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2 nottinghampost.comTUESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2014 3nottinghampost.com

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Salute caringstaffwho riseabove NHSchallenges

Jane’s rags toriches story

Sisters who have apassion for caring

ACUTE MEDICINE

CANCER & ASSOCIATED SPECIALTIES

HAVE you a special reason to begrateful to the caring people in theNHS? Is there a doctor, nurse,technician or porter you rememberhelped you through a difficult time?Let us know by emailing the Post’shealth correspondent [email protected]

WINNER

■ Dr Jane DewarCONSULTANT, CYSTIC FIBROSIS

■ Amber BristowEMERGENCY ADVANCED NURSEPRACTITIONER

■ Healthcare of OlderPeopleWard Sisters

JaneDewarsays shetakes herpassion forher workfrom her“awesome”patients.

IN April, the standard of care given topatients with cystic fibrosis atNottingham’s hospitals was transformedfrom “rags to riches”.

After years of campaigning and planning, ashiny, new £6.6 million facility offeringtreatment for 150 patients was unveiled.And for cystic fibrosis consultant Dr Jane

Dewar the size of the achievement is yet totruly sink in.“Every time I walk up the hill from the car

park I have to pinch myself – I can’t quitebelieve they did it,” said Jane, whose dedicationhas won her the acute medicine category in the2014 NUHonours awards.Cystic fibrosis is a disease predominantly of

young people. It damages many organs and itsmain effect is repeated chest infections, leadingto scarring in the lungs. This results over timein respiratory failure and the average survivalage is 42.Now, patients with the condition will be

treated in a “home in hospital”, where 16 in-patient beds are available and patients cancarry on as many aspects of normal life aspossible – while receiving the best clinical care.Jane, who has worked at NUH for 11 years,

said: “When I was appointed as a consultantand head of service for the cystic fibrosis unithere our nurses were in portable buildings andour patients had nothing in the way of facilitiesat all. I’ve spent the last ten years movingtowards this moment, building up facilities.

“It’s been a huge piece of work as well aswhat we do every day. The service has gonefrom rags to riches – it’s completelytransformed the way we can work as a teamwith those patients and it’s completelytransformed the patients’ experience.”She added: “They have fabulous access to

equipment, cooked meals, physiotherapy andall sorts. It’s transforming the way we candeliver their care but also the experiences theyhave. They are much more engaged and theyare much more active.“Over time we want them to live better lives

and longer lives.”On her award nomination, Jane said: “It’s

always very nice to be recognised by staff and thepublic for your endeavours. I take my passionfrom the patients – they are absolutely awesome.They deal with so many things and you have tomatch their commitment and effort.“I want to be humble and say we are only

there because there has been a huge team ofpeople behind me. When I started no-one knewwhat cystic fibrosis was really or who thesepatients were.“It’s taken five years of lots of obstacles.

Actually to keep bouncing back and saying ‘No,these patients need something better’ has beenhard.

“We wanted to make sure it’s a centre thatsets the benchmark nationally, not just animprovement. That has been a massive effort.”Jane and her team have been backed by the

efforts of fundraisers from NottinghamHospitals Charity and the public, who foundthe vast amounts of money needed to get theproject off the ground.She said: “I want to thank everyone who has

helped with the fundraising because that’swhat made it acceptable. They’ve all beenphenomenal.“I think we have delivered something

extraordinary.”

The team of judges deciding the awardwinners said: “Jane epitomises the mission ofNUH’s ‘we are here for you’ through herleadership, determination, compassionate andcaring qualities, acknowledged by all herpatients and staff.“By going those extra miles she has

transformed the hospital experience of thosewith cystic fibrosis, culminating in the openingof the Wolfson Cystic Fibrosis Centre this year.As described by one of her patients, they nowhave a ‘home in hospital, where excellent careis provided in a safe, happy and comfortableenvironment’.”

Why everyday makesher proudAMBER Bristow (pictured) is quitean asset for Nottingham’shospitals.The 37-year-old has picked up

experience in healthcare on threecontinents and performs the roleof both a nurse and a doctor.After two years of extra training

the Australian-born nurse becamean emergency advanced nursepractitioner and can make amassive difference to theworkload in the Queen’s MedicalCentre’s Emergency Department –taking the decisions of a doctorwhile also providing the care of anurse.Amber, who has worked at

NUH for seven and a half yearsafter nursing in Australia andSaudi Arabia, said: “Ourdepartment was forward-thinkingand they trained a lot of us up.“I work every day seeing

patients alongside doctors – I amtheir clinical decision-maker, so Ican work out what’s wrong withthem rather than going on to adoctor.“It is varied work and it’s

constantly busy. I am very luckybecause I love my job.”But it is not just Amber’s

everyday work which has seen hernominated for this year’sNUHonours awards; the Beeston

nurse also plays a significant roleworking for the Trust’s Better forYou programme – which aims toimprove patient and staffexperience.She said: “I’m quite passionate

about service improvement andhow we can change ourEmergency Department to make itthe best place possible forpatients and staff.”Amber said she was proud of

her award nomination but added:“I don’t think any of us do this jobto get recognition or nominatedfor our work – it’s just not in thenursing ethos. I’ve been nursingfor 20 years – you don’t do it toget an award; it’s just your job butI am very humbled by it.“The NHS is something to be

very proud of and the EmergencyDepartment team at QMC has tobe one of the best in the world.“What we’re doing every single

day is amazing – it’s an amazingteam of doctors, nurses andhealth professionals that make adifference to 500 patients everyday. That’s something to behugely proud of.”

FOR Helen Chilton and her team,providing constant care andattention to those most vulnerableis just part of their day-to-day life.They are the sisters from the

nine Healthcare of Older Peoplewards in the QMC – B47, B48, B49,B50, B58, C52, F18, F19 and F20.Over the last two years, they

have transformed the departmentto visibly improve the level ofpassionate care patients receive.This is as well as opening a new

ward to accommodate more bedsfor elderly patients.B48 ward sister Helen Chilton

has seen the department go fromstrength to strength.The 32-year-old, of Long Eaton,

said: “We are a 28-bed femaleward for elderly patients withacute medical problems. This canrange from falls to dementia tourine issues.“Patients stay on our wards for

an average of 11 days and there’s

a massive rush at the moment.”Together, the sisters and nurses

have worked to change the patientdischarge process.“The discharge lounge is a ward

where a patient waits on the daythey are leaving for their medicine,transport or family,” said Helen.“We’ve tried a new strategy wherethey must be in the lounge on theday before 9am so that they aren’ttaking up acute beds that areneeded by new emergency patients.“This can help with the flow of

patients on the wards”Speaking on the sisters’

nomination for the NUHonoursAcute Medicine award, Helensaid: “Our matron nominated usas a team. We’re alwaysmotivating our staff but it’s niceto get a morale boost of our own.”

You can leave it to Debbie

Team is one of best in the country

FROM boat trips to craft markets anda 60s themed day, the patients atHayward House in Nottingham haveenjoyed a whole wealth of special daysand added extras.And this is all down to the care and

spirit of day therapy sister Carol Parlor(pictured), who consistently goes aboveand beyond to raise funds for thespecialist palliative care cancer unit inthe grounds of the City Hospital.Her love for organising these events

for the patients is just one of thereasons why she has been nominatedfor the NUHonours award in Cancerand Associated Specialties.Carol, 53, of Nuthall, said: “I love

organising events and makingHayward House interesting. It’s allabout the patients remembering.“We make sure to get lots of things

going on around the place and wehold lots of activities including makingmemory boxes.”Carol’s role within Hayward House

is part of the outpatient and daytherapy department, in which patientsspend the day at the centre to helpwith their needs and diagnosis.She works alongside a team of seven

nursing staff, who are each assignedpatients when they visit the centre forthe day. Depending on their needs,they can experience treatmentsincluding counselling orcomplementary therapies.Carol has been in her current role

for two years but first visited HaywardHouse as a volunteer 12 years agobefore completing her nurse training.Speaking on being nominated for

the award, Carol said: “I feel shocked.I just do what I do every day but it’sreally nice to be nominated.“I absolutely love doing it. It’s the

best job in the world.”

■ Deborah FarndaleDISCHARGE CO-ORDINATOR

■ Cardiac Catheter LabMulti-disciplinary Team

■ Carol ParlorDAY THERAPY SISTER

Patients can say:Thanks for thememories, Carol

DeborahFarndale is“chuffed tobits andreallyproud”to benominated.

The cardiaccatheter labteam of theTrentCardiacCentre, CityHospital.

THE cardiac catheter lab team atthe City Hospital work to ensurethat people who have heart attackshave 24-hour emergency care.The team is made up a mass of

nurses, consultants, radiographersand administrators.And the team has been

recognised in national studies forproviding one of the best servicesin the country, as well as beingshortlisted for this year’sNUHonours awards.Ward manager Simon Brown

said: “We are absolutely delightedto be shortlisted because we havedone lots of innovative work. We’re

a very busy service and are alwaysstriving to find new ways ofworking.”Mr Brown added: “We do both

acute and non-acute – we see avariety of different procedures andno two days are ever the same inthis area.“It makes me shiver when I hear

we’ve been praised as it’s not everyday you hear that.“We are very productive and

strive to make sure we get as many

patients done as possible to makesure they are waiting in hospitals aslittle time as possible.”The 2013/2014 National Cardiac

Benchmarking Collaborativepresented results in December 2013that showed the NUH catheter labteam carried out more proceduresper session than any other trust inthe country.One nomination said: “The team

have shown amazing resilience andpassion for the service.”And another said: “This team has

met increasing demands with aconsistent level of professionalism,producing high quality outputs.”

■ STORIES:PETERBLACKBURN,LUCYBUDGE■ PICTURES:MARKLEE, DANMATTHAMS,MATTHEWPAGE, JOSEPHRAYNOR, ANGELAWARD

Left toright:AnneMackay,HelenChiltonand JaimeSquire

STRIVING to improve thedischarge process on theToghill ward at the CityHospital is discharge co-

ordinator Deborah Farndale.Deborah, also known as Debbie,

is dedicated to ensuring thatpatients are given the best careand equipment after leavinghospital.The 57-year-old, of West

Bridgford, said: “I’ve been amember of the Trust for sevenyears. I used to be wardreceptionist and now I do that aswell as being discharge co-ordinator.“My main duty is going to see

the patients on the ward and toliaise with social services onequipment that they need afterbeing discharged from hospital.“I really do enjoy my job. I meet

different patients all the time. It’san incredibly busy ward. We havelots of new patients and lots ofvisitors and relatives.“It’s my job to speak to them all

and let them know what ishappening.”

One of Debbie’s biggestachievements was designing andorganising a computerised waitinglist system for patients needingadmission, so that when a patientis delayed it is recordedappropriately.This has resulted in the

reassurance of hundreds ofpatients who ring the ward to seeif a bed is available for the nextstage in their treatment.She said: “We used to just have

coloured cards stuck on a boardwith patient names. With the newcomputerised system, you can seewhen patients are due in or ifthey’re delayed for any reason.”Working alongside Debbie on

the Toghill ward is a team ofaround 30 nurses and auxiliaries.Debbie says it is a lovely ward towork on and the team is more likea family.Speaking on being nominated

for the NUHonours award in

Cancer and Associated Specialties,Debbie said: “It’s amazing. I’mchuffed to bits and really proud.“Somebody at work said to me

‘congratulations’ and I didn’trealise I had been shortlisted. Ihad to look on the computer.“It makes you know that you are

appreciated.”The team of judges deciding the

award winners said: “Debbie isdescribed as a polite andrespectful colleague who leadsimprovement of the dischargeprocess in order to be the best forpatients and support the multi-disciplinary team.“Debbie goes the extra mile,

even arranging clean laundry forher patients.”

WINNER

#bestofNUH @nottmhospitals @NUHstaff #bestofNUH @nottmhospitals @NUHstaff

THESE are difficult times for theNational Health Service.

And it is no different here inNottingham. In short, costs havebeen rising more quickly thanfunding, which has placed servicesand staff under great strain.

Even so, Nottingham UniversityHospitals NHS Trust is deliveringcare to a truly exceptional standard.It is testament to the resilience ofstaff that even in the challengingcircumstances the NHS finds itselfin, 652 people were nominated inthe NUHonours Awards scheme thisyear – more than ever before.

Today we focus onpeople shortlisted inthe 16 categories butall of those put forwardare working at a levelthat moved theircolleagues or patientsto nominate them.

