Navigating the new normal - staff magazine | Autumn 2020 - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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staff magazine | Autumn 2020 Navigating the new normal
Contents | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
4 Junior Doctor Awards
5 HoloLens VR
6 Staff engagement during
COVID-19
7 Using LIM to help respond to
pandemic
8-9 Old Nurse’s Home memories
10-11 Year of the Nurse and Midwife
12 DAISY Awards winners
13 Daring Designers competition
14 Writing the BME experience
5 8 15 Psychological support –Catherine
‘Mixed reality’ streaming Old Nurses’ Home memories
Derbyshire
16-17 Leeds Cares COVID-19 response
18 Volunteering during the pandemic
– Sarah Rogers
19 Staying connected during
lockdown
12 13 20 My Job – Mike Ewens
DAISY Awards winners Daring Designer competition
21 Hepatitis outreach
22-25 Farewells
Bulletin is produced quarterly by
the Communications Department.
Photography by Medical Illustration
Design by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd
Send your feedback, ideas and suggestions
for the next edition to
communications.lth@nhs.net
or call exts. 64303/66494/66244.
Copy deadline is 6th October 2020
For more news on a daily basis from LTHT
please follow us on social media:
14 19
Writing the BME experience Staying connected during lockdown
search for ‘Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’
@LeedsHospitals
The photos used in this issue of
Bulletin portray different uses of
face masks and social distancing. This
is because they have been taken at
different times before and during the
pandemic, and reflect the evolving
nature of Government advice during
this time.
2
www.leedsth.nhs.uk | News
Olivia Smart recognised
by football club for
dedication on the pitch
and on the ward
Olivia Smart, Transplant Trainee Lead Nurse Sean Willis said: “We are all
Surgical Care Practitioner at LTHT, was extremely proud of Olivia for her work
awarded the prestigious Bobby Collins on and off the pitch. Leeds United have
Unsung Hero Award from Leeds United always supported our work to promote
Football Club in July.
Welcome
organ donation and transplantation
As well as Olivia’s busy role in the Trust, and Olivia is an amazing ambassador for
she also plays for Leeds United’s women’s Leeds Teaching Hospitals.”
2020 has been a year like no other.
football team. Olivia was invited to an award ceremony The NHS has faced without a doubt
The award recognised her contribution to at Elland Road to receive the prize the biggest challenge in all its 72 year
Leeds United football as well as the hard during the summer. She is pictured history – and it’s fair to say nothing
work she has been doing for patients at receiving her award with Leeds United has been untouched – or changed - by
hospitals in Leeds during the pandemic. Captain Liam Cooper. the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While here in Leeds, we were
fortunate enough to not face the sort
of numbers seen elsewhere, the toll
across the UK as a whole has been
huge. Many of us will know friends
or family, patients or colleagues who
have been affected by the virus in
some way, and it’s tragic to know that
some people have died from the virus.
We will remember them.
I’d like to pay special tribute to our
colleagues in Cardio-Respiratory and
Critical Care for being there for their
patients in their last moments when
their loved ones could not. This is a
burden and responsibility I suspect few
of you would have imagined at the
outset of this year. To you, I say thank
you – thank you for your courage,
your compassion, and for being there
when no one else could be.
It’s clear that the pandemic is far from
over, and amidst this uncertainty
we are having to adapt the way we
approach both our work and our daily
lives. This Bulletin is a recognition
and a celebration of the ways in
which you have risen to the challenge
of navigating the new normal.
Thank you to all of you for your
magnificent work in the face of this
unprecedented challenge.
Kind regards
Julian Hartley
Chief Executive
3
Feature | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Junior Doctors celebrated
with annual awards event
Junior Doctors at LTHT were recognised Chief Operating Officer; and Dr Phil
for their contributions over 2019 and Wood, Chief Medical Officer, were also
2020 with a special Appreciation Event in attendance to present awards and
and awards ceremony in July. congratulate the nominees.
The event was a chance to celebrate Chief Executive Julian Hartley
the fantastic work of Junior Doctors said: “There are some magnificent
in Leeds through several different nominations this year that are a true
categories, recognising the contributions testament to the calibre of our Junior
made in different fields - from quality Doctors working in Leeds. The level of
improvement and teamwork, to excellence, commitment and hard work
recorded event allowed the winners
teaching and inclusivity.
to receive their awards either in on show has made me very proud of our
Although a live event was not possible person or via a video link up. Chief medical trainees and their contributions
this year due to the pandemic, a pre- Executive Julian Hartley; Clare Smith, to our hospitals.”
Recognition of Excellence in Recognition of Excellence Recognition of Excellence in Recognition of Excellent
Team Working in Team Working during the Inclusivity & Diversity Teaching and Training
Covid-19 pandemic
WINNER: Lloyd Thomas WINNER: Ash Birtles WINNER: Omar Jundi
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sam WINNER: Chris Hogg HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kate HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mayada
Pearson, Rakesh Acharya HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lauren Fenton & Maddy Crow. Elsheikh, Rebecca Powell.
Basrur, Micheal Taylor. Coles, ID & GUM, J7 Team.
Recognition of Excellent Recognition of Excellence in Recognition of Excellence in Kate Granger Award:
Leadership Quality Improvement Innovation and Research Compassionate Care
WINNERS: Chris Saunderson WINNER: Alix Fonfe and the WINNER: Bethany Williams WINNER: Alex Butcher
and Ramesh Nadarajah Every Drop Counts QI Team HIGHLY COMMENDED: Jennifer HIGHLY COMMENDED: Milly
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Rebecca HIGHLY COMMENDED: Murira and the Covid-19 West, Ash Birtles.
Chave-Cox, Thomas Mackrell, Katherine Godfrey. Research Team, Khyatisha
Hannah Elkadi, Jessica Shearer. Seejore.
Watch the full Junior Doctor Appreciation Event 2020 on the LTHT YouTube channel.
4
www.leedsth.nhs.uk | News
‘Mixed reality’ streaming device enables
remote medical training during pandemic
Medical students at LTHT can continue
their hospital-based training during
the Covid-19 outbreak thanks to a new
headset camera – called HoloLens2 – that
live-streams images from a patient’s
bedside direct to trainees screens at
home or elsewhere on site.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a
significant impact on undergraduate
and post-graduate clinical education and
training across the NHS because of the
need to reduce the spread of the virus
through social distancing and to protect
patients, staff and medical trainees.
