Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Find out more about your trust members’ newsletter PULSESUMMER 2014 Issue 29

MakingMaking hospitalhospital funfun – – pagepage 55

Plus Annual Cardiology Members’ – we’re the Meeting tops – page 5

details – page 3 Walk for wards – page 6 News and Events TV fame for museum’s star exhibit

To the casual visitor it looks no more interesting an item than a large metal box – but for the production team working on an important television documentary it resulted in an emotional scene in their film.

One of the treasured exhibits in the museum at the Royal Berkshire Hospital is an iron lung – one of only a few still in existence. It will soon have a starring role in an important BBC documentary which examines the facts behind polio and its terrible effects on patients and their families.

When former BBC TV economics reporter , who narrates the programme, visited the museum it was an emotional personal journey. Her father – Michael – was one half of the famous musical comedy act who entertained the nation in the 1950s and 60s with a series of songs including Dr Tim Smith of the medical museum helps Stephanie Flanders into the iron lung during the filming of “The Hippopotamus Song: Mud, Mud, the documentary Glorious Mud”. lung – which had to be specially polio sufferers such as her father. Tragically, during his wartime naval service, constructed to fit his 6ft 4ins frame. Michael Flanders contracted polio. He later During the programme curator of the recalled: “I was lying off Yarmouth, listening Eventually he was discharged – but his polio medical museum, Dr Tim Smith, explains to for e-boats – fortunately I never heard one meant that he could only walk with great Stephanie how the iron lung kept patients – when I started to feel something that was difficulty. For the rest of his life he used a alive and also helps the TV journalist to like a very bad dose of flu, which was wheelchair. discover the discomforts of attempting to eventually diagnosed as polio.” eat and drink while inside the machine. As she waited for the camera to roll, His commanding officer refused to let him Stephanie said: “I’ve never seen an iron lung The Museum is open to the general take immediate rest and as a result the before today.” Television viewers will see public from 2:00 until 4:30 pm on the first polio became far more damaging. He spent Stephanie squeeze into the machine and and third Sundays of the month. Admission several months being treated in an iron discover first-hand what life was like for is free. Information update Visitors to the Royal the following colours: Berkshire Hospital over the • Dark Blue – Patient and past few months may have visitor information noticed a number of • Red – Information for colourful new noticeboards people with learning around the buildings. The disabilities colour-coded boards have • Light Blue – Support groups been purchased thanks to and useful organisations the League of Friends and should make it easier for • Green – Staff information people to find information which is relevant to them. These are located across the hospital in areas accessible To get the information most to those they are aimed at Patient Information Manager Jane Burnett and Martin Butler of the League of appropriate to you, look for helping. Friends with one of the new noticeboards.

2 Our Annual Members Meeting: – your chance to find out the facts and ask questions

It is the “must” event of the year – our Trust’s Annual Members Meeting on Wednesday 16 July 2014. We’ve a new home for the event this year – the Henley Business School, on the University of Reading Whiteknights Campus, Shinfield Road, Reading.

Among the highlights at the event will be a keynote talk to explain about our new dementia-friendly wards – an exciting project which has transformed particular their help for Parkinson’s the look of our elderly care department patients, the Emergency Department and is proving popular with patients and and the work of the Council of their families. Governors.

But there is a great deal more to see Volunteers from our museum will be and hear about. When the doors open manning a special display at 6pm visitors will be able to tour the commemorating 175 years of the Royal “market place”, packed with displays Berkshire Hospital. evening. Our Chairman, Stephen showcasing a range of departments Billingham, will host the meeting. There across the Trust. And parked outside will be our new will be reports on our performance over mobile chemotherapy unit which is the past year and a look ahead to the Staff will be on hand to explain more bringing treatment closer to where next 12 months as well as the about the work they do and answer people live in West Berkshire and will opportunity for you to ask questions. your questions. Displays at this year’s soon be visiting South Oxfordshire. event include the work of our audiology So make a note in your diary today – team, cancer support services, the After touring the market place members Wednesday 16 July – and we look physiotherapy department and in will attend the formal proceedings of the forward to meeting you there. Cancer charity honours ward for outstanding care