Their contributionswere celebrated at anawards night at the East MidlandsConference Centre on Friday, whichwas paid for by the NottinghamUniversity Hospitals’ Charity.

But these people deserve all ourgratitude. They are passionate aboutdelivering the best possible care,whether that be greeting people onthe reception desk of QMC, stokingthe boilers or mastermindingfantastic new treatment for patientswith cystic fibrosis.

Their commitment is oftenextraordinary, their skillexceptional, but the word thatcomes out most commonly in thedescription of them is “caring”.

As Nottingham’s local newspaper,the Post has a duty to scrutinisethe activities of the NHS and otherpublic bodies. It is one we takeseriously. However, we also have aduty to praise those in publicservice who make a real difference.

In the national mediacommentators often declare “theNHS is broken”. While the financialmodel which underpins the NHSrequires some urgent attention,there is much to celebrate inNottingham’s hospitals, as you willread here. Well done to all of thosenominated in this year’s NUHonoursAwards. And thank you for yourincredible work.

Mike Sassi, Post editor

Mike Sassi



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DIABETES, INFECTIOUS DISEASES, RENAL & CARDIOVASCULAR

Julia enjoys beingat heart of matters

■ QMCmain reception staff

■ Julia IvanovaDEPUTY SISTER, CARDIOLOGY

Yvonneand herteam havethe keyto success

CORPORATE

Caring consultantwho’s a friend, tooRENAL consultant Dr Matthew

Hall has such a strong bondwith patients that he can tell youthe names of their dogs and

which days they do their washing.The kidney specialist who has been at

NUH for four years works with peoplewho have a range of diseases or have hadtransplants, but his favourite work ishelping people who are undergoingdialysis.For two days every week the 38-year-

old from East Leake works at IlkestonCommunity Hospital and spending hourswith these patients sees bonds andfriendships formed.“They are patients whose kidneys don’t

function at all – they need dialysis threetimes a week every week of their life forthe rest of their life,” he said.“It’s not just the medical side of things

for those patients – yes, they havemedical illnesses – but it’s the socialimpacts of being on dialysis, the timeconstraints, the limits on their lives.“I approach those patients very

differently – I know the names of theirdogs, which days they do the washingand things because I try to make sure

it does not impact their life.”He added: “For the different part of my

job I see patients once and you don’t geta bond with those people but thepatients at Ilkeston dialysis unit really arepeople and it’s more a social club than adialysis unit.”The unit looks after around 50

patients, and Dr Hall couldn’t be morecomplimentary about the staff and users.He said: “It’s the highlight of my job –

it’s my oasis of peace and I love going toIlkeston, partly because these are greatpeople and we get to talk about theirlives and share things that help.“But it’s one of the best teams of staff

I’ve ever worked with. They areexceptionally good people to work withand the unit itself has an atmospherewhich is universally appreciated. Whenpeople come out to see it they are struckby the relaxed, compassionate andfriendly atmosphere that is there.”While the reward of the job can hit

every day, Dr Hall said being shortlisted

for the awards was a proud moment.He said: “I was overwhelmed really.

They let me know the nomination hadbeen arranged just before it wassubmitted and the fact that the patientshad contributed and directed thenomination was reward in itself.“I was even more overwhelmed to be

shortlisted and it’s absolutelyheartwarming. I’ve been on a high eversince – it makes everything worthwhile.Nobody does the job for an award but itmeans a lot.”The judges deciding the awards said:

“Not only is Dr Hall a ’rock band’musician who uses his talents to raisemoney for NUH Charity, but he alsoattends fundraising events organised byhis patients on the Ilkeston dialysis unit.He is affectionately thought of as a‘wonderful, caring, approachable person,who goes that extra mile and a half’ forall of his patients, who can’t heapenough praise upon him. He is renownedby patients and staff for hisprofessionalism, and his witty humourand never-ending one-liners are muchappreciated by all. A credit to NUHTrust.”

■ DrMatthewHallRENAL CONSULTANT

The QMC reception team (from left) Yvonne Key (main reception/information desk co-ordinator) and staffJanice Newton, Jean Forsey, Sam Felstead and Jackie Olson.

YVONNE Key knows the 28miles of corridors at QMClike the back of her hand.Having worked at the

hospital for 27 years, she issomething of a familiar face and isthe first port of call for peoplecoming through the front doors.For 13 years, Mrs Key has manned

a team of five at the hospital’s mainreception, providing advice andsupport to thousands of patients,families, colleagues andprofessionals.“I have always enjoyed it,” she

said. “The people we work with are

great and that makes my job easier.“I like meeting people. The public

are very diverse and we see thekaleidoscope of society comethrough the door – we just helppeople as best as we can with dignityand respect.“That’s what me and my team

convey, I hope.”Mrs Key, who is 56 and lives in

Clifton, says regular jobs are talkingto patients, families, givingdirections and liaising with

professionals from the health serviceand other areas.But sometimes, slightly more

unusual questions are asked of thefront-of-house team. “We have lotsof unusual requests like ‘Do weknow the opening times of Meccabingo?’,” she said. “Or they mightcome in and ask for cinema times.Some people come in and ask if wecan help dying trees on DerbyRoad.”But regardless of the more bizarre

events, Mrs Key and her team lovetheir jobs and she is delighted themain reception team have been

nominated for an award. She said:“I’m very proud and I’m very proudof the team that work for me.“Sometimes with the volume of

the people you get through the doorit can be a bit trying. There’s a lot ofpeople coming through and you canonly do your best.”She said the nomination was “a

great tribute” to her team’sprofessionalism.The reception desk is manned

between 8am and 7pm every dayand the team who work there havemore than 100 years’ experience inthe health service between them.

Mrs Key said: “We’re on stagefrom the time we come in to thetime we leave. We are the front ofthe hospital, the people there firstfor anybody who has had anaccident, is traumatised or needshelp. We have to be there.”The team of judges deciding the

award winners said: “The QMC mainreception staff routinely go aboveand beyond what is expected.Patients, relatives, visitors, carersand members of the public are alltouched by their extraordinaryability to treat people as if they aremembers of their own family.”

When practicemakes perfect

Helping staffstay healthy

OVER the past year the Healthcare AssistantsSkills Academy has gone from strength tostrength – all with the help of assistant directorof nursing Theresa Walsh.The programme provides essential clinical

skills training for non-registered nurses andmidwives, ensuring that they are able todeliver only the most compassionate of care.With the help of Theresa, the academy has

been recognised as an example of best practiceboth in the East Midlands and nationally.Theresa, of Long Eaton, said: “I am

responsible for the introduction of theHealthcare Assistants Skills Academy whichwas started two years ago.“Through this, we work predominantly with

new healthcare assistants, some of whomdon’t have any healthcare training.“We used to bar these people from applying

but we very quickly learnt that we were barringpeople who had much to offer. This opens thedoor to anybody.”The assistant director of nursing has been a

member of the Trust since 1992, when shejoined as a staff nurse. Theresa then startedworking in the corporate aspect in 2001.She was nominated for the NUHonours

Corporate award for being “passionate aboutthe delivery of excellence in patient care andsupporting staff”.Speaking on her nomination, Theresa said: “I

was absolutely delighted. I always think howlovely that someone has taken the time to makethe nomination. When things get quite toughand busy sometimes you don’t expect the praise.“I get so much satisfaction from my role. It’s

rewarding when you have seen someone whohas always had a dream to work in healthcarebut never thought they would.”

FOR Steph Knowles, the health of the staff whosave lives and give patients hope is of theforemost importance.The health and wellbeing co-ordinator

organises fitness classes, health checks and awhole range of events and courses.“We’ve got all sorts of things on offer,” she

said. “We have fitness classes for people whowant to be active, we have pedometerchallenges over six-week periods and healthand wellbeing weeks every year where staff canget health checks. We put on regular eventsabout looking after your mental wellbeing andthings like that.”And there’s no doubting the importance of

looking after staff, Steph said. “This Trustviews it as being a really important part ofwhat we offer our staff and we see it as beinglinked to patient care as well.“There’s lots of evidence around that if you

can improve the health and wellbeing of yourstaff you can improve patient care and thesatisfaction patients get.

“We recognise how hard our staff work andthis is something we do to give somethingback and say we do value you.”Steph, 45, from Beeston, said: “I always

think I have one of the best jobs in the Trust –it is very rewarding and it is nice to see staffand the response we get.”Steph, who has been at the trust for four and

a half years, said she was surprised to findherself in the running for the awards.She said: “I don’t know really why I would

be nominated. It’s definitely nice. I really enjoymy job and I am quite happy to work eveningsand put things on at weekends because if youonly do some things in working hours a lot ofstaff wouldn’t be able to join in.”

■ TheresaWalshASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING

■ StephKnowlesHEALTH &WELLBEING CO-ORDINATOR

WINNERS WINNER

■ StrokeWardManagers and Teams

Dr Matthew Hall – renowned for his professionalism andhis witty sense of humour.

FOR deputy sister incardiology, Julia Ivanova(right), it’s about enjoyingeverything about your work.She has been a member of

the Trust for 14 years and isusually found working in therole of operator, co-ordinatingthe work going on in the threecatheter labs and twotreatment areas.Julia, from Long Eaton,

says: “It is a variety. Patientsare going through differentinterventional diagnosticprocedures, or cardiacprocedures like pacemakersor coronary stenting.“I have constant contact

with the patients. They are allin serious conditions. Weprovide 24/7 emergencyconditions for patientscoming in with acute heartattacks.”Julia oversees patients right

through from pre-admission,to admission and thentreatment.

She works alongside a teamof around 30 nurses, cardiacradiographers andphysiologists, as well as 13consultants.“I enjoy everything. I enjoy

patient contact and the factwe can really help them,” shesays. “You can see the fullstory – everything is deliveredthrough the same team andall the patients enjoy seeingthe same team.”Of being shortlisted for an

NUHonours award, she said:“It’s a very nice feeling to beappreciated for your hardwork and it’s not only me butthe whole team.”

The stroke team at the City Hospital. From the left: Mitzi Paber (auxiliary nurse), Jac Drouhot (staff nurse), FayO’Callaghan (practice development matron), Emma Perkins (deputy sister), Suzanne Hawkins (sister), AnnieBarringham (sister), Claire Buttress, Bev Gamble and Gemma Law (auxiliary nurses).

When pride comes after fewer fallsTHE stroke team at Nottingham’s CityHospital has reduced the number of fallson its wards from around 40 a month tofive.The four managers of the team have

put a raft of measures in place to solvethe problem and, as a result, haveoverseen a dramatic improvement in theway patients are looked after.Patients likely to have a fall now always

have someone on their ward ready tointervene and staff have undergone amajor training programme – with patients,staff and hospital bosses all benefiting.“We’re very proud,” said Annie

Barringham, who is the ward sister onSeacole Ward, one of the four wards thatmake up the stroke team.She added: “We couldn’t have asked

for better results. It’s exceeded all

expectations. I don’t think we realisedhow big an effect we would have onthings and be able to sustain it, too.“It hasn’t cost any money to do what

we’ve done – we’ve got the same numberof staff and patients; we haven’t boughtspecialist equipment.”The effects of falls could be serious,

Annie said. “It can increase the length ofstay in hospital. The worst case is you getthings like fractures, particularly in elderlywomen. You also get things like loss ofconfidence. For staff, it can reduce moralebecause they think they’re not doing theirjob properly preventing the falls.“A year ago, the culture was that you

can’t stop falls. But the vast majority we

can stop if we do all the checks, watchpatients closely and we do it properly.”Annie, who has been with NUH since

1993 and lives in Long Eaton, said: “It’sgreat to be nominated for the award –we’re really chuffed. It’s always nice to berecognised for what you do and wewould like to make a song and dance ofthis to make other people realise if wecan do it, they can, too.We’re notsomething special; all the things we’vedone could be worked throughout.”But Annie is keen to make it clear that

the success has been a team effort.She said: “We all work as a team

anyway and it’s all about the service andtrying to put the patient first. ”Alongside Annie, the other managers

nominated were Suzanne Hawkins, TonyTill and Amanda Blackshaw.

TheresaWalsh: “Iget somuchsatisfactionfrom myrole.”

StephKnowles:“Werecognisehow hardour staffwork andthis issomethingwe do togivesomethingback.”




