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.
CrombieLegendary pianist brings festive music to NNUH
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.”
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
CrombieImproving patient care with robotic-assisted surgery expansion
The Gynaecology Cancer team at the N&N has recently undertaken its first successful robotic surgery, using one of the two new robots brought thanks to a £1m donation from the N&N Hospital’s Charity, to perform a laparoscopic surgery.
Tim Duncan is the first Gynaecology Consultant trained to use a robot and explains the benefits for patients.
“In our department, we have a long history of using minimally-invasive surgery (laparoscopic) 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.
“The four- robotic arms allow me to perform manoeuvres that wouldn’t be possible using conventional laparoscopic instruments. As a surgeon, during a long operation your body is under a lot of strain, often spending hours in uncomfortable positions. This can lead to injuries. However, operating with the robot means I am seated at a console away from the patient, which is a more comfortable position to work in.
“The robot has a FireFly utility: this is a function of the camera that allow us to visualise dye within lymphatic channels and continue the implementation of sentinel lymph nodes, which are the nodes where a cancer spreads to first, so by finding and examining these nodes we can accurately assess if cancer has spread of not.
“These techniques are at the forefront of endometrial cancer treatment and something we had begun to develop using standard laparoscopic equipment. These procedures allow us to accurately pin-point where a cancer may potentially spread to.”
In order to perform the first surgery, Tim and his team were assisted by nurses from Urology, who already have significant experience of robotic surgery.
“I had to go through lengthy training on virtual reality simulators and models before operating on patients,” he said. “The theatre team had to learn new skills, such as how to place instruments into robot arms, positioning the robot correctly over the patient and how to correct small technical issues that may happen during a surgery.
“Initially, around three operations per week will now be conducted by our team using the robot, but there are plans to extend the number of surgeons in our department who are trained to use the robot. This will enable us to deliver the advantages of robotic surgery to a wider group of patients, in particular those with endometrial cancer.”
CrombieGynaecology Cancer team completes first successful robot surgery
The annual appeal to give every patient at the Norfolk and Norwich University a gift on Christmas Day will take place this year but with changes in light of Covid-19 restrictions.
Each year, the N&N Hospitals Charity’s Send a Smile with Santa appeal collects more than 1,000 presents kindly donated by the members of the public and businesses across Norfolk.
These are then distributed to patients, both young and old, who will spend Christmas in hospital and are unable to celebrate at home with their families.
However, with social distancing measures in place this year, the charity is asking people who would like to give a present to a patient, to instead make a small donation which could then be used by the charity to purchase a gift.
The only exception will be children’s gifts which can be dropped off across a number of specific days in early December.
Louise Cook, Head of Fundraising, said: “Send a Smile is now in its fifth year and each year we are so grateful for the wonderful gifts given to us which we know make a huge difference to our patients.
“It’s fantastic that people go out and purchase a present, but this year as we look to minimise footfall to the hospital, we hope that people will consider making a donation which we will use to purchase a present. For example, £5 could help us to buy a toiletries’ gift set which will be wrapped up and given out on Christmas morning.
“We know that people do enjoy choosing and purchasing gifts for our children so we are accepting presents in early December for our youngest patients to give us time to quarantine the items and then wrap them up for each individual child.”
Gifts for children can only be dropped off at the hospital’s West Inpatients Reception from December 1-7 which is open 24 hours.
All presents should be new and remain unwrapped so that the hospital can ensure they are suitable for each child before being wrapped up. In addition to gifts, the hospital would also welcome donations of new gift bags and wrapping paper.
If you would like to support Christmas at the hospital, please make a donation here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ChristmasNNUH
For the last two years the N&N Hospitals Charity has brought Christmas to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by transforming and illuminating the plaza in December with a twinkling displays of snowflakes.
This year we are again asking for the support of the community and business partners by sponsoring the snowflake display with the Christmas snowflakes display representing a beacon of hope in support of teams at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals who have faced the most challenging year during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Professor Nancy Fontaine, NNUH Chief Nurse, said: “2020 has been a very difficult year for so many people around Norfolk and I am so proud of the support shown to our hospitals.
“At this special time of year we would like to light up the hospital, so it can be enjoyed by staff, patients and visitors.
“We appreciate that it has been an exceptionally difficult year and would be delighted for as many businesses as possible, that are willing and able, to get behind the Snowflake Appeal to not only to support the work of our staff but illuminate the hospital at the end of 2020 to celebrate the start of a hopeful New Year.”
Louise Cook, head of fundraising at the hospital, added: “This idea has been used by other hospitals in the country to support their hospital charities and we would love for Norfolk businesses to help us shine bright this year. We hope display will be enjoyed by everyone visiting the hospital, and will raise money for the charity which in turn is used to benefit patients, staff and visitors.”
If you would like more information about sponsoring the snowflake display, please contact nnuhcharity@nnuh.nhs.uk or fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk or call 01603 286786.
A one-stop shop is now being offered to all patients referred by their GP to the breast cancer unit at the N&N thanks to the Boudicca Breast Cancer Appeal.
The N&N Hospitals Charity £800,000 appeal to create a dedicated breast cancer unit at NNUH has raised more than £400,000 thanks to donations from members of the public, groups and businesses alike.
Two years on, the area is unrecognisable with new equipment already in place.
The news comes during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the N&N Hospitals Charity is marking the occasion by encouraging people to continue to support the Boudicca Appeal.
