Cascade Live
Maternity update: Operation Lincoln
• SaTH is currently subject to a West Mercia Police investigation called Operation Lincoln
• The investigation started in 2020 and follows on from the Independent Review into Maternity Services, chaired by Donna Ockenden
• The police are examining the care of mothers and babies who died or suffered serious harm in a maternity care setting between 1 October 2003 and the present day
• West Mercia Police has informed us, and the families affected, that their investigation will now enter its next phase
• The primary focus of this phase is Corporate Manslaughter and whether or not there were failures at an organisational level at the Trust
• As part of this process, the Operation Lincoln team will be interviewing some current and former staff who have worked within maternity and neonatal services, or who have held relevant senior management positions in the organisation, as witnesses
• Matters relating to the investigation and/or the care of our patients must not be discussed as this could compromise the investigation. This includes on social media
• We are here to support each other through this process. FAQs with detailed information on the investigation, as well as the health and wellbeing support that is available can be found on the intranet
• You can also talk to your supervisors, manager or senior leadership team at any point. Trade Union reps, and Professional Midwifery Advocates are here to help you too
We will not forget the learnings of the Ockenden Report, or the experiences shared with us by families. We are determined to provide a responsive service for our communities that is open, kind, constantly learning and consistently improving
We know how hard our teams work, supporting thousands of women and their families every year. We have come a long way in our improvement journey
Moving to excellence: Our performance
How we are doing
What we are doing
UEC 4-hour standard improvement – 49.7% in May
Elective RTT – close to eliminating 65 week waits by end of Q1. Number of patients waiting 52 weeks has reduced by over 70% and total elective waiting list has reduced by almost 20% in last 9 months
Diagnostics – DM01 - seeing significant improvements; 79.8% <6weeks in May 2025
• Cancer FDS – improvement to 68.6% in April
Reducing patient waiting lists
• UEC – revised UEC improvement programme from June
• UEC – Phase 2 of ED redevelopment at RSH in late summer
• Diagnostics – new LINAC bunker and linear accelerator at RSH; first patient expected in Sept
• Cancer – strengthening clinical senior leadership team
• Digital – rollout of patient portal giving patients access to electronic appointment letters
Nearly 5,000 day-case patients have had surgery in the Planned Care Hub at PRH in its first year.
The hub – which has just marked its first anniversary - delivers high-quality, high-volume surgery in a dedicated space, separate from emergency and winter pressures.
This is reducing the time patients are waiting for their procedures, improving health outcomes.
• Surgery waiting lists have reduced by 16% since the hub opened last summer
• The number of operations taking place at the hub has increased by 34% per month since January
Stronger Together: Adding value for patients
Restoring financial balance within the NHS is important for the health and wellbeing of the population.
• Thank you for your efforts. It is having a significant positive impact. We need to maintain momentum.
• For the first time in many years, we achieved our financial plan in April and May.
• We are now facing more complex decisions to ensure we eradicate our deficit funding.
• All NHS organisations need to contribute to a reduction in corporate growth since 2018/19.
• To manage our finances, this necessitates reform –including HTP, aligning workforce to population needs, working more efficiently and adhering to our budget
Everyone in Team SaTH is valued
Stronger Together: Adding value for patients
There are many ways an organisation reforms and realigns its workforce.
Compulsory redundancies are always the last step, when we have exhausted every other option. Ways we minimise redundancies:
• Natural vacancy reduction – c60 people leave every month
• Reducing bank and agency spend – reduced by 60%
• Flexible working – open to requests
• Reforming teams – right staff, right skills, right place,
• More digital tools – make our lives easier
• Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS) – awaiting national approval
• Redeployment/upskilling – appropriate training for colleagues
• Management of change – some teams may have to go further
All teams will be supported through regular conversations with managers about what this means for them. Our People, OD and Psychology services are also available to provide support.
