Date: 24th April 2022

New Digital Patient Information System goes live at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital

Funding from the Royal Orthopaedic Charity has enabled a new Patient Information System to be installed at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

Liam Maiden, Head of IT Operations at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, comments:

“We’re really pleased to be able to offer patients staying at ROH access to information and entertainment services while they are here, to help distract them from any anxiety they may feel while in hospital and to watch their favourite programmes they’d normally watch at home.

“The device also provides digital access to our Patient Information Leaflets, physiotherapy and recovery educational videos and updates on hospital news. We wanted to be able to provide them with the best patient experience we can, and access to important information to help their recovery. Having an app they can access at their bedside gives them the freedom to watch and listen to what they want, and access the resources they need.”

The new system is based on a free, user-friendly app called Fusion which is accessed on devices available in each patient bed-space. It provides information to better inform patients about their stay, access to log in to the streaming services they subscribe to, and different ways to communicate with hospital staff and loved ones at home. Menus and options can also be tailored to suit a patient’s age, language, disability, or any learning difficulties, creating an inclusive experience for all patients.

Ruth Hughes, Royal Orthopaedic Charity Fundraising Manager, commented:

“We are proud to have made such a positive impact on inpatient stays at the hospital by not only providing entertainment, but also providing ready to use information around surgery and recovery to help educate patients too. We really hope this becomes a vital piece of equipment which both the patients and staff on the ward feel are valuable to their recovery.”

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital began looking for a patient entertainment system following a patient survey which found patients wanted to be able to access TV while they were an in-patient, to help pass the time. The project was funded by NHS Charities Together, patient donations and sponsors including ModuleCo Healthcare, Oliver, and Natasha.   

The Trust currently has 115 devices, split between televisions and iPads which means every patient on a ward has the ability to access the entertainment system for playing games, browsing the web or log in to their own streaming services. In a recent survey of patients, 70% of respondents stated the Digital Patient Information System improved their stay.

In the future, the Birmingham Trust hopes to use the app so patients can order meals directly from their bed alongside further developments. Patients who would like to share suggestions on what they would like to be included on the Digital Patient Information System can email ideas to roh-tr.PALS@nhs.net.

In 2014, Mr Michael Dubrowsky, a former patient of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH), made a transformative gift to ROC following his treatment for chondrosarcoma, a rare bone tumour. A successful chief engineer in the baking industry, Mr Dubrowsky led a quiet, unassuming life, yet his legacy has had an extraordinary impact. After his passing at the age of 55, he left a generous £1.5million legacy, funding the creation of the Dubrowsky Regenerative Medicine Laboratory.

This state-of-the-art facility continues to advance vital research in regenerative medicine and cancer therapies, ensuring that his legacy lives on in ground breaking medical discoveries.

Explore how Mr Dubrowsky’s £1.5 million legacy has been used to support ground breaking research and development at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

ChondrOx Study: Pioneering Research in Chondrosarcoma

Meet our Research Assistant: Mariella Gonsalves

Meet our Dubrowsky Lab Manager: Dr Lucas Souza

Operational Budget: Fueling Research Advancements

Celebrating ROC’s 27th Birthday

Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) celebrated its 27^th anniversary on the 18^th March and the Charity team had a great time raising awareness of all things Charity!

Fundraising games included ‘Guess the weight of the cake’, ‘spin to win’, ‘guess what’s in the box’ and ‘guess how many sweets are in the jar’, bringing both staff and patients together for a bit of fun. Doughnuts and cake were also sold at a profit all in aid of ROC’s general appeal.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to engage with so many individuals who are passionate about supporting ROC. This event has not only been about raising funds but also about forming connections within our community and highlighting the exceptional work of both the hospital and its charity. We also used this opportunity to gather ideas directly from the public on how ROC can enhance support for patients, their families and staff, by gaining invaluable firsthand insights.”

We’d like to say a huge thank you to the following businesses who donated towards this event:

• Tutto Apposto
• Swizzels Matlow Limited

Together, over £170.00 was raised for ROC’s general appeal which supports patients, staff, students and researchers across all areas of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

If you would like to support the Charity in one or more of its many appeals, contact the Charity team on roc@nhs.net or call 0121 685 4379.

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ROC supports patient engagement at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital

Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) are proud to announce their alliance with The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) in supporting their regular patient feedback sessions across the hospital.

