TALKING
POINT
April
2014
Flu
fighting’s
a piece
of cake .........
Talking
Point
is your
magazine
and it
is only
as good
as you
make it.
It is produced quarterly
in January, April, July
and October each year.
Ideas and stories or
suggestions to
make Talking Point
even better are
always welcome.
Please send your
ideas to:
The editor Lesley Connor
Public relations
South Tees Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
The James Cook
University Hospital
The Murray Building
Marton Road
MIDDLESBROUGH
TS4 3BW
Extension: 55900
Email: lesley.connor@
stees.nhs.uk
You can also contact
the public relations
team on 01642 854343,
extension 54343,
James Cook or email
public.relations@stees.
nhs.uk
Talking Point is written
and illustrated by
the public relations
team and designed by
Octagon Marketing
Company Ltd.
Octagon Marketing
Company Ltd specialise
in gaining advertising
support for magazines
so Talking Point is now
produced, packaged,
distributed and
delivered at a minimal
cost to the trust.
2
Visiting times are changing
VISITING times across all wards and
hospitals are being standardised as
of 1 April 2014.
Routine visiting will be from 3pm to 8pm
daily with open visiting allowed in specific
areas such as maternity, children’s wards and
acute admissions.
Staff can be flexible outside of these
times where necessary to support
individual circumstances.
Relatives will be encouraged to assist patients
if they are visiting them at meal times.
The changes, which affect both acute and
community hospitals, have been introduced to
help reduce healthcare associated infections as
part of the trust’s C difficile action plan.
It is hoped that the extended visiting hours
will encourage visitors to arrive at different
times which will help staff enforce infection
control rules such as having no more than two
visitors to each bed at any time.
Standardised visiting times will also be less
confusing for relatives, particularly when
patients are moving between wards, and
the extended hours should help ease traffic
congestion on the James Cook site.
Alison Peevor, assistant director of nursing and
deputy director of infection prevention and
control said: “Visitors can help us in the fight
against infection by not sitting on the beds,
not coming in if they are unwell, following
hand washing guidance on the wards and
letting staff know if they see any areas that
need cleaning.”
Future model announced
for services at the Friarage
NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and
Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group’s
governing body has officially approved
the decision to change paediatric and
maternity services and the special care
baby unit at the Friarage Hospital.
This followed the CCG’s council of members
(a representative from each GP practice in the
area) unanimous vote in favour of option one
which will mean:
• Opening a midwifery-led unit (MLU)
•D
eveloping a paediatric short-stay assessment
unit (PSSAU)
•C
ontinuing to deliver community paediatric
nursing and consultant paediatric outpatient
services at the hospital
Option 1 was also the preferred option of 95%
of members of the public who took part in the
CCG’s online survey.
Dr Vicky Pleydell, the CCG’s clinical chief officer,
said: “We have a legal duty under the NHS
Constitution to commission high quality, safe
services and are committed to ensuring a
transparent and open process is followed.
As such we have engaged widely with the
local population to ensure we talk to them
about the challenges faced in maternity and
paediatric services at the Friarage and to
present future options for safe and sustainable
service reconfiguration.”
Clinicians and managers from the trust have been
in discussions with the CCG for a number of years
after concerns were raised about the long-term
future, sustainability and safety of these services.
On top of the options being considered, three
new proposals were also submitted during the
consultation - two from members of the public
and one from Richmondshire District Council.
These were all independently assessed by
the National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT)
which concluded that while elements of the
proposals could be worked into a future
model, none offered a complete clinically safe
or sustainable plan. In endorsing the Council
of Members’ decision, the CCG’s governing
body voted on six key points:
•T
o agree the clinical case for change had been
strongly made and other options considered
•T
o agree the views of the public had been
sought and all mediums used to ensure a fair
and transparent process had been adopted and
that the impact on vulnerable groups – and
those experiencing health inequalities – could
be mitigated
•T
o endorse the outcome of the GP Council of
Members and the preferred option from the
public consultation
•T
o approve an overall investment of £625,000
for 24/7 ambulance, PSSAU to provide sevenday working, for a taxi service out-of-hours and
a shuttle bus service (in hours) between the
Friarage and James Cook for all specialties
•T
o agree all investment areas will be formally
reviewed by the governing body at six months
post-implementation
•T
o agree an implementation time frame of
six months for the new services to start in
October 2014
Our staff are now working through the detail on
implementing option one.
Flu fighting’s a
piece of cake
THE TRUST achieved its highest
uptake rates to date in the
NHS flu fighters campaign with
74.5% of healthcare workers
vaccinated and a total of 5,837
vaccinations given to staff
working to support patients and
families in our care.
Total trust staff
- healthcare
workers
vaccinated:
said: “We are delighted with this
year’s results and would like to say a
big thank you to occupational health,
our flu champions and everyone
else involved in making this year’s
campaign such as success.
“We would also like to thank all the
staff who came forward and had their
flu jab, the easiest way of preventing
any of us from getting flu and helping
to keep your patients and your loved
ones at home flu-safe.”
Shortlisted for the NHS Employers
award for best flu team, the trust
(left to right) Lynn Kell,
was nationally recognised for the
occupational health (OH) flu nurse,
success of the staff flu vaccination
Noel Adele, flu champion and diabetes
campaign. It was one of a few
charge nurse, Eileen Tilley, OH screening
trusts to achieve over 70%
nurse, Judy Butler, senior nurse, IT and health
uptake rates in the country,
records, Emma Rushmer, assistant director human
a testament to the hard
resources, and Pam McCourt OH manager
work of everyone involved
in the campaign.
The campaign is now being
evaluated and work is already
underway on planning another
successful campaign starting in
the autumn.
5,837 out of a total of
7,837 eligible healthcare
workers - 74.5%
92.8% of doctors (667 staff)
66% of nurses, midwives and
health visitors (1,904 staff)
60.7% of other professionally
qualified (730 staff)
79.9% of support to clinical staff
(2,536 staff)
Essential services (438) staff
Total number of staff vaccinated
from 1 October 2013 to 31
January 2014 - 6,287
The trust achieved unprecedented
uptake rates this year,
which is excellent in
terms of protecting
not only staff
“We are
but also their
delighted with
families, our
patients and
this year’s
the NHS services
we provide.
results.”
Ruth Holt,
director of nursing
and quality assurance,
Team work: members of the trust flu fighters team
3
What a relief! Urgent care
centres reduce A&E pressure
• Back, neck
and shoulder
injuries (minor)
OVER the past year, staff
at the three urgent care
centres in the primary
care hospitals in Redcar,
Guisborough and East
Cleveland have seen
over 25,000 patients.
With over 2,000 people a
month coming in and being
treated for minor injuries
this has helped relieve some
of the pressure at the very
busy accident and emergency
department at James Cook as
well as GP caseloads.
The patients also feel the
benefit as they are treated
at a location usually closer
to their home and probably
have a shorter waiting time.
Car parking is also free at all
three locations.
The centres are for patients
whose injury or illness is not
serious enough to warrant
a visit to A&E. There are
no doctors present at the
urgent care centres, but
emergency care practitioners
and highly-skilled nurses are
on duty and appointments
are not necessary.
What illnesses/
injuries can be
treated at an urgent
care centre?
• Bruises, sprains
or strains
• Bumps, cuts and grazes
• Burns and
scalds (minor)
• Chest infections
• Cuts, open wounds
and dressings
• Ear infections
• Eye infections
• Fractures and splinting
of minor broken bones
Healthcare assistant Lynsey Iredale treats a patient’s sprained
wrist at Redcar’s urgent care centre
including cuts, bumps and
grazes, strains and sprains,
bites, ear, throat and
skin infections and even
suspected fractures.
