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Welcome to the latest edition of our monthly Humber Happenings Newsletter!
It brings me great pleasure to keep you informed about the latest developments within our teams and share our latest Trust news and engagement opportunities, alongside updates on our upcoming campaigns and awareness dates.
We hope you enjoy our newsletter and find it both informative and engaging. If you have any comments, ideas for articles, or if you'd like to contribute to future editions, please email hnf-tr.communications@nhs.net.
Thank you,
Michele Moran, Chief Executive and Caroline Flint, Chair
Trust News
Caring Together Event: A Celebration of Continuous Improvement
On Thursday 13th February at the Mercure Hotel, Willerby, and on our virtual platform via MS Teams, we showcased an exceptional event, Caring Together: Celebrating Continuous Improvement with our Patients and Carers. Throughout the day we celebrated and showcased projects involving patients and carers, while highlighting the vital role of continuous improvement across the Trust's services.
The event was a remarkable success, bringing together patients, service users, staff and partner organisations with both in-person and virtual participation. Approximately 150 guests engaged in a series of presentations, interactive activities, and a vibrant marketplace during break times and lunch.
Humber Youth Action Group wins Special Recognition Award
The Humber Youth Action Group, part of Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, has received a special recognition honour in the category 'Young People's Voice for Change in SEND' for their contributions in projects such as the Connect Children's and Learning Disabilities divisional website.
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Best Practice event was held on 13th February 2025 at the Mercure Sheffield St Paul's Hotel. Bethia Dennis, Engagement Manager for Children’s Services, along with Humber Youth Action Group members Katie and Izzy, were invited to the event to collect the award. Throughout the day organisations from around the country shared their SEND best practice stories and the impact it has made in their areas. Read more about this special recognition.
Volunteers making a difference at local GP Surgeries
We operate three GP surgeries in Yorkshire, with sites in Bridlington, Cottingham and Market Weighton. Each of the surgeries have volunteers supporting the work of the clinical and administrative staff. These volunteers have been sharing their experiences of using their time to help patients visiting a GP surgery. Read the full article with insights from volunteers, including married couple Jeremy and Eileen and King Street volunteer, Fran.
Join our Volunteer Help Force!
Do you have time to make a difference? Our dedicated volunteers play a vital role in enhancing and supporting Trust services. From lending a helping hand to service users to shaping the future of healthcare, there are countless opportunities for you to make a positive impact. Find your opportunity.
Email us: hnf-tr.voluntaryservices@nhs.net
Menopause Advocates launched to support Trust staff
To further enhance staff wellbeing, our Trust has introduced a new initiative to provide dedicated support for staff experiencing menopause. Launch of the Menopause Collective is a continuation of menopause support within the Trust to support managers and staff - comprising of ten menopause advocates located across the Trust sites. Collectively, raising awareness and understanding of the menopause. Read the full article on our Menopause Advocates.
Our Trust GP Practices Now All Veteran Friendly Accredited
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust are proud to announce that all three of our GP practices have been officially recognised as Veteran Friendly GP Practices under the accreditation programme run by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and NHS England. The Trust operate Humber Primary Care in Bridlington, Kings Street Medical Centre in Cottingham and Market Weighton Group Practice.
This prestigious accreditation acknowledges our commitment to delivering the highest standard of care and treatment to patients who have served in the armed forces.
Interested in staying up-to-date with the latest news from the Trust?
We regularly upload news stories to our Trust's website, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust and quarterly on our dedicated 'Good News' publication.
Governors Elections
You are Invited to our Governor Elections Presentations
Are you interested in helping us to make the Trust’s services better for your colleagues and the people that use them?
Our Council of Governors helps us to do just that and we will soon be holding elections for Governors from Hull (two seats), and for Governors who are/have been a Service User or Carer (two seats).
If this is something that interests you, why not come join our Head of Corporate Affairs Stella Jackson for a presentation on what the role of Governor entails.
These are taking place via Microsoft Teams on:
Thursday 27th February 12:00 noon - 1:00pm
Monday 3rd March 5:30pm - 6:30pm
To book a place at either presentation or to find out more about the role of a Governor and the elections process, please contact Katie Colrein via email katie.colrein@nhs.net or telephone 01482 389132.
Governor Elections 2025
The elections to become a governor for Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust will open soon. Please see the timeline below:
The Governor elections process begins/nominations open: Thursday 6 March 2025
Nominations close: 5pm on Thursday 3 April 2025
Our poster detailing the upcoming elections can be found here.
