CHATTER BOX
Every Penny Counts
Thank you for everyone’s response as we work together to hit our financial plan for 2025/26 – we are nearly there!
We had a small surplus of £0.2m in January, which is thanks to all your efforts, but we are still £5.6m overspent year to date.
If we don’t continue to challenge every pound, we will have a £10m gap at year end. We are so close to achieving our plan, so please hold firm and continue to pause all spend that is not critical to patient safety.
Penny the Pig has been trotting about again with some of the Executive Team, helping us to spread the word that Every “Penny” Counts! She wants to hear about your ideas for improving efficiency, as well as any success stories you may have. If you would like Penny and a member of the Executive Team to visit your team, please email sath.strongertogether@nhs.net and Penny will do her best to pop by!
As we approach the end of the financial year, we are showcasing some of the brilliant work that teams across the Trust are doing to add value for patients.
Keep an eye on your inbox over the coming weeks as we celebrate some of the fantastic improvements – big and small – that you have made. If you would like your team to be featured, we would love to hear from yousath.strongertogether@nhs.net.
To learn more about how we are adding value for patients and the ways you can help, please visit the intranet
Case study
With less than six weeks to go until the end of the financial year, we’re showcasing some of the fantastic improvements you’ve made which are adding value for patients.
David Roberts, Senior Specialist Medical Equipment Technologist, and Jeremy Harris, Senior Assistant Technical Officer, are helping to save the Trust £30,000 per year.
They coordinated the installation of a Central Delivery System for dialysis fluids at the Community Diagnostic Centre in Hollinswood House, and continue to play a key role in its day-to-day use.
The system pumps dialysate (the fluid used during dialysis) directly to the renal unit through a network of pipes, removing the need for staff to carry heavy containers to each dialysis station. Before the system was installed, dialysis fluid was supplied in six litre plastic cans. These were more expensive, increased manual handling risks and resulted in a large volume of plastic waste.
The system is providing a more sustainable, efficient and safer way of delivering dialysis treatment for patients, as well as delivering cost savings.
No matter how big or small - we can all do our bit to add value for patients. To learn more, please visit the intranet
It is now just five weeks until we formalise our Group on 1 April. A key priority colleagues told us about was improving communications as a Group.
Whether you’re someone who likes regular updates, prefers face to face conversations, wants simpler channels, or has ideas about how we could communicate more consistently across both trusts, we’d love to hear from you.
We are hosting some Communications focus groups to help us build what great communication should look and feel like across our Group. We want to understand what already works well, what could be improved, and what tools, channels or approaches would make it easier for you to stay connected with the changes ahead.
Focus group sessions:
• Wednesday 11 March, 11am on MS Teams
• Monday 16 March, 3pm on MS Teams
Celebrating Overseas NHS Workers Day
We’ll be marking Overseas NHS Workers Day on Friday 6 March, and we want to shine a light on the many colleagues across our Trust who have travelled from around the world to care for our communities.
Our international staff bring skill, compassion and experience that strengthen teams across both sites. And we’d like to feature your stories in a future edition of Chatterbox. If you’re an overseas colleague, or you work closely with someone who is, we’d love to hear from you. You can send:
• A photo of yourself
• A few lines about your journey to the NHS
• What you enjoy most about working here
You don’t need to write anything long. A simple paragraph and a photo are enough. Please send your contributions sath.commsteam@nhs.net to be featured in the next editon of Chatterbox.
International Women’s Day
To mark International Women’s Day, we’d love to see your photos.
We’re putting together a photo feature to celebrate the day and want to include as many colleagues as possible. If you’d like to take part, send us a picture of yourself or your team of women at work.
Please include your name and department, and email your photo to sath.commsteam@nhs.net
The photos don’t need to be formal. A quick team snap, a picture from your area, or a moment that shows what you do is perfect.
If you’d like to tell us about a woman who has inspired you, feel free to add a short note.
The updated Social Media Policy (CS02) is now live, and all colleagues - including bank, agency, volunteers and contractors - are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the key points.
