Two hospital physiotherapists will be going for gold next year as they compete for Great Britain in their age groups in international triathlon.

Kerry Archer, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist working at the Queen’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology, has qualified to represent the country at the European Triathlon Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany, next June.

As well as working full time with Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support people with cancer, Kerry is also a member of York Triathlon Club and trains five to six days per week. She qualified for the European Championships last month, having finished fourth in her age group in a sprint distance triathlon qualifier in Strathclyde (750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run).

Kerry says:

“Over the years, I have taken part in many different sports, but it was my brother who inspired me to take up triathlon about four years ago.  I completed my first triathlon in Driffield and haven’t really looked back.

“In a role like mine, being physically fit is important. It can be a challenge fitting in training around a full time job, but I’m really proud and excited to representing my country next year.”

Meanwhile, Becky Mason (pictured above), a Physiotherapist who is currently working within the Plastics Outpatient Department at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, will also don the Team GB colours in 2017.

But Becky has already had a taste of what it’s like to represent her country this year, when she competed in the European Duathlon Championships in Spain. This race involved a 10km run, followed by a 40km cycle ride, then a further 5km run, and Becky finished an impressive eighth in her age group overall.

Becky says:

“I have always been fairly fit and healthy, and I did a couple of triathlons whilst I was at university. Once I qualified as a physiotherapist and moved to a new area, however, I found it more difficult to fit training in around my new job.

“I had been working at the hospital for about two and a half years when a friend asked me to take part in the Castle Howard triathlon last summer, and I was the second female to finish.  This made me decide to get back into training, and I’ve been training with Humber Triathletes since November.

“It’s such a great feeling to represent your country in a sport you love. It can be quite difficult fitting everything in at times, but it’s well worth it.”

Becky has already qualified to represent Team GB in the European Duathlon Championships in 2017, and is in a reserve position to compete in the European Triathlon Championships in 2017 at Sprint distance, alongside Kerry.

Kerry is also looking to join Becky in the line-up for next year’s Duathlon Championships when she competes in a qualifying race in October.

A local doctor has joined an elite team of medics who fly with Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

Dr. Chris Srinivasan, a Consultant in Emergency Medicine, usually spends his days treating critically ill patients at Hull Royal Infirmary’s Emergency Department. But if this wasn’t exciting enough, he has recently joined a specialist team of hospital doctors on board the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, enabling him to be one of the first on scene in extreme or life threatening situations.

Having just completed a “medical passenger course” (modified air crew course), Chris, who has been in Hull since 2007, now joins a team of 8 other specialist doctors from across the county who fly with YAA. The charity is now able to ensure there is a consultant trained in pre-hospital emergency medicine on board the helicopter, 365 days of the year.

Serving the whole of Yorkshire and sometimes further afield, this team of highly trained, specialist doctors and paramedics regularly carries out life-saving procedures, such as emergency anaesthesia and critical care interventions, at the scene of an incident.

A member of the team will work on the helicopter 12 hours a day, every day of the year, attending 999 calls when requested. They will work alongside two highly trained paramedics and a skilled pilot. The team aboard the helicopter will fly out to assist critically ill patients in the most urgent situations, as well as providing medical assistance in more remote locations across the county.

Seconded by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Chris joins the Yorkshire Critical Care Team to support the service provided by Yorkshire Air Ambulance and other frontline response teams.

Chris says:

“I’ve always been interested in pre-hospital emergency medicine, from the moment I started my career in emergency medicine. No two days are ever the same, the job is so varied and provides me with an opportunity to work with such a fantastic close-knit team.
“This is the best job in the world for me, to work alongside the team at YAA and other emergency care providers on the front line. Making early interventions and giving our patients the best chance of survival is just brilliant.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to help save lives across Yorkshire. It serves five million people and has carried more than 6,800 people in its 15-year history.

