4 June 2021
Inside this issue: RSH ED expansion under way: Page 3 People & OD leadership: Page 5 Support Blood Bikes: Page 5 Staff Support: Pages 16-21 The final word: Back page
On the front line with our volunteers Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Services, and Nigel Lee, Chief Operating Officer, have have been to see life on the front line as a volunteer as part of Vounteers’ Week. Nigel (right), who volunteered as a Response Volunteer and in Phlebotomy, said: “Annette and Rio (response volunteers) were extremely welcoming and are doing a super job supporting patients, relatives and our teams. It was a real pleasure to help out.”
Julia (above), who is a Mealtime Buddy and a Dementia Friend volunteer, also joined the Response Volunteers. She said: “It’s so rewarding to talk to patients and visitors face to face and for office-based staff it’s a really powerful reminder of why we’re all here. I really enjoyed spending time with our Response Volunteers and being able to offer support to patients and staff.” You can find out more about staff volunteering in our Volunteers Week special on pages 9-13.
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RSH Emergency Department expansion The Emergency Department at RSH is undergoing a £9.3million transformation as part of a programme of work to improve patient care. Clinical space in the ED is being increased to include a new and improved Majors department, as well as a new designated Emergency Zone for Children and Young People and provision for vulnerable patients. There will also be a new Clinical Decisions Unit. The capital investment is part of an overarching Quality Improvement Programme to help improve patient care and patient safety, and help address issues raised by the CQC. The building work will take place in four phases over the next 12 months, with the first phase already under way to create the larger and improved Majors zone for those who are seriously ill. Patients attending the ED can expect some disruption during the building works, however all ED services will remain operational. Nigel Lee, Chief Operating Officer, said: “The quality of care that we provide to our patients, and their experience whilst they are in our hospitals, is our priority. “It is widely documented that the demand for the services provided by our Emergency Department at RSH currently exceeds capacity. “We hope that the improvements we are making to our infrastructure will help us to continue to drive forward our Quality Improvement Programme and help address the issues raised in recent CQC inspections.”
As we mentioned in last week’s Chatterbox, Kate Adney from the Organisation Development Team and friends walked up Snowdon to raise money for, and awareness of, Motor Neurone Disease. Kate, who took up the challenge to support friend Neil Williams, who has been diagnosed with the disease, sent this picture from the summit. She said: “There were 40 of us that took up the challenge to walk up Snowdon. Neil stormed ahead leading the way and was one of the first to reach the summit. A huge challenge for Neil, he was an absolute inspiration to us all. “We are overwhelmed to have received over £9,500 in donations so far. A huge thank you from me to all of my colleagues who have supported and donated.” Neil said: “We did it! A massive thank you to everyone who joined us on the walk up Snowdon and those who did their own walks, or have them planned. The one thing this disease has taught me is how many amazing friends I have.
“I would like the money we have raised to be used to help those Betty Lodge, Divisional Director of Nursing, Emergency Care people suffering with MND to live Division, said: “As well as great news for our patients, it is also good a normal and dignified life for as news for clinical colleagues working hard to deliver positive change, long as possible. Thanks again.” as they will be working in environment that will enable them to do To support the fundraising effort, this. go to www.justgiving.com/ “We would like to thank everyone for their patience whilst the Neilssnowdonwalk1 building work is being undertaken.”
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The Wolfruna Harley Davidson Chapter will be visiting Wellington Town Centre later this month in a visit that will support a service vital to SaTH.
Motorbikes are also hoping to be People & OD leadership present.” structure
Another bike on display will be the "Spirit of Rotary" which was financed by people who sponsored names on the Rotary Wellington Bikefest, which will Tree of Light in Telford Town take place on Saturday 26 June, Centre a few years ago. The 4 has been organised by Rotary Clubs in the Town then Wellington Rotary and will made up the balance to pay for support Shropshire, the bike. Staffordshire and Cheshire Vic said: “There will also be a Blood Bikes. Kiddy Bike on show too. Should The Wolfruna Harley Davidson Chapter will be displaying their bikes, many of which have been customised in the USA and imported to the UK.
any children wish to sit on it for their parent or guardian to photograph, please make a contribution for Blood Bikes for the photo opportunity.
