KGH Together Issue 26

7/23/2019 KGH Together Issue 26

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/kgh-together-issue-26 1/15

Winter 2014/15 Issue 26

A new support group hasbeen formed for heart

patients – see page 3

Free Members’ Magazine



positive outlook that enhances their recoveryand their quality of life.

“The sessions will cover many differenttopics including developing a healthy lifestyle,relaxation and educational talks by KetteringGeneral Hospital’s cardiologists, pharmacistsand exercise physiologists.

“We are actively looking for new members.Anyone who wants to come along and getinvolved will be made very welcome.”

Patients say the new groupis excellentRETIRED microbiologist Dr MichelleWalker, from Wellingborough, was one

sue 26 kghtogether Issue 26 kghtogether 3

I write this as we enter the New Yearand I think it is appropriate to reflecton some of the key areas of progress,development and challenges which wehave experienced over recent monthsand to identify some of the prioritiesfor the future.

We have undoubtedly seen many positives

– our urgent care performance has improved;we have been able to able to commence an£18m investment in our site and services;we have developed an ambitious FiveYear Strategy; revised our internal clinicalmanagement structures; and have continuedto take forward the “I will” quality and safetycampaign (see KGH Together issue 25 and thisissue).

We have also played an influential role inthe Healthier Northamptonshire programmewhich is supplying much needed change forthe county’s health and social care system.

I think the CQC inspection was particularlysignificant. This was very rigorous and testingand is described in detail on pages 6-7. Theinspectors’ report identified many areas ofstrength but also some aspects where wewill need to deliver improvement. Work onthis had been initiated prior to the inspectionso I am confident that we will see necessaryimprovement in the reasonably near future.

The most reassuring finding made by theCQC related to our staff who they found

motivated, patient focussed and caring. Whilstthis was not a surprising assessment it wasreally good to receive such positive comments

Heart to Heart group formed

from the CQC team.I should also comment on our financial

position which is getting stronger as weenter the final three months of the financialyear. This reflects much hard work frommany parts of the Trust and whilst we arestill projecting a deficit in 2014-15 we arebeginning to see some prospect of medium

term recovery.Looking ahead I will focus my

expectations on our Five Year Strategy. Thishas been approved by the Board and is nowmoving into active implementation. We willbe focussing on five areas:• Modernising clinical services• Clinical collaboration and partnership

working• Integrated care closer to home• Becoming a health and well being campus• Our infrastructure and enablers

Progress will depend on effective planningand contributions from all parts of theorganisation. We will also be strengtheningour partnership within the NHS, withNorthamptonshire County Council and withthe voluntary sector.

It is undoubtedly the case that the nextfive years will see major change for theTrust – our priority is to ensure that we moveahead on the front foot and define our ownfuture.

I am confident we can do that and we will

achieve a most important goal – to deliverhigh quality care to local communities andlocal people.

ontact KGH Together editor/Communications Manager David Tomney by [email protected]; by phone on 01536-493509; or by letter at Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8UZ.

Chief Executive’s

Contents

hief Executive’s Reflections 2

eart to Heart group launched 3

hank you following heart attack 4

pdate on the work of Chris Abrams 5

QC inspection – 6-7

ementia care and Parkinsons 8-9

rostate cancer and Movember 10

emembrance poppies and Lionsemory boxes 11

kin surveillance and donations 12-13

haplain’s stroke chairs 14

hairman climbs Kilimanjaro 15

harity challenge 16

hirley Newman receives awardsr charity work 17

ur preparations for flu 18

aby roadshow and Hypo Week 19

aff restaurant award 20

anto raises money – and a few laughs 21

etirements 22

mile Awards 23

ost graduate trainees and medicalppraisal thanks 24

onewall launch 25

embers Matters 26-27

evive the Rec Hall 28

A NEW group has been formed forpeople with heart conditions whowould like further support in a friendlyenvironment outside of hospital.

The Heart to Heart support group is nowappealing more widely to the local communityafter being established in March 2014.

It is mostly made up of former KetteringGeneral Hospital patients, and their relatives –although anyone who has had a heart problemcan join - and it is supported by the hospital’sCardiac Rehabilitation Department.

So far it has about 25 members and ismeeting on the first Tuesday of the month atKettering General Hospital’s Social Club at 8pm.

Fills a gapin supportThe new grouphelps to provideadditionalsupport forheart patientsthrough thesometimes frightening period ofadjusting to their problem.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Sister Anne Dyer said:“The group is a way for anyone with a heartcondition – and their families and friends – toget together to support one another.

“At the moment, following treatment fortheir heart problem, patients receive somerehabilitation and advice and then go home.At that point people can feel quite anxious andvulnerable and unsure of who to contact forfurther support.

“Heart to Heart is a group we haveestablished to help fill that gap. It is a placewhere people can meet and share theirexperiences and help each other to develop a

of the first people to join the new groupwhen it was formed earlier this year.

Dr Walker, who is married to Michael andhas two children and four grandchildren,said: “I had a heart attack just beforeChristmas and I was given advice andassistance required before being discharged.Rehabilitation then followed in the hospitalgymnasium and lasted a number of weeksfollowed by further physical rehabilitation.

“Then it was a case of ‘what’s next’! SisterAnne Dyer told me about the new group and Iwent along. It has made such a difference. Youare surrounded by people who have all hadsimilar experiences to your own.

“It is very friendly and we have a lot oflaughs. The meeting itself is very informal

and interesting and we have speakers fromthe hospital and are planning lots of otheractivities.

“We all talk together, become friends, andsupport each other. The husbands and wivesand partners also need support too and theycome along as well.

“In my view this kind of group isindispensable and a great help to peoplewho are getting over a heart attack and willbenefit from the reassurance and support thatit provides.”

If the public would like more informationabout the new group they can contact CardiacRehabilitation Sister Anne Dyer on 01536491102 or email [email protected] (noteit is Ann without an e on email because of theway it was set up).

The group is a way for anyone

with a heart condition – and

their families and friends – to get

together to support one another.”

“

During the CQC’s recent inspection (see pages 6-7) the Trust’s play team and bereavementteam were both judged to be outstanding

Mike and Dr Michelle Walker promote the Heart to Heart group

Members of the new Heart to Heart group want the local community to be aware the group is now up andrunning and people with heart conditions can join them.

David SisslingChief Executive



ue 26 kghtogether Issue 26 kghtogether 5

GH healthcare assistant Debbie Brittonelped save the life of a man whoollapsed with a heart attack in his car.The drama unfolded on S aturday August 9.ank Smith, from Irthlingborough, was drivingome after being out shopping with his sonsyle, 16, and Liam, 14.Frank pulled over not feeling well. He got

ut of the car, and then back in, and had aassive heart attack. Slumped over the wheels sons desperately flagged down passing

ehicles for help.Debbie said: “My partner, Martyn Howe, andaw the car and the two lads signalling for

elp.“Another person, Le-Ann, was also there ande laid Frank down and I started CPR.

“I kept going for what seemed like a longme – and Le-Ann took over for a time.“Between us we kept Frank alive untile paramedics arrived. They also hadresuscitate him five times with the

efibrillator.”Frank’s ex-wife Jennifer Godden, from

ozeat, raced to the scene of the accidenthen she was called and told what hadappened.She said: “Frank was in intensive care for

x days and three days in the coronary carenit and can remember very little. He had aent fitted to open his artery. We cannot thankebbie and Le-Ann enough for what they did.”On September 7 Frank got the opportunitythank his saviours in person when they wereunited for a photograph with the Evening

Telegraph. (pictured)Frank said: “I felt very overwhelmed and

emotional to be able to have a chance to saythank you to the people who saved my life. Idon’t remember much of the incident itself butit really underlines to you the importance ofpeople having CPR skills.”

Resuscitation trainingimportant for KGH staff RESUSCIATION training is an importantpart of staff training at KGH.

All clinical staff are trained in resuscitationand do a refresher course once a year.

They are all taught basic life support – for

example chest compressions and rescueventilations using a pocket mask, found ona cardiac arrest trolley on KGH’s wards anddepartments.

They also learn how to use an advisorydefibrillator – which has computer softwarewhich enables staff to deliver the first shockwithin the first one to two minutes of thearrest.

Lead Nurse for Critical Care andResuscitation Services, Pamela Smith, said:“KGH’s clinical areas are equipped withemergency equipment such as defibrillatorshowever when not in an area where equipmentis available the prompt provision of basic lifesupport as described below, greatly improvesthe potential for the collapsed individual tosurvive this event once expert has arrived.”

A PROJECT worker who has learningdisabilities is helping staff at KGH tobetter understand the needs of peoplewith this disability.

Back in 2010 KGH took the innovative stepof employing Chris Abram from Wellingboroughto help enhance care for people with learningdisabilities.

Chris, 32, has helped KGH staff to betterunderstand people with learningdisabilities and delivered real, relevantand inspiring training in how to makea hospital visit less stressful for them.

Four years on from his appointmentChris now has a number ofachievements. He has:

• Delivered learning disabilitytraining sessions by giving his viewsabout the sorts of things staff need tobe aware when caring for people withlearning disabilities (LD). Initially Chris didthis with the support of LD liaison nurseMarianne Duffy but more recently he hashad the confidence to deliver them on hisown – delivering training on 10 differentwards since January 2014

• Successfully worked with staff todevelop a learning disability resource pack for all of KGH’s wards anddepartments. The pack gives details ofthe learning disability patient pathway atKGH, key contacts for support, commonissues people with LD face, Mencapguidelines; best practice caring guidance,a colour coded a-z of health issues; anassessment tool and communicationsymbols to help explain things to peoplewith learning disabilities.

• Information and support – Chriscontributes to the Trust’s Disabilityand Sensory Awareness Group andLearning Disability Forum. He has sat oninterview panels; attended and spoken atconferences,

• Carries out audits across the Trust tohelp us determine how well we are lookingafter people with LD. This includes ensuringstaff are using the right paperwork. Healso ensures that staff are aware of theresources available to help them to dothat.

Chris’s most recent workCHRIS’s most recent venture has beento develop an easy way for learningdisability patients to describe how theirexperience has been so that we can findways to improve our care.

It involves using a picture board to ask

patients a series ofquestions about theirexperience at thehospital.

Chris said: “I askthe patient questionslike “Did you like thefood? Did you haveenough to drink?Is the hospital keptclean? Do the nurseshelp you if you are inpain? Are the doctorsand nurses friendly?Did they explain whatthey were doing? Didyou understand them?Would you come back

Top six things to do ifsomeone has collapsed

1. Danger – check for danger andmake sure it is safe to approachthe person, eg have they beenelectrocuted

2. Response – gently shake and shout.If there is no response

3. Shout - for help4. Airway – Look in the person’s mouth

ensuring nothing is in there thatcould block the airway – eg falseteeth. Then open the person’s airway

by tilting their head back and liftingtheir chin slightly – this will open theairway

5. Breathing – check for breathing(for no more than 10 seconds) bylooking, listening, feeling. If they arenot breathing normally you mustleave them and dial 999

6. Chest compressions – must becommenced once help is on its way.

Then• Place both hands on bottom half of the

breast bone - one hand on top of the other• Compress at a depth of about 5-6cm (2

inches) and release• Repeat this at a rate of two per second until

help arrives – the British Heart Foundation’sfamous advert was to the rhythm of the BeeGees ‘Staying Alive’)

Healthcare assistant Debbie Britton, who worksat Nene Park, said helping at the recent accidentdemonstrated why the training is so important.She said: “It definitely underlines why youdo the training. You can’t over emphasisesomething like this – it can literally be thedifference between life and death.”

to KGH next time you are poorly?“For each of the questions we have lots of

pictures on a board to show what I mean. I alsohave three symbols for yes, no, and not sure solearning disability patients can point to them tomake replying easy.

