Newsletter for the staff of Barnsley Primary Care Trust No 40 July 2008

What’s special

about these

four ladies

Turn to page 6 to find out the answer!

OakwellOpen Day

Long Service Awards group photos

Podiatry team hit the USA

Our staff are thanked for their dedication

Meet our latest fundraisers!

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In this issue:

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Message from the Chief ExecutiveNHS Celebrates 60 YearsThis month sees the pinnacle of the NHS 60th with the anniversary taking place on Saturday 5 July. We have held a number of celebration events locally in recognition of the 60th but are also celebrating with a Summer of Sports in Barnsley over the next few months. Look out for opportunities to join in with this, we will also print more pictures of NHS 60 events in the following issues of PCT News.

Open day at Oakwell CentreI could hardly believe it when I was told that more than 350 people had taken a tour of the new Oakwell Centre at Kendray (article on page 3). Obviously word has got round about our state of the art, purpose built new mental health inpatient facilities! We were pleased to welcome staff, partners, agencies and interested parties to the open day last month. The building is now occupied with staff and service users and I hope they are making the most of their new environment.

Long Service heroesLast month we celebrated the long service awards at Ardsley House, and it presented the opportunity to meet a lot of staff in one afternoon. We celebrated the milestones of service and my congratulations go to the four ladies who have clocked up 40 years’ service each. That is truly an excellent achievement. We are looking for feedback from staff who chose not to attend the awards – although those who attended said they had enjoyed the ceremony in their feedback, we’d also like to know what we could do to make these occasions better for everyone in the future.

E – learning is hereI was really pleased to hear that we now provide online training at the PCT. We have turned some of the mandatory and approved training courses (where appropriate) into online training. We’ve maximised this opportunity for flexible working so that it can also be accessed at home via the PCT’s website or through Connect at work. The system allows us to record the activity on the site so that we know who has completed their training and how long it took to do so. The first training to go live is fire training, and we’ll be adding more courses in the near future. See page 11 for more details. There is also an open day at the new Centre for Learning and Development at Keresforth on 18 July and I would urge staff to attend this event, not just to look around our excellent new facilities there but also to help us maximise staff involvement opportunities at the PCT.

What’s happening with the PCT Commissioning Strategy? A key priority for Barnsley Primary Care Trust is to support Barnsley residents take a more active role in looking after the health and well being of themselves and their families. This priority reflects national policy and is now embedded in local strategy documents including ‘Every Adult Matters’ and the PCT Commissioning Prospectus.

Barnsley PCT has now commissioned an organisation to support the implementation of local strategy. A programme of engagement activity is being undertaken with an extensive range of local stakeholders to understand how the PCT can realise their vision by delivering better, more innovative, flexible and effective health care.

The consultation has two overarching goals:• To gain an in-depth understanding of the services needed by the people of Barnsley that will help foster a more active role in the promotion and maintenance of their own health and well being. The project expects to identify a small number of initiatives for short term development as well as providing options for longer term service developments. • To support development of the PCT’s facilitation role by implementing and reviewing methods and systems for public and user involvement in all aspects of the commissioning cycle. The project aims to identify a range of innovative and preferred methods for consulting with patients and the public.

MethodsThe consultation includes a range of methods to reach as many Barnsley residents as possible. These include:• An online questionnaire available at www.barnsleypct.nhs.uk/delivering-better-health• A questionnaire that is completed face to face through direct contact with people on the streets and at community events• Two public workshops held in June • Listening events with key stakeholder groups• Smaller group discussions and one to one interviews

What have we done so far?The consultation is now in full swing and has included:• Mail out of online questionnaire link to more than 3000 individuals across health, social care and the voluntary/charitable sector.• Listening exercises with Trustee boards, community groups and service users.• Attendance at community events including the Locke Park Show and the Carers Conference.• One to one interviews with service user representatives.• Street polling of over 250 Barnsley residents.

Early FindingsSome early analysis of the street poll data based on 192 returns has been undertaken. Headline findings are that 96% (n=185) of these individuals agree that promoting self-care should be a priority for Barnsley PCT. Their recommendations to the PCT to help individuals and their families to stay healthy include:• A greater range and increased availability of prevention opportunities including exercise classes, exercise prescriptions, green gyms, safer parks and green space for children, dietary advice, and healthy eating classes for parents in schools.• Older people want small changes that will make a big difference to their lives such as regular home visits by their GP practice, better chiropody and physiotherapy services to maintain their mobility, better after care as they make the transition from hospital to home. Some would like someone to simply take them out every now and again to counteract their loneliness and fear.• Many people are requesting more information on health risks and treatment options, particularly for specific conditions, but in ways that are understandable and free of jargon. They have also asked that this information be available in a variety of settings other than health services and primary care since people often don’t attend these services until they are ill, and thus prevention opportunities have been lost. Asda and Morrisons were given as alternative examples.

