A new computer-based activity system is helping to improve safety and provide more tailored care to scores of patients in hospital.

Thanks to a £4,000 donation from the Hull Old Grammarians Masonic Lodge, £3,000 from hospital charity WISHH, and a further £7,000 from the Pears Foundation #IWill Fund, RITA – also known as Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activity – has been introduced to Hull Hospitals.

Karen Harrison demonstrates RITA to Geoff Branton of Hull Old Grammarians Lodge

“Full sized RITA” is a trolley-mounted system which can be moved around and used with multiple patients to promote group activities, stimulate conversation, encourage hand-eye coordination, and engage patients in reminiscence therapy. “Baby RITA” is a tablet-based version which is more suited to one-to-one activity, and can be particularly useful if a patient is bedbound, withdrawn or, on the contrary, presents behaviours that may be challenging.

Karen Harrison, Lead Matron for Dementia and Delirium for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust explains:

“There are two full sized RITAs in use at the moment, one on Ward 80 at Hull Royal Infirmary and another on Ward 20 at Castle Hill Hospital. Both of these wards are caring for patients who are ready to be discharged home but are still awaiting packages of care or other arrangements to be put in place before they can safely leave hospital.

“Spending time in hospital can be difficult for anyone, but for older people, some of who may have dementia or other cognitive difficulties, the days can be very long and they can also find it confusing or frightening. What’s been great is to see how the Sisters on both wards 20 and 80 have embraced RITA and now use it as a tool to promote positive interaction between ward patients, and to help build trust and rapport between patients, staff and volunteers.”

RITA comes pre-loaded with a wide range of entertainment shows and programmes, puzzles, activities and games to help maintain cognitive function, support social interaction and aid reminiscence. From old Western films and radio programmes voiced by Kenneth Williams through to electronic jigsaws based on family photos and games of pig racing or whack-a-mole, RITA offers something for everyone. But it’s not just there to pass the time either.

“There’s lots of research to show that RITA helps to reduce falls among older people as it engages those who have a tendency to want to get up and wander in alternative activities,” Karen continues.

“Instead of walking around the ward, we can encourage a patient to sit with us and use Baby RITA on a one-to-one basis, perhaps finding an old radio station they might like to listen to, or getting to know more about a patient through a TV programme they watched as a child. RITA also has easy to follow chair exercises that we use to promote physical movement to prevent deconditioning which can help to reduce falls and pressure ulcers.

Michelle Robertson (far right) with RITA and Ryan Rands, Exercise Practitioner and Charlie Harrison, Junior Sister

“RITA also helps to improve nutrition and hydration in our patients as the stimulus helps keep the natural wake/sleep cycle and the activities can improve a person’s appetite. Patients become more aware of their environment, participate in conversation and more willing to engage with staff during mealtimes.”

RITA is easy to operate, and is being used by a wide range of nursing and therapies staff on the wards, as well as by the Trust’s growing army of young volunteers, who give their time to support older people with dementia across both hospital sites, encouraging interaction and activity.

Michelle Robertson is the Sister on Ward 20 at Castle Hill Hospital, and has been regularly getting her patients together with RITA for a day at the races. She explains:

“One of the RITA activities which has been particularly popular on C20 and proven really successful in bringing people of out their shells is the horse racing.

“We always have patients on the ward who either enjoy a little flutter, who used to go to the races when they were younger or still enjoy watching it on TV now, so we started getting patients together, once a week, to host our own race afternoon.

“We’ve made mock betting slips so patients can try and pick the winners, and there’s a real air of excitement and anticipation in the day room when we show each race. Even if patients don’t take part, often just listening to the commentary can help take them back to a certain time or place in their lives and bring back fond memories.

Horse racing is among the activities offered through RITA

“No money changes hands on our race days, of course, but on days like these, RITA really is priceless. The technology allows us to support patients’ needs on a more personal level, rather than just addressing their clinical care, and more social interaction can really help to boost patients’ sense of wellbeing and even promote faster recovery.”

Geoff Branton, Charity Steward for the Hull Old Grammarians Lodge says:

“The Hull Old Grammarians Freemason’s Lodge, together with the Freemasons Charity for Yorkshire North & East Ridings, is proud to support the introduction of RITA.

