NUH News April 2015

Page / 3 

Tram arrives 

at QMC 

Page / 12 

Major 

Trauma 

3 years on 

Page / 14 

Fighting 

ovarian 

cancer 

Page / 8 

New children's wards 

APRIL 2015 

Facing the 

future 

A dad who underwent 

drastic surgery for cancer 

has had his face rebuilt in 

his son’s image. 

Surgery to remove a life-threatening tumour 

left Keith Lonsdale missing a large part of 

his face. Attempts to recreate his features 

with a facial prosthesis proved challenging – 

until his son Scott volunteered to help. 

Keith, 74 of Bilborough, was admitted for 

surgery at QMC after he was diagnosed 

with tumours in the roof of his mouth. 

Although the operation was a success, the 

surgeon had to remove Keith’s nose, cheek 

bones, upper jaw and most of his palate. 

He then needed support from QMC's 

maxillofacial department to help improve 

his appearance. The department provides a 

range of services to correct problems with 

the face, mouth, teeth and jaws (maxilla 

means jaw). But even though the team has 

helped thousands of patients after surgery, 

Keith’s case required a unique solution. 

Continued on page 6 

@nottmhospitals 

facebook.com/nottinghamhospitals

2 February 2015 

NewsBites 

scan here 

to read on 

the go… 

Foreword 

Mandie Sunderland, 

Chief Nurse 

Sharing 

our pride 

We’re thrilled to be working 

alongside the Nottingham 

Post and Tramlink on the 

Nurse and Midwife of the 

year awards. 

The stories I’ve read are 

wonderful examples of nurses 

delivering exceptional patient 

care. These staff deserve 

recognition for the work they do 

and for making such a difference. 

We look forward to the start of 

public voting and crowning this 

year’s winners in May. 

Find out more about some of the 

exciting Nursing and Midwifery 

developments that are taking 

shape across our hospitals. This 

includes our £1m scheme that 

will put our senior nurses back on 

the wards and caring for patients, 

and our successful pilot to extend 

visiting times on our wards where 

we care for older patients. 

Well done to our teams for 

further improving patient safety 

over the last 12 months. We’ve 

prevented grade four (the worst 

type) pressure sores for over two 

years. Read page 18 to find out 

more. 

Coming to terms with the loss of a 

baby is difficult in any circumstances. 

Without memories of their loved ones 

parents of stillborn children can find it 

hard to start the grieving process. 

But a new cold cot donated to our 

maternity unit will allow bereaved parents 

to take the time they need to say goodbye. 

Emma and Gareth Clowes (pictured, right), 

who live near Castle Donington, lost their 

little boy Thomas who died in the womb 

in October 2013. The couple returned to 

our maternity unit, at City Hospital, earlier 

this year to present a new cold cot to the 

hospital. 

Emma’s family raised £1,917 to buy the 

cooling device which preserves the child 

and enables the parents of a stillborn baby 

to take pictures, have casts made and 

spend time together. 

Mandy Dann, our bereavement midwife, 

said: “We are extremely grateful to Emma 

and Gareth for their generosity. 

“It takes courage and compassion for a 

family to think about how they could help 

other parents while coming to terms with 

their own loss. 

“Having this cot will mean that bereaved 

parents will be able to spend time with 

their precious baby. This provides the 

opportunity to make memories, which 

can be a source of comfort to grieving 

families.” 

The presentation ceremony was hosted 

by television’s longest-serving weather 

forecaster, Sian Lloyd, who is vice president 

of Abigail’s Footsteps, a national charity 

which aims to support people who suffer 

bereavement through the death of a baby 

before or at birth. 

Our child bereavement team is responsible 

for supporting grieving families. Although 

we know we cannot make it better, we 

can hopefully help create some positive 

memories of a difficult time and provide 

families with keepsakes, information and 

resources which will help prepare them for 

the future. For some families this support 

and contact may be ongoing for many 

years. 

Taking time 

to say goodbye 

Grieving parents will be given precious time to say goodbye to their children thanks to the 

kind hearted donation of a Derbyshire family. 



3 

FeatureStory 

Facts 

QMC gears up 

for tram arrival 

QMC will 

soon become 

the first hospital 

in England to be linked 

by a tram. Running every 6 

minutes, 7 days a week, the tram 

will transform access to your hospital. 

Have you got what it takes to join our team of 

volunteers that will help patients & visitors who 

use the tram get the best possible experience? 

Peter Homa, NUH CEO 

The team will help with information, directions and a smile! 

Visit www.nuh.nhs.uk/tramvolunteers to join our team 

Patients, visitors and staff at QMC 

experienced what it will be like 

when we become the first hospital 

in England to be served by a tram 

network. 

The very first trams passed through QMC 

campus in March as testing began. 

The new line runs from the city centre and 

through QMC at the south side of the 

hospital, before heading out through the 

University of Nottingham and Beeston to 

a park and ride facility at Bardills Island 

on the A52. The tram is expected to be in 

operation by mid-2015. 

In total, 17.5 km of new lines have been 

constructed. The development has also 

seen the creation of several new landmarks 

for the city including the impressive steel 

bowstring Ningbo Friendship Bridge 

spanning the city’s ring road alongside 

QMC. 

Engineers are now working to complete 

tram stop infrastructure, landscaping and 

other finishing works. 

More information on progress of the 

project is available at: 

www.thetram.net/phase-two 

www.nuh.nhs.uk/getting-here 

Volunteerswanted 

Exciting times ahead for QMC… 

Why not be part of it? 

We’re recruiting a brand new team of 

volunteers to help patients and visitors 

to find their way into the hospital 

when they arrive by tram. 

These volunteers will be our version of 

the games-makers that worked so well 

at the London Olympics. 

Volunteers will help with: 

• Meeting and greeting patients and 

visitors 

• Directions and wayfinding 

• Providing information on bus and 

tram times and timetables 

You can work as many or few hours as 

you like – to suit you. 

You can contact Kerry Harper on 

0115 924 9924 x63404 or 

Laura Skaife-Knight on 

0115 924 9924 x70411 

for an informal conversation.


