The community magazine from the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS70 celebrations (page 6-7)
Inspiring future generations (page 8-9)
insight ISSUE 39 AUTUMN 2018
Pat Bath volunteer story (page 11)
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
RoyalUnited HospitalBath
@RUHBath
inside this issue 4&5
News round-up
6 - 7
NHS at 70
8
Project Search
12 - 13 The Forever Friends Appeal 14
All your Membership news
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Tiny Tickers
Welcome Welcome to the autumn edition of insight, our community magazine. It’s been an exciting few months here at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH). On 5 July, we celebrated the 70th birthday of the NHS and you may have seen Edith Kenney from our summer insight magazine feature on local TV and radio. It was also the perfect opportunity for us to thank staff for all the amazing work they continue to do. You can find out more about our NHS70 celebrations on pages six and seven. We’re also taking a look at the future of the NHS as well. You’ll learn more about our 6th form conference and Project Search – our programme to help students with learning disabilities to gain work experience and find jobs – on pages eight and nine.
Contributors
Also with big changes to come for our Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic Department, we share more information about this specialist team and hear a patient story from Marlene Gallop. I hope you find this edition of insight interesting and can see that we’re working together to make a difference to our patients care and experience.
Pat Bath 17 years RUH volunteer (page 11)
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Helen Rogers Meet your Governor (Page 15)
Best wishes James Scott Chief Executive We’re always keen to hear your feedback about insight, or any aspect of our work. Please email ruh-tr.communicationteam@nhs.net
Oral and Maxillofacial team
Behind the Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic Department Work has begun to move our specialist Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic Department to a new purpose-build home in the RUH.
without causing a problem. During my appointment at the hospital I mentioned that I was suffering from a sore inside my mouth and a biopsy was taken.
The new facility is part of our Fit For the Future programme – a redevelopment plan to transform our site and further improve the services we provide. The new build will provide a ‘Centre for Excellence’ for conditions of the head and neck, including cancer and facial injuries, oral surgery and orthodontics.
“It was confirmed that the cancer had returned, so I then had a number of consultations, surgeries and treatments at the RUH and the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI). I was so relieved when I found out that I could receive my radiotherapy course at the RUH as I know it can be an unpleasant experience, but I’m supported by staff I know I can trust.”
You can read more about the department’s work and our fundraising appeal on Page 12. But just what makes our specialist unit so special? Patient Marlene Gallop is currently undergoing treatment there and says the compassion from staff has helped her through some difficult times.
FIT FOR THE FUTURE
Marlene’s story “Twenty years ago I had a facial tumour removed from my jaw by specialist surgeons at the RUH. After the surgery I was then given a course of radiotherapy to prevent any recurrence in that area and destroy any remaining cancer cells. Radiotherapy can be an
Marlene Gallop
exhausting and stressful treatment to receive, which often involves wearing a large plastic mould to keep you still, which felt claustrophobic.
“Some years later, when I visited my local dentist to have a tooth extracted, I found myself being referred to the Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic Department at the RUH for a second time. The radiotherapy treatment I had received had made dental work difficult in that area – and my dentist wasn’t confident that he could remove a tooth
Marlene Gallop, RUH patient. Did you know? • Every day the team sees about 50 patients. • Around 5,600 new patients are treated in this department each year. • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery staff are experts in conditions of the face, mouth and jaw. • We also look after patients with complex medical problems. • We cover a catchment area of people from Bath, North East Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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p u d n u o R s New Toy story Young patients on our Children’s Ward now have more toys and games to entertain them, thanks to the generosity of a Wiltshire family and their local community. Parents Anna and Richard Harding, from North Bradley, whose seven-year-old son Luke is being treated for leukaemia, were so grateful for the care he’s received that they organised a coffee morning – and raised more than £700. Luke’s mother Anna said: “We’ve become regulars here and over the months thought about raising money to buy some items that would “The nurses really benefit and specialists the ward. This place and all the staff has become we’ve met have like a second become like home – the family to us.” nurses and specialists and all the staff we’ve met have become like family to us.” Thank you to the Harding family for their donation.
