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anthemIssue 4 August/September 2007 North Tees and Hartlepool
NHS Trust
Fancy footworkTrust highlights
falls prevention p12
Fancy footworkTrust highlights
falls prevention p12
The magazine for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust
Top regional job for Ian p2Top regional job for Ian p2
Trust says thanks to
volunteers p10
Trust says thanks to
volunteers p10
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The Royal College of Nursing’s Cutting Edgemagazine, which is the publication for itsperioperative and surgical forum, has published anarticle from Ann Herdman, assistant practitioner atNorth Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.Ann, whose career began as a bank auxiliarynurse in 1993, achieved an NVQ Level 2 in directcare. She is the first of a new breed of healthprofessional; the assistant practitioner.Ann (pictured here) said: “Changes in nursingpractice allowed me to expand my skills. Whenspecialist nurses were introduced I wassuccessful in obtaining a role as a urology supportnurse. My role is unique as I am the only non-registered member of the urology team.“When the University of Teesside School ofHealth and Social Care advertised a foundationdegree in healthcare sciences, I realised this wasthe course I’d been looking for. The two year fulltime course included academic skills and research
modules, practical work and first and second yearportfolios. It enabled me to gain the academicaccreditation for the tasks I undertook on a dailybasis and for which I was competent practicallybut not academically.”The healthcare sciences degree is in its infancybut it enables assistant practitioners to givetreatments. This is a different role than that ofregistered general nurses whose role is tomanage all treatments.Ann added: “My working week now consists ofvarious clinics including urodynamics (bladderfunction), haematuria (blood in the urine), trialremoval of catheter and flow. I also providesupport to consultants’ clinics and I can performmale and female catheterisation.“I am really thankful for the support I’ve had fromthe trust; it has allowed my dream of working atthis level to come true.
While other people are still chewing their toastand looking forward to what a new day willbring, the now ex Prime Minister Tony Blairbegins his day with a series of meetings.Trust chairman Russell Hart, director of financeAlan Foster and independent non executivedirector Rita Taylor found themselves asmeeting two of four taking place before 10amthat morning. At the PM’s house in TrimdonStation the trio had to be cleared through tight
security for their audience.Russell Hart explained: “It was excellent tohave some time with the Prime Minister totalk about issues that are high on the trust’s agenda, and we had a good opportunityto do that. “The PM has been very supportive of the trustover the years, and one of our reasons forgoing was to acknowledge that support whichhas undoubtedly benefited local people.”
Ann talks about her transition from support worker to assistant practitioner
Breakfast meetingwith the PM
It might have been a busy morning but the PM was happy to pose for a photo with his visitors. Pictured with MrBlair, left to right, are director of finance Alan Foster, independent non executive director Rita Taylor andchairman Russell Hart
Top regional job for IanChief executive Ian Dalton is to leave North Tees andHartlepool at the end of August and takes on theregion’s top NHS.He has been appointed chief executive of the NorthEast Strategic Health Authority to succeed David Flory who has taken up a national role in the Department of Health.Ian said: “I am very excited about this new challenge.It was not something I had foreseen or planned whenI joined this Trust almost two years ago and I will besad to leave North Tees and Hartlepool. “In my new role I will of course take a very closeinterest in what happens to the trust in future and willplay my part in ensuring North Tees and Hartlepooldoes not lose the progress and momentum it hasmade in the last two years.“One of the first jobs in my new role will be to writeto NHS staff across the North East region and set outwhere I think we are and where we need to take theregion over the next few years to improve patient careeven further and to recapture the pride that we shouldall share in working for a service which has a majorimpact on so many people. Just as importantly I’ll be listening to staff so we can share our thoughts andideas to improve care for patients even further.“The North East has been and continues to be one ofthe country’s top performers in the health service, andI intend to work with colleagues right across theregion to make things even better for patients.”
August/September 2007
Trust celebratesexcellence
The trust’s annual learning and sharing event –Celebrating Excellence – was given the thumbs upby delegates. The event combines research anddevelopment, the audit prizes and an opportunity toshare good practice right across the trust and thewider health community.Conference organiser Shirley Hetherington said:“It’s a mammoth task to put the conferencetogether every year but it’s always great to have thechance to stop just for a day and look at what isbeing achieved across the trust.“We always have a wide variety of speakers andthis year was no different. We had presentationsfrom looking at how we reduce length of stay in ourmedical wards and induction training for medicalstudents, to the best management of post-operative infection and our drug and alcohol supportservice. There was also a lot of time and effort thatwent into the poster displays.“We were delighted to have keynote speechesfrom public health specialist Mark Reilly from thePublic Health Intelligence Service, County Durhamand Tees Valley Public Health Network and DameCatherine Elcoat, regional nurse director for theWest Midlands. Catherine used to work at NorthTees and Hartlepool, so it was wonderful to see oneof ours progress to this prestigious post and it was
good to hear her thoughts on patient care. “We’re also extremely grateful to our sponsors,because their continued support allows us tocontinue with this very important event which, weknow from the feedback we receive, is muchvalued and appreciated by colleagues right acrossthe trust.”Thank you to everybody, from the presenters to theattendees, who contributed to the day.
