Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events
Friday 11 April 2025
Research, Education and Improvement Week is taking place from Friday 16-Friday 23 May, and we would love as many of you as possible to get involved in the exciting activities we have planned.
The week starts with the Research and Innovation Conference on Friday 16 May at the Mercure Hotel, Telford. If you would like more information please email sath.research@nhs.net and you can book your place via LMS
Please see the timetable for the list of activities taking place during the week. The SaTH Improvement Showcase will be held on Tuesday 20 May from 9am-12pm in SERII. Book your place by emailing sath. improvementhub@nhs.net or via LMS.
NHS People Promise
The NHS People Promise is a promise we must all make to each other – to work together to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone.
The people best placed to say when progress has been made are those who work in the NHS. The annual NHS Staff Survey was redesigned to align with Our People Promise from 2021.
Using the Staff Survey as the principal way to measure progress will enable teams and departments, as well as the whole organisation, to see their progress and take action to improve.
Only by making Our People Promise a reality will the NHS become the best place to work for all –where we are part of one team that brings out the very best in each other.
You can find out more about the NHS People Promise here.
Useful resources and videos:
• Introduction to the People Promise and how it links to the Staff Survey video
• People Promise e-learning LMS demo video
• People Promise and PowerBI demo video
• Please complete this survey to share your ideas and view on the NHS People Promise
Thank you to those who attended the NHS Staff Survey briefings to hear from your leaders and managers in more detail about the Staff Survey results and the next steps on our culture and leadership programme.
If you missed them, you can see the slides and recordings on the intranet
Easter
Easter is the oldest and most important Christian holiday, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Services from Lichfield Cathedral are live streamed and can be viewed here. There will a Palm Sunday service on Sunday 13 April and a service of Holy Communion on Easter Sunday (20 April).
Both services are in the Multi-faith rooms at 10am. This will be followed by the distribution of Holy Communion to those members of staff, patients and visitors who are unable to attend services at that time. If you would like to receive communion, please contact the chaplaincy team on RSH 3638 or PRH 4519, or email: sath.chaplaincyteam@nhs.net.
Our April People Pulse Survey is live and focuses on Engagement, Culture and Health & Wellbeing. Your feedback will enable us to understand this area deeper, so that we can implement changes to improve the way that we work for the benefit of our colleagues and our patients.
Complete your survey here: www.nhspeoplepulse.com
Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month has been celebrated annually since 1992. It is dedicated to raising awareness about the causes and cures of stress.
The mission is to help individuals and organisations to recognise and reduce stress, fostering a happier, healthier and more resilient world.
The theme for 2025 is ‘Lead with Love’. It is a call to action to approach ourselves and others with kindness, compassion and acceptance - no matter the challenges we face.
Here at SaTH, there are many resources available to colleagues to help to deal with stress. The Health and Wellbeing information pack contains details on services such as the Staff Psychology Service, the Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aid and Occupational Health.
Staff Psychology Service
The Staff Psychology Service was launched in March 2023 and is commissioned to provide a range of evidence-based psychological support and interventions to staff, to enable them to manage the emotional impact of working in the NHS. The fundamental aim of the Staff Psychology Service is to meet the psychological needs of staff and increase psychological awareness across the organisation.
Employee Assistance Programme
HELP provides confidential support, 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. The programme gives you access to a team of trained wellbeing and counselling practitioners to support all colleagues. It offers confidential, independent and unbiased information and guidance by telephone, in writing, online and through face-to-face appointments for a wide variety of issues.
Occupational Health
Optima Health offers a confidential advisory service for health issues relating to work, and work issues relating to health.
SaTH Talent Portal
The SaTH Talent portal has many resources available to colleagues. It provides you with the opportunity to review your own personal and career development, using self-assessments, application, CV and interview preparation materials and online learning resources. The portal also provides tips on values and behaviours, leadership and management, personal skills development, health and wellbeing advice, talent conversations and ‘scope for growth’ career conversations as well as our What’s On guides from our Organisational Development Team.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
The earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it’s likely to be. In fact, more than nine in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it is diagnosed at the earliest stage.
