In this autumn newsletter, we share how we marked the NHS reaching its milestone 74th anniversary, took part in a number of Pride parades, shone a light on a range of awareness days and celebrated some tremendous achievements across our services.
We were extremely saddened to hear the news that Her Majesty The Queen had passed away on 8 September. The Queen dedicated her life to public service and awarded NHS staff the George Cross earlier this year, for their compassion and courage over the last 74 years but particularly during the pandemic.
It’s these qualities that make the UHSussex workforce extra special, and we were delighted to award our Star of the Month throughout the season to staff who gave a service that was over and above what is expected of them in order to make a difference to patients, visitors and/or their colleagues.
In September we launched our autumn vaccination programme to offer staff a Covid-19 booster to enhance their protection. We are also administrating annual flu vaccines, which can be given at the same time.
And finally, last week we welcomed the Care Quality Commission back to UHSussex – this time to carry out a Well Led inspection. This covers leadership at all levels of the Trust and how the organisation’s vision and strategy runs through our hospitals and services, from ward to board and everywhere in between. The CQC will produce an inspection report to share with the Trust later this year.
Enjoy this bumper newsletter full of news and updates, and thank you for your ongoing support for UHSussex.
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On 5 July, the NHS celebrated 74 years of service.
The NHS is truly an organisation with people at its heart, and we said a huge thank you to all of our brilliant colleagues. They help to shape our workplace for the better every day, putting patients first with such skill and compassion.
We also wanted to recognise team members who shared a birthday with the NHS and also wish them a very happy birthday.
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STARS winner Sharmila celebrates NHS birthday at no.10 |
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STAR Awards winner Sharmila Jeyasingh marked the 74th birthday of the NHS with a trip to Downing Street and a garden party with the Prime Minister.
The consultant paediatrician at The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital joined 100 other health professionals from around the country at the reception that celebrated the anniversary of the NHS and the Adult Social Care system.
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On Saturday 6 August, colleagues from across the Trust took part in the Brighton Pride Parade. After two years of cancellations due to Covid-19, it is safe to say the event came back with a bang! Our staff LGBTQI+ network organised a fantastic float complete with DJ, confetti canon and striking balloon back packs.
We said a huge thank you to our charities, Love Your Hospital and BSUH Charity, for supporting the Trust to take part in this and other Pride events across Sussex this summer, including Chichester Pride on 28 May, Worthing Pride on 9 July, Trans Pride Brighton and Hove on 16 July and Crawley Pride on August 20.
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Worthing Pride and Trans Pride Brighton |
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Innovative radiotherapy celebrated one year of treating cancer patients |
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One year after launching the lifesaving SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy) service, the team at Royal Sussex County Hospital celebrated a successful program roll out.
The SABR service was first launched at University Hospitals Sussex last year and has now treated almost 30 patients who were either considered inoperable or who did not wish to go down a surgical route.
SABR uses multiple beams of radiation which are carefully directed from different angles to meet at the tumour. Sophisticated image guidance technology takes account of breathing motion which can cause movement of the tumour, to ensure that these beams are targeted with great accuracy.
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Quick thinking actions of physiotherapist led to Star of the Month award |
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UHSussex physiotherapist Bella D’Almeida was awarded Star of the Month for July after recognising symptoms of pre-eclampsia in a pregnant patient and facilitating emergency care.
Bella, Clinical Specialist and Service Lead for Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Team at Worthing, Southlands and St Richard’s hospitals, was nominated for the award following a letter from the patient who commended her quick thinking and excellent care.
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Study led by UHSussex consultant shows new technology enabled service could improve care for thousands of cancer patients |
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A study led by Dr Ollie Minton, Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Clinical Director for Cancer at UHSussex, has revealed that patients with treatable but not curable cancers who regularly track their symptoms via their smartphone or tablet using web app My Clinical Outcomes, are less likely to be admitted to hospital and have shorter stays in hospital, improving their quality of life.
In the year-long trial, patients from Royal Sussex County Hospital were prompted every two weeks by email to complete a short online questionnaire using a webapp My Clinical Outcomes from the comfort of their own home, asking them about their condition and how they were feeling.
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Endoscopy department cut waiting lists by 70% |
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Tremendous efforts by the Endoscopy teams at Royal Sussex and Princess Royal Hospitals have cut the number of patients waiting for a diagnostic test by 70%, since 2020.
