Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events
Friday 7 February 2025
LGBT+ History Month promotes equality and diversity. It’s a time to celebrate the rich and diverse history of the LGBT+ community.
It is celebrated in February every year. February is a significant month in LGBT+ history because it’s when Section 28 was abolished in 2003. Section 28 was a policy that prohibited the “promotion” of homosexuality.
The theme for LGBT History Month 2025 is Activism and Social Change. Throughout history LGBT+ people have been activists and helped shape and create social change, advancing society for everyone.
The LGBT historical timeline traces the pivotal moments, struggles and triumphs of the community, highlighting key events and figures that have shaped the fight for equality and recognition over the years. For full details please click here
What’s going on at SaTH during LGBT+ History Month?
Both libraries will be setting up awareness stands
with plenty of resources, badges and pledge forms for colleagues to support this celebration. Please make the time for a visit to find out more about LGBT+ History Month.
Take a look at the NHS Employers website to see what they have planned for LGBT+ History month.
The Pride Network held a bi-monthly MS Teams meeting - the next meeting will be held on Friday 14 February at 1pm.
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week
This week is Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
At SaTH we have committed to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours towards our people.
No-one should experience sexism, sexual abuse or assault at work. SaTH is committed to ensuring that any member of staff who has experienced inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours at work is supported by our organisation and that everyone has the tools to support disclosures of sexual misconduct in the workplace appropriately.
Sexual misconduct can happen to anyone, although
people in some groups can be more vulnerable. For example, women, black, ethnic minority, disabled and LGBTQ+ people can be at more risk. Some people will also find it more difficult to make a report.
We are proud signatories of the NHS Sexual Safety Charter, which commits to providing staff with clear reporting mechanisms, training and support and colleagues can access a new e-learning module on understanding sexual misconduct in the workplace by visiting LMS.
Posters are available for all wards and departments to proudly display. These can be found on the Sexual Safety Charter intranet pages, under ‘useful resources’.
If you have experienced sexual misconduct in the workplace, we encourage you to get in touch with the People Advisory Team by email: sath.hradvice@nhs.net. so that we can support you confidentially and take necessary action. Every concern will be taken seriously.
If you have a disability, the SaTH Disability, Ability and Wellness network (DAWN) would like you to complete this confidential survey to help them understand and improve the processes at SaTH. The closing date for completing the survey is Monday 10 February.
Sexual Safety Charter
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is a proud signatory of the first-ever sexual safety charter and we commit to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours towards our workforce.
We commit to the following principles and actions to achieve this:
1. We will actively work to eradicate sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.
2. We will promote a culture that fosters openness and transparency, and does not tolerate unwanted, harmful and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours.
3. We will take an intersectional approach to the sexual safety of our workforce, recognising certain groups will experience sexual harassment and abuse at a disproportionate rate.
4. We will provide appropriate support for those in our workforce who experience unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours.
5. We will clearly communicate standards of behaviour. This includes expected action for those who witness inappropriate, unwanted and/or harmful sexual behaviour.
6. We will ensure appropriate, specific, and clear policies are in place. They will include appropriate and timely action against alleged perpetrators.
7. We will ensure appropriate, specific, and clear training is in place.
8. We will ensure appropriate reporting mechanisms are in place for those experiencing these behaviours.
9. We will take all reports seriously and appropriate and timely action will be taken in all cases.
10. We will capture and share data on prevalence and sta experience transparently. These commitments apply to everyone in our organisation equally.
If you are worried about your safety, or that of a colleague, please speak to a manager, a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, our Safeguarding Team or the People Advisory Service. Every concern will be taken seriously.
Sexual Safety Charter
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Time to Talk Day
A conversation has the power to change lives.
Time to Talk Day, the nation’s biggest mental health conversation, took place on Thursday 6 February. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.
Please do use this opportunity to check in on your colleagues and continue to look after each other. You can find all the health and wellbeing support available to you on the intranet.
If you are worried about your mental health, or that of someone you know, both the Staff Psychology Service and the Chaplaincy Team are here to help, in confidence. The Staff Psychology Service can be reached by emailing sath.staffpsychology@ nhs.net, or the Chaplaincy Team on sath. chaplaincyteam@nhs.net.
