Making Waves June 2011 - James Paget University Hospitals

News
Letter from New Zealand -
Hi from Guy Vautier
Leaving the UK at the end of the December seems a long time ago and our
only struggle with our move to New Zealand has been with the accent.
“So we need a license
for having a hole dug in
our garden?” replied Kate,
“No, for your domestic pit!”
an exasperated lady at the
local council implored, “Your
DOG” she affirmed. “I’m so
sorry” said Kate “I thought
you said pit, not pet….”
We arrived in Napier on
a bright Sunday morning,
met by the head of medical
personnel. One thing I
am learning is the depth
of welcome afforded to
us. Being a foreigner is a
very enlightening way of
reflecting upon one’s own
attitudes towards others.
That stated the hospital
here relies heavily upon the
UK and South Africa for its
medical and nursing teams,
so at work it is very much
like being a foreigner among
foreigners.
Obviously, the significant
event since our arrival
has been the earthquake
in Christchurch, but now
the devastation in Japan
seems to pale this into
insignificance! For New
Zealand imagine the third
largest city in the UK (i.e.
Birmingham) being hit by
an event that took out
most of its infrastructure
and killed hundreds and
injured thousands – that is
the national scale of things.
However, with a pragmatism
not seen in northern Europe
the country has gathered
together to help support
Christchurch and Canterbury.
The response has been
not to flood the city with
lots of people that the city
cannot support, rather it has
evacuated the vulnerable,
and encouraged those that
can move out to do so;
the country can support
these people while the city
rebuilds itself.
I keep making the
observation that as far as
healthcare is concerned
the problems are the
same, things are just done
differently. It is only when
one steps away from the
NHS that you see how good
the system is. The New
Zealand one is a good public
care system, however access
is frustrating and it reminds
me of the
long waiting
times that
people
in the UK
struggled
with some
10 or 15 years ago. The
New Zealand government
and people accept the reality
of rationing more openly.
Treatments are limited only
to those with clearly proven
benefit. The UK has come
a long way with respect to
cancer care. I know how
much I was against the
blanket two week wait
policy but ten years down
the line, with everyone
putting in an effort,
individuals do receive timely
care.
Inwardly I giggle as I see
the organisation getting
its head around drug
reconciliation, unifying IT
systems, being nationally
compliant, prevention of
deep vein thrombosis and
trying to get documentation
sorted. My principle criticism
is that New Zealand is
dealing with health issues
New Learning Disabilities Liaison Nurse
that
the NHS faced a few years
ago. However, the very
positive thing is in dealing
with these issues they watch
the mistakes made by others
and ensure they learn by
them.
The biggest plus has
definitely been more time:
more time to spend with
each person for whom I care;
more time with the same
junior doctors; more time to
talk with the nursing team
and most importantly more
time with Kate and the boys.
Last week I had a
morning free so Kate and
I went for a lovely walk
around the stunningly
beautiful Te Mata peak.
This is the luxury that
moving half way round the
world has afforded us and
for which, so far, we are
thoroughly enjoying.
Rebecca Crossley has been appointed to the role of acute liaison nurse for learning disabilities. She offers direct support
to patients, users and carers and provides education and training for front-line staff, to increase awareness of the needs
of learning disability patients and how to adapt and plan care for them.
Rebecca’s role is to work closely with her colleagues in primary care, to help patients who are coming in for planned
appointments and procedures, preparing them for their hospital stay and making their experience less stressful.
Rebecca is taking on the challenge of establishing her new role and making sure staff across the hospital know
she is there to be called upon. She is working closely with the community Learning Disability teams, advocacy service,
carers groups and GPs in the community so there is streamlined handover of patients and the opportunity to highlight
individual needs early on, as well as working through sometimes complex discharge arrangements to avoid hold ups.
Rebecca is now a member of the Learning Disabilities Liaison Nurse Network and Partnership board sub-groups,
where staff from partner organisations, advocacy groups, carers, service users and support agencies
are working to develop effective admission pathways and guidelines; ensuring that services can
remain flexible and meet the needs of the user.
Rebecca said: “Learning disability patients in the community have special needs and requirements
so it follows that when they come to hospital they will also need extra help and input. It’s not only
clinical support at the bedside, along with education and training; but also about providing equal
access to healthcare; helping to meet patients’ special needs. For some patients even getting them
into hospital in the first instance can be a major achievement.”
If your area has not yet received Learning Disability awareness training please don’t hesitate to
contact her.
Telephone: 01493 453732 Bleep: 1868 E-mail: rebecca.crossley@jpaget.nhs.uk
www.jpaget.nhs.uk Making Waves Newsletter June 2011 Page 11