On the pulse february - West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

S T A F F N E W S L E T T E RNHSOn theHemel Hempstead and Watford HospitalsPulseNews and views from St Albans, Mount Vernon,Secretary of State opens newtheatre at St Albans City HospitalI S S U E 1 5 • M A R C H 2 0 0 4John Reid opening the Theatre.Secretary of State, John Reidrecently visited St Albans CityHospital to officially open thenew modular theatre.The new theatre is located next tothe day surgery unit and will be usedas a dedicated day surgery theatre.One of the hospital’s existing theatreshas been upgraded with a LaminarAir Flow system to accommodate theadditional orthopaedic surgery. Theproject has also involved theexpansion of the department’srecovery area and a re-design of theavailable office space.Mr Reid cut a ribbon with staff fromthe theatre and ensured that everymember of staff or patient he sawreceived his full attention.Rugby world cup comes to Watford GeneralStaff and patients were delighted when representatives from Saracens RugbyClub brought the Rugby World Cup, accompanied by two minders, wearing whitecotton gloves, to Saracens and Hornets Ward.The cup took prideof place in thesouvenier picturestaken by the staffand patients andalthough nobodywas allowed totouch the precioustrophy – that’s theexclusive privilegeof England rugbysquad players only– everybody wasable to pose withthe cup.1Patients and staff with the cup

On the PulseNHSFundraisingSandy Lodge raises £9,500for local charitiesThis year’s charity day at Sandy Lodge Golf Club raised £9,500for local charities. The charities to benefit, in equal shares, areMENCAP (the Hillside Home) and the Mount Vernon CancerCentre, both of which sent representatives to the eveningpresentation to outline their valuable work. The money raised forthe Cancer Centre will be used for the upgrading of thereception area.Well done elderly careat WatfordThe Elderly Care Department at Watford General Hospitalorganized a very successful luxury raffle and raised a total of£3,165 for Sarratt, Croxley and Letchmore wards.Laureen Jones, Secretary to Dr Mir, Consultant Physicianobtained, free of charge, 25 luxury prizes to the value of£1600 as raffle prizes.With the help of friends and colleagues, tickets were soldthroughout September during lunch breaks at the hospitaland at ASDA and the Harlequin Shopping Centre duringevery weekend.The department would like to thank everyone who donatedprizes and took part in the event and congratulate all theraffle prizewinners.The money raised will help towards the purchase of bloodpressure machines and bedside cabinets.Mark Jarvis Divisional Manager Specialist Services receiving the chequefrom Sandy Lodge Club2Cuppa cheerMP Tony McWalter strikes this flamenco pose in celebration ofthe fundraising efforts of volunteers at the tea bar in HemelHempstead Hospital.Held high is a shopping list of equipment for the hospital with atotal value of more than £3,000. Six chairs will go to ClevesWard and a TV stand and aerial is destined for the dermatologyday unit. The outpatients department will get two wheelchairs,dressing trolleys and a pharmacy fridge. The money was raisedby the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service at the hospital, who runthe tea bar, shop and refreshment trolleys.Tea Bar Project Manager’ Jo Tyldesley, said: “I think it’s thebiggest sum we have given in one lump sum. Hopefully the nextone will be bigger.”Tony McWalter and volunteersDr Alfa Sa’adu, Deputy Medical Director for Clinical Support andstaff with money raised from the raffleHospital volunteers raise moneyfor Hemel Hempstead HospitalThe fundraising efforts of volunteers from the League ofFriends have enabled the purchase of new chairs, tables andother refurbishment, at a cost of over £1,500, for the dayroom in Boleyn Ward at Hemel Hempstead hospital.Stuart Bremner, League of Friends’ Chairman, said: “Thisproject is a good example of the aims of our charity. It wasmade possible because Hospital Facilities Manager PaulMosley raised over £800 from London Marathon sponsorshipand we were able to provide the balance from ourfundraising. It will hopefully be first of a series of similarprojects.”The League of Friends was established at the hospital in 1966and is a registered charity which aims to provide smaller itemsof patient comfort for those in local hospital. It is nonpoliticaland all volunteers are unpaid.If anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer, pleasetelephone Stuart Bremner on 01442 249466.

