Chatterbox (4/12/2020)

4 December 2020

Inside this issue: Hospitals lit up for Christmas: Page 2 and 3 Christmas cheer: Page 5 Spotlight on Microbiology: Pages 6 and 7.

 Specialist Bereavement Midwife Jan Latham left) and Victoria Vespa (right).

Family raise funds to refurbish maternity bereavement room A family from Market Drayton have raised an incredible £3,500 to refurbish the Maternity Bereavement Room in the Women and Children’s Centre.

Victoria Vespa's daughter, Luna-Seren, was born sleeping in January this year and Victoria wanted to give something back to the team who supported her and to help other families going through a similar experience. Along with her husband, Allen, and their family, Victoria has fundraised to refurbish the Bereavement Room, which is in Delivery Suite at PRH, to create what will be a warm and calm space with personal touches and LED skylights.

Faces of SaTH: Page 9

Fundraising efforts have included a 90 miles in 90 days virtual run which lots of people have been involved in, and a school bake sale organised by her son.

Staff support: Pages 11—15

Victoria said, “I understand how lucky we are to have this facility, as some hospitals don’t have one, but it is so, so important. Having this space meant so much to us a family. Those dearest to us were able to come and meet Luna and we had the privacy to be with our loves ones, away from the busy atmosphere.”

Jan Latham, Specialist Bereavement Midwife, said: “The donation will help change the feel of this room into a restful and peaceful space which will be so beneficial to families. Thank you.”

If you would like make a donation to Luna’s Just Giving page, please click here.

 The lights at PRH were switched on by Lacey Wood, 11, a patient on the Children’s Ward.

 Christmas Tree outside the Copthorne Building at RSH.

The outside of our hospitals have undergone a festive transformation thanks to our wonderful Estates colleagues and kind-hearted local businesses.

The majority of the decorations at PRH were donated by CLC Contractors LTD, while Homebase in Telford and Edmundson Electrical also donated Matt and Kate Hilton, of CLC Contractors LTD, said: “We were happy to help In any way possible. We are forever grateful for the hard work that is put in by our NHS colleagues and 2020 has been somewhat of a challenging year.”

The lights at RSH also look superb, with our Estates colleague Steve Darlington leading the push, with help from local business, SRS. Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Services at SaTH, said: “Thank you and well done to everyone involved!”

 Thank you to our Estates Tea Copthorne Building and this tre from left, XXXX, Julia Clarke (D

ď Ž Thank you to our Estates Team at PRH for their superb efforts. These decorations (and the ones lit up below) can be found in the Pharmacy Courtyard.

am at RSH for lighting up the Christmas tree outside the ee on the mound in front of the Ward Block. Pictured, Director of Corporate Services) and XXXXX

Notice Board

Hospitals to be lit yellow to mark Grief Awareness Week Parts of our hospitals will be lit up in yellow on December 8 to raise awareness of, and to get people talking about, bereavement and grief.

The NHS70 statue at RSH and the rehabilitation block at the front of PRH are being lit up as part of National Grief Awareness Week.

Duo spreading Christmas cheer Two colleagues are holding a collection to spread festive cheer amongst patients and staff this Christmas.

Rhiannon Jones and Julie-Anne Askew got together after planning separate collections. Rhiannon, who is a Women’s Services Assistant, was originally planning a collection for elderly patients, while Julie-Anne wanted to collect for the Children’s Ward.

Healthcare Assistant, Julie-Anne, said: “With the year we have had, we wanted to bring a smile to those who will sadly be in hospital around Christmas. As we both work for SaTH it hits home, as you see how poorly these patients are.

“We came up with this crazy idea of trying to supply every patient in hospital with a gift, whether it be a selection box, word search, colouring books, etc. We just wanted to raise a smile. It’s sad enough being in hospital at Christmas but with the visitor restrictions brought on by coronavirus, it’s heart breaking.

“We have had great support from family and friends, but we are still some way short of our target.”

The pair are taking donations up until 15 December so all items can be wrapped and ‘quarantined’ before they are taken to the hospitals.

Julie-Anne said: “We are covering all dietary needs, such as dairy, nut-free, vegan, and vegetarian and also taking donations of puzzle books and colouring books for all ages for those who do not eat chocolate. Any donated items must be new and in original packaging.”

