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CHATTER BOX

Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events

SaTH’s first Research, Innovation and Improvement Week

This week we celebrated all things Research, Innovation and Improvement at SaTH. Providing high quality, safe care that is evidence-based and innovative is what we strive to do, and this week highlighted that.

There is a huge amount of research and innovation happening at the Trust – often quietly, behind the scenes – and we cannot underestimate the difference this is making for our communities.

In the last year, over 600 patients have taken part in research studies with us.

We are currently involved in 177 studies, and you can learn more about some of these on page 3.

Aside from the great work going on in research, SaTH has trained over 400 staff to test changes and make structured improvements. You can see some excellent examples of this on pages 2 and 3.

This week the Research Team and Improvement Hub have

worked together to deliver a packed programme of events, supporting colleagues to make improvements in their areas.

Research, innovation and improvement is everyone’s business, so have a think about what you could do to make a difference. If you need help or more information, please contact sath.research@nhs.net or sath. improvementhub@nhs.net

Thank you to everyone who has taken part this week!

Inpatient Therapy Team at RSH

The team was experiencing a large turnover of staff with poor retention, and feedback from exit interviews highlighted failings with the induction process.

To improve this, the team made a number of changes to its induction process, including:

• Developing an electronic information booklet

• Offering new colleagues a café bistro voucher for their first day

• Producing a pocket-sized booklet with useful tips (funded by SaTH Charity)

Recruitment Team

The Recruitment Team’s workload was becoming challenging due to volume, with colleagues having difficulty keeping on top of tasks and meeting KPIs.

To get to the root cause of the issues, the team met with the Improvement Hub to develop new ideas.

The team used the ‘7 Ways’ method and themed ideas into two areas: process and team morale.

Some ideas were quick and easy to implement, others would require more time. The ‘quick wins’ included:

• Introducing the starter paperwork module on Trac

• Reviewing all templates

• Implementing a new ID appointment process

The team introduced a new way of working which included working in smaller teams attached to each division. This allowed the team to focus on smaller chunks of work, one task at a time, reviewing

• Developing a shadowing programme for the first four weeks in post

• Setting up a supportive ‘buddy’ scheme for international recruits

This has received really positive feedback from new starters and the team is now going through a period of stable staffing with good retention.

You can read more about this work here

the progress as they went along and developing closer working relationships with managers and candidates throughout the recruitment journey.

Data shows that this new way of working has had a positive effect from the start, and this has now been sustained for seven months. With KPIs and team morale improving, colleagues are able to be more proactive and focus on further improvements.

Acute floor

Another excellent example of innovative working is the acute medical floor at RSH. Since it opened its doors in December, more than 4,500 patients have been treated here.

It means that patients who would have been seen and managed in the Emergency Department (ED) are being admitted directly or moved from ED to the acute floor.

They are able to receive a diagnosis, observation, consultation, treatment and rehabilitation services on the floor, reducing the need for a hospital admission.

The creation of the floor is a credit to colleagues who came up with the idea and were involved in its design and how it operates. It is making a huge difference to our patients.

The FAST-Forward trial

Colleagues have been involved in a breast cancer trial that tested whether five doses of treatment delivered over a one-week period worked as well as the standard three-week treatment in preventing the cancer returning.

Results showed that radiotherapy delivered in five doses over one week works as well as the standard three-week treatment. Five doses over one week has since been adopted as the new standard of care for many breast cancer patients.

This positive change in practice is reducing patients’ hospital visits and helping to ease pressure on colleagues.

TOPHAT Study

One of the studies that SaTH is currently supporting is the national TOPHAT Study.

It is investigating whether Ondansetron, an inexpensive drug, can reduce delusions and hallucinations in patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

The results have not yet been analysed, but if the repurposing of this drug is effective it would bring huge benefits for the patients and their loved ones.

The NHS Staff Survey 2023 is now open!

We want our culture to be positive, compassionate, and inclusive – and we all have our part to play in making our organisation a fantastic place to work and receive care, for everyone.

Please do take the time to fill in your survey, which is confidential. We ask for 15 minutes of your time to share your views, positive and constructive, to ensure that the changes we make now and in the future are informed by you.

