A new Transitional Care Unit opened at Doncaster Royal Infirmary on 7 September, providing specialist support for babies who need additional neonatal care while enabling them to remain with their mother wherever clinically appropriate.
Located on Level 3 of the Women and Children’s Hospital, the dedicated unit can care for up to four babies and their mothers at a time.
Transitional Care supports babies who need additional monitoring, feeding support, treatment or observation, but who are well enough to remain with their mother rather than being admitted to the Neonatal Unit.
The service has been developed through a Quality Improvement project involving colleagues from across Maternity and Neonatal services, with feedback from patients and families also helping to shape the service.
Work has included the development of new clinical guidance and care pathways, specialist training for colleagues, staffing arrangements, equipment and changes to documentation and discharge processes.
Keeping mothers and babies together can support bonding and breastfeeding, while helping parents build confidence in caring for their baby before returning home.
The Trust has also introduced a new seven-day, cross-site midwife-led Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) service.
Launched on 7 September, the service enables specially trained midwives to undertake the routine physical examination offered to newborn babies, helping improve access and experience for women and families across the Trust’s maternity services.
It also enables midwives to develop and use an extended clinical skill as part of their role, supporting a more flexible and sustainable service.
The project has been led by Jade Austin, NIPE Lead Midwife at DBTH, with midwives now delivering examinations as part of the new service.
Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse at DBTH, said: “The arrival of a new baby is an incredibly important time for families, and these two developments are about making sure mothers, babies and families receive the right support at the right time.
“Our new Transitional Care service will enable babies who need a little extra support to receive specialist care while remaining close to their mother wherever possible, helping families to bond and giving parents confidence before going home.
“The introduction of our midwife-led NIPE service is another important improvement, making these essential newborn examinations more accessible while also enabling our midwives to develop and use additional clinical skills.
“A huge amount of work has gone into developing both services, and I would like to thank everyone across Maternity, Neonates and the wider Trust who has helped make them possible.”
The Transitional Care team brings together neonatal nurses, midwives, doctors and allied health professionals, who will work alongside families to provide individualised care and support.
Together, the two developments form part of DBTH’s ongoing work to improve maternity and neonatal care and provide families with safe, high-quality and personalised support.
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The Hospital Guide for the Armed Forces Community and Veterans Passport have been created through partnership working, using veterans’ lived experience to ensure they provide clear, practical support for veterans, their families and carers when accessing hospital services.
Initiated by an Armed Forces Oversight Group set up within the Trust to improve outcomes for Armed Forces communities, the guide and passport were created due to feedback received about hospital care. The Trust heard from members of the Armed Forces community that, while support was available, it was not always clear what they could access or what to expect when attending hospital.
Working with Doncaster Council’s Armed Forces Covenant, the Trust brought together local Armed Forces organisations, veteran groups and community networks to shape the resources. Veterans from organisations including the Royal British Legion, Fit Forces, Doncaster Veterans Network and DBTH’s Community Collective shared their experiences to ensure the guidance reflected the needs of those using healthcare services.
The Hospital Guide explains what veterans and serving members of the UK Armed Forces can expect when accessing care at DBTH, while the Veterans Passport provides a practical document that veterans can take to appointments to record information about their service history, personal circumstances and any additional support needs.
Together, these resources form part of DBTH’s wider commitment to the Armed Forces community. The Trust is proud to be a Veteran Aware organisation and has also been awarded the Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award, recognising its commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, service leavers, military families and the wider Armed Forces community.
Denise Smith, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Responsible Officer for the DBTH Armed Forces Oversight Group, said: “Supporting the Armed Forces community is important to the Trust, and we are proud to be recognised as both a Veteran Aware organisation and through the Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award.
“This work is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration. By bringing together colleagues, partners and veterans with lived experience, we have created resources that are practical, meaningful and shaped around the needs of those who will use them.
“We want every veteran who accesses our services to feel recognised, respected and supported, and these resources are an important step in helping us achieve that.”
