A little help from our Friends 3

December 2008 Issue 6

Guardian Angels official opening WELCOME TO issue 6 of YorkTalk, the newsletter The Guardian Angels for members of children’s unit officially Hospitals NHS Foundation opened in October, three Trust. years after the campaign began. In this issue you can read York’s local paper The about the work of the Press spearheaded the Friends of York Hospitals, appeal, which has so far the annual general raised over £300,000 to meeting, and some provide facilities and vital pioneering equipment equipment for being used by the children who would hospital. previously have been Your suggestions are transferred elsewhere for high dependency care. always welcome, see page Over 100 people were 4 for how to get in touch. there to celebrate, I’d like to take the including many of the opportunity to wish you a local businesses and other happy Christmas and a organisations that had healthy new year. Grand opening: John Middleton (left) unveils the plaque designed by James raised vital funds. Mike Proctor, deputy Children who had been Patrick (right) to mark the opening of the new children’s unit. (Picture courtesy of The Press, York). chief executive seriously ill and had in- spired fundraising were also there with their this chance to say thank you to the people of York who have families. contributed to this appeal. Particular thanks go to the hundreds of Accessibility Actor John Middleton, people who have arranged fund raising events or gave publicity to the IF YOU would like to who plays reverend appeal, and also to the editor and all the staff at the Press who had receive YorkTalk in a Ashley Thomas in the vision and the confidence in the good will of the people of York to Emmerdale, unveiled the launch the appeal in the first place. more accessible plaque which had been We have already seen patients that have benefited from the unit, format, for example designed by 12 year old which proves what a difference a facility like this can make in the care in a larger print size, James Patrick. of seriously ill children. All of the building work is finished, and the Consultant paediatrician new rooms work really well. Most of the new equipment is here and in please contact the Robin Ball said: “Speaking use and a lot of new training for medical and nursing staff is taking chairman and chief on behalf of all the staff place. All of this would not have been possible without everybody who executive’s office, on the children's wards, I did their bit to raise funds, and it’s thanks to their efforts that we am very happy to have have been able to make the plans for the unit a reality.” York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Wigginton Road, Hospital open event and AGM ...... 2 York, YO31 8HE

Mobile screening service launched...... 3 Hospital pioneers X-ray equipment ...... 4 Tel. 01904 631313

E-mail: enquiries@ york.nhs.uk 2 YorkTalk December 2008

‘Double excellent’ rating for Hospital open event York Hospital YORK HOSPITALS NHS Foundation Trust has been assessed as and annual general meeting ‘excellent’ for both use of resources and quality of services YORK HOSPITALS NHS keen that we continued success with a similar event in the 2007/08 Healthcare Foundation Trust’s annual through to the AGM, next year. Commission Annual Health Check. The trust achieved an ‘excellent’ general meeting (AGM) marking the end of a very The winners of the prize result for its use of resources took place on Monday 15 demanding but successful draw were Mrs. E. Cook of which is based on an annual September in the Mallard first year. Perhaps more York, who won a £1,000 financial risk rating awarded by Restaurant at York importantly setting out how travel voucher, and Mr. S. Monitor, the independent regulator for NHS foundation Hospital. we plan to develop the Popplewell of Pickering, trusts, and indicates that the trust As a build up to the AGM, hospital, its services and its who won a DVD player. is managing its finances well. the hospital held an open facilities in the coming The hospital also received an event in the main entrance, years. As the major ‘excellent’ rating for the quality of services it provides to patients, main corridor and Mallard healthcare provider in which includes patient safety, Restaurant to demonstrate North and one of cleanliness and waiting times. some of the services the the largest employers in Patrick Crowley, chief executive trust provides. York we very much of York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: Interactive displays, recognise our responsibility “I am very pleased with this demonstrations, to the community and need outcome, which demonstrates the exhibitions, and art and to ensure that our hard work and commitment of all music events took place. ambitions match those of our staff and the trust’s determination to deliver services Goody bags and free re- our public. Our membership that are of the highest standard. freshments were available, is key to this and the AGM Above: Professor Stephen However, we are not complacent and there was a free prize provides an excellent Leveson gives a presentation as and will continue to work hard to draw. vehicle to involve everyone part of the AGM. improve our services and maintain Below: Both staff and governors our high level of Patrick Crowley, chief interested in the future of had a role to play at the open performance.” executive of York Hospitals health services in York and day. The full results can be found on NHS Foundation Trust, said: the wider the Healthcare Commission “We have recently enjoyed community.” website at www.healthcarecommission.org.uk a series of successful The event events in celebration of the was well Your chance to influence 60th anniversary of the NHS attended and Mind’s work and as this coincided with the trust ONE IN FOUR people experience the end of our first year as hopes to mental health problems during their lifetime. Mind works for a foundation trust I was build on this better mental health for everyone through campaigns, policy and information Focus on Stroke work. The needs and experiences of people with mental distress STROKE IS the number one cause of death and 90% of strokes are caused by a clot narrowing or drive Mind’s work and they make disability in the UK. blocking a blood vessel, this means that the blood sure that people’s voices are There are 300,000 patients living with moderate cannot get to a part of the brain. The brain cells heard by those who influence disability from stroke at any one time and 25% of then die from lack of oxygen and essential nutrients. change. Mind wants to hear from stroke patients are under 65. A MORI poll Getting to hospital fast following a stroke gives the people from all walks of life who commissioned by the stroke association found that hospital team time to check if a person is suitable would be interested in sharing 50% of the public did not know what a stroke was for a ‘clot busting’ drug. The drug has to be given their story and informing their and only 40% could name two or more signs or within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms work. You can take the chance to symptoms of stroke. 60% didn’t know what to do if and it ‘busts’ the clot, allowing the blood supply to tell your story and help Mind put they or a member of their family had a stroke. It is flow again. Even if this time has passed, a rapid across real life important the people recognise that stroke is a admission for specialist assessment and care on a experiences in policy documents, medical emergency. specialist stroke unit also saves lives and reduces factsheets, in the media or in The Stroke Association has produced a quick and disability. fundraising campaigns. simple test to recognise the symptoms: If you are interested in joining Further information is available from the following Mind Link, membership is free and Face-Arm-Speech Test (FAST) charities: you can contact them at Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their [email protected] or on 0208 mouth or an eye drooped? The Stroke Association 0845 3033 100 website: 2152207. You can also write to Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms? www.stroke.org.uk Mind, Freepost (WD2336), 15–19 Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and Broadway, London E15 4BQ. understand what you say? Different Strokes, supporting younger stroke Time to call 999. survivors,01908 317618, website: www.differentstrokes.co.uk YorkTalk December 2008 3

