Barnsley Hospice has added a newmember of staff to its team enablingthe charity to reach more peoplewithin the Hospice and beyond.

Dr Jason Boland took up the role of consultant inpalliative medicine in April, a post solely fundedthrough the Hospice. Jason, who trained in Cambridgeand Sheffield and is about to submit his PhD, will workalongside fellow consultant in palliative medicine DrBecky Hirst, who has been at the Hospice for just overa year.

Both Jason and Becky specialise in palliative

medicine and play a key role in the Hospice team indelivering palliative care, not only to its inpatients, butalso to those visiting The Limes Therapy Centre, pluspatients in hospital and at home throughout theborough.

“We see patients with complex health problemsand often those in pain who have a life-limiting illnesssuch as cancer, heart failure, motor neurone diseaseand emphysema,” says Becky.“As well as looking atspecialist drugs for patients we provide access to non-drug services and liaise with other professionals to geteach patient the best possible care.”

It is hoped that having two consultants will allow

the Hospice to reach more patients throughout theborough particularly in areas it is currently strugglingto reach such as the Dearne Valley.

“I am really pleased to have joined the team atBarnsley Hospice,” says Jason.“I’m impressed by howforward thinking the Hospice is, how great the team isand how the chief executive Ian Carey has managed tokeep funding and services going despite the recession.

“I’m now looking forward to getting to know thepatients and Barnsley area better while workingalongside Becky.”

And Jason is not the only new addition to BarnsleyHospice, its therapy centre, known as ‘The Limes’, hasrecently undergone a full refurbishment creating afresh, vibrant and welcoming environment for patientsand visitors.

The work was completed following a department ofhealth grant enabling the Hospice to transform theprevious tired day centre into a bright and airy seatingarea and conservatory dining area, both of which openup into a new garden complete with decking andrelaxing water features.

“We want to dispel the thought that a Hospice is adepressing place,” says patient services manager DianaGibson.“Barnsley Hospice has a very happy andfriendly atmosphere and many of our inpatients doreturn home.

“Following the refurbishment of The Limes we havere-launched and extended our services to include twodrop in days plus support and therapy days.We arealso looking to develop a bereavement support groupand taking on another occupational therapist to helpmore patients return home.

“We offer help with symptom management, supportthose coming to terms with the news they have a life-limiting illness and offer support to a patients’, theirfamilies and friends.

“We are constantly reviewing the needs of patientsand it is our responsibility to meet health needs of thecommunity but as a charity we too need support tocontinue providing such vital services.”

Exciting new developments at Barnsley Hospice

BeckyHirstandJasonBoland.

invitationPlease join us for an opening evening to view

The Limes Support and Therapy Centre and The Carter Suite Outpatients Facility and learn more about the services we offer.

Wednesday, 18th May 2011, 5pm-7pm,Barnsley Hospice,

Church Street, Gawber,Barnsley, S75 2RL

Light refreshments provided.

For further information, please contact Anne Senior Telephone: 01226 323619 or Email: anne.senior@barnsley-hospice.org

The reconfiguration and refurbishment of The Limes has created a light filled and contemporary area with increased privacy for patients. The new sun room enables patients to dine with full views of the garden now redesigned to provide an outdoor space which is secluded and tranquil. The Carter Suite with its multifunctional rooms has improved patients well being as they are now treated in familiar surroundings.

Advertiser’s Announcement

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews May 2011 – 3

Welcome toBarnsleyHospital NewsI’m really pleased to beintroducing our new lookmembers’ magazine. It’s notalways easy to make changes tolongstanding ways of doing thingsbut if the reasons are right, andthe benefits are good, then thequestion we have to ask is whynot?

FTi, the old members’ newsletter andBDi, our old staff newsletter costmoney. Not huge amounts of moneybut where we can make savings, wewill. So we’ve combined the two intoone and introduced advertising to bringdown the costs. As with all hospitalsaround the country, we’re doing thiswith all our budgets. That is, taking along, hard look at how we do things andwhere it’s safe and patient care isn’tcompromised, making changes.

The newsletter was an obvious areato look at, but as patients, visitors andstaff you’ll see other changes in thecoming months and years – from moreelectronic systems to speed updiagnosis, relocating some clinics, tobringing together all of our emergencyservices in one area. A few years ago,our staff developed an idea to do justthat and we’re now taking a closer lookat those plans - getting staff re-involvedand thinking about transforming theway we work to improve the service forpatients.

Planning for the hospital’s future inthis way is crucial - but equally asimportant is what we’re doing today.How do our services match up to theexpectations of you and your family?How are we doing as an employer? Wewant the hospital to be the very best itcan be and every day, we’re judged on

how we’re doing – from infectionprevention and control, hospital food,being treated in single sex areas,outcomes from surgery, staff andpatient satisfaction and many otherareas besides.