Donations have already been used to purchase a Stereotactic mammography system which uses low-dose x-rays to help locate a breast abnormality and remove a tissue and is less invasive than surgical biopsy.
Also now being used is a Hologic LOCalizer guidance system so that very small breast cancers can be more accurately and less invasively identified during diagnosis and surgery, improving the patient’s experience and further reducing the need for multiple visits to hospital.
Matt Keeling, Deputy Divisional Operations Director (Surgery), said: “Having purchased the additional equipment required for the new clinic, we are now looking to create the new space for our patients and staff. The second phase will be all about creating a space that is supportive, welcoming and friendly for patients and relatives at what can be a very worrying time.”
“In recent months, we have been focused on our work with the Covid-19 pandemic and now we would like to focus on completing our Breast Cancer clinic and this is a fantastic way to kick start the appeal again.”
Arne Juette, Consultant Radiologist and Director of Breast Screening at NNUH, added: “We are so grateful for people helping us achieve our first goal to fundraise for this new, up-to-date equipment and we hope people will be inspired to see what they have helped to achieve is now making a real difference to our patients.
“The new equipment since its installation has allowed us to start offering a one stop shop service to all our referrals, compared to only two-thirds of patients who were receiving this service before Boudicca. This was one of the main aims of the appeal when we launched. We would urge everyone to help us complete the rest of the appeal.”
Among the biggest fundraisers have been the five Rotary Clubs of Norwich, along with the Desira Group and East Bilney Coachworks, which have raised more than £60,000 over the past year. [embedyt]
The Rotary Clubs are among those nominated in the upcoming Charity awards in recognition of their work to raise money for the appeal. This has included organising a charity ball, quiz, numerous local fundraising events, and the raffle of a car, provided by Desira and East Bilney Coachworks.
For more information about the Boudicca Appeal and how you can help, go to https://nnhospitalschari-8tcepqp763.live-website.com
CrombieNew breast cancer unit takes shape as part of Boudicca Appeal
A specialist chair for patients undergoing skin cancer treatment is now in place at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital thanks to a cycling challenge by a member of staff.
Lead Therapy Radiographer, Abigael Polley, set out to cycle 1,870 miles during 2019 and 2020 as part of a sponsored challenge to raise the £4,353 needed to purchase the chair for the radiotherapy department, which helps patients who need to wait for up to 30 minutes while a personalised mask is made.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, Abigael has managed to complete almost 900 miles this year, and raise more than £3,640 in donations, many from her current and past patients. Further donations to the N&N Hospitals Charity have been used to complete the purchase.
Abigael said: “Some cancer patients need personalised masks made for their skin cancer treatment and due to mobility and breathing difficulties, this chair is more appropriate for their needs than the current flat couch.
“I had a number of massive donations – both from friends and skin cancer patients and their families who wanted to do something for the NNUH Radiotherapy department.
“I am astounded and humbled by their generosity and faith. 2019 saw me cycling 870-miles with the main aim of covering 450-miles over eight rides in eight months. I averaged 56-miles per ride and raised an amazing £2,700 so I decided to continue in 2020 to try and raise the difference.
“It’s fantastic to finally have the chair in place and already makes a huge difference to our patients.”
As well as cycling, Abigael also took on a personal challenge – an abseil down The Forum in Norwich last year, tackling her fear of heights and also receiving donations from supporters.
Head of Radiotherapy, Mark Gilham, said: “I am immensely proud of my colleague and everyone who has supported her. She saw there was a way to enhance the care of our patients and she actively went out to make this happen.”
Donations can still be made to the department via Abigael’s fundraising page here.
For more information about the N&N Hospitals Charity and how you can support us, go to www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk
or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @NNUHCharity or https://www.facebook.com/nnuhcharity1
Photograph: Abigael Polley on the new treatment chair with Dr Jenny Nobes and Jessica Whitpen.jpg Abigael Polley on the new treatment chair with Dr Jenny Nobes and Jessica Whitpen
CrombieSkin cancer treatment chair in place after radiographer’s cycle challenge
The first annual @NNUHCharity In Memory & Never Forgotten remembrance service was held in the NNUH Chapel on Monday behind closed doors due to the current pandemic. Execs from the Trust were invited to attend the event and say a few words to honour those we have lost.
A copper leaf, celebrating the £1m donation to the N&N Hospitals Charity, has been placed on the ‘Eternal Celebratory Tree’ at Cromer and District Hospital.
The family of Douglas de Bootman handed over £1,078,519.30 at the end of last year which the retired farmer had left in his will to Cromer Hospital.
The new leaf is the first to be placed on the tree since it moved to its new permanent position inside the hospital, making way for the new state-of-the-art cancer care and support centre being built at the hospital.
The copper tree, which is more than two metres tall, stands in the atrium of the hospital.
Members of the public are being invited to purchase their own dedicated leaf to remember and celebrate someone special.
People can sponsor and dedicate either a maple leaf or an oak leaf for £50, which is then personalised with a message and hung on the tree.
N&N Hospitals Charity Head of Fundraising, Louise Cook, said: “Once a leaf has been purchased, it will be a part of the tree for at least three years.
“Your leaf will be engraved with your message, name or dates as an unique way to remember a special person or occasion.
“All money raised from the leaves will go to our Cromer Fund which directly benefits patients, visitors and staff to Cromer Hospital site.”
For more information or to purchase a leaf, please contact fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk or telephone 01603 287107.
CrombieLeaf marking £1m donation placed on hospital Celebratory Tree
