Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
THE
Issue Number 12
March 2004
2 N E W S F R O M T H E N O R F O L K A N D N O R W I C H U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I TA L N H S T R U S T - M A R C H 2 0 0 4
WELCOME
N E W S F R O M T H E N O R F O L K A N D N O R W I C H U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I TA L N H S T R U S T - M A R C H 2 0 0 4 3
MY MOVE
FOCUS ON PPI
Patient
• SPECIALIST NURSE Nikki Morris says
patients have given the professionals a new
perspective since they began collaborating in
the Cancer Network's Patient Partnership
Group two and a half years ago. “Patients
need more than just treatment for the disease.
They need support to deal with the financial,
emotional and spiritual aspects as well,”
she explains.
Penny Vicary, who runs Pandora’s Box,
a support group for
POW
Gynaecology cancer
patients, agrees: “You
can achieve so much
more when you work
together. It’s reassuring
to see how much the
staff care about their
patients.”
Collaborative Partners in IN APRIL, for the first time, patients in
projects by the Patient care: Nikki Norfolk will be given a choice of hospitals
Partnership Group Morris with for some routine operations. As it develops,
have resulted in a Penny Vicary patient ‘Choice’ will have a major impact on
directory of local the way health care is delivered (see
support for cancer patients, and improved stayed here can tell us what they think. Viewpoint on page 6). But for now, the aim
facilities for those who have wigs fitted while “In the longer term, we are hoping to make is to find out what people really want from
undergoing chemotherapy. The role of some structural improvements but this will their national health service.
volunteers has also been highlighted as a depend on funding being available.” It’s all part of PPI (Patient and Public
benefit to both patients and visitors. Involvement), an initiative designed to
• TRUST STAFF have teamed up with the bring patients on board in the planning and
THE PATIENT Advice and Liaison Service UEA to produce a video about students
PALS) has received nearly 1,000 enquiries learning from patients. Called Making a “This is a chance to move
since April 2003 – more than double the total Difference, it features patients and students in out of the structured box
for the previous year. a variety of settings including GP surgeries,
“By listening to patients we’ve been able to hospitals and in people’s homes. It helps and do things differently”
influence change in a number of areas,” says patients to understand their value to students,
PALS Manager Mike Lee. “Patients and their while showing tutors and learners what the development of health care.
relatives appreciate the chance to work with public expect when they get involved in As Margaret Coomber, the Trust’s
the PALS team to address their concerns. As training. If a member of staff would like a copy Director of Nursing and Education,
we are not directly involved in their clinical of the video, contact the PALS team on ext. explains: “We want to make patients
care, they often feel greater freedom to express 5035/ 5036 /5045. partners in their own care. That means
their views and that can help us to resolve
their problems.
“The lessons learned through PALS are also
being put to good use in the development of a
How you can help
new customer care training initiative – part of If you are a member of staff : (See Lyn Taylor’s comments, right)
a national pilot project linked to the • Listen to patients and their relatives and If you are a patient or visitor:
Commission for Health Improvement and the take their comments seriously. If • Don’t be afraid to ask questions about
NHS University.” appropriate, involve the PALS team your treatment and care
(ext. 5035/ 5036/ 5045) to resolve any • Attend public meetings and make your
• CHILDREN’S MATRON Alirae Bunkle issues and ensure their suggestions are views known to the PPI Forums.
says the views of parents and children are taken on board (Recruitment is ongoing – contact Tina
vital for the development of services at • Remember that a procedure familiar to Walton on 01603 774319 for details)
NNUH. “We know from their comments you may not be familiar to the patient • Apply to join the NNUH Patient Panel
there is room for improvement in the • See yourself as part of the whole (Call Mike Lee on 01603 289045)
children’s ward and we are taking their healthcare team • If you have any concerns about your
suggestions seriously. • Take part in any projects, surveys hospital care, contact the PALS team on
“In March we are starting to hold a series or trials designed to benefit patients. 01603 289036 (email pals@nnuh.nhs.uk)
of patient focus groups so children who have
4 N E W S F R O M T H E N O R F O L K A N D N O R W I C H U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I TA L N H S T R U S T - M A R C H 2 0 0 4
MY MOVE
PROFILE MY MOVE
WER
with the power to influence and
change local health services.
Replacing, in part, the disbanded
Community Health Councils, patient
forums have their functions laid down
by law, giving them real power to
make a difference.