A colleague with over 25 years’ servicehas retired from North Tees andHartlepool NHS Trust. DorothyThompson, a secretary in the daycase unit, worked for the trust for26 years, originally on ward 18 as award hostess.Dorothy, who always had a smile andkind word for everyone, will be missedby her colleagues whose token ofappreciation was a beautiful necklaceand earring set.
Dorothy says farewell
Dorothy shows off the gorgeous necklaceand earring set which was presented to herby friends and colleagues
Consultant physician Jean Macleod presents the audit prize to foundation doctorRohit Sinha and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Elaine Gouk
Anthem is your magazine and is only as goodas you make it. If you have any ideas toimprove it or you have a story please contact
Claire Young on 01642 624339 or email:[email protected]
Something to share?
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Donning a hard hat and safety jacket is notusually all in a day’s work for North Tees andHartlepool’s chief executive Ian Dalton but hewas delighted to start off the bulldozing ofthe Victorian buildings which have been a bloton the University Hospital of Hartlepool’slandscape since they went out of use forpatients many years ago.Ian Dalton said: “When I was director ofplanning at Hartlepool in the mid 90s Iwanted to get rid of the buildings then and Iwas surprised to see they were still there –and worse still staff were working in theseatrocious conditions – when I came back tothe trust as chief executive in October 2005.“Undoubtedly they served their purpose wellbut they’ve had their day. I’ve been workinghard to get these buildings down as soon aspossible though it hasn’t been easy, not leastbecause we’ve had to be careful not to fallfoul of European bat legislation! I’m delightedto report that our furry friends have beensafely relocated in pastures new.”The demolition scheme – which is beingcarried out by contractor MGL Demolition Ltd- includes the old Victorian ward blocks andsome of the residential blocks which were no
longer needed. Ultimately the trustheadquarters and the postgraduate centrewill also be demolished when the newpostgraduate and teaching centre and officeaccommodation in the main hospital is ready. Clearing the site is just one of the manyimprovements being carried out inHartlepool. The replacement of everywindow in the hospital has already begun,and landscaping and lighting schemes arealso underway.Ian added: “Last year we invested £5m in theUniversity Hospital of Hartlepool and thisyear we’ve got an even bigger investmentprogramme of £6m this year, part of whichsite clearing the old buildings and improvingthe outside of the hospital. “It will result in a massive improvement inthe look of the site which will becomplemented by the internal rebuildingtaking place as part of the acute servicesreview. Local people deserve an attractivehospital which is also modern, safe and keptto the highest standards of cleanliness. Thishas always been my aim, and the start of thislong overdue demolition takes us one stepfurther to achieving it.”
Well, each to his own - Radio North Tees’sstation manager Elliot Kennedy is a memberof VERA (Victory in Europe Re-enactmentAssociation) a World War 2 living history groupwhich attends shows all over the North ofEngland and Scotland.Elliot said: “We are always looking for like-minded members so if anyone is interested indressing up in 40's clothing and would like tobe a member of this group please feel free toget in touch with me. We meet as a group andinvolve all the family.“We have a Boarder Regiment section and ahome front which includes wives andchildren. If you think you are a little too old think again; our oldest member is a little over 65 and is a member of our Home Guard section.” You can contact Elliot at [email protected] or on extension 4337.What do you get up in your spare time (thatwe can publish)? If you’ve got an interestingstory to tell please contact Anthem.
Just what do you get upto in your free time?
Sheila Kennedy and the family
Going great guns Elliot (centre) and his fellowhome guards
Going,going,gone… Victorianbuildings get thebulldozer treatment
All in a day’s work! Chief executive Ian Dalton prepares to start the demolition work.
August/September 2007
While the demolition of the old surgical block begins at the UniversityHospital of Hartlepool other areas are alsoundergoing improvements. The work has begun on the £531,000 projectto replace all of the windows in the mainhospital block.
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust has wonthe coveted Park Mark award for the fourthyear running for the safety and quality of its carparking facilities.At the University Hospital of Hartlepoolassistant security manager Peter Butlerproudly shows off the award with facilities sitemanager Kate Marrs and security officer BillyFothergill. While at the University Hospital ofNorth Tees he is photographed with controlroom security officer John Kilding
Debbie’smarathon feat
Debbie pounds the pavements of Hartlepool
Trust’s car parks makethe grade for fourth year running
I can see clearly now
Keen runner Debbie Blackwood will soon beswapping the pavements of Hartlepool for thesidewalks of Chicago. Debbie, who is ward manager of the surgicalfloor at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, isgoing to run the Chicago marathon in aid ofPansies breast cancer support group.Indoor rower and gym fanatic Debbie said: “Ihave always enjoyed running and wanted toput it to good use. My work involves dealingwith patients who have had surgery for breastcancer so Pansies was the obvious choicewhen I was thinking of a charity to run for.“When I saw that this year was the 30th anniversary of the Chicago marathon Ithought, why not?”The marathon takes place on 7 October so itgives Debbie plenty of time to prepare for it. Although she's expecting to do a decent time she doesn't feel Paula Radcliffe will need to worry about her world record time of 2 hours 17 minutesand 18 seconds which she achieved in 2002.
