6-7
New 7 Commitments for the year ahead
4 Dying Matters Festival sparks conversations
9 12 World Piano Day celebrated
Leeds bishops visit LGI
Shakespeare Primary School pupils get hands-on
60 Seconds with Dave Kirby
18 25
A visit from the Hospital Inspectors
In March Leeds Children’s Hospital welcomed a delegation of ‘Hospital Inspectors’ from Rosebank Primary School. Six pupils from years five and six set out to find out more about Leeds Children’s Hospital and share their thoughts and observations about the hospital and how things are done!
This new initiative is designed to give young people in the community a voice within the hospital and has been led by Celia McKenzie, Patient Experience Lead. Rosebank Primary School is the closest school to Leeds Children’s Hospital’s LGI site.
Hospital Inspectors were based in the Learning Zone (the hospital school) in the heart of Clarendon Wing where they met with hospital teachers and nursing staff. They visited the Children’s Outpatient Department in Martin Wing as well as the main entrance at Clarendon Wing reception before sitting down to enjoy a proper hospital lunch.
In each area, Hospital Inspectors were encouraged to think about how that space felt, what they liked/ didn’t like about it, as well as how it might be improved.
The overall feedback from young people was that they thought the hospital was welcoming for children and they enjoyed their lunch which was evident from the empty plates! Suggested improvements included free tea, coffee and snacks in all areas where children and parents visited. Following the visit, pupils led a school assembly to share what they had learned.
Celia McKenzie, Patient Experience Lead for Children, said: “It’s been a pleasure to welcome pupils from Rosebank Primary School and really illuminating to see the hospital through their eyes. We have definitely benefitted from their feedback and look forward to continuing this initiative with further Hospital Inspector visits and collaboration with local schools.”
Welcome to the Summer issue of Bulletin
Since launching our annual 7 Commitments two years ago I’ve been amazed by the achievements you have turned around through focusing on the issues that matter. It’s not news to anyone that the NHS as a whole is under an enormous amount of pressure, with many conflicting priorities. But as the saying goes, if we prioritise everything, we prioritise nothing. That’s where these 7 Commitments come in. It’s our way of collaborating on a Trustwide scale, bringing every colleague from every role together to focus on seven key areas where we want to shift the dial over the coming year. It should be no surprise that our Leeds Way values are at the heart of this approach. Collaboration can achieve powerful things, and I’ve seen this make a huge difference over the past months and years.
I’d like to invite you to get to know our new 7 Commitments for the year ahead by reading all about them on p. 6 and consider the next steps you can take to help us achieve them. Because this isn’t about what a certain few can achieve – it’s what we can all achieve together.
Kind regards
Prof. Phil Wood Chief Executive
Staff get creative to help open up conversations about death and dying
Colleagues at LTHT brought together poets and performers to help open up conversations around bereavement, death and dying, during Dying Matters Week in May.
The Culture of Dying Matters Festival –held at St James’s – brought together staff, volunteers, city partners and members of the public to hear personal stories and performances about end of life.
It’s all part of the national Dying Matters Awareness Week campaign (5 – 11 May), which challenges the taboo of talking about dying in wider society, shares traditions and stories about care at the end of life, and supports healthy conversations around death, bereavement and grief.
Faye Marshall is a Specialist Nurse in the Palliative Care team at LTHT who cares for patients at end of life and their families. Outside of her nursing career, Faye is also a performance poet who has hosted creative workshops in the UK and around the world. Her poetry has been published in several anthologies, and her debut pamphlet, Throwing Sugar on the Fire, has just been published by Yaffle Press.
On the surface, poetry and nursing seem like two distinct practices, but Faye has discovered that her creative work has helped profoundly shape the way she approaches caring for her patients.
Faye said: “Having worked in palliative care for over 10 years, I have come to realise how nursing is an art form in itself. Nurses are required to be creative and collaborative every day, across all specialities, however, with end of life care we have one chance to get it right. That’s why I approach both my clinical work and my creative writing with the same ethos of seeking compassion, meaning and humanity, which underpins our collective need as a society.”
Faye was one of the performance poets speaking at the Culture of Dying Matters Festival —a platform for sharing how different cultures and communities experience, honour and talk about death and dying.
She said: “Conversations about death and dying are challenging for all of us, but it’s important we can open up about this natural part of life that will happen to all of us. Art, poetry and creative responses are vital in helping us
meaningfully engage and reflect, which is exactly what we are trying to achieve with our Culture of Dying Matters Festival in Leeds this week.”
Led by the Palliative Care Team at LTHT, the event brought together staff, community partners, performers, charities and cultural voices from across Leeds and West Yorkshire. A line-up of live performances included a staff-patient choir, and spoken word performances from three regional independent poets followed by two staff poets. The event also featured a Dying Matters Library and Dying Matters Cinema, showcasing how literature and film can spark thought and conversation.
Yunus Wynn, Specialist Nurse in the Palliative Care team, said: “Death is a universal experience but not yet a universal conversation. This festival is part of a national effort to normalise discussions around dying, improve end of life care planning and celebrate the diversity of traditions and beliefs within our communities. By working with partners from across the city we aim to show that Leeds is a city that cares about the culture of dying.”
Emergency Department team lead workshops in secondary schools to reduce knife crime
Medics from the Trust’s children’s Emergency Department (ED) have teamed up with West Yorkshire Police officers to deter secondary school students from becoming involved in knife crime.
A pilot project is delivering workshops in seven secondary schools across Leeds, targeting year eight and nine students as part of ongoing partnership efforts to deter young people from carrying knives.
Workshops include sessions with Leeds Children’s Hospital ED consultants who highlight the severity of stab wounds seen in Children’s ED as well as a fictional murder investigation scenario run by police officers in which students act out roles including investigators, victims, first responders and witnesses.
The scheme, led by Children’s ED consultants and specialist officers from West Yorkshire Police’s Integrated Offender Management 6th Prison Hub Team, builds on the positive work of the Junior Detective Programme.
That scheme, which was recently run in Leeds and Bradford, was aimed at raising awareness of the consequences of serious youth violence and criminal exploitation linked to gangs and looked to equip young people with the knowledge to act as ‘knife crime ambassadors’ in their schools and communities.
This latest initiative in schools supports Project Shield, which is the city’s longer term co-ordinated response to knife crime, backed by the city community safety partnership - Safer Leeds and the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership.
The first event was held at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in January. Students at Ralph Thoresby School (pictured) took part in the new initiative in February with further events planned for St Marys Menston school, Roundhay School, Guiseley School, Prince Henry’s Grammar School and Allerton Grange School in the first half of 2025.
