Local people encouraged to download NHS App ahead of Easter break

As the Easter weekend approaches (Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April) and the school holidays get underway, missed appointments can increase as plans change and other commitments take priority. However, each missed appointment is a slot that could have been used to care for another patient.

The NHS App is a simple, secure and convenient way for patients to stay on top of their care. It allows users to manage appointments, receive reminders, check test results, and manage prescriptions – all in one place and at no cost.

Patients receive timely reminders and updates directly to their phone, with push notifications helping ensure appointments are not forgotten during busy periods.

If plans do change, the app also allows patients to check details and rearrange appointments quickly – helping to free up that slot for someone else who may be waiting for care.

Denise Smith, Chief Operating Officer at DBTH, said: “School holidays and Bank Holidays are often when routines change, and we can sometimes see more missed appointments as a result.

“If patients are unable to attend their appointment, they are encouraged to let the service know as soon as possible or rearrange it using the NHS App. This allows that time to be offered to another patient who needs it.

“Downloading the app is a simple step, but it makes a real difference – helping patients stay on track with their care and supporting services to make the best use of available appointments.”

The app also supports more efficient use of NHS resources, helping to reduce reliance on printed letters and postage, while improving communication with patients. These savings can be reinvested directly into frontline services.

While health professionals are encouraging digital uptake, traditional methods – such as letters and text messages – will remain in place for those who need them. The aim is to offer more choice and make it easier for people to access care in a way that suits them.

The NHS App is free and available to anyone aged 13 or over who is registered with a GP in England. It can be downloaded via the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android), and takes just minutes to set up.

To find out more or to get started, visit: www.dbth.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/nhs-app/

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Laura’s pregnancy was difficult from the start. Early bleeding and other complications meant she needed weekly specialist scans in Sheffield.

However, at 32 weeks Laura noticed reduced movements and attended triage at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Laura explained: “I expected they would just monitor me and send me home.”

While providing a urine sample, Laura suddenly became unwell and activated the emergency alarm. Specialty Doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mr Islam Wafa, quickly assessed her and confirmed that her placenta – the organ that supplies the babies with oxygen and nutrients during pregnancy – had ruptured, meaning she needed an immediate emergency C-section.

From the moment Laura entered the hospital to being taken into surgery, just six minutes had passed.

Laura recalled: “The first thing I said when I woke up was, ‘Where are my babies?’ They were in Neonatal Intensive Care while I was in intensive care.”

Laura later learned she had lost six litres of blood during surgery, and that it took seven hours for the team to stabilise her. One of the twins was also born unresponsive and required a blood transfusion.

Reflecting on the events, Laura added: “I was told that if I hadn’t already been in hospital next to the emergency alarm when my placenta ruptured, we probably wouldn’t have made it.”

After being discharged, Laura returned to hospital when she woke up shaking and was diagnosed with an infection, requiring three days of antibiotics and a further inpatient stay.

She continued: “While I was there, I had a visitor, the surgeon who had saved our lives. He had come back from Egypt, where he had flown to straight from my C-section, and heard that I was back in hospital. He came to see me on his day off.

“I was so thankful to see him and to be able to say thank you. He said he was just doing his job, but to me that job is incredible – I wouldn’t be here without him, and I wouldn’t have two beautiful babies either.”

Laura praised the team who cared for her and her babies: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who worked through the night to save us, especially Mr Wafa, who undoubtedly saved our lives.”

Laura and her daughters spent seven weeks on the neonatal unit in Doncaster, where she also thanked Jason Boyd, Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and the wider team who cared for the twins. Their hospital journey ended at Bassetlaw Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), where the babies continued to improve before finally going home.

Looking back on the experience, Laura said: “From a pregnancy filled with fear and uncertainty, we received the most incredible care imaginable.

“We rarely hear people thanking surgeons for their support during birth. In our case, Mr Wafa made a significant impact on us. We will never forget the care, dedication and compassion shown by him and the wider team.”

Dr Nick Mallaband, Acting Executive Medical Director at DBTH, commented: “We are incredibly pleased to hear that Laura and her babies are doing well following what was an extremely serious and time-critical situation.

“Stories like this highlight the skill, dedication and teamwork of our colleagues across maternity, theatres, intensive care and neonatal services, who work together every day to provide safe care for mothers and babies. I would like to thank all colleagues involved for their swift actions and professionalism in such a challenging emergency.”

