Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals

News from Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

A Doncaster woman who underwent life-changing bowel surgery has raised funds for the team who helped her regain her health and confidence.

Rachel Hargreaves, who lived in ‘pain and discomfort’ with Crohn's disease since 1997, completed an incredible 275 miles of walking across August and September last year, raising £1,677 for the stoma department here at DBTH.

Rachel, who remained in hospital for five and a half weeks, said: “The care I received from Mr Beral, his team and the staff on ward S10 was amazing.”

However, coming to terms with the prospect of surgery was an uncomfortable journey, Rachel explained.

She said: “For many years I normalised the pain and discomfort associated with my symptoms.

“I stubbornly avoided any talk of a surgical option.”

Finally deciding to take the plunge, Rachel spoke to a surgeon and understood the gravity of her situation.
She said: “I was at risk of becoming an emergency case.”

Although initially ‘petrified’ by the prospect of surgery, Rachel underwent a successful operation performed by Mr Beral in November 2024, which involved the removal of a section of her small bowel and the formation of an ileostomy.

The decision was life-changing, Rachel explained.

She said: “I feel better than I have in 28 years.”

"The care and support I have received from the stoma nurses has been inspirational. Their patience, guidance and motivation have been a vital part of my recovery and learning to live with my stoma.

"The encouragement to give my stoma a name was an enormous help in coming to terms with my ileostomy. 'Zebedee' is part of me and we make a great team."

Determined to give something back, Rachel initially planned a sponsored five-mile walk around Clumber Park.
The challenge quickly grew into a two-month walking campaign, combining daily walks of at least three miles with longer routes around Clumber and Daneshill Lakes, as well as sections of the Cleveland Way coastal path.

By the end of September, Rachel had completed an impressive 275 miles and raising £1,677 for the team who cared for her.

She added: "Once I came to terms with the situation, I realised what a positive step I had taken.

Rachel is now a proud advocate for the benefits of a stoma and is keen to ‘break down the stigma’ surrounding them.

She continued: “Having a stoma doesn't stop me doing anything.

“I now feel like doing more because I realise how much I had been compromising my life before.”

“The challenge gave me a positive focus every day and provided an opportunity to raise awareness of stomas. I think it's really important to break down the stigma that some people still associate with them."

Rachel also highlighted the physical and mental wellbeing benefits she experienced through walking during her recovery.

She said: "Not only have I raised funds for the stoma department, but I have become stronger and fitter and really appreciate the mindful benefits of walking.”

The funds raised will help support the stoma department at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and enhance care for future patients.

Alana Balshaw, Colorectal Cancer Nurse Specialist within the Colorectal and Stoma Care Department at DBTH, said: "Rachel's story is a true example of resilience and determination. Recovering from major surgery is a huge challenge and Rachel turned her experience into something incredibly positive by raising funds and awareness for the stoma team that supported her throughout her journey.

"We are extremely grateful for her fundraising efforts and for sharing her story so openly. Her support will help us continue providing excellent care for patients and their families."

The team hopes to use the funds raised by Rachel towards educational resources for staff training days.

Rachel paid tribute to the stoma nursing team who supported her recovery, saying: "Thank you so much for the inspiration and a new lease of life. Three cheers for Cath, Mandy, Liz, Keeley, Sharon, Alana, Debbie, Leah, Becky and Caroline for the amazing job they do."

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

More than 40 patients, carers and community members came together at Doncaster Royal Infirmary in late June for our dedicated patient engagement and experience event.

The event created a welcoming space for people to share their experiences, learn about support available within local NHS services, and see how feedback is already driving improvements in care.

A series of presentations in the site's Lecture Theatre highlighted key themes, including how patient feedback is being used to improve experience, wider work around accessibility and support for carers, and a powerful session on inclusive communication led by a family member sharing their mother’s experience as a patient.

The event also gave attendees the opportunity to understand more about work being undertaken across local hospitals to improve access to a range of interpreter and translation services.

