UCLH News Issue 17 Spring 2010 V5 LRes 190410 - University ...

UCLH NEWS
The Magazine for Foundation Trust Members Issue 17 Spring 2010
Generations of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson family at the
unveiling of the artworks at the maternity wing named in
her honour
Inside this Issue ...
New Chairman Appointed
2010 Elections
Green Oscars
Interview with a Governor
Governor involvement at the EGA

Welcome
Editors Welcome I am delighted to bring you this special edition of UCLH NEWS, in
which I interview the Chairman Peter Dixon and Chairman-Elect Richard Murley. I am also pleased
to report that the governors reappointed Jane Ramsey and Sue Atkinson as non-executive
directors, who will work alongside Richard Murley on the Board. Richard, with whom I worked
closely when he recently chaired the quality and safety committee, has made a significant
contribution strongly representing the patients’ interest and I look forward to this continuing when
he takes the reins as Chairman. This is also the election edition! – of course I mean for governors
and not MPs - and I would encourage all members to vote - you may also like to consider becoming
a governor yourself. In this edition we feature the work of governors and tell you something about what
motivated them to get involved. Tricia Pank, Patient Governor
Tricia Goes Face to Face with the Chairmen!
Sir Peter Dixon is leaving
in June after a highly
successful term as Chairman. I
chatted to him in his office
overlooking the impressive UCH
Hospital. Peter has been Chairman
since 2001 and the first Chairman
of UCLH FT. He was also the first
local resident to become a
member, saying this he reached for his wallet and
proudly showed me his membership card number
001! Members and governors alike owe a lot to Peter
and his style of leadership - when asked about his
strategic vision he said “I’m not a great one for
strategy but when we achieved FT status in 2004
and established the Members’ Council (now
Governing Body) I did have a vision of using the
Governing Body to make the Trust more responsive
to patient needs, I think we have achieved that”. The
introduction of members and elected governors has
required greater openness and accountability from
the Trust. Peter continued “I am very proud of what
the Governing Body has achieved - we have found
effective ways of working together, striking a balance
between what governors and the Board do to ensure
we get real value and patients get real benefit from
governor involvement. There was some scepticism
in the early days as to whether FTs would work; there
is general acceptance now that the governors
through the knowledge they bring to the Trust have
brought us closer to our patients - it is about respect
and trust and building good working relationships”.
Peter wants his legacy to be fully involved governors
– many of the current governors have been on the
Governing Body since 2004 and will be leaving in the
next two years. He said “It is really important they
hand over the mantle to new governors who can
continue their excellent work.” He finished by saying
“membership is part of being an active citizen; this is
to be encouraged.”
On behalf of the Trust and its members, I thank
Peter for everything he has done; his leadership,
humanity and openness will leave a lasting legacy
for the Trust. 001 a hard act to follow!
R
ichard
Murley who was
appointed by the Governing
Body as the new Chairman will take
up his post in July. Richard, a local
resident and member, has been a
non-executive director for 18
months. I asked for his thoughts
about the Governing Body he was
inheriting and the contribution it
makes to the Trust. He said “governors have a very
important role to play because the Trust’s main focus
must be on patient care - the key role of governors is
to keep the Trust’s nose to the grindstone. I really
think it is excellent that governors are so committed
and that they sit on sub-committees such as the
quality and safety committee. I am very impressed by
the efforts individual governors make to understand
some of the complex issues; they are well informed
and act effectively in the interests of the patient. There
is a clear correlation between how informed, briefed
and ‘under the skin’ governors are and the
contributions they make.” Richard is very supportive
of governors’ efforts to make sure the Trust does what
really matters for patients. “It is an excellent
arrangement and should continue. The governor’s
role has an important statutory function as well as an
important practical one which focuses on patient
issues. Governors hear what patients want.” He
believes the involvement of governors in formal and
informal groups is important and will make efforts to
keep them well briefed. Like Peter, Richard also
wants to encourage a higher number of patients and
local residents to become members – this really gives
people an opportunity to identify with the Trust and get
involved - it gives people a voice. He would like to see
the highest possible turnout in this year’s Governing
Body elections to ensure that the members are fully
represented and said he would strongly support
initiatives to encourage more members.
