Issue 15, May 2012

News for staff and friends of NDHT

Trust vision Incorporating community services in Exeter, East and Mid Devon We will deliver integrated health and social care to support people to live as healthily and independently as possible, recognising the differing needs of our local communities across Devon Issue 15, May 2012

Other successes Pioneering projects raise standards of • Every operation that was cancelled on the day was rescheduled within End of year round-up four weeks patient care across Trust - a look back at our successes • Every sexual health patient was We are celebrating some really big The Trust, which manages North Devon over the last financial year offered an appointment within 48 achievements over the last year which District Hospital as well as 17 community hours of contacting the service we are really proud of. hospitals, ended the year in financial committed to carrying on the good • Fourteen percent of mothers who balance with a surplus of £1.7 million. work we have started. We had no cases of MRSA. smoke were known to still be Jac Kelly, Chief Executive, said: “I would “The range of projects outlined below smoking at the time of delivery, Our waiting lists - particularly for cancer like to personally thank all our staff are just the tip of the iceberg. What I bettering the maximum projection - are some of the shortest in the South for their part in continuing to dedicate hope is clear is that our approach is not of 20% West, if not England. themselves to providing high-quality ‘one size fits all’. A rapid assessment at • Most staff are trained in how to Our PEAT scores for the standard of care to patients. Organisational change home scheme works well in Exeter, but give patients with dementia the food, environment and cleanliness are is never easy but we are absolutely in Exmouth and Budleigh we see that highest possible standard of care all either good or - for the majority of the hospital at home is very successful sites - excellent across the Trust’s 18 for that community. hospitals, from Holsworthy to Axminster “The outcome - to mobilise our hospital Rapid and from Exmouth to Ilfracombe. Innovative projects and community resources to support Assessment The Trust has launched a number people to live independently at home At of innovative projects over the past - is the same, but the way we plan the Home Treatment at 12 months, many of them aimed at home service takes into account the unique Assessment allowing patients to be cared for at at patient’s needs of each community.” Nursing home in a home rather than in hospital. input timely manner These include: RaRapidpid • Hospital at Home – patients are AssessmeAssessmentt • ComPAS – community staff are now supported to live independently in at Hoeome Clinical skills & Mental Health Team Assessment able to update information about their own home, with assistance Assessment patients they are visiting using from nurses and community care

hand-held Samsung computers workers Physiotherapy Rehabilitation & Occupational • Telehealth – patients with Chronic • Rapid Assessment at Home (see flyer Therapy Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on the right) – patients who are (COPD) take their own health Rapid Assessment at Home Team referred are given a full health and if you have Exeter Registered GP patients readings at home, which are sent to social care needs assessment in their Tel: 07772 133358 a clinician own home within two hours Service times: 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday

1 Help us Sneak preview of Ladywell Unit Pulse has had a sneak preview of the state-of-the-art find our new children’s unit at North Devon District Hospital, which is set to open in June. Healthcare The unit brings together Caroline Thorpe Ward and SCBU and will feature a number of facilities that will greatly Hero enhance the experience of patients and staff. The Trust has joined forces It includes a purpose-built children’s assessment unit with the North Devon Journal The public are being asked to (CAU) and high-dependency unit (HDU), state-of-the-art to launch the Healthcare Hero email or write to the North equipment including a cardiac monitoring system, school, awards for 2012. Devon Journal with their stories play and family rooms, improved facilities for parents and of how our staff have provided a new resource room for doctor training. We are also in discussions with exceptional care and support to the Express and Echo about It represents the latest phase of the £1 million them and their families. running a similar campaign for refurbishment of the Ladywell Unit for women and staff in eastern Devon. All Trust staff in the northern children. area are eligible for The campaign gives the public a Toby Cooper, head of midwidery and children’s nursing nomination. These include chance to honour and recognise services, said: “It would not be an exaggeration to say nurses, doctors, healthcare those staff who go above and that this is the best unit I have ever seen. assistants, therapists and beyond the call of duty. support staff such as cleaners “A great deal of thought has been put into planning a Jac Kelly, Chief Executive of the and porters. layout that makes the best of consultant and nursing Northern Devon Healthcare NHS support as well as facilities for children, women and Mrs Kelly said: “We value all Trust, said: “These awards offer families.” our staff and appreciate the a great opportunity to highlight commitment they make to The children’s unit will switch to its new location on the excellent, unsung work that provide the best possible care to Tuesday 19 June and Wednesday 20 June. takes place, whether in hospital, the people of North Devon and in a health centre or when Trust An open day is due to be held on Saturday 16 June, when beyond. staff visit people in their own invited guests will be given a guided tour of the unit on home. “Help us find that special the second floor. member of staff who will be “Our staff do this job because An official opening of the whole Ladywell Unit is likely to our Healthcare Hero for 2012.” they care passionately about take place later this year. our patients’ health and well- The North Devon Journal is set The new Petter Ward on the ground floor opened earlier being. to feature the nominations this year, featuring a day-case unit for gynaecology over the next few months and “Quite often they don’t realise patients, theatre and labour ward. present North Devon’s finest they have done anything out of with their awards at the end of Bassett Ward on the first floor is due to be upgraded this the ordinary as it is an everyday the summer. summer while the ground floor, reception and children’s occurrence. outpatient area is set to be revamped in the autumn. To nominate someone, e-mail “However, we know from the editor@northdevonjournal. The project brings together women’s and children’s letters and emails we receive co.uk or write to: Editor, North services, which have previously been housed in different that the impact our staff have Devon Journal, Avery House, parts of the hospital site. on the lives and emotions of Liberty Road, Roundswell patients and their families is This will allow staff to share skills and best practice to the Business Park, Barnstaple, truly humbling.” benefit of all patients. Devon, EX31 3TL.