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The PCT is using the National Procurement opportunity to work closely with local doctors to make the changes needed in Barnsley, but what does that mean? In a nutshell it is about improving access to GP services and increasing range and quality. Barnsley PCT aims to use this national initiative to help improve access to primary care based services. This is in terms of increasing opening hours and providing walk in services to include weekends and building on and improving the quality and range of those services. We are committed to supporting a continued delivery of a sustained reduction in health inequalities across the whole of Barnsley.

So what does all this mean? The PCT’s Commissioning Team are adapting to the changes needed to procure these services and we have been working hard to ensure our external suppliers are involved and included in these opportunities. Allison Payne and Amy Wright (pictured) have been supporting the PCT in developing this new process. We have also held a series of events that look to promote Barnsley and encourage local innovation with potential providers – both from within Barnsley and new to Barnsley.

“Our latest event attracted a lot of interest which is a positive step in the right direction,” said Allison. “We were very happy to receive a lot of support from our local partners, including the voluntary sector and one of the areas we’re determined to work on is also getting staff on board to help us as we mustn’t forget that importantly they are also patients of the services we commission in Barnsley.”

A recent consultation event at Ardsley House had a real feel good factor to it. “We talked to groups of people with some people giving feedback via the video cube we had arranged to capture comments.” Said Amy. “We also collected valuable opinions and comments via a number of face to face surveys, it was great for understanding what is a priority for different

What’s Equitable Access and the National Procurement all about?

Oakwell tour well receivedA record number of people turned up to the open day at the Oakwell Centre at Kendray last month. Guided tours were given to more than 300 staff, partners and interested organisations. The day included an opportunity to give feedback on the building which when collated, proved largely positive. Staff and service users have now moved over from the DPM in to the new building.

groups of people.” We asked questions including: “What’s important to you?” and “What services do you use at the moment”

This Commissioning and tendering process started in April, and was covered in last month’s PCT News with the announcement that Barnsley will be funded for three new GP practices and a new GP led health centre in the town.

The outcome of this work is that PCT services, in particular those within primary care, will become more accountable to our local public and patient stakeholders and as a result of that there will be more public ownership through care navigation, self directed care and taking charge of our own wellbeing.

“The aim is to ensure we use this funding in the most cost-efficient way possible to meet local needs. What’s really important right now is to keep up the momentum and keep feeding the consultation information into the tendering exercise until the end of August.” added Allison: “What’s important is demonstrating that the public can make a difference when it comes to securing the right services. We need to recognise and expect good service in Barnsley!”

Join in with our work

So what can you do to add to this work? Have your say on the services in Barnsley at http://www.barnsleypct.nhs.uk/have-your-say-on-new-gp-services-in-barnsley.html and ask family and friends to fill in the form too. How would you get this message across if challenged? You can also suggest any hard to reach groups. We want to know what you think is a good approach and how we should be doing it. There’s a prize for the best suggestion! Email pcaccess@barnsleypct.nhs.uk

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Eamonn LynottSenior Community Mental Health Nurse

Eamonn Lynott works with older people as a senior community mental health nurse, based at the Oaks Building, Kendray. The team consists nine nurses, two social workers, two social work assistants, four support workers, two secretaries and a team leader.

“I always knew I wanted to be in the nursing profession since I was 11,” said Eamonn, “I first worked in a mental health hospital in Essex which was a large institution. I did my enrolled nurse training there, then qualified before moving on to work with older people on the wards and in the community.

Eamonn moved to work in Barnsley in 1986, and says he has never looked back since! He qualified as a RMN in 1992, he was one of the first wave in Barnsley to convert from an enrolled mental health nurse to RMN.

“We work with people who have primary and secondary mental health illnesses,” explained Eamonn, “There is only one Community Mental Health Team for older people and we’re all based here together,”

“There’s a really good camaraderie between the team, I have worked for 21 years at Kendray and 15 years of this has been withinThe CMHT. I am one of the longest-standing members of the team!”

