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Venue: Education Centre, Nevill Hall Hospital
Summary: Previous Dilla Nurses Visit, Oxygen Concentrators, Neo-natal Incubator and Books, Spring Evening Fundraising, Welsh Assembly Government and Links, Dr Aberra’s CME, Support from Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, WHO Meeting - First GIEESS, Institutional Link between Cardiff and Awassa, Fundraising Talk, Report of Recent Visits to Ethiopia, Presentations by Visitors to Southern Ethiopia, Report of NHS Link Meeting by Peter Sampson… Contents - Present
- Apologies
- Minutes of the Last Meeting
- Previous Dilla Nurses Visit
- Oxygen Concentrators, Neo-natal Incubator and Books
- Spring Evening Fundraising
- Welsh Assembly Government and Links
- Dr Aberra’s CME
- Support from Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust
- WHO Meeting - First GIEESS
- Institutional Link between Cardiff and Awassa
- Fundraising Talk
- Report of Recent Visits to Ethiopia
- Presentations by Visitors to Southern Ethiopia
- Report of NHS Link Meeting - Peter Sampson
- Any other business
- Date of next meeting
Present
Sally Venn, Peter Dale, Peter Sampson (Chair), Sandy Holt-Wilson, Biku Ghosh, Carole Garrick Apologies
Wendy Warren, Marieke Datema, Dave Sanders, Prof Helen Houston, Dave Williams, Amanda Davies, Rachel Morgan, Aideen Naughton, Asoka Weerakkody Minutes of the Last Meeting
Agreed as accurate Previous Dilla Nurses Visit
Biku reported that Amanda Davies had received a report from one of the nurses who had visited South Wales from Ethiopia. Unfortunately, the contents of this was not known. Oxygen Concentrators, Neo-natal Incubator and Books
Biku reported that the oxygen concentrators and books had arrived safely and have now been distributed. One of the oxygen concentrators has been sent to Yirgalem Hospital. The incubator, as was previously discussed has been sent to Awassa Hospital. Spring Evening Fundraising
Eighty attended this excellent evening which all agreed was successful. Approximately £620 was raised. Biku Ghosh has thanked the singers and choir. Welsh Assembly Government and Links
Sally Venn reported that there has been no recent direct contact from WAG. She was awaiting documents regarding the Link’s meetings. Jon Townley is apparently collating responses from the various Links. It is understood that money from WAG is available but has not yet been used. Action: Sally Venn to write to Jon Townley regarding the current status and use of funds. Dr Aberra’s CME
Biku reported that it is likely that Dr Aberra is likely to be spending at least part of his sabbatical in South Africa. This is awaiting confirmation and is likely to take place over the period of three or four months. Support from Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust
Those present were pleased to hear that you had received a letter from Stephen Hunter acknowledging his support for the Link. This was discussed further and Peter Sampson had offered to contact Stephen Hunter regarding an understanding of what the Trust would offer to those who are visiting Ethiopia on behalf of the Link. This would include, for example, leave arrangements. Action: Peter Sampson to discuss with Stephen Hunter WHO Meeting - First GIEESS
Biku updated those present regarding feedback from WHO including the needs for surgical input etc. The next meeting takes place in October 2006 when further information will be available. Institutional Link between Cardiff and Awassa
Both Cardiff and Awassa have now both agreed to develop the appropriate Links. Documents have been exchanged between both parties. Dr Yrfu (Dean of Awassa College) has made recent contact to initiate staff exchanges. Those present were pleased to hear that this exchange is now showing signs of progressing forward. It was suggested that the British Council may have funds available to help support this. Fundraising Talk
This had recently taken place and, once again Mr Asoka Weerakkody had made an excellent presentation. Report of Recent Visits to Ethiopia
The Link members present were grateful for written reports received from Dave Williams and Carole Garrick who both visited Awassa between the 3rd and 18th March 2006. Dave Williams was, unfortunately unable to attend the Link meeting and present his report. However, concerns were raised both from Dave and the Link members present that originally a team of four were planning to visit Awassa but because of lack of availability only Dave attended. However, Dave was accompanied by Carole Carrick, Head of Midwifery Services and by his wife, Linda. Dave was very grateful for the support that Linda had provided for both himself and Carole with the provision of teaching and secretarial support. Dave Williams had mentioned concerns regarding the use of equipment left in Dilla including the glucometers and haemoglobinometers and also poor communication from Dilla since the EMLA Workshop. Dave mentioned that they felt that future visits should be concentrating on laboratory staff training rather than student teaching. They have also had various comments regarding hotel accommodation in both Awassa and Dilla. Carole Garrick briefly presented a very comprehensive written report to those present. There were areas that Carole had shown as concern. These included her concern regarding the clinical skills of midwives who had as much as fourteen years experience. Academically she thought their knowledge was good but their practical skills rather poor. She had noted specific details difficulties in inherent practices, for example the first delivery occurring at home and the apparent illogicality of that. She had major concerns regarding the management of obstructed labour and uterine rupture. Carole progressed to discuss the lack of local teaching resources for midwives. She felt these were very limited. However, Carole did discuss the procedures which are being undertaken from midwives which, in the UK would normally be undertaken by medical staff. Carole further discussed the very large number of students in each class and the teaching difficulties which came with this. Carole did find teaching difficult, as has been noted by previous visitors with presentation on screens in light rooms being a significant problem. Once again Carole noted the problems with feedback from students and the often lack of questions after presentations. Carole was able to undertake a significant amount of practical teaching. Carole was able to visit Awassa centre and discussed her concerns regarding the facilities available. Like many previous visitors she had noted important pieces of equipment being stored in rooms which appeared not to have been used. Carole had concerns regarding equipment available in Dilla Hospital, including its cleanliness. Carole briefly discussed a meeting she had had to explore further the nursing and midwifery links. Carole has discussed this with Wendy Warren including student midwife mentorship links between Ethiopia and Cardiff and Royal Glamorgan obstetric units. Finally, Carole briefly discussed her thoughts upon future developments of this area of our Link. The members present encouraged everyone to read Carole’s comprehensive report. Presentations by Visitors to Southern Ethiopia
Each of the visitors to the various hospitals and units over the previous years have commented upon the difficulties of giving visual presentations in light rooms without any screens or curtains. This was discussed further and it was agreed that it would be most helpful if screens can be provided for showing the, for example, overhead presentations. Curtains may be present in many of the rooms but these often do not fit and cut out little light. Dr Dale offered to write to Dr Aberra to ask if this could be improved. Action: Peter Dale to write to Dr Aberra (already undertaken). Report of NHS Link Meeting - Peter Sampson
Peter Sampson provided a document entitled ‘Sharing Best Practice’ to the members present in the meeting. Peter expanded upon the format of this meeting which he thought was very good. Peter had reflected upon this meeting, the lessons learnt and the importance of getting the managers involved. He had raised further questions and concerns including measuring the usefulness of the Link and the need for more than one visit to clearly recognise the difficulties involved in running Links. Action: Peter offered to bring further copies of his documents to the next meeting. Any other business
Biku fed back regarding the taskforce report and progress in staffing regional clinics. This included the equipment required for five health centres in the southern region. Some equipment has already arrived for two of these and the identification of those for further training has commenced. The importance of the ‘Training the Trainers’ course as part of setting up these clinics was raised. Our Link would take part in the ‘Training the Trainers’ course and hope that this could be cascaded down. The Link would also provide midwifery training which would also be cascaded. This would include two health centre nurses. It was hoped that funding from the British Embassy and our Link would support these regional health centres. Biku Ghosh had had contact regarding the Trust telephone policy. Calls to Ethiopia are estimated to be about £40 per month. Nevill Hall Hospital cannot pay this and it was agreed that the Link should be funding these calls. Peter Dale has been asked by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to present to the International Child Health Meeting in November. Biku Ghosh is due to be presenting a talk regarding our Link to the Royal College of Surgeons and also to Nevill Hall Hospital. Sandy Holt Wilson is planning to talk to EBC in June. Date of next meeting
28th June 2006 at 5.15 pm at Nevill Hall Education Centre
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Meeting Minutes 
