I’d like to offer a warm welcome to all of you through this members' newsletter.
I'm also very excited to share an update on our recent developments, achievements, and the remarkable dedication of our teams. In this newsletter, you'll discover information that underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering top-quality care and enhancing the wellbeing of our communities. This month has brought us significant successes, such as the green light for a new diagnostics centre in Slough, the introduction of our one-stop cancer service at Heatherwood, and the start of work on the new inpatient, breast care, and diagnostic building at Frimley Park Hospital. This new £49 million facility will support us to manage capacity and demand in the coming years and will have the potential to be a fantastic healthcare facility in the longer term, as we start to consider our 2030 new hospital development plans.
The task ahead is substantial, and it's vital we work swiftly in preparation for the new hospital's opening by 2030. This deadline aligns with the national imperative to vacate the current hospital due to the widespread reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC) in its structure. Therefore, our focus is on finding a suitable site for the new hospital by mid-2024, and enabling construction to start in 2025. We are diligently evaluating potential locations, striving to remain as close as possible to the current site, and assessing site feasibility criteria, including availability and size. This process will result in a list of sites for evaluation, involving our staff, communities, partners, stakeholders, and, of course, our valued members.
Our commitment to engagement is unwavering throughout this project, and we will collaborate closely with local health scrutiny committees to establish effective processes for scrutiny and engagement. Your trust and support are the cornerstones of our mission, and we look forward to sharing our journey with you.
Kind regards,
Bryan Ingleby
Chair
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
New diagnostic centre plans in spotlight
At the end of last month, we spent some time with our staff, members and the community talking about the plans for our new community diagnostic centre (CDC), which will be built on the Upton Hospital site in Slough.
Thank you to those of you who came along to our public events, or responded to our online questionnaire. The feedback we received is now being carefully considered by our design and construction team as part of our planning.
This new CDC is a national investment that is part of a network of facilities across the country to improve access to diagnostic tests and scans, which will provide a wide range of diagnostic services including MRI and CT scans, ultrasound, respiratory and cardiology testing. The centre aims to improve people’s health outcomes – by enabling more people to access diagnostic tests more quickly, more easily and closer to their home, leading to earlier diagnoses of symptoms and better, more timely treatment.
The design of the new facility will take place in autumn 2023, with construction taking place (subject to the necessary planning approvals) in 2024 and the opening planned for spring 2025.
You can find out more about our proposals for the new centre by visiting the CDC website.
For more information, email the team at fhft.sloughcdc@nhs.net.
Our nurses shortlisted for top awards
We are very proud to have had Frimley Health nurses shortlisted for this year’s Nursing Times Awards.
Nurse consultant Andrew Barton, lead nurse for vascular access, is a leading authority in his field, writing national guidelines and leading national campaigns. He was instrumental in setting up the seven day IVAS service at Frimley Health, one of the first in the country, and has drafted a white paper to government proposing to replicate the service nationally.
At the same prestigious Nursing Times awards ceremony held earlier this week (25 October), our nurse-led oncology and non-specific symptoms service was also shortlisted for the Ingrid Fuchs Cancer Nursing Awards. The seven-strong team works across the trust seven days a week and reviewed more than 5,000 inpatients last year. Their aim is to diagnose cancers earlier to improve outcomes and they work closely with primary care colleagues to help them refer patients at the right time and provide access to the right services.
Although our nurses were not outright winners this year, it was a fantastic achievement to be shortlisted from among many entrants and very few Trusts had nominations in more than one category.
Clinical studies help in the fight against breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with 55,500 cases diagnosed each year. Statistically, one in seven women will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime, and in some cases men will also develop the cancer.
There is a good chance of recovery if it is detected at an early stage, which is why events such as Breast Cancer Awareness month – which has been running throughout October – are so important, highlighting what to look for and how to check your body.
Screening programmes, an early diagnosis and improved treatments have all helped provide better outcomes in battling the disease.
Across Frimley Health Foundation Trust, Research and Development are currently running nine clinical studies involving breast cancer, as medical teams research ways to treat early cases and manage treatment side effects for a better recovery for patients.
“The research aims to constantly evolve cancer treatments,” said clinical research practitioner Nicole Kader. “It’s about the best outcomes and improving patient pathways to the best possible care.”
Nicole is a CRP in Research & Development’s Wexham Park Hospital team and is involved with five of the ongoing studies.
