together

NHS Trust

University Hospitals of Leicesterwe are passionate and creativeAUGUST 2015

CHAMPIONING DEMENTIA CARE

Welcometo the latest edition of our magazine Together

During July I held five events with almost 600 of our staff to launch our 5-Year Plan, Delivering Caring at its BestWe first published our Strategic Direction in November 2012, and this takes those plans forward in more detail. Shaped around our strategic objectives, Delivering Caring at its Best describes how we would like to shape our hospitals and services over the next five years to ensure we can deliver the best care to meet the needs of local people. As we gain momentum with our plans, we want to share with our staff, stakeholders, patients and the public how our visions and strategy is developing. This is an important time in the history of our hospitals; for the first time in over 20 years we are bringing significant and much needed investment to the Trust. You can read a bit more about our plans on pages 8 and 9, and if you visit our website – www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk

- you can read the document in full. If you would like a printed copy please contact our Communications Team.As usual the rest of the magazine is packed with really interesting articles. In this edition we focus on our team in the skin camouflage clinic, Michelle Coltman (dermatology nurse practitioner) and Karen Elton (skin cancer nurse specialist) and the work they do to provide extra support for patients who are dealing with the psychological distress which can accompany living with a complex skin condition.Amongst the other articles, you can read about Alan Phillips, a Patient Visitor who does more than simply volunteering. He also happens to be a Research Volunteer and is involved in the Cardiac Patient and Public Involvement Group. After conversations with the group’s lead Prof. Murphy about getting a Patient Visitor

involved in research trials, they wrote a job description and Alan was offered the job! Now he visits wards and tries to encourage patients to get involved in clinical trials.There is information about how we are working with others across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to raise awareness of pressure ulcers and how people can stop them developing through the new campaign ‘Stop the pressure, make the move’, as well as a look back to Dietitians Week in June when our dietitians took to social media to raise awareness of their service and how they help patients.I hope you enjoy your summer holidays and as always, I do hope you enjoy reading our magazine. Thank you for continuing to support Leicester’s Hospitals.

John Adler Chief Executive

Stay safe and healthy this summer

www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/our-news/summer-health-advice/

Most of us welcome hot weather,

but when it’s too hot for too long

there are health risks.

Look after your family this summer with our advice, visit:

We are passionate and creative

PASSIONATE

AUGUST 2015 3

Smoking remains the biggest single preventable cause of death in the UK and the biggest single cause of respiratory disease, however, almost two thirds of those that smoke say that they would like to quit.Health care professionals working within a hospital setting are ideally placed to offer, encourage and arrange support that people who smoke need in order to have the best chance of quitting.Unfortunately, many health care professionals are unsure of how to ask or help patients and this lack of knowledge and confidence can prevent a patient receiving the expert help they need. ‘Emily’s Story’ was filmed on location at Glenfield Hospital in the Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit. It tells the story through the eyes of a young girl whose father is attending a hospital pre-operative assessment followed by an admission for a routine procedure and the subsequent fatal consequences that the missed opportunity to intervene has. We are then lucky enough to ‘rewind’ the scenario to demonstrate that a small change in the consultation has the potential to deliver a much more rewarding, positive outcome.

Leicester’s Hospitals, in partnership with Leicester City Stop Smoking Service, has produced an emotional, short film called ‘Emily’s Story’ to remind staff to offer ‘Ask, Advise, Act’ guidance when in contact with smokers.

HARD-HITTING NEW VIDEO

TO INCREASE SUPPORT OFFERED TO PATIENTS WHO SMOKE

Emily’s Story is available to watch on Leicester’s Hospitals’ Vimeo page: https://vimeo.com/128589698

The film has been endorsed by the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and National Centre for Smoking Cessation Training (NCSCT), and was launched at the UK National Smoking Cessation Conference (UKNSCC) in June 2015 to widespread acclaim.

Sanjay Agrawal, Consultant Respiratory Intensivist for Leicester’s Hospitals, said:

“We are really pleased with the authenticity of this video and hope it will be used across the country to raise awareness and develop the skills of all healthcare staff to enable them to carry out a brief, 30 second intervention with all patients who smoke to improve their quality of life.”