“Any patients who present
with conditions such as chest
pain or acute bleeding, are
assessed and immediately
referred on to A&E for further
treatment and care.”
Student nurse Siobhan Forcey,
who is on attachment at the
hospital added: “I have been
amazed at the myriad of
injuries that can be treated
here. In the first day I was
here I saw a dislocated finger
be corrected which I didn’t
know couldn’t be done
outside of James Cook.
Here at Redcar, there’s also
an x-ray department and
plaster room. It’s been a real
eye-opener.”
The centre at Redcar is
open 24 hours a day,
seven days a week,
while the other two
are open 9am to 5pm
Monday to Friday and
8am to 8pm weekends
and bank holidays.
Glen Home, one of
the emergency care
practitioners and Unison
rep, said: “Many injuries
and illnesses can be
treated at any of the
urgent care centres
Meet the teams,
Redcar above,
Guisborough
left and East
Cleveland
• Headaches
• High temperature
and fever
• Indigestion
• Insect stings and
animal bites
• Minor eye injuries
• Rashes and minor
skin complaints
• Removal of
splinters/thorns
• Sinusitis
• Sore throats
• Urinary tract infections
and cystitis
• Viral infections
Patients with the
conditions below
should attend A&E
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Major injuries
• Stomach pains
• Gynaecological
problems
• Pregnancy problems
• Allergic reactions
• Overdoses
• Alcohol related
problems
• Mental health
problems
• Conditions likely
to require hospital
admission
4
Hospital first in country to carry
out radio-guided lung surgery
WHEN Joan Wanless was
diagnosed with lung cancer on
one side of her lungs and a tiny
nodule was found on the other
she feared the worst.
Experts explained that it was an
untypical case and that if the
6mm nodule was cancerous as
well it would be too dangerous
to try to operate.
The grandmother-of-eight was dealt a
further blow when she discovered the
nodule was so small that it would be
extremely hard to find during surgery
and too high risk to do a biopsy using
normal surgical methods.
Luckily for Joan her cardiothoracic
consultant Joel Dunning at James
Cook had heard of an advanced
technique, never before used in this
country, that could help them locate
the nodule using a small amount of
radioactive tracer.
Joan Wanless with husband Gordon and the team who helped make the radio-guided
lung surgery possible. (Left to right: radiologist Dr Arivalagan Bapusamy, theatre
sister Caroline Baldwin, cardiothoracic consultant Joel Dunning, Joan, head of nuclear
medicine Mark Richardson and Gordon)
In order to carry out the radio-guided
technique special permission had to
be obtained from the Administration
of Radioactive Substances Advisory
Committee and Mr Dunning had to
call on the expertise of a number of
colleagues including the hospital’s head
of nuclear medicine Mark Richardson,
radiologist Dr Arivalagan Bapusamy and
theatre sister Caroline Baldwin.
“If the nodule was cancer
then going through a major
operation on the other
side of the lungs would
have been too high risk
so we absolutely had to
know what the nodule
was,” said Mr Dunning.
“Everyone at
the hospital
has just been
marvellous.”
“The nodule was 1cm deep
into the lung so we were
not going to be able to get to it
safely using normal methods.
“In a presentation I had seen in America
someone had talked about injecting a
radio active solution near to the nodule
and then using a Geiger counter
(instrument for detecting emitted
radiation) to find its exact location.
So I made enquiries as to whether
we could do something similar.”
It was a team effort with
radiologist Dr Bapusamy injecting
the radioactive solution guided
by images from a CT scanner
and Mr Richardson
Joan
working closely with Mr
Wanless with
Dunning in theatres to
husband
accurately locate and
Gordon
remove the nodule.
Mr Richardson said: “It was
a great success. The gamma
ray emissions enabled us
to find the nodule very
quickly using a radiation
detector-probe designed
for use in surgery.”
Pathology tests revealed
the nodule was benign and
a week later Joan, 72, had
the tumour removed using a
form of keyhole surgery known
as a VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic
surgery) lobectomy which is much less
invasive than traditional surgery.
Five days later Joan was back at her
Middlesbrough home with husband
Gordon and is now looking forward to
her grandson’s wedding in 2015.
“When they told me I had lung cancer I
thought that was it,” said Joan. “When
they say cancer that’s the first thing you
think of, it’s an awful feeling.
“But when Mr Dunning told me I could
have the operation that was the best
Christmas present ever.
“All the family had been really down
and this news just lifted us up. He gave
me a chance and I will never forget
that. Everyone at the hospital has just
been marvellous.”
5
Dedicated
surgeon Pat
retires
CONSULTANT surgeon
Pat Durning is looking
forward to spending
more time with her
family and pursuing
her other passions of
walking and gardening
following her retirement.
Pat qualified 41 years ago and
has spent the last 25 years at
Middlesbrough General and
South Cleveland/James Cook.
On leaving she said: “One of
the changes that I think has
made the most impact is the
reduction of junior doctors’
hours and the loss of the team
structure. I loved working in a
team. Leaving will be difficult
initially, but I have a family
who I can spend more time
with along with walking and
gardening. I won’t miss the
early morning starts.”
Fellow consultant Mr Imtiaz
Cheema said: “I’ve never seen
anyone as hard-working as Pat
and having shared an office with
her for years I will
miss her a lot as
will all those
who have
“I’ve never
met and
seen anyone as worked
alongside
hard-working
Pat. We
all wish
as Pat.”
her a long
and happy
retirement.”
6
Patients and staff
to benefit from
investment in
“This is
new technology excellent
news
THE trust has received
£1.4million to invest in new
technology for clinical staff.
We were one of 75 organisations across
the country to receive the first round of
investment from the Nursing Technology
Fund after successfully submitting two
bids that will deliver real improvements
to patient care and safety.
The funding will be used to buy
technologies such as tablets and clinical
software both in community and
hospital settings.
Chief executive professor Tricia Hart
said: “This is excellent news and
helps to support a key area for us in
transforming the way we care for – and
treat – patients through improved and
co-ordinated information technology.
successfully
and helps to
rolled
support a key
out in the
community.
area for us.”
Thanks to this
funding, new
high specification
and lightweight laptops will be
introduced so that mobile working can
be more effective, further supporting
nurses and our patients.
This will mean forms can be filled
in there and then with the patient
- saving nursing time - and access
to information will be improved
through dialling in through the phone
network, again improving the patient
experience and providing more ‘time
to care’. The funds will secure support
for over 350 nurses across South Tees
and North Yorkshire.
“The bids were developed by
The announcement was made
nurses – for nurses – and will
in March at the NHS EXPO
allow us to develop new,
conference in Manchester
“This is
more modern ways of
by Beverley Bryant,
working which will not
director of strategic
about
using
only help to improve
systems and technology
patient care but also
modern technology at NHS England.
benefit our staff.”
to support
She said: “This is
Our two successful
about using modern
and facilitate
projects were:
technology to
support
and facilitate
staff.”
• Vital signs monitoring
staff in providing
- £1million - This patient
compassionate and
safety initiative will help
personalised
nursing care.
ward-based clinicians to record
clinical data on hand held devices, so
the NEWS – national early warning
score - will be calculated electronically
and accurately in a standardised
manner. The project further
supports the escalation of care for
deteriorating and high risk patients
based on evidence based protocols so
importantly, care will be escalated to
the most appropriate clinician to care
for individual patients in a timely and
efficient manner.
