Royal
Standard
Also in this issue...
otherapy
Big news for chem
2
treatment. See Page
Ever wondered what happens to a
blood sample? Find out on page 6
f member
A long serving staf
past,
says goodbye - the
on page 12
present and future
Top accolade for cancer
nurse, turn to page 15
2008 - Issue 2
Healthy Mind,
Healthy Body
for
kids
See page 4
The staff magazine of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Better
News
for patients
Chemotherapy is being
expanded at the Royal.
It has been known for a long
time that most people would
prefer their chemotherapy
treatment locally, so the Royal
and Weston Park in Sheffield
have been working in
partnership to develop a
much larger and dedicated
service here.
From June 2008, a dedicated
chemotherapy unit at the
Royal will be available.
Head of cancer services,
Steven Swift said: “The
general view amongst
patients was that they would
much rather receive their
treatment here at the Royal
than face a difficult journey
into Sheffield.
“We’re planning to offer
treatments for lung and
colorectal patients with
additional breast
chemotherapy from June.
Further treatments on other
disease sites will be phased in
throughout the rest of the
year.”
The news has been well
received by patients; Dierdre
Revell is a member of the
North Derbyshire Cancer
Services User Group.
She said: "An enlarged
chemotherapy service is an
exciting and welcomed
development. Not only do we
have the expertise of Weston
Park medical staff at a gold
standard hospital, we also
have the convenience of
receiving treatment nearer to
home. This will do away with
the journey to and from
Sheffield when you may not
be feeling 100%."
2
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
An emphasis on aftercare is
being offered, with the trust
reaching agreement with
Headstrong, a national cancer
charity that will offer advice
to patients on wigs and other
headgear.
Discussions are also ongoing
with Macmillan to arrange for
the provision of a benefits
and financial advice drop in
service so that our patients
have the piece of mind of
being as financially secure as
possible.
“We are also looking at
streamlining the appointment
systems to keep waiting to an
absolute minimum,” explains
Mr Swift. “Sometimes there is
an inevitable wait for the right
dose of chemotherapy to be
made up. We also intend to
allow patients to go to the
restaurant or walk in the
grounds and develop a
communication system to
contact them when their
treatment is ready.
“This is a much welcome step
for the Royal, the people of
North Derbyshire and an
excellent example of a
partnership between service
users and service providers.”
Chief executive Eric Morton
added: “We are delighted
with the progress that has
been the culmination of a lot
of hard work by a team of
people proud to have been
involved in the development
of this service. We are
delighted to work with
Weston Park to give patients
a dedicated chemotherapy
service without the need to
travel.”
Thank you
Dear friends and colleagues,
On the 16th September 2007,
I ran a half marathon at the
Robin Hood Festival Of
Running in Nottingham, to
raise funds for the Cystic
Fibrosis Trust and Cancer
Research.
Many of you were kind
enough to offer donations
and I write to thank you most
sincerely for helping me to
raise the sum of £753.
I chose these charities
because my son, Paul, was
born with cystic fibrosis and
also contracted cancer in
2006. Very sadly, my beloved
son died on the 9th January
this year at the age of 31, but
your generosity will enable
these wonderful charities to
carry on their important
research into funding cures
for these dreadful conditions.
Sincere thanks,
Christine Dungworth –
EM/Admissions
Christine is taking part in the
Great North Run 2008 on
Sunday 5th October. She will
be running in memory of Paul
and will raise money for the
same two charities. Any
donations would be gratefully
received; Christine can be
contacted on ext. 2148
More
voom!
va-va-
A biker group in Chesterfield
has helped raise more than a
thousand pounds for the
hospital’s new children’s unit.
The Peak Riders, based at
Whittington Moor, supported
one of its members who
pushed a wooden, home
made replica Harley Davidson
through Chesterfield up to
the Nightingale ward on a
foggy March 15th.
During the push, also taking
in Harleyworld on Whit Moor,
the town centre, Sheffield
Road and Hady Hill, generous
passers by and shoppers put
£550 into a collection bucket.
Margaret White, whose
husband John built the replica
in his spare time, is senior
clinical administration officer
in the Women and Children’s
Directorate and a member of
the Peak Riders.
She said: “It was a fantastic
day and it was lovely to see
the kids’ faces when we
brought the bike into the
small patient car park and
they got to see some of the
Peak Riders’ bikes.
We’re
th e
f
o
d
a
ahe
game
“We created
quite a bit of
interest and
lots of
people
came up to
us to make
some very
generous
donations.
The rest of
the Riders
did a magnificent job of
raising the profile of the bike
push, it was a big success.”
The group also donated the
money from two women who
The Royal is one of only a
handful of hospitals
nationwide to achieve record
low waiting times a year
ahead of schedule.
It means the hospital is
leading the way in its pledge
to meet the 18-week target
waiting time from GP referral
to treatment or surgery.
Only four other trusts
managed the same, putting
Chesterfield in the top tier
and leaving the rest of the
country playing catch up to
meet the end of 2008
deadline.
Director of planning and
performance Nikki Tucker led
the 18-week project, she paid
tribute to the staff saying: “It
is entirely down to the staff
that we have been able to
build on past successes and
provide patients with even
faster access to treatment.
