CHATTER BOX
Let’s talk about menopause
Let’s talk about menopause
October is World Menopause Month, which aims to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing.
We are using this month to show how we can provide support to colleagues who may be struggling. It affects women differently and we cannot underestimate how life changing it can be for some.
Following your feedback, we are pleased to have launched a comprehensive menopause support programme for colleagues which offers a holistic approach to tackling menopause symptoms and focuses on wellbeing. This includes menopause cafes, walks, a new toolkit for colleagues and managers, an education programme every month and new advocates to ensure the programme is embedded successfully.
We are delighted to share that we have been awarded funding from NHS Charities to establish and run a doctor-led menopause clinic for colleagues. The clinic will offer an initial group consultation session which will be a consultant-led discussion and will provide peer support. This group format allows staff to connect with colleagues who are having similar experiences, which helps to normalise the conversation and reduce isolation. For
colleagues who require additional support, it will be followed up by a further private appointment. For more information and to book into the staff menopause clinic please visit our intranet pages and click on the staff clinic icon.
Get involved this World Menopause Month:
• Attend a menopause focus group: We want to gather your thoughts to help shape our menopause programme offer. We are looking for up to 10 participants to share their thoughts. Light refreshments will be provided. Email sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net to sign up.
• RSH: Tuesday 14 October, 11.30am12.30pm at SERII
• PRH: Tuesday 21 October, 3-4pm, Education Centre
• Gentle yoga sessions: every Monday at RSH at 5.15pm. Booking essential via the programme
• Schwartz Round - “All Shook Up” – when experiences at work shake our confidence: Thursday 16 October, Education Centre at PRH, 1.30-3.30pm. Lunch and refreshments included.
• Lifestyle Medicine session: Monday 3 November with Dr Mel Thompson on Teams, no requirement to book, you can access the session on the day from the programme. You can access recordings of all previous sessions together with the booking links for future sessions here
Congratulations to our 2025 finalists
We can’t improve without you
Please do fill in your survey. We ask for 15 minutes of your time during your working day, to share your views, positive and constructive, to ensure that the changes we make now and in the future are informed by you.
We want our culture to be positive, compassionate, and inclusive – and we all have our part to play in making our organisation a fantastic place to work and receive care, for everyone. Having your say this year will help us to continue our improvement journey and shape what we do next.
Watch our new Staff Survey animation
Drop in sessions
Watch this short animation which shows what we are doing as a direct result of your feedback from last year.
Come along to one of our drop-in sessions to ask questions, raise concerns, or find out more:
Tuesday 14 October, PRH, 12-1pm in the new Transformation Hub
Wednesday 22 October, RSH, 12-1pm in the Mytton restaurant
Wednesday 12 November, PRH, 12-1pm in the Transformation Hub
Friday 28 November, RSH, in the Mytton restaurant in the morning
Catch the Bus Month – thanks for hopping on board
A huge thank you to everyone who got involved in Catch the Bus Month throughout September.
Whether you came to chat to us at the awareness stands, shared messages, or simply chose to travel more sustainably - your support made a real difference.
We’re especially grateful to all staff using the
Park & Ride service. It’s been brilliant to see so many colleagues making the most of this option, helping to ease congestion and reduce our carbon footprint.
If you’ve got feedback or stories from the month, we’d love to hear them - and if you haven’t tried the Park & Ride yet, why not give it a go?
At SaTH, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are at the heart of our organisation.
Our workforce and patients embody a vibrant diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and we value the profound contributions Black individuals have made, and continue to make, to our Trust, the NHS, and the broader communities we serve.
Black History Month provides us with a significant opportunity to reflect on the rich history, the formidable struggles, and the outstanding achievements of Black Britons who have played a pivotal role in shaping the NHS. It is a time to honour and celebrate their resilience, strength, and enduring impact on our healthcare system.
This month, we encourage everyone to engage with the various events and resources available, to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the invaluable contributions made by the Black community.
Let us join together in recognising and celebrating their invaluable contributions, both past and
present, and commit to fostering a future of inclusivity and equality.
This year’s theme is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’ - a tribute to the resilience, strength and commitment to progress that defines the Black community. It celebrates the leaders, activists and pioneers who’ve shaped history, and looks ahead to a future of empowerment, unity and growth.
As a Trust serving a diverse community, we proudly celebrate the contributions of Black individuals, both past and present, who have helped shape our society.
What’s happening during Black History Month:
• Visit the libraries at PRH and RSH to explore displays and resources around Black History Month.
