FREE - PLEASE TAKE ONE
s ue
Is
29
News from University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Meet your
hospital
presidents
The gift
of sight
Sidney can see again
Take-off
for helipad
WIN!
An iPod
shuffle
mediamonitor the latest UHS news
Welcome to issue Experts use dust mites to help halt rise in allergies
29 of Connect Doctors in Southampton believe they accounting for half of all those
In this issue... can halt the rising allergy epidemic – affected – and dust mites are the
UHS in the news 2 using dust mites. most prevalent allergy-triggering
Sidney’s great gift/Foundation trust 3 In a radical study, experts hope substance, causing a number of
Presidentially yours… 4/5 that exposing babies to the common different allergies and inducing
Spouting off/Nicole rides again 6 allergen – often found in pillows, reactions in 85% of children
New teen clinics/The bone cutter 7 mattresses and on carpets – when with asthma.
Dear Connect/Fundraising connection 8 their immune systems are developing “We believe we need to
will prevent them becoming allergic act very early in life – well
Tell us what you think... in the future. before babies reach
Let us know what you think of Connect, A total of 120 babies aged five to their first birthday – to
plus tell us what news and features you’d nine months with a family history of be effective and, if
like to see in future editions. allergy will take part in the project, we are correct, this
which is being conducted at the should reduce the
Email connect@uhs.nhs.uk
respiratory biomedical research unit development
Write to at Southampton General Hospital and of asthma and
Communications, Mailpoint 18 the David Hide Asthma and Allergy other allergies,”
Southampton General Hospital Research Centre at St Mary’s Hospital said Professor
Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD on the Isle of Wight. Hasan Arshad,
As many as one in four people in allergy and
Telephone 023 8079 4853
the UK are affected by an allergy at immunology
Website www.uhs.nhs.uk some time in their lives, with children specialist.
Connect is produced by UHSFT’s MediaMonitor MediaMonitor
media monitor: This story was covered by the Daily Express, The Independent, the Press Association, Nursery World, Medical News Today,
communications team.
BBC Radio Solent, Wave 105 FM, Heart South Coast, Isle of Wight Radio, Isle of Wight County Press, BBC South Today and the Daily Echo.
Staff in project to cut violence in Take-off for hospital helipad
emergency departments Emergency and intensive care patients transferred by road for the
specialists were joined by former remainder of the journey.
Trust staff are leading a pioneering of the system. patients recently for the first Dr Andy Eynon, director of major
project to reduce violence and The ideas are designed to be easily helicopter landing at Southampton trauma at UHSFT, said: “The helipad
aggression in emergency departments, incorporated into older and modern General Hospital. will save lives and improve outcomes
as a top doctor warns the problem is hospitals, are low-cost and include a new The Trust’s new £1.2m helipad for a wide range of patients and is
“getting worse”. approach to greeting patients on arrival, forms part of its designation as one of the few helipads in the UK
In a year-long study, run in conjunction better signage, a ‘process map’ explaining one of the country’s major trauma that can receive critically ill patients
with the Design Council and the the treatment process and screens to centres, which means staff in the 24 hours a day.”
Department of Health, doctors, nurses, provide live information updates. emergency department
receptionists and patients at Southampton Dr John Heyworth, a consultant in the and intensive care unit
General Hospital worked with design emergency department and immediate now treat more critically
experts to identify the influences which past president of the College of ill patients from across
cause tension and frustration and develop Emergency Medicine, said: “Violence Hampshire, Dorset,
solutions. and aggression towards staff and other Wiltshire and other
By studying patients in the emergency department is parts of the UK.
patient behaviour a major nationwide issue – it has been The helipad, which
and interaction getting worse and has not shown any is located on top of
with staff, signs of letting up in recent years. the main car park,
including incidents “Better processes for meeting patients cuts 30 minutes from
of aggression, the and discussing what they can expect, the time it takes to
team discovered better training for both clinical and admin transfer patients by
the key to staff on how to handle volatile situations air ambulance to
diffusing flare- and improvements in the design of the city – previously,
ups lies within departments – some of which haven’t the air ambulance
providing patients changed since the 1960s and 70s – can would land on a
with a better help to take the tension out and create a playing field two
understanding calmer environment.” miles away, with
MediaMonitor MediaMonitor
media monitor: This story was covered by BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 MediaMonitor MediaMonitor media monitor: This story was covered by the Daily Echo, BBC South Today, BBC
Live, BBC News (online), the Nursing Times, the Press Association, The Independent, Radio Solent, Jack FM, Capital FM, Heart South Coast, ITV Meridian, Isle of Wight
the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, the Daily Echo, Wave 105 FM and BBC Radio Solent. County Press and the Health Service Journal.
