Around 110,000 people experience a stroke every year in England, making it one of the country’s leading health problems. In Hull alone, there are thought to be almost 7,000 people who have previously had a stroke.

Strokes occur when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. A stroke is a serious medical condition which can lead to sight or mobility impairments, communication difficulties, loss of use of limbs, brain damage, or even death.

On Thursday 15^th September, Dr Rayessa, a Consultant Physician specialising in stroke care at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, will be sharing her years of experience of the condition with the general public.

She will deliver a talk at Hull Royal Infirmary, looking at stroke services, signs and symptoms, and how people can reduce their risk of having a stroke; a risk which increases as people get older.

Dr Rayessa says:

“The number of people experiencing a stroke has been steadily rising for some time, but there are steps we can all take, related to diet or lifestyle for example, which can help us reduce our risk.

“The unfortunate thing is that many people don’t even think about stroke until the worst happens, so in delivering my presentation, I’m going to be looking at how we can reduce  our risk, plus what to do if you think someone is having a stroke, and then outline the care and support we provide locally.”

Members of the public are now being invited along to hear more from Dr Rayessa about the services in place at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support stroke patients during a hospital stay and beyond, and to ask any questions.

The event is free to attend, and will take place at 3pm on Thursday 15^th September at Hull Royal Infirmary.

For full details and to register your interest, please email the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Membership Office on membership.team@hey.nhs.uk or call (01482) 675165.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has submitted proposals to Hull City Council’s Planning Committee to create a new helipad at the back of Hull Royal Infirmary.

The hospital serves the region as a Major Trauma Centre, regularly receiving emergency patients via helicopter and organising patient transfers via air ambulance. A number of providers currently fly in to Hull Royal Infirmary, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Embrace, the children’s air ambulance based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Duncan Taylor, Director of Estates, Facilities and Development for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, explains the proposals:

“Hull Royal Infirmary (HRI) is a major trauma centre for the region, so it’s important that we have the estate and the infrastructure to support this role. The recent, multi-million pound redevelopment of the Emergency Department has given us the most up-to-date medical facilities in which to treat patients, so the development of an on-site helipad is the next piece of the jigsaw.

“Helicopters bring patients to the hospital on an almost daily basis now, but currently land on a helipad situated in a field just over the road from the hospital. An ambulance is then required to transfer each patient from the helicopter, negotiate the busy junction onto Anlaby Road, and then transport the patient to the Emergency Department. All of this takes time, and in emergency situations, every second counts.

“Demolition of the three buildings at the back of the HRI site would need to take place to allow the 100ft by 100ft helipad to be constructed. In turn, this would then ensure patients arriving by air ambulance could be taken into hospital more quickly, and would free up traditional road ambulances for duties elsewhere.”

The Trust has consulted with all air ambulance providers currently transporting patients to HRI prior to submitting its planning application. Alternative accommodation for staff currently housed in the outgoing buildings has been identified at both Castle Hill Hospital and elsewhere on the HRI site.

Subject to the necessary planning approvals, demolition would begin in early 2017 and the helipad would be expected to be ready and operational by the Spring.

Two hospital physiotherapists will be going for gold next year as they compete for Great Britain in their age groups in international triathlon.

Kerry Archer, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist working at the Queen’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology, has qualified to represent the country at the European Triathlon Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany, next June.

As well as working full time with Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support people with cancer, Kerry is also a member of York Triathlon Club and trains five to six days per week. She qualified for the European Championships last month, having finished fourth in her age group in a sprint distance triathlon qualifier in Strathclyde (750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run).

Kerry says:

“Over the years, I have taken part in many different sports, but it was my brother who inspired me to take up triathlon about four years ago.  I completed my first triathlon in Driffield and haven’t really looked back.

“In a role like mine, being physically fit is important. It can be a challenge fitting in training around a full time job, but I’m really proud and excited to representing my country next year.”

Meanwhile, Becky Mason (pictured above), a Physiotherapist who is currently working within the Plastics Outpatient Department at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, will also don the Team GB colours in 2017.

But Becky has already had a taste of what it’s like to represent her country this year, when she competed in the European Duathlon Championships in Spain. This race involved a 10km run, followed by a 40km cycle ride, then a further 5km run, and Becky finished an impressive eighth in her age group overall.

