Vital Signs Winter 2011 - Cardiff & Vale University Health Board

VitalSignsWINTER 2011 Cardiff and Vale University Health Board4 4

Brighten thegrey days withVital SignsAs winter descends, we bring youthe latest edition of Vital Signs.There’s a lot going on in the UHB atthe moment, as we celebrate 40years of UHW, we also gear up foranother busy winter in our hospitals,GP clinics and visiting patients out inthe community.Have you had your flu jab yet? You can read NurseLouise Williams’ story on page 6. Louise didn’t get roundto having her jab last year, and became seriously ill withflu. She talks to us about why it’s vital to get immunised.You can turn up and talk to the Occupational Healthnurses at any vaccination clinic and they will listen to you,and answer your questions about the flu jab.We also visit West Quay GP surgery in Barry, and find outhow Ear Nose and Throat patients are getting seenquicker in the community, and spend five minutes withPsychiatric Intensive Care Unit Ward Manager Mark Bates.L-R: First Minister Carwyn Jones, Dr Julia Sanders, Consultant Midwife, Health and Social Services Minister Lesley GriffithsFirst Minister honours Cardiff and Vale staff2Big MoneyDebateMany of your colleagues across the organisation workwithout email, so please make sure as many people aspossible get to see Vital Signs, by putting it on a noticeboard, or printing a copy and sharing it around in staffrooms.Have a merry Christmas,MarieEditor, Vital SignsiContact me here:marie.concannon@wales.nhs.ukUHW (1872) 2406, externally on029 2074 2406An estimated 1000 staff members came along to the recentBig Money Debate meetings, to discuss how to addressour financial challenges with members of the UHBExecutive team. Many more sent their suggestions in viaemail. You may have seen the Turnaround toTransformation e-bulletins, which explain how we arelooking at the suggestions and using them to kickstart moreefficient ways of working and saving money across the UHBSo far, more than 90 Fiver a Day ideas have beenassessed, and 62 are being taken forward. These includeenergy reduction, including switching off the UHWfountain, stopping hospitality and cancelling departmentaljournal subscriptions. If you have suggestions, or evenbetter, can tell the T2T team what you are doing to savemoney, get in touch: Fiveraday@wales.nhs.ukHigh-achieving staff members were honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony inCardiff recently. The Recognising Achievement for Service to Wales Awardsrecognised people who have:• demonstrated innovation in joint integrated healthand social care that is delivering lasting results• brought distinction to Wales locally, nationally orinternationally• given exceptional serviceFirst Minister Carwyn Jones said:“There is an increasing pride in being Welsh and a desirefor Wales to recognise and celebrate the good things thathappen here. The individuals who I have presentedthese awards to make me proud of Wales and therecognition they receive is richly deserved.”UHB staff past and present who were honoured:Nicola Evans, for supporting joint working to improvethe health and wellbeing of vulnerable groupsJohn Fitzpatrick, who established the rapid responseservice within the South Wales wheelchair serviceAngela Gorman, who founded the charity Hope forGrace Kodindo, which makes safe for mothers in sub-Saharan AfricaProfessor Judith Hall, Professor in the Department ofAnaesthetics, Intensive Care and Pain Management in theSchool of Medicine at Cardiff UniversityProfessor Keith Harding, the first Director ofCardiff’s wound healing research unitDr Huw Jenkins, National Director of HealthcareServices for Children for WalesJudyth Jenkins, who led the development and pilotingof the All Wales Food Record ChartConsultant Midwife Karen Jewell, who developed afast track clinic for newly arrived asylum seekers in CardiffDr Julia Sanders, Consultant Midwife, pivotal indeveloping women’s services within Cardiff and ValeDr Kay Saunders MBE GP in Butetown, providinghigh quality care to many vulnerable patientsMeena Upadhyaya, Professor of medical genetics atCardiff University, gaining international recognition inseveral areas of researchDame Deirdre Hine DBE, for a varied career in bothacademic and NHS practiceAndrew Lewis, Director of Innovation andImprovement said: “Staff from Cardiff and Vale UHB beatoff stiff competition from colleagues across Wales. Weare always developing the ways we work and it is anhonour for staff to be recognised in this way.”3

‘Have the flu jabfor your loved ones’CardiacRehabilitationContracting flu left a UHW nurse fighting for her life in the hospital'sITU. Louise tells her story.“I was just back to work after Christmas, but becameunwell over the weekend with flu-like symptoms. Ispoke to the GP on Monday, who took a swab andconfirmed swine flu on Thursday. I took two doses ofTamiflu, but deteriorated quickly and was admitted to theEmergency Unit at UHW on Friday morning. I wasmoved to A1 for medical assessment and isolated. I wasachy, had a high temperature, and couldn’t breathe – mylungs were full of infection. I developed pneumonia andwas admitted to ITU within hours.“I woke up four and a half weeks later.“It was a horrendous time for my family. I have threedaughters and a husband, who were told I might notmake it. The UHW Critical Care team were fantasticand did everything they could for me.“It was a battle to build myself up when I woke up. Icouldn’t do anything for myself and had to learn to walkagain. I recovered well on Ward A3 and got home threeweeks later.“The Community Nurses and Community physio teamswere brilliant as I recuperated, and I finally returned towork on September 12. I spent such a long timerecovering, which was hard initially; I’d mentallyrecovered, and I missed my colleagues and my job.Having been a nurse all my adult life, suddenly being adependent patient was so frustrating.“I’m a Nurse Advisor for Medicines Management. I dovisit wards and work with nursing staff. I didn’tconsciously not have the flu jab last year, I just never gotaround to it. I was always busy with other things. But it’sfor yourself, your colleagues and your patients. For methis year it was for my family. I never want them to gothrough that experience again; sitting and watching me,not knowing if I’d pull through.