Your Trust Dudley Group NHS Spring 2023

INSIDE:

State-of-the-arthybrid theatreisarea’sfirst

To improveits servicetothe community,The Dudley Group NHSFoundation Trusthas invested £1 million in astate-ofthe-artrobotichybridoperating theatre, the first of itskindin theregion.

Hybridtheatrescombinetheen‐vironment of an operatingtheatre with theimagingcapabilitiesand allowsfornotonlyroutinesurgical procedures,butalsocombinedcath‐eter‐basedinterventions andopen surgeryunderasingleanaesthetic.

ChiefexecutiveDianeWakesaid: “Weareveryproudtobeopening suchafantasticnewfacilityherein Dudleyandknowthatitwillmake suchadifferencetoourpatientsof theBlackCountrypopulation

Innovative

“Weprideourselvesonbeingin‐novativeandforward‐thinkingand thishybridtheatrewillallowusto meetourstrategicgoalofdelivering thehigh‐qualityvascularservices everytime.”

Amongthemanyadvantagesto thisforward‐thinkingprojectisthe capacitytotreatapatientwithone solution rather than having them return forrepeatedinterventions Inaddition,theTrustnowhasthe abilitytoavoidsomeoftheopenop‐erationsthroughusinganti‐vascular techniques

MrAtiq‐urRehman,deputychief ofsurgery,said:“Therobotichybrid operating theatrewill provide a betterexperienceandbestquality serviceforourpatients,andasafer, morestreamlinedpathwayfortheir treatment

“Itwillalsoenablevascularspe‐cialiststocarryoutlessinvasivesur‐

gerywhichwouldtraditionallyhave requiredamuchbiggeropenopera‐tion.Thankstothestate‐of‐the‐art facility,this will improve patients’ outcomesandreducetheirlengthof stayinthehospital.”

Thecombinationofimagingca‐pabilitiesensuresthatthesurgeries arefar moreaccurate than other methods,usinglowerdosagesofra‐diationandprovidingclearerimag‐es.Thereisalsoalowerriskofinfec‐tioninhybridsurgeries.

Thetheatreisnowcomplete,af‐terextensivestafftrainingandsim‐ulation,andthevascularandradiol‐ogyteamshavewelcomedtheirfirst patients.

RussellsHallHospitalistheSpe‐cialistVascularCentrefortheBlack Country, covering Dudley,Walsall andWolverhampton

Celebrating theworkofour incrediblestaff

Amessage from chief executiveDianeWake

Welcome to thelatestedi‐tionofYourTrust.Inthisedition weareproudtocelebratesome oftheincredibleworkthatour teamsareinvolvedwithtoen‐surethepeopleofDudleyreceive thebesttreatmentpossible

Youwill be awarethatthe winter hasbeenachallenging timefortheNHSandinDudley wehavebeennoexception.Many ofyouwillhaveaccessedoneof ourservices in recentmonths andwethankyouforyourpa‐tienceandunderstandingduring ourbusytimes

Iamveryproudthatevenun‐derintensewinterpressureour staffhaveachievedsomanyre‐markablethings.Asyouwillsee throughoutthiseditionofYour Trust,we continue to setthe standardforexcellenceparticu‐larlywithourworkonequality, diversityandinclusionandim‐plementingnewtechnologies

Ourincreasinguseofvirtual solutionsincludingourpaediat‐ricvirtualwardandrespirato‐ryvirtualwardaresaving100s ofhoursofhospitaladmissions. This meansthatyou andyour families increasingly remain at homewithloved onesand not havetospendprolongedtimein hospital

Iamparticularlyexcitedby ournewhybridtheatreandour newroboticsolutionswhichyou willhearmoreaboutthroughout theyear. Thesewill providea betterexperienceandbestqual‐ityserviceforourpatients,and asafer,morestreamlinedpath‐wayfortheirtreatment.

SeePage2

TheDudleyGroup’snewhybridtheatreisthefirstofitskindtoopenintheMidlandsregion

Patientsarenowaccessingthehybridtheatre

ChiefexecutiveDianeWake

dgft.foundationmembers@nhs.net

Excitedforthe yearahead

FromPage1

Oneofourkeychallengesin 2023continuestobeworkforce andensuringwehavetheright skillsmixandnumberofstaffto treatandcareforourpatients. OurrecruitmenteventinJanuary(page3)wasaresounding successandwesawover800localpeoplevisituslookingforopportunitieswithintheNHS.This will be the first of many such recruitmenteventsaswelookto secureourfutureworkforce

Across theBlack Country, ourlinkswithourregionalcolleaguesinWalsall,Sandwell andWolverhamptoncontinueto growfromstrengthtostrength andweseethebenefitsofworkingtogetherandsharingexpertiseinmanyareas.

Onapersonalnote,Iamexcitedfor theyearahead.The lastfewyearsagainstthebackdropoftheCOVID-19virushas beenoneofthemostchallengingtimeswehaveeverfacedin theNHS and, whilethis hasn’t completelydisappeared,weare returningtosomething resemblingnormality

Thisisgreatnewsconsideringthat2023isthe75thbirthdaycelebration of theNHS! Throughoutthe year,weasa Trustwillbereflectingonsome ofthehighlightsofthelastthree quartersofacenturyandlookingaheadtothenext25years.It isarealchancetocelebrateour currentworkforceandthethousandsthathavepavedtheway forthemtosucceed

Iwouldliketoaskforanyone whoworkedintheNHSbackin the1950s,60sor70stodropan emailtodgft.communications@ nhs.netaswewouldlovetotalk to youabout your experiencesandcelebratetheincredible workyouhavedone

Fornow,wehopeyouenjoy this edition of Your Trust, and thankyoufortrustinguswith yourcareand foralwayssupportingyourlocalNHSworkers.

