Visit to Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This morning our chief executive Daniel Elkeles visited Bassetlaw Hospital, part of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Daniel said: “Nestled in north Nottinghamshire, Bassetlaw Hospital serves a rural population facing significant challenges, in particular low levels of car ownership. While it’s a hospital grappling with all the complexities of delivering acute services to a smaller catchment area, what strikes you immediately is the palpable sense of community spirit that shines through everything they do.

“This spirit is visible everywhere, not least in the impressive green spaces within the buildings that have earned Green Flag status – a testament to charitable fundraising efforts that showcase the deep connection between hospital and community.

A standout example is their approach to paediatric services. Rather than accept the original proposal to lose inpatient paediatric services entirely, the team took a bold approach. By co-locating paediatrics within their emergency department footprint, they've created something remarkable:

🔵 Joint emergency department/paediatric staffing model.
🔵 24/7 paediatric observation beds.
🔵 Sustainable service delivery.

Through its innovative service design and sustainable planning, the trust is achieving remarkable results, with approximately only two children per week requiring transfer out.

“Thank you to Suzie and Richard for the comprehensive tour, and to Anne and Natalie from the paediatric team for sharing their expertise and passion for the service they've built.”