We are all now aware of the dangers of passive smoking to humans, however are we overlooking the effect that passive smoking has on our pets?

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe hospitals, is urging people to carefully consider the most appropriate place to seek medical treatment for a health problem over the bank holiday weekend.

The burns team at Stoke Mandeville Hospital have just held their third successful Burns Management Study Day (BMSD), which like the first two, was fully booked and received excellent reviews from participants from across Buckinghamshire, East Berkshire, Oxfordshire and West Hertfordshire.

Buckinghamshire Smoke Free Support Service is concerned about a recent study from the University of Tromso in Norway, where researchers found that women smokers have a higher risk of bowel cancer than their male counterparts.

Norovirus is currently circulating in the community. Please help to reduce the risk of norovirus infection in our hospitals by ensuring you do not visit a hospital if you have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting within the last 48 hours or have had contact with someone who has.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe hospitals, is urging people to carefully consider the most appropriate place to seek medical treatment for a health problem over the bank holiday weekend.

The Care Quality Commission has today (24 April 2013) published its report following inspections at Stoke Mandeville and Amersham hospitals during February and March. The Trust is pleased that inspectors found the hospitals to be compliant in key care standards, in particular the standards for ‘care and welfare for people who use services’ and ‘safety, availability and suitability of equipment’. Inspectors also noted that “most people were positive about the care they received”.

79 per cent of patients say the inpatient care they received from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust was good or excellent, according to a recent national report.

Norovirus is circulating within the community and some of our inpatient wards are affected at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Buckinghamshire Smoke Free Support Service is concerned about recent figures published by the Cancer Research charity that reveals approximately 207,000 of UK children aged 11-15 start smoking every year. This figure amounts to nearly 570 children taking their first puff of a cigarette every day, even more concerning, this figure has grown by 50,000 from the previous year.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s integrated stroke service, with Wycombe Hospital as its base, has been ranked best in region according to an audit by the Royal College of Physicians.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is looking for highly motivated staff nurses and health visitors who can contribute to continuing our high standards of patient care. We are looking to attract highly talented health professionals across our acute, community and specialist services. We are holding a staff nurse and health visitor recruitment open day on Tuesday 23 April, from 10am to 2pm in the postgraduate centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Whether you are already a qualified staff nurse or health visitor, or a student looking for a career as a staff nurse or health visitor, we would like to meet you.

An NHS support group for breastfeeding mothers is now running, alongside the baby clinic, at the Children’s Centre on Wellington Avenue, Princes Risborough on Tuesday mornings from 10:30-11:30am. It is a drop-in service where mothers can consult trained breastfeeding supporters and receive support and advice on breastfeeding babies of any age.

Are you interested in finding out more about older people’s services in Bucks? Have you wondered what healthcare is available to you as you get older? Come along to the next NHS Foundation Trust members’ event being held by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. The event is free and will be held on Tuesday 16 April, from 6pm in Wycombe.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, supported the NHS Sustainability Day of Action (28 March 2013), by planting two trees at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in conjunction with NHS Forest, which is a national project designed to engage people with their immediate environment by jointly creating space that will be used and continually improved by staff, patients and the local community.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital is currently very busy. We are asking the public not to come to hospital unless it is a real emergency which requires immediate attention.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has welcomed the appointment of three non-executive directors to its Trust Board.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust supported the second annual nutrition and hydration week (Monday 18 to Sunday 24 March), in partnership with the Patient Safety First Campaign, by showcasing the Trust’s good work regarding patient nutrition and hydration.

A giant set of Agitos, the symbol for the Paralympic movement, could be installed within the grounds of Stoke Mandeville Hospital as part of Aylesbury Vale and Buckinghamshire’s London 2012 legacy.

As is normal at this time of year, norovirus is circulating within the community and some of our inpatient wards are affected at Wycombe Hospital.

On Wednesday 13 March, smokers nationwide will be using No Smoking Day as a springboard into their new life as a non-smoker.

The children’s ward at Stoke Mandeville Hospital was filled with fun and cheer when Sainsburys Youth Forum came dressed as characters from the Jungle Book in aid of Comic Relief. Children, parents and medical staff were treated to performances of songs from the Jungle Book and a lasting reminder through their generous donation of toys to the children’s ward.