The sessions give young people a firsthand insight into the harsh realities
of knife crime and the impact it can have on victims, families and the wider community. During the workshops, hospital staff deliver teaching on how to respond in the event of a knife crime including how to make an accurate 999 call as well as life-saving first aid and CPR.
Dr Helen Mollard is one of the medics leading workshops. She said: “As a Children’s Emergency Medicine Consultant I am extremely concerned about the rising numbers of knife crime incidents we are encountering, especially in young people under 16 years of age.
“We hope that in delivering these workshops, we can educate young people about the risks of knife crime and teach them important life-saving techniques they could use if needed. Visiting local schools also allows us to develop strong links with the community and helps us gain a better understanding of the challenges facing young people today.”
Sergeant Tom Clark of the Integrated Offender Management 6th Prison Hub Team, said: “Addressing the risks and
harms of knife crime remains a key priority for the police and our partner agencies, and we are fully committed to doing everything we can to raise awareness and keep young people safe.
“The medical staff supporting the scheme have seen first-hand the horrendous injuries that child knife crime victims in the city have suffered and their voices are a vital part of hitting home the message to young people.
“We know that the root causes and driving factors around young people involved in knife crime are much wider than policing alone and it is only through everyone across our partner agencies and our communities playing their part that we will continue make progress.”
LTHT staff are currently delivering workshops as volunteers in their own time but hope to secure funding to make further workshops more sustainable. The team is also recruiting new volunteers. If you are a clinical member of staff interested in joining the team please email: helen.mollard@nhs.net
Introducing our new 7 Commitments for 2025-26
Chief Executive
Prof. Phil Wood talks about the Trust’s annual commitments for the year ahead – and how everyone can play their part.
Our new 7 Commitments are our way of tackling the most important priorities facing our organisation. By focusing our efforts on seven key areas we can make real impact and improvement to benefit our patients, services and colleagues over the next year.
As with the wider NHS, we know there are big challenges facing all our services with many competing priorities. We also know that the best way we can meet these challenges is by combining our efforts together as an organisation.
The 7 Commitments refresh every year and align with our multi-year goals – by delivering these we will be able to realise our strategic priorities and ultimately our Trust’s vision to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care.
We’ve listened to your feedback and shifted some of the focus on this year’s commitments, which includes a Team focus on supporting each other and a Compassion commitment to act on moments that matter to our patients.
“The 7 Commitments give us a united focus across the Trust. By each of us making small, meaningful changes –especially through kindness and compassion – we can create a greater impact. Together, we can shape a positive, caring environment for our patients and for our colleagues.”
Our new 7 Commitments
Supporting patients to get home a day sooner when they are fit and ready is a commitment to getting patients into the best environment for their recovery. It reflects our dedication to efficient, safe, and patient-centred care.
Recognising and acting on moments that matter helps build trust, enhance patient experience, and support emotional wellbeing. It ensures care is not only clinically effective but is also mindful and considerate.
Aiming for the top tier of trusts for patient experience and efficiency in outpatients drives continuous improvement, and reflects our commitment to meeting patient needs promptly and effectively. It also helps the trust benchmark performance and deliver excellence.
Supporting each other with kindness and compassion strengthens teamwork, boosts staff morale, and creates a positive working environment. This directly impacts the quality of patient care and helps the Trust deliver safe, thoughtful, and collaborative healthcare.
Managing our budgets is crucial to deliver sustainable, high-quality care and making sure our staff have the right financial knowledge ensures resources are used effectively, reduces waste, and helps us invest in the areas that matter most.
Making the best use of our estate, equipment, and digital assets is key to running an efficient, high-performing hospital trust. It helps us deliver better care, reduce waste, and ensure resources are available where and when they’re needed most.
Reducing the Trust’s carbon footprint supports both environmental sustainability and patient wellbeing. We can improve efficiency and patient experience by reducing energy use and waste. This not only aligns with national healthcare sustainability goals, it also helps get the Trust ready for the future and climate-related challenges, contributing to healthier communities and a healthier planet.
7 Commitments activity roadmap for this year
We’ll be sharing activity and celebrating the 7 Commitments through Trust comms channels throughout the year, starting with a launch period through April and May, where each of the commitments will be introduced.
From June, we’ll be launching our focus month series, starting with Sustainability to coincide with World Environment Day and ending with Care in January –because everything we do comes back to care.
Meanwhile, in August, there’ll be a short break to celebrate the fantastic work of colleagues at our annual Time To Shine Awards.
Month Activity
April – May Launch period – introducing the new commitments
June Focus month: Sustainability
July Focus month: Compassion
August Time To Shine Awards: Celebrating the 7 Commitments
September Focus month: Quality
October Focus month: Team
November Focus month: Finance
December Focus month: Resources
January Focus month: Care
How can I get involved?
There are lots of ways you can get involved to help us deliver this year’s annual commitments – and we’ll be sharing more ways through our comms channels. Here are some ideas to get started:
• Get to know the 7 Commitments for this year – take a look at the Intranet hub for this year’s commitments (search: ‘7 Commitments’) and look out for Trustwide communications. Turn to page 16 for a poster of this year’s 7 Commitments to pull out and keep.
• Make the 7 Commitments part of your annual appraisal conversation this year.
• Access the 7 Commitments toolkit on the Intranet hub and download resources for communicating with your team and presenting on your projects.
• Each Friday, join Friday Focus at 9am on Microsoft Teams to hear how teams are using the 7 Commitments in their daily work. An email invite has been sent to all Trust colleagues –everyone welcome!
• Plan activity around each of the focus months for each Commitment from June – January to share and celebrate your work with the rest of the Trust.
• Get in touch to tell me about your work – I’d love to hear more. Email communications.lth@nhs.net
Find out more: Search ‘7 Commitments’ on the staff Intranet.
First Out-of-Hospital Maternity & Newborn Emergency Training course
The maternity education team have worked collaboratively with Yorkshire Ambulance Service to hold the very first joint Out-of-Hospital Maternity & Newborn Emergency Training (OH-MNET) course in March.
The two-day course offered excellent simulation-based learning in conjunction with ambulance colleagues and community midwives from across Yorkshire. Attended by 30 ambulance clinicians and 38 midwives, this multidisciplinary team (MDT) training aims to improve safety for mums and babies in the pre-hospital environment.
The training received praise from attendees who all work as part of Local Maternity & Neonatal Systems (LMNS) across North, East and South Yorkshire. Some of the feedback included: “This was a really brilliant day, really great to be MDT working with midwives and having neonatal resus taught by a midwife was the best neonatal life support training I
have ever had” and “I found each session very valuable, working alongside the ambulance team to collaboratively keep women and babies safe was refreshing.”
