Chatterbox - 230324

24 March 2023

Therapy dogs are spreading smiles in ITU

Our Intensive Therapy Units (ITU) are receiving visits from therapy dogs to help boost health and wellbeing.

SaTH is working in partnership with national charity Pets As Therapy (PAT) on the initiative which sees volunteers bringing their friendly pets onto wards.

Most recently, the pets have been lifting spirits in ITU where the visits are proving a big hit.

Fiona Jutsum is an ITU Consultant who volunteers at RSH along with her Labrador, Pip.

Fiona said: “Therapy animals can have a positive impact, physically and psychologically, for both patients and staff. Studies have shown that therapy animals can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, promote engagement in rehabilitation and ease physiological symptoms.

“The process was very straightforward once you know you have the right dog for the job! It is incredible to see the impact that the dogs have, with many patients requesting repeat visits. Even patients who have been sedated and on ventilators have smiled and stroked the dog.”

Ann-Marie Jones and Jan Jones, the PAT Co-ordinators for SaTH, said: “We have been visiting the hospitals with our therapy dogs for 28 years now and it brings a lot of smiles and happiness to people.

“Along with our dogs Sasha, Suzie and Lewies, we have recently started working with the Critical Care Team to help provide this special therapy.

“We always look forward to seeing the patients and staff and we are already seeing the benefits in ITU. We always say that to place a paw on someone’s knee, that for sure is therapy.”

Hayley Flavell, Director of

Nursing, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome therapy dogs into our hospitals. Staying in hospital can be daunting, but for many people the companionship of an animal is a welcome distraction and a great source of comfort.

“We know that the benefits of therapy dogs are not just limited to the patients; they extend to family members and staff too. I want to thank our wonderful PAT volunteers and their four-legged friends for the difference they are making.”

If you are interested in becoming a visiting volunteer, you will need to register with PAT. For more information, please visit www.petsastherapy.org

More pictures - Page 6

Congratulations to Shirley and Louise!

We’d like to say a huge congratulations to Shirley and Louise who are both celebrating long service milestones.

Shirley Wakeley

Shirley joined the Trust almost 30 years ago as a receptionist at the Hamar Centre. Her role involved welcoming patients and being front-of well as administrative duties.

A year later the role of a healthcare assistant was introduced, and Shirley was successful in applying, and went on to be one of the Trust HCAs. She spent the next few years training on the orthopaedic wards and loved every second.

Shirley said: “Working with patients was a fantastic opportunity and I loved being part of their journey and seeing it from start to finish. I felt privileged to be helping them.”

In 1998 a new project was set up to help the patient journey through the hospital. A new role was created as an information

Louise Stevens

Louise is celebrating 25 years’ service. Louise brings enthusiasm, and a smile to work and is an asset to the Trust.

Louise started at the Trust in 1998 as a library assistant and worked her way up to senior library assistant. After studying for a degree part-time, in 2008 she was appointed to the role of site librarian.

Louise said: “I have seen a lot of changes over the years in NHS libraries and the way in which we access information. I enjoy

receptionist and a new desk opened at the entrance to Outpatients. Shirley was successful in applying. Shirley’s role has evolved over the years and she’s now part of a wider team.

She said: “Patients are more important than any of us and I was so excited about this new

my role and work with an amazing team and each of the four managers I’ve had over the years have given me the opportunity to develop further. It’s so rewarding to see the impact that we, as a service, have on staff and patient care.

“

In my spare time I love to challenge myself. I enjoy running and have done two marathons, my first being Barcelona in 2018. Last year I raised £1,000 for Lingen Davies in a 70-mile bike ride.”

role which was all about improving the patient experience and journey through the hospital.

“I love my job. It’s busy and I get so much fulfilment from helping people. People often arrive feeling anxious, and unsure where to go, but I enjoy helping them.”

Helen to run 10k in daughter’s memory

Helen Hope, Lead BMS in Cellular Pathology, will be taking on Market Drayton’s 10k run on May 7 to raise funds in memory of her daughter.

In April 2022, Helen was seriously injured in a car crash that tragically killed her 19-year-old daughter, Charlotte.

The extent of Helen’s injuries meant that for a considerable time she could barely walk and doubted whether she would ever run again.

Prior to the crash, Helen would often take part in various races and challenges and had completed the Great North Run multiple times.

Through sheer hard work and determination, Helen reached the point where she could set her sights on her next race - the Market Drayton 10k.

