UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALS reviews plans... · Eastman Dental Hospital 25 Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital 26 Welcoming the community 27 The new UCH ... the importance

University CollegeLondon Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust runsseven hospitals at sitesacross central London,of which the biggest isUniversity CollegeHospital (UCH) at 235Euston Road, openedin June 2005 by HerMajesty The Queen.

UCH FACT FILE

• University College Hospital has 2,000 rooms,14 operating theatres, 11,000 fire sprinklersand 980 clocks

• Houses largest single general critical careunit in the NHS

• State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment

• 16 floors above ground, two below

• Each year, the accident and emergencydepartment sees approximately 92,000patients, with 250-310 patients seen every24 hours. On average, 50 patients areadmitted each day for further treatment.

• In 2007/08, an average of 2,500outpatients attended UCH each week

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSWELCOME

2 UCLH ANNUAL REVIEW 2007/08

CONTENTS

Welcome 3

Annual health check 4

Cleanliness challenge 5

Trust highlights 6-7

Supporting patients 8

Patient advice 9

Clinical research 10-11

University CollegeHospital 12-15

Adult Inpatient Survey 2007 16-17

National Hospital for Neurology andNeurosurgery 18-19

The Heart Hospital 20-21

The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson& Obstetric Hospital 22-23

Hospital for TropicalDiseases 24

Eastman DentalHospital 25

Royal LondonHomoeopathic Hospital 26

Welcoming thecommunity 27

The new UCH Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing 28

Building for the future 29

Financial overview 30

Meet the Board 31

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSWELCOME

Welcome to the 2007/08annual review, a snapshot ofanother challenging yet very

successful year for University CollegeLondon Hospitals (UCLH) NHSFoundation Trust.

Although the NHS is often obsessedwith setting central targets, we atUCLH are much more interested inwhat our patients think about theservices they receive. In this last year we have seen a remarkableimprovement in the results of theinpatient survey (see pages 16-17)particularly in the areas of privacy;dignity and respect; information andcommunications. These improvementsreflect the focus given to these areasnow that the new University CollegeHospital (UCH) is running smoothly,and the sheer hard work of all ourfront line staff.

It was also a year when we convertedour financial deficit, caused by thecost of opening the new hospital,into a surplus of £15.4 million. This, together with the receipt of land sales of redundant sites such as the Middlesex Hospital, gives us a fantastic springboard for futureinvestment in services such as cardiac and cancer.

The results of the inpatient surveywere largely mirrored by the results ofthe staff survey which confirms ourview that there is a strong correlationbetween motivated staff and satisfiedpatients. As one of this year’s objectiveswe are committed to helping staffachieve their potential, bothprofessionally and in their ability to personalise care to patients.

This year promises to be achallenging and exciting time for the trust. Women’s and children’sservices will transfer to their newhome when we open the newUniversity College Hospital ElizabethGarrett Anderson (EGA) MaternityWing in November 2008. The newfacility, with 39 antenatal and post-natal beds, 12 birthing rooms, twobirthing pools, 15 special care bedsand 17 neonatal intensive care unitcots, promises to give mothers and

their babies the best possible startfor years to come. Completion of the EGA Wing also completes thebuilding of University CollegeHospital, one of the most ambitiousbuilding projects in the NHS.

In 2008/09, we will continue planningfor a new ambulatory cancer carecentre, to relocate dental services fromthe Eastman Dental Hospital andexpand and further develop cardiacservices from the Heart Hospital by rebuilding on the main UCH campus.These exciting plans will take years todeliver, but we are clear that we havea unique opportunity to create amedical campus that can rival the very best in the world.

The last year has seen a blueprint for change that will affect futuredevelopment of all NHS organisations.We are not an exception and knowthat we must adapt and change ifwe are to continue to succeed.Professor Lord Darzi’s report,‘Healthcare for London: A Frameworkfor Action’ sets the tone for a newway forward for healthcare in the

capital, localising routine care, andcreating specialist centres. We areworking to ensure that UCLHbenefits from these changes and are currently in discussion with anumber of other trusts anduniversities to develop an academichealth science system.

We hope you find this annual reviewa useful and informative look back at our year. We would like to bothcongratulate and thank our staff forthe hard work and commitment theyhave shown throughout the last year,without which the achievementsoutlined in this review simply wouldnot have happened.

Peter DixonChairman

UCLH ANNUAL REVIEW 2007/08 3

Sir Robert NaylorChief executive

In the HealthcareCommission’s annualhealth check in October2007, for the second year

running UCLH was rated ‘good’ forquality of services, which includesperformance against nationaltargets. The trust also ‘fully met’the commission’s core standardswhich measure areas such asensuring patients are treated withdignity and respect, and promotingstaff development.

Trust vision:“UCLH is committed to deliveringtop quality patient care, excellenteducation and world-class research”

Trust values:We will:• Take pride in caring for our

patients as individuals;• Provide equal access to all our

patients;• Be open and approachable to all;• Deliver high quality outcomes

in partnership with others;• Value the contribution and

develop the potential of all our staff;

• Be responsible and accountablefor all we do.

The hospitals which compriseUniversity College London HospitalsNHS Foundation Trust are:

• University College Hospital • National Hospital for Neurology

and Neurosurgery• Eastman Dental Hospital• Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and

Obstetric Hospital• The Heart Hospital• Hospital for Tropical Diseases• The Royal London Homoeopathic

Hospital

UCLH at a glance:• UCLH has a turnover of around

£560 million per year• UCLH currently employs 6,285

staff with registered nurses andmidwives the largest professionalgroup (32%)

• There are currently 1,300 ongoingresearch and developmentprojects, with external grantstotalling £48 million per year

• In 2007/08 the trust treated46,628 inpatients, 38,450 daycases and 513,498 outpatients.This compares to last year’s figuresof 45,102 inpatients, 32,319 daycases and 495,885 outpatients

• 150 primary care trusts (PCTs)commission UCLH services.Camden PCT (the trust’s co-ordinating commissioner)accounts for 22% of inpatients,16% of day cases and 20%of outpatients

ABOUT UCLH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSANNUAL HEALTH CHECK

Our performance


18 weeks from referral totreatment: a live example The trust’s carpal tunnel clinic is agreat example of how, with somechanges to working practices, thepatient journey – the differentstages through which a patient goes through from their initialreferral to treatment and discharge– can be shortened, meaningfaster treatment for patients andmore effective use of trustresources. Across UCLH, servicesare looking at how the patientjourneys in their area can bereduced to ensure that patients are treated within 18 weeks from referral.

In 2004, patients were waitingbetween eight and nine monthsfrom GP referral to surgery, andtypically visited the hospital on four or five occasions. Now, in anew ‘one stop’ approach to care,patients with suspected carpaltunnel syndrome see a consultant,are assessed by a specialistphysiotherapist, have nerveconduction studies and, dependingon the outcome, are either assessedby the hand surgeon for possiblesurgery or are given a managementplan and referred back to their GP– all in one visit.

Feedback suggests that patients aredelighted to have all assessments,diagnostics and a management plancompleted in a single visit.

Meeting national targets*� Maximum four-hour wait in A&E� Cancelled operations

rescheduled promptly� Maximum two-week wait for

rapid access chest pain clinic � Discharging patients with

minimal delay� Less than two-week wait for first

appointment for suspected cancer� Less than one-month wait from

diagnosis to treatment for cancer� Less than two-month wait from

referral to treatment for cancer� Maximum six-month wait for

inpatient admission� Maximum 13-week wait for

outpatient appointment� Electronic booking of outpatient

appointments� Maximum of 18 weeks from

referral to treatment � Reduced incidence of MRSA**

*All national targets issued by theDepartment of Health are subjectto thresholds – the ticks indicatethat UCLH has met the thresholdindicated within the target.

**The trust’s MRSA target for2007/08 was 34 cases, based on anational target to reduce MRSAcases by 50% on 2003/04 figures,a year when the trust already had arelatively low rate compared to ourpeers, making further reductionsdifficult to achieve. The trustrecorded 38 cases of MRSA in2007/08, a significant year-on-yearreduction on last year’s figure of 56 cases, and the lowest figureamongst its peers (peer average formonthly MRSA incidence was 1% atUCLH, amongst its peers it was 3%).

�

Fighting infectionNew packs designed to saveprecious time and cut the risk ofinfection when inserting centralintravenous lines were launchedthroughout the trust by theinfection control team.

A central intravenous line is ameans of providing medication,hydrating fluid or additional bloodsupplies to critically ill patients orthose undergoing major surgery.The lines are larger and longer thanthe commonly used intravenouslines or drips and are usuallyrequired by the most seriously illpatients who are particularlyvulnerable to infection.

All the equipment needed tocarry out the procedure is nowreadily to hand and all the itemscontained in one sealed bag.