Vic Young of Wellington Rotary said: “These magnificent motorbikes are an absolute must -see by anyone who will appreciate the work that has been done to prepare them for their owners.
“All money raised on the day will go to Blood Bikes.”
“The Wolverhampton dealership, Stratstone H-D will also be there with some new bikes and Police
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ WellingtonBikeFest
We have an ambition to make SaTH a great place to work so that our people can provide excellent care. Our People Strategy is fundamental to ensure all colleagues have the experience, capacity and capability, underpinned by compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership, that is strengthened by our PACT values. The People & OD leadership structure has been redesigned to ensure our ambition is sustained and that there are effective selection, development, deployment and support processes and succession planning in place, providing an overall better people experience. The team will be at the forefront of latest thinking and will help shape the priorities for our people and support the delivery of our divisional people plans, which will align to the Trust’s People Plan and overall strategy.
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We spoke the volunteers about why they wanted to Get Involved with the Trust. 1. Georgia Swinnerton, Response Volunteer Why is volunteering important to you? Because I’m able to make a difference and offer support to those that support us. What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH? Getting to meet a variety of people from all backgrounds and being able to talk to them, comfort them and help them. 2. Mel Amor, Response Volunteer Why is volunteering important to you? Volunteering makes a difference and that is what I want to do – I want to make a difference. What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH? I love the interaction with so many different people. 3. Phil Taylor, Various Why is volunteering important to you?
John Ambulance and I believe more experience on your CV is better. Volunteering to me is a new world of experience, excitement and even more confidence. I love to gain as much experience as possible to show how professional, reliable and helpful we all are.
What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH? Interaction with the staff, patients and the public. I also enjoy helping out the whole hospital. 7. Alix Tomlinson, Response Volunteer Why is volunteering important to you?
Meeting very cheerful and positive staff as well as assisting the general public.
To develop my interpersonal skills and gain experience with patients and their families to help my dream of becoming a paramedic. It is also important to me to give back to the NHS that supported me and my family through my past health struggles. They cared for me and my family when we needed it the most and I will forever be grateful for that. When I came across the volunteering application at college there was no hesitation in applying and it is the best thing I did. The confidence I have gained has been invaluable.
4. Geraint Howells
What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH?
Why is volunteering important to you?
Getting to meet a variety of people from all backgrounds and being able to talk to them, comfort them and help them.
I took part in the People’s Academy engagement course in 2019 and then decided to volunteer. Being retired, I find having a regular weekly role is giving something back to our health care system and beneficial to myself in continuing to meet and interacting with people . What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH?
I am one of two volunteers working with Shrewsbury Community Health Trust, controlling, sorting and delivering PPE stock from the central hub to other locations throughout Shropshire. The team is small but determined and provide a key logistic function in the battle against COVID-19. All three of us are military veterans and have brought the task oriented ethos and focus to the role. Volunteering in the NHS is important to me because it is one way to serve and contribute to the fight to defeat the pandemic and protect lives. What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH? There are many aspects of volunteering in general and my current role that I enjoy. However, my favourite element is the interaction with other NHS team workers and with the people I meet. Sharing a common purpose is highly motivational and the positive attitudes of all are evident and inspirational. 5. Nadine Wilde, Dementia Team Support Volunteer Why is volunteering important to you? It provides me with a sense of pride and identity. What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH?
8. Olivia Owen Jones, Response Volunteer Why is volunteering important to you? It is important to me for the experience in the sector as I would like a career in the NHS as a midwife. After attending the People’s Academy information day about NHS held by SaTH, I found volunteering would be a great way to help people and explore the NHS careers. Everyone appreciates everything we do. It is great to help out in a time of need. What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH? Getting to help people and meeting lots of different people and hear their stories. 9. Carole Slack, Response Volunteer Why is volunteering important to you? It gives me a sense of purpose, and I feel I am doing something worthwhile, and I like what another volunteer said – ‘because I can, I do’. What is your favourite part of volunteering at SaTH?
