Heartbeat March 2020

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National campaign to bust myth around eye drops SURGICAL SERVICES Some of our clinicians have featured in a hard-hitting campaign to highlight the importance of glaucoma patients taking eye drops during Ramadan. This campaign organised by the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) created a mythbusting video that features a number of clinicians from the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC). It highlights how Muslims using eye drops during Ramadan will not break their fast as the medication does not count as food or drink. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which the main nerve to the eye (the optic nerve) is damaged where it leaves the back of the eye. As it becomes damaged, vision is lost, usually starting around the edge of the field of vision known as peripheral vision. There are no early symptoms of glaucoma, so up to 40 per cent of the peripheral vision can be lost without an individual noticing. Abdul-Jabbar Ghauri, Consultant Ophthalmologist with Head of Patient Support Services, International Glaucoma Association The most common treatment for glaucoma is to take eye drops. Depending on the type of eye drops, these may need to be taken every day and sometimes two or three times a day. Mr Abdul-Jabbar Ghauri, Consultant Ophthalmologist, said, “Eye drops should be taken throughout the month. According to most legal schools, the medication is not considered to break the fast, even if traces of taste or colour reach the back of the throat. For those people who aren’t convinced and can still taste the drop, they can try punctal occlusion. Most scholars would agree that eye drops do not count as food or drink. Islam forbids any act which is harmful to an individual. All Muslims should take care of their bodies, entrusted to them by God. “It is really important that we get the message out there that taking eye drops, or any medication for long-term illnesses is vital. Eye drops need to be taken every day in a range of eye conditions, including glaucoma and inflammatory eye disease. Even stopping the drops for a short time can cause permanent damage to a person’s vision and they may not notice any damage until their next check-up and field test. “We know Ramadan can be a busy time, so we recommend that patients leave their drops in a prominent place, such as by their toothbrush. Putting a reminder on a phone is also a good way to remember to take them.” As well as Mr Ghauri, other BMEC colleagues in the video include Emadur Khan, Specialist Optometrist, Andrew Castle, Specialist Orthoptist, Stephen Khaw, Senior Pharmacist and Iyad Ibrahim, Nurse Practitioner. Birmingham Central Mosque’s Imam, Mohammad Asad, and Joanna Bradley, Head of Patient Support Services for IGA also feature. New group to support myeloma patients Not so uncommon, but often diagnosed late, myeloma is an incurable but treatable form of blood cancer found in the bone marrow. It impacts thousands of people across the UK and accounts for 15 per cent of all blood cancers. A newly formed support group will soon be launching to support myeloma patients. The Midland Metropolitan Myeloma Support Group (MMMSG) officially launches on 22 April. It will provide a broad array of support ranging from patient and carer information, living with myeloma and treatment options to name but a few things. The inaugural meeting will take place at the education centre at Sandwell Hospital. Patron, Dr Farooq Wandroo, Haematology Consultant commented, “MMMSG is a new myeloma patient support group established with the help of registered charity Myeloma UK. Over the years, we have been feeling an unmet need to have something in place to support myeloma patients and their carers when they are newly diagnosed or post-chemotherapy. “It’s essential that there is support available to share information, experiences and Members of the Midland Metropolitan Myeloma Support Group committee expert advice. Information plays a vital role in helping individuals come to terms with a myeloma diagnosis and understanding treatment options. Over 17, 000 people in the UK have myeloma and, though the disease remains incurable, the majority of patients now live a pronged life with current treatments. “This group consists of several patients and carers who are very enthusiastic about meeting and supporting each other. Doctors and nurses will support the group by providing advice on treatments available, management of pain, toxicities and measures to help myeloma patients live life to the fullest. The group will also help spread awareness about myeloma and promote early diagnosis to help prevent complications. It will also be working closely the Trust’s cancer services team.” Jane Ogleby, Macmillan Haematology CNS said: “We’re looking forward to the launch of the MMMSG; it will offer a great way for patients and family members to meet in an informal and welcoming setting. It will provide those living with myeloma lots of useful resources and access to trained professionals. It will also offer specialist support to help individuals deal with everything from their diagnosis through to more practical tips on how to navigate life with myeloma. As well as this individuals will benefit from support from each other as well as carers.” If you’d like to find out any more information, please email jane.ogleby@nhs.net. 24
