NUH Staff Matters
Achieving dreams:
through apprenticeships at NUH
Planning ahead: join the vaccination team as a peer vaccinator
Behind the scenes: linen services team keep our hospitals clean
The heart of the ward: the vital role of ward administrators
Langridge Homes Limited
17-21 Clumber Avenue, Sherwood Rise
Nottingham NG5 1AG
Tel: 0115 962 6626
Deborah Lofthouse: +44 7522 579759
Email: sales@langridgehomes.com
We are pleased to offer a selection of three to five bed homes currently available on the Church Farm development in the small town of Ripley. The town is based on the outskirts of Derbyshire and has a great range of shops as well as easy access to Derby City centre.
Our development is located off Deanery Way, Church Farm, Ripley DE5 3TR
One of our latest developments is nestled in the heart of Giltbrook village. The selection of four and five bed homes are all within a short drive to a range of popular towns, cities and transport links and have a range of local amenities nearby, including the ever popular Giltbrook Retail Park.
Our development is located on Acorn Avenue, Giltbrook, Nottingham, NG16 2UF.
We are pleased to offer a selection of homes on our Stable View development in Calverton. The site is within easy walking distance of the village centre. The village hosts a range of shops and amenities, including a Sainsbury’s Local, Post Office, leisure centre and library. Nottingham City Centre is also easily accessible by a range of methods, including a bus route directly from the village.
Westhouse Farm View offers a range of new one to five bed homes in Bestwood Village. Situated adjacent to open countryside, our latest development provides a village feel, is in close proximity of Bestwood Country Park and is approximately a 12 minute drive to the M1.
Our development is located Off Moor Road, Bestwood Village, Nottingham, NG6 8ZQ.
Welcome to our NUH staff magazine. This is the first time we have produced a printed magazine for colleagues since I joined the organisation in September 2022. Given our financial circumstances, I thought it is worth emphasising that the adverts included, mean we have been able to produce and print the magazine at no extra cost to the Trust.
The magazine provides a mix of valuable information, including details about our integrated transport offer (page 10), an insight into the different teams and roles across our hospitals (page 24) and more on how you can recognise and celebrate colleagues by nominating them for a People First Recognition award (page 14). You can find out more about our People First strategy on our website and we hold monthly Ask the Exec sessions virtually, where we update on each priority. I would encourage you to come along to these for updates. Look in your Outlook diary for your invitation.
This summer we launched our new values and behaviours. More than 4,000 colleagues helped to shape the new values by taking part in surveys, focus groups and working groups to tell us what really matters to you. I am grateful to everyone who shared their thoughts and experiences. Our four new values are kind, inclusive, ambitious, and one team. You can read more about them on page 16.
If you are new to NUH, or you’ve been a part of the team for many years, I hope you find the magazine interesting and informative. As always, thank you for your continued hard work and dedication. Everything we do at NUH relies on you.
Anthony May OBE DL Chief Executive n
Meet our Trust Leadership Team
Anthony May OBE DL, Chief Executive
Anthony joined us as our Chief Executive in 2022. Anthony was Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire County Council from April 2015 to August 2022, with responsibility for the council’s £1.1 billion budget and around 18,000 staff who work directly and indirectly for the council. He was also Chair of the Midlands Engine Operating Board for five years and Chair of the Association of County Council Chief Executives for over two years.
Anthony was also one of the nine chief executive leads (representing the East Midlands) who worked with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, on the response to Covid-19 and the strategic direction of local government.
Lisa Kelly, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive
Lisa graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in Geography before joining the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme in 2008, in the East Midlands region. She completed her Masters in Health & Public Leadership from Birmingham’s HSMC in 2011 and has carried out a variety of operational management roles – predominantly in the acute hospital sector.
Tracy
Pilcher,
Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control
Tim Guyler,
Director of Strategy and Integration
Tim has worked in acute hospital management for over 20 years. A graduate of the NHS Management Training Scheme in 1999, he worked in Hertfordshire and Hull and East Yorkshire before joining Nottingham City Hospital then NUH, undertaking roles as General Manager, Head of Financial Turnaround, Deputy Director of Operations, Programme Director for a Whole Hospital Transformation Programme and Chief Operating Officer.
Tim currently leads on Partnership and Integration across NUH, the local health and social care system, and the wider East Midlands Network. His portfolio also includes Strategy and Planning.
Tracy joined NUH in March 2024 from the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board where she was the Chief Nursing Officer. Tracy brings with her a wealth of experience from working in a variety of different roles and organisations and has over 10 years’ experience at Board level in both provider and commissioning organisations.
Andy Callow, Chief Digital and Information Officer
Andy joined us from University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group (UHN), where he was Group Chief Digital Information Officer and Interim Group Chief Executive. Andy is responsible for our digital services and performance and informatics teams. He also holds the Senior Information Responsible Officer (SIRO) role.
Paul Matthew, Chief Financial Officer
Before joining NUH, Paul worked for United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULH), where he was substantive Director of Digital and Finance.
Paul played a major part in the improvement of the Trust’s finances and supported its recent removal from the national Recovery Support Programme.
He brings with him 20 years of experience working in the NHS in financial roles. He also stepped in at ULH as caretaker Director of People and OD, later taking on the oversight of the Estates and Facilities functions.
Dr Manjeet Shehmar, Medical Director
Manjeet joined us in July 2024 from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, where she was Chief Medical Officer.
A Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Shehmar graduated from Imperial College School of Medicine in 1998. Before joining Walsall Healthcare Trust in 2019 as Deputy Medical Director, Dr Shehmar worked at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust where she was Clinical Director for Gynaecology, Theatres and Fertility. As well as her clinical roles, Dr Shehmar was an executive member of the Association of Early Pregnancy Units UK and was involved in setting up the Tommy’s Miscarriage Research Centre at Birmingham.