Being a part of something – I like meeting people and Being with a group of care and supportive staff and being talking to them. Sometimes even a little conversation is a included and recognised as part of the team. good thing in a stressful situation. And you do meet a whole range of people coming into the hospital, but it is 6. Rio Chidlow, Response Volunteer lovely how warmly most respond to volunteers and Why is volunteering important to you? appreciate our help. I would like to be a Paramedic. I’m currently part of St
The League of Friends of RSH has been supporting the hospital since 1966 with volunteers in the cafes, shops (and on the wards pre-COVID-19). Shop Manager Lee Herkes said: “The pandemic has thrown up a lot of challenges in trying to keep the shops open, especially during the lockdowns. Fortunately the volunteers that were still able to come in have pulled together and worked wonders, often going far above what was expected of them. We have managed to keep two of the shops open and hospital staff and patients have been so grateful. “We have greatly missed our over 70s volunteers, and those with underlying health issues, who are all very keen to return and look forward to when we can welcome them back.” All of the money the volunteers help raise contributes directly to the hospital, but just as important to them and to the patients is being able to offer a touch of kindness or a friendly smile at what may be a difficult time. Peter Crinson, pictured, is one of the volunteers who has helped keep two of the four LoF shops open. Jacky Spooner, pictured overleaf, has helped in the LoF North Shop since the beginning of the Pandemic. Anyone who would like to join the team at RSH can email s.hurdiss@nhs.net or visit: https:// rshlof.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering
There is a very active Friends group supporting PRH. The group raises money to buy much needed equipment for the hospital. The money is raised from donations, legacies, fundraising activities and the profits from our on-site shop Jo Bradley, Secretary of Friends of Princess Royal Hospital and Coffee Shop Volunteer, said: “Volunteering is important to me because I feel I am giving something back to the community and I really enjoy feeling I am helping people, especially as they are at the Hospital, worried either as a visitor or attending a clinic. I really enjoy working with the staff at Friends as they are very caring.” Kathleen Owen, Friends Chairman, added: “When my husband died I saw a request in the paper for a treasurer for Friends of Princess Royal Hospital and offered my services. Having a volunteer role if you are living alone gives each day a structure in that the daily chores have to be done around the times you are out of the house volunteering. Volunteering also gives you chance to be part of a group and gives you more interests. I feel as if I am doing something worthwhile whilst in effect enjoying myself.” If you would like to join us in helping raise money for the Princess Royal Hospital either in the shops or any other way, telephone 01952 641222 ext: 4721
Staff volunteer scheme The Trust has volunteers at both hospital sites, who play an important role in supporting a range of non-clinical services. Volunteering can help staff to develop new skills or “give something back” and evidence suggests such schemes can have a positive impact on staff health and wellbeing. There are lots of different roles – Dementia Friends, End of Life Care Volunteers, Clinical Audit Volunteers, SaTH Charity Volunteers, Mealtime Buddies, Response Volunteers, Patient Befrienders, Meet and Greet Volunteers, Ward/ Department Volunteers, and many more. Our current volunteering opportunities for staff are: Regular volunteer placements: This is great for staff who want to commit to a regular date and time to volunteer. Placements will be on specific wards or departments for a minimum of six months. Ad-hoc volunteer placements: This is suitable for staff who can’t commit to a regular day or time and want a placement that fits around their workload. Wards or departments will let the Volunteer Office know what support they need at specific times, and volunteers will be contacted to ask if they can help.
Helps staff to develop as individuals as well as boosting confidence and enthusiasm.
Informal volunteering: This is for staff who can’t commit to a long-term volunteer placement but Improves the experience of our patients. would like to take part in projects that are How do I apply? supervised and do not have patient contact. Discuss the possibility of volunteering with your This includes gardening at our hospitals. line manager. What are the benefits of the Staff Volunteer Complete the Staff Volunteer Application Scheme? Form, available in this document. It supports life-long learning. All volunteers will receive training and will be It helps staff to understand different areas of the hospitals.
