Two hospital wards at Hull Royal Infirmary are currently closed to new admissions due to the winter vomiting bug, Norovirus. Patients on wards 70 and 90 have been affected, prompting the temporary closures in order to limit the spread of the virus.

Greta Johnson, Lead Infection Prevention & Control Nurse at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:

“It is not unusual for hospitals to experience cases of gastroenteritis, such as Norovirus, at this time of year. These types of virus often originate in the community and can spread quickly when a number of people spend time in close proximity, such as in schools or on a hospital ward.

“As a temporary measure, in order to try and prevent further spread of the virus, we are asking people only to visit Wards 70 and 90 at this time if absolutely necessary, as Norovirus can be passed on easily.”

Norovirus is usually quite mild, lasting for about 48 hours, however people who have had symptoms can remain infectious for a further 48 hours after the symptoms have gone away.

Patients, visitors and staff who have experienced diarrhoea or vomiting are all being urged to stay away from hospital until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours to help minimise the spread of the virus to others.

Anyone experiencing sickness, vomiting or diarrhoea should first seek advice from their local pharmacy, or telephone their local GP or NHS 111. Attending the GP surgery or Emergency Department is strongly discouraged as this risks spreading the illness to other people who may already be more susceptible to infection.

Regular, thorough handwashing, especially after using the toilet, can also help to reduce the risk of viruses being passed on to others.

Hospitals in East Yorkshire are taking a novel approach in a bid to attract staff into hard to fill vacancies.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, covering Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, has launched a ‘Refer a Friend’ scheme similar to those used by retailers.

Existing members of staff will be paid up to £500 if they are able to help fill roles which are traditionally difficult to recruit to, such as qualified nursing posts, Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs), and Therapy Radiographers.

Under the terms of the scheme, the referring member of staff receives £100 if the friend or relative they have recommended is successfully recruited and stays in post for three months. A further £400 is payable after the new recruit has been in post for six months and has successfully passed their probationary period.

Simon Nearney, Director of Workforce and Organisational Development for the Trust says:

“Like every other NHS organisation across the country, we want to attract the best candidates. Nationally, there are shortages of staff in key areas such as theatres, nursing and therapies, where we are all competing for the same people.

“In order for us to provide the best possible care we can to our patients, we need to be appropriately staffed, so our ‘Refer a Friend’ scheme will be piloted initially for six months as a means of helping us recruit to posts which we’ve traditionally struggled to fill.

“While there is, of course, a financial implication for us in the first instance, if this scheme is successful, it will actually benefit us longer term as it will mean we’re spending less on agency and temporary staff and creating a more stable workforce.”

Simon adds:

“We’ve done a lot over the past couple of years to try and attract people to Hull to work, most notably through our award-winning Remarkable People, Extraordinary Place campaign, and we’re also doing a lot of work with schools and colleges to try and grow our own local healthcare staff of the future.

“For now, we need to look at different ways of attracting the professionals we need and our staff, with their enthusiasm and their recommendations, are the best asset we have to help us do this.”

Mums-to-be will be offered vital protection against the flu this winter when they attend hospital appointments.

A team of hospital midwives have become the first in Hull to be trained in administering the flu vaccine which will be offered to women when they attend hospital antenatal checks at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.

With around 5,500 births in Hull every year, pregnant women are particularly susceptible to flu which can cause miscarriage in the early stage or stillbirth in the later stages of pregnancy.

Some women who already received the flu vaccine earlier this year will require a second vaccination now to ensure they are covered for the most current strain.

Caroline Clark, healthy lifestyles midwife at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said the 10 midwives trained to administer the vaccine were offering women the chance to protect themselves and their babies.

She said: “Flu can make pregnant women really unwell and they are more susceptible because their immune systems are more suppressed in pregnancy.

“Women may not realise how serious flu can be in pregnancy. Studies have found links between flu and miscarriage in the early stages or early labour, resulting in premature births. There are also possible links to stillbirth.

