NBT Inter Faith Week 11 - 15 November 2024

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NBT is celebrating National Inter Faith Week from 11 to 15 November.

A vibrant range of events during this week are open to all patients, staff, visitors, and members of the public. There is no booking necessary, unless stated.

Join us for an interfaith and intercultural celebration for everyone in our hospital community. We will be raising awareness of faith and cultural needs in and around the hospital. 

The NBT Inter faith week is made up of four types of activities: events, marketplace, performances, and worship. You can find further details on this below. 

Events will include the launch event, talks, art, and creative writing opportunities. The marketplace will be a host of information stands each day on various health topics from cancer awareness, dementia, mental health, and organ donation to religious stands such as Baha’i, Buddhism, Christian and Interfaith. Performances will include music and dance from different beliefs and cultures including Indian, African, Christian, Druid, Baha’i and more. There will be a variety of worship opportunities in the sanctuary throughout the week representing a range of beliefs and traditions.

Location for all events and activities: The Brunel Building, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, BS10 5NB.

Launch Event:

We will launch this in the atrium of the Brunel Building at Southmead Hospital, by the piano, from 12:00 to 13:00 on Monday 11 November where we will be joined by a range of speakers. You are invited to wear traditional dress reflecting your national, cultural, or religious heritage. We will celebrate the richness of our diversity and unity at this launch event.

Questions:

If you have any questions about the week please get in touch with our Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care team. You can also find out more about the support they provide all year round.

Events and talks

Monday, 11 November 2024:

  • 12:00-13:00 - Launch Event for National Inter Faith Week 2024 – open to all – by the piano in the atrium of the Brunel Building, Southmead Hospital. 

Tuesday, 12 November 2024:

  • 9:30-11:00 – Global and Local Conflict Reflective Space - Staff only event – The Sanctuary, Gate 30, led by Staff Psychology. You can book your place for this event on Microsoft Forms.
  • 10:30-12:00 - Finding the Beauty in Illness Creative Arts Workshop with Lottie Barnes - Patient and Public Event - Cherry Tree Room Macmillan Wellbeing Centre. You can book your place for this event on Microsoft Forms.
  • 14:30-16:00 - Finding the Beauty in Illness Creative Arts Workshop with Lottie Barnes - Staff only - Cherry Tree Room. You can book your place for this event on Microsoft Forms.

Wednesday, 13 November 2024:

  • 15:30-17:00 – Global and Local Conflict Reflective Space - Staff only event - Online event, Learning and Research Building, led by Staff Psychology. You can book your place for this event on Microsoft Forms.

Thursday, 14 November 2024:

  • 11:00-11:30 – Baha’i talk – Spiritual needs of Baha’i patients and life after death – open to all – The Sanctuary, Gate 30, Brunel Building, Southmead Hospital.
  • 14:00-15:00 Writing Nature – Join poet, Claire Williamson, to explore how our various connections with nature can inform our lives and landscapes, by writing creatively together. No experience necessary. All materials provided. There will be two 30-minute workshops in the Community Arts Room, Gate 0. There is a limit to 8 people for each session so if you wish to book, please book your place for this event on Microsoft Forms.
  • 14:00-6:30 – Inter Faith Reps Meeting - Faith leaders only event – The Sanctuary, Gate 30, Brunel Building, Southmead Hospital.

Marketplace

The information marketplace will have the following stalls throughout the week. Stalls will take place between 10:00 and 16:00. They will be in the Atrium Area C by Gate 24, the Brunel Building, Southmead Hospital. 

Come and meet the stall holders, gain information and gather resources. Everyone is welcome.

