Winter 2016 Issue 30
Some of the patients who have taken
advantage of our new cardiac rehabilitation
exercise classes - see page 4
Free Members’ Magazine
Chief Executive’s
David Sissling
Chief Executive
Contents
New greenlight laser for prostate
enlargement 3
Cardiac rehabilitation team’s new
exercise programme 4
Cardiac investigations department wins an
award and Heart2Heart group donation 5
High Sheriff thank you to staff who worked
with children 6
Maternity theatres first phase opens 7
Enhanced recovery work improves patient
experience 8
We win Allocate innovation award 9
SAFER Discharge improvements and
how we work with partners 10-11
Flu vaccinations, don’t visit hospital
if you have a bug, and appropriate use
of A&E 12-13
New Stop Smoking Service and
Safety Huddle 14
Employee Excellence and Long Service
Awards 15-18
Xristine and Phil Faulkner thanks 19
Global Corporate walking challenge
at KGH 20
KGH Pantomime raises money for
patient care 21
Revive the Rec Hall Appeal update 22
Crazy Hats celebration after raising
£2m in 13 years 23
IN this edition of KGH Together you will
see some excellent examples of exciting
partnership working.
This partnership approach allows us to bring
together different parts of the NHS and the wider
public sector to better meet the needs of the local
community.
Over the last year NHS Trusts and social care in
Northamptonshire have been collaborating closely
on potential improvements through the Healthier
Northamptonshire programme.
This work has revealed that we can improve
care for patients, and save public money, if we all
work more closely together.
The aim is to build excellent health and social
care reflecting the needs of patients and the
public while at the same time ensuring the future
sustainability of our much valued local hospitals
and care arrangements.
As an example KGH is increasingly working
very closely with Northampton General Hospital
to examine ways we can provide better services
– still close to people’s homes – by enabling our
expert teams to work together.
Patients will be able to input into these plans as
they progress later this year
In the last edition of KGH we described how
we had begun work to improve discharges by
working jointly with Northamptonshire Healthcare
Trust to provide a new Facilitated Early Discharge
Unit.
This edition we explain how we have taken
this work even further through our SAFER scheme
(see page 10-11) and how we are working with
our partners through the Discharge to Assess
scheme, Health Partnership, Intermediate Care,
and Continuing Healthcare teams.
Working in partnership with patients is also
important. On page 4 we describe how our
cardiac rehabilitation team have – for the first
time in Northamptonshire – developed out-ofhospital exercise programmes for anyone in the
community who has had a heart problem - see
page 4.
This very much fits in with our strategic aim of
improving health and wellbeing.
On page 14 we announce the launch of a
Stop Smoking Service on our wards –provided in
partnership with Northamptonshire Healthcare
Trust.
This will provide important support for patients
who want to take this positive stop to improve
their health with the guidance of appropriate
professionals.
On page 27 we describe how some of KGH
Members had the chance to meet the new Acute
Liaison Mental Health Service (ALMHS) and Liaison
Psychiatry for Older People (LPOP) Services.
These services work in A&E, and on our wards, to
support KGH patients whose mental health issue is
also impacting on their physical health.
Again this is a great example of partnership work
between KGH, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS
Foundation Trust and Northamptonshire County
Council.
Another first was the recruitment teams at KGH,
Northampton General and Northamptonshire
Healthcare Foundation Trust all getting together
in a joint recruitment campaign in London to help
us all to fill our nursing vacancies across the three
organisations (see page 25).
So you can see a lot of partnership work is now
underway and that will be a sign of things to come.
I want to close by, once again, remarking on the
achievements of staff in this organisation. On pages
15-18 you will see a report on our annual Staff
Excellence and Long Service Awards. This describes
some extraordinary achievements where colleagues
often go beyond the call of duty in assisting our
patients and visitors.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
event and lung cancer awareness 24
Our nursing recruitment drive and Breast
Service open day 25
Members Matters 26-28
The Stop Smoking Team with staff on Oakley CCU ward as our
partnership work to improve patients’ health and wellbeing.
KGH has plans to improve our restaurant and shop
facilities
for patients,
andNigel
staffand
– see
pageBlair
15
Our new maternity
theatre’svisitors
first parents
Shevonne
with their son Josiah
Contact KGH Together editor/Communications Manager David Tomney by email
[email protected]; by phone on 01536-493509; or by letter at Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8UZ.
2 Issue 30 kghtogether
Green light laser treatment for prostate
enlargement
KGH has introduced a new laser
operation to help patients who need
treatment for benign enlargement of the
prostate.
The treatment is called photoselective
vaporisation of the prostate (PVP) and entails
using a green light laser to reduce the size of
enlarged prostates.
Enlarged prostates are very common
affecting 60% of men over the age of 60.
Symptoms are
restricted urine
flow, dribbling and
frequent and urgent
The treatment is called
urination.
photoselective vaporisation of the
Where symptoms
prostate (PVP) and entails using a
are not responding to
medical treatment the
green light laser to reduce the size of
traditional treatment
enlarged prostates.”
has been surgery
“
Consultant urologist Mr Mohammed Al-Sudani
performing the procedure)
Some of the team who deliver the service Caroline Gallacher, Mohammed AlSudani Lindsay McTaggart, Chris Havers and Lincy Shaiju
to reduce the size of the prostate – using an
operation called transurethral resection of the
prostate (TURP).
However this entails one-and-a-half hours of
surgery, an average three day stay in hospital,
and a risk of surgical complications such as
bleeding.
By comparison the laser treatment takes
about 45 minutes to perform, length of stay
would be no more than one day, and in
September the Trust began performing the
operation as a day case procedure.
Kettering Inner Wheel supports Skylark Ward
A LADIES’ fellowship group has raised
£2,468 for Skylark Ward’s play team.
President of Kettering Inner Wheel Major
Sheila Hunt presented the money – raised
during her year as president 2014-2015 - to
playteam co-ordinator Trish Bridgden.
Sheila, who is also part of the Trust’s
chaplaincy team, said: “Kettering Inner Wheel
is a fellowship group for ladies who meet once
a month.
“We raised the money by having coffee
mornings and a concert at which the Belcanto
Choir and Kettering Salvation Army Band
played.
“I chose Skylark Ward as my charity for the
year because I visit it in my role as a chaplain
every week and so I know the valuable work
they do with children and their parents and
relatives. My own grandchildren have also
benefitted from the hospital’s children’s ward
President of Kettering Inner Wheel Major Sheila
Hunt presents a cheque for £2,468 to playteam
co-ordinator Trish Bridgden
so that was another reason.”
Play co-ordinator Trish Brigden said: “This
was a fantastic and very substantial donation
by Kettering Inner Wheel and we are very
grateful for it.”
New way to reduce prostate
CONSULTANT urologist, Mr Mohammed
Al-Sudani, said the new treatment is
a fantastic new way for surgeons to
address the problem of benign prostatic
bladder outflow obstruction.
He said: “The laser literally turns the enlarged
tissue into gas and vaporises it. It does not have
the bleeding and associated complications of
using surgery to reduce the size of the prostate.
“For patients it is a great benefit because it
enables a shorter stay and there should be less
side effects and a quicker recovery.
“There is usually an almost immediate
improvement to the urinary stream, shorter
and more efficient trips to the toilet, reduced
frequency and less night visits.”
First time in the Midlands
Mr Al-Sudani said he believed this was
the first time this treatment has been
offered in Northamptonshire and in the
East Midlands.
It is expected that about half of the 168
surgical interventions for benign prostate
enlargement that the hospital carries out
each year would be suitable for the new laser
treatment.
He said: “The first patients were treated at
Kettering General Hospital earlier this year and
from September we have started performing this
operation as a day case procedure.
“We hope this will become a more common
treatment because, overall, it costs the NHS
less than TURP surgery because of the reduced
length of stay in hospital.
“Another advantage is that it creates greater
bed availability at the hospital through reduced
length of stay compared to the traditional
surgical alternative.”
Issue 30 kghtogether 3
New exercise sessions in community for
cardiac patients
KGH has expanded its life enhancing
cardiac rehabilitation services by
launching NHS supervised exercise
sessions at a local gym.
At the moment some 1,100 patients each
year receive cardiac rehabilitation from KGH’s
nine-strong rehabilitation team after having
had a heart attack or heart procedure.
They are normally offered a six week
comprehensive rehabilitation
programme which includes oneto-one advice with specialist staff,
risk assessment and rehabilitation
We know that many patients want
exercises.
At the moment though, after
to carry on with their exercise
Leslie and Indrani Perera exercising at the new session
this programme is finished,
programme after the standard six week
patients don’t have an official
Kettering, and his wife Indrani have both had
rehabilitation sessions is completed...”
NHS-run exercise session that they
cardiac events and attend the course. Leslie
can continue to use to support their
said: “This is an invaluable follow up service
long term rehabilitation.
which helps you to continue your rehabilitation
the Telford Way industrial estate, opposite the
That has changed now that the hospital
with confidence.”
hospital.
has launched the first NHS-run post cardiac
Indrani said: “I think the course is a very
“As a result we will be able to offer three
exercise sessions in Northamptonshire outside
good idea. It helps you to exercise with
hour-long sessions each week at Simply Gym
of the standard rehabilitation programmes.
confidence and keep up these good habits.”
using their modern facilities and equipment and
(Note the private sector do offer some
Grounds maintenance worker Derek
supported by knowledgeable and friendly staff.
sessions).
Brumhill, 56, from Kettering, said: “In June
“This will benefit patients because it will
I collapsed and had a pacemaker fitted. The
encourage them to keep exercising regularly
course has helped me build up my fitness for
Patients do want ongoing
which will help them to continue to develop
work and restored my confidence. I think it’s a
support
a healthy lifestyle, develop exercise as a good
really good idea.”
habit and reduce the risk of further heart
PEOPLE who have suffered a cardiac
problems.
event do want ongoing support after
Gym was happy to support
“It will also enable us to continue to offer
they have left hospital and resumed
patients advice and reassurance after their
initiative
their normal lives.
cardiac event while doing exercises that will
KGH Senior exercise physiologist Michael
SIMPLY Gym has supported KGH in
boost their self-confidence and wellbeing.”
Alvey said: “We know that many patients want
setting up the sessions at a location
to carry on with their exercise programme after
directly opposite the hospital.
the standard six week rehabilitation sessions is
Director of Simply Gym Andy Hastings said:
completed.
“We are delighted to have been able to team
“Until now we haven’t been able to
up with the hospital to offer this valuable
offer anything that is easily accessible for all
community health service.
PARTICIPANTS in the new sessions
patients from across the Kettering, Corby,
“We think that it’s great that people who
have described them as an invaluable
Wellingborough and East Northants area.
have had heart problems are receiving this
follow on service that helps them keep
“Now though we have teamed up with the
support.
exercising in a supportive environment.
newly opened Simply Gym in Garrard Way on
“After the course all participants will have
All of the participants have already done
the opportunity to take up membership and
the six week hospital based rehabilitation
programme and have now moved on to the out- use the gym in order to continue exercising and
enhance their long term health and wellbeing.”
of-hospital exercise sessions.
To help the hospital to cover the cost of the
Landscape gardener and builder Dave Tranter,
new sessions a small charge of £4 is being
56, from Corby, had a single stent fitted four
made. The sessions are on Tuesdays from
months ago. He said: “It’s very reassuring.
