Tamworth Blog

Sir Robert Peel Hospital - Pic: Angella Streluk

With the cold snap continuing our medical services are stretched to breaking point and the Primary Care Trust are asking for those with suspected fractures or injuries from slipping in the snow, to not go to their A&E (Accident and Emergency) departments, but instead go to the Minor Injuries Unit at Sir Robert Peel Hospital.

The Minor Injury Unit for Tamworth is at Sir Robert Peel Hospital and is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for these type of injuries.

Yvonne Sawbridge, Director of Quality and Nursing, South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust said:

“If local residents fall then they should go straight to one of our MIUs located in Cannock, Lichfield and Tamworth where they will receive treatment and if necessary be referred to a consultant. Staff there are highly experienced in dealing with a broad range of injuries.

“We are expecting a busy weekend and want patients to be treated as quickly as possible in the most appropriate place. MIU should also be the first port of call for treatment and advice for minor illnesses, coughs, colds, ear infections, skin infections, burns, bites, sprains and strains”.

“A&E departments are designed to deal with serious life threatening illnesses or accidents, therefore using alternatives such as MIUs keep hospitals free to deal with these cases.”

Christmas - Pic: Scott Feldstein

The League of Friends will be holding a Christmas evening at the Sir Robert Peel Hospital on Thursdeay December 17 for the hospitals patients, but all are invited.

The evening will be held in the reception area of the Hospital and will include Carols, music, brass band and a soloist.  There will also be refreshments and a raffle.

The event will run from 7pm to 8.30pm.

League of Friends donating the clock to Sir Robert Peel Hospital

The League of Friends have donated a clock to Tamworth’s Sir Robert Peel Hospital as part of it’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

The members agreed to donate the large clock to the hospital after it was requested by both staff and patients.  The clock will be displayed at the main reception and waiting area, along with a plaque commemorating the League of Friends Diamond Jubilee.

Sam Ellicott, League of Friends Chairman said:

“Time is obviously something that concerns people when attending hospital for an appointment or to visit friends and family and it seemed an appropriate gift to give especially during our Diamond Jubilee year.

“The reception area has recently been decorated so the clock will add the final touches as will some indoor plants we have also donated.”

The League of Friends was formed in 1949 and over it’s 60 years has donated thousands of pounds and equipment to benefit the patients from Tamworth and the surrounding areas.  They are currently holding fundraising for a new £2,500 paediatric x-ray trolley for the Minor Injuries Unit.

Alex Fox, Chairman of South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), said:

“I am delighted to receive this clock on behalf of the staff and patients of Sir Robert Peel Hospital. I would like to thank the League of Friends for their efforts and support for the hospital and wish them many congratulations in this their 60th year.

“The PCT is grateful to have the support of the League of Friends who would, I’m sure, welcome new members to not only provide material items such as equipment but also offer personal support and help to our patients.”

If you would like to find out more, or get involved with the League of Friends, contact Sam Ellicott on (01543) 480829.

Break the Chain

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust have launched their ‘Break the Chain’ campaign which is aimed at reducing the transfer of infection and viruses to patients throughout the region.

The ‘Break the Chain’ campaign was launched during National Infection Prevention and Control week, last week (October 19 through 23) and aims to reduce preventable infections by improving amongst other things, the hand hygiene of health workers, visitors and staff.

As part of the campaign the PCT will improve Sir Robert Peel Hospital to promote and highlight the importance of clean hands within the Hospital.  New Hand Sanitisers will be placed in the main entrance and all waiting rooms, along with posters and literature educating visitors and staff about the need to sanitize using the alcohol rubs.

Carrie Felgate, PCT Provider Services Lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse, said:

“We now have a great opportunity to put our own stamp on infection prevention and control through Break the Chain campaign.

“By reminding our healthcare workers to Break the Chain of infection, we can prevent the spread of infection and diseases and help tackle healthcare associated infections.”

The introduction of this scheme has also led to recognition from Health Minister Ann Keen who said:

“I would like to congratulate South Staffordshire PCT Provider Services on the fantastic work they have done to help drive down infection rates in South Staffordshire.

“England now has the most sophisticated monitoring system in the world, which has helped reduce MRSA infections by over 70% and C. difficile infections by over 30%.

