TALKINGPOINT November

2012

Inject even more into patient care

– have your flu vaccination today!

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Octagon Marketing Company Ltd specialise in gaining advertising support for magazines so Talking Point is now produced, packaged, distributed and delivered at a minimal cost to the trust.

Talking Point is your magazine and it is only as good as you make it.Ideas and stories or suggestions to make Talking Point even better are always welcome.

Please send your ideas to:

The editor - Lesley ConnorPublic relationsSouth Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustThe James Cook University HospitalThe Murray BuildingMarton RoadMIDDLESBROUGH TS4 3BW

Extension: 55900 Email: lesley.connor@stees.nhs.uk

You can also contact the public relations team on 01642 854343, extension 54343 JCUH or email public.relations@stees.nhs.uk

Talking Point is written and illustrated by the public relations team and designed by Octagon Marketing Company Ltd.

EVERYONE at the trust is being urged to join the fight against flu this winter with the start of the staff vaccination programme.While frontline health workers will be given priority, everyone at the trust – including volunteers and students – will be encouraged to have the flu vaccine to ensure they are protected before it’s too late.

Occupational health nurses and trained flu champions have begun the campaign to vaccinate over 5000 frontline healthcare workers and their support staff since late September.

Pam McCourt occupational health manager said: “We hope staff will take the opportunity to be vaccinated early in the campaign as it takes 10 to 14 days to develop your body’s immunity to flu vaccine, so don’t leave it to chance.”

Acting chief executive Tricia Hart said: “As an organisation we do have a duty to ensure all of our staff and volunteers, who have a direct role in caring for patients, are offered this vaccination.

“By getting it, not only are you protecting yourself but also your families, your patients and the NHS services you provide.”

Staff are reminded that the vaccine does not carry any live virus, which means it cannot

give you the flu and while some people may experience mild fever up to 48 hours after having the jab as their immune system responds to the vaccine, this is not flu. Our target this year is 70% of healthcare workers and their support staff. Last year we achieved 50.8% against a target of 60%.

Kimberley McCabe, hearing aid technician who is six months pregnant, was keen to have the injection. She said: “I’d never bothered with the flu jab before but as I’m now pregnant I wanted to protect myself and my baby, as well as my other colleagues.”

The campaign got off to a great start with 3253 (42.2%) of healthcare workers vaccinated in the first three weeks

This included the following uptake by staff group: Doctors – 53.2% Nurses, midwives and health visitors – 37.3% All other professionally qualified clinical staff – 44.2% Support to clinical staff – 43.5%

So let’s take the challenge and increase the trust uptake even more this year.

If staff have any questions or queries in relation to the flu vaccination or where you can get your flu vaccination contact the occupational health department on extension 52482 at James Cook.

Inject even more into patient care

Maternity staff get their jab from flu champion Lynn Young who vaccinated hundreds of staff in the first week

Front page picture: Hearing aid technician Kimberley McCabe, who is six months pregnant, gets her flu jab from Eileen Tilley, occupational health nurse

THE FOURTH cardiac catheter lab has opened at James Cook providing state-of-the-art facilities for local heart patients.

An examination room fitted with diagnostic imaging equipment to support the catheterisation procedure, the fourth lab, which cost approximately £2M to fit and equip will help ensure patients are treated more quickly and their hospital stay is reduced.

The new lab is specifically designed for TAVI procedures

– transcatheter aortic valve implantation – an advanced procedure in which a team of specially trained consultants replace narrowed heart valves without the need for open-heart surgery. More floor space allows greater flexibility during procedures for the surgical and cardiology teams involved.

Specialist x-ray equipment in the lab has excellent image quality and lower radiation dose saving features benefiting patients and staff. Extra monitors and theatre lighting allow improved visibility for all the medical team. Cameras can also be installed in the lights

to record what the surgeon sees during

a procedure which can

be used for teaching and education purposes in future.

The first patient to use the new facility was Carole Harris, 69, former nurse from Guisborough who had a coronary angiogram on 31 May 2012. She said: “My treatment at James Cook was excellent, I could not fault it.

“I found out I was going to be the first patient to

have my angiogram in the new lab when I was waiting on the ward, so it was a bit of a surprise.

“I was a bit nervous and wondering about what

was going to happen and

what the results would be, but everything was fine and went to plan. All the hospital staff were lovely, top class and they looked after me very well.”

Dr Andrew Sutton, consultant cardiologist, said: “We are delighted with the success of our fourth catheter lab and 300 patients have had procedures carried out in it so far.

“We are continuing to improve and develop our service to ensure patients are benefiting from the latest technology and the trust is at the forefront of developing heart services.”

NOTHING is too small when it comes to enhancing patient comforts while they are in James Cook.

That’s the view of Dr Adrian Davies, chair of South Cleveland Heart Fund, who is shown handing over an iPod-compatible sound system to staff nurse Sian Davies-Wilson,

left, and assistant practitioner Joanne Ingledew.

Dr Davies said: “The heart fund has not only spent large amounts such as £140,000 on vital equipment for the new fourth catheter lab, but this £60 sound system will enable patients to play their favourite music while undergoing their procedure.”

South Cleveland Heart Fund has also generously provided a television for the cardiac investigation unit’s waiting room.

Fourth catheter lab open

Heart rhythm

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Top team: Fourth cardiac catheter lab staff

Consultant cardiologist Dr Richard Wright

with first patient Carole Harris in the fourth cath lab at

James Cook

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THE stop smoking team took to the streets to urge smokers to join the tens of thousands of people taking part in Stoptober - the nation’s biggest ever stop smoking drive.

Roadshows were held in Redcar, Middlesbrough and Guisborough with stop smoking advisors from the trust’s health improvement team on hand to offer support and advice.

Event organiser Claire Moore said: “Stoptober certainly boosted the number of people coming for appointments with our stop smoking advisors. A lot of people saw the TV adverts or our street events.”

Research shows those who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to stay smokefree.

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “Most people who smoke begin as children and go on to regret ever starting. Most would love to be rid of tobacco for the sake of their health, for their children and to have more money in their pocket.

“People don’t always find quitting that easy, even though some smokers do manage it first time. But people can make the process easier by using a friendly and free NHS Stop Smoking Service, which boosts your chances of stopping for good.”

To find your local stop smoking service visit www.southtees.nhs.uk/services/health-improvement/stop-smoking or call 01287 284487.

Stoptober success

Your opinions matterEVERY year the trust takes part in the NHS national staff survey because we are keen to learn of your views regarding your employment experience around a number of key areas including your personal development, your job, your health, wellbeing and safety for example.

We are now a month into the survey having gone out to all staff. If you haven’t sent your survey back yet, its takes about 20 minutes to complete and is important to return so we can get your feedback to not only improve your experience and IWL leads from across the trust ahead of one of their meetings

“Contact your local stop smoking service and boost your

chances of stopping for

good.”

A GROUNDBREAKING new service for couples looking for a permanent method of birth control, as their families are complete - and for women where childbirth presents a risk - is soon to be provided at the Friarage Hospital. The ESSURE permanent birth control system manufactured by Conceptus is a minimally invasive technique designed to provide a non-surgical alternative for women seeking sterilisation which involves no anaesthesia, no cutting and just a simple 10-minute process (average time).

