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UniversityCollege Hospital

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July 2005

Dr BeverleyMalonevisits UCLH

General secretaryof the RoyalCollege of Nursing,Dr BeverleyMalone, visited

UCLH on June 20 to meet with nurse andmidwife consultants.

Dr Malone gave an inspirational andmotivating talk about the lessons learntfrom implementing a model ofteamworking among clinical nursespecialists in the United States.

The talk challenged nurses to valuethemselves more and encouraged them tohave a greater involvement in consultancywork and staff development.

All those present committed to pursuingthese goals within the NHS structure.

welcomeAndrew Unger has joined theAdolescent Inpatient Unit, nowsituated in the new University CollegeHospital. Previously working in voluntaryservices, Andrew’s role is to support the nurses ininpatient care. He said: “I find the adolescent unit veryprogressive with a warm and friendly atmosphereprovided by both staff and patients.”

Previously involved in training at a London-based charity,David Powell is now part of the IM&T department inMaple House. As an information analyst, David isresponsible for producing waiting list reports for thetrust’s medicine and surgery specialties and primary caretrusts. He said: “I am thrilled to be working for the NHS.It is a steep learning curve and made more enjoyable bybeing part of a great team.”

Kerry Tilbury has joined the Maxillo-facial outpatientsdepartment as a dental nurse. Her role involves assistingsenior staff in performing reconstructive procedures onpatients who have recently suffered facial traumas or thosewith special needs. Having previously worked on agovernment project assessing heart patients, Kerry returnsto dental nursing which she is passionate about. She said:“I am delighted to be working for UCLH as it is seen as aworld class hospital trust.”

Having previously worked as a locum occupationaltherapist at the trust, Sabrina Scandurra will bespecialising in the same area by joining The RapidResponse Team (RRT) in the Acute Admissions Unit atUniversity College Hospital. Her role is varied, includingassessing the patient’s functional ability and facilitatingdischarges from both Accident and Emergency and theAAU. This involves completing home assessments toassess how patients will cope with everyday activities andcommencing community rehabilitation. She said: “Thenew hospital provides an ideal setting for the RRT as we are close to the teamand patients which facilitates safe, effective and rapid discharges."

new facesat UCLH

Dr Beverley Malonetalks to UCLH nursesabout ways of workingin the United States.

UCLH professor becomes Royal Society FellowProfessor John Collinge was elected Fellow of the Royal Society – Britain’s leading scientific body, on May 26 2005.

John Collinge, honorary consultant neurologist at the National Prion Clinic at UCLH, and head of the department ofneurodegenerative diseases and the director of the MRC Prion Unit at UCL Institute of Neurology, is a leading expert onprion diseases who has acted as one of the government’s key advisors on variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Diseases (vCJD).

His research has shed light on the development of prion diseases along with susceptibility to these conditions. It has alsoled to the development of a test to identify vCJD via tonsil tissue.

John was one of 44 new fellows elected for their contributions to science, both in research and in leading scientific andtechnological projects in industry and for research bodies. Fellows must be citizens or residents of Commonwealthcountries or Ireland. A maximum of 44 can be elected each year.

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The firstarrivalsThe first moves to the new hospitalwere a huge success and a tribute tothe hard work of staff.

Pharmacy set the tone for thetransfer of services from CecilFlemming House and the RosenheimWing, opening as planned onThursday, June 9.

University College Hospital director,Neil Griffiths, said: “The move overallwent incredibly well and patientshave commented about how muchthey like our new hospital.

“I would also like to thank all the staff involved as they not only had to look afterpatients, but move a huge amount of equipment and get used to a new place of work.We’ve still got a long way to go as The Middlesex Hospital moves in September, butthis has been a fantastic start to making the new University College Hospital a reality.”

Accident and Emergency began operating at the new site on Sunday, June 12, afterclosing to blue lights for just 18 hours. It opened on time and then successfully copedwith five ambulance patients within the first 10 minutes.

