Heart of the community - Frimley Park Hospital
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Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Members' Magazine July 2021
Heart of the Road to
community recovery
Care in the comfort of Supporting our staff
your home after toughest year
Covid stories In remembrance
Refections from Colleagues we lost
the front line during the pandemic
Running total
Run Frimley returns
- and more charity news
1
Welcome back Remembering our
Our brilliant teams have saved many lives during
the pandemic – well over 4,200 to date, and we
will be forever grateful for the brave efforts and
dedicated colleagues
sacrifces they have made to look after these
patients. But the pandemic has of course taken
a terrible toll. Sadly, some 1,300 of our patients
who lost their lives
could not be saved and even some of those
who have recovered have been left unwell with
In March, Frimley Health staff marked the National Day of
long-Covid conditions. It has also had a big Refection and took the time to remember four Trust colleagues
impact on our non-emergency work – our who sadly passed away due to Covid. All are sorely missed
teams kept most of our planned care going but
unfortunately we had to postpone much of it to
and our hearts go out to their loved ones left behind.
Mina Paragpuri
focus on the pandemic emergency. Waiting lists
When I last wrote to you in December, we were
at the end of a very diffcult year that saw the
across the NHS are now longer than ever before Elvira Bucu
and I can assure you that we are all completely
onset of a devastating worldwide pandemic. A healthcare assistant at Heatherwood Colleagues spoke of her skill, empathy and wit
focused on bringing them back to pre-pandemic
We knew that we would have a diffcult winter Hospital, Elvira Bucu sadly passed away and of her absolute dedication to her patients,
levels, although it is likely to take many months.
ahead but none of us envisaged a second surge which meant she was always willing to go the
at home on Friday 3 April last year. Elvira’s
of cases even bigger than the frst would once Despite these challenges, it fnally seems that the
colleagues were devastated by the loss of their extra mile to help them. Mina’s husband Sarge
again threaten to overwhelm us. worst of the pandemic is behind us in the UK.
highly respected and valued team member. and their daughter Mindy, who recently
It was thanks to the heroic efforts of our
As I write, infection rates and hospitalisations are
low and we are hopeful of an end to lockdown
On the cover She was much-loved and her colleagues turned 2, and all her family and friends are
people at Frimley Health, our health and care Our community services team very much in our thoughts.
measures. But we know how quickly things can described her as ‘a ray of sunshine’ - someone
partners, and friends from across the community rose to the challenge of starting
change. The situation is still very volatile and who was always smiling and never had a bad
that every patient received the urgent and
emergency care they needed, whether from
distressing in many countries, and we have to
a new contract in the middle of a word to say about anyone. Rajesh Gurung
global pandemic and still found
remain ready for future outbreaks.
Covid or anything else. This was despite the time to develop new and improved Rajesh, who was a member of our
second wave between December and March The pandemic has changed us and it will take services – see page 5. housekeeping team for more than 16 years
peaking at more than twice the levels we saw in some time to fully refect on this and embed some at Frimley Park Hospital, sadly passed away
2020’s surge and Frimley Health being one of
the most impacted NHS trusts in the country.
of the positive changes that we have made over
the past year. One thing it has underlined is the
Coming soon on Saturday 6 March aged 52.
Our next online Health Event for
value of our brilliant staff and it is very important Prem Lal
I am also really proud that our teams were Foundation Trust members takes
that we give them time to rest and re-energise. As
at the forefront of the successful vaccination place on Wednesday 28 July from
a Trust we are doing all we can to support them.
programme – getting our vaccination hub 5.30pm-6.30pm. Please keep Prem’s colleagues described her as a ‘mother
ready for the frst day of the UK programme. As we look forward there will be huge challenges checking your emails and the fgure’ in the department who was dedicated,
Since then they went on to deliver 42,000 in front of us and our values will really help us to Frimley Health website for more hugely respected and well-liked, not just in
vaccines to more than 90% of our staff plus meet them head on. I have no doubts that with the information and a link to join
other health and care workers and people help and support of our colleagues, our partners Histopathology but also throughout the whole
the event.
aged over 80 across our communities. in the system, all our members and governors, we Pathology team. Her death was a huge blow
www.fhft.nhs.uk/members to the team, and she is greatly missed by her
The community vaccine programme has also will continue to work together to deliver excellence
been a big success and I would urge you to take for all the residents we serve. workmates. Our thoughts go out to Prem’s
up the vaccination offer when it comes, if you
Foundation Trust Offce husband and four children.
To become a member of the Trust,
haven’t already done so. It is the best thing you
please contact Sarah Waldron.
can do to protect yourself, your family and Pradip Patel
You can also join online – click the Elvira Bucu
Mina Paragpuri
your community. Chairman Rajesh Gurung and his wife Rekha
‘Join us’ button on the home page In mid-December last year, Mina Paragpuri,
of our website. procurement pharmacy manager at Wexham
Elvira was self-isolating when she died and the
Appearing in this issue...
Telephone: 01276 526801 Park and Heatherwood, passed away at her His colleagues described him as a hard-
news was especially hard for those colleagues
Email: fhft.foundation.trust@nhs.net home after feeling unwell with symptoms of working, respected and well-liked member of
who worked closest to her. Our deepest
Covid-19. This news left everyone who knew the team who had a great sense of humour
Website: www.fhft.nhs.uk condolences are with Elvira’s family and
Staff honoured New era in Vaccination Mina, especially colleagues in the Pharmacy and a love for travel. He was also a loving
Foundation Trust Offce: loved ones.
for pandemic bladder cancer Hub rises to department she had worked in for 20 years, husband, father and grandfather, and was very
response therapy challenge Frimley Park Hospital
devastated at the loss of such a respected active within the local Nepalese community.
Freepost GI/2587 Prem Lal and dedicated colleague. Mina was one of He will be sorely missed by all of his
Portsmouth Road
Prem Lal had worked as an associate the most experienced and knowledgeable colleagues. Our hearts go out to his wife
Page 4 Page 6 Pages 8 and 9 Frimley GU16 5BR
practitioner in Histopathology at Wexham Park procurement pharmacy technicians in Rekha, who is also a member of the
Hospital for almost 11 years when she passed the region and she is greatly missed both housekeeping team at Frimley Park, and
away on Sunday 19 April, 2020, aged 68. personally and professionally. his family, friends and colleagues.
