Jan-March 2011 issue 11 - Liverpool Womens NHS Foundation Trust

Volunteers
Newsletter
January—March 2011
Issue 11
‘Liverpool Women’s...delivering world
class care for women and their babies’
Editorial
Inside this issue:
It’s a busy time for
many of you with
studies and exams.
And as always we’re
happy to support you
in anyway we can,
mainly through rearranging your shift
patterns on request
and keeping your
position open when
you need to take time
off. But I must stress
how important it is
that you keep us
informed of taking
leave, as absences
may be construed as
you having left and
your place could be
allocated to someone
else. especially, as
recruitment is in ‘full
swing’. We expect
the next three
recruitment sessions
to be fully booked
with an average of 65
attendees. Places on
the rota will become
increasingly scarce
as we take on more
people. Which is
fantastic news in
terms of us
continuing to provide
a valuable service to
the Trust.
The Easter break will
be here soon and
many of you leave
Liverpool to return
home to spend time
with loved ones.
Inevitably this leaves
a shortage of
volunteers on the
wards, unless that is,
you would like to do
additional shifts over
the Easter Holidays.
Please liaise with
either Kevin or myself
to arrange.
Welcome Liz Cross - Non Executive Director
L
iz was brought up
in Canada, and
then came to England
in 1980. Because of
her experience as a
young person, and her
personality and drive, she’s
always been involved in
voluntary activity. Having a
strong believe that together
we can achieve more, and
that partnerships between
the community and service
providers produce better
outcomes for everyone.
In terms of her own work,
Liz has commitments to the
Liverpool Women's as a
Non Executive Director.
She volunteers as a board
member at Blackburn
House and at the School
for Social Entrepreneurs
which is also based there.
As well as being a School
Governor at a primary
school in Moss Side she
has also volunteers with
women in Styal Prison.
Liz really appreciates the
role that volunteering
plays in the lives of
volunteers and those that
benefit from it. She is
keen to support our
service to make sure it’s
really good for everyone.
Welcome Newcomers
2
Annual Award
Ceremony
2&3
Christmas Fair
Chemotherapy Suite
on Rosemary Ward
4
Thank You’s
4
PEAG, PEAT &
Uniform Audit
5
Next Step
Volunteer of the
Season
6
Help Wanted
7
Comment Cards
Your letters
8
New Web Site
Testing
Caroline Salden, Director
of Service Development,
asked if the volunteers
would help to review the
newly designed web site.
Computers were
available for the
volunteers to access the
website and make
comments. This took
place at the beginning
of March.
Welcome Newcomers
Abby Moreton
Natalie Savage
Charlotte Woodhouse
Daniel Campbell
Sonya Wyke
Kirstie Gray
Emma Rotheram
Catherine McHugh
Emmajane Langton
Michelle Hardy
Shirley Gregson
Rachael O'Brien
Sian Malam
Joke Lambers
Rachel O'Hare
Victoria Winkless-Rainer
Stacey Edwards
Stephanie Moreland
Sarah Agdomar
Lillian Halewood
Annual Awards Ceremony — November 30th
The Award Ceremony was a
HUGE success! The
atmosphere was fun filled,
light and excitement filled the
air. Plus the turnout of
volunteers and staff was
good, and we were fortunate
enough to have Ken Morris,
Chairman, Gail Naylor,
Director of Nursing, Midwifery
& Patient Experience, and
Dave Carbery, Non Executive
Director attend and help give
out the prizes and certificates.
We had several raffles
throughout the event and
gave away a large number of
fantastic prizes, thanks to the
generosity of Charitable Trust
Funds, Costco, Sodexho and
various other donators.
Sodexho did us proud by
putting on a generous and
delicious buffet, there was
more than enough to go round
and many took away ‘doggy
that appeared in the Video
that was played at the Award
Ceremony :
• Ken Morris, Chairman
• Nicola McCormack,
Neonatal Volunteer
• Gill Walker, Matron
• Amanda McGaffey, L&D Co
L to R, May Currie, Helen Furnival, Ken
Morris, Kim Parkman, Dave Carbery,
Chris Jackson, Liz Crowley & Gill Caryl
bags’ because the food was so
tasty.
Everyone had a great time and
was really pleased with the
ceremony and the awards.
Most definitely an inspirational
day; one that will take a lot of
beating next year!