“Working with the WISHH charity is exactly the type of initiative to which we like to offer help, on the basis that people from the Hull and East Riding areas will, ultimately, be the beneficiaries. The feedback from the staff is very positive and we have been delighted to be involved.”

Bridget Kohner, Deputy Director at The Pears Foundation says:

“RITA has clear benefits for hospital patients from a clinical, personal and social perspective. Helping to engage members of the local community in enjoyable, meaningful activities with others very much aligns with the ethos of the Pears Foundation, and for this reason we’re happy to have been able to lend our support.”

Junior doctors working across Hull and East Yorkshire will begin five days of industrial action later this week.

Members of the BMA and HCSA are set to begin their longest period of industrial action yet at 7am on Thursday 13 July. The 120 hour strike will run across the weekend and conclude at 7am on Tuesday 18 July.

Services across Hull Royal Infirmary, Castle Hill Hospital and Hull Women and Children’s Hospital are expected to be severely impacted by the action, as several hundred junior doctors have the potential to walk out.

Junior doctors are qualified doctors who have anywhere up to eight years’ experience working in hospitals. Accounting for half of all doctors in the NHS, they play a key role in the day-to-day running of hospital services and specialties.

Professor Makani Purva, Chief Medical Officer for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:

“We are doing everything we can to ensure services can continue to be delivered safely throughout the upcoming strike period. However, five days of strike action by our junior doctors, closely followed by two days of action among our hospital consultants*, does place a significant amount of pressure on our staff and our services, certainly more than any previous action has to date.”

The Trust has committed once again to maintaining essential services such as trauma, critical care, neonatal and emergency care, but those considering using the Emergency Department during the strike are asked to do so only where there is a genuine threat to life or limb.

Professor Purva continues:

“We are reliant upon, and grateful for, the support of staff groups such as allied health professionals, advanced practitioners, specialist nursing staff and consultants stepping in to assist during the strike, but services will not be able to operate ‘business as usual’, especially over such a sustained period.

“For this reason, we would really urge members of the public to consider whether their healthcare needs can be met through community services such as urgent treatment centres, Story Street walk-in centre, local pharmacies or GP services, or with advice from NHS111 online or over the phone. Waits for emergency care will be lengthy, so the Emergency Department should only be used by those with a serious need, and patients could find themselves being redirected to other services where it’s appropriate to do so.

“Once again, the strike does regrettably mean we are having to rearrange some non-urgent work such as outpatient clinics and routine surgical procedures. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes and will look to reschedule all those who are affected as soon as possible.”

Patients with appointments currently scheduled to take place between 13^th and 18^th July are asked to attend as planned. In those cases where appointments need to be rearranged or changes made, a member of staff will be in touch with patients directly to discuss.

Alternative health services

Medical advice is always available, 24hrs per day, through NHS111 online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111, free of charge.

A list of local pharmacies can be found on the NHS website, while walk-in care and treatment for minor injuries is available from the following centres across Hull and East Yorkshire, all of which are open late into the evening or round-the-clock:

• Hull – Story Street walk-in centre
• Bransholme – Urgent Treatment Centre within Bransholme Health Centre, Goodhart Road (open 24hrs)
• Beverley – Urgent Treatment Centre within East Riding Community Hospital, Swinemoor Lane
• Goole – Urgent Treatment Centre within Goole & District Hospital, Woodland Avenue
• Bridlington – Urgent Treatment Centre within Bridlington Hospital (Entrance A), Bessingby Road

* The Trust has received notice from the BMA that its consultant members will also take industrial action for a period of 48 hours, beginning at 7am on Thursday 20^th July and concluding at 7am on Saturday 22^nd July.

The Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) is delighted to announce that its workforce is now made up of 2,043 staff from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

This figure indicates that BAME staff now constitute 19.6 per cent of the 10,400 workforce of the Trust. As the largest employer in Hull and the East Yorkshire region, this milestone demonstrates the Trust’s ongoing dedication to fostering a diverse and representative workplace.

The Trust recognises that diversity is a cornerstone to innovation and progress and is delighted to have reached this significant milestone as it reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive environment, where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and contribute their unique perspectives.

Professor Makani Purva, Chief Medical Officer, says: “We believe that diversity is our strength and that our success lies in embracing the richness of our employees’ backgrounds and experiences. We are proud of the progress we have made in increasing BAME representation within our organisation.