“The team effort has been
phenomenal and we have
worked incredibly hard to
reconfigure services and put
in new ways of working
without effecting patient
care.”
The Peak Ride
rs
with Nightinga
le
staff and
supporters ou
tside
the ward
paid for a bike ride and the
proceeds from their monthly
raffle to reach a magnificent
final figure of £1,690.
The whole ‘care package’
tracks the time it takes from
the moment the patient is
referred for treatment by the
GP through assessment, tests
and diagnosis to treatment or
surgery.
It means patients in North
Derbyshire have one of the
lowest waits in the country
but, as chief executive Eric
Morton is keen to point out,
patients have a responsibility
as well.
He said: “We really need
patients to keep to their
agreed appointments, make
themselves available, possibly
at short notice, for diagnostic
appointments and follow any
advice given for tests or
investigations they are due to
have.
“It is a real culture change for
the hospital and we do
encourage patients to ask
questions and make sure they
understand what is
happening with regards to
appointments and surgery to
help us to continue to meet
the 18-week target.”
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
3
Co-ordinators Dawn, Della and Rebekah
with sporting champion Debbie Smith
(second from left)
Health
Life
4
t across
me is being rolled ou
m
ra
og
Pr
fe
Li
4
th
al
The He
sful launch at County
es
cc
su
a
r
te
af
re
hi
ys
North Derb
Hall in Matlock.
s
m severe dyslexia and wa
re County PCT have
The Royal and Derbyshi
inator posts for
joint funded three co-ord
ages parents and
the programme that eng
lthy lifestyle
children by delivering hea
y.
messages in a fun wa
in 2003, puts
The programme, piloted
the individual’s
emphasis on building up
ompetitive
n-c
no
self-esteem through
group events
and
ies
ivit
act
es,
sessions, gam
e the
hav
rmally
that they would not no
in.
ed
confidence to be involv
the primary school
Fairfield Juniors was in
Giliker says:
pilot, head teacher Vicky
an the children
beg
“Since the programme
h one another
wit
re
mo
have co-operated
er - it’s bound to
and encouraged each oth
ically.”
have an influence academ
ie Smith, also the
Adventure Racer Debb
Marathon
tain
un
Mo
International
d’s regional
lan
Eng
rt
Spo
is
n,
Champio
project.
the
sporting champion for
A younster showcases
what Health 4 Life has
taught them
Debbie suffers fro
ool, she said: “I
shy and withdrawn at sch
kids and by
the
of
can see myself in a lot
I had, they
like
ies
nit
rtu
giving them oppo
d environment to
have a safe and supporte
achieve in.”
coaches and
Teachers, parents, sports
in the
ed
olv
inv
get
s
school nurse
d to each
ore
tail
is
it
and
e
mm
progra
on what
ing
end
individual school dep
le locally so
ilab
ava
are
bs
facilities and clu
ue the activities
that children can contin
afterwards.
tor for the High Peak
Health 4 Life co-ordina
ead said: “We
and Dales, Dawn Whiteh
e sustainable so
want to make this schem
ch and
roa
app
with a multi-agency
nities taking
mu
com
and
ls
individual schoo
mme, it will enable
ownership of the Progra
4 Life throughout
us to introduce Health
North Derbyshire.”
Fairfield Juniors perform
their street dance
Whitehead on
You can contact Dawn
Price (Co-ordinator
07765 584 926, Della
766 453 969 and
for Chesterfield) on 07
nator for Bolsover
Rebekah Miles (Co-ordi
161 192
and District) on 07766
4
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
Bottom and front cover image
courtesty of Nigel Oram
Ambuline
The Royal is using an outside
ambulance company to run its
non-emergency patient
transport for the very first
time.
The Ambuline service was
launched at the hospital on
March 31st after winning the
contract to transport all
outpatient discharges and
transfers from door to door.
Ambuline is a family business,
based in the West Midlands
but with local station bases,
that has a history of working
with NHS hospitals. It has
taken over the contracts of
many East Midlands
ambulance employees to
ensure a smooth transition of
service.
Sylvia Causer is head of
service improvement at the
Royal, she said: “They focus
on what patients need from a
service and are able to work
with the trust to make things
better for patients.
“From the very first day, when
we handled more discharges
than we ever have done
before, helping to vacate beds
quickly when we were on red
alert, everything has run really
smoothly.”
A fleet of fourteen brand new
vehicles is dedicated to the
Royal, all fitted with GRP
moulding to make them
easier to clean and keep
infection-free. They also
pledge to run a tight ship
when it comes to patient
transfers.
Managing Director of
Ambuline Paul Willetts said:
“We aim to deliver patients to
the clinic within 30 minutes of
their appointment time and
collect within an hour of
Head of service improvement,
Sylvia Causer, and Ambuline
managing director, Paul
Willets with patient and crew.
becoming ready, getting
95% home within an
hour of the
appointment ending.
“The staff that have
come across have risen
to the challenge, we’re
delighted with their
calibre and they’ve
been very supportive.
We aim to treat them
well and maintain
that enthusiasm.”
Pick up and drop off
times can be booked
days, weeks, months
or even years in
advance. The
business is
contracted for
three years with
the option to take
up a further two
years.
No unauthorised
access
Medical wards are now off
limits after hours as part of
additional security measures.