Microsoft HoloLens2, a ‘mixed-reality’
device, is being pioneered at LTHT as
an innovative solution for delivering
remote hospital-based teaching while
maintaining a safe clinical environment.
The device is a wearable headset that
can live-stream clinical situations in
a secure format, allowing two-way officially incorporated into the timetable the Leeds Cancer Centre, together
communication in mixed reality for of student placements in the Leeds with Tobias Mill, a fourth-year medical
teaching and training. Cancer Centre that have re-started after student, piloted the first remote
being cancelled due to the pandemic in teaching ward round at the Centre. The
The innovative functionality of HoloLens2
an area where patients are particularly experience prompted one patient to
means that patient consultations, ward
vulnerable to infection. say: “It limits the number of people at
rounds or operating theatres can be
viewed remotely by trainees to help Dr Lewington said they were delighted the bedside which is very important at
continue their medical training whilst with how the new remote teaching this current time. This also means it feels
maintaining social distancing. X-rays, device had worked. “It is vital that the more personal during the consultation.”
blood results and scans can also be training of medical students continues The students were also pleased with
viewed using this technology. despite the current situation with the results and have found it a valuable
Covid-19 - this innovative solution learning experience. “It was a proper
Dr Andrew Lewington, Associate
protects patients and staff while still teaching ward round - it was tailored
Medical Director for Medical Education,
delivering student training. to our learning, and very engaging,”
together with Dr Shefali Parikh, a
Clinical Leadership Fellow in the “Online resources for medical training said one.
Medical Education Department, are have long been required, but their Dr Lewington added: “As a group we’ve
leading the Trust-wide programme production has rapidly accelerated in proved we’re able to combine our broad
to deliver multi-professional, light of the impact of Covid-19 and the
skills and the resources available to great
undergraduate and post-graduate urgent need for remote education using
effect and I’m confident in the ability of
education using this new technology. mixed reality technologies.”
this technology to fill the wider clinical
Virtual ward rounds have now been Dr Gemma Dart and Dr Dan Lee from skills gap with this remote training.”
5
Feature | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
All in it together
How LTHT teams have been staying the course through COVID-19
From wobble rooms to pause buttons,
our CSU teams have been innovating
fantastic new ways to keep their staff
engaged, informed and healthy during
lockdown. Here are few of our teams
in their own words about what worked
well for them.
Women’s Services
Sue Gibson, Head of Midwifery, said:
“Maintaining the wellbeing of our teams
throughout the pandemic has been a big
priority. Our Maternity team introduced
‘Wobble Rooms’ at St James’s and the LGI
so that staff could have space to recover
when things got too much.
“Our Professional Midwife Advocate
(PMA) team developed a staff support no fault of their own were unable to and saw our resident Covid-19 expert
handbook that provided help for dealing work as normally. Sean O’Riordan providing informative
with anxiety, and we managed to source and topical reviews during the height
special Sanctuary boxes which went into “Our third year student midwives also
of the pandemic. Regular CSU-wide
the wobble room and were replenished as had the opportunity to join a virtual
communication allowed us to disseminate
required. The PMA team continued with check-in where they could talk to changing clinical practice along with
regular visits to the clinical areas to offer the Director of Midwifery and have a having a topical “Sean says” comment
pastoral support on an individual basis. voice for any issues they were having. from Dr O’Riordan.
It was extremely important to the
“We also made an extra effort to keep Women’s CSU Triumverate team that “Virtual meetings were adopted
teams informed about changes to our our staff felt valued and appreciated, throughout by many of our staff
services and to make sure staff knew their teams including admin, allied health
with up to date information in such an
hard work was being acknowledged. We professionals, nursing, and medical teams.
unprecedented situation.”
sent regular email briefings from the Our Junior Doctors were able to take ‘Tea
Women’s tri-team, whilst our Director of with the College Tutor’ – a weekly virtual
Midwifery held weekly virtual forums for meeting where they could ask questions.
staff in Maternity to check in with any Leeds Children’s Hospital
problems or concerns and to ensure they “It was important the support to our
Celia Mckenzie, Deputy Head of Nursing – teams was not just virtual, and our
felt as supported as possible with as much
Leeds Children’s Hospital, said: Matrons did a fantastic job conducting
information available.
“At Leeds Children’s hospital we daily walks of each of the wards in their
“Leeds Cares have also committed to area, seven days a week.
recognised the importance of the
providing a gift for all our community
health and well-being of our staff Staff were also offered drop-in ‘hubs’
Midwifery staff. Community staff are a
huge part of the team and we know you during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our where they could speak to someone
are all working so hard too. psychology team provided support and face-to-face about any problems they
tips on coping mechanisms as part of were having.
“Our staff who were shielding were our CSU-wide daily updates. This went
offered the opportunity to meet down really well and soon became the “With help from Leeds Cares we opened
regularly virtually as we were aware of ‘Pressing the Pause Button’ daily update our Wellbeing Room in the school room
the need to support staff who through sent to all staff Trust-wide. (closed during the pandemic) in June
as a space for staff to relax and have a
“Our daily Covid-19 meeting ensured moment away from the wards. This was
our staff were kept up-to-date with the possible to the generous donations from
impact of the pandemic with all clinical Leeds Cares and Asda providing products
departments represented, allowing us such as colouring and mindfulness books,
to communicate key updates, changes and a coffee machine and pods.”
in policies, and address any issues in a
Join the conversation and share your
timely fashion.
views on what went well and what
“Our weekly Grand Round went virtual can be improved on in the 2020 NHS
(with regularly over 150 people attending) Staff Survey.
6
www.leedsth.nhs.uk | Feature
Using Leeds Improvement Method
to respond to the pandemic
Mike Philpott, General Manager -
Pathology, and Helen Gilbert, KPO Lead,
explain how the Leeds Improvement
Method has supported the Trust’s
response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Leeds Improvement Method (LIM)
is an improvement programme which
aims to improve the efficiency and flow
of LTHT services, with patient and staff
experience embedded at the centre of
this work.
Many teams have continued to use the
methodology and skills they have learnt
to drive forward improvements during
the Covid-19 pandemic.
Improving Covid-19 sample
turnaround times
“Work carried out collaboratively in
Pathology, Emergency & Specialty
Medicine, Abdominal Medicine and to leave these departments for the additional quality assurance provided by
Surgery and Facilities using the LIM has pathology lab. the new Panther machines, the positive
significantly improved turnaround times results are released directly and therefore
“The Transport team significantly
for testing Covid-19 samples. contribute further improvements to
increased the number of times they
turnaround times.
