ROYALSTANDARD
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
CHESTERFIELD ROYAL HOSPITAL
ISSUE NO 36...
A successful year thanks to you
Figures released in April, in the first draft of the trust’s end of year
performance report (April 2002 to March 2003), show the trust ended
the financial year on a positive note – and its all due to the staff who
work at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and the trust’s community based
health centres and clinics.
Speaking on behalf of the entire trust
board, chief executive Eric Morton
and chairman, Michael Wall passed on
their thanks to every member of staff
for the role they played:
“It’s been a team effort on a massive
scale,” said Eric. “Not only have you
met national and local targets – you
also continued to develop new
services and facilities for our patients.
This is only the result of sheer hard
work and a determination to succeed.
Over the past year the executive team
has been able to visit directorate areas
– and we’ve clearly seen how you
have made a difference. We also
know that circumstances have been
difficult on some occasions - and we
appreciate how much has been
achieved in these conditions.”
“I wholeheartedly agree with Eric’s
comments,” continued Michael.
“Myself and non-executive directors
of the board have also taken time-out
to meet staff and see developments
for ourselves. We have also tried to
include areas of the trust not often
singled-out for attention – the ‘behind
the scenes’ services that are
absolutely vital to keep the hospital
and clinics on track. Achievements
this year are phenomenal – and we
must recognise that everyone who
works here has played their part.”
Eric Morton
Michael Wall
achieve the top three-star award again
– after marginally losing out in just
two standards last year.
Top ten in SAFF
The nationals
Alongside these national requirements
sit ten additional targets - agreed with
the Strategic Health Authority and the
three primary care trusts that
commission our services. These
formed part of the health
community’s service and financial
framework (SAFF) for 2002/03.
Achieving the national targets is vital.
Scores in 45 performance indicators
are used by the Department of Health
to determine which star rating will
apply to every acute trust in the
country. Covering everything from
out-patient waiting times to better
hospital food, it’s expected that
failure in just two of these areas will
once again limit trusts to a maximum
of two-stars. And while absolute
measurements aren’t available at the
moment, it’s hoped the Royal can
The trust just missed out in one of
these – ‘percentage of patients
attending for a first outpatient
appointment receiving a
booked/partially booked date’.
Continued on page 2
Breathing easy at 15000ft
Freefalling.
There are easier ways of raising
cash for the children’s unit, but
try telling that to parachutist
Amanda Cousins. She leapt out
of a plane at 15,000ft to buy
breathing equipment for
Nightingale, and she wants to do
it again!
The Tapton mum explained:
“When my partner Shane bought
me the jump for my 30th
birthday I thought it would be a
good idea to raise money for a
Amanda gets her feet back on the ground.
worthy cause. My four year-old
daughter Charlotte suffers with
Michael works as an operating theatre
mild asthma so I thought it fitting to buy
practitioner at the Royal.
breathing equipment for the hospital.”
Hilary Gregory, ward manager on
She added: “I wasn’t frightened until they
Nightingale red enthused: “It’s great that
opened the door of the plane and I started Amanda’s raised £450. She’s a braver
to ask myself what I was doing there. It
woman than I and I’m sure the poorly
was great once I’d jumped though and I’d
children will welcome the equipment her
love to do it again.”
donation buys. Everyone on Nightingale
sends their thanks.”
Amanda’s mum Susan and dad Louis
Cousins helped gather sponsors for her
Photographs kindly supplied by
jump over Scunthorpe. Her brother
Chequered Leopard.
Final beckons Rebecca
Occupational therapist Rebecca Sheldon is on her
way to London after being short-listed for a national
award. Rebecca, who was featured in the last
edition of Royal Standard, is going for interview at
the College of Occupational Therapists.
Finalist Rebecca.
She is bidding to land its annual therapist of the year
award after patient Laura Kenyon, the victim of an
attempted murder, nominated her. The hand and
orthopaedic specialist travels at the end of April,
along with five other
therapists who have
made the final.
Since her
nomination, Rebecca
has been busy giving
radio and newspaper
interviews.
NHS Performance Ratings
Target
2002/03 Performance level
Key Targets
Number of inpatients waiting longer than the standard (15 months)
Achieved
Number of outpatients waiting longer than the standard (5 months)
Achieved
A&E emergency admission waits (12 hours)
Achieved
Total time in A&E
Achieved
Cancelled operations not admitted within 28 days
Achieved
Two week cancer waits
Achieved
Improving working lives
Achieved
Hospital cleanliness
Achieved
Financial management
Achieved
Clinical Focus
Clinical negligence
Well above average
Death within 30 days of selected surgery procedures
Achieved
Emergency readmission to hospital following discharge
Achieved
Emergency readmission to hospital following discharge for children
Well above average
Emergency readmission to hospital following treatment for a stroke
Achieved
Emergency readmission to hospital following treatment for fractured hip Well
above average
Infection Control Procedures
Not available
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA bacteraemia
surveillance scheme
Not available
Thrombolysis Treatment Time
Achieved
Patient Focus
Six month inpatient waits
Total inpatient waits
Thirteen week outpatient waits
Day case booking
A&E emergency admission waits (4 hours)
Cancelled operations
Waiting times for Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic
Breast cancer treatment
Delayed discharges
Outpatient/A&E Survey – better information, more choice
Outpatient/A&E Survey – clean comfortable, friendly place to be
Outpatient/A&E Survey – building relationships
Outpatient/A&E Survey – safe, high quality, co-ordinated care
Outpatient/A&E Survey – access & waiting
Paediatric outpatient did not attend rates %
Patient complaints procedure
Better Hospital Food
Privacy & Dignity
Target
Above average
Achieved
Well above average
Achieved
Achieved
Achieved
Achieved
Achieved
Above average
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Above average
Achieved
Achieved
2002/03
Performance Level
Capacity and Capability Focus
Data Quality
Staff Opinion Survey
Junior Doctors’ Hours
Consultant Appraisal
Sickness Absence Rate
Information Governance
Fire, Health & Safety
Average
Average
Average
Not available
Average
Above average
Not available
Service & Financial Framework Targets
Target
% of cancer patients receiving a booked date for treatment/admission
% of patients seen within 31 days from urgent GP referral
to treatment for cancer
% of patients receiving a booked date for inpatient admission
% of new referrals to radiology, therapy and diagnostic services
receiving booked appointments
% of patients attending for a 1st outpatient appointment receiving a
booked/partially booked date
Number of general and acute beds open
Number of consultants
Number of nurses and qualified therapists
% of haematology and clinical pathology test results transferred electronical
ly
% of staff with desktop access to basic e-mail and browsing facilities
March Target
Achieved
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Local Targets
Target
Returning home following hospital treatment for fractured hip
Returning home following hospital treatment for a stroke
Qualified Allied Health Professionals vacancies
Qualified nursing, midwifery, and health visiting staff vacancies
Consultant vacancies
Target Achieved
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
inside this
issue...
