Grapevine Batman’s flying visit to brighten up

East and North Hertfordshire
Grapevine
NHS Trust
Issue No. 42
January 2010
By staff for staff
Batman’s
flying visit to
brighten up
children’s
Christmas
festivities
Batman and a few of his friends from
the Star Wars universe helped to put
smiles on the faces of poorly
youngsters when they dropped in to
the Lister’s children’s ward last
month.
The Dark Knight and his gang - who
included a Stormtrooper and Snow
Speeder pilot - came to visit Bluebell ward
and the children’s A&E unit.
They were part of a voluntary group
called UK Garrison who tour the country
brightening up children’s days with their
high-quality costumes that look exactly like
the ones in the films.
Joanna Sinnott, play specialist at the
Trust, said: “It’s lovely when we have
organisations such as UK Garrison coming
into the hospital. They bring joy to the
children, their brothers and sisters,
parents and also to the staff.”
She added: “Events like this create such a
positive atmosphere, especially around the
Christmas period. We thank the group
very much for their generosity.”
Gary Hailes, aka Bruce Wayne, said:
“This is how we spend all our weekends.
We really enjoy it. In my opinion, you
don’t stop playing with toys because you
get old, you get old because you stop
playing with toys. It’s great to be able to
put smiles on children’s faces.”
Play specialist Joanna Sinnott
is swept off her feet by Batman.
More Christmas stories on pages 6,7 and 8
Hertford County Hospital z Lister Hospital z Mount Vernon Cancer Centre z Queen Elizabeth II Hospital
2
Two births for
Mount Vernon mums
Double congratulations are in order at
Mount Vernon cancer centre where two
staff members have given birth in recent
months.
Audrey Dalton, Macmillan head and
neck clinical nurse specialist, had a
bouncing baby boy weighing in at 7lbs
1oz. He has been named Jake.
Esther Freeman, team leader on Marie
Curie Ward, also gave birth to baby
Jasmine.
All their colleagues at Mount Vernon
wish to send their best wishes to
mothers and babies.
Health Secretary checks out our
expanding maternity services
Colleagues will miss
Bill Bennett’s quiet
and gentle humour
Switchboard staff at the
Lister were stunned to
find that when Bill
Bennett didn’t turn
up for his shift one
Sunday, it was
because he had died
peacefully in his bed.
Bill had worked at
the Lister for 18 years
and was a quiet, gentle
man. He had a love of
music, cats and history, having a degree in
the latter from Cambridge University.
His colleagues will miss his humour and
gentleness and are grateful to have
known him.
Thanks for your
hospice donations
in memory of Paul
Roscorla
It is with sadness that the Lister estates
department reports the recent death of
Paul Roscorla. Our thoughts and sincere
condolences go to his wife Karen.
Paul started with us in 1980 as a
mechanical fitter, later becoming a trade
supervisor and then an estates officer.
In the last few years Paul bravely fought
cancer. He will be greatly missed by all
his friends and colleagues.
Thank you to everyone who contributed
to a collection in Paul’s memory, which
raised over £300 for The Garden House
Hospice.
The Health Secretary, Andy Burnham,
dropped into the Lister in December
to check out the work going on to
expand the Trust’s maternity services.
He also spent time chatting to new
mums and staff on the unit.
Commenting on what he saw, Mr
Burnham said: “It has been fantastic
visiting the Lister hospital and hearing
from the dedicated staff who provide
high quality maternity care, as well as
from the expectant parents who will
benefit from the new unit being built
here.
“Working with staff and using their
knowledge and experience to develop
new services ensures that patients’
needs are at the heart of care.”
He added: “The whole NHS has
committed to offering women more
choice over how and where they give
birth and over the care they receive
during and after pregnancy. Units like
this that put midwife- and consultantled services on one site offer an ideal
combination of choice and access to
the most clinically appropriate
services.”
Liz Rourke earns commendation
from fire and rescue service
Well done to Lister’s Liz Rourke for
winning an accolade from the Essex
County Fire and Rescue Service.
Liz received a chief fire officer’s
letter of commendation in recognition
of the outstanding compassion and
professionalism she displayed while off
duty and first on the scene of a truly
horrific and tragic road traffic accident
in August 2009.
