”

Summer 2019

Alex Cairns Staff Nurse, Alex Cairns joined the Army Reserves in 2014 and serves with 201 Northern Field Hospital in Newcastle.

Alex joined the Reserves because she wanted to challenge herself, meet new people and develop her skills. She says that “service in the reserves has improved my confidence, leadership skills and fitness.”

Alex has not yet been deployed on operations, she has valuable training experience as a soldier and a nurse.

She has been involved in military exercises practising potential scenarios that may be encountered in the event of deployment.

She has also completed an arduous mountaineering expedition around the Dhaulagiri Circuit in Nepal, which involved collecting data as part of a medical research initiative aimed to help prepare soldiers for combat at high altitudes.

Alex said that “being a member of the reserves has had a positive impact on me both personally and professionally.”

Shlok Balupuri Consultant Surgeon Shlok Balupuri joined the Army Reserves in 2005 during his final year of specialist training.

It was at a county fair that Shlok got chatting to Territorial Army soldiers. He was intrigued by their stories and decided to visit the TA centre.

He said: “Within two weeks it was evident that I needed to be a part of the unit. My only regret is that I had not joined earlier!”

After training at Sandhurst he was commissioned and in 2012 was deployed to Afghanistan as

a trauma surgeon in Camp Bastion.

Now a Major, Shlok explained: “Looking back at the logbook, I performed nearly 260 operations while deployed. I hope that I contributed to our effort in that country.

“The level and type of injuries in a conflict zone is very different than the civilian trauma. The Army will make you discover who you truly are while you contribute your clinical skills to the soldiers who rely on you. This is a responsibility that will stay with you forever.”

Kelly Bennett Major Kelly Bennett has been a Reserve at 201 Northern Field Hospital for 15 years, which has seen her deployed to Afghanistan twice.

Kelly said: “My journey has enhanced my work and life skills, and has seen me travel the world and meet some tremendous folk.

“I have been promoted in both my NHS and military careers. I am now a Patient Flow

Manager and Night Matron, with my military role as 2nd in Command of B Detachment with approximately 80 personnel that I oversea as both an appraiser and leader.

She added: “Joining the Army Reserves has enriched my life in so many ways. My nursing skills have advanced, I have gained confidence in my leadership abilities and I bring the army ethos of teamwork to my job.”

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NEWS for YOU

News round up Thank you to the League of Friends

Congratulations to Kelly Craggs

We would like to say a special thank you to the League of Friends in South Tyneside who have made a series of donations that will help us to improve patient care.

Kelly Craggs has been appointed as Macmillan Cancer Lead Nurse to support patients and cancer services across South Tyneside and Sunderland.

for your generous donation

Thanks to their generosity, the Orthapaedic and Cardiology Wards and the Emergency Assessment Unit each now have a special board, worth nearly £6,000. The boards have inbuilt scales which can be slid under patients who are bedbound, acutely unwell or who have injuries such as a broken hip. It can also be used to measure the patient’s height.

Congratulations to Debra Spraggon

on forty years of NHS service We hope that you will all join us in congratulating Debra Spraggon, Macmillan Operations Manager, in Sunderland on 40 years of NHS service!

Debra started her employment in the NHS on June 13, 1979, and has gone on to have a long and varied career within the Trust and other NHS services.

She said: “I would do it all again tomorrow, it has been an amazing career path for me and I have built up so many skills and knowledge in different areas of the NHS. One of my favourite things is meeting such amazing people and characters who will stay with me throughout my life. I would never change a thing. I just can’t believe how the last 40 years have flown by. I am proud to work for the NHS.” 8

NEWS

on her new appointment

Kelly will work collaboratively with the Cancer Services team to maximise the contribution that nursing makes to cancer services and help them achieve the best outcomes and experience for patients. The role will also support the delivery of the National Cancer Agenda.

BSER conference

comes to the North East

The British Society of Emergency Radiology Conference, held in June, was brought to the North East for the very first time by Dr Ram Senasi and Professor Mariano Scaglione, Consultant Radiologists at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Ram said: “I was absolutely delighted to be able to bring BSER 2019 to the North East and the beautiful city of Durham. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase us in medical education and healthcare.

The society has gathered momentum over the last five years and the fact that the conference was completely sold out with three months to go reflects the growing importance that digital imaging plays in emergency medicine and improving outcomes for patients.”