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Hospital visits can sometimes feel unfamiliar or daunting for children and young people, and small changes to the environment can make a big difference to how safe and comfortable they feel. To help improve the experience, two pupils from the Hospital School; Keira, aged 12, and Nyla, aged seven, were invited to design illustrations for a new self check-in kiosk at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Their colourful characters and playful designs now feature on the kiosk signage, using bright, child-friendly visuals. The artwork helps make the check-in process feel less clinical and more approachable.

The redesign of the Children’s Outpatients kiosk forms part of a Trust-wide investment in upgrading self check-in kiosks, introducing modern, more reliable units to enhance the patient experience. Involving young patients in the design of the Children’s Outpatient clinic kiosk, the Trust wanted to ensure that children’s voices are reflected in practical ways that will benefit others.

The kiosk signage also proudly includes the names of the two young artists, recognising their contribution and helping them feel valued and involved in making a difference for other children.

The Hospital School caters for children and young people from Reception age up to and including GCSE level, providing education and a sense of normality for young people during their time in hospital. For pupils who are in hospital during SATs or GCSE examination periods, exams can be taken within the school.

Equipped with its own classroom and a small library, the school is staffed by qualified teachers and is available to any child on the Children’s Ward, whether they are in hospital for a short stay or receiving longer-term care. If well enough, children are encouraged to take part in learning either in the classroom or at their bedside. Alongside supporting education, the school plays an important role in wellbeing, routine and maintaining a sense of normal life during what can be a challenging time.

The school was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in its most recent inspection, with educators permanently based within the hospital school and available during regular school hours.

The project brought together the Hospital School, Patient Administration Systems team and Children’s Outpatients colleagues to make a small but meaningful improvement to the clinic environment.

Claire Riley, Hospital School teacher at DBTH, said: “This project gave our pupils the opportunity to see how their creativity can make a real difference to other children coming into hospital. It helps them feel proud, valued and involved, while supporting a more positive experience for patients and families.”

April Brumpton, Service Manager at DBTH, said: “Simple changes to our environment can have a big impact on how children feel when they arrive for appointments. Having artwork designed by children, for children, is a powerful way of showing that their voices matter and that we are listening to what helps them feel more at ease.”

The illustrations have now been installed on the self check-in kiosk in the Children’s Outpatients Clinic, where they will be seen by hundreds of young patients and their families each week.

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The Trust which operates Bassetlaw Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital has moved up 15 places, from 60th to 45th out of 134 organisations, placing it in the top third of providers nationally.

The rankings form part of the NHS National Oversight Framework, which assesses performance across areas including patient care, waiting times, workforce and finance.

DBTH is one of Yorkshire’s leading acute trusts, caring for more than 440,000 people across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas. The improvement follows a challenging autumn and winter period for the NHS, during which services have continued to face sustained pressure.

Mark Bailey, Interim Chair of the Board, said: “Moving up 15 places is a positive step and reflects the hard work, resilience and professionalism of colleagues right across DBTH.

“I want to place on record a sincere thank you to all of our colleagues. This progress has come during one of the busiest and most challenging periods of the year, and it is down to their continued effort, teamwork and commitment to our patients.

“We are pleased to see improvement, but we are clear that there is more to do. Our focus remains on delivering consistent, reliable care for our patients and continuing to improve performance in the areas that matter most.”

Despite this progress, DBTH remains in Segment 3 of the framework. While performance in several areas is improving, national rules mean organisations operating with a financial deficit cannot move into a higher segment.

Mark continued: “Over the next few years, we are developing an ambitious and balanced programme to improve access and quality of care, alongside disciplined deficit reduction. This is about making sure our services are sustainable for the future, while continuing to deliver safe, high-quality care for our communities.

“We know that the experience of our colleagues is central to delivering further improvement, and we will continue to both support, listen and actively involve our teams as this work develops.”

The National Oversight Framework is a relatively new system that brings together a range of indicators to provide an overall picture of how NHS organisations are performing compared to others across England.

The full detail can be viewed at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/

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The Emergency Department (ED), sometimes referred to as A&E, treats a wide range of urgent and emergency conditions – from broken bones and breathing problems to life-threatening emergencies. DBTH runs services at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Bassetlaw Hospital, delivering around 200,000 episodes of care each year across both sites.

The new approach sets out clearly how nurses can develop their skills and take on greater responsibility as they gain experience.

