This page is a printable version of: https://www.iow.nhs.uk/news/
Date: 20 November 2018
The Emergency Department and Wards at St. Mary’s Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight (part of Isle of Wight NHS Trust) have been very busy over the last 72 hours. We have seen an increase in the number of people seeking the assistance of the Emergency Department but there is a lot that Islanders can do to help us manage this increase in demand.
Staff and volunteers at Isle of Wight NHS Trust are opening their doors to explain how the NHS can provide lifelong and fulfilling careers and excellent volunteer experiences. A wide range of careers and volunteer opportunities will be on show at the NHS Careers and Volunteers Open Day on Saturday 24th November 2018. The event is being held between 10:00am and 3:00pm in the Education Centre at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, part of Isle of Wight NHS Trust, has successfully implemented a new computer aided despatch (CAD) system. The new system replaces CAD software which had been in use for 9 years. Working in partnership with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) the new CAD system, supplied by Hexagon, went live on 9th October 2018.
We are very excited to that one of our volunteers Julian Parker has been short-listed for the HelpForce Champions - National awards for health volunteers 2018.
The Emergency Department and Wards at St. Mary’s Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight (part of Isle of Wight NHS Trust) have been very busy over the last 48 hours. We have seen an increase in the number of people seeking the assistance of the Emergency Department but there is a lot that Islanders can do to help us manage this increase in demand.
The next meeting in public of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board is being held on Thursday 1st November 2018 at 1:30p.m. in the Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, NEWPORT, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TG. The Conference Room is in the main hospital on Level B opposite the Full Circle Restaurant. Members of the public are welcome to attend and the papers are available on the Trust’s website at www.iow.nhs.uk under the ‘about us’ section. The direct link is http://www.iow.nhs.uk/about-us/our-trust-board/2018-board-papers.htm.
The General Medical Council (GMC) have identified a number of key areas relating to junior doctors that require improvement. These have been actively addressed over the course of the last six months.
We are extremely thrilled to announce that yesterday on World Restart a Heart Day (RSHD) we taught a total of 1074 people lifesaving skills.
Overnight four individuals were admitted to the Emergency Department at St. Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight in a serious condition following what is believed to be the un-prescribed consumption of medicine thought to include diazepam and tramadol. Two have been admitted to intensive care.
This year to mark World Restart a Heart Day (RSHD) we are aiming to teach 1000 people how to save a life by offering free interactive CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) training sessions across the Island.
World Restart a Heart day is a designated day of action with the aim to teach vital life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills to as many people as possible. And this year we intend to be bigger and better by aiming to teach 1000 people in how to save a life!
The next meeting in public of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board is being held on Thursday 4th October 2018 at 1:30p.m. in the Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, NEWPORT, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TG. The Conference Room is in the main hospital on Level B opposite the Full Circle Restaurant.
We have concluded therefore that it is in the best interests of patients and staff for the contract for the drug and alcohol service to be transferred to another service provider.
A special service to celebrate 70 years of the NHS is being held at 6pm on Wednesday 26th September at All Saints Church, Queen's Rd, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 3AF.
For the first time and coinciding with the 70th Anniversary year of the NHS, Isle of Wight NHS Trust is hosting a Heritage Open Day on Saturday 15th September between 10:00am and 4:00pm in the Conference Room, opposite the Full Circle Restaurant on Level B at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Recent media coverage about cancer treatment for Isle of Wight residents only tells part of the picture and may worry Island residents unnecessarily.
A review by NHS England showed that the Local Neonatal Unit (LNU) at St. Mary’s Hospital has the lowest number of babies anywhere in England. There are around 1,100 births a year on the Isle of Wight. The LNU cared for 98 babies in 2017 and 92 of these were born after 32 weeks gestation. Generally babies born after 32 weeks will be cared for in a Special Care Unit (SCU) rather than a LNU. Babies may be transferred from the Island to a mainland unit for specialist treatment but can return to the Island as their health improves for ongoing care before discharge home.
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Our hospital is experiencing unprecedented demand and we need staff to help open additional capacity. We also have concerns about the smoke plume from the hotel fire in Sandown for people with breathing difficulties.
Isle of Wight NHS Trust is supporting Organ Donation Week (3rd-9th September) by urging staff, patients and the public to join the organ donor register - and, most importantly, to tell family and friends about that decision. To highlight Organ Donation Week posters have been circulated around the Trust and a stand will be outside the Full Circle Restaurant at St. Mary’s Hospital between Monday 3rd to Wednesday 5th September with details about how to sign up to the Organ Donor Register.
