We are always looking at new ways to work with our partners to improve care for our patients and a new pilot project to airlift patients to a specialist stroke centre for time-critical treatment is one such scheme.
Since February, five patients have been airlifted from Princess Royal Hospital in Telford by Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to the hyper acute stroke centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital for a thrombectomy.
The number of patients being transferred may seem small, but this collaboration with our partners is making such a difference as every minute counts with a thrombectomy.
Travelling by air significantly reduces the time of transfer to Stoke, which can be lifesaving for those undergoing the procedure.
A mechanical thrombectomy is the radiological removal of a blood clot from the affected large blood vessel of the brain of acute stroke patients – only a certain number of patients fulfil the criteria for the treatment because a stroke has to be caught early.
We have been collaborating on the project with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) which runs Royal Stoke University Hospital, and West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS).
I would like to thank my colleagues and our partners as they all play a huge role in ensuring patients get transferred quickly and efficiently.
Last Saturday (13 May) saw our Maternity Services Open Day, where we welcomed around 150 members of the public to our units, where they met colleagues and teams across maternity services.
Our teams really enjoyed meeting our local communities, answering questions and they look forward to seeing you again soon.
We are inviting feedback from anyone who attended our open day on their experience and any improvements they would suggest for future events.
If you attended and would like to share your feedback, please fill out the feedback form on the SaTH Maternity Information Hub on Facebook. Future open days will also be included on there.
Our online People’s Academy is back and offers an exciting opportunity to learn about the day-to-day workings of our hospitals and the wider NHS – we would love for our communities to get involved.
The academy is ideal if you are considering a career in the NHS or would just like to find out more about how the NHS works.
The People’s Academy is open to anyone living in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Powys and the next online Academy comprises of four two-hour sessions over four weeks on Microsoft Teams starting on Tuesday 6 June from 10am-noon.
There will be interactive sessions and the chance to meet staff from across our hospitals.
Themes for the four weeks are the NHS; our Trust; our population and how we can influence services.
At the end of week four, participants will be sent a certificate of attendance and pin badge and may choose to continue to be involved with the Trust.
If you would like to apply to be part of this exciting venture and are at least 14 years of age, please register for the People’s Academy online through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/602417596247 or call our Public Participation office on 01743 492256.