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the
link
A newsletter for
The Whittington Hospital
...the hospital of choice for local people
December 2007
Little
Gidding for
Building for
Babies
Singing in
Highgate
On Tuesday 4 December, in his first public
appearance, Whittington chairman Joe
Liddane welcomed well over 80 people to a
free concert on Level 3 of the atrium, for the
North London premiere of Little Gidding by
Jonathan Cohen. Based on the poem by T S
Eliot, this featured a small group of musicians
who included Alec Dankworth on bass, Paul
Clarvis on drums and percussion, Shanti
Jayashina on trumpet, Richard Bolton, cello
and guitar, Robert Townsend, sax, clarinet
and flute and Jonathan Cohen piano. Little
Gidding was read by Malcolm Guite.
Before the concert the chairman (pictured
left) held a reception to thank the many people
who have given generously of their time,
running, swimming performing and many
other things in aid of the Building for Babies
appeal.
The Beatles
Help! the world
of Imaging
medicine" and claimed it as one of the top five
medical developments of the twentieth
century.
Using the CT scanner, radiologists are able
to view the soft tissues in the body, which
cannot easily be seen by conventional x-ray
techniques, so any abnormalities can more
easily be detected, lessening the need for
diagnostic operations.
As a direct result of The Beatles' success, Dr
Timmis claims, the scanner's inventor, Sir
Godfrey Hounsfield, was able to devote about
four years developing the scanner from its
1968 prototype to something that could be
used in a clinical setting. His work was done in
the Central Research Laboratory, a facility
near Heathrow airport that was part of the EMI
Group. Having sold 200 million of the Fab
Four's singles (almost enough vinyl to stretch
the length of the equator), the Beatles' record
company, EMI, was able to fund Hounsfield to
do his research and the scanner was ready to
On Saturday 10 November radiologist Dr Ben
Timmis (pictured), gave an entertaining lecture
to 70 people at the Highbury Roundhouse
about the invention, development and future
of the CT scanner - and what the charttopping band The Beatles did to help its
production.
Many people have had their lives saved by
the pioneering scanning device, which
enables doctors to view the internal structures
of patients' bodies by taking very thin, often a
fraction of a centimetre, x-ray 'slices' across
the body. Dr Timmis hailed the scanner as
having had "a profound impact on modern
News
in this
issue
Happy Birthday Critical
Care Unit
Page 2
End Waiting
Change Lives
Page 5
Affairs of the heart
Page 5
Breastfeeding policy Page 2
Healthcare for LondonPage 5
Deepavali at the
Whittington
Becoming a
Foundation Trust
Page 6
LNR News
Page 7
Page 2
Good bye Jacky Davis Page 5
Waste awareness
day
be used in hospitals in the 1970's.
The evening, which included a delicious
supper, was organised by the Highbury
Roundhouse and raised over £1,200 for the
Building for Babies appeal.
The cycling fields
Page 7
Medical records project –
progress update
Page 7
Counter Fraud
Awareness Series
On Monday 3 December over 100 people
attended the Live Aid concert at Lauderdale
House arranged by Idit Gold for the Building
for Babies appeal. The Singing in Highgate
group and the audience sang songs from
West End and Broadway musicals.
Page 8
Whittington radio treats
for Christmas
Page 8
Page 9
Regulars
Christmas services
and events
Page 10
What Sloman Says
3
Building for Babies news
4
Twelve dietetic days
of Christmas
Page 11
News from the Friends
of the Whittington
N19 Restaurant Staff
Christmas Menu Page 11
4
Chaplain’s Corner
10
Puzzle page
12
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Happy birthday to Critical Care Unit
Critical Care team
On Sunday 18 November the
Critical Care Unit celebrated their
first birthday in their new home.
The unit moved from St Mary’s
Wing at the end of 2006 to level 2
in the new building. Sister Joy
Robb decorated the unit for the
celebrations, which continued on
Monday 19 November with a
party welcoming all staff. The day
Breastfeeding policy
Pictured left to right, Morag Oldfield, Bella Dale, Logan Van
Lessen, Jennifer Alexander and Gail McConnell
A joint breastfeeding policy was
launched at the Haringey Civic
Centre on 22 November by the
Whittington NHS Trust, North
Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust,
Barnet and Chase Farm NHS
Trust and Haringey TPCT by Gail
McConnell former chair of Barnet
Enfield and Haringey Maternity
Services Liaison Committee.
This policy was the result of
joint partnership working over a
period of nearly two years and led
by Logan Van Lessen from the
Whittington. The policy is based
on UNICEF baby friendly
recommendations and is a first
2 The Link December 2007
step to working towards
achieving baby friendly status
which is highly regarded and
prestigious. The Whittington is
committed to working with these
principles and has a 87 per cent
breastfeeding initiation rate
(nationally 78 per cent), while the
provision of formula milk has
been withdrawn in line with baby
friendly
recommendations.
Women however will continue to
be supported with whichever
method of feeding they choose.
Colleagues from all four trusts
were present at the launch which
had presentations from various
also incorporated an open day
where staff were welcome to half
hour tours of the unit. Interviews
also took part during the course
of the day, as part of a recruitment
drive for nurses. At 5.30pm chief
executive David Sloman joined
the party to cut the cake for the
final part of the celebrations.
