Hospital Life July 2010 - Barking Havering and Redbridge University ...

The magazine for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
July 2010
Amazing
stroke recovery
Clot-busting treatment
restores Peter’s health
Turn to page 4 and 5

School
supports
young
patients
Youngsters at Queen’s Hospital
will be having more fun on the
wards thanks to pupils from a
local school.
Members of the school council at
Richard Alibon School in Dagenham
choose a community project each
year - and have decided to support
Tropical Lagoon children’s ward.
They have been collecting new and
good quality used toys for the young
patients, and had an overwhelming
response.
A school-wide poster competition
was held, with the winning design
sent home with every pupil and
posted around the local area.
Hundreds of toys were handed in,
with the school council spending
countless hours cleaning and
replacing the batteries of secondhand
donations.
Play specialist at Queen’s, Lyn Clark,
said: “We were shocked and
surprised when the boxes of toys
arrived on the ward - there were so
many! We have shared them out
between the ward, children’s
outpatients and the day unit.
“We are delighted that the school
council chose us for their community
project this year - thanks to them
our young patients will get hours of
fun.”
• Pictured are school council
members Gospel Mombongo,
Hannah Hamwell, Edward Dovey and
Jack Barnes, with teacher Lorraine
Waters and hospital staff Hilary
Sturges, Geena Brown and Lyn Clark
Annual Report
Annual Report
Sweet Charity
It’s turning out to be a busy year
for BHR Hospitals Charity.
The charity benefits patients, staff
and visitors to the Trust by funding
extra equipment to enhance services
or the environment.
There are countless events taking
place during the second half of 2010
– and you can get involved.
How about raising money for your
local hospital by taking part in one
of the following:
• Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge
September 5, Hyde Park
• Abseil
September 12, Romford YMCA
• Romfest 5km Fun Run
September 26, Raphael Park,
Romford
• Quiz Night
October 15, Goodmayes
Social Club
• Everest Base Camp Trek
October 21 - November 8
BHR Hospitals
charity
registered charity no. 1059455
• Cycle Vietnam
October 30 - November 8
• Trek Costa Rica
November 18 - 22
• Santa Run or Walk
December 5, Greenwich
• Skydiving - jump for free!
Choose a date and location to suit
you
These fundraising events are open to everyone. For further information email
bhr.charity@bhrhospitals.nhs.uk, visit www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/charity or
call 01708 435000 ext 2922 or 2913.
The Trust's Annual Report for 2009/10 is now available. You can view
a copy by logging onto our website at www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk. If
you would like a hard copy, call 01708 435314.
2 H O S P I TA L L I F E

Grateful mum helps
neonatal unit
A grateful mum, whose
premature baby was cared for at
Queen’s Hospital, has donated
some special comforters to the
unit which saved his life.
Melanie Kyte also works at the
hospital as the Lead Transfusion
Practitioner, but found herself in the
Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit after
giving birth six weeks early.
Her son Lynden was in the NICU for
four weeks, and twice suffered a
collapsed lung.
Melanie and her family – husband
Michael and children Jacob, Jessica
and Lynden – returned to the unit to
hand over 300 Cuskiboo comforters
for the babies.
New drop-in centres open
Alcoholics Anonymous is now
operating drop-in centres at
Queen’s and King George Hospital.
The drop-in centre at Queen’s is
open every Wednesday and
Thursday from 2pm until 4pm in
room 20, outpatients team 3 in the
purple zone.
The support organisation, helping
people who have a drink problem,
also exhibits in the main atrium of
the Romford hospital on Thursday
afternoons.
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The Cuskiboos are given to
newborns on the NICU and the
Special Care Baby Unit. They have
the smell of their mums on them,
and help to comfort the child and
aid bonding.
Melanie said: “Lynden’s time in
hospital was a real rollercoaster and
I just wanted to give something
back. Lynden carries his Cuskiboo
everywhere.”
• Pictured with the Cuskiboos are (L
to R) Family Care Co-ordinator Jenny
Harper, Neonatal Sister Baljit Kaur
Wilkhu, Michael, Jessica, Melanie,
Lynden and Jacob Kyte, Matron
Tricia Stone and NICU Clinical
Educator Oscar Soliven.
The King George drop-in session is
every Friday from 2pm until 5pm in
room 25, near waiting area 3.
Barry Wood from Alcoholics
Anonymous said: “Anyone with a
drink problem can have an informal
and confidential chat with an AA
member at either of the drop-in
centres.”
For more information on Alcoholics
Anonymous, call the national
helpline on 0845 769 7555 or go to
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Consultation
results
published
The findings of the Health for
North East London consultation
were published this month.
Thousands of people had their say
on proposals for the future of
healthcare in the region –
including plans to close A&E at
King George Hospital.
While there was support for some
proposals – including Queen’s
becoming a major acute hospital
for the area, and moving all
uncomplicated planned surgery
from Queen’s to King George –
plans to shut King George
Accident and Emergency and
maternity delivery department
were broadly opposed.
No decision has yet been made on
which changes will go ahead. The
Secretary of State has asked all
Primary Care Trusts to review their
reconfiguration proposals with GPs
and local authorities to ensure that
they meet extra tests of local
support.
The findings from this additional
consultation will then be carefully
considered by local clinicians as
part of the review process and
used to inform a final set of
proposals for change.
No decisions will be made on any
of the proposals until this work
has been undertaken and all
feedback has been reviewed.
You can see the full findings of the
consultation by logging on to
http://www.healthfornel.nhs.uk/co
nsultation/results-of-theconsultation/
3