This includes video relay, telephone and face-to-face support, helping to improve access to British Sign Language and spoken interpretation services available 24 hours a day.

Alongside this, attendees took part in facilitated “conversation café” discussions, exploring topics such as access, communication and future priorities, helping to draw out honest insights and shared themes from across the community.

A range of stalls hosted by partner organisations and Trust teams provided opportunities for one-to-one conversations, advice and demonstrations. These proved particularly popular, sparking meaningful discussions and helping people connect with services and opportunities to get involved.

Kirsty Clarke, Associate Chief Nurse, and lead for patient experience at the Trust said: “We’d like to thank everyone who attended and shared their experiences so openly and honestly. Hearing directly from patients, carers and our communities is essential, and it’s important that we continue to work in partnership to shape improvements and changes in care.

“There was a real sense of collaboration throughout the day, and it was encouraging to see people wanting to stay involved and be part of shaping our services going forward. This is not about a single event, but about building stronger, ongoing partnerships so lived experience helps shape how our services develop.”

The event has already led to increased community involvement, with a number of attendees signing up to become Community Connectors and others expressing interest in supporting future initiatives, including one individual registering to take part in the Trust’s upcoming charity abseil.

The Trust will now review the feedback gathered and use it to inform ongoing improvements to services. The event forms part of wider work to strengthen how patient, carer and community voices help shape improvement and change across the organisation.

As part of this commitment, there will be a clear focus on feeding back to those who took part, ensuring patients, carers and community members can see how their experiences and suggestions are influencing decisions and service development.

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Happy National Logistics Day to our very hardworking staff here at DBTH!

Working behind the scenes, our logistics colleagues play a vital role in keeping our hospitals running smoothly every day. From ensuring essential medical supplies, equipment and stock reach the right place at the right time, to supporting clinical teams across our sites, their work helps us deliver safe, effective care for our patients.

Their dedication, organisation and teamwork often go unseen, but their contribution is essential to everything we do.

Thank you to all our logistics colleagues for your hard work, commitment and the difference you make every day 👏

#TeamDBTH #NationalLogisticsDay

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

📣 We’ve marked a major milestone in the construction of our new £19 million Department of Critical Care!

The building has now reached its highest structural point – known as the “topping out” stage – bringing us one step closer to opening a modern, purpose-built environment for our patients and colleagues.

Once complete, the 22-bed department will support some of our most vulnerable patients, with facilities designed to improve safety, comfort, dignity and recovery.

This is a significant investment in the future of healthcare across Doncaster and Bassetlaw, and we’re proud to see the progress being made.

Read more: https://t.co/0PkLqWk7JB

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

A Doncaster comedian has raised £8,500 for Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s (DRI) Urology Department after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024.

Gary Dunnicliff, who has been performing stand-up comedy for nearly 40 years, organised three sell-out comedy and variety shows over the last year in aid of the department providing his care.

The 61-year-old, who goes by the stage name ‘Gary Marshall’, said: “The Urology department has been brilliant with my treatment. It was amazing how quickly everything was done.”

In July 2024, Gary was referred to the department after doctors discovered he had a raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 20ng/ml.

A PSA test is a blood test that helps detect conditions affecting the prostate, including prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate, according to https://t.co/MfduuKjEXI.

Within two weeks of his initial referral to the department, Gary had received a diagnosis for prostate cancer, and had an MRI scan, a biopsy, a CAT scan and a full body scan.

He was also given hormone tablets to bring his PSA down.

Sadly, scans confirmed the cancer was metastatic – it had spread from Gary’s prostate to his bone.

Gary said: “I know deep down what’s going to happen but to keep me going for this long – it’s great.”

One in eight men will receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to Prostate Cancer UK, but there is currently no national NHS screening programme for the condition.

Gary said: “Similar to breast and cervical screening, prostate checks should be mandatory from the age of 50 as early diagnosis can make such a difference.”

