The first cohort of students on an innovative pharmacy course at the University of Lincoln are on track to fill a major recruitment gap in the region.

Pharmacists from Lincolnshire Co-op are lending their skills to teach the next generation of professionals and develop the pharmacy (MPharm) course.

Students on the course learn about the patient-facing skills necessary in the job alongside the chemistry of medicines.

The School of Pharmacy resides on the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park, a project led by Lincolnshire Co-op and the University of Lincoln to create a focal point for innovation and investment in science and technology across the region.

Head of Pharmacy at Lincolnshire Co-op, Alastair Farquhar said: “Historically it’s been difficult recruiting pharmacists in the eastern counties of England.

“This new style course at the University of Lincoln is really making a difference and filling a gap as a regional centre for pharmacy education.

“It will provide us with industry-ready pharmacists for the future – we’ve found that although recruitment to the region has been tough, once we get pharmacists to Lincolnshire they stay here.”

The first cohort of students started in September 2014, and will graduate in 2018.

In the first year they study the diseases and medicines relating to babies and children, in the second young adults, in the third middle age and in the fourth year studies focus on the elderly.

Penny Mosley, a Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacist and a teacher practitioner, said: “Because this is a new course we can write it to match the future – combining science with the practical knowledge of how to communicate with patients.

“Being a pharmacist has a much wider skill set these days – there’s been a significant shift from purely medicines supply to wider clinical services.”

Students build on these skills with placements in the society’s community pharmacies, where they can experience a working pharmacy.

The trust in charge of Lincolnshire’s hospitals has admitted that “a small number of clinics” will be cancelled as junior doctors are set to go out on strike next week.

Junior doctors will stage their first walkout since November 1975 in protest at Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s proposed changes to their contracts.

The first in a planned series of three strikes will see around 45,000 junior doctors in England providing only emergency cover for 24 hours from 8am on January 12, leading to a much reduced level of operation.

A second strike lasting 48 hours will be held from 8am on Tuesday, January 26, and the first all-out junior doctors’ strike in NHS history is scheduled for between 8am and 5pm on Wednesday, February 10.

At this stage, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is unsure on the number of junior doctors preparing to take part in the industrial action on Tuesday.

The trust has been holding meetings this week in preparation for the strike in an attempt to limit any inconvenience to patients.

The disruption is likely to be similar if not worse to the strike which was called off on December 1, when the trust cancelled over 400 appointments and two operations.

Mark Brassington, Chief Operating Officer at ULHT, said that the trust had robust plans in place for this walkout.

He said: “We have plans in place for the strike action on January 12 to make sure services continue to run safely and as smoothly as possible, and to protect the safety and welfare of all our patients.

“Our plans are robust and will prioritise patients with the greatest health needs and emergency care.

“If the strike goes ahead, we will have to cancel a small number of clinics at Pilgrim, Lincoln, Skegness and Spalding hospitals. However, the majority of clinics and all operations will not be affected.

“We will attempt to contact every patient whose appointment is cancelled and to re-book.

“Any patient who is not contacted should attend their appointment as planned.

“If the strike is called off, we ask patients to attend their appointments as originally planned.

“For the latest information see our website and local media on the day.

“All of our emergency care services will be running as usual, but members of the public are reminded to only attend A&E if it is a genuine emergency and to consider alternative options for minor ailments, such as visiting your pharmacist, walk in centre or urgent care centre.”

Are you a junior doctor going on strike in Lincoln next week? Get in touch with your views by emailing news@thelincolnite.co.uk

The health trust in charge of Lincoln County Hospital has revealed that only four wards remain affected by the norovirus outbreak, with two wards set to re-open again today.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has said that one ward remains closed and three wards currently restricted.

However, the trust hopes that two of the restricted wards will be cleaned and re-opened today.

The situation has improved since the end of last week, when seven wards were affected by the winter vomiting bug.

Bridy Clark, Head of Nursing at ULHT, said at the time that the majority of new cases of norovirus were being caused by new admissions, rather than patients already inside the hospital.

She said: “Visiting restrictions remain in place and small children should especially avoid visiting the hospital.

“Working in the NHS is a challenge and this has certainly been a challenge.

“Our nurses have stepped up to the plate and I am proud of our staff and how ULHT has come together.”

Visiting restrictions remain in place and the trust continues to ask visitors not to come to the hospital if they have had an upset stomach in the last three days.

More than 250 outpatient appointments and over 20 clinics have been cancelled at Lincolnshire’s hospitals as just under 100 junior doctors working in the county are expected to head out on strike on Tuesday, January 12.

As reported last week, junior doctors will stage their first walkout since November 1975 after failing to reach an agreement with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s proposed changes to their contracts.

