anthemIssue 3 June/July 2007 North Tees and Hartlepool

NHS Trust

The magazine for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust

Dig this!Landscaping tobrighten up hospital

Dig this!Landscaping tobrighten up hospital

Planning startsfor the newhospital p3

Spinal servicescelebrate in

style p10

p6p6

Planning startsfor the newhospital p3

Spinal servicescelebrate in

style p10

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Consultant anaesthetist Khalid Siddiqi’slatest idea won him a highly commendedaward in a regional competition. Khalid hasinvented a method of making epidurals,used in labour and in pain relief, safer toadminister, cutting out human error onwhat can be a dangerous procedure. Hereceived his award at a special ceremonyat the Sage in Gateshead.

Bright idea ishighly commended

General manager of medicineand elderly care MargaretCoulbeck has retired fromNorth Tees and HartlepoolNHS Trust after a 35 yearcareer in the NHS.Margaret started her careeras a nurse cadet and workedin district nursing, psychiatricnursing then went intomanagement working indifferent specialities but morelately working with elderlycare and allied healthprofessional services beforefinishing her career inmedicine and elderly care.She started her career inSunderland’s Cherry KnowleHospital then moved intocommunity working inpartnership with localauthorities, social servicesand finally moving to Caroline

Street Health Centre and thenback to being hospital based.Sue Morrow from clinicalsupport services said:

“Margaret made manyfriends over her time in theNHS and she’ll certainlybe missed.”

Three decades of caring for MargaretMargaret pictured with

director of finance Alan Foster

A road safety programme developed onTeesside, is being held up an shining example ofhow to reduce road accidents – in Morocco.General manager for emergency care StephenGroves explains: “I was a member of the groupwhich produced the Gotcha programme whichwas specifically designed to tackle the growingnumber of road traffic accidents. It continues tobe used very successfully in our area, especiallyamong younger people, and it’s effective.“One of the production team was in Moroccoand showed it to some friends who described itas 'formidable'. One of them, who is a doctor,had been trying to persuade the government todo something about reducing the roadaccidents in Morocco, partly by showing themwhat the UK is doing. “We’re now getting the DVD translated intoFrench for use over there. It’s a feather in thecap for our area that our work is recognised asleading edge in other parts of the world.”

Morocco taking itslead from the UKwhen it comes toreducing roadaccidents

(left) Stephen Groves with some of the Gotcha materials

Anthem is your magazine and is onlyas good as you make it. If you haveany ideas to improve it or you have astory please contact Claire Youngon 01642 624339 or email:claire.young@nth.nhs.uk

Somethingto share?

June/July 2007

The North East Strategic Health Authority, NorthTees and Hartlepool NHS Trust and North Teesand local primary care trusts have given the go-ahead to set up a special team to start planningfor the new hospital north of the river Tees.The team is headed by former director ofcommissioning for the Tees primary care trustsCarole Langrick. Carole, who has many years ofexperience in the health service behind her inboth clinical and managerial roles, will workacross the health community to develop ashared vision for healthcare. This work willdetermine what is provided in the new hospitaland what services are available inthe community.

Your health, your care, your say

Carole said: “While the new hospital is verymuch welcomed it needs to be seen in thecontext of a healthcare system which treatspeople in or near their own homes as much aspossible. This is what people want and whatthey told the Department Health. The resultswere spelled out in the government WhitePaper called Your Health, Your Care, Your Say. “The north of the river Tees is the first areawhich has planned anything in terms of the wayhealthcare is provided since this paper waspublished. It’s very helpful and it meansplanning for the new hospital and thecommunity services north of the river Tees canbe done in the knowledge that it’s respondingto what people want which is good quality careat or close to their home and only having totravel to hospital if it’s really needed.”