I’m proud to be the Chairman of ahospital that year in, year out puts in anoutstanding performance. I say this inMay because we’re currently producingour annual report for the last year – theformal record of how we’re doing. Weawait official confirmation for some ofour scores but, as ever, the people ofBarnsley can be full of pride for theirlocal hospital and its services.

Enjoy the magazine. I look forward tohearing what you think about its newlook and content - but moreimportantly how you think we canimprove our services and yourexperience. Stephen

Stephen WraggChairman

Stephen.wragg@nhs.net

Contacting the hospitalSwitchboard 01226 730000Appointments 01226 434343Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) 01226 432430

Useful numbersOut of hours GP service 03332 00 5274Information on GPs and dentists 01226 327176Stop Smoking Service 01226 737007Weightwise Barnsley 01226 433099

Got a storyRing 01226 432301 or

email communications.barnsley@nhs.net

4 – May 2011 BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk

Shadow Health Secretary, John Healey, MP and Barnsley Central MP, Dan Jarvis visitedthe award-winning team on the stroke ward in the run up to the Barnsley by-election.Pictured here are Mr Healey and Mr Jarvis with Lead Nurse Donna Goddard. The visitalso included a meeting with hospital governors, staff and patient representatives.

newsIN BRIEF

MPs visit team

Smiley faces are being used to helpyoung patients give their views onBarnsley Hospital.

A touch screen system enablesyoungsters to rate hospital services. Forexample, a smiley face indicates a shortwait in the emergency department; aglum face suggests too long a wait.

The hospital has already beencollecting information from adultpatients about the quality of care,infection prevention and control and thehospital environment. This has beendone using an electronic system calledCRT where the patients read a series ofquestions and respond appropriatelyusing touch screen technology.

Similar information can now becollected from younger patients. Thehospital, working with CRT, hasdeveloped a series of friendly faces to beused in the touch screen systems ratherthan words to help younger peopleunderstand the questions and let us

know how the hospital is doing.Matron for the emergency

department, Debbie Firth, said: “This is agreat new system, particularly for youngpeople who are used to using smileyfaces in text language on their mobilephones. We want to improve the hospitalfor all our patients and that includeschildren and their families. “Understand-ing how they see our service is key tothat, and this will help us in the future.”

Young patients have theirsay at a touch of a button

Touch screen faces.

£1millionupgrade nearscompletionThe arrival of more majorventilation equipment at BarnsleyHospital in March took the trustone step closer to completing anall wards upgrade.

The equipment, which was liftedonto the roof by crane beforebeing moved inside, is part of a£1million programme to upgradethe whole of the hospital’s wardventilation system. The projectstarted last year and is expectedto finish in May this year.

Help for thehomelessFunds raised from a craft stall inBarnsley Hospital’s cafe lastmonth will help 125 homelesssenior citizens in Bonavista, Galle,Sri Lanka.

Staff made quilts, shoppingbags, beauty cases, and greetingcards to sell on the day.

From the topBarnsley Hospital chief executivePaul O’Connor has joined theworld of blogging and you cancatch him online at:www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk/ category/blog/He’s recently posted somethoughts on hospital food andBarnsley’s efforts to provide amenu that patients want, as wellas how the hospital is doing onA&E waiting times.

Paul says: “We want ourpatients’ food to be nutritious,cooked on site and tasty. Ourmeals still follow the LoydGrossman Better Hospital Foodmenus and it’s perhaps becausethey do that patients rate theirfood highly. And our A&Eperformance has been one of thebest in the country for many years.For me, the real story here is theHerculean efforts of dedicatedstaff helping very poorly patientsin exceptional circumstances.”

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews May 2011 – 5

Relative valuesMother-of-two Julie Brearleycannot speak highly enough ofthe staff at Barnsley Hospital.

And that’s not just because the 43-year-old works there as a full-timeadministrator in the Education Centre,co-ordinating training and study leavefor the hospital’s junior doctors.

Julie’s partner Simon, 40, was treatedat the hospital after suffering acatastrophic brain haemorrhage.Despite the intervention and bestefforts of staff, Simon died and sixyears on Julie vividly recalls what theydid for her and her family.

Speaking on the anniversary ofSimon’s death, Julie said: “The staffwere brilliant and so supportive.Nothing was too much trouble. Theyhad to get on and treat Simon but theynever forgot that me and the rest of hisfamily were there too.”

Julie is one of several people invitedto speak about their experiences as ahospital ‘user’ to the trust’s board ofdirectors. She attended the trust’smeeting at the end of last month torecount her time in the hospital – notas a patient, but as the partner of apatient.

In March 2005, Simon collapsed athome and was rushed to Barnsley

Hospital by paramedics. He wastreated in A&E before being transferredto the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Julie, mum to 18-year-old Jordanand Bethany, 14, said: “I went in to seehim and he had got the lines in hisarms and a tube in his mouth; it wasawful. But the staff were marvellousand I wanted to highlight how goodthey were and how much they lookedafter us. And they’re still lovely now!”

