M embership

atters Spring 2011

Issue 2

FT delay will ensure The board of St George’s

Healthcare NHS Trust agreed
at its meeting held on March
for providing community services
in Wandsworth.

safety remains
“In the last five years we have
31st to delay the timeline
worked successfully to improve
for its Foundation Trust (FT)
the trust’s finances while
application to April 2013.
continuing to develop leading-

the priority In taking this decision the board

acknowledged that, while the
trust had successfully met the
edge services. However, while we
have met the clinical standards
to become a FT there is still work
needed to ensure that St George’s
clinical and governance standards
required to become a FT, there is Healthcare secures its long-term
still work required to improve the financial future.
financial performance of the trust.
“The board recognises that if
For the financial year 2011/12 St
we put the organisation under
George’s Healthcare faces a £55m
pressure to become FT during
efficiency challenge. Moving the
2011/12 then this is could impact
FT application back to April 2013
on the quality and safety of the
will allow the trust to focus on
patient care that we provide.
meeting its financial targets while
That is a risk that the board is not
continuing to provide excellent
prepared to take.
care to patients.
“Since formally launching our
Naaz Coker, chair of St George’s
FT plans in May 2010 we have
Healthcare said: “We are fully
received an enthusiastic response
committed to providing the
from our public, patients and
highest standards of care to all
staff and the trust’s membership
the communities we serve. The
numbers currently stand at over
trust is a major trauma centre,
11,000. While our timeline
hyper-acute stroke unit and centre
for becoming an FT may have
of excellence for cancer, cardiac
changed our commitment to
and women’s and children’s
engage with existing members
services. In addition, since October
and recruit new ones continues.”
2010, we have been responsible

Flying start for member events

Our new membership engagement
programme which launched in
January proved very popular. Our first
health information event, Nutrition in
a nutshell – how to eat healthy and
live longer presented by Catherine
Collins, principal dietitian, attracted
over 180 members and required an
additional session to be put on.
Catherine Collins said: “Being able
to offer advice to the public about
how to eat healthily and prevent
food-related problems is extremely
rewarding. The audience raised some
interesting questions and it was very
encouraging to learn how important
nutrition is to them.”
Heart attacks and how to avoid them,
by Dr Paul Collinson, consultant
chemical pathologist, attracted more
than 130 members. The audience
was told about the risk factors that
can lead to heart attacks and how
these can be reduced.
The presentations from the health
education events are available on the
foundation trust section of the trust’s
website at www.stgeorges.nhs.uk
Members keen to be governors
Over 500 members have expressed
an interest in standing for election
to the council of governors and six
information sessions have been held.
As a result of the new FT timeline
the council elections will be delayed
but engagement with interested
governors will continue.
Member Shereen Sadiq from Catford
who attended a governor session
said: “As a patient I have appreciated
the care and support from staff at St
George’s Hospital and the Wolfson
Neurorehabilitation Centre. I am keen
to be in a position to give something
back to the trust. It was interesting to
hear about the role that a foundation
trust governor can play and how
governors can help St George’s to
better understand the needs of their
patients and local community.”
New events
Community services advice day
The trust has joined with Tooting
Safer Neighbourhoods team
(Metropolitan Police), Wandsworth
Adult Social Services, Wandsworth
Carers Centre and South West
London and St George’s Mental
Health NHS Trust to pilot the first
community services advice day
in Tooting. This drop in event for
local people is free and will provide
information and advice on a range
of health, social care and community
safety issues all under one roof.
Date: 26th May 2011
Time: 14:00-20:00hrs
Venue: The boardrooms,
2nd floor, Hunter Wing,
St George’s, University of London
St George’s community open day
St George’s Healthcare and St
George’s, University of London will
be opening their doors to the public
on Saturday 18th June 2011, from
10:00-15:00hrs.
This community open day will help
to build closer links with the local
community and to raise awareness
of the work of both organisations.
The day will be family friendly with
entertainment, special tours and
competitions.
The community open day is
supported by MITIE

Living our values:

