News for You - Winter 2019

Winter 2019 South Tyneside and Sunderland

NHS Foundation Trust

NEWS YOU E WISH YOU for

W

A

STAFF MAGAZINE

NEWS for YOU

Content page

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page A welcome message from our Chief Executive

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page All in a day’s work - Dr Saeed Ahmed

18 Meet your staff governors

introduction of 04 Successful 12 News round up MEDITECH at South Tyneside

19 Our social circle...

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Ryan Swiers Public Health Consultant

equality and 20 Promoting celebrating diversity

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Meet our freedom to speak up guardian and ambassadors

precious gift: 13 Aorgan donation

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In the spotlight South Tyneside Community Integrated Team

07 Honouring war heroes

after your 15 Looking health and wellbeing

08 Spread facts not flu

16 of triple crown

bubble bugs 10 Hubble cause trouble

the executives...

17 Ask Alison King

wonderful 22 It’stimetheofmost the year...

24 Dates for your diary

Hospital friends are holders

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

Head of Corporate Affairs & Legal, Trust Secretary & Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

Steve Jamieson

Head of Communications

Director of Information Management & Technology

Director of Performance

Director of Estates & Facilities

Chief Executive

Why not join in with a little festive fun by finding our Christmas elves who are hidden in the pages throughout the magazine.

@STSFTrust

www.stsft.nhs.uk 2

www.facebook.com/STSFTrust @STSFTrust

Winter 2019

Welcome from Ken

to the Winter edition of NEWS for YOU!

With Christmas around the corner and winter already here, I wanted to share my sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone working across our Trust for everything you do.

2019 has been a momentous year for our ve Chief Executi organisation.

Ken Bremner, MBE We became South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) on 1 April 2019 and I am so proud of the way staff have embraced the merger and the enthusiasm and positivity I see everyday as we grow together as #OneTeamOneTrust.

This year has also marked the start of our new service models in maternity, with the opening of our new Midwifery-Led Birthing Centre and changes to overnight emergency care for children in South Tyneside. Thank you to all those staff who continue to make these important changes such a success.

At the same time as we’ve managed all of the work to align our systems and processes within STSFT, operationally we’ve also seen one of the busiest years I have ever known in my career.

The pressures on the NHS are now all year round and this is not just for us here in South Tyneside and Sunderland, but across the whole region and country. Every year, more and more patients need our help and the demands on our services, and our staff, are relentless.

This increase in demand is across all parts of our Trust, from our Emergency Departments and back

of house wards, out in the community and in our specialist services including Sunderland Eye Infirmary. We are also now feeling the impact of seasonal viruses and colder weather and I would urge all staff who have not received the annual flu jab to do so as soon as possible. The flu vaccine is the best form of defence we have against a wholly preventable illness. You’ll find some helpful information on page 8.

I know just how hard you are all working to give our patients the very highest quality of care and experience. It is down to each and every one of you and the individual contributions you make, every single day that means we continue to withstand many of the pressures against us. Thank you for your enthusiasm, passion and dedication to delivering safe patient care, day-in, day-out.

Please do support each other in every way you can as we manage the busy winter months ahead.

I know that many of you will be working over the festive period and I hope you find some time to take a very well-deserved rest and celebrate Christmas with your loved ones. If you haven’t already attended one of our “Mince Pies and Coffee with the Executive Team” sessions please do try to get along to one – the remaining dates are on the back of this magazine.

With very best wishes for a happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

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 3

NEWS for YOU

Successful introduction of MEDITECH at South Tyneside

In October we installed a new patient electronic record system at South Tyneside District Hospital – most of you will know this as MEDITECH. The implementation was a huge undertaking for our colleagues. There was a lot of learning involved for new users but our teams embraced the challenge and coped extremely well.

Implementing MEDITECH in South Tyneside, is one of our initiatives to transform our digital systems and become paper-free at the point of care. MEDITECH, which is already operational in Sunderland, is helping us to greatly enhance patient safety, outcomes, quality and organisational efficiency.

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Our Trust is a Global Digital Exemplar (GDE) organisation which means it is one of the most digitally advanced Trusts in the country. GDE gives us the opportunity to accelerate our clinical IT strategy, achieving the ambition of being ‘paperfree at the point of care’ by 2020.

We would like to again thank everyone at South Tyneside District Hospital and at Sunderland Royal Hospital who was involved in the successful implementation. This has been a fantastic example of team working across our new Trust.

Winter 2019

Meet Ryan Swiers

our new Consultant in Public Health

We have appointed a Consultant in Public Health to further our ambitions to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent disease, protect and improve general health and improve healthcare services for the local population.

