Chatterbox - 231208

CHATTER BOX Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events Friday 8 December 2023

Christmas lights switch on The countdown to Christmas is well and truly underway across both hospital sites.

music and mince pies were very popular on what was a very chilly afternoon.

At PRH, we were joined by Emily Bowen, who, at just 7 years old and a former patient, did us the honour of pressing the golden buzzer and switching on the lights. There was festive

The Courtyard was transformed at the push of the button, and it was witnessed by colleagues and patients alike.

The weather was not as deep,

and crisp, and even for the RSH switch-on, however the torrential rain did not dampen the Christmas spirit, as Assistant Chief Executive, Inese Robotham did the honours.

A huge thank you to our Estates teams who have worked tirelessly to create such wonderful displays.

Free Oxon Park and Ride bus service is now available, turn to page 11 for more information

Renal Supportive Care Suite at RSH opens A Renal Supportive Care Suite has opened at RSH thanks to a generous donation from the Shropshire Kidney Patients Association to the Swan Fund.

The area will provide a calm space on the Renal Unit, so colleagues can have important, open and honest conversations with patients and relatives about the care they provide in the last stages of their lives.

Tom Beamont, Chairman of the Shropshire Kidney Patients Association, and Jules Lock, Lead Swan End of Life Care (EoLC) Volunteer, cut the ribbon for the suite.

The room is dedicated in memory of Jules’ husband Dai Lock who was a former renal patient. He died more than nine years ago and a plaque has been put up in his memory.

Jules has dedicated more than nine years of her life to support the team with Swan EoLC improvements at our Trust and the room is a way of thanking her for her dedication, kindness, passion and compassion as she enters her 10th year of volunteering.

Jules said: “Communication is key all through life and it is exceptionally important when you have to have those important conversations at difficult times. This is where this room will come into its own because without those communication skills and without those conversations you can’t go forward.

“Without knowledge, patients and families really don’t know where they are. I have every faith that this room is going to make such a difference for patients in this hospital and patients and families will be well looked after.”

Tom said: “As a patient, it is very well appreciated. I have seen a lot of patients over seven years and it is a heartbreaking at time. We (the Association) are trying to do as much as we can.

“The staff here are fantastic – I can’t speak too highly of them.”

Emma Gibbons, a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) on Ward 28, took and donated lovely pictures for the room.

Socking around the Christmas Tree On 4 December we celebrated Christmas Sock Day.

A huge thank you to SaTH Charity for providing a delicious prize for the worthy winners.

Not everyone can wear a Christmas jumper to work, but many of us donned our favourite pair of festive socks (or tights) for the occasion.

The winners are Day Surgery PRH!

Trust Celebratory Awards Dinner Last week we held a dinner for our Trust Celebratory Awards winners.

The Trust Celebratory Awards reflected the huge diversity of what you do, day in and day out, to support patients, our local community and each other. With 19 amazing winners there are too many to mention here, but you can read their stories on our website and also watch the virtual awards online.

There was a brilliant standing ovation at the end of the evening for our colleagues Anne Borley and Vera Ward. Anne was the winner of the lifetime achievement award and Anne and Vera have each delivered over 50 years of service for the NHS. This is a remarkable achievement.

Thank you to everyone who was involved in such a special evening and for everything you are doing everyday for our patients and each other.

Disability History Month special:

Improving experience for patients with disabilities Two colleagues are making great strides in improving the way we, as an organisation, support patients with disabilities, particularly those living with hearing loss.

Lizzie O’Hare, Therapy Support Worker on Ward 11, and Jack Smith, Healthcare Assistant in the Outpatients department, approached the Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) team to raise concerns around the support available for patients with hearing loss. Following speaking up, they have run a session to teach colleagues basic sign language (BSL) to better support their patients who have hearing loss. The duo hope to run more sessions in the future.

Lizzie said: “I am profoundly deaf, a cochlear implant wearer, and BSL is my first language. I wanted to become an advocate for deaf patients who come into the hospital as an inpatient because there are no sign language interpreters to support deaf people and they can become very frightened.

“I have faced barriers my whole life due to my disability. I feel it is really important that these barriers are broken down for others going forward so that everyone feels included.”

Lizzie decided to set up a BSL training session last

month for colleagues across the organisation, and the first session had 28 attendees.