“I didn’t think it was going to affect me. I’m not ‘veryfrontline’, I thought if I did get it I’d be off for a few days.So many dedicated Cardiff and Vale staff helped me, and Iwant to get the message out to all staff that getting theseasonal flu jab is so important.”Get your vaccination: clinics (no appointmentnecessary) Denbigh House, UHW, Mon - Fri9am - 4pm, Roseway Lodge, UHL: Mon – Thurs9am - midday. Check the flu intranet page foroutreach clinics.iPatients GiveBackBig hearted cardiac rehabilitation patientsand staff at UHW recently took part in asponsored walk which raised more than£500 for the British Heart Foundation.The charity event, organised by specialistnurse Alison McCarthy, took place atMaindy Leisure Centre on a sunnyafternoon.Supervised by cardiac rehabilitation and physiotherapystaff, as well as partnership staff from the leisure centre,20 participants enjoyed a healthy walk around the Maindytrack.Alison said: “The patients who came along have all hadeither a heart attack or heart surgery in recent monthsand have been involved in regular rehabilitation exerciseclasses. Cardiac Rehab nurses also provide guidance onappropriate diet and lifestyle changes.“We find patients do appreciate the quality of the supportwe provide after their cardiac events, and they were allkeen to give something back. The amount of moneyraised was tremendous. A big thank you and well doneto everyone involved. Special thanks must go to Phase 4instructor Rhian Penikett for all her help.”“I love it here,and I love myjob.”Community Support Nurse Gill Greenstarted work in Llanishen Clinic onOctober 1, 1991, and still enjoys her job.Gill is celebrating 20 years’ service, first atLlanishen Clinic, then at Roath Clinic.My role in the Roath District Nurses involves caring forpatients who are housebound and who require ournursing care and support. I support the qualified nursingstaff with wound care, taking blood tests, identify potentialrisks and deliver sensitive and compassionate care to theterminally ill. We are all proud of the work we do.“I also work in a wound healing clinic in Splott, seeingpatients weekly. I get great satisfaction from caring for thepatients and love to see good outcomes. Over the yearsI have established strong relationships with patients andcan offer them support and advice. What I have learnt atthis clinic also helps with my work at Roath.”The UHB recognises the experience and commitmentof staff through the Long Service Awards.iTo apply, complete an application form withyour manager the month before youranniversary. Download this from the HRintranet pages or contact Victoria Hiscocks on(1872) 5700, externally on 029 20 74 5700.67

Hear how we workbetter togetherSome patients who have chronic ear conditions mayneed to be reviewed on a long term basis. Previouslythese patients had to travel to the University Hospital ofWales every four months, to be seen by a consultant in aclinic.8GP Louise Jenkins with an ENT patientPatients with long term chronic earconditions are getting the righttreatment, closer to home thanks to aninnovative new way of working,developed by the Ear Nose and ThroatDepartment, in partnership with GPsurgeries in the Vale of Glamorgan andsupported by the UHB’s Innovationand Improvement Team.Thanks to funding from the Chair’s Innovation Fund,which provides investment where staff can make a caseto improve patient care and use resources moreefficiently, this is now happening closer to their homes.ENT Consultants have trained GP Dr Louise Jenkins andseveral nurses, who are now accredited to provide thisspecialist service locally.The UHB is piloting a clinic in West Quay GP Practice,Barry, for patients from West Quay and four other localsurgeries, so these patients are seen by specially trainedstaff who can review and monitor their condition.This means these patients have shorter waits and receivetheir care locally, by staff working to the same nationalguidelines for high quality care. Consultants are freed upto see more new patients, and West Quay staff havegained new skills and are working more closely withUHW colleagues.Chris Absi from the Innovation and Improvement Teamsaid: “Subject to funding and feedback from patients, wehope to continue the clinic beyond the pilot. In future,appropriate referrals for new patients may go directly tothe clinic. Currently 7,000 patients across Cardiff andthe Vale need long term follow up from the ENT team,so this initiative could deliver real benefits for patientsand ensure primary and secondary clinical teams worktogether effectively.”Chair David Francis said: "The Chair's Fund providessupport to frontline staff who have innovative ideas forimproving quality, safety and patient care, and West Quayis a good example of what we can achieve.”iFor more information on how to apply,email Maureen Fallon, Assistant Director,Innovation and Improvement:Maureen.fallon@wales.nhs.ukJulien McDonald OBE meets former patient Suzanne PortlockBreast Centre Opens in StyleGlamour and style was brought to Cardiff on the eve of Bonfire Night andcelebrations certainly went off with a bang! Julien Macdonald, Patron ofCardiff and Vale Breast Centre, officially opened the Centre on November4 at University Hospital Llandough.Patients and staff were delighted to meet the worldrenowned fashion designer. Former patient SuzannePortlock said, "It's a great honour to meet Julien, I wasamazed at how down to earth he was. He will be a greatambassador for the charity and will help raise awarenessfor the breast centre."Julien Macdonald took time out of his busy schedule tospend the afternoon at the centre. "I am absolutelydelighted to be the patron of the new Breast Centre atthe University Hospital Llandough which will serveCardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond.“Breast cancer affects so many people but thanks to thisnew facility, people from across Wales will get a worldclassservice. The service provided is already fantastic,giving patients the very best treatment in the very best ofsurroundings, but I want to help make it even better.