Monday 11 November 2024:

  • Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care (SPaRC) Chaplaincy 
  • Black Asian Minority Ethnic network
  • Interfaith 
  • Interpreting and Translation 
  • Haemoglobinopathy UHBW
  • Maternity Services
  • Cancer Awareness 

Tuesday 12 November 2024:

  • Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care (SPaRC) Chaplaincy 
  • Staff Experience and Culture
  • Buddhism
  • Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service
  • Interfaith

Wednesday 13 November 2024:

  • Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care (SPaRC) Chaplaincy 
  • Christian Prayer Group
  • Interfaith
  • Baha’i Spirituality and Healing Art Project
  • Maternity Services
  • NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre

Thursday 14 November 2024:

  • Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care (SPaRC) Chaplaincy 
  • Baha’i information (morning only)
  • Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service
  • Baha’i Spirituality and Healing Art Project (afternoon only)

Friday 15 November 2024:

  • Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care (SPaRC) Chaplaincy 
  • Mental Health
  • Interfaith
  • People Promise - We are compassionate and inclusive 

Performances

Our performances will take place in the atrium, Area D, Brunel Building, located next to the Piano. Everyone is welcome to view the performances.

Monday 11 November 2024

  • 10:45-11:15 Armistice Day Act of Remembrance
  • 11:15-12:00 – Dance for Dementia 
  • 13:00-13:30 – Taizé Music
  • 14:00-16:30 – Zangi – Guitar and Voice – Kenya/English Church, Gospel, Reggae, Afro music

Tuesday 12 November 2024

  • 10:30-11:00 – Druid “sing for your soul”
  • 12:00-12:30 - Druid “sing for your soul”
  • 13:30-16:30 – Alain Rouamba and Servo Mputu – Kora, Mbira, Kamale Ngoni, Djembe, Congas, Cajon, Guitar. Fusion of West and Central African Musical Traditions

Wednesday 13 November 2024

  • 11:00-12:30 - Companion Voices
  • 13:00-13:30 - Dance from the Avon Indian Community Association 
  • 14:00-14:45 – Sacred Dance
  • 15:00-16:00 – Jenny Cole Singers - Christian Gospel

Thursday 14 November 2024

  • 9:30-12:30 – Özcan Ates and Pippa Craggs- Turkish Kurd Refugee Singer and Musician. Özcan is a gifted player of the bağlama, a long-necked lute used traditionally in Ottoman classical and Turkish folk music, and now adopted by a new generation.
  • 13:30-16:30 - Amruta Garud – Indian Music Harmonium, Tanpura, Indian Drum

Worship

All the worship sessions below will take place in The Sanctuary, Gate 30 in the Brunel Building, Southmead Hospital. Everyone is welcome to join these worship sessions.

Monday 11 November 2024

  • 9:15-9:45 – Christian Prayer
  • 12:00-13:00 – Christian Bible Study Group
  • 13:30-14:15 – Taizé Music and Prayer 

Tuesday 12 November 2024

  • 9:00-9:15 – Christian Prayer (note change to usual time)
  • 11:00-12:00 – Baha’i Sound Bath and Prayer for Unity
  • 12:30-13:00 – Breathing Space Staff Wellbeing Meditation  
  • 14:00-14:30 – Buddhist Meditations

Wednesday 13 November 2024

  • 9:15-9:45 – Christian Prayer
  • 10:00-11:00 – Interfaith winter reflections
  • 12:30-13:00 – Christian Prayer Group
  • 13:30-15:30 – Baha’i art inspired meditation

Thursday 14 November 2024

  • 9:15-9:45  – Christian Prayer
  • 12:00-13:15 – Inter Faith Prayers for Health with prayers from a range of faith representatives

Friday 15 November 2024

  • 9:15-9:45 – Christian Prayer
  • 10:00-11:00 – Interfaith winter reflections
  • 11:00-11:30 – Sikh Prayers for Health 
  • 11:45-12:45 – Baha’i Prayers and Music
  • 13:00-14:00 – Muslim Jum’a Salaah
  • 14:15-15:15 – Baha’i Prayers

Thank you!

A massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to this fantastic programme. We are grateful to all our staff, patients, volunteers, performers and faith and cultural leaders for their support in making this week happen. We hope you enjoy engaging with the activities and feel part of a faith and cultural celebration which includes everyone.