4NEP-E01-S3

4

DIABETES, INFECTIOUS DISEASES, RENAL & CARDIOVASCULAR

Julia enjoys beingat heart of matters

■ QMCmain reception staff

■ Julia IvanovaDEPUTY SISTER, CARDIOLOGY

Yvonneand herteam havethe keyto success

CORPORATE

Caring consultantwho’s a friend, tooRENAL consultant Dr Matthew

Hall has such a strong bondwith patients that he can tell youthe names of their dogs and

which days they do their washing.The kidney specialist who has been at

NUH for four years works with peoplewho have a range of diseases or have hadtransplants, but his favourite work ishelping people who are undergoingdialysis.For two days every week the 38-year-

old from East Leake works at IlkestonCommunity Hospital and spending hourswith these patients sees bonds andfriendships formed.“They are patients whose kidneys don’t

function at all – they need dialysis threetimes a week every week of their life forthe rest of their life,” he said.“It’s not just the medical side of things

for those patients – yes, they havemedical illnesses – but it’s the socialimpacts of being on dialysis, the timeconstraints, the limits on their lives.“I approach those patients very

differently – I know the names of theirdogs, which days they do the washingand things because I try to make sure

it does not impact their life.”He added: “For the different part of my

job I see patients once and you don’t geta bond with those people but thepatients at Ilkeston dialysis unit really arepeople and it’s more a social club than adialysis unit.”The unit looks after around 50

patients, and Dr Hall couldn’t be morecomplimentary about the staff and users.He said: “It’s the highlight of my job –

it’s my oasis of peace and I love going toIlkeston, partly because these are greatpeople and we get to talk about theirlives and share things that help.“But it’s one of the best teams of staff

I’ve ever worked with. They areexceptionally good people to work withand the unit itself has an atmospherewhich is universally appreciated. Whenpeople come out to see it they are struckby the relaxed, compassionate andfriendly atmosphere that is there.”While the reward of the job can hit

every day, Dr Hall said being shortlisted

for the awards was a proud moment.He said: “I was overwhelmed really.

They let me know the nomination hadbeen arranged just before it wassubmitted and the fact that the patientshad contributed and directed thenomination was reward in itself.“I was even more overwhelmed to be

shortlisted and it’s absolutelyheartwarming. I’ve been on a high eversince – it makes everything worthwhile.Nobody does the job for an award but itmeans a lot.”The judges deciding the awards said:

“Not only is Dr Hall a ’rock band’musician who uses his talents to raisemoney for NUH Charity, but he alsoattends fundraising events organised byhis patients on the Ilkeston dialysis unit.He is affectionately thought of as a‘wonderful, caring, approachable person,who goes that extra mile and a half’ forall of his patients, who can’t heapenough praise upon him. He is renownedby patients and staff for hisprofessionalism, and his witty humourand never-ending one-liners are muchappreciated by all. A credit to NUHTrust.”

■ DrMatthewHallRENAL CONSULTANT

The QMC reception team (from left) Yvonne Key (main reception/information desk co-ordinator) and staffJanice Newton, Jean Forsey, Sam Felstead and Jackie Olson.

YVONNE Key knows the 28miles of corridors at QMClike the back of her hand.Having worked at the

hospital for 27 years, she issomething of a familiar face and isthe first port of call for peoplecoming through the front doors.For 13 years, Mrs Key has manned

a team of five at the hospital’s mainreception, providing advice andsupport to thousands of patients,families, colleagues andprofessionals.“I have always enjoyed it,” she

said. “The people we work with are

great and that makes my job easier.“I like meeting people. The public

are very diverse and we see thekaleidoscope of society comethrough the door – we just helppeople as best as we can with dignityand respect.“That’s what me and my team

convey, I hope.”Mrs Key, who is 56 and lives in

Clifton, says regular jobs are talkingto patients, families, givingdirections and liaising with

professionals from the health serviceand other areas.But sometimes, slightly more

unusual questions are asked of thefront-of-house team. “We have lotsof unusual requests like ‘Do weknow the opening times of Meccabingo?’,” she said. “Or they mightcome in and ask for cinema times.Some people come in and ask if wecan help dying trees on DerbyRoad.”But regardless of the more bizarre

events, Mrs Key and her team lovetheir jobs and she is delighted themain reception team have been

nominated for an award. She said:“I’m very proud and I’m very proudof the team that work for me.“Sometimes with the volume of

the people you get through the doorit can be a bit trying. There’s a lot ofpeople coming through and you canonly do your best.”She said the nomination was “a

great tribute” to her team’sprofessionalism.The reception desk is manned

between 8am and 7pm every dayand the team who work there havemore than 100 years’ experience inthe health service between them.

Mrs Key said: “We’re on stagefrom the time we come in to thetime we leave. We are the front ofthe hospital, the people there firstfor anybody who has had anaccident, is traumatised or needshelp. We have to be there.”The team of judges deciding the

award winners said: “The QMC mainreception staff routinely go aboveand beyond what is expected.Patients, relatives, visitors, carersand members of the public are alltouched by their extraordinaryability to treat people as if they aremembers of their own family.”

When practicemakes perfect

Helping staffstay healthy

OVER the past year the Healthcare AssistantsSkills Academy has gone from strength tostrength – all with the help of assistant directorof nursing Theresa Walsh.The programme provides essential clinical

skills training for non-registered nurses andmidwives, ensuring that they are able todeliver only the most compassionate of care.With the help of Theresa, the academy has

been recognised as an example of best practiceboth in the East Midlands and nationally.Theresa, of Long Eaton, said: “I am

responsible for the introduction of theHealthcare Assistants Skills Academy whichwas started two years ago.“Through this, we work predominantly with

new healthcare assistants, some of whomdon’t have any healthcare training.“We used to bar these people from applying

but we very quickly learnt that we were barringpeople who had much to offer. This opens thedoor to anybody.”The assistant director of nursing has been a

member of the Trust since 1992, when shejoined as a staff nurse. Theresa then startedworking in the corporate aspect in 2001.She was nominated for the NUHonours

Corporate award for being “passionate aboutthe delivery of excellence in patient care andsupporting staff”.Speaking on her nomination, Theresa said: “I

was absolutely delighted. I always think howlovely that someone has taken the time to makethe nomination. When things get quite toughand busy sometimes you don’t expect the praise.“I get so much satisfaction from my role. It’s

rewarding when you have seen someone whohas always had a dream to work in healthcarebut never thought they would.”

FOR Steph Knowles, the health of the staff whosave lives and give patients hope is of theforemost importance.The health and wellbeing co-ordinator

organises fitness classes, health checks and awhole range of events and courses.“We’ve got all sorts of things on offer,” she

said. “We have fitness classes for people whowant to be active, we have pedometerchallenges over six-week periods and healthand wellbeing weeks every year where staff canget health checks. We put on regular eventsabout looking after your mental wellbeing andthings like that.”And there’s no doubting the importance of

looking after staff, Steph said. “This Trustviews it as being a really important part ofwhat we offer our staff and we see it as beinglinked to patient care as well.“There’s lots of evidence around that if you

can improve the health and wellbeing of yourstaff you can improve patient care and thesatisfaction patients get.

“We recognise how hard our staff work andthis is something we do to give somethingback and say we do value you.”Steph, 45, from Beeston, said: “I always

think I have one of the best jobs in the Trust –it is very rewarding and it is nice to see staffand the response we get.”Steph, who has been at the trust for four and

a half years, said she was surprised to findherself in the running for the awards.She said: “I don’t know really why I would

be nominated. It’s definitely nice. I really enjoymy job and I am quite happy to work eveningsand put things on at weekends because if youonly do some things in working hours a lot ofstaff wouldn’t be able to join in.”

■ TheresaWalshASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING

■ StephKnowlesHEALTH &WELLBEING CO-ORDINATOR

WINNERS WINNER

■ StrokeWardManagers and Teams

Dr Matthew Hall – renowned for his professionalism andhis witty sense of humour.

FOR deputy sister incardiology, Julia Ivanova(right), it’s about enjoyingeverything about your work.She has been a member of

the Trust for 14 years and isusually found working in therole of operator, co-ordinatingthe work going on in the threecatheter labs and twotreatment areas.Julia, from Long Eaton,

says: “It is a variety. Patientsare going through differentinterventional diagnosticprocedures, or cardiacprocedures like pacemakersor coronary stenting.“I have constant contact

with the patients. They are allin serious conditions. Weprovide 24/7 emergencyconditions for patientscoming in with acute heartattacks.”Julia oversees patients right

through from pre-admission,to admission and thentreatment.

She works alongside a teamof around 30 nurses, cardiacradiographers andphysiologists, as well as 13consultants.“I enjoy everything. I enjoy

patient contact and the factwe can really help them,” shesays. “You can see the fullstory – everything is deliveredthrough the same team andall the patients enjoy seeingthe same team.”Of being shortlisted for an

NUHonours award, she said:“It’s a very nice feeling to beappreciated for your hardwork and it’s not only me butthe whole team.”

The stroke team at the City Hospital. From the left: Mitzi Paber (auxiliary nurse), Jac Drouhot (staff nurse), FayO’Callaghan (practice development matron), Emma Perkins (deputy sister), Suzanne Hawkins (sister), AnnieBarringham (sister), Claire Buttress, Bev Gamble and Gemma Law (auxiliary nurses).

When pride comes after fewer fallsTHE stroke team at Nottingham’s CityHospital has reduced the number of fallson its wards from around 40 a month tofive.The four managers of the team have

put a raft of measures in place to solvethe problem and, as a result, haveoverseen a dramatic improvement in theway patients are looked after.Patients likely to have a fall now always

have someone on their ward ready tointervene and staff have undergone amajor training programme – with patients,staff and hospital bosses all benefiting.“We’re very proud,” said Annie

Barringham, who is the ward sister onSeacole Ward, one of the four wards thatmake up the stroke team.She added: “We couldn’t have asked

for better results. It’s exceeded all

expectations. I don’t think we realisedhow big an effect we would have onthings and be able to sustain it, too.“It hasn’t cost any money to do what

we’ve done – we’ve got the same numberof staff and patients; we haven’t boughtspecialist equipment.”The effects of falls could be serious,

Annie said. “It can increase the length ofstay in hospital. The worst case is you getthings like fractures, particularly in elderlywomen. You also get things like loss ofconfidence. For staff, it can reduce moralebecause they think they’re not doing theirjob properly preventing the falls.“A year ago, the culture was that you

can’t stop falls. But the vast majority we

can stop if we do all the checks, watchpatients closely and we do it properly.”Annie, who has been with NUH since

1993 and lives in Long Eaton, said: “It’sgreat to be nominated for the award –we’re really chuffed. It’s always nice to berecognised for what you do and wewould like to make a song and dance ofthis to make other people realise if wecan do it, they can, too.We’re notsomething special; all the things we’vedone could be worked throughout.”But Annie is keen to make it clear that

the success has been a team effort.She said: “We all work as a team

anyway and it’s all about the service andtrying to put the patient first. ”Alongside Annie, the other managers

nominated were Suzanne Hawkins, TonyTill and Amanda Blackshaw.

TheresaWalsh: “Iget somuchsatisfactionfrom myrole.”

StephKnowles:“Werecognisehow hardour staffwork andthis issomethingwe do togivesomethingback.”




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Team that’s made it E for Excellence■ Reki Patel, Kit Jackson &theNursing Team onWardE15, QMC

Teamthat putssuccessin focus

■ Medical PhotographyTeam

DIAGNOSTICS & CLINICAL SUPPORT DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND THORACICS

■ SusanAsburyRECEPTIONIST ONWARD C31,QMC

■ Back &Pain Team

Three of the Medical PhotographyTeam. From left: Tony Leathers(designer), Samantha Broderick(medical photographer) and GrahamLove (head of service).

