Your weekly newsletter that focuses on staff and events within the Trust
The sky’s the limit College art students have created a series of stunning ceiling tiles to help improve the experience of patients at PRH. The tiles are now in place on the ceilings in two treatment areas in the Gynaecology Department in the Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre. The idea for the painted ceiling tiles came from Staff Nurse Rosalind PonomerenkoJones who worked in collaboration with art students at Telford College of Arts and Technology. Lesley Stokes, Ward Manager for Gynaecology Services, said: “Rosalind had the idea to put art from the students at the college on the ceiling tiles in the department’s two treatment rooms. The aim of this was to act as a distraction for our patients while they are undergoing a procedure. “Rosalind is a very dedicated member of staff and she has really gone above and beyond for her patients.” The tiles represent the sea and the night sky, and have been painted in specialist materials which are fully compliant with infection prevention control. Rosalind said: “I am so grateful to the students for their brilliant art work, and the time and effort they spent creating them. “They really do help to make a difference to the experience that we offer our patients when they are in our treatment rooms. They are a source of conservation and distraction during a procedure, which can sometimes be uncomfortable for our patients. “The tiles have only been up for a couple of weeks, but our patients are already commenting on how lovely they look.”
What’s in this issue Apprenticeship Week Sign up for the SaTH Charity Fun Run Time To Talk Day
7 February 2020
National Apprenticeship Week is an annual celebration of the impact of apprenticeships on individuals, employers and the economy. Here, we focus on just some of the individuals who bring their skills to SaTH.
Mike Evans – Radiotherapy Engineer “Prior to this role, I completed a foundation degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I’ve always had an interest in how things work and decided I wanted practical career. “The majority of the day involves shadowing senior Engineers as they investigate any faults. This has allowed me to gain some insight into how to approach a fault on a machine, making sure to work safely following the relevant regulations. I also assist in designing and constructing additional components used as part of treatment. “The remainder of my time is focused on completing a degree in Healthcare Science in order to obtain Register of Clinical Technologists registration. “My favourite part of the job is having the opportunity to learn about how treatment machines function and the chance to see how internal components work together. It’s an exciting field to be learning about, and I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity. “Out of work, I design and construct electric guitars. I have a small workshop and sell through my own website. I’ve been lucky
enough to supply some of my favourite musicians, giving me confidence to keep pushing my guitars to the next level.” Aravind Ghosh Bhaskaran– Trainee Nursing Associate “I was working in Ophthalmology and I always wanted to progress in my career. With the support of my manager, I got seconded to this course, which helped me to develop into my role through academic and clinical training. “My job is all about holistic care of the patients, my favourite part is being able to act as an ambassador for my patients, providing person-centred care. “The training has a completely different approach to traditional training. Working as a HCA and finding the opportunities to gain all the relevant competencies is a big challenge. I’m proud to be providing uncompromised love and care to my young family; I manage to balance family life and the Nursing Associate course. This is the biggest achievement that I had. “Out of work, I spend all my available time with my wife Neema and my three little ones. My hobbies include listening to Indian classical music and playing with my children.”
Hannah Littleford - Audiology Hannah is working towards a Business Administration Level 2 qualification.
Vicky Gordon– Trainee Nursing Associate
“I have worked on AMU at PRH for nine years as a HCA. During those years, opportunities to go to “A typical day in my role is being University passed me by, either on both the reception desk and on because of money or just life the telephones in the office. I getting in the way. I knew I was process patient referrals, book capable of more. I wanted more appointments, prepare responsibility and had an urge to administration for the clinics and learn new skills. I love my job and monitor the department emails. the satisfaction it brings me. “Every day is different and a new Providing patients with challenge, I am constantly learning compassionate care centred to their needs fills me with joy. new skills. The department is so supportive and I love that I have “I am nearly at the end of a twobeen so welcomed and valued year Nursing Associate since starting. Apprentice. Having this “My biggest achievement is being opportunity has provided me with the chance to progress further in asked to attend the Apprenticeship Open Day, talking my career as well as being able to support the Nurses in providing to potential future apprentices care by bridging the gap between about my role. I was also invited HCAs and Nurses. to attend an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion event to “It’s been an emotional demonstrate how a young person rollercoaster and quite difficult at has been supported and given times, especially with a young opportunities to develop. child, working full time and attending University. But it’s been “Outside of my job I have done an experience I will never forget. lots of charity work to support a charity very close to my heart. My “I am looking forward to starting my new role as a Nurse Associate biggest achievement is climbing on Ward 17 Supported Discharge Kilimanjaro at the age of 15 and and the new learning raising just under £4,500 for Muscular Dystrophy. Another big opportunities it will bring but at the same time I will miss the one would be volunteering in an animal orphanage in Zimbabwe in amazing team on AMU.” 2019.