• Mobile computing in community £444,000 - Over the last few years,
an electronic patient record has been
“It is about making life easier for staff
– for example a digital pen can improve
record keeping and reduce paperwork,
a tablet or iPad can mean a community
nurse can work on the go without
needing to make as many trips back to
the office, which means more time spent
with patients.”
The Nursing Technology Fund was
announced by Prime Minister David
Cameron at the end of 2012 with the
application process launched by NHS
England in 2013. In this first wave, NHS
England received 226 applications, led
by nurses, from 139 trusts.
Olympic spirit
STAFF who attended a
basic service improvement
workshop or training
aimed at service
improvement have been
awarded a bronze, silver or
gold Olympian certificate.
All staff who received them are
now registered as members of
the service improvement faculty
and committed to improving and
developing services at the trust.
Love nursing….
LOVE was in the air as part of
the trust’s latest recruitment
drive for more nursing staff…
A new ‘love nursing’ campaign
- launched as an open event on
Valentine’s Day - attracted almost 70
potential new members of staff.
The event was targeted at a number
of key areas with current vacancies
including acute and specialty
medicine, cardiothoracic services,
neurosciences, surgery and trauma
and aimed to give people a ‘taster’ of
life on the frontline.
This included the opportunity to talk
to nursing staff working at similar
levels about life on the wards, what
they like about their jobs and similarly,
some of the challenges they face on a
day-to-day basis.
Aimed at newly-qualified nurses,
those wishing to return to the
profession at a staff nurse level or
simply nurses who want a career
change, this latest event is one of a
number of different approaches the
trust is taking to recruitment.
In recent months, assessment centres
have been set up which look at
matching candidates to suitable posts
following group exercises (based on a
nursing scenario), individual interviews
and a drug calculation test.
Recruitment processes now also embed
‘Compassion in practice’ – the chief
nursing officer’s vision and strategy for
building a culture of compassionate care
which is based around six values – care,
compassion, courage, communication,
competence and commitment.
For further information on
the awards or the service
improvement faculty contact
the corporate improvement
team on 01642 282454
extension 52454 JCUH.
Eleven poster presentations
supported the formal session.
Annette Johnson, cardiac
rehabilitation manager, won
with a poster on ‘integration of
the acute and community heart
failure specialist nurse services’.
Staff awarded with their
silver awards:
Janet Griffin; Joanne Angus;
Judith Connor; Sharon Dixon;
Mandy Headland; Alison
Lonsdale; Paula Thompson;
Julie Poultney
Staff who received gold:
Val Gair; Ann Marie Hall; Gill
Husband; Lesley Green
Director of nursing and quality
assurance, Ruth Holt, said: “With all
the financial challenges facing the NHS,
there is a perception that we aren’t
recruiting any more but we always
need nurses – they’re a crucial part of
our healthcare team and our biggest
group of staff.
“As we’re such a large organisation
we wanted to host an open day
to showcase some of the career
opportunities available for nursing
staff and, importantly, give them
a chance to talk to colleagues
already working here and later
visit some of the clinical areas they
might be interested in joining.”
Building on the success of the event,
a further open-day was planned at the
end of March at the Friarage Hospital.
Patient Nick Biggs,
gold medal paraolympian with
chief executive
Tricia Hart at the
service improvement
workshop
7
You’ve given us a
snapshot of your
working lives what next?
Fond
farewell
to Jan
AFTER 38 years dedicated
service to the NHS,
Jeanette Wayman,
operating department
practitioner (OPD)
at Friarage theatres
has retired.
She initially trained as a
radiographer, moving to theatres
in 1980 as a trainee operating
department assistant (ODA).
Since qualifying she has
covered the main theatre
areas - scrub, recovery and
anaesthetics. An extremely
knowledgeable and
experienced ODP she enjoyed
teaching students.
Well respected by all her
colleagues including anaesthetists
and surgeons, Jan
has many friends
throughout
“We
the hospital
and will be
would like
sorely missed.
to wish Jan
a very happy
retirement.”
Jackie Codd,
senior ODP/
team leader
said: “We
would like to
wish Jan a very
happy retirement
and all the very best for the
future. She is expecting her first
grandchild later this year so will
have much to occupy her time.”
8
THE 2013 NHS staff survey
results have now been published
with South Tees being placed
among the top 20% of trusts
across the country in 15 of the 28
key findings.
Our overall indicator of staff
engagement – a key measure - also
increased which is important as we know
there is a direct relationship between
staff engagement and the experience of
our patients.
Research has shown a relationship
between staff engagement and
individual and organisational outcome
measures, such as staff absenteeism
and turnover, patient satisfaction and
mortality; and safety
measures,
including
infection
rates.
Our best ranked
scores were:
“The
important
thing for us
to act on
the results.”
• Percentage of
staff agreeing their
role makes a difference
to patients
• Percentage of staff believing the trust
provides equal opportunities for career
progression or promotion
• Percentage of staff witnessing
potentially harmful errors, near misses
or errors in the last month
• Percentage of staff experiencing
harassment, bullying or abuse from
patients, relatives or the public in the
last 12 months
• Percentage of staff reporting errors,
near misses or incidents witnessed in
the last month (this is encouraging as
last year this was identified as an area
we needed to improve)
While the key areas identified for
improvement are:
• Percentage of staff receiving
health and safety training at
work in the last 12 months
“I think, as a
snapshot, it shows
we are holding
up well under
pressure.”
While the biggest
improvement compared to
last year was the percentage
of staff agreeing their role makes a
difference to patients, with our figure
jumping from 89% to 93%.
Chief executive Professor Tricia Hart
said: “It’s a mixed set of results which
isn’t surprising given there has been
a significant amount of change
happening in the NHS but I think, as a
snapshot, it shows we are holding up
well under pressure.
“The important thing for us to act on the
results and share widely with staff the
action plans we intend to put in place to
make improvements.”
• Percentage of staff
feeling pressure in
the last 3 months to
attend work when
feeling unwell
• Staff motivation
at work
• Percentage of staff able
to contribute towards
improvements at work
• Percentage of staff receiving
well-structured appraisals in the
last 12 months
From this month, NHS England is also
introducing the staff ‘friends and family
test’ in all NHS trusts with a vision that
all staff should have the opportunity
to feedback their views on their own
organisations at least once a year.
It’s hoped this initiative will promote a
cultural shift in the NHS and strengthen
the staff voice - as well as the patient
voice – by providing further opportunity
and confidence to speak up if issues arise.
Hundreds unaware they
have Paget’s disease
RHEUMATOLOGISTS at James
Cook are urging people to be
more aware of Paget’s disease –
a common bone disorder which
affects hundreds of people
across the South Tees area
without many of them even
knowing about it.
Paget’s disease is characterised by
excessive breakdown and formation of
bone which results in weakened bones
that can lead to pain, misshapen bones,
fractures, and osteoarthritis.
But many people have no symptoms
at all so they do not even realise they
have the disease unless it is discovered
by a chance when the patient is
having an x-ray or blood test for
another problem.
Dr Stephen Tuck, consultant
rheumatologist at James Cook and vice
chair of the Paget’s Association, said the
disease affects 1- 3% of over 55s.
“A large number of people have Paget’s
disease but do not know about it,” he
said. Or if they have been diagnosed by
their GP they think there is not a lot you
can do about it, which is not true.
“The number of Paget’s patients we
are seeing is nowhere near the number
actually out there.
“We are urging anyone over 55 with
painful or misshapen bones to see their
GP and anyone who has been diagnosed
with Paget’s disease to ask about the
treatments available.”
Paget’s can be controlled using
medication that can be given as tablets
“A large number
of people have
Paget’s disease
but do not know
about it.”