After the celebration Breege
Gilbride says: “It has been a
challenging but very successful
and rewarding 12 months. This
success is as a result of hard
work, professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm of all the
team. For this I pay tribute to each
and every one of you and it has
been a pleasure to work with
you.”
people including Francesca
Entwistle, a regional breastfeeding co-ordinator who will
shortly be taking up post at the
Department of Health. We wish to
thank everyone for their support
in helping with the launch
especially all the heads of
midwifery and Linda McGurrin,
general manager for help with
funding, Morag Oldfield from
North
Middlesex,
Jennifer
Alexander from Haringey TPCT
David Sloman, chief
executive cutting birthday
cake
and Bella Dale from Barnet and
Chase
Farm
for
their
commitment and enthusiasm in
contributing to this policy. We will
continue as a team to carry on
working towards achieving baby
friendly standards. This policy will
be available on the intranet
shortly and anyone who is
interested in joining the group or
has any queries can contact
Logan on 020 7288 3391.
Deepavali
at the
Whittington
Staff and patients celebrated the
festival of light, Deepavali, on
Wednesday
7
November.
Deepavali is the most joyous and
integrated of the Indian festivals
and celebrates the conquering of
Light over Darkness, all things
Good over Evil. The Whittington
celebrated Deepavali, led by
Hindu
Priest
Rajasekaran
Sundaresagurukkal (pictured
second from left), with a prayer to
Hindu God Ganesh and an
offering of sweets. A live violin
duet played traditional Indian
Left to right:
R. Krishnamoorthy, Hindu
Priest Rajasekaran
Sundaresagurukkal,
Namachsivayakurukkal
Ramukurukkal, Smt. M.
Subbulakshmi, M. Lalitha and
M. Nandini
music, accompanied by a tavil
drum.
12
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...the hospital of choice for local people
What
Sloman
says...
his month I am returning
to the topic of hospital
acquired infection. I do so
unapologetically, as it is the
health issue that is at the
forefront of the minds of our
patients and the general
public alike.
T
Frankly, we are simply not doing as
much as we could to keep our
infections down to an absolute
minimum. On the one hand I am
pleased to report that over recent
months both our MRSA bacteraemia
and C difficile rates are broadly back on
target. In a similar vein, the report from
the MRSA Improvement Support Team
from the Department of Health, who I
invited to visit the hospital in
September, points to some very good
practice. This includes our systematic
use of root cause analysis techniques
to understand and learn from each
individual case of MRSA, and the
impact being made by our director of
nursing, Deborah Wheeler, and her
Visible Leadership Team when they go
back to the floor every Monday.
On the other hand there are still
some areas where we can do better,
and four areas in particular where more
effort and attention would deliver
significant results.
First of all, hand washing. I have just
read the results of the latest
hand–hygiene audit of all of our wards.
Congratulations to Montuschi Ward,
where all 41 of the staff observed
during the audit complied fully with
good hand hygiene practice. Those 41
staff included 17 nurses, nine doctors,
10 other health care professionals, and
a further 5 administrative and support
staff. That’s 100 per cent compliance.
Thorogood, Meyrick and ITU achieved
similar performance. Well done to you
too.
The others did not. It does not matter
what they did get, all that matters is
that they did not achieve 100 per cent.
We owe it to our patients, our public
and ourselves to demonstrate that we
are getting this basic right.
The regular hand hygiene audits are
now being stepped up. Individuals not
complying with the policy will be
challenged and if necessary will
undertake mandatory re-training in
control of infection. We will also be
checking that all staff are complying
with the uniform policy, which in itself is
aimed at helping to reduce infections.
Feedback will continue to be given to
individual wards and departments with
the expectation that performance is
improved and sustained and that any
individual not complying with the handhygiene policy is given the opportunity
to improve.
Secondly, we are reviewing cleaning
standards across the hospital. Using a
national audit tool, our senior nurses
are undertaking monthly audits of all
clinical areas to assess the cleanliness
across the hospital with the aim of
identifying where and why we are falling
short. The programme has been in
place for three months now and we
have already seen an improvement in
the standards across our wards and
departments. Whereas this formal audit
takes place monthly, you should be
reviewing your own areas on a daily
basis, and I urge you to report any
hygiene and cleanliness problems so
that they can be dealt with immediately.
The telephone number is 3600.
The final two high impact areas relate
to the use of antibiotics and the
management of intravenous cannulae.
Whereas antibiotics make an enormous
and positive contribution to the care of
our patients, they need to be used
with care and in accordance with the
Trust prescribing policy. Appropriate
and judicious use can help to reduce
the risk of C Difficile, as overuse can
make patients more vulnerable to
infection. As of now, antibiotics will not
be given for longer than seven days
and intravenous antibiotics will be
changed to oral after three days in
most situations. The policy can only be
over-ridden with the explicit content of
one of the consultant microbiologists.
National research shows that careful
management of intravenous cannulae
can also have a significant impact on
reducing hospital acquired infection, a
finding that is borne out by our own
root cause analysis work. It is essential
that the hospital policy on the
management, removal or replacement
of intravenous cannulae (after 72 hours)
is complied with by all ward staff. Again
this will be subject to regular auditing
over the forthcoming months.
I will be keep you updated on the
progress through my column and
elsewhere in the Link. This will include
details of the deep-cleaning
programme that is now in place for the
hospital, as well as the improvements
planned for the deep-cleaning and
replacement of equipment. Meanwhile I
am relying on the help and support of
each and every member of staff to
ensure that we follow good practice at
all times and ensure that infection is
kept to a minimum.
And finally, as we look forward to
2008 and the opening of the new day
case unit and to our ambitious
foundation trust plans, may I wish you
a clean, happy and healthy Christmas
and new year.
The Link December 2007 3
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Building for Babies news
Arsenal
fans help
Building for Asteral raises money for
Building for Babies
Babies
Back in September Asteral, the
managed equipment service
providers for the Whittington’s
Imaging department, arranged a
golfing event. The day typically
sees golfers awarded with prizes
for winning shots, but this year
Asteral felt that the prize money
should go the Whittington’s
Building for Babies appeal. The
donation of £1,112 was received
by Carrie Reiners, appeals
manager (second from right), on
Tuesday 20 November.