That’s because many of the teamthat treated Simon and supported Juliestill work at the hospital: medicaltechnical officer on the intensive careunit Mike Stewart, emergencydepartment staff nurse Jane Whittard,matron Debbie Firth, and leadconsultant Julian Humphrey.

“We had constant care,” said Julie.“Mike kept me in touch with what washappening at the different stages, andDebbie explained everything to meabout organ donation. Mike was greatexplaining to Jordan, who was only 12at the time, about what had happenedto Simon and there were two nurses,Kirsty and Marie, who were fantasticwith Bethany – she was just eight yearsold and so upset.”

Many of Simon’s organs were used intransplants to help others. His kidneystransformed the life of a young girl.“She was only 14 at the time and she’swritten to me since, via the transplantteam, and I found out she’s started atuniversity,” said Julie. “That’s a greatcomfort to me.”

Julie added: “Obviously patientscome first and have to be treated, butit’s so important that relatives andfamilies are looked after too, and I was,every step of the way.”

It’s so important thatrelatives and familiesare looked after too,and I was, every stepof the way

‘’

Julie Brearley works atBarnsley Hospital but oneday she found her rolehad changed to beingthe partner of a patient.Clare Walker reports

Good team: Julie Brearley with (l-r) Dr Julian Humphrey,matron Debbie Firth and staff nurse Jane Whittard.

6 – May 2011 BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk

Beverley GearyAssistant Director of NursingMedicine

“There was never any question Iwasn’t going to be a nurse; it wassomething I always wanted to do andworked towards from a very young age.I trained in Barnsley and on qualifying,worked in medicine and cardiology. Ileft soon after and worked in Leedsand Doncaster for a number of yearsbefore coming back to Barnsley in2001. I spent a few years in educationin the post basic sector and while Itaught health and social care, my heartpulled me back to nursing.

In my current role I am the seniorprofessional lead for nursing in thedivision and accountable for thedelivery of the nursing agenda, patientsafety and quality and standards,which is both diverse and challenging.

We have around 450 nursing staffwithin the division – which includesthe medical unit and A&E – andtogether our aim is to deliver highquality patient care and improve theoverall patient experience.

I am lucky tobe part of anumber ofexcellentteams whosemain focus ispatient careand I workclosely withthe otherADNs todeliver thetrust’s nursingstrategy. Incollaboration

with surgery, the division hasintroduced advanced nursepractitioners into the nursingworkforce – this is an exciting new rolewhich is already working really welland we plan to extend the service inthe future.

Medicine has the majority ofunplanned admissions with over 50new patients admitted every daythrough the medical admissions unit,and the emergency department seesmore than 75,000 patients a year and isa very busy division.

Every day is different and brings anew challenge which is one of thereasons I enjoy the role of ADN somuch.”

Rachel CooperAssistant Director of NursingSurgery & Critical Care

“It’s enormously rewarding andchallenging to be the professional headof nursing for surgery and critical care.I came to this role with experience ofboth the public and private sectors andmy background is in critical care,orthopaedics and general surgery. Itrained in Sheffield and worked inLondon before moving to the privatesector and then back to Sheffieldwhere I was a matron in cardiothoracicsurgery.

My division treats elective (waitinglist) and non-elective (emergency)patients and part of my job is to ensureour staff have the right skills and wehave the right environment to lookafter patients – so it’s very much aboutpatient-centred care.

We’re also responding to the nationalNHS agenda which includes initiatives

like the productive wards and theatreprogramme where we’re looking at howwe can do things differently, moreefficiently to release time for nurses tocare and spend more time withpatients.

We’re also implementing theenhanced recovery programme inorthopaedic and colorectal surgery.This is about making sure patients arewell prepared for surgery so they spendthe right amount of time in hospitalrecovering and have a good recoveryfrom their operation.

Me and my colleagues have got ahuge passion for nursing and that’swhat keeps us looking forward andwanting to make things better forpatients. Each day I want to know thatI’ve made a difference.”

Josie FosterAssistant Director of NursingWomen’s & Children’s

“My division employs around 200nursing staff (whole time equivalents)and covers a lot of the hospital’sservices including women’s, children’s,the neonatal unit, genito-urinarymedicine and diagnostics so I’ve gotquite a diverse role. I trained inBarnsley and have worked here as astaff nurse, ward sister and matron andam proud to become a senior memberof the nursing management team.

There’s no rigid structure to my dayand very often it’s about responding to

‘’

Every day isdifferent andbrings a newchallengewhich is oneof the reasonsI enjoy therole of ADNso much

‘ ’Each day I want toknow that I’ve madea difference

Top nursing and midwiferyteam champions patient care

Barnsley Hospital has four senior nurse managers responsible for ensuring thehighest quality and standards in patient care across a range of disciplines.Here’s what they do – in their own words.