Last but not least…
A very special thank you to the
following volunteers and staff
“It was a real pleasure and privilege to attend the
volunteer award ceremony and take part in giving out
some of the awards. The commitment and dedication
our volunteers show is a true credit to them and it is
wonderful to be able to recognise their commitment in
this way. They make a true difference to the experience
of patients in so many ways and I am extremely proud
of the amazing work our volunteers do.”
Gail Naylor
Director of Nursing, Midwifery &
Patient Experience
Page 2
-ordinator
• Heather Nunnen, Matron
• Chris Jackson, Hewitt
Centre Volunteer
Nominees and Award
Winners
Volunteer of the year
Winner:
Christine Jackson
Nominees:
Pat Brocklehurst
Terry Kay
David Mutch
Helping Hands
Winners:
Jill Caryl
Liz Crowley
Gaynor Fass
Nominees
Nada Al-Hakimi
Lynne Furlong
Volunteers Newsletter
Nominees and Award Winners cont...
Sarah Hawksey
Christine Jackson
Amy Lamb
Nicola McCormack
Patrice O’Malley
Michael O’Hanlon
Norma Renwick
Peter Skilbeck
Richard Stringer
May Currie
Arabel Queiroz
5 Years long
service Awards
Alan Booth
David Fox
Helen Furnival
Flo Heath
Christine Jackson
Joan Moore
David Mutch
10 years long
service awards
May Currie & Helen Furnival
Volunteer Mentor of the Year
Winner:
Kim Parkman, Gardener
Nominees:
Sari Briner, VSM
Katie Tully, Maternity
Jacqui Rotherham,
Specialist Midwife
Gill Crickson & Val Edge,
Family Bereavement
Joy Stewart & the Infant
Feeding Team
Gerry, Sue, Joe, Mary, Carol &
the HCA’s, Delivery Suite/
Assessment Room
Fran Cotter, The Retreat
Steve & Paul, Post Room
Sharon Gray, Estates
Karen Wignall & Charlotte
Woodhouse, Matbase
“Isn’t it funny how you remember some things and not others? I was reminded of this when Gina
asked if I wanted to write a brief article on the Volunteer’s Award Ceremony held in November. Ask
me what the date was and I could not tell you without looking at my diary. I can however remember
vividly the sense of fun around the Blair Bell.
Funnily enough I was reminded of this only last week when I happened to spot a
photograph of Tony Curtis that was on show. I can’t think who but on the day someone remarked
that it could have been Dave Carbery before he went gray. On reflection perhaps that was me who
made the comment! That however was nothing compared with the obvious affection with which the
volunteers have for each other demonstrated by the banter as people came up to receive their
awards!
The other thing that I remember vividly is the clear demonstration of the numerous way in
which volunteers play an active and integral role in the work of the Trust and making a difference to
the experience of patients. As I have commented on at a number of different recognition events, I
never cease to be amazed at the range of contributions and level of commitment provide by
individuals in providing high quality patient care: the volunteers awards ceremony was another of
those events.
On reflection perhaps I don’t need to beat my lack of memory up too much: it seems to me
that the important recollections of the day (camaraderie, contribution and commitment) will stay with
me for rather a long time. Thank you to all volunteers for allowing me to share in this insight and to
Gina and the team for facilitating it. Keep up the good work!”
Ken Morris,
Chairman
Certificates of hours
N Al-Hakimi
R Arnell
G Caryl
E Crowley
M Currie
D Fox
Issue 11
100hrs
100hrs
600&700
200hrs
1300hrs
2600 hrs
H Furnivall
F Heath
C Jackson
T Kay
K Lavelle
N McCormack
1300hrs
500hrs
2000hrs
700&800
800hrs
100hrs
D Mutch
M O’Hanlon
P O’Malley
P Skilbeck
R Stringer
M Tatham
1700hrs
1100hrs
100 hrs
600hrs
800hrs
200&300
Page 3
Special Thanks to…...