Patients on the Isle of Wight will now get faster confirmation of their outpatient appointments after Isle of Wight NHS Trust moved to 100 per cent for electronic referrals to Consultants from 1st September 2018.
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) & Isle of Wight NHS Trust (IWNHS) have announced that they are seeking opportunities to collaborate in a number of common areas.
There will be a network of pharmacies which remain open, with highly trained and experienced staff on hand to help.
Isle of Wight NHS Trust has responded to media reporting about long waits for ambulances. We would like to apologise for any delay in an ambulance arriving. It is very unusual for patients to wait for long periods for an ambulance. Since April 2018 the wait for a response to a category 1 call (people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries) has been around 10 minutes and for a category 2 call (emergency calls) around 14½ minutes. Category 3 (Urgent) and Category 4 (less urgent) are usually dealt with within a couple of hours. In the last six weeks our response standards have shown improvement.
Our services continue to be very busy today. We prioritise patients in most need of our emergency and urgent care services and we're sorry if you have to wait to see someone. Many pharmacies on the Island are open to 5pm/5.30pm today and some are open later this evening and tomorrow, Sunday.
Charlie Dore and Julian Littman will be entertaining us on Friday 10th August 2018 at 12.30 in the Full Circle Restaurant at St. Mary's Hospital as part of the Folk Hospital series of concerts.
In his final annual report retiring Senior Chaplain Rev Kelvin Burke reports on the activities of the Chaplaincy Team at Isle of Wight NHS Trust during 2017/18 – a year during which the Chaplaincy celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
Following feedback from Trust staff the Trust has relocated the Outdoor Gym at St. Mary’s. It was in a dark, hidden and out of the way position at the top of the hospital site. Now it’s in an easily accessible, bright and welcoming area just off the path leading from the Education Centre/Junior Doctors Mess down to Sevenacres.
With the 70th Birthday of the NHS approaching IoW Tours Managing Director Shirley Winn was keen to support staff at the hospital where, like many Islanders, she had been treated.
An exhibition of photographs by Chris Orchin is on display in the Full Circle Exhibition space at St. Mary’s Hospital until 28th September.
The next meeting of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board, is to be held on Thursday 2nd August 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, NEWPORT, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TG.
The Met Office has issued a Level 3 heatwave alert which runs through to Friday 27th July. Hot weather can affect everyone, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Even the tiniest amount of blood in your pee can be an early indication that something is wrong.
Today (Thursday 19th July) the Department of Rheumatology – Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust joins the Department of Rheumatology at Isle of Wight NHS Trust and the National Osteoporosis Society to raise awareness of bone health education and osteoporosis prevention.
In trying to build a new autism diagnosis service for the Island we have had to ‘start from scratch’ in challenging circumstances where there is a national shortage of qualified staff and in some areas of the country long waits for assessments. We are fortunate in having been able to recruit Professor Jeremy Turk, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and Professor of Developmental Psychiatry to lead an Island based service.
Following an upsurge in visitors to the Island requiring healthcare the NHS on the Island is writing to hotels, B&Bs, campsites and tourist destinations setting out the advice and options for visitors to receive healthcare.
Following commentary by the GMB union Southern Region about a bullying culture at Isle of Wight NHS Trust the Trust has responded.
Following discussions with a range of people we have decided to postpone the NHS70 Thanksgiving Service which was scheduled to be held at All Saints Church, Ryde on Wednesday 11th July.
Following the recall of some frozen vegetables by UK supermarkets Islanders are advised to ensure that frozen vegetables are fully cooked until piping hot before eating.
Bells will be ringing out across the Island on Saturday 7th July in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the NHS.
The next meeting of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board, is to be held on Thursday 5th July 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, NEWPORT, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TG.
It's hot and will remain so this week so here are some top tips for keeping cool and safe.
The NHS is turning 70 on 5 July 2018. The following activities and events are taking place on the Island to celebrate this important milestone.
Our IRIS drug and alcohol team are at the Isle of Wight Festival with their roaming Specialist Welfare Staff offering advice and guidance to festival goers. They are handing out flyers that identify the fatal drugs that have been in circulation at other Festivals and linked to recent events at Mutiny.
St Thomas of Canterbury and Shalfleet Primary Schools have become the latest 24/7 Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) sites for the Isle of Wight NHS Ambulance service.
