The Yorkshire Organ Donation End of Life Simulation (YODELS) team have received a Highly Commended Award from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and The British Transplantation Society (BTS). The award is down to CHFT’s involvement in developing and enhancing the knowledge and skills of our Critical Care and Theatre colleagues when caring for organ donors and their families.

Our Transplant Lead and Anaesthetics Consultant, Paul Knight and Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation (SNOD), Jayne Greenhalgh, were both cited in the nomination (see below), and the YODELS team came a close second in the Excellence in Education category, which had a high number of nominations.

The nomination was submitted by Sarah Whittingham who is the Lead Nurse for Organ Donation in the Yorkshire Organ Donation Services Team. Sarah said: “Thank you for all you do to support this incredible course. You’re a huge asset to your Trust and NHS Blood and Transplant. I am sure that your colleagues will be very proud to know they have such outstanding people striving for excellence in education, as we in NHSBT are proud too.”

After Paul and Jayne picked up the commendation, they said: "We are very honoured to be nominated and highly commended in this Education category at the British Transplant Society 2025 National Congress. Many of our CHFT ICU, ED and Theatre Medical and Nursing staff have completed this SIM (simulation) study day and found it highly beneficial to be able to practice and improve their communication skills in real life simulated scenarios with trained actors playing the roles of family members.

"Being able to practice these skills in a realistic and safe environment is crucial to getting these difficult conversations right when it’s for real. The YODELS course always evaluates very well in whichever hospital it is now facilitated, and we are proud to have been the Trust to have been at the forefront of this great course." 

Below you can read the nomination in full

The Yorkshire Organ Donation and End of Life Simulation (YODELS) course was introduced some years ago and held successfully within CHFT for colleagues involved in organ donation across the Yorkshire region. Dr Paul Knight and Jayne Greenhalgh were instrumental in organising and facilitating these study days which were held twice a year with the support of the Yorkshire Organ Donation Services Team and the regional Professional Development Specialist.

After COVID hit, the study days were put on hold, but the team did not sit back. They evaluated the course during the time they were unable to deliver it and brought on board the organ donation team at Bradford Teaching Hospitals – Dr James Morgan and Razdy Igasan – to ensure that once restrictions were lifted, the course could be taken from CHFT to Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) and build on its success. Post COVID, the course has been a huge success with excellent feedback.

The team are currently working on a plan for the course to move to different SIM centres within the Yorkshire region and already have a date in the diary for 2025 at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. The plan to move the course around the region will ensure easy access for our hospital colleagues and will give the opportunity for other Specialist Nurses and Clinical Leads in Organ Donation to be involved in the facilitation of the course. This will build on their current skills whilst demonstrating the knowledge and expertise they already have within the organ donation and critical care fields.”

Over the years, the YODELS course has involved many of our colleagues, from development to delivery, and also our local NHS Blood and Transplant colleagues.