Midwives at Hull’s Fatima Allam Birth Centre are celebrating the delivery of their 500^th baby of the year.

Baby Jenson Rackham was born to parents Kate Clayton and Tim Rackham, from Beverley, on the evening of Monday 18^th December, weighing 7lb 1oz.

Brother to two older siblings, Ozzie (3) and Piper (20 months), Jenson seemed to be in a bit of a hurry to get here, but that’s no bad thing, as mum Kate explains:

“I started with contractions on and off in the early hours of the morning, then they went away until the kids had gone to bed, around 6:45pm. Then it all happened really quickly; by around 8.30pm we were in hospital and at 10:09pm Jenson was born.

Tim and Kate are now ready to celebrate Christmas with Ozzie, Piper and baby Jenson

“Jenson arrived earlier than we expected, but I’m actually quite glad as I was getting anxious that he or she – as we kept it a surprise – would arrive on Christmas Day and I would miss dinner!”

Kate says her experience on the midwife-led unit was outstanding:

“I had both Piper and Jenson at the Fatima Allam Birth Centre and the staff have been absolutely fantastic every time, we couldn’t’ fault any one of them.

“The unit provides such a calming atmosphere, the rooms are better than some hotel rooms, and there’s only minimal intervention from the midwives as you need it.

“We’d like to say thank you to each and every person who works there. The birth centre is a fantastic resource and an amazing tool to help mums achieve the most magical births.”

Katie Headlam, Midwifery Sister at the Fatima Allam Birth Centre says:

“I’d like to pass on my congratulations to Kate and Tim on the birth of their baby boy. It was a pleasure to welcome them back to the Fatima Allam Birth Centre.

“Reaching 500 births this year is a wonderful achievement and I am so proud of my team and the support we have from our wider multidisciplinary team in the maternity unit.

“We are so grateful that, thanks to the late Dr Assem Allam and his family, families have the option of using the only alongside midwife-led unit in our local maternity system area.

“Since we opened in 2017, we have welcomed nearly 4000 babies into the world and the Fatima Allam Birth Centre has gone from strength to strength.”

It’s the stuff many of us dream of for Christmas; new furniture, a new kitchen, a nice breakfast bar, but never in their wildest dreams could the staff on Hull Women and Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) imagine they’d get all this and more for free.

The parents room before refurbishment began

But the kindness and generosity of Hull-based Helix CMS, who are currently working to expand the unit and create extra cot capacity for premature babies*, clearly knows no bounds.

Now billed as NICU’s own ‘DIY SOS’ team, Helix has agreed to refit and refurbish the neonatal unit’s parental living room free of charge, from new kitchen worktops, taps and units through to spotlights, a tea boiler and a fresh coat or two of paint; and all this in under two weeks!

But thanks to the contractor’s generosity, the real winners will be the parents of those babies born prematurely, as Jenny Hemingway, Neonatal Clinical Nurse Educator explains:

“We encourage parents to spend as much time as they can with their babies while they’re on the unit, but we know there are times when they simply need a break, even if it’s just for ten minutes, and that parental living room can then act as a real sanctuary. It’s a safe space to collect their thoughts, hydrate, have something to eat and step away from the hustle and bustle if the ward becomes busy.

“Because of this, it’s really important that it’s a pleasant and comfortable space for them, and not overly clinical; many families can spend weeks and weeks here with us, so we need that living room in particular to be as much of a ‘home from home’ as we can.

Work gets underway…

“Having parents spend time on the ward is all part of the process of learning how to care for their baby and preparing the family for a safe discharge back home. Many babies leave our unit still requiring extra support such as oxygen or help with feeding, so by creating an environment where parents feel comfortable, it helps us pass on the skills and knowledge they’ll need when they return home, and it helps them feel more confident too.

“The parents are such an important part in a baby’s journey to full health, that our thoughts must be equally as focused on them as they are on our young patients.

“It’s really amazing what Helix and their partners are doing for us and we’re so grateful.”

From first starting on Monday 11 December, the Helix team has managed to transform the second floor, dual aspect room in just under two weeks, and only a handful of hospital staff have been party to the progress made, with most only witnessing the transformation for themselves on Thursday 21^st December, the day of the big reveal.

