Taking Pride the Spirit of the NHS THIS ISSUE

News from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Issue 21 | 2017

Taking pride The spirit of the NHS THIS ISSUE

10 Welcome Housekeepers like Michael Ampadu, who is on the cover of this edition of the GiST , do a remarkable job of keeping our hospitals and community health centres clean and free from infection. Michael works in the dental 12 18 department at Guy’s where he is a very popular member of the team. He won a Trust Award after being nominated by his colleagues. Find out more about Contents Michael and some other inspirational staff on page 8. 04 New heart service 12 Tuning in Colin and Sue share what it’s like On page 7 you can read an interview could save lives Improving access to advice to hear after years in a silent world with one of our former patients, Steve about heart failure Manstone, and the nurse who 18 Safe in their hands resuscitated him when his heart 08 Honouring 24 hours with the site nurse stopped working. our NHS heroes practitioners Steve has returned to St Thomas’ Meet some of the staff who every year since his heart attack to provide outstanding care 20 Keats gets a voice About the statue of the poet and thank the team and he raises money for every day former Guy’s hospital doctor the Coronary Care Unit. His story demonstrates the huge contribution 10 Andy’s £1 million idea Firefighter Andy Roe 22 Say what? that our fundraisers make. We are very Housekeeper Louvaine Lodrick raises £1 million for the grateful to people like him for their answers our questions hospital that saved his son support. I hope you enjoy this edition of the GiST . Meet the team TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Words and photos by Marjorie Allen, Matt Barker, Nicki Bickford, Amy Bramwell, If you have any comments about the magazine Ann Brown, Cleo Downs, Maxine Hoeksma, or suggestions for future articles, please contact Cara Lee, Vicky Milnes, Hamza Omaar, Eloise the communications department, St Thomas’ Parfitt, Ruth Shepherd, Shanique Wahrmann, Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, Rosamunde Wells and Claire Wills. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust London SE1 7EH, or email press gstt.nhs.uk Cover photo by David Tett. @ Visit us online at: www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk Design: AYA-Creative www.aya-creative.co.uk the GiST is published by Guy’s and Print: St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust O’Sullivan Communications Twitter @GSTTnhs Front cover: youtube.com/gsttnhs @EvelinaLondon Michael Ampadu, a housekeeper in the dental department, won the Take pride in what we do facebook.com/gsttnhs Award at the Trust Awards.

2 the GiST ROUND-UP New ward is a breath of fresh air IN THE NEWS A round-up of media Children like nine-month-old coverage featuring Guy’s Noah are benefiting from a new and St Thomas’. ward at Evelina London designed specifically with their BBC London, needs in mind. Daily Mail , The Times Snow Leopard was officially The move to give security opened by Lord Stanley Fink, staff at Guy’s and St President of Evelina London and Thomas’ body cameras a generous supporter of the after an increase in attacks hospital, on 26 January. on frontline workers was This new ward is designed for the lead story on BBC children who need specialist London News. It was also equipment to breathe. It has six covered by BBC Radio beds for children who are London, the Daily Mail, i, waiting for housing or care to be The Times, Evening put in place before they can Standard and the South safely go home. Before it Lord Stanley Fink meets Lucy Helling and her son, Noah London Press , who made it opened they stayed on acute their front page story. wards for very sick children. created Snow Leopard to make a cared for on a ward in Evelina Opening Snow Leopard has home for children on long-term London and is now on Snow made beds available on general ventilation, where they can Leopard. wards, reduced infection risks develop and have fun like any Lucy said: “It’s so different for ventilated patients, and other child. We’re grateful to our here. It’s quiet so we can hear provided more space, privacy supporters – without public ourselves think. There is more and peace for children and their donations this wouldn’t have personal space so we can be a families. been possible.” private family unit. On Snow Marian Ridley, Director of Lord Fink met Lucy Helling Leopard there’s a real feeling Evelina London, said: “We and her son, Noah, who was of home.” Evening Standard Surgeons at Guy’s Hospital had the whole world watching them when they operated on a patient’s kidney during an Faster cancer tests international live robotic surgery event. The Evening GPs can now fast-track patients for checks if cancer Standard was invited into is suspected but their symptoms require further the operating theatre. investigation before referral to a specialist. The Independent The new clinic at Guy’s Hospital provides quick A feature on The access to a range of tests including blood tests and Independent’s website CT scans. Patients are seen within seven days of about how doctors referral from the GP. measure pain highlighted Consultant Dr Luigi DeMichele explains: that the Pain Management “It is normally clear when a patient has certain and Neuromodulation symptoms where their GP should refer them to, but Centre at St Thomas’ is the things are not always that simple. Our new clinic biggest pain centre in makes things easier for GPs and faster for patients.” Europe. Clinical lead Dr Dr Raj Mitra, a GP at Lambeth Walk Group Practice, Adnan Al-Kaisy explained says: “For me, as a GP, you often know something’s how pioneering methods to wrong but you’re not sure exactly what. We’ve always reduce pain can help wanted a service like this, that can investigate for you Consultant Dr Luigi DeMichele, project manager patients. quickly and pinpoint exactly what the problem is.” Paula Allchorne, and advanced nurse practitioner Gerraint Jones

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 3 ROUND-UP

Holly Willoughby More allergy celebrates patients midwives to get The Maternity Unit at St Thomas’ hosted a special broadcast of ITV’s expert care This Morning when presenter Holly Willoughby visited to celebrate the Allergy experts at Guy’s and incredible work of our midwives. St Thomas’ will soon be able to During the live show, Holly met see twice the number of adult parents Su and Graeme Harper patients to meet increased Members of the adult allergy team with patient Shekinah Debrah with their youngest son, William. demand. Su and Graeme had sadly lost two The Adult Allergy Centre has moved from allergy. As a result, she was able to have the babies – Emelia and Grace – before St Thomas’ to Guy’s where patients have surgery without complications. seeking the help of Professor access to specialist diagnostic tests, known Shekinah said: “The allergy staff have Andrew Shennan at the preterm as challenge tests, five days a week, rather always been accommodating, informative birth clinic at St Thomas’. than two. and caring – the combination of the team Challenge tests involve giving patients and the new Centre make it a brilliant small, increasing doses of the substance that service.” is suspected to cause an allergic reaction in a safe, controlled environment under close supervision, to find out if they react. Guy’s and St Thomas’ allergy service The new Centre has been custom-made for has become only the fourth in the these tests, with new facilities and a central world to be named a Centre of nursing station so nurses can see all patients Excellence by the World Allergy at once while they are monitored. Organisation. Dr Adam Fox, clinical Shekinah Debrah was the new clinic’s first director for specialist ambulatory patient. She had a severe allergic reaction to services, says: “This is a fantastic anaesthetic before an operation and needed achievement.” Holly Willoughby with William, Su and challenge tests to find out if she had a drug Graeme Harper

