First of all, I’d like to offer belated birthday wishes from everyone at Salts to Frances Clifford, an amazing lady who’s just celebrated her centenary. You can read about her below. I would also like to say a fond farewell to Morton Davies who has retired from our Cardiff branch after 28 years, and to June Williamson who has left the Edinburgh branch after seven years for pastures new. It’s been great working with them both and they’ll be missed by us all. Don’t forget to keep us up to date with your own stories, we’d love to hear them.
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Linkline - The magazine of Salts Medilink, the leaders in home delivery for ostomy appliances. Keeping our customers informed about Medilink branches, products, Nurse news and update details of all the Associations, and any customer feedback and industry news.
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Spring 2008 edition
April 11, 2008
Rowing for Heros
A former world disability swimming champion, and West Midlands Disabled Sports Personality of the Year 2005, is now taking on a different sport with backing from Salts Healthcare and aims to take on a huge challenge to raise money for a worthy cause,
Despite suffering from cerebral palsy, Neil Smith wants to row the 900 miles from Birmingham to Marseille to raise awareness of, and funds for, a relatively new charity – Help For Heroes – that provides support to servicemen returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe or multiple injuries.
Neil explained: “While I was swimming, I often used the indoor rowing machine as part of my cross-training routine, then one day my coach suggested that I should enter the National Indoor Rowing Championships at the National Indoor Arena for a bit of fun. We were both surprised when I actually won and it’s taken off from there. I spent some time training with the GB Paralympic squad and was hoping to join them at the Beijing Olympics but unfortunately have had to pull out. However, I did tackle the Boston Marathon – a 50 km row – in September last year and was the only disabled rower to ever complete it and now I’m looking forward to the Birmingham to Marseille event.”
Neil met Salts Chief Executive, Philip Salt, at Stratford Rowing Club where both men are members and Philip was only too happy to help him get his challenge underway. Philip said: “Neil is a very determined man. Whatever obstacles are put in front of him, he always manages to overcome them and always rises to the challenge. Salts is delighted to support him by providing him with a specially made racing boat and we wish him all the best with his latest adventure.”
Neil added: “Many of the servicemen and women who come home injured are turning to rowing as part of their rehabilitation and I’m proud to be involved with Help For Heroes.” If you would like to help Neil in his fundraising quest, you can make a secure online donation by visiting www.justgiving.com/neilsmith
Rhonda’s well versed in poetry
Broadway’s Customer Care Co-ordinator, Rhonda Mueller has proved she has a way with words after one of her poems was published in this year’s National Poetry Anthology.
It all came about after she entered the UK’s biggest free to enter poetry competition, organised annually by United Press. Out of thousands of entries, just 200 were chosen to appear in the book and, not only does Rhonda have the honour of appearing in Linkline again (we featured one of her poems a few years ago), she will also be appearing in her local newspaper.
Rhonda said: “I’ve been writing poetry for about 15 years now and while I obviously like the work that I do, it’s nice to know that other people appreciate my poems, too. I’ve written hundreds of poems in the past and United Press has offered to subsidise the cost of publishing my own book, which is something I’m considering. I write about all sorts of things, including romance, comedy and nature and I’d love the opportunity to share my poems with a wider audience.” Here’s Rhonda’s winning verse:
UNWANTED LOVE
When young and in love
Our hearts skip a beat
For the ones that we love
But not all those we meet
Our hearts rule our head
At one time or another
But we learn by mistakes
How to choose our next lover
One thing that we find
True love doesn’t run smooth
And to the right person
We have nothing to prove
Unwanted love
Is rejection we know
Don’t hang on and hurt
Just let that love go
Don’t forget, we regularly feature our readers’ poems in Poets Corner, so if you think you could give Rhonda a run for her money, why not put pen to paper and send us a sample of your work.
The impressive Broadway Tower, from which, on a clear day you can see across
13 different counties.
Staff News
MORTON DAVIES
After 28 years working with Salts, Morton Davies has reluctantly retired from the Medilink Cardiff branch due to ill health and will be sorely missed by all those who worked with him. An ileostomist for 40 years, and founder member of the West Wales Ileostomy Association, Morton was recommended for the job of Stoma Care Advisor by former Salts’ employee Violet Edwards who used to prescribe his pouches. Although he had little knowledge of the healthcare industry, his customer service experience gained at his only previous job – working at Hodges menswear store for 21 years – and his personal experience as an ileostomist, made him an ideal candidate.
Morton said: “I’ve had an absolutely wonderful time with Salts and it’s been a joy to get up for work in the mornings. I was visiting five hospitals in the region, giving presentations to doctors, district nurses and students and have forged strong relationships with them. My job also involved providing help and advice to patients and it’s been great to put my own experiences as an ileostomist to good use. I hope I’ve done a little to aid their recovery and will certainly be keeping in touch with all those who have become good friends over the years.”