4.30pm-5.30pm and then Friday on 1pm-2pm
You can exercise and push yourself under
and 2pm-3pm. The new service had its first
supervision. As an average person after a heart
sessions in October. To get involved please
attack you don’t know what to expect or what
you can do in terms of exercise. This helps you to contact the cardiac rehabilitation service on
01536-491385 or email: Michael.alvey@kgh.
see it isn’t all doom and gloom.”
Retired hospital doctor Leslie Perera, 74, from nhs.uk
Exercise Physiologist Michael Alvey with Dave Tranter
“
Patients welcome the
new service
4 Issue 30 kghtogether
Cardiac investigations
team win an award
KGH’s Cardiac Investigations Department
has won an award for a remote
pacemaker service that provides an early
warning of patients with potentially
serious heart problems.
The team scooped a Silver Award at this
years’ Heart Rhythm Congress for the way in
which it provides the remote service – which
enables specialist staff to be warned of any
abnormal heart problems in patients without
the need for them to travel to hospital.
At the moment the hospital is supporting
400 patients in the local community who
have remote pacemakers.
The award was received by Leanne Kelly,
Senior Chief Cardiac Physiologist, on behalf of
the hardworking and dedicated pacing team
- Senem Burun, Matt Dilkes, Heather Goodes,
Seb Jones, Kelly O’Sullivan and Jonathan
Squire – who are all Senior or Chief Cardiac
Physiologists at KGH. How service works
THERE are two types of devices which
are currently followed up remotely:
• One type is implanted into patients with
heart failure and works to synchronise
the two sides of the heart, causing
poorly pumping hearts to squeeze more
effectively.
• The other type is implanted for patients
who suffer from very fast life-threatening
rhythms and can shock the heart back to a
normal rate.
Principal Cardiac Physiologist Sean Thuis
and Senior Chief Cardiac Physiologist
Leanne Kelly with the award.
“
The team scooped a Silver Award
at this years’ Heart Rhythm
Congress for the way in which it
provides the remote service...”
These devices have the capacity to transmit
all the information they record directly to
the hospital via a wireless transmitter in the
patient’s home. The data is collected and
interrogated by a computer and staff are
alerted if there any problems which need
action.
Often, there are early warning signs that a
heart is beginning to deteriorate, days or weeks
before a patient will notice them.
It is these warnings which the pacemakers
are able to detect and relay to the hospital
enabling the patient to be brought in to alter
their medications or treatment to prevent
a serious complication from occurring. This
means patients often will not decline to the
point where they need to be admitted to
hospital.
Why we have expanded the
service
THE REMOTE pacemaker service has
been expanded and improved.
Cardiac Investigations Principal Physiologist
Sean Thuis said: “We established this service in
2011 and have been working to improve and
extend it ever since.
“We started by monitoring just a few
patients but that has now risen to more than
400 and is set to expand every year as we
implant more of these devices.
“The remote pacemaker transmits the
record of a patient’s heart activity direct to a
database that automatically warns us of any
abnormalities.
“We can also detect abnormal heart rhythms
which would have otherwise caused strokes
and falls if they had been left to be followed
up in a traditional clinic setting, where patients
may be followed-up routinely on an annual
basis.”
Heart2Heart group support cardiac
rehabilitation
THE Heart2Heart cardiac support group
has presented a cheque for £1,000 to
KGH’s cardiac rehabilitation service.
The money was raised by the group through
a charity raffle - supported by many local
companies and individuals – which was drawn at
a special celebratory event at KGH’s Social Club
on December 1 attended by Kettering’s Mayor
Cllr June Derbyshire.
It was presented to Cardiac Rehabilitation
Manager Chika Obiechefu by group Chairman
David Riddle and Treasurer Mike Crosby.
David said: “It was an excellent event and
very well attended. We particularly want to
thank all of the companies and individuals who
supported us both with prizes and by buying and
selling tickets.
“A special thank you to RCI Europe for their
first prize of a holiday.”
Cardiac Rehabilitation Manager Chika
Obiechefu said: “We are very grateful to
Heart2Heart support group for this generous
donation. The money will be spent on things that
will benefit our patients”
A list of prize winners is available from David
Riddle ([email protected])
The Heart2Heart Cardiac Support Group meets
on the first Tuesday of the month to support
cardiac patients and their families. It meets at 8pm
in the Social Club at Kettering General Hospital
and anyone who has had/or has a family member
with, a heart problem is welcome to attend.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Sister Anne Dyer, David Riddle,
and Kettering Mayor Cllr June Derbyshire Mike Crosby
Heart to Heart chairman David Riddle and treasurer
Mike Crosby present the cheque to Cardiac
Rehabilitation Manager Chika Obiechefu
Issue 30 kghtogether 5
High Sheriff says thank you to staff who work
with children
THE High Sheriff of Northamptonshire,
Dr Ahmed Mukhtar has visited KGH to
formally thank staff involved in the care
and support of children.
Dr Mukhtar visited the hospital on November
10, 2015, and met members of current and
former staff involved in contributing to the
well-being of children.
Dr Mukhtar was a much admired and
valued consultant paediatrician at
Kettering General Hospital for 23
High Sheriff of Northamptonshire Dr Ahmed Mukhtar shakes hands
years retiring in 2004. He was
with Kettering General Hospital’s Named Nurse for Safeguarding,
also the Trust’s Medical Director
Dr Mukhtar was a much
Karen McMahon, surrounded by staff past and present at the hospital
for six years.
who have enhanced children’s health and wellbeing.
admired
and
valued
consultant
He said: “My mission during my
paediatrician at Kettering
year as High Sheriff is to celebrate
the efforts of organisations,
General Hospital for 23 years...”
High Sheriff facts
groups and individuals who
contribute to the wellbeing of
• The role is the oldest secular office under
children and young people.
the Crown.
Some of these visits have also included
“I want to thank those members of our
• Formerly the High Sheriff was the
grants being awarded from the High Sheriff’s
community who are involved in protecting
principal law enforcement officer in the
Initiative Fund which is overseen by The
and enhancing children’s health, education,
county
Northamptonshire Community Foundation.
training, sport and social lives.
• Over the centuries most of the
Visits this year have included the Hope
“I know from many years of working at the
responsibilities associated with the post
Project
in Wellingborough – an activity
hospital just how much effort its staff do put
have been transferred elsewhere so that
programme for young people aged 7-14 who
into the care and welfare of children.
its functions are now largely ceremonial.
have been bullied/have low self-esteem and a
“So I thought it was very appropriate for me
• The High Sheriff changes every March
food box project (Greenacres Rural Enterprises
to visit and personally thank some of those
and Dr Mukhtar became this year’s Sheriff
CIC) in Daventry run by children at risk of
staff.”
in March 2015.
exclusion from school.
• Today, High Sheriffs aim to support
He has also visited a wide variety of
voluntary and statutory bodies engaged
Staff delighted by
community groups including Northampton
in all aspects of law and order and
Mencap, the Northamptonshire Association of
recognition of their work
community welfare.
Youth Clubs, and Cadet and Scout groups.
CURRENT and former KGH staff who
worked with children were delighted by
the visit.
Kettering General Hospital’s Named Nurse
for Safeguarding, Karen McMahon, said: “It
is very much appreciated by the unit. It will help
MEMBERs of Chicheley Lodge in
was a fantastic event and I think both current
us to continue to provide the services we do to
Thrapston have supported the Special
and former staff were delighted to have
local families whose babies require some extra
Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Kettering
their work recognised by one of the Queen’s
support during the first few weeks of their lives.”
General Hospital with a donation of
representatives in Northamptonshire.
£850.
“It was a great opportunity for us all to get
The local branch of the Freemasons raised the
together to celebrate the support and care
money via an annual Christmas lunch.
we provide for children and young people
The money was presented to the hospital on
in so many different ways, and to renew old
October 9 and received by staff from the unit.
acquaintances.”
Lodge Master Mick Warren picked the SCBU
as his charity for the year. He said: “We support
High Sheriff’s theme
both local and national charities and change
The High Sheriff’s theme for the year
them each year. We think the SCBU does an
has involved him in a number of other
excellent job supporting the families who have
L-R Sarah Hales, Claire Houghton, and Lauren
visits to projects across the county to
sick or premature babies and this was our way
Chapman from SCBU receive the donation from
celebrate work involving children and
of supporting them.”
Chicheley Lodge Master Mick Warren and charity
young people.
SCBU Matron Janet Ford said: “This donation steward David Redden
“
Masons support our SCBU
6 Issue 30 kghtogether
New Maternity Theatre opens first
phase
THE first phase of Kettering General
Hospital’s £4.1m new Maternity Theatre
project has opened and is now seeing
patients.
KGH is in the process of completely replacing
its old maternity and gynaecology theatres
with a purpose built new development.
Work on the project started in February
and the new building is due
for completion in February
2016.
The first phase
KGH is in the process of completely
of the project has
involved opening two
replacing its old maternity and
new theatres in a new
gynaecology theatres with a
building connected to the
purpose built new development..”
existing maternity unit,
Rockingham Wing.
“
Patients impressed by the
new theatre
THE NEW theatre is the obvious
large white building near KGH’s main
entrance.
It is impressive from the outside but even
more from inside.
The first patient to use the new theatre was
mum Shevonne Blair, from Kettering. Shevonne
gave birth to baby Josiah, who weighed in at
8lb 7oz (3.85kg), at 10.19am on September
23, by caesarean section.
Mrs Blair, a freelance writer, said: “I think the
new theatre is very impressive and I think the
care I have received here at the hospital has
been amazing.”
Dad Nigel, also a freelance writer, said: “It is
an impressive modern facility which looks very
much state-of-the-art.”
Mrs Blair added: “I would like to say a
special thank you to the midwives and the
consultant who operated on me. The health
care team gave me their very best service and I
am extremely grateful.”
The new theatre itself – internal and external views.
Nigel and Shevonne Blair and their new born baby Josiah with
some of the KGH maternity team in the new theatre
Big improvement for staff
STAFF are also very pleased because
of the improvement to the working
environment.
Lead midwife at KGH, Mara Tonks, said: “We
are all very excited that the first phase of our
maternity theatre is now open.
“This is a great improvement for both
patients and the staff working in theatres.
“It will help us to support the 3,600 births
and 2,000 gynaecological and obstetric
procedures which we perform each year.”
Work on the second phase of the
development started on September 21 and it
will involve transforming the old gynaecology
theatre and recovery areas into two new
recovery areas to support the new theatres.
At the moment one of the new theatres is
being used for procedures (mainly caesarean
sections) and the second is being used as a
recovery area.
Other gynaecology procedures have been
temporarily relocated to main theatres or the
Treatment Centre.
Grace sermons raise £600 for SCBU
A GRATEFUL family have raised more
than £2,500 for four charities when
Methodist outreach worker Robin
McEwen performed a sponsored 11 day
sermon tour.
Mr McEwen, from Hemel Hempstead, chose
the special care baby unit at Kettering General
Hospital as one of the charities because his
granddaughter, Grace Brown, was treated
there for the first 19 days of her life.
The families also supported Lincoln County
Hospital where Grace also received treatment
and Hertfordshire MIND and Air Ambulance –
all four organisations received approximately
£600.
