Scores of hospital staff have been thanked for being the “administrative backbone” of Hull’s hospitals during Covid-19.

Around 70 Ward Clerks have been redeployed to wards throughout the tower block, Hull Women and Children’s Hospital and Hull Eye Hospital for the past 12 months.

And 37 Ward Clerks have stepped forward to work on different wards throughout Castle Hill Hospital as the trust has dealt with three separate waves of the virus since March 2020.

Just some of our amazing ward clerks

In full PPE, they have dealt with an increase in calls from worried relatives, coped with new roles and undertaken new tasks in unfamiliar surroundings as part of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s response to the pandemic.

Tracey Tuck and Jenny Hart, who lead a team of almost 70 Ward Clerks at Hull Royal Infirmary, thanked their team for all they’ve done in the past year – and continue to do – for staff and patients.

Tracey said: “During the pandemic the Ward Clerks have been the admin backbone of the wards.

“Some have had to work on Covid wards wearing full PPE while others have trained new starters, swapped shifts and even wards, away from the clinical staff they have been used to working with.

“They have also had to deal with extra phone calls as restrictions on visiting had to be put in place to protect patients and staff as well as dealing with an increase in admissions and discharges.

“ We would like to say a big “thank you” to all the Ward Clerks for their help and dedication in the last 12 months.

“We are proud of each and every one of them.”

Ward Clerk Manager Zoe Mapes, who looks after the Castle Hill team, said: “We’ve had wards closing and changing over to look after Covid patients and yet our staff have done absolutely everything we’ve asked them to do.

“They’ve been working right next to bays where Covid patients are being treated and they’ve been absolutely fantastic. They’ve just cracked on with it.

“We are just so proud of them and what has been a horrible situation has been so much easier to manage because of such a dedicated and willing workforce. I can’t thank them enough.”

A team at Hull Royal Infirmary has been praised for helping to move their entire ward twice during the pandemic just so they could care for patients.

Staff on Ward 500 at Hull Royal Infirmary were caring for people with respiratory problems such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and breathing difficulties associated with Motor Neurone Disease before the pandemic.

However, their entire ward moved to the floor above in the tower block twice and their task changed to look after patients with general medical conditions when the number of patients with the virus continued to increase.

Sarah Bennett, Junior Sister on Ward 500, said members of the team came in on their days off to help with the move to the new ward to make sure there was no adverse impact on patient care.

She said: “Ward 500 moved an entire ward to Ward 60, changing from respiratory patients to general medical patients.

“Staff came in to help move equipment and patients on their days off to assist with this move.

“Once we’d moved, staff then came in on their days off again to help with unpacking the ward to make sure we were organised.

“During the lockdowns, we have done this twice and staff went above and beyond helping with these moves.

“I am proud of our Team 500. Their hard work is truly appreciated!

Some members of the team were redeployed to Covid wards and the Intensive Care Units because of their expertise in dealing with patients experiencing breathing difficulties, a common symptom of the virus. Other members of staff working in other services at Hull Royal and Castle Hill Hospital were redeployed to work with the Ward 500 team.

When the team were able to return to Ward 500, they had to contend with construction work to create a new six-bed respiratory high dependency unit for seriously ill patients who did not have the virus but required a high level of care.

Sarah said: “We have all develop our skills and knowledge regarding caring for patients in an HDU setting.

“We have staff from other areas re-deployed to us and also our own staff deployed elsewhere.

“I would like to thank all of my team on ward 500, including staff who are currently redeployed to us. We couldn’t give the safe, excellent care our patients receive if it wasn’t for every single one of them.”

As national lockdown restrictions look set to ease, a hospital doctor is appealing for parents to show the same prudent use of health services as they did during the Covid pandemic.

Dr Liz Herrieven, consultant in paediatric emergency medicine, says that as life begins to return to ‘normal’, so does the number of people using the Emergency Department (ED) for non-urgent or routine healthcare.

Dr Liz Herrieven, consultant in paediatric emergency medicine

“Parents did so well coping with minor injuries and illnesses during the first lockdown. People were worried about the threat that Covid posed, they listened to our advice, and many families were able to manage their healthcare needs without having to come to hospital.

“What we’re finding now is that ED attendances are on the rise again, and we’re seeing many more parents and children presenting with basic health problems, such as ingrowing toenails or scuffs and scrapes, which could just as easily be managed at home or with the help and advice of a GP.”

Dr Herrieven says attending A&E when it’s not an emergency has knock-on effects:

“A busy department means children will be waiting longer to be seen, and unnecessary use of ED could potentially divert staff away from children whose needs are more urgent or potentially life threatening.

“Bringing your child into a hospital where we are still treating patients with Covid-19 also potentially puts you and your child at risk of catching the virus. Where you can, it’s a much better idea to stay at home and call 111 for advice on what to do next, and if you need to come to hospital, the 111 team will be sure to tell you.”

NHS111 is open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Call handlers can offer general advice, arrange for a medical professional to call you back, or refer you to local sources of care and treatment including pharmacies, out of hours GP services or urgent treatment centres.

Should a hospital visit be needed, the NHS111 team is currently allocating times to attend A&E as part of a national pilot. Please note that due to the unpredictable nature of emergency care, they indicate the time you should arrive at hospital, not necessarily the time you will be seen. Patients will still be seen in order of clinical priority, and further waits should be expected during peak hours or where serious cases are being prioritised.

Dr Herrieven continues:

“Parents have shown over the past 12 months that they can get by using health services closer to home, and we’d really like to ask those people to stick at it, to use the full range of NHS services available, and help us keep our time free for the children who really need us most.”

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.”