AleenaShibu’s Journeyasa RespiratoryNurse toBarnsley
As the NHS marks Overseas Workers Day, the invaluable contributions of healthcare professionals who have joined us from other countries take centre stage.
Among them is Aleena Shibu, a dedicated Respiratory Nurse, whose journey to the NHS was shaped by a deep-rooted passion for care.
Growing up in a family of nurses, Aleena was inspired by the compassion and resilience she saw in her mother and grandmothers.
Believe in yourself, push forward, and never stop growing.
Her love for biology and patient care led her to the NHS, where she found not only career growth, but also the chance to make a real difference. However, the path was not without challenges, and Aleena did face some skepticism and cultural barriers, yet she refused to be defined by them.
Through perseverance, she became the first overseas nurse in her role at Barnsley and pursued postgraduate studies to strengthen her expertise.
For Aleena, Overseas Workers Day is a tribute to the sacrifices and dedication of international colleagues. Her message to others: ‘Believe in yourself, push forward, and never stop growing. You are making a difference.’
MeetourLGBTQ+ StaffNetworkChair
In late 2020, after the period of lockdown, I decided to look for som LGBTQ+ resources and support within the Tru
I reached out to Roya Pourali (Inclusion & Wellbeing Lead) and, with the support of the Inclusion & Wellbeing Team, the Barnsley Hospital LGBTQ+ Staff Network was formed.
I became Chair by default, a position which I’ve held ever since.
We’ve put on various events in Colliers’, anchored around core awareness campaigns including LGBTQ+ History Month (February) and NHS Pride (September) which have helped raise awareness of the Network and LGBTQ+ generally.
Dr Iain Woodrow Consultant Clinical Scientist, Biochemistry
ed alliances with other NHS organisations and have forged strong partnerships with Barnsley LGBTQ+ Forum, Trans-Barnsley and South Yorkshire Police Hate Crime Coordinators who have attended and supported our events.
We’re also actively involved with Barnsley Pride, which was held in July this year, with a stand at the event to promote the Network.
Forging these links with local organisations has been one of our greatest achievements as a Network because the hospital is an
important part of the Barnsley community.
Furthermore, I think that having a well-established staff network makes a strong foundation to inform the Trust on wider issues within the LGBTQ+ community for patients, visitors and staff, creating a more inclusive environment for all.
Our events generate a lot of interest, but getting staff to become more engaged and attend our Network meetings is still our main challenge. We’re working on strategies to increase awareness that the Network exists and encourage colleagues to get involved.
I personally have noticed a more inclusive feeling around the Trust for those within our community. Dr Tim Spackman (Head of Leadership and Organisational Development) has kindly accepted the role of Network Sponsor and has shown great support by attending events and meetings, actively engaging with our work.
We are also working towards securing protected time for the Chair and Vice Chair, ensuring they have the necessary capacity to fulfil their roles effectively and continue making a meaningful impact.
Click here to find out more about our Staff Networks
InspiringRomaWrites BooktoHelpChildrenwithDiabetes
Nine-year-old Roma-Larose
Sutton-Kirkby, who has Type 1 diabetes, has written a book to support other children like herself.
Diagnosed in May 2024, Roma is managing her condition with injection therapy and carbohydrate counting, with hopes of
transitioning to pump therapy in the future.
Using her own experiences, Roma created "The Little Girl Who Got Type 1 Diabetes", passing her words and drawings to Rachel Jones, Team Lead Paediatric Diabetes Dietitian.
Recognising its value, Barnsley Hospital Charity supported its printing, ensuring young patients could find comfort and guidance in its pages.
Roma, who attends Hunningley Primary Academy, said: “I wrote the story to comfort people and show they can do anything, even with diabetes!”
Hospital colleagues now share the book with children on the wards
Nicola Moug, SLT and Dietetics Service Manager, praised Roma’s initiative, saying: “We were extremely impressed this booklet will benefit many families.”
Take a peek at Roma’s book
“CallingDrJones!”ourresidentQUITsmokingdoctor
Barnsley Hospital has welcomed a new ally in its mission to help patients quit smoking—Dr. Ailsa Jones, the hospital’s new resident QUIT smoking doctor.
Dr. Jones, 23, recently graduated in medicine from Sheffield University and is now supporting the Healthy Lives Team’s (HLT) QUIT service. This initiative provides tobacco dependency treatment for inpatients and staff who smoke.
Dr. Ailsa Jones
“My role bridges the gap between resident doctors and the QUIT team,” Dr. Jones explained. “The team has a well-structured system to identify patients who smoke and ensure they receive timely nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). I’m here to engage fellow doctors and refine this process to reach even more patients.”
