Monthly archives: August 2019
Heartbeat: Creating a safe, risk free environment for learning
The brand new Simulation Training Centre (STC) at City Hospital opened earlier this year and the team are eager to highlight what is available at this unique and exciting facility.
The old simulation centre was a dated room which became an unworkable space, particularly uncomfortable to work in during the summer months with rising temperatures and various maintenance issues. After the hospital estates team looked at ways of improving the area, it was decided that the best and most cost effective option was to refurbish a completely new space.
Funding was secured with agreement from the Trust Board and a fantastic new centre was created. What makes the STC unique is that it is very interchangeable as a clinical space, it can be made to look like many different ward based areas. The space can be made into a ward, a theatre, a resuscitation area, and even a GP surgery.
The STC also includes a space purely for communication skills, something which very few simulation centres around the country are able to offer. This provides the opportunity to use actors or “plants” to simulate difficult conversations, such as breaking bad news, in a controlled and safe environment.
The scope for the use of simulations is wide ranging, from training to re-enacting clinical incidents, testing protocols and guidelines, whatever is required for the learning of the team.
Joe Weston -Price started at the Trust last year in his role as simulation fellow, a yearlong employment as a doctor who is involved in simulation education for all members of staff.
He said: “I am able to meet up with colleagues who feel that simulation is something that could benefit them. We can then discuss their ideas and concerns to see how we can work together to put that into a simulation. The process is very collaborative with the simulation (sim) team deciding with staff what learning they are hoping to gain and a plan being built around how the training is going to be delivered.”
Part of the process includes a debrief, discussing as a team how the sim went, delivering a shared learning experience with both the candidates and the faculty who are training. Joe is able to take the lead and facilitate a discussion on non-clinical skills such as team work, communication, and leadership. Together the candidates and learners are able to look at the ways humans behave in pressurised situations and how we can reflect, learn and improve.
Max Newbould has recently started in his new role as apprentice simulation technician and is responsible for the smooth running of the technical equipment needed to support simulation education.
Max is on hand to offer technical support whether that is the use of the state of the art manikins, cameras and live recording or maybe setting up a more simple session with an actor or a “resus Annie” on a hospital trolley.
The team are keen to highlight that the STC has potential benefits for all members of staff. Colleagues in non-clinical roles are encouraged to explore ways of using the space for their training needs.
For example there is plenty of opportunity for staff who work in admin to practice their communication skills if needed. The security team can test out difficult scenarios such as dealing with patients with mental health issues or angry relatives, in a safe space. Portering teams may want to test procedures for moving critically ill patients or new protocols and systems in a comfortable environment.
Everyone is welcome to use the space. Those interested should email Max Newbould at max.Newbould@nhs.net
Free Maths and English courses for colleague (GCSE and Functional Skills)
Learning and development have teamed up with Halesowen College to bring free maths and English courses, delivered in the workplace and available to all colleagues. There will be opportunities to study GCSE English and maths, as well as functional skills.
Courses will be delivered by Halesowen College at City Hospital every Wednesday, 3.15pm – 5.15pm
If you are interested and would like more information or would like to enrol, please come along to our enrolment day on Wednesday 4 September, 2pm – 4pm in the Anne Gibson Board Room, City Hospital (no appointment needed).
For more information please call ext. 3961 or email bimladevi@nhs.net.
Managers’ Code of Conduct – Speaking Up
Last week we launched the Managers’ Code of Conduct. This sets expectations of everyone who manages someone or leads a project. These roles come with responsibility, power and influence, and we want to ensure that the way in which that is deployed is fair and reasonable.
Today we are sharing with you some guidance regarding speaking up, be sure to watch the video above and ensure you are aware of your responsibilities in challenging poor practice.
To find out more about the new standards, download the Managers’ Code of Conduct here
Planned maintenance: SWBHi Wifi Network downtime
Please be aware that the SWBHi Wifi network is undergoing essential maintenance in the run up to Unity.
The network will be unavailable between 7:30am and 7:45am tomorrow morning (21 August 2019).
As a result, VitalPAC devices will not upload but can be used for inputting data.
Save 10 per cent at Bright Minds Daycare
Bright Minds Daycare are offering Trust colleagues up to 10 per cent off childcare at both their Edgbaston and Jewellery Quarter settings.
Please see Bright Minds Daycare leaflet for more information.
Bright Minds Daycare are also hosting a summer open day for all to attend on Saturday 31 August, 11am – 3pm at 2-4 Summer Hill Terrace, Birmingham, B1 3RA. If you wish to find out mote about the open day, please call 0121 236 0300.
