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.

A health care assistant who spent almost two months fighting for life in his hospital’s Intensive Care Unit after contracting Covid-19 is returning to work.

Neil McDonald will return to the Endoscopy team at Castle Hill Hospital later this month after making a full recovery from the virus.

As he prepares to return to a job he loves, Neil said: “I feel brilliant now, back to my normal self.

“I cannot wait to come back to work, to see my team and get back to some normality.”

Health Care Assistant Neil McDonald

Neil was diagnosed with Covid -19 shortly after he began to experience symptoms of the virus at the end of April.

He said: “My symptoms became rapidly worse when I was first diagnosed. I was admitted to hospital three days after finding out my positive result. Everything after this happened really quickly. “

He was admitted to Hull Royal in May but his condition got so bad, he was rushed to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit two days later.

And he stayed there for 60 days.

He was put on a ventilator and sedated as the Intensive Care team battled for five weeks to save his life. His family and workmates and friends were told to prepare for the worst more than once as his condition worsened time and time again.

He said: “I remember everything about my time in hospital apart from the time I spent on the ventilator in ICU.

“I remember feeling extremely frightened – it’s a daunting place to be.

However, Neil’s condition finally improved enough for him to move off the intensive care unit at the start of July to continue his recovery on Ward 5.

He spent a week on the ward before moving to the Complex Rehabilitation Unit on Ward 9 at Castle Hill to build up his strength before he was able to go home to continue his journey, cheered out by his friends and colleagues who had looked after him.

Neil is now back to full strength, with no lasting effects from his illness.

“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who looked after me,” he said. “Without the staff in this trust, I would not be here today.

“And to my own team – I’m really looking forward to coming back to annoy you all again.”

Endoscopy Sister Lucy Holgate said she and the rest of her team were delighted to be welcoming Neil back to work.

She said: “We were so, so worried about him and there were many times when we braced ourselves for the worst, thinking he wasn’t going to pull through.

“But he did and I can’t tell you how glad we’ll all be to have him back with us.”

Here’s Neil leaving hospital in the summer

Researchers at Hull’s hospitals have been congratulated for their major contribution to the global effort to find solutions to Covid-19.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has undertaken 27 Covid-19 studies since the start of the pandemic, including trials of potentially life-saving treatments, ways to ease the severity of symptoms, rehabilitation after infection and vaccination.

The trust played a major role in the global trial of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, with one in every 45 participants recruited by the Hull team.

James Illingworth, the trust’s Research and Development Manager, said: “Over the last 11 months, healthcare organisations across the world have turned to research for answers in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Our trust is no exception.

“We want to acknowledge the immense efforts of our research and non-research colleagues who have worked hand-in-hand in often challenging environments to ensure patients get access to new treatments and the best possible care.”

The trust’s Research and Development team was asked to prioritise National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Urgent Public Health research and Covid-19 trials at the start of the pandemic.

Since then, more than 2,500 participants have been recruited to trials to help find answers to how the virus works and the progression of the disease.

Trials, such as the national RECOVERY study, have also been started into potential treatments, such as Dexamethasone, and the trust was one of the first hospitals in the UK to offer Remdesivir to patients with moderate or severe cases.

The team has also been focused on longer-term research projects to examine the rehabilitation of Covid-19 patients after stays in hospital and how people recover from the virus.

Other trials include work to understand the nature and impact of the disease and Public Health England’s SIREN study, investigating antibody protection in health care staff who have already contracted Covid-19, for which our trust was one of the top recruiters.

The trust is the top recruiter in the country in the CLARITY-IBD study which is looking at the development of antibodies to Covid-19 in UK patients with Crohn’s and Colitis.

Hull researchers are currently teaming up with others across Yorkshire and Humber to tackle misinformation around the virus – and, in particular, the vaccine – to ensure people in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities can make informed decisions based on the facts.

Despite the necessary focus on Covid-19, trust researchers have recently resumed studies involving non-Covid research as the NHS starts to look to services beyond the pandemic.

Details of the Research and Development work undertaken at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital will be outlined at the meeting of the Trust Board on Tuesday.

Mr Illingworth said: “Our ability to deliver the Covid-19 research agenda at pace and scale has been testament to the dedication of our staff.”

The hospital team springing into action to protect hospital staff and patients as the UK’s first cases of Covid-19 were confirmed has been thanked for their immense contribution, one year on.

Security staff erected and maintained a cordon around Ward 7 to protect all staff and patients at Castle Hill Hospital as the first two patients with the virus were brought to Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham from York in January 2020.

Now, Ron Gregory, Security Manager at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, has thanked the team for their efforts not just in the early days but throughout all three waves of the pandemic so far.

He said: “The security team are few but are a true force multiplier. Only a handful are directly employed by the trust with most contract staff.

“However, ever since that very first day, the security team stepped up and responded immediately, drafting in additional resource at the drop of a hat, providing a security cordon, facilitating a buffer cordon around Ward 7.

“It proved to be just one example of the type of ‘can-do’ attitude the team has.”