Inside the mortuary – taking care of our patients right to the end Jessica Arnold, Mortuary Service Manager is one of five colleagues who perform post-mortems at our Trust When many of us think of a mortuary we are filled with dread and fear often imagining what it must be like to be surrounded by death. However, when you meet our colleagues who work in the mortuary at City and Sandwell it is somewhat reassuring to see that the mortuary is a calm, even homely looking place aimed at making loved ones feel at ease during the most difficult time of their lives. <strong>Heartbeat</strong> caught up with our Mortuary Service Manager, Jessica Arnold who told us more. “People often have misconceptions about the mortuary and what we do – our aim is simple – patient care. We look after patients who have passed away and ensure they are taken care of until they leave for a burial or cremation. We can deal with very emotive cases but the team are here because they are compassionate and caring.” We asked Jessica to explain the flow of a patient leaving the ward and going into the care of the mortuary. She said: “When our patients are brought down by portering colleagues, part of our role is to check their paperwork is in order. We check that the patient has the correct ID and that all their personal belongings are accounted for. Patients are also measured as part of the requirement for the undertakers who require the measurements in order to prepare the coffins. There is a beautiful handwritten register where we write the patient’s name, date of death and the name of the undertaker. The information is also recorded electronically.” Five technicians make up the team in the mortuary who all take part in undertaking post mortems. Jessica explained that not all patients have a post mortem and it depends on whether the cause of death is known. “Post mortems are usually carried out if a patient dies unexpectedly,” said Jessica. “The process is meant to piece the puzzle of how someone died. Our coroner’s jurisdiction has access to a digital autopsy which is situated at Sandwell crematorium; it is a scanner that helps to ascertain the cause of death limiting the need for invasive procedures. In some cases the scan can be inconclusive so we have to carry out a full invasive post mortem. “As technicians we remove all the organs in preparation of dissection and examination by the pathologist. This can sometimes result in further examination where blood and urine is collected for further testing in the lab. Once it is clear how a patient has died, the coroner can issue the necessary paperwork for a funeral to take place.” It’s hard to imagine what it must be like having to deal with patients who have lost their lives and their families. Kulwinder Johal, Clinical Directorate Lead has recently taken on the overall management of the mortuary. She said: “Dealing with people in a bereaved status is very challenging. I am in awe of how the team take care of our patients as well as manage the expectations of loved ones. PRIMARY CARE, COMMUNITIES AND THERAPIES “They often have to have sensitive conversations with families to prepare them about what to expect when they see their loved one.” Jessica added: “We are not a funeral home so we are limited as to what we can do to prepare patients for viewing. But we do ensure that hair is brushed or combed and that the eyes and mouth are shut. The aim is to give the impression that the patient is sleeping so we lay them on a viewing trolley that looks like a bed.” Kulwinder aims to raise awareness of the mortuary service and the amazing work they do. “I don’t think colleagues around the organisation fully understand the work and skill that goes into caring for deceased patients,” she said. “We have just gone through a Human Tissues Authority (HTA) inspection and there is a lot of structure and accountability required to run a mortuary service. “We have worked together with our colleagues including clinical nurse practitioners, bereavement support midwives and ward managers as part of a stakeholder group involved with the deceased to achieve the standards of the HTA and deliver a coordinated approach to the way we care for deceased patients. “Together we work to ensure patients are laid to rest quicker and we also provide training particularly for the rapid release process. The rapid release process ensures that a death certificate is signed on the ward at the time of death (if cause is known). A signed form is issued to the family who will give authority for the body to be released. The patient is then escorted to the mortuary by a ward colleague and handed over straight to the undertaker. When done right, rapid release can take up to four hours and is a great comfort for families as they can lay their loved ones to rest.” Jessica commented: “Part of the work of the stakeholder group is also to ensure families are supported throughout the process and where necessary direct them to services that provide financial support.” If you would like further information or training please contact Jessica on jessica.arnold3@nhs.net 25
Page 1 and 2: March 2020 Sandwell and West Birmin
Page 3 and 4: Our Trust’s plan to manage the pa
Page 5 and 6: Managing your health and wellbeing
Page 7 and 8: It’s not all about hospitals: Rea
Page 9 and 10: Supporting colleagues - swabbing fo
Page 11 and 12: Celebrating our stars of the week S
Page 13 and 14: GEMS - our valuable pieces of learn
Page 15 and 16: Milestone merger becomes reality as
Page 17 and 18: Mental health act administrator joi
Page 19 and 20: Year of the Nurse and Midwife Each
Page 21 and 22: Conference shares methods to improv
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Page 27 and 28: Safer Sleep Week to help prevent un
Page 29 and 30: This month we say hello to Liam Ken
Page 31 and 32: Toby writes about… management by

Heartbeat March 2020

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