clatterbridge c3 magazine aw12

C3ROAD SHOW SHOWCASES

Liverpool expansion plans

Charlie Witter

gets his Olympic wish

ANNUAL REVIEW

four page pullout inside

Autumn/Winter 2012

FREEPlease take me home

A Day in the Life Improving our Estate Pioneering Pharmacy Bond Ball

Welcome

……..to the autumn/winter edition of C3 – the magazine which aims to keep you up to date with news and developments at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. It’s been a busy few months at the Trust as we continue to ensure our patient services are the best they can possibly be. I hope you enjoy reading our latest update.

C’s. Centre, Clinic, Charity.Visitors to our Clatterbridge site over recent weeks will have noticed some

changes in our appearance as we continue with our refurbishment programme. We want to give all our patients and their families and carers a positive experience when they visit our sites. Updating our buildings not only makes them more welcoming and comfortable but it also allows us to make some changes to how we do things which make our services even better. On page 7 you can read more about the work we’re currently carrying out on Mersey ward and see just how this is helping us to improve the care we give to our patients.

The centre pages of this edition of C3 contain our annual review for 2011/12 providing a look back at our work during the last financial year. It has been great to reflect on all our achievements and successes and to be able to share with you the progress we have made, none of which would be possible without the continued support of our members, patients, fundraisers and dedicated staff.

The views of our patients are incredibly important to us and we ensure that your feedback helps us to continue to shape and develop our services. That is why we are keen to hear your thoughts on the current proposal to expand our services and build a new comprehensive Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in the heart of Liverpool.

You may have already seen the road show trailer which has been out and about across Cheshire and Merseyside over the last few weeks, and on page 10 you can find out more about how we are engaging with patients and the public about the plans and where the trailer will be visiting over the next few months. Please do come along to find out more about this exciting proposal to bring world class cancer services to our region and let us know what you think.

Andrew CannellChief Executive

Contents02 Welcome

04 New Zealand dreaming

06 The Clatterbridge Clinic

Teams join forces to benefit patients

07 Estate Improvements

08 Charlie makes Olympic history

09 New children’s playroom

10 Have your say on the new cancer centre

11 Annual Review

15 Foundation Trust News - Charles Hubbard Foundation Trust Governor

16 Pioneering Pharmacy

18 10,000ft thank you for Clatterbridge

19 Meet Dr Richard Griffiths

Kidney cancer facts

20 Providing more than cancer care - Teenage and Young Adult cancer service

21 Recycle for Clatterbridge Mersey walk of hope

22 A Day in the Life

23 Puzzle page and recipe

24 Your views

08

07

16

04

3

THIS ISSUE

New Zealand dreamingThe trip home for Lizzie Cummings that changed her life

After suffering a stroke aged 29 while trekking in the Andes in 2003, Clatterbridge patient Lizzie Cummings was all too aware of the importance of her health. Five years later after suffering mild vertigo and tinnitus, and with a trip to South America and the Antarctic coming up, the keen traveller was offered a brain scan for reassurance. The scan came back clear.

Following her trip to South America

Merseyside-born Lizzie had been living her dream in New Zealand, where she had bought a home with her partner James complete with chickens, ocean views and mountain walks, and landed a dream job with New Zealand Football Club, Wellington Phoenix.

It was only in 2010 on a family visit to the UK that Lizzie mentioned her tinnitus to her local family doctor. To her surprise he told her that she may have an Acoustic Neuroma – a rare brain tumour that sits on the acoustic nerve and affects balance and hearing. On her doctor’s advice Lizzie arranged for another brain scan when she returned to New Zealand.

With her scan booked for January 2011, Lizzie came back to the UK for Christmas to be told her mother, Doreen, had been diagnosed with a blood cancer and may also possibly have ovarian cancer. Suddenly, Lizzie’s scan seemed unimportant: “I was so worried about my mum, and I knew I had to be there with her when she began her chemotherapy treatment,” says Lizzie. “I returned to New Zealand in January feeling low, with my upcoming scan seeming like the last of my worries.”

But following her scan Lizzie received a call at work to tell her that she did in fact have an Acoustic Neuroma. “I was surprised to hear the news as I’d been told that my problems were probably just down to scar tissue left on my brain after my stroke,” Lizzie says. “Other than the tinnitus and mild vertigo I thankfully hadn’t been suffering any other symptoms, but my diagnosis still left me feeling very anxious.”

Lizzie’s boyfriend provided huge support to her following her diagnosis – researching Acoustic Neuroma and preparing her for the decision she had to make on which treatment course to take. “My boyfriend is like my own personal doctor,” Lizzie laughs. “He checked the location of the tumour and the nerves it was likely to affect and told me all I needed to know and no more, to save me worrying unnecessarily.” Lizzie travelled home in May 2011 to be with Doreen who was beginning chemotherapy, although she chose not to tell her parents about her tumour until her mum’s

treatment had been set up. While she was back in the UK Lizzie scheduled some appointments to discuss her own treatment options. “I already knew that my preference was to be treated in the UK,” she says. “There was the option to have surgery in Liverpool but this increased the risk of complications and involved a 12-hour operation. I was happy to discover that I could access a pioneering treatment called Stereotactic Radiosurgery at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, which was minutes away from my parents’ house. Not quite on my doorstep from New Zealand – but at the same time it was somehow just around the corner!”

Six months after her diagnosis, Lizzie was again planning her return back to Merseyside, this time to begin her treatment. “My doctor in New Zealand told me that I would need to have the best support around me when I was being treated. I knew Clatterbridge was an excellent centre as my mum’s sister had been treated there, as had my mum. But I don’t think I quite realised what a great place it was until I was treated there myself and then I felt very confident in the hands of Clatterbridge.”

With her mum unwell, Lizzie was accompanied to her first hospital appointment by her dad and boyfriend. “I think it was worse for them than for me,” says Lizzie, “as the treatment looks scarier than it actually is. Seeing me on the bed with all of the equipment around me was quite traumatic for them. But the staff at Clatterbridge were so patient and helpful at every stage, and if I felt sick or unwell at any point they would just wait for me until I felt ready. They are so busy yet they treated me like an individual and not just as another patient. Plus the Macmillan Information Centre was another great support. They helped me to sort out a wig and provided me with some emotional support and advice. It really was such a relief to be around people who understood what I was going through.”

With both Lizzie and her mum having completed their treatment they are closer than ever. Lizzie now has to wait two years to see how successful her treatment was, and to give any swelling left by her radiotherapy chance to go down.

