Our first Schwartz Rounds - have been hailed a success, with a visiting Schwartz Round mentor saying “To say this was the first panel it was incredibly impressive”.

Prasadu, Director of Psychology and Hannah Gormley, Senior Clinical Psychologist, were our facilitators at the hour-long session - an opportunity to focus on the social and emotional impacts on staff of delivering patient care. 

The topic was ‘A patient I’ll never forget’. And Chemotherapy Sister, Bernie Beith, Chaplain George Spencer, Paediatrician Helen Armstrong and our Director of Finance Gary Boothby talked about their own interactions with a patient who had impacted on them.

Each story was different yet powerful, emotive and thought provoking, and it soon became clear that a theme of compassionate care was developing.  

Helen (pictured to the right of George) used to take part in Rounds at Leeds Teaching Hospitals when she was there. She said "I think the first Round went really well, and it opened up lots of conversation. It's important we share ways we cope with the stresses of the job".

And Schwartz Round Mentor, Claire Maguire, from the Point of Care Foundation said afterwards: " To say this was your first panel, it was incredibly impressive". 

Feedback from attendees included:-

• “A positive experience in helping reflection of practice”
• “Very salient in highlighting how staff support each other so much”
• “Excellent”
• “Informative”
• “Moving”
• “Very powerful how compassionate everyone was – not just the panel but audience too”.

The Schwartz Rounds Steering Group would like to thank all colleagues who were involved in making the first Round a huge success.

Schwartz Rounds are named after Ken Schwartz, an American cancer patient who recognised that people who work in healthcare need time and space to share and reflect upon their experiences.   

They will take place every two months.  Please feel free to come along to a future event and if you’re happy share your experiences with colleagues who attend.  Lunch is provided and you will receive a certificate for your Clinical Practice Development (CPD).

Save the date and get involved

The next Schwartz Round takes place on Friday 22 March 2019 at CRH (final venue TBC).

Once again lunch is at midday with the session running between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

If you would like to participate as a panel member and share your story at a future Schwartz Round please contact Samantha.Lindl@cht.nhs.uk