Membership Matters

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

February 2025

I write this article just a few days after the National Planning Guidance for 2025/26 was published - a month later than the original plan. I suspect that the delay was due to intense discussions taking place to try to ‘square the circle’ of the number and size of the priorities the government wish the NHS to achieve and yet another very tight financial settlement. The key priorities of reducing waiting times with an additional 5% of patients being treated within 18 weeks for elective surgery and out-patient appointments, in addition reducing waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment, and reducing 12 hour trolley waits for patients in ED waiting for a bed to become available are all excellent priorities. At the same time though all providers we will be required to reduce our cost base by 1% and “ all parts of the NHS must live within their means” – which for us is going to be hugely challenging given the size of the recurring deficit we have. In the foreword of the planning guidance the NHS Chief Executive states “Taking the opportunities and rising to the challenges of this coming year will require exceptional leadership”. I have no doubt that the Trust Board will need to make some seriously difficult decisions over the next few weeks and discuss the possibilities with our Council of Governors at our next meeting in March. I started work for the NHS in 1972, and to be honest I have never known the challenges of meeting the expectations and requirements of next year to be quite so significant.

I am delighted to let you know that the Council of Governors has agreed to a final year extension to the Deputy Chair of the Trust Jenny McAleese’s term of office. Our new Non-executive Director (NED), Jane Hazelgrave starts with us formally on 26 February. From April she will Chair the Audit Committee. Jane replaces Lynne Mellor who completed almost seven years of terrific service to the Trust at the end of December. We will shortly be starting the recruitment process to find a successor to Dr Steve Holmberg whose term of office expires at the end of June at the end of two three-year terms of office as a NED.

In January we held our first Constituency meeting for Members in Hambleton and Ryedale to meet their elected Governors as well as the Lead Governor and me.  The next one is to be held on 6 March starting at 6.30pm in the post graduate medical centre at Scarborough Hospital, for the East Coast of Yorkshire Constituency. After the meeting the Council of Governors at its meeting in March will reflect on these Constituency meetings to agree what needs to change for the 2025/26 round of meetings.

We have some vacancies for Governors. I have decided to hold elections soon to fill the vacancies rather than wait until September when elections are usually held.

Thank you so much for your interest and support.

With my best wishes

Martin 

Yorkshire and Humber Secure Data Environment Citizens' Jury

The search has begun for around 25 people from across Yorkshire and the Humber to sit on a Citizens’ Jury which will play a vital role in shaping how the NHS uses patient data to help save lives.

The initiative is being led by the new Yorkshire and Humber Secure Data Environment (SDE), a platform that stores health and care data from across the region on an unprecedented scale, adhering to the highest standards of security and privacy. Our Trust is a partner in the SDE. Only approved researchers working on approved projects can access and analyse the de-identified information, without it leaving the environment. The launch of its Citizens’ Jury is a unique opportunity for individuals across the region to have their voices heard and directly influence the future of healthcare research and data use across the region and beyond. You do not need any particular skills, knowledge or experience to be a member of the Citizens’ Jury. No CV is required. People will be selected so that the jury comprises a cross-section of the public.

Who can apply?

• You must live in Yorkshire and Humber.
• You don’t need any specific skills, knowledge, or experience.
• You must NOT work in or have specialist knowledge of data security or information protection.
• You must be available for all online and in-person sessions.

More information on how to apply can be found on the Yorkshire and Humber Secure Data Environment website or by contacting [email protected].

York Hospital officially welcomes imaging scanner upgrade

York Hospital’s Nuclear Medicine Department has introduced a cutting-edge scanner, offering patients in the region improved access to diagnostic services.

The new state-of-the-art SPEC-CT scanner delivers faster results for the most common scans. It combines two types of scans to create highly details, improved imaging of the body, enabling earlier and more precise diagnoses.

The investment is expected to increase the department’s patient capacity by up to a third when compared to previous levels.

Read more on York Hospital’s new SPECT-CT scanner.

National funding of £1.2 million provides boost for rural and coastal healthcare research

Scarborough Hospital, in collaboration with academics from the University of Birmingham and York, has been awarded national funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The research will establish how urgent and emergency care could be improved for patients living in rural coastal areas.

The study is being jointly led by Dr Arabella Scantlebury, University of Birmingham and Professor Joy Adamson, University of York. Other universities across the country and other health and care organisations are also involved. The Research and Innovation Department at our Trust is supporting the project, which officially starts in February.

In the past, the way health and care services have been designed was based on guidance that was developed for the whole country. Demand on health and care services is often worse in rural and coastal areas. For example, coastal emergency departments can face overcrowding in summer periods due to high numbers of visiting holidaymakers.

People living in rural coastal areas have poorer health and a lower life expectancy than those living in urban areas. This new study will determine how the NHS can best deliver emergency care in rural and coastal areas.

This latest research will focus on the needs of local patients and their issues, as demand for rural and coastal areas is often worse. The findings of the study, due to be released in 2027, will inform national and international decision makers about how best to provide urgent emergency care.

Our recent Star Award winners

Nominated by patients and colleagues, our Star Award winners are chosen for going above and beyond the call of duty. It’s an opportunity to recognise the outstanding individuals and teams who have innovated, impressed, and make a real difference to how the Trust provides patient care.

Two of our recent winners were Katie Conduit, a nurse who granted the wish of a very poorly patient who wanted to see Scarborough seafront one final time, and Sam Carter, who cared for a patient’s beloved pet to enable them to receive the care they needed.

You can read more about these outstanding individuals and others on the Trust website Star Award page.

Start 2025 with a challenge for charity

Looking for an adventure in 2025? Take on an exciting challenge and make a difference by supporting York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity. Whether you're a walker, runner, or swimmer, there's an event perfect for you!

Great North Swim

Friday 13 - Sunday 15 June 2025

Windermere, Lake District

Yorkshire Three Peaks

Saturday 19 July 2025

Yorkshire Dales

York 10K

Sunday 3 August 2025

The Knavesmire, York

Great North Run

Sunday 7 September 2025

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Yorkshire Coast 10K

Sunday 19 October 2025

Scarborough

Ready to take the leap? Visit www.YSHospitalsCharity.org/challenge to find out more and register for one of these incredible events.

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 takes place on Thursday 13 March 2025. See all governor meeting times on our website.

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 26 February 2025, 10am
• Wednesday 26 March 2025, 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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