We have just had two further remarkable Study Days at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and Walsall The Manor Hospital, Walsall in the West Midlands.
The flavour for the two Study Days were both very different, the Russells Hall event’s focus was around Falls Prevention, whilst The Manor Hospital’s main messages were around Dementia. Both events were very well attended and the feedback has been incredible. We are committed to a programme of these Study Days throughout the year, so if you would like to attend, or similarly, if you would like to host a Study Day at your hospital, please contact us by email: info@myimprovementnetwork.com These Study Days are classed as authorised Study Days and an opportunity to share in best practice. It includes an agenda from fellow clinical professionals, followed by lunch. There is no subscription or costs to attend, you just need to register.
31st January 2018 – Russells Hall Hospital – Falls Preventions Study Day
The day commenced following coffee with opening remarks from Siobhan Jordan – Interim Chief Nurse, who’s missive very much concentrated on the emphasis of person-centred care and its importance for patient well-being, reduction in length of stay, improved nutrition and hydration and less falls and how our technology supported a positive impact around this. . In December 2017 Their falls were the lowest recorded in the last three years. She went on to say that is it is effective and beneficial not just in elderly care, but has a place in all aspects of the hospital setting.
Rebekah Plant is the Falls Co-ordinators from the hospital who talked about ‘Keeping Patients on their Feet’. The Trust have recently purchased multiple packages of the My Improvement Network technology. They have approximately 650 beds , 8 medical wards including a 16 bedded specialist unit catering for patients with dementia/acute delirium and hype-acute stroke units. 6 surgical wards including a suite for fractured neck of femur and vascular speciality ward. They have rolled out the NHSI Falls collaborative. Their Falls Prevention programme harnesses the correlation between falls and medication and their systems of working. In December 2017 Their falls were the lowest recorded in the last three years. A detailed overview of Rebekah’s presentation and their Falls Prevention Programme is available on request.
Jo Tinsley is the Meaningful Activities Co-ordinator from Leicester Partnership NHS FT - Introducing the ‘Pink Ladies’ She is passionate about improving dementia care/services. She has worked as an HCA for 8 years and was the original Pink Lady. There are now a number of Pink Ladies in the Trust and the trend is to continue to recruit more. The Pink Ladies are not clinical, they see the person not the patient. They practice person-centred care and actively encourage other staff to do so too. Jo says, “we have the privilege of time to spend with patients and build up a good relationship”. It is their aim to remain positive and encourage all patients to get involved. The My Improvement Network technology allows us to add into patients lives, an exciting variety of activities that can take them anywhere they imagine. Jo says” With this equipment, we can take patients back to a moment in time where they can recollect memories and we get to feel the emotions that are evoked with them. What makes it even more special, is that any single member of our team can use it”.
Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS FT’s presentation was from Renee Comerford - Associate Nurse Consultant for Older People and Caroline Sellars – Clinical Lead Prevention od Delirium – Pioneered to embrace change that was needed at the Trust. “Previously, typically wards had a high proportion of falls, agitation and wandering, isolation and boredom, discharge to care homes. Staff morale was low with high levels of stress, lacking in confidence and knowledge in managing confused patients – High levels of absence and sickness, complaints and unco-ordinated care”. Their Drivers for Change embracing equity and excellence were to be;
- Patients at the heart of everything they do so they have choice and control
- Success that will be measured against results that really matter to patients
- Empower Health professionals to be able to use their professional judgement about what is right for patients
- Healthcare to run from the bottom up, with ownership and decision making in the hands of the professionals and patients
- Shared decision making… “No decisions about me, without me”
We need to move beyond the traditional boundaries, because that’s what they are – boundaries (Pattison 2006)
An entrepreneur searches for change, responds to it and exploits it as an opportunity (Drucker 1985)
The My Improvement Network technology represents a leap from traditional boundaries in supporting staff to deliver improved quality of care and offer meaningful activities. This is also supported by Engagement Support Workers who become our Dementia Champions.
Concluding the event and prior to the closing comments was a powerful delivery from Chris Pointon who many of you will know from The #hellomynameis.... It is the moving experience of The #hellomynameis... is story "Through Adversity comes Legacy"
6th February 2018 - Walsall Manor Hospital
Richard Kirby – Chief Executive opened the Walsall Manor Hospital Day, followed by a very dynamic presentation from Michael Hurt – Head of Older People and Dementia for NHS Walsall CCG who presented the challenges and initiatives from a CCG perspective Debbie Shaw who is the Advanced Nurse Practitioner for Older Peoples Mental Health at the Manor, gave a passionate and committed view of The Manor’s positive impact around their dementia programme.
Marie Smith – Ward Manager & Laura Petch – Clinical Team Lead – Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS FT is one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England, employing more than 6,000 staff. Marsden Ward supports patients that have significant complex needs that lead to behaviours that challenge. Transfer here occurs if the patient needs exceed the ability on the assessment wards or prevent transition into community placements. Discharge is still planned, however a more in-depth formulation and assessment of presenting needs will be carried out. The My Improvement Network technology was positive in meeting their outcomes and they received Trust recognition in 2017 Staff Awards for Innovation. “ We promote engagement and activity with the use of digital technology.
- It has been a valuable resource and support for patients, carers and staff on the ward and transition to the community.
- There has been an improvement in mood and wellbeing scores
- All older person inpatient wards also have access to the My Improvement Network system.
- Won trust Recognition Award 2017
- Accreditation of the ‘Full Monty Award’ from Star Wards where the technology was featured
- The technology has enriched individual care plans
- Future Goals – Explore quantitative measures and use on Adult mental Health Inpatient Units.
Additional presentations were delivered by Paul Morris from Western Sussex Hospitals whose approach to new thinking around interaction between staff and patients and ensuring that activities are meaningful and have a positive effect in reducing the negative impact of hospital stays for those living with dementia. The importance of identifying the barriers to activity in hospital.
Joanne Sims is the Clinical Ward Manager, G1 at Grenoside Grange which is part of Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS FT. Grenoside Grange is an acute mental health ward providing assessment and treatment for people who have dementia, but also have significant and complex needs. Only the most complex and challenging cases are admitted, where their care, assessment and treatment cannot be managed by any other service in any other facility. Most patients here are admitted under the Mental Health Act. They embrace person-centred care and non-pharmacological intervention. They have introduced the My Improvement Technology on G1 Ward and it has been positive in;
- Effective Psycho Social Intervention
- Identifying Hidden Talents
- Facilitating living well with dementia
- Celebrating the person as they are now
- Empowering people
- Enable people to explore new activities
- Creating a tremendous and often lasting feeling
If you are interested in receiving more information about any of the presentations from these Study Days or wish to hold a Study Day at your Hospital, please contact us info@myimprovmentnetwork.com
