Be a Heart Award Winner in 2025
As nominations open for 2025, we take a look back at some winners in 2024
Promotingequalityintheworkplace
This week is Race Equality Week, an annual UK-wide movement led by Race Equality Matters that unites thousands of individuals and organisations to address the barriers of race equality in the workplace.
We’ve been encouraging people to take a moment each day this week to
reflect and commit to actions that drive change.
The 5-Day Challenge covers five themes, each with a reflective question, a short video, and insights on how our actions can impact inclusion and belonging.
Everyone has a role to play in promoting equality in the workplace, from the top of our organisation to the bottom. Through participation, we can deepen our understanding and collectively promote a more inclusive and equitable environment.
Steve Ned
Director of People
Take part in the 5-Day Challenge on the Hub
Do you have a story to tell? We’re looking for more personal stories about you - the people out there making this place work.
Who are we and why do we do it?
We’re particularly looking for stories from anyone who: has managed to quit smoking has moved to the UK to work for the NHS has achieved a notable qualification Stories should be less than 100 words and include at least one photo.
Talk to the Communications team if you have a story, or any questions about sharing your story. communications.barnsley@nhs.net
To mark Race Equality Week, we’ve asked Dr Rajeev Gupta to tell us a bit about why he put himself forward as Chair of Barnsley Hospital’s Race Equality and Inclusion Staff Network.
I put myself forward as Chair of the Race Equality & Inclusion Network because I have been subjected to discrimination in past, and I am passionate about Race Equality - so nobody feels as if they are losing an opportunity due to race or colour of skin. I had written a poem “what is the colour of my skin” to describe the discrimination and my feelings. Our Trust, like any NHS Trust, is supposed to have equality for all staff. Our Trust was better than most as I have been working along with Roya and other
colleagues before we established the Race Equality & Inclusion Network.
The Race Equality & Inclusion Network offers an opportunity for any ethnic minority staff to report issues they encounter.
We have an agenda item on our monthly meeting where people have reported issues and we have resolved those through proper channels.
Having Director of People
Steve Ned as executive sponsor for our network is hugely useful for addressing issues.
We do a periodic survey of the needs of ethnic minority colleagues and the challenges they face.
Our ambition for the future is to empower our ethnic minority colleagues and support them in career progression through “Action Learning Sets”. The first cohort will hopefully start in March 2025
We also hope to set up a coaching programme for ethnic minority staff.
The Race Equality Network is open to everyone who believes in the philosophy of equality, irrespective of their own race and colour.
We need more ambassadors and active promoters for the Race Equality & Inclusion Network.
People can contact me with their suggestions for promoting the value of the network, or if they wish to attend network meetings.
Managers can support the work of the network by releasing ethnic minority staff to attend the meetings as well listening to their issues openly.
Find out more about joining a staff network on the Hub
NewClinicalDirectorforCBU1
Congratulations to Dr. David Walker who has officially stepped up as Clinical Director for CBU1.
Dave began in post on Monday 3 February, and he’s already rolling up his sleeves, getting to grips with the services and challenges ahead.
A special thank you to Dr. Nishant Ranjan for all his hard work during his time in the role.
Expect Dave to be making the rounds, getting to know the team, and bringing his extensive expertise to the table.
BarnsleyMayor LaunchesMacMilllancharitywalk
The Mayor and Mayoress of Barnsley stepped up for a good cause this week, as they officially launched the Macmillan charity walk from the Macmillan pod at the hospital.
MacMillan nurses and fundraising ambassador Eileen will join the effort, raising vital funds for cancer services.
After a few words from the Mayor, walkers embarked on their mission, heading to The Priory Campus in Lundwood for well-earned refreshments.
Wintervaccination prizedrawwinner
Congratulations to lucky winner Charlotte Connelly! Charlotte won the most recent £50 prize draw for having taken up the offer of winter vaccinations.
PUBLICLY BRILLIANT
CompassioninCare:MidwifeJoBowering HonoredwithBrilliantAward
Joanne Bowering has been recognised with the Brilliant Award for her outstanding dedication to patient care.
A recent mother’s heartfelt testimony highlights Jo’s exceptional support, particularly for those with additional needs.
Struggling with autism, PTSD, and anxiety, the mother feared her pregnancy journey but Jo’s unwavering compassion, adaptability, and advocacy transformed her experience.
From personalised birth planning to postnatal support, Jo’s care was lifechanging.
Her commitment embodies the very best of maternity services. Congratulations, Jo —your impact is truly remarkable.
Nominate a colleague for a Brilliant Award today
ProcurementandPaediatricED
RecognisingInnovation andSustainability
In 2024 the Procurement team and Paediatric ED team worked together on an initiative to switch to reusable saturation probes, reducing carbon emissions, cutting costs, and strengthening local supply chains. This forward-thinking approach not only bagged them top spot in the Innovation category at our
Heart Awards, but also delivered measurable environmental benefits and supported local employment in a high-need area.
Through collaboration, this project secured a £250,000 regional cost saving while championing sustainability and community investment. WINNER
Buildingadiverseteam
Josh was recognised in 2024 for having created a team full of diversity, with volunteers of all ages, nationalities and sexualities. He made sure everyone felt welcome within the team, and made sure it’s a safe environment so any new volunteer joining us can be who they truly are.
Josh always worked hard to ensure volunteers get a role suited to their needs.
One volunteer said of Josh:
"Not only did Josh give me the opportunity to become a better version of myself, but he also gave me the opportunity to have a greater impact in the hospital, to help out people in need, make new friends and create some amazing memories that I will cherish forever”
JoshHudson
Makeyournominationtoday
In addition to these categories, patients or their representatives can make a nomination in the Patient Choice category, and the Chief Executive and the Governors will each present an award to an individual or team within the hospital who has embodied the organisational values and worked hard to make a difference in their work area or team.
Full category descriptions are available on the Hub, and in the nomination form linked below. Don’t delay, nominations close on Friday 7 March.
Find out more and make a nomination
The Trust is marking a year since launching its Corporate Welcome, which has so far welcomed 300 new colleagues.
Those attending on the 3rd February praised the event, describing it as “inclusive”, “valuable”, and key to understanding the Trust’s strategic vision. “I felt included and valued” said midwife Clare Turner.
Thank you from the Learning and Organisational Development team to everyone who contributes to the success of Corporate Welcome.
Find more details about the Corporate Welcome on the Hub.
Get in touch with the team
Newcateringpartnerwillbringawider rangeoffoodforpatientsandstaff
Our very own Rob McCubbin has announced an exciting venture that will see a full makeover of hospital patient catering and restaurant services – and it includes an on-site Costa!
Rob, Director of Barnsley Facilities Services (BFS), said the new-look restaurant will have an extensive menu with healthy ‘Grab ‘n’ Go’ salad bars, and an extended hot food menu. For patient catering, there will be an expanded menu, offering flexibility and consistent quality to our patients.
The new offer, to be launched in Spring, will also see retailers Costa and Greggs introduced into Barnsley Hospital.
Greggs will provide a CQUINcompliant (Commissioning for Quality and Innovation) menu of around 10 meal solutions, including healthier options such as soup, porridge, goujons, sandwiches, fruit pots, eight types of salad, and breakfast and made-in-shop lunches.
The changes will be provided by new catering partner
Medirest - a leading food, hospitality, and support provider delivering high quality catering solutions to address the diverse needs of all hospital users.