We have some brilliant prizes available for individuals and teams who complete their survey including spa days, care for you days, £250 shopping vouchers and restaurant vouchers. By completing your survey, you will be automatically put forward.

More information about the NHS Staff Survey 2023 is available here

Thank you to everyone who responded last year. There is work happening across our Trust as a direct result of your feedback last year and we are working on several flagship areas including civility, respect and inclusion, flexible working, the appraisal process and supporting our leaders to support the cultural and leadership ambition for our Trust.

You all said wellbeing and support was vital, so our new Staff Psychology Service launched in March 2023 to help meet the psychological needs of colleagues and increase psychological awareness across the Trust.

It provides a confidential space for staff to access evidence-based psychological support. Since launching, the team has responded to over 100 requests for support.

The service was developed in recognition of the impact that extremely busy and physically and emotionally challenging roles can have on colleagues at every level of the organisation. You can read more here

Pictured: Dr Cat O’Callaghan, Psychology Lead

Improvements made following your feedback last year

In the last 12 months we have also invested in growing the Chaplaincy team to become multifaith, with chaplains from the Muslim, Buddhist and Christian faith groups.

Our Chaplaincy team plays a key part in the overall care that we give to patients, but it also provides a huge amount of support to the people important to them, volunteers, and staff.

Our chaplains sit on a wide range of staff groups and recently set up the Faith and Belief Staff Network, which staff from any faith, belief, or world view are welcome to join.

With their help and guidance, we are also celebrating more faith and cultural festivals than ever before, including Ramadan, Easter, Shavuot, Khordad Sal, Harvest, Diwali and Armstice.

Through the work of our chaplains we are able to better meet the needs of our diverse community and workforce, making the Trust a more compassionate and inclusive place to work.

You can see a video of other improvements we have made after listening to your views here

Black History Month 2023

Black History Month recognises, rewards and celebrates the contribution made to our society over many years by the African and Caribbean communities.

During Black History Month we will remember and celebrate the important people from the past and those who contribute towards the progress of our society today.

This celebration is inclusive of all communities and characteristics to encourage learning and awareness of the celebrated communities, and promote unity.

Join in the celebrations!

• Food and music stalls with games and competitions: RSH: Wednesday 18 October, PRH: Wednesday 25 October

• Both RSH and PRH libraries will have an educational and awareness stand displayed throughout the month of October

Month of Inclusion

• Poetry competition: To celebrate Black History Month 2023, we want to honour the amazing achievements and contributions of black women in various fields – from literature, music, science, politics, and social care to campaigners, nurses, and everyday heroes who have made a difference to our lives.

Submit a poem about a pioneering black woman who has made an impact in their chosen field, explaining why she is an inspiration to you. Poems don’t have to be about famous people, they can be about members of your family, women who have inspired you in your community, or even about you.

Send your nominations to sath.edi@nhs.net with the subject title ‘Black History Month poem competition’.

• Keep your eyes peeled for inspiring stories in Trust communications.

October marks Month of Inclusion where we will be recognising:

• Black History Month

• Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Month

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• World Mental Health Day (10 October)

• Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day (14 October)

• World Menopause Day (18 October)

• Show Racism the Red Card (20 October)

• International Stress Awareness Week (WC 30 October)

• Lead up to Diwali

Keep your eyes peeled for further details next week.

Special thanks for Housekeepers’ Week

We have over 100 valued housekeepers working across our Trust and week commencing 9 September we were able to thank them for their hard work as part of Housekeepers Week. Special packages were delivered to all our housekeepers to show our thanks.

Housekeepers play a vital role in supporting our patients.

This includes keeping our facilities clean but also taking on some of the duties of healthcare assistants, including feeding patients and recording blood pressure.

World Pharmacists Day is celebrated every year on 25 September. This year, the aim was to showcase that at a time when health systems are recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, urgent action is needed for health services to meet future needs.

Within SaTH we have 39 pharmacists who do a variety of roles. These roles all support the patient population within Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. We have advanced specialist pharmacists that support patients within cancer services, critical care, acute medicine, frailty, paediatrics, antimicrobials and cardiology. These highly trained clinical pharmacists provide support to these areas, with many being non-medical prescribers offering an enhanced service and ensuring medicines are prescribed appropriately for the patients.

