Welcome to our Partner Brief for April 2025.
As we begin a new financial year, during a time of change, challenge and thinking differently, the dedication of Team DBTH remains a constant. I’m pleased to bring you another update that highlights just some of the progress we’re making – from expanding stroke treatment to seven days a week, to achieving national recognition for our clinical coding team.
We’re also taking important steps in our ambition to reduce health inequalities, which will be a key focus of our soon-to-be-published strategy. This includes community partnerships supporting children admitted to hospital, as well as local efforts to improve shared spaces across Doncaster and Bassetlaw.
Together with our partners, we remain focused on delivering outstanding care and creating healthier, fairer communities – and I look forward to what we will achieve in the months ahead.
Thank you as ever for your continued support.
Innovative research earns recognition for new midwife at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals
Lucy Williams, a newly qualified midwife at DBTH, has received international recognition for her innovative research exploring yoga as a method to help manage gestational diabetes. This outstanding work earned Lucy a nomination for an academic award from her university and is currently being prepared for publication. In 2024, her research was showcased at an international conference in Germany, where it attracted significant interest from healthcare professionals and academics.
Alongside her clinical duties at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Lucy has also spent time with the Trust’s research midwives to pursue her ambition of specialising in research.
Hospital colleagues join community effort to keep Doncaster tidy
Colleagues at the Trust recently joined forces with local volunteers to participate in a litter-picking initiative at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Organised by Sarah Roe, Hotel Services and Facilities Manager at DBTH, the event was part of the broader Keep Doncaster Tidy project, aiming to enhance the city’s cleanliness and appeal. Trust Chair Suzy Brain England, who also chairs the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, joined in and took the opportunity to highlight the importance of such efforts in fostering community pride and improving well-being.
In addition to the hospital grounds clean-up, DBTH’s Estates and Facilities team collaborated with Doncaster Council for a town centre litter pick, reinforcing the Trust’s commitment to environmental sustainability and civic engagement. These initiatives underscore the positive impact of collective action in creating a cleaner, greener Doncaster for all.
Stronger stroke care for local patients, seven days a week
Patients at the Trust will now benefit from access to mechanical thrombectomy – a specialist, potentially life-saving stroke treatment – seven days a week, thanks to an expanded partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. This advanced procedure, which physically removes blood clots from the brain, had previously been available only on weekdays.
The service extension, launched in April 2025, aims to transition to a full 24/7 model by the end of the year. The first weekend thrombectomy in South Yorkshire was recently performed on a Doncaster patient, marking a significant milestone in regional stroke care.
This development complements broader improvements in stroke services at DBTH, including the introduction of advanced CT perfusion scans and a pilot genetic testing programme to personalise stroke prevention. Together, these enhancements are helping local patients receive faster, more tailored care when every second counts.
Nottingham clothing charity donates grab bags for children admitted to Bassetlaw Hospital
Children admitted to the Children’s Assessment Unit at Bassetlaw Hospital are now receiving essential clothing packs, thanks to a generous donation from Sharewear Clothing Scheme. These ‘grab bags’ provide immediate support for families who may not have access to clean or sufficient clothing during unexpected hospital stays, addressing a critical need for dignity and comfort.
This initiative aligns with our commitment to reducing health inequalities, as outlined in our forthcoming strategy. By partnering with community organisations like Sharewear, we aim to ensure equitable care and support for all patients, regardless of their circumstances.
‘Best results I’ve ever seen’: Hospital team receives prestigious grade for outstanding clinical coding
The Clinical Coding team at the Trust has achieved the prestigious ‘standards exceeded’ grade in the latest Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT) audit. This recognition places them among the top-performing NHS Trusts nationally, with the team attaining exceptional accuracy rates: 99% in both primary and secondary diagnoses and 98% in primary and secondary procedures. Such precise coding ensures that patient records are accurate and secure, directly supporting equitable care delivery and informed decision-making across the Trust.
Accurate clinical coding is vital for understanding patient needs and allocating resources effectively, contributing to the Trust’s commitment to reducing health inequalities. By maintaining high standards in data quality, DBTH ensures that all patient groups receive appropriate care and support, aligning with the Trust’s forthcoming strategy to address disparities in health outcomes.
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Thank you for reading!
The next edition of this newsletter will be available in mid-April. If you have any questions, please contact emma.shaheen@nhs.net or call 01302 644244.
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