CREATIVE

Does your skin look like this...

...or this

What you can do to prevent

pressure ulcers?

the

make themove

In mild cases pressure ulcers (or bed sores) can be a painful discolouration of the skin. In more severe cases the skin can be broken and the damage can involve muscle and bone, which leads to the possibility of infections.

Victoria Peach, Lead Nurse for Community Services at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “People who are at risk of developing pressure ulcers can go a long way to preventing them developing by moving their position regularly. Even small movements made often can make a significant difference.”

Pressure ulcers can develop when an individual is in bed, in a chair, when

they put their feet up. They can occur anywhere where skin, usually over a bony prominence, is pressed against a surface. The pressure is often from the individual’s own body weight and restricts the flow of blood to the skin, causing the skin to break down.

Dawn Leese, Director of Nursing and Quality at Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Our ambition is to eliminate avoidable pressure ulcers as far as possible and we hope that this campaign will demonstrate how different organisations working together can make a real difference to our patients.”

The ten organisations behind the campaign are: Leicester’s Hospitals, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group, Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group, West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, LOROS and Age UK.

STOP THE PRESSURE... MAKE THE MOVE! We have joined with nine organisations in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to launch a new campaign, ‘Stop the pressure... make the move’, to raise awareness of pressure ulcers and help people take action to stop them developing.

For more information on pressure ulcers, warning signs and ways to avoid them, follow this link: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pressure-ulcers/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Our Dietetic team went all out to celebrate ‘Dietitians Week’ to raise awareness of their important service.

Dietitians Week, organised every year by the British Dietetic Association (BDA), took place from Monday 8 to Friday 12 June and aims to profile the work and value of dietitians.

Our Diet specialists unveiled the contents of their fridge for Dietitians Week!

What’s in

Using their dedicated Twitter account, @UHL_DIETITIANS, the team revealed ‘What’s in a Dietitian’s Fridge’ throughout the week - you can see some of the photos!

Jennifer Bazely, Clinical Dietetic Team Leader for Leicester’s Hospitals said:

“We play a valuable role in patient care at Leicester’s Hospitals and we wanted to use the awareness week to celebrate! As a team we encouraged clinical colleagues to get involved and tell us why they value their dedicated Dietitian. We took plenty of photos which we shared on Twitter.”

dietitiansweek8-12 June 2015

AUGUST 2015 4

PASSIONATE

For more information visit: www.lnds.nhs.uk

AUGUST 2015 5

For more information about becoming a volunteer, email volunteer.services@uhl-tr.nhs.uk or call 0116 258 7221.

Alan also happens to be a Research Volunteer and is involved in the Cardiac Patient and Public Involvement Group led by Prof. Gavin Murphy, which is how he came across his unique role within Leicester’s Hospitals. Alan explains: “A while ago, Gavin got me on to his steering group to review research programmes. We talked about how it would be good to have a Patient Visitor who had participated in a trial themselves. I helped with creating a job description for the role and once it was approved, Gavin said ‘You look like just the guy for the job!’.” Alan is already based in the cardiac wards at Glenfield Hospital and has a lot of experience as a Patient Visitor already

but for this role, specific training was needed. “Being involved in research means that I have access to projects and specific patients so I received governance training. Now I visit the wards where there are patients who have signed up for research. “If they have any worries or concerns, I can’t talk clinically, but we can have a chat about them. I’ve been a patient so I understand. But without fail, people say that this is pay back time. If they can give a little more to help the staff, help others and contribute to the greater good, then they will”, continues Alan, who has now been in post for six months and is helping evaluate the success of the role.

Alan adds: “I can allay fears without going into it clinically and talk about my experiences as a patient and with being involved in research. I can talk to someone for 25 minutes which staff don’t have time to do. Patients are always glad to have someone that they can talk to about this.” Prof. Murphy said: “Alan was perfectly suited to this role given his long standing commitment as a Patient Volunteer. His experience as part of the research team has helped shape our plans for wider public participation in research. We believe that ultimately this will increase the quality of our research and the likelihood is that it will address health problems of greatest importance to patients and their families.”