A guide to becoming a Governor
Our guide to becoming a Foundation Trust Governor can be found here.
It includes all you need to know should you wish to become a member of our Trust and to stand for the upcoming Governors elections.
Governor Profile
Introducing Simon Blackburn
At 17, the RAF wasn’t an option, so I stumbled into IT. Over 40 years later, I’d say it was worth it. I started when IT first became accessible to small businesses, working with bulky machines long before PCs. As an IT consultant until 2012, I led large-scale projects across industries like health, logistics, and telecom, often reshaping how businesses operated worldwide.
The work I’m proudest of was in renal patient care, where improved information efficiencies increased annual treatments from 1,300 to over 4,500—teaching me what "making a difference" really meant. Near retirement, I returned to health informatics to help improve patient outcomes.
Even in retirement, the feeling of “could have done more” lingers. That’s why I became a Governor for Humber TNHSFT—to learn, share, and contribute.
Outside work, my wife and I rebuilt a sailing boat (a mere 9-year project), dance, and may even take on a camper van next.
Engagement Opportunities
‘9 Miles for 9 Steps: Walking for Safer Sleep’ – Fundraiser for Safer Sleep Week
During Safer Sleep Week 2025 (March 10–16), Hull and East Riding’s 0-19 public health nurse services will complete a 9-mile charity walk—9 Miles for 9 Steps: Walking for Safer Sleep—to raise awareness of safer sleep practices and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
In the past five years, 9.5% of reviewed infant deaths in Yorkshire and Humber were sudden and unexplained, with 77% having modifiable factors. The initiative aims to promote public health messaging and support families.
The Hull team will walk 4 miles, starting at Octagon Family Hub and visiting key locations, while the East Riding team will begin at Cottingham Children’s Centre and walk 5 miles to Anlaby Children’s Centre. Both teams will host family-friendly activities along the way.
Funds raised will support Health Stars, the Trust’s charity, you can view the website here, enhancing healthcare experiences. Donations can be made via JustGiving.
Health Stars Golf Day – Supporting the Better Days Appeal
Join us on Thursday, 1st May 2025, for the Health Stars Golf Day, raising vital funds for the Better Days Appeal. This initiative will rejuvenate the day room on Fitzwilliam Ward, Malton Community Hospital, creating a more comfortable and welcoming space for patients.
The event will take place at Malton and Norton Golf Club with a shotgun start at 12pm. Teams of four will compete in a fantastic day of golf, complete with exciting competitions and prizes to be won! Check out our flyer for full details.
We are also seeking sponsors to help make this event a huge success. If you're interested in supporting the day, we’d love to hear from you!
To enter a team or enquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact gemma.hare2@nhs.net or visit https://healthstars.org.uk/events
Together, we can help create Better Days for the patients on Fitzwilliam Ward!
Health Stars is looking for people to join their team and they have loads of exciting events coming up!
Night Walk – Saturday 29th March
Put your best foot forward and enjoy a 7.5 mile circular route through the city centre before heading east to take in the uniqueness of Hull as you light the night sky.
Glowsticks, lights and fancy dress encouraged!
Get Caked – Sunday 4th May
Run, trample and Get Caked in mud as you take part in this charity obstacle challenge! Tackle 5 miles of muddy and wet fun as you climb over, jump through, crawl under and run across natural and man-made obstacles in the stunning grounds of Sledmere House.
Hull 10K – Sunday 8th June
We are very excited to be offering FREE PLACES in the 2025 Hull 10K. grab your place now and support your local NHS.
There’s even more opportunity to support Health Stars – check out our events diary here
Patient and Carer Experience Forums 2025
Help us to improve our services. If you, or someone that you care for accesses our services, then we would like to hear from you.
Please click the button below to read about the list of forums taking place within the Trust over the next year.
Become a Panel Volunteer
Panel Volunteers are existing or former patients, service users, carers and members of the public, who are willing to volunteer to sit on Trust staff interview panels. Volunteers can apply to support any of the geographic areas and any of the Divisions or Services that the Trust covers.
A Panel Volunteer will play an active role in the recruitment process by assisting the recruitment panel; this may consist of asking candidates questions to gain an insight into their values, positive behaviours and personal qualities.
The involvement of patients, service users and carers in the recruitment and selection process benefits both patients and the Trust; the Panel Volunteer’s perspective positively influences recruitment and selection decisions, which is crucial to the delivery of high quality services.