Danielle Petch, Chief People Officer
Danielle joined us in August 2024 from Milton Keynes University Hospital. Danielle has worked at a number of NHS Trusts, including large, medium and small acute hospital Trusts, a mental health Trust and a community provider. Danielle is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and holds an MBA and a BSc (Hons), along with having completed the NHS Leadership Academy’s Nye Bevan programme. Throughout her career, Danielle has led on a variety of initiatives to maximise workforce efficiency and staff experience.
Dr Tasso Gazis, Divisional Director of Medicine
Tasso is a physician and Nottingham graduate of 1991. An Endocrinologist and Diabetologist with interests in type 1 diabetes, diabetes technology, antenatal care, thyroid disease and the transition of young people to adult services, Tasso was previously Head of Service for Diabetes and Endocrinology at NUH, Clinical Contract Lead for NUH, and Clinical Director for Urgent at Emergency Care at NUH.
Mr Ayan Banerjea, Divisional Director of Surgery
Ayan first came to Nottingham for Basic Surgical Training in February 2000. He then completed his PhD in London and trained in the North East Thames region, before completing training with an NIHR Clinical Lecturer post in Nottingham and a national laparoscopic fellowship in Frimley Park. He started his appointment as a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon in March 2012. He led numerous service developments in his own area including changes to the pathways for diagnosing colorectal cancer that have been rolled out nationally. He was the Training Programme Director for Core Surgery, alongside other NUH roles before taking on the role of Deputy Divisional Director in Surgery in August 2018. He has been Divisional Director of Surgery since October 2020.
Jack Adlam, Director of Communications and Engagement
Jack joined us from the NHS England regional team for the Midlands. Before that, he worked at some of the biggest and busiest hospitals in the Midlands and in London, including previous roles at NUH. Jack leads a team responsible for ensuring that there is effective communication in place with our staff, that we develop and sustain positive working relationships with our partners and stakeholders, including local and national media, and that our patients and communities know what their local NHS is trying to achieve and how we’re doing it. He is also the Executive Director responsible for our voluntary services.
Claire Greaves, Divisional Director of Ambulatory Care
Claire has worked for the NHS for nearly 30 years in a variety of hospitals up and down the UK. She came to the Midlands in 2007 to take up a Consultant Scientist role in Nuclear Medicine in Leicester and to lead the Medical Physics services. At this time, she completed an MSc in Leadership for Health and Social Care before moving to NUH in 2013 to lead the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Services.
Gilbert George, Director of Corporate Governance
Gilbert has more than 15 years of public sector experience as an Executive Director and Board Member.
Gilbert joined us from Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Alongside his Trust work, Gilbert chairs meetings of the NHS National Executive Governance leads and Trust Secretaries forum and is a specialist advisor on the National Race Equality Code. He has worked in both public and private sectors, in higher education, and for organisations including the International Institute of Energy Conservation.
Dr Emma Fillmore, Divisional Director of Family Health
Emma qualified as a doctor in 1992 specialising in Paediatrics and sub specialty in Community Paediatrics. In 1998 she came to Nottingham and expanded her interest, training and work in the paediatric services for Children in Care, Safeguarding and Neurodevelopmental services for children and young people. She became the Designated Doctor for Children in Care and Safeguarding for Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire. Emma became Clinical Director for Nottingham Children’s Hospital and then Divisional Director for Family Health, influencing the national local policy and health strategy for all women, children and families.
Dr Ellie Gutteridge, Divisional Director of Cancer and Associated Specialities
Ellie is a Consultant Breast Surgeon, studying at Nottingham School of Medicine, and completed all her basic and higher surgical training in the East Midlands. Ellie became Breast Head of Service in 2014, and was Clinical Director for the Surgical Directorate in Cancer and Associated Specialities from 2019-2022, becoming Deputy Divisional Director for the Directorate in 2022, and Divisional Director of CAS in 2023.
Dr Thearina de Beer, Divisional Director for Clinical Support
Thearina is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and ICM including Neuro-ICM. Thearina is also a Medical Examiner at NUH and is deputy lead ME for NUH. She is on the Intensive Care Society – Legal and Ethical Advisory Group, and on the executive for the clinical leads in anaesthesia network for the Royal College of Anaesthesia. Her special interests are delirium, long stay patients, legal and ethical issues around critical and neuro-critical care.
Planning ahead: join the vaccination team as a peer vaccinator
Over the past three and a half years, our NUH vaccination team has administered more than 200,000 Covid-19 and flu vaccinations, helping to protect our own staff, our patients, and their families.
Each winter season, the vaccination team offer both flu and Covid-19 vaccinations to all NUH staff from hubs at both Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, but also with the help of peer vaccinators, who visit wards and make it easier for people to get protected without having to leave their area of work.
From September, when winter vaccination season starts, we will again be offering vaccinations to all eligible staff and more details about this will be shared with staff nearer the time.
You can get involved by becoming a peer vaccinator. A peer vaccinator is a health care worker that already works at NUH but is given training to deliver flu and Covid-19 vaccinations to their colleagues. This helps us to reach a higher number of people, at different times of day, without them having to break off from work and go to a hub. Peer vaccinators are invaluable in making sure that we can make sure we are protecting as many members of staff as possible.
If you’re a health care worker and are interested in helping to protect your colleagues from what can be fatal illnesses this winter season, contact the vaccination team for more information and to register your interest at nuhvaccine@nuh.nhs.uk.
