Hollie’s Christmas delivery brings joy to patients
Read more on page 8
HannahRyan
We are delighted to announce that Hannah Ryan has been honoured with the prestigious Cavell Award.
From her beginnings as a YTS apprentice to her current role as Matron in Barnsley Hospital’s Emergency Department, Hannah has consistently demonstrated professionalism, compassion, and dedication.
Even when faced with profound personal loss and serious health challenges, she returned to the role she loves—caring for patients, mentoring staff, and leading with strength.
This award is a testament to her resilience and inspiration. Congratulations, Hannah!
Nominate a colleague for a Cavell Star Award today
Emma Parkes
Joint Director of Communication
Congratulations to last week's winners!
Alex Myers - HR Recruitment
Vicki Davies - Health and Safety Manager
Deborah Tumman - Higher Clerical Officer
SallyFoster-25YearsatBarnsleyHospital
Sally Foster has dedicated an incredible 31 years to Barnsley Hospital, beginning her career at just 17 as a youth trainee. She qualified as a nurse in September 2000 and has proudly served the hospital she was born and raised in ever since. Much of her career has been spent as a scrub nurse, where her professionalism, compassion, and humour shine through.
One memory she treasures is translating a patient’s Yorkshire phrase “darn pit” for a puzzled consultant “he did it down the coal mine.” Sally’s journey reflects resilience, dedication, and true Barnsley spirit.
Congratulations, Sally!
Thank you for your 25 years of dedication and hard work!
Kick off 2026 with a healthier you by joining Dry January!
This month-long challenge encourages going alcohol-free and enjoying benefits like improved sleep, higher energy, and more savings—both in money and calories.
The free Try Dry® app offers support to track progress, monitor savings, and stay motivated.
Research shows participants are twice as likely to succeed with these tools.
Join the journey by downloading the app.
Let’s make this January the start of something great
Doing Dry January? Click here to share your story with the communications team by email
We’re wiggling into 2026 with the first ever Barnsley Hospital Charity Dry January fundraiser. Every team gets its own mascot worm to cheer them on through fun challenges, support one another, and make a real difference for our patients.
Sign up as a team, support your wellbeing, have a laugh with colleagues, and raise money for a great cause by staying alcohol-free all month.
You will be sent a fundraising pack, a team worm and individual worms for each participant and a contact for support from the Healthy Lives team.
Set up your fundraising page and sign up here!
Holliekicksoff FestiveCheer
Hollie Kyle, 13, has turned her fight with juvenile arthritis into kindness. After treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, she launched Hollie’s Gift Appeal. Hollie donated around 700 presents across Barnsley Hospital, bringing festive cheer to children, families, and staff. Her generosity lifted spirits during the season.
Barnsley FC player Jonathan Bland also visited the children’s ward, delivering gifts, signing shirts, and spreading joy, highlighting community commitment to brighten the holidays.
Thank you so much Hollie
A new initiative on Ward 33 has transformed the way the team works together, improving efficiency and patient safety. Introduced in August 2024, the focused multidisciplinary team (MDT) board round has strengthened collaboration and enhanced clinical decisionmaking. The board round has delivered significant benefits, including improved antibiotic stewardship and better compliance with VTE protocols. Impressively, the team has achieved 100% compliance with weekday meetings, ensuring consistent communication and planning.
Feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive, with everyone surveyed agreeing the approach helps the team work more efficiently and brings valuable improvements for patients.
Looking ahead, the goal is to maintain daily board rounds and expand this successful model to other surgical wards, continuing to build on the progress made.
Read more about this and other QI projects on the Hub
Counselling is a confidential talking therapy that offers a safe space to discuss anythingwork or home-related that may be affecting your life. Our counselling service has a dedicated team of two qualified Counsellors available five days a week. We provide support for all NHS staff, as well as GPs and dental surgery teams. Here’s what one colleague shared about their experience:
“At a time when I was gripped in the darkness of grief after losing my mum I was offered grief counselling through Occupational Health. It helped me to find a light to guide me through the darkness and out the other side, armed with the tools to continue my journey and heal.” - Tracy You can self-refer for counselling through Occupational Health quickly and confidentially.
NEW FOR 2026 - MONTHLY BEREAVEMENT CAFE
The Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service is launching a new Bereavement Café, which offers a safe space for practical and emotional support for staff who may be facing the loss of a loved one or have experienced bereavementwhether through illness, old age, suicide, or other circumstances. The café helps reduce isolation by fostering peer support, shared experiences, and guidance on matters like funeral planning and coping with grief.
LAUNCH EVENT
6TH JANUARY, 12:30-14:00 ROOM 5, EDUCATION CENTRE
FLU VACCINATORS ON SITE THIS WEEK
Protect yourselves, your patients and your family this winter. Stay Strong. Get Vaccinated.
Once you get vaccinated, it usually takes 2 weeks for your body to build up protection against the flu virus. With the festive season just around the corner, get your flu vaccine now to make sure you and your loved ones are protected in time.
Our friendly vaccinators will be roaming on site at the hospital and offering drop-in sessions at these locations and times this upcoming week.
Tuesday 16 December th 09:00–12:00: Roaming BHNFT
Wednesday 17 December th DROP-IN SESSIONS, Medical Outpatients 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00
Thursday 18 December th 09:00–12:00: Roaming BHNFT 13:00-16:00: Roaming BHNFT
Please call Occupational Health on ext 4939 to request a visit or find out where the vaccinators are located during roaming sessions.
Find out more on the Hub
“I love life and value my family, friends, work colleagues, and patients. I can be confident that I have done my best to keep them all safe from flu this winter by being vaccinated! Everyone deserves the chance to stay healthy.”
Fran Ryan, Vaccination and Immunisation Staff Nurse
BRILLIANT INDIVIDUAL
LizzieRobson
Lizzie Robson, Lead Nurse for Paediatrics, exemplifies the very best of nursing. With 25 years of dedicated NHS service, Lizzie combines clinical expertise with visionary leadership. She has driven digital innovation in paediatric care, leading seamless transitions and shaping the upcoming EPMA rollout. Despite her leadership role, Lizzie regularly works clinically, ensuring patient care remains her priority.
Her open-door approach fosters teamwork and support, creating a positive culture for staff and patients alike. Lizzie’s passion, adaptability, and compassion make her a true asset to Barnsley Hospital.
Nominate a colleague for a Brilliant Award today
FirstNHSDomesticAbuseAwarenessDay
Barnsley Hospital is proud to support the first NHS Domestic Abuse Awareness Day, launched by Doctors’ Association UK and the Medical Women’s Federation. The initiative highlights the high prevalence of domestic abuse among healthcare professionals and promotes robust workplace policies to ensure staff safety.
Sophie Reedy, Safeguarding Advisor at Barnsley Hospital, said: “From a local perspective here in Barnsley, staff can always approach the safeguarding team for a chat about their experiences if required and we can ensure appropriate safeguarding actions are in place. Colleagues can also access support from occupational health and their managers.”
NeedSupport?You’reNotAlone
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available from the following confidential services, which offer advice, emotional support, and practical help:
IDAS – Barnsley’s Independent Domestic Abuse Service: 03000 110110
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Men’s Advice Line: 0808 8010 327
Galop LGBT+ Helpline: 0800 999 5428
