CHATTER BOX
Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events
Friday 8 March 2024
Last Autumn, we invited you take part in the NHS Staff Survey 2023. Thank you to those of you who took part. 45% of us shared our views of what it’s like to work in the NHS, and our own organisation, to make things better for colleagues and patients.
We are pleased that the survey results show we are making progress and statistically have significantly improved in all nine elements of the People Promise and themes. This shows that the work we are all doing as part of our culture improvement programme is making a difference in helping to create a better place to work and receive care for everyone.
Although we are moving in the right direction and in many areas are closer to the national average, overall we remain below average and have much more work to do to create the culture we want. We
should all feel proud of how far we have come and must continue to work together to make SaTH a better place for all.
We have created this short video which explores our results in more detail, along with what this means for our organisation and the next steps in our culture improvement programme.
We should all be really proud of the progress we are making. We know we have fantastic colleagues and together we will continue to strive to be amongst one of the best places to work and receive care. Change doesn’t happen immediately, but we are really pleased with our progress to date and your valued feedback and ideas are really helping to shape our onward journey in improving our culture.
You can read more on page 2.
3,417 colleagues responded
45%
of the organisation
Sta Survey 2023
Sharing our results
In addition
299 bank colleagues responded which is higher than the national average for bank sta
We have improved in the following areas:
‘We are a team’
We significantly improved in all elements of our People Promise and themes
9
• Divisional year-on-year results
We remain below average in all elements and themes
‘We are safe and healthy’ ‘We are always learning’
• More opportunities for flexible working
• More opportunities for development
• Colleagues feel able to report concerns and feel more confident that we will act on them
• Supporting inclusion and equality and diversity, with elements of our Workforce Race Equality Standard and Workforce Disability Equality Standard improving
Areas we need to focus on:
Ensuring all colleagues have the opportunity to have a Talent and Career Conversation (appraisal)
1 2 3
Compassionate culture
Supporting wellbeing
Next steps:
• Continuing our cultural and leadership improvement journey
• Focusing on health and wellbeing
• Sta retention
• Working closely with divisions and teams to develop action plans
• Collaborating with the system to scale up in areas such as education and training
• Listening to your ideas and suggestions
Invite to Staff Survey briefing sessions
Please join an online briefing session on MS Teams on Tuesday 12 March, 2.30-3.30pm to hear Rhia Boyode, Director of People and OD, provide information about our results in depth. It will also provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions and hear about what our next steps are on our culture and
leadership programme. Later in March, there will be further divisional briefings, which will give you the opportunity to hear your results and ask questions of your divisional leads and executives. We look forward to sharing details on these soon.
As we approach the month of Ramadan, we understand that this is a time that holds significant importance for many staff and families in our community, and fasting during this month is a personal and religious choice.
Additionally, Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is a joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims worldwide. As a result, some staff may need to be absent on the day of Eid al-Fitr to observe the important holiday with their families.
We recognise the diversity of beliefs within our hospital community and in honour of this, we invite everyone, of all faiths and none, to join us in events and discussions designed to foster understanding and community.
A Multi-Faith and Belief Network meeting at 12 noon on Monday 18 March gives us an opportunity to learn more about each other’s traditions and to celebrate our shared commitment to care and compassion.
Celebrating one year of our Staff Psychology Service
The Staff Psychology Service celebrated it’s first birthday on Friday 1 March.
The service was developed in recognition of the impact working within the NHS can have on colleagues and in response to feedback in previous staff surveys. We believe that ‘thriving at work’ begins with the system; our community and our relationships. Our intention is to work with people to develop a community that nurtures everyone and are committed to moving away from the idea that wellbeing is only about improving one person.
Over the past year the service has been involved in a wide range of activities, including attending away days, inductions and CPD events and working closely with the chaplaincy, EDI and wellbeing teams. The team has provided individual psychological interventions to colleagues across a range of professions, roles and levels. Key themes for individual work has included stress, anxiety and low mood, feelings of being overwhelmed, and the impact of traumatic or distressing experiences at work.
The service has also worked closely with teams across the Trust, helping them to reconnect with themselves and their colleagues and to think about the personal and professional values they
bring to their roles. Alongside this the team has been providing consultation to senior leaders to help develop a more psychologically and trauma informed organisation.
In support of this, and in collaboration with colleagues in ED, the Staff Psychology Service has begun to develop a trauma pathway; codeveloping a ‘hot debrief’ tool and proforma for staff to use following distressing incidents and scaffolded by training sessions on hot debrief facilitation and understanding trauma. The next step is to begin to roll this out more widely across the Trust and plans are already in place to pilot this in other areas.