• Join the Race, Equality and Inclusion Network (REIN) on MS Teams for its network meeting on Wednesday 15 October at 11am.
• Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Council have organised events during at the month, which can be viewed here
Mark is named Waste Champion of the Year
Congratulations to Mark Leighton who has been named Waste Management Champion of the Year.
He took gold in the Excellence in Waste Management Awards category at The Royal Armouries in Leeds.
The award citation for Mark, Estate Operations Manager – Waste & Water Systems – said he had demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in transforming waste management across the Trust.
SaTH also took silver in the Best Reduction of Clinical Waste (sponsored by HWMA) and Mark was nominated in the Waste Management Champion of the Year award. Well done to Mark and the rest of the team!
Be fab, get the jab
You can now have your flu jab.
The FREE flu vaccination is available for all colleagues to protect yourself, your work colleagues, our patients and your friends and families.
Prior to your vaccination, you will need to fill out a flu vaccination record form Please bring this with you to the clinic.
To arrange for a vaccinator to visit your department at a time that suits you, please email Karen Mann, Flu Co-ordinator on sath.fluservice@nhs.net
National Inclusion Week
The Care Transformation Hub Team marked National Inclusion Week (15–21 September) by creating an inclusion wall to reflect, share and celebrate what inclusion means to us.
Colleagues added inspiring thoughts, from “inclusion is being part of a team” to “feeling confident to be myself, knowing my voice matters and is valued.” They also shared moments when the team felt supported, and made pledges such as taking time to listen, showing kindness, and creating space to connect.
Galvanise programme launch
The latest Galvanise programme launched on Thursday 25 September.
There are 17 participants on this programme, including SaTH (13), ShropCom (3) and RJ&AH (1).
The programme will run until May 2026.
Stoptober
Stoptober is back! Join thousands of other smokers committing to quit this October.
Even if it’s your first time or you’ve tried before, now is the perfect time to quit smoking. Make it to 28 days smoke-free and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
National support is available on the NHS website and local support is available with Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council
If you need any further support, please contact sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October. It’s a reminder of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health.
Poor mental health is not inevitable, and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for us all to consider how, together, we can help everyone have better mental health.
This year we’re focusing on the mental health impact of repeated exposure to news coverage of crises and conflicts. The theme is: Overwhelm: when global events and relentless bad news become too much
The world is going through a tough time right now and even if you’re not directly affected by events, it can still feel like a lot to cope with. It’s okay to ask for help, no matter what you, or anyone else is going through.
We may not have the power to influence or
change everything we’d like to on a global scale. But there are things we can do to protect ourselves and others from feeling overwhelmed and hopeless in the face of current events.
We have a lot of internal support available to all colleagues:
• Staff Psychology Team
• Occupational Health
• Optimise Workplace Wellbeing
• HWB Intranet Pages and HWB Brochure
International Stammering Awareness Day
International Stammering Awareness Day is on Wednesday 22 October, aiming to raise global awareness and support for people who stammer.
Stammering, or stuttering, involves interruptions in speech, like repeating sounds, prolonging words, or getting “stuck”.
Noteworthy facts about stammering:
• Roughly 70 million people worldwide stammer, including famous figures like Joe Biden, Ed Sheeran, Emily Blunt, and Lewis Carroll.
• Stammering usually begins in early childhood, and about 5% of children go through a period of stammering. Around 1% of adults continue to stammer long-term.
• Stammering is not caused by anxiety or low intelligence. It’s a neurodevelopmental difference that affects the flow of speech.
• Speech therapy can help people manage stammering, but not everyone seeks fluency. Many focus on confidence, advocacy, and selfexpression instead.
• Representation matters: Seeing and hearing
people who stammer in media, politics, and public life helps reduce stigma and build pride.
There is a national NHS support group for people with a stammer who work in the NHS. This provides advice and support for people who stammer and their managers and colleagues. The charity ‘Stamma’ also has some great information for people who stammer from reasonable adjustments that can be made at work to techniques to help with phone calls.
