Issue 251, 6 January Issue 256, 10 February 2012

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1 Tony s blog Check out our Chief Executive s blog at Issue 251, 6 January 2012 Monitor announcement Monitor, the independent regulator of s, announced on Monday 6 February 2012 that it is intervening to strengthen the leadership of our Trust so that we can quickly fix the problems identified, for the benefit of patients. Monitor is: - appointing Sir David Henshaw as interim Chair to drive our recovery - requiring us to appoint a Turnaround Director, to be agreed with Monitor, to develop and deliver an effective recovery plan - instructing us to create a Programme Management Office to support the Turnaround Director in delivering the recovery plan - requiring us to appoint an interim Chief Operating Officer, to be agreed with Monitor, to run the to day activities of the trust across all its hospital sites We welcome the appointment of Sir David Henshaw as interim Chair, as well as the appointment of two additional Directors. Together with our recent appointment of Professor Anne Garden as a non-executive director, I believe they will strengthen and assist us to drive forward improvements at our Trust. I am committed to ensuring that the new Chair and the new directors have all the support they need from me in order to drive through the changes that are necessary. The additional resources and expertise at the top of the organisation will help us resolve the shortcomings and weaknesses as quickly and effectively as possible, whilst also making longer term improvements to our services. We will be regularly reporting on our progress in implementing the required actions and on addressing Monitor s residual concerns. We will keep you updated on any further details as soon as we have them. You can also ask any questions you may have regarding this at the drop in staff road shows we have arranged. You don t need to book onto the sessions. The sessions will take place on the below dates: RLI: Thursday 16 February 6.30pm 9.30pm (presentations at 7pm and 8.30pm) Tony Halsall and Roger Wilson Room 5, Education Centre FGH: Monday 20 February 12pm 3pm (presentations at 1pm and 2pm) Tony Halsall and Patrick McGahon Malcolm Palmer Suite, Level 6, near Ward 9 WGH: Wednesday 22 February 12pm 3pm (presentations at 1pm and 2pm) Tony Halsall and Patrick McGahon Room 2, Education Centre Monday 20 February 6.30pm 9.30pm (presentations at 7pm and 8.30pm) Tony Halsall and Peter Dyer, Malcolm Palmer Suite, Level 6, near Ward 9 Finally, I would once again, like to thank every member of staff for their continued hard work and commitment at a time that is difficult for everyone. Tony Halsall, Chief Executive

2 Be clear on cancer We are helping to promote the first major national bowel cancer public awareness campaign in England. The campaign, running throughout February and March, wants to raise public awareness of the early symptoms of bowel cancer and encourage people with symptoms to visit their GP. The Be Clear on Cancer campaign aims to achieve an earlier diagnosis in patients and increase their chances of bowel cancer being successfully treated. Staff based at WGH are at the forefront of developing the screening initiative, having been responsible for screening over 100,000 people and detecting 203 bowel cancer cases since the opening of the Cumbria and Morecambe Bay Bowel Cancer screening centre in The service has also performed more than 2,000 colonoscopies, with about half of these patients benefiting from the removal of polyps long before they have the chance to develop into bowel cancer. Colin Brown, Clinical Director, Cumbria and Morecambe Bay Bowel Cancer screening centre, said: Sometimes bowel problems and symptoms can seem a bit embarrassing but we encourage anyone affected to discuss their concerns with their GP at an early stage and not ignore symptoms for many months or years. Anyone over 40 years of age who has experienced rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habit or looser bowels or diarrhoea lasting more than six weeks should see their GP. Everyone registered with a GP and aged between 60 and 75 years will be invited to a bowel cancer check on a two yearly basis. Most people have a negative and reassuring result, but over the last four years we have detected over 200 bowel cancers, with about half of these at an early stage. Bowel cancer is still the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Early identification minimises the chance of growth and spread, so the national awareness campaign has been warmly welcomed. Peter Dyer, Medical Director, said: Understanding the symptoms of bowel cancer is seen as a major contributor to early detection rates. People are being encouraged to take a much more prominent role in identifying symptoms earlier and working with their GPs to establish whether they are at risk. As its symptoms are often attributed to other causes, bowel cancer has historically not been easy to diagnose until well advanced, especially where symptoms differ from person to person. Early diagnosis makes a huge difference, if treatment is offered early, surgical procedures are less complex, risk of cancer spread is reduced and long term survival rates are much higher. It is estimated that 1,700 deaths from bowel cancer could be avoided every year if England s cancer survival rates matched the best in Europe. Bowel cancer screening, for both men and women, has been shown to reduce the death rate from bowel cancer by 16 per cent amongst those accepting the invitation for screening. The latest campaign encourages the targeted year age group to carry out a self-test at home so that any signs of bowel cancer can be detected and treated early. The early symptoms for bowel cancer are very similar to other, much less serious problems with the bowel. It is therefore important for people to be aware of what is normal for them, but quickly recognise any unusual changes and act quickly to get them investigated by their GP.

