Post on 14-May-2018
Winter 2013 Volume 6, issue 2 2
Rheumatology
For details on how to contact the Rheumatology Unit
please see Page 4
Inside this Special Edition:
The early days of the PRG
1
The achieve-ments of the PRG over the years
2
The PRG 2013 3
How to become a member
3
Advice Line numbers
4
Courtesy Bus
details
4
Help available
to get to clinic
from your car
4
How it began.
Initial contact was made at a meeting at St Helens Hospital to ascertain the interest in creating such a group.
The first meeting of the Patient Reference Group was held on Tuesday 14th January 2003. It was hosted by Ann Griffiths, Senior Physiotherapist together with Sister Joan Kirby and members of staff from Foxton Ward. All interested parties who attended were informed that it would be necessary to complete an application form and obtain two references before being accepted as a member of the Group.
All members were then requested to vote on three positions: Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. Stefan Balshaw became the Group’s first Chairman, Brian Smith became Vice Chairman and Margaret Patterson became Secretary. This was an easy task as there were only three present!
The Rheumatology Patient Reference Group (PRG) was up and running.
Over time, several other mem-bers have joined the Group, each bringing their own individ-ual skills and ideas.
Stefan pictured here with an award for the Rheumatology Department
Sadly, Stefan Balshaw passed away in 2010, but the Group would like to acknowledge all the hard work and commitment he gave throughout the years. Stefan was instrumental in building up the Group and was able to achieve so much for the users of the Rheumatology Department.
SOME OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PRG OVER THE YEARS
Page 2 Winter 2013
It has proved very successful, in deed especially for patients who work all day—they have found it invaluable
Smoking areas—we have asked about signs and implementation of Smoking Areas, which have been introduced at Whiston Hospital.
Problems with the Foot Clinic and footwear are on going though the Group do take on board all com-ments.
Members of the Group have been in-vited to be interviewed on several oc-casions e.g. when the Department was being assessed to become a PDU-Practice Development Unit and to achieve Customer Service
Excellence status.
Details given of the 28 bus which comes directly into St Helen’s Hospital.
Members of the Group attend clinics in both Whiston & St Helens Hospital, talking to patients/carers who com-plete questionnaires. These ques-tionnaires are reviewed and the re-sults analysed by both the Group and the Department staff.
Recently a Patient Satisfaction Survey has been completed on a Tablet, and been introduced. with the help of the PRG Providing on going feed back for the Rheumatology Dept
A PRG member has set up National Rheumatoid Arthritis Group. NRAS in St Helens
The Group also consider new Patient Leaflets on a regular basis.
Bench positioned on the corridor in the old hospital.
Appointment scheme for blood tests implemented.
Disabled parking—this was always a bone of contention., both Hospital sites have above the national average of disabled parking spaces .New parking charges apply however from the First of November 2013 so that now you have to pay for Disabled Parking .The PRG have already ,sent a protest in saying we do not agree, especially the loss of the free hour Parking ,and that the 20 minutes allowed instead is not long enough .
Availability of wheelchairs at the Main Entrance and a porter to take patients to clinic if necessary.
Notice Board was erected at Whiston Hospital to give patients information regarding clinic. This has not been possible in the new hospital as regulations prevent anything being attached to the walls.
Doors in Wheelchair Assessment Unit in the old St Helens Hospital were reported as being heavy and hard to open, which was rectified.
At St Helens Hospital, there was a problem with walking sticks becoming lodged in grids between the car park and Hospital. The problem was reported by the Group and was resolved.
The Groups biggest achievement to
Over the years the PRG has worked very
closely with members of the Rheumatology
Department, in particular Ann Griffiths and
Jackie Novak. Recently Yvonne Hough has
stepped in since Ann Griffiths has retired.
The PRG meet every 2 months in the
Rheumatology Department, on a
Wednesday evening. The meeting is
facilitated by the Chairman, Brian Smith,
who provides the agenda. Jackie Novak
and Yvonne Hough are usually in
attendance and produce any new leaflets
or documents that are to be introduced
within the Rheumatology Department for
the PRG to review. Any current issues or
areas of concern are discussed and an
action plan agreed.
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER
Page 3 Winter 2013
PATIENT REFERENCE GROUP 2013
Another very important part of the PRG is
to regularly visit Clinics in both Whiston
and St Helens Hospitals to talk to patients/
carers and to encourage them to complete
Questionnaires, giving feedback about
their experiences of the Department (non
medical), both positive and areas of
concern. The PRG will then collate the
results and take action to resolve any
issues. This can be done by either
discussing the results with members of
the Rheumatology Department at the
meetings or in the case of urgent action
and patient feedback then the Chairman
would discuss it with the appropriate
person straight away and ensure feedback
is given to the patient/carer should it have
been requested.
Why not make an early New Year’s resolution and apply to join the Patient Reference Group? We hope to recruit people who have a genuine interest in the work of the Rheumatology Department in this Trust and who will feel comfortable approaching other patients. We want to include people with a variety of conditions we treat in Rheumatology, those who have attended for many years and those who are new to us. We also want to include any relatives and carers of Rheumatology patients, who are interested in being involved, as their views and opinions are very important to us as well.
If you wish to be considered for the Rheumatology Patient Reference Group, then please fill in your name and contact details on an enquiry form, which are located throughout the department and hand it in to reception. We look forward to meeting you.
For people attending the Rheumatology
Department please note that there are
disabled parking spaces at the back
entrance to St Helens Hospital, by the Lilac
Centre. From here you can reach the
Rheumatology Department by lift from just
inside the entrance
Attending clinics if you have
The Rheumatology ADVICE LINE Service
We have 3 answer phones in the Rheumatology Department
Please ring the person you require
Please leave a message on the answer phone
Remember to speak slowly and clearly
Leave your name and contact number
When will we call you back?
If you call weekdays before 4 pm we will try to call you back the same day
Otherwise we will return your call within two working days
We will try on two occasions only
All information in this newsletter is correct at the time of printing
Creation Date - November 2013
Produced by the Rheumatology Department; Edited by Ann Clayton & Tracey O’Rourke
NURSE ADVICE LINE
01744 646457
(9.00am – 10.00am for telephone
consultation, answer phone at all other times)
BLOOD MONITORING
ADVICE LINE
01744 646439
(9.00am – 10.00am for telephone consultation, answer phone at all other times)
THERAPY ADVICE LINE
01744 646454
Courtesy Bus times between St Helens and Whiston Hospitals
Many people have difficulty walking from the car park to clinic. If this is true for you, please remember that parking is allowed in drop off zones at the hospital entrances while the driver assists you (walking or in a wheelchair) to reception. The staff there will arrange for a porter to take you to clinic. The driver should then park in a designated parking area.
Blue Badge Holders and
further parking
If you have any comments about this newsletter or about the
Rheumatology Service, please inform a member of staff
Bus leaves from: Starting Frequency Last bus
Whiston main entrance 7.20 am On the hour, 20 minutes past
and 20 minutes to the hour
6.00 pm
St Helens main entrance 7.30 am 10 minutes and 30 minutes past
and 10 minutes to the hour
6.10 pm