PROUD NEWS
Recognition for exceptional Intern Liam
See more on page 11
ActiveTogether projectlands national innovation award
Barnsley’s Active Together programme has won the prestigious #RightToRehab Award for Innovation at the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2025, recognising its outstanding multidisciplinary approach to physiotherapist-led care. Presented by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, judges praised the project’s strong collaboration, adaptability, and impact.
The award honours over a decade of pioneering work by teams who turned early research and ambition
into a transformative patient service. Colleagues from Yorkshire Cancer Research, Sheffield Hallam University, and South Yorkshire teams joined together to celebrate the win.
This national recognition marks a proud step forward in making rehabilitation central to NHS care. A national success...
AsPrideMonth2025 begins,it'sthe perfecttimeto reflectonhowfar theBarnsleyHospital LGBTQ+StaffNetwork hascome.
What began in late 2021 as a simple search for support has evolved into a visible, proactive community helping to shape a more inclusive culture across the Trust. Over the past year, the Network has delivered impactful awareness events in Colliers’, built meaningful external partnerships with Barnsley LGBTQ+ Forum, Trans-Barnsley, BMBC, and South Yorkshire Police and amplified its voice within the organisation.
Dr Iain Woodrow Consultant Clinical Scientist and Chair of the
LGBTQ+ Staff Network
With Tim Spackman as our committed Senior Leader Network Sponsor and growing collaboration across departments, our momentum is stronger than ever. This Pride Month, our focus is on visibility and engagement - raising awareness of the Network and encouraging more colleagues to get involved. We’re proud to see inclusivity becoming more embedded in everyday practice, and we’re working
towards securing protected time for our leadership team to keep driving real change. We were proud to see this work recognised with the Heart Award win in the Partnership category, a testament to the strength and value of our collaborative approach.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come - and even prouder of where we’re going.
Our LGBTQ+ Staff Network is a safe place for LGBTQ+ staff and allies to come together, share experiences, facilitate learning and influence and improve the organisation. Find out more about our staff networks and how to join, on he Hub. Next meeting 7 July. th
PUBLICLY BRILLIANT
DrKhanem
Congratulations to Dr Khanem, our Obstetric Lead, who has been named the winner of the Publicly Brilliant Award.
Recognised for her unwavering dedication, professionalism, and leadership, Dr Khanem has led the Barnsley Maternity Unit for over a decade,
placing the safety and wellbeing of mothers and babies at the heart of everything she does.
This well-deserved award is a testament to the impact she continues to make for families and staff across our hospital.
Nominate a colleague for a Brilliant Award today
Celebrating Volunteers’Week
This Volunteers Week (2–8 June), we’re celebrating the incredible impact of our Barnsley Hospital volunteers.
From coffee shop shifts to ward support and pharmacy deliveries, their dedication brings warmth, care, and compassion to patients and staff alike.
At th Janet Curry was named Volunteer of the Year for her kindness and commitment.
Peter Whitaker and Tricia Cooper were also recognised for their tireless efforts across the hospital.
Our Volunteer Team won the ‘Team Outstanding Achievement (Non-Clinical)’ award—proof that their collective contribution is invaluable.
Areyouproudtobeacarer?
Did you know around 40% of your colleagues care for children, and around 30% for a family member, friend, neighbour or others outside of work?
Health and Wellbeing Coordinator and Chair of the Carers’ Forum Sue Copeland encourages you to get involved with our staff network dedicated to carers...
“Being part of a work-based carers’ forum offers vital support for our staff who are often fulfilling the role of unpaid carers. It allows them to connect with colleagues who share similar experiences and challenges, fostering a sense of community and understanding.
“Prioritising health and wellbeing is essential for our carers, who often neglect their own needs. By addressing their own wellbeing, carers are better equipped to manage stress, prevent burnout and maintain a healthier work-life balance.”
Our Carers’ Forum is a safe space for colleagues with a caring role outside of work to come together and share experiences. Find out more on the Hub. Next meeting 18 June
BarnsleyHospitalExtendsTobacco SupporttoYoungPeople
Barnsley Hospital has expanded its successful tobacco dependency treatment to Children’s Services, offering vital support to patients aged 12 and over, as well as parents and carers.
Routine clinical care already includes asking all adults admitted to hospital whether they smoke or vape and treating those who do with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
From July to December 2024, 1,800 people admitted to our hospital were recorded as having smoked in the previous two weeks, 82% of whom received specialist care from tobacco dependency advisors during their admission.
Extending the service to younger patients, their parents and carers addresses the need to protect children from the harms of tobacco which can occur through smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke.
To find out more about Barnsley’s smokefree areas and the free local support available, visit Barnsley Council’s Making Smoking Invisible website, and Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Emergency DepartmentHIV TestingProjectHits Target
A quality improvement project in the Emergency Department (ED) has tripled the number of appropriate HIV test requests. This project was identified following recommendation from national guidelines about the importance of testing high risk patients. The team were able to do this by embedding HIV testing into the electronic triage form and extensive staff education. Co-designed with microbiology and BSARCS, the process included new guidelines, leaflets, and staff training.
Dr Beth Sampson (ED registrar)
Supported by Dr Sylvia Bates (sexual health consultant), Dr Rao (microbiology consultant), Dr Clare Ginnis (ED & QI), and ED lead nurses
Two new HIV cases were identified over 18 months, and staff confidence in the process rose from 6–12% to 82–94%. ED patients welcomed the testing, offering positive feedback. The project highlights the value of patient input and stakeholder collaboration in designing effective, inclusive healthcare interventions.
Read more about this and other QI projects on the Hub
DietitiansChampionEvidenceBasedNutritionDuring NationalWeek
Some of our dietitians marked Dietitian’s Week with an interactive stall celebrating innovation and awareness in nutritional care.
Paulina Bednarek
SHU Dietetic Student said: “I am proud to represent Dietetics. This year’s theme, The Future of Dietetics, highlighted innovation, media, and evolving patient needs.”
The team promoted evidence-based sources like
bda.uk/FoodFacts and the BDA’s social media to combat misleading online nutrition claims. Attendees tested their strength with a handgrip activity, sparking conversation around diet and wellbeing.
Paulina added; “Nutritional education should be accessible to everyone,” Paulina added, praising fellow dietitians for myth-busting harmful trends and promoting credible, science-backed advice.
VolunteersWeek MacmillanCelebrations
As part of National Volunteers Week, we were proud to host a special celebration at The Holiday Inn to honour the amazing volunteers who support our services in The Well –Complementary Therapy, Information and Support Centre, as well as The Macmillan POD at the Trust. These generous individuals give their time freely, offering invaluable support to patients and staff alike.
We were also delighted to invite our Cancer Support Workers and Cancer Navigators to celebrate their dedication.
A special thank you to Sarah Moppett, Director of Nursing, for attending and sharing words of appreciation it meant a great deal to the whole team.
We are truly grateful to be supported by such compassionate and committed people.
StarIntern:LiamBryson
Liam has been recognised as Project Search Intern of the Month, earning praise for his incredible progress and contribution to the Portering team.
Liam has grown in confidence and is now a valued and much-loved team member. His recent initiative to lead a guided tour for new Project Search interns was a standout moment he clearly explained daily tasks, safety procedures, equipment use, and the importance of recycling with impressive knowledge and confidence.
A well-deserved recognition for an exceptional intern!
Always seen with a smile, towing bins through the basement, Liam’s enthusiasm is infectious. His dedication and growth have not gone unnoticed, with tutors and staff proud of the impact he’s made.
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.
