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AWAKE SURGERY:
UNDER THE KNIFE
WITHOUT GENERAL
ANAESTHETIC
Issue 20
JANE IS A
HOSPITAL
HERO
STAFF AWARDS:
DOUBLE PAGE
SPECIAL

2-3 CONNECT ISSUE 20
Welcome to issue 20
of Connect
In this issue...
SUHT in the news 2
Awake surgery 3
Hospital Heroes 4
Getting to know… 6
Golden Stethoscope 7
The Fundraising Connection 8
Tell us what you think...
Let us know what you think of
Connect, plus tell us what news
and features you’d like to see in
future editions.
Email: connect@suht.swest.nhs.uk
Write to:
Communications
Mailpoint 18
Southampton General Hospital
Tremona Road
Southampton SO16 6YD
Telephone: 023 8079 4853
Website: www.suht.nhs.uk
Connect is produced by SUHT’s
communications team. Printed on
environmentally friendly paper.
When you have finished
with this magazine
please recycle it.
Calf vein
baby
celebrates
birthday
in media
spotlight
A little girl whose life was
saved when surgeons
at Southampton General
Hospital repaired her heart
with a calf’s vein celebrated
her second birthday under
the media spotlight.
Megan Mills was born with a
rare heart condition called Truncus
Arteriosus, which means she had
only one main artery coming out of
her heart to carry blood both around
the body and to the lungs.
Artificial veins were too big to be
used on her tiny body, so consultant
cardiothoracic surgeon Marcus Haw
used the jugular vein of a dairy calf.
Although Megan will need another
operation when she is three, she is
living a normal life with her grateful
parents Joanne and Paul in Poole.
media
monitor
the latest SUHT news
Health minister visits
showcase hospital for
infection prevention
Health Minister Ann Keen MP visited
Southampton General Hospital to
find out more about the innovative
infection control initiatives being used
by frontline staff.
Ms Keen said: “Staff have already done a
fantastic job in cutting infection rates. The
hospital should be rightly proud that it’s at the
forefront of testing new technologies with the
potential to make a real difference to infection
control throughout the NHS.”
media monitor: This story was covered by ITV Meridian,
BBC Radio Solent, Daily Echo, News of the World, Guardian,
Nursing Times, Nursing in Practice, Mirror, Teletext and the
Press Association.
media monitor: This story was covered by The
Sun, ITV News at Ten, Bournemouth Echo, 2CR
FM and ITV Meridian. Reproduced with kind permission of the Southern Daily Echo
A day in the life...
The Daily Echo’s TV and Leisure
magazine featured a day in the life of
consultant neuro surgeon Paul Grundy.
Speedy Southampton
cervical screening
programme sets
standard
Cervical cancer screening turnaround within
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
has been cut to just two weeks – hitting the
national target set for 2010.
Staff in the cytology team at Southampton
General Hospital achieved the 14-day time by the
end of December.
Current Department of Health guidelines state
that all women should receive their cervical cancer
results within six weeks, but the government
wants all NHS Trusts to meet a two-week target
by next year.
A more rapid turnaround time for cervical
screening will help to provide a quicker diagnosis
and lead to an improvement in clinical outcomes.
media monitor: This story was covered by BBC Radio Solent

Awake surgery
Ian Ford recently had one of his knuckles replaced – while he was still awake.
The dad-of-two is one of a growing
number of patients to undergo surgery
without the need for a general anaesthetic.
He has been described as one of the
most complex patients seen by doctors
at Southampton General Hospital. They
knew the arthritis in his hands could be
improved with a knuckle replacement,
but his other illnesses made a general
anaesthetic highly risky.
Luckily for Ian, doctors at SUHT now
regularly carry out ‘awake surgery’ for a
range of upper limb operations.
Ian lists at least ten illnesses that he
suffers from, including Parkinson’s,
diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis
and coeliac disease. He also has
no antibodies, and is therefore very
susceptible to infection.
The problems began when he had his
spleen removed, when he was 23 years
old and living in Sheffield. Now 59, Ian
lives in Fareham, and has been a patient
at Southampton General Hospital for
28 years.Consultant anaesthetist Harry
Akerman and consultant hand surgeon
David Warwick are working together to
develop the awake surgery service in
Southampton.
Mr Warwick said: “Avoiding a general
anaesthetic not only improves the
patient’s experience, it also allows us
to operate on more patients each day,
therefore reducing waiting times.”
Dr Akerman explained: “Mr Ford
suffers from the lung disease
bronchiectasis, leading him to get short
of breath very easily and also making
him suscepitable to chest infections. By
using a brachial plexus block instead
of a general anaesthetic, surgeons
can carry out certain operations while
patients are still awake and able to
breathe for themselves.”
