Chatterbox - 251107

CHATTER BOX Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events Friday 7 November 2025

Thank you for sharing your views there is still time to share yours!

Thank you to everyone who has completed their Staff Survey so far.

NHS Staff Survey update by division

Please do take 15 minutes to complete yours. Your survey will have been sent to you from nhsstaffsurvey@iqvia.com. Please ensure your email accounts are active (email accounts are deactivated if not used for 30 days).

Trust = 36.2% of completed and submitted surveys It is great to see some healthy competition between our divisions onsurveys: response 3031 rates! Help your division Total number of completed substantive take top spot on the scoreboard and be in with a chance of winning some prizes.

Total number of completed Bank surveys: 169

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Final Target by 28/11

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Surgery, Anaesthetics and Cancer

Clinical Support Services

Women and Children’s

Corporate (inc. Estates and Facilities)

Bank staff

Last year's completion rate: 36.7%

Last year's completion rate: 50.4%

Last year's completion rate: 56.4%

Last year's completion rate: 54.8%

Last year's completion rate: 65%

Last year's completion rate: 24%

Be fab, get the jab We have completed five full weeks of flu vaccinations and we are delighted to say that over 34% of SaTH colleagues have now had their flu jab.

The administrative and clerical teams are still in the lead with 38% now vaccinated. The AHP’s are in second place with 36.2% and medical and dental teams are close with 35.8% of their department vaccinated. There is still more to do!

Christmas is approaching and there is nothing worse than spending the festive season unwell. If you’re pregnant, the flu jab is strongly recommended, in every pregnancy, at any stage. It’s safe, effective, and protects both you and your baby. Flu during pregnancy can lead to complications, including premature birth and low birth weight. The vaccine also gives your baby protection in their first few months of life.

The flu vaccine isn’t just about protecting yourself; it is also about protecting our patients. Many of them are vulnerable and may not recover from a case of flu. You might be fit and healthy, but please think of those who aren’t. Do them a favour and don’t give them the flu.

Please see the intranet for the times and venues of the vaccination clinics.

You may be worried about the side effects of having the vaccination. If you do feel mild side effects after the jab, that is a good sign. It means your immune system is responding and the vaccine is doing its job.

We’re running daily flu vaccination clinics at both PRH and RSH, with a mix of early and late sessions and venues to suit different shifts. Please make time to get yours - it’s quick, free, and makes a real difference.

Remembrance Day Services We will be holding Remembrance Day services on Tuesday 11 November at RSH and PRH, all services will start at 10:50am with a two minute silence at 11am.

For colleagues and patients who are unable to attend, the RSH service will also be live-streamed on

the Trust’s Facebook page.

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PRH: Captain Tom’s Courtyard RSH: Captain Tom’s Garden

Please join us for the service, with light refreshments served afterwards.

Stress Awareness Week Stress Awareness Week takes place from Monday 3 - Friday 7 November.

The theme for the week is “Optimising Employee Wellbeing through Strategic Stress Management”, which focuses on creating supportive workplace cultures.

Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure. When you are stressed, your body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, millions around the UK experience stress and it is damaging to our health and wellbeing. For example, at some point in the last year, 74% of

us have felt so stressed that we have felt unable to cope.

Stress is your body’s reaction to help you deal with pressure or threats. This is sometimes called a “fight or flight” response. Your stress hormone levels usually return to normal once the pressure or threat has passed.

At SaTH, we have numerous resources to support stress management as part of our wellbeing offer.

Men’s Health Month November marks Men’s Health Month and 19 November marks International Men’s Day, which highlights and raises awareness of men’s health issues including mental health, suicide, prostate and testicular cancer.

Over 23% of the NHS workforce are male or identify as male. Out of a total of 1.35 million NHS staff, there are approximately 320,000 men working in the NHS. It is therefore imperative, that NHS organisations put a strong focus on men’s health and wellbeing, especially because on average: • • •

Men’s life expectancy is 3.7 years less than females Men go to the doctor less than women Men are three times more likely to die from suicide, than women.

All for reasons that are largely preventable. Which means that it doesn’t have to be that way: we can all take action to live healthier, happier and longer

lives.

How can men take action?

• Stay connected and spend time with the people in your life who make you feel good. It is important to catch up regularly, check in and make time.

• Talk more and be there for someone. Listening and giving time can be lifesaving and make a real difference.

• Know the numbers and talk to your doctor about prostate cancer when 50 years old or above. If you are of African or Caribbean descent or have an immediate family member with prostate cancer, you should have this conversation at 45 years old.

• Know your testicles and check monthly to understand what is your normal and when something doesn’t feel right.