Due to the improved situation, Stoke Mandeville Hospital has reviewed and revised the visiting restrictions that were put in place after wards were recently affected by norovirus. Wards currently unaffected will open to visitors as usual. We continue to restrict visiting to wards that remain affected. We will try to contact a patient’s next of kin to inform them of these restrictions in advance, but if you are unsure please check before visiting by calling the appropriate ward. In exceptional circumstances we may permit a visitor attending an affected ward, providing they contact that ward in advance.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital has revised its visiting restrictions across its wards after being recently affected by norovirus. To help reduce the spread of norovirus, we continue to close wards affected by norovirus to visitors. We will try to contact a patient’s next of kin to inform them of these restrictions in advance, but if you are unsure please check before visiting by calling the appropriate ward. In exceptional circumstances we may permit a visitor attending an affected ward, providing they contact that ward in advance.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital is experiencing one of its busiest weekends. We are asking the public not to come to hospital unless it is a real emergency which requires immediate attention.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital is currently restricting visitor access to all wards to reduce the spread of norovirus and reduce the risk of visitors bringing norovirus on site.

Four nurses working for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust have become Queen’s Nurses, a title which recognises an individual’s commitment to improving standards of care, and to learning and leadership.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust takes patient safety very seriously and has welcomed today’s announcement that Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director of the NHS, has widened its review into hospital mortality indicators.

As is normal at this time of year, norovirus is circulating within the community and some of our inpatient wards are affected at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The Trust will do its best to provide a normal service during adverse weather, however please be aware that some services may be affected by the current winter conditions.

Now is a great time to come back to health visiting, we are looking for former health visitors who are considering returning to work to join our expanding health visiting teams across Buckinghamshire.

Are you an experienced neonatal nurse ready for a change and looking for that next step to develop your career?

Foundations for the Future members event (also open to non-members) will be held on Thursday 28 February 2013, from 6.45pm to 8.30pm, in Aylesbury. Come along to find out more about becoming an NHS Foundation Trust and hear what Clinical Commissioning Groups do and how they will work to commission healthcare services in the future. Read more...

Would you like to work for a world-renowned specialist national centre for people with spinal cord injury – a centre that is life changing for everyone who comes into contact with it?

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust welcomes Neil Dardis as its new Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive. Neil joins the Trust in February 2013 from East and North Herts NHS Trust where he was Director of Operations.

The Trust will do its best to provide a normal service during adverse weather, however please be aware that some services may be affected by the current winter conditions.

Last year, the Trust set up the independently monitored, Speaking Out Investigation, which is being led by independent investigator Dr Androulla Johnstone and overseen by a Local Oversight Panel led by Trust non-executive director Keith Gilchrist.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital is currently experiencing unusually high admissions. We advise patients to consider all options available such as your local pharmacist, NHS Direct on 0845 4647 and your local out of hours GP service.

As is normal at this time of year, norovirus is circulating within the community.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) is piloting a new holistic nursing assessment clinic for patients with lung cancer, looking at their psychological and social needs. This is the first dedicated clinic of its type in the Thames Valley area.

As part of the redevelopment of the A&E department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, a new modular building will be installed onsite the weekend of 14-16 December. This building will provide additional modern space to enhance our urgent care services for patients. Please note that patients and visitors to the site will experience a number of parking and access restrictions from 7pm on Friday 14 December through to 9pm on Sunday 16 December. This is to ensure your safety whilst the new building is installed.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, in collaboration with key partners, has launched a new service for young first time parents called the Family Nurse Partnership programme (FNP). FNP is a voluntary programme offered to young women under 20 having their first baby, and their families, throughout their pregnancy and up to their child’s second birthday.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has been awarded an ‘employer of the year’ award by Amersham and Wycombe College for the second time, for supporting work-based learning, predominantly offering apprenticeships in health and health & social care.

Children everywhere are busy writing their Christmas lists and parents all over the world are wondering how on earth they can afford all these requests! However, according to Department of Health research from November last year, children with a parent or parents who smoke want just one thing - their parents to give up smoking!

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is questioning whether this year’s hospital guide reflects the new ways of operating that are being rolled out across the NHS. The Trust is disappointed to be described as having a higher than expected mortality rate in the 2012 Dr Foster Hospital Guide and believes strongly that this is not actually the case.

