CHATTER BOX
Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events
Friday 29 November 2024
Christmas has arrived at PRH
Our Christmas festivities are under way with the switch-on of the Christmas lights at PRH.
We were honoured to be joined by patient Betsy Firman, age 3, who pressed the button for the grand switch-on on Tuesday. We were very grateful to her and her family for kicking-off Christmas in style.
There was a wonderful atmosphere and a huge thank you to the Estates Team for all their hard work in putting together such a fantastic display. There was even a special appearance from Father Christmas and the Grinch!
Turn to page 2 for more pictures...
Dates for your diaries:
• Wednesday 4 December: RSH Christmas lights switch on at 5pm. Come along to Captain Tom’s Garden to see the beautiful Christmas lights turned on. There will be music, tea, coffee and mince pies.
• Wednesday 4 December: Christmas Sock Day
We know that not everyone can wear a Christmas jumper to work so on Monday 4 December, we are encouraging you to wear your finest Christmas socks or tights. SaTH Charity, which has supported various teams throughout the year, will be giving out a prize to the team with the best socks. Send your pictures in to sath.commsteam@nhs.net
• Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 December: RSH Christmas lunches. Book your Christmas lunch at RSH. To make a reservation, please contact sath.catering.catering@nhs. net. Please state the date, time, menu option and numbers and we will confirm your booking. The menu options are available here.
• Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 December: PRH Christmas lunches. Book your hot turkey and stuffing bap or Quorn roast and stuffing bap at PRH. These must be pre-ordered by Wednesday 4 December by emailing sath.catering. catering@nhs.net and please specify PRH.
• Thursday 19 December: Christmas carols at both hospitals. Join us for Christmas carols with the Phoenix Singers at 11am in Captain Tom’s Courtyard at PRH and then at 1pm in the Mytton Restaurant at RSH. There will be tea, coffee and mince pies.
• Monday 25 December: Christmas Day breakfast roll. If you are working on Christmas Day, you can now pre-book your complimentary breakfast sausage/vegan bap. Email sath. catering.catering@nhs.net to book.
Keep checking your emails and the intranet for more festive cheer.
Parking Update
New timetable at RSH
The Park & Ride will now run from 6.20am from Oxon, and the last bus will leave the Treatment Centre at 9.25pm. To allow for these extra buses, the timetable has changed and buses now run every 15 or 20 minutes. Please check the timetable before you travel. It is also possible to view some of the buses on the Arriva app, just look for the bus named OHS (Oxon Hospital Service).
Free reflective arm bands for the William Farr House request stop
If you use the Park & Ride request stop near William Farr House, you can now get a free reflective armband. As the nights get darker, it is becoming more difficult for the drivers to see if there are colleagues waiting for the bus. Get your free armband and give the driver a wave to use this stop. Please email sath.greenertravels@nhs.net
Loyalty Card
Remember to ask your driver for your loyalty card. For every 10 round trips on the Park & Ride you will get a free hot or cold drink. Full terms and conditions are on the intranet.
Twenty-two free drinks have been claimed so far!
For all the latest updates and news about parking, traffic and the Park & Ride, you can find all of the newsletters on the
New one-way system
From 6am on Friday 6 December there will be a new one-way system on site at RSH.
The site will remain two-way from the Mytton Oak roundabout up to the Ward Block, it will then become one-way round the back of the site past Estates and Stores and exit via Evolution Road. Evolution Road will be two-way up until the Pharmacy turn-off. More details on the intranet
NHS Staff Survey update by division
Last chance to win £250!
The NHS Staff Survey closes at midnight tonight. 49.8% of you have taken the time to share your views to ensure that the changes we make now and in the future are informed by you. Help us to reach our target of 50% and complete your survey today.
Thank you for sharing your improvements
Over the last few months we have shown some of the fantastic improvements you have been making following staff feedback. Thank you to everyone for sharing these stories. If you would like to share your story, contact sath.commsteam@nhs.net.
Prizes
We still have some fantastic prizes available, including a £50 shopping voucher for an individual and a £250 shopping voucher for a team who have a 70% or higher response rate. These will be drawn next week.