“It helps us to see if any of the patients arehaving any problems.”

The value of Chris’s workLEARNING Disability Liaison NurseMarianne Duffy works with staff fromacross KGH, to develop improved trainingand improved care pathways for peoplewith learning disabilities.

She said: “Chris’s confidence has improved alot over the last 18 months. The staff know himnow and when he does his staff training sessionhe really gets his messages across.

“He also works directly with learningdisability patients on the wards to deliver thequestionnaire and generally support them andhelp them to be a bit more independent and

involved in their care and the decisionsaround it.”

Why Chris got involvedCHRIS joined KGH as a project workerafter also being one of our surgicalpatients some ten year ago.

He said: “My experience of hospital has beenboth good and bad and I want to help staff torealise why that is.

“Hospital can be a scary place for people withlearning disabilities. You are sleeping somewherenew, your routines are all changed and somepeople with learning disabilities need help withthings like eating. I wanted to help staff to realisethe sorts of things they can do to help patientswith learning disabilities feel better.”

KGH staff member gives lifesaving roadside CPR Chris helps patients with learningdisabilities

Hospital can be a scary place for people

with learning disabilities...”

“

R Liam, Andrew Craske, Le-Ann Craske, Frank, Debbie, Martyn Howe and Kyle – photograph courtesythe Evening Telegraph

Staff nurse Beccy Best performs CPR on a mannequinwatched by Lead Nurse for Resuscitation Pamela Smith.Beccy has previously saved a patient’s life with CPR.

Chris with staff on Rockingham Wing

Chris Abrams and Marianne Duffy were interviewed about his role by BBC RadioNorthampton reporter Elinor Cross




KGH welcomes CQC report

GH has welcomed the publication ofhe Care Quality Commission’s (CQC’s)eport into its services published onovember 25.A team of 34 inspectors visited the Trust

etween 2-4 September, carried out followp visits on September 6 and 13, and held aublic engagement event at the Corn Marketall in Kettering on September 2.Overall the CQC found the hospital ‘required

mprovement’ in six of the eight service areassited.In the remain two areas it was rated as goodr services for children and young people and

adequate for end of life care services – inlation to leadership/planning rather than there provided to patients.The overall rating is based on the five CCQsessment criteria which look at whether theust is safe, effective, caring, responsive andell-led.The report concludes that the hospital has

ome areas of good practice but also has areasat need improvement. We have developed an

ction plan to address the issues raised.

Areas where KGH did well:Children’s services were rated as theTrust’s best overall service. It was ratedgood in all of the inspection areas covered.Its play team – staff that entertain and

distract children during their stay – wasdescribed as outstanding.

• Caring services - In all of the eightservices visited the way staff provideda caring service was classed as good.Inspectors made many commentswhich stated that staff were caring,compassionate, and sensitive and treatedpatients with respect

• Quality and safety – It was recognisedthat the Trust has made significantimprovements to the quality of its services.It’s “I will” patient safety and qualitycampaign has helped develop a culture

of action to address poor care and anemphasis on maintaining high standards.This included an open and transparentapproach to complaints and staff taking alot of responsibility for their work.

• Its bereavement service was consideredoutstanding providing an exceptional levelof support to bereaved families.

Areas where KGH can dobetter• End of Life care - The inspectors were

concerned that the Trust did not havea member of its own staff as its end oflife medical lead and that it had not yetdeveloped a new formal strategy for Endof Life care. KGH is taking the necessary

responsive action to address this.• Staffing levels in intensive care -

Inspectors identified a need to improvestaffing levels in critical care (the IntensiveCare Unit). This was resolved within amatter of hours of the visit. Work is alsounderway to improve junior doctor cover insurgery.

• Improving the environment inmaternity and outpatients – the Trustis establishing an Estates Masterplan toaddress environmental improvementsacross the site and will be targeting these

areas. The Trust is very

conscious parts of its siteare old and in need ofmodernisation.• Improve the waywe dispense andstore medicines – a fullreview of medicines use isunderway.

What the inspectors said...CARE at KGH was found to be good in

all eight of the services visited by theCQC inspectors.

Here are some of their comments on whatthey found:

Critical Care – “Patients and relativesspoke highly of the staff. Relatives told us thatthey felt they were kept informed and weretreated sensitively with understanding.”

Medical Care (including older people’scare) - “Patients told us the staff were caring,kind and respected their wishes…..Staff inall roles put significant effort into treating

people with dignity…..Staff responded to pain,discomfort and emotional distress in a timelyand appropriate way.

Services for Children and YoungPeople – “Feedback from families and staffshow that this is an outstanding service……The vast majority of families and staff wouldrecommend the service to family and friends.”

Urgent and Emergency Care (includingA&E) - “Patients felt that they were listenedto by health professionals and were involvedin their treatment and care. We saw examplesof good caring and compassionate interactionswith patients, given in a quiet and dignifiedmanner”

Surgery – “We observed that childrenand parents, and elderly people, attendingclinics, and for procedures, were cared for with

understanding and compassion”

Maternity and Gynaecology – “Patients,and those close to them, were encouragedto be involved in their care, treated as equalpartners, listened to, and were involved indecision-making at all levels”

Outpatients and Diagnostic Imaging – “Outpatient services were delivered byhardworking, caring and compassionate staff.We saw numerous examples of patients beingtreated with dignity and respect, and givencompassionate care.”

We are responding to thereportKGH is responding to the findings of thereport and will address the issues raised.

Chief Executive, David Sissling, said: “Wewelcome the CQC’s very detailed report on thecare delivered at Kettering General Hospital.

“I am very pleased and proud that the CQC

found our staff were very committed to lookingafter our patients in a very caring way – andthat is a theme that runs throughout theirreport.

“We are committed to act to address theareas that the inspectors highlighted forfurther improvement. Overall the inspectionhas been a very valuable peer review for thehospital which will help us to focus on somekey issues.”

Following the Care Quality Inspection KGHwas required to develop a comprehensive actionplan to address the issues raised in the report.

The action plan was submitted to Monitor onDecember 22 and it details our response on apoint by point basis to each of the compliancyissues raised.

Many of the issues raised by the CQC werealready in the process of being addressed andin some areas had already been addressed by

embers of KGH’s outstanding hospital play team - Trish Brigden,aire Kura, Helen Palmer, Lynda Diver, and Louise McKerral.

In A&E Dr Janath Wijesinghe examines William Baker – the CQC found care was good across alleight services examined

Overall the Trust requires improvement

the time the action plan was finalised. The CQC,will, at some point, come back to re-inspect theTrust regarding its compliance.

Improving End of Life CareThe Trust’s overall rating for its End ofLife service was found to be inadequatein two aspects examined and henceoverall was rated inadequate.

While the actual care provided for peopleat the end of their life was rated as good theTrust’s strategy and leadership were found toneed improvement – so overall the rating wasinadequate

Following the national withdrawal of theLiverpool End of Life Care pathway in July2014 KGH has been working with regionalcolleagues to implement a new systemof priorities for End of Life care. A newNorthamptonshire End of Life Care Strategy is

in a draft form and the Trust is developing itsown strategy in line with this.Medical Director, Dr Andrew Chilton, said:

“We are reviewing the leadership of end oflife care and are in the process of establishingkey strategic priorities to ensure the service weprovide is of the highest quality.”

CQC inspectors did rate the care givento patients at the end of their life as good.They wrote: “End of life care services werecaring. We saw that patients were treatedwith compassion, dignity and respect……The caring approach by the mortuaryand bereavement staff we observed wasoutstanding.”

Family of patient saysthank youTHE SON of a KGH patient wrote tous following media reports of theCQC inspection to express his ownexperience.

Graham Cheshire, from Kent, wrote to tell usthe experience of care his 86-year-old mother

Kathleen, from Wellingborough, received onHarrowden A at KGH in the final weeks of herlife.

In an email to the Trust he wrote: “Thecare, attention, thought and devotion to dutythat was shown by, not a few, but every teammember, on that ward should be the standardthat others seek to achieve.

“Every ward doctor and nurse knew exactlywhat had been done for my mother previously,what was currently being tried, and whatmight be done for her in the future.

“They took the time to treat her like ahuman being, and found time to spend withmyself and my wife to explain, in words weunderstood, exactly what was happening. Itis impossible to speak highly enough of thequality of care my mother received.”

The report concludes that the

hospital has some areas of good

practice but also has areas that need

improvement.”

“



Our work to improve dementia care Can you help ll our Memory Boxes?

ue 26 kghtogether Issue 26 kghtogether 9

GH is improving care for patients withementia as part of its pioneering AGErogramme for older adults.In May 2013 the Trust was one of the first

ospitals in the country to formally launch aew approach to caring for older people inospital. The Trust is one of six hospitals taking

art in a national Academy of Geratologycellence (AGE) Programme in the UK in

artnership with the University of BedfordshireThe aim of the programme is to develop

ew approaches to the care of older adultsat develop sensitive and exemplary care.

taff training – four levelpproachART of the AGE work is focussed on theare of dementia patients.The Trust has always supported dementia

atients with specialist care but is noweveloping a much more comprehensive andrmal structure around this. Examples of theork include four levels of training:

Level 0 – Basic awareness aimed allstaff (including back office etc) – Using anationally recognised training programmecalled ‘Barbara’s story’ which follows the journey of a dementia patient throughhospitalLevel 1 – Aimed at all clinical staff. Lectureand videos around the different typesof dementia and how we care for thesepatients – again linked to Barbara’s storyLevel 2 – More in depth training lookingat longer term issues – for e xample howdementia may impact on other medicalproblems a person may developLevel 3-4 - A more formal academicapproach where staff learn, in much moredetail, about dementia, its medications,

symptom management, and end of lifecare. The work can contribute to degree/master’s degree level accreditation. Theaim is to encourage KGH staff to developthe skills and knowledge to supportcomplex dementia care.

Dementia ScreeningN admission to hospital medical staffarry out a dementia screen whichvolves asking patients, over 65, if theyave had any memory problems in thest 12 months.Answers trigger a specific screeningogramme (eg CT scans, blood tests) that

elp to diagnose dementia at the earliestpportunity

Dementia BundleTHIS is a new document that has justbeen piloted and has been rolled outacross urgent care (eg A&E) with a planto go Trust wide.