There are seven patient forums in
keeping them fully informed Norfolk, covering ambulance and
about their treatment and actively mental health Trusts as well as Primary
seeking their views about our Care and hospital services. The forums
services. are appointed and supported by the
“Judging by the letters and Commission for Patient and Public
comments we have received, Patient surveys in Involvement in Health.
patients are generally very A&E highlighted
impressed by the dedication and the need for more PATIENT PANEL
professionalism of our staff. comfortable seating The Trust is recruiting its own Patient
However, the NHS has and a TV screen Panel to advise on proposed changes
traditionally been designed and improvements in patient care.
around the day-to-day needs of Advertisements will shortly be placed
in the local press to find up to 20
the organisation, rather than the patient,
and the plan is to change the culture in a
Just ask the patients... patients who would be willing to get
more fundamental way. For instance, EVERY YEAR, as part of the NHS patient involved.
information about a patient’s hospital survey programme, at least 850 patients are
treatment has traditionally been sent only to asked to complete an eight-page PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison
their GP. Soon all patients will be entitled to questionnaire about their experience as a Service)
receive a copy too. Like patient ‘Choice’, this patient. The results help to determine the Since April 2002, patients and public
represents a significant shift in our star rating of NHS have been encouraged to contact
relationship with patients. Trusts. PALS if they have comments, queries
“Of course, there are already many good Lyn Taylor, head of or suggestions about Trust services.
examples of patient involvement within the quality and clinical audit This is a valuable resource for
Trust. These new initiatives provide an for NNUH (right), says: obtaining feedback about our services
opportunity to move out of the ‘structured “So far we have received and providing a positive means of
box’ and do things differently.” more than 500 responses resolving problems or concerns quickly
to the national surveys, which cover issues and informally. If patients wish to
INTRODUCING THE NNUH FORUM such as waiting, quality of care, make a formal complaint, they may
The PPIF (Patients Forum) for the NNUH information, relationships, environment do so through the Complaints
Trust had its first meeting in December. The and overall impression. Procedure, which is strengthened by
chair, Jane Casswell, a patient and former “Directorates wishing to canvass patients’ the introduction of the Independent
personnel manager for Norfolk Health views can base their local surveys around Complaints Advocacy Service.
Authority, points out that the seven-strong these main themes and benchmark their
group represents carers and community results against the Trust-wide findings. OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
workers as well as patients. “Our role is “My advice is to focus on one issue at a This new committee of Norfolk
voluntary and independent, with more wide- time and to keep your survey short and County Council will scrutinise NHS
ranging powers than the old community simple - you can get a good range of Trusts and must be consulted on all
health councils. We have much to learn, but opinions with a well focussed questionnaire.” major decisions involving change.
this is an exciting opportunity to find out what • If you would like help to conduct a patient
people in Norfolk think about their hospitals.” survey, contact Lyn Taylor on ext. 5949.
5 N E W S F R O M T H E N E W S F R O M T H E N O R F O L K A N D N O R W I C H U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I TA L N H S T R U S T - M A R C H 2 0 0 4 5
NORFOLK AND NORWICH
VIEWPOINT
A question of
CHOICE
IF YOU WERE offered the choice of several
NHS hospitals for a long-awaited operation,
what would you do?
This will be the burning question over
the coming months as ‘Choice’ becomes a
reality for our patients and staff. The aim is
not only to reduce waiting times but to give
patients the chance to make their own Patients will be offered the chance to have their
decisions about their treatment and care. hospital treatment elsewhere under a new
At first, the options will be limited to
patients waiting more than six months for
initiative starting in April. Anne Osborn
certain types of elective surgery (see explains how 'Choice’ will revolutionise the
Countdown to Choice, below). But from traditional doctor-patient relationship
December 2005, Choice will be extended to
give all elective patients a choice of four or
five hospitals at the time they are referred identify and support those patients who So in time, Choice should ensure that we
for a hospital appointment. are eligible for Choice. We will be writing provide excellent care and shorter waiting
Eventually, the aim is to widen Choice to to these patients and the co-ordinators times.”