“The hard work of NHS staff, together with our strategy for reducing infection, are continuing to deliver real improvements in clean, safe care for patients.”

Hand sanitization is important to reduce infections like MRSA which are preventable within the hospital environment, this scheme aims to drive down infections even further.

Two Tamworth based health workers last week clinched individual awards in the South Staffordshire Patients’ Choice – Quality and Excellence awards.

Peripatetic clinical psychologist Rachel Golding who was unable to attend the award ceremony, was awarded the Individual Excellence award.  Rachel works with young autistic children and adults as a consultant based at Tamworth’s Hockley Centre, but also covering Uttoxeter, Burntwood, Lichfield and Burton on Trent.  Rachel who has been working in the area for over 20 years has touched the lives of many families working in the diagnostic assessment unit of the Communication and Social Development Assessment/Advisory Service (CASDAS).

The small team assess and diagnoses autism in youngsters aged between five and 18-years-old, working with both the individual and the families affected.

Katy O’Sulivan, mother of an autistic patient who Rachel helped nominated her for the award. She said:

“She has given us, and my son, a life. I genuinely had a child who was in his bedroom from morning til night and was very scared of the world and scared to go outside – and she has absolutely changed that for us.

“The role was meant to be a part-time one but she’s come round to our home at 7pm to drop off a specific book she wants us to read or thinks will help.

She has given us an understanding of our son.

“We have so much to thank you for and you have completely changed our lives. You’re an absolutely wonderful person and you really deserve this.”

Imad Soryal receiving his award

Another Tamworth healthworker though was also awarded at last Wednesday’s (September 9) ceremony.

Dr Imad Soryal who practices at the towns Sir Robert Peel Hospital was presented the Clinical Excellence award and was described as “always putting his patients first” and “going above and beyond” his expected duties.

Speaking of this award Dr Soryal said:

“I’m not used to being honoured in this way for what I do for a living. I owe everything to the patients. I am a product of Staffordshire: I trained here and am now a consultant here and I’m very fortunate.

“What’s important for me is working on a model that is centred around the patient, not the clinician.

“My patients are my key priority and it is a privilege to know that vulnerable people put their trust and faith in me and the team to look after them whilst they are in hospital.”

The Patients’ Choice – Quality and Excellence Awards which was launched by the South Staffordshire PCT launched in April, received nearly 100 nominations from patients and the public in South Staffordshire. The event was staged at Staffordshire County Showground and was presented by television presenter Michael Collie.

Dr Imad Soryal who has been nominated for the Clinical Excellence Award

Dr Imad Soryal, a Neurology Consultant at Tamworth’s Sir Robert Peel Hospital has been nominated for the Clinical Excellence Award in the Patient’s Choice – Quality and Excellence awards being held by the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust.

The popular consultant who has been a Doctor for 25 years said:

“This means a great deal to me. I feel very humbled and honoured to be nominated by my patients and colleagues.

“My patients are my key priority and it is a privilege to know that vulnerable people put their trust and faith in me and the team to look after them whilst they are in hospital.

“For me it is very often the little things that we can do for patients that make the most difference.”

The awards which have been organised by the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust are a way patients can nominate those in the area who have contributed to the health and well being of patients throughout the region.

Dr Soryal will discover on the 9 September at the Awards Ceremony if he has seen of challenges from other medical staff around South Staffordshire for the inaugural award.

Christopher Pincher with County Councillors Matthew Ellis (Fazeley) and Lee Bates (Dosthill and Two Gates)

The Sir Robert Peel Hospital in Mile Oak will not be closing according to Tamworth’s Conservative Parliamentary candidate, Chris Pincher.

In a letter from the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust Mr Pincher was informed of the temporary closure of the Philip Ward, but this was temporary whilst the PCT negotiated a new service agreement after the Heart of England Health Trust scaled back their services in Tamworth and Lichfield.

In the statement, Anne Heckels, Chairman of the PCT said:

“South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust Provider Services are currently appointing a new supplier for a range of speciality services delivered in both Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital in Lichfield.

“These services include Trauma Clinics and Orthopaedic Sessions, which will be provided by Burton Hospitals NHS Trust from 1 July 2009.

“The change also comes as a result of Heart of England Foundation Trust (HEFT) scaling back on services that it delivers at both hospitals.

