Acute Angle August 2010 - Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust

August 10
The staff newsletter of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Congratulations to our Chair, Dame Janet Trotter
The Chair of our Trust,
Dame Janet Trotter, has
been appointed to the
position of Lord-Lieutenant
of Gloucestershire, a
position she will take up in
October on the retirement
of the current incumbent,
Sir Henry Elwes.
The role of the Lord-
Lieutenant is to be the
representative of Her
Majesty the Queen in
Gloucestershire. This
includes promoting a
spirit of co-operation by
encouraging voluntary service and taking an interest
in the business, industrial and social life of the county
and voluntary activity within it.
Dame Janet said: “I am thrilled and honoured
by this appointment. I have served the people of
Gloucestershire for some twenty years now and
have come to love the county and to value both the
businesses and the enormous variety of organisations
which do so much to promote the common good.
“Sir Henry Elwes will be a hard act to follow, he has
been both committed and dedicated in carrying out
the duties of the Lord-Lieutenant. I have an excellent
role model to follow and will do my very best to serve
Gloucestershire as together we face new and different
challenges.”
Dr Frank Harsent, Chief Executive said: “I am
delighted about this appointment, Dame Janet is
energetic, enthusiastic and a fantastic people person
and the Lord-Lieutentant’s office will benefit from her
admirable qualities.”
In 1991 Dame Janet became a Non-Executive Director
of the Gloucestershire Health Authority and since 2002
has been Chair of our Trust.
Dame Janet lives in Cheltenham and is involved
with a number of local organisations. She is Chair of
Winston’s Wish, a charity for bereaved children and is
a member of the Chapter and Council of Gloucester
Cathedral. She also chairs the Foundation for Church
Leadership.
Janet was awarded an OBE in 1991 and a DBE in
2001 for services to higher education.

Letters of thanks
Coming Next
Month…
Outline Letters
In the staff survey and the
Hear Here Communications
Survey many of you asked for
more chances to have your
voice heard.
In response to that we are
launching a staff letters page.
See the September issue of
Outline for more details.
Patients say thank you
Thanks to Emergency Staff
I would just like to thank everyone who dealt with me
yesterday from the front desk at A&E right the way through
to the Acute Care Unit. They were very polite and put me at
ease whilst I was worrying, they were assuring and everybody
was brilliant. You should be very proud to have staff like that
working for you.
Thanks again
Thank You to Edward Jenner Staff
OUTLINE DEADLINES
2010/2011
September Edition
Submission deadline:
Friday 27th August
October Edition
Submission deadline:
Friday 24th September
November Edition
Submission deadline:
Friday 29th October
December Edition
Submission deadline:
Friday 26th November
January Edition
Submission deadline:
Friday 31st December
I would like to take this
opportunity to thank you and
your staff for the wonderful job
you all do.
I am an outpatient being treated
for an Immune Deficiency in the
department of Immunology at
the Edward Jenner Unit. I attend
every month for an IV infusion of
Flebogamma, this is permanent
and ongoing.
Dr Joe Unsworth is my
Consultant who I can’t praise
highly enough. As well as being
a very, very competent doctor he
manages to combine this with
a very human approach, a rare
attribute these days.
Sister Kathi Lisle and Staff Nurse
Anne Caidean are in my opinion
very dedicated, professional and
caring in all they do for me. If it
hadn’t been for them I doubt if I
would be writing to you.
During my IV infusion I spend
considerable time observing. All
the staff in the Edward Jenner
Unit are always polite and will
pass the time of day with a
smile. Even the most laborious
telephone calls are handled in
a sympathetic and professional
manner. This takes a lost of
patience when dealing with
elderly, deaf or very concerned
relatives. Never have I heard any
rude or questionable remarks.
In a very busy environment I
think a commendation to ALL
concerned would not be too
much to ask. I must make it clear
I have no connection with the
hospital or Doctors other than
as a patient. I would be very
grateful if you would pass on my
deep feelings of gratitude.
Thank you
Editorial Team
If you would like to submit an article for Outline, please contact the
Communications Office on 08454 223120 or email comms@glos.nhs.uk
Associate Director
yvonne.pirso@glos.nhs.uk
Communications Specialist
kate.jeal@glos.nhs.uk
Clinical Strategy Team Secretary
sarahJ.smith@glos.nhs.uk
Yvonne Pirso Kate Jeal Sarah Smith
2