2 Foundation Trust Membership Onward Care Team to ‘pull’ patients More members needed from RD&E when ready for discharge Our membership recruitment continues across the geographical We have launched a pilot ease pressure on our community already exist at practitioner patch, but we need your help to significantly raise those project to smooth and speed hospitals, especially when the level between the current numbers. The more members we have, the more people we will up the discharge of patients RD&E is eager to discharge Onward Care Team, CCTs, RD&E be able to engage with to help shape local healthcare services. back to the community from rapidly at times of high demand staff and Devon Partnership Staff, our current public members and patients are asked to the Royal Devon and Exeter – during winter or an outbreak NHS Trust (DPT) staff. However, support us by encouraging their friends and family to sign up as Hospital. of norovirus, for example. work to strengthen the onward members – it only takes a couple of minutes to join. care pathway will also help to: Our Onward Care Team are Complex Care Teams working 10 things that members can do: based at RD&E and work in outside RD&E will also be able • Focus on best outcomes for partnership with acute staff to track 'their' patients via the patients, as decisions will be 1. Receive regular 6. Vote for a Governor to and with Complex Care Teams/ RD&E's ward-based whiteboard, made by workers who have information about what represent their views clusters in the community. They then 'pull' the them back into knowledge of onward care is happening at the Trust, track patients through hospital the right community setting, at or home support options 7. Help shape how we spend including a bi-monthly to ensure that all options the right time. public money Provide better information newsletter, sent straight to are considered and delays • Where patients are not known to patients and families, your door or inbox 8. Stand for election to the minimised when the acute stay to CCTs, the Onward Care Team with the earlier involvement Board of Governors comes to an end. 2. Learn about the local will take responsibility for case- of the Discharge Team healthcare services we 9. Become a volunteer This should mean that fewer management. provide and work with us patients are automatically 10. Support our vision to Positive working relationships to improve them in the discharged to community deliver local integrated future hospitals, as community-based health and social care initiatives such as Hospital at 3. Take part in surveys and to support people to Home become established - National Transplant Week consultations live as healthily and following the principles of The Trust is targeting Hospital, where the public can independently as possible, 4. Review the information 'No bed like your own bed'. schools and colleges as part find out more and sign up. recognising the differing we give to patients/carers of a campaign to increase needs of our local The new pathway should help National Transplant Week is led understanding of organ 5. Get involved in events, communities across Devon by NHS Blood and Transplant donation. health seminars and and this year’s theme is ‘Pass it membership groups The Trust is making plans ahead On’. There is a short online form at of National Transplant Week, It focuses not just on signing up www.northdevonhealth.nhs. which takes place from 9 - 15 to the ODR but also the crucial uk/ft or paper application July 2012. forms can be found at all of importance of passing on your the Trust healthcare sites. The aim is to encourage more donation wishes to family and Copies can also be obtained by people in North, Mid and East friends so they know what you telephoning the membership Devon to join the NHS Organ would like to happen after your office on 01271 313971. Donor Register (ODR) from a death. position of understanding. For more information about Thank you for your Information packs will be given National Transplant Week, visit continued support. to schools and colleges while www.transplantweek.co.uk or there will be banners and www.facebook.com/ displays at North Devon District organdonationuk.