Liz is a clinical practice teacher in the
Lister renal department. Her
colleagues are proud of her
achievement and wish, through
Grapevine, to offer her their own very
public congratulations.
3
A day in the life of....
....a switchboard operator
By Jane Hatton
“Lister hospital, can I help you?”
“Hello, Lister…” “Lister
hospital….” That’s what it
sounds like in the switchboard on
any normal day. One call coming
in after the other. There’s no
time to talk to me, because the
calls just stack up.
Calls from the public... calls from
staff… emergency calls... confused
calls… I had no idea of exactly how
much of the hospital’s life actually
comes through the switchboard room.
On a ‘full shift’ there will be three
staff in the Lister switchboard, and one
on reception. First thing in the
morning they have to do the test calls.
They also have to make sure they
know which doctor is on call for
which discipline, and get the day’s
rota/names/numbers sorted out so
that if an emergency call comes
through, they know exactly who they
should contact.
If there’s a security incident, the
switchboard operators have to send
for help. If there’s a major bleed, they
have to send for help.
If there’s a cardiac arrest – the
message goes out through the
switchboard. If you get stuck in a lift,
and you need help – guess who will
get it for you? Right! The
switchboard! If a panic alarm goes off
– same thing. At night, there’s one
operator there on their own.
Meanwhile, as I was sitting there
watching the operators cope with
the onslaught, a call came in about an
alarm going off. What’s that all about?
A fridge, it seems. A fridge? Yes,
really.
The fridges in our pharmacy and
blood bank need to be kept at the
right temperature.
And if someone should accidentally
not shut it properly (we’ve all done
that), then the alarm sounds in the
switchboard so they can alert
someone. If people forget keys, or
need keys – go to the switchboard!
The pressure is relentless – there are
the endless calls stacking up, and then
they get one of their worst calls – a
cardiac arrest in paediatrics.
They need to dial a code to send for
the right people, and it’s their
nightmare that they might dial the
wrong code.
It hasn’t happened, but they always
worry, and one of the hardest things
about the job is not knowing for a long
time whether the right person got
there on time and whether the child is
all right.
If there’s an emergency in maternity,
they need to know a bit more – is it
the baby in distress? Is it a major
bleed? Or an obstetric emergency?
Each one has a different code for
them to dial, so it’s important they
know who to send for. Another hard
call for them to make is for the
Factfile: The switchboard dealt with
125,792 calls last month. At their
busiest, they take 146 calls an hour.
chaplains to go to the maternity unit –
it always makes them sad.
All the staff said what they enjoyed
most was talking to the public, who
are often very anxious and sometimes
confused. They are asked all sorts of
questions (by staff as well as the
public). In this respect, they are a kind
of ‘talking knowledge centre’ for the
hospital.
In addition to all this, they cover
reception. They tell me the hardest
thing about that is when people need
wheelchairs and there aren’t any
about.
Personally, I was amazed at their
patience, and lost count of the number
of times they smile, and say “through
the double doors, on the left”, to
people wondering where their clinic
appointments are.
You have to be very patient to talk
with people continuously, and able to
keep calm in an emergency, but it must
be a satisfying job, because some of
the crew have been here for 20 years.
After listening to how they deal with
people calmly and patiently despite the
intensity, I think the operators at both
Lister and the QEII are unsung heroes
(or heroines).
Bluebell ward staff mourn the loss of their smiling,
calm and compassionate Sister Mia Melissa Rizo
It is with great sadness that we share
with you the news of the sudden death
of Sister Mia Melissa Rizo from Bluebell
ward on 11th December 2009.
Mia came from the Philippines to the
Lister hospital in 2000 in one of the first
cohorts of nurses to come here from
that part of the world.
Mia completed her children’s nurse
training (RN Child) at the University of
Hertfordshire. She was a dedicated
nurse and an outstanding individual. She
will be remembered with fondness by
all of her colleagues and the families she
cared for.
Mia was always smiling, welcomed
everyone and was calm, gentle and
compassionate.
