1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. cancer

matters
Jan/Feb 2009
Keeping you in touch with news from Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie
Olivia Newton-John
launches breast cancer
research appeal
Addenbrooke’s
and the Rosie:
best in the NHS
FREEe
please
tak
one
focus: New scanner – a better outlook for patients
Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Rosie Hospital
Jan/Feb 2009
2
matters: news
Keeping you in touch with news from
Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie
s been
The last year ha
at
an exciting one
d the
an
s
e’
Addenbrook
evements
hi
ac
r
Rosie, and ou
just before
were recognised
judges at
Christmas when
prestigious
the NHS’s most
y rated us as
awards ceremon
ls in the UK.
the best hospita
in the
Just being shortlisted
nal Awards is
Health Service Jour
t this time
an achievement, bu
ize: Acute
we took the top pr
Year.
Organisation of the
at I’ve known
The result reflects wh
t the best team
all along. We’ve go
try, and we’re
of staff in the coun
h to strength –
going from strengt
ws for patients.
and that’s good ne
rticularly
The judges were pa
ge fall in
impressed by the hu
we had a
MRSA infections –
ement from
49 per cent improv
– as well
2006/07 to 2007/08
times and the
as our low waiting
delivering for
shorter stays we’re
praised the
patients. They also
s are always
fact that emergencie
ctor, meaning
seen by a senior do
necessary
that there are no un
treatment
admissions and that
ickly.
can begin more qu
result came
And of course, this
llent’ score
on top of our ‘exce
Commission
from the Healthcare
s and use of
for quality of service
Rosie’s rating
resources, and the
’ for maternity.
as ‘best performing
ects the fact
Scoring this well refl
mmitted to
that our staff are co
possible care.
delivering the best
proud of what
So I’m enormously
e last year,
we’ve achieved in th
too – whether
and I hope you are
u’re a patient
you work here or yo
challenge is
or visitor. Now, the
ndard we have
to maintain the sta
to drive our
achieved and to try
quality even higher.
New staff
award scheme
All patients, visitors and staff are invited to help turn
the spotlight on people in the hospital who make a
difference. Our new monthly award will highlight the
work of staff who may have been involved in your care,
helped you when you visited hospital or who have gone
that extra mile to support a colleague.
Get involved and nominate! You can do this via the
public website, Connect (for staff) or use the nomination
forms and post boxes around the hospitals.
www.cuh.org.uk/staffawards
ier
Dr Gareth J Good
ive
ut
Chief Exec
Working together for health
The government plans to recognise a small number of places in the UK
as Academic Health Science Centres. These will be groups of organisations
which combine strengths in clinical care, medical education and research,
working together to improve services to patients and public health.
Along with the University of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
NHS Foundation Trust and Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,
we have signed a statement of intent to establish a partnership that
will become an Academic Health Science Centre for Cambridge.
Chairman’s
reappointment
I’m very pleased to report
that Dr Mary Archer has been
reappointed as our Chairman
for a third term. Mary has
been associated with the
hospital since 1993 and has
been Chairman since 2002 –
and she has achieved a huge
amount on our behalf.
Jan/Feb 2009
3
matters: focus on
New scanner –
a better outlook for patients
A revolutionary new scanner which can help detect
smaller tumours than ever before has been installed at
Addenbrooke’s. The PET/CT department is the first of its
kind in East Anglia and one of only a handful in the UK.
“We can use PET/CT to improve
our management of a wide
range of illnesses,” says Professor
David Lomas, from the hospital’s
Department of Radiology.
“For example, in patients with
certain types of cancer we can
find small tumours deep inside
the body that may not be easily
detected using other imaging
techniques. That can help us to
tailor treatment to the individual
patient at the time of diagnosis
– and we can use further PET/
CT studies to show how well it
is working or if a tumour has
recurred.
“The hospital already provides
a range of sophisticated
diagnostic and therapeutic
imaging techniques, but this
new department completes the
services we can offer. Having
access to this technology is
excellent news for patients
coming to Addenbrooke’s.”
Patient experience
In the past, patients needing
a PET/CT scan were seen in a
mobile facility that travelled to
the hospital once a week by lorry.
