The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)

A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees

The Voice of PLC

January 2011
Address: c / o The Mustard Tree Support Centre, Derriford Hospital, Derriford, PLYMOUTH, PL6 8DH, Devon
Mobile: 07745819828 (text only) Email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://plymouthlc.webs.com

FOREWORD BY THE CHAIR THE PLC DECEMBER 2010 MEETING

Written by Edward (Ted) BURNETT

O UR December 2010 Meeting took place at the China

th
House in Plymouth on Monday, 6 December 2010 and
took the form of our Annual Christmas Dinner. The
Dear Friends & Supporters,
photograph below was taken by Liz BURNETT. It shows Ron
and Fiona MARTIN having just polished off their Prawn
Welcome to the January 2011 edition of our Newsletter!
Cocktails!
With the festive season now behind us we look forward to
a bright New Year where we hope our Club will flourish.

We have no doubts that it will!

Yours sincerely,

Ted & Liz

Courtesy Liz BURNETT

And here’s another picture from the same occasion showing
Dave EDWARDS. A surprisingly bright smile from Dave
considering the meal he had just had was not of the best
standards! Perhaps it was taken before his main course!

GREETINGS!

H APPY BIRTHDAY to the following Club Members:

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Tuesday, 4 January: Dave EDWARDS
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Monday, 17 January: Liz BURNETT
st
Thursday, 31 January: Graeme OGSTON
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Friday, 18 February : Ronald MARTIN
st
Monday, 21 February: John RIGBY

Best wishes to each of you on your Special Day! Courtesy Liz BURNETT

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) is an Affiliated Member of: The National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC)
In Association with Macmillan Cancer Support
Registered Charity Number: 273635

A Member of The Plymouth Third Sector Consortium (PTSC)

Patrons & Medical Advisors : Mr. W.M. BRIDGER, FRCS - Consultant ENT Surgeon,
Mr. Tass MALIK, BSc FRCS (Gen), FRCS (ORL H&N) - Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck / Thyroid Surgeon, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
 THE PLC JANUARY 2011 MEETING
O UR January 2011 Meeting took place at the Mustard
Tree (MacMillan) Support Centre at Derriford
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Hospital, Plymouth on Monday, 10 January 2010.
Attendance. Ten of our Friends and Members attended
with a further five sending their apologies. We were
delighted to welcome to new prospective Members... Pam
& Ray WALLS who were introduced by Maggie. Welcome!
Raffle. No money was raised on the raffle at our December
2010 nor our January 2011 Meetings! The Treasurer is
beginning to get a bit concerned! Liz will be organising
February 2011 Raffle.
Committee Meeting. Ted announced that the Committee
would have a meeting in January 2011 at a date, time and
place yet to be announced.
M EMBERSHIP FLYER. Kanda (our webmaster) has
added an updated Flyer to our website. Copies can
easily be downloaded from our website.
M USTARD TREE (MACMILLAN) SUPPORT CENTRE
SATELLITE SERVICES. It was recommended that our
Club should endeavour to seek contact with the MacMillan
satellite services throughout Devon & Cornwall with a view
to linking up. We have since ascertained from the Mustard
Tree that Ms. Gill DAVIES is the Staff Member responsible
for the Satellite Service. Gill has agreed to publicise our
Club and distribute our new Flyer.
O THER LARYNGECTOMEE CLUBS. Our Club agreed to
send invitations to the SpeakEasy Club in Cornwall and
to the South Devon Laryngectomee Club in Torbay, to
formally invite them to one of our future gatherings.
 A Thank You email was received from Lindsay DOIDGE, the
Torbay Speech & Language Therapist on Tuesday, 14th
December 2010.

THE PLC TREASURER’S REPORT  An email was received from Colin SALTER of the SpeakEasy Club
in Cornwall on Thursday, 17th December to say he would
mention this at their next meeting.

M ONTHLY REPORT. We received an email from the

National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC) to
say that the Annual Fee to NALC is £20 and not £40 as we’ve
been quoting! Our accounts are therefore £20 better
off than we thought and have been adjusted accordingly!