General News
Board Meeting Summary
The Trust’s Main
Board meeting took
place on Friday 30th
July.
Performance Report
– Chief Operating
Officer & Deputy
Chief Executive
Evelyn Barker
noted that A&E had
achieved over 98%
of patients seen in
under for hours at
both hospitals. There
had also been far fewer ambulance delays in
June as well as fewer breaches of single-sex
accommodation.
Nursing Director Maggie Arnold advised that
the Hand Hygiene Audit for June was 88%, but
the Trust should be aiming for a 100% target.
She added that having made such enormous
strides in this area, it was important that focus
was maintained so that standards didn’t slip.
The newly introduced ‘Yellow Card’ scheme
was proving effective for staff who were noncompliant.
The specialist cleaning product
Difficil-S is to be trialled on four wards.
The Chief Executive’s report updated the
Board about the recent engagement strategy
meetings, and the valuable contribution of
colleagues in community partner organisations
such as HCCOSC and LINks. The Leadership
Conference was also discussed - some 100
leaders from across the organisation had
attended this event on 29th June. Dr Harsent
advised that it was crucial that the key points
from the conference were cascaded down to
both teams and individuals.
Finance and Efficiency
At the end of the first quarter we have made a small surplus of £0.9m. However, while this is an
encouraging start to the year it is behind where we had planned to be. We must therefore keep
our focus on the delivery of the savings targets and ensuring that we deliver the activity we have
signed up to in contracts.
Detailed savings plans have been worked up for this year and our focus needs to move now to how
we can continue to improve services over the next few years in a period of significantly restricted
financial growth.
Staff bank – local proactive exercise
You may recall that last year one of the Local
Proactive Exercises we completed related
to the timesheets submitted by bank nurses.
We compared these with ward records and
identified discrepancies in the claims made by
eight members of staff.
We made a number of recommendations for
strengthening systems and recommended that
the exercise should be conducted again after
six months. Those six months are now up, and
we have just started a review exercise.
We have selected a random sample of nurse
bank claim forms submitted between April and
June 2010 at both GRH and CGH and will be
checking these against the off duty rotas on
each of the wards. We will report our findings
when the exercise is completed, but if in the
meantime you are contacted by a member of
staff from the Local Counter Fraud Service
(LCFS), please be assured that the sample was
random and you have not been specifically
picked out.
If you would like to learn more about the work of the LCFS please call us on 01452 318842.
3

Staff Matters
Non-Executive Directors
Visit Oncology
Department
Jo’s Success in gaining Delegated
Authority for Claims Handling
As part of a programme of visits
to clinical and non-clinical areas,
Non-Executive Directors, Mike
Evans and Museji Takolia visited
the Oncology Department
last month. The visits are
an opportunity for the Non-
Executive Directors to meet with
frontline staff, to find out more
about what our departments do
and hear the concerns of staff.
Staff Excellence Awards
– thank you for your
nominations
The closing date for the Staff
Excellence Awards was at the
end of July by which time 30
nominations had been received
covering the seven awards.
Next month in Outline we will
feature a special celebration
of all of the nominees – in
preparation for the big awards
night on October 11th at The
Chase Hotel in Brockworth.
David Smith, Director of Human
Resources, said:
“Last year was my first
experience of the judging panel
and the awards ceremony and it
was a truly uplifting experience.
We really want to keep the
family feel of the awards, but
also to encourage as many
nominations and attendees as
possible. Winners of the awards
will be announced on the night!”
4
Our Trust is now one of a handful in the UK with a Claims Manager who
has personal delegated authority to act on behalf of the NHS Litigation
Authority.
This authority was obtained by the Trust’s Claims Manager Jo Hunt,
following a successful whole day's audit of the department by the
NHSLA's Head of Audit , Mr Arndtz last month.
The personal authority has an agreed financial limit which equates to
approximately 66% of the claims settled in the last financial year.
Caroline Pennells, Head of Legal Services said: “As part of the audit
process, Mr Arndtz considered both Jo's personal capability, experience,
knowledge, skills and the way she manages the Claims Department. He
also considered the Trust's structure and ways of working, particularly
with Risk and Complaints. In all areas the feedback was very positive.”
The delegated authority means much earlier resolution of claims without
the need to obtain NHSLA authority for each step of the process and any
settlement recommended.
It also means that for potential claims, the Trust will be able to make
early offers of settlement where appropriate and that continued
early interaction with complaints can now result in quicker and more
satisfactory resolution, where compensation is part of that resolution.
Jo said “ I am delighted but this wouldn’t have been possible without
the hard work and experience of the whole team. Effective claims
management also only works well when staff are committed to
co-operating with investigations, which is certainly true of staff across our
Trust.”

