Duchess of York opens teenage cancer unit

JANUARY 2014
connections
WWW.NHSLOTHIAN.SCOT.NHS.UK
THE MAGAZINE FOR NHS LOTHIAN STAFF
£1.35m facility at the Western General Hospital gives specialist care to young patients
Duchess of York opens
teenage cancer unit
A NEW £1.35 million facility
for young people with
cancer was officially opened
in December by Sarah,
Duchess of York.
The Duchess spent time
chatting to some of the first
young patients to benefit
from the Teenage Cancer
Trust. Based at the Western
General Hospital, the unit will
serve people aged 16 to 24.
The facility, created in
partnership with NHS
Lothian, offers young cancer
patients a place to receive
treatment where they can
feel at home.
It offers the best possible
care and support via the
specialist team of nursing
and support staff, all
experts in teenager and
young adult cancer care.
Bethany Millar-Gourlay,
19, who was diagnosed with
leukaemia last summer, was
one of the first patients to
INSIDE
Sarah, Duchess of York, with patient Bethany Millar-Gourlay and former
patient Pamela Duffy, who helped design the unit
use the new facilities. She
said: “When I used to come
to the adult ward for
treatment, I missed people
my own age and having
things to do.
“I’m now having my
maintenance chemotherapy
at the new unit and it’s so
different. It looks great and
there’s a lot to do.”
Dawn Crosby, head of
service strategy, Teenage
Cancer Trust Scotland, said:
“The unit looks amazing,
but, more than that, it will
significantly improve young
cancer patients’ experience,
helping them and their
families feel less alone.
“All the money has been
raised locally and we want
to say a massive thank you
to everyone who has given
generously to help make
this happen.”
Professor David Cameron,
director of cancer services,
said: “We are delighted the
unit is now open. It will have
a positive impact on the
lives of young people who
are undergoing treatment
for cancer by offering the
best possible treatment and
support in the most
appropriate setting.
“The unit is a culmination
of hard work and dedication
from NHS Lothian, the
Teenage Cancer Trust and
the patients who have
helped shape the
development of the unit.”
The Teenage Cancer Trust
is the only UK charity
dedicated to improving the
quality of life and chances
of survival for young people
with cancer.
New Year Honours: staff receive Royal awards Thank you: grateful
family’s gift Rising star: recognition for scientist Win: a stay at Dakota
2
News
Personal Values
Dignity & Respect
“MY team and I
have always
found that
when dealing
with people,
whether it be
members
of the public or colleagues,
it is hugely important to
remember to treat everyone as you would want to be
treated yourself.
“It can sometimes just
take a few simple words of
acknowledgement to make
someone feel better and also
makes for a better working
environment for all concerned.
Our team always treat patients
and their relatives the way we
would all want our families and
friends to be treated. “It costs nothing to be polite
and courteous to people and to
remember that one day it could be
you receiving a few kind words.”
Andy McPheely,
assistant site logistics
manager, RHSC
Our Chief Executive Tim
Davison has a message he
wishes to share with staff on
Our Values. To view it click here
Connections
Your online Connections
appears monthly. If you have
a story for a future issue,
contact Alexis Burnett on
0131 465 5647 or alexis.
burnett@nhs.net or Kirstin
Aitken on 0131 465 5644 or
kirstin.aitken@nhs.net
Connections is designed by
Connect Publications.
www.connect
communications.co.uk
Honours for staff
CONGRATULATIONS to our staff
and one of our volunteers who
have been recognised in the New
Year Honours list 2014 for their
services to surgery, healthcare
and organ donation, the NHS and
voluntary services respectively.
Professor O. James Garden,
regius professor of clinical surgery/
consultant at the RIE, has been
awarded Commander of the Order
of the British Empire (CBE)
for his services to surgery. He
performed the first successful liver
transplant in Scotland in 1992. He
was appointed regius professor of
clinical surgery in 2000 and surgeon
to the Queen in Scotland in 2004.
Pam Niven, clinical nurse manager at
the Scottish liver transplant unit, RIE,
was awarded Officer of the Order of
the British Empire (OBE) for her
dedication to organ donation. Pam
qualified as a registered general nurse in
1982 and worked in a variety of nursing
posts before joining the transplant unit.