“Data at the beginning of April showed collected from the St James’s Hospital
that 90% of samples were being turned Pathology Lab to every 30 minutes for a “By reducing the turnaround time
around by the pathology team within run to the Old Medical School at Leeds for these samples, we have been able
24 hours. However, when the time from General Infirmary (where all Covid-19 to improve patient flow around our
sample taken was included, that figure Swab samples are analysed). This means hospitals by ensuring that we know
fell to just 65%. that the maximum wait time for a sample at the earliest opportunity whether a
on the St James’s site has been reduced patient is Covid positive or negative and
“The LIM work investigated where the from over 90 minutes to a maximum of needs to continue being isolated.
significant waiting times were for the 30 minutes.
samples and worked to remove these “This impressive work shows how the
to improve the process. Samples were “Samples taken in A&E at the LGI during Leeds Improvement Method is really
identified as waiting in the areas and the follow-up audit took an average of making a difference in our hospitals and
departments where they were taken in four minutes to turn around instead of across the region, as the laboratory team
some cases for over 90 minutes. Clinical over an hour and a half at the start of work to support the region in its PHE
teams worked hard to identify staff the improvement work. This is because a capacity for Covid-19 testing. Even when
to move the swabs onto their local new system for a member of non-clinical faced with the challenges of a global
pathology department immediately after staff to walk samples immediately to the pandemic, our teams are passionate
they have been taken. pathology lab was introduced. about driving forward improvements for
the benefit of patients and staff.”
“When this was audited after the “Overall, turnaround times are currently
improvement work, the sampling was averaging at 24 hours - 98% and 18 hours
shown to take an average of 10 minutes - 93% from collection from the patient to
results authorisation and release.
“Now that the Panther PCR platform is
fully operational the 12-hour turnaround
times have also been improving and
currently stand at around 75%.
“The Rapid Process Improvement
Workshop (RPIW) process identified
delays in the release of positive results
as these currently require medical
authorisation prior to release. With the
7
Feature | www.leedsth.nhs.uk Old Nurses Home mem The Trust’s plans for two new hospitals on the Leeds General Infirmary site will mean the demolition of the Old Nurses Home building - one of the first to go when work gets under way later this year. The building dates back to the late 1800s but was officially opened as a nurses home in October 1937 by the Princess Royal. It had room for 150 nurses - with thousands of trainees having passed through its corridors and used its facilities over the years. Starting their nurse training was for many young women their first venture away from their parental home and, for some, moving to Leeds was a daunting prospect. Qualifying and getting a prized Leeds nursing badge and certificate was a real achievement as the training at the city’s hospitals was – and still is - highly- regarded and opened doors to more opportunities in nursing. The past will be making way for the future with the new hospital buildings delivering state-of-the-art facilities in the centre of Leeds, but for many nurses their memories of the Old Nurses Home will never fade. Living in the Nurses Home most definitely had happy memories for Linda Dakin (nee Brown) - it’s where she met her husband John. Linda was just 18 when she left her home in Hull to start her nursing career – 50 years ago this year. She said they used to hold discos in the large TV room at the nurses home and at one of them she met John, her husband of 47 years. “He would meet me at the bottom of the stairs in the entrance hall and bring me back before 10:30pm. If we were late I had to sit in the casualty department and wait for the night warden to let me in.” Her eldest daughter Lucy followed her mother’s career by starting her nurse training when she was 18. She currently works at the LGI as a Cardiac Research Nurse. “It was both scary and exciting seeing Lucy choose a career in nursing as training had changed so much, but it was always wonderful to listen to her experiences and watch her grow in confidence,” said Linda. Edwina Gerry did her training from 1970- 8
www.leedsth.nhs.uk | Feature
mories will never fade
Clockwise from top right: Edwina Gerry; Linda Dakin and daughter Lucy Leese; Pat Taylor; Judith Sugden; Sandy Dalby; Jeanne Cooper.
72 and she was recognised for achieving Sandy Dalby (nee Hargreaves) did her Pat Taylor is president of the LGI Nurses
a high standard of practice by being training between 1962-64 and her League, a group of former nurses who
awarded the Eva Moynihan Gold Medal. abiding memory was deciding to sleep keep in touch with eachother through
on the roof of the Nurses Home one the organisation. She says as nurses had
She recalls how the friendships
hot summer’s evening with her friends. to live in the nurses home for the first
blossomed from her first day in the
“It was extremely warm in the rooms two years of training it was like being
Nurses Home and she’s still in touch with
and as the roof was only six steps up, in a boarding school, but they made
the nurse who was in the first room next
we decided to take our mattress and life-long friends – many they still see to
to her.
sheets onto the roof where it was this day.
“Life felt safe and we were full of cooler,” she said.
“I remember having dances in the
expectation for the future. I’m sure our
hall – and Christmas pantomimes
parents were pleased that there was a
staged and performed by the doctors
certain level of care and support for us
“I remember having and ward sisters with in-house jokes
as we were straight from school and our
and innuendos!”
parental homes into nursing,” she said. dances in the hall – and
Judith Sugden was typical of many
Ninety-year-old Jeanne Cooper started Christmas pantomimes trainee nurses who came to Leeds from
her training aged 17 in 1947 before the
NHS came into being staged and performed by afar – in her case, from a farm in rural
North Yorkshire to the big city.
“You weren’t allowed any men in the doctors and ward sisters
It was daunting, but she soon got used
the home although there was later a with in-house jokes and to its rules. “You had to be in bed by
“beau’s parlour” where you could take
in your boyfriend – but you had to book
innuendos!” 10.30pm and the “Home Sister” would
patrol the corridors and listen in to see
them in and the sisters were very strict
if there was any talking in the rooms as
and didn’t allow you to overstay the
we sometimes used to meet up in each
welcome,” she said.
“Only problem was the Town Hall clock other’s rooms for a chat. I’ve known
Trainees then had to stay at the Nurses striking on the hour – and when we got some nurses to hide in wardrobes to
Home for two years. “If you wanted to back indoors we realised the white sheets escape attention. All men had to wait in
live outside from your third year you had had black dots on. We hadn’t realised the Nurses Home Entrance Hall they were
to get matron’s permission and she was that the soot from the chimneys had not allowed beyond even if it was your
like a stand-in “mother”,” she said. dirtied them.” father or brother.”