“We are really keen to see more pregnant women take up the offer of flu vaccines, which is why we have trained our midwives to deliver it at a time which might suit them, when they’re already coming to hospital.”

Women are offered the vaccine when they attend antenatal appointments

Women will still be able to receive the flu vaccine in the community or from their GP and midwives will signpost women there if they usually see their midwife at their local health centre or Children’s Centre.

However, the 10 midwives have been trained to administer it to women at the hospital antenatal clinics or when they visit the hospital’s day unit for checks.

Caroline Clark said pregnant women should be assured that receiving the flu vaccine poses no danger to them or their babies.

She said: “There has not been a single reported case of harm caused to a baby by the vaccine since the programme of vaccinating pregnant women began in 2010.

“While a minority of people may experience very mild flu-like symptoms after receiving the vaccine, this is not the flu as the vaccine does not contain a live virus. Instead, it is their body responding to the vaccine by producing the antibodies required to protect them against the flu.

“And with pregnancy spanning 40 weeks of the year, some women will require a second vaccine, even if they received a flu jab earlier this year.

“Different vaccines are produced every year to protect us from different strains of the flu virus so those in the early stages of pregnancy who receive a flu jab in March will need a second one now in the later stages of their pregnancies.”

There is no need to book an appointment for a flu vaccine as it will be offered to women attending hospital for already-booked appointments.

Sick children being cared for at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital are set to benefit from a major donation of Lego.

Charity Fairy Bricks, which aims to donate Lego worth £7,500 to children’s wards and children’s hospices every month, has donated 30 sets to the hospital’s Acorn Ward.

Sean O’Donnell, a member of the charity who is also works as a staff nurse at Castle Hill Hospital, donated the Lego to staff on the ward as part of a major giveaway by the charity.

Mr O’Donnell travelled to Diana, Princess of Wales and Scunthorpe General Hospital on his day off with wife Sally to hand over the sets.

He said: “Lego has given the charity 20,000 sets to be given away to children’s hosptials throughout the UK this Christmas.

“It’s such a simple thing but it brings so much joy to the children. We like to be involved with the charity because it’s such a great cause.”

Ward sister Joanne O’Connor said the donation would be gratefully received by the play specialists working with the children currently receiving treatment on the ward.

She said: “We’re very pleased Fairy Bricks has included us in their giveaway and we’d like to thank everyone involved for their generosity.

“The sets will come in very handy at this time of year but they’ll also be put to good use by the children coming into Acorn in the future.”

Women who have had previous caesarean sections are being offered support from a new midwifery-led service to prepare for their next babies.

Hull Women and Children’s Hospital is setting up at the new service to give women additional support, information and advice.

Currently, women who have undergone previous caesarean sections see a consultant around 36 weeks into their pregnancies to discuss birth options for their next baby.

However, under the proposal, women will be referred to the specialist clinic by community midwives at their first booking appointment, ensuring early support for the women throughout her pregnancy.

Women will be seen by midwives at 24 weeks, 32 weeks and full term to be supported in their choices, with those mothers-to-be in need of clinical support to be referred to their named consultant obstetrician.

Janet Cairns, head of midwifery at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said the new clinics would give information to women to increase their knowledge about their choices and improve their experience.

“We want to ensure women are given all of the options available to them to ensure they play an active role in deciding what is best for them and their baby,” she said.

“Caesarean sections are not a risk-free option and many women think it is the only option if they have had their first baby by caesarean section in the past.

“This new service will enable our highly skilled midwives to support women to make the best choice, allay worries or concerns and give the women confidence to have a great birth experience.”

The introduction of the new service could reduce the number of caesarean sections in Hull, which is slightly higher than the national average of 12 per cent.

However, Hull has fewer emergency caesarean sections, 14.4 per cent of births compared to the national average of 15.4 per cent.