Lizzie continued: “If I can help colleagues to learn BSL it would help support deaf inpatients and make a big difference to our deaf communities. I have received a lot of positive feedback from the session and am looking forward to holding more to help improve the way we support deaf communities. I am proud to be an advocate for people who have disabilities as it makes a big difference to patient experience and can help improve their stay.”

Jack Smith is a Healthcare Assistant in the Outpatients department, and he also experiences hearing loss.

He said: “It is so important to give everyone the access to support systems and resources to help them be included. I’m hoping to help make BSL sessions more accessible to everyone. Thanks to the help of Lizzie, we are hoping to continue educating others on obstacles that people with deafness and hearing impairments face in the hope of making the hospital a more inclusive environment.”

Lizzie and Jack are both now Freedom to Speak Up Ambassadors and are hoping to run further sessions across our hospitals. To get involved in this area of work, please contact Lizzie, Jack, or the EDI team.

Deteriorating patient and sepsis week To raise awareness on World Sepsis Day, here at SaTH we wanted to highlight how important it is to recognise, escalate and review any deteriorating patients as well as those with sepsis.

To do this we visited ward areas including maternity and paediatrics with our decorated tea trolley and took the oportunity to talk to staff about issues relating to deteriorating patients and sepsis.

World Sepsis Day was marked on 13 September.

Sepsis arises when the body’s response to infection injures its own tissues and organs, it may lead to shock, multi-organ failure, and death especially if not recognised early and treated. One in five deaths worldwide is associated with sepsis (worldsepsisday.org). John a sepsis survivor from the UK Sepsis Trust kindly came in and spoke to staff around his experience and the affects sepsis has had on his life.

To help promote and improve awareness around the sepsis 6, we encouraged staff to partake in a

game of darts to add fun whilst highlighting the importance of each element.

A number of certificates were given out to wards for their fanatastic achievement in 100% compliance in their sepsis training on LMS. Well done to Ward 36, Ward 32, AMU PRH, Discharge Lounge PRH, Endoscopy PRH, Chemotherapy Day Centre, ITU PRH, Outpatients PRH and RSH and Theatres RSH. Maternity were the winners of our deteriorating patient and sepsis staff information board.

Ward 24 RSH and Ward 11 were winners of our fluid balance monitoring competition.

They showed consistent and accurate fluid balance documentation which is fundamental when monitoring patients who are unwell and deteriorating.

A very big thank you to SaTH Charity who provided £20 Amazon gift vouchers as part of the prizes for wards.

Proud2bOps We have held our first Proud2bOps network event for our operational colleagues.

healthcare sectors. It gives partners the opportunity to connect and share best practices and problem solve, whilst also developing leadership skills – all with the aim of improving patient care and The event, held at Telford United Football Club, was outcomes. a fantastic opportunity for our ops colleagues from the different divisions to come together, reflect and Health and wellbeing was a key part of the development day, which saw colleagues benefit be creative. from learning tips and techniques to share with colleagues.

Proud2bOps is a national network connecting operational managers and leaders from across the

Long service and Cavell Star for treasured colleague Lyn Thacker had worked in Theatres Recovery RSH for over three decades, almost four!

She had dedicated her working life to the department. Sadly during the pandemic in 2020 she decided it was time to ‘stay home’ due to health reasons and accept a long-postponed retirement.

She took retirement and her colleagues wanted to recognise her tremendous contribution she made to staff and patients she served over the years.

She was known by so many at the Trust, significantly acting as education link for the department, ensuring all new starters and students felt welcome into the unique working environment.

She templated models we still use across the Trust, ensuring all team members had induction packs and a warm welcome with continued support she would offer, even calling in on days off.

Lyn was celebrated by ex-colleagues recently and was recognised with a Cavell Star. We have heard she’s not taken it off since!

King Charles sends thanks to RSH patients King Charles has sent his thanks to young patients at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

patients through play, to feel less scared and anxious at hospital.”

Children at the Emergency Department at RSH, sent drawings and well wishes to the King and Queen for the Coronation.

Natalie Rose, Matron in the Emergency Department said: “Kate is such an integral part of the department, it’s so lovely for her hard work to be recognised in this way. Well done Kate and the whole of the ED team.”

Play practitioner Kate Edwards encouraged the children visiting the department to create some lovely artwork and messages, which she sent to Buckingham Palace.

Kate said: “I was so delighted to receive a card from King Charles and Queen Camilla thanking the children and staff for their well wishes.