Francesca Matthews, Ward Manager of NICU adds:

“Our new parental living room is just amazing, a perfect retreat for parents spending time here when they need it and it was such a generous gesture.

“The team at Helix have been a delight to have working here. No problem has been too big or too small for them, and they have been incredibly considerate given the ward environment we work in and how difficult a time many of the families we care for are going through.

“They’ve already supported NICU by buying items from our Amazon Wish List and we even have a weekly delivery of home-made cakes for our staff tea trolley from Helix’s very own Project Support Sophie and her mum!

The newly refurbished room is complete, including new worktops, units and a tea boiler

“The refurbishment of our parents living space wasn’t part of the contracted works, so to have them offer to refit it and give it a much-needed freshen up, all at no cost to us and with some staff giving up their own time to help, was like a Christmas wish come true; we can’t thank them enough.”

Helix’s generosity also supplements the Trust’s own WISHH Charity’s ‘Space to Grow’ Appeal, which has sought to raise £100,000 for the development of a sensory room and staff training facilities within the expanded neonatal intensive care unit.

Mark Pearson, Helix Construction Director, says:

“After working on NICU ward for the last 12 weeks, we’ve witnessed all the hard work and compassion the staff show the parents and babies. As a company whose focus is to leave a positive legacy in the areas we work, we decided we wanted to offer our help to upgrade the parents kitchen. This was a great opportunity to give something back to the staff and the parents using the facility, now and in the future. It makes me really proud that Helix and all of our partners and subcontractors have achieved this in the middle of a very busy phase of the building works. Many thanks to Francesca and the nursing team at NICU for working together with all the building team over the last three months.”

The team at Helix is clear that they couldn’t have completed the project without the help of their generous partners and local companies who have gone above and beyond to provide materials and work for free.

Mark continues:

“We would like to extend our thanks to MEC Humber Ltd for the mechanical and electrical works and the new tea boiler; to Lisa at Howdens, Hessle Road, for the kitchen units; to Joe Fletcher from Beechwood Joinery for the window boards; to Apleona for supplying the new window blinds;  Pittaway for providing all decoration works; Techcon Flooring for the new vinyl step; and Paul Oliver at Helix FMS for fire stopping and ceiling works.”

* Note to editor – Helix CMS are currently contracted to deliver works which will create capacity for an additional five beds within the neonatal care service, a further two intensive care beds and three more high dependency unit beds. Work began in September 2023 and is due to conclude in Spring 2024.

NICU’s Jenny Hemingway (left) and Francesca Matthews receive a gift hamper from Helix CMS at the handover of the newly refurbished parents room

Hospitals across the Humber region will be affected by junior doctor strikes which have been announced for December and January.

Members of the BMA will take industrial action in the form of a full walkout from 7am on Wednesday 20 December through to 7am on Saturday 23 December. This will be mirrored by junior doctor members of the HCSA union.

A further six days of strike action are also expected to take place in the New Year, from Wednesday 3 January 2024 at 7am through to 7am on Tuesday 9 January.

Shaun Stacey, Group Chief Delivery Officer for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:

“Hospitals in our area are already under pressure as the winter starts to generate a higher number of sick patients and outbreaks of winter viruses become more common.

“Levels of planned activity such as routine surgery are always slightly lower around the Christmas period as people go away or spend time with friends and family, and of course we’re expecting many of our staff to be taking some well-earned annual leave too.

“While we will continue to run as many clinics as we can during the strike periods, we have already had to cancel and reschedule a number of appointments in preparation, and I’d like to apologise to anyone affected for the inconvenience.

“The strikes come at what are traditionally very busy times for us, namely the lead up to Christmas and throughout the first week of January. We are grateful to all of our colleagues who will be supporting throughout the strikes, but the fact remains that our medical staffing levels will be notably reduced.

“For this reason, we have two main asks of the public; firstly we’d like people to use A&E only in the event of a real emergency, in other words, something that’s an immediate threat to life or limb. Routine healthcare or minor ailments which have been niggling for some time should be discussed with a GP, NHS 111 or other primary care professional first, so that our emergency care teams can focus on the really urgent, life-saving work.

