Friday 14 March 2025
CHATTER BOX
Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events
This week we have been pleased to share the results of the NHS Staff Survey 2024.
This survey is a crucial tool that helps us understand your honest feedback about what it’s like to work at SaTH.
Thank you to the 51% of colleagues who took the
Invite to Staff Survey briefing sessions
Over the coming weeks we have scheduled briefings for all colleagues, so you can hear from your leaders and managers in more detail about the results.
It will also provide an opportunity for you to
time to respond. This is an increase from previous years, and your input is invaluable. Listening to and acting on your feedback is a priority.
Please turn to page 2 for an overview of our results.
ask any questions and hear about what our next steps are on our culture and leadership programme.
See the schedule on the intranet
Please prioritise your attendance at these sessions.
4,085 colleagues responded 51%
Sta Survey 2024 Sharing our
results
We remain below average in all People Promise elements and themes In addition
24%
261 bank colleagues responded which is higher than the average
We have improved in the following areas:
‘We are compassionate and inclusive’
‘We each have a voice that counts’
• Our mindset to approaching flexible working
• Civility, respect and inclusion
• Workforce Race Equality Standard
• Workforce Disability Equality Standard
Areas we need to focus on:
‘We are a team’
‘We are recognised and rewarded’
• Sta morale
Apart from We work flexibly, where we are above average
• Continuing to listen to your ideas and suggestions of the organisation
• Health and wellbeing
• Supporting our sta with MSK problems
‘We are always learning’
‘We work flexibly’
Next steps:
• Continuing our cultural and leadership improvement journey
• Focusing on health and wellbeing
• Working closely with divisions and teams to develop action plans
• Collaborating with the wider system
We are listening to your views
Case study: Neurodiversity at work
You told us that we could do more to support colleagues with neurodivergent needs. This includes awareness, education and understanding reasonable adjustments. In 2024 our Neurodiversity at Work Programme launched with more guidance and toolkits.
Case study: Flexible working – Hannah O’nions and Karen Gordon
Hannah O’nions and Karen Gordon job share the role of ward manager for Day Surgery at RSH.
They requested to work as part of a job share to enable them to achieve better work-life balance.
Case study:
We
are a Disability Confident Leader – Lauren Clarke
Lauren took part in the DFN internship scheme and has been supported to take on a permanent role at SaTH as a porter.
Case study: Sexual Safety Charter
We have signed up to the Sexual Safety Charter. This means we have committed to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours towards our people.
Case study: Talent Conversation (Appraisal)
Following feedback on the paperwork we use for these conversations, the Trust has made some slight changes including fewer questions/pages in the document, links to more resources to help you have a more in-depth conversation, and simplified colleague feedback forms.
Ramadan
Earlier this month, colleagues were invited to an Iftar at RSH organised by Dr Mahmoud Elsehawy.
Colleagues gathered, both Muslims and nonMuslims, creating a tapestry of cultural and religious unity that truly encapsulated the spirit of Ramadan.
Dr Elsehawy said: “Ramadan is more than just a month of fasting - it’s a time of reflection, connection, and coming together as a community.
“Organizing this Iftar was about more than sharing
a meal; it was about stepping away from the intensity of our clinical work and creating a space where colleagues could reconnect as people, not just professionals. It was heartwarming to see not only doctors and hospital staff but also their families and children join in, reminding us all that behind every demanding shift, there’s a support system that keeps us going.
“Moments like these aren’t just meaningfulthey’re essential for our well-being, helping us recharge and return to our work with renewed energy and purpose.”
Zero Discrimination Day
People may be discriminated against due to a range of reasons such as their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or belief, disability, gender reassignment, or pregnancy.
Zero Discrimination Day, which took place on Saturday 1 March, is a day devoted to challenging prejudice and promoting equality. The day reinforces the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space. Members from the local Police Hate Crime Unit visited the Trust to help raise awareness amongst patients, staff and visitors.