Nerves are identified using an
ultrasound machine and local anaesthetic
can then be placed next to the nerves,
leading to a numb hand and arm
Thanks to these developments, some
higher risk patients are now being
offered surgery, and their recovery is
usually quicker, without the need for an
overnight stay in hospital.
Ian said: “I watched the ultrasound
Wellcome Trust open day is a success
More than 80 people attended a recent open day at
Southampton’s Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility.
The event was a rare chance for
the public to tour the unit, based at
Southampton General Hospital, and
see the groundbreaking medical
research being undertaken there.
Jennifer Allison, senior nurse
manager of the WTCRF said: “We are
delighted with the success of the first
Joint UK CRF open day. Staff and
students from the Trust and University
joined the public in a range of
interactive activities, which resulted in a
lot of positive feedback. I would like to
thank our staff and colleagues for their
hard work in organising the day and we
look forward to hosting similar events in
the future.”
The state-of-the-art facilities include
a self-contained paediatric research
unit, physiology laboratory and
bronchoscopy/endoscopy suite.
Visitors saw practical demonstrations
of how the work of the unit is helping to
develop new treatments and improve
health and patient care.
They also had a chance to find
out if they are suitable to take part in
any current studies and have blood
pressure, lung capacity and body
composition checks.
The WTCRF, a partnership between
Southampton University Hospitals NHS
Trust, the University of Southampton
and the Wellcome Trust, is dedicated
to research that will deliver maximum
patient benefit across a
wide range of diseases and
conditions.
The unit provides leading edge
facilities for researchers together
with a team of experienced and
trained research nurses.
It places Southampton at the
heart of new developments in
the causes and treatments of
common diseases including
asthma, arthritis, infectious
diseases, cancer, food
machine while they put the anaesthetic
in my arm and although they put a
screen up I did have a peep to try and
see Mr Melikyan, my surgeon, replacing
my knuckle!
“I would definitely recommend it, as
you can go home much quicker.”
Consultant hand surgeon Erman
Melikyan said: “I saw Ian about a year
ago and he was complaining of intrusive
pain in his knuckle. He was looking
for a definitive solution and a joint
replacement was the ideal treatment for
his worn out knuckle. I am very pleased
that we were able to do this surgery
and all has gone well so far. I am also
delighted that Ian had a very positive
experience whilst under our care.”
allergies, sleep disorders, diabetes,
obesity and heart disease.

4-5 CONNECT ISSUE 20
Hospital Heroes
More than 250 people celebrated staff success and
achievements at this year’s Hospital Heroes ceremony.
The event took place at Southampton’s Novotel, and began with an inspirational talk on teamwork
by Sarah Webb. Sarah is a double Olympic gold medal winner, sailing for Great Britain in the
yngling events at Athens and Beijing. Congratulations to all the winners, runners up and nominees.
GOING FOR GOLD
This award recognised a team that is working
towards giving our patients a world-class service.
section of laboratory medicine
The team were nominated for their outstanding
performance measuring Antithrombin, an
enzyme that helps to prevent thrombosis, and
HbF (foetal haemoglobin). Their high standard
of service was demonstrated when they were awarded two gold
medals by the Central Quality Assurance Scheme.
Runner-up: Simulated patient team
WINNER Haemostasis and special techniques
Also nominated:
Bramshaw Women’s Unit nurses
Clinical site management team
Clinical skills
Paediatric oncology
Paediatric radiology
Taplins nursery
SERVICE IMPROVEMENT
This award was for a team which has changed the way they work
or introduced new systems or roles that have made a difference to
patients, or made team working more effective.
This team introduced a new drug for use when
patients are having complex wound dressing
changes, following a project to rationalise
treatment options. Patients’ pain is now better
controlled, with fewer side effects. Complex
wound dressings therefore take less time and
patient satisfaction and dignity has increased.
Runner-up: Environmental monitoring team
WINNER Acute pain team
Also nominated:
Critical care technologists (neurosciences)
Cytology department
Emergency department
F6 day of surgery
GREEN TEAM
Two awards celebrated teams who have
shown the greatest commitment to waste
segregation and recycling.
imaging
Recycling: F7
WINNER Waste segregation: Cross sectional
Hydrotherapy outpatients
Laboratory medicine
Respiratory centre
Service improvement team
EDUCATION & TRAINING
This award was open to any member of staff or team who used
education and training to make a significant difference to improving
service delivery.
Isabella has developed a number of training
courses which have resulted in safer care for
critically ill patients and ensured staff have the
necessary skills to provide the best possible
care to patients.