Su said: “We were obviously completely devastated but Graeme New heart service could save lives and I are quite stubborn. We agreed that we couldn’t go through the and St Thomas’ and King’s College same thing again so we found Hospital, is expected to lead to fewer Professor Shennan on the internet patients having to spend time in hospital, and got in touch. We saw him within reduce costs, and improve rates of early the week and, when I got pregnant diagnosis. for the third time, Professor The new service, funded by a £1.5 Shennan put a stitch in my cervix million grant from Guy’s and St Thomas’ and monitored our baby’s progress. Charity, will improve access to specialist We had our oldest son, Tom, at heart failure advice for GPs and patients St Thomas’ at 38 weeks. We named by introducing expert heart failure teams him after the hospital.” across the two boroughs. It is thought to Presenter Ferne McCann also Consultant cardiologist Dr Sue Piper, local GP be the ﬁrst initiative of its kind for heart spent a day with Clapham-based Dr Rebecca Farrell and heart failure pharmacist Clare Thomson failure in the country. community midwives, and Dr Ranj, Dr Gerry Carr-White, consultant who used to work as a doctor at An initiative to improve care for heart failure cardiologist, says: “This exciting initiative Evelina London, visited the patients could save around 80 lives a year in will mean we can enhance the services Neonatal Unit. Lambeth and Southwark. provided by GPs to patients to aid their The two-year project, led by staﬀ at Guy’s diagnosis and treatment.”

4 the GiST ROUND-UP

Celebrating more than 800 years TOP TWEETS of service @JuStChrxssy Thankful for all the Staff who have each worked doctors and nurses of Guy’s and at Guy’s and St Thomas’ for St Thomas’ hospital for saving more than 25 years were my life this summer. And my honoured at our annual Long close friends. I made it. Service Awards. A total of 30 staff received @ktb2007 awards from Chairman Sir Working in @GSTTnhs Hugh Taylor and Chief #cancer centre lobby between Executive Amanda Pritchard. appointments, the banter & Peter Swift is a charge camaraderie between nurse on the Paediatric #patients is heartwarming. Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Staff receive Long Service Awards for more than 25 years’ service at Pure #connectedworld joy. Evelina London. Guy’s and St Thomas’ He said: “It’s been amazing “Today the South Thames Lambeth in 1984. She is @AKPritchard2 Really enjoying spending to see the advances that have Retrieval Service operates 24 known to some as ‘granny the day talking to our amazing been made in paediatric hours a day, deploying health visitor’, as she has nurses at Guy’s. Love the kidney intensive care. Shortly after I specialist teams to transfer ill worked with three dialysis unit memory tree! started my job at Guy’s and St children. It’s been exciting to generations of some families. Thomas’, we launched a be part of something which Faith says: “I really enjoy @TG1x retrieval service on a has grown so much over the working in Lambeth and 10 yrs ago an amazing shoestring budget. We would years.” Southwark. I love the diversity heart specialist at St Thomas’ send out small teams in taxis Health visitor Faith Kelleher of the community I support in @GSTTnhs operated on my mum to district hospitals across the was recognised for 32 years’ my role – working with so & enabled her to see my girls south east to stabilise sick service. Faith was born at many different people is very grow up! Forever thankful. children, returning to base in Guy’s Hospital and started rewarding.” a local ambulance. working as a health visitor in @ReggieBanigo I really want to thank @GSTTnhs for treating me with such care and comfort in my time of discomfort on the Esther ‘Home away from home’ Ward. Thank you. @WendStockwell for families Such lovely staff in Radiotherapy #GuysCancer A new Ronald McDonald House has opened near @GSTTlgbt Evelina London, to provide free accommodation Great GSTT LGBT Forum for families whose children are in hospital. meeting yesterday on Lucy Helling and Thomas Madden were among #WorldAIDSDay thank you all the first parents to move in while their son, Noah, staff @GSTTnhs @kingshealth was treated for a chronic lung condition. @EvelinaLondon @BurrellStreet Lucy said: “It’s life changing being able to live around the corner when your child is sick in Lucy Helling and Thomas Madden in the new @GSTTnhs hospital. We don’t ever want to be away from Ronald McDonald House “Your body is more Noah, and now having the chance to live in the walk from our front door, helping families important than your car. Look new House means we don’t have to be.” to best support their children.” after it, get it checked regularly Dr Grenville Fox, clinical director for children’s The new House will look after around and keep it in good condition.” medical specialties and neonatology, explains: “As 975 families a year – three times the #WorldDiabetesDay Evelina London has grown, demand for housing number accommodated at the old Ronald has become huge. This new House provides a McDonald House near Guy’s Hospital. welcoming and nurturing environment just a short

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 5 SPOTLIGHT

Joy Cooper-Barclay was told that robot-assisted surgery could help when tests found a growth on her right lung. Cara Lee found out how this pioneering technology is beneﬁting patients like Joy.