Beating the car crooks
Frankie’s got Becks appeal
Cataract theatre opens its doors
Pharmacy first
Trainee ward practitioners arrive
1
A successful year thanks to you
This system of booking gives patients greater flexibility
about when to come for their appointment because they
ring in and choose the date and time – and its proved
extremely successful since it was introduced a couple of
years ago. It also allows the trust to plan and use clinics
more affectively.
Although the target is listed as ‘not achieved’ – because it
didn’t hit 100% - just over 99% of patients booked
appointments in this way. The last specialty has just
come on-board – so future scores look ‘better’ already.
Local scores
Five targets make up this section of the report. As former
national targets they were ‘adopted’ by the trust in its
2002/03 corporate objectives.
Three of these have been achieved. The two the trust
didn’t meet are:
‘Percentage of patients discharged back to usual place of
residence within 28 days of emergency admission to
hospital with a hip fracture, all ages (age and sex
standardised)’. In this case we met a score of 39.98%
against a 47% target and:
‘Percentage of patients discharged back to usual place of
residence within 56 days of emergency admission to
hospital with a stroke, all ages (age and sex standardised).
In this case we scored 35.98% against a 50% target.
“These have always proved difficult for the trust because
many of our patients are discharged to community
hospitals for rehabilitation,” commented Eric. “However,
it goes to show that despite all our achievements there is
always another area to look at – to see if improvements
can be made. It’s not always about working harder, but
about working in a different way and we are already cooperating on several projects with the health community
and social services to address issues in these sorts of
areas.”
Next step
The national performance indicators will be published in
the summer – together with confirmation of star ratings.
In the mean time the trust is looking towards the new
financial year, which is already two-weeks old.
“There are new national targets to work towards and it’s
clear it will be a challenging year ahead,” said Eric.
“We’ve agreed a local development plan with our
commissioners and for everyone there was some difficult
decisions to take in terms of funding and this years’
priorities for progress. For the first time in a while the
trust has had to come up with a cost improvement
programme – and of course this will affect all
directorates.”
New look Nightingale
A colourful new
playroom is
brightening the
lives of visitors to
the Nightingale
children’s unit.
Over £15,000 has
been spent
replacing
everything from
the fixtures and
fittings to the toys
that made up the
old play area.
It took nearly a
month to give it a
huge facelift but,
judging by the
Brewster bear joins the opening party.
reaction from its
users, it was
ball pool and I’m certain they will get
worth it. Senior Sister Kate Heatonyears of pleasure from this investment.”
Morley said: “We had a little opening
party for the children and they couldn’t
A light show projector, touch-sensitive
wait to have a go with the geometric
sound panels, soft play shapes, toys, and
shapes and toys. They absolutely love the
books are educating and entertaining.
Bosom Buddies
Breast cancer patients past and present are sharing their experiences at a recently
formed support group, Bosom Buddies. Assisted by the hospital’s breast care nursing
team, but running independently, women of all ages are meeting on the third Wednesday
of every month.
The get-togethers have a strong social element, with guest speakers and differing leisure
pastimes featured. In the past year the buddies have looked at diet, Reiki, flower
arranging, specialist underwear, physiotherapy, make-up and herbs.
With more talks on the way there will be plenty of opportunity for further question and
answer sessions with the breast care nursing team of Donna Ashley, Mary Buxton and
Julia Buxton.
2
Continued from page 1
“However,” Michael continued. “If we approach this
coming year with the enthusiasm and commitment we
showed throughout the last 12-months, I am sure we will
have just as much success. The trust wouldn’t be in this
position without the dedicated staff it has and I hope the
trust board’s thanks go some way to showing our
appreciation of everything you do.”
Results
The results on page 1 can be found in the first draft of the
trust’s performance management report. The complete
report will be available after April 30th’s trust board
meeting. Details of how to obtain a copy will be
circulated, as usual, with the next staff briefing –
Straight to the Point.
Claire’s decade of dedication
A decade of dedication
to the North Derbyshirebased Deaf and Hearing
Support group has seen
Claire Roberts awarded
with recognition of her
long service.
Audiology services
manager at Saltergate,
Claire was presented
with her award by
Councillor Frank Taylor,
Chairman of North East
Derbyshire District
Council.
Councillor Taylor presenting Claire with her certificate.
Since Deaf and Hearing Support was formed in 1992 Claire has been a founder member
of its executive committee, and has worked to inform people of the services and
equipment available to deaf and hearing-impaired people in North Derbyshire.
Awareness raising will bring Claire’s colleagues to the Royal hospital on the morning of
11th June, when they will be holding advice sessions at the health information point, off
the main concourse.
Changes for clinical audit
Personnel changes within the Clinical
Development Directorate have led to a restructure of the Clinical Audit and Clinical
Governance Support functions for the
Trust. Andy Challands, Head of Clinical
Audit and Research and Pauline Whitney,
Clinical Audit Analyst have both been
successful in obtaining posts with the
Audit Commission. The following
outlines the new structure being
introduced from 28th April 2003:
Group member Kay Baker said: “We offer an excellent mix of support and social activity.