Children’s Memorial Service
Sunday 8th July 2018, 3pm at St. Mary’s Hospital
With the festival weekend just days away the Island’s NHS is reminding Islanders and visitors of the various services available to them should they need urgent health advice or treatment.
As the festival and summer season approaches, islanders, particularly the younger generation, are reminded of the peril of taking substances that may be offered to them, and the danger of drinking alcohol to excess.
We are experiencing problems with part of our telephone system at the Trust. This may mean that you will have difficulties getting through to us on certain numbers.
IOW NHS Trust is reminding members of the public that it has a ‘Zero tolerance’ approach towards violence, aggression and abuse; NHS staff should be able to do their job without fear of violence, abuse or harassment from patients, their relatives or friends.
Health professionals are urging men to cover up and protect themselves from the sun
The Island’s Dermatology Service has reason to celebrate having achieved a positive CQC report after a first inspection at their new location in December.
This morning a bag was found left unattended in the main foyer at St Mary’s Hospital.
The Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital has moved back to its newly refurbished home on Level B.
In April 2017 the Isle of Wight NHS Trust was rated as ‘Inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection of some of our services in November 2016. As a result of the CQCs concerns, NHS Improvement placed the Trust in ‘Special Measures’. Since then all of our staff have been striving to improve the care and services we provide. In January and February this year the CQC revisited the Trust to conduct its first full inspection of all of our services since we were placed in ‘Special Measures’.
The public is being reminded of a series of events in June at which they will have the chance to discuss the nature of hospital care provided on the Isle of Wight in future.
Medina IOW parkrun at the Appley course will be one of hundreds of ‘parkruns’ around the UK to host a special NHS birthday celebration event on Saturday 9th June 2018. The initiative, known as ‘parkrun for the NHS’, aims to recognise the contribution of the NHS to the health of the nation and inspire people to take part in physical activity and volunteering.
The next meeting of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board, is to be held on Thursday 7th June 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital. Members of the public are welcome to attend and the papers are available on the Trust’s website at www.iow.nhs.uk under the ‘about us’ section. The direct link is http://www.iow.nhs.uk/about-us/our-trust-board/2018-board-papers.htm.
Have you been issued with a set of crutches and not returned them?
A programme to give expectant mothers across Southampton, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth a broader choice over their care has now helped more than 3,800 women.
A ‘Question Time’ style event at which members of the public, local politicians, and interest groups will be invited to quiz a panel of local experts will kick-start a programme of events to discuss how acute (hospital based) services could be provided in the future on the Island.
Thanks to generous donations from Terry & Sue Ramplin of Long lane Christmas Lights 2017 and the Island Savoyards the Fisherman’s Cottage has become one of the newest sites for Isle of Wight NHS Ambulance Service Public Access Defibrillator scheme.
Everyone will experience stress in their lifetime but often it’s how we handle and manage those stresses which can impact our health.
The visit is the first of a series of opportunities for Committee Members to find out more about the day to day running of health services
Patients coming in to hospital for planned In Patient surgery will now be admitted directly to the Theatre Admissions Lounge for medical assessments and examinations
An exhibition of paintings by local painter, Johnny Grimshaw, is on display in the Full Circle Exhibition space at St. Mary’s Hospital. April - June 2018
Statement from Mr Steve Parker, Interim Medical Director at Isle of Wight NHS Trust about the national and local issues around breast screening.
Further to the national announcement on 2nd May that some women aged between 70 and 79 are being offered the opportunity for a breast screen because they were not sent an invitation for a final screen, as part of the routine NHS Breast Screening Programme e would encourage anyone with concerns to contact the national helpline on 0800 169 2692.
Thanks to a generous donation from Terry & Sue Ramplin whose Christmas Lights in Long Lane, Newport have raised thousands for Island charities, the Culver Haven Inn has become the newest site for a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) under the scheme run by Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s Ambulance Service.
The Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital is moving to a different part of the hospital whilst essential improvement work is carried out to the area on Level B.
The next meeting of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board, is to be held on Thursday 3rd May 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, NEWPORT, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TG. The Conference Room is in the main hospital on Level B opposite the Full Circle Restaurant. Members of the public are welcome to attend and the papers are available on the Trust’s website at www.iow.nhs.uk under the ‘about us’ section.
Island darts team present the Stroke Unit with £360 in memory of Rita Newsham
Ward staff rise to the challenge to help boost patients’ recovery
An event for women to find out more about a range of pelvic floor (PF) related problems is being held this week.