• Move more and do activity that makes you feel good whether it be a walk with a mate or a session at the gym.

Movember Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.

It is more than just moustaches. Every November, people across the world take part in Movember.

Movember began in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, when two friends challenged 30 mates to grow moustaches to raise awareness for prostate cancer. Since then, it’s grown into a global movement with over 6 million participants and more than 1,300 funded health projects worldwide.

commsteam@nhs.net to be included in a special Chatterbox feature.

Why It Matters Men are, on average, dying nearly five years earlier than women - often from preventable causes. Movember encourages men to talk more openly, check in with their health, and seek support when they need it.

Support available for colleagues at SaTH includes: •

How to join in • • • • • • • •

Start clean-shaven Shave off all facial hair on 1 November - it’s tradition.

Pick your style You can go classic, quirky or bold. Just make sure it’s a moustache - no beards or goatees.

Let it grow Avoid trimming too much. Give it time to take shape.

Keep it neat Use a trimmer or scissors to tidy the edges.

Comb it daily to train the hairs.

Mo maintenance Use moustache wax or balm if it gets unruly.

Wash it regularly like the rest of your face.

Share your progress Take weekly Mo-tographs Talk about it Use your Mo to start conversations about men’s health - that’s what it’s all about.

Send in your Mo-tographs Email your mo-tographs in to sath.

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Employee Assistance Programme Optimise for all colleagues - search for the specific subject you’d like information on in the search box and see what is available to you, some subjects include suicide, cancer, exercise, mental health, nutrition, sleep, smoking and more.

HELP – 24/7 support phone number from Occupational Health for all colleagues with varying options depending on your needs.

Occupational Health for managers and selfreferral.

PNA/PMA Support for nursing and midwifery colleagues.

If you are registered to a Union, they may offer direct support, such as Unison or NMC. Chaplaincy Support for all.

Our HWB brochure, with details of local men’s groups in Shropshire.

Please be aware that moustaches can be compatible with wearing an FFP3/respirator – please see the facial hair guide which shows how it’s possible to wear tight-fitting RPE safely while not being entirely clean-shaven. Please see FFP3 Mask Fit Testing for further information.

Penny the pig is back trotting around alongside some of our Execs, visiting various teams and sites over the next couple of weeks.

She is helping us to spread the word about The Little Things Challenge so that we can all do our bit to add value for patients – especially as we gear up for winter.

We have some big transformation programmes over the next few years to help drive forward improvements and reach financial balance, but we mustn’t forget about the ‘little things’ too.

You are the experts in your areas so please continue

to share your efficiency ideas, big and small – sath. strongertogether@nhs.net.

Around 150 suggestions have been submitted so far, and we are currently working through these to bring more of your ideas to life! We hope to share some success stories with you very soon.

We’d love to hear from teams that are driving efficiency and seeing improvements, so please let us know what you are doing in your area.

Please visit the intranet for more information, and keep your eyes peeled for Penny!

Talk Money Week Talk Money Week is held from Monday 3 Friday 7 November, and this year’s theme is Start the Conversation.

across our teams and communities. Talking about money can feel a bit awkward. For some it’s embarrassing, for others a little scary.

The week encourages people to talk more openly about money - whether that’s budgeting, saving, debt, or planning for the future.

But here’s the thing – there are trickier chats in life than talking about money. Money chat is normal, and honestly, money talk rarely even makes the awkward list.

Talking about money can help reduce stress, improve relationships, and boost confidence.

It’s also a great way to build financial wellbeing

At SaTH we have a variety of resources that can help you with your finances, and signposting to where you can get help if you need it.

Parking update Parking - William Farr House Colleagues are reminded that parking attendants will issue Parking Charge Notices (PCNS) for contravention of parking regulations, including cars parking in patient spaces, in disabled spaces without a disabled badge and cars blocking entrances. You can find more information on the intranet.

Parking - Royal Shrewsbury Hospital The car parking spaces near the top boiler at RSH are now unavailable to allow work on the Energy Centre project to begin. Please use alternative parking areas where possible. You can read more on the intranet.

Parking - Princess Royal Hospital Work continues at Princess Royal Hospital to support the installation of new ANPR cameras. To avoid receiving a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) please could all colleagues parking at PRH take a few minutes to check they are registered for a permit and the correct details are on the system.

Parking on neighbourhood roads We ask all colleagues to be responsible neighbours and to avoid parking on residential streets near PRH and RSH. This is causing obstructions and concern to our neighbours. The Park & Ride services are free to colleagues, you can find all the details here.

PCN appeals We know receiving a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) can be upsetting, and we want to make sure the process is fair and transparent. If you wish to appeal, please follow the official appeals process first. If your appeal is rejected and you still have concerns, you can email the Parking Team at sth-tr.carparking@nhs.net.