Congratulations to the Clinical Practice Team who won a £150 shopping voucher for having a 60% response rate. Rachel Armstrong collected the prize on behalf of the team.
Congratulations to Paula Reynolds, Radiology Quality Improvement and Governance Lead, who won a spa and hotel voucher for completing her survey.
If you need support to access or complete your survey, please contact sath. organisationaldevelopmentteam@nhs.net
Time to book your flu jab
It is time to top up your immunity with an winter 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:
• Saturday 30 November, outside Chaplains Office (7am-9am)
• Saturday 30 November, roving clinic (9am1pm)
• Wednesday 4 December, outside the Chaplains office (6.30pm-7.45pm)
• Thursday 5 December, SERII (10.30am11.30am)
• Thursday 5 December, Mytton Restaurant (12pm-2pm)
• Friday 6 December, roving clinic
• Saturday 7 December, outside the Chaplains office (6pm-7.45pm)
• Sunday 8 December, roving clinic (4pm-10pm)
• Sunday 8 December, outside the Chaplains office (6pm-7.45pm)
PRH:
• Wednesday 4 December, roving clinic (11.30am-7.30pm)
Stay healthy this winter
Our brilliant IPC colleagues have been manning an advice desk in the ward block entrance at RSH – offering guidance to patients and colleagues about winter illnesses and how to stay healthy and well this winter.
A top tip from the team was reminding everyone about the importance of hand hygiene, which will help in the defence against seasonal bugs such as flu, norovirus and COVID-19.
• Wednesday 4 December, Women and Children’s (6.00pm-7.00pm)
• Friday 6 December, roving clinic
• Saturday 7 December, roving clinic (4pm10pm)
• Saturday 7 December, Women and Children’s (6pm-7.45pm)
• Sunday 8 December, roving clinic (4pm-10pm)
• Sunday 8 December, Women and Children’s (6pm-7.45pm)
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
Disability History Month 2024
Disability History Month takes place between Saturday 16 November to Monday 16 December 2024.
This is a period we set aside to recognise and appreciate our disabled colleagues here at SaTH.
This year, the focus is on disability livelihood and employment in the health and care sector. In the NHS, nearly one in four of our NHS workforce has lived experience of a disability or long-term condition.
We know that many colleagues at SaTH have not made us aware of their disability or long-term condition and we are asking you re-visit your ESR profile and add information if appropriate.
This month is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate people who bring personal lived experience of disability and long-term health
Could you host an intern?
Could you support an intern in your department?
DFN Project Search aims to give young people within our communities with learning disabilities and autism vital workbased learning opportunities within a hospital setting.
For more information please see the intranet
Happy retirement to Alex
conditions to their careers, teams, leadership and patient care.
We encourage staff to connect and join with the Disability, Ability Wellness Network (DAWN) which you can join by e-mailing the EDI Team on sath.edi@nhs.net. Kate Ballinger is the chair of this network alongside the co-chairs who are Jo Sawyer and Rachel Taylor. Please contact the chair or the co-chairs through the EDI Team e-mail.
The next DAWN staff network meeting is on Tuesday 26 November 2024 – 1-2pm.
Please see the intranet page for more information. For further information on events click here
Alex Keene has retired from her post in Women and Children’s this month.
Alex has worked within the NHS for 42 years. Initially Alex worked on the Gynae Ward, then set up the Early Pregnancy Unit 27 years ago, where she worked as a specialist nurse and manager.
The last 12 months Alex has been working as an Early Pregnancy Bereavement Nurse.
We would like to wish you a long, healthy and happy retirement. You will be missed by your friends and work colleagues.
A visit From our Royal Wolverhampton Trust colleagues
On Wednesday 20 November, our Digital Services EPR Team facilitated a day-long workshop with the EPR Team at the Royal Wolverhampton Trust (RWT). The RWT team is scheduled to implement CareFlow and Bluespier in late 2025.
The day consisted of SaTH sharing information on how they managed the successful cutover and golive of both projects, including any hints, tips and lessons learned.