The first in a planned series of three strikes will see around 45,000 junior doctors in England providing only emergency cover for 24 hours from 8am on January 12, leading to a much reduced level of operation.

Around 94 of the 470 junior doctors working in Lincolnshire are expected to head out on strike, as the rest are expected to provide an emergency service.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust has been holding meetings in preparation for the strike in an attempt to limit any inconvenience to patients.

However, 257 outpatient appointments and 23 clinics have been cancelled due to the industrial action.

No operations have been cancelled and all emergency services will be maintained, as the strike focuses on elective or routine procedures.

Mark Brassington, Chief Operating Officer at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We’ve written to all affected patients to inform them of changes to their appointments.

“If the strike is cancelled at the last minute, which appears unlikely, we’ve told patients to come in for their appointments and we’ll revert to normal practice.

“Plans are in place across all the sites to deal with the industrial action and we have held assurance meetings today, so we’re confident the day will pass without incident.

“If a major incident occurs, all 470 doctors are called back into work.”

Full support

Nick Parker, Secretary of Lincoln & District TUC, said that the organisation pledged its “full support” to the junior doctors taking the industrial action.

He said: “We pledge our full support to the junior doctors in their dispute with the government. The NHS is struggling as it is from the impact of cuts and privatisation, and attacking hard-working junior doctors will make this worse.

“Lincoln & District TUC would like to encourage all members of the public to put pressure on their elected representatives to call for the government to withdraw these plans and end this dispute.

“Solidarity with the junior doctors from Lincoln & District TUC and all its affiliates in their fight to defend our NHS.”

The British Medical Association will be holding a picket line from 8am outside Lincoln County Hospital.

A Lincoln GP surgery has been praised for its service to 10,000 patients in a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Minster Medical Practice in Lincoln was ranked as “good” in all five key areas following an inspection in August, including safety, effectiveness and in response to patients’ needs.

In the CQC report, which was published on January 7, inspectors said: “Data showed patient outcomes at Minster Medical Practice were at or above the national average.

“The practice had good facilities and feedback from patients about their care and treatment was consistently and strongly positive.”

According to the report, patients said they were treated with dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment.

Jo Downes, practice manager at Minster Medical Centre, said: “We strive to provide a caring, safe, high quality service for each and every patient and their family – including carers.

“We are pleased to have been awarded a CQC rating of Good across all categories. This is a very positive result for the hard work of our outstanding team.”

There were however some areas outlined where the provider should make improvements. These included making sure a patient participation group is in operation and regularly reviewing complaints.

The GP was also advised to put a system in place to identify the risks of healthcare associated infections.

Minster Medical Practice, based in Cabourne Avenue, is one of 37 surgeries belonging to NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group.

Claire Darbyshire, senior quality and engagement manager at the CCG, said: “We are very pleased to see Minster Medical Practice secure its good rating.

“It is crucial our staff carry out an effective and caring service, in a safe environment.”

The CCG is one of four across Lincolnshire, and more than 200 countrywide, which work to buy healthcare for its respective group of residents.

Lincolnshire West includes 240,000 people living in Lincoln, Gainsborough and surrounding villages.

Junior doctors have begun their first strike in over 40 years, with a picket line outside the main entrance of Lincoln County Hospital from 8am on Tuesday, January 12.

Dozens of cars sounded their horns and gave the protesters the thumbs-up as they drove into work along Greetwell Road this morning.

Around 100 junior doctors are expected to have walked out in the county. More than 250 outpatient appointments and over 20 clinics have been cancelled.

The strike is the first of three planned over the next month, the second being Tuesday, January 26, followed by the first all-out doctors’ strike in NHS history scheduled for between 8am and 5pm on Wednesday, February 10.

Doctors have organised the industrial action in protest at Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s proposed changes to their contracts.

Chris Busby, a junior doctor at Lincoln County Hospital, said: “None of us want to be on strike today. We feel that the contract that the government is trying to impose on us is unsafe in the long run.

“We’ve been working very hard to try and get a contract that’s fair for doctors and safe for patients but unfortunately the government aren’t listening to us.

“Unfortunately the strike will be disruptive. However, there are safe levels of staffing but there are good numbers of doctors on site and studies have shown that mortality doesn’t go up during strikes so we feel with a heavy heart we’ve been forced into this situation.”

Objections

Those striking have not had the support of all Lincolnshire residents. One irate motorist was less impressed, and pulled up alongside the doctors to make clear his objections to the strike.

In a short outburst, the driver said that he was “disgusted” with the doctors and said he had “no patience with them.”

He added that he felt that they were being “egged on by Corbyn’s scum” and ‘bullied by the trade unions who were bringing back situations from the 1970s’.