2 CONNECT
ISSUE 29
When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it. Printed on environmentally friendly paper.
cover
story
Sidney’s
great gift
It will be an extra special Christmas for Sidney
Clement this year after being given the greatest
present of all – the gift of sight.
The 91-year-old grandad from of his eye health, staff at the QA sent
Waterlooville, Hampshire, lost his sight him on to consultant ophthalmologists
three years ago and had come to terms Parwez Hossain and David Anderson at
with the fact he was no longer able to Southampton General Hospital’s eye unit.
read to children at the local school, recite “Sidney’s eyes were in an extremely poor
his favourite poetry or watch the football condition – the minimal sight remaining
scores come in. in his right eye was not enough to see his
Poor surgery to correct cataracts more hand in front of his face – and it looked
than 40 years ago, combined with the as though the damage to his left eye was
onset of slow-progressing glaucoma, had irreparable,” said Mr Hossain, a senior
worn his eyesight down to such an extent lecturer at the University of Southampton.
specialists informed him it was unlikely the “But, despite the slim chance of success,
damage could be reversed. With no sight I felt we could attempt an advanced
in his left eye and very limited vision in his
right he was handed a white stick.
“I could no longer see my daughter and I’ve thrown the white
had to stop doing all the things I enjoyed – stick away and am Sidney’s procedure was only made possible through the donation of corneal tissue.
I couldn’t even read to children at the local looking forward to all the Since being awarded retrieval centre status in 2009 – one of only ten in the country
school anymore and had to give up on my – donation at the Trust has increased by 600% in just two years and the wait for a
plans to learn how to use a computer,”
Christmas parties this year… transplant has been cut from two years in 2008 to three months in 2011.
explained Sidney. Sidney said: “Someone’s donation has enabled me to see again at 91-years-old
“As a man in his 90s, I never saw a way technique we normally use to treat a and I am so grateful for that – it is truly humbling.”
back from this and, having already had different, specific condition as it entails
surgery once before, I assumed I’d have to replacing the surface of the eye – the area
live like it for the rest of my life and miss where Sidney’s eyes were most affected.”
out on special occasions like Christmas.” Mr Hossain suggested a procedure some level of eyesight and operated on further could be done to restore his
Determined to fight for the little sight known as Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial the blind eye in August last year. eyesight but has been given the chance to
left in his right eye, the former author and Keratoplasty (DSEK), where the top layer The result shocked everyone, as Sidney do the things he wants to do once again
avid reader visited a local optician in 2008 of the eye is removed and replaced with regained some vision within hours. – it really is remarkable his sight has been
who referred him to Portsmouth’s Queen a thin slice – 0.15 millimetres – of donor “I saw a real difference in dad,” said restored to a reasonable level at his age and
Alexandra Hospital. tissue through one small incision to Sidney’s daughter, Sue. “Apart from the I am delighted for him and his family.”
He said: “The optician minimise disruption to obvious – he stopped bumping into things After throwing out the white stick,
only referred me to the rest of the eye. and falling over – I noticed a confidence I Sidney now plays an active role at his
a specialist because Although commonly hadn’t seen in a long time.” local Age UK club twice a week and is
there was nothing used to treat Fuchs’ “I never expected it to make such a back reading novels and watching his
they could say or do, endothelial dystrophy, difference, especially at dad’s age, and favourite TV shows – and is also learning
so I believed they sent where cells in the we are so grateful to Mr Hossain for how to use a computer to develop his
me on purely for that cornea deteriorate turning dad’s life around.” interest in genealogy.
reason, not because and cause swelling Following the initial success, Sidney’s He said: “I’ve thrown the white stick
they thought anything and blurred vision, right eye was operated on using the same away and am looking forward to all the
could be done to he believed the method later in the year and he is now Christmas parties this year - the only
improve my situation.” procedure gave making excellent progress. disappointment is that now all the ladies
However, due to the them an outside Mr Hossain added: “This is a man who I thought looked good for their age
in
concerning severity Parwez Hossa chance of returning was condemned to believing nothing suddenly have a few more wrinkles!”
