Welcome to our Partner Brief for October 2024.
This month, we have a number of updates and achievements to share.
From the completion of Bassetlaw Hospital’s new Emergency Village, which will transform emergency care for the local community, to the introduction of a modernised appointment reminder system aimed at improving patient communication.
We also highlight the expansion of medical imaging services at Bassetlaw and Montagu Hospitals, as well as a look back at our Annual Star Awards, where we celebrated the incredible dedication and achievements of our staff. These updates reflect DBTH’s continued commitment to enhancing patient care and supporting our staff across the Trust.
Thank you, as ever, for your support.
Short on time?
If you haven’t got time to read the full update, here is a short and succinct audio round-up of this month’s Partner Brief.
Note – We are working on sourcing an English narrator!
Audiology services at DBTH
We’ve made some temporary changes to our Audiology services at DBTH to improve patient care. Starting in early October some diagnostic activities and hearing aid fittings for adults and children will be reduced, with these changes expected to last until early in the new year.
We’ll continue offering hearing aid repairs, tinnitus counselling, and some diagnostic tests like Auditory Brainstem Response during this time. This pause helps us address key issues with our IT systems and clinical spaces to ensure we meet all necessary standards, and address underlying quality and waiting time challenges.
We’re working closely with our partners in South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and neighbouring NHS providers to make sure urgent cases are handled and alternative care is arranged where needed. Colleagues are contacting affected patients directly, and we’ll be updating the website with details, including BSL support.
If patients are worried about their condition worsening, we ask them to contact their GP and have apologised for any inconvenience.
We plan to resume full services early next year and will keep everyone updated.
Bassetlaw Emergency Village Construction Completed
The construction of the much-anticipated Emergency Village at Bassetlaw Hospital is now complete, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s development.
The new facility, designed to enhance emergency care services, will provide patients with modern, purpose-built spaces and improved treatment environments.
The Emergency Village includes expanded A&E services, upgraded waiting areas, and improved patient flow, ensuring quicker and more efficient care. This project reflects DBTH’s commitment to continually improving its infrastructure to meet the needs of the local community and provide top-tier emergency care.
In early October, celebrations were held to mark the completion, with staff and local leaders in attendance. Final handover of the building will take place once commissioning work is complete.
Medical Imaging services to expand at Bassetlaw
We will soon expand Medical Imaging services at Bassetlaw Hospital with the installation of an additional CT scanner. This state-of-the-art equipment will significantly boost diagnostic capacity, enabling faster and more accurate scans for patients.
The development is part of the Trust’s wider imaging strategy, complementing the in-development Imaging Suite at Montagu Hospital. Together, these improvements are designed to streamline diagnostics, improve access to services, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
To accommodate the scanner, plans have been finalised within the service to repurpose spaces within the CT suite at Bassetlaw. These plans include creating a new scanning room, an adjacent control room, and associated utility spaces. Following works, it is anticipated that the expanded service will be available to patients early in the new year.
Changes to appointment reminder system
From October, patients at DBTH will notice a change in how they receive appointment reminders, with notifications being sent via text message or automated voice call.
However, for those who do not have a smartphone, paper letters will still be issued.
This new system is designed to improve communication, reduce missed appointments, and offer greater convenience for patients. It also allows patients to easily confirm, cancel, or reschedule their appointments. The initiative is part of DBTH’s efforts to modernise services and enhance patient experience, while also reducing its environmental impact by cutting down on paper use.
New support clinic opens at Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Last month, a new maternity-based clinic at Doncaster Royal Infirmary opened its doors, dedicated to helping expectant mothers who have previously been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM).
This new clinic is a vital service aimed at supporting women through their pregnancies and birth, offering specialist knowledge of the issues that can arise following FGM. It reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing compassionate, specialised care and support for women and girls affected by this practice.
This new service is just one of the ways in which Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals is tackling health inequalities, by providing specialist services that cater to the needs of communities disproportionately affected by specific health issues.
DBTH Celebrates Stars of 2024 at Annual Awards
The Trust recently celebrated the achievements of its outstanding colleagues at the 2024 Annual Star Awards.
The event recognised individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond in providing exceptional care and service across the Trust.
Categories ranged from clinical excellence to innovation and patient experience, showcasing the dedication and hard work of staff across all departments. The awards ceremony highlighted the Trust’s commitment to recognising and celebrating the contributions of its workforce, with winners and nominees applauded for their incredible efforts in supporting patients and colleagues alike.
Operational activity
Below you can see our activity in August, broken down by type of patient, and where these individuals received care and treatment.
Media and communications
Every month, the Trust publishes a number of items via its external channels to highlight developments at the Trust.
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-September. If you have any questions, please contact emma.shaheen@nhs.net or call 01302 644244.
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