For the first time, this sets out in one place what nurses need to learn and experience as they progress in their careers, including the skills they are expected to develop and roughly how long it may take to move to the next stage.

In practice, it explains how nurses can grow in their roles within the Emergency Department. A newly qualified registered nurse will spend their first year building core emergency care skills, including trauma training and practical clinical skills such as taking blood and assessing patients.

As they gain experience, nurses can progress into more senior roles such as Sister or Charge Nurse, where they help lead shifts, coordinate teams and support junior colleagues in a busy department.

From there, some nurses may move into specialist roles such as Emergency Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Clinical Practitioner, where they are trained to assess and treat certain patients themselves. Others may move into education roles, helping train future nurses, or into senior leadership roles overseeing departments and developing services.

Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Our Emergency Departments are busy places where our nurses deal with a huge range of situations every day, and they do an incredible job caring for patients when they often need help the most.

“This new approach gives nurses a clear route to build their careers – from newly qualified registered nurse through to senior roles such as Sister or Charge Nurse, and on to specialist and leadership positions.

“Just as importantly, it helps us support our colleagues to grow their careers here in Doncaster and Bassetlaw, so we can keep experienced nurses in our hospitals.

“For patients, that means strong teams with the skills, confidence and experience to provide the best possible care.”

The new approach also reflects a wider national focus on strengthening nursing careers, with recent plans across the NHS aimed at improving early-career support for nurses and providing clearer opportunities to progress and develop within the profession.

Recently, the Trust has also set out proposals to increase the number of registered nurses on adult inpatient wards in line with national best practice. The first phase of the plans focuses on strengthening the mix of skills within teams by increasing registered nurse roles.

The investment would cost around £534,000 a year and is expected to be partly offset by savings through reduced reliance on temporary workers who help cover short-term staffing gaps.

Anyone interested in starting a career in healthcare or exploring opportunities with DBTH can find out more at www.dbth.nhs.uk/jointheteam

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As the King’s representative in the county, the Lord Lieutenant recognises organisations making a difference to local communities and brings valuable experience from a background in social care.

The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on a year of progress since the opening of the Emergency Department, Children’s Assessment Unit and Acute Medical Unit, with the final phase, including Minor Injuries and Same Day Emergency Care, completed in December last year.

During the visit, the Lord Lieutenant met with clinical teams and toured key areas throughout the facility, seeing first-hand how the co-location of services is supporting a more streamlined patient journey and improving flow through urgent care.

A key improvement has been the return of longer observational stays within the Children’s Assessment Unit, now located alongside the Children’s Emergency Department.

This close proximity allows quicker transfer between departments where appropriate, supporting smoother and more efficient patient pathways. It also means more children from Bassetlaw and surrounding areas can receive care closer to home.

Previously, some children requiring overnight observation or assessment would need to travel to other hospitals, creating additional stress and disruption for families. Providing these services locally improves access to care, reduces disruption and allows families to remain together during what can be a difficult time.

The Emergency Department has also seen significant improvements to its clinical environment.

Features include individualised observation bays and a dedicated “fit to sit” area, providing a more appropriate setting for patients who can safely wait while remaining under clinical supervision.

The department is now located alongside the newly refurbished Minor Injuries and Same Day Emergency Care services, enabling patients to be directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.

For those requiring further assessment or admission, close proximity to the Acute Medical Unit provides a clear and efficient transition to specialist or ward-based care.

Together, these developments support a more streamlined urgent care pathway, helping ensure patients receive the right level of care more quickly.

During the visit, the Lord Lieutenant also reflected on the importance of community, relationships and friendship in supporting the delivery of healthcare. This was evident throughout the emergency care building, where charitable support has played an important role in enhancing the environment for patients and families.

The Bassetlaw Emergency Village Appeal, supported by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity, has enabled additional features that help create a more positive and reassuring experience, particularly for children.

The Lord Lieutenant met representatives from the League of Friends of Bassetlaw Hospital and the Rotary Club of Retford, whose fundraising has contributed to enhancements including interactive devices, toys to complement play areas, and calming features such as skylights within clinical bays.

Support for the visit was also provided by volunteers from the Rapid Relief Team, who offered refreshments to clinical teams involved in the tour and working on the day.

The tour concluded at the hospital’s children’s playground area, also made possible through charitable donations.

Zara Jones, Acting Chief Executive of the Trust, said: “While these services have been caring for patients for some time, today has been an important opportunity to reflect on the difference this investment is making for our communities.