Heartbeat: It’s centre stage at national event for our volunteer service
Our volunteer service was at the heart of a recent national event hosted at City Hospital by Helpforce, a charity committed to creating a better future in health and care through the power of volunteering.
Trusts from across England gathered to participate and share ideas on how to improve patient experience through volunteers. With Manchester University NHS Foundation, South West Yorkshire and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trusts being some of the many trusts that attended.
Sally Williams, Learning Network Manager at Helpforce, told us: “The purpose of today’s event was to bring trusts and volunteer service managers together to share their success stories, challenges and to see how they can help one another.
“We definitely achieved the desired outcome, with representatives from the trusts having the opportunity to network with one another. Everyone engaged in conversation and activities on how best to improve their volunteer service. We would like to thank the volunteer team at SWB for their wonderful hospitality. They looked after us so well and made each of us feel so welcome.”
We are one of twelve pilot trusts selected by Helpforce to recruit volunteers specifically for the mobility role, which allows patients to maintain existing levels of mobility and independence. This is by encouraging them to walk or engage in safe exercises.
Jonathan Maddison, Volunteer Service Project Manager was asked what he hoped to gain from the event. He told us: “I appreciated the fact that we were meeting managers from other trusts and educating ourselves on what they do for their volunteers, along with how to ensure good practice in volunteer management. It was a learning curve and opportunity to connect with those who are in similar positions to us in terms of managing volunteers. It was an informative event.”
Heartbeat: Hello my name is… Julie Thompson
Returning to the SWB family after eight years, we would like to give a warm welcome to Julie Thompson, our new Group Director of Nursing for Medicine and Emergency Care.
Julie started her career at City Hospital in 1979. She left briefly to follow a career in critical care in Coventry before returning to City Hospital to work on the West Midlands Poisons unit as a ward manager: “I then set up the first medical assessment unit at City and completed my master’s degree in advanced clinical practice,” Julie told Heartbeat.
Her next step was to become one of the first matrons when the role was re-introduced by the Government.
“It was an interesting time,” Julie reminisced. “We initially were given red jackets which made us the butt of many jokes!
“I was then offered an excellent opportunity to work on the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Review. I left in 2011 to work in Burton as head nurse for medicine and emergency care, a role I did for three years. During this time I set up a frailty team at the front door, innovated and delivered an enhanced care team for the care of patients with cognitive impairments which I rolled out to 12 trusts across the country.
“The opportunity to return to SWB was too good to pass by. I knew it would be a good place to complete my career back where it all began.”
Julie’s role is to lead on nursing and to ensure that the medicine and emergency care group deliver high quality, safe care to our patients.
She said: “It is also about developing and empowering nursing teams to be the best they can be and to enjoy coming to work. It involves working with teams across all groups and supporting and advising when nursing expertise is required. It also means I have to provide assurance to the executive team regarding nursing and patient care and safety. An element of this is surrounding patient journeys from the front door to the discharge home.
“I feel positive and look forward to the challenges that are ahead especially the move into Midland Met.”
In her spare time Julie enjoys cycling and taking part in cycling events. She loves to travel and is currently learning Spanish. She added: “I also enjoy time with my three beautiful grandchildren. I also fit in three hours of voluntary work a week to support those in need.”
Masterclass in isolation precautions at City at Sandwell
The Infection prevention and control team will be holding isolation masterclasses for band 6 and 7 nurses which aims to inform and support colleagues in the correct isolation procedures for patients who have a known or suspected infection.
There will be two sessions facilitated, one at City and one at Sandwell both from 10am – 12pm:
- City Hospital, Hayward Lecture Theatre – Wednesday 9 October
- Sandwell Hospital, Clinical skills room 2 – Friday 11 October
For booking and information, please call ext. 5195 or email julielewis2@nhs.net.
Smoking FAQ and smokefree policy
Guidance for colleagues
The Trust’s sites are now smokefree. Over the past few months colleagues, patients, visitors and people living within our communities have had the opportunity to share their views on how we can best manage this change. The majority of people responding to the survey are overwhelming in support of the ban – both smokers and non-smokers.
To find out how this may affect you, read the Smokefree Policy
As part of having gone smokefree we wanted to share some common questions and debunk some myths about the ban. Click here to read our smoking FAQ.
Black History Month conference at the Hawthorns: 16 October
To celebrate Black History Month, RCN and NHS Leadership Academy will be hosting a special conference which will explore the issues that particularly affect black and minority ethnic patients, service users and health service colleagues.
The conference takes place on Wednesday 16 October at the Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Halfords Lane, B71 4LF from 9am – 4.30pm.
To book your free place, please click the link below:
https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/events/wm-black-history-month-conference-161019
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