Help shape our
corporate social
responsibility framework
St George’s Healthcare would like your views on our draft corporate social
responsibility (CSR) framework and your suggestions on how the framework Hourly
can be improved.
rounding
St George’s Healthcare is rooted in the community of
southwest London. This framework is being developed
How you can help
Members have until Friday 1st July 2011 to give us your improves
patient
to support our commitment to the community and staff thoughts to the three questions below.
beyond our role as a provider of healthcare services. The
trust is committed to fully developing its moral and social 1. Do you agree with the three themes and areas of work
obligations in line with its corporate values and the public
service ethos.
in this framework?
2. Have you got any suggestions by which these themes
experience
Your feedback will help to adapt and improve the trust’s can be made stronger?
corporate behaviour. 3. Have you got any other comments about our CSR
What does corporate social responsibility mean? framework?
We would like to take a wide approach to the way CSR This can be done in writing to the following freepost
can be interpreted, ensuring that we continue to build it address (no stamp required):
into our everyday business. In summary, to St George’s
Healthcare, CSR means: Freepost RSGZ-UJJH-THEB
• Putting social, economic and environmental FT membership office
considerations at the heart of decision making Grosvenor Wing
St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust
• Ensuring day-to-day activities support, rather than Blackshaw Road
hinder, progress with sustainable development London
• Using the trust’s purchasing power, influence and SW17 0QT The experience that patients
resources to help deliver strong, healthy and sustainable have while in hospital is
Or you can respond to these questions online at the important to both their care
communities foundation trust section of the trust’s website at and recovery. With this in
What has the trust been doing about its impact? www.stgeorges.nhs.uk mind St George’s Healthcare
St George’s Healthcare sees a large number of patients What next? has introduced an hourly
from our local community and improving their health We will use your feedback to clearly develop the actions rounding system where nurses
and wellbeing, along with that of our staff, is the biggest and measures in our framework. We will then agree the talk with patients at least once
difference we can make. framework with the trust board and will publish the final an hour to ask if they are in
CSR document on our website. pain, need the toilet or a drink
The trust has also been working for several years to and if there is anything else
reduce our energy consumption and to work in more When the council of governors has been elected, we the nurse can do for them.
environmentally sustainable ways. This applies to our plan that it will hold the trust to account for the CSR
buildings, the ways we work and to the goods we use framework and work with its members to further develop Nurses make hourly checks
and purchase. the framework in a planned and sustainable way. between 10:00 and 22:00hrs
while during the night they
Feedback needed conduct silent rounds only asking
The trust is looking at three key themes to provide the those patients who are awake.
foundations for our CSR framework:
Speaking about the impact of
hourly rounding Lesley Law, a
Theme Area of work matron on Vernon Ward said:
“For most staff hourly rounding
Reducing building energy use: heating, hot water and electricity consumption
acts as a prompt as it is in
Reducing travel their nature to check on their
Sustainable development
Reducing waste patients anyway. I conducted
an evaluation in March and
Sustainable purchasing
the results showed that hourly
Equality and Human Rights – adopting the national NHS Equality Delivery rounding does improve the
System patient experience as nurses have
Building sustainable communities more direct engagement with
Reducing inequalities them. It also shows that it reduces
Improving access
falls as patients don’t try to leave
Improving patient safety their bed without the help of a
Focus on education, training and employment nurse, knowing that they will
be checked upon regularly.
Health improvement activities
Preventing ill health “For nurses it is a more productive
way of working and we have
Improving public health for Health protection noticed that call bells are used
patients and staff Prolonging healthy lives less frequently as patients know
Physical and mental health and well being (staff) that nurses will be coming to talk
to them on a regular basis.”
Recruitment, retention and rehabilitation (staff)
 Battling superbugs
The fight against infections
such as MRSA and Clostridium
difficile (C.diff) is a high priority
for St George’s Healthcare.
Cleaning services for the trust
are provided by the MITIE
Group and SGP, whose staff
work around the clock to help
prevent infection.
Jenni Doman, general manager for
estates and facilities, explains why
cleaning in a hospital has to be
thorough.
“There are national standards
of cleanliness that act as our
monitoring tool. We make sure
every area meets these standards,
assessing against 49 separate
elements including floors to
furniture and equipment.”
Jenni also describes the different
tasks the cleaning teams can
face. This ranges from day-to-