Staff pledge to end pj paralysis
On the move to end pj paralysis Early this year we joined NHS England’s campaign to End PJ Paralysis and speed-up patients’ recovery and reduce the length of time spent in hospital. Our teams recorded that more than 7,000 patients were helped to get dressed and we supported 8,000 to be mobile – making a massive difference to patient recovery. The campaign might have ended but we’re not stopping there – we’re encouraging members of the public to support the mobility of their friends and family in hospital by bringing them well-fitting footwear and day clothes. How can I help? If you or someone you know is going into hospital our website has useful information from preparing for your stay to what to
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expect during your time on the ward. Learn more at: ruh.nhs.uk/patients/ your_care_inpatient/index.
New RNHRD and Therapies Centre – one year away In July the final concrete was laid by Christina Brownsword, topping out the structure of our new RNHRD and Therapies Centre. Christina and husband Andrew have pledged up to £1m to match every pound donated to The Forever Friends Appeal’s Therapies Matter campaign. Also present at the ceremony was Alan White, from Kingsdown, whose sister passed away in 2016 and left a generous legacy towards the building of the new Therapies Centre.
left to right: James Scott, RUH Chief Executive, Alan White, Christina Brownsword, Tim Hobbs, Forever Friends Appeal Head of Fundraising and David Snell, Operations Director, Kier Construction.
Mr White “This new centre said: “My which will treat sister Lynne was a many patients in long term the future.” patient at the RNHRD and the RUH and was treated for her chronic pain condition. Sadly she passed away aged 62, but she would be delighted to know that we have reached this important stage in creating this new centre which will treat many patients in the future.”
Birthday celebrations on NICU
Happy 7th birthday NICU As the NHS celebrated its 70th birthday in July, our Dyson Centre for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was marking its seventh anniversary. NICU was transformed from a small facility into a pioneering new home in 2011, caring for premature and sick babies. Thank you to everyone who’s supported NICU through donations and fundraising.
Once building work is completed the construction of the new Cancer Centre will begin – all part of our major redevelopment programme to make the RUH fit for the future.
Home First – one year on We’re celebrating our successful Home First service, which in its first year has helped more than 2,000 patients return home sooner with the right support in place. Home First was launched by RUH last year bringing together experts from health, social and voluntary sectors and
The Home First team
three Clinical Commissioning Groups to focus on patients who are well enough to leave hospital, but might need extra support when they return home. In May, the Home First Team was awarded the South of England NHS70 Parliamentary Award and made the shortlist of finalist for the national NHS70 Parliamentary award.
Stacks of hats on Mary ward.
Hat’s it! We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of knitters from all over the world. Last October we launched an appeal for 5,000 baby bobble hats. Eight months on we’ve received more than 30,000 hats enough for the next six years! So for the time being we’re saying thank you very much – but no more please. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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e the stars of and families ar f af st s, nt tie Pa film. Nursing times on
at the RUH first baby born d spent an e th as w es m Perry-Ja weeks an Fox Arne Nye as born at 34 U). As :06am. Fox w Care Unit (NIC 02 e iv at ns ly te Ju In 5 l ta on na Nye, is eo N e m in weeks iddle na additional two hday with the NHS – his m for establishing rt le bi was responsib Fox shares his an. n, the man who lly and Jonath after Nye Beva tulations to new parents Sa ra the NHS. Cong Midwives on Mary ward
Celebr NHS
On 5 July, we marked of the NHS with celebr events across the Trust
In the Atrium at the RUH we had a disp past, present and future of the NHS. We opportunity to look into the future and projects and innovations.
Here’s our photo roundup of the day’s c
1947 student nurse from Edith Kenney, RUH io. rad d an TV al loc by was interviewed
Staff from our clinical trials team enjoying the NHS cupcakes.
Our team at 6
Trowbridge
Birth Centre
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Visitors sh a about the red what the NHS on p ost-i
day cake NHS70 birth Lewis. Je made by ss
mark NHS70. by the RUH to ed uc od pr o website. f a new vide e video on our th ch at w n ca You
Staff selfie! Nurses Claire and Jo strike a po se.
rating S70
7 ways to support the NHS in its 70th year... 1. Volunteer 2. Take care of yourself 3. Pledge to use services wisely 4. Get involved in research 5. Work for the NHS 6. Give blood or join the Organ Donor Register 7. Support NHS charities
the 70th birthday rations and t.
play celebrating the We also took the d celebrate our research
celebrations.
ey love it notes.