If you would like to donate items, please contact Julie-Anne on julie-anne.askew@nhs.net or Rhiannon at rhiannon.jones18@nhs.net

The End of Life Care (EoLC) has arranged for the lighting up to coincide with the end of the event.

National Grief Awareness Week (Dec 2-8) is a national event driven

by The Good Grief Trust to try and normalise grief and to get people talking about what is typically an uncomfortable subject. Buildings across the UK are being encouraged to light up yellow in support of those grieving this year.

Jules Lewis, who is SaTH’s EoLC Facilitator, is also a volunteer ambassador for The Good Grief Trust.

Jules said: “We are supporting National Grief Awareness Week because it has never been a more important time for us to talk about death and dying, and to support bereaved families at the hardest of times.

“Christmas can be such a difficult time for so many, but talking about your loved one, saying their name and having someone listen, an understanding ear, can be so helpful.

“As well as the statue and rehabilitation block, we will be lighting up in yellow our COVID-19 memory stones in the Queen Mother’s Garden at RSH and the Paul Brown Garden at PRH. Ward colleagues will also be switching their mood lights on to the yellow setting at 6pm and there will be a minute’s silence at 5pm.”

Spotlight on: Microbiology

They are at the very h Shropshire’s respons COVID-19 pandemic.

 Euan Jackson

Every day they carefully decipher hundreds of detecting the relevant information to determine positive and who is negative.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our Micro provided the results for COVID-19 swabs taken care home residents, staff, the prison service a community – turning around as many as 3,000 amounting to around 61,000 in total so far.

That’s on top of nearly 17,000 NHS antibody te during the summer, along with the regular SIRE clinical research teams and routine day-to-day

To cope with demand, they have now taken de will see the number of tests they are able to de

It also means that some tests can be turned ar

The team’s hours of working have increased to

 Jessica Morris

In order to meet the rise in demand for its servi Laboratory Assistants, Associate Practitioners

This is a phenomenal response from a small, d clinical scientists, consultants, biomedical scien

They have, in the space of just a few months, l continued to work through the disruption of a re

Louise Barnett, Trust Chief Executive, said: “I a pandemic. The Microbiology team has done a and ways of working at pace.”

Angus McGregor, Trust Clinical Director for Pa Every time a new challenge comes along, they “An amazing team doing an amazing job.”

Sarah Gilbert, Deputy Head of Microbiology at delivered. The situation, as you would expect in

“As well as a huge increase in the volume of w significant training challenge for us. It has been

 Corrin Bradley

“Demand for our services has never slowed do a critical service at what is an unprecedented t

heart of se to the

tests extracting and e who is COVID-19

obiology team has n from patients, and from within the 0 samples a week,

ests processed EN testing for work.

 Laura Nottle

elivery of much-needed additional new equipment to enable them to provide an expanded service, which eal with double from around 500 to 1,000 every day.

round much more rapidly - some in under two hours – but on a smaller scale.

o provide a seven-day service to ensure that results are delivered as quickly as possible.

ices, the Microbiology department has also completed a recruitment drive taking on new Medical and trainee Biomedical Scientists.

dedicated army of scientists working behind the scenes in the laboratories at RSH. The team includes ntists and laboratory assistants.

learned to use new testing equipment, increased the number of samples tested - and they have even ecent laboratory move required in order to accommodate the additional machines.

am so proud of all our teams who are working around the clock to keep our patients safe during the fantastic job providing the results to thousands of COVID-19 tests, whilst also embracing new technology

athology, said: “The team has responded incredibly to the challenges of implementing COVID-19 testing. y seem to just deal with it.

the Trust, said: “It really has been a phenomenal response by the team who have really stepped up and n a pandemic, is constantly evolving and it has presented many challenges.

work, we have been given new equipment as part of the response to the pandemic which has also meant a n quite a learning curve.

own, in fact it has continued to grow and grow and I’m very proud of how the team has responded to provide time for all of us.”

Notice Board

Faces of SaTH What’s your role within the Trust?

I am a Higher Therapy Support Worker and my role is working closely with the patients, their family, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and the Multi-Disciplinary Team.

How long have you been at the Trust and what do you think the new staff networks?

