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Education and Learning Week

This week we have been celebrating Education and Learning Week. It has been a busy week, with activities taking place every day.

This week is not only about providing opportunities for everyone to reach their full potential, it also highlights how we are living the NHS People

Promise, “We are always learning”. One of the highlights this week was the Education and Learning Conference. The conference was fully booked and colleagues were treated to some fascinating presentations.

Turn to page 2 to see more pictures from the week.

Education and Learning Week

Celebrating our colleagues’ commitment to education and learning

Education and Learning Week has also allowed us to shine a spotlight on some of our fantastic colleagues. Read on for case studies of colleagues who have completed further education whilst working at the Trust, and also those who support colleagues with training and learning.

Mark Ridgway is a Senior Practice Education Facilitator for Non-Medical Simulation based at RSH.

He facilitates simulated training for nurses, allied health professionals, midwives and healthcare assistants. He trained as an operating department practitioner at RSH, but over time Mark developed an interest in simulated training. The simulations are specific to the requests of the wards. He has recently run simulated training for Ward 27 at RSH, Renal, Falls and Care after Death with the End-of-Life team and for Theatres at RSH.

This training produces metrics which, amongst many things, can be used to measure staff confidence. A recent session showed a 31% increased in confidence.

Mark said: “Simulation is a chance to enhance learning, improve confidence and increase cohesion with multi-disciplinary teamwork. I enjoy being able to improve my colleagues’ confidence and to work with different departments across the Trust. It is such an engaging role.”

Lauren Abraham started her career as a health care assistant. She then completed the trainee nursing associate course - an apprenticeship.

She went on to do a degree with a top-up course to become a registered nurse. Lauren was keen to do a degree course initially but struggled to fit it around looking after her young family.

During her apprenticeship, Lauren’s time was spent working on multiple wards and attending lectures at university. The apprenticeship offered handson experience on the ward and with more patient contact, which Lauren enjoyed. Lauren currently works on the Cardiology Ward at PRH which was the same ward where she was a registered nursing associate.

Lauren is passionate about her career progression and said: “I am keen to keep on training and learning. I previously did an ECG workshop when I was a nursing associate and there are more courses I would like to complete. I have learned so much from the nurses, doctors, physios, physicians and advanced nurse practitioners. I am looking forward to applying this knowledge to further training modules in the future.”

Lauren has made a teddy bear out of the materials from her previous uniforms, something she wants to give to her daughter as a reminder of her education and learning journey.

Jo Carswell is a Senior Pharmacy Technician, working across RSH and PRH. She has made a huge difference in her role as she has been the lead on new development opportunities for trainee pharmacy technicians.

There was a national shortage of pharmacy technicians and this change in the system has allowed more people to access the training –subsequently the number of those enrolled have risen from four to 21 across both RSH and PRH.

Jo has also started some work to develop an education strategy for pharmacy technicians to create a programme of automatic progression based on experience, development and competency assessments.

Jo said: “My role has become a lot busier, but it is incredibly rewarding to see someone go through their two years of training and see them go on to have successful careers.”

Theatres Department at RSH have achieved excellence with their training compliance.

They have 100% training compliance in 31 different modules. With a staff group over 120, this is an incredible achievement.

Oluwatosin Akinruli is a junior clinical fellow in medicine who has recently completed a post graduate certificate in medical education at Keele University.

During the year-long course, Oluwatosin says that he was able to practise the skills to enable him to become an effective learner and has applied these to his own medical training and clinical skills development.

Oluwatosin said: “The course is not only a training to becoming an effective clinical teacher, but also a self-discovery journey that enhances personal competence and promotes professionalism.”

The

Lingen Davies present watercooler to Urology department

Patients and colleagues in Clinic 12 (Urology) have been making using of a new watercooler thanks to the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

Previously colleagues had to bring jugs of water from Day Surgery for patients. The watercooler was installed in April and has been well received by patients and colleagues.

Tim Cooper, Vice Chair of the Lingen Davies Trustee Board, said: “The project was another great example

of the charity’s remit to make life that little bit easier for those impacted by cancer.

“By funding this application from the Urology Team we have been able to directly improve the appointment process. Patients can easily access water now to ensure they have full bladders ahead of any scans.”