Mia’s funeral took place in the
Philippines. Meanwhile, a memorial
service was held in a full chapel at the
Lister hospital. This was an occasion
for her many friends and colleagues to
celebrate Mia’s life and express their
sense of loss. Our thoughts are with
Mia’s husband Jimmy, son Jiam and
family.
4
Oldest man in the UK to undergo
life-saving open aortic aneurysm
surgery at the Lister celebrates
his 101st birthday
Peter Kingsford was 95 when
doctors discovered that a section
of his aorta – the body’s main
artery – was on the verge of
bursting.
His only hope was for a surgeon to
open him up, remove the aneurysm and
replace the damaged section of artery
with an artificial graft.
But there was a problem. The
procedure had never been carried out
in the UK on a man of Peter’s age
before. In fact, records showed that
the only successful operation of its kind
on someone of his age had taken place
in Russia.
However, not only did the father-oftwo survive, he made a full recovery,
celebrated his 101st birthday on 22
November and has just been told that
he no longer needs to return to the
Lister hospital for annual check-ups.
Peter, of Moffats Lane, Brookmans
Park, said: “Ninety-five was definitely a
risky age to have it and my consultant,
Mr Selvakumar, told me I had a 50/50
chance of survival. But I had no option
because if it had been left, it would have
burst and that would have been the end
of me.
“I was put through some very
elaborate procedures and preparations
to test my heart. I wasn’t particularly
frightened. I just thought I’d let things
take their course.”
He added: “They looked after me very
well. I thank Mr Selvakumar every time
I see him for giving me some more
years of life.”
Commenting on the case, consultant
surgeon Mr Selvakumar said: “Mr
Kingsford was referred to me, aged 95,
with an abdominal aortic aneurysm
which increased in size from 6cm to
10cm in six months. His choices at the
time were limited to having the high
risk operation or living with the
aneurysm, which was likely to have
burst within six months.
“Because of his age and the
complexity of the surgery, some of my
colleagues thought I was mad to
undertake the operation, but Mr
Kingsford was keen and after several
pre-operative tests I was satisfied that it
was the best option for him.
“Six years on, he is doing so well and I
am delighted to have been able to
discharge him at his annual check-up in
November and to have taken the
decision to operate on him.”
Peter decided to enjoy a quiet
birthday this year at his son, John’s,
house in Hertford, having celebrated in
style for his 100th last year. Asked if
his sons think they’ll make it to 101,
Peter had a chuckle to himself. “I don’t
think they’re wearing as well as I have!”
he said. “I’m a very lucky person.”
How Sue Williams’ loss led to
fundraising for renal research unit
Sue Williams
was devastated
when her son,
Lee Haynes
(pictured
above), died of renal failure at the
Lister on 31 May 2005, aged just
25.
To deal with the grief, she decided to
start up a Nightingale Fund with enhance
herts to help Lee’s consultant, Paul
Warwicker, achieve his goal of opening
a research unit.
So it was a great moment for Sue
when, after she had raised almost
£40,000, it was proposed that the unit
be named after her son.
It is hoped the Lee Haynes Renal
Research Institute will open this year.
Here is Sue’s story, in her own words:
“I was absolutely devastated at losing
Lee. He was my only child. Everyone
rightly thinks their child is the best and I
am no exception. I miss him coming in,
asking what he wanted for dinner and
always getting the same reply: ‘chicken
and I’ll do the Yorkies’.
“Lee was a dreadful cook but did
make great Yorkies! He was also an
accomplished drummer and would
drum on anything that made a noise –
saucepans, books, chair arms – you
name it, he could play it!
“I couldn’t change what happened, so
I decided to try and make a difference
by fundraising to help Paul Warwicker
achieve his goal of opening a research
unit.
“I started the fund in October 2006
and, with the help of Lee’s dad Dave
and many friends, have raised almost
£40,000 to date. I can never thank
them enough for all their hard work.
“We’ve held concerts, fancy dress
football matches, quiz nights, fun days,
raffles and much more.
“It’s not easy when you’ve lost
someone you love but, when you get
over the initial shock, pain and anger,
the choice is yours – lose it, like I
almost did, or say ‘I’m going to make a
difference’.
“Fundraising is hard work but it’s also
great fun and so rewarding. It will be a
huge honour to have this unit named in
memory of Lee and it makes me very
proud.”