maternity services, long-term conditions will explain the different options available The introduction of Choice at the point
and mental health. to them.” of referral involves some significant changes
Anne Osborn, the Trust’s Director of “A key factor in Choice is that the in our booking systems. With the advent of
Clinical Services, says: “Since May last year, hospital providing the treatment will receive e-booking, GPs will be responsible for
when we we started offering alternatives to the funding, under a new system called offering suitable treatment ‘slots’. Some
patients in cases where our capacity is not Financial Flows. So hospitals will want to patients will need time to consider the
able to meet demand, around 400 attract patients who can be treated within choices available, and the longer-term aim
orthopaedic patients have opted to have six months, rather than sending them away. is to use booking services such as NHS
surgery elsewhere – some 28 per cent of Direct to deal with the expected high
those who were eligible. Experience in pilot “Choice will have a huge volume of calls.
projects carried out in London is that Anne says: “Choice will have a huge
around two-thirds of patients took up
impact on the NHS and impact on the NHS and our organisation.
Choice, but so far the figures are much our organisation” But we have handled major change before,
lower in rural areas where the distances with the move to NNUH and the
patients have to travel are much greater. “We believe that we provide excellent introduction of digital X-rays, so I am
“From the patients’ perspective, Choice quality of care and we do want to provide a confident that with the right training and
opens up a potentially confusing and local service, but there is a limit to our technical support, this can be achieved.
complex set of decisions and they and their capacity. To some extent we are the victims “We already have a precedent in the
families will need to be fully informed and of our own success – we attract patients central booking arrangements which are
supported throughout this process. with the quality and range of services we are working really well, thanks to the central
“The Primary Care Trusts, who are able to offer. booking team at Aldwych House, who have
leading this initiative locally, are recruiting “As waiting times come down, some of done a fantastic job.
two Patient Choice Co-ordinators to the pressure on our services is likely to ease. “We are now working with the PCTs to
deliver a process which utilises our current
6 NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MAY 2004
Royal opening of NNUH QUEEN’S VISIT
NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004 7
continued from page 7
definitely the highlight of my 21-year career.”
On her way from the East Atrium to
Radiology and on to Holt Ward, The Queen
stopped to talk to dozens of staff, volunteers
and patients before unveiling a plaque to mark
the official opening and signing her portrait.
Both the plaque and the portrait will be
displayed in the East Atrium.
Chairman David Prior paid tribute to those
who had had the vision and determination to
build the hospital. “Their dream is now alive,”
he said. “But more than that, I want to thank
those who work here and those who support us
in what we do. The best patient facilities in the
world are worthless without the dedication,
commitment and care of those to whom they
are entrusted.”
Senior Radiographer Charlotte Smith had
volunteered to demonstrate the digital X-ray
facilities in Radiology: “The Queen asked lots of
questions and put us all at ease. She seemed
really interested in our X-ray facilities .”
On Holt Ward, the excitement was palpable.
“It was lovely for the patients but great for the
staff too,” said Sister Josie Royall. “I was pleased
she talked to so many of the ward staff because
I’m really proud of our multidisciplinary team.”
8 NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004
QUEEN’S VISIT
Among those who chatted to The Queen during her tour of NNUH were, from top: patients Christopher
Muff, Jordan Goffin and Catherine Aldred with members of the NNUH Scouts and Guides groups;
NNUH architects Bahman Tavacoli and Ken Schwartz with Rob Smith and Richard Jewson; long serving
staff Rose Girdlestone, Joan Oldman, Andrew Fiddy and Ann Stimpson. Pictures by Lin Wymer
NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004 9
QUEEN’S VISIT
10 NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004
INFO
LETTERS
University Hospital
Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk
NR4 7UY
Tel: 01603 286286
Website: www.nnuh.nhs.uk
WRITE TO SUE JONES, EDITOR, COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, NNUH Restaurant
West Atrium Level 1, open daily 7am-
2.30am
Support for the whole family Trapped in the snow Coffee bars
I would like to thank the team in I was one of those trapped by the heavy Outpatients West and Outpatients East,
open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Endocrinology for their clinical excellence snowfall in Norwich on 28 January, when
Plaza (East) open Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm
and tremendous support during difficult all roads out of the hospital were Saturday 10-4pm
times. gridlocked. All the staff were helpful and WRVS shops
In particular, I would like to thank Sister polite, and the restauraunt was quick, East Atrium, open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri,
Sondra Gorick for her compassion, efficient and excellent value – with free 10am-6pm weekends
Plaza (West) open 7am-8pm Mon-Fri
sensitivity and patience, and for her drinks all round!