Restart

Whilst it doesn’t mark the end of Helen’s recovery, it will be a huge milestone in her progress. Helen will be raising money for Kenyan charity Restart, which helps to educate abandoned children and ultimately put them through university.

Charlotte spent time volunteering there and it had become a cause very close to her heart.

Since their daughter's death, Helen and her husband Neil have been tirelessly fundraising for Restart as a legacy for Charlotte. So far, they have raised a staggering £37,000.

Helen will be joined by Neil, members of their family, Charlotte's friends, and the Shawbury Joggers at the Market Drayton 10k, which takes place just over a year since the crash.

Helen has been completely overwhelmed by the support received so far. Anyone who wishes to sponsor her can do so via

her JustGiving page, which has already raised over £2,000.

Good luck, Helen!

Walkabouts during Nutrition and Hydration Week

Nutrition and Hydration Week ran 13-19 March and was a chance to raise awareness about the dangers that malnutrition and dehydration can have on the wellbeing of our workforce, and ultimately patient care. During the week, there were information stands and walkabouts (pictured) to ensure staff adopt a healthy diet, stay hydrated and form healthy habits.

Therapy dogs are spreading smiles in ITU

from Page

Would you know what to do at an accident involving a biker?

If you were the first on the scene of an accident involving a biker, would you know what to do?

Would you know who is most at risk, how to protect the area or whether you should remove the helmet of a downed rider?

Actions taken in the first few moments after an accident can be crucial in minimising injuries and can make a real difference to the lives of those involved. But there can be some uncertainty about what to do in these situations.

Biker Down is designed to answer these uncertainties. The course uses the expertise of the Emergency Services and Road Safety Officers to prepare motorcyclists should the worst happen on the roads.

To register, please click here: Biker Down Shropshire | Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Continued

1: Photographs of the therapy dogs in action at RSH and PRH.

This week marks the beginning of Ramadan – the ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar and one of the holiest months of the year for our Muslim colleagues, patients and community.

Ramadan is a time of fasting, prayer, worship and spiritual reflection, which many of our colleagues, patients and visitors will be observing over the next 29-30 days. For those not observing Ramadan, you can learn more about the holy month with information and resources outside our chapels at both RSH and PRH.

During this time, Muslims abstain from food and drink (including water) between pre-dawn (Fajr) and sunset (Magrib).

All of us, particularly those with line management responsibility, can support our valued colleagues in some of the following ways:

• It is really important to show kindness and compassion

• Don’t make assumptions about who may or may not be observing Ramadan

• Provide as much flexibility as possible (e.g. adjust shift patterns)

• Allow a reasonable amount of time/space for prayer

• Ensure colleagues are still taking breaks

• Carefully consider how and when meetings should take place

• Hold regular wellbeing check-ins

Colleagues observing Ramadan are encouraged to discuss any needs and adjustments with their line manager. More information can be found here and our chaplains Ashia Miah or Suleman Bhamji are on hand to offer advice and support. Please contact ashia.miah2@nhs.net , imam.bhamji@nhs.net or sath.chaplaincyteam@nhs.net.

Additional support is also available from the People Advisory Team by emailing sath.hradvice@nhs.net or calling ext. 2891.

To find dates and times for prayer space, please visit the intranet page.

We wish all our Muslim colleagues, allies, and friends a blessed Ramadan.

Simulation days held for clinical colleagues

Colleagues got stuck in at the SimMan simulation and human factors awareness days that were held earlier this month across both RSH and PRH.

Organised by the Postgraduation Education Team, the experience helps clinical colleagues to develop and hone their skills using a life-like patient simulator before applying their knowledge on an actual patient.

Events like these help us to improve clinical practice, benefitting both the learner and their future patients.

The Mayor was given a tour of our Endoscopy Unit, Acute Medical Floor and Same Day Emergency Care Centre, where we were able to highlight the excellent care being delivered by colleagues.

The Mayor remarked on how interesting and helpful her visit had been.

1-2-1 sleep clinics

Staff are able to book a private 1-2-1 sleep clinical session on Monday 27 March. The clinics give an opportunity to receive expert advice from a qualified sleep expert about your specific sleep issues.

For those that book onto the clinic, three simple questions will be asked prior to the session:

• What is the sleep issue you would like help with?

• What have you already done to try and manage it?

• What would you like to get from the session?