On the PulseArctic conditions brings out the bestIt was all hands on deck when winterfinally decided to hit West Herts atthe end of January.Blizzard conditions swept in from thefreezing north, blocking off roads andquickly turning them into skid pans.Hospital support services were in action inthe Trust’s hospitals with the restaurantsstaying open till 10pm to feed those staffwho had managed to brave theconditions or were marooned and wereforced to spend the night on site.Teams of site staff were out before dawngritting paths and roads and clearingthem to enable emergency vehicles toaccess the hospitals.Hospital Chief Executive, Val Harrison,who was one of those marooned for thenight, said: “I would like to thank all thestaff who held the fort during a verydifficult few hours as we suffered theworse – I hope – of the annual cold snap.“Some nursing and medical staffvolunteered to stay on to cover thosecolleagues who couldn’t get in, andcanteen staff ensured that people werefed and watered, Meanwhile, our Estatesand Facilities team were out early toensure that our roads and car parks werea lot safer than was the norm everywhereelse.“In addition to all this, we were put onMajor Incident Alert! Thankfully, this didnot materialise but did create anadditional pressure which we dealt within a totally professional manner.“Once again, thank you for showing thedetermination to continue to provide carefor our patients in extremely testingcircumstances. You did us proud!”All hands on deckNHSReopeningBeckett WardBeckett Ward at St Albans CityHospital reopened onNovember 3. Twelve beds havebeen opened initially, with aplan to open a further six bedsearly in 2004. This will expandthe Trust’s capacity to offerefficient and effective electivesurgical care and reduce waitingtimes for patients.PICTURE CAPTION COMPETITIONTo win £20 vouchers send in your caption to the picture above.Please send your caption to:Eileen Whitehouse, Communications Department, Hemel Hempstead Hospitalor email eileen on eileen.whitehouse@whht.nhs.ukEntries to be received by 26 March 04.3

On the PulseNHSStaff News4Are you a lone worker?As an employer we recognise that some staff are required towork by themselves for significant periods of time without closeor direct supervision in the community, in isolated places and outof hours.As a result a working party was set up chaired by Liz Harvey, EmployeeRelations Manager to look at the issues of lone working. One of theoutcomes of the group has been the development of a policy on loneworking.The key components of this policy are to identify lone workers, assess the risksassociated with working alone and put in place measures to eliminate orreduce these risks.Linked to this, a one-day training course has been designed to emphasise theimportance of personal safety. It covers issues such as recognising aggression,implementing strategies to reduce the risk of violence, identifyingphysiological changes that occur in conflict situations, learning how tomaintain control and evaluate your options and developing effectivecommunication and negotiation skills when dealing with others.We may be unaware that we are taking risks at work. The following checklistsuggests some of the skills and strategies we can all employ to help improveour own safety and that of others at work.Out and about● Does anyone know where you are?● If your travel plans change, do you tell your supervisor/colleague?● Do you check out people you meet alone?● Have you made sure you can be contacted?● Do you know exactly where you are going and how to get there?● If you are returning after dark, have you considered possible risks(e.g. where you parked the car, the availability of public transport)?● Are you likely to be carrying valuable items, cash or drugs?● Are these items easily stolen or visible or accessible (e.g. laptopcomputer, mobile phone, handbag)?● Do you carry a personal alarm?At your place of work● Are you alone at work at all, especially if working late?● Are there areas where you feel uneasy (e.g. poorly lit entrances orcorridors)?● Is your work area a potential trap (e.g. possible escape routeblocked by a desk, filing cabinet)?● If your work involves contact with the general public, do you knowwhat to do if someone becomes aggressive?● Do you report all incidents including aggressive behaviour on theTrusts Incident Report Form?For more information on lone working you can contact Liz Harvey, EmployeeRelations Manager on HHGH ext 2005.A copy of the policy can be accessed on the intranet underDepartments/Human Resources/HR Policies and Procedures Manual.To book a place on the Personal Safety Awareness Training course pleasecontact the Training Department on Watford 7247/7964ObituaryMr Roger Pearce, FRCS, FCOphth, DO.Roger Pearce, recently retired ConsultantOphthalmologist at Watford General Hospital, andhis wife Linda, were tragically killed in a road trafficaccident in South Africa on December 31 2003,while on holiday to celebrate his 60th birthday. Theyleave three daughters.Medical