£12,000 per day is required to keep both of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s helicopters maintained and in the air. All donations received go directly into the lifesaving service provided. For more information on how you can fundraise, or donate, please visit www.yaa.org.uk
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Critical care nurses at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital are amongst the first in the region to undertake a new type of training course focused on the safe transfer of patients.

Having identified a need to offer specific training for nursing staff in the movement of critically ill patients, our Critical Care Teacher Trainers Team ran a pilot version of their SCRIPT (Safe CRitical Ill Patient Transfer) course just a couple of weeks ago.

Whether critical care patients are being transferred 100 yards for a CT scan or 100 miles to another hospital, the principles of care remain the same, and so the aim of the course is to ensure nursing staff can provide a safe, high quality and consistent level of care to everyone.

SCRIPT is believed to be the first in the region to offer such practical, hands-on course content, using simulation mannequins to create lifelike scenarios, with support from the HILS Simulation Team.

Thirteen critical care nurses from both hospital sites took part in the first training course under the direction of ICU Consultant, Dr James Pettit, Dr Gemma Lee, Specialty Doctor in Anaesthesia, Mandy Price, Critical Care Outreach Specialist Nurse, and Dr AB Wong, FY2 Academic Emergency Medicine.

Following a morning of practical workshops, participants then moved on to the simulated transfer of a patient for CT scan in the afternoon. With the assistance of Tim Butterill from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the nurses were also able to simulate the transfer of a patient from ward to ambulance, testing their skills and responses in a much smaller and more unfamiliar environment than they are used to.

Each scenario was followed by a debrief covering what happened, any risks or communication issues which arose, how people felt during the exercise, and any lessons learned.

Vicky Needler, Critical Care Teacher Trainer, says:

“Training in the transfer of critically ill patients is given to medical ICU staff automatically, but this is not something we, or indeed many other Trusts, have previously been offering to our nurses.

“The introduction of the SCRIPT course gives critical care nursing staff the chance to practice their skills in a safe and supportive environment. This doesn’t just equip them with the technical skills they need, but it also allows them to practice their communication skills and see how they work together in a pressurised situation.

“There are all sorts of things which could potentially go wrong with the movement of a patient, from equipment failure to a dislodged line or the patient starting to deteriorate, so it’s important that our critical care nurses are prepared for any eventuality.”

As a Trauma Centre, the Trust has a total of 44 critical care beds and around 170 critical care nurses, making the importance of transfer skills and experience all the more important.

Vicky adds:

“The support we have had for this course has been overwhelming, and we’re grateful for Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s involvement as it’s rare to have an opportunity to train in an ambulance and to practice transfers with ambulance staff, who can bring a very different perspective.

“All transfers, no matter how near or far, rely on effective team working from a number of different disciplines, and this is something we’re really keen to help people practice and improve on.”

Health organisations across East Yorkshire will host the biggest showcase of healthcare services and innovation even seen in the region next week.

The 2016 Health Expo will be held on Thursday 7 July at the KCOM Stadium, and is being organised by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Hull Clinical Commissioning Group, East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Humber NHS Foundation Trust, and City Health Care Partnership.

Sponsored by Siemens Healthineers, the event is designed to showcase excellence and improvements in local health and social care services, but there will also be plenty for people to do, see, learn, hear, and take part in, including:

• A Recruitment Fair for those interested in local health vacancies and NHS careers
• Expert speakers, including a keynote speech from Martin Green, Hull 2017 City of Culture Chief Executive
• ‘Try a Mile’ and Buggy Sessions led by the fantastic Fitmums running group
• On-the-spot health advice from our Street Doctor, Health Trainer, and in the Physio Zone
• Games to get people moving including giant games of Operation, Jenga, and Batak Pro
• Advice on coping with dementia in our 50s style kitchen
• Sampling healthy snacks and healthy meals/nutritional advice
• A Question Time debate, chaired by the BBC’s Amanda White, putting topical questions to local health and social care leaders
• Free yoga, meditation and stress relief taster sessions
• Meet and greet with BBC Look North’s Peter Levy
• Advice on living with and beyond cancer from the Macmillan Survivorship Team

The event is designed to get people thinking not only about how they can keep themselves both mentally and physically well, but to showcase the work which local nurses, doctors, therapists and other healthcare support staff carry out 365 days a year for the benefit of local people.

