Local hospitals ask people to use health services wisely over August Bank Holiday

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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The annual awards recognise excellence across the Trust, from frontline clinical care and patient experience to innovation, sustainability, education and support services.

The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 8 October, where colleagues will come together to celebrate the commitment, compassion and teamwork that define DBTH.

This year’s shortlisted finalists are:

Unsung Hero

• Michelle Chadwick
• Jakub Markiewicz
• Stan Krco

Change Champion

• Kayleigh Green
• Gina Holmes
• Emily Krause

Fundraising Champion

• Kieran Benson
• Ashleigh Elam
• London Marathon Team

Team Spirit Award

• Suzanna Cullum
• Alexis Bates
• Ophthalmology Team

Health Equality Champion

• Active Together Cancer Prehab Team
• John Croucher
• MSK Physio and CATS team

Clinical Team of the Year

• Urology Team
• Chatsfield Suite Team
• Ward 32 (Renal) Team

Corporate and Non-Clinical Team of the Year

• Children Therapies Admin Team
• Medical Records Team
• Doncaster Procurement Team

Sustainability Champion

• Pamela Brooker
• Solar Panel Project Team
• Adeola Bayode

Teaching Hospital Award

• Abigail Harrison
• Helen Bird
• Judith Cutler

Learner of the Year

• Evie Tomlinson
• Samantha Milner
• Liam Sutton

Patient Champion

• Claire Ziolkowski
• Melissa Guy
• Becky Pettigrew

Star of the Year

• All of DBTH’s Star of the Month winners are automatically shortlisted for this special award:
• Marie Halifax
• Rehab 2 (Montagu Hospital)
• Louise Shaw
• Children’s Ward Team
• Toni Brunt
• Ward 24
• Paula Hill
• Midwifery Team
• Jennifer Green
• DCC Team
• Fiona Caddy
• Ward S10 Team
• Tina Knowles
• Education Team
• ESSU Team
• Rachel Probyn
• Paediatrics, Emergency Department and Critical Care Teams
• Nicky Tietze
• FAU Team
• Louise Thorpe
• Ward 19 Team

Zoe Lintin, Chief People Officer at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Every day, our colleagues work hard to provide great care for our patients, support one another and improve the services we provide. The Star Awards are our opportunity to recognise those contributions and celebrate the people and teams who make DBTH such a special place.

“Every nomination represents someone who has made a meaningful difference, whether through outstanding patient care, innovation, teamwork or kindness. Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted, and thank you to all of our colleagues whose dedication helps us deliver high quality care for our communities.”

“Every year we get a fantastic amount of support from local businesses and partners, who supply the sponsorship which makes this event achievable. We are extremely grateful for their generosity and thankful for their continued support of DBTH.”

The Star Awards highlight the breadth of talent across DBTH, recognising those delivering exceptional clinical care as well as the teams working behind the scenes to keep hospitals running, champion equality and inclusion, support learning, protect the environment and raise funds to enhance patient care through DBTH Charity.

Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists, and good luck to everyone shortlisted for the Star Awards 2026.

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The newly refurbished clinic, delivered by the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH), provides a calm environment where patients can have their eyes assessed, receive advice from specialist nurses and, where needed, be supported with onward referral for further treatment.

The new suite includes a dedicated waiting area, decorated with a welcoming mural and providing plenty of seating, alongside examination rooms equipped for retinal photography, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and slit lamp examinations. The examinations are painless and non-invasive, allowing the team to carry out comprehensive assessments and identify changes associated with diabetic eye disease.

A separate room is also dedicated to grading images, helping the team assess results following examinations. Patients will typically receive their final screening results within two weeks.

Alongside screening, the nurse-led service provides patients with specialist advice and early support around their diabetes and eye health. Where further investigation or treatment is needed, changes can be identified at an earlier stage and the appropriate referral arranged.

The specialist nurses can also take a wider view of a patient’s health, helping people understand how diabetes can affect different parts of the body and providing support to help them manage their condition.

Dr Shivani Dewan, Lead for the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme at DBTH, said: “It’s wonderful to see this new facility now open and welcoming patients. We want people to feel comfortable and supported when they come for their screening, while giving our team the facilities they need to provide a thorough assessment.

“We’re continually looking at how we can make screening easier to access and better suited to the people who use our service. Sometimes that means bringing appointments into the community, and sometimes it means adapting the way we provide care for people with additional needs.”

The opening of the clinic builds on the team’s wider work to make diabetic eye screening more accessible. This has included community screening at Worksop Library, outreach clinics within GP practices in Doncaster and dedicated screening sessions for people with learning disabilities, with the service adapting its approach around individual needs.

Denise Smith, Chief Operating Officer at DBTH, said: “We want to make sure people can access exceptional care in environments that are welcoming, comfortable and suited to their needs. Providing services in more convenient locations can make a real difference to people, particularly for those who may face barriers to accessing hospital care.

“This new clinic reflects our commitment to putting patients first, improving the environments in which care is delivered and continually looking for ways to provide a better experience for our patients, their families and visitors.”