New innovative roles have been established within SaTH, where we have pharmacists dedicated to supporting national initiatives that will have huge benefits for patients and the health economy: Overprescribing and the Discharge Medicines

Service (DMS). We also have a new team of pharmacists to support our acute medical areas. These offer fabulous outputs and benefits to the clinical teams on each of our sites within SaTH. There are also new innovative training roles for our post-graduate students who are undertaking their Foundation Year training – these roles are shared between SaTH and GP practices.

Pharmacists also provide support to patients with long-term conditions, and we have a pharmacist who leads our Homecare Service, which enables patients to receive their care in their own home. This role is extremely beneficial to a large population of our patients with the service currently managing about 2,000 patients.

Instagram - @SaTHPharmacy

Twitter - @SaTHPharmacy

Facebook - @SaTHPharmacy

Fantastic Falls Awareness Week

The Quality Team put on a bumper schedule of events for Falls Awareness Week. Colleagues, patients and visitors were all encouraged to participate in various activities. Highlights of the week included the Planet Doughnut stall, delicious mocktails and a patient poster competition.

The winner was Craig Cantwell, Decontaminate Assistant, who designed a poster educating patients on how they can reduce the risk of falls. Craig, and runner up Rebecca Evans, Orthoptist. Both received a fruit basket. Craig will have his poster replicated across the Trust.

The event wrapped up on Friday with an awards event to thank those involved in Falls Awareness Week, and the Reconditioning Games. RSH’s event was attended by Helen Bailey, Deputy

Director of Nursing NHS England, so it was a real pleasure to share all our good work at SaTH.

Leeanne Morgan, Falls Prevention Practitioner, said: “Falls Awareness Week at SaTH is always wonderfully tiring but this year was worth it more than ever, the positive impact on patients was immeasurable. Events included chair/bed-based exercises, doughnuts, raising awareness of the impact of postural hypotension and the mocktail rounds, which brought a smile to so many faces. Watching families share a drink together, something they may not have done for a while, was fantastic for all to see.

“I am already thinking of ideas for 2024. A big thank you to all staff but particularly, Clare Walsgrove and Lisa Walker, Quality Matrons and The Quality Team, Sally Childs, PA to Clare Walsgrove, Emmeline Venn, Fluid Nurse and SaTH Charity.”

New Volunteer to Career programme

In September we celebrated the successful completion of the Volunteer to Career (VTC) programme for Cohort 1. The VTC pilot project has helped volunteers to gain experience in maternity care, to help them decide if they would like to pursue it as a career. The VTC volunteers have given a combined total of over 1,000 volunteer hours between them. We celebrated their success with their family and friends at a presentation evening where they were given their certificates of achievement.

The aim of SaTH’s Volunteer to Career Programme is to provide volunteers with career support and insight, including career conversations, mentoring, information and guidance on career paths, employability support, mock interviews, and skills, alongside experience on the wards. The project is focused on building a skilled future workforce for SaTH and/or

the wider health service to meet an identified shortfall in employment.

Rachel Armstrong, Clinical Lead, said: “It has been a pleasure and privilege to be part of the pilot project for this initiative and support and guide our healthcare workforce of the future.”

Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “We are really pleased with the outcome of the VTC programme. The feedback from volunteers has been very positive and the success of the programme can be seen in the number of hours they have volunteered and the positive conversations about future careers in the NHS.”

If your department is interested in hosting a cohort of volunteers, please get in touch with Rachel Higgins, Project Lead: rachel.higgins10@ nhs.net.

He thought he was doing the right thing, but some actions come at a price...

Joanne Roberts Releases New Book

A Ruthless Exploit (William Bailey Book 5)

This is the 5th book in the William Bailey series

‘The inspiration for the novel came from spotting a really good place to dispose of a murder weapon. I’d never come across this before in any novel I've ever read. And from there, the idea grew. It was natural to base the story in the hospital - a place I know well.

Colleagues from health & safety and cellular pathology helped me massively with technical information, which is always important to me as I like my books to be factually correct.’

Available to download or buy on Amazon.UK

When something good happens to Jared Maycott, he realises his life has been stagnant for too long. Living in the past and unable to change the present, it ’s time to invest in his future and take the happiness that’s on offer.

