news BARNSLEYHOSPITAL
The magazine of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
SUMMER 2025
www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk
Nurse who beat breast cancer backs new appeal A nurse from Barnsley Hospital’s Breast Unit is sharing her story of how fortunate she was to overcome breast cancer – inspiring fundraising for the hospital charity’s new cancer care appeal. Lisa Sanderson, 54, used to be a Macmillan Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) but now is the Lead Nurse in the Breast Unit. Married to Paul, she has three children and seven grandchildren and lives in Barnsley. Back in 2015, she found a ‘sausage-shaped’ lump in her breast. She went to her GP, had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy, only to find that same week that she had neuroendocrine breast cancer – a particularly rare type of cancer for the breast. She said: “One of the
hardest things I had to do was tell my children.” She initially had a wide local excision followed by chemotherapy. When she began to lose her hair, instead of sinking into depression, she and Paul decided to shave off all her locks and asked Barnsley Boots beauty counter to help. “Paul was armed with hair clippers and became a barber for the day,” said Lisa. Humour was important to keep the couple going but there were very tough times too. “I hated my reflection and didn’t recognise the person staring back at me. I struggled to breathe just going to the toilet and was so bloated I could hardly walk.” Lisa had worryingly high temperatures and spent a lot of time in hospital. “I endured a vast selection of intravenous cocktails, and I felt isolated from those I love and the things I like doing. I missed being me.” Her friends rallied round, running races for her and even shaving their heads in support. After chemotherapy, she had three-and-a-half weeks of radiotherapy. She celebrated her last day of radiotherapy on November 11, 2015, and was
Resilience through change
Lisa Sanderson now in the hospital garden and, below left, Lisa celebrating the end of Radiotherapy
given the all-clear in November 2016 after a mammogram. Following her treatment, she committed her time to sharing her experiences to help others, via initiatives like the ‘Living with and Beyond Cancer Programme.’ She added: “I have seen both sides of the cancer journey. I know having cancer can be a lonely place, and as a previous cancer nurse, if I can’t
talk about it, who can?” In 2017, Dr Hilary Jones surprised Lisa on national TV with her friends and family as part of ‘Inspirational Women Week.’ Lisa recently took part in a Lego Walk, to raise funds for the appeal. Find out more about Barnsley Hospital’s Breast Cancer Appeal on Page 4.
Celebrating nurses and midwives… Barnsley Hospital recently marked two big occasions – International Day of the Midwife, and International Nurses Day. This year’s theme for midwives was ‘Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis,’ highlighting the strength, resilience and vital role midwives play across our Trust. The hospital also celebrated its brilliant nursing teams for Nurses Day. They continue to work hard delivering care through ever-changing challenges. The Trust is so proud of their dedication, expertise and compassion and thanks them for all they do.
Sarah Moppett, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and AHPs, was out and about in the hospital with treats and surprises. In a message to colleagues, she said: “I have been a registered nurse for over 30 years and on International Nurses’ Day I reflected on my own career. Looking back, it has been a privilege to care for others and to work alongside incredible colleagues. If I had my time again, I would make the same career choice. Nursing is not always an easy choice though. “I encourage each nurse to reflect on what your role means to you and what your acts of
care mean to so many patients.” On the day, the hospital chaplaincy hosted a service for both Nurses and Midwives in the hospital chapel. The week of both events was also Mental Health Awareness week, and Sarah encouraged nurses and midwives to use the many wellbeing options the Trust offers through its Occupational Health Service. Sarah added: “I know we have strong nursing teams across the Trust – and they often become closer because of the hurdles they overcome together. This makes me proud to work at Barnsley Hospital and of the values we all share.”
Hospital launches Young Carers Passport
Phoebe Sumption
Barnsley Hospital’s Safeguarding Team has worked with Barnardo’s to launch the ‘Young Carers Passport’ . This will allow children with caring responsibilities to be supported when their family members visit hospital or are an inpatient. The passport is designed to prompt staff to provide support and care for young carers. Young carers are children and young people under 18, who take on physical, practical or emotional responsibilities at home because someone in their family is ill, has a disability, experiences mental health problems or has a problem linked to alcohol or drugs. Lots of young people
Barnsley Hospital CEO Dr Richard Jenkins
want to help out and feel proud that they can offer support, but we know from talking to young carers that having extra responsibilities can be difficult and has an impact on their lives both at home and at school or college. Young carer Phoebe Sumption, 18, was caring for her mum who has now sadly passed away from brain cancer. Phoebe said: “I started going to Barnardo’s when I was a young carer and the hospital team came in and asked what they could do to help. At the time when my mum was having her chemotherapy sessions, I wasn’t allowed to sit with her. That’s when we started to talk about
ways of helping young carers and it led to the Young Carers Passport, as well as many other ideas. “The passport meant I had more opportunities when I was in hospital to be with my mum, and I had support as well. Obviously, it’s such a difficult thing being a young carer and even just being able to sit with mum during her chemo made things so much easier. The passport allows young carers to feel empowered and have their voices heard in a healthcare setting.” If you identify as a Young Carer and would like support, please contact the safeguarding team on 01226 43 2092 or bhnft.safeguardingteam@nhs.net
Welcome to the summer edition of Barnsley Hospital News. Since our last edition, lots has been happening in the NHS – both inside our hospital and out. One of the most exciting events is the launch of the first of nine trailblazer programmes to get Barnsley back to health and back to work. The Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall recently visited our town to unveil £18million of South Yorkshire funding. This will be vital in preventing people falling out of work due to ill-health. Much of the support focuses on young people, particularly with the launch of ‘The Great Childhoods Ambition.’ This is a partner commitment to improving the lives and futures of our children and young people. They already do amazing work. Just look at our Page 1 story about Phoebe Sumption, aged 18, whose own experience as a carer helped develop our ‘Young Carers Passport’ in the hospital. The breadth of excellent work across the whole Trust by clinical, non-clinical and volunteer teams was illustrated in our recent Heart Awards (see page 2). The evening was a real tonic! This month sees the 77th anniversary of the NHS, and we continue to mark our colleagues’ achievements through events like Nurses’ Day and Midwives Day (page 1). Our charity has also launched a new Breast Care Appeal. Please read the moving story (page 1) of our Lead Breast Care Nurse Lisa Sanderson, who shares her personal journey through breast cancer. Major changes continue throughout the NHS, nationally and locally. We remain confident that with your help, we have the resilience to continue improving and delivering crucial services. Thank you for all your support. Dr Richard Jenkins
Barnsley Hospital News readership survey We introduced our news readership survey in the last edition – as we’d really like to hear your feedback about Barnsley Hospital News. What kinds of stories are most relevant to you? Do you know we have an online version on the hospital website? What topics would you like us to cover in future? We welcome all your ideas. Please scan the QR code or visit barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk/ bhn and take a moment
to answer our survey questions. Thank you!