‘Stamma’ has lanyards promoting yourself as someone with a stammer, if you would like one of these or would be interested in setting up a support group with others or if you would like to have some speech & language therapy email sarah.gilks@nhs. net
Celebrating Excellence in Preceptorship
The Preceptorship Team are thrilled to launch Certificates of Excellence, a new way to celebrate teams and individuals who truly shine through their outstanding engagement and commitment to our multi-professional study days and preceptorship programme. This month, we’re delighted to recognise Mercia Edwards in Radiotherapy, a truly exceptional example of dedication and passion. Mercia’s enthusiasm for education and preceptorship is nothing short of inspiring. Her new starters are excelling under her guidance, thanks to her dedicated support, organisation, and commitment. From ensuring study days are booked, to arranging regular meetings and championing the preceptorship process every step of the way, Mercia embodies what excellence looks like in practice. Congratulations, Mercia!
National BAME Awards success
Congratulations to Sherilyn Ndhlovu who was named Midwife of the Year in the National BAME Health and Care Awards.
She was awarded this prestigious prize as she delivered a comprehensive improvement package combining data, staff education and cultural intelligence to transform maternity care. By developing dashboards and outreach to marginalised groups such as Roma communities, they showed measurable impact across safety, equity and patient experience. Well done Sherilyn.
Cancer services sports day
Over at Cancer Services, the team like to promote health and wellbeing and believe in creating an environment where they can rely on each other and build each other up.
For the last few months, they have adapted their noticeboard to offer support and raise awareness of different themes. They have a monthly calendar with a different day to celebrate, some serious and others more light-hearted.
They have a lot of food related days which encourage them to take time out to have lunch together. They also raise awareness about things such as childhood cancer month and blood cancer awareness month.
National Sports Day was at the end of August, so the team took full advantage and held their own. The events included the banana and spatula race, bin bag race and the 3-legged lunge, amongst others. The team had a great time, and some very competitive streaks came out!
Big Brass, Big Heart: Jackfield Band to Headline Charity Concert for Children’s Services
Get ready for a toetapping evening of live music and community spirit!
On Saturday 15 November, the awardwinning Jackfield Brass Band will take centre stage at Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby for a special charity concert supporting Children’s Services at SaTH.
From 7pm to 9.30pm, guests will enjoy performances from both the Jackfield Brass Band and the talented Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby Jazz Band. There’ll be plenty to enjoy, including a charity raffle, refreshments, and heartfelt video messages from families who’ve received care at Princess Royal Hospital (PRH).
The idea for the concert came from Mike Yates, a SaTH volunteer and proud member of the Jackfield Band. His suggestion was warmly welcomed by Jo Williams, Chief Executive in Common, and quickly gained support across the Trust.
Mike Yates added: “As a member of the Jackfield Band I’m excited to perform knowing it’s for such a great cause. It’s great to be part of something that will make a real difference.”
Speaking ahead of the event, Jo Williams said: “It’s been wonderful to see this idea grow into something so special. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s helped make it happen and I’m really looking forward to the concert.”
Rachel Bennett, Paediatric Matron said: “Funds raised from the concert will go directly towards key projects within Children’s Services at the Trust.”
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, said: “We’re proud of all our volunteers and staff who’ve come together to support this event. Their compassion and commitment to our patients is at the heart of everything we do.”
Want to be part of this special night? Tickets are available here.
Apprenticeship and Insight Scheme Certificate
Congratulations to James Banks, Lucy Vickers, Melissa Hughes, Tegan Bebb for being awarded the Apprenticeship and Insight Scheme Certificate last week.
Adam Winstanley, Acting Director of Finance, presented the certificates to the group.
Clinical Effectiveness Poster Prize
Fiona Lourenco, a former Trust Dental Core Trainee, has been awarded the Clinical Effectiveness Poster Prize at the recent British Orthodontic Society Conference.
Fiona’s award-winning poster highlighted the department’s work on developing a patient information video to support individuals undergoing surgical exposure and bonding of impacted canines - a key element of multidisciplinary orthodontic-oral surgery treatment.
This initiative is part of a wider quality improvement project led by Consultant Orthodontist Leonie Seager and supported by the Improvement Hub, aimed at reducing waiting times and enhancing the experience of patients requiring this treatment.
Congratulations to Fiona on this well-deserved recognition!
Shrewsbury PRIDE
Shrewsbury PRIDE was held recently and members of the SaTH LGBT+ staff network got involved in the many activities that were on offer.
The highlight of the weekend was the PRIDE march through Shrewsbury which was well attended and included the SaTH LGBT+ members and their allies.
Pat Aldred, Chair of the staff network, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people celebrating all that is good about our diverse and inclusive community. These are the values that are at the core of what SaTH stands for. It was lovely to hear so many positive comments from those who saw our banner and thanked us for the work we do.”