“Hopefully over the coming years, we can raise theprofile of the incredible work being done here and, mostimportantly, try and raise £1m so we can keep investingin state of the art equipment that will help us beat breastcancer.”Julien was guest of honour that evening at the BreastCentre’s first fundraising Gala Dinner at Cardiff City Hall.The team raised more than £10,000 and have alreadystarted planning next year’s celebration.Mr Sumit Goyal, Consultant Surgeon and Lead Clinicianfor Breast Services, said, "The first fundraiser night was ahuge success. I congratulate the team for all their hardwork and efforts to make it a night to remember. Julienbeing there and taking the time to speak to everyonereally was the icing on the cake.”Julien concluded, “Most of us will know someone whohas had breast cancer, whether it's your mother, sister,friend or simply someone you know. The disease canhave devastating effects and that's why I really wanted toget involved and help support a centre which is making areal difference to patients.”9

UHW@40UHW turned 40 in Novemberand the anniversary was used tohonour the remarkable history ofthe hospital and the achievementsof its staff through the years.The Health Board worked with patients and staff, bothpast and present, to gather together memories of theopening by the Queen in 1971 and its 40 years ofproviding care to the people of Cardiff and the Vale ofGlamorgan and from across Wales.Chair David Francis said the celebrations had gonewell.He said: “This was a great opportunity for us to recognisethe hard work of staff and the remarkable impact theUniversity Hospital of Wales has had on the lives ofpeople across Wales.“I was pleased to see patients coming forward with theirmemories of the hospital over its four decades and payingtribute to the staff who looked after them and thankingthem for providing their care.”Thanks to the efforts of staff and patients the UHB was ableto compile a rich array of memories, pictures and videoslooking back at the hospital’s development over the years,how it has changed and what the future could hold for it.The anniversary also coincided with a special tea partyevent for long servers that brought together some of thosewho have spent many years with the Health Board.The UHB worked with local media to highlight theanniversary and the kind words of patients about the carethey received. The South Wales Echo featured doublepage spreads throughout the week on the anniversaryand BBC marked the occasion with features on radio,online and on television.A micro-site drawing together the material gathered aspart of the 40th anniversary is now available via this linkto the UHB’s website. A special digital edition of VitalSigns will also be available to download after Christmas.Mr Francis said: “The 40th anniversary of the opening of theUniversity Hospital of Wales has been a great opportunityfor us to look back at how it was born and grew and topraise all those that have played a part in its success.“It is a part of life in Cardiff and that has been shown bythe heart-warming memories of patients and their desireto show their appreciation for the care they’ve received.“I hope that the anniversary will help toinspire another 40 years of outstanding careand excellence at the hospital and across allthe work the Health Board does.”1011

Community Directors helpdeliver care close to homeDelivering the right care, at the right time, in the right place means moreand more care provided by the UHB will be delivered closer to patients’homes, where it is clinically appropriate. This will ensure patients who stillneed hospital care can see consultants sooner.Neighbourhood leadsPutting PersonalSafety FirstThe UHB recently held a roadshow in the Concourseat UHW to promote personal safety as part of theNational Personal Safety Day led by the Suzy LampughTrust. This awareness day is held annually to raiseawareness of simple and practical tips for staff to helpminimise violence and aggression.The feedback from staff and patients was extremelypositive and staff representatives have asked foranother session to be held in University HospitalLlandough.Case Manager Carl Ball, Policeman Stuart Bryant andCommunity Support Officer Laura Moore, EU NurseJames Hill, Jayne Matthews, Welsh Ambulance Trust andNurse Wayne ParsonsCardiff East/SouthLocality Manager Rachel LewisDr Liam Hannaway Cardiff SEDr Roger Morris Cardiff EastDr Sian Roberts City and SouthUHB commits to beinga Mindful EmployerCardiff and District NHSRetirement FellowshipAs part of this, the UHB has recruited a number of localGPs as Community Directors. Some are responsible forengaging with GPs in their neighbourhoods, and somelead specific programmes covering all neighbourhoods orlead on specific specialties. Some work across the UHB inservice integration on developing and improving services.In addition, Community Resource Teams play a key rolein providing individual care across the community.They are multidisciplinary teams working to ensure,where it is clinically appropriate, patients can be cared forat home. They work closely with both consultants andGPs to ensure patients receive continuity of care,seamless discharge from hospital to the community, andthat the most vulnerable patients are closely monitored.The teams aim to detect medical problems and interveneas soon as necessary.One of the three teams is already in place covering theVale locality and teams are currently being set up inCardiff Central and North.A Community Directors’ forum is held every twomonths to co-ordinate their work, chaired by Dr MarkSmithies, Divisional Director, Primary and CommunityCare.Cardiff North/WestLocality Manager Lynne TophamDr Guy MarshallDr Helen LawtonCardiff NorthCardiff WestCardiff South West (interim)Vale Locality Manager Lance CarverDr Christian OgdenDr Rosemary KavanaghDr Ben RoperDr Anna KucynskaEastern ValeWestern ValeCentral Vale (interim)Central ValeSpecialty/Programme LeadsDr Andrew DeardenDr Dominic McGovernDr Sarah MorganDr Julie YappDr Ben RoperDr Helen