During the session, which is 30 minutes long, the sleep expert will review your history, answer any questions and provide evidence-based, practical advice. Staff will also leave the clinic with an action plan.

To book a session, please click here.

Opportunities on offer in show spotlight

one of the main event sponsors.

It’s the largest event of its kind,

apprenticeship, employment and training opportunities to people across Telford, Shropshire and the West Midlands.

roles we have on offer.

A big thank you to everyone involved.

As part of Healthcare Science Week, we put the spotlight on some of our Healthcare Scientists and recognised their outstanding work.

Science and technology are vital in modern patient care and change lives for the better. Healthcare Science Week (13-19 March) raises awareness of the diverse careers in healthcare science and its aim is to inspire the scientific workforce of the future.

Find out a little about some of your Healthcare Scientist colleagues below:

Mark Hardy, Consultant Clinical Scientist and Head of Radiotherapy Physics

I’m a physicist working in radiotherapy at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Radiotherapy is the treatment of cancer with radiation. I lead a team of 24 scientists and technologists who maintain and test treatment machines, design the treatments using sophisticated computer simulations, make individualised treatment support devices, and safely introduce the latest equipment and treatment techniques in radiotherapy.

As a Consultant Clinical Scientist in radiotherapy physics, I am responsible for a wide range of elements of our

support to radiotherapy. The work varies hugely from day to day and can include providing advice on unusual treatments through to identifying new innovations that we should aim to implement at the hospital. A major part of my role is leadership and management of the team.

I love that I can use my knowledge of physics to help save lives and alleviate symptoms from cancer, something I didn’t even know was possible when I started studying physics. I also enjoy the day-to-day variety of the job, exploring new innovations and technologies, as well as being part of a scientific team and developing and training staff.

Ines Chapa-Chorda – Newlyqualified Clinical Embryologist (Clinical Scientist)

I’m a Clinical Embryologist. My role mainly involves carrying out procedures in the laboratory such as collecting oocytes, performing IVF, assessing embryo quality, performing embryo transfers, and cryopreserving embryos and gametes among others. There are different routes you can follow to become a Clinical Embryologist. I undertook the Scientist Training Programme, which is a threeyear training course with work-based learning complemented with an MSc in Clinical Science. The completion of this

course allows you to join the HCPC register, which is a requirement to practice as a Clinical Scientist.

I love everything about my job, I have the best job in the world. From being in the lab looking after embryos and performing procedures to talking to patients and supporting them through their journey. It’s wonderful to be a part of a patient’s treatment and to be able to help them start a family.

Becky Jones, Senior Clinical Scientist

I’m a Clinical Scientist specialising in Biochemistry. I participate in a duty biochemist rota which involves fielding queries from staff within the laboratory and other healthcare professionals. I am responsible for providing a quality check of abnormal test results generated from patients from within the hospital or in the community.

This quality process involves identifying acutely abnormal changes in results which warrant urgent communication. I have other responsibilities such as chairing the Duty Biochemists’ monthly meeting as well as other quality improvement projects.

After completion of my undergraduate degree in anatomy and human biology, I started work as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at RSH. I later became an

Left to right, Mark Hardy, Ines Chapa-Chorda and Becky Jones

Associate Practitioner based in Blood Transfusion. I decided to pursue a career as a healthcare scientist and applied for the competitive Scientific Training Programme (STP). I was offered a three-year (paid) work-based placement in East Kent Hospitals. It is here that I completed a portfolio of work demonstrating my knowledge and understanding of a range of topics in blood science and specialist biochemistry. Alongside this, I completed a fully funded MSc in Clinical Biochemistry at The University of Manchester.

Amanda Rainbow, Lead Reporting Biomedical Scientist in Cellular Pathology

As the Lead Reporting Biomedical Scientist (BMS) in Cellular Pathology, my role is a mixture of laboratory management, specimen dissection and training to report gastrointestinal histopathology. I spend around 60% of my week reporting biopsies and larger resection samples under the supervision of one of the department’s Consultant Histopathologists.

The rest of the time is spent working on strategic development of cellular pathology, governance and dissection. I did my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and then completed a Masters in Cellular Engineering over 20 years ago. My first role was as a

trainee Biomedical Scientist in 2002 and I worked my way up to Head BMS. In 2020 I started the Institute of Biomedical Science Advanced Specialist Diploma in Histopathology Reporting, specialising in Gastrointestinal Pathology. I will be taking the Stage C exam, similar to the FRCPath part 2, later this year. Once qualified I will be able to apply for a Consultant Biomedical Scientist role.

in addition to a science degree or through an apprenticeship route.

