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A volunteer driver scheme has travelled more than 40,000 miles and helped thousands of patients in its first year.

The transport service has helped more than 300 patients get back home, delivered vital medical supplies to patients’ homes and ferried chemotherapy treatments to a relocated cancer unit.

The Volunteer Drivers scheme, which received £115,000 from the N&N Hospitals Charity, was launched in February 2020 as the first of its kind in the country to help transport patients home and to help get them settled in after a hospital stay.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project has only been able to run as a full patient transport service for three months of the year, transporting 338 patients. Ten volunteers have also been trained to help run the service, which has two Renault Trafic vehicles that have been adapted to assist patients who may have mobility issues.

However, during the first national lockdown, the service was redesigned and carried out almost 600 runs between NNUH and Spire Norwich to safely deliver chemotherapy treatments to the relocated Weybourne Day Unit, which was treating 60 patients a day.

During the pandemic, the vehicles have also been used to support the delivery of medications to vulnerable and shielding patients across Norfolk and Waveney. 

Charlotte Evans, Community and Settle In Service Volunteer Co-ordinator at NNUH, said she was proud of how the service had adapted during the pandemic and the Trust was looking for more volunteers to come forward to help patients to settle home after a stay in hospital.

“It has been an incredibly difficult time to launch a new service such as this but it has been proved that the service can be adaptable to support the Trust and our patients in different ways and can react very quickly to an ever changing environment.  Volunteer Driver Co-Ordinator Jamie Goodman has been paramount in forging good working relationships with internal departments, third party organisations and the private sector.”

Julie Cooper, Head of the Charity’s Grants Team said: “We are very proud to be working in partnership with the NNUH Voluntary Services Team and their incredible volunteers. The ways that they have adapted this vital service during the pandemic have really made sure that the region’s patients have continued to benefit from the funding provided by their local NHS charity.”

To find out more about the N&N Hospitals Charity and how you can help, visit our website www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk

If you would like some more information about the Volunteer Driver service or to get involved with the Volunteer team, email volunteers@nnuh.nhs.uk

A team of young footballers are running the distance from the home of Norwich City FC to the Liverpool FC ground raising money for the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity.

The Under 10 football team, Costessey Eagles, took on the challenge to “raise money for the superheroes at our wonderful hospital while keeping fit”.

The team of 12 players, Deacon, Elliot, Isaac, James, Kai, Kido, Louie, Oskar, Riley D and Riley F, Rudy and Samuel, are attempting to run the 300km from Carrow Road to Anfield.

The recent snow did not stop the boys, with some taking to the treadmill to cover their miles, while others braving the elements and so far raising more than £1,000 halfway through the challenge.

Dan Henry, from the Costessey Eagles, said: “I am so proud of the boys and the effort and determination they have shown in some very difficult circumstances.

“They are nine and 10 years old, so to find the motivation to go out and challenge yourself while trying to raise money for such an incredible cause is so inspiring”

Mercy Kaggwa, from the N&N Hospitals Charity, said: “We are delighted that the team has chosen to support our charity and the boys are doing an amazing challenge.
“Thank you so much to the boys everyone who has supported the team, everything raised will make a huge difference to our teams here at the N&N.”

You can support the boys and make a donation here https://nnuh.enthuse.com/pf/costesseyeagles

The N&N Hospitals Charity raises money to support patients, their families and staff at the N&N Hospital, Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital and Cromer Hospital.

All donations raised help provide life-saving and ground-breaking equipment, staff development, research, and enhanced environment and facilities at the Trust. For more information, go to https://nnhospitalscharity.org.uk/

The community support for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been outstanding says Chief Nurse Professor Nancy Fontaine.

Professor Nancy Fontaine, Chief Nurse, says: “We want to say a big thank you for all the support we have received, both in the first wave of the pandemic and in the last couple of months when we know how hard it has been for families and businesses. It means the world to us when we know our local community has us in their hearts and they are urging us on, however difficult it might be at the time.

“The support we have received has come in a variety of ways and from a wide range of people. Local firefighters have been helping to train our staff in the fitting of PPE masks, retired health and social care workers have volunteered to help in our vaccination centre and some have been helping our patients at mealtimes. There have also been such generous contributions from our many fundraisers who have supported us throughout this period.”

“We are starting to see a reduction in the number of patients being admitted with Covid-19 and this is all down to local people sticking to the lockdown rules and we hope this will continue with the success of the vaccination programme. Please keep up the good work and let’s defeat this virus together.”

Father Darren delivering snack packs to staff

The wide ranging support offered to the hospital includes thank you letters, children’s paintings and cards for the wards which have been raising the spirits of staff. The hospital has been overwhelmed with messages of support and gifts donated to the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity through its Amazon Smile wish list, benefiting both patients and staff. The thoughtful gifts which range from items to support wellbeing to delicious snacks and chocolate treats, have been given out to busy staff working in ward areas and departments such as the Children’s Emergency Department.