“Secondly, not all activity is being halted, so we would ask patients with appointments on any of the forthcoming strike days to attend as planned unless they hear from us to say otherwise. If your appointment is affected, we will seek to contact you to discuss and reschedule as soon as we can.”

Patients can also help themselves and others by:

• Ordering repeat prescriptions in plenty of time before the Bank Holidays
• Avoiding hospital – either as a patient or visitor – if suffering Norovirus-type symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting
• Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet including painkillers, indigestion remedies and diarrhoea tablets
• Using the NHS Emergency Prescription Service if a regular medication runs out completely
• Taking up the offer of Covid and flu vaccinations where these are made; and
• Familiarising themselves with nearby NHS services which can offer help over the Christmas and New Year period; these include all Walk-In and Urgent Treatment Centres and a number of local pharmacies. NHS111 remains available 24hrs/day, 365 day a year for medical advice and signposting, online or over the phone.

Full details of alternative local healthcare services can be found at www.letsgetbetter.co.uk

The University of Bradford has conferred an honorary degree on Rukeya Miah, Head of Midwifery.

Described as a midwife with a very special history with the University of Bradford, Rukeya has been awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award as part of the Winter Graduation Ceremonies held at the university last Friday.

The university said the award was in recognition of her outstanding career as an award-winning midwife and her advocacy for equality and inclusion within healthcare and leadership.

Rukeya started her relationship with the University in the late 90s, first studying for a Nursing Diploma and then as a student midwife, Rukeya returned as a guest midwifery lecturer, helping the next generation of midwives to achieve their qualification.

She says: “The University of Bradford has a very special place in my heart. I would like to thank the University for this incredible honour, I am immensely grateful.

“The privileges of serving others in the ways that I had the honour of doing is one thing, but to receive an Outstanding Contribution Award from this university in recognition of this is really something.”

Rukeya has delivered thousands of babies during her career – including the unexpected home delivery of her niece, while Rukeya herself was heavily pregnant with her youngest daughter, an experience she describes as “a real wow moment” in her career.

Having been involved with the university for over 25 years, Rukeya has seen many changes in the field of midwifery teaching over the years, most recently the addition of an interactive birthing mannequin and augmented reality technology.

She says: “The midwifery unit at the University was always ahead of its time so to see them innovating and so proactively at the cutting edge doesn’t surprise me, but pleases me incredibly”

Rukeya’s work has seen her recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council as BAME Midwife of the Year 2022, British Journal of Nursing Public Health Nurse of the Year 2023 and shortlisted in three categories in the Nursing Times Awards 2022. On top of that, she has been named as one of Bradford’s most influential South Asians in 2021 and awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s birthday honours in June 2022.

Many of these accolades are as a result of the integral part she played in Bradford’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout, where she was instrumental in addressing the culturally sensitive and varying community needs, increasing the uptake of the vaccine across the district. Rukeya set up a family vaccine centre, enabling whole families to be vaccinated, and took the vaccine to wherever a centre could be set up.

Dr Anita Sargeant, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health Studies at the University of Bradford presented Rukeya for her Outstanding Contribution Award during the Winter 2023 Graduation Ceremonies. She recalls working with her during the pandemic: “I remember meeting Rukeya in a muddy field at Skipton Music Festival, having been on stage sharing the message about vaccinations, before returning to the tent where her team of staff and volunteers were continuing to deliver vaccinations to the sound of the funfair, live bands and the smell of the food stand!

“But they did this too across Bradford, anywhere a vaccine centre could be set up, making it accessible to all.

“Rukeya has made a significant difference to the lives of people here in Bradford and I’m delighted to be able to recognise and celebrate her work.”

Mobile breast screening will be unavailable in Withernsea again this week after electrical cables have been stolen for the second time in two weeks.

Staff at the Humberside Breast Screening Service are now contacting hundreds of women who were due to attend appointments as a matter of urgency.

Karen Hallberg, Superintendent Radiographer for the Humberside Breast Screening Service says:

“This is the second time in as many weeks that we’ve turned up to work ready to screen local women only to find the unit subject to a power outage because electrical cables have been stolen.