Daffodils for
Marie Curie
Earlier this year the Whittington
Hospital displayed Marie Curie
Cancer Care daffodil boxes as
part of the Great Daffodil Appeal.
The appeal takes place
throughout March every year,
where donations for daffodil
badges go to the cause. This year
£1 million was raised from
organisations like the Whittington
who displayed these boxes
across the UK. Next year is Marie
Curie Cancer Care’s 60th
anniversary.
Pictured are two of the
Whittington collectors
Lorraine Tinker and Megan
Garnes.
Arsenal fans gave just under
£6,000 when nearly 100
collectors from the Whittington
Hospital and two other charities
collected at the Emirates at the
Arsenal v Wigan match on 24
November. The Whittington's
share will go to the hospital's
Building for Babies appeal.
Asteral’s Robert Avery and David Cook, with consultant
radiologist David Grant, appeals manager Carrie Reiners and
consultant radiologist Caroline Allum
Tea trolley service
introduced to outpatients
Volunteers Nancy Jeffries and Tracey McGowan
4 The Link December 2007
A beverage trolley service has
been introduced to outpatient
departments and clinics. This
facility is still in its infant stages
but has been well received by
patients and staff. Hard work and
effort from volunteers Tracey
McGowan and Nancy Jeffries,
who have championed this
facility, should see this service
turn out to be a great success.
The trolley visits all clinics and
transport on Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday afternoons, but
it is hoped that we will eventually
be able to expand this service to
be available Monday through to
Friday, both morning and
afternoon. We would like to say a
big thank you to Paul Hepworth,
Catering Manager, for his support
and ongoing guidance with the
service.
Antoinette Webber
Voluntary services
co-ordinator
News from
The Friends
of the
Whittington
Hospital
This year the annual flag week
was reduced to a flag day, due
to unforeseen circumstances.
However, a few volunteers on
the committee did a marvellous
job, and we thank them very
much indeed. We will be
visiting the ward shortly to
support the staff who organise
their Christmas activities.
Helping the hospital is our
main aim, and at present
assistance is being given to the
stroke unit, emergency
department and theatres.
Seasons greetings to you all,
and every good wish for the
New Year.
Tilda Siebert
Publicity Officer
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A big thank
you and
good bye
to Jacky
Davis
Jacky Davis worked as a
consultant radiologist for the
Whittington for over 20 years.
She has contributed to the
Whittington as a dedicated
paediatric radiologist, and has
been a key role in the
development of the breast
imaging service. Her academic
and professional roles have
been extensive as she has been
a college tutor for radiology,
chair of the medical committee
and latterly was the director of
the imaging department. She
has also been a campaigner for
recycling, which she has helped
institute at the Whittington.
Affairs of
the heart
On a national scale Dr Davis
has been an active local BMA
representative and was voted
onto the Central Consultants
and Specialists Committee. She
has co-chaired the NHS
Consultants Association and
been a member of the executive
committee of the Keep our NHS
Public campaign, which she cofounded.
In her personal life, Dr Davis is
an avid long time Arsenal
supporter. She is a keen
birdwatcher and has a vast
interest in all things Italian, all of
which she will be fully enjoying in
her retirement.
end waiting
CHANGE LIVES
The Trust has made progress
since last month. An increased
number of patients have been
cared for in under 18 weeks from
the time they were referred by
their GP. During October 68 per
cent of non-admitted and 63 per
cent of admitted patients were
treated within 18 weeks.
To ensure that improvement
continues the 18 - week project
team will be focussing their
efforts in December on making
sure that information about
patients is collected properly and
is accurate. During October we
were not able to tell whether or
not over 1000 patients had been
treated within the 18 - week
timescales.
This is not
acceptable. Plans are now being
put in place to find this
information and deliver the level
of service we would like to for all
our patients.
You can help this process by:
✔ Completing all outcome
forms, especially in clinic
areas. Throughout December
managers and members of
the 18 - week wait project
team will be dropping in on
outpatient clinics to provide
additional support and advice
about this.
✔ Helping to clear backlogs of
appointments and surgical
lists – work has already begun
at weekends to progress this.
✔ Making sure that clinics and
theatre schedules run on time,
so that more patients are
treated as soon as possible.
When we achieve this we will be
contributing to making the
Whittington Promise to give
patients the best possible
treatment a reality.
Thank you to all of you who
support our efforts to be the
hospital that our local community
can rely upon to provide an
excellent service.
Dr Elliot Shinebourne, consultant
paediatric cardiologist at the
Royal Brompton Hospital has,
after some 30 years, done his last
joint paediatric cardiology clinic
at the Whittington Hospital. We
have been very fortunate at the
Whittington to have Elliot
Shinebourne conduct paediatric
cardiology clinics. This has been
of great benefit to both our
patients and the paediatric
department,
where
many
doctors in training and not a few
consultants (perhaps more in
need of training!) have benefited
from his clear and expert
methods of taking a clinical
history and examination. Despite
the progress of technology over
the decades, Dr Shinebourne’s
contact with his patients remains
the cornerstone of diagnosis and
management. One of his special
interests has been cardiac
dysrhythmias, and it has been
superb teaching to watch as he
dissects the history and arrives at
a correct diagnosis. He is also
able, in clear and lucid terms, to
explain the complex cardiovascular pathophysiology of
foetal and infant heart disease to
parents with little knowledge of
this subject.
Dr Shinebourne is not just a
technocrat, but also a very
humane person and I well recall
him listening patiently, for quite
some time, to the family of a child
with an untreatable cardiomyopathy and as they went out
the clinic room he turned to me
and said “they just needed to
talk”.
