Health Care of the Elderly - Plymouth Hospitals

Winter 2009
Health Care
of the Elderly
The lowdown on recent changes: pages 6–7
Cascade
Awards & Achievements
Four pages of your outstanding success: pages 10–13
Working in the Community
Raising the profile of the Trust: pages 3–5
Interview with Sam Waddy
The man behind some of the new display photos: page 17

IN THIS ISSUE
Cover photo: The Health
Care of the Elderly team – see
article on pages 6–7
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like to request
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in a larger or
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contact:
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Ext: 55011
E: Laura.Young@
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DEADLINE FOR
NEXT EDITION:
Friday 3rd April 2009
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Message from the Press and
Communications Team
Welcome to the winter edition of Cascade, which seems to have been a while in the
making but we are delighted to finally bring it to you.
As you can see from the front page, there have been some major changes made to the Trust’s
Care of the Elderly Department. We introduce you to new members of the team and talk you
through the changes on pages six and seven.
As always, we are delighted to be able to acknowledge so many of you for your sterling work
and achievements and to highlight the awards you have received for your efforts. Check out
pages 10 and 11. Also in this edition, we find out what some of our different teams have been
doing out in the community including a Teddy Bears’ Hospital in Drake Circus, and we talk to
Sam Waddy, Consultant in ICU and Acute Medicine about his passion for photography in ‘The Big
Interview’ on page 17.
Cascade is one of the communication channels brought to you by the Communications Team.
We are continuing to ask staff what they think about communications through the Listening
into Action project. This is a large scale conversation with representative groups of staff from
across the organisation. The project aims to understand what you, our staff, think about
communications in the Trust and identify steps we can all take to improve this. Invitees have
been selected at random to come along and give their views. If you are invited to a session,
please come and tell us what you think.
We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Cascade and perhaps thinking of ways in which you
can appear in the magazine in future. We would love to hear from you, so let us know what you
are doing, what you are achieving or how you are fundraising and we will do our very best to
accommodate your stories. Get in touch soon though, as the magazine is filling up fast.
The Press and Communications Team
Contents
13
2 Winter 2009 Cascade
5
19
3–5 Working in the Community
Staff participate in official week to promote
pathology; Plymouth Respect Festival; and a
Teddy Bears’ Hospital comes to Drake Circus
6–7 Health Care of the Elderly
What’s been happening in the Trust’s Health
Care of the Elderly department
7 Staff Show Support for Local Hero
Raising money for a Plymouth Royal Marine
8–9 Sharing Expertise
The second Plymouth CBRN Symposium,
Newborn News and Election details
10–11 Awards and Achievements
Celebrating personal and professional successes
12–13 Work and Fundraising
Highlighting your efforts for others
14 Celebrating Volunteers
The annual Volunteer Thank You Party and an
80th birthday surprise
15 Improvements
The new drop-off point and wildlife pond area
16 Calling Budding Photographers /
Smokefree Homes Award Scheme
17 The Big Interview
Sam Waddy on his photographic contributions
18 In Memory of... Lorraine Hughes
New Dedicated Research Sspace
The Lind Research Centre
19 Retirements
A fond farewell to Trust friends and colleagues

WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY
Raising the Profile of Pathology
In the first week of November, staff from the Pathology
Directorate at Derriford Hospital participated in an official
week to promote the role of pathology in the UK.
The first National Pathology Week took place from November
3rd – 9th and staff from all disciplines within the laboratories,
including Consultants, Specialist Registrars, Clinical Scientists,
Biomedical Scientists, Assistant Technical Officers (ATO), Medical
Technical Officers (MTO), Transfusion Nurses and Medical
Secretaries hosted a number of ‘hands-on’ activities within the
laboratories for local school children, before ending the week with
an interactive event in the Drake Circus Shopping Centre.
Dr Ruth Ayling, Consultant Chemical Pathologist, said: “The
week was extremely successful. Its aim was to promote the role
of pathology and the work we do. The majority of our work is
behind the scenes and unknown to patients and members of the
public, so we were delighted to be able to take part in National
Pathology Week to raise our profile.
“During the
first part of
the week we
played host
to around
120 Year Five
primary school
children,
who were
participating in
a community
project,
‘Widening
Horizons’. The children were
fascinated by the activities we
organised for them and were
really keen to learn.”
The children from the local
schools were given the
opportunity to carry out a
number of pathology tests,
including checking their
hands under a glow box, testing teddy bear blood, urine and poo
and studying a healthy and damaged liver. At the same time, staff
from the laboratories were on hand to explain about health issues
such as smoking,
diabetes and hygiene.
On November 8th, a
group of staff from all
departments within
Pathology were in
Drake Circus shopping
centre to demonstrate
what they do and
answer questions
such as what happens
to blood tests taken at the GP surgery. The exhibition was
co-ordinated by Consultant Chemical Pathologist Dr Hannah
Delaney and gave visitors the opportunity to look through
microscopes at blood films, watch demonstrations of blood
glucose testing and take away information on career options
within the laboratories.
Joanna Farrugia, Clinical
Scientist, said: “The day
in the shopping centre
was a great success
as scientists from all
areas were on hand to
demonstrate what it is
that we do and explain
to the public how we
strive to perform tests
of the very best
quality in a short
timeframe, so
that doctors can
diagnose correctly
and give the right
treatments. The
majority of the
people who came
to see us didn’t
realise we existed
or that Derriford
hospital had a whole suite of laboratories on-site.”
Pathology is essentially the study of disease in tissues and blood
and has been described as a “hidden science” taking place in the
hospital laboratories
rather than on the
wards. The Pathology
directorate at
Plymouth Hospitals
is made up of three
departments.
The biggest is
the Combined
Laboratory,
comprising
clinical biochemistry,
haematology,
immunology and
molecular biology. It
employs 166 members of
staff who are responsible
for carrying out around
70,000 blood tests per
week for hospital and GP
patients.
Microbiology employs
55 members of staff
who identify and help
to treat viral, bacterial
and fungal infections.
Finally, Histopathology,
which employs 77
people and involves the
examination of tissues in
order to identify disease
processes, deal with
smear tests and perform some cancer investigations.
Cascade
Winter 2009
3

WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY
Respect is Getting Better and Better
After such a good response last year, staff at Plymouth
Hospitals NHS Trust (PHNT) are already looking forward to
the 2009 Respect Festival.
Fifteen members of Trust staff took part in Plymouth’s 11th
annual two-day internationally famous Respect Festival at the
end of October 2009 and had an excellent response to the
activities they provided.
The main focus for Plymouth Hospitals was the children’s play
area, which was situated in the Guildhall. Play Therapists from
the Children Play Centre on level 12 at Derriford Hospital, Sue
Rogers and Jo James, were on hand to talk to visiting children
about coming in to hospital using their special interactive
patients, Annie the doll and Angus the teddy. The children also
coloured in pictures of nurses and lined up to have bandages
fitted and to use the stethoscope.
Patient Services Manager, Sue Latham, who was also there on
the day, said: “It gave us a chance to interact with the parents
as well as the children to discuss a range of issues. We even
had to go and buy more supplies as the children were enjoying
the activities so much.”
Student dieticians were also on hand to make fruit smoothies,
which went down well. While, other members of staff manned
an information stand about recruitment and Union membership.
For further information or for details on the Respect events, visit
www.plymouthrespectfestival.co.uk
Trust Leaders visit
Shekinah Mission
In November Chief
Executive, Paul
Roberts, Director of
Human Resources,
Christine Lloyd-
Jennings and Director
of Nursing and
Midwifery, Julie Hendry
visited the Shekinah
Mission in Plymouth
to see for themselves how the
Mission is making a difference
in tackling Britain’s most
pressing social issues in areas
of disadvantage.
Paul, Christine and Julie met
with staff and clients at the
Mission and heard about the
difficulties clients and other vulnerable people have in entering
the world of work. The group also visited premises on Bath
Street and Stonehouse Street, which are part of the Mission,
to learn about the training and development that clients access
there. The visit was arranged by Business in the Community.
Shekinah Mission works in partnership with Business Action on
Homelessness to deliver the Ready for Work programme and
Plymouth Sustainable Employment project, which focuses on
moving people forward into sustainable employment.
As one of the largest employers within the City, Plymouth
Hospitals NHS Trust plays a vital role in removing barriers faced
by the same client group. Recently the Trust, which employs
more than 6,300 staff, has taken on clients from the Mission,
on two-week supported work placements, which are currently
ongoing and already proving to be a success.
“Our visit provided myself and my colleagues with the chance
to meet the staff and clients at the Shekinah Mission and hear
about the projects they are undertaking,” said Paul. “We were
very impressed with the projects and individuals we met on the
day, all of whom are working extremely hard to get back into
the world of work. We look forward to continuing to work in
partnership and supporting this really important organisation,
which helps to change people’s lives.”
4
Winter 2009 Cascade

WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY
Helping Hands
The Department of Infection Prevention and Control at Plymouth
Hospitals NHS Trust announced the winner and runners up
in their ‘Washing Hands’ School Poster Competition at a
prize-giving ceremony on Wednesday 3 December. The prizegiving,
held in the hospital’s main foyer, was attended by
children from Courtland’s School and Estover.
Chief Executive Paul Roberts, presented the lucky winners with
framed versions of their winning designs and all the pupils who
attended the prize-giving were invited by Dr Peter Jenks, Director
of Infection Prevention and Control to stay for a tea party. The
posters have now been displayed across the Trust.
All schools within Plymouth were invited by Plymouth City Council
to take part, with 83 children entering their designs into the
competition.
Teddy Bears’ Hospital
A Teddy Bears’ Hospital was set up by the Happy
Hospital Children’s Fund in the Drake Circus Shopping
Centre on Saturday 1st November.
The unique idea was put forward by the Chairman of the
charity, Charge Nurse John Knight, when they were looking for
ways to raise its profile. The Happy Hospital Children’s Fund
is a registered charity, which supports the Children and Young
People’s Health Directorate by enhancing the environment,
services and facilities provided for both the children undergoing
treatment and their families.
On the day, children bought their teddies and soft toys to the
‘hospital’ to be looked at by nursing staff from the children’s
wards at Derriford Hospital and Plym Theatres for health
checks and ‘surgery’.
Four areas had been set up by the staff; an admissions area,
where the teddies were clerked and a history was taken, an
assessment area, where the diagnosis was made, the theatre
area, for those teddies who needed ‘surgery’ and a recovery /
discharge area, where the teddies were examined to see that they were well enough to be sent home.
As well as mending poorly soft toys, nursing staff from Derriford Hospital were also able to explain to children and their parents what
they could expect if they were admitted to hospital, and the procedures they would be likely to experience – particularly if they were
having an operation or scan.
“The aim of the day was three-fold,” Fundraiser Graham
Parkinson explains. “We wanted to create awareness
of the work of the staff on the children’s wards, theatres
and the charity. Secondly, it allowed us to allay any
fears that children might have about going into hospital
and particularly about having an operation and thirdly, it
provided us with the opportunity to raise funds for the
charity.
“We were very grateful to the shopping centre
management for allowing us to stage the ‘hospital’ in the
centre and to Build a Bear, who lent their support to the
event by providing two bears – a nurse and a surgeon
– for a raffle and turned out with their mascot.”
L-R: Staff Nurse Gill Thomas (Wildgoose Ward),
Sister Caroline Morrison (Plym Day Case
Theatres), Build a Bear mascot, Staff Nurse
Gill Craig (Whitehorse Assessment Unit), Ward
Manager Helen Little (Children and Young
People’s Outpatients Department, Sister Debbie
Turnbull (Wildgoose Ward) and Staff Nurse
Caroline Gibbs (Fracture Clinic).
Chief Executive, Paul Roberts holding the winning
design, with Claire Haill and Peter Jenks from the
Infection Prevention and Control Team and children
from Courtland’s School and Estover.
Cascade
Winter 2009
5

Health Care of
the Elderly
By Louise Mercer
Big changes have taken place in the Trust’s Care of the
Elderly department in recent months. Cascade went along
to find out more.
According to a recent census for Help the Aged, there are more
than 11 million elderly people currently living in the UK and
as the number of elderly people being admitted into Derriford
Hospital continues to increase, the Health Care of the Elderly
(HCE) department has expanded and is offering a number of
new exciting services to complement their existing services.
Who’s New?
The department has gained three new Consultant Geriatricians;
Dr Tim Hall, Dr Paul Hancock and Dr Andrew Stone. There are
also plans to recruit two more consultants this year. In addition
to these new posts, the department now has two Nurse
Specialists for Older People, who worki closely with the Health
Care of the Elderly Advice and Liaison Team (HEAL) is Sarah
Carlson and her colleague, Ali Davey will be working within the
Emergency Department to ensure that older people receive the
correct and most appropriate care when they are admitted first.
Consultant Nurse for Older People, Karen Grimshaw, who has
been in the post for two years, has also taken on the extra role
of Director of Nursing and Midwifery.
What’s New?
New Wards
Following assessment by a member of the HCE team, patients
will be admitted to one of the new wards – Hembury and
Hartor on level 9.
New Services
Acute Care Daily Geriatrician Service
One of the new services being offered by the department is
the Acute Care Daily Geriatrician (DG) service. This weekly
service launched at the beginning of October 2008 and aims
to provide a specialist medical service for elderly people who
are admitted to Derriford Hospital’s acute wards. Patients
are assessed daily on the Medical Assessment Unit by the
department’s five consultants:
Monday Dr Jamie Fulton
Tuesday Dr Tim Hall
Wednesday Dr Paul Hancock
Thursday Dr Salim Mahadik
Friday Dr Andrew Stone
6 Winter 2009 Cascade

