A hospital team carrying out high-risk medical procedures during Covid-19 has been thanked for their dedication to patients.

Members of the Endoscopy team, based at Hull Royal Infirmary, have been wearing PPE offering the highest protection including full face visors, goggles and coveralls for a year to keep them and their patients safe from harm.

They also faced the trauma of one of their own, Neil McDonald, contracting Covid-19 and spending 60 days in Intensive Care before he was well enough to go home.

Today, Lucy Holgate, Sister in Endoscopy, said: “The team carry out what are known as aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), which carry the risk of generating droplets of the virus if someone is infected, so every member is required to wear high level PPE on a daily basis.

“Obviously, this makes their job more difficult as they get very hot underneath their PPE. But everyone has taken it in their stride.

“I am so proud of what we have achieved. Thank you for being the most amazing, resilient team ever.”

When the country went into its first lockdown last March, most of the Endoscopy team were redeployed to the frontline of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s response to the virus because of their high level of skill.

Some worked on Ward 36, the newly-built assessment unit while others were asked to work in the Emergency Department or the Intensive Care Units as well as other wards assigned to look after patients diagnosed with Covid-19.

Lucy said: “The team went with grace and humility in such daunting times.”

As the number of infections began to fall during the summer, the Endoscopy team returned to their normal duties, carrying out procedures on people suspected of having cancer or other serious illness.

“We have continue to support patients, particularly when they are facing a cancer diagnosis and uncertain of their treatments with services affected by the pandemic.

“The Endoscopy team have excelled and are going above and beyond to provide a service out of hours, evenings and weekends.”

Young people are being offered a virtual tour of Hull Royal Infirmary and Hull Women and Children’s Hospital to reduce any fears they may have about coming to hospital for treatment.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is using Little Journey, a smartphone app featuring games, animation and virtual reality, to tackle anxiety among young people coming to hospital for surgery or procedures.

Wearing special headsets funded by WISHH, the independent charity supporting hospital staff, patients and their families, after a donation from Skirlaugh RLFC, children will be able to explore the area they’ll be coming to so they know what to expect and what they will see on their visit.

Consultant Anaesthetist Dr David Wright, Director of Simulation at Hull Institute of Learning and Simulation (HILS), said the app has been developed to ease any fears and worries young people may have if they have to come to hospital.

He said: “Coming to hospital can be a stressful time for most people and having this app means children can use a medium they are familiar with including games and animations to tackle any worries or concerns they may have.

“Our virtual reality headsets mean children can explore our hospitals, familiarising themselves with what they might see and what to expect when they come here for their appointments.

“We think Little Journey creates an immersive, engaging experience that children find fun and can help to reduce anxiety.”

The app allows young people to explore both hospitals from the comfort and safety of their own homes, interacting with animated characters of hospital staff and learning about the different equipment they might see during their visit.

Parents are also offered tips on how to talk to their children about their forthcoming hospital visit on the app, with checklists on what you need to bring so families are prepared.

Surgeons and hospital teams are being encouraged to signpost families to the app, which can be easily downloaded by scanning a QR code on posters currently displayed in paediatric outpatient clinics.

Children attending pre-assessment appointments will also be shown how to access it and some families will receive access instructions in letters asking them to attend clinics.

Cutting edge rehabilitation ward is being built on Castle Hill site

They’ve played a crucial role in the recovery of patients struggling with the post-acute effects of Covid-19. Now Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s rehabilitation medicine team, which incorporates nurses, doctors, support staff and therapists, is to benefit from new purpose-built facilities to enable them to continue their life changing work.

The rehabilitation team came into the public eye in the summer of 2020 as patients were seen being clapped off their ward after recovering from coronavirus, but the team has been carrying out its vitally important work for many years prior.

More used to supporting patients after prolonged hospital stays, accidents and acquired brain injury, this multi-disciplinary team provides assessment and support to prepare people to return home, to restore independence and manage the tasks of daily living.

Dr Abayomi Salawu

The new 12-bed ward will also incorporate a gym, a therapy room and a garden area, and make use of virtual reality technology.

Dr Abayomi Salawu, consultant in rehabilitation medicine for the trust explains:

“Rehabilitation aims to support both patients and their families as they recovery from injury and ill-health. We see a full range of patients, from those who have suffered brain or physical injury in an accident, for example, to those who have experienced a life changing illness and others whose function and condition have deteriorated following a prolonged stay in intensive care.

