1. technology and computing

The
Word
Edition 210
19th December 2014
Dear All,
It is amazing how fast the time passes and incredible
to be writing my fourth Christmas letter as Chairman
to the Partnership Trust.
There is one key message that I want to communicate
to you all and that is a big thank you from me and
from the board, for your continuing dedication to the
delivery of social care and health to the communities
we serve.
You may expect me to say the above but it is a very
genuine thank you, as we all work with change,
new pressures, often criticism from the media, new
technologies, new management structures, the list
goes on but you continue to deliver.
I do visit the front line and I live within the community
we serve and there is tremendous appreciation for
our services and I do believe many understand our
ambitions and goals.
The changes that we are embarking upon are
intended to benefit our delivery and are in response to
an ever changing environment. I can assure you that
we will not embark on change for the sake of change,
it will always be driven by the cause of improvement.
adult social
care with health
services. There is
a tremendous will to
succeed.
We are entering the Christmas and holiday
period and this is a special time for us to be with
friends, partners and family.
For many of you, you may be sacrificing this
personally to facilitate a better Christmas for others.
Again I thank you for that. To you all though, I do
hope you have some time to rest, reflect and most
importantly have some fun.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and I look
forward to working with you in 2015, as we continue
to take health and social care forward together.
Sincerely,
Nigel
Professor Nigel Ratcliffe
Chairman
I am not blind to the uncertainty that change
has brought and indeed as we embark on our
negotiations with Staffordshire County Council,
many of you may be concerned or have a sense of
uncertainty.
There are never guarantees but I can tell you that the
Partnership Trust and Staffordshire County Council
are striving to achieve an agreement to support
the enormous progress made in the integration of
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1
What’s In
2 | Mindful Moments
7 | CQC
2 | Festive Fitness with the Falls Service
8 | Mentor and Placement of the Year Awards 2014
3 | Pet Therapy Brings Joy to Wards
9 | Festive Fayre Brings Cheer to Hospital
4 | Small Business Opportunity
9 | Rumour Buster
4 | Keeping NHS Staff Safe
10 | I.T. Apprentices Bring Success
5 | Raising Concerns
11 | Dignity of Care Award Success To Be
Shared Nationally
6 | IG - Breaking News
Mindful Moments
The period leading up to Christmas can be a time of excitement and
can also be a time of stress, so in this week’s Mindful Thoughts we’re
suggesting ways in which we can manage this period in a mindful way.
Please see link below to a really helpful free resource, which you may
want to explore during this time.
– this week brought to
you by Kieron Murphy
Around Christmas time there are lots of references to the word “Peace”.
It is a time for us to remember that “Peace begins inside of me”.
www.headspace.com
Do not forget if have Mindful Thoughts of your own please send them in to either my Executive Assistant or me
(helen.sanders@ssotp.nhs.uk and Kieron.murphy@ssotp.nhs.uk)
Festive Fitness with the Falls Service
Patients enjoyed a
festive morning workout
this week hosted by
Stafford & Cannock
Falls Management
Service at Rising Brook
Fire Station.
Staff at back row from
left to right: student
physiotherapist
Rachel Challinor,
physiotherapist Laura
Houghton, nurse Angela
Dean and assistant
practitioner Jemma
Faircloth.
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2
Pet Therapy
Brings Joy to
Wards
A furry new friend, Tinker the Patterdale Terrier, visited Ward 1 at Cheadle Hospital
recently much to the delight of the patients and staff alike.
Community Hospitals matron Lyn Charlton explains; “I decided to introduce “Pets
as Therapy” at Cheadle hospital as research has highlighted that the therapeutic visits from the national charity
give that little extra boost to medical and nursing interventions to aid recovery.”
Tinker and her owner, volunteer Gary, are part of the Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs team who together are
available to visit patients in hospital.
On 25th November 2014 visit Tinker soon familiarised herself to the
environment and was introduced to some of the patients on the
ward. One in particular, Mr George Marsh was thrilled and excited
at the visitor to his bedside.
Mr Marsh has recently come into hospital after falling at home and
will be returning home soon. Himself a dog owner and missing his
own dog a great deal, he was over the moon to see the visitor to
our ward. The thrill of Tinker coming to visit really appeared to lift
his spirits and the smiles were very evident as he stroked her.
