Monthly archives: January 2018
Is diabetic retinopathy associated with hearing loss in type-II diabetes?
Many previous studies have shown evidence of a link between diabetes and hearing loss but the reasons behind this remain unclear. This study is looking for diabetic participants with normal hearing or a mild hearing loss.
If you choose to participate in the study you will be invited to a single appointment for audiological testing. Three different tests will be performed; pure tone audiometry, speech testing and the measurement of otoacoustic emissions.
Pure tone audiometry and speech testing require you to respond to sounds presented through headphones by pressing a button or repeating what you have heard. Measuring otoacoustic emissions does not require any active participation. A probe tip is placed in your ear, sounds are played and acoustic responses from your cochlea are measured. These tests are not invasive.
If you have any questions or require any further information about the study please feel free to contact Stuart Hall (shall29@nhs.net).
Save on tickets to The Photography Show, NEC Birmingham
Whether you’re out rain or shine looking for that perfect sunset shot or forever capturing snaps of the family… and you’re looking to take your love of photography to the next level, The Photography Show 2018 has it all.
Head to the NEC Birmingham, 17-20 March 2018 to try and buy the latest cameras and accessories from over 250 leading brands, get tips and advice on how to enhance your photography and create (and edit) stunning stills and film, and be inspired by globally renowned photographers and the stories behind their iconic images.
Save £3 off standard adult entry tickets (code NECPTPS18)
OR
Buy 4, get 1 FREE with groups of 5 or more (bring your colleagues along! – code GRP5A)
* T&C’s – Discount codes expire on 14 March 2018 and apply to standard adult entry tickets only. Pro photographers can apply for a free entry pass, subject to specific criteria. Show entry tickets must be purchased as well as Super Stage and Masterclass tickets which are an additional (nominal) fee. The offer may be withdrawn without notice at the promoter’s discretion and are subject to availability. Offer does not apply to tickets already purchased and anyone who has previously purchased cannot swap tickets under any circumstances. This is a private offer and should not be listed, shared, promoted publicly or posted on any social media at all, if the offer is shared publicly it will be withdrawn.
The Photography Show (17-20 March 2018, NEC Birmingham) – Save £3 off adult entry tickets or Buy 4 and get 1 FREE with groups of 5 or more
Whether you’re out rain or shine looking for that perfect sunset shot or forever capturing snaps of the family… and you’re looking to take your love of photography to the next level, The Photography Show 2018 has it all.
Come to the NEC Birmingham, 17-20 March 2018 to try and buy the latest cameras and accessories from over 250 leading brands, get tips and advice on how to enhance your photography and create (and edit) stunning stills and film, and be inspired by globally renowned photographers and the stories behind their iconic images.
Save £3 off standard adult entry tickets (code NECPTPS18)
OR
Buy 4, get 1 free with groups of 5 or more (bring your colleagues along! – code GRP5A)
2018 will see brand new exhibitors (alongside big brands Canon, Fujifilm, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic and Olympus, to name a few) – whatever you’re looking for to grow your skills and boost your imagination, you’ll find at The Photography Show, including:
- All the major manufacturers with the latest tech available for you to try and compare – then buy at competitive prices at one of our three retailers.
- A full range of photography accessories, from bags to clothing, to nifty gadgets and software – anything you need for your kit bag.
- On stand experts to answer all your burning questions, plus a number of exhibitor stages dedicated to showing off the latest products.
PLUS…
- Book a seat at one of our Super Stage sessions, including globally renowned photographers Art Wolfe, Bruce Davidson, Erik Johansson, Jasmine Star, Ami Vitale and more.*
- Join one of the fantastic masterclasses. Learn all the basics, including what camera is right for you at the Beginners’ Masterclass or put the wheels in motion to achieve your dream career at the Turning Pro Masterclass.*
- Add to your skill-set and choose from over 140 free talks covering different genres, styles and techniques – and get new ideas to enhance your photography approach.
- Take a break from the show floor and be inspired by stunning galleries, including The People’s Gallery, Outdoor Photographer of the Year and Digital Camera Photographer of the Year and more to be announced.
Book your tickets now whilst it’s fresh in your mind – entry charges increase and discount codes are no longer valid from 14 March 2018. We’ll see you at the show!
* T&C’s – Discount codes expire on 14 March 2018 and apply to standard adult entry tickets only. Pro photographers can apply for a free entry pass, subject to specific criteria. Show entry tickets must be purchased as well as Super Stage and Masterclass tickets which are an additional (nominal) fee. The offer may be withdrawn without notice at the promoter’s discretion and are subject to availability. Offer does not apply to tickets already purchased and anyone who has previously purchased cannot swap tickets under any circumstances. This is a private offer and should not be listed, shared, promoted publicly or posted on any social media at all, if the offer is shared publicly it will be withdrawn.
Unity Readiness Checklist
We’ve published a guide on to how to get ready for Unity in your department, known as the Unity Readiness Checklist. As a manager there are activities you can complete now, including ensuring your staff have good digital skills and are booking on Digital Champion and the first phase of end user training.