Richard Woodhouse, Health Inequalities Manager and Chair of the DBTH Armed Forces Oversight Group, said: “This work started because we listened to feedback from our Armed Forces community and understood that, although support was available, it was not always clear what veterans and their families could access or what they could expect when coming into hospital.
“By working directly with veterans and our community partners, we have created resources that provide clearer guidance and help veterans feel more confident and supported when accessing healthcare.”
Mick Miller, Royal British Legion Chair and Branch Community Co-ordinator for Thorne and District Branch, said: “I wanted to understand how sharing information about military service would actually help the care and support received.
“The Hospital Guide and Passport shapes this, with the guide helping to explain how a veteran’s service can be considered within a healthcare setting and what support is available, while the Veterans Passport gives veterans a way to share information about their service, personal circumstances and health.
“By involving veterans in developing these resources, we have created something practical that helps healthcare professionals understand the individual and provide more appropriate support.”
The Hospital Guide for the Armed Forces Community and Veterans Passport are available on the DBTH website: www.dbth.nhs.uk/hospital-care-for-the-armed-forces-community/
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The Trust is a finalist in four categories at the 2026 Awards for Excellence in Waste Management for the NHS in England: Waste Management Champion of the Year, Best Reduction of Clinical Waste, Biggest Reduction in Carbon Emissions and Best Digital and Data Innovation.
Over the past year, teams across DBTH have been working to reduce unnecessary clinical waste, increase recycling and make greater use of lower-carbon methods of disposing of waste.
One of the biggest changes has been improving how clinical waste is separated. By working with clinical teams to ensure waste goes into the appropriate stream, the Trust reduced the amount of waste placed in orange clinical waste bags by 30%, while increasing the use of lower-carbon offensive waste routes by 36%.
Alongside other improvements, including greater use of reusable sharps containers and changes to how waste is treated, the programme has delivered more than 300 tonnes of measurable carbon savings.
Recycling has also increased significantly. Following the introduction of new recycling arrangements, Montagu Hospital increased its recycling rate from zero to more than 34%, while Bassetlaw Hospital increased its rate to almost 45%.
The work has been led by Adeola Bayode, Waste and Sustainability Manager at DBTH, who joined the Trust in June 2025 and has also been individually shortlisted for Waste Management Champion of the Year.
Adeola said: “This recognition reflects a huge amount of work by colleagues across the Trust. Waste management might not always be something people immediately associate with healthcare, but the decisions we make about the thousands of items we dispose of every day have an environmental and financial impact.
“Much of this work has been about making relatively simple changes and helping colleagues understand what needs to go where. By getting that right, we can reduce the amount of waste requiring more intensive treatment, recycle more and reduce our carbon footprint, while always making sure that clinical safety comes first.
“I’m incredibly proud that this work has been recognised nationally, but particularly grateful to the clinical, facilities, portering and other teams who have helped make these changes part of everyday practice.”
Dr Kirsty Edmondson Jones, Director of Infrastructure at DBTH, said: “Four national shortlistings is fantastic recognition for Adeola and for the many colleagues who have supported this work across our hospitals.
“What is particularly encouraging is that these improvements are delivering benefits on several fronts. We are reducing our environmental impact, making better use of resources and improving the way we understand and manage waste across the organisation.
“With an organisation of our size, relatively small changes made consistently across our services can add up to a significant difference. There is still more we want to do, but saving more than 300 tonnes of carbon emissions shows what can be achieved when colleagues work together to make sustainability part of how we operate every day.”
DBTH has also been shortlisted for its work with Veolia to develop a digital dashboard giving teams much quicker access to information about the amount and type of waste being produced across the Trust.
Previously, much of this information was reviewed retrospectively through monthly spreadsheets. The dashboard provides more timely information on waste streams, treatment routes, costs and environmental impact, allowing teams to identify trends and areas for improvement more quickly.