The service sees about 13,000 patients each year for tests to diagnose or monitor digestive problems, including suspected cancers. However, in December 2020, due to pressures including from the pandemic, 2,500 patients were waiting for an endoscopic procedure.
Now, the team has cut this by 70% and, for the first time in years, met the 5% national diagnostic waiting list target.
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Improving inclusion of under-served groups in clinical research |
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Research colleagues from UHSussex are working with key figures in the local community, including Councillor Henna Chowdhury, Mayor of Worthing (pictured above), to help improve representation of underserved groups in health and care research.
Heather Fox and Clinton Corin are research nurses at UHSussex. Together, they have been supporting the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Kent, Surrey and Sussex, ‘Space to Lead’ initiative, which aims to engage with underserved communities and promote inclusive opportunities in research.
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UHSussex team scoop three medals at the British Transplant Games |
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A team of organ transplant patients won three medals representing UHSussex at the British Transplant Games earlier this summer. This was the first time the Trust has competed in the games.
To show appreciation for the amazing care they received before and after their transplants, the UHSussex team, which included four organ donors and four recipients, took part in a range of sports. This included cycling, swimming, football, and track and field events, as well as a fun run with their families and supporters.
The team won two silver medals in the cycling and one bronze medal in the freestyle swimming event.
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Patients benefit from new state of the art X-ray room |
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Patients can now be X-rayed more quickly and safely thanks to a newly renovated digital X-ray room at Princess Royal Hospital.
The £342,000 refurbishment includes a state-of-the-art X-ray and a dental imaging machine.
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From the operating theatre to 5K – senior citizen Mike keeps on running |
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A park-running pensioner is back pounding the streets of Hove after undergoing pioneering heart surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
Back in January this year Mike Boice had to go the Brighton hospital to have an aortic valve replaced in his heart.
Six months after the operation, known as TAVI, he is back running his local 5k on Hove Lawns, down the road from his home.
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Patients living with multiple sclerosis now have more control over their treatment times |
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The Planned Investigation Unit (PIU) at Princess Royal Hospital provides a wide range of treatments for more than 300 patients living with MS from across Sussex. Over recent years, demand for the unit has increased by 55%. This is because of new therapies being introduced at an earlier point to slow disease progression.
To address the demand, the team at Hayward’s Heath recently underwent an innovative redesign project, including making all drugs available every day, introducing new ways to administer certain treatments and changes to the nursing workforce.
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Paediatric Matron shines brightly with Cavell Star Award |
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Paediatric Matron, Lynne Mould, became the Trust’s first recipient of the Cavell Star medal after being nominated by members of her team at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital for going above and beyond to support her colleagues, patients and their families throughout the pandemic.
Lorraine Tinker, Divisional Head of Nursing – Children’s Services said: “Lynne was nominated for her continued support to the teams, which was particularly evident throughout Covid. She is always a ‘go-to’ person people come to with their problems and issues, both patients’ families and staff.”
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Hip fracture team recognised for amazing care |
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A UHSussex multi-disciplinary team from emergency floor to orthopaedic surgeons have been praised at Worthing Hospital for their efficient care of patients with hip fractures.
The National Hip Fracture Database, a national programme, have recognised that the hospital is performing above average in assessing these patients in A&E, administering a nerve block to treat pain, and quickly admitting them to an orthogeriatric ward within four hours of arriving.
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New hospital brings art, community and history to life |
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When the Stage 1 building of our 3Ts Redevelopment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital opens in the spring of 2023, it won’t just offer a new home for many of our wards and services.
It will also be a showcase of local artists’ work, revitalising both big and quiet spaces with pieces that represent our heritage, people, and the individuality of the very city the hospital inhabits – Brighton.
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Social media highlights #UHSussex |
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Are you following UHSussex on social? There’s so much that goes on across our hospitals but we aim to bring you daily news and updates through our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Here’s a flavour of what’s been on social media recently…..
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Charity fundraisers take the plunge |
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A brave group of UHSussex staff, volunteers and supporters took to the skies in August to undertake an exhilarating skydive challenge to raise funds to support patient care across our hospitals.
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In case you missed it....
Here’s a round-up of more news stories from across UHSussex...
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Patient feedback highlights |
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We’re proud to share with you some of the lovely feedback we have had recently. If you’ve got a positive experience of using our services you’d like to share then we’d love to hear it. Contact us at uhussex.communications@nhs.net or leave us a Google review. |
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