Christine Jackson and Kerry
Tyrer who helped at the
Mulago Partnership coffee
morning on December 6th
Jill Caryl, for escorting the
carol singers around the
hospital on the evening of
Monday 20th December
Jill Caryl, Christine Jackson
and Nicola McCormack for
making sure notice boards
and patient waiting areas
were tidy for the PEAT
Assessments in January
Jill Caryl, Christine Jackson
and Norma Renwick for
evaluating patient information
leaflets in January
Margi O’Hare for helping at
the Big Chat event on January
28th and for amending
numerous patient information
leaflets
Jill Caryl, Margi O’Hare and
Christine Jackson for
running the new fundraising
Barrow
May Currie and Helen
Furnival for selling pre-owned
books in main reception and
raising £55.35 for Charitable
Trust Funds
Gaynor Fass for helping at
the MacMillan evening on
Tuesday 8th February
Chemotherapy Suite on Rosemary Ward
From Tuesday 8th February
2011, The Women’s are
delighted to commence a
satellite chemotherapy
service in conjunction
partnership with Clatterbridge
Centre for Oncology.
This service will compliment
the current gynaecology
oncology service that is
provided and will benefit
women and their families with
treatment closer to their
home, who will no longer be
required to travel to
Clatterbridge to receive
ongoing treatment.
This service will be based
within Rosemary ward, each
Tuesday and Wednesday,
facilitating support from the
onsite Oncologist during
treatment.
The service will be managed
entirely by the staff from
Clatterbridge Centre for
Oncology, with the exception
of the support of hotel and
facilities team to ensure that
the patient and their families’
needs are met in the most
appropriate way possible.
I am sure that you will all join
us in ensuring that the
patients and staff receive a
warm welcome, and ongoing
support as required.
Diane Brown, Matron
Liverpool Womens Christmas Fair
The Christmas Fair and Grotto
took place on the 11th December
2010 from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm in
the Blair Bell.
The Grotto was sponsored by
Bellway Holmes and stalls such
as The Book People, Costco,
Body Shop, Miglio Jewellery,
Beau Jangles, Occasions
Boutique and many more joined
us on the day. For the children
there was, of course, Father
Christmas, Face Painting,
Page 4
refreshments and Games Stalls.
We also unveiled the new
Barrow, where you can buy
personalised Liverpool Women’s
items such as Teddies with “I
was born at the Women’s” on,
bibs and picture frames. The
barrow was built for the hospital
by Mosslands in Wallasey and
every item sold from it will raise
money for Liverpool Women’s
Charity.
Ex Liverpool player and radio
commentator Alan Kennedy
turned on the outside Christmas
lights at 4.00 pm.
Special thanks to Jillian Caryl,
May Currie, Gaynor Fass,
and Christine Jackson for
volunteering on the day and
helping with the Barrow, raffle
ticket sales and various other
things. As usual we couldn’t
have done it without your help.
Volunteers Newsletter
Patient Environment Action Group (PEAG)
The PEAG is looking for two
volunteers to attend their
monthly meetings.
maintenance and up keep of
the hospital environment and
patient equipment.
The aim of the group is to
provide a forum for discussion
and action with regard to the
cleanliness and general
Volunteers can provide
valuable information regarding
the cleanliness and the
environment and your input
would be greatly appreciated.
You do not have to attend
every month, but as often as
you can. If you are interested
or require further information
please contact the volunteers’
office.
PEAG Update
“I recently attended a meeting of the Patient Environment Action
Group. The group monitors the cleanliness and general
maintenance of hospital environment and patient equipment. For
instance, three items discussed were front of house, waiting room
televisions and the smoking area. I was able to contribute to the
discussions and for future meetings would value your input. If you
have any concerns about anything you see around the hospital that
comes within the groups’ remit please let me know via Gina or
Kevin”.
Chris Jackson
Volunteer
Uniform Audits
Uniform audits have
identified that there have
been a number of
healthcare staff wearing
rings other than a single
band on the ring finger,
which is contrary to
hospital policy.
Wearing rings can make
hand hygiene more
difficult.
Several studies have
shown that the skin
underneath rings are
more heavily colonised
with bacteria.
The risk of cross
infection from one
patient to another is
increased with the wear
of inappropriate jewellery
and false nails.
Issue 11
PEAT Assessment
Hi All,
We've had our Patient Environment
Action Team (PEAT) Assessment, the
scores are being collated for
submission to the National Patient
Safety Agency (NPSA) and we'll find
out the results later in the year.
A few issues identified will form an
action plan for appropriate attention
but I wanted to share with you some
of the comments made by the
assessors, including the patient
representative, about some best
practice that we demonstrate:
- reception areas bright and
welcoming
- staff very welcoming
- patient information and notice
boards tidy and informative
- rest chairs on staircases
- pleasant and well kept gardens
- clear easy to follow signage in the
Hewitt Centre no matter what colour
wall background it was on
- great use of art work to enhance the
environment
- cooked fresh meals for lunch and
puddings!