Top knitters!
A group of knitters from Wellington U3A have donated hundreds of homemade blankets, mitts and booties to the Neonatal Department at PRH. Thank you!
Click to register PALS team launch clothing appeal A team at SaTH have launched an appeal to help patients who are in need of clothing when they leave hospital. Staff working in PALS came up with the idea for the PALS Helping Hand Store after seeing patients leaving the Trust’s two hospitals after they have received their care, in hospital pyjamas. They are now looking for donations of clothes for both men and women, and toiletries – but footwear is not required. Julia Palmer, Head of PALS at SaTH, said: “We are appealing for clothes that are suitable for both men and women that we can give to patients who need them when they leave our care at both RSH and PRH. “The idea came from a member of our team, Wendy, who had heard of some patients leaving wards in hospital pyjamas as their clothes were not fit to be worn, or they were homeless and were in need of clothing. “We now have an allocated Helping Hand Store thanks to our team in Estates, led by Dave Chan, which can be accessed by ward managers in A&E, AMU and ITU. “We would be very grateful as any donation will help to make a massive difference to our patients. It will help maintain their dignity which will improve their recovery and give them a much-needed boost.” Anyone who is able to help is asked to contact PALS at sath.pals@nhs.net
K C I CL O T TE NA O D
NHS Careers Live event next week SaTH and Shrewsbury Colleges Group (SCG) will combine forces next week to host the second joint NHS Careers Live event for young people in education. The event, which will take place from 4pm until 7pm at The Shropshire Conference Centre on Wednesday 12 February, will showcase the range of
exciting careers available at SaTH. Staff from the SaTH and the SCG will be on hand to discuss routes into the many job roles, including work experience and apprenticeships. There will be information stands, handson activities, and talks every 30 minutes.
SaTH held an awareness event this week as part of yesterday’s Time to Talk Day. Time To Talk Day gives people the opportunity for people to talk openly about mental health—something that affects one in four of us, yet too many people are made to feel isolated, ashamed and worthless because of this. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to change lives. Adam Anderson-Woods, who works at the library at PRH, arranged the two events as part of the awareness week—one at the library on Wednesday and another outside Apley Restaurant on Thursday. During the event on Thursday, the team also promoted the Trust’s Peer-to-Peer listening service. You can find more information about Time To Talk Day online here.
The event will also provide guidance on apprenticeships, how to apply for the relevant courses at SCG and for posts with SaTH. To book a place at the NHS Careers Live Event visit www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk/nhscareers-live-2020 by Tuesday 11 February.
Training dates A series of training dates are available for all Nurses and ACPs who are Band 5 and above. Please use the training diary on the Intranet to book onto an individual session : 26 February: 9am—5pm, RSH, SECC 3 March: 9am— 5pm, RSH, SECC 11 March, 9am— 5pm, PRH, Education Centre.
MCA/DoLs training for patient-facing staff Date 3 February 10 February 17 February 24 February 2 March 11 March 16 March 25 March
Times 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm 10am to 12 noon or 2.15pm or 4.15pm 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm
Venue PRH Education Centre RSH SECC RSH SECC RSH SECC PRH Education Centre RSH SECC PRH Education Centre RSH SECC
Why not take five minutes out of your day to nominate someone you think is deserving?