Gary has been organising comedy afternoons for years to support different causes, but since his diagnosis he has made the Urology Department the focus of his fundraising.

He said: “I’m delighted that I can give something back and help more men of my age.”

In March 2025, Gary hosted the first show at the Woodfield Social Club, raising £1,000.

The event featured acts such as MC Hammersmith, Hayley Ellis, Sean Percival and Jamie Sutherland, alongside musical performances from Adrenaline 2 and John C Morgan.

In September of the same year, Gary held the show at Hawthorn Social Club and raised £3,500.

Comedy acts included Jeff Innocent, Martin Gold and Les Gibson, joined once again by Jamie Sutherland, Adrenaline 2 and John C Morgan, as well as music from Peter Jones.

In February 2026, Gary hosted a further show and raised his highest amount yet: £4,000.

Each afternoon was a full house with around 160 guests, raising a total of £8,500 to support patients in the hospital’s prostate clinic.

Gary said: “One of our comedy afternoons each year will now be dedicated to supporting the Urology team.”

Gary felt especially cared for when, during his chemotherapy treatment in September 2024, he was offered a ‘cold cap’ to help reduce hair loss.

He said: “One of the nurses said I had a good head of hair and did I want to try the cold cap.”

A cold cap - also called ‘scalp cooling’ - works by lowering the temperature of the scalp. This narrows the blood vessels and reduces blood flow, which can help limit the impact of chemotherapy on hair follicles.

Gary said: “I could only do it for 15 minutes maximum. Some people wear it for hours.”

Thanks to the fast actions of the Urology team, Gary’s PSA had dropped significantly to just 0.28ng/ml by September 2024 and by January 2025, he had completed his chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
In June 2026, Gary’s PSA was even lower at 0.15ng/ml.

Sue Hill, Cancer Nurse Specialist at DBTH, said: “Gary has shown remarkable positivity and determination throughout his treatment, and it has been a privilege for the team to care for him.

“He’s put his feelings aside to bring laughter to everyone else. They do say laughter is the best medicine.

“The decision to give something back through fundraising, while going through such an intense period himself, is incredibly generous. The funds Gary has raised will make a real difference to patients attending the prostate clinic, and we are extremely grateful for his support.”

Gary said: “I just want to say a big thank you to everyone at the Urology Department for all the care I have received. Thank you for keeping me alive.”

Visit the charity website to find out more: https://t.co/MgHezudyyW

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

We've marked a major milestone in the construction of our new £19 million Department of Critical Care, with the project reaching its topping out ceremony. 🏗

The event marks the completion of the building's highest structural point and signifies another important step towards delivering a modern, purpose-built critical care environment for patients and colleagues.

Senior colleagues were given a tour of the new development, offering a first-hand look at the layout, scale and progress of the building.

Construction of the new Department of Critical Care began in October 2025. Once complete, the 22-bed department will care for some of the Trust’s most vulnerable patients, supporting treatment in a modern environment designed around patient safety, dignity and recovery.

Joining the tour were Zara Jones, Acting Chief Executive at DBTH, and senior members of the critical care team. Guided by Dr Kirsty Edmondson Jones, Director of Infrastructure, and colleagues from Integrated Health Projects (IHP), visitors toured the basement, ground floor and rooftop areas, gaining a clear sense of the scale and progress of the development.

Significant progression continues across the site, with key infrastructure taking shape to support the safe and efficient operation of the new department.

Alongside the structural build reaching its highest point, specialist systems are being installed throughout the building, including ventilation, smart building controls and cooling systems that will help maintain safe temperatures and support essential clinical equipment. Internal spaces are also taking shape, with partition walls, heating and cooling and electrical works progressing across multiple floors.

Zara Jones said: “Reaching this milestone is a really important moment for the Trust and for everyone involved in delivering this development. The new Department of Critical Care represents a significant investment in the future of healthcare across Doncaster and Bassetlaw.

