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THE Issue Number 3 PulseSeptember 2002 Happy landings The radiographers who dared to raise £3,890 Helen’s ‘little miracle’ Teamwork saves mother Better and baby by design Why NNUH is among the The diabetes epidemic Prime Minister’s How the NNUH is helping top eight patients to cope public buildings Gift of life Why we’re after your blood at the NNUH NEWS ROUND Better by design NNUH IS one of eight new projects shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award. They include (from left) Persistence Works, Sheffield, Earth Centre, Doncaster and Tamar Bridge, Plymouth. The panel of judges commented: “The design of the hospital makes good use of natural light and contains airy volumes within the building. Others chosen from the 65 projects to be nominated were: City Learning Centre, Bristol, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Memorial Gardens, Hendon and Juniper House, King’s Lynn. Cover picture of NNUH by Lin Wymer Trust leads the way in treatment of asthma PIONEERING CLINICAL research into Norfolk in 1988 and extended to East years of age has fallen dramatically in the severe asthma undertaken at the Norfolk Anglia in 1992. In addition, studies have Norwich Health District - from a peak of 10 and Norwich Hospital is helping to improve been carried out into the management of in 1989 to just one in the last three years. standards of care for asthma sufferers across patients presenting with acute asthma One of the main reasons for this fall, which the UK. attacks. is sharper than in the rest of Britain, is that A Confidential Enquiry into Asthma East Anglia has one of the highest rates of the important messages from the Deaths (the first involving a medical asthma in the country, but the number of confidential enquiry have been condition in the UK) was introduced in deaths from the disease in those under 65 implemented by physicians and nurses in primary and secondary care in Norfolk. Dr Brian Harrison, a consultant in LETTERS respiratory medicine at NNUH, has also PLEASE SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO: SUE JONES, EDITOR, TRUST MANAGEMENT OFFICE, NNUH been instrumental in developing national guidelines for the management of asthma Happy landings Walsham. To my surprise, she was able following the progressive rise in asthma I’d just like to say thank-you to everyone to name all the staff in the photograph, deaths in the 1980s. These guidelines who contributed to our sponsored with only one exception. incorporate the studies into severe asthma parachute jump in aid of the Big C Brenda Stibbons, carried out on Mancroft ward at the old appeal. The team raised £3,890 and, Cromer Hospital Telephonist West Norwich Hospital and on Hethersett despite delays due to bad weather, all six ward at the old N&N over the last 20 years. of us managed to complete the jump Lunchtime exercise? Many of the problems encountered in and land in one piece! As a newcomer to the NNUH I was life-threatening asthma attacks are linked to Kevin Brundle, radiographer surprised to find there were no facilities adverse psychological, social or behavioural (pictured below with fellow fliers Rachael for exercise in the lunch hour. At my last factors including severe stress. This has led Forton, Clare King and Karen Reid) hospital (Royal Hampshire County to the combined clinic run by a chest Hospital, Winchester) there were fitness physician and a psychiatrist, who see classes as well as massage and beauty patients together. treatments to choose from. Would The latest evidence-based national anyone be interested in organising asthma guidelines are soon to be published, lunchtime fitness classes here at NNUH? following a collaboration between the Linda Davidson, British Thoracic Society and the Scottish Medical Secretary, MFE Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Dr Harrison and his colleagues would Wheelchair sweep! like thank the many patients who have A number of wheelchairs have aparently willingly participated in this research. gone missing from the NNUH. Familiar faces To deter people from taking them The Pulse One of the nurses pictured in your 1932 away, why not follow the lead of Head of Communicatons photograph of Cromer Hospital staff supermarkets such as Sainsbury and Andrew Stronach (ext.3200) (The Pulse, July) was among those who attach a vertical pole to each one, similar Editor Sue Jones (ext.5944) attended Cromer’s annual nurses' to their kiddies’ shopping trolleys? This Pictures Medical Illustration (ext 3245) reunion in July. would make it impossible for wheelchairs Design Consultant Steve Kirkendall Mrs Joan Hurst, 87, was a theatre to fit into the average boot space. (www.kirkendalldesign.co.uk) sister at Cromer before moving to Will Doncaster Communications Assistant Yorkshire and now lives at North Site Services Assistant Hayley Gerrard (ext. 5821) 2 NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - SEPTEMBER 2002 MALCOLM’S MESSAGE PALS is off to Sweet a great start memories NEARLY 100 patients and relatives