Liz MacDonald received a British
Empire Medal (BEM). Liz has worked as
personal assistant to the busy A&E
department at the RIE and its clinicians
for almost two decades. In her spare
time, she supports the Medic 1 charity.
Volunteer Margaret Collinson
received a BEM. Margaret, 83, began
volunteering at weekends when she
was 15 and working full time. In 1973,
she joined the Women’s Royal
Voluntary Service and began
volunteering with Marie Curie in
Fairmilehead. She now volunteers at
the Western General, while still helping
with Marie Curie.
James Garden
Liz MacDonald
Pam Niven
Margaret Collinson.
Pic: Malcolm McCurrach
Report highlights good
work at Liberton Hospital
NHS Lothian has welcomed the
Healthcare Environment Inspectorate’s
report, published in December, on the
announced inspection of Liberton
Hospital in October.
Inspectors highlighted a number
of areas of strength, noting the
hospital environment was clean,
staff were aware of their roles and
responsibilities, and that infection
prevention and control audits
were being carried out regularly.
There were some areas highlighted
which require improvement and these
have been progressed as part of an
action plan which was set up following
the inspection.
Sarah Ballard-Smith, nurse director,
NHS Lothian, said: “Our staff work
hard to ensure infection prevention and
control measures are maintained and it
is important we take the positives from
this report and work on maintaining
these standards in the future.
“We have noted the five areas
highlighted which require improvement
and have already taken action on these.
“Three recommendations were also
made by the inspectors and these are
being addressed promptly.”
3
News
Child protection
Lead paediatrician
role for Lindsay
MoonWalk for charity
FOR those who have made a resolution
to get fit or do something charitable,
why not sign up for the renowned
MoonWalk, which returns to Edinburgh
this year?
Leading breast cancer charity
Walk the Walk will be holding The
MoonWalk Scotland on Saturday
7 June at Inverleith Park.
The Midnight Power Walking
challenge is open to women and men
of all ages, with numerous distances to
choose from. Anyone aged ten and
over can sign up for the New Moon at
6.55 miles or for those really wanting
to challenge themselves, try the Over
HMP Edinburgh
Inspection report
A RECENT inspection of HMP
Edinburgh by the Chief Inspector for
Prisons provided positive feedback,
particularly in relation to the
healthcare provided to prisoners.
Of the 17 areas of good practice
mentioned, 12 were attributed to
NHS Lothian.
In particular, the report singled
out that we have developed
and maintained good working
relationships with HMP Edinburgh;
The Moon challenge at 52.4 miles.
The Half Moon (13.1 miles) and Full
Moon (26.2 miles) are also available.
The theme of this year’s event is
“superheroes”, so do something
super and sign up to raise awareness
of breast cancer and improve your
fitness levels.
The MoonWalk Scotland has raised
in excess of £16 million to date,
with most of the money staying in
Scotland. Several grants have been
made to the Breast Cancer Institute
in Edinburgh.
For more information, visit www.
walkthewalk.org/moonwalkscotland
the provision of general healthcare
is good; and the Integrated Case
Management processes are well
developed, with some involvement
of family members.
Other positive comments included
that healthcare staff have introduced
a prison nursing course to support
the development of nurses, newly
admitted prisoners have legitimate
access to medications they are
currently prescribed, and there is
a supportive and positive attitude
from senior healthcare managers
in NHS Lothian.
Of the 69 recommendations made
to the prison, four were directed at
CONSULTANT
paediatrician
Lindsay Logie
has been
appointed lead
paediatrician for
child protection
in NHS Lothian.
Lindsay, who
works in community child health in
Midlothian, was appointed in
November and takes on the title
in addition to her current position.
She will work closely with the
assistant director and training lead
for public protection to ensure
robust health procedures are in
place to support child protection
practice across Lothian.
Speaking on her new role
Lindsay said: “I have an ongoing
vision that child protection is
everyone’s responsibility, and look
forward to working with colleagues
throughout NHS Lothian to do the
best we can for children who are
at risk and in need of our help.”
NHS Lothian. These include mention
that NHS Lothian should conduct
a further review of healthcare
provision in relation to mental health
and addictions requirements as a
matter of urgency.
Alex McMahon, director of
strategic planning, performance
reporting and information, NHS
Lothian, said: “We welcome this
report and are pleased that a
number of areas of good practice
were highlighted.