day cleaning to deep cleaning
and clinical cleans following any
building and refurbishment work.
“The trust’s cleaning teams work
24/7. Outside of the normal
working day there are deep
cleaning teams that can assist
wards and departments with
additional cleaning services.
Meet the members
Membership Matters spoke to Jasmine Taylor to find out why she joined St George’s Healthcare.
MEET MEMBER: Jasmine Taylor
■ When did you become a member?
In September 2010 when the
idea of membership caught my
attention, I was very eager to
join up and become involved.
■ Tell us a bit more about your
interest in St George’s Healthcare.
Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed
with chronic renal failure. At the
time I was working in publishing,
producing several weekly magazines
which was fun but frantic. Knowing
that I couldn’t keep up the pace
I ‘retired’ and ran a small interior
“These roles are not just about
physical cleaning; it is also
about tidiness, the condition of
equipment and the overall patient
experience. Everyone is responsible
including cleaners, doctors, nurses,
patients and visitors. As a result of
our efforts, St George’s Healthcare
has one of the lowest MRSA and
C.diff rates of hospitals in London.”
Rick Holliman, hospital infection
control doctor, says:
“In February the trust recorded
its first MRSA hospital acquired
bacteraemia since July 2010.
Although disappointing, we did
well to go for over 200 days
without a MRSA acquisition which
is a significant achievement.
design business. Then came the
moment I was dreading – dialysis
was required. Having been a
private patient for many years
I was horrified when insurance
companies suddenly cancelled cover
for chronic conditions and I was
anxious about my transfer to St
George’s. My ridiculous fears were
of course completely unfounded!
In 2006 I was fortunate to have a
kidney transplant so my life depends
upon St George’s – literally! I will
always have a connection with the
hospital as I need to attend regularly
for check-ups to ensure that
everything is functioning as it should.
■ Why did you become a member?
I suppose I am a bit of a meddler,
in a positive way! The treatment
I received in most departments
was excellent, but I feel that there
are things around the hospital
that need to be addressed.
Being a member gives you more
opportunity to raise these issues.
■ Which services have you used at
St George’s Healthcare?
The renal unit has provided most
“There have also been no
outbreaks or clusters of C.diff
identified during the last 18
months.
Infection control is an area where
we cannot afford to drop our
guard and we continue to work
hard to keep our hospital safe.”
Ruth Law, lead nurse for infection
control, believes terms such as
‘hospital superbugs’ may be
unhelpful.
“There are at least eight antibiotics
that are effective against MRSA
and it actually causes a minority of
hospital acquired infections. It is
important to remember that MRSA
is not the only problem. There are
many other bacteria that can cause
serious disease.”
of my care and the staff are
wonderful, kind and tolerant – we
can be extremely difficult patients.
However, a compromised immune
system (to prevent kidney rejection)
means that we are ideal targets
for numerous infections, so I have
been treated in several other
departments, A&E in particular.
■ Are there any services you are
particularly interested in?
I attend the Patient Reference Group
and have been involved with the
Patient Environment Assessment
Team, which looks at the hospital
from the patient’s viewpoint
and addresses any concerns.
■ Are you involved in any other local
groups?
I belong to the St George’s
Kidney Patients Association, an
extremely active group of ex-kidney
patients and carers, which raises
funds to purchase equipment to
support the unit and enhance the
patient experience. I am also a
volunteer at the hospital as well
as a patient representative. There
really is no getting rid of me!
Ruth explains that a lot of bacteria
are also brought into the hospital
by visitors:
“Visitors bringing infections into
hospital pose a serious risk to
patients. You should always avoid
visiting a patient in the hospital if
you are unwell, particularly if you
are suffering with a vomiting bug
or diarrhoea. Likewise, you should
not visit the hospital if you have an
infection such as flu, chickenpox,
shingles or an undiagnosed rash.
“Alongside the cleanliness of our
wards, we run a stringent hand
hygiene practice and careful use of
antibiotics.
Patients shouldn’t be afraid to ask
their doctor or nurse to wash their
hands or use the hand gel.”
■ Would you consider standing for
election in the council of governors?
I would be very interested,
although I tend to be more of
a ‘doer’ than a ‘speaker’!
■ What would you say to those
thinking of becoming a member, but
have not yet done so?
I would urge them to join as soon
as possible. Becoming a member
is a wonderful opportunity to
become involved in both the
future of St George’s Healthcare
and the care of its patients.
Since I started my treatment here,
I have always been very supportive
of St George’s. I think people are
sometimes concerned about being
seen as a customer rather than
a patient. Becoming a member
enables the trust to become far
more connected with its patients
and the community it serves,
which can only be a good thing.
To find out more about the
St George’s Kidney Patients
