Hawk kite at Scarborough Hospital

There is a new resident at Scarborough Hospital who is helping deter seagulls from nesting at the hospital.

A hawk kite has been installed on the south rooftop (the corridor that stretches from the main entrance to X-Ray). The job of the hawk kite is to deter seagulls and pigeons from nesting in the gutters which causes additional maintenance work and costs.

James Hayward, Director of Facilities, said:"I had never seen one before, installing a hawk kite was the idea of our senior engineer John Green.

"They are proven to be very effective and have no running costs – so we were willing to give it a try.

"Seagulls cause damage to our hospital buildings as well as being a nuisance to staff, patients and visitors.

"The kite is flown from a large pole and appears like a real bird in its movement, swooping, diving and climbing like a real hawk. Many species of birds are naturally afraid of predators.

"The kite launches and re-launches automatically in the slightest wind. It has been up for two weeks now and is being used alongside a bird scarring siren which comes on intermittently."

 

---

 

SHADES campaign is launched

A new initiative called SHADES is now in operation at Scarborough Hospital.

The initiative is the idea of a group of Healthcare Assistants, to encourage Housekeepers and Healthcare Assistants to check for personal belongings before they change a patient’s bed linen, clean the bedside locker or strip the bed when the patient is being discharged home or transferred out of the hospital.

SHADES stands for:
S – Spectacles
HA – Hearing Aids
DES – Dentures

Staff undertaking the SHADES check are reminded to check for the above items as well as any other belongings of patients that may have got caught up in the bed linen or left behind in their locker.

Elaine Hayward, Service Redesign Manager, explained: "Losing spectacles, hearing aids or dentures can have a real impact on patients’ privacy dignity and safety. For example if a patient losses their spectacles they may spill a beverage. Loss of a hearing aid could result in miscommunication between staff and the patient, whilst loss of dentures could result in poor nutrition and oral health.

"Often when patients are admitted to hospital, particularly if they are elderly, they may be unable to look after their own belongings or remember what they brought with them. It is therefore important that we do this on their behalf.

"Undertaking the SHADES check and making this a routine part of the bed linen change will help us to support patients in keeping their essential belongings safe and at hand."

This initiative has been driven by a group of Healthcare Assistants. The acronym was developed by a Porter who works at Bridlington Hospital.

Elaine Hayward continued: “The Health Care Assistants working on this initiative really have taken the lead role in moving it forward and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work and enthusiasm.”

A SHADES poster will be displayed above or near to each bed reminding staff to do the check as part of their daily routine.

A new patient property box system will also be introduced alongside this initiative. The box, which has space for one pair of spectacles, hearing aids, dentures and other valuable items such as mobile phones, will be kept safely in the patient’s bedside locker. On admission and discharge a form will be filled in to check the items that the patient is arriving and leaving with.

For further information contact Rebecca Aspin, Media and Communications Officer, on 01723 342516 or

---

 

Todd Miller is Yorkshire Coast Hospital Radio's patron

Todd Miller, leader of the one of Britain’s best-known and acclaimed dance bands has become Yorkshire Coast Hospital Radio's patron. Peter Astell, the radio station's secretary said, “YHCR is delighted that Todd agreed to this invitation. Todd Miller, through the long-standing association with the Joe Loss Orchestra knows Bridlington well." Todd told Peter that the Bridlington Spa Royal Hall was one of the Orchestra’s favourite venues. Peter scooped this honour after an exclusive interview with Todd when his Orchestra played at the Bridlington Spa Royal Hall.

The Todd Miller Orchestra is Britain's longest running live entertainment unit. This year is the 80th Anniversary of its founding by the legendary Joe Loss. For sixty years, the Joe Loss Orchestra was at the top of the Big Band World. Joe Loss mentored and guided Todd for 18 years before he assumed Joe’s mantle as orchestra leader in 1990. Todd first joined the Joe Loss Orchestra as a vocalist.

Visit Todd's website here.

---

 

parking at hospital sites  

In order to improve the safety of its hospital sites, Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust is introducing car park management. Penalty charges will be £60, or £30 if paid within 14 days, and will be administered by an external company.

However, there are concessions

Car Parking concessions are available to patients visiting the hospital for treatment three or more times a week. Free parking is also available to visitors if they have a relative in hospital for more than five days. For further information ask at the Main Reception, speak to a member of ward staff or contact PALS on 01723 342434.  

---

 

About the GP Access Centre at Bridlington

There is a GP access centre at Bridlington Hospital, Entrance A, operating seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. Any member of the public can see a doctor or nurse at the new practice or phone and book an appointment beforehand. The extended opening hours give greater choice of appointment times in the evening and over the weekend, including bank holidays.

You do not need to be registered with the practice. You can use the services offered at the practice as well as the services at your own GP surgery.

The GP access centre is run by Bridlington Healthcare NHS Collaborative, a new joint arrangement between NHS East Riding of Yorkshire Community Services and four of Bridlington’s GP practices - Dr Meldrum and Partners, Dr MacNab and Partners, Dr Farley and Partners and Dr Harris and Partners.

Medical services offered by the existing GP practices within Bridlington stay the same, with the new GP access centre providing other NHS services.

The centre offers patients the full range of services delivered by standard GP practices plus extra services including substance misuse. Obesity services will be available. Contact the GP access centre on 01262 423464.