WELCOME
Welcome to this latest edition of UCLH Magazine. As we reach winter, there’s a sense that there are difficult times ahead for all of us. At times like these, it’s even more important to acknowledge the incredible hard work and dedication of our staff and celebrate those who go above and beyond to provide the best possible service for our patients. Our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards does just that, and you can read about the winners of this year’s awards on pages 4 and 5.
UCLH also did amazingly well at this year’s Royal College of Nursing Awards, where three of our staff were nominated and all three won! Read about the amazing achievements of Jo Hargroves, Robert Vicente and Susie Lagrata on pages 8 and 9.
At UCLH, our clinicians often take a leading and influential role in public health – like Austin Obichere, consultant colorectal surgeon and director of screening at the UCLH Bowel Cancer Screening Centre, who starred in an animated video as part of a campaign to encourage people to use the free bowel cancer home testing kit they’ve been sent. The kit helps to get earlier diagnosis, which leads to better treatment. Read about this and the story of patient Mireia Jofre-Bonet on pages 6 and 7.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work. For healthcare providers this has meant being innovative and using technology to ensure we provide a better service to our patients. Virtual clinics and consultations allow patients to speak to their clinicians from the comfort and convenience of their own home. Even as we move beyond the pandemic, virtual clinics continue to be an important way for us to connect with our patients, like Bella Matthews, who found they allowed her to keep appointments without having to travel into London from her home – saving time and helping reduce the impact of her travel on the environment (page 14).
It’s uplifting to hear from patients we have treated who have made a good recovery after being very ill, and one such patient is Jacob Krichefski, husband of the playwright and screenwriter Abi Morgan. Jacob spent more than 15 months as a patient at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, including six months in an induced coma in intensive care. Abi has written about the experience in her book This is Not a Pity Memoir, and recently had an emotional reunion with the intensive care nurses who cared for him (pages 10 and 11).
Finally, we look at some of the ways you can contribute to UCLH Charity and its work to support patient care, staff wellbeing and clinical research (page 15).
David Probert, chief executive, UCLH
And the winners are... UCLH celebrates its incredible staff
Congratulations to the winners and finalists of this year’s Celebrating Excellence Awards, whose achievements were recognised at a special gala dinner.
After finally being able to celebrate the winners and finalists of our 2020 and 2021 awards earlier this year, we were delighted to be able to get together with this year’s finalists to recognise their achievements so soon afterwards.
Following September’s virtual ‘winners reveal’, some 350 staff attended a dinner at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel in October. It was a spectacle to see so many colleagues together from such a wide range of services and roles – outpatients, admin, security, research, digital, domestics, therapies, dentists, doctors, nurses, midwives, volunteers, apprentices, education colleagues and more!
Doctor and TV presenter, Xand Van Tulleken, as well as David Probert, chief executive, and Julia Neuberger, chair, read out the list of finalists and presented the awards to our winners.
As ever, the atmosphere was one of fun and celebration, which turned to giddy excitement when one of the stars of the show, Bruno the therapy dog (pictured below), turned up to receive his ‘going the extra mile’ award for volunteering in our hospitals.
Our director of workforce, Liz O’Hara, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to celebrate so many staff, recognising incredible work done right across the organisation, in so many different roles and professions.”
David Probert said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to all our wonderful winners, but also to our incredible finalists. The achievements of all of you are to be applauded and celebrated and it was a pleasure to meet so many of you and present your awards.” Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate our winners and finalists and to UCLH Charity for funding the awards and event.
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UCLH consultant promotes life-saving bowel cancer screening campaign
A campaign called ‘Your next poo could save your life’ urges people who have been sent a free NHS bowel cancer screening kit to use it.
NHS England (London) has launched a life-saving campaign to encourage more people to do their free NHS bowel cancer screening home test. It features an animated video starring Austin Obichere (pictured right), consultant colorectal surgeon and director of screening at the UCLH Bowel Cancer Screening Centre.
He said: “Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers, anyone can get it. That’s why the NHS sends out free bowel cancer screening kits to use at home.”