Rheumatologist Dr Stephen Tuck and chemical pathologist Dr Stewart Pattman pictured
with Diana Wilkinson of the Paget’s Association on a recent visit to James Cook
or through a drip
directly into the
blood stream.
“The day
is free to
attend and it is
open to anyone
who is interested
in Paget’s
disease.”
Early
treatment
can eliminate
pain, prevent
future
fractures and
stop problems
spreading to the
body’s nervous
system which could
lead to issues such as leg
weakness or sciatica.
Diana Wilkinson, healthcare and
education officer for the Paget’s
Association, recently visited James
Cook to see the range of clinics
available, help raise awareness and
promote the charity’s first information
day in the area.
Patients, carers and health professionals
are invited to attend the Paget’s
Information Day on Wednesday 14 May
2014 at the Middlehaven Conference
Suite, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough,
from 10am to 3.30pm.
Diana said: “The day is free to
attend and it is open to anyone
who is interested in Paget’s disease.
Those attending will be able
to question a range of
experts and it is also a great
opportunity to meet others
with the same condition.”
To book your place call
0161 799 4646. For more
information visit
www.paget.org.uk
Did you know?
• Paget’s disease is a bone disorder
that occurs more commonly as
we get older.
• Paget’s is characterised by
the excessive breakdown
and formation of bone,
(bone remodelling).
• The pelvis, femur, and lower
lumbar vertebrae are the most
commonly affected bones.
• The UK has the highest
prevalence of Paget’s in
the world
• By the age of 80 Paget’s presents
in approximately 8% of men and
5% of women
9
My medicines, my health
STAFF at South Tees are taking an active part in
the ‘my medicines, my health’ campaign which
focuses on improving medicines adherence,
improving health outcomes for patients and
reducing waste medicines.
Targeting patients across Teesside and North Yorkshire who
have long term medical conditions, ‘my medicines, my health’
urges people to value the medicine they have been prescribed
for their health condition by keeping them safe together in
one place and in one bag – and take them with them for key
medical appointments such as visits to hospital.
The benefits to patients for using the green medicine bag
(or any marked bag) include maintaining familiarity of their
own medicines, reducing confusion, empowering patients to
manage their own medicines, quicker discharge and reduction
of the hoarding of medicines at home.
The benefits of using the green medicine bag for our
trust include involving the patient in decision making;
increase patient satisfaction; optimise medicine
taking; improved communication and transfer
of care as well as improved patient education
around medicine.
My medicines
my health:
Adrienne Stark
with a green
medicine bag
The campaign, which launched in February, has been
on regional TV adverts, radio, social media, and in
shopping centres, has had a lot of press coverage.
Adrienne Stark, deputy director of pharmacy at
the trust, said: “It is hoped the campaign will help
to facilitate accuracy of prescribing on admission,
reduce inappropriate dispensing and cut down on
avoidable medicine waste. The amount of omitted
drug administration will be less and the patients
will be less confused with their medicines
once they have been discharged.”
Further information can be found
on the campaign website
www.mymedicinesmyhealth.org.uk
or on Twitter @NHSmymedicines.
Dedicated volunteers receive awards
FIVE volunteers
have received
special recognition
for giving up their
time to help cancer
patients at the trust.
Joan Blott, Joyce McArthur,
David Phillips, Julie Wootton
and Marjorie Auty have
all clocked up five years
voluntary service with the
Macmillan information centre
at James Cook.
“Without our volunteers we
would not have a service,”
said centre manager Julie
Taylor. “And this is our way
of saying a big thank you to
them for their continuous
hard work and dedication.”
Joan, who worked in health
records in the NHS, started
volunteering in 2007,
spending one day a week
doing admin tasks and
assisting clients.
Joyce, who worked in
education, said she started
volunteering because she
just wanted to help: “I feel
this role is rewarding and I
enjoy meeting people and
supporting them.”
David, who worked in the
RAF and has seen a number
of family members battle
cancer, spends one day a week
helping the bereavement
service and the centre.
Julie, who worked as a
nursery nurse, helps within
the centre entering data and
helping with bereavement
services. Having cared for
her mum who had cancer
Julie wanted to give
something back to Macmillan
and use her experience to
support others.
Marjorie, a retired primary
school teacher, received
excellent information and
support from Macmillan
when her husband had non
Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She said
“I wanted to do something
in return for all the help and
support that was given at my
difficult time.”
Joyce McArthur, Joan Blott, David Phillips, Julie Wootton, and Marjorie Auty (left to right) receive
their five-year voluntary service awards from Macmillan
10
Chief executive professor
Tricia Hart presented
certificates to the five
volunteers at a celebration
event in the academic centre.
James Cook first in UK to
implant new miniature
wireless heart monitor
JAMES Cook has become
the first hospital in the UK
to implant a new miniature
wireless heart monitor.
Cardiologist Nick Linker was the first
to insert the Medtronic Reveal LINQ™
device which will primarily be used to
help pinpoint why a patient is suffering
blackouts or an irregular heartbeat.
Traditionally doctors would have
implanted a loop recorder the size of
a USB stick into a patient’s chest to
monitor their heart rate. These devices
record on a loop system for up to
three years.
If the patient experienced a blackout
they would then use a separate device
to freeze the recording which could
then be assessed by a consultant at
the hospital.
The new monitor offers all the same
benefits but is a tenth of the size
of the traditional loop recorder,
making it much more comfortable
and less noticeable under the skin –
it is nearly invisible to the naked eye
in most patients.
On top of this it talks wirelessly to a
receiver in the patient’s house which,
when the patient is near to it,
automatically transmits any
unusual heart activity via a
wireless 3G signal to a secure
Cardiologist
Nick Linker
compares the
traditional loop
recorder to the new
Medtronic Reveal
LINQ™ device
system that can be accessed instantly by
the heart team at the hospital who
can then contact the patient if
New device
they need to see them.
no bigger
It also comes complete with its
than a AAA
own implant kit which means
battery
there’s no need for surgical
kit and scalpels. The procedure
requires an incision of less than 1cm
which can then simply be glued
back together.
It is hoped that in the future it could
be performed in just 10 minutes in
a treatment room rather than in a
theatre setting.
Dr Linker said it was fantastic to be
the first in the UK to implant the new
device: “From my perspective it was a
much simpler and quicker procedure
and it was very easy to do.
“From a patient’s point of view the
device is much smaller so it is more
comfortable and you get a much better
cosmetic result. And because it does
everything the previous device did it is a
winner all round.”
Trudie Lobban, chief executive and
founder of the Arrhythmia Alliance
welcomed the use of the new device
for diagnosing patients with irregular
heartbeats: “For 50% of people
with atrial fibrillation there are
no symptoms that suggest that
they may have an arrhythmia.
“While we are fortunate
that there are a number
of treatments and
interventions for treating
these conditions, the
problem is finding those
patients before they arrive
at the hospital with a life
threatening condition.”
Laurence first to
benefit from
new device
Laurence Shine, 54, of County
Durham, was the first person in
the UK to have the Medtronic
Reveal LINQ™ device fitted to
monitor his irregular heartbeat.
Mr Shine had the new device
implanted after being selected
to take part in a research trial by
cardio research sisters at James
Cook, who explained the process
and arranged everything from
screening and enrolment to
regular clinic visits.
Mr Shine said he had every
confidence in the cardio team
and happily watched the
procedure take place after being
given a local anaesthetic.
“All the staff were very helpful
and Dr Linker explained exactly
what was going on. It all seemed
very straight forward so there
was nothing to worry about.
“I was surprised how quick
and smooth it was - It was as
if Dr Linker had done it many
times before!”