Debbie said: "I'll be stepping up my trainingthrough the summer but I don't find thedistance daunting. I'll be happy if I get round infour hours.” She won’t be alone in Chicago as there areexpected to be around 43,000 runners liningup at the start of the race which will be covered live by the BBC. The 26.2 milecourse will be lined with around 1.2 millionspectators cheering the runners on, making it quite a spectacle.Debbie is hoping to raise a lot of money forpatients with breast cancer and their familiesand has already funded a lot of the expensesincurred such as registration fees out of herown pocket. If anyone wishes to sponsor herplease contact Pansies breast cancer supportgroup. You can phone either Isobel Wilson on01429 423213, Ann Dixon on 01429 234977 orAnn O’Connor on 01429 298384. Alternativelyyou could email [email protected].
Deputy director of operations Barrie Kirtonshows chairman Russell Hart how the project is progressing.
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The wettest June on record will beremembered by estates staff for years to come,not least because this was the time theyplanned to have an enormous crane dropping 42 modular units behind the UniversityHospital of North Tees.Well it was June; they might have expectedbetter weather! The 42 units are what will become the newemergency assessment unit which was part ofthe changes to the trust’s hospitals under theacute services review. The unit, which will have42 beds, will assess all emergency patients,whether medical or surgical.Despite the weather and because of excellentco-operation with the contractors Interserve thejob was done in good time. Design anddevelopment manger Steve Taylor said: “It justgoes to show you can’t plan for everything but people worked brilliantly and we got the job done.
“The beauty of the modular units, which areconstructed in York, is that the manufacturerscan continue to work on them until the site is ready to receive them. This way of working cuts down the construction time on site considerably.”North Tees and Hartlepool’s doctors have alsogiven their approval to the construction.Consultant physician Dawn Ashley who, withher colleague Nick Roper have had a guided tourof the unit, said: “It’s excellent to see the planstaking shape.“The project is a great example of clinical andnon clinical staff working together to create anexcellent facility for patients and a very goodworking environment for staff.”The external and internal finishing is nowunderway and the extended emergencyassessment unit is due to be handed over to thetrust in November.
Extended emergencyassessment unit isdropped in by crane
The giant crane towers overthe hospital
A mobile unit arrives at theUniversity Hospital of North Tees
Consultant physician Dawn Ashley
Bird’s eye view – the emergency assessment unit takes shape
Work in progress – the inside of the emergencyassessment unit
August/September 2007
Perioperative services manager Kath Smith called it aday at the end of June as she retired from the trustafter over 30 years of service. Kath plans to spend a lot of time in her garden(weather permitting) with the arbor that she waspresented with by deputy chief executive and directorof nursing and clinical governance Aidan Mullan.
If general manager Stephen Groves and wardmanager Debbie Blackwood thought half anhour of questions with two local schoolchildren would be a walk in the park theywere wrong.Ten-year-old Cory Brazell and Matthew Walls,
11, got straight to the point with theirquestions about hospital life and why the twohad chosen a career in the NHS.The two boys from Grange Primary School arecontributing to a film about Hartlepool and thethings that children consider to be important intheir town.Grange Primary School has film makingfacilities and is working with two primaryschools on the project, as head teacher LouiseConway explained.She said: “This project is an exciting and veryreal way for children to learn about theirsurroundings and improve their skills andunderstanding. When it’s finalised it will beshown around all three primary schoolsinvolved in the project and possibly evenfurther afield.“We were delighted that Stephen and Debbiemade time to talk to us, and the children alsoenjoyed the tour of accident and emergency.”Stephen added: “Corey and Matthew had puta lot of thought into their questions. They wererelevant and sensible, and showed they’d donesome research before they got here.
“Debbie and I were kept on our toes the wholetime. It was actually very refreshing to talk tothe lads, but not as easy as either of us thought.”Watch out Jeremy; these two localnewshounds are on your trail!
Forget Jeremy Paxman –local children get straight tothe point with their questions
General manager Stephen Groves enjoys a friendly hand shake at the end of his interview as ward manager Debbie Blackwood gets ready for a grilling
In the hot seat – general manager Stephen Grovesgets a grilling from Cory and Matthew watched byward manager Debbie Blackwood and headteacher Louise Conway. The filming was done bymedia adviser to the project Clint Crisp
Smooth operation for Kath
Kath cuts the cake at her retirement
Joan retires after 30years (or does she?)