Last year Rebecca Dale, a Nurse Vaccinator in the Antenatal Clinics at QMC and City, was a peer vaccinator and vaccinated more than 500 people between September 2023 and March 2024, one of the highest number of people vaccinated by a peer vaccinator in the 2023/24 vaccination season. She was rewarded for her hard work with a £50 Amazon voucher.
Rebecca said: “I enjoy being a peer vaccinator in my clinical area. Peer vaccination enables increased and early accessibility of vaccines, which helps to increase the number of staff who get the jabs, helping to protect themselves, their families and our patients.
“I would recommend others to become peer vaccinators in their own clinical areas. Let’s fight flu together here at NUH and help protect our staff and patients!” n
If you are interested in helping to ensure our staff are protected from flu and Covid-19 this winter, sign-up to be a peer vaccinator. Email nuhnt.nuhvaccinehub@nhs.net for more information.
www.rosmeadhealthcare.co.uk
Have you downloaded our NUH staff app yet?
Did you know you can use it to:
• Get the latest news and updates
• Get travel and Medilink updates
• See the restaurant menu
• Find out more about wellbeing support
• Access discounts and much more
Scan the QR code to download it to your mobile phone
Our People Directorate (HR)
As an organisation, we strive to be outstanding in health outcomes and patient and staff experience. The People Directorate plays a key role in supporting the achievement of this goal.
The People Directorate can help with general enquiries and operational people matters, and also support with recruitment, learning and organisational development, occupational health and wellbeing, medical workforce, widening participation, workforce planning and staff engagement.
Divisional People Business Partners
Our Divisional People Business Partners work closely with the divisions to support and offer advice. Each of our divisions has at least one Business Partner, as well as Assistant People Business Partners and People Advisors.
To find out who your divisional people team are and how to contact them, search
‘Human Resources’ on the intranet and from there you can download a full list of People Directorate contacts.
Recruitment and leavers
Our recruitment team support appointing managers through every stage of the recruitment and selection process, including giving advice, training and helping with getting access to TRAC, the system we use during the recruitment process.
The recruitment page on the intranet has information, links to recruitment documents and frequently asked questions. Search ‘Recruitment at NUH’ on the intranet.
If someone you line manage is leaving NUH, you can find a checklist of what you will need to do, as well as a template email to accept a resignation, and a link to an anonymous leavers’ survey on the intranet - search ‘Leavers Survey’ on the intranet.
Policies
Our policies and procedures can be found on KoHa, which you can access by searching ‘KoHa’ on the intranet. Some of our most-used policies, such as those around managing attendance or a referral to Occupational Health, can also be found on the front page of the intranet.
Occupational Health
Nottingham Occupational Health (NOH) provides occupational health services to NUH. They can offer many services from pre-employment screening, health checks and immunisations to advice to individuals and managers around disabilities and health problems. A confidential counselling service is also available and staff can self-refer to this.
If you have a query that you think Occupational Health can help with, you can contact the team for City Hospital on 0115 9627646 (ext. 76646) or the team for QMC on 0115 9627646 (ext. 76646). More information is also available on the intranet – search ‘Occupational Health’. n
Travel to work
As the largest employer in Nottingham, thousands of people travel to our hospitals every day. We encourage all colleagues to look at public and low carbon transport options where possible.
Our intranet resources will help you to decide the best commute for you and for the environment by providing you with information on how to travel to work by walking, cycling, by public transport or by car.
For more information, search ‘Travel to work’ on the intranet. You can also find up to date, relevant travel information by downloading our staff app.
Public Transport
The NUH travel to work scheme gives you a discounted travel pass for a range of bus, tram and train operators across Nottinghamshire.
Complete the application for your annual travel pass by the 13th of the month and you will receive your pass ready for the first day of the following month. Payments are taken monthly direct from your salary.
Medilink Bus Service
The Medilink is a free bus service running between City Hospital, QMC and the Park and Ride sites.
You must wear your NUH ID badge to get free travel.
There are two Park and Ride sites, Queen’s Drive and Wilkinson Street.
The service is operated by the CT4N charitable trust. Search CT4N buses for more information, including routes, timetables, service changes and a mobile app.
Phoenix Park Shuttle Bus
The Phoenix Park Shuttle Bus is a free service, ideal for City Hospital staff travelling from the north of the city. There is free parking at Phoenix Park.
The service runs every 30 minutes on weekdays, excluding bank holidays, from 6-11am and from 3-8pm.
Buses follow the same route around City Hospital as the Medilink, then take the quickest route to Phoenix Park.
Car Parking
We have around 2,500 car park spaces for staff, though we are building further car parking facilities.
There is a fee payable for car parking and staff must apply for a permit. Night and weekend parking is free; however, you will still need a permit.
To apply for a permit, search ‘car parking permit’ on the intranet, review the eligibility criteria and complete the application form.
Cycle to work
We are committed to making cycling to work a viable option for staff.
We run a staff cycle-to-work scheme and facilities at all three of our sites include secure bike storage compounds, shower facilities and a Dr Bike Service. n
Staff Networks
We are committed to developing a safe, equitable and inclusive workplace for everyone.
To support this, we have several staff networks which raise awareness and address inequalities that may arise at work. They operate as a ‘safe space’ where staff can meet without fear of repercussions.
Staff who are involved with the network are given two hours each month to attend meetings or undertake work for the network. Network chairs are also given protected time, alongside a budget to carry out their activities.
Each network also has an Executive sponsor to act as their voice at Trust Board.
LGBTQIA+ staff network
The network is for all staff and volunteers who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or are questioning their sex or gender identities. We recognise sexuality and gender fall on a spectrum, are not absolute and rigid categories and seek to include everybody who considers
themselves part of that. The network also welcomes allies of the community who may not necessarily identify as a part of it.
Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff network
The BAME staff network is committed to promoting racial equality for everyone at NUH.
We recognise inclusion, equity, and participation are essential elements for our thriving community and organisation. Inclusion for us means bringing people of diverse backgrounds and abilities into the group and making sure they feel a sense of belonging.
Staffability network
The network aims to support disabled members of staff to make sure they are recognised, valued and their diverse needs are met by NUH.
We raise awareness of disability equity and equality and aim to create a working and learning environment in which all
staff, students, stakeholders, and external speakers feel welcome, comfortable, respected, and valued.
Women’s staff network
The Women’s staff network is a dynamic community dedicated to fostering growth, connection, and empowerment among the incredible women of our organisation. We are an inclusive group that welcomes all women, including anyone who identifies as a woman, regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth. We want to create an empowering and inclusive workplace together.
Neurodiversity staff network
The Neurodiversity staff inclusion network supports neurodiverse / neurodivergent members of staff in achieving their full potential through recognising their value and contributions to NUH. It seeks to raise awareness of neurodiversity inclusion, and to advise NUH on how to create a neuro-affirmative culture for working and learning, in which all staff feel welcome, comfortable, respected and valued. n
Our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians
Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) is about encouraging a positive culture where people feel that they can speak up and their voices will be heard, and their suggestions acted upon. To help staff to do this, we have Freedom to Speak Up Guardians across NUH, who are here to listen. They will talk to staff and raise concerns through the most appropriate route in a way that the individual is comfortable with. They will then give feedback and update on actions that have been taken.
Speaking up is about anything that gets in the way of you or your colleagues doing a great job. It is about ensuring that lessons are learnt, and things are improved. It is important that staff feel able to speak up about something that could go wrong to help avoid potential harm to patients, but it is also there to make improvements.
You can speak up about anything that gets in the way of patient care or impacts on your working life. This could be for something that doesn’t feel right to you, or the behaviour of others that impact the wellbeing of you, your colleagues, or our patients.
Every member of staff can speak to the guardians. This includes senior, middle, and junior managers, volunteers, students, locum, agency workers and former employees – they are here for everyone. You can speak up about any issue anonymously, confidentially, or openly.
We have three full time guardians working across all sites and a meeting can be arranged with them. We also have champions working across various sites and specialities who can be approached. Find out who our guardians are and how to contact them on our intranet page –search Freedom to Speak Up. You can also get involved by being a champion. Just contact the team if you’re interested.
Contact the guardians at nuhnt. freedomtospeakupguardian@nhs.net, call us on 07812 278542, 07812 278543, or 07812 270154, or use the contact form on the intranet. n
More information
For more information about our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians, search Freedom to Speak Up on the
or look in the Staff Support area of the NUH staff app.
intranet
Can’t go to Specsavers? They’ll come to you
We caught up with Kejal Shah who has been an Optometrist with Specsavers Home Visits for 8 years. She explains to us how this much-needed service works.
So, tell me more about the Home Visits service…
Our at-home eye test is very similar to what you would have experienced in-store, just with a few adjustments and specialist equipment to make it home-friendly.
Optometrists, like myself, carry out the eye test, adjusting it to your individual needs. If glasses are needed, experienced colleagues will help with frame selection and then return to fit them. And, it goes without saying, all customers are supported with ongoing aftercare.
In response to demand, we’ve also now launched a new audiology home visits service. So far, we have home hearing services in 14 locations in the UK, with plans to expand this over the coming months. Who is able to benefit from a home eye test?
Put simply, it’s about bringing the service to your door, if you can’t get to one of our stores. So if you, a friend, or loved one, are unable to leave your home or care home unaccompanied, due to a physical or mental illness or disability, we can come to you.
There are a wide range of conditions and reasons why someone might not be able to leave their home. You can speak to us about your situation and we can help you understand if you or your loved one qualifies. What if someone is bedbound, or struggling with communication? Can you still help them?
The Home Visits service is designed to provide eyecare which is as individual as our customers are.
Some customers might be clinically vulnerable or they might be non-verbal or living with dementia. Depending on the situation, we might use pictures instead of letters for example. Even with a customer who is bedbound, we can change the position of the chart so we’re still getting completely accurate results. All the tests are adapted to fit the customer’s environment and comfort level. We can also speak to the customer or their loved one ahead of the visit, to address any questions or talk through the process.
Given that you provide such a personal and tailored service, does your care go beyond just an eye test?
Every colleague I know sees our services as something beyond just a job. Whether it’s sharing stories over a cuppa, popping something in the post for them, or passing them something out of reach, going that extra mile is such a rewarding part of our role. I only need to see a customer’s smile to know I’ve made a difference.
That’s a big part of what we do. Provide a personal service, tailored care and expertise, right to people’s homes, no matter what their situation – in homes, care homes or sheltered housing.
How do I find out whether someone is eligible?
You can head to our website at www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests which features a simple step-by-step guide to eligibility and a wealth of information. Alternatively, you can call 0800 0890144
Recognise your colleagues through our People First Recognition Awards
A little thanks can go a long way. If you work with someone truly amazing, nominate them for a People First Recognition Award.
The refreshed Trust-wide awards have been shaped by staff feedback and reflect the importance and value of you - our people.
Through these awards, we recognise colleagues’ outstanding achievements, innovative practices, and acts of kindness and compassion.