But after Jared is found brutally murdered, his family, distrustful of the police, ask William Bailey to investigate the case.

In a race against the police to find the culprit first, William has a secret that he must keep from the family: he was working for Jared and the target of his surveillance was Jared ’s wayward brother, Simon, who will do anything to stop the P.I. from revealing what he knows.

With William’s own long-awaited wish about to come true, he is manipulated into taking a small job for some much-needed money. Following his girlfriend’s father should be an easy surveillance task, but it could endanger William’s future happiness. If it doesn ’t pay off, will he have his own price to pay?

Joanne, an Anatomical Pathology Technologist, works in the Mortuary at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust .

Brain Tumour Support Group

Shrewsbury Hospital Brain Tumour Support Group provides a safe space for anyone affected by any type of brain tumour diagnosis. It gives those affected a chance to meet, talk, connect with others, and gain support and information.

The last support session in September was all about getting crafty with the help of a local company called Jesmonite.

Di Evanson, Tumour Clinical Nurse Specialist, at SaTH said: “These groups are not only for support for our patients, but for anyone affected by a brain tumour in Shropshire, Telford and Mid-Wales. It’s a place to meet people and socialise with others going through a similar journey. We are very grateful to our volunteers, who are on hand to offer extra support through their lived experiences.”

If anyone is interested in attending, or you know

anyone that would benefit from the group, please contact Natalie Brinsford, Patient Support Worker at SaTH on 01743 492354 or email natalie.brinsford@nhs.net.

Long Service award for Louise

Lousie Morgan-Jones, Audiology Assistant, recently accepted her Long Service award from Vicky Sadler, Deputy Head of Audiology.

Louise started in Audiology as a Clerical Officer in June 1998. She then had the opportunity to move into clinical work as a Senior Assistant Technical Officer, helping with the aftercare and repair of hearing aids.

Louise said: “The best part about my job is helping people to hear. They come in with a broken hearing aid and walk out with a smile on their faces when they can hear again.

“I enjoy the variety of jobs working at different clinics, such as Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Church Stretton and Ludlow. Audiology is like a close-knit family.”

Success for SaTH 4 Leadership Programme

The latest cohort of colleagues on the SaTH 4 Senior Leadership Programme presented their group projects at their final session. The aim of the Senior Leadership Programme is to help attendees in developing their self, team and organisation for the ultimate benefit of patient care and experience.

If anyone would like more information about the SaTH Leadership Programmes, then please contact sath. leadership@nhs.net

Galvanise Leadership Programme

Congratulations to the second cohort of colleagues who have started the Galvanise Leadership Programme. This programme is for colleagues from black, asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

The course started on 27 September and will run for six months. Colleagues will be supported by reciprocal mentoring, coaching, psychometric assessments and action learning.

Colleagues put on their running shoes for half marathon and raise £2,000

Nine colleagues raised a massive £2,000 for SaTH Charity when they put on their running shoes and completed the Lake Vyrnwy half marathon.

The colleagues represented various SaTH teams at the event on Sunday 17 September and the money they raised will go towards several of the funds under the SaTH Charity umbrella.

Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “We are so grateful to all the staff who have chosen to support the SaTH charity by running the Lake Vyrnwy half marathon. The money raised will help to make a real difference to our patients and staff.”

The Human Library

The Human Library provides an opportunity to listen to a human book. Don’t judge a book by its cover, take an opportunity to attend a human library, listen and learn from people with lived experience as they share their story. The human books have a range of categories which may include Addiction, Ethnicity, Health, Disability, Gender, Religion, Sexuality, Victim/Survivor or Neurodiversity. However, like us all, each human story is intersectional, and unique, offering individual experiences.

When: Thursday 3rd October 2023, 1:30pm to 3:30pm Thursday 30th November 2023, 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Where: Via a Zoom link that will be sent nearer the date Book a place by emailing: sath.patientexperience@nhs.net or calling extension 2503

More information: SaTH Intranet - Human Library

‘It was just overall a really positive experience, I was a mix of excited and nervous as I waited for the first book to arrive, not knowing what to expect. The experience was insightful and made me think about how to provide support to others in a fresh way.’