“It always means the world when the little things you do get noticed, and we are very proud of our team and the effort they make to help our younger

Telford Tigers teddy toss The Children’s Ward at PRH welcomed some very special guests this week. The Telford Tigers ice hockey club visited with a delivery of soft toys for the children.

The Annual Teddy Toss weekend has become a beloved tradition for Telford Tigers fans. This year’s event was held on the weekend of Saturday 2 December and Sunday 3 December.

The rules of the Teddy Toss are simple but heartwarming. As the first Tigers goal is scored, fans throw their teddy bears onto the ice.

But the true magic lies in the purpose behind the event. All teddy bears collected during the toss are then donated to Children’s Ward at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford bringing warmth and comfort to children in need.

Park and Ride highly recommended!

The Oxon Park and Ride free bus service has been running for the last few weeks.

The service was set up to alleviate the pressures of car parking at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, based on results from a staff survey.

Running every 15 minutes from 7.20am until 6.35pm, it provides an alternative solution to our colleagues.

The timetable even allows me to work my long days between 7.30am and 5.30pm.

“Most of all, the drivers are extremely helpful and friendly. It’s a good feeling to know that we are making space for colleagues, patients and visitors who need it. Emi highly recommends the ‘blue bus’!”

Kate King, Complaints Case Manager has been using the service, she said: “I normally start on site at 7.30am with no problems parking but had to come in later on a usual home working day for a meeting.

“I did a circle around the car park and then decided to give the park and ride a go. It is quicker and easier (and way less stressful!) than trying to park.

“Since then, Emi (who goes to Daisy Chain) and I have decided to support the trial. The drop-off at outpatients is really convenient and every bus we have ever taken has been bang on time which is so helpful, and I got a lovely FREE water bottle.

Beautiful collage made from upcycled uniforms Maria Scenters, Senior Library Assistant at PRH, made an amazing collage from damaged and unusable uniforms.

The uniforms had been donated as part of the uniform swap shop.

This year alone the uniform swap shop has traded 2,136 uniforms, with 1,750 uniforms being claimed by staff.

There are still plenty of uniforms in stock, the majority of which are held at the RSH Health Library.

Spooky fun as part of Games Each month the quality team support a ward to take part in the reconditioning games with a themed event.

In October it was Halloween and Ward 37 at RSH really got into the spirit of the event making crafts with patients.

This month our focus will be Christmas activities, we are always on the look out for donations of any craft materials, games or activities we can use for our patients. Please donate to Stretton House at RSH or House 2 at PRH or stop any the quality team on their travels around the sites as we would gladly accept any donations!

Emmeline Venn, Fluid Nurse, supported the event with Halloween mocktails reinforcing the links between good hydration and reducing falls.

If your ward/department would like to be the next ward to take part in our monthly event please email Clare.walsgrove@nhs.net.

Coaching for leaders Congratulations to the participants in the coaching skills for leaders course.

New breast screening van The Breast Imaging department received their brand new mobile breast screening unit last month.

English Bridge and the Ironbridge. It has a secure reception area and a kitchen for staff.

The new van has two screening rooms which will increase patient capacity and allow more staff to work on the unit.

The breast screening mobile units allow the Breast Imaging team to screen women in the community, this ensures patients do not need to travel too far to either hospital site. The mobile unit is currently in Oswestry.

Both rooms are fully equipped and have some amazing artwork on the walls, featuring the

Halloween Party raised money for breast cancer charities Shrewsbury resident, Sally Jamieson, held a Halloween Party to raise money for SaTH Charity’s Breast Cancer Fund and Fighting to Be Heard foundation.

Sally held the event in memory of her friend, Emily Roberts who died of secondary breast cancer in February 2022. The event raised £1,420.06, with the money being split equally between the two charities. Sally wants to urge people to “check their pumpkins” as early detection can save lives. She has been running a Halloween event since 2016 and has raised over £12,000 for various charities.

The Halloween party was a fun packed event with a bar, wand making, bouncy castle, a disco, hot food, and lots more. Sally also ran a raffle with the prizes including a Christmas hamper, boozy hamper, an afternoon tea for two alongside lots of other prizes.

Mr Usman, Consultant Breast Surgeon said: “The dedication and hard work of Sally Jamieson

in organising the Halloween party is deeply appreciated by all of us. Her commitment to raising both funds and awareness through this event makes a real difference to the lives of those affected by breast cancer. This contribution, in memory of Emily Roberts, is not only a significant support to SaTH Charity’s Breast Cancer Fund, but also a meaningful gesture in promoting early detection. We sincerely thank her for her ongoing efforts.”