3 Redesigned maternity service at FGH Plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment of Barrow s maternity unit are moving forward. Last year, we announced plans to improve facilities for mothers and babies at FGH. Since then, we have been working with local NHS commissioners on the plans which would see investment in the region of 5 million being put into Furness maternity facilities. This work is continuing. Tony Halsall, Chief Executive, said: Investment in maternity services at FGH remains a priority and the local NHS remains committed to developing modern facilities. As we continue to do what needs to be done to improve maternity services at FGH, it is important to press ahead with plans to create the very best modern facilities for mothers and babies. Dr Mike Bewick, Medical Director, NHS Cumbria, said: The Trust is working on detailed plans for the new unit that will serve mothers and babies in Furness for years to come and this work is being fully supported by local NHS commissioners. Smokefree hospital sites Smokefree hospital sites are important because they communicate a strong message about the established dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke. Smoking just outside the entrances to hospital buildings can give a very poor impression, as well as a cloud of toxic smoke for patients, visitors and staff to walk through. Completely Smokefree hospitals and grounds create a Smokefree environment and remove triggers that cause many to smoke or relapse to smoking. In preparation for our hospital sites being Smokefree by No smoking Day, 14 March 2012, staff, patients, visitors and contractors need to comply with the Trust s Smokefree Policy (2010). No smoking whilst on duty is a condition of employment for all staff. For full details of staff responsibilities in maintaining a Smokefree site, please see the Smokefree Policy on the Intranet.The lead up to No Smoking Day is a great time to plan to stop smoking. Staff can contact the Occupational Health Service for a lifestyle screening appointment or contact the Local NHS Stop Smoking Services to help with stopping smoking. NHS North Lancashire Stop Smoking Service Cumbria NHS Stop Smoking Service Text QUIT to or see a local pharmacy for support to quit. To help with taking your mind off smoking, NHS Stop Smoking Services advise the use of the 4D s: Distraction: Have simple things at the ready to take your mind off smoking e.g. make a drink, do a simple task or pastime. Delay: Hang on an extra 30 seconds and the craving will subside. Deep breathing: Take a few slow calming breaths. This helps with stress. Do something else: Think of some alternatives to smoking and have them ready in your mind before the next craving comes. Move away from where you are physical activity helps. Staff should advise those who smoke to quit and should discuss and offer nicotine replacement therapy to help patients manage their nicotine withdrawal. If patients want to stop smoking, staff should refer them to the local NHS Stop Smoking Service. Staff are asked not to assist or advise patients where they can smoke, but to advise patients, relatives and contractors of the Trust s Smokefree Policy. Lifestyle screening and brief intervention training and support is available from Jane Mastin at tobaccofree@northlancs.nhs.uk