Initially, bowel cancer screening was offered to those aged 60 to 74 in England, but the NHS is gradually expanding the age range to everyone aged 50 and over by 2025.
In London, 56- and 58-year-olds have already begun receiving the home testing FIT kits. The FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) is done by collecting a stool sample with a little stick, placing the stick in a tube and posting it for testing.
The test can detect blood in the stool, which could be a sign of bowel cancer – even in people with no other symptoms. Depending on the result, further tests may be needed.
The campaign focusses on those who are less likely to do the test, such as men, people sent the bowel cancer screening kit for the first time, people in deprived areas, those from certain ethnic and faith communities, and those with a learning disability.
There have been interviews about the campaign in the news and advertising on buses, streets, social media, and radio. If you think you should receive a home test kit, make sure your GP practice has your correct address so your kit is posted to the right place.
A patient's story
Mireia Jofre-Bonet, 56, from Haringey understands the value of cancer screening. She’s a health economist, but also lost her father to colon cancer in 1988. She did not hesitate to use the FIT kit she received.
“It was very easy, not messy at all,” she said.
Mireia was contacted for follow up tests that led to a colonoscopy at University College Hospital.
“It was shocking for me,” she said, as the colonoscopy identified 15 small polyps in her bowel, which could become cancerous.
“But having these removed was painless and the team was so friendly and supportive.”
Mireia will have further checks to monitor her health.
“I definitely recommend bowel cancer screening. I will do it again when I have to, and I’ve convinced my brother and sister to do the same. If it’s clear you can forget about it, but if not, it’s important to know.”
Congratulations to our three RCN Nursing Awards winners
It was a clean sweep for our nominees at this year’s RCN Nursing Awards. Congratulations to winners Jo Hargroves, Robert Vicente and Susie Lagrata!
We were thrilled to see all three of our shortlisted staff win in their respective categories during a ceremony at the Royal College of Nursing’s Headquarters in Cavendish Square. The awards were presented by comedian and TV presenter Judi Love in the first in-person event in two years. Our acting chief nurse, Vanessa Sweeney, said: “Congratulations to all three on their awards, and for demonstrating the expertise, commitment, innovation and dedication of staff here at UCLH. “I’m immensely proud of all our nurses and Susie, Robert and Jo have really done us proud in winning their awards – what an achievement!”
Jo Hargroves
Jo Hargroves, Cancer Research UK senior research nurse and joint lead cancer research nurse at University College Hospital, won the Excellence in Cancer Research award for designing a course enabling staff new to clinical research to share expertise. Jo said: “It’s such an honour to work at UCLH, where nurses are encouraged to develop, putting patients at the forefront of all we do.” Vanessa Sweeney said: “Jo is an outstanding professional nurse and role model who is passionate about clinical research. “She was the driving force behind the development and delivery of the clinical research professionals course, so I am very pleased to see her work acknowledged with this award.”
Robert Vicente
Robert Vicente, charge nurse on T8 infection ward at University College Hospital, won the Greener Nursing Practice award for his work in identifying ways that his team can reduce, or avoid, the use of disposable gloves. This led to the ward reducing its usage by 36,500 disposable gloves over a four-month period. Robert said: “I didn’t realise the impact the project had on UCLH – and even outside the Trust – it has been amazing”. Vanessa Sweeney said: “Robert has been a committed green champion for several years, combining waste reduction strategies with engaging the team in making the hospital green for the future. “He’s made the campaign fun, engaging and competitive, which has really helped staff embrace the challenge.”
Susie Lagrata
usie Lagrata, clinical nurse specialist, won the Innovations in Your Specialty award for her work transforming services for patients with primary headache disorders. She has improved access and reduced waiting times from 4–6 months to two weeks. Susie said: “This award is a strong message that when you put your heart and hard work into something you are passionate about, anyone can succeed.” Vanessa Sweeney said: “Susie epitomises all that is great about nursing, and I am so very proud of her achievements and delighted that she has been honoured in this way. She has a clear vision for her service and keeps patients at the heart of everything she does. “Susie is a clinical expert in her field and has the ability to inspire, influence and motivate everyone with whom she works to achieve excellence in all that they do.”
