Tees Voices

We chat with Mark Dias who, after beginning his NHS career as a domestic, is now a non-executive director of University Hospitals Tees. He discusses what his role entails, the priorities of our people committee and the future of the NHS.

In this episode of Tees Voices, Radio Stitch’s Elliot Kennedy catches up with some of the students of Catcote Academy Sixth Form who have been on placement with NTH Solutions.

The academy provides additional support for 16 to 19 year olds with special educational needs and works in partnership with NTH Solutions (a subsidiary of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust) to provide work experience opportunities in an NHS environment.

The students discuss the roles they have undertaken, their aspirations for the future and what they’ve learned under the support of facilities team leader Tim Carter.

In part one of our Dying Matters Week podcast, we catch up with North Tees and Hartlepool specialist palliative care nurses Helen Dicken, Christina Hancock and Robyn Willis.

They discuss how we’re using simulation manikins to train nurses in supporting patients on palliative care, the nurse-led clinic speeding up treatment, and using virtual reality to comfort those receiving end-of-life care.

Stayed tuned for part two of our Dying Matters specials next week where South Tees’ former lead nurse for cancer and palliative care shares her nursing journey, the inspiration that led her to her career, her personal thoughts on what a good death means and pearls of wisdom for those wanting a career in specialist palliative care.

In this episode, we chat with members of our people services team around the importance of flexible working and how NHS organisations can adapt.

Our flexible working toolkit is currently in place across our North Tees and Hartlepool sites and we’re also currently looking to rollout for our South Tees colleagues as well.

Our latest episode of Tees Voices invites Jean MacLeod, head of the visual arts council, Jane Easterby, hospital chaplain and Mary Sayers, a patient representative from North Tees and Hartlepool to discuss the new COVID-19 Memorial artwork in place at both North Tees and Hartlepool.

 Following a competition last year, a submission from nine Stockton Sixth Form College students was successfully chosen and now have pride of place at both hospital sites.

Our Schwartz Rounds at both North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals are confidential forums where staff come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare.

During Schwartz Rounds, a panel of staff share their stories – the rest of the group can then reflect on these and share their own experiences. The rounds are confidential, fall under protected time for all staff and contribute to continued professional development.

Here chaplain and Schwartz Round facilitator Jim Wright and clinical coder Matt Harper discuss Schwartz Rounds and the personal and professional benefits of taking part.

We want everyone worworking in University Hospitals Tees to feel safe and confident to speak up. We welcome it and we will listen.

Here group chief people officer Rachael Metcalf and group chief nurse Dr Hilary Lloyd discuss the importance of speaking up and the different ways staff can do so.

As our University Hospitals Tees trusts continue to work together, we’re asking our staff and stakeholders to help us shape our group’s values going forward.

We’re asking about the values and priorities matter most to them as they care for our patients and the local community. This will help us to align our health and care offer and ensure it is befitting to patients, communities and staff.

We spoke with group deputy director of OD and culture Jennie Winnard and people services business partner Sharon Ollivier about what this means and how staff and stakeholders can get involved.