We will support each through these changes, with kindness and compassion
• Thank you for your response to The Little Things Challenge –we are working through lots of great ideas
• We want teams to feel empowered to try new things and make meaningful, lasting changes that can have a positive impact on patient experience, the environment, as well as finances
• Let us know what you are doing in your areasath.strongertogether@nhs.net
Case study: Theatres
Our Theatres department is reupholstering furniture and repairing other equipment before buying new - saving money and reducing waste.
They have also saved £5k by recycling and reusing harmonic devices, which are surgical instruments used for cutting tissue. For more case studies please visit the intranet.
Moving to Excellence
We are striving to provide exceptional care for our patients and be a Trust where colleagues are proud to work. We have a plan, and it will help us to deliver our vision. We know we have challenges, but we are making progress.
How we are improving our performance
52 week waits: We have risen up to 15 out of 23 in the Midlands league table and we are just 0.3% away from being in the top performing half of Trusts regionally.
18 week waits: We have risen up to 17out of the 23 in the Midlands league table. We have made the second highest reduction in our total waiting list (7.7%) over the last 12 weeks and continue to reduce our number of patients waiting for elective treatment than the Midlands average (1.6%).
Better Together
ShropCom and SaTH are exploring opportunities to become a Group. These plans are currently in the early stages of development and we still need to go through an assurance process with NHS England before any final decisions are made.
Thank you to everyone who has joined engagement sessions. There are some brilliant ideas around shared education opportunities, making the most of our estates and having more services in neighbourhoods.
More of these sessions are planned in the coming weeks as we really want to hear from you. You are the experts in your areas and know where the opportunities to work together lie – so please do get involved and help inform our Case for Change.
• Monday 30 June – 10.30am - 12pm – Corol House, Shrewsbury
• Wednesday 9 July – 3 - 4.30pm – Bridgnorth Hospital
• Thursday 10 July – 10.30am - 12pm – Halesfield, Telford
What is a group model and what would it mean? Watch this short animation…
The Trust has around 40 Freedom to Speak Up Ambassadors but we are always keen for new ambassadors to join our team to help raise awareness of Freedom to Speak Up.
As an FTSU Ambassador you will make a real difference to the working lives of your colleagues and the experience of our patients ultimately creating an open, safe and transparent culture at SaTH.
What is the role of a Freedom to Speak Up Ambassador?
The primary role of a Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Ambassador is:
1. Awareness raising of Freedom to Speak Up and its role and purpose.
2. Signposting and supporting staff who wish to raise concerns.
How to apply
Visit the intranet page to download the application form.
Who should apply?
Those who are genuinely interested in creating an open, safe and transparent culture at SaTH and who role model the values of integrity, courage, impartiality, empathy and learning.
•Courage - speaking truthfully and challenging appropriately
•Impartiality - remaining objective and unbiased
•Empathy - listening well and acting with sensitivity
•Learning - seeking and providing feedback and looking for opportunities to improve
Hospitals Transformation Programme
The Hospitals Transformation Programme (HTP) is a key part of the overarching plan to transform health and care services across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Powys.
• Please join us at next month’s Cascade Live as we spotlight HTP and construction 1-year on with our construction partners, Integrated Health Projects
• With the next phase of the Emergency Department refurbishment now underway at RSH, please be aware that there will be increased patient and visitor footfall along the X-ray corridor. Please keep this area clear to allow for this increase in use
• We are looking to recruit Management of Change Agents across all our divisions to help build knowledge and understanding in preparation for the new ways of working in 2028 – if you think you could help, please contact Sara Biffen (s.biffen@nhs.net) or Sabeena Khanna (sabeena.khanna@nhs.net)
• The next pop-up session for staff will take place on Thursday 10 July, 1pm-3pm in the Treatment Centre entrance at RSH
Construction progress at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Our estate: Purple Zone parking at RSH
The purple zone parking area has now moved. It is now located near Block 3 behind Stretton House, off Evolution Road.
The purple zone parking area was created to safeguard parking spaces for those clinical colleagues who work outside the hours of the Park & Ride and for those that need to get on site quickly for cross-site or on-call work.