Screenwriter Abi Morgan reunites with staff who cared for her husband
Bafta- and Emmy-award-winning playwright and screenwriter Abi Morgan has written about her husband’s time as a long-term patient at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) in her new book This is Not a Pity Memoir.
The book recounts events following the sudden collapse of Abi’s husband, actor Jacob Krichefski. He was diagnosed with a type of brain inflammation called anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and spent more than 15 months as a patient at the NHNN, including six months in an induced coma in intensive care.
Abi said: “The NHNN was our home from home from June 2018 to September 2019 as Jacob went from the Medical Intensive Therapy Unit (MITU) to the Neuro Rehabilitation Unit.”
"The doctors and nurses were superheroes and we will be forever indebted to them for saving Jacob’s life."
Abi has been fundraising for The National Brain Appeal, which supports the work of the NHNN. She held an event at The Royal Court Theatre that included readings from the book by actor Fiona Button (who played Rose in BBC drama The Split, written by Abi). Artistic director Vicky Featherstone also interviewed both Abi and National Brain Appeal chief executive Theresa Dauncey.
Abi and Jacob later had an emotional reunion with the intensive care nurses (pictured) who cared for him and whom she writes about in her memoir.
Senior staff nurse Richard Horne said: “It was quite emotional to see Jacob again. I was there when he was first admitted, and I looked after him quite a lot throughout his stay. It was so great to see that smile again, and speaking with him and Abi, brought back so many memories, it was hard to hold back the tears. Jacob and his family will always have a special place in my heart.”
Senior staff nurse Penny Elmsly said: “It was amazing to see both Jacob and Abi. It has given me space to reflect on our collective journey. Families put all their trust in us to look after their loved ones with care and dignity. It is a privilege and responsibility we carry.
“I remember taking Jacob to the Square in his wheelchair to see Skylar, the family dog, for the first time in many months. Skylar jumped onto Jacob’s lap immediately. Jacob held Skylar for a full ten minutes, his face buried in his fur, gently sobbing. It still makes me cry four years on.”
Sister Jenny McDonald said: “Although I knew Jacob well from his time in MITU, he had never properly met me as he was unconscious for a great period of that time. It was an absolute pleasure to meet him properly.”
Jean Degala - THEATRE MANAGER
Jean Degala tells us how the right support, teamwork, effective communication, determination and dedication have helped her grow into the role.
What is a theatre manager?
As a theatre manager at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), I provide strong leadership within theatres including anaesthetics, scrub and recovery. My role is to support and empower the staff who work in our theatres so they can provide excellent care to our patients. This includes managing staffing resource, pay and non-pay budget, while providing a safe clinical and physical environment. I also develop and maintain safe and ethical operating practices within the hospital, identifying service improvement opportunities, managing competing business needs, and facilitating improvements within the theatre team and across departments.
What does your job involve day to day?
I work 8am–6pm, four days a week. My usual day begins with checking EPIC (our electronic patient records system), the activity overnight, looking at the list for the day and making sure we have safe staffing levels for the scheduled cases to be able to deliver the best possible care to patients. All this means I need to be a good troubleshooter. Like most people, I have a lot of meetings!
How did you become a theatre manager?
I have been a nurse for many years and have worked at various levels. I joined the NHNN in 2006 as a band 5 nurse in recovery and worked my way up to band 7 recovery lead before becoming theatre manager. I have learned so much in my present role and I’m extremely grateful for the overwhelming support at UCLH, especially from my colleagues and senior managers. That has made all the difference in helping me grow into a new role.
Best part of the job?
Being a theatre manager is not an easy job, and you find yourself with lots of things to deal with constantly. But I enjoy the fact that no two days are ever the same – things can all change from one moment to he next. You have to be adaptable and do whatever it takes to support the team. This has been especially important and challenging during the pandemic. It makes me happy knowing we’ve worked together to deliver a high standard of care to our patients. It is an extremely rewarding career – I finish my shift knowing I have contributed to helping our patients receive excellent care.
