Heartbeat: May 2019

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Trust trains STAR carers to help patients stay at home PRIMARY CARE, COMMUNITIES AND THERAPIES A unique training package has been devised for care workers by our iCares colleagues to help them recognise and treat a range of health conditions affecting patients in the community. Clinical colleagues have worked with the STAR (Short Term Assessment Reablement) Service, over the past month to deliver the valuable sessions. The STAR Service is run by Sandwell Borough Council and delivers care to patients who have recently been discharged or require home care to avoid hospital admission. Training covers a range of conditions, such as dementia and neurological disorders as well as looking at functional activities such as balance. It has been put together and delivered by occupational therapists, physiotherapists and nurses all working for iCares. Nurse, Theresa Chester, who is also the Primary Care Co–ordinator for iCares, said: “The training programme, funded by the Better Care Fund, provides training to all the STAR service workers. Our team, comprising of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and nurses, put together a training Our iCares team with colleagues from the STAR Service package specifically tailored for carers in the community. “From a therapies point of view it covered the physical side of things, whilst nurses delivered information on a range of health topics. This included pressure area, continence and skin care management, and how to recognise sepsis.” The carers can support people with daily living tasks, such as washing themselves, dressing skills, meal preparation, mobility and allows them to remain in their own homes. It’s a short term service which is provided for six weeks. Theresa added: “This training will allow the carers to have a more focused approach with the knowledge that the therapists and nurses have given them.” Tian Sanderson, an assessor for the STAR Service, said: “I think the training is really good as it has helped me to understand how to recognise the signs and symptoms of illnesses that can affect our patients. It is very beneficial for our carers and ultimately will lead to better care for our patients.” David Stevens, Executive Director of Adults Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, said: “This is a great project which shows the close working relationship between the council and our health partners to ensure residents are getting the best care and support possible. “The Better Care Fund is helping us fund crucial projects and together we are working hard to keep people out of hospital and keeping the safe at home where possible.” Community nurses lead the way in mobile working Earlier this year, colleagues in Yorkshire and Humber had an opportunity to hear about how we have embraced digital patient care, from when the challenge was first set through to the completion of the phase one mobile working rollout across the region. Denise Owen, Matron for Community Nurses, and Andy Churm, District Nurse Clinical Lead (Informatics Secondment for Mobile Working), were invited to speak at a Technology for Community Nursing event hosted by NHS England and Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network in Leeds. Denise was also asked to take part in a panel discussion, which operated in a similar style to Question Time, focusing on the project’s challenges, risks, opportunities and successes. During the event Dr Crystal Oldman of the Queen’s Nursing Institute, and Heather Caudle of NHS England, came and spoke to Denise and Andy. They both congratulated our organisation on the excellent work that has been done within the district nurse service around mobile working and becoming paper–light. Denise and Andy felt the presentation went really well and were pleased to be given the opportunity to share good practice nationally. “It was great meeting other NHS colleagues who are also travelling a digital path, so that we could share our experiences,” said Andy. “Many other organisations face the same challenges as us here at SWB and having the opportunity to discuss these challenges and explore some possible solutions proved to be of great benefit. It was really motivational to have these discussions with colleagues who share our desire to push the digital future of the NHS into community services.” Andy Churm and Denise Owen talk about the digital journey within the district nursing team 22
FINCH coach trip helps bowel condition patients take flight It's always nice to get out and about – now imagine if you couldn't take a trip to the out of fear and embarrassment at the prospect of your body betraying you. For some patients it is a very real reality, but thanks to the FINCH group (faecal incontinence and constipation healthcare), assistance to those suffering from potentially life–altering bowel conditions is available. It can be a tricky subject to talk about, as Jodie Smith, Bowel Function CNS at FINCH explains: "We know that bowels are a taboo subject and that bowel complaints can lead to social isolation, but the feedback demonstrates that even when an individual has regained control, the social isolation can persist.” To help combat this, earlier this year at one of their quarterly support meetings the FINCH group proposed pushing social boundaries more significantly, raising the idea of a specially tailored coach trip to the Cotswolds for the simple pleasure of going ‘somewhere different’. The response from patients was a definite yes. One such patient was 79–year–old Hazel Bury, who suffers from anterior resection syndrome following surgery for bowel cancer: "The idea was a big cheer up for us all; people who don't normally get out Patient Hazel Bury (left) with Bowel Function CNS, Jodie Smith and socialise. It gives us a bit more freedom, to have a day out or a few hours where we feel we're in control – instead of the complaints being in control of us.” FINCH, with sponsorship assistance from delivery company Respond worked to make it happen, allowing all those attending on a highly enjoyable trip the Cotswolds – one PRIMARY CARE, COMMUNITIES AND THERAPIES even rain could not dampen. Hazel laughs: "That day it poured with rain but it didn't matter. It was a very interesting area and we wandered and wandered and I'm afraid was a bit late back for the coach because we wandered a bit too much!" Further outings are now a possibility for the patients as it has opened back up a door thought closed to many. Jodie adds: "The benefit of a patient support group is that patients can share experiences, give advice, and provide emotional support as they are speaking to others in a similar situation to themselves. These patients may not have anyone else to talk to, and even if they did it can be most beneficial to speak to someone outside their immediate circle. From a patient support group friendships can be formed and this relief from isolation is gained. “That was the whole aim. To help encourage patients to go out, live their life and not let their bowels stop them doing what they want to do." Virtual patients now a reality with futuristic training IMAGING By using futuristic simulator technology, our organisation is looking to improve the ultrasound training we offer within the radiology department. Real–feel haptic technology is creating the sensation of touch in mid–air by using a simulator and it is being used to train our colleagues within imaging. It creates a virtual patient that can be scanned without discomfort. We have invested in a device which responds to movement and pressure so it enables registrars and radiographers to accelerate their training in the art of carrying out a comfortable ultrasound. There is also a virtual tutor component that guides the trainee through multiple modules to extend their knowledge of normal anatomy and pathologies. Dr John Morlese, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Director for Diagnostic Imaging, said: “The ultimate aim is for us to improve our training and inspire members of staff to become ultrasonographers. “The simulator responds to the movements of those using it, and it alerts you to the amount of pressure you are using. “There are many ways that this equipment benefits our patients and our organisation. Normally we would carry out training on a patient, who may feel some discomfort when there is too much pressure applied during an ultrasound. “By allowing the clinician, either a registrar or radiographer, to train using this haptic technology, they avoid this interaction with a patient. It also accelerates their training and enables them to become more competent in a shorter time frame. It also offers a taster to those who want to learn how to carry out ultrasounds.” The simulator will enable trainees to acquire complex skills at their own pace. Registrar Elnur Kasumov with the Haptic Scanner at City Hospital 23
Page 1 and 2: May 2019 Sandwell and West Birmingh
Page 3 and 4: Working together to get the most fr
Page 5 and 6: New era for GP surgery as it joins
Page 7 and 8: The clock is ticking - new parking
Page 9 and 10: Hands on for hand hygiene Infection
Page 11 and 12: Corrine’s marathon run to help en
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Page 16 and 17: CORPORATE AND GENERAL NEWS Shout ou
Page 18 and 19: Neurophysiology are future proof wi
Page 20 and 21: Safety and efficiency scores nation
Page 24 and 25: Pulse News in brief from around our
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Page 28: Events diary June 2019 EVENT DATE T

Heartbeat: May 2019

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