Issuu

September - October 2021

InTouch

Event in a tent New values Staff survey New Extranet

Foreword 3

Welcome to InTouch magazine

Event in a tent

Our Amazing People awards photos

Our Amazing People awards photos (continued)

PAHT2030

PAHT2030 (continued)

Our new 5Ps and values Alertive update

Staff Survey

Patient initiated follow up

CQC

Advice for parents and carers

Our patients said

Virtual visiting service award

Our new Extranet Healthcare group update

#PAHTPeople

Welcome to InTouch magazine – your insight into the latest news and updates from across PAHT. This edition includes a special feature on Event in a tent, our spectacular annual staff recognition event. The event was held in a marquee on the helipad at The Princess Alexandra Hospital from Tuesday 14 - Thursday 16 September. Thank you for taking the opportunity to attend a range of sessions to help you develop your career; celebrate and have fun with your colleagues; and learn about PAHT and our plans for the future. You can also catch up with the sessions by watching the recordings on our Event in a tent: Reloaded YouTube playlist. Please share your feedback with our learning and organisational development and communications teams if you attended or did not - to inform our planning for next year's event. It is the time of year when we invite you to have your say and complete the NHS Staff Survey, which is open from this week. It is extremely important that we hear about your experiences. We want to know what you feel makes PAHT a good place to work and also where we need to improve. We also focus on our new 5Ps graphic (featuring modern, integrated and outstanding) and our new values (patient at heart, everyday excellence and creative collaboration) – please ensure that you use the branded templates available in the communications templates folder for all documents that you create. In addition, you can find out more about our PAHT 2030 strategy, following our recent engagement sessions and showcase at Event in a tent. We also cover the latest quality improvements, including Alertive, a new clinical and corporate communications tool, and the patient initiated follow up scheme. Please take the time to read the CQC advice on the national and local safety standards for invasive procedures too. This magazine is for and about you, our #PAHTPeople – please contact the communications team if you would like to see your team featured, at paht.communications@ nhs.net. Best wishes Lance McCarthy Chief executive

Event in a tent Last month, we welcomed many of you to Event in a tent, our annual three day recognition event for our people. This year, the event returned to the tent on the helipad, after we enjoyed a variety of virtual events last year. The sessions were also live streamed via Microsoft Teams. The event was an opportunity to celebrate your achievements, focus on your development and wellbeing, join in with an exciting range of activities and hear the latest about our vision for the future of PAHT. You can now watch the recorded sessions on our Event in a tent: Reloaded YouTube playlist.

Celebrating our amazing PAHT people We held our annual recognition event to celebrate our long service colleagues who have achieved 20 and 25 years’ service at PAHT on 14 September. Additionally, Our Amazing People awards on 15 September were an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the dedication and commitment of some of our #PAHTPeople who make a difference every day. A huge congratulations to our people who were nominated and highly commended. Please take a look at some of the photos of our amazing #PAHTPeople - well done to all.

PAHT 2030 Modern, integrated, outstanding PAHT 2030 launched

PAHT 2030 and our new values were successfully launched at Event in a tent, following our programme of listening events and conversations with our people. Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback, discussed thoughts and ideas, and taken the time to consider what these mean for you in your work. PAHT 2030 is our organisational-wide strategy for the future which brings togethery A positive start - comments from our our new values, new ways of #PAHTPeople working and plans for our new hospital. It is an ambitious “Our new hospital is an amazing opportunity to journey of transformation deliver more for our people and for our patients. and improvement to deliver PAHT 2030 will help us transform what we do so modern, integrated and outstanding care that keeps our we are ready to make the most of it." growing and ageing population healthier. Dr Jon Keene, deputy medical Every one of our people is key to the success of PAHT 2030 and so we need you to get behind it, understand how you can take it forward, and play your part in delivering our successful future.

director and Lance McCarthy, chief executive led sessions at Event in a tent to launch PAHT 2030. These sessions were hugely positive, with a real sense of optimism that we have an opportunity to work together in new ways to make a real difference to our patients and our people and rise to the challenges ahead.

“PAHT 2030 is really exciting.

"I feel inspired about the journey ahead.”

Forward we go Work is already underway in rolling out the strategy, but there is still much more to do to define and embed the new ways of working needed to deliver it successfully. The penultimate stanza from the fantastic poem by the endoscopy team at the ‘Share your proudest moments’ session at Event in a tent reflected this well:

firstly; More of the same, to achieve 2030. Part of your everyday A digital copy of the full strategy has been emailed to you. You can also email paht. communications@nhs.net to request a copy.

