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Chief Executive Aidan Kehoe
introduces this month’s
edition of Grapevine.
WELCOME to the first
edition of the Grapevine
staff magazine for 2012.
As we all know January is a time
for New Year resolutions and we
are hoping that some members
of staff make one of their goals
this year to add support to the
Staff Social committee.
The committee did a great job
last year in organising events
for colleagues such as the Talent
Show, a fantastic Christmas
Market, a trip to the Dogs, a
Christmas shopping trip and an
excellent photographic calendar
competition.
They would like more people
to be involved, and are eager
to hear from volunteers from
around the Trust to help put on
more events.
We have already had interest
from a couple of people who
have joined the committee
but more staff and volunteers
would be welcome.
Any member of staff can
join from any area within the
organisation and the more
people who are willing to
organise events, the better.
For example some people are
already regular organisers of
trips in their own departments
and it would be great if these
could be extended to include
more staff and volunteers.
Please consider taking the time
to help.
If you are interested please
contact Sue Grimshaw on Ext
7841.
Aidan Kehoe, Chief Executive
Staff Book Club
THIS month’s book is ‘Snow Flower
and the Secret Fan’ by Lisa See.
This story centres on the strong friendship between
Lily and Snow Flower. As little girls of six these two
became ‘laotong’ or ‘sworn sisters’ to become soul
mates for life. These relationships were considered as
important as their eventual marriages would be.
Lily comes from poor farming stock in nineteenth
century China. To be considered for ‘laotong’ she
must learn many things, such as how to bear the
agony of foot-binding, the ability to run a house,
submit to a husband, and the writing language
exclusive to women, nu-shu. Lily lives during a
period where girls aren’t valued, and are grudgingly
kept until they can be married off. Her mother treats
her as such, however when the diviner is asked to
find an auspicious date to begin Lily’s foot binding,
he and the matchmaker decide that Lily’s feet could
be perfect ‘Golden Lilies’ and could lead to a very
prosperous marriage.
Together Lily and Snow Flower share the joys and
Trust fundraising
for Pinpoint
TWO Trust departments have raised money
for Blue Skies Hospitals Fund’s Pinpoint
Prostate Cancer Appeal and presented the
money to the Urology Department recently.
Ian Morton from Cardiac and Lorraine Dunn and
Steve James from Estates presented Fundraising
Manager Kathy Ancell and George Prunty from
Urology with their donations.
A group of men from the Cardiac Department
took part in Movember which entailed them
growing a moustache throughout November
and between them they raised £378.
The Estates Team held their annual Christmas
raffle, in aid of the Appeal, and they raised £315.
Kathy Ancell, Ian Morton, Lorraine Dunn,
Steve James and George Prunty
sorrows of their lives and
those around them. Lily
narrates the story from her
perspective as a woman of
80 years. In telling her story
she feels she is seeking atonement for mistakes she
made, which have worried her for 40 years.
The descriptions of everything in this book are
extremely vivid: the market-places, temples, country
side, and characters are all beautifully done. The
description of Lily’s foot-binding was so vivid it was
almost disturbing. Apparently perfect feet are 7cm
in length! This practice is known to have still been
carried out in rural China within the region that
Tongku is located in until as recently as the early
1950’s.
I found this to be a beautiful story, extremely well
researched by Lisa See and one which enlightened
me a great deal about the role of women in the
history of Chinese culture. Highly recommended!
Review by Deborah Ashton-Ward
The Book Club now meets in Oliver’s coffee
lounge.
Next meeting Tuesday, January 31st at 5.15pm
LGBT established
new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
A Transgender (LGBT) social group for all
staff who identify as LGBT and their friends
has been established in the Trust.
The Trust has recently been awarded the
NAVAJO Charter Mark and staff felt the work
undertaken by the Trust to gain this award
should continue and the first meeting took place
on 11th January.
It is envisaged that the LGBT social group will
organise a number of social events throughout
the year and will also organise the Trust’s parade
entry into Blackpool Pride. Blackpool has the
fourth largest LGBT community in the UK and
as one of the largest employers on the Fylde
Coast it was felt that the Trust should have a high
profile presence at Pride.
Jane Eyre, PA to the Director of CS&FM, said:
“This social group is for all members of the LGBT
community to meet informally over coffee and
organise non-scene social events”.
The next meeting of this group will take place on
February 8th at 6pm at Gabrielles, 77 Lord Street,
Blackpool (sat nav FY1 2DG). Any member of
staff interested in joining the group can just
turn up at the next event or contact Jane Eyre
or Heather Bradley on ext 6859 / 6867 or via the
global address system.