This followed generous donations from the public to the hospital’s ‘Send a smile with Santa campaign’ when all patients, including children, received a gift on Christmas Day. Staff working on Christmas Day also received a range of goodies donated by community groups.

Through national support from NHS Charities Together, which includes the money raised by Captain Sir Tom Moore, and donations direct to the N&N Hospitals charity, there has also been funding for a whole range of initiatives to support patients and staff. These include care packages for patients with cancer, additional rest areas for staff and a system to enable remote support for patients with Motor Neurone Disease.

Local people continue to fundraise for the N&N Hospitals Charity including Simon Kindleysides who is paralysed and using his ReWalk Robotics suit to walk four miles a day to raise money. Budding artist Bethany-Kate McKenzie, 14, has been making badges to raise money for the charity using a machine bought with her own money.

A group of NNUH staff have also climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest to raise money for the N&N Hospitals Charity using the stairwell at the hospital – the equivalent of the world’s tallest mountain – requiring them to climb their stairs 369 times to reach the summit.

The generous support from members of the community and businesses, includes donations to the Trust’s £800,000 Boudicca Appeal to create a dedicated breast cancer unit at NNUH. The additional equipment for the new clinic has already been purchased and the next step is to revamp the clinic area to provide a welcoming and friendly space for patients and relatives.

John Paul Garside, Director of the N&N Hospitals Charity said: “Once again the community across Norfolk have been supporting our patients and staff during a difficult period and we are truly grateful.”

“It’s fantastic that the public have supported us through Amazon Smile which enables items to be purchased from our wishlist. This also helps us to reduce unnecessary journeys to the hospital which keeps everyone safe.

“During the pandemic, our team has increased its infection control procedures for donations, cleaning items or observing a quarantine period.”

Local business consultancy Chamber Bales has also funded goody bags which were given out by the Chaplaincy team to staff working night shifts on the wards, alongside pastoral support offered by the chaplains.

Adrian Woodbridge, Lead Chaplain, said: “The goody bags have been very well received by the staff who are working at night. We’ve been supporting our colleagues with a friendly face and a chat and the drink and snack packs show the staff that local people are thinking of them which gives everyone a boost.’

The N&N Hospitals Charity has been directing members of the public to donate to their Covid Appeal at www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk or to visit the NNUH Amazon Wish List where people can purchase items that will support staff.

To find out more on how you can donate or support safely please visit www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk

Ruth Lightening is a Deputy Sister on the Weybourne Day Unit and has been working on the new Mobile Cancer Care Unit (MCCU), which is a partnership between the Trust, N&N Hospitals Charity and cancer charity Hope for Tomorrow.

Ruth, who has worked for cancer services at NNUH for 14 years, said: “Being part of a patient’s journey through treatment is so rewarding. We are a small enough team on the Weybourne Unit to be able to get to know our patients and their families. I feel very privileged to be part of the Oncology and Haematology team, we all work together from the scheduling of the first treatment to a patients final treatment.”

The MCCU launched in Fakenham last month and is also set to visit Dereham, Attleborough and Beccles to bring cancer care closer to people’s homes.

Ruth said the mobile unit has been well received so far: “Patients are pleasantly surprised how similar it is to having treatment on the Weybourne Day Unit as we have replicated the atmosphere, it’s very calming and as well as their treatment we still offer a cup of tea and a chat! The feedback has been that the MCCU has saved many miles of travel and there is parking next to the mobile unit. We aim to benefit even more patients when we start at our other locations in the near future.”

The deputy sister’s advice to patients worried about accessing services during the pandemic is.

“Please do not be concerned about accessing cancer care during the pandemic – we are still up and running, providing care to patients. We screen patients for any Covid-19 symptoms prior to arriving at hospital to make the process as safe as possible. There are fantastic support networks around who can provide information and answer any questions. We want our patients to feel as supported as possible as well as providing treatment in a safe environment.”

The MCCU owned and maintained by Hope for Tomorrow and will be provided along with a Nurses’ Support Vehicle (NSV). The NNUH staffing costs will be covered by the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity for the first three years, which has supported funding two registered nurses, a driver, pharmacy support and booking team.

The vehicle houses a mobile chemotherapy day unit with space for four recliner chairs, infusion pumps, a kitchen area and patient toilet.

Ann Leigh, 75, who is receiving treatment following a recurrence of breast cancer said: “The journey to the N&N is a round trip of fifty miles and I developed a phobia about the driving, parking and getting to my appointments. You can imagine my delight when I learned of the mobile unit! If I had been asked to imagine the best thing that could happen to help my treatments, I would not have been able to envision such a wonderful solution. Suddenly instead of my treatment being an ordeal it had become ‘no big deal’ at all. I felt like I was just popping down the road, as if I were just going to the shops.

