Dear colleague
Welcome to the November edition of your UHSussex staff newsletter.
It's been yet another extremely busy month at UHSussex with high demand for our services continuing and staff working extraordinarily hard to care for hundreds of thousands of patients.
One example was showcased on BBC South East which featured our critical care department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, as part of their special reports about the pressures NHS staff are facing. See the vide news report below.
|
|
There has also been lots of amazing things happening across UHSussex that we wanted to share with you, including announcing our first Star of the Month winner, officially opening new spaces, and non-clinical colleagues giving up their time to help out in A&E.
We also have a brand new 'Patient feedback highlights' section, showcasing some of the amazing feedback received over the month from our patients.
So please grab a coffee and take a look through the highlights below to get up to speed. You can also share your news with us for future editions.
Thank you,
Communications
|
|
Congratulations to our first UHSussex Star of the Month |
Congratulations to Healthcare Assistant Bronwyn Powell from Worthing who is the first winner of our new UHSussex Star of the Month employee recognition scheme.
Bronwyn was nominated by a member of the public who noticed the wonderful kindness she showed to a patient, while she was supposed to be having her own break from the ward.
The patient was very upset and so Bronwyn gave up her break to comfort them and take them outside in a wheel chair for some fresh air. The next day, she even returned with the patient’s favourite chocolate bar to ask them how they were.
As the member of the public wrote in their nomination, if there were more Bronwyn’s in the world it would be a happier place. Fortunately, at UHSussex, such compassion and kindness is not uncommon which is why our Star of the Month awards are already overflowing with amazing nominations.
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated – more than 100 in the opening month! You will all be receiving a special notice very soon, while Bronwyn wins £100 and a special gift.
|
|
NHS Staff Survey – final chance to have your say and win some chocolates!
|
So far 49% of staff have shared their feedback in the annual Staff Survey – and there is only one day to go until it closes on the 26 November.
Congratulations to all the teams across the Trust who have achieved 90% completion or more and received a certificate and box of delicious chocolates from the HR team.
Charlotte Lee, Nurse Manager at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, shares why she thinks it’s important to take the time out to respond: “I think it’s essential that staff are given the opportunity to have an opinion on how they can help improve patient care and how they feel they can be better supported.
“I encouraged the team to take a little bit of time away from the department to complete their survey. This gives them the time and space to think about their responses and make it meaningful for them.”
So what are you waiting for? It takes just 10 minutes to complete and you could win a cocoa-filled treat for your team. All responses are treated confidentially as the survey is run by an independent organisation called Quality Health.
|
|
Sussex Rehabilitation Centre wins Mayor's charity |
Haywards Heath Town Mayor, Cllr Howard Mundin, has chosen the Sussex Rehabilitation Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital as his charity for his term of office.
|
|
Volunteering in our Emergency Department |
|
A new volunteering rota has had a huge impact in the ED at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, as non-clinical colleagues have given their free time to support clinical teams working under the pressure of high numbers of emergency admissions.
Initially set up by Holly Reid, Deputy Director of Operations for Medicine, as a response to a recent critical incident, the volunteering rota provides an opportunity for non-clinical colleagues to give up half an hour or more of their time to support patient care and provide companionship in the department.
|
|
Nicole Chavaudra (pictured opposite), Director of Patient Experience, was one of our first non-clinical colleagues to put herself forward. “When I arrived at the Trust, I looked at the data and walked through each of our emergency departments. It’s clear that our clinical teams provide brilliant clinical care, and at busy times volunteers can support them provide time to care for the human factors.
“Helping patients with eating and drinking, and to have someone to hold their hand when they’re alone and anxious can make a real difference to their experience when our clinical teams are working so hard. It makes sense to find other people who can help with that side of patient care.”
The volunteer role has a full job description and volunteers have the support of clinical colleagues, but provide an important bridge between patients and clinicians in those periods when patients are waiting for the next stage on their pathway.
Nicole, who joined us from Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust last month went on to say: “As a new leader in the Trust, I want to make sure I’m visible and that I have my ears open to what patients and staff want to say. My role is a new one for the Trust and includes a remit to reduce inequalities and work as part of the local health system to improve patient experience. Spending time on the frontline is invaluable to this’.
“I think this is a really innovative way of helping patients and colleagues and I am really grateful to the ED team for giving me the opportunity to help. The clinical team should be applauded for extending the invitation and I would encourage any of my non-clinical colleagues to spend some time volunteering in ED to feel as though we are doing something tangible to help in these pressured times.”
Holly added: “We’ve heard non-clinical colleagues say they want to help and we wanted to find a way to use that goodwill and kindness in a way that would make a difference. There’s loads people can do to be useful in our ED and we’re so grateful to everyone who has come forward to volunteer. And it’s not entirely altruistic. Non-clinical colleagues who have volunteered say it has helped them reconnect with what it means to work in the NHS and increases their job satisfaction.”
If you would like to join the Royal Sussex County Hospital ED volunteer rota, please contact your directorate manager who will coordinate availability with the ED team. The pilot may be extended to become a Trust-wide initiative.
|
|
Remembrance Day services held across UHSussex |
|
Colleagues across the Trust commemorated Armistice Day with more than 700 staff tuning into a virtual service on 11 November at 11am. Dozens others attended Act of Remembrance services across our hospital sites.
