Finding a story
The number of stories available for you to use has grown rapidly, and the existing categorisation of stories may not be the best way to find the story that meets your needs. A searchable database of tagged stories is still a glint in our collective eye unfortunately, so, on this page, we have compiled a list of all the stories, their descriptions, and some related keywords as an interim measure.
Use your browser's search facility (usually ctrl-f) to search the page for words of interest, or just browse down the stories and their description. The links in the left hand column will take you to a page where you can access that story. The most newly-released stories are at the top of the table.
Title |
Description |
Keywords |
Moving from sunny California to a chilly 1960s boarding school in England would be a shock to any system. Gardening offers some solace but it is many years before healing takes place and the transplant can be considered successful. |
California England boarding school hay fever periods desolation roots garden Pip Hardy |
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Julie Coleman’s second story offers a wry and personal look at depression, the effects of the drugs, and the important role of friends and family. |
Depression suicide medication drugs concordance friends family support help Julie Coleman |
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Abs had a successful career as an accountant in London before deciding to go back to medical school. Despite the ups and downs, his chosen path seems to be the right one. |
Leicester university medical school student selected component ssc junior doctor reflection training reflection vocation choice satisfaction involve include patient respect Abs Abishek Tangri |
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Matthew’s first experience of catheterisation isn’t quite like the training course, but it is good practice! However, doing things ‘by the book’ isn’t always enough. |
Leicester university medical school student selected component ssc junior doctor reflection training reflection catheter infection practice care dignity patient elderly bad news death respect Matthew Critchfield |
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AlbertAs a medical student, Salam is shocked and angered when an emergency operation doesn’t go according to plan. But he comes to realise that things are not always what they may seem. |
Leicester university medical school student selected component ssc junior doctor reflection training reflection surgery aortic aneurism death consultant feelings frustration anger Salam Al-Alousi |
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There are many preconceptions and stereotypes surrounding hospice care. When Steve chooses Hospice for his clinical placement, he is pleasantly surprised to find that care of the dying is not at all what he had anticipated. |
Leicester university medical school student selected component ssc junior doctor training reflection hospice stereotype calm peaceful life living family respect dignity Steve Stephen Corry |
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When Steve chooses a placement at a hospice, in order to learn some of the ‘softer’ skills that he thinks will help him in the practice of emergency medicine, a casual remark causes him to reflect on what ‘type’ he needs to be to care for people facing death. |
Leicester university medical school student selected component ssc junior doctor training reflection stereotype consultant trainee emergency acceptance Steve Stephen Corry |
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As a medical student, Wee Haan becomes acutely aware of the tensions between caring for the patient and caring for the family – and pleads for tolerance while he learns to find the right balance. |
Leicester university medical school student selected component ssc junior doctor training reflection trainee priorities balance anger family difficult confidentiality communication respect patience Wee Haan Pang |
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Patients in the last days and hours of life can sometimes be challenging and even unreasonable. As the only male professional on the ward, Wee Haan is at first frustrated, but then patiently responds to the final requests of a dying man. |
Leicester university medical school student selected component ssc junior doctor training reflection heart failure elderly man comfort dying respect dignity frustration Wee Haan Pang |
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Albert recounts the story of his life (and before), and hopes that the lessons he has learned the hard way may help his own grandchildren and other young people avoid the same pitfalls, and steer clear of the potential danger of diabetes. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well™ drugs alcohol heart attack prison family |
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Ericka’s life was saved by a liver transplant, but she continues to live with the knowledge that someone else had to die in order for her to live. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well™ liver transplant organ donation drug overdose youth grandchildren spirit hope |
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Florence is a master at creating the Birch Bark Bitings incorporating the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel. She links the meaning of the symbols to her own life and her growing understanding of the need to live well. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well™ medicine wheel wisdom healing tradition culture residential school |
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So many members of Vicky’s family have died too young. When she is invited to participate in the Live Well with Chronic Disease programme, her wish is that they could have had the same chance of healthier lives. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Cree Live Well™ death kidney heart dialysis |
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Della pays tribute to her family, looking back with gratitude to her adoptive parents and forward to her two young sons, gently reminding them of the importance of a healthy lifestyle so that they will grown up strong and well. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well ™ family twin adopted children faith |
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Evelyn is arespected Elder of her community. In a letter to her grandson, Evelyn recounts the story of her life, from the trauma of residential school and its effects on her relationship with her own mother, to her desire to set a healthy example to her own grandchildren and other members of the community. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well™ residential school trauma mental health breakdown mother elder family tradition Cree |
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Susan lovingly recalls her Mooshum (Grandfather) and the powerful influence he has had on her life. His warmth, humour, knowledge and respect for cultural traditions has helped Susan to preserve much that is good about their culture, including the desire to live a healthy life. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well™ culture tradition healing remedies humour dance frog child berries |
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Many members of Yvonne’s family have died, including one of her children. These losses, together with the inspiration of her father, have taught her the importance of family and the need to take care of her own health. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well™ father family death inspiration inspire respect |
