Our #1BigTeam’s 12 top stories of 2024
This festive season, we’re sharing the top 12 stories from across the year, showing off just some of the great work, developments and achievements that have taken place across our #1BigTeam in 2024…
UHP launches Cancer Education Hub
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) has launched a new Hub to significantly improve the cancer care offering to patients across Devon and Cornwall…
Black History Month 2024: Mairo Adamu
Across October we have been fortunate to hear from colleagues submit their thoughts on Black History Month, and share some intimate parts of their lives as a result. In closing October Mairo Adamu, who has been a part of UHP for 10 years and is one of our Assistant Technical Officer’s in the Sterilisation Disinfection…
Black History Month 2024: Nkoleno Warner-Beaubrun – known as ‘Kolene’
Throughout October we will be marking Black History Month by promoting voices of our colleagues at UHP. Our third in the series, comes from Pharmacy and Kolene, who’s writing has been inspired by reading stories from our colleagues Black History Month blogs… “Some of you may know of the beautiful St Vincent and Grenadines islands…
Celebrating Success: From Project Search Intern to Full-Time Employee
As summer draws to a close, many students and interns from across the city begin their search for paid employment. We are delighted to share the success of Jessica Little, one of out latest full-time member of staff to join the Portering team here at University Hospitals Plymouth. Lawrence Hunter and Jessica Little In…
Black History Month 2024: William Mukonoweshuro
Throughout October we are marking Black History Month by promoting voices of our colleagues at UHP. Next to feature, is William Mukonoweshuro, a Consultant Neuroradiologist at the Trust… “I have been a consultant Interventional Neuroradiologist at University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) for the last 22 years. Now in the twilight of my career, I often reflect…
Black History Month 2024: Theresia Makatile
Throughout October we will be marking Black History Month by promoting voices of our colleagues at UHP. First up is Theresia Makatile, Matron for Renal, Hepatology and the Plymouth Dialysis Unit who last year, became the first black matron at the trust… “My name is Nthatisi Theresia Makatile – known as Theresia. I was born in…
How a Therapeutic Care Support Worker turned radio DJ is helping patients
“If anyone said to me that one day you will be a radio presenter, I would never have believed them, really, I am a shy person! Now I have my own show ‘Hits Through the Decades’ on Hospital Radio, Monday’s 8pm to 10 pm. Not only that but I’ve won the award for the most…
DAU’s Natasha Mead: “Sport has given me a new lease of life and a chance to show what I can do”
“I am registered severely sight impaired. I’ve been doing sports since I was eleven years old. I started off in athletics and competed for Great Britain doing 100m and 200m sprints. Then I was a national sprinting champion for 8 years and I’ve even competed against non-disabled athletes. I’ve also got two England shirts for playing…
Transplant patients fly the flag for UHP at the British Transplant Games
A team of UHP transplant patients recently headed to Nottingham for the British Transplant Games 2024.