Two consultant led outpatient clinics a month are planned at the Friarage and currently over 25 women are waiting for the new procedure.

The quick and convenient method of female sterilisation is 99.83% effective based on five years of follow up with zero pregnancies reported in clinical trials. Before Essure women opting for sterilisation would need a day case

admission for an operation to have their ‘tubes tied’.

A doctor uses a hysteroscope - a narrow telescope - to insert two soft and flexible inserts into each fallopian tube and tissue develops around the inserts closing the fallopian tubes.

A confirmation test is taken three months after the procedure to confirm the device is in the correct position and been successfully implanted. During this time, couples must continue to use alternative methods of contraception.

Dr Suzie Peatman, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, said: “We are delighted to be offering this service at the Friarage for local women.

“I think it’s very important that women make choices for themselves and we finally have a technique comparable in simplicity, accessibility, and safety to vasectomy in men. The procedure is

undertaken as an outpatient procedure, meaning women can resume their normal activities quickly.”

Nicola Pearson was the first patient to have the procedure at the Friarage. Following the birth of son, Noah, Nicola, 37, from Middlesbrough, had heart and other medical problems leaving her at high risk for a general anaesthetic procedure. She decided she did not want any more babies as it would be too dangerous for her and the Essure procedure was the perfect solution.

She said: “The whole experience has been very positive for me. The treatment was very quick and convenient, though a little embarrassing. I am glad I did not have to have surgery and it only took an hour, from start to finish, and I was home again.

“With my health problems it was the most suitable treatment for me and I was soon back to normal. I would recommend it.”

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Family planning made easier

(left to right) Nicola Child, clinical trainer Conceptus, Jo Stracey obstetrics and gynaecology outpatients department manager Friarage, Deborah Travis sonographer, Chris Coates nurse hysteroscopist, Nicola Pearson, Dr Suzie Peatman and Jane Shaw pre-assessment sister

(left to right) Dr Suzie Peatman, Chris Coates, nurse hysteroscopist, and Nicola Pearson

satisfaction at work but to also improve the quality and experience of our patients’ journeys whether that be as an inpatient, outpatient or within their own home.

Thank you for your on-going feedback and commitment to completing the staff survey. For those of you who haven’t completed a staff survey before, which could be for various reasons including not being randomly selected by Capita last year as part of the sample survey, you are new to the trust, or because you decided last year not to fill one out, then please take this opportunity to provide us with your personal views and opinions of your work experience, job satisfaction and work environment, whether this be negative or positive.

All staff feedback is extremely valuable and the results of the staff survey are used by each division and directorate to develop

action plans which act upon key themes pertinent to your work area and these are developed by your IWL leads, divisional manager and chief of service.

Your improving working lives (IWL) lead plays a key role in the representation of IWL issues within your work area and across the trust and they attend bi-monthly meetings which have the purpose of ensuring development and progress against the themes of the staff survey. If you don’t know who your IWL lead is then go to the IWL page on the trust intranet or contact human resources on extension 54805 JCUH.

We are aiming high and would love to see all divisions and directorates achieve a response rate of over 90%. The latest you can return your survey to Capita is the 3 December 2012. We will keep you updated on how each division and directorate are doing on their response rates.

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THE trust’s cancer strategy has now been operational for 18 months and great progress has been made in all areas of patient care. Key to the strategy is the vision of a world-class cancer centre that:• Is patient focused• Is a first choice provider for

patients and carers• Has outcomes which are

best in class nationally and internationally

• Is an employer of choice for oncology expertise in

Cancer strategy outlines improvements for patients

Stop sepsis save livesCRITICAL care staff have stepped up the fight against sepsis by providing every ward with its own sepsis box.

Launched to mark World Sepsis Day, the boxes contain everything needed to deliver six crucial steps – known as the sepsis six - to patients within an hour of staff identifying the deadly disease.

These lifesaving steps include giving intravenous antibiotics and oxygen and taking blood tests.

Despite advances in modern medicine sepsis remains the biggest cause of death from infection – every few seconds, someone in the world dies of sepsis.

Critical care consultant, Dr Isabel Gonzalez said: “Early identification and treatment is key. As soon as a member of

staff suspects sepsis they have to screen the patient.

“Sepsis is a medical emergency and it’s crucial that the public and healthcare professionals recognise the symptoms and access treatment straight away.

“For every hour delayed giving antibiotics the patient survival rate decreases by around 7%.

“Sepsis causes more deaths each year than prostate cancer, breast cancer and HIV combined but rapid intervention can reduce the risk of death by as much as 50% which is why we are trying to raise awareness of this disease.”

Sepsis boxes have been given to wards at James Cook and the Friarage as well as urgent care units.

The trust is also launching

a new pre-hospital and community hospital sepsis screening tool as part of a regional initiative to increase survival rates.

Medical director Rob Wilson added: “I think the clinical evidence is indisputable. Early and evidenced based intervention saves lives in sepsis.”

What is sepsis?Sepsis arises when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs. It can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death, especially if it’s not treated quickly.

Signs and symptomsIf you feel ‘severely sick’, ‘that something is wrong’, or ‘you are not yourself’, and you have a suspected/diagnosed infection or you show any of the following symptoms, you should suspect sepsis:• Weakness• Loss of appetite• Fever and chills• Confusion and lethargy• Thirst• Signs of worsening organ

function such as: - Difficult or rapid breathing - Rapid heart rate - Low blood pressure - Low urine output

The critical care team’s World Sepsis Day event at James Cook

Critical care’s Carol Catterick helps deliver the sepsis boxes to wards at the Friarage

South Tees rated highly as cancer patients share their experiencesCANCER patients have, again, shared their experiences of the care and treatment they received at South Tees with 90% rating it as excellent or very good.

More than 800 patients took part in the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey for 2011, which sets out a roadmap for how the NHS can meet their needs.

The trust was one of 158 trusts who took part in the survey and of the 1,250

all disciplines• Academic services which are

internationally respected• Maximises the use of resources

Talking Point details some of the key areas of improvement made to date:• A dedicated head and neck

ward - ward 35 at James Cook - for the locality and specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT). All patients needing inpatient surgery for head and neck cancer are now nursed on ward 35 and admission is through an operational policy

• Significant improvement in core membership of most MDTs ensuring the care of all patients with cancer is formally reviewed by a specialist team as outlined in the NHS Cancer Plan

• Promotion of good working relationships between MDT coordinators and specialist nurses enhancing their job satisfaction and quality of life

• An active patient and carer group has been developed which is used as an example of good practice by North East Cancer Network. The group provides support, advice and experience to the network site-specific groups, peer review and the MDTs. It has hosted

visiting members of staff from other hospitals

throughout the network to share

best practice. Good progress has been made with nutrition, food and car

parking issues

and the group has played a key part in the implementation of the survivorship market place event being in November

• Assessment bay - ward 14 at James Cook - developed with funding from Macmillan to ensure patients are seen, treated and cared for in the most appropriate setting. This service offers swift advice to all health care professionals who need an opinion from oncology

• The project for full replacement of old video conferencing technology will be completed

in November. This will ensure facilities are available to see and speak to members of the MDTs who are off site and share information with them

Louise Shutt, cancer services manager, said: “The cancer strategy has seven main work streams with clinical and management leads identified for each one. It is an ambitious strategy with a vision to deliver world-class services and everyone involved has worked tirelessly to ensure it delivers improvements for our patients.