To value diversity within the workplace and address inequalities, the Trust has taken a number of steps:
• Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Strategy: the Trust has a strategy in place that sets out our approach to tackling discrimination and developing a just and fair learning culture.
• Zero tolerance: to address incidents of abuse, being threatened, or assaulted as this is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within the Trust.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Patient Advocate Group: involving members of the community in identifying and addressing barriers that people accessing healthcare services may encounter.
• Staff Networks: to engage staff in driving diversity and inclusion within SaTH and create a sense of belonging for all staff.
• EDI Champions: approximately 70 members of staff from a range of rolls and teams across the Trust who promote EDI initiatives.
• Freedom to Speak Up Champions: providing a safe space in which staff can highlight concerns.
• Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team: available to support patients, people important to them, volunteers and from any faith, belief, or world view.
Free Park & Ride at Princess Royal Hospital
Have you tried the Park & Ride at
PRH?
A recent feedback survey found that 100% of those who used the service would recommend it to a colleague and 100% rated the overall service as excellent. The following feedback was also received:
‘A few extra minutes on my journey is worth the cost-saving of no parking charges. Buses are regular and reliable.’
‘Drivers are friendly and allow for slow road traffic queues at the end of day by doing quick turnrounds at the quiet end so they are at the pick-up point for people leaving work asap.’
‘The service is excellent, and the drivers are lovely. It’s a great experience coming to the park and ride.’
‘I have had a flat battery, and the drivers stayed with me and made sure I was safe, and that someone was coming to help me. They always make sure that you are never stranded. A credit to the team’
‘All the drivers are polite, cheerful, considerate and helpful.’
‘I always use the service when I’m on site at PRH.
Support the Park & Ride
Why not try something new this year and join all of the amazing colleagues using the Park & Ride.
Over 230 colleagues are using the service and making a real difference to the parking experience of our patients and shift-working colleagues. If there are issues preventing you from using the Park & Ride, you can talk to your line manager or HR business partner to find a solution.
I’m just really grateful for the service and the lovely drivers - thank you!’
‘You have taken the stress away of leaving early just to get parked and rushing between sites being late to clinics from searching for a parking space.’
The minibus service shuttles passengers from Bucks Head AFC Telford United Football Club, located in Wellington, Telford (accessible via the Haybridge Road entrance – postcode TF1 2NW), directly to PRH. Buses run every 15 minutes between 6.30am – 6.30pm.
Remember you can also earn free drinks with the Park & Ride loyalty card.
You can find more information here, and the full timetable here
455 free drinks have been claimed so far!
This week we are celebrating Healthcare Science Week. It is a week where we recognise the outstanding work of our healthcare scientists here at SaTH.
Please watch this video of SaTH’s lead Healthcare Scientist, Professor Jason Kasraie.
Science and technology are vital in providing modern patient care and can change lives for the better. Healthcare Science Week raises awareness of the diverse careers in healthcare science and its aim is to inspire the scientific workforce of the future.
There are more than 300 healthcare science staff working across a range of specialisms here at the Trust.
Their roles might not involve seeing patients face to face, however their work includes developing cancer treatments, helping to create families through fertility services, diagnosing what is making a patient ill, repairing vital medical equipment such as kidney dialysis machines; and treating patients with heart and respiratory problems.
To find out more about the subject, please visit the National School of Healthcare Science website
Stacy Parry
Stacy Parry is a Clinical Embryologist at The Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre and has worked at the Trust for 16 years.
She said :“I love the mix of lab work and patient contact. It is refreshing to work as a scientist but still be able to meet your patients and see the difference that we can make for them. Our favourite days are when patients bring their babies to meet us!
“Embryology is constantly evolving, with new procedures and equipment being developed all the time. The most recent change that we have
adopted is a new embryo freezing and thawing technique, and initial results are very promising. I am hopeful that this will increase the number of patients for whom we can help to create a family.
“The advice I would give to anyone considering a career in Healthcare Science is to go for it! It provides so many options for a rewarding career, with so many different avenues of science to pursue.”