Mr McEwen said: “We wanted to raise some
money as a thank you to various people for the
way they have supported our family.
“First of all was because of the support
we got from the Special Care Baby Units at
Kettering General Hospital and Lincoln County
not just for Grace but also for her mum and
dad Hannah and James at a worrying time. The
Unit was amazing.”
SCBU Matron Janet Ford said: “This is a
fantastic contribution and we are very grateful to
Mr McEwen and his family for their support.
“We are putting the money towards improving
the overnight accommodation we can offer on
our unit for parents. We currently have two rooms
and are expanding this to four.”
Robin McEwen presents the cheque to staff nurse
Hannah Smith with family and staff members L-R
Laura Evison, Ray Evison, Hannah and Grace Brown,
Sue Evision, Sara Hale, Andrea Hobbs, Andrea Rottler
and Mr Venkatadri Sampat surrounding them.
Issue 30 kghtogether 7
Enhanced Recovery Programme reduces length
of stay in hospital
A SURGICAL ward at KGH is continuing to
develop a system that helps patients to
recover faster from their operations.
Deene B is having success with the Enhanced
Recovery Programme – a system which helps
to reduce length of stay in hospital for many
patients.
Recent figures showed that the ward is now
achieving challenging national targets set for the
service.
For example:
• Open colorectal procedures (national target
7-12 days – Deene B = 7.5)
• Laparoscopic procedures (national target 4-7
days – Deene B = 5.2)
Surgical Nurse Practitioner
Melanie Moore said: “Over the
past couple of years we have
...this year we have a real focus
struggled to meet the targets
due to re-configuration of the
on enhancing recovery and have
Members of the Enhanced Recovery Team on Deene B
wards, change in staff and bed
pushed forward with extra training
management.
for staff and more information.”
“However this year we have a
real focus on enhancing recovery
and have pushed forward with
4. Early mobilisation – from the evening of
extra training for staff and more information.
surgery to encourage gut motility and avoid
How does ‘Enhanced
“Now everyone on the ward understands
complications such as VTE, chest infection
what it means and how important it is to get
and pressure tissue damage.
Recovery’ work?
patients up and about, eating and drinking etc.
The process helps to reduce post operative
THE Enhanced Recovery Programme
“The staff on the ward have worked really
complications
and muscle wastage that can
is
a
way
of
working
on
the
wards
that
hard and I am very proud of them for pulling
slow
recovery.
It also encourages the patient –
involves
staff
and
patients
taking
a
together and making this work.
and
their
family
and friends – to get involved in
series
of
actions
which
help
to
speed
up
“I particularly want to thank Sisters Anna
the
recovery
process.
recovery.
Patrick and Julie Punter for their assistance and
Research has show that after abdominal
to all of our healthcare assistants.”.
surgery patients traditionally remain in hospital
Patient Diary helps set
for one to two weeks but that if their care
expectations
is more actively managed before and after
surgery
some
patients
can
be
safely
discharged
Factfile
DEENE B has introduced a Patient Diary
home in four to five days
that helps involve patients in their own
• The Enhanced Recovery Programme
There are four elements to the enhanced
recovery and also gives advice and sets
was pioneered by Prof Henrik Kehlet in
recovery programme:
out expectations.
Denmark in the 1990s
It describes the importance of exercises and
1.
Pre-operative
assessment,
planning
• The aim is try and modify the
deep breathing, pain relief, and what doctors
and preparation before admission – to
psychological and metabolic stresses
and nurses will be trying to achieve each day
created by major surgery
ensure that the patient is medically fit to
after surgery.
proceed
with
surgery
and
prepare
them
as
• Its gets patients into the best possible
Patients are encouraged to chew sugar free
to the milestones to recovery
condition for surgery, gives them
gum – to stimulate a return to normal bowel
the best possible care during and
2. Reducing the physical stress of the
after surgery and supports their
movement – and help them to gradually start
operation. By using minimally invasive
rehabilitation
eating and drinking again.
surgical procedures and providing oral high
• It encourages earlier eating, earlier
The Diary also gives advice on what to do
carbohydrate loading via special drinks
mobility and helps set goals connected
when discharge including how to eat to boost
to recovery
3. A structured approach to immediate
recovery. Nourishing easy to eat foods and
post-operative /peri-operative
• KGH started using the system in 2008
drink are recommended at first with a gradual
following a visit to Yeovil District
management, including pain relief – so
return to normal foods. Eating frequently in
Hospital
that all stages are anticipated rather than
small amounts and drinking a minimum of 6-8
reacted to
glasses of water is also recommended.
“
8 Issue 30 kghtogether
KGH wins national innovation award
KGH has won a national innovation
award for the way it uses modern
technology to improve the working lives
of staff.
The Trust won first place in the Allocate
Award 2015 in the “Improving Working Lives
through Technology” category.
The Trust entered its KGH Quality Assurance
Framework (QAF) and Nurse/Midwife Sensitive
Indicators (NSIs) and Dashboards into the
national awards - run by one of the largest
software providers in the NHS.
The QAF and NSIs and Dashboards are made
up of a large number of clinical and patient
safety measures that are inputted into Allocate
software to create
a picture of how
well the Trust is
performing.
Having an
Pictured at the recent awards ceremony are centre (L-R) (third from left)
The Trust won first place in
automated
Director of Nursing and Quality, Leanne Hackshall, Corporate Projects
the Allocate Award 2015 in the
Manager, Linda Cottenham, and Director of Strategic Development and
monitoring system
Corporate Governance, Clare Culpin.
“Improving Working Lives through
saves many hours
of staff time
Technology” category...”
the way we monitor and act on quality and
because it reduces
performance data.
the amount of manual
projects
manager,
Linda
Cottenham,
said:
“As
“We have won five national innovation
inputting of certain kinds of audit data.
a
result
of
using
technology
staff
have
more
awards
in the last four years for using
It also enables results to be easily seen,
time
in
the
department
to
manage
their
teams,
technology
to reduce the time taken to access
monitored and shared – including indicators
engage with patients and review ward activity
information from audit systems for measuring
published publically at the entrance to wards.
and patient care.
and monitoring patient safety.
“Staff morale has improved and they have a
“Now we have also won, for the second
better
understand
of
the
team’s
performance
time,
an award for the way in which we save
System helps us save staff
and what actions they need to take to make
staff administration time and enable more time
time
improvements.”
for patient care.
KGH Director of Nursing and Quality, Leanne
“The systems we use help us to monitor
The nurse sensitive indicator system
Hackshall, said: “We are delighted that we
our performance in many different ways and
saves about 288 administration hours
have again been recognised for this innovative
ensure that information is up to date and
each month that can instead be used for
work and have won a national award for the
accurate. We will continue to develop these
patient care by ward staff.
way in which we use technology to improve
systems further in the future.”
Corporate information, compliance and
“
Arbour seat is thank you for KGH care
A KETTERING couple have donated a £370 arbour seat to the hospital as a thank you
for care received.
Janet and Gordon Rogers – pictured on the seat - made the donation after receiving donations
instead of presents for their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on September 10.
The gift was a thank you for the care that Gordon had received at KGH following a stroke in
January 2015.
The arbour is situated in the garden opposite Warren Hill House – where Gordon attends
warfarin clinics.
Janet & Gordon said: “Whilst sitting in the Warfarin Clinic in Warren Hill House we thought how
nice it would be to have a bench outside so patients and staff could enjoy the garden.
“We decided therefore to ask for donations in celebration of our recent Diamond Wedding
Anniversary to purchase the arbour.
“A big thank you to all our friends and family for their kind donations which made this
possible.”
Janet and Gordon Rogers donated this arbour seat to
KGH staff as a thank you for Gordon’s stroke care
Issue 30 kghtogether 9
Improving patient flow through KGH
How partners work
together to support
patient discharge
KGH is carrying out further work to
reduce unnecessary delays to discharge
from the hospital.
In the last edition of KGH Together we
described how we have already developed a
number of initiatives to improve the discharge
experience. They have included:
• An expanded discharge lounge- based
in the former Fotheringhay Ward – where
inpatients are prepared for discharge as
efficiently as possible
• A 36-bed Facilitated Early Discharge
Unit on the former Lamport
and Twywell wards that
helps patients who will
especially benefit from
‘re-abling’ interventions
By improving the process we have for
like physiotherapy and
occupational therapy to
discharging patients we can ensure
prepare them to safely
that the hospital does everything that
leave hospital
“
Consultant respiratory physician Dr Raja Reddy provides a senior
review for Gary Smith and demonstrates the use of an inhaler
it can to get patients home...”
• Acute Frailty Unit
– We plan to turn an
existing short-stay medical ward (Clifford
Ward) into a unit specialising in supporting
frail older patients with complex needs. This
involves increased input from doctors and
nurses with specialist geriatric skills so that
older people can leave hospital as soon as
possible.
Creating exemplary
discharge systems on all our
wards
KGH has also introduced a new system
for discharging patients that aims to
eliminate unnecessary delays.
The system, called SAFER, looks at the way
wards review patients and then appropriately
discharge them. The aim is to do this safely and
appropriately – and as quickly and efficiently
- as possible to ensure the hospital has
enough beds to cope with medical and surgical
emergencies arriving through A&E.
The SAFER scheme started on three wards –
Discharge to Assess Team Manager Liz Lack and Acting
Healthcare Partnership Team Manager Steve Edwards
10 Issue 30 kghtogether
Harrowden A, Naseby Wards and Barnwell –on
October 5 with a planned roll out throughout
the hospital.
SAFER is an acronym which describes proven
good discharge practice. It is made up of:
• S = Senior review – all patients will have
a Consultant review before 11am
• A = All patients will have an Expected
Discharge Date based on an ideal journey
with no delays
• F = Flow of patients. This will commence
as early as possible so that by 10am the
Wards are able to contact our assessment
areas (MAU and Clifford wards) and
actively pull patients to their ward by 10am
• E = Early Discharge – The aim is to have
50% of patients discharge from inpatient
wards before 1pm. Medication to take
home being prescribed by pharmacy by
3pm of the day prior to discharge
• R = Review – There will be a weekly
systematic review of patients with lengths
of stay of more than 14 days to identify
any issues and actions required to facilitate
discharge.
The new initiative is being supported by three
of the Trust’s Executive Directors – Mark
Smith, Andrew Chilton and Leanne Hackshall
– who will assist the teams in addressing any
problems that may arise in the pilot phase.
Specialty Medicine General Manager Maxine
White said: “The aim is to develop the very
best process for discharging patients that we
can.
“We know that patients sometimes wait for
several hours in A&E because we don’t have
medical beds instantly available to them.
“By improving the process we have for
discharging patients we can ensure that the
hospital does everything that it can to get
patients home – or into an appropriate setting –
as soon as possible.”
A Kangaroo is being used as the SAFER
systems emblem representing, among other
things, our attempt to stamp out delays to
improve the patient experience.
SAFER event highlights how
partners work together
ON November 10 a SAFER Discharge
event was held at KGH to help highlight
to staff how the new system will work.
It also highlighted the important role our
existing discharge partners have both within the
hospital and in the community.
General Manager for Specialty Medicine
Maxine White said: “One of the things we
found when implementing SAFER was that not
all staff are completely familiar with the roles
played by our partners in discharge.
