Chatterbox: 30 October 2020

30 October 2020

“Your “Your hard hard work work and and enthusiasm enthusiasm has has been been much much appreciated.” appreciated.”

See See Page Page 13 13

Inside this issue: Pharmacy Technician Day: Page 4 Sylvia says goodbye: Page 5 Freedom to Speak Up: Page 7 Coronavirus news: Pages 14 & 15

Thousands of pounds to support SaTH A mid-Wales business has donated almost £60,000 to NHS Charities Together, just days after it was announced that the Charity had allocated a further £143,000 to SaTH for COVID-19 recovery projects.

Bettws Hall Sporting Estates raised £59,185 for the charity—that was also supported by Captain Sir Tom Moore— through a raffle to win a day’s shooting at Vaynor Park in Powys.

The business launched the fundraiser in April with the target of £50,000, but after 186 days of campaigning smashed its target.

Gwyn Evans, Managing Director, said: “We were clapping for our carers one Thursday evening and could see our community spirit was strong.

“We thought that there must be something more we can do for our heroes on the frontline, so we decided to donate a day at one of our six estates for a full team. We did not ever imagine exceeding £50,000 when we first conjured up the idea back in April.” CONTINUES ON PAGE 3

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Poppy Horricks and Lynsey Offerman using a bench funded by NHS Charities Together

[FROM PAGE 1] The fundraiser came to an end on 23 October when the draw was made for the winning ticket, two hours prior to the Welsh lockdown. In attendance were Russell George, Welsh Assembly Member, Cllr Gareth Pugh, Rosemary Harris (Head of Powys County Council) and Richard Jones (Head of Internal Communications at SaTH). All guests gave a speech, with Richard telling those present how NHS Charities Together funding has already benefitted staff and patients.

SaTH’s End of Life Care Facilitator Jules Lewis also spoke via a video link to explain how her team has benefitted from NHS Charities Together funding, enabling them to launch an Emotional Wellbeing Support Programme for colleagues.

Jules said: “The money you have raised is making such a difference as it really helps support our staff so they can support our patients.

Thank you so much, it means the world to us.”

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Services and the SaTH Charity lead, said: “I would like to add my thanks to the team at Bettws Hall, as well as all their clients and supporters for supporting the NHS and fundraising for NHS Charities Together.

As a Trust we get allocated money from NHS Charities Together and this has already been used to fund some really great projects, making a massive difference to staff wellbeing which indirectly has a positive impact on our patients.”

Examples of where NHS Charities Together money has been spent at SaTH includes: greenspaces at our hospitals (including the recent delivery of 34 more picnic benches to complement those already in place), a selection of two-way radios for theatre staff to communicate while wearing PPE, the development of our Hamar Centre Counselling Service, water fountains and dementia-friendly sensory trolleys .

Ann and Gwyn Williams, of Bettws Hall

the latest funding made available to SaTH – up to £143,000 – to support the Trust’s recovery plan.

The use of NHS Charities Together funding for recovery projects can take a number of forms.

These include:  Longer-term plans to support staff health  Projects that improve staff wellbeing and mental health  Plans to support specific staff cohorts, reducing disparity and focussing on diversity  Plans that have a role to play in wider economic or social recovery, for example through employment or training  Adjustments and resumption of normal services Send your suggestions of where you think funding should be allocated to we.supportsath@nhs.net

All bids for projects or initiatives must make a visible and meaningful difference. Those that should be covered by core NHS or social care The application process is now open for bids from funding are not admissible.

In brief Payment of December’s monthly salaries will be on the earlier date of 23 December.

In order to ensure inclusion in December’s pay, all Monthly Health Roster pay files, timesheets and overtime claims must be with Payroll Services by 3 December at the latest.

Expenses claims must also be submitted and approved by 3 December.

Change forms, new starter and termination forms must also be with payroll by 3 December, so will need to be forwarded to Workforce Assurance in advance of this date for processing.

All ESR forms must be emailed to the Workforce Assurance Team (sath.ESR@nhs.net) by 26 November 2020.

Temporary staffing will notify managers directly with the schedules for weekly pay.

The third Tuesday in October is National Pharmacy Technician Day. This day is an opportunity to thank Pharmacy Technicians for their invaluable support and contributions throughout the year.

Hayley Pearson, Lead Pharmacist for Medicines Utilisation, said: “As a department each year, we also recognise not only our Pharmacy Technicians on this day, but also our Assistant Technical Officers (ATOs), who also play a huge part in the delivery of the Pharmacy service.”

