Helen Torode
Mother of 2 who loves to travel, spending time with family and friends, reading and a challange
Location Cambridge, U.K.
Activity
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Thank you, has been invaluable, and has shed some light on to the workings of the NHS, difficult at times to not let personnel aspects and politics come into it when commenting. We face uncertain times at present which makes us more protective of the health service and the care it provides and this can cloud our judgement, I definitely feel that the public...
-
Hopefully it's worked albeit a minimum of 4 words short
-
Helen Torode made a comment
I agree with the agreement, the principle is good.
However who or how are the communities to be supported to support those in the community, we are all aware these communities differ from area to area, and more likely dependant on the salaries earnt in these areas.
Sadly there will always be those that will abuse the system, not turn up for appointments,... -
I am proud of the NHS, proud to work for the organisation, and I believe as a nation we are fortunate to have such a system.
However I do believe that it is not without it's faults, that there are areas for improvement, and that it is abused by some of it's users. It does require a "shake up".
There is too much jargon, our trust uses so many acronyms, that... -
Helen Torode made a comment
All sound as though they would be equal in being of benefit to patients, but the use of smartphone technology is only as good as the user, and we have to remember that some more senior members of the population may or may not have or afford this technology. Medication reminders are only of benefit for those can remember why the reminder is there. However the...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Most hospitals have a computerised system,sadly just not the same, so therefore probably don't speak to one another. Until this issue is sorted, it would be difficult to progress, particularly if patients require emergency treatment out of area
If people are concerned about GDPR., files etc. could be sent encrypted.
Certainly patients with long term care... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Better communication between hospital and GPs, integral computerised systems that can easily transfer results from one place to another, patients thereby getting results quicker ensuring more informed referrals and improved outcomes. A system that can be accessed by all involved in the treatment of the patient, and documented MTDs.
-
Helen Torode made a comment
This person centred approach is what is required. How refreshing this could be, and the simple task that there is a volunteer service to accompany Sam to the shops/do shopping/provide company.
The fact that someone is able to discuss the needs of the patient, and that care is accessed. This is often a failing in that technology systems differ between GP and... -
Excellent video, and more joined up thinking required. Not sure how best this could be escalated to the public and encourage them to find the best possible route for their area, as I am sure they would differ from area to area. And this is despite information posters in GP surgeries.
More also needs to be done in hospitals, with regards services and planning... -
Helen Torode made a comment
I have had concerns over Brexit and the effect on the NHS, not so much on the staffing issues, but from a medicines, medical devices point of view.
We have already suffered shortages of drugs and devices, this could be poor planning on our part or stock piling as a contingency.
Until we have a new leader and the finer aspects of Brexit are decided,it is... -
Helen Torode made a comment
If looking at staffing issues, as one aspect, and whilst I applaud the apprenticeship scheme, nurse training now seems to have come back full circle from when I completed my training. If looking at the degree pathway has the uptake reduced with the removal of bursaries.
Whilst improving the funding of the NHS, how can it be expected to function efficiently if... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Brexit is undoubtedly the biggest challenge for health and any other aspect of the country. I should think until a withdrawel agreement is finally agreed upon it is difficult to plan for any aspect.
Keeping up with technology and information sharing -
Helen Torode made a comment
Enjoying the course. Even though work in the NHS, not necessarily surprised by it's complexity of how it works and funding. Interesting how we measure outcomes. Sadly have to agree it does need some sort of overhaul, and it is such a precious organisation and one in which we are inordinately proud, therefore we are at times over protective of it, and...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
If improvements are to be made in patient outcomes, we need to not only look at the outcomes themselves but listen to what their expectations of their treatment and their overall experience. Once listening to these we need toact on them, and look at where improvements can be made. It maybe by acting on this we can help ourselves, save money/channel money...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Patient outcomes should be the main priority, in fact as far as those delivering care, I would think most of us would say has to be the priority.
Siva is correct when he says how we should measure it. It's not about the how and why, but improving the quality of the patients cobdition/life/outcome and being a support to the family, particularly if considering... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Looking at wastage, educating staff in not opening items until they know they are going to be used, in surgery we know if we are creating an open wound we need to close it, so open those sutures required, however surgery/patients condition may change, which dictates the rest of the process, hence any other sutures, staplers etc that have been opened may be...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Number of reasons, some in our control, others can be controlled with assistance and the others with assistance from other sources.