Ryan Swiers will work across South Tyneside and Sunderland to help the Trust to tackle major issues such as smoking, alcohol and obesity, as well as other subjects including antimicrobial resistance, pathways of care and the health and wellbeing of our own staff.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, along with others in the North East, is pioneering the introduction of the post of Consultant in Public Health, which in other parts of the country often sits with local authorities.

Ryan has considerable experience in Public Health working with NHS Trusts, local authorities, Public Health England and NHS England on a wide range of topics including cancer surgery, health economics and health provision for 0-19-yearolds. He also spent time in Rwanda in Africa focusing on HIV prevention and he worked in a hospital in Sydney, Australia, where he focused on the health of the Aboriginal population.

He chose to specialise in Public Health because he felt it gave him the opportunity to help to influence major change for the benefit of a large number of people.

Medical Director Dr Shaz Wahid said: “The NHS

Long Term Plan makes it clear that the NHS must get serious about prevention and, consequently, as well as providing world-class healthcare services, our Trust is committed to reducing the current, unacceptable gaps in life expectancy for people living in different parts of South Tyneside and Sunderland. It is important to us to have our own Consultant in Public Health to help us to progress our ambitious plans regarding prevention so we are very pleased to welcome Ryan who will be invaluable as we work with our local communities to prevent ill-health in the first place, which is equally as important as treating people when they become unwell.”

Ryan said: “South Tyneside and Sunderland

NHS Foundation Trust covers some of the most deprived areas of the country which presents challenges but also offers exciting opportunities to make a real difference to the lives of local people. I am looking forward to playing a part in that.”

Ryan can be contacted via email: ryan.swiers@nhs.net

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NEWS for YOU

Raising Concerns Freedom to Speak Up

MEET OUR FREEDOM TO SPEAK UP GUARDIAN AND AMBASSADORS We want our staff in South Tyneside and Sunderland to feel comfortable raising any concerns they may have so, if you are worried or have a concern about something that is happening at work, please do not keep it to yourself.

Unless you tell us about your concern – whether it is about patient care, health and safety, a breach of a professional code or other wrongdoing - then we may not find out about it until it is too late. The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian and team of Ambassadors are here to listen to your concerns, openly, or confidentially and will take these forward.

Kerry Conroy Risk Manager/ FTSU Ambassador Email: Kerry.conroy@chsft.nhs.uk

Lindsey Downey Patient Flow Coordinator – Bed Manager/ FTSU Ambassador Email: Lindsey.downey@chsft.nhs.uk

Mark Tull Safe Care Lead (Central Sector) / FTSU Ambassador Email: mark.tull@stft.nhs.uk

James Hughes Administrator, Wheelchair Services/ FTSU Ambassador Email: James.Hughes@stft.nhs.uk

Catherine Fisher, Librarian/ FTSU Ambassador Email: Catherine.fisher@chsft.nhs.uk

Andrea Hetherington Freedom to Speak Up Guardian Email: FreedomToSpeakUp@chsft.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 565 6256 ext 42168

Pat Bealing Chaplain/ FTSU Ambassador Email: patbealing@outlook.com Stewart Hindmarsh Non Executive Director, Lead for Freedom to Speak Up

Simon Ayre Wellbeing Practitioner (Health Checks Specialist)/ FTSU Ambassador Email: Simon.ayre@stft.nhs.uk

Peter Webb

Bev Frankland

Chaplain/ FTSU Ambassador Email: Peter.webb@chsft.nhs.uk

Risk and Inquest Manager/ FTSU Ambassador Email:Beverley.frankland@chsft.nhs.uk

Kay Hodgson Risk Manager/ FTSU Ambassador Email: Kay.hodgson@chsft.nhs.uk

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Dr Shahid Junejo Consultant Cardiologist/ FTSU Ambassador Email: Shahid.junejo@chsft.nhs.uk

Winter 2019

Our colleagues honour war heroes

at remembrance services across the region

As a forces friendly organisation, we are incredibly proud that our employee reservists, employee veterans and other colleagues were involved in Remembrance Sunday events across the region.

Karen Crammond, Safe Care Lead, of our Specialist Palliative Care Services in Sunderland, took part in a Remembrance Day parade in Sunderland.

She has 22 years military service as a reservist with 201 Northern Field Hospital and has toured Iraq. She retains her link with the Armed Forces by working as an Adult Cadet Volunteer undertaking the role of Medical Support Officer (MSO).

HR Manager Brian HughesMundy, served for 24 years as a soldier and was deployed on a number of military operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and the Falkland Islands.

Occupational Therapists Rachel Belk (right) and Mel Cooke-Dunlop (left), participated in the War Horse Remembrance Service and Ride at Wynyard Hall on Remembrance Sunday. The event was a service, parade and ride to commemorate the sacrifice of the Armed Forces and acknowledge the lives of those lost, both human and animal. All money raised on the day was split between the Household Cavalry Foundation and Here4Horses.