Expert help

Consultant physician Dr Nick Roper from NorthTees and Hartlepool NHS Trust and formerstrategic health authority head of performancemanagement Alex Zielinski will work withCarole to get the planning work off the ground.The trio will be able to call upon experts fromthe strategic health authority, North Tees andHartlepool NHS Trust and local primary caretrusts as the work progresses.Chief executive of the North East StrategicHealth Authority David Flory said: “When wesaw the recommendation in the report from theIndependent Reconfiguration Panel aboutbuilding a new hospital north of the river Teeswe knew we needed to put somededicated time and effort into the planning ofthe new facility.“It was also vital to ensure North Tees andHartlepool NHS Trust continues to implement

the acute services review and to ensure localpeople have two thriving hospitals as the newone is planned and built. Having Carole leadingthe team in this major role means the trust canconcentrate on this vital work.”

Welcome move

Chief executive Ian Dalton said: “Carole’sappointment is a very welcome move and is avery practical demonstration of the wholehealth community’s wish to make the newhospital exactly right for how we can expecthealth care to look in 10 years’ time. With theteam’s medical, clinical and managerialexperience I believe we have a verycomplementary set of skills to take this vitalwork forward.”Chief executive of Redcar & Cleveland andMiddlesbrough Primary Care Trusts ColinMcLeod added: “We’re sad to see Carole leaveus but we recognise that, for the whole healthcommunity and the people it serves, this isentirely the right move. Her previousexperience will be an obvious asset to thisexciting new project which is vital to ensuringwe are able to provide high quality hospitalservices for the future.“Carole has experience of working in all parts ofthe health community and at a strategic level,as well as working with local people, so she is

ideally placed to lead the work and, withNick Roper, ensure the planning stages resultin a fine hospital which is what localpeople deserve.”Chief executive of Hartlepool and North TeesPrimary Care Trusts Chris Willis said: “Thisappointment is an important step on thejourney to the new hospital. I am delighted tosee this development.”Carole, who will be based at the UniversityHospital of North Tees, said: “I have been veryclosely involved with the acute services reviewand I was certainly glad when 13 years oftalking came to an end and we finally had theclarity we had long been waiting for over thefuture of hospital services north of theriver Tees.

Honoured

“I am honoured to be asked to take on this roleand I take my responsibilities in it extremelyseriously. I am delighted to be joined by Dr NickRoper who will add an essential medicaldimension to the work as well Alex Zielinskiwho will add his expertise on performanceissues. We will work closely with colleaguesacross the whole health community and localpeople so we can make sure we end up withhigh quality accessible community services anda hospital of which we can all be truly proud.”

Meet the team Carole Langrick (right) with her colleagues (left to right) consultant physician Nick Roper,personal assistant Ann-Marie Hedges and head of strategic service development Alex Zielinski

Dedicated team to startplanning new hospital fornorth of the river Tees

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A senior nurse at the University Hospital ofHartlepool has praised a security and energysaving scheme saying it will improve theenvironment for patients.Following the success of the windowreplacement programme at the UniversityHospital of North Tees the windows in themain block at the University Hospital ofHartlepool are to be replaced. The £531,000project is expected to save money on thehospital’s energy bills; the trust spendsaround £2m a year on gas and electricity.Senior clinical nurse Ann Carey said:“Anything which means we’re spending lesson indirect costs like energy and more ondirect patient care has got to be welcomed.“I think replacing the windows will alsoimprove the appearance of the main block. Itwill also make the windows more securewhich will benefit patients and staff alike.”Deputy director of estates Barrie Kirton said:“We’re determined to use energy efficientlyand, judging by the experience at our sisterhospital, this will make a difference to ourenergy consumption. The windows willreduce solar gain so they will be a muchbetter protection for patients if we have arepeat of last summer’s weather.

Ann full ofpraise fornew windowscheme

Hands off! Little Samuel Patton thinks the cheque isfor him

Postnatalward receivesa £500thank youLittle Samuel Patton took a bit ofpersuading to part with the cheque hisdad’s company brought in to say thank youto staff on the labour and post natal wardat the University Hospital of North Tees.Dad Aidan and mum Lisa wanted to saythank for the care they received whenSamuel, now eight months, arrived andthey asked Aidan’s employer Amec andassociated company SembCorp UtilitiesUK to donate the money raised on a safelyconducted shut down on SembCorp’s No.5 Boiler on the Wilton International site.SembCorp’s Bob Hartley said: “Ourcompanies have policies of donatingmoney to local good causes which isgenerated by safe working. When Aidancame along and asked for a donation forNorth Tees we were more than happy tohelp.”Head of midwifery Janet Mackie added:“We’re delighted that Aidan and Lisathought of us. This money will help tomake the labour ward and postnatal unitmore comfortable for future patients.”