Director, Howard Borkett Jones, said:“Roger was appointed Consultant in 1981 and wasresponsible for the development of the departmentfrom two Consultants to four and its associationwith Moorfields Eye Hospital. He will be greatlymissed as a friend and colleague by all of us whoworked with and knew him.”Childcare UpdateThe Trust is at present conducting a childcare surveywhich all staff should by now have received withtheir payslips. We would be very grateful if staffwith children could return their forms as soon aspossible, as this will enable us to identify the areasof need.The Trust now organises regular childcareinformation coffee mornings on different sites.These sessions are open to all workers within thelocal health economy to drop in and chat torepresentatives from nurseries, National ChildminderAssociation, Money Advice Unit, Children’sInformation Service and others about variouschildcare-related issues. The next few dates are asfollows:Wed March 24 10am-12pm Postgraduate CentreWatford GeneralHospitalWed April 21 11am-1pm Postgraduate CentreHemel HempsteadGeneral HospitalIf you are interested in attending, please callBarbara Leon-Hunt on 01923 217356 or emailbarbara.leonhunt@whht.nhs.ukBoard meetings – 2004The Trust Board will meet in public on thefollowing dates:Thursday March 4Thursday April 29Thursday July 1Thursday December 2Lecture Theatre,Postgraduate Centre, SACHGurney Lecture Theatre,Postgraduate Centre, HHGHTerrace Meeting Room, WGHLynda Jackson Centre, MVHNB: All meetings will begin at 9.30amThe Trust’s Annual General Meeting will be held onThursday September 16.Send us your newsIf you have any news stories you wish tobe included in On the Pulse please contactEileen Whitehouse on ext 7818 or email:eileen.whitehouse@whht.nhs.uk

On the PulseNew appointmentsDr Faye Barampouti has been appointed as a ConsultantOphthalmologist at Watford General Hospital and joined the Trust inFebruary.Dr Marcellina Coker joined the Trust in January as a ConsultantObstetrician/Gynaecologist. Dr Coker has a special interest in FoetalMedicine.Morag Olsen has been appointed as Assistant Director of Operations.Maria Nicholson has been appointed as Divisional Manager forWomen and Neonatal Services.Sally Tucker has been appointed as Divisional Manager for ClinicalSupport Services.A new addition to the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and theCommunications Team is Mankit Yau. He joins us as Head ofFundraising Development, with the role supporting fundraising acrossall four of our hospitals. Mankit, who has headed up fundraising rolesin both John Radcliffe and Birmingham Children’s Hospitals, said: “Iam very excited about my new role and delighted to be joining agreat team. I look forward to helping my colleagues provide a greatservice to the community in this region.” Mankit will be out andabout meeting as many of you as possible over the coming weeks.Kate Wyatt also joined the Communications Team as Web Editor inDecember 2003.Clinical Directors – Medical DivisionDavid Gaunt, Consultant in A&E at WGH, became Clinical Directorfor Accident & Emergency services at the end of last year. He replacesSam Marchon who had been Clinical Director from the merger of thetwo Trusts. In taking up this position, David relinquished his role asSite Lead for Medicine on the Watford site and has been replaced byDr Sundeept Bhalara, Consultant Rheumatologist. Sam Marchoncontinues to be the senior A&E consultant on the Hemel site and akey member of the Emergency Care team within the Trust.Dr Pat Munday has been reappointed as Clinical Director for SexualHealth services in the Trust.Non-Executive DirectorsRobin Douglas has been reappointed as a non-executive directorfrom December 2003 until November 2007.Jane Wright and Martin Saunders have been appointed asnon-executive directors for the period from December 1 2003 toNovember 30 2007. Since having two children Jane has taken aparticular interest in the provision of maternity services within WestHerts. She has been a user representative on the West HertsMaternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC) for the last two yearsand is a leading member of the St Albans branch of the NationalChildbirth Trust (NCT). Jane spent two years as a local neighbourhoodco-ordinator for the NCT and organised a variety of fundraising andsocial events for the organisation.Martin has lived in Radlett for over 30 years and is well known in thelocal community. He said: “As we get older, the importance of goodhealthcare becomes greater and greater. I have worked for many yearsin capital-intensive service industries and I look forward to thechallenge of helping the board of this group of hospitals. I hope thatmy financial and political experience can be put to good use.”DeparturesSusan Short, Consultant Oncologist at Mount Vernon Hospital leftthe Trust in January 2004.Dr Geoffrey Schott, Consultant Neurologist left the Trust inDecember but will be continuing to work as usual at the NationalHospital, Queen Square.Improving Working