RESEARCHA patient voice forAlan Phillips is a Patient Visitor who does more than simply volunteering.

“I can allay fears without going into it clinically, and talk about my experiences as a patient and with being involved in research.”

RESEARCH & INNOVATION

THE SKIN CAMOUFLAGE CLINIC was launched approximately 18 months ago at Leicester Royal Infirmary to meet a growing need to provide extra support for patients who are dealing with the psychological distress which can accompany living with a complex skin condition.

The large multidisciplinary team consists of consultants, specialist registrars, dermatology nurse specialists, outpatients’ staff, clinic co-ordinators and skin cancer nurse specialists, who also work across plastic surgery and oncology.

Michelle Coltman, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Karen Elton, Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist (pictured), who have both received training from the British Association of Skin Camouflage, see around three patients a week.

Referrals to the clinic come from within

the adult and paediatric dermatology department, as well as other hospital specialities or the patient’s GP. Patients are offered a 45 minute appointment but it sometimes can take much longer to find the suitable colour match that the patient is happy with.

Karen explains: “We see patients with a variety of non-infectious skin conditions such as vitiligo, melasma, rosacea, lichen planus and psoriasis or birthmarks. They may also come to us with scarring from previous surgery or acne.

“Our products are more than just beauty aids and often terms such as ‘cosmetics’ and ‘make-up’ can indicate female use only. That’s why we use the non-exclusive term of ‘skin camouflage’ which removes the barriers for men undergoing the treatment as well.”

To date, the team have ‘colour-matched’

about 150 adults and children to provide sympathetic and natural looking cover for their skin conditions.

Michelle added: “The clinic has an important psychological role alongside medical intervention. Camouflage is designed to mimic the colour of the surrounding non-infected skin and as such, plays an important role in helping to restore a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. This in turn can do so much to improve general wellbeing and assist a return to normal social-sporting activities, education and employment for our patients who have often battled with conditions all their lives.”

Who inspires the team the most?M & K: Our dermatology patients inspire us, they have to cope with so much on a daily basis.

What’s the best part of your job?M & K: When someone tells you as a result of our help, they feel a lot better about themselves.

Best health tip? M & K: Always wear a sun screen to avoid long term sun damage to your skin!

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?

Michelle: The best piece of advice I was given when I started nursing was to never ask anyone to do anything you wouldn’t be prepared to do yourself.

What challenges do you face?Karen: It’s a very rewarding area of nursing but our patients often need as much psychological support as an actual treatment plan. It would be quite difficult to do this job without being a nurse prescriber.

Quick questions with Michelle and Karen…

The Skin Camouflage Clinic Learn more about the specialist team who play an important part in the dermatology clinics at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

If you would like more information about the Skin Camouflage Clinic, please speak to your consultant, nurse or GP about a referral.

In focus

AUGUST 2015 6

Karen on camouflage products

“Our products are more than just beauty aids and often terms such as ‘cosmetics’ and ‘make-up’ can indicate female use only. That’s why we use the non-exclusive term of ‘skin camouflage’ which removes the barriers for men undergoing the treatment as well.”

AUGUST 2015 7

Our 5 Year Plan

...that means we aim to provide effective care with ever improving outcomes; safe care where the risks of errors is reduced to an absolute minimum and last but by no means least, compassionate care where patients and their families are always treated with respect and tenderness. This is the core of our vision and everything else that we do should be in support of that.In five years’ time we will be smaller, more specialised, and financially sustainable. We will make our specialist expertise available to primary and social care and by exporting more of our non-specialist services to the community we will play a much bigger role in preventing illness and supporting patients before they reach a point of crisis. This will reduce the need for people to come into hospital, reduce the number of beds we need and ultimately enable us to run our specialist services from two, rather than three, big hospitals.For those patients who do need hospital treatment they will find that our services

are quicker, easier to navigate and higher quality, largely as a result of being able to focus on our specialisms, our slicker processes, our better use of technology and because we will no longer expect our staff to spread themselves across three main sites. We will invest in our buildings so that patients and staff feel a sense of pride in their local NHS. We will build a new A&E; a new day case centre, a new children’s hospital, there will be new investment in our maternity services and a new multi-storey car park. At the same time we plan, with our health and social care partners to transform the General Hospital from an acute inpatient hospital into a broader health campus. Our specialist services will grow as we create partnerships and networks with other regional hospitals; we will support district hospitals to maintain their services locally and in doing so increase referrals into our tertiary services and expand the potential for population based research.