Some of the groups of patients that they assess include:
l Fallers
l Patients suffering with dizziness, syncope and loss of
consciousness (LOC)
l Parkinsonism
l Multipathology patients
l ALICE score of more than 3 (age, lifestyle, illness, confusion,
existing package of care)
l Cardiac failure
The The Health Care of the Elderly Advice and Liaison
Service
The HEAL service provides advice to clinical teams on the
care of older people with complex needs. Nurse Specialist,
Sarah Carlson, explains: “The HEAL team consists of clinicians
from our HCE team and others who work on the HCE wards,
including myself. We work very closely to improve the care
of older people in hospital and to promote the improved
management of care of older people on the other specialist
general wards across the Trust.”
of staff working with clinical teams in order to improve and
promote the services for older people at Derriford Hospital.”
Champions for Older People have been prepared for their
role by the development of a number of different training
programmes:
l Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) – a programme which looks
at the specific needs of older people coming into hospital
l Awareness of safeguarding adults / adult protection
procedures – in-house workshops to be held by Karen
Grimshaw
l Management of patient falls in hospital
l Managing confused patients in hospital
l Basic foot care in hospital wards.
Sarah concludes: “Even though our HCE department is still
relatively small in comparison to other departments, the
developments and improvements that have already taken place
and continue to do so, are something to be very proud of.
The team are looking forward to continued support from our
colleagues and we hope that this year will see a further rise in
the general care and treatment of older people.”
Champions for Older People in Hospital
Older people now represent over two-thirds of patients in
hospital and are the highest users of urgent and emergency
care services. Therefore, as Sarah says, the HCE department
is a very important tool for the development of ‘Champions for
Older People’.
“The role of Champions for Older People is to be an advocate
for older people, leading on improvements in the care of the
elderly at local ward level and on Trust-wide initiatives and
introducing and implementing new practices”, explains Sarah.
“The scheme oversees all professions, departments and grades
Interesting Facts
l It is estimated that there are more than 46,000 elderly
people currently living in Plymouth
l An elderly man is considered to be 65+
l An elderly woman is considered to be 60+
l The South West’s population of 65 and over is projected
to rise from 976,300 to over 1.5 million by 2026.
Source: South West Observatory 2008
Staff Show Support for Local Hero
Staff on the Medical Assessment Unit at Derriford Hospital are
showing their support for a Royal Marine who lost both his legs
and his right arm while on foot patrol in Afghanistan in 2007, by
aiming to raise thousands of pounds for him and his family.
Mark Ormrod from Plymouth, who was on foot patrol in Afghanistan
on Christmas Even in 2007, when he stepped on a land mine.
His mum, Jackie Ormrod, who is a housekeeper on the Medical
Assessment Unit, learned of her son’s accident while at work.
To show support to their colleague and her son, staff on the unit
decided to set up a Local Hero Project with the aim to raise money
for Mark’s family.
Consultant in Internal Medicine, Dr Peter Lynch, explains: “Like
so many others, myself and my colleagues on the unit have been
supporting Help for Heroes, a charity dedicated to improving facilities
for our wounded Service personnel. However, as a team we also felt
strongly that we should do something specifically for Mark himself
and his family, which is why we have set up our Local Hero Project.
“Throughout this year, our aim is to raise as much money as we can by holding fundraising events. We have colleagues doing
abseils, marathons, 24-hour events, bike rides, car boot sales – you name it, we’re probably doing it!
“But it is not just the money. We want to show Jackie that we too are proud of her son, as we are of all our armed forces.”
Cascade
Winter 2009
7

SHARING EXPERTISE
The Second Plymouth CBRN Symposium
Consultant Physician Dr Jamie Fulton provides us with
an account following the second Plymouth Chemical,
Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) held on 11th
November 2008 in the Postgraduate Medical Centre.
Through major incident courses, it proved possible to subsidise
multidisciplinary and multiagency attendance to the CBRN
symposium, which was gratifyingly substantial, and to attract
experienced and knowledgeable speakers.
As a consequence, a highly successful symposium was hosted,
organised by Mrs Jackie Close. Unfortunately, biological
factors intervened drawing away one of the main speakers,
whose expertise was required elsewhere with the fatal situation
involving pulmonary anthrax in London. However, this inevitably
formed the basis for the substitute biological talk as there had
been a stark reminder of the fact that such incidents could
occur anywhere in the country.
This year’s symposium focused principally on chemical
incidents. Following an account from Sarah Harrison, Consultant
in Public Health, on the difficulties faced by Public Health Dr
Simon Horne, Locum Consultant in emergency medicine,
walked us through the contingency planning in Treliske for
an inadvertent chemical release following the closure and
sanitisation of a local chemical plant at Nancekuke. The
isolated biological presentation focused on anthrax as both an
inadvertent infection and as a weapon, then for post-prandial
delectation, involved the audience in working through the
recognition of, management of and recovery from an E.coli
O157 outbreak.
Dr Chris Grainge, Surgeon Commander RN from Southampton
covered the pulmonary consequences of a deliberate or
inadvertent chemical release of phosgene or chlorine. Dr Paul
Rice from Porton Down, frightened all with his account of
the terrorist and military potention of chemical weapons and
Professor David Baker, Consultant Medical Toxicologist rounded
off proceedings, both pulling together the main messages from
prior talks and delivering the perspective for the Department of
Health and from the Health Protection Agency with regard to
accidental and deliberate release of chemicals.
The rationale behind this event is to emphasise the risk that all
hospitals and community health organisations face; there is a
naïve belief that it will not be us, not here, not now, it always
happens to someone else. Risk assessment emphasises our
hazards and the degree of both our exposure and resilience.
A CBRN incident is a real entity, the responsibility for health
service performance rests with the Chief Executives and Medical
Directors of the healthcare organisations. Any such incident
would affect all of us to a substantial degree in all aspects of
clinical and operational management. Preparation, hazardawareness
and the development of a degree of resilience will
improve performance and is expected to be effective in riskreduction.
USE YOUR VOTE
Elections for the Council of Governors
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust is applying to become
a Foundation Trust (FT) in 2009. We have entered the
phase in which we engage with Monitor, the organisation
that regulates FTs, with a target authorisation date of 1
May 2009. The elections process has commenced and
nominations have been received from prospective public
and staff governors. The Trust will communicate with staff
at their home addresses.
Why do we want to become a Foundation Trust (FT)?
We believe becoming an FT will allow us to be more responsive
to our staff, our patients and the partners we work with. We will
be in control of our own destiny, have more financial freedom,
and have the ability to better plan. There are currently 114 FTs
in England and Wales.
What are the six staff groups?
l Medical & Dental
l Nursing & Midwifery Services
l Admin & Clerical, Management, Hospital Chaplains & Estates
l Health Professionals
l Volunteers
Who can I vote for?
Voting will be by staff group and you can only vote for a
candidate within your respective staff group.
What happens next?
All staff will receive their voting packs in March which will list all
of the candidates within your respective staff group. Elections
will be conducted on a ‘First Past the Post’ basis.
When are the results announced?
The results will be available on the 6th April 2009.
Finally…
Please use your vote and, when you receive the ballot papers,
cast it for the Governor of your choice. Remember, whoever is
elected in each category will be your voice on the Council of
Governors.
Where can I get more information?
You get more information by contacting the Foundation Trust
office and speaking to either Gill Hunt, ext. 39060 or Kirsty
McIntee, ext. 39096 or by going onto the Trust’s website at
www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk
l Contracted Staff
8 Winter 2009 Cascade

