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PULSEFebruary 2010 Issue 16
Find out more about your trust
members’ newsletter
Our plan forBracknellpage 4
Trust weathers the snowPage 5
Pride of the town,That’s our staffPage 7
Annual Members Meeting – special report
Pages 2 & 3
Special Feature
Annual Members Meeting – the best yet!It is fast becoming one of “the” events of the year – the Annual Members Meeting. Every year more people than ever come along to find out more about their hospital trust and hear what is planned for the future.
The 2009 meeting saw around 350 of our members arrive at the Madejski Stadium in Reading where they were greeted by Governors and staff.
A mini exhibition of displays illustrating some of the exciting work being carried out in the Trust proved a real success story with the visitors. There was even the opportunity to take part in a taste test – a joint project between the Trust and the University of Reading is hoping to result in tastier and more tempting high nutrition feeds for patients.
Other displays included the work of the Council of Governors to improve gardens and outside areas in and around the Royal Berkshire Hospital, the state of the art robotic surgery which is now offered to many of our patients, a fascinating series of exhibits by the medical museum to show the kinds of treatments offered to patients in years gone by, the important work carried by the Berkshire Cancer Centre and the vital “extra” work which happens thanks to the efforts of the mini army of volunteers who give their free time to the Trust.
But the main feature of the evening was the annual meeting with the directors reporting back to the members about the Trust’s activities over the past year and looking ahead
both in financial terms and the developments planned for the very near future.
Vice Chairman of the Council of Governors, George Louglin, outlined some of the many achievements of the Governors over the past 12 months.
Members heard about the major new cancer and renal treatment centre in Bracknell – work is already under way. And in Reading the Trust has purchased a building opposite the Royal Berkshire Hospital where some important patient services will soon be given improved facilities.
A keynote address was given by Trust Cardiologist, Dr William Orr (pictured on the front cover) who gave a first-hand account of how 24/7 primary angioplasty – the best possible treatment for heart attack patients –
is now provided by the Trust. Members were shown a highly informative film of exactly what the treatment means for cardiac patients. It included interviews with patients as well as showing what would have been happening to them during the highly specialist procedure.
Trust Chairman, Colin Maclean, paid a moving tribute to Chief Executive, Professor Ann Sheen, who was attending her final annual meeting before retiring early in 2010.
But if you were unable to attend the Annual Members Meeting, we are planning to ensure that over the coming year there will be opportunities to see some of the important services offered by the Trust and meet the people involved.
Watch this space!
Professor Margot Gosney invites members to a taste test of high protein foods part of a major project being undertaken jointly by the Trust and the University of Reading.
Amanda Mockridge tells visitors about the work undertaken in the Berkshire Cancer Centre.
A member discovers some of the fascinating stories from the medical museum from Lionel Williams.
Chairman Colin Maclean addresses the meeting
P2 Members’ Newsletter
2 News and EventsSpecial Feature - cont.
High marks for Trust in national health check
Liz Lewis of the Stroke and Neuro Rehab service explains about her work to a Trust member.
Chief Executive Professor Ann Sheen answers questions from the audience.
Consultant Urologist, Adam Jones, explains to members about the exciting developments in his department – including the Da Vinci robotic surgery which is now offered by the Trust.
The Trust received some top ranking scores in this year’s Annual Health Check rating by the Care Quality Commission.
For the third consecutive year the Trust has earned the highest possible rating “Excellent” rating for the way we manage our resources.
The Care Quality Commission recognised the high quality of services provided by the Trust - rating them as “Good”. The Trust fully met all the core targets set by the Government and has received high marks across the board.
The Trust has maintained last year’s position in a year when achieving the top rating of excellent has become more and more challenging. Chief Executive Professor Ann Sheen explains: “Patient expectations of the NHS, quite rightly, are extremely high and the standards required to achieve an excellent rating reflect this
“The gap between the lowest and the highest performers is closing which is good news for patients across the country but this year we have seen some trusts drop from their double ‘excellent’ score - the highest level of performance rating.”
“Our Trust is one of the strongest performers in the region and we are delighted that we can offer our patients the consistency of high quality care and the reassurance that we are making the best possible use of tax payers’ money. However, we continue working to achieve our goal of a double excellent rating.”
In compiling the annual ratings the Care Quality Commission use a range of assessments, including how the Trust compared against Government targets for the NHS and the views of patients. The Trust was required to provide detailed information and to make a self declaration. In addition there were unannounced inspections by officials from the CQC.