Between 10.00pm and
6.00am only authorised
personnel with swipe cards
will be able to enter medical
wards after a risk assessment
was carried out and it was
identified as a potential
security issue.
Anyone without access will
have to press the intercom
buzzer and speak to a ward
staff member who can let
them in.
Security advisor Ged Holland
said: “The majority of the
problems have involved
missing patients, particularly
ones that were confused and
had got out of bed, this is a
way of getting around that.
We have also had a few
incidents of individuals who
have been admitted through
A&E and got into areas where
they shouldn’t have been.”
The system, already in use by
the women’s and children’s
directorate and in place at
Nightingale, Trinity and St
Mary’s wards on a 24-hour
basis, will help solve these
problems
The measures also include a
video system, not recorded,
allowing staff to see who is
trying to get onto the ward
before they buzz them in. The
move has been applauded by
staff who now know
that people cannot just
walk onto a ward
unopposed.
Tracy London is Matron
for Haematology, she
said: “We care for up to
34 patients at night and
it doesn’t take much for
all the staff to be busy.
When that happens
anybody could walk in
or out of the ward.
This added security is a
massive boost for nurses who
now feel more secure,
knowing that they are in
control of who is on the
ward.”
Visitors and staff are urged
not to let people walk
through the doors behind
them in order to keep the
security measures active.
The upgrade is due to be
extended to include all
theatre rooms, coronary care
unit, HDU and ITU in the
coming months with plans to
include surgical, orthopaedics,
EMU and CDU in the future.
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
5
.
.
.
f
o
d
l
r
o
w
l
u
f
r
e
d
n
The wo
y
g
o
l
o
h
Pat
re
day but whe
y
r
e
v
e
l
a
it
p
s
ho
y.
taken at the
re
a
s
m? Patholog
le
e
p
t
s
m
y
a
s
s
e
d
b
o
u
t
lo
b
ir
The samples re
Hundreds of
pear up the a
p
a
is
ach their desti
d
y
e
h
t
nation
e
c
n
o
o
g
y
e
h
t
do
The Pathology department,
consisting of Blood Sciences
(Biochemistry, Haematology
and Coagulation), exists to
help diagnose and monitor
the disease process.
The first port of call for all
samples is the centralised
sample handling area in Blood
Sciences, typically dealing
with more than 3,000
samples per day. Here the
sample and accompanying
form are sorted for the
appropriate department. 80%
of all samples received in
Pathology remain in the Blood
Sciences department.
Rob Francis is the senior
biomedical scientist for
biochemistry, he says: ”We
get samples from all over the
hospital throughout the day
and night. In the afternoons,
the Pathology van service
deliver samples from GP
surgeries from as far away as
Buxton, the Hope Valley and
Alfreton. It’s a massive
catchment area and we get
incredibly busy”
The details of
individual
samples and
patient request
forms are
checked and
given unique
barcode
numbers. The
sample and
forms are
then
rechecked with the
details and the barcode
number entered into
the Pathology computer.
Stack 'em and rack 'em arranging the samples
6
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
The sample route through Haematology
“We have to make sure
everything is correct,“
explains medical laboratory
assistant Joanne Revell,
”otherwise the results will be
meaningless. By entering the
hospital number, barcode and
surname, we can bring up on
screen all the relevant patient
information. We enter the
details of the test to be
performed and clinical details
so the analysers know what
to do.”
The Biochemistry department
predominantly looks at liver,
kidney, heart and thyroid
disease along with diabetes,
hypertension, cholesterol,
hormone and drug screening.
“In the Biochemistry
automated section we have a
new automatic sample
processor,” says Rob, “that
separates the serum from the
sample prior to analysis. The
sample is then sent via a
tracking system to the correct
machine for measuring.”
All the results from the
machines go directly to the
laboratory computer where
the technical staff validate
them before they are sent
electronically to the wards
and surgeries.
Rob says: ”Any abnormal or
unexpected results will be
phoned through directly to
make sure the medical
professional treating that
particular patient knows what
they’re dealing with as soon
as possible.”
The Biochemistry department
needs a lot of high tech, high
throughput computerised
equipment in order to process
2,000 samples and get results
out the same day. However a
lot of manual work is still
carried out, including liquid
chromatography, specialised
proteins and high
performance chromatography.
when you realise that a
teaspoon of blood contains
many millions of cells. If
anything abnormal is found
we make a blood film where
we can look under a
microscope to check and
count individual cells”
The Coagulation department
can be found next to
Haematology. Maxine
Hambidge is a biomedical
scientist, she says: ”We do
clotting screens for liver and
general health and also
before operations. We tend to
test for a full coagulation
screening if a patient is
admitted to hospital,
particularly Accident and
Emergency.
“We might do a full blood
count and get a low
haemoglobin and a prolonged
clotting screen for example,
which means the patient
could bleed in theatre. We
also run fast turn around
clinics for the cancer and
coagulation clinics where the
patient waits for the results
before having drug doses
adjusted”
The cycle of a blood sample
ends when the results are sent
back to the wards or GP
surgeries but it barely
scratches the surface of what
happens in Pathology.
Through the eye of a microscope looking at individual cells
The Haematology department
looks at the cellular
components of blood, namely
red cells, white cells and
platelets for
conditions like
anaemia and
leukaemia.