For more information on how to apply for a grant from Lingen Davies visit: Working in PartnershipLingen Davies

Paediatric Vitals User Acceptance Testing

Colleagues attended User Acceptance Testing (UAT) this week for Paediatric Vitals, which will go live in the paediatric and emergency departments next month.

User acceptance testing is a key element to any digital project and involves colleagues who

will use the system, testing to see if it is fit for purpose and does what’s expected. In this case, this involves testing the new electronic children’s observation charts.

Feedback so far has been positive from those of our colleagues who have been involved.

Elective Surgery Hub opening

Colleagues past and present celebrated the newly opened Elective Surgery Hub at Princess Royal Hospital last week.

Past colleagues who had opened the original Day Surgery Unit were invited by Clare Marsh, Matron, to see the new hub.

The ribbon was cut by Lisa Challinor, Divisional Director of Operations, after speeches from Inese Robotham, Assistant Chief Executive, and Dr Steve McKew, Divisional Medical Director.

Colleagues were treated to hand made samosas and cakes after all their hard work to get the hub ready for first patients on Monday this week.

Volunteers Week 2024

3-9 June 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of National Volunteers Week – a week that shines a light on the incredible impact that volunteers make across the country.

We are lucky to have over 300 volunteers who give their time every week to help our patients, visitors and colleagues. As part of the celebrations a special thank you event was held on Wednesday 29 May at The Wroxeter Hotel to thank and celebrate our volunteers.

Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “Collectively our volunteers contribute 27,000 hours to the Trust each year which is an incredible gift. Within our Volunteers Team of there are some remarkable achievements – we have at least five volunteers who have volunteered within our hospitals for over 20 years and our oldest volunteer is 89 years young.

“We are profoundly grateful to all our volunteers for their invaluable contribution to our hospitals and the care and kindness they show our staff and patients all year round.”

Edward Chinn, Volunteer

Edward started volunteering after having lots of

personal experience in various different hospital departments over the last 22 years and he wanted to give back to the organisation that gave him excellent care and support.

Edward said: “I want to inspire people that wouldn’t have considered a career in the NHS and show them, that even with a medical condition, that if you put your mind to something you should go for it. I also want to help other people who need hospital care. I enjoy working in a team and I like to be busy.”

Barbara Beale, Volunteer

Barbara loves volunteering because the caring listening side of the job is similar to her previous role as a health care worker before she retired.

Barbara said: “I can have a laugh with the patients and can be supportive to them when they are going through tough times.

“My favourite part is face to face with patients when collecting them from the wards to go home and packing their bags. I think spoiling the patients is my favourite part of my role.”

Happy Pride Month

This month we are celebrating Pride. Pride Month honours the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, USA.

Pride Month is important for so many reasons. It highlights the great strides taken towards LGBTQIA+ equality, but it also reminds us that there is much more work to be done.

As a Trust, we are fully committed to becoming a more inclusive place for colleagues, patients, and visitors, but to achieve this, we need the support of our workforce.

Get involved!

• Come to the Women and Children’s reception on Wednesday 19 June from 8.30am-1.30pm for a Pride awareness stand

• Fill out a pledge card and pick up a rainbow badge. These are available in the libraries.

• Visit the libraries to read more about Pride.

• Join the Pride Network Meeting on Friday 21 June from 11.30am-12.30pm on MS Teams.

• Keep an eye out for the Pride Flag projections on the buildings

Become an ally

An ally is not necessarily a member of an underrepresented group, but someone who takes action to support that group. They play a key role in promoting LGBTQIA+ interests and equality at work, so please consider whether this could be you. If you are interested in becoming an LGBTQIA+ ally, please speak to the EDI Team at one of the above stands, or at SaTH.EDI@nhs.net.

Use of pronouns

Inclusive language creates inclusive workplaces, and by sharing your pronoun it makes it clear how you would like to be referred to whilst also helping to normalise conversations around gender.

As we continue to mark Pride Month, you may want to consider adding your personal pronouns to email signatures. This can be a simple but powerful way to help raise awareness and demonstrate inclusivity.