Lizzie is back at work in New Zealand and recently came back to the UK for a visit - this time in very different circumstances; to celebrate her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. “I am so grateful to Clatterbridge for the care and support it provided me with when I needed it most,” she says. “It may have been thousands of miles from where I live, but it was the most important trip I ever made.”

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre was the first cancer centre in the country to gain access to the Novalis TX machine which delivers Stereotactic Radiosurgery as well as other conventional radiotherapy.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery can reduce treatment and recovery time for patients by delivering a precise, high dose of radiation to a very small area, most commonly in the brain.

The use of powerful and accurate beams means that it is often possible for doctors to plan and treat patients in just one day reducing the need for more invasive treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy.

The small area treated and the precision of the treatment can reduce side effects compared to those of standard radiotherapy.

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre carries out Stereotactic Radiosurgery at its satellite radiotherapy centrein Liverpool.

Lizzie and family in the UK

Lizzie with her partner and his mother in New Zealand

Lizzie with her father, centre

5C3 | The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Magazine

A PATIENT’S JOURNEY

As part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to improving the patient environment and its facilities, a number of refurbishments have recently taken place across the Centre.

The Mersey ward refurbishment began in May as the final phase of the inpatient ward investment programme, which has been part-funded by The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. The plans for the re-modelled Mersey ward will enable a clear and structured approach for the assessment and admission of planned and emergency patients.

The completed ward will consist of three new areas and services; a combined Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Triage service, an Assessment Unit and Short Stay Unit.

A Triage service for Radiotherapy patients will complement the Chemotherapy Triage service which is currently offered. One call through to the Triage service will connect patients who are within six weeks of their

treatment to the right member of staff to help them. Staff will undertake a structured assessment to ensure patients are provided with expert advice and, if appropriate, referral to their GP, acute oncology team, a 24-hour follow-up, or admission to the Centre for further care.

The Assessment Unit will be a 10 bedded bespoke unit for emergency admissions which will be open 24 hours a day; seven days a week, and run by senior staff nurses and advanced nurse practitioners.

The short-stay unit will be a Monday to Friday ward for planned patients who need day or overnight care. For the comfort and convenience of patients there will be a drinks machine in the Day Room, and all the new services will give patients their own TVs, en-suite showers and side rooms.

The finishes and colours used on the ward will be the same as Sulby and Conway, with work expected to be complete by the end of November 2012.

IMPROVING OUR ESTATEOver the last few months The

Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has been considering joint venture proposals to provide a dedicated private patient unit at our Wirral site and generate more funds for NHS patient services.

Following a commercial tendering process we have selected Irish hospital Mater Private as our preferred partner and at the time of

Corridor refurbishment progressThe corridors have now been refurbished

and include colourful artwork and seating areas for the comfort of patients and visitors. The stairs by the lift area feature the same tree-lined design as the satellite centre in Liverpool, and the new colour schemes have attracted a number of positive comments from patients and staff. There is also new signage throughout the corridors, helping patients find their way round.

Radiotherapy arrivals deskThe new Radiotherapy arrivals area

has now been completed. The Transport desk has been moved into the Arrivals desk giving patients and drivers one place to report into, to reduce any confusion.

Reception areaThe new Reception desk is now complete,

offering a more spacious area for staff and volunteers.

(1 & 2) Mersey ward, (3) Stairs near the main entrance, (4) Reception area, (5) Radiotherapy desk

1 2

3 4 5

The Clatterbridge Clinicgoing to press we are expecting to be in a position, within a few weeks, to sign a contract to establish a ten year joint partnership.

The Mater Private is Ireland’s leading private hospital operating a dedicated private cancer centre, as well as other private healthcare services and bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise.

‘The Clatterbridge Clinic’ will be a specialist cancer clinic for private patients covering

chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.Importantly the development of a private

patients unit will give the Trust the opportunity to re-invest any profits generated from the private patients unit to both maintain and enhance our NHS services so we can continue to offer our NHS patients the outstanding level of care and supportive environment we are known for.

It is expected that the unit will be up and running between February and May 2013.

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has merged its Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy departments to ensure it’s delivering the best service to patients.

The Diagnostic Imaging department plays a really important part in the services offered by the Centre as fast access to MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, X-Ray and Ultrasound is vital in a patient’s journey. It can mean quicker diagnosis and follow up for oncology patients plus the diagnosis of a wide range of other conditions.

Recognising the clinical link that already existed between Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has further strengthened this link and encouraged closer working between the two departments by merging them into one Directorate.

The new Directorate brings benefits to both parts of the service and offers a more streamlined treatment planning pathway for radiotherapy patients; encouraging development of shared roles and the use of shared equipment.

Julie Massey, Radiotherapy and Imaging Services Manager, said: “The new Directorate of Radiotherapy and Imaging was launched in February 2012 and staff from both service areas are working hard to develop as one Directorate. We want to provide the best care we can and this change will support us and enable us to do this.”

Teams join forces to benefit patients


ESTATES NEWS

6

NEWS

www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk

We featured Charlie’s story in the last issue of C3 magazine when we announced that the 17-year-old former Clatterbridge patient had beaten thousands of nominees to carry the Olympic flame. We caught up with him again to find out more about his once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Charlie carried the torch through Shrewsbury on 30th May, much to the delight of his friends and family, who turned up on the day to cheer him on in their bright green ‘Clatterbridge Cancer Charity’ T-shirts. Charlie says: “There were about 40 of us in the T-shirts on the day, including my head teacher! It was very exciting to see everyone wave to me as I went past! It’s a day I will never forget.”

Charlie has since been into the Centre with the Olympic Torch to meet staff and patients. His visit to the Centre caused much excitement as people requested to have their photograph taken with him. “It was good to put a smile on patients’ faces and to see everyone again,” he says.

Charlie has been treated twice for brain tumours, in 2007 and 2011. Despite his five weeks of life-saving radiotherapy treatment at Clatterbridge in 2011 Charlie sat every one of his GCSEs and achieved top grades in all of them. In recognition of this and of his fundraising for Clatterbridge (Charlie and his friends and family have raised over £5,000 so far) Charlie’s mum Karen nominated him to be one of the official London 2012 Olympic Torchbearers.

Charlie and his mum are now planning a trek of the Great Wall of China this October to raise funds for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. If you would like to sponsor Charlie or find out more, please visit justgiving.com/Charlie-Witter-ChinaChallengeCCC.

Charlie MakesOlympic History

For just £1 a week you will be allocated a six-digit lottery number, which is yours to keep playing. Every Saturday the lucky winners are selected at random and prize cheques are issued and

Taking part in The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity’s weekly lottery is a great way to support local cancer patients as well as giving you the chance of winning up to £25,000!