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Self-referral for Pelvic Health Physiotherapy at North Bristol NHS Trust

Submitted by Stew Bayldon on
Who can the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy team help?
This service is available for women and people assigned female at birth, who are over the age of 16 and have any of the symptoms listed below.
Physiotherapy can help a range of pelvic health conditions which include:

Problems with your pelvic floor muscles at any stage in life:
•    Leaking urine
•    Leaking poo/wind
•    Bladder or bowel urgency
•    Pelvic organ prolapse
•    Pelvic pain

Problems occurring in pregnancy or after birth:

•    Pelvic girdle pain
•    Lower back pain 
•    Rib pain 
•    Hip pain 
•    Coccyx pain

These are common problems that can affect women and people assigned female at birth but they are not something you have to put up with, seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist can help to reduce or resolve these problems.

What is self-referral and what do I need to do?
Self-referral is another way of getting to see a pelvic health Physiotherapist. It means that you don’t need to see the GP and wait for them to refer you. 

Please complete all questions on the form, this is to help the Physio team decide on the correct treatment for you.  Any incomplete forms will not be accepted and you risk not being seen by the physio team.

If you are unable to complete the form, please ask your GP, Midwife or healthcare professional for help.

Who is the self-referral NOT for?
The referral is not for men, children or for separation of the stomach muscles (diastasis recti of the abdominus muscle).  These will need to be referred to the Pelvic Health team by your GP.
What will happen next?
A specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist will look at the information you have written on the form and then once you are near the top of the waiting list you will be contacted with an appointment.  The treatment you receive will be the same as if your GP had referred you.
How do I know if I should see my GP?
If you have any concerns, you can always make an appointment to see your GP in the usual way and ask for a Physiotherapy referral or self-refer once you have seen them.

General screening 

The below information is about your general health, not just your pelvic health problem and it's important that you read it carefully. This will make sure that any potential serious problems or 'red flags' are dealt with correctly by your GP or healthcare professional. 

You will have opportunity to tell us about your pelvic health symptoms further down the page.

If you have any of the following symptoms, please speak to a GP before referring yourself to pelvic health physiotherapy:

  • Burning or stinging sensation when you pee
  • Blood in your pee.
  • Unusual or unexpected bleeding or staining from the vagina.
  • Blood in your poo (without other symptoms of piles).
  • Persistent change in your bowel habit (needing to go more often, having runny poo and sometimes tummy pain).
  • Persistent lower tummy pain, bloating or discomfort (always caused by eating and maybe associated with loss of appetite or significant weight loss).

I have read and understood the above, and I don’t have any of the above symptoms

Tick one of the boxes below

Please see your GP/Healthcare provider if you are unsure or do not understand the information above. Please ask them to make the referral for you, once you have discussed your problem with them.

Cauda equina 

Cauda Equina Syndrome is a rare but severe condition where the nerves at the bottom of the spine become compressed. 

If you have new sudden and severe low back pain and/or leg pain AND any of the following symptoms which started within the last two weeks, or your symptoms are getting worse then please do not complete this form and call NHS 111 or attend A&E as you may require immediate medical attention:

  • Loss of feeling pins and needles between your inner thighs or genitals.
  • Numbness in or around your anus or buttocks.
  • Altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself.
  • Increasing difficulty when you try to stop or control your flow of pee.
  • Loss of sensation when you pee.
  • Leaking urine or recent need to use pads.
  • Not knowing when your bladder is either full or empty.
  • Unable to hold on when you need to poo or leak poo.
  • Inability to stop a bowel movement or leaking.
  • Loss of sensation in the vulva/vagina during sexual intercourse.

If you have had low back pain and/or leg pain AND any of the symptoms above for more than two weeks and they are not getting worse then please make an appointment with your GP, before seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist.

I have read and understood the above, and I don’t have any of the above symptoms

Tick one of the boxes below

Please see your GP/Healthcare provider if you are unsure or do not understand the information above. Please ask them to make the referral for you, once you have discussed your problem with them.


Referring yourself to Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Please complete all the details below and press submit.

Address, including postcode:
Can we leave a voice message?
Are you currently serving in the armed forces and require treatment that is unable to be provided within forces medical services?
Does your condition prevent you from providing care to a dependent you live with?
Have you ever been diagnosed with a Learning Disability?
Do you need an interpreter?


Your pelvic health problem

Your symptoms

Please select all that apply. 

Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms:
Pregnancy or postnatal musculoskeleteal related symptoms (under six months from delivery):

Duration

How long have you had this problem?

Getting worse?

Are your symptoms getting worse?

Pregnancy

Are you, or have you in the last year been, pregnant?
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This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
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If you live in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire you will be able to self-refer to see a member of the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy team.

We can also accept referrals from your GP, Consultant, Midwife or other healthcare professional.

Accessing NHS Careers Mentoring scheme

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Accessing NHS Careers Mentoring scheme

We offer support and training to help you get into employment. 

You will have an assigned mentor and access to many optional training sessions, all to get you closer to your dream career!

What we can offer you

A mentor

Your mentor will help you to develop a plan to achieve your goals, and support you along the way.

Courses and Qualifications

We can offer maths, English, IT, Employability and much more!

Practical Experience

We can arrange work experience and shadowing in your chosen career

Career Guidance

We offer career guidance, from CV preparation and simulated interviews to help with apprenticeships and further study.

Register

To register visit https://forms.office.com/e/PveinnCeyU or email Dre.Williams@nbt.nhs.uk

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is working in partnership with NBNHST to deliver the Mayoral Priority Skills Fund. This find provides flexible grant to meet the current priority skills gaps in the region. This project is funded/part -funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. For more information visit www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/employment-skills/mayoral-priority-skills-fund and www.skillsconnect.org.uk 

Funded by UK Government

Funded by UK Government

Levelling up

Levelling Up

Skills connect

Skills Connect

WECA

WECA

Commitment to Our Community

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Being an anchor in our Community is one of our key Trust objectives. This in an important part of our Trust strategy, launched in February 2023 with our overall aim of delivering outstanding patient experience. An overview of the strategy can be found on the Trust Strategy page. 

We take pride in being an ‘Anchor in our Community’ and the Commitment to our Community improvement priority focuses on how we can reduce inequalities, improve health outcomes and how we can make sure that our staff are truly representative of the communities that we serve in and around Bristol. 

We have recently launched our Commitment to Our Community Plan which aims to:

  • Focus on increasing the number of people employed at NBT from our local communities, particularly supporting people from an ethnic minority background and those from socio-economically disadvantaged areas in and around Bristol.
  • Address recruitment disparities for candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds where the data tells us that people are less likely to be appointed from shortlisting.

What do we plan to do?

  • Work with our local schools, colleges, councils, and community areas to provide mentoring and skills support for local residents into employment, apprenticeship, and career opportunities at NBT.
  • Provide a range of support to help people become work ready and improve their employability skills.
  • Review our current recruitment processes to make sure that they are accessible and equitable and introduce more targeted recruitment and selection interventions that reduce the disparity that exists.
  • Work with a range of disadvantaged groups to support them into employment, apprenticeship, and career opportunities at NBT.

What can you do?

Explore our career opportunities on the Careers page, we have a wide range of roles to suit your interest and work in an environment that gives you the chance to make a difference every single day. 

If you would like to find out more about the Commitment to Our Community Plan and what support is available to you, please contact our careers inbox for any inquiries: careers@nbt.nhs.uk

Ongoing Commitment

This plan is just one part of our Commitment to Our Community to support and engage with our local areas. Stay tuned for more initiatives and updates as we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive community together.

Together, we can make a real difference.

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Immunology & Immunogenetics Laboratory Contact Details

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Departmental Secretaries
Telephone: 0117 4148396