Runner-up: Cheryl Venn, lead practice
educator, acuity
WINNER Isabella Lally, senior nurse, critical care
Also nominated:
Debbie Wright, oncology pharmacist Obs and gynae practice educators
INFECTION PREVENTION
GOING
FOR
GOLD
This award recognised the team that is judged to be the “most
improved” area for hand hygiene and infection prevention and control.
Caroline has provided strong, effective leadership
on practice change. The team took part in
groundbreaking work with infection prevention to
video critique and review hand hygiene opportunities
during peri-operative anaesthetic practice.
Runner-up: Maggie Tomascak and the
neonatal unit
WINNER Caroline Marshall and the anaesthetic team
Also nominated:
Sarah Hearn and Neuro ICU Lisa Sheppard and Ward E5
DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR
This award was selected from the department of the month winners
throughout the year, which has a different theme each month.
WINNER G7
CHIEF
EXECUTIVE’S
AWA
This ward managed to maintain a high
level of patient experience and staff morale
during a period of ward redevelopment
and refurbishment. The staff worked hard
to minimise the effect of the works on their
patients.
Runner-up: Dietetics and nutrition
Also nominated:
Cardiac outpatients
Medicine for older people unit
Mortuary team
Ward D7
B
SUP

CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
FOR LEADERSHIP
This award recognised an inspirational individual who has shown
exceptional leadership qualities that have enabled their team to improve
their service and enable the Trust to provide better patient care.
Pauline has developed the day case
investigation unit into a regional centre of
excellence. She has improved access for
patients by developing the first UK nurse-led
clinic and carrying out home visits.
Runner-up: Elisabeth Thorne, operations
manager, cellular pathology
Also nominated:
Cath Battrick, matron, child health Caroline Marshall, care group clinical
Maria Dore, head of midwifery lead, critical care
Fiona Jeffery, project manager and Mike Uglow, orthopaedic consultant
Rachel Bailey, service improvement Jill Young, matron, medicine for older
manager
people
WINNER Pauline Musson, paediatric endocrine nurse
EATING
THE
ERBUGS
THE “GIFT OF TIME”
VOLUNTEER
This award was presented to a volunteer who has given their time to
make the greatest difference to patients or staff, or both.
Malcolm works three days a week in medicine
for older people and has helped with the
patient feeding pilot, trained other volunteers
and looked after students from local schools.
Runner-up: Anne King
WINNER Winner: Malcolm Kitson
Also nominated:
Val Broyd
Hilda Kemp
Eileen Read
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
This award was selected from this year’s employee of the month winners.
Kim was described as ‘the face of the
department’. She puts even the most
apprehensive patients at ease and does
everything she can to make their visit to the
department as stress-free as possible. Nothing
is too much trouble for Kim.
Runner-up: Sarah Roberts, children’s venesector
Also nominated:
Michael Potter, training officer, Lisa Blackwood, PA to senior
medicine and elderly care
managers, emergency medicine
Christine Wiltshire, housekeeper, G8 Nadia Chambers, consultant nurse,
elderly care
WINNER Winner: Kim Bath, receptionist, endoscopy
SOUTHERN DAILY
ECHO AWARD
Southern Daily Echo readers nominated their
Hospital Heroes for this award, which was
presented by senior reporter Clare Kennedy.
intensive care unit
Jane was nominated by Dennise and Mark Allen after she cared for
their son James, following surgery.
Dennise said: “The gentle way she spoke to James was so
reassuring. She built up such a good relationship with me and Mark,
we trusted her completely.”
Jane first started working for SUHT in 1992 and has nursed
patients in the emergency department, G level, neonatal unit and on
PICU, although she left briefly to work as an air hostess! She said: “I
am really excited about winning. I work with a great team and this is
about all of us really.”
Runners-up: Margaret Lane, sister on the neonatal unit and
Jane Winter, colorectal specialist nurse
WINNER Jane Shelswell, sister, paediatric
GREEN
DREAM
TEAM
Also nominated:
June Abay, consultant paediatrician
Janine Jeffries, nurse, neonatal unit
Arlene Brady, nurse practitioner,
emergency department
Grace Cesareo, office manager,
cross sectional imaging
Emad Shenouda, consultant
neurosurgeon
Carl Evans, midwife
Sarah Fielder, nurse, Countess
Mountbatten House
Andrew Hall, nurse, Countess
Mountbatten House
Sue Hodder, healthcare assistant, G4
Jenny Ball, healthcare assistant, G4
Tanoj Kollamparambil, doctor,
neonatal unit
Ben Mead, consultant, cancer care
DEP O

6-7 CONNECT ISSUE 20
GETTING
TO KNOW… WEB
Tell us a little bit about your
background
I grew up in Southampton and
then went to study history at Oxford
University. When I moved back to
Southampton I began writing and
editing website content, first at NHS
Direct and more recently at Salisbury
District Council, before coming to
SUHT in July 2008.