Robotic lifeline for Joy

Joy Cooper-Barclay and husband John

Joy, 74, started coughing up blood when where Mr Tom Routledge, consultant while allowing more precision during the she was on holiday in Spain in spring thoracic surgeon, explained that operation. 2016. On returning to the UK, her robot-assisted surgery would be the Guy’s and St Thomas’ carries out the husband John suggested they both had best way to access the area in Joy’s lung most robotic operations in the UK – a general health check. When she told so the tissue could be removed and around 450 cases a year. Robotic her doctor she had coughed up blood analysed. surgery is already commonly used for she was referred to her local hospital for Joy recalls: “He was absolutely partial and complete prostate, bladder a chest x-ray which found scarring on brilliant and told me all about the and kidney removal at the Trust. her lung. procedure so I felt comfortable and During a robotic procedure, surgeons Joy, a grandmother of 11 from confident to have it.” control the robot’s four arms from a Worthing, said: “Although I’d coughed up She had her procedure at the end of console in the same room as they look blood I thought nothing of it because I October, making her one of the first down a small camera on the end of one wasn’t breathless and I’m generally very patients at Guy’s to have robotic lung arm to see inside the patient. fit and healthy. But it was a worrying surgery. The machine gives them a high time after my x-ray because I needed to Surgeons recently started to perform definition 3D view while they operate, have further tests, which found the new procedure using the hospital’s eliminates tremor and provides an something of concern on my lung. It was two da Vinci surgical robots. increased range of movement, which in an awkward position so it wasn’t Experts believe that, when compared leads to greater accuracy and faster possible to do a normal biopsy to find to conventional keyhole surgery, stitching. out what it was.” procedures using a robot lead to less She was referred to Guy’s Hospital pain and a faster recovery for patients,

6 the GiST SPOTLIGHT

Steve Manstone’s heart stopped beating in 2011. He spoke to Claire Wills to thank the team that saved him, allowing him to meet his grandchildren.

Heart of gold Deputy sister Claire Pearson with Steve Manstone and his grandson, Matthew

Steve Manstone had enjoyed a night out airway pressure (CPAP) machines. These What’s the difference between at a West End show and an overnight stay machines help to keep patients’ airways a heart attack and a cardiac in London in November 2011, but the next open after a heart attack so they can arrest? morning he started to feel unwell. His continue to breathe. A heart attack happens when the wife, Sue, called an ambulance. The When Steve first starting raising blood flow to the heart is blocked. paramedics had to navigate through road money for the unit, he asked staff how A cardiac arrest happens when the closures around the Cenotaph for the they would like to spend it. heart’s rhythm is disrupted and it stops Remembrance Day Parade but treated Steve says: “I wanted it to be pumping blood around the body. A him as soon as they arrived and then something the staff knew was needed. heart attack can cause a cardiac arrest, took him to St Thomas’. They told me the CPAP machines were which is what happened to Steve. Steve had suffered a heart attack and, being shared between three wards – now as cardiologists prepared him for an there are two for each ward.” operation to open the narrowed arteries Claire Pearson, deputy sister on the care skills like resuscitation.” and place a stent to keep them open, he Coronary Care Unit, explains: “Steve had Steve has been given a clean bill of had a cardiac arrest. a cardiac arrest right in the middle of the health and plans to carry on fundraising. He was resuscitated after four minutes ward. I remember it really clearly – I was He says: “I’m so grateful. Without the had passed and was so grateful for his the one who resuscitated him. efforts of the staff at St Thomas’ I care that he has been fundraising for the “Steve has kept in touch, which is so wouldn’t have seen my daughter get Coronary Care Unit ever since he left the lovely. We really appreciate seeing how married, celebrated my 30th wedding hospital. well he’s doing and it’s been great to anniversary, or met my grandchildren. Steve has hosted annual golfing meet his grandchildren. To continue to I’ve done it simply to say thank you and tournaments with members of Thames fundraise year after year is phenomenal to give back, and I’ll continue to fundraise Valley Construction Training Association and has made a real difference to the in the future.” and has encouraged friends and family to care we have been able to provide to the For more information about raising fundraise as well. So far they have raised patients who have come after him. money for a ward or department more than £8,000 which has allowed the “The latest donation to the unit has important to you, visit unit to buy several continuous positive gone to train more nurses in emergency www.supportgstt.org.uk

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 7 IN FOCUS

Maxine Hoeksma talks to three staﬀ who won Trust Awards for going above and beyond to provide exceptional care for our patients.

Honouring our NHS heroes

Michael Ampadu , who received the dental department. He consistently Take pride in what we do Award, is a achieves the highest standards of shining example of the Trust’s values. cleanliness on the five floors of Guy’s Michael, a housekeeper for eight Tower that he maintains, while having years, says: “People never forget how a cheery smile for everyone who you treat them. When crosses his path. patients and visitors Michael continues: come into the hospital “When you work in “When you work in and see the yellow badge an environment an environment Dr Sarah Janikoun and on our chest they know where people are Chief Medical Officer Dr Ian Abbs we are representing the where people are caring for others, the Trust. It’s important they caring for others, most precious asset Dr Sarah Janikoun has notched up know we care about the most precious you can give is your 30 years’ service at the Trust as an them. If we can show this time. Time is ophthalmologist when she received the attitude in the work we asset you can give something you can Put patients first Award. Sarah's huge do, in our body language is your time.” never get back. warmth and consideration for our and in the time we give to That’s why I always patients comes across when she says: patients and colleagues, take the time to be “I help people manage being visually we can leave here knowing we have helpful. It might be by showing impaired in a modern world. We set up done all we can.” patients and visitors where they need the Low Vision Clinic in 2000 because it One of 11 individual members of staff to get to, or by asking my lovely was frustrating seeing people being and teams to be honoured at the nurses and doctors how they are.” declared blind and then having to sort awards evening in November, Michael themselves out without any support. was nominated by colleagues in the Suddenly they had to rely on friends and

8 the GiST IN FOCUS

Michael Ampadu (4th left) with his wife Mavis Agyeiwaah (centre) who is a housekeeper at St Thomas’ Hospital, and colleagues from the dental team