The fifth annual conference looked at improving patient care through continuous improvement, education and professional development. It was attended by Consultant Radiologists, Radiology Registrars, Fellows, emergency clinicians and allied health professionals.

Summer 2019

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK Faye Wright is a Ward Manager at South Tyneside District Hospital on Older Persons Medicine on Ward 2 (Care of the Older Person). Her role involves patient care, quality and safety and managing staff - including education, training and development My day starts… by checking my emails, ensuring staffing levels are safe and seeing if there has been any patient issues overnight.

My typical day… consists of ensuring patient safety and care are of a high standard and supporting staff development through supervision and education. I will resolve any complex cases or issues, deal with email enquiries and manage any staffing concerns.

I got my job… in 2016. I was looking for something more challenging where I was able to help other nurses develop and where I could put my own stamp on providing excellent patient care.

My most memorable moment… has to be when a husband and wife were admitted to the ward in separate bays. We

helped the husband to get his shirt and tie on so he could eat all of his meals with his wife. It was so romantic - his wife was very frail and her face lit up every time he came to her bedside.

Also obtaining my Masters in Practice Development and of course obtaining my Ward Manager post - having my own ward was a dream come true.

Outside of work you will find me… walking my two dogs Lily and Ruben, going to the gym and reading around ways I can develop good practice for the ward.

The hardest part of my job… is trying to manage my workload as a manager whilst still wanting to be involved in all of the patient care. I’m lucky to have an amazing team who share the same passion as me to care for the patients, so I know I’m able to step back and do my work.

The best part of my job… is looking after my patients, that has always been my passion.

I’ve also been able to develop my skills and knowledge, whilst supporting my staff and visiting students to develop their knowledge and skills in older persons care.

Something most people don’t know about me… is that I ran the Great North Run in 2018 for the ward and raised £500 for our charitable funds to spend on the patients.

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NEWS for YOU

Ground-breaking bowel cancer research across the North East and Cumbria This June, we announced a groundbreaking £985,000 cancer research and treatment project, funded by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Professor Colin Rees is one of the Europe’s leading experts in endoscopy (the procedure used to diagnose most forms of bowel cancer) and is passionate about improving bowel cancer outcomes.

The project, led by our own Professor Colin Rees, aims to reverse the region’s high incidence and low survival rates of bowel cancer (also called colorectal cancer).

He said: “Bowel cancer is a disease where

The Colorectal Cancer Screening Prevention Endoscopy and Early Diagnosis project, or COLOSPEED, will see 18 regional NHS endoscopy units - from Whitehaven to Sunderland, and Northallerton to Cramlington - recruiting up to 5,000 patients a year to help speed up research into the disease.

we know we can make a real difference through targeted research and COLO-SPEED is something we believe will be a world-leading model for prevention and early diagnosis research. We’re very grateful to everyone who has donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to help make it a reality.

“It is time that we used the research strength of the North East and collaboration with patients to make a significant impact upon bowel cancer and stop as many people as we can suffering from and dying from this disease.”

40,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year - and 16,000 people die from the disease (44 every day).

Rates vary substantially across England and are very high in the North East – men in this region have the highest bowel cancer incidence rates in England with women also in the upper half of incidence rates.

Survival rates for men and women in the North East are also amongst the lowest in the country and the survival rates in the UK are lower than in many other European countries.

“

We want to see research that used to take years happening within months.

And to make sure it becomes of benefit to patients quickly.

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Summer 2019

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

CHILDREN’S A&E SERVICES in South Tyneside are changing South Tyneside children who need emergency hospital treatment during the night will now have equal access to specialist consultant-led paediatric care.

From Monday 5th August, children’s A&E services at South Tyneside District Hospital will close every night at 10pm and reopen every morning at 8am.

Emergency care for children between 10pm at night and 8am in the morning will be provided by our Children’s Emergency Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital. There will be no changes to adult emergency care, which will continue to operate 24/7 at both hospitals.

Clinical Director and Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Geoff Lawson, said: “These important

changes to emergency paediatric care mean South Tyneside children will be seen much more promptly by the right healthcare professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This includes ready access to specialist paediatric consultants 24/7, which is something we have struggled to provide consistently in South Tyneside over many years.

“The changes to overnight emergency paediatric care will affect a very small number of children from South Tyneside but mean they will now have equal, round the clock access to specialist paediatric consultants if they are seriously ill or injured in the middle of the night.”

“

I would like to thank our staff in South Tyneside who have been fantastic in helping us prepare for these changes and will continue to play a vital role providing emergency care for children every day in South Tyneside.