On Remembrance Sunday Colonel Ben Banerjee, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, laid wreaths at Birtley and Whitley Bay in his role as Deputy to the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear. Colonel Banerjee’s 30 years of military service has included operational tours of Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Two of our colleagues were involved in a Remembrance Parade with the 201 Northern Field Hospital.

Major Kelly Bennet, Officer Commanding the Detachment (centre of the front row in picture below) is a Patient Flow Co-ordinator and Night Matron and Corporal Alex Cairns (centre of the second row) is a Junior Emergency Practitioner in Sunderland.

Kelly has been in the reserves for 15 years and has undertaken two tours in Afghanistan.

Although Alex has not yet been deployed on operations she has valuable training as a soldier and a nurse. She was recently awarded a silver medal in one of the world’s toughest patrol exercises – Cambrian Patrol. The exercise, held annually in the Brecon Beacons, is mentally and physically demanding and tests all the basic military skills of a modernday soldier, enhancing leadership ability and levels of endurance and determination.

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NEWS for YOU

Spread facts not flu

– the flu vaccine saves lives

Misinformation online and on social media can influence the decisions that people make about vaccines particularly the flu jab.

We often hear people saying ‘the flu jab gave me flu’ or ‘it’s nothing a bit of Vitamin C can’t fix’ but having the flu jab is the best defence against flu that you can get.

What is flu?

Influenza, commonly known as the ‘flu’, is an extremely contagious respiratory illness. It’s caused by influenza A, B or C viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:

We want to spread facts not flu, and as we are now in flu season it’s important to understand why getting the flu jab is vital, not only for ourselves but for our patients too.

a sudden fever – a temperature of 38C or above

Flu or cold?

feeling tired or exhausted

A bad bout of flu is much worse than a heavy cold. Flu symptoms come on suddenly and sometimes severely. Unlike the common cold, a case of flu can lead to a life-threatening illness such as pneumonia.

an aching body

Z

Z

Z

a dry cough a sore throat a headache difficulty sleeping loss of appetite diarrhoea or tummy pain feeling sick and being sick

Time to get your annual flu jab Help protect yourself, your family and your patients.

8Simon Ayre, Wellbeing Practitioner South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Get your free flu jab

Adele Marston, Safe Care Lead /CBD Therapist South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Winter 2019

About the flu jab

Why should you get the flu jab?

The flu vaccine stimulates your immune system to make antibodies to attack the flu virus that has invaded your body.

Flu vaccination is the single best defence against what can be a serious illness. The impact of flu on frail and vulnerable patients can be fatal and outbreaks can cause severe disruption in hospitals, care homes and the local community.

It can take up to 14 days to build up your immunity after the vaccine. If you’re exposed to the flu virus after this your immune system will recognise it and immediately produce antibodies to fight it.

As healthcare professionals we have a duty of care to do everything in our power to protect our patients against infection. By getting the flu jab, you are preventing the spread of flu, to fellow colleagues and, most importantly, our patients.

Myth busting There are a lot of myths surrounding the flu jab, so here are the facts: 1. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu - the injected flu vaccine given to adults contains T C inactivated flu viruses, so it cannot give you FA flu.

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2. Flu cannot be treated with antibiotics T - flu is caused by viruses. Antibiotics only C FA work against bacteria.

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CT

3. You need to have the flu vaccine every year - the viruses that cause flu can change every year, so you need a vaccination that matches the new viruses each year.

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FA

CT

4. Healthy people can also get the flu Everyone is susceptible to flu, even if you are in good health and eat well.

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FA

5. Vitamin C cannot prevent flu - many people think that taking daily vitamin C CT supplements will stop them getting flu, but A F there’s no evidence to prove this.

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6. Just because you’ve ‘never had flu’ doesn’t mean you’ll never get flu – anyone can get the flu. You can even be infected with the virus and have no symptoms but can still pass flu virus to others.

CT

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FA

Take care of others by taking care of yourself If you work with patients, it’s time to get your annual flu jab

Thushara Jayanth, Staff Nurse - renal South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Get your free flu jab

9 Philippa Hall, Staff Nurse - Urology South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

NEWS for YOU

Hubble Bubble Bugs

Cause Trouble

From creepy catwalks to fang-tastic freebies, our Infection Prevention Control team did a brilliant job carving out fun at this year’s Halloween educational event.

Over 90 members of staff attended the halfday session in preparation for the colder months and learned everything from how to prevent spreading germs, to managing winter-related diseases such as flu.

Colleagues enjoyed a live performance of the ‘Flu Song’ sang by our Operating Department Practitioner, Lee Stewart. The I-Hydrate station also went down a treat, where teams drank devilish drinks whilst learning about the importance of hydration.

