News

New figures reveal there were 22 lifesaving organ donors at The Walton Centre last year, helping the UK reach its highest ever number of donors.(1)

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and The Walton Centre have released the figures to mark the publication of the annual Transplant Activity Report today (Monday, July 9). The new figures show The Walton Centre has some of the highest donor numbers in England.

The report reveals there is growing support for organ donation around the country. Nationally, there was a record number of organ donors, with 1574 people saving lives through deceased organ donation over the last year.

A decade ago, there were nine donors at the Trust, showing a sharp increase in support from local families.

However the overall national shortage of donors remains and there is an urgent need for more people to support donation. Around three people still die every day in need of a donated organ but many people have never told their relatives they want to save lives.

Medical Director of The Walton Centre Andrew Nicolson said: “Organ donation is a lifesaver in many cases across the UK. The increase shows that more people are talking to their loved ones about their wishes, and families are listening to them, which is an important step. It’s a testament to the team at The Walton Centre and staff across the wider NHS, who are working with families to support donation and give the gift of life to other people and their families.”                                                         

Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to The Walton Centre and all the brave and generous families who agreed to donate their loves one’s organs for lifesaving transplants.

“Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people. We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to save lives through organ donation. We want more people to have that opportunity to save lives.”

There are currently over 915,000 people from Cheshire and Merseyside on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and over 2.5 million in the North West.(2)

Tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation and join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Read The Walton Centre named one of the top organ donation centres in the country…

The anaesthetic department at the Walton Centre has received the Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA)from the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) at a ceremony on 1 February.

ACSA is the RCoA’s peer-reviewed scheme which promotes quality improvement and the highest standards of anaesthetic service. To receive accreditation, departments demonstrated a high standard in areas such as patient experience, patient safety and clinical leadership.

The Walton Centre’s anaesthetic department is the eighth in the North of England and the seventeenth in the UK to receive the prestigious accreditation.

Dr Sandeep Lakhani, Clinical Director of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, the Walton Centre, said: 

“Engaging with the ACSA process unified the whole department in working towards a common goal of ensuring high quality and safe service delivery for our patients. Like a domino effect, it also influenced our theatre staff and specialist nurses to evaluate their practice and ensure the highest standards of care.

“We were really impressed with the thorough but friendly nature of the ACSA review process and are immensely proud to have achieved ACSA accreditation.”

Dr Liam Brennan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “Patient safety is at the heart of ACSA, and the achievement and maintenance of ACSA’s robust standards encourage departments to constantly improve the care they provide. I would like to personally congratulate the anaesthetists at the Walton Centre for their commitment to providing the best possible care for their patients.”

 

Read The Walton Centre receives ACSA accreditation…

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, the UK’s only hospital to specialise in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services, has been awarded the coveted Investors in People Gold accreditation for the second time in a row.

Investors in People is the international standard for people management, testing organisations against a rigorous framework for best practice in the workplace. The Liverpool Trust is the first NHS organisation in the North of England to earn the IIP Gold accolade with the latest version of the standard.

Director of Workforce Mike Gibney said: “This success was only made possible thanks to the hard work of staff across the hospital. We want The Walton Centre to be a fantastic place to work, and I think this reflects what we’ve achieved so far.

“This is a superb achievement that reflects the dedication of teams across the organisation, and the supportive friendly culture that we’ve created. Not only does this make The Walton Centre a great place to work, but it also contributes to making a safe and caring environment for our patients to be treated in.”

The detailed report from the assessors described staff in all job roles being motivated to deliver the highest standards and that they are driven by the hospital’s values: pride, dignity, respect, caring and openness.

Comments from staff interviewed for the assessment included: “I am so happy here – I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else” and “because it’s so well organised you have a lot more time to interact with patients”.

Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate The Walton Centre - Investors in People Gold accreditation is the sign of a great employer, an outperforming place to work and a clear commitment to success. The hospital should be extremely proud of their achievement.”

 

Read The Walton Centre achieves second gold award from Investors in People…

The Walton Centre - Liverpool’s specialist brain and spine hospital - is the first specialist NHS trust in the country to be rated as outstanding without any areas deemed as needing improvement.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust received the top rating following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission earlier this year.

In examining trusts, inspectors ask five key questions: is the trust safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

The Walton Centre is one of only nine trusts in England to receive an overall ‘outstanding’ mark and is only the second specialist NHS trust nationally to be given this rating. Both trusts are in Liverpool. Liverpool’s Heart and Chest Hospital also received an outstanding rating from the independent health and social care regulator.