Any member of staff, at any level, can be nominated and ten award categories give lots of opportunities for colleagues to be recognised. They are:
Charity Champion Award
Hidden Gem Award
Inclusion Award
Innovation Award
Inspirational Leader Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Outstanding Team Award
Partnerships Award
Patient Experience Award
Rising Star Award
You can also nominate one of our volunteers for the Volunteer of the Year Award, and our Public Award allows patients, relatives and members of the public the opportunity to nominate any of our staff.
When can I nominate?
You can nominate people for awards throughout the year. Each summer, we collect together all nominations for judging and shortlisting. The shortlist for each award is chosen by an internal judging panel and the overall winners are chosen by an external judging panel. Winners are announced at our annual awards ceremony held in November.
Nominating your colleagues can go a long way, it doesn’t take long to submit a nomination and you could really make a big impact by doing so.
How do I nominate?
Nominating someone for a People First Recognition award is easy. You just:
• Choose the most suitable award category that best represents the person or team you would like to recognise
• Make sure you consider how your nominee demonstrates or has demonstrated one or more of the examples provided,
• Complete the staff nomination form online at www.nuh.nhs.uk/ awards or by scanning the QR code n
“Through these awards, we recognise colleagues’ outstanding achievements, innovative practices, and acts of kindness and compassion.”
Ask the Execs: join the conversation
We hold regular ‘Ask the Execs’ sessions, which are monthly conversational sessions between staff members and the Executive Team, focusing on a different key topic each month.
Each quarter the sessions also cover performance against our five strategic priorities. After a short presentation, you have the opportunity to ask questions and share your views.
These sessions were created following feedback from colleagues wanting to hear more from our Executive Team, and we encourage you to join as many of these sessions as possible throughout the year. All sessions are held virtually using Microsoft Teams and are also recorded so if you can't attend you can watch at a time to suit you. You will receive an invitation to your Outlook calendar each month to these sessions.
Upcoming sessions
September: Focus on our winter plan
October: Q2 performance and a focus on National NHS Staff Survey
November: Focus on financial sustainability
You can submit questions ahead of any session by emailing them to nuhnt.internalcomms@nhs.net
Past sessions that are available to view online include:
• Q1 performance and a focus on nhs.net move
• Strategic Priorities
• People First Year Two Strategy
• New Trust Values
• Quality Management System
To find out more about these sessions, upcoming topics, and links to join, find ‘Ask the Execs’ on the menu on the left of the intranet. More information
This summer we launched our new NUH values and behaviours. More than 4,000 members of staff across NUH helped to shape our new values in early 2024 by taking part in surveys, focus groups, working groups and meetings, telling us what really matters to you – thank you.
Show our values and download resources
How we behave:
Our NUH values
We are kind
We are compassionate and caring to everyone
• We ask people how they are, care about their challenges and see how we can help
• We acknowledge and treat people as individuals and respect their dignity
We
are inclusive
Everyone is welcome
• We learn about people with lived from our own by being curious
• We recognise, celebrate champion diversity contribution it makes
A pack of digital resource is available on our intranet to help you to showcase our values, as well as downloadable pledge posters. You can also find an MS Teams background and PowerPoint slide templates that include our values on the Corporate Identity intranet page.
Shout about staff who live our values
We know that across NUH we have fantastic colleagues living our values every day. Celebrate someone who champions the values by sharing it on our online message board –a little recognition can go a long way. Scan the QR code to leave a message:
Share our values with your team
If you lead a team our ‘The way we work together’ pack will help you share our values with your team. You can find this on our intranet by navigating to ‘our values’ on the left hand menu. n
Examples of when it is not demonstrated:
• We recognise and value others; introducing ourselves, giving praise and saying thank you
• We are open and honest about what is and isn’t happening or what is and isn’t possible
ask people how they are, about their challenges and how we can help acknowledge and treat people as individuals and respect their dignity
Find out more about our values on the ‘our values’ area of the intranet. More information
• We hold ourselves accountable for behaving politely and professionally and we support others to do so
• Reacting negatively or rudely
• We are mindful words and behaviours others
We are kind are compassionate and caring to everyone We are Everyone is welcome
• We encourage everyone a voice, ensuring affected by our decisions people fully understand said
• We challenge behaviours decisions that are not promote equality in a kind way. We behaviour, not the
• Harming, intimidating, abusing behaviours
• We learn about people with from our own being curious
• Being unhelpful and/or obstructive
• Shaming, blaming or criticising
• Being sharp, rude, impolite or unnecessarily raising our voice
• Ignoring or excluding avoiding or refusing specific people
• Banter, jokes or comments
• Interrupting or talking
• We recognise, champion diversity contribution
values and behaviours
inclusive
welcome here
each other and experiences different asking questions and celebrate and diversity and the makes to NUH
of how our opinions, behaviours impact on
everyone to have we involve those decisions and that understand what is being behaviours and not inclusive or do equality and diversity, We challenge the the person
intimidating, coercing or behaviours or words excluding people; refusing to work with judgmental talking over people
We are ambitious
We continuously improve
• We regularly ask questions of ourselves, colleagues and patients to understand what is working and what can be improved
• We acknowledge ideas or feedback, even when we don’t agree with them
• We hold high standards and look for improvements, acting on feedback and communicating what is being improved
• We contribute our own ideas and engage in improvement discussions
We are one team
We achieve more when we do it together
• We offer support to colleagues and patients
• We share appropriate information and resources
• We think about the impact of our work, behaviours or decisions on other team members, other teams and patients
• We resolve conflict or misunderstandings as soon as possible; accessing support where needed
• We regularly seek to improve our knowledge, behaviours and practice
• We are clear on our role, responsibilities and actions and can explain this to others
• Reacting negatively to feedback or not acting on it
• Ignoring people’s thoughts and experiences
• Resisting improvements
• Finding fault or blaming and shaming
• Not helping others where possible
• Holding back appropriate information or resources
• Not dealing with issues of behaviour or performance
• Not resolving conflict
Achieving dreams through apprenticeships at NUH
At NUH we have more than 400 apprentices working in different areas across all of our sites. There are many different options for people who are looking to become an apprentice, but also opportunities for departments to welcome an apprentice to their team too.