Simeon Horton, Deputy Head of EPR Delivery at RWT, said: “I would like to convey my thanks to the SaTH EPR Team for sharing your experiences of running such a major programme when we visited. A warm welcome was extended to myself and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s EPR Programme Team.
“An EPR implementation is a significant
undertaking, and we jointly discussed the many challenges faced including implementation approaches, clinical and operational lessons learnt, system configuration choices and supplier engagement. My team will benefit from the many insights which you kindly shared.
“We look forward to exchanging further knowledge and ideas as both organisations continue on the EPR journey and seek to develop our digitally systems to support the needs of our services, clinical teams and to enhance patient experience. My sincere thanks to the SaTH EPR Team”.
Science in service
As a scientist specialising in haematology and biochemistry at SaTH, Sharlom Chaitika always felt a deep calling to use her expertise to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
When she learned about the opportunity to volunteer in Eswatini with Challenge Ministries, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to put her skills to use.
In August of this year, Sharlom had the privilege of travelling to the rural community of Bulembu, Eswatini, to work alongside the dedicated Challenge Ministries team. Mr. Z, the head teacher, went out of his way to support her as she introduced science concepts to the students, many of whom had limited exposure to fields like healthcare and laboratory work.
One of the most fulfilling experiences for Sharlom was leading hands-on experiments with the children. They conducted fun, interactive foodtesting activities that demonstrated scientific principles in an accessible way. Sharlom also took the opportunity to share her own career journey and inspire them to dream big, to dispel common misconceptions, like the idea of “mad scientists,” and emphasised how science plays a vital role in
improving lives through healthcare.
Reflecting on her experience, Sharlom is more inspired than ever to continue advocating for the life-changing work of CMS. The organisation’s innovative use of medical drones to transport samples from rural areas for testing was just one example of the visionary work they do as well as the impact they’re having.
The opportunities for people with diverse skill sets to get involved, whether through short-term mission trips or long-term volunteering, are vast.
If you’re a fellow healthcare professional, educator, or anyone with a passion for making a difference, consider how you might partner with CMS. Please contact Sharlom if you are interested in volunteering on a two-week Mission Trip in 2025 and beyond.
To do their part, the PRH Pathology Laboratory organised the Alton Towers 10k to raise money for the orphans in Eswatini. To support the team on this great cause please click here or scan the QR code below.
Neonatal journey boxes purchased with charity donations
The Neonatal Team at SaTH, with support of SaTH Charity, ran a fundraiser on World Prematurity Day to raise money to purchase neonatal journey boxes.
The purpose of the neonatal boxes is for parents of babies admitted to the neonatal ward to have a journey box to keep meaningful items filled with special memories of their time on the unit.
The team organised a raffle with prizes such a giant penguin teddy, a variety of children’s toys alongside a bottle of champagne. Thanks to all the generous donations the raffle raised over £800, and the boxes are now ready to be launched. The boxes include information leaflets, a milestone tracker, bonding squares (which are used to promote bonding between mother and baby) and tiny teddies kindly knitted by members of the public.
Corrine DaCosta, Ward Manager of the Neonatal Unit, said: “We are grateful for all the donations we received last year that has enabled us to purchase these boxes, parents will use them to save items that marks baby’s journey throughout the neonatal unit. This could include their baby’s: ECG leads, CPAP masks and nasal prongs, umbilical clamp, first
hat, phototherapy goggles, bonding squares, etc.
“Our patients can be with us for weeks and it’s important for parents to be able to capture these memories, which helps them to bond with their new arrival, which in turn has a positive effect on the whole family’s physical health and wellbeing and their neonatal journey.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “SaTH Charity is proud to support the Neonatal Team in achieving their goal to provide neonatal journey boxes to the families of the babies on the unit. We are grateful to all the supporters who purchased tickets for the raffle and bought items on the day.
