On Armed Forces Day, we say thank you to everyone in the Armed Forces community. Whether you have ever served or are a family member, offering crucial support – thank you! #ArmedForcesDay
💫We’re immensely proud of our reputation for the trailblazing approach of colleagues in many specialist fields, innovating techniques for the benefit of our patients. Neurosurgery is no exception, with a rich history of many pioneers.
✨Today was a special day where many members of our neuro teams who worked together at the Newcastle General Hospital reunited to celebrate all that they achieved together, joined by Mr Robin Sengupta OBE - a leading figure in neurovascular surgery who pioneered highly specialised procedures to treat life threatening brain aneurysms here in the North East.
💙Congratulations to everyone and thank you 🙏
#innovation#lifesaving#nhsheroes#neurosurgeon#newcastle 💙
Newcastle matron Ruth Saunders has retired following an illustrious NHS career spanning four decades.
Ruth began her career when she joined the Freeman Hospital’s School of Nursing in the 1980s. She has worked in Newcastle ever since, specialising in orthopaedics almost from the start working her way up from a student nurse, F grade, ward sister then Matron.
Ruth said she never imagined she would be a Matron but when the position became available she decided to apply as she was so passionate about the specialist field of orthopaedic nursing and wanted to make a difference.
“I’ve had an amazing 40 years as a nurse” said Ruth. “When I started all those years ago I never thought I’d work with so many amazing people.
“I’ve loved my Matron post but if you asked me what the highlight of my career was then I would have to say that it was when I was a ward sister, and when I was on Ward 20 at the Freeman with a fantastic team of nurses.”
Executive Director of Nursing Ian Joy said “Ruth leaves a lasting legacy as she retires from the nursing profession.
“Her love for the specialty of orthopaedics is clear for all to see, passionately advocating for high quality care and professional practice. The impact she has had over her career is outstanding and we wish her a very long and happy retirement.
“Thank you Ruth for all that you have done for our patients, our staff and our profession.”
✨Rock Legend Brian Johnson of AC⚡️DC✨ has lent his voice to a new book for children with sensory differences helping them to prepare to come into hospital.
‘Bobby’s Big Day Out‘ - written by occupational therapist Alice Gair and Dr Pip Gaunt and illustrated by Sarah Dickson - is a short-illustrated story following children’s occupational therapy mascot Bobby and his mum as they visit the hospital in Newcastle.
Bobby’s Big Day Out aims to raise awareness of sensory challenges faced by some children and young people when coming into hospital.
Jointly funded by The Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation – part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity – and the Newcastle United Football Club players, the book is part of The Sensational Thinking Project.
It’s designed to be fun and engaging and shows how Bobby uses sensory strategies to have a successful experience as he gets ready and comes into hospital.
On narrating the book Brian says “Reading the book for the Sensational Thinking Project was a real pleasure.
“I was delighted to be asked and it’s great to be involved in something that can hopefully help children before coming into hospital, especially one in my home town.”
You can hear Brian narrate Bobby’s Big Day Out here:
https://youtu.be/05IziiXmduM
Visit our website to find out more:
/news/bobby-big-day-out/
💙Today is International Nurses Day and we’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to each and every one for everything you do 🙏🏽
✨Watch our video posted in our stories which gives just a snapshot of their many trailblazing achievements over the last 12 months.
Just amazing 🤩 #IDN2024#nhsheroes#nurses#nursesrock#nursesofinstagram 💫
🎉 Meredith James, super talented specialist neuromuscular physiotherapist at the John Walton Dystrophy Research Centre in Newcastle received a prestigious President Award from @musculardystrophyuk earlier this year - they recognise heroes within the muscle wasting and weakening community who have gone above & beyond to make a difference💫
✨Meredith won the ‘Early Career Scientist of the Year’ Award having been nominated by Professor Volker Straub, Harold Macmillan Professor of Medicine and Director of the JWMDRC in recognition of the phenomenal impact her work has made for patients living with a specific type of muscular dystrophy called dysferlinopathy.
📣Professor Strab said “I was very proud and pleased to hear that Meredith was presented with the Muscular Dystrophy UK President’s Award for early career researchers to celebrate outstanding achievements in the neuromuscular field.
“Meredith recently completed her PhD at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the award acknowledges one of her main results – the development of a validated assessment tool for patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy, which is now used in many international clinical trials.”
✨In fact Meredith’s work has made such exceptional progress in the limb gridle muscular dystrophy field and beyond that the resultant assessment tool – the North Star Assessment for limb-girdle type muscular dystrophies (NSAD) – is now being used in 12 international clinical trials across five individual conditions with many more trials in the pipeline.
🎉Congratulations Meredith! 👏👏
#award#awardwinning#research#musculardystrophy#limbgirdlemusculardystrophy#nhsheroes
🎉 Four of Newcastle’s fantastic healthcare & maternity support workers recently received NHS England Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Midwifery Officer Awards💫
💙 Only presented to those who have demonstrated the highest of standards and excellence in their practice, these prestigious awards were given to recognise healthcare assistants Dawn, Alison and Debbie, alongside maternity support worker Julie for their dedication and invaluable contribution to patient care.
✨Executive Director of Nursing Ian Joy said “I’m delighted. They are a fundamental part of our multidisciplinary teams - supporting the delivery of high quality, compassionate patient centred care.
✨”To have four colleagues honoured with these national awards is truly inspirational.”
#WeAreHCSWs🧡#supportworker#healthcaresupport#maternity#maternitysupport#maternitysupportworker#award#awardwinning#nhsheroes
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Celebrating Excellence Awards 2024! This year, more than ever, it’s important we capture some of the great work happening across Newcastle Hospitals. Link in bio to find out more and how to nominate.
