New Specialist Nursing Team for End of Life Care Hospital Above Average

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Decembernewslink 2015 Issue 29 New specialist Volunteers needed to act as ward nursing team for companions for dementia patients end of life care Staff are looking for new volunteers who can give up some of their free time to provide companionship to patients with dementia to support them A new specialist nursing service in hospital, as part of a new pilot on Redlynch and Pitton wards. has started that will give additional support to ward nursing While the Trust runs the successful communication and interpersonal and medical teams who provide Engage programme, where volunteers skills, an approachable friendly and increase social interaction for patients caring manner and would be able to end of life care to patients. through quizzes, discussion groups give up around two to three hours and memory games, ward companions a week for a morning or afternoon. While the Hospital Palliative Care Team will act as “friends”, giving additional Interviews and checks would be currently treat patients who have support and company for patients carried out, and training provided for complex physical, psychological and during their hospital stay. successful candidates.“ emotional needs, the new specialist nurses will give extra support to ward Jo Jarvis, Voluntary Services Manager People interested in becoming a ward staff caring for patients who need less said: “Our volunteers find the work companion should contact Jo Jarvis, complex support. and time that they give to our patients Voluntary Services Manager on 01722 interesting and rewarding. We are 336262, extension 4026 for more They will also have a staff education looking for people who have good details. and training role around the introduction of new personalised care plans. Hospital above average for cleanliness, food and the These ensure that patients who may die within a few days receive clear environment communication on any decisions, Cleanliness, food quality and patients’ overall that there is sensitive communication experience of facilities and support have been between staff our patients and those rated highly in the latest national report on the important to them and that we take Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment into consideration at their personal (PLACE). needs and act on them. The national report follows an (national assessment made by patient and average Lorna Wilkinson, Director of Nursing public representatives and modern 90.11%) said: “With an aging population we matrons. • Dementia are seeing more older people with standards complex conditions requiring hospital In summary, the scores were: - scored care or treatment and some of them • Cleanliness – scored 99.3% 84.66% may also be nearing the end of their (national average 97.57%) against a life. It’s essential that patients who are • Food – scored 94.57% (national national average of 74.51%. coming to the end of their life have average 88.93%) the very best all round care that we • Privacy, Dignity and Wellbeing – Ian Robinson, Head of Facilities said scored 89.47% (national average “These results are good news for our can provide and our staff have the 86.03%) patients and visitors and reflect the support they need to do so.” • Condition, appearance and commitment and professionalism of maintenance – scored 95.31% our staff.” inside this issue... Staff and patients celebrate three years of Salisbury in top 120 healthcare organisations to mobile chemotherapy work Team Salisbury win military challenge .... and much much more 1 Salisbury in top Salisbury District 120 healthcare Hospital to take organisations to work part in major new For the second year running, comments National research from staff have placed The Trust in the best healthcare organisations in the Salisbury District Hospital is one of country in which to work. the first sites in the country to be involved in a major clinical trial in The Health Service Journal gathered a from the quality of leadership and the UK to see whether aspirin can range of information from employers staff communication and engagement, prevent cancers from coming back. and staff and these were then to the working environment and analysed by independent workplace training and development. The ADD ASPIRIN trial will be run research firm Best Companies in around 100 centres within the Group who used this to benchmark Alison Kingscott, Director of Human country and will involve people who organisations and identify the top Resources and Organisational are having, or have had, treatment for 120. Development said ‘We feel that it’s early cancer. essential that our staff are supported There are over 150 general hospital at work, both in the care that they Stef Scott, Head of Research said: Trusts in the country and a further provide for our patients and in their “This is an excellent achievement 300 community, mental health Trusts own health and wellbeing, and this for Salisbury and another example and Clinical Commissioning Groups. again highlights Salisbury as a