As a consequence of shifting our focus to specialist work and using our expertise outside hospital we expect to attract increased research funding and clinical talent to our hospitals, making Leicester the regional Trust of choice for people wanting a career in the NHS.Finally, recognising that quality, safety and compassion are almost entirely reliant on the expertise, behaviour and values of all who work in Leicester’s hospitals, we will continue to invest time and resources into building a culture of engagement where people are listened to, problems are confronted and staff feel valued for the tremendous work they do.

This is what we call Caring at its Best.

Our commitment to quality is unwavering...

Delivering

Setting the sceneAs a major acute, teaching Trust there are some very specific issues which we need to solve if we are to deliver on our pledge to provide ‘Caring at its Best’. We last published our Strategic Direction in November 2012; since then much has changed not least the publication of the ‘NHS 5 Year Forward View’ nationally; and locally, the far greater emphasis on working in partnership with other health and social care colleagues through the ‘Better Care Together’ programme. Indeed, what is more apparent now than ever before is that we cannot be a strong, sustainable, high quality acute Trust without there being equally strong and sustainable local primary care and social care… in that sense our future and our ability to provide high quality care for the 1.1m people living in the richly diverse communities across the City and Counties is interwoven with that of our partners.

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You can read our 5 year plan in full on our website www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk or for a hard copy contact communications@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

Safe, high quality, patient centred healthcare

Safe

, hig

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, pat

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Safe, high quality, patient centred healthcare

An enhanced reputation in research, innovation and clinical education

A caring, professional, passionate and engaged workforce

A clinically sustainable configuration of services, operating from excellent facilities

A financially sustainable organisation

Enabled by excellent IM&T

Services which consistently meet national access standards

Integrated care in partnership with others

An excellent,

integrated, emergency care system

Our Strategic Objectives

Underpinning the vision are our Strategic Objectives.

These encompass all the things we need to do in order to deliver the vision and

ultimately our desire to provide Caring at its Best. Our Strategic

Objectives are represented in the strategy triangle (left); the fact

that ‘safe, high quality, patient centred health care’ wraps

around every objective is not an accident of

design but a reflection that safe, high

quality care is the ultimate objective

of all our endeavours.

continuing to deliver high quality care

AUGUST 2015 9

AUGUST 201510

MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES SERVICESince its launch in September 2013, the Meaningful Activity Service at Leicester’s Hospitals has expanded from a small team of three led by

the dementia sister, to nine facilitators and a team leader!

CELEBRATESSECOND ANNIVERSARY!

2yrsThe service, which sits within the Patient Experience Team, supports interdisciplinary

working across 11 wards at Leicester Royal Infirmary including

the care of older people, speciality medicine, the Acute Frailty Unit, as well as respiratory wards at Glenfield Hospital. As the service and its activities are predominately maintained by Leicester Hospitals Charity, the team work hard to fundraise together with the wards to support events and purchase bespoke resources to benefit patients. This includes a variety of promotional events, cake sales, raffles, clothing banks and requests for donations from visitors to the hospital.

Our Meaningful Activity Facilitators offer additional support for ward teams to help improve the well-being of people with dementia and their carers during their stay in hospital. The facilitators document their interventions in nursing notes and attend daily board rounds.

Patient:“I feel like I’ve been back

to De Montfort Hall today, just like I used to.

The music and dancing was wonderful,

thank you!”

Consultant:“There has

been an improvement in patient mood and well-being which

is visible and commented on by families. It has also helped

reduce some potentially challenging

behaviour.”Ward

Sister: “The service

has worked wonders with our patients.

They have the time to learn personal information about them which we

can then implement into their care.”

Carer: “It is

useful to have a member of staff

whose approach to the very difficult problems presented by

dementia is different but complimentary to

those of the nursing and medical staff.”