In our control is healthy lifestyle, taking care of ourselves and education, however whilst we blame obesity and addictive behaviour on the person, should there be more funding into the cause and effect, underlying health... -
Helen Torode made a comment
How do we compare worldwide with our targets?
What would be the cost all round to longer gp surgery hours or the ability to have more urgent appointments and possibly reduce A&E visits/wait times.
How far are we off our cancer targets?
Is the increase in wait time due to increased screening so more cancers being picked up? -
Helen Torode made a comment
Painful reading that we are missing targets so frequently, which then gives media hype and negative press to the service.
However there could be less time wasting by the public on the misuse of A&E, ambulance services, and missed appointments, either for their surgery. Which happens, or for pre operative assessments, where medical issues can be picked up and... -
Quite often now letters are sent to book an appointment rather than be given a date and time.
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Work in the NHS, and have done so for 30 plus years. It is both rewarding and frustrating, but we are all there to deliver care with compassion, and am proud to work for such a big organisation, however frustrated by the politics involved, how it seems to be chipped away at. It is stretched to breaking point, but no matter how stretched, we deliver care no...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Despite working in the NHS, I came on the course to find more out on how it works and how the pieces of the jigsaw fit together, and so far have achieved further insight in this, however not sure I could fully explain it all to someone else.
I think the public should have an increased awareness of how the NHS works and is funded, the cost of some treatments,... -
Not only a bill for care, but make them fully aware of the cost of missed appointments, the cost of an ambulance
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Regulation is good to maintain standards, and quality of care, however stressful meeting these standards can be. At first hand I have seen the impact on staff and their morale a bad report has, as working in a trust that failed to meet standards at one inspection, I know in that instance staff felt very let down by management, as the one domain that we did not...
-
I have the same concerns with regards the private companies providing health care
-
Recruitment and retention has always been an issue, but with falling numbers in the take up of training places due to the loss of bursaries, uncertainty of Brexit, particularly with colleagues from countries that remain in the European union, the days following the referendum were uncertain enough for them, but as it drags on, with no certainty as to their...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
I can see the necessity of buying in services to help ease the strain of the NHS and ensure that patients receive treatment within a given time frame, in fact I know of people that have attended private hospitals for appointments and scans but as part of their NHS treatment. My concern with this, is how much does this impact on the CCG budget, and does it do...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
How is the budget determined for each CCG? Population size?
Were there this many local health authorities?
On what basis do the CCGs decide how to spend on specialist areas of health, such as cancer treatments, IVF, and waiting time targets?
Does research come from their budget?
Does spend differ year on year on ares of healthcare?
How is it evaluated? -
Ideally, as the idea of the health service was to provide healthcare, free at the point of care from cradle to grave then all CCGs should be given a pot of money to provide the same basic services for all areas.
Whilst population size and demographics should be taken into account, the media have a field day when they believe different areas have differing... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Interesting and complex.
Whilst healthy competition is good and there are steps in place to avoid conflict of interest, I wonder how much of the human factors are taken into consideration? -
Helen Torode made a comment
Complicated, like Fiona wonder how funding is decided in Scotland, Wales and northern Ireland, and how differing CCGs decide on the services etc for the people they serve.
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Not surprised by the evolution of the NHS and changes.
However have found the overview helpful as were the animations.
No surprises over the unpaid carers, and know how difficult good care is to get. -
Helen Torode made a comment
My aunt and family have made use of social care, carers assisting in the home and eventually a care home, the trouble I see in this is the setting up of all these from hospital admissions to discharges, which impacts on hospital capacity.
Whilst the systems overlap, there needs to be more fluidity and improved referral system.
Appreciate this may differ... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Mental health and well being is very important and often we don't see how it impacts on our physical health and work.
Often we focus, as the video points out on one aspect of health and ignore the whole picture.
Unfortunately finding this hard to comment on as have been affected by family members, the care received and how areas differ from both the young... -
Thank you, have heard about Mind, also in our local area. Cambridge, centre 33, very good for young people mental health and well being
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Education is a big part, educating the young and old on the importance of a healthy well balanced diet and exercise. And affordability.
The availability for young and old to be able to access facilities particularly in remote areas with reduced if any public transport.