The result follows on from a number of significant achievements. The hospital, dedicated to providing neurosurgery and care for patients with neurology, pain and spinal conditions, is already in the Nursing Times’ top 10 for nursing care.

It also ranks as one of the top 10 places to work in the NHS by the Health Service Journal and was named as an exemplar in Health and Wellbeing for the rest of the NHS and an NHS vanguard site after it put forward a bid to pioneer a new way of working that will benefit patients.

The Walton Centre, which provides a neuroscience service for the whole of the region, also has Investors in People Gold status – a quality kite mark which reflects the Trust’s commitment to its workforce and their development.

Inspectors who visited the specialist brain and spine hospital earlier this year saw several areas of outstanding practice, including its work in research, radiology, critical care and rehabilitation.

Chief Executive of The Walton Centre Chris Harrop said: “This is a fantastic result which tells patients that when they come to The Walton Centre they are getting the very best possible care.

“It’s simply astounding what we have achieved together recently. We are in the Nursing Times’ top 10 for nursing care. We also hold Investors in People Gold because of our commitment to our staff. We are leading the way in several areas of care including trauma, rehabilitation and the management of complex pain.

“I am overwhelmed by the commitment our staff give so willingly to help patients and pioneer new ways of working so that patients can access the best care, the best treatments and have the best possible outcome. They deserve this recognition.

“We work as a team at The Walton Centre and this outstanding rating is the result of a joint effort. Everybody has played their part; staff, volunteers, governors, partners, commissioners, our wider Walton Centre family in our satellite clinics and the patients themselves who guide us in what we do.

“This is great news for The Walton Centre and also for Cheshire and Merseyside as a whole and our patients in north Wales. This result not only reflects the care we deliver but it is broader than that, it reflects the way we provide care, commission services and work with other trusts. An outstanding rating is acknowledgment that we are providing the best care to patients in Liverpool and beyond but also that we are part of a successful wider health system that is working together for patients.”

Consultant Neurosurgeon at the hospital Paul May, who last month became the President of the Society of British Neuro Surgeons, added: “The Walton Centre is an outstanding trust. This Trust has a history of delivering the best care and this is further evidence that we are getting it right for patients. We are not only known locally for being a centre of excellence but have a national and international reputation for being the best at what we do. And this, as always, is driven by our desire to deliver the best outcomes for patients.”

The CQC published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

A team of more than 30 CQC inspectors, made up of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, visited to inspect the services provided by the Trust.

The CQC also sought the views of patients who had used the services, external partners and examined data to develop a detailed understanding of the culture, leadership and the quality of care delivered.

The report highlighted several areas of outstanding practice:

Rehabilitation: The Walton Centre was praised for the way it involves families and patients in their care. Inspectors highlighted a garden area at the hospital which families use and garden with patients going through rehabilitation. The Walton Centre’s networked approach to rehabilitation was also said to be an example of outstanding practice. The hub and spoke model that sees the specialist hospital work with district general hospitals and community units allows the patient to be cared for in the most appropriate setting and speeds up the rehabilitation process.

Research:The Trust has received a Certificate of Recognition Excellence for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for work in promoting the benefits of clinical research, and encouraging recruitment of patients into clinical trials. In 2014 to 2015, the trust increased their proportion of NIHR studies from 39 to 56 studies compared to the previous year which was more than any other trust in the region.

Diagnostics: The Walton Centre has a ‘claustrophobia clinic’ for patients who need an MRI scan but cannot go through a conventional scanner because of their fear of confined spaces. Patients use a scanner with a wider bore hole and are given one-to-one support from the radiographer who talks them through the process.

Critical Care: The Critical Care team was highlighted for using an electronic system which identifies the need for appropriate risk assessments to be undertaken for patients. This ensures that patients are assessed in a timely manner by providing a visual aid to staff via a television screen in the main area of the unit.

Walton Willow: The Trust was highlighted for introducing a memorial tree called The Walton Willow. A Gift of Life Commemoration event takes place annually so families can remember patients who donated organs by placing a leaf, bearing their name, on the tree.

Home from Home: The Walton Centre has developed a ‘Home from Home’ facility so families who live far afield can be close to loved ones. The accommodation, which inspectors said was of a high standard, is paid for and supported by The Walton Centre Charity.

Multi-disciplinary working: Inspectors commented that there was a well-established multidisciplinary team approach that was seen as integral to the critical care service. There were regular meetings through the day with staff from other departments, internally and externally.

Theatres: An interactive theatre live tracking system (TIMS) was another area of outstanding practice, highlighted by inspectors as an innovative system which allowed live tracking of patients through their theatre journey and consultants to book their own patients on to theatre lists while in clinic.

