Chatterbox 8 May 2020

8 May 2020

 Pictured is 10-year old Olivia, daughter of Theatre Staff Nurse, Laura McGregor.

Watch the emotional moment Sally is clapped out of hospital after beating coronavirus A Shrewsbury woman who tested positive for coronavirus was applauded as she left RSH by the NHS staff who saved her life.

Sally Perrin, 65, who spent four weeks in intensive care – 26 days of which she was in a coma—fighting coronavirus and a further three weeks recovering on the respiratory ward, was given a guard of honour when she was discharged from hospital on Saturday 2 May. The mother-of-five who has three grandchildren was clapped and cheered by the frontline staff who cared for her, and says she will be telling all her family, friends and neighbours how marvellous the doctors, nurses and all the healthcare professionals are SaTH.

Mrs Perrin, who is now recovering at her home with her husband, David, said: “I was admitted to RSH on 13 March and was discharged on 2 May. I was out of it for a long time and it was touch and go for a while, but I am here to tell my story thanks to the amazing great care and treatment I received.

“The staff went above and beyond at every single opportunity. They were incredible and I want to say thank you very much to them all. I appreciate every bit of what they have done for me. They couldn’t have been any better.”

challenging, but watching her leave to a rousing applause was incredible.

“It has been a huge team effort, particularly from our amazing intensive care team, and we all wish Sally the very best as she gets back on her feet in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by the people she loves.”

Jane Davies, Ward manager on the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) at RSH, said: “Seeing Sally leave the ward has given everyone at SaTH a huge lift. It’s moments like these that we come to work for every day.

Gary Francis, Ward Manager on the ward “When you see people like Sally getting where Sally spent three weeks recovering, better and then leaving us to be reunited said: “Sally’s story is an inspiration to us with their families—it's the best gift we all. The past few months have been can receive.”

Michael Nixon

Of all the midwives working at SaTH, Michael Nixon is the only man.

Growing up on a farm in the county, he formed an interest in pregnancy and labour every time spring came along.

The 23-year-old, from Whixall, started training to be a midwife four years ago and joined SaTH last September.

As the world marked International Day of the Midwife on Tuesday, Michael has encouraged more people to join the profession, saying: “There are so many milestones along the way and memories you will never forget.”

Each year since 1992, International Confederation of Midwives leads global recognition and celebration of the work of midwives on May 5.

The World Health Organisation has also

declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, in honour of the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.

Although it tends to be a femaledominated profession, Michael says it doesn’t have to be, and there are plenty of opportunities for men to get involved.

midwifery training knowing I would be the only guy, and upon initial meeting of new staff I am often mistaken for being a doctor or occasionally the baby's dad, which keeps me entertained.

“All-in-all, I love it.”

Michael is a rotational midwife, meaning he rotates around all the different areas of maternity services.

“There are a few moments where I have found it a bit difficult but there are far, far His latest rotation saw him start work on more positives,” he said. the consultant-led unit at PRH – just at “I was very lucky to have an exceptional the start of the coronvirus pandemic. mentor when I trained as a student, who He has described it as one of his biggest taught me not to think twice about the challenges so far. potential barriers.

“I have rotated just at the start of the “I am currently the only male midwife Covid crisis, which I have found quite working at SaTH but I’m sure at some daunting," he said. point somebody else will come along.

“However I have now been on delivery “I would say I found it hard to apply to suite for six-weeks and during that time

have had some great experiences and been present at some beautiful births.

“The one thing that I have found really comforting across my rotation has been how well the maternity staff work as a team so have always felt well supported.

“My favourite moment so far has been working as a community midwife at Shrewsbury.

rewarding.”

Continuity of care is where a team of midwives look after a woman throughout her pregnancy and after the baby is born.

Michael, who also has a love for animals, says becoming a midwife is a “true journey” but the rewards are worth the effort.

alongside and who still support you every minute you are on shift.

“Midwifery is the bond between your colleagues that look after you – both as a working professional but then also personally, as you make lifelong friends and relationships.