have THE SUMMER made contact with the Patient Advice and seems to have Liaison Service (PALS) since it was passed very introduced in April. quickly this year “It can be very rewarding to help but I hope those overcome the often simple but frustrating of you who have issues which may lead to conflict,” says been able to get PALS manager Mike Lee. “The developing away have had a role of our Modern Matrons is clearly good holiday. Heart campaign supportive and we work together to address There used to be a time, not so very problems more quickly and effectively." long ago, when the summer brought with gathers pace Director of Nursing and Human it the opportunity to ‘catch our breath’ as Resources Margaret Coomber says: the number of emergency admissions IN JULY the Eastern Daily Press launched a “PALS is proving to be a valuable source would be reduced. This is clearly no longer campaign lobbying the Government to of communication and support for patients the case as we continue to witness high create a cardiac centre at the NNUH. and their relatives. levels of emergency referral, irrespective Currently all cardiac patients in Norfolk “We are continuing to work closely with of the time of year, matched by the who require heart surgery face a long the Community Health Council, who are requirements to achieve targets across all journey to Papworth Hospital in acting increasingly in the role of a shadow aspects of elective care. Cambridge for treatment. Patient Forum while we wait for guidance These developments will continue to Trust chief executive Malcolm Stamp on how the Patient Forum will be put pressure on all our available capacity, says: "We already have the commitment, introduced. not just in terms of beds but also in terms knowledge and experience to deliver a “As we collect and analyse information of diagnostics, clinical support and, of cardiac centre here." about the patient experience, we will course, our staff. MPs and health professionals in Norfolk increasingly be able to use that knowledge We are continuing a dialogue with our have offered their support. If you would like to improve patient care.” commissioners, the Primary Care to add your voice to the ‘Have a Heart If you would like to know about PALS organisations, to seek ways of improving Campaign’, the EDP would like to hear or contribute suggestions, call Mike Lee on capacity in the local health community to from you. ext. 5035 or by email. help with these pressures. I do not believe there are any quick solutions. We have also seen the loss of one of Group to tackle domestic violence our three stars in the recent Department of Health ratings and this is disappointing A NEW ‘Confidential Enquiry into for all of us given the tremendous efforts Maternal Deaths’ revealed that, nationally, made during the recent move and settling- 12 per cent of cases were found to be in period. I am very confident that we associated with domestic violence. Now shall bounce back to three-star status the Obstetrics and Gynaecology directorate next year. has set up a steering group to see what staff It is with mixed feelings that I have can do to help. announced my departure from the trust to The Government recommends that: become Chief Executive at Addenbrooke’s • All health professionals should make Hospital from December this year. themselves aware of the implications of While this new opportunity presents domestic violence in their practice. Eastenders’ Cat Slater suffers at the hands new challenges and new colleagues, my • They should be non-judgemental and of her brother-in-law, Trevor Morgan. Sadly memories of my time here in Norwich will supportive. domestic violence is not confined to TV drama always be very special. • There should be guidelines for the I will miss you all. identification and provision of support. introduced similar to those used by the • There should be an appropriate referral child protection team, with training system. provided for all staff. The steering group will aim to gather If you would like to be involved with the statistics for domestic violence in obstetrics steering group or would like information MALCOLM STAMP and gynaecology at NNUH, working about dealing with domestic violence, Chief Executive, Norfolk and Norwich alongside other agencies. It is anticipated contact Janie Pearman, Project Midwife and University Hospital NHS Trust that evidence-based guidelines will be Domestic Violence Trainer, on ext. 3110. NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - SEPTEMBER 2002 3 INFOMinfoOVE NEWS ROUND Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Look out, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UY Tel: 01603 286286 Website: norfolk-norwich-hospitals.net Arnold Restaurant is about West Atrium Level 1, IF HOSPITAL art is designed to stop open daily 7am - 2.30am you in your tracks, then Arnold Coffee bars Outpatients West and Outpatients East, (located in the east atrium) definitely open Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm fits the bill.

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