All lined up with centre ofattention Samuel are head of

midwifery Janet MackieSembCorp’s Bob Hartley, Amec’s

Aidan Patton (Samuel’s dad!), mumLisa and senior clinical midwife

Judith Lambert

June/July 2007

Honorary president role for JeanConsultant physician Jean MacLeod has been made honorary presidentof the Stockton on Tees Voluntary Support Group of Diabetes UK. The group, run for and by patients and carers and chaired by Jim Beall,meets monthly and has social events and speakers on various aspectsof the disease. Jim said: “When you have a life long condition likediabetes you have to accept it, manage it and get on with the businessof living and enjoying your life. “We like to think of ourselves as people who just happen to havediabetes rather than diabetes patients. It’s a label none of us wants.First and foremost we’re people. “To be able to do this though there’s nothing like sharing yourexperiences and learning from other people. Our support group’s greatfrom that point of view. Many of us have become friends and we’ve allbenefited from the information we get from our guest speakers.“We’re delighted that Dr MacLeod agreed to become our honorarypresident, having been supportive of the idea from the onset. Many ofus are under her care, and we like her approach which is very much oneof ensuring we remain the expert in managing our own disease.”Jean MacLeod added: “I was really honoured to be asked to take upthis role. The support group is excellent and I know it’s valued byeveryone who goes along.”The support group meets at 6.30pm on the last Wednesday of everymonth at St John’s Church Centre, Durham Road, Stockton. Patients,carers and professionals alike are welcome. For more information youcan contact secretary Christine Rowland on 01642 603801 or atdiabetesstockton@ntlworld.com

New honorary president consultant physician Jean MacLeod with chairman ofthe Stockton on Tees Diabetes Support Group Jim Beall

Dig this! Landscaping tobrighten up hospitalIt’s not often the person who looks after theflowerbeds gets into the limelight. But landscapegardener Dave Gafney is doing just that. He’s theman behind the landscaping scheme at theUniversity Hospital of Hartlepool.Dave, an experienced landscape gardener, hascome up with a new planting scheme which willprovide scent and colour all year round.Dave said: “The environment of the hospital isprobably something we all take for granted but weall know that greenery and floral displays brightenthe place up and make coming into hospital a muchmore pleasant experience.“I’m really pleased the trust has decided this workcan go ahead. I’ve been planning displays that willlast through the seasons providing colour throughchanging leaves and flowers as well as plants withattractive scents.”

Landscape gardener Dave Gafney tends the plants at theUniversity Hospital of Hartlepool

It might feel a little bitstrange to be talking aboutChristmas in the middle ofsummer but one Kenyanboy wants the generouspeople from North Tees andHartlepool to know that theirdonation in lieu ofsending Christmas cardsscheme is benefiting himlong after we’vefinished celebrating thefestive season.Spinal unit nurse practitionerJason Clark explains: “Themoney from the cardscheme was initially going togo towards the purchase ofa home. However, wedecided it would be good tosend one of the boys toschool as this wassomething more personalthan being put into onebig fund. We were able

to pay for a uniform,books and a desk as thechildren need to supply theirown equipment. “The remainder of themoney went towards thefunding of the school termfor this child. As anorganisation we are

committed to giving theboys a future rather than justproviding basic needs suchas food and clothing. We arealways looking for people tosponsor the boys for thingslike school and college, so ifanyone’s interested pleaseget in touch.”