“Finally, midwifery is the women and families you care for, it’s the moments He added: “Training and midwifery on the where they need you and you need them, “I was part of team two covering whole is people and the relationships you it’s the moments you share and the Shrewsbury town centre and Shawbury form. experience you have. Midwifery is village.

“It is the people you train with, who you people.”

“The team at Shrewsbury are a fantastic battle through the assignments and SaTH has also launched a ‘To My Midwife’ group of midwives who truly care about celebrations with. form on its website, giving women the the job they do and the women they look “It’s the midwives and doctors who you chance to thank their midwife for the care after. meet along the way, who help you time they received during birth.

“It was also my first time to really and time again until you are able to do it The messages of thanks will be sent on to experience providing continuity of care to on your own. their midwife. People can send messages women within a team, which I found very “It’s the colleagues who you one day work at www.sath.nhs.uk/thankyoumidwife

Knitted bags Midwife wins national award forwash helping colleagues support each other A Midwife at The SaTH has won a national award for her work in helping colleagues to support each other.

Rebeccah Davies, Labour Ward Coordinator, was named the Gabby Dowds-Quinn Members’ Champion at this year’s Royal College of Midwives (RCM) annual awards, held on International Day of the Midwife.

Rebeccah said: “It was an overwhelming feeling of gratitude, winning the award amongst such tough competition.

“It has not been without its hard work and effort, not only from me but from the recently reformed RCM Committee, who have been totally supportive and committed to the challenges which we undertook.

“I will be retiring as Labour Ward Coordinator in July this year after 30 years practice as a clinical Midwife and as a Registered Nurse before that. I am proud to work for SaTH.” Rebeccah was presented with the award for turning the local branch of the RCM into a flourishing community.

Nicola Wenlock, Director of Midwifery at SaTH, which runs the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, said: “This is fantastic news and a welldeserved award for Rebeccah. She epitomises everything we want to see in our Maternity service and I am delighted that she has been recognised at a national level.”

Maggie Bayley, Interim Chief Nurse, added: “I would like to add my congratulations to Rebeccah for this richly-deserved award. Colleagues supporting each other help to drive positive change. I am delighted for Rebeccah.”

Three-day online festival in aid of SaTH Charity Annie Hambley has put together the Rainbows and Happy Days Festival, which will take place today, Saturday and Sunday, in aid of SaTH Charity.

Annie, who was one of the founders of Shrewsbury’s Big Busk festival, said she decided to organise the event because she felt everybody needed a “big virtual hug” as they cope with the restrictions put in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Annie, 38, said: “We watched the Camp Bestival event, because obviously they had to move everything online because of the coronavirus outbreak, and they had all these things set up with links to various activities and we had a really brilliant time. It took us away from what’s going on and we had a really lovely weekend, so I thought: ‘Why not do our own little one?’

“I was planning to do it over two days, but then I put it out there, and the community responded brilliantly and everyone wanted to be a part of it, so now it will be over three days.

“I think everyone needs a great, big hug at the moment and if you can’t give one to the people you love then this is how I’m going to do it – a big virtual hug via an online festival.”

The event will feature children’s activities, storytelling, jewellery making, yoga and workout sessions, festival food classes, cocktail making classes and, of course, live music.

There will also be a festival ‘market village’ to support local businesses who are finding things tough during the pandemic.  To join in the festival fun visit https://www.facebook.com/ rainbowsandhappydays/  People can donate to SaTH by visiting www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/ rainbowsandhappydaysfestival

Partnership working praised by CQC

SaTH training external healthcare professionals on how to fit face masks SaTH is helping to protect frontline staff at other healthcare organisations across the region by providing training on how to correctly fit single-use respiratory protective equipment.

Five people from private sector healthcare operators attended a training session at PRH to learn how to correctly fit a mask to a person’s face to ensure it is adequately sealed to give protection from viruses such as COVID-19.

The training took place at PRH so that healthcare workers external to SaTH, such as those working in people’s own homes, could receive the training at the earliest opportunity at a time when external training is harder to source.

Karen Carter, Adult Social Care Inspector at the CQC, said: “We are very grateful to all the agencies involved and particularly the staff at Princess Royal Hospital for offering this training; it is a shining example of people coming together during difficult times.”

