Published on: 27 November 2020

Hello all and welcome to this week’s blog.  

The topic that is dominating the news this week is the lifting of the national lockdown restrictions. Lancashire once again finds itself under the highest level of the three-tier restriction system. While rates of cases in the area are improving, they still remain very high and pressure in the health care system continues. I have said this many times, and I will repeat it again – please do everything possible to stay safe and prevent the spread of this horrible virus.  

Now, many of you will have seen Jordan North, Radio 1 DJ, going to his “happy place” on the ITV show I’m a Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here! Jordan is from Burnley, so of course his “happy place” is Turf Moor, home of Burnley FC. But I’m asking you all this week to think “Happy Place, Happy Place, Hands, Face, Space” to remind yourselves to wash your hands regularly, wear the right face mask correctly at work, and keep your distance from others as much as possible. I want you to create your very own “happy place” by carrying out these three simple routines and protect yourself from catching or spreading the virus. 

Part of our work to help you to understand the importance of “Hands, Face, Space” has been the sharing of our story and the effects of the pandemic on our workforce and services. Last week Gill Dummigan’s third COVID series was broadcast on BBC North West Tonight focusing on how we are managing the virus, alongside all our normal services, as we head into winter. This type of filming is challenging but I feel it is very much worth the effort, so many thanks to everyone who took part in this, especially those who shared their own personal stories. You can catch up on all three series here. 

Yes, we are under considerable pressure, things are challenging and the Christmas period is just around the corner. However, there are also a number of projects ongoing to help ease the pressure and enable us to manage demand more effectively.  

Today, after many months of precision planning and hard work, I am delighted to say we have now opened the doors to our new Acute Medical Unit. This joins together the Emergency Department, the Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit and the two Acute Medical Units to streamline the flow of patients that come in through the ‘front door’. It was wonderful to welcome our first patient this morning, who was suitably impressed. You can read more about this on our website here.  

Further expansions to the Emergency Department include a two-storey extension providing an additional 13 cubicles, which will be completed in the New Year and the newly installed ‘mental health pod’ adjacent to the Emergency Department. This new pod will offer a dedicated safe space for patients which is calmer, quieter and better suited to their needs. Staffed by experienced professionals, it will provide emergency care and support for those in mental health crisis. 

This week has shown in many ways something that we already know; ELHT is one big family. And I’d like to share some exmples with you today. John Sinclair, one of our Emergency Physiotherapy Practitioners received a diagnosed of prostate cancer at the age of 59. A year later, on the week of his 60th birthday, John chose this milestone to tell his story of how a colleague, Bill Johnston – Health and Wellbeing Advisor, not only became his personal advisor, but also a close friend. You can read all about John’s Journey here. Thank you to John for sharing your story and thank you Bill for providing expert support and a hand of friendship. 

It is lovely to announce a soon to be member of the ELHT family; Shelley Wright. Shelley is currently the Executive Director of Communications at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust and will be joining us, and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals as Joint Executive Director of Communications and Engagement. We are looking forward to Shelley joining the Board in 2021.   

And finally, it is with deep regret and huge sadness that I share with you the devastating news that we have lost a member of our ELHT family. Cristina Baldwin passed away on 25 November from COVID-19.  Cristina has worked with us for eight years as a Health Care Assistant, and her loss will be felt by colleagues and friends on ward C1 and indeed from across the whole organisation.  

Tributes can be channelled via the Trust’s corporate Facebook page, which will be shared with Cristina’s family. Our thoughts are with Cristina’s husband, Garry, and daughter Kelly, who are also members of the ELHT family. 

Please take care all of you, and stay safe.  

Kevin