The Health Expo will culminate in a special awards ceremony on the evening of 7^th July, where local teams and individuals will compete for titles including the Innovative Health and Social Care Technology Award, Success in Partnership Working Award, and Healthcare Hero of the Year.

Myles Howell, Director of Communications for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, says:

“Our local teams are involved in some really cutting-edge projects and improvements, so one of the main aims of the Health Expo is to showcase these amongst members of the public and celebrate the fantastic work carried out by health workers across the region.

“At the same time, we want the event to be fun and engaging, so we’ve plenty to keep people occupied throughout the day. Those simply wanting to listen and learn could join the audience of the Question Time debate or see how state-of-the-art simulation mannequins are used to train our doctors and nurses. Those seeking something a bit more hands-on, however, could experience VERT, the 3D radiotherapy treatment simulator, or ‘Try a Mile’ with the Fitmums running group as they lead a friendly exercise session around West Park.

“This is the first time health and care organisations have come together on such a scale to showcase the amazing work of our local NHS and to encourage people to think about their health and well-being in such a way. With so much going on this year, we hope people will find some time to visit us and enjoy a fun, free, and informative day out.”

Kate Smith from Fitmums and Friends says:

“Fitmums and Friends are excited to be part of Health Expo – it gives us a great opportunity to spread the word about our new ‘In the Pink’ project which offers free one-to-one support to adults in Hull and East Yorkshire who’d like some help to get into regular exercise.  The project is available at any of our running clubs in Hull and East Yorkshire, as well as at our fitness walking and buggy sessions.

“There’ll be a chance to experience the friendly and welcoming Fitmums experience with our “try a mile” and buggy sessions too, so don’t forget your trainers!”

The 2016 Health Expo will take place at the KCOM Stadium on Thursday 7^th July from 9:30am to 4pm. Members  of the public will receive a warm welcome, and are invited to stay for as much of the day as they are able. There is no need to book, however guests are encouraged to register if they wish to participate in the Question Time event specifically, by calling the Hull CCG Engagement Team on 01482 344700 or via https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2016healthexpo

More details, including a full programme for the day, are now available at Health Expo

A spokesman at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:

“We can confirm that Humberside Fire & Rescue attended our Castle Hill Hospital site this morning to deal with a small scale fire in the plant room of the Centenary Building.

“All patients and staff have been evacuated from the building and safely relocated to other surgical wards.

“Due to the unforeseen circumstances, we will be cancelling outpatient appointments and surgical activity due to take place within the Centenary Building today, excluding Audiology. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and we will look to reschedule all cancelled appointments and procedures as soon as possible.

“We would also like to thank our staff who acted quickly and safely to ensure all patients have remained safe during this time.

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Health experts from across the UK will convene in Hull this week for a prestigious national event.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will host the Fourth National Cancer Conference, ‘Contemporary Care: New Challenges, New Solutions’ on Thursday 23^rd and Friday 24^th June at the Village Hotel, Hessle.

Almost 200 delegates from as far afield as Exeter, the Isle of Man, and the internationally renowned Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, will attend to discuss new approaches to issues such as radiotherapy and end of life care.

Cancer survivors and people living with cancer will also attend the event, where delegates will learn how singing and laughter yoga can help in the management and well-being of cancer patients.

BBC Sports commentator and five-time Paralympic gold medal winner Marc Woods (pictured above), who had a leg amputated due to cancer aged just 17, will serve as the celebrity speaker for the event. Other speakers include Professor Max Watson, Consultant Professor in Palliative Care from the Northern Ireland Hospice in Belfast, and the Trust’s own internationally-renowned Professor Andy Beavis.

