Husband and wife Jonathan and Sharon Portner Follow our X account @RoyalFreeNHS to see what our patients and staff are saying about us “Sharing our road to recovery” 3 to the March/April edition of our bi-monthly staff, members and governors’ magazine. Our first staff survey results as a newly enlarged organisation have been published this month. What I’m most pleased about is that the RFL has exceeded the national results in the majority of categories, with our scores showing stability and resilience through a year of massive organisational change. Analysis will now be taking place to see what improvements are needed to make sure we keep striving to make the RFL the best place to work. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey – read about our results on page 10. We launched our new intranet for staff in November last year in response to your feedback on intranet access. We fundamentally redesigned the platform with input from staff across the organisation. Since then, you have logged in and started using the new features it has to offer – including personalising your homepage and completing tasks. Find out about how to get the most out of Freenet on pages 6 and 7. On page 5, you can read about North Mid’s paediatric emergency department team who have received national recognition for their work supporting children and young people with autism. As we welcome the start of the new NHS year, we are collectively driving improvements across all our services – I am excited about what we will achieve in the year ahead. As always, and particularly in current times, please take a moment to check in on your colleagues and look after one another, and yourself. Thank you for all that you do. When a couple thanked Jonathan and Sharon Portner for sharing their live kidney donation story at the end of an information evening, it felt like things had come full circle. Grateful for the care they had received, Jonathan and Sharon happily agreed when their transplant nurse co-ordinators asked if they would consider telling their story. They agreed to speak at an event in the RFH atrium after recalling how much hearing from others had reassured them ahead of their own life-changing procedure. Jonathan, 74, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) four years ago as a complication of long-standing type 2 diabetes. After a couple of years monitoring his condition, Jonathan, a retired dentist, was told he would either need dialysis or a transplant, and he was referred to the RFH. The couple’s three children, and even Jonathan’s 85-year-old mother-in-law, offered to donate a kidney. But 64-year-old Sharon, a podcast producer, was determined she would be the donor. Sharon said: “I didn’t feel brave or heroic, I just felt certain that this was the right thing to do. I met with the nephrologist and underwent extensive testing. No stone was left unturned in making sure I would be sufficiently healthy and a suitable donor. “Everyone we encountered in the Royal Free Hospital’s kidney transplant team was thorough, professional and caring. Everyone worked together like a well-oiled machine.” There was also a thorough consent process, giving both the donor and recipient plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Jonathan said: “We found the education session at Edgware kidney care clinic invaluable. You can ask anything on your mind in a small group as nothing is too trivial.” Asha Johnson was Jonathan’s transplant recipient co-ordinator and Catherine O’Malley became Sharon’s donor co-ordinator. “Not only were they caring and gave helpful advice, but each one made us feel like we were their only patient,” said Sharon. Preparing for life after surgery meant making practical arrangements such as filling the freezer. Sharon cleared space in her diary, cancelling anything unimportant and the couple’s children set up a WhatsApp group for friends and family. She said: “This turned out to be incredibly important as it kept everyone informed when we simply didn’t have the energy to respond to phone calls, messages or unannounced visits, however wellintentioned they were.” Sharon spent five days in hospital, while Jonathan stayed a week after surgery. As they reflected on their recovery, both emphasised just how important patience had been. Sharon explained: “I’m back exercising, seeing friends, managing family life and living perfectly normally with one kidney. If you’re considering becoming a living donor the process is rigorous and very carefully planned because your safety matters. You’re supported at every stage and ultimately it is about informed consent and helping someone you care about.” Jonathan concluded: “Thankfully my new kidney has worked well from day one. I’m slowly building up my fitness as well as socialising and driving more. We’re profoundly grateful to the entire Royal Free Hospital kidney team for their dedication, professionalism, outstanding care and ongoing support.” Hello and welcome Peter Landstrom Group chief executive Key to abbreviations: Barnet Hospital: BH Chase Farm Hospital: CFH North Middlesex University Hospital: North Mid Royal Free Hospital: RFH Royal Free London: RFL 2
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