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Pulmonary rehabilitation comes

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The Pulmonary Rehabilitation team hosted an awareness event in the hospital’s main entrance on Wednesday 10 June.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a treatment programme of exercise, education and support for people living with chronic respiratory conditions.

Ear care conference brings healthcare professionals together in Rotherham

Colleagues from Rotherham Ear Care Centre and Audiology brought healthcare professionals together for a conference focused on learning, networking and sharing expertise in ear care.

The Rotherham Ear Care Conference took place on Monday 8 June at the New York Stadium, with more than 95 people in attendance. The event was led by a small team of specialist nurse prescribers who provide complex ear care to patients and deliver ear care courses to healthcare professionals locally and nationally.

The conference was organised by Rotherham Ear Care Centre and the Audiology department, which forms part of our community services and is based at the Rotherham Community Health Centre (RCHC) in the town centre.

Speakers included Mrs Susan Douglas (Consultant in Otolaryngology, Clinical Lead Christopher Hammond-Race, Principal Audiologists Matthew White and Sarah Wardle and Lead Specialist Nurse Jodie Whitehead. Sessions covered ear surgery, ear infections, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and cholesteatoma.

Speakers included ear, nose, and throat (ENT) consultants, senior audiologists and specialist nurses, with sessions covering ear surgery, ear infections, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and cholesteatoma, a condition involving abnormal skin growth inside the ear.

Attendees also had time to network with other ear care professionals and speak with exhibitors about related resources and support linked to ear care. A quiz helped add a fun element to the day.

“It was fantastic to welcome colleagues from across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with a shared interest in ear care,” said Christopher Hammond-Race, Clinical Lead for Ear Care and Audiology. “The conference gave people the chance to learn from one another, share practical experience and make useful connections.”

Amanda Burgin, Audiology Support Manager, added: “Thank you to everyone who helped organise and support the event. It was a real team effort, and we are very grateful for the time and energy people gave to make the day run smoothly.”

Jodie Whitehead, Lead Specialist Ear Care Nurse, said: “Events like this are a great example of how our services support learning, collaboration and improvement across the wider health system. By bringing colleagues together to share specialist knowledge and practical experience, we can continue to strengthen care for patients and support professional development across ear care services.”

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Awareness event

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation team hosted an awareness event in the hospital’s main entrance on Wednesday 10 June.

The event provided a chance for colleagues and patients to find out more about the support available from Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Long Covid services.

Award-winning Lead Chaplain shortlisted for national healthcare award

Maysoon Shafiq, Lead Chaplain, is a finalist in the Ibn Sīnā Award for Excellence in Health category at The Muslim News Awards for Excellence 2026.

The awards recognise the positive impact of Muslim communities across the UK and beyond. The Ibn Sīnā Award celebrates British Muslims and medical institutions that have made important contributions to healthcare, medicine, and clinical inclusion. Maysoon has been recognised for her work supporting Muslim patients receiving end-of-life care, and for her work with the local Muslim community.

“I am humbled to be shortlisted for a Muslim News Award for the Excellence in Healthcare category,” said Maysoon.

“It is an honour to be recognised alongside so many talented and inspiring individuals.”

“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of many people dedicated to serving our communities, and I am grateful to be part of that work. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my lead, Karen Shay-Nutt, and the Deputy Chief Nurse, Cindy Storer, for their continued, unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement, which has played an important role in this achievement.”

Maysoon will find out whether she has won at the awards ceremony in London this July.

Celebrating National Manual Handling Awareness Day

Every day, colleagues support patients to sit, stand and move. It is a key part of person-centred care, but it can also put a strain on your body if it is not done safely.

National Manual Handling Awareness Day is a reminder to look after ourselves while we look after others. It is an opportunity to highlight the support and guidance available to help colleagues carry out moving and handling tasks safely.

Using the right approach, equipment and guidance helps reduce the risk of injury and supports safe, dignified care for patients.

Meet the Moving and Handling Team

The Moving and Handling Team is made up of Lesley Westood and Dawn Furby, who provide advice on safe moving and handling practice.

“We support colleagues across the hospital and community services,” said Lesley. “Our role is to help teams feel confident about using safe techniques, equipment and guidance.”

Dawn added: “We can share best practice on how to support someone with complex needs, including how to use equipment such as hoists and slide sheets safely and appropriately.

