Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

10/11/2025

We’re proud to celebrate Niamh for receiving a DAISY Award– a recognition for extraordinary nurses and midwives who go above and beyond in delivering compassionate care.
Niamh has worked for the Trust since 2019 and has consistently shown dedication to her role as a midwife.

In a lovely twist, Niamh received the award on her birthday – making the celebration even more special!

Niamh was presented with the DAISY award by the Director of Nursing and Deputy Chief Nurse, Shantell Miles, alongside colleagues who joined to show their appreciation.
Shantell congratulated Niamh and said: “We’re really proud that you’re part of the organisation!”

The grateful patient who nominated Niamh wrote, “Niamh was my midwife, and honestly, I couldn't wish for a better midwife and birthing partner.
She was calm throughout my entire labour, giving me the emotional and mental support I needed. Her confidence and composure made me feel safe and reassured. It’s the little things that show how much she truly cares.
She didn’t just do her job – she went above and beyond. She is the midwife everyone hopes and wishes for.
Thank you so much, Niamh!”

Niamh was ecstatic to receive the award; she put it down to being a “product of her colleagues” as she is “part of an awesome team” that she is proud to be in.

If you have received outstanding care yourself or witnessed one of your colleagues delivering outstanding care and want to share your thanks, you can nominate a Nurse or Midwife by visiting the DAISY award page on our website here: https://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/staff-zone/staff-recognition/
Paper copies of nomination forms can also be found in wards and departments.

Please join us in congratulating Niamh for this well-deserved recognition! 💙

09/11/2025

Today marks Remembrance Sunday, a day to honour and remember all those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces.

We remember and thank all who have served, past and present, for their bravery, dedication, and commitment to others.

At Sherwood Forest Hospitals, we are proud to support our Veterans and Armed Forces personnel.

As a sign of respect and remembrance, our towers will be lit this weekend.

Lest we forget.

07/11/2025

Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be over, but we’re here to remind you that breast health matters every month of the year. Checking your breasts or chest regularly should be part of your routine all year round.

To help you feel confident doing this, watch this short video featuring Kim, a Breast Cancer Specialist here at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. In just a few seconds, Kim will show you how to check yourself in two simple steps:

Step one: Look. With your arms by your sides, then raised, check for changes in shape, size, or skin, such as dimpling, redness, or swelling.
Step two: Feel. Use flat fingers in circular motions across your chest, up to your collarbone and under your armpits. Use light and firm pressure.

🩷 Our final ask: Share this post and spread the word!
Remind your loved ones to check their breasts or chest once a month. If you notice anything unusual, please speak to your GP. Early detection makes all the difference.

📍Support here at Sherwood Forest Hospitals
The Amazon Breast Cancer Support Group meet on-site at King’s Mill Hospital on the second Tuesday of each month from 5 – 6:30pm. The group offers support to bridge the gap between medical care and discharge, as well as everything that comes after. They welcome people at all stages of their journey.

📱Breast Cancer Now
If you, or someone you know, is currently being affected by breast cancer, you can download the Becca App from Breast Cancer Now.
Read more about their support here: https://breastcancernow.org/support-for-you/becca

05/11/2025

The Children's Ward at King's Mill Hospital were paid a visit by everyone's favourite celebrity, Pudsey bear, today.

Pudsey was visiting with BBC Nottingham and made lots of children smile by popping in to give them a high five and have a picture.

He also had his picture taken with staff on the ward, who were just as starstruck as the kids!

Pudsey was in the area with the BBC radio Nottingham team, who were taking part in a three-legged walk from Sutton to Mansfield to raise funds for this year’s Children in Need fundraising drive.

Thank you to the team at BBC radio Nottingham for arranging this visit and for helping to bring smiles to our young patients' faces.

05/11/2025

Earlier this week, we visited the new National Rehabilitation Centre, which will be run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, to see the state-of-the-art facilities which will benefit patients from across the East Midlands who have experienced life-changing illness or injury.

The NRC will transform care for patients who need specialist rehabilitation support, giving them the best possible chance of recovery.

For full details, visit: https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/news/countrys-first-nhs-national-rehabilitation-centre-heralds-new-era-for-rehabilitation-10692

04/11/2025

Tickets are selling fast for Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure's special performance at Mansfield Civic Centre on Saturday 15 November.

The ‘Chorus for Compassion’ event is a chance to celebrate those living with dementia whilst raising vital funds for the dementia services at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust.

The evening will include a raffle, a talk by the Sherwood Forest Hospitals research and innovation team about how the Trust is supporting research into dementia, and will end with a performance by local dance company Sidds Studio.

The event takes place from 4.30pm – 6.30 pm and tickets cost just £10. You can purchase them by calling 01623 287956 or visiting the Community Involvement Hub in the main entrance at King’s Mill Hospital.

It has been kindly organised by Bluebird Care Mansfield & Ashfield . It’s owner and Managing Director, Nabeel Kahn, is a public governor at the Trust and is passionate about giving back to the community.