“My work brings lots of reward with it,” said Eamonn, “I really do enjoy working with older people, in fact that’s the best bit about my job, the client contact. Specialising in older people’s mental health brings with it a different set of challenges which are separate and different to adult mental health but you can use your expertise to really make a difference.”

Eamonn completed his degree in Mental Health Practice two years ago at Sheffield, whilst working full time in his CMHT role. “It’s good to keep on learning,” added Eamonn, “you can keep up to date with good practice and knowledge which benefits our clients as well as students who spend time learning here. Using evidence-based practice can help you to deliver high levels of service.”

Always progressing, Eamonn is also currently studying for the nurse prescribing course, a process which he describes as challenging but an enhancement to services. “There’s lots to learn and get through but it’ll be worth it in the end.”

When asked about the NHS in its 60th year, Eamonn responded: “The NHS is notorious for its high standards of care which are recognised through the world and it’s been a good place for me to work throughout my career. One of the best benefits for staff are the pension. Although it’s a while for me yet, I’m looking forward to claiming mine!”

Outside work, Eamonn recently celebrated with friends and family at his Civil Partnership Ceremony in Huddersfield where he lives. His hobbies include spending time with his four Persian cats, watching films, reading and the odd night out.

Jane KennedyPlanning and Performance Officer

Jane has worked as Planning and Performance Officer for two and a half years. Prior to this, she worked as a localities team secretary. Although it’s hard to believe, Jane started working for the NHS 19 years ago. “I started young!” Said Jane, “I began work as a YT undertaking clerical and secretarial duties. I moved over gradually to project posts and have never looked back since joining planning and performance.”

“One of my main roles is participating in the Quality Outcome Framework (QOF) process,” explained Jane. “I also work on business continuity plans, emergency planning for the provider arm of the PCT, and provide administration support for the reference committee.

There are changes afoot for the role, which will soon include undertaking site visits to GP practices. “I’m really looking forward to this, it is all a new challenge to my role which I welcome.”

Jane’s favourite part of her job is the QOF work. “I like going through of all the information that each practice submits,” explained Jane, “I also have to set up the visits, coordinate the assessors, and liaise with practice managers and other key personnel.”

One of the more difficult parts of Jane’s job is the emergency planning. “With its ongoing deadlines and scope across the entire organisation, there’s little chance to practice. It’s a really serious business and its role in ensuring the PCT is prepared for emergencies means it is extremely high profile and very important to get it right the first time.”

Jane said: “I do like working for the NHS. Although it’s changed a lot over the 19 years I have worked in it, and there have been lots of changes to national guidelines, it now also feels a lot more staff orientated and family focused. Flexible working is really important to me as I have got two young boys that are also a full time job!”

Born on the

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Corinne MallinsonManagement Assistant

Corinne Mallinson is based within mental health service and has recently moved to the new Oakwell Centre at Kendray.

Corinne joined the PCT in November 2005 as a graduate in the field of management. “The job came along at the right time for me,” explained Corinne. ”I was ready for a challenge after finishing a degree in psychology. I knew I had an interest in mental health but since University had not found a career that I felt suited me.”

“I am now based in the Crisis Care Business Unit,” explained Corinne. “I love my job because it’s varied and involves providing support to the busy managers who work here. No two days are the same and I like to be busy so it’s ideal!”

Since starting work at the DPM in September 2006, Corinne has been involved in the development of Business Units and management of operations and service improvements.

“A big piece of work I undertook recently was the collation of evidence for the Healthcare Commission’s Review in line with the care services framework and formulating the required responses.“

“I’ve also been helping out with compiling client reports and bed management progress.” Said Corinne, “I now also manage the reception and its staff and since moving to the DPM have a lot more patient contact.”

“I’ve learnt a lot of new skills since joining the NHS,” said Corinne, “I work with the ward managers and modern matron to help ease workloads and can look at situations from a non clinical angle and help to set up new initiatives.”

“I’m enjoying work at the Oakwell Centre. The new base is a fresh start for both staff and service users and the fact that it is purpose built will have a positive impact on the service. Change is important, particularly in the NHS as it needs to keep up with the rest of society. The new building will be a driver to change and reconfiguration of services.”

Corinne is a self-confessed socialite outside of work, enjoying her time with friends relaxing, watching films and admiring her impressive shoe and handbag collection!

