Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

07/05/2026

One week left to register for the King's Mill Hospital abseil!

We have some spaces left for the charity abseil at King's Mill Hospital which is taking place on Friday 12 June.

The Sherwood Forest Hospitals charity have once again teamed up with Big Bang Experiences - a UK leader in height-based activities for over 30 years - to give you this unique opportunity to take a leap of faith and abseil down six storeys of King’s Mill Hospital.

The deadline to register your interest is Friday 15 May so send an email to sfh-tr.charity@nhs.net. to secure your spot.

You can visit the charity pages on our website for more details.

07/05/2026

We are delighted to announce that Rukshana Kapasi OBE is to become the new Trust Chair of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The Chair role is crucial in providing strong leadership, setting strategic direction and supporting our Board to deliver high quality, compassionate care to our local communities.

Rukshana brings extensive experience from her 30-year career serving across the NHS and the charitable sectors, where she has worked in a range of commissioning, clinical, senior leadership and board-level roles.

Rukshana will officially take-up her role on Monday 6 July 2026.

05/05/2026

The Emergency Department at King’s Mill Hospital is very busy today 5 May at 2.30pm

If you think you need your NHS but it’s not an emergency, please:

• Think NHS111 first. You can visit 111.nhs.uk online or call 111 for advice on where to go to access the treatment you need.

• Seek advice from your local pharmacist, who may be able to help, including by suggesting over-the-counter treatments for many less serious conditions. Most local pharmacies can supply NHS treatment for conditions including sore throat, sinusitis, UTI, and impetigo (restrictions apply). Visit https://pharmacyfirstnottinghamshire.com Some local pharmacies are open out-of-hours.

• Contact your GP team during their normal opening hours for all other conditions.

• Only attend our Emergency Department if it is an emergency - please consider other treatment choices.

Thank you for your continued support.

05/05/2026

Do you have any questions relating to support for people with disabilities?

Disability Nottinghamshire is going to be at King's Mill Hospital tomorrow, Wednesday 6 May, from 8.30am to 2pm, offering free specialist advice and services for people with disabilities, their carers and families. You can also pick up a RADAR key ⬇️

We are looking foward to being at King's Mill Hospital this coming WEDNESDAY (6th May). Come along if you have a question about any aspect of disability, need to purchase a RADAR key or just fancy a chat. Please share so more people are aware of the event.

05/05/2026

Happy International Day of the Midwife!

Today, we celebrate and recognise the incredible dedication, compassion, and expertise of our Midwives across Sherwood.

Every single day, our Midwives go above and beyond to provide safe, personalised, and compassionate care to women, babies, and families at one of the most important moments of their lives.

Phil Bolton, Chief Nurse and Shantell Miles Deputy Chief Nurse said:
“We are incredibly grateful for the work of our Midwives. International Day of the Midwife gives us a special opportunity to celebrate and recognise the vital role they play in supporting women and families.

"From the very first appointment through to birth and beyond, Midwives are there every step of the journey, offering reassurance, guidance, and unwavering support. Their kindness, skill, and commitment create lasting memories and make a profound difference to the experiences of the families they care for. The impact of their work is truly lifelong, leaving memories of comfort, care and compassion that parents carry with them forever”

To all of our Midwives, thank you. Thank you for your dedication and the care you give.

Today we celebrate you and the extraordinary difference you make. 💙

04/05/2026

Meet Rachael, Deputy Divisional Director for Nursing in our Women’s and Children’s Division, and our Tactical On‑Call lead for Bank Holiday Monday.

Rachael has worked at the Trust since 2023 and oversees nursing across Women’s and Children’s services. Her role includes supporting the nursing workforce, ensuring the safe and effective running of wards and departments, and providing strategic leadership across the division.

She began her career almost 30 years ago as a paediatric nurse before expanding into women’s health, bringing extensive clinical experience to her role. One of the things Rachael enjoys most is the variety:
“I get to support care for the tiniest babies through to children of all ages, as well as women using our services. Paediatrics and women’s health are so different, and that variety, along with working with patients and families, is incredibly rewarding.”

As Tactical On‑Call for the bank holiday, Rachael provides strategic oversight for the division, responding to escalations from on‑site teams, liaising across the Trust and with partner trusts and the ICB, and coordinating support where needed. In the event of a major incident, she would attend the site to help ensure services continue to run safely.

Her advice for anyone needing care over the bank holiday is not to delay:
“Bank holidays can be busier, and warm weather can increase attendances. Look after yourself, stay hydrated, wear suncream, but don’t be put off from accessing care if you need it. NHS 111 is a great first step if it’s not an emergency.”

Rachael also encourages patients and families to speak up if they have concerns, including using Martha’s Rule for a timely review: https://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/about-us/latest-news/martha-s-rule-to-be-rolled-out-trust-wide-following-successful-pilot/

Thank you to everyone at who will be working hard to keep our services running over the bank holiday weekend.

Remember, your NHS is still here for everyone this bank holiday:

👩‍ Always speak to your local pharmacy or GP practice first for advice about minor illnesses and conditions
☎️ If you need urgent care but it’s not an emergency, call NHS 111 or search “NHS 111” online
⚠️ In an emergency, always call 999
🔎 Find out more about children’s health and wellbeing here: https://notts.icb.nhs.uk/your-services/childrens-health-and-wellbeing/

03/05/2026

Meet Karen who works as a receptionist at King’s Mill Hospital, splitting her time between the Birthing Unit and Maternity Triage Unit.

Karen has been working at the Trust for over six years, and her job as receptionist entails greeting patients when they arrive, checking them in, answering any questions they have, making sure patients are in the correct place, and arranging follow-up appointments when needed.

