People experiencing bowel problems are being urged to beat the blushes and come forward for help this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

While toilet issues and tummy troubles aren’t often seen as hot topics of conversation, they can often be the first signs that someone has a problem, and as bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK*, they’re signs that shouldn’t be ignored.

When the national bowel cancer screening programme originally launched back in 2006, adults aged between 60 and 74 were invited to take part. Fast forward to the present day, and the Humber and Yorkshire Coast Bowel Cancer Screening Service (HYCBSS) now invites people as young as 54 to take part, with plans to roll that back further to 52 and 50 later this year. And the signs are that this is having an impact.

Mark Hughes, Clinical Director for HYCBSS says:

“Incidence of cancer across our region tends to be higher due to health inequalities, and that includes the number of people diagnosed with bowel cancer. Since we began inviting people aged 54 to 60 for screening in 2023, we have diagnosed 52 of those with cancer or with multiple polyps that could have turned into cancer. That means the extension of the programme is not only having a positive, potentially life-saving impact on people in our region, but also on their families and loved ones too. By the end of March 2025, the aim is to extend screening further to people as young as 50.

Science of Digestion is free to attend and takes place on 14 May

“Screening invitations and home test kits are issued once every two years. The process is quick and simple, and you simply post the kit off once you’re done. While the main aim is to look for signs of bowel cancer, the test results also help us to identify polyps and other potential issues as a result of people taking part in the programme.

“People like Bowel Babe have helped massively in raising awareness of bowel cancer in recent years, and of bowel cancer in younger people, but it’s important that everyone knows what to look for and gets any changes or unusual symptoms checked out early. Bowel cancer survival rates are really good if the disease is caught and treated early, so if you’ve been experiencing issues when going to the toilet and you’re worried about asking for help, please don’t be; there’s really nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Members of the Humber and Yorkshire Coast Bowel Cancer Screening Team will be available for advice and information at the upcoming Science of Digestion event taking place next month. The event, organised by Hull Hospitals working together with the Guts UK charity, will give the public, patients and professionals the chance to learn more about a variety of digestive diseases, such as Crohn’s and Colitis, IBD, liver disease, bowel and pancreatic cancers, and be able to put their questions to the experts.

The Science of Digestion event is free to attend and will take place from 5:30pm on Tuesday 14 May at Hull’s Guildhall. More information is available via Eventbrite where you can also register for free – simply search ‘Science of Digestion Hull’ or visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/science-of-digestion-registration-807586522027

The mother of the 4,000^th baby to be born at Hull’s Midwife Led Unit (MLU) has showered praise on the team for the exceptional care she received.

Bukola Oni, 37, applauded the compassionate and personalised care given to her by staff at the Fatima Allam Birth Centre when baby Joshua was born at the end of March.

She says: “From the moment I walked into the centre, the midwives made me feel comfortable, and that made me really confident about the birth. They knew what they were doing and did it right.

“The whole process took less than two hours, and the midwives were there every minute. They made sure I got everything I needed during the period – all the assistance I needed was provided. They kept an eye on me and the baby. They were literally on their toes the entire time.

New mum Bukola with midwive Michelle and Baby Joshua

“I have had a very good experience. It is really good that we have a service like the centre provides, that delivers a top-notch healthcare service to mothers. I am doing well, and the baby is fine as well, and I have them to thank for it.”

The MLU includes three birthing rooms, Jasmine, Persea and Lotus, each of which features a unique design more akin to a boutique hotel than a hospital room. Open round-the-clock, the rooms also offer users the option of a water birth, aromatherapy, mood lighting and music to personalise their natural birth experience and make it more relaxing.

Katie Headlam, Midwifery Sister at the centre says: “I am delighted that Bukola had such a wonderful birth experience with us. Reaching 4,000 births in just under seven years is such an achievement for my team, and for a MLU in general.”

Midwife Michelle Willingham, whose last assigned delivery before she retired was baby Joshua, also shared her excitement at being part of this milestone.

She says: “I normally work on Labour Ward, so I was absolutely thrilled to be there for Bukola and baby Joshua on my last day after 43 years in the NHS, 36 years spent as a midwife.

“We had tears together afterwards as we were both so happy! It was an absolutely wonderful birth for my last day and for it to be the 4,000^th in the centre so far was amazing.”

Patients and porters at Hull Hospitals are celebrating after taking delivery of 15 specialist wheelchairs.

The new chairs, collectively costing more than £15,000, have been paid for through the hospitals’ WISHH Charity and its generous supporters.

In a change to the usual NHS blue, the chair seats are a distinct shade of lime green, a nod to the charity’s colours, and each has been emblazoned with WISHH branding on the back. The chairs feature a brake, leg rests, drip stand facility and a medical notes holder on the rear, and are a welcome addition to the Trust’s equipment stock, as Graham Taylor, Facilities Services Manager (Logistics) explains:

“With two busy hospitals under our remit, the availability of wheelchairs on site is essential to be able to move patients around quickly and safely, and ensure services continue to run smoothly.