Over the last year the team has seen over 1000 patients, with 453 carers being involved in ward activities. Meaningful Activity can improve the well-being of people with dementia as well as promoting a closer working relationship with their carers. It provides an opportunity for cognitive stimulation, supporting physical, sensory and psychological well-being.Chantelle Lediard, Meaningful Activities team leader, explains: “As an occupational therapist by background, I feel care

provided by the meaningful activity service enables a person-centred approach to deliver customised activities. “The whole team has an array of experience and background in healthcare, and care committed to supporting older people and dementia care. They take the time to learn more about a patient’s past and present, and incorporate this in bespoke activities to treat the patient holistically.”

"I feel care provided by the meaningful activity service

enables a person-centred approach to deliver

customised activities".

Although ‘Activity’ is their middle name, the team offers so much more to support the

well-being of patients with dementia, improving their experience in hospital. Once a referral is received, the service

liaises with a multidisciplinary team to support the patient, their carer

and relatives through meaningful activities or

appropriate signposting and advice. The team also supports

patients through medical procedures and investigations to

reduce any anxiety and agitation.

Main areas of focus and activities include:1. Reminiscence activity2. Nutrition and hydration3. Personal identity4. Arts and crafts5. Games and puzzles 6. Music therapy7. Sensory work8. Group and social interaction

Patient:“What a

wonderful idea! Ladies having

their hair done, smiling and chatting, listening to Glenn Miller and

Frank Sinatra. After 11 days on the ward, this is such a stimulating activity and

has lifted the whole atmosphere of the place.”

Offering support and improving patient experience

PASSIONATE

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VolunteeringEach year our volunteers give over 1,300,000 hours of their time to support patients and visitors to our hospitals. Their role is vitally important and everything they do, no matter how small it may seem, makes a difference.

Thank you to all our Amazing VOLUNTEERS!

AUGUST 2015 12

For further information about any of these opportunities or for more details about becoming a volunteer, please call Volunteer Services on 0116 258 7221/8868/3955

We would like to say another

big thank you to all of our volunteers who

continue to give their time so generously to make

a difference to our patients.

Thank you all Volunteer Services Team

5 Year CertificatesBarbara Winner

Beverley Webster

Ismail Nurgat

Jagdev Kaur

Linda Moore

Paul Nelikulam

Stephen Burrage

Alan Phillips

Avril Pycroft

Elva Geary

Gilian Mayer

Hemma Chauhan

Janet Wimperis

Kamla Ganatra

Madeline Alton

Marlene Green

Philip Hunt

Sylvia Mullins

Usha Samat

10 Year CertificatesSulakhan Singh Dard

Elaine Mitchell

Lesley Riley

Rosemary Watson

Mary Agar

Ravirai Bhatt

Brenda Brown

Valerie Clarke

Carole Gallacher

Maxine Ingram

Naznin Jeraj

John Lacey

Dawn McDonnell

Jacolyn Noble

Barbara Nutt

Carole Prime

Ricard Stevenson

Janet Walne

Janice Wood

Volunteering should be a two way process and our role is to make sure that every volunteer receives some benefit from their work. Whether it is to help a volunteer to get a job or a place on a course, meet new people, use the skills they have or learn new ones - we try to find the right role for each individual. We offer all our volunteers certificates for the number of hours they spend volunteering with us, a free drink, travel expenses and a ‘Thank You’ each time they come in, but once a year we hold a special event just for them.

On Wednesday 3 June around 300 volunteers attended the event, held at The Empire in Leicester. Members of staff from Volunteer Services, Patient Experience and Charitable Funds put on a volunteer polo shirt and waited on them for the evening. John Adler, Chief Executive, Chairman Mr Karamjit Singh CBE and Non-Executive director, Jane Wilson attended and all gave speeches of thanks to the volunteers for their hard work and commitment over the last year. It was Mr Singh’s first volunteer event and he spent most of the evening talking to the volunteers who attended and listening to stories about their work.

Chief Executive of the Royal Voluntary Service, Mr David McCullough, made a guest appearance to present our Head

of Fundraising, Tim Diggle, with a gifting cheque for £350,000 towards the Trust’s Charitable Funds and some of the RVS volunteers were presented with long service awards.