“We have also been overwhelmed with the generosity of our knitters who have created so many lovely items that will be gifted to every baby on the unit as a keepsake of their time in hospital. Due to the number of knitted items, we have decided to close the appeal until stocks have depleted but want to thank everyone for donating their time and talents to this cause. We know these items will mean so much to the parents of babies on this unit, something they will treasure forever.”
Staff lottery top prize now £550
SaTH Charity is excited to announce that you can win MORE money in the staff lottery. The prize fund has increased by £150, meaning bigger prizes in time for the Christmas pay day!
The Staff Lottery is open to all staff across the Trust. Staff must have regular contracted hours and be paid monthly and on the Trust’s payroll.
Tickets are £1 each, payment will be deducted from your salary. It is the responsibility of each employee to check that deductions are accurate. Your number(s) are automatically allocated and go forward into each month’s prize draw. To leave the lottery, please complete a leavers form.
If you would like to purchase a lottery ticket, please complete this form.
Are you an existing lottery player and want to increase the number of tickets?
If you already play the lottery and want to increase the number of tickets, use the link below to purchase additional tickets. For example, if you want five tickets and you only currently pay for two tickets you would complete the form for an additional three tickets, this will bring the total up to five tickets. Any questions please email the office: sath.charity@nhs.net
Where does the money raised from the staff lottery go?
Half of the money from the lottery goes to prizes and the other half goes into the Small Things Big Difference Fund, a fund that is exclusively for the benefit of staff. The aim of the fund is to provide grants for staff to buy the Small Things that make a Big Difference to your working life. For example, we have recently purchased a fridge for the AMU at RSH, so the consultants had somewhere to store their lunch. You can apply to the fund via this link.
World Prematurity Day Coffee Morning
The Neonatal Unit hosted a coffee morning on Sunday 17 November to celebrate World Prematurity Day. World Prematurity Day is one of the most important days in the year to raise awareness of the challenges and burden of preterm birth globally.
Tree of Life
We are honoured to have SaTH Charity’s Dementia Appeal chosen as one of the charities to benefit from donations made to the Ironbridge Rotary Club’s Tree of Life which can be viewed in Telford Shopping Centre.
The Tree of Life gives loved ones an opportunity to sponsor a name on the tree. These names are displayed on the Tree of Light in Telford Centre, Orbit Wellington and the windows of Tranter Lowe’s offices in Oakengates.
Names are also displayed on the website and in the Telford Journal. SaTH Charity is so pleased to be involved in a project to commemorate loved ones during this festive period.
Karen Breese, Dementia Care Clinical Specialist, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the Ironbridge Rotary Club as one of the charities that will benefit from the donations to the Tree of Life.
“We use donations we receive to purchase items to support patients living with Dementia who are admitted to the hospital, like fidget toys, cat and dog teddies and card games. These items give our patients something to focus on in an unfamiliar environment. Every donation will make a real difference to our patients.”
If you would like to sponsor a name that will be displayed next to the Tree of Light, you can find more information here
Blists Hill Discount for Blue Light Card Holders
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is offering Blue Light Card holders a 50% discount on entrance tickets to its Christmas Late events at Blists Hill Victorian Town at 6-9pm on Wednesday 11 and 18 December.
These evening events are an opportunity to experience the festive cheer of a Dickensian Christmas after dark. Characters from Dickens’ Christmas favourite A Christmas Carol will make an appearance on the streets of the Victorian town as you sip on mulled wine or hot chocolate and listen to carol singers or a live band.
There will be the chance to meet Santa in the Christmas Grotto. The town’s shops, adorned in festive decorations, will sell unique Christmas gifts and you will be able to enjoy a seasonal treat from the Bakery or Sweet Shop, tuck into
a steaming bag of fish and chips from the Fried Fish Dealers or settle down with a refreshing drink in the New Inn Pub.
Enter discount code WEDLATE50 when you book.
50% discount for Blue Light Card holders applicable on entrance ticket on Wednesday 11 and 18 December.
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 Card Making Kits
The library service is offering free Christmas card making kits to Trust staff, students and volunteers. Provided with funds from the SaTH Charity Small Things Make a Big Difference fund.