Bath Maternity
Unit
‘Watt’ a sight !W in marking NH e joined hundreds of landm S7 arks across th e up was organi 0 by illuminating our build ings in blue. Th UK sed by our Esta e lighttes departmen blue flood light t, who arrang s ed Royal Nationa to be installed outside the front of the RU for l Hospital for Rh H and eumatic Diseas es (the Min). www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Supporting young people into employment Project SEARCH is a one year course supported by the Trust that helps students with learning disabilities to gain work experience and find jobs. The RUH enrols up to a dozen students on the programme and, from their classroom on site, they go into the hospital to work as trainees in around 40 departments and wards. Trust Chief Executive James Scott said: “We have completely embraced Project SEARCH. We are proud to challenge traditional perceptions about employing people with learning disabilities, and provide students with good instruction and tuition to enable them to perform in their roles and significantly increase their “I’m really prospects of full-time proud to be employment. The RUH is working in such a better place because of an amazing Project SEARCH.”
keeping the ward areas clean, restocking supplies, delivering to the laundry, organisation.” all jobs that help the The scheme has been so nursing staff and patients. successful that the Trust Everyone’s been really leads the NHS nationally friendly and it’s made me feel in terms of the number of that I’m important to the hospital.” Project SEARCH interns who then go on Sapphire Peacock worked on reception to employment. in the Physioytherapy department. She Bradley Purchase, 19, worked in Midford said: “When I started it was tough at Ward as a patient support assistant. times but you just have to put on a He said: “I’ve learned lots of tasks like brave face. I always have my colleague with me though and if I have a problem she’s always here, really helpful and amazing. I’ve really enjoyed the Project SEARCH experience.” James Taylor is a graduate from Project SEARCH and has been working at the RUH for five years. He’s ward clerk at the Children’s Unit.
Bradley Purchase 8
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He said: “I’m really proud to be working in such an amazing organisation. I’d have laughed if you’d asked me when I left school if I thought I’d ever be where I am today. I grew up here as a patient and now it’s really good to be able to give
James Taylor
something back.” Project SEARCH teacher Tony Kelly said: “It’s very rewarding to see how our students develop into confident, sociable and able young adults with experience in work and social skills that can really help them to succeed in the job market.” Project SEARCH is a partnership with Fosse Way School in Radstock, Virgin Care and the Trust. For more information go to http://www.fossewayschool.co.uk/ project-search/ Sapphire Peacock
Delivering a lesson in midwifery
Obstetrics and midwifery interactive seminar
NHS next gen More than a hundred students from Bath and the surrounding areas have been learning what it takes to work within a busy NHS hospital. We held a three-day Sixth Form Conference, which offered a unique insight into a working hospital environment and the other healthcare career paths that may be open to them. As well as enjoying a range of lectures from clinical staff at the RUH, students took part in practical workshops, trying their hand at a range of medical techniques and skills – from caring for an emergency admission, to suturing a wound, taking blood, and even delivering a model baby. On the second day of the conference, attendees witnessed a knee operation take place in real time via a live video link to one of our theatres. Attendee Anna Krysztopik said: “I feel like we’ve had a proper experience seeing many parts of the NHS in one hit. I’m Sixth Form Conference, A day in the life of a GP – Charlotte Barton
considering a career in medicine and after today there are even more healthcare jobs for me to consider.” Aspiring doctors in the group also got the chance to talk to our junior doctors, asking them about the training involved in becoming a qualified medic and what it’s like to work on the wards. The session prompted some fascinating discussions, covering everything from learning how to cope with death to how to strike a happy work-life balance.
Clinical skills suturing
Conference organiser Daniele FawknerCorbett said: “Once again, we had a really great group of students who got fully involved in the activities on offer. So many of the students come onto the course interested in a career in the NHS, but a little apprehensive or unsure of what exactly that might involve. The conference is the perfect way to demystify the NHS and showcase the wide variety of
Medical simulation
opportunities on offer for rewarding, lifelong careers here at the hospital.” Student Alice Stenton said: “The workshops have been amazing, the skills based hands-on learning was very engaging.“
A day in the life of a midwife In June, students aged 15-19 from local senior schools spent the day meeting our midwives and learning about the roles and careers midwifery offers. Students discovered the lifestyle, personality, career and job skills of midwives through a ‘speed dating’ style question and answer session. They also explored the range of equipment that midwives use on a daily basis and took part in a demonstration delivering a baby using our simulation models. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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www.friendsoftheruh.org.uk | 01225 824046 | ruh-tr.volunteers@nhs.net
Did you know The Friends of the RUH charity has been a vital part of the hospital for the past 61 years? You might have wondered who organises our volunteers, and how the Friends café and hospital shop is run. We take a look at the work the charity does for the RUH.
