West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

When patients come into hospital, one of the first questions they ask is, 'When can I go home?' Our responsive team is committed to helping them return home - the place where they feel most comfortable - as soon as possible. This team was recognised with our Putting You First award for the wonderful work they do for our patients. Annemie, our head of integrated therapies said the following about the team: “This team, under Jenny’s leadership has been instrumental in reducing delays in getting patients home with Pathway 1 - patients now typically can go home in less than a day after referral to the team. They work under a huge amount of pressure every day, having to coordinate several elements of the discharge process as quickly and efficiently as possible, however whenever you walk into the office you are overwhelmed by the positive, can-do approach and smiles all round.”

ESEOC is open ?? The Essex and Suffolk Elective Orthopaedic Centre (ESEOC) opened last week at Colchester Hospital. On the opening day of the centre, 11 November, a team of West Suffolk Hospital-based colleagues delivered the first list of Trust patients, part of five operating lists running that day, alongside East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust clinicians. Moira Welham, associate director of operations - surgery and anaesthetics, said: “The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust teams have all worked extremely hard to see this day come to fruition. I am enormously proud to say we will now be delivering high-quality orthopaedic elective care at both the elective centre in Colchester as well as the main West Suffolk Hospital site. By delivering more activity we can reduce waiting lists and ensure those waiting for joint replacement get their lives back that much sooner.”

Thank you to Liz for her generous and thoughtful donation ?? Members of one of our teams based in Sudbury have enjoyed a special treat thanks to a kind gift from Liz Brightwell, whose husband Wayne was cared for by our community nurses and therapists until he sadly died in July. At his wake, ￡500 was raised, and Liz has generously used this to give everyone in the 54-strong team a ￡10 voucher for afternoon tea at Painters café in Sudbury at a reduced rate, thanks to the generosity of café owner Tracy Cleet. Liz said: “With the help of the team I was able to honour his wish to stay at home. Wayne looked forward to them coming, they were so kind and boosted his morale. They spoke to him in a straightforward way, which was him.” Wayne, who was 77, had a long history of heart and kidney failure, and frequent admissions to hospital. “He was determined not to go back into hospital, and with the team’s help, he was able to die at home surrounded by his family. He so loved his family,” said Liz, who has two children and two grandchildren. She added: “Wayne said: ‘it’s these people who deserve a treat”, so I have made sure they get a treat. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to do.” “I took a big china pig to the wake for people to give donations. I even managed to stand up in front of the 170 people there and said: “This can happen, it can work, you can be at home’. “I won’t say it was easy looking after Wayne, but I have the satisfaction of saying I did it,” added Liz, who has been a teacher for special needs children for 27 years. Jennifer McCrory, Sudbury integrated neighbourhood team health lead said: “Liz felt Wayne was so well cared for and she is extremely grateful. Tracy Cleet, the owner of Painters, kindly agreed to do this at a reduced rate to enable every single member of staff to have an afternoon treat, paid for by the contributions made at our patient’s funeral.”

Please join our online leg health event on Monday, 2 December from 5.30pm – 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome to join the event, titled "Looking after your legs – Preventing ulcers and venous disease". The event will feature Mr. Manjit Gohel, consultant vascular surgeon, who will discuss how to protect leg health and reduce the risk of ulcers and venous disease. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask Mr. Gohel questions on leg health. This specialist health talk is open to everyone, and registration is required. To reserve your place, please complete the registration form ?? https://buff.ly/40RxCX5

?? Baz volunteers weekly in our emergency department at the West Suffolk Hospital. In his role, Baz helps the flow of the department, as well as offering emotional support to patients and their relatives. He said: “I volunteer because the NHS has been really good to me and my wife.” “If there’s anything I can do to save the staff some time, even if it’s just tidying up, delivering samples, talking to patients or making a cup of tea – it's all worth it.” We have a wide range of volunteer roles available. If this is something that interests you, apply via our website: https://buff.ly/3Kj8Lj1 To learn more, visit the volunteer services office at the front of West Suffolk Hospital or give the team a call on 01284 713169. A big thank you to volunteers like Baz who continue to make a difference across our Trust every day ?? #NHSvolunteer #Volunteering

How lovely are these? ?? Huge thanks to My WiSH Charity ?? ?