LivesStaff BenefitsNHSA new staff benefits package has been launched called“bringme”.Staff can save money on a wide range of goods andservices either on line or over the phone, at work or athome. Current offers include 6% discount on holidaysbooked through Thomas Cook, 20% off spectacles fromDollond and Aitchison, up to 25% off electrical goodsfrom Miller Brothers and 10% off Virgin Experiences.This is just a small selection of what’s available,so it’s reallyworth having a look at what you can save. Go towww.bringme.co.uk and use access code “westherts”.The details of the scheme and a membership card werecirculated to all staff in November, but if for any reasonyou haven’t received this or have any questions about thescheme then please let us know (contact details below).Planning for the future - long service,retirement and pensionsMany staff attended the roadshows, seminars and one toone meetings about NHS Pensions and pension planningin 2003.Suzanne Emerson, Head of Employee Relations said: “Thefeedback about the quality and usefulness of theinformation given has been very positive. The seminarscovered the benefits of the NHS Pension scheme andadvice on how to ensure that your pension meets yourneeds in retirement.“We hope to run a similar programme during 2004. If youmissed out in 2003 and would be interested in attending apensions seminar in 2004 then please let us know.”Did you know that the Trust has a Long Service Recognitionand Retirement Policy? If you have over 10 years servicewhen you retire from the Trust you will be eligible fordepartment store vouchers plus money towards aretirement party for you and your colleagues. The Trustalso offers Flexible Retirement options for staff – “winddown”, “step down” and “retire and return” (subject toavailability).Work life balanceA number of flexible working patterns are in operationacross the Trust to enable staff to balance their time atwork with commitments outside work. Naturally the Trusthas to ensure that an appropriate level of staffing isprovided at all times, but there is often scope for creativesolutions to flexible working requests being found onmany occasions. The Trust has a Work Life Balance Policyand describes the following flexible workingarrangements: part time working, NHS Professionals, jobshare, V-Time (reduced hours on a voluntary basis for atemporary period), term time only working, flexitime,compressed hours, annualised hours and self-rostering.The above policies can be accessed via the Trust’s Intranetunder Departments/Human Resources Policies, or in yourdepartment’s HR Policy Folder.For further information on any of the above please contactany of the Employee Relations team:claire.dawson@whht.nhs.uk;suzanne.emerson@whht.nhs.uk; liz.harvey@whht.nhs.ukor louise.botha@whht.nhs.uk.Staff News5

Christmas Roundup6On the PulseBest festive award – HemelHempstead HospitalEach year the Fred Hayward Shield is awarded by theLeague of Friends to the winners of the Best DressedWard competition. (Fred was Secretary of the League formany years and was always keen on this competition).The standard of entries this year was extremely high and it wasa very close call between eventual winners OutpatientsDepartment and runners-up from the Chest Clinic, St NicholasWard and Lancaster Ward.Outpatients staff being presented with the award by League ofFriends Chairman Stuart Bremner and longest serving committeemember Alice Wear.Santa delivers Hospital cheerSanta, Vera the Fairy and Sandy the Pixie visited AragonWard in Hemel Hempstead Hospital on Christmas Eve tochat to the patients and deliver Christmas presents.Paula Wilkinson, Senior Sister said: “It was really a fantasticgesture which all the patients appreciated. Everyone enjoyedspeaking to Santa and his helpers as well as opening thepresents. I would like to thank the staff from ASDA for theirgenerosity in donating all the presents and organising Santaand his helpers.”Aragon ward is an Orthopaedic/trauma ward.Santa and his helpers handing out Christmas presents to patients onChristmas Eve.Christmas cheer at HemelHempstead HospitalWard staff decorating the Christmas tree.Good cheer brings belatedChristmas gifts to childrenon the Hornets WardNHSPatients and staff from Stuart Ward, Hemel HempsteadHospital, would like to say a really big ‘thank you’ toHomebase in Hemel Hempstead for their donation of a largeChristmas tree, which has been used to decorate the ward’sday room.Jenny Head, Housekeeper said: “The manager of Homebasewas really lovely and didn’t hesitate when I asked if the storecould donate a Christmas tree for our dayroom. The patientsand staff have commented on how festive the tree looks.”Stuart Ward is a medical elderly care ward.Kind hearted children at TLC, Watford’s newest andbrightest day nursery, dug deep at Christmas to helpmake the lives of other children even more enjoyablethroughout the coming year.TLC (Tender Loving Childcare) Ltd is one of the country’smost rapidly expanding bespoke childcare providers withnurseries stretching