A face fit test is carried out to ensure a mask protects the wearer. SaTH, which runs PRH and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, has over 70 fully-trained mask fit testers.

Kath Titley, Health and Safety Team Manager at SaTH, said: “Under normal circumstances the people we trained yesterday would have gone through an external training provider that specialises in this sort of training. These however are The partnership working has been praised not normal circumstances and we all need by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), to work together to ensure everyone is the independent regulator of health and kept safe in a timely manner. adult social care in England

“The session we ran has been formed as part of our COVID-19 response and includes a hands-on approach, whereby people are taught how to do a fit test before undergoing supervised practical sessions. The session focused on using FFP3s to protect healthcare workers against coronavirus.

“I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to help others. We are after all, one health and care team and we are all in this together.”

Nigel Lee, Chief Operating Officer at SaTH, said: “Our Health and Safety team have played a vital role in ensuring the safety of our staff during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite being a small team they have pulled together during this difficult to operate 12-hour shifts, sevendays-a-week, and this is another example of the team going the extra mile.”

People across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales are continuing to do incredible things to support SaTH Charity.

Julia Clarke, Director responsible for SaTH Charity, said: “It is amazing to see how our local communities have come together to support our hospitals and the generosity they have shown us.

“We have received so many donations from so many different sources.”

This week alone:  Martin Lunt, a member of Darwin Rotary Club, has supplied wash bags that contain essentials needed for when a patient leaving Intensive Care to recover on a ward.  Telford & Wrekin Council has donated 20 Kindles to the Women and Children’s Department at PRH as part of their #KindleKindness campaign.

 Andrew James, SaTH Charity Lead, received a donation of wash bags from Christine Lunt, wife of Martin.

 Sam Bene, aged nine, who has raised

more than £200 for SaTH Charity by These will help women and children dying his hair blue. This amount has keep in touch with their family and been match funded by HSBC. friends while visiting restrictions are in place.

And the fundraising shows no sign of slowing down with a number of donations  Planet Doughnut fired up its ovens and being received this week, and many delivered 500 of their specialty challenges still taking place: doughnuts to be distributed around the hospitals.  Rex Mavir, a 12-year-old pupil at Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth has  Arla donated more than 100 blocks of so far raised over £700 for SaTH cheese for staff to enjoy in their Charity by painting roof tiles in return breaks. for a donation. To sponsor Rex, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rexThese are just a small number of the mavir donations made, while in just two months people have raised thousands of pounds  Sam Bene, a nine-year-old from for SaTH Charity through a range on Sundorne, has dyed his hair blue to unique challenges. raise more than £200 for SaTH Charity,

 Rex Mavir and his painted tiles.

 Duncan from Planet Doughnut presents the special doughnuts.

 The Kindles donated by Telford and Wrekin Council have proved a huge hit, as show in these two pictures.

which has been match funded by HSBC.  Sharon Perrins, who works in the Catering Department at PRH, spent 20 hours making a cake of a teddy bear wearing scrubs. She raised £177 for SaTH Charity through a raffle at work.  Rival football teams - Shrewsbury Juniors and Instones United - put rivalries aside to raise £2,000 to create seven hampers full of coffee, tea, sweets, biscuits, hand creams, lip balms, bath bombs and other items to show their gratitude to the key workers at SaTH.  Annie Hambley organised a three-day virtual music festival at the weekend to raise funds for SaTH Charity. People can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ rainbowsandhappydaysfestival

Have your say on charity grant SaTH Charity has secured a grant of £32,000 from NHS Charities Together to enhance the wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and patients.

 Sharon Perrins and he incredible bear cake.

Now we need your thoughts on how we should make the best use of these funds.

We need your bid by Friday 15 May please.

We would like staff to contact us with your ideas by sending an email to we.supportsath@nhs.net

 Telford & Wrekin Council donated 20 Kindles  Annie Hambley

as part of their #KindleKindness campaign.

Stay safe—stay a rainbow apart!

