Monthly archives: July 2021

Heartbeat: Practice makes perfect – helping seriously ill children

Colleagues across the Trust have been signing up to complete the newly offered Resuscitation Council (UK) course to perfect their knowledge and know-how in the recognition and management of the seriously ill child.

Children can be amongst the most difficult patients to clinically support with their limited communication skills, so when their health deteriorates it is critical that colleagues are willing, able and confident to respond and act decisively to give these patients the best possible care.

To find out more about the new course offerings, we caught up with Course Director and Resuscitation Officer, Kevin Jennison. He said: “We’re dedicated to delivering high quality training which is targeted to the needs of our patient groups and to our colleagues and we’re pleased to now deliver the European Paediatric Advanced Life Support (EPALS) course. It’s a two-day course that gives colleagues the skills they need to recognise the causes and prevention of a deteriorating child, or when a child is seriously ill and in need of an intervention, as well as training in how to carry out resuscitation on children

“The EPALS course is a blend of lectures, demonstrations and opportunities to practice and be assessed, so it’s a thoroughly balanced course that supports professional development in a supportive environment.”

Completing the course, CT1 Anaesthetic Trainee Dr Sunil James said: “Working in the emergency department we see a lot of young people, teenagers and children and I initially felt a little unconfident and uncomfortable managing how ill they were and I feel that this course has increased my confidence and ability to manage them in a systematic way. I’m a kinaesthetic learner so the design of the course with a combination of lecture and practical really suited my style of learning.”

Also taking part on the course was Paediatric Staff Nurse, Kirsty Cockell, sharing her thoughts she said: “This course has been very interesting, it’s very scenario based, so you get to work with a team, it allows you to improve your skills, communication and take a team leader approach.

“Doing this course gave me more confidence in resuscitation being the nurse in charge looking after a child who is in cardiac arrest or unwell. This course has not only given me more confidence, but reassured me of my ability to provide the best care for children in these situations.”

To find out more about the booking on to and completing the European Paediatric Advanced Life Support (EPALS) course, contact the deteriorating patient and resuscitation team on ext. 5908.

Heartbeat: SWB medics saving lives virtually

They are the SWB doctors who are saving lives in India by offering vital medical advice through video and teleconsultations.

Dr Anand Arora has been carrying out the consultations through the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine, working alongside other medics, in delivering virtual care to patients and also Indian clinicians.

“Some of the patients are in a very bad way,” he explained. “They have been taking steroids unnecessarily which has led to complications, including fungal infections and other life-threatening illnesses.

“My colleagues and I are able to offer medical advice to them because we speak their language and can help them.

“I feel good to be able to help in a small way by doing something, whatever I can to help the people of India at such a dreadful time.”

Dr Arora usually carries out six to seven consultations a day, either through WhatsApp or Zoom. In total he estimates he has offered medical advice up to 80 times and has also introduced many medics to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, another successful treatment for COVID patients.

“I have lots of family there, including my father, sister and my wife’s immediate family. They are safe but have been listening to the advice I have given them throughout the pandemic.”

Dr Arora joined the Trust in 2007 as a consultant in intensive care and anaesthetics. As well as offering the teleconsultations, he has also been instrumental in pushing forward the ‘Awake Proning ‘ treatment method.

“We recognised how the condition of the patient improved on lying prone,” he explained.

“Their oxygen saturation improved and many avoided admission to intensive care. Junior doctors working with us put forward an idea about capturing this new method on film and we worked with the communications team in producing photographic and video content.

“This was shared on the Trust’s YouTube channel and has been viewed more than 37,000 times.”

Dr Arora has also recorded a shorter Hindi version of the awake proning video specifically for patients unable to get hospital treatment in India. They are able to follow the simple instructions in Hindi which is widely understood across the country.

He added: “Awake proning can be lifesaving, especially when there is a resource crunch and lack of oxygen supply and hospital beds. It is being followed by those infected in India at home because of the current terrible situation

“I hope that this video will reach those who are unable to get to hospital and that ultimately it saves lives. I would urge colleagues to share this so we can get instructions on how to carry out this important technique out there.”