We ask that you read the strategy in full and understand what it means for you going forward. Discuss with your The backlog mountain is now a teams, with your line manager. molehill, Ask questions, put forward But we have much work yet to ideas, come up with solutions. do still. Make PAHT 2030 part of your So, forward we go, with quality everyday. We also need your

help engaging colleagues who may not have attended recent events and briefings. Please help us reach them so we can ensure everyone is at the heart of delivering PAHT 2030. If you have any questions on PAHT 2030 or to understand how you can get involved, please contact paht. strategyteam@nhs.net. PAHT 2030 is our amazing, once-in-lifetime opportunity to make The Princess Alexandra Hospital the modern, integrated and outstanding hospital it deserves to be. Let’s seize our opportunity, and work together to make it happen.

Our new 5Ps and values template into your own folder before editing so that you do not overwrite the original file.

During Event in a tent, we introduced our new values and PAHT 2030 strategy. To reflect our new values and vision, we have updated our 5Ps and values graphic (pictured above right and below).

Why do I need to use branded templates? The NHS Identity is one of the most recognised brands in the world and when applied correctly and consistently, it evokes exceptionally high levels of trust and reassurance.

We have updated our branded templates that are available on the shared drive and Alex:

Please take a look at the frequently asked questions below:

y y y y y y y y

PowerPoint templates Poster templates Letterhead template Newsletter templates Meeting agenda template Minutes/action log template Certificate template Blank word template with branding y PAHT logo, 5P and values graphics y NHS and PAHT colour guide

When should I use the branded templates? Please take the time to look through the trust branding guidance and templates, which should be used on every Who can I contact if I have document that you create from any queries? now. If you have any queries about using the branded templates, How do I use the branded please contact paht. templates? communications@nhs.net. Please remember to save the

We have recently invested in a new clinical and corporate communications tool called Alertive. The new system will replace non-emergency bleeps in the first instance; however, it also has the functionality to be used as a clinical messaging tool, with exciting future innovations planned. If you would like to be part of the pilot group to test the new system, please email paht. alertive@nhs.net.

The Alertive App is very secure and operates all clinical messaging within its own container. No data or images are stored in your private storage areas. The Alertive App does not access or use any personal information e.g. images, contacts or messages from other Apps.

Alertive update

Your questions answered Is the App secure and will it be able to access my personal data?

Why should I use my own phone? The feedback from most users is that they would prefer not to have to carry a different device for work. Using your own phone allows you to use something you are familiar with.

All NHS workers have a responsibility to protect it and ensure we achieve the national standard that our patients expect from the NHS.

Will I be disturbed when I am at home or not working? You can sign out of the App entirely or out of the roles that you are responsible for when not at work. Even when logged in, only very urgent/ critical alerts will interrupt you, otherwise the App will obey the volume and device settings. Will the App use all my battery and personal data allowance? No. The Alertive App is capable of running in the background or not at all. The application registers with the phone and will activate when needed, like 10 an SMS or phone call.

Staff Survey: your voice counts Help us to make a difference together and have your say in the latest NHS Staff Survey – your voice counts. From this week (Monday 4 October), you will receive a copy of the survey, which takes around 15 minutes to complete. Last year, a key theme from your feedback was that we can do more to support your health and wellbeing. This year, we have focused on: y Further promoting and signposting the health and wellbeing support available to you, including our employee assistance programme and other support lines from our partner organisations y Expanding the support available to you through our Back to better programme of events, webinars and information. The Back to better programme was also an opportunity to explore compassionate leadership and self-compassion; to highlight the importance of showing civility and living our values and behaviours; and to find out about the latest updates on the recovery of services across PAHT Further initiatives since the last survey also include: y A new forthcoming staff area (the Alex Lounge) y Increasing the number of Freedom to Speak Up Guardian roles (from two to seven) y Developing our new values and behavioural framework,