“The theft is not just costly and disruptive for us as a service, but it can also be really upsetting for those who are due to attend appointments as some people can get quite anxious in the run up to screening.

“We’re appalled by what’s happened really; it’s upsetting for staff when they come to work to help people, and it’s upsetting for the people of Withernsea that the behaviour of one or two selfish individuals is now affecting their community in this way.”

The overnight theft is the second time in two weeks that the mobile screening unit has been targeted while in Withernsea, after the original power cables supplying the unit were stolen on 23 November. The thefts have been reported to police.

Staff will now begin work to reschedule appointments for those who are affected by this week’s cancellations, and would like to reiterate the apology for any inconvenience.

No Criteria to Reside ward team lead the way in patient-centric initiatives.

In the bustling halls of Hull Royal Infirmary, a special group of healthcare professionals is redefining the patient experience within the No Criteria to Reside ward.

Comprising occupational therapists, physiotherapists, registered nurses, and Intermediate Care Support Group Workers, this dynamic team is turning the often challenging waiting period for medically-fit patients into a vibrant and memorable chapter of their hospital stay.

What sets the team apart is its unwavering commitment to personalised and bespoke services. Understanding the unique needs of each patient, the team has crafted individualised rehabilitation plans and emotional support systems that go beyond the traditional medical model.

Patient using a colouring book

Patient being assisted to use basketball hoop

Nicola Bellhouse, Senior Physiotherapy Assistant says “It is just about identifying what patients need; what will at least make their lives better before they leave hospital. We often talk about patient-centred care, but this is really tailored bespoke to the patient.

“And because we have such a diverse patient group – a young man who’s 21 and a man who’s nearly hundred – we try to create room for everybody and bring the different age groups together. As long as they are comfortable, we don’t have a problem with coming up with things they can do to get better.”

Recognising the healing power of social interaction, the ward team has orchestrated an array of activities, including breakfast clubs, singing and dance groups and even special game days.

These activities not only entertain but also foster a sense of community and camaraderie among patients, transforming the ward into a lively hub of shared experiences.

Rebecca Hardcastle, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist said it was important to keep patients who can get out of bed active while they wait to go home or other care facilities.

Patient playing with cards

Patient making breakfast

“We run multiple different clubs every morning, anybody who can come in and make their own breakfast will come into the kitchen, make their own breakfast and eat it. We have tried to set it up more as a reablement ward rather than a normal beds ward. So patients are much more active in their own care.

“We have had a few patients who are waiting for care packages for meal preparation but have now become independent just by coming in regularly and doing these minor tasks.”

But that’s not all. In the afternoons, the team runs a singing and dance class for patients who would rather get in the groove. For those who want to get some exercise in, there’s a basketball hoop to help them do just that.

The team also has a special member who pays regular visits – a therapy dog. Rebecca says the dog is an important addition to the team because it helps patients to engage in everyday activities they try to shy away from.

Molly – therapy dog

Penthouse Newspaper

“We’ve got people who struggle to bend down and put their socks on but when there’s a therapy dog, they’re capable of bending down and stroking the dog. This is some form of rehab but often the patients don’t even know that’s what they’re doing.”

In a stroke of genius, the ward introduced its very own newspaper – Penthouse News. This creative outlet serves as a communication bridge within the ward, informing patients of events outside hospital walls.

Nicola explains the reasoning behind the initiative.

“We know some people who come here have major illnesses. Some of them have been hospitalised or institutionalised for a long time and they can sometimes forget what happens on the outside. And we can help with that, so we have created the Penthouse News which we circulate every week.

“We select a few good news stories from the BBC and other local newspapers that not only keep them informed but cheer them up as well. We also include the weather forecast just to put into words what they see through the hospital windows. The newspaper is printed every Friday and circulated on Monday to all patients who can and are capable of reading.”

Being away from home and family, the team also organises birthday parties for patients, so they don’t feel alone on one of the day most special days of their lives.

The success of the No Criteria to Reside ward after only three months since its establishment is a testament to the passion and dedication of its staff, who fund many of the activities from their own pockets.