Who we are
What we do
The Friends of the RUH, formally known
That group of friends has grown and we have more than 300 volunteers, who work in twenty different areas of the hospital. This includes:
as the League of Friends, was created in 1957. A small group of friends decided to get together and visit the patients
• Carer Hub • Gardeners • Breastfeeding Peer Support volunteers • Emergency Department volunteers
in hospital. We are self-funded and
• Shop trolley
• Pets as Therapy
the charity is managed by a board of
• Friends Café
• Hospital shop
volunteer trustees who meet monthly.
• Student volunteers
• Hospital guides
Our volunteer numbers grow each year as more needs are met within the hospital. If you would like to find out more about how to volunteer go to: friendsoftheruh.org.uk Our profits from the retail outlets go back into supporting the hospital. Last year we donated a massive £128,128 to the RUH. 10
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‘Volunteering is my way of saying thank you’ Pat Bath has been a volunteer at the RUH for 17 years – serving patients, their families and staff in the Friends of the RUH coffee shop. Growing up in Bath, Pat shares her story of how the RUH has been a part of her life and why she decided to become a volunteer. “My first memory of the RUH was when I was 16 years old and I came off my boyfriend’s motorbike in the woods. In the early 1950s you didn’t have to wear a helmet and I remember the staff were worried that I had fractured my skull, but luckily I hadn’t and I spent ten days on the Victoria ward. And as for the boyfriend… It didn’t put me of him as we got married in 1958. The first of my three sons was born at St Martin’s “Mr Tate couldn’t Hospital in 1962. We believe that his didn’t have a car, so I got first operation in the bus from Batheaston Pat Bath (right) serving in the Friends of the RUH coffee shop to the hospital. Although Bath would be my two younger sons someone called time I was in and out customers in the coffee shop. were born at home, of the RUH a lot. In Mrs Bath!“ I cannot speak highly enough of other generations of my December 1993 I suffered the hospital both as a patient and a family have had their a haemorrhage and was volunteer. I love working here as you children here and the rushed to hospital – I ended up meet lots of people you wouldn’t newest arrival was in May this year. having my colon removed under the care normally see. Volunteering is my way of of Mr Tate. saying thank you to the RUH.” In the 80s I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Mr Tate remembered me well as he had disease and Colitis and during this Supporting the RUH has been in the recently joined the RUH. He couldn’t Pat Bath family. Pat’s parents-in-law bought believe that his first operation in Bath one of the foundation stones to help would be someone called Mrs Bath! build the present site on Combe 17 years ago I retired from my job at Park. In return they received a the University of Bath and decided that commemorative I’d like to give something back and mug dated volunteer at the RUH, which has cared 25th October for me and my family. I started working 1930, which one day a week taking the coffee trolley Pat has kindly around the wards – this was before donated to the Friends coffee shop was built. Now the RUH. you can find me serving and talking to Interested in joining our team and making a difference? Check the contact details at the top of page 10. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Introducing our Spec Breast Unit
Patient Care Service Columns
Fundraising target: £450,000
Critical Care Unit Fundraising target: £150,000 The Critical Care team delivers lifesaving treatment to the most unwell and most vulnerable 2% of the RUH patient population. The unit has 13 beds and treats any patient of any age with any life threatening condition. Why we need your help The Critical Care Unit needs to be refurbished to be able to further improve the excellent clinical care it provides. There are plans to
install Patient Care Service Columns (pictured) to better manage the lifesaving equipment found around the patient’s bed. These columns will help further improve the environment for staff to treat patients in emergencies when every second is vital to providing lifesaving treatment. The Appeal is raising £150,000 towards the refurbishment of the Critical Care Unit, with support directed towards these state-of-the art Patient Care Service Columns.