Junior doctors attempted to put across their point of view to the man before he walked off.

Vanessa Djabatey, a fellow junior doctor at Lincoln County, said: “I’m on strike to support my fellow junior doctors in trying to get a fair contract for them and for patients which in the long-term will protect our NHS.

“The contract that the government is offering now does not provide the robust safeguards to make sure that our hours are monitored.

“Doctors would be overstretched, demoralised, under-supported and wouldn’t be able to give their best. That’s not fair to patients and it’s not fair on us.”

Jaren Mabbott, a year one foundation doctor at the hospital, added: “It’s a major change to our contracts. The threat of imposition by the government is completely unacceptable and in a democratic society I don’t think it’s the correct thing to do.

“I think that fair dialogue is important and I don’t think that the government has provided that so far during the negotiations.

“Patient safety is our number one priority and that’s why we’re out here today.”

A new Director of Nursing and Quality for Lincolnshire’s mental health and social care NHS trust has taken up her post.

Anne-Maria Olphert began her role which will lead mental health nursing and allied health professionals at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) on January 4.

A qualified nurse with more than 30 years’ NHS experience, Anne-Maria has worked in several senior healthcare roles including children’s intensive care manager and director of children’s community health services.

She was worked extensively across the UK, qualifying in Canterbury, and training in Cardiff and at the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Anne-Maria was most recently working as Chief Nurse for the Erewash Clinical Commissioning Group in Derbyshire.

She said: “I am passionate about mental health having managed adult mental health services in Leicestershire – I love Lincolnshire and visit regularly as my family live here.

“The NHS, nationally and locally, is going through many changes. We are faced with financial constraints, the need to recruit the right staff with the right skills – in addition to continuing to provide the excellent services we deliver for our patients.”

Anne-Maria was awarded a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship last year and spent time in New Zealand studying End of Life Care and compassion in practice.

She has published widely in several journals and is currently on the editorial board of the British Journal of Nursing.

She added: “I’m looking forward to getting out and about, meeting and getting to know staff and patients and making sure I’m in a position to listen to their concerns as well as their celebrations.

“I also want to understand the challenges staff are facing and develop relationships with our key stakeholders such as commissioners, local authorities and providers.”

LPFT Chief Executive Dr John Brewin said: “We are delighted to welcome Anne-Maria to the trust.

“Her proven track record in nursing leadership will be an excellent asset to the trust as we continue our drive to help people live well in their communities.”

More people than ever before have put pen to paper to say ‘thank you’ to the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

The patient experience team says that they have received a record number of compliments in the financial year from April 2015.

While the trust noted a number of complaints from patients, compliments far outweighed them.

Between April and June 2015 (the first quarter), EMAS received 268 compliments compared to 13 complaints. This equates to a ratio of 20 compliments for every complaint (20:1), something never before seen at the trust.

In the second quarter of the year (July, August September), the number of compliments rose again to 302 compared to 34 complaints.

Clare Wade, Patient Safety & Experience Manager, said: “To receive so many compliments is a real credit to the hard work of crews who are at the frontline of patient care.

“However, we do take every complaint very seriously and aim to learn everything we can in order to improve our services.

“When people feel that they’ve received excellent care that has gone above and beyond what they expected, they write in to say ‘thank you’ and we really appreciate this.

“People are often most appreciative of our staff being courteous, supportive and showing empathy.”

Compliments were for all of the EMAS services; 999 emergency calls, patient transport and call handlers.

Words frequently used to praise staff included ‘professional’, ‘excellent’, ‘caring’, ‘kind’ and ‘grateful’.

EMAS received 1083 compliments between April 2014 and March 2015, compared with 464 compliments in 2013/14 – amounting to an increase of 133.4%.

Comparing number of compliments for the first two quarters of 2015/16 (570) with the same period in 2014/15 (476) gives an increase of 19.7%.

Patients and members of the public are encouraged by the trust to give both good and bad feedback about the care they received from the ambulance service.

They can do that via the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) – email: emas.pals@nhs.net or call at local rate on 0333 012 4216

Passionate readers of The Lincolnite have been taking to social media to give their views on the junior doctors’ strike being held in Lincoln and across the rest of the country.

As previously reported, junior doctors have gone on strike for the first time in over 40 years, and picketers have been stationed outside the entrance to Lincoln County Hospital since 8am on Tuesday, December 12.

Junior doctors, such as Chris Busby, who works in Lincoln, said that they did not want to strike but felt that new contracts being imposed on them by the government were unsafe.

The strike has generated heated discussion, with a significant number of those commenting in favour of the junior doctors’ actions, although not necessarily for the same reasons.