Mr Shine said he’s impressed
by how small the device is
compared to the traditional
loop recorder. He added: “There
was no discomfort during the
procedure and all I can feel now
is a bit of a bump.”
11
Hospital o
station and
WORK has begun on the long
awaited rail station at the back
of James Cook.
Have you picked your smart swap?
AS part of National Obesity
Week the health improvement
service held a smart swaps
event at James Cook for staff,
patients and visitors.
services/health-improvement/ or
smartswaps.change4life.co.uk/
Pick your smart swap…
Food/drink
Swap for
The free event included healthy heart
screening, BMI checks, healthy recipes,
alcohol awareness and advice on local
health walks, cycling schemes and
infant nutrition.
Whole milk
Semi-skimmed
milk
Semi-skimmed
milk
1% fat or
skimmed milk
Health improvement manager Carol
McArdle said: “Whether you want to
lose weight, improve your fitness or
eat healthier in 2014 we have a range
of NHS services across Middlesbrough,
Redcar and Cleveland to help you
achieve your goals.”
Butter
Lower fat butter
or spreads
Sugary drinks
Sugar free drinks,
milk or water
Cheese
Reduced fat
cheese
Sugary cereal
Plain cereal
Find out more at southtees.nhs.uk/
Sylvia plans to rock after four
decades in the NHS
WARD 36 manager Sylvia
Wilson has retired after 40 years
dedicated service to the NHS, 30
for the trust’s division of trauma.
She began her nursing career as an
enrolled nurse at West Lane Hospital in
1973, moving to Middlesbrough General
Hospital in 1978, and then to James
Cook. After converting to registered
nurse she became a sister and has been
ward manager for the past 14 years.
Having some ‘me time’, spending more
time with her family and grandchildren
and more holidays are priorities for
retirement. She is
also hoping to get
out and about
and do more
exercise namely
walking and
swimming. Sylvia
is also looking
to explore her
musical talents by
12
finding a local ‘rock choir’ to join.
“I have made lots of good friends
and have lots of fond memories”, she
said. “I firmly believe there is nothing
you cannot achieve in life, if you try
and really go for it and my career
proves that.”
Glynis Peat, directorate manager
for spinal injuries/senior nurse, said
“Sylvia is a true stalwart of the NHS
and will be greatly missed by her
friends and colleagues.
“Devoted to her patients and with a
genuine concern for both patients and
staff, she will be a hard act to follow.
We wish her a long and happy
retirement and all the very
best for the future.”
Sylvia
celebrates with
friends and
colleagues at
her retirement
do
Following a successful application
to the local sustainable transport
fund, Tees Valley Unlimited secured
Department of Transport money for
the new station, alongside a number of
other initiatives to improve rail facilities
across the area.
Construction work – being delivered by
Network Rail – started on site in January
with the rail halt expected to open this
summer for patients, visitors and staff.
Up to 17 trains a day in each direction
are expected to call at the hospital
and other stations on the line between
Middlesbrough and Nunthorpe.
The £2.2million facility will have
a single platform providing
a fully-lit waiting shelter
and seating, full CCTV
coverage and passenger
information including
an electronic screen
and public address
announcements.
The development
closely interlinks
with Middlesbrough
“The new
will make a
contributi
transport inf
of Middle
and the
Teesside
on track for new rail
d new car park!
Council’s plans for a state-of-the-art
sports village off Marton Road, which
also includes a residential area on the
former Prissick base and Brackenhoe
East School sites.
“We are delighted that work
has now started on this
strategically important rail
scheme, developed with a
number of our key partners. It
will fill a significant gap in the
existing rail network and provide
an alternative means of access
to one of the area’s largest
employment sites and other
surrounding developments,
which are located along a busy
transport corridor.
The project has been developed in
partnership between Tees Valley
Unlimited, the trust, Middlesbrough
Council, Network Rail and Northern
Rail, which operates the existing
train service on the Middlesbrough to
Whitby Line.
It’s also hoped the scheme will help to
alleviate some of the car parking issues
on the James Cook site and help to
make access to and from the hospital
easier for staff, patients and visitors.
At the beginning of this year, the
Board of Directors agreed to
plans to develop and finance
extra car parking on the
James Cook site which
will include:
structure
w
a valuable
ion to the
nfrastructure
esbrough
e wider
e area.”
• Selling off the
Brackenhoe site
(which was only a
temporary car park) as
development land
• Buying a piece of
land from the council
“This scheme – along with other
rail improvements that TVU
is funding – should help to
increase rail use, contributing
“The rail
towards our key objectives
of creating growth and
link will be a
cutting carbon across the
major boost for
Tees Valley”
the trust, our
further down
staff and our
from Brackenhoe
which would be
patients.”
used to create a
permanent car park
of 1,100 spaces (this
would replace the existing spaces on
Brackenhoe – around 900 – plus 200
extra spaces for staff)
• S eeking permission to build another
car park on vacant land next to
the holistic centre (providing
approximately 326 additional staff/
patient/visitor spaces)
• Improving access to the hospital by
building a dedicated link road to
the hospital from Ladgate Lane (in
partnership with the council)
Director of service strategy and
infrastructure Jill Moulton said: “The
rail link will be a major boost for the
trust, our staff and our patients. It’s
something we’ve been talking about
for over 25 years and will greatly
improve access for patients.
Full steam
ahead: Jill looks
at the plans
What our
partners have
to say about
the rail halt
“We also hope it will encourage more
staff to leave their cars at home and
help us reduce our carbon footprint
although we do recognise the car
parking issues on the James Cook site
have to be addressed.”
Managing director of
Tees Valley Unlimited Stephen Catchpole
“The new structure will make
a valuable contribution to the
transport infrastructure of
Middlesbrough and the wider
Teesside area. It will fill a critical
gap in the rail network and
over time lead to a substantial
reduction in the number of cars
using Marton Road. That will help
to reduce congestion in this busy
area and the benefits will be felt
in other parts of the town.”
Middlesbrough Council’s
executive member for
environment – councillor
Nicky Walker
“This partnership is not only
adding a train station to the
developing community – it is also
improving the current service we
deliver and we’re thrilled to be
part of this exciting project.”
Managing director for Northern
Rail – Alex Hynes
13
Purple walkers
work wonders
HAVING already raised almost
£18,000 of their £40,000 target to
help towards the redevelopment
of the haematology day unit at
James Cook, from a couple of
‘purple walks’, Mark Stewart and
Brian Jones were delighted to have
been able to hand over a further
£10,000 from the Jack Brunton
Charitable Trust.
trustee of the Stokesley-based Jack
Brunton Charitable Trust, Susie
Jones contacted Brian because
her late husband was also called
Brian Jones, and he had received
treatment on the haematology
day unit for a blood cancer,
aplastic anaemia.
Mark, age 40, from Middleton Tyas, near
Richmond, was diagnosed with chronic
cancer last year. He is a patient on the unit
which treats patients with blood cancers
and other blood disorders.
Jack Brunton farmed a considerable
amount of land in the Teesside area. He
decided to put a large sum of money into
a trust that would support teams, village
halls, conservation within the county of
North Yorkshire, but not to individuals. The
trustees meet and decide who should get
financial help.
Last September, the two best friends
organised two ‘purple walks’ around the
Tees Barrage area of Stockton on Tees and
more than 400 people rallied to the cause
and took part, raising £18,000.
Mark appreciated the unit’s dedicated
staff and their efforts to lift patients’
spirits, and provide the best possible
care. He wanted to thank them and do
something which would help to improve
the environment for future patients and
support their recovery.
Currently, the environment for patients
and visitors on the unit is far from ideal,
and plans are underway to relocate the
services to another part of the hospital
during this year.