Outpatient lettersgodigital

TheTrusthasmovedoverto digitallettersinoutpatients.This meansyou cannow view your appointment letter on amobile phone. This is just one wayin whichtheTrustisembracingnew technologiestoallowpatientsthe best experience possible whilst accessingservices

Ifyouhaveasmartphonethen youwon’tneedtowaitforyour appointment letter to arrive in thepostasyoucanconfirm,cancelorrebookyourappointment/ admissionattheclickofabutton.

Don’tworryaboutmissinga letterbecauseifyoudon’topen thedigitalletterwithin24hours, ahardcopywillbesentinthe postaswell.Ifyoudon’thavea smartphone,oryou’venotgiven usyourmobilenumber,youwill continuetoreceivelettersinthe post.Visit www.dgft.nhs.uk/ patients-and-visitors/appointment-letters/

BloodtestcentreopensatMerryHill

Anew bloodtestcentrerun by TheDudleyGroup NHSFoundation Trusthas opened at the MerryHillShoppingCentre

ThenewNHSfacilityhasbeen designed to improve patient care andallowspatientstoget their blood testsdone at anon-clinical settingwhilsttheydotheirshoppingattheregionallyrenownedretaillocation.Theclinicletspatients bookappointmentsvia an online booking systemand hasamuch largerrangeofavailabilitythanat otherbloodtestsites.

ThelocationattheMerryHill Centrehasmorethan10,000free parkingspacesandlongeropening hours. Thesetwo elementsmean that moreappointmentscan take placeperdayandwaitingtimesin otherclinicalNHSsettingscanbe greatlyreduced

Thereare excellent transport linkstotheMerryHillCentrefrom allaroundtheregionanditisone of themostwell-knownshopping destinationsintheWestMidlands

Inaddition,theretaillocationcan alsoreducetheanxietyofbeingat aclinicalsiteandcanprovidepatientswitha much morecalming environment to have theirblood testprocedures DianeWake,chiefexecutiveof TheDudleyGroupNHSFoundation Trust,said:“Wearethrilledtobe openinganewstate-of-the-artfacilityhereintheheartoftheDudley

regionthatcanofferourpatients furtheraccesstobloodtestsatsuch anaccessiblelocation.

“Utilising theMerry Hill Centre’snumeroustransportlinks,free parkinganditsextendedopening hourswillgivethisregion’scommunityfurtheraccesstobloodtests andultimatelyhelpThe Dudley Groupprovidefurtherexcellentpatientcare.”

Whencreatingthesite’shighly advancedfacilities,twocompanies kindlyofferedtheirsupportfreeof charge.ThisincludedAltroFlooring,whoprovidedallthesite’svinyl flooring,aswellasBehrensHealthcare,whosuppliedtwelvesetsof cubiclecurtainsthatofferprivacy forpatientsduringtheirbloodtest

Locatedonthe lowerground floorofthemall,neartoNatWest bank,thebloodtestcentreopened tothepublicinOctober,withappointmentsavailable to bookvia theonlineportal.

JonathanPoole,centremanageratMerryHill,said:“We’reproud tosupportTheDudleyGroupNHS FoundationTrustintheirmission to make blood testingservices moreaccessibleandflexiblewithin Dudley

“Thecentrewillmakeiteasier forshopperstogettheirbloodtestedduringtheirsparetime,andwe hopemembersofourlocalcommunitywillmakeuseofthenewservice.”

Helpingtodelivera servicetobeproudof

IwasappointedaschairofThe Dudley Group in September 2022 andbeforeIcamepeoplesaidtome, “thisisaveryfriendlyTrustanda veryfriendlytown”.Theywereabsolutelyright!

Icannottellyouhowkindand openpeoplehavebeeninmyfirstsix monthsandIwanttothankourstaff, volunteers and patientsfor giving mesuchawarmwelcome

Withoutdoubtithasbeenavery challengingwinterfortheNHSand wehavebeenenormouslyproudof whatwehavedeliveredhereinDudley.

Wecontinuallythinkaboutimprovementsand howwecan do thingsbetter,butwe’veseensome remarkableachievementsduringthe pastfewmonthsthatareworthjust reflectingon.

Wehavemanagedtorecruithundredsofnew international nurses andourvacancyratesarelowernow thanthey’vebeenforthelastthree orfouryears.Weareveryproudof thisbecauseasaboardandasasenior management team we want to makeourTrustanattractiveplace forpeopletowork.

We’veopenedanewbloodtestingcentreinMerry Hill,bringing servicesclosertoourpatients.This isthebeginningofasetofinitiatives thatwillincreaseandenhanceour communityservices Wealsoreceivedanawardfor theworkthatwearedoingonequality,diversityandinclusion.Thisisa criticalpartofmakingthisTrusta greatplacetoworkandthrive.

Wehavereceivedrecognitionfor

SirDavidNicholson,ChairofTheDudleyGroupNHSFoundationTrust,hasbeengettingoutandaboutmeetingmembersofstaff

ourpaediatricvirtualward,afirst inthecountrycomingoutoftheenthusiasmandexpertiseofourown staff,thinkingaboutbetterwaysto improveservicesforourpatients.

Movingforward,wearegoingto develop andenhance ourcommunityclinicalhubwhichcontinuesto beaplacethatprovidescommunity-based alternatives to avoid the

needtocometohospitalandpressureonthesystem.Weknowthat thecomingyearwillbeachallenging yearfortheTrust,butwewillbesure tomakethemostoftheinitiatives thatstaffthemselvesarebringingtogetherforabrighterfuture

Ourstaffcontinuetoachieveincrediblethingsandourpatientfeedbacktellsusthatwhenyouvisitone

ofourTrustsitesyouarehappywith theserviceyoureceive

In2023,wewillprovideaservicethatthepeopleofDudleycanbe proudofandI’mlookingforwardto supporting andhelping in whateverwayIcantoimproveservicesfor thepeopleofDudleyandmakethis agreat placetoworkand receive healthcare

Amessage from SirDavid Nicholson, chair of TheDudley GroupNHSFoundationTrust.