8am-6pm Saturday and Sunday
ability to treat patient and family as a Although we were unable to leave Serco (for housekeeping, porters, catering
complete unit. Please keep up the good before 9.30pm, we felt the experience and maintenance). Call ext. 3333
work. was pleasant. So a much-needed pat on IT helpdesk (for tel./ computer faults):
Mr and Mrs K.M. Smith the back to the NNUH and the NHS. Refer to Intranet homepage or call ext.
5555
However, I suppose our experience only
Security Call ext. 5156 or 5656
Dinner date highlights the need for another relief Reception
The first official dinner to be held at road from the hospital. East Atrium Level 1: ext. 5457 or 5458,
NNUH took place in the Education Centre Ian McNamara West Atrium Level 1: ext. 5462 or 5463
last November. Outpatients East Level 2: ext. 5474 or
5475, Outpatients West Level 2: ext. 5472
Hosted by NANIME, the Annual
East Atrium Level 2: ext. 5461
Tripartite Dinner was a welcome Car parking
opportunity for Serco's catering team to For information about permits, call
show what it could do. Paul Brasnett, the Site Services on ext. 5789
chef responsible for NANIME functions, Bus services
Enquiries/ complaints: 08456 020121
produced an excellent menu with a first
fec.norwich@firstgroup.com
class level of service. And judging by the Cycle sheds
kind letters we received, the guests are West (near staff entrance) and East (near
eagerly looking forward to the next on- A&E). Keys available from Patient Services
site function! Thank you Bank
Cash dispenser in East Atrium Level 1
The Tripartite consists of doctors from .. to all those who contributed to our
Chapel
three groups: the local branch of the recent Poppy Appeal. Due to your efforts, Open to all. For details of services and to
BMA, the Norwich Medical Chirurgical we collected nearly £900. contact the Chaplains, call ext. 3470
Society and the Postgraduate Centre R. Seaman, local organiser, Poppy Appeal Sir Thomas Browne Library
(NANIME). The theme for 2003 was Mon, Wed, Thurs: 9am - 5.30pm,
Tues: 9am - 8pm, Fri: 9am - 5pm
'Medicine and the Media', with an … for the reception and £200 in gift
Playscheme
after-dinner speech by the humorous vouchers I received to mark my 25 years' At Blackdale Middle School during school
writer and broadcaster Phil Hammond. service with the Trust. The photograph holidays for the children of Trust staff.
Madeleine Kent, NANIME Manager taken on the day will be a nice reminder Contact Debbie Sutherland on ext. 2202
of the occasion.
Cromer Hospital
New members welcome Mary Kelly, staff nurse Mill Road, Cromer NR27 OBQ
The National Health Service Retirement Tel: 01263 513571
Fellowship was started in 1975 to enable ... to colleagues and friends who made Restaurant
retired staff to keep in contact with my retirement such a memorable, if 7.30am-1.30pm, 2-3.45pm, 5.30-7pm
colleagues and friends. emotional, occasion. Friends are so • The following departments are based at
The Norwich branch now meets on special and I feel so grateful that I have Norwich Community Hospital,
the third Thursday of every month at so many. Keep smiling. Bowthorpe Road, Norwich NR2 3TU,
Chapel Field Methodist Church at 10am. Maureen (Mo) Cressey, Medical Staffing Tel: 01603 776776: Breast screening,
Health records library, Diabetes Research,
Tea and coffee is served and we have an
Pain Management
interesting programme of speakers. ...to doctors and nursing staff for their
New members are always welcome so care, kindness and attention during my • The following departments are based at
please contact me on 01603 413254 if stay on Holt Ward... and to the cleaning Aldwych House, Bethel Street, Norwich,
NR2 1NR. Occupational Health (ext.3035),
you would like more information. staff who keep the wards spotlessly Outpatient Appointments, Clinical
Mrs J.M. Wright, Secretary, clean. Governance, Training and some of Nursing
Norwich & District Branch, NHSRF Kathy Leman, patient Practice
11 NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004
INSIDE
MY MOVESTORY
HOUS
GOOD
A place for everything and
everything in its place...
that’s the aim of our team
of highly organised
housekeepers. Here they
explain why they find the
role so satisfying
12 NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004
EKEEPING Dermatology Outpatients. Now she is
treasured by her colleagues in the
department, where the clinical workload has
tripled in the last five years. “It can be really
manic here on clinic days – I’ll often start
work an hour early just so I can tidy up and
get ready for the day. But I love being part
of a team and feeling that my colleagues rely
on me. I can honestly say that I enjoy every
minute of my work.”