These spaces are available for current pre-registered colleagues from 8.45am on a first come, first serve basis. Once the car park is full colleagues will need to park in other car parks or use the Park & Ride.
Who can park in the purple zone?
• Cross-site and on-call clinical colleagues needing to travel between sites
• Twilight shift clinical colleagues finishing work after 9.25pm
The full criteria for these permits are available on the intranet and on the latest Parking Newsletter.
If you think you may be eligible to park in the purple zone you should ask your line manger to email sth-tr.carparking@nhs.net.
We understand this may cause some frustration, but we ask all our colleagues to be respectful and kind to the parking attendants on duty.
Digital changes in Radiology: ICE Order Comms
We are replacing the tQuest and Review with a new digital system, ICE Order Comms. This project focuses on Radiology at the moment however, it will expand to Pathology at a later date in line with the new LIMS implementation as a strategic partner in the Pathology Network. Radiology requests and reports go live in November 2025. This is part of an ICS wide rollout and we are working with our partners.
Why is this changing?
• tQuest/Review is outdated and no longer supported
• The systems pose a cyber risk
• ICE will reduce reliance on paper and improve safety, speed and accuracy
What does that mean for you?
• You’ll use ICE to request Radiology tests (from November) and Pathology tests (at a later date to be confirmed)
• ICE can be accessed via CareFlow PAS or by accessing ICE on any Trust device
• Test results will be available in ICE, Clinical Portal and PACS
• Electronic sign-off and acknowledgement of results is now required
Moving to Excellence: Creating a great place to work
ESR for Managers
ESR Manager Self Service will replace the current employee change forms. Managers - you can now book a training session via LMS. Please contact karen.cameron2@nhs.n et with any queries.
Tackling
bullying
The NHS Staff Council and NHS Employers are working in partnership to tackle bullying and harassment in the NHS. Please download this poster for your staff noticeboards.
DFN interns
Could you support an intern? DFN Project Search aims to give young people with learning disabilities and autism vital work-based learning opportunities within a hospital setting. For more information please see the intranet.
Loop
Employee Online will no longer be available from 30 June. Please set up your Loop account by downloading the app. If you have any problems, please contact the HealthRoster Team on ext. 7030 or email sath.erostering@nhs.net
Menopause support
As part of the menopause support programme, free yoga places are available on Wednesdays at PRH. You can book online. There is also Movement and Menopause session on MS Teams on Monday 23 June at 12.30pm.
Information Governance: Help us to stay safe and secure
Tailgating is when unauthorised people gain entry to protected areas by following a staff member through physical security barriers like doors and gates.
Letting unauthorised people in could lead to them taking patient data or accessing systems. Here are some top tips to stop tailgating:
• Tip one: Query the status of strangers, if it's safe to do so, especially if they try to follow you into staff areas
• Tip two: Wear your building pass or ID if issued and ensure it is visible
• Tip three: Challenge anyone who doesn't display a visible ID badge, if it's safe to do so
• Tip four: Make sure you shut or lock doors and cabinets, where necessary
• Tip five: Maintain a clear desk policy when away from your work station
• Tip six: Know who to tell if you see anything suspicious or worrying
Update from Risk Management Team
The risk management team supports teams Trust-wide with clinical and non-clinical risks. We provide assurance that the Trust is providing high quality care in a safe environment and that it is complying with legal and regulatory requirements. Below is a table that demonstrates how each division is managing its risks that affect its achievement of the Trust’s strategic objectives.
Calling all bleeps
We are asking colleagues to return all unused bleeps even if they are damaged.
Still need a bleep: If you need to retain your bleep, please re-register it by contacting switchboard on ext. 2468 or email: sath.bleepamnesty@nhs.net with your name, role and bleep serial number.
Where: Please return bleeps to Switchboard or the Doctors Mess at RSH and PRH.
When: As soon as possible please but no later than Thursday 31 July 2025. Each bleep is valuable therefore, every bleep matters!