Immunology Laboratory
Telephone: 0117 4148378

Cellular Immunology/Immunophenotyping
Telephone: 0117 4148377

Tissue Typing
Telephone: 0117 4148375

Dr Mark Gompels
Consultant Immunologist
Telephone: 0117 4148396

Dr Sarah Johnston
Consultant Immunologist
Telephone: 0117 4148396

Dr Alexandros Grammatikos
Consultant Immunologist
Telephone: 0117 4148396

Dr Phil Bright
Consultant Immunologist
Telephone: 0117 4148396

Dr Adrian Heaps
Head of Department
Telephone: 0117 4148473

Sarinder Day
Lead Clinical Scientist Immunogenetics
Telephone: 0117 4148365

Nigel Noel
Lead Health Care Scientist Flow Cytometry
Telephone: 0117 4148561

Allison Brixey
Blood Sciences Laboratory Manager
Telephone: 0117 4148416

Joanne Skingley
Blood Sciences Operations Manager
Telephone: 0117 4148498

Cosmia Mutton
Quality Manager
Telephone: 0117 4148372

For Allergy and Immunology clinical advice, the clinicians and nursing team can be contacted:
1. via the secretaries on 0117 4143456, 9-5, no on-call service provided
2. via switchboard to our individual mobiles if clinician specific advice required, 9-5
3. via the immunology SpR bleep 9287, 9-5, no on-call service provided

General public enquiries should be directed to your GP in the first instance.

 

Contact Immunology & Immunogenetics

Head of Department
Dr Adrian Heaps
Telephone: 0117 4148473

Clinical Lead
Dr Sarah Johnston
Telephone: 0117 4148370

Blood Sciences Laboratory Manager
Allison Brixey
Telephone: 0117 4148416

General Enquiries/Secretaries
Telephone: 0117 4143456

E-mail: immunology@nbt.nhs.uk

Normal Laboratory Hours
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

Immunology & Immunogenetics Laboratory Contact Details

Research

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Research & Development

Research forms an integral part of the Trust. Encouraging a research-positive culture in healthcare is important to give patients wider access to clinical research, improving treatment outcomes, patient care and experience. NBT is proud to be a centre of excellence for health research and the holders of the Investors in People Silver accreditation. You do not always need to have research experience to join our team. 

What specialities can I work in within Research?

Research opportunities

NBT cares

Research Nurse / Midwife/ AHP

Research Nurse Deanna

Clinical Research Practitioner

Clinical Research Practioner

Research Administrator

Research Admin Sally

Research Support Roles

Research Support Roles

My Role in Research

Our 'My Role in Research' series aims to delve a little deeper into a variety of roles within Research. Discover their stories here. 

Current Research Vacancies

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Immunology – HLA Typing & Renal Crossmatching

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HLA Typing, Serum Screening and Renal Crossmatching
Full HLA types are determined for both recipients of organ transplants and potential organ donors. The laboratory offers comprehensive serum screening of potential transplant recipients for HLA antibodies.  The results, together with information on HLA sensitisation events such as blood transfusion, pregnancies and previous transplants, aid in selecting patients for transplant. Finally donor organs are crossmatched against recipient serum to confirm compatibility prior to transplant.

HLA Typing for Drug Hypersensitivities
Screening for HLA-B*57:01 which is associated with hypersensitivity to the drug abacavir, used in HIV treatment, is offered by the laboratory.

HLA Typing for Disease Associations 
Some HLA types have specific disease associations, the most common are given below. Whilst the laboratory is able to offer screening  for these HLA types, it is  important to remember that these are associated with, but not diagnostic for, the disease in question.

HLA TypeAssociated Diseases
HLA-B27Ankylosing Spondylitis, Uvieitis
HLA-B51(5)Behcets Syndrome
HLA-A29Birdshot Chorioretinopathy (Birdshot Uveitis)
DQ6(DQB1*06:02)Narcolepsy
HLA-DQ2,DQ8(3)                                                 Coeliac Disease
Test Information Immunology – HLA Typing & Renal Crossmatching

Professor Paul Abrams - Urology

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GMC number: 1449543

Professor Paul Abrams

Year & location of first qualification: 1970 Sheffield University

Specialty: Urology

Clinical interests: These included the assessment and management of Female and Male Lower urinary tract conditions and diseases such as urinary incontinence and prostatic obstruction.

Administrator: Karen Evely Bristol Urological Institute

Secretary phone number: 0117 414 7942

Extensive research record with, over 700 publications and more than 62,000 citations of papers of which I am an author and an “h” number of 104. Currently involved in research and teaching as well as health improvement programmes for NHS England (Chair of Bladder Working Group) and Bladder and Bowel Confidence (Associate Director) the Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Team

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Life or honorary member of the major urological organisations worldwide.

Abrams