ROC regularly fund both adult and child patient led feedback sessions across the hospital, to support the vision to become the ‘first choice for orthopaedic care’. Throughout 2024 over £2,000 has been pledged to support patient feedback sessions across the Trust which are set up in a number of ways.

• Award Winning JointCare Programme

The award-winning ROH JointCare pathway for hip and knee replacement surgery, invites all patients involved back to chat with fellow patients and their care team at the programme specific ‘Coffee Catch-Up’ events.

These events are held to give patients the chance to provide detailed feedback on their whole patient experience, giving staff a valuable insight into what they do well, and perhaps even more importantly, what they could do better.

With up to 100 patients attending each event, these have been hugely important to ROH’s continuous improvement programmes.

ROC are pleased to be part of this initiative by funding the sessions room hire and refreshments available on a bi-monthly basis.

• Youth Forum

ROH’s Youth Forum was set up to extend feedback to young patients, carers and members of public who are interested in supporting the hospital. This is a relaxed session for young people with the support of health professionals which enables the Trust to discuss various topics which involve potential improvements to young people’s care.

Based at the hospital, ROC provide the refreshments at these events in the form of pizza, because lets face it, nothing is tastier than pizza!

“We are proud to be part of improving patient care across the Trust, its an integral part of our Charity purpose and one we are prioritising in 2024” Fundraising Manager – Ruth Hughes

To find out more about how you can submit feedback to the hospital, visit: https://roh.nhs.uk/patient-experience/engagement

To help support these initiatives going forward by making a donation, contact roc@nhs.net.

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Thank you to Officers and Brethren at South Lincolnshire Provincial Grand Lodge 

We’d like to say a huge thank you to, Officers and Brethren of the South Lincolnshire Provincial Grand Lodge who generously donated £500 towards our Oncology support fund this month.

Kenneth kindly visited the hospital to make the donation and detailed the reasons why the lodge have chosen our oncology service as their chosen charity this year,

“In the middle of 2021 while we were preparing to move house, my wife had a fall in the bedroom which resulted in her being admitted to Peterborough Hospital. During tests she was found to have a benign growth on her right femur. As a result, she was transferred to ROH where she was fitted with a prosthesis and after several surgeries her right hip was prepared”.

The lodge have expressed their wishes to us that funds be utilised to support new equipment within the oncology service. We are working with the service to ensure this is exactly what happens.

If you would like to support our causes, appeals or a department within the hospital, contact our Charity team. We would be delighted to support you through the donation process.

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Strictly Come Caroling raises £9000!

On Saturday 2^nd December Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) partnered with  Shipston Home Nursing to host our very first carol concert at Holy Trinity Church – Stratford upon Avon. .

The ‘Strictly Come Carolling’ event raised awareness and funds for both The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and Shipston Home Nursing , as well as kickstarting the festive period and spreading Christmas cheer.

The sell out event saw over 350 individuals attend the beautiful  Holy Trinity Church.. With attendees travelling from Birmingham and Warwickshire to show their support and enjoy the evening.

Shipston Home Nursing  patron and renowned actor – Anton Lesser joined the event and gave a wonderful performance of Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol, alongside the incredibly talented soprano Mollie Smith and organist Adrian Moore whose performances flooded the church in festive sound.

Well-known musical director – Julian Harris curated the event and did a wonderful job organising the choir and programme as well as conducting the evening.

The audience were invited to singalong to their favourite carols which they were asked to submit upon purchasing a ticket. All-in-all it was a joyfully festive soiree. We also offer our thanks to Sip ‘n’ swig who  made sure the audience were suitably refreshed and merry on a crisp December night.  refreshed throughout the bitter cold night.

“We are incredibly proud of this event; the partnership with Shipston Home Nursing and engagement  with a new community meant we could raise both vital funds and awareness for ROC. We are extremely grateful to all the talented individuals who took time out of their busy schedules to make the event a huge success  and hope to offer something just as special  again next year!” Ruth Hughes – Fundraising Manager

The event was sponsored by a number of key corporate partners  which really helped maximise profits for both Charities. A huge thank you goes  to all those who sponsored this event as well as all those who attended the evening and donated, us on the night, we could not have done it without you.