Facial Surgery & Orthodontics Unit Fundraising target: £200,000+ The Facial Surgery and Orthodontics Unit provides diagnosis and management of facial skin cancers, traumatic facial injuries, infections of deep spaces of head and neck cancers, facial deformity, salivary gland pathology, impacted teeth, oral pathology and orthodontics. Compared with other district general hospitals, the department is unique as it offers specialist paediatric dentistry and orthodontics assessments on the same day – providing an extra level of care and convenience for 12
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children and their families. Why we need your help The RUH is relocating the Facial Surgery and Orthodontics Unit to make way for the new Cancer Centre. This move is an opportunity to create a new improved facility which will provide a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in a new purposed designed environment. The new unit will cost £2.7m and it will be an approximate 90/10% partnership between the NHS and charitable funding sources. The Forever Friends Appeal needs to raise a minimum of £200,000 towards this total to enhance what the NHS can provide and improve the clinical vision and patient care at the hospital.
The Breast Unit provides an integrated range of services for patients with breast conditions, including rapid access diagnostic clinics by a team of dedicated specialists. It has state of the art breast imaging You can help equipment, digital mammography, showing you breast tomosynthesis for our Speci and breast MRI. There are ple The Breast Unit ways to do th also offers women foreverfriends a comprehensive service for oncoplastic and breast reconstruction. Why we need your help The hospital needs to redevelop and expand the unit so it can continue its work with an increasing number of patients each year and create a more welcoming and calming atmosphere for
cial Appeals
patients. The redevelopment will see a new area for mammographic and MRI reporting, an improved waiting area and peace garden, enlarged consultation suites and examination areas, and a dedicated treatment room to support day care surgery, which will allow breast care nurses to support p us by patients and carers ur support during the diagnosis ial Appeals. and treatment of breast enty of cancer. Although not his, just visit: part of the new Cancer sappeal.co.uk Centre, the new Breast Unit will sit in close proximity and many of its patients will use the new Cancer Centre for their treatment and services offered by the wellbeing, support and information hub. The NHS is providing funding for new equipment in the Breast Unit, which will cost over £1m. With NHS resources limited, we need to raise £450,000. Breast cancer screening
Friendly Faces activities
The Friendly Faces Project Fundraising target: £30,000
class, and art sessions.
Often a hospital stay for a patient living with dementia can be quite distressing and confusing. At the RUH 75% of our patients are over 65 and of that patient group, some 30% suffer from dementia – but may be in hospital for other treatment. This makes dementia a key issue when caring for all our patients on a variety of wards. The Friendly Faces Project recruits volunteers who can come in to the RUH and to on wards in the hospital and be a ‘friendly face’ during a patients stay. A friendly face can simply be having someone to sit and talk to, playing a game of cards, or even singing! The project also provides various activities on the wards including a movement
The project’s three-year aim is to provide patients with outstanding dementia care, with the vision of becoming the leading dementia friendly hospital in England by 2020. It works in partnership with The Alzheimer’s Society, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership and Research Institute for Care of the Elderly (RICE) to provide this important service. Why we need your help We need to fund the project to keep it running over the next two years and expand it to reach more patients with dementia at the RUH. More volunteers are also needed. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Tracy Williams, email: T.Williams@alzheimers.org.uk
If you would like to help us with all or one of these Special Appeals, there are many ways you can do this: • Come to one of our information and • Take part in one of our fundraising tour events about our Special Appeals events and pledge your sponsorship to one of the Special Appeals. – visit our website for dates or email us to register your interest. • Fundraise at your place of work or donate through payroll giving. • Make a donation online today at: foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk
• Leave a gift in your Will. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Membership news
Dates for the diary
Have your say
Annual General Meeting On Wednesday 26th September, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place at the Assembly Rooms, Bath and you are invited. At this year’s meeting, the Trust will reflect on its activities, challenges and achievements over the last financial year. There will be a presentation of the Annual Report and Accounts and the Trust will outline its plans for the year ahead. This meeting is open to the public, so please come along and invite your friends to share their views too. Refreshments will be available from 5pm. There will be a number of information stands about key areas of activity, with members of clinical staff and Governors will be available to answer any questions you may have. The main meeting will begin around 5.45pm. If you would like to come, please call Membership Office on 01225 821262 or email RUHmembership@nhs.net
Caring for You All events are held from 6-7:30pm in the Post Graduate Medical Centre (B20), RUH. • Men’s Health Wednesday 19 September
Contact your Governors We welcome your comments, compliments, concerns and complaints - through listening to your experiences we can learn and make improvements for everyone. Public Governors are the ‘voice of the people’ and they help us shape our services and plans for the RUH.
to feedback from patients and take action to improve our systems and processes, where we can, to ensure that patients and the public know that they have a say in what we do.