Mercy Chimanga is currently an Operating Department Practitioner Apprentice, which she started in April this year. As part of it, she will complete a three-year BSc degree. However, she first started at NUH in 2018 as a Theatre Support Worker Apprentice.
Starting out as an apprentice, Mercy, 40, preferred to go down an apprenticeship pathway rather than go to university. She said: “I knew I would be able to finish my studies with no debt and it felt like a very good opportunity as I would be working with an income and learning in a job that I love to do, as I learn more through a hands-on approach.”
When Mercy was doing her previous apprenticeship, she took an opportunity to do her Level 3 pathway Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) training, giving her the stepping-stone she needed for the apprenticeship and degree she is completing today.
As an Operating Department Practitioner Apprentice, Mercy is involved in providing the correct surgical instruments and materials to the surgeon and acting as a link between the surgical team and other parts of the theatre and hospital.
When asked about what she would like to do when her apprenticeship finishes, she said: “For the next three years I will be focused on my apprenticeship course and then I would like to think for the latter two years I will be settled in my role as a new ODP. I will feel great, confident and proud of myself that I have achieved my dream goal.”
We welcome new people onto our apprenticeship programme, as well as people already working at NUH. There is also the opportunity for departments to bring an apprentice on board. To find out more about this, contact our Widening Participation team on 0115 9691169 (ext. 71156) or at nuhnt.wideningparticipation@nhs.net. n
More information
Interested in finding out more about apprenticeship roles available at NUH?
Scan the QR code
If you would like to find out more about recruiting an apprentice for your area or department, contact the Widening Participation team on 0115 9691169 (ext. 71156) or at nuhnt.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Staff Engagement: Listening to you
Your feedback is invaluable to us. We want to learn from your experiences about what we do well, as well as what we can do better. We use your insights to build a better environment for everyone. One of the ways that we do this is with an annual NHS staff survey and quarterly pulse survey. You will be automatically invited to take part in these regularly.
Starters, Leavers and Internal Movers Surveys
When you join NUH, move within the Trust to a new role, or leave, we want to hear from you about how well we did at these points in your career. We want to know how we provide you with what you need when joining us or taking up a new role, as well get your honest
reflections when the time eventually comes to leave us.
National NHS Staff Survey (NSS)
Each autumn every NHS employee in England is invited to take part in the NSS. The survey offers a snapshot of how people experience their working lives, gathered at the same time each year. It shows a national picture alongside local information so that we can see what it’s like for staff working here and where we need to make improvements.
National Quarterly Pulse Survey (NQPS)
The NQPS takes place every quarter. It provides a consistent approach to listening to staff to help us understand your experiences. This is used to make
decisions on how we make the NHS the one we all want it to be, for us and our patients.
Staff Surveys Group (SSG)
The SSG is responsible for discussing and sharing the results from every survey we carry out. The group identifies key themes from the data, then works together to decide and deliver key priorities. We are committed to telling you about the improvements we are making with regular “You Said, We Did” updates.
Your Hub
‘Your Hub’ is an easy to use, one-stop online destination for all our surveys. The hub gives you relevant information on each survey, the results, and reporting tools to help you learn from this valuable data. n
A thank you can go a long way
At NUH, we are passionate about appreciating each other and recognising when someone has gone the extra mile. A simple ‘thank you’ can have a positive impact and help a colleague feel valued. If someone has done something you think should be recognised or celebrated there’s lots of ways you can show your appreciation as part of our aim for everyday recognition.
Thank you wall on our staff app
Our NUH staff app has a recognition area with a ‘Thank you wall’, where you and colleagues can add instant and unlimited messages of thanks. Don’t forget to check it to see if anyone has thanked you too! You can download the staff app and access the wall by scanning the QR code:
Thank you cards
Show your appreciation with a handwritten note. We recently introduced newly designed thank you postcards for staff, patients and relatives to use. People can write a short message and give it to the person they would like to thank. Most wards and departments should have these available but if not or you need more, contact the Internal Communications team nuhnt.internalcomms@nhs.net
Team shout outs and wins of the week
Encourage your teams to include shout outs or ‘wins of the week’ in team meetings, huddles or newsletters to highlight someone’s good work or support, or to celebrate success or collaborative working. This helps share good practice and raise awareness and can help staff members and teams feel connected and appreciated, especially if you have a mix of people working different shifts or across sites/remotely.
Share how your colleagues live our values
We are...Kind, Inclusive, Ambitious, One Team
We know that across NUH we have colleagues who live our new values every day. Celebrate someone who champions our values by sharing this on our online message board – scan the QR code to add your message. n
Supporting you: a guide to
At NUH we have a nationally recognised staff wellbeing programme. We know when at work, as well as in other aspects of their lives too, like rising bills and ourselves and each other.
