INSIDE Launch: youth sexual health service Thank you: praise for our staff Win: Fudge Kitchen experience Honour: doctors granted fellowships

connectionsAPRIL 2014

WWW.NHSLOTHIAN.SCOT.NHS.UKTHE MAGAZINE FOR NHS LOTHIAN STAFF

Our Health, Our Care, Our Future

NHS Lothian’s draft Strategic Plan was recently approved for consultation by the NHS Lothian board. The plan outlines our vision for the provision of healthcare over the next 10 years.A three-month period of engagement and consultation with staff, patients, partners and the public will be launched towards the end of April. This will help shape the final version of the plan, which will be presented to the board in October.In developing the Strategic Plan we have:

y asked you what and how things need to change to deliver our aims

y brought together local plans into an integrated whole

y identified opportunities to make better use of existing resources and facilities

y prioritised areas that will make most difference to patients.

THE project to redevelop the Royal Edinburgh Hospital has taken another major step forward with planning approval having now been granted.

Plans for construction of the first phase, along with the full masterplan for the site, were unanimously approved at a City of Edinburgh Council planning committee hearing on 26 March.

Phase one of the developments includes a new £48 million facility providing services for the adult acute mental health inpatient service, older people’s mental health assessment unit, intensive psychiatric care service (IPCU) and new Robert Fergusson national brain injury unit.

David Small, chair of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital project board, said: “We are

delighted the project has now received full planning consent. We will now develop a full business case, which we anticipate submitting for Scottish Government approval in September this year. Subject to approval of this and financial close, we anticipate beginning work on site by the end of this year.

“Throughout this process, we have involved, listened to and taken on board the views of patients, staff and the public and we are confident that our plans will deliver an excellent mental healthcare facility.”

Health secretary Alex Neil said: “This is a prime example of how continued investment in our NHS is benefiting patients.”

The projected timescale for completion of phase one is 2016. The whole project may take up to 10 years.

Go-ahead for REH

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News

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Teamwork

“IN any job, the collaboration of your colleagues makes for not only a job that you look forward to and enjoy, but for an efficient and happy team.

“Our transplant co-ordinator team relies on mutual appreciation and respect, which in turn reflects on the work we do with our patients and all the other services that we work with.

“It is an emotional rollercoaster that we speed along in the transplant department, from sadness about the organ donor to the elation of a successful transplant.

“There are always times when we need more sleep than a day can provide, or weeks which are particularly busy with caseloads, but these are the times that teamwork matters the most, where you are supported and know you can rely on your colleagues to help you bring it all together.”

Melanie Phillips,transplant co-ordinator,Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Sexual health service launched for young people

Strategic Plan consultationThe plan outlines a range of

propositions which will allow us to: y improve the quality of care y improve the health of the population y provide better value and financial sustainability.Over the summer, we will discuss

the need for change and the propositions set out in the plan with staff.

Feedback from this consultation and engagement will be used to shape the final version of the plan, which will then go to our board. We want to hear what you think of the draft Strategic Plan and would ask that you take

some time and give us your views. Once agreed, delivering the

propositions in the plan will drive forward our shared vision and culture and help us get from where we are now to where we need to be.

The document can be accessed as part of the April board papers on the NHS Lothian website.

A presentation on the development of the draft plan is also available on the Our Health, Our Care, Our Future pages of the intranet. If you have any comments on the presentation, please email ourhealthourfuture@nhslothian. scot.nhs.uk

Continued from page 1

HEALTHY Respect Plus, a new sexual health service for young people, has been launched at the Chalmers Centre.

The dedicated service for people aged 13 to 18 will run every weekday afternoon and will provide improved access to the full range of contraception and sexual health testing for all young people across Lothian.

The service will take a holistic approach to young people’s health and wellbeing and, in addition, it will include discussions on emotional health and wellbeing, alcohol and drugs.

Dona Milne, deputy director of public health, said: “Supporting young people to gain the knowledge and skills to have a healthy attitude to sex and relationships is an important role for teachers, health workers and youth workers. We would like to take

this opportunity to thank the young people who have already contributed to the service development.

“We very much look forward to working with young people in Lothian to provide a high quality service that meets their needs.”

News

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THE Laboratory Medicine ReNew Programme is set to bring a range of benefits for staff. The programme of 14 projects aims to provide up-to-date, efficient and cost-effective laboratory services, while maintaining high-quality patient services.