Sarah BrownPhysiotherapist

Sarah has just started a new Physio post at the PCT, working a six month secondment that reports part time to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team and part time to the Inpatient Medical Team, based at BHNFT.

“Up until now I worked for the last two years as a junior physio in a rotation amongst services including mental health, paediatrics, care of the elderly, the gym and outpatients at Mount Vernon Hospital,” said Sarah. “I’m delighted to have started with this new role as it gives an opportunity to work more in-depth with our patients and I can be more involved in their journey to recovery.”

The Cardiac Rehabilitation work involves giving advice to people who are admitted to hospital and getting them ready for rehab.

Working with the Inpatient Medical Team involves working a lot with people who have chest infections and chest problems, or those who have had falls and need physio. “Often these people will have reduced mobility and part of my job is to assess their mobility and draw up a moving and handling plan, and eventually a discharge plan. This is done working closely with Intermediate Care and Physiotherapy services.

“The best thing about my job with the medical team is working with the patients and seeing them get back to being as well as they can be.” Sarah continued: “Once they have their review with the medical team, in most case we can help to get them back home.”

Working with the Cardiac Rehab Team has proven equally rewarding: “Many patients are anxious when we see them as they’ve often gone through a life changing and scary experience, such as a heart attack. Using our expertise we can give them reassurance and advice to get them back to the same standard of living, enjoying the hobbies and activities they have always done.”

“A lot of our patients are older people, so we also work closely with social services, signposting and knowing what other services can offer so that we can help provide access to further help on the patient’s journey to recovery.

“It’s such a diverse role, and you get to meet lots of people from different backgrounds, we treat each individual case according to the person’s needs but the greatest part of the job is knowing that you are helping someone to get their lives back to normal.”

Outside of work, Sarah lives in Sheffield, enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is a regular at the gym and also does indoor rock climbing with a view to doing it outside at some point in the future!

As you may know from this birthday issue of PCT News, the NHS was originally formed on 5 July 1948. This year marks the NHS’ 60th year so we thought it would be nice to look at staff who celebrate their birthdays on the same day. What’s interesting is the diversity of their roles and careers, their personal journeys and what forms part of their job satisfaction at work. Thank you to everyone who took part in this feature – Happy Birthday - let’s hope you got lots of cards!

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Staff with 10 – 20 – 25- 30 -35 and 40 years’ service were invited to the long service awards held last month at Ardsley House. A reminiscent presentation looked back over the decades at the fashions and landmark occasions celebrated over the years.

Four members of staff (pictured right) achieved the ultimate milestone of forty years’ service – these were Joan Burton, Margaret Cox, Pat Hunter and Sylvia Speight. Well done to you all!

Once the presentations were over staff enjoyed each other’s company and were served tea and a bun as a thank you for their loyalty to the PCT. Group photographs are available in electronic or hard copy to all who attended – look out for the displays across the PCT or contact Katy Jarvis via the contact box on page 12 to order your copy.

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Long Service Awards

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Fire Safety Inappropriate Storage of Combustible Materials

In order to reduce the risk of fire, the Health & Safety Team would like to remind staff that readily combustible materials must not be inappropriately stored:

• under stairwells• in corridors • in photocopier rooms

Stairwells and corridors must be kept clear at all times.

Combustible materials are capable of catching fire easily and amongst other things, include such items as: paper, cardboard, wood, furniture, flammable liquids, aerosols, alcohol-based hand gel, textiles, linens etc. Where additional stocks of photocopy paper are required, for example, then it is advisable to carry out a risk assessment and source lockable metal storage cupboards.

It is vital that combustible materials are not kept near a heat source or on escape routes (corridors) and that good housekeeping is established and maintained throughout, ensuring out of date information that is no longer required is disposed of in the appropriate manner. Staff are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new Fire Safety Policy which reflects the statutory requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Fire safety first The fire alarm in the Catering building at the Keresforth Centre sounded on Friday 13 June and although this time it was a false alarm the Health and Safety department would like to give their thanks to all staff in the Keresforth Catering Department for their contribution and cooperation in evacuating the building. The Health and Safety Department would also like to note that the Trust’s policies and procedures where adhered to fully and that all staff were safely evacuated from the department promptly and safely. Thank you again to everyone involved.

Policy updateThe Policy and Procedure for Incident reporting and management have been updated in line with PCT requirements. There have been some significant changes to bring the PCT in line with national requirements and also changes to local process and procedure.