Locum biomedical
scientist Imran
Akbar says: ”The
sample is loaded
onto a machine
and cells are
counted
electronically by
size and shape.
This is real high
tech equipment
The route thro
ugh Biochemist
ry
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
7
l
a
r
u
t
a
n
e
r
o
M
y
e
l
r
a
D
t
a
s
birth
The new birthing pool has
been making a splash at the
Darley Birth Centre.
to create a relaxing and
subdued atmosphere to
provide for a natural birth.
The state of the art facility is
the latest addition to the
centre, allowing mothers-tobe to opt for the increasingly
popular option of having a
water birth.
Fran Gregory is the matron for
community midwifery, she
said: “It’s such an
achievement for mothers
because they achieve birth
under their own steam and
the babies are so much more
alert because there’s nonnarcotic involvement.
The process allows ladies to
undergo labour for longer,
without needing pain relief or
drugs. The room has been
designed and professionally lit
“It also helps the bonding
between mother and baby
because they’re both less
drowsy and breast feeding
can begin much sooner.
Women are so much more
aware of the different kinds
of births available that it’s
fantastic for us, as a centre, to
be able to offer a water
birth.”
Whilst the work was being
carried out a full
refurbishment was done,
including new flooring to
improve infection control, a
new boiler and a hot water
tank, culminating in an official
opening by the Duchess of
Devonshire.
Matron for
community
midwifery Fran
Greogory with The
Duchess of
Devonshire,
chairman Richard
Gregory and chief
executive Eric
Morton
A plaque was unveiled before
a celebratory lunch to mark
an astonishing turnaround for
the centre that just a year ago
faced closure. It now boasts
an active birth room,
antenatal clinics, parent craft
classes at the Whitworth
Hospital and the imminent
formation of a breast-feeding
support group.
The centre currently caters for
between 120 and 130 births
per year but the introduction
of the pool could see that
number increase past the 200
mark.
The Duchess of devonshire with proud Mum
Alison Galley and baby Stan.
Little green bag
A scheme to help hospital
patients to receive the correct
medicines when admitted has
just been rolled out.
Patients are being handed
green bags to keep their
medicines in so that when
they come into hospital, staff
have immediate, up to date
access to their current
treatment.
Confirming and investigating
a patient’s drug history can be
time consuming, involving
calls to GPs, nursing homes
and carers, but this idea could
remove that barrier and allow
8
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
the patient to continue any
ongoing treatment in
hospital.
Clinical pharmacy technician
Lisa Ruddle says: “We don’t
have every single drug given
out by GPs and it can take up
to 48 hours to get some
drugs in. If patients use the
green bags to carry their own
medicines, it will benefit them
and mean the doctors won’t
have to swap or change
drugs, possibly delaying the
patient from going home.
They are also able to take the
medicines they are familiar
with during their admission.”
The bags will be
used by
ambulance
crews and also
distributed by
nurses in preadmission
clinics as well
as all other wards.
The bags are printed with
advice on the safe use and
storage of medicines, listing
contact numbers for
pharmacy and the smoking
cessation service.
“An audit was done late last
year, “ explains Lisa, “it
showed
that only 25 per cent of
patients who came in to
hospital brought their own
medicines with them. We’ll
give it three to six months
before another audit and
anything above that
percentage will hopefully be
down to the scheme.”
Serving
Locally produc
ed food sampl
es
at the Derbyshi
re Food and
Drink Forum
locally
it up
Our food could be coming
from closer to home.
The hospital is looking to find
local providers when it opens
its new food outlet, replacing
Strollers, in the newly
refurbished main entrance.
More than 30 suppliers
attended a meeting on the
subject organised by the Food
and Drink Forum in March, in
support of plans being drawn
up by the hospital for more
sustainable sourcing. The
event was an opportunity for
catering management to
meet a selection of regional
food firms and highlighted
the mutual benefits for the
hospital and any prospective
suppliers.
Susan Tate is public sector
food procurement initiative
co-ordinator for the Forum,
she says: “The local
community like to see
produce from somewhere
that they know. Economically,
studies have found that a
pound spent within a local
community will circulate in
that economy for longer and
in greater percentage than if
it was spent with companies
from outside the area.”
where we
can. The
agenda on
reducing
our
carbon
footprint
pushes
us towards
looking as close to home as
possible to get the goods.”
It is something the Royal has
been looking at for some time
and Andrew Jones, director of
allied clinical and facilities
services, is looking forward to
the challenge.
The new outlet will be housed
in the redeveloped main
entrance scheduled for a
Christmas completion. Talks
with potential suppliers are
close but a decision will be
based on more than just
locality.
He said: “It fits in with our
agenda of sustainability. As a
foundation trust we are
responsible to our members
who, by and large, would like
us to support local business
“A key one will be around
their ability to continue
supply,” explains Mr Jones. “If
we want milk, for example,
Batten down
the hatches!
The trust is saving the planet
whilst trying to save on its
double-glazing bills.
200 trees have been planted
behind the education centre
as part of measures to help
the environment and also
improve security.
The trees, consisting of an
equal number of Field Maple,
Ash, Alder and Silver Birch
varieties, have been placed
within hospital grounds
between the building and the
municipal golf course and will
live for as long as 150 years.