Pregnant women encouraged to keep accessing Maternity Services during COVID-19 pandemic SaTH is committed to maintaining the safety of its staff and Maternity Services users and remains open for care during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Nicola Wenlock, Directory of Midwifery, said: “During the COVID -19 outbreak, pregnant women may feel anxious about accessing our Maternity Services.

“We want to make it clear that we are taking full precautions, in line with national guidance, to keep expectant and new mothers, and our staff, safe. These measures include: video consultations where possible, the use of PPE and social distancing and restrictions to our visiting.

“We strongly encourage local women to keep in touch and to keep attending appointments, unless they are advised otherwise.

“If a pregnant or new mother has any anxieties whatsoever, we ask them to speak to their midwife, or call our COVID-19 Maternity line on 01952 565948 (option 1) or our Maternity Triage Service on (Nicola please add number).

“Our webpages also have up to date information, FAQs and links to online support: www.sath.nhs.uk/ wards-services/az-services/ maternity” To help pregnant women who might be feeling anxious about attending antenatal appointments and giving birth during the COVID19 outbreak, two local women have shared their stories. Read them here.

Our rainbow stickers have arrived and they are now on the floors in the Apley and Mytton restaurants, plus Caffe Bistros at both hospitals.

The idea of the stickers is to help you to maintain social distancing guidelines and stay at least two metres apart.

Wrekin turned blue to celebrate work of NHS staff and key workers

Yesterday evening, the Wrekin was turned blue to celebrate the hard work of you all and also all the other keyworkers who are working hard to keep us safe.

Thank you to everyone who made this happen including:      

Stage and Studio Services Ltd Wildes and J.W ESL Wilkins Management Sharon Wilkins Illuminate fx

On behalf of everyone at SaTH, thank you!

SaTH Charity team deliver ‘thoughtful’ goody bags to staff across both sites Over 200 goody bags were handed out across our sites thanks to kind donations from local and national brands, delivered by the SaTH Charity team.

Chocolates from Ferrero Rocher and Thorntons, Dove hand cream and Nivea lip balm were just some of the goodies donated to staff in the full-to-the-brim gift bags.

Louise Brennan and Rebekah Tudor (pictured), from the KPO team, handed out the gifts to hardworking staff, over three days. Appointments were arranged, adhering to strict social distancing - and the bags were welcomed with open arms by departments across the hospitals.

Staff said they were grateful for the gifts, providing them a much-needed morale boost - and a saviour for everyone's lips!

Bernadette Mortiboy, from Radiotherapy, said: “The bags were so thoughtful. I have lots of very happy chocolate-stuffed-staff here in Radiotherapy. And the demand for Nivea lip balm was through the roof!”

Andrew James, from SaTH Charity, said: “We’re so grateful for the donations. They were brilliant!

“All the bags have gone now, but we are hoping to be able to do something similar in the future.”

Improving patient journeys SaTH has launched an improvement fortnight to improve patient journeys through its hospitals and ensure people are discharged as soon as they are medically fit to leave.

During the weeks either side of the Bank Holiday, the Trust will focus on working differently, testing new ideas to keep patient flow as smooth as possible.

longer than they need to and any day spent in hospital without benefit is a day too many.

“The aim is to improve the processes within our departments and between departments, reduce the blockages in patient flow and enhance the way we communicate with each other and our patients. We will do this by utilising improvement methodologies, such as Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) and other tools taught through our internal Transforming Care Production System, and by incorporating best practice guidance.

The Emergency Care Intensive Improvement Weeks are being supported

by ECIST (Emergency Care Improvement Support Team) and builds on SaTH’s continuous improvement programme, as well as supporting the development and The first Emergency Care Intensive implementation of actions to manage Improvement Weeks (4–10 May) will take demand during the coronavirus pandemic. place at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the second week (11-18 May) will take Nigel Lee, Chief Operating Officer at SaTH, place at the Princess Royal Hospital in said: “We will be focusing on testing new Telford – both of which are run by SaTH. ways of working to improve the management of patients across the ECIST is a clinically-led national NHS team emergency pathway. that has been designed by clinicians to help health and care systems deliver high “People don’t want to stay in hospital

quality emergency care.