Heartbeat: NOUS – a new ultrasound service for the community

SWB CCG has commissioned a new ultrasound service which will be jointly delivered by us and Modality LLP.

Boasting six brand new ultrasound machines for delivery of the service, one for each of our community sites. Patients will be able to access the service seven days per week and will be offered an ultrasound appointment at one of the six specified locations within 10 days of referral receipt.

Unlike most community ultrasound services that rely on portable laptop machines and unreliable portable Wi-Fi, we will have a full ultrasound system with SWB network connectivity, meaning real-time connection to patient databases and also the ability to both view and upload to the PACS image archive.

These systems have superior image quality and features to those found on portable systems and this will allow for more accurate interpretation of images and diagnosis. Our connection to the Radiology patient information system (CRIS) and the trust image archive (PACS) will allow for images to be viewed by a team of sub-specialty radiologists, to provide timely second opinion assistance if required.

The service, previously delivered by Health Harmonie, will now benefit from:

• A fully IT integrated service where all ultrasound scans taken in the community setting are available to SWBHT in real-time enabling a smooth and efficient patient pathway
• Referral process using ICE saving time for referrers
• Accessibility from six community locations including:
  • West Birmingham: Nishkam Pharmacy (Handsworth), Shanklin House Surgery (Handsworth) & Tower Hill Partnership Medical Practice (Perry Barr)
  • Sandwell: Neptune Health Park (Tipton), Rowley Regis Hospital (Rowley Regis) & Hill Top Medical Centre (Oldbury)
• A fully integrated clinical model where SWBHT Consultant Radiologists provide clinical oversight for community sonographers
• Appointments for direct access ultrasound requests offered within 10 days of referral
• Ultrasound reports sent back to the referring GP within two days.

Eid Mubarak to colleagues across the Trust

In Islam, there are two major festivals each year, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha celebrated by Muslims across the world. The first celebrates the end of Ramadan (period of fasting) and the second marks the end of the period of pilgrimage (Hajj).

The Festival of Eid ul-Adha is expected to take place on the Tuesday 20 July, however, the dates for Eid festivals are reliant on a sighting of the new moon and vary from year to year. Whilst approximate dates are known well in advance, it is not always possible to give a definitive date until much nearer to the time.

Eid ul-Adha is often considered the greater of the two Eid festivals mainly because of the significance of the holy pilgrimage (Hajj) that millions of practising Muslims make each year.

Celebrating safely

Eid often involves families and friends coming together to celebrate and whilst many restrictions have been lifted recently, it’s important to remain vigilant and to celebrate safely to protect yourself and others round you. Remember, COVID-19 remains a very real risk, both in the wider community and within our hospitals.

The most important actions you can take are to maintain social distancing during festivities and practise frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds.

For more information on the equality, diversity and inclusion support available to colleagues, please contact the EDI team on swbh.swbedi@nhs.net.

Midland Met – did you know?

Whilst COVID-19 and the pandemic has brought industries to a halt – Midland Metropolitan University Hospital continues on its journey to completion.

Once complete, our new acute hospital which sits on a 16 acre site in Smethwick will offer maternity, children and inpatient adult services to half a million people. As we take steps towards opening our new hospital, we’ll be sharing some interesting facts with you along the way.

Temporary relocation of cardiac rehabilitation services from 26 July

From Monday 26 July, the cardiac rehabilitation service at City Hospital is temporarily relocating to D6 where they will be seeing patients for follow up appointments

In addition to this, from Monday 6 September, Millers building (1^st floor) will be where the service supports patients to exercise.

If you need to contact the service or find out more, please call 0121 507 5562 or email swbh.cardiac.rehabilitation@nhs.net.

Drug safety notice: Syner-KINASE10,000IU and 25,000IU powder for solution for injection/infusion

Syner-KINASE (Urokinase) 10,000IU and 25,000IU powder for solution for injection/infusion is currently out of stock due to a current manufacturing issue with no date for when stock will be available.

