PROUD NEWS
Obstetrics and Gynaecology teams highly commended Read more on page10 8 AUGUST 2025
DHSCvisitstrailblazing Barnsley healthcarefacilities
This week we were proud to welcome colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care to Barnsley so they could take a closer look at our Community Diagnostic Centre and the Alhambra site. They are very interested in our trailblazing work to move traditionally hospital-based services into community locations.
Barnsley Hospital Chief
Executive Richard Jenkins, and BFS Managing Director Rob McCubbin attended with colleagues to welcome Permanent Secretary at the DHSC Tom Riordan for a tour of Barnsley’s pioneering healthcare facilities.
Richard and Rob McCubbin
Sir Steve Houghton and Richard Jenkins
Barnsley Hospital
Alhambra Outpatients is on track for opening in Autumn and we will be writing to patients about their appointments from mid-August onwards.
Ophthalmology services will be the first service this Autumn, working towards all services with partners opening in 2026/27.
We’re excited to be able to provide more of our services in the heart of Barnsley. Our partnership working has sharpened focus on the needs of our community, and moving a further 90,000 appointments from the hospital to the town centre addresses some of those needs. In our eye clinic, patients often undergo lots of tests, and we have thought very carefully about their experience before they see a clinician. Patients will notice big, positive changes as this new space will look and feel like a much better service and one that’s really modern. Our teams are really excited to be involved, and look forward to moving into the Alhambra.
Barnsley Hospital Chief Executive Dr Richard Jenkins Alan Heathcote tells Tom Riordan about the project
MySouthAsianHeritage MariammaAntony
I feel incredibly proud that Barnsley Hospital supports international professionals by celebrating South Asian Heritage Month. It means so much to see this appreciation and acceptance of our cultures in the workplace.
For me and my family, our roots are in the southern part of India—Kerala, often called God’s Own Country. It’s a place full of cultural diversity, unity, and equality. Kerala has 100% literacy and celebrates many vibrant festivals like Onam, Christmas, Eid, Easter, and Vishu. People of different religions live together with mutual respect, which is so important for harmony.
Mariamma Antony, Registered Staff Nurse, Ward 22
We come from a Christian family, so Christmas and Easter are especially meaningful to us. These festivals bring opportunities to gather with our loved ones, share meals, and spread love, joy, and hope. Our elders have inspired us with their values and taught us to appreciate our traditions while being open to others. During celebrations, women often wear beautiful sarees, churidars, skirts with blouses, or dhavani, while men wear shirts and mundu or kurtas. Children also dress in colourful traditional clothes.
I feel so happy that here in our Trust, we have events where we can proudly wear our traditional outfits. This acceptance makes us feel respected and valued.
I often think about the younger generation growing up in the UK, who may not always experience the cultural richness of their heritage. That’s why workplace initiatives supporting South Asian cultures are so valuable. They help future generations feel proud of their roots and grateful for the inclusivity shown to them.
My family and I always feel honoured to share our culture and traditions. It uplifts the beauty of diversity and helps us all grow together, both personally and professionally.
Read our Kerala Cultural Guide here
Caringaboutyoungcarers
Young carer Phoebe
Sumption, 18, was caring for her mum who has now sadly passed away from brain cancer. She has shared her experience of this difficult time to help design a “passport” to prompt staff to provide support and care for young carers.
At the time when my mum was having her chemotherapy sessions, I wasn’t allowed to sit with her.
We started to talk about ways of helping young carers, and it led to the Young Carers Passport, as well as many other ideas. The passport meant I had more opportunities to be with my mum when she was in hospital.
It’s such a difficult thing being a young carer and just being able to sit with mum during her chemo made things so much easier.
Read Phoebe’s story in Barnsley Hospital News
AplaqueforTom
Colleagues in theatres have commemorated colleague Tom Shaw by renaming theatre 1 as “The Tom Shaw Trauma Theatre” there is a plaque situated outside theatre 1 dedicated to his memory.
Tom was an ODP and had worked at Barnsley since he was 18 years old. He was well known throughout the hospital connecting with many colleagues over his love of Star Wars.
Tom passed away last autumn and is very sadly missed by his friends here.
Asignificant improvementinthe amountoftime hypokalaemia patientswaitfora prescription!
A recent quality improvement project tackled delays in treating severe hypokalaemia.
Led by Dr Joanna Dunn and team, a new Treatment Aid Document (TAD) was introduced to guide staff and make prescribing more efficient. This led prescription times to improve from 3h 45m to 2h 16m, with only one delay over six hours.
Dr Joanna Dunn
FY2 in Medical Education May 2025
Teaching sessions to increase understanding of the TAD were also conducted.
Although the target of 80% timely prescriptions wasn’t met, progress was clear.
Now in place, the TAD will remain as business as usual.
Be part of improvement. Call the QI team on 5643, or click to email
ReducingSame-Day Cancellationsof IntravitrealInjections
Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology
Mohamed Aly successfully cut same-day cancellations of intravitreal injections by 59.15%.
The initiative targeted missed infection disclosures, introducing a patient leaflet, modifying a postinjection letter, and staff reminders. An ink stamp flagged patients with infections or on antibiotics.
Baseline cancellations averaged 2.13%. After three improvement cycles, this fell to 0.87%, also meeting the goal of 3-4 cancellations per month.
Dr Mohamed Aly Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology (May 2025)
The project highlights the impact of clear communication and process tweaks in improving patient care. These changes are now embedded as business as usual.
Be part of improvement. Call the QI team on 5643, or click to email
ObstetricsandGynaeRecognition
Our Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit has been highly commended in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ national Training Evaluation Form (TEF) awards.
category for medium-sized hospitals, the award reflects trainee feedback from 167 units nationwide.
Recognised in the professional development
Consultant Dr Mona Fawzy praised the team’s dedication, highlighting their expertise, supportive culture, and commitment to passing on skills.
Dr Fawzy credited the rota and postgraduate teams for enabling high-quality training. The award motivates the unit to continue evolving and remain a top choice for future obstetrics and gynaecology professionals.
RCOG’s Training Evaluation Form (TEF) collects feedback from trainees on their training experiences, focusing on areas like support, supervision, professional development, and training quality. This feedback is crucial for identifying strengths and areas for improvement within training environments.
BRILLIANT INDIVIDUAL
SarahBarnett
This nomination is unique, as Sarah’s exceptional demonstration of the Trust’s Values and Behaviours occurred outside her usual workplace. As the first on scene at a serious road traffic accident, Sarah acted with professionalism, compassion, and calm authority. She worked alongside emergency services to support a young patient with a suspected cervical injury, offering clear and respectful guidance.
Her presence brought reassurance in a traumatic situation, all before starting her shift.
Sarah represented the Trust with excellence and delivered outstanding care to a member of our community.
Thank you Sarah.
Nominate a colleague for a Brilliant Award today
BRILLIANT TEAM
ClinicalCoding
The coding team consistently delivers exceptional quality, adapting impressively to new digital solutions across the Trust. Their work has positively impacted research, finance income, and mortality reporting. Despite recent challenges due to sickness and leave, the team went above and beyond to meet coding deadlines, demonstrating outstanding teamwork and dedication.
Their accurate recording of co-morbidities improves patient care and supports GDPR compliance. Often working under pressure and behind the scenes, they are unsung heroes whose efforts are vital to the hospital’s sustainability and performance. Their contribution truly deserves recognition.
Nominate a colleague for a Brilliant Award today