“Most importantly, this will make a real difference for our patients and their families. It will provide a modern, purpose-built environment where some of our most vulnerable patients can receive the highest quality care, supported by facilities designed to improve comfort, privacy and dignity at a very difficult time.”

Dr Kirsty Edmondson Jones said: “This topping out milestone reflects the excellent progress being made on site and the strong partnership working that continues to drive this project forward.

“The Trust has seen significant investment in recent years, with 2025 representing one of the most substantial periods of capital development in our history. This scheme is a key example of how we are transforming our estate to better support both patients and staff, alongside a number of other ambitious developments planned for the future.”

The new Department of Critical Care is expected to be completed later this year, with the department anticipated to welcome its first patients in early 2027.

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Boxing fundraiser delivers knockout support for cancer team 🥊

A Doncaster local entered the ring earlier this year to raise funds for the cancer team currently caring for his mum.

Oliver Churchill raised more than £2,400 following his Ultra White-Collar Boxing (UWCB) match, with funds supporting cancer care services in the Chatsfield Suite at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

In September 2025, Oliver’s mum, Jean, received a cancer diagnosis after tumours were found in her lung, liver and back.

The 37-year-old said: “When she told me she had cancer it was like getting punched in the face.”

However, Jean’s care by the team in the Chatsfield Suite was ‘brilliant’, he explained.

He said: “Mum has spoken about the care and how brilliant the nurses are, but also the community feeling of the Chatsfield Suite amongst the patients.”

Oliver, who lives in Leeds and works as an Early Careers Manager, found extra motivation to fundraise for the department after hearing of patients who were similar in age to himself and had young children.

He said: “I think people in Doncaster deserve to have the best treatment available to them.”

Nicknamed ‘The Ghost’, Oliver trained tirelessly for more than eight weeks with coaching from the Doncaster Martial Arts Centre, a challenge he was familiar with after taking part in another charity boxing match 10 years ago.

On the night of the event, around 2,000 people packed into Doncaster Racecourse to cheer on the fighters.

Oliver entered the arena to a song by his Mum’s favourite singer, Elvis Presley.

He said: “I won’t lie, it’s quite an exciting feeling doing the ring walk.

“When I got in the ring, I could see my mum in the crowd, which only increased my focus.”

After three hard-fought rounds, Oliver emerged victorious in front of the packed Doncaster Racecourse crowd.

He said: “The first people I saw afterwards were my family, which was really nice.

“It’s a good feeling knowing I’ve done something productive and raised money.”

Following the match, Oliver and his family also received some positive news about Jean’s treatment.

He said: “I just hope more families in Doncaster get the same news as we did.”

To support Oliver’s fundraising, visit: https://t.co/KcYyCzecxn

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Today, as part of Learning Disability Awareness Week, members of the Doncaster Community Learning Disability Team and the Acute Learning Disability Liaison Service are hosting an information stall at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Come along and find out more about the support available for people with learning disabilities, including Health Passports, reasonable adjustments and services designed to help make healthcare more accessible and inclusive.

Whether you are a patient, carer, family member or simply want to learn more, the team will be on hand to answer questions, share information and offer advice about accessing healthcare and support services.

- Outside the canteen, Doncaster Royal Infirmary
- 11am–2pm

Drop by, meet the team and discover how we are working to make healthcare more accessible for everyone.

#LearningDisabilityAwarenessWeek

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Meet Chloe, a Healthcare Assistant in the DSA Suite and a Learning Disability Ambassador at Doncaster Royal Infirmary 👋

Chloe's role involves caring for patients and enhancing their overall experience. She said: "I focus on helping patients feel at ease, supporting them while they wait for their procedure, and providing reassurance throughout the process.

"As part of my commitment to patient care, I have created a sensory box to support individuals who may feel anxious or frightened, helping to make their experience more comfortable and less overwhelming.