“This milestone reflects our ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive and representative workforce. By nurturing a culture of respect, equality, and inclusion, we have built a diverse community of talented individuals who bring unique perspectives to the table,” Prof Purva continued.

The increase in BAME representation is due to the Trust’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive environment that embraces individuals from diverse backgrounds and, in part, to the commitment to swell its nursing workforce through international recruitment. In the past three years, over 400 nursing staff have been employed, ensuring that patients get the care needed when they visit our hospitals.

However, the Trust recognises that there is still work to be done to further enhance equality and combat racism within its walls. To reinforce this commitment, the Trust will be introducing recruitment strategies that actively promote diversity.

The Zero Tolerance to Racism Framework and Reporting Tool which has already been introduced to reinforce the Trust’s commitment to eradicating racism and promoting inclusivity. This comprehensive initiative aims to create a workplace culture where discrimination, prejudice, and harassment have no place. It sets clear guidelines and emboldens employees to call out racist attitudes and behaviours through the Reporting Tool and encourages staff involved in incidents to access support.

Dr Yoghini Nagandran, Consultant, Department of Medicine for the Elderly and Chair, BAME Leadership Network says: “We are immensely proud to have surpassed the 2,000 BAME staff mark, a testament to our commitment to diversity and inclusion. We recognise that achieving diversity is not the end goal but rather a steppingstone towards building a truly inclusive workplace.”

She continues: “The Zero Tolerance to Racism Framework and Reporting Toll reinforces our stance against racism and sends a clear message that discrimination has no place within our organisation. We will continue to prioritise creating an environment where all employees feel valued and supported.”

The Trust remains committed to building on this accomplishment and further advancing its diversity and inclusion efforts. By promoting a culture of inclusivity, the organisation aims to inspire other local businesses and set an example for fostering a diverse and equitable workplace in the region.

Patients in Hull and the East Riding who are waiting for potentially life-changing hip and knee operations are being offered help to stay fit and well for surgery.

The new ‘Waiting Well – Orthopaedics’ programme is a joint venture between Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Forum and is due to launch this week.

Its aim is to provide wellbeing advice and access to group activities for appropriate patients to ensure, when the time comes for surgery, they have the best possible chance of success.

Almost 800 patients waiting for procedures such as hip and knee replacements and other complex procedures will be invited to join the Waiting Well programme, including some who have been waiting for several months and others who have more recently joined the hospital’s lists.

Eileen Henderson, Head of Outpatient Services for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:

“It’s no secret that hospitals have been experiencing some challenges when it comes to tackling surgical waiting lists. While we are working through those lists as fast as we can, it’s important for patients to know that by leading a healthy lifestyle while they wait, they can improve their chances of surgical success.

“The Waiting Well programme is a great way for us to keep in touch with patients and encourage them to take part in gentle activity to promote mental and physical wellbeing while they wait. Patients will be offered a choice of activities to take part in according to their needs and preferences, and there will also be some tailored sessions for women only and the over 50s.

“While this programme will not avoid the need for surgery altogether, it will enable people to meet others like them and help them to manage issues such as weight and mental well-being which can sometimes be a problem for those waiting a long time for surgery.”

Waiting Well – Orthopaedics follows in the footsteps of a similar project for cardiology patients, also delivered in partnership with Forum, which was introduced last summer.

In the same way, the orthopaedics programme will invite patients to take part in activities such as walking, exercise classes or gentle games of football to help maintain their physical and mental health, completely free of charge.

Well-known names  in the East Yorkshire health community, such as Tigers Trust, Fitmums and Friends, Hull KR and Hull FC, are partnering once again to deliver group exercise and social activity sessions as part of the Waiting Well project.

Jason Stamp, Chief Officer for Forum says:

“Providing creative and practical support to patients on the orthopaedic waiting list is a great opportunity to develop a strong partnership between Hull’s voluntary and community sector and Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust. This new initiative will support and signpost patients to a range of services in their local communities which can improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing”

Funded by the Waiting Well Boards at Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, the Waiting Well programme is open to all eligible patients living within Hull and the East Riding. Patients receiving invitations to take part have been reviewed and deemed clinically suitable, while the nature of the activities on offer has been designed with the specific needs of this patient group in mind.