“The event brought together representatives
from a number of organisations involved in
discharge and helped us paint a picture to staff
of how these all work.
“The more staff understand how all our
partners work the easier it is to discharge
people to appropriate destinations. If people are
referred inappropriately to a service it can create
delays.”
A NUMBER of different organisations
work together to help KGH discharge
patients home or to an appropriate
destination in the community.
It is a very complex area because patients
have many different needs according to their
medical or surgical conditions, physical fitness,
and mental health.
When a patient is medically fit to go home
there is a need to do this as soon as possible
or some people’s health can deteriorate further
in hospital because of a lack of activity and
independence.
Any delay in discharge also costs the local
NHS a lot of money – about £350 per bed
day. As a result the need for timely discharge
is a top priority for the health and social care
community.
Discharge to Assess
The Discharge to Assess scheme is
a new idea that enables patients to
leave hospital promptly if they are
medically fit but just waiting for a needs
assessment for their continuing care.
It enables patients to go home – with
appropriate support - while they wait for their
full needs assessment.
This reduces the issue of people waiting in
hospital beds for people to come and assess
their needs before a package of support is put
together and they are discharged.
Every morning at 9am staff involved in the
scheme discuss patients who need further
health support – or further social support – in
order to be cared for appropriately.
Appropriate patients are then discharged
home with support.
Continuing Health Care Acute Team
Leader for Northamptonshire Joy Barclay
The Kangaroo is the SAFER
systems KGH emblem – to
stamp out delays
Health Partnership Team
Some patients have too
many complex health needs
to be eligible for Discharge
to Assess and they are referred to
the county council’s Health Partnership Team
who ensure these patients’ needs are met by
accessing appropriate specialist services.
Continuing Health Care (CHC)
This scheme also concentrates on helping
assess and fund patients who have complex
needs. This could include people with severe
mental health problems or people with physical
issues that need special kinds of support. Again
this team works to ‘unblock’ hospital beds by
making sure patients with complex needs get
the support they need as soon as possible so
they can safely leave hospital.
Intermediate Care Team
This Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation
Trust team plays an important role in prevents
avoidable admissions to hospital by supporting
people within their own homes. It also works
to enable early discharge from hospital where
a health monitoring or rehabilitation need has
been identified.
Non-Emergency Patient
Transport
MORE than 1,500 patients per month are
assessed as needing a non-emergency
ambulance to take them to their care,
nursing home, or to go home.
It is important that KGH staff who have
patients with a severe medical need for this
kind of transport make sure they book it – and
ensure it meets the strict eligibility criteria – as
soon as possible to prevent transport delays.
It is important for staff to inquire with
Discharge lounge team healthcare assistant
Denise Gregory and Sister Laura Forgan
General Manager for Specialty Medicine Maxine
White at the SAFER stand
the patient’s relatives early on if it looks like
transport to their destination will be an issue.
The Discharge Lounge will then carry out the
assessment and if the criteria is met will arrange
for a pick-up with a Non-Emergency Ambulance.
Discharge Lounge
KGH’s own Discharge Lounge team play
a vital role in helping patients to leave
hospital with everything they need.
The team works seven days a week to
prepare patients for discharge including
liaising with families, arranging non-emergency
ambulances, ensuring care packages are in
place and ensuring patients understand how to
use their medication and have an appropriate
discharge letter.
They also look after patients’ needs while in
the lounge – eg providing food and drink where
necessary – before they leave hospital.
Therapies Support
KGH physiotherapists and occupational
therapists have a vital role in discharge.
They work across hospital departments
including A&E, the wards, and assessment and
early discharge units.
They ensure patients have tested their ability
to return to their normal lives and have the
confidence and physical ability to do that. Early
therapy assessment ensures patients keep up
their physical activity and are ready to leave
hospital.
Isebel Vorster and Sian Brown chat with Patient Services Manager
Alex Doherty about Non-Emergency Patient Transport
Issue 30 kghtogether 11
The Flu Fighters are back – KGH vaccinations
now top 2,156
Help us support you this
Winter
MORE than 2,156 KGH staff had already
had their flu vaccinations by the end of
November – approximately 60% of front
line staff.
The flu vaccination programme started in
September this year and the flu fighter team –
made up of Occupational Health nurses, Mandy
Lyon Manual Handling Trainer, Pat Edkins RCN
Representative, Sue Bailey Staff Nurse from
Ophthalmology, Liz Meeks and Elaine Baines
from Emergency Care, and Doreen Page from
Recovery,– have been
carrying out dropin flu sessions on
the wards and
The flu vaccine is not just about
departments during
Occupational Health Nurse Manager Jackie Farrow gives Chairman
the day as well as
keeping yourself safe it’s about
Graham Foster his jab
night shifts.
protecting your friends, colleagues
Drop-in sessions
and patients as well...”
Flu Facts
are still available in
Occupational Health
• The flu vaccine has an excellent safety
based in Warren Hill
record - The risk of having a serious
House until end of January 2016.
(anaphylactic) reaction to the seasonal flu
Occupational Health nurse manager Jackie
vaccine is less than one in a million: much
Farrow said: “The flu vaccine is not just about
lower than the risk of getting seriously ill
keeping yourself safe it’s about protecting
from having the flu itself
your friends, colleagues and patients as well
• The flu jab can’t give you the flu - It
from an illness that in some cases can be very
is impossible to get flu from the having the
serious. flu jab because the vaccine doesn’t contain
“Following recent news that there has
live viruses. A very small number of people
been an increase in the number of cases of flu
experience side effects such as aching
illness in the East Midlands and Wales I would
muscles, but this is simply the immune
encourage all frontline staff to consider having
system responding to the vaccine
Student Nurse Sulekha Golongol receives her
the flu vaccination.”
vaccination from Occupational Health Nurse
• You need the vaccine every year - If
KGH staff can get further information about
Practitioner Therese Cawley
you were vaccinated last year you helped to
flu – both facts and common myths – on our
fight the flu and took an extra step towards
internal intranet pages.
excellent patient care. Please do the same
Don’t visit people in
Please remember to email the Occupational
again this year. You won’t be protected
Health Department at occupational.health@
hospital if you feel unwell
against the new strains of flu circulating
kgh.nhs.uk if you have had your flu jab at your
•
Pregnant women can be vaccinated
IN the Winter time we often expect to
GP’s surgery.
- Pregnant women can have the flu
have more coughs and colds and just
vaccination at any stage of their pregnancy.
struggle on with normal life.
Having the vaccination when pregnant is
But if you are planning to visit a friend or
beneficial and helps protect baby from flu
relative in hospital please think twice if:
over the first few months of life
• You have obvious signs of an infection –
•
Anyone can get the flu - One of the
runny nose, sneezing, high temperature –
most common reasons for not getting
it could be just a cold or might be flu. Even
vaccinated is “I’ve never had flu before”.
colds can affect patients in hospital and
There’s no such thing as natural immunity
make their condition worsen.
to influenza; with new strains circulating
• Experienced vomiting and/or diarrhoea in
this year, it’s best to get vaccinated against
the last two days – it could be Norovirus
flu.
and you may still be infectious.
•
Flu kills - For the majority of people who
Keeping potentially dangerous bugs like Flu
catch it flu is unpleasant, but for some
and Norovirus out of hospital is very important
it can lead to chest infections, severe
because we have many elderly patients who
complications and death. are already unwell and whose resistance to
Jackie Farrow inoculating Chief Executive David
Sissling
these infections is lower.
LOCAL people can help take pressure
off KGH this Winter by only using A&E
appropriately.
A&E use at the hospital has increased 100%
in the last 20 years alongside population
growth of only 15%.
Many people continue to use the department
inappropriately for minor injuries and illnessess
that could be seen by their GP or at Corby
Urgent Care Centre.
But it is also true that there
are more older people with
complex conditions who
do legitimately need to
use A&E - and may often
A&E use at the hospital has
require inpatient hospital
increased 100% in the last 20
care as well.
years alongside population
Already this year the
Winter is always a busy period in A&E – help us by staying away if
growth of only 15%...”
hospital has seen some
you have a minor injury or illness that could be seen by your GP
big influxes of acutely
ill patients and it is very
important that we care for them appropriately
– some weeks we have seen more than 1,000
A&E patients in four days.
hours and short-term observation bays - again
THE Corby Urgent Care Centre is located
Therefore we are asking patients with more
so patients do not need to travel to a hospital for
at the Willowbrook Health Complex, in
minor complaints to stay away from A&E this
these services.
Cottingham Road, Corby, and has free car
Winter unless it is a real emergency.
The centre aims to initially assess more than
parking.
95% of its patients in less than 15 minutes and
No appointments are necessary, anyone can
patients are seen by a doctor or senior clinical
use the service, and the Centre is open 8 am - 8
Examples of appropriate use of A&E:
pm, every day of the year. It is a service for an
Nurse Practitioner after being initially assessed by
• Serious medical problems such as chest
a nurse to establish how urgent their complaint
injury or illness that needs urgent attention and
pain, collapse, or heavy blood loss.
is.
reduces the need for people to travel to KGH’s
• Severe limb injuries which are very
A&E department.
As with all emergency departments patients
painful and could be caused by a broken
It has a range of diagnostic facilities including
are seen in a priority manner. The more urgent
bone
an x-ray department with extended opening
the condition is, the faster you are seen.
• Burns which are large, or deep, and need
dressings
• Deep cuts which won’t stop bleeding/
may have damaged tendons or may need
stitches to heal properly
“
12 Issue 30 kghtogether
“
Corby Urgent Care Centre
Examples of inappropriate uses of
A&E:
• Coughs and colds - most people would
be best just to stay at home or see their
local pharmacist
• Old injuries or joint problems - are best
seen by your GP, at least initially
• Queries about medication - these are
best dealt with by your GP
• Toothache - you need to be seen by a
dentist. Hospitals like Kettering General
do not have trained dentists in A&E
• Trying to use A&E to get a ‘second
opinion’ rather than using the GP service
Issue 30 kghtogether 13
Bedside Stop Smoking Service launched
KGH has worked closely with
Northamptonshire Healthcare
Foundation Trust to develop a new
bedside support service to help patients
quit smoking.
Two NHFT smoking cessation specialists are
working on Cranford, Oakley and Harrowden
Wards to offer patients behavioural support
and medication advice.
Statistics show this will give patients a four
times better chance of stopping smoking.
This work also supports KGH’s goal of
becoming a Health and Wellbeing Campus
that works with local people to
improve their health and
lifestyle choices.
KGH nurses receive
The support, feedback and welcome
training and information
The Stop Smoking team with CCU Oakley ward staff prior to the
to further support the
we’ve had from all levels at KGH has
launch of the new service
venture and ensure suitable
been outstanding in helping us to
patients are referred to the
make the bedside support a reality.”
service.
Stop smoking coordinator Charlotte Goodwin
says, ‘The support, feedback and welcome
to stop smoking can be strong and so the
we’ve had from all levels at KGH has been
bedside service will offer both behavioural and
outstanding in helping us to make the bedside
medication support. Crucially patients will
support a reality. We’re very fortunate to
also be offered an aftercare service to avoid
have an office on site at the hospital and we
slipping back into their old smoking habits
continue to receive excellent support from the
once returning home.”
project team as the new service takes off.’
