Princess Royal Hospital welcomes Royal College of Nursing into A&E

We recently welcomed the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to the Emergency Department (ED) at Princess Royal Hospital (PRH).

Regional representatives said that they were impressed with our colleagues for their kindness, care and passion for their roles.

During their visit they spoke to as many people as they could - patients, nurses, consultants and other staff - and the feedback from the RCN was so positive.

Colleagues spoke to the RCN about the improvements that have been made at the PRH.

Our staff were amazing, making the time to talk about the roles of individuals and the flow of patients through ED, considering the number of patients in the department and their acuity.

I would also like to give a shout-out to our ED colleagues at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for the kindness and compassion they have shown caring for patients with extremely complex needs over the past few weeks.

Working with healthcare partners, they have ensured our patients to the right place for their care.

Our trust is passionate about improving services for veterans as patients and colleagues and serving members of the Armed Forces, so it is great to share the news that we have been chosen as one of 14 pilot sites to deliver the new Veteran and Military Family members Volunteer to Career (VtC) Programme.       

We are working with Helpforce and the local Armed Forces Network to expand the successful volunteering programme we have within the trust.

The programme aims to create a pathway for veterans and their families to work within the healthcare sector in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Placements give the volunteers first-hand experience of roles, which can then lead to paid employment opportunities or further training within the NHS.

It gives them the opportunity to see whether a career in healthcare is for them or if they need a gradual route back in to work. It can also help boost their applications and interview prospects.

The first Veteran’s Volunteer to Career programme will start shortly. If you are interested, you can apply via the SaTH website: www.sath.nhs.uk/working-with-us/volunteering/veterans-volunteer-to-career-programme. 

Good luck to colleagues who will swap their warm beds for sleeping bags as part of ‘The Great Tommy Sleep Out’ on Saturday, March 29. They will spend the night sleeping outside on the Wrekin.

The sleep-out is a national award-winning fundraising challenge, raising money for Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) to support veterans that are experiencing homelessness.

Emma Colley, an emergency care technician, and Sarah Millington, a healthcare assistant, both work in ED at PRH, and have organised the event.

They will be joined by other colleagues, including doctors, nurses, and healthcare assistants. At the moment 17 adults and four children are taking part. 

Thank you to them for highlighting the plight of homeless veterans. If you would like to give, please visit Emma’s Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-colley-1739188228?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL.