Page 7 - Community Health magazine - issue 38

Shirley’s scheme to recycle

crutches wins national

acclaim for going green

Lead Occupational Therapist Shirley Rashid has been
shortlisted for a national award for an elbow crutch
recycling scheme.
Shirley is one of just four finalists in the Greener Allied Health Supervised brushing
Professions Award 2023, which recognises a team or individual
who has made an improvement to patient care, while at the scheme pilot to
same time reduced healthcare’s environmental impact. launch in Kent
Previously getting crutches for people in the community
involved ordering them and patients having to wait several A new supervised tooth brushing
weeks – and the crutches were non-returnable. pilot is launching in Kent schools to
Thanks to Shirley, there is now a stock of crutches help prevent tooth decay in children.
readily available at our community hospitals and other Reception classes in eight schools
sites and they can be returned. Work is underway to will brush with the guidance of their
set up stores at Victoria Hospital in Deal and Tonbridge teacher every day for two minutes with
Community Hospital. a fluoride toothpaste. The pilot follows
Shirley said: “We wanted to increase the return rate of a successful programme run by our
equipment we prescribe and increase responsible recycling and London Community Dental Team.
re-use. With the scheme, patients get the crutches quicker and
feel better that they can return them to the NHS.”
The winner will be announced mid-October.
Not just a tick box

Asking for your personal information
when you have an appointment with
us, such as your ethnicity, is not just a
tick box exercise.
This information is crucial in
supporting our communities and
helping to prevent ill-health. For
example, evidence shows people with
a black African or Caribbean heritage
are disproportionately affected by
high blood pressure, stroke and end
stage renal failure in comparison to
white people.
Your personal information will stay
confidential but will help us plan
services and support to make sure
everyone has the same opportunity
Celebrating a summer of Pride to lead a healthy life.

It’s been a proud summer as KCHFT cheers and applause. It was a glorious
colleagues joined other NHS teams from day filled with glorious people, all coming
across Kent to celebrate Pride events across together to celebrate the importance of
the south east. equity, diversity and inclusion.”
Canterbury was the first stop on the Our Immunisations Team, Sexual Health
tour as the KCHFT team included members Services, One You and public health
from our LGBTQ+ Staff Network and colleagues were on-hand to offer advice
Executive Team. and support to the thousands of people
Chief Nurse Dr Mercia Spare said: “It was celebrating diversity, equity and progress.
wonderful to hear the support for everyone Colleagues went on to represent KCHFT
who marched in the parade, but particularly at Hastings, Gravesham, Deal and Medway
for the NHS as everyone showered us with Pride events throughout the summer.

www.kentcht.nhs.uk 7