- fantastic demonstrations of Productive
Ward philosophy - it really is making a
difference
- glass panels and windows gleaming
even in particularly busy corridors and
staircases
- uncluttered corridors and ward areas
- busy main entrance clean and tidy
and no smokers
So well done to everyone for helping to
create a clean, safe and welcoming
environment for our patients, staff and
visitors.
I'll pass on the results as soon as we
receive them.
Regards,
Linda Martin, Patient Facilities Manager
Page 5
NextStep is a free careers advice service for adults:
•
aged 20 or more
•
aged 18 or 19, who have been referred to Nextstep by Jobcentre Plus
NextStep will help you with •
Developing a CV
•
Improving Interview and presentation Skills
•
Completing application forms
•
Your personal statement
•
Understanding the local job market
•
Finding learning and training right for you
Our first session involved 10 Volunteers getting together with a NextStep advisor. Each Volunteer
talked about their aspirations and what support they would like to help them achieve their goal.
The NextStep advisor talked about the range of support available, and also gave information on how
to access this support in one of their many offices within the community.
A NextStep advisor will also be attending future General/local inductions for new Volunteers!
If you would like to attend a NextStep session; contact 0151 702 4368 or email
volunteers@lwh.nhs.uk
Volunteer of the Season Award - Winter 2010
Congratulations to Gaynor Fass on
receiving the Volunteer of the Season
Award – Winter 2010. Gaynor started
volunteering on the 29th April 2008 on
the Information Desk in main reception,
then later came to work in the Volunteers
Office, doing basic administration tasks
before joining the MacMillan Team in
August last year. She has assisted and
taken part in many other activities at the
hospital including: Adult Learners Week,
Trust Open Days, Christmas Fair,
Breastfeeding Promotional event and
recently the MacMillan evening. In this
time Gaynor has given over 240 hours of
her time to volunteer at the hospital.
She is an extremely valued member of
the team and is reliable and committed
to her role.
The nomination for this award came from
the MacMillan Team. They feel the
contribution she makes is very special
because Gaynor is very dedicated to the
team, extremely diligent with great
Page 6
attention to detail, and is constantly keen
to learn and develop new skills. She has
undertaken courses outside her
volunteer role to help develop her
prowess and knowledge. The team feel
she has fitted in very well and they say
she is a breath of fresh air when she
comes in on a Thursday.
Well deserved Gaynor, it’s a pleasure for
us to be presenting you with this award.
Ken Morris & Gaynor Fass
Nicola McCormack was
Ken Morris, Chairman, members of the
MacMillan Team, Gail Holding, Pals &
family support Manager and Kevin
McDowell, Administrator, presented the
award to Gaynor on Thursday, 3rd
March.
Congratulations also….
To the following volunteers who also
received nominations for this award:
nominated by Ginny Wallace in the
Neonatal Department for always
being pleasant, hard working. She is
a great asset to the team on
Neonatal.
Margaret O’Hare on Main
Reception was nominated by
Charlotte McNally in Occupational
Health because she is really friendly
to everyone and is very dedicated to
volunteering.
Volunteers Newsletter
Can you help find us a home?
We are very soft, cuddly and born at the Liverpool
Women’s.
Volunteers Needed
We’re recruiting Volunteers to assist with the
running of the Fundraising Barrow. The barrow
will be selling Liverpool Women’s merchandise….
and of course ensuring our teddies go to a good
home. All the proceeds from the barrow will be
going into the ‘Kitty’; the Liverpool Women’s
Charity, reg. charity number 1048294
For further information
about volunteering call the Volunteers Office
The Volunteer Service
Liverpool Women’s Hospital
Crown Street
Liverpool, L8 7SS
FUNDRAISING
We are working closely with Lisa Masters,
Charity Fundraiser, to help raise money for
Charitable Trust Funds. For you this could
mean selling raffle tickets, being asked to
help out at events, volunteering on the
barrow, plus many more fun activities.
Keep an eye out for request for help via
texts, e-mail and flyers and reply to our
plea whenever possible. You may also be
asked to take part in such activities whilst
you are on your
usual volunteering
duty. As always,
your help and
participation would
be very much
appreciated.