One of their supporters, Imogen Lemon, said: “I support these junior doctors. They have been pushed to this position by unreasonable conditions of work being forced upon them, conditions which, in the long run would endanger the lives of patients.”

Peter Jarvis put the blame for the strikes firmly at the door of the government. He said:

“Hardly surprising they’re striking, really, given that the 11% increase in basic pay is dwarfed by a 26% cut in unsociable working hours pay.

“Given the shortage of doctors created since the Conservatives took effective control of the NHS in 2010, how on earth is that shortage ever going to be addressed if salaries are to be reduced? I don’t see any reductions in ministerial salaries!”

John Radford’s sympathy was fully with the doctors in the dispute.

He said: “Too many people will bemoan strike action as an ‘inconvenience’ to their lives and call the doctors greedy or self-motivated.

“We should understand the hours that they already work are dangerous enough, without further pressure to work longer. This sort of change to contracts is what drives our medical practitioners abroad or simply out of the profession altogether.”

Robin Wilson, who also supported the strike, had a different view, adding: “Don’t blame them one bit! Cuts in NHS, the police and emergency services while we waste millions on overseas aid.”

While many readers supported the strike, others were less sympathetic.

Stephen Minister, who pulled up by the picket line to tell the doctors he was disgusted with them, pulled no punches.

He said: “By striking they are playing God with people’s lives. Many people have waited months for appointments, only to have them cancelled because of strike action.

“Let’s hope these despicable people don’t get paid for their time off striking. And with all due respect; nobody made these people become doctors.

“For the rest of us at the working coalface, if the job we are doing doesn’t pay enough, we move on and get another job.”

Glenda Wright, who expressed a similar view, said: “No sympathy. They are not junior doctors forever, it is a stepping stone. If they want a Monday to Friday job, nine to five, get out of the NHS.”

Graeme Richard Ryan added: “Imagine a person goes to college to study bricklaying. They pass the course. They get their first job. First day at work they decide they don’t like working outdoors.”

Pauline Fuller argued that the strike was politically motivated.

She said: “If we had a Labour government I don’t think they would be on strike. If someone close to you were to suffer unnecessarily because of the strike would people feel the same?

“Our service personnel work longer periods for a lot less money and put their lives on the line and they cannot strike.”

Some readers, like Rick Bicker, were undecided.

He said: “I’m still waiting for proof of what the BMA is claiming before I make a judgement. They have claimed all these things yet haven’t provided proof. Unfortunately a lot of people seem to believe things even without proof.”

Read the thoughts of the junior doctors on their walkout here.

The second in a planned series of strikes by junior doctors in Lincolnshire and the rest of England has been suspended.

Junior doctors were expected to walk out for 48 hours from January 26 in protest at the new contracts being imposed on them by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

However, following discussions with the government, they have agreed to suspend the walkout.

A statement on the British Medical Association website said: “On the basis of early progress made in the current set of talks with the government, the junior doctors committee made the decision to suspend the 48 hour industrial action planned for January 26-28.

“We are announcing this today in order to give trusts as much notice as possible so as to avoid disruption to patients.

“This decision is in line with our stated aim to ensure a safe, fair contract through negotiated agreement, if at all possible.

“The action which junior doctors across England took last week sent a clear message to the government and the negotiating team is now focusing on reaching a resolution to meet your concerns.”

The first strike in over 40 years took place on January 12.

Junior doctors formed a picket line outside Lincoln County Hospital, with dozens of cars sounded their horns and gave the protesters the thumbs-up as they drove into work along Greetwell Road this morning.

However, some including Cherry Willingham resident Stephen Minister were not as impressed, who pulled up alongside the picket line to say that he was “disgusted” with the doctors and that he had “no patience with them.”

Chris Busby, a junior doctor at Lincoln County Hospital, had said: “We feel that the contract that the government is trying to impose on us is unsafe in the long run.

“We’ve been working very hard to try and get a contract that’s fair for doctors and safe for patients but unfortunately the government aren’t listening to us.”

The walkout generated significant discussion on social media, with readers of The Lincolnite giving their views on the industrial action.

Film star, writer and director Warwick Davis was the guest of honour as staff and patients celebrated the opening of Lincolnshire’s first Hospice within a Hospital.

Warwick performed the official opening of the new purpose designed £1.2 million unit within Grantham and District Hospital on the evening of Thursday, January 21.

The, famed for roles in Star Wars and Harry Potter films, captivated staff and patients with his motivational speech, before unveiling the new plaque and declaring the unit open.

He said: “It is a great honour to be asked here to open this pioneering hospice in the hospital which is providing the benchmark for palliative care across the county. After speaking with the patients here, it is clear how important a unit like this is.