Between October and December 2024, over 1,000 admitted patients had smoked in the previous two weeks.
With Barnsley Hospital being a non-smoking site, many experience temporary abstinence, and early NRT can ease withdrawal symptoms.
“Abstaining from smoking also speeds up recovery,” added Dr. Jones, who is currently working in general surgery.
“Smokers are twice as likely to develop post-surgical complications, so supporting them in quitting—even temporarily—can greatly benefit their health.”
Colleagues wishing to quit smoking should call extension 2423 for support and advice.
Lent:ATimeforReflection, Repentance,andRenewedFaith
As part of Lent this year, we spent some time capturing the reflections of hospital Chaplin Marian Skiffington, who told us what Lent means to her.
Lent is a time of repentance and of becoming closer to God.
It reflects the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert at the start of his work on earth. For me it involves spending time in prayer and fasting and asking God to show me what things I need to stop doing and ask forgiveness for. I usually give up some of my free time so I can do this.
As part of my role in the hospital’s Chaplaincy team I spend time on the wards supporting patients, visitors and staff of any faith or none, if you are giving anything up for Lent, it would be good to hear from you.
Barnsley Hospital is strengthening security to create a safer environment for staff, patients, and visitors.
As part of this, we’re working towards the "Secured Environment" accreditation.
We need at least 200 staff members to complete a confidential survey on workplace security, excluding car parking. Your feedback is vital to improving safety.
Additionally, assessors will meet with 12 staff members from various roles in a focus group to shape future security measures.
For concerns, contact Mike Lees (Mike.Lees@nhs.net) or Lisa Corbridge (lisacorbridge@nhs.net).
Thank you for your support!
We need 200 people to complete the survey to help get the accreditation
PUBLICLY BRILLIANT
JackHonouredwithPatientChoice BrilliantAwardforOutstandingCare
Compassionate nurse Jack has been recognised with the Patient Choice Brilliant Award for his exceptional care and kindness during a family's most difficult time.
After losing their father to stage 4 cancer, just four years after their mother’s passing, the family described Jack as going above and beyond.
Jack checked on them every ten minutes, ensuring privacy, and offering comfort.
"Jack made an unbearable time easier with his kindness. My dad would have felt so comfortable with him," they shared.
Jack’s dedication truly made a difference, and this award is well deserved. Nominate a colleague for a Brilliant Award today
SuperSueshines
Meet Sue Clarke, Macmillan Cancer Support Worker and Health and Wellbeing Champion.
Sue’s worked in the NHS for 25 years, starting in sterile services, and going on to 15 years in pathology. A mum-of-two and a grandma who lives at Gawber, Sue studied counselling with Barnsley College in her own time.
She has come up with plenty of health and wellbeing initiatives in her time, such as the pathology garden, complementary therapies for staff, information boards supporting events like Race Equality Week, competitions with medals and prizes, and a ‘positivity tree’ in the department where she now works.
I just started out with small things, then moved on to things like arranging visits, and we made a trip to Andy’s Man Club.
I have suffered sometimes with my own mental health so I know what it’s like. People think you can just say to someone who is down: ‘Oh, pull yourself together!’ but that’s like telling a person with a broken leg to go and walk on it.
I just want our colleagues to know that even when times are hard, there are places and people out there where you will find help and support.
Physioteam champions wellbeing
Dawn (centre) with colleagues from Therapies
Managing a busy physiotherapy department comes with challenges, and for Dawn Walton, Professional Lead for Therapies and Dietetics, one of the biggest is ensuring adequate space for both patients and staff.
“Our admin team works tirelessly to coordinate and support all users of the space,” she says.
Despite these pressures, Dawn finds daily fulfilment in witnessing small but meaningful moments of kindness and care among staff and patients.
Now Dawn is playing a key role in Barnsley Hospital’s Wellness Festival on 18th March, helping to organise a creative and engaging event focused on staff wellbeing.
“We want people to discover new activities and ways of living that support their health and wellbeing.”
Find out more about the event on the Hub
StaffSurvey PrizeDrawWinners Announced
Congratulations to Liz Mawson, who works in the library, and Maureen Parkinson, a medical typist in gynaecology, for winning the staff survey prize draw!
Both were delighted to receive a brand-new iPad as a thank-you for their participation.
The staff survey plays a vital role in shaping improvements across the hospital. Well done to Liz and Maureen, and a huge thank you to everyone who took part in making a difference.
Director of People Steve Ned presents the prizes to our lucky winners
