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14 FEBRUARY 2025
This week we celebrated National Apprenticeship Week 2025
We value our Apprentices - National Apprenticeship Week 2025 Apprenticeships are at the heart of Barnsley Hospital, strengthening our teams and shaping the future of our workforce. Across most departments, our apprentices bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and dedication—making a real impact on both patient care and the smooth running of our services.
Your commitment to learning while contributing to your teams is invaluable. From frontline care to essential behind-the-scenes roles, apprentices play a crucial part in our success. The skills and passion you bring not only benefit the hospital today but also help build a strong, talented workforce for the future. Thank you for everything you do.
Steve Ned
Director of People
Shine a Spotlight on Your Team: Nominate for a Healthcare Award February marks the start of healthcare awards season, and Barnsley Hospital’s Communications team is here to help you submit your entries. Last year, the Trust proudly took home the HSJ Patient Safety – Quality Improvement Initiative of the Year Award. Could your team be next? Your hard work in patient care, process improvements, and innovation deserves recognition.
2024
Right now, nominations are open for HSJ Awards, NHS Parliamentary Awards, RCNI Awards, and more. Think about your team’s achievements over the past three years and get in touch. A strong submission includes impact data, problem-solving insights, and evidence of success. Let’s celebrate our excellence together Have you worked on an award-worthy project? Email the Comms team
Thank you to everyone who made yesterday’s visit possible
Senior NHS leaders have visited our Community Diagnostic Centre as part of the biggest ever NHS engagement exercise. Yesterday’s visit followed a Sheffield event, where NHS staff from across the region gathered to give views on the government’s 10-Year Health Plan. One of the plan’s aims is to shift from delivering care in hospitals to delivering care closer to home, in communities. The Barnsley CDC is at the forefront of this. By offering vital screening and diagnostic services in a convenient town centre location, it helps ease pressure on hospitals and brings essential care closer to where people live and work.
Visitors including Dr Vin Diwakar, National Director of Transformation, toured the CDC and met colleagues delivering diagnostic imaging services to the community. Around 95,000 patients will have attended the CDC for diagnostic tests between April 2024 and March 2025. Uptake for Breast Screening is one of the best in the country.. There is still time to contribute ideas to help shape the NHS. The platform has already received 1.5 million visits, with over 11,000 ideas submitted so far.
Safe lives, free from abuse and violence. Hi, my name is Jane, and I work for your local domestic abuse support service (IDAS). I will be spending time at the Hospital on Friday mornings on a fortnightly basis. If your partner or other family members do or say things that make you feel frightened or worried, or if you feel like you’re walking on eggshells, come and have a chat. You will find me in the Occupational Health department, where I have a confidential space. IDAS support is free, confidential, and inclusive. We will support you whether you want to leave an abusive relationship or stay more safely.
IDAS is the largest specialist charity in the North supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
A heartfelt thank you to all Barnsley Hospital apprentices past and present At the Trust, our apprentices are the beating heart of our workforce. For over 40 years, the Trust has supported hundreds of apprentices—many of whom have grown with us, shaping careers and continuing to serve our community with dedication and skill. Today, 134 apprentices are actively training across a variety of roles, each making a vital contribution to patient care, whether on the front lines or behind the scenes in essential administrative functions.
Apprenticeships are more than just training programmes—they are a foundation for the future of healthcare. The commitment and resilience our apprentices demonstrate, balancing the demands of their roles while working towards their qualifications, is truly inspiring. Their impact is felt in every department, and their hard work does not go unnoticed.
Eden, Lesley, and Lizzie
As a team, we are incredibly privileged to support and witness the journeys of so many talented individuals.
Your dedication, perseverance, and passion make Barnsley Hospital stronger.
Seeing apprentices grow in confidence and capability, progressing in their careers and becoming integral members of our hospital family, is what drives us every day.
We are immensely proud of all you have achieved and excited to see what the future holds for each of you.
To every single one of our apprentices—past and present—we extend our deepest gratitude.
Thank you, Lesley, Lizzie, and Eden Vocational Training Team
From teen-typist to fire safety ace I started my admin and clerical apprenticeship in September 2001, straight after leaving school at 16.
I also collected medical notes for new patients and made sure the daily bed reports were ready for ward clerks.
It was an NVQ course, where I had to collect evidence to meet the requirements and pass typing exams. I also did extra Maths because I didn’t get the GCSE grade I needed.
With help from the Vocational Training Team, I got my first temporary job in December 2001 as a medical typist for the ENT Secretaries.
At first, I worked on the hospital’s main reception. I greeted patients and visitors, gave them directions, and sometimes walked them to where they needed to go.
It was tough, but my colleagues helped me learn medical terms. My main job was typing letters that doctors dictated and sending them to GP surgeries.
Vicki Davies Fire safety officer I took on several temporary jobs across the hospital, learning different skills. Eventually, I got my first permanent job in the Health & Safety Team as an Admin Assistant. It was part-time, but I soon got another parttime job in the Medical Imaging Team, sending Xrays to different hospitals. In 2004, my Health & Safety job became full-time, and I was asked if I wanted to do extra training. I said yes and started straight away. Over the years, I earned a Professional Trainer Qualification, the NEBOSH General Certificate, the NEBOSH Fire Certificate, and the NEBOSH Diploma. I was then promoted to Health & Safety Coordinator.