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“Our prime concern is always the safety of children in our care and by pooling the significant experience and expertise of our clinical and nursing teams, this will greatly improve the resilience of our service for the long term.

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NEWS for YOU

Our next steps in the Path to Excellence journey

Emergency care and acute medicine

Emergency surgery and planned operations

Thank you to everyone who has shared their views on this important piece of work. We have now captured over 12,000 views from our colleagues, patients and the public.

To ensure that this feedback is given thorough consideration, the formal public consultation – led by the CCGs – is now

Clinical support services (radiology, therapies and pharmacy)

unlikely to start in late summer as originally anticipated.

This is to give our clinical service review design teams more time so that they can shape the best possible models of hospital care for the future. We hope to share a revised timeline with you soon.

Clinical Senate Review

Finance

A clinical senate review has also taken place to provide an independent expert assessment of our three ‘working ideas’ so far. A final report will be shared in the coming weeks.

To transform services in line with our three ‘working ideas’ we must first secure the capital funding, before any formal consultation can take place.

Working with partners

As well as pursuing all opportunities for national funding, we have also had very early informal discussions with our local authority partners about the potential to use Council borrowing powers to support the development of both local hospital sites.

We are working closely with our partners in County Durham to ensure that any proposals for the future of hospital services in South Tyneside and Sunderland fully consider the natural flow of our patients from Durham who already use our services in Sunderland.

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Planned care and outpatients

Whilst any formal business case is yet to be developed, both Councils are open to exploring opportunities for capital investment to help improve and develop facilities at both of our hospitals.

Summer 2019

Talking about our early conversation with the Council on capital funding, Ken Bremner, Chief Executive, said: “Our ambition is to create truly outstanding future hospital services and by working in partnership we have the potential to deliver major investment into local services.

“If the NHS is unable to support this funding at present, then we have entered into some discussions with local authority colleagues about whether they may be in a position to locally support this investment using their own borrowing powers. This would potentially help us secure better value for money for the taxpayer through much cheaper interest rates whilst also keeping the South Tyneside and Sunderland pound in the local area to make the very best use of resources.”

“By investing in our facilities we want to make them the very best places to work, the very best places to receive top quality care and treatment and attract staff who want to come and live and work here. This is all about making things better for patients, and enhancing, not downgrading, the services we offer.”

Staff intranet

For all the latest information on the Path to Excellence programme visit the intranet home page and click on the image shown above.

The path to

excellence

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NEWS for YOU

Say hello to our helicopter heroes…

Dave Bramley,

Dr Bramley, our Clinical Director for Emergency Care, Emergency Medicine Consultants Dr Dowson and Dr O’Donnell and Emergency Medicine Registrar Dr Allen form part of a team of doctors working with the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) providing PreHospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) to patients who need it most.

Racing to the scenes of emergencies via helicopter, our four flying doctors are able to treat patients with life-threatening injuries or illness, giving them advanced medical treatment immediately on scene.

Dave, who is Chief Medical Officer for GNAAS, said: “There are small numbers of very seriously injured patients who need immediate advanced interventions to prevent them from dying before they reach hospital.”

Entirely funded by charitable donations, GNAAS provides a vital service for people with critical injuries requiring air ambulance services across the North East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

In 2018, the service responded to 1,173 call outs, rescuing hundreds of severely injured or ill patients.

Sunderland Royal Hospital has been working with GNAAS since 2013 to provide specialist PHEM training to arm doctors with the skills they need to thrive in this complex and challenging area of patient care.

While it is incredibly rewarding, the job isn’t without its challenges. Phil, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, said it is something he has always wanted to do.

He said: “There are a huge number of challenges in the pre-hospital environment. It can be a very dynamic and dangerous environment, sometimes physically demanding as well as mentally.”

Dave added: “You see the worst things that happen in the region and often horrific injuries in all age groups. It is during these times that the amazing teamwork at GNAAS is essential.”

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It is incredibly rewarding to know your team has been able to deliver a critical intervention, without which the patient would have been declared dead at the roadside.

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Meet Dave Bramley, Phil Dowson, Philip O’Donnell and Kate Allen - a new breed of frontline emergency doctors who don’t wait for patients to arrive, but go to them… at 190mph.

