NUH News Summer 2017

4 5
SpotlightOn
NUH Quiz
How many outpatients do we see
each month?
A: 71,000 B: 48,000 C: 21,000
Answers on P15
SpotlightOn
It's a family affair
Elaine and Rosie Allright
When Elaine Allright watched QMC
being built as a child she had no idea
what a huge part it would go on to
play in her life, but 40 years later
she has given birth there, had two
grandchildren born there, and worked
as both a nurse and midwife within its
walls for almost 30 years.
For the last four years she has been joined
by her own daughter Rosie, who is also a
midwife, making it a real family affair.
Elaine, who pioneered the use of
aromatherapy in NUH’s maternity
department, began her career at QMC
when she joined as a trainee nurse in 1989.
She initially worked in adult medicine but
decided to train as a midwife in 1998.
She said: “My first birth was not a good
1977–2017
experience so before I had Rosie I did a
lot of research as I wanted things to be
different. I had a home birth and it was
much better, and I knew then that I wanted
to help change the experience for other
women, to help empower them and take
away the fear.
“I was interested in aromatherapy right
from the start and I put the case forward
for the hospital to train me, on the basis
that I would then train other staff and offer
it as a service.”
Elaine’s initial enthusiasm has led to all NUH
midwives and support staff being offered
the chance to train in aromatherapy.
“My dream was for everyone to be able to
do it and for all women to be able to have
it, and it’s so nice for that to be realised.”
Reflecting on QMC’s 40th anniversary year,
she said: “I love QMC and feel completely
embedded in its history and its excellence.
I feel so proud of this.
“I work in a fantastic team where
everyone’s there for everybody.”
Since 2012 that team has included her
daughter Rosie, now 23, who has followed
in her mother’s footsteps .
Rosie said: “I always knew that I wanted to
do something to help people. I knew that I
could not sit in an office.
“Seeing someone do something that they
never thought they could do is incredible.
Seeing people’s strength come out and
watching women being made in to
mothers, coming home knowing that I
made a difference to somebody, that’s
what I love about it.”
Rosie works on both the labour suite and
maternity ward at QMC. She said one of
the best memories from her career so far
was the first birth she supervised after she
qualified. She said: “I was nervous as it was
the first time I was doing it on my own but
they were a lovely couple and were able
to have the water birth that they wanted.
They took a picture of me holding the baby
which they sent to me afterwards which
was really special.”
As for working alongside each other, their
different shifts mean that it rarely happens.
Elaine said: “I think it’s only ever happened
about three times and, even then, we are
obviously dealing with our own women, so
we might see each other in passing and say
a quick hello.”
But both agree it is good to have someone
to talk to about their demanding jobs at the
end of the day.
Rosie said: “It’s nice to debrief and have a
bit of a vent if you’ve had a bad day.
I know Mum will understand how I am
feeling and be able to give me advice.”
Elaine said: “It keeps us both going. I get
the same support from Rosie that she
probably gets from me. It’s a really lovely
part of it. How many people are lucky
enough to get to do that?”
For more stories from long-serving QMC staff see P8
Lord Willis
Institute for
Excellence
is first for
Nottingham
NUH has launched a new Institute of
Nursing and Midwifery Care Excellence,
which is one of the first of its kind in
the country.
The Institute has already been
recognised by Lord Willis of
Knaresborough who visited Nottingham
to congratulate NUH on its work so far
in promoting opportunities for nursing
and midwifery development. As a
national advocate for nursing quality,
Lord Willis spoke to NUH midwives,
nurses and patients about the new
roles that will be possible for the nurses
and midwives of the future, thanks
to innovations like the new Institute:
"What is exciting about the new
institute we are opening is that you
have grasped that philosophy that it
will be nurses and midwives who must
directly the change the future.
"Ultimately it's about a change of
culture; and that shift of emphasis is
really quite profound. And for those of
you at Nottingham and the fact that
we're opening an institute here gives
you a head start on virtually everywhere
else in the country and you should use
that strongly."
The Institute for Nursing and Midwifery
Care Excellence brings together NUH's
training, education, professional
development and research programmes
for nurses and midwives.
You can find out more about Nursing
and Midwifery opportunities at NUH
here: www.teamnuh.co.uk
On track for a bright future
A student nurse has had a tram
named in her honour after being
crowned the overall winner of
our Nurse and Midwife of the
Year Awards.
Christina O’Loughlin has been working
at QMC this year and is following in the
footsteps of her mother Wendy, who
also works as a nurse at the hospital. She
graduates in December and hopes to return
to NUH when fully-qualified.
Her tram was unveiled during a special
ceremony at the end of July.
She said: "I am still overwhelmed that I
was initially nominated for the award and
then went on to be the overall winner. I
am so grateful that a family took the time
to nominate me whilst their child was in
hospital and that the public took the time
to vote for me.
"I feel so privileged that my name will
be on a Nottingham tram. I have had so
much support from my family, boyfriend,
the university and my mentors whilst on
placement at NUH, who have helped me
throughout the course.
"My friends and family have been so proud
to see my photo around the hospital, and
now they can't wait to see my name on the
tram!"
Celebrating our Nurse and Midwife stars
The ceremony took place at the
Nottingham Conference Centre
in May, and was supported by
Nottingham Express Transit and
the Nottingham Post.
Awards were given out in seven
categories, plus a special QMC40 award,
to mark the hospital’s 40th anniversary.
Twenty-two nurses and midwives were
shortlisted. The winners (pictured above)
were:
Christina, 24, was nominated by the
grateful parents of a child she cared for at
Nottingham Children's Hospital, who were
impressed and inspired by her care.
"I'm so happy but really shocked at the
same time. Hopefully I'll carry on the way
I am and continue learning from those
around me, and I hope to be a great nurse
in the future," she said.
The Nurse and Midwife of the Year Awards
are possible thanks to the partnership
working between NUH, the Nottingham
Post and Nottingham Express Transit (NET).
Mandie Sunderland, Chief Nurse, said: "We
are all incredibly proud of Christina. Thank
• Laura Hardwick
Adult Nurse of the Year
• Claire Pothecary
Children's Nurse of the Year
• John Marriott
Healthcare Assistant of the Year
• Andreia Almeida
International Nurse of the Year
• Heather Bartram
Midwife of the Year
• Lucy Gillespie
Nurse Leader of the Year
• Christina O'Loughlin
Student Nurse of the Year
The QMC40 award went to neonatal nurse
Mary Palframan marking her dedicated
service to babies and their families.
you once again to the Nottingham Post and
NET for making these awards possible and
providing another way for our hospitals and
our nurses to more closely connect with our
local community."
Professor Joanne Lymn, Head of the School
of Health Sciences at the University of
Nottingham, said: "This is a well-deserved
honour, and a fitting tribute to the
unwavering dedication and professionalism
which Christina displays in her role on a
daily basis. Christina is truly inspirational.
She is an excellent role model for all the
student nurses studying at the University of
Nottingham and we are all extremely proud
of her."
Overall winner was student nurse Christina
O’Loughlin.
Peter Homa, Chief Executive, said: "These
awards are one of the highlights of the
year and a special occasion whereby
the local community comes together
to support and thank our nurses and
midwives for all they do and the excellent
care they provide to our patients, their
families and carers."
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