Sara Galer, Clinical Risk Specialist explained: “The Policy has remained, in the majority unchanged, as the concept of incident reporting, investigation and learning is still current and should be embedded into the PCT as part of its safety culture.”

The main changes have occurred within the procedures and guidance that the PCT use to ensure incidents are reported and investigated in a timely and accurate manner. The concept of being open when patients or staff have been harmed was introduced by the NPSA and is a running theme throughout the procedures and guidance. There have also been changes within the reporting of Serious Untoward Incidents including what is considered a serious incident, timescales for reporting, structure of the incident report, structured action planning and learning from experience

The policy and procedures will be available on Connect shortly and there will be links to it from the Risk Management section within the Performance and Quality pages. The Risk Management team will be promoting the policy and procedures and will be attending meetings and groups to ensure that all staff are aware of the changes and how to use the documents.

Ris

ky

Mat

ters

Physical Assault by Clients

There has been a number of IR1s that highlight physical assault and verbal abuse by clients towards staff recently. The PCT has a Violence, Abuse, Harassment and Aggression at Work Policy, which identifies sanctions which can be applied when a client is violent and aware of their actions.

The NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) offers support and advice in managing such incidents. Where the Crown Prosecution Service deems there is insufficient evidence, the PCT will engage the CFSMS to ascertain what actions can be taken in addition to its own Policies and Procedures. The Local Security Management Specialist for the PCT is the Assistant Director of HR (Health & Safety) Martin Brandon, and John Sanderson is the Health & Safety Adviser (Security). Managers are reminded on the importance of completing risk assessments, to reduce associated risks to safeguard their front line staff.

Copies of the above policies are available on the Connect site, or for further information, advice or guidance, please contact the Health & Safety Department at the Keresforth Centre on 01226 435603 or extension 5603.

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Access to CPDNHS Yorkshire and Humber (SHA) have recently released guidance regarding access to funded places for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

This means that individuals who in the past would not have been able to access to learning support via the LBR (old PBE) route may now be able to access new learning and development opportunities. Continuing Professional Development funded by the NHS Yorkshire & the Humber is available to those meeting the following criteria:

The applicant is: • Employed by an organisation providing NHS services &/or providing audited/profiled practice placements for NHS students within the Yorkshire and Humber region• Meets the entry criteria & has the written support of their employing organisation. This includes: i. Non registered personnel ii. Social care staff that are part of integrated health & social care teams iii. Staff from third sector organisations.• The applicant is not employed within healthcare organisations but contributes to the delivery of NHS services within the Yorkshire and Humber region, for example service users.• The applicant is an unemployed new graduate healthcare professional trained within the York’s & Humber region (An individual who graduated within the last 12 months and has not as yet secured employment.)

For Clarification or further information please contact Julie Smith, Professional Development Manger on ext 5761.

These words are thoughtfully delivered by Kath Kershaw, an Arts Facilitator at Kendray. She has recently used the PCT’s Staff Support Service based at Keresforth.

“I wanted to come forward and thank the Staff Support Service for the work they do on behalf of the PCT.” Explained Kath. “I had been going through a really difficult time in my life and when my manager suggested the Staff Support Service I realised that I did need to find a way in which I could unlock all my thoughts and feelings in a confidential setting.

It’s not often we can write a personal account of the Staff Support Service, due to the highly confidential nature of the service. So when Kath came along and asked if we could raise the profile, using herself as an example, we were only too pleased to do so.

At the time of my illness, I didn’t want people at work to know about my circumstances but I definitely needed some help. As soon as I walked through the doors of the staff support service, I felt a sense of calm and I knew that I had made the right choice of direction.

“During my time in contact with staff support services, I spoke to a qualified clinician in a peaceful and comfortable environment. I felt safe there and able to talk whilst assured of a discreet and confidential service.

“The talking-therapy was helpful to me in my circumstances, and being listened to and engaging in this process has

Mental Health Assessor Updates and Mental Health L.E.M. meetings 2008Please note that the L.E.M. meetings and assessor updates are now available to all wards and teams including our private sector partners who provide clinical placements for mental health student nurses.