SPOTLIGHT ON GIVINGposted directly to you.

Register online today at www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk or call the Charity team on 0151 482 7948. Players must be 16 or over to enter.

As the weather gets cooler and the nights start to draw in our thoughts inevitably turn to Christmas! The festive period is an important time for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and they are always overwhelmed by the generosity shown by Clatterbridge supporters.

Last year the Christmas Appeal raised a massive £27,000, helping Clatterbridge to provide the very best treatment, care, support and facilities for cancer patients across the region.

This year The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is hoping to raise even more from their annual Christmas Appeal to help fund a range of vital projects at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre including a new children’s playroom.

Every year hundreds of children attend the Centre either as patients or as siblings, children and grandchildren of patients. Currently these children must wait with older patients outside the radiotherapy treatment area as there is no dedicated space for them. It is clear that this situation is not ideal as it can increase a child’s anxiety at what is already a very stressful time. To address this problem The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity has launched an appeal to raise £80,000 to create a new, purpose-built waiting area specifically for the Centre’s younger patients and visitors.

A new conservatory style area will be built, offering plenty of natural light and creating a relaxing and welcoming environment. The appeal will also fund suitable furniture and toys providing a fun, colourful and entertaining environment for children of all ages and their families.

Help bring comfort and joy to our patients at Christmas

Photography by Chris Bell

One patient who welcomes this new children’s playroom is 10-year-old Rebekah Shaw from Barrow-in-Furness, who underwent treatment at Clatterbridge earlier this year. Rebekah, who helped open the newly refurbished Mould Room with Ricky Tomlinson in March, had to travel from the Lake District to the Centre for six weeks. As her mum Nicola explains: “Whilst the care and treatment we received at Clatterbridge was fantastic Rebekah often found waiting for treatment an anxious time, especially as she was so far away from home. It would have been great to have a space where Rebekah could relax and have fun. I’m sure this new waiting area and playroom will be well used and loved by lots of families like ours.”

You can support our Christmas Appeal and help fund important projects like our new children’s playroom by taking part in our ‘Card-Free Christmas’ scheme at your workplace, buying some of our special Christmas cards, or by simply making a donation. Call the charity team on 0151 482 7948 or visit www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk for more information.


CHARITY NEWS

8

CHARITY NEWS


In the last issue of C3 magazine we told you about the exciting plans to expand Clatterbridge into Liverpool.

The Trust is currently in discussions with local commissioners to develop a £100m comprehensive cancer centre on the new Royal Liverpool University

Have your say on the new cancer centre

Hospital and Bio campus site. By expanding our services onto this site

we would have access to non-oncology specialists and critical care beds, which will help improve care for acutely unwell patients, create seamless pathways with surgical teams and enhance research and development opportunities with

Road show Calendar

better integration between the University and The Cancer Research Centre.

If the proposals go ahead, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre will also continue to provide an outpatient service on the Wirral site for Wirral and West Cheshire patients, as well as provide a radiotherapy satellite service in Aintree and offer chemotherapy treatment at eight hospitals across the region.

A new website – www.mccancercentre.nhs.uk – has been developed to give members of the public more information on the proposed project. There is a range of information available on the site including information on why the proposal is being considered, the benefits it will bring to the region and what it means for patients. There is also an area to give your feedback on the proposal.

A series of road shows are also planned as part of the engagement programme to give people a chance to have their say – take a look at the calendar below to find a road show near you. An information trailer will visit a number of locations across Cheshire and Merseyside over the coming months to encourage people to tell us what they think of the plans.

Details of locations and dates will also be posted on the website, so keep an eye out for them.

SEPTEMBER 13th, 14th, 15th20th, 21st, 22nd

Merseyside – KnowsleyCheshire – Chester Town Hall

OCTOBER 4th, 5th, 6th11th, 12th, 13th

Merseyside – SeftonCheshire – venue to be confirmed

NOVEMBER 8th, 9th, 10th15th, 16th, 17th

Merseyside – St HelensCheshire – venue to be confirmed

DECEMBER 6th, 7th, 8th13th, 14th, 15th

Merseyside – LiverpoolCheshire – venue to be confirmed

JANUARY JAN/FEB

24th, 25th, 26th31st, 1st, 2nd

Merseyside – HaltonCheshire – venue to be confirmed

FEBRUARY

7th, 8th, 9th14th, 15th, 16th

Merseyside – Widnes/RuncornCheshire – venue to be confirmed

It’s been a year of success and exciting developments for The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre…We have continued to provide the highest quality of care and in recognition of this the Patient Environment Team (PEAT) assessment results for environment, food, privacy and dignity all received ‘excellect’ ratings.

We achieved the majority of our operating standards in relation to NHS targets and met some very challenging targets in respect of hospital acquired infections.

We have introduced innovative new services and state-of-the-art new equipment which will support us to continue to deliver the best cancer care we can to the people we serve.

Our staff work hard to provide and support the delivery of safe, high quality care to hundreds of patients seeking treatment every day of the year. It is thanks to them that we are able to celebrate so many successes and achievements this year, some of which are summarised in this annual review.

Alan White - Chair Andrew Cannell - Chief Executive

Annual Review - 2011/12

All aspects of my treatment were explained in a friendly and professional way. I felt really cared for from beginning to end.“ “

Excellent treatment, excellent staff, excellent and very helpful receptionist. My treatment has been tough but thanks to all the staff I am getting through it.“ “

Week 2Week 3

Week 4Week 5

Week 6Week 7

Week 8Week 9

Week 10Week 11

Week 12Week 13

11C3 | The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Magazine10

NEWS


The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is one of the largest networked cancer centres in the UK

We achieved a £3.37m surplus on our 2011/12 budget.

By ensuring we have strong financial controls in place toachieve a budget surplus we are in a strong position to respond to the current financial challenges facing the NHS and can continue to invest in future developments to improvepatient care.

We continually monitor waiting times and review patient pathways to improve efficiency and reduce waiting times wherever possible.

Our waiting times for cancer treatment remained consistently low during 2011/12: • Justover97% of our patients were treated within 18 weeks from

GP referral. • Almost 98% of patients started treatment within 31 days from

decision to treat.

• Justover 80% of patients were treated within 62 days from the date of urgent GP referral.

• 100% of our patients waited less than 6 weeks for a CT or MRI scan.