Magazines are also published as PDF fles on the membership section
Follow us on: TM
of our website within the ‘About us’ section under ‘About our members’:
www.fhft.nhs.uk/about-us/about-our-members Please recycle this magazine and help the environment
3
Staff recognised for Community service meets the
sites to support colleagues and patients.
One staff member said: “It’s always a delight
to work with a team that is so approachable
fantastic achievements challenge of an extraordinary year
and willing to offer support.”
Play specialist teams
Medical Director and head due to Covid-19
ur community services team rose
of nursing awarded MBEs. restrictions.
Emma visited
O to the challenge of starting a new
wo senior members of staff at Frimley contract in the middle of a global pandemic
T Health have been made MBEs.
him regularly
and passed on
and still found time to develop new and
Medical Director Dr Tim Ho and Head of improved services.
their messages. Emma Pratt
Nursing for Critical Care Di Dodsworth The community services teams across North
received the honours for helping to shape East Hampshire and Farnham and Surrey
Play specialists at Wexham Park Hospital
the Trust’s response to Covid-19.
Chayle Longman, paediatric Heath began work on a new integrated
Dr Ho provided clear staff nurse Play specialists usually work on our contract in April last year, as the Covid-19
and compassionate pandemic took hold.
The mother of a young patient whom Chayle paediatric wards but during the peaks of
leadership.
has cared for over many years wanted to the pandemic they went above and beyond Led by Frimley Health, working with Virgin
He mobilised
recognise her compassionate and excellent their normal duties, spending time with our Care, teams played a critical role in ensuring
and supported
nursing care. She never fails to lift the child’s learning disability and dementia patients and patients were able to transfer quickly
senior colleagues Tim Ho spirits and listens carefully to her concerns. extending their services over weekends. from acute hospital services into either
who stepped into
intermediate care or going back home,
emergency response command roles.
Abida Mohammed, physiotherapy Sharon Benza, radiographer thereby freeing up beds to ensure there was
He also oversaw the retraining of colleagues
clinic coordinator Sharon was nominated capacity to deal with the pandemic. The community team has helped more patients
to get the care they need in their homes
into frontline roles as well as the signifcant
Abida’s quick thinking by colleagues after There has been an average of 5,500
changes in the delivery of care.
helped a patient who stepping into a new contacts a month between patients and the
Di manages the critical their lives also got their wish of being kept • A shared electronic patient record which
presented with a role at short notice community services teams in their frst year,
care teams across comfortable at home. supports the ethos of patients only
mental health crisis and taking on compared with an average of just under
the Trust. She played needing to tell their story once.
during a phone call. extra shifts and Sharon Benza 5,000 in the previous year, due to the impact Staff used their specialist skills to support
a key role in helping
Abida didn’t panic Abida Mohammed responsibilities. of the pandemic. patients with Covid, either on wards or as • Collaboration between specialist services,
to double our critical
and alerted clinical outpatients, giving nursing and therapeutic hospital clinicians, general practice and
care capacity. Her This has meant more patients getting the
Di Dodsworth staff, ensuring she was giving the correct Health and Safety team support to help them in their recovery. community services teams to develop care
team led the training health and care support they need in their
advice. She went above and beyond the call The Health and Safety team did an amazing pathways for diabetes, Parkinson’s and
of more than 200 own homes and in many cases preventing Other achievements by the service over the
of duty to keep the patient safe. job of hosting an inspection by the Health respiratory patients so they have end to
non-ICU nurses to ensure they had the the need to admit patients to hospital care. year include:
and Safety Executive at short notice late last end care, from hospital to home.
additional skills required to work on the units. More patients coming towards the end of • A new night nursing service which means
Sumita Nayak, consultant year. The team showcased our Covid-19
patients can be supported overnight at • Stronger social care, voluntary sector,
The awards were announced in this year’s gynaecologist protections in the workplace and impressed
home rather than in hospital. These are mental health and general practice links.
New Year’s Honours.
Sumita was nominated the inspectors. No formal recommendations
predominantly patients at the end of their Fran Campbell, Head of Community Services
by a patient for were made as a result of the inspection.
life who want to spend their last days at Frimley Health, said: “Our community
her kindness,
Introducing at home. services colleagues have responded
professionalism and Covid-19 vaccination team
our ViPs effciency. They said:
• Integrated ways of working for the in-reach magnifcently to the challenges this year,
Frimley Health recognises staff who and intermediate services from Frimley not only adapting to and developing
“Miss Nayak is an Sumita Nayak
demonstrate our Trust values – Committed to Health and Virgin Care which reduces new ways of working, but also the
exceptional doctor,
Excellence, Working Together and Facing duplication, supporting timely decision unprecedented challenge presented by
she made me instantly at ease and able to talk
the Future – through our Values into Practice making and care delivery appropriate to the pandemic response.
about anything.”
(ViP) Awards. Staff can be nominated by patient need. “These achievements have all underlined the
Covid-19 vaccination team
colleagues, patients or members of the Chaplaincy team • A new community matron role supporting importance of teamwork and keeping the
public. The following staff were among our The Chaplaincy team works across all our patients with long-term conditions. This role patient in focus to ensure that what we do
The team mobilised our Covid-19 vaccination
latest recipients. promotes proactive disease management is providing the best possible care for any
hub with just a few days’ notice. It closed
in April having offered both doses to all and enables patients to manage their own patient, whatever the circumstances of their
Emma Pratt, Voluntary Services Trust staff and administering over 42,410 condition in a supported way. care needs.
administrator vaccinations. • Integration enabling the piloting of a new “We will continue to collaborate, develop and
Emma was nominated by a patient’s Hospital@Home Service led by the frailty grow our services to ensure patients in our
The night nursing service helps appropriate
relative after she provided them with Do you know a member of staff who has patients avoid an overnight stay in hospital team and consultant geriatrician with the communities get the best possible care in the
invaluable updates and information about gone the extra mile? Go to www.fhft.nhs.uk support of community colleagues. right place.”
their father while they were unable to visit and search for ViP Awards.