It improves staff motivation and develops key skills such as communication and problemsolving. It increases an individual’s awareness and understanding of how other parts of the Trust work. It has a beneficial effect on personal and mental wellbeing.
required to have an up-to-date DBS check.
For more information contact our Volunteers Office by emailing sath.volunteers@nhs.net or call 01743 261473.
Take-away lockers now available
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At SaTH your wellbeing matters and that’s why we all need to take s wellbeing. The COVID-19 crisis has affected us all, whether this is within our person Wednesdays. Each Wednesday we will be touching on a different topic ra You will be able to find useful tips, resources and we will also be arrangin Each Wednesday our staff wellbeing team will be walking round our two h support you and to promote the importance of looking after ourselves. Th are there to help you. To find out more about the weekly activities, please look out for detail in t These sessions will be facilitated by Team Prevent and are available for a be sent a link for the session. As part of Wellbeing Wednesday, we’ve created a Wellbeing Wheel which encourage all staff to work with a trusted colleague or line manager to co which you should review regularly. This booklet also outlines the support
some time to consider the factors which have an impact on our
nal life or at work. This is why this week we’ve launched Wellbeing anging from exercise, nutrition, sleep, financial advice and mindfulness. ng some online sessions. hospitals to speak to you, ask how you are feeling and what we can do to hey will be in their purple wellbeing t-shirts so do look out for them – they
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the weekly staff information bulletin and notifications from the staff app. all staff to attend. To book please email l.westcott@nhs.net and you will
h is intended to help you think about your wellbeing and lifestyle. We omplete the Wellbeing Wheel and to develop a Wellbeing Action Plan available from SaTH to help improve and enhance your wellbeing.
Staff Support
Staff Support
Peer-to-peer listeners
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
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.
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
Teresa Love, Nurse and Workforce Project Office, P2P Lead Teresa.love3@nhs.net
Megan Griffith, A&E Sister megan.griffith2@nhs.net
Charlotte Beirne, OD Practitioner, P2P Lead Charlotte.beirne@nhs.net
Kirsty Wagg, Specialist Nurse kirsty.wagg1@nhs.net
Mervyn Williams, Champlain mervyn.williams@nhs.net
Ella Collison, ITU Staff Nurse e.collison@nhs.net
Lynette Charles, Specialist Nurse lynette.charles@nhs.net
Angie Lunt, Recovery Staff Nurse angelamary.lunt@nhs.net
Jules Lock, EOL Volunteer juleslock@live.com
Sarah Thomas, Senior Corporate Education Advisor sarahthomas@nhs.net
Rachael Maskell, Corporate Education Assistant rachael.maskell@nhs.net
Nerys Cox, Pain Nurse Specialist nerys.cox@nhs.net
Steve Jenkins, Maxillofacial steve.jenkins2@nhs.net
Jules Lewis, End of Life Care Nurse Specialist jules.lewis@nhs.net
Karen Maguire, Theatre Nurse karen.maguire2@nhs.net
Lucy Stanley, HCA, A&E 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.andersonwoods@nhs.net Samantha I'Anson, Corporate Educator s.i'anson@nhs.net
Julie Cheshire, Orthopaedic Technician julie.cheshire1@nhs.net Janet Flavell- Raybone, Nurse Practitioner, janet.flavellraybone@nhs.net Sarah Raynor, HCA, Ward 21, sarah.raynor2@nhs.net
1st prize: Sharon Waters – Women & Children’s 2nd prize: Sophie Parr – Neonatal; Jane Wilde - Women & Children’s 3rd prize: Felicity Massey – Pharmacy, RSH; Kate Ballinger – Public Participation
The final word... I was taken to A&E in the early hours. Staff, doctors, nurses were attentive and helpful. I was moved to AMU and then to Ward 22SS. Again the staff, doctors, nurses were most attentive and professional. Thank you for the treatment I received.