LawtonDr Liam HannawayDr Rebecca WalbergDr Guy MarshallDermatology, ReferralManagementQuality OutcomesFramework,Medicines ManagementHeart Failure, UnscheduledCareOlder Persons ServicesIM & T, communicationsChronic pain, Stroke,Neuro,Epilepsy, ERASOrthopaedicsWomen’s health, MentalHealthRespiratory leadTracy Myhill, Director of Workforce andOrganisational Development, has signed the'Charter for Employers who are Positive aboutMental Health' on behalf of the UHB.This Charter commits the UHB to the principles ofreducing the stigma associated with mental ill healththrough the provision of information and training, andproviding non-judgemental and proactive support tostaff who experience mental health issues.For more information see www.mindfulemployer.net.and the Mindful Employer intranet page.The Fellowship not only helps people keep in touchwith their colleagues and friends but also arrangesmany social and educational activities and events. Thisyear these included a summer trip to London, visits toBuckingham Palace and the London Eye.If you are approaching retirement and feel that fillingthe void without work may be problematic please getin touch for further information on what your localbranch can offer by contacting by e-mailnorman.bishop@sky.com or telephone 029 20752237UHB now available on your phoneCardiff and Vale University Health Board is now onFacebook and Twitter – with Chief Executive Jan Williamstweeting regularly.You can find important updates as well as the latest UHBnews. Members of staff are unable to access the siteswhilst in work, but can access them from home or viasmart phones. The UHB Twitter feed is @CV_UHB andJan Williams tweets at @Jan_CV_UHB. Here are the links:iwww.twitter.com/CV_UHBwww.twitter.com/Jan_CV_UHBwww.facebook.com/cardiffandvaleuhb1213

14Dr Ben Roper using the new e-referral system in his GP surgery“We are speeding up thereferral process for patients”Family doctors at GP practices across Wales are switching to e-referrals to refer patientsto consultants. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has been a pilot site for thesystem, known as the Welsh Clinical Communications Gateway (WCCG), a project bythe NHS Wales Informatics Services (NWIS). It allows messages to be sent quickly andsecurely from the GP to the consultant.Jo Brooks, NWIS Programme Manager at the UHB, explains:“All the GP surgeries in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan willhave access to the system by the end of the year.“The UHB’s Information Management and TechnologyDepartment has developed a system to receive the e-referralswhich are processed by staff in the Clinical Referral Centre.”Sian Williams, Health Records Site Manager, explained:“It’s an instant transfer of information, more effective thanwaiting for a mail pouch delivered by the Welsh AmbulanceServices Trust, saving time and money. The GP can createand send the e-referral using the referral template while thepatient is still in the room. Most importantly, it standardisesclinical and personal referral information, so it’s consistent.”The second phase will improve this further; the e-referralswill come to Sian’s team, who will forward them on toConsultants to prioritise and add to a waiting list. Currentlythe Referral Management team prints each referral for theConsultant to read and book the appointment.Dr Ben Roper, GP at Ravenscourt Surgery, Barry andCommunity Director, Programme Lead for IM&T andCommunications, said: “E-referrals mean information issent quickly, securely, and is clear and consistent. It’s morecost effective, and most importantly, safer for patients.”Jo added: “The Cardiff and Vale IM&T team aremanaging this project on behalf of the NHS WalesInformatics Services (NWIS) and will ensure the systemcan be rolled out across Wales.“Another pilot project is underway using the WCCG tosend e-discharge notifications from hospitals back to GPpractices, so that when a patient is discharged from hospital,their GP can immediately obtain the latest informationabout their stay, treatment and current medication.“The IM&T team has a busy programme of e-communications projects which will improve the way wedeliver services in the coming years, and I’m delightedthat e-referrals are working effectively. There’s muchmore to come.”H.A.THospitalAcquiredThrombosisHave you assessed your patients?Hospitalisation increases the risk ofvenous thromboembolism. This riskvaries according to the reason foradmission, and the individual patientcircumstances (age, underlyinginflammatory conditions, if they arepregnant) – and both should be assessedwhen an adult is admitted to hospital.Consultant Haematologist, Dr Rachel Rayment, says:“The UHB is committed to safe, high quality care, andreducing hospital acquired thrombosis is a key to this. Allstaff involved in the care of adult in-patients shouldincorporate thrombosis risk assessment into their routineworking practice.“Not all thromboses are preventable but staffshould be confident that, if a patient returnswith a hospital acquired thrombosis, theydocumented that appropriate measureswere undertaken to attempt toprevent it whilst the patient wasan in-patient.”You can find risk assessmenttools on the intranet.Nurse Racheal James explains Atrial Fibrilation in theConcourseKnow yourpulseArrhythmia Nurse Specialist RachealJames provides education and supportto patients diagnosed with AtrialFibrillation (AF) - irregular heart rhythm.“An episode of AF can last from a few minutes toweeks, and it’s progressive, so 50% of self-terminatingcases will become permanent in ten years. The easiestway to detect AF is to feel the pulse. Earlier this year Iheld a ‘Know your pulse’ stand in the UHWConcourse, to raise awareness as part of ‘HeartRhythm Week’ organised by Arrhythmia Alliance.“I offered simple pulse checks and explained to visitorsif their pulse was fast, slow, regular or irregular.Encouraging patients to “know your pulse” promotesquick and effective diagnosis, and early diagnosis couldimprove a patient’s chances of finding successfultreatment, and could save their life.“It’s my role, once patients are diagnosed with AF, toprovide care and management of their symptoms withappropriate medication, education and advice prior totheir surgical treatment options and to offer a directcontact for support to improve their quality of life.”15