SpotlightOn 

Four new theatres for patients in need 

of orthopaedic surgery are due to 

open at our City Hospital, as part of a 

£12.5m development. 

The new theatres will open in May, 

following completion of a major 

construction project. 

The development, which will include a 

new recovery unit and admissions lounge, 

will enable theatre staff to carry out an 

additional 850 operations per year. 

Mr Peter James, Chair of the Nottingham 

Elective Orthopaedic Services (NEOS) 

Board said: “This is the largest single 

investment in our operating theatres in 

a generation, and will provide modern 

facilities to match the excellent care we 

offer to patients.” 

Orthopaedic surgery is the branch of 

medicine concerned with conditions 

involving the skeleton and surrounding 

soft tissues. Some of the most common 

operations we perform include hip and 

knee replacements as well as shoulder, 

foot and ankle surgery. 

State-of-the-art facilities in the new 

theatres will enhance patient safety and 

surgical training while the building design 

and modern working conditions are 

expected to help improve efficiency and 

productivity. 

“This development is great news for 

patients across the East Midlands”, said 

Mr James. 

“Our world-class consultants and 

exceptional in-house support team have 

established our reputation as a leading 

teaching hospital for orthopaedic services. 

“Being able to carry out an additional 

850 operations per year will mean 

more patients who want the very best 

treatment and care can choose NUH.” 

Landmark 

investment in 

orthopaedic 

surgery 

Main Image: New theatres 

Bottom Left: Construction underway on the new development 

Bottom right: Mr Peter James 

New leaf, your FREE local service 

for smokers who want to stop 

Expert, friendly advice 

and support 

FREE* direct supply 

of stop smoking aids 

Over 50 local sessions 

including evenings 

and weekends 


* Subject to conditions 

facebook.com/nottinghamhospitals 

To find out how New Leaf 

can help you to start your 

smoke free journey 

CALL 0800 561 21 21 or 

CALL FREE 0800 561 2121 

Text NEW TO 80800 

TEXT FREE THE WORD “ NE W” TO 80800 

www.facebook.com/newleafstop 

@newleafstop

5 

FeatureStory 

I saw people 

using oxygen 

tanks just to 

breathe. That 

was the last 

time I smoked. 

A former long-distance runner 

who was shocked by his 

experience of staying on our 

Respiratory Unit is the latest 

member of the public to back our 

smoke-free hospitals campaign. 

Jim Taylor, 60, of Nottingham, was a 

keen runner and took part in many races 

before he retired as a coal miner. 

But years of smoking and alcohol abuse 

damaged his health and he struggled 

with various problems before he was 

admitted to the Respiratory Unit, at City 

Hospital, with pneumonia last year. 

He was so affected by sharing a ward 

with people breathing via respirators that 

he asked for help from our local stop 

smoking service, New Leaf. 

“I’ve been in and out of hospital with 

leukaemia, alcoholism and deep vein 

thrombosis for a few years but two 

occasions have changed my life. 

“The first was when my brother visited 

me when I was in detox. I made a 

commitment to stop drinking after a big 

argument about the way I was behaving. 

“And then last year I saw people using 

oxygen tanks just to breathe. That was 

the last time I smoked.” 

Jim used nicotine replacement therapy 

patches to help give up cigarettes but 

he says his determination to beat his 

addictions came from his experience as an 

amateur runner. 

“When I used to run I never stopped until 

the end. Even when there was traffic in 

my way I would run up the road until it 

was clear rather than stand and wait. And 

I always finished every run with a sprint – 

just to prove I could push myself further. 

“I wanted to quit smoking for a long 

time. Every time I bought cigarettes I 

felt ashamed. I couldn’t believe shop 

assistants would smile as they took my 

money – when I was buying death!” 

“I beat alcohol by treating the withdrawal 

seizures like a race. Enduring the pain was 

a challenge. 

“It was the same with smoking. After 

my stay on the respiratory ward I just 

needed to think of those patients with 

oxygen tanks to spur me on. Why should 

I damage my own health and expect the 

same treatment when they don’t have 

any choice? 

“The doctors have told me I’m finished 

with running because of my DVT but in 

my own way I’m still winning races.” 

Our local stop smoking service, New Leaf, 

can provide support to help you to give 

up smoking. To make the first step call 

0800 561 2121.



Facing the 

future 

Continued from page 1 

When a strange mark the size of 

a blackhead appeared on Keith 

Lonsdale's face, he could never have 

predicted the life-changing impact it 

would have. 

It turned out to be cancer, which had 

spread through Keith’s nose, mouth and 

cheek and required extensive surgery to 

remove it. 

His wife Marjorie said: “I didn’t expect 

them to remove so much with the 

operation. I told Keith afterwards he 

was still the same man but he lost his 

confidence and didn’t like going out.” 

Following the surgery, NUH’s 

reconstructive scientists worked with 

Keith to produce a prosthetic mask to 

replace the areas of his face that had been 

removed, with the aim of helping him to 

look like he did before the operation. But 

each new mask still didn’t look quite right 

– particularly the nose. 

“The first versions of the mask didn’t look 

like him. It took lots of adjustments before 

they got it right. I was worried that I was 

being too picky but they always listened to 

my opinions,” Marjorie said. 

The breakthrough came when Keith’s son 

Scott, who shares some of his father’s 

features, agreed to act as a model. 

Consultant Healthcare Scientist Jason 

Watson, who led the team that developed 

Keith’s facial prosthesis, said: “The process 

of rebuilding Keith’s face was unique in 

many ways. This was certainly the first 

time we’ve created a prosthesis based on a 

family resemblance. 

“We used a new 3D camera to create 

images of both Keith and his son so 

we could literally fill in the gaps on a 

computer. We then formed the shape with 

a 3D printer, duplicated this shape in wax 

and refined it to reproduce the skin texture 

in fine detail. 

“The final stage involved using a 5,000 

year-old technique to create a mould 

to reproduce the prosthesis in a life-like 

silicone material. 

“Now that we have perfected the mould 

we can create as many versions as he 

needs and can even change the skin tones 

when he goes on holiday.” 