Christmasstill making adifference

Boaz (pictured left) looking proud in his uniform paid for by trust staff

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Walking 40 miles anddiscovering that your 1,000mile no blister socks didn’t liveup to their promise is not thetype of thing most of us like todo on a Saturday.However director of nursingand clinical governanceProfessor Aidan Mullan sawthe gruelling walk right throughfrom beginning to end to raisemoney for a cause close tohis heart. Aidan explained: “A friend ofmy son’s died of a thrombosisjust over a year ago. He was ayoung fit man and it was tragicto be attending his funeral onlymonths after we’d seen hiswedding in the same church.“The charity, Lifeblood: The

Thrombosis Charity, is self-funded and was started bypeople affected by the loss ofloved ones. “Its mission is to providedetailed information about allaspects of thrombosis. Itsmembers aim to 'Stop theClots' through a programme ofeducation and research.”Forty miles and several blisterslater (we’ve seen them, butAnthem readers have beenspared the sight) Aidan hasraised almost £1,000,contributing to the thousandsraised by the many people whojoined him on the walk. You can find out more byvisiting http://www.thrombosis-charity.org.uk

Professor Aidan Mullan shows off his shoes

Proof of performance – Aidan’s time revealed

His boots might have beenmade for walking, but hissocks definitely weren’t

Plaster technician Phil Dobson looks aghast at his lung capacity resultson No Smoking Day watched by community nursery nurses Trish Jarvisand Liz Armstrong and smoking cessation advisor Alison Johns. We arenot sure who the lady in the front is though!

Countdown to smoke free England

It’s just days to go before England goes smoke free. A new law willmake smoking in enclosed places illegal from 1 July. For anyone who’dlike to use the new arrangements as a reason to give up smoking helpis at hand. You can call the Tees stop smoking service on 01642 223023to find out more.

No Smoking Day

June/July 2007

Cheers! Graeme and Karen share a toast.

Orthopaedic technician at the UniversityHospital of Hartlepool Phil Dobson could havebeen forgiven for thinking he was plastered ata recent conference when he heard his lifestory being unfurled in front of him.It was at the annual three day conference inDerby organised by Castaways UK; a supportgroup for health workers involved in casting,orthopaedics and trauma. Phil was there withhis colleague and fellow orthopaedictechnician, Jackie Wilson. The patron’s prize isan award given by Castaways to someone thathas contributed ‘something extra’ for thebenefit of patients and colleagues and it wasduring the build up to this award that he heardthe presenter say that the recipient of thisyear’s award had started working life as acarpet fitter.Phil turned to Jackie and said: “That’s acoincidence, so did I.” It was only as the storyunfurled and the coincidences became morefrequent that the light of recognition dawned.“I went into shock,” said Phil: “I could hearwhat he was saying, but it just wasn’tregistering that it was me he was talkingabout.” All of this, however, came as no shockto Jackie. It was she who had proposed Phil forthe award. Jackie said: “He deserves it. He has workedhard to obtain his casting and 730 teaching

certificates and has given up a lot of his freetime training other orthopaedic technicians,passing on his skills and knowledge. Hedeserves a bit of recognition.”

Phil was extremely proud to receive the award,but has promised revenge. “That line about mechatting up any female under 70 with a pulse iscompletely untrue!” he said.

Cast in the role of winner

Graeme and Karentie the knotWedding bells rang in April for twomembers of staff at the UniversityHospital of Hartlepool. Facilities supervisorGraeme Pearce and catering clerk KarenTrotter tied the knot at St Hilda’s church onHartlepool’s headland watched by familyand friends, including many colleaguesfrom the estates and facilities department.

Congratulations go to six members of staff atthe University Hospital of North Tees whohave successfully completed the cancer andpalliative care course run by the University ofTeesside. Pictured receiving their certificates

are Pauline Hart from the medicalrehabilitation day unit, Carron Booth fromhaematology and Denise Harris, Julie Delmer,Wendy Joynes and Janet Bowker, allfrom chemotherapy.

The ladies are all in their grey gowns on the stairs

Magnificent six make the grade

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Here’s lookingat you Sean

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust now has agender equality scheme in place to complement therace and disability equality schemes developed bythe trust in the past year.The scheme has been brought in to promoteequality, identify and tackle inequality, achieveequitable services, employment and eliminatediscrimination, sexism and harassment. Like therace equality and disability equality scheme before it,it covers present and future staff and patients.

