RNOH News

Transforming musculoskeletal services event

The RNOH is hosting an event, which aims to generate discussion on its plans for transforming musculoskeletal services.

Rob Hurd, chief executive, said the RNOH is keen to play a part in the development of a potential musculoskeletal programme through the UCL Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.

“The event will be instrumental in determining the way forward for enhancing musculoskeletal services in England,” he said.

Senior health professionals, providers, commissioners and academic partners are invited to attend on Thursday 22 March from 17:30 until 20:00 in the Herbert Seddon Teaching Centre, Stanmore.

New project to improve patient experience

A new project is being launched at the RNOH, which will strive to improve patient experience.

The project will be launched on Monday 6 February and will aim to discharge patients by 11am.

Kelly Nicholls, discharge liaison sister, said the 11am discharge project is a fundamental step towards the smooth running of a patient’s journey.

“By discharging patients at 11am, we will not only improve the patients’ experience but empower them to take control of their journey from admission to discharge.”

RNOH Charity’s Buttercup Walk reaches anniversary milestone

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital’s (RNOH) Buttercup Walk event will this year be celebrating its 10th anniversary by trying to raise more than ever before!

The event on Sunday 24 June at the RNOH’s Stanmore site in north London will be bigger and better than previous years in a bid to celebrate its fundamental aim of improving patient care.

Rosie Stolarski, head of fundraising, said thousands of patients have benefitted from the funds raised through the Buttercup Walk and we are keen to keep the momentum going among our committed patients and the public who really do contribute a huge amount to making the event such a success.

Metal on metal hip replacements

Following recent press coverage regarding metal on metal hip replacements, patients who have any concerns are advised to contact the arthroplasty practitioners on 020 8909 5279.

RNOH publishes equality data

The RNOH has started to publish equality data, aiming to demonstrate how we are seeking to comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the aims of the Equality Duty:

to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation
to advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not
to foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not

Reports are available on our Equality and Diversity page.

RNOH nurse selected for 2012 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies

A nurse at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) has been chosen to be a volunteer dance performer in the London 2012 Olympic Games’ opening and closing ceremonies.

Craig Binch, discharge and clinical patient pathway lead, has been selected to dance in a sequence which is dedicated to NHS workers.

Craig said this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a great honour to be a part of the ceremony.

Vitamin D in the news

Vitamin D deficiency has hit the headlines following increased concerns that people are not getting enough.

BBC Breakfast News has interviewd Dr Benjamin Jacobs, Director of Children's Services in the Paediatric Unit at the RNOH, to find out more about Vitamin D deficiency.

To listen to the BBC Breakfast interviews, please follow these links:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16439478
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16700833

For further information about Vitamin D, please visit the Vitamin D in children page.

The RNOH's second Vitamin D conference will be held on 19 March 2012. Registration for this event is now open.

Hospital teen is Olympic Torchbearer

A patient of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) and international dressage winner has been selected as a torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Fourteen-year-old Michael Murphy, who suffers from the rare condition, Dejerine-Sottas (which causes severe muscle weakness and loss of sensation in his limbs) is recovering from spinal surgery that he underwent at the RNOH to correct the curvature in his spine, whereby metal rods were inserted to straighten his back.

Equality and Diversity - seeking your views!

In 2012, all public bodies will set equalities objectives to enable improvements in patient care and staff experience. We are seeking your views so that we can prioritise areas for improvement and develop objectives that are relevant and will have a positive impact on our patients.

We aim to:

eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic* and those who do not
foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic* and those who do not

Seeking your views

Non-executive directors reappointed

We are pleased to announce that the following Non-executive Directors have been reappointed by the Appointments Commission Health and Social Care Appointments Committee:

Mr Guy Billington and Mr Anthony Watson (appointments run from 01 December 2011 - 30 November 2015)
Mr Laurence Milsted (appointment runs from 01 January 2012 to 31 December 2015)

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital aims to be the specialist orthopaedic hospital of choice by providing outstanding patient care, research and education.