Date Session time Venue Tue 8 July Mental Health 13-1400 Pegasus Room L.E.M. Meeting Kendray Hospital Assessor Update 14-1600 As above

Fri 17 Oct Mental Health 13-1400 As above L.E.M. meeting Assessor Update 14-1600 As above

Thur 4 Dec Mental Health 13-1400 Training Room 2 L.E.M. meeting Centre for Learning and Development, Keresforth Centre S70 6RS Assessor Update 14-1600 As above

Please note, all assessors must be updated annually. Please send your study leave form to Angela Wilde Training Co-ordinator/Administration,Centre for Learning and Development at Keresforth.

really helped to turn my life around. I was also offered the opportunity to experience Reiki which I accepted and this was delivered in a safe and inviting environment. The turning point came with the acknowledgement of my personal journey and how far I had yet to go before I felt “whole” again.

“I just want to say thank you to the staff in the service for their awareness of my vulnerability and for their expert handling of each individual who passes through the doors. From the minute you enter the building, you are made to feel that you matter.

“I have without doubt become stronger as a person now and I can look back on this challenging time with a determination and willingness to live my life again. Staff support has allowed me the opportunity to be in control of my thoughts and feelings once more.

“A lot of this journey has been down to myself but I really strongly feel that the staff support service deserve a big thank you, on behalf of many people. They are there for every individual, regardless of their grade or status and really do put staff wellbeing at their very central focus.

It’s a service that people don’t talk about, and I can completely understand why. My whispers were listened to by the service and I really feel that we are fortunate to be able to access such a service within the Barnsley PCT.

You can contact the Staff Support Service 01226 433432 or visit their Connect page at nww.barnsleypct.nhs.uk/staffsupport/

“Whispers are barely spoken reaching out to those who really listen”

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Barnsley Diabetes Lead Podiatrists and Foot Clinic Consultant attended the Global Diabetic Foot Conference held in Los Angeles earlier this year. Barnsley Podiatry Services is rapidly advancing in knowledge and treatment modalities particularly in the area of the Diabetic foot. After regularly attending National conferences relating to the diabetic foot members of the team felt it was time to go global.

12 months ago they took on the challenge of raising funds by commercial sponsorship to attend a global diabetic foot conference to gain an insight and comparison of diabetic foot services provided around the world and gain useful information and techniques that we could use to improve the management of diabetic foot complication care provided by Barnsley PCT Podiatry services and BHNFT Foot Clinic.

The first day of the conference kicked off with a full day of various lectures discussing diabetes control and its benefits to vascular disease.

An interesting afternoon of lectures consisted of leading clinicians from countries such as Saudi Arabia, China, South Africa, Italy and India presenting their experiences and service provision in the diabetic foot many following guidance from the international working Group consensus on the diabetic foot which can be accessed on line at www.iwgdf.org/

The conference continued into Friday and Saturday. Michael Edmonds from Kings College Hospital gave up to date information on the diagnosis and management of Charcot foot which can lead to severe foot deformity and recommends total contact casting as Gold standard for its management which we already use in Barnsley.

Barnsley Podiatry services are already ahead of many departments in the UK and overseas by recently trialling the Versajet Hydrosurgery system, as reported in PCT News earlier this year, which uses a jet of water to debride diabetic foot ulcer wounds. This method of debridement appears to be becoming the preferable choice within the US.

Future developments in diabetic foot ulcer care from across the Atlantic are: • Daily home temperature monitoring of the foot by the ‘at risk’ patient, with a skin thermometer for pre-ulceration warning. • Stem cell therapy for healing of diabetic foot ulcers. • Collagen implants into areas of depleted fatty tissue on the plantar of the foot for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers.• Ultrasound used to debride diabetic foot ulcer wounds.

We would like thank Smith & Nephew, KCI, Novartis, Coloplast, Convatec, Johnson & Johnson, Molnycke Healthcare, Mobilis, GlaxoSmithKline and Arc Therapeutic for sponsoring this training experience.

The Infrastructure Project Board has approved the upgrade of Mount Vernon and Kendray Hospitals during 2008/09 as a priority. The upgrades will see additional power and computer data points installed in all relevant rooms to bring them up the required Trust specification. As with the previous upgrade work this is based on the Health and Safety/Estates policy for room occupancy rather than the actual number of people currently in the room.

The work at both sites will be carried out simultaneously. Consultant electrical engineers

Infrastructure Project Update Site Upgrade Plan for 2008/09have been commissioned with a view to running the upgrades and will be visiting the sites towards the end of June 2008. These visits will also involve representatives from Estates, Information Services and IT Services with the purpose being to produce agreed site plans detailing the position of all new power and data points.