Regular diabetic eye screening is important for anyone living with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy can develop without noticeable symptoms, so screening helps identify changes early and ensures people can receive appropriate monitoring, advice or treatment where needed.

Diabetic eye screening is different from a routine eye test with an optician, so people with diabetes should continue to attend their usual optician appointments as well as their diabetic eye screening when invited.

The Diabetic Eye Screening Service continues to explore new ways to bring appointments closer to where people live and adapt services around their needs, sharing the Trust’s commitment to improving the experience of patients, families and visitors.

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Liam Boyall, 33, from Armthorpe, works in the Procurement team at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Trust and will tackle the famous half marathon in Newcastle on 13 September.

Liam decided to take on the challenge following the care his grandad, Malcolm, received on the Gresley Unit at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) before he passed away.

During his grandad’s two-week-stay on the Gresley Unit, Liam and his family were able to remain close to him and spend precious time together.

Liam, who has worked at the Trust for 13 years, said: “The team were really accommodating to us as a family. There would often be a good number of us there at any one time and that was completely fine.

“It helped us to be there for my grandad until the end and meant we all got to spend as much time as we could with him.”

Following his grandad’s death, Liam decided to honour him by entering the ballot for the Great North Run – but he didn’t think he’d get in.

Liam said: “To my utter shock I received an email confirming my entry. Reality hit that it was actually happening.”

Having picked up running in 2025 as a way to get fit, Liam describes his love of running as ‘all-consuming’.

He said: “Running has really helped me both mentally and physically. I feel as though it has helped me become the fittest I’ve been since leaving school.

“It has ended up being all-consuming in my daily life.”

The fundraiser also has a personal connection to DBTH stretching back many years, with both of Liam’s parents having worked at the Trust on the Frailty Ward and in the Trust’s laboratories.

Liam said: “I have seen first-hand the great work that goes on daily within our trust and what a difference contributions to our charity can make to patients and staff.

Adrian Petts, Head of DBTH Charity, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Liam for taking on the Great North Run in support of DBTH Charity and the Gresley Unit.

“Liam’s reasons for fundraising are very personal, and it’s wonderful that he has chosen to give something back in memory of his grandad and in recognition of the care his grandad received.

“Taking on a half marathon is no small challenge, and we’ll all be cheering Liam on in September. Every pound he raises will help us continue to enhance the care and experiences of patients, families and colleagues across our hospitals.”

Speaking about his grandad, Liam said: “He was a caring and loving family man. I always remember him smiling and being happy.”

Malcolm was a keen sportsman and photographer, having played cricket and bowls, as well as taking photos at family events and on his travels.

Liam said: “He was always there for us all.”

When he is not training or working, Liam spends much of his spare time with his two-year-old daughter, Esmae, including regular trips to see her favourite dinosaurs at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, as well as fitting in a round of golf whenever he can.

Liam will join thousands of runners on the start line for the Great North Run on 13 September, with the money he raises helping Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity to enhance care and experiences for patients, families and colleagues.

To support Liam and find out more about his Great North Run challenge, visit his fundraising page: https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/liamboyall/great-north-run

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The appointment has been agreed by the Boards of Directors at DBTH, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Jenkins takes on the role at DBTH alongside his existing position as Joint Chief Executive of the Barnsley and Rotherham trusts.

The arrangement builds on the successful partnership already established between Barnsley and Rotherham, creating further opportunities to share expertise, develop colleagues and strengthen services across South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire.

It also supports DBTH as it continues its programme of improvement and delivery of its Three-Year Plan.

Importantly, there are no changes to the way patients access NHS services. All three Trusts will remain independent NHS foundation trusts, each with its own Board of Directors, Executive Team and statutory responsibilities, while decisions about local services will continue to be made locally.

A former consultant physician specialising in diabetes and endocrinology, Dr Jenkins has served as Chief Executive of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust since 2017 and has led Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust through one of the NHS’s longest-established shared Chief Executive arrangements since 2020.

During his tenure, the two organisations have strengthened clinical collaboration, shared expertise and created new opportunities for colleagues while maintaining each Trust’s independence and local accountability, an approach that has seen Richard recognised among the Health Service Journal’s Top 50 NHS Chief Executives for five consecutive years.

In a joint statement, Mark Bailey, Chair of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, and Dr Mike Richmond, Chair of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are pleased that Richard has agreed to take on this role.

“DBTH has made significant progress in recent years, while Barnsley and Rotherham have demonstrated how organisations can work successfully together whilst remaining independent and focused on the needs of their local communities.

“Our three organisations already have a strong track record of collaboration, including through the Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre, which is helping reduce waiting times and improve access to planned care. Richard’s appointment builds on those foundations, creating further opportunities to share expertise, strengthen services and develop colleagues where this benefits patients.

“Each Trust will remain an independent NHS foundation trust, with its own Board, Executive Team and statutory responsibilities. Patients will continue to access services exactly as they do today, and decisions about local services will continue to be made locally.”