The first cohort of eligible patients will begin receiving telephone contacts and letters inviting them to take part in the ‘Waiting Well – Orthopaedics’ project this week.

The opening of the new £10m Day Surgery Unit and efforts to reduce carbon emissions are among the topics for discussion when Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust holds its Annual General Meeting next week.

Chief Executive, Chris Long, who’s been at the helm of the hospitals trust since 2014, will lead his final AGM at 10am on Monday 10^th July, along with Chairman Sean Lyons.

The meeting will be held virtually via MS Teams and patients, staff and members of the public are all welcome to attend.

AGM Joining Link: Click here to join the meeting

As well as Chris’s final review of the year where he will recap on some of the challenges and achievements experienced by the Trust in 2022/23, guests will also hear from Lee Bond, Chief Financial Officer, who will discuss financial activity over the past 12 months and offer a look ahead to what the coming year may bring.

Duncan Taylor, Director of Major Developments for the Trust, will look back on hospital developments over the years, then provide an overview of some of the Trust’s ongoing and recently completed capital schemes, including the new Main Entrance at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill’s new £10m Day Surgery Unit.

These two developments alone have enabled the Trust to improve patient experience through the delivery of improved staff and patient facilities and the opportunity to reduce waiting times for thousands of people over the coming months.

Questions from the public are encouraged and will be answered at the end of the meeting.

For more information or to submit a question in advance, contact Rebecca Thompson, Head of Corporate Affairs – rebecca.thompson71@nhs.net

The Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is bidding farewell to two outstanding healthcare professionals Karen and Tony Jessop as they retire after a combined 104 years of unwavering commitment and dedication to the NHS.

The couple, both exceptional in their fields as A&E nurse and Surgical Care Practitioner, worked at the Hull Royal Infirmary (HRI) and Castle Hill Hospitals (CHH) respectively, giving 52 years each of their lives to the healthcare profession.

Karen Jessop, now 69, recalls the profound impact her mother had on her decision to pursue a career in nursing. As a young girl, she witnessed her mother’s unwavering commitment and compassion as a nurse and inspired by this act of selflessness and the desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives, Karen vowed to follow in her footsteps.

Karen (L)

Looking back today, Karen said she had no aspirations beyond nursing because “my mom was a nurse and that’s all I wanted to be.” And so at 16, she set out to be just that by first taking her pre-nursing course at the Hull College of Nursing from September 1971 to December 1972. In 1973, she started her career as a student nurse in theatres at the Hull Royal Infirmary. Following her qualification in January 1976, she took up a staff nurse post at the A&E department.

In March 1981, she took up a sister’s post, becoming the youngest person to hold that position at the time. It was an accomplishment she takes great pride in. Reflecting on this achievement, Karen fondly recounted: “getting a sister’s post five years from qualification was unheard of, but I did it.” Aside from taking time off to care for her sick mother in 2009, she has not taken a break.

Throughout her extensive career, Karen has witnessed the evolving landscape of emergency care and the NHS. From the early days of handwritten medical records to technological advancements that revolutionised patient care, she has been at the forefront of it all. Even paramedics were not a thing when she started her career.

“We didn’t have paramedics in my early days, there were just qualified ambulance crews. And when I first started there was just one consultant for the department, when you look now at how many consultants and staff we have, it’s amazing. A lot of the changes have been for the better.”

Throughout her career, Karen made it a point to provide exceptional care and comfort to all patients who either came in on a stretcher or walked into the A&E in need of medical attention. Her adaptability coupled with her wealth of experience, allowed her to provide seamless care and contribute to the ever-changing nursing field.

“It’s been an incredible journey. Every day brought a new challenge, but it was also an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. That’s what kept me going. I love every minute of A&E work. You’ve not got a routine; you never know what’s going to come through the door. It’s not always been easy, but the ability to provide comfort, care and hope in moments of crisis is something I will forever cherish.”

Karen’s colleagues affectionately remember her as a mentor and guide, always ready to lend an empathetic ear of offer invaluable advice. Her exceptional ability to comfort patients while supporting team members endeared her to all who encountered her.

Junior Sister, Kayleigh Richards described Karen as a kind, caring nurse full of knowledge and wisdom. She continues: “She is a pleasure to work alongside and an asset to the ED team. She will be greatly missed, but I wish her well in her retirement.”