"The reason I decided to become a Learning Disability Ambassador, is because I am a caring and compassionate person who is passionate about helping others. I find great fulfilment in making a positive difference in people’s lives, and I always strive to go above and beyond to support our patients. I particularly value the opportunity to bring comfort, reassurance, and a smile to those in my care."

Find out about the support available, both through our Learning Disability Ambassadors and the Learning Disability Nurse Liaisons, on the DBTH website: https://t.co/mLsO1pK8OT

#TeamDBTH #LearningDisabilityAwarenessWeek

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Learning Disability Awareness Week: Health Passports

If you have a learning disability, please remember to bring your Health Passport with you when you come to hospital.

This useful document helps the people caring for you understand what support you may need. It also tells us about what you like, what you do not like, and how we can help make your care more comfortable.

You can download the Health Passport from our website, print it out and bring it with you to any hospital appointments. Please remember to select A4 when printing so it prints correctly: https://t.co/MZA1MVAklJ

You can also watch this video to learn more about why bringing your Health Passport to hospital is important: https://t.co/gASdrsm2pa

#LearningDisabilityAwarenessWeek

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

A team of five dedicated team members from our paediatric services will take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge this Saturday (20 June) to raise funds for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals' Charity's Children's Appeal. 👣

Zach Jones, Hannah Broadbent, Cheryl Morris, Debbie North and Callum Chrost will trek 24 miles across Yorkshire’s three highest peaks, raising money to help create dedicated parent rooms on the Children’s Ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

The project aims to provide families with a comfortable space to rest and stay overnight while their child is receiving hospital care.

The new facilities will help parents remain close to their children during difficult times, offering a welcoming environment where they can recharge and access essential amenities.

The team hopes their challenge will raise awareness of the appeal and encourage supporters to donate towards improving the experience of children and families receiving care at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Hannah Broadbent, Sister on the Children’s Ward, said: “When a child is in hospital, parents want to be by their side every step of the way.

“We hope this challenge will help us create spaces where families can rest and find comfort while supporting their child through treatment and recovery.”

“Every mile we walk and every peak we climb is for the children and families who face these challenges every day.”

To support the team and donate to the Children’s Appeal, visit: https://t.co/RVXlzvDfvd.

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Meet Melissa, a Therapy Assistant Practitioner and Learning Disability (LD) Ambassador at DBTH 👋

Melissa has worked in Physiotherapy at Doncaster Royal Infirmary for 10 years and has been a Learning Disability Ambassador for the past five.

Speaking about her role, Melissa said: "It is really important to me that every appointment is accessible for all. Before appointments, I contact patients, their families or carers to see whether any reasonable adjustments are needed and make sure these are in place. I also support and chaperone patients and clinicians whenever needed."

#TeamDBTH #LearningDisabilityAwarenessWeek

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Learning Disability Awareness Week: How we're providing personalised, inclusive care to patients across DBTH 💙

Earlier this year, we launched our refreshed ‘This Is Me’ booklet, giving families, friends and carers a simple way to share important information about their loved one when they may be unable to communicate their needs themselves.

The booklet helps colleagues understand what matters most to each person, from how they prefer to communicate to the routines, interests and preferences that help them feel comfortable and reassured.

Supporting patients with learning disabilities, dementia, delirium, anxiety, speech difficulties, and those recovering from serious illness or stroke, the booklet helps colleagues tailor care to individual needs.

By helping us see the person behind the patient, ‘This Is Me’ supports more compassionate, personalised care and better experiences for patients and their families.

Find out more or download a copy here: https://t.co/9Gk45asF6k

#TeamDBTH #WeCare #LearningDisabilityAwarenessWeek

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

As part of Learning Disability Awareness Week (15–21 June), members of the Doncaster Community Learning Disability Team and the Acute Learning Disability Liaison Service will be hosting an information stall at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Visitors will be able to learn more about the support available for people with learning disabilities, including Health Passports, reasonable adjustments and services designed to help make healthcare more accessible and inclusive.