The system has supported improvements in clinical waste management and reduced the time required to compile information for annual NHS reporting by an estimated 14 hours. The approach has subsequently been adopted by other NHS organisations using the same waste contractor.
The Trust is continuing to build on the work, including plans to extend pharmaceutical waste diversion across its hospitals and introduce the new recycling arrangements at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
The winners of the Awards for Excellence in Waste Management for the NHS in England 2026 will be announced at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester on Thursday 1 October.
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Flu can cause serious illness during pregnancy, and vaccination helps to protect both mother and baby.
The vaccine is available at antenatal clinics across the Trust. Those attending can receive their vaccination as part of their appointment or, if they would prefer, arrange a dedicated appointment.
To book an appointment, speak to your midwife or contact the Community Hub on 01302 642794.
The flu vaccination is free during pregnancy and can be given at any stage.
Kat Taylor, Specialist Midwife for Public Health at DBTH, said: “Flu is much more than just a bad cold and can be serious during pregnancy.
“The flu vaccine is a quick, safe and free way to help protect you from becoming seriously unwell, and it also helps protect your baby during those important first few months after birth.
“We want to make getting vaccinated as easy as possible, so if you’re attending one of our antenatal clinics, please speak to your midwife or the team. I’d encourage all mums-to-be to take up the offer this season.”
Lois Mellor, Director of Midwifery at DBTH, said: “Keeping women and babies safe and well throughout pregnancy is at the heart of our maternity services, and vaccination is an important part of that.
“By offering the flu vaccine alongside antenatal care, as well as providing the option to book a dedicated appointment, we hope to make it as convenient as possible for mothers-to-be to protect themselves and their baby ahead of winter.”
Pregnant women can also receive their free flu vaccination through their GP surgery or participating community pharmacies.
Appointments are also available through the national NHS booking system.
Search ‘NHS flu vaccine’ online to find out more or book an appointment.
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The flu vaccine is recommended during pregnancy and can be given at any stage. It helps protect women from becoming seriously unwell with flu and also provides protection for babies during their first few months of life.
The vaccine will be available through antenatal clinics across the Trust and can be given at any stage of pregnancy.
How to get your vaccination at DBTH
Pregnant women can:
- Receive their flu vaccination when attending an antenatal clinic
- Arrange a dedicated vaccination appointment at an antenatal clinic
To book an appointment, speak to your midwife or contact the Community Hub on 01302 642794.
The flu vaccine helps protect pregnant women from becoming seriously unwell with flu and also provides protection for babies during their first few months of life.
Pregnant women can also receive their free flu vaccination through their GP surgery or participating community pharmacies, with appointments available through the national NHS booking system from 1 September.
Search ‘NHS flu vaccine’ online for more information.
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The latest survey reflects the experiences of patients who stayed overnight at the Trust during November 2025.
At DBTH, a total of 425 patients completed the survey, which asks about experiences including treatment, communication, meals, medicines and leaving hospital.
Overall, across DBTH’s hospital sites – Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital – 99% of respondents said they were treated with dignity and respect, while 85% rated their experience of hospital care seven out of 10 or higher. A further 97% said they had confidence and trust in their doctors, with similarly strong feedback for nursing care.
There were also encouraging improvements compared with the previous year, with more patients saying they were able to take their own medication when needed and received enough help to eat their meals.
These figures rose from 79% to 89% and from 85% to 90% respectively, while the proportion who said their ongoing health or social care needs had been discussed before they left hospital increased from 76% to 82%.
Particularly strong results were also recorded across individual services. Trauma and Orthopaedics achieved 100% positive scores for kindness and compassion and dignity and respect, while 93% rated their overall experience seven out of 10 or higher.
In Urology, the service recorded 100% positive scores for confidence and trust in both doctors and nurses, while General Surgery recorded 100% positive scores for dignity and respect, privacy, pain control and receiving help when needed.
