News in brief

Smarter working with smart pumps

Joanne Harding, assistant chief pharmacist, and Dr Linda Murdoch, lead clinician for paediatric intensive care with a smart pump.

The pioneering ‘smart pump’ project has now been rolled out across the trust and is providing a safe and standardised way to prepare and administer intravenous medicines.

The pumps function with a built-in drug library, which already contains critical drug information. Use of the drug library will alert staff when errors occur such as drug miscalculations or incorrect drug units, thereby increasing the safety for both patients and staff.

St George’s is the first hospital in Europe to use such extensive drug libraries and the project has been led by Joanne Harding, assistant chief pharmacist and Dr Linda Murdoch, lead clinician for paediatric intensive care.

Pharmacy and clinical teams have worked hard to develop the drug libraries and accompanying preparation guides which standardise practice across the trust and it is essential that these preparation guides are followed.

HSJ Awards 2010

The team behind the innovative Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) Service which was one of seven finalists in the HSJ 2010 Awards Patient Centred Care category

Congratulations to the team responsible for the Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) Service which was one of seven finalists in the HSJ 2010 Awards Patient Centred Care category.

The OPAT service enables patients who are medically stable but need intravenous antibiotics to be managed at home, reducing length of stay in hospital and the risk of hospital acquired infection. You can read more about the OPAT service here

The HSJ received 900 entries, so each category had to be narrowed down to an exceptional shortlist, with only 17 winners on the night. It is a huge accomplishment to be shortlisted – congratulations to all involved.

NHS London won an HSJ award for the reconfiguration of acute stroke services in the Clinical Services Redesign category. The judging panel said that the redesign, which included St George’s Hospital’s hyper-acute stroke unit, “has been a great success and the improvements in care and outcomes for patients are a fantastic achievement.”

Cardiac patients’ comfortable recovery – radial angiograms

Cardiac patients are enjoying a more comfortable and speedier recovery thanks to the radial lounge that has been established in James Hope Ward at St George’s Hospital.

Previously hosting only two beds, the lounge has now been transformed into a four-chair recovery room, allowing patients the freedom to move around and use the facilities at their leisure. It also ensures patients’ dignity as they no longer need to change into a hospital gown.

Mary Keal, catheter lab matron, said: “On our day case unit this procedure was usually performed through the groin, which meant that patients were required to lie down for several hours after the procedure.

“The time spent in hospital for a radial angiogram procedure via the wrist is much less than before. Patients who would normally have to be here for about seven to eight hours now arrive at 7.30 in the morning and are usually discharged by lunch time. The lounge supports this by creating a pleasant experience for patients to recover in. Having more chairs than the amount of beds we used to have means that we are now able to treat more people in a day.”

Joanne Rungusumy, cardiac nurse practitioner, said: “Patient feedback has been really positive and people enjoy the freedom of being able to walk around and recover in the comfort of a chair.”

To find out more about the new radial lounge and benefits to patients, contact:

Mary Keal

Catheter lab matron
Telephone 020 8725 1704
mary.keal@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Community speech and language therapists launch national year of communication

Local school children helped to launch the National Year of Communication

The St George’s Healthcare community speech and language promotion and prevention team launched Hello, the 2011 national year of communication campaign, with a ‘words will take you far’ balloon launch at Wandsworth Museum on 28th January 2011.

Hello is a campaign run by the Communications Trust that aims to increase understanding of how important it is for children and young people to develop good communication skills. More than 1 million children and young people have some form of speech, language and communication need in the UK, and in deprived areas more than 50% of children start school with delayed language skills.

In Wandsworth, multi disciplinary children’s therapies teams provide support to children and families in hospitals, health centres and schools across the borough and in people’s homes.

To find out more about how you can spot children who are struggling with communication and what help and support is available to them contact Joanna Hardman, coordinator of the promotion and prevention team on 020 8812 4033 or at joanna.hardman@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Cochlear implant programme

St George’s Hospital recently hosted an advanced two day surgical cochlear implant course for surgeons from across the UK and Europe. A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants do the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to send sound signals to the brain.

St George’s Hospital was chosen to host the course by Cochlear Europe as recognition for the great strides made by the St George’s Healthcare cochlear implant programme, which has been running for four years and is the youngest in the country. Since the programme was established more than 60 procedures on children from south west London and Surrey have been performed at St George’s Hospital.

To find out more about the cochlear implant programme and how GPs can support deaf patients, contact David Selvadurai, consultant ENT surgeon and director of the cochlear implant programme, at david.selvadurai@stgeorges.nhs.uk

St George’s partnership

St George’s Healthcare and St George’s University of London have announced plans to create a stronger partnership between the two organisations, with the aim of increasing efficiencies across the two organisations and delivering higher quality education, training, research and clinical care.

Through the partnership approach we will also explore ways of improving the use of our joint resources and expertise on the Tooting site. As a next step in the process it has been agreed that our respective heads of services will work together on a scoping exercise to look at the potential for integrating estates and facilities, IT and procurement services.