Everyone shares great companionship and meeting people at the various stages of
recovery lifts the spirits, the atmosphere is very positive. We have around 20 to 25
members but are always looking to welcome more.”
Lisa Thompson currently Clinical
Governance Support Co-ordinator will
take up the post of Head of Clinical Audit
and Clinical Governance Support, which
will involve taking on the management
role within Clinical Audit and leading on
the Trust’s agenda for clinical governance.
The Parent Craft room on Scarsdale
Wing hosts the meetings from
2.30pm – 4pm, when many
members donate £1 to cover the
cost of refreshments and
speakers’ expenses. For further
information, please contact the
breast care nursing team on 2356.
Clinical Audit Team
A third analyst will be appointed to join
Chris Ward and TJ Day and support for
the analysts will be reviewed. Please bear
with us while these changes are
underway.
Extension: 2468
Research
The research responsibility will transfer
to Education and Workforce
Development, and will be led by Alison
Farmer the new PDA for research.
Extension - 3632
Patient and Public Involvement Jayne Eastwood will become the Patient
and Public Involvement Co-ordinator.
This role will focus on developing the
Trust’s public involvement strategy,
managing the Patient Advice and Liaison
Service and the Bereavement Service.
Extension - 3739
Corporate Policies
Responsibility for the management of
corporate policies will transfer from the
Clinical Governance Support Team to
Julie Lyons, Administration Manager,
Clinical Development.
Help beat car crooks
All motorists visiting the Royal are
being urged to secure their cars and
take basic security steps after a spate of
thefts from vehicles. Alloy wheels, air
bags and stereos are among the items
being snatched, and the thefts are not
likely to stop unless staff and visitors
start to deter thieves.
Andrew Jones of Central Services said:
“A car is like a shop window for
thieves and they’ll smash and grab
anything of value, even a few coins. All
property should be kept out of sight or
removed altogether. It’s not just a
mobile phone or briefcase that attracts
a thief, he’ll take a sports bag or even
an old coat.”
Successful police operations have
taken place and are continuing, while
security staff has been added to
existing patrols and CCTV cameras. And in a bid to help
improve car security the trust has contacted Halford’s
Chesterfield branch to negotiate a 10% discount for all
staff on production of their identification card. *The offer
applies to car security products only.
Protect your car:
• Lock the doors and close the windows when you
leave the car – for any length of time
• Don't leave anything on display – even a jacket can
seem like an appealing target for a thief
• Remove the stereo if you can. Also, tuck in wing
mirrors and put the aerial down to discourage vandals
• Never store your car's documents in the car
• A Thatcham - approved immobiliser or steering lock
can help secure older vehicles.
• Think about having the windows etched with the
car's vehicle registration number (VRN), and make
a note of its chassis number.
• Keep your car keys in a safe place, even in your house,
so that someone breaking in cannot steal your car too.
• Lockable wheel nuts can help protect expensive alloy
wheels and consider a buying a lockable fuel cap
Leave nothing on display.
Ford Focus and Honda Civic models are the most
common targets. Anyone who witnesses a theft or
someone acting suspiciously should call police or contact
the security office just off the main concourse.
Domestic team
welcomes new look
An eye-catching
new uniform is
being welcomed
by domestic coordinators at the
Royal, who have
waved goodbye to
the beauty
therapist look.
Lilac tunics and
grey trousers are
replacing the old
white dress and
bottle green belt.
“Everyone has
complimented us
on them and we
are delighted with
our new uniforms,”
said co-ordinator
Marjory Lowe. “We
had the dreaded
The fresh new look.
white ones for
around a decade
and not only did they dirty quickly, patients would often mistake us for nurses and
physio’s. We didn’t mind being asked to help patients, but it created confusion and of
course there are tasks we are not allowed to perform.”
A team of ten co-ordinators are donning the lilac. Marjory’s colleague Sandra Smith said:
“The trousers and tunic are excellent. They are comfortable and much more practical
than those they are replacing.”
Contact the crime prevention officer at your local police
station for further advice or visit
www.homeoffice.gov
All eyes on new clinic
Ophthalmic and
orthopaedic patients are
benefiting from a new
walk-in cataract centre.
Not only does the facility
make access to treatment
more convenient for
cataract patients, but has
also benefited
orthopaedic patients by
freeing up the ‘old’
cataract theatre, enabling
more of them to be
treated, which will
lessen waiting times.
Part of the Holywell
suite, the new centre is taking all the
cataract patients previously treated in
theatre five. It provides them with a
comfortable and welcoming lounge,
where they are admitted and prepared for
operation. They then pass to a windowed
theatre to undergo surgery before
emerging into a step-down area with
reclining chairs. Refreshments are served
there and discharge assessment is made.
The new patient ‘journey’ takes just a
couple of hours and the majority are
treated as day cases. In the past, the same
treatment could require a patient to
spend five or six hours at the hospital,
with overnight admission to follow.
Booked admissions project manager
Glenis Smith said: “The new cataract
centre puts the patient first and improves
their whole experience. It is quicker,
more comfortable and its introduction is
having a welcome impact on other
services, with acute beds no longer
needed by cataract patients.”
Glenis and her clinical colleagues worked
closely to bring about the improvement
that will be seen by around 160 cataract
patients each month. And they are still
exploring ways in which the service can
be improved further, working with
optometrists, GPs and PCT colleagues to
redesign it and enhance the patient
experience.
Artist proves she’s a PAL
Pollyanna.
One of Europe’s finest
wildlife artists is
swapping the jungles
of India and forests of
South America to
open the offices of a
new patient-dedicated
service. Pollyanna
Pickering was set to
officially launch the
Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS)
health information
point on Thursday, 1st
May 2003, when this
edition of Standard
went to press.