Adelaide Ward at the Royal Berkshire chairman Gordon Johns who read an Hospital has been honoured by a cancer emotional citation featuring the words of a About the Lymphoma charity for its outstanding care of people lymphoma patient being treated at the Trust Association affected by lymphoma – the UK’s fifth most who said: “I am still here today for two Founded by patients in 1986, the common cancer. reasons. Firstly, from the consultants to the Lymphoma Association is a UK charity healthcare assistants, the clinical and physical dedicated to providing accurate medical The staff on Adelaide won a Beacons of Hope care that I received was simply first class. information and support to people Award at the Lymphoma Association’s annual Secondly, the pastoral and emotional care affected by lymphatic cancer including awards ceremony. given to my wife and loved ones, so that they families, friends and carers. could be strong for me, was just as excellent. The event was one of the highlights of Every year, more than 14,000 new cases of lymphoma are identified in the UK Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week which “I don’t think the staff on Adelaide Ward are alone, making it the fifth most common aims to raise awareness of lymphoma, the aware of how their attitude and work ethic cancer diagnosed by clinicians. Lymphatic most common type of blood cancer. benefit patients because they do it without a cancer can occur in both men and women conscious effort.” at any age, but is most common in people Common symptoms of lymphoma include a over 55. It is also the most frequently painless lump or swelling, often in the neck, Sally Penrose, Chief Executive of the diagnosed cancer in the under-30s. armpit or groin, feeling worn out for no Lymphoma Association, said: “We were reason, being drenched in sweat during the delighted to be able to present the Adelaide anyone affected by lymphoma, and the night and persistent itching. Ward with a Beacons of Hope Award. We Beacons of Hope Awards are a chance for us specialise in giving reliable medical to say thank you to people like those in the The event was hosted by the charity’s information and appropriate support to Adelaide Ward who made a difference.”

3 News and Events Providing young people with memories The Trust paediatric team works But, where we can, we try our utmost to closely with the Alexander do it – it might be having a driving lesson on private land because we realise the Devine charity and is keenly young person won’t live until they are 17 supporting their aim of opening a or getting to The Oracle for a milkshake hospice for children in Berkshire. with their best friend or planning who Dr Abigail Macleod – Trust they want to give their favourite shoes paediatric palliative care doctor to when they die – and writing that in an writes a personal account of her ‘instruction list’ for their family. work and how young people with Dying is not a ‘normal’ teenage life limiting conditions can be experience, but the things teenagers who helped through their difficult are dying want to do often are. Trying to journey. bring some normality, some choice and some power is so important for this ‘I think you look lovely’ – I smile, but on special group of young people and it is the inside I am groaning slightly, what I try to do in my working life. wondering how long it might be before Dr Abigail Macleod her teacher tells her to unroll the Photo courtesy of Reading Chronicle Sadly, part of that decision-making waistband of her skirt. It is the first day includes where they want to die. of the September term and my teenage disease and conditions that will result in Currently, children, young people and daughter has put on her uniform and, death before the age of 18. their families can choose to die at home, along with probably most of the other in hospital or children’s hospice. The girls her age in Reading, is pushing One of the things I have learnt over my nearest hospices to Reading are 30-40 some boundaries when the day has only years in palliative care is that although miles away in either Oxford or just started. these young people are dying, they Winchester. I know that this has still want to live as much of their prohibited some young people from I love being with teenagers. I love “teenage-ness” as they can. They still choosing to go there to die – they feel it working with them. I love that they push want to see their friends, they still have is too far away for their family or too far boundaries, are feisty, are sure that they hopes about subjects they want to study away for their friends to come and visit. know what is right and are not afraid to for GCSE, they still want to learn to drive say so. I love that they can be so open and they still want to roll their skirts up I really believe that having a hospice in with their emotions but sometimes so at the beginning of term. Berkshire will open up another choice for closed it is hard to draw out of them some young people and their families. It what they are really feeling. It is a fun I see part of my job is to enable as much will allow the very teenagers who have and refreshing and challenging part of of this as I can, knowing the young too few choices ahead of them to take my working life. person’s physical limitations and the back some control, even if it means time constraints they may have. rolling their skirts up a little too high My work? I am a doctor working with children and young people who have life Sometimes, something as simple as More information: Alexander Devine limiting or life threatening illness. This getting into school for a break time to Children’s Hospice Service – Tel 0845 includes children with cancer, muscular see friends can require days of 055 8276 or email dystrophy and many other types of organisation and planning. [email protected]. Victoria Ward patients benefit from large donation Berkshire Masonic Charity has donated a Victoria Ward sister Judy Hicks said: “We generous £18,000 to Victoria Ward at the are very grateful to Ron and the Berkshire Royal Berkshire Hospital. Masonic Charity for their donation. It will Ron Swales – a dialysis patient at the Trust really help the ward keep up to date with and senior member of Sindlesham Lodge new equipment which will in turn enable us presented the cheque. to deliver the best patient care.”