Whether you are a patient, carer, family member or simply want to find out more, the team will be on hand to answer questions, share information and offer advice about accessing healthcare and support services.

Date and time: Friday 19 June, 11am-2pm
Location: Outside the canteen, Doncaster Royal Infirmary

Come along, meet the team and discover how we are working to make healthcare more accessible for everyone.

#LearningDisabilityAwarenessWeek

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Meet Emad, a Consultant Community Paediatrician and Learning Disability Ambassador at DBTH 👋

Emad's role supports children and young people with learning disabilities in a number of ways, including neurodevelopmental assessments (including autism), leading a dedicated annual review clinic for children with Down syndrome, and fulfilling his statutory responsibilities as Adoption Medical Advisor and Named Doctor for Looked After Children.

Emad said: "As a Learning Disability Ambassador, I strive to embed person-centred, inclusive care in my daily practice—ensuring that children and young people with learning disabilities are understood, supported, and have equitable access to healthcare.

"To me, being an LD Ambassador means championing awareness, reducing health inequalities, and advocating for patients and families so that their voices are heard and their needs are met with dignity and respect."

This Learning Disability Awareness Week, we're celebrating colleagues like Emad who help ensure every patient receives compassionate, personalised care.

Find out about the support available for people with a learning disability on the DBTH website: https://t.co/mLsO1pK8OT

#TeamDBTH #LearningDisabilityAwarenessWeek

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

We have improved our national performance rating following one of the busiest periods of the year for the NHS. 🏆

The Trust, which operates Bassetlaw Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital, is currently ranked 49th out of 134 NHS organisations in England, placing it within the top 50 nationally and making it the highest-rated acute trust across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

The latest figures relate to Quarter 4 of 2025/26, traditionally the most challenging period of the year for health services, when hospitals face increased demand from seasonal illness and emergency admissions.

Published as part of the NHS National Oversight Framework, the rankings assess organisations across a range of measures including patient care, waiting times, workforce and finance.

Over the past year, DBTH's overall score has improved from 2.2 to 2.1, reflecting progress across a number of areas despite sustained pressure on services.

Mark Bailey, Chair of the Board, said: "These results reflect the hard work, dedication and professionalism of colleagues across DBTH.

"Quarter 4 is always one of the most demanding periods of the year for the NHS, yet our teams have continued to deliver high-quality care while managing significant operational pressures.

"While we are pleased with this progress, we know there is more to do. We remain focused on improving access to services, enhancing patient experience and ensuring we deliver the best possible care for our communities.

"These latest rankings suggest we are moving in the right direction, and we will continue working together to build on that progress."

The National Oversight Framework brings together a range of indicators to provide an overall assessment of how NHS organisations are performing compared with others across England.

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

This Learning Disability Awareness Week, we're celebrating how technology is helping make hospital stays at DBTH more engaging, reassuring and person-centred for patients with additional needs 💙

Thanks to the support of our local community and DBTH Charity, we've introduced five RITA (Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities) devices across our hospitals.

These interactive touchscreen systems provide entertainment, reminiscence activities, quizzes, music and communication tools that help support patients with learning disabilities, dementia, anxiety and other additional needs.

The devices can help reduce distress, encourage social interaction, support communication and create meaningful moments during a hospital stay.

A huge thank you to everyone who supports DBTH Charity and helps fund projects that make a real difference to patients and their families.

#TeamDBTH #WeCare #LearningDisabilityAwarenessWeek

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

During the upcoming period of industrial action next week, please attend your appointments as planned.

You will be contacted if your appointment needs to be changed, please continue to come forward for the care you need.

If you need medical help, continue to use 111 online, and in emergencies, please call 999.

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

Local hospitals benefit from increased solar investment, highlighting its commitment to sustainability ☀️

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) has recently secured a significant investment to expand its use of solar energy, totalling nearly £300,000.