The process of rebuilding 

Keith’s face was unique in 

many ways. This was certainly 

the first time we’ve 

created a prosthesis based 

on a family resemblance. 

SkinColouring 

Jessica Jones, Reconstructive 

Scientist, adapts the wax sculpted 

prosthesis shape to fit the patient. 

The final prosthesis showing 

all the detail to match the 

patient's skin. 



7 


The times they are a changin' 

It's now easier than ever for families 

and carers to visit patients on our 

wards for the elderly. 

A pilot scheme to introduce flexible visiting 

times was launched in November and 

has proved so popular it has been made 

permanent. 

The scheme aims to reduce stress for 

patients and visitors, and alleviate 

boredom for patients on the wards. The 

idea came in response to feedback from 

carers, who felt they needed longer and 

more convenient visiting times. 

The new visiting hours are 11am to 8pm, 

instead of the original 2.30pm to 8.30pm. 

There is also scope for out-of-hours visits 

to fit around individual needs. 

John Gray, Matron for Healthcare of Older 

People, said: “We know, particularly with 

vulnerable individuals, it may be helpful for 

someone to visit in addition to the normal 

visiting times. With this in mind we were 

looking to see if flexible visiting hours on 

certain wards helped to ease the stress of 

certain hospital stays.” 

The results have been positive – with 

carers and families visiting the wards more 

frequently they are often on-hand to help 

at meal times, feeding their loved ones and 

freeing up nurses to tend to other patients. 

The move has also created a more relaxed 

environment now visitors aren’t all arriving 

at the same time. 

Linda Stephenson, visiting her mum Iris 

Smedley (both pictured above), said: “It’s 

convenient being able to spread the visits 

out. My niece can come in the morning 

after dropping the kids off at school. There 

is always someone there because we don’t 

have to always come at once. The times fit 

around your life.” 

Nurses reduce patient falls on wards 

The number of patients suffering falls 

in Nottingham hospitals has reduced 

by more than a third, thanks to a new 

approach to nursing. 

NUH has employed a new team of 

auxiliary nurses to provide round-the clock 

supervision of patients who are at highest 

risk of falling. 

These patients are now treated in dedicated 

bays across many inpatient wards. This 

allows nurses to intervene rapidly and 

manage risks in a single area. 

Overall, the number of falls has reduced 

by 39% since 2011/12, exceeding targets 

year-on-year. 

The number of patients being hurt as a 

result of falls has also decreased – with 

40% less harmful incidents this year than 

2011/12. 

Dr Rob Morris, Consultant Geriatrician 

at NUH, said: “There are so many risk 

factors for nursing staff to consider such 

as footwear, vision, toileting and delirium. 

Trying to do this in wards with very different 

patients was difficult. 

“It was a real breakthrough when we found 

a way to provide constant observation for 

patients who are most at risk.” 

For more information, read our patient 

safety leaflet at www.nuh.nhs.uk 

Sue Ryder Care Centre for the Study of Supportive, 

Palliative and End of Life Care 

Annual Public Lecture 

Wednesday 6 May 2015 

6.15-7.15pm 

A30 Lecture Theatre, Lakeside Arts Centre 

‘Palliative and end of life care: an essential component of the global 

health agenda’ 

Dr Richard Harding, Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College 

London 

We will start with light refreshments at 5.30pm, lecture will 

commence at 6.15pm and will last approximately one hour. 

All are welcome, but if you are planning to attend, please email 

ann.gibbons@nottingham.ac.uk 

www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/srcc

8 

February 2015 

SpotlightOn 

New wards 

for Children's Hospital 



9 

After a multi-million pound 

makeover, Nottingham 

Children’s Hospital’s cancer 

and neurosciences wards 

have welcomed back their 

first patients. 

Wards E39 and E40 were closed 

throughout the winter months while 

work took place to create a brand new 

environment, complete with bright wall 

art, a high-tech air filtration system, newlook 

playrooms and a dedicated lounge 

area for teenage patients. 

The work has been funded by NUH, the 

Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and a £1.1m 

donation from our Nottingham Hospitals 

Charity. 

Kelly Busby and partner Luke Thackray of 

Mansfield, were on E40 with their eightweek-old 

son Sidney. She said: “We’ve 

been in hospital more or less since Sidney 

was born, and been in this ward for three 

weeks. The surroundings are lovely. It’s 

so bright and colourful and it feels a bit 

calmer.” 

Also on E40 were Nicki Clark and Jamie 

Knox whose son Kai has been in hospital 

for several weeks. His sister Niamh was 

enjoying the revamped playroom. Mr Knox 

said: “We spent time on here before it was 

refurbished and this is a huge difference. It 

is much better.” 

As a parent you never 

want to be in hospital 

with your children, but 

I’m very impressed. It 

makes it so much easier 

to have a dedicated 

space for teenagers to 

just relax and try carry 

on as normally 

as possible. 

a doughnut making session last week was 

15-year-old Heather Higgs. She said: “It’s 

good in here – much better than I thought 

it would be. It doesn’t feel too much like a 

hospital.” 

Her mum Rebecca said: “As a parent you 

never want to be in hospital with your 

children, but I’m very impressed. It makes it 

so much easier to have a dedicated space 

for teenagers to just relax and try carry on 

as normally as possible.” 

Stephanie Smith, Head of Service for the 

Nottingham Children’s Hospital, said: “It’s 

been great to see the new wards in action 

and the difference they have made to our 

patients and their families. We’re really 

proud of them and hope that they will 

help us to continue to offer the very best 

service to our young patients.” 

Contributed... 

£1.1m 

Towards improving facilities for 

our young patients 

This new ward looks 

amazing and the care 

we have received has 

been brilliant. You 

couldn’t ask for better. 

AboutNCH 

Nottingham Children’s Hospital is based 

at the QMC and provides care for children 

and young people from across the East 

Midlands and beyond. Every year its staff 

care for around 40,000 children with a 

wide range of conditions from cancer and 

renal problems to broken bones and cleft 

lips. 

