Hospital Life March 2010 - Barking Havering and Redbridge ...

The magazine for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust March 2010
Stacey’s a
real hit
X-Factor star pays a surprise visit
to children’s ward at Queen’s
Turn to page 4

New chairman
takes the reins
Sir David Varney has been
appointed as the Trust’s new
Chairman.
Guiding the Trust Board, Sir David
brings with him a broad range of
experience. He was Chairman of HM
Revenue and Customs between
2004 and 2006 as well as being
President of the Chartered
Management Institute from 2005 to
2006.
Most recently, he was the Prime
Minister’s Adviser on Public Service
Transformation.
He said: “I am thrilled to be joining
the Trust at what is an incredibly
challenging yet exciting time. The
Trust has recently undergone
immense changes and has made
huge progress, but there is still much
more to do.
“The focus will very much be on
improving services, particularly
emergency care, to ensure that we
continue to put quality care for
patients at the top of the Trust’s
agenda.”
Chief Executive John Goulston said:
“I am delighted that Sir David has
agreed to lead the BHRUT Trust
Board. I am confident that his strong
leadership and vast experience will
be a very welcome addition to the
top team.”
Barbara Liggins has stepped down
from her role as Acting Chair and
returned to her role of Non-
Executive Director.
John added: “I would like to
thank Barbara for all her hard
work and for holding the fort so
competently following the sad and
untimely death of our previous
Chairman, Eric Nath.”
Sir David’s role is one of four new
appointments.
• Deborah Wheeler has joined the
Trust as Executive Director of Nursing
from the Whittington Hospital NHS
Trust where she was Director of
Nursing and the Acting Chief
Executive.
• Robert Royce has joined the Trust
on secondment as the new Director
of Strategy and Planning.
• John Coakley is working with the
Trust on secondment from the
Homerton University NHS Foundation
Trust as Director of Clinical
Improvement.
The focus will very much be
on improving services,
particularly emergency care . . .
Hospitals
tackle winter
vomiting bug
Visitors are being asked to stay
away from hospitals if they have
any symptoms of the winter
vomiting bug.
Norovirus is a regular problem at this
time of year, but seems to be
particularly virulent this year.
This Trust has an extremely good
record of infection control, and has
introduced stringent isolation
procedures to stop the bug
spreading among patients.
As there is no specific treatment for
the infection, the only way to
prevent it spreading is to limit the
number of people who come into
contact with those who have been
effected.
The Trust keeps wards closed for 72
hours after the last case to ensure
there is no reoccurrence.
Senior Infection Prevention and
Control Nurse Corinne Cameron-
Watson said: “The norovirus, or
winter vomiting bug, is particularly
virulent this year. Every hospital has
been affected, as have nursing and
residential homes and schools.
“We would ask anyone who has had
symptoms of the bug within the
previous three days not to come into
hospital to visit friends and relatives
if at all possible.”
She added: “People who are
affected should stay at home and
take plenty of
fluids to avoid
dehydration. If
your diarrhoea
and vomiting
does become
very severe and
persistent,
however, then
we advise you to
telephone your
GP or NHS Direct
on 0845 46 47.”
Special signs
have been put
up at the main
entrances and in
the A&E of both Queen’s and King
George to reinforce these messages.
2 H O S P I TA L L I F E

