Heartbeat August 2019

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Payments recovered from over 150 overseas visitors CORPORATE AND GENERAL NEWS Our organisation has recovered payment from over150 patients who were overseas visitors since August 2018 when the overseas visitors team was formed, alongside significant savings from deterring health tourists from using our services. The team assess patients’ chargeable status and identifies patients who are ineligible for free NHS care. Upon receiving referrals from self-check-in kiosks, A&E or wards the team meet with patients to ensure they are eligible for free NHS healthcare. “Prior to August 2018, our legal team were inundated with queries regarding overseas visitors and charging visitors where possible,” explained Kiran Virk, Overseas Visitors Officer. “However since our team was formed 12 months ago, there has been a Our Trust’s Overseas Visitor team - L-R Genevieve Southall, Overseas Visitors Officer; Saleem Mohammed, Overseas Visitors Manager and Shelly Klair, Overseas Visitors Officer significant improvement in identification and charging as this is what we solely specialise in and focus on.” The overseas visitor team use thorough and precise techniques to identify potential health tourists. Saleem Mohammed, Overseas Visitors Manager said: “Since our team was introduced, the Trust has recovered payment Get connected at your local cyber café As our Trust continues to embrace the digital revolution this month we are able to bring to you the next stage in our digital journey as we launch our new cyber cafés across our Sandwell, City and Rowley sites. The cyber café pilot scheme allows colleagues who wouldn’t usually have access to a computer, to download their latest payslips, find out about the latest goings on within our workplace and check shifts and emails, all at the click of a button. The bespoke computers are tailored for easy use and be accompanied with a user guide should novice users struggle with any of the basic functions. Paul Hooton, Deputy Chief Nurse is leading the scheme as he believes it will benefit the majority of colleagues long term. He said: “Many of my colleagues such as those who work in domestic services, estates, portering and the majority of ward based colleagues are often out Ward services colleagues test out the new Cyber Cafe of the loop as they don’t have consistent access to digital information like the rest of us. With the introduction of the cyber cafés, it will help close the gap and result in more effective communication across our sites for staff. “Though some may find it a little difficult to use the café to its full capabilities, I think over time and with the guidance of the basic user guide, our cyber cafés will be a huge hit with most.” for treatment from over 150 overseas visitors in just under a year. In addition to this, when our team identifies patients who should be paying for their healthcare, it means we’re able to free up appointments for patients who are entitled to free care thus reducing outpatient waiting lists. “On a daily basis the overseas visitor’s team run reports that show each patient who has checked in for their appointment or attended ED. These reports help identify possible overseas visitors and we then set up an individual case for the patient. Following this we call the patient and ask for the relevant evidence to assess their eligibility for free care. The same process is also used for patients who use ED and become in-patients. “The focus for our team is not only to invoice patients who are ineligible for free NHS care, but we also help and assist colleagues in their understanding and interpretation of the often confusing regulations on charging policies, to make sure that eligible patients are receiving the care they deserve in timely manner.” Janet Clarke, Head of Support Services is also playing a fundamental role in the project and said: “In 2019 it should be a given that everyone has access to a computer. We live in a digital age with lots of information being passed on daily, so for the Trust to make a conscious effort to identify this is a step in the right direction. “Given this is a pilot scheme, it will allow everybody in the cyber café working group to be able to learn what works and needs to improve, including security of the machines themselves, for the eventual planned go-live later this year.” Be sure to drop by and get logged on at your nearest café. Site City City Rowley Regis Rowley Regis Sandwell Sandwell Location Union Office BTC main reception Coffee Pot Staff Room (Laundry Room) Basement Hallam Restaurant 14
Lupus clinic is centre of excellence CORPORATE AND GENERAL NEWS Professor Caroline Gordon The lupus unit at City Hospital has been reconfirmed as a centre of excellence by national charity Lupus UK. Vice Chair and Trustee Yvonne Norton MBE commented: “The facility at City Hospital continues to fulfil all the criteria required to remain a Lupus UK Centre of Excellence. We are pleased that the relationship between City Hospital lupus unit and the renal lupus unit clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital continues to work so well. “Considering the age and cramped conditions of the hospital building, you are doing an admirable job in conducting clinics and consultations and the harmonious relationship that is evident between all team members is far above that found in many more modern centres.” Lupus is a debilitating disorder of the immune system known as an autoimmune disease. Patients with lupus typically experience their immune system turning against parts of the body it is designed to protect, leading to inflammation and damage to various body tissues. Currently there is no cure for lupus, however effective treatments can ensure people with the disease can lead active, healthy lives. Birmingham lupus clinics (including City, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Birmingham Women's Hospital) were appointed the first Lupus UK Centre of Excellence in 2005. Professor Caroline Gordon recalled the excitement that generated for staff. She said: “Patient safety is our number one priority, and all our staff were delighted then to be recognised as working for a centre of excellence, as much as we are to have our status reconfirmed today. We are proud to provide both an excellent clinical service and active research unit, aiming to improve outcomes of the disease. “Our patients always come first and with lupus being a lifetime condition, we are able to form lasting relationships with our patients as we see them through the highs and lows of their symptoms. As we work with them to continue our research into the condition we hope to improve treatments which will enhance quality of life for those living with the disorder.” “Following my retirement I am still providing support for research and clinical advice if needed as Emeritus Professor of Rheumatology whilst John Reynolds - our new Senior Clinical Lecturer - continues my routine NHS clinical work. “However there are many other people involved in the care of lupus patients (too many to name), and I am most grateful to everyone for all their contributions to clinical management and research and for making our lupus service such a success.” Rebecca Gilman, Lupus Research Clinical Nurse Specialist added: It's hugely important to be a Lupus UK Centre of Excellence because it matters to lupus patients. Our patients tell us it is difficult having an unpredictable condition, and so it is important that their condition is managed well. They tell us they want experienced clinicians using well established treatments in a logical and standardised way. “As lupus is not common it takes time to build up this experience, and patients tell us they want to be able to come to a centre that has been checked independently. Lupus UK do this with their Centre of Excellence assessment, and if awarded, this status independently validates that staff at the awarded centre really do understand the condition, lupus patients and they will be giving them the best possible care and treatment. “I'm proud that we continue to offer nationally and internationally renowned care locally to the Birmingham population, as well as to those patients who choose to travel from across the UK to us. I'm also proud to be working in a team that continues to offer best lupus practice and care, is at the forefront of research for care and treatments to continue to improve patients’ futures, and in teaching clinicians and practitioners of the future, as it has done since first receiving Clinical Excellence status in 2005.” Long-time patient Angela McNab who has lived with lupus for nearly 30 years agrees, as she explained: “The experience of being treated at City Hospital is a positive one, because they allow me to be part of the management of my disease.” 15
Page 1 and 2: August 2019 Sandwell and West Birmi
Page 3 and 4: Managers’ Code of Conduct - Setti
Page 5 and 6: The go-live weekend The Trust will
Page 7 and 8: Optimising Unity: Making the most o
Page 9 and 10: Investing in SWB and delivering on
Page 11 and 12: Cancer patients enjoy annual wellbe
Page 13: New assessment tool to help clinici
Page 18 and 19: Cigarette stubs get a good sweeping
Page 20 and 21: Odeena wins Shiela Lorimer award WO
Page 22 and 23: Children have their say on service
Page 24 and 25: Pain management and outpatient ther
Page 26 and 27: Kelly unlocks new role for Trust PR
Page 28 and 29: Pulse News in brief from around our
Page 30 and 31: Letters, of less than 200 words ple
Page 32: Events diary September 2019 EVENT D

Heartbeat August 2019

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