THE PLC SECRETARY’S REPORT

C
1
ANCER REHABILITATION(CanRehab) . We received a
copy of the monthly newsletter for this organisation.
Geoff sent it out by email on New Year’s Day. If anyone
wishes find out more they can go on-line. If you have
difficulties then please contact Geoff.

C LAN (THE NEWSLETTER OF NALC). CLAN is the

Newsletter of NALC... the National Association of
Laryngectomee Clubs. Geoff received several hard copies.
Members who would like a copy just ask Geoff! There’s a
particularly helpful section on Page 4 about Benefits... and
the changes we need to know about. Our Club also gets a
special mention on the back page in the News from the
Clubs’ Write-up!
M EMBERS & FRIENDS. Our current Membership
Status is shown in the table below.
P ENINSULAR CANCER NETWORK. Geoff was invited and
attended a meeting of the Cancer Services Users’ Group
at Dartington in December 2010. Members should contact
Geoff directly if they require any further information.
2
Those on-line can check their website . We also received a
copy of the Annual Report of the Peninsula Cancer Network
Allied Health Professionals Rehabilitation Group and copies
were emailed a copy to those on-line. Those not on-line
and wishing to see a copy should contact Geoff.

Confirmed Members:
POSTAL
5
EMAIL
10
TOTAL
15
P LYMOUTH THIRD SECTOR CONSORTIUM. We sent a
copy of their January 2011 Newsletter to all those on-
line. Members not on-line should ask Geoff for a hard copy
Confirmed Friends: 5 11 16 if they would like one. Our Club is a member of this
TOTALS: 10 21 31 Consortium.

1
CanRehab leads the way in providing cancer rehabilitation seminars,
S PEAKEASY CLUB, CORNWALL. We received a copy of
the January 2011 edition of their Newsletter this was
emailed out to those on-line. Members not on-line who
workshops and training programmes in the UK. They offer educational and would like to receive a hard copy should contact Geoff.
professional support to anyone wishing to develop exercise based
rehabilitation programmes for cancer patients. They currently organise and
2
run training programmes for health professionals, charities and members http://www.peninsulacancernetwork.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
of the leisure industry. www.canrehab.co.uk/index.html

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 2
 Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every
PLC FORECAST OF EVENTS
colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in
the distance. As the man by the window described all this in
F EBRUARY 2011.
exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room
would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
th
Monday, 7 February 2011: A Tour of the BBC South West One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a
Studios, Plymouth, followed by Lunch somewhere. parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear
The tour will be between 1 and 2 p.m. but Members need to the band... he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman
arrive at the Studios by not later than 12.45 p.m. We will by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
meet up somewhere for refreshments after the visit to the
Studios. Days, weeks and months passed. One morning, the day
The tour of the Studios will be on a first-come first-served nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the
basis so do please submit your names to Geoff for the Tour lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died
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and for the lunch, by not later than Monday, 31 January peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the
2011! hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it
seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be
Address of the BBC Studios: moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make
BBC South West the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she
Broadcasting House
Seymour Road
left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on
Mannamead one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He
Plymouth strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the
Devon PL3 5BD bed.
Website:
BBC South West in Devon It faced a blank wall.

M ARCH 2011.

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The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his
deceased roommate who had described such wonderful
things outside this window. The nurse responded that the
Monday, 7 March 2011: Club Meeting at the Mustard
man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said,
Tree followed by Lunch at the Jack Rabbit.
'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
Including a Talk by Ms. Denise MARTIN, the Macmillan
Benefits Advisor at the Mustard Tree.
Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others
A PRIL 2011.
happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is to half
the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you
th want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that
Monday, 4 April 2011: A Visit to Plymouth Central Library
money can't buy.
Services followed by Lunch in the City.
Today is a gift, that is why it’s called The Present.
NEWS & GOSSIP