We have once again successfully met healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) objectives achieving: • AreductioninClostridiumDifficilewithonlyeightcases.• MRSAscreeningcomplianceconsistentlywithin100% target

with only one case of MRSA bacteraemia.

We were once again among the best performing NHS Trusts across England according to the Care Quality Commission’s outpatient, inpatient and staff surveys for 2011.

Areas where we rated as one of the best performing trusts included:• Cleanliness• Waitinglists• Plannedadmissions• Confidenceandtrustindoctorsandnurses• Patientsfeelingtheywereinvolvedindecisionsabouttheircare• Patientsreportingthattheyweretreatedwithdignityandrespect

In response to the NHS staff survey for 2011/12• 93% of our staff said their role made a difference to patients. • 96% of our staff said they would recommend the Trust to family

and friends who needed treatment.• Ouroverallstaffengagementscorewas3.93 out of 5, above

average for a specialist acute trust.

Your comments, suggestions and complaints are very important to us and telling us about your experience helps us to learn, develop and improve as an organisation.

Feedback not only tells us what we’re doing well, it also highlights where we can do things differently and make a real difference to people’s lives. In 2011/12 we received 14 complaints which we fully investigated and responded to.

We have listened to concerns raised by some of our patients about waiting times and are putting a range of measures in place to reduce the length of time some patients have to wait and improve overall patient experience.

We also received numerous compliments including:

“From the moment my wife and I arrived in the spacious, patient orientated facility and were greeted by the very cour teous reception staff, I realised that my cancer experience was about to improve significant ly.“

MRIScanDepartment – “Absolutely outstanding, all staff caring and first class. Easily the best I have ever visited. Well done!!! Clatterbridge is the best.”

Providing the best cancer care to the people we serve

Our Performance

Our Finances

What our staff and patients say...

Supporting quicker diagnosis and treatment of cancer related illnessThe introduction of our Acute Oncology Team has greatly improved the experience for patients admitted to A&E with cancer related illnesses.

By introducing our specialists into seven hospitals across Merseyside and Cheshire we have been able to diagnose patients more quickly and reduce delays to treatment.

The team brings together expertise from oncology, surgery, emergency and general medicine to improve the quality of patient care, improve communication across medical teams and reduce inpatient stays.

The team now sees 92% of all cancer patients attending A&E within 24 hours of referral and has avoided 9,000 bed days of preventable stays in hospital.

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is leading the way in providing essential cancer consultation services across a network of hospitals to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of cancer related illness.

Staying at the forefront of cancer careWe have continued to actively support the development of the Academic Unit of Oncology which brings together high quality clinical services, research and academic excellence for the benefit of our patients.

During2011/12weweredelightedtoappointProfessorDanPalmerasChairofMedicalOncologyandDrSyedHusseinasSeniorLecturerinMedicalOncology who, working together with The University of Liverpool, The Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Clatterbridge Cancer Research, will support the Unit to drive forward the development of new drugs and therapies for our patients delivering more effective and personalised treatments than ever before.

Investing to improve qualityThe Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has a strong reputation for innovation and we continue to investin new technologies to complement the fantastic

resources we already have and provide the latest enhancements in patient care.

During2011/12weintroducedanewmobilex-raymachine which enables patients who cannot leave the ward to have a chest x-ray in their bed. We have also invested in a new state-of-the-art gamma camera and are well advanced in installing a second MRI scanner.

Installing this sophisticated new equipment greatly enhances our diagnostic imaging services, offering patients access to technologically advanced scanning, faster, higher quality images and results.

Bringing services closer to homeA pilot community chemotherapy service is enabling patients to receive high quality care in their own homes.

The service is the first of its kind for The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and delivers chemotherapy treatment at home to those patients we identify would most benefit from reduced travel to our centres.

Over the coming year we will develop the pilot programme further introducing community chemotherapy clinics near GP centres, giving even more of our patients access to treatment closer to home.

2011/12 also saw the introduction of our new chemotherapy outpatient clinic at Broadgreen Hospital meaning Clatterbridge Cancer Centre patients can now attend our clinics at eight hospitals across the region.

Our improvement and investment in chemotherapy services ensures we continue to provide the best possible, specialist care in the most convenient place for patients.

Improving patient experience We are committed to improving facilities across all our sites to ensure we meet the expectations and needs of patients and visitors attending our centres and clinics.

Our Wirral site is very important to us and over the last year we have continued our programme of refurbishment introducing a new reception area, updated corridors and waiting areas, giving more

comfortable, appropriate facilities to welcome visitors into the Centre.

Our refurbished wards and new overnight relative’s rooms are providing modern facilities for all our inpatients, so parents and carers can stay comfortably on the hospital site.

These improvements will serve the centre well into the future and make each and every visit as positive as possible for all our visitors.

Building for the futureWe are currently working on a proposal to invest in a new comprehensive cancer centre for Merseyside and Cheshire.

The centre will be sited next to the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital and will improve access for everyone across Merseyside and Cheshire by offering a choice of location for outpatient services which will be available at both our Wirral site and the new Liverpool centre.

Our inpatient services will move to the new centre giving our sickest inpatients greater access to a range of medical skills and facilities including surgery and intensive care.

Being based next to the University of Liverpool will give our clinicians more opportunity to take part in international standard research and clinical trials making sure we continue to develop high quality services and treatments.

Over the next 12 months we will be carrying out a range of engagement activity to capture people’s views on this exciting development.

The proposal will enable us to continue to deliver the very best in cancer care for patients across Merseyside and Cheshire both now and in the future.

Comments, complaints and compliments

Sefton

Liverpool

Knowsley

Halton St Helens

Wirral

Cheshire

Royal Liverpool Hospital

Aintree Hospital

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - Wirral

Liverpool Women’s Hospital

Whiston Hospital

C Outpatient chemotherapy service

ROutpatientradiotherapy service

CInpatient chemotherapy service

RInpatient radiotherapy service

A Acute oncology

Broadgreen Hospital

Arrowe Park Hospital

St Helens Hospital

Halton Hospital

Countess of Chester Hospital

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - Aintree

A

A

C C

C

C

C A

A

AC R

C

C A

RC

From our nine operating sites across Merseyside and Cheshire we treated over 27,000 patients during 2011/12 carrying out:

• 39,343chemotherapytreatments• 102,423radiotherapytreatments• 728protontherapytreatments

• 4,468inpatientstays• 83,154outpatient

appointments

Southport Hospital

C R

12 13C3 | The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Magazinewww.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk

Our Council of Governors is an important group of people within the Trust who represent the views of the Foundation Trust members and holds our Board to account.