StaffatthebloodtestcentrethathasopenedatMerryHillShoppingCentre

Newstafftojointrustafter successfulrecruitmentday

TheDudley Group NHS Foundation Trusthas hailed its‘New Year,New Career’recruitment dayasuccess

Hosted at Russells Hall Hospital,theeventsawover800people attendtodiscovercareeropportunities available at theTrust,with numerous clinical andnon-clinical teamsavailableforprospectivestaff tospeaktodirectly.

Inadditiontoguestsbeingable to discover thevariety of career pathstheNHShastooffer,bothina hospitalsettingandincommunity, over140 interviews took placeon theday,culminatinginover85job

offersintorolessuchasnursingand clinicalsupportworkers

Furthertothis,the Trusthas receivedover300applicationstoa rangeofothervacanciescurrently availableatTheDudleyGroup

Deputy chiefnurse HelenBromagesaid:“Itwasbrillianttowelcomesomanynewprospectivestaff throughourdoors.

“Theturnoutwas phenomenal, andtheadditionofhavingsomany enthusiastic people keen to know moreabouttherangeofcareeropportunitiesthatwehavehereat Dudleywasincredible.

“Havingstafffromsomanyareas

availableforpeopletomeet,meant thatguestsreallygottoknowour Trustandgetabetterinsightinto whythisissuchafantasticplaceto work.”

Diane Wake,chief executiveat TheDudleyGroupFoundationTrust, said:“AtthisTrust,ourtalentisfindingyours.Ourpatientsandstaffare attheheartofallwedo,andweare seekingtorecruitthosewhoshare ourvisionandvaluesofcontinuing to make TheDudleyGroup an incredibleplacetowork.

“Wearethrilledtohavehadsuch incredibleinterestfromthoselookingtojoinourworkforce;it’ssome-

thingspecialtobeapartoftheDudleyfamilyandweareveryexcited forourfuturerecruitmentevents.”

Thehighlevelofinterestshown attheir‘NewYear,NewCareer’event hasalreadypromptedtheTrustto lookaheadtospring,withtheirnext recruitment dayconfirmedto be takingplaceinAprilforbothclinical andnon-clinicalpositions.

Staffhavebeenveryopenabout theirpositive experiencesworking bothatthehospitalandinthecommunityatTheDudleyGroup

Key aspectssuchasincreased flexibility,trainingandprogression opportunities,focusonstaffwellbe-

ingandthemotivationalteamworkingethosfoundacrossallareas,have beenhighlypraised.

JointheTrust

More informationonthe next eventwillbesharedoverthecomingmonths,andforthosewantingto findoutmoreaboutrecruitmentand vacanciesatTheDudleyGroupright now,pleasevisittheTrustwebsiteor contactdgft.recruitment@nhs.net

Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trustcontact email:dgft.recruit ment@nhs.netorvisitourwebsite: www.dgft.nhs.uk

SunflowerRoomoffersasanctuarytopatients

Anewclinicaltreatmentroomspecifically for patients with alearning disability andautisticpatients hasopenedatRussellsHallHospital.

Theground-breaking Sunflower Room allows adultpatients, whoare accessingthe emergencydepartment (ED),asafesensoryspacetohelpthem meetthechallengestheymayfacein thegeneralwaitingareas.

Diane Wake,DudleyGroup CEO, said:“This room is awelcome additiontoouremergencydepartmentand ensuresthatourpatientswhohavea learning disability or autism arecateredfor andgiven aquieter space to receive diagnosis, assessment and treatment

“Aspartofour commitment to equality,diversity andinclusion,we

haverespondedtothefeedbackfrom thefamiliesofour patientsand are proudtobeopeningthisnewspace.”

ThenewSunflowerRoomfunctions asaclinicalspaceandisn’tlikeawaitingroomorstandardrelatives’room.

With around 30 patientswitha learningdisabilityorautismaccessing ourEDeverymonth,theroomwillbe useddailytoaccommodatethem.

Theroomwillfeaturesensoryresourcesforpatientswhomightstrugglewiththenoiseandbusinessofour ED

Dudley Voices forChoice member NeilDaviessaid:“Iamreallypleasedto seethattheworkwedidwithTheDudleyGrouplearningdisabilitiesteamis nowfinished.

“Itisreallyimportant forpeople withalearningdisabilityandautistic peopletohaveaplacethatisquietwhen theyneedit

“Thisspacewillmakeitbetterfor thosewhoneeditandisareallyimportantadditiontotheemergencydepartment.”

EDconsultantNickStockdalewithchief executiveDianeWake

DudleyVoicesforChoicememberSamanthaReeves,EDconsultant NickStockdale,chiefexecutiveDianeWake,learningdisabilityliaison nursePaulaHarris,DudleyVoicesforChoicememberJoWaldron

DudleyGroupNHSFoundationstaffhosttheir‘NewYear,NewCareer’recruitmentday.Morethan800peopleattendedandmorethan85joboffershavesincebeenmadeintorolessuchasnursingandclinicalsupport.

EventscelebratingTrust’sAHPs

TheTrust celebrated Allied Health Professionals(AHPs)

DaywitheventsacrosstheTrust thatchampionedourAHPs

AHPsarethethirdlargestclinicalworkforceintheNHSandthis wasanannualopportunity for colleagues to come together and celebratebeing part of theAHP familyandshowcasetoothersthe impacttheymaketothedeliveryof high-qualitycare

Wecelebratedandpromotedthe brilliant work of each AHPwithin ourorganisationandacknowledged thesignificantdifferencethatthey maketoourpatients,ourservices andeachothereverysingleday

n Didyouknowthereare14 differentAHPprofessions?