Their commitment to enhancing the quality of life of their patients is truly gold standard. The team is not just providing medical support; they have created an environment where patients can truly thrive during their final days in the hospital.

Hull Hospitals NeoFriends Group organises first ever Christmas party for families.

NeoFriends, a support group for parents and carers whose babies have been discharged from Hull’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), is hosting its first-ever Christmas party.

The party which is fully funded by NeoFriends will take place on Saturday, 9th December from 1pm to 3pm at the Victoria Dock Village Hall.

This festive event promises to bring warmth and joy to the families who have had to navigate the delicate journey of having newborns in intensive care during the year.

Sarah Sharp, Neonatal Nurse who leads NeoFriends expressed excitement about the upcoming event.

She said: “The NICU journey can be incredibly challenging, and the holiday season can amplify those challenges. This Christmas party is a wonderful opportunity for our NeoFriends families to take a break, connect, share experiences and have some fun during this season.

“We are thrilled to be part of this event, celebrating these beautiful babies and their families. We hope that this party will create lasting memories and bring a touch of joy to families who have shown incredible resilience.”

Jo Milns, Nursing Chaplain said: “The holiday season is a time of reflection and gratitude. Our NICU families have shown incredible strength and faith throughout their journey. This Christmas party is an opportunity to come together, not only in celebration but also in support. It is a reminder that, even amid challenges, a community is ready to offer support and understanding.”

The party will also be a celebration of the first year anniversary of the NeoFriends support group.

It will feature many holiday-themed activities, with a special visit from Santa who will be there in his grotto with his elfs. There’ll also be a bouncy castle, face paintings and Christmas crafts.

All families who have been in NICU during the year are invited to the party. To register, visit the NeoFriends page on trybooking.

Congratulations to HUTH’s Travel Team after they beat off competition from around the country to scoop the title of “Team of the Year” at a prestigious national awards ceremony last night.

Transport Manager Dave Wilkinson and Allison Coggan of the trust’s health and wellbeing programme Up! collected the accolade at the Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Awards for our Getting to Work staff travel project.

HUTH held off competition from Leeds City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and the Bikeability Trust to claim the title at the National Modeshift Convention at York Racecourse  after being nominated by NHS England.

Dave said: “Our trust is now recognised at a national level for our efforts to help staff get to and from work in more affordable and sustainable ways.

“We are very proud to accept this award on behalf of the entire team and the wider trust.”

Dave and Allison, supported by Property Manager Katie Fry, Assistant Transport Manager Wayne Beedle and Marc Beaumont, Head of Sustainability and Social Value, launched the staff travel project as part of our Zero 30 campaign and the trust now offers staff a range of free bus services on routes to the north, south, west and east of the city to Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill.

Since we launched the project in 2022, we’ve achieved a 13pc decrease in the number of staff driving to work and we’ve saved an estimated 150,000 car journeys. We’ve also seen a huge uptake of 18pc in staff now using the free EYMS bus services 154 and 63 between HRI and Castle Hill.

Staff who are not on these routes can also benefit from the SmartCommute card offering discounts on fares and we’ve achieved a 30 per cent increase in applications for our Cycle to Work scheme.

Thanks to a £180,000 investment by our Capital Development Team, hundreds of staff have signed up to use our new bike compounds at both hospitals.

We’ve linked up with East Riding Council and Hull City Council as well as East Yorkshire Buses and Stagecoach for four Getting to Work travel events in May and both councils recently provided free bike lights and hi-vis clothing for our “Be Safe, Be Seen” events last month as the clocks went back.

The trust became the first organisation in the region to be awarded Silver in Modeshift’s accreditation scheme for our Getting to Work project and NHS England invited us to become one of their exemplar sites last autumn after learning of our success.

Within the last week, the Trust has seen an increase in outbreaks, mainly in medical elderly wards of the winter vomiting bug, Norovirus. Wards affected have been wards H9, H90, C20 and H100.  

Patients and staff have been affected prompting the temporary closure of the areas affected to help curb the spread.  

These types of virus often originate from the community and can spread quickly when a number of people spend time in close proximity. 