We will be providing the checklist itself as a paper document which you will complete to demonstrate you are ready for Unity. These will be distributed in Digital Champions training day 2.
As always, if you need help or support please contact Trust In Digital via email or the IT Service Desk on x4050.
Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 26 January 2018
Cervical cytology screening, or smears, are a key weapon in the battle against cancer. Early detection through screening reduces deaths and improves outcomes. This short films explains how the procedure is carried out.
I am taking a break this week from writing about Carillion or Midland Met. The situation, as you will appreciate, will take a little time to evolve. There is no further bad news and we remain committed to the new hospital, as do partners and Ministers. We are making some progress with building contractors and banks in resolving the issues. I will doubtless write more about this over coming weeks.
Hopefully, after three days of operation, you are familiar on our hospital sites with the new Click and Collect weekday food service. This idea is a simple one. Very few of us have time to queue. This service should take queuing time away. It also gives you chance where you work to look at food options and know for sure what is available. Like any new system I am guessing there will be teething issues, but let’s hope it helps, especially at City where Arches can get overrun of a lunchtime. You know that a little while ago we decided in principle to try and keep most retail catering at the Trust in house. At the same time we did not agree to lots of price increases. Instead the strategy is about growing the number of us who use these services. I really hope the new service helps Steve, Jane and the team to do that.
This week we publicised again our joint working agreement with the Modality group of GPs. Most of us, I suspect, intuitively believe it makes sense to work more closely with primary care. The challenge is how to do that at scale. 110 practices work in our immediate patch and they vary greatly. We are working to offer a practice nurse bank service to some, in other cases we are moving outpatient clinics to their patch, under LMS we are reshaping how community midwifery is organised. Whether it is through an accountable care system, or another vehicle, a great deal of time and attention will need to be spent in the next year on trying to devise much deeper integration arrangements locally. I am very optimistic that this can be achieved, and that it offers huge benefits for the patients we serve. When we asked you a year ago what the number one improvement necessary from primary care was, you told us it was medicines reconciliation. That ask has not been lost for the work we are doing.
56 more flu jabs are needed to reach 80% coverage among patient facing staff. But today I want to highlight a different risk for staff, friends and patients. Cervical cytology screening, or smears, are a key weapon in the battle against cancer. Early detection through screening reduces deaths and improves outcomes. At the top of this message is a short film showing how simple the procedure is. I make no apology, in a workforce where over three quarters of our colleagues are female, for highlighting the necessity for, and merits of, screening. If you are due please make your appointment. If family members are due please consider talking to them about the risks of avoiding this simple test.
Finally thank you again to everyone who has been involved this week in welcoming our student nurses, and those completing training and joining our teams. Our nurse education always rates highly with both nursing schools’ graduates. Our work is to convert that enthusiasm into willing joiners. More than fifty are joining us this month. We continue to work to ensure that community options are emphasised to new starters, alongside hospital work. After all in the near future, we would expect many more our clinical roles to span both domains or locations. Now is the time to begin thinking that way, and developing the skills to coach and support those in such roles.
#hellomynameis….Toby
Educational meetings w/c: 29 January
Next week Mike Blaber will be presenting “Lessons from burn out”, understanding yourself and each other in cultivating wellbeing in medicine.
Many of you will remember Mike Blaber who has been a medical student, F1, F2, CMT and registrar in various departments across the organisation over the past several years. He then followed a career in palliative medicine but now has a role in the ethics department at the university and also works with Unesco.
The session will be held in the following locations:
- Postgraduate Centre, City Hospital – Monday 29 January, 12.30pm start
- Education Centre, Sandwell Hospital – Thursday 1 February, 12.30pm start
Dementia, delirium and distress team contacts
Below are contact details for members of our dementia, delirium and distress (DDD) team
Annie Williams, Dementia Clinical Nurse Specialist
Mobile 07966 258184 Extension 3211 Annie.Williams1@nhs.net
Simone Kelly, Dementia Clinical Nurse Specialist
Mobile 079708714 Extension 6445 Simone.Kelly1@nhs.net
Stephen Keates, Dementia Clinical Nurse Specialist
Mobile 07966 625103 Extension 5488 Stepehen.Keates@nhs.net
David Colbey, Learning Disabilities Clinical Nurse Specialist
Mobile 07966 625109 Extension 4349 D.Cobley@nhs.net
Please use Swbh.DDDgroup@nhs.net for email referrals
BMEC Pharmacy – extended opening
As from Monday 29 January, BMEC Pharmacy will remain open from 9am to 4.45pm and will no longer close between 1pm and 2pm.
Health and Wellbeing Newsletter
The latest edition of the health and wellbeing newsletter has been released.
To download, please click here.
Schwartz Round – The patient we will never forget
Schwartz rounds are a forum for clinical and non-clinical colleagues from all backgrounds and levels, to come together once a month, for one hour meetings in which they can talk about the emotional and social challenges of caring for patients.
The next Schwartz round takes place on Tuesday 30 January, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Postgraduate Centre, City Hospital. A light lunch will be available at 12pm.
The session will be chaired by Dr Diana Webb and member of the palliative care team will be on the panel.
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