3 understand how they might be High standards Trust starts consultation on affected and to put forward see NDDH take their own ideas before plans are revamp of hotel services in finalised. key role in Jac Kelly, Trust Chief Executive, trauma network Eastern community hospitals said: “Major change is never easy, especially when it affects for patients who are seriously Consultation has begun with by the powerful Care Quality the way things have been for Devon and injured. They need the right staff in our Eastern community Commission, rate all the done for many years. However, help and they need it quickly, hospitals about reshaping the northern hospitals as either Cornwall as a single Trust spanning which is exactly what the support functions of catering, ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ for both 17 community hospitals, we North Devon District Hospital trauma network offers.” portering and cleaning – known cleanliness and food. is now formally recognised as ‘hotel services’. have to operate to common The proposed changes would as a trauma unit, as part of a NDDH now has a new system of standards, policies and training The aims are to ensure that mean more multi-skilling regional network to make sure pre-alerts from the ambulance schemes. service, which triggers call- standards for patients are between all the hotel service patients who suffer serious “We know it can be done, outs to senior doctors from uniformly high, based on functions, which is particularly injuries always get treated because our northern different specialities, including common policies, provision important at small community rapidly and in the right place. community hospitals have gone emergency medicine, intensive and training, and to improve sites. Re-training would be through these changes already The designation means our staff care, orthopaedics, general efficiency, freeing up cash to provided to all staff. Cleaning and continue to provide good are meeting high standards of surgery and anaesthetics. They protect direct patient care at a techniques and supervision food for their patients in clean care. When assessed by regional are all then ready and waiting time of tight public spending. would also be reviewed, specialists, the hospital and the bringing in improved premises. when the ambulance arrives, or The Trust’s existing community Emergency Department were equipment and systems. will arrive shortly afterwards. hospitals in northern Devon “At the same time, we’ve got found to meet all requirements, a duty to offer best value for Procedures have also been have already undergone All sites would move towards despite their relatively small taxpayers’ money, which means streamlined to ensure that x-ray similar changes, and are now a system where meals were size. doing everything we can to and other imaging techniques supported by multi-skilled delivered using locally- increase efficiency. With tight The creation of a formal can be organised more teams of hotel services staff and produced food, ready for public finances, we also have to network means patients will quickly, speeding up diagnosis with meals delivered for final final preparation as and look at every avenue for freeing automatically be taken from and treatment at NDDH or preparation on site. when needed. This is very the scene to the most suitable helpful for feeding patients up cash that can be used to triggering a rapid referral to Under its requirement to hospital in Devon and Cornwall, who are transferred outside safeguard frontline patient Derriford via the new channels. provide ‘best value’ for either by road or air ambulance, normal hours. Tiverton and care. taxpayers’ money, the Trust has according to the type and Patients with serious injuries Okehampton hospitals have analysed comparative data. “However, nothing is set in severity of their injuries. who are initially treated used this catering system for This shows that hotel services stone. That’s why we’re talking in Barnstaple will then be several years; although this has in the 12 hospitals that joined with all staff affected to get Derriford Hospital at Plymouth, automatically accepted for been improved upon in recent the Trust last year are costing their ideas and to look at their designated as the major trauma immediate rapid transfer months, more standardisation considerably more than in the options, so the way forward can centre for Devon and Cornwall, to Derriford for intensive, would be required to realise rest of the NHS. be mapped out more clearly.” will be the main receiving specialist, multi-disciplinary economies of hospital for the severest trauma care. The reshaping of services scale. injuries. It will also have a 24- would draw on the experience hour duty co-ordinator to take If the patient is transferred, The consultation of the northern hospitals, incoming calls from the trauma the new role of trauma nurse with staff runs which continue to meet high units to facilitate transfers. co-ordinator at NDDH means for 60 days, standards as well as being much they will be monitored closely from Monday less expensive to run. Patient Fionn Bellis, Consultant in and then brought back to 30 April. This Environment Action Team Emergency Medicine, who Barnstaple as rapidly as possible will allow (PEAT) inspections, which form led the work at NDDH, said: for their on-going care and each person to “This is a huge step forward rehabilitation. a major part of assessment