Rhys Goodhead
Rhys is a principal Clinical Scientist working in biochemistry, within the pathology department.
After gaining an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Exeter.
He then went on to complete his PhD followed by some Post-Doctoral research and lecturing opportunities within medical physics, toxicology and environmental science.
He said: “After deciding I wanted a more tangible outlay to my work and an application that was more practically beneficial, I applied for the Scientist Training Programme run by the National School of Healthcare Science in conjunction with the University of Manchester to become a qualified biochemist. This was based out of Ysbyty Gwynedd (Bangor) for three years before I got my previous job at the University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust.
“There is a lot to like about being a Clinical Scientist. There is scope for research, innovation, improvement and interaction with a wide range of specialities within the NHS setting. Unarguably there is a direct link between our responsibilities within the laboratory and improving patient experience at many levels. This patient impact feeds into each and every one of the wide variety of roles that we undertake within a pathology laboratory, from performance and safety quality standards to novel testing and efficiency strategies.
“Best of all, I still enjoy sitting down with a complicated set of blood results and a clinical history and helping to get that patient a diagnosis.
“I would give the same advice I’ve given to anyone who is looking to get into a particular discipline: make sure you enjoy the field in the first place. There is no substitute for experience, and understanding what the job entails really helps with these decisions. Often this means visiting the workplace and chatting to individuals to understand the realities and benefits of Healthcare Science. We’re a welcoming lot, so come and ask some questions!”
Faith Askey
Faith is a medical laboratory assistant within blood sciences, in the Pathology department and has worked at SaTH for six months. Following her degree in biology, she is completing top-up modules and gaining more experience in the lab.
She said: “ I work with such a supportive team. What I enjoy most is knowing that my work helps to make a difference to patients, whilst being a really interesting job. Every day is rewarding and exciting.”
Sarah Green
Sarah is a biomedical scientist, working in blood sciences. This covers haematology, blood transfusions and biochemistry. She has worked her way up to the role of biomedical scientist, having started as a medical laboratory assistant ten years ago.
She said: “Science is forever changing and expanding. We are constantly adapting and having to keep up with the technology and research. I look forward to growing my knowledge alongside that and contributing ideas to help the workplace.”
Warp-it Furniture available
Shropshire Council are now offering the rest of their office furniture equipment to other organisations, via the Warp-it platform.
• 100’s of desks mainly left hand and right hand curved desks 150cm and 160cm plus some banks of bench desks
• 30x 75cm rectangular small extension desks
• 100’s of office pedestals different sizes (some with keys)
• Wooden on wheels filing tray organisers
• Various tambour units, some with shutters, some with standard doors, some still have their keys.
• Various large wipeboards and blue felt noticeboards
• Small bookcases
• A white reception desk – floor 2
• Lots of free standing desk dividers
• 5x free standing coat stands
• Miscellaneous office furniture
No operator office chairs are available
No IT equipment is available
Conditions on collecting furniture
Please do not contact the porters for collecting furniture. Glyn Uptons are set up on Oracle and in the past wards and departments have collaborated in acquiring furniture for their needs. For smaller items and when safe to do so, some staff have used other methods to collect required furniture.
If you are interested in any of the items please email alexander.ford1@nhs.net
Grandmother taking on marathon for SaTH Charity’s Neonatal Unit Fund
Grateful Shrewsbury grandmother, Tracy Hamer, has decided to take on the Manchester Marathon for SaTH Charity’s Neonatal Fund after her grandson spent eight days on the unit.
Her grandson Henry was born on Christmas Day last year and needed the support of the Neonatal Team at The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. Henry was discharged after eight days and is now a healthy boy. Tracy has now decided to take on the marathon in April for neonatal fund.
She said: “I cannot express my gratitude enough, not only for the quick thinking and highly-skilled experts for all they did to save Henry, but also for the care and compassion shown to my son, Jib, and my daughter-in-law, Paige, at this incredibly traumatic time and for all they continue to do for all the families that need them.”