Summer 2019

Phil Dowson, Philip O’Donnell and Kate Allen PHEM doctors work side-by-side with other emergency services, including the ambulance service, Hazardous Area Response Teams, Fire and Rescue services, Mountain Rescue teams, the RNLI, police firearms units, and the coastguard.

Phil commented: “They are a resilient bunch with a great sense of humour considering some of the extremely difficult and emotional environments they have to work in. Only since starting my job in the air ambulance did I realise the immense pressures our emergency services are under.”

While PHEM doctors can be called out to a variety of emergencies; medical or trauma, adult or paediatric, a typical call out would most likely be something trauma related.

Dave, explains: “A call will come in to the airdesk and the GNAAS paramedic on the desk within seconds will confirm we have a job and which of the two operational bases will be responding.

“The pilot, paramedic and doctor then go straight to the aircraft, aiming to be in the air within four minutes of the call coming in. We receive basic information about the job by radio, such as “RTC, female trapped, head and chest injuries” and talk through a basic plan.

Left to right, Kate Allen, Philip O’Donnell, Dave Bramley and Phil Dowson

“On landing we liaise with the emergency services already at the scene, then make and communicate a plan. We need to identify what needs to be done and where is best to do this, what is the best way to transport the patient to hospital and which is the most appropriate hospital.

“Following handover at hospital we carry enough equipment for a second job if required, or will otherwise return to base.”

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NEWS for YOU

Our new staff Governors ‘NHS Foundation Trust Governors are the individuals that bind a Trust to its patients, staff and local stakeholders’ NHS Improvement

Following the recent election process, our new staff governors for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust have been elected. The new governors took up their posts on 1st July 2019.

• Lindsey Downey Clinical Acute Patient Flow Manager and Night Matron based at Sunderland Royal Hospital • Simon Ayre Clinical Acute Wellbeing Practitioner (Health Checks Specialist) based at South Tyneside District Hospital • Mark Tull Clinical Community Safecare Lead and CBT Therapist based at Gateshead Health Centre • Bev Frankland Non Clinical Risk and Inquest Manager based at Sunderland Royal Hospital • Jennie Musgrave Non Clinical Patient Experience Facilitator based at South Tyneside District Hospital • Shahid Junejo Medical and Dental Consultant Cardiologist based at Sunderland Royal Hospital Their role will be to represent the views of local people about the Trust’s services and contribute to plans at Council of Governor meetings. Governors have a number of statutory duties, including the appointment of external auditors and holding the non-executive directors to account, the new governors’ terms of office will be for two to three years. The new governors will have their induction next month where they will meet some of the Trust’s Board.

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Summer 2019

MBE honour

for hospital Chaplain Linda Longstaff

We are extremely proud to announce that one of our hospital Chaplain’s, Linda Longstaff, has been named in the Queen’s 2019 Birthday Honours.

Linda, was nominated for an MBE after almost 30 years of service to the Catholic Church and for her much valued support of a range of community projects.

Following the birth of her three daughters, Linda became one of the first female Eucharistic Ministers at St Hilda’s Church in Southwick in 1985.

In 2002, Linda suffered two cardiac arrests and had to undergo triple heart bypass surgery. It was during her time in Sunderland Royal Hospital that she met Chaplain, Peter Webb who went on to offer her a job within the hospital Chaplaincy.

Linda has been in this role for the last 16 years and supports patients and their families in a range of situations, including end of life care, the loss of a baby or offering general visits and a listening ear.

Linda also works in the hospital’s Alexandra Unit, a therapy centre for patients with dementia and delirium. She provides weekly sessions with patients to tap into their memories and senses, including baking Christmas cakes and bringing boxes with popular childhood items. The therapy sessions have been a huge success with patients.

“

Words cannot describe how surprised I was to receive the letter confirming that I had been nominated for an MBE.

Commenting on her nomination, Linda said:

”At first I didn’t believe it, but once the initial shock had worn off I was deeply honoured to think that someone would consider me worthy of such a special accolade. I am privileged to be in a position to support people and provide some comfort when they need it most and very lucky to work with the Chaplaincy Team who have given me so much support. I am not sure that anything I have done can be classed as extraordinary, especially when you see the remarkable efforts of colleagues working across the Trust, but I am extremely grateful and humbled to be nominated and am very much looking forward to travelling to the palace.”

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NEWS for YOU

Excellence Reporting System Have you seen anything EXCELLENT today? lence l e c x E e h T ystem S g n i t r o Rep taff to enables s ague, e l l o c a e recognis r team o t n e m t r depa hing t e m o s g n for doi d as e v r e s b o they have

T N E L L E C X E

Let’s all ensure that the fantastic work which is going on every single day is recognised.