Cancer strategy outlines improvements for patients

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South Tees rated highly as cancer patients share their experienceseligible patients who received a questionnaire, 823 filled it in – a 71% response rate.

In the survey, patients were asked to rate their whole experience – from seeing their GP and having diagnostic tests, through to the care and treatment they received in hospital, access to staff, the quality of information given and the discussion and inclusion into clinical research trials.

The key local findings and comments included:

• 83% of patients felt that they were given enough

written information

• 94% said they were listened to carefully by their specialist nurse

• 90% commented that their admission date was not changed

• 84% said they had confidence and trust in the doctor who was treating them

• 84% of nurses did not talk in front of the patient as if they were not there

• 92% said they always had enough privacy when being examined

The survey revealed that there are some key areas for development and improvement which included:

• Patients felt that they were not given a choice of different treatments to consider

• That cancer research trials were not discussed with patients

• Patients would have liked more time with their treating physician

• Patients could not always contact their specialist nurse when they needed to

• Families not given enough information to help care at home

Cancer lead nurse Nicky Hand said: “Providing effective cancer care isn’t just about clinical evidence, we must also listen and learn from people affected by cancer as this will help us to shape local services and, hopefully, improve outcomes.

“The cancer services team is now going through the report in detail and will work with the clinical teams to improve for next year.”

Staff from ward 35, head and neck ward with deputy cancer services manager, Janice Worton (left)

Mr Viswanath, lead cancer clinician,

Ingrid Walker, deputy director performance management, Louise

Shutt and Nicky Hand, cancer lead nurse

Trust to capture ‘real-time’ patient stories to improve servicesA NEW project capturing real-time patient experiences in hospital wards and departments – and reviewing their feedback directly with the teams involved in their care - will soon be underway at South Tees.The trust, in partnership with King’s College Hospital in London and University Hospitals of South Manchester, has received over £100,000 of national funding to film patients talking about their experiences of care.

Their stories will then be shown to – and discussed with – the clinical teams looking after them and

improvement plans drawn up and tracked based on the insights in the video.

It is hoped the ideas and lessons learned will not only be shared with colleagues in the organisation but also lead to wider improvements and change across the NHS.

Assistant director of nursing/children’s champion Alison Smith said: “This is a great opportunity for us to see the work that goes on through the lens of people who actually use our services – whether that’s on a ward or in an outpatient clinic.

“Not only will it be of use to the teams directly involved in the patient’s care, it will be shared with other services and staff at all levels, as well as the Board, so that we routinely focus on listening to – and acting on – patient feedback and make changes to our services.

“This isn’t about tick box exercises but proper engagement – starting with the patient telling us what matters most to them.”

The project was one of only nine successful bids, from

140 across the country, to receive funding from the NHS Patient Feedback Challenge fund, which is designed to find and spread great approaches which use

feedback form patients to improve services.

The fund is managed by the NHS Institute for Innovation

and Improvement and funded by the Department of Health and the final projects have to be completed by the end of March 2013.

Already, two areas have been identified to take part in the initiative at South Tees – the orthodontic outpatient department (from a young patient’s viewpoint) and capturing the experiences of a group of patients with COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – in both acute and community settings.

For more information about the project please contact Alison Smith by email at alison.smith@stees.nhs.uk or on extensions 64629 or 55781.

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British Empire Medal for CarolCAROL McGee has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s birthday honours list for services to Bilsdale.

Carol was team leader in community services in Hambleton and Richmondshire managing a range of community services, including district nursing, falls, continence and lymphoedema, before retiring in February.

She started nursing at what was Hemlington Hospital in 1972 completing her training in Middlesbrough before getting her dream job as district nursing sister and community midwife attached

to Stokesley GPs working for Northallerton Health Services and covering a lot of the Bilsdale area.

Carol has served Bilsdale for many years as parish councillor and plays a major role in the local community.

She produces the Bilsdale Beacon newsletter keeping local people up to date with what is happening in the area and is a former foundation governor of Chop Gate Church of England School appointed by the Diocese of York.

A churchwarden of St Hilda’s Church since 1989, she has also been a member of Stokesley Deanery Synod for a lot of years and previously served on the pastoral committee.

Carol said: “I was absolutely thrilled to get this award, but very shocked. It is an honour and I am delighted to accept it on behalf of Bilsdale.”

Carol with Lord Crathorne,

Queen’s Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire

“This isn’t about tick

box exercises but proper

engagement.”

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Red tabards – keep patients safeSOUTH Tees is committed to patient safety and developing innovative ways to improve safety, patient experience and outcomes.

Red tabards have been piloted on the acute stroke unit, ward 28 at James Cook and Ainderby ward at the Friarage aimed at improving the safety of medicines administration and reducing the risk of drug errors.

A ward from each division was also involved in the pilot and the women and children division has used them on ward 17 at James Cook for three years.

The red tabard is worn over the registered nurses uniform during every drug round alerting patients, visitors and other staff on the ward the nurse is administering medicines and should not be disturbed unnecessarily.

Drug rounds can be complex and vary due to the type of medicines involved

and the nurse’s experience. Wearing the red tabard reduces interruptions and distractions and allows nurses to concentrate more easily and focus on patients’ needs and providing the help and advice they need to take their medications safely and effectively.

Other ward staff are always available on the ward to care for the other patients and to answer queries and the tabards are not about limiting the unique relationship nurses have with their patients.

A safeguard aimed at raising the importance of nurses being able to administer medicines in a safe environment. They also assure patients the most important aspects of their care are being delivered to the highest possible safety standards.

Ward manager, Joanne Elliott, said: “We are committed to doing the very best for our patients and to keep them safe and this is a small change which can have a huge benefit.

“The red tabard increases everyone’s awareness of the importance of nurses being able to administer medications safely and ultimately reduces the potential for medication errors.”

Following the successful pilot, the red tabard scheme is being rolled out across the trust’s hospitals.

Registered nurse, Susan McCann on the medication round on ward 28, James Cook

Olympic winnerWHILE the world’s top athletes fought it out for a place on the podium acting chief executive Tricia Hart set an Olympic challenge of her own on the trust blog.

Tricia promised a bottle of champagne to the first person to correctly guess how many medals team GB would get their hands on at London 2012.

The closest person to the winning total was cancer information support officer Mark Williams who guessed 47 medals compared to the actual tally of 65.

The blog, which can be accessed via the trust intranet and the community portal, continues to prove popular with more than139,541 hits since its launch last year. Recent topics have ranged from the possibility of creating an internet café to staff views on new uniforms.

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Why Brian regrets his ‘six-minute holidays’BRIAN Echlin loved to feel the rays on his skin, anywhere, anytime. Holiday beaches, apartment balconies, beside the hotel pool and regular ‘six minute holidays’ in tanning booths.

Then in 2007, after being referred to the specialist skin service for opinion on two scabs on his chest, came a shock. They were basal-cell carcinomas (BCCs) – the most common skin cancer.

Brian, 46, from Wynyard, said: “I’ve always loved being in sunshine, ever since I was a small child. I can remember the days back in the summers during the 70s when I’d be down on the beach with my parents, but I can never remember having sun-cream on.

