HOMERTON LIFE OCTOBER 2004 - Homerton University Hospital

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Staff try out their ‘new look’. Homerton’s frontline given a smart new image The public face of Homerton is about to dramatically change, with the launch of new ‘designer’ corporate wear for staff. Those who hold administrative or clerical positions and liaise with patients or the public as part of their everyday job have been gearing towards the implementation of a smart new uniform. Provided by the Trust, at no charge for individual staff members, the uniform consists of a collection of tailored black skirt or trouser suits and a selection of lilac shirts, blouses, t-tops and ties. Many frontline A&C staff provide a service that puts them in constant contact with patients and the public, but unlike clinical staff they are not provided with an identifiable uniform. With the launch of a new corporate look, this problem will be rectified. Amerjit Halaith is a receptionist in radiology and has been given one of the new uniforms, she comments: “I think the uniforms for frontline A&C staff were a really good idea. It will save me money as I won’t need to buy clothes for work and it will also mean that I do not have to spend ages deciding what to wear every morning. Wearing a smart suit and seeing others do the same, provides me with a sense of pride in what I do.” Manager of outpatients Janice Kelly said of the new uniforms: “We have had a dress code in place in outpatients for some time now and it has really improved the public’s perception of the staff that work here. When people look “business like”, the perception of them is that they are being dealt with by a professional and this, in turn, results in them feeling content and happy with the service they receive. Since the dress code has been adopted here, the incidents of rudeness or derogatory behaviour towards staff have drastically reduced.” The uniforms were first launched at the IWL open day last month and by the end of October almost 180 members of frontline A&C staff will be wearing their new uniforms with pride. It is hoped that a second group of A&C staff will also be provided with uniforms next year. NEL offer best stop smoking services in the country North East London achieved the biggest increase in quitters in England during 2003/4, with almost 5,500 stopping smoking – between 400 and 600 more people than in any other sector. Free training on the referral process is still available for all healthcare staff, full details are available from the stop smoking service administrator Tycie West on 020 7683 4040. The CHTPCT stop smoking team can also provide information relating to the service at any upcoming event or meeting that is being held. For further enquiries, call Ian Quigley (Manager) on 020 7683 4047 or Aisling Murphy (Community and Training) on 0207 683 4036. You can refer yourself or any member of your family to the service at any time, for staff support please call the stop smoking team 0207 683 4040, for all others referrals call the free number 0800 169 1943. Babyloss awareness week People whose lives have been touched by the loss of a baby during pregnancy or just after birth, are uniting with others across the UK to show their support for Babyloss Awareness Week 2004, which runs from October 9 to October 15. During the week information about miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death will be available in the Health Shop. A baby memorial service, remembering all babies who died before, during or shortly after birth, will also take place in the Sanctuary on Friday 15 October at 8pm For more information about the week contact bereavement support midwives Anne or Tracy on ext 7317 or air call via the switchboard. For information about the memorial service contact chaplaincy team leader Nadia Pfaff on ext 7773. Web update new this month Would you like to add a page to the intranet or web site? Both sites are growing daily. New to the intranet this month: the critical care outreach team acute pain service safe medicine action group. • The ‘staff handbook’ section has now changed to ‘your working life’ with lots of new information about life at Homerton; and don’t forget you can check the intranet for up to date information on EPR (quick links on the home page). Remember to add your telephone details to the directory on the intranet. Click on the phone book, press ‘add new’ and enter your details. Press the ‘insert button’. This will be updated by the administrator within 3-5 working days. For further information on this or if you would like a page, • contact Tonya Chalker on ext 5154 or via email. 4
NVQ graduates step out By Vilma Sindac, HCA Trainer and NVQ coordinator Congratulations to the NVQ candidates on their recent achievements! Five nurse cadets and six healthcare assistants who started their NVQ training in September 2002, have successfully achieved NVQ Levels 2 and 3 and are on the way to becoming qualified nurses. They will now be seconded to City University for further training and will return to work here as qualified nurses. In addition, 22 newly qualified assessors who worked towards the Training and Development Lead Bodies competencies in D32/D33 and A1, have proven that they are competent to coach and assess candidates who are in turn working for a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). They now hold appropriate assessor qualifications as approved and specified by the regulatory authorities. NVQ is a nationally recognised qualification, providing people with high quality training and a structured framework within which they can develop. The delivery of NVQ in Health and Social Care Programme continues to grow from strength to strength since 1998 when Homerton became an accredited City and Guilds centre. The Trust maintains support for staff education in training and development in order to continue with the delivery of high standard of patient care. For HCAs interested in joining the NVQ programme, please complete a in-house application form and meet with your ward managers and NVQ centre coordinator. If you are a school leaver and have always wanted to train to be a nurse then you can join the cadet scheme. For further details contact Vilma Sindac on ext 7665 or Sharon Prince on ext 7097. NHS childcare wins award By Helin Taylor-Greenfield, Childcare Development Manager The Pan-London Childcare Initiative has won the ‘4Children Employer Achievement Award’ for staff childcare. The judges were overwhelmed by the dedication and commitment demonstrated by the childcarers nominated in the variety of ways that they bring fun, laughter and friendship into children’s lives; providing the childhood experiences and memories that will travel with them into adult life. The NHS plays a big role in this; we work closely with a large number of childcare service providers aiming to offer good quality, affordable and accessible childcare to help support working parents. What they had to say about us … The NHS now provides more childcare support for staff than any other – and the NHS Strategic Health Authority/Workforce Development Confederation in London have created many new childcare places, including: 660 new nursery places and 716 holiday playscheme places have been created since 2003; bringing the total to over 2000 nursery places and 1000 playscheme places for NHS staff in London – with many more being planned. Every member of staff now has access to an NHS Childcare Co-ordinator (there are 59 in London), working closely with early years and childcare teams in local authorities, childcare providers and voluntary organisations to help staff to find and afford the childcare they need. • For further information contact Helin Taylor-Greenfield via email helin.taylor@chpct.nhs.uk. What do you know about the medicines you are taking? Between 1 and 6 November staff from Pharmacy will be on hand in the main reception and pharmacy waiting area to give people a chance to ask about the medicines they are taking, as part of national Ask About Medicines Week. The week, which is supported by the Safe Medicines Action Group, will focus on choice and will inform people that they are entitled to be involved when deciding what medicine is best for them; that people should be able to get information to help make decisions about the medicine; and that healthcare professionals are there to help and support people when making these decisions. For further information about the week contact medicines information and surgical directorate pharmacist Margaret Brown on ext 7000 or via email. 5
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