Foundation trust status
Staff hailed a “landmark moment” It means the Trust, which runs of our staff, who have been running of their hospitals, the
for healthcare in the city after Southampton General and the instrumental in securing this status Trust has had an elected shadow
recently being awarded NHS Princess Anne hospitals, hospice and moving us closer towards Members’ Council in place for two
foundation trust status. Countess Mountbatten House and our vision of becoming one of years which will now represent
Southampton University Hospitals the New Forest Birth Centre, will the world’s leading medical and the views of their members and
NHS Trust received approval from benefit from greater managerial academic centres,” said chief scrutinise Trust decisions.
independent regulator Monitor and financial freedom and will be executive Mark Hackett.
following a rigorous assessment more accountable to local people. In addition to more than 20,000
process and is now known as “This is a landmark moment for members - ranging from staff, See page eight to find out more
University Hospital Southampton the city and is a reflection of the patients and local residents - already about the role of our Members’ Council
NHS Foundation Trust (UHSFT). outstanding skill and commitment signed up to have a say on the with representative Rhian Hinton.
CONNECT
ISSUE 29 3
Presidentially
yours…
To the hundreds of But staff at UHSFT are not just committees, boards and councils. national posts,” said Mark Hackett,
implementing the latest procedures This year alone, Southampton has chief executive.
thousands of patients and techniques in theatre or caring been the provider of presidents “And, most importantly for the
who enter and leave on the wards, they are busy debating, in cardiac, emergency and acute hundreds of thousands of patients
influencing and deciding policy in medicine, while two of the Trust’s visiting us each year, these leaders
Southampton’s their specialties at a national level. top children’s doctors are set to take are not just taking medicine forward
hospitals each year, Although experts from a range
of specialties, including cancer and
up key chairs in 2012.
“I have seen this Trust evolve and
nationally, they are driving forward
our vision to become a world-class
they are the people who anaesthetics, to orthopaedics and expand tremendously in my time academic and clinical institution at
emergency medicine, are named here, here to the stage that we are seen great speed.”
meet you, treat you and the numbers represent just a fraction as a focal point of excellence in the
send you home. of the many staff leading development NHS, which is demonstrated by the
of medicine in the UK and overseas on volume of staff holding prominent
Southampton consultants giv
en
opportunity to develop emerg unique
ency care
They are leading the developme
nt of emergency and specialist me
across the UK from the frontlin
e at Southampton General Hosp dicine
Dr Chris Roseveare (pic
ital.
tured), a Despite acute medicine being
consultant in acute medicine, and vital to ensure that patients get the
formally recognised as a specialty
Dr Mike Clancy, a consultant in in best possible care when they com
2009, Dr Roseveare, a consultant e
emergency medicine, have recently in to hospital as medical emergencie
acute medicine since 1999, says the s
taken up presidential roles with maj and, by working closely together,
or distinction from emergency med
national bodies the Society for Acu icine we will be able to forge closer link
te is often misunderstood by NHS staf s He said: “It is a measure of the
Medicine (SAM) and the College f between our specialities on a nat
of and patients. ional clinical experience and expertise
Emergency Medicine (CEM). basis – and this has to be a good
“Although there is some overlap within the Trust that we are able
It is the first time presidents of bot thing for patients.” to
h between what we do on a daily play a very active part in debating
organisations have been based at basis, In addition to close collaboration and
the acute medicine focuses more on influencing national proposals in
same hospital, giving them a uniq the with SAM, Dr Clancy, whose the
ue ongoing care of patients during field of acute and emergency care
opportunity to create closer ties their appointment follows three years .
first 48 hours in hospital, as well “Chris and I have worked closely
between everyone from consultant as for the CEM under the tenure of
s initial assessment of patients together over the past ten years
and registrars, to nurses and suppor Southampton colleague Dr John
t referred by their general and we have a fantastic opportu
workers in emergency department Heyworth, liaises closely with the nity
s practitioner,” he explained. to combine efforts to move our
and acute medical units through Department of Health, governmen
out “So maintaining a close relationship t organisations forward and improve
the NHS. ministers and other colleges on the
with the emergency medicine team the care of our patients, which is
is advancement of emergency med the
icine. goal of our terms in office.”
Liver expert leads national alcliver disease. bate
c
ohol de CASE
STUDY
inst alcoholi
His name is synonymous with the fight aga because they were
more than doubling over the last 25 every day, Dr Sheron is never far
Consultant hepatologist Dr Nick from the headlines. often unaware of how
Sheron holds a prominent national years – from 4.9 to 11.4 deaths per much they were consuming.
