I know a lot of people are like me and come to the end of the annual leave year – March in the NHS – with lots of time untaken, usually for the simple reason we’re so busy and it isn’t always easy to get time off in the diary.
I was firm over the weekend, however, and took a couple of days to celebrate my first wedding anniversary. Yes the saying ‘time flies’ applies as we have experienced some great times as a family in the past 12 months, but as per my blog last week, it’s been one hell of a year at work too.
I have mentioned previously how proud I am that the Trust is ending 2022-23 as positively as I think we could have hoped for.
You will have heard me reference the electronic patient record (EPR) previously as a major and critical project for the Trust – and you can see more details here if you want a quick reminder. Needless to say the introduction of this system will represent a real watershed moment for ELHT and the way we have always worked.
It will transform the way we operate and bring huge benefits for colleagues and patients but as with any big infrastructure change – and particularly those that involve technology – there’s such a lot that can go wrong or, at least, not exactly the way you thought.
Our EPR is due to go live in June – and we’re literally counting down the days and working through the key elements of work that need to be delivered and ticked off the list before then. The project is well run, well resourced and on track – but the team is feeling the pressure to deliver.
I want to recognise and value the incredible amount of hard work and focus ongoing within the team – thank you for everything you are doing in this critical area.
To all colleagues a plea from me that will help us manage this huge change – please get booked on your training, familiarise yourself with the project, the system, the milestones and the impact it will have on your part of the Trust.
Make sure you know what is coming and how it will affect the way you work – there are updates in all our bulletins and channels including social media and our internal intranet OLI.
I have no doubt of the positive impact of the system once it’s up and running, but these things take some getting used to and I don’t want any part of the implementation to compromise our commitment to safe, personal and effective care.
Of course, the Trust faces some uncertainty over further industrial action from various professional groups and trade unions who are in dispute with the Government over pay at the moment too. There has been a lot of activity this week, with some people moving to accept proposals and other rejecting them and considering next steps.
What I know from the industrial action taken last week by junior doctors is that whatever comes, ELHT will prepare dutifully and diligently as always to minimise the impact on patients and their families, as well as colleagues ‘holding the fort’.
Last week I witnessed our passion to ensure that, even in the most difficult circumstances, we never take our attention from our patients and what they need. Thank you to everyone who continues to manage our response so professionally, it is much appreciated.
Also this week I am aware that Pete Murphy, who recently joined the team as Chief Nurse, joined colleagues from Family Care, based primarily at Burnley General Teaching Hospital, to support a visit to check in on maternity services as part of the review carried out initially by Donna Ockenden.
This is often known and you’ll hear it referred to as the Ockenden Report or just ‘Ockenden’ and is a suite of performance indicators that initially came out of issues identified in maternity services provided by Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust.
ELHT is very proud of the quality of our maternity services and the support provided to families across East Lancashire and I was delighted to hear the Ockenden visit resulted in more positive feedback and assurance on the heard work and impact of the team. Thanks to everyone who supported the visit and, indeed, is delivering such great care and treatment in this area.
Lastly, I just want to acknowledge that, as ever, amidst all of this pressure and difficulty, life goes on and people never cease to amaze us.
I am thinking particularly of all Muslim colleagues across the Trust who have – on top of everything else we are dealing with – also celebrated the holy month of Ramadan including long periods of fasting during daylight hours. I am always in awe of those who embrace this spiritual time so fully for a month and yet never seem to skip a beat or drop a ball.
Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating this weekend. Enjoy every minute with your families knowing you have deserved it and we all wish you the most blessed time.
Martin