“Our role in rehabilitation is to help restore function and enhance quality of life for people with complex health needs so that they may go on to live fully and meaningfully, not just exist. Normal hospital ward environments aren’t generally suited for this purpose, especially in the case of patients with acquired brain injury or physical and cognitive deficits.

“This new ward will give us the space and the facilities we need to provide specialist rehabilitation input to the highest level, and will also deliver an environment which is more conducive to patient recovery and one in which our staff are rightly proud to work.”

The new ward is the first purpose-built NHS specialist rehabilitation centre across the Humber, Coast and Vale area and into neighbouring Lincolnshire. It will be the first NHS inpatient rehabilitation unit to incorporate digital technology such as virtual and augmented reality into its rehabilitation programme, after Hull also hosted the UK’s first successful clinical trial of the GEO robotic gait trainer in 2017.

Artist’s impression of the new specialist rehabilitation ward

Dr Salawu continues:

“Acute clinical care and public health have both received significant investment for many years, but rehabilitation; the third pillar upon which the NHS is built; has sadly lagged behind, so our new rehabilitation ward is a really significant development and definitely a step in the right direction.”

The facility will also house an independent living area, featuring a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, so that health professionals may assess how patients cope with day-to-day domestic tasks, such as making a cup of tea or getting into bed, before they can be safely discharged.

Lisa Cunningham, ward sister says:

“The team is all very excited about our new building. The ward has had a few moves over the last year or so, so to finally have our own dedicated ward area is amazing.

“Our patients have complex needs so the facilities it will include; the gym and independent living area, for example; will enable us to provide a much more comprehensive rehab service in the one place, and will help our patients progress’ no end.

“As a manager I’m so proud of the team for their involvement in this project and helping to design a really first class rehab facility.  I can’t wait to see the difference it will make for our patients.”

(L-R) Madeleine Leetham, Dr Salawu and Lisa Cunningham on the construction site for the new ward

Senior occupational therapist, Madeleine Leetham, says:

“As occupational therapists, we study the importance of environment and how it impacts a person’s ability to engage in meaningful activities. To have a ward that is designed by the team specifically to meet the complex rehabilitation needs of our patient group is going to be amazing.  Having our own treatment gym, therapy kitchen, and transitional living area will mean we can deliver therapy in a space that complements recovery and promotes independence.”

Andrea Murphy, clinical lead physiotherapist in neuro and complex rehabilitation, says:

“The physiotherapy team is extremely excited about moving into the new purpose built MDT* designed unit.  We will be able to use a range of therapeutic approaches more flexibly in a bespoke rehabilitation environment, and this will include, for example, intensive “hands on” sessions with therapies in the gym and quiet room; targeted exercises with gym equipment; gait re-education in parallel bars; and state of the art technology in the new Virtual Reality room.  In turn, this will allow patients to maximise their physical potential during their inpatient treatment sessions.”

Construction is underway now near to Entrance 2 of Castle Hill Hospital, and work is expected to be complete by the end of April 2021.

* MDT – multi disciplinary team

A hospital team who spend their days and nights dealing with the urgent and unexpected have had their break area transformed thanks to charitable donations.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s emergency care team, whose work is currently the subject of Channel 5 series A&E After Dark, are more used to designing care plans than staff rooms.

Refurbishment of the ED staff room

But since Hull Hospital’s official charity WISHH launched its ‘Covid-19 Appeal’ to support staff during the pandemic, donations received from renewable energy company, Ørsted and Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust have enabled WISHH to work with A&E staff to redesign and refurbish their tired staffroom, transforming it into a tranquil environment for staff to take a well-earned break and recharge.

Sue Lockwood, Chairman of Hull Hospitals official charity WISHH, said, “We sincerely thank Ørsted and Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust for their kind donations, supporting hospital staff who are under such pressure in these unprecedented times.  Their generous support has enabled us to transformation the Emergency Department’s staff room, providing a much needed positive boost for frontline staff.

Darren Ramshaw, Head of Operations for Ørsted on the east coast said: ”We’re so pleased to have been able to help the local communities that we operate out of and hope that this transformation will act as a constant reminder of our eternal thanks for the Trust’s dedication and committment to others.”

A smart new area for staff to refuel and relax

Adrian Horsley, Chairman of Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust said: “The Trust is delighted to learn how the facilities have been improved to help all those who use them, and provide very helpful support for the Emergency Department team.”