UHP transplant patients compete in the British Transplant Games
On 1 August, the Devon and Cornwall Transplant Games Team took a team of nine competitors to compete in the British Transplant Games in Nottingham. Eight of the participants have received a renal transplant, while one is a live donor. Three contenders had their transplants at Derriford Hospital and are being followed up at UHP,…
Celebrating Excellence in Medical Education
On Thursday 4 July, the Medical Education team were delighted to host an ‘Evening of Excellence in Medical Education’, celebrating the fantastic contributions to Medical Education being made across University Hospitals Plymouth. The event was extremely well attended with learners and educators spilling out of the Postgraduate Medical Centre as numbers were so high! 22…
My sarcoma story
Stephen Downes was a lifelong surfer of 40 years before a shock diagnosis of sarcoma led to a new life as an amputee, but this didn’t stop him becoming a champion…
A day in the life of a Sustainability Project Support Manager
For National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day, Sophie Underdown has shared what it’s like to work in her role… Our compact team of four operates in a hybrid fashion, swapping between home, the Site Services office and offsite locations. On this particular day, Kirsty UHP’s Sustainability Manager and I travelled to Tavistock Hospital to chat…
A Day in the Life of a Mechanical Engineer at Derriford Hospital
For National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day, Perry Notman has shared what it’s like to work in his role… Working as a mechanical engineer in a hospital is both challenging and rewarding. It requires a unique blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Here’s a glimpse into a…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – LGBTQIA+, Adrian’s story
As we celebrate LGBT+ History Month in our workplace, I find myself reflecting on my personal journey and the things I came to realise since starting to work in the pharmacy department of a big NHS hospital. Coming from a country where the acceptance of the LGBT community is still a work in progress -…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – LGBTQIA+, Martin’s story
I am the Chair of the LGBT+ Staff Network and a Director of Plymouth Pride CIC. My experience as an openly gay man has varied. I have had some positive experiences and some that are not so positive. As I am sure many LGBT+ people experience, I often have to “come out” everyday when meeting…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is a global initiative that aims to raise awareness about discrimination, violence, and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Personal Stories from Colleagues at UHP Our LGBT+ Network Chair Martin Jared-Davis talks about his experience at work Adrian Ilie talks about his experience at work, read it here…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – A spotlight on women leaders
The value of diversity, including gender diversity, is widely acknowledged. Women often bring different perspectives and approaches to leadership which links well with the NHS intention to create compassionate and inclusive workplaces. Personal Stories from Colleagues at UHP Hear from Qiqi Lam about her personal experience. Lucy McGavin, Care Group Director for Clinical Support services…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week – Creating an anti-racist organisation
Our ambition is to become a truly anti-racist organisation. UHP will act as an advocate for racial justice in our society and to tackle racism in all its forms. Personal Stories from Colleagues at UHP Read about Ruth Scrivener’s experience here Our BAME Network co-chair TK Rajesh talks about his experience in medicine, watch it…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week – Tackling inequalities
Using the latest evidence and research, we champion action on the ground to improve staff experience and organisational culture. Our work is underpinned by the NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Improvement Plan, it also links to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan 2023 and is shaped by three principles: leadership, accountability and equity. These principles are echoed in the NHS…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week – Hidden Disabilities
In the UK, 1 in 5 people have a disability, 80 per cent of which have a hidden disability. Hidden disabilities or health conditions are a wide range of physical and mental conditions that are not visible or immediately obvious. They can range from a speech impediment, reduced sight, bipolar, chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, autism,…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – Women Leaders, Lucy’s story
When I was appointed as a radiology consultant in 2013, my interests and experience led me to believe I would have an interesting career implementing advanced imaging techniques from research and developing a clinical academic portfolio. I had no interest in medical leadership or management but, having read the Francis report into Mid Staffs, I…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – Women Leaders, Qiqi’s story
Originally from Singapore, I trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer in London in 2000 and ended up relocating to Plymouth in 2005. In the past 20 years, I have worked in private and public hospitals in Singapore and UK. My radiographic experience includes plain film, CT and DEXA before I joined Derriford Hospital in 2007. I…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024, Miriam’s experience with her faith
It has been a very challenging circumstance when I first came to the UK in 1985. The only Church of Christ service I could attend to was Battersea, London once a month. I was still learning to drive then. So, my dear husband and I used to leave Kingsbridge before 4am, for the 9am service.…
What do we do at UHP to tackle inequalities?