I followed the apprenticeship route after working in specimen reception as a medical laboratory assistant for four years.

Louisa Jakeways, Associate Practitioner (AP) of Biomedical Science

Amber

Haynes, Biomedical Scientist working in Haematology

I am currently a Biomedical Scientist (BMS) working in Haematology within a hospital laboratory. My role involves processing (predominantly) blood samples from their arrival into the laboratory to the release of the results back to the clinician. This requires sample labelling, computer entry, manual and automated techniques and theoretical knowledge to add additional tests and authorise results.

Qualifications required to become a BMS involve completion of an accredited degree in biomedical/ healthcare science and completion of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) professional portfolio. Completion of the IBMS professional portfolio is a necessity, which can be done in a variety of ways - through completion of top-up modules

I am currently working in Blood Sciences and my role involves supporting my colleagues - biomedical scientists who are reporting patient results and medical laboratory assistants who process most of the patient samples. Working with other healthcare professionals, we produce reliable diagnostics and ensure the highest standards of patient care. I perform a mixture of tasks from manual testing of blood samples, troubleshooting and maintaining automatic analysers to training and administration tasks.

Whilst it is essential to follow protocols and management direction I still get to organise and plan my own workload. No day is the same and there are always different tasks to carry out. I also get to communicate with lots of different departments and specialties around the hospital and there is always something new to learn.

Left to right, Amanda Rainbow, Amber Haynes and Louisa Jakeways

Your wellbeing matters

Thank you for your phenomenal efforts in continuing to keep our patients safe and looking after each other.

The impact on mental health and wellbeing must not be underestimated and it is really important that we look out for each other, and take proactive and supportive actions to support everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.

We want to ensure that our people are provided with the correct support and an environment that enables and encourages each of us to lead healthy lives and make choices to support our wellbeing.

There are many resources available to you to help with your health and wellbeing and for you to be able to raise concerns with confidence if necessary.

Details on our wellbeing packages are available on our intranet here. This includes physical, mental, financial and emotional support. Please know that this support is available to everyone

• It’s so important that everyone takes time for fresh air and exercise, stays hydrated and has the opportunity to rest.

• Care First can offer you counselling support that can be accessed 24/7. Please call 0800 174319 or click here for more information.

• The Trust has 91 trained Mental Health First Aiders within the organisation. Mental Health First Aiders are trained volunteers ready to offer staff an empathic listening ear, initial inthe-moment support and to signpost as appropriate using their knowledge of mental health and wellbeing, and the Trust’s wellbeing pathways. Though not acting as counsellors or therapists, they can offer initial brief, one-off listening support to staff in their areas. Please check with your manager who the MHF Aiders in your area are. Click here for more information.

• 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. More information can be found here.

• We have a number of network groups (the Disability, Ability & Wellbeing Network, the Race Equality & Inclusion Network and the Hospital Pride Network) who support our aims to improve our culture and I would encourage anyone who is interested in joining to click here to find out further information.

For a full list of other support available to you, including counselling, online support and free wellbeing apps, please click here

Please contact our Wellbeing Team at sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net and they will be able to signpost you to the most appropriate help and support.

Notice Board

Staff Support

1st - £400 - Donna Wilkinson, Endoscopy

2nd - £200 - Bibin Govindan

Gopal, Catering

2nd - £200 - Janine Wassell, Leadership Academy Coordinator

3rd - £100 - Kellyanne

Bilton, Information Governance Support Officer

3rd - Abigail Lloyd, Endoscopy

The final word...

Please could you pass on our thanks to the paramedics (Simon and Beth?) and all the staff in AMA at Shrewsbury.

Unfortunately my mum was brought in with heart issues. I appreciate the system is very much under strain at the moment, but we have to send our thanks to every single person we had contact with on the route in and during the ward stay when tests were done. From the lovely lady doing drinks and food, to all the nurses (including cheery Victoria) and the lovely Dr Moses, and whoever runs this super ward?

The ward was calm, well organised with cheery kind helpful staff. There were plenty of comfy seats, everyone was kept informed of what was going on and everything was extremely efficient, even to the point of squash and glasses being left for patients. Anyway we send our thanks for looking after our mum so well. It was very much appreciated and makes a horrible experience much more bearable and less scary.