The Trust has launched a new initiative with care homes on the Isle of Wight to provide more joined-up care for patients who are transferred to hospital. ‘Red Bag’ is an initiative designed to ensure a single patient record is shared between the Trust and care homes and is being piloted with 18 care homes across the island. The pilot is due to finish in May and will then be reviewed before rolling out more widely.
Today's Folk Hospital featured Justin McConville and friends from 'Uncle Rust' who are down from London playing The Crispin in Newport (Friday 13th April) and spared the time from their busy schedule to do a session for us in the Full Circle Restaurant at St. Mary's Hospital.
The privacy and dignity of mental health patients cared for by the Trust has been enhanced thanks to work by the estates team.
The Trust’s resuscitation team now have access to new and improved training facilities after relocating to a larger space in the Education Centre.
The IOW NHS Trust are celebrating Experience of Care week by inviting the public, patients, their carers or family members to come and have a cup of tea, a piece of cake and an informal chat with a staff member about their experience of using our services.
Following the success of the performance by Angelina Grimshaw and friends on Easter Friday we're looking forward to a visit from Justin McConville formerly of the Heavy Metal Kids.
Three new ‘state of the art’ Cannon Aplio i600 ultrasound units have been installed in the Diagnostic Imaging Department as part of improvements to the ultrasound service at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight.
A training and development programme providing career opportunities at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust has helped an apprentice secure a permanent role.
New equipment that can deliver life-saving resuscitation to patients more quickly is now being used across the Trust.
The next meeting of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board, is to be held on Thursday 5th April 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, NEWPORT, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TG. The Conference Room is in the main hospital on Level B opposite the Full Circle Restaurant.
St. Mary’s Hospital Theatre FC vs Isle of Wight FC - Charity Football Match on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd April 2018. Staff at Isle of Wight NHS Trust are raising funds this Easter Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd April 2018, to support an Island family affected by cancer. The match was due to be held on New Year’s Day but had to be cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.
Our Snow Desk on 01983-552206 remains open this morning. The roads and paths at St. Mary's Hospital are clear of snow and the hospital is open for business as usual.
It's important that as many staff – both clinical and administration - as possible to get to St. Mary’s Hospital or to see their patients around the Island during periods of snow and ice. How can you help us? Please follow the advice from IW Ambulance Service - see the video.
Stay Warm, Stay Well is the advice from Isle of Wight NHS Trust during the predicted cold spell this weekend.
Island pharmacists are working together to improve the information and support available to help people better manage their medicines.
The NHS has been working closely with others as part of the multi-agency response to the possible water issues in Newport.
Problems with the telephone line into St Mary’s Hospital – 01983-822099 – are being investigated this morning.
Isle of Wight NHS Trust Emergency Care Improvement Lead Rick Strang talks about the NHS response to the snow and ice on the Isle of Wight.
Staff at Isle of Wight NHS Trust are endeavouring to ensure that Islanders stay safe over this period of adverse weather. Patients and the public should only travel if its safe to do so. Staff are requested to make their way to St. Mary's Hospital to ensure that care can be provided to our patients. Click to find out which services and clinics have been cancelled today.
If you have an appointment at St. Mary's Hospital today please attend as planned unless we contact you. We are not experiencing any disruption to hospital services today. Please take extra care on your journey.
Emergency Medicine Consultant Robin Beal provides advice on how to cope with the cold snap over the next few days. Stay Warm, Stay Well!
Those visiting the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Service recently will have noticed some changes happening to improve services.
Temperatures are likely to be below zero every day next week
Each year Isle of Wight NHS Trust is required to produce a Quality Account which is a report about the quality of services offered by an NHS healthcare provider.
Island troubadours '2nd Time Around' performed a selection of enchanting folk songs and were greatly appreciated by staff, patients and visitors using the Restaurant.
With a high number of older people living on the Isle of Wight it is not surprising that diagnosis of dementia is high.
A special Valentine’s card, designed and hand made by Bini Atkinson, from the Island’s ‘Save Our NHS’ group was presented to staff at Isle of Wight NHS Trust today, Wednesday 14th February. The card signed by people from across the Island was presented by the group to Head of Infection Prevention and Control Karen Robinson whilst other staff watched in the Full Circle Restaurant at St. Mary’s Hospital.