Governors can be contacted via email or post.
Mendip
We are committed to working with patients and the public to ensure that everyone is involved and engaged in the work that we do. The Governors across all constituencies receive the feedback at their quarterly Council of Governors meetings where items can be escalated to Governor working groups for further monitoring.
Monday 15 October, 6-8pm, Mendip District Council, Cannard’s Grave Road
We are also committed to ensuring that we respond
• Women’s Health Tuesday 13 November • Cancer & Survivorship Wednesday 23 January 2019 • The Value of Therapies Wednesday 13th March 2019 • Research & Development at the RUH Tuesday 28 May 2019
Constituency Meetings Tea and coffee available 30 minutes before the start.
North East Somerset Thursday 6 September, 6-8pm, Keynsham Masonic Hall, 99 Bath Road
South Wiltshire Monday 10 September, 2-4pm, Melksham Town Hall, Market Place
City of Bath Wednesday 3 October, 2-4pm, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square
North Wiltshire Wednesday 10 October, 2-4pm, Needle Community and Arts Centre, High Street, Chippenham
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Contacting your Governors To contact your Governor, please send your enquiry to RUHmembership@nhs.net Alternatively, you can submit your query in writing (no stamp required) to: Freepost RSLZ-GHKGUKKL, RUH Membership Office, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Combe Park, Bath BA1 3NG
Meet your Governor Helen Rogers, Public Governor for North East Somerset and Director for The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Wales. About my role It’s challenging and exciting, there is never a dull moment – every day is different. I like to get stuck into my role by meeting members, planning constituency meetings and chairing business and strategy working groups, as well as attending Council of Governors meetings. My job is to represent the membership, so having an open dialogue with our members is very important to me. I’ve worked here as a midwife and I’ve also been a patient – it’s important to me to give something back.
What I love about what I do I’m really proud of the RUH. I love being part of a hospital that is moving forward and it’s great to see that we’re changing with the times and responding to the needs of our patients.
about the RUH. They want to be part of the hospital. They want to see it thrive and grow and they’re immensely proud of the RUH. This is wonderful to hear – coming from the clinical side, you’re so focused on care that you don’t always stop to hear that people really praise the RUH. Our members hold the hospital dear in their hearts. Governors have a huge influence on how the hospital is run. I find it really fulfilling to go through the detail and raise issues which can influence a decision or the strategy on a project. I worked on the bid that brought the maternity services back to the RUH after twenty-two years of those services being run by other NHS providers. I felt very passionately about this and I was very proud we were successful. We have a very good maternity service at the RUH.
Challenges I face
Being a governor is a voluntary role but very rewarding. I enjoy getting out there, taking the opportunity to share all the wonderful things that are happening at the RUH.
Paperwork! To keep up-to-date there’s a lot of paperwork to read and you need to make sure you’ve got all the information. It can be a challenge to make time to sit down and do it, but I’m used to it now.
Our members are amazing – they come to our meetings with fascinating stories
In my day job with the Royal College of Midwives in Wales I see at first-hand how
Marathon ru nner Hel fundraising fo en r the Forever Friend s Appeal
different hospitals are run. I’ve got a lot of experience in midwifery, policy and working with the government and I feel I can contribute to the challenges faced by the RUH and the wider NHS.
Looking after our members I originally signed up to learn more about the Trust and give something back. Now as a governor I can see we have a clear role in looking after our members and we do this in all kinds of ways, including working groups, question-and-answer sessions and governor and board meetings. I think it’s important for any organisation with members to have people on board who will look after their interests and take any views to the appropriate channels. We feedback everything that we hear in constituency meetings. We try to answer questions as soon as we can and we share feedback through our newsletters and at the AGM, which this year will be held on 26 September. Come along – it is a great opportunity to meet your governors and have your questions answered. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Art at the Exhibitions
Peter Brown, Weather from Bathwick Fields
Bath Open Studios Central Gallery, Zone B: 6th October 2018 – 17th January 2019 Bath Open Studios showcases an eclectic range of art and craft that is made across the city, and a selection of work will be on display at the RUH. There will be around 100 works on show from the five Bath art trails (Bear Flat, Combe Down, Larkhall, Newbridge and Widcombe) including paintings, prints and photography as well as ceramics.