General Internal Medicine also saw improvement, with the proportion rating their overall experience seven out of 10 or higher rising from 77% to 84%.
Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse at DBTH, said: “These findings give us a great deal to be proud of, particularly that 99% of patients told us they were treated with dignity and respect, alongside improvements in areas such as medicines, nutrition and support when leaving hospital.
“They also show us clearly where we need to do better, including communication while patients wait for planned procedures, information about Virtual Ward care and support when leaving hospital.
“Our ambition is to become one of the country’s top-performing trusts for patient experience. These results give us a strong platform to build on, and we will continue to listen to our patients and use their feedback to improve year on year.
“I would like to thank everyone who shared their experience, and our colleagues for the compassion and professionalism they show every day.”
The Trust will now use the findings to target further improvements, including clearer information for patients waiting for procedures and those using Virtual Wards, better identification and communication of dietary needs, and making sure patients and carers have the information they need about medicines, ongoing care and who to contact after leaving hospital.
The Adult Inpatient Survey is carried out annually, giving patients the opportunity to share their experiences and help shape further improvements in care, with the next opportunity early next year.
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Community pharmacists can provide advice and treatment for a wide range of minor illnesses and conditions, as well as support with some medication queries.
If you need pharmacy support over the long weekend, the following extended opening hours are available:
Doncaster
Sandringham Pharmacy, Sandringham Road, Intake
Saturday: 9am to 9pm
Sunday: 9am to 7pm
ASDA Pharmacy, Gliwice Way, Bawtry Road
Saturday: 9am to 9pm
Sunday: 10am to 4pm
Bank Holiday Monday: 10am to 4pm
Worksop
Worksop Pharmacy, 95-97 Bridge Street
Saturday: 8.30am to 9pm
Sunday: 10am to 9pm
Worksop Pharmacy, Prospect Precinct
Saturday: 9am to 9pm
Sunday: 10am to 9pm
Bank Holiday Monday: 10am to 4pm
Opening hours can sometimes change, so please check before travelling.
You can find your nearest pharmacy and check the latest opening information at: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy
If you need urgent medical advice NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 1111, For a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999.
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This year, the Bank Holiday takes place on Monday 31 August, a period when NHS services often experience increased demand.
The Trust, which runs Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital, is encouraging everyone to plan ahead and consider the most appropriate place for their care if they become unwell over the long weekend.
Please make sure you have enough of any regular medication, check which local services are available and remember that pharmacies and NHS 111 can provide advice and support for many conditions.
By choosing the right service, you can help us keep our emergency departments available for people who are seriously ill or need urgent care.
The Trust is encouraging people to make sure they have enough repeat medication to last through the long weekend and to use local pharmacies for expert advice on minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats and rashes.
If urgent medical advice is needed but it is not an emergency, NHS 111 can be accessed online or by phone for help and guidance.
Emergency care will continue to operate 24 hours a day and should be used for serious or life-threatening conditions.
If you need pharmacy support over the long weekend, the following extended opening hours are available:
Doncaster
Sandringham Pharmacy, Sandringham Road, Intake
Saturday: 9am to 9pm
Sunday: 9am to 7pm
ASDA Pharmacy, Gliwice Way, Bawtry Road
Saturday: 9am to 9pm
Sunday: 10am to 4pm
Bank Holiday Monday: 10am to 4pm
Worksop
Worksop Pharmacy, 95-97 Bridge Street
Saturday: 8.30am to 9pm
Sunday: 10am to 9pm
Worksop Pharmacy, Prospect Precinct
Saturday: 9am to 9pm
Sunday: 10am to 9pm
Bank Holiday Monday: 10am to 4pm
Opening hours can sometimes change, so please check before travelling.
You can find your nearest pharmacy and check the latest opening information at: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy
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Rather than following the traditional route of studying full-time at university before joining the NHS, Emily earned her midwifery qualification through an apprenticeship. This allowed her to combine paid employment at the Trust with university study and hands-on clinical experience.
