HOMERTON LIFE OCTOBER 2004 - Homerton University Hospital

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Do you have a good attitude? By Guy Young, Director of Nursing and Quality “The team could not have done more; everyone was nice and sensitive to my needs”. This comment comes from a recent survey. Wouldn’t it be great if all our patients felt like this? Unfortunately, we know that we don’t always get things right, as demonstrated through formal complaints, PALS enquiries and patient surveys. The majority of the concerns expressed are related to the way that we communicate with our patients and their families. Some patients also feel that they are not treated with dignity and respect. These concerns led to the development of a Trust ‘Code of Behaviour’. Whilst this code clearly lays out our expectations, it will not in itself change negative attitudes and behaviour. Enter Good Attitude, a new training DVD designed to help staff to better understand the need to communicate effectively. Working with a professional video company, we have produced a training tool that can be used in a variety of ways. Consisting of poor practice/good practice scenarios, based on the nine points of the Code of Behaviour, the DVD can be used to help staff see the negative effects of poor communication. Importantly it also shows how to get it right. The Trust is rolling out formal training sessions using the DVD, but individual wards and departments can also use it. A learning analysis section even allows self-directed learning, although we think the best results will be achieved in small groups who are able to discuss the scenarios in more detail. • Please contact Training and Development or Nursing Education if you would like to know more or if you would like to borrow a copy. New City governors join council We are pleased to welcome two new governors representing the City of London on the Trust’s Council of Governors, following an election held in the area in July. Geoffrey Rivett and Steve Stevenson both have links with the NHS; Geoffrey has been a GP, a medical civil servant and a historian of the NHS. Steve Stevenson is also a City resident with an active involvement in social and health care and he too has links with the hospital. He was an independent member of our last Patient Environment Inspection Team. In the news … The focus on infection control has continued with the BBC’s “should I worry about” programme, shown last month. The programme featured Homerton’s Dr Anne Marie Karcher in Whiteley’s shopping centre randomly swabbing the noses of 100 passers-by, and then explaining the process to presenter Richard Hammond … Meanwhile Prof Kate Costeloe and staff on SCBU and labour wards featured in a Panorama special, looking at really premature babies. This also included media appearances for Prof Costeloe on Richard and Judy, Radio 5 Live and the Daily Mail … Chairman Andy Windross was interviewed by local Kurdish paper Bizim Gunes about what it means to be a Foundation Trust … RNRU staff were featured in BBC Two’s “This is my family”, exploring one family’s experience of stroke ... Keep up-to-date with the latest NHS and healthcare news with “Media Watch” available under the ‘News’ section on the intranet. And Sharmen Thompson, senior staff nurse on Graham Ward was featured in Nursing Standard about her role in setting up a support network for Montserrat nurses living in the UK, which also provides distance learning to those still working on the island. 8
A Day in the Life of ... Mohammed Araeen Some people might be under the impression that we have a group of elves working at the hospital; because on the wards when stocks are running low they are magically replenished and when admin staff fill in a requisition form and fax it off, the goods turn up without ever having to speak to somebody. But as Homerton Life found out, there is a whole group of people based in Brooksby House who do all that work for us. In charge of that group is Mohammed Araeen, a goods and receiving officer in the distribution centre (formally known as stores). His job is to check and place orders sent by wards and departments, ensuring that we receive cost-effective and quality goods, and that ordering is consistent. His team also visit wards to check stock levels, ensuring that there is always enough medical and non-medical equipment. As there is no actual storage facility in the distribution centre, the team has to order sensibly so that they don’t have too much stock for the wards, but making sure there is enough so that stocks don’t run out. Every day is different - I see different people and sort out different problems. Time flies so there is no time to get bored. Goods and Distribution Officer The department is constantly busy; on a typical day they will receive about 100 non-stock order forms, 200 non-stock deliveries and about 1,000 top-up deliveries for wards, including syringes, gloves etc. This is nothing compared to Christmas though, when the department will see the equivalent of three to four days deliveries come through on the same day. Mohammed explains: “You have to get to know wards and departments buying habits so that you can pre-empt what their needs will be, especially during busy times like Christmas - we can’t allow stocks to run out. This can prove to be quite a difficult balancing act, ordering the right amount of stuff and ensuring that they are sent to wards and departments as soon as they are delivered. Every day is different - I see different people and sort out different problems. Time flies so there is no time to get bored.” It is clear that this is a job that Mohammed enjoys; having joined the Trust in 1995 he worked in the distribution bay until 2001 when he started his current position. Mohammed comments: “Before joining Homerton I had never worked for the NHS, I had been in the construction industry working on the jubilee line extension in Canary Wharf. Now I can never see myself working for a private company again, I really enjoy the NHS. The best thing is that everyone working at the hospital is there to provide a service, which in the end is helping patients and the community. I feel part of that service and feel that we all support one another.” Fundraising at Homerton On line donating You can now donate safely and securely online via the website http://www.homerton.nhs.uk/services/1082038464.html Payroll giving or give as you earn is open to staff and nonstaff to make a regular contribution to the hospital. Remember every penny counts. http://www.homertonnhs.uk/services/1091779899.html Recycling A new recycling partnership with Office Green Technologies means that other companies can now see us on the Office Green web site and choose to recycle cartridges and toners with the money all coming to our hospital. http://www.homerton.nhs.uk/services/1092925395.html http://www.officegreen.co.uk/charity-list.html Monthly raffle We are now running a monthly raffle for all staff. The prizes are donated from various sources so hopefully at one stage during the year there will something that you want to put your £1.00 towards. Last month’s prize was a signed football. This month is a stereo system and at Christmas you can win a mountain bike. Who knows what the New Year will bring..... Sponsored events If you or any of your friends, family or patients would like to take part in sponsored events to raise money for the hospital please let us know as we can help with the sponsorship forms and advertising. Anyone wanting to help out with fundraising or for more information on any of the above contact the fundraising manager on ext 5154. 9
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