Safety concerns have arisen
due to the number of shots
‘hitting the rough’, both the
building and people coming
under fire.
Maxine Simmons is head of
education and workforce
development, she says: “The
need for a wooded area was
identified on the department’s
risk register after we suffered
numerous broken windows
on the building as well as car
windscreens in the visitor’s car
park and several near misses
for staff.
we will need it every day so it
would be no good to us if it
can’t be provided that way.
We have to be certain that
providers can come up with
the quantities at the quality
and the price we want.”
The refurbished main
entrance will be open by
Christmas with the food
outlet expected to be up and
running by the end of
autumn.
Golf ball related crater
in the side of the
Education Centre
“When the golf balls miss the
windows they often hit the
building instead with a real
bang. There’s no doubt the
trees will make a huge impact
on safety for staff and the
building, as well as making
for a more pleasant view
when visitors come to the
centre.”
planting more trees that
release oxygen into the
atmosphere.”
Tim Ford is leading the
project, he says: “From an
environmental point of view it
is good for us as a trust
because we are improving our
carbon footprint. We’re being
healthier and greener and an
important part of that is
The trees, currently standing
about four feet tall having
been grown in nurseries for
the last four years, could
grow as high as 20 metres
over the next ten to fifteen
years.
“There are currently close to
1,000 trees on the grounds of
the Royal and there are plans
to increase that number over
the next year, particularly
around car parking areas.”
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
9
Out of hours…
Come to the
Let’s get
rambling! Cabaret
Two ladies from
Elizabeth ward have
been hitting the
high notes in their
spare time.
Staff on the
Nightingale ward are
getting together out
of hours and walking
themselves to better
health.
They have
completed their
fourth walk, taking
The Nightinga
in Grindleford and
le Ramblers
Padley Gorge after staff
“We do one every five or six
showed interest in
weeks, take in a pub, we
receptionist Kay Baker’s tales
bring a picnic for the kids and
of taking in the Peak District
it’s great fun to get everybody
and Derbyshire Dales on foot.
together and experience what
really is one of the most
They convinced her to get her
beautiful areas in the
husband, Pete, to organise a
country.”
series of walks so that they
could all join in and the rest is
history.
“It’s great and we’ve got our
youngest member in the
charge nurse’s three month
old daughter,” said Kay.
Kay, who used to be a Scouter
and Pete, who’s a rambler
himself, organise the walks on
Saturday afternoons.
They’ve also done the Edensor
and Four Dales walks.
Exam
Success
Staff from across the trust
took centre stage at the
annual awards presentation at
the Education Centre in
January.
Training and development
achievements were
recognised throughout the
day with chief executive Eric
Morton presenting certificates
and badges for NVQs, HCA
Documentation and the A1
Assessor Award.
10 Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
Sue Shore and
Kate Penney, both
sisters on the
ward, are
members of
Harlequins, a singing
and acting group who
perform shows at the Staveley
Methodist Church twice a
year.
The group has been operating
for fifteen years and helped to
raise £30,000 for various
charities, including the
Cavendish suite, St Mary’s
ward, the breast cancer
screening unit and the local
prostate group.
Sue says: “I’ve been there for
about ten years and there are
always new people coming
and going, it’s a very sociable
crowd with different age
groups and a relaxed
atmosphere.
“We’re doing a rock ‘n’ roll
production in July but in the
past we’ve done wartime
shows, a 50s, 60s and 70s
theme as well as our annual
Christmas event.”
A producer puts all the shows
together, the group makes all
its own costumes and they
find a very appreciative
audience in people from local
and residential homes.
“We do get a lot of them,”
explains Sue, “and for many
it’s the only time they’ve been
out for a little while so they
really enjoy it. We get people
of all ages coming and there’s
a lot of audience participation
in terms of joining in with
some of the songs. It gives
you such a buzz.”
The group donates all its
profits from the shows to
charity, anybody wanting to
join can get in touch with Sue
or Kate or head to one of
their rehearsals at the Staveley
Methodist Church any
Wednesday evening between
7.30-10.00pm.
ILM Introductory
Certificates in First Line
Management (pictured)
were also handed out and
a full list of the recipients
was displayed on the
trust noticeboard outside
Links restaurant.
For further details of
available courses and
training, contact Tina
Graham at the
Education Centre on
3698.
Chief executive
Eric Morton w
ith
Sue Shore
(far left) and
the rest of
the
Harlequins in
character
some of the su
ccessful ILM ca
ndidates
IWL Open Day
This year’s Improving Working Lives
Open day was a resounding success...
More than 600 staff are
thought to have visited the
event, held at Links on 5th
March, to promote the
services available to support
staff with their daily working
lives.
Part of the restaurant was
transformed into an exhibition
centre for the 30 or so stalls,
including several external
companies and organisations
as well as hospital facilities.
Chesterfield College described
it as the best event they’ve
ever been to, Derbyshire
Police reported a busy turnout
and Fitness First announced a
healthy interest in its stall.
A mouth watering
international buffet, arranged
by Sodexho, helped bring in
the crowds during the busy
lunch period that saw the
visitors queue around the
corner at one point.
Hospital staff won a year’s
free membership at the
Queen’s Park Leisure Centre, a
digital camera and a fruit
basket, as well as walking
away with an array of goodie
bags.