under the spotlight
Page 4
IN each Grapevine issue, we
give a member of staff the
opportunity to answer the
same 12 questions. Here is our
latest volunteer. If you would
be interested in answering
the 12 questions, get in touch
with the Communications
Department.
Name: Julie Sherwood
Position: Ward Manager
Years at Trust: 11 years
Julie Sherwood
1. Your place of birth?
Glenroyd Maternity Hospital,
Blackpool
2. If you weren’t in the job
you’re doing now, what would
Mr Iain Campbell (left) with members of
the Urology Department, Radio Wave, Chief
Executive Aidan Kehoe (second right) and
Fundraising Manager Kathy Ancell (far right).
RADIO Wave helped raise £13,000 for the
Blue Skies Hospitals Fund’s Pinpoint
Prostate Cancer Appeal after a full day onair
auction to raise the money.
The Pinpoint Prostate Cancer Appeal
was set up to raise money for equipment
which will revolutionise the diagnosis and
subsequent treatment of prostate cancer
at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
you have liked to pursue a
career in?
A nurse in the Queen’s
Alexandra’s Royal Naval
Nursing Corp.
3. Who was, or has been, the
most inspirational figure in
your life?
My Mum firstly because
she was always supportive,
encouraging and organised.
Also my Dad because he was
focused and determined,
he was a fireman and was
my hero. Great runners/
athletes such as Paula
Radcliffe, Mo Farah and Lance
Armstrong because I love
the commitment
they show and their
determination.
4. Alive or dead, from
any period of time,
which three dinner
guests would you like
to invite round for a
meal and a chat?
Joss Naylor. He was
an amazing fell
runner who could
tell amazing stories of his epic
runs. Grace Kelly because she
was so beautiful and led a
fairytale life. Sean Connery, the
one and only James Bond...just
to hear his voice.
5. Any historical event, if you
could put yourself there,
where would it be?
VE-Day in Trafalgar Square.
6. Sport, do you support any
clubs, individuals, or maybe
participate?
I have started a local running
club, Thornton Cleveleys
Running Club, motto ‘running
for fun and fitness’. I have
completed three London
Marathons, entered many
other road races but love to
run off road or on the fells.
Sean Connery
7. Any situation or
event, what is the
most terrified you’ve
been?
When I was in the
car and the brakes
failed on the way
down to a motorway
roundabout. I only
came to a stop after
going onto the
roundabout and
mounting the grass verges.
8. Outside of the work
environment, what subjects
interest you?
Walks and runs in the
countryside especially those
within the Lake District. My
children and grandchildren,
reading when I get chance and
finally getting away to new
places in my caravan.
9. If you could make the
decision to change something
in the world today, what
would it be?
To stop the suffering of
children due to war, poverty,
starvation or disease.
10. Is there anything you have
ever wanted to do, or give a
try, but never got round to it?
I’d like to walk all the
mountains of the Lake District
and climb up to the base camp
of Mount Everest.
11. One item / object /
appliance you use daily, you
couldn’t do without?
No specific items spring to
mind but I could not live
without my family or husband.
And finally... what epitaph
would you like written on your
headstone?
“She Laughed and Loved...!”
Radio Wave boost
our Pinpoint Appeal
Radio Wave Breakfast Presenter, Hayley
Kirkham said: “Our listeners are fantastic
and people’s generosity is amazing.
Prostate cancer is not a sexy subject. All
cancer is horrendous but breast cancer for
instance seems to get a lot of attention
so we were pleased to support prostate
cancer this time. We try to make an impact
locally and our listeners really care about
their community.. The auction day was a
really good day.”
Urology Consultant, Mr Iain Campbell said:
“This donation is very much appreciated
and it will make a big difference to the
service we offer to people. It will help fund
equipment and technology which will
improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer
for local people and a wider community in
Lancashire. Thank you very much to Radio
Wave for this donation.”
Fundraising Manager, Kathy Ancell said:
“We are thrilled at how much was raised
through the live auction at Radio Wave.
“The team at Radio Wave were raising
money from 8am until 7pm and we want to
thank them, everyone who donated prizes
and all those who were bidding on items for
their incredibly generous support.”
The total amount needed for the Pinpoint
Prostate Appeal is around £100,000 and
more than £70,000 has been raised to date.