100,000 – and patients in their 20s His radical call for a tax increase
position as co-founder of the on alcohol sold in supermarkets Dr Sheron said: “We face an
Alcohol Health Alliance UK and has with cirrhosis being treated daily on ongoing battle to tackle alcoholic
the wards, the need for leadership but a reduction on drink sold in
a remit to keep national debate at pubs to cut consumption of cheap liver disease, with an ever
the top of the agenda. is greater than ever. asing number of young
From recently warning that booze while helping the flailing pub incre
His work leading the liver unit industry – reported in the British people affected – it is no longer
at Southampton General Hospital, no adequate age controls mean
Medical Journal – has rumbled unusual to see patients in their E
CAS
international research and role as a multi-million pound deal to
policy makers. 20s and 30s on our liver unitSTUDY
–
a senior lecturer at the University advertise vodka on a social so the med ia has a vital role.
networking website could target And his widely-covered 2009 study
of Southampton have combined to of patients in Southam pton found “Alcohol policy must be
give him an in-depth insight into children, to arguing daily limits based on evidence, not drinks
introduced by the government in daily drinkers were at greater risk
the spiralling drink crisis. of liver disease than binge drinkers industry lobbying.”
And, with liver deaths in the UK 1995 encouraged people to drink
4 CONNECT
ISSUE 29
CASE
STUDY
Hospital home to UK’s cancer ch
ief
Already regarded as a distinguish
ed figure in his field, Professor CASE
Johnson was in no rush to add Peter STUDY
to his bustling portfolio.
But, in 2008, he was selected to
lead Research UK Centre, Prof Johnso
Cancer Research UK – the world’s n commented nationally on the “ov
plays a key part in policy debate er-
largest charity dedicated to cancer regulation” of clinical trials through
and media discussion. “Earlier diagnosis has to be one
research – as chief clinician, giving the EU’s Clinical Trials Directive of
While specialising in the our highest priorities for reducin
him an opportunity to develop and defended the cost of cancer g
treatment of lymphoma – a can mortality from cancer in the UK.
cer We
national strategy in the field he
cares about with such passion.
that affects white blood cells –
on
treatment, saying that, “While cost
may be rising, so are the chances
s CASE
must make sure people can get
help
In addition to his roles as a
a daily basis, he is also part of the
Southampton team which leads
of
surviving cancer. Survival figures hav
e
STUDY
quickly if they have symptoms tha
are suspicious,” he said.
t
consultant medical oncologist at the been improving steadily for the last
way in immunotherapy research “Too many people put off seeing
Southampton General Hospital, , 20 years and the pace of progress
a method that uses the body’s is their doctor, often because they
chair of medical oncology at the getting faster, if anything”.
own immune system to target and are worried about what they mig
University of Southampton and His overriding aim now is to ht
remove cancer cells. find, but we know that by catchin
director of the Southampton Can ensure the focus turns to one are g
cer In recent weeks, Prof Johnson has a cancers early they can be treated
in particular.
most effectively.”
CASE
Secretaries/treasurers STUDY
British Lymphoma Pathology Group
Dr Meg Ashton-Key (consultant histopathologist) – treasurer of the
Dr Amanda Collins (consultant in clinical genetics) – treasurer of the Clinical Genetics Society
A selection of Dr Justin Davies (consultant paediatric endocrinologist) – treasurer
of the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and
Trust staff and secretary of the British Paediatric and Adolescent Bone Group (2006-11)
Dr Rodney Gilbert (consultant paediatric nephrologist) – treasurer
of the British Association for Paediatric Nephrology (2001-08)
their national Dr Huon Gray (consultant cardiologist) – honorary secretary of British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (1992-96) and
honorary secretary of
positions past British Cardiac Society (1998-2000)
Dr Catherine Heath (consultant clinical oncologist) – treasurer of the
British Uro-oncology Group
and present Karen Hill (acuity practice development matron) – secretary of the British Association
of Critical Care Nurses
ologists
Mr Parwez Hossain (consultant ophthalmologist) – secretary (programmes and seminars) of the Royal College of Ophthalm
of Great Britain and Ireland (1993-98)
Mr Colin Johnson (consultant surgeon) – secretary of Pancreatic Society
the European Society for Paediatric Urology
Mr Padraig Malone (consultant paediatric surgeon) – treasurer of
Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland
Miss Karen Nugent (consultant general surgeon) – secretary of the
Dr David Rew (consultant general surgeon) – secretary of the Association of Cancer Surgeons (2000-02)
of the Society for Computing and Technology in Anaesthesia (1987)
Dr Malvena Stuart-Taylor (consultant anaesthetist) – founder secretary
Presidents/chairs/vice-presidents Professor Colin Kennedy (consultant paediatric neurologist) – presiden
t of the European
Facility Managers’
Jennifer Allison (senior nurse manager) – chair of UK Clinical Research
) Paediatric Neurology Society