9
Feature | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Year of the Nurse and Midwife
Portrait painting by a local
artist
During Covid-19 many portrait artists
around the country joined in with
#PortraitsForNHSHeroes which involved
painting a free portrait of NHS Key
Workers. As part of this, local artist
Carol Lay offered to do the piece of art
as she could see the huge task the NHS
was facing with Covid-19 and wanted to
be able to give a little something back.
Carol wanted to capture a historical
moment in unprecedented times for
someone working on the frontline, but
also, felt it was good for her to be able
to give something back to someone who
works at the LGI, after receiving some
incredible care over the last few years
Celebrating our Nurses and herself. Carol wanted to say thank you
Midwives to the NHS. You can see Carol’s other
paintings on her Instagram page
2020 is Florence Nightingale’s @bee_busy_art
bicentennial year, designated by the
World Health Organisation as the first Vicki Bentley, Senior Sister on Ward L16
ever global Year of the Nurse and sent in her picture wearing PPE and
Midwife. Nurses and midwives make her profile as part of Year of the Nurse
up the largest numbers of the NHS celebrations which is exactly what the
workforce - highly-skilled professionals artist Carol was looking for.
from a host of backgrounds that
represent our diverse communities. 2020
is our time to reflect on these skills, the
commitment and expert clinical care
they bring, and the impact they make Love NHS!
on the lives of so many. This year is also
an opportunity to say thank you to the As part of the celebrations of
professions; to showcase their diverse International Day of the Nurse a
talents and expertise; and to promote Love NHS Sign was kindly donated by
nursing and midwifery as careers with a Christmas Decorators for a week for staff
great deal to offer. to have photo opportunities with it.
Teams and individuals were snapped, and
Lisa Grant, Chief Nurse, and Sue Gibson, selfies taken across the site at St James’s
Director of Midwifery, said: “As we hospital outside the Chapel. It also looked
celebrate 2020 Year of the Nurse and very striking at night all lit up! Pictured
Midwife, we would like to express our here is Lisa Grant, Chief Nurse and Julian
sincere gratitude to all of you for your Hartley, Chief Executive with some Heads
hard work and dedication in providing of Nursing next to the sign.
the highest standards of care to our
patients throughout the year.”
We celebrated the International Day of
the Midwife on 5 May and on 12 May we
joined in the celebration of International
Nurses Day. This was also the day that
we recognised the incredible work of
Florence Nightingale on her birthday
200 years ago. When the LGI moved to
an impressive new site on Great George
Street in 1869, this was designed on the
advice of Florence Nightingale. You can
see the original plans by visiting our pop-
up Nightingale museum stand at the LGI
10www.leedsth.nhs.uk | Feature
In the life of a Nurse and Midwife
Cat Balcombe Hilary Gupte Georgie Duncan Esther Nyirangomituje
We asked some of our nurses and midwives a few questions about their job in nursing and
midwifery. These are some of the quotes.
1. Why I love my job as a nurse or Cat Balcombe – “I was a Nursing Officer 3. What would you say to
in the Army Reserves and most proud
midwife someone considering a career in
to serve on two operational tours in
Cat Balcombe – “It’s really satisfying Afghanistan. It was very rewarding nursing & midwifery?
when staff come to me with ideas watching the Invictus Games and seeing Cat Balcombe “Nursing careers can
for how they can improve patient the veterans I had looked after” offer you flexibility when you need it
experience.”
for family life”
Hilary Gupte – “I love being able to make Hilary Gupte – “Absolutely do it! Hilary Gupte – “Absolutely do it! It’s
that difference to the experience and
It’s an amazing career to be in an amazing career to be in and I’ve
care patients and families receive when
they need it the most”
and I’ve loved each job, city, and loved each job, city, and hospital I have
hospital I have worked in. worked in.
Georgie Duncan – “Everything we do has
a focus on ensuring we do the absolute Georgie Duncan – There are so many
best for our patients” Georgie Duncan – “Transforming key opportunities in nursing and midwifery
nursing paper documents into electronic to transform the way we work”
Laura Jones – “I see ladies from the start
forms on PPM+. I squealed with
of their journey, right through to the Laura Jones – “I genuinely adore my
excitement when I saw the first one used
end. I feel we are able to make fantastic job, don’t get me wrong the hard days
by a nursing colleague in oncology”
bonds with our patients” are the absolute worst, but the joyous
Laura Jones – “Positive patient outcomes, times are priceless, and I encourage
Esther Nyirangomituje – “I love how
having knowledge about your patient is anybody to consider a career in
there is a similarity between teaching,
invaluable” midwifery”
motherhood and nursing”
Esther Nyirangomituje “Receiving
Esther Nyirangomituje – “If you have
patients with poor health, providing
the caring attitude, nursing career is a
2. What impact my job has or them with care is the most rewarding
fantastic professional area where the
thrill any health professional can feel. I
one thing that I am proud of most significant pride anchors in the
experience such joyful moments”
achieving in my job? impact you make on others”
11News | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Celebrating our nurses and midwives
through the DAISY Foundation
More members of LTHT staff have Karen Waterhouse Hollie Bishop
been chosen as the winners of an
international nurse and midwife
scheme. The Trust is proud to be
partnered with the DAISY Foundation
to honour the compassionate care of
extraordinary nurses and midwives in
Leeds. These are some of the comments
from the winning nominations.
Rachel Gallagher, a nurse on Cardiac ICU
Ward L4, “Rachel made what was a really
hard time for me a million times easier
and has no idea how fabulous she is. I
will never be able to thank her enough.”
Karen Waterhouse in Surgical Pre-
assessment at LGI ““I am grateful to
have had such a strong and competent
manager during this time and want her
to be recognised for what she does and
how she goes above and beyond for her
team at all times.”
Faye Johnson on Ward J09 “Faye is a
great leader whose positive attitude
Hollie spoke to me in a manner that way, we will remain forever touched by
is contagious to those around her.
was relatable, supportive, and uplifting. Carla’s kindness and care”
Faye is a true example of the Leeds
Her manner alone empowered me to
Way and we feel that she should be Samantha Saunders, a nurse in
have the skills and mental outlook to
recognised through DAISY for all her Rheumatology at Chapel Allerton, “Her
continue. She is a credit to the Trust and
invaluable contributions to nursing positive, caring, and supportive guidance
a fantastic midwife!”
and team building.” made such a difference in my mental and
Carla Smith, a nurse L3 (Intensive Care) psychological wellbeing in the first few
Hollie Bishop, a midwife at St James’s,
at LGI, “It felt like she put her heart and months of diagnosis, she is an incredibly
“Hollie’s demeanour was so warm and
soul in to caring for my cousin in his last compassionate nurse, who has helped
welcoming, I was instantly at ease with
hours in a very personal and professional me, be me again.”
her and a rapport was soon to follow.
