University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

16/03/2026

UHNM has celebrated National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Day today, showcasing the incredible skills, compassion and dedication of our cancer nurses. 💙🏥

Teams from across UHNM, including Lung, Breast and Colorectal cancer came together at the Royal Stoke to raise awareness of services provided with colleagues, patients and visitors.

The national awareness day highlights the vital role our CNS’s play in guiding patients through diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.

🗣 April Davies, head of cancer services at UHNM, said: “Our CNS colleagues play a crucial role in coordinating and delivering personalised care interventions, addressing individual patient needs, be that physical or emotional.

“National cancer CNS day aims to acknowledge all the work of CNS’s, and raise awareness of the role. It is a privilege to celebrate today with the many CNSs across UHNM and to highlight this role as a crucial part of our cancer services.

"I would also like to use this opportunity to say thank you to all our CNS teams and their invaluable work to support cancer patients at UHNM.”

🗣 Sarah Mounsey, oesophago-gastric lead clinical nurse specialist, said: “Along with the wider specialist team, we feel that we can make a real difference to our patients and their families by listening, responding and being empathetic.

"I love being a CNS, and I feel very privileged to be part of the oesophago-gastric cancer CNS team at UHNM.”

15/03/2026

Ordering your repeat prescription on the NHS App is easier than you think.

If you take medicine regularly, you can order a repeat prescription through the app – meaning you don't need to visit your GP, saving you time.

https://www.nhs.uk/.../how-to-order-a-repeat-prescription/

13/03/2026

You can contact your GP practice online, as well as by phone or in person.
An online form – on their website or in the NHS App - is a quick and easy way for you to send your non-urgent symptoms and requests to your GP practice.
Tap it, type it and we’ll take care of it. Find out more ➡️ nhs.uk/GPOnlineForms

11/03/2026

🚭

Patients, staff and visitors at UHNM have been encouraged to take the first step towards quitting smoking at a No Smoking Day event.

The event, held at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, brought together specialists from Everyone Health and Reed Wellbeing, alongside UHNM’s To***co Dependency Team and Lung Cancer Screening Programme.

It also comes just weeks ahead of UHNM becoming an officially smoke-free Trust on 1 April. 📆🏥

From 1 April 2026, UHNM will become completely smoke-free across all sites, including Royal Stoke University Hospital, County Hospital in Stafford and the Stoke-on-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre. This means smoking will not be permitted anywhere on Trust grounds, including car parks and outdoor areas.

Those in attendance were able to speak with stop smoking specialists, learn about the health benefits of quitting and sign up for free support programmes.

One of those to sign up was Lee Enoch, who spoke to the team after noticing the event while attending a hospital appointment.

🗣 The 42-year-old from Norton said: “I’ve smoked on and off for about 20 years, usually between 10 and 20 ci******es a day. I’ve tried quitting before and managed it for a while, but I always ended up going back.

“This time feels different because of my health problems. Before I wanted to quit, but now I feel like I need to.

“Attending this event has saved me the hassle of trying to find a service myself. Now I’ll get a call in the next few days to start the process, so I’m hopeful this will be the time I finally quit.”

🗣 David Clamp, a smoking cessation coach at Reed Wellbeing, said: “We’ve been promoting the support available to both staff and members of the public.

“People who use a supported stop smoking service are around three times more likely to quit successfully compared to trying to stop on their own.”

Teams from Everyone Health work with UHNM’s inpatients and outpatients, offering support and ni****ne replacement therapy during their stay as well as once they’ve return home.

🗣 Amanda Harrison, to***co dependency advisor at Everyone Health, said: “When patients come into hospital their smoking status is recorded, which helps us identify people who may benefit from support.

“We visit patients on the wards to offer advice and ni****ne replacement therapy while they’re in hospital, and we also make sure they’re offered continued support when they leave so they can keep working towards quitting.”

🗣 Kimberly Perickathara, to***co dependency lead at UHNM, said: “We want staff, patients and visitors to have the information and support they need to quit smoking, not just for themselves but for their loved ones as well.

“With UHNM starting its journey to become smoke-free, this is about creating a healthier environment for everyone who uses our hospitals and helping people access the support they need to stop smoking for good.”

🗣 Donna Bailey, organisational development consultant, said: “Stopping smoking can be challenging, but nobody should feel they have to do it alone. As we move towards becoming a smoke-free Trust, it’s important that colleagues feel supported and know what help is available to them.

"By working with our partners and strengthening wellbeing support, we’re helping create a healthier environment for everyone.”

👉 Free stop-smoking support is available for inpatients, outpatients, visitors and staff at any of the Trust’s site can be referred for smoking cessation support by texting “QUIT” to 07768 926537 for free support.

11/03/2026

10/03/2026

Pregnant women across Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to access vital pregnancy screening, advice and vaccinations through UHNM maternity bus bringing services directly into local communities. 👶🚌🏪

The Maternity and Community Screening Initiative (MACSI) bus aims to make it easier for expectant mothers and their families to access maternity support closer to home without needing to travel to hospital.

The drop-in service offers advice and education on pregnancy, screening and vaccinations, with midwives and specialist teams on hand to answer questions and provide support.

The initiative is designed to reach communities who may find it harder to access traditional services, including those who face barriers such as transport, language or awareness of available support.

👉 There is no need to book an appointment and anyone can drop in while the bus is visiting their local area.

🗣 Rachael Heaven, community midwife, said: “We know that some people in our communities can find it harder to access maternity services, whether that’s due to transport, language barriers or simply not knowing what support is available.

“We thought instead of bringing people to us, we would come to them. By being visible in places people already visit, women can hop onto the bus, get advice about pregnancy, have a vaccination, collect vitamins or simply have a friendly chat about their pregnancy and what to expect.”

