Wednesday 1 April 2026
CHATTER BOX
Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events
A Shared Moment for Change - Better Together
A message from your Group Chief Executive, Jo Williams.
We are at a rare and important moment. Across our acute and community services, today 10,000 of us come together not as separate teams or organisations, but as one connected system with a shared purpose: the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Community and Hospitals NHS Group.
What matters now is what we choose to do with it. The direction is clear, the NHS Ten-Year Plan sets out an ambition to improve outcomes, strengthen prevention, embrace digital transformation and, critically, improve patient experience. But plans alone don’t create change - real change happens through our people, our teams, and the compassion, commitment, and care they bring every day.
Healthcare is evolving. The needs of our populations are becoming more complex, expectations are rising and like many long-established organisations, we face a choice: adapt or risk falling behind. Last week, I read an article describing the NHS as becoming the Blockbuster in a Netflix world.
It resonated with me, as many will remember Blockbuster Video as the familiar high street video shop where we browsed the shelves and rented the latest films. At the time, it felt essential,
trusted, routine, and woven into how we accessed entertainment.
Despite its success, Blockbuster struggled to adapt as expectations, technology, and ways of accessing services changed. The model that once worked so well no longer met people’s needs. The comparison isn’t perfect, but the underlying message feels relevant as we consider how the NHS must continue to evolve in a rapidly changing world.
We know the familiar comparison: Blockbuster didn’t fail because people stopped wanting films, it failed because it didn’t change how people accessed them. Netflix succeeded by redesigning the experience around the user.
Healthcare is not entertainment but perhaps the lesson still stands.
If we do not continue to evolve how we deliver care, connect services, and shape people’s experience of our system, we risk becoming harder to navigate, slower to respond, and less aligned with what patients need and expect. This is not about becoming the “Netflix of healthcare”; it is about staying relevant, improving patient satisfaction, and ensuring we deliver care in ways that work for today and for the future.
To read the full message, see the intranet
We will be celebrating International Nurses Day on Tuesday 12 May and we are excited to announce a special initiative to honour our incredible nursing staff.
We are inviting you to nominate a Nursing Hero who has gone above and beyond in their service. Get your nomination in before Thursday 30 April.
You can submit your nominations through the following link: https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/SaTHNHN25
All nominees will be notified of their nomination after the closing date and will receive a certificate to commemorate the occasion.
Let’s celebrate the dedication and hard work of our amazing nurses by nominating those who have made a significant impact!
Shropshire dental trauma working group
Since September 2024, the Shropshire dental trauma working group - bringing together colleagues from secondary care, community and primary care - has been driving improvements in how paediatric dental trauma is managed across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin (ST&W).
The group has produced new guidance now available to the ST&W dental community through the Local Dental Network, including local care pathway information, discharge summary documentation and support for trauma box implementation.
This week, Friederike Griffiths and Tom Seager (Shropshire Community Dental Service) delivered a well received webinar covering local pathways and sharing practical advice on preventing and
managing paediatric dental trauma with a useful contribution from SaTH Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon Mr Khaled Borghol.
Knowledge about local care pathways among attendees rose from 11.5% to 100% - a fantastic outcome highlighting the value of strong communication across services. Further hands-on training for dentists is planned later this year in collaboration with the West Midlands deanery, alongside Emergency Department staff training led by SaTH oral surgeon Mr Arif Razzak.
The group’s work is also gaining wider recognition, particularly in the East Midlands, indicating the opportunity for wider collaboration to further improve the outcomes of paediatric patients experiencing dental trauma.
PMDD Awareness Month
April is PMDD Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
PMDD is a severe mood disorder linked to the menstrual cycle. It affects around one in 20 people who menstruate and can have a serious impact on day to day life, relationships and wellbeing. For many, it can take years to receive a diagnosis or to feel understood.
Despite how challenging PMDD can be, awareness remains low. It was only formally recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2019, and many people still struggle to access timely support. That’s why this awareness month matters. National organisations run events, share lived experiences and promote better understanding of the condition. Their work also
Autism Acceptance Week
Autism influences how people experience and interact with the world. It is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability.
Being autistic means people may feel things and react to them differently to non-autistic people. They may find socialising confusing or tiring, and they may become overwhelmed in loud or busy places. They may have intense interests, prefer order and routine, and use repeated movements or actions to calm themselves or express joy.
At SaTH we are committed to supporting our autistic patients and staff. World Autism Acceptance Week 2026 runs from March 30 to April 6, 2026 and we will be highlighting the initiatives we have to support our patients and staff.
Autism Reality Experience Training
Staff from SaTH took part in an Autism Reality Experience during World Autism Acceptance Week, helping them better understand how hospital environments can feel for autistic patients. The immersive session encouraged colleagues to see things from a different perspective.
Kate King said it gave staff “an insight like this to enable us all to be more mindful of how information is processed by our neurodivergent patients.” Kerry Wood added: “The experience really tests your ability to concentrate, I was
highlights the need for early diagnosis, clear care pathways and better workplace support.