The money is being used to fund a new Ron Swales presents the cheque to Matron Leo blood pressure machine for Victoria Ward. Bailey with Stephanie Rusic and Swee Lloyd.

4 Hospital? It’s child’s play!

No one wants to spend any longer than Young patient Harley Congerton gets stuck in they need in hospital – but for our making crowns with Play Leaders Sarah Fenton youngest patients it can be even more and Gemma Webb stressful. Our play specialists are on hand to try and make their stay on the wards The team hope that the occasion will raise as pleasant as possible and, importantly, awareness for just how important play is in to dispel some of the fears the hospitals, and how the play specialists are youngsters may have. on hand to help reduce the anxiety of a hospital visit. Distraction is often a The team’s work is highlighted each year welcome relief for young patients and their during National Play in Hospital Week – parents, particularly if treatment involves the most recent event celebrated its needles or other ‘scarier’ procedures. golden jubilee. “Making the children smile or when a To mark the 50th anniversary our team of activities, demonstrating their artistic distraction technique works is a real organised a fun-filled week of crafts, games skills by decorating cakes, hats and crowns achievement,” explains Play Specialist and a magic show for patients on the – and even designing a uniform for doctors Sarah Fenton. “Bubbles are always an paediatric wards. Children enjoyed the array and nurses. amazing distraction!” Our cardiac team – the best in the country! Heart attack victims get the fastest life- saving treatment in the country at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

The Trust’s cardiac team is the speediest in England and Wales at giving the gold standard primary angioplasty treatment, with nine in 10 patients receiving crucial care within 120 minutes of seeking help.

The statistics, compiled by the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP), show that 90.2% of Royal Berks patients received the operation within 120 minutes, compared to an average of 59.1% across England and Wales.

Among the patients to benefit from the world-class treatment has been Members of the Cardiology team 71-year-old Barry Hardman, who was rushed to the hospital after experiencing chance of survival and recovery if done survival and survival free of symptoms. chest pains. quickly. Doctors insert a tiny balloon into the blocked artery and inflate it to “Patients coming here get high quality Barry, who is the chairman of the Phyllis clear the cause of the heart attack – the heart attack care. People in the Reading Court Club at Henley, said: “Thank you. balloon is then deflated, leaving behind a area are getting the best treatment in It sounds inadequate but if you say it small metal tube called a stent to keep the country – maybe even the best in the honestly you can’t really say much more the artery clear. world.” than that. You hear these horror stories about not going into hospital at the Trust consultant cardiologist Dr Will Orr This is a really effective example of 24/7 weekend but believe you me I can’t fault explained: “The most important thing in working and commitment 365 days a the treatment I’ve had, which has been treating a heart attack is the speed with year.” absolutely fantastic. The skill and which you get that artery open again. If tenderness from everybody here was you get a patient who’s treated within Last year 186 people underwent primary quite amazing.” two hours they have a 70% lower risk of angioplasty at the Royal Berks – 21 more dying than patients who slip to the next than in the previous 12 months – with most Primary angioplasty provides the best hour. It’s a huge difference in terms of able to return home just 48 hours later.