On Remembrance Sunday, Lt Col Benjamin Caesar, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, was among those laying wreaths for the service at the War Memorial in Brighton.
Lt Col Caesar recently returned from deployment to Afghanistan, where he worked in a hospital set up for injured personnel and Afghans going through the evacuation process at Kabul airport.
Speaking about of the Remembrance service, he said: “It’s hard to put into words what the wreath laying meant to me. I thought about colleagues in Afghanistan, who sadly lost their lives. I thought about all the veterans that were sent home wounded and physically, emotionally and psychologically scarred.
|
|
|
Lighting up our hospitals for pancreatic cancer |
World Pancreatic Cancer Day was observed around the globe to raise critical awareness of the disease and inspire action that will improve survival through earlier diagnosis.
Rachel Campbell, Ward Sister at St Richard's Hospital contacted colleagues across the organisation to support the event.
Rachel said: “At the start of 2020 just after receiving my new post as Ward Sister on Selsey Ward, my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.”
“After a long 16 months and successful treatments, I am pleased to say we have recently received news that my mother has a clear CT scan. Selsey Ward has many patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that unfortunately die with us within weeks or months after diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis with early detection essential to survival.”
A huge thanks to our facilities and estates teams for making this possible and to all our colleagues working in cancer care across the Trust for the amazing work you do every day.
|
|
Green surgery team nationally recognised for sustainable healthcare project |
A general surgery team from the Trust has been nationally recognised for an innovative sustainable healthcare project that was judged good for patients and good for the planet.
The team, that works across the Royal Sussex County Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital, were one of five surgical teams from across the UK competing in the first ever ‘Green Surgery Challenge’ to show how, by inventing new devices, switching to re-usable equipment and changing the type of anaesthetic they use, they have successfully reduced the carbon footprint of operations.
|
|
|
The NHS accounts for 4% of the UK’s carbon footprint, and operating theatres have particularly high energy use. The Green Surgery Challenge is aimed at helping the NHS meet its commitment to achieve net zero by 2040.
|
|
UHSussex in green inhaler project |
A study by clinicians at the Trust found that if patients on one respiratory ward changed the inhaler they were using their collective carbon footprint could reduce by about 90% in one year – the equivalent of driving around the world three times.
Across the NHS, these small inhalers, such as those used by people with asthma and other respiratory conditions, contribute a disproportionate amount to the NHS carbon footprint – between 3 and 4%.
In October last year, the NHS committed to deliver the world’s first Net Zero Carbon health service, responding to climate change and improving health now and for future generations.
The NHS Long Term Plan set targets to deliver on these ambitions and by moving to lower carbon inhalers, such as dry powder inhalers (DPIs), significant gains can be made.
|
|
Also this month
Click on images for more information
|
|
Two amazing spaces officially open at St Richard's Hospital |
A ‘reflection room’ and a therapeutic and relaxing ‘Wellbeing Garden’ were officially opened this month at St Richard's Hospital, by Marianne Griffiths, Chief Executive, thanks to support from Love Your Hospital charity.
The reflection room on the neonatal ward was transformed from a disused meeting room into a calm, quiet space for families to spend quality time together away from the busy nursery environment. Read the full story on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
Marianne opens redesigned Chapel / Sanctuary Space at the Princess Royal Hospital |
On Monday 22 November, the Onward Arts and Chaplaincy teams hosted a special event, to celebrate the reopening of the renovated chapel space at the Princess Royal Hospital. These enhancements began in 2020 and were made possible thanks to kind donations to BSUH Charity, which funds Onward Arts at four of our hospitals.
Marianne was able to join the celebrations, cutting the ribbon to officially reopen the space, at a feel-good ceremony attended by staff from various teams at the hospital.
Local interior designer, Sue Ashe, kindly donated her time to bring the space to life, as a thank you to the NHS. She worked alongside Onward Arts Manager, Erin Burns, and Chaplains, Joanna Elliott and Sue Anson, and the results are wonderful. The space incorporates images of nature, artificial plants, new furniture and carpet, and soft lighting; this creates a calming space for staff, patients, and their loved ones to reflect and rest in.
It also features three beautiful original artworks by staff member Joe Laffan. The hand-sewn pieces are made up of knitted hearts donated by the local community at the start of the pandemic.
Onward Arts run the permanent arts programme at UHSussex. The team strives to enhance the experience of patients, visitors and staff and create healing hospital environments through the use of the arts.
Please do swing by, have a walk around the refreshed space, and say hi to the teams involved. All are welcome whatever your faith or beliefs – please utilise the space for recovery, prayer, or time out of the busy working day.
|
|
|
|
 |
BSUH Charity Brighton Marathon |
Run for your ward or department, or an area that is close to your heart. You still have five months to get training!
For information, email: uhsussex.charity@nhs.net.
|
|
|
|
Schwartz Rounds: 'Staff shortage' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patient feedback highlights |
|
|
|
|
|
|