Simon Weldon, general manager of Emergency Access, said: “It was teamwork at itsbest. True professionalism was shown by every member of the team at every stage. Itwas the only way we could have got it done in 18 hours. It was fantastic.”

Your viewsInside Story asked staff what they liked about working in the new hospital. Here’s what you said…

What services areoperating in the new hospital?• Pharmacy

• Ground floor services

• Head and neck cancerinpatients from theRosenheim

• Galaxy ward (Paediatrics)and the Middlesex AdolescentUnit

• Accident and Emergency

• Diagnostic Imaging

• Mortuary

• Women’s health

• Acute Admissions Unit

• Patrick Manson ward

• Critical Care

• Theatres

• Phlebotomy

• Haematology

• Therapies

• Plastics outpatients

• Anti-coagulation

Paediatrics pack up their crates

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Staff nurse in paediatrics, LynsayPickard, said: “The families of thepatients have said it’s a really greatenvironment for the children and it’salso really nice for us to work herecompared to the old hospital.”

“The hospital is nice andclean and the reception isvery spacious. I also like thelilac colour of the floor,” saidMyra Fox, receptionist forthe Infection Unit.

Voluntary services manager, LesleyBorzoni, said: “I think the buildingis really interesting and it’s good tobe so close to the wards and thepatients. The volunteers like beingnear the patients.”

First UCH operationA patient requiring emergencygynaecology surgery was thefirst to be operated on in thenew hospital.

Senior specialist registrarAnna David and her teamcarried out the operation at5.30pm on Saturday, June 11.

Speaking about the newtheatres, operating departmentpractitioner Abdelhak Ubara,said: “The theatres are massiveand the anaesthetic room isreally good.”

‘Lucky’ first patient gets bouquet of flowers

A bunch of flowers was presented to oneof the first patients to be treated in the newUniversity College Hospital.

Annie Palmer, 84, from Camden, was takento Accident and Emergency on Sunday, June 12when the department started admittingpatients for the first time to its new state-of-the-art building in 235 Euston Road.

After being transferred to the AcuteAssessment Unit, Annie was given the flowersby new hospital director, Neil Griffiths.

He said: "I would like to wish you a warmwelcome to our new hospital – you are one ofthe lucky few to have been treated here."

Patients from the former UCH and theRosenheim wing have now moved into thebuilding, with staff and services from TheMiddlesex Hospital expected to join them inSeptember.

Speaking about her stay, Annie said: "It's abeautiful hospital and I have been looked afterreally well."

inside the new UCH

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news

Here is your guide to thenew hospital’s ground floor…

Patient Advice and LiaisonService (PALS)

PALS provides a personal contactpoint for people who have a problemand gives general advice about UCHand the NHS.

Following the move in June, it willhave a permanent presence at thenew hospital while also operating aservice at The Middlesex Hospital.

PALS manager, Jane Hollowell said:“Where we are now makes us muchmore accessible for patients.”

The PALS office is open from 9am-12pm and 2-4pm, Monday to Friday.

The receptionReceptionists have been working witha trained team of volunteers to assist

patients in finding their way aroundthe hospital.

They share their desk with transportservices and the London Ambulance

Service to offer a one-stop point ofcontact for all visitors.The desk is manned from 8am-9pm,Monday to Friday and 9am-9pm onSaturdays and Sundays.

Patient AffairsThe patient affairs department liaiseswith families, medical and nursingstaff, coroner’s office, registrars andmortuary staff following a hospitaldeath.

It is also responsible for ensuringall documentation is completed andsupplying bereavement information.

Operating hours are from 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday.

Department of Spiritual andPastoral CareThe chaplains of the departmentprovide spiritual, pastoral andreligious support for all patients, theirvisitors and staff.

The chapel, Muslim prayer roomand the quiet room are all open 24hours a day.

Cashiers officeThe cashiers office provides bankingand petty cash facilities for staff anddepartments.