Pharmacy Technicians and ATOs have a variety of roles within the department and are instrumental in patient care. These include: Medicines Management at Ward Level:  Medicines Reconciliation and Drug History taking 

Assessment of Patient’s Medicines



Patient Counselling

Liaising with other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless discharge 

Building firm Taylor Wimpey is offering key workers a special discount on the cost of a new home.



Dispensing and Final Checking of medicines

 Manufacture of chemotherapy/cancer treatment

To say a thank you for the efforts shown by NHS and other frontline workers during the pandemic, Taylor Wimpey is offering a 5% discount.

 Procurement of medicines and stock management both within Pharmacy and at Ward level

The company will also include fitted carpets in the living areas and fitted vinyl flooring for all kitchens, bathrooms, cloakrooms and en-suites.

 Homecare service – enabling medicines to be provided direct to patients at home.

 Reporting of medicines use; work with commissioners  IT support

 Training, supervising and assessing junior staff and trainees

Hayley said: “Pharmacy Technicians and ATOs have an important role in patient care and every day their contributions make a The discount is valid for all homes that will complete in 2020 difference. and 2021.

“National Pharmacy Technician Day is a day for us to reflect and acknowledge the impact this group has on our patients. Thank you For details visit to all our Pharmacy Technicians and ATOs – your contribution, www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/waysdedication and hard work are valued and appreciated.” to-buy/care-worker-discount For more information on roles of the Pharmacy technician, click here. This work was undertaken by Health Education England and includes a clip of one of our own Pharmacy Technicians, Sami Walker, on her role within Pharmacy at SaTH.

Sylvia Ray, Medical Records Trainer for SaTH, retired last month after more than 20 years at the Trust.

Sylvia started her career in the NHS in the 1970s, and spent 23 years at SaTH.

Office 365 virtual event Microsoft and the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin STP have arranged a virtual event to look at the opportunities created by Office 365.

even public sector across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

The event will feature a number of speakers with the first announced as Bjoern Hirtenjohann, On 25 November, a virtual event the Microsoft UK Public Sector will take place to show Chief Technology Officer (CTO). colleagues from across our More speakers will be be system the opportunities the announced as the line-up is Microsoft applications present. confirmed.

The event will go from the basics of what the broad Office 365/ N365 NHS offering is, through to the application of ready-to-use artificial intelligence (AI).

This is your chance to see what’s possible in a series of interactive sessions.

The afternoon is for anyone working in health, social care, broader local government or

For more information, and to register, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/public -sector-microsoft-productsshowcase-tickets126387730103

Mandie Hannell, Outpatient Services Manager, said: “Sylvia has always been an integral part of Patient Access and her knowledge of the patient health care record was second to none. It is hard to even begin to imagine how many members of staff Sylvia has trained at SaTH, let alone the other hospitals and services within Shropshire and surrounding area.

“Sylvia was a very professional and caring member of The SaTH team and those who knew Sylvia will say she will be remembered for this, but especially for her wonderfully unique character and fabulous sense of style.”

Earlier this month, a small group of friends gathered to wish her well on behalf of everyone. Andy Wilson, a long time colleague and friend, presented her certificate and flowers.

Sylvia has asked that her very best wishes and thanks are sent to all at SaTH.

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National Guardian’s Office launches Freedom to Speak Up training for all workers ‘Speak Up, Listen Up, Follow Up’, a new e-learning package, is aimed at anyone who works in healthcare.

and processes that make Speaking up possible must be underpinned by the knowledge of how to Speak Up and how to respond when somebody does. This new e-learning package makes sure that knowledge is in place so that the NHS really The National Guardian’s Office, in association can ensure Freedom to Speak Up is embedded in with Health Education England, has launched the every service, every team and every organisation. first module aimed at all workers as part of its “I am proud that we have worked with the annual Speak Up Month campaign.

National Guardian’s Office to make this happen The first module ‘Speak Up’ is Core Training for and urge every Board to ensure their organisation all workers including volunteers, students and uses this resource as we will ourselves.” those in training, regardless of their contract The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian network is terms. Its aim is to help everyone working in health to understand what speaking up is, how to now nearly 600 strong, of which nearly 30% are from independent sector providers, national speak up and what to expect when they do. bodies and primary care organisations. Over Dr Henrietta Hughes OBE, National Guardian for 35,000 cases have been raised to Freedom to the NHS, said: “Workers’ voices form a key pillar Speak Up guardians since 2017.Dr Henrietta of the People Plan. This e-learning will give all Hughes OBE said: “A positive speaking up workers the tools to speak up, particularly those culture leads to better care for patients. And this who may feel they are unable to, like trainees, is what drives over a million people to go to work bank staff, or volunteers. But it is beholden on all for the NHS every day. By making this training leaders and managers within health to support available to all workers, wherever they work in this work, by listening to what workers are saying health, our ambition is to give everybody the tools and acting upon what they hear.” and the understanding so they feel empowered to speak up and supported when they do.”