Contact the service at sath.staffpsychology@ nhs.net
Preparing for Go Live weekend
The Digital Services team held an EPR awareness workshop event for Divisional Leads.
This was to discuss and plan how each department will adapt to the changes during Go Live weekend (Friday 19 April-Sunday 21 April).
It was great to see all divisions working together and supporting one another through this exciting change. There was a lot of engagement from everyone and positive feedback. It was really helpful to hear from those who attended on Wednesday 28 February and get advice on how the Digital Service team can support them. With this information, the Digital team are developing tailored plans for each division.
If you have any questions about EPR, please contact sath.askepr@nhs.net.
We are EPR ready
Our Change Agents have been working hard to complete their action plans to make sure their teams are ready for Go Live.
We have heard from several teams that have completed their plans and now officially ready for Go Live.
Congratulations and thank you to all our Change Agents who are working through all their actions and inspiring and helping their teams.
EPR downtime test
The Trust’s current computer systems were switched off to test our department’s Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) before April.
Thank you everyone for your hard work over the downtime test period, your feedback will help to improve the BCPs and the downtime plans for the EPR Go Live weekend. Please forward any feedback to sath.askepr@nhs.net
National Careers Week
This week we are shining a spotlight on the wide-ranging career opportunities here at SaTH during National Careers Week.
There are over 7,000 employees, making us one of Shropshire’s biggest employers.
With more than 350 different clinical and nonclinical careers to choose from within the NHS, there is something to suit everybody.
National Careers Week (NCW) helps young people to explore different career paths that match their interests at what is a pivotal stage in the academic calendar.
For further information about SaTH careers, please visit www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk.
Volunteer to Career
The Volunteer to Career Programme allows people to explore careers in healthcare while volunteering. The programme offers our volunteers placements to gain experience and training sessions with clinical leads to develop their skills and knowledge.
Hear from some of our volunteers below.
Lizzie Wheatley
Lizzie Wheatley is 27 years old and was looking for a change in career, whilst previously working as a qualified hair dresser. She applied for university last year and despite hitting having met the entry requirements, due to lack of experience in a clinical setting, I wasn’t offered a place.
Thanks to Volunteer to Career, she has been accepted to train as a midwife, starting in September 2024. “I hope to return to SaTH once I have qualified. I am forever grateful for the experience Volunteer to Career has given me and I would 100% recommend it others, it is the perfect opportunity to explore a sector before taking the leap into a new career.” Said Lizzie.
Charlotte Newby
Charlotte Newby has been started her midwifery degree at Staffordshire University in 2023. Charlotte says that the Volunteer to Career programme strengthened her application. During her degree course, her midwifery placements will be based at PRH.
Charlotte said: “I am very passionate about this career and would gladly share my experience on the Volunteer to Carer programme with others.”
Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024
18-24 March
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
You can see our schedule for the week below.
Monday 18th March 2024
Schwartz Round: Understand my World
12.30 - 2pm
Education Centre, PRH
Tuesday 19th March
Neurodiversity Celebration stand in League of Friends area, PRH: 11.45am2pm
Flexible working masterclass MS Teams
12 - 1pm - Book on LMS
Health & Wellbeing walk
2 - 3.30pm, PRH
Wednesday 20th March
Neurodiversity Celebration stand in Mytton restaurant, RSH: 11.45am - 2pm
Flexible working toolkit briefing for line manager MS Teams
12 - 1pm - Book on LMS
Health & Wellbeing Walk 2 - 3.30pm, RSH
Thursday 21st March
Training on the Neurodiversity support guidance
MS Teams
9.30 - 11am
Book a place on LMS
Flexible working toolkit briefing for colleagues
MS Teams
11 - 11am - Book on LMS
Training on the Neurodiversity support guidance
MS Teams
2 - 3.30pmBook a place on LMS
Friday 22nd March
Autism Virtual Awareness session
10am - 1pm at SECC
Book via the QR code provided
DFN Intern Reverse Job Fair
11.30am1.30pm
Room 12, SERII building
Human Library
1-3pm
Virtual session
Book via the QR code provided
Autism Virtual Awareness session
1.30 - 4.30pm at SECC
Book via the QR code provided
Scan the QR Code to book on Autism Virtual Awareness Bus and Human Library.
How well do you understand neurodiversity? Complete our quiz using the following QR code and you will be entered into a draw for a £25 high street voucher.
Overseas NHS Workers Day
On 1 March we celebrated Overseas NHS Workers Day.
Now in its fourth year, Overseas NHS Workers Day presents an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful contributions of our international staff, on which the NHS depends.
