Heartbeat August 2019

Pulse
News in brief from around our organisation
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It’s a #SWBHfamily affair for
cardiology as doctor weds
It really was a #SWBHfamily affair when
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Dr
Derek Connolly married former Sandwell
Senior Cardiac Physiologist Louise
Fitzgerald last month.
The pair celebrated their nuptials at
Highbury Hall, in Moseley, the Grade II
listed home of the 19th century "father of
Birmingham" Joseph Chamberlain.
The wedding, held on 21 July, was
attended by many colleagues from across
the Trust – including maid of honour
Louise’s sister Laura Taylor who works as
a professional development sister within
cardiology.
The best man was Dr Russell Davis,
Clinical Lead in Cardiology and the ushers
included Dr Leong Lee, Clinical Safety
Officer and Dr Hugh Bradby, former
Medical Director of the Trust.
Ironically, Derek was on the shortlisting
panel when Louise, born at Sandwell
Hospital, was appointed in 2002. However
it wasn't until over a decade later that
Derek and Louise started dating.
Louise is now full time mum to their three
small children, Sienna, Olivia, and William
and the honeymoon will be a family
holiday to Disneyland Paris with their
kids. Widower Derek also has two older
children from his first marriage, Katrina
and Fiona. Fiona is studying medicine
in Cambridge having done her "work
experience" following the Stroke team at
our Trust.
Dr Connolly with Louise on their wedding day
Sun safety event raises funds
for young people
As young people and their families
attended at sports day on Thursday 25 July
under record breaking temperatures, they
were thrilled to get free sun hats from our
Friar Park health visitors.
“When we heard Friar Park Children’s
Centre; part of Action for Children were
holding their sports day, we thought it
would be a perfect opportunity to hold a
health promotion event alongside,” said
Irene Tickell, Health Visitor.
“As it turned out it was one of hottest
days on record. We spoke to children
and their families about sun safety and
gave away fun in the sun literature kindly
donated by the White Ribbon Association.
The free sunhats were generously provided
by Healthy Living Sandwell.
“We were also able to give a £57
donation to Action for Children raised
through a tombola we organised on the
day. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and
very hot day!”
L – R Health visitors Joanne Rogers and Irene
Tickell brave the heat to give sun safety
advice to youngsters and their families
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