Earlier this year, the Trust was awarded £217,000 following a successful application to NHS England through the Great British Energy programme. This builds on an earlier £55,000 award received last year, with solar panels now fully installed and generating electricity on site.

The funding has been used exclusively to install solar panels across the Trust’s hospital sites, helping to reduce energy costs while supporting further investment in patient care.

Great British Energy, a UK government-owned company established to accelerate the transition to clean energy, focuses on supporting renewable power initiatives. Its funding is specifically restricted for the purchase and installation of solar infrastructure within public services.

Over the past 12 months, the Great British Energy and NHS collaboration has helped more than 260 NHS sites in England save money on bills through the solar roll-out scheme—savings that can be reinvested into frontline services.

Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer, NHS England said: “As Great British Energy marks its first year, it’s fantastic that 162 NHS sites have completed their solar installations.

“This represents important progress in expanding solar generation across the NHS because every pound saved on energy bills is a pound that can go back into patient care. These solar panels are helping trusts across the country do exactly that.

"Together with Great British Energy, we're building an NHS that is greener, more sustainable and better placed to serve patients for years to come.”

Together, the two investments in solar panel infrastructure will significantly increase the Trust’s on-site renewable energy generation, reducing reliance on external energy supplies and supporting the NHS ambition to become the world’s first net zero health service.

Under the latest phase of the programme, an estimated 180kW of additional solar capacity has been provided throughout the Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Bassetlaw Hospital sites, helping to reduce carbon emissions and support cleaner, more sustainable healthcare delivery for local communities.

This additional capacity is expected to generate enough electricity each year to power the equivalent of around 50 homes, while delivering annual energy cost savings of approximately £25,000. The carbon reduction is comparable to removing around 25–30 tonnes of CO₂ per year — similar to planting approximately 1,300 trees.

Sustainability features have also been embedded into new developments across the Trust. The recently constructed Bassetlaw Emergency Care building and the Montagu Community Diagnostic Centre already benefit from solar panels and heat pump technology in place, with further solar provision at Montagu Hospital to be explored through future funding opportunities.

Mathew Gleadall, Operational Director of Estates and Facilities at DBTH, said: “This further investment in solar energy is a positive step forward for the Trust and for the environment. By increasing the amount of renewable energy we generate on site, we are reducing our environmental impact while making sensible, long-term savings that can be reinvested into patient care.

Sustainability is an important part of how we plan for the future of our services, and this funding has allowed us to build on the progress already made through last year’s installation.”

DBTH is committed to creating modern, sustainable healthcare environments for patients, staff, and the wider community and has recently refreshed its Green Plan, outlining ambitious operational goals for the next four years. Discover how DBTH is putting sustainability into action and shaping a greener future on the Trust website: https://t.co/aJ0aJqbClK

[Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals @DBH_NHSFT]

This week is Diabetes Awareness Week, and this year’s campaign focuses on changing how we talk about diabetes and challenging the stigma that many people living with the condition face every day.

Diabetes stigma refers to the negative attitudes, assumptions and misconceptions that people can experience because they have diabetes or are at risk of developing it. It affects people living with all types of diabetes and can have a significant impact on their wellbeing.

Research shows that many people living with diabetes have experienced judgement or misunderstanding from family, friends, colleagues, members of the public, social media and even healthcare settings. These misconceptions can make it harder for people to access support, discuss their condition openly, attend appointments or seek treatment when they need it.

By improving understanding and having more open conversations about diabetes, we can help create a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone affected by the condition.

Throughout the week, posters will be displayed across our hospitals to raise awareness and encourage conversations about diabetes and the importance of tackling stigma.

Patients, visitors and colleagues are encouraged to learn more about diabetes, its treatments and how we can all help challenge misconceptions by visiting https://t.co/lkR4GZhb1b

#DiabetesAwarenessWeek #StrikeOutStigma