Roughly 190,000 of the 1.3 million NHS staff
Carol George is from Kerala, India. She works on Ward 27, RSH. She said: “I am proud and delighted to be a part of the NHS and SaTH. It is a busy environment, the smiles and gratitude that I get back from my patients makes my day. The colleagues and staff are always supportive and compassionate which makes life easier.”
come from overseas, and today we celebrate those, from over 200 different nationalities, who have moved to the UK. We are so grateful to all of our overseas workers for their extraordinary contribution. Thank you for all that you do.
from culture differences, the weather and language, and totally different health care system, but having a supportive co-workers, senior Nurses, Sister Nurses and Ward Manager, it became a lot easier. Their patience shown to new beginners like me helped me to thrive and I’m so thankful to them.”
Meera Thomas completed her studies at the Caritas College of Nursing at the Kerala University of Health Science in India. She has worked at SaTH since 2020 and notes the quality of care provided, educational opportunities, opportunities for career development as some of the highlights of working at RSH.
Treesha Davidson-Brown started at SaTH after completing her studies in Jamaica. She said: “I enjoy the learning process, however it can be a bit overwhelming at times. My colleagues are very accommodating and approachable which is good.”
Eric Stephen is from Punjab, northern India. He said: “Working in SaTH is quite challenging but every day brings a new challenge and new thing to learn which makes the work environment more enjoyable and rewarding. We are all here for a common goal which is providing holistic nursing care to the patients which only possible with a good team work, which is what I enjoy the most.”
Marissa DeGuzman started at SaTH 11 months ago and is originally from Manilla in the Philippines. She said: “It has been an amazing experience for me as an Internationally trained Nurse. It’s not easy transferring to another country and to make a new beginning,
Nkiruka, a Senior Sister/Charge Nurse, came to the UK from Nigeria, and has worked for the Trust for two years. “I have settled quite well over the years and have learnt a lot along the way. I enjoy the opportunities that have been made for overseas workers covering different aspects of work, and the support networks that have been put in place. I am currently part of the Galvanise Leadership Programme, which is one of the opportunities that the Trust created for overseas workers and has helped my career growth.”
Oluoma Ezembamalu is from Nigeria. She said: “Working in SaTH has been both fulfilling and challenging. My job satisfaction often comes from helping patients in their time of need and making a positive impact on their health outcomes. Having an amazing team and colleagues who supports me through all challenges has made things even better. I’ve had the chance to collaborate with dedicated healthcare professionals who are devoted to delivering top-notch care to patients. Through this experience, I’ve enhanced my clinical skills, learned to thrive under pressure, and sharpened my communication and teamwork abilities.”
International Women’s Day 2024
Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day and the theme this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion’.
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually and gives focus to issues such as gender equality and reproductive rights, but to name a few.
Rhia Boyode, Director of People and OD has the following message for all women at the Trust. “I am fully behind the message of International Women’s Day this year, which is that inclusion will pave the way for all women to realise their full potential. Inspiring inclusion helps to promote diversity in leadership and decision making positions.
“One initiative, called the Development Aspirant leaders programme (DAL), of which we have had two recent graduates, is an innovative regional pilot scheme designed by ethnic minority nurses and midwives for ethnic minority nurses and midwives. To me, this is a programme which embodies the
the message of this year’s International Women’s Day.”
Asha Nair and Bindu Rajesh are both Practice Education Facilitators within the Trust. They are both graduates of the most recent DAL Cohort, and have carried out inspirational studies as part of their assignments. Bindu carried out a study into the Retention and wellbeing of International Nurses at SaTH, whereas Asha created awareness for internationally recruited staff around the importance of the CQC inspections.
When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
Collectively, let’s forge a more inclusive world for women. If you want to find out more about International Women’s Day, and how you can get involved, have a look at the website
Parking updates
We are asking colleagues who wish to park at RSH or PRH to register their car details and apply for their parking permit by Sunday 31 March 2024. User guides are available here (in ‘Staff and volunteer parking’). As of today (8 March) we are working to resolve technical issues with the permit application system. We will let you know as soon as this matter is resolved.
Please ensure you register using your nhs.net email address. We would like to remind all colleagues at bands 1-2 that it is mandatory to register your cars and apply for a parking permit by Sunday 31 March 2024 if you intend to park at either RSH or PRH. Parking charges will be reinstated from Monday 1 April in a two-phased approach. They will stay as they were before COVID-19 whilst we review the structure over the next 6-12 months. The charges will be reduced proportionately for part-time workers.
On the buses
We appreciate the efforts of all of you who have been using the Oxon Park and Ride or exploring alternative commuting methods. Please continue to share your ideas and suggestions to sath. improvinghospitals@nhs.net and we will add them to our Frequently Asked Question (FAQs).