Good local community support network to help prevent isolation and support mental well... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Complicated but think have a better understanding, however seems frustrating that all these parties can't work more cohesively, or so it would appear. Having seen it from both sides with an elderly family relative requiring increasing care, being in the situation of blocking a bed when beds were needed most,it gave me insight into how this prevents the rest of...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Mental health has seen a great deal of significant changes, and community support.
Onto community services, hospitals throughput has changed significantly with the advent of surgery, changes in anaesthesia, 23 hour stay, has put strain on community support.
There needs to be more investment in social care and community services, the health service is... -
Helen Torode made a comment
The NHS has much improved the health and wellbeing of the nation since it's inception in 1948, however it is near to breaking point these days, with underfunding, staff shortages and expectations of the public. There needs to be some kind of re-education into the expectations of the public, starting points could be costs of drugs and being prepared to purchase...
-
Completely agree
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Thank you, it's good to know more about the King's fund, as it is often something that is banded around the health care setting
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Looking forward to the challenges and improving my knowledge
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Stretched to breaking point
valued
caring -
Helen Torode made a comment
I work in health care and joined to try and understand more of the workings of the NHS, how funding is decided, in the ever evolving system, how, with an increasing population it can still be free from cradle to grave, and possible impacts of Brexit.
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Enjoyable, pleased I signed up, think human factors should be on every hospital induction programme, and training programme in health care, particularly the scenarios.
We can easily forget how human factors can impact on our day to day work, so good to have refresher.
Hopefully can influence others to sign up. -
Helen Torode made a comment
Improvements in communication, ensure quiet during important parts of the checklists, cockpit rules apply.
Encourage others to speak out, complete safety learning reports. -
Helen Torode made a comment
This has certainly given insight into processes.
We all hate completing incident reports, but by reporting we can change situations.
Recently I've noticed how surgeons have little influence on the patients that are on their lists as they are added by administration staff who's knowledge is not medical. Medical issues are often picked up on day of surgery by... -
Helen Torode made a comment
I can have influence over how a list is organised, and safety of my patients, however I can't influence bed capacity and equipment issues. I can chase up equipment and request that I have it available, but can't influence how another department organises their workload.
I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff, however if patients suffer due to lack of care... -
Helen Torode made a comment
I work in an area that encourages safety learning reports and whilst we strive to be open and honest with a duty of cantor to our patients, we are by no means perfect.
When reporting on incidents and having to produce statements findings are often not freely given, therefore we have to ask for findings.
In audit mornings we are often fedback on our learning... -
Helen Torode made a comment
We are encouraged to and frequently complete "safety learning records" for issues relating to equipment, staffing, dangers whether or not it is a near miss or actual harm.
Agree the forms are lengthy and some try to avoid completing, but to improve and learn from events they are the only way forward.
We receive feedback as the individual who has completed... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Systems that failed.
Disregard of advice from colleagues. Lack of induction to ward area. Lack of proper handover. Checking of prescription, dose and Dr checked but not the route. Staffing.
Human factors
Inadequate induction, handover, staff rushed and distracted by bleeps and phones, patient late, not fully checking of the prescription, not verifying... -
Helen Torode made a comment
So many human and system factor errors in this video.
Staffing constraints. Drs rushing to get the job done. Phones and bleeps going off. Whilst drug and patient checked, route not checked. Assumptions made, poor handovers, register checked for drug administration, but Dr short with pharmacist. Patient delayed, which added to time constraints. -
Helen Torode made a comment
An analogy that was used at work.
Ensuring that we follow procedures prevents failings, no short cuts, no complacency in the work we do even the day to day. Good communication and focus on the job in hand. No distractions.
If a procedure fails look at the reasons and how we can prevent it. -
Helen Torode made a comment
Team work, communication and concentration on the task in hand to prevent errors and improve patient safety and outcomes.
-
Helen Torode made a comment
So far so good, mostly using it as reflective work to current practice, but certainly giving some food for thought.
The videos have been very good, the SBAR article a useful read.
Have enjoyed seeing everyone's comments.
Think I might have hoped to get more out of it than have so far, but nonetheless pleased I signed up. -
Helen Torode made a comment
WHO safety checklist has greatly improved team dynamics and communication for operating lists. We can prepare for critical steps, know the risk %, teams feel empowered and aids to prevent errors.
However we have to resist complacency, over its just the usual, not helpful to staff who don't work regularly with surgeons or anaesthetists, so easy for some of... -
Agree, we try to ensure quiet at this time and sign in.