Grace Azarcon, clinical practicefacilitator in infection control,said: “It has helped minimise therisk of infection. Once staff havewashed their hands they justopen the pack and all the itemsare there.”

Items include a large blue tray,catheter, different size syringes, swabs, dressings, ultrasound gel,gloves, patient record sticker andcards. The packs have beendistributed in theatres andintensive care.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSCLEANLINESS CHALLENGE

Medical staff had their hand-washing routines put to thetest by young patients at

University College Hospital.

As part of a series of fun activities, staffwere “spied” on by the youngsters and those who washed their handsfrequently were rewarded with stickers.

The patients also designed hand artemblazoned with infection controlmessages to decorate the wards andlearnt about the best hand-washingtechniques. An ultraviolet machinewas used to help them spot thegerms not washed away.

Patients and passing staff werechallenged to rub cream into their hands and then see howefficient they were at washing it off.

Fifteen-year-old patient SaraMichael was surprised by theresults. “I really did think I hadwashed my hands properly – it was a bit of a shock to find they weren’t as clean as I thought.”

The activities were part of a series of trust-wide initiatives to stressthe importance of hand hygiene.

Infection controlGetting the message across


Two prime ministers visitedUniversity College Hospital duringthe year and acknowledged the

wonderful work and dedication of staff.

During his final weeks in office, the RtHon Tony Blair MP spent an hour in theradiotherapy department in April 2007and was shown the linear acceleratormachine which pinpoints areas of thebody for X-ray treatment. Mr Blair

described UCH as a ‘benchmark’ forother hospitals in the NHS.

Julia Solano, operational manager for radiotherapy, said: “There was agreat buzz around the place. No-onecould quite believe it was the primeminister walking down the corridor.”

Prime minister the Rt Hon GordonBrown MP was given a tour

around the state-of-the-art Institute for Nuclear Medicine in October 2007. Mr Brown spoke to Sir Robert Naylor, UCLH chief executive, about the trust’s vision to become one of the world’s leading academic health centres. The prime minister was joined by chancellor of the exchequer the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSTRUST HIGHLIGHTS

Downing Street comes to UCH


New Year Knighthood for trust chief executive

The chief executive of UCLH whowas responsible for London’s first new teaching hospital in a

generation was awarded a Knighthoodby Her Majesty The Queen in the NewYear’s Honours List 2008.

Robert Naylor has been chief executiveof University College London HospitalsNHS Foundation Trust since 2000 andreceived his Knighthood for ‘services to healthcare’.

The construction of the new UniversityCollege Hospital, a 16-storey state-of-the-art hospital in London’s West End andclose to Euston and King’s Cross stations,was at the time the biggest single buildingproject in the NHS. It was delivered ontime and on budget and formally openedby HM The Queen in October 2005.

The second phase of the developmentwas under construction during 2007/08and will open in late 2008, providingimproved and expanded facilities forthe trust’s women’s health andmaternity services, including additionalcritical care cots for London’s mostpremature babies.

Sir Robert said: “I was deeply honoured by the award which came as a complete surprise. My time as chief executive of two great teachinghospitals has been an absolute privilege and I am personally indebtedto all those wonderful people who have worked with me for the past two decades. The NHS, despite itscritics, is one of our most cherishedinstitutions and I am proud to beassociated with it.”

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSTRUST HIGHLIGHTS

England football legend GaryLineker unveiled a scannerwhich will revolutionise the

treatment of children with cancer in the University College Hospitalradiotherapy department.

The use of the £2 million PET CTscanner will be funded by the charityFight for Life and allows an increase inthe dose of radiotherapy to the patientwithout additional risk to normal tissue.

Match of the Day host Gary, a patronof the charity, said equipment like thescanner gives children with cancer thebest chance of survival.

He said: “It is great to have beenpart of a team that has helped itcome to fruition.”

Chelsea Superstarsvisit young cancer patients

Children with cancer and leukaemia were treated to an early Christmaspresent when some of the biggest stars in world football handed outgifts and signed autographs.

Chelsea players (from l to r above): Carlo Cudicini, Florent Malouda, MichaelEssien and Andriy Shevchenko visited University College Hospital on behalfof children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.


Gary helps Fight for Life

Renowned botanist andconservationist Professor DavidBellamy opened a groundbreaking

herbal clinic at the trust’s Royal LondonHomoeopathic Hospital (RLHH).

The clinic – the first in the UK to bebased in an NHS hospital – is led byDr Saul Berkovitz (pictured above) thecountry’s only consultant physicianqualified in herbal medicine. Theherbal medicines have been approvedby UCLH’s Use of Medicine’sCommittee and a team of specialistpharmacists will ensure quality control.

Professor Bellamy said: “It is reachingback into a very, very rich history andthere is a wonderful team here atthe herbal clinic. It means thatpeople in London can come here and enjoy a choice.

“It’s very good news that we have afacility like this which is backed by theNHS. This is an appropriate settingwhich puts herbal medicine backwhere it deserves to be – an importantpart of mainstream healing practice inthe 21st Century.”

The herbal clinic aims to combineclinical excellence with teaching and research; patients will beaudited to gauge the effectivenessof the herbal approach to treatingcertain medical conditions, alongsideconventional medicine.

Herbal treatments include St John’sWort for depression, Echinacea forpreventing and treating respiratoryinfection, Devil’s Claw for arthritis andGinkgo Biloba for circulatory problems.Herbal medicine can be particularlyhelpful in treating digestive disorders,allergies, joint problems, stress andrecurring infection.

David’s herbal opening


Motivated by his personalexperience as a

carer for his wife whohad multiple sclerosis,Michael Lee (picturedright) became the patientcarer representative onthe UCLH governingbody. During his tenure,Michael worked withother carers and truststaff as UCLH launchedits first carers’ policy.

UCLH defines a carer as: ‘someonewho looks after a relative, friend orneighbour who, due to illness,disability or frailty, is unable tomanage alone; and is unpaid’.

Michael said: “The UCLH carers’ policymarks a fundamental commitment bythe trust to the role played by carers in the health and well-being of thepeople they care for, which in itself, from my own experience, is a majorbreakthrough. There are some six millioncarers in the UK, and because of thenature of what they do, carers can easilyfeel isolated, can become financiallyinsecure and suffer ill health themselves.

“One of the key issues for carers is feeling marginalised by the‘officialdom’ that tends to surroundhospital care and treatment – carers

are not always involved in, or informed about thecare of the person theyhave been caring for, ormay not be consulted orhelped at the often-traumatic time ofdischarge. Basically, carersthemselves need help.

“The new policy aims toaddress some of theseissues in setting out a framework to enable

clear and effective communicationbetween patients, carers and thetrust. Issues such as identifying carersas soon as possible, giving carersinformation about the patient’smedical condition, carers’ rights andwhere to turn for more help willclarify the carer’s role as a partner inhealthcare, something which I believeis beneficial for everyone involved.

“I am very proud to have been involved in this work, which will becomplemented by a carer strategy inthe coming months. UCLH is alreadyone of the leaders in this field; I hope it can become known as a centre ofexcellence for integrated carer support.”

Caring for carers

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSSUPPORTING PATIENTS

The paediatric and adolescentdiabetes team at UCLH washighly commended for its work

with children and young people at aprestigious awards ceremony.

Pump School – a two-day educationalprogramme which helps children andyoung people learn how to use theirown insulin pumps was described byjudges at the Health Service JournalAwards as ‘an innovative project ofgreat importance’. The team, led byRebecca Thompson, clinical nursespecialist for paediatrics andadolescents, was highly commendedin the ‘patient-centred care’ category.

Rebecca said: “The award reflects theexcellent care the multidisciplinary teamprovides for patients with diabetes.”

Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes Team

“I fell on the pavementand went into A&E witha fractured arm – thiswas beautifully, swiftly,kindly and quicklytreated. I was out inlittle more than an hour,having been X-rayed,examined, given a slingand advised – all by the most charmingpeople. Never oncewas I made to feel afool or patronised as so often happens to old women.”

PATIENT’S EXPERIENCE

Around one in seven of UCLH’spatients is either a carer or has a carer.


UCLH’s Patient Advice LiaisonService (PALS) acts as anindependent service, providing

balanced and impartial information andadvice to patients and families with anyconcerns or issues they may have aboutUCLH. PALS provides on-the-spot help,liaising with staff and, where appropriate,external organisations to ensure thatqueries are answered and concernsresolved as quickly as possible. The PALSteam constantly strives to improve thepatient experience by using feedback toinfluence change across the trust. Someexamples of this in 2007/08 include:

Stress-free parking fordisabled patientsInstead of going through the lengthyprocess of applying for disabledparking dispensation permits fromthe local council, patients who hold‘blue badges’ and are attendingappointments at UCH can now pickup their permits on the day oftreatment directly from the hospital,enabling them to park close by.