On seeing the news regarding Mark’s
ambitious target, the wife of a former
On completion of the application
the trustees agreed to fund a further
£10,000 to the project.
Brian’s widow Susie said: “When Brian
died the trustees wanted to support
the haematology department and this
donation is very special.”
Donations can still be made at http://
www.justgiving.com/purplewalk or text
- GLAK64 - plus the amount you wish to
donate to 70070.
Paul Watkins, head of fundraising for
South Tees Hospitals Charity, said: “We
very much appreciate this helping
hand. Money raised will help us to
provide a first class facility for treating
patients with blood cancers and other
blood disorders – designed with the
patient in mind.”
South Tees Hospitals Charity
covers The James Cook University
Hospital and the Friarage
Hospital as well as community
services. All donations given are
used to enhance patient care over
and above the core services and
facilities that the NHS provides.
We have big ambitions to make
a difference to the experience of
patients who need to be cared
for in the trust’s nine hospitals
and community. With your help
we want to:
• Keep our hospitals at the
forefront of care provision;
delivering the best possible
care to the region’s
population by purchasing
state-of-the-art equipment
• Enhance our staff’s training to
keep our teams up-to-date on
medical advances
• Create the best possible
environments for patients
and staff
We can only do this with the
help of patients, carers, staff and
local communities who organise
fundraising events and give
donations and legacies.
From left to right: Healthcare assistant Vicky Burton, consultant haematologist Dr
Dianne Plews, Brian Jones, sister Alexis Wollaston, project manager Margaret McQuade
and clinical matron Anne Dewing
14
Further details are available by
contacting the charity team on
01642 854160 or visiting their
website at www.southtees.nhs.
uk/charity.You can also keep
up to date with the latest on
South Tees charity on twitter @
STeesCharity
Ward gets much
needed transformation
STEPPING onto ward 3 now
compared to a year ago,
you could be forgiven for
thinking you were in the
wrong place…
The design also considered the
needs of dementia patients and
other features were added for staff
including ‘note shelves’ so nurses can
now write up their notes in the bays
and single rooms.
The footprint is the same but the
area has been totally transformed –
thanks to a £1.3million upgrade.
Taking six months to complete, the
project was led by the trust’s service
strategy and infrastructure team,
in partnership with construction
company Interserve.
Based in one of the older buildings
at James Cook – the 1 to12 ward
block - the refurbishment forms part
of longer term plans to improve the
overall environment for staff and
patients and included:
• Increasing the number of single
rooms to nine
• Putting in seven en-suite
bathrooms
• Improving overall sanitary facilities
• Each bed now has oxygen and
vacuum facilities
• Creating a quiet room and two
‘hot desks’ for doctors
• New staff room
• Complete redecoration
• New flooring consistent in tone
and contrast
• Adding a feature wall in each of
the bays and single rooms
• Replacing all the ceilings
Lead nurse Paula Atkin said: “We
set out to achieve the best possible
environment for patients and staff.
“In its previous condition, the ward
didn’t create an environment which
allowed us to deliver modern patient
care – it had inadequate sanitary
facilities, there was an issue with
beds and space and we knew we
could do more to address patients’
privacy and dignity.
“Now, while the footprint is the
same, it looks completely different
and overall we’re very pleased with
the result.”
The project was managed and led
by project manager Dave Smith and
Bruce Davison from Interserve.
Bruce added: “It was great to
complete the upgrade of ward
3. It’s another successful P21+
project working in partnership
with the trust.”
Representatives from the multiorganisational project at its launch. South
Tees governor and Redcar and Cleveland
Council cabinet member Sheelagh Clarke
(second left) and Susan Watson, director
of operational services (fourth left)
Agents bond
for partnership
working
THE COMMUNITY agents project
was successfully launched at the
end of September last year.
The aim of the project is to enable
vulnerable people in Redcar and
Cleveland to stay safe and remain
independent in their own homes,
particularly those who live alone and
those who are frail or elderly.
Tees Valley Rural Community Council
worked in partnership with South Tees
and Redcar and Cleveland Borough
Council to deliver the project which
is demonstrating strong effective
integrated working.
The three community agents work
across Redcar and Cleveland alongside
health and social care practitioners, with
support from other voluntary sector
organisations. Some of the key areas
of involvement have been befriending,
social activity, assisting with completing
forms and transport.
Over the past five months we have
seen a steady growth in the number of
referrals, totalling in excess of 150 to
date. Referrals have been received from
a wide range of referrers including,
acute and community based health
care staff, social care, voluntary sector
organisations and self-referrals.
(left to right) Amanda Parry, Paula Taggart, Pauline Oxley, Dave Smith, Paula
Atkin and Ann Dixon in the refurbished ward 3
Invaluable support is being provided
by Teesside University to evaluate
the project and identify any gaps in
service provision.
15
Maternity services
gain top safety rating
MATERNITY services
across the trust have
gained recognition for
its high quality, safe
services for mums and
their babies following
an intensive review.
The Clinical Negligence
Scheme for Trust’s (CNST)
maternity standards are
divided into three levels
and the organisation is
now one of very few in
the country (around 20) to
achieve a maximum level 3
status with one of the best
scores – passing 48 out of
50 criteria.
It follows a rigorous
assessment over two days
looking at all aspects of
maternity care over the
five specific standards
- organisation, clinical
care, high risk care,
communication, postnatal
and new born care.
The assessors’ detailed
assessment process
included interviews,
document and policy
checks and examination
of health records and
review of clinical audits
to ensure that these
polices and guidelines are
implemented consistently
in every day practice.
Head of midwifery
Yvonne Regan said: “It’s
fantastic news and a
real achievement for all
the staff who have been
working so hard to make
it happen – from those
responsible for gathering
all the evidence together
to the staff working on the
wards – it’s really been a
team effort.
The CNST rating is a very
clear indicator of the
safety and quality of care
provided for mothers
delivering at our maternity
units, either in the
hospital itself or at home
with the support of our
community midwives.”
The NHS Litigation
Authority (NHSLA) provides
an ‘insurance scheme’ to
NHS trusts against claims
for clinical negligence
through the Clinical
Negligence Scheme for
Trusts (CNST).
Trusts have to meet
standards of care that
show they are promoting
and using effective risk
management to minimise
the risk of harm to their
patients. Because of the
nature of claims in NHS
maternity services (where
payments for incidents are
high as they often have to
support the baby through
their life), a separate set of
CNST standards are in place
for maternity services.
Managing director for
the women and children’s
centre Fran Toller added:
“This is the highest level
to achieve nationally
and is excellent news
for the service and the
trust. I’d like to thank the
team which led on our
detailed preparations for
the assessment and all
the other staff in both
maternity and neonatal
services who contributed to
this successful outcome.”
16
Melissa Brown (left) and Fiona Downs encourage people to
make a pledge on the NHS Change Day stand at James Cook
Making a pledge to
improve patient care
TRUST staff joined
hundreds of
thousands of people
across the country by
making a pledge for
NHS Change Day.
Now in its second year, NHS
Change Day encouraged staff
to pledge to do one thing to
improve care for patients - no
matter how big or small.
Staff made pledges online and
at the NHS Change Day Stand
in the atrium at James Cook.
Many were even posted on the
social networking site Twitter.
Here are some of
our favourites:
• Learn where different
departments are in
the hospital, so when
patients ask me in the
corridor I can send them
in the right direction
• Listen to patients and explain
processes clearly
• Use my own experiences
to provide more
compassionate services
• Smile more
• Walk down the corridor and
speak to my staff rather than
sending an email
• Thank every therapeutic care
volunteer for every minute
they give to our patients
• Have a positive attitude
towards everything I do
• Treat everyone with the
respect they deserve
Patients were also interested
in the NHS Change Day stall,
asking questions, taking
information away to read
and even making pledges
themselves such as making
sure they attend all their
appointments on time.