GovernorTalk Paul Baines, representing City of York

What is your background? Why did you want to become contribute their time and Mobile screening service Educated at St Peter’s School, a governor? varied experience, without launched I worked at Rowntrees for I registered my interest in the encroaching on the operational people with diabetes are benefiting from a three years, before moving to hospital, when I was newly management of the hospital. new mobile retinal screening Shepherd’s, where I qualified retired, and York was seeking service to encourage early as a management accountant, foundation trust status. I How is the trust doing as a detection of diabetic retinopathy, and became controller of wondered whether there was foundation trust? the biggest cause of adult Shepherd Engineering Services any way in which my I feel it took a while for people blindness in the UK. (SES). I moved into operations experience could be put to to get their minds round the York Hospitals NHS Foundation management in 1980, as use, so I offered myself for implications of foundation Trust was awarded the contract by regional director. SES carries election as a public governor. trust status, and hence to North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) to provide retinal out design and installation of appreciate the freedoms and screening for all people over 12 Mechanical and Electrical How do you see your role as opportunities that it affords. with diabetes. The screening (Environmental) Services for governor developing? Of course, there are still programme covers around 27,000 major Construction projects, I am a member of the severe income constraints and people in North Yorkshire. with a niche market in ultra- remunerations sub-committee, targets to be met, but the An administration centre has been clean environments. For and have offered to join the hospital has greater latitude to set up in York which will call pharmaceutical hospital’s strategy group. plan its own future, and I patients for screening using a manufacturing, we had to Under Patrick Crowley’s sense a real impetus to state of the art IT system. A fleet of six vans with portable screening achieve standards up to ten direction, an excellent achieve standards by which equipment will travel around the times cleaner than an relationship is developing other hospitals will be judged. region. The vans will be staffed by operating theatre. between governors, non- I am greatly impressed by the teams from Scarborough, I also did work for the major executives and executives, and quality and enthusiasm of and York, who will take employer body of our industry, I am confident that this will everyone I meet, but good the kit into GP practices, serving for three years as present a variety of management starts at the top, hospitals, health centres and chairman of the Yorkshire opportunities for governors to and Patrick Crowley’s other local centres to provide Region and for five years on commitment and screening in locations that are closer to people’s homes. the National Profitability approachability shine out. Early detection of diabetic Committee. retinopathy can prevent sight loss. If retinopathy is detected early, the patient is referred to a local centre for laser treatment to stop the retina detaching and causing With a little help from our Friends... blindness. John Featonby, senior planning A GROUP of determined manager for York Hospitals NHS volunteers who support York Foundation Trust, said: “This Hospitals have this year donated project has given us the a number of items to support opportunity to develop a service patients and help staff to that is compliant with national provide the best care. service standards across a large 2008 has been a bumper year for area of North Yorkshire. The new The Friends of York Hospitals, service covers an area stretching who raise funds to provide extra from Settle and in the equipment. They also provide west of the county right across to practical services for those , Scarborough and visiting, as well as staying, in York Bridlington on the east coast.” Hospitals. This year their donations have Ward Committee visits included a bladder scanner (for CHIEF EXECUTIVE Patrick Crowley examining the bladder using and deputy chief executive Mike ultrasound) and a blood warmer Proctor attended a number of (for warming the blood before ward committee meetings, along transfusion) which have already with membership development been put to good use on ward 35. From left: Friends volunteers Sandi Richardson and Annette Hall present the manager Penny Goff and governors The Friends also donated six blood warmer and bladder scanner to Hilary Plowman (staff nurse), Rebecca who had volunteered. The aim automated external defibrillators Websdale (staff nurse), John Thackeray (staff nurse) and Andrea Redin (sister) was to raise awareness of the (AEDs) to be placed in public on ward 35. trust and to encourage people to areas throughout the hospital to donation that will hopefully save If you would like more information become members. It also gave the help people who collapse in lives. Defibrillation greatly about the Friends of York Hospitals, opportunity for people to ask cardiac arrest. At a cost of around improves the chance of survival in call 01904 726762 or email questions and raise issues. Ward £1,500 each, these machines may cardiac arrest. Every minute [email protected] committee meetings for Heworth, prove to be a lifesaving gift. following cardiac arrest a person , Micklegate, Haxby and Ian Wilson, lead resuscitation loses around a ten per cent chance Wigginton, Heslington and Fulford, officer for York Hospitals NHS of survival, so the sooner there can and Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Foundation Trust, said: be intervention, the better.” Without were attended, with a “We are grateful to the Friends of view to attending more meetings York Hospitals for making this in 2009.

