Hospice Ukraine raises over £50,000 to better serve the terminally ill
Photo credit: Hospice Ukraine and the Royal Society of Medicine, London
As part of a special Hospice Ukraine event raising funds for palliative care in Ukraine, our Co-Founder David Nott was invited to share his reflections of upskilling over 200 Ukrainian doctors during eight missions, and the importance of fighting for continued holistic healthcare - from the beginning of life to the end - during war.
Since Russia’s violent attacks against Ukraine began last February, the Ukrainian people’s access to healthcare has suffered immensely. We know conflict leads to reduced medical equipment, medicines, specialist care and hospital staff numbers. Despite our mission focussing on saving lives with skilled surgery, palliative care for the terminally ill remains of equal and vital importance.
Hospice Ukraine is a charity that believes everyone deserves access to high-quality palliative care, no matter where they live. But the upheaval of war has overwhelmed the ability of Ukrainian healthcare professionals to support those nearing the end of life.
To better provide comfort, dignity and care for the terminally ill, Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel came together at the Royal Society of Medicine in London to host a special fundraiser organised by palliative care doctor, writer and Co-Founder of Hospice Ukraine, Dr Rachel Clarke.
When asked how David copes working in war zones like Ukraine, he shared: "Humans become incredibly resilient under pressure. It's what we train (during our courses too). We're not going to waver, we'll be here for our friends in Ukraine until this war is over."
David was joined by fellow speakers such as writer and comedian, Adam Kay, and world-renowned former neurosurgeon, Dr Henry Marsh, who holds deep connections with doctors and academics in Ukraine. Guests also heard a selection of beautiful songs from a Ukrainian refugee choir now based in the UK.
Speaking of the remarkable ability for the terminally ill to exude love and concern for others as they near death, Adam Kay shared, "The thing I realize (during a 2-hour conversation with a patient) is that none of her many concerns are about herself; it's all about the kids, her husband, her sister, her friends. Maybe that's the definition of a good person."
A live auction, which included a piece of work donated by Grayson Perry, led to a final fundraising figure of £50,000. We will continue to advocate for healthcare excellence and the people of Ukraine, for as long as this war wages on.
“Seeing Syria again, despite its sadness, there’s still a sense of pride”
Dr Ammar Darwish has been part of the Foundation’s family for over a decade. Ammar volunteered as a trauma surgeon in Aleppo when Syria, his home country, was oppressed and targeted by the Assad Regime. There, he met our Co-Founder David, forming a brotherhood like no other. Here, Ammar shares how it felt to return to Syria to lead our earthquake surgical mission.
Faculty Lead: Dr Ammar Darwish. Faculty Trainers: Dr Pete Mathew, Dr Mahmoud Hariri
When I heard that an earthquake had struck northwest Syria and Türkiye, I was in Ukraine training doctors on the frontline of the Russian war. Colleagues from Syria were frantically calling loved ones seeking news. I knew then that we needed to find a way to reach the affected Syrians, as Syria’s already weakened healthcare system would buckle under further strain.
After the earthquake, it became clearer how essential it was that we reach Syria.
Thousands left with unattended injuries
We immediately started to receive reports from the ground that survivors were facing complex trauma wounds in huge numbers. Crush wounds, large, open injuries, serious infections that have led to the need for amputation. As we expected, there was and remains an enormous need for surgical training and support.
There was also a need for psychological support – hope, confidence, and to know that they are not alone.
Unfortunately, it took about a week before international aid entered northwest Syria to help victims. There were thousands of casualties and to have this delay, in an already crumbling healthcare system due to 12 years of war, was a disaster within a disaster for the Syrian people.
This devastating delay and the lack of equipment, medical supplies and resources meant that more people were suffering with severe injuries left untreated and many developed further complications as a result.
After humanitarian organisations were granted entry, we joined forces with Action for Humanity, formally Syria Relief, to plan a mission like no other. We wanted to use our time as effectively as possible, achieving as much as we could during a week-period.
Maximum impact
We delivered our world-class hostile environment surgical training (HEST) course in Arabic to local surgeons. We used our cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind teaching equipment, including our human wound simulator model, Heston, and printed vessels, kidneys, hearts and bowel, to arm them with skills for treating complex wounds.
This was our first course whereby 90% of it was delivered by local Syrian training faculty - surgeons we had trained during the conflict that started in 2011. It was a proud moment for the Foundation.
Feedback has been wonderful and encouraging – that our training is very important, their skills have improved, and they wished they’d had this training before.
We also upskilled and empowered 9 of the surgeons to become surgical trainers themselves so they could share their new, advanced skills with peers in their hospitals. They were very excited. We had approximately 23 trainees who received our HEST course, included newly qualified surgeons and other specialised surgeons from 9 hospitals in northwest Syria.
Action for Humanity worked all hours to get us safely into the country. They were outstanding and very well informed. It shows preparedness is really important for a smooth mission. They also led the operating side of our joint mission, performing surgeries on about 80 patients, including children, over 7 days. An exceptional feat, treating severe injuries from both the war and earthquake.
Proud to be home
Physically entering Syria was something else. Going back to Syria was a remarkably moving day for me. Crossing the border, seeing Syria again, with all the sadness and atrocities that have happened, there remains a sense of pride. It was a very special feeling.