“It really is great to be here and be part of history in the making by declaring this facility open.”

The official opening was staged by St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and South West Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, who have pooled their expertise in a unique partnership to create the ground-breaking six-bedded unit.

Since it opened its doors in September 2014, the Hospice in the Hospital has cared for more than 221 patients – saving them and their family and friends a 60-mile round journey to currently the county’s only inpatient unit at Nettleham Road, Lincoln.

Warwick was impressed with the palliative care facilities within the Hospice in the Hospital.

He said: “Not only are they being cared for in a state-of-the-art facility, they are also given access to the specialist care they deserve. The attention to detail in this unit is incredible and the quality of care they are receiving is second to none.”

Michelle Webb, Director of Patient Care at St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, said: “We are delighted that Warwick has been able to open this unique unit for us. This partnership provides an innovative approach to providing hospice care locally and has benefited many patients and their families in our community.”

The Hospice in the Hospital harnesses the very latest thinking and research, putting the project at the forefront of best practice to improve end-of-life care across South West Lincolnshire.

Mandy Charles, Matron at Grantham and District Hospital, added: “We are delighted to be able to officially open the unit. We are all very proud of how the hospice in a hospital is working.

“It brings together expertise from the community and the hospital in partnership working to provide the best care to patients and their families in a unique way. We have been upheld as leaders in the field and recognised at a national level which is fantastic for the staff and patients of Grantham and District hospital.”

The norovirus outbreak at Lincoln County Hospital has now been officially declared as over.

The outbreak of the winter vomiting bug first affected patients at the hospital on December 18, with up to 12 wards closed at its highest point just after Christmas.

Although the outbreak is now over, norovirus continues to circulate in the community and the hospital is still experiencing a number of cases of patients admitted to the hospital who are incubating the infection.

The number of visitors per patient will be limited to a maximum of two per bed space, in all but exceptional circumstances.

Children under the age of five and under should not visit the hospital.

Anyone who has experienced symptoms of norovirus in the past 72 hours is being asked not attend A&E or visit the hospital.

Michelle Rhodes, Director of Nursing for ULHT, said: “It is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff that we are able to declare this outbreak over.

“Many of them have gone above and beyond what is normally required of them to ensure disruption to the hospital is minimised and ensuring patient safety and care is not compromised.

“I’d like to thank the public too. In staying away from our wards and A&E they have helped us cope and keep disruptions to a minimum. But we still need their support.

“Visiting restrictions remain in place in order to limit the spread of the virus and to protect our vulnerable patients and our staff.”

People worried about prolonged symptoms should contact NHS 111 or ring their GP, not visit their surgery.

They will be able to provide advice for people who are at greater risk from dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting, such as young children or the elderly.

Lincolnshire veterans who served in the armed forces have been encouraged to share their experiences of mental health services to help improve future care across the country.

An NHS England survey has been launched to get the views of veterans who access services as they move from military to civilian life.

It hopes to understand the reasons why some people have not sought or received support and treatment, as well as gathering input from family members, staff and organisations providing treatment in this area.

The NHS currently provides 12 mental health services across England specifically for veterans, which includes those run by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT).

The trust’s Veterans’ Mental Health Services enable specialist staff to care for ex-forces personnel with mental health needs, directing them to the most appropriate service and effective treatments.

Paula Jelly, LPFT’s veterans’ service regional lead, said: “Providing effective help and support to our veterans leaving the services is of vital importance to ensure a smooth transition and access to NHS and third sector services.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for feedback to be collated which can then inform both the current and future of service provision for our veterans and also their families and carers.”

Dr Jonathan Leach, Chair of NHS England’s Armed Forces and their Families Clinical Reference Group said: “Some individuals can experience very traumatic situations whilst serving in the military before facing the additional challenges of moving back into civilian life – all of which can take a severe toll.

“We are asking for feedback from veterans, their families and NHS specialists so that the right care and support is available early and easily for those who need it.”

The deadline for responses is March 31, 2016.

Click here to take part in the survey.

Six Lincolnshire adult social care services have been given ratings of “requires improvement” after the Care Quality Commission carried out inspections in the final few months of 2015.

A series of reviews were conducted by CQC inspectors from September to December 2015 in Lincolnshire residential centres, with the results published on January 28.

The six services found to be requiring improvement were:

• Minster Court Limited, Bracebridge Heath
• Mears Care, Lincoln
• Chestnuts Retirement Home, Ruskington
• Ashdene Care Home, Sleaford
• Drovers Call, Gainsborough
• Kimberley Care Village, Long Sutton

An inspection of Minster Court Limited sheltered housing off York Way Bracebridge Heath on December 8 found that the leadership and safety provided by the service was in need of improvement.