16How much can you save?Cardiff and Vale UHB is leading the way to a moreenvironmentally friendly future. Staff have put a tremendouseffort in to reduce our environmental impact, but there is morework to do.The rising cost of energy means that more money has tobe spent just to maintain our current consumption.However, the UHB must save £600,000 on its energybills.This target is actually just the trigger; we need to start amajor attitude change. Each of us must actively thinkabout how to personally reduce our consumption.Although many people are conscious of their energy use,small acts such as simply remembering to turn off a lightor switching off the photocopier each night add up across14,000 staff.However this requires us all to change our daily habitsand think about what we can do every working day tosave energy. The minus 70ºC freezer project at CardiffUniversity is a great example. By running somelaboratory freezers just a couple of degrees warmer,energy use is reduced but sample quality is unaffected.Better freezer maintenance and management, ensuringthey are full, turning off those not in use, and ensuringthey are de-iced and not located near heat sources is alsomaking a huge difference.Could your team dosomething similar?Everyone in the UHB can help to save energy byadopting this approach:Remove any old electricalequipment you no longer need:email scrapwaste.management@wales.nhs.uk. Charge personalmobile phones at home, use adesk fan rather than the airconditioning.Many energy saving projects are underway to supportstaff efforts; reducing the use of the UHW fountain is oneexample, and the Energy Management Team isinvestigating replacing our hand driers with more efficientversions. During the recent mild weather, wherepossible the heating has been turned down by 3ºC, andthe ‘on’ time reduced. Radiators in corridors andstairwells that don’t need to be on, have been turned off.If you want to turn radiators off but can’t, contact theEnergy Management Team (details below). During awalk round at UHW in early November, more than 180open windows were closed to save heat; please help tosave energy.You can’t always see these changes. The Estates Team isinvolved in a project to replace steam traps on theheating system and bag filters on the air handlingequipment after they discovered that the old filters werecostly to maintain and inefficient. The new steam trapsand filters will improve efficiency and help reduceoperating costs.The Energy Management Team isevaluating how heat and poweris provided at University HospitalLlandough and will beconsidering future options suchas renewable energy.Help us to help the UHB, by identifying more energyefficient ways of working. The EnvironmentalManagement intranet page is being updated to includeinformation about all the projects which are making adifference. The Energy Management Team will beholding several road shows and environmental eventsover the next year. The team is happy to consider allideas however small, so please emailNicola.williams14@wales.nhs.uk, or post it in the internalmail to the Capital and Estate Management Team, FAONicola WilliamsGood to meet you:Peter HewinBritish Associationof OccupationalTherapists (BAOT)RepresentativeBAOT is affiliated to UNISON, and I am Vice Chairof Cardiff and Vale UNISON Branch, and also LeadStaff Representative for the UHB’s Mental HealthDivision. In 2009 I completed a three-year term ofoffice as a Council Member for my professionalbody, the College of Occupational Therapists,including one year as Vice Chair of the College.I work as an Occupational Therapist Team Leadercovering two Community Mental Health Teams,the Hamadryad and the Links. I have been anactive representative of the British Association ofOccupational Therapists for around 15 years.How can you support staff?At every level, from individual casework, throughdirectorate and divisional negotiations, to UHB-widepriorities (for example, as a member of theEmployment Policies Group and Local PartnershipForums) and national campaigns such as the defence ofour pension scheme.What motivates you?I firmly support public services and the NHS inparticular. I have a strong belief in occupationaljustice, for staff (fairness and respect in theworkplace) and for service users (equalopportunities to participate in valued occupations).What is your greatestachievement in the role?Last year I received a Merit Award from the Collegeof Occupational Therapists, and was elected torepresent BAOT at the NHS Staff Council (whichnegotiates national terms and conditions), both ofwhich I consider a great honour.iTo join BAOT:020 7450 2348http://www.cot.co.uk/join-baot/join-baotTo join UNISON:0845 355 0845http://www.cavunison.co.uk/17

Twenty years oflooking after children’s heartsWelsh rugby was at the heart of the nation this autumn. Twoplayers took time out from the game to celebrate twentyyears of looking after children’s hearts.Former Wales International and most capped player,Martyn Williams, and team mate Matthew Rees joined inthe celebrations to mark the 20th Anniversary of theChildren’s Heart Unit in Cardiff.Martyn Williams said it was a privilege to attend:“I was delighted to meet families who have been affectedwith heart problems and hear about the treatment theyreceived and how well they have recovered.