Nottingham Hospitals Charity is 

continually fundraising for the Children’s 

Hospital to help improve the experience of 

our patients. If you would like to organise 

an event to help raise funds see 

www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk 

for more information or call 

0115 962 7905. 

Ward E39 is used by patients with cancer, 

including three-year-old Alana Mills, of 

Grantham, who has Acute Lymphoblastic 

Leukaemia. 

Her mum Victoria said: “She was 

diagnosed the week before Christmas so 

we have spent quite a lot of time here 

since then. This new ward looks amazing 

and the care we have received has been 

brilliant. You couldn’t ask for better.” 

Within ward E39 is a brand new five-bed 

unit for 13 to 18-year-olds, funded by 

the TCT. It features a social zone with TV, 

games consoles, jukebox, comfy furniture 

and dining area. There’s also a quiet room 

and complementary therapy room. 

Regular activities take place in the social 

zone, including cookery sessions. Enjoying 

TCT lounge 

E40 playroom


FeatureStory 

Facts 

Preparations are underway for this 

year’s International Nurses' Day and 

International Day of the Midwife. 

As in previous years, cakes will be 

delivered to all midwives working 

on 5 May and all nurses on 12 

May to recognise their efforts 

throughout the year. 

We will also be working closely 

with local colleges to encourage 

young people to consider nursing 

or midwifery as a career. 

The Nottingham Nurses League 

are also hosting a tea party on 

Saturday May 16 to celebrate. 

Our annual Nurse and Midwife of 

the Year competition has got off to a 

great start with scores of nominations 

flooding in. 

The contest, which is supported by 

Nottingham Express Transit (NET) and the 

Nottingham Post, aims to reward and 

recognise the work of our dedicated nurses 

and midwives, and give their patients and 

colleagues a chance to say 'thank you'. 

There are categories for Adult Nurse, 

Children’s Nurse and Midwife. The overall 

winner will have their name on one of 

Nottingham’s new trams for 12 months. 

Nominations were open throughout March 

and the nominees will be shortlisted by a 

judging panel, which includes local MPs and 

senior staff from the hospital, NET and the 

Nottingham Post. The finalists’ details will 

be published in the Nottingham Post, with 

voting running throughout April. 

The first nurse to be nominated this year 

was Angie Jones (pictured, above) an 

epilepsy nurse specialist based at QMC. 

She was nominated by one of her patients 

Patricia Jamison, and her husband, who 

praised her for her “compassion and 

understanding.” Patricia said: “She spent a 

great deal of her valuable time listening and 

dealing with our concerns. It made us feel 

like special patients, but we know this is a 

normal thing for Angie as we have seen her 

numerous times over the years. Her time, 

effort and compassion meant so much to 

both of us.” 

Angie Jones who has been working at NUH 

for over five years was delighted to find out 

she had received the first nomination. 

“It’s come completely out of the blue. It’s 

wonderful to be nominated and really nice 

to know that someone’s taken the time to 

show their appreciation.” 

This year’s award ceremony will take place 

at the Council House in Nottingham’s Old 

Market Square on 21 May. 

Last year’s overall winner Julie Poulter, an 

orthopaedic nurse specialist at QMC, said 

she was overwhelmed to have a tram 

named after her. She said: “I was elated 

but, after everything sank in, it was great to 

realise that everyone did appreciate me and 

that I was recognised for the work I do.” 

Mandie Sunderland, Chief Nurse at NUH, 

said: “In my first two months at NUH, 

I have already seen so many examples 

of outstanding patient care. My vision is 

that Nottingham will be internationallyrenowned 

for standards of nursing care. 

These awards are one of the ways in 

which we recognise publically nurses and 

midwives from across NUH who stand out 

to our patients, their families and carers for 

delivering the best possible care.”www.nuh. 

nhs.uk 

For the latest details on the 

competition and how to vote: 

www.nuh.nhs.uk 

The league was founded in 1948 

and is a professional network for 

nurses and midwives who trained, 

worked or are currently working in 

Nottinghamshire. 

The tea party will include a 

chance to meet NUH’s new Chief 

Nurse Mandie Sunderland, and 

information on nursing activity 

across Notts – with displays 

from NUH, Sherwood Forest 

Hospitals and Nottingham Citycare 

Partnership. 

There will also be the presentation 

of the first Nottingham Nurses 

League bursary, an award to 

support practice developments 

or educational activity to further 

advance patient care. 

The tea party will be held in 

Sherwood Hall, City Hospital. 

Booking is essential. If you would 

like to attend this event, please 

contact nottinghamnursesleague@ 

gmail.com or phone the Nursing 

Development Team on 

01159 691169 ext. 56629. 



11 


Putting senior nurses 

at the heart of our wards 

A £1m scheme will put NUH’s most senior nurses back 

at the heart of their wards by freeing them from admin 

tasks and helping them spend less time in the office. 

The Trust is employing around 50 Ward 

Administrators who will look after many 

of the administrative tasks currently 

undertaken by Ward Sisters and Charge 

Nurses. This will allow these senior nurses 

to spend more time on the frontline, 

improving standards on the wards and 

ensuring patients are getting the best 

possible care. 

The project will be rolled-out throughout 

2015 but has been piloted with great 

results on a handful of our wards. 

One ward that has already seen drastic 

improvements as a result of the change is 

E12, part of the critical care unit at QMC. 

Tanya Beckerson was employed as their 

Ward Administrator in October 2013, 

freeing up Ward Sisters Donnah Morris and 

Jenny Bakewell to spend more time with 

their patients. 

Donnah said: “Tanya is a great organiser 

and that’s key to this role. She not only 

organises us as ward sisters but the whole 

team. 

Donnah Morris and 

Tanya Beckerson 

I love the role because it’s so 

varied. Every day is different 

and has its own challenges 

which I enjoy immensely. 

Tanya’s help has allowed us to be more 

visible on the unit, and that’s enabled us to 

promote and sustain high standards. Staff 

feel more confident and comfortable to 

approach us as needed. 

Since Tanya’s appointment the unit has 

gone from strength to strength, culminating 

in Donnah and Jenny winning the Specialist 

Support category at last year’s NUHonours 

staff awards. 