Of course the nurses and driver on the Mobile Unit are super. That is a given, as indeed is everyone at the Weybourne Unit. No, my transformation in attitude is entirely down to no longer having to view my ‘getting there’ as such an ordeal. Thank you for all the vision and the hard work of bringing this into being. I know there will be many of us very, very grateful for all that you have done. And thank you, as well, for managing to keep on treating us throughout the pandemic.”

You can support NNUH cancer services by donating to the hospital charity https://nnuh.enthuse.com/cf/oncology-cancer-care

A Norfolk man, who became the first paralysed man to walk the London Marathon, has embarked on a new challenge to raise money for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity.

Simon Kindleysides, 35, from Blofield, has set himself a goal to walk four miles every day of February wearing a specially-made exoskeleton suit.

The batteries in his suit will allow Simon to travel four miles before they need recharging and each four-mile leg will take him three-and-a-half hours to complete.

He said: “I was sitting at home doing nothing and I just wanted to do something to support the NHS and in particular, the teams at the NNUH, and I will be walking various four-mile routes through Norwich during the month.

“This lockdown is driving everyone crazy, mentally and physically so I wanted to push myself again.”

During wet weather Simon will be calling on members of his bubble to accompany him with an umbrella.

Simon was a dancer and a restaurant manager but in 2013 was diagnosed with a brain tumour and functional neurological disorder that left him paralysed from the waist down.

He is hoping to raise more than £2,000 for the N&N Hospitals Charity during his February Challenge which will involve 8,000 steps each day and a total of 224,000 across the month.

Louise Cook, Head of Fundraising, said: “This is such an incredible challenge and we are delighted that Simon has chosen to support his local hospital charity. We look forward to hearing Simon’s updates which and we hope everyone will support him.”

You can donate to Simon’s challenge page here https://www.gofundme.com/f/walkingforthenhs

You can find out more about the N&N Hospitals Charity by visiting www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk

Donations to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity are helping to support young cancer patients treated at the N&N.

The team cares for teenagers and young adults aged 13 to 25 years, from before their diagnosis is confirmed, during treatment and beyond, working alongside clinical teams to support the patients’ psychological needs, act as an advocate and help them practically through the treatment pathway..

Thanks to donations, the N&N Hospitals charity has been able to fund the Free2be support group at the BigC centre, activities such as escape rooms and crazy golf, and mini projectors so patients can watch programmes via their telephones during treatment.

More recently, the hospital charity has purchased craft materials for the young patients to take part in a Christmas craft zoom group.

Holly Bawtree is the Teenage Cancer Trust Clinical Nurse Specialist, a role funded by the Teenage Cancer Trust, based at the N&N.
She said of her role: “We get around 20-30 new referrals each year and we aim to make sure patients understand their treatment and support them and their families in every way we can.

“We also create links with other hospitals, for example Addenbrooke’s, where the patient may also attend for treatment This helps improve communication and aims to make their treatment journey smoother.

“Support can go on once patient has completed treatment, there is often an increase in anxiety post treatment, as people have time to process all that they have been through and start looking forward.”

One patient said: “I absolutely loved the most recent craft night, it was even nicer because it was during lockdown. I’m looking forward to the other activities we can do when lockdown is over.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the teams have also accompanied their patients to appointments and treatment, when family members and friends have been unable to attend.

If you would like to support the hospital charity, please contact fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk or visit www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk 

An expansion of cancer services in Norfolk is set to begin with the launch of a pioneering mobile treatment unit. The Mobile Cancer Care Unit (MCCU) will hit the road from next Tuesday (12 January) thanks to a partnership between our hospital, the N&N Hospitals Charity and cancer charity Hope for Tomorrow.

The programme will start in Fakenham and will include Dereham, Attleborough and Beccles over the next few months.

The unit is owned and maintained by Hope for Tomorrow and will be provided along with a Nurses’ Support Vehicle (NSV). The Hospitals Charity will fund the cost of two registered nurses, a driver, Pharmacy support and a booking team for three years.

Joanna Richardson, Lead Cancer Nurse, said: “Many patients travel a more than a 50-mile round trip to receive their treatment, with many others travelling from outside Norfolk. This initiative allows them to travel to a convenient location nearby and be treated by the same team of nurses from our hospital, giving patient confidence and improving experience.”

John Paul Garside, Charity Director, said: “We are delighted to be providing nearly £600,000 of funding over the next three years to run the Mobile Cancer Care Unit. The funding is from a legacy received by the charity and will be used to provide all running costs such as staff and clinical equipment for the service. Working in conjunction with Hope for Tomorrow means that the N&N Hospitals Charity is at the heart of helping to be part of improving facilities for cancer patients across Norfolk.”