‘This is us’ y Embracing the continuation of flexible ways of working where we can y Expanding the reach of development programmes through more targeted promotion y The equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) group has ensured that EDI factors are a key consideration in the health and wellbeing support we provide to our people e.g. targeted support provided to Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) colleagues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic y Creating a new head of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) role to lead and expand on our work to improve key EDI initiatives and support our culture transformation work y Introducing We Appreciate You (WAY) days for our teams y A wide range of further initiatives at a health care division level, for example introducing staff checkins, thank-you cards, and increasing visibility of senior leadership ‘on the ground’ This year the survey questionnaire has been updated to align with the NHS People Promise. The themes and words that make up the People Promise come from those who work in the NHS as the key themes that would

improve their experience. It is important that you are all part of this improvement in making PAHT a great place to work and receive care. We want to hear from you, so we can be sure the survey results reflect the experience of everyone who works at PAHT. Your questions answered How will I receive my survey? Most people will be sent a paper copy of the survey to their work department, recognising that many people, particularly in our clinical areas, may not have regular use of a computer as part of their role. To give people flexibility in how to complete the survey, paper copies also include a link to complete the survey online. People in corporate teams will receive the online version of the survey only. Those absent from work due to maternity leave or long-term sickness will receive a copy of the survey to their home address. How long do I have to complete the staff survey? You have eight weeks to complete the survey, which closes on 26 November. We all know how quickly this time 11

will fly by – so please do not miss your chance to share your views and complete your survey. Why should I complete the staff survey? Your feedback is extremely important to us. We want to understand what works well and how we can improve your experience of working at PAHT. Your feedback will lead to conversations about what really matters to our people, and what improvements can be put in place. Will my responses remain confidential? Yes, your responses are confidential. Responses are

gathered by an independent survey company, Picker. They then collate the results and produce a report that shows the results at an organisational level, divisional level or department level. As a measure to further protect confidentiality, if there have been less than 11 responses, results will not be shown at a divisional or departmental level. Completed surveys are processed by Picker as follows: 1. The information you enter in the survey is returned to an independent external research company, Picker, and not to your organisation. 2. Picker then collates and analyses the data for your

organisation; the reports they provide are all completely anonymised. 3. Results will only be reported to organisations in summary form and in such a way that it is impossible to identify an individual's responses. 4. Any barcodes, unique identification numbers or personalised links Picker uses in administering the survey are not shared with your organisation; they are only used to allow Picker to send reminders to staff who have not returned a questionnaire and to ensure that survey responses are assigned to the correct NHS organisation.

them having regular review appointments when they do not want or need them. Key benefits of PIFU include: y Improved patient experience, as patients only attend when they need to, reducing unnecessary journeys and time wasted y Reduction in did not attend (DNA) rates, which releases these appointments for patients who do want/need to be seen y Release of capacity from follow ups to new patients y Clinical time used more effectively y Improves review list and COVID-19 recovery plans The pathway has already been introduced for our fracture clinic, neurology and orthopaedic patients.

The pathway will now be introduced in our paediatrics and ENT department and further specialties in due course. Patients who are placed onto the PIFU pathway will be captured within Cosmic under the outpatient area. As specialities introduce the PIFU pathway over the coming weeks, the outcome option of ‘discharged (patient initiated follow up)’ will be available to all specialities. Please do not select this option as a patient outcome on Cosmic until your speciality has introduced the PIFU pathway – there is a sign off process in place that will need to be completed first. For more information, please contact your clinical lead, service manager or paht.qualityfirst@nhs.net.

Patient initiated follow up (PIFU) We now offer a scheme called patient initiated follow up (PIFU), which puts patients in control of making an appointment with their consultant or healthcare team when they need it the most. Attending regular outpatient appointments does not prevent conditions or symptoms returning or result in a shorter recovery period. Many people find that routine follow up visits to the hospital cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. When a patient is placed on a PIFU pathway, they can make an appointment to see the appropriate team if they have any concerns related to their specific condition or symptoms, within a specified timeframe. This prevents

CQC National and local safety standards for invasive procedures In September 2015, the National Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures (NatSSIPs) was launched. The aim was to bring together learning from never events, serious incidents and near misses. The NatSSIPs were intended to provide a skeleton for trusts to produce their own Local Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures (LocSSIPs). The expectation was that we would develop local checklists, to be created by our multiprofessional clinical teams and used by them to ensure patient safety. This was to be implemented against the background of education on human factors and improving working as teams.

such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy y Interventional radiological procedures y Thoracic interventions such as bronchoscopy and the insertion of chest drains y Biopsies and other invasive tissue sampling

procedures. Many of these checklists are included in care bundles, policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and some have been completed outside of these procedural documents by proactive staff wanting to improve safety for their patients.