The Health Inclusion and Prevention Team with Foundation Trust Governor Kate Griffiths-Lambeth (far right) family for everything. Alison Keens and the Health Inclusion gave him information about the “So we brought together hospital staff, and Prevention Team were thrilled to procedure in a format he could volunteers, charities, social services and receive the Act with integrity Award. understand and arranged hospital visits an eye clinic liaison officer. Now when They work with some of London’s most before his operation so he was familiar people lose their sight, we can support vulnerable groups including people with with the staff and environment. them by demonstrating low vision learning disabilities, homeless people, “For some people, having a named equipment like magnifying glasses, put refugees and asylum seekers, people with staff member attend every hospital them in touch with social services so tuberculosis (TB), and those who need appointment can help. For others it may they get financial help, and also contact extra support to maintain a healthy be showing them the equipment or voluntary groups like Blindaid and Guide lifestyle. engaging them in a conversation about a Dogs for the Blind so they can get other Alison, head of service, says: “People topic they like so they are relaxed. It isn’t support and a guide dog if needs be.” who use these services often have one size fits all. The clinic runs workshops three greater health needs than the rest of the Our staff build trust with people over times a year to prepare people who population, so it’s fantastic to get this time and get to know the whole person. have become blind by providing them kind of recognition. To work in this area Doing this extra work can be the with information about eye disease and you have to have a real passion for it. difference between people accepting the support available. “Our staff need to be creative, helping care and getting treatment or walking Sarah has also formed a singing people have an injection or a blood test away and being at risk of a serious health group for patients known as the VIP for example. These are things other problem.” Singers. She says: “When you sing it people will just say yes to, but, for this cheers you up and dispels depression. group of people, more preparation and For some patients, meeting to sing planning is involved. I recall it taking six together on a Saturday morning is a months for one patient with learning helpful part of coming to terms with disabilities to agree to surgery. Our team their new situation.”

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 9 IN FOCUS

After his son Zaki’s life was saved at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Andy Roe pledged to use his skills as a ﬁreﬁghter to help the hospital. Hamza Omaar found out more about Andy’s one-of-a-kind fundraising idea.

Andy’s £1 million idea

On 2 December, Evelina London six months of him falling ill, and we were Children’s Hospital hosted the first ever able to safely manage the high pressure zip wire across the Thames, with more in his brain. We also helped his family than £1 million raised by the high-octane understand the condition better, which fundraising event. was really important in reassuring Zaki The stunt was the brainchild of and his parents. London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant “Zaki’s recovery reflects how the Commissioner Andy Roe, whose son whole team and hospital have worked Zaki, now aged nine, was treated at together, from investigating the cause of Evelina London. his condition to managing his symptoms, Zaki began feeling unwell at the start with several follow-up appointments.” of the summer holidays in 2013, suffering from headaches, problems with his eyesight, and tiredness. His worried dad took him to A&E where doctors initially thought he had a brain tumour. Scans revealed that Zaki didn’t have a tumour but instead was suffering from viral encephalitis, a very rare and dangerous infection that causes inflammation of the brain. Zaki became very ill and was placed in intensive care where doctors discovered that a previously undiagnosed condition had caused pressure to build in his brain. Untreated, it could have led to blindness and other serious long-term health issues. Zaki was transferred to the specialist brain and spine inflammation service at Evelina London and placed under the care of consultant neurologist Dr Ming Lim. Thanks to the care of the team, Zaki’s condition gradually improved. Dr Lim says: “I met Zaki within about Salma, Raya, Andy and Zaki Roe at the Evelina Zip

10 the GiST IN FOCUS

Why I took on the Evelina Zip Professor Gideon Lack leads Evelina London’s allergy service. He was one of 20 people to take on the Evelina Zip, despite his fear of heights. He took part to help raise money for the Clinical Research Facility at Evelina London, in the hope that research will help prevent food allergies in children, and eventually prevent other allergic diseases such as asthma and hay fever. After braving the zip wire, he said: 20 brave fundraisers took to the sky on the Evelina zip wire “Ahead of the event I was feeling a bit apprehensive but nonetheless Andy knew that he wanted to give 20 fearless fundraisers flying very excited. something back for all the care that ‘superman style’ in a harness across “I was just delighted to play my had been given to Zaki. As part of the the Thames, reaching speeds of part in helping to raise much needed London Fire Brigade’s 150th 40 miles per hour. One lucky funds. It’s only by having a state-of- anniversary, firefighters had been competition winner, Nikhita Sethi, rode the-art Clinical Research Facility, thinking up many different ways to the Evelina Zip after being selected with sufficient beds and in an celebrate, but Andy had thought of a from more than 5,000 entrants in a environment that is friendly to spectacular way to end the year. free prize draw. children, that we can help find better Andy explains: “I wanted to find a The money raised will contribute treatments and cures.” way to thank the remarkable staff at towards the £2.7 million needed to Professor Lack’s research focuses this fantastic hospital. During the build a dedicated Clinical Research on food allergies in children and the many hours I spent by my son’s Facility at the hospital. Evelina London relationship between food allergies, bedside, I realised that I could use my is one of the best performing eczema and asthma. He led specialist skills to rig up a zip wire children’s research hospitals in the groundbreaking research to show from the roof of the hospital across country, recruiting a large number of that introducing peanuts into a the Thames, and that perhaps people young patients into clinical trials. The child’s diet from a young age may would pay for the chance to speed new facility will support vital research offer some protection from the across it like a firefighter.” to improve treatments for many development of peanut allergies. The unique fundraising event, conditions including autism, epilepsy, organised by the London Fire Brigade congenital heart problems, kidney with help from staff at the Trust, saw disease and allergies.

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 11 LIVING WELL

Shanique Wahrmann speaks to patients Colin Hill and Sue Gribble about what it’s like to hear after living in a silent world.

Tuning in

Sue’s story I was born partially deaf. I have three sisters with deafness – it’s genetic. It affects the girls in my family but not the boys. It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I started losing my hearing. I woke up one morning, put my hearing aids in, and heard hardly anything. I changed the batteries but it made no difference. Gradually my hearing got worse. I avoided going out socially – everyone Sheena McLaren, senior specialist audiological scientist, with Sue Gribble would be talking and I just didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. which to me at the time was totally that I had with a friend. I always used to Sometimes I ended up saying the wrong unimaginable. tell her to just reply yes or no. On this thing and embarrassing myself. I had my operation in 2002. Six particular day, she forgot and said, After visiting my weeks later my “Sue, I’ve got to go to the post office,” local audiology cochlear implant was and I replied, “While you’re there could department I switched on. That day, you get me some stamps?” We literally was referred to “After living in a my life changed. stopped in our tracks, both shocked St Thomas’ for a more or less silent Everyone’s switch- that I had heard her. It was brilliant! cochlear implant. world, my life is now on is different. At the Since then, my confidence has I must admit, I was richer than it has time, all I could hear grown. I make my own appointments. terrified and didn’t was sounds, but no I don’t hesitate to call anyone. Being know what to expect. ever been.” speech. After returning able to use the phone after 15 years I had heard of them, for more tuning, and was one of the highlights of my but didn’t know with the meticulous implant. It’s truly wonderful. And even anything about them. support from the team today I still have to pinch myself. I then saw the doctor at St Thomas’, at St Thomas’, my hearing gradually After living in a more or less silent whose first words to me were: improved. world, my life is now richer than it has “We are going to get you hearing again”, I remember a phone arrangement ever been.