Like many other housekeepers, Karl Rich
started out as a nursing auxiliary before
taking on the job in EAU (the Emergency
Assessment Unit). Having previously been a
car mechanic, he finds the role suits him
perfectly.
“I absolutely love this job,” he says. “I’m
dyslexic so I’ve designed a storage system
that works well for me and for other staff
on the ward. But if I ever need help I will
ask for it – there’s a great sense of teamwork
and my colleagues are tremendously
supportive.”
Like Tony, Karl has no problem with the
term ‘housekeeper’, though the ladies admit
housekeeping. Our modern matrons all doing many tasks that would otherwise take they are often referred to as ‘mum’ by their
agree that housekeepers – the role was nurses away from the bedside, such as colleagues. “I think of the staff as my
created as a result of the NHS Plan – are returning equipment to the equipment extended family and try to sort out any
a great asset to the Trust. Children’s library and fetching and carrying items needs they might have,” says Margo
matron Alirae Bunkle explains: “They from the ward. They make our job easier Blackmore, a housekeeper on Docking
complement the nursing role beautifully, because we can rely on them to keep the Ward. “The big difference, I suppose, is that
wards tidy and well organised.” we get paid for it!”
Jayne Basford, a housekeeper on Elsing
Ward, comments: “Some people think we
just flit about with a fluffy duster, but
there’s much more to it than that. If
supplies of dressings, feeding equipment
and oxygen are not readily available when
they are needed, there can be serious
consequences for both patients and staff.”
Tony Winhall spent 22 years in the RAF
before becoming a nursing auxiliary at the
West Norwich Hospital. As one of the first
housekeepers to be officially appointed by
the Trust, he finds the five-day working
week particularly beneficial. “It gives a sense
of continuity because so many staff on the
ward are working different shifts.”
A former dental nurse, Jane Scarff was at
home with two young children before
applying to become the first housekeeper in
13 NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MAY 2004
PROFILE
THE MATCHM
TWO OR THREE TIMES a week, without
The gift of a kidney may seem like a dream come
fail, 246 patients undergo some form of
dialysis at NNUH because their own organs true for patients with renal failure. But finding the
are unable to cope. Of those, 190 need to be
right match can be a long and involved process,
wired up to a life-saving machine for up to
four hours at a time while their blood is says renal transplant co-ordinator Gill Simpson
artificially cleansed and returned to their
veins. can be medical reasons for not continuing for the recipient.
Last year, Helen Price was one of the with a transplant. “There are around 29
‘regulars’. She suffered renal failure in 2001 Gill Simpson, the renal transplant co- different tests to complete,
as a result of septicaemia following a ordinator for Norfolk, supports patients and from blood and tissue
miscarriage and spent five months in their families through this difficult time. matching to heart scans,
intensive care. When her mother stepped in Last year a record six kidney transplants Ultrasound and X-rays,” says
to donate one of her own healthy kidneys, from living donors were referred from Gill. “Even when a suitable
she was at first unwilling to accept. NNUH, but this is only a fraction of the 68 match is found, we have to
“My mother was 68 and a transplant renal patients who are waiting for a donor. be sure that both the patient
involves four hours of major surgery,” Helen Having established that a friend or and donor are fit and healthy
explained. “It wasn’t until the day of the relative is willing to donate, Gill arranges a enough to go ahead with the
operation that I realised she was determined series of tests to be sure of a ‘suitable match’ operation.
to go through with it. Of course, I was With such emotive issues at stake, Gill has
tremendously grateful but I was also Gift of life: to keep a cool head. “I point out that a
apprehensive and didn’t dare to raise my Helen Price is transplant is not a complete cure, just
hopes.” doing well after another form of treatment. Anti-rejection
Eight months after the transplant, Helen’s receiving a drugs can have unpleasant side-effects and
new kidney is doing well and she has much kidney donated there are risks attached to any major
to be thankful for. Others are not so lucky. by her mother surgery. I’ve known kidneys to be
No matter how much a close friend or functioning well after 25 years, but the
relative may wish to donate a kidney, there average life of a donated kidney is more like
ten years.