It is essentially a ‘best practice’ guidancefor all clinical staff on how a dementia patientshould be treated throughout their hospital journey. Each clinical area will have a copy toremind staff of what they should be doing tosupport dementia patients and address anyproblems that may arise.

Specialist ward – TheNaseby Wards A and BThe Naseby wards are for older adultswith complex health needs and this

includes dementia.Having a facility especially for older adultswith complex needs means that the Trust cangive patients care in an area which has staffwho have more specialist skills and have abetter understanding of patients with dementia.

This has significant benefits for patientswith dementia who may have a number ofhealth and social care needs. The area is alsosupported by AGE UK volunteers.

Rest of the TrustDementia patients are also seen across the restof the Trust and will be looked after by staffwho have undergone dementia training and inthe future will be using the dementia bundle toguide their practice

KGH is appealing to the public to help itto expand its Memory and Activity Boxesscheme to improve care of older peoplewith dementia.

A Memory Box is a shoebox sized box whichcontains memorabilia which can be used tohelp stimulate conversations between patientswith dementia and hospital staff.

The idea has been tried out across thecountry by various caring organisations andcharities connected to dementia and KGHlaunched its own scheme in 2011 to improvecare for patients with dementia or memory loss.

KGH’s disability and sensory impairmentfacilitator, Joanne Taylor, said: “A memory boxis simply a box which contains items whichcan spark vivid memories for a person who hasdementia.

“It is something that helps hospital staff toengage with a person and talk about their life

and times and find out more about them.“This in turns helps staff to make a betterconnection with a person, aids understandingand can help to improve the quality of thatpatient’s care.”

“Since our launch we have also developed anActivity Box which have things like dominoes,playing cards, and large print puzzles whichmany dementia patients enjoy playing.”

You can help us to ll theseboxesKGH already has 12 boxes but wantto expand this and have some themedboxes for people with particularinterests.

We hope that local community groups, KGH

Members and the public will be able to help bydonating items for the boxes.

Joanne said: “The boxes are shoe box sizeand we are looking for about 5-10 items perbox.

“Items can be anything that would sparka vivid memory. It could be old photographs,household items (eg carbolic soap), items suchas shells, dolly pegs, marbles, things related tospecific events (eg a ration book from WorldWar 2 or old advertising memorabilia) orsomething with a look or texture that could bea conversation piece.

“Themes could be things like local towns,the boot and shoe industry, sport, the waryears and hobbies.”

You can also donate playing cards,dominoes, local history photographic and Royalfamily books for the activity boxes.

Any one interested in donating items for theboxes should contact Joanne Taylor on [email protected] or 01536-493340.

Dementia Care ResourceArea Harrowden AIn 2012 a healthcare assistant, ChristineChamber developed a small area closeto the ward bays where patients withdementia can chat with staff.

It contains pictures of famous people, localtowns, has a double seat and coffee table, a CDplayer and books and activities like card anddominoes. There is also a similar resource areaon the Naseby Wards.

Frail elderly in-reach lead nurse LaurenRothwell said: “The Trust is looking to improvethe care it provides for dementia patients in allof our departments.

“It is acknowledged that patients withdementia are an increasing proportion of thepatient population so it is important for us toplan ahead and to ensure that we give these

vulnerable patients the very best care andsupport.”

Dementia in Northants• It is believed that some 7,000 people suffer

from dementia in the county at any one time• By 2025, this figure is expected to have

increased by 50%• Dementia is not a single illness but a group

of symptoms caused by damage to thebrain. The symptoms include loss of memory,mood changes and confusion.

• Dementia is caused by a number of differentdiseases of the brain, including Alzheimer’sdisease. Vascular dementia is the secondmost common cause after Alzheimer’sdisease

A memory box is simply a box

which contains items which

can spark vivid memories for a

person who has dementia.”

“Healthcare assistant Christine Chamber with the resource area she set up on Harrowden A. She also helpedset up one on Naseby wards. Just one of the practical ways we are improving care for dementia patients.

Parkinson’sawareness at KGHMEMBERS of a Parkinson’s Diseaseawareness group regularly promoteawareness of the disease both at KGH andin the community.

The Northamptonshire Younger Person’sSupport Group for Parkinson’s Disease arepictured here during one of their visits to thehospital where they spent a week handing outleaflets and chatting with patients, visitors andstaff.

Group leader Debs Whiter, spokesperson,Stuart Crichton and committee member, CarleneByland, manned the stand. Their group aims tosupport people under the age of 65 who haveParkinson’s Disease – often considered a diseaseof older people.

Mr Crichton said: “We were giving people alot of information about the signs and symptomsof Parkinson’s Disease and explaining howthese can be misinterpreted. It is a conditionwhich can make you appear to be drunk. Wewere spreading awareness about the diseaseand hopefully encouraging people to have morerespect for the people who have it.”

Debs Whiter, Stuart Crichton and Carlene Bylandfrom Northamptonshire Younger Person’s SupportGroup for Parkinson’s Disease promoting awareness

at KGH.

KGH staff Jenny Embling, Joanne Taylor and LeanneHackshall at the launch of the Memory Box schemein 2011

BBC Radio Northampton reporter Elinor Crossinterviews Joanne Taylor about the memory boxes

FACTS ABOUT PARKINSON’S• It is a progressive neurological disorder

affecting voluntary movements such aswalking, talking, writing and swallowing

• Symptoms can be tremor, rigidity,and slowness of movement – but noteveryone experiences all three

• The cause is not known and there is nocure

• Drug therapy helps to control thesymptoms and has to be tailored to theindividual

• While the majority of patients are elderlyone in 20 patients are under 40.



ssue 26 kghtogether Issue 26 kghtogether 11

Remembrance display made bychildren at KGHCHILDREN made and displayed 500poppies in a public area at KGH as acontribution to this year’s Remembranceevents.

Eight children, aged three to 11, made thepoppies out of paper to put up as a display inthe hospital’s Foundation Wing atrium.

The tribute was inspired by the display ofceramic poppies at the Tower of London.

KGH Play co-ordinator Trish Brigden said:“When children are in hospital we like to havethemed activities for them.

“We can’t really have a two minute silence,as this isn’t appropriate for smaller children, sowe had to think of something else.

“The poppy display at the Tower of Londonhas been very inspiring for many people so wethought it would be nice for the children to beable to do their own small field of poppies asa tribute.

“They enjoyed producing and putting uptheir display – which is at a busy crossroads inthe hospital – and it has certainly been a veryvisual reminder for everyone passing of thistime of national commemoration.”

Olivia Young, ten, pins a poppy to a Remembrance display area at Kettering General Hospital.

Prostate cancer care improved

GH has invested £88,000 in newquipment to help diagnose prostateancer and improve patient care thankso charitable donations.The urology department has purchasedtrans-rectal ultrasound and template gridhich enables us, for the first time at KGH, toerform trans-perineal biopsies of the prostate.A biopsy is where a small sample of living

ssue is taken from the body – using a needleto enable this sample to be tested to see if it

ontains abnormalities such as cancerous cells.KGH’s urology service says the new

quipment will help improve care for patientsy providing an additional – and moreccurate - form of prostate cancer testinghich patients would previously have had toavel to other Trusts to receive. It is used inses where a conventional biopsy technique

as not confirmed a suspected diagnosis ofostate cancer.

onsultant says why newquipment is a boostGH Consultant urologist, Mr Davidayne, says the new equipment will help

mprove our urology service.He said: “It means we are able to undertakeultiple biopsies of the prostate using amplate grid placed over the perineum whilstatients are asleep.“The grid – which looks similar to theid seen on the board game ‘Battleships”enables us to guide the biopsies to helpcate and diagnose prostate cancer which theaditional technique (trans-rectal biopsy seeelow) we use, can sometimes fails to detect.”The usual way of taking prostate biopsies to

find out if cancer is present is called a trans-rectal biopsy. Here biopsies of prostate tissueare taken from the prostate gland via therectum under local anaesthetic.

If this doesn’t locate a cancer – but it issuspected there is one – the trans-perinealapproach can be performed, under generalanaesthetic, which has been shown to bea more accurate way of testing for cancer.Furthermore the technique can be used forpatients already diagnosed with prostatecancer to aid the decision making in futuretreatment – because it gives a more accuratepicture of how much cancer there is in theprostate.

It is envisaged that around 50 patients peryear will benefit from gaining thisparticular form of diagnostic test,though this figure may grow.

Will reduce travelfor patientsAT the moment somepatients have to travelto other Trusts to haveprocedures with this type ofequipment.

Mr Payne said: “The new

Movembermoustachesraise money forurologySTAFF from across KGH took part inthis year’s Movember challenge to raisemoney for our urology/prostate cancerservices.

Together they have raised more than£1,148 by asking for sponsorship while theygrew moustaches throughout the month ofNovember.

The Movember movement is inspired by theMovember Foundation – a global organisationcommitted to changing the face of me n’shealth.

The Movember community has raised

£346 million to date and funded over800 programmes in 21 countries.This work is saving and improving the lives

of men affected by prostate cancer, testicularcancer and mental health problems.

equipment enables us to perform a precisetechnique to take multiple samples from theprostate which helps us to determine if there iscancer present – particularly in cases where acancer has not been easy to locate.

“At the moment patients have to travelto Leicester or Northampton – to have thisprocedure. So having the equipment here willalso make it a lot more convenient for localpatients.

“We want to take this opportunity to thankeveryone who fund raises, or leaves money tous in a legacy, for helping us to purchase thisimportant equipment.”

The equipment was purchased through alegacy donation and through charitable funddonations given to KGH to improve cancercare.R consultant urologist Mr Roland England, Clinical Nurse Specialist Rachel Hooper, specialty doctor

bair Al-Qassim, and consult urologists Mr David Payne, Mr Mohammed Al-Sudani and Mr Zeb Khanth the new equipment

Some of the staff who took part in the Movember challenge

Lions help with precious memoriesKETTERING and District Lions Club haspresented KGH with £300 to purchaseprecious memory boxes for parents whohave had a stillbirth.

The memory boxes, provided by the still birthand neonatal death charity Sands, contain anumber of items which help bereaved parentswith the grieving process.

The boxes contain a shawl, a box for alock of hair, two small teddy bears (one forcremation or burial and one for a keepsake forthe parents). The box also contains equipmentto take hand and footprints of the baby.

Lions President Chris Clark (pictured farright) presented the boxes to bereavement

support midwife Lynn Garrett(standing next to her) onbehalf of the Lions.

The money was raised atan annual charter dinnerand raffle. This is the thirddonation of Precious MemoryBoxes made by KetteringLions Club.

Lynn said: “The memoryboxes help us to supportparents at a very difficult time.I want to thank KetteringLions so much for continuingto support us in this way.”

Kettering and District Lions Club present KGH with Precious Memory

Boxes for parents who have had a still birth

Children pay their respects to the fallen

TEN-year-old Olivia Young, from MarketHarborough, was in hospital recoveringfrom an appendix operation andcontributed to the display.