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews May 2011 – 7

immediate issues,usually tackling ablock in the systemlike bed availabilityand you have to beable to adapt andprioritise yourschedule to ensurepatients are treatedand cared forproperly. And beyondactual patient care,there are other issues and policies tobe aware of such as the safeguardingagenda. So my job is very much aboutpatient safety, quality and standardswhich are the cornerstone ofeverything our profession stands for.

I’m sometimes back in uniform to doinspections that help ensure we’redoing things right, following the properprocedures and giving patients theright experience. If we fall belowexpected standards then it’s right wetake remedial action but it’s equallyimportant that we are proactive andare constantly aiming to prevent issuesbecoming problematic and to dothings better.

I’m from Barnsley and the hospital ispart of the town, it’s our hospital andthat’s why we all want to get it right forour patients.”

Sue GibsonHead of MidwiferyWomen’s & Children’s

“I’m responsible for the overallmidwifery management of thematernity unit where we have 120midwives and 20 support staff,covering both hospital and communitymidwifery. I qualified as a midwife in

1990 at the former Jessop’sHospital for Women inSheffield, came to Barnsleyin 2000 to work on thelabour suite and I’ve beenthe head of midwiferysince 2005.

We have about 3,000births a year and we’re verymuch about promotingwomen-centred care – westrongly believe in that. Wehave an excellent normaldelivery rate of 70 per cent(of births) and our Caesarean rate is 17per cent which is below the nationalaverage of 24 per cent.

We always strive to give womenchoice and we have a birthing pool andencourage active birth. We’ve recentlyintroduced hypno-birthing, there’sreflexology available and we can

support women who wantto have a home birth.

We work actively with theMaternity Service LiaisonCommittee – made up offormer patients – who giveus valuable feedback. So forexample, we’ve recentlyintroduced a pager systemin the antenatal clinic sowomen can go off to therestaurant or have a walkand then be alerted whenit’s their turn in the clinic.

I love being a midwife and my roleextends to working closely withprimary care on teenage pregnancy,smoking cessation and breastfeedinginitiatives. But most importantly I’mpart of a team passionate aboutproviding high quality, safe patientcare.”

‘’

it’s ourhospital andthat’s whywe all wantto get itright for ourpatients

‘’

I’m part of ateampassionateaboutprovidinghigh quality,safe patientcare

Left to right: Beverley Geary, Josie Foster and Rachel Cooper. Inset: Sue Gibson.

8 – May 2011 BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk

Ken Wright has come to the rescuemany times over in his role assecurity supervisor at BarnsleyHospital.

So much so that patients andcolleagues say the 41-year-old is an‘exemplary character’ who alwaysensures the safety and well-being ofthose around him.

And in recognition of his dedicationand commitment, Ken has beenawarded the top honour in this year’sBarnsley Hospital HEART Awards. Hewas given the Chairman’s Award – inaddition to the Beyond the Call of Dutyaccolade – and proved the star of theshow at the awards ceremony atBarnsley Metrodome.

“I was just so shocked to win, and amvery proud,” said Ken. “I’m quite a shyperson and couldn’t believe it when Iwon the Chairman’s Award. I was justpleased to have been nominated in thefirst place.”

Ken has worked at Barnsley Hospitalfor six years and is one of 12 securitystaff. He works 12-hour day and nightshifts, each time leading a team of threeresponsible for security across thehospital, covering wards, departments,clinics and car parks.

On several occasions in the past year,Ken has faced physical injury and verbalabuse from patients, but has calmly andresolutely gone about his job, using hisskills and training to prevent difficultsituations getting out of hand.

Two such episodes prompted Ken’sboss, contracts manager GeorgeSteedman to nominate him for theBeyond the Call of Duty Award. In hisnomination, George described Ken as‘an extremely dedicated individual’ andsaid: “He leads by example and alwaysputs the needs of his team mates, otherstaff, patients and visitors before hisown – he is an exemplary character.”

Ken’s modesty shines through inresponse: “It’s very nice of him to saythose things about me. I am just doingmy job – it’s what me and the rest of theteam are here to do.”

In June last year, Ken and his teamwere called to Ward 28 where a youngpatient was being verbally aggressive.While there, the patient smashed aceramic cup and attempted to cut hisown wrists. “He was very poorly andconfused and we had to restrain him tostop him hurting himself or anybodyelse,” recalled Ken. “We fell on the floorand I didn’t realise at the time, but I was

stabbed in the back with a fragment ofthe cup. I thought I’d just been hit.”

Ken needed treatment to the inch-deep wound but waited until the patientand the ward area were safe, and helater continued with his shift.