Elliot also has a broad range of
interests outside his work and
over the years the odd clinic or
two has been delayed when he
has heard a piece of classical
music on the car radio during his
journey up from the Brompton
and decided, then and there, that
he must get the tape or CD and
we have waited patiently! He is
also a bon bivant and at the end of
his last clinic 29 November, my
colleagues and I gathered for tea,
presented Elliot with two bottles
of “high class wine” and wished
him well for his retirement.
Dr Mervyn Jaswon Paediatrician
Healthcare for London:
Consulting the Capital
On 30 November, Islington PCT
along with the other PCTs in
London and Surrey PCT launched
a public consultation on the future
of health services in London.
The proposals focus on
services from a patient’s point of
view. They look at what needs to
change to make services safer
and more accessible, as well as
what needs to be done to make
Londoners healthier.
The consultation is about a
framework. It is not about
individual services or buildings. If
proposals to change a service are
put forward in the future they will
be subject to a separate
consultation.
Staff
can
visit
www.
healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk or
call freephone 0808 238 5430 for
more details, to read the
consultation document and to
respond to the consultation. We
will also be holding an open public
event on Tuesday 22 January,
2-8pm at Partnership Primary
Care Centre, which staff are
welcome to attend.
The Link December 2007 5
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Becoming a Foundation Trust
Work is progressing well with our
application to become a
foundation trust. Our integrated
business plan is currently with the
Secretary of State for Health for
assessment and we shall know on
21 December if we have passed
through the Department of Health
gateway into the final assessment
process undertaken by Monitor ,
the FT regulator.
In order to prove our readiness
for FT status we must
demonstrate we are committed to
the
wider
governance
arrangements of the foundation
trust. This is about involving our
local community and staff in a
much more formal way through
having
a
public/patient
membership of at least one per
cent of our catchment population
which for us translates into a target
membership of 4,000 people. As
the Whittington is adopting an ‘opt
6 The Link December 2007
out’ policy for staff, you are
automatically a member of the
foundation trust unless you
choose not to be.
A large membership, truly
representative of a diverse
population
is
becoming
increasingly important in Monitor’s
assessment process. The Trust
has recruited approximately
2,200 public/patient members so
far. We now need to recruit a
minimum of 1,800 members by 1
January 2008. Should we miss
this target we may not be
successful with our application.
All of our staff are essential in
helping the Whittington to push
forward with developing its
membership. If every member of
staff living in the catchment area
recruits just one member of their
family or their neighbour as a
foundation trust member we will
achieve the required membership
target. The catchment area
includes the following postcodes:
N1 to N22, NW1 to NW9 and
NW11, E5, E8, E9, EC1, EN4,
EN5, WC1
You may have heard of the staff
ambassador scheme. Staff use
their unique position as advocates
for their hospital in their local
community by recruiting family,
friends and neighbours as
members. Some staff have wider
links into our local community and
can use these links to recruit many
more people. For every member
recruited, you will receive a £1
Marks and Spencer gift token. So
far staff ambassadors have
received nearly £500 between
them and I thank each of them for
their efforts. There is no limit to the
number of members you can
recruit. I am extending the staff
ambassador scheme to include
the following benefits:
➢Should you recruit up to three
people you will receive a lunch
voucher entitling you to a free
sandwich or salad and a drink
from the N19.
➢Should you recruit more than
three people you will receive a
lunch voucher entitling you to
either your Christmas lunch
free or a free hot meal and drink
on
any
other
day.
➢ Each application will be
entered into a prize draw and
the
winning
recruiting
ambassador will receive a £50
John Lewis gift voucher.
To obtain membership
application forms please
contact the Foundation Trust
Project Team by e-mail at
foundation.trust@whittington.
nhs.uk or by phone on
extension 3721.
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14:37
London
Network
Radio
News
Page 7
treasures the station's music
library.
Waste awareness day
Winner Durline Griffiths
LNR would like to announce that
we are extremely happy that,
Archway Wines, has agreed to
extend it's sponsorship of
Whittington's hospital radio
station. Charlie (pictured) and his
welcoming smile will greet you
when you stop off for all your
general grocery needs. His shop is
located on Highgate Hill, opposite
the Waterlow Unit.
Further happenings at LNR
have included welcoming Revd
Daphne Williams to the station.
Whittington's very own Co-HoD
Spiritual & Pastoral Care has been
recording some pieces for the run
up to and including Christmas to
be broadcast at regular intervals.
LNR is looking forward to having
Revd Daphne Williams pieces as a
regular feature throughout the
coming year.
London Network Radio is proud
to announce the launch of
Tinaka's show on Monday
evenings. Tinaka has yet to decide
on a name for her show, which will
include an eclectic choice of
music between 20:00 and 21:00.
Look out for her on her ward visits
collecting requests.
People may be a bit concerned
that our Oldies Specialist, Harpic
(Kevin Pestell) is attempting to
break his record at the LNR
Studio's. Those who have tuned
into Harpic's shows will know he
has
delivered;
Show's
Backtracks, The Elvis Hour and
The World Famous Cuddles
Corner, for a few years now and
Harpic (photographed) is
currently the holder of the record
for the most tracks played in one
hour at LNR, which currently
stands at 32 tracks. Harpic is
confident that he is going to up
that total figure and break his own
record. What makes this an
achievement in broadcasting is
that all tracks have to be
introduced either on the intro or
the outro. Also two station
jingles/promo has to be played
within the hour slot normally (1/3rd
& 2/3rds through the show). Every
sixth track will be an Elvis Presley
track and every seventh track will
be an instrumental (not including
the station jingle/promos), which
Harpic will be allowed to talk over
longer on the intro/outro but not
the whole track. All tracks have to
be the full track from major
artist/artists, which have been
commercially available on a
charted single or charted album.