Now for 2021 we need to refresh the information stored Actions taken by us within the healthcare group In February 2016, we launched safety teams and for PAHT as a NatSSIPS and wrote to all whole. clinical colleagues to explain We know of specific teams that the need to launch the WHO have completed this work: Safety Surgery Checklist, which recognises the benefit y In cardiology, the team have of a checklist approach to a large number of detailed maintaining safety in theatres care bundles for each of the and recommending this be clinical conditions they treat The term invasive procedures extended beyond surgery/ and these local checklists as defined by NatSSIPs theatres and to be used for all are completed before each covers: invasive procedures performed invasive procedure. Within at PAHT. This was monitored y All surgical and each of these care bundles using an action plan. interventional procedures are the specific checklist performed in operating for completion prior to the We know within PAHT we have theatres, outpatient procedure commencing. a good reporting culture, our treatment areas, labour Each of their local checklists staff are diligent and complete ward delivery rooms, critical (LocSSIP) are mapped incident forms when patients care and other procedural against their procedural have incidents or are harmed areas within an organisation documents (so their policies, during procedures, and to y Surgical repair of episiotomy guidelines and SOP). identify near miss incidents. or genital tract trauma y The women’s health service associated with vaginal From some incidents that have have their local checklists delivery occurred in the last two years, used before completion of y Invasive cardiology we know there are robust all invasive procedures. procedures such as cardiac local safety checklists that our These are referenced in catheterisation, angioplasty teams follow, these completely their related procedural and stent insertion meet the requirement to have documents and stored locally y Endoscopic procedures local standards for invasive The surgical healthcare group 13

have analysed each of their specialities and identified the local checklists each use, to comply with local safety procedures. This has been mapped against their procedural documents and they are now in the process of collecting checklists so they have an evidence file. Our proposed work plan to address every service is to: i. Identify each clinical area where invasive procedures are taking place.

ii. Gather evidence of the local safety checklists our people are using prior to completing any invasive procedure. Some of these checklists are in care bundles, or trust policies and guidelines, already in use and completed prior to undertaking an invasive procedure.

not have local safety checklists for safe standards prior to invasive procedures. We will be able to share checklists already in use amongst teams and this will help our people to quickly adapt existing safety tools for another service.

iii. From this we will then have clarity on services where we are confident that a checklist is completed before invasive procedures. iv. We can then identify the clinical services that currently do

Our healthcare group patient safety and quality leads are collating this information, so please ensure they have the checklists you are using prior to completing an invasive procedure to help maintain safety in your area.

Parents and carers: key advice on respiratory illnesses in children We are encouraging parents and carers to be aware of the signs of respiratory illnesses in young children. Respiratory illnesses, including colds and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are very common in young children and we see them every year. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in winter. It is a common seasonal winter virus which causes mild respiratory infection in adults and children, but it can be severe in infants who are at increased risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (an inflammatory infection

of the lower airways) in children aged under two years. We are preparing for an increase in severe respiratory illness in children, as restrictions have eased and people are mixing more. Parents and carers are encouraged to look out for symptoms of severe respiratory infection in at-risk children. This includes a high temperature of 37.8°C or above (fever), a dry and persistent cough, difficulty feeding, or rapid or noisy breathing (wheezing). While respiratory infections are common in children, last winter saw much fewer infections in younger people due to COVID-19 restrictions. This means that many will not have developed immunity and may be at higher risk of severe illness.

Most cases of bronchiolitis are not serious and clear up within two to three weeks, but parents should contact their GP or call NHS 111 if: y Their child struggles to breathe. y Their child has taken less than half their usual amount during the last two or three feeds, or they have had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more. y The child has a persistent high temperature of 37.8C or above. Some children under two, especially those born prematurely or with a heart condition, can suffer more serious consequences from these common respiratory infections. You can find out more about the symptoms and what to do at www.nhs. uk. 14

Our patients said... "The treatment I received from the consultants to the nurses in urology and recovery in A35 was excellent in every way. "The discussions I had with the consultants and nurses left me in no doubt that everyone knew exactly what they were doing and could not have been more reassuring, pleasant and helpful."

"I just wanted to say thanks for the care I received at the PAHT minor injuries unit. I saw Steve regarding a sprained ankle and he was absolutely brilliant. He really helped me and made me feel relaxed and comfortable."