I wish Richard success in his new role, I am
confident he will be a worthy successor to Peter
Dixon.
UCLH News Issue 17
Membership office - tel: 0207 380 9290
email: foundation.trust@uclh.nhs.uk 2

Trust Matters
Quality, Efficiency and Productivity
The NHS faces tough financial times ahead and there is a
challenge for all hospitals and staff to cut waste, avoid
duplication and work more efficiently without any compromise in
care to patients. To address this in January 2010 Sir Robert
Naylor, Chief Executive launched the Trust’s quality, efficiency
and productivity programme (known as QEP). The QEP is our
plan to work in more efficient ways to help reduce costs whilst
providing the same high quality and standard of services. The
launch provided staff with the opportunity to showcase to other
staff examples of how changes they have made are already
positively transforming areas of clinical care and non clinical
services. Sir Robert said “We must not lose the enormous
Jim Easton, Tara Donnelly and Sir Robert Naylor at the launch improvements we have made in the quality of patient care. We
have got to the top of the league tables for our quality and we want
to stay there”. Our QEP was endorsed by Jim Easton, NHS national director of improvement and efficiency
who attended the event and said “the difficult economic climate demands a ‘completely different approach’ to
the way the NHS delivers services and UCLH is leading the way”. One example of this is on ward T10 at UCH,
which is our elderly care ward, a shining example of how efficient ways of working have made life better for
patients, whilst at the same time promoting the best use of clinical resources. Ten months ago, just 13% of
patients on the ward were discharged before 11am. This has soared to 50% and was achieved by the multidisciplinary
team of nurses, therapists and doctors working together to look at the processes involved i.e.
what happens when a patient is due to go home - to identify ‘blocks’, or ‘hold ups’ that cause delays - and
remove them. Sharon Lynagh, the ward sister said “the improvement is particularly popular with our patients
who find it comforting to know they will be going home during daylight hours.”
UCLH Chief Nurse wins prestigious award
Louise Boden OBE, chief nurse at UCLH, won the Nursing Times lifetime achievement award for
her outstanding contribution to healthcare improvement and the nursing profession. Louise was
nominated for the award by the chief nurse of England and patients and staff could go online and
vote. Louise had won 'wide respect' for nurturing and developing talent both in promoting the
careers of chief nurses at NHS trusts and in believing that every nurse, midwife and their support
staff had the potential to develop. She said: "It is a great honour to be recognised by my peers but
my achievement has only been possible because of the support I myself have received throughout
my career and the remarkable nurses and midwives at UCLH." She accepted the award on behalf
of all nurses and midwives in UCLH.
Carbon Oscars - Red carpet goes Green!
During Oscar week the red carpet was rolled out for staff playing the starring
roles in the Trust’s campaign to reduce its carbon footprint. The ‘Carbon Oscars’
were hosted by Trevor Payne Director of Facilities to celebrate the Trust’s
commitment to improving the environment. Trevor said: “We have had a lot of
support for our work in this area and our carbon champions have taken on a lot
of extra work which is deserving of red carpet treatment.” Ros Waring chatted
to some of the carbon champions to discover what is being done in patient and
non-patient areas. One green champion who works in the finance department
said “I always ensure, along with other colleagues, that equipment and lights are
turned off before going home as saving energy saves £££!" Caroline Townsend
in nuclear medicine, said “we have ‘switch it’ signs visible in our department and
have placed recycling bins wherever possible, including waiting areas. Everyone
is becoming more aware of the benefits of saving energy - Together we can all
make a huge difference”.
The Green Oscar
UCLH News Issue 17
Membership office - tel: 0207 380 9290
email: foundation.trust@uclh.nhs.uk 3

Members getting involved
MembersMeets
The 2010 programme got off to a good start, with over 65 members attending the
first two seminars. At each event speakers gave fascinating presentations
followed by question and answer sessions; members found it really useful to put
their questions to the speakers. January’s event was on Heart Health and
March’s gave an insight into the range of services provided at the Royal London
Homoeopathic Hospital. To read more about these seminars and see the
presentations log onto www.uclh.nhs.uk and select Governing Body home page
Continuing the ‘Oscar theme’ in the December edition we promised a MembersMeet on green
issues and how UCLH is doing its bit to help the environment. This will be held on Tuesday 22
June 2010 at 5.45pm - 7.30pm. We invite members to come and hear how the Trust is the
leading light (low energy of course!) in the NHS on sustainability issues. Venue is the Education
Centre, 1st Floor, 250 Euston Road, London, NW1 2PG. To reserve a place please contact the
membership office.