Entertainment was provided by the excellent Tuxedo Junction, a male chorus group from Earl Shilton. Over 30 volunteers were prize winners on the raffle and quiz, plus everyone took home a free goody bag! An excellent buffet was arranged by Neil Green Catering and coffee and cake was served by our ‘staff volunteer’ team.

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Leicester’s Hospitals’ Annual Public Meeting 2015

Thursday 17 September

4.00 - 6.00 pm Information fair / listening event5.30 - 6.30pm Light buffet and refreshments6.30 - 8.00pm Chief Executive’s presentation and questions from the audience

Programme

At a time of huge change in the NHS, why not come along and find out more about how we are delivering our five year plan, Caring at its Best. During the event you will learn about our investment in buildings and how we are transforming hospital services; building on our strengths in specialised services, research and teaching. As usual, the Annual Public Meeting will be a great opportunity to meet a wide range of our staff and find out more about the services they run. Our most senior managers, the Chief Executive and Chairman will also be there to take any questions you may have.

There is no need to book a place, simply turn up on the day. However, if you do have any questions about our APM, please feel free to contact Karl Mayes, Patient and Public Involvement / Membership Manager on 0116 258 8685 or email karl.mayes@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

Do I need to book?

Venue The Big Shed, 93 Commercial Square, Freeman’s Common, Leicester LE2 7SR

Vitamin D - A panacea for all diseases Dr Prashanth PatelConsultant Metabolic Physician/Chemical Pathologist10 million adults in the UK have low vitamin D. Dr Prash Patel will talk about the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in the community, various cases and the consequences of deficiency. He will also discuss prevention of Vitamin D deficiency and treatment.

Cancer Drug Treatments - What’s available now and tomorrow?Dr Guy FaustConsultant Medical OncologistDr Faust will discuss the developments in cancer drug treatments, including what is currently available and what the future holds in terms of cancer drug treatments.

Tuesday 22nd September Wednesday 7th October

For further information about these talks please contact us on 0116 2588592, or visit www.leicesterhospitals.nhs.uk/marvellous-medicine

All Marvellous Medicine talks take place from 6pm - 8pm in the Lecture Theatre, Clinical Education Centre at Leicester General Hospital.

University Hospitals of Leicester

NHS Trust

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Our 5 Year PlanPLUS: Learn how to save a life! The Heartsafe team will be

offering training to anyone coming along to our meeting this year. Don’t miss out!

news...

Mr Vaz and his family, who attended the launch of the appeal in 2013, have been keen supporters after dealing with their own personal experience of baby loss.

They were keen to see the latest rooms in the Kensington Building at the Royal, which include a newly refurbished delivery suite, ‘The Bracken Room’, an overnight stay room’, ‘The Clover Room,’ as well as quiet space, ‘The Bluebell Room’. All three rooms have the same dandelion theme and colour as those at the General and have been designed as a calming and peaceful environment to create a home-from-home feel for parents and their families.

Anjali Vaz, daughter of Keith and his wife Maria said: “I’m delighted to be opening the Bracken Suite with its tranquil décor at Leicester Royal Infirmary. All parents need total privacy and support at a time when they are given tragic news about the loss of their baby and the new rooms will help them during this sad time. I cannot imagine what my parents went through when my sister Sahara died and I wish I had known her.”

A painting of a bluebell wood was donated by the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death (SANDS) charity and items including TVs, crockery, ornaments and other home comforts were provided by baby bereavement group ‘Stephen’s Footprints’ from Melton Mowbray.

The Leicester Baby Loss Appeal, which has grown significantly since it launched, has now reached just over £300,000 thanks to huge support from hospital staff, supporting charities, community groups and businesses across the region.

In June, Leicester Hospitals Charity invited local MP Keith Vaz and his daughter Anjali to open the final three bereavement areas at the Royal, funded through the Leicester Baby Loss Appeal.

NEW FACILITIES OPEN FOR BEREAVED PARENTS AT LEICESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY

To find out more about Leicester Hospitals Charity contact 0116 258 8709 or email fundraising@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

"All parents need total privacy and support at a time when they are given tragic news about the loss of their baby and the new rooms will help them during this sad time."