Staff Matters
Results of Hear Here Communications Survey
Improving communication with staff is one of the
three priority areas agreed in response to the 2009
staff survey. The aim of the ‘Hear Here’ survey was to
establish how staff find out about what is happening
in our Trust, how we provide feedback, and to find
out what works well and not so well in communicating
with staff right across the Trust.
Following an excellent response the key findings are:
A total of 509 people responded; 388 by email and
171 using the survey in Outline
Staff groups across the Trust responded, including
both clinical and non-clinical groups.
•zYou mainly find out about
what is happening through
your informal networks,
your managers, the
intranet and email.
•zYou would like to be involved earlier in decision
making and informed about issues which affect
your day to day work.
•zYou would value more face to face communication
including with senior managers, more relevant
emails and more involvement and information
about site reconfiguration plans.
•zThe issues you would like more information on
include car parking and to be given a better
understanding of how our challenging financial
position came about.
We will…
•zEstablish a weekly global
digest email for non-urgent
information
•zEnsure that some information,
such as bank holiday departmental opening hours
is held on the intranet and circulated as one link,
rather than being sent out as separate emails
•zImprove the use of global emails by setting up subgroups
of email distribution lists to enable more
targeted email communication
•zImprove access to information from home
•zLook at the potential to use of TV screens in staff/
public areas to reinforce messages appropriate to
both staff and patients.
•zReview the timing of the Chief Executive’s Team
Brief, with the opportunity for you to provide
feedback.
•zMaximise use of the intranet through developing
two-way discussion functions.
Medicine Unboxed
Cheltenham General Hospital Saturday 9th October 2010
Cheltenham’s ‘Medicine Unboxed’ is a series of conferences for
NHS staff, exploring a view of medicine that aspires to more than
the technical and which necessarily refers to values, uncertainty
and human understanding - to art as much as science. This year, in
partnership with the Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, we engage
the interface between medicine, language and stories. What do stories
tell us about human experience and how might such understanding
inform patient care? How is language used and how might it be used
to communicate the experience of sickness and medicine? How can
performance teach us to engage more effectively? Our contributors
this year – a sparkling mix of poets, writers, linguists and performers
including Salley Vickers, Deborah Kirklin, Jo Shapcott, Gwyneth Lewis, Guy Deutscher Dannie Abse,
Amateur Transplants and Performing Medicine – begin to tackle just these questions. Tickets cost £15 - find
us on www.medicineunboxed.com and come and join the very lively debate.
Dr Sam Guglani, Consultant Oncologist
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 08454 22 4032
www.medicineunboxed.com
5

Clinical Excellence
Stay Safe in the Sun
Daisy Morgan and
Louise Pound, Macmillan
Skin Cancer Specialist
Nurses write.
“As the summer holidays
begin, protecting children
from the harmful effects
of the sunshine whilst
enjoying the healthy
outdoor life can lead to
confusion for parents
and advice may seem to
be conflicting.
We know that the effects of sunburn on children and
teenagers can have serious consequences in later life
- one episode of severe sunburn ie: blistering on young
skin can increase the incidence of melanoma by 75 %
(cruk 2009).
All children, whether or not they tan easily need
protection from the suns rays, which are composed of
ultra violet light (uva and uvb).”
The following tips will help prevent sunburn;
1. Sun cream: Using a high sun protection factor (spf)
of at least 30, with a uva protection of 4 stars or
more, applied at regular intervals through the day
2. Clothing: Wearing a hat with suitable neck
protection. Cotton t-shirt, and long shorts, sun
glasses with uv protection.
3. UV protection: UV protective swimwear is widely
available, and offers good protection.
4. Shade: Encourage children to find a shady place
to play - especially between the hours of 11am and
3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
5. Baby Care: Babies and toddlers need special care
- use parasols on pushchairs when out and about.
Keep babies under six month’s old out of direct
sunlight altogether. Select an appropriate product to
use on young skin.
6. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
7. Advice: Avoid sunburn but do seek advice if children
get burnt.
We are often asked about the issues surrounding
sunshine and vitamin D.
We know that we only need small doses of sunshine in
order to make sufficient vitamin D, and we get enough
through the summer months to last us for the year - by
normal sunshine exposure.
Spending longer than is recommended in the sun does
not give you extra vitamin D, but will increase your
chance of developing skin cancer.
Changing Nature of Healthcare
6
Acute Care Unit B moves at GRH
As a Trust we are working to change the way we deliver
care and provide the best possible experience for
patients.
Detailed proposals have been discussed widely with
NHS Gloucestershire and by the Health, Community and
Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee and we are now
moving ahead with these changes.
The latest phase of transfers at GRH has seen the Acute
Care Unit B move from the 4th floor of the Tower into
what was Cardiac Ward 2.
Bringing Emergency Care Together for the Benefit
of Patients
The move of ACU B brings together a cluster of the
Emergency Department, Acute Care wards (A and B),
Cardiac Ward and the Chest Pain Assessment Centre.
ACU A is already located next to the Emergency
Department and this works well because of the good
coordination between the two areas. This enables the
rapid transfer of patients requiring admission and rapid
decision making by the Medical team.
Moving ACU B to its new location has located it just one
floor above ED and directly above ACU A, bringing the
same improvements in relation to patient experience on
our Acute Care Units. It will also support the reduction
in Emergency Department waiting times and ambulance
handover delays.
The Chest Pain Assessment Unit remains and will still
be managed by the cardiology team
Trial Transfer of Services
Whilst introducing these changes in a phased way and
aiming to provide services using fewer beds, the Trust
will ensure that as agreed with the Health, Community
and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee all beds
remain available should they be needed. This will remain
the case until such time as there is sufficient evidence
that the changes are working efficiently and effectively.
Thanks to Staff
Dr Frank Harsent, Chief Executive said: “I recognise
that these changes may be worrying for some, but I and
my colleagues on the Board, continue to be committed
to our policy of no redundancies and to supporting the
excellent work of all staff. Thank You.”
Previous staff briefing materials about the Changing
Nature of Healthcare can be found at http://ghnhst/C3/
C14/Rising%20to%20the%20Challenge/default.aspx

