02 April 2026
Staff from the Trust, which runs the county’s acute hospitals, have taken part in an Autism Reality Experience to better understand and improve the support provided to autistic patients and people with additional sensory needs.
The Autism Reality Experience took place during World Autism Acceptance Week and is an immersive training session which helps people understand how the world may feel for autistic individuals.
It encourages staff to think about how hospital environments, communication styles and everyday clinical processes might affect autistic patients during appointments or treatment.
Staff from The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) attended the experience including Kate King, Complaints Case Manager, Kerry Wood, Assistant Catering Manager and Debbie Snooke, Clinical Nurse Specialist.
The experience was held at both Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and Princess Royal Hospital (PRH).
Kate said: “It’s really exciting to get an insight like this to enable us all to be more mindful of how information is processed by our neurodivergent patients.”
The experience uses sensory‑altering equipment, such as visual distortion glasses, headphones and tactile barriers to replicate the kinds of sensory challenges that autistic people can experience in busy or unfamiliar environments.
These simulate common sensory challenges, giving a short but powerful insight into how noise, lighting, touch and communication can affect someone during routine tasks.
This helps staff identify small changes that can create calmer, more accessible hospital experiences.
Kerry said: “The experience really tests your ability to concentrate, I was struggling. It really helps you to understand what patients with autism are facing when they come to the hospital.”
The training also offers colleagues protected time to reflect on patient experience from a new perspective.
Debbie said: “As a palliative and end of life care nurse I’m here for the patients but also the people closest to them. It’s important for us to have a better understanding so we can meet everyone’s needs and get it right for every patient, every time.”
The initiative was organised by the Trust’s patient experience team. Ruth Smith, Lead for Patient Experience, said: “It is important that every patient feels understood and supported when visiting our hospitals. The insights gained from the sessions will support colleagues in creating calmer and more accessible environments across both hospital sites.”
Paula Gardner, Interim Chief Nursing Officer said: “Thank you to the Patient Experience Team for organising this immersive training experience. It reflects the Trust’s commitment to inclusive care and improving the experience of autistic people using our services.”