Advance booking ofinterpretersGPs are now asked to indicate if apatient needs an interpreter whenthey first refer patients to the trust,so that arrangements can be madefor an interpreter to be available forthe first appointment.

Last year, PALS dealt with 3,998enquiries – 1,972 cases, 2,026 on-the-spot enquiries.

Here are just some of the ways PALSinvolvement has helped to resolvequeries raised by patients.

Care for patients whose firstlanguage is not English willimprove with the launch of a

telephone interpreting service at thetrust. With up to 200 languages atthe touch of a button, staff can instantly access telephoneinterpreters 24 hours a day, 365 daysa year. The new service enhancespatient privacy through the use

of cordless headsets, which allowclinicians andpatients tohear theinterpreter atthe sametime – evenduring amedicalexamination.

It’s good news for the trust too, as Pat Isaacs, project managerexplained: “Being able to access an interpreter straight away avoidshaving to cancel appointments,which costs the trusts thousands of pounds.” Face-to-faceinterpreting continues to beavailable for deaf patients or ifrequired for clinical reasons.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSPATIENT ADVICE

PALS ‘on hand to help’

“Very grateful forrapid and effectivehelp received, whichtook away worry anddistress of situation.”

“Thank you forlistening and resolvinga major concern.Much appreciated.”

“I’ve used PALS twiceand both times myproblems have beensorted out quickly andproperly. Excellentservice.”

PLAUDITS FOR PALS

Speaking the same language

PALS manager Jacintha Crudden

• Ultrasound appointment changedby the hospital but patient had anoutpatient appointment on thesame day. No earlier appointmentsavailable so appointment changedto a convenient date in thefollowing month.

• Patient’s son concerned about his mother’s condition since heradmission. PALS arranged forson to meet with a specialistregistrar and ward sister todiscuss his concerns. Concernsresolved at meeting.

• Patient wrote to PALS praisingthe care and treatment given bystaff in A&E and the three wardswhere he was a patient in thehospital; asked for thanks to be passed on. PALS forwardedcopy of letter to relevantdepartmental and ward staff.

• Patient contacted PALS as not all of her health care recordswere available in clinic. PALSdiscovered patient had twohospital numbers. PALS referredcase to medical recordsamalgamation team. All healthcare records were amalgamatedunder one hospital number.


Innovative brain mapping technology... improving early diagnosis andtreatment of multiple sclerosis... a

national trial to investigate the impactof early screening for ovarian cancer...uncovering the genetic profile of brain tumours... developing newtreatments to ease chronic head pain.These are just a few ways in whichthe newly-established UCLH/UCLComprehensive Biomedical ResearchCentre (CBRC) is at the forefront ofworld-class research into the majorcauses of death and illness.

The UCLH and University CollegeLondon (UCL) partnership is recognisedas one of the top European centres forresearch. The UCLH/UCL ComprehensiveBiomedical Research Centre translatesbasic science research into importantapplications for clinical benefit. Now inits second year, the CBRC is channellingfunding and a major donation fromUCLH Charity, the trust’s charitabletrustees, into major new researchinitiatives from across the trust.

During the past year more than 100research proposals have undergone a

rigorous peer review procedure andhigh quality scientific research andstrategic appointments have alreadybeen given the go-ahead in anumber of fields including breastcancer, multiple sclerosis, youngpeople’s cancer, cardiovasculardisease and gene therapy. All havethe potential to build on existingexpertise and translate scientificresearch into treatments andtechniques to directly improvepatient care and promote UCLH asan international research player.

UCLH has also agreed to allocatefunding to improve the trust’sinfrastructure including:

• Creating a new research centre todevelop clinical trials and treatmentsfor patients with disabling musclewasting diseases

• Supporting the development of aclinical research facility for cancertrials at UCH

• Establishing a new radiochemistryclinical laboratory to support

major new developments inmolecular imaging

• Introducing new interventionalbrain imaging equipment to refineneurosurgical techniques.

Dr Nick McNally, divisional managerof the biomedical research centre,said: “There is a real sense ofenthusiasm and commitment fromour lead researchers and a desire to press on with major newresearch initiatives that will make a difference for patients – thisfunding has given us the greenlight to make it happen.”

Zung To, projects manager for UCLHCharity said: “Leaving money orassets for research is very popular –more so than buying new equipmentfor the present. Many people wholeave a legacy want to change thingsfor the future.

“They want to stop people dying 20years down the line from the sameillness they have – and research holdsthe key to that.”

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSCLINICAL RESEARCH

From bench to bedside: world-class research and world-class treatments


UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSCLINICAL RESEARCH

FACT FILE

Current research statistics:

• 1,300 established and ongoing research projects – one of the largestmedical research portfolios in the country

• External grant income of £48 million per year

• 200 clinical trials, of which 85 are commercially sponsored

• The most cited research papers published in scientific journals of anybiomedical scientific institution, according to an independent reviewcommissioned by the Department of Health

Research highlights include:

• Spinal cord repair using the patients’ own olfactory stem cells (nerve cellsin the lining of the nose). If successful, this will lead to an entirely new wayof treating many common neurological problems. First trials on patientsstarted in 2007

• Developing potential new ways of treating patients with leukemia byunderstanding the genetic basis of the disease

• Re-assessing specific types of drug treatment for hypertension and makinga significant impact on international guidelines

• Recruiting 200,000 women for a national study, led by the Institute ofWomen’s Health, into whether an early ovarian cancer screening test couldsave lives, and to assess its psychological risks and benefits

• Identifying the fundamental cause of Crohn’s disease – a major gastro-intestinal disease – and new lines of potential treatment

• Using imaging, measurement of electrical brain activity and the tracking ofbiochemical changes to try to understand what triggers epileptic seizures

• Diagnosing the genes involved in the sudden death of young athletes frominherited heart defects, such as cardiomyopathy, to identify those peoplemost at risk

Researchers landprestigious awards

Nine consultants and professorshave won prestigiousappointments with the National

Institute for Health Research (NIHR) fortheir outstanding contribution topatient-focused research in the NHS.

The senior investigators fromUCLH/UCL cover areas includingneuroscience, cancer, infectiousdiseases, imaging and gastroenterologyand hepatology. Their role will includepromoting clinical and applied researchin health and social care – to directlybenefit patients.

HarnessingresearchtalentNurses and midwives play an

increasingly important role inhighlighting and developing

areas of practice-based researchlikely to have the biggest impact onthe way we care for our patients anddeliver services.

In September 2007, Dr Loretta Bellman(pictured below) was appointed to thenew role of senior nurse for researchand development to develop aframework to support and harnessresearch talent, backed by a CBRCgrant and external funding.

She said: “Nurses understand theirpatients’ needs and are often the firstto see the practice changes that could be made. They need to be supported to put good research into practice that will benefit patients and services.”


Two hundred patients have beentreated at University CollegeHospital using a new approach

to major surgery which has almosthalved length of stay and savedthousands of pounds.

Colorectal patients at UCH have seentheir inpatient stay cut from nine or10 days to just six thanks to theenhanced surgical treatment andrecovery programme (ESTReP).

By treating 200 patients in just over ayear, the trust saved a total of 488 ‘bed days’ – the equivalent of nearly£200,000. Hospital re-admissions havealso fallen.

Patients on the programme areeducated on their treatment and aregiven diaries to record their progress.The surgery is kept as simple aspossible, to enable a rapid return toindependence and mobility. Whenpatients are discharged they arefollowed-up with a call from anenhanced recovery nurse.

Richard Smith (pictured above), the200th patient to go through ESTReP,said: “It was a real comfort to know I could call the unit if I had anyproblems and I was contacted by therecovery nurse asking if there wereany problems or questions I wantedto ask.”

Rachael Nakawungu, enhanced recoverynurse at UCH (pictured above) said:“Patients are more confident ondischarge and have someone to contact – they are contacted two tothree days after discharge and seen in an outpatient clinic.”

The fundamental principle underlyingESTReP is that patients recover morerapidly and are fit for discharge earlier,as opposed to being prematurelydischarged to recover at home.

Al Windsor, consultant in colorectalsurgery who is leading theimplementation of ESTReP at UCH, said: “ESTReP is a huge stepforward for improving patient care.”

200 Not Out for newapproach to surgery whichsaves time and money

“The wonderful staffand their support has helped mepsychologically to pickup the pieces and giveme the confidence torebuild my life” –Patient who receivedradiotherapy


UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU

SURGERY

“The triage nurse inaccident and emergencyoozed concern andcompetence for anendless stream ofwalking wounded – mytreatment from then onwas efficient and caringand the whole hospitalseemed very clean –even the food in theward was hotter andbetter than I hadexpected” – Patienttreated in A&E, acuteadmissions unit andward T8.



‘Fantastic nurse’ PamO’Donoghue was rewardedfor her work by charity Beating

Bowel Cancer, after a glowing reportfrom one of her patients.