from the Midlands to North London.Following the successful opening of the Watford Unit, a new48-place unit at St Albans is nearing completion and due toopen in April.Staff at the nursery, which only opened last year,encouraged children to bring in good quality unwanted toys,books and games to give to children on the Hornets Ward atWatford General Hospital. It is hoped that these toys willbring pleasure and happiness to many of the children whofind themselves in hospital over the coming year.The toys are now at the nursery and TLC’s cuddly mascot,Talcum Ted, delivered these to the ward and said hello tochildren and staff on Wednesday February 4.Registrations for TLC’s new unit at St Albans are now beingtaken. For a prospectus or further information regardingany aspect of TLC, please contact Kevin Downham, ProjectManager at kevindownham@tlcchildcare.org

On the PulseBeing cleanhands awareA very successful hand hygiene day was organised toraise awareness of the importance of such a basicpractice as hand hygiene in the prevention and control ofinfection.Company representatives from Lotas (hand towels), Vygon (IVneedles systems), and Deb (hand soap and alcohol rub) helpedduring the day to talk to staff and give out goodies includingballoons and badges. Health care workers visiting the standswere encouraged to undertake a practical exercise using the‘Glow & Tell’ machine.The ‘Glow & Tell’ is a practical hand washing teaching aid,which can be used to assist in the training and education ofhealth care staff on the importance of hand washing. Itprovides a demonstration of the tenacity of bacteria by usingan ultra-violet fluorescent lotion together with a UV light boxthat shows the traces left by less than effective hand washingtechniques.In addition to the stands, the Infection Control Nurses visitedthe wards and departments with another ‘Glow & Tell’ machineencouraging staff on the wards to participate in the practicalexercise.During lunch staff visiting the canteen area were encouraged toprovide finger samples on agar plates. The aim of this exercisewas to determine the cleanest hands, 97 people participated inthe agar finger printing exercise at WGH and 37 at HHGH.Jiovanna Foley, Infection Control Nurse said: “The session wasextrememly successful and we were delighted with the interestand response from staff. Cleaning hands between seeing eachpatient is now known to be key in reducing infections inhospitals. We hope the Glow and Tell device helps to get thatmessage across.”Future dates are being planned to undertake a similar exerciseat SACH and MVH.Born for the boardgroup win awardA group of staff chosen to represent the Trust at thisyear’s Health Service Journal “Born for the Board”challenge, won the Patient & Public Involvementcategory. The challenge took the form of a day-longassessment based on a simulation exercise against threekey performance areas (Partnership Working, Patientand Public Involvement and Communications, andManaging Teams). Well done to Pat Reid, MariaNicholson, Stephen Duncan, Lynn Hill and Jo Gibbs.Trust fundraisingactivities - importantinformationThe Trust now holds Lottery Registrations forWatford, Hemel Hempstead, Hillingdon andSt Albans Borough Councils to enable you toraise those much needed funds for SmallLotteries, Private Lotteries and SocietyLotteries.Small LotteriesThese are lotteries incidental to ‘one-off’events such as a bazaar, sale of work, fete,dinner dance etc. No more than £250 can bespent on buying prizes. No cash prizes can beawarded. Tickets can be sold only on thepremises and during the course ofentertainment.Private LotteriesA private lottery is restricted to the saleof tickets to NHS EMPLOYEES ON THEPREMISES WHERE THE TICKETS ARE ISSUED.There are no limitations on the value of stakesor prizes. No written notice or advertisementof the lottery may be exhibited except on thepremises. The price of every entry must be thesame.Society LotteriesNHSSociety lotteries are promoted on behalf ofthe Charitable Trust with tickets available toall. No prize may exceed £25,000 or 10% ofthe total value of tickets sold. The maximumpermitted price of a ticket is £1 and the pricemust be the same for all tickets (nodiscounting!). Any person working for theNHS MUST get the charity trustees to sponsorthe promotion; if they do not, the moneyraised CANNOT go to charitable funds.(Please contact Charitable Funds on thenumber below for the form of authorisation).All we ask is that for any fundraising to beperformed you contact the Charitable FundsDepartment on x3925 to speak to HowardWilliams or Wayne Godfrey, to verify thatyour fundraising activity is within theboundaries of the Lotteries and AmusementAct of 1976.7