Joan McAlroy with the bust of Col. JW Cameron inthe Cameron maternity wing at the UniversityHospital of Hartlepool
If they could remember, around 3,500people born in Hartlepool would tell youthat the first person they saw after beingborn was midwife Joan McAlroy, andthat number is still rising! Although sheofficially retired in April she is still at theUniversity Hospital of Hartlepoolmaternity unit working as a bank nurse.Joan has worked as a midwife atHartlepool for nearly 30 years sincemoving there in 1978 due to her latehusband Leo’s work commitments. Sheoriginally worked at the old CameronMaternity Hospital where she was anight sister, moving to HartlepoolGeneral Hospital in 1991 when CameronHospital was closed. Among those 3,500 plus babiesdelivered by Joan are seven of her eightgrandchildren, and as she celebrates her70th birthday on 3 August, she isn’tshowing any signs of stopping. Joansaid: “I love my work, it is like a drug, if Idon’t work I feel miserable”. She is continually being told by her fivechildren that she will die at work, Joan’s response is merely: “If I die atwork, I will die happy!”
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Five years since it was introduced the patientadvice and liaison service (PALS) is still apopular way for patients to have their worries,questions and concerns addressed informally. PALS officers Jill Jackson and Nidhi Thakurbrought a number of colleagues together tolook at how the service had developed, whatthe common themes were and how they hadchanged over the years.Jill explained: “When the governmentintroduced PALS one of the aims was to givepatients and their families a way of raisingissues or concerns without going into theformal complaints procedure. “Not surprisingly referrals to PALS haveincreased. My colleague Nidhi and I know theservice is valued and patients appreciatehaving a confidential and responsive servicewhere they can raise their concerns.”Nidhi added: “It’s also useful for the trust
because we can see trends and patterns inthe types of issues we deal with. This meanswe can do something about them, which iswhat both we and patients want.”
Changes made as a result of
PALS enquiries
University Hospital of North Tees
❙ Improvement of wheelchairs andwheelchair arrangements
❙ introduction of a ticket system to improvewaiting times at pharmacy
❙ Modification to the x-ray changing room door
University Hospital of Hartlepool
❙ Larger signs in waiting room advisingpatients to hand in appointment letter
❙ Playing of a radio outside pre assessmentarea so consultations cannot be overheardimproving patient confidentiality
❙ GP requests to be more specific: forexample x-ray requests now have thedegree of urgency marked on them toavoid delays in getting results
A group of charity shop workers have onceagain come to the aid of a ward at theUniversity Hospital of Hartlepool. The ladies who work at the Cancer Researchshop in Murray Street in Hartlepool haveraised £2,000 to purchase a ‘hot cot’ for thematernity unit. The cot is used for babies born with lowtemperature and low blood sugar levels andworks by gradually warming the baby up.Ward manager Wendy Atter said: “The cot isjust like a water bed, the baby is placed insideand it slowly warms them up.”“The special care baby unit already had one ofthese cots, and we were forever pinching itbecause our unit didn’t have one.” she said. “I would like to say a big thank you to theMurray Street ladies, this is a valuable piece ofequipment and we are extremely grateful fortheir kind donation.”
PALS officer Jill Jackson takes colleagues throughsome of the issues raised by patients and relatives
Nidhi Thakur
PALS awarenessday looks attrends and ways to improvethe serviceHot cot for
maternity unit
Pictured with the ‘hot cot’ are left to right arecharity shop workers Irene Coull, MargaretBrown, June Nolan and Sylvia Johnson withmidwives Wendy Atter and Tracy Scott.
August/September 2007
A familiar face at North Tees and Hartlepoolsaid her farewell recently. Secretary Irene Ruddy joined what was then NorthTees Health in 1986 and has worked in anumber of departments throughout hertime in the trust. In 2006 she becamesecretary for general manager of clinicalsupport services Elaine Criddle, working in
the office she’d started her North Teescareer in a mere 21 years earlier!Irene has no plans to take it easy in herretirement. She has children andgrandchildren to keep her busy, and shealso plans to travel and enrol on a design course.
Radio North Tees, which broadcasts at theUniversity Hospital of North Tees, welcomedCllr Ann Cains to its studios for an insider’sview of what it’s like to be Mayor.Currently chair of adult services and healthoverview and scrutiny committees Ann spenta year as Mayor of Stockton on Tees from2003 to 2004. Ann shared information about the role frommayoral robes and chains, civic duties andresponsibilities to the time when she visited alocal school and was asked her age by aninquisitive young student.Radio North Tees volunteer Beryl Nunn, whohad the pleasure interviewing CouncillorCairns, said: “We were very honoured thatAnn gave up a few hours of her very precioustime to join us for what an interesting andinformative hour. “We learned how the Mayor’s diary isorganised, how travelling to engagements isarranged, and importantly, how to address theMayor - never The Mayoress! “It was a most enjoyable Sunday morningspent in the company of such a warm andfriendly lady.”