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Shirley’s Dad is a loving and loved father and grandfather – an inspiration to his family and his community. She pays tribute to his generosity and commitment to family and hopes that her own life may honour his memory. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well™ father grandfather inspiration inspire respect fishing grandsons poem family tribute |
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Dennis was an active, fit man who has struggled to overcome the effects of high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as chronic pain resulting from several accidents. The love and support of his family, and his faith, help him to come to terms with his chronic conditions and he is now living a much healthier – and more positive – life. |
Chronic disease diabetes diabetic aboriginal First Nation Live Well™ Metis family hypertension cholesterol pain depression despair mental health faith loss hope |
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A holiday in the sun seems to offer Brian the chance of some respite from the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, but air travel, as with so many other services, is not designed with consideration for those with Arthritis. |
Arthritis care leeds university medical school white rose mobility air travel public transport knee pain walking brian clark design rheumatoid holiday |
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Arthritis can make simple tasks so hard, but simple, appropriate technology design can make huge differences to the quality of life. |
Arthritis care leeds university medical school white rose psoriatic light switch carole carter design |
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Living with an undiagnosed chronic condition can be challenging for the strongest amongst us. The whole-hearted support of family and professionals is critically important if life is to be worth living. |
Arthritis care leeds university medical school white rose fibromyalgia rheumatoid eric moorhouse depression mental health employment diagnosis expert patient programme pain |
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Gill has plenty of energy for hiking, exploring and enjoying travel and a young family. When she is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, her world changes. It is an uphill struggle to rediscover her old self and she is not helped by thoughtlessly designed products and services. |
Arthritis care leeds university medical school white rose self image accessibility DDA design campaigning gill bowskill |
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Karen loves to dance, but one day an unexpected new partner sweeps her off her feet, and she has to adjust to the tempo of her life changing. |
Arthritis care leeds university medical school white rose gene genetic psoriatic dancing ipod karen hoffman |
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When tragedy strikes her family, the quiet and thoughtful support offered by Carmel's community helps healing to begin. |
society of the holy child jesus shcj faith vocation calling suicide support |
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Judith’s choice of vocation was and is driven by the design to learn and teach, and to be recognised as a unique individual. Her congregation has provided the perfect place for Judith to be herself. |
society of the holy child jesus shcj faith vocation calling |
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Abuse and neglect in childhood can start a person off on the wrong journey through life. With many years of hard work and support, this storyteller has managed to get back onto a better path. |
mental health Sheffield Hallam university bi-polar occupational therapy service user abuse recovery journey |
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The dearest gifts in life can result in the loss of things central to one’s own nature. When Pep, a vivacious and creative music teacher, has two autistic children that are sensitive to stimuli of any kind, she has to change her life in so many ways. Then, one day, a neighbour comes to her rescue… |
autism mental health Sheffield Hallam university occupational therapy service user noise angry violent carer children silence weaving solace music Penelope |
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‘As children we are but the soft clay of the formative years; the form we take is in the hands of our moulders. Let the formers form with love and not with avarice so that days will be ones of promise and not the rags of time.' |
mental health Sheffield hallam university occupational therapy service user abuse recovery job work depression respect breakdown suicidal |
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A poorly-delivered diagnosis is a cruel thing to receive. When that diagnosis is of a beautiful daughter’s Multiple Sclerosis it is even more so. Grit, determination and family support get Muriel and her family through that diagnosis and provide the strength for what follows. |
mental health Sheffield hallam university occupational therapy service user multiple sclerosis ms daughter respect care bad news communication doctor counselling |
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Nev is dynamic, successful and respected within his profession and interests. When a stroke affects his career and his hobbies, it brings psychological, as well as physical, changes and challenges. |
mental health Sheffield hallam university occupational therapy service user stroke depression OBE queen recovery education |
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For Jane and Peter, what begins as a whirlwind relationship has to become one of mutual long-term support through kidney disease and a transplant. |
mental health Sheffield hallam university occupational therapy service user multiple sclerosis ms dialysis organ donation transplant kidney renal |
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The loss of a baby in tragic and unresolved circumstances can leave a mother on a seemingly unending journey, but support, inspiration and help can come from the most unexpected of places. |
mental health Sheffield hallam university occupational therapy service user baby boy son loss lost Dublin grave grief toxaemia bereavement mourning |
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As a healthcare professional, Rosie is unprepared for a potentially life-threatening diagnosis. The support of loving family, friends and colleagues reminds Rosie of her good fortune in being part of a larger family of healthcare practitioners. |
Patient professional diagnosis support, unexpected gynaecological exam |
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Cleopatra’s early life experiences laid the foundations for her caring and compassionate approach to her work as a healthcare assistant. When she comes to the UK, the RCN provides support and encouragement for further training and career development. |
Healthcare assistant Royal College of Nursing RCN racism discrimination compassion nursing training development |
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For Ricky, blindness initially means frustration, pain and inactivity. With appropriate support and training, he overcomes these to return to work. |
ExDRA disability work employment prejudice discriminate discrimination difficulty respect blind blindness sight diabetes IT ICT ECDL |
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Tetraplegia doesn’t stop Andy from having a successful education like that of his friends. Just like many of them, the route into employment comes from contacts and a ‘tip-off’ – in this case about a job for which he is uniquely qualified. |
ExDRA disability work employment prejudice discriminate discrimination difficulty respect wheel chair paralysis tetraplegic IT ICT ECDL degree |