The team have plans for this working relationship to continue and further ambitions for this level of training to be offered across the entire region.
More than 1,000 people quit smoking through Leeds hospital service
More than 1,000 hospital patients have now successfully quit smoking thanks to a stop smoking service funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and delivered by LTHT.
The service launched in November 2022 and offers people access to nicotine replacement products and tailored support at their bedsides while they are in hospital. They also have the opportunity to be referred to community services for follow-up support once discharged.
Paul Lambert, Head of Services at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “Offering support while people are in hospital provides an opportune moment to help people quit for good.
“Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Through this programme we are reaching huge numbers of people with the support they need to stop, significantly reducing their risk of dying from a wide range of smoking-related cancers and diseases.”
Dr Julian Ting, Consultant Respiratory
Physician and Clinical Lead for the service, said: “This programme will have had a significant impact on reducing readmissions and mortality among patients admitted to hospital who smoke.
“The combined cost of smokingrelated medical treatment via hospital admissions and primary care services is £26 million a year in Leeds. Stop smoking interventions are one of the most cost-effective treatments in all of healthcare. Supporting patients to quit smoking results in significant cost
savings to the NHS as well as the huge benefits to their health.”
Nearly 73,000 people in Leeds currently smoke, and every year 700 smokingrelated cancers are diagnosed in the area. Smoking levels among people admitted to hospital are nearly double those among the general public. Data shows 21% of hospital inpatients in the UK are current smokers, compared with 11% in the general Leeds population.
The Trust stop smoking service is based on a world-leading stop smoking support model designed in Ottawa, Canada, which has been proven to significantly reduce smoking rates by establishing the smoking status of all patients admitted to hospital and then providing brief advice, personalised bedside support, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and followup support after discharge.
Currently, six stop smoking advisors funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research work across 54 wards at LGI and St James’s to ensure all those who smoke receive the very best support.
World Piano Day celebrated at Leeds Children’s Hospital with TV pianist star
Lucy, 15, winner of Channel 4’s ‘The Piano’ and a patient of Leeds Children’s Hospital, performed for a rapturous audience in March in Clarendon Wing reception.
Lucy’s performance was the highlight of an event organised by Leeds Hospitals Charity, in partnership with Leeds International Piano Competition, in order to celebrate the gift of a beautiful new piano to Leeds Children’s Hospital by the Gilfillan family earlier this year.
Lucy, from Calderdale, who is registered blind and living with other complex illnesses, was treated by Prof. Adam Glaser and colleagues at Leeds Children’s Hospital. During the event, Lucy performed three memorable pieces, Debussy Prelude, I Wish by Stevie Wonder and Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, prompting a spontaneous singalong from the audience and passers-by! Lucy has an extraordinary talent and has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and HRH King’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.
Candice, Lucy’s mum, said: “We are so grateful to the staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital who have cared for Lucy and encouraged her many accomplishments. It meant so much to Lucy to be able to take part in this lovely occasion as part of the World Piano Day celebrations, lifting the spirits of anyone who may be going through adversity and hopefully inspiring other young pianists too.”
Also at the event staff, patients and families were treated to performances by Leeds Hospitals Charity volunteers and Yuanfan Yang, a pianist from Leeds. There were free piano lessons for staff and patients, and an opportunity to join a sing-song around the piano.
The Bluthner grand piano, which was donated to Leeds Hospitals Charity earlier this year, belonged to Henry B Shaw, Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and his son, Kenneth H Shaw, Fellow of Trinity College London. Both accomplished musicians, they were choirmasters and organists at Clitheroe Parish Church and St Mary’s Church, Barnsley respectively. Since Kenneth died in 1979, the piano had remained in the family, but only occasionally played. His daughter, Diana Shaw, whose piano it became, was keen that at some time it would be able to be played much more frequently, and her children have ensured that has happened.
Leeds Hospitals Charity is currently recruiting volunteer pianists to play the new piano regularly for the benefit of those coming and going through Clarendon Wing. The piano will
remain part of the Leeds Piano Trail – a citywide initiative bringing pianos into public spaces to inspire and engage communities through music.
Adam Glaser, Professor of Paediatric Oncology and Director of Child Health Outcomes Research at Leeds, said: “Over the last few years, the wonderful Lucy has shown the world the power of music, and specifically piano playing, in her own development and amazing life. Music is known to benefit the social and emotional health and well-being of young people of all ages from the very early years through to early adulthood.
“It is so lovely that users of Leeds Children’s Hospital will now have access to relaxing, soothing and stimulating piano music to help ease the difficulties often attendant upon visits to hospital and episodes of ill-health.”
Double awards for Dr Agam Jung
Congratulations to Dr Agam Jung, Consultant Neurologist and Director of the Leeds MND Service, who won the 2025 Person of Purpose Award at the Northern Power Women Awards in Manchester in March.
Perfectly timed with International Women’s Day, Dr Jung was a finalist from more than 1,600 entrants to the awards that aim to ‘recognise and celebrate the trailblazing individuals, causes and organisations in the North using their power for good.’ Dr Jung was praised for her work championing and supporting patients with Motor Neurone Disease, and for her role in working to make The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease a reality.
In the same month, Dr Jung was also awarded the Diaspora Health Champions Award, in recognition of outstanding dedication, leadership and contribution to global health. Dr Jung attended the awards with Memory Van Beek, Head of Nursing for Professional Development, and other health professionals from across West Yorkshire. This was as part of a celebration of internationally educated (diaspora) health and care workers at the Royal College of Physicians, London. Organised by Global Health Partnerships the awards honour the contribution of our international workforce.
New Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease reaches watertight milestone
The construction of the highly anticipated new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) reached a major milestone in May as staff and partners celebrated the beginning of the process to make the building watertight.
This marks a significant step forward in the building process, ensuring that work on the interior can now commence without weather-related delays and bringing the centre closer to completion.
To celebrate the moment, MND specialists from the multi-disciplinary team joined together with the project team and received an update on the centre development, as they prepare to move in later in the year.
With the external shell now fully sealed, attention turns to fitting out the interior spaces that will provide state-of-the-art
facilities for people living with motor neurone disease. This latest development not only demonstrates the dedication and efficiency of the project team, it also brings the vision of the centre one step closer to reality. The new facility will offer much-needed support, research, and treatment services, and each milestone reached reinforces the commitment to delivering a centre that will make a real difference in the lives of those affected by MND.
After reaching its £6.8 million fundraising target for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal in December 2024, the charity is continuing to fundraise as part of ongoing efforts to transform lives.
To find out more about the Rob Burrow Centre for MND visit www. leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/mnd
Ambitious UK-first Motor Neurone Disease research projects launched in Leeds
Two UK-first Motor Neurone Disease research projects have been launched in Leeds, aiming to offer earlier diagnosis for patients.