4 5
A new chapter in Trust scoops engagement award
rimley Health has won an award
F
bladder cancer care
for how it has engaged with its
Foundation Trust members throughout the
Covid-19 pandemic.
The Trust was named Civica Engagement
Champion for 2021 during a virtual
conference in May.
Civica, an international software business,
supports about 200 NHS foundation
trusts and clinical commissioning groups
with public and patient engagement
The Frimley Health communications
programmes. team with their award
Frimley Health was nominated for its award
in recognition of its virtual engagement More than 150 members joined the Trust’s in the NHS, was also held virtually last year
with Trust members over the past year Annual Members Meeting, held virtually with pre-recorded talks by hospital staff.
when face-to-face meetings have not been over Microsoft Teams in November, with a
Civica managing director Nick Goodman
possible. further live constituency event held in March
said: “Frimley Health demonstrates once
this year, also using MS Teams.
The Trust held its frst constituency meeting again that membership and engagement
in July 2020 with pre-recorded messages The Trust’s popular Taste of Frimley and is at the heart of the organisation and
from the chief executive and Trust governors Taste of Wexham events, which give local is a shining example to other trusts in
and a consultant’s presentation. 16 to 18-year-olds an insight into careers the country.”
Endoscopy unit helps meet rising demand
new outpatient endoscopy unit The standard will
A at Wexham Park Hospital is up ensure everyone with
and running. suspected cancer
will have a defnitive
Construction began near the entrance to
First patient Mandy Newnham (seated) with diagnosis within 28
the Urology team at Heatherwood Hospital the hospital’s old Emergency Department
days of referral.
in December 2020 and staff saw their frst
patients on 1 March this year. Colonoscopies
rimley Health has introduced a new last about one hour. Treatment takes place “We are determined to continue to evolve for Public Health
F therapy for bladder cancer that’s once a week for six weeks and this is usually our Urology services, keeping the Trust
The unit has expanded the capacity of
Wexham’s gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic
England’s bowel
delivered in six one-hour sessions and followed by a second six-week course of at the forefront of new technologies and cancer screening
services and will help us to meet increasing
enables patients to be treated closer to home. follow-up therapy. treatments so that we can provide the programme will also
demand from GPs or hospital referrals more
best possible care and outcomes for take place in the
Synergo is a treatment for non-muscle Dental clinic receptionist Mandy quickly, in line with the Faster Diagnosis
Clinical matron Richel Oliver in
our patients.” one of the procedure rooms
invasive bladder cancers that have not Newnham, 51, from Farnham Common, future. The unit will
Standards (FDS) introduced last year.
responded to initial immunotherapy. Buckinghamshire, was the frst patient to The introduction of Synergo is the second provide additional
begin the treatment at Heatherwood. signifcant development in bladder care at capacity to deliver medical, surgical, and and the unit has about 10 nursing and
It uses radiofrequency radiation to heat the
Frimley Health in recent months. nursing clinical endoscopist training. decontamination staff and two consultant
bladder wall and improve the effectiveness Synergo has been brought to Frimley Health
endoscopists daily. There are two
of chemotherapy drugs which are circulated by consultant urologist Mr Ahmed Ali. In October 2020 the Urology team at Services at the outpatient endoscopy unit
state-of-the-art procedure rooms, a
via a catheter. Previously, patients would have had to travel Heatherwood began performing run 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and the
facility is expected to provide endoscopic spacious six-bed recovery room and
into London for the treatment. transurethral laser ablation (TULA) which
The therapy can be used post-surgery to
procedures to around 180 patients two admission rooms.
enables consultants to remove appropriate
prevent the recurrence of tumours. It can The Trust is one of six UK centres piloting
bladder tumours in a simple 40-minute per week. These procedures include Inpatient endoscopy services and GI
also shrink larger or multiple tumours so the therapy and we expect to offer the
outpatient procedure – with no need for gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and fexible therapeutic endoscopy procedures at
they can be more easily removed. treatment to 15 patients per year.
general anaesthetic or an overnight stay sigmoidoscopy.
Clinical matron Richel Oliver and deputy Wexham will continue to run from the
Sessions of Synergo therapy currently take Mr Ali said: “We are delighted to be able to
in hospital. sister Sarah Oliver in the recovery room
Lady Sobell GI unit.
place at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot and provide Synergo therapy at Frimley Health. The build was funded by NHS England
6 7
Vaccine team rises
deliver the Covid vaccination. Initially, the
programme focused on vaccinating staff
but the guidance changed a couple of days
to the challenge
before the hub opened, to include over-80s
residents from the local area and care
home staff.
One of the biggest challenges in the
early stages was to identify a suitable
space that was large enough to vaccinate
several hundred people daily, with room to
socially distance and a separate area for
patients to wait for 15 minutes after their
vaccination. The chosen venue was the Post
Graduate Medical Centre at Wexham Park
and that became the home of the vaccine
programme for almost fve months. The fnal vaccine dose was administered to a Trust volunteer
The frst step was to identify the patient
pathway, a temporary reception area was Tracey explained: “Managing the process of a critical role in the success of the
set up at the front entrance with sign-in the vaccine coming out of the freezer and vaccination programme.
stations and one-way barriers erected to using it up before it expired had to be really
direct patients to the right areas. Temporary Dennis said: “We were the frst Trust to
tightly controlled. Our bookings team was
private vaccination stations were assembled take delivery of the vaccine on Saturday TV cameras flmed the frst dose in December
incredible dealing with the admin side.
in the training room and the lecture theatre 5 December. The whole planning team
We had to manage the vaccine dosage
was transformed into a relaxation space came in that morning to see it arrive as it
against the number of bookings – we had to and refected the time and support invested
where patients could be monitored in was such a momentous day. There were
make sure there were just enough vaccines in them to facilitate working effectively.
case of any adverse reactions. Even the many complexities associated with storage The leadership was visible and consistent
to give to the right amount of people.
building’s kitchen area was used and was and thawing the vaccine to get it ready for and undoubtably contributed to the success
We didn’t have any wastage and that
converted into a clinical area where the the vaccinators, we had staff pretty much of the hub.”