Father-of-four Simon Battersby wasdiagnosed with bowel cancer andreferred to UCLH for chemotherapywhere he was placed under the careof Pam, a gastrointestinal cancerresearch sister. Her care has had alasting impact on his life.

Film editor Simon, 54 (picturedabove, left), said: “If you have neverhad cancer before and you don’tknow anything about it and you arefaced with the thought that it’ssomething that might kill you, it issuch a comfort to have somebodylike Pam who is always on the otherend of the phone.”

Simon was so impressed with Pam(pictured above) that he nominatedher for one of Beating BowelCancer’s annual Nurse RecognitionAwards, which she duly won.

In his nomination letter, Simon

wrote: “Whenever I became worried or confused [Pam] used her intelligence and pragmatism toreassure me and did so with charmand a great sense of humour.”

Pam said she was ‘ecstatic’ when sheopened the letter telling her she hadwon the award.

She added: “Simon and I workedwell as a team. It was about megetting to know him as a person andwhat went on in his life and trying toincorporate all his blood tests, scansand treatment into that.”

Meanwhile, bowel cancer specialistsfrom the trust set up stands acrossnorth London to raise awarenessabout the disease.

More than 18,000 residents aged60-69 in Camden and Islington,Barnet, Haringey and Enfield weresent home testing kits as part of arolling screening programme. Thecompleted test kits are returned tothe programme hub – which thenrefers people to UCH if results arepotentially abnormal.

‘Fantastic nurse’ beating bowel cancer

Every parent’s fear -leukaemia

It is every parent’s fear: your child complains of stomach pain and is taken to a local

hospital. Then tests reveal the true cause – leukaemia.

“It was a total shock. Wecouldn’t take it all in.” saidmother Angie Muffett.

Her daughter Jessie wasimmediately transferred to the Children and Young People’s Cancer Service atUniversity College Hospital – the largest specialist unit of its kind in Europe.

Mrs Muffett said: “We arrived atmidnight and my first impressionwas of serenity and calmness. Theconsultant spent a couple of hourstalking to us, explaining, listeningto us. It was a terrible time but wefelt we were in a safe place.”

Jessie spent most of the nextyear in the specialist unitundergoing chemotherapy. Butnow, two years later, 17-year-oldJessie is recovering well andalthough she still needs monthlycheck-ups, she is pursuing acareer in horticulture.

Recently, she returned to representthe unit as a patient ambassador,accompanying 50 health delegatesfrom around the world who wereon a fact-finding tour of the unit.

“There’s no doubt – we were lucky to have been transferred to UCH,” said her mother.

The unit provides 18 inpatientbeds and a day care centre foryoung cancer patients and offersa multi disciplinary approach tocaring and supporting patientsand their families: recognisingtheir unique health andpsychosocial needs.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGEHOSPITAL

CANCER CARE


Robert Glazebrook was one of 300patients to benefit from the firstcomprehensive 24-hour stroke

service in north London which waslaunched at University College Hospital.

Stroke neurologists from the National Hospital for Neurology andNeurosurgery were on hand at theUCH emergency department todeliver thrombolysis – a clot-bustingtreatment which improves thechances of a good outcome forstroke patients.

Mr Glazebrook (pictured above), 79, was one of 26 patients to be‘thrombolysed’ in 2007/08. Withinmonths, the former managingdirector of Steinway Pianos, wasback tuning pianos on cruise ships.

He said: “There is no doubt in mymind that this service saved my life.What the hospital did was brilliant.I’m a very satisfied customer!”

The new service is the first 24/7neurology-led stroke service in northLondon and provides one of the beststroke services in the capital.

Dr Foster’s 2007 Hospital Guidehighlighted the stroke service atUCLH as one of the top five in thecountry. This new service – whichhas expanded to include patientswho would have previously beentaken to the nearby WhittingtonHospital – makes it even better.

The A&E department at UCH isalerted on a priority phone line bythe London Ambulance Service if a patient suffers a stroke. Thepatient is triaged to resuscitation and immediately assessed by A&E staff and a stroke neurologyteam. All patients have immediatebrain imaging.

The service is in line withgovernment proposals that stroke

centres should take the form of‘hyper-acute’ sites which provide CTscans around the clock, supported by neuroscience experts.

UCLH divisional clinical director foremergency services Paul Glynne said:“This puts UCLH at the leading edgeof stroke care provision in the UK.”

Consultant stroke neurologist NickLosseff added: “This development isthe icing on the cake of our strokeservices. With the new service wewill be able to treat large numbers ofpatients with these powerful drugs.”

Patrick Marsh from Islington whosewife was assessed at the NHNNstroke assessment clinic, said: “Each test was carried out punctuallyat the appointed time. We were told exactly what would happen and were met with nothing butcourtesy and kindness from all thenurses and technicians.”

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITALSUPPORTING PATIENTS

First comprehensive 24-hourstroke service in north London


UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITALSUPPORTING PATIENTS

Stopopbefore

the

DignitythroughArt in UCLH pilotprogramme

Apilot programme usingcreative arts to exploreolder people’s experience

of dignity in care at UCLH hasproved an exciting opportunity for nurses and older people towork and learn together.

Using art, drama and movement, theparticipants revealed their innermostthoughts and feelings about whatdignity really means to individuals andthe impact undignified care can have.They also explored how changes inpractice can improve their experiences.

Jonathan Webster, consultant nursefor older people, organised theprogramme. He said: “As theprogramme continued it was veryclear to see how the nurses andolder people were learning andworking together. Nurses had to

hear about emotionally painfulexperiences, accept failure ofpractice and how to address them.It helped them to understand theimpact that undignified care has on people’s lives.”

The programme was funded byThe Foundation of Nursing Studies and was supported by Age Concern Islington, whorecruited the participants andhosted the sessions.

The nurses from UCH and the HeartHospital were encouraged to reflect

on what they had learnt – and put itinto practice back in the workplace.Many said the programme had made them determined to instigatepractical changes.

During the final session participantswere asked to produce a collage toevaluate the programme.

Jonathan added: “The programmehighlighted the need for there tobe a partnership between an olderperson and health practitioner,requiring mutual learning,sensitivity and respect.”

Jonathan Webster (centre) with staff nurse Lutzi Sebastian and patient Donald Popplewell

Stopping smoking can help reduce patients’ time inhospital and help them recover faster. In December2007 ‘Stop Before the Op’, a programme to help

patients give up smoking before undergoing surgery, waslaunched at UCLH.

Patient Clifford Cox was at the launch celebratingbeing smoke-free after successfully completing the

programme, which involves one-to-one counsellingand support, relaxation and stress-busting techniques,

nicotine replacement therapy and medication to helpreducing craving. “I had been smoking around 40 a dayfor 40 years and had tried but failed to stop many times.The difference this time was that I didn’t go it alone, andhad ongoing support from Ann (Lyons, stop smokingnurse specialist) which was great – when I was in theward she would pop in, or I could phone or email her atmoments of weakness! I remain smoke-free and amreally grateful to Ann for her support. Thank you.”


UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSADULT INPATIENT SURVEY 2007

2006 2007

71%79%

Were you given enough privacy

when being examined or treated

in the emergency department?

“Yes, definitely”

Did nurses talk in front of youas if you weren’t there?

“No”

75% 80%

2006 2007

Did you get enough help from staff to eat your meals?

“Yes, always”

2006 2007

48%63%

(in 2007, around aquarter of patientssaid they didn’t needhelp with meals)

Beforehand did a member of staff

answer your questions about the

operation or procedure in a way

you could understand?

“Yes, completely”

72%81%

2006 2007

Beforehand, were you told how

you could expect to feel after

you had the operation or

procedure?


55%60%

2006 2007

UCLH has made significant improvements in the quality of careits patients experience, according to the results from theindependently-conducted Adult Inpatient Survey 2007. Of the 13 areas targeted by the trust in its action plan from the 2006survey, a remarkable 10 have shown a significant improvementin the 2007 results and the remaining three have also shownimprovement.

From the level of privacy patients felt they had when being examined,to whether they felt doctors and nurses were talking in front of themas if they weren’t there, the Adult Inpatient Survey 2007 shows UCLHhas made significant steps forward in the quality of the patientexperience at its hospitals.

One of the most remarkable year-on-year improvements was inpatients’ confidence in doctors: 87% of patients responded ‘Yes,always’ when asked if they had confidence in the doctor who wastreating them, a sharp increase on the 79% of patients giving the same response in 2006.

