Published on: 28 September 2018

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Hello everybody, happy Friday!

The CQC inspection has been completed.  I want to say a huge thank you to you all for your enthusiasm and willingness to engage, and share your experiences and views.  Well done to Director of Nursing, Chris Pearson and the Quality Team who co-ordinated the Trust’s response to the inspection.  We can expect the formal report and confirmation of our rating towards the end of the year. Watch this space!

It was great to be able to share our latest publications with the CQC – our 2017/18 Annual Review, and Continuing Compassionate Care are both hot off the press. They are a great read and a true reflection of our past year, and of our relationships with patients. Take a look or contact the Comms Team for a printed copy.

As ever, I have some great news to report. Our ’10,000 Feet’ theatre safety initiative, led by Rob Tomlinson, has just won a national Patient Safety Award. I’m not in the least bit surprised as this is a really great initiative that is attracting national attention for improving the theatre environment. Well done Rob and all concerned.

Staying with safety, are you aware of the SAFER Care Bundle?  It is an initiative to help us improve patient flow throughout our hospitals, improve patients' experience of our services and improve our four hour performance. The elements of SAFER should remain at the forefront of all our minds as we continue to deliver high quality care to our patients. Please take a look here for more information 

Two things for you to look out for next week - on 1st October we begin our campaign to vaccinate 100% of our staff against flu. Last year, we were the highest performing NHS organisation in the country with a score of 92.3 per cent so let's make sure we do even better this year. It is such an important part of our winter preparations I'd make a personal plea to all staff - be a flu fighter, have the jab! Protect yourself, your patients and your family.

Also in October, we'll be undertaking the national NHS staff satisfaction survey. Please fill this in. It is so important that we know how you feel about your job, the Trust and your working conditions.  We can't improve without this know-how, and the more people who fill the survey in, the more meaningful the information it gives us.

Staff and patients of Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital will be pleased to hear that the building is to receive around £2m of investment in its fabric to improve it. The money will be spent on doors, floors, lifts and decoration, so improving the environment and the experience of patients, visitors and staff.

Finally, I'd like to briefly mention parking. I know how frustrating it can be, particularly when our hospitals are busy, and it can take some time to find a space. However, I do receive complaints from our neighbours of all sites, at the inconsiderate way people (staff, patients and visitors) park on public highways and residential areas.  Please remember to park responsibly and legally.

Have a great weekend everybody.