was thanks to the incredible work of the
vaccine could be stored and transferred into working around the clock and I’m so proud
10,000th vaccination bookings team.” More than 20,000 people received their
the vials each day. of what we have achieved. As a Trust it’s
Pfzer doses at the hub with the fnal dose
The Trust’s Pharmacy team, led by chief one of the greatest examples I’ve seen of
The planning and preparation continued administered on 30 April to one of the
he Trust’s Covid-19 vaccination to get it off the ground. From the day we pharmacist Dennis Lauder, also played so many departments and disciplines
T hub has successfully completed found out we would be one of the main
right up to the ‘go live’ date with Deputy
Medical Director John Seymour and Tracey
pulling together to make it work.”
younger volunteers who had helped during
the programme. For now, the doors are
its programme, delivering 42,210 jabs to hospital hubs right through to the fnal dose,
Coulson leading the operation. Staff had The vaccination hub was praised during a closed at the hub. But with the potential
staff, care home workers, patients and we had to meticulously plan everything to
to be sourced and then given special quality assurance visit undertaken by an of a national Covid ‘booster’ vaccination
local residents. Within fve months of the ensure we could protect as many people
training in how to administer the vaccine external clinical commission group, which being discussed for autumn, they may be
frst patient being vaccinated, the hub at as possible.”
and thousands of patients contacted reported that “the team were a great asset reopened again sooner than we think.
Wexham Park Hospital closed its doors after
In September last year, Frimley Health was with multiple lists drawn up for each
a sterling collaborative effort from different
advised it would be one of main hubs to day’s programme.
departments and volunteers across
the Trust.
The Wexham Park facility was one of the frst
hospitals in the UK to deliver the vaccine,
just after 8am on 8 December last year.
Every day since, the team has vaccinated
between 500 and 650 people per day, with
barely a single dose wasted throughout the
entire period.
Tracey Coulson, lead nurse for the
vaccination programme, said: “We’re so
proud of how effciently the programme
ran and are extremely grateful to all those
staff and volunteers who contributed to its
success. It was a huge logistical challenge 20,000th vaccination Launch day – Tracey carrying frst dose Tracey holds a vial of the vaccine
8 9
to us in being able to provide good care to during a pandemic, you don't feel like Offer you the respect and care,
our patients. Overall, it has been a humbling a student. You feel like a nurse. In your last moments give you solace.
experience, and has really highlighted And I've decided I want to be an
how well our staff live the Trust’s values I close my eyes and see your faces,
intensive care nurse.”
by working together, facing the future and Not one of you forgotten,
providing excellent care.” Rachel Parsons – paediatric Now I say goodbye after cleaning your skin
nurse and carefully wrap you in cotton.
Poppy Monks – student nurse
My face eaten away by the masks, Words written in books to tell your ICU story,
“As a student nurse, it was diffcult choosing
My personality dissolving. Words spoken to urge your safe recovery,
to opt in to an extended placement because
Why did I want to nurse? Your NHS puppeteering your organs,
I was worried about bringing the virus
Why is it my calling? Battling the Covid inside you, deep
home but, at the same time, it felt like an
incredible learning opportunity. I started It is not for being called a hero, exhaustion.
my frst placement last May and, despite It isn’t for the claps,
Loved ones left grieving,
Staff refect on a year of Covid
being on an elderly care ward, I was really It isn’t for the rewarding feeling,
A nation caged in a depressive feeling,
surprised when I saw a younger person. It isn’t for a pat on the back!
However strong bonds will be formed,
Everyone expects Covid-19 to affect elderly
I am here to nurse to care for you, The light will come with vaccines in
people and those with co-morbidities but
When you are at your lowest, our arms.
this patient was young and healthy.”
Judith Gudgeon – consultant to communicate with friends and family The camaraderie and support has
anaesthetist on phones and tablets. I had personal been fantastic.” “I'm now on placement in intensive care and,
experience of how hard this was because for the frst time, someone I'd been caring
"At the beginning none of us knew what to Sharon Burfeld – deputy director
my own mother was admitted to Lewisham for passed away. We'd done everything
expect, everyone was very anxious both of clinical education
hospital and it made me realise how we could, but they were just so poorly that
about their ability to cope and their own “Despite there being times where it felt like they weren't going to get better. Their family
important it is to hear from the medical
safety. Initially, I acted in a supporting role staff every day.” a warzone, where we didn’t know how on came in and got to say their goodbyes but
to my intensive care unit (ICU) colleagues to earth we were going to have enough beds didn’t want to be there when the person
perform some of the daily care tasks to help “The second wave was so much bigger
and enough staff to look after the patients, passed away. Another nurse and I held
than the frst. We tripled the number of
the junior doctors. One of the most time the team, both within ICU and in the rest of the patient's hand as they took their last
ICU patients and this put a huge stress
consuming jobs was turning the patients, the hospital, made the whole thing so much breaths. It's right that they weren't alone.”
on the trained ICU nursing staff. Frimley
we turned seven to 10 patients a day and easier. Particularly in the most recent wave,
is a fantastic place to work. I have great “The nurses around me have been so
each time we did this we needed seven the ICU staff were so positive, and just
colleagues and the management have supportive, asking me if I need anything
people. This put a big strain on the PPE, as ‘got on with it’ without complaint, and still
been very supportive. The stresses have and checking I'm OK. It's been really
we had to change between each patient maintained their humour.
been huge. I have seen great sadness hard, but it's taught me so much. There's
to make sure infections weren’t passed on.
but also joy, from seeing a patient recover “The theatre and recovery staff worked hard pressure, and at times it's been physically
Sometimes 140 lots of PPE would be used
and be reunited with family. I bow down to help us, and over the past few months and mentally exhausting. But in a sense, it's
in a day, just for that task.
in awe to the amazing nursing staff I work have really become highly valued members also been empowering. When you're holding
“It was heart-breaking to see patients trying with every day in theatre and ICU. of the team who make a huge difference a dying person's hand in intensive care
10 11
Support for our teams on Military
shoulder-to-shoulder with JHGSE for almost
25 years and have built up a fantastic
relationship with our military colleagues.
support
The demands of the last year have been
the Covid front line
immense and have tested and reinforced the
importance of the depth of our close links.
