Hospital’s £2.5m baby unit opens
BARNSLEY Hospital’s new 24-bed antenatal and postnatal unit was officially opened on Wednesday following a £2.5m scheme to boost maternity services in the town. The 750 square metre facility, staffed by a team of specialists, offers support to parents-to-be and families during latter stages of pregnancy and the newborn stage.
Babies taken to A and E at highest level
ACCIDENT and emergency attendances at Barnsley Hospital for children younger than one year old are at their highest level in a decade, according to worrying new figures. The NHS statistics show there were 3,230 attendances involving children under one year old at Barnsley’s accident and emergency department in 2019/20.
Covid hospital patients at lowest in almost a year
THE number of patients in Barnsley Hospital with Covid is at its lowest point in almost a year. There are currently six patients on the site with coronavirus and no one is on a ventilation bed. It’s the lowest figure since June 29 last year. Fourteen patients have been admitted to the hospital in the last seven days with Covid - bringing the total to 4,944.
Covid hospitalisation rate at its lowest
THE number of Barnsley residents in hospital with Covid-19 is at its lowest point this year as rates continue to drop across the town. There are currently only 22 patients in Barnsley Hospital with the virus - none of which are on ventilation beds. At the start of April there was almost four times more patients with Covid as the number reached a year high of 87 - but just a month later and the figures have dramatically decreased.
Barnsley Hospital announces its new chair
BARNSLEY Hospital Foundation Trust has announced its new chair. Sheena McDonnell has joined from Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust where she was the non-executive director. A hospital spokesperson added: “With wide-ranging experience in both the public and private sectors, Sheena has an extensive background in leadership, organisational development, governance and transformation, holds a BSc and an MSc and is a Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development.
Third of patients wait longer than four hours to be seen in 'very busy' A&E
People are being urged to use 111, their GP and pharmacies unless it is life-threatening Barnsley Hospital “continues to be below the target” for the government’s A&E waiting time of four hours, according to a report to councillors. A report to BMBC’s overview and scrutiny committee states that high bed occupancy, care home closures and reduced capacity in community services are all impacting the department’s target to see patients in A&E within four hours.
Barnsley Hospital’s A&E “continued to miss” four-hour waiting time target
Barnsley Hospital “continues to be below the target” for the government’s A&E waiting time of four hours, according to a report to councillors. A report to BMBC's overview and scrutiny committee states that high bed occupancy, care home closures and reduced capacity in community services are all impacting the department's target to see patients in A&E within four hours.
Hospital's cycle hub officially opens
A NEW cycle hub for Barnsley Hospital staff was officially opened this week. The hub, which features two-tier cycle racks to accommodate 32 bikes, also has four charging point for electric bikes, a tyre pump, tools and a repair station. The opening is linked to the trust’s ‘Green Plan’ which commits to achieving net zero by 2040.
A and E feeling strain...
BARNSLEY Hospital’s busy emergency department is facing a crisis as growing numbers of patients sit through hours-long waits to be treated. Staff on the ward are urging people to stay away unless they have ‘genuine emergencies’ - with NHS figures showing while numbers of people through the doors rose sharply last month, more than a third were left waiting for longer than the four-hour standard.
Bowel cancer screening plea issued
HEALTH leaders are urging the need for early diagnosis to tackle bowel cancer - with one in three people not coming forward for screening in Barnsley despite recent improvements to rates. The borough’s screening rate for bowel cancer is 67.4 per cent, as of last year - higher than the national average of 65.2 per cent and Yorkshire and Humber average of 66.8 per cent.
Intensive care unit heroes given top honour
BARNSLEY Hospital’s ‘heroic’ intensive care team were bestowed with the Freedom of the Borough award last week - and became only the second group in the town’s history to be given the honour. Representatives from the ICU, including lead nurse Leanne Battley, attended the ceremony at Barnsley Town Hall last Thursday, receiving their honorary title for their care for families through Covid.
Changes at hospital over weekend due to construction
THERE will be changes to parking and entry at Barnsley Hospital as a crane lift is used to construct the new intensive care unit. On Saturday only, Disabled car park four - immediately adjacent to the women's and children's hospital - will be closed from 8am until 5pm.
Concerns raised over midwife numbers
BARNSLEY Hospital had fewer midwives than it did a year earlier according to new NHS figures - leading a trade union to express concerns over the safety of mothers and newborn babies. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) accused the government of doing ‘far too little’ to prevent what it calls a recruitment and retention crisis in the profession.
Covid hospital admissions ‘highest in a year’
THE number of Covid patients in Barnsley Hospital is at its highest point in more than a year as 300 residents were admitted in the latest one-month period. There are currently 85 patients with the virus in the hospital - the most since February last year - and one on a ventilation bed.
Freedom of the Borough given to town’s five
ACTRESS Katherine Kelly was amongst the recipients who were awarded the Freedom of the Borough on Wednesday at Barnsley Town Hall. It is the highest honour a council can bestow and the tradition is maintained as a means whereby public recognition may be given as an expression of the highest esteem in which they are held by the people of the borough.
Standing ovation for Barnsley Hospital’s ICU staff as they receive Town Hall honour
Barnsley Hospital’s ICU staff received a standing ovation during a special meeting to bestow them with the highest honour the council can give. To receive the honour, Dr Richard Jenkins, chief executive at Barnsley NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Tim Wenham, consultant anaesthetist, Jess Mower, nursing auxiliary – critical care, Georgie Wilkinson, staff nurse – critical care, Karen McKenzie, sister – critical care and Leanne Batley, lead nurse – critical care attended the special full council meeting at Barnsley Town Hall yesterday (April 13).
Changes to visiting advice in maternity wards
BIRTHING partners will no longer be required to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test when attending appointments. In line with the national guidance, Barnsley Hospital confirmed the changes will come in to force with immediate effect. Any supportive adult attending any clinical area must be symptom-free of the virus and will be required to wear a mask at all times.
Barnsley Hospital's March babies revealed
A TOTAL of 250 babies were born in Barnsley Hospital last month. More than 240 women birthed their babies - 129 were boys and 121 were girls. Six sets of twins were born and there was one planned home birth. March 15 was the busiest day as 12 babies were born.
Katherine Kelly and Barnsley Hospital’s ICU staff in line to receive highest honour council can bestow in Town Hall ceremony
A number of Barnsley citizens are in line to receive the highest honour that the council can bestow in a special meeting tomorrow, including actress Katherine Kelly and Barnsley Hospital’s ICU staff. The ceremony, which was set to take place last year but was postponed due to Covid measures, will be held at a special full council meeting at the Town Hall tomorrow (April 13).
Firm hands cheque to hospice
A CARLTON-BASED electrical and industrial dismantling firm donated £1,500 to Barnsley Hospital Charity’s Make A Memory Appeal after raising funds in memory of their former joint owner. CK Beckett held a memorial golf day in honour of Kevin Beckett, who died of a heart attack in 2017 aged just 48, days after returning from a golf trip in Portugal.