I Am Alive
Mrs K Ladwa Trust Member has sent us this moving
poem as a tribute to her young niece who wrote it in her
hospital bed 12 days before she died of cancer
As I stood alone in this unjust world,
I was touched by the warm glows of the sun.
I was moved by the ever-changing winds of our sacred
lives.
Most of all I was washed of all sadness and deceit by
the crashing waves of Shiva.
My creator.
I still stand in this uncertain world.
I stand touched by the magical illuminations of the Angels.
I stand kissed by the intoxicating gales of travelling
winds.
One day here, the next gone.
I stand purified and perfect by the cold glaciers of the
world.
A world I can now embrace and once again call my
own.
I am alive, Embrace me. I am alive.
NEW for Members
NHS Discounts The Membership
Office is delighted to announce that
NHS Discounts are now available to all Trust
Members. Discounts are available on a whole
range of national retailers as well as holidays,
airport parking, leisure and many other
activities.
It is completely free to register and there are
no subscription costs. To register you must
have an email address. Register at
www.nhsdiscounts.com
Below is a quick guide - the steps that Trust
members should select when registering:
““Yes” when asked “do you work for the NHS”,
““Foundation Member” in the job category
“University College London Hospitals NHSFT”
for organisation name
Written by Meeta, daughter of Ramnik and Vanita
Bhardwa
Top Stories on the UCLH Website
Singer thanks NHS for “saving the life” of her premature baby
Surgical checklist pioneer praises UCLH
Consultant shortlisted for international award
HRH The Prince of Wales visits UCH
HRH The Prince of Wales learns more about
photodynamic therapy
UCLH News Issue 17
Membership office - tel: 0207 380 9290
email: foundation.trust@uclh.nhs.uk 4

Governors getting involved
Kevin Ryan National
Patient Governor
Ros Waring, membership development manager
who recently took up post, interviewed Kevin Ryan
national patient governor to understand more about
the role of a governor and what motivated him to
stand for election.
Why did you become a governor? I was an outpatient
at the Middlesex Hospital and found out that as a
patient I was able to become a member of the Trust.
I then stood as governor although we were called
council members in 2004. I remember attending a
hustings at Camden Town Hall in Kings Cross; the
only people who came to listen were others standing
for election. I was humbled and pleasantly surprised
to come top of the poll and was elected to serve for 3
years and have since been elected for a further 3
years.
Having been a governor what are your thoughts about
the Trust? I remember being invited on a tour of the
partially completed hospital on Euston Road. I was
struck by the attention to detail for the improved
patient experience in particular the ICT and the
computer terminals for each bed. I attended the
official opening by HM The Queen which marked a
new and exciting chapter for UCLH. I think it is a
testament to the work and commitment of all staff at
the Trust that it provides very high level quality care for
patients and is developing pioneering medical
treatments and medical research.
How does your work and personal experience help
you as a governor? I became a governor as I wanted
to give something back to the hospital. My role as a
secondary school teacher and Curriculum Leader for
Religious Education, Citizenship and Personal Social
Health Economic Education (PHSEE), fitted really
well with being a hospital governor. PSHEE is a
challenging issue in educating young people to make
healthy choices in diet and exercise, as well as
looking at the wider issues of healthy lifestyle. In RE
we cover medical ethics, in citizenship we encourage
students to be proactive and engaged members of the
community and wider society. I hope my role as a
governor will encourage young people to see the
benefit of being a participating citizen.
I have also worked as a volunteer at the Terrence
Higgins Trust, an HIV charity. I then became a trainer
of new inductees and have kept myself up to date on
the issues around this illness and its treatment. I am
also interested in contemporary ethics, for example
palliative care and euthanasia and as a governor this
gives me an understanding of such issues the
hospital might debate.