Janis Hostad, Lecturer/Education and Development Coordinator at the Queen’s Centre for Oncology & Haematology in Cottingham, has organised the event. She says:

“We’re delighted to be hosting our fourth National Cancer Conference in Hull. This week, we’ll be bringing some of the country’s most respected cancer experts together with members of our local workforce and people who are living with, or have beaten, cancer to discuss some of the most current issues surrounding it.

“Cancer is such an emotive issue as many of us will either have experienced the disease ourselves or know someone who has, so it’s vital that we keep the discussions going and keep sharing new ideas and techniques for cancer management and treatment.

“The Queen’s Centre for Oncology & Haematology in Cottingham is an excellent local facility, and we’re proud to be hosting this prestigious national conference which will continue to help put Hull on the map in respect of its clinical expertise in this field.”

Two off duty nurses from Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham saved the life of a local man this week after he became unconscious whilst swimming.

Christina Scurr and Kristina Peat, both Staff Nurses on Ward 26, were enjoying a dip in the pool at Total Fitness in Willerby when the incident happened on Tuesday night.

After hearing cries for help, their swift actions and years of nurse training ensured they were able to pull Tony Nichols, from Kirk Ella, out of the water and restore his breathing before an ambulance arrived.

Christina says:

“Kristina and I had just been swimming a few lengths when, all of a sudden, we began to hear cries for help from the other end of the pool. We looked over and saw Mr Nichols face down in the water.

“At that point, we didn’t hesitate: I swam over whilst Kristina got out of the water and ran round to help.

“When we tried to put Mr Nichols in the recovery position, we found he wasn’t breathing, so we began performing CPR. After a number of cycles, he began to breathe so we attempted to put him in the recovery position again, but again his breathing stopped. We performed another round of CPR to re-start his breathing, and we then stayed with him until an ambulance arrived.

“We didn’t really think about our actions at the time; as nurses we’re trained to deal with the unexpected.  We’re just pleased to hear that the action we took has helped Mr Nichols and he’s now on road to recovery.”

The two nurses’ manager, Tracy Drury, is the ward sister on Ward 26 at Castle Hill Hospital. She says:

“It’s often said that a nurse is never off duty, and this was certainly true of Christina and Kristina in this case. What they did was fantastic, and we’re all pleased to see that there has been a positive ending to this story.

“Christina and Kristina are an inspirational pair of dedicated nurses, and every member of their team is incredibly of proud of them.”

Mr Nichols is now recovering well from the incident, and both he and his partner have passed on their thanks in person to the two nurses when they met at Castle Hill Hospital on Wednesday evening.

When you hear the phrase ‘plastic surgery’, you would be forgiven for thinking of celebrities and their never-ending attempts to look younger, slimmer, or more attractive.

Plastic surgery within this NHS, however, is very different. From dog bites to burns, accidents to assaults, the Plastics Team is on hand 24/7 to deal with whatever comes their way.

Plastic surgeons are regularly called upon to restore the function and appearance of limbs or digits which have been injured, helping patients to recover their confidence, mobility and independence after surgery. Plastic surgeons also contribute to the care given to patients born with abnormalities of the hands or face, and patients diagnosed with cancer, such as breast and skin cancer.

Members of the public are now being invited to hear more about the work which plastic surgeons working at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital carry out.

‘A Day in the Life of a Plastic Surgeon’ is an hour-long presentation by Miss CB Chuo, Consultant Plastic and Restorative Surgeon, and will be delivered at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, in the morning of Monday 6^th June 2016.