The research could ultimately benefit patients worldwide, aiming to significantly reduce the time it takes to diagnose MND.
Patients face a huge amount of uncertainty while their symptoms are being investigated, and earlier diagnosis helps give them a better chance to make the most of their lives.
Dr Agam Jung, Consultant Neurologist at LTHT and Director of the Leeds MND Centre, has recruited Dr Stuart Currie, Consultant Neuroradiologist, and Dr Stefan Williams, Consultant Neurologist, to investigate the possibility of innovative techniques to provide earlier diagnosis of MND.
They will work together with colleagues from the University of Leeds to develop their research studies. It is hoped they will be up and running in early 2026 at the new Rob Burrow Centre for MND, due to open later this year.
These projects have been made possible
thanks to an investment of more than £230,000 by Leeds Hospitals Charity, as part of ongoing efforts to fundraise for research into the disease.
Dr Jung said: “I am delighted that we are launching our own MND research projects here in Leeds for the very first time. This is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time and now with the additional funding from Leeds Hospitals Charity, this vision to help early diagnosis is a reality. It’s positive news for our current and future patients.
“I am very grateful to the public for their extensive fundraising, the vision for our new centre was always to go above and beyond with patient and family care, and the research projects will help distinguish the Rob Burrow Centre for MND further.”
The ambition is to develop the muchneeded Rob Burrow Centre into a place of excellence for MND care in the region, and to launch research that could potentially benefit patients worldwide.
The findings from these projects could pave the way for innovative approaches to MND diagnosis and treatment, offering new hope to patients and their families.
Research project 1 – MRF (Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting)
Dr Currie plans to use a novel MRI (Medical Resonance Imaging) technique called MR Fingerprinting (MRF) to detect upper motor neurone signs in the brain.
Unlike standard MRI used in clinical practice, MRF quickly quantifies multiple brain areas at once. This provides measurements of brain tissue, which allows the identification of abnormalities in the brain tissue of patients with MND.
Dr Currie has collaborated with Prof. Dan Ma in the US to learn how this technique can be adapted for use in MND and University of Leeds colleague, Prof. Jurgen Schneider, will be bringing this technology from the US team in the autumn, with an aim to start testing with patients in early 2026.
Research project 2 –Computer vision to detect the signs of MND
Currently, most people with suspected MND undergo a specialised test using painful needles and electricity, called electromyography (EMG).
Dr Williams plans to test a new way of detecting and measuring the signs of MND, using artificial intelligence to examine videos of patients’ limbs and tongues to identify small muscle twitches that are a key sign of the condition.
Pictured (L-R): Katie Dowson, MND campaigner and fundraiser; Dr Stefan Williams, Consultant Neurologist; Dr Agam Jung, Consultant Neurologist and Director of the Leeds MND Centre; and Dr Stuart Currie, Consultant Neuroradiologist.
Leeds bishops visit LGI to see innovative developments
Bishops from Leeds were welcomed to the Trust in February and March to hear about the groundbreaking work happening across the Trust that will provide health benefits for patients in the region.
Catholic Bishop of Leeds Marcus Stock and Anglican Bishop of Kirkstall Arun Arora were welcomed to the LGI in February, whilst the Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, Anglican Bishop of Leeds, visited LGI in March.
During their visits, the bishops explored some of the exciting projects being developed through the Innovation Pop-Up, which is driving forward new ideas in healthcare to benefit both staff and patients.
They also got to visit the recently finished Cardiology Catheter Labs, which showcase how the cutting edge of technology in healthcare is transforming treatment outcomes.
Bishop Nick said: “I am very grateful for such an enjoyable and informative visit. Great people, inspiring vision and huge ambition for the Trust, which means so much for the people of Leeds and beyond. Thank you.”
Prof. Phil Wood, Chief Executive, said: “This visit was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the real difference innovation can make to communities across Leeds. We were proud to demonstrate the impact of our advancements and look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of healthcare excellence. Thank you, for taking the time to see first-hand the incredible work being done at LGI.”
Pictured with the team: Catholic Bishop of Leeds Marcus Stock and Anglican Bishop of Kirkstall Arun Arora
Pictured right: The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, Anglican Bishop of Leeds
Historic Leeds Medical School to become ‘world-class’ Health Tech Innovation Hub
The redevelopment of the historic Old Medical School into a cutting-edge Health Tech Innovation Hub will cement Leeds as a leading centre for researchers, businesses and clinicians to accelerate the next generation of medical breakthroughs.
Prof. Phil Wood, Chief Executive at LTHT, was speaking at a landmark event hosted at the Old Medical School during the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival in April. He described the project as “a real once-in-ageneration opportunity for the city of Leeds and for the region to really drive forward health innovation and meet the needs of our population.”
The Old Medical School, which was completed in 1894, will be transformed as part of the Leeds Innovation Village project. Prof. Wood explained
that innovations from the hub would help shape the design and functionality of future healthcare facilities at the planned new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, who attended the event, hailed the hub as one of the flagship projects in the West Yorkshire Investment Zone that will benefit the region, emphasising that
innovation is essential for regional growth. She also highlighted the pressing need to address health inequalities, saying: “We know here in West Yorkshire, we have health inequality that is unacceptable, that a child born today in Ilkley could potentially live ten more years of healthy life than a child born today in Dewsbury or Batley. We cannot accept that. That is why we need that health innovation.”
The Mayor noted that West Yorkshire already has “a thriving health and life sciences sector ecosystem in place made up of more than 300 health tech firms centred on digital health, medical devices and diagnostics, generating around £3bn a year in revenue.”
The 75,000 sq ft Grade II*-listed building will be designed to support health tech innovation activity at the Trust, building on the success of the Innovation Pop-Up. It will bring together start-ups, established industry players, academic institutions, and community organisations under one roof. The facility will include co-working spaces, meeting rooms, event areas, offices and laboratories, serving as a catalyst for collaboration to advance scientific research into practical healthcare solutions, driving economic growth and improving patient care.
Funding supports cardiovascular research
The British Heart Foundation has funded a Leeds-based project which will improve understanding of the links between Type 2 diabetes and heart failure. The accelerator award funding, announced in March, will help to address the increasing problem of heart failure and how this is exacerbated by metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
The Leeds approach investigates how heart failure and diabetes affect the body and its responses with a focus on enhancing understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of cardiometabolic disease. The collaborative project is bringing together a diverse community of researchers including the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre Cardiometabolic theme lead, Prof. Beech and WS3 theme lead, Prof. Kearney to provide integrated research across the whole spectrum
of cardiometabolic disease. This collaborative response is key to making research data available to clinicians to avoid duplication and achieve treatment targets.