The city also has more “normal” births – 61 per cent compared to 59 per cent nationally – and fewer instrumental births – 8.8 per cent compared to the national average of 12.9 per cent.

Emergency caesarean sections can be carried out for a number of clinical reasons such as to protect the mother or baby’s health. Collective decisions are made by the parents and the doctors and midwives caring for them.

However, some women opt for c-sections for non-medical reasons despite the risks attached to the major operations and can take up to six weeks to recover.

Janet Cairns said: “It is hoped these appointments will give women more information about their choices in their subsequent pregnancies so they can make the right decision for themselves.”

Hull’s ophthalmology team has scooped a top award in a prestigious ceremony celebrating clinical excellence in the UK.

The multi-disciplinary retinal team at Hull Eye Hospital have won best ophthalmology service improvement in the Bayer annual awards.

Staff nurse Anna Sanders was also highly commended in the outstanding ophthalmology nurse category for her 35 years of dedicated service.

Michelle Kemp, director of operations at the trust’s Family and Women’s Health division, said: “This is fantastic recognition for an outstanding team who have embraced innovation and new ways of working to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

“We couldn’t be prouder of them.

“We’re also so proud that Anna’s commitment and dedication to her job has been recognised by some of the most respected names in the profession.”

Consultant ophthalmologist Louise Downey, who leads the retinal service, head of optometry Brian Melia and optometrist Ellen Beddows collected the award on behalf of the team

Funded by Bayer, the annual awards are judged by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts in ophthalmology care to recognise and celebrate work carried out by teams throughout the UK.

The Hull team was named best ophthalmology service improvement at a glittering ceremony in London this week.

The award was collected by consultant ophthalmologist Louise Downey, who leads the retinal service, head of optometry Brian Melia and optometrist Ellen Beddows on behalf of the team.

The award recognise improvements in eye units to improve and enhance patient care, save money and minimise the effect of reduced budgets as well as improving patient experience, quality of life and outcomes.

In its citation, Bayer said the team had undertaken virtual clinic assessments for patients undergoing intravitreal treatments to allow the highly skilled team to deliver or assess 15,000 injections a year.

The judges said: “This was an absolutely superb and fantastic entry that highlighted the added value brought to patient care for the centre with ‘superb’ metrics.

“The whole panel felt that this initiative could be (and should be) replicated in other centres across the UK.”

OUTSTANDING: Anna Saunders, third from left, receives her award

Announcing Anna Sanders as highly commended in the category of outstanding ophthalmology nurse, the panel said her expertise had helped pioneer innovation in practice.

Judges said she was “pivotal” in reducing the length of stay for patients after cataract surgery before retiring from the trust earlier this year.

The panel also singled out her compassion, helping homeless patients in the run-up to Christmas, fund raising for worthy causes and creating “positive memorable journeys” for students.

Ophthalmic surgeon Colin Vize, medical director of the Family and Women’s Health Group, said: “Ophthalmology services are under pressure all over the country and we are no different here.

“But these awards show our patients can be assured that they are being treated by staff recognised by leading lights in the profession as the very best in the country.

“We are delighted for our team and thank them for their fantastic contribution to the care of patients, day in, day out.”

Visitors are in for a festive treat this week as the Christmas menu is served at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.

Costing £7.95 for a three-course meal with mince pie, tea or coffee and a complimentary cracker with every main course, the Christmas menu will be available from the Kingston Restaurant at Hull Royal Infirmary and at Nightingales Restaurant next to the lecture theatre at Castle Hill Hospital.

The starter is cream of tomato and chive soup, served with a crusty roll.

There is a choice of three main courses – oven roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, sausage stuffing, chipolatas and bacon roll; pot roasted beef and Yorkshire pudding and parsnip and chestnut loaf, topped with cherry tomatoes. All main courses are served with glazed carrots, parsnips and Brussels sprots alongside roast and creamed potatoes.

Dessert is either traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or port trifle.