And on Christmas Eve last year, Kenagain saw his shift through to the endafter being injured by a ‘regular’ in theaccident and emergency department.The patient was drunk and causingtrouble, trying to pick fights with otherpatients and staff. “We calmed himdown but he started again and we hadto restrain him and in the struggle, hebit me on my left side and broke theskin.” Ken made sure the departmentwas safe and the patient restrained anddischarged before getting himself seenfor his wound.

Ken said: “No two days are the sameand that’s the best thing about myjob. The worst thing is obviouslybeing physically and verbally abused.But I don’t hold any grudges and it’sgood to know that my work isappreciated by the staff andpatients.”

Married to Julie and a keenBarnsley football supporter, Kenadded: “Winning the awards is great -

Security man Ken triumphs in HEARTWinners at this years’ HEART awards celebrate their success.

I’ve had total strangerscoming up to me and saying‘well done’.”

And thewinners are...The HEART Awards are in their secondyear and recognise the skills,professionalism and hard work of Barnsley Hospital staff.The 2011 winners in full are:

The Beyond the Call of Duty Award –going that extra mile to help patients orcolleagues

Kenneth Wright (Security)The Environmental Award –driving forward sustainable work to improve thehospital environment

John Rhodes (Estates)The Leadership Award –demonstrating leadership skills to develop aneffective and efficient team

Sue Gibson (Midwifery)The Light Bulb Award –delivering better patient outcomes throughinnovation

Susan Cooper (Labour Suite)The Outstanding Personal Achievement Award –an exceptional contribution made by anindividual in their chosen field

Dr Mo Al-Bazzaz (Stroke Unit)The Partnership Working Award –working with internal or external partners todeliver better service and care

Pathology Team and Steve HallThe Patient Experience Award –as seeing things through the eyes of patients,users and families

Diane Steele (ICU)The Patient Safety Award –using initiative to put safety at the top of theagenda

Ward 19 staffThe Team of the Year Award –

working together to deliver a great serviceand achieve results

Nursing Staff (Ward 24 &chemotherapy unit)

Governors’ Award –chosen by governors for patientsatisfaction and creating a betteroutcome for future patients

Carol DudleyThe Chairman’s Award –the overall choice of ChairmanSteve Wragg from all thenominations

Kenneth Wright (Security).

Winning the

awards is great –

I’ve had total

strangers coming

up to me and

saying ‘well done’

‘

BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews May 2011 – 9

’Ken WrightSecuritySupervisorand winner

of theChairman’s

Award.

RT Awards

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Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews May 2011 – 11

Antenatal clinic to‘ring’ the changesA new paging system is beingtrialled at Barnsley Hospital whichcould see hospital waiting areasbecome a thing of the past.

Inventive nursing staff have come upwith the idea of offering pagers to womenattending the hospital’s antenatal clinics.It allows mums-to-be to go to therestaurant or café, visit the hospital shopsor take a stroll in the hospital groundswithout worrying about missing theirappointment.

The system alerts women that theirappointment is next in line, giving themplenty of time to return to the antenatalunit. If the trial is successful, the pagersystem could be rolled out across thehospital for other types of appointments.

Antenatal clinic manager Sharon Hardysaid: “This is a great way of giving womencontrol over their time while they are atthe hospital. Sometimes when our clinicsrun longer than scheduled – becausethere are patients with complex needs orwe need to run extra tests – it meanslonger waits, which we know can befrustrating or boring for the women. Thissystem helps tackle this.

“It will give women and their families

chance to relax instead of worrying abouttheir appointment. It is also excellent forwomen who may have visualimpairments or hearing difficulties, ormay not speak English very well.”

The pager system is being introducedusing the hospital’s charitable funds –money that has been donated to thehospital from members of the public. Ifyou are interested in donating money tothe hospital, check out the hospital’swebsite to see how you can do this:www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk

newsIN BRIEF

Investment boost means more jobsUp to £525,000 is being spent employingmore nurses at Barnsley Hospital to helpimprove patient care.

The nurses will work on the hospital’smedical wards to ensure the higheststandards in patient care and safety aremet.

And in a separate move, more midwivesare to be employed to help the hospitaldeliver nationally recommended midwife-to-woman staffing ratios.

Trust chief nurse Juliette Greenwoodsaid: “This investment in nurse andmidwifery staffing levels is a very positivemove for the hospital and our patients.Having the correct staffing levels and skillmix is vital to ensuring we deliver qualitypatient care and patient safety.”

Recruitment of the nurses – equivalentto almost 15 full-time posts – has alreadystarted and it is hoped they will join thehospital within the next three months.

“Our investment also represents the

trust’s huge recognition of the value of ournursing staff and that without them wewouldn’t be able to deliver safe, qualitycare,” said Juliette.

The trust constantly keeps inpatientstaffing levels across the hospital underreview because of changes in demands onits services. More than 22,500 patients areadmitted to its medical wards every yearfor treatment for a range of conditionsincluding heart disease and cancer.