Corrine DaCosta, Neonatal Ward Manager, said: “We are so grateful to Tracy for taking on the Manchester Marathon to raise money for our unit. We know how difficult it can be to have your baby admitted to Neonates and I’m
pleased to hear that her grandson, daughter in law and son were treated with kindness and compassion. The money raised will make a difference to our patients as we have a few areas we are looking to improve, which include the infant feeding room and the quiet room for relatives.”
If you would like to support Tracy in her fundraiser for the Neonatal Unit you can find the link to the JustGiving page
Veteran’s Volunteer to Career programme
SaTH is working with Helpforce and the local Armed Forces Network, to expand its volunteering programme within the Trust.
Building upon the highly successful Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme, SaTH has been chosen as one of 14 pilot sites to deliver the new Veteran and Military Family members VtC programme, with the aim of creating a pathway for veterans and their families to work within the healthcare sector in clinical and non-clinical roles.
Participants will gain first-hand experience through volunteer placements, which can then lead to paid employment opportunities or further training within the NHS.
The first Veteran’s Volunteer to Career’s programme will start shortly. If you or anyone you know is interested, you can apply via the website.
Encouraging and supporting patients to move more when in hospital can prevent Hospital Associated Deconditioning. The Movement Matters team tries to do an activity at each site every month, here’s what the team have been up to lately.
February
Crafting with patients
The team visited Ward 11 at PRH to do some crafting with patients. They made heart-shaped paper planes and heart shaped messages for loved ones. Patients also took part in a competition to see whose plane could fly the furthest using the facilitator as a goal to aim for.
They also had a chance to have a walk and chat with each other over a cup of hot chocolate, talking about past jobs they did, families and loved ones.
One woman living with dementia was reluctant to join in at first and just wanted to watch. After watching the activity she wanted to join in and wrote a message for her grandchildren, saying the activity had “made her happier”.
Each time we do an activity the team asks patients about their anxiety and stress levels as well as pain scores for both pre and post activity. We see for a lot of patients who show improvement in their scores after the activity. Deconditioning doesn’t just impact patients physically but can impact them psychologically with patient’s mood and motivation being affected.
Patients were also challenged to complete fivemetre distance walks for Valentines on Wards 27 and 28 at RSH and they were rewarded with a heart sticker to add to the chart so they could see their progress over time.
Music + Move
Due to the success of the Singing Chaplin activity, we can now offer this as a permanent monthly fixture.
We have changed the name to Music + Move so we can include songs which encourage movement to keep our patients moving more whilst also bringing joy and fun to both the patients and staff. Kevin from the Chaplaincy Team along with his guitar has come up with a set of songs we’ll trial over the coming year. In February we visited Wards 7 and 9. Kevin is pictured above with his guitar along with Kelly from the Enhanced Care Support (ECS) team.
Fit Thursdays
Rachael the housekeeper came up with the idea of Fit Thursdays, she along with the other housekeeper and support from the ward staff and manager try to organise a fun activity for patients in the afternoon. The activities bring so much joy and laughter to the ward.
Activities include hand massages, bingo, cards, afternoon tea, balloon tennis and a rock + roll sing/ dance along. Each week the ward team tries to sit patients out in a chair in the centre of the bay to encourage mobility and social connection with other patients.
Pictured here are Housekeepers Rachael and Caroline getting the tea trolley ready with china cups and saucers and a selection of cakes for the patients.
One patient Albert wrote the ward a special poem on what it was like to be in hospital. Click here to read.
Telford Rotary Club’s Tree of Light raises £5,000 for Dementia Fund
SaTH Charity were honoured to receive a cheque for £5,000 from Telford Rotary Clubs. The money was raised through the annual ‘Tree of Light’ which took place in December.
The Tree of Life gives the public an opportunity to commemorate a loved one at Christmas. The cheque was presented by Rachel Waterson, President of Ironbridge Rotary Club to Elaine and Jane from the Dementia Team.