Arttherapists,drama therapists,musictherapists, podiatristsandpodiatric surgeons,dietitians, occupationaltherapists,

We held stalls across oursites demonstratingthediverseworkof ourAHPsandwealsoheldourown AHPAwardswithwinnersandrunners-upinthefollowingcategories

n AHPoftheYear:Winner: ClareBousfield,Runner-up:Kate Woodhouse

n AHPteamoftheyear:Speech

operatingdepartment practitioners,orthoptists, osteopaths,paramedics, physiotherapists,prosthetists andorthotists,radiographers, speechandlanguagetherapists

andLanguageTherapy,Runner-up: IntermediateCare

n AHPSupportWorkerofthe Year:Winner–TraceyHodnett, Runner-up–MikeDenny

n AHPclinicaleducator:Winner –KellyAlcock,Runner-up–Jisha Philip

n AHPtrailblazer:Winner–

Orthopticteam,Runner-up–Ruth Hopper

n AHPrisingstar:Winner–Emma

Cooper,Runner-Up–NathanFoley

n ChiefAHPAward:Winner–JennyGlynn

BlackCountryIntegrated CareSystemAHPSupport

WorkerAwards

AttheBlackCountryIntegrated Care System AHPSupport Worker Awards,wehadanumberofDudley Groupwinners.Over100attendees wereatthevirtualeventorganised bytheBlackCountryAHPandNursingFaculty andpresented by our

chiefAHPKarenLewis

CongratulationstoallofourDudleyGroupwinners:

n AHPsupportworker ambassadors–AprilAshton,Emma Baxter,LorraineAllchurch,Natalie BagleyandNatashaWilliams

n AHPsupportworkerrisingstar –GemmaGreen

n Dedicationtopatientcare–TracyHodnett

n Mentoroftheyear–AprilAshton

n Equality,diversityandinclusion ambassador–SamMorgan

n SupportWorkerApprenticeof theYear–JoDimmock

n AHPSupportworkerofthe year–LorraineAllchurch

Cats ProtectionStourbridge, Dudley and WyreForest Branch

ARE YOUA CATLOVER? CANYOU SPARE AFEW HOURS AWEEKTO VOLUNTEER FOR YOUR LOCAL CATS PROTECTION BRANCH?

We are desperately in need of help, to keep up with the demand of abandoned cats and kittens. Stourbridge, Dudley and Wyre Forest Cats Protection is a volunteer run branch, and we can only help cats if we have volunteers to help... Our vision is aworld whereeverycat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

WE ARERECRUITING FOR CATFOSTERERS ON LINE FUNDRAISERS

FUNDRAISING TEAM LEADER

SOCIAL MEDIA VOLUNTEER

LOST AND FOUND LIAISON VOLUNTEER

BRANCH SECRETARY

Acat adopted from Cats Protection will always be Health checked, micro chipped, vaccinated and if old enough neutered, plus you will have 4weeks free Petplaninsurance.

If you are interested in volunteering for abrilliant local cat charity,please call us on 0345 260 1076,oremail coordinator@stourbridge.cats.org.uk

Lillibet - 16 yrs old, owner passed away, nowliving with new adopted family

Cinder - elderly boyfound as astray in Cinder bank -happy to live out the rest of his days with alovely newmom....

Awardrecognisesefforts tosupportoverseasstaff

TheTrustispleasedtoannounceithasbeenawardedtheNHSPastoralCareQualityAward

TheawardrecognisestheTrust’sworkininternationalrecruitmentandthecommitmenttoprovidinginternationallyeducatednursesandmidwiveswithhigh-quality pastoralcare

TheNHShasalwaysbenefitedfromoverseasrecruitmentandfromnursescomingfromothercountriestolive andworkinEngland.InDudley,werecruited317internationalnursesandmidwivesin2022.

RecruitmentfromoutsideoftheUKcontinuestofeatureasanimportantpartoftheworkforcesupplystrategyofNHSorganisations,inlinewiththeNHSPeoplePlan.

Sustainable

NHSEnglandandNHSImprovement’sInternational RecruitmentProgrammeisdeliveringanethicalandsustainablerecruitmentmodelandtheprogrammesupports NHSorganisationstoincreaseanddeveloptheirinternationalrecruitmentplans.

Thesafearrival,inductionandprovisionofsupport fornewpeoplejoiningtheNHSworkforceisournumber onepriorityforinternationalrecruitment.

LaunchedinMarch2022,theNHSPastoralCareQualityAwardschemeishelpingtostandardisethequality anddeliveryofpastoralcareforinternationallyeducatednursesandmidwivesacrossEnglandtoensurethey receivehigh-qualitypastoralsupport.It’salsoanopportunityfortruststorecognisetheirworkininternational recruitmentanddemonstratetheircommitmenttostaff wellbeingbothtopotentialandexistingemployees

Goldstandard inequalitywork

TheDudleyGroupreceiveda GoldStandardawardforitswork onEquality,DiversityandInclusion

TIDE(TalentInclusion&DiversityEvaluation)isa benchmarkingtoolwhich theEmployersNetworkforEquality& Inclusion (enei) hasdeveloped to assess organisational performanceandprogressinrelation to diversityand inclusion TIDEmeasuresourorganisation againsteight different areasof diversityandinclusionpractice.

AllTIDEentriesarebenchmarkedagainstallotherorganisationseachyear.Thisisknown astheTIDEmark.Whereaminimumlevelofentriesinaparticularsectororcountryisachieved, eneiwillbenchmarkandshare theseresults

Thebestentries will be awardedBronze,SilverandGold TIDE awards.Award holders willbeabletodemonstratetheir achievement by usingelectronicTIDEawardbadges/logoson websitesandliterature.

TheDudleyGroupachieved 88percentinthe2022self-assessmentand thereportalso identifiedwhere improvements couldbefurthermade.Wewill continuetoworkthroughanactionplantoachievethisin2023

TheTrustrecruited317internationalnursesandmidwivesin2022

Charityrunnerslimberingupin

Ithasbeenabusyfewmonths fortheteambehindtheDudley GroupNHSCharity.

SuperheroFunRun

Membersofthepublicralliedtogetherdressingupastheirfavourite superheroestojoinhealthcarestaff atHimleyHallinOctoberfora5k funruntoraisefundsfortheDudley GroupNHSCharity.

Over50runnerstookpartinthe raceandraised£3,200andthesuperheroeswerejoinedonthedayby someoftheTrust’svirtualLondon Marathonrunners.