Staff and volunteers working to improve the experience of patients and colleagues at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, have been recognised at a special awards evening.

Mr Samford Wong, a clinical dietician at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Stoke Mandeville Hospital, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Spinal Cord Prize’ by the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS).

Over the coming week (12 – 15 November), a number of ward moves will take place across Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals.

As is normal at this time of year, norovirus is circulating within the community and some of our inpatient wards are affected at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The accident and emergency department (A&E) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital is being redeveloped to modernise our facilities and environment for the local population.

A memorial service for parents and families who have lost babies during or after pregnancy will take place at the Broadway Baptist Church, 78 The Broadway, Chesham at 3pm on Sunday 14 October.

A new GP-led Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) opens at Wycombe Hospital today (1 October)

The Bucks Stop Smoking Service (BSSS) is gearing up to the first ‘mass quit’ attempt backed by the department of health. The ‘Stoptober’ campaign, which starts on Monday, is aimed at getting smokers to quit for the whole of October - research has shown that if you can stop smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stay a non smoker.

The MIIU is for minor injuries and minor illnesses which you think are unsuitable for a GP appointment. If, following assessment, it is more appropriate to treat yourself, go to your pharmacist or see your GP, you will be advised to do so.

Wycombe Hospital’s Emergency Medical Centre is closing on Monday 1 October 2012 and the new GP-led Minor Injury and Illness Unit (MIIU) is opening. The MIIU is for minor injuries and illnesses which you cannot treat yourself or you think are unsuitable for a GP appointment. Following assessment, you may be advised to treat yourself, go to your pharmacist or see your GP if it is more appropriate.

Fred Hucker appointed as Chair of Buckinghamshire Healthcare We are pleased to announce that Fred Hucker has been appointed as Chair of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and will join our organisation at the end of September.

The National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, birthplace of the Paralympics, is proud of the achievements of its former patients who have excelled at this year’s Paralympic games in London.

The search is now on for those staff who have gone the extra mile for patients and colleagues in this year’s Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust staff awards.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust invites patients and the public to attend our annual general meeting on Wednesday 26 September, from 9.30am in the Hampden lecture theatre at Wycombe Hospital. Read more...

Hundreds of local residents, staff and patients from the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) gathered outside the main entrance of the NSIC at Stoke Mandeville Hospital on Tuesday 28 August, to experience a once in a lifetime chance to see the Paralympic flame visit the birthplace of the Paralympics, on its route to the opening event of the Paralympics in London today.

As you may be aware the Paralympic flame festival will take place on Tuesday 28 August at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium from 4.30 to 8pm and will be followed by the Paralympic torch relay coming onto the hospital site at just after 8pm. With a parallel event taking place in Aylesbury town centre and heightened activity throughout the day, it is envisaged that this will cause some traffic congestion and delays in journey time.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital’s National Spinal Injuries Centre is the focus of an hour long documentary to be broadcast on Channel 4 next week. ‘This is rehab’ follows patients and staff at the Centre, highlighting the incredible journey they face after injury.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has won a major national award for an innovative new approach for reducing sickness absence amongst staff and providing greater support to help staff return to work more quickly. The initiative has saved the Trust almost one million pounds in the last 12 months.

Over 70 residents from across the county celebrate the first anniversary of Wycombe Hospital’s hyperacute stroke unit (HASU), at a special event held last Tuesday 24 July.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is pleased to announce it has achieved both the Investors in People (IIP) and Health and Wellbeing Good Practice awards, which is the only integrated organisation in the South of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) region to have achieved both these standards.

We are pleased to announce that Professor David Sines CBE, has been appointed to the Board of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust as an associate non-executive director.

Residents from across the county are invited by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to celebrate the first anniversary of Wycombe Hospital’s hyperacute stroke unit.

As part of a national drive to improve NHS staff health and wellbeing in this Olympic year, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has held a number successful community-based and work-related sport and physical activities, during the Department of Health’s ‘2012 Challenge Week’ (18 -24 June).

Hundreds of staff and local residents gathered outside Stoke Mandeville Hospital on Monday 9 July, to experience a once in a lifetime chance to see the Olympic flame, as it passed the birthplace of the Paralympics.

Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Anne Eden, has been formally appointed as a visiting professor by Buckinghamshire New University, due to her knowledge and expertise in healthcare.

On Monday 30 April the antenatal and outpatient gynaecology services at Wycombe Hospital moved to newly refurbished accommodation opposite the Wycombe Birth Centre. This move, to a much larger area of the hospital, has many benefits for our patients including providing one main entrance for all women and children services. The new colposcopy suite has been purpose-built and the move allows our antenatal clinics to be located near to our birth centre.

90 per cent of patients say the inpatient care they received from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust was good or excellent, according to a national report out this week.

Scannappeal celebrated their 25th birthday by inviting the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire to unwrap a very special present. Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, who is also a Patron of the charity, and William Baxter, Chairman, delighted supporters by revealing a 3D heart scanner funded by Scannappeal to treat patients in the Buckinghamshire area.

Local people are being urged to give their views on proposals to develop services in Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals before public consultation closes on 16 April. People are being urged to read a new leaflet summarising the proposals and then complete the consultation questionnaire. Both the leaflet and the questionnaire are on the NHS Buckinghamshire website www.buckinghamshire.nhs.uk/bhib or can be obtained by ringing 01494 552 256.

Over 120 Allied Health Professionals employed by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, attended a conference earlier this month at Wycombe Hospital, which showcased best practice across allied health services and included a keynote speech by Karen Middleton, chief health professions officer from the Department of Health.

Come and find out about our proposals to develop hospital services in Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals Local doctors are inviting members of the public to a meeting in Wycombe to explain proposals to develop services in Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals and give their views. The meeting will take place at 6pm on Tuesday 3 April in the Events’ Hall in Bucks New University.

This year to support No Smoking Day (Wednesday 14 March), Buckinghamshire NHS Smokefree Support Service (BSSS) is holding a number of events based on the theme ‘take the leap’.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust will receive £3.3 million for new breast screening equipment and IT development, to improve services for NHS patients in Buckinghamshire, the Government announced today.

From 8 March 2012, the children’s clinics which are currently run from the Sue Nichols Centre, Bierton Road, will be moving to newly refurbished accommodation at Rayners Hedge, Croft Road, Aylesbury. The facilities at Rayner’s Hedge have been refurbished to ensure that clinics will be provided in a comfortable and safe environment.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has signed up to a campaign to raise awareness about wasted medication. The campaign aimed at reducing unnecessary waste launched recently across the NHS South Central Strategic Health Authority.

Debbie Oram, a Trust employed midwife, has been crowned Midwife of the Year by the Royal College of Midwifery, at its recently held annual Midwifery Awards ceremony.

As part of our plans to develop our stroke services, we are creating an expanded specialist 30-bedded hyperacute and acute stroke unit at Wycombe Hospital. This has been enabled through the merger of the hyperacute and acute inpatient stroke services currently provided at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals.

People in Buckinghamshire are being urged by two of the county’s leading doctors to find out more about proposals to acute hospital services in Buckinghamshire and then to take advantages of the many ways in which they can respond.

As is normal at this time of year, norovirus is circulating within the community and some of our inpatient wards are affected at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is holding a trustwide band 5 nurse recruitment open day on Friday 27 January, from 10am to 2pm in the medical education centre at Wycombe Hospital.

A public consultation was launched today (16 January) on proposals to develop health services in Buckinghamshire. They are aimed at ensuring that local people can continue to have access to high quality, safe and accessible services which offer a good patient experience, make the most of developments in healthcare and meet future challenges. Between now and April 16, patients and the public will have an opportunity to contribute views and ideas on the proposals and this feedback will be considered in detail before any changes go ahead.

Patients and visitors travelling between Wycombe, Stoke Mandeville and Amersham hospital sites, are entitled to free travel using our shuttle bus service, which is now provided in partnership with Arriva buses.

The audiology department at Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust, is holding an information day for patients and public covering all aspects of hearing and support, at the Chiltern Education Centre foyer, Wycombe Hospital, on Monday 16 January between 10.00am to 2.00pm.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is pleased to announce the opening of its new restaurant at Wycombe Hospital, which completes the redevelopment of the entrance area at the hospital to provide improved facilities to patients and visitors.