If you have any questions about the service
“When patients arrive unexpectedly in
Deputy Sister Sarah Moore with Stop Smoking
email: [email protected]
Co-ordinator Charlotte Goodwin
hospital following a health scare, the impetus
“
Putting safety first
A new KGH initiative has been launched
to improve communication and action on
patient safety issues.
Each day at 11am representatives from all
wards and key departments meet in the Staff
Zone (former Uppingham Restaurant) for a short
briefing.
The briefing enables all wards and
departments to discuss and promptly resolve
any issues and if necessary escalate to senior
management.
The discussions cover a wide range of
issues including staffing ratios and skill mix,
patient acuity on wards, any incidents that
may have occurred in the past 24 hours (eg
falls or pressure tissue damage), and any other
problems or challenges being faced – eg broken
lifts or IT issues.
As well as input from the wards and
14 Issue 30 kghtogether
main departments/
teams there is also
contribution from
housekeeping, porters,
infection control,
pharmacy, therapies,
palliative care, staff
bank and the discharge
lounge and other
support teams as
required.
This initiative enables Head of Clinical Operations, Shaun Thompstone, leading the daily Safety Huddle
the Trust to re-direct
support and resources
Shaun Thompstone, has replicated the model
to the right areas in a timely way. It has also
here at KGH and runs the daily meeting.
improved communication and supports shared
So far the results of the initiative have been
ownership.
encouraging and KGH is looking to extend the
The daily ‘Safety Huddle’ approach operates
elsewhere and our Head of Clinical Operations, practice to weekends as well as weekdays.
4-page special report
KGH Employee Excellence Awards
WELCOME to this special section of KGH
Together which recognises some of the amazing
achievements of our staff during 2014-15.
Each year we hold a celebratory event to recognise
outstanding contributions to the Trust and this year’s
Employee Excellence and Staff Long Service Awards were
held at the Kettering Park Hotel on October 23, 2015.
Employees and volunteers attended the event which
included a meal and awards ceremony.
The nominations for this year’s Employee Excellence
Awards were drawn from the winners of the Trust’s Smile
Awards between July 2014 and August 2015.
Smile Awards are held every month to recognise
individuals who go the extra mile for patients, visitors or
for other KGH staff.
That means the following Smile Award winners were
nominees for the Excellence Awards. A judging panel then
had to make a shortlist of finalists for the event itself. (see
pages 16 -17 to see who the finalists and winners were).
The nominations
Non-Clinical Award 2015
KGH Hero Award 2015
Susan Brown
Steve Davies
Donna Everson
Ian Ford
Gabrielle Hewitt
Hollie Makepeace
Carly Thomas
James Donnelly
Clinical Award 2015
Paul Barwise
Marion Cove
Lara Dahling
Lou Dye
Donna Mason
Joanna Momi
Parizade Raymode
Karen Rickwood
Maureen Smith
Isebel Vorster
Team Award 2015
Volunteer of the Year
2015
Margaret Atkins
James Dainty
Patsy French
Alan King
William Robertson
Meet and Greet Team
Apprentice of the Year
2015
Megan Baker
Sophie Granger
Claire Parrish
Ben Pegg
Nicola Sweet
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Clinic
Bowel Screening Clinic
ICU Housekeeping Team
Pneumothorax Team
Polly Leigh and Mara Tonks
Programme Management Office
Recruit a Nurse Team
Spencer Ward
Debbie Tovell and Kerry Buckingham – Staff
Bank
Switchboard Staff
Group pictures from some of the 2014-15 Smile Awards.
The winners of these events were nominated for the 2015
Employee Excellence Awards.
Issue 30 kghtogether 15
Excellence Awards recognise achievements of employees, apprentices and volunteers
Excellence Awards 2015
Volunteer of the Year 2015
MORE than 50 individuals and teams at KGH
who won Smile Awards during 2013-14 were
nominated for this year’s Excellence Awards.
This led to some very difficult decisions for
a judging panel made up of representatives of
the Trust’s Executive Directors, Staffside (union),
Governors and Non-Executive Directors.
KGH Director of Human Resources and
Organisational Development, Mark Smith, said: “Our
Excellence Awards provide us with an opportunity to
say thank you to many of our friends and colleagues
who have contributed so much to the success of
KGH over the last year.
“We want to recognise the enormous
contribution made by individuals and teams to the
care we deliver at the hospital and also to those
volunteers, apprentices, and fundraisers who all help
to make our Trust a special place.”
The finalists were:
• Meet and Greet Team - Nominated for their
welcoming and helpful approach to patients,
visitors and staff at the Trust Main Entrances
– providing a vital service and creating an
excellent first impression of our Trust
• James Dainty – Nutritional Support/
Patient Befriender (Lamport and Tywell) James has been volunteering with the Trust
since 2013 and is a valued member of the ward
team. James received a Smile award for his
motivating personality and engaging style with
patients. He was nominated for this award by
Trust lead for volunteers Alex Doherty
• Alan King – Volunteer (A&E) - Alan has
been nominated in recognition of is continued
dedication and commitment to volunteering in
the Trust, within A&E and at other events for
Health and Wellbeing and the Annual Members
Meeting
Winner
• James Dainty – He attends the ward two
or three times a week assisting in teas and
lunches and assisting them where needed.
His dedication and commitment around
volunteering is truly outstanding.
Apprentice of the Year 2015
The finalists were:
• Megan Baker – Clinical Apprentice –
Harrowden C- Consistently demonstrating the
qualities required in her apprenticeship role.
She is a very positive and bubbly individual who
is positive, upbeat and committed to providing
high quality, value based care
• Claire Parish – Administrative Apprentice
– Therapies - Claire has made exceptional
development within her role becoming an
accomplished professional who is an asset
within her team and to the Trust. Claire was
nominated as a role model for the success of
the apprenticeship scheme.
• Nicola Sweet – Apprentice – Day Surgery
- Nicola has demonstrated commitment,
dedication, compassion and empathy
throughout her apprenticeship with the Trust.
Winner
• Megan Baker – Megan is extremely caring
with a great bedside relationship with patients.
She always seeks to provide the best possible
care.
Non-Clinical Employee of
the Year 2015
The finalists were:
• Donna Everson – Housekeeper – Cranford
Ward - Her presence on the ward really makes
it a bright place to work. Donna is recognised
as being positive and cheerful and always
putting patients first, with countless patients
commenting on how much Donna as cheered
them up!
• Ian Ford – Porter - Ian has been nominated
for his action in defusing a situation with a
visitor, calmly managing the situation. Ian’s
actions were commented on as a wonderful
example of one of our staff finding themselves
in an unexpected situation and taking positive
action to resolve it.
• Hollie Makepeace – Waiting List Officer
- Hollie has excelled in her role, demonstrating
excellent skills and knowledge in ensuring
that the service runs to its potential, providing
fantastic support to the patients and staff
within the service.
Winner
• Ian Ford – was a model of calmness when
dealing with an aggressive and troubled visitor.
Ian’s patient actions stopped the man from
returning or causing a scene elsewhere.
• Karen Rickwood – Staff Nurse – PreOperative Assessment Unit -. Whilst
undertaking a patient assessment Karen sought
advice as she had noticed a change to the
patient’s condition. Upon seeking the advice
the patient was diagnosed with cancer and
commenced immediate treatment..
• Leanne Weatherley – OT Assistant
Practitioner - Leanne received her nomination
when a patient’s relative wrote to the Trust. The
patient’s relative lived outside the UK. When
the patient was admitted to hospital and later
discharged Leanne took the initiative in securing
the required support and advice to ensure
the patient was well cared for while relatives
arrived.
Winner
• Karen Rickwood – for working above and
beyond her role. The patient stated that by
noticing the change to her condition (which she
had not) Karen saved her life.
Team of the Year 2015
The finalists were:
• Age Related Macular Degeneration Team
- Nominated by a patient who has attended
the service for a number of years, the patient
commented that the entire staff group are
friendly, helpful, compassionate and cheerful.
The patient stated that you could not ask for a
better group of people/
• Bowel Screening Clinic Team - The patient
who nominated them commented that they
were brilliant, always smiling and providing
reassurance – including holding hands during
the procedure. The patient stated that they
would definitely recommend the team to any
patient being screened.
KGH Chairman Graham Foster presents the award to the Team of the Year
– the Bowel Screening Clinic Team
• Team Recruit a Nurse - The Team have
carried out fantastic work conducting open
days and recruiting to a number of nursing
positions in the Trust. The events demonstrate
the commitment, enthusiasm and motivation of
those involved.
Winner
• Bowel Screening Team – Brilliant, patient,
caring, reassuring – ‘every member of staff who
walked past while I was waiting smiled at me’.
KGH Hero of the Year 2015
Winner
• James Donnelly – Health and Safety
Officer – Nominated for his decisive, quick
thinking and cool head when first on the scene
at a two car crash. He took charge of the
situation and organised everyone and completed
a full assessment of the casualty while inside
an upside down car in a ditch. During his time
at KGH he has also been nominated for and
won numerous Smile awards contributing
in a number of different areas - including
the infamous pantomime - and is a real
ambassador for our Trust.
Clinical Employee of the
Year 2015
The finalists were:
• Lara Dahling – Staff Nurse - Whilst working
in the Surgical Day Case Unit Lara worked for
six months producing an inclusive admissions
to discharge booklet to be used for day surgery
patients. The new booklet enables more time for
nursing patients with other departments looking
to adopt the approach.
Apprentice of the Year Megan Baker was presented with her
award by Non-Executive Director Stephen Ramsden
16 Issue 30 kghtogether
Head of Performance Andy Frost receives his Executive
Award from Chief Executive David Sissling
Non-Clinical Employee of the Year Ian
Ford was presented with his award by
Mark Smith Director of Human Resources
and Organisational Development
Volunteer of the Year James Dainty was presented with his award by
Director of Finance Kishamer Sidhu
Clinical Employee of the Year, Karen Rickwood, receives
her award from Director of Human Resources, Mark Smith,
shortly after the event - which she was unable to attend
Executive Award of the
Year 2015
Winner
• Head of Performance Andy Frost - Every
year we come together to select an individual
who has made a significant contribution to
the Trust by providing a vital service. This is
not an easy decision based on the outstanding
contribution that is made by our staff on a daily
basis. However this year we have chosen an
individual who provides a vital service within
the Trust to numerous people, an individual that
unquestionably provides their upmost to the
Trust, always available and willing to help.
KGH Hero Award Winner James Donnelly receives
his award from Chief Executive David Sissling
Issue 30 kghtogether 17
KGH Employee Long Service Awards
Xristine and Phil say big thank you to
KGH teams
PICTURED are some of the dedicated KGH staff who received
their 25 years long service awards at our Employee Excellence
event on October 23, 2015.
In total some 28 received the award having served the Trust for a
combined total of 700 years.
The Trust would like to thank all of these staff for their hard work,
commitment and dedication over so many years.
KGH’s Chief Executive, David Sissling, said: “The Long Service and
Employee Excellence Awards evening is one of the most important events
in the year for KGH. It gives us an opportunity to say thank you to our
friends and colleagues who have given 25 years of loyalty and hard work
to the hospital.”
A recently married couple have said a
special thank you to the teams at KGH
who supported them through a cancer
diagnosis and treatment.