Tree of Light was set up in 1995 by all the Rotary Clubs of Telford and since its inception it has raised £873,699 for local charities. One of the members who was involved in setting it up the Tree of Light was diagnosed with Dementia in 2021, and has received treatment from the SaTH Dementia Team, which makes this donation even more special.
Rachel Waterson, President of the Ironbridge Rotary Club, said: “Ironbridge club chose to support the SaTH Charity this year to help provide reminiscence equipment for patients living with Dementia. In recent years several of our families and fellow Rotarians have been affected by this dreadful disease and we wanted to provide some sort of legacy in their memory.”
Karen Breese, Dementia Care Clinical Specialist, said: “We are delighted to receive £5000 to support dementia services, we plan to use this money to purchase activities and communication boards.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “We are grateful to the Rotary Clubs of Telford for including SaTH Charity in last year’s Tree of Light. The money raised has been given to local charities who help and support local people, so every penny will make a real difference to the whole community.”
Tech company Snakebyte Group donate £1,000 to Children’s Oncology Fund
The Snakebyte Group has been leading player in the consumer electronics and video game accessories market and wanted to support the hospital as they have an office in Newport.
For the last few years, they have donated Pebble Gear Disney tablets to our hospital. The latest donation will support paediatric oncology services at SaTH.
Michael Auer, Head of Sales and Marketing at Snakebyte, said: “Long hospital stays can be tough for children and their families, but a little joy can make a big difference. We’re proud to have donated Disney kids’ tablets to SaTH Charity for several years now. Anyone who has had a child in the hospital will understand just how important those small moments of happiness are.”
Charlotte Davies, Ward Manager, said: “We are so grateful to receive this donation for our Children’s Oncology Unit. The children on this unit are often in the hospital for several weeks and we want to make their stay as comfortable as possible. This donation will go a long way to improving their experience of the unit.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “Thank you so much to the Snakebyte Group for choosing to support SaTH Charity again. Whilst our paediatric oncology unit is small, the staff who care for the children build a longterm relationship with the children and their families; this donation will be used to improve their environment by providing toys or sensory items to distract and calm children undergoing treatment. We are so grateful for their continued support.”
PRH Catering Team donates £430 to Dementia Fund
The Catering Team decided to donate to the charity rather than buying Christmas Cards in 2024.
The team have been donating their Christmas card money, to different charities, for over a decade and have raised £1000s in this time.
Kate Teece, Site Catering Manager, said: “We wanted to support SaTH Charity’s Dementia Fund as a few of our staff have relatives living with the condition and understand the challenges the Dementia Team face. We know the team purchase lots of single use items to gift to patients living with Dementia, and we wanted to support them to continue their good work by donating money we would have spent buying and sending Christmas cards.”
Karen Breese, Dementia Care Clinical Specialist, said: “We are grateful to our colleagues in the Catering Department at PRH for choosing to donate to our fund. We see a number of patients who are living with Dementia on the wards and our team uses lots of items such as
teddies in the form of cats and dogs, alongside sensory items to support them in a clinical environment, which can be a scary place. Thanks to the generous donation of the catering team, we can continue to purchase these items.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation said, “We are so grateful to our colleagues in catering for their generous donation. Anyone with experience of a relative living with Dementia will know how confusing the hospital environment can be, and the Dementia Team work tirelessly to develop ways to reduce the stress and offer calming exercises to improve patients’ experience.”
Snowdrops planted at RSH flower for the first time
In 2024 SaTH Charity, Lingen Davies and the League of Friends of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital (LOF) came together to plant snowdrops in Captain Tom’s Garden at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH).
The snowdrops are now in full bloom, providing a welcome glimpse of spring to patients, staff and visitors. The snowdrops were planted to remember June Whitaker, a longtime member and supporter of the League of Friends who died in the summer of 2023.
June opened her home to the public every February so they could enjoy the magnificent carpet of snowdrops and donated the funds raised to for the Lingen Davies Cancer Charity to improve the lives of those before, during and after a cancer diagnosis.