Clinical Excellence
Len: I owe my life to NHS Screening Programme
Len Webster says he owes his life to an NHS Screening
Programme in Gloucestershire.
One in 25 men in England aged between 65 and 74
have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This is
caused when the main blood vessel in the body – the
aorta – weakens and starts to expand. Around 6,000
men die every year after an AAA gives way, or ruptures.
Len underwent surgery to repair his aorta after he
had an aneurysm detected and then monitored by the
Gloucestershire AAA Screening Programme.
The National NHS Screening Programme, currently
being implemented across England, is hosted by
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and
based at Victoria Warehouse in Gloucester Docks. It
aims to reduce deaths from ruptured AAA by up to 50
per cent by detecting the condition early and offering
appropriate monitoring and treatment.
“I had no symptoms at all and no family history of
aneurysms, so without the screening programme I would
not have known anything was wrong,” said Len.
Screening involves a simple ultrasound scan of the
stomach. Men are invited for a scan during the year they
turn 65 and more than 95 per cent are given the allclear.
However, up to one in five men who are invited for
screening do not take up the offer.
Len added: “My aneurysm was quite small when I was
first scanned and I was given an appointment for another
scan 12 months later. However, it kept growing and I
started being seen more regularly.
“When I was being monitored, it was always in the back
of my mind that the aneurysm could rupture. You start
worrying about what you can or can’t plan; it is a bit like
a time bomb inside you. It did weigh on my mind quite
heavily, particularly in the final six months before having
the operation when the aneurysm jumped quite a lot in
size.”
Len was referred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Vascular Surgeon Jonothan Earnshaw, who is the
Director of both the local Gloucestershire Screening
Programme and the National Screening Programme.
Mr Earnshaw explained that Len had two surgery
options:
•zOpen surgical repair where an incision is made in the
abdomen. The affected section of the aorta is then
replaced with a fabric tube
•zLess invasive keyhole surgery called endovascular
repair (EVAR). Small incisions are made in the groin
and a fabric tube, supported by a metal scaffold, is
then passed up the artery to the site of the aneurysm.
Not every patient or every aneurysm is suitable for
EVAR surgery
“I chose open surgery over EVAR because with open
surgery there is less chance of having to return to
hospital at a later date,” said Len. “I was relatively fit for
my age and wanted the aneurysm to be fixed for good.
“I was only in hospital for a week and although I was
very nervous for the first few months afterwards I didn’t
suffer any pain or side effects. I haven’t looked back
since.
“If I hadn’t had the operation I think I would be dead now
because the aneurysm was growing so fast.”
Gloucestershire is one of seven local AAA Screening
Programmes in England that screened a total of around
20,000 men aged 65 and over during 2009-10. Several
more local programmes are being rolled out this year
and screening should cover the whole of England by
2013.
Mr Earnshaw said: “Men who have an abdominal aortic
aneurysm do not generally notice any symptoms, which
is why screening is so important.
“Early detection of AAAs through screening enables us
to offer monitoring or treatment, reducing the number of
deaths caused by the condition.”
For more information about the NHS AAA Screening
Programme, please visit http://aaa.screening.nhs.uk.
7

News in Brief
Annual Baby Remembrance Services 2010
This year’s annual baby remembrance services will be
taking place again this Autumn.
“So Dearly Loved, So Briefly Known” are services
which provide an opportunity for space and reflection
to remember those babies who have died at any
time from conception into the early stages of life.
They are open to anyone who has been affected by
the loss of a baby. You might be a parent or sibling,
a grandparent or relative, a member of the hospital
staff or a friend. Your bereavement may be recent
or it may have happened many years ago. It doesn’t
matter. These services are an opportunity for you to
remember your baby and to meet other people who
understand because they have also lost babies that
they loved.
The services are conducted by the hospital Chaplains
and supported by other members of staff who will
be around to talk with you afterwards. Although they
follow a broadly Christian pattern of worship, it doesn’t
matter what faith background people have. All are
welcome to attend and each year there are a large
number of people who come along because they
appreciate a safe and open place in which they can
acknowledge and remember their children. There
are two services, one in Cheltenham and one in
Gloucester so that people can choose which one they
attend.
Gloucester:
7.00 p.m. Friday 24th September 2010
The Chapel
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital,
Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NN
Cheltenham:
7.00 p.m. Friday 1st October 2010
St. Luke’s Church
College Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7HX
For further details please contact the Chaplains on
08454 22 6200/4286, or the Bereavement Support
Midwife at GRH on 08454 22 5526.
Sustainability
Keep Recycling your Batteries
8
The number of batteries sent for recycling by staff
at our Trust is on the up and staff are being asked
to keep remembering to recycle.
We expect our numbers to keep rising, as more
people realise that batteries cannot be sent to
landfill, incinerated or put into clinical waste.
Each area in our hospitals should have a battery
box for domestic size batteries - AA, hearing aid
etc, which is emptied by the Porters on request.
Simply contact the Portering Helpdesk or ask your
Waste Porter.
The box should be lined with a small bag. Bags
and boxes are available on demand from the
environmental.team@glos.nhs.uk. Large
batteries from wheelchairs or hoists should be
returned to Medical Engineering.
Batteries are recycled free of charge, so as well as
saving the environment it saves money for the Trust
by diverting waste from landfill and avoiding fines.
The good reasons for recycling batteries are
numerous. As well as taking up room in the rapidly
decreasing landfill sites around the country, the
poisonous substances contained within them
present both an environmental hazard. Most of
the metals contained within them can be recycled
relatively easily, which reduces the need to mine
raw materials.
With the exception of car batteries, 2002 saw
hardly any batteries recycled in the UK. This has
increased steadily and despite narrowly missing
the 2009 target there has been a very positive
response to the challenge. You may have noticed
that supermarkets, electrical retailers and other
businesses are offering free battery disposal, so
take advantage of them - it has never been easier
to get rid of your used batteries.
Our Trust has recycled
Year 2009 2010 (so far)
Kgs of batteries
recycled by
GHNHSFT
1048 1240
These types of batteries are suitable for battery
boxes:

Patient Experience
Physiotherapy say ‘Thank You’ to Elsie Jackson family
A kind donation by the family of Elsie Jackson has
enabled the Physiotherapy Department to purchase
a Nintendo Wii-fit, complete with balance board, for
use in the rehabilitation of amputees.
Elsie Jackson’s family donated the money following
her death in September 2008. Elsie had attended
the amputee outpatient service for a number of
years and her family were very appreciative of the
service she received.
In June the Physiotherapy Department at
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital put on a
demonstration of the new departmental Wii-fit and
invited Elsie’s daughters, Valerie and Barbara,
giving the department the opportunity to say thank
you.
Valerie and Barbara were able to see patients using
the Wii-fit and talk to them about the benefits to
their rehabilitation.
Barbara commented that it was lovely to see the
patients having so much fun whilst demonstrating
the Wii-fit, and could imagine that her mother would
have enjoyed having a go!
Sue Hughes, Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner,
said: “The Wii-fit has brought fun into the group,
during what can be a difficult time both physically
and emotionally for these patients. It has been a
valuable tool which can be used for patients who
all have very different rehabilitation needs, varying
from the younger, more active patient to a less able
wheelchair user”.
New Interpreting and Translation Services
Following a large European tender the Trust has new interpreting and translation providers.
The Bigword:
The Bigword was already one of our previous
suppliers and has over 30 years experience
providing services to a large number of NHS trusts
and local authorities and is able to provide the
trust with:
•zAccess to interpreting and translation in
234 languages
•zInstant interpreting 24/7 through their telephone
interpreting service
•zComplete confidentiality
•zFast turn around times for translation
(can be as quick as within 24 hours)
•zDedicated booking team for face to face
interpreters.
Gloucestershire Deaf Association:
The GDA is also one of our previous suppliers and
serves the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
in Gloucestershire. It remains a voluntary and
charitable organisation and provides British Sign
Languages and Speed to Text interpreters.
I look forward to developing our working
relationships with these two companies over the
coming years improving the services we offer to our
patients whose first language is not English.
The contract starts on August 1st, and the new
policy, guidance for staff and instructions on how to
use the new services will be issued to wards and
departments during August.
For more information, please contact Carl Beech,
Head of Complaints & PALS.
9

Staff development
Mental Health
Nurses Move
The Mental Health
Liaison Team for Working
Age Adults and Older
people have moved
offices and are now
located in the:-
Tower Block
Ground Floor
Concourse, Gloucester
Royal Hospital,
Great Western Road,
Gloucester,
GL1 3NN
Tel: 08454 225490
Fax: 08454 225491
Congratulations!
Karen Weaver, Lead Healthcare
Assistant on Ward 6a has
achieved her A1 City and Guilds
Award – Congratulations from
all your colleagues – well done!
Sister Gilly Whittingham,
Stroke Specialist Nurse at
GRH has completed her Non
Medical Prescribing course.
Congratulations!
10
Support for Ward Managers during
times of Change
Many individuals, wards,
departments and teams have been
and will be affected by planned
service reconfigurations.
The Professional Education and
Learning and Development Team
has organised itself in order to
provide a named 'Learning and
Development Support Link' for
Ward Managers to provide help and
advice at times of organisational
change and / or service
reconfiguration.
What will the ‘Learning and
Support Links’ do?
• zContact the ward manager/s
to arrange a meeting to
discuss the impact of the
changes on the clinical needs/
patient mix; staff moves;
team as well as the ward/
department
• zWork with ward manager to
identify – induction, refresher,
update, training, learning and
support needs of staff
• zHelp the manager to plan; coordinate;
link up with subject
•zmatter experts; training
providers; network with other
areas and/or deliver any
training or support required
• zProvide written information
about learning and support
services available for
reference.
If you haven't heard from your
link and you would like some help
or advice about Learning and
Development issues please contact
the department by e mail.
Additional Resources
to support staff during
re-configuration
On the Learning and
Development - Handouts and
Policies web page are a number
of documents which you and/or
your staff may find useful
•zWork Skills Audit Guide - 2010
•zInduction Information for
existing staff moving to a new
department
•zServices available for staff
and managers at times of
organisational change
2010 Schwartz Center Rounds®
Thursday
2nd September
1pm
Wednesday
6th October
1pm
Thursday
4th November
1pm
Wednesday
1st December
1pm
“When should we stop investigating?”
Emergency medicine is all about the
here and now, finding out and doing
things quickly. Is this always the best
way?
Dr Leilah Dare, Consultant in
Emergency Medicine, CGH
“When a new baby isn’t good news”
Dr Miles Wagstaff and Caroline
Osborne, Community Paediatric
Nurse Team Leader
TBA
Clinical Ethics Committee
TBA
Sandford
Education Centre,
CGH
Redwood
Education Centre,
GRH
Sandford
Education Centre,
CGH
Redwood
Education Centre,
GRH
For further information, please contact the Postgraduate Education Centre
at Sandford Education Centre on Ext 3038