On the PulseNHSLocal school childrenvisit St Albans andMount Vernonminor injuries unitsLocal school children from St Albans andNorthwood visited the Minor Injuries Units atSt Albans City and Mount Vernon Hospitalsto see for themselves how nurses anddoctors work in a hospital environment.The children (aged from four to eight years) spentan hour with the staff, who showed them anumber of different things, including how to taketheir pulse and hear their heart beat. The childrenalso helped to plaster teddy’s arm and watchedhim have his plaster cast removed.The visit was arranged as part of two schoolprojects ‘people who help and care for us’ andFlorence Nightingale.Minor injuries staff with the schoolchildren8

On the PulseNHS•LETTERS •LETTERS •LETTERS •LETTERS •Don Williamson gives his first impressions of …Life on the Patients’ PanelWhen first inveigled into becoming a patients’ representative for the Trust, Ireally had no idea what to expect. To be honest I thought I was going tobe a “PAL”, and indeed at first I think I was, but after a few months, sittingin on one of the hospital’s multitudinous projects, I was told “oh no, you’renot in PALS - you’re a patients’ rep”.Oh well, let’s give it a go. I found that I had become one of a select few –about half a dozen of us – the Patients’ Panel. And my goodness, that’sbeen (and still is) quite an experience. A learning experience. My colleaguesand I have learnt more about the four hospitals of the Trust than you canimagine. At the same time we’re slowly succumbing to acronymia, adreaded disease that affects all levels of the organisation. We’ve learntabout CAPIG, PPI, SACH, HHGH, WGH, PEAT, CHI, FOI, GUM and FM. Ohand CPT; that one I came across by accident, mis-typing PCT in a letter andfinding myself asking about the Capital Planning Team. There are still someI’m needing to get to the bottom of like RWG, HPT and TR, but I supposethey’ll surface for us, given time.We’ve also found out about some of the complexities of site ownership,like Mount Vernon being owned by Hillingdon, and services in parts of theSACH being supplied by other organisations like the Herts Partnership Trust(ah got it, that must be HPT!) or the Watford Three Rivers PCT, orwhatever. The mind boggles.But we get a lot of laughs, and after our heavy re-designing of a fewposters designed for A&E departments, we decided we should make a T-shirt for our victims saying, “I survived the Patients Panel”. But seriouslywe hope we are doing a useful job being what we call “critical friends”.We are all committed to making improvements in the hospitals and wehope our suggestions are acted on. Our raison d’etre in PEAT visits towards is that we bring fresh eyes to the place and can see little things thatmight make some patients unhappy but would be missed by the hardworkingstaff. We’re usually listened to, and mostly find a warm welcome,no matter how busy everyone is.One of our chief aims is to try to rebut the dreadful stories that crop up insome of the local papers, who all seem to be infused with a nationaldisease of knocking the NHS every time something goes a bit wrong, whilefailing to comment on the good things like the hundreds of appreciativeletters treasured by most wards and departments. I don’t think we’re verygood at this yet, but we’ll keep on trying. Meanwhile it is fascinating tolearn about the complexities the Trust faces in coping with the changes inhealth patterns, like the astonishing rise in sexually transmitted diseases,and with Government edicts like the Freedom of Information Act. So if yousee us coming to a ward or department near you, remember we’re just asconfused as you are, but above all we’re on your side.Don WilliamsonPatients’ PanelJesse Ward gives an insight intoservices through the eyes ofpatients…Using servicesA couple of weeks ago I was doing a surveyfor Admissions, and this particular morning Ihad to come to the outpatient clinics about8.30am as I knew they started early there.I spoke to Sister and she said I could use thedesk in the clinic as no one would be using itthat day. So I settled myself in and got mypapers and pens ready for the survey.A very pleasant nurse came up to me andshowed me some folders with appointmentlists in them and said she was really pleasedto see me. I thought this was a very nicething to say, especially as I didn’t know her.The telephone on the desk rang and a lady’svoice asked me to ring her when patients fora certain doctor came. I thought, well I amsitting here so it wouldn’t be any bother todo that for her.Another nurse then came up and gave me afolder and said she would come and checknow and again to see what patients hadarrived.I asked the nurse if she was expecting meand she said NO – but was glad thatsomeone had been asked to come to help. Iexplained that I was actually doing a survey,we laughed together and I agreed that as Iwas sitting there anyway, it was the least Icould do.I had a great morning meeting patients andseeing how the clinics worked and how thestaff there work as a team. In fact I enjoyedit so much I have said I will do another clinicfor them whilst their volunteer is off sick.Just a little note though - I was amazed tosee at the end of the clinics that 23 patientswith booked appointments had failed to turnup. Only one of the 23 had telephoned.Jessie WinyardPatients’ PanelLetters to the editor should be sent to:Eileen Whitehouse, Communications Dept, Block H, Trust Offices, Watford General Hospital,Vicarage Road, Watford, Herts WD18 OHB.9