C HANGE YOUR THINKING. It will take just 37 seconds to

read this and change your thinking. Two men, both
D ERRIFORD HOSPITAL VOWS IT WILL LEARN LESSONS
AFTER 20 UNTOWARD INCIDENTS.
th
This article
appeared in The Herald on Thursday, 16 December 2010.
seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was
allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to HEALTH bosses in Plymouth are looking into 20 untoward
help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the incidents in which patients
room's only window. The other man had to spend all his were left severely harmed, Derriford Hospital
time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They and in one case died.
spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, Cases highlighted in a new
their involvement in the military service, where they had report include one person
been on vacation. Every afternoon, when the man in the who died as a result of a
bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by cancelled operation and
describing to his roommate all the things he could see another left blind after a
outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live 4-year delay in treatment.
for those one hour periods where his world would be Another shows how a child was born with abnormalities
broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of following a high dose of medication last month.
the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a The ongoing serious clinical incidents investigated by the
lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust were revealed as part of its
children sailed their model boats. quarterly healthcare governance report.
The report, which highlights six unexpected deaths in the last year, will go
before bosses at the Trust's board meeting.

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 3
Medical director Dr. Alex MAYOR said such incidents were rare at Derriford
Hospital, where outcomes for the 800,000 patients it treats each year are
recognised as among the best in the country.
But he stressed that each one was being taken very seriously, adding it was
key that lessons are learned.
The report also shows the Trust has 16 serious infection control incidents
open.
Meanwhile, the suicide of an inpatient in September has led to
recommendations including addressing poor communication between
organisations around mental health issues and a review of the Trust's
missing persons procedure.
The report also reveals how a multi-disciplinary review meeting is to be
arranged after a swab was found in a patient during unrelated emergency
surgery last month.
Dr. MAYOR said: "Delivering safe, high quality care is of paramount
importance.
"Whilst very rare, we recognise that despite the best efforts of our
dedicated staff, incidents will very occasionally happen. The key is that we
learn lessons to try to prevent the same incident happening again."
Dr. MAYOR said staff were encouraged to report such incidents, which are
reviewed in detail by senior investigators including consultants, matrons,
and a dedicated Patient Safety Team.
That process involves patients and their families throughout, he said, with
some cases eventually being declassified. Dr. MAYOR added: "The most
important factor on reporting incidents in this way is that is gives us the
chance to take appropriate action and share knowledge to ensure that
lessons are learned."
In March, the National Patient Safety Agency revealed how the number of
serious untoward incidents resulting in death had fallen across the country.
For the article in full, please visit: thisisplymouth.co.uk/
D ERRIFORD HOSPITAL REPORTS 109 SERIOUS
ACCIDENTS AND ERRORS OVER TWO YEARS. This
article was published in The Herald on Wednesday, 12
th
January 2011:
DERRIFORD Hospital reported more than 100 serious
accidents and errors during
a two-year period.
Plymouth Hospitals NHS
Trust reported 109 'serious
untoward incidents' (SUI)
between January 2009 and
October 2010.
They included three
unexpected child deaths and 29 unexpected adult deaths, it
has been reported.
They were among 804 SUIs recorded by South West
hospitals over the same time period.
The figures were released by Strategic Health Authorities
under a Freedom of Information Act request.
SUI include a wide range of issues including surgical errors,
delays in treatment, maternity service problems, ward
closures, hospital infections and breaches of confidential
information.
While the Patient Association described the data as
worrying, hospital chiefs and The Department of Health said
high reporting levels "reflect a strong safety culture and not
poor performance".
Dr Alex MAYOR, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust medical
director, said: "Whilst very rare, we recognise that despite
the best efforts of our dedicated staff, incidents will very
occasionally happen.
"The key is that we learn lessons to try to prevent the same
incident happening again."
Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com
Derriford treats more than 800,000 patients a year and has
been named among the best hospitals in the country for
patient outcomes.
Dr. MAYOR said staff are encouraged staff to report all
incidents which creates greater awareness of patient safety,
allows the hospital to investigate each incident and make
changes to protect patients.
He said every serious incident is reviewed by a team of
senior investigators including consultants, matrons and a
Patient Safety Team. They are also reviewed by the hospital
board. The process involves patients and their families, who
receive an investigation report.
Dr. MAYOR said: "A system of good, open reporting is
conducive to improved patient safety.
"The most important factor on reporting incidents in this
way is that is gives us, and all other Trusts, the chance to
take appropriate action and share knowledge to ensure that
lessons are learned."
A Department of Health spokesperson added: "There is
strong evidence that high reporting levels reflect a strong
safety culture and not poor performance."
F UTURE OF HEALTH CARE IN PLYMOUTH... QUALITY
CARE... BEST VALUE. The following information was
sent to Geoff in December 2010 and was emailed out to all
Friends & Supporters the same day. It’s now repeated
below for the benefit of those not on-line. If you need any
further assistance then please get in touch with Geoff.
Dear All,
As many of you will know, NHS Plymouth has a three year programme of
improvement work in hand called Quality Care... Best Value and so that
people are aware of which services this affects, how and how it may affect
them as users of the service we have produced the Quality Care Best
Value document.
We’re currently working on a quick guide and easy read version of both
which will also be circulated and posted on our website. As usual we’re
happy to prepare any of these documents in other languages and formats
if asked to do so.
If any of the people you represent or work with would be interested in
getting involved in this work please ask them to contact me (contact
details below) or through our website at: plymouthpct.nhs.uk
Yours sincerely,
Sally PARKER
Patient & Public Involvement Lead
NHS Plymouth
Building 1
Derriford Business Park
Brest Road
Plymouth
PL6 5QZ
Telephone: (01752) 431231
Mobile: 07917068783
4
 M ICHAEL DOUGLAS REVEALS 'THE TUMOUR IS GONE'.
th
Candy Bellinger, Tuesday, 11 January.