Courses are individually priced for those who do not wish the full three courses and the Christmas menu will be available on December 12, 13 and 14.

A range of festive sandwiches will also be on sale at all outlets up until Christmas.

Advent calendars are as much a part of the Christmas build-up as office parties and secret Santas.

But NHS workers on a children’s ward at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital are embarking on a “reverse” advent calendar to help a Hull family in need.

Nurses, health care assistants, doctors and support staff on Acorn Ward have been collecting tins and packets of food and sweet treats to help a dad bringing up four young children aged six to 11 on his own.

Play specialist Mags Higson, who came up with the idea, said: “We don’t realise how fortunate we are sometimes and forget there are people far less fortunate than us who could do with some help.

“Christmas is a time to give something back. It’s not about always having everything.”

Staff on Acorn Ward are bringing in donations to help family in need

Mags, who has worked for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for 18 years, started a collection for a reverse advent calendar on the ward after hearing about the man bringing up his four children single-handedly.

She said: “The whole family had to flee their own country and they have been in Hull for three years. There are four young children and we’re trying to make sure we give the family a good Christmas.

“Everybody on the ward has brought something in like tins of beans or spaghetti and packets of pasta.

“We’ve managed to collect quite a bit so now, we’re going to try and collect some presents for stockings so the children have something to open on Christmas day.”

Joanne O’Connor, sister on Acorn Ward, said the entire team caring for Hull’s sick children had decided to support Mags in her efforts to make a difference to the family.

“We’re really proud of Mags,” said Joanne. “It was all her idea and we think it’s a great thing for us to do.

“We’re all getting behind her idea and bringing in stuff. It’s nice to make a difference to other people’s lives, especially at this time of year.”

The family of a foster mum to more than 150 children have donated fans to a hospital to help patients.

Tina Moore, 62, died in November from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with her family by her bedside at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Now, Mrs Moore’s family have donated 15 fans and a cheque for £50 as a thank you to staff on Ward Five after raising more than £300 at her funeral.

Her husband Bill said: “I just can’t thank the staff enough. Everyone on the ward, the nurses, all the members of staff, just couldn’t do enough for my wife.

“I came into their world and saw how they worked 14-hour shifts and I just think they’re angels. They are tremendous.”

Mr and Mrs Moore dedicated their lives to helping children from difficult backgrounds, providing them with a safe haven.

“My wife was just my princess,” Mr Moore said. “I miss her every minute of every day.

“She felt the same about the hospital staff as I do. She was under the care of Sega Pathmanathan and he saw her in the car park once when we were here for something else.

“He was so concerned about how she looked that he told her to come in that Monday and she got an appointment for that day.

“That sums up the care we received at the hospital and we can’t thank them enough.”

Mr Moore, of North Bransholme, said he came up with the idea to buy fans for the ward while his wife was being cared for by staff.

“When she had a flare-up with her COPD, she used to get so breathless and we’d have fans on in the house and the door open and everything just to give her some relief,” he said.

“In the hospital, she was sharing a fan with the patient next to her and I just knew that if I ever had extra money, I’d buy fans for the hospital.

“I was really glad to do this for you and if I ever come into money, it’s all going to the hospital because I’m so grateful for all that was done for my wife.”

Anne Littlefield, sister on Ward Five, thanked Mr Moore and his family for their generosity.

She said: “All the team feel it was a pleasure to look after Tina and her lovely family.

“Having these fans will make such a difference to our patients and we would like to say a massive thank you to the family for their help.”

He came into the world seven hours ago but he’s alert, wriggling in his cot.

Mum Jennifer Hemingway, a senior staff nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, gazes at new born son Frederick Thomas, born a few minutes before 3am.

Now just 10am, Frederick Thomas, likely to be known by his family as Freddie, is about to be screened for hearing problems.

“We try to screen all the babies in the maternity unit before they go home,” says senior screener Allison Bird, placing a tiny soft-tipped ear piece in his ears while she measures a response. “It’s important that any issues are picked up early.”