Medicines were not consistently recorded by staff at the complex, which provides a personal care service to 12 adults of all ages with a range of health care needs who live within Minster Court.

Risk assessments were not always completed meaning that the service was “not consistently safe.”

The report also noted that the service was not consistently well led.

Systems and processes in place to check the quality of care and improve the service were not always effective and staff were unclear about the whistleblowing policy.

Despite this, the report said that the service was caring, effective and responsive, ranking all three of these criteria as ‘good’.

A spokesperson for Retirement Security, the company which runs the care home, said: “As you are probably aware the new guidelines for CQC inspections were altered from April 2015.

“The findings are that we were pleased with the overall result but the report highlighted just a couple of minor things in two of the five areas reported on. These have now been addressed.

“All those in receipt of care from staff at Minster Court that were interviewed were very happy with the service they received.”

The findings from Minster Court followed an inspection of Mears Care based at Ample House on South Park on November 11.

Inspectors found that that the safety, effectiveness and responsiveness of the service required improvement but the leadership and caring nature was praised.

At the time of the inspection, Mears Care provided healthcare to around 270 adults, and the service was supplying approximately 2500 hours of care a week.

Inspectors noted that medicines were not consistently recorded and people did not always get their medicines on time.

People’s health needs were also not consistently recorded to enable staff to be able to respond to them.

The report added that care plans were personalised but people were not always aware of them and care was not always provided at the time people requested.

Mears Care is now registered at a different address on the CQC’s website. The commission has not as yet inspected this site with an address on Weaver Road in the south-west of the city.

Better news was found at The Croft in Scopwick, which provides care and support to people with autism, and the Apex Care Centre for over 65s in Mablethorpe, both of which were rated as ‘good’.

Another three Lincolnshire care homes have been given ratings of “requires improvement” in inspections carried out by the Care Quality Commission, with other services receiving more positive reports.

As previously reported, six Lincolnshire adult social care services have been given ratings of “requires improvement” after the CQC conducted inspections in the final few months of 2015.

The three further care homes found to be requiring improvement were:

• Roman Wharf Nursing Home, Lincoln
• Cheyne House Nursing, North Carlton
• Manor Gate Care Home, Wyberton

An unannounced inspection of Roman Wharf Nursing Home took place towards the end of November 2015, with inspectors finding four breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

The home, housing 23 residents at the time of inspection, was reported to not have enough staff on duty to enable people to promptly receive care.

Residents were not always helped to avoid accidents and arrangements to support people to eat and drink enough were not robust.

Despite this, inspectors found that staff were “compassionate, kind and caring.”

However, the report said that people with special communication needs such as dementia sufferers had not always been offered the responsive support necessary.

Rishi Ghai, director of Roman Wharf, said that the home has made several operational changes following the inspection.

He said:

“We have taken on board the findings of the CQC inspection and are continuing to make improvements to our service.

“Recent comments received from residents and their families show the high standard of care we are providing. We are currently rated as 9.9 out of 10 on the review website carehome.co.uk, which the highlights the most recommended care homes in the UK.”

Two months earlier, inspectors conducted an examination of Cheyne House Nursing, which provides care and accommodation for 24 dementia sufferers.

The report raised particular concerns about the home’s safety.

Inspectors said: “The registered provider did not demonstrate how accidents and incidents were investigated.

“People’s safety was not always maintained, because staff did not always follow safe medicine administration guidance and people were at risk of receiving the wrong medicine.

“Also, the provider did not always ensure that the service was consistently clean and that safe infection control procedures were adhered to.”

The report added that some relatives had told inspectors that they felt that their loved ones were “bored”.

Inspectors have recommended that the provider finds out more about current best practice guidelines for the special care needs of people living with dementia.

Manor Gate Care Home was the third service rated as requiring improvement, with inspectors conducting an assessment on December 23.

The safety, effectiveness and leadership of the home was all found to need improvement, while staff were praised for their responsiveness and caring nature.

The report said: “Arrangements used to ensure that there were always enough staff on duty were not robust and some parts of the recruitment and selection procedure were not rigorous.

“Staff had not received all of the training and support they needed.”

Heidi Gotts, registered manager at Manor Gate, said that she was not on the site for the inspection, meaning that inspectors were not shown the relevant information.

She said: “For example, the dependency assessment which we use to calculate staff levels every four weeks was not shown to inspectors.

“We have maintenance plans in place for 2016 and of course it was positive that the report saw the caring and responsiveness of our staff.

“But if there was an inspection tomorrow, I’m sure we’d receive a better rating.”

By contrast, inspectors gave a glowing report to The Old Hall in Billingborough, rating the service as “outstanding.”