Spotlight
Fun for Everyone
Trust staff enjoyed a sunny afternoon in Gloucester
Park soaking up the atmosphere at the Family
Fun Day. In the main arena there was plenty for
the children to do, including arts and craft, donkey
rides, circus skills and the funfair. There was also a
great performance from the Bash Street Company.
And the adults weren’t neglected – they were
treated to a free barbeque and ice-creams and
the children had the
opportunity to have
their faces painted.
Some walking
entertainers also
gave everyone a few
laughs.
The Moroccan
inspired marquee
also gave staff the
opportunity to relax,
have a drink and
chat to friends and
colleagues away
from the hustle and
bustle of the main
event.
Bianca Edwards,
part of the
organising group,
said: “People
seemed to have
a really lovely
time and we
have had lots
of very positive
feedback.”
Two of the comments received are:
“The event was a great success, staff enjoyed
themselves, and we hope to be able to put on a
similar event next year. Thanks to everyone who
helped make the day a success.
“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed Sunday,
myself and my family thought it was excellent, the
tent was fabulous and my four year old daughter
wanted to stay in it all day! We very much enjoyed
the BBQ and ice-creams, and I just wanted to
express our thanks.” Deborah Dillon
“I would just like to say a big thank you on behalf
of my two young sons and myself as we had a
lovely day on Sunday when we came to the Family
Fun Day. The food was excellent and the ice
cream delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed all the
entertainment there as well. Please pass on our
thanks to all involved in organising the wonderful
day.” Cath Barley, Orthopaedic Outpatients
11

Partnership
Greyfriars acute mental health hospital ‘among the
best in the world’
whose safe management and treatment is not
possible on an open acute ward. It has 10 individual
bedrooms with en-suite facilities within a building
that uses the very latest technology in green
building design including solar power, rainwater
harvesting and wind catchers.
A new acute mental health hospital opened in
Gloucestershire last month is already being
described as one of the best in the world.
The state-of-the-art Psychiatric Intensive Care
Inpatient Unit (PICU) is an investment for
Gloucestershire and is the result of five years
dedicated planning and building work.
The unit, on the Wotton Lawn Hospital site in
Gloucester is named Greyfriars.
The centre provides care and treatment for people
The building has an unusual exterior appearance
with a bronze roof which and has been nominated
for several public building awards.
Following feedback to the Trust from service users,
the facility includes new technologies developed
by the ²gether Trust for use in psychiatric care,
including computer assisted security and infrared
technology.
Other features include a state of the art effects
area using LED lighting and artwork and music for
therapeutic effect.
New Let’s Talk service helps thousands
12
The Let’s Talk service is provided by 2gether NHS
Foundation Trust and aims to treat up to 6,000
people per year in the county.
Let’s Talk is Gloucestershire’s Improving Access to
Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service and will offer
information, guidance and talking therapy for people
who are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed.
Alison Sedgwick-Taylor, Clinical Lead for the new
service, said: “Let’s Talk is all about getting help
early and quickly. You are not alone if you are
struggling with anxiety or depression – one in four
of us will experience these problems at any one
time.
“We all go through difficult times and sometimes
our problems can start to affect our day to day lives.
You may find yourself crying a lot, getting snappy,
not being able to concentrate or avoiding things you
used to find easy. You may find it difficult to work or
take no pleasure from everyday activities.
“It is important to recognise early signs that you are
not yourself and seek help. Talking therapies can
help you feel more positive and in control.”
Let’s Talk is open to referrals from anyone living
in Gloucestershire who is over 18 with Depression
and/or Anxiety disorders including Panic Disorder
(with or without agoraphobia), Generalised Anxiety
Disorder, Social Anxiety, Health Anxiety, Phobias,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), including
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
The service will deliver National Institute Clinical
Excellence (NICE) compliant interventions, primarily
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Information
and low intensity guidance is offered over the
phone, via home computer or through attendance at
a local college course. Reading material is available
through libraries and the Let’s Talk website
www.talk2gether.nhs.uk.
Service users can be referred by their GPs or refer
themselves on 0800 073 2200.
You can access the Let’s Talk service by:
•zTalking with your GP or another primary
healthcare professional such as a practice
nurse, district nurse, health visitor or midwife
• zTelephoning 0800 073 2200, 8.30am-5.30pm
Monday-Friday. Please have your NHS Number
ready when you call
• zLogging on to www.talk2gether.nhs.uk
•zWriting to: Let’s Talk IAPT Services,
121-131 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1PX