“We have been able to bring together services that work closely alongside one another, improving the way patients move through urgent care and strengthening the experience for those who need our care.

Just as importantly, these developments mean more children and families can access care closer to home, supported by teams working in an environment designed around their needs, ensuring patients are in the right place, at the right time, for the right care.”

The visit marked an important milestone in recognising the progress made over the past year and the continued commitment of staff, partners and the local community to delivering high-quality care for patients across Bassetlaw and the surrounding areas.

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The Trust’s Diabetic Eye Screening Programme held a special clinic at Worksop Library, where 20 patients came along for checks.

The screening looks for diabetic retinopathy – a condition that can affect people with diabetes and damage the back of the eye. If it is not picked up early, it can lead to sight loss.

Anyone with diabetes can develop this condition, which is why regular screening is important – even if your eyesight seems fine.

In the early stages, there are usually no symptoms. Most people will not notice any changes until damage has already started.

The clinic screened 40 eyes in total. All the patients who attended had previously missed appointments, with some not having a check for up to 14 years. Holding the clinic in a familiar community setting helped reach people who had found it difficult to attend hospital appointments.

Patients shared why they had not attended in the past. Some said they felt anxious about the test and expected it to be painful or uncomfortable.

Others spoke about practical challenges, such as getting to hospital, finding parking, or relying on others for transport.

By offering appointments closer to home, the clinic helped remove some of these barriers and made it easier for people to access care – particularly for those who might otherwise miss out.

Jemima Beaumont, Diabetic Eye Screening Lead at the Trust, said: “Getting people back into screening after many years is a huge achievement and shows the value of bringing services into the community.

“Many people told us they had avoided screening because they were worried about what would happen, but they were surprised by how quick and painless it is. Others face real challenges getting to hospital. By bringing clinics into community venues, we can make it easier for people to look after their eye health.”

The Trust worked closely with the team at Worksop Library to deliver the clinic, with library manager Steve Powell offering the space free of charge due to a shared commitment to improving local health outcomes.

The Trust will continue looking at ways to bring screening closer to communities across Doncaster and Bassetlaw, helping more people protect their sight, as well as tackling health inequalities.

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The announcement builds on the charity’s marathon debut last year, when its first-ever runner, Inta, completed the event and raised more than £2,000 for the Children’s Ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Now, the charity is expanding with a team of four determined fundraisers ready to line up on the start line in London this spring.

Adrian Petts, Head of Charity at DBTH Charity, said: “As a growing charity we are so thrilled to enter our largest team yet to the London Marathon this year.

“Our runners have poured all their efforts into their fundraising, and it’s been brilliant watching them find new ways to fundraise – we couldn’t ask for a better team.”

Among them is Kieran Benson, an eRoster Support Analyst at DBTH, who is running in memory of his grandparents, all of whom received care from the Trust.

He said: “The compassion and support they were shown has always stayed with me.

“Running the London Marathon felt like the perfect way to challenge myself while giving something back to a charity that has helped my family and friends so much.”

A proud local, Kieran has organised a seven-a-side charity football match, hosted a quiz night at BRIX Coffee Co, completed the Doncaster 10K and secured support from local businesses including Albemarle Homes. He has currently raised £3,248.

Steve Forster is also taking on the challenge, inspired by the difference the charity makes across the community.

He said he admires the impact of DBTH Charity’s work and wanted to set himself a meaningful challenge while raising awareness and funds for a cause that will inevitably touch everyone’s lives at some point.

Alongside juggling training with everyday commitments, Steve recently completed the Brass Monkey Half Marathon in York and continues to train with support from his local running club, Team Manvers and has raised over £1,200 already.

For Lyndsey Dunworth, the marathon marks a milestone year as she celebrates her 50th birthday.

She said: “I chose to fundraise for DBTH Charity because it supports local hospitals that all of my family have used at some point, and I wanted to support local fundraising where possible.”

“This year is my 50th birthday, and running the London Marathon felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Lyndsey is training alongside her twin sister, who is fundraising for Rotherham Hospice.

Nicole Tucker, a midwife at DBTH, is swapping hospital corridors for the streets of London as she prepares for the 26.2-mile course.

Having seen first-hand the difference the charity makes, Nicole is passionate about giving back. Her training journey has already included completing her first 10K, finishing the Yorkshire 10 Mile and building up to longer distances in the new year.

She said: “This charity helps us go beyond the basics and deliver the kind of care that really stays with people.”