Remarkable recovery from stroke
Dr Khan said: “Previously someone with a stroke as
serious as Mr Cutmore’s could have expected to spend
the rest of their life in a nursing home, if they survived.
Now we have the very latest techniques available to offer
our patients the best possible care, and a much greater
chance of a full recovery.”
Photos:
• (Left) Peter Cutmore on the ward with his nurse
• (Front page) Dr Mahboob Khan with Peter Cutmore
“
No-one would
know I had ever
had a stroke. I am no
different now to how
I was before . . .
“
Peter Cutmore’s family thought they
had lost him.
If he survived, he would surely be
permanently disabled.
The 79-year-old from Rainham tried to climb out of bed
on a Monday morning, and crashed onto the floor.
The next few hours are a blur. He had lost the use of his
left side, could barely speak and had serious problems
with his vision.
There was no doubt that he had suffered a stroke.
His wife called an ambulance who rushed him to the
new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at Queen’s Hospital.
Peter was immediately assessed by a specialist team and
given a CT scan to see if thrombolysis - a new clotbusting
treatment - would help him.
Thrombolysis can only be used if it is administered within
three hours of the stroke. Peter had only two or three
minutes left before the window of opportunity closed.
His doctor, Mahboob Khan, said: “Mr Cutmore was
completely immobile on the left side, and we could not
understand what he was saying. We discussed the
possibility of using thrombolysis with his family.
“There are risks associated with it, but we knew that he
was a very good patient for this treatment. His family
are hugely supportive, and were very brave. His wife told
us to do whatever we could.”
Dr Khan injected Peter with the drugs that could help
dissolve the blood clot on his brain.
Within an hour, he had totally recovered.
His paralysis had corrected itself, he could see perfectly
and was able to speak as normal.
“From the time I fell at home, everything happened so
quickly,” said Peter. “It was remarkable.
“No-one would know I had ever had a stroke. I am no
different now to how I was before.
“The care I received has been amazing. Everyone has
been wonderful.”
Peter - a keen accordionist - had been playing at a
charity garden party the day before his stroke. Now,
with no disability, he is planning to go back to his
hobby.
Such an astonishing recovery would have been
impossible a few months ago. Queen’s Hospital began
using thrombolysis on appropriate patients earlier this
year, and can now offer the procedure 24 hours a day.
Trust wins prestigious health award
The care of stroke patients at
Queen’s Hospital has improved so
much that it has been honoured
with a national award.
This Trust has become the first NHS
organisation ever to be given a Life
After Stroke Award.
The Stroke Association named us as
having the Most Improved Stroke
Service in the country.
Chief Executive John Goulston
picked up the award in the same
week as Queen’s officially opened its
new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit -
which will see local patients having
even better access to specialist care.
John said: “This is an extremely
prestigious award, and the ceremony
was very moving. Winning the award
was very special, but I feel most
proud about the improved care we
are giving to our patients.”
The Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at
Queen’s Hospital – with dedicated
rehabilitation services at King George
Hospital – is one of only eight being
opened across London. Last month it
became the first one to be fully
operational.
Patients now have access to
specialist techniques and care 24
hours a day - leading to much better
outcomes.
Consultant Khalid Darawil said: “We
have spent the last year improving
our stroke service and working
towards the opening of the new
unit. It has been an excellent,
productive time and we are moving
towards a great future.”
The Stroke Association award was
handed to ward sister Elaine Hill in a
special presentation for staff. She
said: “We have a wonderful team
here who work so hard. We want to
be the best stroke unit in the whole
of the UK, and that is what we are
aiming for.”
• John Goulston is pictured with
staff from the stroke unit.
4 H O S P I TA L L I F E
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5