VIP Award monthly winners— Scheduled Care Group CSSD Team in Queensway
excellent feedback they received from trainees at the visit.
The Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) team in Queensway have, through difficult times, continued to provide an excellent back house function, ensuring that theatre and other essential areas of the trust are provided with sterile surgical equipment. At one point over this summer, and for an extended period of time, only one steam generator was working, three of the five autoclaves were out of service along with both the container washer and one of the five washers. Despite this, the team worked extended hours to get kit returned in a timely fashion.
ABOVE: Charlotte Owen (right) and Sarah Harnden (middle) receive their certificate from Kath Preece (Head of Nursing for Scheduled Care).
Radical improvement to the quality of care for patients ascites and for The service they operate has been patients on a palliative pathway and recognised recently with a successful needing to spend as little time in transfer audit of accreditation, all while hospital as possible hosting work from RJAH as part of the mutual catastrophic failure agreement Sarah Harnden we have in place with surrounding sterile Sarah has been pivotal in the service units to help each other out in development of endoscopy services. As a the event of plant failure. training lead, she ensures trainees Charlotte Owen receive appropriate induction and lists tailored to the needs of the trainee, Charlotte was awarded for her outstanding contribution to hepatology. backed up by weekly planning meetings to maximise training opportunities. 100% paracentesis performed in less Despite having an unprecedented than a year number of trainees with a limited 100% patient satisfaction number of accredited trainers, Sarah has coordinated programmes for trainees in Saved 100 bed days of unnecessary upper and lower GI surgery, admissions gastroenterology and a growing number Frequent attendance when out of of nurse practitioners. The recent JAG hours and not working inspection team commented on the
The CSSD team receive their certificate from Mark Cheetham, Medical Director for the Scheduled Care Group.
Sarah is the lead nurse for development of Non-Medical Endoscopists (NMEs) and has played a vital part in establishing the Bowel Scope Screening Service in Shropshire. She is also an accredited Bowel Cancer Screening Colonoscopist, the only nurse in this role at SaTH. For several months recently, Sarah was performing almost half of the screening colonoscopies in the programme. Sarah has been an active member of the nutrition team. With the Clinical Lead for nutrition, Sarah introduced gastropexy feeding to Shropshire, avoiding the risk of cancer seeding in patients with oesophageal cancers. Security Team The nomination for the Security Team reads: “I would like to inform you how impressed I have been with two of your security officers – Alan and Ross. They are both very brave, calm and intelligent in dealing with the incident today.” The incident involved a delirious patient who posed harm to himself, staff and the public. The patient had a long metal bar in his hand and he caused damage to a few cars in the car park. They managed to control him by guiding him to a safer place. The patient threatened to leave the hospital, it could have cost him his life if he had managed to escape. With Alan’s fantastic communication skill, manner and intelligence, the patient had sedation twice without any restraint required. I have not seen such a technique before and I was very impressed. It showed that not only is he very experienced but that he cares very much for the patient. It was in the patient’s best interest to avoid restraint as it may have caused more harm to him. The patient had had a major operation and a small leak in the wound would have been a disaster. Both of the security guards stayed longer than they needed to. They built a good rapport with the patient and helped the situation by staying longer.
Join the team at Lingen Davies Cancer Fund Lingen Davies Cancer Fund exists to make a positive difference to lives affected by cancer in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Mid Wales. Since launching as the Cobalt Appeal in 1979 the charity has raised an estimated £20 million, in today’s money, to support local services, and over 85,000 people have benefitted from projects it has supported. The Fund celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2019, and as it looks to the future we have big ambitions to make sure that everyone with cancer in our community has access to the best possible services and support. To support these ambitions, the Fund wants to significantly increase and diversify its income, so is seeking an exceptional Development Manager and a fabulous Charity Administrator to join the team.
The Development Manager will form part of the charity’s management team, supporting the wider organisation while focussing on achieving challenging income targets. Charity Administrator The Fund is also looking for an additional Charity Administrator to help the office to run smoothly and ensure supporters and visitors receive the best possible service. Alongside community fundraising, Lingen Davies is keen to develop new income streams, including trusts and foundations, corporate supporters, major donors and legacies.