Its current opening hours are from9.15am-12.15pm, which will bereviewed once The Middlesex Hospitaltransfers across in September.

VolunteersThe voluntary services team offers arange of services including welcomingvisitors in the atrium, running errandsand chatting to patients on the wards.

84-year-old Annie Palmer

Annette Jeanes has just taken up herpost as the trust’s consultant nurse ininfection control. Here, Inside Storyfinds out just what that role will entail.

What did you do before joining UCLH?I was the infection control lead atUniversity Hospital Lewisham.

What does your new role involve?I will be developing and improving theinfection control service.

What aspects of your job are youlooking forward to?I am looking forward to helping others todo their jobs well.

What will be the main challenges of your job?I hope to change the culture of theorganisation in relation to infectionprevention and establish productiverelationships across disciplines.

What are you most likely to say?Why are you doing that?

And least likely?I have nothing to say.

What work-related thing could you not do without?Good walking shoes.

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The ground floor at a glanceThe ground floor of the new hospital is a hub of information from reception staff who areexperts in helping people find their way to the multi-faith centre offering religious support.

Volunteers with specialist skillsprovide inpatients with treatmentssuch as massage, reflexology, healingand aromatherapy.

They also work in the library andclothing store.

One of their main tasks in the run-up to the hospital’s opening wasmaking beds. Voluntary servicesmanager, Lesley Borzoni, said:“Volunteers made nearly 200 beds intwo days prior to the opening.”

Phase 2 of the redevelopment willsee the clothing store, library andradio station all brought together inthe Rosenheim Wing.

Friends of UCLHThe Friends provide charitable fundsfor the benefit of both patients andstaff.

The office is open on Wednesdaysand Thursdays and its new secretary,Cynthia Burton, can be contacted onfriendsuclh.nhs.uk

PERT (Patient EmergencyResponse Team)The PERT team is a 24/7 servicecovering UCH and the EGA Hospital.It responds to calls from wards anddepartments when patients needemergency help.

Volunteers made 200 beds in two days

for the opening of the new hospital

PALS manager Jane Hollowell

The first operating team at the new hospital:Gynaecology senior specialist registrar, Anna David,senior specialist registrar in anaesthesia, Dr HollyJones, specialist registrar in anaesthesia, Dr LucyBostle, senior nurse in theatres, Richard Coe, scrubnurses, Analisa Iguia and Cheryl Wright, anaestheticoperating department practitioner, Abdelhak Ubaraand Antonio Barquerio

ElectionsStaff should now have received their ballot papersfor the Members’ Council elections. There is only onestaff seat up for election in the ‘Health CareAssistant & Support Staff, Scientist, Therapist andTechnician’ constituency. Only staff in this categorywill be eligible to vote for prospective candidates.

Your completed ballot papers should be returnedto the Electoral Reform Service by no later thanAugust 15 2005.

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A CouncilMember’sdiary… John Lee is a consultant in painmanagement and represents the

doctor, dentist and consultant constituency. Here he gives apersonal account of his experiences since becoming electedto the Members’ Council.

“There are five elected staff Council Members and, as theperson representing doctors, dentists and consultants, thissometimes feels like a considerable responsibility. Forexample, I have noticed that other Council Members whorepresent our patient and the public members listenintently to staff opinions, no doubt because we have directexperience of healthcare provision at the trust.

“I believe it is important to offer a balanced view of thetrust: one that sheds light and provides a context so thatpeople who don’t know our organisation will understand itbetter, but at the same time, one that respects thepressures and limitations of our working environment.Staff Council Members also provide a unique insight intowhat it is like to work in the organisation.

Remembering the old andwelcoming the new

Cecil Flemming House came back to life on Friday,June 24 when staff from the Accident andEmergency Department and the Acute AdmissionsUnit celebrated the move to the new hospital andsaid goodbye to their old home.Chief executive Robert Naylor and chief nurse Louise Bodenwere present at the party to present certificates and badgesto mark the move, which were paid for by the trustees.

