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Ambitious Caring Together

Health Your

News from Rotherham’s hospital and community health services

August - October 2019 Isssue 2 September 2026

New combined haematology inpatient unit unveiled at Rotherham Hospital Patients from Rotherham and Barnsley have been given the first look at new combined inpatient haematology unit at Rotherham Hospital ahead of its opening. The new unit, which will be based on Ward A6 and begin welcoming patients soon, represents a significant investment in both the hospital estate and the experience of patients requiring specialist haematology inpatient care. It will bring together inpatient haematology services for patients from Rotherham and Barnsley in a single, modern facility designed to provide high-quality, specialist care in an enhanced environment. During a patient engagement event last month, patients and their families were invited to tour the unit, meet members

Inside this issue Waiting Well programme page 3

of the clinical team and learn more about for patients, staff and our partnership how the service will operate. with Barnsley Hospital. While patients will not be admitted to the new unit The development forms part of the just yet, we were delighted to welcome ongoing partnership between The patients into the new facility and give Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and them an opportunity to see firsthand the Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, investment that has been made. which was established to help ensure sustainable, high-quality haematology services for the future. The combined unit “The new Ward A6 provides will bring specialist expertise together in a modern, dedicated one location, helping to strengthen care environment designed around for patients across both communities. The joint inpatient haematology service is due to launch this month on Ward A7 before moving into the new unit on A6 shortly afterwards, once refurbishment works are completed.

and improvement works, transforming Ward A6 into a dedicated inpatient unit for people receiving treatment for a range of blood disorders and cancers. The redesign has focused on creating a welcoming, comfortable and supportive environment for patients and their loved ones. The new service will care for patients from both Rotherham and Barnsley who require inpatient haematology treatment, while outpatient and chemotherapy day services for Barnsley patients will continue to be provided locally at Barnsley Hospital.

patient needs and will help us deliver high-quality specialist care for patients from both Rotherham and Barnsley for The facility has been developed with input from patients, families and clinical many years to come.”

Sally Kilgariff, Interim Managing Director The new facility has been created through of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, an extensive programme of refurbishment said: “This marks an important milestone

BBC’s Strictly star opens BreathingSpace garden and visits Ward A3 pages 4 - 6

teams from both Trusts, helping to ensure the new service meets the needs of the communities it serves.

Active Together two year anniversary page 7

JANUARY 2019 ISSUE 1 Page 1

A message from Bob Kirton, Interim Joint Deputy Chief Executive As we move into autumn and begin looking ahead to winter, I would like to thank our incredibly hard-working colleagues, volunteers and partners for everything they continue to do for our patients and the people of Rotherham. Winter is always one of the busiest periods for the NHS, and we are already making preparations to ensure we can continue providing safe, high-quality care. You can also play an important role in helping us. If you are eligible for a flu, COVID-19 or other seasonal vaccination, please take up the offer when invited. These vaccines remain one of the most effective ways to protect yourself, your family and our most vulnerable residents during the winter months.

It is also important that everyone uses NHS services appropriately. Emergency departments, including Rotherham’s Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, should be reserved for serious or lifethreatening illnesses and injuries.

Work also continues on our brand new fracture clinic. We have also recently had a grand opening for the relocated Chelsea Flower Show garden which now resides at Breathing Space - you can find out more in this edition of Your Health. In addition, we have recently approved For many everyday health concerns, Teaching status. advice and treatment is available from pharmacies, GPs, NHS 111 and other Partnership working continues to local services. Choosing the right service deliver real benefits for patients. Our helps ensure our emergency services are collaboration with Barnsley Hospital NHS available for those who need them most. Foundation Trust is helping us strengthen services, share specialist expertise and There is also plenty of positive news to make the best use of resources while share about developments in our Trust. both organisations remain independent. We recently opened our new sexual health clinic, and our new haematology One of the strongest examples is our inpatient unit will soon start welcoming haematology partnership, which is patients from Rotherham and Barnsley. creating a more resilient specialist inpatient service in Rotherham, while maintaining outpatient and chemotherapy

services in Barnsley. Patients will benefit from greater access to specialist expertise, more sustainable services and improved resilience across both organisations. These developments demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared purpose. Whether through investment in new facilities, innovation, partnership working or supporting people to stay well, our focus remains the same - delivering the best possible care for our community. Thank you for your continued support, and I wish you and your families a healthy and enjoyable autumn. Bob Kirton Interim Joint Deputy Chief Executive

A message from our Chair, Dr Mike Richmond One recent highlight was the official opening of the Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Garden at BreathingSpace.