Station manager Elliot Kennedy added:“We’re very fortunate to have people who areprepared to spare some time to come in to beinterviewed. This was such an interestinginterview we’ll probably broadcast it again. It’snot everyone who knows what it’s like to beMayor for year!” Patients can find Radio North Tees on Channel1 of Patientline
Ex Mayorreminisces
Say it with flowers – Irene surrounded by friends and colleagues
Grand designs for Irene as she retires from the trust
Estates services manager Tom Cook hasretired from North Tees and Hartlepool NHSTrust. Tom served his apprenticeship withthe North Eastern Electricity Board in 1963.In 1979 he was employed by BishopAuckland General Hospital as an electricianand in 1988 joined Property Service Agencyat Catterick Garrison as an engineer. Hejoined North Tees in 1990.Facilities manager Peter Mitchell (right)pictured here with Tom described Tom as apleasure to work with. He said colleagueswould miss the quiet efficiency but also well humoured way that Tom about around his work.
School support assistants at Wingate InfantSchool Vicki Horrocks and Barbara Weightmanpresent a cheque for £128.50 to staff nurseKaren Hooper of the special care baby unit at theUniversity Hospital of Hartlepool. The moneywas raised at a coffee morning organised by thechildren at the school. Also pictured are studentnurse Jenna Lawler, ward clerk Pam Simpsonand staff nurse Lisa Stoves.
Goodbye from Tom
School support forHartlepool special care babies
Councillor Ann Cains in the studio
At two very special events North Tees andHartlepool NHS Trust has said thank you to agroup of people whose gift to the hospitals ispriceless – the gift of time.
At each event deputy chairman of the boardPaul Garvin thanked all the volunteers for thecontribution they make to hospital life, whether serving in a shop or tea bar, takinglibrary books around the wards,
welcoming patients and visitors and helpingthem find their way around, providingentertainment or supporting the work of the chaplains.Paul Garvin said: “In a world where manypeople are busier than ever and many of us complain we simply don’t have time to doall things we need and like to do, it was fabulous to see so many people who areprepared to give up their own precious time to make life a little better for others.”Chief executive Ian Dalton added: “Ourhospitals just wouldn’t be the same without the dedication and support of our volunteers, so I was delighted to put on a special event to say thank you for the contribution they make to enrich the life our hospitals.”
And thank you for the music!
Volunteers were treated some fabulousentertainment in the shape of classical guitarist Tom Stephenson, son of SallyStephenson who is the sewing roomsupervisor at Hartlepool. The audience at North Tees also heard some delightful piano playing from Daniel Ackerly and Thomas Neal, son of capital planning manager Gareth Neal.
Trust saysthank you toits volunteers
“In a world where manypeople are busier than everand many of us complainwe simply don’t have timeto do all things we needand like to do, it wasfabulous to see so manypeople who are preparedto give up their ownprecious time to make lifea little better for others.”
Deputy director of operations Barrie Kirton shows off his waitering skills
North Tees chefs put on a handsome spread
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Hospital chaplain Lynn Purvis with chaplaincy volunteers
North Tees volunteers pose for a photo
Just some of Hartlepool’s volunteers enjoyingtheir delicious desserts
Hartlepool volunteers pictured after the meal
Outpatient volunteer Ronald Vale shares a laughwith deputy chairman and his wife Margaret
Calm before the storm – catering staff at Hartlepool stop for a photo before the guests arrive
August/September 2007
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Trust joins forces wcharity to highligh
Rebecca Leigh (centre) with deputy director of nursing CathSiddle, independent non executive directors Steve Hall andNorma Bell and staff nurse Brenda Wilkinson
Nurse consultant Tim Renshaw pictured with ward managerMargaret Metcalf and independent non executive directorSteve Hall
Consultant physician Rebecca Leigh extols the virtues of safe slippers
What not to wear - staff nurse Kay Sanderson demonstratesfalls-unfriendly footwear watched by student nurse MichaelRichardson and healthcare assistant Violet Hall
August/September 2006
with older people’sht falls awareness
Health professionals at North Tees and HartlepoolNHS Trust joined forces with Help the Aged tohighlight a largely preventable but sadly common riskfor older people; the risk of injury and even death from falling. In the UK one person dies every five hours as theresult of a fall; falls remain one of the biggest causesof accidental death for older people. And at North Teesand Hartlepool NHS Trust around 1,600 slips, trips andfalls were reported last year. While some were classed as suspected falls, andother were minor, 192 of them resulted in an injury.While this is a dramatic improvement on the previousyear when 346 falls resulted an injury there’s muchmore to do. Consultant physician in elderly care and fallsprevention medical champion for the trust RebeccaLeigh said: “This figure covers all slips, trips and fallswhether they were patients, visitors or members ofstaff. We always err on the side of caution whenreporting slips, trips and falls, and we’d rather have anincident reported because this is how we learn andhopefully stop it happening again.“In the awareness week and especially on Tuesday 26June, which was Falls Awareness Day, we
concentrated on the falls which can be life threateningfor older people. “As an elderly care physician I often see people inhospital who have had a fall at home which has been
caused by an underlying illness. Occasionally when apatient comes in after a fall we find out they have osteoporosis. “Falls can lead to ill health, pain and broken bones butthey also have serious psychological consequencessuch as anxiety and the fear of falling again. Everythingwe’re doing right across the trust is to show peopleboth at home and in hospital how falls can beprevented in the first place and how, if someone hasalready had a fall they can really cut down the risk offalling again.”The trust’s campaign week was a multi-prongedattack. Posters were be on display throughout thehospital, the falls policy was re-launched and riskassessment training was be stepped up. On Tuesday 26 June members of staff had stands in
both main hospital entrances and the medicalrehabilitation area at the University Hospital of North Tees. They answered questions from visitors,patients and staff and to distribute information leaflets.