Past employees attended the event including the first A&Econsultant, Howard Baderman, who worked there when thedepartment first opened in 1969.

Emergency department manager, Debra Glastonbury, said:“It was important for people to come and celebrate but alsoto reminisce.”

The infection team raises a glass to the new hospitalThe infection unit celebrated its move to the new hospital on Tuesday, June 14 with a welcome party complete with champagne and cake.Decorated with the symbol for floor 8 – the London Eye – the cake wasshared among the unit’s staff, who were thanked for all their hard workduring the move.

Speaking about their new floor, charge nurse Martin Bruce said: “It is fantastic. It was stressful getting here but now it’s wonderfuland patients like it.”

Renal services transfer The Middlesex Hospital’s renal inpatient wards St Paul’s and StPhillip’s transferred to the Royal Free Hospital on the weekendof May 21.

The move went smoothly and the department had a 95 percent staff transfer rate, which marks it as one of the mostsuccessful transfers of a major service in the NHS. Theremaining renal outpatient services and the Mary RankinDialysis Unit will also move to the Royal Free at the end ofSeptember 2005.

The renal leaving party, held on May 5, was attended bychief executive Robert Naylor and chairman Peter Dixon. Therenal staff received more than £3,000 of vouchers to marktheir long service from the Special Trustees, who also fundedthe leaving party.

The Royal Free is naming the new renal ward St Peter’s inhonour of the UCLH Renal Unit and is retaining the name ofthe Mary Rankin Unit when it relocates to St Pancras.

As a Council Member, I have a couple of specific roles.I sit on the Communications Working Group which is tryingto improve communication within the Trust, with partnerorganisations and with members. There are some specificchallenges that are emerging, such as trying to engagewith groups that are disadvantaged by language. I am alsothe sub-editor of UCLH News, the magazine for patientand public members of the Foundation Trust.

I thoroughly enjoy being able to contribute to theMembers' Council and would encourage all staff who areinterested to take part. It is an eye-opener into parts of thetrust traditionally thought of as 'behind closed doors'. It isalso a chance to help influence decision-making at astrategic level and see the organisation respond as a result.

The Accident and Emergency team with their certificate

Charge nurse Martin Bruce, modern matron Duncan Burton, general manager Tessa Walton

members’ council celebrations

The UCLH staff noticeboard on the new intranet is available to all staff and is the ideal place

to post and find items for sale, accommodation, social and sports activites, special offers,

tickets, items wanted or other information you want to share.

Just log on to the new Intranet http://insight and look for the noticeboard on the right

hand side of the page in the IWL staff room.

Web watch The UCLH online staff noticeboard…

July

Countdown to the new UCH:

Showcase eventwelcomes guests to the new hospitalMore than 300 visitors passed through the doors of thenew hospital in the run-up to its opening as part of twopreview events to showcase the building and its services.

Among the guests at the events on June 6 and 8 were GPs,foundation trust members, chief executives and chairmen from primary care trusts,patient and voluntary groups, politicians and the press.

Phlebotomy, women’s health, radiotherapy, haematology and infection control allhad exhibits in the atrium while tours around the hospital introduced guests tooutpatients, the Acute Assessment Unit, Accident and Emergency, theatres and CriticalCare for the first time.

Feedback from the visitors included comments such as ‘very impressive’, ‘I amlooking forward to being treated here’ and in particular several guests praised thehelpfulness and enthusiasm of staff on the tours.

The Trust also received positive coverage on Capital Radio, the BBC, LBC, LondonTonight, in the Health Service Journal and the Nursing Times.

Life in the new UniversityCollege HospitalDuring her first week working on the16th floor of the new hospital, women’shealth ward sister Jacinta O’Neill spoketo Inside Story about its benefits.

What is the best aspect ofbeing in the new hospital?

• The fabulous people I have met in theplanning stages and since the day ofthe move, who have worked tirelessly to make this transition a success.

• The knowledge that all services will shortly becombined under one roof, which will improvethe patient journey and foster a greater sense of unity and pride in staff.