The Emergency Department at Hull Royal Infirmary is made up of around 300 staff delivering urgent and emergency care to people across the Humber area and beyond. The hospital also serves as a major trauma centre for the region, accepting patients transferred by air ambulance for specialist care, while there is also a dedicated Children’s A&E to look after the youngest patients.

Consultant in emergency medicine, Dr Chris Srinivasan said, “The transformation of our staff room is absolutely fantastic; it’s really given us a welcoming and calming place away from the busy department.

Dr Chris Srinivasan

“Some of the work we carry out can be incredibly complex, emotive, difficult or challenging, or all of these things put together, so it’s great to have somewhere that we can unwind and take a breather in a comfortable surroundings, supporting the overall health and wellbeing of our team.  The team has been involved in the overall design process from the start and there’s been a lot of positive feedback. We all really love this new space.  Thank you.”

The WISHH Charity is an independent charity supporting Hull Hospitals.  The charity raises funds through appeals and donations enhancing facilities, equipment and services at Hull Royal infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital for the benefit of staff, patients and loved ones.

If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved and support Hull Hospitals, helping make a difference, please get in touch with Lisa Whitton, WISHH Charity Manager on 01482 622299/07827 881766 or email HelloWISHH@hey.nhs.uk

Follow WISHH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @WISHHcharity for the latest news and updates.

More than 20,000 light fittings are to be replaced at Hull’s hospitals as part of an environmental quest to reduce deaths caused by air pollution.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is working towards a government target to become carbon neutral by 2040.

Now, every light fitting at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital as well as the trust’s smaller hospital sites around the city is to be replaced with SMART LED lighting after the trust was awarded a £12.6m grant to support its major green agenda.

Marc Beaumont, Head of Sustainability, said: “This scheme will have a major impact by saving energy and carbon emissions.

“In Hull alone, air pollution causes 128 deaths each year. These are our people – our friends, our neighbours and our loved ones – and we must take steps to do what we can to prevent these unnecessary deaths.

“As well as reducing our emissions, this replacement project will improve lighting levels throughout our buildings, benefitting patients, visitors and staff.”

As the largest employer in our region, the trust is recognising its duty to look after this part of the world, not just the one million plus patients who come to hospital for treatment.

To limit the effects of climate change, the trust plans to reduce our carbon footprint by a significant amount, from 6.5 tonnes per person each year to under two tonnes by making fundamental changes to the way our hospitals and our staff work.

The trust will be switching to sustainable suppliers and only using suppliers who disclose their carbon emissions, helping not just the environment but the local economy.

Staff will be encouraged to use more sustainable modes of transport, from electric vehicles to cycling and walking to work to improve the air quality around our hospitals.

More efficient ways of heating and lighting are being used in all new buildings as part of the major construction work under way at both main hospitals.

The trust has just received the £12.6m grant from the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy as part of its Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to support its new green agenda.

Alex Best, Head of the trust’s Capital Development department, said: “The LED lighting upgrade is one of a number of projects being delivered over the next few months including the development of solar ground array, insulation to buildings and decarbonisation schemes such as heat pumps, all of which will have a positive impact on our estate.”

Duncan Taylor, Director of Estates, Facilities and Development at the trust, said: “It’s been a difficult year for the NHS but even during the pandemic, we’re keen to do what we can to prevent climate change and start to reduce our carbon emissions.

“The funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will really help by allowing the trust to deliver this multi-million pound decarbonisation project, which includes the installation of solar panels and heat pumps and other energy efficient equipment upgrades.”

Staff on Hull’s Labour Ward have been thanked for their work to support women giving birth during a pandemic.

Now, Labour Ward Matron Angela Rymer is thanking midwives, midwifery assistants, medics, housekeeper, hygienist, cleaning and health care staff on the Labour Ward at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital for providing the best possible care to women and their families since the start of the pandemic.

She said: “The team on Labour Ward have always been flexible, supportive and professional but the pandemic has demonstrated just how versatile, caring and dedicated to the women and their families they truly are.

“Saying thank you doesn’t come close to reflect how proud I am and how grateful I feel to them all for how they have all conducted themselves in these very difficult months. Each and every member of the team has gone above and beyond.”

The team has helped women in labour and their partners, supporting them as they deal with the added anxieties and stresses of bringing a new baby into the world during a pandemic.

They have worked round-the-clock for more than a year to support the women in their care as hundreds of babies have been born into the safest possible environment despite the risks associated with the virus.

As well has supporting each other in their working environment, the Labour Ward team has its own “Support Your Colleagues” group on social media where they swap tips, arrange and flex their shifts to help each other and have games and quizzes to build on their relationships when they’re not on duty.

