Hello and welcome to this week’s blog.
Sadly, once again I must start this week’s blog with the news that one of our long-serving volunteers, Eileen Ashworth passed away earlier this month.
Eileen was a hugely popular and highly valued volunteer with the Friends of Pendle Community Hospital group and the Burnley Mayor’s Committee. She dedicated many years to fundraising for the Trust, to help enhance services for the patients of East Lancashire. Eileen is the second loss to the Friends of Pendle in as many months and our thoughts are with the team. My heartfelt condolences go to Eileen’s family and especially her daughter Kath Haworth, who is a ward clerk on Reedyford Ward - they were an inseparable pair. Eileen will be greatly missed.
The last two weeks have seen the release of the ‘A’ Level and GCSE results. I think we can all agree that it has been a difficult and strange time for our young people and their parents. I just wanted to say that I hope your children all got the results that they needed but if not, all is not lost. Don’t forget that we have many educational and development opportunities within the Trust as well as apprentice schemes, so do get in touch by emailing apprenticeships@elht.nhs.uk. We are passionate about doing all we can to get people on the NHS career path.
I am pleased to announce that we have now launched our charity, ELHT&Me’s online shop. This can be accessed here. You can use this to purchase the latest must-have accessory - the ELHT&Me face covering! One size fits all due to a special double ear loop. A steal at £6 each or two for £10 and the money goes towards providing care that goes above and beyond the NHS standard for our patients!
While they can’t be worn in our sites where surgical masks are necessary, they can be worn in other settings like shops and on public transport. I really do hope you find these comfortable, and be proud to wear them.
You may have read in ‘Other News’ yesterday, a message from Director of HR&OD Kate Quinn about showing kindness and compassion to colleagues. I want to reiterate that message here – these are difficult times, and we all need to look out for each other. I was disappointed to hear that colleagues in our Costa coffee shop have reported less than kind behaviour by our staff as well as reports of people moving furniture and not social distancing. This cannot continue. We must all lead by example and follow the guidance to keep our premises safe, and always remember our values, which begin with a commitment to ‘respect the individual’.
I want to you let know that I have a new twitter account. This new account will cover my role as CEO of both East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The new twitter handle is @KMcG_CEO so do give me a follow to keep up to date with my latest news!
Finally, I want to share some great news. Hospital chaplain David Anderson and his cockapoo Jasper the Therapy Dog have been chosen to feature as part of this year's Blackpool Illuminations and will be taking part in the virtual switch on! How fantastic is that? David and Jasper have provided invaluable support and comfort to sick patients as well as boosting morale for the staff on wards at ELHT.
Joining David and Jasper on the Blackpool illuminations corona heroes roll of honour are Student Nurse Isabel Johnson; Ward Sister Abby Johnson; Intensive Care Nurse Jackie Bailey; Patient Services Assistant Lee Andrew Jones and Complex Case Manager Ruby Aziz. Well done to you all!
I am signing off for two weeks leave today so I will be leaving you all in the very capable hands of Martin Hodgson and the Executive Team.
Keep up the amazing work you are doing, take care of yourselves and each other.
Kevin