Hayley Flavell, Director of Nursing, said: “EDI is everyone’s business and responsibility, so please help us in showing solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community and make SaTH a truly inclusive place for all.”

Biomedical Science Day

On Thursday 6 June 2024 we celebrated Biomedical Science Day at both RSH and PRH.

Our services consist of three main areas:

• Blood Sciences

• Cellular Pathology

• Microbiology

Last year we carried out over 12.5 million tests for patients in our hospitals, as well as those referred by their GP and in the local community. We also do specialist work for other hospitals and healthcare providers.

Blood Sciences offer many different types of tests on samples of blood. Our Phlebotomy Team took almost 390,000 samples from over 210,000 patients last year. We also run the Shropshire Anticoagulation Service which helps over 10,000 patients a year.

Our Blood Sciences services work 24 hours a day seven days a week, 365 days a year. We have laboratories at both of our hospitals, as well as in The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry.

Cellular Pathology looks at tissue samples. These

are very important in finding and treating health problems such as cancer and other diseases. Microbiology looks at the diagnosis and treatment of different types of infections. We also offer advice on the best type of antibiotic to treat infections.

Key to this work are our 110 Biomedical Scientists, across our main disciplines, whose primary role is to report the results of the tests. We have apprentices and trainees, as well as those coming through a more ‘traditional’ route of an IBMS Accredited University Degree.

We also have Clinical Scientists, who are responsible for the clinical scientific direction and development of laboratory services. The BMS Team are ably supported by our medical laboratory assistants and associate practitioners.

We have a large and diverse team working in Pathology, many of which have been in the role for over 25 years, and even a couple who have been here for over 40 years.

These individuals offer a wealth of experience to more junior members of the team and have been able to see the huge scientific developments that have occurred in Pathology and in the NHS as a whole.

Amber Haynes, BMS in Haematology, RSH

After graduating from university with a degree in Law and Criminology, the last place Amber thought she would work is in a Pathology department.

She applied for a medical laboratory assistant role and four years later was offered the chance to complete an apprenticeship in Healthcare/ Biomedical Science.

The apprenticeship took four years to complete and involved on-thejob training and academic study. Amber said: “It was an excellent opportunity to learn the scientific underpinnings of my job role. After completing the IBMS Registration Portfolio, I successfully obtained HCPC registration as a BMS and I have been working autonomously as a BMS for the last two years.

“Working as a BMS is a great privilege. It allows me to positively contribute to the patient care pathway every single day. BMS Day allows us to highlight the work done across Pathology and to forge positive relationships with staff and the public, something that I believe is essential to service provision.”

Alex Turner, Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Alex said: “I didn’t even know this job existed when I went to Uni, and just kept doing subjects I enjoyed and found myself doing a degree in Biomedical Science which was all the parts of science I found the most interesting.”

Alex graduated and did some volunteering at SaTH in the microbiology lab. She then gained a trainee job in the haematology and transfusion lab at RSH, gaining a promotion to a specialist BMS at PRH working in haematology, transfusion and biochemistry after two years.

Alex achieved her specialist qualification in haematology and transfusion and also completed a masters and has been happily working at PRH for the last four years and loving it.

She said: “I’ve also taken on more training responsibilities to pass on my enjoyment and love for the job. It is such a brilliant application of science and is constantly evolving and developing but always with the patient as the priority, and even on the hardest days you know you are always helping people who’ll never know who you are.

“Not only do we get to help patients, we also get to help our clinical colleagues in patient facing roles, to provide them with the most efficient and effective Pathology service possible. It’s a wonderful job and I’ll keep on telling everyone about how great it is.”

This week we have been celebrating Great Big Green Week – a week packed with engaging activities and training and information sessions.

There have been guided walks around both sites, free bicycle servicing with Dr Bike and a Bio-Blitz round up and identification with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

There is still time to take part in the Great Big Green Week quiz!

You have until Monday 24 June to collate your five answers, then email to sath.trustsustainability@ nhs.net with your name and contact details.

To help find the answers, have a look at the Great Big Green Week intranet page

Those who have answered all five questions correctly will be entered into a prize draw to win a smart watch. Good Luck!