“Even so, it’s marvellous to see patients
Kidney transplants: the facts after their operation… No more fluid or
diet restrictions, no more dialysis… they
• The first successful kidney transplant wives, two from mothers to sons can even go abroad for a holiday without
was carried out in Boston, USA, in and one from mother to daughter. making special arrangements. Some have
1954. In the UK, the first living • In this country (unlike America) been waiting years for a life free of dialysis.”
donor transplant took place in ethical guidelines insist that living In recent weeks, transplant stories have
Edinburgh in 1960 donors must have a close provided a rich seam of drama in TV soaps
• In this region, all renal transplants relationship with the recipient, such as East Enders and Casualty. But these
are carried out at Addenbrooke's although they don't have to be can be misleading. “In all transplant cases
Hospital in Cambridge - around 70 family members we follow strict ethical guidelines - it can
per year. • One year after a transplant, 95 per take months to complete all the necessary
• In Norfolk, 232 patients are currently cent of kidneys from live donors are tests for a living donor,” says Gill. “This
on dialysis but only 68 are on the functioning well compared to 86 per gives everyone time to consider the options
'active' waiting list. Another 29 are cent from deceased donors. and change their minds. I never try to
undergoing tests to see if they are • Anyone who would like to donate persuade people. I just tell them the facts
suitable. organs after their death should and support them in their decision.
• Of the 13 living donor kidney ensure they join the national “Of course, when an organ becomes
transplants at Addenbrooke's last transplant register. (Call 0845 60 60 available from a deceased donor, events move
year, six were referred from NNUH. 400 or register online: very quickly. One day a patient is having
They included three husbands and www.uktransplant.org.uk) routine dialysis, the next they are whisked
off to Addenbrooke’s for a transplant. It’s an
14 NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004
VIEWPOINT
AKER
TAKING A LEAF
FROM INDUSTRY
Operations planning manager Tim Hankey argues for a
radical re-think in the way we deliver our hospital services
WHAT DO supermarkets, airlines and answer the question: if we know what is
acute hospitals all have in common? The going to happen tomorrow, what are we
answer, of course, is that they are all going to do about it?
firmly positioned in the service sector. Strangely, few hospitals have a Director
All employ massive resources, in terms of of Operations or indeed an operational
manpower and equipment, just waiting structure. Within the operational
for the first customer (or patient) to structure lives the forecaster and it is the
come through the door. operational structure that ultimately
But in one quite critical sense there is a delivers a complex service to the
difference. For while supermarkets and customer or patient.
airlines spend massive sums predicting On 5 January 2004, the supermarkets
and forecasting future demand, the NHS were fully stocked and the airlines were
is currently estimated to spend over two fully operational, yet every hospital in
billion
pounds a
year telling “A patient rushed into
us where we hospital after a major
were six car accident requires
Gill Simpson stops for a chat with Julian months ago.
Buck, who is back on dialysis after having a Further a vastly different
kidney transplant ten years ago. “I suffered examination service from one who
renal failure as a result of diabetes and was reveals that is there for a minor
lucky to be offered a transplant,” says Julian. supermarkets
“Unfortunately the kidney failed after six and airlines knee operation”
years so I’m back to having dialysis three use a
times a week. I’d love another transplant but management structure focused on our region was at an escalation state of
I’m prepared for a long wait.” delivering to the customer. If acute 'very red' as they coped with brisk
hospitals really wanted to do the same, demand in the post-Christmas period.
emotional rollercoaster for the patients.” why do we have medical and surgical The forecaster would say that we knew
Helen Price has vivid memories of that directorates that mean nothing to the this was coming months ago. The
time. “Gill was wonderfully calm and patient? Why not have separate question is: what did we do to about it?
understanding throughout,” she recalls. “As directorates for emergencies and elective Interestingly, with all the current (and
a mother herself [Gill has three young work? At least this would go some way to costly) modernisation agenda there is no
children] she could empathise with what I align patients' needs with what the training in operational management; just
was going through and I found that really organisation can deliver. how do you operationally manage an
helpful.” For instance, a patient rushed in to acute Trust?
It is of little comfort to those on the hospital after a major car accident All this, of course, is a personal view
waiting list that the number of deceased requires a vastly different service from but maybe - just maybe - we should look
donors is going down all the time, thanks to one who is here for a minor knee over our shoulders at the supermarket,
greater awareness of road safety and earlier operation – yet both are grouped under the airline or even Little Chef to see how
diagnosis of life threatening conditions due the title of Trauma and Orthopaedics. they do it. We might just surprise
to CT and MRI scans. Having said that, ours is the first acute ourselves.