Great Care Superb Teamwork Going the extra mile

We can all learn from good practice and when things go well

Any staff member can submit an Excellence Report: • Trust’s intranet link • Call the Assurance Team South Tyneside staff ring 727142944 Sunderland staff ring ext 42944 • Email: assurance@chsft.nhs.uk

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Summer 2019

In the

spotlight...

Assurance Team

What does the team do?

The role of the Assurance Team is wide ranging, but includes providing an independent test of the Trust’s compliance against regulatory standards, co-ordination of CQC inspections and we also manage the Trust’s Integrated Risk Management System, Datix.

Where are you based?

What’s your teams’ proudest moment?

The team is based across both Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital.

In 2017, we launched Excellence Reporting across South Tyneside and Sunderland. Since then we have had 1000s of excellence reports from staff recognising their colleagues. We were really proud that this was recognised nationally when the initiative was chosen as one of the finalists at the National Patient Safety Congress Awards in July 2018.

What does an average day look like in your team?

The team is responsible for gathering a wide range of information from across the Trust, analysing the information and presenting it in reports. The new Datix system is in its infancy so the team is working hard to continually improve and develop it, with the objective to create a sophisticated risk management system for the Trust.

The administration of the Excellence Reporting system is carried out by our team. It is a real pleasure to read all of the wonderful things that staff do to go the extra mile for our patients, families and colleagues.

There is often a lot of multi-tasking – many of which are helped by the consumption of cake!

What is special about your team?

We are a small team made up of dedicated people who each have something special to offer. We are tenacious, hardworking and supportive of each other and those around us. We have a wide knowledge and skills base, which is imperative to our roles. We strive to work to get the job done and as a team we work really well together.

You can contact the team by calling:

South Tyneside staff ring 727142944 Sunderland staff ring ext 42944

What qualities do your team members have so they can do their job well?

We have a ‘can-do’ attitude, always keen to help others for the benefit of our patients and staff.

We are creative in coming up with new ways to promote Excellence Reporting (and think nothing of dressing up to help get the message across that it’s great to recognise colleagues when they do something exceptional).

Tell us something about a team member that most people don’t know?

Bev Taylor, our Assurance Programme Co-ordinator, is a local historian in her spare time. As well as writing regular local history articles for the Sunderland Echo, she is also putting the finishing touches to her first book which will be published later this year. The book looks into the history of the Maling Pottery in Sunderland and delves into the social history of those working there in the midnineteenth century.

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NEWS for YOU

Looking after your health and wellbeing Occupational Health and Wellbeing

As we dive into summer, the Health and Wellbeing Team is supporting a number of campaigns:

September

October

The campaign is open to all staff and will encourage you to have your blood pressure taken to identify any possible risk factors; provide advice to help you reduce risk and signpost you to relevant professionals if additional investigation is required.

The campaign focusses on women’s health issues, including; female prevalent cancers and menopause. Members of our wellbeing team will facilitate the event and there will be interactive activities for colleagues to take part in.

Know Your Numbers – Blood pressure checks

‘Here Come the Girls’ – Women’s health

Drop in sessions will be held on: • 9th September, 11am – 1.30pm in Alexander’s restaurant, South Tyneside District Hospital

Drop in sessions will be held on: • 21st October, 11am – 1pm in Alexander’s restaurant, South Tyneside District Hospital • 23rd October, 9am – 1pm in the staff restaurant, Sunderland Royal Hospital

• 10th September, 9am – 1pm in the staff restaurant, Sunderland Royal Hospital

Health & Wellbeing Checks

Childcare & Carer Support

Simon Ayre is the Trust’s Wellbeing Practitioner and carries Health & Wellbeing Checks for staff.

He holds regular clinics and will come out to teams, on request. He can be contacted on 0191 404 1241 or at simon.ayre@stft.nhs.uk

Susan Matheson is the Trust’s Carer Co-ordinator.

She offers advice, information and support to staff for any childcare or carer issue. She can be contacted on 0191 404 1242 or at susan. matheson@stft.nhs.uk

Ergonomic Assessments Clare Simpson is the Trust’s Clinical Ergonomic Specialist. She carries out workplace assessments for staff with complex musculoskeletal problems, whose function is affected and then makes recommendations for risk reducing control measures to help them remain at, or return to work (if they are currently off sick).

