Winter 2013 Volume 6, issue 2 2

Rheumatology

For details on how to contact the Rheumatology Unit

please see Page 4

Inside this Special Edition:

The early days of the PRG

1

The achieve-ments of the PRG over the years

2

The PRG 2013 3

How to become a member

3

Advice Line numbers

4

Courtesy Bus

details

4

Help available

to get to clinic

from your car

4

How it began.

Initial contact was made at a meeting at St Helens Hospital to ascertain the interest in creating such a group.

The first meeting of the Patient Reference Group was held on Tuesday 14th January 2003. It was hosted by Ann Griffiths, Senior Physiotherapist together with Sister Joan Kirby and members of staff from Foxton Ward. All interested parties who attended were informed that it would be necessary to complete an application form and obtain two references before being accepted as a member of the Group.

All members were then requested to vote on three positions: Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. Stefan Balshaw became the Group’s first Chairman, Brian Smith became Vice Chairman and Margaret Patterson became Secretary. This was an easy task as there were only three present!

The Rheumatology Patient Reference Group (PRG) was up and running.

Over time, several other mem-bers have joined the Group, each bringing their own individ-ual skills and ideas.

Stefan pictured here with an award for the Rheumatology Department

Sadly, Stefan Balshaw passed away in 2010, but the Group would like to acknowledge all the hard work and commitment he gave throughout the years. Stefan was instrumental in building up the Group and was able to achieve so much for the users of the Rheumatology Department.

SOME OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PRG OVER THE YEARS

Page 2 Winter 2013

It has proved very successful, in deed especially for patients who work all day—they have found it invaluable

Smoking areas—we have asked about signs and implementation of Smoking Areas, which have been introduced at Whiston Hospital.

Problems with the Foot Clinic and footwear are on going though the Group do take on board all com-ments.

Members of the Group have been in-vited to be interviewed on several oc-casions e.g. when the Department was being assessed to become a PDU-Practice Development Unit and to achieve Customer Service

Excellence status.

Details given of the 28 bus which comes directly into St Helen’s Hospital.

Members of the Group attend clinics in both Whiston & St Helens Hospital, talking to patients/carers who com-plete questionnaires. These ques-tionnaires are reviewed and the re-sults analysed by both the Group and the Department staff.

Recently a Patient Satisfaction Survey has been completed on a Tablet, and been introduced. with the help of the PRG Providing on going feed back for the Rheumatology Dept

A PRG member has set up National Rheumatoid Arthritis Group. NRAS in St Helens

The Group also consider new Patient Leaflets on a regular basis.

Bench positioned on the corridor in the old hospital.

Appointment scheme for blood tests implemented.

Disabled parking—this was always a bone of contention., both Hospital sites have above the national average of disabled parking spaces .New parking charges apply however from the First of November 2013 so that now you have to pay for Disabled Parking .The PRG have already ,sent a protest in saying we do not agree, especially the loss of the free hour Parking ,and that the 20 minutes allowed instead is not long enough .

Availability of wheelchairs at the Main Entrance and a porter to take patients to clinic if necessary.

Notice Board was erected at Whiston Hospital to give patients information regarding clinic. This has not been possible in the new hospital as regulations prevent anything being attached to the walls.

Doors in Wheelchair Assessment Unit in the old St Helens Hospital were reported as being heavy and hard to open, which was rectified.

At St Helens Hospital, there was a problem with walking sticks becoming lodged in grids between the car park and Hospital. The problem was reported by the Group and was resolved.

The Groups biggest achievement to

Over the years the PRG has worked very

closely with members of the Rheumatology

Department, in particular Ann Griffiths and

Jackie Novak. Recently Yvonne Hough has

stepped in since Ann Griffiths has retired.

The PRG meet every 2 months in the

Rheumatology Department, on a

Wednesday evening. The meeting is

facilitated by the Chairman, Brian Smith,

who provides the agenda. Jackie Novak

and Yvonne Hough are usually in

attendance and produce any new leaflets

or documents that are to be introduced

within the Rheumatology Department for

the PRG to review. Any current issues or

areas of concern are discussed and an

action plan agreed.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

Page 3 Winter 2013

PATIENT REFERENCE GROUP 2013

Another very important part of the PRG is

to regularly visit Clinics in both Whiston

and St Helens Hospitals to talk to patients/

carers and to encourage them to complete

Questionnaires, giving feedback about

their experiences of the Department (non

medical), both positive and areas of

concern. The PRG will then collate the

results and take action to resolve any

issues. This can be done by either

discussing the results with members of

the Rheumatology Department at the

meetings or in the case of urgent action

and patient feedback then the Chairman

would discuss it with the appropriate

person straight away and ensure feedback

is given to the patient/carer should it have

been requested.

Why not make an early New Year’s resolution and apply to join the Patient Reference Group? We hope to recruit people who have a genuine interest in the work of the Rheumatology Department in this Trust and who will feel comfortable approaching other patients. We want to include people with a variety of conditions we treat in Rheumatology, those who have attended for many years and those who are new to us. We also want to include any relatives and carers of Rheumatology patients, who are interested in being involved, as their views and opinions are very important to us as well.

If you wish to be considered for the Rheumatology Patient Reference Group, then please fill in your name and contact details on an enquiry form, which are located throughout the department and hand it in to reception. We look forward to meeting you.

For people attending the Rheumatology

Department please note that there are

disabled parking spaces at the back

entrance to St Helens Hospital, by the Lilac

Centre. From here you can reach the

Rheumatology Department by lift from just

inside the entrance

Attending clinics if you have

The Rheumatology ADVICE LINE Service

We have 3 answer phones in the Rheumatology Department

Please ring the person you require

Please leave a message on the answer phone

Remember to speak slowly and clearly

Leave your name and contact number

When will we call you back?

If you call weekdays before 4 pm we will try to call you back the same day

Otherwise we will return your call within two working days

We will try on two occasions only

All information in this newsletter is correct at the time of printing

Creation Date - November 2013

Produced by the Rheumatology Department; Edited by Ann Clayton & Tracey O’Rourke

NURSE ADVICE LINE

01744 646457

(9.00am – 10.00am for telephone

consultation, answer phone at all other times)

BLOOD MONITORING

ADVICE LINE

01744 646439

(9.00am – 10.00am for telephone consultation, answer phone at all other times)

THERAPY ADVICE LINE

01744 646454

Courtesy Bus times between St Helens and Whiston Hospitals

Many people have difficulty walking from the car park to clinic. If this is true for you, please remember that parking is allowed in drop off zones at the hospital entrances while the driver assists you (walking or in a wheelchair) to reception. The staff there will arrange for a porter to take you to clinic. The driver should then park in a designated parking area.

Blue Badge Holders and

further parking

If you have any comments about this newsletter or about the

Rheumatology Service, please inform a member of staff

Bus leaves from: Starting Frequency Last bus

Whiston main entrance 7.20 am On the hour, 20 minutes past

and 20 minutes to the hour

6.00 pm

St Helens main entrance 7.30 am 10 minutes and 30 minutes past

and 10 minutes to the hour

6.10 pm