We have 28 Governors made up of members of the public, staff and nominated organisations who each serve a fixed three year term of office.

Our elected Governors for 2011/12 were:

Public Governors:JohnNaveinLawrie BlackAlan GriffithsJillJohnsonTrevor Benn – re-electedStuart Clutton – re-elected

Staff Governor:Eileen Howlett Each year the Trust produces a Quality Report and Quality Accounts. The document looks backwards, reporting on the previous year’s performance and sets objectives for the coming year.

For 2011/12 our Governors identified patient falls as an indicator for the auditors to review. The audit report concluded that only minor improvements were needed in relation to how the Trust manages patient falls. Improvement plans are now in place including the introduction of safety and comfort checks to ensure that patients’ safety and comfort needs are reviewed at least every two hours minimising the possibility of patients who are at increased risk of falling attempting to leave their beds without assistance.

You donated £1.2m to The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity in 2011/12

Thanks to your generosity we have been able to:• Giveourmouldrooma£100,000refurbishment,improvingthe

experience of hundreds of patients with head and neck cancer each year.

• Supportaresearchprogrammeaimingtoreducethemorepainfulside effects of chemotherapy.

• Fundservicestosupportpatientsandfamiliesincludingcounselling, a wig service and complementary therapies.

We have more than 5,000 members giving patients, their families and the public the chance to shape the future of cancer care and be more directly involved in improving what we do.

It costs nothing to be a member and it doesn’t need to take up much time but you could make a real difference by helping us to continue to develop services that benefit our patients.

To find out more about becoming a member visit our website at http://www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk/supportyourcentre/trust/

Our Annual Report and Accounts give a financial overview of 2011/12 and our aims for the year ahead and is available on our website at www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk.

Our Governors What we do wouldn’t be possible without you...

... and together we can do more

Want to find out more?

Charles Hubbard tells us why he became a Foundation Trust Governor

“I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IMPRESSED BY THE DEDICATION AND CARE OF THE TEAM AT CLATTERBRIDGE IN THEIR CONTINUOUS WORK TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL CANCER CARE.”

Dedicating time and experience

to my local cancer centre

Hello, my name is Charles Hubbard and I am a publicly elected Governor for Sefton.

I became a Governor two years ago after my wife was treated at the Centre for ovarian cancer. After supporting her through her treatment here I realised that there were areas of my experience that could allow me to make a positive contribution to the governance of the Trust. I sit as a member of the Council of Governor’s Strategy Committee and the Trust Board’s Audit Committee, and I find my involvement to be incredibly interesting, although getting to grips with the NHS acronyms was a challenge at first!

I am a chartered surveyor and a consultant to a firm of property advisors that has offices in Liverpool, London, and Manchester. My work at the moment involves a lot of travel and I regularly visit Chicago where I am involved in a major development project,

which also takes me to the Middle East and the Far East. Before this I lectured and became Head and Professor of Surveying at Liverpool John Moores University. I am also joint author of a number of books in my fields.

I am proud to be a Governor as I believe that a competent and committed Council of Governors is vital to any NHS Foundation Trust. It is important that Governors work alongside the Trust Board to ensure it is effective. I have always been impressed by the dedication and care of the team at Clatterbridge in their continuous work to deliver exceptional cancer care. It is crucial that a large region such as ours has an established cancer centre offering highly specialised treatment in an efficient and accessible way – as well as fostering strong and relevant research and development. To be able to use my knowledge of the patient experience to help nurture these things is very satisfying indeed.

New Governors announcedThe election process for the 2012 Council of Governors is now complete. Members at the Trust have had their say and selected the candidates they feel will represent their views in the years ahead. The Trust is pleased to announce its new Governors as follows:

Public constituenciesChester, Ellesmere Port & Vale Royal – Gill OliverLiverpool – Yvonne TsaoSefton – Michèle ChristophersonWarrington & Halton – Douglas Buchanan

Staff constituencyNurse – Kate Smith

Each of the above Governors is appointed for a three year term of office with effect from the Annual Members’ Meeting on 27th September, 2012.


FOUNDATION TRUST NEWS

14 www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk

The Oncology Pharmacy at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre plays a vital part in the services we provide. The service covers a wide range of areas of expertise – from chemotherapy preparation to clinical services and medicines advice. The Pharmacy team manages a drug budget of almost £20 million per year and works alongside consultants, ward staff and patients to ensure that the correct medicines are prescribed, managed and delivered safely and accurately. Members of the team are also involved in the teaching and lecturing of undergraduate Pharmacists and support the Clinical Education department at the Trust.

The Pharmacy department has attained consistently high standards when externally assessed and has been rated as ‘excellent’ for medicines management. It has a high national profile and contributes to advisory group reports on the delivery of chemotherapy. In recent patient surveys the Pharmacy was rated within the top 20% band for all trusts for medicines-related assessments.

There are more than 35 staff members in the Pharmacy team, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and administrative staff. We visited the department to take a look around and find out more about the huge role our Pharmacy plays in the treatment we provide to patients.

Day-to-day PharmacyThe whole team works to ensure that

the right drug and dose is prescribed to the right patient, at the right time. Chemotherapy is made by a Pharmacy Technician or Assistant, and every drug receives a final check from a Pharmacist. The Pharmacy has strict procedures in place to ensure chemotherapy prescriptions are effective and correct, and that the chemotherapy itself is safe to administer. Staff are on-hand to ensure stock is being ordered and controlled correctly, and that the aseptic (sterile) unit is bacteria-free.

Speeding up the treatment processThe Pharmacy service at the Trust

is rare in that it works ahead to make bespoke drugs to-order for patients, on-site in the aseptic unit. This means that patients do not have to wait until they have come into clinic before their

drugs are ordered, and there is no wait to transport the drugs to them as they are produced at the Centre. This dramatically cuts waiting times and provides reassurance for the patient.

Pharmacists take part in regular ward rounds with doctors to assess the requirements of patients and the drugs they need, so that decisions on in-patient treatments can be made sooner. Our Pharmacy Technicians work to make sure that patients get these medicines quickly to smooth out the patient journey.

Managing medicinesIt is the job of the Pharmacy team

to ensure that any drugs a patient may already be taking are compatible with the drugs prescribed to them as part of their cancer treatment, and if so, that they are taking them correctly. If there is a possibility the drugs a patient has been taking at home may have caused them to be admitted to hospital, the Pharmacist will review this and adjust the prescription if necessary. The Pharmacist also educates our patients on how to take any newly prescribed drugs and their possible side-effects.