10On the PulseComparing and Sharingto Improve CaringThe Trust has commenced benchmarking against another of theessential aspects of care from the Department of Health toolkit forhealth care professionals, “The Essence of Care”.What is benchmarking?Benchmarking is a quality improvement tool by which your own practices arecompared against those of other areas. Good practice is identified and shared, andactions are put in place to improve practice where necessary.Benchmarking in the NHS – “The Essence of Care” toolkitAlthough used by teams within the NHS in the past, benchmarking really hit theheadlines following the launch of the national nursing and midwifery strategy in 1999.This strategy drew attention to failing standards in what they called the “fundamentaland essential aspects of care” and cited benchmarking as a proven tool to supporthealthcare professionals in raising the quality of care. The strategy describedbenchmarking as “a process through which best practice is identified and continuousimprovement pursued through comparison and sharing.” (DoH, 1999, page 49).After the launch of this strategy work began on taking forward the aim to havenurses, midwives and members of the multidisciplinary team sharing and comparingbest practice. “The Essence of Care” was launched in February 2001. It is a ‘toolkit’for the care team that focuses on nine aspects of care which are crucial to the qualityof care experienced by patients:● Record Keeping ● Nutrition ● Hygiene● Communication ● Self care ● Privacy and Dignity● Safety ● Continence ● Pressure UlcersJane Ellis, Practice Development Nurse, said: “Each area has been broken down intocomponents of practice (or factors) that support patient focused outcomes. A scoringcontinuum is provided for each factor against which practitioners can score their ownpractice, with E as worst practice and A as best practice. More importantly though,staff have to scrutinize the practice they provide as a team, highlighting good practice(that can then be available for others to learn from) and practice that could beimproved. Teams often find that problems can be identified just by ‘taking time out’to discuss practice with other team members.“Solutions that can be easily implemented and that make a difference to the patient’sexperience can then be found. Some problems are found to be common throughoutthe Trust and a more strategic approach to the action plan is then required.”Taking forward benchmarking at West HertsWork has now begun on the Privacy and Dignity benchmark following on from thegood work achieved through the Nutrition and Record Keeping audits and subsequentaction planning to improve care. A tool to assist teams appraise their practice, sharethe good and plan to improve the not-so-good has been developed and approved bythe Professional Nursing and Midwifery Strategy Group.Jane continued: “A ‘brainstorming’ of some of the issues around meeting patients’privacy and dignity needs was undertaken by the Clinical Leaders on their away daywith the Director of Nursing and Midwifery in September. This will provide a greatfoundation from which to progress work. Often we find that small changes can makebig differences to the patient’s experience. Our aim is to continually improve theservice we provide and nurses and midwives are in an ideal position to lead andcoordinate this work with other members of the care team.”For further information please contact Jane Ellis, Practice Development Nurse,x7985 at WGH.NHSA budget-bustingbrainwave?Do you have aburning idea?A time-savingscheme?The best ideas for improving theway we work are not limited tothe boardroom table. More oftenthan not they come from staffwho are working in differentdepartments and understand howsystems can be improved quicklyand easily.The Trust’s Enterprising Ideas Schemeis designed to allow all staff to havetheir ideas heard and put intopractice. If your idea is believed to be‘Enterprising’ then you will receive a£20 gift voucher and your idea will bepublicised and the committee willencourage departments to put ideasinto action.At the last committee meeting thefollowing two ideas were given anaward:To give staff the option to donatemoney to a hospital fund rather thansending Christmas cards to Trustcolleagues. An intranet page will beset up for staff to post seasonalmessages to colleagues with links tospecified funds to donate to.To include the Trust website addresson pre-printed appointment cards,headed paper and all Trust templates.This will benefit patients by directingthem to the considerable amount ofuseful information available on thewebsite, i.e. directions, visitingtimes, etc.ON THE PULSEThe next issue of On the Pulsewill be published in April. Copyfor the next issue, marked ONTHE PULSE, should be sent to theCommunications Department,alternatively emaileileen.whitehouse@whht.nhs.uk.Copy deadline: April 2 2004.