Who do you have at home?
It’s just me and my husband, Matt,
at home, unless you count the thirty
or so cuddly monkeys.
Thanks a…
He is known by many staff
as ‘the tall smiley gardener’
and has never taken a day off
sick in 36 years working for
SUHT.
Now Roger Crabb has been
given a special thank you, when his
supervisor Peter Kenward presented
him with a bouquet of flowers.
Roger has been a gardener at the
What do you get
up to in your spare
time?
I do a lot of reading
and have an eclectic
bookshelf ranging
from science fiction
to chicklit. I play the
piano and have
recently taken up
knitting, unfortunately
for my family who are
the recipients of most of the things I
make. I occasionally dabble in scriptwriting
and acting and I spend a lot of
time ignoring my garden.
What’s the best book you’ve ever
read?
Endurance by Alfred Lansing.
It’s the true story of an early
20th-century Antarctic expedition
that went disastrously wrong, and of
survival against the odds.
Trust since 1973, at
one time taking sole
responsibility for the
grounds at Princess
Anne Hospital.
His team say they
have never seen him
in a bad mood and
wanted to thank him for
all his hard work.
Roger puts his good
health down to working
outside, doing a job he
enjoys.
Do you know a colleague who’s gone
beyond the call of duty? Say thanks
to them! Email your nomination to
connect@suht.swest.nhs.uk
Flowers kindly donated by The Floral Shop.
Favourite film?
The original Star Wars
trilogy can’t be beaten for
entertainment, soundtrack
and quotability, plus a good
measure of Harrison Ford.
What three items would you
take with you on a desert
island?
A cow, a tea bush and a pan
for boiling water.
You don’t want to
see me without
a cup of tea.
Who has inspired
your career?
My parents.
My mum always
encouraged me
to write and my
dad got me doing
basic computer
programming from
LIZ MCWILLIAMS
EDITOR
an early age. It could be argued that
web content management was a
natural career choice.
Why did you choose to work for
the NHS?
Public sector websites present a
particularly interesting challenge, with
the need to combine value for money
with high standards for usability,
accessibility and readability.
There is a huge potential
audience of users but to drive
them to your website and
keep them coming back, you
need to have really well-written,
accurate and useful content, as well
as a navigation that is so easy to
use that you don’t even notice
it. Combine these requirements
with the need for an easy-onthe-eye
design and the various
corporate goals and statutory
obligations, and it all adds up to
a very varied job.

The Golden Stethoscope
Who has just sold out a 50 date residency at the O2 arena?
No idea!
Score: Zero points (it’s Michael Jackson).
Are you watching The Apprentice?
Yes, I don’t watch every episode but I do enjoy it.
Score: One point
When did you last travel on a bus?
A few weeks ago, when I was skiing in Chamonix.
Score: Half a point
Have you been to IKEA Southampton yet?
No, but unfortunately I do intend to, we need to get a couple of bits of
furniture. I’ve been dreading the queues on a Saturday.
Score: One point
Which of these is a pop group – The Thursdays, The Fridays or The
Saturdays?
The Thursdays?
Score: Zero points (it’s The Saturdays).
Julie Martin, Alison Day and
Stephen Shrimpton from Learning
Media who won an Allied Health
Professionals and Healthcare
Scientists UK award for their DVD
entitled ‘Appliance of Healthcare
Science’.
Healthcare scientists throughout
the Trust were involved in making
the in-house DVD in conjunction with
AimHigher. The aim was to reach out
to the local community to promote the
range of opportunities for training and
careers in the various branches of
healthcare science.
Are SUHT consultants in a world of their own –
or are they keeping it real?
Facing the 10-question challenge this time is
consultant neuro surgeon Paul Grundy.
Taplins nursery at SGH, which
recently achieved a ‘good’ grading
from OFSTED.
The inspector noted that the
facility was a very good multicultural
childcare setting and that significant
improvements had been made since
the last inspection.
Evan Davies, orthopaedic surgeon,
who has been elected to the
European Board of AOSpine.
He was selected by a voting
electorate of 1,000 members to sit on
the board for three years.
AOSpine
International is the
world’s largest spinal
society and consists
of five regions: Asia
Pacific, Europe, Latin
America, Middle
East, and North
America.