Pollyanna’s work hangs in galleries around the world and
she has journeyed through some of its most inhospitable
regions to produce her stunning paintings. She is taking a
well-earned break to perform the honours at the office,
just off the main concourse.
Pollyanna said: “I am delighted to have been invited back
to the hospital to perform the opening
of the contact point. Anything I can do
to raise the profile of this new service
will be worthwhile. People often
don’t know where to go for help and
advice when they need it most, but
PALS will provide the impartial and
confidential support they need.”
Patients and families will be able to
use PALS to get information about all
aspects of NHS services and the
different agencies it links with. Two
recently appointed PALS officers
will provide confidential, on-thespot advice and support, helping to
quickly resolve any patient and
family concerns.
and literature to visitors.
Lisa Thompson, Quality
Development Adviser, said: “This is
an exciting new venture for the
hospital which I am sure will prove
invaluable to patients and visitors
needing help and support.”
Jane Sheppard and Jackie Ward have
been appointed as the new PALS
officers and can be contacted on
extension 3742 by anyone wanting
more information on the new service.
The office will also give people an easily identifiable
point where they can put forward ideas for further
improving services at the Royal. Health specialists and
representatives of local voluntary and self-help groups
will hold regular events at the health information point to
raise awareness of health issues and offer verbal advice
3
Just for the record...
Patient letters and postage, solicitor requests and demands from the DSS, all in a day’s
work for the Patient Records department. If you thought it only employed a couple of
filing clerks to simply pull out and dust down a few files, better think again!
The department has 34 staff, responsible for a broad range of duties and half-a-million
records. They track a patient’s medical history from birth to death, and keep details in
storage beyond the grave.
Acting department manager Joy Coulson said: “We perform a multitude of tasks around
the clock. Not only do we oversee and assist the movement of hundreds of thousands of
files, but also send outpatient letters and deal with endless requests for copies of
records.”
A huge library behind the main concourse at the Royal and two smaller ones within the
hospital are hives of activity 24 hours a day. Whether a patient is rushed through A&E or
is referred by GP, his record needs to be at hand, and quickly.
Admissions supervisor Margaret Wilmot explained: “Our aim is to get records to the
clinician within an hour of a patient being admitted. It’s not always easy when you
service more than 20 wards and deal with many unplanned,
emergency admissions, but we strive to deliver.”
To enable accurate tracking, the whereabouts of a record is
entered on computer whenever it moves, even within the
department. Necessary, but time-consuming, the process can
be repeated as many as 3000 times a day, as the department
serves the Royal, community hospitals and external
organisations. The only records not kept within the
department’s central library are those of mental health and
orthodontic patients.
In most cases, law requires notes to be kept for eight years
after the last entry in the record, creating the unenviable
task of ‘weeding’ files for disposal when the period expires.
And with some specialities needing notes to be stored for
longer, an extra burden is placed on filing and storage space.
Phones ringing and people flitting between offices in search
of advice or files, the department is like many others on-site.
The core of its work centres on servicing outpatients’ clinics
and providing records when emergency cases come in.
However, an increasing amount of time is spent meeting
medico-legal requests.
We’re all ears
The views of patients attending for vital
hearing tests were loud and clear in
survey results, suggestion leaflets and
complaint letters.
And thanks to their comments, £38,000
has been spent refurbishing two
examination rooms in the ear, nose and
throat clinic – to bring them up to
modern standards.
“Between 4,500 and 6,000 hearing tests
take place at the hospital each year,” said
head of communications Sarah TurnerSaint. “Patients commented that the
rooms where testing took place were not
designed to do the job properly. There
were complaints noise could be heard
from the clinic waiting area and this often
distracted them from the test itself.
When the purpose of coming to the
hospital is to see what hearing problem
you may have, this was obviously not
ideal.”
The new rooms, completed at the end of
last week, have new fixtures and fittings,
carpets and are decorated in a clean and
bright style. All designed to put patients
at their ease. But the most important
feature is that they are now sound-treated
– so patients only hear noises that form
part of the hearing test – with no
interference from any other source.
Cash for the project came from the trust’s
capital (building) funds and is just one of
a number of schemes finished at the end
of the financial year (March 31 2003).
Patients’ views will continue to play an
important role – with the trust embarking
on an ambitious £6million building
scheme over the next two to three years.
The end project will result in three new
medical wards, new out-patient clinics
and a separate education centre. In the
past few weeks’ work has already been
completed on office accommodation and
a dedicated cataract operating theatre.
All of these are crucial to make sure the
much needed extra medical beds start to
come ‘on-line’ from the end of this year.
Offices open for business
Medical secretaries and consultants are settling into new purpose-built accommodation
after leaving the ‘pig pens’. Their new offices opened at the end of April, marking
another milestone in the trust’s £5.9million building project.
Around 50 staff are using the two floors, including members of
integrated medicine, palliative care, breast, diabetes, ophthalmic,
ear, nose and throat, colorectal, and endocrine
teams.
4
Patient records supervisor Margaret Linacre said: “A growing number of patients are
requesting notes when bringing action against an individual or organisation who they
claim has damaged their health. Providing a copy of a file does not sound too difficult,
but it is cranking up the pressure.”
Data assistant Karen Helliwell added: “The claim culture is driving demand from
solicitors. We also have requests from the Department for Social Security, Criminal
Injuries Compensation Authority, the police, private hospitals, medical researchers and
hospitals outside the Trent region.
Receipt of a request with written patient consent can require a full copy of file notes and
x-rays to be made and posted. If the patient has been in hospital for a while his records
can contain up to 1,500 sheets and the photocopying alone can take up to two days.”
Legal teams request around 80 files each week. NHS organisations ask for a further 25,
forcing the department to designate a growing number of staff to a ‘problem’ that has
arisen during recent years.
