From Accidents to Arthritis. High Quality of Care for Patients, Quality of Life outside work Originally from Northern Ireland, Doctor John McManus is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and joint head of the Department of orthopaedic and trauma surgery at the hospital in Nyon . He recently spoke to Living in Nyon about his experience of working in the Swiss health system and life for him in Switzerland. In 1998, John came on an exchange trip to stay with a French pen pal in the village of Metabief , close to the Swiss border near Vallorbe , and fell in love with the entire region from the start. “As soon as I arrived, the sun seemed to shine every day, there was great food and I enjoyed learning to ski. Even back then, I was determined to return; I could see this would be a great part of the world to live in. So, I set out to do everything I could to come back and to make a success of it. As luck would have it, during my medical studies at Queen’s University in Belfast I was given the opportunity to go abroad for a year. Belfast has a link with Lausanne, and through cooperation between the different professors, I came to the medical school in Lausanne to teach human anatomy for a year. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in human anatomy, and obtaining my medical degree in 2007, I then studied for a Masters in Applied Biomechanics at the University of Strathclyde , at the same time as working as a junior doctor at the two university hospitals in Belfast. Interesting and complicated cases I moved to Switzerland in 2009 and began my training in orthopaedics and trauma surgery at the CHUV . Then followed two years as chief-resident at the Riviera Chablais Hospital in Monthey and Aigle . You can imagine the number of interesting and complicated cases we had to treat, as the regional hospital at the base of Europe’s largest skiing area. I then returned to the CHUV where I specialised in the care of patients with knee and hip arthritis, as well as complications after joint replacement surgery. Working at the hospital in Nyon – A real team approach amongst the staff I came to work at the hospital in Nyon in June 2018. I love it here; there is an excellent working atmosphere between the staff. Collaboration is key. Doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, all working together as part of a real multidisciplinary team, with the aim of ensuring rapid recovery after surgery or injury. This is such a refreshing way of working and gets better results. Up and Walking after the Same Day of Surgery Very often our patients are up and taking their first steps on the same day as their surgery. This is the new normal. For example, I operated on three patients yesterday (a hip and two knees) and all three were already up and walking on the same day of surgery with one of our physiotherapists. Medical and nursing staff are very much involved in the day to day running of the hospital; they work together, not against each other. There are four consultants in the department and between us we manage and make decisions ourselves, and as part of a larger team of all the consultants in the hospital. If we need something done quickly, we can do so. In bigger hospitals you may have to wait weeks for certain tests. Here we have the possibility to decide, and with a bit of luck, get things done very quickly. A case in point is a recent operation I performed on a British patient after he had a nasty skiing accident. He still had snow on his boots when he called me, and I was able to get him transferred to us and arranged for an MRI on the same day. From Accidents to Arthritis We deal with patients who have a variety of different problems, everything from accidents to arthritis. Each one of my colleagues has their specialist areas and expertise, but together we can provide world class medical care. There are many private clinics in the region, and while they can guarantee a better-quality plate for your dinner, there is no guarantee of better-quality medicine. Not everyone knows that we also have private and semi-private wings in the hospital, which are very comfortable and to a very high standard. Everyone is welcome here, no matter where they are from. Every single doctor in the hospital speaks English and translators are available for other languages if necessary. We have very high-level people working here and expert surgeons. The orthopaedic team deal with shoulder, hip, knee and ankle arthritis, as well as problems affecting the wrist and hand, as well as every manner of trauma and sports injuries. In fact, there is no part of standard orthopaedics that we don’t cover, though for the most serious injuries, sometimes patients need to be transferred to the major trauma centres in Lausanne or Geneva, occasionally by helicopter. Taking the time with patients I come into work smiling and I may leave tired but am still smiling. It’s a long working day and sometimes coupled with long periods on-call, but there is still a good work life balance to be found. We treat our patients as individuals, and that requires taking the time necessary to clearly explain the diagnosis, and properly describe the risks and benefits of different treatment options. While our patients may have an appointment, we ensure the highest quality of care for our emergency cases as well, and sometimes that our appointments don’t always run to schedule, but we ensure the same high standard of care for everyone we see. Having said that, if we don’t need to hospitalise a patient, we won’t. It doesn’t mean they are getting a lesser standard of care. If they come in with a broken wrist for example – a good plaster cast may be the right treatment; there is no point staying two days in a hospital bed if they don’t need it. Depending on the injury, surgery may be required, but it can be organised relatively quickly. I simply can’t imagine working now in the NHS or a big hospital where there is no possibility to make quick decisions or provide such high quality care. This hospital is well run and there is a sensible use of resources. This comes from the top down as we have a good management team, with clear input from all sectors of the hospital. An increasingly elderly population, sometimes with complicated health issues Since I have been living in Switzerland, I have noticed that we are treating an increasingly elderly population, who more often than not have many different health problems which can complicate their care. Despite this, there are also a large number of aging but otherwise healthy patients who find themselves severely limited by joint pain due to arthritis. I recently operated on an 89-year-old patient, who thought that he would never be considered for surgery, but we gave him two new knee prostheses and he is over the moon – he now has a brand-new quality of life he didn’t think he would ever have again. Switzerland itself is the home and the origin of so much modern orthopaedics and trauma care, plates, screws and prosthesis continue to be developed here. Smoking - Bad for bone healing Unfortunately, despite health promotion, there are still a lot of smokers in Switzerland. Everybody knows smoking is bad for your lungs and bad for your arteries, but they don’t realise is that it’s exceptionally bad for bone healing. The massive smoking lobby in Switzerland is one part of the problem and that smoking still seems to be socially accepted in this country. I don’t like it when you see both visitors and patients smoking near the entrance to the hospital, it sends out completely the wrong message. Work – life balance Despite working a lot, it is so important to take advantage of the excellent quality of which the region has to offer. I enjoy skiing, though winter is often a very busy time for us with so many injuries to treat. I live close to the hospital and am lucky enough to have a fantastic view over the lake. Even here when you look out the office window in the hospital you can see the Alps. You can also see the construction site where the hospital is currently working on a mammoth expansion plan, costing a planned 78 million francs, which is being spent on new buildings and there is a going to be a complete revamp of the site. We have to keep improving and have a long-term vision to provide for the health needs of the community.   Obviously the new buildings are going to be great for our patients, but also for the entire team here in Nyon.