Mr Marsh thanked the staff for making this experience possible and
was given photographs of the morning for him to keep. When asked
about the experience he wrote these few words down.
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“Say hello to your friend, the
best friend anyone can be.
He is understanding for himself
but directs his love to you.
Open your heart my friends and
your little dog will be there.”
George Marsh
3
Small Business Opportunity
Would you, or someone you know, like a space to sell your wares or at the Haywood Hospital? Three “Candy
Carts”, two in the Main Atrium and one in the Outpatient Department, next to the RVS Café, are now
available.
Ideal for selling crafts or small goods (food items are not permitted), the bespoke carts are made of stainless
steel, with integrated storage and are moveable to suit any position.
The carts are to rent at a very reasonable rate of £15.00 per half a day,
£25.00 per full, and available Monday to Friday throughout the year and
are well suited for using around special occasions such as Mothering
Sunday, Valentine’s Day or Christmas.
If you provide a service that you want to promote or know of
someone that you think may be interested, please contact the
Cashiers Team at the Haywood Hospital on tel: 01782 673665
Elizabeth.Lawton@uhns.nhs.uk
Judy.Morse@uhns.nhs.uk
Dawn.Makinson@uhns.nhs.uk
Keeping NHS Staff Safe - Successful Security Alert Response
Well done to all staff who acted promptly to distribute and
act on a recent Security Alert. Trust Security Manager
Linda Craen reports; “As a result of the speedy action
and vigilance of our staff, an individual who was recently
released from prison on licence has been apprehended
and recalled to prison following an incident in our
premises.
“Not all employees will have seen this particular alert as
it was distributed to staff in the relevant neighbourhood,
but it does demonstrate that the Security Alert System
is an effective tool for keeping NHS staff safe and in this
instance it is likely that further charges will be made.”
If you would like further information on the Security Alert
System or other security matters please contact Linda
Craen, Security Manager / Local Security Management
Specialist (LSMS) Linda.Craen2@ssotp.nhs.uk
tel: 07841 730802
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4
Our Raising Concerns campaign has progressed
well during 2014 with some real developments
helping staff to have greater confidence in reporting
concerns. Ambassador for Cultural Change Helene
Donnelly reports:
• Improvements have been made to some
disciplinary and investigative processes.
In some cases, potential disciplinary action has
been stopped or prevented due to intervention
following staff raising concerns about the unfair/
unequal/inappropriate way these have been
conducted.
• I have asked for 'Letters of Expectation'
to be reviewed due to confusion and lack
of consistency. Clear guidance is now being
given about how and why these letters can
be issued which must only happen with the
relevant Executive Director's knowledge and
understanding.
• A new 'Behaviours Charter for Excellence'
has been developed by Director of Workforce
and Development Julie Tanner. I hope that this
will clearly define what behaviours are and are
not acceptable from all staff at all levels. We must
strive for a culture free from intimidation and
bullying and work hard to prevent inappropriate,
defensive, intimidating and bullying behaviours
and attitudes.
• It is good to hear that staff are feeling more
encouraged to simply talk directly to our
Executive Management Team leaders about
issues which I have been told has raised morale
and confidence. There’s still some way to go,
principally regarding staffing and capacity issues,
but at least staff are feeling more encouraged and
supported.
In conjunction with the above point, many
staff have reported to me that they have felt so
reassured by the support we have provided as they
raised concerns, they have felt able to continue
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working rather that going off sick due to stress.
This is clearly a very positive step forwards.
• Delighted that we have developed and rolled
out our new Raising Concerns training for
managers. The aim is to ensure all managers
are aware of the complexities and difficulties
associated with staff raising concerns. The
responses given by those to people who concerns
are raised with is so important to changing our
culture. By delivering training to
these managers we expect that
they will respond sensitively
and appropriately to the
concerns which their staff
raise.
We hope that training will
soon be provided for all staff
about how to raise concerns
and their responsibility to
do so in accordance with the
mandatory training I am helping Health Education England to
develop.