The scoping exercise has started and will look at the likely impact of streamlining services on the day-to-day running of both organisations and identify cost savings that can be delivered at a time when NHS and higher education finances are coming under increasing pressure.

If the results of the scoping exercise are positive then a business plan will be developed and presented to the trust board and university council.

Updates on the development of our partnership plans will be posted in future editions of GP News and the GP News bulletin.

HIV testing pilot

The A&E and GUM departments based at St George's Hospital have launched a new one month pilot project funded by NHS Wandsworth which will see A&E staff offering HIV testing to patients between the age of 18-65, in addition to the routine bloods already being taken in the department.

An audit by the British HIV association showed that within the deaths occurring amongst HIV positive adults in the UK, almost a quarter were due to the diagnosis being made too late for effective treatment.

National surveillance still shows that nearly a third of individuals with HIV in the UK remain un-diagnosed.

UK HIV guidelines recommend that an HIV test should be considered in all general medical admissions where diagnosed HIV prevalence in the local population exceeds two in 1,000. In Wandsworth, the incidence of HIV has risen to 4.91 per 1,000 people, in Lambeth it is considerably higher.

Mark Pakianathan consultant in GU medicine, said: "Undiagnosed HIV is a major problem in Londno - one in three HIV carriers in the UK are undiagnosed. Most undiagnosed people present extremely late and have poor outcomes, but if we catch it early it is estimated people can live up to another 50 years with medication. HIV is now a long-term, manageable condition, so people can still have a long and healthy live."

“St George’s has been really proactive and the A&E initiative is just one of a number of initiatives pioneered by the sexual health team. We hope to improve the detection rate of HIV early and so offer those individuals who test positive the best opportunity to tackle the disease more effectively.

“This pilot will not only give us the opportunity to diagnose new patients and look at the acceptability of testing in the department, but also help us raise awareness of HIV among staff at St George’s Healthcare.”

Oncology nurses highly commended at 2010 Excellence in Oncology Awards

Sonia Malik, Dr Darja Brandenburg and Lorraine Grover at the award ceremony

The St George’s Healthcare oncology nursing team were highly commended in the Best Patient Support Initiative in the oncology category at the 2010 Excellence in Oncology Awards.

The team was selected for its supportive booklet, Intimacy and Sexuality for Cancer Patients and their Partners. The booklet provides practical information for understanding and overcoming sexual difficulties after cancer.

Barry Quinn, oncology matron and lead chemotherapy nurse said: “The issue of addressing patients’ sexual concerns secondary to disease and treatment is an area of clinical practice that is sometimes avoided by doctors and nurses who feel they lack the skills to address this sensitive area of care. The booklet which has been used widely in a number of cancer networks is aimed at supporting and guiding people with cancer who may have sexual concerns, it is also a helpful tool in supporting members.

For more information, contact:

Barry Quinn
Oncology Matron/Lead Chemotherapy Nurse
Telephone 020 8725 3402
barry.quinn@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Community open day

St George’s Hospital and St George’s University of London will open the doors to the public on Saturday 18th June 2011. The event will be a chance for the local community to learn more about the work of the two organisations. As part of the day special events will be organised for local GPs.

More details in the next edition of GP News. If you have any questions or suggestions for the day contact:

Dominic Dickinson
Primary care liaison manager
Telephone 020 8725 4235
dominic.dickinson@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Breastfeeding support groups

The community services Wandsworth health visiting teams have established a series of breastfeeding groups across Wandsworth to support new mums.

The free drop-in breastfeeding groups are for socialising and meeting other mums, no matter what age or stage of breastfeeding. A health professional or breastfeeding peer supporter is on hand at each group to answer questions on breastfeeding.

Many mothers and babies breastfeed well from the beginning but for others it can take a little longer to learn. Midwives and health visitors can provide mums with information, support and encouragement.

Balham Health Centre
Tuesday 2 – 3.30pm
120 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HS
Tel - 020 8700 0600

Eileen Lecky Health Clinic
Wednesday 1 – 2.30pm
2 Clarendon Drive, Putney, SW15 1AA
Tel - 020 8788 2236

Smallwood Primary School and Children’s Centre
Thursday 11am – 12.30pm
Smallwood Road, Tooting, SW17 0TW
Tel - 020 8767 8672

Southmead Children’s Centre
Thursday 1.30 – 3pm
Princes Way, Southfields, SW19 6QT
Tel - 020 8788 4379

Stormont Health Centre
Monday 10 – 11.30am
5-11 Antrim House, Stormont Road, Battersea, SW11 5EG
Tel - 020 7441 0700

Sure Start Battersea
Peer support led drop-in
Tuesday 10 – 12pm
Katherine Low Settlement, 108 Battersea High Street, SW11 3HP
Tel - 020 7223 3509

Sure Start Roehampton
Friday 10.30am – 12.30pm
166 Roehampton Lane, Roehampton, SW15 4HR
Tel - 020 8789 1967