This project will use a holistic approach to investigate how the two interact with one another. Prof. Phi Wood, Chief Executive at LTHT, said: “This funding is a significant step forward in tackling the growing challenge of heart failure and its links to Type 2 diabetes. By bringing together experts from across Leeds, we can translate cutting-edge research into real-world clinical improvements, ultimately leading to better outcomes and addressing the significant inequalities in health for the Leeds and West Yorkshire population. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class care informed by latest research advancements.”
Esther Wakeman, Phil Wood, Tracy Brabin and Deb Hetherington
Pictured (L-R): Dr Silvia Pedroni, Director of Operations (Medical) at the British Heart Foundation Prof. Mark Kearney, Executive Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Dean of Medicine at the University of Leeds; Prof. Bryan Williams; and Prof. Khalid Naseem.
Billionaire philanthropist visits Leeds Major Trauma Centre
Billionaire philanthropist Mr Hansjörg Wyss was given a warm welcome by staff and volunteers when he visited the Leeds Major Trauma Centre at LGI in March before being hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung, at the Civic Hall. He came to show his support for trauma patients regionally and nationally, a cause close to his heart through his pioneering work in medical technology and philanthropy.
A Swiss-born entrepreneur, Mr Wyss built his fortune in the medical device industry. In 1977, he founded Synthes USA, a global leader in orthopaedic implants, developing internal screws and plates for bone fractures that have transformed trauma care worldwide. Many of these devices have been used to treat trauma patients in Leeds.
His contributions have enabled the establishment of Ward L8 (High Observation Unit) and the refurbishment of Ward L10 (Major Trauma Ward for West Yorkshire) at Leeds General Infirmary. Through The Wyss Medical Foundation, he has also played a pivotal role in helping Day One Trauma Support become an independent national charity after being established here in Leeds. The charity has helped more than 2,000 major trauma patients in Leeds alone and now helps anyone impacted
by catastrophic injuries across the UK through its national phoneline, website and partnership with seven NHS trusts.
During his visit to Leeds, Mr Wyss met patients and staff and spoke to former patients who have benefitted from Day One Trauma Support. He also met with volunteers from the charity.
Professor Peter Giannoudis, trauma surgeon at the Trust and founder of charity Day One Trauma Support, said:
“Thanks to Mr Wyss’s generosity, we’ve been able to change lives – not just in Leeds, but across the country. His vision and belief in trauma support have given thousands of patients and families hope in their toughest moments.”
Mr Wyss’s commitment to Leeds represents his first and only philanthropic support outside of the US and Switzerland, a testament to the city’s reputation as a leader in trauma care, medical innovation, and patient recovery.
Three years of Celebrating Admin excellence
Now in its third year, LTHT is proud to continue our Celebrating Admin Awards – first launched in 2022 – to shine a spotlight on our oftenunsung heroes: the administrative professionals who keep our hospitals running smoothly.
From ward clerks and receptionists to personal assistants and medical secretaries, our admin colleagues cover a wide range of essential roles that are vital to the daily operations of the Trust. Each position brings unique skills and strengths, and Celebrating Admin recognises the diversity and immense value these
The winners and shortlisted nominees are:
Leading the Leeds Way
Winner: Stephanie Lee
Shortlisted Nominees: Soneel Zafar, Violet Eaglan and Rebecca Noble
Patient Experience
Winner: John Green
Shortlisted Nominees: Jackie Croft, Zarina Baz and Nicole Begum
professionals contribute to patient care and organisational efficiency.
A year of recognition and growth
This year’s celebration took place in April, as we proudly hosted the third annual Celebrating Admin Awards at St George’s Conference Centre in Leeds. Nominees and those who submitted nominations were invited to an elegant afternoon tea, held in recognition of the outstanding contributions of our admin colleagues – individuals who truly embody The
Waste Reduction
Winner: Silvia Bono
Shortlisted Nominees: Amanda Lee, Oncology Business Team and Kirstyn Langdale
Innovation
Winner: Rajwant Kaur
Shortlisted Nominees: Samantha Crozier, Cara Rotherforth and Medical Physics & Clinical Engineering Admin Team
Leeds Way values and actively support our 7 Commitments. Members of the Executive team were in attendance and had the honour of personally presenting awards to the welldeserving winners.
Prof. Phil Wood, Chief Executive, shared his appreciation:
“Congratulations to all our award winners, shortlisted and nominated colleagues. Our admin teams are the glue that holds our services together. You should all be incredibly proud of the work you do every day to support our patients and teams.”
Unsung Hero
Winner: Catherine Lane-Wareing
Shortlisted Nominees: Charlotte Waite, Pamela Proctor and Mel Colley
Team of the Year
Winner: Women’s Business Management Team
Shortlisted Nominees: Therapies & Clinical Psychology Admin Team and St James’s Surgical PreAssessment Team
Local school pupils gain insight into medicine from LTHT experts
Can you transplant a pig’s heart into a human? How many miles of blood vessels do we have in our bodies?
These were just some of the questions covered in a recent Year 6 assembly for pupils from Shakespeare Primary School in Harehills, as Colin Holton, Clinical Director for Leeds Children’s Hospital, and phlebotomists Shabana Jabbar and Akosua Boaitley-Biko (Nana), brought science to life for the primary school local to St James’s Hospital.
The Year 6 pupils had been learning about the circulatory system and also focusing on persuasive writing. One of their class tasks was to write to Colin and persuade him to visit them.
Shabana Jabbar, Phlebotomy Team Leader at LGI, said: “We attend to children from across the city, and some children can feel intimidated at the thought of the phlebotomy procedure, so to be able to get out and show these young people what we do and how quick and painless a blood test can be, to demystify what we do, it felt really good.”
There are more than 700 daily visits to Leeds Children’s Hospital from young people and children.
Rebekah Wilson, Deputy Head Teacher,
said: “We had a wonderful assembly with the medical staff from LTHT. I was so proud of all our Year 6 pupils for how much they knew, and also for how enthusiastically they engaged with the team. We can all appreciate how a face-to-face learning experience makes such a difference to people and I’m extremely grateful to Colin and the Trust’s Phlebotomy team for responding to our letters and for taking time to visit in person.”
Living donors are saving the lives of relatives, friends and even strangers
When Dr John Roberts discovered his son Alex had a condition which meant his kidneys were failing, he wanted to help in any way possible.
Fortunately, John, 66, was found to be a match – and earlier this year he underwent surgery at St James’s to donate a kidney to Alex.
After the operation, John said: “I’m feeling fantastic, not only because I’ve had a good recovery, but because my son’s doing really well. It’s been a minor inconvenience, really, and it’s been a great experience.”
