Friday 15 November 2024
CHATTER BOX
Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events
Inter Faith Week 2024
Inter Faith Week is an opportunity to highlight the many different faiths and beliefs that people have.
It creates opportunities to bring different faiths and backgrounds together, to celebrate and learn about each other, and develop new ways to work together.
Sanni Aujla, Head of Financial Recovery Programme Office, invited colleagues along to the Diwali celebrations at a local Gurdwara in Telford.
She said: “I simply enjoyed sharing this celebration with my colleagues, we made memories in a very unique way. Everyone was so peaceful, calm,
welcoming and respectful of the culture and while in the Gurudwara.
Kate Owen, Head of PMO, said: “It was such a fascinating experience, and I loved learning about the culture, traditions, and beliefs that were all new to me. The kindness and generosity of everyone at the temple truly stood out, and the beautiful outfits worn by the ladies added colour and warmth to the celebration.”
Gideon Garrett also took part, along with his nineyear-old daughter Evie. He said: “Visits as to the Gurdwara are important breaking down barriers, they are crucial so that public can have faith in what the NHS represents.”
Parking Newsletter
Have you seen our Parking Newsletter?
Keep up to date with all the latest information about traffic, parking and the Park & Ride. Please download, print out and share with your teams.
You can find the latest newsletter here and on the SaTH app, just click on the Park & Ride icon.
If you have any suggestions for the newsletter or any questions you can email sth-tr.carparking@nhs.net.
Free Oxon Park and Ride bus service is now available for RSH staff
Monday to Friday, every 15 minutes from 06.20 to 21.25
Extended hours on the Park & Ride, RSH
Bus Route - Oxon to RSH Bus Route - RSH to Oxon Walk ing Route
We listened to your feedback that more of you would like to use the Park & Ride, but it doesn’t start early or finish late enough. From Monday 18 November, the Oxon Park & Ride will run from 6.20am until 9.25pm. We hope this will help to get more people saving spaces, saving money and earning their free drinks.
Bus Stop
The site is located behind the Bicton Heath Co-operative. From the Shrewsbury bypass, turn on to the Welshpool Road heading towards Redwoods Hospital, turn left at the junction directly after the traffic lights and continue towards the signposted Park and Ride.
Men’s Health Month
November marks Men’s Health Month and Tuesday 19 November marks International Men’s Day, which highlights and raises awareness of men’s health issues including mental health, suicide, prostate and testicular cancer.
Over 23 per cent of the NHS workforce are male or identify as male. Out of a total of 1.35 million NHS staff, there are approximately 320,000 men working in the NHS. It is therefore imperative that NHS organisations put a strong focus on men’s health and wellbeing, especially because on average:
• Men’s life expectancy is 3.7 years less than females
• Men go to the doctor less than women
• Men are three times more likely to die from suicide, than women.
How can men take action?
1. Stay connected and spend time with the people in your life who make you feel good. It is important to catch up regularly, check in and make time.
2. Talk, more and be there for someone. Listening and giving time can be lifesaving and make a real difference.
3. Know the numbers and talk to your doctor about prostate cancer when 50 years or above. If you are of African or Caribbean descent or have an immediate family member
with prostate cancer, you should have this conversation at 45 years.
4. Know your testicles and check monthly to understand what is your normal and when something doesn’t feel right.
5. Move, more and do activity that makes you feel good whether it be a walk with a mate or a session at the gym.
Further support
• Health & Wellbeing Brochure
• Optimise – Checking in with Male Friends, Suicide Prevention.
• Men’s Health Week | NHS Professionals –Useful tools and guides for Men’s Health
• Our work on men’s mental health | Mental Health Foundation – Support from mentalhealth.org.uk
• Men’s health guidance | NHS Employers –Article on Men’s Health from NHS Employers
Lastly… If anyone is taking part in Movember, please contact either the Communications or Health and Wellbeing Team on the email addresses below, so that we can follow your journey.
Communications Team
Email: sath.commsteam@nhs.net
Health and Wellbeing Team
Email: sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net
The NHS Staff Survey 2024 is open.
Thank you to those who have taken the time to share your views to ensure that the changes we make now and in the future are informed by you.
Spotlight on: Occupational Therapy Team
Following feedback from the team, a project was carried out to implement new splint training workshops for the team, to boost staff development.
The training not only increased learning opportunities for colleagues, but it also increased the opportunity to utilise custom splinting with our complex neuro cohort of
Drop-in sessions
patients, meaning reduced pain and improved quality of life. The team’s next steps are to book OTs onto shadowing days with specialists to recap skills. The team are also looking into opportunities for the course to be sold to external Trusts and companies.