“We also support colleagues with display screen equipment assessments, such as workstation set-ups.”

In celebration of National Manual Handling Awareness Day, Lesley and Dawn have been working with ward teams to help them create safety pledges to ensure colleagues remain committed to their own safety and the safety of others.

What can you do?

We asked the team what they want colleagues to keep in mind during dayto-day work.

Dawn said: “Pause and think. Before supporting a patient to move, check the risks, follow the patient’s moving and handling assessment or care plan, and make sure you are using the right equipment or mobility aids.

“If you are unsure, ask for advice. You can also check the resources on the Hub, where moving and handling guidance is available to support safe practice.”

If you would like to speak to the team direct, you can find them in their office at the back of the Rooftop Restaurant on A Level. The team is available Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 4pm. You can also call Lesley on extension 4314 or Dawn on extension 8050.

Trust shortlisted for two HSJ Patient Safety Awards

The Trust has been named as a finalist in two categories at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards for projects designed to make care safer, easier to access and more reassuring for patients.

Run by the Health Service Journal, the HSJ Patient Safety Awards is now in its sixteenth year and continues to recognise the outstanding work done by healthcare providers to improve safety and quality across health and care.

Nurse-led baby loss follow-up service has helped over 300 patients

The Gynaecology team has been shortlisted as a finalist for improving support for patients who have experienced pregnancy loss.

The project has been shortlisted in the Harnessing a Human Factors Approach to Improve Patient Safety Award category. This award recognises teams that use practical changes to reduce mistakes and improve patient care.

The service was introduced after identifying that many birthing parents were going home after pregnancy loss without routine follow-up, clear advice or a named point of contact.

The Gynaecology team now contacts patients after discharge to check on their health, identify any problems early, answer questions and provide updates on outstanding tests.

The team has now provided follow-up support to more than 300 patients since launch, while also signposting people and their families to additional bereavement support.

The shortlisting recognises the team’s work to provide clearer advice, reassurance and joined-up follow-up care after pregnancy loss.

Leanne Hanson, Matron for Gynaecology, said: “Pregnancy loss can be an incredibly difficult and emotional experience, and we know people may have questions or worries after they leave hospital. This follow-up service gives patients a clear point of contact, helps us check on their wellbeing and makes sure they are not left trying to navigate the next steps on their own.”

Partnership helps new mothers make informed contraception choices

The second project was developed by the Department of Sexual Health; the project centred on empowering midwives to provide immediate access to contraceptive implants for women following childbirth. Through a free, bespoke contraceptive implant training programme delivered by Sexual Health doctors, midwives gained the specialist skills required to safely counsel and fit contraceptive implants before patients leave hospital.

This successful collaboration between the Trust’s Midwifery Team, the Rotherham Sexual Health Service and the Pregnancy Advisory Service has been shortlisted in the Maternity, Midwifery and Neonatal Safety Initiative of the Year category, recognising the significant impact of midwife-led contraceptive provision on patient care and outcomes.

To date, participating midwives have fitted 89 contraceptive implants. The aim is to give patients timely access to postnatal contraception and help reduce the risk of an unplanned pregnancy within one year of giving birth.

Dr Nadi Gupta, Consultant at Rotherham Sexual Health Service, said: “The initiative has enabled trained midwives to play a leading role in providing timely access to highly effective contraception during the postnatal period, improving patient choice and reducing barriers to care. By offering the implant before discharge, where it is clinically appropriate and the patient chooses it, we can make access simpler, more timely and more convenient at a busy time in their lives.”

Helen Dobson, Chief Nurse, said: “Both projects show how thoughtful changes in the way we support people can make a real difference to patient safety and experience, particularly at important or difficult points in their care.”

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday 27 September 2026.

Local carer highlights impact of Trust’s Carer and Care Partner Promise

A local carer has spoken about how the Carer and Care Partner Promise which recognises carers as partners in patient care, helped her and her partner in Rotherham Hospital.

Michelle, who cares full-time for her partner Roy at home, shared her experience during Carers Week to show how the Trust’s Carer and Care Partner Promise provides practical help and reassurance during hospital stays. When Roy was admitted to Rotherham Hospital, Michelle described the initial experience as daunting and stressful, making it difficult for her to feel confident about his ongoing care.