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO TRUST’S NEW MATERNITY SERVICE
Unique service for
mums-to-be
A unique service for pregnant
women suffering mental health
or substance misuse problems has
won national recognition.
The Trust has developed a one-stop
service for expectant mums who are
suffering from a range of issues.
These include serious mental illness
such as obsessive compulsive
disorder, eating disorders, severe
personality disorders and substance
misuse.
Other organisations offer help to
women with mental health or
substance misuse problems - but
have not put them together under
one umbrella.
Bernie Stokes - a midwife who runs
the service with colleague Mary
Brennan (pictured above right) -
said: “There is a definite overlap
between the two problems. Many
women with mental health issues
develop problems with substance
misuse and vice versa.
“We recognised that there was a
real need locally to address these
issues.”
Before the service was launched,
midwives received specialist training
to help them tackle the specific
needs of the patients.
Now, weekly clinics are held with
women being able to access all of
the help they need at just one visit.
The multi-disciplinary approach
means that, at each clinic, the
patients can see midwives, an
obstetrician, specialist psychiatrists,
drug workers and paediatricians all
under one roof.
And the response has been
overwhelming. Feedback from
patients has been extremely positive,
and referrals for the service are
coming thick and fast.
Consultant Midwife Claire
Homeyard said: “The service
provides a unique opportunity for
a holistic assessment of a family’s
needs. Many of the women who
come to the clinics have seen
pregnancy as a positive
opportunity for change.
“There is caring in the
care-giving.”
The specialist team
support the women up
to, during and after the
birth, giving mothers and babies the
very best start.
Bernie works closely with the
expectant mums who have problems
with anything from cigarettes to
cocaine and heroin. But by far the
biggest problem locally is the misuse
of alcohol.
Colleague Mary focuses primarily on
the women with mental health
issues.
“We try hard to provide an open,
friendly and non-judgemental
service,” said Bernie. “It’s a unique
service and, once the women have
engaged with us, they tend to be
very positive about it.”
The service has been so successful
that it was shortlisted for a Royal
College of Midwives national award.
The award for Development of
Services Addressing Inequalities in
Health was sponsored by the
National Childbirth Trust.
Chief Executive Belinda Phipps said:
“The Trust’s work to improve
perinatal mental wellbeing is
admirable. This project is a great
example of what can be achieved
through truly holistic support with
each of the necessary services
working together in an integrated
and complementary fashion.”
Cathy Warwick, general secretary of
the Royal College of Midwives,
added: “I am delighted that Bernie
and Mary have been shortlisted for
this award. Their work typifies the
professionalism of midwives and
highlights the innovative work that
they and others are doing. It also
shows the dedication and
determination from midwives to
improve the services they provide for
women and babies.”
Now plans are afoot to continue to
develop the scheme, offering
outreach services and a domestic
abuse advocacy service.
Great friends
Huge congratulations to 21
members of the Friends of
Barking Hospital who are
being honoured with a
national award.
The volunteers are travelling to
the House of Lords to be
presented with prestigious
Diamond Awards from Attend –
the UK’s leading organisation
supporting volunteering in health
and social care.
Chief Executive John Goulston
said: “This achievement is richly
deserved. We are indebted to the
League members for the selfless
way they give up their time to
make the lives of others more
comfortable.”
The Diamond Awards will be
presented to the Friends of
Barking Hospital by Baroness Jay
on March 25th.
M A R C H 2 0 1 0
3

X-Factor star visits Queen’s
Stacey chats with 15-year-old
Chloe Foster
Tropical Lagoon staff with Stacey and her sister, to her right
But Stacey’s visit put a big smile on the
faces of the youngsters.
Fifteen-year-old Chloe Foster from Harold
Hill said: “Stacey is absolutely lovely, but it
was so surreal to meet her. I supported her
when she was on the X-Factor, and when
you see someone on television so much
you feel like you already know them.”
Gemma Solomon, Stacey’s sister, has been
working on Tropical Lagoon as part of her
nurse training.
She said: “It’s so nice bringing Stacey in to
work so she can meet the children. I’m
getting used to people staring at us
whenever I am with her now. It’s so
funny.”
She added: “I’ve only been at Queen’s
Hospital for two weeks, but I’m absolutely
loving it. It’s a great hospital and I love the
layout of the wards, as well as the staff
and patients of course. I’m already hoping
I can come back here for my second
rotation.”
Youngsters brave the elements
X-Factor star Stacey Solomon cheered up young
patients at Queen’s Hospital with a surprise
visit.
Stacey – who came third on the hit TV
show and won over fans with her
down-to-earth attitude – spent the
morning on Tropical Lagoon
children’s ward.
She was invited along by her sister
Gemma, who is a student nurse
working on the ward.
Stacey said: “It’s lovely to be here, to
see where my sister is working and to
have a nice quiet visit rather than a huge
event. I love doing things like this and
spending time with the patients.”
Stacey, who arrived alone and dressed down in comfy
clothes, spent a long time with each child, chatting
easily and joining in with their games.
And there was an emotional reunion with Kayleigh
Tyler, six, who she first met when the X-Factor finalists
visited Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Reunited - Stacey
with Kayleigh Tyler
Stacey, who comes from Dagenham and had son
Zachary at King George Hospital, said: “I’m so proud of
my sister training to be a nurse. I couldn’t do it. I think I
would be in tears every day seeing the children.”
Wind and driving rain failed to
deter a dedicated group of
youngsters volunteering at King
George Hospital.
Sixteen young people taking part in a
Prince’s Trust Team Programme have
chosen to give the outdoor play area
at Clover Ward a make-over.
The group – all unemployed and
taking part in the City and Guild
accredited course – worked in
appalling conditions to overhaul the
area, repainting equipment, and fixing
and tidying where necessary.
The group also carried out a fundraising
walk to find the money to
carry out the work, with donations
boosting the final amount to an
amazing £1,700.
Becki Wells from the group said: “We chose to help the
children’s ward as we wanted to give something back to
the community.
“We’re trying to show that young people aren’t as bad as
we are made out to be.
• The Prince’s Trust team in the children’s
garden at King George Hospital.
“Sometimes young people can be stereotyped, but not all
of us are like that.”
The next Prince’s Trust course starts at the end of May.
Anyone who would like more information can call Liam
Lenihan on 07931 688194.
4 H O S P I TA L L I F E
M A R C H 2 0 1 0
5