4 New direction: ComPAS points to The Network real benefits for mobile staff Casebook Nearly all of the Trust’s • Satnav, to find patients’ The technology also means that: Two junior doctors community teams have now homes from North Devon New applications can be gone ‘live’ with the new • District Hospital made • NHS email connectivity added to the tablets ComPAS system. This tool helps a presentation at a Camera, so wounds could community workers manage • • Staff will ultimately be national healthcare be shown to doctors at caseloads and collect data. able to link into the Trust's forum in London. hospital for assessment, for proposed integrated A huge training programme example patient record, download Mirna Alkhouri and Mirna Alkhouri is pictured at the King’s was required to make sure • Built-in phone with test results or order tests, Marcos Kostalas attended Fund in London with the improving education poster she created with around 800 staff knew how to bluetooth capability for example the launch of The Network use the new Samsung Galaxy Casebook 2012. Marcos Kostalas and Thomas Hanna Teleconferencing The tablets could be tablet computers as well as • • capability, to tap into case adapted for use by junior Alongside Thomas Hanna, Network, showcases innovative ComPAS (Community Patient conferences, for example doctors in Northern Devon they created a project about improvement projects led Administration System) itself. by junior doctors, medical Car chargers, to keep the District Hospital, for improving teaching in district • students and other healthcare Although prompted by devices operational on the example general hospitals (DGHs). the forthcoming national professionals across the UK and road The groundbreaking use of It was one of the best 25 requirement to collect the beyond. the Samsungs has prompted projects selected from 175 Community Information Data As well as being password- widespread national media entries and has been published The launch event took place at Set (CIDS), the tablets go much protected, the tablets can be coverage and a great deal in The Network Casebook. the King’s Fund, a charity that further in terms of usefulness tracked centrally and even of interest from other trusts, helps to improve healthcare in for a mobile workforce. wiped by remote signal if lost, The book, jointly funded especially those with a large England, in May. to protect patient data. by NHS Right Care and The The seven-inch screens are big remote working teams. Mirna and Marcos presented In the longer term, the enough to be easily readable as their poster entitled ‘Improving flexibility of the software well as handy to carry around. the educational climate of a and capability of our own They can tap into ComPAS DGH – a junior-led approach’. either via the mobile phone programmers to customise Replacement for eSAP now (3G) system or using wi-fi, but the system means staff will “It was an invaluable can still be used to enter data be able to suggest their own up and running experience,” said Mirna. “We when poor 3G reception takes modifications to ComPAS, ComPAS Assessments became operational at the end of April, were proud to represent our them offline. They also offer: perhaps to make life easier or replacing eSAP (ShareCare) for the completion of FACE hospital at the King's Fund.” to capture other information. documents. • GPS, which might be critical Mirna, Marcos and Thomas if an ambulance is needed The switch to an in-house system was made necessary by the work in the general surgery for a patient imminent removal by software specialists Esprit of support for department at NDDH. eSAP. They are all members of The Staff working in the Network, an online community community can access of medical students, junior ComPAS Assessments via doctors and newly-qualified the ComPAS. Staff working in community hospitals or at NDDH GPs and consultants with an access the tool via a separate website: interest in clinical leadership https://ndservices.ndevon.swest.nhs.uk/CompasAx and medical management.