A total of 850 randomly selected patients who were treated at UCLHduring the summer of 2007 were sent a postal questionnaire withinthree months of their visit, asking them 77 questions about the hospital,staff behaviour and their care and treatment. Of these, just over half –439 – responded with fractionally more women (51%) than men (49%)replying. Just under a quarter were aged under 40, a third agedbetween 40 and 60 and just over a third (37%) aged 60+. What patien

Before a procedure or operation,did a member of staff explain therisks and benefits of the operationin a way you could understand?“Yes, completely”

77% 84%

2006 2007


UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSADULT INPATIENT SURVEY 2007

The results of the Adult Inpatient Survey2007 were excellent and showed hugeimprovement in the patient experience atUCLH, which we want to maintain. Patientstell us there is still room for improvement inthe following five areas:

• Respect patients' dignity and privacy. Don'ttalk in front of them as though they're notthere – expect to be challenged if you do

• Give patients clear, consistent informationabout their procedure, after-care and howto look after themselves at home

• Ensure patients know who they can talk to about their worries during their stay inhospital

• Families need information too – it helps to stop them worrying while a patient isstaying in hospital

• Going home can be stressful for the patientand their carers; information on where toget help and advice provides reassurance nts said about us!

Did doctors talk in front of youas if you weren’t there?

“No”

69%79%

2006 2007

Do you think the hospital staff

did everything they could to

help control your pain?

“Yes”

65% 76%

2006 2007

83% 88%

Were you given enough privacy

when being examined or treated?

“Yes, always”

2006 2007

On the day you left hospital,was your discharge delayed? “Yes”

44% 38%2006 2007

Beforehand, did a member of staffexplain what would be done duringthe operation or procedure?


2006 2007

79%71%

2007

As far as you know, did doctorswash or clean their hands betweentouching patients?

“Yes” 88%

“Yes” 83%

2006


NATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR NEUROLOGYAND NEUROSURGERY33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG

The National Hospital forNeurology and Neurosurgery(NHNN), at Queen Square incentral London, is a centre ofexcellence in surgery andtreatment for neurologicalconditions and with the Instituteof Neurology (IoN) is a centre ofworld class academic research.

FACT FILE

Major developments in 2007/08at the NHNN included:

• The opening of a joint NHNNand Institute of Neurology (IoN)Clinical Neurosciences buildingat 33 Queen Square. Thishouses eight floors of jointNHNN-Institute of Neurologyactivity which will translatecutting edge science into newtreatments for patients withneurological diseases

• Continuing to develop surgicalprocedures, including work onfunctional neurosurgery forpatients with Parkinson’s disease

• Expansion of rehabilitationservice for patients withdisabling neurological diseases –an extra 10 beds have openedfor people living in Kensington,Chelsea and Westminster

Aunique clinic to help teenagerswho have survived childhoodbrain tumours has been

established at the internationallyrenowned neuropsychologydepartment at the NHNN.

Medical advances and improvedsurvival rates over the past decademean more child patients are nowreaching adolescence and the serviceaims to support the often difficulttransition to adulthood.

It also offers the research potential to investigate which factors mightinfluence survival rates and quality of life, as well as how to boost lowself esteem.

Joalida Smit, clinical neuropsychologist,said: “Some of these young adultpatients have very complex needs;

memory difficulties, poor attention,behavioural and social problems, forexample. The possible reasons arealso complex. There may be animpact of surgery, radiation andchemotherapy on brain tissue andneuron development in childhood,but also psychological factorscausing feelings of isolation and lack of self esteem.”

UCLH, along with Great OrmondStreet Hospital for Children, treatsaround a third of all infants andchildren with brain tumours nationally.

The clinic will support the work of consultant specialist Dr HelenSpoudeas, who has established amedical database of around 600patients who have undergonetreatment for childhood braintumours in the past 20 years.

Pioneering service offerssupport for young braintumour survivors

Scan of a healthy brain


NATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

Brain surgery in the morningand back home for a cup of tea

The NHNN boasts Britain’syoungest female brain surgeon,who made medical history with

a revolutionary day clinic procedure.

Consultant neurosurgeon GelarehZadeh (pictured above, left),performed the UK’s first operation toremove a brain tumour as a day case.Previously, patients had to stay inhospital for up to a week.

When Gelareh operates, her patientsremain awake so she can talk tothem throughout the procedure,monitor brain function and avoid thecomplications of general anaesthesia.This allows a faster recovery. Gelarehoften suggests her patients call aloved one on a mobile phone whileshe is performing the procedureknown as an ‘awake craniotomy’.

Gelareh’s first patient was 53-year-old Deborah Calder (pictured above,

right) who underwent brain surgeryin the morning and was home laterthe same day.

Deborah said: “I could hardly believeit – I’m frightened just going to thedentist let alone wide awake brainsurgery. But I had complete faith inGelareh. She and the whole teammade me feel very safe.

“It was completely painless andeveryone made me feel veryrelaxed. I spoke to Gelareh atmidnight and at 7am the next day – she wanted to check thateverything was okay. She is socaring, a really exceptional andspecial person.”

Gelareh has set up a day surgery and metastatic brain tumour clinic,forging stronger links with the UCLHoncology department, to deal withsuch cancers.

Unit equippedwith worldclass scanners

Neurological patients have been benefiting from a new£11 million neurological

scanning unit at the NHNN and workis now underway to equip the world-class facility with revolutionary newinterventional MRI scanners,including image-guided navigationsystem. It is due to be fullyoperational in September 2008. The unit has been largely fundedfrom external sources.

“Each test was carriedout punctually at theappointed time, wewere told exactly whatwould happen and wemet with nothing butcourtesy and kindnessfrom all the nursesand technicians.”


THE HEART HOSPITAL16-18 Westmoreland Street, London W1G 8PH


The Heart Hospital is located in Westmoreland Street, providinga range of complex cardiologyservices and surgery. It is anationally-recognised centreproviding specialist care forpatients with cardiac conditionsand all forms of heart disease.

FACT FILE

• The Heart Hospital has beennamed as one of the best-performing hospitals in the UK, following analysis by theHealthcare Commission inAugust 2007.

• Mortality for elective and urgentcoronary surgery has fallen from5.8% to 1%.

• The number of operations hasincreased from 684 to morethan 1,050 in the past five years,since services moved from theMiddlesex Hospital.

• Work continues with the NorthCentral London Cardiac Networkto reduce waiting times forpatients requiring urgentangioplasty. 100% of patientsare now transferred to the Heart Hospital for treatmentwithin 72 hours of referral.

Heart team celebrates100th birthday forhigh-risk mums

More than 100 babies havebeen born to women withserious heart problems in the

past year – after close monitoring bythe maternal cardiology team.

The record number is a tribute to theexpertise of teams from the HeartHospital and Elizabeth GarrettAnderson and Obstetric Hospital.

Dr Fiona Walker, consultant with the maternal cardiology team, said:“I see many women who havecoronary disease or were born withcongenital heart problems. The driveto have a baby for some of them ishuge – even though the stakes canbe high.

“Our team now has a lot ofexperience and I inform them of whatcould happen and what I think therisks are – they must decide whetherthey think it is a risk worth taking.

“Most of them do! I used to see only about six pregnancies a year but now nearly every young womanwho comes through our grown-upcongenital heart service wants tohave a baby.”

The maternal cardiology clinic is thebusiest in the UK. It was created in2001 in response to the increasingnumbers of young women survivingcongenital heart problems who nowroutinely reach adulthood: survivalrates for infants undergoingcomplex heart surgery has risenfrom 15% to around 85% since the 1950s. As a result, these babiesgrow up to be young womenwanting children themselves.

So far 370 babies have been safelyborn in the past seven yearsfollowing monitoring by the maternalcardiology team.


Training paramedics to identify apotential heart attack

THE HEART HOSPITALAT THE HEART OF PATIENT CARE

Hitting newheights forheart attackpatients

Patients who suffer heart attacksget vital treatment faster at theHeart Hospital than almost any

other hospital in the UK, according to a new report.

Some 92% of heart attackpatients at the Heart Hospitalreceive a primary angioplastywithin 90 minutes of arrival.

A heart attack is caused by a blockedheart artery. A primary angioplasty isa procedure which unblocks arteriesusing a balloon and a stent torestore blood flow to the dying heartmuscle. Speed is essential to save asmuch heart muscle as possible andprevent permanent damage causingheart failure.

Only two hospitals in the countryoffer this procedure quicker thanthe Heart Hospital. The nationalaverage for treating patients within90 minutes of arrival is 79%.

Patient Sarah Johnson was allsmiles just one day after havingpioneering robotic surgery at the

Heart Hospital.

A new era in the treatment of heartdisease in the UK began this year withthe opening of the £2 million remoteaccess stereotaxis catheter laboratoryat the Heart Hospital, funded by theBritish Heart Foundation.

It is the only laboratory of its kind inthe UK and one of less than 50worldwide and will save lives anddrastically reduce treatment times for patients.

Patients lie between two giant magnetswhich guide tiny probes around thebody. These burrow through the veinsto correct irregular heartbeats or propopen blocked arteries.