Welcome to the new styleGPMarch 2004GPnewsNHSContents List:Secretary of State opensnew theatre at St Albans City Hospital - front pageRe-opening Beckett Ward, St Albans - page 3Obituary - Mr Roger Pearce, FRCS,FCophth.DO - page 4New Appointments - page 5Being Clean Hands aware - Page 7The Essence of Care - page 10LEG ULCER CLINICThe leg ulcer clinic at Watford General has justcelebrated its second anniversary. The clinic is runjointly by the Dermatology (Dr Tatnall) and Vascular(Mr Awad) Departments. It runs once a month,when six to eight new patients are seen. The clinichas the support of an experienced nurse (ChristineCharnley) and the Vascular Laboratory (JohnFarrah), making it a ‘one stop shop’ for clinicalassessment, diagnosis and further management.For further information please contact Mr Sarin,department of Surgery, WGH x 7691.LOCAL ANAESTHETIC FORCAROTID ENDARTERCETOMYIn an effort to maintain and improve on the currentlow peri-operative stroke rate following carotidendarterectomy, the operation is now beingundertaken under local anaesthetic. Any intraoperativecerebral event is recognised immediatelyand potentially reversed. Post-operative level 3 (i.e.ITU) care is no longer mandatory and length of inpatientstay is shortened.Early detection of suitable patients remainsproblematic. All patients with a suspected TIA oramaurosis fugax should be started on plateletinhibition therapy and an urgent opinion from aninterested physician or vascular surgeon should besought.Further information from Mr Sarin, Department ofSurgery, WGH. (ext 7691)COMPRESSION STOCKINGPROVISIONIf your patients have been discharged from the OutpatientWound Care Service at Watford General Hospital it will benecessary for you to facilitate their ongoing provision ofstockings.In the cases of repeat prescriptions, could you please referpatients directly to the Orthotics Service at Watford GeneralHospital, for the attention of the Appliance Officer.It is important to note that it is not necessary for patients tobe referred to a consultant again unless their conditiondeteriorates or a consultant opinion is required.With thanks for your assistance.PATIENT INFORMATION SESSIONSThe Trust has held a number of Patient InformationSessions for patients due to undergo elective total hip andtotal knee replacement surgery, at the Postgraduate Centreat St Albans City Hospital. These sessions are to helpprepare the patients for their forthcoming surgery andrecovery.These two-hour sessions cover a number of topicsincluding what to expect during the patient’s pathway toadmission, the surgery, and care on the ward through todischarge.The pre-operative assessment is a package of preparationprior to admission, including our pharmacist who needs tosee medication and-over-the counter purchases.Occupational therapy assessment forms are completed andacted upon prior to admission, thereby reducing thepotential wait for supporting aids on discharge. The wardstaffs discuss what to expect on the ward during admission,and physiotherapists explain the programme of preoperativepreparation, as well as post-operative exercisesthat will continue long after discharge. Our consultant staffshave provided anatomical models to help demonstrate theknee and hip operations.Each of our sessions has been well attended, with verypositive feedback from the patients and relatives attending,and we look forward to our forthcoming sessions.For further information please contact Jane Jackson on01727 897140 or pager 07659 141564.continued overleaf...

NHSGPnewscontinuedCANCERi PROVIDES CANCERINFORMATION AND SUPPORT SERVICESTO THE COMMUNITIES OF WEST HERTSWorking closely with the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre,CANCERi provides a service from diagnosis onwards, throughtreatment and beyond, to patients, family, carers and friends.CANCERi hopes to work more closely with Primary Care Teams,with GPs and practice nurses signposting directly to CANCERi forup-to-date, timely and appropriate information and support.We are only too aware of the important role information andsupport has to play in the cancer journey, with the NICE guidelinesdue in the spring, the Mount Vernon Cancer Network InformationStrategy and individual PCT strategy.For further information or to make an appointment call CANCERion 01727-897490CANCERi now provides information and support in the OutpatientsDepartment at Watford General.Having successfully provided information and support in HemelHempstead General and St Albans City Hospitals for over threeyears, and seen by the health care professionals there as anintegral part of the Oncology team, CANCERi resources are nowavailable in the Outpatients Department at Watford General onFridays from 9am until 1pm.Anyone affected by or concerned about cancer, including patients,family, friends, carers and health care professionals is able toaccess information and support relating to: cancer, treatments, sideeffects and the practicalities of living with a diagnosis. CANCERican provide information and support at any stage of a cancerjourney. Literature highlighting cancer awareness and healthpromotion is also available.Do drop by to meet the team so that we can introduce the serviceand resources to you.CANCERi Watford 01923-335360FAMILYCOUNSELLINGSERVICEA Family Counselling Service isnow available at Relate Watfordand Three Rivers and is for:●●●●FamiliesParents and SiblingsBlended FamiliesExtended FamiliesFamily Counselling can helpresolve communication problemsthat occur within families.For instance, if someone:●●●●●●has different parenting ideasand practices to their partnerstruggles to communicate withtheir parentsfinds an experience of abusein childhood affects familyrelationships nowis experiencing difficultieswith discipline andexpectations in a new familyhas unresolved issues with anadult siblingstruggles with a sister orbrother relationshipLeaflets are available, and if youwould like to arrange a talk aboutthe service then please contactRelate on 01923 241803 or email:centre@relatewatford.freeserve.co.uk.St Albans 01727-897490Berkhamsted 01442-871026GP news ● The next issue of GP NEWS will be published in April. Copy for the next issue,marked, GP NEWS should be sent to the Communications Department, alternatively emaileileen.whitehouse@whht.nhs.uk.Copy deadline: 2 April 2004.