Question 1:

What percentage of the total NHS Carbon Footprint sits within the NHS supply chain?

Question 2:

During the financial year 2023/24 how many tonnes of clinical waste did SaTH produce?

Question 3

We have just launched the SaTH reusable cup for £3; approximately how many times can the cup be reused?

Question 4

Did you know we have solar panels at the RSH site with plans to install them at PRH very soon - how many KVA are the solar panels on the Outpatient roof at RSH?

Question 5

The new Warp It container is open at PRH today! Across the Trust, how much CO2 has the Trust saved by using the Warp It scheme since 2017?

Active Travel Prize Draw

Don’t forget you can also enter our Active Travel Prize Draw - simply tell us how you get to work without parking on site! Send us a selfie or an email to sath.trustsustainability@nhs.net with your name, contact details and the site you work at and we’ll enter you into our draw - there are wellness box prizes for each site.

Wellbeing dropin session

Mytton Oak Restaurant and Improvement Hub, RSH from 11.30am1.00pm Wellbeing dropin session

Education Centre and area by former LOF, PRH from 11.30am1.00pm

Mytton Oak Restaurant and Improvement Hub, RSH from 11.30am - 1.00pm Wellbeing dropin session Education Centre and area by former LOF, PRH from 11.30am1.00pm

International Nursing

The International Nursing Team would like to thank you all for welcoming our internationally educated colleagues to the SaTH nursing team.

Over the last few years, we have successfully recruited over 600 nurses allowing us to fill many of our vacancies and strengthen our nursing workforce. This year alone we have trained and supported over 200 nurses through their OSCE for SaTH.

We have also supported in excess of 40 nurses from Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital successfully through their OSCE preparation programme.

Over the course of several days throughout May, to coincide with International Nurses Day celebrating nursing around the world, we travelled across both sites and handed out certificates to some of our SaTH nurses who have shown their compassion, dedication, and professionalism, in their day-to-day roles.

Joined by Chief Executive, Louise Barnett and Director of Nursing, Hayley Flavell, alongside members of the senior nursing team and support from their ward and department areas, we acknowledged the hard work and commitment of our colleagues. Our nurses were nominated for these awards based on feedback from their ward managers, preceptors, mentors, and colleagues with a range of themes including:

• Patient Advocate

• Professional Development

• Commitment and Determination

• Excellence in Nursing Care

• Teamwork

We are extremely proud of the nurses we have supported as they begin their roles within SaTH. Well done everyone.

Retiring Consultant Neurologist

John Bowen, Consultant Neurologist, worked at SaTH for many years providing an excellent service for neurology patients in our area.

The Neurology Service was moved to Wolverhampton a couple of years ago and John has remained a big part of the SaTH family.

Colleagues held a collection for John with showed an overwhelming response from colleagues. Thank you John.

£10,000 to kick start or extend a project

If you have a project idea, have approval from your manager and would like to apply for funding or request further information, please contact:

SaTH.Research@nhs.net

If you would like to discuss project ideas, please visit us in one of our drop in sessions which will be running every Monday in June from 12pm - 1pm in the Research & Innovation room at SERII

SaTH Leadership Development Programmes

The SaTH leadership development programmes are designed to support and equip you with the tools you need to thrive in your roles.

The programmes are mandated and available to support the development of all staff who have line management responsibilities working in all departments at any level as well as facilitating the

development of our aspiring leaders at all levels for the future.

Below are some of our colleagues attending the SaTH 1 Leadership Programme.

Cohorts begin again in September and if anyone wants further information they can visit the intranet or email sath.leadership@nhs.net

Civility, Inclusion & Respect Training

Thank you to our colleagues from across the Trust who have recently attended the Civility, Inclusion and Respect Open Programme Training Sessions.

Bookable via the LMS system this is a great opportunity to meet and connect across the Trust whilst learning or refreshing your

knowledge on the topic. We have further dates available throughout the year for any new colleagues who join our teams or those colleagues that may not have attended a session to date.

Here’s one of the groups who recently attended.

SaTH Charity thank you daisy

SaTH Charity is giving you the opportunity to nominate a deserving colleague, who will then recieved a special NHS Thank You Daisy, along with your nomination message.