Importantly, this e-learning package is available to anybody, no matter where they work in health. This e-learning module is the first of three Access is via Health Education England’s esessions for organisations to build upon their Learning for Healthcare https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/ speaking up culture. Subsequent modules for all programmes/freedom-to-speak-up/ line and middle managers, and senior leaders including executive and Non-Executive Directors, Dr Navina Evans, Chief Executive, HEE said: lay members and governors - will be launched “From the front line to the Board table the ability to Speak Up is vital to patient safety. The culture later in the year.

Divided into three modules, it explains in a clear and consistent way what speaking up is and its importance in creating an environment in which people are supported to deliver their best.

Small Things Make a Big Difference Fund Have you applied to the Small Things Make a Big Difference Fund to claim something to make working life that bit easier?

The fund is set up to directly benefit staff, it might be that your office needs a new fridge or microwave, or you might want to order in some tea and cakes to mark a special occasion. Do you need something to brighten up the staff room, or some additional chairs for comfortable seating?

There is money available for you.

Nicola Brockley recently made successful applications to order celebrate cakes for Operating Departing Practitioners Day, and National Biomedical Science Day. Images required.

Nicola said “I was planning the communications to celebrate upcoming recognitions day and I overheard another member of staff saying they had successfully applied to the fund for celebration cakes, so I put in an application of my own. For National Biomedical Scientist Day, the BMS departments on both hospital sites had tea

and cakes to mark the day and thank them for their hard work.

It was really well received and I would recommend other people to apply for the fund.”

There are restrictions on the types of applications made. For instance, it shouldn’t be for items you reasonably need to carry out your day to day work such as computers and stationery, or items such as antibacterial wipes.

To apply for the fund fill out a form on this page of the Intranet: https://intranet/hr/ small_things_big_difference.asp

Thank you for being our Friends

Lee said: “I was very humbled by the thought that someone had noticed our efforts enough to let the Lord Lieutenant know. I know from the sense of pride I felt in receiving a card that our volunteers would probably like to show friends and family the recognition they had received from the Lord Lieutenant, so I created copies of the card so that The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire has written they could each take a copy home to treasure. a personal thank you to the volunteers in the “I am, as always, very proud of the work our staff League of Friends shops at RSH to thank and volunteers do for The League of Friends. them for ensuring they stayed open during the Several of them have gone above and beyond coronavirus pandemic. what is expected of them in order to help out Anna Turner, pictured, who is the Queen’s representative in the county, thanked volunteers for their “hard work and enthusiasm” in a card.

hospital staff and patients and I feel that this is what gives our League of Friends the great reputation it has and this in turn inspires people to contact someone like the Lord Lieutenant in She wrote: “As Her Majesty the Queen’s representative of Shropshire, I would like to thank recognition of their hard work.” you for the contribution you have made to the The League of Friends shop in Outpatients is county during these extraordinary and difficult open from Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 2pm. The times. shop in the Ward Block is open from Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 5pm and Saturday and Sunday, “The innovation, collaboration, courage and 11am – 3pm. selflessness shown by so many across the County during the COVID-19 pandemic has been truly inspiring.

“Your hard work and enthusiasm to keep the shops open for staff during lockdown has been much appreciated.”

Lee Herkes, League of Friends Shops Manager, has recreated the card so that each volunteer and member of staff can each have one.

Coronavirus update: Pages 12 & 13

Coronavirus update...coronaviru Telford & Wrekin moves to Tier 2 “High” Covid Alert Level The Government has announced that new Tier 2 restrictions will come into place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Telford & Wrekin.

Telford & Wrekin moves to Tier 2 “High” COVID Alert Level restrictions as cases rise continues From 12.01am on Saturday (31 October) residents of Telford and Wrekin:  must not socialise with anybody outside your household or your care or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in public

"Transmission in the home or between households is at the heart of the spread of COVID19.

COVID Secure guidelines.

Telford & Wrekin Council has advised care homes to close to all but essential visits.

Latest data shows that confirmed cases in the borough have risen to 396 in the last seven days to 25 October, up 43% on the previous week period.

There were around 220 cases per 100,000 residents in the week ending compared to 154 cases per 100,000 in the previous week period. A large number of cases are linked to Businesses and venues can continue to operate in a COVID- household to household secure manner, other than those transmission. that are already closed in law.

