Senior Blood Science Team
DATCC Directorate
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Communication is Key
Sarah Augley – Senior Blood Science Team (DATCC Directorate)
Sarah’s team wanted to focus on communication, following their iMatter action planning session. When Sarah started managing the Team, she introduced a weekly staff newsletter, as there were lots of changes happening within the department at the time. The newsletter is designed to keep all Lab staff up to date with latest changes across their department, including details of leavers and joiners, reminders of upcoming training courses and planned improvements and developments.
As a result of the Weekly Brief, each of the three Teams which Sarah manages decided to establish and compile their own local newsletters; ‘Noticeboard News’ ‘The Pillar Post’ and ‘Not More ‘Bloody’ Changes Newsletter’ (the latter being appropriate for a Haematology Team). It was agreed that the newsletters should not be onerous to complete, and staff have taken control of compiling and distributing their own copies. As well as informing staff on personnel changes, they include news of social events and celebrate birthdays and exam passes, and act as reminders for newly introduced systems or processes.
Feedback from staff has been positive, and the newsletters have been well received. Sarah said that these small changes have made a big impact.
Some staff have been promoted and have moved onto new roles. They have taken this concept to their new departments, and it is great to hear it’s being spread to other areas.