Our weekly round-up returns, featuring news of new state-of-the-art immersive simulation suites and virtual reality equipment at South Tees Hospital NHS FT, a new Twinning Partnership Agreement at Nottingham University Hospitals, and new medical equipment for people in Ukraine provided by London North West University Healthcare, plus much more.
Read about the latest developments from across the world of health and care, down below…
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust sends hospital equipment to support Ukraine
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust has provided new medical equipment to hospitals in Ukraine.
A haul of anaesthetic and intensive care airway equipment, gowns, masks and gloves – provided by departments from Northwick Park Hospital – were driven to the Ukrainian-Polish border after a two-day journey.
Jacek Borkowski, Anaesthetics Consultant, Northwick Park Hospital, commented on the new equipment: “We found a London-based Ukrainian charity that delivers direct to hospitals in Ukraine although it is a dangerous journey once they cross the Polish border and often has to be undertaken at night.
“The demand for medical supplies is constant so every little bit helps and ideally we can find some way to supply any decommissioned ventilators or dialysis machines in future.”
South Tees Hospital FT launch new VR equipment for trainee nurses
South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has launched new immersive simulation suites and virtual reality (VR) headsets designed to support trainee nurses with their training.
The 12-week programme, partly funded through the Northern Enabling Effective Learning Environments team and Health Education England, is providing nurses with the simulation equipment to gain virtual practical working experience in real life hospital ward environments and scenarios.
Using a combination of teaching and assessment methods and strategies, the nurses using the equipment at James Cook University Hospital are learning to apply evidence-based practice to clinical settings.
Lindsay Felgate, Practice Placement Facilitator for Virtual Learning, commented: “The new pilot programme will enable South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to develop high quality learning experiences. We aim to prepare a future NHS workforce who are highly skilled, innovative in their approach and equipped to practice safely and effectively, ensuring patient safety is paramount.”
Nottingham University Hospitals signs partnership agreement with Nottinghamshire secondary school
The Medicine Division team at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has signed a Twinning Partnership Agreement with Djanogly City Academy to promote careers in health, medical sciences and care industries.
The three-year partnership between NUH and the secondary school will include careers talks at assemblies or in class by NHS staff attendance at careers fairs or wider school events; work experience / placement opportunities for Year 10/12/13; individual mentoring, coaching and mock interviews for senior students; and workshops for scholars of all ages to improve health literacy.
Mark Simmonds, Medicine Division Director, NUH, said of the new partnership: “Working in the health and social care sector is an extremely rewarding career. Every role, whether it is clinical or non-clinical plays a vital role in making a difference to patients, service users and families and carers.
“We wanted to make direct links between our Medicine team and Djanogly City Academy so we can build relationships and inspire the next generation of NHS workers. Plus, it is a positive activity for our staff.”
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust launches new sustainable wound care initiative
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new sustainable wound care initiative.
The new trial, funded by the trust’s Hospitals Charity, is providing patients with bags made of potato starch to help hospital staff and community teams manage their dressings when discharged home.
According to the trust, the ‘100% compostable’ bags, created by the organisation’s procurement team, will make it ‘easier’ for patients and teams to keep their dressings and wound care together in one place.
Sam Davison, Clinical Procurement Specialist Nurse, commented: “This is a great opportunity to enhance the care and communication for our patients and clinical teams whilst driving the national sustainability agenda. We are really grateful for the support from Our Hospitals Charity for funding the project.”
Dorset Healthcare University FT reopens face-to-face mental health support
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust’s has introduced a phased re-opening of its’ face-to-face mental health support drop-ins for people who are struggling to cope, anxious or feel they are heading towards a crisis.
The Retreat support service, run by Dorset HealthCare and the Dorset Mental Health Forum, will provide patients with the chance to talk through their problems with a mental health worker or peer specialist
Marianne Gillingham, Integrated Service Manager for Mental Health, Dorset HealthCare, said: “This year continues to be a challenging time for people’s mental health, and we want those who are struggling to reach out for support.
“We have been working hard to offer the services of The Retreat in Dorchester again. Due to staffing pressures, we will begin with a phased approach but hope to return to a daily in-person service as soon as possible.”