Newborn News
Róisín McKeon-Carter is one of the Advanced Neonatal
Nurse Practitioners (ANNP) working on the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Derriford Hospital and is
responsible for organising the one-day annual study days,
entitled ‘Newborn News’. Neonatal nurses, midwives,
GPs, health visitors healthcare assistants, midwifery care
assistants, nursery nurses and those involved in the care
of newborns across the Peninsula are invited to attend
to hear talks from Neonatal consultants, paediatricians,
obstetricians, nurses with specialists interests and other
allied professionals mainly from the Derriford team.
On Monday 22nd September 2008, the fifth study day was
held in the Postgraduate Medical Centre with 70 delegates
attending from a multidisciplinary perspective. Chaired by
Debbie Eadie, ANNP, the theme of the day was Newborn
Wellbeing. Below is a review
of the day by Róisín.
The first speaker, Dr
Julia Lilley, Consultant
Neonatologist, gave an
informative lecture on
the clinical presentation,
complications and
medical management of
hypernatraemic dehydration
in the newborn, which was
very well received and evoked
discussion and debate. Dr
Alison Busfield, Associate
Neonatal Specialist at Exeter,
outlined the benefits of
Vitamin K administration to
newborn.
An animated and entertaining
presentation was delivered
by Dr John Madar, Consultant
Neonatologist and Clinical
Director of the Peninsula
Neonatal Network (PNN).
John espoused the merits of
an observational tool “NEWS”
(Newborn Early Warning System) used on the maternity unit
to identify concerns. Working in collaboration with Glenys
Connolly, ANNP, the ‘NEWS’ observational tool is currently
being piloted and early feedback from midwives and medical
staff is positive.
Dr Julian Eason, Consultant Neonatologist and Associate
Clinical Director highlighted how essential it is that every
newborn receives optimal nutrition, ideally from the mother’s
breast milk. During his lecture, Julian explained how the
nutrition of preterm babies was managed from birth to
discharge and beyond. Many newborn babies become
jaundiced and the next speaker, Pauline Smith, ANNP,
presented this subject. Outlining the physiological and
pathological processes, treatment options and advice for
parents, midwives, health visitors and GPs attending the study
day found these lectures particularly beneficial and informative
for their day-to-day management of newborns.
‘Breast is best’ was the topic presented by Sister Heather
Hopper, Public Health Midwife. Heather discussed the
implementation of the Breastfeeding Initiative (BFI) in Derriford
Hospital and NHS Plymouth. Completing the morning lectures
was Giles Richardson, Consultant Neonatologist whose
lecture ‘Paediatric Alert Stickers Explained’ evoked the most
SHARING EXPERTISE
L-R: Dr Julian Eason, Consultant Neonatologist, Judith
Clegg, ANNP (Treliske), Liz Daniels, TITLE, Louise Wells,
TITLE, Debbie Eadie, TITLE, Róisín McKeon-Carter, ANNP,
Roz Allen, TITLE, Pauline Smith, ANNP, John Madar,
Consultant Neonatologist and Alison Busfield, Associate
Neonatal Specialist (Exeter)
discussion of the morning. Many midwives identify problems
ante-natally that need to be highlighted to the paediatric team.
Happily, Giles was able to allay fears and clarify the correct
pathway for the completion of the paediatric alert stickers.
Lunchtime provided an opportunity for networking and
exhibitions and a question and answer sessions was held by
Moira Johnson, Midwife and Newborn Examiner, with fellow
newborn examiners and interested midwives from Derriford and
the Peninsula units in attendance.
Dr John Madar returned to the podium post lunch to discuss
the work of the PNN. He presented statistics of how setting
up the PNN has changed the level of dependency of care in
each peninsula unit. Derriford now looks after the most ‘at risk’
babies in our Level 3 NICU. John applauded the rigorous nurse
training programme on the NICU and in other units, ensuring
nursing excellence for the
neonatal population across the
South West. Also highlighted
was the ongoing drive to recruit
more medical and nursing staff.
John went on to applaud
the success of the Peninsula
Neonatal Transport Service
(PNTS), who provide cover
24-hours a day and are also
based at and staffed by NICU
Derriford. The PNTS undertake
the majority of the transports
around the Peninsula and also
take babies out of the regional
district for specialist care,
including cardiac and abdominal
surgery. John praised the
support of his neonatal
consultant colleagues who
all work tirelessly in providing
an excellent service for the
newborn peninsula population.
Neonatal Sister, Vanessa
Allen discussed the merits of
benchmarking and outlining
how the benchmarking group she is involved with produces
standard guidelines which are to be adopted by the Peninsula
units. Following Vanessa was Lisa Nightingale, Outreach
Sister from Truro who informed the audience that advances
in neonatal medicine has given rise to increased survival
rates of extremely premature and low birth weight infants.
Consequently, there has been an increase in the number of
children with long-term or prolonged health needs e.g. those
with chronic lung disease requiring oxygen therapy. Lisa’s
lecture was extremely interesting, evoking food for thought
for those units who do not have a neonatal outreach facility in
place.
The last speaker of the day, Judith Clegg, ANNP from Truro,
spoke of an innovative nurse role in neonatology – nurse
independent prescribing (NIP). Six of the nine ANNPs in the
Peninsula have recently qualified as NIPs, the other three are
soon to embark on the course.
The study day concluded with many of those attending
requesting the date for Newborn News 2009. I would like to
thank my NICU colleagues who helped with the administration
and organisation of the day, and all the speakers for providing
an excellent education resource for the multidisciplinary team.
Cascade
Winter 2009
9

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
H H
The Malcolm Harrington Prize
In November, Registrar in Occupational Health, Dr
Kaveh Asanati, submitted two abstracts for the Malcolm
Harrington Prize.
The Malcolm Harrington Prize is awarded on an annual basis
by the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) to an Occupational
Physician in training or within one year of achieving specialist
accreditation for the most noteworthy presentation at a meeting
of the Section of Occupational Medicine
As the first author in the first piece of work and the second
author in the second, Kaveh was fortunate to receive an email
on 5th November 2008 stating that the first work had been
selected as one of the three finalists for presentation at the
Harrington Prize on 18th November.
“The title of this work was Visualizing Interdependencies among
Work-stressors using Self-organizing Maps,” said Kaveh. “In this
work, we used an artificial intelligence method to visualize a set
of data related to work stressors.”
Kaveh then made contact with a registrar colleague in London
and discovered that the work in which he was the second author
had also been accepted as one of the finalists too! The title of
this work was Needlestick injuries: does left handedness matter.
“In this study, which consisted of a data review of needlestick
injuries among healthcare workers of four teaching hospitals
over a 36-month period, the risk of needlestick injury amongst
left-handed healthcare works was 1.6 times the risk for righthanders.”
The presentation were made on the 18th November at the
Royal Society of Medicine. Thereafter, the judges made their
decision and the work on handedness and needlestick injury, in
which Kaveh was the second author, was awarded the prize.
Groundbreaking and Innovative Surgery at The Royal Eye Infirmary
By Sue Bond, Theatre Sister, Royal Eye Infirmary
In September, Theatre Sister at the
Royal Eye Infirmary (REI), Sue Bond,
gave a talk at the Royal College of
Nursing Ophthalmic Nursing Conference
in London about a new technique being
undertaken at the REI. Here she explains
how the REI are leading the way with groundbreaking and
innovative surgery.
I have worked at the REI for 20 years, during which time I have
seen huge advances in ophthalmic surgery and techniques.
Nothing, however, has excited me more than the recent
development in corneal transplantation.
The cornea is the clear ‘window’ on the front of your eye,
through which you see. Diseases such as Fuch’s dystrophy
cause this clear window to become ‘boggy’ and full of water
because the internal pump is not working properly. Up until
2007, if a patient needed a corneal graft due to Fuch’s
dystrophy they would require a full thickness graft; replacing
almost the whole of their cornea with a donor cornea, from a
person who has donated their eyes after their death.
This involves a general anaesthetic; the patient is asleep in
the operating theatre for about an hour whilst the surgery is
performed. Afterwards, the recovery period can be protracted
whilst the wound heals and the patient may experience visual
disturbances requiring glasses or further surgical procedures.
The REI was the first unit in the country to undertake DSAEK,
a new technique, which replaces only the diseased part
of the cornea, not the entire structure. Led by Consultant
Ophthalmologist, Mr. Nabil Habib, the technique entails
precise preparation of the donor tissue utilising a new piece of
equipment bought for the hospital by the REI League of Friends
called a Moria©ALTK system.
This enables Mr. Habib to prepare a thin layer of the donor
cornea, which will replace the inner layer of the patient’s cornea.
This is carried out through a tiny incision requiring only a microstitch
or two, under a local anaesthetic. The patient remains
awake throughout and can be treated as a daycase. With
no full thickness incision, recovery is quicker and the lack of
stitches reduces post-operative complications.
Nearly forty of these new procedures have been carried out so
far, with excellent results. Many ophthalmologists around the
country have referred their patients to us for this groundbreaking
and innovative surgery and we have attracted some degree of
media interest. The Evening Herald, local BBC television crews
and the Daily Mail have reported stories, with delighted patients
happy to tell their personal experiences.
We have had visiting consultants from other units come to
observe the surgery and it is becoming the operation of choice
for certain groups of patients with corneal dystrophies.
First Class Honours
Congratulations to John Beer in Medical Physics who achieved a 1st Class Honours Degree in Clinical Technology last year. He
is not alone in his achievement. Paul Tisserant from Radiotherapy was equally successful. Both of them were taken on as trainee
technicians in 2004 and undertook the degree course as part of their training.
10 Winter 2009 Cascade