How much would you normally spend on a bottle of wine?
About eight quid.
Score: Zero points (the average price is £4 - £5).
Mug of instant coffee or a cappucino?
Cappucino.
Score: Zero points
Where did you buy your shoes?
Dune.
Score: Zero points
What do you listen to on your way to work?
Two things. Either Radio 1, or CDs – various
electronic compilations.
Score: One point
Who sponsors Southampton Football Club?
I should know, my son has a shirt. It has his name
on the back, but I don’t know what’s on the front.
Score: Zero points (it’s FlyBe).
Score
3.5 10
Members’ Council announced
The winners of the recent Members’ Council elections, who
will help steer the hospital in its future as a Foundation
Trust, have been announced.
Staff
Medical and Dental – Brian Birch Other Clinical staff – Caroline Wade
Nurses and Midwives – Robert Crouch All Other staff – Matthew Hine
Public
Southampton City Centre –
five council members
Rosie Bynam
Colin Pritchard
Val Thorpe
Pamela Aihie
Sue Daniel
Isle of Wight –
one council member
Stephanie Barnes
Eastleigh, New Forest & Test Valley –
four council members
Pamela Akerman
Rhian Hinton
Eileen Gibbs
Nicola Goom
Rest of England and Wales –
three council members
Carol Ann Aspin
Nicolas Jonas
Lin Salisbury
Thank you to everyone who voted.
If you would like to be involved in future elections, please sign up as a
member at www.suht.nhs.uk/members

The Fundraising Connection
Look out for the liver!
Consultant hepatologist Dr Mark
Wright joined nurses from C6
leukaemia and bone marrow
transplant ward to launch the
Southampton Hospital Charity 5km
fun run.
Dr Wright, who was dressed
as a giant liver, will be taking on
the London Marathon prior to the
fun run, in a bid to raise funds for
monitoring equipment for the acute
gastroenterology unit at Southampton
General Hospital.
He said: “For me, raising
awareness about liver disease is
just as important as raising money.
We are seeing increasingly younger
patients suffering from liver disease
on the ward and it’s now the fifth
largest cause of death in the UK.”
The fun run will take place on
Sunday 17 May at The Gregg
School, Townhill Park, Southampton,
from 11am. Supporters are being
urged to get creative, by taking a
lead from Dr Wright’s liver costume
and coming along to the run in
fancy dress.
Funds raised from the run will go
towards ward and department charity
projects at Southampton General
Hospital and the Princess Anne
Maternity Hospital, as well as to The
Red & White Appeal.
A discounted entry fee is being
offered to early birds who sign up to
the run before the end of April 2009.
Don’t delay, sign up today!
To support Dr Wright, visit www.
justgiving.com/lookoutfortheliver.
For more information about the fun run and to sign up,
contact Suzie Pearce, fundraising officer, on 023 8079 8881
or email suzie.pearce@suht.swest.nhs.uk.
Dr Mark Wright, Jen Pingol, Yvonne Lo, Suzie Pearce
Thank you to our charity champions
The Southampton Hospital Charity
team are keen to ensure that
all areas of the hospital receive
charitable support and are here to
help you fundraise.
To help spread the charity message
far and wide, the team are looking
for volunteer ‘Charity Champions’, for
each care group or department.
Charity pool, darts and crib pairs competition
Come along to the Southampton General Hospital Staff Sports and Social
Club on Saturday 25th April from 11am. All proceeds raised will go to
Wordsworth House. There will be trophies for all winners and runners up.
For more information contact Ian Meyer on 0782 437 9079.
For further details about fundraising news and events and to find
out how you can help, visit www.suht.nhs.uk/charity or contact the
team on 023 8079 8881 or email charity@suht.swest.nhs.uk
SUHT Sudoku challenge
Win a meal at the Tiffin Club!
Complete this puzzle to be in with
a chance of winning a meal at the
Tiffin Club worth up to £25.
Enter numbers from 1 to 9 into
the blank squares, so that every
row, every column and every 3x3
square has one of each digit. Cut
out and send your entry through the
internal post to Connect, Mailpoint
18, Trust Management Offices,
SGH, by Friday 1st May.
Congratulations to Dr John Wood,
from laboratory medicine, who
successfully completed Issue 19’s
puzzle to scoop the prize.
www.tiffinclub.info
If you are interested in
volunteering and would like to find
out more, please contact Veryan
Grant, on ext. 4713
Southampton Hospital Charity
would like to thank their current
Charity Champions: Cath Battrick,
Linda Ogilvie-Goddard, Helen
Saberton and Carol Woolridge
www.dailysudoku.co.uk