Supporting Walsall mums

“I know how mums feel – I’ve been where they are and totally understand that motherhood can be overwhelming at times. But support can make all the difference.” Rachel Astle is a Breastfeeding Support Worker with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and she is relishing the role that she started in November. “If someone had told […]

Remembering Sister Dora differently this year

This year’s service of thanksgiving to commemorate and celebrate the life and work of Walsall nursing heroine Sister Dora is being postponed as communities continue to work together to minimise the infection risk of Covid-19. It will be rearranged for a calmer time, potentially in the summer, when infection rates have fallen substantially and stabilised. […]

Covid ‘Safe at Home’ Service launches

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has become the first in the West Midlands to offer an innovative early supported discharge service to patients with Covid-19. The Acute Medicine and Community teams have worked together to launch this service in which patients are taught to take their oxygen readings with a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter is […]

Working hard to keep patients safe

Patients are being assured that appointments, procedures or operations for cancer care, and those classed as clinically urgent, continue to be prioritised by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust as it juggles the additional demands of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some routine care has had to be postponed but a lot of work is going on in both […]

Comfort sponges for end of life patients

Dying patients will now receive extra care and relief with comfort sponges being offered inside Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s blossom boxes. Blossom boxes were introduced to the trust in 2018. The boxes are initiated for patients identified as approaching the last hours or days of their life and will support all medical and nursing staff […]

A novel Well Wishers service

Well Wishers has started a new chapter in its fundraising story by now offering a book service to trust colleagues and patients. Due to social distancing and visiting restrictions, patients, visitors and staff are currently unable to pop into the Purple Hub to buy books that help raise money for the charity. The fundraising team […]

Family firm’s boost for NHS Charities

An Aldridge family firm came up with a novel way to help families working from home and the NHS at the same time – raising £2,000 in the process. Allpack Packaging, which is celebrating 25 years in business, developed easy to assemble cardboard desks and chairs during lockdown which proved a real hit. Managing Director […]

A tee-riffic donation

Calderfields Golf and Country Club swung into action to raise an amazing amount of money towards Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Covid-19 fund. When the lockdown officially began club President Tom Kennan ran competitions for club members as well as non-members. Everyone donated various amounts of money which, to his surprise, added up to an astonishing […]

Covid survivor Kim’s “take care” plea

“This virus is life-changing and people should know the damage it can do and make sure they protect themselves as much as possible.” Beechdale grandmother Kim Newton spent two months in intensive care after contracting Covid-19 – although she has absolutely no recollection of that period at all. She has spent the last couple of […]

Help Us Help You at Walsall Manor Hospital

Residents of all ages are being assured it’s safe for them to visit Walsall Manor Hospital for appointments or treatment if necessary as clinics are back up and running following the Covid-19 pandemic. Clinicians say they know there are some patients who feel too anxious or concerned to attend, particularly if they are shielding, and […]

A 72nd birthday show of appreciation

This Sunday 5 July marks the 72nd birthday of the NHS and across the country there will be a huge round of applause at 5pm – with Walsall Healthcare staff showing their appreciation for the support shown to them during the Covid-19 pandemic. The nation will be coming together at 5pm in a huge show […]

Learning continues during Covid-19

Consultants across Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust spent last weekend examining the notes of patients who died after testing positive for Covid-19. The trust is looking at more than 200 cases using national learning from deaths methodology. Manjeet Shehmar is the trust’s Mortality Lead and Deputy Medical Director. She explained: “This has been an intense period […]