Becky says:

“I have always been fairly fit and healthy, and I did a couple of triathlons whilst I was at university. Once I qualified as a physiotherapist and moved to a new area, however, I found it more difficult to fit training in around my new job.

“I had been working at the hospital for about two and a half years when a friend asked me to take part in the Castle Howard triathlon last summer, and I was the second female to finish.  This made me decide to get back into training, and I’ve been training with Humber Triathletes since November.

“It’s such a great feeling to represent your country in a sport you love. It can be quite difficult fitting everything in at times, but it’s well worth it.”

Becky has already qualified to represent Team GB in the European Duathlon Championships in 2017, and is in a reserve position to compete in the European Triathlon Championships in 2017 at Sprint distance, alongside Kerry.

Kerry is also looking to join Becky in the line-up for next year’s Duathlon Championships when she competes in a qualifying race in October.

A local doctor has joined an elite team of medics who fly with Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

Dr. Chris Srinivasan, a Consultant in Emergency Medicine, usually spends his days treating critically ill patients at Hull Royal Infirmary’s Emergency Department. But if this wasn’t exciting enough, he has recently joined a specialist team of hospital doctors on board the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, enabling him to be one of the first on scene in extreme or life threatening situations.

Having just completed a “medical passenger course” (modified air crew course), Chris, who has been in Hull since 2007, now joins a team of 8 other specialist doctors from across the county who fly with YAA. The charity is now able to ensure there is a consultant trained in pre-hospital emergency medicine on board the helicopter, 365 days of the year.

Serving the whole of Yorkshire and sometimes further afield, this team of highly trained, specialist doctors and paramedics regularly carries out life-saving procedures, such as emergency anaesthesia and critical care interventions, at the scene of an incident.

A member of the team will work on the helicopter 12 hours a day, every day of the year, attending 999 calls when requested. They will work alongside two highly trained paramedics and a skilled pilot. The team aboard the helicopter will fly out to assist critically ill patients in the most urgent situations, as well as providing medical assistance in more remote locations across the county.

Seconded by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Chris joins the Yorkshire Critical Care Team to support the service provided by Yorkshire Air Ambulance and other frontline response teams.

Chris says:

“I’ve always been interested in pre-hospital emergency medicine, from the moment I started my career in emergency medicine. No two days are ever the same, the job is so varied and provides me with an opportunity to work with such a fantastic close-knit team.
“This is the best job in the world for me, to work alongside the team at YAA and other emergency care providers on the front line. Making early interventions and giving our patients the best chance of survival is just brilliant.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to help save lives across Yorkshire. It serves five million people and has carried more than 6,800 people in its 15-year history.

£12,000 per day is required to keep both of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s helicopters maintained and in the air. All donations received go directly into the lifesaving service provided. For more information on how you can fundraise, or donate, please visit www.yaa.org.uk
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Critical care nurses at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital are amongst the first in the region to undertake a new type of training course focused on the safe transfer of patients.

Having identified a need to offer specific training for nursing staff in the movement of critically ill patients, our Critical Care Teacher Trainers Team ran a pilot version of their SCRIPT (Safe CRitical Ill Patient Transfer) course just a couple of weeks ago.

Whether critical care patients are being transferred 100 yards for a CT scan or 100 miles to another hospital, the principles of care remain the same, and so the aim of the course is to ensure nursing staff can provide a safe, high quality and consistent level of care to everyone.

SCRIPT is believed to be the first in the region to offer such practical, hands-on course content, using simulation mannequins to create lifelike scenarios, with support from the HILS Simulation Team.

Thirteen critical care nurses from both hospital sites took part in the first training course under the direction of ICU Consultant, Dr James Pettit, Dr Gemma Lee, Specialty Doctor in Anaesthesia, Mandy Price, Critical Care Outreach Specialist Nurse, and Dr AB Wong, FY2 Academic Emergency Medicine.

Following a morning of practical workshops, participants then moved on to the simulated transfer of a patient for CT scan in the afternoon. With the assistance of Tim Butterill from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the nurses were also able to simulate the transfer of a patient from ward to ambulance, testing their skills and responses in a much smaller and more unfamiliar environment than they are used to.

Each scenario was followed by a debrief covering what happened, any risks or communication issues which arose, how people felt during the exercise, and any lessons learned.

Vicky Needler, Critical Care Teacher Trainer, says:

“Training in the transfer of critically ill patients is given to medical ICU staff automatically, but this is not something we, or indeed many other Trusts, have previously been offering to our nurses.