Tanya says she can’t recommend the 

job enough. She said: “Before I came 

to NUH I worked as a PA in a graphic 

design company. It was a small, familyrun 

company and I was a bit daunted 

about coming to work in such a large 

organisation, but I felt very supported and 

this helped me settle in really quickly.” 

“I love the role because it’s so varied. Every 

day is different and has its own challenges 

which I enjoy immensely. I get lots of job 

satisfaction managing staff enquires on a 

day-to-day basis.” 

The first group of new Ward Administrators 

are currently undergoing training and will 

be starting on the wards in the next few 

weeks. 

It’s the little extra things 

we do that make the 

biggest difference. 


proud 

to care 

We’re


SpotlightOn 

Factfile 

Major success! 

172 people saved and counting 

April marks the three-year anniversary 

of our Major Trauma Centre (MTC) 

which serves the East Midlands. Since 

it formed we have saved the lives of 

172 people who weren’t expected to 

survive. 

The centre is for patients who have 

multiple injuries that could result in death 

or a serious disability such as severe head 

injuries, gunshot wounds or injuries from 

road accidents. 

One patient who has benefited from the 

expert care and help from the MTC is 

Craig Copley. Craig, 35, from Barnsley, 

was treated after breaking his pelvis in two 

places in a mountain bike accident. 

He said: “I fell off my bike pretty hard 

when I went for a jump. I tried to stand 

up and immediately a terrible pain went 

through me and I knew I was in big trouble. 

I slumped to the ground and I just couldn’t 

move at all – the pain was too much.” 

Craig, an HGV driver, was taken to his local 

hospital before being transferred to the 

MTC for specialist treatment. Staff repaired 

his pelvis using a metal plate and a number 

of screws to hold the bone together. 

He said: “The care I received was fantastic, 

spot on. I couldn’t fault anything about it. 

While I was in the 

ambulance I did at one 

stage think I was 

seeing my last light. 

You knew you were in safe hands. I was 

able to be back at work within 12 weeks, 

which is amazing really.” 

John Adcock, 62, a self-employed joiner 

from Stapleford, was told he might not 

walk again after an 8ft fall onto concrete 

while he was fixing a roof last summer. 

John snapped his pelvis and seriously 

damaged the tendons in his shoulders. 

To treat his injuries he was placed in an 

induced coma for three weeks and at one 

point his family were told he might never be 

able to walk again. 

But following successful surgery, where a 

metal pelvic rod was fitted, and many hours 

of rehabilitation – John is back on his feet 

and walking. 

John said: “The care I received while I was 

in intensive care was fantastic. Everyone 

was both professional and compassionate.” 

Many of the injuries the centre treats are 

sustained in very dramatic circumstances. 

One of those involved policeman Mick 

Fletcher. Mick thought he would be left 

paralysed after he crashed his motorbike 

at 70mph, breaking part of his back and 

pelvis. 

Mick works as support crew on Derbyshire 

Police’s Helicopter. His accident happened 

last July while he was riding to work on the 

A38. His bike collided with a car, propelling 

his body into his own bike’s fuel tank with 

great force. 

Mick, 56, from Derby, said: “While I was in 

the ambulance I did at one stage think I was 

seeing my last light. It was very frightening. 

I was in lot of pain and I thought this is it. 

“But now six months on and thanks to the 

great care I received at QMC. I’m back at 

work and back in the air helping people.” 

Adam Brooks, Director of the East Midlands 

Major Trauma Centre, said: “Our worldclass, 

expert team in Nottingham have 

performed brilliantly over the past three 

years. I'm really pleased that all of the 

different specialities have come together 

to make the major trauma centre such a 

success and achieve what we set out to 

do – save lives, reduce the impact of severe 

injuries to people and help them return to 

a good quality of life." 

Major trauma 

• Trauma is the most common cause of 

death for people under 44 

• There are around 20,000 major 

trauma cases every year in England 

(55 cases a day) 

• Since the introduction of major 

trauma networks across the country 

(2010), around 20% of patients who 

would previously have died from 

their injuries are now surviving 

East Midlands Major Trauma Centre 

• Responded to 1,620 trauma calls in 

2014 (an average of 4 patients a day) 

• Since opening in 2012, the expert 

team has saved the lives of 172 

people who weren’t expected to 

survive. This is 11% above the 

national target 

• The top three causes of major trauma 

for patients brought to QMC are: 

1 Falls from 2m or less in height: 

48% 

2 Road traffic collisions: 28% 

3 Falls from 2m or more in height: 

15% 

• Is among the top 5% highest 

performing MTCs in the country 

across all disciplines and services 

• 99.5% of patients are transferred to 

local trauma units within 48 hours 

Air ambulance patients at the MTC 

• Around 11% of patients arrive at 

QMC by air ambulance 

• Of these 11%: 

–– 

38% have had ‘rural incidents’ 

such as falls from horses, accidents 

with farm machinery or motocross 

accidents 

–– 

19% have had horse riding 

accidents, such as falling from 

a horse, being kicked or being 

involved in a road traffic incident 

whilst riding 

• The MTC treated 171 air ambulance 

patients in 2014 

Landmarks covered by the MTC 

• Donington Park and Mallory Park 

motor racing circuits 

• East Midlands Airport 

• Professional football and rugby clubs 

in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, 

Lincoln, Mansfield and Chesterfield 

• Trent Bridge Cricket Ground 

• Holme Pierrepont National 

Watersports Centre 

• 50m (80km) of Lincolnshire coastline, 

including the popular holiday 

resorts Skegness, Mablethorpe and 

Cleethorpes 

• The Derbyshire Dales and parts of the 

Peak District National Park 

• A 60 mile stretch of the M1 

motorway and 50 miles of the A1 



01_QMC RESUS Banner 7000 x 4450mm v3 2015 FINAL.indd 1 24/03/2015 17:21 

13 

1 

3 

4 

Images 1–3 showing Craig 

and 4–5 Mick's accidents. 