Moving into autumn, I have been reflecting on just how much there is to be proud of across our Trust and our wider health and care partnerships. While we often focus on the challenges facing the NHS, particularly as we approach winter, it is equally important to take time to celebrate our achievements and recognise the progress we are making together.

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Teaching status recognises the important role we already play in developing the NHS workforce of today and tomorrow, while helping us attract and retain talented people who want to build Originally created for the RHS Chelsea their careers in Rotherham. Achieving Flower Show, the award-winning garden teaching status reflects our longstanding has now found its permanent home here commitment to education, training, in Rotherham, providing a beautiful and research and workforce development. It therapeutic outdoor space for patients, is an achievement that belongs to every colleagues and visitors. Its journey colleague across the organisation. from Chelsea to Rotherham was made possible through the efforts of many Partnership working is increasingly organisations, volunteers and supporters important in healthcare. Because of working together for the benefit of our this, I am pleased that we have recently community. formalised our partnership agreement with Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Soon, we will celebrate a landmark Trust. This agreement builds on many moment in our history. Our Board of years of successful joint working and Directors and Council of Governors creates new opportunities for us to have approved teaching status for the share expertise, learn from each other Trust, alongside a change of our name and deliver the very best care for local to Rotherham Teaching NHS Foundation people while remaining two independent Trust. organisations with strong local identities.

Early examples of this partnership can already be seen through shared leadership arrangements, collaborative procurement and our joint work to strengthen specialist services. We are also proud to play an active role in the Rotherham Together Partnership, working alongside local authority, voluntary sector, education and community partners to improve the health, wellbeing and prosperity of our borough. Whether it is transforming services, supporting our workforce, developing future NHS professionals or strengthening partnerships across Rotherham and South Yorkshire, there is much to be optimistic about. Dr Mike Richmond Chairman

Helping patients stay well while they wait Waiting for an appointment, procedure or treatment can be an anxious time. Many patients tell us they want to feel informed, supported and reassured throughout their care. That feedback has helped shape Waiting Well, a programme designed to provide patients with practical information, advice and resources to help them stay as healthy and well as possible while they wait for treatment. The initiative focuses on improving communication, providing easier access to trusted information and helping patients feel more prepared for their care journey. The programme has been developed in response to feedback from patients, Healthwatch and national surveys, which have highlighted the importance of the waiting experience. Patients have told us they want clear information about what to expect, regular updates about their care and support to help them manage their health and wellbeing while they wait. As a result, the Trust has made Waiting Well a key priority, recognising that while reducing waiting times remains important, ensuring patients feel supported throughout their journey is equally vital.

wellbeing and managing existing health conditions can help patients feel better prepared for treatment and support recovery afterwards. The Trust’s Waiting Well resources are designed to support patients in taking positive steps to improve their health and wellbeing wherever possible. Helen Dobson, Chief Nurse at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know that waiting for treatment can sometimes feel worrying or frustrating, particularly when symptoms affect day-to-day life. The feedback we receive from patients is invaluable in helping us improve services and provide the support people need while they are waiting for care.

Patients have told us they want more information, better communication and practical advice to help them stay as well as possible while they wait, and we have listened. Waiting Well is about ensuring patients feel supported, informed and reassured throughout Over the coming months, patients will their journey with us. begin to see a range of improvements, including: Whether it’s information about their • Easier access to self-care advice and condition, advice on healthy lifestyle changes, guidance to help them prepare health information. • Support with preparing for treatment for treatment and recovery, or simply understanding what happens next, we and recovery. • Information about local health and want patients to feel confident and empowered while they wait for care.” wellbeing services. • Improved communication about their The Trust is developing a dedicated care and expected next steps. Waiting Well page on its website, For many people, making small positive bringing together useful information, changes while waiting can have a self-management resources and local significant impact. Staying active, support services to help patients stay eating well, looking after mental well while they wait.

The Trust is developing a dedicated Waiting Well page on its website which will signpost to useful information and local support for patients.

