Monthly archives: November 2024

Thrombolysis in stroke study day: 11 December

Colleagues are invited to attend a full day course focusing on thrombolysis in stroke, this is especially intended for anyone involved in the hyper acute management of stroke and stroke thrombolysis.

The topics covered will include an introduction to thrombolysis, NIHSS scale score, stroke mimics and chameleons, basic CT scan interpretation, pharmacy issues, nursing care, local protocol and complications of thrombolysis.

The course follows the national curriculum for stroke thrombolysis and BIASP (British and Irish Association of Stroke Physicians) training requirements and will be fully accredited by the Royal College of Physicians.

The course will be held on Wednesday 11 December, 8.30am – 4pm at MMUH, room number 422.

To book a place, please email lorena.chua@nhs.net or sambanwell@nhs.net

A career well spent at City with Dermot Reilly

“I remember walking into the City Hospital emergency department for the first time seven years into my career in the Midlands. I thought I would be here four or five years, make my mark, and then move on somewhere else. Yet here I am, ready to see my career out right where I started,” is how Dermot describes the start of his successful career at City Hospital.

Having had a long and varied career at City Hospital, Dermot explains: “I’ve worn a few hats over the years – senior charge nurse, clinical lead, professional development lead, and more recently, MMUH move lead. With the big move to Midland Met, I am keen to return to the heart of staff development in our new hospital. It feels like coming full circle, and though retirement isn’t quite in sight, I know it’s on the horizon. There is still much to accomplish, and I’m up for the challenge.”

Reflecting on these past four decades in emergency nursing, Dermot reminisces: “I sometimes feel like I’m telling tales from another era when I talk to our younger staff. Healthcare has evolved so much that describing our practices from the 1990s sounds like something out of a history book. But while tools and techniques have transformed, what hasn’t changed is the people and the way we care for our patients. I’ve witnessed so many moments, that it would be hard to put into print just one. There have been lots of good times and some bad times, some memorable patients along the way who you never forget. But without a doubt there have been some hilarious times with lots of laughter that are hard to capture in words. It is why I love emergency care – it is a career I have never regretted.”

City Hospital has a rich and varied history, loved by staff, past and present. While the past holds many memories, Dermot looks forward to everything the future holds at Midland Met. “The work, the patients, the challenges, and the team have always intrigued me. I have been part of developing the ED at Midland Met, and the new space is an opportunity to bring together years of experience with updated technology and a modern set up I couldn’t have dreamed of when I started.

“Through all the changes and hurdles, what has kept me grounded is the incredible team around me. They are more than colleagues – they are family. We’ve leaned on each other through the hardest shifts, celebrated each other’s successes, and I found a lifelong partner – I met my wife Lorraine at City in 1994, although we took our time making it official, we finally got married 24 years later.”

On 10 November 2024, City Hospital closed its doors for the last time. “When it comes to saying goodbye to City, I’ve got a simple plan. I’ll be there starting at 4 a.m. I want to be present as we close the doors and transfer the last patients, carrying out that final step to Midland Met.

“A few of us old-timers have the same thought to stand in an empty department, glass in hand, and raise a toast to the place which has been our second home for many years. I’ll walk the halls one last time, capturing memories of a place which has been at the centre of my life for so long.”

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwKrtCQ6Mzk[/embedyt]

Strike a pose – we want your City selfies and stories

Please continue to share your pics and stories with us!

Our final patient transfer move took place on Sunday, 10 November from City. We will be continuing to share your stories and would love to hear from you.

Please share your stories, selfies and team pics via staff comms: swbh.comms@nhs.net

Take a look at some of the wonderful pictures you’ve shared so far, here.

City through the ages

For some good old nostalgia, take a look at City through the ages. Through its 130 years of service, the hospital has brought together many people from across the country and the globe.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjO-tvEeiE8[/embedyt]

Location of blood gas results from the Simens RP500e analysers on Unity

The blood gas results from the new Siemens RP500e blood gas analysers will appear on Unity but will not appear in the same location as the blood gas results from the Roche b221 blood gas analysers.  They will appear under Blood Gases. 

With effect from 10 November 2024, all Staff at MMUH, BTC and Sandwell will be using the Siemens analysers and will find their results as follows

Please ensure you scroll down to find the results from the new analysers, as shown in the picture below

Volunteers required: Mock CQC inspections/Fundamentals of Care visits

We are looking for volunteers to take part in our Fundamentals of Care Visits (Mock CQC inspections).

These visits are crucial for our clinical teams, and for the organisation as a whole, to be assured of the continual improvements being made to clinical care, patient outcomes, and patient and staff experience.  By being part of a team of volunteers to peer review care across our organisation you will be contributing to the Trust’s wider aim of developing a culture where recognising excellence and identifying opportunities for improvement is part of everyone’s role.