We have three health related articles coming up on Living in Nyon this week. The first, is news of a CPR ( Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) course which will be given in English in Nyon.  The second, is an interview with a British orthopaedic surgeon who works in Nyon hospital, and the third is an article about the Nyon life of a British nurse and paediatric sleep consultant.  CPR Course in Nyon - Saturday  June 15   0 9:30 - 13:30  Venue- Salle de la Bretèche (near Nyon château)  This practical course is expanded over four hours to include techniques for saving a baby, child or adult’s life. Using realistic manikins and scenarios, as well as CPR, participants learn how to recognise signs and symptoms of a heart attack and stroke, the first aid for choking and much more. Topics covered include: How to call for emergency help in Switzerland and what to say. How to assess a person’s level of consciousness. Putting an unconscious person into a safe position (the ‘Recovery Position’). How to give CPR to babies, children and adults. What to do in the case of drowning. Signs and symptoms of a heart attack or a stroke and what to do. What to do for choking child or adult. Course certification: HealthFirst Certificate of Attendance in CPR (valid for 2 years) This course is run by HealthFirst . Dr Michelle Wright, one of the original founders of HealthFirst, wrote an article on this site in 2010 on water safety guidelines when swimming in the lake and what to do about duck fleas in the lake . Click here  for more details

Did you know you can buy milk fresh from a farm within a short walk (15-20 minutes) from Nyon? The milk is for sale via a self service machine (see photo below). You can either take your own container, or buy one at the farm. Take cash for the vending machine. One litre of milk costs CHF 1.50 Three litres cost CHF 3.00 The farm ( the Domaine de Bois-Bougy ) is open 7/7 and sells other fresh produce (cheese, eggs yoghurt, home-made jams) out of a Portakabin next to the farm. There are various walking routes to get to the farm. One of them takes you through the Sentier du Boiron lovely woods alongside the Boiron river.  More details here

There will be a jazz concert at the Conservatoire in Nyon on Friday 17th May at 20:30.  The band DUO  ( Joël  Musy on  saxophone  and Aïda  Diop , marimbas) will perform "Les Lames du Vent". Call -  022 994 23 60 info.nyon@cov-vd.ch Also on Friday 17th Indie Folk/Dream Pop music at the Parenthèse with "Hand Habits" from the U.S. Concert starts 22:00. Sunday 19th May 17:00 - 19:00  at the church in the Grande Rue in Perroy (near Rolle) Concert Ensemble Vocal  Cantocello  Under the direction of Pascal Crittin,  Cantocello  combines human voices with the cello. ... Composed of professional musicians and enlightened amateurs, the ensemble explores a new repertoire. His repertoire ranges from Renaissance pieces to contemporary music. Link here

As part of the annual "Bike Day" activities in Nyon, there will be a second hand bike sale on Saturday 18th May. It's a great opportunity to sell or buy a bike. This event will take place at  Parc de la Morâche, (the park just a few minutes walk behind the railway station and near the Post Office). It's a simple system: From 09:00 take bike's that for sale along to the park. An estimation of the price will be given. At 10:00 the bikes are put up for sale  Between 11:30 and 12:00 sellers can collect their money if their bike has sold (minus 10% for the organiser's commission and for the return of unsold bikes Registration is compulsory if you have more than 5 bikes to sell! Telephone 021 323 54 11 or email  info@ate-vd.ch   See link here