Vanguard site: The trust was highlighted for being an NHS vanguard. The Walton Centre is pioneering new ways of caring for patients that will lead to more people with long term neurology conditions being able to access a wider remit of services outside of the main hospital site, closer to home.

Key findings from the CQC report

·         There were many examples where staff had ‘gone the extra mile’ to support patient’s individual needs showing determination and creativity to overcome difficulties when delivering care.

·         Patients received compassionate care and their privacy and dignity were maintained.

·         Patients told us that staff were caring, kind and respected their wishes. We saw staff interactions with people that were person-centred.

·         All areas we inspected were visibly clean and well organised. The trust was rated as the overall top acute trust in England in relation to the patient-led assessments of the care environment (PLACE) in 2015. The trust scored 99% for cleanliness and 98% for condition, appearance and maintenance.

·         Medical treatment was delivered by skilled and committed medical staff.

·         NHS Friends and Family Test (NHS FFT) results showed that the trust consistently scored above 95%, which was better than the England average, indicating that most patients were positive about recommending the trust to their friends and family.

·         There was a positive culture throughout the trust. Staff were proud to work for the trust and proud of the services they provided. 

The full report is available on the CQC's website.

Summary of The Walton Centre's achievements

Health Service Journal (HSJ) Best Places to Work 2015: The Walton Centre was among the top 10 NHS employers

·         Investors in People (IIP) Gold Award for People Management

·         Investors in People (IIP) Health and Wellbeing Award

·         The Nursing Times 2015: top ten hospitals nationally for overall nursing care

·         HSJ Awards 2015: winner Specialised Service Redesign (Cheshire and Merseyside Specialist Rehabilitation Network)

·         HSJ Awards 2015: shortlisted Provider Trust of the Year

·         Transitional Care Empowerment Programme Award 2015: Epilepsy Team

·         Navajo Merseyside & Cheshire LGBT Charter Mark

·         Encephalitis Society Exceptional Service Award 2015: Chavasse Ward

·         Havelock Award 2014: Finance department

·         Building Better Healthcare Award 2015 ‘Best Sustainable Development’: Sid Watkins Building

·         Healthcare Estates Award 2015 ‘Project of the Year’: Sid Watkins Building

·         NHS Learning from Mistakes League Table (for openness and transparency): Outstanding

 

Read CQC rates The Walton Centre as Outstanding…

A £2m donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal will allow surgeons at The Walton Centre to scan patients during their operation.

Money from the fund, set up by the wife of former Liverpool FC manager and player Kenny Dalglish, will buy an in-theatre intra-operative MRI scanner (iMRI) and associated equipment and will mean patients with brain tumours and other complex conditions will get access to the very latest technology.

The donation is part of a wider theatres project at the specialist brain and spine hospital. Two new theatres are being built around the iMRI scanner, increasing the existing number of theatres from six to eight, allowing the hospital to treat more patients.

Marina Dalglish said: “The Marina Dalglish Appeal is so proud to be involved in this project at The Walton Centre and really excited at its potential to offer patients in the North West the most advanced diagnosis available.

“Just having this iMRI scanner in Liverpool is of huge benefit to patients, many of who would previously need multiple operations.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported our Appeal and helped us to raise the money needed to buy this amazing equipment.”

The Walton Centre is unique in being the only stand-alone specialist neuroscience trust. As such, it attracts referrals from across the country.

Demand for the specialist services provided by The Walton Centre continues to grow.

The iMRI/ theatres project will give the hospital more capacity to meet this demand, enabling them to increase the number of patients they are able to treat. It will help keep the hospital at the forefront of neuroscience care and help achieve the best results for patients.

The iMRI system allows the surgeon to visualise more easily the extent and position of the tumour to ensure that all, or as much as possible, of the tumour is safely removed during the operation.

Complicated cases can result in patients needing multiple scans and operations to remove tumours. Having this technology also reduces the chances of a patient needing to return to theatre post-operatively.

Surgeons remove tumours surrounded by delicate brain tissue responsible for the functions such as speech and movement. The added precision provided by this technology – which gives surgeons a highly detailed picture - means more healthy tissue can be spared from damage during the removal of a tumour.

Andrew Brodbelt, Consultant Neurosurgeon at The Walton Centre, said: “The new iMRI is an exciting addition to our surgical facility. Patients will be able to be scanned during surgery, providing surgeons with a more accurate picture of their brain and any remaining tumour that needs to be removed.

“The potential benefits include decreasing the chance of patients needing to go back to theatre for further surgery. We are truly grateful for the support of the Dalglishs in helping to get this project, which has been an ambition of ours for a long time, off the ground and running.”

