Membership Matters

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

March 2024

Groundbreaking Trust research could change the face of bowel cancer diagnosis

The Trust has been awarded £3 million to lead national research into a device that could improve the clinical pathway for the diagnosis of bowel cancer.

The research marks a huge milestone for the Trust and is the biggest project it has ever undertaken to fund a national clinical diagnostic study.

The research, called the ColoCap study, will evaluate a new bowel imaging technology for patients known as colon capsule endoscopy. Colon capsule endoscopy is an easy-to-swallow ‘camera in a capsule’. Once swallowed, it travels through the stomach and small intestine to the large bowel and takes multiple photographs of the inner lining of the bowel. This provides consultants with a minimally invasive, remotely accessible, and innovative tool to diagnose bowel cancer.

Professor James Turvill, Consultant Gastroenterologist, said: “It has taken 15 years of hard work to get to this stage and it is a real privilege to think that I am working on a project that may change the way bowel cancer is diagnosed in the future, both in the UK and internationally.

“Working on the project is the pinnacle of my career and comes as we complete the largest evaluation ever undertaken of how bowel cancer is diagnosed.”

A warm welcome to new chaplain

The chaplaincy team is delighted to welcome Heather Regan-Addis as our newest chaplain.

Heather is the Trust’s first lay Buddhist chaplain, and she hopes that her 20 years as a practising Tibetan Buddhist will bring benefits for patients, families and colleagues.

“In a hospital, you get to meet people at some of the most challenging times of their lives, and the chaplaincy team is here to help them find hope. We support people of all faiths, and no faith.

“I feel that Buddhism has a lot to offer because preparing for a death and living well to die well are important parts of our beliefs. So, I hope to be able to use compassionate meditation and mindfulness to create spaces where we can talk about death and dying.”

Heather works from York Hospital part-time, combining her chaplaincy appointment with her existing role as a chaplain at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Autumn Room opens at St Monica's

A new Autumn Room has opened at St Monica's in Easingwold.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of the new room, which gives privacy and peace to patients at the end of their lives.

The Trust has launched the Autumn Project to ensure that patients and their loved ones get a good experience at end of life.

Rebecca Burbidge, Community Palliative Care CNS explained, “The Autumn Room prioritises individualised care by asking the patient and their family what matters to them. There is a sofa bed and a kitchen with a fridge-freezer if the family wants to stay with them and we can even accommodate having pets to visit.”

The room was funded by Friends of St Monica's Hospital and is the first of two Autumn Rooms being set up at the site.

Get Caked!

Get Caked is back for 2024! Tackle five miles of muddy and wet fun in the stunning grounds of Sledmere House. It’s not about how quickly you do it; it’s about taking on the challenge and getting muddy! Help to raise funds for your ward or department as a great team-building exercise, whilst making lasting memories.

To register, visit www.getcaked.org.uk/sign-up-now and choose York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity.

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.

The Council of Governors acts as the voice of the community, ensuring local people have a say in the running of their hospital. Governors are either elected by member of the Trust or appointed by appropriate stakeholder partners, which includes nominated representatives from the Local Authority, University, and other partner organisations.

You can read all about your local governors on our website. If you would like to contact any of the governors, email [email protected], including the name of the governor you wish to contact.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 14 March.

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.

Upcoming dates:

Wednesday 27 March, 9.30am
Wednesday 24 April, 10am
Wednesday 22 May, 9.30am

More details on Board of Directors Meetings can be found here.

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.

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