PEOPLE
Meet the Ridgeway Hospital Team
It ’ s a time of growth and celebration at Wroughton ’ s Ridgeway Hospital as it celebrates 40 years of service to the community . Securing the hospital ’ s future success , the Circle Health Group has recently made a significant investment in the facilities and services it offers to patients .
Expansion and refurbishment works are due to be completed this autumn and will include 10 brand new outpatient rooms , 3 new state-of-the art outpatient treatment rooms , an expanded Oncology unit and refurbished Gymnasium .
At the rear of the hospital there will be a new entrance atrium with improved pedestrian access , and additional parking spaces .
The investment is vital to ensure the hospital continues to provide exemplary levels of service and care under the guidance of its dedicated team .
Read on to find out about some of the people working tirelessly to keep Ridgeway Hospital at the forefront of the region ’ s care services .
Name : Dept :
Mark Liefhebber Physiotherapy
Service : 26 years
What do you love most about working at Ridgeway ? Location , size , atmosphere and people . The Ridgeway environment has allowed me to fully utilise my musculoskeletal out-patient skills gained from both degree and post-grad training .
What ’ s it like to be part of the team ? There is camaraderie with colleagues and ease of interdepartmental , consultant and senior management communication .
What ’ s the most rewarding part of your job ? Helping patients achieve their physical goals and in the process understand their own bodies better .
Can you share one of your favourite patient stories ? My favourite stories are usually about those patients who have had their quality of life much improved with my help following trauma . Equally a favourite are those patients who feed back to me that they have a much more positive view of physiotherapy following the therapy . Healthy moving , posture and exercising gives the patient a new life skill , in a way .
What are your thoughts on the hospital ’ s growth / expansion ? It ’ s another positive sign of progress , very much keeping up with the current demands on private healthcare . It will provide more private rooms for consultants , nurses and other clinical staff to their patients .
Name : Dept :
Michael Rigby Clinical Chair
Service : 20 years
What do you love most about working at Ridgeway ? I always look forward to my days at the Ridgeway . Whilst it has gone through numerous changes and undergone modernisation it has always retained the same friendly family feel and there is always a warm welcome .
What ’ s it like to be part of the team ? For the past three years I have been on the management team , which has been a rewarding time .
What ’ s the most rewarding part of your job ? It is refreshing to be able to hear ideas from staff , help instigate change and see improvements .
What are your thoughts on the hospital ’ s growth / expansion ? The current developments are very exciting . Our new outpatients will offer extended space for more appointments but also decongest other areas . Whilst there will be better facilities for patient treatment , there will also be improvements to their experience , with a new atrium , reception and refreshments . The rehabilitation of our patients will be enhanced , and I am sure we can further improve our rapid recovery program . This has already seen our average length of stay after a joint replacement drop from five days to around 40 hours !
Name : Dept :
Sarah Hibbert
Service : 24 years
Senior Management Team
What do you love most about working at Ridgeway ? No two days are the same , as each one brings exciting challenges that lead to opportunities , which keeps me highly motivated .
What ’ s it like to be part of the team ? I am filled with a true sense of belonging . Team Ridgeway continually strive to exceed patient expectations in all we do and , despite not all staff being patient-facing , everyone ’ s role to achieve this is recognised , which makes me very proud .
What ’ s the most rewarding part of your job ? Seeing a patient leaving the hospital with a big smile on their face having received treatment that enhances their quality of life .
Can you share with us one of your favourite patient stories ? Many years ago , we undertook a piece of work to demonstrate the benefit of undergoing ophthalmology surgery , particularly improvement in sight post-cataract surgery . Many patients took the opportunity to write a few words of gratitude , but to hear from those who were able to see the colours of flowers in their gardens , or be able to go to the library and select a book with normal-sized print , left me speechless . I no longer take the simple things in life for granted as , without the option of medical intervention , they could be lost forever .
What are your thoughts on the hospital ’ s growth / expansion ? Having witnessed the hospital grow from strength to strength over the last 24 years , I have no doubt of its success for the next 24 years . Expanding the building will lead to enhancing the services available , which will benefit the local population as well as those who choose to come to the Ridgeway from further afield . Exciting times ahead .
Name : Dept :
Tina West Outpatients
Service : 40 years
What do you love most about working at Ridgeway ? I love my job because we , as Leads , all have the same vision and are all dedicated to the Circle Health Group Purpose , Principles and Values . There is a real theme of co-operation and working together to overcome challenges , which creates a friendly environment where everybody is there for each other . I find it rewarding sharing my years of experience , along with other older members of staff , with our younger members of the team . Youth have so many new ideas and initiatives to harness and are the next generation leaders .
What ’ s it like to be part of the team ? Ridgeway hospital staff have so many skills , capabilities , strengths and experience and they each differ from one another . We share , learn and draw from this melting pot of talent to help better our overall performance . The teamwork culture is very strong in this hospital .
What ’ s the most rewarding part of your job ? Positive feedback from patients and the consultants is something that makes me feel warm inside . If our patients are happy , they will share their positive experience with others , and in turn this makes our staff happy .
Can you share with us one of your favourite patient stories ? Many years ago , I worked on the Ward and looked after a very frightened lady prior to major surgery for cancer . I am very happy to say she is still a patient of ours and always comes to visit me when she ’ s in the hospital . She always relives her first day in the hospital and how we made her feel . I had the pleasure of looking after her a few weeks ago , and she had sent me a thank you card with the most beautiful words .
What are your thoughts on the hospital ’ s growth / expansion ? This is such an exciting time for our Outpatient department . It ’ s giving us the chance to increase our patient services , further promote preventative healthcare with our various Health Screening clinics , whilst accommodating new and present consultants . The Future is bright for us .
12 www . tbeswindonandwilts . co . uk