12 the GiST LIVING WELL

Colin Hill What is a cochlear implant? Colin’s story an implant would succeed. A cochlear implant is an electronic My hearing loss started in one ear, I had no fear about the operation medical device that is surgically then the other. Over time it itself. My implantation was on 8 implanted into the inner ear. Small deteriorated to virtually nothing. January 2016 and I was ‘switched on’ electrodes stimulate the hearing nerve My family constantly had to repeat six weeks later. I was absolutely and provide sound information to themselves as I couldn’t hear what amazed at the attention to detail of the brain. they were saying. the team. I felt very comfortable – To start with, it wasn’t too bad. their support was outstanding. Who can have a cochlear implant? But when you lose out on the quick 2016 introduced itself rather Cochlear implants are offered to remarks, jokes, one-liners and loudly! From the very first day I began patients with severe to profound crosstalk over the dinner table, you to hear. I was even finding that I could hearing loss following assessment by a begin to feel isolated. And so I often hear Jane the first time, rather than specialised audiology team. They are gave up. It was just too much trouble after four or five tries. I kept telling provided to children who are born with, to try and listen. Jane, “I heard you the first time!” or acquire, their hearing loss early on in After seeing the audiologist at my Apparently the tumours are still life, and to adults who have had normal local hospital, he said I might benefit there, I have them monitored every hearing or a mild hearing loss and who from a cochlear implant and referred year. But the fact that I now have have then lost their hearing. me to St Thomas’. hearing after my cochlear implant is Sheena McLaren , In 2013, our lives were knocked for proof that I made the right decision. Senior Specialist Audiological six when the surgeon told us that an I give tremendous thanks to my wife Scientist MRI scan had found acoustic and the team at St Thomas’ because neuromas in both auditory nerve it’s given us a new hope – a whole new What is switch-on? canals. It’s a rare kind of tumour, but lease of life that wasn’t there before. the surgeon was concerned about the Switch-on happens when you are given danger of them growing. My wife Jane the external part of your cochlear and I were in shock. implant called the processor and it is first activated by the audiologist. After a number of scans, the Listen to patients talk about their tumours were found to be the same experiences in a series of videos: Caroline Bartrop , size and were not causing a problem. www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/ Speech and Language Therapist However, the surgeon couldn’t audiology guarantee to what extent, if at all,

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 13 THE INTERVIEW

A new project will help nurses work together to provide high quality care for patients. Nick Jowett, a senior staﬀ nurse on Richard Bright Ward at Guy’s Hospital, explains to Ruth Shepherd how the Nightingale Project will beneﬁt patients.

Staﬀ nurse July Joseph with a simulation manikin Better teamwork around the clock

Why was the Nightingale involved to get if an actor was saying he ward unexpectedly. We need to take time Q Project needed? was in pain. However, the simulation team, to stop and reflect, either personally or Different wards work slightly who ran the training, made it clear that as part of a team. A differently, and skills and staff are once we walked onto the ward, we should not always spread evenly across the 24 act like it was real. Hundreds of nurses have hours of the day. The Nightingale Project Q now done the training. was developed to help nursing teams How has the training helped How will it help on the wards? provide the same high level of care to Q improve care? The training helps us to keep care patients – whichever ward they are on, It focused on how to properly A safe and of a high quality. It changes and whatever time of the day or night it A manage a shift, which needs to attitudes and encourages teamwork so is. It means our patients will always know include protected time to discuss the care that things don’t get too stressful. It’s what to expect, even when they move of each patient (handovers), safety particularly helpful for nurses who move between wards. briefings, and mid-afternoon huddles. between wards, because it helps to make This makes sure that the whole team sure there’s a consistent routine on every What did the training knows how the day is progressing, ward. Q involve? particularly when it’s busy. It helps us to Since doing the training, our team has We went into a lifelike scenario of a support our colleagues if they’re having a made sure that all the nursing staff go A stressful ward environment, with difficult day. home on time. manikins and actors playing patients, and It also means that whichever ward a Colleagues will go round specifically to had to respond to lots of unexpected patient is on, they can expect the same ask if anyone needs any help so that they events and interruptions. The point was to daily routine and level of care. can leave at the end of their shift. It helps show that we need to deal with those us to be less stressed which in turn will interruptions while making sure the shift What did you find most help our patients get better care. is still managed properly. Q useful? We did the training day as a whole I was the nurse in charge in the Will it have a positive impact team, which is very rare. It meant that A scenario and had to lead the Q on patients? there was real camaraderie between us. It handover. For me it highlighted how a Yes, definitely. The change might was nice to come back and discuss what busy ward can interfere with my ability to A not be obvious because it’s all happened and how we can support each listen to information, interpret it, and ‘behind the scenes’ – but it means that other better. pass it on to other staff. nurses understand more about what’s It was also useful to reflect on difficult going on elsewhere in the ward, work Was it strange to be in a situations I’ve encountered in the real better as a team, feel less stressed, and Q simulated environment? world. Some days are non-stop, with ultimately provide better care. There was a bit of joking initially things happening for 12 hours straight – A because there were these strange patients can become unwell suddenly or manikins and we weren’t sure how new patients may be admitted onto the

14 the GiST THE INTERVIEW

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 15 INSIDE OUT

When Tracy Ralph’s organs starting shutting down, doctors at her local hospital thought nothing more could be done. Cara Lee ﬁnds out how the team at St Thomas’ saved her life.