5 News and Events

Take a stroll in the country – and walk for our wards

A stroll in the beautiful Berkshire countryside sponsor your efforts to help fund extra you to a department which has helped looks set to become an annual fixture in the facilities in one of the wards at the Royal their family. This year is an extra special events organised by the Royal Berks Charity. Berkshire Hospital. one as it marks 175 years since the Royal Berkshire Hospital began treating patients. The charity’s first ever Walk For Wards last Once again Englefield Estate near Theale year attracted the support of former has kindly agreed to give the walkers Fundraising Director for the charity, Mark patients, their families and supporters from access across their picturesque West Goff, said: “The support we received was across the community. They were joined by Berkshire countryside and local public nothing short of amazing. It was a really scores of staff from the Trust for a house, The Volunteer, will be providing a enjoyable day out and the magnificent delightful day out. Now’s the time to get fundraising hog roast and beer tent. efforts of our supporters and the friends your name down if you would like to take means extra facilities and equipment can part in this year’s event – and make Sunday All we ask is that you raise at least £35. be provided in wards across our Trust.” 13 July a red letter day in your diary. When you register you can request the money goes to a specific ward – many of To find out more or to register for Walk For It is a simple idea – join the charity for a the 300-plus walkers at last year’s event Wards 2014, phone the Royal Berks Charity pleasant walk and get friends and family to used it as a way of saying a special thank- team on 0118 322 6969 Melanie’s birthday gift to cancer centre Melanie Kaye’s party was a double celebration – her birthday and the first anniversary of the completion of her treatment for cancer.

But it was to be a party with a difference.

Melanie explained: “I told everyone that I didn’t want them to buy me any presents – instead I asked them to make a donation to the Berkshire Cancer Centre. It was my way of saying thank- you to the team there.”

And Melanie’s family and friends responded with real generosity – their efforts raised £300 for the centre which she presented to her consultant Dr Clive Charlton and lead cancer nurse Mark Foulkes. Melanie Kaye presents her celebration cheque to Mark Foulkes (left) and Dr Clive Charlton. Dr Charlton said: “This really kind patients. It was really kind of Melanie to Centre. We would all like to say a big donation will help provide additional use her celebration day as a way of thank-you to Melanie and all of her facilities for the benefit of future raising funds for the Berkshire Cancer friends who contributed so generously.”

6 Trevor’s £20,000 gift to Buscot babies

A remarkable fundraising campaign by Lead sister for Berkshire dad Trevor Goodall has the Buscot resulted in our Buscot special care baby Special Care unit getting state of the art heart Baby Unit, Gina monitors. Outram, said that the “huge In the space of just 12 months Mr donation” Goodall presented the unit with two meant that large donations – each worth £20,000. they could And it takes the total he has helped raise purchase four in 18 years for baby care units in the of the latest region to in excess of £300,000. machines.

Mr Goodall launched his fundraising She added: “It’s drive as part of a “lasting memorial” to going to make a his twin sons Joshua and Samuel – born difference to prematurely in 1995, but who sadly died the way that shortly afterwards we monitor the babies. We Trevor Goodall and colleagues from his New Life Charity - Traci Sharp and After handing over his latest cheque Mr are delighted – Caroline Angell - present their latest donation to Buscot lead sister Gina Outram Goodall, said: “It has been nice to raise it’s so much and consultant paediatrician Dr Peter De Halpert the money and then come and see how money.” it has been spent.” balls, helping to raise funds for the Over the past 18 years, Mr Goodall has charity he set up – New Life Charity – “It has also been nice to see the other organised a series of charity golf which donates the equipment to special little babies getting use out of it.” tournaments, and other events including care baby units in the region. Parents provide a boost for Buscot Family rooms The family rooms in Buscot special care baby unit have been given a fresh look after the volunteers at BIBS – Babies in Buscot Support – offered to redecorate and refurbish them with new furniture, cushions, sheets and some very colourful wall art.