Meet the team: Emergency Planning Team
Emma-Jane Beattie, Emergency Planning and Resilience Manager
Lisa Marsden, Resilience and Emergencies Professional
Musili Oshevire, Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Officer
Contact: Email sath.emergencyplanning@nhs.net | Ext:1276
The Emergency Planning Team are responsible for delivering the Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR) workstreams for the Trust.
The team have extensive knowledge and experience and work closely with our external colleagues (West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue, Military personnel and other partners such as the Met Office) in preparation and during the response and recovery phases of Incident Management.
The Emergency planning Team are responsible for the creation and maintenance of Emergency Plans and Policies such as the Major Incident and Mass Casualty Plan, Adverse Weather, CBRN / HAZMAT Plan, Evacuation and Shelter, Pandemics Plan and many more, all of which can be found on the Emergency Planning Intranet page.
Training packages delivered by the team are all on LMS and any upcoming events and exercises are published on the Emergency Planning Intranet page, if anyone has any questions or queries please get in touch.
New colleagues and new roles
Eve Simmonds-Jones, Project Manager - Winter Discharge Volunteers
Eve brings her volunteer management experience within the charity sector to lead a 6-month pilot and launch two new volunteer roles. This includes a new volunteer driver role, which aims to speed up the discharge process and improve patient flow along with identifying ways to support our patients.As well as a services through a new volunteer telephone support role.
Jonathan Ludlow, Estates Decontamination Assistant Manager
Jonathan started working in the Trust in 2011 as a R&D porter. Later he joined the Estates Team as a maintenance assistant.
Four years ago, he moved to Queensway and trained as a Decontamination Engineer. He has now been promoted to Estates DecontaminationAssistant Manager.
Jonathan is looking forward learning new skills and working with the team to run the best service they can.
Jay Atkinson, Divisional Director of Operations
Jay qualified as an Osteopath before joining the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. Prior to joining SaTH, he worked as the Deputy Divisional Director for Surgery and Cancer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS FT. He is looking forward to working with colleagues across the organisation to deliver high quality, safe care for our patients.
Recognising our colleagues: Estates and Facilities
Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day (Wednesday 18 June) was an opportunity for us to celebrate our colleagues and the fantastic work that they do.
Often working unnoticed in the background, our Estates and Facilities staff play a vital role in maintaining and improving our working environments to keep our staff and patients safe and comfortable.
The staff work within different teams: Capital Projects, Catering, Cleaning, Business Support, Fire and Safety, Portering, Property, Logistics and Transport and Sustainability.
In one year, over one million hot meals are served to patients at both hospitals and nearly 6,300 hours are spent weekly cleaning both hospitals.
Our Estates colleagues are instrumental in huge schemes across the Trust, improving our hospitals and helping us to create more modern and sustainable facilities.
As well as maintaining the existing sites and looking after 33,624 medical devices, in the last 12 months our Estates colleagues have been involved in the opening of the Elective Surgery Hub at the PRH, along with a new gamma camera unit, which will increase capacity for cancer scanning and reduce waiting times for patients, at RSH.