MartinLopez,headofmarketing atWindsorAcademyTrust,started hisjourneyattheSuperherorunand finishedhis marathon at Russells HallHospital

During thepandemic, Martin testedpositiveforCOVID-19.When his condition worsened, he spent timeonanICUwardveryseriously ill. Thankfully, Martin recovered, andthekindnessoftheNHSstaffhas stayedwithhimsince.

Martinsaid:“Ihadatremendous time,seeingsomanypeopleatthe Superhero5kFunRungavemeso muchenergyforwhatlayahead.I founditreallyrewardingvisitingthe DudleyGroupNHSFoundationTrust sitesasmilestonesformineandmy friendConnor’srunningroute.”

PureGym’sDudleyPortteambeganthedaywithawarm-upsession forallthosetakingpart.

StafffromHSBCUKWolverhamptonMarketwerealsothereto support, alongside BlackCountry Radio,withitshostsPaulEssomand ChristineEdwardsinattendance

GlitterBall2022

TheDudleyGroupNHSCharity hosted theiriconicannualGlitter BallattheCopthorneHotelinDudley. Gathering local businesses together,theeventofferedtheopportunityforattendeestoraisefunds forthe charityand also network

withotherlike-mindedBlackCountrybusinesses.TheeventwassponsoredbyMitie,HowtofindaCare Home,SummitHealthcareandDudleyBuildingSociety.

AliceWoodwark, managingdirectorMitieCommunities,said:“Mitiewerethrilledtobeapartofthe annual GlitterBallsupportingThe DudleyGroupCharity.It’sfantastic seeingsomanypeoplecometogethertosupportourlocalcommunity andtoseetheamazingworkthatthe charitydoesforbothpatientsand

staffatTheDudleyGroup.”

Guests hadanopportunity to hearfromtheTrust’schair,SirDavidNicholsonMBE,keyconsultants, andfrontlinestaffwhoworkinthe Trust’s emergencyand community services.WealsoheardfromWaldronsSolicitorswho have been a long-standingsupporteroftheDudleyGroupNHSCharitythroughtheir WillCampaign.Theeventmanaged toraiseanamazing£15,500which includedsome generous donations toraffleandauctionprizes

DianeWake,chiefexecutivefor TheDudleyGroup,added:“Meeting local businesses here at theGlitterBallisabrilliantopportunityto sharestoriesandstrengthenourrelationshipswithinourlocalcommunity.Wehavebeenoverwhelmedby theamazingsupportthathasbeen showcasedthisevening,furthercementingthewonderfulworkofour charity.”

Thefundsraisedwenttowards thecharity’s Thank YouAppeal, whichsupports thephysical and emotional wellbeingofthe Trust’s workforceandpatients.

They arehosting theirGlitter Ball fora third year running on ThursdayNovember162023atThe CopthorneHotel.Wearelookingfor companieswhowouldliketosupporttheeventthroughsponsorship, tablesales andraffle andauction prizes.Pleasecontact Nithee Patel,headoffundraising,onnithee. patel@nhs.netifyourcompany wouldliketohavetheopportunity tobepartofthisbrillianteventthis year

BuskingforCharity

Community fundraiser Billy Spakemonandhissupportersraise moneyforourTrustcharitythrough buskingonthestreetsoftheBlack Country.In2019theyraised£6,500 towardstheirDiabetesUnitandin 2020 raised £8,000 towardsour GeorginaUnit.In2021,theyraised

TO ACCEPT

TheGlitterBallwasabigsuccess

CommunityfundraiserBillySpakemonhandsoverachequefor£18,000

£11,000towardsourBreastCancer CareandProstateCancerCaredepartments

In2022,theyexceededtheirpreviousfundraisingeffortsbyraising anamazing£18,000forourNeonatal andChildren’sDepartment. Anew premature-sizedsimulationdolland controllerwerepurchasedwiththe funds.

Thedollhas many functions includingaheartbeat,breathing soundsandevencrying. Thedollis valuableforsimulationtrainingand isbeingusedforregularsessionsto aidteachingdoctorsandnurseson theneonatalunit.

Allteammembersfromtheunit areextremelygratefulforBillyand hissupporters’continuousfundraisingefforts

InMemoryofJames Turley

Duetoa rare condition,James Turley,aged16, from Dudley,sadlypassedawayon11thNovember, 2021,intheCriticalCareUnitofRussellsHallHospitalwhichispartof TheDudleyGroupNHSFoundation Trust

In memory of James, his parents,family,friendsandhismother’s workcolleaguesfromthepharmacy departmentatRussellsHallHospital decidedtosetupafundraisingpage toraisefundsfortheCriticalCare charitablefund,whichispartofthe DudleyGroupNHSCharity.

Laura Holdsworth,fromthe Trust’sPharmacyDepartment,said: “Iwantedtosupportmyfriendsand theirfamilyinatimeofdifficultyand sadness by doing somethingpositivethatwouldremindeveryoneof James’slegacy.”

Over thecourseof2022the fundraisingpageraisedanamazing £4,369,whichwillbeusedbytheunit torefurbishtheirrelativesroom

Laura visitedthe Critical Care UnitonbehalfofJames’sparentsand kinddonorstopresentachequeof

thefundsraised.Theaimistotransformtherelativesroomtomakeit looklessclinicalsofriendsandfamilycanbecomfortablewhilstwaiting fortheirlovedones.

Alotofpeopleareinarelatives roomforhours atatime,whether they’rewaitingfortheirnearestand dearesttocomeout of surgeryor finishtheirtreatment,whichcanbe extremelyuncomfortable,especially whentheyareworriedaboutwhatis happening.

Oncecompleted,James’sparents,

family,friends,andcolleaguesfrom thepharmacydepartment will be invitedtoviewtheroominmemory ofhim.

Wanttorunfor #TeamDudley?

OnApril23,90,000peoplewillbe takingpartinthebiggestmarathon everstagedintheworld.50,000will berunningthestreetsofLondonin thephysical,in-person marathon, and40,000 will be running from

wherevertheyare,joiningvirtually!