Join us for our

Annual Members’ Meeting Wednesday 30 September 2026, 10am Boardroom - D Level, Rotherham Hospital or online Link will be available on our website www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk

You will hear a summary of the successes and challenges faced by our Trust’s healthcare services in 2025/2026 and a look ahead at our priorities for the future. If you’d like to have a question answered, please submit your question to the Board of Directors by noon on 23 September, by emailing: rgh-tr.foundation.trust@nhs.net

Ambitious Caring Together

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing star officially opens Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space garden in Rotherham BBC Strictly Come Dancing star and Asthma + Lung UK ambassador Shirley Ballas officially opened the Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space garden in Rotherham this week, cutting the ribbon on a space that will provide lasting benefits for patients, colleagues and the wider community.

The event brought together patients, volunteers, sponsors, community partners and Trust colleagues who helped transform the vision into reality. Since arriving in Rotherham earlier this year, the garden has been cared for by local volunteers and members of Asthma + Lung UK's Breathe Easy support network.

The opening ceremony marked the culmination of a remarkable journey that began at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show before the award-winning garden was relocated to its permanent home at BreathingSpace – a specialist NHS facility run by The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust that supports people living with respiratory conditions.

Designed by landscape designer Angus Thompson, the garden was created with people living with lung conditions in mind. Features include accessible pathways, therapeutic planting and a dedicated platform for relaxation and breath-focused activities. The garden won a silver medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was

Breathing Space garden today

23 February 2026 Breathing Space

Breathing Space garden before transformation Page 4

Breaking ground in February

Chels

highly commended in the Environmental people to breathe. It’s fantastic, and Bob Kirton, Interim Deputy Joint Chief The Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Innovation category. I’m really pleased it that the people of Executive at The Rotherham NHS Garden was sponsored by Project Giving Rotherham get to keep it.” Foundation Trust, said: “It is wonderful Back and supported by a wide range of At its new home, the garden will to see this inspiring project become a organisations and individuals, including provide a peaceful outdoor environment Dr Mike Richmond, Chair of The lasting part of our Breathing Space NHS Charities Together, E.ON and local for people accessing services at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: service. Thanks to the generosity, community partners. Jean Michel Bellas, BreathingSpace. “The official opening of the Breathing dedication and collaboration of so many Strategic Relationship Lead at E.ON Space garden is a proud moment for people, we now have a beautiful space for Blackburn Meadows and South Before cutting the ribbon, Shirley, who everyone involved. that will benefit patients, colleagues Yorkshire cities and heat programme, attended as part of her ongoing support and the wider Rotherham community said: “It was wonderful to see the for Asthma + Lung UK, talked about What began as a service providing both for years to come. Breathing Space Garden thriving in its her personal challenges caring for her inpatient rehabilitation and respite care new home and to celebrate its official “We are incredibly grateful to Shirley for mother who has been a COPD patient has evolved over the years to meet opening with the people who helped for a number of years. She said: “Not the changing needs of our community. taking the time to visit Rotherham and make it possible.” everybody knows about COPD, so I'm Today, this is a home to services officially open the garden, and Asthma constantly talking about it to get the including pulmonary rehabilitation, + Lung UK and the volunteers, partners, Its arrival in Rotherham ensures the word out there so people understand respiratory and sleep physiology, oxygen sponsors and supporters who helped garden will continue to support people what it is. My hope for the future is assessment, smoking cessation support bring this vision to life and choose living with respiratory conditions long Rotherham as the permanent home for after its award-winning appearance at that first of all, we could have these and education programmes. this remarkable garden.” Chelsea. gardens everywhere, where people with respiratory conditions can go and “We are incredibly grateful to all those who gave their time, expertise and support to create have that beautiful space. I've been this wonderful space for our patients and the wider Rotherham community. The garden going to Chelsea Flower Show now for maybe about eight years, and for me will provide a place for people to pause, reflect and enjoy the benefits that nature can this BreathingSpace garden is the most bring to physical and mental wellbeing, leaving a lasting legacy for many years to come.” beautiful, and the most lovely space for Dr Mike Richmond, Chair of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

Shirley Ballas officially opens the Asthma+Lung UK Breathing Space Garden alongside patients, volunteers, supporters and representatives from The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