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation said “These flowers are a living reminder of June Whitaker, as they were donated by her family from her gardens and they will flower year after year as winter draws to a close. We are grateful to the SaTH gardening team for their continued commitment to keeping the grounds looking their best even with all the building work going on. We know how much the outdoor spaces mean for the wellbeing of our patients, their loved ones and our staff.”
Annual SaTH Charity Football Tournament needs your help
For the third year in a row Mark Rawlings and SaTH Charity are organising the annual SaTH Charity Football Tournament.
This tournament is due to take place on Sunday 01 June and is 7-aside. Currently we need one more team of at least 7 players to take part, the players need to work for SaTH (or be students/volunteers at SaTH). If you want to take part, it is £10 per player in each team and the money raised will be donated to the Dementia Care Appeal fund and Neonatal Services at SaTH. Thanks to the hard work of the teams taking part, the event raised nearly £5,000 for SaTH Charity.
Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said:
“We are so grateful to Mark for taking on the mammoth task of organising the teams for this event and whilst we have 15 signed up, we need 16 teams. The event is a great family event and so far Mark has arranged for them to be held on amazing sunny days, so fingers crossed!.”
For more information or to register your interest email mark.rawlings@nhs.net
Beefy Boys in Shrewsbury donate £1,000 to the Swan Fund
The Beefy Boys restaurant in Shrewsbury has raised £1,000 for the SaTH Charity’s Swan Fund - End of Life Care (EOLC).
The money raised was thanks to the generosity of their customers who had the option of donating 50p at the end of their meal when they paid. The Swan Fund is used to support patients and their loved ones during their last days and hours.
The fund is used to provide Swan bags, which are gifted to families at this sad time. The Swan bags include the bereavement booklet which explains the next steps after leaving the hospital, a pen and paper to write anything down that is communicated, a small pack of tissues a card from the ‘Good Grief’ trust, which is a national charity that provides advice about accessing help and emotional support for the bereaved.
The Swan Fund is also used to develop more Swan rooms. These rooms let relatives spend valuable time with their loved one in a more peaceful and calming environment and the room includes a beautiful, illuminated skylight as if looking up at the sky and a reclining chair for relatives to stay close by the patient’s bedside.
Jules Lewis, Lead Nurse for Swan Fund said “We are honoured to have been chosen by the Beefy Boys to receive donations from their customers. Thank you to all the generous customers of the Beefy Boys who have contributed, these donations will make a real difference to our patients and their loved ones.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation said “We are grateful to the Beefy Boys for supporting SaTH Charity, this money will enable the EOLC Team to continue to give out ‘Swan Bags’ after the death of a loved one and allow us to develop more end-of-life Swan side rooms for patients and their relatives. I know what a difference this makes to families at these times, and we are so grateful for this support.”
Julia
Colleague Notice Board
Colleague Notice Board
STAFF LOTTERY
This month ’s winners
1st £550
Sarah Whitehead, Postnatal Ward
2nd £275
Fani Stamou, ITU/HDU
2nd £275
Sophie Rawlings-Jones, Communications
3rd £125
Andy Haynes, Radiology
3rd £125
Sarah Perks, Orthodontics & Maxillofacial
4th £100
Jamie Henry, Corporate Nursing
4th £100
Karen Swain, Clinical Audit
5th £50
Lee Wyatt, Estates
5th £50
Lucie Price, Renal Unit
5th £50
Penny Watson, Palliative & EOLC Team
5th £50
Kellyanne Bilton, Information Governance
5th £50
Kathy George, Adult Safeguarding
12 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 which is all 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
Dear Radiotherapy, CT and Review Radiographers, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for each of you for the care and professionalism you have shown through my radiotherapy journey. From the initial scans to each treatment session and every review, you have helped me feel supported and informed every step of the way. Your attention to detail and kindness make an incredible difference and I am deeply grateful for the reassurance and confidence you provide. Thank you for everything you do to make this experience as positive as possible.