The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

October’s Exceeding Expectation Award winner is Mellisa Hallal, Housekeeper. 👏 Nominator and colleague Kayleigh Hills, Maternity Ward Manager, said: “When I first started at RWT, Mel was the first person to know my name. She greets everyone each morning and always asks how you are and remembers little details. “She is always so kind and compassionate and goes that extra mile to ensure our families are well looked after during their stay. She is an absolute pleasure to have as a colleague – everyone needs a Mel!” Watch Mellisa receive her award from Caroline Walker, Interim Group Chief Executive: https://lnkd.in/euyqF6Z7 💚

Extended visiting hours are being introduced at two Black Country hospitals from next week – following feedback from families, friends and carers who said they would welcome this opportunity. The Royal Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trusts will be offering this across general wards at New Cross and the Manor Hospitals from Monday 11 November. It means up to two people at a time will be welcomed from 11am until 8pm daily. The new arrangements won’t apply to specialist areas including Maternity, Neonatal, Paediatrics and Intensive Care, as these have their own visiting times in place to meet specific needs. The Patient Experience Team, which works across both Trusts, carried out a survey across the hospitals in the summer. As well as encouraging feedback from respondents, the team wanted to work to encourage visitors to be seen as “Partners in Care” and is also developing a “Visitors’ Charter.”

Piano-playing Nurses are hitting the right notes for staff and patients alike at Wolverhampton’s Heart and Lung Centre – as featured on today’s bulletins of BBC Midlands Today. Two Staff Nurses at New Cross Hospital have been entertaining people by playing a baby grand piano in the foyer of the Heart and Lung Centre, where they both work. Nikko Phodaca, 34, who is based in the Integrated Critical Care Unit (ICCU), and Daniel Aboyeji, 29, who works on B15 Catheter Suite, tinkle the ivories before or after their shifts, or during breaks. The piano was donated by Cecil Billing, the father of Dr Stephen Billing, 59, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) in July. Full story can be found on our webiste.

A world-renowned Black Country healthcare leader has struck gold by winning a special national award in a first ‘honours’ list for her profession. Dr Nicky Eddison, Consultant Orthotist and Orthotics Service Manager at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, has won the inaugural Allied Health Professions Gold Award for Excellence 2024. Professor Suzanne Rastrick, Chief AHP Officer for England, personally selected the 22 winners to mark her decade in office, launching on the recent annual AHPs Day. In 18 years at RWT, Dr Eddison, 48, has transformed the Prosthetic and Orthotic Department from being its only full-time member of staff into a 15-strong operation, with the service also now covering Walsall. Link to full story: https://bit.ly/3UEwhyG

In her latest blog, Dr Ros Leslie, our Chief Allied Health Professional, celebrates AHPs Day, associated events promoting the professions and regional awards for three outstanding RWT AHPs! Link to full story: https://bit.ly/40qg4ko

Happy #Diwali to our staff, patients and local communities!

A senior Nurse in Wolverhampton wants to use her experiences to help staff of colour have a better time at work after addressing a regional audience as part of Black History Month. Sharon Bury, Senior Sister in the community at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT), spoke before more than 120 delegates at the Royal College of Nursing’s West Midlands conference on reclaiming the narrative of black history and culture. In a 34-year career, the mother of three has progressed from Auxiliary Nurse to her current role in the South Locality Team in Adult Community Care, having started in June 1990 at Dudley Guest NHS Hospital. In 1994 she secured a job at the Accident &Emergency combined Fracture Clinic Department at the former Royal Hospital in Wolverhampton. “The team did not see colour or use prejudice,” said Sharon, who is based at Wolverhampton Science Park and spoke at the conference in Birmingham. “The late Consultant Mr Andrew Thomas saw something in me and tutored me so I could achieve the maths level required. “He supported me through the Access to Nursing course at college, which I completed, and I’m forever grateful.” Full story via this link: https://bit.ly/3YIYZB2

Mealtime Mates to support recovering hospital patients to eat and drink – as well as provide company and conversation – are being sought across two Black Country NHS Trusts. These volunteers will play an important part in the wider health and wellbeing of those recovering at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital and Walsall Manor. Their role enhances The Royal Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trusts’ Supportive Mealtimes Policy and kind, compassionate, encouraging volunteers are being invited to offer help. Garry Perry, Associate Director Patient Voice (Experience) for both Trusts said: “Encouraging patients to eat and drink is such an important part of their recovery as good nutrition can help to minimise tiredness, reduce risk of infection and reduce the length of their hospital stay. “We appreciate, however, that mealtimes can be difficult for some. They may need physical support, particularly if their conditions are restricting their movement, or more emotional support perhaps in the case of people living with dementia. Our volunteers can help encourage patients to eat independently too, as appropriate." “Interested in becoming a Mealtime Mate? Please get in touch as follows: Wolverhampton: Email: rwh-tr.volunteering@nhs.net Call - 01902 307999 ext: 88763, 07500 or 974526 Walsall: Email – wht.voluntary.service@nhs.net Call – 01922 656689

Two Nursing initiatives in Wolverhampton have been nominated for national awards to support staff retention and help patients. The community boot camp for budding Adult Community Nurses, and the remote digital monitoring by the Virtual Ward have been shortlisted for the Nursing Times Workforce Awards. The Virtual Ward is where patients are monitored at home by a two-way digital app. The boot camp is one of 12 nominations in the Best Workplace for Learning and Development category, and the remote digital monitoring as one of 11 initiatives in the Best Use of Workplace Technology section. Both initiatives are from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust community teams based at Wolverhampton Science Park, Bushbury. Full story via this link: https://bit.ly/3NteHKj

Celebrations marked the 100th day-case joint replacement on a hospital ward in Cannock – on the same patient who had the first such procedure there. John Greybanks, 71, received a new right shoulder on 5 September 2024 after having a new left hip on 21 March 2022 at Hollybank Ward at Cannock Chase Hospital, part of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The father of two and grandfather of three also had his left shoulder replaced there about a year ago – and now plans to have a new knee! Link to full story: https://bit.ly/3BMX7hE