Putting their back into easing pain

The Backand PainTeam(from left)Jill Blunt,CarolineNeal, VickyLewis,PaulaBanbury,Jill Jerry,SarahWhite andGeetaSingh

Susan comestop – by a smileRECEPTIONIST Susan

Asbury always has a smileon her face. The 53-year-old mum-of-two loves

being the first person patients andfamilies see when they arrive atward C31 at QMC.She said: “I love the job – it’s

meeting new people every day andall my colleagues are really goodand we get on really well.“It does not matter whether you

are a receptionist or what.”And while colleagues may make

light fun out of herWolverhampton accent, theyclearly value the job she does asstaff nominated her for this year’sNUHonours awards.Susan said: “I haven’t lost my

accent yet. A lot of the staff take themick but I don’t let it worry me.I’ve been told I’ve got a really goodmanner on the phone. I

communicate and have a smile onthe face.”And Susan said it was a pleasure

to be shortlisted in the awards. It’sreally nice – it’s quite shocking,”she said.“I do help out when they are

short-staffed – I help with thebreakfasts, I talk to the patients ifthey are a bit wary about theprocedures.”And Susan, who used to work as

an auxiliary nurse, has a specialway with patients – who come intothe ward with anything fromappendix to bladder problems –because of her experience.She said: “Having been a nurse,

you know what problems they are

going through. I can empathisewith them and I do enjoy puttingthem at ease. We can have a vitalrole.”The judges who chose her as the

winner of her category said: “Susanis known on C31 for her loyalty topatients, relatives and staff. Sheupholds the values and behavioursof the Trust, demonstratingexcellent communication skillscomplemented by her caringpersona.“As a receptionist, she uses her

initiative when ward staff need herhelp, even though this is out of herremit.“Susan doesn’t hesitate in

assisting with serving meals topatients and has the ability toengage with patients suffering fromdementia to ensure they remainsafe while staff are busy. This roleis above and beyond her duties.”

Susan Asbury’s experience as a former auxiliary nurse helps her putpatients at ease.

WINNER

The WardE15 teamand matronRekhabenPatel (front)who havebeennominatedfor “theirhard work,tenacity,commitmentand overallpatientcare”.

No task too small asElaine sets benchmark■ Elaine PeckDEPUTY DAYCARE SISTER,BARCLAYWARD, CITY

Elaine Peck – works with a“fabulous” supportive team.

FOR the nursing team on Ward E15,turning the ward around hasn’t beenan easy task.The nurses have worked tirelessly

to transform the ward from the daysof staff shortages and low morale toan influx in patient feedback andstaffing levels.Matron Rekhaben Patel, also known

as Reki, of Melton Mowbray, said: “Ithink one of the reasons we havebeen nominated is because we’vebeen through a tough couple of years.“Kit Jackson took over the ward as

the new ward sister about a year agoand she came into a difficultsituation. There weren’t enough staffand quite a few complaints.“Everyone has done a fantastic job.

There is now quality care on the wardand we’re still continuing to employnew staff.“The team have worked really well

together and patients are now gettingcompassionate care.”Making up the hardworking team

on Ward E15 are three sisters, 24 staffnurses and eight healthcareassistants.Reki, Kit and the team were

nominated for the NUHonours awardin Digestive Diseases and Thoracicsby clinical lead Anne Scott.

Ms Scott said: “Reki, Kit and theteam of nurses and admin supporthave worked tirelessly to turn E15around over the last year.“The team have worked so hard to

be a ward of excellence that I feel theyneed to be recognised for their hardwork, tenacity, commitment andoverall patient care.“They should all be very proud.”Speaking on the team’s nomination,

Reki said: “It’s the first time I’ve beennominated for anything. I still don’tthink it’s quite real.“For me, E15 deserve this award.

It’s not very often the wards getanything and especially the staff.Normally you find out the negativesrather than the positives.”

GOING the extra mile for patientsboth medically and emotionally isthe hallmark of deputy daycaresister Elaine Peck.The 51-year-old, of Mapperley,

works on Barclay Ward at the CityHospital, specialising in thoracicsurgery.Elaine has been a member of

the Trust for eight and a half years– working on Barclay Ward, first asa staff nurse and then moving intoher current role two years ago. Shequalified in nursing in 1989.“On the ward we specialise in

thoracic surgery, which is relatedto the chest. A lot of it is cancer-related but we do get otherconditions,” she said.“I do love my job.”Elaine works alongside around

30 fellow staff on the ward, andsays that they are a “supportiveteam” and are “all fabulous”.She was nominated for the

NUHonours award in digestivediseases and thoracic byadministration manager MarianneDunlop.Ms Dunlop nominated Elaine as

her “personal capacity to care wasexceptional and above and beyondthe criteria of her job”.She added: “Elaine quite simply

pulled me through both medicallyand emotionally. I could not havegot through without her.“It was clear that she felt no task

was too small to help a patient.Elaine Peck’s values should beused as a benchmark of care.”Speaking on being shortlisted

for the award, Elaine said: “It wasreally surprising but a lovelyfeeling to be nominated for doingyour job.”

NO two days are the samefor the medicalphotography team at theNottingham University

Hospitals Trust.Split over the two campuses – City

Hospital and the QMC – the smallteam of eight help out in departmentsincluding burns, paediatrics, ear, noseand throat and dermatology.They are made up of six

photographers, one administratorand another working in graphics.Photographer Mark Howells says

that the team provides support forthe NUH in around 90 differentspecialties. They can range from a

picture for a case such as spinologyto a picture for a burns case.“Rather than offering a service, we

offer support for other servicesaround both campuses.”The photography team gained

three nominations for theNUHonours award in Diagnosticsand Clinical Support, one of whichwas from head of service for medicalphysics and clinical engineering,Claire Greaves.She said: “Their routine workload

has grown significantly over the lastyear, as has the diversity of theservice. The team are always seekingout opportunities to provide orsupport innovative practice.”As well as standard photography

to support aspects including burns,tissue viability, stoma care andtrauma, the team has met a growingdemand for video and graphicswork, plus 3D imaging, which hassignificantly helped the burns wards.Photographer Graham Love said:

“Using 3D imaging, we can help tocreate masks that will help patientswith the treatment of burns.“We can take a 3D image of their

face instead of having to make amould like they used to. This way, itdoesn’t even touch the patient and isa lot quicker and less invasive.”The photography team’s newest

development is in thermal imaging,which will be introduced aroundJanuary. “Thermal imaging will alsobenefit burns patients, especially interms of assessment. We can then seehow deep the wound is and it will bea quick and effective way,” he said.“Where young children are

concerned, it will be a lot lessinvasive and it will help withdiagnosis as we can have the imagesback straight away.”

The team of judges deciding theaward winners said: “Over the last12 months, this small team havedemonstrated exemplary resilienceand flexibility in supporting staff,patients and parents in very delicatesituations in performing theirduties, such as in non-accidentalinjuries, neonatal bereavement,stoma care and dermatology toname but a few.“They have gone above and

beyond their call of duty to improvethe patient and relative care throughdiversifying using video andgraphics, telemedicine and thermalimaging.”

The chronicfatiguesyndrometeam (fromleft) Dr LisaWorrall,SusanBrennan,Joy Ellery,KiraHunter,GrahamTerry andDr MaryAntoun.

PAULA Banbury and her teamare dedicated to improvingthe quality of life of peoplewith long-term pain.The clinical lead nurse for

the Nottingham back and painteam – which has been goingfor 14 years – leads a team of12 clinicians including nurses,occupational therapists andpsychologists who delivereducational and physicalclasses to people who havebeen suffering with pain foryears.The sessions are given at

leisure centres across the

county and give people achance to get their lives back.“When they have had pain

for a long time they feel theirdaily life is completelyaffected,” Paula said. “It’s verydebilitating and it affectsevery aspect of people’s lives.”She added: “When people

have tried traditionaltreatment like physiotherapythey can feel they havenowhere to turn but we offera different model of treatment

in terms of support andexercise and we try to getthem back to a quality of lifethey are happy with. We try toget away from the hospital ifpossible and we are trying todo it in an environment theyare more comfortable in.“It is really rewarding . You

see people going away saying‘I got my life back’.”And for the team, being

shortlisted for this year’sNUHonours awards hasrewarded 14 years of hardwork. “We were absolutelythrilled,” Paula said.

Boosting the qualityof life forME sufferers■ CFS/MEServiceTeam

WHEN people are diagnosedwith chronic fatiguesyndrome – or ME – theimpact on their lives can besignificant.But since 2006 there has

been a specialist team atNottingham’s hospitals tohelp tackle the issues thatpeople with the condition canface.The team is the only

designated service of its kindin Nottinghamshire. Clinicallead Susan Brennan said:“The overall purpose is tohelp people diagnosed withmild to moderate chronicfatigue syndrome to developappropriate strategies tomanage their condition to

improve function and qualityof life.“It can affect anyone. It can

cause problems for theirwork, activity levels, hobbiesand social side of life but itaffects how they think andfeel as well.”Susan, who has worked at

NUH for more than ten years,

added: “In terms of prognosisit’s tricky because there isn’t astraightforward medical cure.The main principle is gradedactivity and exercise andbeing aware how to challengethoughts and beliefs.”Susan said the team was

delighted to be shortlisted forthe awards. “We’ve beennominated previously so thisis a nice extra step in terms ofhaving recognition. I’m soproud of the team.”


WINNERS



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Computer dolphins givechildren a purpose to cope

■ Boilerhouse Team at City

■ Gill Young &CarolineWardNURSE SPECIALISTS, CHILDREN’S UROLOGY

Duane’s drive tospread a bit of joy

ESTATES & FACILITIES FAMILY HEALTH

■ Duane VickersCATERING VAN DRIVER

■ Cystic Fibrosis Centrechefs

Duane Vickers: “I just try my best to make a difference.”

DUANE Vickers is famous at theCity Hospital as a man whobrings smiles wherever hegoes.

The catering van driver received a pileof nominations for the 2014 NUHonoursawards, all of which praised his attitudeand the part he plays in a successfultrust.And for Duane, 33, whose primary

responsibility is moving food around thehospital and organising the food anddrink for functions, it’s important tospread a bit of joy.He said: “From the consultants to

cleaners to retail staff, I cover all areas ofthe hospital and there’s alwayssomething going on.“I absolutely love that and meeting

people day-to-day is the most importantpart of the job.“Obviously I’m bumping into patients

and relatives, too, and I just try my bestto make a difference and change theirday. I don’t just stick with the boundaryof the job title.”Duane, who has filled the role for four

years and lives in Basford, added: “I’vebeen nominated for three years runningand it feels really good that people aretaking the time out to recognise what I’mdoing – to be shortlisted feels fantastic.General morale is increased for all staffby this sort of event – you just get a bit ofrecognition for what you do. And it’squite flattering.”The panel which decided the awards

said Duane was “a true professional whodisplays fantastic attitude, all day, everyday”. It added: “He is a pleasure to be

around and delivers fantastic customerservice as shown by the numerousnominations he received.”Duane took on the role four years ago

after a spell with the Royal Mail.He said: “I was a courier and the

customer service side of that was quiteappealing to me – I saw the advert and Iwas at a point when I wanted to changedirection so I grabbed it.“I want to progress and try to improve

standards – we’re in a hospital andthere’s a lot of unfortunate people thatare not well. For me to go round and playmy part and spread a bit of happiness ismy aim.”And in the course of his work Duane

has developed an intimate knowledge ofthe vast, sprawling campuses. “I know itlike the back of my hand,” he said. “Theversatility of my day is important - andthere’s never one day the same.”

WINNER

Chefs findthe recipefor success

CYSTIC fibrosis patients oftenstruggle to retain their weight,as their stomachs can be filledwith excess mucus,preventing nutrition fromfood being absorbed into thebody.But at Nottingham’s swanky

new cystic fibrosis centre –unveiled in April – a team ofthree chefs has produced anextensive menu to help theirpatients.“We’ve designed a menu

especially to help patientshere,” said chef JohnEdwards. “It’s 4,000 calories aday they need, compared tosomeone else who might need1,800. Only half of the 4,000calories will digest into theirsystem, so they lose a lot ofweight if we don’t pack thecalories in.“We use high-calorie foods

such as double cream andextra butter – and they havethree proper cooked meals aday.”For John, who has worked

in the catering side ofoperations at the hospital forten years, the job can be veryrewarding. The 33-year-oldfrom Basford said: “Quite a lot

of the patients say they don’teat this well at home.“It’s a very rewarding job

because we do get reportsback saying the majority ofpatients who come in haveactually gained weight, andhearing that makes you thinkyou are doing your jobproperly.”The team also offers to cook

with patients to make themfeel involved, change dishesto their taste and add newdishes.The person who

anonymously nominated theteam for an NUHonoursaward said: “There aren’twords enough to say howwonderful these three are.“They work tirelessly to

promote good nutrition onthe cystic fibrosis unit.“Nothing is too much

trouble. If a patient wants it,they go out of their way to tryto provide it for them.“All the patients have

praised them for theiramazing food and can-doattitudes. ”

How tonnes of hard workkeep patients safe andwarm

Supervisor Darren Lamb (left) and chefs John Edwards(centre) and Andrew Theakall.