The new department means that
doctors will have much more
flexibility when referring someone
for a scan – and it is designed
to provide the best possible
environment for patients.
One of the first people to
experience the new scanner
was Elizabeth Zappe, from
Bassingbourn. She says: “Having
this department in the hospital
is crucial. It made it so much
easier for me – I just had to go
downstairs from the ward instead
of going outside to the mobile
scanner. It makes a great deal
of difference as a patient.”
As well as cancer patients,
the PET/CT team will examine
patients from other specialties
including Cardiology, Neurology,
Gastroenterology, Metabolic
Science, and Infectious Diseases.
The scanner, which cost more
than £1.5 million, will also be
used for research into medical
imaging and to evaluate
treatments for cancer.
The new department is
the result of a collaboration
between Addenbrooke’s,
the Cambridge Biomedical
Research Centre, the
pharmaceutical company
Merck Sharp & Dohme,
Cancer Research UK,
and the University of
Cambridge.
‘We can find small tumours
deep inside the body.’
How does it work?
PET imaging uses a tiny amount
of radioactive tracer injected into
the body, picking up emissions to
pinpoint cells with a high level of
activity – cancer, for example.
CT imaging uses beams of X-rays to
build up an anatomical map of the body.
Courtesy of C.L.I.P.
PET/CT technology uses two
different techniques – Positron
Emission Tomography and
Computed Tomography – and
combines the results to produce
detailed three-dimensional
images of what is happening
inside a patient’s body.
L–R: PET, CT and PET/CT images
PET/CT combines the images from both techniques to produce
a detailed 3D model of the patient that shows the precise location
of abnormalities like cancer, infection and inflammation.
On its own, PET imaging tends to pick up disease earlier than CT –
but it is less good at showing exactly where changes are taking place.
With PET/CT, the results give the best of both worlds.
Jan/Feb 2009
4
matters: features
Honours
for hospital
staff
Staff at
Addenbrooke’s
featured in the New
Year Honours list
Dawn Chapman, nurse
consultant, has been made an
MBE for services to breast cancer
health care. Dawn has worked
here since the
1960s and is
based in the
Breast Unit,
where she leads
clinics and
co-ordinates
patient care.
Dr Robert
Winter has been
made an OBE
for services to
the NHS. He was
medical director
for six years at
Addenbrooke’s
before stepping down to become
medical director for NHS East of
England. He continues to work
here as a respiratory physician.
Dawn, among the first nurse
consultants appointed at
Addenbrooke’s in 2006, has also
been heavily involved in a new
training programme at Anglia
Ruskin University, Cambridge.
Sally Walters, Critical Care
Nurse Consultant, attended
Buckingham Palace before
Christmas for a healthcare
workers’ reception given by
the Queen.
Dr Tim
Wreghitt
is the Health
Protection
Agency’s
regional
microbiologist
for the East of
England and honorary consultant
virologist at Addenbrooke’s for
31 years.
He celebrated a double honour,
first with his installation as vice
president of the Royal College of
Pathologists and then receiving
an OBE, awarded in the Birthday
Honours List for his work on
public health virology.
The work of the Wolfson Diabetes
and Endocrine Clinic (WDEC)
The WDEC, formally
known as Clinic 32,
cares for adult patients
with diabetes, obesity
and endocrine disorders
– like hormone and
thyroid disorders – and
helps them manage their
conditions to best suit
their lifestyles.
The diabetes team treat patients
with Type 1 and 2 diabetes and
rarer forms like Maturity Onset
Diabetes in the Young (MODY).
It is one of the leading national
centres providing intensive insulin
management, namely the Dose
Adjustment For Normal Eating
(DAFNE) service and the insulin
pump service for patients with
Type 1 diabetes. Candice Ward,
Lead DAFNE and Insulin Pump
Educator, explains: “The insulin
pump is prescribed for patients
who have not been able to
control their blood glucose levels
despite using insulin treatments
and the DAFNE service. The
pump closely mimics the working
pancreas and releases insulin into
the body at a pre-programmed
rate depending on a patient’s
needs and lifestyle. Additional
insulin is manually given via the
pump to deal with the impact
of the patient’s eating habits.