The alternative product available is Actilyse Cathflo (alteplase) 2mg powder for
solution for injection and infusion.

Note: Clinical colleagues are advised to look at the Actilyse Cathflo summary of product characteristics (SPC) for full dosing and administration guidance.

For further details please see Urokinase 10000 units and 25000 units information sheet.

For more information please contact the pharmacy department on ext. 5263/3783.

Heartbeat: Donation of cuddle cots will bring comfort to grieving parents

When devastated parents Stefan Price and Chloe Murphy’s newborn twin Amelia died shortly after her birth, the couple received vital support from colleagues within our maternity department.

Little Amelia had been born by caesarean section along with her sister Harley, at 36 weeks, but unfortunately doctors were unable to save her life.

Now more than two years on, the couple wanted to give back to the Trust by raising money for two cuddle cots, which allow grieving families spend much needed time with their babies before they are transferred in to the care of our mortuary teams.

The innovative equipment can be placed in a cot or Moses basket and allows the parents to spend some precious last moments with the little one, allowing them as much time with their baby whilst still in hospital.

Stefan told Heartbeat: “We wanted to donate the cuddle cots as our way of giving back to City Hospital where Amelia was born.

“The cuddle cot for us was invaluable as it gave us time with her. Every parent deserves the right to spend time with their baby.”

Stefan and Chloe enlisted the help of family and friends to raise the funds to pay for the cuddle cots.

Stefan explained: “We arranged an event where 15 people walked from Walsall to Stourport – it was a total of 26 miles. Donations are still coming in so we are just waiting to announce the final total.”

Ann Minto, Bereavement Midwife, said: “It is always very sad when a baby dies and our hearts go out to Stefan and Chloe.

“Colleagues and the bereavement team appreciate their kind donation of these cuddle cots which will provide much comfort to other parents who unfortunately may go through a similar experience.”

Free tickets still available for Cliff Lakes Aqua Park in Tamworth tomorrow

Fancy an afternoon of fun and free food at a water park? Then look no further – 75 free tickets are still up for grabs at the Cliff Lakes Aqua Park in Tamworth.

Owners of the park have kindly gifted free entry into the activity centre, which offers a range of inflatable slides, climbing walls, and various obstacles.

The Trust has organised free transport to the venue via coaches, leaving Sandwell Hospital at 2.30pm, Tuesday 20 July. The session will run between 4.30pm – 6pm, with food served afterwards. It’s estimated that the coaches will arrive back at Sandwell Hospital at around 8.10pm.

If you would like to take advantage of this great offer, fill out the Cliff Lakes staff form and email it to victoria.williams20@nhs.net no later than today (Monday 19 July), 5pm.

Note: Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

New Supportive Care Plan is now live in Unity

We are delighted to announce that the newly refreshed Supportive Care Plan is now live in Unity to help as we care together for people in their last months, weeks and days of life in line with Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of nursing guidance.

Particular thanks go out to Neel Patel for consultant input for making sure clinicians get the information they need when you need it has been a big part of the design work. Trainees Elise Davies and Amy Hough have also worked alongside us and the Unity architect to make it intuitive both when initiated and on a day-to-day basis. Also Laura Pitt, Pall Care CNS, who has worked tirelessly checking the system especially the nursing functionality.

There is now an ‘SCP’ ward round which will auto populate with important information from the SCP such as preferred place of death and documentation from the new nursing SCP assessments to alert doctors to uncontrolled symptoms.

For further details please check out the Supportive Care Plan intranet page here. The new trainee doctors will be doing this training pre-August arrival as will all new nursing staff and existing colleagues can access as needed.

We are also planning to pull together a reporting dashboard soon where you will be able to see by ward, speciality and clinical group how well we are all doing for patients and their families at this tough time.

Please contact anna.lock@nhs.net if you find bugs in the system or have any questions or queries.