What skills do you need?
You need to have good leadership, and a strong understanding of the different levels of management. You also need to understand the value of a multi-disciplinary approach and the need for compromise and adaptability. A good theatre manager is able to take on a challenge and explore new concepts and technologies to improve efficiency. I also need to be a role model and make sure I uphold the UCLH values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving – in everything I do.
Virtual clinics offer personal and green benefits
COVID-19 has led to many changes in the way we work – one of the most transformative has been virtual clinics. We do around 30,000 virtual appointments a week, providing patients with greater flexibility, reduced travel costs and generating environmental benefits too. We do, however, continue to provide face-to-face appointments when it is essential for patient care.
Virtual clinics connect patients to clinicians via their smartphone, tablet or computer. Twenty-year-old Bella Matthews is one patient who has benefited from this new way of working. When she was 15, Bella was diagnosed with a round cell sarcoma, and was treated by the team at University College Hospital due to the specialised nature of her condition. She is now in remission, but still accesses UCLH’s psychology service remotely.
Bella’s story
“I had appointments virtually for about a year with my personal psychologist and continue to meet virtually in groups with other young people who have gone through cancer.
“I’m studying paediatric nursing in Bristol and I’m on placement for half of the year, so if I had to come down to London multiple times for appointments, life would be much more stressful.
“If I didn’t have the online aspect, I just wouldn’t be able to use the service. It also avoids the cost of getting to London every three weeks. It’s lovely to speak to people while in my own home where I’m comfortable.
“The virtual service means I have been able to meet and make friends with people, which has been amazing. I actually met somebody through the sessions who goes to the same university as me. We have since met up in person and become great friends.
“As well as the personal benefits, climate change is massively important to me. So these virtual appointments also mean I don’t feel guilty about the environmental impact of travelling. I just press a button and I’m there.”
VIDEO CLINIC IMPROVEMENTS
Patients can now join most outpatient video clinics at UCLH through MyCare, our patient portal.
With MyCare, patients can check their appointment details and view their clinic letters online, or on a mobile device. Before each appointment, patients will receive a reminder through MyCare and have the option to request to update some of their health information such as medication, allergies and any new health issues.
If you need help with activating MyCare, please email the MyCare Helpdesk at uclh.MyCare@nhs.net.
Making our radiotherapy department a more colourful place
The UCLH Charity Cancer Fund has launched a campaign to refresh the radiotherapy department at University College Hospital to improve the experience of the thousands of patients that visit this below-ground service each year.
The ambitious plans include interactive artwork that will bring a sense of natural light to waiting areas and corridors. Plans also include a children’s play area and refurbishing the under-fives waiting area and children’s isolation rooms, which will be equipped with TVs, online entertainment and comfortable seating.
This follows the success of a previous Bring the Colour campaign that raised more than £174,000 to refresh the children’s emergency department at University College Hospital.
Visit www.uclhcancerfund.org.uk to find out more and sign up.
Leave a lasting legacy
UCLH Charity is a member of Remember a Charity, an organisation that supports more than 200 charities and provides advice to those thinking of leaving a gift in their Will to a good cause. Leaving a gift in your Will to UCLH Charity can make a lasting impact on patient care, staff and research. Contact carol.haraldsson@nhs.net for details.
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MEMBERS' UPDATE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Council of Governors Meeting:
Tuesday 31 January, 4:30-6pm, Virtual - Microsoft Teams
Email for joining instructions: uclh.governors@nhs.net
UCLH strategy patient and public listening event
12 December, 5pm-6.30pm (virtual – Zoom)
Join us to have your say on the new UCLH strategy which will shape the future direction of the Trust for the next 5-10 years. To register for this important listening event email uclh.members@nhs.net
The easiest way to hear the latest news and involvement opportunities at UCLH is by becoming a member and receiving our monthly email bulletin. If you are not yet a member and would like to join, or if you are an existing member who would like to update your contact preferences, please contact uclh.members@nhs.net
Members will get access to a digital edition of this magazine. If you would prefer to receive a printed copy, please email uclh.members@nhs.net