Infection rates in the over 60s Schools, universities and places have increased by 70% in the of worship will remain open. last week, while rates are Pubs, restaurants and bars must increasing throughout the borough and in all age groups. continue to close at 10pm but takeaways can operate after The Newport area continues to 10pm through a delivery service, have the highest infection rate in collection or drive through only. the borough. This is associated with the high number of cases Weddings and funerals can go among students – the infection ahead with restrictions on the rate excluding 18-24 year olds is number of attendees. no higher in Newport and Exercise classes and organised surrounding area than it is sport can continue to take place elsewhere in the borough. There outdoors and indoors, as well as have been a further 45 cases soft play areas as long as among students in the seven people do not mix with those days up to the 25 October. from other households indoors Liz Noakes, Telford & Wrekin’s and the venue is operating to Director of Public Health, said:  if you socialise in a group outside it must not be in a group of more than six, this includes in a garden or park

“We urge everyone in the borough to follow these new restrictions and not to visit other households.

“Everyone in Telford & Wrekin has a role to play in the fight against coronavirus and we need everyone to take these new restrictions extremely seriously.

“Taking action now will help avoid Telford and Wrekin being placed in the “Very High” alert level, where pubs and other businesses are closed and further restrictions apply on households mixing.”

Councillor Shaun Davies, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, added: “Thank you to everyone for the part you played in keeping our borough in the lowest level of coronavirus restrictions.

“With the number of cases rising locally and nationally, our move to Tier two means it’s more important than ever that we stick to the rules and all work together to help stop the virus spreading further in the community.

“We must do all we can to protect people’s health and keep the borough’s economy moving.”

us update...coronavirus update...

Further restrictions ‘a step closer’ as Shropshire’s cases continue to rise Tougher coronavirus restrictions are a step closer to being implemented in Shropshire following a huge surge in the number of positive cases.

“Younger people could bring the virus into their family and pass it on to someone older and more at risk.

Dean Carroll’s plea comes after 332 new cases were reported for Shropshire during the 7-day period from 16 October – 22 October.

number of people you come into contact with – the fewer people you see, the less chance you have of catching and spreading the virus.

“Christmas is just around the corner, and I’m sure Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult all of you, like me, want to be able to spend it with social care, public health and climate change has our loved ones. We all need to pull together to urged residents to stick to safety guidelines in the make this a reality. wake of the county’s soaring case rate.

“We are asking people to consider limiting the

The number of cases in Shropshire has surged again this week, at one point reaching a rate of 128.74 per 100,000 over seven days.

“It’s also worth noting that the risks of catching the virus are much higher indoors. Where possible I recommend meeting up with friends The county is currently in Tier One (Medium risk), and family outdoors, where the risk is lower. It’s under which the Rule of Six and enforced closure also important to try and keep at least 2m apart when meeting with people outside of your social of hospitality venues at 10pm must be followed. bubble.

Dean said: “The increases we are seeing are “I can’t say it enough: keep washing your hands, quite alarming – it’s now of a case of ‘when’ wear face coverings when required, limit the rather than ‘if’ further restrictions will be number of households you are in contact with and implemented by the Government. don’t get together in groups of more than six.

“This is now about looking out for and protecting Social distancing is one of the best ways to limit our older and more vulnerable members of the the spread of the virus. community, especially as we move into the “It has been a really tough year for all of us, and I winter. know people are starting to feel ‘Covid fatigue’, “We know older people are especially are at risk but if we all do our bit, we still have the chance to of becoming seriously ill and sadly dying from get the situation in under control and save lives.” coronavirus– so we all must stop it spreading.

Sign up for these great offers today!

Nominations for the National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Health and Care Awards 2021 are now open.

Building on the success of the inaugural event in 2019, these awards specifically recognise:  Leadership and excellence by BAME staff  Development of support to BAME employees  Services that improve health outcomes to BAME communities.

The 2021 awards categories are: Compassionate and Inclusive Leader; Ground-breaking Researcher; Inspiring Diversity and Inclusion Lead; Clinical Champion; Digital Champion; Health and Wellbeing Advocate; Workforce Innovator; BAME Nurse of the Year; Mental Health Initiative; BAME Midwife of the Year; Emergency and Critical Care Healthcare Professional; Outstanding Contribution to Social Care; Outstanding Corporate Achievement of the Year; Outstanding Technology Contribution; Outstanding Achievement of the Year; Community Initiative of the Year.

Anyone who is working for a statutory, voluntary sector or private provider in health and social care can be nominated. People can also selfnominate.

The nomination process is already open online https://bit.ly/36LU1Jj. The the closing date is 28 November 2020.