The presentation is the latest in a series of discussion topics which members of the public are being invited to attend. Other upcoming sessions include:

• Friday 8 July (HRI) – How Volunteers are making a difference within our hospitals
• Thursday 15 September (HRI) – Stroke services and how our hospitals care for people who have had a stroke
• Tuesday 4 October (HRI) – Promoting equality and diversity at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Tuesday 18 October (CHH) – Local breast screening services and the National Breast Screening Programme

For more information on ‘A Day in the Life of a Plastic Surgeon’ or to book your free place at the event, please call the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Membership Office on (01482) 675165 or email membership.team@hey.nhs.uk  These details should also be used to request information/reserve places on any of the other, upcoming presentation sessions listed above.

A mum-of-two who is battling cancer is charting her most personal of journeys online to serve as hope and inspiration to others.

Clare Davies-Eaton, 41, from Grimsby, is currently receiving treatment for throat cancer at the Queen’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham. Having been diagnosed just 11 weeks ago, she has started a facebook page, ‘My lumpy, bumpy road to summer’, which she is using to update followers on her progress and, crucially, to raise awareness of head and neck cancers. Clare also uses the page to pay tribute to the people who are supporting her through her treatment, including family and health professionals.

The first signs of a problem came late last year when Clare experienced a sore throat, and found a lump in her neck shortly afterwards. Clare went to her doctor and, after numerous hospital referrals, scans, tests and procedures, and the removal of her lymph nodes in February, she finally received her cancer diagnosis on 11th March 2016.

Clare is now part-way through courses of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Castle Hill Hospital, and says the diagnosis turned her world upside down.

“In the weeks leading up to my diagnosis, I hadn’t really considered that it might be cancer so when I was told by the doctor, I went into shock, I just didn’t know what to say. In the space of five minutes I felt lost, like my world was falling apart, but then I heard the word ‘treatable’ which gave me hope that I could battle this.

“I have set ‘My lumpy, bumpy road to summer’ page up to track not just my journey but to highlight the work done by all the dedicated professionals that will help me along the way. I’m also hoping to raise awareness of head and neck cancers and encourage people to be more alert to the signs.

“I have got an amazing support network of family and friends, so I’m hoping my blog may be of comfort to them at times too, as I appreciate that this is a shock to their systems as well as mine.”

Throughout her cancer journey, Clare has been supported by countless health professionals from Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby and, more recently, from Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, including Therapy Radiographers, Dietitians, Maxillofacial specialists, ward staff, and Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Clare says:

“My first visit to the oncology unit at Castle Hill was not what I was expecting at all, it seemed more relaxed than a hospital.

“I went for my radiotherapy mask fitting, and the Therapy Radiographers were absolutely brilliant, so patient, understanding and compassionate, but at the same time very honest when answering my questions, which is just what I needed. They really helped me feel at ease.

“All of the health professionals who have helped me along my journey so far, from my stoma nurse to the dietitian, the Oncology day ward staff and staff on ward 30, I’ve been so impressed with the efforts they go to and the care and compassion they show.

“On one occasion, rather than just sending a message, the doctor came to find me while I was in radiotherapy to tell me he was considering a change to my medication. Just the simple act of coming to talk to me in person showed he cares, and not only did it impress me but it impressed my mum too, which is not always an easy task!”

Martin Sykes, Therapy Radiographer for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Trust has been involved in Clare’s treatment from the outset. He says:

“Clare is an amazing person. She was so scared about what we needed to do to plan her treatment, but we talked her through it and she managed everything we needed her to do.

“Her blog has given us a real insight into what it’s like for our patients, and it’s great for us to see that she really appreciates what we are doing; it’s been a brilliant morale booster for the teams involved with her care.

“Clare is fighting a disease that none of us should have to, and it shows her bravery, that she is not only going through all the treatment and dealing with its side effects, but she’s also trying to raise awareness of the disease and of radiotherapy, so that it can be caught earlier and be more treatable.

“I think Clare’s open and honest blog will be a support for anyone who is diagnosed with cancer; in particular patients who are are unfortunately diagnosed with cancers that are not widely known about, such as head and neck cancer, will find comfort in reading about her experiences.”

To read and follow Clare’s blog, visit My Lumpy Bumpy Road to Summer.