“There were loads of times when I had the calamine lotion on to cool down the sunburn. As I’ve grown through life, I’ve lived for hot holidays and felt happy at having a healthy tan.”

The menswear manager at fashion store Psyche, added: “In this line of work,

being image-conscious is part and parcel of the job. Before I was diagnosed with the BCCs, every day during my lunch break I’d nip over the road and have six minutes in a tanning booth, but now, after seeing that I was ‘overdosing’ my skin to radiation, I regret the frequency of my visits.

Brian, who used to be a hairdresser and even moved to Spain for a six-month period because of his desire to be in sunshine, said: “Now, I’m so much more careful about looking after my skin. When on holidays I always apply sun-cream and wear T-shirts.

“Over the past four and a half years I’ve been treated for 12 BCCs and now I have regular three-monthly check-ups. I’ve seen first-hand the damage excessive radiation can cause. It was a big shock when I was first told, but thankfully for me they were found in time.

“I would urge anyone who has a scab

on their skin that wasn’t a result of a recent cut to visit your GP and if you are referred to the specialist skin service at the One Life centre in Middlesbrough you’ll find an amazing group of friendly staff. I can’t fault their fantastic support and advice and the doctors are brilliant.”

Brian Echlin receives

treatment at the One Life centre in

Middlesbrough

FRIENDS and colleagues of Sue O’Higgins wished her well on her retirement. Sue, a specialist nurse in glaucoma, had worked for the trust for over 20 years, having started her career in the eye theatre in the North Riding Infirmary. After six years in the theatre she specialised in the treatment of glaucoma.

Sue, who with her husband Dermot also offer respite care to foster families, says she thoroughly loved

her job. She said: “The best parts were building

sustained relationships with regular patients and

working with such a great team.”

Sue added that she is looking forward to enjoying retirement and has no major plans for her time, although at her retirement lunch her colleagues kept teasing her about getting a dog.

Jeanne Middleton, sister in ophthalmology outpatients, said: “Sue is an absolutely lovely person, very conscientious, polite and a true professional. We wish her well, but will miss her very much.”

Sue eyes retirement

Sister Jeanne Middleton presents Sue with flowers watched by her colleagues

Academy for Healthcare Science launched at House of LordsTHE trust’s director of medical physics has helped launch the Academy for Healthcare Science - a new organisation working for the benefit of healthcare scientists across the UK.

Dr Iain Chambers is also the chairman of the Association of Clinical Scientists and it was through this role he was asked to help set up the academy.

He said: “The academy has a wonderful opportunity to provide a voice for all the

wide and varied aspects of healthcare science.

“Healthcare scientists have the ability to make significant improvements to health and to innovate and to develop high quality research. I am sure the academy can get that message out to a wider audience.”

The academy has been operating in shadow form since March 2011 with Dr Chambers as chairman.

He recently handed over the reins to Sir Duncan Nichol who said: “We look forward to rolling out our products and services which will prove essential to scientists

working in UK healthcare, and to strengthening the

representative voice of this crucial part of the NHS.”

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Jo becomes second woman with multiple sclerosis to swim channelA SENIOR biomedical scientist has become the second woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) ever to swim the English Channel.

Johanna (Jo) Barkwith, who works in the pathology department at James Cook,

joined five other swimmers to complete the gruelling 22-mile crossing from Dover to Calais.

The team faced giant jellyfish, an irate spear-fisherman and strong currents which meant the distance swam was actually more like 26 miles but the girls did not let anything get in their way.

Known as the Aspire Manx Minkes, the team rotated swimming for an hour at a time wearing only their swimming costumes, goggles and hats to raise

more than £17,000 for Aspire, a charity supporting people with spinal injuries.

“There were barrel jellyfish about the size of a large dinner plate - thankfully they weren’t poisonous,” said Jo, who has become the third person, and the second woman, with MS to complete the swimming

equivalent of climbing Everest!

“Having MS does complicate things but I take that as it comes. The only thing that was going to stop us was the

weather, and that was very good.

“It’s amazing to be able to say I’m the only the second woman with MS ever to complete the challenge. We are the sixth fastest team this year and probably the quickest all girl team too!”

Jo said the sea temperature was a comfortable 18 degrees - much warmer than the North Sea at Saltburn where she trained in temperatures of just 12 degrees.

Jo took on the challenge in memory of her late husband Robert, who taught her to swim. It was her love of horses and climbing that inspired her to support a spinal charity.

The Channel is still one of the most challenging and sought after swimming events in the world. Twice the number of people have climbed Everest than have successfully swum this stretch of water.

Visit www.justgiving.com/Johanna-Addyman to pledge your support.

(from left to right) Dr Iain Chambers, Earl of Lindsay, Sir Duncan Nichol, chair of the Academy for Healthcare Scientist, Professor Sue Hill, chief scientific officer and Derek Bishop, president of the Institute of Biomedical Science

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Consultant rides over to say thanks to fundraisers

It’s NICE in that hot seat!CLINICAL guidelines, postcode lotteries – it’s NICE in that hot seat!

The National Institute for Clinical Health and Excellence was at James Cook hospital in September for a question time session with staff and members of the public, followed by a public board meeting.

Its chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said: “Every two months the NICE Board meets in a different venue, moving from region to region to ensure that all those interested in its work can come along to hear about latest developments and ask questions about the work we do. We had an excellent response to our event in Middlesbrough.”

IN tribute to more than 30 staff from John Morfield Ltd who completed a gruelling 140-mile bike ride and raised thousands of pounds for the renal unit at James Cook, Dr John Main, clinical director of nephrology, cycled to the firm’s headquarters to pick up the generous cheque.

The catalyst for this group challenge was Phil Davis, director with the Thornaby-based filtration specialists, who was referred to the hospital’s renal investigation unit where he was informed he was suffering from deteriorating kidney function.

Phil had a successful kidney transplant in January 2011 and was so pleased with the treatment and care he received, he promised himself he would repay the

hospitals concerned with a fundraiser that would challenge him to complete.

The grateful 52 year-old from Middlesbrough wanted to give something back to the renal departments at both James Cook and Freeman Hospital, while at the same time raising the profile of renal disease, its causes and the treatments that are available.

He vowed to get fit enough to attempt the gruelling coast-to-coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to Sunderland to raise funds for the renal research fund and Phil’s work colleagues were extremely supportive, so much so that 30 of them got on their bikes to ride with him.

Phil said: “The support I have had has been phenomenal. I never envisaged it being such a large event, but I’m ever so grateful to everyone involved. Initially, we had hoped to raise £10,000, but we have been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and have now reached £15,500.

“All the doctors and nursing staff gave me total and

absolute care at every stage and I have so much gratitude for my donor and their family, for giving me the chance of a better quality of life. My transplant has been life changing; I have more energy and a better outlook on life. My immune suppression medication is for life but is a small price to pay for a healthy outcome.”

Dr Main, who is Phil’s consultant, added: “This has been a fantastic effort, especially considering that many of the riders were not regular cyclists beforehand, and the weather was awful. The amount raised is extremely impressive, but perhaps the biggest benefit is the reminder to the renal team just how much their efforts are valued. It is a big boost to staff morale to have such a visible show of appreciation.