A graffiti board was also used
to its full potential as people
were invited to make their
own suggestions about what
would make their day at the
Royal more comfortable.
Suggestions from the last
event led to the staff rest area
situated near Murphy ward.
The IWL Working Group
made up from staff-side
representatives, staff and
managers will now review the
suggestions put forward and
staff across the trust will be
updated on any developments
through the team briefing
system.
For more information on the
work of the IWL Group, or if
you have any suggestions for
ways of improving the
working lives of staff, contact
Kerry Swift, HR Manager on
ext: 3985 or via email:
kerry.swift@chesterfieldroyal.
nhs.uk.
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008 11
All good things…
The hospital has waved
goodbye to one of its most
loyal servants.
Bill Lambert stood down in
April as a clinician and
executive medical director
after more than 24 years
service at the Royal.
A lot has changed in that time
with Mr Lambert playing a
major role in paving the way
for the clinical management
structure that currently exists.
The Standard caught up with
him to talk about what he’s
seen in his time since joining
as a general and vascular
surgeon at the old Royal just
ten weeks before the big
move to Calow.
Mr Lambert, you
must have seen a
number of changes
in your time here?
When I was appointed as
general surgeon there were
only two other consultants in
the surgical department
covering all the sub-specialties
of general surgery, we’ve now
got fifteen. Most of our other
departments have seen a
similar expansion.
Organisational structure has
also seen a big change
because doctors weren’t
closely involved in the
management of hospitals. I’d
only been here a few years
when we started to involve
clinicians in management.
Due to some organisational
issues causing difficulties in
the operating theatres, it was
thought that having a
consultant involved in the
management of the
department would be more
productive than trying to get
non-doctors to persuade
doctors to change so we
established an early form of
clinical directorate in theatres.
I was asked to take over the
clinical director function
before they were formally
established across the NHS a
few years later in the early
1990s, when medical
management became a
recognised function,
becoming the first clinical
director of surgery and
theatres because of my
previous experience. I was
clinical director of surgical
specialties until taking the
medical director’s role in
2000.
The hospital has
certainly grown
since then.
The Scarsdale wing was in a
separate hospital before
moving to Calow and there
have been further additions.
The paediatric unit is being
added to again, with a brand
new concourse and various
refurbishments. Essentially it’s
the same “new” hospital
that’s been exceptionally well
maintained and developed
since the 80s. I think certain
services may be better
established in the community,
but some of our
off site facilities,
child health and
mental health
services in
particular, were
getting beyond
repair. It’s more
sensible to
rebuild those
here than patch
up exhausted
estate.
The new children's development, one
of many new builds
12 Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
What do you
think has been
the biggest
change?
The change from a
doctor to a more
patient focused
service needs some
cultural change.
Healthcare provision
is now big business,
particularly for a
foundation trust.
The training of the
medical workforce
is different in terms
of methods and
hours on duty. A
different type of
individual is
emerging with
A young surgeo
different
n in the makin
g
objectives,
aspirations and
attitudes towards work/life
to positively demonstrate that
balance. Patients are more
you’re up to the mark
demanding and prepared to
annually, a change I’m sure
complain if things don’t seem
our patients will be happy
right and we’ve had to
about.
respond to that.
Also, speaking professionally,
Have you come to a
we’re far more regulated than
we used to be. When I started
difficult decision?
out, provided you didn’t do
I’ve been a clinician for 37
anything too outrageous,
years and involved with
your continuing registration
medical management since
was safe, nowadays you have
the late 80s, it’s not a bad
thing to now make way for
some fresh ideas and
approaches. You can be in a
position for too long
sometimes. I’m in two minds
about finishing but I’ve got
things to look forward to as
well as look back on.
Do you have any
plans?
Initially no, just take it easy
and take stock for a little
while. I’ve got some new
grandchildren that my wife
and I will be able to spend
some time with. My oldest
son is emigrating with his
wife to Vancouver, which we
have mixed feelings about,
but it’s an opportunity for a
free holiday on a regular
basis! I’ve no doubt there’ll be
other things and I may well
become a little restless after a
few months, but I’m not
committing myself right now.
What future
challenges can the
hospital expect?
There are already a number of
changes happening in medical
regulation that will impact on
Scarsdale, its own hospital in
the medical workforce.
Mr Lambert's early days
More care is being
delivered in the
community, less in
hospital, so we may find
our clinicians delivering
their expertise closer to
the patient’s home.
Technology moves on,
some surgery we used
to do in theatres is now
done as outpatient
procedures and we
may find we deliver
care in less traditional
environments
resulting in less time
lying in hospital beds.
There are other
challenges on the
horizon but I’m sure that
those coming behind me will
step up to the plate and deal
with them as successfully as
those we have faced in the
past.
Any parting
message for the
workforce?
Keep up the good work; I
might need your services one
day!
e Ts
and crossing th
Dotting the Is
s
A
C
H
r
o
f
e
Tailor mad
The Education
Centre
Ward matrons are being
urged to book new health
care assistants into a special
induction programme
designed just for them.
The eight-day programme,
consisting of a four-day
induction and two days
moving and handling training
and two supernumerary days,
was created to ease new
starters and bank staff into
the position rather than
throwing them in at the deep
end.
