Content originally from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Matthew Hopkins, Sir James Duddridge MP, Rebecca Harris MP, Anna Firth MP, Mark Francois MP, and Andrew Pike
£110 million funding approved to improve patient care
Our hospitals are receiving a welcome £110 million boost to help improve facilities for patient care.
The long-awaited funding from the Department of Health and Social Care has now been confirmed and will help make Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals fit for the future.
The funding will support us to increase the number of beds, improve capacity in all three emergency departments, and support better cancer and planned care by upgrading and expanding surgical theatres.
Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive, said: “This funding is great news for our patients and staff. Patients will get better quality care and it helps us meet the ever-increasing demands on hospital services.
“Finally, the hard work can begin to improve the patient experience of everyone who uses our hospitals.”
Lute player James Bramley with critical care staff
Live music helping improve patients’ recovery
Professional musicians playing for our patients could help improve their experience in critical care. This inspiring idea that has just finished being trialled at Basildon Hospital, with positive results.
String instruments like the lute and violin have been played to over 100 patients to see if they help reduce stress levels and inspire calm through the power of music.
Jose Rojas, a Junior Charge Nurse in Critical Care, said: “There’s evidence that suggests there is improved patient outcomes with music, so we wanted to explore to see if this was a ‘sound’ idea ourselves.
“It has been wonderful to see the musicians tailor their music to the patient they are playing for, often taking requests. It also gives patients and staff a mutually shared experience and something to talk about and remember well after the music has gone.”
Innovation Fellowship team
Radical health ideas will help deliver tomorrow’s care to patients today
A new ideas group are set to help improve patient care and staff experience thanks to the announcement of this year’s Innovation Fellowship at our Trust.
The group of 19 clinical and non-clinical, internal and external innovators have been chosen to join the Fellowship, which was created to help advance improvements in patient care by encouraging and supporting its innovators to develop, test and advance new healthcare ideas.
Charlotte Williams, Chief Strategy and Improvement Officer, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our fourth year of cohorts, to the Innovation Fellowship and look forward to supporting them to bring their new ideas to our patients and population.
“We support people to make these ideas a reality, discovering exciting new ways that technology can help benefit patients and support staff.”
Sue Webb, Vice Chair of the College board of Trustees of Society and College of Radiographers, and Florence Hammond, GI Advanced Practitioner
Radiographer wins top regional award for outstanding patient care
A Basildon Hospital radiographer has won a regional award from the Society of Radiographers for her excellent work in making sure patients get the best possible care.
Florence Hammond, who has over 25 years’ experience, is a Gastrointestinal (GI) Advanced Practitioner, and has been named the Radiography Professional of the Year for the eastern region at the Radiography Awards, which took place on World Radiography Day (8 November).
Florence was nominated by her team because of her outstanding work leading the GI fluoroscopy service, which includes taking real-time X-rays, investigating causes of swallowing difficulties in patients needing an endoscopy and doing CT colonography as part of the bowel cancer screening process.
The Society of Radiographers awards celebrate radiography professionals, teams, and students who have made a significant impact in patient care and this award is a recognition of Florence’s years of dedication and hard work for her patients.
Debra and her friends taking a breather during the walk
Cancer patient goes the extra mile for Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal
A woman from Benfleet has walked from Basildon Hospital to Southend Hospital to raise money for the Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal, after receiving cancer care at Southend Hospital.
After being treated with 12 sessions of radiotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in May this year, Debra Holloway, 37, decided to take on a 12 mile walking challenge to give something back.
Together with 10 friends and family members their final journey ended up at just over 13 miles, raising £1,575 to benefit Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation’s appeal, which aims to purchase four surface guided radiation devices to help improve patient care.
The equipment will bring many benefits to patients undergoing radiotherapy, including the elimination of permanent placement tattoos and the need for full-face masks.
Stroke rehab team at Southend Hospital
Special bike helps Southend stroke patients
Support given to stroke patients to help them recover at Southend Hospital has been boosted thanks to the purchase of a specialist bike and other equipment costing over £7,000.
The hi-tech static therapy bike in the Stroke Unit’s gym helps improve the recovery of a patient’s heart following a stroke.
Therapy Lead for the Stroke Unit, Joanne Lay, said: “The bike not only helps to improve cardiovascular health, but has also proved to be a great motivator in improving patient confidence in their ability following a stroke – both key for our patients’ mental and physical wellbeing.”
SWF Health & Social Care Group 