“It takes dozens of NHS staff to make these things happen and I hope everyone who has helped care for Phil in any way realises that their contribution has been recognised.”

Dr John Main, (front left), with Phil Davis watched by the riders and support staff from John Morfield Ltd

Just doing an amazing job!“I WAS just doing my job” – that was the modest response from staff right across the trust at this year’s thank you awards.

Every day staff across the trust are making a huge difference to people’s lives but the thank you awards recognise those who really have gone way beyond what is expected of them in their everyday role.

Staff and patients are invited to nominate teams or individuals and these are then judged by a panel of senior staff and trust governors.

Winners this year included staff nurse Paul Coyne who chased and apprehended a thief who had stolen a patient’s handbag from accident and emergency, porter David Nutt who ran to assist a woman who had collapsed in a bus stop and Dr Fathi Azribi who acted as an interpreter and gave up his own time when the trust was approached by the Department of Health to provide care for four civilian Libyan patients.

Awards were also presented to consultant Maurice Hawthorne and the ear nose and throat (ENT) team, service administrator Cath Coulton, Susan Farley from the catering department, staff nurse Claire Davies, specialist nurses Alison Murray and Kelly Rowe, healthcare assistant Jackie Lapham, Deborah Milburn from hotel services, Karen Benson from theatre supplies, clinical lead Kerri Ann Davies, healthcare assistants Sharron Ryan and Leanne Collinson, Friarage gardener Martyn Coyle, healthcare assistant Julie Dixon, ward clerk Julie Smith, ward clerk Barbara Nixon, staff nurse Diane Wallace, staff nurse Anne Jackson and paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) administrator Chris Byrne.

A packed Middlesbrough Teaching and Learning centre heard how all these staff had gone the extra mile but as they collected their awards from trust chairman Deborah Jenkins they told the audience it was all in a day’s work!

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Staff nurse Paul Coyne

Thank you awards in the form of certificates and bonds are provided from a charity fund, thanks to money generously donated by grateful patients who want to reward staff for their work above and beyond the call of their normal duties.

If you would like to nominate an individual member of staff, a team or group for a thank you award:• Write to the chief executive’s office, The Murray Building, The James

Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW. • Email margaret.blakey@stees.nhs.uk• Complete a thank you award nomination form. These are available from

reception areas, public relations and the trust website

3,000 years of NHS memories!

Long service awards

DOCTORS, district nurses, clinical coders and medical secretaries were just a fraction of our staff who shared some of their combined 3,000 years of NHS memories at this year’s Long Service Awards.

Colleagues, with 25 years or more NHS service under their belt got together at Middlesbrough Teaching and Learning Centre for the special event.

As each staff member received a special certificate from chairman Deborah Jenkins, she invited them to share a favourite memory, reflect on the changes they had seen over the years and asked for a few suggestions on how we could improve.

As usual staff did not disappoint and some really interesting suggestions were made including:

• The need to capture a greater community spirit within our teams, particularly on a large site like James Cook

• Involving nurses more in commissioning decisions

• More staff benefits – like a gym!

• Greater appreciation for a job well done – particularly in these challenging times

• Wearing your uniforms with pride

• Better IT systems (which is being addressed)

• More joined up care

• Valuing staff – and the work they do – at all levels

• Taking ‘time out’ with your own teams

The awards were presented in order of how many years staff had worked for the NHS with Carol Ann McGee

from community adult services (Northallerton) and Susan Nary and Vanessa Truscott (both pathology) rewarded for more than 40 years’ service.

Chairman Deborah Jenkins said: “If you add up the years that all these staff have worked in the NHS, it’s more than 3,000 years of experience between them – that really is amazing.

“These awards are a well-deserved thank you to our staff for all those years of hard work and dedication.”

* If you have completed more than 25 years service in the NHS keep an eye on staff bulletin for details of how to put yourself forward for a long service award in 2013.

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“These awards are a well-deserved thank you to our staff for all those

years of hard work and dedication.”

Excellent care from amazing people

Star awards

EVERY day our 9,000 staff give amazing care, treatment and support to people from across the region who depend on them.

Our staff – whether working in our hospitals or local communities, clinical or support services – do amazing things to provide the excellent harm free care that South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is known for locally, regionally and nationally.

To publicly recognise and celebrate those excellent services and the star staff who run them we hold the trust’s annual Star Awards. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors we’re planning a gala awards evening early in 2013, and everyone working in the trust as well as our brilliant volunteers is eligible for the awards.

By nominating teams or individuals who really demonstrate excellence in what they do you can play your part in saying thank you to our amazing staff and volunteers.

The award categoriesAnyone can nominate a team or individual for the following awards. Teams and individuals can self nominate but they must have the endorsement of their line manager.• Clinical team of the year• Behind the scenes award• Partnership working award• Innovation award• Volunteer of the year• The Margaret Toase unsung

hero award• Together we can award• Chairman’s award

For more information about the categories and what you need to do to enter or nominate someone for an award, check out the intranet or the community services portal.

Jill Atkinson

Judith Ann Atkinson

Susanna Averell

Jacqueline Bennett

Cheryl Betts

Julie Anne Binks

Janice Bollands

Graham Bone

Pamela Brammer

Kay Branch

Fiona Christine Bryce

Angela Burton

Donna Campbell

Joanne Carling

Katherine Charles

Carolyn Claxton

Denise Coates

Angela Corr

Teresa Craig

Sian Meira Crooks

Lesley Colley

Susan Melanie Crofts

Carmel Deacy

Eileen Dale

Sarah Danieli

Kerri Ann Davies

Allison Davis

Christine Dunn

Maxine Dunn

Timothy Faint

Carolyn Fawcett

Ann Marie Forrest

Christine Elizabeth Fox

Helen Georgina Gate

Fay Gillanders

Joanna Gladwin

Linda Goodall

Simon David Gregory

Beverley Groom

Janet Habbishaw

Anne Hardwick

Neil Hebblethwaite

Penelope Anne Hepplestone

Avril Hodgson

Heather Hulyer

Joyce Huitson

Suzanne Jenkinson

Angela Lantsbery

Alison Lenigan

Margaret Lewis

Valerie Ruth Lunn

Elaine Ann McArthur

Patricia McClurey

Heather McCosh

Suzanne McFarlane

Carol Ann Mcgee

Amanda McGough

Pamela McIvor

Susan Jane Malcolm

Denise March

Keith Milligan

Jayne Mitchell

Lydia Muir

Deborah Mulholland

Geoffrey Naisby

Susan Nary

Valerie Nugent

Christine Elizabeth Peake

Maureen Pearce

Christine Pletts

Angela Radigan

Jill Rahman

Gillian Sammon

Jean Elizabeth Scott

Lesley Secker

Angela Shaftoe

Wendy Shepherd

Christine Smith

Dorothy Smith

Kimberley Smith

Julie Stonehouse

Gilda Stubbs

Judith Sullivan

Karen Marie Sweeney

Eileen Truman

Vanessa Truscott

Susan Walker

Linda Wallace

Christine Ward

Julie Waugh

Susan Wilkin

Shirley Westwood

Elaine Wonnacott

Patricia Wood

Janice Worton

Jean Young

Long Service Awards 2012

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WHEN Joanne Wombwell went into labour at just 23 weeks and five days she was rushed all the way from Chesterfield to Middlesbrough to give her twins the best chance of survival.