“The introduction of the SCRIPT course gives critical care nursing staff the chance to practice their skills in a safe and supportive environment. This doesn’t just equip them with the technical skills they need, but it also allows them to practice their communication skills and see how they work together in a pressurised situation.

“There are all sorts of things which could potentially go wrong with the movement of a patient, from equipment failure to a dislodged line or the patient starting to deteriorate, so it’s important that our critical care nurses are prepared for any eventuality.”

As a Trauma Centre, the Trust has a total of 44 critical care beds and around 170 critical care nurses, making the importance of transfer skills and experience all the more important.

Vicky adds:

“The support we have had for this course has been overwhelming, and we’re grateful for Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s involvement as it’s rare to have an opportunity to train in an ambulance and to practice transfers with ambulance staff, who can bring a very different perspective.

“All transfers, no matter how near or far, rely on effective team working from a number of different disciplines, and this is something we’re really keen to help people practice and improve on.”

Health organisations across East Yorkshire will host the biggest showcase of healthcare services and innovation even seen in the region next week.

The 2016 Health Expo will be held on Thursday 7 July at the KCOM Stadium, and is being organised by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Hull Clinical Commissioning Group, East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Humber NHS Foundation Trust, and City Health Care Partnership.

Sponsored by Siemens Healthineers, the event is designed to showcase excellence and improvements in local health and social care services, but there will also be plenty for people to do, see, learn, hear, and take part in, including:

• A Recruitment Fair for those interested in local health vacancies and NHS careers
• Expert speakers, including a keynote speech from Martin Green, Hull 2017 City of Culture Chief Executive
• ‘Try a Mile’ and Buggy Sessions led by the fantastic Fitmums running group
• On-the-spot health advice from our Street Doctor, Health Trainer, and in the Physio Zone
• Games to get people moving including giant games of Operation, Jenga, and Batak Pro
• Advice on coping with dementia in our 50s style kitchen
• Sampling healthy snacks and healthy meals/nutritional advice
• A Question Time debate, chaired by the BBC’s Amanda White, putting topical questions to local health and social care leaders
• Free yoga, meditation and stress relief taster sessions
• Meet and greet with BBC Look North’s Peter Levy
• Advice on living with and beyond cancer from the Macmillan Survivorship Team

The event is designed to get people thinking not only about how they can keep themselves both mentally and physically well, but to showcase the work which local nurses, doctors, therapists and other healthcare support staff carry out 365 days a year for the benefit of local people.

The Health Expo will culminate in a special awards ceremony on the evening of 7^th July, where local teams and individuals will compete for titles including the Innovative Health and Social Care Technology Award, Success in Partnership Working Award, and Healthcare Hero of the Year.

Myles Howell, Director of Communications for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, says:

“Our local teams are involved in some really cutting-edge projects and improvements, so one of the main aims of the Health Expo is to showcase these amongst members of the public and celebrate the fantastic work carried out by health workers across the region.

“At the same time, we want the event to be fun and engaging, so we’ve plenty to keep people occupied throughout the day. Those simply wanting to listen and learn could join the audience of the Question Time debate or see how state-of-the-art simulation mannequins are used to train our doctors and nurses. Those seeking something a bit more hands-on, however, could experience VERT, the 3D radiotherapy treatment simulator, or ‘Try a Mile’ with the Fitmums running group as they lead a friendly exercise session around West Park.

“This is the first time health and care organisations have come together on such a scale to showcase the amazing work of our local NHS and to encourage people to think about their health and well-being in such a way. With so much going on this year, we hope people will find some time to visit us and enjoy a fun, free, and informative day out.”

Kate Smith from Fitmums and Friends says:

“Fitmums and Friends are excited to be part of Health Expo – it gives us a great opportunity to spread the word about our new ‘In the Pink’ project which offers free one-to-one support to adults in Hull and East Yorkshire who’d like some help to get into regular exercise.  The project is available at any of our running clubs in Hull and East Yorkshire, as well as at our fitness walking and buggy sessions.

“There’ll be a chance to experience the friendly and welcoming Fitmums experience with our “try a mile” and buggy sessions too, so don’t forget your trainers!”