Last year’s event attracted
almost 190,000 pledges, many
of which had a direct impact
on improving patient care. This
year the campaign’s aim was
to reach 500,000.
Regional Change Day
lead Beverly Wilson said:
“Change Day is a chance for
local NHS staff to show that
they have the power in their
hands to make things better
for their patients.
“One small act, from smiling
more to greeting patients
by their first name, can have
an amazing effect – and
completely change someone’s
experience of NHS care.”
At the time Talking Point
went to print more than
502,650 pledges had been
made nationally.
Dr Maxine Craig, head of
organisation development
at the trust said: “Thank you
to everyone at South Tees
who took the time to make a
pledge to help us continue to
improve the care we provide
to our patients.”
Sharing good
practice worldwide
THE TRUST welcomed three
midwives from Ghana as part
of a project involving Kybele
– a non-profit humanitarian
organisation dedicated
to improving childbirth
safety worldwide through
educational partnerships.
Kybele’s role is to bring professional
medical teams into host countries, to
work alongside doctors and nurses
in their home hospitals, to improve
healthcare standards.
Fiona Bryce, clinical director for obstetrics
and Kerry Morgan, risk midwife at
the trust and Liz Floyd, midwife, are
all involved with the Kybele project,
working together with Ghana
Health Service.
They also work alongside
the Institute of Health
Improvement (IHI) to
see what other
organisations are doing
to improve healthcare
around the world.
advisory role, two or three times a
year to help improve efficiency and
healthcare practices and ultimately
to help reduce neonatal and
maternal mortality.
Cecilia,
Susana,
Victoria
In Ghana, maternal mortality is
estimated to be around 560 deaths
per 100,000 live births. The leading
causes of maternal death are preeclampsia, acute haemorrhage, sepsis,
obstructed labour, non-hemorrhagic
anemia and unsafe abortion.
Overall, 92 % of women attend at least
one antenatal clinic, but only half of
all deliveries are attended by a skilled
health professional, such as a midwife
or physician.
Susana Asamoah – labour ward
manager and triage midwives
Victoria Ahwireng and
Cecilia Tetteh from Ridge
“We were
Regional Hospital,
particularly keen Accra, Ghana, visited
Friarage and James
to hear from
Cook hospitals to see
how our maternity
the midwives
units work.
As part of a developing
working partnership to
share knowledge, learning
and good practice, the trust
team regularly visit Ghana in an
and staff at
the trust.”
Their aim was to learn
from other areas of practice
and develop innovative ideas
to benefit patient care in their
own busy regional hospital in Ghana.
The main focus of their visit was to
observe maternity triage to improve
the assessment process when women
first arrive, give them appropriate
advice and ensure early detection of
high risk problems. They also wanted
to learn more about patient flow and
how it is achieved.
Susana said: “We were very interested to
see how things work in the UK and we
have learned a lot of lessons which we
can take home with us.
“We were particularly keen to hear
from the midwives and staff at the trust
their ideas on good customer care and
improving the relationship between
patient and midwife so we can get to
know our patients better and how they
are feeling.
“We want to develop and improve
confidence in our service so we can
provide the best possible treatment and
keep improving services to enhance their
quality of life.“
An example of transferable practice that
could benefit patients back in Ghana is,
sterile water injection – a simple pain
measure, and also how the partogram
assessment tool for labour can be used to
the best advantage.
Fiona Bryce, on behalf of the team, said:
“The trust is committed to developing
services to improve patient experience
and ensure high quality care and it is
a great privilege to be able to share
professional roles and practice and to
understand the reality of working in
a hospital in Ghana, and for them to
understand what life is like working at
our hospitals.
Learning curve: (left to right) Liz, Cecilia, Fiona, Susana, Kerry, and Victoria at Friarage
maternity unit
“We were delighted to welcome the
midwives and to show them our services
and share our specialist skills and we
have all gained a lot from the visit. We
look forward to continuing this mutually
beneficial partnership and support
network in the future for the benefit of
patients here, and in Ghana.”
17
Ticket to a smooth
and speedy discharge
GARA ward staff at the
Friarage Hospital have
introduced a new scheme
to ensure patients are kept
fully informed about their
hospital journey.
The team are issuing ‘my discharge
tickets’ to create a smooth and in
many cases more speedy discharge
home while also helping patients and
their families become more involved
and informed.
Each ticket has a number of sections
which link in with a patient’s journey
from admission through to discharge.
Occupational therapists,
physiotherapists and nurses update
each section of the discharge ticket
after discussion with the patient.
Daily goals are agreed and patients can
see that achieving these will take them
another step closer to discharge.
A red/amber/green (RAG) rating
process is used which links with the
ward’s patient status at a glance board,
so at the bedside the same information
and progress can be seen by staff,
patients and relatives alike.
The Gara team were inspired to review
their whole patient discharge process
after attending a three day workshop.
It is hoped the new discharge
tickets will promote clear and open
communication with patients and their
families as well as ensuring all planned
care is individually tailored.
Clinical matron Karen Harwood said:
“Ward manager Keir Rumins and the
whole Gara team have done some
fantastic work following on from the
discharge workshops and I am very
proud of what they have achieved.
“Patients are already starting to
see the benefit; with one recently
commenting on what a smooth
discharge home she experienced.”
It is now hoped the scheme can be
rolled out across other wards in the
trauma division.
18
Recipients of the long service awards with Marjorie McDonald front centre
Dedicated Marjorie leads the way
when it comes to long service
OVER 120 loyal and dedicated staff
have received long service awards
from the chairman of the trust,
Deborah Jenkins.
In this elite group, who in total have given
2,795 years of service, was Marjorie McDonald,
who has completed 48 years in the NHS.
Currently a staff nurse in gastroenterology
based in the endoscopy centre at James Cook,
Marjorie started work in 1965 at Sedgefield
Hospital and for the next two years she was a
nurse cadet and student before carrying out
her nurse training between 1967 and 1970.
Marjorie qualified in 1971 after maternity
leave and worked in Stockton and Thornaby
Hospital, West Lane and the rheumatology
team at Hemlington before joining the main
outpatients team at South Cleveland Hospital
in 1983.
She then worked on the surgical day unit
and for the last 18 years has been working in
endoscopy where she is a staff nurse.
Marjorie retired from full-time employment at
55 and has been working the last ten years on
a part-time basis, but her passion for nursing
has never waived.
She said: “All my life I’ve wanted to be a nurse
– ever since I was a little girl and I’ve absolutely
loved it. I was in the St John’s Ambulance
Brigade when I was 12, giving me a fantastic
grounding for what was to come.
“I remember in the early years having a
Saturday job at Woolworths to supplement
my £18 a month salary, but over the years I’ve
learned some very valuable lessons. Key ones
are that you need to listen to patients; use, or
learn, counselling skills and empathise with
them. Treat them with the respect and dignity
you would want from them.”
During the awards event, the chairman and
assembled guests heard high points of each
recipient’s careers and a several light-hearted
ones as well.
Mayor’s award for heart fund chairman
DR ADRIAN Davies has been
honoured for his work for local
heart charity - South Cleveland
Heart Fund.
has made a very real difference, both to
Middlesbrough and the wider area.
“Not only is he a leading cardiologist of
many years’ standing, he has clearly helped
to transform the delivery of heart services
across Teesside.
