Digital Breast Screening System Boosts Patient Comfort
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Issue 23 June/July 11 North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust The magazine for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Botox treatment is helping little Amy page 4 Fond memories of Caroline Street page 9 Good nutrition is a MUST for our patients page 13 Digital breast screening system boosts patient comfort page 17 Congratulations Shannon Congratulations to staff nurse Shannon Hilder, who has recently completed a gruelling six month course and is now a qualified orthopaedic practitioner. Shannon, who now makes up a team of six registered nurses who are also qualified to work in the plaster room, said: “It’s not been easy working and studying, the hard work has paid off and it’s been well worth it. “Passing the exam means that I am now a qualified orthopaedic practitioner and can now put my new skills to the test in the plaster room. The course has really helped with my clinical knowledge in the orthopaedic outpatients department.” Department manager Tracy Noble added: “This is great news for Shannon and also for the team here at the trust. ”I’d like to add my congratulations to her on behalf of the department, particularly from orthopaedic general manager Rowena Dean and orthopaedic modern New regional centre for eating matron Sue Moore.” disorders opens in Darlington A new regional centre for adults with eating disorders has opened its doors. The unit at West Park Hospital in Darlington, inpatients get the support and treatment which was purpose-designed with the they need. help of service users, held open days to give A dedicated chef and kitchen facilities where people a special preview of the new facility. patients can plan and prepare food are also key The Northern Centre for Eating Disorders has elements of the service. been set up by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Consultant psychiatrist and lead for the unit Foundation Trust. The trust was awarded the Melanie Temple said: “Recovery from an regional contract to provide specialist inpatient eating disorder is not just a matter of gaining services for adults and children across the weight but also dealing with experiences which North East and North Cumbria. have caused the preoccupation with food and The unit has 15 beds and will provide highly body image. specialised care for women and men with “There is no simple fix but our aim is to give illnesses such as anorexia and some forms people the help they need to reach a point Orthopaedic practitioner Shannon Hilder of bulimia. in their lives when they no longer need The unit will offer adults from across the region hospital care. a safe, comfortable and calm environment and “People leaving the centre will have a stable will mean they no longer have to travel out of eating pattern and be better able to manage the area for their care. the rest of their recovery in their own homes All of the single en-suite bedrooms are on the or local community.” ground floor with access to two garden areas Consultant gastroenterologist Chris Wells, and each room has its own entertainment said: “This is a unique opportunity for two system with TV and DVD. forward thinking trusts to work together to The mental health trust also recognises the offer holistic care. importance of people keeping in touch with “I am really looking forward to working with family and friends while they are in hospital colleagues at the mental health trust to and has provided computers with wireless develop excellent inpatient service for people internet access and internet phone software. with eating disorders.” Both the physical and mental health of people A patient who has recently moved to the new with eating disorders are of paramount unit said: “It’s a really positive place with lots importance to their recovery and the unit is of different therapies and activities available the first in the country to adopt an integrated which can be tailored for individual’s needs. I team approach to providing this care. really feel as if I’m going to get the support A highly trained specialist team led by a that’s right for me.” consultant psychiatrist and including The adult unit opened in Darlington on 18 physicians, nurses, dieticians and therapists May and the young people’s unit will open in will work closely together to make sure Middlesbrough in the summer. 002|003 Chief executive continues his fact finding tour Chief executive Alan Foster self management plan to make continued his fact finding tour sure further deterioration and with a couple of visits to find admissions are prevented. out how vital teams are helping “We let the patients know that people in the community. we are here to support them. With 5.4 million people in the UK They know they can call us if they currently receiving treatment for need to. The patient care doesn’t asthma, Alan made his first visit to end there either – within two days find out how the specialist team of we follow up with an appointment nurses at the University Hospital at home or with a phone call.” of North Tees are providing much Karen continued: “Asthma attacks needed care and support to can be prevented. They are people in the local area. predictable. We find that patients Specialist respiratory nurse who are brought into hospital Karen Galloway explained how have been having symptoms for the service works: “We work quite some time. closely with the ward staff when “Our patients tell us they think someone has been admitted to the service is excellent. They say the ward and is really poorly with they feel supported to lead a asthma. We visit the patient on normal life.” the ward or after they have been Making a difference to accident and emergency. Alan said: “It was excellent to “We work with our patients see how a small team is making to help them manage their such a big difference to patients asthma. We give patients a peak with asthma. It is important that flow meter – a small piece of patients are educated and know equipment that you blow into that how to manage their condition measures the rate of air that you to help prevent them coming blow out of your lungs and we into hospital.” ask them to keep a diary. We Out on the wards with occupational therapist Kath Duncan speaks to ward Alan spent the morning finding manager June Costello check their inhaler technique and out more about a team in Stockton if they smoke we refer them to who are providing support to “It is fantastic support if appropriate. the trust’s stop smoking service” patients to make sure they have “We are here to talk about Informed a seamless service when they that there are so discharge planning with the ward Specialist respiratory nurse leave hospital. teams, patients and their relatives. Catherine Hodge told Alan: “It’s The discharge liaison team is a many disciplines We are here to provide advice, important that patients with small team made up of a multi- in one team. It’s guidance and support. asthma are given information on skilled team including district “Being brought into hospital and how to spot worsening symptoms nurses, an occupational therapist what working leaving hospital can both be quite and what to do. and social workers. Alan began difficult for patients and their “We provide our patients with a the day by taking a short walk to in partnership families. Sometimes additional is about.” help and support is needed so it is important that we work with Tithebarn House – next door to the wards to ensure that support the University Hospital of North is there. It’s all about ensuring Tees to meet the team where timely, smooth discharges for they always begin the day with our patients. the multi link meeting which is Alan said: “It is fantastic that a chance for the team to get there are so many disciplines in together to discuss the help one team. It’s what working in which patients being discharged partnership is about. It’s a one from hospital may need. stop shop deciding what’s best A tight schedule of visits on the for patients. wards with occupational therapist “It’s good to see the process Kath Duncan was in order as soon in action and making sure we as they had got a quick update on have the support in place. any news from the wards at the Different patients need different bed meeting. considerations and we need to Kath explained: “It’s the patients understand their overall needs. with complex needs that we’re “We need to make sure that here to help. After they’ve been people’s quality of life can be as assessed on the ward, we work good as it can be and manage with community health and social their expectations by giving them Community asthma team chat to Alan care professionals to provide care the support they need.” June/July 11 Big smiles for healthy children Children are being encouraged to look after their teeth from an early age thanks to a fun new scheme. Nurseries across Teesside are The Smile Sack contains counter- being given Smile Sacks packed based games, Snacks the Snake, full of educational games to a puppet, four take-home Smile help three to five-year-olds learn Sack games bags, wall charts more about healthy eating and and a CD featuring a brushing tooth brushing. song composed by pupils from Amy with mum Joanne and dad Mark.