Youcansecureyourspotwhilst raisingmoneyfortheDudleyGroup NHSCharity.

We also have limitedvirtual places available forpeopletoapplyfor,soifyoufeellikeyouareup tothechallenge,pleaseemaildgft fundraising@nhs.net

AboutDudleyGroupNHS Charity

NitheePatelistheheadoffundraisingfortheTrustandoverseesthe DudleyGroupNHSCharity(Charity No–1056979)

Shesaid: “Our charitymission istoenhancethewellbeingandexperienceofourpatientsandstaffby providingservicesandfacilitiesnot routinelyfundedbytheNHS.

“TheTrustCharityisbasedon the2nd Floorofthe Russells Hall Hospital.You cancontact us on 01384456111ext 3349 or dgft fundraising@nhs.net”

AllourDGNHScharitynewsis also shared viaour social media accounts.Stayinthe loop andbe thefirsttoknowaboutourexciting eventsbyhittingthe‘Like’buttonon Facebook, andbyfollowing us on Instagram,Twitter,andLinkedIn.

n Twitter:@DGNHSCharity

n Facebook:DudleyGroupNHS

Charity

n Instagram:@dgnhscharity n LinkedIn:DudleyGroupNHS

n

24hoursbehindthescenes

TheDudley Group NHSFoundation Trustjoinedhealthorganisationsfromaroundthe Black Countrytogivearare“behind thescenes” look into life in the NHSviasocialmedia

Usingthe hashtag ‘BlackCountryHealth247’,staffgaveaninsight intothefrontlineofhealthcareover a24-hourperiod.

In Dudley,wefocused on our communityserviceswhodosucha fantastic job everyday preventing hospitaladmissions,reachingpeople intheirhomesandseeingpatientsin communitysettings EdlizKelly,ouroperationleadfor DudleyClinicalHub,said:“Wearefocusedonhospitalprevention

“Inthemorningwedoourteam huddle andlookatthe capacity acrosscommunitytoensurewehave enoughstaffandmakesureweare supportingeachothertorespondto patients.”

Spring Event Deals NowOn!

We posted arange of pictures, videos andstories lookingatthe dailylife,situationsandchallenges theseNHSworkersfaceinatypical day.

Local resident Margaret Lynn toldus:“Ihavedistrictnursescome outtomeeveryday.

“Theyareallverywelcomingand

Ican’tsaythereisabadoneamongst them

“They really look aftermeand Ican’t sing thecommunity team’s praisesenough.”

Ifanyofthesephotosrepresenta careerthatyoumaybeconsidering, then please visitwww.dgft.nhs.uk forourlatestvacancies.

n

Jane,fromourInformaticsTeam, offeringsupportwhichensuresprogress andpatientcare

n OutofhourscommunitynurseSophie visitingpatientsthroughouttheevening

n SomeofourfantasticDudleyClinicalHubteam

n Gemma,AlisonandHannahinourOwnBedInsteadteam lookthroughpatientreferralsbeforeheadingoutintothe communitytoseetheirpatients

n ContinencenurseadviserIanand histeamvisitpatientsacrossourlocal community

n OurLongTermConditionsteamsee patientsacrossDudleywithlongterm healthissuesofferingsupport,education andinterventionswhereneeded

n RowenaandAlisonfromourEnd-ofLifeRapidResponseteamhavesuch animportantroletoplayinourlocal community

n AngieisourClinicalHubendof lifeleadnurseandshewillbevisiting patientsthroughouttheday

n EmmaisastaffnurseattheLegUlcer Clinic

LydiaisoneofourSinglePointof AccessTeamwhotakesaround80 referralsadayandallocatesthese patientstoourdistrictnursingteams

Trustsetsitssightsoneyecare

TheDudleyGroup NHS Foundation Trust’sOphthalmology Department is paving theway in utilisingnew specialistclinical proceduresthatcan significantlyimprovepatientcare

Consultant ophthalmicsurgeon MrShahzadShafquathasperformed thecountry’sfirstNHSusageofthe brandnewFaricimabeyeinjections.

FaricimabisanIntraVitrealinjectionthatcantreatailmentssuch asmaculardegenerationanddiabeticretinopathy.Itwillhelpretinapatientsmaintainvisionandhasbeen praisedforitstreatmentlongevity incomparisontosimilartreatments usedinthepast

Age-relatedmacular degenerationisthemostcommoncauseof newpartialandseveresightimpairmentregistrationintheUKanditaffectsmorethan600,000people

ThesecondleadingcauseisDiabeticRetinopathy,fromwhich90per centofpeoplewithTypeIDMwill havesomedegreeofdiabeticretinopathyafter10years.

Mr Shafquat,the Trust’sretina lead,said:“AsretinaleadforDudley, Iendeavourtobe at theforefront inprovidinginnovativetreatments andtechnologytoourBlackCountry population

“Theevidencefromtheusageof Faricimabhasshowntoimprovepa-

tienttreatmentplansexponentially, with around half of patientsonly requiringatreatment everyfour monthsafteraloadingdose.Thisincreaseinlongevitycanultimatelyallowustoreducethetreatmentburdenonpatientsandtheirfamilies,as wellasfootfallinNHSclinicalsites.”

Upon approvingapatient for this newtreatment,the treatment pathwaymustbeginwithinafort-

night.Patientsreceiveoneinjection permonthoverafour-monthbasis whichgives them a‘loadingdose’ andfromheretheyarethenassessed tobeseenonafour-monthbasis.

Trialsshowedthat45to48per centofpatientstreatedwithFaricimabonlyrequiredfurther treatmentonceeveryfourmonthsfollowingtheirloadingdosage

Previous drugssuchasLucen-

tisrequired monthly treatment, andmostrecently Brolucizumab, required treatmentevery three monthsfollowingaloadeddose.