Family raise over £6,000 for ITU garden Family of the much-loved local butcher, William Dodd, continue to raise money in his memory for the ITU garden at RSH. His daughters Claire and Lisa took on two challenges recently to help raise funds.

Lisa Marsden and her family completed a swim the length of the channel in October at Bannatyne’s Shrewsbury.

Claire Evans and her family undertook a second challenge in November where they climbed Snowdon in memory of their dad and grandad.

The conditions were challenging but the group made it to the summit.

Claire said of the emotional climb: “We made it up and down with a moving time of four hours 26 minutes, total time with two stops (we had to feed the kids!) five hours 15 minutes. The rain held off but it was so cold and the fog was awful and at points we were unable to see. We made it to the top and took dad with us on our adventures, the day before his birthday when he had planned to retire.”

Giving page the family have raised a grand total of £6,287 to improve the garden. Improvements are already underway with two new benches in place.

Dr Chris Mowatt, Clinical Director of Critical Care said: “We are hugely grateful and humbled by William’s family’s efforts, at a very difficult time they have found the energy and enthusiasm to support our ICU. We are inspired by their kindness.”

The climb up Snowdon surpassed its target of £1,000 and reached a massive total of £2,453.

Together with the sponsored swim and the Memory If you would like to donate to the fundraiser, the family have started a JustGiving page.

Congratulations to Macmillan fundraisers A huge thank you to Jess and Ella at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust Macmillan Information and Support Centres.

Between them they have raised a fantastic £1,048 for Macmillan at their recent coffee mornings at both the Princess Royal and Royal Shrewsbury hospitals at the end of September. Thank you too to all the staff and visitors who bought cakes on the day which helps us help people, their family and friends living with and affected by cancer in Shropshire.

If you need any support or advice, please do contact Jess and Ella at the Macmillan Information and Support Centre directly by emailing sath.macmillaninformation@nhs.net.

Colleague Notice Board The OWEN Model

WE NEED YOU!

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.

O penness

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

W ellbeing

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.

E mpathy

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

N ew 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.

© Design Services The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, 2023 all rights reserved – please contact jules.lewis@nhs.net if you have any queries.

Reflective Reading Sessions

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:

Session Dates and Times Thu 21 Sep 23

10.00 - 11.30

MS Teams

Mon 13 Nov 23

2.00 - 3.30

MS Teams

Tue 9 Jan 24

9.30 - 11.00

MS Teams

Wed 13 Mar 24

1.00 - 2.30

MS Teams

Fri 31 May 24

3.00 - 4.30

MS Teams

Mon 7 Jul 2024

12.00 - 1.30

MS Teams

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.

WALK

&

TALK

Join us on the last Tuesday of every month outside Stretton House, RSH at 12pm for a 30 minute walk and talk.

Next meeting: 30 January 2024 No reason needed! We’re here to offer a listening ear and kindness. Get out into nature and boost your health & wellbeing. All are welcome.

For more information, please contact jules.lewis@nhs.net, carla.webster@nhs.net or penny.watson@nhs.net

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: 4694

Walk & Talk group is starting at RSH as a trial, with plans to develop across both sites

F F A ST RY E T T O L s winn Th i s mont h ’ 1st £400

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.

r

Angela Windso

2nd £200

en &

es, Wom Margaret Hugh Children’s

2nd £200

er s

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

harmacy

Kate Lindsay, P

3rd £100

O’Connor Sally Van-Rees, Unt Haemoatology

3rd £100

Delyth Hughes,

Facilities

Thank you

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for the good services you provide. I am writing this letter on behalf of my late husband, who passed away two weeks ago.

He wanted me to thank one of your Phlebotomists, Heidi (South African lady). She had a way with my late husband. He was in a lot of pain in the last two weeks and did not want anyone near him but when Heidi walked into the room, he would smile, laugh and talk. It brought tears to my eyes to see how one person can bring a smile to his face. I will never forget her kindness to him.

I promise him, I would make sure that she gets the recognition she deserves. Unfortunately, he did not see Heidi on his last day (Monday), but I wanted to say: Thank you, Heidi, for putting a smile on my husband’s face his last two weeks.