Welcome to our Partner Brief for March 2025.
This month’s update highlights the fantastic progress we are making as a Trust to invest in modern, purpose-built environments and drive innovative patient care.
A major milestone this month has been the implementation of the Yorkshire and Humber Care Record (YHCR), strengthening collaboration across health and social care by ensuring clinicians have access to vital patient information when they need it most.
Another significant step forward has been the opening of the new Imaging Suite at Montagu Hospital. We’re pleased that this purpose-built facility is already helping to expand diagnostic capacity, providing quicker and easier access to scans and tests, and supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment.
In this brief you’ll see that across the Trust, our teams continue to demonstrate excellence. Notably, the Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence (MEOC) team set a new South Yorkshire record by performing five arthroplasty surgeries in a single day. This achievement reflects our commitment to reducing waiting times and enhancing patient care across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. Additionally, our Skin Integrity Team has received three national awards for their outstanding work.
Finally, I also want to acknowledge the fantastic success of the DBTH Charity’s first-ever sponsored abseil. Thanks to the determination and bravery of local supporters, vital funds have been raised to support patient-focused projects across our hospitals.
Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre sets new South Yorkshire record with five arthroplasty surgeries in a single day
The Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence (MEOC) has achieved a South Yorkshire record by completing five joint replacement surgeries in a single day. This milestone highlights the Trust’s focus on reducing waiting times and providing efficient, high-quality care. Specialising in orthopaedic procedures, the MEOC’s dedicated approach allows for better planning, faster surgeries, and quicker recovery, with many patients discharged the same day.
Since its opening, the centre has reduced waiting lists by 20% and received outstanding patient feedback, with Friends and Family Test scores averaging 97%. The team aims to increase capacity further and continue improving outcomes for patients across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.
Local hospitals celebrate record levels of improved healthcare environments
We’re celebrating the Trust’s investment in over £100 million since 2020 to enhance healthcare environments across Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI), Bassetlaw Hospital, and Montagu Hospital.
Key developments include the Bassetlaw Emergency Village, which has improved urgent care services, and the return of 24/7 inpatient paediatric care to Bassetlaw for the first time since 2017. Montagu Hospital has received £40 million in funding, adding new surgical theatres and diagnostic facilities like the Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence and Montagu Community Diagnostic Centre.
These improvements are enhancing patient access and reducing pressure on DRI. Future plans include a new Department of Critical Care at DRI and potential ‘health on the high street’ schemes to offer services in community settings.
DBTH joins shared care record to enhance patient care
DBTH has joined the Yorkshire and Humber Care Record (YHCR), enhancing access to patient information across health and social care services. This new IT platform securely connects records from hospitals, GPs, mental health services, and social care providers, improving coordination, reducing duplication, and ensuring safer, more personalised care.
Only authorised clinicians will access the records, which are updated in real time. The system is part of the national Connecting Care Records initiative, with 13 local NHS organisations and authorities participating.
Contributing to research for better kidney treatments
To mark World Kidney Day on March 13, we shared the story of Liam Butterfield, 43, from Retford, whose participation in a clinical research trial is helping to improve kidney disease treatments. Encouraged by the Trust’s Research Team, Liam joined the trial to help advance care for others with his condition. His involvement has not only deepened his understanding of his own health but also contributed to vital medical research.
This initiative is part of DBTH’s drive to provide innovative patient care, using cutting-edge research to improve treatments and enhance outcomes for those with kidney disease and other conditions. Liam’s experience highlights the essential role of clinical research in delivering forward-thinking, patient-centered care that will benefit both current and future patients.
Skin Integrity Team wins three national awards for wound care excellence
The Trust’s Skin Integrity Team has won three national awards at the Journal of Wound Care Awards, recognising their excellence in wound care. The team won the Silver Award for the Michelle Deeth New Talent Award, highlighting their work in improving skin integrity and reducing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.
Kelly Phillips, Skin Integrity Nurse Consultant, received the Pressure Care Bronze Award for her leadership in pressure ulcer prevention which has seen DBTH successfully implement evidence-based strategies to enhance patient safety and reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. Additionally, the team earned the Wound Care Collaborators Gold Award for their work in system-wide improvements through the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System.
Thrill-seekers take 160ft plunge raising over £11,800 for hospital charity
On Saturday 14 March, 35 brave fundraisers abseiled over 160 feet from a crane at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, raising an impressive £11,844 for Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity. Participants included hospital colleagues from the Gresley Unit, Children’s Ward, Neonatal Unit, and international student groups.
The Gresley Unit team, with nine members, raised £2,821, while Andrea Butcher topped individual fundraising efforts with £1,050.
Due to the event’s success, DBTH Charity has announced a second abseil on Saturday 20 September, with registration now open.
Contact the team
The Communications Team looks after media and stakeholder relations, digital communications, internal communications and patient information for the trust. The Communications Team should be the first point of contact for all media requests.
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.
Content out of date? Information wrong or not clear enough? Report this page.