Welcome from our new chair Bryan Ingleby
As we mark the start of spring, traditionally the season of new beginnings, I’d like to take this opportunity to say how immensely proud I am to be selected as Chair of the Frimley Health Board and the Council of Governors. It is a huge honour for me and, having served as a non-executive director for three years and Deputy Chair for the last year, I am fully versed on both the challenges we face and the exciting opportunities we have in the months and years ahead.
As I follow in the successful footsteps of our previous chair, Pradip Patel, I feel highly motivated to build on the solid foundations he laid down by making Frimley Health one of the highest performing Trusts in the country. Everyone at Frimley Health feels a great deal of gratitude to Pradip for his commitment over the past seven years, and the tireless energy he brought to the role.
At the start of the Trust’s new beginnings, one area that remains a priority is you, our valuable members. Members are a fundamental part of every Foundation Trust and it’s really important that we keep you updated on what’s happening and provide you with the opportunity to engage with us. On that note, the next health information event will be my first and on the critical subject of all things respiratory, so I do hope many of you can join us then.
Best wishes,
Bryan Ingleby
How we’re helping patients breathe a little easier
The steady rise in cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which affects 1.2 million people in the UK every year, has received widespread media coverage in recent weeks.
It may come as no surprise to learn therefore, that complications associated with COPD are the second most common cause of emergency hospital admissions. That’s why chief of service for medicine and respiratory consultant, Dr Gareth Roberts, will be leading our next online health information event, focusing on COPD and the Trust’s plans for diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Dr Roberts will be joined by Respiratory Specialist Nurse, Sally Bustin, who will discuss the latest community services on offer for patients with COPD and other lung diseases – including the post discharge rehabilitation programme and the support provided to help patients avoid admission to hospital.
We would love you to join us at to learn more about our respiratory services and to have an opportunity to put your questions to Dr Roberts. Simply register for the event To RSVP to this event, click here.
Exciting new building given the green light
A new £47 million building at Frimley Park Hospital providing state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities and additional wards, all within a modern environment, has taken two massive steps forward.
Planning permission was granted by Surrey Heath Borough Council and the outline business case (OBC) for the development has been approved by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, both subject to conditions. The building will offer:
-
74 inpatient beds – over two storeys, offering a combination of single rooms and four-bed bays
-
Dedicated breast care diagnostic and outpatient unit - providing a ‘one stop’ service in a much-improved modern environment
-
State-of-the-art imaging centre - providing increased capacity and capability with the latest diagnostic imaging equipment (comprising three CT scanners, two MRI scanners and two gamma cameras), all within comfortable, purpose-built accommodation
The new three-storey modular building will be linked to the main hospital building making access and delivery of services easier and more efficient. Scheduled to be ready for use by late summer 2024, the building will create extra space and a greatly improved environment for patients and staff.
All smiles as nurse consultant collects MBE
Frimley Health nurse consultant Suman Shrestha has been invested as an MBE during a ceremony at Windsor Castle. The award, which was presented by HRH The Princess Royal, recognises Suman’s services to critical care and was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours last summer.
Suman has worked in intensive care at Frimley Health for 21 years and is also a professional lead for critical care at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). He worked in critical care throughout the Covid pandemic and trained more than 400 redeployed doctors and nurses so they could support our intensive care units. Through his work at the RCN, he also played a key role in the country’s response to Covid by contributing to the development of national guidelines and strategies.
Suman, who was accompanied to the investiture by his wife Susan, 11-year-old son Lucas and dad Bishnu, who is a retired Gurkha officer, said: “It was a very memorable day and something I will treasure for the rest of my life”.
National awards for nursing staff
Three Frimley Health healthcare support workers have had their commitment to NHS values recognised by England’s chief nurse, Dame Ruth May.
Sonia Zepita De Mulvaney, Elena Welsh and Pam McLoughlin were presented with NHS England Chief Nursing Officer Healthcare Support Worker (CNO HCSW) Awards by Frimley Health’s chief of nursing and midwifery, Lorna Wilkinson, last month.
Healthcare support workers are at the heart of our clinical settings, making a real difference every day to the lives of the patients they care for and the nursing colleagues they support.
The CNO HCSW Awards are presented to those who have shown dedication and commitment to the NHS and its patients, and who uphold the NHS values: Working together for patients, Respect and dignity, Commitment to quality of care, Compassion, Improving lives, and Everyone counts.
Scientist scoops awards for Covid testing
In more recognition for our staff, Frimley Health’s Point of Care Testing specialty lead Katy Heaney, has been made an honorary fellow of the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS).
The honorary fellowships recognise outstanding contributions in a leadership role to healthcare science in the UK.
Katy, a consultant clinical scientist, was nominated for her role with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) during the rollout of Covid-19 rapid testing during the pandemic. She built relationships with manufacturers, NHSE/I, devolved authorities, scientific advisors and service providers to ensure that point of care diagnostics were rapidly deployed to emergency departments across the UK.
Frimley Health Charity transforms outdoor spaces across the Trust
Outdoor spaces in hospitals have long been linked with quicker recovery and improved well-being for patients. Over the last four years, Frimley Health Charity has transformed no fewer than 11 courtyard and garden areas across our hospitals to create relaxing, peaceful spaces for use by patients, staff and visitors .
The inspiring green spaces, each with its own individual theme, were designed and created with help from local communities and landscape professionals. From the Japanese Garden and the recently planted ED Courtyard at Frimley Park Hospital, to the Children’s Garden and the wonderful Chelsea Garden at Wexham Park, which was a rebuilt version of one from the Chelsea Flower Show.
Frimley Health Charity has invested £200,000 into transforming and maintaining these outdoor spaces, providing a valuable respite away from the ward environment and are enjoyed by staff, patients and their loved ones.
Ready? Set? Run Frimley! Just one month to go … and a fantastic new venue
On 30 April, the hugely popular Run Frimley event, which has always attracted a strong community following with over 1,000 runners taking part year on year, will return. And it’s not too late to book your place.
This year, the run will take place at Frimley Lodge Park, with multi-terrain road and trail 5k and 10k races and a 1 mile ‘colourful’ family fun run. Sign up here.
Healthwatch wants to hear from you
Healthwatch Royal BWM is a local independent consumer champion for health and social care.
Every Spring the organisation launches a survey for local people to decide which areas it should focus on for the coming year, alongside the priorities of local health and care services.
The anonymous survey takes just a few minutes to complete and lists the topics the public have contacted them about during the last year and asks which are most important and why.
The Healthwatch ‘What matters to you’ survey can be found here.
Looking for medical advice about an unwell child?
The Frimley Healthier Together website and app have become popular resources for parents and carers who want advice and guidance about their child’s symptoms.
Next month, local GP Dr Alex Streeter de Diego, will host an informative Frimley Healthier Together webinar to talk about local support services for children and young people, guide you through the app and how to use the NHS traffic light guidance as well as answer any questions you may have.
The webinar is on Monday 27 April 1-1.45pm. Sign up to join the session here.