College Green Artwork Install

New College Green site now open

In april 2023 The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital’s (ROH) Physiotherapy and Podiatry departments were relocated to a new site called College Green. Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) have been involved in planning, design and launch of this exciting new site which will be used to support many orthopaedic patients across Birmingham & Solihul. 

The building provides state of the art equipment, a purpose built and spacious physiotherapy gym, and 16 new treatment rooms of which two are dedicated for children and young people.

£16,000 was invested by ROC to support the look and feel of the department and help ensure it is appropriate for all adults, young people and children who attend.

Grosvenor Interiors supported the work by carefully designing bespoke artwork for each of the individual spaces including the rehabilitation gym.

Positive feedback has already been given by both staff working at the new facility and patients who have attended. ROC wanted to create a comforting and encouraging space for patients to be seen to promote support and wellness within the community.

If you would like to help support initiatives just like this one, why not contact the ROC team on roc@nhs.net or by calling 0121 685 4379!

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Needle point scanner leads the way

Portable scanner supports patient care

A generous donation by the Guru Nanak Naam Ladies Jatha Group leads to improved patient experience at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH). 

Thanks to a donation of almost £5,000 from the Guru Nanak Naam Ladies Jatha Group, Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) have purchased a handheld ultrasound device for high-definition imaging of superficial structures from nerves and vessels to musculoskeletal and lung imaging up to 7 cm to be used within ROH clinics.

The portable Clarius L15 HD Wireless Scanner with Needle Visualisation Software is a versatile tool that supports the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in Therapy Services at the ROH. This cutting-edge technology equips pain management clinicians with the ability to conduct on-the-spot assessments and interventions, enhancing overall efficiency and reducing patient wait times.  

The need of a wireless ultrasound scanner was recognised within our pain management clinics. With only one large scanner located in the injection suite, a space frequently occupied by clinicians and their patients, scheduling limitations became apparent. This immobile scanner posed a challenge for both patients and medical professionals, leading us to explore alternative solutions. 

Enter Mrs Notay, a pivotal figure in the acquisition of the wireless ultrasound scanner. Mrs Notay, a patient of Dr Kafafy’s, has a clear heartfelt desire to contribute to improving patient experience. Mrs Notay is a member of the Guru Nanak Naam Ladies Jatha Group; a keen unit of Sikh ladies who raise funds for UK charities through devotional praise.  

Driven by appreciation following the care she received, Mrs Notay graciously offered, on behalf of the Guru Nanak Ladies Group, to donate funds to ROC, with the support of Dr Kafafy influencing how the money is spent. With the clear need for a more versatile ultrasound device already recognised, the Clarius L15 HD Wireless Scanner was purchased.  

As the scanner integrates into our clinics, initial feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive. The ability to provide injection treatment during routine appointments has resonated positively with patients seeking pain management.  

The impact of the portable ultrasound scanner reaches beyond mere convenience. The overarching goal is to establish a comprehensive and efficient service for patients, one that eliminates the need for extended waiting periods. Traditionally, patients scheduled for knee, shoulder, elbow, leg, or foot injections have endured an 18-week wait in the injection suite. With the scanner’s capabilities, clinicians can now administer certain injections during clinic visits, significantly reducing patient wait times. Additionally, this innovation frees space within the injection suite for more complex cases that require X-ray services. 

Looking to the future, a meticulous plan for evaluating the scanner’s impact has been set in motion. The objective is to gauge the extent to which the new technology mitigates patient waiting times for injections. Through diligent data collection and analysis, the effectiveness of the wireless ultrasound scanner will be audited by the Pain Management Team, allowing us to measure its contributions to patient care.  

A huge, profound thank you goes out to Mrs Notay and the Guru Nanak Naam Ladies Jatha Group who kindly donated almost £5,000 to fund and support this device,  also thank you to Dr Kafafy, Pain Consultant, who worked hard to implement the device being brought into clinic. 

To find out more about how you can support ROC in future, visit our ‘appeals’ section or contact the Charity team on roc@nhs.net.

  • Mrs Notay, Dr Kafafy, scanner and ultrasound image

  • Mrs Notay, Dr Kafafy, scanner and ultrasound image up close

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Supporting patients with Chronic Pain

Supporting patients with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a difficult condition to manage and the concept of ‘no cure’ can been difficult to accept. It is a condition which The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital’s Pain Management Team routinely support patient’s with from across the country.  