We need you to be a

flu champion!

The flu champions can be clinical or non-clinical. Clinical staff can vaccinate their colleagues, non-clinical champions promote the campaign and help to dispel myths surrounding the vaccination.

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If you are interested in becoming a flu champion, please contact Occupational Health at STDH (0191) 404 1130 or ext 1130.

Summer 2019

Happy Holidays Top travel tips from the Occupational Health Physio Team 1. Check list

4. Luggage

Passport…check 4 tickets… check sun cream…chec 4 k! 4

Making a list w ill help you plan, pack and reduce any pre-holiday pla nning/packing stress!

2. Travel in comfort velling on Whether you’re tra tomobiles, planes, trains or au ve a good, make sure you ha e. comfortable postur s support?

Lower back need el or jacket Roll up a small tow curve in and place it in the your spine. ill help you Drinking water w events jet concentrate and pr lag. !

Stretch regularly us aches Sitting still can give traveling. and pains during ear of Pain’ Read the ‘Drive Cl net. leaflet on the intra

3. Holiday clothes Wear something comfortable to travel in.

Many summer sandals and shoes have little foot support, so wear footwear suitable for your holiday activities. Flip flops are great around the pool, but definitely not for hitting a theme park in.

wheels to Use a suitcase that has rrying, reduce the amount of ca ck your pa or use a trolley. Try and rface, like a luggage on a higher su the amount bed or table, to reduce . of bending while packing r hand Try to use a backpack fo e weight luggage. It distributes th straps and evenly when using both r some keeps your hands free fo airport shopping! case to Or use a small wheeled carry. reduce what you have to

5. At the terminal/station/destination When removing items from a convey or belt, remove the case in the direction it is traveling in. It is much harder to move against the flow of cases.

Use trolleys or wheeled cases as mu ch as possible.

Don’t be afraid to ask others to help put things in overhead lockers if you are unable to reach or if it’s too heavy for you to lift above shoulder height.

Be aware of your posture when mo ving and handling luggage and equipment we move it more times than you think during our travels.

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NEWS for YOU

1st

Hand Hygiene Day was a showstopper From biscuits and buns to vanilla sponge – there were a few showstoppers at our Great South Tyneside and Sunderland Bake Off. In celebration of World Health Organisation Hand Hygiene Day on June 12, our Infection Prevention and Control Team asked colleagues to take part in a bake off.

The team wasn’t just looking for a traditional Victoria sponge, they asked colleagues to get creative and come up with a homemade cake, pie or confectionery that promoted hand hygiene. #TeamSTSFT did not disappoint, we have some incredible bakers working at the Trust.

2nd

Our very own Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood (Melanie Johnson and Dr Shaz Wahid) judged and announced the winners.

Congratulations to: 3rd

1st place – Shelagh Briggs, Discharge Nurse Facilitator at South Tyneside District Hospital 2nd place – Mark King, HCA B26 at Sunderland Royal Hospital 3rd place – Angela Smith, Community Midwife in South Tyneside

As well as the bake off, the team put on a full day event with singers, a hydration station, tea, coffee and cake and lots of information and freebies.

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Summer 2019

Ask the executives...

Liz Davies Head of Communications What is your role?

Head of Communications – I am professionally qualified in Public Relations, Marketing and Healthcare Communications.

What are the most important qualities you need to do it?

The ability to actively listen to what people are telling me and seeing things from different perspectives. It’s impossible to communicate well, if you don’t understand everyone’s point of view.

My job is to help build mutual understanding and trust between different groups of stakeholders and advise the Board on our communications and engagement strategy.

Why did you choose to do it?

I have always enjoyed writing (a key skill which is needed) and also love the creative aspect of the role. No two days are ever the same in communications – it’s a really fast-paced environment where you often have to react quickly, multi-task and stay calm under pressure.

I have the privilege of working with a whole range of different staff groups, patients, the public and key stakeholders – and we all have one thing in common which is our passion for the NHS.

What do you most like about it?

So many things. The variety of tasks and issues that come across my desk everyday. The challenge of communicating through complex changes in the NHS, as well as the constant cycle of political change. This year is my 10 year anniversary of working in the NHS and I am really proud to work with such fantastic people in South Tyneside and Sunderland.

What is your favourite film? Rocky What music do you like to listen to?