When emailing, please include: A copy of the PCN (scan) and the PCN number The reason for your appeal The reason given for the appeal rejection This helps us review your case properly. We will always do our best to make sure the process is fair and reasonable.

Please note: Due to the high number of queries, the Parking Team can no longer take phone calls from staff, wards, or departments.

All queries, including whitelist requests, must be submitted by email. This ensures a clear record of requests, especially in cases involving PCNs.

Contact us For issues involving car parking at any of our hospital sites you can email sthtr.carparking@nhs.net.

Please note we cannot help with PCN appeals To register your vehicle for the PRH Park & Ride please email sath.prhparkandride@nhs.net

PRH Park & Ride Timetable

RSH Park & Ride NEW Timetable

Help shape the future of ICE order comms ICE (Integrated Clinical Environment) will replace our existing Order Comms systems (tQuest and Review) for Radiology requesting and reporting.

This means moving from paper requests to electronic requests wherever possible and replacing paper clinical acknowledgements with electronic ones.

Radiology reports, your input is critical to make sure the new system works for you and delivers the best experience for colleagues and patients.

Don’t miss this chance to make a real difference.

Email sath.ice.ordercomms@nhs.net today and get involved!

The Digital and Radiology Teams are in the middle of User Acceptance Testing (UAT), where real users test a system before it goes live, and it’s going well with a great turnout so far. A huge thank you to everyone who’s already stepped up.

Now it’s your turn... UAT 2 starts on Monday 24 November and we urgently need your expertise.

If you raise requests to Radiology or review

Upcoming sessions for the Menopause Support and Education Programme Tuesday 18 November, 11.30am, PRH Education Centre Menopause Café - Simply turn up for a drink and a chat with our Menopause Advocates Janine and Nam. Thursday 20 November, 12pm, SERII, RSH Men’s Session - This is a session for men to come along and find out more about the menopause.

Thursday 4 December, 12.30pm on MS Teams Pelvic Health and Menopause with Linda Van Doorn, Senior Pelvic Physiotherapist at SaTH, booking not required, just join on the day.

SaTH Talent Show Do you have a talent to share? Come and perform alongside colleagues, friends, and family at the SaTH Staff and Family Talent Show, an evening of music, song, poetry, and laughter.

All proceeds beyond event costs will be donated to local charities.

This special autumn celebration will take place in the warm, candlelit setting of St Alkmund’s Church, Shrewsbury, on Friday 21 November 2025, from 6.30pm to 8.00pm.

For more information or to get involved, contact Kevin Eardley at Kevin.

Eardley1@nhs.net.

Performers and children can attend free of charge, while general entry is £5 on the door (or £10 including hot soup).

Make a full evening of it with the dinner option (£40), which includes entry, hot soup, and a two-course dinner at the Prince Rupert Hotel.

View the event details here.

Inter Faith week is celebrated this year from 9-16 November, inviting people to build bridges and celebrate the incredible diversity of faith and belief across the UK, with a theme this year of, “Community: Together We Serve. Serving others, sharing values, building belonging.”

SaTH’s Multi-Faith & Belief Staff Network recognises that this time of year is a time of remembrance across many cultures and traditions, including collective acts of remembrance on Armistice Day, 11 November. Many colleagues are also actively serving others across local communities in a range of roles.

We are excited to share opportunities to learn more together about some of this diverse work in community: Staff visit to Telford Central Mosque, Wednesday 12 November SaTH hospital chaplains, Suleman Bhamji and Ashia Miah, will host a staff visit and engagement event at Telford Central Mosque on Wednesday 12 November from 11.30am-1.30pm.

They will welcome colleagues to the mosque and share about their roles in the community. This is an open opportunity for staff to visit the mosque to learn more and to ask any questions they may have about Islam and the practice of the community that gathers there. You will be very welcome for a cup of tea and light refreshment on arrival, with a tour of the mosque and facilities.

Those who wish will also be very welcome to observe some of the prayers offered together by the community at 1.15 pm. People of all faiths

and world views are welcome to this engagement event at Telford Central Mosque in Wellington with parking nearby (88-90 King St, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1NZ).

Telford Street Pastors visiting Princess Royal Hospital on Thursday 13 November SaTH hospital chaplain, Revd Keith Osmund-Smith, has for many years led activity with Telford Street Pastors. Working closely with partners in the Borough of Telford and Wrekin and West Mercia Police, uniformed Street Pastors provide supportive presence in the nighttime economy of Telford, providing care for those who render themselves vulnerable as well as those who are in all kinds of trouble.