AUGUST 201514

in brief

Children’s ED team are running wild!Staff and friends of the Children’s Emergency Department have taken on several running challenges this year to raise money for sensory equipment for children attending the department. In April, several team members undertook a muddy run through fields of rural Leicestershire whilst others took on the tough challenge of the London Marathon. Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Paul Hydes said: “We are hugely proud of everyone’s achievements and would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us by making donations.”The team will continue to take on challenges this year, for more information or to make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/LRIPaedsED/

Ward 23 at the Royal, which cares for older patients in hospital, had an ambitious afternoon makeover in June to improve the environment for patients and staff. Senior nurses and ward staff were supported by the Interserve facilities team, who kindly donated staff labour time and materials for the project. Julie White, matron and patient experience lead for Speciality Medicine, explains: “The team cleared out old information, posters, pictures and

equipment before installing better lighting and a new entrance poster designed by our team to greet people onto the ward. We would also like to thank

Leicester Hospitals Charity, the Patient Experience Team and Meaningful Activities Service for their support and donations for the project.”

A new Education and Practice Learning Academy was opened on Tuesday 12 May at the Royal to mark International Nurses’ Day.Every year, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) leads the UK's activities to celebrate Nurses' Day, held each year on 12 May which is also Florence Nightingale's birthday. Claire Agnew, Senior Nurse Clinical Practice Development, said: “We decided to have a grand opening day on Nurses’ Day to have a double celebration. Attendees were invited to contribute to bunting, which was on display to show why we are proud to be in nursing.”As part of the celebrations, Katrina Toland, matron for General Medicine, Sue Burton, deputy head of nursing and Gill Staton, head of nursing for Emergency services, visited various wards dressed in old fashioned nurse uniforms – including hats!

International Nurses’ Day!

COVERChantelle Lediard with the Meaningful Activities Team

CONTACTtogether is written and edited by:

Rosalind Ward Communications Officer Communications Department Level 2, Windsor Building Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LE1 5WW

communications@uhl-tr.nhs.uk 0116 258 8644

Contributors include: Laura Mort Jennifer Durrant Tiffany Jones

SUBMISSIONStogether a great way to share your news and success. Please contact the Communications team to discuss.

DELIVERYIf you think your area is receiving too few or too many copies of together please email: communications@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.

THANKS...

To the Leicester Mercury for letting us use some of their photographs.

Design and photography by: UHL Medical Illustration 0116 258 6369

is the official magazine of the University Hospitals of Leicester.

Are you sun aware?

60 minute makeover!

In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of skin cancer with more than 100,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK. While the disease can occur on parts of the body not exposed to sunlight, extensive sun exposure is thought to be responsible for the vast majority of cases. Karen Elton, skin cancer specialist nurse, explains: “While many people associate a tan with looking healthy, it’s actually a sign our skin has been harmed by UV radiation and is trying to defend itself against further damage. Everyone should learn about the dangers of sunburn and excessive tanning and should self-examine once a month for signs of skin cancer.”For more information about Sun Awareness visit www.skinawareness.org

TO ENTERLast edition’s winner:Celia BloorTo be in with a chance of winning simply tell us:

When was our Meaningful Activity service launched?

Send your answer, name and contact details to: competitions@uhl-tr.nhs.ukThe closing date for this competition is Wednesday 23 September 2015

WIN(covers two adults and two children, between ages 3-15yrs). Valid until end of December 2015.

FREE family day ticket to CONKERS!COMPETITION!

CONKERS is managed by Planning Solutions Ltd on behalf of The National Forest Charitable Trust.

www.visitconkers.com

CONKERS is the award-winning attraction at the heart of the National Forest, based near Moira in Leicestershire.

It offers a unique mix of indoor and outdoor experiences across 120 acres of maturing

woodlands, lakes, ponds, play areas and an 18-stage assault course challenge.

Indoors, a British Woodland has over 100 indoor interactive exhibits in

four seasonal zones or visitors can experience the Enchanted Forest, climbing through the treetops and along rope walkways.

A whole day of family adventures!