The highlight of the day was the highly anticipated ‘Personal Pumpkinfection Prevention’ competition.

Our teams were tasked with putting their fab-boolous carving skills to the test, to create a pumpkin that promoted Personal Protective Equipment.

The competition was incredibly close and our Deputy Medical Director, Dr Paul McAndrew, did a spook-tacular job judging the entrants.

Congratulations to our winners: 1st place - Abbey Smith, Rachael Taylor and Marilyn Trainor, Chester Outpatient Department 2nd place - James Chauhan, Ward F62 3rd place - Vikki King and Jennifer McClean, PREP

Winter 2019

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK Dr Saeed Ahmed is Clinical Director for Medical Specialities and Consultant in Renal Medicine and General Physician based between South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital. He is the Clinical Lead for Renal Medicine and his main role involves clinical work and teaching.

My day starts… by getting to the gym early in the morning followed by clinical work.

My typical day… can be hectic at times due to fitting in meetings around the clinical workload. I enjoy the challenge that every day brings and working in an enthusiastic team.

I do a combination of outpatient clinics and ward work and interventional work in fluoroscopy.

Many of my patients are longterm and over the years I have developed close working relationships with people. For example I have attended funerals of many long-term dialysis patients when they have sadly passed away.

I got my job… in 2007.

I thought back then and still do, that we have the best Renal Unit in the North East.

My most memorable moment… is going to

Outside of work you will find me… spending time with

Buckingham Palace with one of my patients who received an MBE that I had nominated him for. He was a long-term patient in the Renal Unit who had done a lot of work for charity and actually created his own holiday dialysis unit at Haggerston Castle for other patients to benefit from. Sadly, he passed away a few years later.

the family and I’m involved in some local community work with a couple of small charities.

I also like to run to stay fit.

The hardest part of my job… is switching off. I am always thinking about how I can continue to improve patient care.

The best part of my job… is working in a team of great individuals and making new friends and colleagues. I also like working with innovation and development and seeing how we can improve processes to make the patient journey more efficient and caring. I really like to hear about care received from a patient perspective.

Something most people don’t know about me… that many years ago I was on TV as a Junior Doctor at St James University Hospital in Leeds back in 1996. We were chosen from that particular year of newly qualified junior doctors, but the TV career didn’t work out so I stayed on to become a ‘proper doctor’!

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NEWS for YOU

News round up Prestigious new role for

Dr Joanne Patterson

At the end of October we said goodbye to Dr Joanne Patterson, one of our speech and language therapists, who left the Trust to take up an exciting new post as the Professor of Speech and Language at the University of Liverpool.

Joanne has been an inspiration to her colleagues while being so humble about her own achievements, always putting patients at the centre of everything she does.

Dr Patterson’s research has gained her an international reputation as well as influencing clinical practice today.

Congratulations Joanne we are incredibly proud of you and wish you lots of luck for the next stage in your career.

New service for

South Tyneside spinal patients

For the first time our spinal patients who live in South Tyneside now have the benefit of a service on their doorstep.

Two consultant-led outpatient clinics a month are now held at South Tyneside District Hospital for patients referred by their GP, or requiring follow-up after treatment for a back problem or injury. As well as the consultant, patients also have the support of a multi-disciplinary team including radiologists, orthopaedic practitioners and physiotherapists.

Patients requiring injections for pain relief or diagnostic purposes are also able to attend the hospital for the procedure, returning home after a few hours. Major spinal surgery is still carried out at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

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NEWS

Wool you help

patients with dementia?

Our Emergency Department colleagues at Sunderland are making an urgent appeal for keen knitters to make ‘twiddle muffs’ for patients with dementia.

The knitted muffs have items such as beads, buttons, zips and ribbons attached and can help to reduce anxiety and restlessness, as well as provide stimulation for patients with dementia by keeping their hands occupied.

Sister Michelle Carfoot, dementia link in the ED at Sunderland, said: “Twiddle muffs are a simple but invaluable aid to calm our patients with dementia who can find the busy, clinical atmosphere when they come into hospital rather overwhelming.

“We need a constant supply of them as they can only be used for one patient. They cannot be reused for another because of our strict infection prevention and control procedures. Consequently, we are always looking for volunteers to make them.”

Anyone who would like to help can contact michelle.carfoot@chsft.nhs.uk

Communications Team

has the golden touch

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards celebrate excellence across the North East. Our Communications Team were among the 2019 winners and took Gold for the best ‘Internal Communications’ campaign for the ‘Stronger Together’ merger work and Silver for the best ‘Healthcare’ campaign #NoBedLikeHome.

They were also shortlisted for best use of social media and best low budget campaign.

Winter 2019

A precious gift: organ donation Every year around 1,400 people across the UK give the gift of life to another person by donating their organs when they die.