“We note the recommendations
and have already addressed a
number of these as part of an
ongoing action plan.”
4
News
New support
group launched
NHS Lothian staff
member Jackie Shaw
has set up a new
cardiomyopathy
support group for
south-east Scotland.
The group aims to
provide advice about
cardiomyopathy and give
people a chance to meet
others living with the
condition.
Jackie, who works at
the Western General,
said: “I was diagnosed
with cardiomyopathy in
2009. I decided to set
up the support group
as I think it’s beneficial
to be able to share your
experiences with those
in a similar situation.”
The meeting is on
1 February from 2-4pm
at Café Camino meeting
rooms, St Mary’s RC
Cathedral, York Place.
For more information,
contact Jackie at
jacqueline.shaw1@nhs.
net or sarah.d ennis@
cardiomyopathy.org
THE new Human
Resources &
Organisational
Development (HR &
OD) website HR Online
has been well received
by staff, reaching more
than 74,000 hits in the
first four months. Staff
and managers should
refer to HR Online in the
first instance for their
HR & OD information. If
you are unable to find
the information you
require, use the
Contact Us link on
the webpage or
email HR.Enquiries@
nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Children’s initiative recognised
A CHILDREN’S programme
funded by NHS Lothian has
been recognised by the City
of Edinburgh Council at its
Children and Families
Achievement Awards.
Health 4 U, run in
partnership with Edinburgh
Leisure and Active Schools,
is aimed at S3 girls.
The programme was
awarded the Getting It Right
For Every Child award for its
workshops and physical
activity sessions which
make the links between
physical, mental, emotional
and social health.
Dr Graham Mackenzie,
consultant in public health,
and Cath Morrison, senior
The Health 4U team collects the Getting It Right For Every Child award for its
innovative health and wellbeing programme
health policy officer, work on
the programme, along with
council staff and those from
the partner organisations.
Sally Egan, associate
director and child health
commissioner, strategic
planning and modernisation
at NHS Lothian, said: “The
programme demonstrates
how the strength of
innovation and partnership
working can make a
difference to the health
and wellbeing of our
young people.”
GPs celebrate awards
Recognition
TWO GP practices have
received accolades at the
Royal College of General
Practitioners (RCGP)
Scotland Awards 2013.
Murieston Medical Practice
in West Lothian won the
Practice Team Award 2013
for its work with Limecroft
and Peacock care homes.
The team works closely
with patients at both care
homes, their families, staff
and pharmacists to bring
the practice to patients. All
residents were carefully
reviewed and a doctor visit
scheduled every week, as
well as whenever necessary.
Murieston GP Dr Gillian
Galloway, who also works
as an associate specialist
in medicine of the elderly
Murieston Medical Practice were delighted with their award
at the Western General
Hospital, said: “It’s
extremely satisfying to
provide the residents with
the medical care and
attention that they so
richly deserve.”
She added: “This
award is a great privilege,
which recognises the
continuous effort and
hard work by everyone in
the team. We are very proud
of this achievement.”
Meanwhile, Dr Helen Moss
of Roslin Medical Practice in
Roslin has been awarded the
accolade of GP of the Year
2013 by the RCGP.
GPs from across the
country were nominated
by their patients.
5
News
Staff recognition
THE care our staff provide
on a daily basis doesn’t go
unnoticed… especially by
those being cared for.
Connections will be
running a new section in
forthcoming issues
dedicated to sharing the
gratitude expressed by
patients and their families
via our social media
networks and customer
relation and feedback
team (CRaF).
Research grants
FUNDING is available to
support postgraduate
research training,
thanks to Research
Futures, an annual
training fund provided
by NHS Lothian nursing,
midwifery and allied
health professions
directorate.
The assistance is in
the form of salary
backfill and/or a
study expenses
account of up to
£500 for research
apprenticeships
and £5,000 for
postgraduate research
degree study.
The deadline for
applications is Friday
14 February. For more information
and application
forms, go to the
intranet site or
contact Juliet
MacArthur, chief
nurse, research and
development on
juliet.macarthur@
nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
or 0131 537 4070.
Hero ride 2014
HELP for Heroes needs you
to get on your bike and get
involved in the Scottish leg
of the Hero Ride 2014, a
series of charity bike rides
to fundraise for those who
have become wounded,
injured and sick in the
service of their country.
