Multiple successes for Sheffield at patient information awards
A website which provides advice and guidance for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) patients who are considering having a feeding tube placed had a treble success at the British Medical Association Patient Information Awards.
The myTube website won the User Engagement and Information Produced by Trusts categories, and was runner-up in the Decision Making category.
It was one of four Sheffield-based projects to enjoy success. A patient information leaflet, How to make a Thickened Drink, was a winner in the Easy Read category for accessible information, while an animated video about radiotherapy and a guide for children with dental anxiety were highly commended.
myTube was collaboration between MND patients and their carers, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, the University of Sheffield and filmmakers Optical Jukebox.
It contains a series of short films documenting how people with MND made the decision to have a feeding tube placed; their experience of the tube being placed; how they use and care for the tube; and a carer’s perspective.
The co-design process led to a user-friendly educational resource, offered in bite-sized sections with an easy to navigate website structure.
The Director of the BMA Patient Information Awards, Richard Jones, said: “The involvement of patients and carers was exemplary. The website is well-organised and the videos are compelling viewing, and a perfect medium for instructional information.”
The leaflet How to Make a Thickened Drink was developed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and aimed to provide accessible information for people with aphasia who have swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
Aphasia leads to problems using language correctly, and is caused by damage to parts of the brain responsible for understanding and using language.
The leaflet involved collaboration between Speech and Language Therapy, Patient Partnership and Medical Illustration departments, and individuals with aphasia who attend the University of Sheffield's 'Aphasia Café’.
BMA reviewer Amanda Cool said: “There is clear evidence that the resource has been pulled together from a wide team of experts, and has included patients in the feedback process before going to print. It uses very clear, simple language and has the added benefit of pictures to explain the information. It is a really well-thought out and well-presented resource.”
The video Rita May’s Story: Radiotherapy at Weston Park Hospital, was highly commended.
The short animated video was voiced by TV actress Rita May, who underwent radiotherapy treatment at Weston Park Hospital.
It aims to improve awareness of the life-saving treatment and dispel myths and anxieties. It is based on Rita’s own treatment experience.
A self-help guide for children who are afraid of going to the dentist, called ‘Your teeth, you are in control’, was also highly commended.
The guide was developed with children and uses cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to reduce anxiety. The research was led by academics at the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry and sponsored by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
The Chief Executive of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sir Andrew Cash, said: “There is so much fantastic work going on within the Trust and with our partners, and it is great to see that these projects have been recognised with these awards.
“All of them can make a real difference to the care of patients and their experience of our services. Congratulations to everybody involved.”
• Visit myTube at mytube.mymnd.org.uk
• Watch Rita May’s story at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHR1t-0F4a8&feature=youtu.be
• Read the dental guides at dental.llttf.com
ENDS
Photo: The myTube team receive their award
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