The policy supports patient confidentiality, staff safety, professional behaviour online and the Trust’s overall reputation.
One of the most important areas is filming and photography. Patients and visitors may take personal photos of their loved ones, but no one should film or photograph other patients or staff without consent.
Staff should not use personal devices to take photos or videos in clinical areas. If filming
SAS Development Away Day
The Annual Professional Development Day for the Trust’s SAS Doctors was held on Tuesday 3 February, bringing together 49 Specialty and Specialist Doctors for a dedicated programme focused on education, communication and leadership.
The agenda featured the update from Dr. G. Wood, Director of Medical Education, followed by Mr A. Choksey, Associate Specialist and Educational Supervisor, who shared his personal experiences and insights into the Educational Supervisor role.
The day continued with sessions including a general legal overview and job planning, before concluding with an engaging team building activity in which delegates demonstrated their geographical knowledge across the world map.
Dr Katie Shellis, SAS Advocate, said: “It was great to see so many of my SAS colleagues at this year’s development day. I would like to thank you all for your engagement throughout the day. Days like this are about recognising the value you all bring as SAS doctors. As you know development does not end when we leave this room, I encourage all of you to stay engaged. Your voice does matter so please do reach out to me if you need any support or even just a listening ear!”
is happening in your department without permission, clear guidance is now available on the intranet.
To make the policy easier to understand and share with teams, a set of practical resources has been created, including:
• Team huddle script
• One Minute Brief
• Staff FAQs
• Staff poster: What to do if someone is filming in your department
• Patient-facing ‘No Filming’ poster
All resources and the full policy can be found on the intranet here. These tools are designed to help everyone feel confident about what is expected and how to respond if issues arise.
Feedback from delegates was very positive, with one participant describing the day as “an excellent, well organised event, and I found it extremely valuable. I was part of the Globe Trotters team, had the opportunity to meet colleagues from various departments, and spoke with the MDU team, who kindly provided some resources.
“The sessions, particularly the general legal update on issues such as patients recording conversations, were very informative. Dr Rowlands also emphasised the importance of communication, job planning, and, as well as encouraging us to contribute more broadly to Team SaTH.”
Thank you to the Medical Director Services Team for organising the event and our sponsors for their continued support.
Recycling scheme to think outside the takeaway box
Did you know that takeaway boxes from Mytton Restaurant and Apley Hub are not currently recyclable - and the Trust could save £200,000 a year and reduce carbon emissions by binning them completely and switching to a reusable alternative.
From Monday 2 March we are launching a “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” scheme at Mytton Restaurant.
How does it work:
• Staff and visitors are able to pay £5 to join the scheme and receive a token and loyalty card
• You can then exchange your token for a reusable container and take away your food to eat
• Once finished, return your used container and a token will be returned to you for the next time
• Collect a stamp each time you use your token. Collect 10 and receive 25% off your food bill.
Similar to the carrier bag charges in supermarkets, there will be a charge for each disposable box. There will now be a £1 fee to pay on top of the meal for those people who do not bring a reusable box when they buy their meal.
St David’s Day
People have three options to not incur the additional charge - eat in the Mytton Restaurant with crockery provided, bring their own reusable box or return the reusable box.
By switching to the alternative, it means each box can be reused 1,000 times. Not only does it reduce carbon emissions, it also significantly reduces the amount of waste going into incineration and the current boxes are not contaminating recycled waste.
The scheme will be launched at Mytton Restaurant and will be extended once the Apley Restaurant reopens. Help us to think outside the takeaway box, and save pennies and the planet.
St David’s Day is a chance to celebrate Welsh culture, language and identity. It’s also a good reminder of how language can help people feel more at ease, especially when they are unwell or in unfamiliar surroundings.
We are proud to support the ‘Iaith Gwaith’ campaign, a workplace initiative which highlights to our patients which members of staff can speak Welsh. The ‘Cymraeg’ badges are orange and can be collected from our libraries in both PRH and RSH or contact the Patient Experience Team on nhs.net. You simply wear the badge to show patients that they can talk Welsh to you.