The summary published by the CQC gives marks awarded in key areas, which reflect the issues most important to patients.
It rated the Trust: Safety and cleanliness – 14 out of 14 Standard of care – 8 out of 8 Dignity and respect – 9 out of 9 Waiting to be seen – 13 out of 13 Keeping the public healthy – 5 out of 5.
The only target the Trust did not achieve involved delays in the transfer of care when patients are ready to leave hospital but still require further care in the community.
Professor Sheen said: “We will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to look improving the system of moving patients into more suitable places of continuing care. “
P3 Members’ Newsletter
World class specialist cancer and renal centre for BracknellCancer and kidney patients in Bracknell will soon be able to receive world class treatment right on their doorstep thanks to plans announced by Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
The Trust’s state of the art specialist cancer and kidney centre will open the coming winter in Brant’s Bridge in Bracknell, meaning that patients from that area will no longer have to travel to Royal Berkshire Hospital for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or dialysis.
This is just part of the Trust’s significant investment in developing leading edge services at both Royal Berkshire Hospital and in the community, through working in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), acknowledged as international experts in cancer care.
Clinical services at Bracknell and Royal Berkshire Hospital will continue to be delivered by the Trust’s team of specialist medical consultants, using the latest technology and innovative new ways of caring for patients.
Developed over the last three years, the plan for the centre is part of the Trust’s objective to deliver the highest quality healthcare closer to where people live. This is especially important for patients who require regular treatments like chemotherapy or kidney dialysis.
Delivering these new, cutting edge services at both Bracknell and the Royal Berkshire Hospital means that patients will be able to choose whether they want to continue to come into the main hospital for treatment, or would prefer their treatment close to home.
The Trust has already started development at the site, which is conveniently located within a mile of the town centre in Bracknell. There will be significant investment in the site over the coming months as the Trust develops a purpose built centre with all the necessary requirements to install the best specialist equipment like LINACs (linear accelerators), which provide the most advanced cancer treatment available, in a community setting.
Commenting, Trust Chief Executive, Professor Ann Sheen said:
“For too long the patients that we care for in Bracknell have had to travel to Reading or Windsor for their cancer and renal care. I am delighted to say that will change and the Trust will be meeting its aim of providing services closer to where our patients live.”
Medical Director Jonathan Fielden said: “We will deliver some of the most advanced cancer treatments available in a brand new environment. Renal services, including a haemodialysis unit, and outpatients clinics will mean that patients will receive care on their doorstep – this is vitally important when dialysis patients can need treatment three times a week.”
The centre at Bracknell will be one of a range of sites where the Trust offers care closer to home including West Berkshire Community Hospital, Prince Charles Eye unit and our dialysis centre in Windsor.
Bracknell residents have campaigned for many years for better access to services locally and the Trust is extremely pleased that this development will be available to them in addition to the new services which will be delivered from the Bracknell HealthSpace - a project being led by NHS Berkshire East.
Bracknell resident and Public Governor for the Trust David Mihell said: “Having spent two and a half years travelling to Reading for kidney dialysis three times a week, it would have been a great help not to have to contend with an hour of travel each time. I am a lucky patient and have received a transplant. The opening of the Bracknell centre means that I can have my check-ups locally in future.”
Cllr Dale Birch, executive member for health at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “As a council we have campaigned publicly and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to improve access to specialist health services for our residents.
“This announcement by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust marks a massive step forward in meeting this objective, bringing specialist cancer and renal care to Bracknell.
“The new hospital unit will complement the Healthspace being developed by NHS Berkshire East and Ashley House, completing a massive transformation in health care within the borough. We look forward to working closely with the trust to deliver the best health facilities we can.”
An artist’s impression of the impressive atrium inside the new complex at Bracknell.
News and Events
P4 Members’ Newsletter
News and Events
P5 Members’ Newsletter
For staff and patients the blizzards made life a great deal more difficult than usual.
Many messages of appreciation have arrived – typical was this letter:
“As a renal haemodialysis patient I am sure that I can speak on behalf of all of us to express our sincere gratitude to the staff who managed to continue to provide these services through this difficult period of weather. I know many nursing and clinical staff as well as patients had to spend nights in the hospital as they could not get home. The patients would like to thank the staff very much for battling on through difficult circumstances and for all their help and assistance.”
On the first day of the blizzards around 60 outpatients and visitors were stranded in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, unable to get home.
An operation of almost military precision was quickly launched. The stranded guests – including an outpatient in her late 90s - were made comfortable in various parts of the building including the day surgery unit.