Dr Paul Warwicker comments:
“Our vision is to develop a true multidisciplinary research unit concentrating
on clinical research directly of
importance to patient care. It would
enhance the reputation of the renal unit
and the Trust, promote good,
publishable research and attract
research funding. Sue Williams, Dave
Haynes and her friends have been
instrumental in raising nearly £40,000.
We will be honoured to name the unit
after her son, Lee Haynes.”
5
Maureen
retires after
38 years of
cleaning
Maureen Pomroy first stepped
through the doors of the Lister
hospital two weeks after it opened
in 1972.
She’d landed a job as a cleaner and
thought she would give it a couple of
weeks to see if she liked it.
Almost four decades later, Maureen is
finally hanging up her mop and ISS
Mediclean uniform at the age of 72.
“I’m still not sure if I like it,” joked
Maureen, when Grapevine sat down for
a coffee with her earlier this month.
“I will definitely miss it, especially the
people. I’ve seen a lot of people come
and go, with nurses coming in as
students and then working their way up.
It’s been interesting. I’ve loved meeting
all the patients too. You have tears and
you have smiles but it has always given
me a reason to get up in the morning.
“It’s a great hospital, you can’t knock
it. It saved my husband’s life when he
had a perforated ulcer around 20 years
ago.”
Maureen spent her entire career
cleaning on ICU, HDU and theatres at
the Lister, apart from one year in the
1990s when she was on ‘white glove’
duty, checking the levels of cleanliness
in the hospital.
And she said she had noticed a
significant difference in the way cleaning
has been undertaken over the years.
“The hospital has never been dirty but
I would say it is definitely cleaner now
than it ever has been, as there’s such a
big focus on cleaning,” she said.
“Training has definitely been upgraded
over the years and the hospital is better
for it. Personally, I’ve always just got on
with my job and have got a lot of
satisfaction from it. I’ve always liked
buffing floors.”
Maureen said she was looking forward
to having more time on her hands. But
with five children, 20 grandchildren, 14
great-great grandchildren and a further
2 great-great-great grandchildren on the
way, she admits she may have her hands
full.
“I certainly have a big family,” she said.
“I also want to do more gardening,
which was my hobby before my
husband stole it from me when he
retired. I’ll have to steal half of it back
again now.”
Joining forces to combat bullying
in the workplace By Claire Short – Human Resources Manager
Trust human resources staff and
staff side representatives joined
forces during November to support
the National Ban Bullying Week.
Together, they manned stands at the
Lister, QEll and Anritsu House sites
during lunchtime on 18 November and
asked passers-by to show their support
by leaving their handprint to signify that
eliminating bullying in the workplace is in
all of our hands.
Judging from the number of handprints
collected, it looks as though a large
number of people are totally behind the
objectives of the campaign.
The Trust is keen to eliminate all types
of harassment and bullying that may take
place in the workplace.
More information about our approach
to anti-bullying can be found on the
intranet under the Human Resources
page, Policies and Procedures, Section 3
- Equalities and Diversity Folder and then
Dignity and Respect in the Workplace
policy.
6
Oh, what a lovely Ch
Santa and friends SERV up a festive
treat for poorly children in hospital
Santa decided to give his reindeer
a day off while visiting children at
the QEll and Lister hospitals over
the Christmas period – and
jumped on a motorbike instead.
He joined more than 20 of his biker
friends from SERV, the volunteer blood
delivery charity used by the Trust, to
deliver presents to youngsters at both
sites.
The gifts had been donated by the
volunteers themselves, as well as by
Tesco in Hatfield and Hertford and
Asda in Hatfield.
Councillor Kim Langley, Welwyn
Hatfield’s mayor, also dropped in to the
QEII to see children in A&E.
Marilyn Goodhew, lead play specialist
at the Trust, said: “We’re so grateful to
everyone from SERV who braved the
snow to deliver presents. It’s very hard
for the children and their families to be
in hospital at this time of year but it
really brightened up their day to see
Father Christmas and his helpers.”
Steve Washington, the Herts and Beds
co-ordinator for SERV, which stands for
Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers,
said: “The expressions on the kids’ faces
said it all really. I was watching Santa
leaning down to give a boy his present.