The first bus departs at 7.20am, running every 15 minutes to the main Outpatients bus stop.
Nicola Brockley, Public Participation Development Manager
“I would recommend that everyone has a go on an eBike. I got mine as I live 2.5 miles from the hospital and I always seemed to be stuck in traffic in my car and I wanted a better way to commute. When I first got the eBike, lots of people were asking if I would class it as exercise and I have always said that that wasn’t the point of the bike, it was so I could easily commute to work and not worry about parking. But it is more exercise than driving which is a bonus.
“I love the eBike because it is really fun to use and I no longer care about rain, I will bike in
While we work on the pay-as-you-go system, colleagues who do not sign up for a parking permit will be required to pay the daily rates for using the car parks.
If you plan to use the Park and Ride exclusively, then you will not need to sign up to the permit system at this time.
The last bus will return to Oxon at 6.35pm. Claim your FREE hot drink from Caffe Bistro after five round trips.
Competition time - thank you to all colleagues who sent a selfie and a quote on the Park and Ride. We will be announcing the winners of the one-day travel pass in the next edition of Chatterbox.
everything except snow and ice. They go a top speed of 15.5 mph which is great, but the best bit is easily tackling the hill from Frankwell to Copthorne.”
Ann Jundi, CAPD Team, RSH
“Using the Park and Ride has been a very positive experience. With reliable bus schedules and convenient access, parking stress is a thing of the past. By leaving my car at the Park and Ride, I ensure space for our shift-working colleagues who rely on it most. This switch, especially for my threeday work week starting at 9am, guarantees a smoother arrival with no worries about parking availability.”
It’s time to bin your bra!
The bra recycling scheme takes your unwanted or unloved bras and through our network of bra banks raises vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research.
Together with our recycling partners, our textile recovery project prevents these bras going into landfill before giving them a new lease of life.
Successful ventures like this provide employment and an income for people living in the UK. Any bras that are genuinely beyond redemption are dismantled and disposed of properly.
For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund our research. With over 30 million women in the UK you could really help make a difference!
The collection points are located in the RSH Macmillan Support Centre and in the PRH Macmillan Support Centre.
Weight management – beyond diet and exercise
Dates: 16th April – Room 2, SERRI, RSH and 30th April – Room G, Education Centre PRH
Times: 09.30am - 3.00pm
• The reasons for eating – physical, social, psychological
• Understanding hunger and cravings
• Sleep and eating especially around shift workers
• Introduction to appetite retraining
• Emotional eating
• Food choices and portion sizes
Open to all sta . Places are limited. To book on email sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net Part
Remembering Together
Monday 11th March at 11am
Chapels/Multifaith rooms at both sites.
The 11th March marks the date that the World Health Organisation officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic, a time which changed lives forever.
In remembrance of this date, a short gathering will be held in each of the hospital chapels/multifaith rooms.
Please join us, if you can, to reflect and remember together.
Colleague Notice Board
Old Shrewsbury
Illustrated talk with old photos. Pubs, Royalty, Town Centre History & More by renowned local Historian and Author
David Trumper
@ Masonic Hall (old St Michael’s Church) Crewe St Shrewsbury SY1 2HQ
7pm Saturday 20th April 2024 (doors open 6.30pm)
Approx 2 hours inc interval
Free parking
Salopian Lodge of Charity supporting Crane Quality Counselling & RSH Respiratory Unit
Entry £7, Cash on the door Limited spaces .
Enquiries contact cale959@gmail.com
Available at Shre wsbur y and Telford Health Libraries.
For more resources visit us online at:
https://www librar y sath nhs uk
ing Ambitious Cari Trusted
STAFF LOTTERY
This month ’s winners
1st £400
Kate Edwards, CYPU
2nd £200
Rachel Maskell, Corporate Education
2nd £200
Ami Hanwell, Resuscitation Services
3rd £100
Rebekah Tudor, Service Improvement
3rd £100
Colleen Davies, Ophthalmology
4th £50
Natalie Wyatt, Breast Imaging
4th £50
Linda Cholmondeley, Phlebotomy
4th £50
Claire Spawart, Histology RSH
4th £50
Molly McCabe, Patient Access
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 all of which is 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.
Thank you
Since my closest friend was diagnosed with three types of cancer (I am his next of kin) Amy has been a lifeline. I totally realise that the things I have been asking Amy are not in her job spec but nevertheless she has always been a great help and without her help my friends condition and treatment would not have moved so positively.
Obviously I had been given certain other contacts, but none had Amy’s empathy, professionalism and interpersonal skills. I would be most grateful if you could pass on my sincere thanks.
Click here to download the T&C’s and enter the staff lottery