L IVING WITH A LARYNGECTOMY. The MACMILLAN

website has a whole page dedicated to Laryngectomees
and gives all sorts of information and advice. For those
on-line please visit:
http://search.macmillan.org.uk/kbroker/macmillan/macmillan/search.lsi
m?qt=laryngectomy&sr=0&nh=10&cs=iso-8859-
1&sc=macmillan&sm=0&mt=0&to=0&ha=1088
For those not on-line and wishing to know more, please
contact Geoff.

Michael Douglas has revealed that he is confident of beating

cancer now that the "tumour has gone".
The 66-year-old actor was diagnosed with throat cancer five
months ago and has undergone a chemo and radiotherapy.
In his first interview since finishing the treatment, Douglas
told Matt Lauer on NBC's Today show: "The odds are, with
the tumour gone and what I know about this particular type
of cancer, that I've got it beat."
Though doctors have advised that the cancer could return,
both Michael and wife Catherine Zeta Jones are reportedly
"absolutely delighted".
Douglas was diagnosed with stage four cancer earlier this
year and was given just a 50/50 chance of survival at the
time.
But last month, doctors told the Wall Street star that his
chances of a full recovery had increased to 80 per cent.
In the interview, due to air today, Douglas said: "It's put a
timeline on my life.
"I'm 66 now. You know, I'm fortunate I've got a mother
who's 88. She'll kill me. She may be 87. My father's 94. So,
you know, I feel good about those genes.
"But it's definitely a third act. And so you're a little more

O NE HUNDRED & TWENTY OPERATIONS CANCELLED

DUE TO SHORTAGE OF BEDS.
th
This article was
published in The Herald on Thursday, 16 December 2010:
conscious of your time in how you choose to spend it."
The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club wishes him all the best.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
NEARLY 200 operations at Derriford Hospital have been
cancelled at the last minute since April 2010 because of a
Our grateful thanks to The Devonport Regeneration
lack of staff or beds, figures reveal.
Community (DRC) Partnership for their assistance in
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has driven down the number
reproducing copies of this Newsletter.
of operations that were cancelled on or after the day of
admission to 593 this financial year so far.
That equates to just 1.5% of procedures – down from 1.8% last year,
though the national standard, set by independent regulator the Care
Quality Commission, is 0.8%.
A report that will go before the Trust's board tomorrow shows how 120 of
those were cancelled at short notice because there were no suitable beds.
Another 60 were cancelled due to a lack of appropriate staff, including
three in April 2010 because an anaesthetist was on leave.
A further 35 cancellations were a result of either missing or broken
equipment, the report shows.
But the vast majority were put on hold because of theatre list over-runs or
emergencies taking priority.
Helen O'SHEA, Deputy Chief Executive & Chief Operating Officer for
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said the figures showed significant
improvements since last year.
She pointed to a programme of theatre improvements and the introduction
of clear targets.

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 5
 The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club

(PLC)

– A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees –

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 6