The new Development Manager will be an enthusiastic fundraiser, with experience of developing new income generation initiatives and thinking strategically. They will be adaptable, friendly and creative, with a genuine Development Manager interest in supporting people with cancer in our community. They will be The Fund is exceptionally lucky to have a collaborative and appreciative of the strong base of support in the community, charity’s history and values as they and wants to increase the reach of this. embrace and develop new projects.
As support grows, the number of visitors, and of donations, increases. It’s vital that donations are processed accurately, and that donors are recognised appropriately for their contributions. Visitors must be made welcome, and their questions answered in a friendly and efficient manner. The new Charity Administrator will be a key part of the office team and responsible for providing exceptional customer service as well as completing a range of administrative tasks to support the work of the Fundraising Office. For more information visit www.lingendavies.co.uk/join-our-team
‘Passworks’ being rolled out Passworks, our new IT self-service password reset tool, is being rolled out across the whole trust during February. Passworks gives you the ability to unlock and/or reset the password of your SaTH PC (Windows) login account whenever you need to, by answering three security questions that you choose yourself. The majority of staff have a login account and all will be required to register to use Passworks to manage their own passwords. If you logon to a trust device as yourself you will be prompted to register for Passworks by a little pop up window when initially logging on. For more information we have produced a Passworks webpage that includes guides on how to register, benefits of using the system and other information on Passworks. This can be found here. For more information, please contact the IT Service Desk on Ext 2522, who will be more than happy to help.
Join today! The December winners are: Frances Hurford – Clinical Trials Alexis Graham – Recruitment Teresa Tanner – Corporate Nursing Lesley Cannon – Accounts Payable Katherine Gough – A&E Reception How do I enter? You can enter the lottery by downloading a lottery entry form here. Alternatively, you can collect/request a form from the SaTH Charity office. Completed forms should be returned to sath.charity@nhs.net or the SaTH Charity Office (Suite 2, Stretton House, RSH). Providing entries are made by the end of a calendar month, deductions will be made from the subsequent month’s payroll, and you will be entered into the following month’s draw. For example, if you submit an entry form in October, payroll deductions occur in November, and you will be entered into the December draw. Your number(s) are automatically allocated and go forward into each month’s prize draw. How much do tickets cost? Tickets cost £1 and a maximum of 5 tickets can be purchased. Payment will be deducted from your salary (a minimum of £1 per month to a maximum of £5 per month). It is the responsibility of each employee to check that deductions are accurate.
The remaining 50% of the money will go into the Small Things Makes a Big Difference Fund. There may be a one-off “super draw” every year with larger cash prizes. This will replace one of the monthly draws and will be publicised in advance of the draw date. When are the draws made? The draw will take place on the second Wednesday of each month. The winners will be announced in Chatterbox that week. NOTE: To be in the first draw in July a completed application form must be submitted in May. Can I enter the new Staff Lottery? The Staff Lottery is open to all staff working at SaTH who have regular contracted hours and are on the Trust’s payroll. How is money from the Fund awarded? A panel will award the money monthly in line with income to the Fund. They will meet on: 9 May, 11 June, 9 July, 13 August, 3 September, 8 October, 12 November and 10 December.
What can I win?
Can patients/family donate to the Fund?
A prize pool will be created by the monthly contributions to the lottery. The greater the number of players, the bigger the cash prizes and funds raised for staff benefit.
Yes. Anyone wishing to say thank you to the staff at our hospitals can do this by using code ST211R in your ward paying in books. You can then bid for that money to improve your area of work.
The prize pool will be split so approximately 50% will go on prizes: 1st prize = 20% of the entry money 2 x 2nd prizes = 10% of the entry money 2 x 3rd prizes = 5% of the entry money
For further information please contact SaTH Charity Office, Stretton House, RHS on 01743 241446 (Ext 1446) or email sath.charity@nhs.net