We are about to launch a request for
anyone who is interested in becoming a
'Raising Concerns Champion' within
their local area to come forward. We
hope to have a pilot trial of such
roles with a view to expanding
Champions throughout the
trust to help staff raise
concerns at a local level
with support if needed.
This will be overseen by
me and the intelligence
gathered will be
shared to help service
improvement.
helene.
donnelly2@ssotp.
nhs.uk
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Breaking News Santa’s Naughty List leaked onto the
internet following data breach! VIDEO
It was the night before Xmas and all was
quiet in Santa’s workshop as Santa was
being investigated for a recent data breach
which saw his Naughty list appear on the
internet for everyone to see. An investigation
into how Santa’s Naughty list was leaked
uncovered that the list was copied onto an
unencrypted USB stick. It is suspected that
one of the elves working with Santa left the
workshop door open and a Grinch sneaked
past through the swipe door without anyone
seeing him. Luckily for the Grinch one of the
elves had left their PC logged on and their
SnowCard logged into the “The Naughty
List” computer system.
The investigation also uncovered that as
well as stealing the Naughty list the Grinch
also took the opportunity to install the
“SpikeyHolly” virus causing serious technical
issues resulting in the corruption of data as
well as losing all of Santa’s planned routes
and children’s wish lists.
As the festive season approaches please
ensure that you are aware of your
responsibilities around information security.
You are reminded that you MUST:
• Wear your ID Badge at all times
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• Ensure that you are responsible for
any visitors and you should follow the
visitors process at the site i.e. visitors
should sign in, be supplied with a visitors
pass/badge and be accompanied at all
times
• Challenge unknown individuals who
are not wearing ID or visitors badges
and report the individual to appropriate
security
MUST not:
• Circumvent or interfere with physical
security controls i.e. you should never
prop open security doors, allow others
to use their swipe card, write down PIN
numbers for doors
• Interfere with electronic security controls
i.e. staff must not share usernames,
passwords, Smartcards etc
• Breach intellectual property right or
copyright law, this includes copying or
installing software without appropriate
authorisation provider their equipment
to any individual without taking
appropriate steps
For more information on the Partnership
Trust’s Information Governance policies
please refer to our Quick Guide to
IG Policies and ensure that you have
completed your mandatory IG Training via
ESR.
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6
Preparing for a CQC inspection
- Sharing your positive impact
CQCs New Inspection Regime
Key points:
The Care Quality Commission has introduced a
new way of inspecting which will impact on all
of us. The Quality Team want to share the new
approach to ratings with you so you are aware
of the changes and are able to respond with
confidence should an inspector want to talk
with you.
This week we are focusing on outstanding
practice and below is an overview of what
CQC considers that to be. Five Key Lines of
Enquiry (KLOE) have also been introduced;
Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well
Led against which the CQC will report, rating a
service according to what they find.
Please think about where your service is in
relation to Outstanding rating. If you would
like more information please do not hesitate to
contact Simon Kent Quality Manager.
Openness
Concerns raised and incidents reported are
valued
Zero harm culture
Learning through good investigation
Robust safety systems in place
Staff are involved in improving safety
Staff know their responsibilities
Outside organisations are welcomed in to
review safety
Theme 2
People are protected from avoidable harm and
abuse.
Key points:
Timely apology when required
Continuous improvement is demonstrable
simon.kent@ssotp.nhs.uk
Lessons learned are communicated widely
SAFE
Staff are proactive in safeguarding people
This means that people are protected from
abuse* and avoidable harm.
(* Abuse can be physical, sexual, mental or psychological, financial, neglect,
institutional or discriminatory abuse.)
Theme 1
People are protected by a strong
comprehensive safety system and a focus on
openness, transparency and learning when
things go wrong.
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All staff have been trained
Links to safeguarding groups are robust and
effective
Staffing levels are appropriate for the demand
and skill needs
Risks are assessed, monitored and managed.
They are person centred
Contingency plans support emergencies and
unforeseen events
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7
Mentor and Placement of the Year Awards 2014
Keele University School of Nursing & Midwifery
Each year Keele University student
nurses are asked to nominate
clinical placements or individual
mentors who they feel are
deserving of recognition from their
placements in any of the three
local NHS Trusts or independent
sector placement areas. This year’s
award ceremony was held at Keele
University School of Nursing &
Midwifery on 5 November.