They also ran a tombola which raised £130 to buy safeslippers for patients who don’t have appropriatefootwear. The trust’s many computer users alsoreceived a daily thought for the day to keep thesubject’s profile high during, and hopefully long after,the campaign ended. Staff, visitors and patients wereasked to think falls and asked what they could do toprevent either themselves or somebody else falling.Rebecca Leigh added: “It was great to get so muchsupport for the awareness week. I want to thankeveryone who contributed to making it such asuccess. The job now is keep this issue high onpeople’s agendas and continue to reduce thenumbers of falls both in hospital and in the community.”
The Duke of Hazard and his old tabby cat
The Duke of Hazard had shabby slippersAnd an old stair carpet with broken grippers…His light bulbs were dim, his steps need repairAnd his old tabby cat lay everywhere!Early one morning he climbed out of bed,Slipped on the old rug and bumped his poor head!With stars in his eyes and his leg feeling quite sore….He fumbled for the light switch, near the door….And fell over the old cat, which lay on the floorOff he then trotted in his old shabby slippers,Down the stairs with the broken grippers….He never made that early morning cup of tea….It was quite dark when he hobbled out of A&E.But at least he could be clearly seen …..In his fluorescent P O P* ! The plaster has gone his stitches are few….He now has good slippers the ladders and bulbs are new!He has replaced the old mat and locked out the cat!!* plaster of Paris
Falls awareness week inspiredhealthcare assistant Margaret Wardfrom the trauma and spinal unit somuch she broke into verse!
“In the awareness week and especially on Tuesday 26 June, which wasFalls Awareness Day, we concentrated on the falls which can be lifethreatening for older people.“
Rebecca Leigh with healthcare assistant Pauline Hart, staffnurse Jan Watts and director of nursing Aidan Mullan
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The second North Tees and Hartlepool SurgicalForum took place in the Teaching Centre, NorthTees in May. This year’s forum was anothersuccessful day in which key issues relating tobreast and colorectal surgery were presentedby national and local clinicians.I chaired the morning session whichconcentrated on breast and endocrineSurgery. Consultant surgeon Dick Rainsburyfrom the Royal Hampshire County Hospital,Winchester, discussed breast reconstructionfrom a general surgical perspective and wasfollowed by Eva Weiler-Mithoff from theCanniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow,giving the plastic surgical view. Mr Bliss fromNewcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary told ushow to manage thyroid swellings. After coffeewe were joined by the husband and wife teamof Mark and Caroline Kissin from Guildford,talking about axilliary surgery and breastcancer imaging respectively. Before lunch DickRainsbury described surgical training from theRoyal College of Surgeons’ perspective.After lunch the meeting continued with ChiefExecutive, Mr Ian Dalton placing the Forum inthe context of what is taking place clinicallywithin the Trust and what is planned for thefuture. He also thanked the speakers andsponsors for their valued contribution. MrHasan Bandi chaired the next session on
Colorectal Cancer and the first talk was onColorectal Imaging by local radiologists DrsTrewhella and Woolfall. Dr Bhandari fromPortsmouth gave a dramatic presentation ontechniques available to detect early gastric andcolonic cancers endoscopically. This sessionconcluded with Mr Jayne from Leeds talkingon robotic surgery.After coffee Anil Agarwal chaired the finalsession during which Mr Sagar from Leedsdescribed his experience of surgery for colitis,including pouch surgery. Mr Charnley from theNewcastle’s Freeman Hospital followeddiscussing surgery for colorectal metastasesand the forum concluded with a local speaker,consultant oncologist Dr David Wilson,updating us regarding chemoradiation forrectal cancer.The day was received well by both nursing andmedical staff, and the feedback was excellent.The challenge for the organisers is to matchthe achievement in the third forum next year.The consultant organisers would like toacknowledge the enormous contributionmade by postgraduate medical educationmanager Sue Dent, to the success of the dayand also to the continuing support of the mainsponsor Tyco Healthcare.