Her mum Georgina said: “I think it is veryimportant for children to remember theCentenary of the First World War as part ofour history.

“In August this year we visited the displayof poppies at the Tower of London andbought one of the poppies.

“Our great grandfathers served in theFirst World War so I think it is important toremember them.

“It was nice to see a Remembrance displayin the hospital and Olivia enjoyed takingpart.”

The hospital also held a RemembranceServices for staff and patients in its Chapel ofPeace on Sunday (November 9) and Tuesday(November 11).

Remembrance Sunday is held on the secondSunday in November, the Sunday nearest to11 November, Armistice day the anniversaryof the end of hostilities in the First World Warat 11 a.m. in 1918. Remembrance Sundayis held to commemorate the contribution ofBritish and Commonwealth military and civilianservicemen and women in the two World Warsand later conflicts.

The Tower of London poppy art installationfeatures 888,246 ceramic poppies — one foreach British and Colonial life lost in the 1914to 1918 conflict.

The poppy display at the Tower of

London has been very inspiring

for many people so we thought it

would be nice for the children to be

able to do their own small eld of

poppies as a tr ibute.”

“




LOCAL vicar and Freemason who hadeatment for the most serious form of

kin cancer has raised £1,460 for thekin Care Centre at KGH.And on October 30 from the Vicar of

chester, the Rev John Simmons, and Jimoughton, Assistant Provincial Grand Masterr the Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshireeemasons, presented a cheque for the sumKGH skin cancer lead, and consultant

ermatologist, Dr Oliviaevenson, in the Skinare Centre (Jubilee

Wing) at KGH.The money was

onated after the Revmmons was treated

r skin cancer atGH.While chatting with

GH dermatologist Oliviaevenson the subject of equipment came up

nd John, through his role as Master (for thear) of The Scout Lodge of the Freemasonsid he would like to help the department.He was able to contribute £730 of funds

om Scout Lodge which was matched by theovincial Grand Charity for Northamptonshire

nd Huntingdonshire Freemasons enabling the1,460 donation.The money has been used to purchase two

ermatoscopes – a magnifying/lighting devicesed to allow close examination of skin lesionsat £730each for the Skin Care Centre.

he Rev John’ Simmons’tory

WHILE on holiday in Cyprus in April 2012ohn’s wife Ann noticed that a mole ons chest had gone a dark bluish colour.

A trip to his GP led to a referral to Ketteringeneral Hospital’s dermatology department.John said: “I was diagnosed with malignantelanoma, the most serious form of skinncer, and so I needed urgent treatment.“I was referred to St Bartholomew’s HospitalLondon in September 2012 for sentinel

mph node biopsy to see if the cancer hadpread to my lymph nodes. It had - so twoere taken out.“I was then referred to an oncologist at

eicester Royal Infirmary and had my lymphands taken out in December 2012.“On January 5, 2013, I got the all clear test

n the day my first grandchild, Harriet, wasorn.“I will be under surveillance now for a totalfive years but all the tests so far have been

Vicar supports skin care centre

negative.”John, 61, from the Vicarage, Irchester, said:

“I am enormously grateful to the NHS, and toKettering General Hospital, for the way I havebeen looked after. I thought this contributionmight go some way to repaying that debt ofgratitude.

“I particularly want to thank Dr Stevensonand Macmillan cancer nurse specialist FionaBriggs for the wonderful way they havesupported my care.”

Thanks from thedermatology departmentDr Stevenson said: “On behalf of thedepartment I would like to thankJohn and all of his colleagues in theFreemasons for their tremendoussupport.

“These are invaluable state-of-the-artdermatoscopes which will help us to diagnosesuspicious lesions and decide on the right

course of action to take.“They will replace some of the ones in the

department that have broken and reduce theneed for sharing between staff. “

Get suspicious moleschecked outConsultant dermatologist OliviaStevenson and the Rev John Simmonshave both urged local people to getsuspicious moles or other skin legionschecked out.

Olivia said: “Sometimes people, particularlymen, can ignore these sorts of changes whenthey really should have them checked out bytheir GP straight away. If caught early manyskin cancers can be completely cured.”

The Rev Simmons said: “It’s crucial thatpeople don’t ignore these things. My wife wasthe one who urged me to get it checked outand I am so glad I did. It is important to go toyour GP if you are at all worried.”

I am enormously grateful

to the NHS, and to Kettering

General Hospital, for the way I

have been looked after.”

“Dr Stevenson said she

personally sees some 20-30

new skin cancers each week at

the hospital.”

“

Anonymous donor brings toys to Skylark

AN ANONYMOUS donor has beenbringing sacks full of brand new toys toSkylark Ward – and then disappearing.

The man, who has visited the ward beforeand never waits to be thanked, brought inanother donation recently.

Play co-ordinator Trish Brigden said: “Aman walked onto Skylark Ward and handed amember of the Play Team half a dozen bagsof brand new toys. He has visited the wardbefore, always brings new toys, and neverwaits to be thanked.

“He will never leavehis name and we wouldlike him to know howmuch his kindness isappreciated and howsuch a small, thoughtfulact has a huge effecton a ward full of poorlychildren!

“It is nice to knowthat there are somegood people out there!!

Consultant dermatologist Dr Olivia Stevenson, Macmillan nurse Fiona Briggs, theRev John Simmons and Provincial Assistant G rand Master Jim Boughton

Skin cancer surveillance day

AN annual Skin Cancer SurveillanceDay held by KGH on September 20 wasattended by 241 local people.

The free event enables anyone who has aconcern about a mole or skin lesion to seespecialist doctors and nurses without anappointment on a first come, first serve basis,with everyone being seen.

The Skin Cancer Surveillance Day is organisedby the hospital’s dermatology department withstaff giving up their own time to put it on.

Dr Stevenson said she personally sees some20-30 new skin cancers each week at thehospital. At a previous awareness event about20 cancer and pre-cancercases were detected. Thistime 48 people required

further attention.

Oursurveillanceday detectedJune’s cancerMOTHER-of-two June Farrer, fromWellingborough, had the most seriouskind of skin cancer – a malignantmelanoma – removed from her legfollowing the 2013 event.

Mrs Farrer, 57, who works as a safe guardingadministrator for Northamptonshire HealthcareTrust, said: “I found out about this event in thelocal newspaper and on local radio and I hadsome moles that I wanted checked out.

“The four or five moles I was concernedabout were all fine but there was a small darkone on the skin of my right shin that they wereworried about.

“After the tests came through it wasdiagnosed as a malignant melanoma.

“I had the mole, and an area of skin aroundit, removed and then had a skin graft.

“Since then I have had regular check ups andeverything has been fine.

“I think this is a brilliant event to put on forlocal people. It made it very easy to get myselfchecked out and I am so glad I did. I am verygrateful to the staff – who all give up their owntime to put on the event – for diagnosing mycancer and treating it quickly.

“I think the Skin Surveillance Day is animportant event and I would urge anyone withany concerns about moles or blemishes to goalong and get them checked out.”

Skin cancer is best treatedearlyGETTING an early diagnosis of skincancer is very important with betteroutcomes the sooner problems areidentified.

Dr Olivia Stevenson, who is the Trust’s skin

cancer lead, said: “June had mole cancer(melanoma), which is the most publicised andmost dangerous kind of skin cancer.

“In these cases we would cut out the moleand, if melanoma is confirmed, a margin ofnormal skin around the scar is also removed.Depending on the site of the mole this wouldsometimes involve a skin graft, as in June’scase.

“June’s cancer was caught before she hadnoticed any change and this allowed it to bepicked up and treated earlier, giving her a muchbetter outcome.

“But anyone who has a mole or lesion whichis changing rapidly on the skin or behavingdifferently from other moles, for examplechanging colour, weeping, bleeding or growingfaster, should go to their GP for advice.”June Farrer with the doctor who spotted her cancer - consultant dermatologist Dr Johan Vorster

ET reporter Michael Whelan, June Farrer, and Dr Olivia Stevenson during amedia event that promoted the skin surveillance day




Stroke Unit chairs presentedfollowing 1,000 mile bike ride

KGH Chair climbs Africa’s highest mountainKGH Chairman Graham Foster hassuccessfully climbed Africa’s highestmountain and raised £700 to improvecare for older people.

Graham climbed 5,895m (19,341 feet)Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in October and raisedmoney towards a hospital initiatives to supportolder people.

Mr Foster, 55, from Burton-on-Trent, whois married to Catherine, and has three grownup children, said: “This was part personalchallenge and part an attempt to raise somemoney for an exciting new initiative at KetteringGeneral Hospital called AGE (Academy forGeratology Excellence), which will be gatheringresearch and practical evidence aimed atimproving the training of nurses in caring forthe elderly.

“It’s the hospital’s intention to make a bigchange in the way we look after our frail andelderly patients with a view to them avoidingand minimising hospital stays. I wanted tohelp with this area of health improvement asit affects so many people and their carers andfamilies so severely!”

October 18 -“Surrounded by rucksacks andholdalls at 3am ready to fly off to Kilimanjarovia Amsterdam. We had little or no idea what it

would be like to climb a 19,000 foot mountain.All three of us had done some training - butnone of us knew whether it would be enough.14 hours later we were standing outsideKilimanjaro International Airport. Tonight is ourlast night’s sleep in a real bed for 9 days.

October 19 - “Day one dawned and afterbreakfast came the kit inspection. When wereached the gate of the Kilimanjaro Park, wewere told that the 15 trekkers would needa total of 59 local people to help us up themountain, including 36 porters, 6 cooks and7 guides (and, most importantly, one guy incharge of the chemical toilet and toilet tent!).

October 21 -”After the first two days, weare already well above 3,000m and beginningto feel the effects of the thinner air and

consequent reduction of available oxygenat altitude. However, by observing the veryslow steady walking style and pace of our

guides (Poli Poli – Swahili for slowly slowly)we gradually found we could walk for 1 – 11/2 hour spells without stopping or excessivefatigue setting in.”

October 23 - “As a party we carried oxygencylinders, special medication and a portablehyperbaric chamber, for use if anyone startedto show symptoms of altitude sickness.Fortunately, no-one needed any of these aids orinterventions.”

October 24 - ”Fuelled by the constant streamof porridge, soups and stews cooked by ourlocal chefs, we continued up through the fourclimate zones of the mountain, up to the areasover 3,500m where the whole surface becomesmoon-like – volcanic dust, rocks and boulders.Having seen some monkeys and exotic birds in

GH Chaplain Phillip Staves is picturedith special stroke chairs he raisedoney for by doing a 1,000 mile cyclede from Land’s End in Cornwall to John’Groats in Scotland.Philip’s ride – which took place over fifteen

ays between 17th and 31st May - raised over3,000 for our Stroke Unit.Acute physiotherapist Emily Freeman, whoorks on the stroke unit, said: “We just want toy a huge thank you to Phillip for supporting in this way.

“The special chairs he has raised the moneyfor are very important to us. They have lots ofdifferent adjustments which enable us helppatients keep a good posture when they areeating and drinking and they assist with ourgeneral rehabilitation.