Some of those brought to SaTH’s Emergency Departments at weekends have initially been met and cared for on the streets by volunteer Street Pastors. Street Pastors will visit PRH outside the Main Entrance on Thursday 13 November to be with Keith and to share about their work together in the community, which regularly sees them on the streets from 9.30pm to 4am (or later).

They will welcome everyone stopping by to say hello and to find out more about voluntary service in community that can often be unseen.

Members of SaTH’s Multi-Faith & Belief Staff Network will be present at each of the events during Inter Faith Week. We look forward to colleagues joining us and getting in touch about developing our network together over the coming months.

We would like to wish all our colleagues, patients and visitors who celebrated, a very happy Diwali.

Diwali - the Festival of Lights - is celebrated around the world and by many here at SaTH. It represents new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. Diwali is traditionally marked with visits to temples and gurdwaras, firework displays, feasts, parties and time spent with family and friends.

The Multi Faith rooms were lit up in celebration and treats were shared. It is a significant time for many of our colleagues, and a timely reminder that our Chaplaincy Team is always available to offer support and guidance.

Play in Healthcare Week We had Play in Healthcare Week from the 13-18 October 2025 celebrating 50 years of play!

The annual awareness week showcases the importance of providing the opportunity, space and time for children to play in hospitals.

We had a week of fun, led by our fabulous Play Team, on the Children’s Ward which included a magician, arts, crafts, parties, Lottie the Therapy dog, face painting, story time with staff from PRH Library and music from Kevin the Chaplain plus lots more!

The week was enjoyed by patients, parents, carers and staff. Thank you to everyone who got involved.

Pituitary Awareness Month To culminate Pituitary Awareness Month, the endocrine nurses visited various wards at RSH to raise awareness on some pituitary conditions.

They focused on four pituitary conditions: Adrenal Insufficiency, Acromegaly, Cushing’s disease and Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency.

They discussed the symptoms of these conditions, their treatment and what healthcare professionals should do when patients present

with these conditions.

Doctors, medical students and nurses participated in quizzes, asked questions and took photos of the posters made by the endocrine nurses. It was a success as those who participated fed back that they had learnt something new.

Thank you to everyone who got involved!

National Casting Day The plaster room at PRH have entered the spirit of things, by entering a competition to celebrate National Casting Day. The subject of this year’s competition was ‘Spooktacular’.

Almost all the display was made using out of date casting materials that they use daily within their job. The display can be seen in the Fracture clinic corridor at PRH until the end of today (Friday 7 November).

Health Literacy Month October was Health Literacy Month.

Health literacy means being able to access, understand, appraise and use health information to make health-related decisions.

Locally, we know that 42% of adults in Telford & Wrekin and 35% in Shropshire struggle with text-based health information; rising to 63% and 35% respectively if the health information includes numbers as well as text. The average reading age of an adult in England is between 9 and 11 years old.

Health and social care staff should be aware of health literacy issues to support access to information. Techniques such as “teach back” and “chunk and check” can increase understanding and the ability of individuals to own decisions about their health and wellbeing.

More information about these techniques can be found on the intranet. If you would like to arrange a training session on health literacy for your team, please contact Louise Stevens (Site Librarian), email l.stevens@nhs.net.

The Health Inequalities Manager from the local ICB contacted the Patient Information Panel about the work that SaTH are doing on health literacy. Alison came along to the awareness stand at PRH and spoke to the panel to gain more of an understanding about our work.

Following the visit the ICB included a piece in their newsletter ‘Collaborate’ about health literacy and showcasing the work that SaTH have been doing.

The work of the Patient Information Panel is supported by Jemima from Communications who makes sure the patient information leaflets are produced using the Trust template and creating the final versions of the leaflets.

Charity concert At our upcoming charity concert, we are fundraising for a really great cause.

Every note played will help support the Children’s Services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Your attendance and generosity will contribute to a sensory room and a sky garden to benefit our young patients.

The money raised on the evening will go towards creating a calming interactive sensory space that children can enjoy all year round alongside a much-needed outdoor sky garden. The sensory room will provide comfort, stimulation, and a much-needed distraction for our younger patients during what can often be a difficult and worrying time in hospital and help to reduce any distress for them.

The sky garden aims to create a healing environment for our patients, providing them with a fun and rejuvenating outdoor space where they can play and explore, giving them time away from the busy ward.

Don’t miss out on this chance to be a part of something special! Purchase tickets here.

Ear defender donation to ED PRH ED has just received a donation of 10 ear defenders from Wickes.

These are for our patients with learning disabilities and autism to help them manage their time in the department.