NHS ophthalmology departmentshavethesecondhighestnumberofOPD (operating department practitioner)visitsacrossall NHS hospitals, with TheDudleyGroup seeingover43,000patientsperyear

Within this figure,55per cent

ofthosepatientsareretinapatients andaccountfortheover6,500intravitrealinjectionsthatareadministeredeveryyear

Chiefexecutive forThe Dudley GroupDianeWakesaid:“Weareincrediblyproudtobeleadingtheway inbeingthefirstinthecountrytobe offeringourpatientsrevolutionary treatmentssuchasFaricimab and thisisgreatnewsforpatientsacross Dudley

“OurOphthalmologyteamhave anincrediblyhighnumberofpatient procedures to performevery year, andthroughinnovation they have been forward-thinkinginlooking atwhatcouldbedonetoultimately deliverahigherqualitycareforpatients,reducingtheoverallamount ofvisitsfortreatment.”

Anotherpositive to this treatmentisthatthedrugitselfiscost neutral,meaning it costsnomore thanpreviousdrugsusedforretinal illnesses,butismuchmoreeffective, safeanddurable.Itissuperiorinreducingthedryingeffectforpatients, equaloverall in improvingpatient vision

TheDudleyregion hasone of thehighestratesofdiabetesinthe country,sotheintroductionofthis newdrughasbeenkeyinworking towardsreducingpatient waiting times,clinicalfootfallandimproving patientcare

Meetgovernor AlanRowbottom

MynameisAlanRowbottom,andIwaselectedtothe CouncilinDecember2020and representthefoundationtrust membersof Tipton&Rowley Regisand thewiderpublic acrosstheBlackCountryand WestBirminghamSystem

Thegovernorroleisaninterestingandvariedrole,and notwodaysarethesame.

Ienjoy meetingour staff andtalking to patientsand findingoutwhat’simportantto themwhenwearehostingour ‘meetandgreet’standsandthe ‘qualityandsafety’reviews.

During thesesessions, I tryandgatherfeedbackfrom ourpatientsand theirfamily membersonthequalityofthe servicethattheyhavereceived.

AnyfeedbackthatIreceive duringthesemeetingsishighlightedtothe Trustvia the CouncilofGovernorsmeeting andotherforums

Asagovernor,weplayavitalroleintheoverallrunningof theTrustbyholdingourdirectorsandournon-executivedirectorstoaccountfordecisions thataremadeontheservices thatweoffer.

Ifeelarealsenseofhelping theTrusttodeliveronitsstrategicvision:excellent healthcareandimprovedhealthfor all.

Savethedate 2023

BoardofDirectors:

n 11thMay

n 13thJuly

CouncilofGovernors:

n 22ndJune

n 5thOctober

Thereisanoptionforgovernorsand membersofthe publictosubmitanyquestions theymayhavetotheBoardof DirectorsorCouncilofGovernorsforconsideration

Questionsshouldbekept briefandtothepointandsent tothefollowingemailaddress: dgft.foundationmembers@ nhs.net

Aimingtogivepeople asayoverhealthcare

nors.

IwaselectedasapublicgovernorfortheStourbridgeconstituency inDecember2021andbecamethe leadgovernorinSeptember2022

IchosetostandforelectionbecauseIampassionateabouthealthcareforthelocalpeopleandabout implementingtangiblechangetoour locally-basedhealthcaresystem

As agovernor,whenattending board meetings,sub-committee meetings,and board of governor meetings,Iamabletoaskquestions forclarity andrequest assurances fromtheTrustwhichIfindapowerfultoolinrepresentingtheviews andinterestsofpatients

Iwould highly recommendbecomingamemberoftheTrustand puttingyourselfforwardinthenext electiontobeagovernorrepresentingtheareayouliveinorthestaff teamshereatTheDudleyGroup

Ourmembersare local people andstafffromallwalksoflifewho canbecomegovernorsthemselves.

Ourmembersandgovernorsare valuabletousastheyprovidethe Trustwiththeopportunitytodevelopusingthevoiceofourlocalcommunity

Fromsharingthoughtsandideastohelpingoutinandaroundour

LeadgovernorAlexGiles

Trust,fromelectingourgovernors andtobecomingagovernor

Asamember,therearemanydifferentwaysyoucanhelpusdeliver excellenthealthcare,andimproved health forall. Themoremembers wehave,meanswehavemoreopportunitytoreflecttheviewsofour patients.

Weneedasmanyinterestedpeopleaspossibletojoinus–andwe’d loveyoutobeoneofthem

Publicgovernor–Alan Rowbottom(above)at RussellsHallHospital mainreceptionpromoting membershipandthe governorroletoourstaff membersandthegeneral publicvisitingthehospital

Appointedgovernor–Cllr AlanTaylor(left)promoting andencouragingstaff memberstotakethefluand COVIDvaccination

TheCouncil of Governorsis madeupofpeopleofallagesand backgrounds.

Governorelectionsareheldona rollingbasisandtherearetwovacanciesarisinginspring2023

Wearekeentohearfrompeoplewhowouldbeinterestedinapplyingfortheroleinthefollowing area:

Public:Halesowen–Staff: Non-Clinical

Youdonot need anyformal qualificationstobeagovernorfor

oneofourpublicsectors.Theexception is forthe staffgovernor position whereyou need to be a memberofstaffemployedwithin thatcategory

Themainrequirementtobea governor is that you supportthe continueddevelopmentofTheDudleyGroup.Itcanhelpifyouhave hadsomeexperiencewithNHSeitherasapatientorinanassociated orlinkedareaofyourworkinglife.