West Hill Children’s Centre
Tuesday, 2-3.30pm (last entry 3.15pm)
4 Broomhill Road, Wandsworth, SW18 4HX
Tel – 020 8870 9928

For more information on breastfeeding support in Wandsworth contact Helen Simpson, specialist health visitor for breastfeeding, on 020 8812 5465 or at helen.simpson@stgeorges.nhs.uk

You can also refer your patients to the Wandsworth Little Feet website, the one-stop-shop for mums and dads full of information on pregnancy, breastfeeding and weaning and support for expecting mothers in Wandsworth at www.wandsworthlittlefeet.nhs.uk

St George’s Hospital Charity launches new website

St George’s Hospital Charity has launched a brand new website. www.givingtogeorges.org.uk provides news about the charity’s work, its events and the activities of its many supporters.

There are quick links to the charity’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and detailed information about how you can get involved with the charity’s good work.

Take a look and let the fundraising team know what you think at fundraise@givingtogeorges.org.uk

Day surgery unit an example to all hospitals

St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust has been described as a ‘model blueprint’ for the reconfiguration of accommodation work to its day surgery unit (DSU) by NHS London.

The ten-week reconfiguration, which was completed in December, means the DSU now provides single sex accommodation for patients once they are out of their own clothes – for consultations, changing, preoperative waiting and before they are discharged.

Roger Norman, day surgery manager, said: “The work has enabled us to provide the upmost privacy and dignity for patients – they still have the option to sit in the general waiting area if they want to be with relative or loved ones, but we make it clear it is their choice.”

The DSU reconfiguration, carried out to ensure the trust was compliant with the directive for single sex accommodation, has become an example for other trusts looking to achieve the same high standard.

Visits from other trusts have taken place, giving them the opportunity to view the work and talk to staff, to establish how they can achieve the same thing.

Consultants starters and leavers

New St George’s Healthcare consultants – start date after 1st September 2010

Consultant	Position	Care group
Dr Juliet Britton	Neuro-radiology consultant	Neuro-radiology
Mr Rene Chang Wen Suen	Renal consultant	Renal
Dr Allison Jane Beardall	Clinical infection and GUM consultant	Clinical infection and GUM
Dr Min Htut	Neurology consultant	Neurology
Dr Daphne Keen	Paediatric medicine consultant	Paediatric medicine
Dr Stanley Holmes	Paediatric surgery consultant	Paediatric surgery
Dr Muireann Kelleher	Medical oncology and palliative care consultant	Medical oncology and palliative care
Dr Serena Haywood	Paediatric medicine consultant	Paediatric medicine
Dr Chan Luong	Anaesthetics consultant	Anaesthetics
Dr Matthew Laundy	Pathology consultant	Pathology
Dr Bettina Huse	Paediatric medicine consultant	Paediatric medicine
Dr Himala De Zoysa	Anaesthetics consultant	Anaesthetics
Dr Jens Samol	Medical oncology and palliative care consultant	Medical oncology and palliative care
Mr Stephen Alan Black	Vascular surgery consultant	Vascular surgery
Dr Seema Shrivastava	Renal consultant	Renal
Dr Deena-Shefali Patel	Neonatal consultant	Neonatal
Mr Arunmoy Chakrovarty	General surgery consultant	General surgery
Dr Yaaseen Moosa	Dermatology and lymphoedema consultant	Dermatology and lymphoedema
Dr Rajan Sharma	Cardiology consultant	Cardiology
Mr Amit Amin	Trauma and orthopaedics consultant	Trauma and orthopaedics

Consultants who have left St George’s Healthcare since September 2010

Consultant	Position	Care group
Dr Shanthi Sairam	Specialist doctor	Obstetrics
Mr Rene Chang Wen Suen	Consultant renal surgeon	Renal
Dr Bettina Huse	Paediatric locum consultant	Paediatric medicine
Dr Daphne Keen	Consultant community paediatrics	Paediatric medicine
Dr Amy Guppy	Consultant	Medical oncology and palliative Care
Dr Jane Carpenter	Consultant locum	Pathology
Dr Lillian Choy	Locum consultant neurology	Neurology
Mr Stephen Alan Black	Consultant	Vascular surgery
Dr Anna Sharma	Locum consultant	Paediatric medicine
Mr Kefah Mokbel	Consultant	General surgery
Miss Peta Smith	Locum paedodontic consultant	Dentistry
Dr Santhanakrishnan Ramakrishnan	Locum consultant neonatal	Neonatal
Mr Adrian Fairbank	Consultant	Trauma and orthopaedics
Dr Maria Georgala	Consultant	Neurology
Mr Stanley Holmes	Consultant paediatric surgery	Paediatric surgery
Dr Reza Motazed	Locum consultant renal transplant	Renal
Mr Andrew Norris	Locum consultant ENT	ENT and audiology
Dr George Markose	Consultant general radiology	Imaging
Dr Kulasekar Kaliappan	Locum anaesthetist	Anaesthetics
Dr Sudhir Rathore	Locum cardiology consultant	Cardiology