The average amount of tracks
played in one hour on any radio
station is approximately 15 tracks,
so you can see the task in hand.
Harpic is sure he can do this and is
looking forward to the day. Watch
this space when we will be
announcing the date of this
monumental
attempt
at
broadcasting history. The whole of
LNR is behind you Harpic hoping
you achieve breaking your own
record.
That's it until the New Year.
Everyone at LNR, Whittington's
very own radio station, would like
to wish all the staff and patients a
merry Christmas and prosperous
new year.
For full listings and breaking
news from LNR log onto our
website,
www.londonnetworkradio.co.uk.
Waste awareness day on 8
November was promoted with a
stand in the atrium. It was run in
conjunction with Bywaters,
waste contractors to the Trust.
The main thrust was to promote
the recycling scheme by
handing out 120 additional
recycle bins and providing
advice and guidance on
recycling. Also, the printer
cartridge recycling scheme run
by Victoria Webb in social
services, was on display to help
raise awareness of the scheme
which also raises money for
Childline. Most of the material
for the promotion day was kindly
donated by Bywaters, who
helped man the stand.
They donated a number of
items for free distribution
including pens, pencils and note
pads, all made from recycled
materials. They also kindly
donated a free trade hamper as
a prize in a free draw. People
visiting the stand were asked to
answer a few simple questions
on recycling and all correct
answers were entered in the
draw. The draw was made by
Philip Ient, facilities director and
the winner was Durline Griffiths,
who works in the operations
office (see photo). It is hoped
that staff will be encouraged to
recycle more and help the Trust
achieve its target of recycling
over 50 per cent of its domestic
waste.
The
Whittington
produces over 540 tonnes of
domestic waste per year, most
of which, in the past, has ended
up in landfill.
Medical records project
– progress update
The new medical records
department is now under
construction and completion is
due in December 2007. The aim is
to create an integrated unit, that
can accommodate all current
medical records and the staff
required to manage the service,
including coders.
The contractors are on target to
complete the area for Christmas
2007 and although a tight
timescale, project manager Jerry
Burrell says he is confident he can
hit the target. ‘It is important to
have the unit completed and
racking installed to allow records
to be transferred to the new unit
over the Christmas and New Year
period.’
The work has been split into two
phases in order to reduce the time
taken to construct the unit; the first
phase was to strip the old imaging
area of walls ceilings and
ventilation services leaving a clear
void. During this period the new
layout was designed and agreed.
In stripping the area this not only
helped reduce the overall
programme but it also eliminated
the uncertainties of finding
services / physical restrictions that
would effect the new layout.
In a project such as this there are
many unlikely heroes, for example
the Pharmacy department and
adjacent clinic which over the
years have had to put up with the
delivery area off Highgate Hill
packed with various deliveries and
the to-ing and fro-ing of
contractors carrying out works in
K block.
The Link December 2007 7
LINK - December 07
10/12/07
14:37
Page 8
Counter Fraud Awareness Series
Payroll system fraud
This is the fourth in a series of articles from the Trust’s LCFS,
Nigel Sedgwick, to raise fraud awareness among Trust employees.
Whilst all the frauds described in
the series to date can be viewed
as actions against the Trust’s
payroll funds, certain frauds
involve misuse of the actual payroll
system itself.
This type of fraud will often
involve ‘ghost’ employees which
are non-existent persons set up
on a Trust’s payroll system. The
‘ghost’ will often be a recently
departed employee, made-up
name, or friend or relative of a
payroll employee.
Salary
payments to the ‘ghost’ are simply
transferred into the fraudsters’
bank accounts. The activity is
prevented and detected by
effective internal controls.
Case study 1
A payroll officer working for the
Calderdale and Huddersfield
NHS Trust was sentenced to 18
months community service in
June 2007 for paying herself
more than £3,000 that she was
not entitled to.
The officer used the payroll system
to make payments to various bank
accounts in her name between
March 2005 and March 2006. She
then tried to cover up the offences
by altering paperwork.
Case study 2
A manager from Kings College
Hospital NHS Trust and four
other people were sentenced in
February 2006 for conspiring to
defraud the trust of £580,000.
The 47 year old former staff
bank manager pleaded guilty
and was sentenced to four
years.
The manager was found to have
used her position of responsibility
to create ‘ghost' employees who
she pretended had worked shifts
as administrative and clerical staff.
After the wages for these false
shifts had been paid to the other
defendants,
the
manager
attempted to cover this up by
deleting the phantom shifts from
the payroll system. Her actions left
an electronic ‘footprint' in the
system which could be traced
back to her.
For further advice and to report
suspected fraud against the
Whittington please contact
Nigel on (020) 7953 8353 or
(07825) 403118.
Email:
[email protected]
Whittington radio treats for Christmas
For those unfortunate to be in the
hospital over the Christmas
period, Whittington Radio has
lined up a feast of good listening.
Helen Lee and Laurence Lewis,
who present Concert Hall, the
stations
classical
music
programme,
have
found
themselves on the road making
recordings.
Idit Gold
“What started as one,”
Laurence explained, “snowballed
into three.”
In consequence, their digital
8 The Link December 2007
recorders
have
been
to
Lauderdale House, recording a
concert of hits from Broadway and
the West End, by Singing in
Highgate, directed by Idit Gold,
who hosts the concert. This will be
broadcast on Christmas Day
during
Tony
Steinberg’s
programme.
The microphones were back at
Lauderdale for a Christmas
Cabaret Ding Dong Special,
presented by Tim McArthur that
featured Helena Blackman,
Valerie Cutko, Sarah Lark and
many other regulars from the
Sunday afternoon Cabarets at
Lauderdale House.