16 September 2026

Chelsea Flower Show June 2026

Chelsea Flower Show with garden designer Angus Thompson Photo credit: Rebekah Kennington / Asthma+LungUK Page 5

Strictly star, Shirley Ballas, visits patients and staff on Ward A3

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Rotherham’s Active Together service celebrates two-year anniversary The Active Together service, based at Park Rehabilitation Centre, has so far supported nearly 500 patients with a cancer diagnosis. Active Together provides a personalised, three step fitness, nutrition and wellbeing support programme prepare for and recover from cancer treatment. It aims to reduce side effects and complications, length of stay in hospital and cancer recurrence risk. It currently includes a range of tailored support including 1:1 sessions, four large exercise groups, a smaller seated group and a dedicated hydrotherapy class. Active Together is delivered in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University and Yorkshire Cancer Research, who also fund the service. Options to expand the reach and capability of the service are being explored. Active Together’s success and continued growth is thanks to the commitment of both patients and colleagues says Rachel Dunn, Active Together’s Rotherham service lead. “Active Together has been shaped by patient feedback and wouldn’t exist without positive reception and commitment from patients. I could not have done this without the hard work of the rest of the Active Together team and the various cancer services teams either. It has made me so proud to

The Active Together Team, based at Park Rehabilitation Centre

"I felt valued and cared for throughout every step of my journey" Patient praises hospital and community NHS staff see the progress of this service.” The service has earned praise from one patient for helping him return to ‘full fitness and beyond’ after treatment. Former patient Clive was referred to Active Together following surgery for a right hemicolectomy and attended sessions twice a week. He completed fitness tests before surgery, midway through his rehabilitation and again at the end of his recovery programme. Thanks to Active Together, Clive’s latest fitness results were even better than before his surgery. “I’m sorry it has to come to an end. The three physios there, Rachel, Katie and Alex, were just

magnificent at every session. They got me back not only feeling good about myself but to full fitness and beyond.

“In my opinion, Active Together should be a must for all post-surgical cancer patients because it quite rapidly enhances not just your physical wellbeing but your mental and emotional wellbeing as well.” Rachel Dunn added: “It’s great seeing a lot of our patients making good recoveries and returning to their usual activities post treatment. This is immensely important to their wellbeing.

Reintroducing them to exercise and better nutrition has so many long-term healthcare benefits. The service also supports patients to continue these good habits once they have been discharged from the programme.” Deputy Medical Director Susan Douglas said: “Active Together does a wonderful job, providing patients the knowledge, encouragement and support they need to recover well following treatment. Clive’s experience is a powerful testament to the difference the programme can make. Congratulations to the Active Together team on a fantastic two years of supporting patients and their families.”

“If you could parcel up my patient experience and replicate it nationally, you would have a world-leading health service,” Rotherham resident Clive. Page 7

Remembering loved ones at the Autumn Memory Walk

There’s something special about coming together to remember someone you love. Sharing treasured memories, celebrating their life and being surrounded by others who understand can make a difficult journey feel a little less lonely. Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity and Barnsley Hospital Charity are delighted to be hosting their Autumn Memory Walk at Manvers Lake for the second year. Sponsored by Bartholomew and Sons, the event is a chance for local communities to come together to remember loved ones who have passed away in hospital, while celebrating their lives and the memories they have left behind. The 5K walk, taking place on Sunday 18 October is a meaningful day where families, friends and colleagues can walk side by side, share stories and remember the people who will always remain part of their lives. Rachael Dawes, Head of Charity and Engagement at Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity said: “We are so proud to be bringing back this special event for 2026, creating a space for families and friends to come together, honour cherished memories and support one another in a beautiful setting.

NHS CHARITY

Afternoon tea PARTY + ffaashion Saturday 4 July 2026

“By taking part in the Autumn Memory Walk and celebrating the life of your loved one, you’ll be giving something back to the NHS, while helping to create a better future for other patients and families relying on NHS care. It’s a wonderful way to honour their memory and make a difference right here in our community.”

show

Join us to celebrate th our charity’s 30 delicious Birthday with a llowed fo a te on no er aft hion fas ity ar by a ch ts show, with outfi available to purchase.

Raising funds for your local NHS Charity’s Dementia Appeal

Including fashion show by:

To sign up or to find out more visit https://www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk/ charity/autumn-memory-walk