“It’s about finding the best individual care package for every patient,” she said. “There’s no ‘one-size fits all’ approach with breast cancer, and each clinical trial helps us understand the best course of treatment that can be offered for each patient we see.”
The research studies include looking at getting the best benefits from treatments involving radiotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy, as well as surgical options.
For example, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is very effective at shrinking and removing cancer cells in lymph glands.
“The chemotherapy is now able to get rid of cancer that has spread to armpit glands in 40-70% of patients,” said Teena Kunnath, CRP on the ATNEC study at Frimley Park Hospital. “The trial is looking to see if this could mean further armpit treatment, which can have long-term side effects, can potentially be avoided for a patient’s recovery.”
Feedback from patients has shown being involved in a clinical trial can provide a boost as well.
“To be told that you have cancer is scary. But to be part of a study that helps others and informs better treatments makes you feel that you are not alone,” said Julie from Berkshire.
“Feeling I was contributing to help in supporting other cancer sufferers by sharing my experiences was a positive,” added Ann from Slough.
Ruth O’Connor worked as a breast cancer nurse specialist at Frimley Park Hospital for 12 years, and is now an advanced nurse practitioner for breast cancer at the Trust. The new role is another example of how treatment is always evolving, in this case helping to provide an earlier and faster diagnosis.
“My job involves seeing and assessing patients referred by their GP with breast symptoms. The 28-day faster diagnosis standard will ensure that patients will be diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days of being referred for suspected cancer. I’m part of a multi-disciplinary team who work together to maintain high standards of care and treatment for patients,” she said.
“Treatment and care have changed and improved over the years, and we’re always refining what we can do to provide the very best outcomes for patients.”
Advice for anyone with new breast symptoms or concerns is to contact their GP. For information on self-check awareness, visit https://coppafeel.org/.
For information about joining a research study, call 0300 613 2441 or email fhft.research.development@nhs.net.
New Olive Garden is a tranquil oasis
The Frimley Health Charity was thrilled to open the new Olive Garden at Frimley Park Hospital recently.
The stunning garden space between wards G4/5 and G6 provides a beautiful outdoor oasis for patients and staff to visit when they can. Frimley Health Charity lottery funded the project.
Emma Carr, arts and creative health manager, said: “This garden is truly stunning. The outdoor space before wasn’t suitable but it has now been transformed into a quiet, tranquil retreat, allowing for patients and their loved ones to take time away from the hustle and bustle of the wards.’
Hannah Trenoweth, Frimley Health Charity marketing and communications manager, added: “The area was funded by Frimley Health Charity’s Dementia Appeal to provide spaces that are suitable for dementia patients. The design was carefully worked on to give light, safe paving, defined areas to walk around and a Mediterranean backdrop.
“These spaces are so important in healthcare and have so much meaning for all that use them. Olive trees as well as lavender now adorn the space. Olive trees provide year-long colour and interest and produce flowers in spring that are beneficial to wildlife. Our work means collaborating with many parties including the clinical teams and capital projects to make these amazing spaces a success.”
Jingle Jog 2023 is now open
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to run in the Jingle Jog 5K!
Jingle Jog is back for 2023 and this year is bigger and better than ever. You can get into the Christmas spirit and support your local hospital by running our festive 5km course around Frimley Green and Frimley Lodge Park, to the tune of a thousand jingle bells. This year we are also so excited to announce our Family Fun Run – a 2km festive route for the whole family. A finisher’s medal, Santa hat, jingle bells, mince pie and a festive drink are all included in your entry fee, as well as lots of festive cheer at Frimley Lodge Park!
For our members we are also offering a 10% discount for anyone who signs up - go to Jingle Jog 2023 and use code MEMBERS10 at the checkout to receive your discount.
You can also get into the Christmas spirit by ordering your Frimley Health Charity Christmas Cards.
With four beautiful new designs, all cards purchased will help support the charity’s Golden Christmas Appeal. The appeal this year will be putting smiles on the faces of patients who are spending Christmas on our wards and providing festive cheer for staff who will be caring for others while most of us spend precious time with our loved ones.
You can browse and order our cards and other items on the Frimley Health Charity shop.
Date for your diary – our next members’ event
We will be holding our next members’ Health Event on Tuesday 28 November online, featuring our eye services at Heatherwood Hospital with Dr Lorraine North, head of ophthalmology, and Ms Manju Chandran, consultant ophthalmic surgeon.
We would love you to join us to find out more about the new eye services, hear the latest updates from our senior team and have the chance to ask questions. Please click on this link to register for our Health Event on 28 November.