2 

5 

From helipad to hospital in 3 minutes 

Bringing a helipad to QMC will save lives 

PLEASE DONATE TODAY. Text NUHC07 and the amount to 70070 

www.nottinghamhospitalcharity.org.uk


Support+Help 

The Notts Gynaecological 

Oncology Support and Help 

group offers advice and 

assistance to women having 

treatment. 

It was set up with help from 

the NUH Department of 

Gynaecological Oncology and 

now has more than 20 members. 

Members meet every other month 

on the last Tuesday of the month 

at 6.30pm in the Maggie’s Centre 

at City Hospital. 

For more information about the 

group contact 01636 627 932 

I fought 

cancer to 

watch my 

daughter 

grow up 

A Nottinghamshire mum who lives with 

ovarian cancer is urging other women to 

be aware of the signs and symptoms of 

the disease. 

Lesley Wigston, 55, of Arnold, was 

diagnosed with advanced ovarian 

cancer in 2005 but has defied the odds 

to lead a full life and see her daughter 

grow up. 

Now she wants to raise awareness of the 

illness so that other women act on the 

warning signs and catch the disease in its 

early stages. 

“When I started suffering with bloating I 

put it down to IBS and tried lots of ways 

to adjust my diet. Some days I looked like 

I was seven or eight months pregnant but 

I didn’t go to the doctors until I found a 

lump,” she said. 

“I was lucky. I only noticed it randomly 

when I was in the bath. But when I lay 

down I could actually feel the ridge of 

the tumour. It felt strange and hard and I 

couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed it before. I 

felt like I had an alien growing inside me. 

“The cancer might have been there for a 

long time. I’ve suffered with IBS for years 

so I was used to similar symptoms, such as 

abdominal pain and difficulty eating. That’s 

what stopped me going to the GP earlier.” 

When Lesley’s GP examined the lump she 

was referred for a scan, which showed a 

growth on her ovaries and needed surgery 

to remove it. 

She said: “I remember the oncologist 

asked me about my family before telling 

me I had cancer. All I could think about 

was my 11-year old daughter and what 

would happen to her. 

“The tumour was 9cm long when 

they found it. I started a course of 

chemotherapy quickly with the aim of 

reducing the tumours they’d been unable 

to remove during surgery, but they 

returned within seven months and they 

explained I would have to live with cancer 

for the rest of my life.” 

Further doses of chemotherapy and 

radiotherapy have helped to keep the 

condition at bay and Lesley says she feels 

like one of the lucky ones. 

She said: “Only 20% of people with a 

cancer as advanced as mine expect to 

live more than two years after diagnosis. 

I’m just thankful that I’ve been able to 

watch my daughter grow up, graduate 

from university and get her first job. Not 

everyone is so lucky. I hope more women 

give themselves a fighting chance against 

cancer and don’t turn a blind eye to 

symptoms.” 

Every year ovarian cancer affects around 

100 women in Notts. Most cases are 

in women who have gone through the 

menopause, but the disease also affects 

younger women. 

David Nunns, Consultant Gynaecological 

Oncologist at NUH, said: “If women 

experience these symptoms which are 

not normal for them it is important that 

they should see their GP and share their 

concerns. It is unlikely that symptoms 

are caused by a serious problem but it is 

important to be checked out. If you are 

not reassured, mention your concerns 

about ovarian cancer.” 

Lesley is a member of the Nottinghamshire 

Gynaecological Oncology Support 

and Help group (NOTTGOSH) which 

provides support to all women who 

have undergone or are having on-going 

treatment for gynaecological cancer. 

For more information visit 

www.nottgosh.org.uk 

OvarianCancer 

Symptoms include: 

• Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain 

(that’s your tummy and below) 

• Increased abdominal size/persistent 

bloating – not bloating that comes 

and goes 

• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly 

• Urinary symptoms (needing to wee 

more urgently or more often than 

usual) 

Symptoms are: 

• Frequent – they usually happen 

more than 12 times a month 

• Persistent – they don’t go away 

• New – they are not normal for you 

and may have started in the last year 



15 

TechnologyFocus 

Facts 

e-Obs 

roll-out 

Smart phones and tablets are 

essential equipment for doctors and 

nurses now that our wards have 

introduced new electronic systems. 

iPods are issued as standard to nurses 

to share information, while doctors can 

use either an iPhone or PC to check a 

patient’s progress from anywhere in the 

hospital. 

The devices have been used to record 

more than 700,000 patient observations 

and nearly every ward is now using the 

technology. 

Staff Nurse Clare Townsend, who works 

on Toghill Ward at City Hospital, is a 

supporter of the new system, which is 

called ‘E-Obs’. 

She said: “When we first got the phones 

we were all worried that patients would 

think we were texting each other on 

duty, but people generally understand 

we’re using them for nursing and to 

provide better and safer care.” 

Clinicians now have up-to-the-minute 

information about their patients at 

their fingertips, everywhere in the 

hospital. 

NUH is the first hospital in the 

community to combine the 

system with software that helps 

with shift handovers, as well 

as communicating the needs of 

patients. It’s already been found to 

improve the efficiency of frontline 

staff, making patients safer. 

Clinicians now have up-to-the-minute 

information about their patients at their 

fingertips, everywhere in the hospital. 

Thumbs up 

to check-in kiosks 

Early research has found that our 

new check-in kiosks are proving 

overwhelmingly popular with 

patients as well as cutting queues. 

The new kiosks went live in outpatient 

departments across QMC and City 

Hospital in summer last year. 

Andrew Fearn, Director of ICT Services, 

NUH, said the initial roll-out went very 

smoothly, with over 75% of patients 

surveyed recording a positive experience 

of using the kiosks. 

People visiting the hospital for 

appointments can now scan barcodes 

included on their appointment letter to 

check in even faster. 

Other benefits include improved data 

accuracy. Patients using a kiosk are 

invited to enter or update their mobile 

phone records themselves. Nottingham 

has collected 35,000 new phone 

numbers this way since the system was 

deployed. They are also prompted to 

check other details – such as GP name, 

their own address – encouraging changes 

to be flagged with our reception staff. 

Reduced pressure on reception staff 

means they can spend more time with 

patients needing to amend their details 

and keep up with essential tasks such as 

booking follow-up appointments. 