• The view!

Where were you located before and what don’t you miss about it?

• Previously, I was based on the third floor of the Elizabeth Garrett AndersonHospital and it’s way too soon to ask as I have separation anxiety!

• The only thing that really frustrated me was that I had to send all patients viashuttle to The Middlesex for tests/interventions. This is still occurring, butwhen all services merge under one roof there will be less disruption for thepatient and a more patient focused approach to care.

What are the benefits for staff at the new hospital?• Having a ‘planned’ uniform approach to shift patterns, visiting times and

protected meal times.

• Fostering closer working relationships with staff from other directorates - wehave been quite cocooned within women’s health.

What are the benefits for patients?• I have moved from a nightingale ward across two sites into en-suite

siderooms. This has provided the much-needed privacy gynaecology patientsdeserve while also allowing relatives to stay and participate in the delivery ofcare.

• The Acute Diagnostic Unit sees all women requiring emergency pelvicultrasound examination, ensuring swift diagnosis, access to appropriate beds(if required) and reduced waiting times in A&E.

How do you feel now when you set off to work?• Happy to be in a new, exciting and challenging environment

• Exhausted at the thought of yet more snagging!

What responses from the public have you received so far? • Great view

• Are we sure this is the NHS and not private care?

What visitors had tosay about the newhospital…

“I found the whole tour veryinformative. I really appreciated theknowledge and helpfulness of thestaff. It is wonderful to have matronback in hospital, in my opinion it canonly do enormous good. As this ismy local hospital, if I should everhave to be admitted or use theoutpatients department, I shall feel Iam privileged.” – Mrs King.

“This is an excellent new facility. I amvery impressed both from anarchitectural point of view and as auser. The building is very inviting andwelcoming. Hopefully, the building

will become a landmark onthe face of London and theNHS.” – Eddie Brown.

“Many thanks for the greattour. It was especiallyinteresting to see operatingtheatres and the area aroundit. I think it’s looking like agreat building. I found thegantries very scary, especiallyon the third floor!” – Emma Shellard.

“New, huge and impressive.” – Koji Sawada.

“Thank you for the tour! Thetheatres are very impressive,particularly the tables which arereally innovative as the whole topcomes off, making moving patientsmuch easier. Also everything is veryeasy to clean. The ICU is also

excellent, spacious andbright.” – Hazel Katcs

“I think the tour waswonderful. It was such aprivilege to be invited. Ialso think the staff weencountered were excellent.The facilities are obviouslysecond to none. The oneissue I have is access andespecially for people withlimited mobility. However,on balance, I still think it is

wonderful.” – David Irving.

“Very impressive.” – M Andrews

Jacinta O’Neill withcolleague Karen Devenneyn

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Sara Bunkhall from critical care explains to the visitors about how her department will work

A visitor looks at the infection control exhibit

Judy Hope from phlebotomy talks to a guest

The new operating theatres

The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital exhibit

Sarah Hynd from radiotherapy

Sarah Hynd talks to a visitor

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voluntary sector services and we knowfrom staff feedback that they do valuethe help we offer,” says Nicola.

OASIS is currently offering workshopson managing change and careerdevelopment to help staff throughservice change. For more informationplease visit the OASIS pages on the staffintranet or pick up a leaflet around theTrust.

Agenda for Change

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improving working lives

EPR in actionLast month’s successful Carecast go-live means we are well onour way to introducing one of the most sophisticated electronicpatient record systems in Europe. It opens up the prospect of avirtually paperless hospital with patient information availableonline whenever and wherever it is needed throughout the trust.

Here we look at what the go-live means to some of thoseinvolved and look forward to what comes next.

The EPR project managerIt was at 6pm on Monday June 20 the first full-day of operationof the EPR system that Gail Thornley finally dared believe thatseven years’ work managing its development had borne fruit.