Angela said: “They are a true credit to this organisation and to each other and I’m proud to be a part of the team.

“The work has continued throughout the entire pandemic and the staff have embraced this to continue to deliver high standards of care to our women and their families dealing with new challenges along the way with grace and professionalism

“I would like to thank them all from not only myself but from all the women and families they have helped and cared for during these difficult times.”

She spent five months inside her home, not able to even step outside, because she was so vulnerable to Covid-19.

But Perioperative Support Worker Tracey Dennison was desperate to be part of her team helping patients undergoing surgery at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Now, after becoming the first member of staff at Hull Royal to receive both doses of the vaccine,  Tracey is back where she wants to be, helping her team and looking after her patients.

She said: “I’m over the moon and just so grateful to have been given the opportunity to have the vaccine.

“It was so difficult to shield for all that time and it was really hard for my own mental health. Being back at work is just fantastic and I’m so happy.”

Perioperative Support Worker Tracey Dennison

Tracey, a 43-year-old mum-of-three, has rheumatoid arthritis and requires weekly injections and medication to slow down her immune system and reduce inflammation. She also has severe asthma and mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

When Britain went into its first national lockdown last March, Tracey was already off work because of a severe flare up in her shoulders and knees which had left her unable to walk and use her arms.

She was then one of 1.5m people in the country identified by the Government as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) and was asked to stay at home, meaning she couldn’t return to work in the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) on the third floor of Hull Royal Infirmary.

“I was devastated,” she said. “Five months I’d to stay at home shielding and I wasn’t allowed to take exercise or even take my bins out.

“My Dad has died of cancer not long before so it was really tough to be inside, not able to go anywhere or see anyone for all that time. I’ve always been the one in my family to go and help the others but I couldn’t do anything or see anyone for months and months.

“My sister’s husband has Motor Neurone Disease and he was shielding too but I couldn’t even help my sister. And I knew how hard my team were having to work and that some of them had been redeployed but I couldn’t help them either.”

In August, as the first wave subsided, Tracey was able to return to work. She was given enhanced PPE, including a special valved mask and goggles, to offer her the best protection against the virus.

However, in November, as cases of infection began to climb once more, Tracey was asked again to shield, this time for four weeks.

She was able to return to work at the start of December and then received the call to go to Castle Hill Hospital to receive the first dose of the vaccine under the JCVI priority list to vaccinate frontline health care staff and those most vulnerable to the virus.

“I didn’t hesitate because I knew the vaccine was my best chance at staying at work in a job I love,” she said.

Tracey in her goggles, mask and uniform

As soon as she received her vaccine, Tracey was back at work, walking in the door with 50 McDonald’s cheeseburgers – a gift from her husband John – to celebrate with her team.

“I’m known for bringing chocolate and sweets in because it’s amazing how chocolate can put a smile on people’s faces but walking in with 50 cheeseburgers went down well,” she said.

She’s now received her second dose and, thanks to the support of the trust’s Occupational Health team, she’s back at work, collecting patients from the wards ahead of their surgery and looking after them as they recover from their procedures before taking them back to their wards.

“Occupational Health have been fantastic and I can’t thank them or my colleagues in the team enough,” she said. “Everyone was really concerned about my wellbeing but understood I was desperate to come to work so they did everything they could to keep me as safe as possible.”

Although Tracey has the maximum protection offered by the vaccine, she continues to wear enhanced PPE and take all appropriate precautions to keep herself and her patients safe.

“Even though I’ve had both doses of the vaccine, I continue to follow all the rules,” she said. “I make sure I keep two metres apart from everyone wherever possible and I wash my hands all the time and use the alcohol gel. My PPE also keeps me safe so I’m never worried about my own safety or the safety of my patients.

“I’m just so relieved that the vaccine means I can be there for my team and my patients, doing a job I love in a place that I love.”

A ward sister is sending heartfelt thanks to her team after they were redeployed from their usual hospital roles four times during the pandemic.

Nursing, medical and support staff on Ward 16 at Castle Hill Hospital have stepped forward to work on special wards assigned for patients with the virus.

Now, with the team still caring for patients with the virus, ward sister Melanie Jopling has praised her team for remaining positive throughout the pandemic.

She said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to all Ward 16 staff and to all who have joined us during our pandemic experience.”

“Against all the pressures and transfers, the team have remained highly positive, welcoming and supported other staff who have joined the team.