Wellbeing Walks
The Health and Wellbeing team will be visiting the following sites to drop in to different departments. They are taking place on the following dates:
• William Farr House Reception, Shrewsbury, Wednesday 12 February, 11am-1pm
• Atcham Business Park, Wednesday 12 February, 11am-1pm
• Shrewsbury Business Park, Wednesday 26 February, 11am-1pm
• Queensway, Wednesday 26 February, 11am1pm
The Time to Talk Day website has plenty of information, including the following tips on how to approach conversations in a helpful way.
Ask questions and listen
Asking questions can give the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going
through, and it will help you to understand their experience better. Try to ask questions that are open and not leading or judgmental, like “how does that affect you?” or “what does it feel like?”.
Think about the time and place
Sometimes it’s easier to talk side by side rather than face to face. So, if you do talk in person, you might want to chat while you are doing something else. You could start a conversation when you’re walking, cooking or stuck in traffic. However, don’t let the search for the perfect place put you off!
Don’t try and fix it
It can be hard to see someone you care about having a difficult time, but try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what they’re going through. Learning to manage or recover from a mental health problem can be a long journey, and they’ve likely already considered lots of different tools and strategies. Just talking can be really powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best just to listen.
Treat them the same
When someone has a mental health problem, they’re still the same person as they were before. And that means when a friend or loved one opens up about their mental health, they don’t want to be treated any differently. If you want to support them, keep it simple. Do the things you’d normally do.
Be patient
No matter how hard you try, some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. That’s okay – the fact that you’ve tried to talk to them about it may make it easier for them to open up another time.
NHS Change Conversation
Please get involved in the NHS Change conversation and share your ideas, feedback and experiences.
You can take part in the national conversation on the website.
High Potential Scheme success
Congratulations to Donna Moxon and Megan Riley from SaTH who successfully completed the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (ST&W) High Potential Scheme, a twoyear programme where SaTH has buddied with Staffs and Stoke-on-Trent ICB.
It is the first time we have run this in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. The programme ended with final group presentations and the presentation of certificates by Simon Whitehouse, ST&W CEO, on 23 January 2025 at Port Vale Football Club.
Thank you to the League of Friends
The League of Friends of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital (LoF) raises funds for innovative hospital equipment to support colleagues in providing the best care for our patients.
Recently the Trauma and Orthopaedic Team has received two Taurus walking frames for their trauma and orthopaedic patients on ward 32.
Luke Fox, Trauma and Orthopaedic Team Manager, said: “I was fortunate to use these aids in a previous role and saw the benefit they had to patients. These frames have been particularly beneficial to our hip fracture patients who we know get the best possible outcomes if we facilitate earlier mobilisation.
“The feedback from patients and staff has been overwhelmingly positive and I’m hopeful other wards will invest in these moving forward to further benefit our patients at SaTH. We are so grateful to the League of Friends. Thank you to Helen Williams, Ward Manager and Trudy Hurst, Matron, for supporting our bid to bring these to Ward 32.
Staff in the photo: Luke Fox (T&O Therapy Team Manager), Clare Fisher (Therapy Support Worker), Adam Johnson-Baddeley (Rotational Physiotherapist), Helen Williams (Ward Manager T&O ward 32), Demi Leigh Woollam (Therapy Support Worker) and Laura Tasker (Senior Physiotherapist).
The Medical Devices Training Team would like to thank the League of Friends for kindly funding the purchase of two Oxylitre Portable Suction pumps.
These pumps are standardised on the Trust’s resuscitation trollies and are a potentially life-saving piece of equipment which all clinical staff need to know how to check, assemble and operate; failing to do so could result in harm to a patient.
Up until now the team has relied upon photographs and videos as training aids. Having these two pumps will allow us to incorporate ‘hands-on’ training as part of the medical gases staff induction at both the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals, which greatly improving the training experience.
Staff in the photo: Phil Felwell and Carmel Whiting, Medical Device Training Facilitators; Stu Johnson, Medical Engineering Team Leader and Tom Saum, Medical Engineer.