PaulBennett(left) andJamesHollandstoking oneof theboilers.Inset: Twomore of theteam, PaulMarshall(left) andRichardMayer.

THE team of eight men may go largely unseen,but the City Hospital’s boilerhouse operatorsare part of the beating heart of the site.James Holland and his colleagues work 24

hours a day to keep the huge site heated andcan transfer and burn up to 28 tonnes of coal aday to ensure patients are kept safe and warm.And Mr Holland, from Arnold, says it was a

huge surprise to be nominated for this year’sNUHonours awards since he and hiscolleagues are so rarely seen.The 38-year-old said: “I had never really

heard of the awards but I thought, fair enough,we do work hard to keep the steam runningand sometimes it can be difficult with thehours we do and when you have family life.“It’s hard work doing a night shift with kids

at home. Sometimes we do deserve a bit ofrecognition because a lot of people don’trealise we exist.”The boilerhouse operator says the team is

divided into three shifts – morning, afternoon

and night – and ensures that the two boilersthat are firing the hospitals are in workingorder.Mr Holland said: “We keep an eye on and

maintain the boilers that provide steam to thewhole site and the hospital which in turnsgives the heating and hot water. It can be hardwork, especially if you have a breakdown.Some of the machinery is quite heavy andsometimes we get blockages on the coalsystem.”He added: “When it’s coming up to the

winter we get a good 28 tonnes of coaldelivered a day and on a good day we canburn the majority of that. “There’s a realpressure situation if there is a blockage or welose a fire in a boiler or the boiler breaks down– you’re putting stress on the other boilers towork harder – you need it to be efficient.”

■ Kate FrostPAEDIATRIC RESEARCH ASSISTANT

■ Julie GoldingGYNAE-ONCOLOGY NURSESPECIALIST

Kate helpsGames kidsgo for gold

After 39years, Juliestill lovesher job

DURING the 39 years thatJulie Golding has beenworking as a nurse so muchhas changed.The gynae-oncology nurse

specialist at the City Hospitalhas seen developments thatmean that cancer is no longera death sentence and hugeadvances in surgery, withpeople able to go home 24hours after a major operation.“We do see patients in

difficult situations but most ofthe time it’s good newshopefully,” the 56-year-oldfrom Woodthorpe said.“Cancer is not a death

sentence these days – we docure a lot of people if theycome to us early enough.”Julie has now gone into

semi-retirement but will stillbe working at the hospital for30 hours a week.And she still loves her job.

She said: “I can have patientsfor years and years for follow-ups – they always come for at

Julie Golding: “It’s like onebig family.”

least three years after diagnosis.It’s like one big family.“You get very close to

people and receive Christmascards and such like. It’s alovely job, I really love it.”And Julie – who deals with

patients who need surgeryand support throughout theprocess of diagnosis and tests– said she was delighted to beshortlisted for an NUHonoursaward. “It was a very nicesurprise,” she said.

Kate Frost says the Transplant Games were an incredibleexperience, both for herself and the children in the team.

THE true reward for Kate Frost’s effortscame when she saw children who hadbeen through so much building theirlives again.

The paediatric researcher at QMC managedNottingham University Hospitals’ team ofchildren competing at this year’s BritishTransplant Games in Bolton.And the 23-year-old saw nine children who

had undergone transplants win medals, meetnew people and extend their support networkswhile celebrating becoming healthy again.The Transplant Games are an Olympics-style

event for people who have had transplantoperations and Nottingham’s team returnedwith an impressive haul of 16 medals.Kate volunteered to take on the role, which

meant three days in the North West organisingthe events and looking after the children andtheir families.She said: “It was incredible. I’ve never been

to an event where there has been such awelcoming and warm atmosphere.“The children took away so much more than

the medals they won. It’s not onlyparticipation but they can celebrate theirhealthiness and meet all different peoplenationally and build that support network.Witnessing that is massive – it’s really quite afantastic, emotional experience.”Kate was nominated in the Family Health

category of this year’s NUHonours awards,with colleagues recognising the efforts shewent to.

She said: “I never expected to be nominated– just taking part for me was a privilege. Thechildren are inspiring. Seeing them there andtaking part was fantastic. That was thanksenough for me – it’s really touching.”Kate used to work as a renal assistant at the

hospital but now has a role in clinical researchwhere she helps trials to take place for some ofthe most serious conditions.The Eastwood woman said: “I love working

here. Being able to help children withresearch, we can pave the way forward forbetter patient treatment and I feel very fulfilledin my work.“What I’ve been able to do while I’ve been

here has been great.”The judges who picked out Kate as the

category winner said of her role with theTransplant Games team: “She has workedtirelessly to promote the number of childrenparticipating from three in 2013 to nine thisyear. She also obtained funding from varioussources to buy athletic kits and funding foraccommodation and travel for parents.“She continued this role in spite of changing

her job within NUH and donated her own timeto put Nottingham on the map. She madeeveryone feel a winner; one child won fivemedals and may represent the UK in the nextWorld Transplant Games.”

WINNER

Specialist nurses Gill Young (left) and Caroline Ward.

CHILDREN and young adults goingthrough some of the most private medicalproblems often rely on Caroline Ward andGill Young.The duo, who work as nurse specialists

in urology, specialise in treating night-timebed wetting and use innovative techniquesto get people through tough times.“It’s children suffering with

incontinence – we bring them in forassessment and we can look at thebladder and see the function and directcare accordingly,” Caroline said.The 43-year-old from Gedling, who has

worked at NUH for six years, added: “Wehave the help of a fantastic team. That’sour bread and butter.“We use bio feedback where electrodes

are attached to a child and get them toplay computer games with their musclesdown there in their pelvic floor. They

move dolphins and fish with their pelvicfloor – it can get them to have morecontrol and relax. We’re getting fantasticresults and happy children.”Gill, who is 36 and from Cropwell

Bishop, said the duo were delighted to beshortlisted for the awards.“I’m very shocked and surprised,” she

said.“It’s lovely. You just come into work

and do your job and don’t expect thingslike that.“When you see the families you get

lovely rewards from them in that they saythings like you’ve really helped or made adifference and I can understand thingsbetter now. That’s a reward.”




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Claire Hardy (second left), who won the fundraiser of the year category, withNottingham University Hospitals Charity chairman William Colacicchi (left), NUHTrust chair Louise Scull and chief executive Peter Homa.

Duane Vickers, winner in the estates andfacilities category.

The Ward D11 Nursing Team, winners in the musculoskeletal and neruosciences category.

The NUHonours winners at the presentations event at the East Midlands Conference Centre on Friday night. PICTURES: NEAL HUGHES

Caption

Dr Joanne Cooper, winner of the research impact of the year category.

Jenny Bakewell and Donnah Morris, specialist support category winners.

Penny Storr receives her partnership category award from Post editor Mike Sassi.

Graham Love (second from left), head of the Medical Photography Team who won thediagnostics and clinical support category.

Trish Cargill, who won the public member of the year category.The QMC Main reception team, winners in the corporate category.

The best of NUH

Susan Asbury, winner in the digestivediseases and thoracics category.

Deborah Farndale, who won the cancer andassociated specialties category. Sonia Bhatti, volunteer category winner.

Dr Jane Dewar, winner of the acutemedicine category. Kate Frost, family health category winner. Iffy Choudhury, head & neck category winner.

Dr Matthew Hall, diabetes, infectious diseases,renal & cardiovascular category winner.




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Linda sees patients through hospital journey

■ SuzanneHawkinsWARDMANAGER, STROKE

■ Dr Phil Hollows & theMaxillofacial Team

Claire shows shehas Kinder touch

FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR HEAD & NECK

■ Claire HardyPLAY SPECIALIST, NOTTINGHAMCHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

WINNER

TELLING stories about dinosaursthat have kidney transplants andteaching children to take tabletsusing Tic Tacs are just part of a

normal day for Claire Hardy.The health play specialist at

Nottingham Children’s Hospital at QMChelps children with a range of illnessesand conditions to get through theirtreatment by injecting a bit of fun intotheir day.Claire – who is one of a team of around

20 at the hospital – will use fun, gamesand activities to distract, cheer up andbond with children who are being forcedto spend a scary time in an alienenvironment.“It is fantastic – you work with

different patients, so no day is the same,”said Claire, who has been in the job for11 years.“You can have some days where you

are supporting them in the treatmentroom or doing activities.“Or sometimes it’s about distraction

during a procedure. We will do anythingto engage them and take their mind offwhat’s happening, like blowing bubbles,looking at a DVD or doing a ‘where’sWally?’ book.

“You build really good relationshipswith the patients and the families.”When Claire, who lives in Heanor,

walks into the rooms of patients, thedifference is instantly clear. For the firsttime that day, they are being visited bysomeone who is not from a clinicalbackground and someone who mightreturn laughter to the air.But while Claire is treasured at the

hospital for her work as a play specialist,it is her fundraising that has seen hernominated for this year’s NUHonoursawards.Along with her colleagues, Claire raises

money for the Kinder Appeal, whichraises money for families living withkidney disease and helps them to getequipment as well as paying for tripsabroad and to activity camps.She said: “We also want to build a day

case unit and extend the facilities ofwaiting areas and playing areas we’ve gotand we’d like to build out on to the roof,too.”

Claire has contributed around £6,000to the cause with her charity efforts –including running races and fun days.She also aims to spread the word about

the work that takes place inNottingham’s hospitals. On December 11Claire will be flying out to Japan for twoweekend conferences in Tokyo andShizuoka and visits to two hospitals.The Japanese already have people who

use play alongside treatments but Clairesays: “It’s a little bit more clinical overthere. They couldn’t believe how engagedthe children were over here.”The work of the play team might not

be as quantifiable as the number of livessaved by surgeons but it’s clear thatparents value it.Darren Calow’s son, Daniel, has had

problems with his kidneys since he wasborn. The seven-year-old had atransplant at the QMC last month and isrecovering well.Mr Calow, 49, who lives in Doncaster,

said: “It’s been horrific for him and for usas parents. But the play staff bring a bitof normality. You can see the differencewhen she’s here with him.“When they are in pain, a little bit of

laughter makes a huge difference.”

Suzanne rises to the challengeto help fundraising campaign

WORKING closely alongsideher nursing team, SuzanneHawkins has helped to raisemoney by organising anumber of fun-filled events.The stroke ward manager,

based at the City Hospital, hashelped oversee a selection offundraising cake sales andeven a school-themed disco.The 39-year-old, of Toton,

said: “Each ward at the Trusttook part in the Challenge 500campaign. All wards arechallenged to raise £500 forthe NUH charity.“As part of this, the stroke

ward held a few events,including a disco at SherwoodHall.“All of us had to wear

school uniforms. It was a funnight.”As well as tasty cake sales

and fun discos, Suzanne is akeen runner and took part inthe Ikano Robin Hood HalfMarathon to raise money forthe ward.

Her dedication tofundraising for the ward is thereason she was shortlisted forthe NUHonours Fundraiser ofthe Year award.

Speaking of her nomination,in which she was described as“a real Challenge 500champion”, Suzanne said: “Iwas very surprised, especiallyas it’s always been about theteam. I’m going to share itwith them.”Suzanne has been a

member of the Trust since2000, when she joined thePatience ward as a staff nurse.In 2006, she moved to the

new Berman Stroke Unit atthe City Hospital as wardmanager.The stroke wards at the City

Hospital deliver specialisedcare to adults of all ages.This ranges from

emergency assessment totreatment and rehabilitation.“When I first qualified as a

nurse my first job was instroke in Sheffield,” she said.“The unit was being

developed in Nottingham andthe opportunity came up.“It’s a very busy ward.

Patients come directly to usand they’re all very different.They’re of different ages andseverities.”

Claire Hardy with seven-year-old patient Daniel Calow.

Suzanne Hawkins – isdescribed as “a realChallenge 500 champion”.

■ Iftekhar ChoudhurySTAFF NURSE, WARD C25, QMC

Iffy by name ...but not by nature

Pioneering work that enables Phil’steam to rebuild cancer victims’ faces

Consultant maxillofacial surgeon Phil Hollows (second left) with some of histeam – dietitian Muriel Donaldson (left), secretary Laura Selby, staff nurseElaine Purbrick and maxillofacial prosthetist Jason Watson.