Dr Liza Tharakan approached the hospital charity in 2021 for grant support to educate chronic pain patients at ROH by means of a short 4-minute video. Dr. Tharakan submitted a detailed funding application which members of the Charitable Funds Committee were delighted to support.  

The term ‘chronic pain’ refers to pain that persists beyond the time normally expected for healing following injury or disease (often defined as more than six months). Chronic pain impacts on many areas of a person’s life and cannot always be resolved by medical or physical treatment alone.  

The video which is available on the Trust’s website, provides educational support to patients via engaging visual materials, it is intended to help patients experiencing (or at risk of developing) chronic pain, including such conditions as fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain. 

“The video helps in many ways, one being helping patients come to terms with the condition and understanding how to self-manage its effects. Chronic pain affects individuals’ employment status, daily activities, relationships, mood, sleep and general health among others,  implementing this small change can have a great impact on the mental wellbeing of patients.” Liza Tharakan  

 The video helps individuals understand their Chronic pain journey, become familiar with the medical team at ROH as well as aid in self-management tools to use at home.   

 Since the video launch, 344 patients have viewed and fed back on the content. We asked these patients to rate their knowledge of Chronic Pain before and after they watched the video.   

58 individuals changed their response to understanding Chronic Pain from “quite well” to “very well” after watching the video (35% increase).  

To view the video itself or find out more, visit:

Pain Management (roh.nhs.uk)  

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Zip wire success

Zip wire success

In July fundraisers Phill, Charlotte, and Georgia fearlessly took on the zipwire challenge at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.
Their courageous efforts paid off, as they collectively raised £800 in support of ROC. This was the first zip wire event ROC have been involved in and we were super proud of both their fundraising efforts and their fearlessness!


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Nigel’s Story

My story started in January 2021. One evening, I folded my arms and felt a lump in my right upper arm. I thought to myself it was probably just muscular. After a couple of weeks, it didn’t appear to be getting any smaller, so I rang my GP, who immediately sent me for an ultrasound scan. It was quite clear from the screen that there was some form of mass in my triceps. Over the next few weeks, things moved quite quickly with x-rays and an MRI scan, following which I was contacted by the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

I started to realise that this was a lot more serious than I originally thought and how it may impact my life as a guitarist with my band Witcher, my love of driving, DIY, and general day-to-day living. Within 2 months, I had a CT scan and biopsy at ROH. Resulting in being told that I had a soft tissue pleomorphic Sarcoma, finally I knew what it was. My treatment plan would involve an operation following radiotherapy at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Which meant a 26-mile journey up and down the M5, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks. Fortunately, some good friends took me and my wife, Sarah, every day, which took the pressure off us, and we will always be extremely grateful for what they did for me. The treatment I received under Dr. Peake and his team was first-class.

Following the CT and MRI scan, we met my consultant, Mr. Scott Evans. Upon meeting Scott, I immediately felt relatively at ease and comfortable. As he explained to my wife and me, the seriousness of my operation meant that I could lose sensation in my whole arm. Or the worst-case scenario, being that I could lose my arm. My mind was now working overtime, trying to take in what I had been told. I said, “hang on a minute” as I showed Scott a picture of me playing guitar on my phone. “This is what I do.” He took my phone and asked me what sort of music I played, so bizarrely, we sat and chatted about music, and then he assured me he would do the very best to save my arm. We were then introduced to Miss Foong, who would be assisting Scott with the surgery, and a date was then set for August 23rd, 2021.
We then had to tell our family about how bad the outcome could be, but they couldn’t have been any more supportive of myself and Sarah.

Following my operation, I was relieved to find my right arm still there and my hand still functioning. I was told they had removed 2 of the tricep muscles and managed to save my nerves. I left the hospital 5 days later. Following some physiotherapy and help with lymphedema, life was good, and I was back gigging regularly with the band.
Everything was fine over the next 15 months until my arm started to ache, and I got in touch with the ROH. Immediately after I had an MRI, x-ray, PET scan, and biopsy, it was confirmed that I had a recurrence of Sarcoma in my remaining tricep. I knew in my own mind at this point that I was going to lose my arm and that my life was going to change forever.

So I went back to see Scott, and he told me my PET scan was clear and that the cancer was confined to my remaining tricep. As I suspected, the best way to keep me alive would be to lose my arm at the shoulder. Everyone in the room was surprised by my reaction, but I knew what was coming and had already accepted it. A date for the surgery was arranged with Scott and Miss Foong for February 27th, 2023. This left me with about 4 weeks to prepare for life without my right arm. I started to learn how to do everything with my left hand alone. I knew I was going to need an automatic car so I could continue to drive, and within a week, that was sorted.

