Members' News: L&D Public/Staff Governor Election 2013 - 20 May 2013
The Trust gives notice that it will hold elections to the Council of Governors of the Luton and Dunstable NHS Foundation Trust.
Please view the link Notice of Election for further information.
Please see other members' news here.
Clinical trials offer patients a treatment choice - It's OK to ask your Doctor or Nurse
Clinical Trials take place at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital to improve treatments and survival from cancer and other conditions and diseases.
Information about clinical trials and research is available at the L&D to mark International Clinical Trials day on 20th May and promote the national campaign “It’s OK to ask” which encourages patients to ask their family doctor, nurse or consultant about clinical research.
As well as information and advice from the Oncology research team in the MacMillan Unit, the Stroke Research team is holding a chocolate trial where participants can find out what it means to be in a trial and have a fun taster.
The Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team sees clinical trials as an integral part of standard care, and feels that offering patients the opportunity to take part in a trial can give them an additional choice in the treatment they receive.
Louise Rivett, Senior Nurse for breast cancer trials says, ‘Patients view participation in a clinical trial as a positive experience which may potentially offer them access to newer drugs.’ She added that being part of a trial can also give patients a sense of satisfaction that they are helping to shape the treatments of the future.
Clinical research is the way in which evidence is gathered to improve treatments for patients. Promoting, conducting and using clinical research to improve healthcare is one of the key principles of the NHS, and the new Constitution for NHS England contains a pledge to inform patients of research studies in which they may be eligible to participate.
Find out more about the national campaign “OK to Ask” at www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/oktoask, www.facebook.com/NIHRoktoask, email oktoask@nihr.ac.uk or phone 0300 311 99 66.
Hospital wins Patient Experience Award
L&D has won a Patient Experience Network National Award for its work in listening to patients and acting on feedback.
The L&D is thought to be the first hospital in the country to call all inpatients to ask their views.
All inpatients are telephoned within 48 hours of going home to ask about their experience of hospital.
Clinical staff at the L&D also take turns to be on duty in the call centre and learn at first hand what patients think of the care and treatment they receive.
Take a virtual tour of our Maternity Unit
Mums-to-be can take a virtual tour of the maternity unit and learn about key stages of pregnancy.
The digital video tour was made with the involvement of new and expectant mums to ensure it meets the needs of local people and aims to answer questions that prospective parents might have, while watching in the comfort of home. The videos are also a great way to involve dads and help them support their partners through pregnancy and the birth of their babies. The videos are in English as well as Urdu, Polish and Bangladeshi.