The ReNew Programme aims to consolidate the laboratory service into three areas – blood sciences, cell sciences and gene services.

Investment of £180,000 in electronic ordering of laboratory tests for GPs means replacing handwritten forms, increasing efficiencies and providing additional traceability for tests. To date, more than 80 per cent of GP practices have adopted this electronic technology.

More than £200,000 investment, creating a single integrated blood

sciences lab at St John’s, has been achieved by refurbishing and converting the haematology lab and the blood transfusion labs.

The improvements mean closer working between staff in haematology and biochemistry as well as bringing

advantages of better integration and multi-skilling. The work has also freed up space at St John’s for the establishment of a laboratory medicine training school, which will help to support laboratory staff gain and maintain skills.

In addition, the development of the training school has led to a collaboration with Fife College, allowing biomedical support staff to gain a modern apprenticeship and progress a career in the life sciences sector. The partnership has already achieved success reaching the final of two awards in the National Cogent Life Science Awards.

The department of laboratory medicine’s website will be launched at the end of April, increasing worldwide profile and the possibilities for income generation.

Labs investment brings staff benefits

Online arthritis supportANDREA McBride, a rheumatology nurse practitioner based at the Western General, has spearheaded ArthursPlace.co.uk, a new digital magazine and social network site for young people with arthritis.

The innovative project, for 18-35 year olds, aims to provide lifestyle advice and peer-to-peer support, 24/7, beyond hospital.

With the support of our joint management team, Andrea took on the challenge of organising this innovative project in her spare time, raising £87,000.

Andrea said: “Support from NHS Lothian has been excellent. We hope to reach arthritis sufferers across the UK and the

professionals who work with them.”

ArthursPlace.co.uk, will reach patients through videos, podcasts, articles, and visual aids, all targeting a younger demographic.

The site is fully supported by medical professionals, as well as has the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the College of Occupational Therapists.

Andrea McBride

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THOUSANDS of pounds have been donated to the cardiothoracic unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh by the family of Paul Algeo, who sadly passed away in 2012.

Paul’s wife Carolyn and their children held a party for friends and family in March 2013 to raise money for the unit and were overwhelmed when they raised £12,130 in memory of Paul.

Trish Dailly, clinical nurse manager, said: “This donation is so generous and our whole team is hugely grateful to

Paul’s family. When he was in ICU, Paul missed watching the Open Golf Championship, which he had really been looking forward to.

“So on the family’s wishes, we’ve ensured that some of the money from the fund goes toward new TVs in ward 111 for other patients to enjoy.”

The team is looking forward to making the improvements in the ICU thanks to the Paul Algeo Fund, including renovating the waiting rooms and paying for new infusion pumps.

Cardiothoracic unit donationCarolyn and daughter Charlotte, front,

with ICU staff nurses Lori Cassidy, left and Jo Pendlebury, right, surgeon Bill Walker

and clinical nurse manager Trish Dailly

HEALTHCARE Science Week 2014 was marked at the SMART Centre with an exhibition of curiosities spanning 50 years of clinical bioengineering in Edinburgh.

The interesting and rarely seen collection of photographs, books, medical devices and other objects, dating from 1963 to the present day, offered a unique insight into the development of bioengineering in the capital.

Staff and visitors learned about the origins of the service and pioneering innovations, in particular the design and provision of upper limb prostheses for the children born with limb abnormalities as a result of the drug Thalidomide.

Dr Michael Dolan, clinical scientist who organised the event, has provided interesting information on bioengineering and 50 years of pioneering enablement technology on the SMART Centre website.

50 years of curiosities

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News

Staff recognition

A fantastic service“I’M writing to let you know what a fantastic maternity service you have at St John’s Hospital.

“I can say, hand on heart, that the staff in the maternity ward and labour unit there could not have done any more to look after my wife and new daughter, who was delivered by Dr Cooper. Not only is she an amazing doctor, she is a wonderfully warm, empathetic human being.

“I will stress all the staff at the hospital were brilliant. It feels wrong to single anyone out for special praise, but it also feels wrong not to give that credit where it’s due.

“Helping Dr Cooper in the labour unit was Donna. From start to finish, she was phenomenal. Sympathetic, understanding, patient, professional, and just a mighty fine example to all medical staff, not just midwives.