Men, women and health

Men are less likely to seek medical attention thanwomen; doctors are less likely to diagnose menwith depression than women, but men are morelikely to succeed in committing suicide. One inseven men who become unemployed will developdepression within six months and men are muchmore likely to present to drug and alcohol servicesthan to mental health services or in primary care.Women are more likely to self-harm, but also morelikely to benefit from self-help.

The double whammy of discrimination

And in employment the damaging power of twotypes of discrimination, sexism and racism, ispowerful alongside discrimination on the grounds ofgender. Black women and women from minorityethnic communities face specific challenges inentering the workforce. Their children are less likelyto access mainstream nursery provision and theymay not enjoy equal access to training andplacement opportunities. In addition, there are fewsuccessful black women and female role modelsfrom minority ethnic communities in managementin the Trust. The qualifications, skills and experiencesof these women may not be being fully utilised. Anddisabled women also face barriers in the workplace,career aspirations and in gaining equal pay. Adisabled person on average earns two fifths lessthan a non-disabled person doing a similar job. A

woman on average earns 18 per cent less than hermale counterpart, so the chances of a disabledwoman receiving equal pay for equal work arehugely weighted against her. Deputy chief executive and director of acuteservices Angela Lamb said: “While we are requiredto have these schemes by law we’re pleased tohave a public statement of our commitment to treatall people equally and fairly and action plans whichgive us a clear direction for our efforts in the nextfew years.“These issues seem to have been at different placeson the agenda over the years but this recent legalrequirement to have schemes in place has provideda very welcome reason to put this high up oneveryone’s agenda again. While some progress hasundoubtedly been made, there is still some wayto go.”North Tees and Hartlepool has formed a steeringgroup which has been responsible for putting theschemes together for the trust.Michelle Taylor, who is the human resources equalitylead, said: “The whole issue of equality is complexand wide ranging. It has been fascinating andchallenging to work on the schemes and in manyways a real eye opener. We’re so used to someforms of discrimination that we don’t even see themany more. This work has certainly made me muchmore aware.

Keeping up the good work

“So many of the issues in gender, disability and raceequality are similar that the steering group hasdecided the next stage is to bring the threeschemes into one with specific areas on race,gender and disability as appropriate. We’re still keento have feedback on the schemes, so if people wantto get in touch with any member of the steeringgroup with their ideas and thoughts that wouldbe great.”

Angela Lamb, Deputy Chief Executive (Chair)Paul Garvin, Non-Executive DirectorMichelle Taylor, Human ResourcesAnn Johnson, Quality ManagerAnne Harrison, Obs and GynaeCath Linford, Unison Claire Young, CommunicationsDiane Atkinson, Medical RecordsDigby Gibson, IM&T Elaine Wilson, Occupational HealthGail Fincken, MedicineJackie Metcalfe Smith, Training and DevelopmentJan Atkinson, Patient and Public Involvement Lead Julia Woollaston Obs and GynaeKaren Oram, Accident and EmergencyKate Marrs, Facilities Lynn Astle, OrthopaedicsLorraine Davies, Medical RecordsLynn Purvis, Chaplain Marlen Freebairn, Nutrition and DieteticsBeth Ellett, Women’s HealthNidhi Thakur, Patient Advice and Liaison Service

You can see the trust’s race, disability and genderequality schemes and action plans by visitingwww.northteesandhartlepool.nhs.uk.

Equality schemes now in placePatients and visitors toUniversity Hospital ofHartlepool would be forgivenfor doing a double take whenthey see hospital porter SeanWalton. Sean, who has been aporter at the hospital for thelast eight years, is a dead ringerfor actor Humphrey Bogart.He recently won a regionalcompetition for look-alikesorganised through theHartlepool Mail, beating offcompetition from the likes ofElton John and MarilynMonroe. After winning thatheat he was entered into thenational competition butunfortunately was narrowlybeaten by Kylie Minogue.Sean first donned the whitetuxedo a few years back whenhe was persuaded to go to afancy dress event at WestHartlepool Rugby Club. He leftthe party before the end, butthe next day he was informedby friends that he had wonthe competition.“I always knew I bore aresemblance to Bogart,” saidSean: “but until I actually madean effort to emulate him I didn’trealise exactly how much.” As for the future the whitetuxedo and dickie bow will notbe put into mothballs as Sean isfrequently asked to recreate hisrole for parties and birthdays.He recently made a surpriseentrance bearing flowers at a40th birthday party to therefrains of As Time Goes Byand danced with the delightedbirthday girl. It will probably notbe too long before he is askedto ‘Play it again Sean’!

