Governors’ update Get in touch: Our governors are elected to represent and listen to the views of staff, patients, and the public. If you would like to get in touch, please email rf-tr.governors@nhs.net. Getting your flu vaccine is the simplest way to protect yourself and others, and to help you enjoy the season’s special moments with family, friends, and colleagues. This year’s flu vaccination campaign begins at the RFL in October, offering all staff the chance to stay healthy this winter. Whether you’re looking forward to Christmas gatherings, pursuing hobbies, or attending events like concerts and weddings, the flu jab reduces your risk of illness and helps keep our services running smoothly. Julie Hamilton, group chief nurse, said: “I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my family in Ireland during half term, enjoying festive evenings out, and going to the pantomime in December. Getting the flu vaccine helps protect me and those around me so I can fully enjoy these moments. It is a simple step that keeps everyone, including our patients, safer and stronger.” 10 11 The results are in: congratulations to our new governors Menopause matters – catch up on our latest medicine for members’ event Register to attend our annual members’ meeting Your voice matters – have your say in this year’s staff survey Protect yourself from flu this winter The vaccine works by training the body’s immune system to recognise and fight flu viruses, similar to how a ‘fire drill’ prepares you for a real emergency. It is updated every year to cover the most common strains and is rigorously tested to ensure safety. Booking the flu vaccine is simple – search for ‘flu vaccine’ on Freenet for a link to available appointment slots at a time that suits you. On that page, you can also find accurate information about vaccines from trusted sources. Appointments take less than 10 minutes, so don’t delay – by getting vaccinated early, you give your immune system time to build protection before the flu virus becomes more widespread in colder weather. Make the flu jab part of your plan to stay healthy and safe this winter. A huge thank you to everybody who voted in the governor elections. We received 4,913 votes – 738 from patient members, 1,389 from public members and 2,786 from staff members. We are delighted to be welcoming 11 new governors to our council of governors. Joseph Adams, Stephen Cameron, Enitan Aghadiuno and Richard Helyer have been elected to the patient constituency. Jennifer Boateng, John Orr, Melike Koymen and David Hawley have been elected to the public constituency. Jasmin Mathew, Olaniyi Alajiki and Georgia Lucas have been elected to staff constituency. They will begin their terms on Wednesday 1 October – we will share more information about them in future editions of Freepress. Sneha Bedi, Natasha Leith-Smith and Suzanne Fine will be stepping down from the council at the end of September. A huge thank you to them for the contributions they have made. More than 70 patients, staff and members of the public came together for our latest medicine for members’ event, ‘Let’s talk menopause – supporting women’s health at every stage’. The event focused on a life phase that affects millions but is often overlooked. Watch the recording on our website. Consultant gynaecologist Sheila Radhakrishnan explained how our trust supports women through perimenopause and menopause. Teams work closely with patients to explore a full range of treatment options, all aimed at empowering women to make informed decisions about their care. Pelvic health physiotherapy clinical lead Ena Ankutse and clinical specialist dietitian Ruth Westwood explored how physical activity and nutrition play a key role in helping to manage common menopause symptoms. The evening concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees had the chance to join the conversation and put their questions to our speakers including the latest research into perimenopause and menopause, how partners and families can offer meaningful support and other general advice. Join us at our annual members’ meeting to celebrate the incredible achievements of our staff over the past year. Hear about our operational and financial performance and view some of the incredible work from our teams on display. This will be a chance to speak with our staff, share your feedback and learn more about our services. The meeting will take place on Wednesday 26 November from 6.15 to 7.45pm at the RFH. Registration and networking will begin from 5.45pm and refreshments will be provided. To register, please email rf-tr.membership@nhs.net. Now’s your opportunity to feedback what it’s like to work at the RFL in this year’s NHS staff survey. The results of the survey help drive new initiatives and developments to improve staff experience and patient care at the trust. Every member of staff, including those working on the bank, has received an email with their survey link from IQVIA. The external provider makes sure your feedback is kept secure and remains completely anonymous. A record-breaking 57% of staff completed the 2024 survey and we want to hear from even more people this year. It will also be the first time colleagues at North Mid will be sharing feedback on working at the RFL. As a thank you to everyone who completes the survey, there will be the chance to win a selection of prizes for you or your department. You will need to select that you are happy to be contacted if you receive a prize – your feedback will remain anonymous. The survey takes around 15 minutes and can be completed during working hours. You can speak to your manager if you need to arrange time for this. If you need help completing the survey, please email helpline-qh@iqvia.com or call the IQVIA helpline on 0800 783 1775. More information is available at nhsstaffsurveys.com. Your voice matters. Don’t miss out on your chance to help shape the RFL – share your feedback in the NHS staff survey 2025. Sheila Radhakrishnan, consultant gynaecologist Ena Ankutse, pelvic health physiotherapy clinical lead Ruth Westwood, clinical specialist dietitian
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