Despite this, three people die every day in the UK because they need an organ and, heartbreakingly, there are over 6,000 people anxiously waiting for a life changing transplant.

Should a heart, liver or other vital organ become available at either South Tyneside District Hospital or Sunderland Royal Hospital, it will be Specialist Organ Donation Nurse Michelle Pearson (pictured) who will step in to facilitate the transfer.

Michelle and her other colleagues across the region are embedded within local hospitals and provide a 24/7, 365 on call service to coordinate organ donation for transplantation when someone has died in critical care.

Their job is to work collaboratively with critical care staff to promote organ donation as part of end-of-life care for the 1% of people who die in circumstances where they can donate.

Michelle has been in her current role for seven and a half years and speaks passionately about those who ‘give life through their donation decision’ – whether that’s the donor themselves and their express wish, or the families who make that choice.

A key part of her role is helping families navigate the donation process. She provides practical help to co-ordinate all end-of-life care wishes, such as talking to chaplains, arranging keepsakes, handprints and more.

A former staff nurse on Sunderland’s intensive care unit for 12 years, Michelle describes her current role as ‘demanding, but incredibly rewarding’.

She said: “I am here to support families

through the organ donation process and ensure that all those who die in circumstances where they are able and want to donate organs for transplant are given the opportunity to do so.

The courage of our donor families is amazing - they are amazing people. When they are losing a loved one and making an incredibly difficult decision, to think about helping someone else is incredible - they keep me going.”

From spring 2020, organ donation in England will move to an ‘opt out’ system. This means that all adults in England will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate, or are in one of the excluded groups.

Organ donation can’t minimise the grief felt by those left behind when somebody dies, but it can provide comfort to know that a loved one has offered a fellow human being another chance at life through the gift of donation.

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In the

spotlight...

South Tyneside Community Integrated Team

What does the team do?

We are a team of professionals providing care to house bound patients in the community in South Tyneside. The team includes district nurses, community staff nurses, healthcare assistants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, palliative care specialist nurses and community matrons. The care we provide to patients is a team approach with the appropriate professional providing care depending on the patient’s needs.

Where are you based?

We are is based within Clarendon in Hebburn.

What does an average day look like in your team?

We provide care to patients in many ways, providing home visits to housebound patients for a range of care needs from palliative care, end-of-life-care to wound care. We also carry out district nurse clinics seeing patients for complex wound care. The therapy teams which include occupational therapists and physiotherapists, offer a same day urgent visit.

Our team of care professionals are able to respond to crisis calls by having a multi-disciplinary team approach which enables patients to remain at home preventing hospital admissions.

It might get busy at times but we always give 100% to our patients and work together to ensure safe care.

What is special about your team?

We adopt an integrated approach to go the extra mile for the most vulnerable patients in our community. Ensuring they are safe and cared for to the best of our ability.

You can contact the South Tyneside team by calling: South area 01912831381 East area 01912831073 West area 01912831071 14

What’s your teams’ proudest moment?

In 2018, the district nursing integrated teams supported our health care assistants to gain their care certificate and become competent and confident in administrating insulin to our diabetic patients. This not only broadened their skills but gave great support to our community staff nurses.

Feedback from the health care assistants is really positive and they really enjoy this part of their role. Furthermore we have developed the assistant practitioner nurse role and recently employed an assistant practitioner nurse within the team.

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

As an integrated team we have a strong work ethos. We work closely together to provide better patient outcomes and also to improve patient experiences. Our friends and family survey results show we are a very caring team of professionals and 100% of patients said they would recommend us to their friends and family.

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

One of our dedicated healthcare assistants Dawn Davidson (pictured) has recently joined a local choir following a recommendation from a patient. The choir is called, Harton Harmonisers and they are putting on a special Christmas concert in December.

Winter 2019

Looking after your health and wellbeing Top Tips from Santa’s Helper ‘Buddy’ on How to Stay ‘H-elfy’ This Winter a

Sant

The outfit

The list

Whether you’re Christmas carolling with friends or helping a patient in the community, it’s important to wrap up warm this winter. By doing so, you’re more likely to stand tall, as opposed to being hunched over, which is great for your posture.

Top tip: ‘yule’ be warmer wearing lots of thin layers, as opposed to one thick one!

While you’re making your shopping lists (and checking them twice), make sure to keep plenty of time free in your diary to enjoy the festivities, such as surprising family or visiting local Christmas markets.

If your list is as long as Santa’s, break down bigger tasks into smaller chunks e.g. posting cards and wrapping gifts and do one at a time. This way you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed, which is far better for your mental health.

The shoes Slips, trips and falls are ‘snow’ joke, so make sure to wear suitable footwear throughout the festive season. Flat, non-slip shoes are a must when Christmas shopping and sturdy wellington boots will help keep your feet dry in the snow.