Please continue to share your feedback so we can make more improvements like this.
Come along and ask questions and find out more:
RSH: Thursday 28 November – Mytton Restaurant, 12-1pm
PRH: Tuesday 26 November – Restaurant corridor, 12-1pm
If you need support to access or complete your survey, please contact sath.organisationaldevelopmentteam@nhs.net.
Prizes
We have some fantastic prizes available for individuals and teams who complete their survey including shopping vouchers, spa days, hotel stays and wellbeing hampers. By completing your survey, you will be automatically put forward.
Congratulations to Alison Mattey, Matron for Theatres, who won £50 shopping vouchers and Rebecca Race, ED Consultant, who won a spa voucher!
Did you know the NHS Staff Survey...
is completely confidential What you say is kept anonymous
is one of the biggest employee surveys in the world
is aligned to the People Promise This sets out, in the words of our NHS people, the things that would most improve our working experience
is used to better understand the experiences of our NHS people and to see where more change is needed is an official statistic, run independently to the highest standards of quality and accuracy
only takes 15 minutes to complete and can help make the NHS the workplace we all want it to be Complete the survey to have your say
Time to book your flu jab
It is time to top up your immunity with an autumn annual flu vaccine to keep yourself and those you care for safe.
Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be very dangerous for some. You can have your flu vaccine at one of our dedicated walk-in flu clinics.
RSH:
• Friday 15 November, outside Chaplains office (7am-10am)
• Friday 15 November, Mytton Restaurant (12pm-2pm)
• Wednesday 20 November, Roving (4.30pm6pm)
• Wednesday 20 November, outside Chaplains office (6pm-8pm)
• Thursday 21 November, outside Chaplains office (7am-10am)
• Thursday 21 November, Roving (10am-12pm)
• Thursday 21 November, Mytton Restaurant (12-2pm)
• Thursday 21 November, Roving (2pm-6pm)
• Thursday 21 November, outside Chaplains office (6pm-8pm)
• Friday 22 November, Roving (12pm-4pm)
PRH:
• Saturday 16 November, Women & Children’s Atrium (7.30am-11.30am)
• Monday 18 November, Roving (9am-11am)
• Monday 18 November, Roving (2pm-4pm)
• Tuesday 19 November, outside Medical Escalation (9am - 1pm)
• Friday 22 November, Women & Children’s Atrium (5pm-8pm)
Please get vaccinated as soon as possible – it is the best protection for you and those you care for. Prior to your vaccination, you will need to fill out a flu vaccination record form. Please bring this with you to the clinic.
To arrange for a vaccinator to visit your department at a time that suits you, please email Karen Mann, Flu Co-ordinator on karen.mann2@ nhs.net
Memorial gardens rededication service
On Friday 1 November our Chaplaincy Team held a poignant rededication service of some memorial sites at RSH.
The service included several touching poems and blessings to the COVID stones – one for each patient who died in our care during the COVID-19 pandemic – and benches in memory of our colleagues Dr Moira Kaye and Sue Allen.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this move to protect these items during the building work at the RSH site. We worked closely with the teams, and individuals, who are most affected by this and would like to thank them for their support.
If you are affected by the move and would like support, please contact the team on sath. chaplaincyteam@nhs.net
Hypo Awareness Week
Hypo Awareness Week aims to raise vital awareness about hypoglycaemia among healthcare professionals in the UK and Ireland.
Commonly referred to as hypos, this condition occurs when a person’s blood glucose level is too low. It must be treated quickly, as in severe cases, it can be life-threatening.
Our Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) Team tasked wards with making a display board all about hypos. Wards 4, 5 and 9 at PRH and Ward 23 at RSH all took part, with Ward 5 winning a hamper of goodies.
The team also had the opportunity to go around the wards and speak to colleagues. Lots of people also took part in a hypo quiz. Thank you and well done to everyone involved.
Plaster room teams cast off for National Casting Day
The Trust’s plaster room teams recently celebrated National Casting Day, which was an initiative to promote the skills and services of the cast room within our Trust.
Pictured are the PRH team, Colm Tidman, Ben Steverton, Colin Lamb, Sam Lane, Skye Talbot and Alison Westley (SaTH Volunteer) with their National Casting Day display and the RSH team, Helen Nichols, Jason Straub and Julie Allford.
Happy Retirement Tracey
Tracey McCarthy retired from her post as PRH Endoscopy Unit Manager at the end of October.