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
Trust to Lead National Training Programme
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has been chosen to coordinate
the national programme for the training of existing
consultants in advanced keyhole surgery for the treatment
of bowel cancer.
The Department of Health has appointed Consultant General
Surgeon Mark Coleman as the National Clinical Lead for the
Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgery Training Programme.
Mark will head a co-ordinating centre based at the Tamar
Science Park, which will be responsible for managing 10 centres
nationwide to deliver the specialist training.
The training will allow consultants from around the country to
learn how to use this new high-tech keyhole procedure for the
treatment of bowel cancer.
Professor Mike Richards CBE, National Clinical Director for
Cancer, said: “I am delighted that Mark Coleman has agreed to
take on the leadership of this innovative training programme. He
Congratulations to ...
... Dr Sarah Pascoe,
Consultant Oncologist,
having been elected by
Plymouth Hospitals NHS
Trust Foundation doctors for
the Outstanding Foundation
Training Educational
Supervisor Award for
2007/2008. Sarah was
presented with her Deanery
sponsored certificated by Dr Adrian Dashfield, Director of
Medical Education.
.... Claire Sweeting in Clinical
Perfusion who has received the
Advanced Certificate in Clinical
Perfusion Science from the
Society of Clinical Perfusion
Scientists of Great Britain and
Ireland. Claire is the first person
in Great Britain or the Republic of
Ireland to receive this recognition in the past 10 years.
The Certificate is awarded to those who complete a minimum of
5 years post-basic training, and complete a dedicated Clinical
Perfusion Science MSc from Surrey University, and publish
two relevant peer-reviewed papers. Claire had to undertake a
block release programme in London for two years purely for the
Advanced Course and then complete a research project. Claire’s
study into the efficacy of a blood component (platelets) retrieval
system has made a significant positive contribution to current
perfusion knowledge and practice.
Gerry Webb, Principle Perfusionist commented on what
Claire’s acheivemnt means for the Trust: “This adds greatly
to the knowledge base of the Clinical Perfusion service and
demonstrates how a supported department can continue to
achieve excellence in clinical skills that benefit patient care.
“Whilst this is firstly a tremendous award for Claire it is only right
that our Department, Directorate and Trust feel able to bask in
the reflected glory of such an achievement. In completing her
project, Claire had tremendous support from her colleagues
in Clinical Perfusion, from Consultant Anaesthetists, from
Consultant Cardiac Surgeons, from Combined Labs, and also
from nursing staff particularly from Clearbrook in facilitating so
much of the required patient contact.”
has already demonstrated excellent leadership skills in building
a consortium of trainers in the South West and I have no doubt
that he will now be able to build on this at a national level. The
training programme will enable more patients to benefit from
laparoscopic keyhole) surgery.”
Mark added: “I am honoured to have been appointed as the
National Clinical Lead and to be given the opportunity to take
this surgical training forward. The intention is to give all patients
in this country, who have been diagnosed with bowel cancer,
access to a Consultant Surgeon who is trained to the best
possible standards of keyhole surgery.
“Plymouth, through its excellent and developing national
reputation in keyhole surgery, has succeeded in becoming the
national co-ordination centre for this training programme.“
The centre was officially launched on Friday 6 February.
Plymouth Carer of the Year
On Friday 21st November,
Amanda Clements, Lead
Hepatology Nurse, was
named Plymouth Carer of
the Year at the Pride of
Plymouth Awards at an
awards ceremony held in the
Boringdon Hall.
Amanda works largely with
current or former alcohol and
drug users who have significant
liver problems. Amanda has
been instrumental in the expansion of nurse led services for
these patients and is also a trustee of the Eddystone Trust,
trying to ensure patients have access to practical and emotional
support as well as medical assistance.
Her dedication to generally improving services for these often
vulnerable people means she has set up and runs a network
group for viral hepatitis nurses across the south west and in
an attempt to improve access to her service, works closely
with the local prison and drug services. Her belief in her
patients is evident as she works long hours and dedicates
significant proportions of her own time to studying, working and
advocating for an often forgotten/neglected client group.
Achievements within Clinical
& Radiation Physics
Congratulations to ...
... Robert Loader and Jason Heale who both completed their
medical physicist training and achieved corporate membership
of the Institute of Physics in Engineering in Medicine (MIEPM)
and HPC registration as clinical scientists.
... Greg Stevens who successfully passed Part I of his medical
physicist training.
... Ivor Jones achieved accreditation as a Radiation Protection
Advisor under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 and
Nick Rowles was reaccredited.
Cascade
Winter 2009
11