Take a moment to say a special thank you to a colleague who you feel has gone the extra mile or provided support to patients or colleagues.

The Thank You Daisy is a token of appreciation which SaTH Charity is giving to nominated staff who have going above and beyond at SaTH. Each daisy is gifted with your message of thanks to someone who has gone out of their way to be supportive or gone that extra mile.

Colleagues nominated for a daisy will be able to collect them from SaTH Charity on Friday 5 July (NHS Birthday) at both RSH and PRH. Along with the SaTH Charity daisy, nominees will also receive a personalised thank you card which will notify them of who has nominated them.

Nominations are open from Wednesday 5 June to Wednesday 26 June. To nominate your special someone you can find more details on the intranet

Run for SaTH Charity at the Lake Vyrnwy half marathon this September

Whether you’re a keen runner or someone who is new to running and would like some motivation to conquer a challenge – we welcome you to join us in supporting your local NHS.

After the success of last year’s half marathon SaTH Charity has secured another 10 places at the Lake Vyrnwy half marathon taking place on Sunday 15 September 2024.

Last year we had 10 runners complete the half marathon at Lake Vyrnwy, together they raised £2,000 for SaTH Charity.

Places are £20 each and we ask that you raise a minimum of £80 in fundraising for a SaTH Charity fund of your choice. The charity will help you raise awareness of your run and suggest ways of making your fundraising successful.

To secure your place please find below the link to the form, the deadline for submissions is Thursday 1 August 2024 https:// shrewsburytelfordhospitalnhstrust. beaconforms.com/form/1d0f1bfa or alternatively email sath.charity@nhs.net

Wear yellow to help make wishes come true for seriously ill children

The Sterile Services Department in Queensway is fundraising for Rays of Sunshine, a charity that grants wishes of seriously ill children across the UK.

On Thursday 20 June 2024 they are inviting our colleagues to join us in wearing something yellow for the day.

This small act is part of a larger effort to raise funds for Rays of Sunshine, a charity dedicated to making the world a brighter place for those who need it most.

Surjeet Kaur, Sterile Services Support Secretary, said: “Right now, there are thousands of children and young people whose lives revolve around doctors appointments, hospital stays, and gruelling treatment. By granting their wishes, we can give them something positive to focus on and something to look forward to.

“My son Yuvraj has fought a lifesaving cancer battle to be here with us today and we are thankful to Rays of Sunshine for making Yuvraj’s Wish to meet KSI and the Sidemen come true. He will always

remember what a wonderful day he had and how he felt meeting his favourite YouTubers.”

“To further support this cause close to our hearts, I have organised a bake sale with my colleagues at work to raise awareness and funds. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these brave individuals.”

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast, and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Rays of Sunshine, so it’s the most efficient way to give - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

We are still looking for more players, if you would like to get involved, email craig.budge@ nhs.net

To

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STAFF LOTTERY

Winners for May

1st £500

Aaron Hyslop, Public Participation

2nd £250

Sarah Finan, Therapies

2nd £250

Eleana Peate, CYPU A&E

3rd £100

Claire Armstrong, Radiology

3rd £100

Amy Hughes, PRH Theatres

3rd £100

Kendall Walford, Pathology PRH

4th £50

Aysha Wilson, Radiotherapy

4th £50

Fiona Parry-Smith, Therapy Services

4th £50

Julie Reeves, Haematology

4th £50

Sabrina Kitcher, Trust HQ

10 cash prizes every month!

Payment will be deducted from your salary; winnings are paid into your salary the following month

Why not join our lottery?

50% of profits are given out in prizes and the other 50% is adding to our Small Changes Make a Big Difference Fund all of which is spent on items for staff.

The SaTH Small Things Make a Big Difference Fund aims to improve the working environment and amenities for all employees.

Click here to download the T&C’s and enter the staff lottery

Thank you

Thank you to all of you in SESH who have helped me through this difficult time. Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation for everything you all do. Since my operation, my stay in RSH has seen teams of exemplary, professional staff of all levels attributing their part in what I would call a ‘well-oiled machine’. Supportive, jovial and compassionate care is what I experienced not just on occasions but every minute of each day. I thank each and every one of you.