3. The Swan newsletter January 2011 - Become an NHS Foundation ...

swantheBorn at WycombeBirth Centrep3December/January 2011 Issue 7Our new promises p2Marlow CommunityHospital beds reopen p9Buckinghamshire HealthcareWhere your needs always come first

December/January 2011 Issue 7Wycombe Birth Centrere-opens its doorsStaff were recently joined by women and their babies, alongside WycombeMP Steve Baker and representatives from the National Childbirth Trust, tocelebrate the re-opening and first birthday of Wycombe Birth Centre.The centre was closed for three months over the summer as a result of extreme staff shortagesacross our maternity services. Audrey Warren, head of midwifery, said, “We are delighted tore-open our doors following a successful recruitment drive and are very excited to welcomenew midwives to the Trust”.Following a birthday buffet of sandwiches and cakes, the unit was officially opened by SteveBaker, who acknowledged the hard work by all staff involvedin the refurbishment and pledged to support themidwife-led unit. “I think we should be very proudof this unit and I’d just encourage people tospread the word that this is a wonderful,well-staffed unit. Please help us make this asuccess”.Audrey Warrentalks with Steve BakerIn preparation for the re-opening, the centre wascompletely refurbished. Women have access to arange of birthing aids to help make their labour ascomfortable as possible, including a birthing pool anda state-of-the-art specialist labour aid, a multitrac, whichincludes a gymnastic ball and a sling. The birth centre is also the only maternity service inthe local area to build links with alternative therapies and therapists, offeringaromatherapy, pregnancy massage, acupressure, acupuncture and osteopathy.Amanda Mansfield, consultant midwife, said, “We have worked closely withwomen over the past few months to make sure that we created an environmentthat was even more homely and comfortable. We now have a fantastic range ofbirthing aids which really help women and their partners to feel as relaxed aspossible during labour”. The home-from-home environment is a real benefit forwomen and their families using the Wycombe Birth Centre. Traditional hospitalbeds have been replaced with large sofas and partners are made to feel a realpart of the labour and birth.For more information, please contact theWycombe Birth Centre on 01494 425520.Amanda Mansfielddemonstrates the multitracPhotography by Peter LoringThe birthing pool can help to make labouras comfortable as possibleWho can use the WycombeBirth Centre?To ensure the safety of all our mums andtheir babies, we have a strict eligibilitycriteria when assessing women duringtheir pregnancy.• Women aged 18-40• Women having their 1st-5th baby• Women of a BMI 18-34• Women who have no additionalhealth problems (such as diabetes)• Women who have had nocomplications in previouspregnancies or labours (such ascaesarean section)• Women who have experienced ahealthy pregnancy• Women who go into labourbetween 37 weeks and 41 weeks+ 5 days of pregnancy.Where your needs always come first

News from the divisionsNSIC newsNSIC leads the way againThe NSIC is the first spinal injuries centre in the UK to pilot an exciting initiative.Over the last year, Hil Mullis who works for the Pension, Disability and Carers Service(PDCS), part of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), has been providing entitlementinformation to NSIC patients and helping patients to return to work.Leigh Lewis, Permanent Secretary and Head of Department for the Department of Work and Pensions(DWP) recently visited the NSIC to understand how the partnership between Hil and the NSIC team works Leigh said: “I was taken by surpriseby how big the NSIC is. The range of facilities was very impressive. I don’t think that you can fail to be inspired by the work of the hospital andthat which we and our partners are undertaking. I want to congratulate everybody at the Centre and in the Local Service team”.Due to the great success of the pilot, this service will now be rolled out nationally across other hospitals.NSIC gets into a “SPIN”Following the successful launch of anew approach to patient involvementat the NSIC, we are pleased to welcomeSPIN (Spinal Patients INvolved). Namedby patients and staff, the inauguralmeeting took place in October and sawan unprecedented level of attendanceand interest. SPIN has been entirelyshaped by feedback from service usersand patients with spinal injuries.Evaluation of the new approach waspositive and both staff and patientsenjoyed the group work, which focusedon seeking views about how wellpatients think we are delivering againsttwo of our service standards - “say it”and “caring”. Dr Alison Graham, leadconsultant and divisional chair, alsospoke to the group about the latestresearch in spinal cord injury. The nextmeeting will take place in December.130 miles worth ofincreased awarenessStaff from the NSIC cycled 130 milesfrom Stoke Mandeville Hospital toClevedon, south of Bristol, overtwo days to support an ex-patient’sfundraising efforts and raise theprofile of the NSIC. The bike ride hashelped towards increasing awarenessof spinal cord injuries.NSIC occupational therapy teamawarded for green fingersWell done to the NSIC occupational therapy (OT)team who has won the ‘Overall Winner’ titlefor their gardening efforts in the AylesburyTown Council’s Aylesbury in Bloom Resident’scompetition.The OT garden is designed to provide horticulturaltherapy to patients following spinal cord injuries.Clinical support services newsSeven days a weekWe have become one of the first trusts in the country to implement a seven-day physiotherapyand occupational therapy service.Some of the team members included: L to RAdnan Zahid, Susie Scorer, David Griffiths,Claire Guy, Tina BlakeFrom mid-September, patients at Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe hospitals have received enhanced access to physiotherapy and, for thefirst time, access to occupational therapy at weekends and bank holidays.Julie Mee, therapy services manager said: “For a long time there has been recognition of the positive contribution these services can make inpreventing someone having to come into hospital and reducing the time patients have to stay in hospital. The new service provides assessmentand treatment for patients who have just been admitted into hospital with the aim of reducing the time they stay, and will also help patientsmaking a recovery outside of hospital”.8

