Ten LED nightlights have made Ward 33 safer for staff and patients like Barry.

Deputy Sister Pushpa Matthew and her team were concerned about the number of falls occurring on Ward 33 at Glenfield Hospital.

Falls are the most frequently reported type of patient safety incident in hospitals and often lead to an increased length of stay. Falls can be devasting for patients. “They can cause bleeding, head injuries, fractures, and in worst cases, death,” says Pushpa.

Many patients on Ward 33 are very sick, frail, and have limited mobility. But the team discovered that most falls happened at night when there were less staff available. They also realised the lighting system was a major factor in explaining the eight falls reported each month.

Pushpa explained to us: “From 9.30pm, we have the lights off to allow patients to rest. Patients may wake up confused, need attention, get out of bed whilst it’s dark and may fall due to the lack of light. Unfortunately, because of the lighting system we cannot switch a single light on without waking up all 29 patients on the Ward.”

Together, Pushpa and her team had a bright idea – portable LED nightlights would help staff and patients to move around the ward safely during the night.

One patient who has seen first-hand, the benefit of these lights is Barry Wood, of Littlethorpe.

For over 30 years, Barry worked as an aerospace engineer until one day, his life changed forever. Seven years ago, when walking the dog with his wife, Barry suddenly took ill.

Doctors diagnosed Barry with a rare heart condition, and he was cared for on Ward 33. Years later, he regularly comes back to the Ward to receive treatment for his condition when his chest pains return. He tends to be in hospital for about ten days at a time.

“As soon as I start infusion treatment to widen my arteries, I feel much better. My infusions help take my pain away, but they need replacing every 24 hours. An alarm goes off at around five in the morning, and a nurse comes to my bedside to sort out my cannula using an LED nightlight.”

Barry agrees that now, thanks to the use of the portable nightlight, it is much safer on the Ward at night. He says: “We can now use the light to find the toilet in the dark without bumping into other patients or tripping over. Thank you so much for funding such a great idea.”

Because of your charitable gifts, Pushpa and her dedicated team now use ten portable LED nightlights to attend to patients when it’s dark. As a result of these devices, the number of falls reported have halved over the past six months– these nightlights have improved safety on the Ward which is great for patient outcomes.

Archie’s Journey: Overcoming Challenges with the Help of OPUS Music at Leicester Royal Infirmary

OPUS Music play alongside three-year-old Archie, bringing joy to his mum, Abbie.

Over Christmas, Archie and his mum, Abbie, found themselves in the Children’s Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. It had been a stressful time for the family from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. At 3am, an ambulance brought Archie from their local hospital in Lincoln so he could receive specialist care here in Leicester.

“Infections are common for Archie, as his disability weakens his immune system,” says Abbie.

At only six weeks old, Archie received a diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1. SMA is a genetic condition that makes the muscles weaker and causes problems with movement. Following Archie’s diagnosis, his parents feared the worst. In the past, children did not live beyond the age of two. But now, thanks to the introduction of Gene Therapy in the UK, Archie turned three last month.

The Impact of OPUS Music: Empowering Children in Leicester Royal Infirmary’s CICU

During his stays, Archie is often sedated and then confused when he comes around. He becomes unsettled and gets bored whilst in the hospital. But one Wednesday, Archie and the other children on the Unit received a surprise visit from OPUS Music. OPUS Music are a team of four healthcare musicians based in the East Midlands.

Musicians Nick and Richard came to Archie’s bedside. Richard gently handed Archie a hand-held drum and invited him to “play the drums together.” Before singing the wheels on the bus to him.

Archie was completely mesmerised by the music and to Abbie’s delight, he played along.

Supporting Young Patients: OPUS Music’s Return to In-Person Musical Encounters at Leicester Royal Infirmary

For Abbie, it was so moving to see, and she wants to say thank you for your gifts that funded this experience. “As a parent of a child with SMA Type 1, it was amazing to see and be part of this. Before, Archie couldn’t wave. So, to see him shaking the instrument and tapping along to his favourite song was so special.”

She adds: “The music really calmed him down and helps with his development. Through music, his speech has come on a long way. You can see him trying to piece all the lyrics together to sing along.”