GROUP MEETINGS
The hospital has a number of groups i.e. Patient
Information Group, Patient Environment Action
Group, Equality & Diversity Group...which you are
more than welcome to join and attend meetings.
Quite often these groups request the presence of
a volunteer at the meetings because it’s important
to have a representative of the public, plus your
input in layman’s
terms
can
be
invaluable. Therefore
you may be asked to
attend one of these
meetings instead of,
or, whilst you are on
duty.
Your
participation would be
greatly appreciated.
The Equality and Human Rights committee are
looking for volunteers that may be interested in
joining the committee. The overall purpose of the
Equality and Human Rights Committee is to advise the Workforce Committee and in turn Trust
Board on the strategic direction and priorities of the Trust in relation to the Equality and Human
Rights agenda. The meetings are bi-monthly, and there are plenty of opportunities for the
members to get involved and contribute. If you are interested, or would like further information
contact Gina in the volunteers office.
Equality and Human Rights
Issue 11
Page 7
Comment Cards
Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
Crown Street
Liverpool
L8 7SS
Phone: 0151 702 4368
Fax: 0151 708 6303
Email: volunteers@lwh.nhs.uk
We’re on the web
www.lwh.me.uk
If you are interested in
becoming a volunteer or
you know someone who
would like to join the team,
please contact Gina Barr,
Voluntary Services Manager
on 0151 702 4368 or e-mail
volunteers@lwh.nhs.uk
Your Letters &
E-mails
Hi Gina,
Welcome back, what a delightful photo of your
little boy......
Fantastic newsletter, don't know how you find
the time!
Well done....
Best Wishes,
Sue Royle
Voluntary Services Manager
Christie NHS Trust
Hi Gina
Thanks so much for the awards yesterday, I
had a lovely time and it was great to meet
some other volunteers!!
Thanks again
Rachel Arnell
Volunteer
Hi Gina, what an excellent newsletter!
Your wee boy, Ben, is lovely, bet you miss him
when you are at work.
When a patient is discharged or attends clinic they are
asked to complete a Comment Card (see example
below), this information is then collated and analysed to
help improve and enhance our services as well as
telling us what we’re doing well. You can help the ward
staff
by
giving
out
Comment
Cards
to
patients, and by helping
patients, who require
additional
support,
complete their cards.
Please ask the Ward/
Clinic Manager or Shift
Leader
for
further
information on where the cards are kept, and which
patients should be given a comment card.
Take care and keep up the good work.
Alexis Dinsmor
Joint Voluntary Services Manager
Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Dear Gina,
Thank you very much for the newsletter and for
the invitation for the Christmas meal I won't
be able to be there, but I hope those that
attend it have a great and festive time.
Congrats to you all for successfully applying
to the Lottery fund. Gina, congratulations
Ben is a beautiful child. Kevin, well done for
getting your contract. Sari lovely to read
about your wedding and good to hear that
despite of the 40 minutes delay everything
went well even the weather, so all the best
on your new life and post, and thank you all
for the piece in the newsletter, the time put
into this and the opportunity the service has
given me to allow others to know a little more
about us is much, much appreciated.
About next Tuesday ceremony for volunteers, I've sent an email to my manager and
hoped that she might get back to me before
Monday and coincidently she's just replied,
so it'll be fine for me to attend the ceremony
on Tuesday ;-). I'll try to get there before
1.30, possibly even early if my colleague at
the information desk is able to get here earlier.
Many thanks and have a good weekend and
see you on Tuesday and Sari I hope the
move to Gloucestershire goes well.
Arabel Querioz
Volunteer
Hi Gina and Kev
Newsletter is brill - well done!
Gail Holding
PALS & Family Support Manager
Hi Gina,
Please pass on my thanks to the volunteers
for their help with the PEAT Assessments, it
really was appreciated.
Is this something the volunteers could do on
a regular basis, either weekly or monthly, to
assist in keeping notice boards and leaflet
tidy and up to date as this would be a great
help?
Regards,
Linda Martin.
Patient Facilities Manager
Hand Hygiene
Assessment Training
So that staff and volunteers maintain good
hygiene practice on the wards and clinics, the
Infection Prevention & Control Team are
running several hand hygiene assessment
training sessions throughout the year. Any
volunteers based in a clinical area will be
expected to attend one training session
annually. We will keep you informed of when
and where the training will take place by email, text or a poster will be placed in the
volunteer signing in book.