Well, if ever there was a week where I knew exactly where to start the blog, this is it.
I got the job!
I want to thank every single person who contacted me following last week’s blog and in the run up to Tuesday’s assessment centre to offer good wishes and good luck in equal measure.
A special mention to my lovely stepdaughter Niamh who presented me with two crystals just before the interview – one was for good luck and the other for confidence. I promised I’d keep these in my pocket all day, albeit the confidence booster was a fair weight and I was conscious of keeping pulling my trousers up.
It’s easy to think these things don’t make a difference, but they do and knowing you were all behind me really helped me to stay focused and centred during what was a tough day of interviews and panel discussions – and a bit of old fashioned nervousness thrown in if the truth be known!
I know I have been doing the interim CEO role for 12 months, deputy for some time before that and a total of 13 years at ELHT and you could say it was the natural and perhaps obvious next step – but, honestly, I’m thrilled to be the Chief Executive of this brilliant organisation officially.
As part of the recruitment I was rigorously and thoroughly tested on my approach, leadership skills and thoughts on how the Trust will play a full part in the wider health and social care system. It was daunting, even though I was confident I knew my stuff and, of course, being interviewed by people that you know can be particularly toe-curling at times.
But once I started talking about the organisation and its strengths and challenges, colleagues who support our aim to provide safe, personal and effective care and the people we’re here to help, I think it was clear how much it means to me and how much personal pride and passion I put into the role.
I was over the moon when I got the news and the positive feedback from colleagues about my performance and plans was really appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the panel and stakeholder groups and also to the team behind the scenes managing the assessment centre itself, especially Sophie Dowling and Deanne Staveley in the HR team. I know the feedback from another candidate was very positive about the welcome and overall experience of the day too.
We should never miss an opportunity to impress people with our approach and it is a source of huge pride that others from outside of the organisation recognise what a friendly, capable and determined bunch of people we are. It is what makes us extra special in my opinion.
That said, it’s also good to be humble in our success and, to this point, I want to quickly mention and congratulate someone who has done something amazing, but quietly and without any fuss. Staff wellbeing and engagement officer Bill Johnston spends his spare time practising the martial art of Jujitsu and recently competed in the Great Britain National Open Jujitsu Championships, returning home with two silver medals. And furthermore his daughter also practices the martial art and won a medal too. What an achievement Bill and well done to you and your family!
I celebrated on Tuesday night with my family over a meal at a local Italian close to where I live and a couple of glasses of red. Everyone has been so pleased for me it’s been a really lovely time.
On Wednesday after the announcement, I bobbed over to Accrington Victoria Community Hospital and I could not have had a better first official day than that.
You might think that with the total number of colleagues working across ELHT in both hospital and community settings, as well as in people’s homes across the patch, that you can’t hope to know everyone. In fact, on days where you flit from one virtual meeting to another in the constraints of your office, it seems amazing that you really know anyone at all.
But that’s not true for ELHT. As large as we are – and we’re one of the biggest employers in the area with a workforce that works disparately across many sites and across many working patterns and shifts – we are a family and you can easily walk down the corridor and say hello to loads of familiar faces (and also those you don’t personally know too!)
This was evident in Accy Vic on Wednesday, when one of our most well known colleagues Shabana ‘Shabz’ Ahmed was celebrating a rather special birthday. Of course, I can’t pop in to everyone’s birthday celebrations and I won’t pretend that I can or will, but when the opportunity arises and there’s cake to be had, I’m there.
As well as wishing Shabz many happy returns, I was able to see so many people who work in the building and would like to thank every single one of them for making me feel so welcome and being so open in their views, feedback and ideas.
I never want to be the type of Chief Executive considered aloof or out of touch or – worst of all – unapproachable, so I love catching up and hearing from people right across the Trust.
I also love getting feedback from our patients and their families and this week I want to mention two I have seen.
The first is a tribute to colleague Dr Deepak Nama a Consultant Respiratory Physician who works primarily in Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital. I won’t break patient confidentiality but I received a hand written note from a man’s family who had experienced and been moved not just by Dr Nama’s skills, but by his care and compassion and sticking with the patient throughout his journey.
The letter ends: “He goes above and beyond his duties and I have yet to meet any member of staff who does not think he is anything but truly wonderful. Dr Nama should be given an accolade for his outstanding performance in his duty of care to patients. We were blown away by his caring, compassionate and empathetic attitude.”
Wow. That must be incredible feedback to hear about yourself, although I suspect Dr Nama will say he’s only doing his job.
The second case that really resonated for me was a eulogy written for a man who sadly died earlier this month which was shared with the Trust. The family had again received exemplary support not just from ELHT but partners in mental health settings and health and social care too. A really powerful example of the system working for people effectively.
It’s unusual to be mentioned in a eulogy, but the family felt very strongly about the quality of support he received.
They said: “He needed and got quick and thorough assessment and now and again needed to go into hospital but had timely discharge with a package of care. He danced across the kitchen floor with his normal prowess just 23 days before he passed, peacefully, in his own bedroom, surrounded by his family.”
A moving and touching story indeed, demonstrating that every little thing we can do to support people is worthwhile. I was particularly proud to note, however, the sentence: “Nothing is as near to consistent greatness as East Lancashire Hospitals is.”
To all colleagues – remember this when it’s tough and you’re having a challenging day. Consistent greatness – that’s you.
And so another big thank you from me to all colleagues working in every part of the Trust for everything you do. It is clearly recognised and appreciated by our patients and their families and, more to the point, makes a real difference to people’s lives.
This is why we joined and continue to be part of the NHS and ELHT in particular, even when it is so difficult at times.
It is certainly why I continue to be so proud and privileged to be Chief Executive.
Lastly, just to mention, earlier today I attended the Step into ELHT course finale with some really inspiring local young people. The scheme, run in partnership with the Prince’s Trust, aims to help them access roles and hopefully a career with the Trust and wider NHS – and so far it’s been a huge success. Since 2017, we’ve hosted 11 cohorts of nearly 100 young people and 83 of them are now part of our team. This is something we remain completely committed to and if you want to find out more, click here.
Have a good weekend if you are not working and remember we have lots of support to help those who are on duty during this hot weather. Look after yourselves – we could not do this without any single one of you.
Martin