Would you encourage other patients to get involved
with the Trust? It is valuable to have a mixture of
people as governors, some with knowledge of
health care and some with other backgrounds and
experiences, which is reflected within the
Governing Body comprising staff, patients, public
and stakeholders. I would encourage everyone
associated with the hospital, not just patients but
also people living locally to become members. It is
your hospital and you are part of its future. I like the
synergy; the individual parts on their own may
seem insignificant, but they all form part of a greater
whole, to use a well worn cliché, “Together we are
strong”.
DATES FOR YOUR
DIARY
Governing Body meeting
Tuesday 6 July 2010 at 6pm
Annual Public meeting
Thursday 30 September 2010 at 6pm
Board of Directors meeting
Wednesday 12 May 2010 at 2.00pm
MembersMeet
Tuesday 22 June 2010 at 5.4pm
Venue for the above meetings, unless
otherwise stated, is:
UCLH Education Centre
Seminar Rooms, 1st Floor West,
250 Euston Road, London, NW1 2PG
(Closest tube is Warren Street)
UCLH News Issue 17
Membership office - tel: 0207 380 9290
email: foundation.trust@uclh.nhs.uk
5

Your Governors at Work
Amanda Gibbon (left) with Belinda Green Midwife Consultant
Amanda Gibbon, public governor, talks to Ros
Waring about her work as a governor
When I first became a governor of UCLH six years
ago my main experience of the Trust was of its
maternity services. All my four children were born in
the old EGA building in Huntley Street. When my
third child was born he needed a scan and I had to
stay as an in-patient for 2 or 3 days until it could be
done. While I was stuck in hospital I spent a long
time watching the way the postnatal ward worked
and, although I was full of admiration for much of
what the EGA offered, I started to think hard about
what I felt could be done better. Soon after I became
a governor I got involved with the EGA and for
several years sat on their clinical governance
committee as a service user representative. I learnt
a great deal from attending this committee but its
early start, at 8am, eventually meant that I had to
give it up to get my children to school. However, I
have continued to take an active interest in the EGA
and am involved in a number of different ways.
Sometimes I respond to requests from individual
midwives who might for example want me to look at
some patient literature or to attend an event as a
service user. When the new EGA building was still
being completed I was invited to have a look round:
a key concern I had then about an aspect of the layout
was acted on. I have also been involved in two
quite substantial pieces of work with other governors
to conduct in-depth interviews with women who have
had babies at the EGA. The first of these projects
was in late 2007 and coincided both with a major
quality improvement initiative being run by the EGA
and the build-up to the EGA moving to its new
building in November 2008. This first study threw up
a number of issues around privacy and dignity, the
quality of care on the postnatal ward and long waits in
the antenatal clinic. In late 2009 the governors decided
that it would be a good idea to revisit the EGA’s
obstetric service to see whether the improvements they
had made had been sustained. We found a much
improved position especially on the main areas
identified in 2007. This time we made a number of
further recommendations including the provision of
better breastfeeding support. We have been really
pleased that the EGA management have acted so
quickly on all our suggestions. I am also a member of
the Governing Body’s high quality patient care group,
under whose auspices the EGA interview work was
performed, and I also get involved in the annual round
of “PEAT” inspections, looking at the quality of the
patient environment. It all goes to show that there are
plenty of useful ways in which governors can get
involved to bring about service improvements for
patients. Of course my interest in service improvement
and quality of care extends beyond the EGA and
across the trust. I sit on the trust’s patient issues
committee which monitors all non-clinical aspects of
patient care.
As illustrated on the front cover, in February this
year, members of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson’s
family gathered to see a series of artworks unveiled
at the maternity wing named in her honour.
Did you know .... to create the moasic, photographs
of staff at the EGA, together with archive pictures of
Elizabeth and her contemporaries dating back to the
1930s, were pieced together to create the series of
portraits of the woman herself. The impressive
moasic stands in the entrance to the wing.
If the articles on Kevin and Amanda have
inspired you to become a governor and get more
involved, why not stand for election this year and
make a difference!
If you would like a copy of this information in large print, call
0207 380 9290 or contact foundation.trust@uclh.nhs.uk
UCLH News Issue 17
Membership office - tel: 0207 380 9290
email: foundation.trust@uclh.nhs.uk 6