December/January 2011 Issue 7Surgery newsAppreciation award for supporting bone tissue donationThe pre-operative assessment team at Wycombe Hospital has been awarded a certificate of appreciationfrom the NHS Blood and Transplant Tissue Service, for their work in supporting bone tissue donation.The team has been instrumental in improving the process that allows patients who are having hip replacements to donate the bone that isremoved during their surgery. Deputy sister, Helen Bandy said: “We are extremely proud to have been recognised for our work by the NHSBlood and Transplant Tissue Service. The award was unexpected but very much appreciated by the team. It is very encouraging when yourhard work is recognised, particularly at a national level”.Community & integrated care newsMarlow Community Hospital beds reopenOn 1 November, a newly decorated and improved Marlow CommunityHospital reopened its doors to inpatients after a period of temporary closure.The Trust has spent £250,000 on the hospital’s facilities, including: correcting thesupply of water and improving infection control such as replacing sinks, taps, sluicerooms and floor finishes. Work has also gone into eradicating mixed-sex facilities byrelocating bathrooms so that there are now only single-sex washrooms.The 12 inpatient beds will accommodate patients who require additional support toregain their general health and strength before returning home. Beds will also providetransitional care for patients awaiting placement in a nursing or residential home andsupport end of life care.Support for COPD patientsThe community and medical divisions have been working closely withstakeholders to develop a discharge support service for patients admittedwith Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbations, whichwas launched on 1 November.Clinical lead Dr David Taylor, respiratory consultant, has been supportedby the Trust’s service redesign team to implement these developments.Evidence-based integrated care pathways have been developed tomanage the selection of appropriate COPD patients in hospital, theirdischarge and subsequent management in the community. In addition,specialist nurses will support patients for earlier discharge intothe community.Physiotherapists, specialist and community nurses, pharmacists, GPs andoperational managers have contributed to the pathway of care, whichalso sees Bucks Urgent Care providing out-of-hours support. Patients andlocal support groups such as Breathe Easy were involved throughout thedevelopment. The discharge support team remit will expand to other carepathways (eg stroke and heart failure) as the integrated community teamsdevelop.For more information, contact Jo Hockley, programme director for change,at joanne.hockley@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk.Integrated IV expandedUntil recently, those patients requiring intravenousantibiotics had to stay in hospital to complete thistreatment. The development of the integrated intravenoustherapy service means that this is now not always thecase. Suitable patients can now have this treatment in thecomfort of their own home or in a community hospital withsafe specialist care and management.Dr Kathy Cann, consultant microbiologist and clinicallead for the project commented: “Those patients whohave already received this service have given very positivefeedback, in particular citing the fact they can returnhome much earlier and still feel supported”. Since July,34 patients have benefited from this supported dischargesaving a total of 910 bed days.Whilst the current phase of the project has focused onpatients requiring long-term antibiotics, the next phase willlook at short-term and A&E attendees.Where your needs always come first

News from the divisionsWomen & children’s newsBirthday celebrations for baby caféBaby’s 1st Café in Buckingham celebrated its fifth birthday in September.The café provides a friendly atmosphere where mothers and expectantmums can get together.It’s supported by the local Surestart Children’s Centre, health visitors and a team of volunteers.Together they offer breastfeeding support and general advice.Mrs Stephanie Von Both has been attending the café since it first opened: “I’ve been there sincethe very first day and have brought all my three boys down since. I was always so grateful for thehelp, the advice and the warm welcome I received”.Mrs Stephanie Von Bothcuts the cake to celebrateMedicine newsWycombe Hospital’s endoscopy unit makes the top fiveThe endoscopy unit at Wycombe Hospital has been awarded national accreditation by the Joint Advisory Group(JAG), recognising good practice and clinical leadership. The unit was also named by them as one of the top fivein the country.Wycombe now joins Stoke Mandeville in becoming an official screening centre, joining the National Bowel Screening Programme, which aimsto detect bowel cancer at an earlier stage.Dr McIntyre, consultant gastroenterologist said, “We are delighted to attain JAG accreditation and be able to offer the screening programmeto the local population”.Accreditation for heart scan servicesOur echocardiography department is one of the first to be awarded accreditation by the British Society of Echocardiography, for their highstandards of service and expertise in the discipline of heart scans.Melanie Kirk, head of echocardiography, said: “We are delighted with this result. We have been working towards this goal for over two yearsand we feel that all the hard work has finally paid off. We would like to thank Scannappeal and the League of Friends for making it possiblefor us to have the very latest technology available to our patients”.A&E visit for competition winnerIn August, the A&E department at Stoke Mandeville sawits youngest ever trainee doctor. Savannah, 11, won aRotary Club writing competition for her essay ‘WhenI am older I want to be a doctor’. The prize was aday’s work experience in her chosen job.Mary Frewer, operations manager for emergencymedicine, and Lesley Whitesmith, practicedevelopment nurse for emergency care and surgery,organised a range of activities to keep Savannahbusy during her visit, even plastering her mum’s arm.Savannah said, “Thank you very much to everyonewho helped organise the day. It gave me a goodidea of what it would be like to be an A&E doctor.It will be a day I always remember”.Savannah plastering her mum’s armPhotography: ‘Aylesbury Rotary Club’10