Morton is planning to spend his retirement enjoying some quality time with his wife Patricia, who he says has been a tremendous support, and his two grandchildren as his one regret is spending so much time away from home when he was clocking up around 30,000 miles a year on his hospital visits.
JUNE WILLIAMSON
The Edinburgh Medilink team has said a fond farewell to June Williamson who managed the
Edinburgh branch of Medilink for almost seven years. June is taking on a new role at a private hospital that looks after patients with anorexia and bulimia.
She said: “I’ve always loved my job at Medilink and have made some good friends while I’ve been working at the branch – both staff and customers – who I shall miss a great deal. However, I’ll still be working in the medical profession and still using my skills to help people which is really important to me and very rewarding.”
JONATHAN TAIT
Celebrating over ten years of service with Salts is Senior Product Specialist Jonathan Tait, whose role is to keep patients and nurses in the know regarding the ostomy products and services available to them, through hospital visits, study days and Open Days. Jonathan covers the South West and Wessex area and, as you can imagine, does a lot of driving in his day to day duties.
Jonathan said: “Over the last decade, the industry has become far more competitive, foreign manufacturers want every last penny out of the good old NHS and that means we really have to stay on our toes. However, Salts has always been committed to manufacturing and distributing only the highest quality British products and services that can really make a difference to people’s lives, which makes my job that much easier. It’s also great to be able to promote an ethical family business and British company that takes such a pride in what it does and has a fantastic work ethos.”
Thanks to everyone I've met over the years.
LONDON LADIES
A team of ladies looking after the London Medilink branches, are embarking upon NVQs which will help them to improve the way they carry out their jobs on a day to day basis and ensure that customers continue to receive the best possible levels of service.
Lesley O’Driscoll, Assistant Branch Manager at Garratt Lane, and Ann Nolan, Branch Manager at Harlesden Road are taking on the Management Level 3 course, while Customer Care Co-ordinators, Coralita Horsham (Garratt Lane) and Majella Woolner (Harlesden Road) are undertaking the Customer Care Level 2 course.
They will follow their courses in their own time and undertake ongoing workbased assessments. Lesley said: “I’m in no doubt that the courses will be hard work for all of us but I think we are all looking forward to the challenge and appreciate the opportunity to develop our skills. It’s nice that we are following the courses together as we’ll be able to support and help each other when necessary.” Majella, is a recent newcomer to the team, having started working at Harlesden Road in November as a temp and being taken on as a permanent member of staff in January. Prior to joining Medilink, Majella worked for an estate agency for six years.
She said: “I’m really enjoying working with such a friendly team and it’s nice to have the chance to talk to our customers who come from all walks of life, and to be in a position to help them. I’ve still got lots to learn about the products but I’m sure this will be an ongoing process as Salts is committed to continually improving its product range.”
Busy year ahead for CA
2008 looks set to be another busy year for the Colostomy Association. By the time you read this, it will have already moved its office location in Reading, undertaken a major revamp of its website to provide more information and links, and set up its 500 club. It doesn't stop there though, following the success of its first National Meeting in 2007 (sponsored by Salts Healthcare), the CA has decided to host its own event at Reading University on 11 September and has already had a lot of interest from stoma care manufacturers and suppliers as well as a number of presenters. Planning is still at an early stage but the CA hopes to be able to have a fashion show sponsored by a major high street store. For more information please refer to the Summer Tidings magazine or visit the website. The Open Day season is now in full flow so don’t forget to call at the Colostomy Association stand when you visit an event and have a chat with one of their volunteers. If you would like any further information please contact the CA on Freephone 0800 328 4257, via e-mail at cass@colostomyassociation.org.uk or by mail at 2 London Court, East Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LG.
Get your Walking Shoes on
Time must really be flying by as it’s almost time for the annual Walk for Skin events, once again.
Rather than one national event, Walk for Skin is a series of short sponsored walks at a variety of museums, country parks and stately homes across the UK, which enables people of all abilities and from all parts of the country to take part. The walks are between three and six miles long and should take around an hour to an hour-and-a-half to complete.
This year, there will be added attractions at the Walk for Skin Village; live music, entertainment, refreshments and goody bags including Sanex products for all participants.
The unique event is organised by the British Skin Foundation and is supported by 15 affiliated charities to raise both awareness of, and money for, people with skin diseases.
Salts is inviting Linkline readers to go along to their nearest event and lend their support to a worthwhile cause, while enjoying some fresh air and wonderful scenery.