Safer Hospitals
Medicines Reconciliation GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME
the paperwork used to record drug histories and
increasing the number of drug histories being
checked by pharmacy staff. They plan to spread
this process to medicine at GRH in the next month
or so and then focus on other specialties within the
trust.
The aim of medicines reconciliation is to ensure
that medicines prescribed on admission to hospital
correspond with those that the patient was taking
before admission and that any changes are
accounted for. Inaccurate medicines reconciliation
can pose a significant risk to patient safety as
the highest risk of medication errors occurs
at the interface between different settings. On
admission, medicines reconciliation relies heavily
on an accurate medication history being taken
and research shows that, on average, 60%
of medication histories taken by doctors are
inaccurate.
As part of the SHA’s quality and safety initiative the
Medicines Management team has been trying to
improving medicines reconciliation within the trust.
They have started by concentrating on medical
admissions at CGH and have already improved the
process by highlighting the issue to junior doctors,
training pharmacy and medical staff, improving
It’s important to get medicines right first time
and in order to facilitate this, patients are being
encouraged to bring their own medicines and
medication lists into hospital to help prescribers
take a full and accurate drug history. They are also
being asked about over the counter medicines,
vitamins and topical preparations which are often
missed out.
Medicines Management Team:
Sean Elyan - Executive lead & Medical Director
Emma Foster - F2 Doctor ACUC
Leela Gill - Clinical Pharmacist
Amanda Gregory
Medicines Management Technician
Adele Jones - Clinical Pharmacy Manager
Laura McCready - Clinical Pharmacist
Rebecca Peters
Medicines Management Nurse
Martin Pratt - Director of Pharmacy
Kerry Sharland
Medicines Management Technician
In Memoriam: Mary Gould 1928- 2010
Many of you will have
attended the recent Service of
Remembrance for Mary Gould,
a former Surgical Unit Nursing
Officer at Cheltenham General
Hospital.
Mary was educated at an English
boarding school in India and
came to England to commence
student nurse training at Cheltenham General
Hospital in 1949. In 1953 she married a well known
racing journalist Ray Gould and apart from working
at Hereford General Hospital for two years in the
late 1950’s she worked at Cheltenham General
Hospital as a Staff Nurse, Ward Sister and Surgical
Unit Nursing Officer until her retirement in June
1988. Held in the highest regard by patients and
staff alike, she was renowned for her nursing skills,
the tender consideration shown to those in her care
and the attention to the well being and training of
those working under her. Outside of the hospital
she took a lively interest in her husband’s work and
was a keen racegoer, a member of the Cheltenham
Steeplechase Club and enthusiastic fund raiser for
the Injured Jockey’s Fund.
When she retired Mary immediately accepted an
invitation to organise and train a group of volunteers
to undertake reception and hostess duties and
was the forerunner of the Voluntary Services at
Cheltenham General Hospital as it is today. Mary
will be remembered with affection and will be sadly
missed by all who knew her.
13

Working in Partnership
Groundbreaking at New Community Hospital
Site
Local MP Neil Carmichael joined
Chief Executive, Jan Stubbings
from NHS Gloucestershire at a
ceremony to ‘cut the first turf’ on
the site of the new community
hospital for the Berkeley Vale
area, located at the Littlecombe
Development in Dursley.
Jan Stubbings and Mr
Carmichael were joined by NHS Gloucestershire staff,
GPs and local community partners. Some preparatory
and foundation building work started in June, but
the turf cutting formally marked the beginning of the
development.
Jan Stubbings, Chief Executive of NHS
Gloucestershire, said: “This ceremony marked an
important step forward in providing a greater range of
healthcare for people in the Berkeley Vale area closer
to home.
“This is an exciting project which will provide care and
treatment in the best possible environment for the
patient and in the right way to meet their individual
needs. The project will deliver modern health and
social care premises and community health and
social care teams will continue to provide care in the
patient’s own home.”
Local MP, Neil Carmichael said:
“I very much welcome the start of this development to
improve healthcare facilities for the local area.”
The new health and social care campus will provide a
wide range of local health services for people living in
the local area and will reduce the need to travel into
Gloucester or Cheltenham for treatment.
The campus will include 20 beds and services
such as community therapy, outpatient clinics and
a medical assessment centre. There will also be a
range of diagnostic services such as x-ray, with scope
for mobile services such as MRI.
Confidential Inquiry for people with Learning Disabilities
14
The Confidential Inquiry into the Deaths of People
with Learning Disabilities (CI) began in the Avon
and Gloucestershire areas on June 1st.
The Confidential Inquiry is investigating the deaths
of all people with learning disabilities in Bristol,
North Somerset, Bath and NE Somerset, South
Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire areas.
The aim of the CI is to improve the standard and
quality of care for people with learning disabilities
and ultimately their health outcomes and the CI
team are relying on agencies, professionals, carers,
families and friends to notify them of the death of a
person with learning disabilities.
The inquiry team has asked for assistance in the
following ways:
If you are aware of the death of a person with
learning disabilities (or someone you think had
learning disabilities):
Please contact the Confidential Inquiry phone line
as soon as possible after the death.
The number is 0117 33 10980
The email address is ci-team@bristol.ac.uk
Assisting the CI team
Once the CI team have been notified of a
death, they will be contacting all of the services
and agencies that had provided support to the
individual. If you are one of these, we will send
you a form for your organisation to fill in and return
to us.
Attending a Local Review Panel meeting
The information about each person who has
died will be brought together at a Local Review
Panel meeting. If you are one of the services and
agencies that had provided support to the individual
you will be invited to this. We ask that you prioritise
attendance at the meeting.
We want to reassure you that this is not a ‘naming
and shaming’ process, nor will the CI be ascribing
any blame to the actions of individuals. The role
of the CI is to identify good practice and see what
lessons can be learned about the care of people
with learning disabilities.
The CI has NHS research ethics clearance, and
complies with Caldicott Guardian information
sharing agreements. It has Strategic Health
Authority support and is funded by the Department
of Health.
For further information contact Dr Pauline Heslop
on Tel: 0117 33 10980