On completion, Invitations to Tender will be drawn up and the successful electrical contractor is expected to begin work at the sites in late August 2008.

The work will inevitably involve a degree of disruption but this

will be kept to a minimum and the contractors will be under instruction to liaise closely with staff to achieve this. Only the office and admin areas on the wards at the two hospital sites are having additional points installed. However, we are planning to install equipment required to support wireless networking for possible future use on the wards although this should involve minimal disruption.

In addition to Mount Vernon and Kendray, the Infrastructure project board is also considering incorporating the site upgrades at the Keresforth Centre and Hillder House

during this year, subject to funding being available to enable this. If approved, it is anticipated that these will use run in parallel with each other. Consultants will be engaged and the plans drawn up once the Mount Vernon and Kendray site upgrades are under way.

All remaining sites are planned to be modernised during 2009/10. If you would like any further information, please contact Paul Senior, IT Liaison Officer on 01226 435620 or email Paul.Senior@Barnsleypct.nhs.uk.

Barnsley Podiatrists go global!

(from left to right) Chairman George Andros MD - Vascular Services Providence Diabetic Foot Centre Los Angeles, Sarah-May Poppleton - Diabetes Lead Podiatrist Barnsley PCT , Dr Elizabeth Uchegbu -Consultant Physician in Diabetology BHNFT, Co Chairman David G. Armstrong DPM, PHD.- Associate Dean, Professor of surgery and chair of Research. University school of medicine Chicago IL and Natalie Bennett – Diabetes Lead Podiatrist Barnsley PCT.

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E-Learning is here! The Learning and Development department has now established an e-learning platform enabling all PCT employees to access e-learning alternatives to attending more formal ‘study days’ or other approaches to learning.

While the existing portfolio of programmes is small, it is anticipated that this is only the start and that significant numbers of e-learning programmes covering mandatory, clinical and other training will be built up during the course of the year.

What’s currently available?Fire training is now live, with DSE, Manual Handling and Health & Safety Awareness/COSHH to follow shortly. Conflict Resolution is also available subject to some last-minute adjustments. Programmes covering outstanding mandatory training subjects will be sourced, reviewed and where possible implemented during the remainder of the year.

Where can we do it?The programmes can be accessed from the Learning and Development pages of Connect and also from home PCs via the Barnsley PCT website. Completing one of the e-learning programmes on the ‘Approved Courses’ list means that attendance at a more formal study day is not necessary. This is particularly useful for attendance at mandatory training. Programmes can be completed at a time convenient for both the individual and the service and the ‘self study’ approach suits many peoples preferred learning style.

How is it tracked?In addition, for all approved courses listed, the Centre for Learning and Development team is able to verify which staff have completed the programmes and this will result in:• The issue of a completion certificate • Updating of the individual’s learning record • Confirmation of completion for the individual’s line manager.

Find out moreFor more information on the programmes available and to register for a password to access these, visit the Centre for Learning and Development’s pages on Connect or contact Tracy Maldzinski in the dept by email or ext 5773.

Psst! Put this date in your diary!We’re having an open day at our new premises at Keresforth on 18 July and arrangements are currently being made to include: • Building tours and equipment demos • E-Learning presentation • Complementary therapies from staff support services • Training and development info • Pensions advice • Staff Survey displays and discussion • Refreshments • ... and plenty more! The event will be advertised throughout the PCT in coming weeks so watch this space!

Team receives tributeThe nursing team, Doctors and Physiotherapy staff who work at Mount Vernon’s ward 4 have been commended for their work by family of a service user who has sadly passed away.

Kath and Richard Empringham, from Bolton-on-Dearne sent the following letter to the PCT to acknowledge the quality of service they felt their mum had received during her time on the ward:

Thanks for the excellent care you give day after day, week after week and month after month to every patient on your ward.

Our mum was on the receiving end of this special care for the last six months of her life and the staff made this time as comfortable and dignified as possible. Our mum felt totally secure and safe in your care and words will never be able to express our thanks to the staff for the peace this gave to us knowing she felt this way.

Not only were you caring for our mum but I was also on the receiving end of their special care many times, especially when my husband was critically ill at the BHNFT. The concern shown to me during this time will never be forgotten.