Salts’ Marketing Manager, Caroline Cowin said: “We’ve been working with the British Skin Foundation for many years, jointly carrying out research into healthy stoma skin so we are proud to be involved in this event and to show our ongoing commitment to the work they do on our behalf.
“This is a great event that people of all ages can get involved in and it’s a fantastic family day out. There’s no registration fee to take part and you aren’t expected to raise vast quantities of money – every little helps. All you have to do is register your details before the walk begins.”
Salts is once again sponsoring the Birmingham Walk which, this year, is being held at Sutton Park – the city’s largest park, covering 2,400 acres of woodlands, heathlands and wetlands. The entire park was recently designated a National Nature Reserve by English Nature.
The park is a remnant of an extensive forest that used to cover much of the Midlands. Sutton Park has retained many ancient features including prehistoric mounds and ruins as well as a Roman road.
A limited number of registration forms are available from Salts Healthcare – please call 0121 333 2000 and ask to be put through to the Marketing department - or you can register online by visiting the BSF website at www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/walk and clicking on ‘How to Register’.
Walk for Skin events will be taking place at:
- LONDON Regent's Park Sunday 27 April
- GLASGOW Pollok Country Park Sunday 11 May
- BRISTOL Ashton Court Estate Sunday 11th May
- BIRMINGHAM Sutton Park Sunday 18 May
- SOUTHAMPTON Itchen Valley Country Park Sunday 8 June
- NEWCASTLE Tyne Riverside Country Park Sunday 15 June
- LEEDS Temple Newsam Sunday 22 June
- CARDIFF Bute Park Sunday 29 June
Events for young IA members
In co-operation with the member organisations of IA throughout the country, the Young IA sub-committee is organising social events to attract new younger members and to support existing ones. These events allow younger individuals to meet up informally, discuss the issues that are important to them and build friendships within the groups. To mirror this successful venture, the internal pouch sub-committee has been organising Pouch Events which are specially designed to provide space for members to get together in a relaxed atmosphere to discuss issues and experiences. For details of upcoming Young IA and Pouch Events, please contact IA national office on 0800 0184 724 or visit their website at www.iasupport.org.
100 years for Medilink customer
Garratt Lane customer, Frances Clifford had the party of a lifetime recently when she celebrated reaching the ripe old age of 100. Frances, who lives just round the corner from the Medilink branch, was thrown a surprise birthday bash by her family, with people travelling from as far as the United States, New Zealand, the north of England and Devon coming to share her big day. Among her many gifts, Frances was presented with a gold bracelet engraved with the names of her children and a photograph album containing her life in pictures, both of which she loved to bits. She was also the proud recipient of a card from the Queen.
Frances said: “Right from being a young girl I suffered from constipation and in 1970 I was finally operated on. Being an ostomist has posed its problems over the years but I have managed to overcome them and enjoy a fulfilling life. I came from a poor but happy family and regardless of my illness I married at 26 and have seven children, 11 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. I consider myself very fortunate.”
A customer of Medilink since her operation, Frances added: “The team at Garratt Lane are always friendly and helpful and it’s nice to know that they are only ever a call away if I need them.”
Describing the centenarian, Customer Care Co-ordinator Pam Harding, who has known Frances for eight years, said: “I try and call in on Frances every few weeks after work to have a cup of tea and a chat with her and I’ve always found her to be a lovely lady; a genuinely warm character with a great sense of humour. She showed me her new photograph album and it’s clear she’s had a really interesting life. Frances is an inspiration to us all.”
Sssssshhhh! Alison goes loud at the library
When Community Stoma Care Nurse Specialist, Alison Roberts was invited to help promote Loud Tie Week for Beating Bowel Cancer, she jumped at the chance to help raise awareness of the illness. She decided to set up an information stand and was asked to tie it in with the ‘Loud’ theme, however, she chose a rather unusual venue in which to carry this out! Alison took bowel cancer to Alcester library which generously offered to host the stand free of charge for the week, and it generated so much interest that the library asked if they could keep it there a few more days.
Alison said: “People don’t like to talk about bowels but bowel cancer affects one in 18 of us so it is important to try and reduce the embarrassment that surrounds the issue. If it is diagnosed and treated early enough, bowel cancer can be cured so this was a really good way of reaching a wide cross section of the community, in a busy focal point of the town, and it proved to be a really successful activity.
“Beating Bowel Cancer provided me with lots of literature and most of the leaflets were taken during the time the stand was up, so people were obviously showing an interest. I also included a pathway from signs and symptoms through different types of investigations, including ultrasound scans, MRI and CT scans to radiotherapy and chemotherapy to help give people a better understanding of how the illness is diagnosed and treated.”
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