good of where reputation, local expertise, The publication took into account place to work and progress a career in knowledge and a ‘can do’ attitude has the results and comments from staff the NHS.” been recognised enabling us to be one surveys, and a range of information of the first hospitals to offer patients an opportunity to take part in this high profile and important research Staff and patients Self Care and project.” celebrate three Staying Healthy “In Salisbury we will be looking to years of mobile involve around 40 to 50 patients a this Winter year with their consent, we expect the chemotherapy trial to last around 12 years. Patients Hospital staff and local people had who are interested in taking part in As part of Chemotherapy in the an opportunity to find out more the ADD ASPIRIN trial should talk Community Week, staff, patients about how they can improve their to their doctor, who will be able to and carers joined the team from own health and pick up potential consider whether they are suitable for Hope for Tomorrow to celebrate signs of serious illnesses during the trial.” the first three years of the Mobile Self Care Week. Chemotherapy Unit (MCU). Throughout the week specialist staff The MCU visits locations in Gillingham, Westbury, Ludgershall were on hand to provide information Dementia Community and Fordingbridge and has so far on a wide range of areas, from how saved patients over 20,000 hours in to protect against flu, preventing Roadshow travel and waiting time. illness and healthy eating to more specific support around alcohol and Staff, patients and visitors had an opportunity to visit the Alzheimer’s Senior Sister Sara Dear said: “Over stop smoking advice. It was also an the last three years we have delivered Society’s Dementia Roadshow. The opportunity to remind people that aim of the roadshow was to increase over 500 treatments for patients their local pharmacy is a recognised in a relaxing and comfortable local awareness and understanding source of very good health information of the condition which affects more environment in their own and to understand which health communities, avoiding the stress and than fifteen hundred people in service is suitable for their health strains of travelling long distances to Salisbury and staff were on hand hospital.” needs. to provide advice to anyone with queries about the condition, as well More information on how to stay well as helping to promote the benefits this winter be found on NHS Choices of an early diagnosis. at www.nhs.uk 2 National award for Salisbury blood clot services Salisbury nurses who assess, manage and treat people for blood clots have won a national Quality in Care (QiC) Programme Award. The nurse-led Venous Thrombosis (VTE) and Anticoagulation Services cover all aspects of care in this area, with the VTE Service assessing and treating patients in outpatient clinics and the Outreach Anticoagulation Service assessing patients in hospital and providing support and guidance for ward staff. In this award our staff were “head and shoulders” above the rest, with the Team Salisbury judges impressed by the way in which pathway, collaboration with other win military nurses are used in this role. departments, the assessment of care and the involvement of people who challenge Lorna Wilkinson, Director of Nursing use the service. All supported by a said: “They were also impressed wealth of positive feedback.” Staff from Salisbury District Hospital with our streamlined integrated care won the South West NHS Military Challenge on Dartmoor. The 10 Annual Flu Vaccination Programme for strong team, including executive directors and clinical and managerial Frontline Health Staff staff, beat 14 other hospitals in seven of the nine challenges. This included Frontline staff are being the assault course led by the Royal vaccinated as part of the Trust’s programme to Marines, a number of physical and protect patients and staff mental tests and the delivery of care from the virus. and the building of communication systems under fire. In awarding the Comprehensive staff team their medals, 243 (Wessex) vaccination can help reduce Field Hospital praised Salisbury’s team the risk of flu spreading working and leadership which was across patient areas and really put to the test under the most affecting vulnerable patient extreme conditions. The team also raised over £1,500 for the hospital’s groups. It can reduce staff Director of Nursing Lorna Wilkinson Stars Appeal. sickness within the Trust. receiving her flu jab. Fundraising continues as Salisbury’s first Breast Unit becomes a reality Thanks to your generous support of the Stars Appeal Breast Cancer Unit Campaign we’ll soon be building Salisbury’s first dedicated Breast Unit. Due for completion in summer all our outpatient services in a 2016, the new unit will provide the purpose-built environment will make best possible facilities for patients a massive difference by enabling us to with dedicated waiting, diagnostic, provide quicker diagnosis and better, treatment and counselling rooms.

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