“Across Hull Royal and Castle Hill, our Portering team carries out more than 800 patient transfer jobs each day with the majority of those requiring the use of a wheelchair. We know plenty of other visitors use our chairs independently to help loved ones with mobility difficulties get to their appointments too, so the importance of having chairs available across our sites really can’t be stressed enough.

“The new wheelchairs paid for by WISHH will go a long way to ensuring patients have wheelchair access readily available when they arrive with us, and hopefully help to make their time with us a bit more comfortable and less stressful.”

Lisa Whitton, WISHH Charity Manager says:

“The WISHH Charity is so pleased to have been able to support our hospitals with the provision of wheelchairs. The chairs are very clearly identifiable with their bold colouring and distinct design; it’s a great way for us to be able to improve patient experience and raise awareness of the hospital charity’s work at the same time.

“As both of our hospitals are so very busy, we know the chairs will be well used and much appreciated by staff and visitors to Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.

“The donation has been made possible through the generosity of local people, local businesses, and the support they have given to our WISHH fundraising activities in recent times. On behalf of WISHH and Hull Hospitals, I’d like to thank everyone who has donated and helped us deliver what will be a real enhancement to patient care and patient experience.”

Members of the public are welcome to use available wheelchairs around the sites but are asked not to take them away from either hospital. Should any chair be found, please report this to the Portering Helpdesk on 01482 674021 to arrange collection.

Help us shine a light on your Healthcare Heroes! We need your nominations for a special award to celebrate the amazing efforts of local NHS staff.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are working together as NHS Humber Health Partnership (NHSHHP).

Our staff work across Hull, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Castle Hill and Goole hospitals, and out in the community.

This year, for the first time, the two Trusts will be holding a joint staff awards ceremony, Golden Stars 2024.

As part of those celebrations, we’re seeking nominations for the Healthcare Heroes Award. If you’ve recently been a patient at one of our five hospitals or under our community services, and want to highlight a staff member or team that made a difference to your experience, we want to hear from you!

Whether it’s a compassionate individual or a whole team of dedicated professionals you’d like thank, put them forward for this award as a mark of recognition.

Chairman for NHS HHP, Sean Lyons, said: “Our brand new awards scheme, Golden Stars, will shine a light on the outstanding efforts and achievements of local NHS staff.

“Our 17,000+ staff regularly go above and beyond to provide the best possible care for our patients. So if someone went the extra mile to support you and you’ve had a good experience from a member of our team, what better way to say thank you than nominating them for this prestigious award.

Jonathan Lofthouse, Group Chief Executive, added: “Our joint celebrations will see fifteen awards presented on the evening, but arguably the most coveted trophy will be for the award chosen by patients and the public, so please get in touch and tell us about how your healthcare heroes made a real difference to your experience.”

The winner of the Healthcare Heroes award will be revealed, alongside 14 other awards, at the Golden Stars 2024 ceremony on Friday 13 September at the Hilton Hotel in Hull.

If you have been a patient or visitor at one of our hospitals or in our community health services, you can nominate a staff member, clinical or non-clinical, by visiting the awards website at: https://www.hull.nhs.uk/awards/

Nominations will be accepted up until midnight on Tuesday 30 April.

A spokesperson for NHS Humber Health Partnership, said:

“We have been working closely with Humberside Police to ensure that family members of all those affected have been contacted; there is no need to call the hospital or the police.

“The wellbeing of these families is our absolute priority and we will ensure that we continue to support them throughout this process.

“As this is an ongoing legal case we cannot make any further comment at this time.”

Hull’s BaBi research project is over a quarter of the way to its annual recruitment target within just 4 weeks

Families in Hull are committing to make the city a happier, healthier place by taking part in a new study.

Sarah Collins (left) and Eloise Taylor from the BaBi Hull and East Yorkshire study team

Over 100 families have already signed up to take part in the Born and Bred in (BaBi) Hull and East Yorkshire project, which will use data held about local people to shape health services or highlight societal changes which could improve long-term health outcomes.

The Hull-based research team originally set out to recruit 400 families in the first 12 months, but are thrilled to be more than a quarter of the way to their target already, just four weeks after the project launched on 6 February.

Sarah Collins, Research Midwife for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said:

“The response to the study in the first few weeks has been amazing, really surpassing our expectations. The high level of interest also shows that people really do care about the things that happen around them and how they could be impacting on their own family’s health.

The BaBi project looks at both maternal health and children’s health in their early years. It is seeking to connect up all the information that health, education, social care and other organisations hold about young children and families to try and identify patterns that could drive improvements in the lives of the next generation and beyond.