We had a trip to the Forest of Dean for a short break with family the week before the operation. First thing on Monday, February 27, I was off to ROH for the operation.

Scott arrived to speak to me before I went to the theatre, and we had a good chat. My operation went well, and the care I received from the nursing team and medical staff at ROH was exceptional. By Friday teatime, I was home having a roast dinner.
After 6 weeks, I attended my driving assessment and had the necessary modifications made to my steering wheel, enjoying driving again and getting my freedom back. Not being able to play my guitar was a massive blow, but a friend said, “why don’t you take up the keyboard?” I laughed at first, thinking, “how do you play a keyboard with one hand?” As I had never touched a keyboard in my life, so I thought, “why the hell not?” Within 5 months of losing my arm, I was back on stage with my band. There was no way I was going to sit back and let the loss of my arm beat or define me. To me, everything is about problem solving, and I’ve not lost an arm; I lost cancer.
On my journey, I have met some truly amazing people throughout the NHS. Here’s a list of massive thank-yous. My GP in Worcester, the CT & X Ray department at Kidderminster Hospital, Worcester Royal Hospital, physiotherapy and lymphedema clinics, Redditch Hospital’s MRI department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Radiotherapy Department, and ALL staff involved in my care and treatment at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

I would particularly like to send a MASSIVE thank you to Mr. Scott Evans and his team. Gabriella Stefan and all the Macmillan nurses, the amazing Miss Foong, and her team. Birmingham Amputee and Rehabilitation Clinic and the Carole Hughes Macmillan support line.

Finally, to my son-in-law Brad, who ran the Manchester Marathon and raised a fantastic £2000 for the Royal Orthopaedic Charity, and to my wonderful wife Sarah and family for all your love and support.

A Spectacular Success: Charity Football Match and Family Fun Day Raises Over £2000 for Two Worthy Charities

A Day Filled with Community Spirit
The rain clouds couldn’t dampen the spirits at Shenley Community Sports Centre on Saturday 15th July, as the local community gathered for a heartwarming Charity Football Match and Family Fun Day. The fundraiser was organised in support of the Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) and Bone Cancer Research Trust UK (BCRT). The Charity Football Match and Family Fun Day proved to be popular and a remarkable success, raising over £2,000 with more donations still to come!
Dean Lee taken by JWP Photography
Football Extravaganza The day commenced with a friendly 10 aside match between dedicated ROH colleagues who were full of enthusiasm. Dean Lea was celebrated as the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance on the field.   Following the Friendly 10 aside match, Nightingale F.C and Matt’s Legends F.C, who travelled all the way from Hull to be a part of this fundraiser, took the pitch, demonstrating their commitment to both charities. Both teams put on an impressive display of sportsmanship, with Nightingale F.C emerging victorious with a 5-1 score.  

During the match, Nightingale F.C took control in the first half, scoring four impressive goals; a hattrick for Hunty and 1 goal from Davis. Matt’s Legends managed to pull one goal back just before halftime. The second half was more competitive, with Matt’s Legends creating several chances but unable to convert them into goals. Nightingale F.C secured their victory with a fifth goal, winning the game 5-1.

You can read the full commentary here: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/nightingalefc3/teams/
273495/match-centre/0-5655850/report

Nightingale F.C and Matt’s Legends F.C
Brett Ellis, Charity Lead and player of Nightingale F.C shared:
After all of the hard work, it was great to see the fundraising efforts prevail. I’d like to thank the ROH staff who took part in the entertaining 10aside game. A big thank you to Matt’s Legends and the BCRT charity for travelling down from Hull and Leeds to take part in the fundraising aspects of the day. The 11aside football match between Matt’s Legends and Nightingale FC was competitive and both teams played the game in the right spirit. A special thank you to Dionne Wortley, Teresa Brodie, Sarah Rich, Victoria Scott and Charlotte Thornewell, as without them, the day would not have run as smoothly and successfully as it did. Finally a huge thank you to all of those who attended on the day, and thank you to Shenley Lane Community Association & Sports Centre for their generosity of allowing us to use all of their fantastic facilities free of charge. Hopefully, we can do this day again…. But with better weather!!!  