A&E’s ‘Rock’ gets latest award
A popular A&E department Administrator based at King George
Hospital has scooped the latest Employee of the Month Award.
Lesley Walters was nominated by Ward Manager, Graeme Aitken and
A&E Service Manager Meena Patel.
Graeme worked with Lesley for many years at King George. He said:
“Lesley has worked tirelessly for the good of the Trust for 15 years - she
is the rock that supports A&E.
“Lesley has always given 110% to her job.”
Graeme concluded: “Lesley certainly deserves the Employee of the Month
award - if not the decade!”
Meena said: “Lesley is marvellous - she bends over backwards to help us
without expecting any thanks or gratitude.
“On a personal level, she helps everyone and is so supportive. She is such
an asset to the department I don’t know what we would do without
her.”
At a surprise presentation in the King George A&E department, a
shocked Lesley was given vouchers, a framed certificate and flowers. The
news of her award was greeted with loud cheers and a round of
applause by Lesley’s A&E colleagues.
Matron Margot MacFarlane said: “I support Lesley’s award one hundred
percent, she is wonderful all round - she is an absolute star. “
Thanks to
dedicated couple
A couple who give up their free time to visit hospital patients
have become the latest recipients of a special appreciation award.
Vivien and Alan Fitch from Arnold Road, Dagenham, began visiting
patients at King George Hospital back in 2000. They now also visit
patients at Queen’s Hospital.
The pair were nominated for the award by Trust Volunteer Co-Ordinator,
Jean Thompson, who said: “Vivien and Alan visit the wards each week
to talk to patients and keep them company.
“This is particularly beneficial when a patient has no relatives living
nearby. The patients and their relatives are always so grateful to them for
the time they give up - and that has a positive effect on their recovery.”
In a surprise ceremony, an emotional Vivien and Alan were presented
with their Volunteer Appreciation Award of a framed certificate, flowers,
chocolates and vouchers by Director of Communications, Imogen Shillito.
Imogen said: “Vivien and Alan’s visits are really appreciated by patients,
their relatives, staff and the Trust as a whole and this award is richly
deserved. I was struck by their commitment to easing the loneliness and
isolation that people can experience in hospital.
“Although they lead very busy lives, Vivien and Alan have shown real
commitment and dedication to volunteering and find it really rewarding
to help others. A few hours a week can make such a difference to
people in hospital and is really appreciated.”
The devoted couple have been together for 48 years and have twin
daughters.
6 H O S P I TA L L I F E