All Partnership Trust nominees
were invited to a follow up event
held on 4 December at Morston
House with Tina Harkin Associate
Director of Training, Rose Goodwin
Director of Nursing & Quality
(Interim) and the Clinical Placement
Team.
Tina said “We are incredibly proud
of the teams and individual staff
who have shown commitment
to compassionate care and are
an inspiration to others within
their profession. As stated in one
of the student comments, this is
fantastic”.
Mentor of the Year Award
This year 50 Nurse Mentors
received nominations, including
12 Partnership Trust staff. We
are delighted that Sarah Birks
of Grange Ward, Haywood
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Hospital was awarded 2nd
Runner up.
Tracy Bailey - Watermill Special
School
The student comment which
led to Sarah’s award follows:
June Morrisroe - Cottage Ward,
LMH
‘When starting the course I was
incredibly nervous as I had never
worked in healthcare before and it
was a completely new environment
that I was coming into. Sarah
was there for me every single
shift I worked, supporting and
working alongside me. Nothing
was ever too much trouble and
she went out of her way to set up
unique learning experiences for
me, enhancing my skills. Sarah is
a fantastic nurse and someone I
hope to be like when I qualify’.
Our other Nurse Mentor
nominees were:
Julie Sanderson - Grange Ward,
Haywood
Rose Bridges - Hanford District
Nurses
Bindumol Kuriakose - Ward 2
Cheadle
Janet Syson - Leek District Nurses
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Laura Blackhall - Ward 1 Cheadle
Elizabeth Gouldsmith - Ward 1
Cheadle
Melissa Bovaird - Sneyd Ward,
Haywood
Vikki Johnson - Meir District Nurses
Clare Williams – Infection
Prevention & Control
Placement of the Year
Award
This year 20 placements were
nominated including 3 Partnership
Trust placements and we are very
pleased to announce that Ward 1,
Cheadle Hospital was awarded
1st Runner up.
Our other nominated
placements were:
Infection Prevention and Control,
LCH
Meir District Nursing Team
8
Festive Fayre Brings Cheer to Hospital
Patients, visitors and staff at Leek Moorlands Hospital celebrated Christmas with a festive
fayre on Wednesday 17th December. Various stalls including tombola, handmade Christmas
gifts, name the teddy and raffle prizes helped to raise £177 to fund further diversional therapy
activities to occupy and entertain patients while in hospital.
Tea, coffee, mince pies and cakes were also served to patients and visitors and Moorlands
Radio also visited and interviewed staff and patients.
Brenda Salt, Activities Co-ordinator said “A big thank you to all who attended and a special
thank you to Shona and her daughter who helped out. All proceeds will be spent on resources
for diversional activities for patients on Saddler Ward. Thank you to everyone for their
support.”
Rumour Buster
Q: Are there redundancies with the Living Independently Staffordshire?
A: No – in fact in the North Division we are enhancing these services to support the
Urgent Care System.
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I.T. Apprentices Bring Success
Six young apprentices are now working in the Partnership Trust’s busy information technology
(IM&T) department providing support to staff and services across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Ranging from ages 16 to 20, the apprentices are working across a range of areas to gain crucial skills for a
future career in IT. Chief Information Officer Amy Freeman, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the super
six who are already using their IT skills to support the rollout of mobile equipment to front line staff.
“Technology is not new to these youngsters but the working environment is and I am confident with the right
support they will enjoy a great career in IT.”
Throughout the apprenticeship each apprentice is buddied up with a member of staff from the department
who acts as mentor and main point of contact.
18-year-old Luke Williams from Stafford, who joined the Trust’s apprenticeship scheme after finishing sixth
form, is currently working with the service management and SharePoint team. He said: “I want to get out of
this apprenticeship is a better understanding of working as part of an IM&T team in the NHS.” Luke added: “I
would also like to get a qualification in IT which will hopefully help me get a full time job at the end of it.”