“I genuinely don’t think I would have coped without her kindness, and

willingness to help and explain.“In the maternity ward,

Janice and Caroline deserve special mention. Again, the attention and care given was outstanding, as was the advice about looking after our new baby.

“They are not only exceptional medical professionals, they are truly outstanding, exceptional people in every way. Thank you.” Rob Bruce, husband of patient treated at SJH maternity service.

“I WOULD like to highlight the wonderful service I have received at the Western General, in both the minor injuries and ambulatory care.

“I was seen by Audrey and Sarah-Jane. They were both friendly, caring and interested.

“They worked as a team, even though in different areas, and I

believe [they] are an absolute asset to the NHS. The NHS is under a lot of pressure and can get bad press. Having staff like Audrey and Sarah-Jane really give confidence in the hospital and NHS.”Diane Rennie, patient at the minor injuries clinic at the WGH

Patients affected by Welfare Reform A NEW 20-minute LearnPro module on changes to Welfare Reform is available on the intranet.

The module, Welfare Reform and Impact on Health (under the CPD tab) will allow staff to find out more about how changes to the benefit system will affect patients who are in low-paid employment or out of work, and those with long-term health conditions/disabilities.

Staff are encouraged to complete the module as it explains how the changes to Welfare Reform could impact their health service provision and explains practical steps staff can take to help those affected by the changes. Further information can be found here.

THE Royal Edinburgh Hospital pharmacy team was honoured to reach the finals of the Scottish Hospital Pharmacy Awards.

The team was shortlisted as finalists

REH team shortlisted

The team at the Scottish Hospital Pharmacy Awards

Pharmacy awards in the Team of the Year category along with two other teams from Scotland.

The team was recognised with a finalist trophy at a ceremony and ball, held in the Edinburgh Conference Centre on 1 March.

Competition

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Win a delicious fudge-making experience!FUDGE Kitchen on the Royal Mile is offering one lucky member of staff the chance to win a unique fudge-making experience on a grand scale!

Fudge Kitchen has more than 30 years’ experience making and selling what it proudly calls “the best fudge in the world” from its stores across the UK.

Every batch of fudge is made by hand using traditional techniques and an authentic recipe dating back to 1830. The fudge is freshly made using whipping cream, which gives it a unique texture.

At the Royal Mile store, you and a friend will get to participate in making the hand-made fudge in weighty slabs, resulting in a delicious treat with an outer crust which gives

way to a smooth, creamy centre that literally melts in the mouth.

You will also get a four-slice box of fudge to take away.

If that wasn’t enough, two runners-up will also get a four-slice box of Fudge Kitchen fudge, with 20 flavours to choose from!

To win a fudge-making experience for two, simply answer the following question:When does Fudge Kitchen’s traditional recipe date back to?

Email your answer, name and phone number to Lothian.communications@nhs.net or send to Communications department, NHS Lothian, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG by Friday 23 May. Terms and conditions: No cash alternative is available. Fudge Experience is valid for two people at one session. Runners up can specify flavours for their boxes upon claiming prize with Fudge Kitchen. Prizes are non-transferable.

VISIT WWW.FUDGEKITCHEN.CO.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION

WE HAVE A WINNER! The winner of the Hawk Walk is Morag Cameron, occupational therapy manager at St John’s Hospital

TWO young doctors working in emergency medicine departments in Scotland have been awarded the Robin Mitchell Medic 1 Fellowship for 2014.

Dr Zoe Smeed, based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE), and Dr Stephanie Mackie, based at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, were granted the fellowships following their successful applications to the emergency department at the RIE.

Zoe will be comparing the Norwegian and Scottish pre-hospital and emergency medicine services to identify areas of practice development within emergency departments and Medic 1.

Stephanie will be studying the

delivery of emergency medical care for rural populations in Reykjavik, Iceland, and how these practices could be replicated in Scotland for patients who cannot easily reach hospital.

The Robin Mitchell fellowship awards up to £5,000 biennially to emergency medicine trainees working in Scotland to pursue a placement in emergency medicine with the purpose of advancing clinical experience and expertise.

Robin was an emergency medicine specialist who trained in Edinburgh and cemented his reputation as an outstanding clinician in both Scotland and New Zealand, where he held

senior posts throughout his career. He sadly passed away in July 2010 from pancreatic cancer.

Robin Mitchell Fellowship

Two doctors granted fellowshipsRobin Mitchell