All sorts! So far my gig list this year has included The Spice Girls, Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams and Glastonbury (too many to list but Kylie Minogue was fab!)! I love the 80s, 90s and noughties and would be lost without my Spotify playlists.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Since November I’ve been doing the Elite transform programme in Durham and I’ve lost nearly three stone by exercising more and eating much better. I go to the gym three times a week and also love walking my sister’s whippet Lola. I am quite an active person and enjoy raising money for charity.

I’ve done four Great North Runs but this year I have taken a year off to do a Total Warrior assault course instead – 12k and 25 obstacles! A big thank you to colleagues who sponsored me!

What is your most prized possession?

My late Uncle John’s watch. He always said “we’re here for a good time not a long time” and in the words of Rocky Balboa “if you like having a good time then you need a good watch!”

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NEWS for YOU

#TeamSTSFT continues to grow

with the appointment of Consultants Philip O’Donnell and Philip Dowson

Our two ‘Dr Phils’ both work in the Emergency Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Dr Philip O’Donnell, 38, initially from East Yorkshire, trained at the Hull York Medical School.

He decided he wanted to work for the Trust after completing his emergency medicine training here.

He said: “I was inspired by the team and fitted in almost immediately. It was the first time I had worked outside of Yorkshire and I was welcomed, so I decided that I wanted to continue to work in such a positive team.”

One of Dr Philip Dowson’s first jobs as a Foundation Doctor was in the old Sunderland A&E. He explains: “I fell in love with the department instantly. We have most specialties onsite, a brand new well equipped department and I feel proud of the service we are able to provide to our patients.”

Becoming an emergency doctor is something that has always to appealed to both Philip’s. As a child, Dr O’Donnell joined the St John Ambulance as a cadet and learned first aid:

“

Being a specialist in emergency medicine is, to me, what being a doctor is all about. Knowing what needs to be done if someone is seriously ill in front of you, whatever that condition may be.

“

Year on year Emergency Departments across the country have become busier and our units in South Tyneside and Sunderland are no different.

Perhaps not surprisingly, both Consultants agree that the most difficult part of their job is managing their workloads.

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Left to right, Philip Dowson and Philip O’Donnell

Dr Philip Dowson commented: “The hardest part of the job is trying to find ways to ensure everybody still receives the same quality of care on those days when the department is fit to burst.”

Dr Philip O’Donnell added: “With an open door we have an ever increasing workload. Maintaining patient safety, patient satisfaction, good team morale and performance targets is challenging.”

However, both also agree that every day in the Emergency Department is different; which is why they both love their jobs so much!

Outside of work you can find Dr Philip O’Donnell spending time with his wife and children or volunteering as a Regional Youth Manager with St John Ambulance and as Team Doctor with Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team.

Dr Philip Dowson, who lives in Country Durham, spends most of his spare time running around after his kids. The rest of the time he can be found ether in the gym, out for a run or cycle at the coast.

Summer 2019

Introducing our

new matern ty service We are excited to be able to offer women across South Tyneside and Sunderland more choice on where to give birth.

From 5 August women with low risk, problem-free pregnancies will have the following options when considering where to have their baby: • giving birth at home • giving birth at our new midwifery-led birthing centre at South Tyneside District Hospital • giving birth under midwifery-led care at Sunderland Royal Hospital, which is within the consultant-led maternity unit • giving birth at another maternity unit of their choice

For women whose pregnancy is high risk, for example if they are expecting twins, if their baby is in the breech position, or if they have experienced complications, either in their current pregnancy or a previous pregnancy, they will be advised to give birth at our consultant-led maternity unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

All other aspects of planned local maternity services will stay the same, with pregnant women continuing to access the majority of antenatal and postnatal care locally, just as they do now, including all planned hospital appointments and community care.

Carly Oliphant and Shaun Johnstone have chosen our new midwifery-led birthing centre at South Tyneside District Hospital for the birth of their first child.

had a smooth pregnancy and am classed as low risk, that the birthing centre, where I’d get one-to-one care from a midwife, would be fine for me.

The decision on where to have their baby was carefully considered by Carly and Shaun, both 26.

“The midwives have all been lovely and I know I’ll be made to feel comfortable. We also really liked the idea that your partner can stay on after the baby is born. Once I knew everything, I was 100% sure that the birthing centre at South Tyneside was the right place for me.”

“We got an information pack through the post about the options available regarding where to give birth,” Carly added. “We talked it through with the midwives and they explained that, because I’ve

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NEWS for YOU

Welcome to our social circle…

At South Tyneside and Sunderland we have over 17,000 followers on our social media channels who we love to get social with!