4 Tony s blog Check out our Chief Executive s blog at New equipment Morecambe Bay Renal Patients Association has recently provided a Body Composition Monitor for the Renal Unit at WGH. The donated equipment will help to determine the fluid balance and several other measures of well-being in haemodialysis patients at the unit. The gift includes covering the cost of consumables and servicing for a period of three years. For further information about the charity and its work, visit their website at Mixed NHS touch rugby players wanted! Are you wanting to get fit and have fun whilst doing it, then touch rugby maybe the answer! The rugby football league are looking for UHMBT staff to help set up a NHS touch rugby event, with the intention of forming a touch rugby team to compete in a number of various competitions throughout the year. The game is minimal contact and lots of fun and is an excellent way to keep fit. To find out more about NHS Touch rugby, and to be invoved in the event, please click here or matt.jefferson@rfl.uk.com The closing date for applications is Friday 24 February Advancing Quality re- launch Advancing Quality is the flagship programme of AQuA, (Advancing Quality Alliance), and aims to give patients a better experience of the NHS by ensuring the highest standards of care are consistently delivered. Operating in specific clinical areas, it has rapidly improved the standard of care delivered in North West hospitals by focusing on adherence to key evidence based clinical interventions, patient experience, and patient and clinical outcomes. On 29 February we will be holding an AQuA re-launch event at the RLI in the Education Centre, which will enable key people from each clinical area to get together to understand the measures and agree how further improvements could be made and monitored. From January 2012, AQuA have also introduced some shadow measures which will also be discussed. If you wish to attend, please contact Heather Pratt,Clinical Audit Manager, on heather.pratt@mbht.nhs.uk wants your stories! Do you have any good news stories? Anything you would like us know? Are you doing anything for charity? Are you orgainising any events and want everyone involved? If so let us know. We will help you to write your good news stories and arrange photographs if you need to. If you want to see your story in the local press, we can also offer support and guidance on being interviewed by a journalist. If you want to your story in a future get in touch on ext or Weekly.News@mbht.nhs.uk

5 Bay Trust Radio celebrates 35th birthday with new record Our own Bay Trust radio station has clocked up 35 years of service and broken a broadcasting record to mark its latest anniversary. Bay Trust Radio serves hospital sites in South Cumbria and North Lancashire on behalf of our Trust and one of its most committed DJs has raised 1,550 for the station with a marathon broadcast of 60 hours, smashing the 52 hour mark of Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, as well as breaking the station s own 48 hour milestone which was set in year-old Craig James from Milnthorpe commenced his live broadcast at 9am on Tuesday 7 February, finally emerging from the studio Thursday evening after clocking up a staggering three day continuous shift. He was admirably supported by special guests, including TV broadcaster and chairman of Gardeners' Question Time Eric Robson, and members of the station s volunteer team who dropped in to chat on air and keep him company, notably during the overnight shifts. With a five minute break accrued for each hour of broadcasting, Craig was thankfully allowed some time to eat and recharge his batteries during the broadcast. He adhered closely to the set rules and ensured that he maintained lively links between track requests at least every 15 minutes for the duration of the broadcast. Volunteer DJ Craig said: I did a trial run in January and stayed awake for three days, so I knew I could keep going and have a really decent crack at the record. The first 24 hours was pretty much OK, but it then required a lot of will power to keep going without sleep. It s a fantastic cause though and I m thrilled to have clocked up so many hours. We re delighted with the response from everyone who has donated their time, money and energy to help make it happen. John Williamson, station manager and vice chair of Bay Trust Radio who accompanied Craig throughout the broadcast, said: It s fantastic that Craig was able to break the station s record for a continual broadcast which has stood since 2008, as well as besting Chris Moyles effort which of course drew national recognition. The funds raised will be invested in new equipment and expanding the capability of the station and the range of music we provide, as well as training our young volunteers and perhaps helping them on their way to broadcasting careers. Roger Wilson, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, said: Our hospital radio volunteers are unsung heroes who help to brighten the stay of a huge number of our patients. It s a huge credit to Craig to take on the record and break it by some distance! You can still make donations to the marathon broadcast fundraiser by visiting