PROUD
NEWS
13 MARCH 2026
No Smoking Day 2026 Staff across the hospital will support others to stub out their habit. Read more on Page 11
Making the Trust safer this Healthcare Science Week Tucked away on Level 2 is a small department with a big responsibility: the decontamination services. This dedicated team ensures every medical instrument used across the hospital and community is safely cleaned, sterilised, and ready for patient care. With over 500 years of combined experience, the 35‑strong team is proudly training the next generation through the Level 2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship.
From automated washer disinfectors to modern sterilisation standards, the department has evolved dramatically - and its future looks brighter than ever.
Let’s celebrate them this Healthcare Science Week.
GreenED Bronze Success We’re proud to announce that our Emergency Department has achieved Bronze Accreditation in RCEM’s national GreenED programme. This recognition highlights our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of emergency care and embedding sustainable practices across the department.
By taking part in GreenED, we’re not only improving the environmental sustainability of our ED but also supporting national net‑zero goals and creating long‑term financial savings — all while maintaining high‑quality patient care. The team aren’t stopping there — they’re already aiming to achieve their Silver actions next.
SHORTLISTED 2026
Innovation and Quality Improvement Award Recognising individuals or teams who go the extra mile, live our Trust values, and deliver first‑class, innovative improvements that make a measurable difference across the trust
Capsule Endoscopy Barnsley’s expanding capsule endoscopy service delivers non‑invasive, environmentally friendly diagnostics, reduces waiting lists, and introduces innovative tests like the capsule sponge, improving patient pathways with strong feedback and collaborative implementation.
Claire Lawson A redesigned multidisciplinary safety round improved patient safety, reduced medication errors, increased VTE compliance, saved time and costs, and strengthened team collaboration through a structured, data‑driven quality improvement approach.
Collaboration between members of ED, MSDEC and Pharmacy Two quality improvement projects transformed patient pathways and safety processes, improving experience, reducing costs and environmental impact, and ensuring fully stocked emergency equipment through collaborative, data‑driven changes across clinical and support teams.
More categories in future editions of Proud News
SHORTLISTED 2026
Volunteer of the Year Award Recognising individuals or teams who go the extra mile, live our Trust values, and deliver first‑class, innovative improvements that make a measurable difference across the trust
Kitty Kirk Kitty is an outstanding young volunteer whose maturity, compassion and reliability shine. She supports patients and staff with kindness, excels in multiple roles, and consistently goes above and beyond while pursuing a future in healthcare.
Cancer Services Volunteers Three dedicated Cancer Services volunteer teams provided compassion, guidance and lived-experience support, improve wellbeing, shaping future care and making a daily difference for patients, families and carers across Barnsley Hospital
Kath Crowe Kath has devoted 22 years to supporting patients with compassion and dignity, offering comfort at end of life, embodying Trust values, and consistently going above and beyond as a deeply respected volunteer.
More categories in future editions of Proud News
February’s Star Intern:
DFN Project Search at Barnsley Hospital
Lucas has truly shone in his role within Waste and Portering, consistently demonstrating a brilliant attitude and a strong commitment to doing his best every day.
DFN Project SEARCH helps young people with learning disabilities and autism gain skills for paid work. Barnsley Hospital provides supportive, real workplace experience that builds confidence and independence.
Lucas Hibberd
His positive work ethic, reliability, and genuine enthusiasm for contributing to the team have made a real impact.
Well done, Lucas and thank you for all your hard work! Keep up the fantastic effort.
Interns complete three rotations; October– December, January– March, and April–June, exploring varied career paths while contributing to the hospital community in meaningful and practical ways daily.
Digitalisation, AI and our admin future “Our administrative colleagues are at the heart of how the hospital operates every single day. As digital tools and AI evolve, it’s vital that we fully understand what this means for you your roles, your development, and your confidence in the future.“ “Your insight will help shape how we introduce digital change in a way that supports your contribution. I encourage administrative colleagues to take part in these conversations and help us build a digital future that works for all of us.” Dr Richard Jenkins,
Chief Executive
Digital tools and AI are advancing quickly across the NHS, and we know this can raise questions, especially for our Band 2–5 administrative colleagues. That’s why Richard is inviting you to join dedicated listening sessions to share your thoughts, worries and ideas. These sessions are a safe space to talk openly and help shape how digital change is introduced across the Trust. Your voice matters, and your insight will guide how we support you now and in the future. Please arrive on time to protect the confidential space. Listening sessions will be in the Lecture Theatre in the Medical Education Centre on Wednesday 25 March Session 1: 14:00–14:45 Session 2: 15:00–15:45 You will only need to attend one of the sessions.