High heels can change your posture and may give you aches and pains. So, take a spare pair of footwear if you’re planning on dancing the night away at your Christmas party.

The sack Years of helping Santa deliver his presents has made Buddy a seasoned pro at carrying heavy loads.

Where possible, try to carry weight evenly on your back using a backpack. This will also prevent your circulation being cut off by carrying multiple carrier bags.

SAVE

DATE 15

Dear

THE

The gifts Christmas is about your presence not your presents, so try not to spend too much time stressing about wrapping gifts. Buddy ‘sleighs’ wrapping by doing a few at a time and not leaving everything until Christmas Eve! Dedicate a table or a bench to wrap your presents on, as opposed to doing so on your bed or the floor, as this will help maintain your posture. It’s also important to take regular breaks to avoid back and neck ache. Buddy recommends a good stretch to Mr Christmas himself, Michael Bublé!

Employee Benefits Day This year we are holding two events one at South Tyneside District Hospital and the other at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

They will take place on the following dates:

On the day you will be able to get lots of information on health, wellbeing and staff benefits and services available to you!

South Tyneside District Hospital: Tuesday 7th April 2020

We also have tons of freebies and great prizes to give away.

Sunderland Royal Hospital: Monday 4th May 2020

Don’t miss out! Make sure you save the date and we hope to see you there.

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NEWS for YOU

Hospital Friends are holders of triple crown The League of Friends at South Tyneside Hospital are celebrating a fantastic year of well-deserved recognition.

comforts for patients in local hospitals. In March 1981, the group’s name changed to the League of Friends of South Tyneside Hospitals.

They followed up a win in the ‘Unsung Hero’ category in the Shields Gazette and Sunderland Echo Best of Health Awards, with the ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ title in the Gazette’s Best of South Tyneside Awards. Making up a hat-trick of award successes, Maureen Young was honoured with the Mayor of South Tyneside’s ‘Civic Award’ for her work with the League spanning more than 30 years. Maureen, who was the charity’s chairperson for five years, has played a key role, along with other volunteers, in raising money.

Josie Wigham, current chairperson, said:

“We are delighted and touched to have received this recognition. All of our members are volunteers who give their time willingly and want nothing more than to support patients and staff in our local NHS.” The League of Friends is one of the oldest voluntary organisations in the NHS, having been founded in 1948 – the same year the NHS was formed. It began with a group of kind-hearted people from the South Tyneside area getting together to form the South Shields Voluntary Aids Association, with each member paying a one shilling membership fee. The aim was to provide

Pictured: Fundraiser of the Year award presentation Photo courtesy of the Shields Gazette www.shieldsgazette.com

Over the years, volunteers have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to provide local patients and staff with extra comforts and equipment. Most of the money raised comes from the shop in the Ingham Wing main entrance of South Tyneside District Hospital, which they run themselves.

Recent donations have included: £4,600 for machines which deliver oxygen via a nasal tube to patients who struggle with their breathing; more than £4,000 for a blanket warmer to keep older patients warm, and nearly £6,000 for state-of-the art equipment which is revolutionising the way many patients are weighed.

Winter 2019

Ask the executives...

Alison King Director of Performance What is your role?

I am Director of Performance for the Trust which involves providing assurance to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Board that any risks to achievement of national performance targets are raised and risks are mitigated where possible.

My teams also process and check the quality of all of our data before making this available within the Trust in reports and dashboards.

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

You need to be proactive and inquisitive with a real drive to get to the bottom of issues as some of the work we do involves understanding the reasons why we aren’t achieving targets or why the data looks a certain way. It is really important to be positive and engaging and have a drive to make improvements as well as being resilient and sometimes needing to challenge.

Why did you choose to do it?

It was an opportunity that came up which I thought I would enjoy and I could bring my skills and experience to – it was never an active choice!

What is your favourite film?

‘Maid of Honor’ as I’m a big rom-com fan. Elf is my favourite Christmas film.

What music do you like to listen to?

Any pop music – from Ed Sheeran to Calvin Harris.

I always have music on at home and in the car. My daughter and I enact our own version of James Cordon’s Carpool Karaoke every time we are in the car!

What are your hobbies and interests?

In my free time I go to the gym and fitness classes. At weekends I enjoy eating out, cooking or relaxing and watching films. I love to travel and visit new places whenever I can – I love a mini break!

What do you most like about it?

What is your most prized possession?

My job is so varied - performance touches so many areas of the Trust and I get involved in so many different things which I really enjoy. I like the challenge of identifying an issue, understanding why it has happened and supporting teams to improve or resolve it.

That is a really difficult question! I don’t have many possessions which have sentimental value so, after my children (of course), the things I would save in a fire would be my favourite handbag and a bracelet that I’ve had for nearly 20 years.