In Leeds, currently over 400 people are waiting for a kidney transplant and around 80 are waiting for a liver transplant.
Most people are born with two kidneys, but we only need one kidney to lead a happy and healthy life.
Adam Barlow, a consultant transplant surgeon at LTHT, said: “We’re very lucky here in Leeds that around 60 people a year come forward as live kidney donors, and those operations are done here in Leeds on at least a weekly basis.
“The vast majority of live kidney donations, we can do with keyhole surgery and that means the recovery afterwards can be very quick.”
It is also possible for living donors to donate part of their liver, as it can regenerate within weeks. Since 2007, 145 live donor liver transplants have been carried out in Leeds – 22 have been from altruistic donors, which is where a person wishes to donate to someone they do not know.
Building the Leeds Way news
Our plans for a new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary
The Government announcement in January this year confirmed that the Trust has been placed in Wave 2 of the New Hospital Programme, which means the construction of the new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary will not start until sometime between 2033 - 2035 and the Trust has also been asked to pause development of the scheme until 2030.
This has been extremely disappointing and we have been working closely with partners nationally to understand the impact this delay will have on our hospital services and our ageing estate which continues to place financial pressures on the Trust and is not reflective of the tremendous treatment and care we provide.
Ensuring safe and effective
patient care in appropriate environments is our priority and our long-term ambitions remain. We have continued to engage with partners to identify and consider all opportunities to deliver much-needed improvements to hospital services and ageing estate while remaining
ready to commence our new hospital as soon as possible.
The plans for our new hospital are more than healthcare and play a pivotal role in harnessing innovation and stimulating growth to make a lasting impact on healthcare for patients in Leeds and
the region and become a catalyst for regeneration of our city centre.
Earlier this year, together with partners from across the city, we were delighted to reaffirm our commitment to the Leeds Innovation Village, a key neighbourhood within the city’s Leeds Innovation Arc which will create a go-to destination for healthtech, research and innovation.
The first phase of the Innovation Village is already underway and involves redeveloping the Old Medical School on the Leeds General Infirmary site into a cutting-edge healthtech innovation hub. Our partners, Scarborough Group International (SGI) have been selected as the developer for the first phase and work will commence later this year.
Centre for Laboratory Medicine nearing operationalisation
Preparations and extensive planning have continued at pace at the new Centre for Laboratory Medicine to ensure it becomes fully operationally.
This programme involves bringing together the three major transformation projects for the Trust: the construction of a cutting-edge healthcare facility; the integration of a brand-new, robust Laboratory Information Management
System and the installation of new equipment, including one of the largest automated tracks in the country.
The state-of-the-art equipment has been installed by our partners and detailed testing and integration is nearing completion.
There is a phased approach to relocating pathology colleagues into the facilities with some specialist services already
calling the centre home. We expect the largest teams to move in during late Spring and look forward to the full transition of services into the centre over the coming months.
The Centre for Laboratory Medicine will become a regional hub to drive improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care for patients across West Yorkshire.
Digital Wellbeing: Making your tech work for you
In an increasingly connected world, digital wellbeing is all about finding balance. It’s not just about reducing our screen time – it’s about making intentional choices to create a healthier relationship with technology.
Matthew Spence, our Clinical Digital Lead for Pharmacy, offers practical ways to take control of the ways we engage with digital tools to improve focus, reduce stress, and support our overall wellbeing.
Taking control of your time
We often underestimate the power we have over our own digital wellbeing. Taking intentional breaks throughout the day can make a huge difference. The time we spend in front of screens can be overwhelming, but stepping away for even just five minutes can help reset focus and energy levels, improving overall self-care.
A simple but effective way to protect this time is by reinforcing a ‘lunch amnesty’ – allowing yourself a proper break without digital interruptions. Guarding this time helps prevent burnout, reduces stress, and boosts productivity in the long run. Prioritising regular breaks can also enhance your mental clarity and emotional health, providing space for relaxation and mindfulness throughout
the workday. Think of it like letting your phone charge – it’s hard to use a device that’s running on low power, and the same goes for you.
Setting boundaries and focus time
The digital world is always on, but that doesn’t mean we have to be. Switching off outside working hours helps maintain a healthier work-life balance by giving you more time to recharge. One of the simplest ways to reclaim control is by managing notifications. If you ever struggle to focus on your work, a quick and effective tool is Do Not Disturb (DND) mode on Microsoft Teams which can be useful for managing your notifications and keeping disruptions to a minimum.
Email overwhelm can also be a real issue. Try time blocking your diary for checking and responding to emails rather than constantly checking throughout the day. Setting designated times for email review helps reduce distractions and keeps you focused.
Empowering each other to work smarter
Digital wellbeing isn’t just personal, it’s something we can all support. Simple
changes can have a big impact on how we work together. Sometimes, picking up the phone or having a face-to-face conversation instead of sending an email makes all the difference. Why not try a walking meeting?
Communication is key – for example, letting colleagues know when you’re unavailable or specifying in your email signature that responses aren’t expected outside working hours can help create an environment where everyone feels comfortable setting their own limits, ensuring we all respect each other’s time and wellbeing.
Sharing your top self-care tips, such as time productivity strategies or wellness practices, within teams is a great way to collaborate with colleagues. It reminds everyone to take care of themselves amidst the demands of their workday. For example, techniques like the Pomodoro technique (working in 25-minute bursts with 5-minute breaks) helps manage screen time effectively while giving you a chance to recharge.
At its core, digital wellbeing is about empowerment – giving ourselves and each other the tools to work smarter, not harder. By investing in digital wellbeing, you’re creating a more focused, balanced, and healthier you.
with Laura Fawcett-Hall
Laura is Deputy General Manager and started work for LTHT in 2007, went elsewhere for 9 years then returned in 2023.
What are the main aspects of your role?
As deputy general manager I deputise for the general manager and provide leadership for our operational management team (service managers and business mangers). I work closely with senior nurses and clinicians to ensure the smooth running of services leading on areas such as performance, resourcing, quality and providing financial balance. As part of my role I directly look after the Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Congenital Cardiology departments.
What else have you done in your career so far?
I started working for LTHT as a clerical officer when I was 19 so really feel like I’m NHS through and through! Since then I have worked through various administrative and managerial roles including medical secretary in Urology here at Leeds and head of performance at Doncaster Hospital. I was delighted to return to LTHT in 2023, which very much feels like home to me. In my spare time I also volunteer as a trustee for a working carers charity.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I feel so honoured to play a small part in each patient’s journey as a non-clinical professional. I’m proud of the service that we deliver for our patients and families and I work with some of the most amazing clinicians and teams who we are so lucky to have. My little girl has received and continues to receive excellent specialist care at Leeds Children’s Hospital. It’s a privilege to be able to give something back by supporting these teams.