As well as dealing with security relating to the pandemic, the security team has also mobilised a new contract seamlessly, bringing improvements and enhanced security provision at both Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill overnight.

They have responded to issues from road blocks to diversions and cordons around both sites to accommodate everything from the new vaccination centre to ongoing construction work.

They’ve also been quick to respond to distraught patients and relatives, respond to fire alarm and provide reassurance to members of the public at all times of the day and night.

Ron said: “The team have been working to ensure value for money while updating aging security infrastructure, working with staff in our Capital and Estates teams to enhance security technology such as CCTV and access control at both hospitals while keeping the daily tasks running smoothly.”

He said the team had worked an extra 25 per cent of their hours last month alone, not counting the early starts and late finishes which had not been claimed as overtime.

In a direct message to his team, Ron said: “This team has many of the same faces from when we started on a road of transformation three years ago, but the work ethos and positive outputs is immeasurably improved over that time, despite the challenges and changing landscape.

“You are all a credit to the Estates, Facilities and Development Directorate, the trust, and the NHS. Thank you.”

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is easing some visiting restrictions from next week as rates of Covid-19 infection continue to fall.

From Monday, one named visitor will be able to visit a relative or friend at Hull Royal Infirmary or Castle Hill Hospital by booking a slot of up to an hour with the ward sister or charge nurse.

The visitor must be the same person for the duration of the patient’s stay in hospital and cannot be swapped between different family members or friends to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

Chief Nurse Beverley Geary said: “We understand how difficult it has been for people not to be able to see their loved ones. We thank people for understanding the safety of our patients has been – and continues to be – our priority during the pandemic.

“The infection rate is now dropping and we’re seeing fewer people admitted to our hospitals with the virus so we are now able to ease some of the restrictions we have put in place to protect our patients.

“With care homes admitting visitors once more from Monday, we feel the time is right to allow one visitor per patient.”

Visiting arrangements for children’s wards, Intensive Care Units and maternity services remain unchanged and people attending the trust’s Emergency Department must attend alone.

However, the restrictions currently in place will be kept under constant review.

Beverley Geary said: “As people would expect, restrictions will be re-introduced to protect patients if we see cases rising in the coming weeks and months. Likewise, if cases continue to fall, we will ease visiting restrictions further.

“For now, we thank everyone for their patience and understanding and ask for their co-operation with the rules we have in place to protect our patients and staff.

“And we urge everyone to continue to follow the rules around social distancing, hand washing and only leaving home if it’s essential to ensure we continue our progress against the virus.”

All visitors must cover their mouths and noses with a mask, bandana, buff/snood or scarf as soon as they enter a hospital building. Please note people cannot come into any hospital building unless they are wearing a mask, even if they have a medical exemption, to ensure the protection of our patients and staff.

All visitors should wash their hands thoroughly when they walk into a ward, use hand sanitizer when they leave their relative’s bedside and wash their hands for at least 20 seconds as they leave the ward.

Despite the new arrangements, people should not visit any part of Hull Royal Infirmary or Castle Hill Hospital, including wards, diagnostic areas, clinics or outpatient departments, if they are

• unwell, especially if they have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or have experienced a loss of sense of smell or taste
• vulnerable as a result of their medication, a chronic illness or they are over 70 years of age

Anyone admitted to hospital with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 will not receive visitors except in exceptional circumstances.

Hospital staff caring for people with cancer have been thanked for their efforts to support patients and families throughout the pandemic.

Nursing, medical and support staff on Ward 31 at Castle Hill Hospital have continued their work to look after people undergoing treatment and living with cancer since the start of the pandemic last March.

Now, Deborah Leadley, Junior Sister on the oncology ward within the Queen’s Centre, has praised staff for supporting people dealing with serious illnesses during Covid-19.

She said: “I am so proud of the team. We work in a very difficult speciality and help patients every day who receive bad news and this, of course, impacts on everyone emotionally.

“The staff always have a smile and are ready to help everyone.”

Ward 31 has remained an oncology ward since the start of the first lockdown and throughout the pandemic as part of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s commitment to protect cancer services despite the pressures caused by the pandemic.

However, staff on the ward had to adapt to new ways of working to support other wards and teams in the Queen’s Centre which were reassigned to look after people with the virus.

Ward staff worked with staff from other parts of the hospital as a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients could go home and back to their families with appropriate support and treatment in place.

With relatives not able to come onto the ward because of the grave dangers of spreading the virus to people with already compromised immune systems, staff have been giving daily updates to families about their loved ones.

They also created a dedicated email address so relatives could contact their loved ones directly.

Deborah Leadley said: “All our staff have tried to ensure all patients are fully informed and that communication is smooth between all members of the multi-disciplinary team and this has helped with supporting the unit.

“Although Ward 31 was not a full Covid ward, our staff have had to adapt our ways of working to support the Covid ward next door.

“We’ve become more efficient with discharges through regular contact with our senior medical team to ensure the hospital had enough beds for those most in need and to help get people home and back with their loved ones as quickly as possible.”