“We have been hugely fortunate to have
rimley Park Hospital has been
After the challenges of the last 15 months, staff wellbeing and support has been at the forefront of F working alongside its military
them working alongside our NHS staff on the
frontline during these challenging times – It’s
our recovery plans. Read about just some of the projects and initiatives that have been put in place colleagues at Joint Hospital Group (South
Personnel from 1st Regiment
Royal Horse Artillery.
been a privilege to serve alongside them."
to support our workforce during Covid. East) for almost 25 years now. With almost
200 military staff onsite, the teams have As part of a national government relief effort
The return of Project Wingman and ‘Wellbee’
in helping the Trust to manage logistical
worked collaboratively throughout the Frimley Health was also grateful to welcome
challenges, as well as assisting our portering
pandemic to provide outstanding care for the 14 members of 1st Regiment Royal Horse
and housekeeping departments in moving
patients staying with us. Artillery across Wexham Park and Frimley
roject Wingman is an initiative to NHS staff unwind equipment and managing our Covid
P create frst-class lounges in NHS and destress and Dan Bradbury, Chief Operating Offcer for
Park hospitals.
measures, such as ward deep cleaning
hospitals and is run by furloughed airline hit the road, visiting Frimley Health said: "We've been working The military personnel played a vital role and bed movements.
staff. It frst landed at Frimley Health in the NHS organisations
summer of 2020 when they set up lounges at up and down
Wexham Park Hospital and Frimley
Park Hospital.
the country.
Frimley Health
Captain Sir Tom Moore’s lasting legacy
These lounges provided staff with a was lucky enough he late, great Captain Sir Tom’s External contractors
well-deserved rest area and were hugely to beneft from T motto “Tomorrow will be a good day” carried out the
popular, so it was sad to wish them Bon Wingman Wheels brought positivity to the nation during tough work, with project
voyage last August when a number of the and their trusty times and that positivity has been refected management from
Project Wingman volunteers returned to bus, fondly named in the wonderful legacy he left the NHS. the Trust’s Capital
work or moved on to new opportunities. ‘Wellbee’, in March It is thanks to donations from Captain team, and have
2021. Wellbee and Tom, NHS Charities Together and the local done an amazing
The Project Wingman crew ready
However, Project Wingman knew they
her crew visited four to welcome staff onboard. community to the Frimley Health Charity that job completing the
wanted this initiative to be available long
of the Frimley Health the charity has been able to complete the renovation on time
term. Launched in 2021, Wingman Wheels The Earl and Countess of Wessex meet nursing
sites over the course of two weeks and staff were able to take their breaks in the frst phase of our £450,000 staff room and on budget, staff in the new wellbeing and sculpture garden
aims to provide the same frst-class
served over 1000 members of staff. bus and beneft from the free magazines and makeover programme. even with 14 extra at Frimley Park. Photo by Andy Newbold.
lounge experience, but on the road.
relaxing space, or grab a coffee and cake to rooms squeezed
Project Wingman kitted out a double-decker Serving cakes donated by the local Emma Carr, the charity’s art and creative
take away. into the original proposal. During the frst during their breaks is so important for
bus with all the equipment needed to help community alongside other refreshments, health manager, has led the project from
phase of the project, we focused on those their wellbeing.
day one consulting with staff across the
staff rest areas that were most in need of
Trust to ensure the rest rooms met with One of these wonderful spaces is our
refurbishment. It was an intensely busy
Ward Ambassador programme their department’s specifc needs. In just
six months, 55 staff rest areas have been
period in our hospitals, as we were at the
height of the second wave of Covid, but
Wellbeing and Sculpture garden at Frimley
Park Hospital, which was completed in June,
completely refurbished, some with new and has already been given a royal seal of
n the height of the second wave of not possible due to social distancing the Capital team were able to minimise any
I Covid a large number of our clerical requirements, she was determined to
kitchens and with new coordinating furniture,
décor and special fnishing touches to
disruption caused by the renovation work.
approval! When the Earl and Countess of
Wessex visited the hospital on International
staff volunteered to take part in our Ward help the Trust in other ways during the
promote relaxation. We are now moving on to the next phase of Nurses’ Day they came to the garden to
Ambassador programme supporting our Coronavirus pandemic.
the programme which will see a further 14 meet some of our nursing teams. Taking
clinical staff.
Anna volunteered to move into a support staff rooms renovated, and we are looking pride of place in the garden’s entrance is a
Ward ambassadors could be asked to role on our wards and spent a few weeks at ways of fundraising to support further large plaque with Captain Sir Tom’s motto –
do any number of tasks, from completing carrying our administrative tasks on ward refurbishments across the Trust. The Frimley “Tomorrow will be a good day” – engraved
administrative tasks to acting as meal F11 at Frimley Park. Her duties including Health Charity has also been exploring several on the front. The Earl and Countess took time
companions for patients who struggled fling, printing, and making sure the staff other potential projects, including looking at to admire the plaque and commented on
to eat by themselves. and patients stayed refreshed with cups our community sites and suitable outdoor all the hard work that went into creating and
Anna Murphy in her role as
of tea and coffee. Ward Ambassador for F11. spaces in the hospitals’ grounds. designing the garden.
One such ambassador was pastoral care
coordinator Anna Murphy. Anna usually While these don’t seem like very large tasks Creating more outdoor space has been For more information about projects the
works with the Trust’s chaplaincy team they were integral to the smooth running Anna said: “The staff were really a fundamental part of the refurbishment Frimley Health Charity has funded, please
appreciative of me being there and I was Staff have loved being able to relax and programme. Giving staff the opportunity to visit frimleyhealthcharity.org
organising memorial services for bereaved of our busy wards during the height of the unwind in their newly refurbished spaces.
families. But with large gatherings currently Covid crisis. glad that I had been able to help.” enjoy some fresh air in natural surroundings
12 13
Your support can help improve Lottery funds rehab
The treadmill is a key piece of equipment
that encourages long term exercise
engagement and its health benefits.”
lives at your local hospital equipment for Thousands of Frimley Health Charity
supporters play the weekly lottery to help
support projects that improve lives and
T he work of the Frimley
Health Charity helps to
Funding specialist services, pioneering
research and much more, every donation
building a better community to deliver
the best quality of care in all our hospitals
stroke patients experiences of patients and staff. Recently
this has been stroke, breast cancer
research, staff wellbeing, the Covid-19
A
improve lives across all our helps to support our incredible NHS staff across the Trust. new treadmill, funded via of mobility. Specialist physiotherapists have response and dementia.
hospitals for our patients, staff at our hospitals and enhances the level of our weekly lottery, has praised the new equipment, which can Lottery and Fundraising Officer, Kirsty
and visitors. care we provide to thousands of patients been installed within Frimley Park be used in a number of ways, either on its
Your support helps us to get new projects and their families every year. If you have any Hospital’s Stroke Rehabilitation own, or with a weight reducing harness.