The latest review showed that themedical wards faced considerablepressure over the winter months becauseof unprecedented numbers of patientsneeding treatment and that the preferredratio of nurses on duty – 60:40%(qualified:unqualified) – was not alwaysbeing met.

The extra nurses, will ensure the ratio ismaintained. Lead Nurses on each medicalward will also be able to spend more timecarrying out their specific duties.

Comfort carepack pilotunderwayFamilies caring for loved ones attheir end of life are beingsupported with a special comfortcare pack developed at BarnsleyHospital.

The new ëComfort Care Packíis being trialled with familieswhose relatives are in the lastdays of life and being treated atthe hospital.

The pack, developed with£2,200 from hospital charityfunds, is designed to improvecommunication, replicate someof the comfort measures foundin hospice care, make a relativeísstay more comfortable andimprove psychological care.

Thanks frompatients 228 thank you cards, 21 letters ofappreciation, 200 gifts and asubstantial amount of money indonations. In addition, therewere nine mentions of variouswards and departments in theBarnsley Chronicle by gratefulrelatives.

Board notesgovernors’successHospital governors have helpedto improve parking forchemotherapy patients as well asset up bi-monthly staff governoropen forums.

Hospital Chairman, StephenWragg raised the achievementsat a recent Board meeting. Agovernors’ sub-group looking atstaff and environment issuesacted on feedback fromchemotherapy patients whohadn’t been able to park inallocated spaces because of poorsignage. Since the new signshave gone up, patients arereporting the improveddifference.

Antenatal clinic manager, Sharon Hardy.

12 – May 2011 BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk

Barnsley Hospital’s award-winningHealthy Workplace Initiative isstepping up a gear this year to helpkeep staff and their families healthy.

A three-day ‘Well Fair’, held in April atthe hospital’s social club, featuredinformation stands from a range of localorganisations with the opportunity to winprizes over the course of the event.

And the Healthy Workplace website isnow set to get a makeover over the comingmonths.

To date, the scheme has enjoyed anumber of success stories including theintroduction of a weekly fruit andvegetable stall within the shop space in theoutpatients’ department. The initiative hasalso won a silver Eat Well at Work award inrecognition of the hospital’s provision ofhealthy food in the workplace. A big thankyou to all members of staff who havecontributed their time to making thispossible.

Rajeev Gupta, chair of the hospital’sHealthy Workplace Group said: “Oursuccess is being recognised nationwide. Iwas recently asked to provide informationon the Healthy Workplace Initiative forNHS Scotland to use as a best practice casestudy, the Chief Executive of the Yorkshireand Humber Strategic Health Authority,Bill McCarthy, has told me how impressedhe is with the work we have done. I have

also been approached by a number ofhospitals in Yorkshire which want to learnfrom the outcomes we have achieved.”

Matthew Hammonds, one of the projectmanagers of the Healthy Workplace Groupadded: “We do significant work toencourage staff to lead more healthylifestyles and we will be building on oursuccess this year and looking at new andmore innovative practices we can put inplace to ensure that the Healthy WorkplaceInitiative continues to be sustainable formany years to come.”

Stepping up a gear tohelp staff be healthy

Equality accolade for BarnsleyBarnsley Hospital is one of only 23hospitals in Britain to become an NHSEmployers Equality and Diversity Partnerfor 2010-11.

Partner status means that the hospitalis seen as a leading example in the field ofequality, diversity and human rights,whether working with staff, patients orthe community.

And as a ‘Partner’, the hospital will be atthe forefront of developing equality,diversity and human rights good practicewithin the NHS and the wider publicsector.

Equality and diversity partners areexpected to offer advice, guidance anddemonstrations of good practice inequality and diversity management to the

NHS. They share their good work throughcommunication with other NHSemployers and partners, support equalityand diversity related activities andcommit to helping to develop the‘Partners’ programme.

Director of HR and organisationaldevelopment Hilary Brearley said: “It isexcellent for us to be recognisednationally in this field and it’s a credit toall our staff. We are looking forward toworking with NHS Employers this yearand to contribute to the development ofthis programme for future years.”

To find out more equality, diversity andhuman rights, contact Barnsley Hospital’sequality and diversity adviser BeverleyPowell on 01226 432757.

newsIN BRIEFFundraisingFun raisesover £800Staff have been helping toraise hundreds of pounds fora variety of great causes.

Here’s a quick round up ofrecent activity… On Red NoseDay, the Research andDevelopment departmentheld a ‘wear red to work day’during which Kate Gamblesold red buns, ChristineSmith made some chilli jamand beetroot pickle, and theteam ran a ‘Pick a Pose’sweepstake – all helping toraise £50 for Comic Relief.

The InformationDepartment also ralliedround for Comic Relief –holding a ‘guess how manysweets are in the jar’competition, selling cakesand treats baked by staff andallowing staff to dress downin exchange for donations.