WewelcomethreenewGovernorswho joined ourCouncil this lastyear,theyare:

n Arthur Brown, publicelected

governor,Stourbridge.Arthur saysheisprivilegedtobegiventhe opportunitytoserveasaGovernor forasecondtermandtocontribute tothecontinuousdevelopmentof

TheDudleyGroupNHSFoundation Trust

n MushtaqHussain,publicelected governor,Central Dudley Mushtaq wantstoplayanactive partinthedeliveryofhealthcare inDudleyandensurethattheviews ofallourcommunitiesaretakenon boardwhenplanninghealthcare provision

n ClareInglis, staffelected gov-

ernor, Allied Health Professionals&HealthCare Scientists Clareiskeentocontributetothe relationship,communication and understandingbetweentheBoard of Directors, patients, public and staffalike,ultimatelyhelpingtooptimisethequalityandeffectiveness ofservicestheTrustprovidestothe community

n Pleasevisit ourwebsite to findmoreinformation aboutour CouncilofGovernorsatwww.dgft. nhs.uk/about-us/foundation-trust/ our-council-of-governors/

MessagefromAlexGiles,public electedgovernor, Stourbridgeand newlyappointedleadgovernor,TheDudleyGroupCouncilofGover-

AlanRowbottom

Publicgovernor–MariaLodge-Smithspendingtimegettingtoknowthevolunteers duringVolunteersWeek

Staffgovernor–KerryCopewithherteammembersduringtheChristmaschocolate distribution

Spotlightonlongservice

TheDudleyGroup NHSFoundation Trusthas celebrated the careersof52members of staff at an eventthatshone thespotlightonthose whohad reached keymilestonesof25, 30 and40 yearsofservicefortheNHS.

Duringtheceremony,thosebeing presented with an awardreceived acertificateofrecognition,acommemorativelengthofservicebadge andapieceoflocallyhand-crafted glassware.

Hostingthe annual eventwas theTrust’s chairSir David Nicholsonwhosaid:“Wearesogratefulfor allourstaff’scommitmentoverthe yearsandtheseLongServiceAwards areourwayofsayingthankyoufor stickingwiththeTrust,despitethe challengesanddifficulttimes.”

Ourlongest servingmembers ofstaffcelebrated40yearsinthe

NHS,onebeingMaryWeaver,whois aclinicalleadnurseinourimaging department.

Shewasdelightedtoreceiveher lengthofserviceawardandsaid:“It’s nicetoknowweareappreciatedby ourtrustandtheNHS.Ithasbeen anhonourspendingmyworkinglife lookingafterpeople.”

ChiefexecutiveDianeWakeadded:“WhatIloveabouttheseawards

themost, is listening to everyone reminisceabout when they first started, manyofwhom began at WordsleyHospitalandhavesomany fondmemoriesofit.Itisamazingto hear howthe NHShas progressed overtimefromtheindividualswithinit.”

TheTrust also recognised 138 staffin2022whohaveachieved10 years’serviceintheNHS

30years:KateOwen

25years:RanjitGandham

40years:AngelaDavis

40years:MaryWeaver 25years:GlennaLewis

25years:AndrewBaker

30years:AbuSajid

30years:ChrisWalker

30years:SharonWalford

25years:JenniferAston

Zuhayb started hisapprenticeshipinJanuary2023,workinginthe informaticsdepartment as atraineeinformation analyst.

n Whatinspiredyoutoapply todoanApprenticeship?

Apprenticeships area brilliantwaytogainrealworldexperience,whilstformallyupskilling yourselfviaaqualification

n What have youlearntso far?

Sofar,Ihavelearntaboutthe structure,cultureandfutureof theNHS,especiallyNHSDigital. Ihavebeenreading up on the government’s agenda forlevellingupandwhatthatmeansfor servicesliketheNHS.TheNHS isbecomingmoreandmoredata-drivenandsothetargetsset forICSstotransformdigitallyby 2025makeitanexcitingtimeto beworkinginthefieldofdatain theNHS

n If youcould give insight andguidancetofutureapprentices,whatwoulditbe?

Apprenticeships area brilliantway to experience different elements of theworking worldinordertofigureoutyour strengthsandlikes.So,ifyou’re setonaspecificcareerpathor justdon’tknowwhatyouwant todo,anapprenticeshipisagood firststepintotheworldofwork

Developingourworkforce

The16thannual National Apprenticeship Week took place in February 2023,shining alight on theamazing work being done by apprentices,employers,and their training providers across the country.

OurthemeforNationalApprenticeshipWeek2023was‘SkillsforLife’and weshowcasedhowapprenticeshipscan help individualstodevelop theskills andknowledgerequiredforarewardingcareer,aswellasenablingourTrust todevelopatalentedworkforcethatis

equippedwithfuture-readyskills.

Wefocusedonsharingsuccessstoriesfromsomeofourcurrentandpast apprentices,aswellasfeedbackfrom variousmanagerswhohavetakenon apprenticeswithintheirdepartments acrosstheTrust

Recruiting

Thesestories,alongwiththehard workofourLearning&OrganisationalDevelopmentteam,wereutilisedto engageTruststaffthatmaybeconsideringapplyingfor an apprenticeship

orrecruitinganapprenticetotheirdepartment. Furthertothis,twobrandnewapprenticeshipvacanciesinbotha non-clinicalandaclinicalsettingwere alsoannouncedandmadeavailableto applyforduringNationalApprenticeshipWeek–withover40applications received!

Ifyouareinterestedinbecomingan apprenticehereatTheDudleyGroup, oryouarelookingtorecruitanapprenticeintoyourteamhere,pleaseemail dgft.apprentice@nhs.net formore information

WORK WITH US Youcanseeallourlatestvacancies ontheNHSJobswebsite www.jobs.dudleygroup.nhs.uk/

BECOME AVOLUNTEER

We’realwaysonthelookoutforvolunteers Gotowww.dgft.nhs.uk/volunteering

BECOME AFOUNDATION TRUST MEMBER

Signuponourwebsitetoday! www.dgft.nhs.uk/become-a-member

Ifyouwouldlikethisinformationinanalternative languageorformat,forexampleinlargeprintor easyread,pleasecalluson08000730510,email dfgt.pals@nhs.netorwriteto:PatientAdviceand LiaisonService,RussellsHallHospital,DY12HQ.

ZuhaybAhmed,LibbySmallandSamWheelerhavealsotakenuproles

ApprenticeMeganRogers-Thomas

FormerapprenticeChloeConnolly

ApprenticeHarryMorgan