The event raised over £9,000 which has been split evenly  between both Charities.

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Festive Dress Day 2023

Festive Dress Day went down a storm at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital with staff and patients across the hospital taking part in aid of ROC’s Christmas Appeal.

Over £200 was raised through this great day and ROCY even got involved too.

Thank you to all who took part, supported or shared this campaign we could not have done it without you.

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Both schools have created Christmas cards to give out at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital this festive season. Bournville Village Primary school focussed their efforts on cards to thank ROH’s amazing volunteers, and St Laurence Church Junior School focussed on cards for patients who are unable to return home for the festive season.

We’re immensely proud to have partnered with such thoughtful and supportive schoolw who have helped spread joy this festive season!

These will be distributed across The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital throughout december.

“My journey starts in September 2021 where I had a night out with my husband, and we had a good dance! The following morning, I found my right knee was aching. Over the next few months, I experienced intermittent pain but not so bad that I felt the need to visit a doctor. I continued walking our dog daily and exercising in the gym with a small amount of discomfort.  A few months later, I accidentally knocked my foot and felt my knee jolt.  As the day progressed, the pain was unbearable, and I could no longer weight-bear.  I visited A&E where they performed an X- Ray but nothing unusual was identified. I was sent home with crutches and pain relief medication while I waited for an MRI scan appointment.

The results of the MRI were a huge shock.  I was told I had a suspicious lesion in my distal femur bone that was most probably a tumour.  The consultant could not tell me anything more at that stage and referred me from his care in Bristol to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) in Birmingham as they were the experts and could take the diagnosis further.

I received a call from the ROH several days later.  The nurse said that my case had been discussed at the MDT meeting and I would need to travel to Birmingham to see a consultant.  In late February, my husband and I made the journey for the initial appointment where we met with Professor Jeys and his team.  I was scared and emotional as I entered the room but was instantly put at ease by their caring manner.  Professor Jeys talked us through the images and confirmed it was a bone tumour. He went on to say that the severe pain I had experienced which led me to A&E was most likely a fracture of the bone caused by the tumour.  The plan going forward would be for me to return as a day case patient for a CT Guided Biopsy under general anaesthetic (GA) so they could identify the tumour.

The day of the biopsy arrived, and I was anxious as I had never experienced GA before.  My husband left me at the doors of the day-case unit where I was greeted by a lovely nurse. In fact everyone I met that day was caring and explained what was happening clearly. The procedure went well, and I returned home.

I had a call a week later to tell me that histology confirmed the tumour to be a Giant Cell Tumour (GCT) and I would need to return to see a consultant who would explain more about treatments available. At the appointment, we met with Mr Kurisunkal. He told us that the results were in fact inconclusive but pointed to GCT and I would need a second biopsy.  It was upsetting to hear this, but he went on to explain that GCT’s are not always easy to diagnose and of course, he needed to be sure that the operation he performed would be the correct one. 

Following the second biopsy, Mr Kurisunkal told me they had ruled out cancer as far as they could and that with my consent, he would perform Intralesional Curettage to remove the tumour, a healthy margin of bone and replace with cement.  Every detail was covered including the risks and outcomes of the procedure.

I was admitted as an inpatient to ROH in April 22.  Knowing how fantastic the staff are strengthened my courage and this time was no different.  I must mention the theatre assistant who sat with me in the anaesthetic room for about 30 minutes before I went in for surgery.  We talked about so many things including our favourite curry and cocktails.  As I went off to sleep, he held my hand and told me he had ordered me a cocktail for when I woke up.  I went to sleep smiling.

A few hours later, I learnt that the operation had gone well, and the tumour was removed successfully. The next day I was up and about with the help of the nurses and physiotherapy team. I felt ready to go home and start my recovery.  I had to partial weight-bear with crutches for six weeks along with exercise and rest.

I returned to see Mr Kurisunkal seven weeks after surgery. At this appointment, I had an X-Ray and he informed me that everything looked great. It was such a relief.  I was now able to start walking our Cocker Spaniel, Ernie which I had missed doing so much.

GCT’s are benign but aggressive tumours and the follow up is a scan and consultation every three months for two years and every six months for a further three years.  Unfortunately for me, my tumour proved to be aggressive. 