Mother-of-three Sarah, 25, of Enfield,was treated at the lab for a fast heartrhythm of 250 beats per minute.

She said: “I had the operation on aThursday, was home on the Fridayand was out delivering my Avon onthe Saturday!”

The operation would usually requiredoctors to spend hours manuallypushing wires through arteries. Withthe new lab, doctors do not even needto be in the room and can control thesurgery remotely with a joystick.

Sarah said it was the third time shehad had an operation to try to resolvethe problem. “I didn’t bruise and therecovery time was much quicker. Ican’t praise the treatment and thedoctors enough – they were fantastic.”

Tight chest, pain, breathlessness –all possible signs of an imminentheart attack. But deciding on the

best course of action isn’t always easy.Every second counts.

An interactive training programme –designed by a UCLH consultantcardiologist – is helping to trainambulance crews across the capitalto identify the best way of treatingpotential heart attack sufferers.

Dr Clare Dollery (pictured right) hascreated a CD-rom which uses

realistic patient scenarios to helpambulance crews who are faced withlife or death situations.

The training programme aims to giveambulance crews the experience,practice and confidence to make themost appropriate decision.

Professor Roger Boyle, national directorfor heart disease at the Department ofHealth, said: “This training programmewill help ensure heart attack victims inLondon are diagnosed and managedto the highest possible standards.”

Giving new hope


The Elizabeth Garrett Andersonand Obstetric Hospital continuesto be at the forefront of women’shealth, providing a wide range ofservices including maternity and aneonatal unit.

FACT FILE

• Following a national survey of maternity services by theHealthcare Commission, UCLHwas rated in the top eight of 27trusts in London.

• UCLH is the UK’s onlyaccredited centre (and one ofonly five in Europe) providingspecialist training to Europeandoctors in treatment ofgynaecological cancers.

• Staffing levels in the maternityservice have steadily improvedthe birth per midwife ratio is1:31 in 2007/08 compared to1:40 in 2003/04. The London-wide ratio is 1:33.

• The neonatal unit, which isresponsible for the care ofextremely premature babiesborn in north London, continuesto expand. There are currently14 cots for intensive care andhigh dependency babiesincreasing to 17 in the newUCH EGA Wing.

THE ELIZABETH GARRETT ANDERSONAND OBSTETRIC HOSPITALHuntley Street, London WC1E 6DH

Following ongoing discussionswith GPs and patients, UCLH hasidentified what matters most to

our female patients.

UCLH maternity services were chosen by Monitor, the regulator offoundation trusts, to be the focus of a national pilot to establish waysof improving the quality of servicesfor patients across the NHS.

Following the pilot a raft of initiativeshave been introduced to ensure aculture of patient focus and effectiveteam-working.

The project established indicatorsand reporting frameworks to ensurethe hospital delivers the very bestclinical services for women and theirbabies at the same time asimproving the overall experience.Tangible changes have alreadyoccurred, for example clinicalhandovers are more focused onquality and safety of care and thereis a formal service commitment to

treat all our patients with respect atall times.

Sometimes it’s the small changesthat can make all the difference: For example, the names of the leadmidwife and ward midwife in chargeon shift are now prominentlydisplayed for mothers to see: if theyhave any concerns they know whothey need to talk to.

All mothers accessing maternityservices are surveyed and the resultspublished on the UCLH website.

Dr Jane Hawdon, clinical director forwomen’s health at the time of thepilot, said: “We are not trying tochange the world in one go: someof the changes to work practiceshave been relatively small – but theyseem to be making a real differenceto the way our patients experienceour services.”

Putting mothers andbabies first – deliveringthe care you want

“Everything from the birth to my stayafterwards on post-natal was absolutelybrilliant – staff couldn’thave done more.”


3,850 women had their babiesdelivered at the EGA in 2007/08


THE ELIZABETH GARRETT ANDERSONAND OBSTETRIC HOSPITAL

One-stopgynaecology

New surroundings, newtechnology and new ways of working are

transforming the way UCLH cares for its gynaecologypatients. A one-stop service was launched in January 2008where women can be assessed,scanned and given a managementplan or referred for inpatienttreatment in a single visit. It hasreduced waiting times for anappointment from a maximum of18 weeks to just four weeks.

Afamily celebration brought joytinged with sadness for NicolaRevis. Following lunch in a

Covent Garden brasserie, she initiallyput her pregnancy pains down toindigestion. As her symptomsworsened, her anxious friends andrelatives ordered a taxi driver to takeher to the nearest hospital.

Two hours later Nicola was givingbirth to very premature twins at theElizabeth Garrett Anderson andObstetric Hospital, hundreds of milesfrom her home in North Yorkshire.

Harry and Angus – born at just 23 weeks – each weighed little more than half a bag of sugar andneeded emergency care at thehospital’s neonatal intensive careunit, the designated perinatal centre responsible for the care ofextremely premature babies born innorth central London. Dad Chrisdashed down the motorway to bewith them all.

Nicola said: “It all seemed a bit of ablur. I remember seeing all the

machinery and wires and these tinylittle babies under plastic – so tiny Iwas frightened to touch them. Overthe following weeks everyone wasbrilliant. The consultant patientlyexplained everything to me; shehugged me and quickly became like afriend. My midwife was great too andoffered reassurance throughout.”

Sadly, little Harry who was initiallythought to be the stronger of thetwins, died two days later aftersuffering a bleed on the brain whilstin the womb. Angus, following ablood transfusion and the skill of thehospital’s neonatal team, went fromstrength-to-strength. “He proved tobe a real little fighter,” said Nicola.

After two months, hospital staff liaisedwith the family’s local primary caretrust in Yorkshire and the Londonchildren’s acute transfer service (CATS)to arrange for Angus to be transferredto a neonatal unit nearer to home viaspecialist air ambulance.

“We just couldn’t wait to take himhome with us,” said Nicola.

Specialist care forneonatal births

“The unit was clearlyvery busy but the staffwere very courteousand saw us as soon asthey could free up aroom – I delivered mybaby shortly after that!”


“All the staff weregreat and explainedeverything in a way I understood.”


Comingsoon...From November 2008, pregnant

women and their babies will becared for in new purpose-built

accommodation offering the latesttechnology and facilities in pleasantand well-designed surroundings inthe University College HospitalElizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing.

For more on this developmentsee p28.

Nicola and Chris Revis with baby Angus

HOSPITAL FOR TROPICAL DISEASESSecond Floor, Mortimer Market Centre, Capper Street, London WC1E 6JB


His motto is: forewarned isforearmed. As one of onlytwo NHS consultants in travel

medicine, Dr Ron Behrens is fullyaware of the perils encountered by holidaymakers.

Each year, around 10,000 people visitthe travel clinic at the trust’s Hospitalfor Tropical Diseases. As well as giving advice on immunisation andinfectious diseases, Dr Behrens’ job isto alert them to other pitfalls theymay encounter at their chosendestination: civil unrest, dangerousroad conditions, crime hotspots. Thenthere’s the risk of chikungunya fever,deep vein thrombosis, altitudesickness and sunburn.

There may be hundreds of privateclinics and GPs in London who offer vaccinations but The TravelClinic is unique.

Dr Behrens (pictured below far right)said: “We have the expertise. We

have very close ties with the NationalTravel Health Network and Centre(NaTHNaC) which is also based in thetrust and our training programme forclinical nurse specialists is unique.You are unlikely to receive such anexpert service elsewhere: most GPswill only see a couple of travellers aweek – we see hundreds.”

Top tips fortravellers

Daily updates ontravel riskshttp://www.nathnac.org/travel/

In November 2007, the HTDofficially launched daily webupdates for travellers and health

professionals wanting detailedinformation about the risk ofdisease in any country in theworld and specific advice on howto avoid falling ill. Around 40,000people access it each month. Thedatabase is part of the NationalTravel Health Network and Centre(NaTHNaC).

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases(HTD) is the only hospital dedicatedto tropical and infectious diseaseswithin the NHS and offers expertadvice, diagnosis and treatment fora wide range of tropical, infectiousand travel-related illnesses. It has atravel clinic, daily emergency walk-in service and a dozen specialistoutpatient clinics at MortimerMarket. There are also 22 isolationrooms at University CollegeHospital for patients with highlyinfectious diseases.


As any parent knows, takingyour child to the dentist can be a traumatic time;

taking your child to one of theworld’s leading dental hospitals for a major or prolonged course of treatment can be verychallenging indeed.

UCLH can boast London’s playspecialist of the year, according tochildren’s charity Rays of Sunshine.Caroline Fawcett (pictured aboveleft), works at the Eastman Dental

Hospital, putting children, who areundergoing treatment at the hospital,at ease. Caroline said: “The awardwas a great personal achievementas well as wonderful recognition forall the work that the EastmanDental Hospital has entrusted in me establishing and developing the hospital play specialist role at EDH.”