Xristine Faulkner, 62, from Rushden, was
diagnosed with bowel cancer on June 14 after
having an endoscopy at KGH.
Thirty days later (on July 15) she had an
operation to remove the tumour. Only two
weeks after that, on July 29, she was married
to Phil Faulkner at Kettering Registry Office.
Xristine, who is a doctor in Usability
Engineering, and is now retired, wrote
a thank you letter to the teams who
supported her via KGH’s Chief Executive
You have a wonderful team there,
and produced a Thank You card with
from the surgeons who did the op
images from her wedding.
25 years of
service
Julie Barber
Jo Binder
Beverley Bone
Gary Capps
Trudi Cox
Tina Deacon
Rebecca Duffell
Leanda English
Mary Garratt
Belinda Goodman
Andrew Havers
Vanessa Holyoak
Susan Hurd
Sandra Iwanoff
Susan Landon
Simon Lee
Emma Luthayi
Deborah Mapley
Caroline Munn
Melanie Neal
Caroline Parkes
Rebecca Parry
Gillian Phillips
Trudy Rollings
Susan Spendlove
Julie Walker
Janine White
Paul Wood
“
Difficult cancer journey
made easier by kind staff
XRISTINE and Phil have praised staff
from many different teams for their
kindness and care during this difficult
time.
After her diagnosis Xristine immediately had
a full body scan to ensure the cancer hadn’t
spread.
It was late in the day and staff were due
to go home but Xristine said in her letter:
“The person carrying out that scan did it
immediately to save my having to return at
a later date. It was the first of many acts of
kindness and generosity I experienced since my
diagnosis and treatment.”
Next a colonoscopy was carried out to check
for the possibility of a ‘mirror’ cancer on the
other side of her colon – fortunately there
wasn’t one.
Then Xristine was contacted by the surgical
team. She said: “I had an appointment with
the surgical consultant. Again I can’t praise
his kindness and clarity enough. He explained
everything clearly and answered our questions
with kindness and directness.”
After a pre-operative assessment
appointment Xristine had her operation, was
The Thank You card
which Xristine and
Phil sent to KGH
18 Issue 30 kghtogether
Xristine and Phil Faulkner at their wedding on July 29
to George who took me down to
the theatre and collected me later
to take me to Deene B..”
admitted to Deene B to recover, and was able
to go home three days later.
Thanking the teams
PHIL and Xristine want to thank all of
the staff involved in her care.
She said: “I can’t list everyone who did
something for me – there were so many.
“But please pass on our thanks to the
surgeons who have undoubtedly ensured
that Phil will be buying wedding anniversary
presents for years to come.
“Also the endoscopy unit who were very
kind and professional and the nurses on the
surgical ward who were dedicated and kind
and have a sense of humour – very important
when you are healing.
“You have a wonderful team there, from the
surgeons who did the op to George who took
me down to the theatre and collected me later
to take me to Deene B.
“I wouldn’t say that having cancer is the
ideal way to experience the NHS but I have
nothing but admiration for the skill and
devotion I have experienced and the incredible
acts of kindness and generosity – there are far
too many to mention.
Phil 61, who is a retired lecturer in software
engineering said: “To all of the staff at
Kettering General who were involved with
Xristine’s diagnosis and treatment, thank you
so much for making our special day possible
and giving us many anniversaries to look
forward to.”
Xristine’s journey continues
Xristine started chemotherapy in the
autumn of 2015 and has now met the
oncology team.
She says that once again she is struck by the
knowledge, professionalism and above all the
kindness of the staff involved.
She said: “When I was diagnosed my GP
at Parklands Surgery told me I couldn’t be
in better hands and having experienced the
programme of treatment at KGH I am in full
agreement. “
Xristine and Phil moved to Northamptonshire
late last year and Xristine says that although
she would like to wish away the cancer, not
just for her but for everyone else too, if she
has to have it then she is glad it was here at
Kettering General Hospital.
She said: “KGH staff have made the journey
less frightening, at times heart lifting and more
times than you’d believe possible actually full
of laughter.
“So thank you to all those at Kettering
General who touched my life and may continue
to do so. Thank you for having such a great
team.”
Issue 30 kghtogether 19
Staff walk millions of steps on Global Corporate
Challenge
KGH staff walked 295 million steps –
equivalent to 135 times the length of
Britain – as part of keep fit corporate
challenge.
And on October 7 an awards day for
participants was held in the hospital’s lecture
theatre for those who successfully completed
the Global Corporate Challenge (GCC).
Overall 217 staff took part in the event split
into 31 teams. The challenge was launched in
May and lasted for 100 days.
Teams competed to see how many steps
they could accumulate between them over
the 100 day period.
Participants wore a pace counter to do
this and could also add in other exercise
credits, such as cycling/swimming, to an
agreed formula, keeping track of their
progress on a GCC website.
KGH Chief Executive David Sissling said:
“The aim of the challenge was to encourage
staff to adopt more exercise into their lifestyles
in order to improve their overall health and
wellbeing – which participants overwhelmingly
stated it had.
“It also encouraged some friendly
competition between teams resulting in a
tremendous amount of exercise and some
spectacular and praiseworthy results.”
Over the 100 days:
• 217 KGH employees walked a total of 295
million steps – 135 times the length of
Great Britain
• 83% of KGH staff exceeded the 10,000
steps a day target – in fact our daily
average was 14,146 steps (equivalent to
54 minutes on a rowing machine). This
compared to an estimate of 15% of staff
achieving this total each day pre-GCC
• Staff burned nearly 12 million calories –
equivalent to 40,000 hot dogs
• Staff reported a 44% increase in
awareness of what they were eating
“
Overall 217 staff took part in the
event split into 31 teams. The
challenge was launched in May
and lasted for 100 days.”
The top ten teams
1. Beauty and the Beasts (porters) – 7,056
miles
2. The M&Ms (maternity) – 6,962 miles
3. Guys and Dolls (pharmacy) – 5,009 miles
4. Over the Moore’s and far away (pharmacy)
– 4,881 miles
5. Immunology – 4,653 miles
6. Team Extreme (physiotherapy) – 4,632
miles
7. Team Flash (Deene A and stores) – 4,363
miles
8. Cardiac Rehab Team Kettering – 4,184
miles
9. Health and Wellbeing Team – 4,064 miles
10.Urgent Care Crew – 3,969 miles
Some of the staff involved in the Global
Corporate Challenge
Most active individuals
1. Alec Elston - Step Average: 38,520
2. Paula Anderson - Step Average: 36,759
3. Ian Kelly - Step Average: 34,880
Most improved team
- The M&Ms.
Most improved individuals 1. Kirsty Hamilton
2. Joshua Hammersley
3. Sharan Madeley
Spirit of the GCC
Alec Elston- Beauty and The Beasts
Ian Kelly - The Health and Wellbeing Team
• In total staff lost 577lbs in weight over the
100 days.
The Global Corporate Challenge is
something that is taken on by many different
organisations – both public and private sector.
KGH was the best NHS competitor in the
region – beating rivals like Northampton
General and Northamptonshire Healthcare
Foundation Trust – and was the third most
active NHS Trust in the UK.
20 Issue 30 kghtogether
Most improved team the M&Ms from maternity
THIS year’s KGH pantomime has raised
£2,027 for patient care and given a
great night out to hundreds of staff and
their families.
The event is put on each year by the KGH
Trust Timewarpers performing arts group and is
an opportunity for some imaginative fairy tale
plots – always with a link to the hospital itself
– along with a lot of singing and dancing.
This year’s event, written by Katrina Rufeea,
was called “Pinocchio meets
the Little Mermaid” and was
held on September 23-25
in the KGH Recreation Hall.
The event is put on each year by the
The cast included:
KGH Trust Timewarpers performing
• Pinocchio –
James Donnelly
Members of the Trust Timewarpers perform Pinocchio
arts group and is an opportunity for
• Linda Ariel Cottingham
meets the Little Mermaid
some imaginative fairy tale plots...”
– Jennie Lovell
and Philip Burditt, sound James Neal,
• Helen Jiminy Fawdon
lighting Ali Malsher and Dougie Sillars, stage
– Adele Logue
manager Eric Nixon, props Carolyn Palmer,
• King Triton Thompstone – Colin Iversen
Pinocchio wants to become a real boy so he
scenery Colin Iversen, costumes Janet Miles,
• Blue Fairy Goode – Jan Murts
can grow up and become a real doctor. Fairy
tickets/posters/programme Jennie Lovell,
• David Gepetto Bowden – Caroline
Godmother Blue Fairy Goode brings him to
printing Susan Donelly, lights Michael Crick,
Parkes
life. He needs to go to medical school but is
sound equipment Craig Macher, Laverne
tempted towards a life of glamour in the circus
• Deborah Ursula Wale – Anne Bradley
Cobb and Nathan Whitmill for the Rec Hall,
travelling to London, Paris, New York and
• Maryke Stromboli Gosligia – Helen Neal
and Jane Boutchier, Pauline O’Keefe, Sonia
Desborough.
• Mandy Foxy Lyon – Kathy Reeve
Mellor, Martha Bird, Maryke Gosliga, Jackie
But the dream soon die and harsh reality is
• Surgically Enhanced Mermaid
Farrow and Pat Rodgers for front of house.
– Carolyn Palmer
life in a cage with a prospect of being chopped
Director and choreographer Katrina
• Clinically Challenged Mermaid
up for firewood – somebody call Karen
Rufeea
said: “The KGH Trust Timewarpers
– Kathy Italiano
McMahon as this is clearly a safeguarding
would
like
to say a massive thank you
issue.
• Karen Seahorse Birch and Russian Puppet
to
everyone
who came to support our
He escapes and heads for the medical school
– Jane Almond
production
of
‘Pinocchio meets the Little
• Pharmacist Naomi Fleming and French
in Classroom 7 – but no one can find it in
Mermaid’.
Cancan Puppet – Katrina Rufeea
Latimer House, it should be in the old school of
“A fantastic £2,027was raised for the
• Swordfish and Dutch puppet – Lisa Dean
nursing.
Hospital
Wish List fund for patient care.”
• Nathan Whitmill – Janet Miles
Meanwhile Gepetto has gone missing
• Narrator – Kathy Italiano
searching for Pinocchio and being swallowed
• Punker Rocker Chilton – Colin Iversen.
by a whale in undersea the Kingdom of King
Triton Thompstone.
Never mind “I will”, we’re going to need
every ‘penny in the pound’ if we are to find
Gepetto – maybe Linda Ariel Cottingham’s
undersea nurses can help.
Ursula the Sea Witch hangs on to Gepetto
but this is clearly breaching his NHS
Constitutional rights. Linda and Pinocchio
escape the undersea Kingdom by both
becoming real, which is where the story ends.
Excellent performances – enhanced by a few
fluffed lines – and a lot of great singing and
dancing made for a lot of fun.
Thanks must also go to all those unseen
faces involved in the production including
musical director Andrew Phillips, drums Mike
Kilsby, flute Pam Jones, reeds Conway Painting
“
Other staff receiving awards included:
Everyone who took part was a winner with
individuals establishing some great exercise
habits.
KGH Panto raises more than £2,000 –
oh yes it has!