Staff on board the MACSI bus can provide advice on pregnancy, screening and healthy lifestyles, as well as information on why it is important for women to access maternity services early in pregnancy. The team can also provide vitamins, advice on healthy eating and safe sleeping and support with screening tests.

Vaccinations are also available during pregnancy to help protect both mother and baby.

🗣 Elaine Hinson, maternity vaccinator at UHNM, said: “There are three key vaccines we offer during pregnancy. The flu vaccine helps protect mums from catching flu, which can cause complications during pregnancy. The whooping cough and RSV vaccines help protect babies after they’re born, as antibodies are passed from mum to baby during pregnancy.”

One mum-to-be to benefit from the service was Anse Hussain who is expecting her first baby.

🗣 The 28-year-old from Cobridge, said: “It’s really easy and convenient because it’s local. It’s a lot easier for me to come here than travelling to Royal Stoke.

“Once you know when the bus is here you can plan around it, and for anyone who lives nearby it’s really helpful. I’d definitely recommend people come along if they see it.”

📆 The bus currently visits several locations across the city each week:

🔵 Hanley Town Centre (12.30pm–4pm)

🔵 Wednesdays: Asda Tunstall, Scotia Road, Tunstall, ST6 6AT (9.30am-4.30pm)

🔵 Thursdays: Pickford Place, Mier (9.30am-4.30pm)

06/03/2026

🚭 No Smoking Day is coming up on Wednesday, 11 March.

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. Whether this is your first attempt or you’ve tried before, every quit attempt is a step closer to success.

At UHNM, we are supporting healthier futures for our patients, visitors and staff. As we prepare to become a smoke-free Trust from April, there has never been a better time to take the first step towards quitting.

If you are staying at UHNM as an inpatient, visiting as an outpatient, or working at any of our hospital sites, you can be referred for smoking cessation support during your time in hospital.
📱 Text QUIT to 07768 926537 for free support today

06/03/2026

🌎🎉Today we celebrate Overseas NHS Workers Day 🌎🎉

An opportunity to celebrate the wonderful contributions of our international staff, on which the NHS depends.

Did you know we have more than 100 nationalities that make up our teams across UHNM!

Our overseas workers are vital and make an extraordinary contribution to our hospitals. 💙

05/03/2026

Today we welcome Staffordshire Police on site alongside Fearless, the dedicated youth service of Crimestoppers, to highlight the issue of County lines.

County lines is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.

They exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs. This is often referred to as ‘drug running’. Criminals may also use a vulnerable person’s home as their base of operations.

Come along and chat to the team until 4pm today at the main entrance, Royal Stoke.

Find out more about County Lines here https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines/

Find out more about Fearless / Crimestoppers here
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/what-is-fearless/who-we-are

05/03/2026

Patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at UHNM are set to benefit from a new dedicated research role. 🏥🔬👋

Kelly Westwood has joined UHNM as its first Lead MND Association Research Nurse, a role funded by the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

Kelly works across UHNM to help patients to take part in clinical trials, improve access to new studies and treatments and support people living with MND.

🗣 Kelly said: “I’ve always been drawn to research because it offers hope, which is especially important for conditions like MND where treatment options are limited.

"While I’ve previously supported patients through research in renal and neurology care, this role allows me to focus entirely on MND, dedicating my time to supporting patients and their families, keeping them informed about suitable clinical studies, and working with the wider care team to help improve future treatments.”

Kelly began her nursing career in A&E before specialising in kidney care and later moving into research across a range of specialties.

She said: “I’m excited to help build the MND research portfolio at UHNM. Research can make a real difference for patients, not only by exploring new treatments but by showing them that progress is being made and that they’re not alone being able to offer that hope is what makes this role so meaningful to me.”

🗣 Kate Hartley, MND Association lead research nurse, said: “Research is vital for understanding MND and developing new treatments. Our research nurses help make studies part of everyday care, increasing opportunities for people living with MND, and we’re excited to build on this strong start.”

04/03/2026

UHNM equips staff to make every contact count ahead of smoke-free launch

Staff from across the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust recently came together for a dedicated Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Study Day, designed to boost confidence in having meaningful conversations about health and wellbeing.

The event comes as UHNM prepares to become officially smoke-free from 1 April. With Stoke-on-Trent experiencing some of the highest smoking rates in the country, the session focused on helping colleagues use everyday interactions to support positive behaviour change around smoking, alcohol and wider wellbeing.

🗣 Kim Perickathara, To***co Dependency Lead, said: “Our local population has really high rates of smoking, and we see the harm that causes every day in our hospital. It’s important that we use the tools and training we have to take those key opportunities with patients and incorporate prevention into everyday conversations.”

Throughout the day, staff explored practical techniques for delivering Very Brief Advice (VBA), a 30-second intervention that could potentially save a life, and how to connect patients with specialist support services.

🗣 Alicia Hand, PreAms Care Coordinator, said: “Sometimes we underestimate the power of a short conversation. Today has shown me that even asking the question can open the door for someone to be more open and access the right support.”

The impact is already clear, two years ago, the Trust supported between five and ten patients per month to quit smoking. That has now risen to an average of 50 quits each month.

As UHNM moves towards becoming fully smoke-free across all sites, initiatives like MECC are ensuring staff feel confident to have supportive, non-judgemental conversations that empower patients to make healthier choices, helping to build a healthier future for our communities.

If you’re staying at UHNM as an inpatient, visiting as an outpatient, or working here, you can be referred for stop smoking support during your time in hospital.
🔗 Find out more here: https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk/our-services/smoking-cessation/