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Martin’s Aspergers syndrome affects his schooling, and seems set to affect his future, but through hard work and a continual determination to expand his horizons and succeed, Martin is now fulfilling a important role in a team |
ExDRA learning disability work employment prejudice discriminate discrimination difficulty respect aspergers sport karate football Olympics |
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Blindness seemed to have cut short Steve’s promising career as an engineer, and left him feeling dismissed and pigeon-holed. Family support and determination led him through to a post-graduate degree and responsible role. |
ExDRA disability work employment prejudice discriminate discrimination difficulty respect blind blindness sight diabetes kidney degree masters dialysis renal |
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A teacher once said Natalie would never achieve anything – but she now has a home, a child, a career – and a passion for helping others to learn about the needs and capabilities of those with disability. |
ExDRA disability work employment prejudice discriminate discrimination difficulty respect wheel chair paralysis |
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At school and as a child, Tony had always felt out of place, but in the responsibilities and challenges of his new job, he no longer feels like a fish out of water. |
ExDRA learning disability work employment prejudice discriminate discrimination difficulty respect special school learning difficulties driving |
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An employer’s response to mental illness can all too easily exacerbate the trauma and disruption that results, with terrible results for human dignity and self-respect. |
ExDRA disability work employment prejudice discriminate discrimination difficulty respect mental health sectioned union employer |
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The effects of a cycling accident trigger memories of an earlier incident in Ros' childhood, and provoke a reflection on the nature of memory. |
mental health memory accident bicycle amnesia forget Pilgrim |
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The boundaries of the interpreter’s role can be difficult to map, especially in small communities and difficult circumstances. This story tells of three such occasions that test an interpreter’s professionalism and humanity. |
Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA interpreter Chinese ethical dilemma involvement hospital cancer ovarian breast glaucoma cataract eye pain medication professional |
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For years Valerie tried to persuade her doctors that the debilitating and chronic pain For years Valerie tried to persuade her doctors that the debilitating and chronic pain she suffered was a result of a blow on the head from an auto accident in her past, the effects of which were compounded by a another neck injury 35 years later that together triggered chronic Fibromyalgia Syndrome. It wasn’t until she believed she was dying that she decided to take matters into her own hands… |
Fibromyalgia pain chronic fatigue exhaustion dying doctors patient listen choice pro-active control involve partnership homeopathy stress nutrition chiropractic Atlas vertebra FMS complementary |
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There are many media reports about the rising costs of providing interpreting services but, from an interpreter's point of view, there are other reasons for rising costs. |
Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA interpreter expense costs time delays court waste |
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People come to interpreting via many and varied routes with frustrations and rewards in almost equal measure. The satisfactions of the job encourage Randall to speculate about the future. |
Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA interpreter career help Chinese American |
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Roy’s wife Mary has dementia. Roy finds himself changing Mary and the bedclothes often several times a night …and then discovers that Mary has hidden the soiled pads in obscure places around the house. |
Dementia continence bed wet change clothes elderly carer coping devotion husband RCN |
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Words are important. Their meanings are important. These vary from culture to culture and depend on context. It is, therefore, crucial that interpreters render the most accurate meaning rather than a literal translation. |
Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA culture interpreter translation words violence bme family gender mental health understanding conflict assessment |
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When it’s too much trouble to engage a professional interpreter, the repercussions are enormous for the family of a dying man and his family. |
Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA interpreter terminal illness family dying |
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| Full of beans | Sam is initially told that she isn’t in labour, but baby Harry is born several hours later, several weeks early. As Sam is recovering from the shock of this birth, the consultant cautions her about the likelihood of further premature births… | NAO neonatal birth baby premature intensive care consultant brain bleed |
| Thank you very much | No-one is prepared for Evie’s arrival, least of all the hospital. Eventually an incubator is found and gives Evie a good start in life – just in time for her heart operation. An overdose delays her recovery but she is now the apple of her parents’ eyes, and her grin belies her introduction to the world. | NAO neonatal birth baby premature intensive care hospital PDA surgery incubator overdose medication error apology |
| I am very lucky | Despite the shock of Orlando’s early birth, Michelle is expected to get on with things like breastfeeding – which can be incredibly difficult when you are recovering from a traumatic birth and attempting to feed a very premature baby. | NAO neonatal birth baby premature intensive care breastfeeding trauma pain midwife milk |
| Iman | ‘Iman’ means faith, which is what sustained Cosser during the ten years it took for her to become pregnant. When her child was born at 25 weeks, more than faith was necessary in order for the baby to survive. | NAO neonatal baby premature intensive care BME incubator special care faith |
| The third time... | Despite having had two premature babies, nobody paid attention when Clare expressed concerns that her third child might also be born early. Even after Kaitlyn was born at 30 weeks, Clare’s concerns continue to go unheard and it is some time before she even feels able to touch her tiny baby. | NAO neonatal birth baby premature intensive care contractions sick touch incubator breastfeeding |
| Two for the price of one | Sharon is expecting twins, but she isn’t expecting them to be quite so early. 14 weeks in hospital and fantastic medical care have resulted in two healthy and happy little girls. | NAO neonatal birth baby premature intensive care twins scan jaundice, transfusion steroids |
| A fighter from the start | It took Jane more than 20 years to have a baby. Luke has clearly inherited his mother’s determination and, despite being born so early, he fights for life, and manages to survive operations and overdoses to become a robust little boy! | NAO neonatal birth baby premature intensive care determination MRSA infection kidney failure heart surgery overdose medication error |