New lease of life

Tracy Ralph thought she had a cold before falling seriously ill on Christmas Eve 2014. The 36-year-old was diagnosed with pneumonia and taken to Southend Hospital where doctors discovered she had sepsis (blood poisoning). She had gone into septic shock and her organs were shutting down. Tracy, a mother-of-two, explains: “I have no recollection of anything that happened but it was terrible for my Tracy Ralph and her son, Miller family. On Christmas Day my husband Bradley was told I’d taken a turn for the the largest ECMO centre in the UK, Dr Nick Barrett, consultant in critical worse, was in an induced coma and treating more than 100 patients a year. care, says: “Patients suitable for ECMO nothing more could be done.” The service is responsible for are desperately sick and have reached On Boxing Day her doctor called the providing ECMO to patients in south east the limits of conventional medical ECMO team at St Thomas’. An ECMO England. Doctors from local therapy. They have (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) hospitals contact the highly potentially reversible lung machine can temporarily replace the specialised team and a “My family and problems and were work of the lungs or heart in patients with quick decision is made physically strong enough severe lung or heart failure, similar to how about whether or not the friends called before they got ill to spend dialysis works for patients with kidney patient is suitable for the ECMO team weeks or months in failure. The machine continuously takes ECMO. If they are, the team the A Team.” critical care recovering.” blood from the body, adds oxygen and consisting of an intensive The ECMO team removes carbon dioxide, and then returns care consultant, specialist decided Tracy ﬁtted the it to the body. nurse and perfusionist (a specialist who criteria and she stayed in St Thomas’ for The ECMO service was set up in 2009 operates the equipment) travel by road, two months. She says: “My family and at St Thomas’ which is one of only ﬁve air or water to the local hospital, where friends called the ECMO team the A hospitals in England commissioned by they usually put the patient on ECMO and Team after they arrived at Southend and the NHS to provide the treatment. It is bring them back to St Thomas’. took me to St Thomas’.”

16 the GiST THE LEADING EDGE

Tracy stayed on ECMO for 10 days while her lungs recovered. Unfortunately, she had blood clots caused by the severe infection which caused her fingertips and feet to die. She woke in January to find her hands and feet were black, hard and shrivelled and she later needed the tops of her fingers and her legs below the knees amputated. Radiotherapist Neil Burley with the new machines in the Cancer Centre at Guy's Looking back, Tracy says: “It took a long time for everything to sink in. At first I questioned why this happened to me and I found it hard to adjust after my Higher precision amputations. But I learned that I can still do pretty much everything, in a different way.” cancer treatment Patients will experience faster radiotherapy treatment thanks to “What’s happened state-of-the-art machines in the new Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital. The machines, costing £4.5 million each, can deliver treatment to has made me a an accuracy of less than a millimetre so the tumour is targeted better, stronger without damaging healthy surrounding tissue. For some tumours person.” that can move around, CT images are taken daily to maintain the same accuracy every time. Radiotherapy is the use of high energy x-rays to treat cancer. The Dr Barrett adds: “It’s an immense x-rays damage the body’s cells within the treatment area, killing the privilege to look after desperately sick cancer cells over time, while allowing normal cells to recover. patients, knowing we can improve their Radiotherapy treatment is painless, with the experience similar to chances of survival. Without ECMO, the having an x-ray or CT scan, but can have some side effects within the vast majority of patients will die. With treatment area. ECMO, 70 to 80% of patients are back at Angela Francis, Head of Radiotherapy, explains: “High precision home within six months. Providing treatment reduces unpleasant side effects for patients because complex, high quality care would not be fewer healthy cells are damaged. Another benefit is that images are possible without the intensive care and taken and reviewed before treatment is delivered, making the whole ECMO teams – nurses, perfusionists, process faster and more efficient, meaning less waiting around. physiotherapists, dietitians and “Because we’re the first place in Europe to provide radiotherapy consultants. It’s an honour to work above ground level it’s a much nicer environment for our patients. together.” Things are also better for staff as we didn’t even see the daylight in the Tracy says she owes the team at winter!” St Thomas’, and ECMO, her life. The new machines will allow the radiotherapy team to deliver She says: “I’m so grateful that I’ll be more treatments to patients, up from 47,500 to 80,000 a year. able to see my children grow up. What’s happened has made me a better, www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/GuysCancer stronger person. My goal now is to inspire and help others.”

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 17 TRUST LIFE

Site nurse practitioners “Being an SNP means every day is diﬀerent. (SNPs ) look after Guy’s and Problems can become St Thomas’ hospitals 24/7. complicated very Nicki Bickford tried to keep quickly and I enjoy up with the team. working them out.”

Safe in their hands Calum’s day shift

:45am – When I arrive I get a 7handover from Andy who, after a busy night, is ready to go home. He tells me what has happened in the hospital overnight so I’m up to speed. I will be on duty for the next 12 hours and my main job is to make sure there are enough beds for our patients, and deal with anything else that arises throughout the day. Site nurse practitioners Calum Hamilton, Rob Nichols, Nikki Hutchins, Joe Hague and Andy Munday :00am – I meet staff from theatres 9and day surgery to review the :30am – A problem has arisen :00pm – Back from A&E and I grab a patients due to come into theatre today. 10and staff on our wards are 5well earned cup of tea and a sandwich. Each patient is discussed to decide if unable to print labels for bottles of they will need a bed or might be well blood samples. is means that :00pm – No peace for long as another enough to go home later today. By doing nurses and doctors have to handwrite 6alarm goes off. Someone has this, we can make sure we have beds labels. is will seriously slow down collapsed and it could be a member of available where they are needed and we getting results back quickly. I call the staff, a patient or a visitor. A rapid can also manage to accommodate IT team to ask them to fix the response team is despatched. It turns patients who have come in through the problem. out that a visitor has fallen and bumped Emergency Department (A&E). their head. ey are taken to A&E to be :00pm – A fire alarm has gone thoroughly checked. :00am – All the SNPs meet in the 2off in North Wing. I’m first on the 10command centre at St omas’ to scene. We always go to fire alarms :45pm – Andy is back for a handover review how our patients are and how before anyone else so we can decide 7from me so that he can start the night many beds are available, with a if the fire brigade needs to be called. shift. For me, being an SNP means every conference call linking to the SNPs based False alarm this time – thankfully! day is different. Problems can become at Guy’s. Today all is well and plenty of complicated very quickly and I enjoy beds are available. :30pm – My pager alerts me sorting them out. We need to be tactical, After the meeting, I walk around each 4 that A&E is getting busy so I go good at keeping our nerve and juggling of the wards I am responsible for to check to check if help is needed. A&E is lots of things in our heads – it’s like a all is okay with the nurse in charge. always busy between 8pm and 3am game of chess. so this is surprisingly early.