To find out more about becoming a Panel Volunteer, please contact the Patient and Carer Experience Team at hnf-tr.patientandcarerexperience@nhs.net or on 01482 389167.
Join the Children and Young People’s Trauma Informed Care Programme Annual Conference
Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership are excited to be holding their second Humber and North Yorkshire Children & Young People’s Trauma Informed Care Programme Conference, taking place on Thursday 3rd April 2025, between 9.30 - 3.30pm at MKM Stadium, Hull.
As the movement for Trauma Informed Practice across the system builds within front-line services across Humber and North Yorkshire, this conference
presents an opportunity to share and consolidate learning and good practice across diverse sectors within our ICS as well as with our colleagues regionally
and nationally.
This is a fantastic opportunity to share good practice with regards to Trauma Informed care. To attend, book your ticket on TryBooking.
Boost your career with our Wellbeing Recovery Employment Service
The Humber Recovery and Wellbeing College offers a range of free sessions and activities across Hull and Bridlington.
The aim of our sessions is to improve mental health and wellbeing in a friendly and informal atmosphere.
Anybody over the age of 18 is welcome at any of our sessions, and no referral is necessary.
Whether you’re looking to meet new people or learn a new skill, there’s something for everybody at the Humber Recovery and Wellbeing College.
More information can be found via our website: https://humberrecoverycollege.nhs.uk/
For more information on the Bridlington sessions, please see the poster here.
For more information on the Hull sessions, please see the poster here.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to us via email: HNF-TR.RecoveryCollege@nhs.net
Become a member of our Trust. Sign up today!
Being a member of our Trust provides the opportunity to become involved and have a say in how our services are developed. Membership is free and you can be involved as much or as little as you would like. Find out how to get involved.
Been invited to take the survey? Your voice matters! The survey is open until March. Share your experience and help us improve local health services.
Around 2.5 million people, aged 16 and over, who are registered with a GP practice in England will receive an invitation to take part in Europe’s biggest patient experience survey in early January. The initial invitations go out by letter to a random selection of people who have been registered with their GP practice for at least six months.
If you receive a survey invitation, please do take the time to take part. It provides vital information to the NHS to identify what’s working well and what can be improved. It helps to identify inequalities in experience too, as the results can be analysed across different protected characteristics.
Need help with the survey? Want it in a different language or format? Visit the GP Patient Survey website or call the free helpline: 0800 819 9135.
Friends and Family Test
The Friends and Family Test (FFT) is an important feedback tool that supports the fundamental principle that people who use NHS services should have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience. It provides a mechanism to highlight patient experience and is vital in transforming NHS services, supporting patient choice and implementing changes based on your feedback.
Each month we will be sharing patient experiences from our different services, alongside a patient comment.
96%
of respondents thought they were involved in their care and listened to within our Mental Health Planned Care in January.
"Very compassionate and explains things to me in a way I can manage...not pushy at all and will only continue if I feel able."
Keeping You Well
At the heart of community healthcare, GP surgeries and the healthcare professionals working within them play a crucial role in keeping us well.
This infographic provides a snapshot of the dedicated efforts of GP surgeries in ensuring the health and well-being of our communities.
View statistics from all three of our GP surgeries using the links below.
Council of Governors and Public Board Meetings
Public Trust Board meeting
Our next Public Trust Board meeting will be streamed live, Wednesday 26 March 2025 on the Trust YouTube Channel between 9.30am - 12.00pm.
Council of Governors meeting
Join us face-to-face for our next Council of Governors meeting at 1:15 - 3:45pm on Thursday 17 April 2025 at the Lecture Theatre, Willerby Hill, Beverley Road, Willerby, HU10 6ED.
For more information and to register your attendance, please contact the Membership Office:
Telephone: 01482 389132
Email: katie.colrein@nhs.net
Upcoming Awareness Dates
Back to Basics Month
1 Zero Discrimination Day
7 Overseas NHS Workers Day
8 International Women's Day
9-15 Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week
10-16 Safer Sleep Week
14 Holi
17-21 Social Work Week
17-23 Neurodiversity Celebration Week
19 International Social Prescribing Day
Interested in getting more involved in these awareness dates, please contact the communications team at HNF-TR.communications@nhs.net
Feedback and Suggestions
Your feedback is invaluable to us! Whether you have comments, insightful ideas for potential articles, or a desire to contribute to upcoming editions, we welcome your input.
Feel free to reach out to us via email at hnf-tr.communications@nhs.net. We look forward to hearing from you!