Greta Johnson, Director of Infection Prevention and Control said:  

“It is not unusual for hospitals to experience cases of viral gastroenteritis, such as Norovirus, at this time of year. These types of virus often originate in the community and can spread quickly when a number of people spend time in close proximity, such as in schools or on a hospital ward.  Norovirus is infectious and is usually quite mild, lasting for about 48 hours, however people who have had symptoms can remain infectious for a further 48 hours after the symptoms have gone away. Symptoms include headache, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea, often sudden in onset.

Patients and visitors will notice in areas affected, measures to control the spread which include nursing patients in isolation or together if a bay is affected. Clinical staff will wear surgical facemasks and comply with prudent hand washing and wearing personal protective equipment e.g. gloves and aprons when appropriate. An increase in cleaning in areas affected reduces the risk of spreading the virus from the environment to patients and staff.

Other control measures can include the temporary closure of affected areas, and the polite reminder for people not to visit whilst the area is closed. Visitors are reminded to speak to the nurse in charge, in some circumstances visiting can be facilitated at the discretion of the ward sister. Visitors are reminded not to visit any patients in the hospital if you have had D&V and to let the ward sister know if you have developed symptoms and recently visited patient(s) on the ward, only visiting again when you have been symptom free for 48hrs.

It’s important we all play a part in reducing the impact of Norovirus for patients, staff and visitors.  

For further information, please use the NHS Choices link below:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/

Staff from Hull Royal Infirmary’s A&E Department have won a national award for patient safety.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s Emergency Department was awarded the 2023 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Award for Patient Safety, arguably one of healthcare’s most sought-after titles, at a special awards ceremony last night.

Emergency Department staff received the award for their project: “Improving the diagnostic detection of thoracic aortic dissection in the Emergency Department.” The category was intensely competitive with over 100 applications and 9 short-listed projects.

Driven forward by three Emergency Medicine Consultants; Dr Austin Smithies (pictured, right), Dr Jehad Abed, and Dr Audrey Fox, along with Advanced Clinical Practitioner Leigh Norman and information services manager, Stuart Leadley, the project is already helping to improve the care delivered to patients in Hull Royal’s A&E, as Dr Smithies explains:

Dr Austin Smithies, Emergency Medicine Consultant

“Acute Aortic Dissection (AAD) can affect adults of all ages, but can be difficult to diagnose as it only accounts for around 1 in every 1,000 cases of atraumatic chest pain, so misdiagnosis is not unusual.

“Eighteen months ago, a young man tragically died after he was misdiagnosed and sent home from our Emergency Department. We were keen to take steps to reduce the chances of this happening again for him, for his family, and for other members of our community who are affected by AAD.

“It is estimated that each hour of delay in diagnosis could equate to a 2 per cent increase in mortality but when the diagnosis of AAD is made early, survival rates could be better than 80 per cent.

“Our project involved data monitoring, ensuring timelier access to CT scans and investigations, and creating an open and honest forum for discussion with staff, bringing in knowledge and experience from colleagues in radiology, vascular and cardiothoracic surgery. The proactive involvement of the Thoracic Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust was also considered invaluable.

“As a result of this work, we’ve now developed a new Trust guideline, “Diagnosis and early management of Acute Aortic Syndrome” to support clinical decision making. Our work has also been shared regionally as an example of good practice and, crucially, clinical staff in Hull are now more confident when it comes to diagnosing and treating AAD.”

Dr Smithies and his colleagues were presented with their trophy at the national HSJ Awards ceremony in London last night. Speaking about the success, he says:

“Winning this award means everything to us. I submitted an application because I wanted to showcase the passion and ability of my colleagues in Emergency Medicine. Winning the award means that we can now implement a region wide initiative to improve detection of AAD. It will also provide impetus for the ambitious programme of Quality Improvement being undertaken in our department.”

Dr Richard Owen-Smith, medical director for the Trust’s Emergency Care Health Group, says:

“We are immensely proud of the team for their achievements and what this means for the patients of Hull and surrounding areas. Any opportunity to improve outcomes for our patients must be seized upon and developed, and this is a perfect example of work coordinated across a multi-disciplinary team resulting in positive outcomes. Well done to the ED team.”