She was among 10 regionalwinners from across the NHS whowon awards. Her role at the EDH

aims to support the needs of thewide-ranging ages of patients whoattend paediatric clinics at thehospital. This support is providedthrough the provision of child and young person recreationalactivities to engage and occupy the patients during sometimesanxious waiting times.

Caroline provides dental and general anaesthetic preparation forpatients for whom the prospect ofundergoing dental treatment ischallenging or distressing.

She added: “It’s particularly touchingwhen the younger patients don’twant to leave after their appointmentas they’re enjoying the play activitiesso much.”

The trust’s Eastman Dental Hospital,on Gray’s Inn Road near King’sCross Station, celebrated 60 years

of research and training which hasestablished it as one of the mostprestigious dental centres in the world.

Working closely together, the dentalhospital and Eastman Dental Institutehave made exciting advances in oral health care with potentially far-reaching implications for health in general.

Some research highlights:• New methods are being

developed to fight antibiotic-

resistant bacteria to reduce therisk of life-threatening illnesses.For example, light-activatedagents that selectively target andkill specific organisms such asMRSA and techniques to helpidentify the genes responsible forspreading antibiotic resistance.

• Investigating how cells in the mouth– which regenerate rapidly and withless scarring – can be used to repairskin elsewhere. Using the sametheories, researchers have also beenlooking at the possibility of derivingcells from human jaw muscles andadapting them elsewhere in the body.

Eastman anniversary

EASTMAN DENTAL HOSPITAL 256 Gray’s Inn Road, London W1X 8LD

A World Health Organisation (WHO)centre for oral health, disability andculture, the Eastman DentalHospital, (EDH) closely linked to theEastman Dental Institute (EDI), isglobally renowned for outstandingpatient care, education and training,and research and development. Asthe only specialist postgraduateteaching hospital in England andWales, the EDH treats patients fromall over the country in existing anddeveloping oral specialties.

FACT FILE

• The EDH provides training for consultants, specialists,researchers, trainers anddental care professionals –35% of UK-taught graduatesare trained here.

• Every year, the EDH treats85,000 outpatients, 35% ofwhom are children andadolescents.

London play specialist of the year


Since the RLHH retail pharmacybegan expanding a year ago,the new ranges of natural and

organic toiletries have becomeincreasingly popular.

The products were sourced by ClaraRanera-Dowling (pictured above), retailpharmacy manager, who was keen topick the purest, highest-quality items atthe most reasonable price.

The interesting selection includestoiletries for all the family, suitablefor sensitive and allergy-prone skin.The pharmacy also stocks a range of chemical-free sun creams,nutritional supplements,homeopathic remedies, herbal

medicines and tea for the discerning– a packet of cocoa, liquorice androasted chicory retails at just £2.Expert advice from Clara and hercolleagues comes free!

Clara said: “These products are ofreally high quality and don’t containthe ingredients found in most products.They are very popular with patients,staff and the general public who areamazed at how reasonably pricedthey are.”

The RLHH pharmacy is open to thegeneral public from Mondays toFridays, 9am to 5.30pm and offers a mail order service. Telephone 020 7391 8805.

ROYAL LONDON HOMOEOPATHIC HOSPITAL60 Great Ormond Street Street, London WC1N 3HR

The Royal London HomoeopathicHospital (RLHH), which is next doorto the NHNN at Queen Square, isthe leading centre in the NHS forthe integration of complementarymedicine. Despite its title the RLHHprovides a range of complementarytherapies, not only homeopathy.Changing the name of the hospitalto reflect its status as a centre ofexcellence for the integration ofthe best of conventional andcomplementary medicine iscurrently being considered.

FACT FILE

• The RLHH’s recently refurbishedbuilding houses services focusingon a range of conditions anddiseases, including chronic pain, complementary cancercare, musculoskeletal andrheumatologic conditions,chronic fatigue, skin, stress and mood disorder, women’shealth and allergies.

• The RLHH also continues tointegrate with other trust serviceswhere appropriate, to improvethe care of UCLH patients.

Products – pure and simple

Europe’s only public library forcomplementary and alternativemedicine has been taking shape

at the RLHH.

In the past year thousands of books,journals and archives – some incrediblyrare volumes from the 19th century –have been donated by professionalorganisations from around the world.

The Complementary and Alternative

Medicine Library and InformationService (CAMLIS) aims to provide aunique source of evidence-based,quality research on a range ofalternative medicines, as well as online journals and databases. It will open to health professionalsand the public.

Information centre manager GerhardBissels said: “If anyone does a Googlesearch on complementary medicine

some really weird stuff is included.Our library will only include credibleresearch. It will be useful for healthprofessionals and members of thepublic who want to find out moreabout complementary medicine andwill provide a focal point for trainingand research.”

CAMLIS will complement thehospital’s existing specialist onlinelibrary (www.library.nhs.uk/cam).

Complementary medicine – the facts at your fingertips


UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSWELCOMING THE COMMUNITY

The trust annual open event atUniversity College Hospital drewthe crowds, with special guest

Gloria Hunniford switching on theChristmas tree lights.

Hundreds of people visited interactivestands and spoke with staff about thework of the trust’s seven hospitals.

The TV and radio presenter led visitorsin song before praising staff forhelping patients who find themselvesin hospital over the festive season.

She said: “Through my work as ajournalist I know what a wonderfulreputation this hospital has. I wouldlike to say congratulations not onlyto the chief executive but everybodywho works here. If you live in thearea – how fantastic it is to have ahospital like this on your doorstep.”

Visitors were entertained by thegospel choir of the Maria FidelisRoman Catholic Convent School inCamden, the Salvation Army brassband, carols by the Ffortissimo!singers and Indian music performedby Kokila Gillett.

Around 300 people visited the event, which offered visitors thechance to tour departmentsincluding the Institute of NuclearMedicine, the Day Surgery Unit,Imaging, Radiotherapy and A&E.

UCLH opensits doors

If you’ve been stressed orimpressed by your experience atUCLH, have your say and help

shape how the trust is run bybecoming a member of thefoundation trust. A 33-stronggoverning body, which includes 17 patients and public governorselected by members, hascontinued to influence key decision-making at the trust in the last year.Examples include improving theoutpatient service through use oftouch-technology screens providingpatient information and givingpatients the opportunity to givefeedback on their experience atUCLH, and working with the boardof directors to agree the futurestrategy for the trust as a whole.

The trust is always looking torecruit new members to ensurethat it remains responsive to the needs of patients and localpeople. You can join if you are apatient, carer of a UCLH patientor live locally.

Membership is free, and uponjoining you receive a membershipcard (pictured), a quarterlymagazine and the opportunity tochange things! We look forwardto hearing from you.

For more information go tohttp://www.uclh.nhs.uk orcontact the membership hotlineon 020 7380 9290.

Have your say –become amember ofUCLH


UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL ELIZABETH GARRETTANDERSON WINGUNDER CONSTRUCTION

Anew era for women’s health is on the horizon with theongoing construction of

the University College HospitalElizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing –phase 2 of a £422 million project to redevelop UCH.

The maternity wing will offer a new choice for women, housing 39 antenatal and post-natal beds, 12 birthing rooms, two birthing pools,15 special care beds and 17 neonatalintensive care cots. It will beoperational from November 2008.

The wing will include 320 miles ofcable, 248 clocks, 350 cupboards,800 shelves, 250 mirrors and 260worktops.

Tim Mould, UCLH clinical director for women’s health, said: “Our newbuilding will herald a new era incaring for women from London, theUK and abroad. The state-of-the artfacilities will enhance the clinical andresearch skills of the Institute forWomen’s Health at UCLH and UCL.We are thrilled that the day to startusing them is about to arrive.”

The construction of phase 1 of theUniversity College Hospital (UCH)development started in 2000. Thecompletion of phase 2 will bringto an end what was the biggestand most ambitious hospitalbuilding project in the history ofthe NHS.

July 2008 July 2008

February 2008

February 2007

August 2007

August 2006

July 2008

Thenewwingtakesshape


There has been significantprogress in building projects at UCLH in the last year. As

well as the near completion of theUniversity College Hospital ElizabethGarrett Anderson Wing (see pageopposite), projects include:

• A new nine-floor building at 33Queen Square, fully integrated intothe National Hospital for Neurologyand Neurosurgery was completedin summer 2008. The new facility,a joint venture with the Institute ofNeurology at University CollegeLondon (UCL) provides a state-of-the-art lecture theatre, outpatientclinics and research and teachingfacilities enabling the translation ofcutting-edge science into new

treatments for patients withneurological diseases.

• The trust’s new £4 millionEducation Centre was completedin summer 2008 putting UCLH at the forefront of learning at the NHS. This impressive facility,located opposite UCH, usesinnovative techniques to train and motivate trust staff as well asexternal organisations. The centrehouses a simulation area with atheatre, a minimal access surgerysuite and a small ward wherestaff can learn in an authenticclinical environment.

