Cascade Summer/Autumn 2012 - Plymouth Hospitals

More documents

Recommendations

Info

cascade_summer_2012_1.5:Cascade_Winter_2011 23/10/2012 13:49 Page 26 26 Vision Aid Overseas David Adams, Head of the Optometry Department at the Royal Eye Infirmary contacted Cascade to let us know about a visit he made to Zambia. “It was 25 years since I qualified as an optometrist and I felt it was time to give something back. At the end of 2011 I was lucky enough to be selected for a Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) trip to Zambia. 670 million people worldwide are disadvantaged by poor vision and a lack of glasses. VAO is an international charity dedicated to transforming access to eye care services in developing countries. “Providing spectacles to those who need them gives people an immediate improvement to their lives; with no retirement pension people work for as long as they can, this becomes so much harder when near vision deteriorates with age. We saw over 1000 patients during our visit, many needed spectacles to help with close work and we were also able to offer advice on eye hygiene. There are no opticians or optometrists in Mansa where we stayed and only 3 in the whole country which has a population of 13 million people. “It was an amazing trip, but hard work in a hot country where temperatures his 35C most days. Our enjoyment at swimming in the local lake, Lake Bangweulu, was tempered when we found out two children had been 'taken' by crocodiles the previous month. Needless to say we observed the lake after that!” For more information on the work of Vision Aid Overseas visit www.vao.org.uk UKUN People's Health Initiative Medical Secretary Debbie Ellis recently returned from a volunteer trip overseas and having spent three weeks in Bagamoyo in Tanzania PHNT around the world “I volunteer through an organisation called Cross Cultural Solutions and have been overseas with them twice before. This time my placement was at an organisation that runs a home-based programme for people living with and affected by HIV. Bagamoyo has one of the highest incidence of HIV in africa and is very poor. Although I was prepared for a change in culture and having been to South Africa, knew I would be exposed to poverty and ill-health but I have to say nothing prepared me for what I experienced. “The organisation called UKUN, People's Health Initiative, and is a non-government organisation that depends on sponsors and donors. My day was spent in the 'clinic' providing a walk in service to test people for HIV and then if positive referring them on to the hospital for the appropriatre treatment. The organisation's director is based at this clinic and provides a testing and counselling service as well as visiting the housebound to ensure they have been able to access their ARV's (treatment for HIV/AIDS). People do not have access to adequate health care, indeed the situation that had the most impact on me was that the local hospital in Bagamoyo - not only do relatives feed and care for the inpatients (which is a cultural thing in Africa) but they also provide clean water for drinking as the hospital does not have any! “There is quite a lot I could write about my most recent visit, more than anything I would like to raise awareness and funds for the organisation. I have heard since returning home that UKUN is struggling. The big grants have come to an end and due to the world economic crisis, others have not come to fruition. I ran the Plymouth Half Marathon in June and raised around £500 sponsorship through this, a Paypal account has been set up for those who feel able to help, donations can be made through your paypal account if you have one to peopleshealthbagamoyo@gmail.com “If you have a fundraising idea, this is also most welcome or if you know of anyone or an organisation who you think might help, please could you share this with them or get in touch with me via the above e- mail address. Thank you.”
cascade_summer_2012_1.5:Cascade_Winter_2011 23/10/2012 13:49 Page 27 The improving working lives staff lottery has been running since 2005, staff who are in the lottery have the opportunity to win 3 monthly prices of up to £550 as well as bonus draws which happen in June and December of each year with a £1000 price. Since the lottery started we have given away over £60,000 in prizes. We thought this would be a good opportunity to allow you to gain some information about the committee who run it. The committee currently consists of 13 members from different areas around the Trust. They meet on a quarterly basis and discuss any issues with the lottery, ideas for promotion and agree any bids submitted by members of the lottery who have asked the lottery to provide funding to improve their working lives which could be in the form of equipment for their staff area, funding towards team building or kitchen equipment. The committee consists of: Linda Atkinson Lewis – Chairperson, Sally Wilson – Treasurer/Promoter, Sheerie Lawton and Becky Tucker – Joint Secretaries/Administration, Jayne Middleman, Fred Allen, Jill Hewins, Paul Cooper, Ria George, Alison Green, Jo Canham, Gary Rockley and Lorraine Veale. All other members of the lottery have to attend the committee meetings on a quarterly basis, making decisions on the bids and help with the monthly pay day draw to pick the lucky lottery winners. Cascade caught up with some of the committee members, below: From left to right it is Paul Cooper, Linda Atkinson-Lewis, Lorraine Veale, Fred Allen, Becky Tucker and Sheerie Lawton. How long have you been on the committee and what’s your role? Ria: About 18months. Jayne: I have been on the committee since it started, originally as the lead but more recently due to my role changing I am now a Workforce representative. Linda: I have been on the committee for one year and I am the Chair. Jo: I have been working in procurement for two and a half years and have been raising the lottery funded purchase orders ever since. I also advise on suppliers and try and find the best deals! What is your role outside of the committee at PHNT? Ria: I am the patient admin office coordinator and am responsible for bookwise and the reminder service in the Trust. Jayne:Organisational Development Facilitator and Equality & Diversity Lead (Workforce). Linda: Foundation Programme Manager, I look after all the F1s and F2s in the Trust. Jo: I am a member of the eproc helpdesk. Why did you join the committee? Ria: To make a difference. Jayne:The lottery was managed by my team when it first started. Linda: I was part of the original committee when the lottery was just an idea way back when! Jo: It was part of my job role however I found myself playing a bit more of an active part over the past six months. Is there a lot of work involved? Ria: No. Jayne: In the initial stages there was, but as a committee member now it is just supporting the monthly draw and attending meetings on a quarterly basis. Linda: No not really just a regular meeting and contact via e-mail. Jo: I do try and find suppliers that are reliable and that we use on a regular basis as I want to make sure the commitee’s money is spent wisely and goods arrive efficiently. What’s the best thing about being part of the committee? Ria: Having a voice and being able to encourage and advise people to bid for lottery funding and then approving the bids. Jayne: As I was the IWL Lead it is nice to see that through the lottery the Trust is still in a position to make improvements for staff in the workplace and make the environment better whether it be through equipment or improvements to staff rooms etc. Linda: It is great fun and a pleasure to be able to bring a little bit of happiness to my colleagues around the trust. Jo: Knowing that I am raising the orders to provide equipment that will help staff in their day to day life (I have ordered quite a few kettles and toasters!) which provides the energy for staff to provide the best patient care! All information about the staff lottery including application forms, bid forms increase of membership forms can be found via the staff lottery logo on Healthnet or by contacting plh-tr.Staff-lottery@nhs.net Staff lottery
Page 1 and 2: cascade_summer_2012_1.5:Cascade_Win
Page 25: cascade_summer_2012_1.5:Cascade_Win

Cascade Summer/Autumn 2012 - Plymouth Hospitals

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?