Association (2007-08 ) and chair of Wellcome Trust Nurse Managers Association (2005-07 of the Royal College
chair of Arthritis Research UK educational Dr Mich Lajeunesse (consultant paediatric immunologist) – chair elect
Dr Ray Armstrong (consultant rheumatologist) – e for paediatric immunology, infectious
of Paediatric Child Health specialist advisory committe
publications advisory group
t of the British Society of diseases and allergy
Dr Mark Beattie (consultant paediatric gastroenterologist) – presiden Metal Hips Research Group
Mr Jeremy Latham (consultant orthopaedic surgeon) – co-chair of
Paediatric Gastroen terology, Hepatology and Nutrition nt nurse in cancer care) – chair of United Kingdom Oncology Nurses
t of British Society of Elaine Lennan (consulta
Dr David Breen (consultant abdominal radiologist) – past presiden
Society chemotherapy forum
Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology of the academic
the College of Emergency Professor Andrew Lotery (consultant ophthalmologist) – chairman
Dr Mike Clancy (emergency department consultant) – president of
ophthalmology committee of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Medicine of UK Cancer Genetics
president of British Society Professor Anneke Lucassen (consultant in clinical genetics) – chair
Professor Nicholas Clarke (consultant orthopaedic surgeon) – past
Group
for Children’s Orthopae dic Surgery and founding member of the International Hip Dysplasia the European Society of
Professor Nick Macklon (consultant gynaecologist) – chairman of
Institute
Human Reproduction and Embryology special interest group on reproductive endocrinology
and West of Britain
Dr Amanda Collins (consultant in clinical genetics) – chair of the South erventional Group,
Dr John Millar (consultant neuroradiologist) – chairman of UK Neuroint
Clinical Genetics Group
British Society of Heart 2010 - present
Dr Peter Cowburn (consultant cardiologist) deputy chairman of the t of the British
Dr Charles Peebles (consultant cardiothoracic radiologist) – past presiden
Failure
Protection Society Society of Cardiovascular Imaging
Dr Nick Davies (consultant anaesthetist) – chairman of the Medical the Association of Surgeons
president of the British Professor John Primrose (consultant surgeon) – vice-president of
Mr Barrie Evans (consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon) – past
of Great Britain and Ireland
Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Society for Acute Medicine
the British Paediatric Dr Chris Roseveare (acute medicine consultant) – president of the
Dr Saul Faust (specialist in paediatric infectious diseases) – chair of – president of the British Oncological
Institute Mr Richard Sainsbury (consultant breast surgeon)
Allergy, Immunol ogy and Infectious Diseases Group (2012) and chair of the National
Network: allergy, infection and immunity Association
for Health Reasearch Medicines for Children Research the British Congenital
Dr Tony Salmon (consultant congenital cardiologist) – president of
clinical studies group
Pancreatic Society of Cardiac Association
Dr David Fine (consultant gastroenterologist) – past president of the of the Association of
Michael Scriven (superintendent paediatric radiographer) – chairman
Great Britain and Ireland phers
of the American Paediatric Radiogra
Dr Huon Gray (consultant cardiologist) – chair of international Council t of the Vascular Society of
Prof Cliff Shearman (consultant vascular surgeon) – past presiden
College of Cardiolo gy, past president of the British Cardiac Society and deputy national
co-chairman of National Great Britain and Ireland
director for heart disease and stroke at the Department of Health and Health Alliance UK
Dr Nick Sheron (consultant hepatologist) – co-founder of the Alcohol
Infarct Angiopla sty Project [NIAP] (consultant cardiologist) – president elect of the British Cardiovascular
Society
t of the European Society Dr Iain Simpson
Professor Eugene Healy (consultant dermatologist) – past presiden ) – president of the British Association
Mr Henrik Steinbrecher (consultant paediatric urologist
for Dermatological Research
t of College of of Paediatric Endoscopic Surgeons
Dr John Heyworth (emergency department consultant) – past presiden – national clinical
Martin Stephens (associate medical director for clinical effectiveness)
Emergency Medicine y at the Department of Health
n) – past chair of primary director for pharmac
Dr Sue Hill (consultant anaesthetist and director of medical educatio on of Parenteral and
Dr Mike Stroud (consultant gastroenterologist) – chair of British Associati
examination at the Royal College of Anaesthetists
ic Society of Great Britain Enteral Nutrition
Mr Colin Johnson (consultant surgeon) – past president of Pancreat t of the Clinical
and Professor Karen Temple (consultant in clinical genetics) – past presiden
and Ireland, past chair of Pancreatic Section of the British Society for Gastroenterology
Genetics Society
president of European Pancreatic Club (2014) – chairman of the UK
Research UK chief clinician Mr Robert Wheeler (consultant paediatric and neonatal surgeon)
Professor Peter Johnson (consultant medical oncologist) – Cancer Surgeons (United Kingdom Cancer and Leukaemia Group)
Lymphoma Group Children’s Cancer
and chair of the UK National Cancer Research Institute
CONNECT
ISSUE 29 5
S pouting
off with…
Mr Stephen Lash
I thought I would continue on from the ‘f’ word (Nick
Brook, last issue) with the ‘c’ word.
