Shoutout to the Switchboard & Contact Centre Team from Karl Bamforth
“The unsung heroes of customer service, answering thousands of calls daily with resilience and professionalism. As the first point of contact for patients, staff, and visitors, they set the tone for positive experiences, handling everything from simple queries to complex complaints. Their calmness under pressure and problemsolving skills ensure every caller feels valued. They manage multiple systems and queries while remaining friendly and efficient.”
Shout out to Helen Churms, Business Intelligence Team from Joe Mosley
“Helen constantly supports her team with guidance and expertise. Her knowledge of data analytics and business intelligence within the NHS is invaluable and a vital source of technical input into all matters data related. Thank you Helen for your continued support of the business intelligence team!”
This year, International Day of the Midwife is on bank holiday Monday (May 5).
It’s the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate the invaluable contributions that our wonderful midwives make, and we are celebrating early, with some surprises for our midwives today!
More than 90 glowing tributes have been shared on social media by families cared for at the Trust, praising the compassion and professionalism of our midwives.
This year’s theme, ‘Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis’, highlights the vital role midwives play, as well as their strength and resilience during times of crisis.
Midwives are trusted first responders in our communities. They can provide up to 90 per cent of sexual, reproductive, maternal and new-born health services. As well as providing care through birthing, they give antenatal and postnatal care, and support families with knowledge and tools to stay safe and healthy through some of the most emotional times in their lives.
The message is clear: our midwives are indispensable and deeply appreciated. Use the QR code to read the latest messages on Facebook.
TOBACCO TREATMENT CASE STUDY
Deborah’sJourney: FreedomAfter42YearsofSmoking
After 42 years of smoking, Deborah, Alcohol Care Team Lead at Barnsley Hospital, finally feels free.
“I’d stopped before, relapsed, and felt embarrassed to ask for help again,” she admits.
But when she reached out to the Healthy Lives Tobacco Treatment Team, she was met with warmth, not judgment.
Ready to quit?
Armed with patches, an inhalator, and support, Deborah completed the 12week programme.
“It wasn’t easy — I feared mood swings, weight gain — but the team helped me every step.”
Now, with better breathing, more energy, and a fresh start at the gym, Deborah feels so much better.
Share your name and contact details with the Healthy Lives Tobacco Treatment Team at bdg-tr.quitprogramme@nhs.net or leave a message on 01226 432423 and they’ll be in touch.
More details about support available for colleagues to quit smoking is available on the Hub
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
StrokeCareProjectShows PromisingImprovements
A recent quality improvement project commissioned by Dr Laura Nettleton, Dr Eloise Naylor and Dr Shorav Munjal aimed at enhancing stroke patient care has shown encouraging results.
Focused on increasing ECG requests and reviews, IPCD prescriptions, and correct aspirin dosing, the initiative saw ECG and IPCD rates rise, with IPCD prescribed to 75 per cent of patients in August and 67 per cent in September.
Aspirin prescribing reached 100 per cent compliance during the 3-month data collection time, though improvement is needed in PPI prescribing and stroke scoring documentation (NIHSS/MRS).
Lessons learned include the limits of one-off teaching and the need for ongoing support.
Next steps involve developing online guidelines and updating proformas to better prompt junior doctors during clerking.
Read more about this and other QI projects on the Hub
Anewapproachtowork-relatedstress
Much work has been done in the past 12 months to look at how people in the Trust experience stress, and how the Trust should manage work-related stress. We now look at tackling work-related stress on three levels: Prevent, Promote, and Support.
The Barnsley Occupational Health team have been working with colleagues across the Trust to develop a practical toolkit to help individuals, line managers and senior leaders tackle work-related stress through these lenses.
Co-created with you, our new Stress at Work Policy is now available in TAD.
Head of Occupational Health Michael Shanaghey (pictured) says, “We want our Trust to be a place where we focus on preventing work-related stress before it has an impact, but also where we provide support for colleagues should stress be experienced. We want a compassionate workplace, where we care for the wellbeing of others in what is often a challenging work environment.”
ResilientHarryDawson crownedInternofthe
MonthforMarch
Our Project Search internships are in full swing with most interns now in their third placement within different departments at Barnsley Hospital.
Harry has been a shining star in his first two placements by giving it his all, working incredibly hard and handling everything with such resilience.
WhatisProjectSearch?
DFN Project Search is a transition to work program in partnership with Barnsley College for people with disabilities aged 18-24 in their last year of education. Students explore a variety of different career paths over three rotations each year.
Our intern of the month for March is Harry Dawson - for his continual hard work and resilience.
He has been in Portering, Waste and his last rotation will be in Procurement Stores.