The rooms play an important role for parents of babies being cared for in Buscot, offering them somewhere to stay overnight close to their baby.

Buscot Sister Gina Outram explained: “It is a stressful time having a newborn baby who is poorly, and these rooms give the parents a little comfortable space where they can rest and have some quiet time. When the babies are well enough, the parents are able to have them in the room with them Changing rooms – Members of the BIBS team and Buscot ward staff in one of the newly refurbished rooms for a few nights before returning home as a family.” Village in Forbury Retail Park. BIBS, set up and run by parents of babies who have spent time in Buscot, raises funds BIBS secretary, Hannah Smith, came up Fellow BIBS volunteer, Phil Meredith, said: to help purchase new equipment for the with the design which features owls and “We are sure the furniture will make unit. One of their recent donations was a hearts, complete with special BIBS cushions parents feel welcome when they are using highly specialist travel incubator – the first and two white sofas donated by Furniture the facility.” of its kind used in any hospital in the UK.

7 Noticeboard

Diary Dates The Council of Governors

Wednesday 16 July 2014 Trust Chairman Stephen Billingham STAFF Annual Members Meeting Ms Maria Walker Henley Business School, University READING Administrative, clerical and management of Reading Whiteknights Campus. Ms Deborah Sander [email protected] [email protected] The market place will open at 6pm. Mr Warren Fisher* Meeting starts at 7pm Mrs Margie Cutts Medical and dental [email protected] warren.fi[email protected]

During 2014 we plan to hold a series of Dr Muhammad Abid* Ms Anne-Marie Probert [email protected] seminars on health topics and Nursing and midwifery opportunities for members to visit Mr David Cooper* [email protected] departments in the Trust. [email protected] Mr Jonathan Mason* Mr Martyn Cooper Allied Heath Professionals/Scientific Watch out for details of forthcoming [email protected] [email protected] events Pamela Simmons WOKINGHAM Health Care Assistant/Ancillary seat To book a place at these events email [email protected] Mr John McKenzie [email protected] or [email protected] phone 0118 322 8600. Mrs Vera Doe* [email protected] PARTNER

Council of Mr Tony Skuse Ms Jennie Ford [email protected] Berkshire West Federation of Clinical Governors meeting Commissioning Groups [email protected] Thursday 29 May 2014 EAST BERKSHIRE & Trust Education Centre, Ms Wendy Bower BORDERS Berkshire East Federation of Clinical Craven Road, Reading, 6pm Mr Jeremy Butler* Commissioning Groups [email protected] [email protected]

Thursday 31 July 2014 Mr Ross Carroll Mr Sanusi Koroma Trust Education Centre, [email protected] Appointed by Reading Council for Racial Equality David Mihell Craven Road, Reading, 6pm [email protected] [email protected] Mr Peter Dooley Wednesday 29 October 2014 Appointed by Berkshire Carers Service Trust Education Centre, WEST BERKSHIRE & [email protected] Craven Road, Reading, 6pm BORDERS Councillor Bet Tickner Mrs Carol Bolderson Appointed by Reading Borough Council [email protected] [email protected] For further information, please use the Mr Colin Lee MBE following details: Councillor Bob Pitts [email protected] Appointed by Wokingham Borough WEBSITE: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk Mrs Aileen Blackley* Council [email protected] [email protected] EMAIL: [email protected] Councillor Alan Law SOUTHERN OXFORDSHIRE Appointed by West Berkshire Council TEL: 0118 322 8600 [email protected] Mr Thomas Bune POST: Foundation Trust Membership [email protected] Vacant Office, Youth representative appointed by Wokingham Borough Council Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, VOLUNTEERS Road, Reading RG1 5AN Mr Ian Clay * Governor constituencies which are due [email protected] for elections in 2014

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