Lorraine

She is an enthusiastic communicator on the theme of translational renal research and regularly presents at both local and national level. She has been a member of several committees, including chair of the inaugural UK Kidney Research Consortium Glomerulonephritis Clinical Study Group. She was Honorary Secretary of the UK’S Renal Association.

Welcome to the Trust Lorraine!

Ruth Francis Midwife

cheerful and charming nature. She is loved by the patients and staff like and an ideal role model for the department and Trust.

Claire Whitehouse and Pam Gibbons, M2 Ward Managers echoed these thoughts and said: “Ruth has dedicated many years to SWB. She has a strong passion for empowering women, leads by example and is always supportive of junior members of staff. When she is on shift, she gives her all to make the experience of mums and babies in her care the best it can possibly be. She goes above and beyond to ensure everyone feels welcome and always wears a smile and tries to see the positives in all situations.”

As part of her retirement Ruth plans on spending more quality with all her family including her mother who has been a source of encouragement throughout her life. Happy retirement Ruth!

Letters, of less than 200 words please, can be sent to the Communications Department, Trust Headquarters, Sandwell Hospital or by email to swb–tr.SWBH–GM–Heartbeat@nhs.net

Are we going to get more opportunities to get vaccinated?

Dear Heartbeat, I know the vaccination campaign has been running for a bit now, but we’re all really busy and sometimes it’s hard to find the time to get off the ward and to a clinic. Are you going to carry on vaccinating after things have (hopefully) calmed down for a bit? Kind regards Anon

Dear Anonymous, Thanks for your query. It’s really important that our colleagues get vaccinated where possible, and to this end we can confirm we will be vaccinating until the end of March 2023. Currently we are accepting drop-ins at both Sandwell (quiet room, main reception) and City (baby feeding room, main corridor) sites on Monday - Friday only. Hours are 8.30am - 4pm, with extensions on Wednesdays from 7am until 4pm and Thursday from 8.30am until 8pm.

The only change to the COVID vaccine programme is that the teams are taking names and booking appointments (from within the hub) for COVID vaccines when needed, to maximise the number of people we can vaccinate per vial and reduce wastage. When the hubs are not manned a notice will be on the doors to advise when next open; this will be due to either breaks, roaming wards or no covid vaccinations available.

Your Right To Be Heard

If you have not already done so, please get vaccinated now!

Kind regards, Mel Roberts Chief Nursing Officer

Water dispensers

Dear Heartbeat, Last summer we were given bottled water because of the heat. At the time, we were told by Richard Beeken that the trust were looking at getting us water dispensers so we weren’t stuck with the water that comes out the taps, which is lukewarm and doesn’t taste great. Is there any update on what's happening with this?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous, We’re aware that colleagues have been asking about the water at SWB. It can take a while to go through the necessary procedures, but I’m pleased to let you know that following consultation with colleagues in various different departments, including IPC, water dispensers have now been ordered and will be available to use at Sandwell, City, Rowley and Leasowes. Installation will take a couple of months, and as such the dispensers will be in place for the summer.

Kind regards, Richard Beeken Chief Executive