Vendor Support
The Family Fun Day carried on with unwavering enthusiasm, offering a variety of activities for all ages. Food vendors provided delicious food; Caribbean cuisine and burgers and chips, bringing comfort to the crowd. The talented face painter, Claire, from Fine Painting worked her magic, eliciting smiles from both children and adults. Meanwhile, Kelly and her son from Sooo Sweet added a delightful dose of sugary indulgence to the day’s festivities by serving slush puppies, American sweets and popcorn. Phil, from Really Awesome Coffee also joined, providing hot beverages to add a kick of caffeine. Thank you to Aurorbella’s Bakes for allowing us to sell your brownies, which were not only delicious but also very popular.

Games Galore
The fun didn’t stop there! The games continued to entertain and engage. Jenga, footballs, skittles, welly wanging and chalk drawings kept everyone entertained and involved, while bubbles floated through the air. The tombola added an element of excitement, enhancing chances to be a lucky winner. For the young football enthusiasts, there was an exciting ‘Beat the Goalie’ game where children showcased their skills and scored unforgettable goals. Adding to the excitement, our cherished Charity mascot, Rocy, made a special appearance, spreading smiles and warmth.

Rocy the Mascot
Gratitude and Appreciation
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the organisers whose dedication made the event possible, rain or shine. Their efforts ensured that the community came together and raised awareness and funds for ROC and BCRT. Thank you Brett; Dionne and the Research Team; the Royal Orthopaedic Charity; Siobhan and Katie from BCRT for traveling down and supporting us on the day; and Tchissola Goncalves for volunteering on the day. A huge thank you to Natalie and the Team at Shenley Lane Community Sports Centre who kindly let us host the fundraiser at their venue free of charge.
Our appreciation goes out to the football teams; ROH staff, Nightingale F.C and Matt’s Legends F.C, for their sportsmanship and dedication to the matches. We are grateful to everyone who attended the event, demonstrating the power of unity and support. Your presence contributed to the event’s success, making a difference in the lives of those the charities serve. Finally, we want to express our immense gratitude to all the generous donors who provided raffle prizes for both the match day raffle and text raffle. Your support and generosity contributed to increased ticket sales and a more memorable day.
In conclusion, the Charity Football Match and Family Fun Day showcased the true spirit of community, coming together to support meaningful and life changing charities. The funds raised will undoubtedly make a significant difference, bringing hope and support to those in need. Here’s to the success of this event, our supporters, and to raising a significant amount of money!
Nightingale F.C.
Dionne and Teresa, ROH staff

The Allen family’s generous gesture

Following the passing of a patient who was under the care of Mr. David Dunlop, a touching gesture occurred during the patient’s funeral. The patient’s daughters, Kerry and Debbie, organised a collection, raising the sum of £250. In January, a representative from the Royal Orthopaedic Charity met with the Allen family. The daughters expressed their desire to involve Mr. Dunlop in deciding how the raised funds should be allocated. This thoughtful gesture reflects the appreciation and gratitude of the patient’s family but also recognises the dedication and care of not only Mr. Dunlop but of all members of the team throughout the patient’s journey.

The Allen family shared: “As a family, we always felt that our Mum was treated with care and respect by Mr Dunlop and his team during her stays with the ROH. Mr Dunlop took care of our Mum for a number of years and we are thankful for all his care he is truly a gift from God. The Allen family.”

Mr. Dunlop and the Occupational Therapists identified the need for haircare and toiletry products, including portable wash basins, hair dryers, detangling sprays and more, based on the challenges faced by bedridden patients. Many patients who are unable to leave their beds, lack access to basic amenities, making it difficult for them to manage their self care.  Engaging in self care can reduce stress and anxiety, boost self esteem and enhance mental health and wellbeing.  Recognising the barriers facing some patients, the team realised that providing these products could enhance patients’ sense of well-being and support their overall recovery.

Since the introduction of these products, patients on the orthopaedic wards have been able to utilise them effectively. The feedback received so far indicates that patients are pleased with the haircare and toiletry items. By improving access to these toiletries, the initiative has positively impacted the patients’ overall experience during their hospital stay. By fostering a sense of independence, patients are empowered to take care of themselves, enhancing their dignity and overall mood. This enhanced emotional well-being is vital in supporting their recovery journey.

A huge thank you to the Allen family for raising the funds to support this incentive!

John’s Story

We’d like to thank John, Len and all members Edwina Lodge (no. 4237) for their generous donation of £1,300 to the Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC)!

John and Len are members of the Freemasonry. For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity.

John is a patient here at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and recently had a sarcoma removed from his shoulder. John was extremely grateful for the care he received and said, “I was treated so well”.  Because of which, he and the freemasons wanted to thank and support the hospital’s Charity, ROC. Edwina Lodge raised the funds through fundraising events (we hear Len is quite the swimmer!), call for actions and by seeking donations.