“At that point it was clear to me that real users had beendoing real things all day using Carecast and that it was stillgoing. It was a great relief!” she recalls. “We started writingthe business case for our EPR back in 1999 so it’s particularlysatisfying that our aspiration then of a full hospital-wideelectronic clinical record is now shared by the NHS’s nationalprogramme for IT. Effectively, we are leading the way for theprogramme in London.”

The patientColleen Gallant became one of the first babies at the trust toget her own electronic record when she was born shortly aftergo-live at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson/Obstetric Hospital.It will contribute to a life-time medical record which will soonbe accessible wherever she receives treatment across the NHS.

Your questions answered on theKnowledge and Skills Framework (KSF)

I have heard of KSF. How will it apply to me?The KSF will support the annual appraisal and performancereview, which in turn supports career planning and personaldevelopment. The KSF will help staff develop their skills to thefull by ensuring better links between education, developmentand career and pay progression. Most of all, it will ensure thatevery member of staff, whatever their job title, will have thesame access to courses and study.

Where can I find further details? UCLH is currently running one-day training courses. The coursegives an insight into how pay progression will be linked to thePersonal Development Review. There will be a chance to drawup post outlines and an opportunity to discuss with trained staff

Allergic reactions to latex gloves, violence towards staff andinjuries caused by lifting are among the issues at the top ofthe agenda for the trust’s Occupational Health and Healthand Safety Service (OHSS).

That agenda has been shaped by staff concernshighlighted by the NHS national staff survey, and byrecommendations from the Health & Safety Executivefollowing its routine inspection of the trust last December.

Acting head of OHSS Julia McMillian said: “Taking our cuefrom these helpful reports we’ve drawn up an action planand that is now providing a focus for the OHSS’s work.

“We’ve made some good progress already. For example,a new policy designed to address concerns about latex

issues arising from KSF. Staff will then be equipped to answer anyquestions from their teams. Courses are held twice weekly at 250Euston Road, opposite the new hospital, on the corner of EustonRoad.

Who can attend?These courses are open to all staff. This course is essential for allmanagers/supervisors/learning representatives/delegates andthose who have responsibility for conducting appraisals andpersonal development reviews.

How do I find out more?For general queries contact Fran Bey, KSF staffside lead or ToniRusso, KSF management lead on 020 7387 9300 ext 2345/5756.For an application form contact Lucie.Daly-Tanham@uclh.nhs.uk

Course places fill quickly; please contact us as soon aspossible for a free date.

The EPR userIbi Agoro is a ward clerk in the day surgery unit at TheMiddlesex. She is using the EPR system to carry out a range ofinpatient administration tasks. “Because it was new there wereproblems during the first week, but it is more up to date thanPAS. I didn’t find it hard to get a grasp of it - it’s colourful, user-friendly and covers everything I need it to do.”

What next for the EPR project?While staff across the trust are now using Carecast to carry outpatient administration, bed management and commissioning,director of information management Kevin Jarrold is keen toemphasise that this is just the start of our EPR roll-out: “Withthis foundation in place we can now begin implementing toolsthat will support clinicians and bring direct benefits for patientcare.

“Electronic nursing care plans will come next, followed in theautumn by the systems that will allow clinicians to order testsand get results electronically. And by the end of the year weplan to introduce clinical notation tools which doctors will useto record diagnosis and treatment.”

For further information see the EPR pages on the intranet.

Electronic Patient Record

OASIS offers:

General advice on benefitsentitlement, consumer issues, debt management,employment, housing, practicalrelationship issues, retirementplanning.Psychology/counselling forworkplace problems, anxiety,depression, relationship difficulties,bereavement, stress.Careers and professionaldevelopment advice.

You can find the service at 60Gower Street. It is open fromMonday to Friday. Telephone020 7380 9800 to make anappointment.

These days many large organisationsoffer staff counselling, but it is thebreadth of services offered by UCLH’slong-established staff support serviceOASIS that makes it so special.