However the same needs to be respected for surgical staff during the counts at the end of surgery. -
There should always be a sterile cockpit rule.
A previous manager always recited "pause for the gauze" meaning staff to concentrate on swab counts.
At the end of surgery, particularly long cases, staff focus on the next step, usually clearing up, having a break, preparing for the patient to go to recovery, and focus is lost on the importance of the count.... -
Helen Torode made a comment
We have used SBAR over the last few years, we had credit card sized cards that we could attach to our ID badges for prompts, we had posters and signs by telephones and sessions on it, and how to prevent the Swiss cheese effect.
Sadly this seems to have dropped, but should be picked up again as new people join the trust and for junior medical staff -
Helen Torode made a comment
Poor/bad communication seems to be the common theme here.
Terminology and use of jargon are often key issues, and although we think those we work with on a daily occurance have understood what we are asking, they may be too afraid to question it.
Communication was a small part of our training, both verbal and non verbal. Hopefully with human factors being in... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Briefing, such as a team brief at the start of each list, is of great importance, but documentation of what is said is just as important.
Often delays are because equipment wasn't requested, experience can lead to pre-empting and having equipment available to use, but those with little experience will need clear instructions.
It's no use to us or the... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Written and verbal communication the main intentions are to pass on information/ideas.
With verbal we seem to generally require some sort of response, be it a gesture of acknowledgement or a verbal response. When requesting instrumentation from another department, I like to clarify that it is either available and that I will be informed when it is in the... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Considering all types of communication in our department, written, oral, non verbal and listening. These can be face to face or via telephone.
The importance is being clear and concise and ensuring that the instructions have been well received.
It is more often than not when the instructions have been well received that errors occur.
Are we talking with a... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Rightly or wrongly the doctors were focused on intubation of the patient, and whilst aware of the patient desaturating, perhaps not aware of the time frame.
No instructions or discussions on how best to manage the situation, or instructions to the nursing staff who attended.
There was a disregard for the nurses who had realised the problems, and made call... -
Helen Torode made a comment
This is indeed a tragic case, and as Hannah has stated her husband has taken this case and turned it into a unique way to train healthcare in human factors.
This is not the first time I have seen this video and it is no less shocking on viewing it again.
Having been involved in emergency situations, where there been clear and concise instructions, I... -
Helen Torode made a comment
The statistics quoted are alarming, and are often quoted in in talks on human factors.
However I whole heartedly agree with the previous two comments, re health of patients.
The health service as we know is over stretched, targets to be met, pressure on resources, staff and bed capacity.
To some extent the working time directive has helped with hours... -
Helen Torode made a comment
Have enjoyed the structure and the breaking down of the factors involved in as humans errors can occur.
Whilst as an individual we can attempt to pigeon hole work and home life as two separate entities, and think they may not affect one another, the issues can impact on our sleep/rest/downtime which in turn impacts on how we function both in home and the... -
Helen Torode made a comment
With elective list in the operating theatres we can plan and prepare, hence we can allow time for more junior staff to prepare their working area, so in the event of emergency situations they can adapt. However we do have the occasional members of staff, who flit between less important tasks instead of letting others do the them and so are ill prepared for...
-
Helen Torode replied to Alan Hardie
Couldn't agree more, I have seen junior doctors burn out and their senior colleagues not realise what impact that their words and actions have on these people.
Equally the flip side is that of inexperienced junior colleagues or those less qualified that don't fully comprehend the task/s in hand and the urgency of actions that need to be taken, wonder why we... -
Helen Torode replied to Sara Cowlin
@KatharineMorrison couldn't agree with you more!!!!...
-
Helen Torode made a comment
Time is a huge factor in our area with prompt starts to the list and reduced turnaround times between patients. Staff feel incredibly rushed first thing in the morning and there is the potential for staff to make errors. However stringent patient checks and team briefing with effective communication assisting in preventing errors
-
Helen Torode replied to Sara Cowlin
We Have so many codes to remember for store rooms it's ridiculous particularly when in a hurry because either things haven't been stocked up adequately, or the last one you had has been inadvertently dropped, you can guarantee that's when the panic sets in and you can't remember.
Or they've just simply changed the code -
Helen Torode made a comment
Hi I'm a peri-operative nurse, and worked this field for over 20 years.
We had a half day session on human factors at work, following a series of never events about 5 years ago, so seeing this course spiked my interest to learn more, and how best to prevent incidents occurring.