Hospitals mark
Breastfeeding Week
The importance of breastfeeding
has been promoted at Queen’s
and King George hospitals.
During National Breastfeeding Week,
stands were in place on both sites
with staff available to offer
information and answer any
questions visitors may have.
Claire Homeyard, Consultant
Midwife for Public Health, said: “We
know that most women – about 90
per cent – who stop breastfeeding in
the first few weeks would have liked
to carry on for longer. This is mainly
because they did not get the right
information and help with their first
feeds.
“This is why, over the last year, we
have been inviting our local peer
supporters – Totally Mums – to come
into the postnatal wards and work
with us to support new mums with
breastfeeding.”
Totally Mums joined Infant Feeding
Midwife Jill Wood to man a stand at
Queen’s Hospital all week, raising
awareness of breastfeeding.
Another stand was in place at the
antenatal clinic at King George
Hospital, with staff on hand to
answer queries and offer support.
• Pictured are volunteers on the breastfeeding stand at Queen’s Hospital
Boost in nursing numbers
Seventy-five new nurses have
joined the ranks of Queen’s and
King George Hospitals.
A successful open day saw 200
applicants applying for a range of
nursing posts in critical care, accident
and emergency and stroke units, and
well as in theatres.
The Trust has also allocated an extra
£2.4million to recruit a further 80
nurses for wards across the
organisation.
Director of Nursing Deborah Wheeler
said: “We were delighted by the
success of the recruitment day, and
J U LY 2 0 1 0
will be holding another now that
funding has been identified for a
further 80 staff.
“Having more than 150 new
nurses on the wards will make an
enormous difference to patient
care.
“Making such a major investment
in nursing shows how dedicated
we are to improving our services,
and the care that people receive.”
She added: “I was extremely pleased
that so many people came along to
the open day, and that we were able
to recruit some really good quality
nurses to come and work here.”
The Trust has focused
on introducing more
clinical leadership in
recent months, which
is helping to drive up
standards of care.
By employing the new
nursing staff, the ratio
of nursing staff on
wards will change from
50 per cent registered
nurses and 50 per cent
care workers, to 65 per
cent registered nurses and
35 per cent care workers.
7

Accident victim back to say
thank you
A man whose life hung in the balance after an
horrific accident has thanked the hospital staff who
cared for him.
Daniel Wigington suffered appalling injuries in a road
accident in May last year. He stayed on the Intensive
Treatment Unit for five weeks while medics battled to
deal with a multitude of problems with his internal
organs, as well as countless broken bones.
His mum Anna said: “He was just so poorly. We really
didn’t think he was going to make it. We stayed at his
bedside for weeks because we were too scared to leave
him alone for a second, just in case we lost him.”
But Daniel did recover.
In the year since he left hospital and went back home to
Main Road, Hornchurch, he has endured months of
physiotherapy and further operations to get him back on
his feet.
When he celebrated his 30th birthday this year, Daniel
decided to turn it into a fundraising event to collect
money for the BHR Hospitals Charity.
“I just wanted to give something back to all the staff
who had looked after me, and I thought this would be
the best way of doing it,” he said. “Everyone at Queen’s
has been unbelievable.”
At his 30th birthday party, Daniel charged for tickets and
held a raffle and an auction, collecting an amazing
£5,362.
He handed the cheque over to staff in the Intensive
Treatment Unit at the hospital, and revealed that he had
another fund-raising scheme up his sleeve.
“After the crash, the doctors warned me that I might
never walk again,” said Daniel. “Now I want to do a
sponsored walk, and make it a mile without crutches.”
He has been training hard on a treadmill to build up his
strength so that he can walk unaided. And after losing
seven stone since his accident, he is also due to take The
Knowledge – the first step towards becoming a London
cabbie.
There are only four or five hand-controlled black cabs,
and Daniel plans to join that elite group of drivers.
Angela Daniels with patient Julie
Halliday on Beech
Lunch time on Sahara A
Productive success
A new initiative which allows
nurses more time to spend on
direct patient care has proved a
huge success.
The Productive Ward scheme aims to
cut back on inefficient use of nurses’
time to allow them more
opportunities to work directly with
their patients.
Four areas of the Trust introduced the
scheme last year - and a further 28
wards across both sites are now
doing the same.
By re-organising the running of the
ward, and streamlining everyday
tasks, it is freeing up time to care for
patients.
One example is over-hauling meal
times so that patients are prepared
for their meals in advance. By making
sure that patients are settled and
ready for their food, the meal service
is much quicker and runs smoothly.
This has given nurses an extra 22
minutes, on average, to spend on
patient care.
Staff and patients are benefitting
from the changes. Staff are happier
in their work, and patients are
singing the praises of the initiative.
Julie Halliday, on Beech Ward at King
George, said: “Patient care here has
been exceptional. The staff are very
attentive. I have noticed that they
have the time to talk to patients on a
regular basis, which is important
when we are away from our families
for so long.”
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