I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about this one, but
that’s what you get from doing an MBA – the world never
looks quite the same again!
The NHS plan (2000) promised to “deliver healthcare
centred around the needs and preferences [wants] of
individual patients, their carers and their families”.
Sounds great, but let’s just unpack that a little with
Nicole rides again
some definitions:
• Needs: physiological felt states of deprivation –
we need to eat
• Wants: needs framed within our culture –
we want to eat fish and chips
• Desires: if you pay you can have what you want!
Horse-mad Nicole Austin is back in in Southampton.
Her case was picked up by consultant
Can the NHS deliver wants and, further, should it?
the saddle after specialist surgery orthopaedic surgeon Vel Sakthivel, a
Then there are the baby boomers, now retiring and to correct her dislocating kneecaps. specialist in sports injuries and knee cap
waiting to get ill to access our stretched services. They are problems, who wanted to perform a
way beyond needs. They have wants and desires and can Since the age of four, keen horsewoman complex operation called trochleoplasty,
afford to have them met. Nicole had struggled with agonising pain which involves taking a piece of bone
With advances in medical technology, we can do more. in both knees, often leaving her unable from the hip to deepen the groove on
The most common form of blindness in the retired to walk – let alone go for a gallop. the end of the thigh bone where the
population is macular degeneration. Now, after a gruelling 14 years, kneecaps glide.
Ten years ago the consultation went something like this: delighted Nicole is back where she “The knee has to move over the end
“Hello Mrs Smith, very sorry nothing we can do, goodbye.” belongs – riding her favourite horse of the thigh bone when a person bends
Now it goes something like this: “Hello Mrs Smith, come Dylan, an 18-year-old dun. and straightens the knee, like trains
and have your eyeball injected every month for the rest of “I hadn’t shown signs of any problems having to run on tracks. But, in Nicole’s
your life.” until one day, at the age of four, when I case, one of the many problems she
But, as we are already seeing that fewer treatments are ran up the stairs, got to the top and just had was a very flat groove on the end
available on the NHS, can we even deliver needs? collapsed in a heap,” said Nicole, who is of the thigh bone,” said Mr Sakthivel.
Let’s take our most common surgical procedure, studying biology, psychology and English “With Nicole, her kneecaps had no
cataract surgery. language at A level. groove to glide over with any control.
Ten years ago you waited two years for your operation. “My family and I had no idea what To simplify, if thinking in terms of a
Now we have a threshold with vision so poor that you was going on and, as I got older, things railway, the track was the same level as
cannot get surgery until you can no longer see to sign the worsened – I would be walking along the ground and not elevated as it should
consent form. and the next minute I’d be on the floor.” be. This would make it easy for the train
So let’s deal with the ‘c’ word: choice. What choice does Despite her determination to get on to derail and that’s what happened to
the wealthy baby boomer have? They have a cataract that with life and regular trips to GPs and Nicole’s kneecaps.”
is upsetting their golf swing and they keep missing patches physiotherapists, who tried to treat the The surgery was completed by taking a
when polishing their Bentley? problem by strengthening her thigh strip of Nicole’s hamstring muscle to create
Will they wait? They are 70, feel 20 and will live another muscles, Nicole faced many setbacks. additional support under the kneecap.