Local hospitals did not have the facilities or expertise to deal with such complex births so Joanne, 31, had to make a 999 ambulance journey to James Cook in heavy snow with husband Tony, 39, following closely behind.

A few hours later Jensen and Amelia came into the world. The tiny babies each weighed less than 2lb and had to undergo heart surgery at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and laser eye surgery at James Cook.

The twins – now aged 22 months - spent the first four months of their life on the James Cook neonatal ward before being allowed home.

Joanne and Tony were so impressed with the care and support they received that they have nominated the whole neonatal team as NHS Heroes.

Joanne said: “The unit gave us amazing care and support and saved our twins and there is no way we could ever repay them. If anyone deserves this recognition they do.”

Tony added: “Every family that we met on the unit said the same - the care was amazing and the staff were lovely. I don’t think we could have got through it without them.”

Anne Wall, clinical matron for neonates said: “The team on the neonatal unit are very proud to have been nominated. It is a great privilege to be in a position to give the babies and families in our care the best start in life when they have been born in difficult circumstances.”

If anyone deserves this award they do

Always going that extra mileTHE motor neurone disease team at James Cook have been named as NHS Heroes for continuously going that extra mile.

Colin Pearson and Sonia Henman of the MND Association nominated the team on ward 25 to thank them for “providing a lifeline” to those with MND from across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire.

Colin said: “They all work as part of the MND care centre at James Cook for a small amount of time each week as part of their specialist roles, yet the support that they give those individuals with MND and their families is substantially over and above their contracted hours and they always go the extra mile for their patients.

“We have the most wonderful team. We could not do it without them. They are absolutely brilliant.”

Special stars

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A small token of our thanksRICHARD and Tracy Clarke were presented with a special star plaque in recognition the fact they have raised a staggering £225,000 to improve epilepsy care for young people in the area.

The couple set up a charity called Abbie’s Love in memory of the daughter they lost to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy when she was just

Five years of fundraisingTHE Friends of the holistic cancer care centre received special thanks for their fundraising efforts.

Over the past five years the friends have raised more than £153,400 to provide support therapies to cancer patients to complement the orthodox treatments of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

The dedicated group have organised everything from a Pink Ball to a sponsored firewalk and have even created their own cook books to raise funds for the centre which is based on the James Cook site.

10 years old.

Teaming up with James Cook they launched the Abbie Clarke Epilepsy Trust Fund and thanks to the endless fundraising efforts from Abbie’s family, friends and classmates the fund is making a real difference to people with epilepsy.

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Stephen Guy, Macmillan development manager for the North East, said: “We developed this award because research suggests the environment can also improve the healing process for patients.

Patients get top class treatment at James Cook but there is now an excellent environment to support that. I’m sure your patients will appreciate your efforts.”

Director of operational services Susan Watson added: “When we look at what we have now compared to what we had a couple of years ago there is a phenomenal difference.”

Excellent environment leads to award

In memory of DorothyDorothy Sigsworth 6 February 1937 – 9 July 2012

DOROTHY Sigsworth sadly passed away peacefully earlier this year with all her family round her at the Highland Hospice in Inverness.

Dorothy was well respected and popular at the trust and will be fondly remembered and missed by everyone who knew her.

Involved in the health service for over 40 years and a previous chairman of the Community Health Council she joined the trust at its foundation.

A hard working and dedicated non-executive director for eight years from 1993 to August 2002 among other roles, she was also chairman of local pain charity, Free from Pain, and carried out a lot of charity work and helped many good causes over the years.

Dorothy’s son, Andrew Sigsworth who works for information support at the trust would like to thank colleagues and friends for their support and help over the past few months on behalf of the family.

To celebrate Dorothy’s life, a tree will be planted and blessed in her memory at James Cook.

Dorothy and guide dog, Greta

Liftshare scheme launchedTHE recent staff travel survey showed over a third of trust staff would be willing to try car-sharing as a more environmentally friendly option. We have listened to you and in partnership with Liftshare can now offer a bespoke car sharing scheme, which links into the largest car-sharing database in the UK.

To be eligible to car share, you and your partner must both be in the car parking scheme, and must plan to share at least three days per week.

Lift-sharing is very flexible and arrangements can vary to suit your needs and preferences.

Staff who fit the criteria to car share, and sign up to be BUDi teams will receive:• reduced car

parking fees• free taxi ride home

in emergencies • guaranteed parking

in car park 9 (James Cook staff only)

For further details visit www.southtees.nhs.uk/staff/lift-share/ or to apply on the trust intranet, go to the travel plan and select Liftshare.com.

THE chemotherapy day unit at James Cook has received an environmental quality mark from Macmillan Cancer Support.

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STAFF and visitors found it hard to resist temptation when cake stalls popped up around the trust to support the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Macmillan volunteers manned events in the atrium at James Cook and in the hub at the Friarage with refreshments, cake stalls, a tombola and a raffle helping to raise a

total of £1410.14

Julie Taylor, Macmillan cancer information

manager, said: “A great

big thank you goes to the volunteers, the staff of Blakemores and everyone else who donated prizes and gave their time

and effort to make the two coffee mornings the

best ever.

Piece of cake!

“Helping to support cancer patients and their carers.”

Macmillan volunteers in the atrium at James Cook

Star appealPATIENTS, staff and visitors are invited to do their bit for Macmillan Cancer Support this Christmas by hanging a personal message on the trust’s Christmas tree.

The Christmas Stars appeal invites anyone who has lost a loved one to place a message of remembrance on the Christmas tree in the atrium at James Cook.

Anyone leaving a message on the tree is asked to make a donation to the charity to help provide support for future cancer patients.

The fundraiser will bring staff, patients and relatives together with a Christmas carol service of remembrance in the atrium at James Cook on Tuesday 4 December 2012 from 7pm.

Conducted by trust chaplain, Reverend Malcolm Masterman, the evening will feature music from the Angrove Singers and will be followed by tea, coffee and mince pies and the chance to chat to Macmillan staff and volunteers and the hospital chaplains.

Reverend Malcolm Masterman, said: “The Christmas Stars appeal is the perfect way to remember a loved one over the festive period.

“Every donation helps to provide practical, emotional and financial support for cancer patients.”

To receive a Christmas star to hang on the tree contact the Macmillan information centre at James Cook on 01642 835674.

Coffee time at the Friarage

Johnny Connors, 3, tucks into a cup cake in the atrium

AFTER spending more than two months on the children’s ward at James Cook, Jayden Beckett has a pretty good idea of what a doctor’s job involves.

In fact the four-year-old was so concerned about one of the dolls on the ward only having four fingers that he decided to put on his white doctor’s coat and toy stethoscope and send the knitted toy – who he named Dr Paul – for surgery himself.

Jayden, who was admitted to the ward after an abscess in his throat infected his spine, gave the doll a name band, taped a straw to his arm as a cannula and had consultant Dr Mike Tremlett take a look at him.

The next day, Jayden had to go for a procedure of his own in the paediatric intensive care unit, so ward 22 arranged for the toy to have his operation at the same time.