18 the GiST TRUST LIFE

Ed, Sarah and Honey Poll

Why I fundraise Sarah Poll has abseiled down St Thomas’ Hospital, taken part in Guy’s Urban Challenge, raced in the London Duathlon, and plans to participate in Enduro24, a running festival, later this year. To date she has raised more than £1,350 for Evelina London. Sarah is fundraising because she wants to say thanks for the care that her seven-year-old daughter Honey receives for bowel and bladder problems, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some parents find that getting the necessary support for a child with ASD can be incredibly difficult, so Sarah is particularly grateful for the support she receives. She says: “Evelina London gives you the belief that each autistic child has different traits and it's not disabling. “The team ensures stigma isn't Andy’s night shift :45am – I hand over to attached and that the people in my 7 Calum again. It’s mentally daughter’s life are educated about the :30pm – I’m told about a and physically exhausting condition. I thank them for their 11 visitor who is creating a being an SNP. We work ongoing support. disturbance. e security team independently but call on the “On our visits, we've been greeted arrives and quietly and efficiently wide expertise and different with a smiley face from Cathy, the helps bring the situation under skills from our close-knit team. lovely play specialist. At the control. We also have an excellent neuroscience department, we are relationship with the security, always given sound, positive advice and :00am – I visit all the wards maintenance, IT and a much-needed boost to keep us going 1I’m looking after to check all is housekeeping teams. So when on our ASD journey. well with the nurse in charge. I’m finished for the morning, “The money I raise will go to play I leave my shift with a sense of specialists who help children adapt to :00am – It has been raining a achievement and know that hospital life, provide a familiar face on 3 lot recently and a flood has everything will be expertly visits, and are someone that the children been reported in the basement of managed while I’m enjoying a can chat to about any worries.” South Wing. I visit the area and, well earned rest. thanks to the housekeeping team, To find out how you can support the basement is drained and Evelina London go to cleaned within an hour. www.supportevelina.org.uk

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 19 TRUST LIFE

Is there somewhere for me to Ask us: smoke before my appointment? Smoking is not permitted anywhere on How can I Trust property, including outside areas. To add to existing signage, red lines have been painted on the pavement at quit smoking? key entrance points to remind people Chief Nurse Dame Eileen that they are entering a smoke-free Sills explains why giving up area. smoking can improve your I have been smoking for a while chances of successful now. What can I do to quit? treatment. Many smokers want to give up but aren’t sure about the best way to go Should I quit smoking before about it. By choosing the method that’s my operation? right for you you’ll boost your chances of quitting. Thousands of people have Yes, stopping smoking can lead to quit for good and studies show that significant health benefits, reduce the you’re four times more likely to quit risk of complications, and improve your successfully if you use a combination recovery time after surgery. Research of stop smoking medicine and shows that on average smokers spend specialist support from your local stop two days longer in hospital recovering smoking service. from an operation than non-smokers. Ideally you should aim to stop smoking Can I get support to stop smoking about eight weeks before surgery, but near where I live? even giving up smoking just a few days Yes, there’s lots of free support on offer, Chief Nurse Dame Eileen Sills gives smoking the push before your operation can also make a including local face-to-face services, big difference to your recovery. advice over the phone, a smoke-free To find the support that’s right for you visit app and online chat. www.nhs.uk/smokefree .

Keats gets a voice

A statue of renowned poet John Keats trained as a surgeon-apothecary at Guy’s on the Guy’s Hospital campus has Hospital before deciding to devote his welcomed students from King’s career to poetry. Despite his short life, College London for almost a Keats’s poems are some of the most decade. Now, thanks to an popular in English literature. innovative cultural project, you Other local statues animated through can also hear the story of the the project are Asclepius , the son of Greek doctor turned poet, straight god Apollo which is also at Guy’s, and from the statue. Boat , a new artwork which welcomes Using drama, humour and visitors to the Cancer Centre at Guy’s. technology, the Talking Statues project is The statue of Keats is part of the arts breathing new life into art by allowing and heritage collection of Guy’s and St public works to share their stories. Simply Thomas’ Charity, and the voices were swipe your Smartphone on the plaque or created to mark the creation of the new type a web address into your browser to Science Gallery London which will open receive ‘a call from the statue’. in 2018. The statue’s audio tells how Keats www.talkingstatueslondon.co.uk

20 the GiST HISTORY CORNER TRUST LIFE Surgeons recreate royal operation for TV Staﬀ from Guy’s and St Thomas’ appeared in a Netflix drama about the Queen’s life, as Vicky Milnes ﬁnds out.

Buckingham Palace to say the King was to recreate the surgical world from 1951.” If you’ve watched The Crown – a Netflix recovering well. Taking part in The Crown means drama about Queen Elizabeth II’s reign – To recreate the operation for The Mr Chandak, also an honorary lecturer you will have seen surgeons and nurses Crown , the team of surgeons and nurses and research fellow at King’s College from Guy’s and St Thomas’ recreating an filmed the scene in their free time and London, can help people learn more operation to remove a lung tumour from wore surgical gowns from the period to about how much surgery has changed King George VI. It is the first time that a make it as authentic as possible. since the 1950s. real-life surgical team has performed a Professor Nizam Mamode, consultant “I asked the production company to pretend operation for TV. transplant surgeon, played the part of donate the ‘body’ we operated on to the Pioneering surgeon Sir Clement Price Sir Clement Price Thomas. Mr Francis Gordon Museum of Pathology at King’s Thomas performed the operation at Calder, consultant transplant surgeon, College London as an educational prop. Buckingham Palace in 1951. A heavy Mr Pankaj Chandak, specialist registrar in I would like to use it for future smoker, King George had developed lung transplant surgery, Sister Kim Wall and demonstrations to show how far we’ve cancer and his entire left lung was Sister Abigail Keen completed the team come with surgery.” removed during the three-hour operation. ‘operating’ on King George. As was usual for the time, the King was not Mr Chandak said: “Being part of The told he had cancer – he believed his Crown was an experience we will never operation was for a blocked bronchial tube. forget. Despite having the film crew An operating theatre was set up in the around us, once we settled in it felt like a Palace’s Buhl Room, overlooking The normal day in the operating theatre. The Mall. Sir Clement realised just in time that prosthetic body was incredibly lifelike, the Changing of the Guard was planned complete with a beating heart, and there for that day. He asked for this to take was meticulous attention to detail on set place at St James’ Palace instead so the Mr Chandak and Professor Mamode in The Crown noise would not distract him. Afterwards, crowds of well-wishers gathered when a bulletin was posted on the gates of