Back at the Whittington, the
Level Three Atrium was an
unusual setting for the North
London premiere of Little Gidding
by Jonathan Cohen. Based on
the poem by T S Eliot, this featured
a small group of musicians who
included Alec Dankworth on bass,
Paul Clarvis on drums and
percussion, Shanti Jayashina on
trumpet, Richard Bolton, cello and
guitar, Robert Townsend, sax,
clarinet and flute and Jonathan
Cohen piano. Little Gidding was
read by Malcolm Guite, and for his
narration Whittington Radio
provided a PA system.
“We shall be playing our
recording of Little Gidding during
our Christmas edition of Concert
Hall on Saturday 22 December,”
Helen commented. Adding,
“Laurence recorded an interview
with the composer that will
precede the performance.” That
programme will also include the
Christmas Cantata by Honegger,
music that’s been played in every
Christmas edition of Concert Hall!
A sad farewell to Linda Scantlebury
Linda had worked for the
Whittington from 1975 and
retired a few years ago, when
she went back to her first home
Barbados. She hadn’t been well
since her retirement and sadly
died on 10 November from
pancreatic cancer. She had
many friends at the Whittington
who were very fond of her. Linda
was a very gently person who
treated staff and patients alike
with courtesy and kindness. She
will be missed by all who knew
her.
LINK - December 07
10/12/07
Whittington
Postgraduate
Centre
The Narain Devi
Prize
Narain Devi with one of her
daughters and two
grandchildren
14:37
Page 9
The Narain Devi annual prize
donated by Dr Chandra in honour
of his mother, was established in
Summer 2007. It is awarded to the
best clinical presentation by a
junior doctor at the Whittington
weekly staff grand rounds.
Narain Devi was born on 20
October 1900 in the North West
Frontier Province, Old India. When
she was eight years old, her best
friend aged 14 was murdered by
her husband and mother in law.
She was hanged for not bringing
enough dowry to her new family.
Narain was so shocked at her
death
that
she
became
determined to educate herself.
She married in 1916 and had six
daughters and two sons. Her first
son died of bronchopneumonia as
a baby, not helped by the
Ayurvedic treatment he received.
Influenced by her elder brother
who was a doctor serving in the
First World War, and in her
resolution to ensure girls received
the same educational opportunities as boys, Narain brought up
her daughters and remaining son
THE WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL NHS TRUST
Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care
AN ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
For Parents, Families and Carers of all Faiths
Remembering babies and children
they have lost
before birth, around birth or later
to become doctors. Four of the
girls became Professors in
Medicine, and one of them, the
Province’s Director of Family
Planning. Her grandson is a
cancer specialist in the USA, her
grand-daughter a Histopathologist, her son Dr Chandra is a
Rheumatologist who trained at
the Whittington as a medical
student at Royal Free & UCL
Medical School. In three
generations there have been 50
doctors in Narain’s family.
Professor James Malone-Lee
awarded the first Narain Devi prize
on 25 July 2007 to Dr Jessica
Wrigley for her presentation “A
case of Spelunking in Mexico”. We
wish well and pray for all junior
doctors who honour Narain Devi’s
name by accepting this Prize.
The cycling
fields
have high regard for education
and all the children, despite the
poverty, wore clean white shirts
and uniforms in the schools we
passed (and to which we
donated writing and drawing
materials). However, inevitably,
change is beginning to occur and
some negative aspects of the
West appear to be encroaching.
Just over the border into
Cambodia, huge casinos are
going up with enticing adverts for
Russian nightclubs and other
unsavoury features. I hope, this
will not unduly affect the delightful
culture of the local population
who are only just beginning to
recover from the ravages of the
Vietnam war and the genocide of
Pol Pot.
Finally, you are never safe. The
Whittington has its tentacles
everywhere. On the last day of
the trip we booked into a more
upmarket hotel, in Siem Riep, for
a bit of R an’ R and “waiting” in
the foyer was Liz Bennett from
risk management. You never
know who you might meet in far
off 3!
Just a short note to say, despite
the sceptics amongst my
colleagues, that I “went, came
and conquered” 550 kilometres
on bike from Ho Chi Min City
(Hanoi) to Siem Reap in
Cambodia. I am very grateful to
those of my colleagues who so
generously sponsored me and I
have been successful in raising
over £6,000. I have assured
Deborah
Goodhart,
that
although the money is not going
to Building for Babies (alas), it is
going to an important child and
families charity.
I think our group was fortunate
in seeing Vietnam and Cambodia
whilst it remains, largely, unspoilt
by western influence. The people
we encountered were delightful
and maintain a pleasant and
uncluttered way of life – outside
the big towns they have no
running water or electricity, using
car batteries to power small
radios and televisions. Most of
the homesteads have chickens
and oxen in the front yard. They
Dr S Chandra
Dr Mervyn Jaswon Paediatrician
To be held in
THE STAFF AREA OF
N19 RESTAURANT
The Whittington Hospital
This is reached through
Whittington Court on Level 1.
On Sunday 3 February 2008
At 3.00 pm
The Link December 2007 9
LINK - December 07
10/12/07
14:37
Chaplain’s
Corner
Revd Daphne Williams
Co-Head Spiritual and
Pastoral Care
What is the link
between a foundation
trust and Christmas?
The more I’ve pondered, the
more links I have found!
First maybe there is the busyness of it all. The directors, and
many others, are working their
socks off (Santa will need lots of
presents to fill them then!) trying
to do their normal work and get
everything organised so our
foundation trust application can
go as smoothly as possible. At
much the same time a
considerable proportion of the
population is juggling not just the
normal balls of work and
homelife, but also extra ones
around having to buy presents,
wrap presents, send cards, plan
food and so on.