If you would like to support the Pinpoint
Prostate Cancer Appeal, please contact the
Fundraising Office on Ext 7904.

A day in the life of...
Page 5
...The SOS 600 Bleep Team
WHEN the SOS (Sick or Scoring) 600 bleep was
launched in July 2011, the SOS team members
hoped that the response from medical and nursing staff
would be robust but this innovative new service has
exceeded all expectations.
The SOS 600 Bleep
initiative marks a fantastic
contribution towards improving
care for acutely unwell patients.
Chris Cunniff, Communications
Officer, investigates the
background to the service and
the members of the team that
are providing such an effective
and efficient 24 hour service.
The SOS 600 bleep is a mechanism
for ward staff to alert appropriately
skilled staff to a patient causing
concern. The 600 SOS bleep
provides a 24/7 single point
of contact for staff concerned
about a deteriorating patient and
who would like assistance at the
bedside. By recognising patients
early who are deteriorating,
measures can be put in place
earlier to help turn their problems
round.
The provision of this innovative
hospital service combines the
skills of 12 members of staff from
two important clinical teams;
the Critical Care Outreach Team
and the Acute Response Team
(ART). The SOS service is simply an
extension of these staff members
day to day working lives, with both
teams already working closely
with clinical staff across the Trust.
Louise Kippax-Davis, Critical
Care Outreach Lead, said: “In our
Recipe of the month
by
Anne Levin
first month we saw in excess of
80 referrals from nursing and
medical staff to assist with the
care of patients causing concern.
This has risen steadily with us
seeing in excess of 200 patients
in December 2011, with an
overwhelming majority of calls
being good calls requiring patient
assessment.”
Dr Rob Thompson, Medical Lead
for Outreach and Consultant in
Intensive Care, said: “It is vitally
important that deteriorating
patients are identified as soon as
possible. They can then get the
treatment they need at the earliest
opportunity to give them the
best chance of a good outcome.
For any rapid response system
to succeed it relies on the ward
staff to embrace the service. Initial
signs are really encouraging and I
am confident that the service can
make a substantial difference for
our patients.”
For the SOS initiative to work, the
ward nurses and medical staff
need confidence in recognising a
patient at risk, an understanding of
the SOS Graded response role and
engaging with it in a timely way.
Louise Wills, Nurse Practitioner
with the Acute Response Team,
said: “There is strong evidence
to suggest that confidence is
growing. This is very exciting and if
it continues will help pave the way
for further improvements.
She added: “What makes the
service unique is that it utilises
both Critical Care Outreach and
the Acute Response Team in
providing a seamless 24 hour
service.
“The teams, although distinctly
different, share the remit of
providing ‘rapid bedside response’
to patients causing concern. This
has led to a significant increase in
our calls out of hours. These calls
highlight the most vulnerable
patients and staff are responding
in a tremendous way.
“The whole service is also
strengthened by face to face
handovers between Outreach
and ART ensuring continuity and
support does not stop at the end
of shifts.”
From January 2012, the SOS Team
will be awarding an ‘SOS Call of
the Month’ certificate to the ward
that generates the timeliest call,
Chinese Beef and Peppers
Ingredients:
• 1 kg thin rump steak cut into strips
• oil for frying
• 2 medium onions chopped
• 3 or 4 peppers cut into slivers
• 3/4 cup of sherry
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 heaped tablespoons corn flour
• packet of bean sprouts
• 3 cloves of garlic
Method:
1 Fry the steak until slightly
brown and add the garlic.
Add half of the sherry and
half of the soy sauce to the
steak and cook for about 5
minutes.
2 Add 1 heaped tablespoon
of corn flour mixed with a
little water and mix through.
Remove from pan and put
to one side.
Louise Wills, Louise Kippax-Davies and Dr Rob Thompson.
3 In a separate pan fry
the chopped onions
and peppers. Add the
remaining sherry and
soy sauce and corn flour
and season to taste.
4 When cooked, add to
the steak and heat
through, adding the
bean sprouts just
before serving.
5 Serve with rice and enjoy!
resulting in a significant decision,
which improved the patient
outcome.
Louise Kippax-Davis, added: The
‘SOS Call of the Month’ certificate
is a way of improving the use of
the service whilst recognising
and thanking staff for their
involvement in helping to make
this service a success.
“The most positive outcome for us
is that ward staff have embraced
the service and see us in many
places as extensions of their ward
teams. There couldn’t be a more
rewarding endorsement of what
we’re trying to achieve, than
winning the confidence and trust
of the staff and improving the
quality and safety of our patient
care.”