The 2016 Health Expo will take place at the KCOM Stadium on Thursday 7^th July from 9:30am to 4pm. Members  of the public will receive a warm welcome, and are invited to stay for as much of the day as they are able. There is no need to book, however guests are encouraged to register if they wish to participate in the Question Time event specifically, by calling the Hull CCG Engagement Team on 01482 344700 or via https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2016healthexpo

More details, including a full programme for the day, are now available at Health Expo

A spokesman at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:

“We can confirm that Humberside Fire & Rescue attended our Castle Hill Hospital site this morning to deal with a small scale fire in the plant room of the Centenary Building.

“All patients and staff have been evacuated from the building and safely relocated to other surgical wards.

“Due to the unforeseen circumstances, we will be cancelling outpatient appointments and surgical activity due to take place within the Centenary Building today, excluding Audiology. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and we will look to reschedule all cancelled appointments and procedures as soon as possible.

“We would also like to thank our staff who acted quickly and safely to ensure all patients have remained safe during this time.

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Health experts from across the UK will convene in Hull this week for a prestigious national event.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will host the Fourth National Cancer Conference, ‘Contemporary Care: New Challenges, New Solutions’ on Thursday 23^rd and Friday 24^th June at the Village Hotel, Hessle.

Almost 200 delegates from as far afield as Exeter, the Isle of Man, and the internationally renowned Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, will attend to discuss new approaches to issues such as radiotherapy and end of life care.

Cancer survivors and people living with cancer will also attend the event, where delegates will learn how singing and laughter yoga can help in the management and well-being of cancer patients.

BBC Sports commentator and five-time Paralympic gold medal winner Marc Woods (pictured above), who had a leg amputated due to cancer aged just 17, will serve as the celebrity speaker for the event. Other speakers include Professor Max Watson, Consultant Professor in Palliative Care from the Northern Ireland Hospice in Belfast, and the Trust’s own internationally-renowned Professor Andy Beavis.

Janis Hostad, Lecturer/Education and Development Coordinator at the Queen’s Centre for Oncology & Haematology in Cottingham, has organised the event. She says:

“We’re delighted to be hosting our fourth National Cancer Conference in Hull. This week, we’ll be bringing some of the country’s most respected cancer experts together with members of our local workforce and people who are living with, or have beaten, cancer to discuss some of the most current issues surrounding it.

“Cancer is such an emotive issue as many of us will either have experienced the disease ourselves or know someone who has, so it’s vital that we keep the discussions going and keep sharing new ideas and techniques for cancer management and treatment.

“The Queen’s Centre for Oncology & Haematology in Cottingham is an excellent local facility, and we’re proud to be hosting this prestigious national conference which will continue to help put Hull on the map in respect of its clinical expertise in this field.”

Two off duty nurses from Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham saved the life of a local man this week after he became unconscious whilst swimming.

Christina Scurr and Kristina Peat, both Staff Nurses on Ward 26, were enjoying a dip in the pool at Total Fitness in Willerby when the incident happened on Tuesday night.

After hearing cries for help, their swift actions and years of nurse training ensured they were able to pull Tony Nichols, from Kirk Ella, out of the water and restore his breathing before an ambulance arrived.

Christina says:

“Kristina and I had just been swimming a few lengths when, all of a sudden, we began to hear cries for help from the other end of the pool. We looked over and saw Mr Nichols face down in the water.

“At that point, we didn’t hesitate: I swam over whilst Kristina got out of the water and ran round to help.

“When we tried to put Mr Nichols in the recovery position, we found he wasn’t breathing, so we began performing CPR. After a number of cycles, he began to breathe so we attempted to put him in the recovery position again, but again his breathing stopped. We performed another round of CPR to re-start his breathing, and we then stayed with him until an ambulance arrived.

“We didn’t really think about our actions at the time; as nurses we’re trained to deal with the unexpected.  We’re just pleased to hear that the action we took has helped Mr Nichols and he’s now on road to recovery.”

The two nurses’ manager, Tracy Drury, is the ward sister on Ward 26 at Castle Hill Hospital. She says:

“It’s often said that a nurse is never off duty, and this was certainly true of Christina and Kristina in this case. What they did was fantastic, and we’re all pleased to see that there has been a positive ending to this story.

“Christina and Kristina are an inspirational pair of dedicated nurses, and every member of their team is incredibly of proud of them.”

Mr Nichols is now recovering well from the incident, and both he and his partner have passed on their thanks in person to the two nurses when they met at Castle Hill Hospital on Wednesday evening.