As the adverse weather continued, the Trust carried on finding new ways to ensure patients got the best possible treatment.
The AA loaned a Land Rover plus crew for several days and it was quickly joined by a Trust four-wheel drive vehicle – the decision and purchase of it was made quickly so that it could be on the road within a day. The two vehicles were used to take midwives and renal teams to their patients as well as bringing in doctors and nurses who were stranded at the homes.
The day the snow came…and came!The new decade arrived with a rather unexpected extra – snow, snow and more snow!
The Irish have arrived!The first few days in a new job are always nervous times, but just imagine if you had to combine that with becoming a TV star. That’s exactly what happened when 30 new nurses arrived at the Trust following a recruitment campaign in Ireland.
In their crisp new uniforms – appropriately coloured green – the newly arrived nurses were greeted by TV cameras, web teams, newspaper photographers and a mini army of reporters.
They are the first of scores of new nurses being recruited by the Trust. The idea is to rely less on agency staff – and apart from the cost issue, it is also good news for both patients and colleagues on the wards.
Deputy Chief Nurse Melanie Rogers says that recruiting teams have been to Australia, the Philippines and Ireland. She explained: “There are simply not enough nurses locally to fill the vacancies we have here so we had to go abroad.
“The quality of applicants we had was fantastic and we were able to choose the most able out of those. The aim was to reduce the cost of the agency nurses but also to give patients a continuity of care.
“Patients like to get to know their nurses which they are unable to do with agency staff so we are delighted to welcome the
new nurses and we are sure they will be a huge benefit to the team.”
It resulted in a whirlwind of media interviews for both Mel and the new recruits – and some very positive news stories about the Trust being broadcast on TV, radio, websites and in the papers, both in this country and in Ireland.
And it was also a bumper time for phone companies too. There were many calls made
to surprised families and friends back in Ireland to tell them to tune into the news and see the new media stars!
Gillian Pilkington, 22, from County Offaly, said: “There has been a recruitment freeze in Ireland on nurses so there was no chance of us getting a job there.
“When we heard that they were recruiting nurses from our college for Reading I was really excited and now I am here I am so pleased. We heard Reading was the place to be and so far we are having a great time.”
It was a long way but Rachel Monahan, 22, travelled from Tipperary.
She said: “It was hard to leave my family behind but it was something we had to do. It started to become clear two years into our four-year course that we might have to go abroad for work. But Reading is only an hour on the plane so we are very lucky.”
Claire Murray, 21, is also from County Offaly.
Claire said: “It is great fun living with your friends and working together and the staff are so accommodating.
“The facilities here are excellent and it is a much bigger hospital than we are used to so we feel it will be an excellent training base for us.”
Operations manager Micky Griffith with the Trust’s Land Rover
The AA team of volunteers and their Land Rover which was loaned to the Trust during the adverse weather conditions.
Meeting the media – our new nurses from Ireland attend their press conference with Deputy Chief Nurse, Melanie Rogers (Photo by Reading Post)
News and Events
P6 Members’ Newsletter
Introducing ‘Robbie’ the da Vinci RobotAt the end of last year, the Reading & District Hospitals Charity launched The Reading Robot Appeal. This exciting campaign is raising the funds needed to complete the purchase of a da Vinci robot, the latest in state of the art robotic assisted surgery. The Appeal is being supported by the Reading Post and the robot, nicknamed ‘Robbie’ by theatre nurses, has already captured the imagination of the community.
A generous donation enabled the Trust to acquire the robot, but in order to keep it we need to raise £1m over the next three years.
The robot allows surgeons to perform radical prostate operations using all the clinical capabilities of traditional open surgery whilst enabling them to operate through the tiny incisions which characterise ‘keyhole surgery’. For patients this brings a host of benefits, all of which contribute to shortened recovery times, a quicker return to normal life and, crucially, for many people better clinical outcomes.
Peter Boltwood, one of the first patients to undergo a prostatectomy using the da Vinci robot, was amazed at the speed of his recovery. “Within an hour I was sharing my experience with television’s South Today and two days later back at home. Life is now back to normal. I would have no hesitation in recommending this surgery to other men faced with the same decision.”
The use of the robot has already expanded to gynaecology operations and will gradually be used across other specialities such as bowel surgery to deliver similar benefits to these patient groups.
To see Robbie in action, visit www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/robotappeal
If you would like to support the appeal please call the Appeal office on 0118 322 7962 or you can donate on line at www.justgiving.com/readingrobotappeal
Trust members “meet” Robbie during an open day tour.