We tell
ourselves it will be worth it in the
end – let’s hope so!
Then there is the money thing.
One of the great benefits of
foundation trust status is that it
will give us greater financial
Page 10
independence and flexibility. I
heard someone from a
foundation trust almost gloating
the other day about how they
had made a profit and what they
were going to do with it
ploughing it back into the trust.
But what’s that got to do with
Christmas? Well, if your circle of
family and friends is anything like
ours, there is a group of people
in a certain age range who don’t
want presents I have carefully
chosen and wrapped and
beribboned! No thanks! They
want to be able to buy what they
want.
They want money
because they want some
financial
flexibility
and
independence. See what I
mean?
If you read the foundation trust
literature which is around in the
hospital what is the point it
stresses most powerfully? Not
extra work preparing, not the
money aspect (nice though that
is). No; the most significant
aspect of a foundation trust is
the way the new structure brings
it into closer contact with the
local community. The hospital of
choice for local people we say.
Local matters to us. Foundation
trust status will allow local
people to have a say, not only to
be able to choose to come here,
but also to become involved in
new ways. Membership is not a
gimmick – it is part of the way a
foundation trust enables the
linking between the hospital and
the community.
This is remarkably like the
message at the heart of
Christmas. The festival celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ
around 2000 years ago.
Christians believe Jesus was the
son of God, sent by God into the
troubled world for a purpose.
That purpose was to create
much closer links between God
and
the
community
of
humankind. In Christ, God
came to earth as one of us.
Through Christ we can draw
closer to God and know
forgiveness and peace. A word
you may see around or hear in
carols is Emmanuel; this means
God with us. Christmas is not
just about getting frazzled or
spending money. For Christians
it is part of the way God enables
the linking between heaven and
earth.
How ever you
are spending it
we wish you a
Happy
Christmas.
Laughter
Meditation
Winter is approaching and the
nights are longer, but are you still
laughing as much as you did in
the summertime? Come and find
out how to laugh away the
wintertime blues. This is a great
way to begin or end your working
day as laughter is both energizing
and relaxing. No jokes or sense
of humour needed.
Carrie
Graham is a member of staff and
part time laughter coach is
leading these sessions on a
voluntary basis. All staff and
volunteers are invited to these
sessions.
Sessions for staff and
volunteers 8.05am till 8.35am
Tuesday 11
December,
Thursday
13
December,
Wednesday 19 December in
Trevor Clay Room 1, building
behind the Jenner Building.
If you can’t come to one of
these sessions but would like to
organise a daytime office or ward
session? Then contact Carrie
[email protected].
uk . She is willing to come to you
during her lunch break to run
short laughter first aid sessions.
Department of Spritual and Pastoral Care
Christmas services and events
Friday 14 December - 12.15pm
Carol concert in the atrium, Level 1
by St Joseph’s School Children’s Choir
in the atrium, Level 1
Tuesday 25 December
Christmas day
10.15am Christmas carols and communion
Holy Communion available on all wards
Tuesday 18 December – 1.15pm to 2.15pm
Carols and readings
For the hospital with the Salvation Army band
in the atrium, Level 1
Special collection in aid of
Building for Babies
N19 restaurant staff Christmas lunch will
take place on Tuesday 11, Wednesday
12 and Thursday 13 December 2007:
Raffle prizes will include:
Monday 24 December
Christmas Eve
7.15 pm – Carols round the wards
Meet in Parentcraft Room (next to Chapel) at 7.00pm
Refreshments available after visiting wards
All welcome
10 The Link December 2007
Corporate gym membership
Luxury fruit basket
Food hamper
Selection of drinks
Tennis rackets
LINK - December 07
10/12/07
14:38
Page 11
Twelve dietetic days of Christmas
On the first day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me...
Exercise those calories away
with a brisk walk on Christmas
day.
TIP: Get off the sofa and go for
a winter walk or cycle. It’ll boost
your mood and help to prevent
that post-Christmas sluggish
feeling.
On the second day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me...
Have a breast or leg (turkey)
and leave the rest.
TIP: Turkey is a great option for
slimmers. It’s packed with
protein, which helps fill you up,
and provides many other
nutrients including zinc, a mineral
that keeps the immune system in
tip-top shape. But best of all,
turkey is lower in fat and calories
than many other meats, but only if
you don’t eat the skin.
On the third day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me...
Quiet often it’s the festive
between meal nibbles that pile
on the pounds. Gaining 1lb of
fat is as easy as eating around
70 chocolates from a selection
box – that might sound a lot,
but a couple of handfuls every
day soon adds up.
TIP: Don’t be tempted to stock
up on too many festive foods
before Christmas starts – you’ll
start eating them earlier and then
buy more. There’s also the
potential to be left with loads of
goodies – and you know you’ll
only find one way to get rid of
them!
Buy low-fat variety nibbles and
make your own low fat dips for
example reduced-fat crème
fraiche, low-fat natural yoghurt or
fat-free fromage frais. Add a
variety of seasonings such as
lemon juice, mustard, black
pepper, fresh herbs and spices.
On the fourth day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me...
Four mince pies lead to big fat
thighs!
Tip: 'A moment on the lips...' is
never truer than at Christmas
when you're faced with a
constant bombardment of
enticing food. It’s a good idea
to look at labels and compare
different varities of the same
product to find the one lowest in
fat and calories, every saving will
add up.
On the fifth day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me...
Keep your cravings at bay,
stock up on five a day.
TIP: Snack on crudités during
the day to avoid the temptation of
the sweet tin. Try to fill up your
plate with lots of fresh salads and
steamed vegetables to get that
feeling of fullness without the
extra calories.