I have been here since 2018 and I think the Network is positive for highlighting challenges faced by some staff. It is where we can seek to find advice or support if needed or just to talk about their experiences.

What challenges have you faced in your role as a result of identifying as BAME/LGBTQ+/ Disabled?

I wear a bone anchored hearing aid and was diagnosed with a bilateral moderate hearing loss at the age of five when I started school.

When I came to the Trust in 2018 I would never have disclosed my hearing loss in job applications as I never thought it was a contribution to my CV; or worse, it would be used against me. More recently I have mentioned my hearing loss in my CV as I think it is a positive attribution because of the connection with my colleagues. I have a good working relationship with staff members within the Therapy Department, who know of my moderate hearing loss and are patient, understanding and supportive, as I am able to talk openly with any staff members about my hearing.

How did you hear about BAME/ LGBTQ+/ Disability Staff Network?

The Colleague Messages from Rhia Boyode, our Acting Workforce Director.

In conjunction with Disability History Month and to promote the Trust’s Staff with Disabilities Network, we have got in touch with Tessa Evanson.

The full interview can be read on the Trust’s official Facebook Page.

What has been the best thing about the BAME/ LGBTQ+/Disability Staff Network so far?

Knowing what support networks are available. Whether disabilities are hidden or not, it is the opportunities to share experiences and stories. There is never an expectation to share experiences, sometimes it can be just listening, as not everyone wants to share personal stories. It enables staff wellbeing.

Why is the staff network important to you?

Equality, diversity and inclusion within the NHS. It goes in hand with SaTH’s Values.

And finally, if you had to choose a role model, who would it be and why?

There are many role models in my life. One of my role models is my mum and dad growing up. My mum’s hard work ethic, as she worked full-time and having to run a home with three children, and my dad for having curiosity in the world around him and the ability to pick up any interests/hobbies and research it.

Thank you

Great Offers

PAGES 11-15

Staff Support

Staff Support

Peer-to-peer listeners In many situations, having someone to talk to can lighten our load; when we are listened to this helps us to feel valued.

Therefore we have trained a group of staff from across the Trust as Peer to Peer (P2P) Volunteers to help support colleagues. P2P are trained to provide confidential, non-judgmental peer support, signposting to other internal contacts where appropriate.

P2P listeners are trained in supportive listening skills but they won’t be acting as counsellors.

Teresa Love, Nurse and Workforce Project Office, P2P Lead Teresa.love3@nhs.net Charlotte Beirne, OD Practitioner, P2P Lead Charlotte.beirne@nhs.net Ella Collison, ITU Staff Nurse e.collison@nhs.net Angie Lunt, Recovery Staff Nurse angelamary.lunt@nhs.net Sarah Thomas, Senior Corporate Education Advisor sarahthomas@nhs.net Nerys Cox, Pain Nurse Specialist nerys.cox@nhs.net Jules Lewis, End of Life Care Nurse Specialist jules.lewis@nhs.net Lucy Stanley, HCA SAU lucy.stanley3@nhs.net Nyree Porter, PA nyree.porter@nhs.net

Rachel Hanmer, TCI Administrator Rachel.hanmer@nhs.net Adam Anderson-Woods, Library Assistant, adam.anderson-woods@nhs.net Samantha I'Anson, Corporate Educator s.i'anson@nhs.net Viv Orme, Radiographer viv.orme@nhs.net Maria Scenters, Library Assistant maria.scenters@nhs.net Erica Davies, Barista erica.davies@nhs.net Sally Roberts, Barista sally.roberts23@nhs.net Elaine Evans, Nurse, TBC Caroline Callister, Workforce Assurance caroline.callister@nhs.net Nick Robinson, Leadership & OD Coordinator nick.robinson5@nhs.net Jeanette Barnes, Specialist Nurse jeanette.barnes3@nhs.net Petro Hryziuk, Champlain petro.hryziuh@nhs.net Megan Griffith, A&E Sister megan.griffith2@nhs.net Mervyn Williams, Champlain mervyn.williams@nhs.net Kirsty Wagg, Specialist Nurse kirsty.wagg1@nhs.net Lynette Charles, Specialist Nurse lynette.charles@nhs.net Jules Lock, EOL Volunteer juleslock@live.com Rachael Maskell, Corporate Education Assistant rachael.maskell@nhs.net