For Staff Nurse Donne, while Karen’s retirement marks the end of an amazing era, “I am sure that her legacy of caring and professionalism will be kept alive, and her passionate heart will remain.

Her sentiments are echoed by Senior Staff Nurse, Linda Cheeseman who says “it’s been a pleasure to have worked with Karen who has been a huge support to both patients and staff for the past 50 years. We are going to miss her but hope she enjoys her retirement.”

Karen, while sad to be leaving behind the job she loves, is happy to spend time with her husband, Tony Jessop, who is also retiring.

Tony, a Cardiothoracic Surgical Care Practitioner whose initial desire was to be a footballer, began working in the Sterile Services Department at Hull Royal in July 1971. But as fate would have it, his interest in theatres would tramp that initial desire to be a footballer, and it wasn’t long before this interest took him to apply for a trainee Operating Theatre Technician post, which he started in April 1973.

He successfully qualified in 1975 and, being good at his job, landed a senior post in 1978 at the Boston Pilgrim Hospital. He returned to HRI in 1979, and then to Castle Hill in 1980. It was at Castle Hill that he developed a passion for cardiothoracic surgery, enjoying working in the operating theatres and seeing the patients on the wards and ICU.

In October 1998, the opportunity arose to become one of the first Surgical Care Practitioners in the country. Tony jumped at the opportunity. He said “I’ve always had this fascination of stitching and used to stitch pillowcases. Mr Griffin, one of the consultant surgeons then, said there was the potential for a surgical assistant at Papworth Hospital. I had done an agency ODA job at Papworth for a week, so I rang them, went down, followed them around for three days and it was fantastic.”

Tony was seconded to Papworth Hospital to undertake the Surgical Care Practitioner training which he successfully completed in 2000. He then took up a post back at Castle Hill Hospital as the first Surgical Care Practitioner.

He began working alongside the surgical team, harvesting saphenous veins for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, providing skilled assistance to the surgeons and closing surgical sternotomy and thoracotomy incisions.

Being someone who was keen to develop in his role and strove to continually improve the quality of the service that we provide. In 2005, working alongside another colleague, he introduced the newly developed Laser Bronchoscope, an achievement he is truly proud of.

In 2008, he became the President of the Association of Cardio Thoracic Surgical Assistants where he used his national platform to identify and share best practice. He held that position for two years.

Throughout his career Tony has endeavoured to share his knowledge, through the training of new staff at HUTH and other healthcare facilities in the region.

Looking back, Tony says he has no regrets and will do it all over again, given the chance. Already missing his job, he said “I have dreams of my job. It was an absolutely fantastic job. I enjoyed doing what I did, I enjoyed every minute of it. And I loved my team. I’ve never gone to work and said to myself God, I wish it was five o’clock, never ever. People used to say to me morning Tony, how are things and I’ll invariably say it is terrific.”

Tony’s colleagues have nothing but praise for him and for dedicating so many years of his life to the role. Maxine Read, Surgical Care Practitioner at CHH said: “Tony is the father of our department. He was the first SCP in Hull, so he pioneered the role and helped shape its development. He was a supportive colleague to us all and well-loved by our patients, who enjoyed his regular visits to them on the ward where he would tell them they were on the team for Saturday’s match. We will miss him.”

Jill Bell, Chief Clinical Perfusionist, who also managed Tony briefly aid “I joined the Trust as a trainee perfusionist. At this point, Tony was the Lead Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) for cardiothoracic and he was so helpful with teaching and supporting myself and others in their new clinical roles. Having worked for so long in the NHS and predominantly in cardiothoracic, he was a fountain of knowledge.”

He continued: “He supported not only ODPs and SCPs in the profession he was but perfusionists, nurses, junior surgeons and anesthetists. He not only shared his experience and knowledge, but he was also a good team player, helping all the team achieve the best results possible for the patient. Tony led the way for SCP’s not only in our hospital but nationally, being one of the first in the country. He was hard working gentleman with a heart of gold. He’s missed by all the team, and we wish him a long and happy retirement with his wife Karen.”

As they enter retirement, Karen and Tony eagerly anticipate embarking on new adventures. Their plans include travelling across the country in their caravan.

Should you encounter any issues please contact us:

hyp-tr.esc.helpdesk@nhs.net

01482 468400

Length of stay: Five weeks.