“They also enable patients to spend sometime outside the wards which again helps themwith their rehabilitation.”

Phillip decided to raise money for the strokeunit because his younger brother, Tim, has hada few minor strokes.

Phil climbs Ben Nevis for Twywell Ward

ATIENT Advice and Liaison Serviceupport officer Phil Brown has climbed

ritain’s highest mountain to raise £439or Twywell Ward.

Phil, 53, from Kettering, decided to take one challenge, along with husband Chris, 51,

nd daughters Siobhan, 24, and Imogen, 21, only 6.She said: “As a family we wanted to

hallenge ourselves by climbing the highestountain in the UK.“At the same time we wanted to raise someoney for a worthwhile cause and so weoked at the KGH Charity’s wish list for someeas.“We decided on raising money for the

ay room in Twywell Ward to make it moreomfortable for patients.”The family set off on their climb at 7.30am

nd it took them about four-and-a-half hours

to climb to the 1,344 m (4,409 ft) summit andanother four hours to descend.

One odd thing happened, Phil bumped intoa cousin, Rose, she hadn’t seen for 10 years onthe summit of the mountain.

L-R Imogen, Chris, Siobhan and Phil me et Phil’scousin Rose (far right) on the summit of BenNevis

GH chaplain Philip Staves pictured with physiotherapist Emily Freeman and one of the new strokehairs that he raised money for with his Land’s End to J ohn o’Groats cycle ride.

the lower reaches of the trek, now there wasonly the occasional lizard, a few spotted miceand some very large and threatening lookingscavenging white backed crows, whose jobseemed to be the clean up the camp site eachday, usually after we’d left!”

October 25 date…..”After 6 days wereached the launch point for the final assaulton the summit, Baraka Campsite at 4,600m, inclear and not too cold conditions. Got to bedwell before dark. We were desperately tryingto get some sleep as we knew we would bewoken at midnight, ready for breakfast and a1am start to the summit attempt.”

October 25 - Summit Day -

“Coffee and Porridge at midnight was a littlesurreal. Not much time for star gazing this

evening, but the night sky at this altitude in themiddle of Africa is an unforgettable sight! Weset off at strict Poli Poli pace in a line of 15 plusthe guides, all with just head torches to lightour way up a first hour of rocky uphill ascent.Around 4.30 we got to see an incrediblesunrise, with about 180 degrees of horizon inview, still no clouds, no rain or snow and onlyabout -5 or -6 degrees. Suitably encouragedwe ploughed on and on up the volcanic dustand boulders. Finally we are able to drop our

bags and take a steady 45 minute strollup the last 100m of ascent around thecrater rim to Uhuru Point and the top ofKilimanjaro at around 9.30am.Thoroughlyexhausted but elated, we were treatedto fabulous views of mountains clouds,landscape and the remaining glaciers andable to take photos for 30 minutes in thevery bright sunshine.”Extracts from Graham’s diary

KILIMANJARO FACTS

• In 1889, the first successful summit ofMount Kilimanjaro was completed byGerman geographer, Hans Meyer, aftersix weeks of climbing.

• Climbing Kilimanjaro has become apopular challenge undertaken by some35,000 climbers and trekkers each year

• On average only 45% of those whotake it on actually succeed – and thereare 10-15 deaths each year.

• Since 1912, Kilimanjaro has lost 82%of its ice cap, and, since 1962, 55% ofits remaining glacier fields. Scientistspredict all ice on the mountain maydisappear within the next 20 years.

Steven, Graham and Stephen on the summit

Graham en route to the summit

After the rst two days, we are

already well above 3,000m

and beginning to feel the

effects of the thinner air...”

“



fundraising for the hospital.Unfortunately the presentation clashed

with a family holiday so she could not attend.However on October 13 the Trust had a smallpresentation for her. Trust Chairman GrahamFoster presented her with two certificates ofappreciation – one for her amazing efforts as afundraiser and the second in recognition of thisyear’s successful run, jog, walk event.


JOHN Newman Hairdressing and Beauty(JNH&B) of Rothwell has presented acheque for £8,241 to Kettering GeneralHospital on October 13.

The money was raised with a Walk It! Jog It!Run It! Cycle It!’ event at Brixworth CountryPark on Sunday the 6 th July.

More than 150 people joined in with afurther 40 volunteers and spectators arrivingto support them onthe day – this isthe event’s secondyear.

Six KGH charityfunds benefittedfrom the event -the Stroke UnitFund (£1,588.24),Cardiac UnitFund (£1,704.80)Ophthalmology Unit Fund (£2,108.79),Colorectal Unit Fund (£1,120.34), Wish ListFund (£913.60) and, for the benefit of staffat KGH, Revive the Recreation Hall Fund(£806.09).

Shirley Newman, Director of John NewmanHairdressing and Beauty, said: “It was agreat feeling for us to be able to make thispresentation to Kettering General Hospital afterhosting an event that was so well supported byso many people – including a lot of KGH staff.

“We are so proud of my family, friends,clients, and everybody who came to make theevent possible and such an amazing success.”

Shirley and her team would like to thankSaints Rugby Club for their continued support,as well as the sponsors who ensure 100 percent of the funds raised are donated to theKGH Charities, along with every participant and

volunteer.John Newman, owner of the 90 year oldfamily business, suffered a stroke last yearand received care from the Kettering GeneralHospital Stroke Unit. This inspired the JNH&Bteam to provide support for the hospital’s mostvital units.

KGH Charity Officer Christina Kelly said: “Wewant to thank Shirley Newman, her team, andindeed everyone who was associated with thisevent, for their tremendously successful efforts.The donations will enable our teams to provideimproved services that will benefit hundreds ofpatients each year.”

Shirley Newman was recently honoured in aspecial category at Kettering General Hospital’sEmployee Excellence Awards on September12 for her out outstanding contribution to

Proceeds from charity walk, jog, run, cyclepresented to KGH

Doctor takes the ice bucketchallenge

We are so proud of my family,

friends, clients, and everybody whocame to make the event possible

and such an amazing success.”

“

GH locum neurologist Dr Victoratterson took the ice bucket challengeo raise funds, and awareness, for motoreurone disease.The challenge – which has been taken byns of thousands of people from across theorld – has so far raised £7m for the Motoreurone Disease Association, with up to3,000 associated donations in a month.Dr Patterson said: “As a neurologist I am

ery aware of the impact of motor neuronesease. It seemed a very light hearted and fun

way of supporting the Motor Neurone DiseaseAssociation.

“I used to be a trustee of the MotorNeurone Disease Association so I am verypleased to be doing my bit to combat thishorrible disease.”

To take the Ice Bucket Challenge andmake your donation texting ICED55 £5 (orother amount) to 70070 (only available in theUK);visit www.mndassociation.org page; orcall 01604 611860 referencing the ‘Ice BucketChallenge’.

GH locum neurologist Dr Victor Patterson does the ice bucket challenge with the help of neurology

cretary Christina Pitts.

Spiderman raises£1,459 to buyspecial chairs forKGHSPIDERMAN – aka Leslie Jeffery – hasraised £1,459 to buy four specialreclining chairs for Harrowden A ward atKettering General Hospital.

Mr Jeffery, 59, from Islip, has raised morethan £5,000 for KGH over the last four yearssince adopting his superhero disguise.

He said: “I am the only Spiderman characterin Northamptonshire who raises money forKettering General Hospital and people aregetting to know what I do.

“One of the main pieces of fundraising I didfor the chairs was in July when I did a 35 milesponsored walk around Thrapston, Oundle,Titchmarsh, Kettering, Weldon, Geddington andBurton Latimer.

“Since then I have also attended sevencarnivals and held door-to-door and streetcollections. I want to thank everyone who hasmade a donation which all goes to support thegreat work for the local community that KGHdoes.”

Harrowden A Staff nurse Katie Gordon said:“We want to thank Leslie so much for hisenormous efforts over the summer which havesupported Harrowden A.

“Lot of our patients have breathingdifficulties and they can find sleeping, orspending a long time, in a bed quite difficult.

“The chairs enable people with thoseproblems to sleep, or rest, at different angles,according to what is comfortable for them.They are a major boost for us and will be verywell used.”

Spiderman has presented KGH with £1,459 for fourrecliner chairs for its Harrowden A ward. L-R studentnurse Vanessa Banks, staff nurse Clint Fabroa,Spiderman aka Leslie Jeffery, and phlebotomist

Jayne Robinson

Corby Masons present £1,000 tocolorectal unitSIX of Corby’s Masonic Lodges havepresented KGH’s colorectal unit with atotal of £1,000 following a fun day.

The event was held in Great Easton on June28 and was attended by more than 200 people.

Events included tug-of-war, welly throwing,hitting marshmallows with a golf club, egg and

spoon and sack races, a band and a pig roast.The money was presented to KGH by

Maureen Stewart, from Great Easton, and Pamand Dave Genner from Corby.

The presentation was in memory of a friend,

June King, who recently died, and whosehusband Richard is a Mason.

Pam Genner, Maureen Stewart, and Dave Genner w ith endoscopy staff nurses Val Braybrook and AgridaNjolinjo and the £1,000 donation

Trust Chairman Graham Foster and charity officerChristina Kelly present two certificates of appreciationto Shirley Newman following her fundraising work in

support of the hospital.

John and Shirley Newman and the team from John Newman Hairdressing andBeauty present a cheque for £8,241 to KGH charity officer Christine Kelly andrepresentatives from some of the many wards and departments supported by thefundraising.



Issue 26 kghtogether 19ssue 26 kghtogether

The Flu Fighters are back – KGH vaccinationsnow top 2,156

ORE than 2,156 KGH staff had alreadyad their flu vaccinations by the end ofovember – approximately 60% of frontne staff.The flu vaccination programme started in

eptember this year and the flu fighter teammade up of Occupational Health nurses,andy Lyon Manual Handling Trainer,

at Edkins RCN Representative, Sueailey Staff Nurse from Ophthalmology,z Meeks and Elaine Baines frommergency Care, and Doreen Pageom Recovery – have been carryingut drop-in flu sessions on the wardsnd departments during the day as well night shifts. Drop-in sessions are still

vailable in Occupational Health based inWarren Hill House until the end of January 2015.

Occupational Health nurse manager Jackiearrow said: “The flu vaccine is not just abouteeping yourself safe it’s about protectingour friends, colleagues and patients as wellom an illness that in some cases can be veryrious. Following recent news that there has

een an increase in the number of cases of fluness in the East Midlands and Wales I wouldncourage all frontline staff to consider havinge flu vaccination’KGH staff can get further information about

u – both facts and common myths – on ourternal intranet pages.Please remember to email the Occupational

ealth Department at [email protected] if you have had your flu jab at your GP’srgery.

Don’t visit people inhospital if you feel unwellIN the Winter time we often expect tohave more coughs and colds and juststruggle on with normal life.

But if you are planning to visit a friend orrelative in hospital please think twice if:• You have obvious signs of an infection –

runny nose, sneezing, high temperature –it could be flu

• Experienced diarrhoea or vomiting in thelast two days – it could be norovirus.