The turning point came when a ward care worker asked whether she had been recognised as a Care Partner under the Trust’s Carer and Care Partner Promise.

Once recognised, Michelle received a care partner lanyard and badge, signalling her role to the healthcare team and helping ensure she was included and supported as an important partner in Roy’s care.

“It felt like I had someone behind me straight away. It made a real difference to how staff worked with us,” Michelle said.

“Before that, I was often seen as Roy’s partner sitting by the bed. Once I had the badge, people understood I was his main care partner. We started working as one team. At shift change, staff were clearer about my role, and I finally felt included in decisions about his care and how to meet his communication needs. They showed me where I could get things I needed to help care for Roy and we worked well together.”

The Carer Promise also recognises the wider needs of carers, acknowledging that supporting a loved one in hospital can place physical, emotional and financial strain on families.

For Michelle, these benefits made a real difference. The promise provided support with ward access, drinks, and prompted colleagues to make her aware of reduced parking costs for carers of people who are expected to say for a week or more.

“The parking concession alone takes a huge weight off your mind,” Michelle said. “When you are in the middle of an emergency, the last thing you want to think about is running back to a machine to pay again or worrying about your ticket running out. It is one less thing to deal with at a stressful time.”

The promise also gave Michelle confidence to take short but necessary breaks. Knowing colleagues understood her role and would monitor Roy allowed her to step away for breakfast or to collect essentials without constant anxiety. Colleagues remained in contact and were ready to update Michelle if Roy’s condition changed.

Working together also extended to Roy’s return home. Ward nurses talked Michelle through what to look out for when Roy returned home, helping her feel more confident about the transition.

Helen Dobson, Chief Nurse, said: “Michelle and Roy’s story reflects the Trust’s commitment to ensuring carers are recognised and supported from the outset as experts in that person’s needs, and are constantly included in the way care is planned and delivered. When we get that right, we create a better experience for families, and more joined-up care for patients.”

The Carer Promise is available to support carers across relevant inpatient areas. If you are unsure how to support a carer, speak to the nurse in charge or check the Carer Promise information on the Hub.

Trust marks Carers Week 2026

This week is Carers Week. A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who couldn’t manage without their support – often unpaid.

This year’s theme 'Building Carer Friendly Communities' is all about recognising the incredible role carers play and the support they need.

We’re proud to stand with carers across Rotherham and support them through our Carer and Care Partner Promise.

Support for local carers can also be found on the Rotherham council website.

Red4Research Day preview

On Friday 19 June, Research colleagues will mark Red4Research Day. Through the week, the Research Team will be raising awareness of the amazing work that they do, highlighting how other colleagues across the Trust can get involved in research.

The Research Team conduct and support clinical trials and studies. Research directly leads to:

New treatments and therapies

Improved care and outcomes

Better understanding of diseases

Evidence-based practice across NHS services

Deputy Chief Nurse, Cindy Storer emphasises the importance of research work: "Research is the foundation of NHS care. It helps us drive life saving clinical breakthroughs, accelerating earlier diagnoses and ensure patient receive the most effective treatments possible.

“Our support for Red4Research will help the Trust adopt innovative treatments and improve patient outcomes. Together, we can make a real difference to our patients”

Research engagement packs

The week will see the launch of research engagement packs, which will be delivered to ward departments. These packs are created to support and encourage departments around the Trust to get involved with research. The packs are designed to be quick, practical and easy to use and will include:

Meet the team: an introduction to the Research Team.

Your local research contact: details of your link clinical research nurse or midwife. What research looks like here: information on studies taking place within the Trust.

Why research matters: feedback from our patients and staff who have experience of being involved in research.

Getting involved in research: clear, simple guidance on how you can get involved, with no prior experience necessary.

Professional development opportunities: information on training, shadowing, and career pathways within research.

Contact information: how to get in touch with the Research Team for advice, ideas or future opportunities.

Look out for the Research Team in the lead up to Red4Research Day, they will be wearing red to help spread awareness of the campaign.

Datesforyourdiary

Estates and Facilities Day

Wednesday 17 June

LGBTQ+ Staff Network drop-in session

Wednesday 17 June

Proud Awards

Friday 19 June

You can find more upcoming events like these on the Hub’s events calendar