In the spotlightDecember/January 2011 Issue 7Swan asks...Chief nurse Lynne Swiatczak talks about priorities andchallenges over the next 12 months.What does your job involve?I am responsible for healthcare governance, ensuring that patientcare standards are maintained and I support the nursing andmidwifery profession. I also need to ensure that the right peopleare in the right place at the right time to provide the right care.What are the key challenges overthe next 12 months for:The Trust?• Continue the integration of community and acute services• Resume our efforts with our application to become an NHSFoundation Trust• Manage the financial challenge whilst still providing safe,effective care.Nursing?• Integration of skills between acute and community staff andensuring that they understand each other’s roles• Support nurses in their development, and develop nurse leadership• Develop a comprehensive nursing strategy for the future.Midwifery?• Manage the workforceissues around midwifery• Integrate women and children’s services across community and acute• Focus on health visiting and how it interfaces with women andchildren’s services.What are your key priorities for the next12 months?• Improve patient care standards• Develop nurse leadership in the Trust• Create a structured career pathway for nursing.Tell us something we wouldn’t knowabout youI am a huge heavy metal fan; my favourite bands include Black Sabbath,Led Zeppelin and Slayer. I also love films and watch at least six a week.15 years dedicationMick with Lesley Pluck, thecurrent chair of StaffsideCongratulations and farewell to Mick Barton, a heating engineer at the Trust who retiredrecently after completing 15 years service. Mick was also the chair of Staffside since2002 and, from 2003, joint chair with Trish Pullen until February 2009.Mick said: “I am very proud of what I have contributed to the Trust, particularlysupporting the achievement of the Improving Working Lives (IWL) practice plusaccreditation. I also worked on the Investors In People (IIP) accreditation and reaccreditationas well as the implementation of agenda for change”.Coming up in the next issue:Staff awardsOur staff and volunteers, working to improve the experience of patients andcolleagues across the Trust, were recognised at a special awards evening held at theend of November at the Chiltern Medical Education Centre at Wycombe Hospital.Television celebrity and special guest Lynn Faulds Wood presented certificatesto the winners of the eight categories at the sixth annual staff awards. Watch outfor the next issue of the Swan where we will be including an exclusive feature on theawards. In the meantime you can find out more information from our website.Where your needs always come first

Take a breakGot five minutes to spare? Put your feet up and have a go at solving these catchphrases,enter our competition and read up on some great offers.Your shout... what’s your favourite film and why?Jackie Bailey, patientliaison officer, NSIC:“Finding Nemo andHigh Society. Ienjoy happy filmsthat have thatfeel-goodfactor”.Kingsley Grimble, assistantdirector of business developmentand marketing: “LA Confidentialfor its great plot and strong cast.It’s a brilliant portrayalof 1950’s LA”.Sarah Klamut, childcareand carer co-coordinatorand HR projects:“Definitely Bridget Jones’sDiary, which is a goodtime chick flick. I thinkthere is a bit of BridgetJones in all us women”!RosemarieFinley,assistantdirector ofoperations,community andintegrated care: “Bride andPrejudice...uplifting, fun andgreat entertainment”.CompetitionCatchphrase cornerAnswer these catchphrases to be in with a chance of winninga DVD player with NHS discounts!Email your answers and contact details tocommunications@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk or send it tocommunications, Trust Headquarters, Amersham Hospital before 28January 2011. NHS discounts offer a range of special discounts to NHSstaff including savings on more than 150 high street brands.Latest offerNoodle Nation are offering allNHS staff 20% off the menu infive of their restaurants, includingWycombe, Aylesbury, Oxford,Maidenhead and Woking. Onarrival, just show your Trust ID.Don’t forget there’s a dedicatedpage on the Trust’s intranet withdetails of current promotions andoffers available to you.If you have a story idea or article for the next editionof the Swan please contact the communicationsteam by 31 December on 01494 734959 or emailcommunications@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk. The nextedition will be issued in February.When you have finished withthis magazine, please recycle it.