We offer a wide range services to support your mental health, assist with your
Physical health Mental health
• Free staff gym
• Staff physiotherapy
• Subsidised meals for staff
• Menopause support
• Sleep seminars
• Eating well workshops and weight management courses
NHS urgent mental health helpline: Non-urgent mental health support Assistance Programme (Health 0800 783 2808
• Mental health support sessions
• Addiction support (including for family and friends)
Support and training for line managers is available, both as a manager and
Scan the QR code to find out more about our wellbeing support, to see a sessions and seminars.
nuh.nhs.uk/staff-wellbeing nuhnt.staffwellbeing@nhs.net
to NUH wellbeing services
Financial Support
helpline: 0808 196 3779
support via Employee (Health Assured):
know that colleagues can often face challenging and demanding periods and the cost of living. It’s essential that we take time to look after your financial wellbeing, and help you to work on your physical health. and to help you support the wellbeing of your team. calendar of wellbeing events, and to book support nuhnt.staffwellbeing@nhs.net
• Counselling via Occupational Health
• Anxiety workshops
• Minfulness courses
• Financial wellbeing toolkit
• Budget planning
• Discounted travel to work
• Safer borrowing options
• Managing debts
Behind the scenes: How our linen services team keep our hospitals running clean
Every day we fill between 50 and 80 big metal cages with dirty bed sheets, hospital gowns, blankets, baby bedding and mop heads from across our hospital sites. At the same time, we continue to make up beds with clean linen and dress patients in fresh gowns that have been delivered to wards. Did you know that there is a team of nearly 70 people working behind the scenes at City Hospital separating, washing, drying, ironing and folding all dirty laundry and making sure that it gets back out to our wards?
Our linen services team really is a ‘behind the scenes’ service, taking in dirty and infectious laundry five days a week and taking it through specific cleaning and laundering processes to make sure it’s clean and back on our wards in as quick as a 12-hour turnaround. The team are also proud that they are one of very few NHS hospitals across the country to have been awarded EN14065 certification, which shows that processes are followed thoroughly to ensure the microbiology safety of the linen they are cleaning.
The cleaning process
Linen that is classed as infectious, such as when it has been in a Covid-19 area, is bagged on the ward in a different way to ‘normal’ dirty linen and then goes through a different process when it is being laundered. Infectious linen is put into red bags on the ward and then into normal bags and put into one trolley before being brought to laundry services. This is then brought into a special area in the building where staff wear the appropriate PPE. The infectious linen is never taken out of the red bags it has been packed into as they are manufactured to dissolve in the washing machines, but put straight into industrial 120KG washing machines, where it is washed at a very high temperature to kill all bacteria and germs.
Linen that isn’t infected goes into a different area of the building, where staff sort through the bags and separate the linen out onto a conveyor belt. This is
then taken up to a second level, where it is manually sorted into categories, such as gowns or bed linen, and put into big laundry bags suspended from the ceiling. Once the bags reach 50kg in weight, they are pushed along a rail, where they stop above a washing machine and the bottom of the bag opens to drop the linen into it, where it is then washed.
When all washing is complete, all linen moves on to be dried and then it is manually put through large machines that steam out any creases and automatically fold the linen ready to be quality checked by a member of the team, placed onto a trolley and packaged up to be sent back to wards. This can sometimes be as many as 10,000 bed sheets each day! There is a dedicated packing team who deliver the clean linen across our hospital sites.
The team work hard to ensure that the whole process is carried out to a high standard and they continuously check bacteria levels by testing different areas and equipment weekly.
Millie Mclean is a Laundry Production Manager at NUH. She said: “I have been at NUH for 11 years and I love my job. I have a real interest in the machinery and how it can streamline our processes, as well as making sure we are delivering a very highlevel service. I find it a very rewarding role, even if we are hidden away.” n
Some of the things found wrapped up in linen…
• False teeth
• One shoe
• Nottingham Forest FC scarf
• Glasses
• Books/eReaders
• Door bell
• Mobile phones
• Keys
• Wedding rings
• Hearing aids
• Baby clothes and teddies
Staff Matters
Elmbank
Elmbank offers first class accommodation and nursing care in a luxurious setting, combining a whole host of equipment and modern facilities designed specifically to meet the needs of elderly adults.
Facilities and services:
• Laundry • Dry cleaning (at an additional cost)
• Newspapers and magazines (charged monthly to your account)
• Toiletries, personal items and stationery can be purchased within the home
• Entertainment provided on a regular basis
• Activity co-ordinators organise activities including exercise classes, quizzes, birthday buffets and outings to surrounding parks, city shops, markets, restaurants and pubs.
Welcome to Digital Services
Need IT support and not sure where to go? Our Digital Service Helpdesk is made up of a team of 11 people who can help our staff at NUH and those in the wider community that use our IT applications.
Between the hours of 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, the team provide support for all areas of the Trust.
Cat Smith, IT Service Operations Manager, said: “IT issues could be anything from a password reset to helping configure your NUH device or troubleshooting any application issues.
“On average, we handle around 16,000 queries each month which come to us in different ways, including the selfservice portal, phone and email. We are always happy to help guide staff. You can contact us via the self-service portal at https://digitalselfservice or for anything urgent you can call us on extension 86000.”
Digital Services have also set up systems that allow teams to find out what an issue is for themselves. Simply head to the intranet homepage and look for the Digital Services tile where you can check the system and network status of the systems used by clinical teams. This is a great way to check if your systems are performing as they should.
Alongside Helpdesk Support, Digital Services also offer training to staff on the IT clinical systems at NUH. “My team try and ensure the staff across NUH feel confident using the Clinical IT systems. Whether that’s highlighting where they can find the guides and videos for using the systems, how they can book onto a training session, or just a friendly phone call to explain how to do something, my team are always happy to help,” said Ellie Jones, Training Team Manager.
To see what IT training is available search ‘Digital Services training’ on the intranet or log a ticket via the self-service portal at https://digitalselfservice. n
More information
“On average, we handle around 16,000 queries each month which come to us in different ways, including the self-service portal, phone and email.”