Patient
helped by
dedicated
employee
A sonographer based at the
Fanshawe Clinic in
Dagenham went above and
beyond the call of duty to
support a patient having an
ultrasound scan.
After carrying out a scan,
Antoinette Owen had to tell the
expectant mum that her unborn
baby may have a heart
abnormality, and that she needed
to go to Queen’s Hospital straight
away for further tests.
But the patient did not have any
transport, and had gone for the scan
on her own.
Antoinette decided to take the
woman to Queen’s herself, so drove
her to pick up her husband, and
then on to Queen’s for a further
scan.
Her determination to support the
patient has won her the Trust’s
Employee of the Month award.
Presenting Antoinette with flowers, a
certificate and vouchers in a surprise
ceremony, Acting Chairman Barbara
Liggins said: “When you treat
patients with kindness and give them
that little bit extra care, they will tell
their friends and family, and that has
a positive impact on how people
view this Trust.”
Antoinette’s manager Hanna Mitcalfe
nominated her for the award. She
said: “All the team work so hard
that I wish I could nominate them
all, but I was so impressed with the
kindness Antoinette showed to her
patient.”
• Pictures are Acting Chairman
Barbara Liggins, Antoinette Owen
and Hanna Mitcalfe
Being
OPEN
Do you know who can help if you
have any concerns about the care
you receive at the Trust?
We know that being in hospital can
be a worrying time, and if you have
any issues you want them resolved
as quickly as possible.
We are committed to being open
with our patients, their relatives and
carers on those rare occasions when
things go wrong or dissatisfaction
with care arises.
If you have a concern, we would ask
that you first speak with senior staff
in the immediate area. They will do
their best to quickly sort out any
problems and resolve any issues.
If you feel your concern has not
been properly addressed, you can
then turn to our Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS) team, located
in the main atrium of both King
George and Queen’s Hospitals. The
team will endeavour to resolve your
concerns as quickly as they can.
If your issue can’t be sorted out
quickly, or is serious enough to
become a formal complaint, then
patients, their relatives and carers
should be assured that their care and
treatment will not be prejudiced as a
result. Any patient who feels their
care has been affected following a
formal complaint should raise this
with the Senior Complaint Manager,
via PALS, who will investigate this on
their behalf.
If a patient safety incident occurs,
staff should acknowledge the
mistake and tell you truthfully and
clearly what happened, letting you
know as soon as possible after the
event.
You should receive an apology and
our staff should listen and
understand how the incident has
affected you.
Where actual harm has occurred,
appropriate care will be given and
support offered. Any incident will be
treated in confidence to protect your
confidentiality.
If you don’t think that this process
has been followed appropriately,
please let us know.
Our staff are told that, when things
go wrong, saying sorry is not an
admission of liability, and is the right
thing to do.
6 H O S P I TA L L I F E