It is important to know the symptoms:
• Bleeding from your bottom
• Blood in your poo
• A change in how often you poo, or regularly having diarrhoea or constipation
• Losing weight but you’re not sure why
• Feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why
• A pain or lump in your tummy
Stoma care sessions
Please join The Stoma and Colorectal CNS to develop your knowledge and practical skills in stoma care. Aiming to improve our patient’s experience and staff confidence.
These are open to all staff members. No booking required. The sessions are from 1.30pm on the following dates:
• Thursday 24 April - SAU
• Thursday 29 May - ITU and HDU
• Thursday 26 June – ESH / DSU
• Thursday 31 July - Ward 25
• Thursday 28 August – Ward 37
• Thursday 25 September - SAU
• Thursday 30 October – ITU and HDU
• Thursday 27 November– ESH / DSU.
If you have any questions please email - paula.hilditch@nhs.net
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to ask your GP for an at-home test as soon as you can.
The Colorectal CNS and TRIOMIC team is taking part in Active April for Bowel Cancer UK to raise funds and awareness to help stop people dying of bowel cancer.
They have committed to getting active every day in April, so whilst they are breaking a sweat, please sponsor them and support their efforts to give back and change lives.
The money raised will help Bowel Cancer UK to provide vital services and lifesaving research, and to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. You can donate here
Free Park & Ride at Princess Royal Hospital
Have you tried the Park & Ride at PRH?
A recent feedback survey found that 100% of those who used the service would recommend it to a colleague and 100% rated the overall service as excellent. The following feedback was also received:
‘A few extra minutes on my journey is worth the cost-saving of no parking charges. Buses are regular and reliable.’
‘Drivers are friendly and allow for slow road traffic queues at the end of day by doing quick turnrounds at the quiet end so they are at the pick-up point for people leaving work asap.’
‘The service is excellent, and the drivers are lovely. It’s a great experience coming to the park and ride.’
‘I have had a flat battery, and the drivers stayed with me and made sure I was safe, and that someone was coming to help me. They always make sure that you are never stranded. A credit to the team’
‘All the drivers are polite, cheerful, considerate and helpful.’
‘I always use the service when I’m on site at PRH.
Support the Park & Ride
Why not try something new this Spring and join all of the amazing colleagues using the Park & Ride.
Over 230 colleagues are using the service and making a real difference to the parking experience of our patients and shift-working colleagues. If there are issues preventing you from using the Park & Ride, you can talk to your line manager or HR business partner to find a solution.
I’m just really grateful for the service and the lovely drivers - thank you!’
‘You have taken the stress away of leaving early just to get parked and rushing between sites being late to clinics from searching for a parking space.’
The minibus service shuttles passengers from Bucks Head AFC Telford United Football Club, located in Wellington, Telford (accessible via the Haybridge Road entrance – postcode TF1 2NW), directly to PRH. Buses run every 15 minutes between 6.30am6.30pm.
Remember you can also earn free drinks with the Park & Ride loyalty card.
You can find more information here, and the full timetable here
619 free drinks have been claimed so far!
SaTH Leadership Programmes
SaTH Leadership Programmes are now back up and running with the first cohort beginning in April 2025.
The role of a manager and leader in the NHS is often challenging. The SaTH leadership development programmes are designed to support and equip you with the tools you need to thrive in your roles. These programmes have been designed to be practical and focused on the day-to-day challenges you are facing and to help you to be the best leader you can be, so that together you and the Trust can deliver high quality services for our communities.
The programmes are mandated and available to support the development of all staff who have line management responsibilities working in all professions at any level as well as facilitating the development of our aspiring leaders at all levels for the future.
See LMS for further details or our intranet page for details on what the programmes and courses include.
For SaTH 1-4 places are available on a first come first served basis – application forms can be requested from sath.leadership@nhs.net.
Leadership Development Framework
May’s Active Workplace Challenge
The challenge runs from Monday 19 May to Saturday 31 May, for two whole weeks of fun, fit and friendly competition. Packed full of courses, classes and content to budge you to stay active and invest in your wellbeing.
In teams of up to 10 people, you will compete against other teams to see how far you can travel around the UK in two weeks by logging your daily walking activity. Find out more online.
The Great Tommy Sleep Out
Sarah Millington and Emma Colley who both work in the Emergency Department at Princess Royal Hospital were joined by others to sleep out on the Wrekin to raise money for Royal British Legion Industries ‘The Great Tommy Sleep Out 2025’.