Here’s just a small sample of what people have been saying over the last few months…

Debbie @Debbie________

AlisonJane Addison @ALIROB17 So pleased your neighbour is getting better and will be home soon. My mam is in South Tyneside District Hospital and the care she is receiving from the staff there is also exemplary can’t praise and thank them enough. We are so lucky to have our fantastic NHS.

Rocking Magpie @RockingMagpie 4 years ago, after 12 months of tests I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer; and thanks to @ProstateUK @STSFTrust #SunderlandRoyal & @NHSuk I’m still here to tell the tale. #Worthsaving

Emma Dawes @EmmaD_72

excellent care on Thank You @STSFTrust ED for se who initiated IVT & Mon. To the responsive nur ised my hubby was Consultant Kevin who recogn condition agreeing the expert in his long term over admission & rescue treatment & discharge cine #clinicalrisk investigation. #realisticmedi

Shona Jefferies RN @macshona Thank you to the amazing staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital @STSFTrust for looking after my sister @katperk82. Shout out to Kim Surgical Nurse Practitioner, Nurses on D42 & C30 your care was impeccable. Lots of appropriate hand hygiene seen #neveroffduty #nursesrock

Just wanted to say a thank you to the @NHSuk at Sunderland Royal hospital from the bottom of my heart. You’re all superheroes! @STSFTrust #thatsall #nhs #livelife #thankyou

LA62

Lesley Anderson @Lighthouse

on for a close Another emergency admissi st Excellent care Tru family member to @STSF ntre Team.

Ce al gic from A&E and the Sur professional. and ing Place spotless, staff car w.

Outstanding in my vie

Verity Ward @VerityWard_ Very impressed with @SouthTyneHosp today bairn jammed finger in conservatory door, lots of blood and screaming galore. They sorted her out in under 20 minutes. (Not broken phew).

So quick and fab staff! Good old NHS.

weezkee73 @weezkeez73 So that’s the wife’s chemo no.4 of 6 done.

Doing brilliantly, she amazes me every day.

Can’t say enough about the staff & volunteers at Phoenix Unit of @STSFTrust wonderful people doing fantastic job under very difficult conditions. Our journey continues... #breastcancerawareness

Laura Taylor @LLtaylormusic Spent today at various appointments with my 91 year old Grandma and I have to say that there are some really lovely, helpful, caring staff @STSFTrust

Join the conversation… @STSFTrust www.facebook.com/STSFTrust @STSFTrust 26

Summer 2019

Let’s talk about organ donation

“

Organ donation is a precious gift which demonstrates amazing generosity on behalf of donors and their families at an incredibly difficult time.

From spring 2020 all adults in England will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups*.

“

Dr Saeed Ahmed, our Renal Clinical Lead, presented at the ‘Let’s talk about organ donation’ event, which aimed to raise awareness of the new organ donation law coming into effect next year.

Dr Ahmed, who is the Renal Clinical Lead, said:

“Events such as these are very important in the light of the change in the law for organ donation which will take place next year. Only 37% of over 16s in England are currently aware that the law is changing so there is clearly a need to raise awareness among communities.

“Organ donation is a precious gift which demonstrates amazing generosity on behalf of donors and their families at an incredibly difficult time. Just one donor can save or transform up to nine lives through actual organ donation and can save and transform even more by donating tissue. With the change in the law, it is now more important than ever that people make their choice about whether or not to donate, and that they pass their decision on to those closest to them.”

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation. It is quick and easy to join, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk Dr Saeed Ahmed, Renal Clinical Lead

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Hopper bus

Have you tried the shuttle bus service?

South Tyneside District Hospital

The service is...

• A direct and regular link between South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital • Throughout the day - Monday - Friday (Except Bank Holidays) • Free of charge

A shuttle bus service will leave from...

Hopper bus

South Tyneside District Hospital Harton Wing Main Entrance

&

Sunderland Royal Hospital Surgical Day Case, Entrance 9

Hopper bus

at the following times...

Timetable First bus 7.30am

then every 30 mins

last bus 5:30pm

(Note: two shuttle buses will be running at the same time departing from each main hospital site).

For information please contact: Transport Department Sunderland Royal Hospital 0191 5656256 ext 42155

@STSFTrust

www.facebook.com/STSFTrust

Sunderland Royal Hospital

@STSFTrust