Getting the right medicines, the right way

Our Pharmacy team believes it is important that inpatients at the Centre are given the opportunity to self-administer their drugs so they do not lose the skill of managing their own medication. Pharmacy staff work directly with patients to assess them and ensure that they can administer their own medication safely. Acting Clinical Services Manager Joanne McCaughey says: “If you take this skill away, from older patients in particular, it can be difficult for them to re-adjust once they go home again.”

Leading the way in medicine management

The Pharmacy has a pioneering cold chain process which ensures chemotherapy is kept at the right temperature throughout its production. Both room and refrigerator temperatures are monitored regularly to ensure Pharmacists and Technicians have control of the storage environment. If the drugs are to be sent off-site they are sent in insulated transport boxes to ensure that they maintain the correct temperature. Principal Pharmacist Jayne Kelly says: “If the drugs are sent to one of our off-site clinics and it turns out they are no longer suitable

for the patient, we can prove that they have been kept at the right temperature during production and transportation, and can therefore be used elsewhere if appropriate. This saves money for the Trust and allows us to treat more patients.”

At the cutting edge of research The Pharmacy has its own clinical

trials department which is staffed by Research Pharmacists. The department looks into new pharmaceutical drugs and technologies and investigates their potential to treat patients effectively and safely. Research Pharmacist Ian Allen says: “Trial medication can involve more risk so it is important that we handle it responsibly. Every tablet or vial of medicine at the Trust has to be accounted for and recorded accurately.”

Some existing and new medicines will have complex steps for being mixed together in an aseptic unit. It is the job of the research team to work out the processes of mixing and dispensing these medicines safely and accurately. PharmacyOUR DEDICATED PHARMACY STAFF ARE INVOLVED IN MANY ASPECTS OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT GO ON AT THE CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER CENTRE AND ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE TREATMENT AND OVERALL CARE GIVEN TO OUR PATIENTS.

THE DEPARTMENT BRINGS TOGETHER A RANGE OF SPECIALISTS TO ENSURE OUR PATIENTS RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY, SAFE TREATMENTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AS WELL AS KEEPING THE TRUST AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW, MORE EFFECTIVE DRUGS AND THERAPIES.

Pioneering


FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY

16 www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk

He joined Clatterbridge:In 2010 having previously worked at The Christie in Manchester. Along with his site-specific interests he also leads the acute oncology service at Wirral University Teaching Hospital. He enjoys:Maintaining a healthy work-life balance! Richard finds it a challenge to keep his three young boys occupied during the summer holidays. They like to go hill-walking or cycling whenever possible. He is also a keen sailor and is currently restoring a Mirror dinghy to its former glory.

He also:Is interested in the development of the relatively new speciality of acute oncology. Acute oncology, at its heart, is about ensuring that a patient with an acute

problem from their cancer gets the best possible care they can whether they present to a specialist cancer hospital or their own local hospital. He is the Clatterbridge lead for unknown primary cancers and is keen to develop further research into this often forgotten group of cancers. He said: “Have you tried switching it off and switching it back on again?”. Richard is interested in information technology developments in healthcare and chairs the IM&T clinical design group. In so many aspects of our lives now, the information revolution has improved the way we do things from keeping in touch with people overseas to doing the weekly shopping. Yet in healthcare it often feels like it is just slowing things down. It doesn’t have to be that way. Getting end user involvement in IT development is key.

Kidney cancer is an abnormal growth of cells within the kidney. The most common type is called renal cell cancer and is most commonly found in those over the age of 60.

Dr Richard Griffiths, Consultant in Medical OncologySpecialist in lung, renal and acute oncology

KIDNEY CANCER

Q What are the symptoms?

•Bloodintheurine•Painordiscomfortinthesideor

back of the abdomen (loin pain)•Fever(hightemperatures)andsweats•Aswellingintheareaoverakidney•Anaemia,whichcancausetiredness

and a pale complexion

Q What causes kidney cancer?

•Itismorecommoninmenandin those over the age of 60

•Obesity•Smoking•Chemicalcarcinogenssuchasasbestos,

cadmium and organic solvents•Kidneydialysis•Geneticfactorsmaybeimportantin

some cases, particularly if there is a family history of kidney cancer

Q How common is kidney cancer?Around 9,000 people are diagnosed

with kidney cancer each year and it represents about 3% of all cancers.

Q How is it diagnosed?It is usually diagnosed on either an

ultrasound scan or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen. There are no specific blood tests that will diagnose it.

Q How is it treated?Surgery is by far the best option if

the disease is confined to the kidney. Even if it has spread outside the kidney, surgery may still be an option in some cases. Chemotherapy is not a very useful treatment for kidney cancer except in some rare cases. There are newer targeted therapies available which block growth of blood vessels into the tumour and stop the cancer from growing. Other drugs that stimulate the immune system can also be effective in some cases.

10,000FT THANK YOU FOR CLATTERBRIDGE

When Gill Dennett from Tarporley took to the skies for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity’s skydive in August she did so for a special reason; to thank Clatterbridge for saving her husband Nigel’s life.

In October 2010, after a weekend of gardening Nigel assumed his aching shoulder was just a trapped nerve. However, when the pain didn’t improve despite regular physiotherapy Nigel and Gill realised something more serious was wrong. In January 2011 Nigel was diagnosed

with Pancoast lung cancer, which had spread across his neck and spine.

The couple, who had only married the year before, were to face a very difficult and anxious 18 months as Nigel underwent treatment for the Pancoast tumour which required him to wear a spinal ‘halo’ brace. He was also diagnosed with a stage four melanoma and a secondary tumour in his brain. The effect of these three diagnoses in such a short space of time was devastating for Nigel, Gill and their families but, with their love and support, along

with the excellent treatment and care that Nigel received at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, they remain positive and are looking forward to the future.

Despite the extremely difficult situation Nigel and Gill were determined to do something to thank Clatterbridge. When Gill heard about the skydive The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity were organising the daredevil in her couldn’t resist the challenge!

As Gill explains: “Nigel had and continues to experience the very best

possible care at Clatterbridge. Our Oncologist Dr. Maguire saved his life and has been fantastic. We both feel we want to give something back - and raising money for the Centre for new equipment, research and facilities is how we want to do it.”

To find out how you could support The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and make a real difference to the lives of patients like Nigel, please call the charity team on: 0151 482 7948 or visit: www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk

“NIGEL HAD AND CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THE VERY BEST POSSIBLE CARE AT CLATTERBRIDGE.”