You hear talk or read articles in newspapers or magazines telling us that levels of care are not being given in NHS hospitals, to this we say nonsense. The staff on ward 4 deserve gold medals for the care they give and engraved on the medal should be these words:

Thoughtfulness is all too rareAnd kindness cannot be boughtBut some people give these awayAnd you are that special sort

We will always remember the devoted care you gave to mum. Thank you. We miss her so much.

Kath & Richard Empringham.

Pictured: Some of the staff who work on Ward 4.

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A whopper from CommissioningHeard on the grapevine… staff in Commissioning raised a whopping £381.25 for Diabetes UK in their latest half marathon. (Tracy is still counting her sponsors in so this will grow) well done Sue, Tracy, Tina and Anna…

Message from MikeI would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to my retirement buffet and presentation, it was a lovely surprise. With the money I have bought power tools for use in the garage and around the home, in fact I am already making good use of them.

I must say it has been a pleasure to work with colleagues in facilities management, my thanks also to portering staff for their support over the years. My very best wishes to everyone, Mike Musgrave. Pictured: Mike with Sue Norwood

Students give outdoor appeal to Mount VernonStudents aged 16-17 on a travel and tourism course at Barnsley College have been raising money for Mount Vernon Hospital this summer to buy outdoor furniture for patients and visitors to the wards to enjoy.

Following an earlier visit by some of the students and teachers to Mount Vernon Hospital, the generous young people organised a sponsored walk from Cleveleys to Blackpool. They decided as a group that it would be good to use the money to buy some benches. With the money they raised, they purchased benches, tables and parasols with bases for the hospital (pictured).

One of the students boosted her sponsorship by dressing up as ‘Where’s Wally’. Students from another class joined the walk and separately raised over £100 which they have donated to buy signal boosters to improve the reception on the televisions in the ward.

“It was a lovely sunny day when we did our walk last month and when we got to Blackpool, we went to the Pleasure Beach and ate fish and chips,” said Josie Power, one of the students at the college, “The best thing about the walk was knowing we were doing it for a good cause and that it was helping people who would really appreciate our donation.”

Janice Noble, Ward Manager at Mount Vernon Hospital said: “We are so grateful to these young people from Barnsley College. It’s so lovely that they have worked so hard organising the event and raising sponsorship money for the benefit of our patients.”

Cyclists spread the word FAST A group of nurses from the Grimsby Stroke Unit and a Physiotherapist from intermediate care at Northern Lincs and Goole Hospital Foundation Trust selflessly used a week of their own annual leave to cycle more than 220 miles from Southport to Hornsea to spread the word about Strokes. During their epic ride, the nurses stopped off at the Stroke Unit at Mount Vernon to meet the Team and discuss their work whilst taking a rest before the next leg of their journey. “The team from Grimsby were promoting the Stroke Association’s FAST Campaign which helps people identify stroke symptoms; it stands for Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech problems and Test all three.” Said Carol Bishop, Ward Manager. “We were so pleased that they were able to stop by Barnsley on their way from Warrington. It’s been interesting to compare the service in Grimsby to ours, we found we have a lot in common although perhaps not cycling!”

In addition to raising awareness about strokes, the girls, accompanied by one of their husbands (Lea) raised money for their unit. “We’re told there will be a welcome committee when we get back home to Grimsby so we’re looking forward to that!” said Lesley Angel, a nurse from the Grimsby Stroke Unit.

“It’s been really hard work, a bit muddy but lots of fun,” added Sonya Herbert. “It’s really important to us to raise awareness about stroke symptoms and we’ve had lots of interest so far which has helped to keep us going over the 126 miles we’ve pedalled so far!”

Pictured: L-R: Cyclists Sonya Herbert, Lea Angel, Anna Marriott and Lesley Angel are FAST at raising stroke awareness.

Farewell to Karen Senior PA from the Medical Directorate who works for Dr Chari and Dr McDonald. Karen left the team on 4th July and will be greatly missed by all her colleagues.

Thanks to this month’s contributors Natalie Bennett • Carol Bishop • Sarah Brown • Sara Galer • Angela Glover • Rose Goldsmith • Sue Jones • Jane Kennedy • Kath Kershaw • Eamonn Lynott • Tracy Maldzinski • Corinne Mallinson • Mike Musgrave • Janice Noble • Paul Senior Why not contribute your pictures and stories to PCT News? Contact Katy Jarvis on 01226 43 ext 4298 or email katy.jarvis@barnsleypct.nhs.uk to tell everyone your news!

Good bye!