The little lad’s eyes were like saucers
and he had a big smile on
his face. That was what the
day was all about for me.”
Above: Welwyn Hatfield Mayor Cllr Kim Langley
joins Santa and his helpers on a visit to the QEII.
7
hristmas it was...
Letchworth golfers donate £1,000 to
Bluebell ward
A group of golfers helped staff and
children to have a par-fect Christmas
last month with a donation of £1,000
to Bluebell ward.
Tony Pohlman, the 2009 captain of
Letchworth Golf Club, and his wife Diane
pitched up at the Lister to hand over the
cheque to staff.
Tony told Grapevine that the club
members had all ‘putt’ their money where
their mouths were – after agreeing to
stump up £5 fines every time one of them
talked on a mobile phone in the club
house.
“We also had a bottle on the bar that
people could contribute to,” he added.
“It’s great to be able to do something for
the children in hospital.”
Thanks to John Lewis
for the DVD players
Youngsters on Bluebell ward now
have eight shiny new portable
DVD players – thanks to the team
at the John Lewis distribution
centre in Stevenage.
The donation is the latest in a long line
of gifts to the ward that have included
digital cameras, furniture, general
renovations and, strangely enough, an
electric pencil sharpener.
Michelle Lewis, partnership retirement
co-ordinator and former community
liaison co-ordinator at John Lewis, said:
“It all started with a pencil sharpener!
Five years ago Marilyn asked if we had
one to spare and I brought it down for
her. It just snowballed from there
really.”
Marilyn Goodhew, lead play specialist
at the Trust, said: “We’re very grateful
to John Lewis for these DVD players –
the children will love them. This really
helps to highlight the importance of play
and our work as play specialists across
the hospitals at the Trust.”
Alison Fowler, the current community
liaison co-ordinator for John Lewis in
Stevenage, added: “Marilyn mentioned
that babies are missed out, so we
decided to bring along some baby toys
as well this year.
“We’ve had a long-standing
relationship with Marilyn and the team
at Lister. We believe it’s really
important to support the children at
this time of year.”
A sack-load of
joy for Bluebell
youngsters
It wasn’t just Santa delivering presents
over Christmas - representatives from
the Masons turned up at Bluebell with a
sackload of surprises for the kids too.
Martin Twaites and Peter Farell, from
the Goffs Oak lodge, said they were
delighted to be able to help put a smile
on the youngsters’ faces over the festive
period.
8
Well done to all our clinical support workers who
have gained their NVQs in health and social care
Congratulations to the following clinical
support workers who have successfully
completed their NVQ in health and
social care. It is fantastic to see so
many candidates having passed.
The Trust has signed a Skills Pledge to
invest in all staff Bands 1-4 and provide
them with opportunities for training
that will ensure a minimum Level 2
qualification.
Level 2
Susan Allen, Lemsford
Marie Rodzisxzewka, 9A
Zoe Chappell, Barley
Christine Salter, Prince’s
Christine Dunstan, 5A
Alexandra Hickling, Prince’s
Gemma Phillips, Sandridge
Marcello Garin, Marie Curie ward,
Mount Vernon
Tracey Cooper, OPD
Amy Newman, 6B
Amy Douglas, Lemsford
Alison Bellinger, Maternity
Arnel Sison, L & D
Fridho Gaddi, L & D
Gursharan Juneja, EAU
Amanda Campbell, Prince’s
Christina Smith, RDU
Jocelyn Sanchez, NNU
Emma Summerfield, L & D
Jaswinder Janjua, Barley
Sharon Armstrong, 9B
Marissa Alibadbad, Cuffley
Dana Kretikova, 10B
Suzanne Barton, CCU
Kelly Marie Corrigan-Mahoney, 5B
Angela Dodson, 8A
Iowona Trzpil, 6A
Beverley Denma, 6A
Samantha Clarke, NNU
Nelson Culibao, Stanborough
Lisa Andrews, Maternity
Allison Fox, Maternity
Claire Gaudion, AAU
Moira Pennie, Maternity
Neche Anigbo, ICU
Laura Breacher, CCU
Rouela Devadeb, SACH
Sherman Calignawan, L & D
Level 3
Arnold Canares, SACH
Ireneo Lopez, SACH
Elden Paciente, L & D
Linda Clarke, L & D
Owen Perez, SACH
Aurella Vincent, 5B
Jasna Lemes Fillipovic, Stanborough
Ermelita Baniqued, Sandridge
Rowena Castillo, Digswell
Samantha Jellis, 5B
Shyama Lochun, Barley
Gil Hernandez, SACH
Aurelie Vincent, 5B
Wilbur Pajunar, RDU
There are a variety of apprenticeships
now in place for Band 1-4 for all staff,
clinical and non-clinical, following
nomination from their line manager.
