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BERWICK AREA HEART SUPPORT GROUP
MARCH 2009 NEWSLETTER
Phil apologises for not contributing his next piece in his mini-series on ‘risks’, and ‘risk factors’ that have to do with why we get arterial problems in the first place. For now it is enough to know that, over a lifetime, how we eat and live promotes arterial disease, (heart, circulation, stroke, kidney disease) and cancer, and recently we learn also promotes the worst disabilities in old age, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. However, help one and you generally improve your chances with the others. Great to have Wally back doing the write up below ….
Wally: Firstly I have to thank Phil, (probably it should really be Ann) for the cake recipe. It still dose not answer the question I posed at the same time, and that was, if you eat fruit cake like that at home why is your waist measurement not like mine? But I have discovered that it makes me a very environmentally caring person, there’s no waste (waist) on me.
March Speaker
Our speaker for March was Anna Wood, who gave us an insight into her current position as a modern day matron at Berwick Infimary, and some of the responsibilities it involves.
She has been in post for 6 to 7 months now, but has been involved in nursing since she started her training in 1982. She qualified in 1985, initially going to the Freeman Hospital, working on cardiac and other wards, before returning to Berwick and starting work at Berwick Infirmary.
Whilst at the Infirmary she worked on various wards and in different departments, including Accident and Emergency. She fitted her family life around her duties, and when she was able to return to full time nursing, again she had various posts at the hospital, which over recent years have been in managerial positions.
So, what is the role of a Modern Day Matron?
Matrons were brought back not just as part of a Government plan, but also following Public Consultations. (Phil covered some of this in last month’s newsletter), the Matron is part of the ‘go-between’ mechanism between the patient and the staff, the Consultants, and the Hospital Management, to help improve standards, and deal with any patient concerns relating to their stay in hospital and aim to rectify any of these problems. Anna sees herself as a ‘bridge across a river’, allowing ward managers and wider management and the other community hospitals to connect back and forth, whilst below, the ‘river’ (Patients and hospital) run smoothly.
Areas of responsibility include:-
Leading by example with a professional and positive attitude, and pride in her work
Being responsive to patients’ needs and dignity, together with risk assessment. Also showing respect for patients including equality and diversity. One such measure is protected meal times, which normally means no visitors during certain times, usually meal times. A lot of patients want this time to themselves and often wish for a bit of peace and quiet during meals. This also gives staff the chance to monitor individuals’ food intakes when required.
Ward environments. Ensuring skill mix on wards, and empowering staff in extended roles. Trying where possible to have the right nurses for a particular wards needs, and encouraging nurses to qualify for more involved duties.
Nutrition, monitoring patients’ needs and recommendations.
I have left this one to last because it is one Anna feels very strongly about, but I think we all share her views on this part and that’s Cleanliness and infection control.
Firstly Patients
Every one now admitted to hospital will be swabbed, with samples taken from nasal area and groin. This includes outpatients going for surgery. As an inpatient additional swabs will be taken every 10 days during your stay. If positive you will receive continued cleansing and monitoring.
Hospital and Staff
Constant working with, and monitoring of, domestic staff to ensure the cleanliness of wards. Monitoring of staff to ensure their own personal hygiene standards are up to standard, both to their own needs and those of the patient. Something relatively new, staff do not wear any watches or jewellery on their arms, and should be bare below the elbows. Washing hands and / or alcohol rub between seeing different patients is a must.
Visitors
Fortunately most people in hospitals are usually visitors, but as visitors we also have a part to play.
Use the alcohol rub at the first opportunity after entering the hospital. Also use it when you leave the hospital. If you have to use the toilet whilst at the hospital, wash hands carefully with soap and water, then alcohol rub before returning to the ward. (Alcohol rub alone does not kill C.Diff)
If suffering from a cough, cold, flu, sneezes, or diarrhoea, please think very carefully before visiting anyone in hospital, these ailments are passed on very quickly in a closed environment.
Whilst visiting do not sit on the patients bed, ask for a chair.
Thank you Anna for your interesting talk.
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