Congratulations to all those nominated for a Moving to Excellence Award
Alison Allwood - Andrea Ellis - Andrea Granger - Angela Yeomans - Anna Emlyn - Catherine Bates - Chrissie Charman - Dr Tim
Stone - Emma Mayho - Keely Banks - Louise Green - Marie Trahearn - Mathew Meredith - Phlebotomy Team at PRH - Rebecca
Hawkins - Stuart Heeley - Karen Knight – Children’s and Young Person’s Unit RSH and PRH - Alisha Morgan - Amanda Tekoe -
Aravind Bhaskaran - Bijimol Varghese - Cardiac Day Unit - Chloe Rider - Dr Adrian Marsh - Dr Molefe Rapalai - Dr Stephanie
Keogh - Fern Morris - Gary Francis - Joanna Anderton - Joicee Almoneda - Kimberly Williams - Lisa Hill - Marie Jones - Michelle
Edgar - Nat Rose - Po Roberts - Shrewsbury Renal Unit – Zara Stubbs - Stroke bleep holders/Stroke specialist nurses at SaTH -
The diabetes pump service - Sustainability team - Acute Oncology - Anish Patel - Bariatric Specialist nurses & Dieticians -
Blossom Lake - Callum and SACC Flow Co-ordinators - Claire Job - Colorectal CNS Team – TRIOMIC - Critical Care staff - Critical
care team PRH - Elaine Carpendale - End of Life Care - Eunice Singson - Ewuadjoa Phillips-Odoom - Inpatient Booking Team -
Jane Carpenter - Jenny Stuckey - Jessica Bebb & Leanne Grifiths - Jill Pardy - Jon Lacy-Colson - The TRIOMIC project - Jules
Lewis - EOL team - Julie Roberts - Lyall Farquar - Mandy Wilson/ Breast CNS team - Michelle Cowdell - Mike Carmont - Mr Nick
Jones - Mrs Leonie Seager - MTX Ophthalmology Telford - Nicola Evans - Nurse Led Ear Care Service - palliative care teamSandra Forwood - Sara Westwood - Kathryn Butterworth - Dawn Shaw - Sarah Perry - Sophie Billingham - Stephen Turner –
Theatres RSH - Transfer Assistant Team in Radiology - Triomic team - Colorectal nursing team and research and developmentWard 5 - Andrea Eijkelestam and Anna Forder - Andrew Evans - Dr S Sethuraman - Dr Srini Parepalli - Dr Srinivas Parepalli - Jo
Jacques - Sister adeola - Aaron Hyslop - Access to Health Records Team - Carl Ray - Chloe Donnell - cleanliness servicesDenise Rotchell - DWH Project Team - Hospital At Night Team - Jacob Breeze - Jane Wood - Kate King - Kath Preece - Kelly Tucker - Leadership and OD Team - Legal services team, incorporating the access to health records team - Lynette Williams - Menopause Team - Natalie Goldsmith - Natalie Smith - Nick Robinson - PEF Team - People Advisory Team - POST REG EDUCATION - Sarah Browne - Sharon Parkes and Lisa Baker Murray - Sophie Hatton - Susanne Crossley - The OD Team – TRIOMIC research delivery team - Vicki Robinson
Inclusion: News and events
June is celebrated globally as PRIDE Month – a celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their achievements.
As a Trust, we are fully committed to becoming a more inclusive place for colleagues, patients, and visitors, and we all have a part to play in this. I am delighted to be the executive lead for SaTH Pride, our LGBTQIA+ staff network. The network meets monthly via MS Teams and all colleagues are welcome. This network creates a sense of belonging for all colleagues and an inclusive and safe work environment. If you are interested in joining, please contact sath.edi@nhs.net.
Upcoming staff network meetings
Multi Faith & Belief staff network meeting
MS Teams, Wednesday 23 July, 12-12.45pm
DAWN staff network meeting
MS Teams, Tuesday 15 July, 9-10am
Race, Equality & Inclusion staff network meeting
MS Teams, Wednesday 27 August, 11am-12pm
LGBT+ staff network meeting
MS Teams, Wednesday 18 June 1-2pm
Save the date
Our Vision: To provide excellent care for the communities we serve
Looking forward: Key messages
Please continue to use the two Park & Ride services and be mindful that patients are using it at RSH
Please get involved with, and support, Moving to Excellence and Stronger Together
Please attend the Better Together staff sessions
Did you know there is a Loop app? Download now via your app store Windows 11 migration continues
Please consider joining our Staff Networks
Familiarise yourself with the pension advice to help you plan for retirement
Cervical Screening Awareness Week (from 19 June)
Wellbeing Week (WC 23 June)
Armed Forces Day (29 June)
Pride Month (June)
Values Week (WC 30 June)
NHS Birthday (4 July)
We are here to help and support you
If you would like to raise a concern, you can contact our FTSU team
Contact sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net for support if you are facing pressures due to rising cost of living
Familiarise yourself with the health and wellbeing support available – details on the intranet