BEING both a voice ofreassurance and reason is animportant part of IftekharChoudhury’s role as a staff

nurse.The 25-year-old, of Bilborough,

works in Ward C25 at the QMC,specialising in Head and Neck,alongside a large team of fellownurses, managers and doctors.Despite only working in the

department for one year, Iftekhar,also known as Iffy, was nominatedfor the NUHonours Award of Headand Neck because of his vastknowledge and kind, caring naturetowards patients.The staff nurse said: “I love doing

it and I love coming into work. Ithink it comes hand in hand with mypersonality.“My job is different from day to

day. I can be treating patients witheye, dental and airway problems.“It’s all about how you deal with

patients and how you keep theminformed of everything that is going

on. It’s important to have those skillsand knowledge on everything.”The staff nurse has always been

passionate about nursing and madeit a priority after his mother hadhealth problems.“I first started to specialise in the

Head and Neck department after aplacement. The passion just camefrom there and I learnt more andmore,” he said.“I’m friends with my colleagues

outside of work, too. I alwaysencourage new people to beincorporated into the team. It’s morefun that way and you can worktogether properly.”Iftekhar deals with different

patients on a daily basis, from givingsupport, knowledge or a helpinghand. “I like the challenge. Whenjunior staff come along you’re theirrole model. You have to show them

how to handle different situationsand be the right person for thepatient,” he said.Speaking on his nomination for

the award, Iftekhar said: “It’s alwaysa strange feeling when you’re up foran award, but I don’t want it to bejust for me. It’s about the team andthe support that they give me.”The team of judges deciding the

award winners said: “Iffy, as he isknown on the ward, is a well-respected, approachable and friendlystaff nurse who is a credit to theTrust, having received numerousnominations for this award.“His patients and relatives

compliment him on hisprofessionalism, knowledge andcommunication skills. One patientdescribes him as ‘the best nurse I’veever met’.“He goes beyond the call of duty

to help anyone in need, putting theirneeds before his own, be it to adviseand help patients at home or assistthe general public.”

IftekharChoudhury –described as“a well-respected,approachableand friendlystaff nursewho is acredit to theTrust”.

WINNER

PHIL Hollows and the maxillofacialteam at QMC are pioneering on adaily basis.Altogether there’s around 30

people in the team which mainlydeals with head and neck cancers,with cutting-edge techniques like3D printing being used to givepatients the best possible outcomes.Dr Hollows said: “It’s a

traumatic time for the patient andyou get quite a close relationshipwith a lot of the patients,” he said.“That’s what makes my job such anice job. You get that opportunity.”And partly due to the impressive

nature of the team and itstechnology, success rates are high.He said: “The cure rate for head

and neck cancer is probably about75 per cent so a lot of patients dowell but you do have to deal withthe patients that don’t do so welland hopefully you can help themthrough that and at least maketheir quality of life better.”Dr Hollows, who has been a

consultant at the hospital for 14years and lives in Southwell, said:“As a surgeon our aim is to repairand reconstruct the faces ofpeople who have had cancer.“We’re at the cutting edge of

what happens nationally in the

country – without the lab workthat’s done we wouldn’t be able toprovide such good service. TheQMC is up to date and provides agood service.”And for Dr Hollows the team

deserves its place among the othernames for these awards.He said: “Everybody that I work

with is very dedicated – we workagainst the odds sometimes buteveryone is really happy and it’squite a nice sort of thing to getrecognised now and again.“I have to say going into cancer

care you do it because you do feelat the end of the week it’sworthwhile – you’ve not wastedyour week. It’s absolutely satisfying.”

LindaSellors:“It’s averyrewardingrole andI’ve metsomeveryspecialpeople.”

NURSE specialist Linda Sellorsgives dedicated support to headand neck cancer patients.Linda has been a member of the

Trust since she completed hernursing training at the CityHospital in 1987.The 46-year-old, of West

Bridgford, now works in the Ear,Nose and Throat department atthe QMC.Linda said: “My role is to

support and contact and giveadvice to patients.“I see patients all throughout

their journey at the hospital. Thisranges from patients who havesuspected cancer to proven cases.“I also see them through

treatment and then beyond,

depending on their needs.“We visit them on the ward

when they’re having surgery, aswell as being available in theclinics and home visits.”From her office in the QMC,

Linda helps patients who areaffected by cancer. The nursespecialist will talk through andoffer support on how patients areaffected by their treatment,including how to cope with the

physical changes after surgery.She will also talk patients

through any symptoms they maybe experiencing – no matterwhether immediately or long term.Linda said: “Each day can be

varied. No two days are the same.“It’s a very rewarding role and

I’ve met some very special people.“I’m shocked but honoured to

be nominated for the award. It’snice to feel appreciated.”

■ Linda SellorsHEAD & NECK NURSE SPECIALIST




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14

Sisters show leadership skills

■ Membership Reference Group

Team helps patientsthrough critical time

MEMBER OF THE YEAR MUSCULOSKELETAL AND NEUROSCIENCES

■ Richard PrattVOLUNTEER & PUBLIC MEMBER

■ Trish CargillVOLUNTEER & PUBLIC MEMBER

Trish out to givepatients a voiceVOLUNTEER and public

member Trish Cargill headsto the Trust every week tolend a helping hand.

Trish, of Rushcliffe, is an activemember of the Patient PartnershipGroup, which aims to developimprovements for both patients andtheir carers.The volunteer is also a member of

the Membership Reference Group –a committee which is made up ofFoundation Trust members and aimsto evaluate and improve the waymembers are contacted and kept upto date.Trish said: “As part of the Patient

Partnership Group, we talk to a lot ofpatients and carers and we help staffto improve and to enhance whatthey’re doing.“I’ve been volunteering at the

Trust for quite a long time. I am acarer for a family member and I gotinvolved because the Trust has givenso much to me, so I wanted to givesomething back to them.

“I’ve used their services and theyare wonderful people and do awonderful job. This is one way I cangive back and get involved.”Due to her continuous and

dedicated work for the Trust, Trishwas nominated for the NUHonoursMember of the Year award.The nomination form read: “Trish

works continuously to facilitateopportunities for patients’perspectives, experiences and viewsto be represented at appropriatemeetings and events.“She has amazing energy,

enthusiasm and dedication. She hasactively participated in thetransformation of the patientexperience at NUH which includes anumber of projects.“Trish is a carer but still manages

to dedicate a significant amount ofher time on a purely voluntary basis

to NUH. She is always willing to helpand support staff at NUH, regardlessof how busy she is.”Trish also volunteers at a number

of outside organisations as well asheading to the Trust on a regularbasis.Speaking on being nominated for

the award, Trish said: “I am veryhumbled at being up for the award.I’m surprised and proud.“It’s a very rewarding role at the

Trust and I love it. You get so manydifferent people’s opinions andwhat’s really great is that they are allimportant.“There are lots and lots of good

things that happen across the Trust.”The team of judges deciding the

award winners said: “ Trish hasmade an outstanding contribution inmany different ways. An ‘inspiration,enthusiastic and dedicated’ is howTrish has been described.“An amazing lady committed to

helping NUH to be the best and withsignificant carer responsibilities.”

Trish Cargill – described by the judges as “an amazing lady committedto helping NUH to be the best”.

WINNER

Pushing the boundariesto keep group motivated

Three oftheMembershipReferenceGroupvolunteers(from left),TrishCargill, TedSmith andChrisFosterpicturedoutside theHQ at CityHospital.

WITH volunteers from a diverse range ofbackgrounds, the Membership ReferenceGroup gets together four times a year toreview essential aspects of themembership office at the Trust.Set up in January of this year, it is made

up of public Foundation Trust membersand aims to review, redesign and developall key documents, materials andcommunications used by themembership office, ensuring that they arecurrent, fit for purpose and relevant.Lynne Williams has been a member of

the group since it first began after seeingit advertised in NUH’s newspaper.She said: “I had to go to the hospital

and I saw that they were appealing formembers. I’ve been in Nottingham awhile and had a few operations, andextended family have been there. I

thought that it would be really nice to getinvolved and give something back.“All of the members come from such a

diverse range of backgrounds and we allsuggest ideas.”The group is run by Tracey Wright and

Laura Thomas, who ensure that themembers’ views and opinions are takeninto account.Speaking on the group’s nomination

for the NUHonours Member of the Yearaward, Lynne Williams said: “It’sabsolutely brilliant – what an accolade!“It’s not just for the team but it’s for

Laura and Tracey, too. They really pushthe boundaries to get us motivated andthey put in a lot of work.”

VolunteerRichardPratt isalso ontheBetterFor YouSteeringGroup.

Richard says thanks by giving something backFOR 70-year-old Richard Pratt,giving up a bit of his spare timeevery month is a good way to givesomething back to the Trust.Richard, of Chilwell, first started

volunteering in 2004 after retiringfrom his job as a software engineer.“I had so many visits to the

hospital over the years and had somuch help from them that I wanted

to give something back,” he said.“I volunteer at both the City

Hospital and QMC. I volunteerabout once a month, when we havemeetings and whenever I’mneeded.”

Richard, who is originally fromBristol, is a member of the Trust’sBetter For You Steering Group,which aims to co-ordinate theextensive improvement work goingon across NUH.As a member, Richard offers

thoughts and insights as a formerpatient which otherwise may bemissed.

The volunteer also attendsregular Medicine for Membersevents.Speaking on being shortlisted for

an NUHonours award in themember of the year category,Richard said: “I feel I’m not worthyof it. There are many othervolunteers who do a tremendousamount of work.”

■ CarolynneWoodwardRECEPTIONIST

■ Ward Sisters in ElectiveOrthopaedics

■ Ward D11 Nursing Team,QMC

Some ofthe WardD11Nursingteam atQMC –highlypraisedfor theirdedication.

PATIENTS from across theEast Midlands go toneurosurgery ward D11with serious injuries or

conditions and rely on the teamfor care at a critical time in theirlives.The 28-bed ward at QMC looks

after people following surgerybefore they can go into properrehabilitation and the ward canbe a “challenging” environment.But Steve Patterson – one of the

nurses on the ward – says the 40-strong team has a closerelationship and that reflects inthe care that is given.He said: “The patients are all

males and you can get a lot of

challenging behaviour because ofthe conditions they can be in.They often don’t know what’shappening to them and thesituation they are in – it can bevery stressful at times.”Mr Patterson, who lives in

Mapperley and has worked atNUH for four years, said it was anhonour to see the team’s hardwork rewarded by being shortlistedin this year’s NUHonours in themusculoskeletal and neurosciencescategory.He said: “It’s good to be

recognised and to have someonesay you’re doing well. There’s agood dynamic of people and it’sobviously been picked up byothers. We work well together andit does show in the patient care.”But beyond this recognition

there is an even bigger rewardafter working with patients whohave been through so much,including having been in seriousaccidents or having conditionssuch as Parkinson’s.The 26-year-old said: “A lot of

the time, the family or the patientwill come back to see us monthsdown the line and it’s really good.“This is a clinical area, so we

send people off to their local

hospital and we might not see thenext step in their rehab and it’sgood to see how they progress.We get a lot of thank-you lettersand cards and that’s a really goodmorale boost.”The judges deciding the awards

said: “D11 Nursing Team havebeen highly praised for theirdedication to deliverindividualised, excellent care thatcomplies with the Trust’s values.They have remained in acompassionate role at all times,even extending this to visitingpatients after discharge. Onecomment on a nomination formsays it all: ‘We have witnessed theNHS at its best’.”

BRINGING a large dose ofteamwork to the NUH are theward sisters from the electiveorthopaedics department.They have been shortlisted for

the NUHonours award inMusculoskeletal andNeurosciences for their efficiencyon the ward and keeping theward at a high standard at alltimes.The team consists of ward

sisters Natalie Fielding, NovaCharles, June Vango, GillKruszewski, Mandy Bull, JuliaHolmes and Kelly McLoughlan.Ward manager June Vango

said: “I work on surgical shortstay, and there are three wardsunder the department as well asa couple of theatres, admissionsareas and pre-op areas.“Every day is different and we

have a fantastic team. All of thestaff on each different ward helpto keep the service going.”The ward sisters were

nominated by Sharon Saunders,lead nurse in electiveorthopaedics.