Find out more about Digital Services or log an issue by searching Digital Services on the intranet. You can also call the Service Desk on 86000.
The heart of the ward: the vital
role of ward administrators
Behind the work of our staff on the wards is a whole host of frontline administrative colleagues who work hard to ensure that our wards and clinical areas run smoothly day-today. One of the people doing just that is Rachel Meadwell, who is Ward Administrator on the newly opened Geriatric Assessment Unit (GAU) at Queen’s Medical Centre.
After 18 years as a paralegal professional, Rachel joined NUH during the Covid-19 pandemic after being made redundant from the legal firm she was working at. More than three years later, Rachel says she’s never looked back and enjoys the work that she does to support GAU ward leader, Cheryl Broodryk and her team.
Rachel shares what her role involves and what an average day on GAU admissions might look like for her. She said: “GAU can be a very busy ward with it being an admission ward and I always have lots to do to support the wonderful team.
“I start my day between 7am and 8am and can be doing various things throughout my day from booking annual leave or training for the team, ordering new uniforms, supporting with changes to contracts, chasing up mandatory training, reporting sickness, and supporting our ward leader, Cheryl with her diary to supporting my colleagues on the ward with staff wellbeing.
“I start by going through and action emails, which could by anything from shift swaps, annual leave requests, order updates, or some training that needs booking. I then usually move on to authorising timesheets for our NHSP colleagues as if this isn’t done timely they don’t get paid quickly. I also make sure that the staff rota book is up-todate with overnight shifts. I also get involved in interviews and minute taking, and can often be seen on other wards assisting with minute taking too, or with a new ward administrator as they shadow me.
“One of the aspects of my role that I really enjoy is the wellbeing and menopause support that I can offer to the team. I’ve completed NUH training to become an
advocate and it’s something that I think is really useful in my role and means I can support the team, whether it’s through conversation, or signposting to further support. I’ve also just completed British Sign Language training so that I can start to sign with deaf patients or visitors.
“My day can be incredibly varied and I do so much more than what I’ve already highlighted. The role has its challenges, of course, but I consider myself very lucky to be part of this team. Cheryl thanks me every day for my contribution and this makes me feel valued.” n
Why IVF isn’t always the answer
Raising a child in the UK costs between £160k and £193k, according to the Child Poverty Action Group (CAPG). But for one in six people, the costs start before the baby is conceived, with expensive fertility treatment and IVF.
Same-sex couples and single womenwho aren’t automatically eligible for NHS treatment – often don’t realise that they might not need IVF.
“Single women and those in same-sex relationships are not infertile, they just need sperm,” said Karen Pooley, Andrology Lead at NUH Life, a state-of-the-art fertility centre at the QMC. “Unless there is a specific medical reason, insemination, using donor sperm, is much cheaper, much less invasive, and less medically risky than IVF treatment for them.”
NHS treatment is restricted to people who are non-smokers and are not over or underweight and:
• have no children together/from previous partners
• the person with eggs is under 40 (under 43 for IVF)
For single women/same-sex couples, the NHS funds treatment only after six negative cycles of self-funded donor insemination.
“There are people feeling lost in the system and not sure where to go,” said Karen “GPs aren’t always aware they can refer people to us.”
NUH Life offers both NHS-funded and self-funded tests and treatments. Last year it created 57 babies - a 26% success rate, compared to the national 17%.
“We are on a mission to raise awareness of what we do,” said Victoria Ryder, clinical scientist and Quality Manager. “We’re really good at it - and not-for-profit helps make the NHS more resilient.”
NUH Life has around 40 donors - all living in the East Midlands, screened, counselled, and registered with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. It also stores sperm and eggs from patients having treatment that could make them sterile, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or gender transition.
Choosing a donor is a huge decision, said Karen.
“They want someone who looks like their partner, or has a specific eye colour, is academic or sporty –sometimes they just want to know that they’re a nice person. We know our donors on a personal, professional level, so we can advise.
“We’re creating families. This isn’t just about the donor; it’s about their partner, their family, their future children, the recipients and their offspring. We don’t create children then leave them on their own – we support them throughout life – we really care and we’re proud of that.” n
Do you have a story to share or think that your role, service, department or area would make a great feature? Tell us!
Get in touch with the NUH internal communications team at nuhnt.internalcomms@nhs.net. You might see yourself in our winter magazine which is out in January 2025.
There’s lots of ways that we share news and information with staff at NUH. Look out for:
• Our staff app
• Staff intranet
• Trust Briefing (lands in your inbox every Thursday)
• Ward packs (delivered quarterly to wards and areas)
• Internal Facebook group
• Leaders Matters update
• Computer screensavers
• Posters
If you would like to talk to the internal communications team about the best way to share your story or news, get in touch by emailing nuhnt.internalcomms@nhs.net. n
Advertising opportunities available in our staff magazines, care directories, and independent living guides
MATTERS
CARE DIRECTORIES
County, City and Borough Council care directories are comprehensive guides to nursing care, residential care and independent living support. Created for individuals and their families exploring the possibility of moving to nursing/ residential care or seeking advice and support to continue living independently at home.
Hospital at Home: supporting patients in their own
NHS STAFF MAGAZINES
NHS publications are circulated throughout hospitals to staff, patients and visitors on a regular basis. Advertising within the publications enables companies to promote their services to NHS employees and are an excellent way to Increase their customer base within this very targeted audience.
OPTIONS CARE AND INDEPENDENT LIVING GUIDES
Options provides older people with important information from health organisations such as CQC, ICB and the NHS. Circulated through various healthcare professionals including Council social work teams, NHS hospital discharge, community nurses, and various age related charities.