Better 

connected 

• 700,000 electronic observations 

recorded on more than 20,000 

patients 

• 4,500 devices in use by doctors and 

nurses using the system 

• Used on 69 wards covering more 

than 1,500 beds 

• Over 3,000 staff connected at any 

one time 

• 60,000 alerts raised to senior doctors 

when patients need urgent attention


Feedback 

Yourviews 

Some of your feedback from social media, NHS Choices 

and Patient Opinion websites... 

I spent 3 weeks in January in ITU ward 11D and 10 D. under 

the wonderful care of a great consultant. He kept my wife 

informed as to my progress and even rang me when I had 

been discharged to check on my progress. All the nursing 

staff were brilliant and considerate and looked after me 

very well. I owe my life to this team and they are all a 

great credit to the Hospital. Thanks, because of your 

and your team’s skill I can write this report. 

I was so upset, unsettled and frightened but needn't 

have worried. A nurse put me at ease and treated me with 

respect. I was stitched up and sorted quickly 

I would like to say thank you - it meant a lot. 

An appointment was sent promptly which 

we presumed was for the procedure and we 

were happy that she was being seen so 

quickly. However this turns out to be a 

pre-appointment before any procedure takes 

place. It seems to me a waste of time and 

resources when all she needs is 

the procedure to diagnose the 

condition quickly. 

@nottmhospitals idea for #NHSChangeDay: follow through on your 

commitment to non smoking sites! Asked reception to enforce. 

The disgusting cloud of cigarette smoke as I leave the #QMC main 

entrance. Just like being on stars in your eyes. #cancer 


The care and compassion shown to my mother and their 

thoroughness in explaining the positive results for cancer, 

the options and choices with their associated demands 

and risks were all exemplary - of the finest order. (Thank 

you!). Mum was offered choices for her elective surgery, the 

soonest two weeks from her results appointment, just four 

weeks from seeing her GP. We cannot describe how such a 

rapid and professional response to Mum's plight helped her 

and her entire (extensive) family face the anguish. 

The nurse in ambulatory care who checked us in, the 

anaesthetist, the consultant, the staff in theatre, the 

nurse in recovery and all the nurses on D34. They all 

engaged with my daughter at exactly the right level, 

talking to her, having a laugh but making sure she 

understood everything and never making us feel that we 

were making a fuss or that they didn't have time for us. 

@nottmhospitals it's nice to walk out of the main entrance of 

#qmc to few smokers 2day but the diesel fumes from ambulances 

is choking 

GetIntouch 

Your feedback on our services is so important to us. If you’ve had a 

great experience or feel there is something we could be doing better 

there are a number of ways you can let us know. 

• NHS Choices 

www.nhs.uk 

• Patient Opinion 

www.patientopinion.org.uk 

• Tweet us 

@nottmhospitals | @nottmchildrens 

• Facebook 

www.facebook.com/nottinghamhospitals 



17 

CharityNews 

Anyone for tennis? 

Nottingham Hospitals Charity is 

delighted to have been chosen as 

the official charity partner for the 

Aegon Open Nottingham, a new 

professional tennis event taking 

place this June. The tournament 

will be an official WTA warm-up 

event for Wimbledon and will see 

the world’s top tennis stars flocking 

to Nottingham. 

You can be part of it and help raise money 

for a good cause at the same time by 

purchasing tickets for the Nottingham 

Hospitals Charity Day on Tuesday 9 June, 

during the Women’s Tournament. The day 

is being held in support of the Saving Lives 

Helipad Appeal, which is raising money 

for an onsite helipad at the QMC, through 

the sale of centre court tickets (£8) and 

corporate hospitality packages (£99 per 

person), both available from the charity. 

There are four first round matches 

scheduled for 9 June – and with British 

Number One Heather Watson and star 

player Laura Robson both confirmed for 

the event, you’ll see some great tennis as 

well as raising funds for a fantastic cause. 

UPCOMING 

EVENTS 

Please get in touch for information and 

tickets. 

Check our website 

for further updates 

Local schools 

could win air 

ambulance visit 

The Charity has launched a 

fundraising competition for 

primary and secondary schools in 

Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, 

with a visit from an air ambulance 

as the prize for the top three 

schools. 

The project aims to involve local 

schoolchildren with the Helipad 

Appeal. The new helipad will speed 

up transfer times for air ambulance 

patients – helping save time and save 

more lives. 

“We’re looking for 20 schools to 

sign up and help raise funds for 

the appeal,” says Daniel Craggs, 

Senior Community Fundraiser at the 

Charity. “We’re making it fun and 

educational, with assembly talks 

to explain what the Major Trauma 

Centre does, and offering lots of 

fundraising tips and ideas.” 

If you know of a school that would 

like to take part, please get in touch. 

Get moving for charity! 

Get moving and raise money for the Saving 

Lives Helipad Appeal this summer by 

taking part in one of our outdoor events 

this summer. From a gentle jog to a daring 

parachute jump, there’s something for 

everyone. 

A run for money 

The Longhorn 10k, half and full marathon 

– Sunday 19 April. FREE and discounted 

places still available 

Taking you higher 

Tandem Skydive – dates COMING SOON 

Rope descent, Lincoln Cathedral – Saturday 

8 August 

Some other events we are 

planning for 2015 are: 

A walk on the wild side 

Icelandic Trek – dates COMING SOON 

China Trek – dates COMING SOON 

On your bike! 

London to Paris cycle ride and London to 

Brighton cycle ride – dates COMING SOON 

Full information about all our appeals is available on our website. 

Stay up-to-date with the charity and latest news on Facebook and 

Twitter (@NUHCharity).


Facts 

Wards take 

the lead on 

protecting 

patients 

PerformanceUpdates 

Waiting times 

We are still not meeting the 95% 

four hour national standard for our 

emergency patients. However, we 

have seen some improvement in 

March with more days consistently 

over 90%. We are pushing hard 

every day to get closer to 95%. 

We have changed how we oversee 

performance internally and are 

working as a health and social care 

community to break our cycle of 

performance. 