OPUS Music had been supporting children and families within Leicester’s Hospitals since 2012. But due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, they had to move their music online. Hospital restrictions eased last year. And thanks to your gifts, OPUS have, again, been offering cultural musical encounters in person to young patients in hospitals since September 2022.

Coordinated by the Play Team, OPUS Music are told which children would benefit most from the musical experience. They cover the wards, CICU and even the Neonatal Unit.

“It’s wonderful to be back supporting young people and their families. The team slotted right back in. Although, there are some differences to before the Pandemic,” says Nick Cutts, Director, OPUS Music.

The musicians like their music to be interactive and bring a box of percussion instruments to the wards. They are wipeable and compliant with the latest infection prevention guidelines. This way, the young patients can play along and even lead the music sessions.

Nick told us: “Leading the session gives young patients autonomy and control. They get a sense of being in charge of something, which is important in their hospital journey. Music can empower children, give them confidence, and break down barriers within the hierarchy.”

Another benefit of the experience is that parents and carers can engage with their child in a different way. The musicians encourage parents to sing to their child – it’s something they can do for their little one, whilst they are in hospital.

Thanks to your gifts, OPUS Music will continue to perform alongside young patients and their families until June 2023.

Ria’s Journey: Advocating for Children with Disabilities at Leicester’s Hospitals

Ria is one of the twenty members of the Leicester Youth Forum. A group of 13–24-year-olds that drive meaningful change for young patients at Leicester’s Hospitals.

When Ria was seven years old, she received a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. This invisible disability affects soft tissue and weakens joints. It can even lead to heart complications. Because of her condition, Ria requires frequent hospital admissions as she is prone to dislocating her limbs, including her jaw, shoulders, hips, and knees.

The Impact of the Leicester Youth Forum: Amplifying the Voices of Young Patients

Over the years, Ria, now aged 17, has faced many challenges in the hospital. And as a minor, Ria has often felt overlooked by clinical staff – until donations like yours funded the Leicester Youth Forum. The first meeting took place in September 2021 and Ria has attended every meeting since.

We asked Ria why she joined the Youth Forum. Ria replied: “I wanted to advocate for other children with disabilities, so that our voices are heard.”

Founded by Pain Specialist Nurse, Zoe Syrett, the Youth Forum provides a safe space for young patients to come together and speak openly about their experiences.

Zoe told us: “Often young patients feel that they don’t have a say when in hospital. Decisions may be out of their control. The Youth Forum gives young people a voice, a voice to shape decisions made about the health services we provide. Many like Ria are passionate about healthcare, and the Forum gives them the chance to help others.”

Empowering Change: The Role of the Leicester Youth Forum

Now funded for its second year, the Youth Forum meets monthly away from the hospital at different venues across the city. Ria said: “I was nervous ahead of the first meeting, but I found meeting new people really comforting, and now it’s the one thing I look forward to each month.”

During the meeting, conversations are facilitated by a youth worker and four members of clinical staff, including Zoe.

Zoe assures: “As facilitators, we don’t make any promises we can’t keep. We try to keep the expectations of our members realistic. But following the Youth Forum meetings, we escalate any issues to the appropriate team within the Hospitals. Any feedback or action taken is then shared with the young people.”

Youth-Driven Change: Making a Difference at Leicester’s Hospitals

One of the first changes influenced by the Youth Forum involved the provision of food for young patients and their families. The Head of Catering attended the meeting and learned that food was not provided in the Children’s Emergency Department when patients faced long waits to be seen. They were motivated to act after speaking with Forum Members and saw to this problem immediately. And, a few weeks later, when admitted to A&E with a dislocation, Ria saw staff providing food to young patients and their families.

Ria wants to say thank you for funding the Youth Forum: “Not only does the Youth Forum make changes for the better at Leicester’s Hospitals, but it really improves mental health for members like me.”

Getting out, away from the hospital, and being around others that she can relate to makes Ria happy. She can connect with others like her, and focus on positive change she can inspire, rather than how her condition makes her feel. Seeing the impact of the Youth Forum has encouraged her to throw herself into new projects. Now, she is looking at; improving car parking for patients and visitors with disabilities, inclusive badges, and recruiting more members to the Forum.