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NEWS for YOU

MEET YOUR...

NEW STAFF GOVERNORS Our elected staff governors work on your behalf to represent staff interests.

Please get in touch with your staff governor to: • give your views on how services can be improved • share ideas and suggestions to enhance patient care or the working lives of staff • Let them know what you think our Trust should offer

CLINICAL ACUTE

Simon Ayre Wellbeing Specialist Practitioner South Tyneside District Hospital Email: simon.ayre@stft.nhs.uk

Lindsey Downey Patient Flow Manager and Night Matron Sunderland Royal Hospital Email: lindsey.downey@chsft.nhs.uk

NON CLINICAL

Bev Frankland Risk and Inquest Manager Sunderland Royal Hospital Email: bev.frankland@chsft.nhs.uk

Jennifer Musgrave Deputy Directorate Manager Perioperative and Critical Care Sunderland Royal Hospital Email: jennifer.musgrave@stft.nhs.uk

CLINICAL COMMUNITY

Mark Tull Safe Care Lead (Central Sector)/ CBT Therapist Gateshead Health Centre Email: mark.tull@stft.nhs.uk

MEDICAL AND DENTAL

Shahid Junejo Consultant Cardiologist Sunderland Royal Hospital Email: Shahid.junejo@chsft.nhs.uk

HOW DO I CONTACT MY STAFF GOVERNOR? You can contact your staff governor by email or visit a drop in session.

Details can be found on the staff intranet.

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Winter 2019

Welcome to our social circle‌ 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 Claire Marie @clai

remarie75

Sharon Stothard @sharstothard Outstanding care as always from surgical dayc are unit @STSFTrust Sunderland. Caring, friendly and reassuringly efficient. Thank you (again!)

gill @handbagwarrier

ply fab Thank you @STSFTrust for being sim noscopy. colo today during my endoscopy and Lovely caring staff

A big thank you to @STSFTrust MRI Un it at Sunderland Roya l. Friendly staff w ho reassured my daughter and explained what w as happening throughout the sc an. Great patient experience.

Anne Hill @HillLamby

this month @STSFTrust after 3 admissions the care my for my family all I can say is been first class. son and I have received has S colleagues Huge thanks to my fellow NH the Surgical especially A&E Ward 9 and team and X Ray Centre theatres anaesthetic & all support staff

David Duffy @daviduffy75 @FreemanHospital & south Tyneside hospital.

Thankyou so much to all the drs, nurses & staff for saving my mams life this morning!! Your awesomeness grows and grows!! Dxxx

rit1

Michael Fowler @voyagersp

ches removed after a @STSFTrust Just had my stit y at Sunderland Eye very successful blepharoplast to Miss Chapman and Infirmary. A big thank you her team. #NHS at it’s best.

BIG PINK DRESS @bigpinkdressgnr It’s just hit me tonight If it wasn’t for the amazing Doctors and Nurses at @STSFTrust Especially ward 6 Who knows what would of happened I owe them so much Only 16 weeks ago I was in hospital talking to the Heart failure nurse Truly amazing selfless staff @PrideOfBritain

Andrew Donkin @crowdpleaser In @STSFTrust #Sunderland hospital today finall y having my nose fixed after years of putting it off as I’m a coward. đ&#x;¤Ľ I’ll be able to breathe properly now đ&#x;‘ƒ The staff are awesome, the #NHS is awesome and @DrLynneH is even awesomer (real word ) than normal #Thanks everyone

AnnaOccHealth @OccHealthAnna Husband just out of emergency surgery at @ STSFTrust - thanks to all staff at STDH who have looked after him so far xx

Julie @juwjuw02 Well my night turned out spending few hours in A&E with James came off his scooter and broke his elbow in 2 places but he was so brave thank you to the staff at Sunderland royal hospital for looking after him and making him feel at ease!

Join the conversation‌ @STSFTrust www.facebook.com/STSFTrust @STSFTrust 19

NEWS for YOU

Promoting equality

celebrating

As a healthcare organisation, we want to celebrate and encourage the diversity that exists in South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and within our local community.

We want to listen to and learn from each other about the things that matter, so that people will feel valued and appreciated.

That’s why we are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusive practices. We want to find ways to improve our services to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our people – our colleagues and our patients.

In light of this our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Phillipa Poole joined the Trust in July and is focussing on a number of key areas.

diversity

• Equality Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group The first Equality Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group meeting took place in October 2019.

The purpose of the steering group is to provide proactive support, evidence-based feedback, guidance, assurance and governance for the Trust Board to ensure that the organisation is committed to implementing equality and diversity activities across the Trust.

• NHS Rainbow Badge

Have you signed our NHS Rainbow Badge pledge?