Frederick Thomas is one of 6,500 babies screened every year by the eight-strong neonatal hearing screening team at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.

Babies born at home or at Scarborough and Scunthorpe hospitals but whose parents have an East Riding GP are also seen by the team at clinics at Women and Children’s, Goole, Beverley and Bridlington.

The Hull team has achieved a 99.7 per cent pick-up rate, one of the best in the country, after the national programme was launched here in 2003.

One to two babies in every 1,000 born have permanent hearing loss in one or both ears. For babies spending more than 48 hours in intensive care, it’s one in 100.

Identifying problems early on can ensure the child is supported in developing language, speech and communication skills.

The team need silence to conduct their tests

Neonatal hearing screeners Kristina Purdon, Marcel Khan and Kath Bagshaw are on duty with Allison today at their office on Rowan Ward.

Most of the team has been together since the start so there’s easy camaraderie and work is ticked off with minimum fuss. Everyone knows what to do, is aware of their role and the support is there if they need it.

Dressed in green trousers and white tunic tops, they share out the list of babies to be seen. There are 19 today, a typical day.

Some babies have just been born and will be checked before they go home while others are special care babies on NICU. Premature babies cannot be tested until they reach 34 weeks’ gestation.

The team wait for babies to be settled, often just after feeds or while they are asleep, as wriggling babies can make the reading inaccurate.

For the first screening test, Allison and the team fit the ear piece into the babies’ ears connected to an automated handheld device measuring otoacoustic emissions (AOAEs).

When a soft clicking sound stimulates the cochlea, the outer hair cells vibrate and the vibration also produces a sound that travels back through the ear to the ear piece as a response. If there’s no response, the test is repeated.

Clear responses are not always possible, given how soon the tests are carried out after birth. A lack of response can mean the baby was unsettled, there was background noise on the ward or the baby had fluid in its ear. But it can also be a warning sign of hearing problems.

Frederick Thomas’s right ear produces a clear response. It’s difficult to get a reading from his second ear so Allison will be back later that day to repeat the test.

Mum Pauline Szyc with newborn son Mason Suddaby

Along the corridor, Paulina Szyc cradles son Mason Suddaby in her arms while Allison fits the ear piece.

All screeners have “quiet please, hearing test in progress” signs attached to their trolleys to pin on the outside of doors. But in a busy ward environment, silence is not always possible.

It’s one of those days today. Like Frederick Thomas, Allison can’t get a response from Mason’s ears. She tells Paulina she’ll be back.

When babies are tested so early, a lack of clear response is a common problem. While it might make sense to carry out the tests later once birth fluid has subsided, there are concerns more babies would go untested as some mums would be unlikely to return to hospital for a further appointment.  Also, it could cause a delay in diagnosing a hearing problem.

“We try and make it as easy as possible for them and do it while they’re here,” says Allison. “We try to reassure them there’s unlikely to be anything to worry about but we need to make them aware of the need for the screening to take place.

“But, sometimes, there is something wrong and we need to prepare them for that, to put that possibility in their mind.”

When there is no response from the AOAE, a second screen known as an automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) is carried out. This time, sensors are placed on the baby’s forehead, neck and shoulders.

Tiny headphones are placed over the baby’s ears while gentle clicking sounds are played in a screening test lasting anything from five to 15 minutes.

Results are given to the mother as soon as the test is completed. If clear responses are not given for one or both ears, the baby is referred to audiology for more in-depth tests within four weeks.

The swift turnaround means babies as young as eight weeks old can be fitted with hearing aids.

It’s an essential service but the team realised some women were not aware of its importance so two members of the team now attend the monthly Hey Baby Carousel events at the hospital to explain their work to expectant mothers and fathers.

Allison says: “The important thing for us is good communication with the mums. It is important for us to communicate our message and show why their baby needs this.

“And if there are problems, it’s better to know.”