”We have a holistic approach here,”emphasises Nicola Gale, its head ofservice. “We offer individualspsychological and practical support withpersonal and work-related issues,coaching and career development andconflict resolution. We also work withteams. Staff shouldn’t hesitate tocontact us to see how we can help.

“Our philosophy is that we’re here tosupport staff so that they in turn cangive excellent care to patients. The trustis very committed to that. It recognisesthat we all have problems from time totime which can impact on our work.”

About 500 UCLH employees tookadvantage of the free and confidentialservice last year. “We can offerappointments more quickly than theygenerally would in mainstream or

In this month’s Improving Working Lives spot, Inside Story features two services that arepromoting staff’s good health and well-being.

Supporting you to give excellent care

allergies has been drafted with input from staff and anemail ‘hotline’ is in place for staff to report incidents ofviolence. We’re currently reviewing our policy on manualhandling and have appointed a second advisor who joins usin July.”

During the coming months the OHSS team will also beworking with managers to review their risk assessments andto seek views on how they can further improve the service.

For further information see the OHSS pages on theintranet or contact Julia on ext 9056.

Improving your health and safety

Our philosophy is that we’re here tosupport staff so thatthey in turn can give

excellent care topatients.

Designed and produced by Andrew Younger & Associates

020 8995 8787

Photography by UCLH clinical photography department

Inside Story is produced by theCommunications Unit at UCLH. If you have any news, views, orstories, send them (with photos if you have them) to: Marisa Deanat Trust HQ, John Astor House,Foley Street, London W1W 6DN orcontact her on x4386 or by emailmarisa.dean@uclh.nhs.uk

Charity Watch

London Marathon successA team of eight runners raised more than £20,000 for UCLHospitals Charitable Foundation as a result of this year’sLondon Marathon. Team members included trustemployees Claire Levermore and Paul Mercer.

One runner, Dick Morgan, hosted a great party atShillibeer’s restaurant in north London as part of hisfundraising effort, which was specifically for cancerprojects. The party was attended by supporters of thehospital and staff. Thoracic consultant Dr Jeremy Georgespoke about his early lung cancer detection and treatmentprogramme, which will benefit from the evening.

Michèle Acton, chief executive of the CharitableFoundation, said: “This was a really fun night out foreveryone and a great way for supporters to get to knoweach other. We hope to make such a party an annualevent.”

52 Club news

The Pier is also offering a 15%discount to all NHS staff uponpresentation of your ID card untilthe end of August.

A lounge-about offerHow about being able to havesomething you can sit back and relaxon to read your Inside Story? Courtesyof The Pier, Tottenham Court Road,Inside Story is pleased to be able tooffer readers the chance to unwind ona comfy Papasan chair. For a chance towin this cushy offer, all you have to dois answer this simple question:

What is the name of the first patientto be treated in the new hospital?

Entries should be emailed tocompetition@uclh.nhs.uk (in thetrust’s address book) or via internalmail to July competition,Communications Unit, Ground Floor,John Astor House, Foley Street.

Entries close on Friday, August 12.

PLUS

Ruth Preece took over as the52 Club’s general managerlast month. Inside Story spoketo her about her new job.

What did you do beforejoining UCLH?For the last seven years I havemanaged a golf and squash complexin Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire,as a facility manager. We had an 18-hole golf course, squash courts and abar and function rooms. Originally itcame under the remit of the localauthority, but last year it changed toa brand new Leisure Trust.

What does your new role involve?My new role as general manager for the 52 Club is quite similar in that I will bemanaging day to day the operation of the gym and swimming pool leisure areas andthe social side of the bar and function room. I will also be responsible for looking afterthe facility from a security and maintenance point of view, and hopefully I will bedeveloping the service for all the staff of UCLH and associated members.

What are you looking forward to in your new role?I am very much looking forward to living and working in London. I think phase threeat the club sounds very exciting and I will enjoy getting involved in the project ofdeveloping the function and conference side of the business. I enjoy training andwant to encourage the staff to develop their many talents too.