Keeping potentially dangerous bugs like fluand norovirus out of hospital is very importantbecause we have many elderly patients whoare already unwell and whose resistance tothese infections is lower.

“The u vaccine is not just about

keeping yourself safe it’s about

protecting your friends, colleagues and

patients as well from an illnes...”

“

Hypo Awareness WeekKGH has been encouraging patientsand their health teams to discusshypoglycaemia (hypos) – a potentiallydangerous complication of diabetes– as a part of a national awarenesscampaign.

TALK Hypo s launched during HypoAwareness Week 2014 (29 September–5October 2014) with the aim of improving themanagement of hypos, which often go under-recognised1 or under-reported2 by people withdiabetes.

Hypos are when glucose in the blood fallsto a low level and are one of the mostcommon diabetes complications.Symptoms may include a poundingheart, trembling, hunger, difficulty

concentrating and blurred vision, andleft untreated, they can become seriousand cause unconsciousness.

Diabetes Specialist Nurses NicolaWinch and Kelly Brogan raisedawareness of hypoglycaemia amongstclinical colleagues in the hospital during theweek, including having a stand in reception.

Kelly said: “Many people with diabetesmay be missing the warning signs of hypos.Ensuring that both patients and healthcareprofessionals know how to recognise and treathypos, and are actively discussing them inconsultation, means that we are better able toreduce the number and severity of incidences.This is an important message both inside andoutside of hospital.”

Parents to be ock to our Baby Roadshow

• THINK: Do you know what a hypo is? Doyou suffer from hypos?

• ASK: your doctor or nurse about hyposand discuss them as part of yourconsultation

• LEARN: what can be done to bettermanage your hypos, including lifestyleand treatment options

• KEEP: track of your hypos for discussionwith your healthcare professional

The campaign comprises several key

HUNDREDS of parents-to-be flocked to

a Baby Roadshow hosted by KGH onSeptember 10.The event, the 25th in 17 years, provided a

huge range of advice at more than 20 stalls setup at Kettering Conference Centre.

The event is led by KGH midwives and isbeing supported by, health visitors, breastfeeding midwives, and water birth/ parentcraftmidwife, and the Supervisors of Midwives.

Show organiser Julie Clark - who is also amidwife - said the event is always very wellreceived by parents-to-be and new parentsfrom across North Northamptonshire.

She said: “The idea is the road show is that itoffers new and updated information, all in oneplace, about every aspect of preparing to havea baby and caring for a newborn infant,

“People could find out about everything from

Diabetes Specialist Nurses Kelly Brogan and Nicola Winch with theawareness stand at the main entrance to Kettering General Hospital

Occupational Health Nurse Helen Wakley gives ChiefExecutive David Sissling his inoculation

Flu Facts• The flu vaccine has an excellent

safety record - The risk of having aserious (anaphylactic) reaction to theseasonal flu vaccine is less than one ina million: much lower than the risk ofgetting seriously ill from having the fluitself

• The flu jab can’t give you the flu - Itis impossible to get flu from the havingthe flu jab because the vaccine doesn’tcontain live viruses. A very small numberof people experience side effects suchas aching muscles, but this is simply theimmune system responding to the vaccine

• You need the vaccine every year - Ifyou were vaccinated last year you helpedto fight the flu and took an extra steptowards excellent patient care. Please dothe same again this year. You won’t beprotected against the new strains of flucirculating unless you have your jab

• Pregnant women can be vaccinated - Pregnant women can have the

flu vaccination at any stage of theirpregnancy. Having the vaccination whenpregnant is beneficial and helps protectbaby from flu over the first few months oflife

• Anyone can get the flu - One of themost common reasons for not gettingvaccinated is “I’ve never had flu before”.There’s no such thing as natural immunityto influenza; with new strains circulatingthis year, it’s best to get vaccinatedagainst flu.

• Flu kills - For the majority of people whocatch it flu is unpleasant, but for someit can lead to chest infections, severecomplications and death.

ccupational Health Nurse Helen Wakleyccinates staff nurse Sarah Jones

Pat Edkins inoculates Director of Nursing LeanneHackshall

ccupational Health manager Jackie Farrowoculates staff nurse Trina Cherry

Occupational health nurse Helen Wakley inoculatesOphthalmic Matron Maureen Smith

patient education materials including waitingroom posters and leaflets as well as a patienteducation video that is hosted on the DiabetesUK and Novo Nordisk websites.

About 33,000 people have diabetes inNorthamptonshire. Nationwide, over a fifthof people with diabetes in hospital will haveexperienced hypos within the past seven days.One in 10 will have experienced a severehypoglycaemic episode and one in 50 willhave required injectable treatment due to theseverity of the hypos.3

water births, to advice around fetal scans andbreast feeding.

“Both new, and more experienced, parentsfind the event very interesting and describehow it helps them to prepare for the big day.

Other stands included baby ceramics, singand sign, hypnobirth, smoking cessation, and avariety of childcare and family information.

Hypos are when glucose in the

blood falls to a low level and

are one of the most common

diabetes complications...”

“

Laura Ray visits the Infant Aquatics stand

Krista Norris and baby Spencer and Karen Knibbs andbaby Harriett visit the supervisor of midwives stand

Teresa and Richard Marlow meet Sarah Thompson at theBounty photography stand




KGH staff restaurant is runner upn major award

GH’s staff restaurant has receivedrunner up award in the CarlsbergK Northamptonshire Food and Drinkwards 2014/15.The competition, devised byorthamptonshire Enterprise Partnership

NEP), is now in its sixth year and is aimedcelebrating all that is great about localoduce and drink, recognising excellenceithin the county’s dining venues.The hospital was runner up in the ‘Healthy

ating Workplace of the Year’– Health &ducation’ category at the

vent, which was held onhursday October 16, ate Royal and Derngate inorthampton.It was attended by KGHterim Facilities Manager

ue Landon on behalf of theospital’s 20-strong chef andaff restaurant team. Thewards were given out by celebrity chef Jasontherton.Sue said: “The judge visited the hospital

nd looked at our menus, at our saladar, baguette bar and the healthy eating

information that we display in the staffrestaurant.

“They liked the amount of healthy eatingchoices that we offered and how we displayedthese.

“The staff restaurant team are delighted to

KGH panto raises £2,700 for patient care fundsONCE again KGH’s annual pantomimewas a resounding success withhundreds of staff, and their family andfriends, attending over its three nights(September 24-26)

The Trust Timewarpers did a performance of“Beauty and the Beast of Glebe House” raising£2,700 for the hospital charitable funds WishList.

The event was held at the S taff Social Cluband was complete with a colourful chorus ofinfamous fairy-tale males and females.

The story begins when Fairy Liquid Culpin(Rie Merriman) turns Beast Master S izzlingSausages/ ie David Sissling - played by JamesDonnelly - into a Beast because ‘has no love inhis heart’.

As a result he sets up a lair in Glebe Housewhere ‘many go but few make it out alive’.Meanwhile Gaston ‘tall dark and handsome’

Chilton (Julie Gardner) wants to marry RachelBelle Brown (Caroline Parkes), but she is notinterested.

Her father Papa Newman (Helen Neal) goesto get money for a machine for his departmentfrom Glebe House but is captured by the Beast.Rachel goes to rescue him, but only gets hisfreedom by promising to stay in Glebe herselfwith the Beast.

The Beast starts to fall in love with Rachelbut she must love him back for him to betransformed back into a man.

So he sets about having dinner with her -‘during protected meal time of course’ - alongwith a ‘builder’s breakfast’ from Sue LandonPotts (Kathy Reeve)

Interspersed with song and dance –including “The Fifty Ways to Leave KGH” sawsome excellent numbers by the BimbettesTanya Birke (Kathy Italiano),Liz Hawkins

(Carolyn Palmer), Eilish Crowson (Pam Howe).Other performers included Graham le

Fou Foster (Colin Iverson), Shaun LumiereThompstone (Jan Murts) Alan CogsworthGurney (Janet Miles), Feather Marinella Duster(Katrina Rufeea), Newly Qualified Nurse Chip(Jane Almond) and Monsieur Kish Sidhu ‘what Iam hearing you say is’ (Karen Birch).

Finally Chilton agrees to free Rachel from theBeast so long as he marries her and the Beastis stabbed in the heart. But in his dying breathshe frees Rachel, showing that he knows truelove and is transformed once again.

All the cast put their heart and soul into theside-splitting performances, with the odd fluffhere and there making the performance all themore hilarious.

Thanks go to the narrator (and Directorand Choreographer) Katrina Rufeea the entireProduction Team (Band, Sound and Lighting,

Members of KGH’s staff restaurant team with their award. L-RHead chef Sarah Gaziano, catering assistants Kerry Ramasamy,Judit Tokolyi, and Sophie Cross, restaurant supervisor SarahClipstone, catering assistant Sandra Audere-Auderina andrestaurant supervisor Tom Wragg.

They liked the amount of healthy

eating choices that we offered and

how we displayed these.”

“

Coffee morning raises £540 for Coronary Care UnitCOFFEE morning held in Finedon has

aised £540 for the Coronary Care UnitCCU) at Kettering General Hospital.

More than 50 people attended the eventganised by local charity fundraiser Marjorie

Wood and her friends.

Marjorie and her friend June Milleresented the cheque to CCU Matron Karen

oberts and her team on June 4.Mrs Wood has raised more than £4,000 forvariety of charities since 2007 because shekes to support good causes.

L-R CCU Matron Karen Roberts, staff nurse Debbie Cornwell, Marjorie Wood, healthcare assistant Jacqueline

Boasley, June Miller and staff nurse Carley Shakespeare

have been recognised in such a prestigiouscompetition.”

The overall winner of the category was CorbyBusiness Academy. Other entrants were StAndrew’s, Northampton, and the University ofNorthampton.

And last year’s Pantoraised £2,500 for theRevive the Rec HallAppealKGH’s Associate Director of HumanResources Charles Marson receivesa cheque for £2,500 from the TrustTimewarpers.

The money comes from last year’s TrustTimewarpers production – “To the FoundationWing and Beyond” and will go towards theRevive the Rec Hall Appeal.

This is an appeal, launched in March 2010,that aims to refurbish the Hospital SocialClub’s Recreation Hall which is now more than50 years old.

Associate Director of HR Charles Marson receives the cheque for £2,500 for the Revive the Rec Hallfund from the Trust Timewarpers

Props, Posters and Programmes), Front ofHouse and Volunteers, the Committee, FantasiaFancy Dress Hire and the Northamptonshire Tshirt Company for their support which madethe Panto very professional and a laugh-a-

minute!