All in all, they raised£135.80. And a Ward 19fundraiser held in Marchraised £660.

Keepingeveryone safeThe infection prevention andcontrol team held a ‘sharps’awareness week in March.Sharps is the term used inthe NHS to refer to needlesor any implement with asharp edge. The team usedthe week to help staff stayup to date with the latestadvice about their use anddisposal.

Thanks frompatients212 thank you cards, 28letters of appreciation, morethan 150 gifts and asubstantial amount of moneyin donations were given tothe hospital in January.

Dr Rajeev Gupta, Chair of the hospitals’Healthy Workplace Group.

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews May 2011 – 13

Join us saysBosombuddiesWe’re a free, self-helpgroup for women andtheir families affected bybreast cancer. We providean informal, relaxedatmosphere where womencan get together to sharetheir experiences and helpeach other through whatcan be a very emotionalphase in their lives.

Each month we have avariety of speakers andwell-being sessions whichcan involve massage,aromatherapy and beautytherapy. The group alsohas regular days out toplaces of interest.

Why not join us: wemeet on the firstWednesday of eachmonth, 7pm in theRehabilitation andAssessment Unit atBarnsley Hospital(Pogmoor Road entrance),and in the Alhambrashopping centre in themiddle of the monthduring the day.

newsIN BRIEFCharity funding brings

improvements to wardWard 19 at BarnsleyHospital is getting afacelift following asuccessful bid to thehospital’s charitablefunds and specificfundraising events.

Ward 19 is a medical ward,specialising in care of theelderly. The bid for almost£1,000 was made to helpimprove the wardenvironment and to create awelcoming and calmingspace.

Some patients on the wardexperience episodes ofconfusion or have dementia.Research shows that use ofcolour and contrast affectspeople physically andemotionally. It can promotesociable times, encourageeating and help people tomove about moreconfidently, reducingconfusion and agitation.

The money will be used tobuy accessories for the wardto colour code differentareas. Brightly-colouredvisitor chairs will be bought

for patient areas that will bein the same colour as otheraccessories in the same roomto help vulnerable patientsfind their way around.

New signs have alreadybeen put up for bathroomand toilet facilities whichhave pictures rather thanwords on them to help with

visual recognition. Lead nurse Vicky Faxon-

Wastnage said: “Our team ispassionate about olderpeople and the services weprovide for them. We findwith our patients that it’soften the small changes andimprovements that make themost difference.”

Lead nurse, Vicki Faxon-Wastnage.

14 – May 2011 BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk

A first in trainingBarnsley Hospital is the first hospital to train major incidentroom log-keepers to an accredited BTEC standard and nowhas over 20 trained personnel to support senior managersduring critical and major incidents. Trust Chief ExecutivePaul O’Connor presents certificates to the first class to pass

the qualification. From left to right: Julie Bell, Course Trainer(Skills2Share), Nicola Austin, Catherine Lees, SamanthaJones, Joanne Smith, Alison Spencer, Christine Hollies,Rebecca Dove, Lisa Corbridge, Resilience Manager Mike Leesand Paul O’Connor.

Minor injuries unit set to openAs part of a refurbishment, a new£240,000 Minor Injuries Unit isbeing created at BarnsleyHospital’s EmergencyDepartment.

Due to open this summer, the unitwill provide purpose-built facilities forthe assessment and treatment of awide range of urgent conditions,minor injuries and illnesses. It will bestaffed by highly experienced nursepractitioners and junior doctors withinthe Emergency Department, andsupported by consultant emergencyphysicians who will oversee the workof the unit and who will be availablefor advice if required.

The Unit will have purpose builtfacilities for assessment and treatmentof a wide range of urgent (non-emergency) conditions, minor injuriesand illnesses and ready access to acomprehensive range of supportservices within the hospital andcommunity, including x-ray,pharmacy, outpatient clinics, socialwork and Intermediate Care Teams.

Emergency Medicine Consultant DrJulian Humphrey said: “Sometimespeople with minor injuries/illnesshave longer waiting times as we haveinsufficient space for the number ofpatients who want to be seen. Havinga larger dedicated area for minorinjuries should help us deal with allour ambulatory patients withoutprolonged waiting times. It also meanspatients will receive the best possibletreatment and advice, efficiently andeffectively from the most appropriatehealth care professional.”

A further £73,000 is being spent on

the other side of the hospital wherevisitors will notice that entrance A3,near the Assessment andRehabilitation Unit (ARU), isundergoing a facelift.

When finished, a new extendedcanopy will match the existing ARUcanopy and have glass screens toprovide extra shelter from wind andrain. Access for vehicles to drive up toand reverse will be available, providinga covered way when visitors andpatients are taken in and out ofambulances and vehicles. There willalso be extra external entrance mats tohelp prevent excess water and mudbeing brought into the hospitalcorridors.