Basic Surgical Skills Workshop
A basic surgical skills workshop was organised by two of our Foundation Year 1 doctors for resident doctors looking to improve their surgical skills.
Having just completed a surgical rotation, Dr Rosie Wilson and Dr Lauren Morris recognised the existing lack of official teaching on basic surgical skills offered in the Trust.
With the sponsorship from Ethicon and endorsement by Colorectal Consultant Miss McArdle, they designed a workshop to help fill this gap. The workshop, on Saturday 1 February, was
taught and supported by T&O consultant Mr Ian Sargeant, surgical registrars’ Miss Pallavi Gungadin, Miss Maleeha Hassan, Mr Sachin Ramesh and medical student Matthew Hough.
Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive and attendees were keen for similar future opportunities.
Dr Wilson and Dr Morris would like to say a big thank you to those that have helped them along the way and they hope to continue supporting surgical education at SaTH.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on Saturday 8 March.
WOMEN’S WOMEN’S DAY DAY IINTERNATIONAL NTERNATIONAL
We want to hear about which female colleagues inspire you.
Please tell us about these women, how they inspire you and any words of thanks. Email sath.commsteam@nhs.net.
Lake Vyrnwy donations purchase items for children and young people to support their mental health
Last year Sarah Childs, Paediatric Specialist Mental Health Nurse, ran the half marathon around Lake Vyrnwy.
She raised £445 for children and young people who are admitted to the Children’s Unit, enabling her to buy items to support their mental health.
Sarah bought a selection of different things to trial including mood wristbands, diaries and distraction resources such as stress balls and fidget toys, which Sarah feels will help with the development of coping strategies for young people admitted to the ward with emotional and mental health needs.
Sarah said: “The mental health and wellbeing of young people has never been so important, and in turn, young people getting access to the right level of support, and helpful and appropriate resources is key.
“I was keen to raise funds to purchase a range or “toolbox” of strategies that could help a young person manage and cope with their emotions
during their stay in hospital - from mood wristbands to mindfulness books and diaries. I am grateful to everyone who donated - those donations will make a real difference to the patients on the Children’s Unit.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “We are grateful to Sarah and all the runners that took part in the Lake Vyrnwy half marathon last year, and to the supporters and donors who have enabled Sarah to purchase these items, that will improve the experience of some of our younger patients whilst in hospital.”
Walking challenge to raise money for new Critical Care Unit
Julia Johnson, Critical Care Practice Education Facilitator, is raising funds for SaTH Charity.
She will be walking the coast of Anglesey, which is 125 miles, dividing it into 12 walks. She will be taking on the challenge in March for her 50th birthday and will be joined by her husband and dog.
The money will go towards a new outdoor “sky garden” for the new Critical Care Unit at RSH, providing a safe and enjoyable space, with seating, shelter, and landscaping.
Julia said: “Working in Critical Care for 18 years, I am passionate about our patients, their relatives and our team. I have personally seen the benefits of a critical care garden for patients, their rehabilitation and their mental health.
“Seeing a patient’s face light up, when they go into the fresh air in the garden for the first time in weeks, is priceless. Being outdoors
has a positive impact on a patient’s wellbeing, so having a dedicated space within our new facilities will be amazing.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “We are so grateful to Julia for undertaking such a huge challenge to raise funds for the SaTH Charity Critical Care fund. We know the importance of patients and relatives being able to get outside and away from the clinical environment, it aids healing and boosts a patient’s mood. We look forward to seeing Julia complete her mammoth walk.”
If you would like to donate, please see her JustGiving page
New lockers for the Portering Team at RSH
SaTH Charity was proud to purchase 16 new lockers for the Portering team at RSH. The lockers were purchased using the Small Things Big Difference fund, which is funded by the staff lottery.
The aim of the fund is to support staff with the small things that can make a real difference in their working life. The request was made as the team was expanding and needed more lockers for staff to store their clothes and personal items in a safe place during their shift.