Joy Coulson concluded: “There are more patients, more appointments, more patient
letters and more medico-legal requests to deal with daily. The pace in the department is
hectic. You only have to spend a few minutes here and see the trolley loads of records
being shipped in and out to get an idea of the volume of work. However, we are very
fortunate in Patient Records to have a dedicated and hard working team”
Response prompts
appeal
A lack of questionnaire returns from patients
treated at the accident and emergency department is
prompting an urgent appeal.
Clinical governance support co-ordinator Lisa Thompson said:
“At the start of the year we sent questionnaires to 1700 patients
who either visited the hospital as an outpatient or were treated
in accident and emergency during a three-month period.”
“The response from the outpatients has been excellent and they have been busy
returning their questionnaires, but we need more advice from people who have
experienced accident and emergency. Their views are vitally important in shaping the
care and service our professionals provide in future.”
Almost 600 outpatients have made returns, while just 377 A&E patient questionnaires
have come back. Responses will be considered when the trust looks to make
improvements, and the Department of Health will examine the anonymous replies to
further its understanding of how the people of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire
perceive the NHS.
Local media have been made aware of the appeal and an article has appeared in the
Derbyshire Times.
Une vacances permanentes
pour Barbara!
Pilot takes off
Patients with chronic breathing
conditions are piloting a new scheme
designed to improve their quality of life
and ability to exercise.
It’s a far cry from the Royal Hospital’s post room,
where she’s spent 16 years, but Barbara Lancaster is set
to say “au revoir” and “bon voyage” as she heads off for
a new life in France.
Respiratory nurse consultant Gail South
and her colleagues at the Royal Hospital
are running the trial at Walton Hospital
with Julie Rees and colleagues from
Chesterfield Primary Care Trust. Eight
people have signed-up to the pilot
pulmonary rehabilitation programme and,
if funding can be found, more will benefit
in the future.
With husband Terry and two close friends in tow she’s
swapping parcels and envelopes for a life of B&B.
They’ve taken the plunge and bought Logis du Pressoir (Dwellings of the Pressoir) in the
heart of the Loire Valley and the regional park of Loire-Anjou-Touraine. Their new home
is a set of renovated buildings, built from local stone, with tiled floors and period
regional furniture. And with five en-suite rooms sleeping from two to five people, we’re
sure they’ll never be short of ‘Royal’ guests who fancy une vacances with comfort and
style!
Gail said: “Patients with chronic
respiratory problems are the second most
common emergency medical admission at
the hospital and lead to a great number of
GP call-outs. Evidence-based research and
schemes at other trusts show the
approach we are adopting improves the
health of patients and can reduce demand
on the hospital.”
Two two-hour sessions are held each
week for six weeks. In the first half of
each session patients enjoy supervised
exercise in a gymnasium. A break follows,
enabling them to share experiences with
fellow sufferers, before they spend the
rest of the session with a specialist.
Physiotherapists, occupational therapists,
psychologists, dieticians, welfare rights
officers, doctors and specialist nurses all
host sessions.
“We carry out a walking test to see how
fit people are before they start the course
and set some simple goals aimed at
Set in landscaped gardens, just a two and a half hour drive from Paris, the Logis boast
landscaped gardens, heated outdoor pool, indoor and outdoor games areas and
countryside walks. With local wine cellars, chateaux, a riding school, zoo and adventure
playground just some of the nearby attractions there’s plenty for holidaymakers to enjoy.
The treadmill test.
improving quality of life and exercise
tolerance,” said Gail. “At the end of the
course the walking test is repeated to
determine improvement in exercise
capacity and we issue a questionnaire to
assess quality of life improvements.”
Around 1,700 patients with pulmonary
problems are admitted as emergency
medical cases at the Royal Hospital each
year.
Another First for the Royal
No doubt many will have noticed the
distinctive new uniforms worn by some
colleagues in the medical and surgical
directorates; who are these new staff, you
may ask? They are Trainee Ward
Practitioners, or TWPs as they’re more
commonly known.
Experienced health care assistants have
been selected and seconded to the TWP
posts. To qualify as practitioners they will
have to achieve a level three National
Vocational Qualification in Care. This
usually takes two years to complete, but
is being condensed to ten months
because of the demand for trained staff
accompanying the opening of the new
wards.
When qualified, the TWPs will be given
added responsibility by registered nurses,
releasing the nurses to focus on patients
needing a higher level of care. Their
introduction will also increase staff
capacity ready for the opening of three
new wards, starting in October.
A new band of roving clinical teachers is
developing and assessing the skills of
health care assistants as they speed their
way through ward practitioner training.
This fresh approach ensures training is
carried out as quickly and efficiently as
possible on the wards, to create more
staff with the required skills to take on
the new ward practitioner roles.
John Mallender, education adviser, said:
“We could not have implemented this in
the short timescale required without the
support of all our colleagues working at
the sharp end of patient care. Ward staff
have made this initiative their own by
their positive contribution to the
programme and the support of the
trainees on the wards.”
“This method is being well-received by
the ward staff, trainees and teachers. I’m
certain this new style is delivering
success.”
The learning skills team, based in the
Education Centre, is managing the
training and facilitating the theoretical
input behind it. The team also takes
responsibility for assessing and verifying
candidates as they pass through the fasttrack programme.
Barbara said, “All my friends at the
Royal have been fantastic and I owe
them a huge thank you. I’m very
grateful for their words of support
and encouragement and will miss
them all. They’ve given me real
strength.
This is a venture we’ve been
considering for some time and it’s
‘now or never’! We’re looking
forward to our new life in France
and to welcoming anyone who
wants to get away from it all and
have a wonderful relaxing holiday.”
You can find out more (from April
25 2003) by calling or faxing
Barbara on
00 33 (0)2 41 27 33 or visiting
www.lepressoir.fr.st
All her friends and colleagues at the
Royal wish her bonne chance!
Au revoir Barbara.
Phil shines through
Two years of hard
study has enabled
Phil Cousins to
distinguish himself
while completing a
facilities
management course
at Sheffield Hallam
University. The
praise of his course
tutors is testament to
the electrical team
leader’s ability, and
the knowledge he
has gleaned is
already improving
the support service
provided by the
estates department.