Before April 2006, surgical
and medical directorates held
their own inductions but it
was decided to devise a
generic programme and base
it at the Education Centre.
Learning skills teacher Dilys
Ainsworth says: “There are a
variety of subjects on the
programme such as equal
opportunities, food hygiene,
resuscitation, workplace
emergencies, working in
teams and caring for stroke
and surgical patients.
“Matrons can pick and
choose certain subjects based
on the HCA’s specific
responsibilities. From August
we will be integrating the
corporate induction into the
programme, extending it by
another day.”
The
programme
is not
mandatory,
but Dilys
says: “It
prepares
them for
ward life
and gives
them an
idea of
what the
job is all about and what
lies ahead. If they don’t
participate in the event then
they won’t get a structured
programme.”
The healthcare assistants are
not assessed as such, but the
programme is evaluated with
HCAs encouraged to fill in a
daily feedback form.
The inductions are mainly for
HCAs starting in surgery,
medicine and orthopaedics
but others are being
encouraged.
This year’s remaining
inductions will take place in
the weeks commencing 9th
June, 11th August and 3rd
November.
Anyone wishing to book a
place can contact Dilys on ext.
3641.
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008 13
Happy Anniversary
A Calow couple celebrating
their golden wedding
anniversary have given a
wonderful gift of their own.
70-year-old Margaret Booth,
who lives on Church Lane,
had an operation at the
Chesterfield Royal Hospital
after being diagnosed with
breast cancer. Seventeen years
later she returned after
celebrating her 50th wedding
anniversary to present a
cheque for £400, raised
through their marital
celebrations.
Margaret, and her 72 year old
husband John, asked the 46
guests at Ringwood Hall last
month to contribute towards
their fundraising efforts for
the hospital’s breast screening
unit.
The happy couple made their
donation to Mr Steve Holt,
the very consultant who
performed the operation all
those years ago.
Margaret said: “My mother
died of cancer when she was
63 and there wasn’t the level
of specialist care that there is
now and I hope that by
raising money like this, we
can keep that standard of
care going.
“We have a daughter and
two grand-daughters and I
feel that this donation, to one
Durrant
affairs.
One of the first wards to
benefit from an upgrade has
completed its first quarter.
The upgrade of Durrant ward
was brought forward because
standards governing the care
of haematology patients
meant certain guidelines had
to be met by the end of
March 2008.
The peer review specifies that
patients must have en-suite
facilities, but how have staff
and patients found the
upgrade?
14 Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
Tracy London is matron for
haematology on Durrant, she
said: “Each single room has
its own toilet, two of them
have showers and we
redeveloped the space from
an existing bathroom to
develop a full en-suite room.”
There used to be two baths,
one for disabled and one for
able-bodied patients, but a
new piece of equipment was
brought in to solve the
problem.
“We were able to buy a stateof-the-art bath with a hoist
of the greatest
of good causes
there is, is for
them and
their future
health.”
Mr Holt
added: “It’s
great to see
Margaret in
such good
health,
hopefully
we’ll be
able to see
her when
they celebrate their
60th anniversary as well. It’s
such a wonderful gesture and
everybody associated with the
unit is most grateful.”
attached,” explains Tracy, “it
can be moved to one side so
able-bodied patients won’t be
compromised. It benefits
nurses and patients and we
must thank the Sitwell Arms
in Renishaw whose donation
helped pay for it.”
The upgrade included the
supply of oxygen to every bed
head, more electric sockets to
reduce the need for trailing
wires and a cosmetic facelift.
New lighting also
benefits patients,
particularly at
night, where each
bed has its own
main light
reducing the
effect on
neighbouring
patients, and
there’s also been
the additional
ward security
(see page 5).
“It’s certainly
created a better
atmosphere,”
says Tracy.
“Patients who
need regular
treatment
have
Margaret and John celebrated
their 50th anniversary on
Friday the 18th of January.
commented on it and it’s all
gone very smoothly since it
finished just before New
Year.”
Basil and Devonshire wards
have also seen their 13-week
upgrade programmes
completed with Robinson,
Ashover and Pearson to come
before Christmas.
‘Wow’
factor
Picture: A virtual impression
of the new main concourse
leads the way
The way in to Chesterfield Royal Hospital
will be transformed with a ‘wow’ factor.
Tradition goes out of the front
door, as plans for the new
main entrance come to
fruition after months of
debate and discussion.
A central reception desk will
be the first port of call,
emphasising customer service,
with light open spaces and
bright welcoming colours
thanks to a glass roof
courtyard and main services
to hand.
The space hidden behind the
cash point wall, currently
housing medical records, will
be used to more than double
the size of the existing
entrance, including seats for
240 people and a brand new
food outlet managed by the
Royal (see page 9) and a
separate coffee outlet.
Chief executive Eric Morton
feels that the scheme,
estimated at £2million, will be
worth every penny to give
patients a top class service
and first impression they
won’t forget.
“This will be one of the most
exciting developments for a
long time,” he states. “More
than half a million people
walk through those main
doors every year and this
design puts them straight in
touch with staff, reducing
anxiety about where to go
and what to do. It definitely
won’t have a traditional NHS
‘look’.”
Patients can book in using an
automated service or one of
ten reception desk points.