“Thanks to his efforts, heart patients have
benefited from the latest state-of-the-art
technology and the cardiothoracic unit
is rightly recognised as one of the best in
the world. His tireless work has made a
real difference to
countless lives and
he thoroughly
deserves this
mayor’s
award.”
His tireless fund-raising has been recognised
with a Middlesbrough mayor’s award and
Dr Davies was presented with his award
by mayor, Ray Mallon, at a ceremony in
Middlesbrough Town Hall.
Dr Davies set up the South Cleveland Heart
Fund in 1994 and to date the team has raised
well over £1 million for the cardiothoracic
unit at James Cook, with all funds raised
going to the unit to provide equipment,
medical and nursing staff training, and
research – none of which would have been
available through NHS funding.
Mr Mallon, who made the South Cleveland
Heart Fund his chosen charity for this
Dr Adrian
year, said: “Dr Adrian Davies’ tireless
Davies receives
work over more than three decades
his award from
Middlesbrough
mayor Ray
Mallon
It’s a double!
It was double success at the Lean Healthcare Academy Awards
with the trust walking away with the ‘patient choice’ and
‘sustained improvement to patient care’ accolades. Talking Point
finds out more about the winning projects.
The dream becomes a reality…
Dreaming of a better
service for patients with
sleep apnoea became a
reality for the directorate
of sleep medicine.
use of a mask which helps
with breathing during
the night to ensure the
upper airway in the neck
doesn’t close.
For six months, the team
at James Cook worked
on streamlining its
service for patients with
OSA – obstructive sleep
apnoea syndrome – a
serious health condition
characterised by pauses in
breathing or infrequent
breathing during sleep.
But the team was keen
to see what more it
could do for its patients
just by working smarter
and more efficiently,
producing some
impressive results and the
‘sustained improvement
to patient care’ award.
Their outcomes included:
Once the condition is
diagnosed it can be
treated very effectively
with CPAP – continuous
positive airway pressure
therapy – through the
• Significant reductions
in waiting times for
all aspects of the
service including
halving waiting times
for first appointments
• Improving access to
care for patients and
ensuring they’re seen in
a timely manner
• Increasing capacity in
the service, allowing
the team to offer more
‘sleep solving’ sessions
for any patient having
problems or issues
with their treatment
or equipment
• Having dedicated areas
to see and treat patients
• Offering specialist
nurse led new
patient consultations
• Offering a new
equipment service
Directorate manager
Janet Griffin said: “We
came into this as a team
wanting to create the
perfect pathway for our
patients and have seen
some very impressive
results. Winning this
award is really just the
culmination of all that
work but we’re delighted
and want to continue to
improve the service for
our patients.”
Discharge workshops
pay off…
The trust also won
the people’s choice
award for its work on
improving its discharge
processes – part of
the improving patient
pathway programme.
As featured in earlier
editions of Talking
Point, 43 teams took
part in discharge
workshops between
May and October
which have helped
with patient flow and
reducing waiting times.
The workshops
included all adult wards
in both our acute and
community hospitals,
plus the orthopaedic
and trauma discharge
team and case
management team
with an aim to:
• Change culture
• S tandardise our
discharge practices
through a
consistent approach
• Implement a ‘home
before lunch’ concept
on the wards
•G
ive teams dedicated
time away from their
work environment
•B
e sustainable,
meaningful,
interactive and fun
Improvement manager
Julie Poultney said:
“I know all the team
involved in this project
thoroughly enjoyed
supporting the ward
teams to identify
areas of improvement
- in fact I felt very
privileged to work with
such enthusiastic teams
and it was one of the
most enjoyable and
rewarding times I have
experienced in my 37
years in the NHS.”
Val’s drive improves efficiency
HEALTH care assistant Val
Kaczkowski’s drive, enthusiasm
and commitment has led to an
outstanding individual contribution
award from the division she works for.
A valued member of the acute assessment
unit (AAU) team in acute medicine,
Val embraces her role in the ward and
ambulatory care. As an added responsibility
she worked alongside the stores team
reviewing existing medical and surgical
equipment and piloting the ward based topup ordering system.
She has completely revamped the storage
system in line with lean principles,
rationalising the ordering to such an extent
costs have been reduced in 2013 by 28.94%,
a saving of £22,320.40.
Val was nominated for her hard work and
this significant achievement by Debbie
Christian, acting directorate manager for
acute medicine, Jackie Hoggart, ward 15
ward manager and Dr Mahir Hamad, clinical
director for acute medicine.
“The procurement team expected to see
a slight decrease in costs, but they have
expressed their surprise at the actual impact
Val has had on reducing costs.”
Debbie said: “I feel Val deserves recognition
for her outstanding contribution
to the directorate in terms of
Val (third
productivity and efficiency
left)
with Debbie
savings, particularly in times
Christian,
Jackie
of financial constraint.
Hoggart, Angela
Artley senior nurse
and Dr Mahir
Hamad
19
Flipping great
fun
Val Wilson, Margaret Crelling and Pearl Fisher from
the Friarage breast cancer support group in x-ray at
the Friarage
SHROVE Tuesday’s
pancake race saw
staff from stores,
businesses and
other organisations
in Northallerton
come together
flipping a
pancake all
the way
for the
Friarage
MRI
scanner
appeal.
Fantastic
support for
scanner
Suzi Campbell
from South Tees
Charity and Judith
Masterman (pictured) from
radiology at the Friarage
joined in the fun brandishing
their frying pans and
attempting to stay on course
on the town’s Applegarth
playing fields.
A BIG thank you to the caring ladies
from the Friarage hospital’s breast cancer
support group who have donated a
fantastic £1,500 to the Friarage Hospital’s
MRI scanner appeal.
Pupils from Applegarth
School also took part in their
own heats before the trader’s
race and were cheered on
by their fellow pupils, family
and friends.
The friendly, open group offer help and support to
breast cancer patients in a safe and confidential setting.
They fundraise to help benefit breast cancer patients at
the hospital and regularly donate money for hospital
equipment to enhance early diagnosis of breast cancer.
The popular event was
reinstated in 2010 by food
firm Lewis & Cooper and the
50m race is equivalent to the
distance between the town
hall and
market
cross,
where the
race used
to be run in
years gone by.
Suzi said: “Judith
and I had a lot of
fun taking part and it was
very competitive. We were
delighted to cross the finish
line but were pipped at the
post with the prizes.
“A big thank you to everyone
who took part in the race
and to Lewis & Cooper for
choosing us to benefit from
the race this year.
“A fantastic £917,600.000 has
been raised so far toward the
Friarage MRI scanner appeal
and we are very grateful to
everyone who helped with
the event or made a donation
for their support.”
For further information about the group or the
meetings please telephone Val Wilson on 01609
773964 or specialist nurses, Judith Curtis or Louise
Sadler at the Friarage Hospital on 01609 764622.
South Tees Hospitals Charity in partnership with the Friends of the
Friarage is to raise £2million for an MRI scanner - an essential piece of
medical equipment used to investigate almost any part of the body –
at the Friarage Hospital.
Public support is essential in helping us to make the campaign a
success and there are a number of ways to make a donation:
• Visit the appeal website at www.friaragescannerappeal.org.uk
• Contact the appeal office - the executive offices, Friarage Hospital,
DL6 1JG – 01609 764936
20
• Drop off your loose change at a collection
box in the main reception at the Friarage
Anyone wanting to support the MRI
scanner appeal can donate
online at www.justgiving.com/
FriarageMRIscannerappeal
Follow South Tees Charity on twitter
and keep up to date with all the latest
fundraising news and events @STeesCharity
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