In Bradford, where the BaBi study first began, the findings have contributed to bus route diversions in areas where pollution and childhood asthma were noted to be high and the creation of more green spaces to promote better mental health.

“We all want the best for our families, so taking part in the BaBi study is one way in which local people can help to influence that, not just for themselves but for our wider community too, “ Sarah continues.

“Taking part isn’t over timely consuming and doesn’t require regular involvement with the study team, but what it does have is the potential to help us improve the health and wellbeing of thousands of families, both  now and for generations to come.”

Would you like to join the study? All pregnant women and birthing people booked for care with Hull Women & Children’s Hospital will be invited to take part in the study as a matter of course, but more information is also available on our website:  https://www.hull.nhs.uk/maternity/babi/ or by emailing hyp-tr.research.midwife@nhs.net

Health professionals are praising Withernsea residents for their support following disruption to breast screening services in the town.

Late last year, Humberside Breast Screening Service’s mobile unit was subject to vandalism and cable theft while stationed in Withernsea. To ensure patients were able to be screened on time and to minimise further disruption to the service, staff set about contacting hundreds of people to invite them for screening at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham instead.

The team reports that this latest round of screening is now complete, and staff are pleased to see a positive uptake from local people, as Lesley Peacock, Breast Screening Service Manager explains:

“Being able to offer screening opportunities within local communities is really important to us, but the repeated vandalism and cable theft before Christmas left us with no alternative but to invite people to Castle Hill Hospital instead.

“We did have reservations as to whether the extra travel to Cottingham may impact or deter people from attending, but we’re pleased to say that this wasn’t the case, and in fact, we’ve seen an increase in breast screening uptake among local people compared to this time three years ago, when the unit last came to Withernsea.”

Figures show a rise of almost 5%, with 78.8% of all those invited from the Withernsea area attending breast screening in the last few months, compared to 74% in 2020/21. Staff from the screening service have also noted a rise in the number of people attending first invitations, and more people attending screening who had previously declined.

Karen Hallberg, Superintendent Radiographer says:

“We’d really like to thank everyone who has been able to make the journey over to Castle Hill Hospital to take up their screening invitations over the last few months. Breast screening enables us to spot potentially serious changes at an early stage, so it’s really encouraging to see that the unfortunate circumstances in which we found ourselves last year didn’t deter people from travelling and getting themselves checked out. We’re really keen to see this positive trend continue next time we visit Withernsea.”

The mobile breast screening unit moves between different towns on a three-yearly screening cycle, with the next visit to Withernsea due to take place in 2027. A full security review will be conducted beforehand to provide people with greater assurance around ongoing local access and to minimise the risk of further disruption.

More information on breast screening can be found at www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-screening-mammogram/

It is all joy for hospital porters at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital as they’ve been awarded Portering Team of the year at the National MyPorter Awards held in London.

The hospitals are part of a Group of hospitals including Goole, Grimsby and Scunthorpe, employing 17,000 staff and caring for over 1,000,000 patients every year. Getting people and resources to their destination in an organisation of that size is no mean task, but this 120-strong team handles this responsibility effortlessly.

Graham Taylor, Interim Portering, Postal and Switchboard Manager, says:

“Being recognised nationally as ‘Portering Team of the Year’ is outstanding and I am immensely proud to represent this team. Their responsibilities and duties go far beyond simply pushing a stretcher or moving a bed.

“They are expert communicators, constantly keeping patients and their families informed and reassured during difficult and often uncertain times. Their dedication and compassionate attitude towards their work make them invaluable members of our organisation.”

One of the key achievements upon which the team’s award nomination was based this year is the ‘Ready to Go’ model, which is designed to make the process of discharging a patient from hospital or to another ward or unit more efficient. When booking a job, ward staff are asked to consider the MINTED* model and ensure all essential stages of preparation such as medication and transport have been arranged before the porter attends.

But that’s not all. The team is also contributing to the Group’s carbon reduction efforts through the management of nitrous oxide. Now responsible for the management, distribution and replacement of this potentially harmful gas and in the majority of hospital locations, the team collects data and employs practices which are designed to minimise the harm causes by medical gases and reduce waste which could damage the environment.

Over 300 nominations were received for the MyPorter awards this year from hospital trusts across the country. The recognition is a testament to the team’s excellent work.

Graham continues:

“This team truly is phenomenal, and it fills me with pride to witness their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of patients and their families every day.

“The team may not always receive the recognition that they truly deserve, but their contributions are immeasurable. They are the unsung heroes who quietly and efficiently keep the hospital running and deserve to be celebrated for their hard work and dedication.”

* Preparations staff undertake as part of ‘MINTED’.  

M = Medication ready?
 I = Patient Informed?
N = Notes packed?
T = Transport correct?
E = Escort available?
D = Dignity check completed?