“Rugby requires a particular strength but these familiesand patients are tremendously strong with incredibleresilience to keep on going. It is inspiring to hear theirstories.”The Children’s Heart Unit is based in the Children’sHospital at the University Hospital of Wales and treats onaverage 300 inpatients and more than 4,000 outpatientsa year. The Cardiac Unit delivers comprehensivecardiology care and has a strong partnership with BristolChildren’s Hospital, which provides surgical care.Claire Logan, Children’s Heart Nurse Specialist, hasworked in the Unit since it opened and is still in contactwith a large number of the patients.She said, “My job is highly rewarding and we end upbecoming very close to the families. I still keep in touchwith patients from 20 years ago”.Claire Dawson is testament to this; she has been treatedat the Unit since 1992. Claire said, “I was born with acongenital heart condition and was treated as anoutpatient following open heart surgery. I loved spendingtime in hospital, the nurses were so kind and friendly,they made the experience a pleasure.Catherine are aged 11 now and luckily have healthyhearts whereas my heart issue will never be fullyresolved. I am eternally grateful to the team for makingmy condition easier to live with, they are fantastic!”Dr Dirk G Wilson, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist andDivisional Director for Women and Children Services,has worked in the Unit for the past 19 years.He said, “I have cared for babies who have been criticallyill and seen them grow up into teenagers and then go onto have children of their own. I am grateful so many ofour patients and families were able to attend thecelebration event.”Peter Price, father of two year-old Evan Price praised thestaff at the Unit after his son was diagnosed withTransposition of the Great Arteries (TGA).He added, “Evan was so unwell when he was born - hewas diagnosed immediately and received expert lifesavingtreatment locally before he was transferred toBristol Children’s Hospital for his surgery. He was inIntensive Care for the 10 days that followed and hassince made a good recovery. He will be monitoredthroughout his life with regular heart scans and there is apossibility he will require further treatment in the future.“Evan is doing very well and we owe everything to thestaff at the Children’s Heart Unit at UHW. The doctorssaved more than one life that day, they also saved meand my wife and we wouldn’t be here without them.”Getting back toBasics at the NursingConferenceProfessionalism, quality,safety and achievingexcellence were at theheart of the UHB Nursingand Midwifery Conferenceheld at the All NationsCentre, Cardiff recently.Ruth Walker, Executive Director of Nursing said: “Weneed to remember what a privilege working in thisprofession is. We want to provide dignified care topatients whilst demonstrating this to each other, and lookafter the little things to bring health care ‘back to basics’.“I am delighted to work with you to deliver our servicesin a modern way. As guardians of care, you areresponsible for your professional standards and thequality and safety of patients.“The UHB has achieved fantastic success over the pastyear, including the 37% reduction in c.difficile infectionrates and winning national awards for initiatives such asthe Acute Stroke Swallowing Screening training.”Chair David Francis said, “We have made it clear that dignityand respect, patient safety and a high quality of care are atthe forefront of everything we do. There is a hugecommitment and energy for this work, which is refreshing.”Ruth Walker concluded with how the UHB is changingthe way we respond to patients’ needs: “Listening to andlearning from patients, carers and stafftelling their stories is how we candemonstrate that we are beginning tochange the way we deliver patient care.“Patient safety, dignity and compassion arethe standards we expect at this health board,standards I am confident that our staff deliverevery day.”Lauren Skeet and Evan Price (front row) with MartynWilliams and Matthew Rees (back row)“If I have any problems, they see me straight away andare always on the end of a phone to offer advice. DrWilson has treated me from child to adult life, even whenI had an elective caesarean with twins. Keiron and1819

L-R: Before Movember Michael Birdsall, Kevin Nichollsand Paul Gough tried to see how they could look witha moustacheUHB’s growingsupport for campaignMovember, the month when men growmoustaches to fundraise for prostate andtesticular cancer, was celebrated across theUHB, as you can see from these picturesCheck out the UHB's Men of MovemberKevin, Contact Centre Manager for ALAC (Artificial Limband Appliance Service), took up the challenge along witheight colleagues – around 30 UHB staff are thought tohave taken part.Kevin said: “A few mates of mine did it last year in theirfootball team and they had a great laugh and raised somecash. I found out too late to join so I was very eager toget involved this year.“I believe that there is a lack of focus on men’s health andwant to help to raise awareness and cash.”5 minutes with…NurseMark BatesWard ManagerEast 3, Psychiatric IntensiveCare Unit, WhitchurchHospital.The Mo-ology team from Cellular Pathology.Sharon Hopkins, the UHB’s Director of Public Health,welcomed staff efforts:“Movember is about fundraising for cancer charities, butit’s about more than that. Moustache-growing men likeKevin become walking billboards, raising awareness ofprostate cancer issues.“Highlighting men’s health issues like this is key to our publichealth work, so I’m delighted to support these efforts.”To support Kevin and donate to Movember and checkout more pictures of UHB Men of Movember, check outthe UHB Movember 2011 internet page.Who do you work with most within the UHB?Five inpatients, 28 ward staff, five adult mental healthwards at Whitchurch and UHL and 14 consultants andtheir multi-disciplinary teams.What are your key responsibilities?The running of a busy and challenging ward, engagingwith patients who are often behaviourally challenging,supporting them and their families through a very difficulttime in their lives. Working with a skilled and dedicatedstaff team who can often be on the receiving end ofabusive and aggressive behaviour. Liaising with otherwards and professionals in order to provide the bestpossible care for our client group.Who do you most admire (living or dead) andwhy?Billy Bragg for mixing pop and politics and some of themost poetic song lyrics you’re ever likely to hear.If you could live anywhere in the world, wherewould it be and why?Here will do for now, but a desert island would be nice.What was your first job?Kitchen-hand in the best fish and chip restaurant on theSouth East Coast.What’s your lifelong ambition?To reach retirement with a decent pension.20Quality Improvement Faculty LaunchesThe UHB’s new Quality and ImprovementFaculty launched recently, with an afternoonof inspirational speakers presenting theirwork to a large audience.David Francis, UHB Chairman said: “Patient safety andquality is core to everything we do. All our staff are fullybehind us and there is a huge commitment and energyfor this work which is really refreshing.”Assistant Director of Innovation and Improvement,Maureen Fallon added, “We are proud to be the firstLHB in Wales to launch a Quality Improvement Faculty.As public servants we have two jobs; to do our job andto improve it. By supporting and nurturing staff to be thebest they can be we will ultimately improve quality forthe betterment of citizen and patient care.