Angela Lamb

June/July 2007

Paula Shirley

Paula finds newrecruits in ScienceWeek eventEvery year the BritishAssociation for the Advancementof Science organises ScienceWeek, a series of eventsdesigned to encourage youngpeople to take up science as acareer and to inform the generalpublic about how science playsan important part in theireveryday lives. Here biomedicalscientist Paula Shirley talks abouther experience at WhinstoneSchool in Ingleby Barwick.Paula said: " I wasn't quite sure ifthe children (primary school ageseven to 10-year-olds) knewanything about pathology so Ipitched the talk at a basic leveland concentrated on the diseasediabetes, as an indicator of howstaff in pathology help thepatient. Although the childrenhad very little concept ofpathology, they asked veryrelevant questions and I wasoverwhelmed by theirenthusiasm and their thirst formore knowledge. “At the end of the presentation,which focused on whatpathology is, who works inpathology and how these peoplehelp the patient, I asked thechildren who would like to workin pathology when they leaveschool and there was a sea ofhands! Hopefully this helpedplant the seeds in their youngminds that science can be fun.Who knows, these could be thepathology staff of the future!"

Outpatient and endoscopyservices manager MarionMiskimmin and her family havebeen overwhelmed with thecare and support from friendsand colleagues across the trustfollowing her son Daniel’s threemonth stay in the UniversityHospital of Hartlepool. Daniel,20, suffered a head injury inNovember. Despite manysetbacks he is now making aslow recovery in a neurorehabilitation unit in Newcastle.There is no better way to tell thestory than in Marion’s ownwords, and she has kindly givenpermission for Anthem to printher letter to chief executive Ian Dalton.“On behalf of Daniel and all hisfamily I would like to offer ourpraise for the high standard ofcare Daniel received throughouthis stay in the UniversityHospital of Hartlepool. We areespecially grateful to the

accident and emergency staffwho were involved in his initialresuscitation, for their promptaction in arranging his surgery atThe James Cook UniversityHospital and for the ongoingsupervision and care hereceived from accident andemergency consultants Joan

Clancy, Dougal Southward andAndy Simpson.“Although Daniel was involvedwith many services throughouthis three month stay, particularpraise must go to the nursingand physiotherapy staff ofward 10 who were highlymotivated, conscientious,helpful and supportive.Additionally thanks must also goto the Sodexho staff on theward who were always therewith a shoulder to cry on and acup of tea!“More difficult to quantify is theoverwhelming support we havehad from friends, colleaguesand staff throughout the trustwho were not directly involvedin Daniel’s care but who, on aregular basis, have offered uswords of encouragement, goodwishes or even just a friendlygreeting, and who have made avery traumatic time that littlebit easier.”

A familiar face will be missing around the UniversityHospital of Hartlepool as facilities manager ColinBentham moves on to pastures new. Colin has worked at Hartlepool since the early1970s when he came as senior electronicstechnician and set up the biomedical engineeringdepartment after having served his electricalapprenticeship with Hartlepool firm Edgar Phillips. In the 80s he was appointed senior engineeringofficer in addition to his electronics role. He hasseen many new developments in the hospital overthe years such as St Hilda’s Wing and thetheatre complex which he was responsiblefor commissioning.He is quick to point out that he is not retiring: “Icouldn’t stop working,” he said: “I have too muchenergy for that for that.” And anyone who has comeinto contact with Colin will be able to confirm that.In fact he won’t be stopping work, as he is goinginto partnership with his wife who runs her ownpublic address wholesale and retail business; onlypart time, he is quick to add.When he is not commissioning PA installations hewill be pursuing his other passion; collectingspecialised American model trains. He hopes totravel to America to experience train travel therefirst hand.“I will miss the people and the craic the most,” saidColin. “I have so many friends, old and new at the

trust and I will miss the banter which is part ofeveryday working life.”We wish him every success in the future and if hemisses it too much, he is welcome to call in anytimefor a bit of ‘craic’!