Both teams providing the SOS
service stress that their role is not
to replace the parent medical
teams but to support them in
assessment, early treatment and
decision making.

News...
Page 6
Happy birthday to the Volunteer Health Mentor team
MEMBERS of the Trust’s
Volunteer Health
Mentor project celebrated
their first anniversary
recently with news that they
had engaged with more
than 2,000 people to give
information and support
about making steps towards
leading a healthier lifestyle.
More than 20 volunteers are
currently working at the hospital
and have been trained to
provide information to patients,
staff and visitors about stopping
smoking, sensible alcohol intake,
improving diet and increasing
physical activity.
The volunteers were praised at
a celebration to mark their first
anniversary.
Nick Grimshaw, Director of HR
and OD, said: “I can’t believe the
progress made by this small
group of volunteers. Their efforts
to help improve the lives of
Members of the volunteer health mentors scheme celebrate their first anniversary.
others has been inspiring.
“I really admire the group
because they are giving up their
own time to use their skills and
experience to help others.’’
Rachel Swindells, Public Health
Facilitator, added: “To have
made such an impact so quickly
is absolutely amazing and
the success of the project is
totally down to the quality of
the people volunteering. They
are always thinking of ways to
improve the service we offer and
are amazingly dedicated.’’
Nicola Worrall, Health Education
Practitioner, said: “The Health
Mentor project has been an
exciting opportunity to offer
support and encouragement
to people who want to make
improvements to their health
and wellbeing.’’
Care Team need your unwanted crockery
The End of Life care
project team are
asking staff to donate
their unwanted tea sets
to be used on Wards for
bereaved families and
friends of patients that
pass away in hospital.
Nurses currently provide
grieving relatives and
friends with a quiet place to
reflect on their loss and also
provide drinks for them as
they come to terms with
the death of a loved one. In
the past, wards have been
able to provide a tea set
consisting of a tea pot and
matching cups and saucers
which would be left with
the grieving families and
friends as they come to
reflect on their loss. Sadly
over the years these sets
have been damaged or lost
The End of Life care team launch their appeal for unwanted tea sets.
meaning that the majority
of wards can no longer
provide this small resource.
Lorraine Tymon, End of
Life Project Coordinator
for the trust said “Families
and friends are really
appreciative of the time
and space nurses provide
for them to comfort each
other at this terribly sad
time and it is incredible
how personal touches like
a drink being served to
them from a tea pot into a
matching tea cup can be
appreciated and fondly
remembered. It is the little
things that mean a lot.”
If you have a tea set that
you would like to donate
then please contact
Lorraine Tymon on 7147 or
Trevor Morris on 5497.
Free golfing lessons
MYERSCOUGH Golf Club in Bilsborrow, is
offering free golf coaching sessions for
adult beginners.
The sessions are being held on Mondays and
Thursdays commencing Thursday, February 2nd
and will run till Monday, February 27th with the
aim of helping people get into golf. There will also
be sessions just for ladies on Wednesday evenings
commencing Wednesday, February 1st which
will run until Wednesday, February 29th. They are
open to beginners/non members and provide
an ideal opportunity for adults to experience the
game of golf. To find out further information please
telephone Myerscough Golf Club on 01995 642200.
10 pin bowling fun
AS part of the NHS 2012 Challenge staff are
invited to take part in the Blackpool NHS
and Council 10 Pin Bowling League.
Teams should consist of four players. The venue is 1st
Bowl in Blackpool on Thursday nights with the cost just
£6 per person for 3 games. If you are interested contact:
janette.mills@blackpool.nhs.uk or elaine.nolan@
blackpool.nhs.uk to register for the bowling league.

away from the trust
Page 7
Stephen Kearney.
Stephen Kearney
has a special job
in our society
member of staff has a
A ‘special’ job away from
his work in the waiting list
department.
Stephen Kearney, 25, has been a
special constable for almost three
years and says it has been an “eye
opening experience.”
Stephen said: “I decided to
become a special constable when
I was at university. I was studying
criminology and it was something
that fitted in well with the course
and the interest I had in issues
around law and policing. It is
something I have never regretted.
I love it and it has really helped me
develop as a person”.
He said: “I am often out patrolling
in Blackpool Town Centre on a
Friday and Saturday night but also
deal with local community policing
initiatives as well. The job is really
varied and it can certainly be eyeopening.
“You find yourself in some situations
that you just would not see in a
normal life and you learn so much.
