Hospital Life March 2010 - Barking Havering and Redbridge ...

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New clot-busting techniques used at Queen’s A new technique to treat stroke patients has been introduced at Queen’s Hospital. The Romford hospital has been named as one of just eight across London to host a Hyper Acute Stroke Unit, which will become fully operational in April. But advancements in treatment are already being introduced, and specialist staff have now carried out thrombolysis on the first local patient. Thrombolysis sees a clot-busting treatment delivered directly into the vein, which dissolves the build-up of blood. “It has been proven to save lives and to prevent people from suffering a permanent disability . . Only a limited number of patients will be suitable for thrombolysis, but it can be extremely effective. The patient treated at Queen’s is now recovering well, and is completing her rehabilitation at King George Hospital. In order to be thrombolysed, a patient needs to be treated within three hours of the stroke itself, and to have been given a CT scan to find out whether the cause of the stroke is a clot or a hemorrhage. Consultant and Lead Stroke Clinician Khaled Darawil explained: “It is all about acting quickly. The patients are brought in by ambulance, and immediately assessed by a specialist stroke team. We then carry out a scan, and check whether they are suitable for thrombolysis. This depends on things like their age, and whether they have any other medical conditions, and at exactly what time the stroke occurred.” He added: “We have never been able to offer this treatment before. It is relatively new, and has been used previously to treat heart attack patients. It has been proven to save lives and to prevent people from suffering a permanent disability. “The thrombolysis will lead on to other developments to improve the treatment of stroke.” At the moment, the service is only available during the day, but from April 1st more patients will benefit as it can be carried out around the clock. A successful recruitment drive has seen specialist stroke care nurses brought in to the Trust to join the stroke team. Khaled is looking forward to the opening of the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. “It is going to make the world of difference in treatment and recovery for patients. Expertise will be available around the clock, treating not just the stroke but the whole person.” Thanks to Neonatal Unit A grateful mum has handed over a cheque to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which looked after her daughter. Kirsty Wallis gave birth to baby daughter Danii Scott in November, but the newborn had to spend ten days in the NICU at Queen’s Hospital receiving specialist treatment. When Kirsty’s company, Lineside Logistics in Dagenham, decided to raise money for charity over the Christmas period, Kirsty asked if it could be the NICU that benefitted. Handing over a cheque for £205 to Matron Tricia Stone, Kirsty said: “I just wanted to give something back to the unit for all the care and dedication they showed Danii.” A grateful Tricia said: “I would like to thank Kirty and Lineside Logistics so much for thinking of us with their fundraising.” • Pictured are Consultant Paediatrician Dr Shirsalkar, Tricia Stone, Kirsty Wallis and Pami Hunjan from Lineside Logistics. M A R C H 2 0 1 0 7
Family come back to say thank you to NICU A baby born almost four months early has been back to visit the staff who saved his life. George Stanbrook-Evans spent 113 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Queen’s Hospital after making an extremely early entrance into the world at just 24 weeks. His parents, Dan and Clare, were determined to say thank you to the staff on the unit and, with their colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, organised a grueling London to Paris bike ride to fundraise. Dan said: “We were so incredibly impressed by the way that the staff in the NICU looked after us all. George received the best possible care, but Clare and I were also given a huge amount of help. “Essentially the staff became our friends and social workers. They were amazing.” When a work colleague was diagnosed with cancer, the group were more determined than ever to complete the event, splitting the money raised between the NICU and Macmillan nurses. Dan joined eight colleagues from the Met’s Homicide and Serious Crimes unit in Barking to complete the mammoth cycle trek with a dedicated support crew helping them all the way. More than £12,000 was collected, with Dan, Clare and baby George – now 16 months old – returning to Queen’s to hand over a cheque for £6,250. Matron Tricia Stone said that all the staff who had treated George during his long stay in the unit had become extremely fond of the family. The money will be used to completely refurbish the NICU waiting area – used by anxious family and friends – to make it more comfortable and homely for visitors. “I spent so much time in the waiting room while George was here,” said Dan. “You just try and catch 30 minutes sleep, or collect your thoughts. I’m delighted that the money will be used to improve the facilities for other families who have to go through the same thing. “It is quite emotional being back here, but we can’t thank the staff enough for what they did for us all.” • Dan, Clare and George Stanbrook- Evans are pictured presenting the donation to staff in the Neonatal Intensive Treatment Unit. Healthcare Roadshows A public consultation into proposals to redesign healthcare in this area is now well underway. A major piece of work - called Health for North East London - has been taking place, looking at ways of improving people’s health and making sure that they receive highquality services. The proposals have been developed by clinicians themselves - doctors and other health professionals who work in this area. One of the suggestions is that the Accident and Emergency department at King George Hospital should be closed, with a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre remaining on site. Improving out-ofhospital care and providing services closer to people’s homes is a key element of the proposals. Public roadshows have been held around Barking, Havering and Redbridge, including one at King George Hospital and another at Queen’s. Both proved very popular, with hundreds of consultation documents, explaining the proposals, being handed out. If you have one of these documents - still available at both hospitals - please take the time to fill in the questionnaire at the back, detailing your views on the proposals. The full, detailed proposals are also available by logging on to www.healthfornel.nhs.uk, where you can also have your say. The consultation runs until March 22, so make sure you act quickly if you want your voice to be heard. • Pictured is the mobile exhibition outside King George Hospital Contact us: If you would like to see a particular service featured in Hospital Life, contact Niki Eves on 01708 435314, or email nicola.eves@bhrhospitals.nhs.uk
Page 1 and 2: The magazine for Barking, Havering
Page 3 and 4: OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO TRUST’S
Page 5: Patient helped by dedicated employe

Hospital Life March 2010 - Barking Havering and Redbridge ...

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