PMDD Awareness Month is also a reminder that people living with PMDD are not alone. Local and national groups continue to raise visibility, offer information and create safe spaces where people can share what they’re going through.
By recognising PMDD in April, we can help reduce stigma and encourage conversations about hormonal health. Better awareness means better support, and it helps ensure that those affected are listened to, taken seriously and able to access the right care. One of our colleagues has written a heartfelt account of their experience with PMDD, in their own words. You can read this on the intranet
struggling. It really helps you to understand what patients with autism are facing when they come to the hospital.” Debbie Snooke said the experience was important to help staff “meet everyone’s needs and get it right for every patient, every time.”
Patient Story
Digital stories can be a powerful tool, providing insight of individual experiences of care within our Trust which can help to improve understanding and learning. The Trust recognises the value of learning from people with lived experience, capturing feedback digitally enables their story to be shared wider across the Trust. Click here to access a story from one of our neurodiverse patients.
Expert by Experience Talks
The Trust will be holding live online sessions with an expert by experience, Alex Manners who is a neurodiversity and autism speaker, Asperger’s champion, presenter and author. Wednesday 1 April at 1pm via Teams talking about autism communication and language, and on Thursday 2 April at 1pm via Teams talking about autism and stress. Book you place by emailing claire. eagleton@nhs.net
Support for colleagues
We have neurodiversity support guidance for managers and the Health and Wellbeing Passport which colleagues can complete and share detailing their conditions and reasonable adjustments that would support. We also have the Reasonable Adjustment Guide for colleagues and managers as a support tool.
Child Exploitation awareness afternoon
Telford and Wrekin Children’s Services hosted an afternoon session focused on raising awareness of child exploitation and the role we all play in spotting concerns early.
Teresa Tanner, Lead Nurse for Safeguarding Children & Young People, gave a short presentation on the pathway a child or young person follows when they come through the Emergency Department.
Endometriosis Action Month
Thank you to everyone who went ‘yellow’ for Endometriosis action month.
The following is written by Miriam Johnson, Chaplaincy Secretary who suffers with the condition: “I was diagnosed with severe Endometriosis in January of this year via diagnostic surgery, after suffering for many years with various symptoms. I am now on a waiting list for specialist care.
“As the condition affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth, it is very likely you know someone with it, or you have it. As it’s Endometriosis Action/Awareness Month I’d like to encourage colleagues to: find out what Endometriosis is, if they don’t already know; seek medical advice if they think they might have the condition; or reach out for support if they are suffering with the condition - you are not alone.”
A visit from Shrewsbury Men’s Shed
We were delighted to welcome members of the Shrewsbury Men’s Shed for a special visit to the construction site of our new healthcare facilities.
The visit offered a unique opportunity to connect community members with the future of healthcare in our region, while also recognising the important role groups like Men’s Shed play in supporting wellbeing and social inclusion.
The visit began with a warm welcome from the project team, who provided an overview of the development, its purpose, and what it will mean for patients, staff, and the wider community.
Equipped with safety gear, the group was then guided around key areas of the construction site. From the early structural framework to spaces that
will soon become clinical rooms, waiting areas, and staff facilities, visitors were able to see firsthand the scale and ambition of the project.
Our contractors IHP continue to work with our local community groups as part of their social value schemes. We would like to thank Shrewsbury Men’s Shed group for taking the time to visit and for bringing such energy and interest to the day. We look forward to welcoming them back in the future to see how the site continues to evolve.
HTP Together
Our Hospitals Transformation Programme is a multi-million pound investment which will improve how we deliver care, but we can’t do it without you.
• Read the first edition of our HTP Together newsletter to find out how we’re getting ready for 2028
• Visit the intranet for ways to support our campaign
• Save the date: From Monday 13 - Friday 17 April, our HTP team will be getting out and about to all services and departments based at Princess Royal Hospital. This is your time to speak to a member of the team and find out what HTP means for you. A full timetable can be found here
First phase of solar car canopy at PRH opens
This photograph shows the first 32 parking spaces covered by the solar canopy, which have been opened at Princess Royal Hospital.
Work is taking place in phases on the top deck of the staff car park near the Women and Children’s Centre and throughout the course of installation different sections of the car park will be closed.
Once the canopy has been fully installed, all spaces will be reinstated on the top deck car park. The project is being funded by Great British Energy.
Additional gravel spaces are now in use near the Ironbridge Suite to help offset the spaces temporarily lost for the solar canopy works.
Eid Mubarak
This area will shortly be tarmaced and lined to maximise parking and once the solar canopy works are finished this will mean an increase in spaces at PRH for staff.
On behalf of the Chaplaincy Team, we send our warmest wishes to everyone who celebrated Eid al-Fitr last week. Eid Mubarak! Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum - May Allah accept from us and you.
‘Collect and go’ bags for colleagues celebrating Eid were made available to collect from the multi-faith rooms and were enjoyed by all. Thank you to the Chaplaincy team for organising.