Mandatory training 

Since launching a new approach to 

mandatory training in April 2014, 

attendance is much-improved. We are 

much closer to our 90% target. 

Cancelled operations 

We’ve exceeded the national standard 

for on-the-day cancelled operations 

for 14 consecutive months. 

Pressure sores 

It is now over 24 months since a 

patient has developed a severe 

pressure sore in our care. 

Staff satisfaction 

For the fourth year running, staff 

voted NUH one of the best trusts 

to work. 

Money 

We’ve achieved £38.1million against 

our savings target of £44.4million (up 

to month 11). 

We publish 'how we're doing' at www.nuh.nhs.uk/about-us 

The number of patients suffering 

pressure ulcers on our wards has 

reduced by more than 50% this year, 

as nurses find new ways of preventing 

them. 

Pressure ulcers, which are sometimes 

called bed sores, are caused when the 

skin and muscle tissue break down 

under pressure. This can often happen in 

hospitals where patients lie in the same 

position for a long time. But our nurses 

have succeeded in preventing the sores 

using new techniques. 

One of the wards that has made 

significant improvements is E16. Staff 

make sure that patients who are most at 

risk are repositioned twice every hour and 

offered milkshakes with extra calories and 

nutrients to encourage healing. 

Karen Ward, Acting Ward Sister, on E16 

said she was very proud of the great 

teamwork which has taken place. 

She said: “The project has given nurses 

confidence to question and challenge to 

improve our service. I’m delighted with the 

progress we have made together.” 

Elsewhere in the hospital nurses use 

photos to record the progress of pressure 

sores and make sure they are responding 

to treatment. These ideas mean it is two 

years since anyone has developed a severe 

pressure ulcer at NUH. 



19 

DiaryPage 

Membersnews 

CHANGES IN THE MEMBERSHIP OFFICE 

From 20 April all membership 

services will be delivered through 

our Communications Team. This 

includes the following: 

• Medicine for Members events 

• Membership registration and 

welcome information 

• Members e-bulletins 

• All membership updates 

• Membership recruitment and 

retention 

• Staff membership 

• Internal departmental 

membership liaison 

• Website for members 

Contact details remain as below. 

UPDATES 

& EVENTS 

See the intranet for more info 

www.nuh.nhs.uk 

Medicine for Members event 

Head & Neck 

Due to the popularity of a similar event 

in 2014, where we have arranged a 

second ‘medicine for members’ event 

in our Head and Neck department 

on Wednesday 20 May, 6-7.30pm at 

QMC. 

The event will cover Eyes, Ears, Nose 

and Throat, the Maxillofacial Services 

and Ropewalk House. 

We will follow a speed dating style 

event where various sub-specialties and 

departments within the directorate will 

showcase their new developments and 

innovations. 

NEXT 

Issue 

NUHONOURS 

AWARDS 2015 

We’re celebrating 

the best of NUH – 

nominations will soon 

open for our annual 

staff awards. Find out 

more in the next issue. 

All matters relating to our forthcoming 

Governors will however remain within 

the Trust Secretariat.This includes: 

• Governor elections 

• Governor toolkit 

• Governor training and inductions 

• General Governor support 

• Support at all Council of Governor 

meetings and any task and finish 

groups 

• Governor information pack 

• Governor development 

• All governor related preparation 

• Website for Governors 

Contact details for this team will 

follow in the next edition. 

Membership Reference Group – 

Update 

Since the last edition of NUH News our 

Membership Reference Group has met 

once again and this time focused on our 

draft Governor toolkit. 

The group worked through the Governor 

toolkit in its entirety in January and were 

able to provide some vital feedback 

regarding the content, style and 

appropriateness of this large document. 

In March, the group will meet to run 

through a mock ‘Governor awareness 

session’ which we will once again be 

running in the future for prospective 

Governors. 

To read the full feedback reports from 

these meetings please go to www.nuh.nhs. 

uk/members 

Book your place now 

using the details here 

TRY TO TRAVEL 

BETTER 

Just weeks before the tram 

arrives at QMC, we’ll be 

encouraging patients, visitors 

and staff to ‘travel better’ to 

reduce congestion and parking 

problems at our hospital. 

OUT JUNE 

Save the Trust valuable 

resources – update your contact 

details and provide us with your 

email address to hear about more 

involvement opportunities 

If you receive this newspaper 

through the post then you may 

have seen that we have recently 

asked you to let us know if your 

details have changed. 

To help save the Membership Team 

and the Trust valuable resources, 

please update your details on a 

regular basis using the information 

on this page. 

Thank you for your continued 

support towards our Foundation 

Trust application. 

Become a member of NUH 

today! 

Would you like to be kept upto-date 

with information and 

developments from across the Trust 

as soon as they happen? 

Would you like to be invited to take 

part in events, focus groups, surveys 

and patient groups from across the 

hospitals? 

Would you like to show your 

support for your local hospitals even 

by simply receiving our bi-monthly 

newsletter? 

If the answer to any of these 

questions is yes then please go to 

www.nuh.nhs.uk/members to find 

out more and register as a member, 

or contact the Membership Office 

using the contact details below. 

To update your details 

or find out more about 

becoming a member, 

please email 

ft@nuh.nhs.uk or call 

01159 691169 ext 76242. 

RESEARCH & INNOVATION 

NUH is leading the way in many areas 

of clinical research and development. 

We look at some of these projects and 

explain how you can take part. 

Second place for Liz 

Liz Charalambous, a staff nurse 

in Health Care for Older People, 

scooped second prize in the Nurse 

of the Year category at the British 

Journal of Nursing Awards 2015. 

Karine shortlisted 

for nursing award 

Karine Latter, a Lead Nurse Specialist, 

has been shortlisted for a Nursing 

Standard Nurse of the Year Award in 

the Child Health category. 

Physio awarded 

fellowship 

Physiotherapist, Gavin Straffon, has 

been awarded a Travelling Fellowship 

for 2015/16 by the Winston Churchill 

Memorial Trust, to carry out research 

into tracheostomy care abroad.

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NUH News April 2015

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