Head of estates Chris
Tann said: “It is no
surprise to see Phil
do so exceptionally
well. He has taken a
lot from the course
and is providing our
clients with a better
service as a result.
I’m sure his success
will reinforce the
benefits of education
and training
throughout the
Estates team.”
The electrical team leader at work.
The TWP team.
Estates is technically
competent in many areas, some specialised, including sterilisation equipment, medical
gasses, natural gas, electrical and water systems. However, efforts like Phil’s will quickly
enable it to realise Chris’s aim of providing a more professional, courteous and efficient
service to everyone with the trust.
5
Study helps staff help all
Jean’s all heart
and ears
Study projects undertaken by staff
have brought improvement to their
everyday working lives and helped
them achieve management
qualifications.
Improving the care provided to coronary
heart disease (CHD) patients is the aim of
a new collaborative service uniting the
Royal and local primary care trusts.
Management Development and
Training Adviser Eunice Lawton,
said: “These courses have delivered
success on two fronts. They have
resulted in changes in directorates
after studies done by the staff
highlighted room for improvement,
and the individuals have bettered
their management skills.”
Former district nurse Jean Terry is
managing the project that works with
everyone associated with CHD, including
patients and carers, to improve the
patient experience. And not only is Jean
drawing on the knowledge at a local
level, she is tapping into best practice
nationally.
Both types of course took around
15 months to complete and some
of the work-based projects
undertaken during this time
included:
Jean said: “My job isn’t just about
working with the usual decision makers,
but is about working with everyone, staff,
patients and carers. When they come up
with an idea to improve the service it is
tried on a small scale and, if successful,
implemented.”
Jean works with the North Trent
Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative, a
part of the NHS modernisation arm that
betters the experiences and outcomes for
all patients with suspected or diagnosed
coronary heart disease.
Thanks to staff involvement in the project
here at the Royal, people suffering a heart
attack are getting a better service.
Ambulance crews are using a new alert
system to warn A&E when a heart attack
patient is due to arrive, and clot busting
drugs are being administered more
quickly, at a time when minutes really
matter.
Former district nurse Jean Terry.
changes to its patient information booklet
after listening to patients’ comments.
Jean has strong links with units including
A&E , coronary care and cardiac
rehabilitation, but is eager for more staff
to get involved. She added: “It’s often
people at the front line who have the
greatest insight into the service. They are
best placed to recommend change. We
need to work smarter, not necessarily
harder. Anyone who can help improve
things should contact me, I will be all
ears!”
Chief Executive Eric Morton and Eunice are
pictured presenting certificates in ‘Managing in
Health and Social Care’ to: Vanessa Siddall, Rachel
Evans, Jonathon Phillips, Judi Copley, Julie Lyons
and Vivian Barson. Jane Haddock also passed
but could not be present.
• Developing a new junior dietetics role to
release more of the senior dieticians’ time
• Reducing the delay in patient discharge to
increase bed availability
• Improving disposal of clinical waste to save
money and prevent environmental damage
• Reviewing the skills mix in occupational
therapy to present senior staff with more
time for patients
• Improving the breast screening programme
to meet future demand
Jean can be telephoned on extension
4330, mobile 07787 572 938.
Email: [email protected]
Receiving a ‘Certificate in
Management’ are: Jason Styles, Karen
Manson and Elaine Barfoot. Julie Toms
also passed but could not be present.
The rehabilitation team has also made
School scheme sharing ideas
A confidential service enabling young people to
make informed choices about their health and
well-being is flourishing after being started by
Ailsa Burrill and her school community nursing
colleagues.
Its success has been so great since it was
introduced a couple of years ago that Ailsa
decided to share the background to the project
with visitors to the Community Practitioner and
Health Visitor Association’s annual conference in
Harrogate.
“I wanted to share our ideas and experience
with fellow community nurses from across the
country,” said Ailsa. “The children have found
the health shop so helpful and informative I felt
the need to let others know how well we’ve
done. The conference gave us the opportunity
to chat to colleagues running similar schemes
and discover how we can improve further.”
More than a thousand youngsters have accessed
the scheme since it was introduced at
Springwell School, Chesterfield. During the
conference, Ailsa used display boards to
highlight this success and outline its services.
Working in partnership with the youth service,
the health shop supports school staff and
parents by providing advice or referral. Its
popular sexual health service is providing
condoms, emergency contraception and
pregnancy testing.
Ailsa promotes the schools scheme.
Friends’ hand
over Humphrey
Matlock Hospitals’ League of Friends has
bought the latest visual field assessment
machine, enabling patients to get treatment at
Whitworth hospital. Mainly serving those with
glaucoma, the £12,500 equipment means
patients don’t have to travel to the Royal for
their vision to be assessed.
Penny Ward, Senior Orthoptist said: “The
Humphrey field machine carries out tests that
form a valuable part of the diagnosis and
management of eye conditions, particularly
glaucoma. We’re using the latest technology
thanks to this kind donation and it’s more
A patient under exam at Whitworth.
6
convenient for our patients.”
Assessment and monitoring of visual fields
enables the doctor to determine whether the
glaucoma treatment is having the desired effect,
and preventing damage to vision.
The league of friends purchased the hospital’s
previous visual field machine in January 2000
but this is now obsolete. Stroke patients and
people needing to determine if their sight is fit
for driving will also be able to make use of the
latest donation.
Stuck on safety
Meet and greet
Welcome to these members of staff
who joined the trust in March 2003…
In March in………
Pictured with the display (left to right) is Dawn Whitehead, Carol Wright and Mary Bound.
Activity boards that teach school children about dangers in the home, drugs and alcohol
are proving a success for school community nurse Dawn Whitehead.
The panels feature a park scene and kitchen littered with brightly coloured tablets,
bottles of beer, a knife and clothes iron etc. The fun and education comes from
youngsters marking the items with stickers to identify them as potential dangers.