Staff, volunteers and members of the public today attended a Remembrance Service for Armistice Day at the West Suffolk Hospital Chapel, which included prayers, the observation of a two-minute silence, and the laying of a wreath. Bishop Tim Stevens also attended the service, inviting everyone to reflect on the message of peace at the heart of the event. The display in the Chapel also featured a poem by Tony Roe, a published poet and patient at West Suffolk Hospital, who has been writing to help him through his hospital stay. We are honoured to share it below for Remembrance Day: Once more we stand to thank them Those who did stand proud Their lives to save a nation So, sing for them out loud Those alive remember, Friends they left behind A cross of white their resting place With name and date then signed The field now red with poppies For those that came not home So, honour all our heroes Wherever they may roam By Tony Roe

Monday, 11 November is Remembrance, or Armistice Day, which marks the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. This year marks 110 years since the outbreak of the First World War, and the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. There will be a service in the chapel at the West Suffolk Hospital at 10.50am on Monday, 11 November, and all are welcome to attend.

A huge thank you and congratulations to our main theatres team, who have been recognised with our Putting You First award for their outstanding work ?? The team, together with our sterile services colleagues, pulled together to clear contaminated sets following an “enormous and unprecedented” incident - all while maintaining emergency services. Thank you to everyone involved who went above and beyond to deliver for our patients ??

Last week we held our bi-annual cancer patient forum, which aims to support cancer patients by giving them an opportunity to reflect on their treatments and improve the experience for others in the future. The event, attended by about 120 people, was held at the University Professional Development Centre based on Western Way. After a talk by Stewart Chapman, chair of the West Suffolk cancer patient forum, Karen McKinnon, our lead cancer nurse, discussed current innovations including targeted lung cancer checks, colon cameras and personalised treatment via genetic profiling. Other speakers included Angela Jiggins, one of our oncology physiotherapists, who is sponsored by Macmillan Cancer Support, and Anna Clayton from Bury Physio who gave advice about exercise and fitness. Stewart Chapman had a powerful message for the people of Bury and beyond. He said: “It [this event] is all about making positive change for cancer patients. My message is that on the cancer journey, you are not alone. And the second message is that it is not a sign of weakness to ask for help. In fact, I would go as far as saying it is a sign of strength. “The Princess of Wales recently said: ‘to everyone facing this disease, please do not lose faith or hope – you are not alone’.” He added: “There is a need to be positive, it’s what I can do, not what I can’t do, and there is help there for people.” Karen McKinnon said: “It’s important to get feedback from our cancer patients and for us to work with them and make the experience better and improve our services. We had a number of speakers, including a talk from a physio who did a dancing exercise. We also had a marketplace with exhibitors, giving patients a chance to chat and ask questions.” Our Trust charity My WiSH Charity attended the event and funded the catering for the day. Exhibitors included Sophie’s Wish, other charities, services from our Trust and Boots. Lisa Kidd is the Bury St Edmunds Boots No 7 brand business manager. Lisa said: “We are in partnership with Macmillan, and all No 7 workers are Macmillan-trained. Today we showcased our support for any cancer patients that are linked with Macmillan. If we can help in any way and help people through their journey, that is what we are about as a company. I think the event is amazing.” Linda Tennant is an administrator for the business development and commercial training department – working for Eastern Education Group. Linda said: “The cancer forum event does so many great things that bring people together and it’s a brilliant thing to do. “I think the college is an integral part of the community and we are honoured to help with events like this. We gave up our time and we are more than willing to help this group. It’s important to let people know that we do care about them and our community, and it was a privilege to be involved in this. I’d like to thank my colleague Jacqui Holland-Jones for all her support with this event.”