Did you know in the year 563 there was once a Tsunami on Lac Léman that left destruction in its wake? The Lake Museum in Nyon (Musée du Léman) currently has a exhibition called "Un Tsunami" , which recounts the story of the tsunami and how it happened. Seemingly a side of a mountain collapsed into the lake, creating a massive wave that swept from Le Bouveret to Geneva. There had been accounts of the tsunami written by scholars in previous centuries, but it wasn't until 2010, when two geologists from the University of Geneva found sediments at the bottom of the lake, that the stories and rumours were confirmed.  When they revealed their findings, it made the news across the world. Could a Tsunami ever happen again on Lake Geneva? If so, is Switzerland prepared? This question is answered in a short film in the exhibition in the Museum. There's lots more to see at the museum for both adults and children, from an exhibition showing the history of bathing and swimming in the lake, to a section with items and information on the lovely *Belle Epoque boats that sail on the lake, to the  Auguste and Jacques Piccard, Bertrand Piccard collection. Check out the submarine in this exhibition that once took paying passengers for trips under the water or find out about the Solar Impulse flight, a plane that flew 40,000 km around the world without any fuel. Visitor information to the museum - click here Note: A combined ticket for Nyon's three museums (the purchase of 1 ticket = 1 free admission to the Roman Romain and 1 free admission to the Château de Nyon. Valid for 12 months) A reminder that it's also the Naval Parade in Rolle this Sunday 19th May ( see previous article here )

Learn coaching and learn to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Learn to be an effective leader Daniel Ahlers is a director at the Centre for Coaching for Switzerland. He and his team will be leading a new session of their internationally accredited course that starts in September at the Château de Bossey near Nyon. Daniel told Living in Nyon - "According to the  , data from 50,000 leaders (who were assessed by their colleagues), showed that the ability to inspire, creates the  highest levels of engagement and commitment and is what  separates  the most effective leaders  from  the average and least-effective. Our "Coaching for Development course” (CfD) is a foundational six-month programme for those who are interested in evoking excellence in others, while being open to receiving coaching themselves so they too can bring forward excellence in their own endeavours. This will be the 6 th year that CfD, which is both Business School and University accredited has been running here in the Lake Geneva region. Photo above - participants at a Centre for Coaching course 60% of participants in this programme are not necessarily aiming to become coaches themselves, but rather are looking to become more effective at what they do by building the capabilities of the people with whom they interact". Participants who have gained value from CfD include: • Leaders and managers wanting to support and sustain the development of new competencies in their staff. • Advisors, coaches, and human resource specialists looking to expand capabilities throughout their organization. • Consultants and private practitioners wanting to deepen or develop their coaching skill set as they support client growth. • People willing to freely question their assumptions and try out new methods • Those wishing to obtain an ICF-credentialed coach certification • Those wishing to step into a different career path For more information see flyer below and click here for  course details.

Summer Football Courses in English and French. InterSoccer runs courses for children aged 3-6 at Montessori School, La Rippe, every Monday from 15:15 to 16:15. There are also classes for 3 to 10-year-olds at La Longeraie, Morges on Thursdays from 16:15 to 17:15 and for 3 to 12-year-olds at GEMS, Etoy on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30. For details of all courses and holiday camps, visit the InterSoccer website . See video below. Photo above - courtesy Intersoccer

The Piscine de Colovray (Nyon's outdoor pool) opened on the the 4th May and will stay open until Monday 16th September 2019. The indoor pool at Cossy remains open, but will be closed for maintenance purposes between the 15th July and August 11th 2019. Take your pick! The weather is a little chilly right now but according to Méteo Suisse, it will begin to improve from Sunday 12th May. Full details of opening times, tariffs etc - click here

If you are a woman working in science, have a daughter who is considering STEM, then there is an interesting event coming up in Rolle on the 14th May 18:30 -22:00 This event is organised by the  BPW (Business Professional Women) club.  Registration here.  The speaker will be Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, an Associate Professor at EPFL and President of the WISH Foundation. WISH was created at EPFL in 2006 to support 'Women in Science and the Humanities' in various ways. Born near Barcelona, Anna studied physics in her native Spain, in Paris and California. She is an expert in semiconductor materials and teaches materials science at EPFL. Her research focuses on the synthesis of novel nano-structures with semiconductors to improve solar cell and quantum computer technologies. Anna will talk about how WISH supports women in science as well as her own career and scientific discoveries.

"Printemps à Perdtemps" is one of many Participanyon projects in which members of the public can take part and help with local Nyon projects. The next event will be the planting of a new garden at the bottom of the Place Perdtemps car park in Nyon on Tuesday 21st May from 17.00-19:00, Wednesday the 22nd from 15:00-18:00 and Thursday 23rd May from 17:00-19:00. Parents, children, young or old, single people, groups, any nationality, even visitors are welcome to help! It's free to help of course, but you will need register your name on the day that you can come along to help by clicking on the "Inscrivez Vous " on the Participanyon site.

It's La Fête des Voisins (Neighbours' Day) on Friday 24th May in Nyon, and in towns and villages across the Canton. Look out for the posters in your area, apartment building or street to find out what's happening in your area. Your neighbours may have organised a drinks, pot luck buffet or a simple get-together. It's a great way of meeting the people who live near you and to help integration. If there isn't anything going on near you, why not organise an event yourself?  The council can provide tables and benches if needed (if they have enough in stock) and they can also provide posters for you to pin up to invite the neighbours.  Call 022 316 40 00 or email lafetedesvoisins@nyon.ch