“We want to promote and strengthen the Faculty toencourage networking through creating a physical space forstaff to generate ideas and concepts. Collaboration will bekey to its success and the Health Board will be utilisingfacilities in the new Cochrane building which is testament tothe important working relationship with Cardiff University.“I look forward to working with colleagues across theUHB on this project”.What do you like most about your job?Seeing positive change. A patient’s average stay with us isusually between 7-10 days. Seeing the change in anindividual’s mental health is rewarding for the whole team.What is your next big target or issue to tackle?Ongoing development of the unit ready for expansion in2014. We are looking forward to increasing our bedcapacity to 10 and developing the staff team in line with this.What are your hobbies outside of work?Two children under six, a dog and bad guitar playing.Where in the world would you most like to visitand why?Durban, South Africa – my sister and her family live there.What was your nickname at school?NormanIf you or your loved ones have had to use ourhealth services, what did you appreciate mostabout your experience?My wife was admitted to CCU at Llandough earlier thisyear, the nursing team there were fantastic, they werealways professional, helpful and supportive. We can’tthank them enough.What is the best piece of advice you have everreceived?“Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think”.21

Healthy snack teamcelebrate successUHB staff are celebrating having helpedthousands of local pre-school children tomake healthy snack choices.Community Dietitians from Cardiff and Vale UniversityHealth Board and Flying Start work together to run theGold Standard Healthy Snack Award, a programme forpre-school childcare providers.Dietetic Support Worker Rebecca May explains: “Wework with organisations that look after children beforethey go to school. This could be a nursery, or achildminder. They work towards achieving the awardwhich is focused on promoting healthy snacks, in ahygienic and appropriate environment.“We work with child carers, encouraging them to replacecrisps and biscuits with healthy snack choices like fruit,vegetables and toast. We encourage children to movefrom sitting on the floor, to sit on age appropriate chairsat a table, and teach them to eat and drink with cutleryand a proper cup.“A celebration evening was held recently for thechildcare teams who have made such a difference to thediets of children in Cardiff. The evening was madepossible through funding from Flying Start and the HealthPartnership Team. In the four years we have beenrunning the scheme, we have helped 125 groups.“More than 1,000 children in Cardiff and the Vale ofGlamorgan have been supported to choose healthier foods.”22George Bailey gets stuck in to peeling and chopping.More staff seeking help to quit smokingMore NHS staff in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan are seeking help to quit smoking,as the UHB continues to move towards a smoke free future. From November 1staff, patients and visitors must use designated shelters if they wish to smoke.Executive Director of Public Health Dr Sharon Hopkinsexplains: “The UHB moved to a policy of smoke freeentrances on May 1 this year. Between May andSeptember, 44% more staff accessed smoking cessationservices than during the same period last year.“We planned to become a smoke free organisation onNovember 1, this year. However, we’ve listened tofeedback from staff and patients, and appreciate that acomplete ban is very difficult, particularly for patients andvisitors who have had bad news.CLEANAIRZONE“We also recognise that this type of culture change takesplace over time, and so we will continue to work towards afull ban, and review the situation in March 2012. We areasking staff, patients and visitors that if they want to smoke,they use our smoking shelters and do not smoke anywhereelse on our hospital grounds. People come to our sites toget better, and it’s very important that we support this.“I’m delighted to say that since May 1, the numbers ofpeople smoking outside our hospital entrances havereduced significantly, and I want to thank staff in particularfor their support for the changes.”Standards of behaviour -what you need to know.As public sector workers we all have a duty to ensure that we do not misusepublic funds or seek to gain personally from any contacts made through workThe Board recently approved the Standards of BehaviourFramework Policy Incorporating Declarations of Interest,Gifts, Hospitality and Sponsorship. This applies toeveryone working within the Health Board, includingBoard Members and those on Honorary Contracts. AllIndependent Members and staff are expected to practisehigh standards of corporate and personal conduct whilstacting in the public interest at all times. This means:• ensuring the interests of patients and the publicremain paramount• being impartial and honest in the conduct of officialbusiness• using NHS resources to the best advantage of theservice and the patients, always seeking to ensurevalue for money• not abusing an official position for personal gain orto benefit family or friends• not seeking advantage or to further private businessor other interests in the course of official duties, and• not seeking or knowingly accepting