The kits contain blank cards, blank gift tags and a selection of craft materials including buttons and ribbon.
We have a limited number of kits to give out on a first
Collect your kits from 9am on Monday 2nd December from either Shrewsbury or Telford Health Library – while stocks last!
Work off-site? Send us an email to sath.shrewsbury.library@nhs.net on Monday 2nd December and we will post a kit out to your work address.
For people living with and beyond bowel cancer
Where: Hamar Centre, RSH
When: Wednesday 11th December 2024
Time: 1.30 – 3.30pm
A Colorectal Nurse Specialist and Cancer Navigator will be present.
Join us for our Christmas Party!!
For more information and to confirm attendance please contact Sue Colman – Colorectal Cancer Navigator on 01743 261144 or sath.colorectalcns@nhs.net
JESIP E-LEARNING
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
Thank you for your support, your generosity has been amazing!
What is Donate 2 Motivate?
We are on a mission to improve patient experience by sourcing clothing for our patients to motivate them to get up, get dressed and get moving!
What you can do to help
We would love if colleagues at SaTH can join the movement and donate any unwanted clothes to the donation points at both sites.
PRH Donation Point:
• In the old league of friends next to the Amazon lockers
RSH Donation Point:
• Outside public toilets by Myttton Oak restaurant
All items need to be clean and in a good state of repair and suitable for someone over the age of 60 to wear whilst in hospital so should be loose fitting and comfortable, nothing too tight. Unfortunately, due to limited storage capacity and health and safety we cannot accept bulky items such as coats, dressing gowns, shoes or items with visible cords or belts.
Elasticated trousers are fine if the elastic is concealed within the fabric.
What is deconditioning?
Deconditioning is the process of losing physical strength through being ill, injured or not being active and in a hospital environment this can be after long periods of inactivity or bed rest. Why does this matter in the context of donating clothing? Long periods of time in bed wearing a hospital gown is not good for recovery. Providing patients with comfortable, warm clothes during their admission could motivate them to get up out of bed and mobilise plus it’s a great way of keeping time and not getting confused about day and night.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
Clare Walsgrove: Ext 2525 or clare.walsgrove@nhs.net
Lynette Williams: Ext 2285 or lynette.williams3@nhs.net
Colleague Notice Board
National Grief Awareness Week (NGAW) 2-8 December 2024
Good Grief Trust Shine a Light Awards –‘People, Places and Projects’
Nominated for a Shine a Light Award for ‘Places’: Shropshire Education and Conference Centre (SECC)
SECC has hosted the Staff Bereavement Support Cafes for the last 3 years. This year, working in collaboration with SECC Manager, Paul Lewis and his team, and with funding from SaTH Charity, (Small things make a Big Difference), we have developed the OWEN Room, in memory of Joan Owen (who died during the Pandemic) and providing a dedicated space in which to facilitate staff bereavement support one-to-one sessions in a safe space, to be heard with compassions, kindness and understanding. In recognition of this support SECC are nominated for a Good Grief Trust Shine a Light Award for ‘Places’.
Left - Some of the places lit up in orange for last year's National Grief Awareness Week . Thanks to Estates at PRH and RSH, Telford Library and Shrewsbury Abbey for lighting up in orange for 2024
Right: a new condolence card, original design kindly donated by Roy Lilley, Health writer / commentator and artist, being launched during NGAW 2024. This card will be gifted to bereaved relatives by the Bereavement team
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 would like to praise the efforts of your staff conducting a colonoscopy procedure on me. The receptionist was excellent. She handled my registration with interest and involvement. As the first contact point with the hospital, her attitude and process were exactly as you would hope for when facing treatment. The nurse took all necessary details and made me feel relaxed and stress free. She then handed me over to the consultant who was undertaking the procedure. In five minutes we were cleared to go and taken into the treatment room together with four nurses.
The treatment was explained and within minutes the procedure was underway. Everything well and soon in recovery room with a close eye on my recovery. A final debriefing with the senior nurse regarding the results left me happy and relaxed. So my congratulations to all the staff for their attitude and professionalism, and all on a Sunday!