Monthly archives: July 2022

Rail strikes this weekend

A rail strike has been announced for this upcoming weekend which will affect rail services on Saturday 30 July and Sunday 31 July.

As a result, the number of train services able to run will be limited with some parts of the network unfortunately not having any service. The hours of operation across the network will also be reduced to ensure essential rail freight services can operate.

We expect trains that are running to be extremely busy and that there will be considerable disruption throughout the weekend.

We are advising colleagues to consider their travel options and avoid travelling by rail where possible during this time. If travel by train is essential, colleagues are being urged to allow significant extra time and check journey details in advance.

For information about specific rail journeys, delay repay, and refunds please use nationalrailenquiries.co.uk.

Plan Ahead: Check before you travel. If you’re a rail user plan your journey based on current information available but be prepared to change your plans as timetables may be different on or during a strike day, information on services can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk

How the rail strikes affect the Commonwealth Games:

• The Marathon will be taking place on Saturday morning. The route starts in the city centre travels south out to Bournville and Stirchley before returning to the centre. Road closures will be in place.
• Events at Smithfield and Arena Birmingham continue adding further pressure to the network in the city centre.
• Cricket is taking place at Edgbaston and Hockey and Squash on at the University so routes out to the south of the city will be under additional pressure.
• The Rugby 7s at Coventry Stadium will see large numbers of spectators in the area.
• Some rail station car parks will be used as dedicated Games park and ride sites for spectators on 30th and 31st July. These include: Longbridge, Bromsgrove, Four Oaks (31st only), Rowley Regis, Wolverhampton and Warwick Parkway. These station car parks will not be available for public use on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July.
• Wylde Green Station car park is also closed for Games operations on 29 and 31 July

Bus services:

• Bus may be an alternative for you on rail strike day, with an extensive bus network across the West Midlands to plan your journey please go to tfwm.org.uk

Metro services:

• Metro may be an alternative for you during the rail strikes, depending on the location you are travelling from. To plan your journey please go to tfwm.org.uk

Walking and cycling:

• Depending on your journey, cycling may be an option. Please visit  cyclestreets.net to plan your journey by bike
• For detailed cycle routes in the West Midlands please go to Find cycle routes in the West Midlands | Transport for West Midlands (tfwm.org.uk)
• Consider walking for short journeys or walking further to get to alternative public transport options if appropriate.
• Consider using West Midlands Cycle Hire which are located in the main centres across the West Midlands. For more details on these locations please click on the map Station map – West Midlands Cycle Hire (wmcyclehire.co.uk).

Research forum event – improving research: 30 September

This event will be an opportunity to learn more about the different aspects of research from set up, funding and delivery. This whole day event will be a mixture of lecture style and interactive sessions. There will also be an opportunity for networking.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Derek Connelly Director of Research and Development
• Professor Matthew Brookes, CRN WM Clinical Director
• Lyndsey Cooke, West Midlands Research Design Service

To register for this event, please click here.

10 per cent off at Halfords for Trust colleagues

Halfords are offering a 10 percent discount in store to all Trust colleagues.

In order to be eligible for this discount, please ensure you present the following Halfords 10 percent off voucher the in store.

Do you want to take part in a diabetes study?

Researchers at King’s College London are looking for SWB colleagues to help them understand more about how shift work influences diet and blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, as part of a Diabetes UK funded study. If you work a mixed/rotating shift pattern that includes regular night work (minimum of 4-night shifts per month) and are diagnosed type 2 diabetes and want to take part, please click here.

For more information please email shift-diabetes@kcl.ac.uk or click here.

Trac training sessions

The recruitment team will be hosting training sessions for Trac. Trac is the recruitment system used for the whole process from setting up your vacancy to be approved through to the employment checks stage for the candidate.

To book on to one the training sessions below please go onto ESR, go to your Learning Homepage and search for Recruitment or Trac and you’ll find 381 Recruitment Trac Training.

 Note: The sessions will be hosted using the Microsoft Team platform.

Criteria-led Discharge Network Midlands launch: 29 July

NHS England (Midlands) will be hosting a special event which will launch the Criteria-led Discharge Network on Friday 29 July, 9am – 10.15am.

Discharge is one of our priorities for patients which is why the NHS in the Midlands is launching a Criteria-led Discharge Network for healthcare professionals. Should you want to learn more about your role in discharge be sure to join this digital event aimed at all clinical colleagues. To join the event click here.

New Acting Chief Operating Officer: Johanne Newens

We are delighted to share the happy news that our Chief Operating Officer, Liam Kennedy, is now the proud father of his new baby son born on Friday 15 July. Liam is taking a period of paternity leave and Jo Newens who is currently Deputy COO will be acting Chief Operating Officer until Liam’s return. We send Liam our warmest congratulations and our thanks and support to Jo for stepping up into the role. Liam will return to the Trust in September before moving on to take up a new role as lead for the hospital redevelopment project at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. The Chief Operating Officer position at our Trust is currently being advertised.

Protests expected in and around West Bromwich and Oldbury: 26 July

We have been informed that a protest will be taking place on Tuesday 26 July, 4pm – 6pm involving a march on foot between West Bromwich town centre and Oldbury. The march is planned to travel from Spon Lane, along West Bromwich Ringway, down Moor Street and along Bromford Lane, the A4304 to Oldbury, and the Oldbury Council House.

With this in mind, we expect disruption in the local area and ask colleagues to plan for extra time with any journeys in and around the borough.

Struggling to get to grips with Office 365 and the new Outlook? Virtual drop in sessions are now available

Colleagues who are keen to get a helping hand in finding their way around the new Office 365 tools and Outlook Online can now join virtual drop in sessions that have been made available.

Virtual drop in sessions are taking place Monday – Friday, 11am – 12pm.

Below is the schedule for the sessions, click on the time to join the respective session. 

Colleagues who are keen to get a helping hand in finding their way around the new Office 365 can now also attend the one hour classroom sessions between 10am – 4pm on the following dates:

Sandwell Education Centre:

• Friday 29 July

City Postgraduate Centre

• Friday 29 July

For further information please email 365.chat@nhs.net.

American menu: 28 July

Hallam restaurant, Arches, Boaters and Rowley Coffee Pot will be offering an American theme menu on Thursday 28 July so be sure to drop by for a bite to eat.

To see the full menu please click here.