She said: “The senior staff havecome together as a newleadership team over the lastyear.“They have taken the lead in

the quality agenda anddemonstrated success inachieving the safety targetsincluding a reduction in falls andpressure ulcers.”Speaking on the team’s

nomination for the award, JuneVango said: “It’s really lovely butwe’re also surprised.“It’s very nice and very kind. It

makes us feel appreciated andeveryone is very excited.”

It’s surprise,surprise forCarolynne

CAROLYNNE Woodward was celebrating her50th birthday on the sweeping, sandy beachesof Alcudia in Majorca when she heard she’dbeen shortlisted in this year’s awards.The mum-of-one and grandma-of-one had

been whisked away by her husband for asurprise holiday.“My ward manager texted me to tell me,”

she said. “It made me feel overwhelmed really– I do feel a valued member of the team and Ididn’t feel they needed to do that to make mefeel wanted as I do already. I really don’t knowwhy I’ve been nominated. In my opinion we allpull together.”Carolynne

(pictured), who hasbeen in the job for tenyears, said: “I love it.Every day is different –you don’t know whoyou are going to seeand what’s going to beasked of you. You justdon’t know what theday will bring. I love iteven more than whenI first started.“At first I was

daunted because Icame from working in retail – to be on ahospital ward was a lot. But it’s great now.”She added: “I work with an amazing team.

We’re a very tight, close team.”Carolynne’s role involves being the first face

seen by people coming on to Ward C5 at theQMC and making outpatient appointments,follow-ups and dealing with telephoneinquiries.And the patients they see on the trauma and

orthopaedics ward can be quite varied.“We see people with broken bones – we do

see people who are feeling down andconcerned relatives. It’s a big part of the job toput people at ease. I would deal more withrelatives than the patient and I would like tothink I’m good at it.“It’s people who have been in accidents, falls

in homes, road crashes or trips. It’s a big rangeof severity, from a broken finger to a brokenhip.”

WINNERS

The Ward Sisters in Elective Orthopaedics




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Research team ‘over the moon’that work has been recognised

■ Penny Storr & EastMidlands RadiologyConsortiumTeam

■ Dr Joanne CooperHEAD OF NURSING &MIDWIFERYRESEARCH

X-ray eyeson teamwork

WINNERS

PARTNERSHIP RESEARCH IMPACT OF THE YEAR

The East Midlands Radiology Network Services team (from left) Dr Tim Taylor, NicolaMastrangelo, Dr Mike Brooks, Penny Storr, Julie Bates, Phil Thorpe and Dr Nick Gibson.

TASKED with buying anew digital X-raysystem, a group basedat NUH went one

better and set up a network tocover six other organisationsin the region.Now the East Midlands

Radiology Network Servicesteam rates helping to buy thesystem known as a PictureArchiving CommunicationsSystem (PACS) as one of itsbiggest achievements.The system means that

rather than X-rays taken onpaper and placed on a screen,they can be taken and sharedon a computer – savingessential time and improvingassessment and diagnosis.Leading the technical team

is programme director, PennyStorr. The 50-year-old, of EastBridgford, has been workingin the role for two years afterfirst joining the Trust 20 years

ago. “I used to work at theQMC 20 years ago and Iworked there for ten years asan outpatient manager,” saidPenny.“From there, I went into

working for a privatehealthcare company but Ialways wanted to come backinto the NHS.“I’ve come full circle really

but this is the most amazingthing I’ve worked on and wehave an amazing team.”Penny works alongside a

small team of five consultants,technical experts and clinicalexperts.“We work so well together

and we have good team spirit,which is something that theNHS is known for,” she said.

“We started together 18months ago and we’re stillworking together.“The PACS system and

digital X-ray system willhugely benefit patients. Thebest example is if someone isin an accident, they may betaken to a hospital and thenhave to be transferred to adifferent hospital.“Using this system, by the

time the patient is in theambulance the staff canalready be viewing the X-raysthat have been taken.”Penny and her team worked

with six fellow organisationsacross the East Midlands tojoin together to create anetwork that can share‘images’ and provide creativeclinical service opportunities.The team of judges deciding

the award winners said: “Thisteam could have taken theeasy way out in purchasing a

■ Penny TindallPROJECT LEAD, TRUST IMPROVEMENTPROGRAMME BETTER FOR YOU

Helping tomake NUHbetter foryou

Liz Everitt (left) from the Anthony Nolan Cord Collection team,and midwife supervisor Penny Cole.

Teamcollectspotential lifesaver thatused to be thrown away as waste■ Penny Cole & theAnthonyNolan CordCollection Team

new X-ray system for theTrust – but instead they havebeen innovative and haveengaged with six otherorganisations within the EastMidlands.

“This was no mean feat andin doing so, they have savedmoney for the Trust, whilstproviding additional creativeand innovative imagingsystems and services in

radiology. This automaticallywill benefit patients’ speedydiagnosis by delivery to themulti-disciplinary teamsinvolved in the individualpatients’ care.”

HELPING to make important changeswithin the NUH is project leader PennyTindall.The 51-year-old, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield,

is a vital member of the Better For Youimprovement programme, which aimsto discover and make improvements andbenefits across the Trust.But for Penny, this is a move away

from her usual role as a matron, as sheis currently on a secondment.Penny said: “The Better For You

project has been going since 2006 andworks across the Trust. I joined theteam last December.“I had been a matron for some time

and I was ready for a change. The projectrole was advertised and I was interestedas it was all about patient improvementand their transfer from care onwards. Itcame at the right time for me.”As part of the project, Penny was

tasked with changing the district nursereferral system from paper to a digitalformat within a six-week period.Working with Community Hubs,

Penny went above and beyond todesign an e-referral system which

Penny Tindall: Digital task.

provides timely and quality informationfor district nurse teams.“By making it electronic, it’s better

quality and you can monitor that thenurses and teams go to the right placeand you can look back at things,” saidPenny.“It took me a little bit of time to settle

in away from nursing but I do enjoy it.We’ve managed to make some reallygood changes as part of the project.“I’ve met lots of people I wouldn’t

have met before, including a number ofcommunity partners.”

GIVING new mums theopportunity to hopefully save a lifeis the Anthony Nolan CordCollection Team at the NUH.At the helm is midwife

supervisor Penny Cole, and herteam is responsible for collectingumbilical cords after birth whichcan be used for the extraction ofvital stem cells.Penny, 43, of Long Eaton, said:

“There are two teams across thetwo campuses – seven people areat City and eight of us at the QMC.“Our task is to meet women who

are interested in donating theirumbilical cords after giving birth.“Umbilical cords are full of stem

cells. Once we’ve collected thatblood, it can be processed andstored. It can then be used forstem cell transplants fortreatments for blood diseasesincluding leukaemia.”The Anthony Nolan cord

collection team centres did notopen in Nottingham untilFebruary but the programme hasalready proved to be popularamong new mothers.Since starting, the team has

collected 408 samples which havethe potential to save lives.“It’s been really popular. We do

get a lot of women interested,”said midwife Penny.“Once the baby is out, it is taken

away and we can then collect theumbilical cord from a holding area.It doesn’t interfere with the birth.“Until we started using them for

this, they were thrown away aswaste.”Speaking on the team being

shortlisted for the NUHonoursaward in Partnership, she said:“It’s just so exciting as we’veworked really hard this year. It’s abrand-new programme and it’sbeen going from strength tostrength.”

KerryEvans: “Idecidedto have achange incareeraftergivingbirth tomy firstchild.”

■ Kerry EvansMIDWIFE

■ Medicines forChildren Research EastTeam

Jo’s a driving forcebehind research

Dr Joanne Cooper – “inspirational yet understated”.

PIONEERING essential researchwithin the Trust is Dr JoanneCooper. The 46-year-old, ofHucknall, has been the driving

force for developing the Nursing andMidwifery Strategy, which aims toconduct research of direct relevance topatients and clinicians as well asdeveloping a research-focused teamwithin the NUH.Joanne’s dedication to developing

research that will improve the nursingand midwifery professions has led to herreceiving 11 nominations for theNUHonours award for Research Impactof the Year.Joanne said: “In my department, we

have key research priority areas. Theseinclude long-term conditions, such asinflammatory bowel disease, childrenand young people, maternity andhealthcare for older people.“In my role, I conduct some research

on my own as well as overseeingcolleagues and teams that areresearching.”Joanne is also responsible for

supporting fellow colleagues anduniversity students to achieve theirdreams – whether this is studying fortheir Masters or PhD.The researcher first qualified as a staff

nurse in 1997 and worked across boththe QMC and the City Hospital.After going on to become a nurse

practitioner in endoscopy and a nursespecialist in bowel disease, Joannecontinued on to study for her nursingPhD, which she completed in 2009.“At the time when I finished my PhD, I

wanted a career that involved both theclinical and research aspects, but therewas not that option,” said Joanne.“The opportunities weren’t there for

me but I’m driven to create thoseopportunities for others.”Joanne has now helped to develop a

strategy which allows clinical staff toattend an evidence-based practice

course, which has demonstrated clearpatient benefit.Speaking on her various nominations

for the award, the head of nursing andmidwifery research said: “I can honestlysay I was absolutely speechless. To benominated by even one person is a bighonour.“I absolutely love my role. I come to

work every day and enjoy it – it’s reallychallenging. No two days are the same.“We know that we’re contributing to

new knowledge that will help withpatient experience.“I also get to see people go on and

succeed in their careers and achieve theirgoals. It’s a real privilege to be in thisposition.”The team of judges deciding the award

winners said: “Jo is an inspirational yetunderstated leader who has a widebreadth of support from a range ofpeople across the Trust.“Evidence for her nomination covered

all aspects of this award and reflected anoverwhelming commitment to researchand its impact on patient benefit.”

Boldmove fromtextiledesign tomidwiferypaysoff

MEMBERS of the Network EastTeam are busy researchinginto children’s medicines.Based between the City

Hospital and the QMC, theyfacilitate and deliver researchinto children’s medicines andaim to improve the way it isused and implemented.The team is made up of a

network administrator,consumer liaison officer, teamleader and portfolio manager.They have been shortlisted foran NUHonours award fortheir continued commitmentto improving the health andwelfare of patients both

locally and nationwide.Research delivery manager

Mark Howells said: “We wereestablished to improve thehealthcare of children andyoung people by improvingthe evidence base forchildren’s medicines.“We recruited over 1,000

patients to studies last year.”Mark previously worked as

a pharmacist but saw the roleat the Trust as an opportunity

to do more in the name ofresearch and to expand hiswork.In April this year, the team

became an integral part of theNational Institute for HealthResearch, Clinical ResearchNetwork East Midlands,meaning its legacy will nowbe used as the baseline forchildren’s research.Speaking of the team’s

award shortlisting, Mark said:“We’re all over the moon andthink it’s fantastic. It reallydemonstrates that peoplerecognise the impact the teamhave made over the years.”

FOR the past ten years, Kerry Evanshas been challenging herself in therole of midwife.The 44-year-old, from Keyworth,

is committed to improvingmidwifery care and is now intraining for her PhD to take herresearch to the next level.The hard worker previously

completed her Masters in ResearchMethods and has now secured ascholarship from the Wellbeing of

Women PhD Fellowship.But ten years ago, Kerry was

working as a textiles designer beforemaking a bold career move.She said: “I decided to have a

change in career after giving birth tomy first child. We received suchgood care that I was inspired to

become a midwife myself.“Because of my training, I now

work on both the clinical side andacademic side, which is a greatopportunity for midwives and onethat wasn’t previously available.“I love my role. I enjoy both sides

of the job.”Kerry now works one day a week

on the Bonington Ward in the CityHospital, taking care of both ante-natal and post-natal patients. This is

alongside a large team of fellowmidwives.“We’ve got a really good team and

it’s big, too. It’s more like a family –we’ve very supportive of each otherand we all do quite diverse things,”she says.Speaking on her shortlisting for

the NUHonours award, Kerry said:“I’m really pleased. I think some ofmy fellow team membersnominated me.”

ResearchdeliverymanagerMarkHowellsand theMedicinesforChildrenResearchEastTeam.