5 “But because we could see the Trust launches readings ourselves and knew they’d be reviewed elsewhere, Patient praise wins Echo Bouquet of new service I felt able to take my meds and the Week for Ottery nursing team rest – just as they would have for COPD told me to do in hospital. “First thing on Monday patients morning a nurse was on the phone to check on my progress. The Trust has launched a Wonderful. Telehealth service to support “Being more in control of patients with Chronic my health by having a better Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patient Chris Axford with Lesley understanding of what’s going (COPD) in northern Devon. Parsons, lead nurse for the respiratory service on has renewed my desire Telehealth is used across the to look after myself and it’s NHS to monitor and manage hope Telehealth will transform given my wife so much more people’s conditions remotely. the way patients with COPD confidence by being a tool we receive care by supporting can use when making decisions It enables the community patients to remain independent about my health.” respiratory nursing teams to and having the tools to manage provide treatment and care to their own condition. patients at home. “Instead of waiting for a crisis Celebrations at Patients with a long-term to happen or a trip to A&E, condition take their daily health Telehealth will alert clinicians Holsworthy readings, such as oxygen levels, to early signs of an imminent Staff, friends and local and transmit them to a clinician. decline in a patient’s condition residents are gearing up to NHS Devon has commissioned and will allow us to intervene celebrate the 20th anniversary Telehealth, an NHS-run clinical promptly to improve the of the opening of Holsworthy service based in Cornwall, patient’s condition. Community Hospital. to provide the service across “This will avoid crises and Old friends and colleagues northern Devon, backed by the improve the patient’s quality of have been invited to a buffet Trust and by local GPs. life.” tea to commemorate the Nursing staff at Ottery St absolutely fabulous. I really opening of the hospital in Trials undertaken in other Chris Axford, from Holsworthy, Mary Community Hospital cannot praise them enough. 1992. parts of the country show that, was one of the first patients earned a huge bouquet from Every one of them is kind and if used correctly, Telehealth to have the tele-monitoring The event, organised by the Express & Echo, after caring and full of compassion. can deliver huge benefits for being nominated by local equipment installed. Holsworthy’s League of “They really cannot do enough patients. Friends, takes place on couple Nancy and Brian Giles. He said: “The weekend after to help their patients and Wednesday 20 June (7pm to The programme has been we received the equipment Brian, who is blind, had been their families. Brian was in 9pm). launched in Holsworthy and and were trained in its use, in for nine weeks during the over Christmas and they made Torrington and is set to be my health took a turn for the The hospital is also holding a winter after breaking his leg. sure everyone had a present rolled out to all COPD patients and a proper Christmas lunch. worse. fete on Sunday 1 July (2.30pm In putting forward the nursing in northern Devon within six They are lovely and really do to 4.30pm). staff for an Echo Bouquet months. “Ordinarily I would have deserve recognition for what of the Week award, Nancy ended up phoning 999 for an The fete will feature the town they do.” Dr Paul Lovell, clinical lead for ambulance and been admitted band, various stalls, cream teas said: “The whole team are COPD in North Devon, said: “We to hospital. and much more.

6 The Hospital Choir Two ward sisters at NDDH have and at Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s and set up a choir for Trust staff, a range of other local events The choir will be raising money inspired by musical mentor locally in the future. for charity. Its chosen cause Gareth Malone and his chart- in the first year is the Trust’s Practice sessions are held every topping Military Wives. Chemotherapy Appeal. Wednesday from 7.45pm to The initial idea came from 9.30pm in the NDDH physio Further details are on the choir’s Angela Walter of Capener gym on Level 1. Some 30 website: Ward, who confesses to being enthusiastic singers are already www.thehospitalchoir.com Across the country, a new “no singer” herself. So she signed up, but any member Parkinson’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease approached Andrea Bell of of staff is welcome to join, What choir members say: (PD) is made every hour. Fortescue Ward, an am-dram whatever their level of singing “I’ve never done anything performer and solo wedding talent. The all-day event was designed like this before and I love it study day singer, who agreed to take on to shed light on a condition Angela said: “The hospital and - when it all comes together More than 150 people the job of Musical Director. The that affects one in 500 people the Trust are a massive part of it’s amazing, a real buzz” – converged on Barnstaple for a Hospital Choir was born. – around 127,000 in the UK. the local community and I felt Kath Parkinson's Disease study day, Sessions included: Now, with Angela in charge that a choir would be a good organised by specialist nurse “A fun evening out with of organisation, rehearsals are way to promote this - bringing Lynn Gill. • PD in young people, led happiness & laughter that under way on a range of music people together, representing by Brian Martin, whose leaves you on a high with Acute and community staff for a debut public performance the organisation, having fun, son was diagnosed with a big smile on your face” – were joined by GPs and a range at Christ Church, Bear Street, raising money for local charities Parkinson's at an early age Lorraine of other delegates from care Barnstaple, on 29 June. and showing what we can do as homes, private-sector providers • Mental health issues in a group of people outside work. “Uplifting. It’s a release There are also plans to sing in and even Exeter Prison. PD, led by Dr Michael from the stresses of work; an the NDDH foyer on 13 June, “If you work for the Trust, Van Buren, Consultant opportunity to meet other we are happy to have new Psychiatrist at Devon members of the organisation What people said: There is a Choir & Cream members join at any time - just Partnership NHS Trust that you wouldn’t normally Tea event on the Saturday come along and see how it is Feedback on the study meet and then getting to • Clinical diagnosis of PD, 30 June at 2.30pm, Mayfield for you; no auditions or solos day know them” - Jo led by Dr Will Honan, House, Avon Lane, Westward required or expected! If you “The talk in the morning by Consultant Neurologist at Ho!, EX39 1UE. Proceeds to enjoy it, become a member Brian Martin was inspiring, sad NDDH and the RD&E the League of Friends, which either for a term or for the but paved the way forward for year.” • Levodopa & other has helped the choir with an excellent study day.” Reaching high: treatments, led by Dr set-up costs. Tickets are £5 (including cream tea). The Hospital Choir at rehearsals, with “Gained insight into life of Julia Saunders, Associate Andrea Bell, left, and Angela Walter someone with Parkinson’s. Specialist at NDDH Very powerful – can only Lynn Gill said: “It was a • Multiple system atrophy, improve my current practice great day – the range led by Catherine Best, nurse together with knowledge of of speakers really specialist at University medications learnt today.” seemed to inspire College Hospitals, London people who came and “Extremely interesting from • Current research projects, get them thinking a sufferer’s point of view – led by Parkinson’s UK about what they could psychological and social issues do to improve things not always considered when for patients.” treating.”