Inspectors said: “Staff understood what was important to the people living at The Old Hall and worked closely with each other and with families to ensure each person had a meaningful and enjoyable life.

“There was a warm, homely atmosphere and staff cared for people with kindness, patience and understanding.

“People and their relatives could voice their views and opinions. The manager listened to what people had to say and took action to resolve any issues.”

Lee Newsome, business manager at The Old Hall, said: “We’re over the moon with the inspection and we’re so proud of our amazing staff.

“We’ll now pull the report to pieces and see if there’s anything else we can do to make our service even better.”

The three other Lincolnshire services rated by inspectors as providing good care to residents were:

• Saxilby House
• Elmwood House Nursing Home, Boston
• OSJCT Eresby Hall, Spilsby

A North Hykeham GP practice has been placed in special measures after a report revealed patients were at risk of harm and systems for safeguarding children were inadequate.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the Crossroads Medical Practice on Lincoln Road on September 24, rating the service overall as “inadequate”.

The practice provides a range of medical services to around 7,270 patients in North Hykeham.

Inspectors said that the service provided inadequate care for people of all ages, including families, young children, those suffering from mental health problems and vulnerable patients.

The safety, effectiveness and leadership of the practice was rated as inadequate, with the responsiveness of the surgery also requiring improvement.

Inspectors found that patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not in place to keep them safe.

The report cited the lack of a robust system for the management of emergency equipment and medicines as a key failure.

Inspectors also noted that systems in place for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults were not robust.

The report added that there was insufficient assurance to demonstrate people received effective care and treatment, with palliative care monitoring being identified as inadequate.

Leadership criticised in report

The service is provided by three full time male GP partners, a part time female salaried GP, an advanced nurse
practitioner, four part time practice nurses and two part time health care assistants.

Staff are supported by an operations manager, an acting practice manager and reception and administration staff.

Leadership of the practice was criticised for a lack of clarity and experience, although this was put down in part to a number of management changes over the last 12 months.

Despite the failures identified, inspectors praised the caring services on offer at the surgery.

The report noted: “Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment.”

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: “Practices placed in special measures will be inspected again within six months.

“If insufficient improvements have not been made such that there remains a rating of inadequate for any population group, key question or overall, we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating the service.

“This will lead to cancelling their registration or to varying the terms of their registration within six months if they do not improve.”

Rebecca Neno, deputy chief nurse at Lincolnshire West CCG, said: “Crossroads Medical Practice has been placed into special measures by the CQC, following a recent visit.

“In its report, the CQC highlights a number of areas where it considers the practice to be inadequate or requiring improvement.

“These have either been resolved or are being addressed by the practice with the full support of Lincolnshire West CCG.

“We note that the CQC rates the practice as good for providing caring services and we are confident that the surgery, which has undergone a number of staffing changes over the last 12 months, will build on this to ensure improvements across all domains.”

The family of a newborn baby who died at Lincoln County Hospital after mistakes were made by medical staff have spoken of their tragic loss after a three day inquest.

Theo Robert Kuhn was born on September 2, 2014 by caesarean section and died the next morning following severe respiratory complications.

Medical professionals admitted that failures by staff to effectively monitor his condition and ultimately conduct a crucial chest drain procedure were “critical factors” in his death.

A review into Theo’s death revealed he had suffered from neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and ultimately pneumothorax, a collection of gas in the chest cavity which causes the lung to collapse.

Concluding the inquest on Thursday, February 4 at the Lincoln Cathedral Centre, Stuart Fisher, HM Senior Coroner for Lincolnshire, summarised evidence which highlighted failures by neonatal staff at the hospital to communicate and act quickly on Theo’s deteriorating condition.

He added that the doctors dealing with Theo failed to insert a chest drain, which had “serious consequences”. He described the case as “heartbreaking”.

The inquest heard in a testimony by Dr Vanessa Cox, who was the registrar on night duty between September 2 and 3, that she had been working both on the paediatric ward as well as the neonatal ward – some distance apart on the hospital site.

She had been informed of inspections on Theo’s condition by nurse Bridie Fields via phone calls while she dealt with urgent matters on Rainforest Ward, but admitted that she had not inspected Theo herself between 10.30pm on September 2 and 7.30am on September 3.

The inquest heard that blood gas test results and oxygen reliance levels were kept under close watch, but aspirations of dark fluid and worsening results signalled a potentially serious condition at around 5.20am and an inspection should have been carried out.

Coroner Stuart Fisher acknowledged Dr Cox had not visited the neonatal ward due to pressures on Rainforest Ward and had relied on an “inexperienced doctor” to relay information.

He added: “The approach lacked, in my view, a sense of urgency”.