| When the clock stopped | Giving birth prematurely can be a traumatic experience. Carol was very ill when her second daughter was born at 28 weeks and it was several days before she was able to see and hold her child. The effects on her family and her older daughter were enormous. | NAO neonatal birth baby early caesarean premature intensive care incubator small children family trauma shock pre-eclampsia clock ventilation delay jaundice ambulance feeding tube milk |
| Nothing but the baby in my tummy | When Paula comes to England from Portugal in search of a better life, nothing prepares her for a diagnosis of a life-threatening disease, or for the birth of a premature baby. With the help of the medical profession, and the interpreters, mother and baby have both survived. | NAO neonatal birth baby premature intensive care special care portuguese interpreter HIV virus migrant disadvantaged poor benefits |
Mental Health difficulties can have devastating effects on individuals and their families. |
bi-polar manic depression psychosis anti-depressant grieving mental health suicide safety pregnancy abortion risk depression determination courage faith hope sister |
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Interpreters may have to face and overcome social and cultural resistance to their role but, especially in health and social care, the effort is often worth it. |
operation heart transplant surgery BME interpreter patient male female gender culture social norm reluctant ignore family recovery clinic Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA |
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Efficient and cost-effective care with good concordance can only be achieved through a holistic understanding of the patient’s experiences, culture and health beliefs. |
Approach cultural sensitivity appropriate interpreter effective waste mental health depression prescription concordance counselling counsellor GP doctor Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA |
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A patient's reticence in a consultation with a practitioner may pose an even greater barrier to effective treatment if their first language is not understood by the practitioner and an interpreter is not present. |
Ambiguous name error gender mistake cultural norm boundary embarrassment interpreter consultation ineffective undress physiotherapist Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA |
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A refugee's pleas for aid go unanswered by the system. Without an interpreter they would not even have been understood. |
refugee housing money shelter interpreter police hostel social services job mother daughter child kurd Kurdistan Turkey Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA |
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No matter how experienced and mature the interpreter, an assignment may carry with it an emotional impact that is difficult to forsee. |
child father interpreter boundaries loss grief death toys grandfather buried Pakistan hospital ward childrens Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA |
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Awareness of mental health issues must take account of the cultural religious and cultural concepts and understandings of different communities if effective care is to be delivered. |
depression death loss culture islam imam mental health awareness car crash dream premonition Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA |
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An interpreter’s presence at a coronary procedure helps avoid misunderstanding build trust and ease the patient’s experience – and brings an unexpected benefit for her! |
angioplasty patient russian interpreter stent angiogram ray lead apron trust reassurance error interpret translate translation smoking stop angina tonsilitis Cintra INTRAN HITS TIP ESF EEDA |
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For a relative or a carer the language of healthcare can be harsh, frightening, guttural and unfeeling - even when interpersonal relationships are strong and care is effective. This story uses a written style that attempts to highlight that contrast. |
mastectomy unilateral reconstruction hospital visit mother son scar stoic language clinical harsh carer |
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A life lived in stories, told in stories and shared in stories, is honoured by the caring and compassionate attention of hospice staff. |
Hospice story stories father appropriate discuss review family |
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Who takes responsibility for the dying? Who gives that responsibility, and how can it be handled sensitively by those with only a clinical connection to a case? |
Carer decision professional compassion understanding terminal |
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A simple oversight leaves a post-operative patient unable to obtain pain relief or alert staff to her condition. |
Pain hysterectomy operation, hospital ward bell drip, epidural intubate nurse Jenny Gordon |
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Getting it right when learning relies on getting it right when teaching as well. |
Lesson learn teach children tea Mark assumption competence Jenny Gordon |
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Ian has found that planning and anticipation are the keys to happy and uneventful Christmases with a mum who has Parkinson’s Disease… and remembering that the look in her eyes can convey the joy that her facial expressions no longer show. |
Parkinsons drugs continence support carer son mother Christmas anticipate plan prepare dignity expression facial eyes |
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A simple solution allows an elderly woman with Parkinsons to regain her independence. |
Continence Parkinsons elderly female urinal toilet independence, chaotic, smelly, solution, Sue Thomas |
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Travelling on trains can be difficult for a person with Parkinson’s. Sheila's upbeat approach encourages a positive response that helps ease her journey through life. |
Parkinsons, travel, continence, kindness, professional, staff, toilet, mobility, train, Sheila Harvey george |
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A small voluntary organisation that provides free counselling for those who would not otherwise have access to such a service is struggling to survive in the face of funding cuts. If the prevailing attitude does indeed prevail, what future is there for voluntary organisations in the co-production of care? If, after seeing the story, you would like to support Hitchin Counselling Service, please contact The Administrator at Hitchin Counselling Service, on 01462 790806. |
counselling, hitchin, organisation, free, pct, primary, care, funding, voluntary, value, mental, health, humanity, chris, kell |
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Sharon’s children are very young when she has her stroke, and the only way she could express herself was through her paintings, which she hid from the family so they wouldn’t know of her sadness and despair. Recognition of her talent led to increased confidence and the family remains close-knit and involved. |
stroke, aphasia, mother, young, children, baby, painting, depression, isolation, family, confidence, creativity |
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Catriona is a fit, healthy, active PE teacher when she has her stroke. With the support of her sons, she continues to enjoy sport and outdoor activities – and the family is closer as a result. |
stroke, rehabilitation, parent, family, sons, support, sport, PE, fitness |
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After the initial shock of his mum’s stroke, 15 year-old Craig has found the right balance between caring for his mum and participating in her rehabilitation, and living a more independent and organised life, indulging his passion for sports. |