North added “Many of our lottery players
choose to sign up because they have
off the ground, purchase the latest We are constantly in awe at the energy questions, or just want Unit. The treadmill aids walking
rehabilitation for stroke patients to
Judith Moss, Team Leader Physiotherapist
in our Stroke Unit said “Patients really
had positive, personal experiences at our
hospitals – either as patients or visitors. We
cutting-edge equipment in our drive for and creativity of our supporters. Whether to chat about your ideas, please get
help recovery, build endurance and enjoy using the treadmill and it gives the have had a great deal of support for our
excellence, and create calm surroundings you want to make a donation, join in touch with our friendly fundraising
physio team the opportunity to analyse Stroke Appeal this year and we’re delighted
for our vulnerable patients and staff to aid our lottery or take part in one of our team using the details below. improve the quality of their walking.
and facilitate their walking pattern and to be able to fund such a beneficial
the recovery process. fundraising events, we have lots of According to the Royal College of work on improving it as much as possible. piece of equipment to aid patients’
different ways you can support your 01276 604642 Physicians’ National Clinical Guidelines,
We rely on donations to fund our work rehabilitation.”
and everything we do is only possible local hospital. fhft.fundraising@nhs.net people who have suffered a stroke
People can sign up for the lottery for as
thanks to the generosity and support of Your support will help us realise our www.frimleyhealthcharity.org benefit from time spent in “task specific,
little as £1 per week and have the chance
charity’s vision of improving lives and walking orientated leg exercises with a
people like you. of winning up to £10,000. For more
cardiorespiratory focus” such as walking
information about the weekly lottery,
on a treadmill. Since its delivery, the
please visit our website.
treadmill has been in regular use and is
New appeal will transform
fully accessible for patients with all levels https://lottery.frimleyhealthcharity.org/
hospital care for our Run Frimley
of Frimley Park Hospital. patients receive during their stay
Run Frimley is a fun family occasion in hospital.
celebrates
comprising of a 10km road race and Regardless of how fast or slow your pace
dementia patients 2.5km fun run and fancy dress is
strongly encouraged. The theme this
is, what makes the event so popular is
that every step you take will be helping to
Hospital year is Hospital Heroes in celebration of
everything our staff have achieved during
raise money for your local hospital, the
patients, visitors and the wonderful NHS
A t the start of the year and their families. At Frimley Park Hospital, that can make a big difference to patients.
Heroes
such challenging times. staff who work there. Enter online today
we launched our new design changes have been made to the
“People living with dementia are highly on www.frimleyhealthcharity.org /event/
Dementia Appeal to transform the main dementia ward including covering Whether you are a first-timer planning
vulnerable within the hospital setting on walking, jogging or staggering round run-frimley-2021
level of care dementia patients the doors with a huge, floral vinyl print,
and, at any one time, one in four of all UK the course, or a serious runner using it
receive during their stay in which nursing staff say has had “calming
I t’s Frimley Health Charity’s
Get involved
hospital beds are occupied by a person as a training run for a longer event, every
hospital. The appeal aims to raise effect on patients”. longest standing fundraising
living with dementia – all at different person who participates will receive a
£1.1 million by 2023 and will fund event and this year Run Frimley
The appeal will be used for a continuous stages with individual needs. It is a huge medal for their efforts. There will also be
a range of projects across the is set to be bigger and better To make a donation or for more
programme of improvements during the challenge for acute hospitals - but with special prizes for the top three finishers.
Trust’s hospitals, so that dementia than ever. information about the Frimley Health
next two years, funding everything from the right changes to the environment and This year’s event is in aid of Frimley Health
patients in the region will receive Not only are there runners queuing up to Charity and our events, please visit
digital screens and dementia clocks to specialist staff training we can really help Charity’s Dementia Appeal with the aim of
the best possible clinical and enter from 2020’s postponed race, this our website:
upgraded sensory equipment and new patients to feel more comfortable during transforming the level of care dementia
holistic care. outdoor spaces. Donations will also their stay.” year it is being staged later in the season to www.frimleyhealthcharity.org
ensure Covid restrictions don’t affect the
Initial donations raised from the appeal support more specialist staff training and To get in touch with the
Our vision is to set the national standard large-scale face-to-face event.
have enabled the transformation to begin fund two new activity co-ordinators who fundraising team:
for excellence in patient safety, quality,
will be brought in on the wards to help The date is set for Sunday 26 September
on dementia wards at both Frimley Park and continuous improvement for people
for a 9.30am start and more than 1,000 01276 604642
and Wexham Park hospitals. One project with holistic care.
living with dementia. That is why we need people are expected to attend and enjoy 0300 6153206
already completed is a new refurbished Ablen Dacalos, dementia lead at Frimley you. Help us change the lives of dementia the event in its entirety.
‘dementia hub’ at Wexham Park Hospital, Health, said: “This will help us to provide patients at your local hospital. For more or email
The venue and route will be the same Runners will once again hit the
which includes an activity and relaxation equipment outside the scope of our NHS information visit: frimleyhealthcharity.org/ as previous years, with the starting streets around Frimley Park Hospital fhft.fundraising@nhs.net
room and an outdoor space for patients budget – it’s about making little changes appeal/dementia-appeal/ blocks and the finish line at the front
14 15
Welcome to our new
fngertips, including their medical history,
latest test results and medications, no
matter what hospital or community site
Director of People
we are in.