A programme of activities at the Full Circle Restaurant at St. Mary’s Hospital seeks to bring Island residents into the hospital for something other than healthcare!
For many years now Terry & Sue Ramplin have given the local community a real treat with their wonderful Christmas light display at their home on Long Lane, Newport. This year the money raised through their visitors has been donated to Challenge & Adventure and the IW NHS Trust Ambulance Community Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) scheme.
The Island Recovery Integrated Services (IRIS) are able to offer a needle syringe programme to the people that use their service. A Needle syringe programme is not only a harm reduction intervention and a way of encouraging people who use drugs into treatment but also enables the safe disposal of needles and syringes.
New expertise has been recruited to the Board of the Island’s NHS Trust which oversees the ambulance, community, hospital, mental health and learning disability services provided on the Island.
There’s no greater gift than the ‘gift of life’ and that’s exactly what the Wight Strollers take great pride in offering the community. The Wight Strollers have donated a total of six Public Access Defibrillators (PAD’s) over the past couple of years and now they’ve taken it a step further, proving they are also a group of potential life savers too.
The Board at Isle of Wight Trust has formally endorsed the recommendations of the Local Care Board for the future of acute hospital services on the Isle of Wight. The Trust Board, meeting at St. Mary’s Hospital on 1st February, considered the paper discussed earlier in the day by Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Governing Body.
Pregnant women invited to take part in new Birth Ball Trial
Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention
Following the inquest into the death of John Fisher, the Coroner has returned a conclusion of an alcohol related death.
A proposal to improve the safety and quality of hospital based services for patients on the Island is published today, to ensure that Isle of Wight residents have health outcomes as good as any other NHS patients living in other parts of the country. The proposal will be considered by the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group and, subject to approval from its Governing Body, there will then be a period of further testing and consultation with staff, public and partners over the course of 2018-19.
Performance in People triple their fundraising target
With the increase in Flu cases across the county it was inevitable that confirmed flu cases and influenza like illnesses would start to hit the Island. Because the position fluctuates from hour to hour and day to day the Trust will not be issuing information this year identifying which Wards at St. Mary’s are affected.
Isle of Wight NHS Trust's Chief Operating Officer comments on the suggestion that patients were 'stranded in ambulances' outside the Emergency Department.
Islanders cannot have missed the national media reporting about the pressures faced by health and care services over the last 10 days.
The 1st January 2018 saw two (2) babies, both girls, born at St. Mary’s Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight.
Ambulance, community, hospital and mental health services provided by Isle of Wight NHS Trust have been very busy over the Christmas period in the lead up to the New Year. On 23rd, 26th, 30th and 31st December over 200 people a day passed through the Urgent Care Service and Emergency Department at St. Mary’s.
Health services on the Island are very busy this bank holiday weekend. Check out the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk or the What 0-18 website at www.what0-18.nhs.uk for advice for those looking after children.
Santa found time in his busy schedule to visit St Mary's hospital, part of Isle of Wight NHS Trust, on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd December to bring joy to the children of our hard working staff.
Patients, staff and visitors to St. Mary’s Hospital, part of Isle of Wight NHS Trust, enjoyed an evening of Christmas carols in the Full Circle Restaurant on the evening of Thursday 21st December which also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Trust’s Chaplaincy Service.
Only one ‘bundle of joy’ arrived at St. Mary’s Hospital on Christmas Day 2017. Jax Baker, a son for Jacqueline Tindall and Darren Baker of Cowes, weighed in at 4lb 9oz (2.08kgs) and was born at 06:29hrs.
With the festive break just days away the Island’s NHS is reminding Islanders of the various services available to them over the festive period should they need urgent health advice or treatment.
Hospital inpatients can now sit by the bedside in chairs that offer better comfort with adjustable legs to suit people of all heights.
Staff at Isle of Wight NHS Trust are raising funds this New Year’s Day to support an Island family affected by cancer.
Are you someone who has personal experience of our services? Could you help us to develop our services in partnership with other service users and partner organisations?
In partnership with the Isle of Wight College, Trust staff from across the organisation, were challenged to design a Christmas tree that represents equality and diversity – ‘Diversi-Tree’.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has appointed Maggie Oldham, the current interim Chief Executive at Isle of Wight Trust, as permanent Chief Executive Officer. Maggie is an experienced NHS leader and has been interim Chief Executive at the Trust since Tuesday 2 May 2017.
Acts of vandalism have left Pan in Newport without a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) following an incident yesterday evening.
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