Expected date of discharge: July 2023.

But this isn’t your average patient needing medical care. This is a family of ducks who have chosen to make the Queen’s Centre, at Castle Hill Hospital, their home.

Mother duck and her offspring were first spotted around five weeks ago in an enclosed courtyard next to Physiotherapy.

Staff were quick to seek professional advice from animal charities on what to do with the female Mallard and her brood. The need was particularly urgent as Mum had a habit of disappearing every so often, leaving the tiny ducklings alone and potentially vulnerable to aerial predators.

But when staff were advised not to move them, they were quick to take the young family under their wing.

Staff took to facebook to ask for help in sourcing a paddling pool to provide the ducks with a regular source of water. Another member of staff’s husband adjusted a rabbit hutch to offer cover and shelter, and various team members donated food such as seeds and insects to ensure the eight young ducklings were well fed.

In fact, the ducklings have created somewhat of a buzz at the Queen’s Centre, with staff coming in on evenings, weekends, and even on annual leave to care for them and provide fresh water for bathing and swimming.

What’s more, the courtyard in which they’ve taken up residence is overlooked by two of the hospital’s oncology wards, Wards 30 and 31, meaning patients spending time in hospital for cancer treatment have had the pleasure of watching the ducklings grow and flourish.

Dr Mansoori, a specialty doctor in oncology based at the Queen’s Centre, has earned himself the nickname ‘Dr Dolittle’, after making it his mission to give the family its best chance of survival.

“There were some concerns initially about keeping the ducklings here, but we sought expert advice and rather than rehoming them, we were advised how best to care for them for the relatively short time they’d be with us.

“Staff across the wards, administration and physiotherapy have all pulled together to feed them, watch over them and give them the best possible chance in life, and many of our patients have been keeping a watchful eye on them too. Some patients have even said that being able to watch the babies go about their daily routine has made their stay in hospital much more enjoyable.

“We’ve resisted naming them in case we become too attached. Mum is already teaching the little ones how to hop and flap their wings, so it won’t be long now before they’re able to fly.

“It’s been a real pleasure to look after them and who knows, one of them may consider the care to have been that good that they come back one day and nest here again.”

According to the RSPB, Mallard ducklings take between 50 and 60 days to fledge, meaning staff and patients can expect to enjoy their company for just another two or three weeks before they finally fly the nest for good.

Watch our video of the ducklings.

The Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is thrilled to announce the opening of its state-of-the-art Day Surgery Centre, marking a significant milestone in the Trust’s commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services.

The £10 million Centre will support the Trust’s elective recovery programme in addressing the challenges posed by the backlog of surgical cases resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Located within Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, this new facility marks the first phase of expansion, introducing four new cutting-edge theatres into operation, enhancing the Trust’s capacity to deliver high-quality care and expedite surgical procedures for patients with surgery as a day case as the default.

This Centre will provide additional theatre capacity at for patients across Hull and the East Riding and beyond, who need a planned – not urgent or acute – procedure. The Centre will include pre-assessment facilities ensuring a seamless transition for patients requiring day case surgery, reducing waiting times and improving overall patient experience from booking to recovery.

Equipped with cutting-edge surgical equipment and staffed by a highly skilled and compassionate multi-disciplinary team, the Centre aims to uphold the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency throughout the surgical journey.

Dave Wright, Consultant in Anaesthetics said: “The opening of the Day Surgery Centre represents a momentous occasion for our Trust and, more importantly, for our patients. These state-of-the-art theatres will provide us with the tools and resources needed to perform a wide range of day case surgical procedures efficiently and effectively.

“Our dedicated team of highly skilled surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre practitioners, nurses, therapists and clinical administrators are excited to utilise this new facility to its full potential, ensuring our patients receive the best care possible.”

The four new theatres have been thoughtfully designed to provide an optimal environment for both patients and medical professionals, incorporating the latest advancements in medical technology and patient care. The theatres will open on a phased basis – phase one ENT & MaxFax; phase two Breast & Vascular; phase three orthopaedics and phase four neurosurgery. This will be done on a rolling two-week programme with patients already booked in to receive their pre-assessments.

Chris Long, Chief Executive said: “We are thrilled to unveil the first phase of our Day Surgery Centre, representing a significant investment in the future of healthcare delivery”.