Staff Survey Results I’m delighted to share that our 2025 NHS Staff Survey results are in and we are proud to say our survey results overall are broadly similar to last year’s, meaning we continue to be one of the best places to work in the NHS!
Despite working pressures having an impact, colleagues feel supported and enjoy working in Barnsley with the majority responding to say they really appreciate aspects of their working life at the Trust like leadership, teamwork, flexible working and recognition. We must continue to support our people’s wellbeing and help them to develop their careers with us. We are mindful of the many challenges our people face and hope that everyone both in the hospital and in our community will continue to support colleagues in providing the best possible care.
Tim Spackman
Head of Leadership and Organisational Development
We are recognised and rewarded We each have a voice that counts We are compassionate and inclusive We are always learning We work flexibly
Read more about our survey results on our website www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk
Share Your Ideas:
‘Waste Less, Care More’ Needs Your Voice The Waste Less, Care More campaign is gaining real momentum, we have had some great ideas already from the drop- in sessions. We want everybody to share their great ideas. Your insight—big or small— could spark the next improvement that helps us reduce waste while protecting the quality of care we’re proud to provide. Every idea goes straight into our ‘hopper’, where it can spark action and shape real improvements.
There are many ways to share your ideas with us: Complete the form and give us your great ideas. Team Think: Teams spend a few minutes in a meeting generating ideas based on local experience. Drop Boxes: Share ideas anonymously using a physical drop box or the electronic QR‑code version. Walk About, Talk About: Senior leaders will gather ideas during their visits and conversations with teams.
Sarah Newbold People Promise Manager
No Smoking Day 2026 Colleagues across the hospital will support others to stub out their habit ahead of No Smoking Day This Wednesday, we celebrated No Smoking Day across the Trust. To mark the occasion, the Hospital Stop Smoking Service joined by the Smoking in Pregnancy team and Occupational Health, made their way around wards throughout the day. The teams were on hand to talk with staff about the support available to help them stub out the habit for good.
Staff also took part in ‘spin the wheel’ for a chance to bag themselves some goodies and treats as a thank you for supporting the initiative. This a great reminder to check in about the help on offer - whether you’re thinking about quitting, supporting someone else, or just want to know more. Thinking about quitting? Click here to find out more!
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BFS Customer Feedback Survey At BFS, we are committed to continuously improving the services we provide to you. “Our Medical Engineering and Decontamination teams work in a really tightly regulated environment, supporting theatres and other critical care wards, keeping equipment and surgical instruments safe and reliable for patient care. I’m genuinely proud of how professional, precise and dedicated they are every day.”
Click here to take the survey
About the service: Our Medical Engineering and Decontamination teams work behind the scenes but play a vital role in keeping patient care safe and running smoothly. Medical Engineering looks after all the hospital’s medical equipment, making sure everything is maintained, tested and reliable. Decontamination Services focuses on surgical instruments, ensuring every set is cleaned, checked and sterilised for theatres and clinical areas. Both teams work to strict ISO standards and help ensure equipment is safe, available and ready to use, supporting the smooth running of our clinical services.
Dr Giulia Gigliobianco Head of Operations (Medical Engineering and Decontamination)
Proudly Preparing for Our Next CQC Inspection Barnsley Hospital is actively preparing for its next CQC inspection, which is expected in the near future. Teams across the Trust are already involved in peer reviews, self‑assessments and a range other activities to showcase the excellent care provided to our patients every day. To support this, all staff are asked to take a few key actions:
Your Trusted Guide to Navigating Inspection Success
How you can help us prepare • Fingertip Facts to familiarise yourself with key information • Read the example questions for your area— they’ll help you understand the types of things the inspection team may ask • Make sure your team’s outstanding practice is recorded on the Trust wide repository – please send any relevant information to bdg-tr.aimforoutstanding@nhs.net • Understand how your work and the work of other teams aligns to the CQC quality statements by reviewing the completed selfassessment frameworks (SAF) • Please ensure your environment, documentation and evidence remain inspection-ready at all times
Sarah Moppett Chief Nurse
PROUD
NEWS
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