Hannah Done, a nurse L03 in Critical Care
Faye Johnson Rachel Gallagher at LGI, “A true credit to this trust and a
real ambassador for the Leeds Teaching
Hospitals Trust. People like this are the
real heroes in life. Thank you, Hannah.”
Gail Stones, a Sister J20, at St James’
Hospital, “Gail has gone above and
beyond in helping to set up the COVID19
drive through to allow the public to
be tested. She has been paramount in
supporting people being swabbed to
help ease their fears and set a shining
example to her team”
Anyone who would like to say ‘thank
you’ by sharing a story of how a nurse or
midwife in Leeds has made a difference
that they will never forget can make
a DAISY award nomination via: www.
leedsth.nhs.uk/daisy or completing
a nomination form from one of the
hospital reception desks. Anyone can
nominate – including colleagues!
12www.leedsth.nhs.uk | News
Daring Designers get creative on the design
of the new Leeds Children’s Hospital
What do pizza ovens, pirate ships and We’ve been seeking input on the design
beds like cars have in common? from patients, families and others with
an interest in the new hospitals. If you
They’re all fantastic ideas suggested by
would like to give your feedback on
some of the children and young people
how we can ensure our new hospitals
who entered a creative competition
provide the best healthcare environment
– Daring Designers – to share their
for our patients and staff please email
vision for the design of the new Leeds
futurehospitalsleeds@nhs.net.
Children’s Hospital.
In the meantime, here is a selection of
From poems and pictures, to Lego models
development to be built at Leeds General our Daring Designers fantastic creations.
and Minecraft videos, we received more
than 130 competition entries, each with Infirmary called Hospitals of the Future.
fantastic ideas on what the new Leeds They will provide patients from Leeds,
Children’s Hospital should include. West Yorkshire and further afield with
state of the art facilities that support the
Choosing the winners and runners-up most advanced treatment and care.
was very difficult but we were delighted
to award an Amazon voucher to our The Trust is currently preparing a
Daring Designers below: Design Brief for the new hospitals,
which sets out everything from our
Under 8: winner Violet Grace and technical requirements for the size
runners-up Isaac and Ruby. and layout of the clinical spaces to our
digital ambitions and how the hospital
8 – 12 years: winner Isla and runners-up
environment should look and feel.
Sam and Mia.
Later this year, we’ll be using the
13 – 18 years: winner Isabelle and
Design Brief in a design competition
runners-up Danial and Ella and Isobel.
to help us select the architect and
The new children’s hospital, and a designers that will work on the
new adults’ hospital are part of a Hospitals of the Future development.
Under 8 Runner-up Isaac (aged 7). 8-12 runner-up, Mia (aged 12)
13News | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Amplifying voices, Mending divides
A new anthology of stories and reflections looks to address race inequalities in the NHS
The LTHT BME Staff Network is collating
a new anthology of stories that will
epitomise the lived experience of BME
staff and perspectives from non-BME
colleagues across LTHT. The anthology
comes at a pertinent time in the wake of
COVID-19 and the death of George Floyd,
two tragic events that have highlighted
that all voices need to be heard and
acted upon in order to successfully
address current race disparities.
Ester Jamera, Co-Chair of the BME Staff
Network and Oncology Outpatients
Sister, explains what the anthology sets
out to achieve:
The idea for the anthology
came about because there is
a richness in people’s stories
that I believe can help us to
progress the race equality
Unfortunately, this means the
agenda across all levels of disproportionate experience of BME An excerpt from the anthology:
our organisation. staff is not well understood by those in “Talking of cultural differences,
positions of power.
we tend to have high respect
“The UK’s population demographic is “I have been honoured to hear the for our seniors and elders. In
in sharp contrast with the composition inequalities and struggles our BME the workplace this hinders us
of the NHS workforce, which reveals colleagues are coping with on a daily
from raising issues of discontent
the reliance of the NHS on overseas basis. I have also had life-changing
and BME staff. Approximately 20% conversations with my non-BME against our colleagues and
of the NHS workforce is BME. This colleagues. The idea for the anthology managers. We are generally
is considerably higher than the UK’s came about because there is a richness not reporters. We even blame
13% BME population according in people’s stories that I believe can ourselves or accept less hoping
to the 2011 census. Management help us to progress the race equality someone in power would
and senior leadership in the NHS agenda across all levels of our
soon realise from our hard
is overwhelmingly non-BME. organisation. This new anthology will
aim to bring BME and non-BME staff work and quiet disposition
to a mutual understanding and stir and think differently about
all of us to action to build genuine us. Instead we are assumed to
supportive relationships with each be stupid, to have no voice,
other to make LTHT the best place no brains and no feelings. At
to work for all staff and for all our the same time, we continue to
patients to receive care.
hope that good will eventually
“The Network recently posted a prevail. Again, unfortunately,
call-out for contributors for the it does not. It seems there is no
book from both BME and non-BME
compassion for BME staff. By
colleagues to reflect the broad impact
and array of experiences of race and the time the situation becomes
racism that COVID-19 and George unbearable for us, and we let
Floyd’s death has brought to light. it out, the injustices would
The finished collection will act both have accumulated so much.
as a snapshot of a historical moment We are in turn blamed for not
and a valuable resource for colleagues
reporting the matter early
now and for future generations. I
hope you will join me in looking enough. It is a no-win situation
forward to reading and engaging with our culture”.
with the wealth of perspectives this
BME Allied Health Professional
Ester Jamera, Co-Chair of the BME Staff Network
new anthology will showcase.”
14www.leedsth.nhs.uk | News
Psychological support during Covid-19
LTHT has always For those who couldn’t make face-
recognised that to-face meetings the Trust provided
its staff work support staff for direct telephone and
in a stressful online engagement.
environment
and will need The Psychology team have been
mental health sending out a daily bulletin message
and wellbeing which has included providing advice
support – even on coping mechanisms and how to has allowed staff more direct access to
more so during maintain their mental wellbeing health and wellbeing support but also
the Covid-19 during stressful times. ‘Pressing enabled them to work in teams and
outbreak. Dr Catherine Derbyshire the Pause Button’ allowed staff to talk about and problem-solve issues,”
take five minutes out of their day she said.