At UHP we aim is to create a workplace where everyone can be at their best. Everything we do will work towards this and we will find ways to meet the needs of different people to create an equitable workplace. Having a sense of belonging, being valued for our similarities and differences and consistently treated…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – Hidden Disabilities, Amanda’s story
I am profoundly Deaf since birth, pre-lingual. Faced the barriers all my life and still ongoing. People still don’t know how to communicate with me and Deaf people, even nowadays. Even they think we are unintelligent because we are unable to communicate with them. Everywhere there are lots of audio, such as Tannoy at railway…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – Hidden Disabilities, Mechelle’s story
I have lived with chronic pain for and Ulcerative Colitis for over 20 years. Most people don’t realise, as I try to have a positive outlook and smile. So, when I share this, those that don’t know me well are surprised. However, it has been debilitating at times and started after the birth of my…
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 – Hidden Disabilities, Becky’s story
My ADHD was very beneficial in certain job roles I have had over the years, for example working in hospitality and living abroad as a children’s entertainer. I have always been fast and very through whilst at work, I am professional and have a very good work ethic. I believe this is down to having…
Sustainability and Stress Awareness Month
April is Stress Awareness Month, one of the many days in the year where the interests of the Sustainability team and the Wellbeing team overlap into a pleasing venn diagram. Whilst the link between wellbeing and stress is obvious, it might not be quite so clear why sustainability should have an interest in it. The…
Meet our Project SEARCH supported intern for 2023/24: Lola Moore
I have been an intern on the Project SEARCH supported internship since September 2023. In this time, I have gained work experience in the Level 7 restaurant, working as a Kitchen Assistant, and have just finished a placement in the Radiology Department, helping file X-ray images which will be used to help train the Junior…
Meet our Project SEARCH supported intern for 2023/24: Damon Roberts
I have been an intern on the Project SEARCH supported internship since September 2023. So far, I have gained work experience in Daily Wards, working as a Logistics Porter, and also in the Linen Room as a Linen Porter. I am just about to start my third internship, working as a General Porter. I applied…
UHP #1BIGTEAM 12 DAYS OF WELLBEING
Welcome to the 2023 UHP 12 days of Wellbeing. This year, we are pleased to share a calendar we hope will be interesting and useful in terms of supporting your wellbeing this festive season and giving you some ideas for the coming year. We’d also love you to contribute your own thoughts and ideas. Then,…
Professional Nurse Advocates at UHP
Professional Nurse Advocate Lead and Project Nurse, Chris Down, talks about his experience as a Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) and how they can support others at UHP. “I started my journey as a Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) when I was a Clinical Educator for Stonehouse, Wolf and SAU. It was advertised as an opportunity to…
Marking Black History Month with Ronique Samuel
Hello my name is Ronique Samuel, and I am a Senior People Advisor in the Trust. I am a Vincentian as I was born in the beautiful Caribbean Island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Other Vincentians or Caribbean colleagues in the Trust would be familiar with the term ‘Vincy’ which is often used when referring…
Marking Black History Month with Ruth Scrivener
Hello, my name is Ruth Scrivener, I am a People Advisor in the People Directorate. I was born and brought up in Kenya. I am a from a town called Nyahururu, to the west of Kenya, and lies in between the Great Rift Valley and the Aberdare Ranges (which both offer an array of wildlife…
Happy World Pharmacists Day 2023
This World Pharmacists Day, please join us in celebrating our 1 Big Pharmacy Team! Did you know, around 1,300 individual medicines are dispensed by the UHP inpatient pharmacy each day? Did you know, Pharmacy is moving?In order to refurbish our current inpatient Pharmacy, we will be relocating to what is the current REI on level…
Working to Celebrate World Hepatitis Day
To celebrate World Hepatitis Day on 28 July 2023 the Hepatology team will be mobile testing in Plymouth City Centre to raise awareness around the Hepatitis C virus.
National Estates and Facilities Day 2023
Wednesday 21 June marks National Estates and Facilities Day 2023, we spoke members of the team about their roles in this immense NHS machine and our #1BigTeam.
Looking back on Neurodiversity Celebration Week
In this blog, I would like to explain further what Neurodiversity Celebration Week, which took place from the 13 to 19 March 2023, meant for me.
Sabria Islam talks about what it’s like to be an International Medical Doctor this National Doctors’ Day
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust has IMGs coming from more than 100 countries and IMGs contribute up to 30 percent of the NHS medical workforce, an example of the diversity of the NHS.