On detection of pneumothorax staff took emergency measures but admitted no attempt had been made to insert a chest drain stating “there was no time”.

Stuart Fisher noted an admission by Dr Suresh Babu, who was also involved in Theo’s case, that he had “extensively reflected on the incident and should have inserted a chest drain before Theo was incubated.”

He had added: ” If the chest drain had been inserted there would have been a different outcome. Theo would have lived.”

Theo’s mother Laura Kuhn and her family released the following statement following the conclusion of the inquest:

“Our Theo should still be with his loving family today. He would now nearly have been one and a half years old.

“Unfortunately his life was tragically cut short at less than a day old by mistakes made at Lincoln County Hospital.

“We will never know the boy and man he would have become. His loss affected us every moment of every day.

“We hope that necessary lessons will be learnt by the hospital and that the tragic circumstances of the case are never repeated again.

“We wish to thank our friends and family for their support since the devastating loss of our Theo.

“We would also like to thank our solicitors Langleys, and our barrister, who have assisted us in this difficult but important process.”

Coroner Stuart Fisher added that the subsequent internal investigation conducted by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust was “ruthless, and spread the net most widely”, with staff undergoing “impressive” additional training and simulations to prevent similar occurrences in future.

Dr Suneil Kapadia, Medical Director at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, said after the inquest: “I know that an apology can’t turn back the clock or help Theo family’s with the pain and grief they are suffering, but on behalf of the Trust I would like to apologise unreservedly to his family.

“The trust has carried out our own internal review into Theo’s death and we have learnt from this tragic incident to make sure this doesn’t happen again”.

A new strategy to reduce the number of suicides amongst Lincolnshire residents using mental health and support services has been launched.

The Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) has been putting the finishing touches to its Suicide Prevention Strategy in a bid to help those accessing its services.

The strategy has been developed in conjunction with survivors of suicide, service users, carers, families and staff, and aims to support people to understand how to manage at times of crisis.

Dr Sue Elcock, LPFT Medical Director, said: “Any suicide or loss of life is tragic, and the impact it can have on families and friends is devastating.

“Our work with the local Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide group has been instrumental in helping us to also understand the needs of survivors at such a tragic time.

“There is always more to do, but our new strategy with its action plan will ensure we continue to promote recovery and quality of life through effective, innovative and caring services.”

Lincoln Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide group leader, Dianne Tetley, said: “Each year more than 6,000 people take their own life in the UK.

“We are pleased that LPFT has recognised the significance of supporting survivors of suicide and carried out this important work to help those people in distress and their families.”

The accident and emergency department at Lincoln County Hospital is never quiet. Tipped to bursting point by winter illness surges, staffing shortages and a climbing deficit, the halls of the building in north east Lincoln are a hive of emotion – and no day is the same.

As the largest hospital in the county, offering the most comprehensive services, Lincoln County’s net reaches hundreds of communities, its load exacerbated by recent closures of facilities including A&E in Newark.

Surging patient numbers are not an uncommon trend, with the latest weekly NHS figures revealing an 8% year-on-year increase in attendance at major A&E units.

Pressures put Lincoln County Hospital into Black Alert during the winter of 2014/15 with as many as 162 patients coming through to A&E in one day and 15,530 people calling the East Midlands Ambulance Service for help.

This winter, the hospital was blighted by an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug norovirus. The cost of the to United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust was between £500,000 and £1 million, bringing its forecast deficit to £58 million.

Altogether for the financial year 2014/15, almost 72,000 people attended A&E at the hospital, and staff are consistently working to a four hour waiting times target.

For the last reporting month (November) the trust-wide A&E performance was 86.52% against the four hour target.

How does it feel to work in the A&E department, and how do staff deal with the everyday tensions? The Lincolnite visited the hospital to find out.

A £2.1 million modernisation of Lincoln County Hospital’s dated neonatal intensive care unit will be completed later this year.

The new unit will provide a total of 17 intensive care cots, with flexibility in the designs for an additional two spaces.

Hospital strategists have indicated that the unit would be capable of delivering a service to an estimated 6,500 births each year.

Around a third of the money for the project will come from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s capital programme for 2015-16.

The remaining two thirds will be taken from the trust’s 2016-17 capital programme.

The refurbishments are expected to be completed by the autumn, and the unit is hoped to be operational by the end of September 2016.

Ward manager Rachel Wright said: “The neonatal intensive care unit is based on the sixth floor of the maternity wing was built in the 1960s.

“The unit has had very little refurbishment during this time and is in desperate need of modernisation.

“The investment of £2.1 million to modernise the unit will be of huge benefit the babies and families we care for.

“It is an extremely exciting time for us all and we look forward to returning to the newly refurbished unit once the work has been completed.”