Meeting the doctors and seeing those we’ve worked shoulder to shoulder with and trained before was very moving. Reunited after years, yet our bond remains the same. Even those who had not met David were asking about him – they are so keen to learn from him. It was a very, very emotional moment.
Welcomed with open arms
The Aqrabat Hospital, where we delivered our training, was fantastic. They changed the whole setting of the hospital to accommodate us and our course.
On the day we left, the hospital held an Arada for us, which is a typical Syrian parade and song to show us their gratitude for the work that has been done. Leaving Syria was quite emotional for everyone.
The need for surgery, training and support continues. The earthquake has put Syria back under the spotlight – and this time I hope it reminds in the public’s minds. We must work to restore Syria to its former glory, before the ravages of conflict and collapse.
We’ll be back to do our part.
Join our team as Programmes Manager
Job title: Programmes Manager
Summary: This role will be responsible for the planning and execution of overseas and
UK-delivered Hostile Environment Surgical Training (HEST) courses including
all related logistics. The Programmes Manager will be the key person
responsible for maintaining day-to-day relationships with operational
partners on-the-ground and liaising with HEST course leaders. They will also
be principal point of contact with our Training Faculty, highly committed and
experienced senior medical professionals who volunteer their time and skills
to deliver HEST. This role will carry additional functions including managing
and developing online teaching resources and events and ensuring the supply
and delivery of David Nott Foundation (DNF) surgical models.
The David Nott Foundation is a UK registered charity which trains doctors in
the surgical skills they need to be able to provide relief and assistance in areas
affected by conflict and catastrophe worldwide.
Accountability: This role will managed by and accountable to the Chief Operating Officer.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Programme Delivery
- Support the executive team in the delivery of all training activities, both in the UK and overseas.
This will include management of logistics, travel and risk management in close collaboration
with our operational partners in-country. It will also include preparation of the courses ahead of
time and attendance at each course to ensure that they run smoothly. - Manage the logistical planning and deployment of the HEST Faculty when they run the HEST
courses internationally. Be their primary point of contact for all missions and respond to any
enquiries that they may have. - Manage the planning and delivery of all training activities, both in the UK and overseas,
including:- Identification and prioritisation of high-impact locations and training audiences.
Building of preparedness to enable a quick and effective response to new and emerging
crises. - Identification and management of potential course locations to judge the suitability of
venues, partners and delegates both in the UK and overseas. - Liaison with key partners and facilitators such as the World Health Organisation (WHO),
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Action for Humanity. - Management of course logistics including booking of venues, travel bookings, security
planning, visa advice, elucidating vaccination requirements, and shipment of training
materials. - Point of liaison for the training Faculty, including managing their availability and
providing support functions such as risk management ahead of trainings. - Working with the Head of Communications and Engagement to respond to enquiries
from the media and relevant media content from courses. - Managing post-training evaluation for all courses to include student feedback and end
of mission reports. - Responsibility for all the DNF’s HEST course training equipment including procurement,
management, and repair. - Management and organisation of Webinar Series including liaison with Faculty and participating
doctors to organise cases for discussion.
- Identification and prioritisation of high-impact locations and training audiences.
Administration
- Support in monitoring the progress of key projects and initiatives.
- Maintain contact lists and databases such as Donorfy.
- Identify, evaluate, report, and mitigate risk associated with the planning and delivery of
programmes. - Assist in the management of any interns working on the Programmes at the Foundation.
- Work with the Finance Manager to keep track of invoices and payments for teaching equipment
and other course expenditures. - Management of contracts with training venues and partner organisations.
- Other administrative tasks as required.
Person Specification
- A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience.
- A good knowledge of, and keen interest in, public health, current affairs and international
relations. - Ability, personal resilience, and willingness to travel to high-risk countries to facilitate HEST
training, which – as things stand – involves approximately 7 weeks of international and 2 weeks
of national travel per year. Including travel outside of normal office hours. - Proven experience of contributing to overseas projects, trainings, or events, particularly in high-risk countries.
- Proven experience of risk management and mitigation strategies.
- Proven ability to manage own workload, organising and prioritising tasks to meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and writing skills.
- The ability to manage time-sensitive work in a fast-paced environment.
- A natural diplomat, with proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, together with the ability to communicate
and negotiate at all levels. - Excellent organisational skills with proven ability to establish tools for effective workload
management. - Willingness to grow with the role.
All staff will commit to:
- Act with honesty and integrity at all times.
- Demonstrate respect for others through consideration and empathy in all communications with
colleagues and external stakeholders. - Make an active contribution to developing the Foundation.
- Be receptive to feedback, learn from experience and others and share experience and
knowledge. - Keep others informed of issues which they need to be aware of because of their role and
responsibilities. - Consciously review mistakes and successes to improve performance.
- Use discretion and be aware of issues requiring confidentiality.
Salary: £40-45,000 per annum, based on experience.
Contract Length: Permanent, with a probationary period of six months.
Closing Date: Monday 3 July 2023.
Application Details: To apply, please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter (no longer than 2
pages) detailing how you meet the person specification above. Please send all applications to
[email protected] quoting ‘Programmes Manager’ in the subject line.