Study of the Colosseum, Michael Chaitow
Bath Artists’ Studios and AATH Fundraising Auction South Gallery, Zone C: 10th August – 26th September 2018 Following two successful fundraising art auctions, Bath Artists’ Studios (BAS) and Art at the Heart (AATH) are teaming up once again to stage a further event in 2018. Proceeds from the auctions contribute to the work of two charitable arts organisations dedicated to education, supporting artists and contributing to enhancing the Royal United Hospital’s environment of health and wellbeing.
The Last Over, Nick Cudworth
An exhibition of up to 50 selected works will be displayed in the South Gallery (Zone C) RUH featuring popular Bath artists including Peter Brown and Nick Cudworth. You can bid for the artworks by placing a bid form in the box in the RUH South Gallery or online via artatruh.org Artist Peter Brown is very kindly donating the total sale price of his artwork in the auction to split between both charities. The exhibition will then transfer to The Roper Gallery at the Bath Artists’ Studios for the final auction during BAS’ annual Open Studios (Friday 28th – Sunday 30th September). There are around 500 artworks across the RUH site. You can pick up an RUH Art Map from the Central Gallery (Zone B) to locate further artwork and exhibitions. 16
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After the Rain, Southwold, Poppy James
of the RUH Artsparks and Stitch in Time resume on the wards The RUH Arts Team at the Creative Bath Awards
Art at the Heart win Creative Bath Award 2018 Art at the Heart of the RUH (AATH) have won a Creative Bath Award for the second year running. This year the RUH’s arts in health programme has been awarded best Creative Arts Organisation. The judges said: “Their engaging, positive work connects patients, staff and the community and acts as a unique, high profile showcase for art.” For more information about the arts programme at the RUH, please visit www.artatruh.org and if you would like to sign up to our quarterly e-newsletter to receive news of our exhibition and music programme, events and fundraisers, as well as being the first to hear about new Art at the Heart projects, you can sign up via our website: artatruh.org/join-our-mailing-list/
Soundbite Dates for your diary We have fantastic music performances scheduled with Live Music Now musicians visiting the RUH for a lunchtime performance at 1pm in the Atrium before moving to the wards from 1.45 – 3.30pm to perform for patients and their families. Friday 7th September – Beatrice Newman (Cello) and Rachael Elliot (Violin) Friday 12th October – Bowreed featuring Fred Holden (fiddle) and Ben Trott (guitar) Friday 23rd November – Chris Webb (singer/songwriter from Bristol)
We are very pleased to reveal that Artsparks will be continuing on the Children’s ward and Stitch in Time on the OPU wards with artists Edwina Bridgeman and Charlotte Stowell delivering workshops alternately. Artsparks brings a series of regular creative workshops to young patients on the Children’s Ward. The workshops take place in the playroom and by patients’ bedsides.
Stitch in Time workshops incorporate a range of images and creative textile processes, taking elements from one-to-one and group conversations on the wards as well as sharing of memories. By encouraging and supporting social skills and interaction between patients, we hope to increase patients’ self-esteem and confidence by introducing them to a new skill that they can then share with their family, friends and loved ones.
RNHRD and Therapies Centre Hydrotherapy Pool Windows by Chris Tipping Following patient consultation, two projects – the geographical timeline and hydrotherapy pool windows – are using ‘Flow’ as a key theme. Christopher Tipping has researched aspects of heritage and the ‘sense of place’ relating to both Internal view of Hydrotherapy pool windows, Chris Tipping hospital sites, to create a bespoke contemporary design using traditional treatments of sand blasting, etching and enamelling to the glazed walls of the hydrotherapy pool. Wallpaper Design by Jose Mendoza The brief was to take inspiration from the RNHRD (The Min) artefacts and paintings and find ways to interpret into a modern clinical building.