CHARITY WORK & FUNDRAISING
H H
HeartSWell / Parkinson’s Presentation
Congratulations to Dawn Hugill, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist
and Margaret Coker, Locum Secretary who completed a
sponsored slim in order to raise money for HeartSWell Lodge
and the Parkinson’s Disease Society. They managed to raise
almost £400 between them and this was presented to Karen
Lyall, HeartSWell Lodge Manager, Georgina Ingham, Parkinson’s
Disease Society Secretary and Hugh Jenkins, Parkinson’s
Disease Society Vice-Chair.
Photo (L-R) Dawn Hugill, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist,
Margaret Coker, Locum Secretary, Karen Lyall,
HeartSWell Lodge Manager, Georgina Ingham, Secretary
of the Parkinson’s Disease Society and Hugh Jenkins,
Vice-Chair of the Plymouth branch of the Parkinson’s
Disease Society.
Great South
Run 2008
A Concert for the EarlyBirds
Congratulations to Private
Ken Lawty and Chief Petty
Officer Neilson McCready
from the Pharmacy who
ran the Great South Run in
Portsmouth on Sunday 26th
October 2008 to raise money
for The George Appeal. In
what can only be described
as torrential weather, they
completed the 10-mile race in
one hour and 20 minutes and
raised £655 for the charity.
Ken and Neilson would like
to thank everyone for their
support and sponsorship and
especially Gemma Pickering
who stood in the rain to cheer
them over the finish line. A
special thanks also to Saltash
Sports for the kind donation
of the running vests.
By Linda Voss, EarlyBird Diabetes Fund
Thanks to the initiative of Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Dr Ruth Ayling, music lovers of all
ages recently enjoyed a delightful concert in aid of the EarlyBird Diabetes Trust.
A full symphony orchestra, under the expert baton of the University of Plymouth Director of Music,
Simon Ible, played a challenging programme of well-known classical pieces at the Roland Levinski
Building. But this was no ordinary orchestra, the so-called ‘Peninsula Doctors’ Orchestra’ was
literally a scratch orchestra of medics and their colleagues, who had never played together before
until they met to rehearse the previous day. It was clear from the start, however, that there was a
whole lot of talent among them.
The audience were treated to a varied programme from Sibelius’ stirring Finlandia, to the finale
from Dvorak’s New World Symphony, while the younger listeners enjoyed the film music from
Pirates of the Caribbean. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly 18-year-old Natalya
Zeman’s wonderful performance of Bruch’s First Violin Concerto, and it was fitting that proud
father, Professor Adam Zeman was there to hear his daughter play.
At the same time as it delighted the large audience, the concert helped swell the coffers of the
EarlyBird Diabetes Trust, which benefited from the proceeds of the performance to the tune of
£880. A big ‘thank you’ to EarlyBird Patron, Antony Worrall-Thompson for his generous support.
Special thanks also to Ruth, for putting it together and last but not least, thanks to all of the great
musicians who we never knew were out there! Now that you have started, you must keep playing
– so how about making it an annual event?
12 Winter 2009 Cascade

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
Children in Need 2008
Well done to ...
Staff working in the Central Records
Library at Bush Park who dressed up
as ‘Heroes and Villains’ for Children in
Need. They raised £155.10 by holding a
raffle and a ‘weigh the cake’ competition
and by selling cakes scratch cards.
Photo (L-R) Carol Khong, Theresa
Khong, Dave Edmondson, John
Hurley, Dave Clarke, Dave Pritchard,
Phil Pryor and Mourad Nemer
... Eight of the X-ray porters who got
dressed up in aid of the charity to help
raise £813.70 for the charity. As can be
seen by the photo, there were a variety
of costumes on displays, ranging from
a pirate to a werewolf and a comic
action heroin – Banana Woman!!
“I am always proud of what my team
do on this day, and this year was no
exception,” said X-ray Administration
Manager, Sue Lyth. “Although we are
being told we are in a recession and feeling the credit crunch, the staff, patients
and visitors all gave generously and this was the best year so far in terms of
money collected.”
... Staff in Central Admin also held a fancy dress / mufti day to raise money for Children in Need.
In addition, special praise must also go to ...
... April Bostock baked her socks off and held a ‘bake sale’.
... Crisp lover, Wayne Tomlinson, who took part in a crisp challenge and was sponsored to eat as
many bags of crisps as possible in an hour, he succeeded in munching his way through 21 bags!
…… Rob Calder and Richard Harris who both bravely had their legs waxed. They were also
joined, last minute, by Tristan Cotton from Cardiology who had his legs and back waxed. All the
waxing was done by Laura Uren.
A raffle was also held with prizes from Plymouth Albion, Plymouth Argyle, Harmony’s Restaurant
and Pavilions, to name but a few! The day was a huge success and the department raised more
than £1,000.
Cascade
Winter 2009
13

VOLUNTEERS
Celebrating Dedication
By Louise Mercer
The work of the volunteers, who dedicate their time
to Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, was celebrated in
December, at the annual Volunteer Thank You Party. The
event was attended by the Deputy Lord Mayor and Lady
Mayoress of Plymouth and the Trust’s Chairman, Professor
John Bull.
In tribute to the work of the volunteers across the different sites
of the Trust, Cascade spoke to Elizabeth Pollard, Voluntary
Services Manager to find out more:
There are approximately 600 volunteers who currently work
alongside staff within Derriford some of whom are 16-20 year
olds looking for work experience, some use volunteering as
a way to get back into the workplace after recovering from ill
health or a prolonged spell away from work for other reasons.
Elizabeth, who has been with Derriford for 16 years and now
has direct responsibility for over 200 volunteers, explained that:
“Generally people who come to the hospital to volunteer want
to give something back after a good experience that they have
had within the hospital.”
She goes on to explain that the volunteers are here to
complement the work of paid staff at Derriford: “Our ward
volunteers, for example, are here to do the ‘nice’ things for
patients, such as shopping, helping to write a letter or send a
card, running errands, or even just being on hand for a chat.”
Derriford’s volunteers can be found all over the hospital,
working in wards, on the Hospital Radio station, right through
to Accident and Emergency. If ever there is a patient who you
think could be in need of a visit, someone to chat to or even
shopping that they may need, Elizabeth would be more than
happy to hear from you.
Voluntary Services can be contacted on 0845 155 8219.
‘Celebrating someone very
special to us’
A special event was held on
October 1st as staff on Lynher
ward celebrated a very special
birthday for a very special person.
Ward volunteer Eileen Burrows
had a lovely surprise when staff on
Lynher Ward organised a surprise
80th birthday party for their favourite
volunteer. With the relatives room
filled with colleagues wishing her
well, staff presented Eileen with a
beautiful cake as a token of how
much she is appreciated and loved.
Kim Green who has known Eileen
since 2000 said “Eileen is a pleasure
to work with and is never off sick!”
Eileen has been a volunteer on
Lynher ward for the last fifteen years,
coming to work every Wednesday
and Thursday. Over those years
Eileen has become a well respected
and loved part of the team. Her
dedication is such that she even
comes in to work on Christmas
morning to provide much needed
help to the staff and cook their
breakfast!
Elaine Chiswell who works closely with Eileen spoke very
warmly of her friend and colleague and said “She can never
leave! She has to stay forever!”
The main purpose of having volunteers in the Hospital is to
14
help to improve the services and activities that are provided for
patients to improve their quality of life. Ward Volunteers like
Eileen make a huge difference to patient care and become a
real part of the team. Talking to Eileen’s collegues, both staff
and patients find her “an inspiration to the ward” and someone
who the ward would be “sadly lacking without” She is loved
and admired by many.
Winter 2009
Cascade