In 2022, I got a new job as a Fire Safety Officer. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the apprenticeship scheme. It gave me the skills I needed and helped shape my career. Even after finishing, the team was always there to support me. Thinking of joining? Go for it! It can open doors you never thought possible. Starting so young, I had no idea what I wanted to do, but this scheme gave me experience and helped me make big career decisions. Even now, over 20 years later, the team is just as supportive!
Speak to the Vocational Training Team about recruiting an apprentice
From Apprentice to leader: How one career-changing decision transformed my future I began my apprenticeship in Business Administration in February 2020, just before COVID. I completed both my Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications while working in the Medical Education team—a fantastic department to start my career in. With my team’s encouragement I progressed, and in 2022 I secured the role of Medical Education Administrator (Band 2).
By September, another opportunity arose, and after lots of hard work, I became the Undergraduate Officer (Band 4), supporting medical students from the University of Sheffield. During school and college, university was always encouraged, and I was unaware of NHS apprenticeships.
I had applied for university but changed my mind last minute after a friend recommended the apprenticeship route. It was the best decision I ever made. This experience has given me invaluable skills, knowledge, and career progression. Apprenticeships allow you to gain hands-on experience while earning a qualification—perfect for meeting job requirements. If you’re considering one, go for it!
Maddy Lingard Undergraduate Officer
There is so much support available, and it’s a decision you won’t regret.
BFS Apprentice Natasha shines As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we’re spotlighting the incredible success of Natasha, a shining example of dedication and growth at BFS. Since joining in September 2023, Natasha has excelled, earning a distinction in her Level 2 Customer Services qualification and progressing to Level 3 Business Admin—all while thriving in the Admin & Support Services Team. From liaising with contractors to handling car parking permits,
Natasha Esberger Business and Administration Apprentice Natasha has built strong relationships and proven her resilience. Now training on the Estates and Portering Helpdesks, she’s ready for her next challenge.
Admin & HR Apprentice Jenna takes opportunities to develop knowledge & skills Jenna joined BFS in 2022. Her skills and extensive knowledge of admin, together with her excellent can-do approach to her work very quickly earned her the respect of her colleagues and managers within BFS, and the wider hospital. She gained promotion to an Admin Officer in the Support Services Team in 2023 and very quickly extended her knowledge base and skills in this area. Jenna also started to take meeting minutes, and developed her skills significantly, supporting with the preparation of meeting papers and producing accurate transcriptions from the meetings.
Jenna also became involved in supporting the admin process for car parking permits and systems, and provides excellent support to the Car Parking Team. Respected by colleagues, Jenna has been nominated for several internal recognition awards within BFS, and has won Employee of the Month. She will soon be extending her knowledge of Security & Resilience, when she undertakes her 6-month Secondment with the BFS Business Security Unit. Best wishes for the future!
Learning on the job: Sam Shaw opening doors and building a future career in project management After joining Barnsley Hospital in 2017, Sam worked across Clinical Systems, Assistive Technology, and the Portfolio Management Office (PMO). Passionate about projects, she saw a future and opportunity in project management and, in June 2024, began the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship has given me the confidence to take on more responsibility and apply my learning to real hospital projects. It’s a stepping stone toward further education and career progression within PMO.
Sam’s advice? “Go for it! Apprenticeships are a rewarding way to grow while you work.” With hands-on experience and structured learning, the journey towards project management has truly begun.
Samantha Shaw Project Support Officer
Speak to the Vocational Training Team about recruiting an apprentice
LOOK BACK: HEART AWARDS 2024
WINNE R 2024
High Intensity User project team
Patient Care
Heroes urge teams to enter 2025 Heart Awards Last year’s award-winning HIU service is calling on NHS teams to enter the 2025 awards after their groundbreaking work transformed lives. Supporting frequent A&E attendees facing addiction, homelessness, and mental health struggles, the HIU team’s multidisciplinary approach has slashed hospital admissions and given patients a fresh start.
Their victory proved that innovation and compassion can change healthcare for the better. Think your team has what it takes? Enter now below – recognition and the chance to inspire change awaits. Find out more and make a nomination
WINNE R 2024
Everyday hero Katy
Patient Choice
Do you know a lifesaver? When every second counted, Nurse Katy went above and beyond. Rushing to the side of a critically ill patient, she didn’t just provide life-saving care— she cared for the family, too. Even after her shift ended, she stayed, ensuring the patient’s husband was fed, reassured, and supported.
The next day, during her own time, she checked in with the patient again. This is what true dedication looks like and Katy deservedly bagged the Patient Choice Heart Award in 2024.
Know someone like Katy? Nominate today
Make your nomination today for 2025 A lot of incredible work has happened over the last 12 months and our Heart Awards are an important way of recognising and celebrating this work.
Barnsley Facility Services (BFS) Award Barnsley Hospital Charity Award Individual Outstanding Achievement - Clinical Individual Outstanding Achievement - Non-Clinical Innovation and Quality Improvement (QI) Award
In addition to these categories, patients or their representatives can make a nomination in the Patient Choice category, and the Chief Executive and the Governors will each present an award to an individual or team within the hospital who has embodied the organisational values and worked hard to make a difference in their work area or team.
Full category descriptions are available on the Hub, and in the nomination form linked below. Don’t delay, nominations close on Friday 7 March. Find out more and make a nomination
Patient Care Award Partnership Award Team Outstanding Achievement - Clinical Team Outstanding Achievement - Non-clinical Volunteer of the Year
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