June 2010

The Trust continues to perform well against Department of Health targets for the reduction of MRSA bacteraemias and Clostridium difficile . We reduced our MRSA bacteraemias by 27 % and Clostridium difficile cases by 50% last year.

To mark National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, Maternity Services at Belfast Trust have been awarded the prestigious UNICEF Baby Friendly Award. 

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week runs from 21 – 27 June, and aims to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding, increase social acceptance of breastfeeding and promote support for breastfeeding.

Three in five of us will become a carer at some point in our lives, providing unpaid care to someone we know who is ill, frail or disabled. We would not expect to sacrifice our own lives as a result but, all too often, that is what happens.  As part of National Carers Week the Trust has launched a Carers Strategy 2010 – 2015.

Local clinical psychologists have welcomed the launch of the Psychological Therapies Strategy, by health minister Michael McGimpsey.

The document was launched yesterday at a reception in the Everton Complex, a Belfast Trust centre in north Belfast. It aims to ensure that people experiencing psychological difficulties are able to access psychological therapies easily, and support is available when and where it is needed. It also emphasises the importance of involving the service users in the planning of how services are organised and delivered.

On Monday 7 June,  BBCNI will be broadcasting the last of the series of three documentaries about Belfast Trust called ‘Life Matters’. Presented by Sir Gerry Robinson, they feature the challenges and opportunities faced by Belfast Trust following reorganisation.

The last programme will be broadcast on Monday 7 June 2010 at 10.30 pm and will feature cancer services, mental health, cardiology and services for the elderly.

Today the Belfast Trust relaunched their corporate website. The site sports a fresh new look and contains a wealth of information for patients, visitors and anyone interested in what the Belfast Trust does.

The Belfast Trust has held a special thank you event in recognition of the work carried out throughout the year by its hardworking and dedicated volunteers.

To coincide with Volunteer Week which runs from 1-7 June, the Trust hosted a reception where Trust Chairman, Pat McCartan, acknowledged the important role it's volunteers played in complementing the work of staff throughout the organisation.

In 2009-2010 volunteers have provided an incredible 45,720 hours of service.

Staff from across the Trust have been recognised as top innovators as part of Northern Ireland’s first-ever Elevation Awards, organised by HSC Innovations.

All 20,000 staff in the Belfast Trust – from domestic assistants to surgeons – were challenged in March to put forward innovative ideas to transform healthcare or lead to vital medical breakthroughs, and many came up with new and exciting ideas.