For further information, please
contact Jacqui Attrill, Professional
Development Recruitment Nurse,
at Lister hospital ext. 5366 or
Sally Peters at Lister on ext. 4376.
Best Ward Christmas Tree competition
Following the success of the 2008
Best Ward Entrance Christmas
competition, director of nursing
Sue Greenslade decided to repeat
the winning formula with a Best
Ward Christmas Tree competition
for 2009.
The response turned out to be
overwhelming, so much so that
additional awards had to be made
to acknowledge the effort
made by everyone who got
involved.
Congratulations go to the
winners: the isolation ward
at the Lister (10B North);
Sandridge ward at the QEII; the
Lister's A&E; and the renal
dialysis unit at the L&D.
The following entries were also
highly commended: the QEII's
A&E; Digswell ward at the QEII;
the Lister’s 10B South; and Barley
ward at the Lister.
The staff on the isolation ward
at the Lister have asked that their
housekeeper, Sue Wright, gets a
special mention, as she was the
one whose hard work and
imagination led to their winning
entry.
Lister isolation ward
Lister 10B South
L&D renal dialysis unit
QEll Digswell ward
9
Student Volunteer Programme 2009
Four student volunteers who hope to
work for the NHS in the future give
their personal accounts of what it
was like to spend time on the wards
at the Lister.
Douglas Bainbridge and
Eleanor Barnes…
On the morning of 29 October, we
were among a group of around 30
young people who arrived bright and
early at the Lister hospital for two days
of volunteer training.
The experience proved useful in
teaching us about the different roles of
staff within the hospital, and how each
plays a part in caring for the patient.
We were also given tasks that allowed
us to truly understand what it is like to
be a patient, which helped us to see
how our role as volunteers could
positively influence their stay in the
hospital.
As well as covering all of the required
training, we were also given a taste of
practising medicine in different areas,
such as radiology. This was very
interesting, as many of us were looking
to apply to do medicine. We especially
enjoyed the chance to ask questions of
two junior doctors who came in to
speak to us.
The training course left us well
prepared for our role as volunteers and
greatly looking forward to the
experience of putting what we have
learned into practice.
As part of the programme, students
are asked to put themselves in the
shoes of patients and staff, taking part
in activities that range from making
beds to feeding each other.
Josh Taussig…
John Shenouda…
For someone who wants to embark
upon a career in medicine, volunteering
in a medical environment is vital.
I have been volunteering on ward 8A,
the general surgical ward at the Lister
hospital, since September 2009. My
session runs from 4.30pm until 7.30pm
on Mondays, and coincides with the
evening meal.
My tasks could be running errands for
the ward staff, making tea, helping the
nurses to change beds, assisting patients
who are unable to feed themselves and
many other things, including just being
around to talk to patients.
My first session on 8A was rather
daunting. I had never been on a busy
ward before, I didn't know anyone
there and I was very conscious that
stopping staff to ask what I should be
doing was disrupting their busy
routines.
I decided that the best thing to do was
to look around for simple ways I could
help out. I very soon found out that all
the ward staff were only too willing to
show me where things were and to help
me help them.
Since my first session, I have
learned so much and have
managed to have several
conversations with junior
doctors on the ward, which
will be invaluable when it
comes to university
applications.
My experience of voluntary work at the
Lister has fulfilled all my expectations.
Having been fortunate enough to start
my placement before the induction
course, I found myself fitting in nicely
with the staff on ward 5A, who were
very kind in showing me around and
helping me when necessary.