stroke, mother, son, family, rehabilitation, care, communication, responsibility, sports, benefits |
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Nanik’s stroke has been a blessing in disguise, leaving him more time to spend with his children and family, and the opportunity to be a much more involved parent. |
stroke, children, father, parent, involve, family, participate, benefits |
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Janet was the family ‘baker’ before a stroke left her in a wheelchair, unable to bake. Over the years, she takes up painting, woodwork and all number of other activities before she is ready to meet challenge of baking a cake for the family once more. |
stroke, disability, mobility, aphasia, choice, strength, painting, baking, woodwork, rehabilitation, Connect |
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Marion’s healthy, active husband has a stroke in his early 40s, leaving Marion to figure out how best to reconstruct the family so that everyone feels comfortable. |
stroke, emergency, husband, family, children, 40s, cope, strength, disability, rehabilitation, involve, participate, benefits, awareness, disability |
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Inconsistency, confusion and lack of adherence to perioperative fasting guidelines make a patient's journey a thirsty one... |
guidelines, standards, thirst, perioperative, fasting, nurse, drink, surgeon, anaesthetist, claire, allen |
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An experienced nurse’s eyes were opened by hearing discovery interviews with patients, which led to service improvements benefiting the NHS, its staff and, most importantly, the patients who are now better informed and in receipt of much higher quality care. |
Emergency, care, discovery interviews, cardiac network, hospital transfer, patient information, communication, benefits staff, service, improvement, Jane Stubbs |
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Three-year-old Leanna has leukaemia, and geographical constraints mean that her treatment involves a great deal of travel and separation for her and her family. How could readily available technologies have helped? |
Child, cancer, treatment, travel, family, protocol, standards, separation, support, telemedicine, technology, web-cam |
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Improving patient care across all cardiac services is a tall order. In primary care, the things that have made a difference are: good (and constant!) communication, offering people something they need, sharing lessons and best practice and always doing what you say you will do. |
Primary care, GMS contract, training and development, trust and understanding, spreading best practice and lessons learned, heart, interprofessional |
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Laura pleads with health professionals – and others – to bear in mind the enormous contribution our elderly people have made – and to treat them with the kindness and dignity they deserve. |
Carer, rheumatoid, arthritis, elderly, respect, dignity, kindness, paralysis, incontinence, fear, incapacity, residential, dependence, stroke, interprofessional, Carers’ Resource |
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When an elderly woman asks to have the toilet door left open, Joanne reflects on issues of trust and wonders whether the way we reassure our children might inform the way we care for elderly people. |
Toilet, elderly, continence, dignity, anxious, forgotten, mobility, dependent, undignified, trust, reassurance, Joanne Mangnall |
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It can be difficult to balance respecting the privacy of patients with the need to offer appropriate care. Trust and good communication may help in deciding where to draw this delicate line. |
Dignity, privacy, elderly, man, habit, day centre, continence, catheter, gangrene, trust, choice, dilemma, communication, openness, balance |
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Jean has rheumatoid arthritis. Her husband’s tender care extends to seeing to her personal needs – in marked contrast with the personal care she receives in hospital. |
Rheumatoid arthritis, joints, destruction, replace, surgery, continence, toilet, bottom wiper, dignity, care, carer, trust, disability, hospital, inter-professional, communication |
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When 8 year-old Scarlett appears in the kitchen with a branch sticking out of her arm, her mum, an NHS clinician, has an opportunity to experience the system from the other side … causing her to consider the potential of new technology to ease entry and exit. |
ICT, ehealth, e-health, accident, emergency, A&E, wait, system, electronic, prescribing, prescription, child, mother, branch |
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A story of mis-communication. Could effective use of ICT have resulted in a different outcome? |
ICT, ehealth, e-health, epilepsy, hospital, nurse, dose, missed, records, risk, safety, system, electronic prescribing |
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Milne’s poem can help illuminate the perceptions that patients and clinicians hold about their relationship and the parts they play in the process of care. |
Doctor, patient, relationship, expectations, treatment, response, choice, rights, preferences, effectiveness, communication, Paul Stanton |
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Marilyn Kramer pays tribute to St Nicolas' Hospice, where her son Ian died peacefully and with dignity. |
Hospice, terminal, cancer, free, hiv, aids, dignity, death, palliative, care, dying, bereavement, tribute, Ian Kramer, comfort, St Nicholas, home, carer, family, gratitude, Marilyn Kramer |
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Care for frail, elderly people, especially if there are continence issues, can be careless or careful. Sue recalls the full life her mother led and acknowledges her need to feel useful. |
Diabetes, amputation, care, elderly, incontinence, catheter, infection, useful, respect, continence, dignity, Sue Brown |
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The International Collaboration of Orthopaedic Nursing offers nurses all over the world an opportunity to share experiences and make a real difference to patients, whether they are from ‘fancy clinics’ in the USA or UK, or from a small, three-ward clinic in Malta. |
Orthopaedic, nursing, passion, vision, patients, collaboration, dreams, Malta, share, collaborate, network, future, sharing, learning, RCN, Bernie Cottam |
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Graham is more than a full-time carer for his wife, following her stroke. When a minor procedure leaves Dorothy in great pain, it's one more thing to cope with… |
Carer, wife, stroke, nurse, catheter, continence, hospital, emergency, pain, unnecessary, resources, interprofessional, Carers’ Resource, Graham Williamson |
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When Michael is due to be operated on for bowel cancer, none of the medical staff listen when Michael and Joan tell them that an epidural will have no effect due to severe scarring. |
Carer, husband, bowel, cancer, scarring, communication, epidural, listen, mistake, pain, interprofessional, Carers’ Resource, Joan Spurden |
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Jenny has Parkinsons. Perhaps that is why nobody listened when she tried to persuade the medical profession that her husband's mental illness stemmed from a frontal lobe injury as a child. And yet, he receives excellent care for his bowel cancer… |