Members’ Council: Who’s Who 4 YorkTalk December 2008

APPOINTED GOVERNORS

North Yorkshire and York PCT 3 seats York Hospital pioneers

Mr Michael Sweet, non-executive director new X-ray equipment General Practitioner—to be con- firmed YORK HOSPITALS NHS Foundation Trust is the first Gill Cashmore, chief officer, AVS in the UK to use a new digital X-ray system for

City of York Council trauma and orthopaedic examinations. 3 seats The new kit is helping radiographers easily acquire Cllr Madeleine Kirk images from traditionally awkward situations, such as

Cllr Sandy Fraser standing feet and ankles, trolley trauma and lateral spinal work. Cllr Sian Wiseman The Digital Radiography general X-ray system, made North Yorkshire County Council 2 seats by Siemens Healthcare, is unique in offering a wireless portable detector. The detector can be positioned Cllr Elizabeth Casling under the patient, on trolleys or behind wheelchairs, Cllr Caroline Patmore which reduces patient discomfort. University of York Medical School Examination times have also been greatly reduced, 1 seat with the image previews now delivered in five Professor Ian Greer seconds. The system also means that radiographers do Voluntary Sector not need to leave the room to view images and can 1 seat retake an X-ray instantly if required. Mr Mike Moran, Chairman, York CVS Susie Dick, advanced radiographer and team manager in trauma and orthopaedic x-ray for York Hospitals NOMINATED GOVERNORS NHS Foundation Trust, said: Patient and Public Governors 17 seats "The wireless detector is fantastic, enabling difficult images to be obtained easily, quickly and without Patient/Carer Geoffrey Rennie putting the patient in severe discomfort.” Other benefits include improved image quality Neil Lincoln, Regional Sales Manager at Siemens Jane Healthcare with staff from York Hospital: back row: Farquharson without the need for a high amount of dose, as it is Steve Duncalf (radiographer specialist), Katy Gib- possible to view a wide range of anatomical variations son (radiographer specialist) Dan Parr Brian Thompson (radiographer specialist). Seated: Karen Skinner in one exposure. This has been seen in examinations (radiographer specialist) Susie Dick (advanced Jennifer of the hip, where only one exposure, is needed to radiographer and team manager in trauma and Moreton acquire all necessary images. orthopaedic X-Ray). Public: City of James Porteous York

Linda Hatton

Paul Baines Council meets in

Bob Towner

Stephen Lewis THE QUARTERLY for bereaved families. body at other times if

Stefan Ruff members’ council Sarah Howard, engagement required. Attendees were

Helen Mackman meeting was held at the partner and Gareth Mills, also given updates on Galtres Centre in senior auditor from the infection control, Winifred Easingwold in October. trust’s external auditors performance and finance. Blackburn Those attending were Grant Thornton Public: Selby Nevil Parkinson District Council given a presentation by delivered a presentation to Join us Patrick members of the project introduce their work and McGowan It’s easy to become a member Vacant team who are working on relationship with the the Kings Fund members’ council. They of the trust: Public: Pam Turpin Hambleton programme, Enhancing the explained that they will Contact the members’ District Council Jane Dalton Healing Environment at the attend the members’ helpline 0870 7030151 Staff Governors 5 seats End of Life. The aim of the council once a year to Email the membership office at Staff: Lee Bond, project is to create a provide an opinion on the medical Consultant [email protected] Haematologist centralised and dedicated accounts but were happy

Staff: Anne Penny, service within the hospital to support the governing Nursing Bed Manager Lynne Atkinson, Contact the communications service manager, Sister Got a story York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York Staff: non- Mandy McGale, clinical Head of Patient Hospital, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE: Flow for YorkTalk?  Telephone: (01904) 721417 Staff: Clinical Martin Skelton, Professional Senior  E-mail: [email protected] Biomedical Scientist