She qualified in June 2026, achieving a lifelong ambition after taking a different route into the profession.
Emily had originally begun studying midwifery in 2015 but left her university course after falling pregnant. She later joined DBTH as a Service Assistant before becoming a Maternity Support Worker in 2019, where her interest in pursuing a career in midwifery continued to grow.
While working in the role, a colleague told her about the midwifery apprenticeship offered through the University of Huddersfield, giving her the opportunity to pursue her ambition while remaining in work.
Emily said: “It was nerve-wracking at first. You don’t know what you’re going into.
“Looking back now, I’m so glad I took the opportunity. The apprenticeship has given me the chance to achieve my dream while gaining invaluable experience alongside a fantastic team.”
To celebrate her achievement, Emily was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse, Lois Mellor, Director of Midwifery, Sam Whalley, Labour Ward Manager, and Alexandra Cartwright, Matron.
Lois Mellor, Director of Midwifery at DBTH, said: “As the first apprentice midwife at DBTH, Emily truly is a trailblazer.
“We are incredibly proud of what she has achieved. Her success demonstrates the opportunities apprenticeships can offer and we’re delighted she is continuing her career with us as a newly qualified midwife.”
The midwifery apprenticeship enables aspiring midwives to earn while they learn, combining academic study with practical experience to develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality care for women, babies and families.
Emily now joins the Trust as a Newly Qualified Midwife, continuing her career caring for local families across Doncaster and Bassetlaw.
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The event is free and open to everyone, including patients, members of the public, Trust members, colleagues and local partners
At a glance
- Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026
- Venue: Education Centre, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, click here for a map.
- 5pm: Doors open and showcase begins
- 5.30pm: Formal Annual Members Meeting begins
- 7pm: Event closes
- Book your place: https://tinyurl.com/DBTHAMM26
What to expect on the evening
5pm – Doors open and showcase
Join us from 5pm to browse a showcase featuring teams and services from across DBTH.
You will be able to visit information stands, meet colleagues and learn more about services, improvement work and initiatives taking place across Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital, Montagu Hospital and our community services.
5.30pm – Annual Members Meeting
The formal Annual Members Meeting will begin at 5.30pm.
The meeting is an opportunity to hear about the work of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) over the past year and find out more about our plans for the future.
It will include the presentation of our Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26 (link to the document will be provided here), providing an overview of our performance, achievements, challenges and priorities.
There will also be an opportunity to hear from members of the Trust’s Board and ask questions.
7pm – Event closes
The meeting is expected to finish at 7pm.
Book your place
The event is free to attend, but we ask everyone planning to join us to register in advance.
- Book your place: https://tinyurl.com/DBTHAMM26
You can also tell us about any access requirements when completing the registration form.
Getting here and parking
The event will take place in the Education Centre at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, which can be accessed by the Gate 4 entrance of the site (near Costa) and following the signs. A map is below:
Free Park and Ride
A free Park and Ride service is available for anyone attending the Annual Members Meeting.
You can leave your vehicle free of charge at Doncaster Racecourse Car Park A on Leger Way and take the free shuttle bus to Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Both the parking and the shuttle journey are free.
Shuttle buses run approximately every 20 minutes, Monday to Friday, between 5.50am and 10pm, with the journey to the hospital usually taking around five to seven minutes. The service stops at Gate 4 on Armthorpe Road and on Thorne Road.
Parking at Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Whilst we encourage visitors to make use of the free Park and Ride, parking is also available on the Doncaster Royal Infirmary site. Normal parking charges apply, so please allow enough time to find a space, park and make your way to the Education Centre.
Free or concessionary parking is available for some patients, visitors and carers, including eligible Blue Badge holders and people attending in certain circumstances. You can find full details of our car parking concessions and how to claim them on our Help with travel costs page.
We recommend arriving before 5pm so you have time to visit the showcase before the formal meeting begins at 5.30pm.
We look forward to welcoming you.
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