Tracey has worked within the Trust since 1987, when she started her nurse training. She has worked within endoscopy at RSH & PRH for 15 years, starting as a band 5 then gaining a band 6 position at RSH
before taking over as unit manager in 2019 at PRH.
Colleagues gave her a wonderful send off with a buffet and balloon decorations, where colleagues past & present were able to wish her the very best for the future & express their thanks for all her hard work over the years.
Exercise bike challenge raises over £500 for the Children’s Unit
A massive thank you to our supporter Rachel Hill-Shaw who recently spent 12 hours on her exercise bike to raise £525 for the SaTH Charity Children’s Unit Fund.
Rachel decided to take on this marathon ride as she has experience of being on the Children’s Unit with one of her children.
Rachel Bennett, Paediatric Matron, said: “We are so grateful to Rachel for taking on such a big challenge to raise money for our ward. We know being in hospital is particularly challenging for our young patients, so every penny we receive we use to improve their experience of hospital.
“We are currently raising funds for a sensory light that can be used to relax children and promote a sense of calm. Sensory items tend to be quite expensive, so this donation takes a big step towards purchasing one.”
Bracelets raise money for breast cancer
A trio of ten-year-olds spent hours crafting Halloween-themed bracelets, rings and earrings and sold them to the public as part of a Halloween event set up by fundraiser, Sally Jamieson, for SaTH Charity.
Sally runs a yearly Halloween event to raise awareness of breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in October. This year she had to change plans due to flooding and instead held an event selling cakes and tombola at a local Co-op.
She was joined by her granddaughter Willow Mitchell, and her two friends, Molly Moore and Ella Seeney, selling the jewellery. The sales from
the spooky jewellery raised £60 for the SaTH Charity Breast Cancer Fund.
Sally said: “‘My granddaughter Willow has always enjoyed the Halloween events I organise and this year she wanted to get involved with the fundraising herself.
“Willow and her friends, Molly and Ella, have worked so hard to raise this money for SaTH Charity. They have made spooky bracelets in their school breaks and at home.
“Also thank you to their parents for buying the supplies and supporting them. You will make a real difference to local people needing breast cancer care. Thank you so much girls.”
Theatre orderlies doing Movember for the Swan Fund
Six members of staff are taking on the challenge of growing a moustache for November in aid of the Swan Fund.
The team of theatre orderlies (Gareth, Dave, Nathan and John) have previously raised £3,000 for charity during Movember and are this year joined by Vasi and Stuart who are also members of the Theatres Team.
Gareth said: “We shall be cultivating some fine top-lip warmers to amuse you all into donating to our cause and raising funds for our SaTH Charity (Swan Fund). A very worthy cause indeed, the fund does excellent and essential
work for both patients and their loved ones in their time of need. We will be most grateful for any contributions – let’s beat our last total!”
Jules Lewis, Swan End of Life Care Lead Nurse, said: “We are so grateful to Gareth, Dave, Nathan, John, Vasi and Stuart for taking on this challenge and deciding to support the Swan Fund. We know every donation received, no matter the size will make a real difference to our patients and their families during a difficult time.”
To support the team please visit their JustGiving page
For the fourth year in a row SaTH Charity are delighted to announce that we are offering IPC-compliant Christmas stickers for clinical areas, where normal decorations are not allowed.
If your area would like some stickers, please complete this form and select the number of stickers you would like; small (16 stickers), medium (24 stickers) or large (32 stickers) and we will post them out to you. The stickers are 15 cm in diameter.
We would love to see where and how you use them so once they are up, please feel free to take a picture and email them to: sath. charity@nhs.net and sath.commsteam@nhs. net
Courtyard reopened on Ward 32 to improve patient experience at RSH
The courtyard on Ward 32 (Trauma and Orthopaedics) at RSH has been redeveloped with the help of SaTH Charity.
The Gardening Team at RSH has worked closely with the ward staff to create raised beds, filled with sensory items that can support patients who have memory issues to connect with nature and memories of their gardens.
They have also worked hard to tidy up the area, to make it wheelchair and bed accessible. The area now benefits from two new benches and a large gazebo and will give patients an opportunity to get outside and to try some reconditioning activities.
Jo Williams, Chief Executive, and Andrew Morgan, Chair in Common, joined ward colleagues and patients to celebrate the opening of this newly developed area.
Helen Williams, Ward Manager, said: “As a team we are aware that some of our patients can be with us for several weeks. We wanted to provide them with an accessible and comfortable place to get outside, which is important for their health and wellbeing.
“We want to thank the gardening team for their hard work and dedication to transforming this space. We are also grateful for the support from
SaTH Charity for purchasing us the gazebo and benches, which make it a more useable space for both our patients and their loved ones.