03/11/2025

This weekend, we were honoured to host the Ashfield Festival of Remembrance here at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.

The Festival is a shared collaboration between Together in Ashfield CIC, ATTFE College, and this year, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The day began with a service at St Mary’s Cenotaph in Sutton-in-Ashfield, before guests joined us at King’s Mill Hospital for a series of inspiring presentations and refreshments that were kindly provided by volunteers from ATTFE College.

We were proud to welcome Ed Attenborough, High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire; Lieutenant Colonel Keith Spiers; and Nora Senior, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, who joined us alongside colleagues from across our Trust — including members of our Veterans Network, Lead Governor Liz Barrett, and the Principal of ATTFE College, together with learners, volunteers, and members of our local community.

This year’s theme focused on remembering and acknowledging the local people who supported the war efforts from a medical perspective. A truly fitting reflection of our NHS heritage.

Across our site, you’ll see Tommies on display, created and donated by ATTFE College staff, learners, and volunteers. These intergenerational creations provide a real time for reflection on life in modern Britain for all involved

Thank you to everyone who took part, contributed, and joined us in remembrance.

31/10/2025

We’re thrilled to share that our Endoscopy Service has successfully achieved full JAG accreditation following a thorough 5-year review. This is a major milestone that reflects the outstanding quality, safety, and compassion our team delivers every day.

JAG (Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy) accreditation is the national benchmark for excellence in endoscopy services. The full accreditation process is a significant undertaking, involving an on-site review of clinical quality, governance, leadership, and patient experience. The assessors visited in June 2025 and were truly impressed by what they saw.

From waiting list management to service standards, the team's portfolio showcased a culture of openness, professionalism, and teamwork.
The feedback was exceptional, patients described the staff as “brilliant” and “kind and supportive”, with one patient saying: “I felt they were genuinely concerned about me as an individual and my experience.”

Melissa Scott, Divisional General Manager for the Medicine Division, shared: “From the moment the inspectors arrived, they witnessed exemplary leadership, a positive culture, and outstanding governance. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to patient care and continuous improvement shone brightly. You have truly set the bar – and we couldn't be prouder to work alongside such an exceptional team.”

The JAG report outlines that ‘accreditation is awarded to services that have demonstrated they meet best practice quality standards covering all aspects of an endoscopy service’, highlighting this achievement as a testament to the team’s long-term planning and commitment to providing excellent patient care.

Sarah Doughty, Speciality General Manager for the Medicine Division, said: “We’re so proud of the team. Gaining the accreditation really showcases the hard work and determination each and every person shows not only to the running of the service, but to our patients.”

Congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic achievement, and a huge well done to the team! ✨

31/10/2025

🌟 From student to site team!

Niall Clapperton began his journey with a placement at the Mansfield Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) while studying at West Nottinghamshire College (WNC), a key education partner of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Niall’s placement experience gave him valuable insight into how NHS services are delivered and inspired him to pursue a career supporting healthcare in a different, but equally vital, way.

After completing his course, Niall secured a five-year degree apprenticeship in Construction Management with Kier, the contractor delivering the CDC project. He is now working on the same site where his career journey began.

The Mansfield CDC is part of a national NHS initiative to provide faster, easier access to life-saving checks, scans and tests outside of traditional hospital settings. The new facility aims to reduce waiting times, ease pressure on hospital departments, and improve early detection of a wide range of health conditions. Once complete, it will serve thousands of patients from across Mansfield and Ashfield each year.

Read the full article: https://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/about-us/latest-news/from-classroom-to-construction-mansfield-cdc-inspires-next-generation-as-local-student-joins-project-team/

29/10/2025

Join Vicky McClure’s renowned ‘Our Dementia Choir’ for a special performance at Mansfield Civic Centre this November, this November, which will end with a performance by local dance company Sidds Studio.

The evening has been kindly organised by Bluebird Care Mansfield & Ashfield and promises to provide a musical journey filled with joy and laughter. A chance to celebrate those living with dementia whilst raising vital funds for the Sherwood Forest Hospitals Charity's dementia services fund.

Taking place on Saturday 15 November, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, tickets for the event cost £10. They can be purchased by visiting the Community Involvement Hub in the main entrance at King’s Mill Hospital or calling 01623 287956.

29/10/2025

The emergency contraceptive pill is now available free of charge from pharmacies without the need to book an appointment with your GP or at a sexual health clinic.

You can find your nearest participating pharmacy here: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health-services/find-emergency-contraception/

Your local pharmacy can also help assist with a range of common conditions such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections and aches and pains.

Visiting your local pharmacy for advice can help to avoid unnecessary waits in our Emergency Department, which remains extremely busy.

Find out more about the services offered by your local community: https://notts.icb.nhs.uk/your-services/community-pharmacy/

If you need the emergency contraceptive pill, you can now get it free from pharmacies across England — without needing an appointment with your GP or at a sexual health clinic.

Pharmacists can provide advice and support. Find your nearest participating pharmacy: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health-services/find-emergency-contraception/