Issue 25 November/December 11 North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Incorporating Keeping iNToucH The magazine for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Shining Stars awards see page 17 High levels of satisfaction with the minor injuries unit page 10 Role play helps new apprentices to care for patients page 15 New service gives cancer patients in hospital extra care and support page 13 Friendship and support helps the pain A new support group is I felt terrible. Going through providing friendship and the pain management support for people suffering programme was the best with chronic pain. thing I have done for myself. Congratulations The patient-led support group “It hasn’t been easy. You need has been brought together to find your own way to cope. by Jenny Clegg, who is This group is a lifeline for me Stuart working voluntarily on a and I hope that it will be for Stuart Shepherd is celebrating becoming clinical attachment with others too. the first male nursery practitioner, in the psychology under the “Not everyone will cope area, to achieve the BA (hons) degree in supervision of counselling the same way I have. I’ve children and early childhood. psychologist, Anne Bendjik, suffered over 20 years of pain. Stuart, who has worked at the Rainbow within anaesthetics and It made me short tempered. Nursery at the University Hospital of pain management. I went from being employed Hartlepool for nearly six years, completed Members of the group all Diane Williams as an office manager, to his foundation degree before completing suffer from some kind being unemployed, to being the final year at Teesside University, where of chronic pain and have Diane Williams, 47 from unemployable. It takes away he was awarded a 2:1. completed the pain Hartlepool, is the secretary of your identity. It’s not just about He said: “I’m really pleased with my results. management programme the group. She suffered with coping with an illness. It has been hard work, but it’s worth it. I’ve run by the pain team at back pain from her early 20’s “My husband is fantastic. I always enjoyed learning and I’m glad I’ve the University Hospital of due to whiplash following a try to look my best, make done the course. It’s good to learn about North Tees. car accident. an effort and take pride in the theory and put it into practice. Jenny explained: “The group Mum of two Diane, who has my appearance. No day is “I’m now working towards gaining Early is patient led. It was been married for 25 years, an easy day. I take each day Years Professional Status (EYPS), which something that the patients recalls: “In 1998 I started to as it comes now, with a is being funded by Hartlepool Borough really wanted to set up. Chronic suffer with back pain and was positive attitude.” Council. It’s a graduate level programme pain can affect a person, both diagnosed with two prolapsed Ian Innes, 59 from Billingham, that is the only government endorsed physically and psychologically. discs in my back. is married with two children and one grandchild. The pain professional accreditation for the early The group provides a support “I just carried on until the of sclerosis in his spine and years sector. network of people who know pain became unbearable to arthritis are just some of the I absolutely love working here; I couldn’t what each other is going live with. I had my children forms of chronic pain he is imagine doing any other job. It’s a great through, without having to in 1992 and 1994. I plodded living with every day. nursery for not only the trust staff’s explain themselves. along until 2004. When I Ian’s pain started from the children but anyone who wants to use “The group wants to be had an MRI scan in 2004 I age of 15 after an accident. the nursery.” positive and provide new was told I would need an He said: “It can get you down. Child care co-ordinator Margaret Hayden friendships, and that’s how operation. I had my first spinal You don’t want to be a burden added: “I’d like to congratulate Stuart on they decided they wanted the operation in 2005. on your family. such a fantastic result. This demonstrates group to be called The Tees “I knew something wasn’t “This group is about friendship, Stuart’s commitment to learning and Valley Friendship Group. quite right for about 30 dedication to his profession.” having someone else to lean “The Tees Valley Friendship months after the operation. on and a great way to make Group meets every two “My spinal surgeon at the yourself get out of the house. weeks on a Tuesday at the University Hospital of North We’ve become good friends Octagon Design and Marketing Elmwood Community Centre Tees confirmed there was a Ltd specialise in gaining already. Just to have a chat in Stockton. The group is lot of damage on my spine. over a cuppa is great. advertising support for only open to patients who I had excessive neuropathic “You know you’re not the only magazines so Anthem have been on the pain leg pain. one suffering. Jenny has been management programme.” “I was on so much medication is now a great helping hand in getting the group going.” produced, Patients can share their packaged, stories, treatment successes distributed and failures. But more and importantly they are creating new friendships. It’s a great delivered boost for the group to get out at minimal and meet people and give cost to each other support too. the trust. For more information please contact Diane Williams on 07883031481 or email teesvalleyfriendshipgroup@ Jenny Clegg welcomes Ian Innes to the group gmail.com 002|003 An extra special surprise There was an extra special Midwife Anita Scott (pictured) surprise for one mum at the took beautiful Angel to be University Hospital of Hartlepool’s weighed and when she placed birthing centre. her back in Kelly’s arms there When little Angel Webb arrived was a ring on Angel’s finger. at 8.37am to the delight of mum Kelly, 28, a full time mum from Kelly Webb, she never imagined Leamington Parade in Hartlepool, that a surprise marriage proposal said: “I had absolutely no idea. would follow. Andrew had this all planned. Everyone knew except for me. It was just perfect.” Dad Andrew Hanlon, 22, a scaffolder from Billingham, said: “It has been the best day of my life!” Midwife Anita Scott added: “It was really emotional for us all. It was such a wonderful surprise not have a history of problems during labour. for Kelly and I was delighted to and are fit and healthy. The birthing centre is like a be a part of it.” The centre has four delivery home-from-home for soon-to- Midwives, supported by rooms – one with a birthing be-parents with a warm and midwifery assistants provide a pool and another with a welcoming atmosphere. wide range of choice of delivery range of special birthing Women can choose to come to for women with uncomplicated equipment which allows women the birthing centre by speaking and low risk pregnancies who do to stay upright and supported to their community midwife. Dedicated youngster raises money for chemotherapy unit A local girl has used her summer unit and will benefit from holiday as time to raise money for Lucy’s donation. the chemotherapy day unit at the Her generosity and dedication University Hospital of North Tees, has already rubbed off on simply stating “I’m just trying to those around her as Jackie’s help those with cancer.” granddaughter Brooke, six, says Lucy Trainer, 10, spent six weeks she hopes to do the same as Lucy washing cars and baking and when she is 10. Ward manager Val Storey said: selling cakes to raise money, she “We’re very grateful for this Staff Nurse Pam Turner, personal assistant Gill White, secretary Sue Sharp, also held a raffle. In total Lucy healthcare assistant Lorraine Robson and plaster technician Jackie Wilson generous donation which will be raised an impressive £70. used to buy extra comforts for Lucy said: “I started at the those being treated on the unit. beginning of the six weeks holiday “It’s lovely of Lucy, who is so Colleagues raise funds and have just finished.” young, to be thinking of others Her dedication was influenced and being prepared to give up her by her neighbour of six years, own time to do something to help for local hospice Jackie Hendry, who is receiving not only her neighbour but also Colleagues from the trust fun. We all had special, treatment in the chemotherapy other patients in the unit.” have been raising funds for personal reasons for joining Hartlepool Hospice by taking the walk. I personally wanted part in the popular Hartlepool to take part in the walk after Hospice midnight walk. a member of my family was Orthopaedics secretaries Sue cared for in the hospice and Sharp and Gill White, staff nurse this was a nice way to give Pam Turner, healthcare assistant something back to say thank Lorraine Robson and plaster you for the kindness shown technician Jackie Wilson joined by the staff. the crowds to celebrate five “We are certainly going to join years of Midnight Walks, raising up again next year and we’ll over £500 for the hospice. hopefully get more of our The walk took its usual 5.5 colleagues to join us too.” mile route from Hartlepool’s All money raised will go towards Maritime Experience to Seaton the specialist care services Carew Golf Club, and back.