• Equality Diversity and Inclusion Strategy This will outline our public commitment to ensure we meet the needs and wishes of local people, including our staff, and meet the duties placed upon us by law to treat everyone fairly.

The strategy is being developed using a number of sources including patient and staff feedback, national and local data and other areas of feedback.

“

Nursing has always meant inclusion to me, everyone is an individual with a right to the same service.

“

STSFT Staff Pledge, 2019

The NHS Rainbow Badge was launched at the Trust’s Annual Members Meeting in September 2019, our Chief Executive Ken Bremner signed the first pledge for the Trust.

The badges have been hugely popular and at the beginning of December, 1,200 pledges from colleagues across all Trust sites have been completed.

The NHS Rainbow Badges visibly demonstrates to all staff, patients and visitors our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive environment and experience.

Winter 2019

and embedding inclusion • Disability Confident Standard Our Trust has been accredited as part of a national campaign to support disabled people into work.

Being awarded the Disability Confident standard demonstrates that our Trust has a positive attitude towards employing disabled people, and plays a leading role in changing attitudes towards disability.

In September, the Trust attended Sunderland Pride, taking part in the parade and hosting a stall.

Sunderland Pride is a great opportunity for LGBT people and allies to get together and celebrate who they are, meet with service providers, find out about jobs and services and help inform future service provision.

The feedback received was hugely positive and people commented how nice it was that the Trust was supporting the day, with many people commending the valuable services the Trust offers.

The South Tyneside 0-19 Service also had a great day representing the Trust at Newcastle Pride.

“

We are committed to supporting disabled staff by: 1. Promoting a culture of being Disability Confident.

2. Supporting employees to manage their disabilities or health conditions.

3. Ensuring there are no barriers to the development and progression of disabled staff.

4. Ensuring managers are aware of how they can support staff who are sick or absent from work.

5. Valuing and listening to feedback from disabled staff.

6. Reviewing this Disability Confident employer self-assessment regularly.

“

• Celebrating Pride

This is an issue close to my heart. I believe that all people should be given equal rights and be treated as such. I firmly believe in a world where people are able to express themselves and be who they are, without stigma or judgment.

STSFT Staff Pledge, 2019

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NEWS for YOU

l u f r e d n o w t s o m e h t It’s Christmas is the season of goodwill and the perfect time to spread a little festive cheer to those around us.

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Our ‘Elf-Service’ has been extremely busy this winter collecting items for our patients and local food banks and charities and generally spreading a little Christmas magic.

Here are just some examples of your fabulous festive spirit.

time of the year…

Winter 2019

#NightwearBeforeChristmas appeal Our #NightwearBeforeChristmas appeal is back for another year.

Here’s what you need to do:

The idea is that older patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital who do not have anyone to spoil them at the most special time of year, wake up on Christmas morning to a new nightdress or pyjamas.

Wrap up your nightwear

Last year, our kind-hearted staff, local businesses and members of the local community donated more than 1,000 items. Many members of the Trust’s staff choose to donate an item of nightwear instead of sending Christmas cards to their colleagues.

Alexandra Centre, Sunderland Royal Hospital, between 8am and 6pm,

June Lawson, the Trust’s Matron for Rehabilitation and Elderly Medicine, said: “We’ve had an amazing response in previous years and we know that the donations make a huge difference to our patients who are delighted with the gifts which, for many of them, are really unexpected. One patient just felt so completely overwhelmed with emotion that she was brought to tears. Everyone involved says it makes Christmas morning so special.”

Me

rry

Label it ‘male’ or ‘female’ and indicate the size Drop it off at...

Discharge Lounge, near the main entrance, Ingham Wing, South Tyneside District Hospital, between 9am and 8pm

Ch ristm as

, Female Size 16

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WE WISH YOU A

Carol services Monday, 16 December at 6.00pm

Wednesday, 18 December at 7.00pm

Hospital Chapel, Main Concourse Sunderland Royal Hospital

Alexander Restaurant South Tyneside District Hospital

Mince pies & coffee with the executive team Monday, 16 December 2019 10.00am – 11.00am Physiotherapy Department Meeting Room Children’s Centre, Durham Road

12.30pm – 1.30pm Board Room, Clarendon, Windmill Way

Tuesday, 17 December 2019 12.30pm – 1.30pm Board Room, Sunderland Eye Infirmary

12.30pm – 1.30pm Restaurant, Palmer Community Hospital

Wednesday, 18 December 2019 10.00am – 11.00am Restaurant, A Level, Sunderland Royal Hospital Thursday, 19 December 2019 10.00am – 11.00am Alexander Restaurant, South Tyneside District Hospital Friday, 20 December 2019 12.30pm – 1.30pm Durham Treatment Centre, Staff Room, Ground Floor

@STSFTrust

www.facebook.com/STSFTrust

@STSFTrust