Recycle for ‘Robbie’!If your old mobile phone is gathering dust in a drawer, this is your chance to de-clutter and support the Reading Robot Appeal.
By donating a mobile for recycling, you will boost the Appeal and protect the environment. If you choose to sell your mobile phone on-line, you can even earn some cash for yourself! There are two ways to donate. Either:
• Take out the sim card and pop your mobile into a strong envelope
• Write, ‘Please recycle this mobile for the Reading Robot Appeal’ on a piece of paper and put this into the envelope too
• Post to: Freepost, ShP Solutions, Lancaster
For every mobile donated in this way, the Reading Robot Appeal will receive £3.50 for working phones or £2 for non-working phones*.
Alternatively, you can visit wwwshpforcharity.co.uk/robbietherobot and can sell your phone on-line. You can choose to donate between 20-100% of the value to the Robbie the Robot Appeal.
* No money will be received for phones which are deemed beyond economical repair or barred, lost or stolen.
Snowdon Mountain Marathon - 4 /5 September 2010We are looking for teams of six to undertake The Snowdon Mountain Marathon and raise funds for the Reading Robot Appeal. A training programme plus advice on clothing, equipment and nutrition will be provided and safety during the event will be in the hands of experts.
Over the course of 24 hours, teams of six will walk a distance equivalent to that of an Olympic Marathon, taking in some of the most famous and picturesque mountains in Snowdonia. They will also ascend 11,000 feet – that’s one third of the height of Everest! The event will test their physical fitness, mental agility and ability to work as a team to the full; this makes it a great event for companies who are able to experience the benefits of enhanced skills and better team work back in the work place.
If you would like to learn more about the event please go to www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/robotappeal, call 01252 844639, or email [email protected]. touch.
News and Events
P7 Members’ Newsletter
Our staff – the Pride of Reading
NHS Constitution - what it means for youThe new NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out rights to which patients, public and staff are entitled, and pledges which the NHS is committed to achieve, together with responsibilities which the public, patients and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively. All NHS bodies and private and third sector providers supplying NHS services will be required by law to take account of this Constitution in their decisions and actions.
The Constitution was developed as part of the NHS Next Stage Review led by Lord Darzi and a Handbook to the NHS Constitution has also been developed outlining the particular rights, pledges, expectations and legal duties that staff and employers can expect. These exist on two levels – the organisational and the personal.
At an organisational level, the Handbook outlines the importance of the NHS staff survey as a key tool through which staff can express their views and offer feedback about their organisation as a whole.
At a personal level, the Handbook provides a framework for discussions among individual members of staff and with their line managers, informing and enabling discussions on service improvement, team working, performance management, training and development. The Handbook is designed to be a useful reference tool and is not intended to provide any new grounds for individual grievances or litigation.
To find out more about the NHS Constitution visit: www.constitution.nhs.uk/south_central/
This website provides important information to staff, patients and public in the NHS South Central region. A simple e-learning module, piloted in the East of England, has also been included to help guide staff through the Constitution.
The NHS Constitution sets out what everyone can expect from the NHS – and what we can all do to help it to work more effectively.
Recruiting for Patient Panels
The Trust dominated nominations in the Health Worker/Team of the Year category for the coveted Pride of Reading Awards.
It was the first time that the awards had included a category for people in the NHS – and all of the nominations were for members of staff at the Trust.
Dr Ben Mitchell, Rosa Lima, Kevin “Stan the Man” Staniforth, the entire staff of Sidmouth Ward, Staff Nurse Louise Gaffney, Liz Fleming, Sister Swee Lloyd, Rita Taylor and Lisa Clarke all won high praise.
But in the end there could be only one winner and the judges chose Transplant Nurse Alison Galer for her hard work and success in taking a team of patients to the Transplant Games.
However, the names of winners are a tightly kept secret until they are announced at the glitzy awards ceremony, hosted by TV star Chris Tarrant.
Even when she had been filmed by ITV prior to the event, Alison was kept in the dark about the real reason for the media interest in her career.
She was nominated by Matron for Renal Services, Leo Bailey, who was there to see Alison called on to the stage and honoured by the town of Reading.
And there was one further surprise to come. Throughout the awards ceremony organisers had been hiding two very special guests – transplant patients and Games medal winners Robin Carpenter and Mike Rowland. As Alison collected her award, the pair of sportsmen bounded on to the stage to pay their own, moving tribute to the manager of their team.