This technology helps patients
to better manage their diabetes,
improve their quality of life and
reducing diabetic-related health
complications and episodes of
severe low blood glucose levels.”
The endocrinology team
provide care for patients with
endocrine disorders like hormone
and thyroid conditions, and is
the regional centre of excellence
for pituitary-related disorders
– the endocrine gland in the
brain responsible for releasing
hormones. Many of the patients
have life-long conditions so
clinic for specialist endocrine
testing and treatment. The team
also works with a number of
other clinics around the hospital,
like neurosciences; visiting
patients who are recovering
from pituitary surgery to provide
post-surgery advice and care.
The multidisciplinary obesity
team undertake clinical, dietary
and psychological assessments
of patients and introduce weight
treatment programmes to help
patients with their conditions.
It is also a national referral centre
for patients with severe insulin
‘It is a national referral centre for
patients with severe insulin resistance
and unusual thyroid disorders.’
training them on how to manage
their condition is a key to their
work. Patients are referred to this
resistance and unusual thyroid
disorders which result in weight
conditions.
www.cuh.org.uk/wdec
Jan/Feb 2009
5
matters: features
Olivia Newton-John
launches Addenbrooke’s
breast cancer research appeal
© Mark Fairhurst
sentence any more, and with
early detection you have a much
better chance of survival.”
Grease star and
cancer campaigner
Olivia Newton-John
returned to her
Cambridge roots
when she visited
Addenbrooke’s
Hospital in January
to find out about the
latest research into
breast cancer.
Olivia – who won her own battle
with the disease in the 1990s
– was helping Addenbrooke’s
to launch its new Pink Rose
Valentine’s Appeal, which
will raise money to support
the Cambridge Breast Cancer
Research Unit.
“It’s everyone’s nightmare to
hear that you have cancer, but I
got through it,” she says. “I think
a positive attitude is extremely
important. It’s not a death
Worldwide, someone is
diagnosed with breast cancer
every 30 seconds – but
Cambridge scientists are leading
the fight against the disease.
Their latest developments include
the isolation and identification
of ‘circulating tumour cells’ in
patients with advanced cancer.
Finding these rare cells represents
a potential alternative to invasive
tests for the detection and
monitoring of cancer, and they
could help doctors understand
how and why the disease
spreads within the body.
Latest research
Professor Carlos Caldas, who
runs the Breast Cancer Research
Unit, says: “We’re concentrating
on translational research –
projects that we can take out
of the laboratory and deliver
to patients. That includes new
ways of imaging that will help
early diagnosis and monitoring,
and developing drugs that are
specifically focused on aggressive
breast cancer. We have also
established a programme to
target the adult stem cells that
start cancers. The Pink Rose
Valentine’s Appeal will support
these programmes and will
create research opportunities
for the breast cancer doctors of
the future – and with the help of
the donations, we can make a
Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, registered charity number 1048868
significant difference to how we
treat and prevent this disease.”
Peter Dalton, Director of
Fundraising, says: “The appeal
asks people to ‘give a little
love…’ both on Valentine’s
Day and throughout the year
to their loved ones and to our
good cause. We’d like supporters
to host a dinner, drinks or even
a singles night for friends and
family, and to ask their guests
to make a donation to the cause.
People can also buy electronic
Valentine’s cards from celebrities
like Stephen Fry, Joan Collins,
Rebecca Mader, the Chippendales
and Pat Sharp – as well as
Olivia herself.”
‘The Pink Rose
Valentine’s
Appeal will
create research
opportunities
for the breast
cancer doctors
of the future.’
To find out more, send an e-card,
or make a donation, go to
www.givealittlelove.com
Olivia with Professor Caldas, her husband John Easterling,
Dawn Chapman and Professor Gordon Wishart
Jan/Feb 2009
6
matters: features
Keep fit in hospital –
without getting out of bed
Patients at
Addenbrooke’s
are the first in the
country to have
exercise videos
broadcast straight
to their bedside.
The hospital has developed a
45-minute exercise programme
to help patients avoid deep
vein thrombosis and other
complications associated with
being immobile.