Departing from Edinburgh
on 1 June, the Scottish leg
covers 440 miles travelling
almost the entire length of
the country with some of
the country’s wounded
servicemen and women.
You can be part of Hero
Ride whatever your age and
cycling ability, and sign up
as a team or individually.
The online registration
form can be accessed at
www.heroride.org.uk or
contact Help for Heroes on
01725 514106 or challenges
@helpforheroes.org.uk
The Help for Heroes Tartan Express team from 2013
6
News
Recognition for rising star
Awards
CLINICAL scientist Gillian
McGaffin has been named
Rising Star in Healthcare
Science at a national awards
ceremony in recognition of
her achievements in her
career so far. Gillian, who works within
the haematology laboratory
service at the Royal
Infirmary, was recognised
at the annual Healthcare
Science Event organised
by NES in collaboration with
the Scottish Government
and the Scottish Forum for
Healthcare Science.
Starting her career as a
laboratory support worker,
pic to be processed
can you cut out
heads please?
Jacqui Lunday-Johnstone, chief health professions officer for the Scottish
Government, presents Gillian with her award
Gillian went on to study part
time for her Honours degree
in biomedical science,
obtaining a first-class
degree and the JC Watt
Medal for distinction in
biology. Having worked as a
biomedical scientist for four
years, Gillian joined the
haematology clinical
scientist training scheme
in 2009, successfully
completing her training
and becoming a registered
clinical scientist last year.
Gillian is now working
towards her PhD and has
achieved the first part
of the Fellowship exam
for the Royal College of
Pathologists, the main
method of assessment
for UK pathology training.
Gillian said: “I was
delighted to be nominated
and would like to thank
my amazing colleagues
in the laboratories at
both the Royal Infirmary
and the Western General
for their help during
my training.”
Pic: Lewis Notarangelo
Staff are
encouraged
to apply for
fellowship
Oliver Constant, 9,
and his mum were
delighted to meet
little Tori, inset
Tori’s healing paws!
YOUNG patients at the
RHSC were visited by a
special friend all the way
from Michigan in America.
Tori, a terrier mix, is a
certified therapy dog and
uses a wheelchair as her
back legs are paralysed
following two slipped discs.
The visit was coordinated by NHS Lothian
and Therapets, a therapy
programme run by Canine
Concern Scotland Trust.
A NEW travelling fellowship
has been announced to
commemorate the life and
work of Lyda Henderson.
The Lyda Henderson
Travelling Fellowship has
been made possible by the
generous gift from Kenneth
Graham in association with
the Breast Cancer Institute,
to commemorate the life
and work of Lyda, above, a
charge nurse and muchrespected colleague of the
Edinburgh Breast Unit.
The annual fellowship is
open to all employees of
NHS Lothian who work in
breast disease. A maximum
of £5,000 is available to
allow for travel and support
of another centre of
excellence to expand the
individual’s experience and
improve care and patient
outcomes for breast cancer
patients in NHS Lothian.
Applications should be
submitted electronically to
the Breast Cancer Institute
Committee by 28 February.
To apply for the grant,
click here or for further
details contact Jill Snowdon
on jill.m.snowdon@
nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or
0131 537 1474 (ext 31474).
7
News
Family says
thank you
Grant with partner Marnie
and son Ewan with ITU staff
Fundraising
THE family of a St John’s
patient has gone above
and beyond to raise money
for new equipment in
the ITU.
Grant Crombie, 36, was
admitted to the intensive
treatment unit of St John’s
Hospital in November
2011. He was diagnosed
with necrotising fasciitis
and spent two weeks in
hospital being treated by
the ITU staff.
An intensive two months
of physiotherapy followed
and Grant’s family decided
they wanted to do
something to show their
gratitude for the care he
received, which, in the
family’s opinion, saved
his life.
Grant’s family rallied to
fundraise for the hospital by
holding a concert headlined
by Hawick band Scocha,
running a quiz night and
selling lots of delicious
home-made cupcakes.
After months of hard
work the family had raised
an impressive £3,400.
Grant, from Woolfords,
West Calder, said: “The
care I received at St John’s
was wonderful. My family
feel they owe the staff
my life.
“Each year we give the
staff a Christmas present,
but we decided it would
be better to raise money
to pay for equipment
that would really benefit
the unit.