The new development is being built as an extension to the existing theatre suite at the Fazakerley-based hospital. This means that normal hospital business has been able to continue as usual with no disruption to admissions, surgery or clinics.

Construction firm Interserve is carrying out the build. The company worked with The Walton Centre on its Sid Watkins Building, officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal last year, which houses a specialist complex rehabilitation unit for patients needing intensive rehabilitation following major illness or injury.

The development is currently four months ahead of schedule and is expected to open in February 2017. The iMRI scanner adds to the Trust’s impressive diagnostic suite. There are four MRI scanners already at the hospital.

The total cost of the theatres project is £8.1m. The iMRI and associated specialist imaging and navigation equipment is being funded by The Marina Dalglish Appeal. The building work for the two new theatres and scanner suite and theatre equipment is being funded by the Trust.

 

Read £2m donation from The Marina Dalglish Appeal funds new iMRI scanner…

A powerful intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging scanner (MRI) arrived in its new home at The Walton Centre.

The seven-tonne scanner has been funded through a £2m donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal and will be the first of its kind for adults in the North of England.

Marina Dalglish, who is the wife of former Liverpool FC manager and player Kenny Dalglish, said: “On behalf of everyone at the MDA, I am delighted that the money raised for this innovative machine by all of our loyal supporters is going to be so critical in helping many people on Merseyside and beyond.”

Stuart Moore, Director of Strategy, said: “This is an exciting addition to the diagnostic and treatment facilities we already have at The Walton Centre. The technology also opens up possibilities for new treatments in the future.

“We are extremely grateful to the Marina Dalglish Appeal for supporting us.”

The scanner is part of a wider theatres project. Two new operating theatres are being built around the scanner. This will allow surgeons to scan the patient’s brain during an operation and then continue the procedure without the patient having to leave the theatre suite.

The iMRI system allows the surgeon to visualise more easily the extent and position of the tumour to ensure that all, or as much as possible, of the tumour is safely removed during the operation.

Complicated cases can result in patients needing multiple scans and operations to remove tumours. Having this technology reduces the chances of a patient needing to return to theatre post-operatively.

Surgeons remove tumours surrounded by delicate brain tissue responsible for the functions such as speech and movement. The added precision provided by this technology – which gives surgeons a highly detailed picture - means more healthy tissue can be spared from damage during the removal of a tumour.

Interserve is carrying out the theatres build. Interserve Construction Director Phil Shaw said: “Through collaborative working and detailed planning the team were able to install the iMRI ahead of programme whilst maintaining the hospital operations and giving the patients the opportunity for earlier treatment.”

 

Read iMRI scanner arrives at hospital thanks to £2m donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal…

The Princess Royal was in Liverpool today (Tuesday, December 15) to officially open The Walton Centre’s newest building.

Her Royal Highness was unveiling a commemorative plaque at The Sid Watkins Building which is named after an eminent neurosurgeon who made revolutionary improvements to the safety of Formula 1.

A bust of Professor Sid Watkins, which honours his contribution to the world of sport and medicine, was also unveiled during the ceremony, which was attended by members of his family.

The Sid Watkins Building first accepted patients in January this year. At a cost of £29m and delivered ahead of time and nearly £1m under budget, it gives The Walton Centre, a specialist brain and spinal hospital, more space to treat patients.

It houses the hospital’s 30-bedded Complex Rehabilitation Unit, its Pain Management Programme which helps patients manage long-lasting pain, a specialist neuropsychology service, an education centre and lecture theatre, charity funded relatives’ accommodation, an outpatients department, offices for finance, human resources, IT, Procurement and more.

The visit marks the second time The Princess Royal has been to The Walton Centre. Her Royal Highness officially opened The Walton Centre’s main hospital building in 1998 when the Trust moved from the old Walton Hospital site on Rice Lane to a new building on Lower Lane in Fazakerley.

Chairman Ken Hoskisson said: “We are delighted to welcome back HRH The Princess Royal to The Walton Centre.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved with the opening of The Sid Watkins Building. Having a royal visit marks how significant that achievement is, but we’re also proud that the visit will also remember and honour the great man we named the building after.”

During the visit, Prof Watkins' widow Susan gave a speech, saying: “It’s a joy for my family, our closest friends, and for me to be here today for the Royal opening of the Sid Watkins Building.  In a sense my husband’s career has come full circle. For with the naming of this building, he continues to be associated with medical and surgical excellence, with pioneering research and treatments and with patient rehabilitation. His battlecry - there were never enough rehab facilities and now we have at least one more and what an outstanding example.