Staff put on a tremendous performances of pantomime acting, song and dance with plenty of inhouse jokes and jollity



Paula says goodbye after 22 years


Michael retires after 44 years serviceENIOR biomedical scientist Michaelrick has retired after 44 years serviceo KGH.Michael, 63, from Desborough, joined the

ospital in August 1970 aged 19 as a traineeedical laboratory technician.He has worked in the hospital’s labs ever

nce in a variety of technical and scientificles spending time in both microbiology and

aematology and is a Member of the Steeringommittee of the East Midlands Institute ofomedical Science.The hospital used to run an annual Fete

nd he was chairman and secretary of theommittee for 21 years.He has done the lighting for the hospital’s

hows and pantomimes for 43 years from the

ays of the doctors’ Christmas reviews andstrict Nurses’ shows through to the currentust Timewarpers’ Pantomimes.As a keen amateur photographer he didctures and editorial for the hospital’sewsletter Acute News from the 1980s to001.He was involved in organising the hospital’seworks display in the 1980s and 90s in theassy area near the current Treatment Centre

nd organised the Jeans for Genes fundraisingvent for 9 years in the labs.He oversaw the major £3.4m refurbishmentthe pathology department in 2008-2010hich significantly improved the lab’s capacitynd environment.He said: “I have really enjoyed my time at

ettering General Hospital and working in theb has been a happy environment.“I have also enjoyed supporting all of theany events that we have held both for theospital and local community. I think we all dour bit to make Kettering General Hospital aeat place to work and good place to come if

ou need hospital care.”

Michael is also chairman of Desborougharnival Committee. He is married tonice and they have four children and four

grandchildren.Microbiology manager Pat Cawley said:

“Michael has made a great contribution tothe pathology services at Kettering GeneralHospital and we want to thank him for all ofthe work he has done.”

Nick Kirk – President of the Institute ofBiomedical Scientists – said: “I want to thankMichael personally for all of the work he hasdone for the Institute. He is a tremendouslyrespected biomedical scientist who has made agreat contribution.”

HEALTHCARE assistant Paula Saunt has retired after 22 years of NHS service.Paula started work as a healthcare assistant at St Mary’s Hospital in Kettering joining KGH in

1999 on Barnwell B when it used to be a medical ward.Since then she has worked on the Barnwell floor ever since. She said: “I have really enjoyed my

time at the hospital and made some lovely friends.“I think I am a good listener and I really enjoy talking to patients. I think the secret to being a

good healthcare assistant is to listen and care a lot about what the patient wants.”Paula lives in Rothwell, is married to Ian, and has two grown-up children, Nicola and Warren,

and four grandchildren.

KGH teams Danceoscopy (from endoscopy) and Dolly Mixtures (from pathology) took part in the Strictly gotto Dance event for Cransley Hospice

Smile AwardsMEET some more of our fantastic KGHSmile Award nominees! The idea for a Smile Award is to recognise thoseindividuals who go the extra mile for patients,visitors or for other KGH staff.

Since its launch the KGH has attracted morethan 447 nominations from patients, visitors ortheir colleagues with 83 winners.

It arose out of the hospital’s Listening intoAction programme - one of the aims of whichwas to develop more pride in KGH and theservices it provides.

Pictured are some of winners and nomineesfrom the last three months.

SeptemberIndividual Nominations- Kim Allen, DebbieSumpter , Shaun Heads, Kay Fox, Andrea Squires,Sarah Tye, Christiaan Moore, Karen Rickwood,Sally Jempson, William RobertsonTeams• Deene Ward• Age Related Macular Degeneration Clinic• Ashton Ward• HC Pretties Ward Clerks- Yolanda Rush,

Christine Chambers• Physiotherapy- Naomi Billingham, Gabrielle

Gilbert

October 2014Teams• Operational HR• ICU Housekeeping• A&E Porters• Portering and Transport• Play Team• Cath LabIndividuals Nominations- Jan Murts, LisaColeman, Donna Brown, Caroline Golding,

Debra Sumpter, Joanna Momi, Tracy James,Susan Brown, James Donnelly, James Donnelly,Helen Coleman, Bobby Best,

November 2014Teams• Skylark• ICU• A&E Housekeepers• Pharmacy Production Team• Workforce Information• Recruit a Nurse TeamIndividual Nominations- Lucie Greenham,Jane Almond, Melanie Moore, Maureen S mith,Doreen Page, Debbie Chapman, Boli Gappi,Farrah Mushtaq, Jayne Nimmo, Zara Yeung,Gabrielle Hewitt, Paula McNamee, DonnaHunnings

The Winners

September 2014Team- Age Related Maculardegeneration ClinicNon- Clinical-William RobertsonClinical- Karen Rickwood

October 2014Team- HousekeepersNon-Clinical- Susan BrownClinical- Joanna MomiHero Award- James Donnelly

November 2014Team- Recruit a Nurse TeamNon-Clinical- Gabrielle HewittClinical- Maureen Smith

Here are some of the Smile Award

winners who had their presentationsover the last few months Nominations

• Age Related Macular Degeneration Clinic- “Ihave attended this clinic regularly for a number ofyears and always found the entire staff group to befriendly, helpful, compassionate and above all in astressful environment, cheerful.”

• Pre-Op Assessment Staff Nurse KarenRickwood - “The reason for nominating Karen isbecause she worked above and beyond her role.While pre-op assessing a patient she found therewere abnormalities and sought advice. The patientwas later diagnosed with breast cancer and statedthat she felt that Karen had saved her life.”

• Health and Safety Officer James Donnelly- “Iwould like to nominate James f or his decisive, quickthinking and for maintaining a cool head in a crisis.James was first on the scene of a two car crash. Hisdecisive handling of the situation makes him a greatambassador for our organisation.”

• Ophthalmology Matron Maureen Smith-SisterSmith - “Has worked in the Ophthalmic Departmentat KGH since 1996. She has played a vital role indeveloping the department after she became asister, helping to deliver large volume services i nthe Eye Department such as the Macula (ARMD) ,Cataract and the Diabetic Retinal Service.”

• Medical Records Clerk Gabrielle Hewitt- “Inominate Gabrielle who although I have never metand seen, I can tell she always has a smile on herface when she’s on the phone. She is always sohappy and nothing is ever too much trouble.”

• Recruit a Nurse Team- “I am recommending thatTeam Recruit a Nurse receive a smile Award. Whilstrecruitment is part of everyone’s job the enthusiasm,commitment and motivation that all staff broughtwith them to the event held on Saturday 18thOctober made me very proud.

• Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner Joanna Momi- “Joanna is always smili ng, upbeatand has the patient’s interests and happiness atheart. She is really caring and considerate andalthough it is above and beyond her role, she willalways look to cheer the patient up. She does notgive up until she has made that patient as happy aspossible.”

I have also enjoyed supporting

all of the many events that we

have held both for the hospital

and local community. I think we

all do our bit to make Kettering

General Hospital a great place to

work and good place to come if

you need hospital care.”

“




KGH and Stonewall Health ChampionsProgramme launchedKGH and Stonewall – the national charitychampioning the rights of Lesbian,Gay and Bisexual people - successfullylaunched an awareness programme onAugust 27.

The initiative aims to ensure that staff whoare lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) arelistened to, regarding improving patient servicesand enhancing our staff services.

In addition, it is a programme that aims toensure that LGBT staff are supported to havea valuing and harassment free work place; just like their heterosexualcolleagues.

The importance ofthis work cannot beunderstated as LGBTpeople in this countryexperience unacceptablelevels of discrimination.The main purpose ofthe programme launchwas to engage with staff,patients and visitors alike and find out how theTrust ‘could do better’ in supporting our LGBTpatients and staff.

Commitment shown to the launch was highfrom the Trust’s Executive Team, as the ChiefExecutive, the Chair and some of the Directorsand Governors took time to visit the displaystand and converse with members of staff,patients and visitors.

The launch was incredibly useful as manysuggestions were made for the Trust ‘to do evenbetter’, including, setting up a support network,displaying LGBT imagery around the hospital,covering the issues in our mandatory training,providing listening and counselling service.

Some of the suggestions have already beenimplemented, including coverage of the issuesin our mandatory training.

A KGH Pride Network for LGBT held itsinaugural meeting on the 11th December2014. KGH Pride Network will give a platformfor our LGBT Staff to air their views aboutwhat the Trust is doing well and how to makeimprovements / provide support in areas wherewe ‘could do even better’.

The KGH Pride Network will make itsfindings known to the KGH Equality andDiversity Group that reports to the TrustWorkforce Development Committee.

Mark Smith (Director of Human Resources

Donation for ourSpecial Care BabyUnit

STAFF from Costa Coffee in the Tescostore, Kettering, have raised £213 forKGH’s Special Care Baby Unit (akaNeonatal Intensive Care Unit).

On Saturday April 13, employees BenDurrant and Saul Hughes dressed as ladies forthe day and raised money through donations.

Costa Coffee manager Sheree Blackabyand her colleague Kelly Davies delivered thedonation direct to SCBU.

and Organisational Development) said:“The Trust is proud to have a diverse

workforce and will do all that is possibleto ensure that all staff have a positive andvaluing work place and the programme ofwork undertaken in partnership with Stonewalldemonstrates our commitment to this”

The Trust would like to thank all the LGBTgroups in Northamptonshire for their valuableadvice and support, as regards to setting upand sustaining an effective network for staff.

For further information or to get involved inthis important area of the Trust’s work, pleasecontact Chaman Verma, Equality and DiversityManager (01536 491566 / [email protected])

The Trust is proud to have a

diverse workforce and will do all

that is possible to ensure that all

staff have a positive and valuing

work place...”

“

Staff from Costa Coffee at the Tesco store in Kettering donate £213 to the Special Care Baby Unit

Sarah Mounsey, Rosie Pearson, with Leila Woodhouse, Stonewall healthofficer, and Chaman Verma, KGH equality lead, at the launch stand.

Dr Ajay Verma, highly commended, with Dr Andrew Steel, Chairman of the Postgraduate Trustees, andDr Vikas Sandoo, first prize winner

KGH doctors are revalidated under the newangements.

Postgraduate Trustee Prize awarded

HE Kettering and District Postgraduaterustees have awarded their prize for014.The prize is for doctors in training for work

one while at KGH. The work may includeudits, case reports and research. Thereere 15 entries this year and some doctorsbmitted more than one piece of work.The entries were assessed by two

onsultants independently. The scrutinisingnded in three entries being very closely rankedgether and so it was agreed to give threeizes rather than just the one.

Medical Appraisal thanksMR Thangasamy Sankar, Clinical Leadfor Appraisal and Revalidation, wouldlike to thank all doctors for theirefforts during the 2013-2014 cycle ofmedical appraisal allowing the Trustto achieve a rate of 99.5% completionbefore 28th February 2014.

Medical revalidation was introduced inDecember 2012 by the General MedicalCouncil.

The objective was to assure patients andthe public that their doctors – across theNHS- were fit to practice by giving extraconfidence to patients that their doctor isbeing regularly checked by their currentemployer and the General Medical Council.

Strengthened medical appraisal is themain focus for this but also feedbackfrom patients and colleagues. The focusis on fitness to practice and the needs ofthe patient rather than the needs of theemployer.