As a midwife, Nicole is no stranger to long stints on her feet, running up and down corridors and catching babies at all hours of the day.

She continued: “Signing up for a run might just feel like another day at work except with slightly less screaming and tears hopefully”

Nicole even put her motivation into verse:

“I support the women, calming the screams,

“Survive on tea and half-baked dreams.

“But now I’m running with my shoes laced tight,

“For charity, and not just fright!

“From robots sharp to memory kits,

“This charity funds all the hits.

“So I’ll jog, I’ll puff, I might just crawl

“But I’ll do it with love for one and all!”

Together, the four runners have already raised more than £5,300, funds which will support projects that go above and beyond NHS provision – from enhanced equipment and improved environments to wellbeing initiatives that benefit patients and staff across the Trust’s hospitals.

Adrian continued: “Each runner has their own personal reason for taking part, but they all share the same goal – to give back and make a difference for our patients, families and colleagues.

“The support from our communities so far has been fantastic, and we can’t wait to cheer them on.”

To support Team DBTH Charity in the 2026 London Marathon, visit their fundraising pages:

Nicole – https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/nicolegottheruns/london-marathon

Lyndsey – https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/lyndseydunworth/london-marathon

Steve – https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/stephenforster/london-marathon

Kieran – https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/kieranbenson/london-marathon

If you’re interested in running the London Marathon 2027 for DBTH Charity, please contact the team by email dbth.charity@nhs.net or call 01302 648282.

About DBTH Charity:

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ Charity is the official charity which supports Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust to go above and beyond by providing additional equipment, services and amenities for our patients, visitors and staff which cannot be funded by the NHS alone.

These additional extras would not be possible without the support of our community. With your help, we can continue to work with our Trust to fund innovative and exciting projects that make a difference to our patients, their families and our colleagues who care for them.

Visit the charity website to find out more: https://dbthcharity.co.uk/

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Amanda Abbott works within the Trust’s lung cancer service as a Patient Cancer Navigator, helping guide patients through the diagnostic and treatment pathway. While Amanda has supported patients in this way for more than a decade, work is now underway nationally to formally recognise and standardise this role across the NHS, ensuring patients receive consistent support wherever they are treated.

Patient Cancer Navigators provide a vital link between patients and clinical teams. They help coordinate appointments, support communication between services, and ensure patients can access the information and practical support they need. For many patients, having a consistent point of contact can make the pathway easier to understand and less daunting.

Being investigated for lung cancer can be an anxious and uncertain time, often involving multiple appointments, tests and discussions about treatment. The navigator role helps ensure patients understand what to expect at each stage while also helping teams coordinate care more effectively.

Patients have responded positively to the service, often saying they value having a named person who can guide them through the pathway and answer questions along the way.

Amanda said: “It’s important that patients feel supported and informed throughout their care. This role can help make the pathway clearer and more aligned, it makes a real difference to them knowing there is someone who they can speak to.”

The experience gained at DBTH has also contributed to wider national developments. Amanda has been involved in shaping the Lung Cancer Nursing UK Professional Development Framework, which helps define how navigator roles support cancer pathways across the NHS. The role is now increasingly recognised nationally under the title Patient Cancer Navigator, helping ensure consistency for patients across different hospitals.

The success of the lung cancer navigator role at DBTH has also led to similar roles being introduced across other cancer pathways at the Trust over the past two years. By embedding navigators within Clinical Nurse Specialist teams, the organisation has helped demonstrate how these roles can improve coordination of care and enhance the patient experience.

Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse at DBTH, said: “Patient Cancer Navigators provide invaluable support for patients at what can be a very uncertain time. By helping coordinate care and offering a consistent point of contact, they play an important role in improving the overall patient experience.”

Roles such as Patient Cancer Navigators also provide opportunities for colleagues working in non-clinical positions to become more closely involved in supporting patients throughout their care. Alongside this, the Trust continues to invest in the development of its specialist cancer workforce, supporting Clinical Nurse Specialists to develop their expertise and, where appropriate, progress into Advanced Clinical Practitioner roles.

Through initiatives such as this, and as set out in the Trust’s Healthier Together strategy, DBTH continues to review and develop how care is delivered — ensuring patients receive high-quality, coordinated support while also helping shape the future of cancer services across the NHS.

To learn more about the Trust’s priorities, career opportunities or information about cancer services, please visit the DBTH website.

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