What is the one thing you would change at LTHT to help you do your job better?
We have some amazing plans for a new home for Leeds Children’s Hospital that meets the needs of our patients and clinicians. I would love to see these plans realised as soon as possible. We have such amazing clinical and non-clinical colleagues and they deserve the best environment in which to deliver their services. Our patients also deserve a child-friendly environment where they can receive care and recover whilst still feeling like children.
What’s your best advice to a new starter at the Trust?
You don’t have to be clinical to make a real difference for patients. There is an exciting range of administrative roles within LTHT that include opportunities to make a meaningful difference to patients, even if it’s behind the scenes. I feel incredibly fortunate in my NHS career to have been supported to complete an honours degree in Business and a Masters in Healthcare Leadership. Be proactive and look for the opportunities to develop. Ask for support - we have some amazing leaders in the organisation.
Pioneering Leeds service is catching lung cancer cases early
John, from Headingley, had been coughing for a few weeks when a fellow member at his gym suggested he should go for a self-request X-ray.
He went for the X-ray straight away and tests confirmed there was a 5cm tumour in his lung. Surgeons at LTHT were able to operate and remove the tumour, and he is now taking medication to reduce the risk of recurrence.
John says: “If I hadn’t been prompted then, I might not have gone and I might be sat here now with a much bigger tumour and a very different outcome. It was a blessing that the service was available.”
Leeds Teaching Hospitals offers a walkin chest X-ray to anyone over 40 who is registered with a Leeds GP and has had a cough, fatigue or tiredness, difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite or weight, chest pain, coughing up blood, or a lump in the neck, for over three weeks.
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation says services like this should be rolled out across the country as they speed up diagnosis and allow more patients to be treated with earlier stages of the disease, improving their chances of survival.
Walk-in X-rays are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, at
Leeds General Infirmary, St James’s University Hospital, St George’s Centre in Middleton, Wharfedale Hospital and Chapel Allerton Hospital, and every day from 8am to 6pm at Seacroft Hospital.
Estates & Facilities news
Improving efficiencies and reliability of our shuttle buses
In response to feedback from colleagues across the Trust, our Transport team have purchased three brand-new shuttle buses and reworked the timetable too.
A fantastic example of ‘You Said, We Did’, the team have worked hard to create a more efficient and reliable timetable for the staff shuttles, which
now set off every 20 minutes from each of the main sites and only stop at the train station during peak times, at the beginning and the end of the day. So not only are the journeys more regular, they’re also quicker.
Plus, these new buses are more fuel efficient than their predecessors, therefore reducing the Trust’s impact on the environment, helping us take yet another step towards our sustainability goals and saving money too.
Launching the Greener Care Network
Congratulations to the Sustainability team on the launch of the Greener Care Network, to support LTHT in becoming one of the greenest trusts in the UK.
The network has been set up to welcome individuals from all over LTHT, with the aim of helping us meet our Trust’s Sustainability commitment, which is focused on reducing our carbon footprint through creating greener patient pathways.
By bringing together individuals from all over the Trust, the Greener Care Network aims to create a space for anyone who has new ideas that might help us meet our sustainability goals, and to share guidance on how we can all
do our bit towards making LTHT a greener place.
By joining the network, you’ll be joining other like-minded individuals, who are all passionate about making our Trust a more environmentallyfriendly place. To join, simply get in touch with the sustainability team at leedsth-tr.lean2green@nhs.net.
Securing £6.5m for Sustainability
We’re delighted to share that the Sustainability team’s application to the Phase 4 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has been successful, securing £6.5m grant funding for several schemes across the St James’s site. These schemes will support the Trust’s carbon reduction goals and help us meet one of our 7 Commitments, Sustainability. By creating a greener environment for everyone who visits, or who works at St James’s, we can create greener patient pathways too.
The Sustainability team will be working in collaboration with Trust partners Equans & Vital Energi to deliver another flagship healthcare decarbonisation project, to further support the Trust to deliver its Net Zero 2040 objective and be one of the greenest Trusts in the UK.
PFI partnerships - working together for patient experience
In April, the PFI team worked hard to plan a refurbishment of the public toilets by the Bexley Wing main entrance. This has been a collaborative effort with Equans (one of our PFI partners) in completing the works, creating a more welcoming and accessible space for patients and visitors who come to Bexley.
New community CT scanner
Our capital teams work hard to support the Trust in delivering better patient experiences and reducing the pressure on our hospitals, and the new CT scanner at Seacroft Hospital is a great example of how they do this! They planned and implemented the delivery and installation of the new CT scanner at the Seacroft Community Diagnostic Centre in April. By installing this crucial new piece of kit, LTHT can offer patients better access and shorter waits for CT scans, and reduce the pressure on our hospital sites too.
A fond farewell to our long-serving staff
Dave Moody
Dave Moody, Head of Networks & Telecommunications, retired in March after 35 years at LTHT - one of DIT’s longest serving colleagues. There’s not much Dave doesn’t know about networks and telecoms, and throughout his career he’s managed some of the biggest, most important IT changes. Over the past few years alone, Dave and his team have completely revolutionised and modernised the Trust’s network, telephone and pager systems, helping build a secure, resilient, supported foundation across the Trust.
Dave says he still remembers Y2K with a shudder, but one of his proudest moments was the work done during Covid because it was so rewarding - from rolling out remote access to 7,000 staff, to building a hospital in a conference centre, and turning a football ground into a vaccination centre (twice)!
Dave’s analogies and diagrams will be well-remembered and used across the Trust for years to come, and he’ll be very much missed by all his colleagues.
Pat Clark
Pat Clark has retired from her role at Wharfedale Hospital. Pat has been a familiar face at Wharfedale for over 29 years, starting her NHS career in HR before working as PA to Matron and Head of Nursing.
Pat was a hugely supportive figure to the wider hospital and was always happy to lend a helping hand and listen to people’s concerns. She was also instrumental in coordinating and
Jan Hunter
After an incredible 54 years of dedication to the Primary Care Access Line (PCAL), Jan Hunter has retired, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, commitment, and countless memories.
Following her well-earned retirement, Jan took some time to relax and enjoy precious moments with her family. However, her passion for staying active and engaged led her to a new chapter— working part-time in a clothing shop, where she can indulge in her love for fashion. While she may no longer be at PCAL, Jan’s warmth, wisdom, and enthusiasm continue to shine in this exciting new role.