Advert
Chapel Spa: 10% discount offered to NHS staff on treatments and spa
packages Monday-Friday. Staff ID badge must be shown when booking.
Hairdresser: ‘Hair by Hannah’ Mobile Hairdressing, covering Cheltenham
area. Qualified, insured and experienced. Competitive prices. Call 07708
556350
Local computer specialist: covering the whole of Gloucestershire.
Computer repair, virus removal, new PCs, internet security, wireless,
broadband faults and more. Standard rate £25 for 1st hour, £10 per 30
mins thereafter. Available weekends /evenings at no extra charge. £5
discount on 1st hour for NHS employees with ID card/proof of employment.
Freephone: 0800 6124 454 Website: www.glospcrepair.com
Prodec – the complete decorating service with over over 30 years
experience offer discounts for NHS employees. For free estimates and
advice email: prodec@btinternet.com or call: 07971 460314. Insurance
work welcome, Traditional & Special Paint Finishes, Paperhanging,
Wallpaper Removal, Coving.
1-bedroom garden flat Leckhampton: 1 mile from CGH £425 p.c.m. incl.
c.h. Tel:07789 561505 or shandmacox@talktalk.net
Cosy cornish cottage to let: also apartment with wounderful views
Portscatho, Roseland Peninsula. Wonderful cliff top walks from the cottage
door. Overlooks the sea. Village pub and shop. Private secluded garden.
Wonderful location in all seasons. Winter rates from £195 per week.
Summer availability Contacts: 07855492472/01453 885223 (evenings)
angelakirby1@hotmail.co.uk
Staff benefit: Subsidised
massage: Monday and
Thursday 6.30pm – 8.30pm
(West Block OPD CGH) To
book, phone Samantha Franklin,
07870 656181 Price - £16 per
hour
Birdlip & Brimpsfield
Playgroup at Birdlip Village
Hall: Mondays, Tuesdays 9am
– 12 noon rising 3’s and over,
Thursday 9am to 12 noon from
2 years old (accompanied until 2
yrs 9 months). Come and see us
play! Telephone our play leader
on 07914 091427.
To place an advert, please contact
comms@glos.nhs.uk.Alternatively,
place your advert on the ‘Staff
Classifieds’ section on the
intranet (under useful pages)
20% off at Nando’s: just show your ID card when ordering. Discount
available for cardholder’s meal only. 20% discount on Eat In or Take
Away orders over £5.80 on production of valid ID for NHS staff for the
cardholder’s meal only. To claim discount ID must be produced at the time
of purchase. Only one discount per person, per meal, per day. Not valid in
conjunction with any other offer.
Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club in Dursley: is an 18 hole course with
spectacular views over the River Severn and across seven counties. With
bar, restaurant, changing facilities and a club shop, we offer a relaxed
and friendly welcome to all new golfers. We are offering a discount
membership for 2010 to employees in the public sector. This is available
at a special rate of £245.00 which covers the period 1st July 2010 – 31st
December 2010 (normally £313.00). This will give you full access to the
club and its facilities, with no restrictions. If you’ve never played before,
the offer includes a FREE INTRODUCTORY GOLF LESSON. To take
up the offer, please contact our office. Proof of your employment is
required. Please call Ian Crowther on 01453 542015 or email secretary@
stinchcombehillgolfclub.co.uk www.stinchcombehillgolfclub.co.uk
Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham: NHS staff can access the biggest
Government Rate programme in the world. Book discounted Government
Rates at over 4,500 of our hotels worldwide within IHG, gain up to
50% off the accommodation rates available, book discounted rates for
your personal leisure travel and holidays. At the Holiday Inn Express
Cheltenham you can book £63.50 bed & breakfast, the most competitive
Government rate available in Cheltenham. Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham
Town Centre, Dunalley Street Cheltenham, GL50 4AP Tel: 01242 548
200
15

& Rotary Club of Cheltenham North presents...
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
A group of all‐singing, all‐dancing, all‐strumming Ukulele players, using instruments
bought with loose change, which believes that all genres of music are available for
reinterpretation, as long as they are played on the Ukulele.
Time 7.30pm on Thursday 9 September 2010
@ Cheltenham Town Hall
Unreserved ticket price £22 and £20 available from:
The Leukaemia & Intensive Chemotherapy Fund
Haematology Department, Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham, Glos GL53 7AN
LINC@glos.nhs.uk 08454 224422
www.lincfund.org www.ukuleleorchestra.com