"I have seen three doctors in dermatology over the past three years and every one of them has been outstanding. "The staff are wonderful, caring and supportive. "It still has that small homely feeling and is a great hospital. I can recommend it highly."

"Please extend my heartfelt thanks to your A&E and other staff, and in particular your security staff, for the kindness, dignity and compassion they are showing my nephew. They've made a terrible situation much more bearable." 15

Virtual visiting service for patients and their loved ones wins a national award Our virtual visiting service for patients and their loved ones has won a national award. The virtual visiting team, which includes teams across the hospital working in partnership, has been awarded the Healthcare Excellence Through Technology (HETT) Unexpected Innovation Award 2021. The Unexpected Innovation Award celebrates the best of experimental design, creative thinking and radical innovation in healthcare from both individuals and teams. In the first year, over 1,000 virtual visits took place, with In response to the COVID-19 these numbers continuing to pandemic, patients were able rise. to have a precious video call with their loved ones who were The success of the service has staying in hospital while visiting been supported by a multito the hospital was restricted skilled team, including the to protect our patients, visitors, involvement of expert ICT and and our people. This also quality improvement guidance complements the nominated and support. visiting that is now available at The Princess Alexandra Phillipa Haslehurst, voluntary Hospital. services manager, said: “The team deliver an efficient and Family and friends of emotionally impactful service, inpatients can email paht. for which I am incredibly proud. virtualvisiting@nhs.net to arrange their 10 minute video “It is a privilege to be part of call, available seven days a bringing friends and families week and hosted on secure together.” video conferencing software. They can also contact a Shahid Sardar, associate member of the team by calling director of patient engagement, 01279 962661 between 9amsaid: “It is wonderful to see the 12pm. virtual visiting team receive this

recognition. Their work during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a vital aspect of holistic support for our patients. “We have been overwhelmed by the amazing feedback we have received from patients and their loved ones about this service. Well done to everyone involved.” Sharon McNally, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, added: “I am delighted that the virtual visiting team have been acknowledged for their dedication. Their contributions to the experience of our patients, their families and friends has been invaluable congratulations.” Pictured: Jade Moore, associate professor at Anglia Ruskin School of Medicine, who was involved in setting up the virtual visiting.

Our new Extranet update Our Alex Intranet is retiring soon. The providers of our new Extranet are now working on building the site in response to your feedback at our recent engagement sessions. Thank you to everyone who got involved and who has supplied content for your pages.

Help shape our new Extranet

We will keep you updated with progess.

Healthcare group update: Family and women's services "The last few weeks have been challenging with the level of acuity and activity within maternity and paediatrics, which is also reflected across the region. We understand this is a challenging time and that there is a shortage of nurses, midwives and doctors nationally; and how this is affecting every member of the team on a day to day basis. "However, despite all of the challenges, you continue to provide safe and compassionate care. We are thankful for your hard work and the care you provide. We are currently completing a maternity workforce review with Birthrate Plus methodology that will identify that additional staffing requirements will be required. "Over the next few weeks we will be welcoming new nurses, midwives and doctors to our team and we continue to actively recruit. We are delighted to announce that we have appointed to several key leadership roles. Jyoti Rachna has been appointed as clinical director for women’s health, Nik Choloidis for children’s health and Sarah Prince as patient safety and quality lead. In addition, we will shortly be welcoming Joanne Keable as our new associate director of midwifery." The family and women's services (FAWS) management team 17

#PAHTPeople A warm welcome to our new chair, Hattie Llewelyn-Davies OBE A warm welcome to our new chair of the board, Hattie Llewelyn-Davies OBE, who joined us at the end of September. Hattie will continue in her current role as chair of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust until March 2022 when she is due to step down as her term of office completes. Hattie brings a wealth of experience that will support our ambitious plans as we take PAHT forward and deliver our aim to be modern, integrated and outstanding.

World Mental Health Day Friday 10 October marks World Mental Health Day, which is an opportunity to raise awareness and to highlight the importance of taking care of our mental health. For more help and advice, please visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mindmatters or our staff health and wellbeing Alex pages.

Supporting Black History Month We are supporting Black History Month this October and the incredible contribution of our black PAHT people and those across the NHS. Please look out for more stories from our #PAHTPeople across our communications channels. 18

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX 01279 44 44 55

NHSHarlow @NHSHarlow @PrincessAlexandraNHS The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust 20