Association, visit their website
at www.sgkpa.org.uk.
Organ donation saves lives
For many patients receiving an
organ transplant is a life-saving
operation. During 2010 over
2,500 people have received
transplants in the UK while some
3,000 had their sight restored
thanks to the generosity of
others. However 8,000 people are
still waiting for a transplant and
three of those die every day.
Dr Argyro Zoumprouli, clinical lead
for organ donation at St George’s
Healthcare, explains the trust’s
approach to discussing organ
donation with families who face losing
someone they deeply care about.
“The decision about donation can
be stressful and difficult for patients
and their families. At St George’s
a specially trained member of the
healthcare team will take time to
explain the process involved helping
people to make an informed choice
about whether to donate or not.”
On the subject of religious and
cultural issues, Dr Zoumprouli
says that all major faiths within
Students help recruit new members
Students from St George’s,
University of London helped to
recruit patients and visitors as
new foundation trust members
during the winter.
The scheme was extremely
successful, with an impressive
1,348 new members signed up.
Dates for your diary
All sessions are free and open to all, but we do ask you to reserve your place by emailing members@stgeorges.nhs.uk
or calling the membership office on 020 8266 6132. Please also let us know if you have any special requirements.
Date Time
14:00-15:00
18th May 2011
19:00-20:00
26th May 2011 14:00-20:00
18th June 2011 10:00-15:00
12:00-13:00
20th July 2011
19:00-20:00
21st September 12:00-13:00
2011 19:00-20:00
17th October 12:00-13:00
2011 19:00-20:00
the UK support the principles of
donation. However, all faiths also
accept that donating is an individual’s
or family’s choice and St George’s
Healthcare advocates that view.
“Organ donation is well supported
by local religious groups and
leaders from the Muslim and Hindu
community, who are fully engaged in
the process. We find that the barrier
is not so much about religion, but
about culture and of trust placed in
the healthcare system. Making such
a decision at a very distressing time
can be a real burden if families don’t
know what their loved one would
have wanted. Trying to encourage
people to discuss the issue of
donation with their families is a
message we would like to send out
to our local community.”
Joining the organ donor register is
one way that people can express
their wish, but it remains very
important to share this with loved
ones. The organ donor register
has over 17 million donors and
currently a lot of work is being
Subject
Keeping your brain healthy by
Dr Colette Griffin, consultant neurologist
Community services advice day
(drop in session – no need to pre-book)
Community open day
(drop in session – no need to pre-book)
Vaccines – facts and myths by Dr David Lewis,
professor of clinical vaccinology and medicine,
and hon. consultant physician
Men’s health by Mr Ken Anson,
consultant urological surgeon
Super bugs by Dr Tim Planche,
consultant medical microbiology
done to encourage those from
black or ethnic minorities to
Mixed sex
consider donation. Patients from
these communities are three to
accommodation
four times more likely to need a
transplant. However, due to the
update
need of matching organs or tissue
typing these patients wait longer and St George’s Healthcare NHS
are more likely to die while on the Trust is pleased to confirm
waiting list. that it is compliant with the
Government’s requirement
Many people are surprised to learn to eliminate mixed sex
that age is not a barrier to organ accommodation, except when
donation. Jo Coles, specialist nurse it is in the patient’s overall
organ donation, explains: best interest, or reflects their
personal choice. We have
“One of the oldest donors for
the necessary facilities and
corneas is 102 and recently a
resources to ensure that
gentleman in his early 80s donated
patients will only share the
his liver. Another family kindly
room where they sleep with
consented to heart valve donation
members of the same sex.
following the sudden loss of their
36-week old daughter. It has been Sharing with members of the
a great comfort to both parents opposite sex will only happen
knowing another two little babies when clinically necessary for
have been helped.” example where patients need
specialist equipment such as
To find out more about in neurosciences, cardiac and
organ donation go to general intensive care or the
www.organdonation.nhs.uk hyper acute stroke unit.
The full declaration of compliance
for the elimination of mixed sex
accommodation is available in the
about us section on the trust’s
website at www.stgeorges.nhs.uk
Membership Matters
is
written and published
by the
trust’s communications
unit.
The opinions expressed
do
not necessarily represent
those of St George’s
Healthcare NHS Trust.
The next edition will be
published in summer 201
1.
If you have suggestion
s for
future articles please em
ail
members@stgeorges.
nhs.uk
Location
Afternoon: Michael Heron lecture theatre,
1st floor, Hunter Wing
Evening: Hyde park room, 1st floor, Lanesborough Wing
Boardrooms 1-4, 2nd floor, Hunter Wing
St George’s Hospital and St George’s University of London
Afternoon: Lecture theatre G, ground floor, Jenner Wing
Evening: Hyde park room, 1st floor, Lanesborough Wing
TBC
TBC
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