Portering Supervisor Alec Elston and Transport Driver
Gary Capps are pictured here receive their winning
trophy for Beauty and the Beasts from KGH Chairman
Graham Foster and Rachel Tavernor from GCC.
Issue 30 kghtogether 21
New windows and fire doors for KGH Revive the
Rec Hall Appeal
An appeal to refurbish Kettering General
Hospital’s staff recreation hall has been
supported by a local company.
T&K Home Improvements of Huxley Close,
Park Farm South, in Wellingborough, has fitted
£15,000 worth of much-needed new windows
and fire doors to the Recreation Hal free of
charge.
The Revive the Rec Hall Appeal
aims to raise £145,000 to
renovate the hall – which is
more than 50 years old – for
the benefit of staff and the
The Revive the Rec Hall Appeal
local community.
aims to raise £145,000 to
It is being organised by a
One of the Appeal organisers, Shirley Newman, presents thank you
renovate the hall – which is
team of volunteers from both
gifts to Surveyor Damian Smith and Managing Director Ryan Johnson
more than 50 years old...”
the hospital and its supporters
from T&K Home Improvements in front of one of the new fire doors on
in the local community.
October 29
One of the Appeal organisers,
more than 36 years, so it is good to be able to
and a Kettering General Hospital Staff
give something back to that community.”
Governor, Fiona Barber, said: “We asked T&K
Ryan Johnson, T&K’s Managing Director,
If anyone wants to get involved with the
Home Improvement to give us a quote for the
said: “We wanted to support the Revive
appeal
they can contact Fiona Barber at Fiona.
work and were absolutely delighted when they
the Rec Hall Appeal when we realised it
[email protected]
or link to the KGH Revive
offered to do the work for free because they
was a charitable venture to benefit both the
the
Rec
Hall
facebook
page https://www.
felt it was such a good cause.
hospital’s staff as well as the local community.
facebook.com/KGH-Revive-the-Recreation-Hall“We can’t thank them enough for
“It was a great opportunity for T&K to say
Community-Centre-863916623669498/
supporting our Appeal and doing their bit for
thank you to the hospital staff from whom
the local community.
many of our own staff and customers have
“They have saved us many thousands of
received excellent care over the years.
pounds and helped us to make sure this aging
“T&K has been installing energy efficient
building has some excellent new modern
windows, doors, conservatories and home
windows and fire doors.”
improvement products in this community for
THE REVIVE the Rec Hall volunteers have
“
Revive the Rec Hall team
keep on reviving
Waendel Walkers’ Club raises £1,220 for SCBU
THE Waendel Walkers’ Club has donated
£1,220 to the Special Care Baby Unit at
KGH.
The club took part in a Charity Sunrise
Walk on Sunday 7th June – an event that
started and finished at the Green Dragon in
Higham Ferrers. Walkers set out from 4:30am
for what turned out to be a beautiful day and
just perfect for the walk.
Some 90 people took part in the event
walking either 5km, 10km, or 20km and
enjoyed a traditional English breakfast upon
their return.
Waendel Walkers’ Club member Paul Ollett,
from Thrapston, said: “The club has an historic
tradition in supporting the Special Care Baby
Unit and has made three previous donations
so with this one it will total £3,450, a sum of
which we are naturally very proud.
“We support SCBU because it is surprising
how many families, and people who you
know, have benefitted from the excellent and
22 Issue 30 kghtogether
KGH fundraising assistant Harjit Mann receives the
cheque from Julia Powell on behalf of the Waendel
Walkers Club
unique care that it provides.”
SCBU Matron Jan Ford said: “We want
to thank the Waendel Walkers’ Club for this
fantastic effort and continued support.
“Fundraising such as this enables us to
provide the best possible environment for
families with premature babies and it is very
much appreciated.”
been extremely active this year and have
a number of achievements.
• During the May Spring Bank Holiday
weekend a team of eight dedicated
volunteers from the Revive the Rec Hall
Appeal spent time clearing out the
Recreation Hall. Fiona Barber, Maryke
Gosliga, Laverne Cobb and her partner
Carl, Phil Harris-Bridge and his wife
Marianne, Shirley Newman and Nathan
Whitmill, worked on Sunday May 3 to clear
out the Recreation Hall of years’ worth of
accumulated items that have been stored
there.
• Fundraising efforts sthis year have
included, Quiz Nights, Concerts, Plant
sale, KGH Bake Off competition and
cake sales, plus Tombola’s and Raffles,
and a well-received Christmas Fayre,
kindly supported by Rec Hall committee
staff, Governor Brenda King, Volunteer
Alan King, and the Occupational Health
team, who did a wonderful job of selling
afternoon teas. Raising much needed
funds of £537.42.
ITV films at KGH to demonstrate success of
Crazy Hats Appeal
ITV Anglia News filmed at KGH on
October 6 to celebrate the contributions
the Crazy Hats Appeal has made to
breast care for local people.
Earlier this year the Crazy Hats Appeal –
launched in 2001 by former head teacher
Glennis Hooper - achieved an incredible
fundraising milestone by raising £2 million
in 13 years for local
breast care support.
Almost half of that
(£900,000) went to
breast care services
We have a very successful breast care service
at KGH.
here at KGH and the Crazy Hats Appeal has
Lead breast cancer
ITV reporter Sarah Cooper interviews Mr Salam Musa
helped us to further enhance that...”
consultant at KGH,
Mr Salam Musa,
described how the
close partnership with the Appeal has helped
Some of the many
to further enhance the care the hospital itself
donations have included
provides.
• £100,000 to fund the opening of the
He said: “We have a very successful breast
Treatment Centre including a café, high
care service here at KGH and the Crazy Hats
quality decoration in its breast care rooms
Appeal has helped us to further enhance that.
and artwork
“They have purchased equipment, and
• Surgical equipment such as retractors and
helped us improve the hospital environment, in
gamma probes
ways that make a great contribution to patient
• The first Faxitron x-ray machine in 2001, a
care.
second in 2011 and a third in 2013
“It has been a very successful partnership,
• Other specialist equipment such as
probably one of the best examples in the UK
ultrasound scanners, a mammotome, MRI
of clinicians working closely with a charity to
attachment and plastic surgery ‘fat filler’
ensure that local community get the very best
ITV reporter Sarah Cooper films staff nurse Theresa
Church and lipofilling instruments
• Patient entertainment items such as TVs.
service available.”
“
Real life cartoon character visits KGH
PATIENTS in Kettering General Hospital’s
Children’s Ward have been delighted by
a visit from a real life version of Disney
cartoon character Lightning McQueen.
The visit was from local fundraisers Kettering
McQueen who use a modified car – made to
look like the character in the children’s movie
Cars - to cheer up sick children, and their
brothers and sisters, through visits to hospital,
to community events and to the children’s
homes.
Kettering McQueen member Michelle Barrow
said: “We have been fundraising with our
Lightning McQueen car, and other characters,
for more than two years now and have raised
about £20,000 for a variety of charities.
“That has included thousands of pounds for
Skylark Ward at KGH where we have bought
lots of different toys and
games for the children to
play with while they are in
hospital.”
KGH play specialist
Louise McKerral said:
“Kettering McQueen have
done so much for us we
just want to thank them
for this, and their many
other, visits.
“They help us so much
by buying the toys and
little extras which make
life more comfortable for
children when they are in
hospital when they might Children and their parents pictured with KGH play team staff during the
be feeling quite anxious.” McQueen Kettering visit.
Issue 30 kghtogether 23
Chronic breathing problem events
SPECIAL information events for people
suffering with chronic breathing
problems were held in October.
A series of events were put on in Kettering
and Wellingborough for people with Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – known as
COPD.
COPD is a condition that results from
chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema in which
a person’s airways are obstructed leading to
chronic breathing difficulties and a greater
susceptibility to chest infections. It
varies considerably from mild to
very severe – and can result in
admissions to hospital and severe
disability.
Often the condition can remain
COPD is a condition that results
At the event Airways group member Don Neale, Rocket team nurses
undiagnosed until its later stages,
from chronic bronchitis and/or
Simon Lee and Michael Duncombe, People’s First member Angela
therefore early diagnosis is very
Still, physiotherapy assistant Helen Jones and Kelly West from Nene
emphysema in which a person’s
important. *(there are estimated
Clinical Commissioning Group
airways are obstructed...”
3 million COPD sufferers in
the UK but a further 2 million
progression and to minimise occasions when
estimated as undiagnosed)
He said: “On the day we had specialist
it ‘flares up’.
nurses and physiotherapists who were able to
“With good support people are able to
discuss individual symptoms and advise people
maintain a better quality of life.”
Events raised awareness
on how to seek further specialist support and
The event was held in the Newlands
and offered support
diagnosis.
Centre in Kettering on October 2 and in the
THE events were designed to raise
“COPD affects about 12,000 people
Swansgate Centre in Wellingborough on
awareness of COPD and to offer on the
in Northamptonshire and it is a growing
October 16 and 23.
spot advice to those currently diagnosed
problem across the country – with many
The event was sponsored by the
with the condition.
people remaining undiagnosed, and therefore
pharmaceutical company Boehringer
Simon Lee is the lead nurse for the ROCKET
untreated.
Ingelheim, and Nene Clinical Commissioning
(Respiratory Outreach COPD in Kettering) team
“COPD is a long term condition, which
Group and was supported by the Kettering
based at Kettering General Hospital which
can’t be cured, so it is important to manage
and Wellingborough Airways patient support
supports patients with the illness.
symptoms well to reduce the disease’s
groups.
“
Lung Cancer Awareness month
A MACMILLAN nurse from KGH has
urged local people to be aware of signs
and symptoms of lung cancer during
National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
(November).
Lesley Holland, Macmillan lung cancer
clinical nurse specialist, said: “On average 122
people are diagnosed with lung cancer every
day in the UK.
“Almost 40% of these people will be
diagnosed after an emergency admission to
hospital.
“A big problem is that people don’t always
associate their symptoms with lung cancer
and assume that they are normal, everyday
ailments with half experiencing symptoms for
more than three and a half months before they
sought medical advice.
“That’s particularly common with people
24 Issue 30 kghtogether
who smoke, who may just
dismiss what they consider
to be a smoker’s cough.
‘Early diagnosis can,
in some cases, mean the
difference between whether
curative treatment is an
option or not.”
The top three signs to
look out for are:
• A persistent cough
• A change in cough
pattern or coughing up
blood,
• Chest pain
Although these symptoms
can have other causes, it is
best to get them checked by Macmillan Lung Cancer Clinical Support Nurse Laura Goodman and
Macmillan Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Lesley Holland
your GP.
We join forces with neighbouring Trusts to recruit
new nurses
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE’S three leading
NHS organisations have joined forces
to attract more qualified nurses to the
county.
KGH, Northampton General Hospital and
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation
Trust (NHFT) worked together to host a
recruitment day in London on November 28.
The aim was to showcase career
opportunities for nurses and promote the
county as a great place to live and work.
Kettering General Hospital’s Director of
Nursing and Quality, Leanne Hackshall, said:
“Northamptonshire is a fantastic place to live
and work and there are some excellent nursing
opportunities in our local hospitals.