Within a few months of surgery, I was experiencing pain in my knee. I called the oncology team, and they booked me in for an MRI and consultation.   A week later, I learnt I had tumour regrowth and further treatment would be needed. I had the option to have repeat Intralesional Curettage or Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA), to burn the regrowth.  With the guidance of Mr Kurisunkal, I opted for RFA as the procedure is not so invasive and has a quicker recovery.  This surgery was in November 22 and the histology confirmed recurrent GCT.  As we got nearer to my next three-month check, the pain returned.  Again, I called the team and was given an appointment to return sooner.  MRI confirmed that I had further tumour regrowth.  I underwent another round of RFA in early March 23.  The histology was not conclusive following this procedure.  Within two months the pain was back!  A call to the team and I was booked for an MRI and consultation. Unfortunately, there was further regrowth, and it was agreed that the best option would be to have repeat Intralesional Curettage surgery.  In June, I was admitted as an inpatient where Mr Kurisunkal removed the cement block, tumours and replaced with new cement and bone graft. The recovery was six weeks on crutches as before. Histology confirmed recurrent GCT.

It is now October 23 and I have just reached a milestone in my journey having my first all clear three-month check. I cried with relief at the news.  I am still experiencing some pain but will be having further physiotherapy to help.

I am overwhelmed by how many amazing, compassionate, and hardworking people have been part of my journey. My family and I are truly grateful to Professor Jeys, Mr Kurisunkal, the whole oncology team and all the nursing staff for their expertise to get us through this tough time in our lives. With their support and that of my family and friends, I am almost back to full fitness and feeling positive for the future.

The ROH is going to be part our lives going forward.  We are pleased to support the Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) with a monthly donation as a gesture of our gratitude. We hope that the money can go toward making the experience of other patients as good as ours”

Sarah is a long term donor for Royal Orthopaedic Charity and has donated over £500 over to the Charity to support patient wellbeing projects across  the hospital. We are so grateful to Sarah for both her ongoing support as well as sharing her story with us.

If you would like to share your story, contact the Charity team on ROC@nhs.net.

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Fundraisers support oncology family room.

Fundraisers Victoria, Alex, Andy, James, Abi & Poppy, have been fundraising to support The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Ward 3 Family room, which offers a safe space for families, to convene during an oncology stay. Ward 3 is currently known as the oncology ward at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and often means patients stay for some time, both pre and post-surgery. The ward supports biopsies, complex surgery and amputation surgery, meaning a range of care is provided and needed within this space.

Victoria contacted the Trust after the passing of her mother this summer. Both her and her family wanted to commemorate the care she received at the hospital and give back to the ward where she stayed before her passing.

“Our courageous Mum Jacquie lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday 5th September 2023. Mum had surgery at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital as part of her treatment. Mum never made it home, and remained in their care for several weeks.

The care and love Mum received from all the staff at ROH was of great comfort to us. In Mum‘s memory instead of flowers at her service, we asked for donations for the family room on Ward 3 at the ROH. This place was a sanctuary for us, where we could go and have a peaceful moment.

We noticed whilst in there that the room could do with some more computer games/board games/ craft activities and toys. The funds we raise will buy these items for the family room, so other families can have sanctuary and also entertain their little ones when supporting a loved one receiving care” Victoria

Victoria and her family raised over £900 through their Crowdfunding page earlier this year. These funds were used to purchase items for the family room for families to enjoy within Ward 3 (oncology ward).

Items include but are not limited to:

• Board games
• Games and colouring books for items for younger siblings to make use of
• Interactive games that can be played by all ages.

We cannot thank Victoria and her family enough for their generosity. This will make a difference to many people’s hospital experience, not only for the patient on the ward but for the family who visit them for the days or weeks they stay with us.

“Ward 3 are very thankful for these kind donations, we are sure they will provide a source of entertainment and/or distraction for all our patients and relatives that need to use our day room for either a quiet space or for families to spend time together whilst their relative is an inpatient” Natalie – Ward 3 Ward Manager

Additional items have been used to gift patients visiting the Children and Young people’s outpatients department throughout december. This not only help alliviate anxiety of returning to hospital but help spread some festive cheer through what can be a really tough time.

If you would like to fundraise in memory just like Victoria, contact the Charity team on roc@nhs.net or 0121 685 4379 and we will ensure you and your family are supported throughout the fundraising process.

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