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth inspect Staﬀ from Guy’s and St Thomas’ take on the role of King George VI’s surgical team bomb damage at St Thomas’ in September 1940 www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 21 TRUST LIFE Say what? Louvaine Lodrick , Housekeeper at Evelina London Children’s Hospital

What is the role What was your life like Q of a housekeeper? Q growing up? I make sure the hospital is in a I was very clever. Growing up A good, clean condition. If it has A in the West Indies we would go to be cleaned I do it. I clean the stairs, on picnics and trips and then write an the pathways, the toilets - everywhere. essay about them for school. I always used to win first prize. What’s the best thing I was strong too. Naughty girls Q about your job? used to have fights but I’d get I love the children. They make between them and pull them apart. A me laugh. I love making the shy Looking back I could have got hurt ones smile. but I was lucky. What do you like to do What kind of music Q in your spare time? Q do you like? If you could travel I like gardening in the fresh air Classical. I love Beethoven Q anywhere, where would A but it’s a little too cold at the A and I find him very relaxing to you go? moment so I’ve just bought a listen to. He’s very noisy so his music I’d stay here! People here telescope to do stargazing instead. chases everything out of your head. A always try to help each other I love looking up at the night sky. to the best of their ability. It relaxes the brain.

People often ask us, ‘Are you a nit nurse?’ or ‘Do you just From the frontline put a plaster on everything?’ but as school nurses we support the physical and emotional health and well-being Nicola Wales and Anna Leggett , of children. To achieve this we work with a number of professionals, in nearly every possible setting. There is no School nurses such thing as a typical day for a school nurse. We regularly meet with children and young people, plan their care and train school staﬀ in common health conditions like asthma, epilepsy and allergies. We are involved in making sure children are kept safe, delivering health education, running drop-in clinics, and a whole range of other things. It’s important that children and young people know how to stay healthy and make healthy choices in the future. One of the ways we do this is through the newly launched ChatHealth which means children and young people can access conﬁdential health advice from a school nurse by text message. We’re always looking for better ways to help improve our service and this project has received really positive feedback from young people who have used it.

To use ChatHealth young people aged 11-19 can text 07507 332150 School nurses Nicola Wales, Anna Leggett and Cecilia Olunuga

22 the GiST TRUST LIFE What’s On 1- 31 March 23 March Competition Dysphagia Month ‘Precious Relics’ : Hair Look out for events across Jewellery and the Victorians the Trust Florence Nightingale Museum, St Thomas’ 8 March 6.30pm (£8 admission) Friends of Guy’s and St Call 020 7188 4400 or visit Thomas’ Hospitals Book Sale www.florence-nightingale.co.uk 10a m- 3pm We have two pairs of tickets to the View from the Shard Birdsong Corridor, St Thomas’ 1- 30 April up for grabs. To be in with a chance of winning one pair, Bowel Cancer 8 March simply complete the wordsearch below. Awareness Month No Smoking Day www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk B L U N D E L L W C E E 14 March 5 April Seminar for Foundation Trust Friends of Guy’s and St E O A R D N A X E L A S Members – Kidney Disease Thomas’ Hospitals Book Sale 6- 7.30pm, Robens Suite, C Y E K N O T S A E S T 10a m- 3pm Guy’s Hospital Birdsong Corridor, St Thomas’ Call 0800 731 0319 or email K D L S W S A G C C O H [email protected] to 7 April E N C D E V N N L S M E book your place World Health Day 22 March 23 April T D U R A I E C A A E R Friends of Guy’s and St London Marathon R F O N T R T X N C R B Thomas’ Hospitals Book Sale 26 April 10a m- 3pm H F N H O H N D E R S B Joint Board of Directors Birdsong Corridor, St Thomas’ and Council of Governors M A G L L S A O F O E R Meeting 3.4 5- 7.30pm H I F N O T L U O D T Y Governors’ Hall, St Thomas’ N I A T N U O M X B F U Free ﬁlm screenings: T P V A S C U L A R Y V MediCinema ([email protected]) shows the latest releases for patients and staﬀ Alexandra Blundell Florence Nightingale Guy’s Tuesdays, 1.30pm and Thursdays, 7pm Antenatal Dorcas Forest Savannah St Thomas’ Saturdays, 7pm and Tuesdays, 7.30pm AstonKey Doulton LaneFox Somerset Evelina London screenings on Wednesdays, 6.30pm Becket Esther Mountain Vascular Free lunchtime concerts: Mondays 1–2pm, Central Hall, St Thomas’ Name Wednesdays 1–2pm, Atrium 1, Guy’s Address

Email Raise money for your hospitals Send your entry by 31 March to the GiST competition, and community services Communications Department, 4th floor, Staircase C, South Wing, St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7EH; For all the latest news about or you can email communications @gstt.nhs.uk . our amazing fundraisers and how you can support Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Evelina London, The winners will be selected at random and notiﬁed within follow @SupportGSTT seven days of the draw. The result will be ﬁnal and we will not and like facebook.com/SupportGSTT enter into any correspondence regarding the competition and facebook.com/SupportEvelina winners. The prize is non-transferable.

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 23 *Fancy dress optional, but BE A encouraged! HERO! St THOMAS’ ABSEIL Get your cape ready* and give back to one of our heroic hospitals!

Friday 12 May 2017 St Thomas’ Hospital Register now supportgstt.org.uk/abseil

Evelina London Children’s Hospital is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. Registered Charity No. 1160316.