My tasks ranged from making beds to
feeding patients. But the best part of
the job is getting to speak to the
patients and making sure they know
they are in safe hands.
The induction course allowed me the
opportunity to speak to others who
were on the programme and get their
views on it.
The practical side of things was really
fun, as I started the course by being a
‘patient’ surrounded by about ten other
students representing the different
groups of NHS professionals who
would see me if I were a real patient.
Never before had I realised how
everyone’s role, from the doctor to the
porter, is essential if the patient is to
receive the very best care.
10
Killer bugs, hi-tech equipment and
gallons of blood… who said science
was dull?
Science students celebrate National
Pathology Week with tour of hospital
pathology lab
Sixth form science students from
three schools got to see their
chosen subjects in action last
month when they were given an
exclusive tour of the QEII
hospital’s pathology lab.
Gruesome sights such as deadly
malaria bugs and bags of blood were on
display for the 20 or so youngsters
from Monk’s Walk, Stanborough and Sir
Frederic Osborn schools.
And, according to their teachers,
some of them were so impressed
they’re now considering a career in
pathology.
Jack Thorn, science
teacher at Monk’s
Walk, said: “The
students who came
thought the evening
was fascinating, a real
eye-opener to the
kind of work that
goes on in real laboratories.
“Much of what we were shown
brought to life large chunks of the
syllabus we study in A Level biology
and, hopefully, will help prove a real
inspiration for the last few months of
the students’ studies.”
Lucy Perrett, in Year 11 at Sir
Frederic Osborn School, said: “It was
good because I learned a lot of things I
didn’t know and it has given me a
different insight into what goes on in
pathology.”
Jack McNab, in Year 10 at the same
school, added: “The pathology evening
was really interesting. I found out what
I have to do if I decide that I would like
to work in pathology in the future.”
The tour took place on Wednesday
18 November and was organised by
Angela Woods, consultant biochemist at
the Trust, as part of National Pathology
Week.
Staff gave the youngsters the lowdown
on different aspects of their work,
including transfusion; haematology
(blood diseases); electrophoresis
(separating proteins in the blood – for
example, to help detect cancer);
microbiology (bacteria and viruses); and
cellular pathology (tissue, organs and
cells).
Angela said: “We’re all passionate
about our work and wanted to show
the students how their science studies
can relate to real life healthcare science.
We also wanted to inform them of the
career opportunities available. It was
good for us to look at our work from a
different angle, too. We enjoyed
meeting them all, and hope to build on
these links so that we can contribute in
more ways to the local community.”
11
Stressbusters
Some ‘healthy’ N e w Year’s
resolutions Grapevine readers
might like to take up in 2010
Well, well, well. It’s 2010 - a new decade has dawned. Traditionally, it’s a time for New
Year’s resolutions - some to be cast aside even before they’ve begun; some to be bravely
attempted but discarded when the going gets tough. But some are worth persevering with.
Stressbusters has come up with the five following suggestions. If you can manage all five,
that’s wonderful. Just one would be worthwhile, though, don’t you think? And as we’re part
of the NHS, it won’t surprise any of you to find out that each of the five has a health
connection. Good luck. And make sure you let us know how you get on.
1. Quit smoking
3. Eat five a day
There’s no need to tell Grapevine
readers about the dangers of smoking.
Working in an acute hospital Trust that
treats the consequences of smoking is
surely enough to get that message
across.
If you’re still one of the small minority
of adults who smoke, quitting is
probably the best thing you could do
for your health in 2010 and beyond.
Over the past 40 years, millions of
people have succeeded in quitting. Back
in the 1970s, when many of us still had
black and white televisions, nearly half
of us were smokers. Now it’s down to
one in five.
So what about it? 2010 could be the
year for you to stop smoking for good
and save quite a bit of cash into the
bargain.
Yes, we all know that eating five
portions of fruit and veg a day will be
good for us as part of a healthy,
balanced diet.
So are you getting your five a day? If
not, why not? More importantly, what
are you going to do about it? It doesn’t
mean you can’t eat what you like best provided that you keep the fat and
sugar under control, of course.
But let’s hear it for the apples, pears,
bananas, peas, carrots,
cauliflowers and all
the other fruit
and veg that
are great to
eat and
healthy too.