Available for use in schools in Chesterfield, High Peak and the Dales, Dawn’s display was
designed and produced by Nigel Oram of medical illustration.
Pharmacy dispensing
Written GP prescriptions are
being dispensed here at the Royal
after government backing for a
new pilot scheme. The extra
service provided by pharmacy
enables patients and staff to pick
up medication on-site, instead of
having to visit their local
pharmacy.
Head of pharmacy and therapy
services Martin Shepherd said: “All
hospitals have, so far, been
prevented from dispensing GP
prescriptions, despite requests
from staff and visitors to supply
medicines. Convenience is key to
this new pilot as it is often the
case people have not had time or
the opportunity to attend their
community pharmacy.”
The new arrangements will help
offset longstanding difficulties in
access to dispensing services out
of hours, when in the past
patients have had difficulty
obtaining common medicines,
particularly those used in palliative
care.
Because of the limited range of
medicines stocked, the pharmacy
will not always be able to dispense
GP prescriptions. However, the
service will be able to supply the
majority of cases.
Welcome to……
FIN & CORP.DIR -PATIENT RECORDS
IMAGING SERVICES - P & T
CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT - EDUCATION
MEDICAL DIR. - MEDICAL
MEDICAL DIR. - LOCUMS
MEDICAL DIR. - LOCUMS
MEDICAL DIR. - CORONARY CARE
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - G.U.MED
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - DURRANT
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - DURRANT
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - EASTWOOD
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - MANVERS
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - MANVERS
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - MANVERS
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - MANVERS
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - MARKHAM
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - ASHOVER
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - ASHOVER
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - ASHOVER
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - PEARSON
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - PEARSON
MEDICAL DIRECTORATE - PEARSON
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - BANK NURSES
MEDICAL DIR. - SECRETARIAT/MGRS
MAT/GYNAE/CHILD HEALTH - MEDICAL
MAT/GYNAE/CHILD HEALTH - LOCUMS
MAT/GYNAE/CHILD HEALTH -ST MARYS
MAT/GYN/CH HEALTH - SCBU
CHILD HEALTH - EDMUND ST CLINIC
CHILD HEALTH - SPEECH THERAPY
PATHOLOGY DIR. P&T - HAEMATOLOGY
SURGICAL SPEC. - MEDICAL
SURGICAL SPEC. - MEDICAL
SURGICAL SPEC. - LOCUMS
SURGICAL SPEC. - STAVELEY WARD
SURGICAL SPEC. - DEVONSHIRE WARD
SURGICAL SPEC. - ELIZABETH WARD
MR DAVID HUNTER
MR PAUL TURNER
MISS ALISON FARMER
DR KATHRYN LUCAS
DR DAVID KELLOCK
MS MARGUERITA LUND
MISS LUOISE BROWN
MR JOHN MARTIN
MISS JOSIE ELLIS
MISS KAREN HAAG
MRS JACQUELINE MILLINGTON
MRS CAROL HICKMAN
MRS MANDY MARRIS
MISS LAURA POTTER
MRS CAREN WOOLHOUSE
MRS YVONNE WOODS
MRS GAYNOR STEVENSON
MRS HEIDI SWIFT
MISS JOANNE WHITWORTH
MRS TONI GAYNOR
MISS RACHEL SCOTT
MISS CATHERINE STIMPSON
MISS KATHY CAIN
MS JULIE CLAY
MISS SARAH FOX
MISS JILL MULLIGAN
MR OLIVER SALMONS
MISS REBECCA SHARPE
MRS JILLIAN SINGLETON
MISS HELEN SMITH
MRS ELIZABETH WRIGHT
MR GARETH WYNN
MRS GUDRUN VICKERS
DR NETI GAYATRI
DR MOHAMED OMER
MRS JENIFER SIMPSON
MRS ELISABETH WRIGHT
MRS MELANIE ROBINSON
MRS HARJINDER KAUR
MISS EDITH SILVERS
DR NIKOLAS CRAIG
DR LINDSEY THOMAS
MISS CLARE MAGSON
MISS HELEN HIBBERT
MISS JOANNA MITCHELL
MS MICHELLE BUXTON
Continued on page 8
Receptionist’s farewell
Markham receptionist Judy Dearden is planning
on sending her fingers green after 12 years of
them typing and telephoning. She is spending
more time in her garden and with her family after
retiring from the hospital at the end of March.
A friendly face, Judy started out as a relief
receptionist, offering support across the medical
specialties directorate, before taking on a settled
role on Markham.
Fellow ward receptionist Barbara Kacak said:
“Judy is very popular and it’s sad to see her go,
but we’re very happy for her and hope she enjoys
retirement.”
Her colleagues said goodbye to Judy with a buffet
lunch at work and an evening meal at the Old
Pump, Barlow. As well as
equipment to help with her
gardening, her friends said
farewell with gifts of
jewellery, a beauty treatment
and flowers. They even
provided her with a
‘computer’ cake to sweeten
their parting.
Judy is married to former
Sheffield United favourite,
and current Notts County
manager Bill Dearden. They
have two grandchildren and
live in Chesterfield.
Judy’s all smiles.
Her colleagues bid farewell.
7
Scooter
enthusiasts’ egg treat
Scores of scooter
enthusiasts helped
make Easter extra
special for the
children on the
Nightingale unit
after dropping in
with hundreds of
chocolate eggs.
Around 150
members of local
clubs took part in a
fundraising soul
music night on
Saturday 12th April,
before delivering
hundreds of eggs
and £270 on Sunday
13th. Riders from
Hucknall, Mansfield,
Ripley, Sheffield and
Chesterfield toured the town ahead of the drop.
Kay O'Flaherty, Eddie Dawson, Nick Warren and Steve Lievesley are pictured
handing over a cheque to ward sister Tracey Barker.