“They’ve gained vast knowledge, skills and experience while working on Covid wards during the pandemic.”

Ward 16 staff looked after patients with ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions or those undergoing breast or plastic surgery before the country was gripped by Covid-19 last March.

However, the ward was assigned to look after patients with the virus as Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust responded to the pressures caused by the global emergency.

Ward 16 was closed and its staff were redeployed to Hull Royal Infirmary in May because of their new skills and specialist knowledge of looking after patients with the virus after Ward 80 was reassigned as part of the trust’s Surge Plan to deal with increasing numbers of people with the most severe forms of infection.

In September, Ward 16 staff returned to their normal duties as cases continued to fall.

However, they were back on the frontline once again from November when Ward 16 was stepped up once again as a Covid ward as admissions of people with the virus started to rise again.

Ward 16 was closed in December and the team is currently redeployed for the fourth time to Ward 10 at Castle Hill Hospital to nurse patients with the virus.

In a direct message to her team, Melanie Jopling said: “You should be extremely proud you have worked amazingly and professionally throughout, adapting to all challenging changes .

“Even when times got tough, you supported each other and remained positive.

“You have consistently delivered the highest quality of patient care throughout. Thank you again for all your hard work and support.”

Help us to shape the future of your healthcare services

Across the Humber, the NHS and local partners are looking at ways to improve healthcare in our region and we want your input to help us make the best changes for you and your family.

The Humber Acute Services programme is looking at how to make healthcare work better for local people. It is looking at the types of healthcare and treatments that people typically receive from one of our five main hospitals in the region:

• Hull Royal Infirmary
• Castle Hill Hospital
• Goole and District Hospital
• Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
• Scunthorpe General Hospital

We are thinking about how these services could be provided differently in the future, whether in hospitals or GP surgeries, at home or on the high street.

Please take 5 minutes to complete this short survey to help us understand what is most important to you as we work to plan for the future.

You can find out more about why we need to make changes and keep up to date on the work of the Humber Acute Services programme at: www.humbercoastandvale.org.uk/humberacutereview

Around three million people in the UK have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – but a third of them may not even be aware they have this serious condition.

Today is World Kidney Day and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is joining the global campaign to make sure people understand why kidneys mater. 

What do kidneys do?

• They remove toxins, excess water and waste products.
• Kidneys play a vital role in regulating your blood pressure.
• They activate vitamin D to help keep your bones and muscles in good shape.
• They’re essential for a healthy body.

Why you shouldn’t ignore your kidneys

Most of the time, kidneys work normally without any issues but sometimes they can be damaged or stop working so well. This is known as chronic kidney disease.

CKD is a serious condition that affects over three million people in the UK and up to a million of these people may be undiagnosed. Find out how you can improve your kidney health

Early diagnosis and treatment, as well as changes to your diet and lifestyle, are vital and can often help slow down or prevent any further damage. However, if CKD goes undetected or is not managed well, it can progress to kidney failure, which is fatal without treatment. Patients with kidney failure will need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Some other types of kidney disease, including inherited conditions, are not preventable but can be managed.

The BIG impact on your life

Having kidney disease affects more than your physical health. It also impacts your social life, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Imagine visiting the hospital three times a week for a four-hour dialysis session – how would you fit this around work, or looking after children, or going on holiday?

Are you at risk?

Although anyone can develop kidney disease, here are some factors that can increase your risk:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart and circulatory disease
• Family history of kidney disease
• A black, Asian or minority ethnic background could mean an increased risk of developing kidney failure more quickly.

Kidney disease and Covid-19

The global pandemic has changed kidney patients’ lives in many ways. Considered to be vulnerable, they face a higher risk of serious Covid-19. If they catch the virus, they are more likely to be seriously ill or even die.

Many kidney patients have been shielding for most of the last year. But many dialysis patients can’t shield at home. They have no choice but to go to hospital several times a week for their life-saving treatment. And those with a kidney transplant or taking immunosuppressants still have to attend their regular medical appointments, despite being less able to fight the virus because of the drugs they take.

As well as affecting current kidney patients, Covid-19 is also creating new ones. Up to a quarter of people who have Covid-19 and receive ventilation in intensive care end up with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) and need dialysis. AKI is when your kidneys suddenly stop working properly. This could cause anything from a minor loss of kidney function to complete kidney failure. Only time will tell if people can recover from this.

This is serious. Kidney disease is no joke. It can’t be ignored. Kidneys matter.