On the sixth day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me...
‘Tis the season to be merry, but
don’t go drinking too much
sherry!
TIP: Most measures of spirits
poured at home will be larger than
those served pubs so it probably
contains twice as many calories.
If you’re going to do a lot of
entertaining at home, it’s worth
investing in a spirits measure. In
the meantime, always pour spirits
into the glass before adding ice or
mixers, so you can see just how
much alcohol you have.
It’s the oldest trick in the book,
but mix spirits with low-cal mixers
and allow around 50 calories for a
single (25ml) shot with a diet
mixer.
On the seventh day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me…
Slow it down
TIP: Eating too fast usually
means eating more than you
need. Give your brain time to
catch up with your stomach: It
takes about 20 minutes to feel the
food, so savour your festive food.
When you enjoy it more, you'll be
satisfied with less.
On the eighth day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me...
Always eat a healthy breakfast
TIP: Don't skip your first meal of
the day on Christmas Day just
because you know you'll be
eating a big lunch. Aim to eat a
light yet tasty breakfast such as
toasted fruit bread, crumpets,
pancakes, boiled egg and
soldiers or mixed berries with low
fat yoghurt and a handful of
crunchy cereal and you'll have
better control of your food intake
during the rest of the day.
On the ninth day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me…
Satsuma’s in the stockin’ will
make your Christmas rockin’
TIP: For a low-calorie seasonal
snack, choose a satsuma or
tangerine rather than a slice of
Christmas cake or mince pie.
Both these fruits are packed with
vitamin C, great for the immune
function and to help keep colds
and flu at bay and are virtually fat
free and contain just 20 calories
each.
On the tenth day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me...
To fail to plan is to plan to fail.
TIP: Make a list when you go
shopping to avoid the temptation
to add extra treats to you’re
basket. Plan meals and stick to
only those ingredients needed.
Try to avoid going to parties
hungry which may lead you
straight to the buffet and plan
some exercise that day to allow
you to enjoy the party without
piling on the pounds.
On the eleventh day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me…
Keep your hands away from
the Christmas buffet!
TIP: Don’t hover, stand or
constantly drift towards the buffet
table – you’ll end up constantly
picking, nibbling or munching on
tasty morsels and quickly forget
just how much you’ve eaten. The
easiest way to control the amount
you eat is to fill your plate just
once and then move away from
the food.
On the twelfth day of
Christmas my dietitian said
to me…
Lots of dancing at the
Christmas party
TIP: Don’t forget to hit the
dance floor at all those office
parties, too. It’ll help you burn
calories, tone muscles – and
keep you away from the buffet!
Gemma Bourke, Senior
Dietitian - Clinical Nutrition
Department
The Link December 2007 11
LINK - December 07
10/12/07
14:38
Page 12
Puzzle Page
Compiled by Ellen Beckett
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29
Solutions
to last
month’s
Link
crossword
Crossword winner:
Winner Ken Little
Women’s Health
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Across clues:
1. They were A-leaping? (5)
4. Substance used to create a 10 across. (3)
6. See 16 across.
9. Type of deer related to the moose. (3)
10. Inuit dwelling. (5)
11. They were A-milking? (5)
12. Please can I have some more, Sir? Oliver. (5)
13. Ordinal number given to a day involving 27 across. (5)
15. How ….. was my valley? Film released in 1941. (5)
16 & 6. Given on the fifth? (6, 5)
17. Along with sage is used to 21 across a turkey. (6)
19. Blend of meats and herbs used as a spread. (5)
21. Fill a turkey. (5)
24. Rich and abundant meal. (5)
25. Traditionally, a drink of spirits, water, sugar, lemon juice and spice. (5)
27. They were A-laying. (5)
28. Tiny, a Cratchett family member. (3)
29. They were A-swimming. (5)
30. What came first, is the question? (3)
31. Ordinal number pertaining to 1 across. (5)
Down clues:
1. They were A-dancing? (6)
2. Involuntary response. (6)
3. Airtight chamber for storing grain. (4)
5. These birds were given on the fourth. (7)
6. Use a mobile phone outside the standard area of coverage. (4)
7. A beginner. (6)
8. To add salt or pepper. (6)
14. Concealed places to observe wild animals. (5)
15. Crosswords are compiled on these. (5)
18. 1 across were A-. (7)
19. They were A-piping. (6)
20. Arctic plain with a permanent frozen subsoil. (6)
22. The snow lay deep and crisp but not this? (6)
23 & 26. Given on the third? (6, 4)
27. Present or talent. (4)
Send in the completed crossword along with the answer to the following
question:Which three themed things are missing?
Christmas prize to the winner.
A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
S
Sudoku
E
8
6
2
Solution to last
month’s Sudoku
4
8 6 7
Conundrum
Electric Christmas lights were first used in
which year?
1
8
5
6
4
2
4
9
3
1
5
8
Please send your answers to: Deborah
Goodhart, JENNER BUILDING
6
2
6
2 9 8
3
Answer to last month’s conundrum
Cronenberg's movies are usually pretty frightening,
which of them inspired the marketing slogan:
"Be afraid. Be very afraid"?
Was: The Fly
Winner: Dell and Peter – Postroom
5
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1
How to Play Sudoku:
Fill the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column
and 3x3 contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Please send your answers to:
Deborah Goodhart, JENNER BUILDING
Let us have your comments, ideas and stories for The Link. Send them to
The Press Office, Jenner Building, The Whittington Hospital, Magdala Avenue, London N19 5NF
Telephone: 020 7288 5983 Fax: 020 7288 5858
email: [email protected]
Editor: Deborah Goodhart
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