preferential ratesor benefits in kind for private transactions carried outwith companies with which they have had, or mayhave, official dealings on behalf of the UHB.All staff are responsible for declaring any relevantinterests. Some staff are required to complete aDeclaration of Interest form every one to two years,even if they have nothing to declare. If you receive thisform from the Governance Division, please completeand return it promptly.The Standards of Behaviour intranet pages are beingupdated to include all relevant forms, a copy of the UHBRegister of Interests and FAQs.Here are some things for all UHB staff to think about:• whilst it is still OK to accept sponsorship to attendconferences, this must be approved in advance bythe appropriate Divisional/Executive Director• if accepting any hospitality e.g. lunch, considerwhether it is OK under the Framework• under no circumstances should staff attendcorporate/sporting events e.g. rugby matches asguests of our suppliers• staff can only accept gifts up to the value of £25from patients and their relatives. Cash or personalcheques cannot be accepted• gifts from suppliers are not allowed unless they areof low intrinsic value e.g. pens, diariesIf you, colleagues or your manager require anyi further information, contact Alison Gerrard,Director of Governance on (01872) 5544 orexternally on 029 20745544 orMelanie Westlake, Head of Corporate Risk andGovernance on (01873) 6181 / 029 20336181.23

24What’s in the ChristmasStocking this year?As the official charity of the Children’s Hospital for Wales, the Noah’s Ark Appeal is oftenapproached by supporters and well wishers who would like to make Christmas, a little morespecial for children at the hospital. However, it’s often difficult to decide which gifts are reallyneeded or appropriate for sick children in a hospital environment; for example, soft toyscannot be used as they can carry infection very easily.Text SantaSo to make it easy to give to the children at the hospitalthis Christmas, the Noah’s Ark Christmas Stocking Appealwill raise money to buy a special wishlist of gifts drawn upby children and staff which includes toys, games and DVDsfor the play rooms, as well as specialist items for thetherapy rooms.The Christmas Stocking Appeal will also raise funds for ahydrotherapy pool, one of the key projects for which theNoah's Ark Appeal is currently fundraising. It comes at a costof £500,000 and is a gift the Children’s Hospital for Walesreally needs. A pool would mean many more children couldhave hydrotherapy treatment.The Christmas Stocking Appeal makes giving simple andmakes sure the money donated by kind supporters willhelp buy gifts that are really needed. Supporting theNoah’s Ark Appeal this Christmas will help put smiles onyoung faces by making wishes come true and ensuring thatthe Children’s Hospital for Wales gets the best equipmentpossible to treat our young patients.We have lots more ways you can get involved with theNoah's Ark Appeal this Christmas, from requesting a Santaletter, to purchasing our Christmas cards, to signing up fora parachute jump or even trekking the Inca Trail in Peru.iTo find out more about supporting theNoah’s Ark Appeal this Christmas, visit ourwebsite www.noahs-ark-appeal.org orcall 029 2033 5016.Keep an eye out for the ITV Christmas Appeal this year, Text Santa. The Noah's ArkAppeal is one of nine charities across the UK that will benefit, and TV cameras fromDaybreak visited the Children's Hospital for Wales recently with one happy family whocame back to thank the staff that helped them.Catherine Zeta Jones, Patron of the Noah's ArkAppeal, with patient Catrin Evans in the Children'sHospital for Wales last yearEarly Christmaspresent forChildren’s HospitalHealth Minister Lesley Griffiths,pictured on the front cover withpatient Emilia Fox, has justannounced £63.8 million fundingfor a major expansion.Phase Two of the Children’s Hospital will create stateof-the-artwards, critical care facilities, four newoperating theatres, a new outpatient department anddental suite, an assessment unit, a new critical careunit, parents’ accommodation and facilities, educationand teaching facilities, and a dedicated radiologydepartment.Visiting the hospital, Lesley Griffiths said: " The secondphase will mean that all children and young people willreceive their care in modern, purpose-built settings,enabling more services to be provided in Wales for thechildren of Wales.”UHB Chair, David Francis, said: “The approval of thefull business case marks the culmination of more than adecade of work by the UHB and its predecessororganisations, the Welsh Government and, significantly,the Noah’s Ark Appeal, without whose tirelesssupport the first phase of the Children’s Hospital ofWales would not have come to fruition."Lyn Jones, Chairman of the Noah’s Ark Appeal, said:“With these vital funds we will ensure that children inWales receive the very best healthcare possible. This isthe best Christmas gift we could have asked for.”Blood chillingchallenge forstaffUHB staff took on a chilly challengeto help tackle homelessness inCardiff recently.Chris Lee, from the Haematology Department atUniversity Hospital of Wales, has braved the cold for 12years to join dozens of others sleeping rough in Cardiffovernight and was joined by colleagues this year to helphomeless support group Huggard.It provides help and support to the homeless through theHuggard Centre, based at the old Custom House. Thegroup provides a variety of services to support thehundreds of people who are homeless in Cardiff.Chris said: “I have participated for about the last 12 yearsor so, and several of the folks from the labs have joinedme over the last few years.“Usually there is anything from 30 to 70 people fromvarious organisations and churches etc taking part.“I have always thought it to be a really worthwhile cause,and anybody who contributes can be assured that themoney is spent on some of the most vulnerable righthere in Cardiff.“It is an excellent cause and any donations will begratefully accepted.”To find out more or to make a donation visitwww.huggard.org.uk or contact 029 2034 9980.i25