MSK cake sale for breast cancer Last month was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we are grateful to the Muscular skeletal team (MSK) at PRH for running a cake sale to raise funds for both The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Charity and Lingen Davies.

Thank you, MSK team, for your dedication and for bringing our community together in support of such an important cause. While we come together to support a worthy cause, it’s also crucial to remember the importance of breast health. Regular self-examinations can be a powerful tool in early detection of breast cancer.

Remember, early detection can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment. By being proactive about your breast health, you’re taking an important step in looking after yourself. Encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same - awareness and education are powerful allies in the fight against breast cancer.

New addition to our ENT departments We are delighted to announce that thanks to the generous support of our community, we have been able to invest over £2,500 in two brand new video otoscopes for our ENT departments.

What does the new equipment mean for our patients?

• Enhanced documentation: Our ear care service can now document the appearance of patients’ ears, allowing for detailed discussions with consultants. This innovation means fewer follow-up appointments, freeing up valuable time for both patients and healthcare providers.

• Reduced delays: By enabling our team to consult with clinicians at a later time, we can reduce delays in patient care and streamline clinic operations, even if a doctor isn’t immediately available.

• Staff development: Our staff will benefit from increased learning opportunities, ensuring they are equipped to provide the best possible care.

Sister Ginnie Roberts-Deeley, ENT Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “We are so grateful to our supporters whose donations have enabled us to purchase these two video otoscopes, which will transform the care our patients receive as they enable us to capture real time photos of the ear. We can then use these images to get second opinions reducing the number of appointments patients attend, improving patient care and increasing learning within the team.”

With these new tools, we’re committed to delivering more efficient and effective healthcare services. Thank you for your continued support in making a difference in our community’s health.

Congratulations to Mandy and Harry Carnahan We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mandy Carnahan and her son, Harry, for completing an exhilarating skydive for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Charity.

This remarkable jump was in celebration of Harry’s 21st birthday on September 18, making the day unforgettable for both mother and son.

Mandy and Harry’s skydive was not only a personal milestone but also a significant fundraising effort. Together, they have raised nearly £600 for the Research and Innovation Fund of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital, and the money will be invested in further research and clinical trials at the Trust.

Mandy and Harry’s courage is inspiring, as they chose to make a difference while celebrating a special occasion.

Once again, congratulations to Mandy and Harry for their daring jump and their dedication to a worthy cause. Your efforts are immensely appreciated, and we wish you many more thrilling adventures ahead!

Colleague Notice Board

MAKE IMPROVEMENT HAPPEN HERE AT SaTH

SATH STAFF NETWORKS Joining a staff network here at SATH is a great way to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and help make our workplace more inclusive and supportive for everyone. Whether you’re looking to build community, develop new skills, or have your voice heard, there’s a place for you. To get involved or find out more, contact us on edi email: sath.edi@nhs.net

INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN RADIOLOGY? We would like to invite you to our taster sessions in our radiology department, where you will gain an insight into the department and find out more about the training and job opportunities which exist.

You must be 16+ to apply.

When: Saturday 1st November 2025 Early Session: 09:30 to 11:30 Later Session: 12:00 to 14:00 Venue: Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Booking is essential as places are limited. For further information or to book a place please email: HannahBlackwell@nhs.net

Colleague Notice Board

Men’s Health Awareness Month Click on the QR Code for a list of books from SaTH Libraries

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A selection of new arrivals now available at

Shrewsbury and Telford Health Libraries.

For more resources visit us online at: https://www.library.sath.nhs.uk

STAFF LOTTERY This month ’s winners...

JOIN THE STAFF LOTTERY AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN 13 CASH PRIZES EVERY MONTH!

1st £650 Tracie Pell, Radiology 2nd £325 Kerry Rushton, Women and Children’s 2nd £325 Katie Ward, Maternity 3rd £175 Lee Wyatt, Estates 3rd £175 Amy Harmsworth, Corporate Nursing 4th £125 Heidi van Duivenbooden Phlebotomy 4th £125 Lynne Jones 5th £75 Katie Ford, Pathology 5th £75 Becky Holland, Undergrad Med School 6th £60 Thomas Tanner, ED PRH 6th £60 Becky James, Quality Governance 6th £60 Kate Weston, Paediatric Haem/Oncology 6th £60 Rob George, IT Service Desk

Tickets only £1 Payment will be deducted from your salary; winnings are paid into your salary the following month.

Why join our staff 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 I attended the X-ray department today at RSH for my 3 monthly cancer CT Scan. The young man, named Danny, that dealt with me was so professional, personable and put me at ease straight away.

He made an often anxious time, a pleasant one so please pass on my sincere thanks to him.