100 years. They can have their desire for surgery met by “When we heard about the procedure,
paying to come and see me (great news for my wife and
When we heard about the I remember my dad and I looking at
four kids) but what about those who do not drive Bentleys? procedure, I remember my dad and each other and thinking ‘wow, this is
What about the mass of patients who cannot afford these I looking at each other and thinking kind of big’, but I was also excited at the
fees? What choice do they have? thought this might be it; I would be able
‘wow, this is kind of big…
This led to the birth of our new premier cataract service, to walk down the road without worry,”
which is about choice and value. After giving up her beloved hobby at said Nicole, who hopes to study speech
I have given up on the Bentley fund (currently have 2002 just eight-years-old, she bravely returned and language therapy at university.
Espace – I just need enough seats and a vasectomy). to horse riding at 13 to help coach Nicole had to complete seven months
The premier option involves surgery by an unnamed younger children with the hope she may of rehabilitation following the first
consultant on the next available list (when we can rather find a magic cure somewhere along the operation and the same again following
than when they want). way if she persisted. the second – but she has not looked
At £1,400 it might mean not going on that holiday or Nicole, 18, from Chichester, West back since.
having that flat screen TV, but what is great is the majority Sussex, explained: “I tried to keep things “Although it will take further time
of income generated goes back into the eye unit. Everyone’s going as much as I could by trying to before I’m completely comfortable, I
a winner (well, let’s see. No pun intended). ride and cycle, but my knees would just have an increased confidence in the way
give way when I was least expecting it, my legs work,” she said.
Stephen Lash is a consultant ophthalmologist If you have a which made things difficult.” “After such a long time, I began to
at Southampton General Hospital’s eye unit. burning issue you’d Following a variety of unsuccessful wonder if I’d ever get to do the things I
For more information on the cataract service like to get off treatments and procedures, Nicole enjoy again, so I am so happy and excited
for private patients, call 023 8079 6853 or your chest email was referred for specialist treatment at to be back riding and cycling – I can’t
email privateeyept@uhs.nhs.uk connect@uhs.nhs.uk the children’s orthopaedic department imagine my life without the stables.”
6 CONNECT
ISSUE 29
New clinics help teens The
bone
adapt to adult life cutter
They are often known as the health service’s forgotten ones, Spinal specialist Evan Davies is one
of the first in the country to use a
lost in the gap between children’s and adult care. revolutionary ultrasonic scalpel which
is making complex spine surgery safer,
But the situation is changing for to change, uncovered some key are likely to have been managing quicker and easier.
teenagers across the south thanks findings. their medical problems since they The hi-tech kit, which vibrates at 22,500
to the work of asthma and allergy Published in journals Archives of were small children and this can be times a second, allows surgeons to cut
specialists at Southampton Diseases in Childhood and Clinical an alienating influence.” through bone while bouncing off of soft
General Hospital. Experimental Allergy, the research As a result of the study, Prof tissue to avoid damaging the surrounding
Concerned that large, combined showed many found paediatric Roberts has developed teen- parts of the body.
child and teen clinics prevent clinics “more akin to a nursery” or only clinics to help them better Mr Davies and his team recently used
youngsters from building an “baby clinic” and a large number understand their conditions and the device to operate on a patient with a
understanding of their conditions, complained that their parents oversee treatment plans, with tumour pressing on his spinal cord.
Professor Graham Roberts, allergy dominated consultations, leaving parents invited for comment at the “Previously operating on such a sensitive
nurse specialist Rosie King and senior them “alienated”. end of the consultation. area would have been very risky and the
medical students Kate Edgecombe “Adolescence is a challenging time “This research really has chance of paralysis would have been high
and Hannah Monks decided to assess for teenagers, but a time when it opened the door to better, safer due to the location of the tumour but the
patients in transition from child to is extremely important that they care for teenagers – not just a scalpel has made such procedures a lot
adult care. develop into independent adults able smoother transition from child to safer,” he said.
Their work, which focused on to take responsibility for themselves,” adult care – and we are already “The tool is ideal for this type of
discovering how teenagers’ medical said Prof Roberts, a specialist in seeing a completely different operation and allows us to work a lot
problems affected their lives, their respiratory and allergy medicine. attitude and understanding about quicker and reduces blood loss to almost
experiences of being a patient in “But gaining this independence can conditions, symptoms and zero which resulted in a successful
clinic and what they would like be more challenging as their parents treatments.” outcome for the patient.”
More than 2,000
visitors descended on
Southampton General
Hospital in October
for the third annual
open day, which saw
350 people packed
in to the Heartbeat
lecture theatre
in two sessions
to see consultant
histopathologist Dr
Meg Ashton-Key and
colleagues perform a
virtual autopsy using
animal organs.