Wallpaper design draft, Jose Mendoza
We are unable to show the original paintings housed at The Mineral Water Hospital in the new RNHRD and Therapies Centre, therefore the design interprets aspects of The Min’s heritage collection of artefacts and historic portrait paintings to create bespoke wallpaper for the waiting area and corridor for RNHRD Rheumatology. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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Dr Emily Henderson
£2.1m trial into Parkinson’s disease
A UK-wide trial into Parkinson’s disease led by the RUH and the University of Bristol is going ahead, thanks to a £2.1 million grant from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). It will test whether a commonly prescribed dementia drug could prevent debilitating falls for people with the disease. Falls are a frequent complication of Parkinson’s, which affect around 60 per cent of the 127,000-people diagnosed with the condition each year. The new three-year trial is led by Dr Emily Henderson, a Geriatrician at
the Royal United Hospital in Bath and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol. It will recruit 600 patients across 26 UK hospitals to determine whether a drug, known as a cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEi) will help people with Parkinson’s. Dr Henderson said: “As the population ages, the number of people living with Parkinson’s disease and the occurrence of complications will increase. There is an
urgent need to identify treatments that reduce falls in Parkinson’s disease. This trial will provide definitive evidence as to the role of ChEi for falls. If successful, this treatment will improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s now and has the potential to be tested in other groups of patients who are at high risk of falling. We are working hard to tackle one of the most disabling complications of Parkinson’s.”
Sonographers celebrate at the RUH
A heart-warming story Since 2016, the Tiny Tickers charity has been training sonographers across the South West to spot heart defects while carrying out routine 20-week pregnancy scans. We were pleased to host Tiny Tickers as they trained their 1000th sonographer, Georgina Redman, a Radiographer from the RUH. The specialist cardiac training enhances the confidence and skills sonographers need to detect heart 18
insight Autumn 2018
defects during pregnancy scans. Pamela Norbury, Team Lead Sonographer, said, “‘We are delighted that our training session included the 1000th sonographer to be trained. As sonographers we are always looking to improve our detection
rates, with the ultimate aim of optimising care for our patients.” Jon Arnold, of Tiny Tickers, said: We’re thrilled to reach this milestone. Early detection of coronary heart disease can help save lives and we’re very proud of the part we’ve played in helping make sure more babies than ever before are being detected prior to birth.”
Thanks &thoughts We love to hear from patients and their families. Every year we receive an incredible amount of thank you letters and feedback. Here’s a selection of recent thanks, which we thought you’d enjoy reading.
Fantastic Play Specialist Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteers: left, Heather Kale and right, Tamsin Oldham.
Let’s hear it for Heather Congratulations to Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer Heather Kale, who won this year’s Volunteer of the Year at the Heart of Bath Awards. Heather is part of a team of volunteers, who support new parents with feeding their babies. For more than ten years Heather has been a volunteer giving her time at the RUH and running a support group in Percy Community Centre. Heather said: “I was absolutely delighted and honoured to be nominated for this award. All the mums are amazing and to see them growing in confidence – from first meeting in the hospital with a newborn to a mother with a toddling youngster – it’s incredible. For me being a volunteer is such a privilege and I feel my life would be much the poorer without it.”
www.twitter.com/RUHBath
Just want to say an extra special thank you to fantastic Play specialist Jo on the children’s ward at the RUH. Not only did you help my daughter overcome all her nerves with an organised visit to the ward a few days before her op, you couldn’t have done more to cheer her up and support us on the day of the op. Huge thanks to you and all the other amazing NHS staff. Posted on Facebook
Outstanding service I stayed on surgical short stay and on Charlotte ward and I am so grateful and thankful. I was very poorly and an anxious mess, the nurses and the nursing assistants were fabulous and very caring. Everyone I met was professional and hard working. I’m so very grateful. Shared on the NHS website
A huge THANK YOU I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to ‘Anna’ the Nurse Practitioner in A&E. She was just incredible and so lovely to my little daughter. Thank you for your super skills & kindness Anna. Very grateful for the NHS! Posted on Facebook
www.facebook.com/RoyalUnitedHospitalBath
You can also leave feedback on the NHS website. Visit www.nhs.uk and search for Royal United Hospital Bath. www.ruh.nhs.uk
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