“Our efforts were
supported by lots of local
businesses in West Calder
and Addiewell Prison and
we’re really pleased to
be able to give this as a
‘thank you’.”
With the money raised,
St John’s has purchased
an Optiflow system, an
advanced method of
delivering air and oxygen
to patients, resulting in
increased patient comfort,
more effective treatment
and reduced likelihood
of infection.
Hospital at Weekend
HOSPITAL at Weekend,
a new pilot project aimed
at improving the delivery
of clinical care to patients
on Saturdays and
Sundays, is being tested
at St John’s Hospital.
The service, which will
use a multi-disciplinary,
team-based approach,
has secured investments
from the Unscheduled
Care Group.
Jane McNulty, lead
practitioner, Hospital at
Weekend, said: “This is a
very exciting
development. We will take
the best aspects of the
Hospital at Night service
and develop a more
efficient way of working
at the weekends.”
Hospital at Weekend will
run Saturday and Sunday
from 9am until 9pm and
will focus on medicine and
head and neck, excluding
A&E, critical care,
paediatrics, obstetrics and
neonates, who have their
own specialist teams. The
proposed evaluation date
is April 2014.
For more details, contact
jane.mcnulty@nhslothian.
scot.nhs.uk or Tim Morse,
clinical director, Hospital
at Night, on tim.morse
@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
8
Competition
Money raised in
memory of Jane
Anke Baillie (far right) with Oaklands Special School
head teacher Maureen Mathieson and colleagues
Physio’s team claims top award
A SCHOOL-BASED
programme in Edinburgh led
by Anke Baillie, an NHS
Lothian senior paediatric
physiotherapist, has secured
a top award from the City
of Edinburgh Council.
At the annual City of
Edinburgh Council Staff
Award Ceremony the
Leader’s Award for
Excellence was presented
to the Movement for
Learning and Life (MOVE)
programme at Oaklands
Special School.
The MOVE programme
encourages students with
complex learning difficulties
and significant physical and
sensory impairments to gain
independent mobility and
improve their sitting,
standing and walking abilities.
STAFF from the
Maxillofacial Department
at St John’s have raised
£340 for Cancer Research
UK in memory of their
colleague. The
department held a raffle in
memory of former
colleague Jane Liddell, who
passed away two years
ago. Tickets were sold to
staff, patients and visitors
for a selection of hampers,
which were generously
donated as prizes by
friends and colleagues of
Jane. The event proved
such a success that the
department is planning to
run a similar event.
Win a stay at the Dakota Edinburgh Hotel
DAKOTA is a unique,
award-winning boutique
hotel brand, where
innovative style and
exceptional levels of
accommodation and
service combine to offer
five-star luxury at an
affordable price.
Dakota Edinburgh has
been bestowed with the
coveted award of
Scotland’s Most Stylish
Hotel. Located in South
Queensferry, this unique
venue is a pocket of style
and flair reminiscent of
1930s New York.
The hotel lobby sets the
tone, with subtle
references to loft living and
the Dakota DC3 aircraft
after which Dakota
Edinburgh is named.
Oversized black and white
prints, intimate candlelit
spaces and a luxurious
finish earned Dakota
Edinburgh the title of Best
New Hotel in the UK.
Each room is an
expression of style, with
huge beds adorned by
crisp linen, luxuriously
finished furniture and
excellently appointed
bathrooms complete with
bespoke toiletries.
Forty-inch TVs host a
world of entertainment
including Sky Sports. It
doesn’t get any better
than this!
Previous
WE HA
VE
A WIN
winner of
NER!
The win
Restaurant
at The ner of the stay
of the
Hotel is Cairn Lodge &
senior a Rona Russell,
Year and
u
Lauristodiologist, the
Scottish
n Buil
Enjoy! ding.
Seafood
Restaurant of
the Year, the
delicious menu features
fresh local produce,
carefully prepared by
award-winning chefs.
For a chance to win an
overnight stay for two at
Dakota Edinburgh with
breakfast, simply answer
this question:
What was Dakota
Edinburgh named after?
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 14 February. Terms and conditions: The prize is for an overnight stay for two including breakfast at Dakota
Edinburgh. No cash alternative. Prize is non-transferable. Voucher will be valid until 31/05/2014 (excluding 08/02/2014 and 08/03/2014).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.DAKOTAHOTELS.CO.UK