March 2011

Marathon team pay special visit to the neonatal unit

With the London Marathon fast approaching, the Essex Police team paid a visit to staff on the neonatal unit to see first hand how the money they raise will be used to help our tiniest of patients.

Three members of the team - Chief Superintendent Jed Stopher, retired Chief Superintendent Julia Jeapes and Police Community Support Officer Allan Barley met nursing staff on the unit and were shown just how important these extra funds are to the care they can provide.

Jed said: “We’re all training hard so it’s great to meet the staff here and see how the money we raise will help them. You don’t normally get to see the kind of work that goes on in here, so it really is inspiring for us to see how dedicated the team are and get an understanding of the extremely high level of care they give these tiny babies and their families. It’s given us a real boost to raise as much as we can to support the incredible work that goes on here.”

Margaret Hayter, staff nurse on the neonatal unit, said: “It takes a huge amount of equipment to keep one little baby alive and we depend on the latest technology to ensure they get the best possible chance. On behalf of the staff I’d like to thank the Essex Police team for all their fundraising efforts.”

You can support the marathon team’s efforts by visiting their justgiving page at:

http://www.justgiving.com/Essex-Police-Marathon-Team-2011

New artwork for Phoenix Ward

Children's artwork from the old Sunshine ward at St John's Hospital can now be enjoyed for years to come after being made into a lasting feature on the new Phoenix Ward at Broomfield.

The artistic creations of former St John's patients that used to adorn the ceiling of Sunshine Ward have now been turned into a colourful display as a lasting reminder to the old hospital thanks to a kind donation from the Kelvedon based company, Premier Print & Promotions.

Sue Hursit, play specialist on Phoenix Ward, said: “We’re all really pleased with how the pictures have turned out. They’re nice and bright, and make the whole area look much more inviting for the children.  It’s particularly special to have these pictures on display as they were an important part of the Sunshine Ward and hold a lot of memories for many of our staff.”

Gaynor Mansworth from the Marketing and Customer Support team, visited the ward to mount the wall plaque next to the display, and she said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to see this artwork in its new home, it looks fantastic, what a lovely way to capture the images that were drawn by the children. We hope patients, staff and visitors will enjoy this colourful contribution to the ward.”

Premier Print and Promotions also funded new brightly coloured curtains for the ward, which increase privacy for young patients.  These curtains are much are thicker than those normally used, and for added privacy the specially made labels remind all visitors to ask permission before entering.

Dreams and wishes come true!

A local youngster handed over an amazing selection of toys, games and puzzles for the playroom on Phoenix Children’s Ward to thank staff for the care and treatment she received during a stay in hospital.

Now making a good recovery, Chloe aged 9 from Canvey Island had a great time shopping for the toys and a brand new trolley for the ward with her mum and staff from the Dream Team, a local charity that grants wishes to poorly children.  Chloe said: “The playroom is bright and colourful, and makes you forget that you’re in hospital.  I had fun playing with everything and I hope other kids will enjoy playing with these new toys and games too”.

Hospital play specialist, Tina Brien said: “Play is a very important part of the children’s physiotherapy, and we are very grateful to Chloe and The Dream Team for providing all these goods to keep children amused and entertained.  The new trolley will make it easier for us to take toys to any children who have to stay in bed. ”

The Dream Team based in South East Essex was established in April 1996 as a registered charity granting the dreams and wishes of sick, disabled and terminally ill children in the UK

New pillows for stoma patients

The stoma team will now be able to help their patients feel more comfortable after surgery thanks to the generosity of a former patient.

Paul Beech presented Nikki Saunders and Kerry Sandlin, Stoma Care Specialist Nurses, with 28 memory foam cushions in appreciation of the care he received. The cushions were funded by Beeleigh Abbey and Mitre masonic lodges, where Paul is the charity steward. The cushions will be given to patients who have perineal wounds following their bowel surgery.

Paul decided to donate the cushions after his operation last year. He was loaned a memory foam cushion following his treatment, however he felt that to have his own would have been paramount as part of his long term recovery and wanted to ensure future patients had these available to them.

All sewn up

Quilting enthusiasts came up with a unique way to commemorate the opening of the children’s burns unit at Broomfield Hospital when they used their talents to create a colourful piece of artwork for the main corridor.

Ladies from the Blackwater Quilters Group regularly donate hand-crafted quilts as part of Project Linus, for children to keep with them during a stay in hospital and to eventually take home. The quilts are so popular with younger patients and never stay on the ward for long, so the group decided to work on a group project to make a custom made quilt to be displayed for everyone to enjoy.

Alison Still from Blackwater Quilters, said: “We all enjoy making quilts individually but it’s been really satisfying for us all to work together on this one-off piece that could be displayed on the unit. We made so many patchwork blocks we even had enough to make a floor cushion for the play room. It’s been a pleasure for us to come here and see the piece on display, the staff have already made the unit such a friendly, inviting place for children to spend time and we’re really pleased to help contribute to the welcoming atmosphere you feel on the unit.”

Karen Lambourne, staff nurse on the unit said: "On behalf of the staff I’d like to thank all the ladies for creating such a beautiful piece of artwork for the unit, and for the incredible effort they put in to all of the quilts and cushions they donate. The children get a lot of comfort from having their own specially made blanket to keep with them and it’s lovely to now have one permanently on display to be enjoyed by the patients and their families as well as the staff."