By consultant surgeon Colm Hennessy
Trust shows itscommitment toeducation in HartlepoolTrust chairman Russell Hart has shown NorthTees and Hartlepool NHS Trust’s commitmentto education with a promise to deliver £200,000 of high level skillstraining for students at Hartlepool College ofFurther Education Part of the initiative will be to develop highquality training materials to meet the needs ofstaff serving the local community.Principal and chief executive of HartlepoolCollege David Waddington said, “We aredelighted that North Tees and Hartlepool NHSTrust is supporting the development of theCollege’s Centre of Vocational Excellence inHealth and that the people of Hartlepool willbenefit from this substantial investment. ”Chairman Russell Hart added: “It was mypleasure to represent the trust and seal thisagreement with the college. To have the skilledworkforce we need for the future we need toinvest in education. What we are putting into place will help to deliver this in the years to come.”
Handshake – chairman Russell Hart (right)seals the agreement with principal and chief executive of Hartlepool College David Waddington.
Second North Tees andHartlepool Surgical Forumlooks at latest techniques inbreast and colorectal surgery
Meet the team – forum organisers Colm Hennessy,Sue Dent, Hasan Bandi, and Anil Agarwal
Guest speakers consultant surgeons Mark Kissin,Dick Rainsbury and Eva Weiler-Mithoff andconsultant radiologist Caroline Kissin
Stockton South MP Dari Taylor paid a welcomevisit to the Tees Valley Spinal Support Group inJune. The MP was invited by Peter Allan, an oldpatient of spinal surgeon Manoj Krishna, whowanted the MP to meet patients and find outmore about a condition which affects 12 millionBritons annually.Manoj said: “Back and neck pain severely limitspeople and can have a devastating effect on theirlives leading to relationship break ups, loss ofearnings and depression leading to thoughts of suicide.“Our spinal support group began nine years agowhen Tori Fenny, a patient waiting for surgery,asked me what support there was for patients inher situation. She set up the group after hersurgery and it has gone from strength to strengthwith over 100 patients, past and present, meetingevery few months to share their stories andsupport each other.“I think Dari was impressed with what she saw. Iwas delighted that she took the time to come andsee the group. I know all of the membersappreciated having her at the group that morning.”Not only our MP, but another VIP put in anappearance that morningYoung Zoe Meeson has no idea how special she isto her parents Hannah and Martin and her eldersisters Lauren and Kate. Yet without the vital backsurgery that gave mum Hannah her life back, Zoesimply wouldn’t have been born. Hannah, whohad been merely surviving on a cocktail of 36tablets a day and was told she’d be in wheel chairby the age of 30, had a spinal fusion in 2004performed by spinal surgeon Manoj Krishna.The operation was successful and left Hannahwith no pain so she was able to come off all herpain killers, bath her children and walk them toschool; things which most people take for granted.Hannah said: “I had an appointment with Manojand I told him I was feeling very tired and underpar. He was worried but after a while asked me ifI could possibly be pregnant.”“I obviously was and went on to have a troublefree pregnancy and normal delivery. You could sayZoe is a very welcome side effect of spinalsurgery. She’s certainly a very special baby to us.”
MP does fact findingvisit to spinalsupport group
Holding the baby - consultant surgeonManoj Krishna with baby Zoe watchedby Hannah Meeson and daughtersLauren and Kate
MP Dari Taylor gets a warm welcome at thespinal support group
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North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust is the thefirst trust in England to achieve Level 2 in theNHS Litigation Authority’s Risk ManagementStandards. The trust scored the highest score inEngland for the pilot Level 1 risk managementstandards and Level 2 is even more challenging. Deputy director, clinical governance, CarolePearson (pictured here) said: “These standardswork in a similar way to an insurance policy; thehigher the level an organisation can achieve toshow it is minimising risk, the lower its premium.“The assessors asked to take away a lot of our material as examples of good practice for other trusts.”Chief executive Ian Dalton added: “Apart fromthe obvious financial advantage, it demonstratesto patients that we operate good governancesystems to keep patients safe.“Achievement like these do not happen on theirown. Particular thanks go to colleagues in theclinical governance unit but also to all
colleagues who helped to prepare the Trust forthe assessment.”
Two members of staff from the University Hospitalof North Tees’s neonatal unit have said a big thanksto those who helped them raise money for vital research.Julie King and Rebecca McCabe raised £163.60 forSave a Baby month, a national co-ordinated drive toincrease resources for cot death reseach.The pair sold raffle tickets and a quiz and they alsoauction a signed football. Julie (pictured here) said:“I’d like to thank everyone for their support. We werereally lucky to have a lot of support from localbusinesses Mothercare, Asda, Gala Casino,Morrison's, The Showcase Cinema, Tall Trees, Tesco,The Borge Restaurant, Contemporary andMiddlesbrough Football Club.“Parents who have lost a baby in this way just wantto know why and parents want to know what theycan do to prevent it. Every penny we’ve raised willhelp, so thanks to everyone who lent their supportin any way.”
Symposium looks atadvances in medicine
The Rainbow Nursery at Hartlepool held anafternoon tea party on one of the few days inJune when it didn’t rain. The children had a wonderful time in the sunand raised £30 from donations from parentswhich they donated to Hartlepool Hospice.