Carer, husband, mental, health, bowel, cancer, prison, anger, violence, listen, Parkinsons, frontal, lobe, injury, treatment, drugs, equity, expert, interprofessional, Carers’ Resource, Jenny Currie |
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Alyson's elderly father-in-law is given a poor prognosis around the same time Alyson starts working at the Carers' Resource. She learns about her rights as a carer on the job, but this doesn't necessarily make it any easier… |
Carer, rights, father, fall, prognosis, hospital, incontinent, elderly, blind, cancer, support, communication, officialdom, bureaucracy, Carers’ Resource, Alyson Hill |
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After her husband's gliding accident, Hazel and John have to come to terms with his paraplegia, and her new role as a carer, before they can build a new life. |
Carer, allowance, training, preparation, discharge, recovery, paraplegic, wheelchair, glider, accident, continence, disability, Carers’ Resource, Hazel Goss |
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Pat's life, and that of her husband, is overturned when they assume the care of their grandchildren. Having fought the legal battles, they now find themselves exhausted and financially overburdened. |
Carer, daughter, grandchildren, grandparent, elderly, exhausted, burden, finance, Carers’ Resource, Grandparents’ Association |
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Jeana doesn't want doctors to breach the confidentiality code – she just wants them to listen so that they might learn something about her son, who suffers (along with the rest of the family) from a psychotic disorder. |
carer, confidentiality, code, psychosis, violence, listen, parent, mental, health, hell, mother, son, family, youth, disorder, support, Carers’ Resource, Jeana Hardcastle |
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Liz cares for her grandson, Jack, who has been labelled with a variety of acronyms which entitle him to extra support at school – but Liz feels as though she has been cast adrift in a sea of uncertainty… |
Carer, grandparents, ADD, autism, psychiatrist, child, anger, support, Carers’ Resource, label, statement, school, uncertainty, Liz Askew |
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Following her stroke, Rizia takes up meditation, then gardening, and discovers a brighter future beyond stroke. |
Stroke, language, aphasia, ethnic, BME, Bengali, self-care, LTC, long term, cultural, condition, blood pressure, asian, female, gardening, recovery, rehabilitation, meditation, diversity, uplifting, future, Rizia Choudhury |
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Frustration at the lack of action and the indifference of some staff in an NHS hospital leads a young stroke victim to request his own discharge after two days so that he can pursue a private MRI scan and treatment via his GP. |
Stroke, quality, timely, not, prompt, male, young, scan, treatment, care, poor, resources, professional, nurse, interprofessional |
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Timely, appropriate treatment of a stroke patient shows one way to a better future. |
Stroke, shopping, recover, prompt, timely, care, emergency, Thrombolytic, scan, department, Ossie Newell |
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A stroke leaves Derek's intelligent, vivacious, active wife unable to feed or look after herself, unable to communicate or even acknowledge Derek. He imagines a world where such a thing would not happen… |
Stroke, services, carer, wife, education, prevent, emergency, cost, drugs, treatment, risk, thrombolysis, scan, Derek Whitehead |
People with aphasia benefit from individual speech therapy, which isn't always easy to come by. |
Stroke, speech, therapy, aphasia, tailored, Connect, recovery, personal, communicate, rehabilitation, individual, unique, Sue, Mike, Fisher |
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Emmanuel worked as an engineer in the Nigerian Dept of Trade and Industry before his stroke left him with aphasia. However, his love of gardening leads him to transform an unused piece of ground into a garden that is a haven of peace in the centre of London . |
Stroke, aphasia, garden, rehabilitation, Nigeria, recovery, ethnic, BME, black, diversity, African, male, engineer, PhD, communication, Emmanuel Godis |
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Jane is a civil service lawyer before her stroke leaves her with aphasia. Her love of music comes into its own as she now leads music appreciation groups in which the music is as varied and as vibrant as the colours of the rainbow. |
Stroke, aphasia, music, appreciation, group, feelings, emotions, fantastic, experiences, rehabilitation, lawyer, Jane Stokes |
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Ken decides to put his background in training to good effect after his stroke: he now trains professionals working with people who have aphasia. |
Stroke, aphasia, recovery, wife, training, professional, conversation, rehabilitation, interprofessional, Ken Bradford |
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For two years following his stroke, Alan didn't know that he had aphasia. After that, he is determined to recover as much of his life as possible, and works with a variety of organisations to help others suffering from aphasia, ending up at Connect. |
Stroke, aphasia, disability, conversation, Connect, moving on, employ, charity, communication, information, interprofessional, Alan Hewitt |
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Sonia's stroke left her feeling imprisoned, unable to venture from her house because she could not communicate. Her first bus journey proved to be the turning point, and she realises that she can do anything she puts her mind to, with the help of a few thoughtful strategies. |
Stroke, aphasia, recovery, confidence, Connect, rehabilitation, disability, communication, strategies, bus, life, courage, transformation, Sonia Parsons |
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After a stroke in her early 20s, Debbie is left with aphasia – and only recognises one word. 20 years later, she runs conversation groups and has gained immeasurably in confidence. |
Stroke, aphasia, disability, confidence, conversation, group, lead, Connect, progress, happy, Debbie Lee |
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Anna's first lessons in self-care came from her father who, suffering from arthritis, had to learn how to look after himself. |
Self-care, WiPP, arthritis, cope, LTC, long-term condition, Anna Lynall |
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Despite at inward groan at having to take on responsibility for self-care on top of his normal job, Nick reaps the benefits and sees participants become healthier, happier and better able to deal with stress. |
Stress, self-care, holistic, approach, confidence, job satisfaction, WiPP, workplace, colleagues, interprofessional, team, communication, Nick Roberts |
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A bad accident results in a rare and painful condition which isn't discovered for two years. Uncertainty and lack of information lead to depression that only lifts when NHS Direct directs Pat to a self-care course. |
Self-care, accident, reflex, sympathetic, dystrophy, pain, NHS, direct, depression, information, lack, WiPP, LTC, long-term condition, Pat Luther |
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A paramedic sees lots of time being lost and wasted by unnecessary emergency calls from people who don't know how to look after themselves – and tries to make things better through the WiPP self-care programme. |
Ambulance, self-care, emergency, WiPP, waste, efficiency, quality, out-of-hours, paramedic, 999, pharmacy, choice, Eleanor Thomas |