“We would like to share this space with other areas who do not have access to the outside, they are welcome to use the space if they call the ward ahead of the visit and remain with their patient.
“We are looking forward to seeing how the garden changes through the seasons and encouraging our patients to get outside for some fresh air.”
Jo Williams, Chief Executive, said: “I can see the work the staff and gardening team have taken to make this courtyard a useable space for both patients and staff.
“The patient’s moods were immediately lifted by coming outside, sitting in a green space and feeling the sun on their skin. We can’t underestimate the importance of getting patients outside not only for their physical health but their general wellbeing. I look forward to seeing how the garden develops.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “SaTH Charity is proud to support teams who are improving spaces that benefit patient experience during their stay at the hospital. We all know how good it feels to get outside, it gives us a fresh perspective and boosts our mood.”
Colleague Notice Board
T H E S A T H
S A N T A W A L K
SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER, 9AM AT THE WREKIN
Hitch up your sleigh for a SaTH walk up the Wrekin and bring a flash of red to the hills of Shropshire
We encourage you to wear red and get dressed up in Christmas fancy dress or wear your best Christmas jumper to spread festive fun
The walk will be free but we will be accepting donations towards SaTH Charity and the SaTH Dementia appeal so we can continue to provide fun and interactive activities for patients in our hospital
If you would like to take part or have any questions/queries please contact lynette williams3@nhs net or karen breese@nhs net
Car parking is available but does get busy so car sharing recommended
Christmas Concert
JESIP models and principles have become the standard for interoperability in the UK The JESIP joint Doctrine sets out a standard approach to multi-agency working along with training and awareness products for responding organisations
Ultimately all incidents involve people; they might be the public we are serving or responders who are providing that service To achieve our overarching aim of ‘working together saving lives reducing harm’, we need to put people at the centre of the incident from planning through to response and recovery
To find out more, email sath emergencyplanning@nhs net or call the team on Ext 1244
Scan the QR code to enrol on the course
Colleague Notice Board
Join us for a special evening to celebrate the life and work of Dorrington’s William Farr.
Learn about the vital role the parishioners of Dorrington played in supporting Farr's early life, helping him rise from poverty to become a world-renowned doctor who transformed global public health.
Enjoy a three-course dinner and a pre-dinner drink in the historic setting of Netley Hall and immerse yourself in the grandeur of the early 1800s.
During the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to help select a fitting memorial for William Farr in the village of Dorrington.
Date: Thursday 21st November 2024
Time: Drinks Reception 19:00
Venue: Netley Hall, Dorrington, Shropshire, SY5 7JZ
Dress: Black tie or Formal evening wear
Tickets: £40 via Eventbrite QR Code (Proceeds will help fund his memorial)
Rooms: 10% Discount on your room if you also plan to stay the night
Colleague Notice Board
This
STAFF LOTTERY
This month ’s winners
1st £500
Rachael Klekot, Paediatrics
2nd £250
Kirsty Evans, Outpatients PRH
2nd £250
Bev Wagstaff, Haematology
3rd £100
Andrea Bradbury, Pharmacy
3rd £100
Ashleigh Stevenson, Neonatal Unit
3rd £100
Catrin Price, Financial Accounts
3rd £100
Deborah Jane Bekesi Davies, Catering PRH
4th £50
Roshni Ravindran, H&N Department
4th £50
Fiona Jones, Women and Children’s
4th £50
Olivia Boden, Pathology
4th £50
Elizabeth Gough, Theatres
4th £50
Elizabeth Gough, Theatres
12 cash prizes every month!
Payment will be deducted from your salary; winnings are paid into your salary the following month.
Why not join our lottery?
50% of profits are given out in prizes and the other 50% is adding to our Small Changes Make a Big Difference Fund which is all spent on items for staff.
The SaTH Small Things Make a Big Difference Fund aims to improve the working environment and amenities for all employees.
Click here to download the T&C’s and enter the staff lottery
Thank you
I came into minors A&E on Friday 1st November at about 6pm. I was accompanying my sister who had a severely displaced wrist fracture. I would like to thank all the staff we met, from the matron in charge, the healthcare assistant who accompanied her to X-ray, the radiographer, the porter, all the staff in majors and the doctors and consultant involved in helping her. Everyone was caring and professional and efficient and have all played their parts in stabilising her fracture and reducing the risks of nerve damage and problems with hand function in the future. The department was extremely busy and many staff were managing without breaks, yet my sister was seen promptly and I saw nothing but care to other patients. Please pass on my thanks.