Revalidation is made up of a portfolioof an annual appraisals over a five yearperiod along with at least one patient and

colleague feedback exercise.Revalidation is then completed by the

Trust’s Responsible Officer who will takeinto account all aspects of ensuring a doctorshould remain fit to practice and they willthen renew their license with the GeneralMedical Council for a further five years.

Mr Sankar said: ““I would like to thank allof those involved in the process who helpedus to achieve our 99.5% appraisal rate –This is a great achievement for the Trust andwas due to collective team efforts. I wouldalso like to thank the Trust Board for theircontinued support.”

To date the Trust has revalidated 71doctors, and made 6 Deferrals. We arecurrently in the process of arranging Trainingcourses. If you would like to become aMedical appraiser or attend a refreshercourse, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Lauren Fulton has been appointed as theHR Lead for Revalidation and Appraisal forthe Trust. Mr Sankar would also like to thankLauren for all her work.

he two highly commended entries were;

Correlation of caecal intubation rate to

olume: colonoscopists should undertake atast 120 procedures per year”r Ajay M Verma.

Thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory traumaatients requiring temporary lower limb

mmobilisation for management of foot andnkle fracturesprospective study of 150 patients using a

ovel scoring system”Mr Syed Haque.

ach entry recieved £100.00.

The winning entry was:“Non Invasive Ventilatory practices at KGHand an attempt to improve patient outcomesthrough regular emailed feedback”Drs Vikas Sandoo and Thomas Ward.Each of the winning authors received £250.00.

There were 15 entries this year

and some doctors submitted

more than one piece of work...”

“



MembersMatterDear Members

Winter is upon us now so look after your health, keep warm and enjoy an invigorating daily walk out.

A new calendar of events is being planned and will be with you all shortly, so look out for that. Do youhave any suggestions for events? Write to me, telephone or email and let me know. Your comments arealways welcome.

The elections are now over and we now have a number of new Governors join us on the Council. Take alook at the box below to find out who was elected. Your Governors are always keen tohear your views so do contact them if you wish at [email protected]

Best wishes to you all.

Kind regards

Donna Hunnings

Membership Manager 01536-492169 Email: [email protected]

eaders Enquiries – want a questionnswered? Suggestions Box – want to

ll us your ideas?__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

nd FREE to: Membership ManagerFreepost Plus RRHA-UHCL-YJJGKettering General Hospital F.T.Rothwell Road, KetteringNorthamptonshire NN16 8UZ

ESULTS OF THE DECEMBER ELECTIONS

r Stuart Lake Wellingboroughrs Mabel Blades East Northamptonshirers Tilottama Biswas East Northamptonshirer David Everitt Corbyrs Sallie Ferguson Corbyr Michael Szarvas Staff – Nursing, Midwifery

& Other Clinicalr Mohamed Latif Kettering (uncontested)rs Brenda King Kettering (uncontested)


Diabetes event at Wellingborough MuseumKGH Members found out more aboutdiabetes at one of our regular healthseminars held in Wellingborough onSeptember 30.

The event – at Wellingborough Museum inCastle Way – enabled local people to find outmore about diabetes, about how KGH andother health services support diabetics, andoffered the opportunity to ask our specialistspersonal questions.

KGH consultant endocrinologist, Dr KishorPatel, and Diabetes Nurse and Specialist Nurseand Team Lead, Lynsey Burgess - gave a wideranging introduction to the condition.

Around 3.2m people in the UK havediabetes – 4% of the population – but thereare thought to be more than 600,000 people

who have not been diagnosed. By 2025 this isexpected to reach 6.5% of the population.Diabetes is diagnosed when blood glucose

levels are persistently raised but can’t beused as fuel. It is when your pancreas doesn’tproduce any insulin, or not enough insulin, tohelp glucose enter your body’s cells – or theinsulin that is produced does not work properly(known as insulin resistance).

Dr Patel distinguished between Type 1diabetes – the rarest kind (5-15% of patients)– which can strike people of any age butusually starts in the under 40s. Its exact causesare unknown but sometimes it can be linkedto traumatic life events or viruses. It is whenthe insulin-producing cells in the body aredestroyed and the body is unable to produceany insulin – therefore type 1 diabetics have toinject insulin otherwise glucose builds up in theblood and the body is damaged.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common kind

(85-95%) and develops when the body canstill make some insulin, but not enough, orwhen the insulin that is produced does not

work properly (known as insulin resistance).Type 2 diabetes usually appears in peopleover the age of 40, though in South Asianand black people, who are at greater risk, itoften appears from the age of 25. It is alsoincreasingly becoming more common inchildren and is associated with obesity.

Symptoms of diabetesTHE early warning symptoms of diabetesonset are thirst, frequent urination(especially at night), weight loss,tiredness and recurrent infections.

Sometimes people with type 2 can controltheir disease, even practically halt it, ifthey lose weight and exercise early on. It isimportant to be positive and to develop a goodlevel of knowledge about diabetes and its selfmanagement so you can live well and be selfreliant.

Diabetes is a growingproblemABOUT 17% of inpatients at KetteringGeneral Hospital have diabetes andthere are about 36,000 diabetics inNorthamptonshire.

Diabetes can lead on to other healthproblems including eye, heart, circulation andlimb issues and is a major cost to the NHS.

The best prevention for diabetes is ahealthy lifestyle and making sure you are notsignificantly overweight.

A big risk factor is obesity and there isa strong link between bodyweight and thedisease. You can reduce your risk of developingthe disease through your diet and exercisehabits.

One of the reasons diabetes is a growingproblem is that people are more sedentary,do less outside or manual work, and tend toindulge in a lot of high calorie fast foods. At thesame time many people don’t perform regularexercise.

If you don’t have an active lifestyle even

a small amount of food eaten beyond yourcalorie needs can lead to dangerous weightgain – two extra biscuits in a day leading to upto 10lbs of weight gain in a year.

As well as hospital care there is also a lotof support for diabetics in the community viaGPs and the community nurse system. TheCommunity Diabetes Team give people accessto dieticians and podiatrists, deliver structurededucation and help people to better understandand slow the progress of their disease.

Want to go to a KGH event?Anyone who wants to attend a Members eventshould contact the Membership Manager on01536-492169 or email her on [email protected] .

Why not join the RetirementFellowship – Younger or Older youwon’t be out of place!

ARE you about to retire from theNHS or have you done so already?

Do you want to stay in touch or renewyour acquaintance with colleagues past?

If the answer to either of these questionsis “YES” then do think seriously about joining the flourishing Kettering & DistrictBranch of the NHS Retirement Fellowshipand come for a “taster” to one of ourregular meetings.

We meet in the Prince William EducationCentre at KGH on the second Monday ofeach month at 2.30pm to be e ntertainedby a visiting speaker and the chance tocatch up with friends and ex-colleaguesover a cup of tea and biscuit when themeeting is over.

We do also now operate a “car share/pick up scheme” for those with notransport who would find it difficult to get

“up the hill” and also to spread the cost ofthe car park charge.

You will also have the opportunity totake part in the events planned for thecoming months; theatre trips; visits toplaces of interest; many opportunities foreating and drinking and, of course, ournow legendary Weekend Away!

You will also receive your own copy ofthe Kettering Branch Newsletter.

Our annual branch membership fee isone of the lowest in the country at only£10 so don’t delay, make contact with ourSecretary Eileen Smith, 01536 515460 orour Treasurer Sue Ogden, 01536 483603TODAY.

Hope to meet you very soon!

Mrs Terry YoungKNHSRF Committee

More than 60 people attended the

Wellingborough event

Couple’s wedding present to Centenary WingA CORBY couple have donated £520 raised as gifts at their wedding to the KGH.

John Cooke and Monica Hutchinson-Cooke got married on August 27 at Kettering Registry Office.Instead of presents money was donated to the KGH for the care we have previously provided for

Monica.The money has been divided between Oakley Ward, Harrowden C and the Centenary Wing.

John Cooke and MonicaHutchinson-Cooke presenta cheque for £520 to SisterLeah Hooton and fundraisingassistant Sarah Denham



Rotarians turn up the heat at KetteringGeneral HospitalKETTERING Huxloe Rotary Club hasshown its support for hospital staff bypurchasing a water boiling machine forthe hospital’s staff recreation hall.

The club – which has more than 50members - is one of more than 1,800clubs in Britain and Ireland which drawsits membership from individuals with awide variety of business and professionalbackgrounds.

Club President, Totan Nguyen, said: “Eachyear our Club aims to support worthy causeswithin the local community.

“This year we decided to support the staffat Kettering General Hospital because we

know just how much they contribute to thecommunity by looking after the health and wellbeing of its residents.

“We asked one of our members, Mr RobinLee who is an ENT consultant at the hospital,for his advice and he suggested supporting thehospital’s Revive the Rec Hall Appeal.

“This is an Appeal which is raising money tocarry out improvements to the hospital’s staffrecreation hall – which is now more than 50years old and greatly in need of repair.

“As a club we have paid for a new water

heater, at a cost of about £700, which enablesstaff who use the hall to have hot drinks ondemand.”

Revive the Rec Hall Appeal member FionaBarber, who is also a staff governor at thehospital, said: “The new device gives us safeand instant access to boiling water in therecreation hall’s kitchen.

“It is fantastic and really proved its worth atour recent staff pantomime where we had toprovide drinks for very large numbers of staffand their families. We are enormously gratefulto Kettering Huxloe Rotary Club for this very

generous donation.” The Revive the Rec Hall Appeal was

launched in March 2013. The League ofFriends of Kettering and District Hospitalshelped with the launch by donating £28,610

towards the Appeal’s target of £110,000 –which has enabled some initial refurbishmentwork including the entrance area, toilets andkitchen. If anyone wants to support the Appealin any way they can email [email protected]

Community groups can also book theRecreation Hall. For more details contactLaverne Cobb on 01536-492575 or 01536-

492638 after 8pm or on email [email protected]

Public nd out more about KGH at ourcommunity stand

STAFF and KGH Governors manned a standat a Community Safety Day at StanwickLakes on July 26.

We were one of many different organisations

that were on hand to give advice and supportaround a wide range of community issues.

Other stands included the police – whofocused on anti social behaviour – the fireservice and East Northamptonshire Councilitself – the organiser of the event – who

concentrated on water safety following anumber of deaths of people

The KGH volunteers - Gail Chapman (Governor), Judy Mitchell, Brian Northall and Annie Turner (PatientRepresentatives) and Mandy Blackman, Matron for Urgent Care

• Kettering Huxloe Rotary Club http://www.ketteringhuxloe.co.uk/ )– meetsevery Tuesday evening (except afterbank holidays) at the Park Hotel inKettering and typically, after dinner,members will either discuss the club’sprogramme of activities or, more often,listen to a guest speaker on a subjectof general interest. A programme of

additional social events for members andtheir families is also a feature of every year.

Inside the Recreation Hall – still a lot ofrefurbishment yet to do

L-R Kettering General Hospital’s Associate Director of Human Resources, Charles Marson, with KetteringHuxloe Rotary Club President ,Totan Nguyen, and Rotarian and KGH ENT consultant Robin Lee.

Documents

KGH Together Issue 26