The Trust acted quickly very early on to check in with the emotional
in the outbreak by setting up drop-in wellbeing, watch videos and read “There’s no doubt from the feedback
hubs for staff to talk to a professional tips on breathing exercises, methods we have been receiving that people
about any health and wellbeing issues to manage anxiety, and ways to have found the services we provided
with which they needed support. They sleep better. during this unprecedented health
have included anything from sessions emergency very helpful. We will
on how to cope with the stress of Dr Catherine Derbyshire, Head of be looking at many of the things
delivering care to very sick patients, or Neuropsychology at LTHT, said one we have been doing to help staff
the emotional impact of the multiple of the successes was in making a during the Covid-19 outbreak and
changes staff were encountering within psychologist available to each of the considering what can be carried
the workplace. clinical units across its hospitals. “It forward.”
15News | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Leeds Cares Fundraising Heroes
Here are some of the amazing fundraisers who have gone above and beyond to
raise funds for our charity, Leeds Cares during the coronavirus pandemic!
Penny’s pedal power!
Five-year-old Penny rode her bike 100
miles throughout May to raise funds
for Leeds Cares to support patients at
Leeds Children’s Hospital during the
coronavirus pandemic. Remarkably,
Penny only learned to ride her bike just
five days before starting her challenge!
After passing her initial £100 target
in her first day, Penny has raised a
fantastic £1,471!
80 miles for 80-year-old Grace
“Amazing Grace” Burns celebrated her 80th birthday in style during lockdown, by
completing an epic 80-mile running challenge to support cancer patients like herself.
Grace raised an incredible £2,339 in aid of Leeds Cares for her chosen cause, Breast
Cancer Action – a community group that works to support research into breast cancer
at Leeds Teaching Hospitals!
Guru Gobind Singh
Gurdwara raise over £10,000
for Leeds Cares
The Bradford based religious group
generously donated £10,000 to Leeds
Cares ‘Support Your NHS Hospitals’
Appeal to help support staff, patients,
and families at Leeds Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust during COVID-19.
Donations support COVID-19 research
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Director of Operations, LTHT Research
the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research and Innovation, Dr Christopher
Centre, with the University of Leeds, Herbert said: “This research is key to
launched a COVID-19 research study in understanding why some people are
June, supported by Leeds Cares. affected more badly by COVID-19 than
others. This would not have happened
Studies in patients with systemic sclerosis without the support of Leeds Cares and
and lupus have shown how the body’s we would like to thank supporters for
immune response affects how these donating to the charity.”
diseases progress.
The funding was assisted through two
Leeds Cares has funded a £10,000 generous corporate donations; £3,200
BioBank to store blood samples from from technology firm Big Change and
patients with these conditions who have £3,200 from property company Town
tested positive for COVID-19. Centre Securities.
16www.leedsth.nhs.uk | News
Families make use of
new bedside furniture
at Leeds Children’s
Hospital
New mum Laura Marsden spent over
eight weeks on ward L42, Leeds
Children’s Hospital, with five-month-
old Reggie. Reggie was diagnosed
with Necrotising Enterocolitis, a
condition that can cause parts of
the bowel to die. To save his small
intestine, Reggie had 70% of it
removed over four operations.
New child friendly furniture was
purchased thanks to funds raised
by readers of Leeds United fanzine
The Square Ball over Christmas. The
Signed Centenary Shirt Raffle raised
an incredible £30,000 in support of
Leeds Children’s Hospital.
Leeds Cares fundraisers “CoaguChek devices have
taking care of our NHS been a lifeline to those
heroes patients shielding”
Thanks to generous donations during this Thanks to donations, patients at Leeds
unprecedented time, Leeds Cares have Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust shielding
been able to support the well-being of due to COVID-19 have been able to
staff throughout. continue monitoring and testing their
Unused visitor rooms have been bloods safely within their homes.
transformed into well-being rooms, for Leeds Cares funded over £3,000 for
staff to take a few moments out of their CoaguChek home testing devices which
busy days to switch off from the outside are designed for patients who have been
world. diagnosed with reoccurring Thrombosis
Assistance has been provided at the heart or clotting.
of the COVID-19 wards, with toiletry
packs distributed for staff to freshen up
after long shifts in Critical Care Pods.
Staff in Leeds and Harrogate were also
provided with fresh fruit and vegetables,
as part of a national campaign to
provide high quality produce to frontline
workers. Leeds Cares is proud to have
supported this initiative with a donation
of £10,000.
Jude braves the shave
10-year-old Jude Ashton knew he
wanted to do something to help the
NHS frontline staff in their fight against
Coronavirus. The brave Yorkshire lad
decided to shave his head and raised
a fantastic £300 for Leeds Cares! His
mum Ellen has Lupus, a long-term auto
immune disease and is high risk during
the pandemic so the whole family had to
isolate.
17News | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Volunteering during the pandemic
Sarah Rogers, Volunteer Service
Manager, highlights the role of LTHT
volunteers in supporting services during
the pandemic.
“We took the decision to stand down
our volunteers six days before the
Government announced lockdown
measures. It wasn’t easy, but we knew
we had to act fast and decisively to
protect the safety of our patients, staff,
and volunteers.
“Within a month, we brought some
volunteers back as we realised that we
needed their support for vulnerable
patients who were heavily affected by
social isolation. With visiting suspended,
our volunteers stepped in by delivering
letters from patients’ loved ones,
distributing ipads and ipods to the
wards so patients could have video
calls with their friends and family, and
setting up a drive though property
collection service for bereaved families.
They also helped Leeds Cares to
distribute donated items to staff to help
boost their health and wellbeing.