The doll was rushed down to the sewing room in the laundry where seamstresses Jo Robinson and Carol Margery worked their magic and made him two thumbs from an old blanket.

Jayden woke two hours later and the doll was lying next to him with a bandage on each hand. When he

removed the bandages he could not believe his eyes!

The children’s ward and Jayden’s mum Ashleigh would like to say a huge thank you to the laundry staff for performing the

special operation.

Clinical matron Cathy Brammer said:

“Jayden has been through a lot over the past few weeks so when he was concerned about the doll we wanted

to try and fix the problem!

“This little gesture made a big difference to

Jayden and is a great example of how different teams within the trust pull together to do whatever they can to improve each patient’s hospital experience.”

Laura Cornforth (right) and Jen Colclough show off their tower of tasty treats

“Huge thank you to the

laundry staff for performing

the special operation.”

Dr Jayden to the rescue!

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“The money raised will help Macmillan provide services which support cancer patients and their carers every step of the way on their cancer journey.”

Ward 14 also got in on the act with staff nurse Laura Cornforth, health care assistant Jen Colclough and domestic Janet Norton among those baking up some tasty treats.

Laura said: “Donations have been coming in from visitors to the ward all week and the coffee morning was really well supported from the moment we opened the doors. Altogether we raised £615 and we hope to make it an annual event.”

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Fishy friends made at homeYOUNG pet lovers on children’s ward 21 at James Cook received a treat when pet store colleagues paid a visit.

Ward manager Pippa Smith contacted the team at Pets at Home

Middlesbrough to see if they would help maintain the two fish tanks located in the children’s ward.

Store manager, Mark Deighton, immediately offered to lend a hand and after an initial visit to inspect the tanks, a maintenance programme was

designed by the Pets at Home team.

Colleagues from the Cleveland Retail Park store will visit the ward fortnightly to undertake any necessary upkeep of the tanks. They will also be on hand should either of the tanks require emergency maintenance in between visits.

Mark said: “When I visited the ward, I realised how much the tanks

meant to the children and nurses. My colleagues and I are happy we can

help and were delighted to unveil the revamped

tanks and new fish to the children.”

The children also received a special workshop from a highly trained Pets at Home fish advisor to explain how they

can keep their new finned friends happy

and healthy.

Pippa Smith said: “We are delighted Pets At Home

are going to help us look after our fish tanks and are grateful to them for their support.

“The children and families love the fish as they are a bright and interesting part of the ward. The tanks are so colourful they prove a fascinating attraction and are much enjoyed by our young patients who take pleasure in watching them as well as giving them an interest while they are in hospital.”

Steph Gray and Mark Deighton

from Pets at Home, Middlesbrough with

Pippa and young patients Ben Walker, 5, Jack O’Connor, 4, and Harvey Carnes, 2 and

Dawn McCabe, nursery nurse

“We are delighted Pets At Home are going to help us look

after our fish tanks and are grateful to them for their

support.”

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SEVEN cyclists stopped off at James Cook as part of a 240 mile ride from Whitehaven to Gateshead for ovarian cancer research.

James Cook was one of 11 cancer treatment hospitals in the north to provide a pit stop for the fundraisers and their ovarian cancer awareness road show.

The Emma Gyles Bursary Ride was organised by Professor Richard Edmondson, professor of gynaecological oncology at the Northern Institute of Cancer research in Newcastle and Ken Gyles, father of Emma Gyles who died in 2008 aged just 24 of ovarian cancer.

The bursary was set up in Emma’s memory to help fund research into ovarian cancer and its aim is to raise £10,000 a year to fund a full-time medical student.

Jane McNeil, lead nurse gynaecological oncology welcomed the cyclists to James Cook. She said: “Although ovarian cancer is commonly called a silent killer symptoms to look out for include: persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, increased abdominal size/persistent bloating, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly and urinary symptoms. In most cases these symptoms are only serious if they are frequent, persistent and new.”

Locally, there are more than 200 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed each year in the North of England Cancer Network. Patients are treated surgically at the Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre in

Gateshead and at James Cook and can then receive chemotherapy in a number of hospitals throughout the region.

The North of England Cancer Network has one of the best survival rates in the

country (data from National Cancer Intelligence

Network) but there is still much work to do.

Treatment is getting better with improvements in surgery and the development of new chemotherapy drugs, including

a new type of drug called a PARP

inhibitor which was

developed in Newcastle. This is now showing promising results in clinical trials.

Professor Edmondson added: “I’d like to thank all of those people who helped make the ride such a success and to those who donated. We raised over £3,000 but perhaps more importantly we managed to raise awareness of ovarian cancer throughout the region and also let people know what we are doing to try and combat the disease.

“The ride was great fun but I’m not sure that the Wiggins’ sideburns I grew for the event helped me to go any quicker!”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/kengyles or for more information on the research group visit www.ncl.ac.uk/nicr/research/sttd/ovarian.htm

Charity cyclists drop in to raise awareness

The cyclists line up at James Cook for the next leg of their 240 mile ride: (left to right) Kevin Rowan, Maddie Moat (recipient of the Emma Gyles bursary 2013), Jeremy Twigg, gynaecological oncology consultant James Cook, Richard Edmondson, Alex Rodgers, Ken Gyles and Matt Gray

“The ride was great fun but I’m not sure that the

Wiggins’ sideburns I grew for the event helped me to go any

quicker!”

Band rallies for MacmillanOCCUPATIONAL therapy (OT) manager Sue Robb was ‘the catalyst’ for an event that raised £2,200 shared between Macmillan Cancer Support and Ovacome.One of Sue’s colleagues, performance manager Jayne Bateman, organised the Fishburn Band, of which she is a member, to hold a fundraising concert. Fellow colleague Fiona Hewison sang a solo and the specially-arranged OT choir also sang. Liz Airey, Macmillan fundraising manager, is shown receiving £1,100 from Sue, flanked by Fiona (left) Jayne and OT Sarah Haw, who helped to raise over £400 towards the total by holding other events.

Intensive supportAN ORIENTEERING adventure helped raise £1,723 for the paediatric intensive care unit at James Cook.

David Boyle – aka Taffy – of Middlesbrough organised the fun orienteering event on Bilsdale Moor and personally delivered the money raised to PICU manager Carolyn Carveth-Marshall, PICU sister Maxine Stephens and PICU administrator Chis Byrne along with fellow fundraisers Jamie Pears and Mark Williamson.

We are grateful for the generosity of local people and the support of all the dedicated people who raise money to help patients at the trust’s hospitals.

Helping hands

Golden giftGOLDEN wedding couple Reg and Brenda Tucker from Whitby asked family and friends helping them celebrate at Hawsker church and a reception at Sneaton Castle, Whitby, for donations in lieu of gifts.

Thanks to generous contributions £570 was donated to James Cook’s haematology day unit where Reg has been a patient for 22 years.

Clinical director haematology, Dr Dianne Plews, pictured (right) with the couple and unit staff, said: “We are very grateful for the money which we will put to good use improving the environment for patients when the unit moves.”

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Fundraising on trackTHE moor and dales, vintage tractor road run through the scenic Yorkshire Dales has raised a fantastic £810 for the Friarage’s Scott suite breast unit.