18 19C3 | The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Magazine

FEATURE FEATURE


MERSEY WALK OF HOPE

I’m Jayne Pattinson, the Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Support Coordinator at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. My role is to provide personal, social and emotional support to teenagers and young adults aged 16-24 who have received a cancer diagnosis.

I work with a team of specialists in the Cancer Rehabilitation and Support Team (CReST), a Teenage and Young Adult Lead Nurse, a Psychologist, and a CLIC Sargent Social Worker which gives our young people access to a really wide range of support making sure they receive the best possible care before, during and after treatment.

I joined the Trust in May 2012 after graduating from The University of Liverpool with a Psychology degree. I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to play a supportive role to young people in a healthcare setting and when I came to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre it was great to see just how dedicated the staff are when caring for their patients.

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is the only Wirral Trust to host a specialist Teenage and Young Adult cancer unit (TYA) and having dedicated facilities is a great support to me in my role as it provides a laid-back atmosphere for me to spend time with our young patients.

The TV/computer and kitchen areas give them independence and the option to socialise with others or they can spend time in their own private en-suite bedroom. As teenage

cancer is so rare, it’s great we have a facility that allows young patients to be around others who understand what they’re going through.

Youth cancer can seem particularly cruel as it comes at a time when many young people are growing in independence and making plans to go off to work or university. It is my role to provide individually tailored support that will allow them to grow as a person and see beyond their cancer diagnosis. We are lucky to also have a TYA Team based at the Centre that can give additional advice and support, as well as the teams of professionals across Sulby ward and Radiotherapy that work with and support teenagers and young adults.

We treat young people at the Centre as individuals first; and cancer patients second. We provide age-appropriate recreational facilities to allow them to socialise and have fun – such as art therapy classes, bowling, film and takeaway nights, and breakfast clubs. I also help provide educational support and can help patients to look for work experience or give career advice.

We also put them in touch with local and national support initiatives such as JimmyTeensTV, a website that allows patients to upload videos of their cancer experience or local project ‘Hair For You’, which provides free wigs and local hairdressers to style a wig for free.

I really enjoy my role here as it allows me to improve the wellbeing of young

people who sometimes need extra help and care. It is so rewarding to watch them grow in confidence as a result of the support they have received at the Centre.

Providing more than cancer careRecognising the social and personal needs of our patients is vital to the cancer care we provide at the Trust. Jayne Pattinson is a fundamental part of our Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Service, offering assistance to young people experiencing problems that cancer and its effects can bring.

Following the success of The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity’s very first Mersey Walk of Hope last year, the event is returning for another year and is set to be bigger and better than last year – with a new and improved route and top entertainment from our friends at Juice FM. Join us and over a thousand walkers on Friday 26th October as we take to Liverpool’s Waterfront for this special moonlit walk. We’re once again joining forces with Liverpool Unites for Alder Hey so you can take part and support two of the region’s best loved hospitals.

Anyone can take part in our Mersey Walk of Hope and with a 5k and 10k route available it’s suitable for the whole family. With live music and fire-eaters entertaining you at the start, and a delicious hog-roast to welcome you across the finish, this year’s event will have a real carnival atmosphere!

The money raised from this special event will help thousands of cancer patients and children at both The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, funding some of the life-changing appeals that make both

Join us at The Lutyen’s Crypt in Liverpool’s famous Metropolitan Cathedral for a night of glamour, elegance and sophistication at our annual Bond Ball on Friday 23rd November. With its vaulted arches and amazing brickwork The Crypt Hall is the perfect venue to enjoy a fabulous evening with the obligatory Bond Martini, shaken not stirred of course!

Table packages are available from £50 per person and all tickets include a drinks reception, sumptuous three-course meal, live entertainment and fun casino.

For more information and to buy your tickets call 0151 482 7948.

Bond Ball

From foreign coins to phones, ink jet cartridges to jewellery, the charity can now recycle your unwanted items and use the money raised to help cancer patients throughout the region and reduce your carbon footprint.

To kick-start the campaign, staff at the charity have cleared out their own cupboards, raising over £300. Many people have old coins and phones tucked away at the back of drawers and this is a great way to have a bit of a tidy up and raise money.

And it doesn’t stop at smaller items, The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity can even help you to recycle old and unwanted cars! One of our fantastic recycling partners, Giveacar, will sell the car in a salvage auction or dispose of it at an Authorised Treatment Facility before sending us the donation.

If you have any foreign currency, phones, jewellery or printer cartridges that you would like to recycle for Clatterbridge then get in touch with the charity team on 0151 482 7948. Recycling envelopes are also available online at www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk.

Recycle for ClatterbridgeTHEY SAY ONE PERSON’S JUNK IS ANOTHER’S TREASURE. THIS IS CERTAINLY THE CASE AT THE CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER CHARITY AS IT LAUNCHES A NEW RECYCLING INITIATIVE THAT IS SET TO BECOME A HUGE SUCCESS.

hospitals so special in people’s hearts.To register for this year’s Mersey Walk of

Hope visit www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk or call 0151 482 7948 for a registration pack. Both the 5k and 10k walks will start at 8pm and cost £10 for adults and £5 for children.


CHARITY NEWS

20

NEWS


(Serves 4-6 people)

Try this easy to make risotto. Have on its own as a vegetarian meal choice or serve with baked fish or chicken breast and broccoli or green beans.

Ingredients

One butternut squash, remove skin and

seeds and cut into chunks

1 purple onion, chopped

2 leeks, cut into chunks

One clove garlic, minced

250 grams Arborio rice

Vegetable or chicken stock (1,000 ml)

50 grams parmesan cheese

Chopped parsley

Sliced almonds

Recipe of the month

Support your cancer centre

Name: Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms / Dr

Address:

Postcode:

Telephone: E-mail:

Thank you – your donation will now make an even greater contribution to our work.

I would like to help The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity by donating:

£100 £50 £30 £20 Other £ Direct Debit*

* If you tick this box, the Charity team will be in touch to set up your Direct Debit.

I would like to know more about the ways I can support the Charity

Tick if you do not want a receipt and help us reduce costs

I enclose a cheque/postal order made payable to “The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre”

Please debit my credit / debit card, number

Start date Expiry date Issue No. (maestro only)

(maestro only)

Security code (last three digits on reverse)

In making this donation I do not intend that my wishes for its uses should impose a Trust.

Signed:

Date:

Send To: Charity office, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Clatterbridge Road, Bebington, Wirral CH63 4JY Charity No 1051727

If you are a UK taxpayer, we can receive an extra 25p for every £1 you donate.