We value their support and dedication to our Charity.

Edwina Lodge, THANK YOU!

Photograph details:
Left: Andrea – Oncology Nurse who saw John at his first appointment and has supported his hospital journey, middle: John – ROH patient, right: Len

ROC Roundup – March

On Friday 17th March we celebrated our 26th Anniversary!

For a whole 26 years we have been supporting The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital by funding initiatives to enhance the level of care the hospital provides for patients.

To celebrate, we had the amazing Brownie Boss onsite to serve up delicious treats to our patients and staff. From vegan, to Oreo, to kinder bueno, there was choice for everyone. They have proved to be extremely popular in the Trust! On the day, they raised an incredible £90 for the Charity. 

You can follow them on Instagram here.

We sold the left over Christmas Cadbury chocolate boxes for just £1 and they flew off the shelf! We raised an extra £86.50 for the Charity. 🎄

❤Fundraisers❤

On 23rd April, Steve Washbourne (Executive Director of Finance and Performance at the Trust) will be running the London Marathon in aid of the Charity, Willow Foundation and Cancer Research. The Charities have been of huge importance and support to colleagues at the ROH who are currently receiving treatment for Cancer. They have raised an incredible £1.5k so far!

You can donate 
here

We’d like to say a HUGE thank you to Brad who ran the Manchester Marathon in aid of the Charity on Sunday 16th April. They have raised an incredible £1.8k, which will allow us to continue to support patients, staff, students and researchers here at the Trust! ❤️

“The surgical team at the ROH have provided outstanding care and treatment for my father-in-law, Nigel Webber. 

Nigel was diagnosed with a sarcoma in 2021and is just about to have his second surgery to remove his right arm. 

Their compassion, patient centered approach and understanding has been amazing and we will be for ever grateful.”

Check out their JustGiving page here.

We have some incredible members of staff taking on the Great Birmingham Run in May, both the 10k and the half marathon! 

Heather Campbell & Tomas Stankus

Heather and Tomas are both running 10 Kilometres during the Great Birmingham Run to support the Royal Orthopaedic Charity.

Heather said:
This is an opportunity to give our patients something extra, whilst combining that with exercise! Since covid, we have both taken up running to keep healthy. We want to provide ourselves with a challenge and a meaningful goa​​​​​​​l.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tomas said:
Sometimes good ideas can be born in the most unexpected circumstances – like during the Trust’s mandatory training session, for example. And so here we are now with the plan to transform our occasional fitness running into something that is (a bit of) a challenge and can serve the good purpose at the same time!

Donate here.

Phill Vinnicombe & Craig Bayliss

Phill and Craig are running on behalf of their work colleague who has recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Their colleague, who would like to remain anonymous, has worked in housekeeping at the ROH for an incredible 45 years!

Phill said:
Our colleague is a very much loved in our department and throughout ROH, especially OPD where she works on evenings. Speaking to her today gave me such drive to want to do her proud. Myself and Craig will do our best. The run is a small gratitude for a lovely lady who we admire. Cancer affects everybody and doesn’t care about its destruction. We need to hold on to hope and continue to fundraise, raise awareness and stay strong. Let training commence!“​​​​​​​

Their work colleague said:
I would like to thank all my colleagues for their love, best wishes and support, it’s been very appreciated. I also want to thank the people who have been looking after me and continue to do so. Everyone has been great, so humbling. It has been hard but I’m doing OK. I’m touched that Phill and Craig think this much of me to be running in honour of myself. I think it’s great and thank them both. I’m just glad it’s not me! Good luck!

 Donate here.

Camille Braithwaite

After a 4 year break, Camille will be taking on the challenge of a Half Marathon during the Great Birmingham Run to support the Royal Orthopaedic Charity.

Camille said:
I am a theatre nurse and running helps me keep me fit and balances work and home life. Knowing that I will be running a half marathon for the Royal Orthopaedic Charity gives me motivation to conquer this challenge. It has been 4 years since I have done one but this time it is more meaningful because it is with a purpose; to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause while doing what I love to do.”

Donate here.

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to fly? Find out this summer!

You can sign up here.

 

ROC | Royal Orthopaedic Charity

Bristol Road South
Northfield
Birmingham
B31 2AP

Registered Charity Number: 1078046

Call: 0121 6854379
Email: roc@nhs.net 

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