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Choice of career is often determined by early life events. The excellent care her boyfriend received when he was dying of cancer determined Yvonne to put something back into the system by helping other people to stay healthy. |
Cancer, chemotherapy, boyfriend, choice, dignity, health, promotion, self-care, career, death, grief, loss, emotion, commitment, bereavement, WiPP, Yvonne McGlinchy |
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End-of-life care is both challenging and inspiring. When a palliative care nurse recognises that patients with heart failure deserve the same kind of care received by patients with cancer or HIV/AIDs, he sets out to ‘even things up' in order to ensure a peaceful and dignified death for these patients. |
End-of-life, care, dying, hospice, heart failure, palliative, dignity, dignified, death, psychological, support, service, redesign, pathway, nurse, interprofessional, Mike Connelly. |
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The chief officer of the NHS Heart Improvement Programme wants to make a difference and, with a little help from his friends, he does so. |
Heart Improvement Programme, collaboration, collaborate, Cardiac network, management, gurus, difference, success, learning, interprofessional, team, Adrian Pennington |
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Following heart bypass surgery, one patient decides to get involved – and reaps the benefits. |
Patient, involve, heart, bypass, surgery, robot, benefit, participation |
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A patient's fall in hospital goes unobserved and unrecorded and leads to a severe spinal injury. Would earlier and more appropriate intervention have led to a different outcome? |
Patient, safety, psychiatric, hospital, depression, care, unobserved, fall, transfer, ambulance, learning, disability, spinal, injury, missing, notes, MRI, scan, mental, health, inequalities, ethics, professional, equity, interprofessional |
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Despite the obstacles in his path, Iain retains his sense of humour in this wry look at how the immediate physical environment can affect the quality and safety of care. |
Wheelchair, stomach, toilet, hospital, ward, safety, infection, upset, dignity, respect, embarrassment, disability, awareness, access, essential, facilities, continence, environment |
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A bicycle accident results in a broken arm – and an important lesson learned! |
Accident, crash, bicycle, child, public health, broken arm, x-ray, hospital, doctor, ambulance, lesson, reflect |
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A brief introduction to the patient voices programme, incorporating four stories. |
patient, voices, programme, digital, stories, healthcare, quality, improvement, education, interprofessional, narrative, heart, care, storytelling, Monica, Clarke, Ian, Kramer, Pilgrim Projects, Pip Hardy |
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How can we respect and care appropriately and sensitively for people from very different cultures – and still remain within the law? How can we educate people about human rights? These are just some of the questions that arise when a woman from Somalia goes into labour and nobody suspects that she has been circumcised. |
circumcision, cultural, difference, labour, childbirth, Somali, ethnic, BME, female, African, continence, urinary, infection, diversity, culture, prison, communication, Carolyn Basak |
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The Clinical Microsystems approach to quality improvement is spreading rapidly around the world, because it really does make a huge difference, to patients, staff – and service improvement managers! |
Clinical, microsystems, service improvement, frontline, teams, patients, interprofessional, success, Laura, Hibbs |
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An apparently routine operation becomes anything but routine when the bleeding doesn't stop… |
Hand, washing, day, unit, surgery, emergency, calcium, deposit, bleeding, bandage, routine, operation, mistakes, safety, risk, high, blood, pressure, hypertension |
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12 years ago, community healthcare was based on a hierarchal system which certainly did not acknowledge that patients had anything useful to say. Recent initiatives have made it possible for staff – and patients – to develop as individuals and as teams. |
Hierarchy, segregation, community, listen, patients, staff, develop, individual, team, Essence of Care, enlightened, leadership, community, care, experts |
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A phone call from an angry colleague prompts Alison to reflect on how staff teams can support one another through difficulties and losses in their personal lives. |
Respect, needs, whole, person, support, teams, bereavement, personal, Alison, Hayes |
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A bad fall leaves Shirley Gage lonely, despondent and lacking in confidence. Joining the Healthy Communities Collaborative helps her to regain her confidence through helping others. |
Confidence, fall, Healthy, Communities, patient, involvement, Collaborative, microsystem, Shirley, Gage |
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Even when clinical care is excellent, patients – and their families - may be left feeling that there is a lack of consideration for the needs of the whole person. |
burns, pressure, garment, scar revision, skin graft, holistic, patient-centred, care, needs, Gill, Mathews |
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Kath is having difficulty managing at home, particularly with respect to the bewildering collection of pills she has to take. With the help of the Intermediate Care Team, Kath gains the confidence she needs to remain at home – pills and all! |
Medication, remain, home, patient, choice, confidence, empowerment, concordance, microsystem, interprofessional, primary, care, microsystem |
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Bill and his wife were struggling with his long term conditions. Since being invited to participate more fully in the management of his heart and chest problems, he and his wife have regained their confidence and are able to live a more normal life. |
Involve, patient, struggle, long, term, condition, manage, working, together, team, primary, care, interprofessional, microsystem |
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Working as a team and including patients as part of that team can actually reduce the cost of care, and help patients to retain independence. |
Cost, implications, working, patients, partnership, team, interprofessional, primary, care, microsystems, interprofessional, long, term, conditions |
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The patient journey is only part of the larger journey of life…when Steve Jones has a heart attack just before Christmas, he faces a dilemma: will his hospitalisation interfere with his wife's 50 th birthday party, which has been planned for months? |
patient, people, heart attack, hospital, nervous, angiogram, stent, journey, dilemma, Christmas, Steve, Jones |
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A brief history of the Heart Improvement Programme celebrates the real improvements in services to patients that are the result of working collaboratively and building networks of doctors, nurses and patients. |
CHD, collaborate, network, service improvement, team, teamwork, network, patient, experience, difference, interprofessional, Cath Lovatt |
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A nurse in charge of a coronary care unit is pleased to be able to improve services for patients and her staff through the introduction of a specialist cardiac transfer service. |