Tina Seymour, Chief Executive of Hope for Tomorrow, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with NNUH, furthering the reach of our Mobile Cancer Care Units into another group of communities. We send our very best wishes to all of the patients who will receive treatment on board. We look forward to their feedback as their cancer treatment becomes more convenient, giving them valuable time to spend doing something other than travelling to hospital appointments.”

Piano legend Rick Wakeman entertained staff and patients at NNUH on Tuesday 15 December.

He played a selection of festive music in the East Atrium and the sound of Christmas rang through the hospital.

Due to Covid restriction this was not a public event and not announced to staff prior to Rick coming to the hospital.

Consultant surgeon Richard Wharton who organised this event along with the N&N Hospitals Charity, said: “Usually at this time of the year staff, patient and visitors enjoy public musical events organised by the charity. But this has not been possible this year for obvious reasons. To have Rick come to the hospital to play for us is amazing. He has really boosted morale and it has been a real treat for everyone.”

Rick added: “Coming to the NNUH to play is the very least I could do for our local NHS staff. I’ve always been convinced that music can play an important part to in healing in a non-medical way and if my playing can lift the spirits that it was a pleasure.”

The N&N Hospitals Charity wishes to thank you everyone for their support to their NHS hospital this year and wishes a safe Christmas.

A team from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) will be climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest to raise money for the N&N Hospitals Charity.

The staff, from the Nuclear Medicine department, will aim to climb 8,848 metres of stairwell at the hospital – the equivalent of the world’s tallest mountain – requiring them to climb their stairs 369 times to reach the summit.

Those taking part include Arron Drew, Emily Fittock, Stephen Wright and Sara Burdett, who will be retiring from the Trust at the end of this month after 37 years.

The team will begin the stair climb at 8am on Saturday, December 19, with the aim of completing the challenge the following at. Although they will not be facing Everest-type weather, the team will need to ensure they stay hydrated and keep their spirits up as they tackle the climb.

Arron Drew, who came up with the challenge, said: “Each climb is 53 steps which equals 24m a climb. In order for us to be able to climb Everest, we would need to climb to the top 368.6 times, so for good measure we are making it 369 times.

“We are planning to split this over a two-day period climbing for eight hours a day, hopefully climbing 185 times a day.

“We have all worked during the pandemic at the hospital and feel that this is a challenge we wanted to undertake as a team to have some fun and to raise money for the N&N Hospitals Charity specifically going towards the Trust Cancer Services.”

The team has already raised £340 and if you would like to support the team, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/NNUH-Everesting

Two new surgical robots are helping to deliver more cutting-edge treatments at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to improve patient care.

The expansion of robotic-assisted surgery – thanks to a £1m donation from the N&N Hospitals Charity – has enabled more patients to receive minimally invasive surgery and improve recovery times.

The hospital has been using a robot for urological surgery for the last four years and carrying out robotic colorectal procedures over the last two years. This robot was replaced by two newer Da Vinci models over the summer.

This investment has enabled the Trust to become one of the first in the country to enable thoracic patients to benefit from robotic-assisted surgery and the gynaecology cancer team are now also using the robots.

Thoracic Consultant Vasileios Kouritas said the pioneering surgery was helping patients to recover quicker and spend less time in hospital.

“We can use the robots for all patients suitable for keyhole thoracic surgery across a range of conditions, both cancerous and non-cancerous. The technique is highly precise as the robotic instruments are easy to guide using 3D video and offer great dexterity, mimicking my hand movements. This allows me, with the help of my team, to access areas that are difficult or even impossible to approach using traditional keyhole techniques, such as the diaphragm and masses in the apex of the lungs. Fewer incisions are required to reach the site and, thanks to the cameras and magnification, the view is much better when carrying out the procedure traditionally.

“I’ve found that patients are very positive about being offered robotic surgery and are grateful to have the opportunity – especially as most are well enough to return home on the same day.”

Consultant Tim Duncan and the Gynaecology Cancer team have also used one of the two new robots to perform laparoscopic surgery. In order to perform the first surgery, the team were assisted by nurses from Urology, who already have significant experience of robotic surgery.

He added: “In our department, we have a long history of using minimally-invasive surgery to provide high-quality treatment with improved post-operative outcomes. Robotic surgery represents advancement in this form of surgery, allowing increasingly complex procedures to be performed. Thanks to the robot, operating times can be reduced from five to three hours and patients will be in less pain when they are recovering.

“Initially, around three operations per week will now be conducted by our team using the robot and there are plans to extend the number of surgeons in our department who are trained to use the robot. This will mean we can deliver the advantages of robotic surgery to a wider group of patients, in particular those with endometrial cancer.”

Picture: The thoracic surgery team at NNUH