If you have
any fantastic
recipes that make
your favourite fruit or vegetable the
centrepiece of a mouth-watering dish,
why not share them with your fellow
Grapevine readers?
2. Get fit
For some people, ‘getting fit’ conjures
up images of trundling along to the gym
at 6.00 am every day.
Well, that’s all right for those who are
into that kind of thing. But you don’t
have to go to extremes.
Simply becoming more physically
active than you have been could do the
trick. No, we don’t mean giving up the
remote control for the television. How
about going for a brisk 20 to 30 minute
walk at least three times a week - just
enough to get those juices flowing?
4. If you drink
alcohol, stick
within limits
Most, but by no means all, of us drink
alcohol. Let’s be honest, most of us
derive some pleasure and enjoyment
out of it. But, like many things in life,
too much of it can be a bad thing. So
let’s make sure we stick within
recommended limits, which means no
more than 21 units per week for men
and 14 units for
women. It’s a
good idea,
incidentally, to
have at least two
or three alcoholfree days a week. But
don’t save up all your
units for the week-end
and go out on a binge.
That would undo all your
good work during the
previous week.
5. Drink more
water
On the face of it, this one sounds the
easiest of all? Drinking more water
every day - child’s play, Stressbusters
hears you say.
But many of us don’t really consume
enough to keep ourselves fully
hydrated. Water aids concentration
and digestion and helps to remove
toxins from our bodies.
A number of websites, including
www.wateraid.org.uk, offer information
and advice on how much water you
should be drinking.
Let us know how you get on
over the next few months.
12
Off with a bang
for Lister Radio
at firework
display!
Janis Hall looks back on a spectacular
evening under the stars ...
Sunday 8 November found members
of the Lister Radio team joining
forces with the Letchworth Lions
and Heart FM to put on
Letchworth’s annual firework
display.
A cold, clear, starry night brought
about 3,000 local people to the
event, which proved to be a fun
night for all concerned.
The clear skies made the fireworks
look spectacular and the Chinese
lantern display, which had to be
reduced considerably because of a
possible risk to air traffic, was
amazing.
Anyone or anything looking down
on earth that night might have
wondered what was going on.
The money raised all goes to local
charities, including Garden House
Hospice, Riding for the Disabled and
the local office for Crohn’s disease.
Congratulations to our graduate pathfinders
Congratulations to the first cohort of
associate practitioners within the Trust
to graduate at the University of
Hertfordshire.
The following (pictured right) received
their foundation degrees at a ceremony
held on 12 November 2009: Stephanie
Rivers; Debra Allin; Ann Gibson; Kim
Gapper; and Elizabeth Morris.
They are all members of the children’s
continuing care team who provide
respite care for children with complex
health needs in the community.
Bernadette’s big day in Rome
The Trust’s full-time Roman Catholic
chaplain, Bernadette Cassidy, is pictured
above at a private audience with Pope
Benedict XVI.
Bernadette is also a trustee of Barka
UK, which helps the homeless and the
Got any stories
for Grapevine?
addicted. It was in this capacity that
she was invited to Rome to celebrate
the presentation of the John Paul 11
Award for Human Rights to the French
writer and philosopher, Andre
Glucksmann.
How some hidden
talents have come
to the fore
Participants in the 2009 Effective Leader
Programme celebrated the completion
of their programmes in style on 19
December.
Their festive presentation, entitled
The Twelve Days of Leadership, not only
saw the group celebrate their learning
but also demonstrated their ‘singing
skills’.
Janet Lynch presented them with
their certificates, whilst Trust chairman
Richard Beazley also joined in the
event.
Grapevine says ‘well done’ to them all,
including Kate Boffey, Sue Fox, Ana
Hernandez, Sue Devenish, Clare
Lummis, Helen Jones, Mariejke
Maciejewski, Belinda O'Brien, Debbie
Cockcroft, Bev Jeffery, Sue Samme, Eve
Mavundukure and Debbie Sefton.
Send your information or ideas to Grapevine editorial board, postal location code L69
or contact Steve Creswell in public affairs on ext. 5940 (L), e-mail steve.creswell@nhs.net