“I can’t tell you how impressed we are with what you have achieved here and with your humanity which you share with my husband. And your Royal Highness, we are indeed honoured that you have come here today to officially open The Sid Watkins Building, my husband would be delighted. On behalf of Sid, myself and all our family and friends, thank you.”

The Walton Centre has a history of naming wards after eminent neurosurgeons and neurologists.

It was following a suggestion from Aintree Circuit Club via its Vice President Professor Sir Drummond Bone and Chairman Michael Ashcroft that Professor Sid Watkins’ name came forward.

As he was fundamental to a number of pioneering projects, including the development of Royal London Hospital’s helicopter emergency service and responsible for radical improvements to safety in Formula 1, he was a fitting choice.

Professor Sid Watkins was born in Liverpool, graduated from Liverpool University and had a long and distinguished career in neurosurgery. His work continues to deliver safety benefits today not only in Formula 1 but in other sports such as horse trials.

To create a lasting legacy for such an outstanding individual, The Walton Centre has launched The Sid Watkins Fund to support innovation in the field of neurological health care.

 

Read The Princess Royal opens The Walton Centre's newest building…

The winners of the 2015 HSJ Awards were announced on 18 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

The Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards, is the largest celebration of healthcare excellence in the UK, highlighting the most innovative and successful people and projects in the sector.

The awards were created in 1981 to recognise, on a national platform, the projects and initiatives that deliver healthcare excellence and innovation. By shining a spotlight on cutting-edge innovations and best practice, the awards give impetus to improving the quality of health care in the UK.

After review by esteemed judging panels, made up of senior and influential figures from the health sector, The Walton Centre Foundation Trust won in recognition of their outstanding work.

From the judges:

The winner has an inspiring approach to coordinating specialist rehabilitation across multiple providers. The judges were impressed that the project is based on patient needs and showed impressive outcomes for very vulnerable group of patients.

Alastair McLellan, Editor, HSJ, said:

“The entries to this year’s HSJ Awards grew by 20% with the 23 categories receiving an average 70 entries each. There is not a similar healthcare awards the world over which is so fiercely contested. Now, more than ever, we must work harder to encourage, recognise and celebrate excellence in the NHS. The service has chosen the HSJ Awards as the vehicle for this mission. We are very proud of that and of all our shortlisted and winning entrants”.

Now in its 34^rthyear, the 2015 event saw a record number of entries, with over 600 different organisations entering.

The full list of winners can be found below.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

For more information please visit: http://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/

About HSJ 

HSJ is the only title to cover all aspects of publicly funded healthcare, providing news, analysis, best practice information and advice from the most powerful people in health, for the most powerful people in health.

The HSJ audience is formed of healthcare leaders from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds and both public and private sectors.

HSJ unites healthcare leaders with their peers through print, online, mobile, HSJ TV, social media and face to face at awards ceremonies, conferences and bespoke events.

About EMAP

EMAP is a content, subscription & networking business. We connect influential people & organisations to a high-value network of decision-makers, data and ideas through our industry-leading portfolio of brands including Retail Week, Health Service Journal, MEED, Architects' Journal and Drapers. www.emap.com

Full list of winners:

 

 

table of categories

Category	HSJ Style
Acute Sector Innovation	University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust
Acute, Community and/or Primary Care Services Redesign	The Dudley Group Foundation Trust
Board Leadership	Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust
CCG Commissioning for Carers	Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group, East Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group & Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group
Chief Executive of the Year	Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Foundation Trust
Clinical Commissioning Group of the Year	Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group
Clinical Leader of the Year	Wirral University Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust
Clinical Research Impact	Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust
Compassionate Patient Care	South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Enhancing Care by Sharing Data and Information	The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust
Improved Partnerships between Health and Local Government	Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group
Improving Care with Technology	Portsmouth Hospitals Trust
Improving Environmental and Social Sustainability	University Hospitals Bristol Foundation Trust
Improving Outcomes through Learning and Development	Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Innovation in Mental Health	Haringey Adolescent Outreach Team at Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust and Partners
Most Effective Adoption and Diffusion of Best Practice	The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust
Patient Safety	West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust
Primary Care Innovation	Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and Wellbeing Enterprises CIC
Provider Trust of the Year	Birmingham Children's Hospital Foundation Trust
Rising Star	Royal Devon and Exeter Trust
Specialised Services Redesign	The Walton Centre Foundation Trust
Staff Engagement	East London Foundation Trust
Using Technology to Improve Efficiency	Modality Partnership
Workforce	The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust

Read Walton Centre wins prestigious HSJ Award for its specialist rehab service…