Membership Matters

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

July 2022

Urology 'one-stop' celebrates five years

Malton Hospital’s revolutionary ‘one-stop’ urology diagnostics unit is celebrating its fifth anniversary. As one of the first specialist centres in the UK, it has been hailed as a genuinely patient-centred experience - patients have their initial specialist consultation, almost all diagnostic investigations, and receive a treatment plan during a single visit.

Sarah Hillery, the Trust’s first Urology Advanced Nurse Practitioner, said, “It is a lot less stressful for patients at an already worrying time. Each hospital visit means another day off work, organising care for loved ones, paying for parking or public transport let alone all the worry of waiting weeks for a diagnosis. The one-stop unit means the very best diagnostic care can be offered to all patients by our highly qualified and experienced clinicians using state of the art equipment, shortening diagnosis and treatment times.”

The unit has seen around 18,000 patients since it first opened in 2017 and, for many of them; it has ended weeks of worry in just one day. Having everything in one place benefits the team as well as patients as it means the service can operate more efficiently and provides training opportunities for clinicians of all levels.

Wellbeing gardens open at York Hospital

A charity-funded scheme to create much-needed wellbeing gardens for staff and patients at York Hospital has been completed and the gardens are now open for use.

Funds were raised during the height of the pandemic to transform two courtyards so staff could take a much needed break and patients could experience some of the benefits of being in nature.

The Trust has invested over £200,000 to create the gardens, which was only possible due to a major donation from Yorkshire artist Harland Miller and other donations including York Rotary and John Lewis.

Alan Downey, the Trust’s Chair, said, “Staff wellbeing has never been more important and it is fantastic to have these areas where staff can take a break, spend a bit of time reflecting or just enjoy the sun.”

Rachel Brook, Charity Manager for York and Scarborough Hospitals Charity, said, “We will be forever grateful for the generosity of our donors which has meant we now have these valuable outdoor spaces which will benefit staff and patients for many years to come. As pressures continue to increase on the NHS, staff wellbeing is more important than ever and this will make a real difference to people’s working day.”

You can read the full story on our website. [awaiting link]

New cancer information system on the way

The Trust is launching a new cancer information system, Somerset Cancer Registry (SCR), in early September 2022 which will help track patients through their pathways more clearly in the future.

Christine Norris, Cancer Improvement and Performance Manager, explained: “SCR is used by over half of English NHS Trusts and has been used by our Integrated Care System partners for a number of years. The software will enable us to submit national datasets to the required level to meet our reporting obligations, and stay up to date with future changes.”

Srinivas Chintapatla, Care Group Director – Cancer and Support Services, said: “Somerset will help our teams to track and treat our patients and is such a welcome development. It has needed many individuals to work at bringing it into our Trust and I’d like to thank the many people who have worked at the project.”

Search continues for new Staff Governors

The Trust is looking to recruit new governors to help influence the future of its health services.

A great opportunity has arisen to become the ‘voice’ of local people in Selby, Hambleton, York and the East Coast of Yorkshire constituencies.

The Council of Governors meets four times a year in public and is chaired by the Chair of the Trust, Alan Downey. Responsibilities include providing support and advice to ensure that the Trust delivers services that best meet the needs of patients and the communities and provides high quality, effective and patient-focused services.

The Council of Governors consists of 16 public governors and five staff governors, who have all been elected by the membership of their constituencies. It also includes nominated representatives from North Yorkshire County Council, University of York and other partnership organisations, including the third sector.

If you are aged over 16 years old, live within any of the above constituencies, are a member of the Trust, you are eligible to apply. If you would like to influence and contribute to your local health services, the Trust would be keen to hear from you.

New governors are appointed by election and anyone interested can apply from Monday 11 July 2022. A nomination form can be obtained from the Returning Officer, Sonali Campion, by calling 0208 889 9203 or emailing [email protected], or online at www.cesvotes.com/YSTHFT22.

Nominations close 5pm on Monday 8 August 2022.

Reintroduction of masks in hospitals

Covid-19 prevalence is once again high in our communities, which is why we have taken the decision to reintroduce masks in clinical areas and some other parts of the hospital. This includes any common areas where patients attend and in public access and shared canteen facilities.

Hospital Charity launches appeal to support new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre

York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity has launched an appeal to raise £400,000 to support the new centre to enhance patient care and experience and support staff wellbeing in the new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre at Scarborough Hospital.

The appeal will help provide the extras over and above the funding allocated to the scheme. Plans include a specialist mental health crisis room, gardens, artwork and wayfinding as well as two ensuite relatives’ rooms within the new critical care department.

There are lots of ways people can get involved and support the Urgent and Emergency Care Appeal - from making a donation, taking on one of the charity’s challenges, involving your workplace or school or taking a collection tin for a local pub, fish and chip shop or newsagents for their counter. Anyone holding their own fundraising event will be supported by York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity with advice, encouragement and practically with marketing and promotional materials.

Visit the website for more information and appeal updates. www.ScarboroughUECAppeal.co.uk

Get involved

Public Council of Governors meetings

These meetings are held throughout the year and give you the chance to see first-hand the workings of the Council of Governors speaking up and representing the views of their constituents.

Public Board of Directors meetings

These are held every other month and give you the opportunity to observe the Board of Directors on how decisions are made and what the challenges are of managing a NHS Trust.

Details for both meetings are available on our website. Everybody is welcome.

Star Award finalists

All our staff and volunteers deserve recognition - but there are many that go above and beyond the call of duty to make the Trust a better service - with hard work, exciting new ideas and simply by putting patients first.Click here to read why they were nominated and learn how they made a difference. If you would like to nominate someone for a Star Award complete the online form.

Social Media

Like us on Facebook
Follow us onTwitter
Follow us on Instagram