“This change will not result in any alterations to, or reduction in, the actual services being delivered and will in no way compromise the safety and wellbeing of patients.

“The care we give to patients is always a key priority and we are coordinating these changes in a way that causes least inconvenience and disruption to the patients. However, patients may have to see a different consultant, if it is an on-going problem, or may be asked to change the day or time of their appointment.”

Rumours have been rife around the staff at the hospital since the announcement on the closure of the Philip Ward which the PCT say is due to a change in policy of non-admittance and discharge.  However it will be re-addressed in the winter if numbers increase.

Chris Pincher said:

“I was contacted by the relatives of concerned hospital staff so I took up the matter with the PCT.  I am reassured that the future of the hospital appears safe despite the cuts to healthcare spending buried deep in the government’s budget forecasts  However, I remain concerned about plans for Philip ward.  It may be that its closure is described as “temporary” but there is no firm date for its reopening – which means the date could be pushed back and back.  I shall monitor developments here closely and will keep in touch with staff and patients.  I also want to see how the new services provided by Burton Hospitals NHS Trust perform.”

Sir Robert Peel Hospital - Pic: Angella Streluk

Tamworth’s Sir Robert Peel Hospital has scored well in a recent visit by the Patient Environment Action Teams (PEAT).

The visit which looked at the cleanliness and environment issues that effect the patients visit to hospitals is carried out by a PEAT team which is made up of NHS staff, including nurses and domestic managers, executive and non-executive directors and their estate managers as well as patient representatives.

The Sir Robert Peel was awarded Good for the environment and food and was awarded Excellent for the Privacy and Dignity afforded to patients of the hospital.

Stuart Poynor, PCT Chief Executive, has high praise for the staff and said:

“PCT Provider Services is delighted to have been assessed as having a good standard of cleanliness and environment and providing a good range of food options. We are also delighted with the excellent rating for privacy and dignity for Sir Robert Peel Hospital.”

The areas investigated included the catering on offer to patients and the general environment, but the Sir Robert Peel Hospital was commended for the the high level of privacy and dignity provided, which includes sleeping rooms and the toilet/bathroom facilities within the hospital.

Sir Robert Peel Hospital - Pic: Angella Streluk

There is to be a public meeting on Tuesday 30 June to discuss the proposed closure of a ward at the towns Sir Robert Peel Hospital.  The proposed closure would mean the loss of  24 beds at our local hospital. (Read the original report here).

The meeting, being hosted by Tamworth Borough  Councils Community and Well Being Scrutiny committee with the council inviting representatives from the hospital and the public of Tamworth are invited to discuss these proposed changes.

Councillor Lee Bates, Chair of the Community and Well Being committee said:

“The Sir Robert Peek hospital is a vitally important facility for Tamworth residents, particularly as it is the only hospital in the local area

“We could potentially loose 24-beds if this ward is to close and we want members of the public to be able to voice their questions. However we also want to give those responsible for making the decisions a chance to explain what they intend to do and why, and the opportunity to address some of the concerns residents and councillors may have.”

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 30 June at 7pm and is being held at Marmion House (Tamworth Borough Council offices) in the town centre.  If the public wish to ask questions, they are asked to send them via email to Lee Bates via email before 5pm Monday 29 June.

Sir Robert Peel Hospital - Pic: Angella Streluk

Sir Robert Peel Hospital in Mile Oak is opening it’s doors on July 3 (Friday) in a pilot scheme being run by South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust.  The open day is looking for kind hearted volunteers who want to volunteer their time to assist in the administration, meeting and greeting supporting health care staff or even just talking to patients who may not have friends or family to visit them..

The scheme is being trialed on one ward at the hospital and if it’s succesful will be rolled out to the whole hospital and further afield at Lichfields Samuel Johnson Hospital.

John Ward, Work Experience and Volunteer Co-ordinator, said:

“Volunteers have a choice of being involved in services on a hospital wide basis. Responsibilities could include directing patients to relevant departments or support our staff in providing services which will add to the patient experience such as reading, playing games, helping to prepare for busy meal times or simply have a chat with individual patients.”

Of course volunteers aren’t paid but they can take reward from the service they are providing in adding value and a personal touch to the NHS service.

The Open day will run from 10am to 4pm and those interested in volunteering will be able to talk to staff and existing volunteers about the opportunities and benefits of volunteering.