Caring’s a work of art
A well-designed poster has scooped an
award for the urology department and
brought its work to the attention of
thousands of fellow NHS professionals.
Meet and greet
...continued from page 7
In March in………
SURGICAL SPEC. - ELIZABETH WARD
SURGICAL SPEC. - CLINICAL NURSES
SURGICAL SPEC. - HOLYWELL WARD
SURGICAL SPEC. - ROBINSON WARD
SURGICAL SPEC. - MURPHY WARD
SURGICAL SPEC. - BANK NURSES
SURGICAL SPEC. - BANK NURSES
EMERGENCY CARE - MEDICAL STAFF
EMERGENCY CARE - A&E NURSING
CRITICAL CARE - PACU
CRITICAL CARE - PACU
CRITICAL CARE - HDU
CENTRAL SERVICES - PHYSIO A&C
CENTRAL SERVICES - MEDICAL ENG.
CENTRAL SERVICES - PHARMACISTS
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - PORTERS ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - PORTERS ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - PORTERS ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - PORTERS ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - PORTERS ASC
CENTRAL SERVICES - PORTERS ASC
CHIEF EXECUTIVE- EXECUTIVE SUITE
The bells the bells
As I lay here in my hospital bed,
being cared for, pampered, watered and fed,
when all around me looks serene,
ding ding goes that drip machine.
Judges looked at posters from delegates
involved in a variety of medical
specialties, which were split into 13
categories, with 18 posters entered into
the urology section.
A nurse comes along and tries to press it,
runs her hands down the tubes as if to caress it,
I wish the Father would come and bless it.
Consultant Mike James, Clinical Nurse
Specialist Gail McPhail and Cancer
Services Collaborative Project Facilitator
Linda Bycroft decided on content.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals helped
create the winning design.
But nothing can stop this alien thing,
it still goes on with its ding, ding, ding.
The staff nurse comes and starts to poke it,
another one arrives and appears to stroke it,
then I thought the sister tried to choke it.
Linda, Gail and Mike.
Over 1200 delegates had chance to view
the poster during the conference at the
International Convention Centre. And the
design has qualified for competitions
being held by the British Medical Journal
and the Commission for Health
Improvement.
Make your mark on
the Standard
Why don’t you contribute to Royal Standard?
Plenty of staff in this issue have.
Don’t worry about styling and editing - we’ll take
care of that. Just send in your articles or let us
know about your ideas. New services, hobbies,
fund-raising, exams passed - we’ll cover all of
them. And we can arrange photography because a picture says a thousand words!
• Contact us by post: The Editor, Royal
Standard, Communications, Chesterfield
Royal Hospital.
• By e-mail to:
[email protected]
• By fax: 01246 276955
• By phone: ext 3875 or 3193
Editor: Sarah Turner-Saint, Communications Manager
Photography: Nigel Oram, Medical Illustration
Next Deadline: June 5th 2003
8
MS LEIGH HERROD
MISS SUSAN GLENN
MISS MELISSA MARTIN
MR TIMOTHY CHAPPELL
MRS VIVIEN BRADLEY
MRS ANEISA BRADBURY
MISS AMY MALLENDER
DR JOHN PRYCE
MISS JOANNE FRENCH
MR PAUL DOLBY
MRS SUSAN WRIGHT
MR DARREN AYRES-SMITH
MISS PAULA REDFERN
MISS ALISON RAY
MISS MELISSA LACEY
MISS LAURA CHAPMAN
MRS LYNDA CONNOLLY
MRS BRENDA DENHAM
MRS DENISE FROST
MISS LOUISE GASCOYNE
MRS TRACY GILLIVER
MRS ANNE GLADDERS
MISS HELEN MAPLETOFT
MISS AMI PASHLEY
MR BARRY PIEKARSKI
MRS MARGARET SHERWIN
MRS MARGARET SHERWIN
MR NEIL ASHMORE
MR JOHN COCKING
MR ROY DAVIES
MR ANDREW GILFILLAN
MR BARRY GODREY
MR DENNIS JONES
MR PAUL BRIDDOCK
Poetry corner
The wall chart, which highlights
urology’s new care path for prostate
cancer patients, was voted best in its
class by judges at the ‘Modernising
Cancer Services’ conference held in
Birmingham earlier this spring.
Linda explained: “The poster gives
patients a better understanding of the
changes made to the service and clearly
charts the path they can expect to take
when receiving care.”
Welcome to……
Fun Frankie sporting his spots.
Frankie’s got
Becks appeal
They all did their best, they tried everything,
but still the monster went ding, ding, ding!
But now I’m beginning to feel quite queer,
you see they’re taking me away from here.
I know this may sound very sad,
but this machine has sent me mad!
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.
Wilfred Slinn - Cavendish Suite
A hairstyle to make David Beckham’s look
conservative and a DIY makeover helped
boost red nose day coffers at the Royal.
Surgical nurse practitioner Frankie
Stansfield sported both and raised £825
for his efforts.
He shaved half of his head and dyed the
other half red before getting made up for
the big day. Frankie explained: “Everyone
was really generous. Most of those who
gave money, particularly my colleagues,
said they were attracted to my David
Beckham look. I think those who didn’t
fall for my obvious charm were afraid,
very afraid. Vivienne Westwood would
have been proud of my creation.”
After donning his comic uniform and
grabbing a collection bin Frankie set off
on a 12-hour tour of the site. As well as
collecting cash for Comic Relief he was
stopped by colleagues keen to add to his
look.
“Some people thought it amusing to add
to my makeover,” said Frankie. “They
Andy Boydon looks a little red in the face.
decided to plaster me with lipstick and
face paint. When I’d finished I looked like
someone out of The Salon.”
Activities held around the hospital on
Friday 14th March helped raise money for
projects in the UK and abroad. Pictured
in his face paint and red t-shirt is Andy
Boydon, senior staff nurse on Nightingale
Yellow. His sponsored face-paint and
colleagues paying to wear red raised £90.
Thanks you for your donations.