You get fantastic training that
helps you deal with a wide range
of scenarios and it really does help
make you a stronger and more
astute person that
can only help you
in your day to day
life”.
Asked about the
highlights of his
time as a special,
he said: “the
high speed blue
light pursuits are
obviously exciting
and something
not everyone will
ever experience
but on a personal level the biggest
moment was my first arrest.
That is always a landmark for any
special and something you always
remember”.
Stephen said there is a great support
network from local police staff who
fully appreciate the efforts of the
specials. He said: “You do get great
backing from regular policing staff.
They really do appreciate the work
you do. They fully appreciate the fact
that your volunteer your own time
to do this”.
Special Constables are unpaid
volunteer police officers who have
the same powers as regular police
officers, wear the same uniform
and are issued with the same
equipment.
The main duties of a Special
Constable are:
• To carry out local patrols.
• To take part in crime reduction
projects.
• To help challenge anti-social
behaviour.
• To help police local events.
A Special Constable is asked to work
a minimum of four hours per
week in a single shift but the
working hours are flexible so
that you can give more time if
you can spare it.
No formal qualifications are
needed so long as you;
• Are honest and reliable.
• Have a positive approach.
• Are able to work as part of a
team.
• Are willing to learn new
skills.
Applications can be accepted
at the age of 18. There’s no
upper age limit for applying
to be a Special Constable but
bear in mind that the normal
retirement age for a Special
Constable is 60.
You must also meet
certain health and fitness
requirements and pass a
fitness test.
To find out more, contact the
Recruitment Team on 01772
410392 or 01772 410377.
Walk Report:
January walk with Bob Bradley
Forty Seven eager
walkers set off on
the Victoria Hospital
Walking Club’s first
outing of the year. The
January walk is always
a draw due probably
to the fact that there is
always a good meal at its
end.
Both groups started at
the village of Scorton.
The “B” group set off on
their eight mile linear
walk up Snowhill Lane,
round via Pedder Wood,
Long Crossey Wood and
onto the Millennium Way.
The final stretch was flat
and followed the bank
of the Lancaster Canal
to the finish at Old Nell’s
Restaurant at Billsborrow.
The “C” group set off from
the village on their circular
six mile walk following
paths by Park Wood, Lee
Green Farm, Shireshead
and a return journey along
the River Wyre to Scorton,
before a short coach
journey to Old Nell’s.
The weather throughout
was dull with intervals
of light drizzle but none
of this damped the
enthusiasm or the hunger
for the great meal served
up by Old Nell’s.
Next month’s walk sets
off from Downham near
Clitheroe on Sunday,
February 12th and all
newcomers and children
are welcome.
If you would like to take
part contact Bob Bradley
on 01253 346384 or
07804892013.

and finally...
Do you know a member of staff who has got engaged,
married or had a baby? Why not give them your best
wishes in Grapevine. Contact Derek Quinn on Ext 6941.
Page 8
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
SIMPLE this month,
name each person or
character in the 12
squares above and the
well known job that
links them all?
The first all correct entry drawn
before the closing date, will
win £50 in the form of a gift
voucher courtesy of CDC
Printers of Poulton.
Enter your answers below and
return them to: Competitions,
Communications Department,
Trust Headquarters, BVH. before
the closing date of: Wednesday
22nd February 2012.
1 ........................................
Name:
2 ........................................
3 ........................................
4 ........................................
5 ........................................
6 ........................................
7 ........................................
8 ........................................
9 ........................................
Dept.:
Contact Number:
Congratulations
To Paul Jebb, Head of Patient Experience, whose
“Sports Mixtures” picture quiz entry from last
month’s issue was the first all correct entry drawn out.
Paul wins a £50 gift
voucher courtesy
of CDC Printers of
Poulton. The correct
answers in the correct
order were.
10 ........................................
11 ........................................
12 ........................................
What job links them all?
........................................
The correct answers
were as follows:
1. Steve Davies / Jose Mourinho
2. Bjorn Borg / Andy Murray
3. Maradona / Lionel Messi
4. Brian Clough / Alex Ferguson
5. Rory McIlroy / Ricky Hatton
6. Gordon Banks / Petr Chech
7. Ronaldo / Christiano Ronaldo
8. Tom Daly / Jessica Ennis
9. Tim Henman / Frankie Dettori
10. Wayne Rooney / Phil Taylor
11. Amir Khan / Tiger Woods
12. Sergio Garcia / Rafael Nadal