Raising Funds for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Since 1995
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
January/February 2014 The magazine for the UH Bristol community p8-9 Enhancing the patient experience NEWS elcome to the first Wedition of Voices for 2014. Contents Think ABC before This is not only the first magazine of the year, it is News 3-4 A&E says NHS In brief also the first time we are sharing Voices with the IN THIS ISSUE Meet the manager 5 wider community – with his winter the NHS launched a This edition we meet Ruth Alford Norovirus – GP surgeries, libraries Tcampaign to help people in Bristol, and local businesses North Somerset and South Gloucestershire stop the spread Members 6 receiving copies choose the right health service when How governors make a difference alongside our more they are feeling unwell or are injured – We are reminding visitors who than 11,000 Foundation allowing busy services like A&E to treat have relatives or friends in hospital From the chairman 7 Trust members. We are doing this to share information people who need them most. to avoid visiting our hospitals about our work within the eight hospitals that make up if they have had symptoms of Feature 8-9 University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust with the Across the country, approximately 47% diarrhoea and vomiting in the Enhancing the patient experience wider community. We will be sending out three editions of people attending an A&E department previous 48 hours. The winter of the magazine a year with the next due in May/June could have received the same service via vomiting bug norovirus is Feature 10-11 and the following in September/October. We hope you their GP, by telephoning NHS 111 or by frequently brought into hospitals Meet William Booth enjoy reading about the work of staff who support the calling in at an NHS walk-in centre, minor by visitors or patients and is easily care of patients here at UH Bristol. injuries unit or urgent care centre. spread by contact with people Above & Beyond 12-13 suffering diarrhoea and vomiting. News from the charity This edition focuses on the patient experience – you should find a leaflet inside the magazine explaining more So Think ABC before A&E: “If the virus spreads within Feature 14-15 about what we mean by this and why it is important. our hospitals, we are forced to A round-up of progress on Building a Better Bristol On pages 8-9 we explore how we understand and Anytime free medical close bays, wards and units,” measure patient experience in practice and some of the A advice from NHS 111 says Richard Brindle, director of improvements which are already being made as a result. infection, prevention and control. On pages 10-11, we find out about the work of matron Book an appointment William Booth based at the children’s hospital, who won with your GP surgery “In addition to limiting the the patient experience champion award at our annual B number of patients we can care staff awards ceremony at the end of last year. And we Call in at your local To find out your best options for for, suffering from norovirus is an share with you insights into the work of our head and minor injuries unit or treatment either call 111 or your GP, unpleasant experience. Please neck cancer surgeons, our fracture liaison clinic, and the C Walk-in Centre or visit www.thinkabc.org.uk help us stop the spread of importance of patients’ involvement in research. norovirus so that we can continue to provide our patients with the 2014 is a significant year for this Trust as we see the best possible care.” longstanding plans to redevelop our hospitals come to fruition. The new Welcome Centre at the entrance to the Building a Better Bristol news 16 Bristol Royal Infirmary is the first of the visible changes New chief Thinking about you will see taking place over the coming months, with Transforming Care 17 the new extension to the Bristol Haematology and losing weight Introducing the fracture liaison service nurse for Oncology Centre opening in March and the new helipad this year? in use from mid-March when training flights begin. You can read more about these changes and the progress of UH Bristol The Specialist Weight Management our redevelopment programme on pages 14-16. Service, run by UH Bristol, is offering consultations and regular review arolyn Mills joined UH Bristol If you would like to let us know your thoughts about appointments with dieticians who as chief nurse in early January. the magazine, then we would be delighted to hear C will help people make lasting Carolyn is an experienced nurse from you. Please call 0117 342 3603 or email improvements to their diet and director and was director of nursing [email protected]. Thank you. physical activity levels. at North Devon Health Care Trust. She brings to the Trust a commitment to The service is free and is open to improving patient care, a passion to anyone who is registered with a continue the development of nursing, Bristol GP and believes they have a midwifery and other professions significant weight problem. Feature 18-19 allied to health across the Trust, and Research changed my life a wealth of experience in developing Fiona Reid and working within an integrated Head of communications For more information call 0117 Interview 20 care system. 959 8921 or email aswms@ With Ceri Hughes, lead clinician for head and uhbristol.nhs.uk neck cancer 2 3 MEET THE MANAGER This edition we meet... Hypo boxes launched Raising funds NEWS for the Bristol theatre clinical manager at South Royal Hospital Ruth Alford Bristol Community Hospital for Children How long have you worked for since 1995 this Trust? I came to work at the Trust in August 2009. I previously worked as a theatre nurse in Yeovil Hospital for six years and thought it was about time I ventured into the big city to broaden my horizon and get some complex experience. I have not been disappointed as every day brings different challenges and new learning experiences. University Hospitals Bristol has provided me with excellent learning opportunities and experiences which have developed me into the Jane Cook, Kathryn Hartley and Evangeline Gallardo pictured with a hypo box manager I am today. It’s a startling fact that around 20% of quality of their care that these episodes What is your role? UH Bristol’s inpatients have diabetes. are treated promptly and effectively. At My current role is theatre clinical The National Diabetes Inpatient Audit the end of last year UH Bristol began ince 1995, Wallace & Gromit’s manager at South Bristol Community reveals that a quarter of these patients a Trust-wide launch of bright orange SGrand Appeal has raised over £25 Hospital. This involves managing a team will have one or more episodes of ‘hypo boxes’ to assist with timely and million to help transform facilities at of thirty staff undertaking day surgery hypoglycaemia (capillary blood glucose appropriate treatment of hypoglycaemic the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, and endoscopy cases. We also provide reading of less than 4mmol/mol) during episodes. The boxes contain oral providing life-saving, pioneering high quality colposcopy services, all in their inpatient stay and it is crucial treatments, an A5 laminated guideline medical equipment; patient comforts state-of-the-art facilities. for the safety of our patients and the and a record book. and a range of arts, music, education and play facilities. We also provide What is a typical working day? accommodation for 12 families in our A typical working day involves making Dementia nurse wins national award Cots for Tots House – a home-from-home sure all patients are on the correct family unit alongside the Special Care pathway for a safe experience and Baby Unit at St Michael’s Hospital. identifying any problems early which for the department making it smooth and we are all proud to be part of this at can be resolved or changed resulting flowing and efficient for the patients. South Bristol. We are now funding new facilities in minimal interruptions for patients. When a patient completes the feedback to support the expansion of the hospital, Staff are my next priority ensuring they card or gives us positive verbal comments What’s one thing that most people which includes a pioneering cardiac are all clear about what tasks they are on their experience this makes us feel don’t know about you? hybrid theatre, an integrated cancer unit, undertaking and troubleshooting any empowered, however when things do I am a very keen DIY enthusiast a state-of-the-art intraoperative MRI issues they may have impacting upon not always go to plan it is a challenge and enjoy spending my spare time Scanner and a major new arts programme. their working day. A happy workforce to unpick the situation, reflect and undertaking projects inside and outside is a productive one and this is the way put processes in place to reduce the of the house. You name it and I will have There are so many ways that you can I manage the team ensuring I listen to possibility of a reoccurrence. It is always a go at it. I have all of my own tools and help support The Grand Appeal. From their feedback, ideas and any problems important to listen to what patients tell pride myself on getting the job done to taking to the skies in our May and August they may have. Some days involve me you and reflect on how you can improve the best standard possible.