Head of estates, LorraineChristopher, said: “This is just onescheme we are working on which hasbeen in direct response to commentsfrom visitors and patients. They havebeen telling us that the weather reallyhits this entranceway and it’sunpleasant to use. The new canopyand screens should really help combatthis.”

‘ ’This is just onescheme we areworking on whichhas been in directresponse tocomments fromvisitors andpatients

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews May 2011 – 15

Why put it off any longer, give your

lifestyle a spring clean by stopping

smoking. Giving up smoking is a big

decision and it might feel that there is

never a good time. Barnsley Stop

Smoking Service can help you make it

easier to stop. The service is FREE, so give

it a try what have you got to loose.

This weeks Stop Smoking Service Top

Tips to help you quit:

• Distract yourself

• Drink plenty of water

• Deep breaths; slowly release each one

• Do something you enjoy

• Do something differently

Contact the service at Eldon Street on

01226 737077 or in the Out Patients

Department at Barnsley Hospital

01226 432423.

Did you know that you can receive stop

smoking support on your mobile phone?

You can now receive quit smoking

support on your mobile phone. If you

have an iphone or ipod Touch you can

download the FREE NHS QUIT SMOKING

APP from the iTunes app store or the

NHS Smokefree Website.

The NHS Quit Smoking app makes it

easier to stop and provides:

• Daily support and instant tips

• Keeps track of how much money you’re

saving

• Shows how many days you’ve been

smoke free

• Provides links to the local NHS Stop

Smoking Services

For those that do not have an iphone or

ipod Touch, freetext the word

CALCULATOR to 64746 and receive a link

to a smoking calculator on the mobile

web.

Contact Barnsley NHSStop Smoking Service

on 01226 737077.Website

www.stopsmokingbarnsley.co.uk

Advertiser’s Announcement

Barnsley NHS Stop Smoking Service

16 – May 2011 BARNSLEYHOSPITALnews www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk

Stephen Wragg, chairman – now aself-employed managementconsultant and has significant seniorlevel experience in information andcommunications technology, havingheld posts at W2Networking,Business Link South Yorkshire andBarnsley and Doncaster TEC. Heheld several other non-executiveposts before joining the trust.

Francis Patton, deputy chairman –has 20 years’ experience in the pubretailing sector, and now teachespart-time at Leeds MetropolitanUniversity, as well as holding anumber of other non-executiveroles. Francis chairs the trust’s nonclinical governance committee.

Anne Arnold – chair of the trust’saudit committee, Anne is a qualifiedaccountant who has worked with theNHS as a senior manager and morerecently as a managementconsultant.

Linda Christon – a former regionaldirector (North East Region) for theCommission for Social CareInspection, Linda’s career was inpublic sector housing and socialcare. Linda attends three of theBoard’s committees to ensurecontinuity across their work.

Paul Spinks – a qualified charteredaccountant currently working for afirm of accountants whichspecialises in the audits of publicsector bodies. He chairs the trust’sfinance committee.

Sarah Wildon – runs her ownpublic relations company and hasmore than 30 years public andprivate sector practice. She is aTrustee of the Yorkshire BuildingSociety Charitable Foundation,Board advisor to The HealthInformatics Service and chair of thetrust’s clinical governancecommittee’.

OUR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ARE…Holding yourhospitalto account

Designed by the Arts & Graphics Team, Barnsley Chronicle. Printed by Yorkshire Web. Telephone 01226 734330.

The Board of Barnsley HospitalNHS Foundation Trust has sixnon-executive directors. Here welook at their role, and in futureissues of this newsletter we willcover the roles of the trust’sexecutive directors, governorsand members.

The non-executive directors areoften referred to as ‘non-execs’ andplay an important role in decision-making and the hospital’s plans for thefuture.

They are employed five days amonth (the Chairman’s role is threedays a week), during which theyattend and contribute to a range ofmeetings and committees, including:▲ Monthly Board meetings▲ Quarterly Trustees meetings▲ Chair monthly committees of the

Board (finance, audit, clinical, non-clinical governance)

▲ Appointment panels for executives▲ The Chairman chairs the

appointment panel for consultants▲ Strategy meetings▲ And they also have an

ambassadorial role - representingthe hospital at external events andmeetingsThe non-execs are appointed by the

governors and are a key link betweenthem and the executive directors. Theyare appointed because of their skillsand expertise, often from a businessbackground, and contribute theirviews and opinions to help set thefuture direction of the trust. Many ofthem fit their role as non-exec aroundtheir jobs outside the trust.

They are specifically appointed to:▲ be independent and objective,

ensuring that the trust does its joband provides services for the benefitof the local community

▲ scrutinise, test and challenge theexecutive directors to make surethey are doing their jobs properly

▲ ensure the executive directors listento the governors’ views abouthospital plans and developments.