7 Go purple for the Further success at Chemotherapy Okehampton Appeal! Staff at Okehampton Both are keen for Community Hospital have Trust staff to have North Devon is being achieved the national Skills the opportunity to urged to ‘go purple’ for Life qualification in adult brush up on their to raise money for numeracy. numeracy and the new chemotherapy day literacy skills. “People can send in their It continues the staff’s success treatment unit in Barnstaple. photos and we’ll publish them following their achievements in Classes were held Celebrating Okehampton’s adult numeracy success are The Big Purple Day takes on our website.” adult literacy. at the hospital, (back row, from left) Exeter College tutor Abi Hindriks, place on Friday 13 July, with allowing staff to Andy Brewer from the college, receptionist Gemma The appeal has so far raised “They gained so much Hitchcock, staff nurse Mandy Sheppard and locality all proceeds going to the be flexible and more than £800,000 towards confidence from their previous business manager Maggie Waltho; and (front) hotel Chemotherapy Appeal. available if needed the target of £2.2 million learning experience that services assistants Diana Littlejohns and Michelle Jones. for urgent patient People across the area – – the cost of the planned they wanted to keep up the Linda Mitchell and Patricia Palmer also achieved the adult care. numeracy qualification but aren’t pictured including Trust staff, residents, chemotherapy unit at North momentum and get additional Devon District Hospital. businesses and schools – are qualifications,” said Lynda The bespoke sessions were Quotes from some of being encouraged to be If you would like a fundraising Reynolds-Smith, Workforce delivered by Abi Hindriks, a creative with the purple theme. pack, posters, balloons or Development Project Manager tutor from Exeter College, and the learners for the Northern Devon were instrumental in helping collection tins, call Ian on “The classes were very “You can wear purple to work, Healthcare NHS Trust. the group achieve their national 01271 311772 or e-mail relaxed and the tutor made bake cakes with purple icing or qualification. do anything that involves the [email protected] “The sense of ‘feeling good me feel good about myself.” about myself’ was boosted by Trust staff interested in colour purple,” said Ian Roome, For more information about the “I improved on the course the results they all achieved.” refreshing their English or fundraising manager for the appeal, visit and began to remember Northern Devon Healthcare NHS maths skills are encouraged to www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/ Matron Wendy Bellamy and things from school.” Trust Charitable Fund. call Lynda on 01392 356911 or fundraising. Locality Business Manager e-mail her at [email protected]. “It was so much better than Maggie Waltho have supported school!” the group throughout the Tell us your good news! course. “My confidence grew as the course went along and I felt Jim Bray has recently joined the trust as communications able to ask for help when I manager and he is keen to hear from any member of staff with a Other formats needed it.” story or photo. If you need this newsletter in another format such Have you or a colleague received an award, represented the as audio tape or computer disk, Braille, large print, trust at a major conference or taken part in a fundraising event? high contrast, British Sign Language or translated into Do you have bigger news to announce, such as new services or another language, please telephone the PALS desk on facilities that will benefit patients? 01271 314090. News can appear here in Pulse, in local papers or on the trust website, Bob, TV or radio. Let’s tell everyone what we’re up to! Get in touch Diana Littlejohns and Gemma Please e-mail Jim at [email protected] or call him on Please send any suggestions or submissions for future editions to: Hitchcock brush up on their 01271 311575. Katherine Allen, Glen Everton or Jim Bray on 01271 311575. numeracy skills, watched by tutor Abi Hindriks (right)