The IT apprenticeship scheme has previously helped kick-start a number of careers. One of its main success
stories is that of the Trust’s SharePoint Lead, James Harper (above right) who joined as an NHS apprentice in
2010.
Now a specialist in the Trust’s IT infrastructure, James explains, “After my apprenticeship I was offered a post
working as the SharePoint Officer to continue the work I had started. I’ve since worked on many different
projects and currently providing solutions to help staff with their day to day work and improving the look and
feel of the Trust’s corporate intranet”.
Clare Spencer, Workforce Development Lead, added: “Apprenticeships provide a real alternative to academic
study and a career pathway by raising aspirations, growth and development for young people. Our whole
organisation is benefiting from offering apprenticeships as many of our existing employees are acting as
mentors to the apprentices and enjoying learning from the new perspectives of the apprentices.”
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10
Dignity of Care Award Success To Be Shared Nationally
Bradwell Hospital staff are celebrating following a
scheme they introduced to ensure the highest levels
of dignity are maintained for all patients, winning a
national health innovation prize.
“We have not visited Bradwell before and found the
atmosphere to be very good; it is a lovely hospital.
Well done to everyone on achieving a well deserved
award.”
The Purple Bow scheme is a simple but effective
programme being introduced across the Partnership
Trust’s community hospitals, and has been awarded
an “Innovation and Best Practice Award 2014/15” by
the national Community Hospitals Association.
The Bradwell Hospital team will now have the
opportunity to share their learning and experience
with other community hospitals when, as award
winners, they will lead workshops sessions with
delegates at the Community Hospitals Association
annual conference in Manchester in June. They will
also be presented with a trophy and certificate.
Using sensitive, purple bow signage on side room
doors, bay curtains etc, all hospital staff are discreetly
made aware that a person is nearing the end of life
and that their family or friends may be present.
The Community Hospitals Association visited Bradwell
Hospital where the scheme has been piloted on
Sycamore Ward, to assess the impact and benefits of
the scheme for patients, carers and relatives.
Chief Executive of the Community Hospitals
Association Barbara Machin explained why
the scheme so deserved the award; “We were
tremendously impressed with the caring attitude of
the all the staff at Bradwell Hospital. It was so good
to see what a positive impact the Purple Bow scheme
is having in supporting patients, their families and
carers.
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Hospitals matron Julie Cumberlidge said, “The team
are delighted to have achieved this success. We are
very proud of the care and attention we pay to all our
patients and their relatives and friends. Sharing the
benefits of the scheme with other health professionals
will be a great privilege.
“While the signage is the most obvious element
of the scheme, more importantly it is a means of
opening up conversations with patients, relatives or
carers about the end of life nearing and to ensure
that all that can be done in terms of special requests
can be accommodated.”
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11
Thank You
Longton Cottage Hospital’s physiotherapy and
occupational therapy service have had some excellent
feedback from a recent patient.
The Falls Management Service based in Seisdon have
received a lovely thank you card from an appreciative
patient.
“I would like to place on record my extreme satisfaction
with the help, advice and consideration I have received
from the nurses of the departments.”
“Thank you for all the support you have given me on my
road to recovery after losing my confidence following
my falls; the speedy installation of equipment which has
made me feel safer in my own home.”
An inmate at HMP Featherstone has praised the
healthcare team for their treatment and care.
The physiotherapy team based at Leek Moorlands
Hospital have been thanked for their great service.
“I would like to say the help I have been given by the
nurses and other staff is very good and I thank you for
that”.
“The support, care and patience I have received has been
wonderful – thank you”
Night Support Team based at Tame House in
Tamworth have received a note of thanks and lots of
verbal praise by telephone from a client nursed at home.
The community team based at Brighton House in
Newcastle-under-Lyme have been warmly thanked by
a local person they have supported.
“I cannot praise the service enough and found it a
fantastic service and cannot speak highly about each
member of staff who attended.”
“To the Brighton House Team. A big thank you for all the
help, support and encouragement I have received and for
the care along the way. It has all been much appreciated
by myself and my family.”
Please send all compliments to
customerservice@ssotp.nhs.uk who are
now recording all compliments for the
Trust. A range of selected compliments will
be forwarded for inclusion in The Word.
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12