Thanks to the 40 plus drivers who took part and everyone who supported the event in particular, Metcalfe Farms, future patients at the unit will benefit.

Organiser, Doug Mould is pictured (centre) with two of the drivers - local driver, Allen Brown and Peter Lettinga all the way from the Netherlands,

Doug’s wife Margaret and (seated) specialist breast cancer nurses Louise Sadler and Judith Curtis.

YOUNGSTERS Alfie Passmore, 18

months, and Samuel Duffield, 8, were so impressed with the care they received on

the paediatric intensive care unit

at James Cook that they – together with

a little help from their parents – organised their own charity night to raise an impressive £1,304.60.

PICU manager Carolyn Carveth-Marshall said: “Samuel and Alfie wanted us to know how much they appreciated the care that we gave them but we would also like them to know how much we appreciate their time, thought and hard work!

“We are going to put this money towards decorating and furnishing our new parents’ room.”

Young fundraisers

Samuel

Alfie

YOUNG Rio Bailey ran his heart out in the

Middlesbrough 3K Fun Run. The five year-old’s athletic endeavour raised a whopping £222.62 for the special care baby unit at James Cook.

The St Thomas More RC Primary pupil, who

ran the race in his Ben 10 costume, popped into the Murray

Building and handed the money over in person to the South Tees Hospitals Charity fundraising team.MEANWHILE ten year-old Summer Rayner completed the 4K junior Great North Run and raised a ‘fantastic’ sum of almost £300 for patients’ comforts on ward 14 at James Cook.Caring Summer, whose mum Jane is a health care assistant on the ward, said “I just wanted to help the patients on the ward.” Summer is shown handing over the money to ward manager Beverley Rodgers, who added “I would like to thank Summer for her fantastic donation.”

Youngsters run for patients’ benefit

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In memory of SoniaA SPECIAL golf day in memory of Sonia Rennison raised £526 to benefit future patients at the Friarage’s Mowbray suite.

Previously outpatients manager at the hospital, Sonia was a much loved and well-respected colleague, dedicated to her work.

David, Graham and Shaun Rennison would like to thank the golfers, family, friends, and especially Richard Boucher, Andrew Bickerton, Ed Craven and Craig, and the green staff at Romanby Golf Club for their support in making it a very successful day.

We are grateful for the generosity of local people and the support of all the dedicated people who raise money to help patients at the trust’s hospitals.

Helping hands

A novel ideaPATIENTS at James Cook will never be short of reading material thanks to the WHSmith books for hospital initiative.

Representatives from the WHSmith store at the Middlesbrough hospital visited a number of departments to hand over an impressive mountain of books worth £1,000. The hospital also received a box of 20 Kobo WiFi eReaders which come with 100 classic titles preloaded.

Among those benefitting were the children’s wards, the spinal injuries unit, the chemotherapy day unit, cardiothoracic services and the renal dialysis unit.

Kevin surfs up fundsKEEN surfer Kevin Wrigglesworth from Hartlepool, wanted to thank the holistic cancer care centre for the support they gave him. So, what better way than to paddle his surf board from North Gare to Seaton Carew.

Accompanied by friends and fellow surfers Jamie Shires, Lee Weatherill and Eddie Gill, the group were warmly welcomed on their safe arrival with a ‘night’ to boost funds further. Kevin’s friend Patrick Stubbs’ employers AMEC also contributed £600 toward the total which topped £2,500.

Lynne Gray, deputy centre manager is shown receiving £600 from AMEC construction manager Graeme Palmer, (left) and Kevin Wrigglesworth. She said: “This is an absolutely amazing amount of money, thank you to everyone for supporting Kevin with his fundraising efforts.”

A CHARITY arts event has raised more than £2,000 for the South Cleveland

Heart Fund.

Proceeds from ticket sales for The

Northern Art Experience at the Wynyard Rooms have been donated to South Cleveland Heart Fund, which supports James Cook’s cardiothoracic unit.

Adrian Davies, chairman, was presented with a cheque for more than £2,000 by Martin Barber, managing partner at Evolution LLP, Bryan Goodall, managing director of ArtsBank and Sarah Hargin of the Wynyard Rooms. He said: “Donations such as these help keep our fantastic heart unit at the leading edge.”

Artistic fundraiser

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Trolley service is icing on the cakeOne comment raised recently was that the portions of food were too large and were overwhelming and off-putting for patients whose appetite has diminished

greatly. In response, the ward has

introduced a tea trolley packed with small cakes and others delicacies

as well as fruit and jellies

….. and what a positive reaction

it has caused.

Comments such as “What a change I have noticed since I was last here. The tea trolley is so well presented with small cakes, just a nice size to eat. It looks so inviting” and “the meals are good and snacks from the trolley are a

wonderful idea.”

Another comment was “the level of care here is outstanding and their deaf awareness is fantastic. I feel so safe and everyone from the porters to the sister is always smiling and special little things, like organising my bedside TV to receive subtitles, has overwhelmed me.”

Bev Rodgers, ward sister, added: “The success of this initiative has been the result of several different teams working together to address the concerns of our patients in respect of food presentation and portion size. I would like to express my thanks to all involved but in particular the ward housekeepers who have been instrumental in making this happen.”

Ward 14 housekeeper

Elaine Neale offers patients Rosie

Watson and Carol Jaffray treats from

her trolley

RCN chief executive and general secretary pay a visitDR PETER Carter met front line staff, patients and RCN members and representatives on a visit to James Cook.

He toured the Endeavour unit, oncology ward, high dependency unit, and orthopaedics and held a question and answer session for staff on ‘why the NHS has to change’.

Dr Carter said: “South Tees has a reputation for delivering high quality care across the region, and I want to congratulate the staff who are crucial in making this possible.

“The trust is investing heavily in new technology and infrastructure and the new

cancer centre is a good example, which is already providing patients with an excellent service including access to the very latest treatments. It is a fantastic resource, and I am proud of the nursing involvement at the heart of this new centre.

“I enjoyed meeting with staff, management and members and it was good to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the future, particularly because nationally, the NHS is facing unprecedented changes, and these will have an impact on how care is delivered locally.”

Anne Sutcliffe, deputy director of nursing and patient safety, said: “We

are delighted Peter Carter was able to join us to see for himself the professional, compassionate, patient focused care our staff

deliver and we welcomed the opportunity to engage with him on the issues that both concern and excite our colleagues.”

(left to right) Glen Turp, Northern regional director RCN, Anne Sutcliffe, Dr Peter Carter and Professor Tricia Hart acting chief executive in the Endeavour unit at James Cook

THE staff on ward 14 at James Cook are always striving to improve patient care and the experience patients receive during their stay.

*This photo was used with kind permission of the patients’ families

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Middlesbrough, TS1 3EU Tel: 01642 252723

www.montessoripreschoolnursery.co.uk • www.thornabychildrensnursery.co.uk

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Rent a Stairlift for just £350 per year...This covers installation, servicing and repairs during office hours.

Anything out of office hours will include a £40 call out fee.

We only ask for a minimum contract of 12 months.

For an efficient and friendly service and all enquiries please contact either Chris or David who will be happy to help

Telephone: 01325 307473

“A lift in the right direction...”

find out more at our website:www.stairliftsolution.co.uk