IMPROVEMENTS
The New Drop-Off Point
Andrew Davies, Head of Environmental
Services and Steve Mitchell,
Environmental Services Manager at
the new drop-off point
As you will all
have been aware,
there have been
some major
changes to the
front entrance
of the Hospital,
including a
new drop-off
point. Cascade
caught up with
Steven Mitchell,
Environmental
Services Manager,
and the man
behind the new
design, to find out
more:
What is the main purpose of the new dropping off
point?
The drop-off lane at the main entrance is provided for the
severely disabled patients and visitors allowing them to get as
close as possible to the main hospital, and for those delivering
or collecting patients.
Why is this new facility so important?
The old main entrance layout did not encourage or provide an
easy drop-off facility and therefore to discourage abuse and
lengthy parking outside the main entrance, it was necessary to
create a drop-off lane which would provide more efficient
facilities for the majority of patients.
How did you come up with this idea?
An existing scheme was in place to replace the block paving
with tarmac and during its construction I made detailed
observations of patient and traffic movement and the linking
of both road routes came to mind. Then during the traffic
diversions which followed, I was able to test out my theory and
establish which road layout was most suitable.
Has the new drop-off point made an improvement to
the operating of the Trust?
Yes, there has been a great improvement in providing a better
drop-off facility, equally the segregating of bus’s from cars
has provided an added bonus. We have also been able to
create seven additional disabled bays, motorcycle parking area,
and public cycling stands.
Are you proud of your achievement?
Yes I am very proud of how successful the scheme has been.
It also proves that by working closely with senior managers
directly, such as Paul Roberts, Leslie Darke, Andrew Davies,
Helen Peart Haynes, and having their support, change can be
very quick and produce with good results.
The results have been of great benefit to patients and
visitors. Following the implementation of the drop-off lane, we
secured new bus shelters and refurbished the whole entrance
to make it far more aestheticallypleasing for staff, patients and
visitors.
Trust’s Conservation Area is ‘Acer’!
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has been working in
partnership with grounds contractor Acer Landscaping
Ltd, to revamp its wildlife pond area, as part of the Trust’s
Environmental Conservation Commitment.
For a week in February, staff from Acer Landscaping Ltd
cleaned the wildlife pond, built a deck walkway to allow easier
access to the area, planted a wild flower meadow and installed
various bird and animal boxes.
At the end of the week, a group of children from the Derriford
Happy Days Nursery, who will also be able to use the new
resource, officially opened the revamped conservation area.
The children from Happy Days Nursery
(left to right) Eowyn Chong, Aoife Chong,
Jonny Barton and Matthew Wannacott
with staff from the nursery
“The Trust’s
Environmental
Strategy aims
to support
improvements
in its external
environment
and in
particular the
natural wildlife
habitats of
which it is a
guardian,”
explains
Andrew Davies,
Head of
Environmental
Services.
“We are
delighted that
our grounds
contractor Acer
Landscaping
Ltd has offered
to donate its
staff and time
for this project.
We are also
very grateful
to Southwest
Highways,
Graddon Vending, Burrington Way Garage, Yacht Parts
Plymouth, Travis Perkins Saltash, Bond Timber, CBL Plant
Hire Saltash, Key Side Metals, OPAL Contracts UK and Dave
Sheds Trerulefoot for their kind donations and help with this very
important project.
“These improvements will not only benefit staff, but offer a
therapeutic environment for patients and encourage a holistic
approach to self healing.”
Acer Landscaping Ltd donated their staff, time and resources to
this project free of charge. Robbie Ryder of Acer Landscaping
Ltd, said: “We have been very lucky to have the support and
hard work from other contractors and staff at the Trust. We look
forward to the conservation area becoming a flagship project for
patients, staff and the local community.”
Cascade
Winter 2009
15

Calling All Budding
Photographers ...
Last summer Zest made a request to all staff, students
and volunteers to send in photographs that could be used
or a digital photography exhibition. We had a really good
response with more than 300 images being submitted by
11 people working within various departments across the
hospital / Trust. The resulting exhibition is currently showing
on two large flat screens in the Outpatients Department
at Derriford Hospital. To mark the occasion, a launch
event took place on Tuesday 9th December 2008 for staff
members and their family and friends.
Zest were so impressed with the high standard of work
produced that many of the photographs are being incorporated
into the ward refurbishments and can already been seen on
Hartor, Hembury, Burrator and Honeyford wards.
The popularity of the photographs being used for the ward
refurbishments means that we are in need of more images for
future projects. The photographs help to create an enhanced
patient environment and as such we are currently looking
for more land/seascape images of Plymouth, Devon and
Cornwall. In order for them to provide a positive atmosphere the
photographs should be taken on a sunny day during the spring
or summer.
If you would like to have your photographs considered for
inclusion in future exhibitions and the ward refurbishment
schemes, please send a CD, clearly marked with your name,
department and contact details to:
Christine Jowett, Zest – Projects Coordinator, First
Floor Bircham House, William Prance Road, Plymouth
International Business Park, Plymouth PL6 5WR
Closing date: Friday 27th March 2009
Zest: Improving the Healthcare Environment
Zest works with partners across the Plymouth Health
Community to improve the healthcare environment, through the
use of good design schemes and arts projects that make the
healthcare environment more welcoming. Anyone who has ever
been in hospital either as a member of staff, patient or visitor
will know that being treated in a pleasant environment makes
it easier to cope with challenging situations. Zest aim to create
spaces that make a positive contribution to the well being of
patients, staff and indeed of everyone who comes into the
healthcare environment.
Smoke-
Free Homes
Award Scheme
Competition
Janette Thomas, Community Midwife, was announced as the
winner of the Smokefree Homes Award staff competition, in
December. The competition was open to all Derriford staff, both
smoking and non-smoking households and it’s main aim was to
raise awareness of the scheme amongst staff and encourage
them to maintain a smoke-free home for their families.
Over 100 staff members signed up between May and December, and
Janette, who has always kept her home smoke-free, was picked as
the winner of £250 of DIY vouchers, which were presented to her by
Julie Fortt, Specialist Adviser from the Stop Smoking Service, NHS
Plymouth.
16 Cascade
Winter 2009

THE BIG INTERVIEW
Sam
Waddy
Sam is a Consultant in ICU and Acute Medicine
By Amanda Nash, Head of Communications
Is it true that some of the large-scale photographs on
walls and doors around Derriford Hospital have been
taken by you?
Yes. Not all of them, but some. My photographs are on display
in and around wards such as AMU (Thrushel), Penrose and
Hartor. The images are on walls, cupboard doors, toilet doors,
the sides of desks and units and other similar places.
Did you get paid for taking the photographs?
No. Last year we were moving the Acute Medical Unit down
to level six. I have always been interested in photography and
contacted the Zest team to ask what was happening about the
art in the new wards. I had taken images of the local area for my
personal pleasure and offered those for use on AMU.
What do you take photographs of?
Scenes from around Devon and Cornwall. Moorland
landscapes, coastal scenes, woodlands and scrubs. They
show blue skies, green leaves, water, summer and early
autumn scenes. A lot of people have chosen to live in this
part of the country because they love what is around them in
the countryside here. To have that natural world taken away
from them when they come into hospital is terrible. I hope my
photographs remind patients of the world out there, beyond the
hospital walls and hopefully that helps them at a difficult time in
their lives. Sometimes people will see one of my photographs
and then say to me: “I was there, up on those moors last
weekend.”
What do people think about your photographs?
They seem to like them. They think they brighten the place up.
At least that’s what they tell me.
How do you take such large photographs?
Well, some of them are single images which have been
enlarged. Others are one photograph which is made up of
about 150 different images which have been stitched together
to form a whole scene. I take the different images of a single
scene using a tripod and then digitally combine them. It can
take up to 12 hours to stitch 150 small images together to
make one big picture.
How important is photography to you?
I had my first camera when I was eight years old. I was
interested in landscape photography as a teenager. By the
time I was a teenager I was really interested in landscape
photography. I nearly left school at 16 to be a professional
photographer. In the end I decided that medicine was probably
a better option but now I take photographs as a hobby so I
have the best of both worlds. I get out into the environment that
I know and love, whether it’s the coastline, woodlands in winter,
Trystan Hawkins, Planning Artistic Programme
Co-ordinator and Sam Waddy, Consultant in ICU and
Acute Medicine
rivers, the moors, wherever. This is such a rich and lush part
of the country and nature is always changing so I can go back
to the same place a few weeks later and it will be completely
different.
What do you think when you see your images on the
walls and doors as you walk around?
I like seeing art around the hospital. For me, what’s been fantastic
about this project is turning the whole of a blank wall into an
image of environment that’s out there, just on our doorstep.
Did you know?
The Zest team are using imagery in Derriford Hospital to
enhance the environment and help people find their way
around by creating landmarks.
About 3.25 million people each year go through Derriford
Hospital so it could be seen as the biggest single art
gallery in the south west.
Feedback on the photographs taken by Dr Waddy and
others is generally very positive – from staff and patients.
Sister Sheena Huish from ICU said: “I find the images very
relaxing. I like having them around, especially in the main
corridor. In my opinion art in hospital is definitely a good
thing.”
Zest is funded by the NHS, as well as the Arts Council and
other interested supporters. The Zest team work to make
healthcare environments better places for patients and
staff.
For more information visit www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk
or www.zestarts.org.uk
Cascade
Winter 2009
17