A doctor at Addenbrooke’s came
up with the innovation while
on a long-haul plane journey
New website
goes live
A new website for
Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie
hospitals has been launched.
Details about the services
available, how to get here,
and careers are just some of the
many features. Elsewhere you’ll
find the latest news, information
about the Trust, the Biomedical
Research Centre and a lot more.
Jo Farncombe, Web Editor, says:
“All the information you want
to know about Addenbrooke’s
and the Rosie is just the click of
a button away. More and more
people are using the website –
there were over 85,000 hits
last month – so it’s important
that we have an up-to-date
website that’s informative
and easy to use.”
There are in-depth articles
about areas like the Rosie’s
neonatal service, explaining
the roles of the different
departments and support
services. Another section is
devoted to the busy outpatients
department, including details
about appointments,
and further pages explain
the Patient Advice and
Liaison Service.
The Trust’s new website –
www.cuh.org.uk
– is now live. This
replaces the existing
Addenbrooke’s website,
and the old www.
addenbrookes.org.uk
address will automatically
re-direct visitors to the
new CUH website.
with his family. “That was the
eureka moment”, says Dr Duncan
Forsyth, consultant geriatrician.
“I was watching the in-flight
video demonstrating exercises
for the neck, shoulders and
legs and thought we could we
provide something similar for our
patients. They could benefit from
an exercise programme that can
be carried out in a bed or chair.
infections and install a sense
of wellbeing. This should all
contribute to a quicker recovery.
“The exercises are designed so
they can be carried out by anyone
although staff do keep an eye
on people and make sure they’re
working within their means.”
The exercises were developed
by Caroline Stoneham, a senior
‘Exercise can help maintain muscle
strength, improve mobility, help avoid
complications such as chest infections
and install a sense of wellbeing.’
“When patients aren’t mobile,
there’s a chance their muscles
will weaken and there’s a risk of
deep vein thrombosis – especially
in elderly patients. Exercise can
help maintain muscle strength,
improve mobility, help avoid
complications such as chest
physiotherapist at Addenbrooke’s.
The video, made in-house, allows
patients to exercise at their
leisure. It is aired on the new
bedside Addenbrooke’s Television
Channel throughout each day.
Patients Glen Pearson and Lee Martin
try out the new exercise video at the
launch of Addenbrooke’s TV
Jan/Feb 2009
7
matters: features
Addenbrooke’s Abroad:
sharing our skills overseas
Addenbrooke’s Abroad
is a charity that lets staff
share their skills and
experience with hospitals
overseas, particularly those
in developing countries.
Participants help with both
clinical and non-clinical
projects to create longterm improvements in
healthcare. As part of the
initiative, Debbie Morgan
visited Bwindi Community
Hospital in Uganda.
“The hospital was established in
2003 and it looks after 35,000
people in the Kanunga District,”
says Debbie. “There are 80
staff, 25 adult beds, 18 paediatric
beds and four wooden cots –
no incubators – with around 50
babies born each month. The
biggest killers are malnutrition,
malaria, HIV, TB and diarrhoea
and limited resources mean that
staff are under intense pressure.
Due to the lack of money from
the government the hospital has
to rely on charitable donations
to provide desperately needed
equipment and to help with the
running costs of the hospital.
“Initially I worked with the
hospital to implement human
resources and administration
policies and procedures. After
that I set up a workshop with
staff to find out how they felt
about their work: what they
liked, what they didn’t like and
what could be done differently,
as staff morale and motivation
was highlighted as a problem
which they needed help with.
It was very rewarding to see
how much they got involved.
“Many of the points they
raised overlapped with what
we talk about here: putting
patient care first, infection
control, the importance of good
communication and valuing
staff and patients.
“I used feedback from the
staff workshop, as well as my
knowledge, to help produce a
number of recommendations
to improve staff attitude and
motivation within the hospital.
Afterwards they said that they
had never done anything like
this before. They appreciated
being valued and involved.
“The experience really made
me appreciate what we have
in developed countries, but due
to the lack of resources they
sometimes have to work smarter
than us in being creative and
making resources go further,
which was a great learning
tool for me.