New clot-busting
techniques used at Queen’s
A new technique to treat stroke
patients has been introduced at
Queen’s Hospital.
The Romford hospital has been
named as one of just eight across
London to host a Hyper Acute Stroke
Unit, which will become fully
operational in April.
But advancements in treatment are
already being introduced, and
specialist staff have now carried out
thrombolysis on the first local
patient.
Thrombolysis sees a clot-busting
treatment delivered directly into the
vein, which dissolves the build-up of
blood.
“It has been
proven to save
lives and to prevent
people from suffering a
permanent disability . .
Only a limited number of patients
will be suitable for thrombolysis, but
it can be extremely effective.
The patient treated at Queen’s is
now recovering well, and is
completing her rehabilitation at King
George Hospital.
In order to be thrombolysed, a
patient needs to be treated within
three hours of the stroke itself, and
to have been given a CT scan to find
out whether the cause of the stroke
is a clot or a hemorrhage.
Consultant and Lead Stroke Clinician
Khaled Darawil explained: “It is all
about acting quickly. The patients are
brought in by ambulance, and
immediately assessed by a specialist
stroke team. We then carry out a
scan, and check whether they are
suitable for thrombolysis. This
depends on things like their age, and
whether they have any other medical
conditions, and at exactly what time
the stroke occurred.”
He added: “We have never been
able to offer this treatment before. It
is relatively new, and has been used
previously to treat heart attack
patients. It has been proven to save
lives and to prevent people from
suffering a permanent disability.
“The thrombolysis will lead on to
other developments to improve the
treatment of stroke.”
At the moment, the service is only
available during the day, but from
April 1st more patients will benefit as
it can be carried out around the
clock.
A successful recruitment drive has
seen specialist stroke care nurses
brought in to the Trust to join the
stroke team.
Khaled is looking forward to the
opening of the Hyper Acute Stroke
Unit. “It is going to make the world
of difference in treatment and
recovery for patients. Expertise will
be available around the clock,
treating not just the stroke but the
whole person.”
Thanks to Neonatal Unit
A grateful mum has handed over a
cheque to the Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit which looked after her daughter.
Kirsty Wallis gave birth to baby daughter
Danii Scott in November, but the newborn
had to spend ten days in the NICU at
Queen’s Hospital receiving specialist
treatment.
When Kirsty’s company, Lineside Logistics
in Dagenham, decided to raise money for
charity over the Christmas period, Kirsty
asked if it could be the NICU that
benefitted.
Handing over a cheque for £205 to Matron
Tricia Stone, Kirsty said: “I just wanted to
give something back to the unit for all the
care and dedication they showed Danii.”
A grateful Tricia said: “I would like to
thank Kirty and Lineside Logistics so much
for thinking of us with their fundraising.”
• Pictured are Consultant Paediatrician Dr Shirsalkar, Tricia Stone, Kirsty
Wallis and Pami Hunjan from Lineside Logistics.
M A R C H 2 0 1 0
7

Family come
back to say
thank you
to NICU
A baby born almost four months
early has been back to visit the
staff who saved his life.
George Stanbrook-Evans spent 113
days in the Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit at Queen’s Hospital after making
an extremely early entrance into the
world at just 24 weeks.
His parents, Dan and Clare, were determined
to say thank you to the
staff on the unit and, with their colleagues
from the Metropolitan Police,
organised a grueling London to Paris
bike ride to fundraise.
Dan said: “We were so incredibly impressed
by the way that the staff in
the NICU looked after us all. George
received the best possible care, but
Clare and I were also given a huge
amount of help.
“Essentially the staff became our
friends and social workers. They were
amazing.”
When a work colleague was diagnosed
with cancer, the group were
more determined than ever to complete
the event, splitting the money
raised between the NICU and
Macmillan nurses.
Dan joined eight colleagues from the
Met’s Homicide and Serious Crimes
unit in Barking to complete the
mammoth cycle trek with a dedicated
support crew helping them all
the way.
More than £12,000 was collected,
with Dan, Clare and baby George –
now 16 months old – returning to
Queen’s to hand over a cheque for
£6,250.
Matron Tricia Stone said that all the
staff who had treated George during
his long stay in the unit had become
extremely fond of the family.
The money will be used to completely
refurbish the NICU waiting
area – used by anxious family and
friends – to make it more comfortable
and homely for visitors.
“I spent so much time in the waiting
room while George was here,” said
Dan. “You just try and catch 30 minutes
sleep, or collect your thoughts.
I’m delighted that the money will be
used to improve the facilities for
other families who have to go
through the same thing.
“It is quite emotional being back
here, but we can’t thank the staff
enough for what they did for us all.”
• Dan, Clare and George Stanbrook-
Evans are pictured presenting the donation
to staff in the Neonatal
Intensive Treatment Unit.
Healthcare Roadshows
A public consultation into
proposals to redesign healthcare
in this area is now well underway.
A major piece of work - called Health
for North East London - has been
taking place, looking at ways of
improving people’s health and
making sure that they receive highquality
services.
The proposals have been developed
by clinicians themselves - doctors and
other health professionals who work
in this area.
One of the suggestions is that the
Accident and Emergency department
at King George Hospital should be
closed, with a 24/7 Urgent Care
Centre remaining on site.
Improving out-ofhospital
care and
providing services closer
to people’s homes is a
key element of the
proposals.
Public roadshows have
been held around Barking, Havering
and Redbridge, including one at King
George Hospital and another at
Queen’s.
Both proved very popular, with
hundreds of consultation documents,
explaining the proposals, being
handed out.
If you have one of these documents -
still available at both hospitals -
please take the time to fill in the
questionnaire at the back, detailing
your views on the proposals.
The full, detailed proposals are also
available by logging on to
www.healthfornel.nhs.uk, where you
can also have your say.
The consultation runs until March 22,
so make sure you act quickly if you
want your voice to be heard.
• Pictured is the mobile exhibition
outside King George Hospital
Contact us: If you would like to see a particular service featured in Hospital Life, contact Niki Eves on
01708 435314, or email nicola.eves@bhrhospitals.nhs.uk