They braved the chill, but thankfully the weather stayed dry. They have nearly reached their target of £500 and there is still time to donate to their JustGiving page
SAS Development Day success
An educational event held for Specialty and Specialist (SAS) Doctors was a great success.
Katie Shellis, SAS Advocate and Jenni Rowlands, Deputy Medical Director, supported by the Medical Director Services Team, organised the annual Development Day for Trust’s SAS Doctors as part of their continuous professional development programme. This was the third annual event and built on previous activity.
Over a third of the SAS doctor workforce from all departments came together for a day of personal and professional growth.
The day had a series of interactive workshops: ‘What A Good Team Looks Like’, presented by John Skelton, Head of Leadership and Organisation Development, ‘SAS Mastermind Q&A’ with Trust SAS Leadership Panel – Specialist Doctors Blossom Lake (Breast surgeon), Caroline McConnell (ITU and anaesthesia), Katie Shellis (Palliative care) and
Associate Specialist Dave Green (ED), shared their experiences in taking on leadership roles describing the reality and rewards of taking on the roles and encouraging colleagues to consider these roles. Lastly an ‘Escape Room’ proved to be a very interactive, fun team building activity, and was well received by many.
Katie Shellis, SAS Advocate, said: “As always it was great to see so many SAS doctors being supported to spend a day focusing on their careers and development. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and have lots of ideas generated by the discussions in the room. I’m already looking forward to our next meeting!”
Patient takes on Chester Triple Crown to raise funds for SaTH Charity
Jane France from Shrewsbury will be taking on the ‘Chester Triple’ to raise money for SaTH Charity.
Jane has chosen the running event, which is a 10k, half marathon and a metric marathon, to raise money for breast cancer services at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH).
Jane said: “I’ve chosen to raise money for SaTH Charity to show my grateful thanks to the breast services department. In October I was referred there with a lump and the outcome was thankfully nothing to worry about, but I was so grateful for the speed of appointments and care of the department that I really felt like I wanted to show my thanks.
“I’d always put off the mammogram screening invite letters as, I’m ashamed to say, I thought I would feel embarrassed having one, but I now realise how silly I was. It was absolutely fine. So now when I receive my next screening invite letter - I will be there.”
Nina’s close shave 2.0
Congratulations to Nina Sinclair, Quality Governance Advisor, who has raised over £1,200 for Brain Tumour Awareness Month.
Her husband David lives with a rare brain tumour (aPXA) and very little is known about it. They are hoping money raised will fund further research.
Nina braved the shave on Saturday 29 March and would like to thank everyone who has supported and donated to her JustGiving page
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “We are grateful for Jane taking on these three challenges to raise money for SaTH Charity. We know it can be a scary time coming into hospital, especially with a suspected cancer diagnosis, and we are pleased to hear that Jane had such a positive experience and outcome. We wish Jane every success in achieving the Chester Triple Crown.”
Jane has already successfully completed her 10k run on 9 March and she is undertaking her half marathon on Sunday 18 May. If you want to help her raise money for SaTH Charity visit her JustGiving Page
Easter Egg Prize Draw
Hand
Entries
STAFF LOTTERY
This month’s winners...
1st £550
Mathew Meredith, Pharmacy 2nd £275
Lesley Cannon 2nd £275
Rosa Zapater Requena, Biochemistry 3rd £125
Sophie Rawlings-Jones, Communications 3rd £125
Rachel Leek, Gynaecology 4th £100
Kimberley Caldecott, Critical Care 4th £100
Carrie Wade, Ward 9 5th £50
Emily Lovell, Communications 5th £50
Dr Gemma Styles, Improvement Hub 5th £50
Pamela Williams, Corporate Nursing 5th £50
Julie Griffiths 5th £50
Gemma Dunseith, Pharmacy
JOIN THE STAFF LOTTERY AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN
12 CASH PRIZES EVERY MONTH!
Tickets only £1
Payment will be deducted from your salary; winnings are paid into your salary the following month.
Why join our staff 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
Dear staff of ward 37,
Thank you for the care you gave to our beloved wife, mother, nan and great grandmother. The care you provided to both her and to the family has not gone unnoticed.
We appreciate your incredible work at this difficult time.