Vital services such as security,
PALS and booked admissions
will be sited in easy to find
areas whilst ambulance
patients will be given
increased privacy, with the
patient transport service
moving to its own secluded
spot.
“We have made a number of
changes to the plans on the
back of suggestions from our
public governors,” continues
Eric, “for example, putting in
better toilet and baby
changing facilities. We want
to ensure the development is
spot on for patients with
disability, sight, hearing and
other individual needs. This is
a one-off opportunity to
create a unique entrance to
our own specific designs.”
Nurses lead the
way in cancer care
A cancer care nurse has won
the Innovation in Cancer
Nursing Award.
led to a much more
streamlined service.”
Nicky James is the nurse
consultant in cancer care and
was instrumental in forming a
nurse led, one-stop prostate
cancer clinic that has reduced
waiting times for the entire
process from 31 days to an
average of less than ten.
The team, if necessary, can
perform a biopsy on the day
of the initial hospital
appointment and, in most
cases, return the results and
treatment plan the following
week. The patient is seen by
the same specialist
throughout the process.
“The reason for the reduction
is that, as nurses, we’ve been
able to carry out the
procedure ourselves,” explains
Nicky. “We can do so much
more than we have done in
the past and in this case, it’s
“It’s a huge team effort,” said
Nicky, “and we really couldn’t
do it without the tremendous
work done in pathology.
We’ve also been well
supported in our training and
every effort has been made to
The trust’s own capital budget
will bear the cost, bringing
the total spend in the last two
years of foundation status to
more than £20million. It fulfils
the trust’s aim of investing
three pence out of every
pound received back into
services and facilities. It means
schemes like the main
entrance, the £5million ward
refurbishment project and the
£5million development for
specialist children’s services
can go ahead without
detriment to patient care.
The main entrance scheme
will be completed in stages
and is expected to start in the
next couple of months, taking
place in less than 20 weeks.
Look out for more updates in
the Standard and through
staff briefings.
Nicola (left), receiving
the award from
novelist, presenter and
former MP Edwina
Currie (centre) and chief
nurse at The Royal
Marsden, Shelley Dolan
make this work from the
chief executive
downwards.”
The project, the only one
of its kind in the country, has
received a great deal of
national interest and features
on the Department of Health’s
achieving 18 weeks website.
Nicky will even have an
audience with Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, who she will
be talking to personally about
its impact.
“Men with suspected prostate
cancer have the same fears as
other prospective cancer
patients,” explains Nicky. “I
wanted to put the process for
diagnosing these patients on
a level with suspected breast
cancer cases for example,
where one-stop services are
‘the norm’.”
The award, beating
competition from dedicated
cancer centres, marks an
incredible achievement for
everybody involved in the
project.
Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008 15
Happy Easter
from Peak FM
Radio stars Sean and Becky
from Peak FM’s breakfast
show made sure the kids on
Nightingale ward didn’t go
without their Easter treats.
The Chesterfield station ran
an on-air appeal for Easter
egg donations and was
inundated with goodies,
delivering around 150 eggs to
the ward just ahead of the
Easter weekend.
The pair then stopped to chat
with the young patients
before heading off to make
more donations elsewhere.
Becky Measures said: “We
were expecting between 50
to 100 eggs but it was just
incredible. We had Hackney
cab drivers clubbing together
and clearing out a
supermarket, Peak
Performance donated loads,
Sean, Becky, the Nightingale team and a
small selection of the huge donation
in all we got
close to
2,000 eggs. It
was
absolutely
amazing.”
Sean
Goldsmith
added: “It’s
just great
to come
down here
and do
something
that will
put smiles on faces. There are
so many youngsters here who
deserve a bit of a treat, we’re
so grateful to all of those who
donated.”
Play co-ordinator on the ward
Sharron Harpur said: “The
kids were dying to meet them
both and to see their little
faces light up was a sight in
itself. They’re all so excited by
it and they’ve got chocolate!”
In the next
issue...
We take a closer look at the
plans for the redevelopment
of the main entrance, we
follow the decontamination
process to find out what
happens to the surgical
equipment that needs
cleaning, details of a new
guide produced by a midwife
at the Royal to help young
mums and dads cope with
parenthood, plus more staff
stories.
16 Royal Standard Issue 2 - 2008
If you have any ideas for
features or articles, would like
to sing the praises of a
colleague, tell us what you’re
up to or simply shout about
an achievement, award or
new piece of kit then contact
Simon Towers in
Communications via e-mail or
on ext. 2681 before the end
of June.
Sean and Becky with young
Korie Calladine
Nightingale ward staff handed
out the goodies to A&E,
special care and maternity
over the Easter weekend.
Meanwhile the ward also had
donations from Old
Whittington funeral directors
Crowder and Alderson,
Fitness First, Buxton mobile
phone shop M-Viron and
Michael Raybold from Old
Whittington.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Kevin Jacques, a precept nurse on EMU,
who got all the correct answers to last issue’s competition
and won a £20 HMV voucher. We’ll have another
competition in the next issue; in the meantime the correct
answers are below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Resident
Behaviour
Transient
Risk
Alcohol based
Suspends
Chemical
Wet
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Handcream
Dry
Powder free
Airborne
Warm
Body
Spread