However, the number of living donors NHS hospital to attempt to forecast the
is increasing too, as more people come future. As operations planning manager, The Viewpoint column is written from
forward to offer a healthy kidney. For the my role is to analyse recent trends and a personal perspective and does not
recipients, this is one gift they will never predict how this will affect our services necessarily reflect the views of the Trust.
forget. in the days and weeks to come. But while If there is a subject you feel strongly about,
the actual process of forecasting is please send your contribution to Sue Jones,
• Gill Simpson can be contacted on reasonably easy, it is much harder to Editor, Communications dept, NNUH.
01603 289909 (Pager No. 07693303574)
NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004 15
FOCUS
MY ON CROMER
MOVE
Flight of a lifetime
Theatre nurse Dawn Romanos took a week’s holiday
to pass on her skills to nurses in the Philippines. She
explains why she wouldn’t hesitate to do it all again
THE WALLS OF the Allies Day Procedure where we left off. Most of the
Unit at Cromer Hospital are papered with procedures I assisted with were
notes and cards from grateful patients cataract operations, but we also
whose sight has been improved following a did a simple squint correction
simple cataract operation. Imagine, then, for a young girl. She was
the joy of patients who are suddenly able to overjoyed because she would now be able to
see after being blind for many years. marry – even though she was very pretty, SITE FOR NEW HOSPITAL?
Dawn Romanos, an ophthalmic theatre she was rejected because of her squint.” Consultation into the siting of Cromer’s
nurse in Cromer’s Allies Unit, was able to Dawn first heard about ORBIS at a proposed new hospital has revealed that
witness their joy at first hand when she flew conference three years ago. “It seemed a the public’s favourite option is on Holt
out to the Philippines to spend a week as a great way to get personally involved in a Road, next door to the district council
medical volunteer with the ORBIS Flying charity,” she recalled. “She has no regrets head office, where there is good road
Eye Hospital. about giving up a week’s holiday to join the access from the whole of North Norfolk.
She explained: “Our patients here in Flying Eye Hospital team. “It was hard work The site is one of several put forward
Cromer are lucky to get treatment before but a fantastic experience and I’d love to do for the new £17 million development.
their cataracts get too advanced, but in the it again.” The Strategic Outline Case for the
Philippines there are simply not enough new hospital is due to be considered by
skilled people or resources to go around. the Strategic Health Authority in May -
ORBIS is geared towards teaching the local allowing time for further local
doctors and nurses the skills they need to discussions to take place.
carry out this type of surgery themselves.
“The Flying Eye Hospital is equipped A PUBLIC CONSULTATION exercise
with an operating theatre and an is under way to decide whether the
auditorium where the audience can watch Minor Injuries Unit at Cromer should
live pictures and ask questions while the close during the night, between 10pm
procedure is being carried out. and 8am. Some 12,000 leaflets have been
“It was heartbreaking to have to turn distributed and the Trust has received 76
patients away but we consoled ourselves replies. On average, fewer than one
with the thought that their turn would person per night uses the service between
come. The great thing about ORBIS is that these times.
the local teams are now able to carry on Dawn with hopeful patients in the Philippines If you would like to make your views
known on this issue, write to Rebecca
Bernstein legacy helps ring the changes Champion, North Norfolk PCT, Kelling
Hospital, Old Cromer Road, High
THE OLD pathology laboratory at Kelling, Norfolk NR25 6QA.
Cromer has been transformed and
corridors throughout the hospital THE PULSE
have a bright new look, thanks to the
Head of Communications
generous legacy of Sagle Bernstein.
Andrew Stronach (ext.3200)
The improvements mean that
Editor Sue Jones (ext.5944)
local patients can now benefit from
Pictures Medical Illustration
specialised hearing tests in a fully
(ext. 3245) and Sue Jones
soundproof room. Wheelchair access
Communications Assistant
is also improved in the newly
Hayley Gerrard (ext. 5821)
renovated the phlebotomy (blood
Please send your contributions for
tests) department, pictured.
the May issue by 15 April.
“The improvements are a great
• The Pulse is funded from donations
boost to morale for both staff and
and not from NHS funds.
patients,” says matron Sue Tuck.
NEWS FROM THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST - MARCH 2004 16