Cardiac transfer service, coronary care, improving services, staff, patients, ambulance, interprofessional, communication, Denise, Kent |
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Perhaps the 18-week target is more likely to become a reality if there is a genuine understanding of what it means to patients. |
18, week, target, heart, improvement, Fiona, Mackie |
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Following admission to A&E, ‘John' waits for 20 months for an angiogram and referral to a specialist hospital while his health deteriorates. |
18, week, wait, target, patient, heart attack, waiting, angiogram, referral, communication |
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Handovers can be critical times for patients; – it's particularly important for ambulance crews to respect and include carers as part of the healthcare team, as they are often the only ones who know the whole story. |
Carers, team, patient, voice, ambulance, story, paramedic, transfer, handover, interprofessional, communication |
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When Monica’s husband John has a gastrostomy, she is unexpectedly faced with having to deal with a number of different specialists for different parts of the pump ... simply in order to feed him. |
Central control, system, boundaries, gastrostomy, different specialists, feed, carer, interprofessional, communication |
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How do NHS organisations assess risk? When Monica has an operation on her wrist, no account is taken of her caring responsibilities…or the impact that the operation will have on either her or her husband. |
Risk, assessment, wrist, operation, organisation, carer, making do, interprofessional |
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Monica has learned a great deal about caring during the 11 years she cared for her husband following his stroke. |
Carer, stroke, role models, social services, interprofessional, education |
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Ian had to take one day a month off work in order to collect his various prescriptions from different places. Although before a dedicated pharmacy was eventually installed. He pleads with Trust boards to review systems to ensure that they meet patients' needs. |
Review, systems, patient, needs, processes, pharmacy, accrual, accounting, negative impact, interprofessional, commissioning |
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Ian has his blood taken regularly by the same nurse who never gloves up UNTIL one day a senior nurse asks to observe. |
Listening, patients, gloves, blood, observation, gloving up, infection, control, audit, training |
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Ian faces a daily cocktail of drugs that often make him nauseous. Together with his consultant and pharmacist, they work out a regime that is more acceptable to Ian and thus encourages concordance with treatment. |
Drugs, HIV, nausea, interrupted treatment, concordance, working together, difference, interprofessional, partnership, involve |
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As a person with HIV and a bi-polar disorder, Ian Kramer has plenty of experience not only of the NHS but also of healthcare systems in other countries; he is sure they could learn from each other. |
HIV, mental, health, bi-polar, activist, clinical governance, quality, improve, engage, patient, healthcare, systems, strengths, weaknesses |
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How can a person with aphasia represent their own interests and participate in making important decisions when they are not invited to use any of their communication methods? |
Case conference, communication, well-being, lonely, isolated, understanding, communication methods, participation, respect, involve, interprofessional |
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Emma makes a plea for the use of simple communication methods to help people like Fred understand and participate in making decisions. |
PALs, participation, communication, understanding, words, involvement in decisions, left out, involvement, interprofessional |
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Emma works with a stroke survivors' project. She tells the story of Fred, who dies in hospital, lonely and confused, having suffered from aphasia since his stroke in 1997. |
Aphasia, communication, stroke, stroke services, conversation, involvement, participation, dignity, interprofessional |
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David, who qualified as a doctor before the NHS existed, praises the NHS, acknowledging it as ‘a very fine system for organising healthcare services. |
System of care, NHS, wonderful experiment, fine system |
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David finds that little is done for patients with heart failure, although plenty of help is available for people with coronary thrombosis. |
Heart failure, cardiac rehabilitation, coronary thrombosis, quality of life |
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83-year-old David Clark is a retired psychiatrist who now suffers from heart failure. |
Heart failure, active, doctor, psychiatrist |
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Making the decision to donate Daryl's organs to help others was an easy decision which has helped Joe and Grace find the courage to come to terms with his death. |
Organ, donation, dignity, helping others, second chance, respect |
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Daryl Desa was a strong, healthy active 16 year-old until he died suddenly of a stroke. |
Stroke, organ, donation, bereavement, parents |
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Healthcare professionals visiting Charles' home fail to respect his repeated requests to wash their hands before touching Mary. |
Hand-washing, caring at home, respect, elderly, infection, contro |
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Charles describes problems that arise during respite care when the patients' needs are not attended to. |
Caring, Alzheimers, communication, elderly, breakdown, respite, hospital policy |
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Charles Bruce is a medical professional with a keen interest in improving the quality of care, who also cares for an elderly woman with Alzheimers. |
Carer, clinical governance, holistic patient care, quality improvement |
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How can carers and health professionals work more effectively together? Alison is challenged by nurses who are indignant that she should be interfering with 'their' patient. The consultant, however, acknowledges Alison as part of the care team. |
Carer, partnership, haemophilia, Factor 9, consultant, respect |
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Why should one chronic, life-threatening condition take precedence over another? While Alison and her husband await a liver transplant, they become aware of the superior conditions for relatives of patients awaiting heart transplants. |
Liver transplant, heart transplant, hierarchy of conditions, relatives, carer, targets, equity |
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Alison Ryan wears two hats: as a carer for her husband, who suffers from complex chronic conditions, and as the CEO of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. |
Haemophilia B, paralysis, Hepatitis C, bladder cancer, diabetes, immuno-suppressed. Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Carer. |
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Copyright 2008 Pilgrim Projects Limited. Last updated: 19/08/2008
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