Sarah Sykes
Congratulations to Sarah Sykes who, after completing more than 40 years’ service as part of the Payroll team, officially retired at the end of March. Her colleagues said: “Thank you, Sarah, for your commitment, dedication and for being a key member of the Payroll team for so many years, you will be truly missed by us all. Wishing you have a very happy and well-deserved retirement.”
organising the Wharfedale Hospital celebration and awards evenings.
The Outpatient Nursing team said: “Pat made a huge difference and contribution to the running of the hospital and touched many people’s lives along the way, she will be very much missed. We wish her a very happy retirement and the chance to enjoy time with family and friends, especially her new baby grandson!”
Wharfedale Hospital would like to wish Pat a very happy retirement!
Tony Ulyett
Tony Ulyett has retired from his role in April after 31 years working for the NHS. Tony started in 1993 as a Finance Manager at Seacroft Hospital, before moving to St James’s in 1995,
supporting the merger of the finance teams in 1998, when Leeds Teaching Hospitals was created, before becoming a Directorate Accountant in Medicine and Surgery in 1999. In 2002 he moved to become the Financial Accountant for LTHT, taking on the responsibilities which he held until retirement.
Tony was able to fully use his immense talents in a variety of financial accounting, reporting, treasury management and capital accounting roles, including making the Annual Accounts and Reporting process his own.
Tony was always willing to help others and could often be found on the telephone or Teams offering advice and support to finance colleagues across the Trust, region, and indeed, country. Tony has helped organise and lead the West Yorkshire Integrated Care System financial accounts forum and is a highly regarded member of the finance community.
His colleagues wish Tony all the best for his retirement, as he enjoys a wellearned break cruising the Norwegian Fjords and taking his first holiday in 25 years. Tony’s contribution to the delivery of the annual accounts for the Trust, and his involvement with the NHS Graduate Management Trainee Scheme, was recognised by Trust Chair Dame Linda.
Leeds Hospitals Charity news
New Horsforth charity shop
In May we were excited to open our brand-new charity shop on Town Street in Horsforth, alongside our other two local charity shops located in the Merrion Centre and Crossgates. All donations and purchases made in our charity shops help us make a real difference for patients, families and staff at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
We always need good quality, preloved items for all our charity shops, so please do donate any unwanted items to Leeds Hospitals Charity. You can drop donations off to one of our stores or arrange a home collection.
Find out more on our website: www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/ our-charity-shops
Delivering play to every child
In September 2024, Leeds Hospitals
Charity launched a major fundraising campaign, 7 Days of Play, to support the Play team at Leeds Children’s Hospital to expand from a five-day service to a seven-day service.
Thanks to our generous donors, the Play team now operates seven days a week across all wards supporting seriously ill children and their families throughout the most difficult time of their lives.
Play specialists and play leaders do an incredible job across Leeds Children’s Hospital, helping reduce anxiety and stress and help normalise the hospital surroundings. The Play team provides a friendly face to children and their families and help our smallest patients understand what is happening to them. They make unbearable procedures bearable and help speed up treatment, recovery and rehabilitation.
14-year-old Luke, who had been dealing with epileptic seizures, was admitted to Leeds Children’s Hospital for a fiveday monitoring procedure called video telemetry. For the procedure, Luke needed to have wires attached to his head and shoulders to track his seizures and had to stay in a small hospital room under constant CCTV monitoring.
There is a year-long waiting list to undergo this procedure, which meant if Luke wasn’t able to have the treatment, he would have to wait another year. Understandably, Luke was hesitant, putting it at risk of cancellation.
Claire, one of the play specialists at Leeds Children’s Hospital, had to think on her feet to calm him so the procedure could go ahead and noticed Luke’s stuffed animal collection, asking about his favourite, Mr. Monkey. Seeing an opportunity to ease his anxiety, Claire suggested that Mr. Monkey should also be “wired up” so he could see what the procedure would be like. Luke eagerly agreed, and Claire carefully attached wires to Mr. Monkey, even creating a small bag to hold them, just like Luke’s. This simple, playful approach helped Luke feel more comfortable and meant he was willing to go ahead with the monitoring. Thanks to this creative quick thinking from Claire, Luke felt less anxious and was able to complete his monitoring without delay. This shows the importance of play and how effective it can be in helping young patients navigate sometimes difficult and unfamiliar medical experiences.
Find out more about the impact of Play: www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/play
60 seconds
with Dave Kirby
Dave is a Porter and has worked at the Trust for four and a half years
What do you do to wind down and relax after a hard week at work?
I’m a keen angler, so the car is usually packed on Friday night ready for an early start on Saturday morning.
What is your ideal holiday destination and why?
It would have to be Ibiza. This beautiful island has been so kind to us as a family. The locals are friendly, and the scenery and vibe are second to none.
What is your favourite food?
I enjoy Indian cuisine. Usually something quite spicy and always enjoyed with my portering colleagues.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Like most young Leeds lads, I wanted to play for Leeds United! What is your favourite film?
Die Hard - which must be watched at least once a year (usually at Christmas).
Who would you most like to meet and why?
Kevin Sinfield. Who wouldn’t want a friend like him!? Great player and his efforts to raise awareness and funds for MND are simply superhuman.
What is your favourite book?
Mortimer and Whitehouse, Gone Fishing. Angling and laughs – a great read.
Tell us something we don’t know about you …
As a sous chef in North Yorkshire, I cooked for Jack Charlton, Micky Hammond, and Eddie Grey.
60 seconds
Leeds Hospitals Charity news
2025/26 funding programme
Since the launch of our strategy in 2021 we have approved over 1,100 applications, totaling over £25.5 million. We’re reaching more staff across all hospitals through these open funding opportunities and this funding has the potential to make a difference to over two million patients, families and staff.
In April 2024 we introduced a new funding model which included themed funding calls. We’re pleased to report that since the launch of this streamlined programme, staff have had the opportunity to apply for funding through ten different funding opportunities throughout the year. In 2024/25 we
approved 232 applications, totaling over £3.29 million and these projects have already begun to make a difference to patients, families and staff across LTHT. In addition to the open funding opportunities, we support projects through several other funding streams. We’re excited to be launching a range of funding opportunities that will be available throughout 2025/26. These opportunities will be open to all staff across all hospitals.
Find out more on our website and sign up to our funding newsletter to receive the latest information about funding opportunities as soon as they become available: www.leedshospitalscharity.org. uk/funding-opportunities
Wear Purple
For the NHS birthday this year, we’re celebrating YOU and all the amazing things you do, by wearing purple!
Throughout the week of 30 June, we’ll be hosting birthday celebrations across the hospital sites so please do join us for celebrations of our brilliant NHS staff.
We’ll be sharing more information in the lead up to the week, so keep an eye out for how to get involved: www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/ wear-purple-day
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