🎉 One of Newcastle's most experienced and highly respected health visitors Pauline Nunn has retired as she prepares to celebrate her 🌟Golden Anniversary🌟 working in the NHS!
💙 After briefly contemplating being a teacher, Pauline followed in her mother’s footsteps and at 18 years old began her nurse training at the RVI where she stayed in the nurses’ home – she says it was strict but lots of fun!
💙 Pauline recalls working with one of Newcastle’s most pioneering clinicians in diabetes Professor Sir George Alberti who pioneered artificial pancreatic technology to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes, in particular during surgery and childbirth.
💙 She loved her work but harked back to a time during her student days when she’d heard an inspirational talk. “I have always been interested in how society affects health so when listening to a health visitor sharing her experience and passion for her job, I found myself inspired by this socially orientated public health role.”
💙 It was in 1987 when Pauline qualified as a Health Visitor, initially working in Gateshead before joining Newcastle’s community services in April 2000. She’s absolutely loved her work ever since and says she feels privileged to have had so many opportunities throughout her career.
💙 “I’ve very much enjoyed working alongside my dedicated and professional colleagues who have been such an inspiration as well as in partnership with other agencies to deliver a holistic services to families – being able to better understand people’s situations and to help empower them.”
💙 Marie Huscroft, Head of nursing for children’s services said “I would like to thank Pauline for all her years of dedication to health visiting alongside her unwavering support to all the babies, children and families she has tended to over the years.
💙”Pauline will be greatly missed by the health visiting and school nursing teams for her kindness and knowledge. I wish her all the best – enjoy every minute of your retirement Pauline!” 👏👏👏💫
#healthvisitor#healthvisiting#nhs#nhsheroes#nurses#nursesrock#golden#50
📣 Laura Togher, clinical educator for the Newcastle 0-19 service has been named as a Finalist in the ‘Practice Supervisor of the Year’ category in this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards.
✨Described by colleagues as an exceptional clinical supervisor, Laura’s shortlisting highlights her most recent achievements whilst supporting, mentoring and educating student nurses and midwives in her clinical educator role.
✨Laura was nominated in recognition of going above and beyond when responding to a challenge from the Newcastle Hospitals’ Practice Education Team to explore new models of learning to build and improve upon the quality of midwifery practice placements in Newcastle in partnership with Northumbria University.
✨Dr Vikki Smith, Programme Lead for Northumbria University’s MSc Midwifery programme, said: “Laura organised an excellent placement opportunity for student midwives with the 0-19 service and provided well-organised support for their learning. It is clear that Laura has a genuine passion for student education.”
✨Executive Director of Nursing Ian Joy said “I’m delighted to see Laura shortlisted for the Nursing Times ‘Practice Supervisor of the Year’ Award. “Despite joining Newcastle’s 0-19 service as clinical educator only 9 months ago she has made a huge impact.
✨“To be nominated so quickly for a national award is testament to her commitment to ensuring every learner in practice receives a high quality experience meeting their individual needs, which in turn will undoubtedly benefit the families in our care.
✨“Laura is definitely one of our rising stars – I wish her all the very best at the awards ceremony.”
The Awards ceremony is this Friday 26 April - Good luck Laura!
#awards#awards2024#nursing#nursingstudent#newcastle#NHS 💙
✨Endoscopy specialists from Newcastle are preparing to spend a week in Zambia to share their knowledge and skills.
✨Visiting three hospitals in Zambia’s capital Lusaka the team from Newcastle will carry out basic skills endoscopy courses as well as a ‘train the trainer course’, helping doctors and nurses in Zambia to set up their own training programmes.
✨The team from Newcastle are made up of:
💙 Abelyn Datlag, initially an endoscopy nurse at the RVI, and currently a nurse endoscopist performing procedures at both the RVI and Freeman endoscopy units;
💙 Paul Watson, a registered nurse from the Freeman Hospital’s endoscopy unit; and
💙 Dr David Nylander, consultant gastroenterologist who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list in 2021 in recognition of his development of health services in Sierra Leone and the UK.
💫We look forward to catching up with them when they return to Newcastle!
👀You can read more about their highly anticipated week long visit in Africa on the news section of our website.
#endoscopy#nhsheroes#training#nursing#nursepractitioners#volunteer#zambia
📣 Hayley Leyland, Newcastle’s lead nurse specialist in home parenteral nutrition and intestinal failure has been named a Finalist for the British Journal of Nursing's ‘Nutrition Nurse of the Year’ Award.
✨Hayley's shortlisting recognises her significant contribution to the nursing profession, particularly in the specialist field of nutritional nursing, making a huge difference to the lives of scores of patients.
✨Dr Chris Mountford, consultant gastroenterologist who submitted Hayley’s nomination said “For many years now Hayley has ensured that personalised care of the highest standard is at the forefront of the service we offer our patients who have often encountered severe life changing health problems which require major adjustments to manage,. This includes the reliance on complex fluid and nutrient infusions, in some cases administered every day of the week for the remainder of their life.
✨“Hayley leads by example, supporting patients with the utmost compassion and care and she thoroughly deserves this recognition."
✨Of Hayley’s shortlisting executive director of nursing Ian Joy said: “Hayley is an excellent nurse specialist and I’m delighted to see her dedication to delivering compassionate patient care of the highest standards shortlisted for this prestigious award.
✨“She is a perfect example of how strong clinical leadership can lead you to being recognised as an exemplary nursing professional, with invitations to contribute expert advice to national forums. We’re incredibly proud of Hayley’s many accomplishments and wish her the very best of luck at the awards night.”
#nurse#award#nhsheroes#homeparenteralnutrition#hpn#intestinalfailure#if