The Garden Café at SECC is now open!
The Garden Café at SECC, RSH is now open and serving coffee, cakes, pastries, and a range of hot and cold sandwiches.
It’s a welcoming space for anyone who wants to drop by for something fresh and tasty.
Annual Sharing Showcase
Join the Improvement Hub Team at their Annual Sharing Showcase on Thursday 14 May 2026 9am to 3pm, it is also the first showcase as a Group with Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.
They will be celebrating and sharing the fantastic improvement projects that have taken place across SaTH and ShropCom over the past year. This is an opportunity for colleagues to gain an insight into the importance of improvement work and think
about the impact this could have in your own working areas.
Places are limited and are on a first come first served basis so don’t delay!
You can book your place directly via your LMS portal using this QR Code or email sath.improvementhub@nhs. net.
National Supported Internship Day
National Supported Internship Day on 27 March 2026 is a chance to highlight the work of interns across our hospitals and the difference these programmes make.
Mandev Singh has spent his year with us at PRH learning how a busy hospital runs and building his skills through hands-on experience.
His first rotation with the catering team gave him a close look at the daily work that keeps our wards running, from preparing trollies to serving meals to patients. His story shows the value of giving young people real opportunities to grow in the workplace.
Mandev said: “I enjoyed the entire placement with the catering team, particularly where I was serving meals within the wards.
“I’ve recently started my second placement where I’m working in admin, where my responsibilities are to help with filing, booking rooms for appointments, letter sorting, stamping, sending appointments to Shrewsbury and more.
“When this internship finishes, I might concentrate on what I am most passionate about, coding. I am hoping to get an apprenticeship after so I can improve my skills. Though I am thinking of joining a digital course afterwards to further improve my skills within coding if possible.”
Thank you to Karen Mann from the Board
The board would like to say a huge well done for such a successful flu vaccination campaign.
She supported over 4,000 colleague to have their jab.
Hospital at Night Team - Great Tommy Sleep Out
A huge thank you to everyone who donated to The Hospital at Night Team Great Tommy Sleep Out in support of homeless veterans. Thanks to your generosity, they raised an incredible £326.
The team is especially grateful to the H@N Clinical Lead, Jason, for organising such a meaningful and worthy event.
On March 11, some of our Hospital at Night Team - Casey, Fiona and Laura, alongside Jason and Quality Matron Lisa Walker braved the night to raise awareness and support for our veterans.
Thank you for standing with the team and for giving so much to this important cause.
Happy retirement to Pam Williams
We are celebrating the incredible career of Pam Williams, Senior Practice Education Facilitator, Pre-registration Nursing Team, who retires in her 40th year of dedicated NHS service at SaTH.
Pam’s passion and commitment to education have been truly inspiring. She has supported and guided countless learners and colleagues, making a lasting impact across the organisation. Pam’s 40-year career has spanned across Urology, Renal Services and Education.
On her retirement, Pam was awarded the prestigious Cavell Star Award, a national recognition celebrating healthcare professionals who demonstrate exceptional care, compassion, and dedication - an honour that reflects her outstanding contribution.
Pam has played a pivotal role in the Student Nursing Associate (SNA) programme and has supported Student Nursing Associate throughout the past eight years, helping and supporting to grow and succeed.
We thank Pam for her outstanding nursing career and wish her a very happy and well-deserved retirement.
Pam is pictured receiving her Registration as a Nurse at the School of Nursing, which as in SERII, and now being awarded the Cavell Star Award on her last week.
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5 -13/05/2026
6 - 20/05/2026
7 - 03/06/2026
8 - 10/06/2026
9 - 17/06/2026
10 -24/06/2026* *
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STAFF LOTTERY
This
month’s winners...
1st £700
Niall Fry, Medical Engineering 2nd £325
Katrina Hall, ENT Outpatients 2nd £325
Michelle Flavell, Upper GI Cancer Services 3rd £175
Dominador Gemino, Pre-Op Assessment 3rd £175
Rebekah Tudor, Improvement Hub 4th £125
Yvonne Draper, Medical Education 4th £125
Fiona Jones, Women and Children’s 5th £100
Shannon Talbot, Ward 11 5th £100
Georgina Hughes, Care of the Older Adult 6th £60
Ellie Hughes, Radiology 6th £60
Amy Harmsworth, Corporate Nursing 6th £60
Candice Wright, Theatres 6th £60
Karen Sargent, PNA 6th £60
Hayley Miaden, Ward 7
JOIN THE STAFF LOTTERY AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN
14 CASH PRIZES EVERY MONTH!
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
I have been a patient in the Respiratory Medicine Clinic 5 under the care of the specialist nurses. Last week I was discharged as my health has improved considerably and I currently no longer need to attend the clinic. I wanted to express my thanks and gratitude for the excellent care and support I have received from the nurses. They have been unfailingly kind and supportive, highly professional, always cheerful and exceptionally helpful. They exemplify all that is best about our NHS.