• Plans are being finalised todevelop a world-class cancer

centre on the UCLH campus. The centre, earmarked forcompletion in 2012, will belocated in Huntley Street,opposite the UCL CancerInstitute and supports the trust’s aim to transformlaboratory research discoveriesinto treatments that directlybenefit patients.

• Work to develop estateimprovements for cardiac servicesand the Eastman Dental Hospitalcontinues. The trust's objectives for2008-09 provide for these ideas tobe developed by March 2009, aspart of the overall estate strategy,which is being developed to thesame timetable.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSBUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Building for the future

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSFINANCIAL OVERVIEW


Key Performance Data 31/3/08 31/3/07£000 £000

Operating Surplus/(Deficit) 15,821 (618)

Profit on disposal of fixed assets 0 20,938

Cost of fundamental restructuring 0 (3,369)

Surplus before interest 15,821 16,951

Interest 7,793 4,942

Surplus for the Year 23,614 21,893

Public Dividend Capital dividend payable (8,262) (10,796)

Retained Surplus for the Year 15,352 11,097

The full accounts can be downloaded as part of the Annual Report andAccounts 2007/08 from www.uclh.nhs.uk

Private Patients2%

A&E3%

Other Type22%

Outpatient20%

Non Elective20%

Elective 33%

Other15%

Non Patient Care Services to others28%

Education & Training29%

Research & Development28%

Other7%

Premises14%

Clinical & General Supplies24%

Staff Costs53%

Healthcare Services 2%

Income from patient activities

What we spent it on

Income from other activities

The trust achieved a £15.4million surplus in the financialyear ending 2007/08. Last

year’s ‘bottom line’ surplus of £11.1million included 'exceptional items'such as the profit on the sale of the Middlesex Hospital, which, when excluded, makes this year’sachievement even more impressive.

The current positive financial positioncompares very favourably to thesubstantial losses incurred during thecommissioning of phase 1 of thenew University College Hospital in2005/06. This turnaround is largelythe result of the dedication andcommitment of all our staff inimplementing the trust board’sfinancial recovery plan to bring thefinances back into balance. Ratherthan a quick fix solution, the planfocused on increasing the number ofpatients treated, reducing waitingtimes for patients and improvingclinical efficiency to ensure that ourstaff worked smarter to deliverbenefits to patients year-on-year. Theresults have been dramatic – morepatients treated, shorter waitingtimes and fewer patients who didnot attend are just some of thechanges that have contributed to the

trust providing better care for our patients than ever before.

However the real test is in what patients think about theservices we provide. This year’sindependent patient surveyshowed remarkable improvementsin 61 out of 62 categories weperformed at least as well orbetter than the average for otherNHS hospitals.

In 2007/08 the trust was given afinancial risk rating of 4 (where 5 is the lowest risk) by thefoundation trust regulator Monitor, reflecting the trust’sstrong position. The trust’s cash position at year-end wasexceptionally favourable, largelydue to the proceeds of the sale of the Middlesex Hospital and anincrease in the interest earnedfrom investing these funds. Thetrust plans to spend much of these reserves on future servicedevelopments which include thebuilding of the £100 million cancercentre planned to start next yearand other developments toimprove services and facilities for patients in the future.

Financial overview 2007/08

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALSMEET THE BOARD


The board of directorsoversees the overall runningand strategic direction of thetrust, led by the chairman.The board members are asfollows:

Non-executive directors Peter DixonFirst appointed as trust chairman in 2001, Peter’s business careerincludes running various commercialand industrial companies as well asworking in finance and managingcorporate turnarounds. Peter ischairman of the Housing Corporation(since October 2003) and of theOffice for Public Management (sinceFebruary 2007).

Dr Sue Atkinson Sue is a public health doctor withexperience in both general practiceand paediatrics. Her previous rolesinclude regional director of publichealth for London and healthadvisor to the mayor and GreaterLondon Authority (1999-2006), chief executive of South East LondonHealth Authority (1988-1993) andregional director for public health at South Thames Regional Office(1994-1999).

Nigel Carrington Nigel practised as a corporate andcommercial lawyer with Baker &McKenzie for over 20 years and was the managing partner of theLondon office from 1994-1998, andchairman of the firm’s EuropeanRegional Council from 1998-2000.He became deputy chairman of theMcLaren Group in 2005 followinghis appointment as the managingdirector in 2000.

Professor Richard Frackowiak Richard holds the chair of cognitiveneurology at University CollegeLondon (UCL) and is vice provost for special projects at UCL. Richard is actively engaged in researchprogrammes; his scientific interest is structural and functional brainmapping in health and disease.

Sir Nicholas Monck Sir Nicholas’ career in the civil serviceculminated with appointment assecond permanent secretary at theTreasury and permanent secretary ofthe Employment Department Group.Sir Nicholas was a non-executivedirector of Standard Life AssuranceCompany from 1997-2005.

Jane Ramsey Jane was chair of Lambeth PrimaryCare Trust from 2002-2007 havingpreviously been a non-executivedirector at Lambeth, Southwark andLewisham Health Authority. Shetrained as a barrister and was asenior lawyer in different Londonboroughs for 15 years, latterly asdirector of law and public services at Islington Council.

Executive directors Sir Robert NaylorSir Robert has been chief executivesince November 2000, havingpreviously spent 15 years as chiefexecutive at Birmingham Heartlandsand Solihull NHS Trust. Sir Robertreceived a knighthood in the 2008New Year’s Honours ‘for services to healthcare’.

Richard Alexander Richard is the trust’s finance director,having previously worked at OracleCorporation, one of the world’slargest software companies, for 15years. This included three years inIndia establishing a global financialinformation centre in Bangalore, andtwo years in the Netherlands asfinance director.

David Amos David is the trust’s director ofworkforce. He joined the NHS in1987 as a general managementtrainee. Previous roles includegeneral manager for medicalservices and director of humanresources and organisation at St Mary’s NHS Trust, and deputydirector of human resources(delivery) at the Department of Health.

Louise Boden OBE Louise is the trust’s chief nursehaving started her NHS career by training as a nurse at UnitedSheffield Hospitals in 1969. Atrained midwife, she followed thiswith specialist oncology training andwork as a surgical ward sister beforemoving into nursing management.

Professor David Fish David is the medical director forspecialist hospitals. He is a professorof clinical neurophysiology andepilepsy, and became a Fellow of the British Association of MedicalManagers in 2006. David’s academic work has focused onimproving education, brain imaging and treatments for patients with epilepsy.

Michael Foster Michael joined UCLH as financedirector before being appointed as deputy chief executive in April2007. Michael’s previous rolesinclude director of finance andinvestment at North Central LondonStrategic Health Authority anddirector of finance and informationat Barnet, Enfield and HaringeyHealth Authority.

Professor Tony Mundy Tony is the corporate medicaldirector with trust-wideresponsibility for quality and safety,research and development andtraining and education. Tony is aprofessor of urology at theUniversity of London and has beendirector of the Institute of Urologysince 1996. He is a Fellow of theRoyal College of Surgeons.

Dr Andrew Webb Andrew is the medical director forthe acute hospital. He has been aconsultant in intensive care medicineat UCLH since 1990 and as criticalcare clinical director, built anintensive care departmentinternationally respected for both clinical care and research and development.

1 University College Hospital235 Euston RoadLondon NW1 2BUSwitchboard: 0845 155 5000

2 The Rosenheim Wing25 Grafton WayLondon WC1E 6DBSwitchboard: 0845 155 5000

3 Hospital for Tropical DiseasesMortimer Market CentreCapper Street off Tottenham Court RoadLondon WC1E 6JBSwitchboard: 0845 155 5000

4 The Heart Hospital16-18 Westmoreland StreetLondon W1G 8PHSwitchboard: 020 7573 8888

5 The National Hospital for Neurologyand Neurosurgery33 Queen SquareLondon WC1N 3BGSwitchboard: 0845 155 5000

6 Royal London HomoeopathicHospital60 Great Ormond StreetLondon WC1N 3HRSwitchboard: 0845 155 5000Patient Services: 020 7391 8888

7 The Eastman Dental Hospital256 Gray’s Inn RoadLondon WC1X 8LDSwitchboard: 020 7915 1000

Tell us what you think of this Annual Review by e-mailing us at [email protected] extra copies contact UCLH Communications Unit on 020 7380 9897.The 2007/8 Annual Report and Accounts are available on our website www.uclh.nhs.uk or via the trust administrator on 020 7380 9608. Designed and printed by Parlourwood London.

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Documents

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALS reviews plans... · Eastman Dental Hospital 25 Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital 26 Welcoming the community 27 The new UCH ... the importance