If this is something that you are interested in, and you would be available to come along and carry out a visit (taking approximately three hours) we would love to hear from you.

Visits are observational and involve chatting to staff and patients.  We provide a comprehensive toolkit to support you with what evidence to look for and we start each session with a briefing meeting before the visit where you will be put into a small team of volunteers.  Visits to our clinical areas happen across the whole of the SWB campus (all sites, including community).

If you would like to book a place to come along and undertake a visit, or if you would like any further information regarding this opportunity then please email ruth.spencer10@nhs.net.

The dates for the sessions are listed below:

No Shuttle Buses Running after 11.30am on Tuesday 14 November 2023

There will be no shuttles running after 11.30am on Tuesday 14 November 2023.

So the last shuttle will be 11.30am from Sandwell  & 11.30am from City.

Normal service will resume at or after 2pm

Sorry for any inconvenience caused

Message from Sir David Nicholson KCB CBE

Dear colleagues,

Today, I am writing with a mixture of gratitude and sadness as I announce the news that Richard Beeken has tendered his resignation as Chief Executive Officer for Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

After four remarkable years at the helm his tenure has been marked by exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to delivering an inspiring vision that leaves a lasting legacy for us all.

Richard has led us through a period of significant challenge and transformation, demonstrating resilience, creativity, and an extraordinary commitment. His crowning achievement has been the successful opening of our new hospital (the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital) a monumental task, completed in the face of adversity. Against the backdrop of unpredictable external challenges, he guided our team through every hurdle with determination and a clear sense of purpose.

However, Richard’s impact goes far beyond the bricks-and-mortar success of our new facility. His leadership embodies the ethos of being #MoreThanAHospital. He understood the assignment under his leadership, embracing out of hospital service transformation to expand our Trust’s role in improving the health and wellbeing of the entire community.

Richard will depart from the Trust in January 2025, having left the Trust well-positioned for continued success and growth.

Please click the video below to hear from Richard himself.

With the news of Richard’s departure, I have taken time to speak with Board members and I am clear that this represents an opportunity to take an important step forward and create greater synergy between Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (DGFT).

After thorough consideration and collaborative discussions, we have decided to move forward with the interim appointment of a single Chief Executive Officer, Ms Diane Wake, to lead both trusts.

With previous clinical and managerial leadership roles Diane brings a wealth of experience from her 40 plus years in the NHS. Her leadership across the Black Country on cancer, elective and diagnostic care and as the Senior Responsible Officer for the Black Country Provider Collaborative has seen the improvements required in a post-Covid NHS world.  I am sure that she will have the ability to not only bring synergy to the way that the two Trusts work but do so in a way which drives improvements for staff working at our Trusts and those whom we serve.

Let me be clear—both SWB and DGFT will remain separate entities, each with its own unique identity, governance, and responsibilities. This is about bringing our leadership closer together to unlock the potential for deeper collaboration and greater efficiency, not about combining the two organisations into one. By having one CEO, we are creating a synergy that will allow us to better align our strategies and share best practices, while still maintaining the distinctiveness of each Trust.

This unified leadership will allow us to focus our collective energy on what truly matters: improving outcomes for our patients and communities.

I am sure many will want to share their thanks and good wishes with Richard and to help collect all these messages there is a dedicated form on the SWB website for you to submit your thoughts. Please do so as they will be a permanent record to remind Richard of his time at the Trust. Please submit your comments here: https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/rb/.

With best wishes

Sir David Nicholson, Chairman

Postal collections at Sandwell and City

Please note that the postal collection times for both Sandwell and City will change on Monday 11 November 2024. At present, the final collection time for post at both sites is 1.30pm. From Monday, the collection times will move to:

• City Hospital, 4pm
• Sandwell General, 6pm

Post at MMUH will be collected at 3pm.

The new process increases the window for staff, whilst at the same time still meeting the first despatch time for Royal Mail.

If there are any questions relating to the new process please contact the Logistics Team during Monday – Friday, 7.15am – 6.30pm, on 0121 507 3869, and select option four.

Should you need to contact Logistics outside of these hours, please use the numbers below:

• MMUH: 0121 507 5846
• Sandwell: 0121 507 3135
• City: 0121 507 4945

Sad passing of Amanda Hawkins

Our dear colleague who has worked at SWB for over 20 years, Amanda Hawkins, sadly passed away on Saturday 26 October, following a rapid deterioration in her health. Amanda died peacefully in hospital surrounded by her family.  In more recent years Amanda worked in the Care Navigation Centre, supporting community colleagues and service users. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues.

Funeral arrangements: The service will be taking place at Sandwell Crematorium on Tuesday 19 November from 3.15pm. Colleagues attending have been asked to wear something purple as it was Amanda’s favourite colour, and donations instead of flowers to charities who support Pulmonary Fibrosis.