(feedback following the Human Library event in December 20022)

Join us for Human Library sessions.

It is an interactive and different way of learning which can resonate, as people tend to remember conversations and learning through discussion, listening to a person describe experiences they have encountered and lived through. It is an opportunity for you or a member of your team to attend and take part in an inspiring way of learning about the EDI agenda and working with the rich and diverse individuals that we meet.

WE NEED YOU!

The OWEN Model

for staff bereavement support at SaTH

Bereavement and grief can impact all our lives at some time. The way we cope with grief and loss is unique and people will react in so many ways. There is no time scale to grief and support can be needed at many different times along that journey. NHS staff can be affected by personal grief and through their professional life.

Staff who look after patients with long term conditions, will form friendships with those patients and the families. The loss of these patients can be very upsetting, and this must be factored into the care provided within a trust.

The OWEN model was devised to provide staff with a safe space to talk about their loss. It is not counselling but can be used as a tool to support and signpost staff to other organisations they may wish to access.

The model has been expanded to provide a bereavement café at regular intervals throughout the year. After initial 121 support, either by phone, MS Teams or face to face, staff are then invited to the cafés to interact with other staff who have accessed the programme. The cafés have been a great success and led to staff forming bonds which enable them to look out for each other.

Openness

Staff are given the time and space, to share their feelings about the death of a loved one or a patient they have cared for.

We are looking for Waste/Green Champions for each department across the Trust to assist with improving our waste management, recycling, segregation and cutting our carbon footprint.

If you are keen to get involved in assisting colleagues, cutting costs for the Trust and improving our processes then please get in touch!

To find out more and how you can get involved or put you name forward, please contact the Trust’s Waste and Energy Manager, Mark Leighton by email on mark.leighton3@nhs.net or phone on 07355010156

Wellbeing

The wellbeing of the staff is at the centre of the support we give. Signposting to other services is offered as appropriate. The needs of the staff will vary greatly.

Empathy

Compassion, kindness and understanding, are at the centre of the model. The use of appropriate and kind language is key to everything we do.

New Beginnings

Recognise that grief can remain with us for the rest of our lives. Enabling staff to move forward with hope, whilst never forgetting the person who has died.

There is a crisis in adult literacy that directly impacts on people’s health. In the UK 7.1 million adults read and write at or below the level of a 9 year old and, critically, 43% of adults do not understand written health information.

For more information go to: www.healthliteracymonth.org/hlm/hlm -home

Nursing & Midwifery Revalidation requirements are that:

you must have undertaken 35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to your scope of practice as a nurse or midwife, in the three year period since your registration was last renewed or you joined the register.”

Library are holding reflective reading sessions on the dates below:

How do the Revalidation Reflective Reading Sessions work:

Prior to the session you will be sent an article to read and a small checklist of points to consider when reading, this will earn you 1.5 hours of CPD time. When you attend the session the article will be discussed in a small group, reflecting on points whilst working through the checklist, this will earn you another 1.5 hours of CPD time. The 3 hours of credited CPD time that you earn from these sessions can be used towards the 35 hours of CPD that you need to acquire to revalidate. During the sessions a checklist is used and the emphasis is upon what can be learned and taken away from the article. You will receive a certificate of participation and attendance.

To be led by Louise Stevens, Librarian. If you wish to attend one of the Revalidation Reflective Reading Sessions, choose from one of the dates and contact Louise Stevens l.stevens@nhs.net or call Ext:

STAFF LOTTERY

This month ’s winners

1st £400 Sue Edwards, Head & Neck

2nd £200 Kelly-Anne Jones, Oncology & Haematology

2nd £200 Abi Haylett

3rd £100 Samantha Roberts, Anaesthetics & Theatres

3rd £100 Ella Webster, Therapies

I would just like to say a huge thank you to the staff on children’s ward 19, especially Rita, Kayleigh and support staff Danielle who looked after my son after a stay with viral meningitis. The care we received at The Princess Royal was amazing, the staff made us feel welcome and went out of their way to find out any information asked, to make us comfortable and genuinely just being really nice people at a bad time. I will forever be grateful for the care my son received during his stay.