Fun in the sun
All smiles at the Rainbow Nursery
Conference call – lined up in front of the symposium audience are (left to right) consultant physician MattRutter, consultant physician Alex Dellipiani, consultant physician Richard Harrison, vice president of theRoyal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, Professor Peter Brunt, Professor John Iredale from QueensMedical Research Institute, Edinburgh, Gavin Spickett from Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, BruceWarner from the National Patient Safety Agency and consultant physician Deepak Dwarakanath
Carole Pearson
Trust is first in England to achieve tougher riskmanagement standards
The Recent Advances in Medicine Symposiumwas held in June in the University Hospital of NorthTees teaching centre. This has been a biennialevent at North Tees for over 30 years. The lecturetheatre was packed to the rafters, and includeddelegates who were visiting the UK from Australiaand Malaysia. The audience heard a wide range oflectures on acute myocardial infarction (heartattacks), immunology, HIV, liver disease, colorectalcancer, renal (kidney) failure, medication errors andlegal issues. The meeting was attended by the vice-president ofthe Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, andProfessor Peter Brunt, who answered thequestions developments in medical training.
I’m grateful to the trust and to chief executive IanDalton for their continued support of this event andto Sue Dent and her colleagues in the postgraduatedepartment, without whose excellent organisationthis event simply couldn’t take place.We’ve had some excellent feedback, including‘Excellent symposium, choice of topics was brilliant’‘This symposium was a sell out, keep up the good work’‘Excellent day, very good facilities’‘Extremely well organised, excellent speakers,what more can I say!
by consultant physician Deepak Dwarakanath
Save a baby month raisesmuch needed funds forresearch into cot death
August/September 2007
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Clinical director of accident and emergencyAndy Simpson was full of praise for the waystaff right across North Tees and HartlepoolNHS Trust responded to the recent seriouscrash in Hartlepool.He said: “I’d just like to thank everyoneinvolved both as clinical director of accidentand emergency and as a governor of EnglishMartyrs School. The response from alldirectorates and support services wasabsolutely fantastic and co-operation betweenareas was great to see. There were noquestions asked and everyone got on withtheir jobs.
Help and support
“Thanks to everyone who offered help and support. It was quite a humbling experience, especially when givenfive minutes either side your own child couldhave been involved. General manager foremergency care services Stephen Groves
said: “We hold regular emergency exercisesand, while we hope things like this won’thappen, we’re ready when they do. “We understand how devastating things like this can be, so it’s vital that things runsmoothly for both people working in theemergency services and any casualties whoarrive in our hospitals. “Ironically we had just finished a practiceexercise when this real one began, so ouremergency exercise procedures were veryclear in everyone’s minds. Everyone got oncalmly and efficeintly with what they had todo. It’s a real testament to the professionalismof the people we have working here. I’d like tothank everyone involved.”Chief executive Ian Dalton added: “I’d also liketo add my thanks to Andy and Stephen’s. The response to this serious incident from colleagues across both hospitals was excellent.”
Clerical officer Annette Easton said goodbye tothe trust after 21 years. Annette worked invarious departments including the day case unitand psychiatry before taking up her most recentpost as clerical officer in the xray department atthe University Hospital of North Tees. Friendsand colleagues presented Annette with a giftvoucher for Marks and Spencer.PACS project manager Mark Macdonald, whopresented Annette with her gift, said: “Annettehas been a great colleague and she’ll be missed.I’m sure she’ll have plenty to keep her busy inher retirement. We all wish her well.”
Annette says good bye after 21 years atNorth Tees
Thanks to stafffor theirresponse to theHartlepool crash
What’s your label?Two NHS trusts are joining forces to launcha high profile and hard hitting anti-stigmacampaign across the North East of England.Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust andNorthumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trusthope the joint campaign will get the NorthEast talking about the stigma often attachedto mental health, learning disability andsubstance misuse problems. They also hope the campaign willencourage people across the region tobecome members of the new FoundationTrusts, which the organisations aim tobecome from April 2008. This will be thefirst time that two prospective NHSFoundation Trusts have worked together in this way. The campaign features a series of strikingposters, backed up with information cardsand a website – www.whatsyourlabel.co.uk The posters and cards will soon be seen ata wide range of venues across the region, including schools, colleges, GPsurgeries, libraries, museums and thetrusts’ premises.They will also be on show at a number ofsummer shows, festivals and marketsacross the North East, which the trusts willbe visiting over the next couple of months.
Just a few of the people who responded to the recent emergency, left to rightare general manager for emergency care Stephen Groves, staff nurse KevinHarris, consultant Alex Thomas, hospital chaplain Lynn Purvis, clinical directorfor accident and emergency Andy Simpson and sister Diane Jones.
August/September 2007
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust has not vetted theadvertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for workdone or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does North Tees& Hartlepool NHS Trust endorse any of the products or services.
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