“We set up Volunteering Hubs at two Prevention Team and ensured PPE was projects successfully and sustainably.
of our hospitals to help us check in with available. Volunteers were encouraged
“Before the pandemic, I felt I was very
volunteers frequently so they could to access the staff psychological support
distant to our volunteers as the location
share concerns and feedback. The hubs service if they needed it, and they
of our office meant I was physically
also helped us to centrally coordinate also had access to Covid-19 testing -
removed and had little connection with
activities for volunteers, and they could thankfully they all remained healthy
them. The pandemic has allowed me to
come back after finishing a task and whilst volunteering.
see just how important volunteering is
take a break. We kept our numbers low,
“There is one activity that I hope will and the big part it plays in volunteers’
maintaining a low footfall around the
continue - volunteers writing cards lives. It also offers an important way for
hospitals and avoiding clinical areas.
for bereaved families who have lost a volunteers to show their commitment to
We took advice from our Infection
loved one since March. Inside the card, the local community.
volunteers share their condolences with
“It would be wrong to say that the
family members, invite them to contact
experience has been easy. From the
our specialist bereavement nurse, and
beginning, not only I, but the whole
provide details of where they can get
volunteering team felt very anxious and
support and counselling if needed. We’ve
for a while we were in limbo. The months
received lots of positive feedback for
ahead won’t be rosy with the addition of
this initiative and families felt grateful
winter pressures, but I’m confident that
that someone had written to show them
with all the hard work that we are doing,
kindness at this difficult time in their life.
we will be able to weather the storm.
“In total, over four months, our 38 More than ever I am enjoying my job and
volunteers gave 1590 hours which has the new challenges, and I feel satisfied
made a real difference to patients, staff that I have done my best and feel very
and visitors. We’ve also fast tracked our lucky to support our volunteers.”
recruitment process by doing ID and
DBS checks online. Before the pandemic,
on average it would take 108 days for
volunteers to start, whereas now, it only
takes 17 days. That’s a huge difference!
“1,900 letters have been delivered by
volunteers and more than 700 cards
have been sent to deceased patients’
families. It’s great to be able to
demonstrate the impact of volunteer
led initiatives and design and organise
18www.leedsth.nhs.uk | News
Staying connected
How LTHT teams have been helping patients and families keep in touch despite the pandemic.
Letters to Loved Ones
The Letters to Loved Ones initiative from
our Patient Experience team has gone
down incredibly well with our patients
and their families as a way of keeping in
touch during suspended visiting.
Letters to Loved Ones was as simple as
sending a message to a dedicated email
address - a team of staff and volunteers
would then print, seal and hand-deliver
the message to an inpatient staying on
one of the wards at LTHT.
patients from their friends and relatives. as well as arranging video calls via a
Since the initiative launched, the Patient
Volunteers at LTHT as well as from Leeds communication app on an iPod given to
Experience team and volunteers have
Libraries have also been writing generic every ward.
hand-delivered almost 2,000 letters to
letters to patients who may not have
family, or who hadn’t received letters.
Since then, the ‘To Loved Ones’ initiative
has expanded to include transferring
patient belongings from home to ward,
Mortuary Hearts
Specialist Nurse Sam Oakes and the
Mortuary team have been providing
pairs of knitted hearts to bring some
comfort to bereaved families. One
heart is given to the patient by the
Mortuary team and the funeral director
gives the other heart to their family or
loved one.
The note from the Mortuary team that
accompanies the heart reads “This heart
is part of a pair; just a little token to
show we care. We have given the other
to your loved one. We hope this brings
you some comfort at this difficult time.”
The team have received feedback from
relatives which includes: “It is lovely. We much appreciated,” and “Thank you,
couldn’t dress her in her own clothes, this means the world.”
but this is something that we will These comments really show what a
cherish and save.”, “A very big thank difference this is making to families at
you for the thoughtful note and hearts this difficult time when they cannot visit
you sent me with my mother. It is very our Chapels of Rest.
19My Job | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Dr Michael Ewens
What else have you done in your career
so far?
I was a Clinical Leadership Fellow for the
academic year 2019/20. This enabled me to see
how a large health organisation is structured.
This has improved my understanding on how my
future role as a Consultant can impact the Trust I
work in.
I enjoyed being a Peer Mentor for an interim
FY1 Doctor last year, and I’m currently looking
at how I can share what I have learned from my
leadership experience with other trainees.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Chief Registrar and ST5 Registrar in Sexual Every day is different. Sometimes just having a
chat with a patient and taking the time to listen
Health & HIV Medicine, has worked for the
can make the biggest difference.
Trust for 6 years
What is the one thing you would change at
Summarise the main aspects of your role? LTHT to help you do your job better?
Sexual Health offers me the chance to help some Tricky one! Engaging trainees to feel a part of
of the most vulnerable in society: teenagers, the LTHT would help disseminate information easier
elderly, people who inject drugs, and the LGBTQ+ (as Chief Reg), and hopefully encourage them to
and BAME communities. Health promotion want to stay as Consultants, Associate Specialists,
is at the heart of my job, as well as treating or GPs in the region.
sexually transmitted infections and the medical
comorbidities that can result.
I am privileged to be able to actively recruit into What’s your best advice to a new starter at
trials, and teach an array of health professionals the Trust?
about STIs. I have a keen interest in improving the
Enjoy your time here. It is truly amazing. Once
quality of care we give to patients.
you are settled into your area of work there are
As Chief Registrar, my main role is to listen to so many opportunities for you to be involved
the concerns of Junior Doctors and act as an with the wider Trust, including the BAME and
advocate for all non-Consultant grade doctors. My LGBTQ+ Networks, the Junior Doctor Body, Leeds
main aim is to increase the visibility of the role, Improvement Method, and more!
and help disseminate opportunities to trainees
through the Junior Doctor Body, including
management, research, and quality improvement.
Employee Support Fund helps staff through financial hardship
The Employee Support Fund was set up to the fund had been approved by the exists to help that colleague through it.
to support staff who may be experiencing review panel and support grants have been Anyone can apply, including bank and
financial hardship. It has always been provided that totalled nearly £26,000. locum staff, as long as they currently work
available for staff across the Trust to access, One beneficiary said: “The fact that you at one of the LTHT hospital sites.
but has recently been supported by an were there, without judging me, has lifted Applications for the fund can be made by
additional £25,000 grant from Leeds Cares, a tremendous weight off my shoulders. I emailing leedsth-tr.humanresources@nhs.
given by NHS Charities Together. Leeds cannot thank you enough.” net or there is an application form on the
Cares has since provided an additional
If any LTHT member of staff has faced a Health and Wellbeing area of the Intranet.
£10,000 top-up donation, allowing the fund
change in financial circumstances recently Each application will be assessed on a
to support even more people.
- perhaps as a result of COVID-19 or case-by-case basis, and will always remain
Between June and August, 57 applications otherwise - the Employee Support Fund entirely confidential.