“Our staff have been putting in relentless efforts to alleviate the strain caused by the surgical backlog, and the addition of these new theatres will play a crucial role in accelerating patient care and reducing waiting times. This development reflects our dedication to providing the highest standards of care for our patients.”

Phase one of the Day Surgery Centre is part of a comprehensive expansion plan, with the second phase set to further bolster the Trust’s surgical capabilities with 10 theatres.

Former joiner, Mike Shepherdson, 60, is among the first to use the new facility, having attended a pre-assessment appointment ahead of surgery next month.

He says: “I was in a serious motorcycle accident in 2021 after which I had to be airlifted to hospital. I had lots of injuries including a broken spine, a punctured lung and 11 broken ribs. I’ve had many operations since then but this hopefully should be the last one; to take a metal plate out of my wrist which should hopefully give me a bit of mobility and less discomfort.

“The new facility is amazing, really beautiful and the staff have been brilliant. I can’t find fault in them,” he adds.

The Trust remains committed to delivering exceptional healthcare services, empowering its dedicated clinical and non-clinical professionals to provide safe, efficient, and patient-centred care.

In a significant collaboration, a team of IR consultants from the Trust and the Christian Medical College in Vellore recently led an Interventional Radiology (IR) advanced practice course on vascular interventions in India.

This pioneering initiative provided postgraduate trainees in IR with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field. The course marked a crucial milestone in advancing IR practices and fostering international cooperation in medical education between the two healthcare providers.

HUTH and CMC Vellore have a long and well-established relationship with teaching visits which began in 1998 to encourage further development of IR and higher studies in diagnostic imaging. Across India, IR is still a very new specialty and there is notable under provision of services except in major centres.

The need for specific training opportunities in IR is recognised and, following discussion and collaboration between the two organisations, plans were drawn up to run a teaching course for IR trainees with faculty from both centres.

Dr Vivek Shrivastava, Consultant Radiologist for HUTH said: “The collaboration between HUTH and CMC has been truly remarkable. This course serves as a testament to our shared commitment to advancing interventional radiology education and fostering global partnerships.

“The success of the course on vascular interventions demonstrates the growing importance of minimally invasive techniques in healthcare. By equipping trainees with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are empowering them to make a significant impact on patient care and treatment outcomes,” he added.

IR is a rapidly evolving field that employs minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions including stroke, pulmonary embolism and aortic aneurysms. It involves using image-guided procedures to perform therapeutic interventions within the body, eliminating or reducing the need for traditional open surgeries. The benefits of these techniques include reduced patient trauma, shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery times, and improved outcomes overall.

The collaboration between our Trust, which enjoys one of the best reputations in the UK for IR and the CMC brought together experts from both organisations, to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, expertise and best practices, to enrich the educational experience for participants.

Prof. Duncan Ettles, Consultant Radiologist at HUTH said: “The course marks an important milestone in our collaborative efforts to advance IR education. We carefully designed the course to encompass a wide range of body interventions, ensuring that trainees receive reasonably comprehensive training within the period.

He added that “By bringing together the expertise of HUTH and CMC, we aim to empower the next generation of interventional radiologists with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide exceptional patient care.”

The two-day course covered a wide range of procedures targeting different organ systems, including lectures, case-based discussions and workshops, ensuring a comprehensive and interactive learning environment.

Prof. Ettles delivered the inaugural Paterson Oration lecture titled ‘Interventional Radiology – past, present and future’ in the Senate hall of CMC Bagayam campus. The purpose of the lecture was to explain the origins and development of current IR practices and to look towards future potential challenges and improvements in interventional practice. The talk was streamed live on behalf of the Indian Society of Vascular & Interventional Radiology (ISVIR) and watched remotely in hospitals as far as Mumbai and Hull.

One of the distinguishing features of the course was its emphasis on practical training. The trainees had the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment and simulators, honing their procedural skills under the guidance of experienced consultants and faculty.

This hands-on experience allowed them to gain confidence in performing various IR procedures, including biopsies and drainage, peripheral angioplasty, vertebral interventions, angioplasty and more.

Professor Ettles continues: “As IR continues to evolve and expand in scope, initiatives like this course play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the field. By equipping trainees with the necessary knowledge and skills, such courses pave the way for advancements in patient care, research and innovation.”