By being able to understand and plan for
care better, we will provide the best possible
advice to our patients.
rimley Health has welcomed a new company Centrica and infrastructure and
In turn, our patients will no longer have to
F Director of People to lead our vital engineering frm Amey Plc. More recently
tell the same story to multiple clinicians and and ongoing work to support, cherish and he was HR director at Royal Mail Group,
have the confdence that we are working develop our staff. responsible for more than 40,000 staff.
on their care in a joined-up way across
Matthew Joint joined the Board of Directors Matthew has extensive experience of major
the Trust.
at the end of June and will shape our change initiatives in large organisations and
We will also be empowering our patients strategy for putting our people at the centre expertise in talent management, leadership
to manage their own healthcare through a of everything we do. and development.
new patient portal, where they will be able
Matthew was previously Director of People Matthew will drive forward our key strategic
to safely and securely access their own
at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston ambition of ‘Supporting our people’ to ensure
medical data as well as interact with and
NHS Foundation Trust and has held a number Frimley Health is a great place to work where
Our EPR will put an integrated care record contribute to it.
of very senior corporate roles in human all our staff are enabled to be the best they Matthew Joint
for all patients at our clinicians’ fngertips
Our EPR is the biggest capital investment resources, including at international energy can be, in line with the NHS People Plan.
the Trust has ever undertaken, that will put
An Epic transformation New Heatherwood Hospital
us on the road to becoming an outstanding
Trust delivering the best possible patient
outcomes, safety and experience whilst
supporting the delivery of our strategic
hits the home straight
rimley Health is undertaking an time to fnd the right information, which can
F ambitious programme to transform be frustrating for our staff and patients.
ambitions.
our care with the implementation of a new Epic EPR goes live on 26 March 2022.
What’s going to be different?
Electronic Patient Record (EPR). It’s time for all of us to get ready.
We are also working with local public
Epic is an integrated system that will create
Currently we have too many disconnected IT transport companies to ensure patients have
a single record for each patient. It will bring
systems. This means we can fnd it diffcult easy access to the site and will be providing
together our 280 different systems so we
to track and monitor our patients’ Frimley electric charging points in the car park to
can provide a united patient service.
Health journey. With so many different refect the rise in the use of electric cars.
systems and bits of paperwork it can take We will have a patient's full pathway at our
Getting the new hospital ready for patients
couldn’t have come at a better time.
A new era of Excellence
used to support many other changes and Like the rest of the country, we are looking
improvement at every level, for example: at how we can reduce waiting lists for
• Quality improvements in reducing falls, patients as we begin the recovery from
better urgent care, services for stroke the pandemic response.
rimley Excellence has been patient care and experience.
F established in the Trust to support
Our ambitious Future FHFT strategy outlines
patients and recognising when patients’
conditions deteriorate.
The new Heatherwood Hospital will specialise
staff to deliver Frimley Health’s next era of in planned, non-emergency operations,
what we need to do to achieve our vision • Training teams in FXIS (Frimley Excellence
progress, achievement and excellent care diagnostics and outpatients and will have a
of being a leader in health and wellbeing, Improvement System) so they are
for patients. Our new Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot key role to play in tackling waiting lists, with
delivering exceptional services. Frimley continually focused on doing better a focus on orthopaedics, ophthalmology,
We intend to do this by applying continuous Excellence will equip us for the pace and for patients. gynaecology and urology.
quality improvement methods across all scale of transformation needed for us to be ur new Heatherwood Hospital at operating tables to ride-on foor cleaners.
areas of our activity. It is an important part successful in our vision and is being used
• Supporting the Trust’s organisational
objectives
O Ascot is now entering the fnal
Working with our expert team of staff, we have
Director of Finance Nigel Foster, the
of delivering Frimley Health’s strategic to help the Trust’s big projects, such as the furlong and hitting the home straight. executive lead for the project, said: “Getting
ambitions, helping to enable an outstanding Epic electronic patient record and the new It was also utilised to help us review our tried to anticipate every need so we are ready
a hospital ready for opening is a signifcant
trust delivering the best patient outcomes, Heatherwood Hospital. But it is also being strategy in light of the impact of Covid, The building itself is only the start and there to welcome our frst patients. Our teams are
challenge and amazing opportunity.
safety and experience. We want to do this adapting it to changes and ensuring we will be a lot of work to do to get the hospital running training events and walkthroughs to
by investing in our people’s excellence by take advance of any benefts that have up and running. To equip and furnish it we test certain scenarios, such as emergencies, “I continue to be impressed at the amount
providing training, coaching and support emerged. Frimley Excellence is only in are reusing as much equipment, furniture as well as understanding the patient journey of detailed thinking going on in the team
for individuals, teams and directorates its frst year and is already infuencing and IT kit as we can, but we have also had from the moment they come in for treatment, as we prepare to open. We are all looking
to solve problems, innovate and improve our transformation programme. to invest in more than 16,000 new items from to the moment they are discharged. forward to welcoming the frst patients.”
16 17
Meet our Pharmaceutical Your communities
clinics, day surgery units and emergency 11th century, it has since been the home
departments, so they don’t have to go via of 39 monarchs.
Pharmacy. Instead, clinicians can have them Governors representing Windsor and
Repackaging team ready with the instructions already printed
on them, smoothing patients’ discharge
from hospital.
Our new regular feature in InTouch focuses on the communities
that make up our Foundation Trust, giving you an insight into the
Maidenhead
Rod Broad
“The medications that we pack are those that communities and Trust governors who represent them. Here we Our lead governor,
feature the Guildford, Waverley and Woking constituency in Surrey, Rod has lived in
are used over and over again such as courses
Maidenhead for 36
of antibiotics, painkillers or drugs people need and Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire.
years and is a very
to take before they have a particular operation.”