WINNER




18NEP-E01-S3

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SPECIALIST SUPPORT

Caring, sharing Bruce enjoys ‘rewarding’ job

■ JennyBakewell& DonnahMorrisWARDMANAGERS, CRITICALCARE (E12), QMC

■ Bruce BebaSTAFF NURSE, CRITICAL CARE

‘Dream’ duoprove a realinspiration

■ CatherineWoodsPAIN NURSE SPECIALIST

Easingpeoplethroughthe worst■ Macmillan CancerSupport volunteers

Sonia hands outrelaxing touch

VOLUNTEER

WINNER

■ Sonia BhattiVOLUNTEERHELPING patients gain a

spot of relaxation whileattending treatment isthe first port of call for

dedicated volunteer Sonia Bhatti.Sonia volunteers as a clinical

reflexologist in the dialysis unit atthe City Hospital.Sonia heads to the Trust once a

week to perform reflexology onpatients while they are undergoingdialysis – a form of treatment thatreplicates many of the kidney’sfunctions.She said: “I started volunteering

at the Trust last year. I have alwayswanted to help people improvetheir lives and have always had aninterest in complementarytherapies.“I want to try and help people

and help them get better – toimpact their lives in one way.”Sonia studied clinical reflexology

at Jubilee College, Nottingham,before volunteering her skills at theCity Hospital.“It is a popular form of treatment

which can benefit almost anyone. Itis a safe, natural form of therapy

which involves balancing the bodyand encouraging the body to heal,”said Sonia.Reflexology is performed by

applying pressure with a variety offinger and hand techniques.By using pressure points in the

feet and hands, the idea is that itcorresponds to different parts ofthe body.A clinical reflexologist has been

trained to the highest standards inthe relaxing skill and can create atreatment protocol for a variety ofhealth conditions.Sonia said: “Many of the patients

at the hospital come to dialysis afew times a week and for a fewhours. It can be quite a long day forthem and the patients have had toreadjust their normal routine.“I love helping the patient. It is

really nice to see how much thepatients have benefited from thetreatments.“Many patients that have had

treatments feel more relaxed andreally look forward to coming todialysis.“Some patients mentioned that it

makes the time go quicker as well.”Speaking on her nomination for

the NUHonours volunteer award,Sonia said: “I am so pleased that Ihave been nominated. I feel reallyhonoured.“I really do love helping the

patients. I have also had immensesupport from the staff at thedialysis unit at the City Hospitaland would like to thank them forthis.”The team of judges deciding the

award winners said: “Sonia ispassionate about helping patients.“She uses her skills in reflexology

to create a diversion from theirmedical treatment, and helps tomake patients feel relaxed. She hasreceived multiple nominations.“Sonia is caring, kind and

friendly and as one patient put it:‘She has definitely improved myquality of life.’”The judges summed it up as “a

well-deserved award”.

■ Jan CliffordVOLUNTEER

THANKS to the work of ateam of dedicated volunteers,around 100 people a week arehelped to come to terms withthe worst news of their lives.The Macmillan Cancer

Support volunteers based atCity Hospital are the first portof call for people who havebeen told they have cancerand can offer a vital service ofhelp and advice.Volunteer Phil Brealey, who

lives in Woodthorpe, said:“It’s an office lined withMacmillan informationbooklets all related to cancer.“There’s a lot of

information about differenttypes of cancer, a lot ofinformation about treatments,emotional effects, differentdrugs that are used and alsofinancial issues which a lot ofpeople with cancer do face.

“What we do here canrange from someone asking asimple question and us givingthem an appropriate bookletor they may need moreinformation particularly onthings like benefits.“Quite a lot of people come

in and just want to sit and talk– when they have been to seetheir doctor for the first time alot of what they are told doesnot sink in and they are in astate of shock. If they are inthe hospital they can come tous – we have a quiet room to

chat and gather their thoughtsand we do that.”As a result of their work the

team – which is part-fundedby the charity and NUH -–have been shortlisted for thisyear’s NUHonours awards.Mr Brealey, 69, said: “I was

quite surprised to hear it. Wespend our hours here and gohome again feeling we’veachieved something mostdays. It’s quite a surprise tofeel people in the hospitalthink we’re worth an award ofsome sort.”

The former IT workeradded: “After I retired fiveyears ago I thought to myself Iwanted something to keep meinterested and I live near hereso volunteering here seemeda good idea.“This role was open when I

applied and because my wifehad been diagnosed withcancer I thought ‘I will have ago at that’.“You get the satisfaction of

feeling you’ve helped peoplewho are in a difficultsituation.”

Macmillan volunteers Phil Brealey (left), Diana Berry and Rod Prior.

Volunteer Jan isjust happy to help

FOR five years, Jan Clifford(right) has been helpingchildren and their familiesduring testing times.The 63-year-old from

Keyworth gives up her timeonce a week to provide helpand assistance on thechildren’s assessment unit.Every Wednesday morning

Jan is briefed beforedelivering tea and coffee tothe patients’ parents. Shethen performs jobs includingmaking beds, completingsurveys, fetching equipmentand answering the phone.But Jan is more than happy

to volunteer an extra pair ofhands – “I will do anything ageneral dogsbody will do. Thestaff are absolutely fantasticand I am happy to be able tohelp,” she says.“I’ve been doing it for

nearly five years. I finishedwork, having taken earlyretirement, and wanted to dosome voluntary work.

“I had an experience on achildren’s ward 25 years agowhen the staff were fantasticto me and my family – Iwanted to give somethingback.“I totally get that sense of

reward. They say I am afantastic help but it goes twoways and I love doing it.”She adds: “Hopefully it’s

valuable. I do get to talk to allof the parents and sometimesthat cup of tea means a lot tothem.”Before taking early

retirement, Jan taught Frenchand Spanish at a college offurther education.

Catherine aims to put patients in their comfort zone

Catherine Woods

MAKING sure that patients are at theirmost comfortable during and aftertreatment is the job of CatherineWoods.The pain specialist is based at the

City Hospital and she and her team of16 ensure that patients are deliveredthe best care for their pain bothduring their time on the campus andafter treatment.Catherine, 39, of Long Eaton, said:

“We treat patients all over thehospital. The majority of our work isgoing to see patients who haveepidurals, or patients after theirtreatments. We ensure that everyone

is well managed in terms of pain.”Catherine has been shortlisted for

the NUHonours award in SpecialistSupport for her work on a number ofprojects, including the Royal Collegeof Nursing Transforming DementiaCare programme, which aims toimprove the care of patients withdementia when they are in hospital.As part of the programme, Catherine

helped to identify a disparity in painassessment for people who have

dementia and are unable tocommunicate. In addition to that, shehas organised working groups,engaged with carers, gatheredinformation from clinical staff andmade recommendations for nursing.But for Catherine, who is originally

from Lincolnshire, the role at theTrust is highly rewarding.She said: “It’s a lovely job. It’s nice

when you go to see somebody in painand are able to improve that for them.“I’ve been a member of the Trust for

four years now, but I qualified 16years ago. I’ve worked in various rolesincluding in the community.”

Catherine and her team cover boththe City Hospital and the QMC, andare highly supportive of each otherand their roles.“It’s a very supportive team. We all

help each other out,” Catherine said.“We all have different areas of

knowledge and expertise so we helpeach other out with our specialties.”Speaking on her shortlisting for the

NUHonours Award, the pain specialistsaid: “It’s quite an honour just toreceive a nomination from someone,let alone be shortlisted.“I don’t want the award to just be

for me, though. I’m part of a team.”

ON ward E12 atQMC, the motto is“Teamwork makesthe dream work.”

The 20-bed surgical high-dependency unit has a largegroup of staff and a highturnover of patients comingthrough the doors.Patients have a wide range

of serious health problems –for instance, they may havehad cancer surgery or beeninvolved in major trauma orroad traffic accident – andnursing staff have to be quick,thorough and have a widerange of skills.“It’s quite challenging but

it’s very rewarding,” JennyBakewell – one of two wardsisters – said. “The majority ofour patients do get better.”The team was formed two

years ago when Jenny andDonnah Morris took over theward. Between them, theyhave revolutionised the placeand staff could not praisethem highly enough.One nomination for the

awards said: “They are bothso passionate about deliveringthe best patient care possibleand strive relentlessly to pushus to achieve the best we can.“They both are

approachable and encourageall staff, regardless of band, toask them anything. They careabout all of their staff and

both enjoy spending timewith patients. Both are rolemodels and prime examplesof how I imagine nursesshould be, leading byexample.“They are inspirational and

the team has rallied and weare all working towards aneven better unit with them atthe helm.”For the duo, it’s an honour

to hear the praise, let alone beshortlisted for the awards.Jenny, who has worked at

NUH for 27 years and lives inWoodthorpe, said: “I think forus it’s all about the team. Ourteam are fantastic and wehave a very good workingrelationship – we are verymuch like a family. But it’slovely to hear that we’ve donethat right. Part of our thing is

we’re very visual – we’re partof the ward, we roll oursleeves up and get stuck in.”She added that being

shortlisted was “a real bigachievement for the wholeteam”.The way the team works is

impacting on the experiencesof patients, too. “People comeback and see us when they arebetter and send us Christmascards,” said Jenny. “It’s lovelyto see. Really, that’s whatnursing is all about.”The award judges said:

“Jenny and Donnah havebeen instrumental inrevolutionising theatmosphere on E12. Theyhave been a driving forcebehind improving standardsand increasing capacity andbuilding a real team.”

Donnah Morris (left) and Jenny Bakewell – “a driving force behind improving standards”.

BruceBeba– “Wehave a lotof verypoorlypatients... Theyneeda lot ofemotionalsupport.”

MAKING sure the correct care andemotional support are given topatients is the aim of staff nurseBruce Beba.The 33-year-old, of Eastwood,

has been working at the Trust foronly three years but already saysthat his job is “rewarding” everyday.He said: “I used to work in the

catering industry but I fanciedsomething a little bit more secureand rewarding.

“We have a lot of very poorlypatients and it’s important to makesure they’re safe and they’re awareof what’s going on. They need a lotof emotional support.“When you are poorly you are at

your most vulnerable. If you cansupport them with that it’s a bigthing.

“You go along with the clinicalside but you have to be quite intouch with other people and theiremotions.”Bruce’s caring attitude made

him a nominee for the NUHonoursaward in specialist support.The staff nurse works in a team

of around 60 to 80 Trust membersdaily and admits that they are likeone “big team”.He said: “We’ve become quite

close-knit and I think that

teamwork is imperative to makingsure it runs well and smoothly. It’squite an holistic approach but it’salways effective.”Speaking on being shortlisted for

the award, Bruce said: “I feel veryhonoured and very lucky. It’s nicethat whoever has nominated mehas taken the effort to give somefeedback to the Trust.“I’m lucky to get the recognition.

Some people don’t get it and theywork tirelessly day in and day out.”

WINNERS


SoniaBhatti– “caring,kind andfriendly”.

20 nottinghampost.comTUESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2014

NEP-E01-S3

20

Choice way tohelp hospitalsYOU can help your local hospitals in

their busiest months of the year bychoosing the right place to go formedical advice and treatment.

The Emergency Department at QMC is forlife-threatening and emergency conditions forpeople who are very poorly and needadmission, including major trauma patientswho are cared for at our city’s centre ofexcellence.There are

many otheroptions if youor your familyhave minorillnesses to gethelp in thecommunity,including:■ NHS Walk-inCentre:Minorillness or injurycan be seenwithout an appointment at the NHS Walk-inCentre at London Road, Nottingham (near theBBC roundabout) or the 8am-8pm HealthCentre on Upper Parliament Street.■ Call 111: For free health advice, the 111freephone number is available 24 hours a day,365 days a year. The service is staffed by ateam of fully trained advisers supported byexperienced nurses.■ Pharmacist: Your local chemist can provideconfidential, expert advice and treatment for a

range of common illnesses and complaints,without you having to go to the EmergencyDepartment.You can also help yourselves by planning

early for Christmas. Don’t forget to order yourrepeat prescriptions – and look after yourelderly neighbours and each other.■ For more help and advice, visit www.nhs.uk.

THERE is more Norovirus – whichcauses diarrhoea and vomiting – in ourlocal hospitals in the winter months.

The virus usually lasts for about 24to 48 hours. It is very infectious andspreads very quickly, particularly whenpeople are in close contact with eachother, such as in hospitals.

You can help QMC and City Hospitalsprevent the spread of infection by:■ Staying away from hospital until youhave been back to normal for at least72 hours as you may still be infectious.■ Washing your hands with soap andwater if you visit hospital – please usethe handwash stations in the hospitals(near B Floor main reception at QMCand in H Block near the X-raydepartment at City Hospital)

Stop this winter bug

#bestofNUH @nottmhospitals @NUHstaff

Your local chemist can help

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