IN MEMORY OF ...
Lorraine Hughes
Friends and colleagues pay tribute to Lorraine Hughes,
who passed away suddenly on 19th April 2008.
Lorraine worked at the Trust for seven years, the best part of
those years, as a Secretary to Mr Chris Oppong, Consultant
Colorectal Surgeon. Lorraine was a much loved and valued
colleague with the GI Directorate. She was an excellent
Secretary who was dedicated to her role and was popular with
patients. Lorraine had empathy and a good listening ear.
We all miss her warmth, kindness and sense of humour.
Lorraine was an avid football fan supporting both Plymouth
Argyle and Liverpool and many of us miss her roving football
reports following the matches!
A memorial services was held for Lorraine in the Chapel at
Derriford Hospital on 24th July 2008 and a collection was
made in her memory for the Neonatal Unit, who cared for her
much loved granddaughter Izzy.
Maria Lawson, Colorectal Cancer Specialist Nurse
Dedicated Space for Research
A centre dedicated to providing space for researchers
based at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has been
established in the Terence Lewis Building.
The Lind Research Centre enables health professionals who are
undertaking research and clinical trials to see their patients in a
suitable environment.
Manager of the Centre, Sally Pedlar, explains: “Space is always
at a premium in the Trust and healthcare professionals can find
it hard to access clinic and ward facilities for research – this is
where we can help.”
The centre consists of a six-bedded ward, two consulting
rooms, an examination/consulting room and a teaching/meeting
room. All rooms have computer access and phone lines. The
day ward is equipped with beds, trolleys and treatment chairs
and has a sluice and WC – each bed space is wired into
the nurse on call system which can be monitored from the
reception; oxygen and suction are sited in the bed spaces.
“Facilities in the centre are very versatile and can be used for a
variety of research purposes ranging from research clinics and
trial site initiation meetings to quiet space for trial monitoring
visits and trial bookwork.”
There is no charge for the use of the centre facilities for
academic research. For commercially sponsored research the
facilities are costed into the trial overheads.
Accommodation is flexible, as the bed spaces and rooms are
booked individually. The centre operates Monday to Friday
from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Alternative times are available by
negotiation. If you would like to make a booking or for further
information about the centre, please contact Sally on ext.
39100.
Why the Lind Research Centre?
The centre is named after James Lind (1716-1794) who was a
Scottish doctor and a pioneer of naval hygiene. In 1747, whilst
serving on HMS Salisbury, out of Plymouth, he carried out the
first clinical trial on 12 men also serving on the ship, to see
whether additions of cider, seawater, a mixture of garlic, mustard
and horseradish, vinegar or oranges and lemons, to the basic
seaman’s diet could cure scurvy, which was the scourge of the
British Navy.
Those fed citrus fruits experienced a remarkable recovery.
Unfortunately, it took a further 40 years before Lind’s research
findings were put into practice, when an official admiralty order
was issued for the supply of lemon juice to ships. With this,
scurvy disappeared almost completely from the Royal Navy.
It seems only fitting that Lind’s pioneering work on this first
clinical trial should be commemorated in the naming of
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust’s clinical trials centre.
18 Winter 2009 Cascade

RETIREMENTS
Margaret Haysom
South Hams Community Midwife, Margaret Haysom, finally decided to hang
up her pinnard on Friday 26th September, after 38 years in midwifery and
many more in the National Health Service.
Margaret enjoyed a sunny celebratory lunch with her current and a few past colleagues
at Noss Mayo. She received many cards and gifts from the Trust, her midwifery
colleagues, community colleagues and a caring card, which was signed by a number
of local mums. Margaret’s gift was one to ensure she relaxes with her feet up – and as
you can see from the photo she started as soon as it was unveiled!
Margaret’s contribution to the local community in South Hams and to midwifery
has been well recognised and much appreciated. Congratulations Margaret, on a
wonderfully rewarding career.
Carol Galliers
Ward Clerk on the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU), Carol Galliers, retired from the Trust on
31st November after 20 years in the health service.
In 1988, Carol started work as a Locum Clerk at Scott Hospital, before moving on to work in the
Outpatients department of Greenbank Hospital in 1990.
When Greenbank closed in 1996, Carol moved to the MAU at Derriford Hospital, previously the Acute
Medical Unit, where she has worked for the past 12 years.
Carol will be greatly missed by the many colleagues and friends, that she has made during her time
with the Trust, who speak warmly of her and describe her as a generous and friendly person.
We all hope that Carol enjoys her retirement.
Stan Rich
Stan Rich
had been
working
at the
Trust for
15 years
initially as
a parking
attendant
and the
last 11
years as
Supervisor. In that time he
came in contact with a wide
variety of staff, patients and
visitors as well as numerous
VIPs.
Stan enjoyed his work and was
a well respected representative
of the parking contractor. He has
now joined his wife in retirement
and is looking forward to looking
after the grandchildren and
enjoying his past time of hill
walking.
On his last day he was
presented with vast quantities of
wine and champagne and some
walking books.
Carol Jewell
Carol’s retirement in November 2008 heralded
the end of an era. Carol, having worked in
Plymouth Hospitals since July 1967 – 41 years
of commitment and service – is very well known
around the Trust.
She will be sadly missed especially by the on-call
managers who knew that if Carol was on duty for the
night they stood at least a chance of getting some
sleep!
A Cornish girl born and bred, Carol started her
orthopaedic nurse training in 1967 and went on to
complete her state registration in 1972. Matrons’
remarks at Carols two year review in 1974 recorded:
“Very kind Staff Nurse. Well-liked by all grades of staff. Excellent report from Sister Clinton”
Carol went on to become sister of a number of wards at Greenbank Hospital but is perhaps
best known for her time on Prance – a female Surgical ward. In 1982 Carol won a £5 award
for a suggestion she made to the district engineer in respect of fitting times switches in
storage areas. These were incorporated in all new ward developments. Carol then moved to
ward 8 at Freedom Fields Hospital and when all surgical services moved to the Derriford site
Carol was offered the post of Night Co-ordinator which she commenced in 1990.
During her 18 years as Night Co-ordinator and then night matron Carol always had a story
to tell: from missing patients to patients setting fire to their blankets and one patient who had
been badly burned being thrown out of a car at the front entrance to the hospital which then
drove quickly away. Throughout her career many people echoed the remarks of matron in
1972 – a very kind and caring individual whose values always supported excellent care for
patients and their relatives.
Enjoy your retirement Carol. Derriford won’t be the same at night without you!
Cascade
Winter 2009
19

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