The LGBT+ staff network is an inclusive group that is open to all members of the LGBT+ community
and those who identify as an ally. More details of the group are available on the intranet
A new chapter for SaTH Charity
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Charity (SaTH Charity) is proud to unveil its brand-new look: a fresh, vibrant identity developed in close collaboration with hospital colleagues.
The new brand reflects the charity’s mission to enhance patient care and staff wellbeing across SaTH.
Designed with input from colleagues across the hospitals, the updated identity represents the charity’s community spirit, energy, and commitment to making a positive difference every day.
From funding specialist medical equipment and improving patient environments, to supporting staff wellbeing projects, the SaTH Charity is at the heart of helping local hospitals go further for their patients.
Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation said: “We’re delighted to launch our new brand – and what makes it so special is that it’s been shaped by the very people who make our hospitals what they are: our staff. We hope it inspires even more people to get involved and support the charity.”
The new look will be rolled out across the charity’s fundraising materials, website, and events over the coming months. Supporters are encouraged to look out for the refreshed brand and continue helping SaTH Charity to make a real difference for patients and staff alike.
iPad donation from SaTH Charity
The Orthodontic, OMFS, and Restorative departments are excited to announce the recent arrival of four new iPads, generously funded by SaTH charitable funds.
These iPads will play a pivotal role in enhancing the department’s ability to educate and inform patients about their treatments, as well as improve the process of gathering feedback and driving quality improvements.
Dental Nurses Hannah and Jenny (pictured), who are currently training as Oral Health Educators, will rely on the iPads to support the delivery of information during nurse-led oral health education clinics.
Looking ahead, the department plans to expand its efforts by using the Oral Health Education Team to promote oral health across the Trust, in collaboration with the Healthy Smiles Team at ShropCom. The iPads will ensure that this valuable work is able to be delivered to patients in a flexible and modern way.
Active & Healthy Workplace Challenge
A big well done to all colleagues who took part in September’s Active & Healthy Workplace Challenge through the Big Team Challenge.
Over fifty SaTH colleagues across eight teams got involved - a fantastic turnout. Special congratulations to The Great Estate Team, who achieved an incredible 17th place out of 1,400 teams!
Colleague Notice Board
Monday 20th October 2025
Admin Hub Offices, PRH Fracture Clinic, PRH Ward 4, PRH & Ward 32 RSH
Cakes & more, bracelets & keyrings & raffle prizes available & a chance to win a fabulous pair of Flamingo Socks!
SaTH Breast Cancer Research Fund & Lingen Davies Sunflower Appeal
We would like to invite you to our taster sessions in our radiology department, where you will gain an insight into the department and find out more about the training and job opportunities which exist You must be 16+ to apply
When: Saturday 1 November 2025 st
Early Session: 09:30 to 11:30
Later Session: 12:00 to 14:00
Venue: Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Booking is essential as places are limited For further information or to book a place please email: HannahBlackwell@nhs net
Colleague Notice Board
STAFF LOTTERY
This month’s winners...
1st £650
Fiona Finnigan, Women & Children’s 2nd £325
Becky Holland, Undergrad Med School 2nd £325
Hannah Brown, Radiotherapy 3rd £175
Louise Stevens, Library Services 3rd £175
Gillian Dean 4th £125
Yvonne Draper, Medical Education 4th £125
Michelle Whittall, Phlebotomy 5th £75
Rebecca Jones 5th £75
Andrea Taylor-Cooper, AMU 6th £60
Margaret Blackham, Clinical Site Management 6th £60
Kerrie Lea, Maternity 6th £60
Isla Anderson, Audiology 6th £60
Chloe Brace, Ward 6 Cardiology
JOIN THE STAFF LOTTERY AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN
13 CASH PRIZES EVERY MONTH!
Tickets only £1
Payment will be deducted from your salary; winnings are paid into your salary the following month.
Why join our staff lottery?50% of profits are given out in prizes and the other 50% is adding to our Small Changes Make a Big Difference Fund which is all spent on items for staff.
The SaTH Small Things Make a Big Difference Fund aims to improve the working environment and amenities for all employees.
Click here to download the T&C’s and enter the staff lottery
Thank you
This was my first time using this hospital as we are very new to the area, and I just wanted to say how impressed we were with everything. All members of staff at all levels were so friendly and helpful, and also so caring.
I felt listened to throughout the whole of my visit to both departments, and also to radiology when I needed a CT scan. Thank you so much for making me feel safe and supported in what could have turned out to be a serious illness. I have never experienced such a high level of care at any hospital.