“I took this opportunity as I
wanted to use my skills to help
the hospital implement changes
in a number of areas and
hopefully I will remain a resource
for them in the future. Although
language was a barrier, a smile
went a long way.”
How can you
help?
So how can staff get involved in
a project like Debbie’s?
Evelyn Brealey, project manager
for Addenbrooke’s Abroad,
explains: “Staff can work
abroad either in their own time,
or as part of our volunteer
release scheme.
‘My time at Bwindi Community
Hospital was extremely humbling
and rewarding. I was made to feel
incredibly welcome.’
Debbie Morgan, Assistant Director of Commissioning at Addenbrooke’s
“As well as making a contribution
to improving healthcare among
some of the world’s neediest
people, working overseas is
excellent for personal and
professional development –
and with Addenbrooke’s Abroad
you can offer your help whilst
continuing your career in
Cambridge.
“No NHS resources are used
to support the charity, so we’re
always very grateful for donations
as well as volunteers. Please get
in touch if would like to help.”
If you are interested in offering
your skills or raising money to
support the charity, contact
evelyn.brealey@addenbrookes.
nhs.uk or visit the web page:
www.cuh.org.uk/
addenbrookes-abroad
Nov/Dec2009
Jan/Feb
2008
8
matters: features
Patient Advice and Liaison Service
PALS is the service dedicated to
the hospital’s patients and their
relatives and carers. PALS is there
to provide help, advice, support
and information and to listen to
your concerns and suggestions
about any aspect of care or
hospital services.
Drop in and see us…
The PALS office is located in the
Information Centre close to the
hospital’s main reception. We are
open 0830 to 1900 hrs Monday
to Thursday, 0830 to 1800 hrs on
Friday and 1300 to 1600 hrs on
Saturday and Sunday.
Write to us at:
Patient Advice and Liaison Service
Box 53, Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
Call us at:
Tel: 01223 216756 or
01223 274432 or
01223 257257
Events round-up
• Wallace Cancer Care
Patients undergoing cancer
treatment can learn how to
conceal hair loss and care
for their skin at special ‘Face
Forward’ workshops organised
by Wallace Cancer Care.
The programme helps participants
explore issues surrounding
hair loss and its impact on self
esteem, under the guidance
of professionals and alongside
fellow patients.
There’s expert advice from a
hairdresser, along with fun
demonstrations of scarf tying,
make-up and creativity with
colour.
The charity is also running
‘Food for Life’ workshops for
cancer patients, with expert
advice on how to make healthy,
life-enhancing changes to
your diet.
To find out more or book a
place, call 01223 249 220 or
visit Wallace Cancer Care on
the hospital concourse.
• Addenbrooke’s Abroad
is holding an event in the main
hospital concourse on Tuesday 10
March. See page 7 of this issue of
Matters to find out more about
the charity – and please come
along if you‘d like to get involved.
• Addenbrooke’s Life
has launched its
first book clubs
for staff. Four
groups are already
up and running,
with nearly 70
members. Each group chooses
their own theme – and the books
are provided by a local library.
There are plans to start further
groups in the near future, and
all staff are welcome. Go to the
Addenbrooke’s Life pages on
Connect to find out how to join.
Email us at:
[email protected]
www.cuh.org.uk/pals
Tell us what you think
Let us know what you think
about this publication. We
welcome your comments,
suggestions, questions and
observations.
Write to:
PR & Communications,
Box 53, Addenbrooke’s Hospital,
Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
Call us: 01223 274470
Email us:
[email protected]
Visit our website:
www.cuh.org.uk
If you would like to receive
this publication in another
format, please contact
PR & Communications on
Tel: 01223 274470.
See your future
with us
Delivering world class care to women and
their babies is your vocation – and ours. For two
years running we were rated ‘excellent’ by the
Healthcare Commission for the quality of services
and our use of resources.
We are looking for Midwives who are able to
demonstrate sound clinical skills and a keen
interest in the development of midwifery practice.
We have a well established in-service training
programme and are committed to supporting
staff in their personal professional development.
Check out our website for information about
current midwifery vacancies, to make an
application or to find out about the hospital
and what it’s like to work here.
www.cuh.org.uk/work
Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals – Innovation and excellence in health and care