Ali, Portering & Logistics Manager at RSH, said: “We are very grateful to SaTH Charity for providing us the 16 new lockers. Porters need lockers to store all their PPE hi-vis clothing as well as their personal belongings, previously all our staff lockers were ones that other departments had discarded, brand new lockers means so much to our porters.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “We set up the Staff Lottery and the Small Things Big Difference fund for exactly this reason, to provide a fund that can be used to support our dedicated staff by improving their environment, which in turn helps staff to deliver the necessary care to our patients. The portering team works so hard and are such a vital team in any NHS organisations, so I’m delighted we could use our staff lottery funding in this way”.
Two Milano chairs purchased by SaTH Charity to aid patient recovery
SaTH Charity recently purchased two Milano chairs for Ward 32 our Trauma and Orthopaedic (T&O) ward at RSH.
These chairs are designed to provide support for patients with spinal issues and have lateral supports, a concave head pillow and tray table. Previously the Trust has had to hire these chairs but with the support of SaTH Charity the ward was able to purchase its own chairs and can ensure patients are able to use them as soon as they are able.
Helen Williams, Ward Manager 32 T&O, said: “We are so happy to receive these two Milano chairs, which are specialist chairs to support our spinal patients. The chairs will help us to increase early mobilisation for patients, which will support the patient in healing and should reduce falls. We are grateful for everyone who has donated to our SaTH Charity fund, which has enabled us to purchase these chairs.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “Items like these specialist chairs improve patient care and experience and support patient recovery. We’re delighted SaTH Charity was able to help.”
If your area wants to purchase a specialist piece of equipment to improve patient experience, please get in touch with SaTH Charity and we can support you with fundraising to help you reach your goal, our email is sath.charity@nhs.net.
Amazon Wishlist items received by CYPU
We have recently received lots of items from our Amazon Wishlist in the Children and Young People’s Unit (CYPU) based in the Emergency Department at RSH and in our CYPU at PRH.
These items have been generously bought by members of the public to donate to the hospital. We are so grateful for every one of these items, they will make a real difference to our youngest patients. The wishlist enables us to ask for items that can make a real difference to children and young people whilst they are in hospital.
Emma Millington, Play Practitioner, said: “We are so grateful to our supporters for these thoughtful items, having items like this available to distract and calm our young patients means they have a better experience in the department and are calmer for any investigations we may undertake.”
If you would like to purchase an item from one of our Amazon Wishlist, please find the link below:
We are putting together our calendar of events for this year and would love to hear from you about what you would like to see.
We have a short questionnaire for you to complete, so if you have a burning desire to do a skydive or another abseil, please let us know so we can organise the type of events you would love to attend.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/ r/78H3XT9
Amazon Wishlists are a great way to encourage patients and their families to donate items through Amazon that could make a real difference to your area. If you would like to develop an Amazon wishlist for your area, please contact sath.charity@ nhs.net and we can help you to set one up.
Colleague Notice Board
Sending internal mail
When sending internal mail, please ensure you include:
The recipient’s full name
The recipient’s secretary’s full name, if applicable
The recipient’s department
The recipient’s site (i e PRH, RSH or the Shrewsbury Business Park)
Please use Trust systems to check the correct details London Marathon 2025
Keele Medics’ fundraiser for Children with Cancer
STAFF LOTTERY
This month ’s winners
1st £550
Danielle Priest, Urology
2nd £275
Kelly Sneade, Renal 2nd £275
Kathryn Poli 3rd £125
Louise Clayton, Cancer Services 3rd £125
Natasha Taylor 4th £100
Geraldine Quinn, Pathology 4th £100
Fiona Boddy, Hospital @ Night 5th £50
Kathy George, Adult Safeguarding 5th £50
Shirley Bailey, AMU 5th £50
Dency Chacko, Ward 37 5th £50
Steph Gamble, Respiratory 5th £50
Rachel Hanmer, Improvement Hub
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
My very grateful thanks to you all for your care and dedication. My husband Paul was admitted to your unit on Friday October 25. He was very poorly and was found to have a septic gallbladder once he was operated on. So many people were involved in diagnosing, treating, comforting and caring for Paul during his stay at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. I only know a few staff by name - I thank you all so much: Drs Aleisha, Emma and Alice; staff nurses Isaac and Moya and HCA’s Manu, Bev and Wendy. There were many others who we know did a fantastic job. He is recovering well. You should be proud of yourselves, you are just wonderful.