CONNECT
ISSUE 29 7
talkback
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i more news and fundraising information. Email charity@uhs.nhs.uk
I have always
been fascinated The fundraising
by this hospital
trust as I was
born here at the
connection
Call Southampton Hospital Charity on 023 8079 8881 or visit www.uhs.nhs.uk/charity
Princess Anne
Hospital, have
been treated at
Southampton Hospital radio
General and am now a fifth year
medical student at the University of celebrates 60
Southampton.
Just over two years ago I was years on air
voted in to the Members’ Council by
the Trust’s membership to represent It has come a long way
the views of patients, staff and since launching with
visitors who signed up to support the just a microphone,
hospital in its foundation trust (FT) tape recorder and £75
application. licence fee.
Excitingly, the Trust recently Now, Southampton
achieved FT status and the Members’ Hospital Radio is
Council, which had been operating celebrating its 60th
in shadow form, will now play an year on the airwaves at the
active part in the future of the city’s hospitals – and it continues to
city’s hospitals, hospice Countess go from strength-to-strength.
Mountbatten House and the New From football and cricket, to music
Forest Birth Centre.
This is fantastic news for all users Charity helps and chat, the station broadcasts 24
hours a day, seven days a week to
baby service
and supporters of the hospital as we entertain and support the thousands
must now be more accountable to of avid listeners.
our local population and listen to Since bringing Southampton
the views of our membership on the
many services offered here.
I urge people to sign up as a
cover new ground Football Club’s 3-3 draw with
Doncaster Rovers to the ears of
hospitalised fans in 1952, more than
member to ensure we are hearing Babies across the region now have feeding support and supervision 2,000 volunteers have supported
from anyone with a perspective access to specialist neonatal care until nursing staff are happy with the station’s many chairmen and
on the Trust and the work being after returning home thanks to a their progress. dedicated staff.
performed here. new home visit programme at the And, due to the work of “We want to make as many
Not only does FT status give all of Princess Anne Hospital. Southampton Hospital Charity and patients, both past and present,
us a voice to influence the decisions The service is designed to support Hendy Honda, the team is travelling aware of the celebrations for our
made across the Trust, it also allows families of babies born prematurely from door-to-door in style with a 60th year as we’d love to hear
us to engage more closely with the or seriously ill who are well enough brand new Honda Jazz. their stories about how the station
hospital through events such as the to return home but may need Janine Jeffries, lead sister for has helped them or their family
annual open day or the specialist transitional care and outreach, said: members at some stage during a
evenings we run throughout the “Our service provides much-needed stay in hospital,” said current chair
year on key medical areas. support for the transition from Steve Mullane.
These events give us an hospital to home and also allows If you’d like to share your
opportunity to feedback on services babies to be discharged much earlier Southampton Hospital Radio stories
and give everyone a chance to than would have been possible in or are interested in volunteering,
peal day 2012:
build a closer connection with the the past, freeing up space for those call 023 8078 5151 or email
institution that has played and will Red & White ap in need of hospital-based treatment. volunteers@uhs.nhs.uk
continue to play a large part in every Friday, 9 March “Having the car has helped us
n:
local person’s life.
Family fun ru Sandy Balls to reunite families back into the
Thank you to
As with the successful cancer care Sunday, 20 May at home environment a lot sooner
everyone who
and eye unit events, people are given Holiday Centre and we are extremely grateful to
the chance to hear from and speak all the families, organisations and helped the Red &
ore visit
To find out m White appeal reach
.uk/charity
to key people in these specialist fields individuals who support the work of
to get a better understanding than www.uhs.nhs the neonatal team.” the £1m mark
ever before of how the health service
works and some of the amazing
clinical research being conducted
Sudoku challenge
behind the scenes every day.
So please don’t miss out – sign up
today to make sure you’re involved
Win an iPod shuffle WIN!
Enter numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank squares, so that
in the future of UHSFT.
every row, every column and every 3x3 square has one of each digit.
For more information and to sign
Send your entry in the post to Connect, Mailpoint 18, Southampton
up as a member visit www.uhs.nhs.uk
General Hospital, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD to be in with a chance of
or call the membership office on 023
winning a 2GB iPod shuffle donated by mb air systems ltd.
8079 5199 or email ft@uhs.nhs.uk
Entries close 17 February 2012.
Rhian Hinton
Representative for New Forest,
Eastleigh and Test Valley