“Across the three Trusts we have some 3,500
full time nurses but each year clearly we need
to replace staff due
to retirement, or
career moves, and
also we need to
L-R Come and join our nursing
recruit to newly
The day was all about raising
team – Apprentice health care
developed roles
assistant Lucy Rees, healthcare
public awareness of breast
designed to
assistant Debi Dioni and
cancer and the services that
registered nurse Carly Walden
enhance patient
we offer at Kettering to assess,
from Geddington Ward.
care.
“As a result
diagnose and treat it...”
recruitment to
nursing posts is
always ongoing and it made a lot of sense for
“It also allows us to make the case for why
the three Trusts to us to get together to share
nursing – and Northamptonshire - go together
recruitment ideas, costs and resources.
so well.”
“For example we have made a recruitment
film together that shows the enthusiasm of our • For more information on nursing jobs at
KGH visit www.jobs.nhs.uk
staff and the excellent opportunities on offer.
“
Breast Care Open Day at KGH
STAFF at KGH raised awareness about
breast cancer – and its treatment – by
having an open day in September.
The event was held in the Treatment Centre
from 11am-4pm on Saturday, September 19.
It was aimed at both the general public
and GPs and other healthcare professionals
interested in the services provided by Kettering
General Hospital.
It provided a wide variety of information
about breast cancer care and treatment
through presentations by consultants, a guided
tour of the unit, and question and answer
sessions.
Information provided included:
• Breast awareness and self-examination
• Family history of breast cancer and KGH
support services
• The breast cancer patient journey
• The role of breast cancer nurses
• The oncoplastic and reconstructive options
that is available to the patients at the unit.
For healthcare professionals there was
information around breast imaging, oncoplastic
and reconstructive surgery, and breast
assessment.
Consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, and
Breast Service Lead, Mr Salam Musa, said: “The
day was all about raising public awareness of
breast cancer and the services that we offer at
Kettering to assess, diagnose and treat it.
“It’s also enabled us to describe how we can
support patients throughout their breast cancer
journey so people can be assured just how
much help there is available.”
Church talent night
raises spirits and
money for charity
THE Social Team from St John the Baptist
Church in Corby have raised £100
for the cancer care wing at Kettering
General Hospital.
Catherine Hill and Sue Brittain presented
the money to Matron Helen Wilkinson, and
her team, following a talent night held at their
Church Hall in Corby Old Village in May.
Local people aged six to 65 took part in
the event which included singing, dancing,
wheelchair dancing, and impressions.
Sue said: “At one time or another several
people from our group have required the
support of the Centenary Wing so we thought
it would be nice for our event to support them.
“The £100 came from a raffle we held on
the night.”
Centenary Wing Manager Helen Wilkinson
said: “This was a lovely gesture and will go
towards the care we provide for local people
who are being treated for cancer.”
Issue 30 kghtogether 25
MembersMatter
Dear Members
Welcome to the start of the New Year and 2016. I hope that you are in good health and keeping active.
A new calendar of events has been organised for 2016. Please see the back page of KGH Together and try to come along and meet
our teams who can offer information and advice to you.
The events are always interesting and informative. Bring along friends and family too and I look forward to seeing you there.
We are still seeking any helpers that might be available to come into the Trust and form part of a small team. If you’re interested in
this opportunity just give me a call.
Do you want to contact your local Governor about concerns or issues? Email
[email protected] or let me know and I’ll put you in touch.
Best wishes to you all.
Kind regards
Donna Burnett
Corporate Governance and Membership Manager 01536 492169
Email: [email protected]
New Non-Executive Directors join Trust Board
Readers Enquiries – want a question
answered? Suggestions Box – want to
tell us your ideas?
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Send FREE to: Membership Manager
Freepost Plus RRHA-UHCL-YJJG
Kettering General Hospital F.T.
Rothwell Road, Kettering
Northamptonshire NN16 8UZ
26 Issue 30 kghtogether
TWO new Non-Executive Directors have
joined the KGH Trust Board.
Lizzie Hanna and Colin Dennis replace Jeff
Halliwell and Angela Reed who have both
resigned due to personal commitments.
Non-Executive Directors sit alongside the
Executive Directors (Chief Executive, Medical
Director etc) on the Foundation Trust Board of
Directors.
They support the Trust’s Chairman, Graham
Foster, in providing appropriate leadership,
oversight and governance to KGH in order to
deliver a high quality and excellent service to
patients.
A key part of the role is to actively scrutinise
the performance of Executive Directors in
attaining key goals and objectives and in
delivering quality, service and financial targets
required of Foundation Trusts.
Lizzie Hanna - Lizzie has lived in the East
Midlands with her family for circa 25 years.
She works as Head of Finance for
Service Delivery South, BT Openreach with
responsibility for commercial, financial and
operational support.
Lizzie has had a very successful career in
the private sector and with extensive Board
level experience and the delivery of largescale change, technology and efficiency
programmes.
Mental Health Liaison Services support
KGH patients
AN INVALUABLE service that supports
people with both mental and physical
problems was the subject of a KGH
Members’ event held on October 20.
The Acute Liaison Mental Health Service
(ALMHS) and Liaison Psychiatry for Older
People (LPOP) Services support KGH patients
whose mental health issue is also impacting on
their physical health.
They are a multi-disciplinary team providing
mental health assessment, support and short
term intervention for those attending A&E and
on the Acute Wards.
The service is run by Northamptonshire
Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and
Northamptonshire County Council working in
close co-operation with KGH.
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist
Matthew Carter said: “We are a team made
up of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social
workers and occupational therapists.
“We are based at both KGH and
Northampton General Hospital supporting both
Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments
and hospital wards.
“We help people with mental health needs
and those who have physical health needs
which affect their mental health.
“Our service includes assessment, support,
brief interventions and discharge planning.”
One in four have mental
health problems
Lizzie Hanna and Colin Dennis have joined KGH as
new Non-Executive Directors
Lizzie wishes to use her business experience
to help KGH to deliver a high quality and
excellent service to its users and offer
extensive support to the changes now being
implemented within the Trust.
Colin Dennis - Colin has over 25 years of
successful experience at an
operational and Board level in major UK
businesses within some of the most
regulated environments of Financial Services
and Aviation.
Colin has a family background in the NHS
and an interest in ensuring that his broad
based commercial background will bring
benefits to all service users of the Trust.
He can demonstrate entrepreneurial
knowledge and sound financial and analytical
skills.
EMOTIONAL problems can have a
significant impact on your physical
health and wellbeing.
Statistics show that one-in-four people will
experience a mental health problem of some
kind each year.
So it is no surprise that sometimes people
attend hospital while experiencing both mental
and physical problems – which is where the
Acute Liaison Mental Health Service can help.
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist Matthew
Carter said: “We offer a compassionate, personcentred and non-judgmental service to patients,
aged 18 and over, suffering from mental health
problems.
“Our colleagues in the Liaison Psychiatry
for Older People (LPOP) Service see people
over the age of 65 years, so we support the
mental health needs of all adults attending the
hospital.
“We can help with a variety of issues
including psychological reactions to physical
illness, depression, anxiety, confusion or
Dr Ina Los consultant psychiatrist
memory problems, psychosis, self-harm,
substance misuse, social issues and loss of
skills or independence.
“We also work closely with other services
such as primary and secondary care mental
health services and organisations that support
people with substance abuse issues.”
The services support patients who are
frequent attenders in A&E and work with the
individuals – and their families – to prevent
future crises.
By understanding the impact of mental
health issues on physical health they help
staff provide appropriate care for patients and
ensure they get the support they need once
they leave hospital.
Gemma Bellwood, and principal clinical
psychologist Dr Mark Stein.
What happens if I am
referred to the team?
Once you have been referred, a
member of our team will ask you
questions and talk with you about the
problems you have been experiencing.
They will also speak to the hospital staff
involved in your care. We will then discuss support options with
you and may invite you to attend follow up
sessions that address your individual needs.
Members hear how the
different professionals work
together
The Acute Liaison Mental Health Service
is now just over one year old and it
has enabled health and social care
professionals to work together for the
benefits of individual patients.
By having a presence in the hospital both
KGH and mental health and community staff
gain a better understanding of the impact of
their areas of expertise on patient care.
Knowledge and experience has been
shared between professionals and a greater
understanding of how to address patients’
needs more holistically.
As a result interventions are happening more
quickly and patients are being helped before
they deteriorate further.
During the event Members’ heard from the
head of community services, Ann Rackham,
an operational manager Carol Crotty who
spoke about the older adult service, consultant
psychiatrist Dr Ina Los, principal social worker
Clinical psychologist Dr Mark Stein
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist Matthew Carter
describing the service to KGH’s Membership on
October 20
Issue 30 kghtogether 27
Register for SMS text messaging today!
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go to our Membership website
Keeping you informed about your local hospital.
KGH membership text messaging service
Join us
As a Foundation Trust it is important for
us to have as many Members as possible.
That way we will better reflect the needs
of local people, our patients and staff.
Membership costs nothing and you
can be involved as much or as little as
you want.
Name:
Address:
Mobile Number:
Please post free to:
FREEPOST Plus RRHA-UHCL-YJJG
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Rothwell Road, Kettering, Northants NN16 8UZ
Or email your mobile number to
[email protected]
Or give me a call on 01536 492169
To become a member you must:
l Be 16 or over.
l Live in one of the areas we serve
(for clarification please call Donna
Burnett on 01536 492169)
Calendar of Events - 2016
Members Events
Speakers
Date and Venue
Audiology Services
Dr Shekhar Purohit
Chief Audiologist
Wednesday 27th January, 2016
Wellingborough Museum, 12 Castle Way NN8 1XB
Rheumatology / Arthritis
Dr Anoop Kuttikat MRCP (UK), MRCP
(Rheumatology)
Consultant Rheumatologist & Clinical Lead
Friday 4th March 2016 3.30-5.00pm
Venue TBC
Ophthalmology Services:
Cataracts - Glaucoma
Dr Sampat Venkatadri
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Friday 15th April 2016 12 noon – 1.30pm
Venue TBC
Gastroenterology:
Inflammatory Bowel disease,
colorectal cancer; advanced
endoscopy
Dr Ajay M Verma
MB ChB BSc (Hons) MRCP (UK), MRCP
(London, Gastroenterology)
Consultant Gastroenterologist & Physician
Thursday 19th May 2016 6.30pm-8.00pm
Prince William Lecture Theatre, KGH
• For information on events contact Membership Manager Donna Burnett on 01536-492169
or email [email protected]
FREE CAR PARKING IS NOW AVAILABLE TO ATTEND EVENING HEALTH EVENTS in CAR PARK E (Entry at bottom of hill near the railway
bridge – lower entrance to treatment centre – the barrier will lift)
KGH Membership Form
Support your local hospital by becoming a KGH Member by simply filling in this form & posting it to us (for free)
Title:
Ethnicity:
Full Name:
Gender:
Address:
Do you consider yourself disabled?
Telephone:
Yes
No
I declare that I am over 16 years old & would like to become a member
of Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Email:
Date of Birth:
Male
I would prefer that my name was kept off the Members’
Public Register
Postcode:
Preferred Method of Communication? Post
Female
Email
Signature:
Date:
Please post to: FREEPOST Plus RRHA-UHCL-YJJG Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Rothwell Road, Kettering, Northants, NN16 8UZ.
Or sign up online at www.kgh.nhs.uk/for-members/ or email: [email protected]
28 Issue 30 kghtogether