Speaking about the appointment, Dr Jenkins said: “I’m proud to continue leading Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, and pleased to take additional responsibilities at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals. I look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place and creating new opportunities for our three organisations to learn from one another where that benefits patients and colleagues.

“Healthcare is, above all, about people. The dedication, compassion and expertise of colleagues make the biggest difference to patients every day, and I’m looking forward to meeting colleagues across DBTH, getting to know our communities and supporting the excellent work already underway.

“This appointment also has real personal significance for me. I began my career as a resident doctor at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital, so returning to the Trust in this role feels like coming full circle.”

Dr Jenkins officially took up the role today (17 August), succeeding Zara Jones as Acting Chief Executive. Zara has returned to her substantive role as Deputy Chief Executive ahead of taking up her new role as Chief Executive of East Cheshire NHS Trust in early October.

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The recognition follows an assessment by Doncaster’s Young Advisors, who reviewed evidence, met with the team and carried out a virtual inspection to see how children and young people are involved in their care and the development of services.

Following the inspection, the Young Advisors awarded the Trust a ‘Consulted Child Friendly’ rating, praising the team for ensuring “young people who use Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals are at the forefront of every decision and consideration.”

They praised the wide range of opportunities available for young people to influence their own care and the future development of services.

Among the areas of outstanding practice identified was the launch of the Trust’s new Youth Voice Group, which brings together young people to share their experiences and help shape future services.

Young Advisors commended the development of a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) room in Children’s Outpatients, which was co-designed with young people and families after visits to sensory spaces and local SEND schools to understand what would make the greatest difference.

The assessment praised the Trust’s commitment to supporting young people through major milestones in their healthcare, including its use of the Ready, Steady, Go, Hello programme to help young patients transition from children to adult services.

Further positive findings included the Trust’s work to involve patients and families in decision-making, provide information in a range of accessible formats and collaborate with education, social care and community partners to reduce health inequalities.

The Young Advisors concluded that the Trust had demonstrated “a great example of child friendly” and commended colleagues for their dedication to making children and young people feel included, listened to and supported throughout their care.

Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse at DBTH, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition, particularly because it has been awarded by young people themselves. Their experiences and opinions are invaluable in helping us continually improve the care we provide.

“This accreditation reflects the commitment of colleagues across our paediatric services to ensuring children, young people and their families are listened to, involved in decisions about their care and feel welcome every time they visit our hospitals.

“While we’re delighted to have achieved Child Friendly status, we also recognise there is always more we can do and look forward to building on the feedback from the Young Advisors as we continue to develop our services.”

The Child Friendly initiative forms part of Doncaster Council’s ambition to become a Child Friendly City, celebrating organisations that actively champion the voices, rights and experiences of children and young people.

As part of the accreditation, DBTH will receive a follow-up review in six months’ time to monitor progress and support further improvements.

The accreditation comes shortly after Children and Young People’s Services at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals were rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following inspections earlier this year. Inspectors rated services as ‘Good’ across all five assessment areas – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

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Every year, DBTH provides more than one million episodes of care across its hospital services, from emergency and inpatient care to outpatient appointments and maternity services.

To help ensure patients receive consistently high standards of care across these services, clinical teams are regularly assessed against standards covering patient safety, clinical quality, patient experience, leadership and how teams learn and improve.

Known as the CARE (Care Accreditation Recognition for Excellence) Framework, the programme recognises services that are performing well while also identifying where further improvements can be made. It also helps teams share and learn from good practice across the Trust.

In the latest review, 30 clinical areas achieved accreditation during 2025/26 – six more than the previous year.

Seven clinical areas have now maintained accreditation for three consecutive years, demonstrating consistently high standards for patients. These are Ward C2, the Special Care Baby Unit and Ward A2 at Bassetlaw Hospital; Ward 26, Ward S10 and Ward 18 Haematology at Doncaster Royal Infirmary; and Rehabilitation Ward 2 at Montagu Hospital.

This year also marked the first time that emergency departments and outpatient services were included in the accreditation process, meaning a broader range of services used by patients are now assessed through the same approach. Seven outpatient departments achieved accreditation.

The review also introduced Accredited Plus, a new level of recognition for teams demonstrating exceptional practice through innovation and quality improvement work that has made a demonstrable difference to patients and their care.

Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “I’m incredibly proud of what our teams have achieved. These results reflect the hard work, dedication and professionalism of colleagues right across the Trust and their commitment to providing the best possible care for our patients.

“While this is something to celebrate, we know there is always more we can do. The CARE Framework helps us monitor the quality of our services, celebrate good practice, identify where improvements are needed and ensure we continue to raise standards for the benefit of our patients.”

The CARE Framework forms part of DBTH’s wider approach to monitoring and improving the quality of its services, helping to provide assurance about standards while supporting teams to identify and act on opportunities to improve patient care and experience.

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If you need to rearrange or cancel your hospital appointment and are unable to wait on the phone, please use one of the following options:

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