Gift Aid it? I am a UK tax payer and would like ‘The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity’ to reclaim the tax on any of the donation I have made in the last six years and all future donations as Gift Aid donations until I notify you otherwise. To qualify for Gift Aid, I understand that the amount of income and/or capital gains tax I pay must be at least equal to the amount claimed on my donation in the appropriate tax year (6 April one year to 5 April the next)

There are so many ways to get involved, find out more at: www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk / 0151 482 7948 Or call into our charity office at Clatterbridge

Method1. Place leeks, onion, garlic and butternut squash in a deep dish baker and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Either put in a microwave covered with greaseproof paper and cook until soft or put in a 200 degree oven and cook until soft.2. Add rice and 800 ml stock to dish.3. Bake in 180 degree oven for 50 minutes. 4. Stir after 25 minutes.5. After 40 minutes check to see whether any more stock is required.6. When cooked, add grated parmesan cheese.7. Serve with fresh parsley and sliced almonds.

Clatterbridge dietician Kathryn Parr shares another one of her delicious recipes

Roasted butternut squash and leek risotto

On Wednesday 4th July, staff from all departments across the Trust joined patients to take part in the ‘A Day in the Life’ event.

The event was to provide a snapshot of a typical day at the Centre from a number of different perspectives, in order to celebrate good practice and identify areas of improvement. There were a number of different ways to get involved:

• Anon-site‘commentscampervan’torecordstaffandpatient comments.

• PostersaroundtheCentretorecordviewsandideas.• Diariesforpatientstocompleteontheday.• Somepatientsweregivendisposablecamerasto

‘show us what they see’ – we have included some pictures here!

• Somestaffwroteablog,andallstaffwereinvitedtocomplete a short survey.

The event provided a fun way to gather feedback and support the Trust’s aim of achieving excellence. We have included some examples of patient feedback here, with more feedback to follow soon. The information gathered will also be displayed at the Annual Members’ Meeting on 27th September.

Helen Porter, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people getting involved in the project. As a Trust we value the opinion of staff and patients to help us to learn from and improve on their experiences. Many thanks to all who took part - your insight is of great use to us moving forward.”

A Day in the Life...Take a look into a typical day across the Centre from another perspective!

‘A Day in the Life’ - Patient diaries

Was the information we provided before your visit clear and timely?

Yes No

If a friend or relative needed treatment, would you be happy with the standard of care provided here?

“Yes, definitely”“Yes, very much so”“Yes, I would always recommend the care in this hospital”“Yes, absolutely”“We recommend them to ask for treatment at Clatterbridge”“Excellent standard and happy to recommend”

ZigZagCan you fill in the missing words?

Answers on back page

I Z Z

C T U

Q U I

P A T

D R A

X T U

I N DS C


FEATURE

22

NEWS


Thank-you, ClatterbridgeI arrived back home on Friday after spending a

week at your centre receiving treatment and I would like to share my thoughts and experience with you. I don’t have to tell you about the stress and upset that I felt when my diagnosis was confirmed because you experience this everyday in your position but the service and care I received at the Douglas Cyclotron was outstanding and couldn’t be faulted in any way. The doctor and nurses were friendly, helpful, patient, considerate, and made me feel at ease and safe in their care. My husband and I were overwhelmed with the warm and friendly treatment we received and I was made to feel that nothing was any trouble. As I live in Scotland I had never heard of your centre before. I was advised that I needed to attend and feel I must make people aware of the work that you do. My own doctor had never heard of your centre before and I will be supplying her with leaflets on my next visit so she can be aware and make others aware of your existence. I would like to praise Doctor Errington for the care, professionalism and knowledge he provides as I am now more aware of what the future may hold. I would like to praise Cyclotron staff Martin, Gwen and Julie for these are three of the loveliest people I have ever met and made a terribly stressful situation feel that little less daunting. The four aforementioned people show a commendable dedication to their work and in my opinion are helping to change the world. I would like to finish this by re-iterating how wonderful your centre is and how wonderful the staff are. I will never forget what everyone did for me and will always begrateful. Also, good luck to the ladies to whom I allowed my top secret shortbread recipe. I’m only sorry I won’t get to experience it. :-) Many thanks and God bless you all,

Elizabeth Mullan, Dumbarton, Scotland.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Mullan, who won the meal for 4 at Marco Pierre White Frankie’s New York Italian in the Spring/Summer edition.

MailboxYOUR VIEWS

We know that there is amazing work going on in the hospital everyday – if you have a story you would like to share or if you want to tell us about your experience or the experience of a loved one, please get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you…

Alexa Traynor - Associate Director of Strategic Communications and MarketingE: [email protected]: 0151 482 7792

I would just like to thank my fantastic scanning team for the amazing work they did in preparation for our ‘Evolve’ I.T project, which went ‘live’ in July.

Evolve is an extremely interesting new venture which has been set up by Jeni Bradshaw as Project Manager (Information Management and Technology) and myself.

It is an exciting time for us as it means our patient notes are going electronic, and a great deal of work has gone into getting the bureau up to what is a great and enthusiastic team.

At the time of writing this letter we have already scanned in over 1,000 patient notes and the whole team is dedicated to ensuring that everything is scanned in to the best quality. They have all worked hard and have shown a great deal of commitment to make sure it is right. I am very proud of them all.

Tracy ParryScanning Bureau SupervisorMedical Records

STARLetter

ZigZag answers: Drizzle,Lecture,Requiem,Empathy,Hydrate, Texture, Rescind

We recognise the importance of your experience as a patient and those of your family and friends. If you have any compliments, concerns or complaints please contact: Sue Relph, Patient Experience Manager on: 0151 482 7927 or [email protected]

Next editions Star Letter wins a meal for two and a bottle of house wine at Lunya.

Liverpool’s multi-award winning restaurant, Lunya, is the UK’s first Catalonian fusion deli and restaurant. Set in the heart of Liverpool One, in a beautifully converted 18th century warehouse in College Lane, Lunya offers the finest Catalonian tapas and speciality dishes. Lunya sources the finest artisan Catalan and Spanish ingredients and the highest quality local fresh ingredients to ensure the most authentic dishes are served.

Prizevalidfrom1stJanuary-12thFebruary2013,andnottobeusedinconjunction with any other offer.

WINA MEAL FOR 2

AT LUNYA

Email your letter to [email protected] or post to Alexa Traynor, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Bebington, Wirral CH63 4JY by 30th November to be in with a chance of winning this prize.

Please include your name, address and telephone number.

The winner will be announced in the Winter/Spring edition of C3 magazine.

24

LETTERS PAGE


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