Lucy Roberts, Improvement Manager at ECIST, said: “Our aim is to help healthcare organisations such as SaTH improve urgent and emergency care by encouraging the implementation of known good practice.

“We have worked with SaTH on a number of occasions, helping to improve aspects of services and patient care, and it is our job to work with their amazing staff to dig out their great ideas so they start sharing them among each other to start delivering demonstrable change.

“During the improvement weeks we won’t just be working with the ‘usual suspects’ but staff who each day, every day see and know how improvements to urgent and emergency can be made.”

Nigel added: “We will measuring success throughout the two weeks and looking at the impact of the new ways of working and any lessons learnt that can be taken forward in the future.”

Tributes paid to David Logan The Trust are saddened to report the death of David Logan at RSH on April 23 at the age of 64.

David was the Senior Charge Nurse on the Orthopaedic ward at PRH when it first opened in 1989 and worked there for some 10-15 years.

He received his orthopaedic nurse training at the RJAH before being appointed to his definitive post at PRH. Hazel Hughes, Operations Manager for Trauma & Orthopaedics, at SaTH, said: “We acknowledge today, quite rightly, the heroes at the front line of the NHS battling the effects of Covid-19.

“David was a different type of hero quiet and unassuming in his care of patients.

Please remember him, and others like him who have made the health service what it is today, when you rightly clap the current heroes of the NHS.”

Knitted kindness hearts to be gifted to patients and their families Kindness hearts, knitted by volunteers and donated to SaTH, are to be gifted to families whose loved ones are receiving end of life care.

When the End of Life Care Team (EOLC) at SaTH was made aware that knitters across Shropshire and Mid Wales were making hearts in all sorts of colours, they wanted to use them in a way that would bring comfort to patients and their families at the hardest of times.

The hearts will be presented in pairs – one to stay with the patient; and the identical other will be given to the patient’s family as a keepsake, along with a card that has been created by EOLC and bereavement team and funded by SaTH Charity. The card will also include a poem: “This little heart is one of two. One is with your loved one. The other is with you.”

Debbie Snooke, End of Life Care Specialist Nurse at SaTH, said: “One heart will stay with the patient and the other will be given to the patient’s family, if they would

Love in A Box Sewing Group; and many staff members have also got in touch as they, or family members, are making these hearts to donate to us.

“It is Dying Matters awareness week from 11 May, which aims to help people talk more openly about death, bereavement and making plans for the end of life; so we are thinking of continuing this as it’s such a lovely idea. We are hoping that we could place them in the Swan Box so staff like it, to bring them some comfort. can give them to families to place with “A very close friend who had just lost a their loved one and have the other as a family member said she was comforted by keepsake.” the concept of one staying with her Julia Clarke, Director responsible for SaTH relative and the other staying with the Charity, said: “I was so touched when I family. These are small things that can saw that so many people were knitting make a big difference.” these lovely hearts, that I made our EOLC Jules Lewis, End of Life Care Facilitator team aware of them. They have done a and Lead Nurse at SaTH said: “We have wonderful job sharing these hearts with received so many kind donations of patients and their families. knitted hearts and we would like to thank “We hope that it will bring families some everyone who has sent them to us. comfort at such an incredibly difficult “We have received donations from the time.”

A craft project thanking health workers started by a youngster in Telford has found its way around the country.

Four-year-old Darcey has been creating salt dough hearts and decorating them with rainbows, stamping NHS into each one.

With the help of her mother, Anna Perring, the duo used them to decorate a tree and leave outside their house in Lawley for passers-by to take one and give it to an NHS worker, or anyone who has gone above and beyond throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative soon gained momentum when a post on social media advertising the idea received nearly 20,000 interactions, leading people from around the nation asking for one of Darcey's creations.

A tree with hearts on has also been brought into RSH with hearts for staff to take. Darcey and her mum Anna also brought cakes for the staff, which were supplied by Katie’s Kitchen at Harlescott.

ď Ž Darcey, who was dressed as a doctor, was presented with a SaTH Charity Certificate of Appreciation.