Colin says goodbye to domestic services managerMargaret Brown

Something to share?

If you would like to place anarticle in Anthem pleasecontact Claire Youngon 01642 624339 or by email:claire.young@nth.nhs.uk

From estates…to the States

Outpatient and endoscopy servicesmanager Marion Miskimmin

Marion says thanks for care and support

A star spangled soiree was the orderof the evening when the spinal unit atthe University Hospital of North Teesmarked its 10th anniversary.A special event organised by the spinalsupport group and consultant surgeonManoj Krishna saw more than 500people fill the Tall Trees’ main function

room. The soiree was a chance forformer patients, friends and families,as well as colleagues from across thetrust and the wider health communityto mark the work of the spinal unit overthe last decade.The planning committee, who areall former patients of the unit, metfor months to get to bring theevent together, and it was aresounding success.

The spinal unit was set up at theUniversity Hospital of North Tees 10years ago and has given thousands ofpatients their lives back after years ofdebilitating back and neck pain.

In her speech former patient and oneof the founder members of the spinalsupport group Tori Cummingsexplained how 10 years ago sheapproached Manoj Krishna to say howmuch better it would be if patients duefor surgery had someone to talk to andsupport them. And so the groupwas born.The group which now has severalhundred members, meets every few

months in the lecture theatre at NorthTees. As well as being a lifeline forpeople waiting for surgery, it hasbecome a support group which peoplecontinue to attend for many years.

Spinal services ce

MC Paul Frost sets the stage for the first speaker in front of a packed Tall Trees

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On the couch – former patient Hannah Meeson talks about how she gother life back after surgery

“I was delighted to give the opening addressat the soiree. It was good to see so manypeople whose lives have been transformedsharing their stories. To organise an event ofthis size is no mean feat.”

“It has beenbrilliant tocelebrate 10years of ourservice”

June/July 2007

Clinical director of orthopaedics TaiFriesem and Manoj Krishna weredelighted that the man who led theway in spinal surgery, and who theyboth trained under in Nottingham,agreed to speak at the spinal soiree.Professor Bob Mulholland praised thework of the unit and said it was thegold standard for spinal treatment.Professor Mulholland was the firstclinician to use MRI and CT scanning

to support the diagnosis of back andneck disorders, and this undoubtedlyrevolutionised the care and treatmentof people with chronic back andneck complaints.Chief executive Ian Dalton said: “I wasdelighted to give the opening addressat the soiree. It was good to see somany people whose lives have beentransformed sharing their stories. Toorganise an event of this size is no

mean feat. It was an excellent evening.“It was also good to be able toacknowledge the team that make thespinal unit such a success.”Manoj Krishna added: “It has beenbrilliant to celebrate 10 years of ourservice but the celebration wouldsimply not have happened without theenthusiasm and determination of thisvery special group of people. I want tothank them all.”

elebrated in style

Chief executive Ian Dalton gives theopening address

Professor Mulholland addressesthe audience

Professor Mulholland pictured with consultant spinal surgeons Manoj Krishnaand Tai Friesem

Founder member Tori Cummings tells thestory of the spinal support group

North East Strategic Health Authority chief executive David Flory, North Tees andHartlepool chief executive Ian Dalton and spinal surgeons Manoj Krishna and Tai Friesem

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June/July 2007

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June/July 2007

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Hartlepool Marina, Unit 3,Navigation Point, Middleton Road,

Hartlepool TS24 0UG

Lunches Tues-Sat 12.00-2.00pmHappy Hour Tues-Sat 5.30-7.00pm3 courses only £7.95Closed Monday

Group bookings takenVouchers availableTake-away service availableAll major credit cards

Outside functions our specialityChildren’s MenuAir Conditioned

THAI HARBOUR RESTAURANTExquisite Thai Cuisine

Designed & Published by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd, Britannic Chambers, 8a Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts. S80 1PH Tel: 01909 478822