Afterwards Alison said: “When you think of all the really great people who work in the NHS, I just feel humble to get this award.”
Pride of Reading award winner Alison Galer with Transplant Games medal winners Robin Carpenter and Mike Rowland (Photo Courtesy Reading Post)
Opportunities are now available for more members to join the Trust’s divisional patient panels which aims to engage patients, carers and relatives to help make a positive difference in health care services. The voluntary members work alongside hospital managers, matrons and clinicians as well as staff, to help improve the patient experience.
The patient panels first started in 2007. There are panels in medicine, surgery, clinical support services, and for parents/children. The members meet regularly with managers, undertake collaborative projects and monitor the patient experience. A new panel for Maternity services will be launched this year.
New members are only asked to commit to attending the quarterly meeting based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and any additional time you can spare.
Member Trudy Crouch Hyde explains: “The patient panels are here to develop and improve patient care, patient welfare, and the information given to the patient. Our aim is ‘actively shaping healthcare’.”
Carol Munt, of the Surgical Patient Panel, said:
“I think it’s an excellent thing and it’s very friendly. We meet and discuss things important to the patients. It’s an open door policy.”
For more information or to join the panel contact: 0118 322 8338 or email: [email protected].
Noticeboard
On behalf the membership, we say a very sincere thanks to the departing Governors. Their efforts, enthusiasm and achievements are greatly appreciated:
Peter Dooley (Reading)
David Jones (Staff: Admin, Clerical and Management)
Khan Juna (Reading Council for Racial Equality)
Gillian Morrish (Southern Oxfordshire)
Kirti Pant (Staff: Healthcare Assistant/Ancillary)
Robert Sassoon (Youth MP)
Keith White (East Berkshire and Borders)
The following Governors are newly elected, re-elected or re-appointed:
Diane Berry (Reading University)
Caroline Bowder (Southern Oxfordshire)
Ian Clay (West Berkshire)
Vera Doe (Wokingham)
Olga Jones (Wokingham)
Andrew Maxted (Reading)
Sue Mears (Staff: Admin, Clerical and Management)
Sanusi Koroma (Reading CRE)
John Shaw (Princes Royal Carers’ Trust)
The list of Governors by Constituency
READING
Mr Andrew Maxted
Mrs Deborah Edwards*
Mr George Loughlin*
Ms Deborah Sander
Mr Trevor Beaumont
WOKINGHAM
Mr Philip Phillips*
Mrs Vera Doe
One vacancy
EAST BERKSHIRE & BORDERS
Mr David Mihell
Two vacancies
WEST BERKSHIRE & BORDERS
Mr Ian Clay
Mrs Sela Mooney*
Mrs Aileen Blackley
SOUTHERN OXFORDSHIRE
Mrs Caroline Bowder
STAFF
Mrs Sue Mears Administrative, clerical and management
Mr Warren Fisher Medical and dental
Mr Andrew Phillips Allied health professionals and scientific and technical
Mrs Elizabeth Aylward Nursing and midwifery
Healthcare Assistant/Ancillary Vacant
PARTNER
Ms Penny Henrion Appointed by Berkshire West NHS
Professor Dianne Berry Appointed by the University of Reading
Mr Sanusi Koroma Appointed by Reading council for Racial Equality
Mr John Shaw Appointed by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
Councillor Mike Orton Appointed by Reading Borough Council
Councillor Abdul Loyes Appointed by Wokingham Borough Council
Councillor Geoff Findlay Appointed by West Berkshire Council
To contact a Governor or for more information, please email [email protected] or phone 0118 322 8600
* Governor constituencies which are due for elections this year
For further information, please use the following contact details:
Election to the Council of Governors There have been a number of changes following the recent Governor elections. Additionally, several partner governors’ terms of office have been extended.
Website: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/foundation-trustEmail: [email protected]: 0118 322 8600 Fax: 0118 322 6630
Post: Foundation Trust Membership Office,Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, London Road, Reading RG1 5AN
Diary DatesMembership events
Open Day featuring Therapies, Cancer Centre and Stroke Unit 20th February
Members tour in Endoscopy 20th March
Council of Governors meetings Thursday 25 March 2010 6pm, Venue TBC, Reading
Thursday 27 May 2010 6pm, Venue TBC, Reading
Thursday 29 July 2010 6pm, Venue TBC, Reading
Thursday 30 September 2010 6pm, Venue TBC, Reading
Thursday 25 November 2010 4pm, Thames Room, Madejski Stadium
P8 Members’ Newsletter