20www.leedsth.nhs.uk | News
StaffConnect
– Let’s stay
connected
StaffConnect is the new
communications app for LTHT, available
to all colleagues. All staff will have
already received an email with
instructions on how to download the
app and log in.
Why an app?
When we have talked to colleagues
about what could be improved in LTHT
internal communications, people have
always highlighted not being able to
read emails or access a PC and getting
too much information that is not
relevant. StaffConnect allows internal
communications to be much more
Hepatitis C outreach team accessible and makes more targeted,
personalised content.
help Leeds homeless What can I do on
StaffConnect?
during lockdown With the launch of StaffConnect, staff
will be able to use their Trust or personal
smart phone or their desktop to access
to all the latest Trust news usually
Through collaboration between teams to a unique set of circumstances which
received via email, including Intouch and
from Bevan Healthcare, The Hepatitis C enabled the Leeds Viral Hepatitis team
Start the Week. Staff will also be able
Trust, and LTHT, support was provided to take their outreach service directly
to access more personalised information
for vulnerable people with Hepatitis C in to vulnerable and homeless people in
from their CSU or corporate team in
Leeds during the pandemic. Leeds.
the My Community feed, once this is up
Together, this outreach team has “During the pandemic this group and running. Staff will be able to ask a
been testing groups of vulnerable and have been housed in temporary question, comment on a story or tag a
homeless people who had been housed accommodation meaning that the team colleague to get the conversation going.
in temporary accommodation around could find patients who previously
the city due to lockdown. had not engaged with testing or
treatment for Hepatitis C. This has
Using a mobile clinic, the teams travelled
only been possible through multi-
Why don’t you give it a try?
to different hotels and hostels around
agency collaboration between LTHT, There are other functionalities
the city to carry out Hepatitis C tests. On
The Hepatitis C Trust and the Bevan to explore within StaffConnect,
these days around 20 to 30 people met
HealthCare Street outreach team.” including a section for events,
with the team to be tested and some
a dedicated survey area and an
individuals were soon later able to start It is estimated that 143,000 people in the
area to store frequently accessed
their Hepatitis C treatment to cure them UK are living with Hepatitis C, a blood-
documents that can be shared within
of the virus. borne virus which can cause serious
a team. Feedback is invited through
and even fatal damage to the liver if
Clinical Nurse Specialists Tracey Stirrup commenting on one of the posts or by
left untreated, among other health
and Elizabeth Nother from LTHT have answering some of the questions in
impacts. Despite this, around two-thirds
both been a key part of this collaborative the survey section of the app.
of those with hepatitis C are living with
outreach work which has seen a major
an undiagnosed infection. The most
step forward to eliminate the virus in
common route of transmission is through
vulnerable communities in Leeds.
sharing equipment for injecting drugs.
The initiative was supported by charity
Since 2015, Hepatitis C treatments with
Leeds Cares, with individuals who were
short durations, limited side-effects and
tested on the day also receiving a care
cure rates upwards of 95% have been
package donated by the charity.
widely available. The UK is committed to
Tracey Stirrup Clinical Nurse Specialist eliminate Hepatitis C as a public health
said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has led concern by 2030 at the latest.
21Farewell | www.leedsth.nhs.uk
Gill Howard
Happy retirement to Gill Howard who
was a Specialist Pharmacy Technician
managing the ward stock distribution
service at the LGI. Gill had worked within
MMPS for 34 years and enjoyed a small
gathering with her fantastic team at
MRDU. Gill planned to retire in March
this year and moved her plans back to
continue to support the Pharmacy team
eventually retiring in July. Gill will be
Deborah Mercer greatly missed by all her friends and
Deborah started her nurse training at the colleagues who wish her all the best in
Trust in 1981, living in the Old Nurses’ her retirement. The team would like
Home at Saint James’s, present day Trust to say thank you to the MRDU team Graham Hartley
HQ. She spent her whole 39 year career for making her send-off so special. Gill
received many lovely gifts including a Graham commenced in the Data
at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. making
garden seat on which she now can spend Quality department in 2008, a very
a huge contribution to innovative
many relaxing days drinking her pink gin! different change in direction from
nursing practice within the Emergency
his former career. When Graham
Department and the development of the
left university he became a research
Emergency Nurse Practitioner training.
development engineer and was
Deborah’s knowledge and expertise a school teacher for design and
was second to none within the Trust. technology for 20 years in Goole
Following the birth of her children she Humberside.
returned to a role within the Clinical Site
In 2008 he decided to take a very
Management team and becoming Team
different change in his career when
Leader for a number of years, before
he retired from teaching and joined
retiring and returning part time to the
the Data Quality Department at LTHT.
role of CSM.
Graham’s teaching skills were an asset
She will always be known as the ‘Winter not only to the complex investigative
Planning Queen’ through her meticulous
Helen Inns work the DQ team carry out but also
attention to detail. Her planning was Helen Inns - assisting with the training of staff.
remarkable and she often worked well Advanced (Senior)
Graham was a valued member of the
into the night to meet deadlines and Biomedical Scientist
team and will be missed, but the time
ensure challenges were met. retired from
is right for him and his colleagues
Microbiology in June
This year in 2020, Deborah finally made all wish him the very best in his
after 38 years of
the decision to retire fully from the Trust retirement as now he will have more
service to the NHS.
due to ill health and to enjoy her time time to enjoy his passion outside of
Her career started
with her family and friends, and to take work which is taking part in historical
in Haematology
the time to do all the things retired ladies re-enactments - the English Civil War -
at LGI in 1982. She changed discipline
need to do. which Graham takes an active part in
to Microbiology in 1987 taking up a
and travels all around the UK to take
The respect the CSM team have for post St Luke’s Hospital Bradford. In
part.
Deborah as a person is immense. There 1991 she moved to Microbiology at
are many people over the years who LTHT to her senior role, working at St There was one occasion at work when
she has developed and shaped into James’s and LGI. During this time Helen Graham asked to use the telephone
leaders of the future. Her colleagues has helped develop the service and - he was ringing the police regarding
wish her happiness in her retirement made a significant contribution in the a gun. As you can imagine all ears
and are planning lots of lunch dates to development of our current BMS staff. pricked up. The explanation Graham
catch up when she’s not out enjoying Helen’s dedication, work ethic and gave was that he was in charge of
the countryside in her camper van with breadth of knowledge will be missed as transporting the cannon and required
the family. will her ever supportive nature. police interaction – phew!
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