Rydyn ni’n falch o gefnogi’r ymgyrch ‘Iaith Gwaith’, menter yn y gweithle sy’n dangos ac amlygu i’n cleifion pa aelodau o staff sy’n gallu siarad Cymraeg. Mae’r bathodynnau ‘Cymraeg’ yn oren a gallwch chi eu casglu o’n llyfrgelloedd yn PRH ac RSH. Yn syml, rydych chi’n gwisgo’r bathodyn i ddangos i gleifion fod croeso iddyn nhw siarad Cymraeg â chi.
Defnyddiwch eich Cymraeg pan welwch y bathodyn hwn
Use your Welsh whenever you see this badge
Community at The Red Lion Caersws Raises £7,125 for Hospital Roof Garden
Customers at The Red Lion, Caersws have raised an incredible £7,125 in support of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Charity. The money will go towards the Critical Care and Oncology Roof Garden – a new outdoor space for patients and their families.
The fundraising total was achieved through a series of fun and creative community activities, including food stalls, “money in a jar,” “spud in a bucket,” freshly prepared baps, and other lively events hosted at the pub. The generosity and enthusiasm of customers and supporters turned small change and community spirit into a significant donation for local hospital services.
Pictured with the cheque are Viv Bradley (left) and Glyn Brown (right) with Julia Clarke (middle), Director of Public Participation, proudly holding the £7,125 donation on behalf of everyone who took part.
Julia Clarke said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at The Red Lion, Caersws and to all of their wonderful customers who have supported this fundraising effort. £7,125 is a fantastic achievement and will make a real difference to our Critical Care and Oncology Roof Garden project. This space will provide comfort, fresh air and a moment of calm for patients and their loved ones
Jared’s tombola
Meet Jared, one of our amazing interns from Telford College, who’s making a real difference for our Children’s Services Campaign.
Jared has organised a raffle at the Princess Royal Hospital to raise funds for our newly launched Children’s Campaign. This will support us in creating new areas such as our Children’s Sky Garden, which will give poorly children the chance to go outside, play, and enjoy fresh air in a safe and uplifting space.
during what can be some of the most challenging times. Thank you.”
Glyn Brown, who is currently receiving treatment at SaTH said: “Being treated on Ward 23, I saw firsthand how much these services mean to patients and families. I’m incredibly proud of what our community has achieved. I hope the money we’ve raised will help create a space that brings comfort to future patients when they need it most.”
The Critical Care and Oncology Roof Garden aims to provide a dedicated outdoor sanctuary where patients can benefit from fresh air and natural surroundings as part of their care journey.
For more information about supporting the project, please contact sath.charity@nhs.net
All the raffle prizes have been generously donated, and Jared has already raised £155.15 for the campaign.
We will also have the new addition of our sensory room, which will offer a calm, soothing environment where children can regulate their emotions during what can be a challenging time.
A huge thank you to Jared and everyone supporting this wonderful cause. Every ticket sold helps bring these special spaces to life for our young patients, so if you would like to get involved, by either becoming a fundraiser yourself or supporting the Children’s Campaign, click here to find out more and donate.
STAFF LOTTERY
This month’s winners...
1st £700
Cecile Pollitt, Women and Childrens 2nd £325
Corinne Smith, Recruitment 2nd £325
Neville Griffiths, Facilities 3rd £175
Sinoj Varghese, AMA 3rd £175
Steven Doley, Medical Engineering 4th £125
Lee Merrick-Davis, Theatres 4th £125
Laura McGregor, Theatres 5th £75
Lisa Price, Ward 22 5th £75
Linu Thomas, Ward 5 6th £60
Dominador Gemino, PRH Pre-Op 6th £60
Rachel Hughes, Theatres 6th £60
Becky Hodgson, Neonatal Unit 6th £60
Megan Eardly, Women and Childrens
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
To all the amazing staff on the chemo day unit,
Thank you so much for the care, kindness and support you have shown me during my treatment.
Your warmth, patience and friendly faces have made a scary and difficult time a lot easier. We truly appreciate everything you have done.