Guildford, Waverley and Woking She says: “I am a passionate supporter of active member of
The FPRU is owned and run by Frimley Health the NHS and, as someone with chronic health the local community.
but also sells pre-packed pharmaceuticals The Surrey boroughs of Guildford, Waverley
conditions, am a regular user of its services. He had a strong
to 60 other hospitals on a commercial basis, and Woking have a combined population of
background in
around 375,000 and cover more than 260 “Our incomparable NHS is about to enter
covering the unit’s costs and turning over a business before retiring, notably with Thames
square miles. yet another period of change. The use of
healthy proft for the Trust. Water and services and utilities frm Veolia.
the increased funding and the forthcoming
Medications are packed by a team of Guildford borough has the second largest
changes in its organisation and management He has served on a number of Trust working
pharmacy assistants at the unit’s warehouse population of Surrey’s 11 districts after Reigate
will be critical to its future success. I know that groups and committees and previously chaired
on a Hampshire business park, with and Banstead at almost 148,000. About half of
our Council of Governors will be instrumental in the Community Engagement Group to improve
supervision and rigorous checks carried those people live in the town of Guildford itself.
determining how Frimley Health travels through links with our communities.
his is the Frimley Health team helping patients as they leave hospital or prepare for out by senior assistants, technicians and Waverley, the largest of the three boroughs, this while maintaining its position as one of the
T clinicians to get commonly used an operation or procedure. releasing offcers. includes the towns of Farnham, Godalming leading Trusts in England.”
Rod says: “During the pandemic governors
have continued to represent our constituents
medications to their patients as quickly and and Haslemere, as well as the large village of
The unit, which is governed and inspected The FPRU supplies all the drugs used by the Foundation Trust membership in Guildford, and we hope everyone found the “Your
effciently as possible. Cranleigh. It is home to an estimated 125,600
by the Medicines and Healthcare Products London Ambulance Service and replenishes Waverley and Woking: Population aged over Governors” leafet and introductory letters
The Farnham Pharmaceutical Repackaging Regulatory Agency (MHRA), supplies Trust emergency ‘crash’ boxes for hospitals across people. The borough takes its names from helpful. We are pleased with the Trust’s
16 (eligible to be members): 169,771
Unit (FPRU) buys bulk stocks of prescription departments across our sites as well as other the country – sometimes up to 60 per day. Waverley Abbey near Farnham, the earliest response to the pandemic, especially how
drugs from manufacturers and wholesalers NHS organisations across England. Cistercian monastery in Britain, dating back People/percentage who are it has continued to invest in services such
Meanwhile, NHS England called on the to 1128.
then splits them into ready-to-use packs. members: 1,306 (0.77%) as the new dementia ward at Wexham Park
Jan Ingle, who has been production manager 30-strong team to pack anaphylaxis kits in
Woking is the smallest of the boroughs, Windsor and Maidenhead and the ongoing development of the new
By accessing high-use drugs through their at the FPRU throughout its 40-year history, said: support of the national Covid-19 vaccination
covering 25 square miles. According to the Heatherwood Hospital.”
department’s own stores instead of waiting “We pack bulk pharmaceuticals into packages campaign. The unit also produced intubation
The Royal Borough of Windsor and
for packs to be individually dispensed by that are ready for patients to use, such as packs to help meet the increased demand at 2001 census, 70% of the borough’s reported Robin Wood
Maidenhead spans approximately 76 square
Pharmacy, clinical teams can better support take-home medications issued by outpatient Frimley Health during the pandemic. 88,000 inhabitants lived in Woking town. The
miles and is home to about 151,000 people. Professional
largest employer in Woking is the McLaren
accountant Robin
Group, which is responsible for both McLaren The historic market town of Windsor is best
says he became a
Robots disinfect wards in seconds
Racing and the McLaren Formula One racing known for Windsor Castle, one of the offcial
governor because
team, and McLaren Automotive, which builds residences of Her Majesty the Queen, which
he wants to make a
high-performance sports cars. The town’s has helped to make the area a popular tourist
positive contribution in
railway station is reportedly the busiest in the destination. The Legoland Windsor theme park
our autonomous robots that kill The robots have been in use at Frimley Park
F viruses in seconds have been put Hospital since the beginning of February,
London commuter belt. was built on the site of the former Windsor
helping the Trust strive
for excellence and
into action in Frimley Park and Wexham saving the housekeeping team hours of time. Interesting fact: Woking is home to the frst Safari Park.
continue to improve
Park hospitals. The UVD Robots disinfect purpose-built mosque in the UK, the Shah The nearby town of Ascot is famous for Ascot the services it provides.
One of Frimley Health’s senior supervisors,
spaces more than seven times faster than Jahan Mosque on Oriental Road, established Racecourse and its annual Royal Ascot
John Phillips, said: “While we have fantastic He adds: “I am a local parish councillor and
manually operated cleaning machines in 1889. festival, while Eton is home to Eton College, the
cleaning teams, the beauty of the robots is work on behalf of the local community to
and have allowed our hospitals to quickly independent boarding school founded by King
the time saved. To disinfect a normal sized Governor representing Guildford, provide better services and facilities. I’ve lived
change around ward spaces to cope with the Henry VI in 1440.
ward bay usually takes 45 minutes but they Waverley and Woking in Ascot and Windsor for more than 25 years
fuctuating numbers of Covid patients.
get the job done in six minutes. and I am passionate about the area. My family
Sylvia Thompson Maidenhead sits on the south-western bank
The new robots, from Nesa Robotics, are fully and I have been users of FHFT services so
“The robots have been invaluable, particularly of the River Thames and is considered one of
autonomous and are controlled via an app Sylvia pursued a have practical experience of delivery of care,
when we started to restore more of our the safest Conservative parliamentary seats in
on an electronic tablet. Standing 1.7 metres successful career in the good elements and also areas for focus."
services when the number of Covid patients the country. It is currently represented
tall, the self-driving machines use ultraviolet clinical research and
numbers came down. at Westminster by former prime minister Foundation Trust membership in Windsor
light to disinfect everything in a 360-degree NHS management,
Theresa May. and Maidenhead: Population aged over 16
radius. The robots’ tube-like appearance “We’ve been able to turn around ward serving as a non-
(eligible to be members): 148,225
is made up of eight vertical bulbs which spaces much more quickly, knowing they’ll executive director of Interesting fact: Windsor Castle is the largest
Senior supervisor John Phillips
use concentrated UVC to destroy bacteria, be fully disinfected in minutes to ensure with one of the new robots an acute NHS trust for and oldest occupied castle in the world. People/percentage who are
viruses and other harmful microbes. they’re safe for patients.” more than 12 years. Founded by William the Conqueror in the members: 1,026 (0.69%)
18 19You can also read