When working on the Maternity Triage unit Karen’s role is a bit more complex, as she becomes the first port of call for expectant mothers who need advice if something doesn’t feel right.

Commenting on the fabulous team she works in, Karen loves her job and says that one of the best parts of her role is meeting patients and getting to follow the journeys of mother’s visiting the unit – from booking them in for their first appointment to admitting their newborn babies to the ward once born.

The Maternity Triage team are here to provide reassurance and advice to those who call, but Karen has noticed that sometimes people delay calling triage with concerns for differing reasons, for example waiting until after the bank holiday.

She advises to always call the unit at any time if you have concerns, no matter how small the query.

“The Maternity Triage unit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even on bank holidays and there will always be somebody there to answer your call.

“It is so important that you call us as soon as you start to think that something may be wrong so that we can assess you and decide if you need to come to the unit.

“Even if it turns out to be nothing, it’s always better to call - we’re here to provide reassurance wherever we can.”

The Maternity Triage unit provides 24/7 maternity care from 20 weeks of pregnancy and up to 28 days after the birth of your baby and you can contact them on 01623 676170.

Thank you to everyone at who will be working hard to keep our services running over the bank holiday weekend.

Remember, your NHS is still here for everyone this bank holiday:
👩‍ Always speak to your local pharmacy or your GP practice first for advice about minor illnesses and conditions
📱 If you need urgent care but it’s not an emergency, call NHS 111 or search “NHS 111” online to get the advice you need
⚠️ In an emergency, always call 999

02/05/2026

This week, we said a fond farewell to our colleague Ros Roddy as she retires from Sherwood after an incredible 48 years in the NHS.

Ros began her nursing career at just 17 at Harlow Wood, going on to take on a variety of roles throughout her career. Fifteen years ago, she joined Sherwood in our frailty team. She later progressed to Discharge Matron and then to Matron within our Medicine Division, working closely with Mansfield Community Hospital.

Among her many career highlights, Ros played a key role in supporting the CDC and ensuring patients could return home safely during COVID, helping to ensure there were beds for those who needed them. She is particularly proud of her work at Mansfield Community Hospital, where she has seen it grow from a single ward to a thriving hospital with multiple wards and a number of outpatient clinics.

Ros said: “I’m really lucky to have worked with such lovely people. It’s such a great place that feels like home. I’ve met so many amazing people and we’ve been on lots of journeys together. Now I’m ready to let someone else take the reins.”

Ros is looking forward to spending her retirement relaxing, spending more time with her family and granddaughter, and finally having the chance to do all the things she hasn’t had time for before.

Ros has been an integral part of the Trust and will be greatly missed. On behalf of everyone here at SFH, we wish her a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.

Thank you, Ros, for all you’ve done for us here at Sherwood 🩵

02/05/2026

Meet Clare, part of the cleaning team at Newark Hospital. She will be working to keep Newark Hospital a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors and staff this bank holiday weekend.

Clare has been working at Newark Hospital for a year and a half now, after she previously worked as a Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant when living in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

Cleaners play an extremely important role in ensuring our hospitals are fit to serve our patients. They ensure that they are kept clean and sterile, free from bacteria and infection.

Working in a team of around 30, Clare says she loves her job, and in particular loves working at Newark Hospital.

She said, “I love to clean, which definitely helps in this job, but I also love that each day is different, and I really enjoy interacting with different people during the day.
“Newark is a small hospital and everyone I encounter is so lovely – we are like a little community.”

Clare, who lives on a houseboat on the River Trent in Newark, embodies the CARE values of the Trust by always making sure she is kind and helpful to everyone she meets. She says, “If you can’t be kind, what else can you be?”.

Thank you to Clare and everyone else at who will be working to keep our services running smoothly this bank holiday weekend.

Remember, your NHS is still here for you this bank holiday:
👩‍ Always speak to your local pharmacy or your GP practice first for advice about minor illnesses and conditions
📱 If you need urgent care but it’s not an emergency, call NHS 111 or search “NHS 111” online to get the advice you need
⚠️ In an emergency, always call 999

01/05/2026

This week, we shared a heartfelt moment with our Welcome Treatment Centre colleagues as we said a fond farewell to Department Leader Tracy Smith and extended a huge thank you to Diane Kerry for her 50 years of dedicated service as a volunteer at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.

Chief Executive Jon Melbourne, Chair Graham Ward and Director of Corporate Affairs Sally Brook Shanahan joined colleagues from across the department to celebrate Tracy and Diane, sharing stories on their dedication, kindness, and commitment to patients over the years.

Reflecting on her time at the Trust, Tracy said: “I couldn’t be prouder to have been part of this team. From day one, they made me feel welcome. We’ve all worked so well together, they are amazing!”

When asked about her experience as a volunteer, Diane shared: “All the staff are super. They make you feel like part of the team straight away. It’s really nice to get to know the staff and the patients.”
Diane also spoke fondly of Tracy, saying she will miss her when she retires, describing her as “so kind and so good with patients.”

We would like to extend our thanks to both Tracy and Diane for their incredible contributions to the Trust and the lasting impact they have made on colleagues and patients.

Best wishes for your retirement, Tracy. You will be greatly missed. And a huge thank you to Diane for your outstanding commitment and 50 years of volunteer service. 💐💙

01/05/2026

Contact your maternity unit and get check straight away if:

- Your baby is moving less than normal
- Your baby’s movements feel weaker than normal
- Your baby’s movements have stopped

You can contact the Maternity Triage unit at King’s Mill Hospital on 01623 676170.