Hello everyone, happy Friday. It’s a particularly happy one for me as I begin a two week break today (missing you already!) Look out for and enjoy the guest blogs we’ve got planned.
Whilst the summer is not over yet, I’m sure that you will all have noticed just how busy we’ve been throughout July and August. It’s always a difficult time and it has felt quite challenging at times. So I’m particularly pleased that our four hour performance has been consistently better this week, averaging approximately 82%. This is still below what we aspire to, but I am very grateful to all of you for your ongoing efforts for our patients.
We have, for a long time, been highlighting the importance of effective discharges, timeliness, the contribution made by all staff – not just those in ED – in achieving the four hour standard. I’m excited that from next week, we will be relaunching our ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign, focussing on safe and effective flow of patients throughout the organisation. There will be training and information events and staff meetings to support the programme, so do look out for details in next week’s staff bulletin.
You’ll all know that I am regularly contacted by patients, carers and visitors telling me how amazing our staff are (no surprise there). These messages are always most welcome, but they are even more rewarding when they come from staff praising their fellow workers. This week, Nicola, January and Melanie from the Blackburn Birth Centre wrote to me to:
“Thank ‘John the Shift Engineer’ who came to check our wellbeing on Wednesday night following an unexpected security alarm malfunction.
“Being alone in the birth centre, we were very grateful to John, who came down at the end of his shift and stayed 30 minutes checking the building was secure and attempting to help fix the alarm fault. We feel it is important that people like John, who go above and beyond their duty to support their colleagues, should be recognised for their efforts. Therefore, we hope that you pass our thanks on to John.”
Well ladies, I am more than happy to comply with your request. Thank you John and well done!
I joined Wilf Pye yesterday as he celebrated 40 years’ service in our laundry. I had a lovely time and like John above, Wilf is a shining example of the values that are so essential to the Trust and our vision for safe, personal and effective care. Without such support staff - those unsung heroes working behind the scenes - our patients would not have the positive experiences we strive to deliver. Thank you John and Wilf, indeed all our support staff, for your commitment and contribution.
Many of you reading this will know Professor Iqbal Singh – lead Consultant Physician for the Centre of Excellence in Safety for Older People. I'd like to congratulate him on his recent appointment to the main health honours committee. This is a great reflection of the esteem in which he is held locally, nationally and indeed, internationally.
Our Fundraising Manager, Denise Gee, tells me that all 100 places for the Morecambe Bay Walk on Sunday have been snapped up by people keen to complete this exciting activity, and to raise much needed funds for our £1m Charity Appeal. ‘Have a great day’ to everyone taking part and thank you for choosing ELHT&Me to benefit.
We’ve talked a lot lately about the imminent CQC visit, but as the prospect draws closer and closer, the more important it is that we make sure we are prepared; that we grasp the opportunity to show what a great place ELHT is; and demonstrate that we are staffed by stars. Once again, this is your time to shine. Let’s make sure that our ratings are at least maintained and perhaps improved even more. Make the most of this, and if you are able, go to one of the focus groups the CQC have set up for staff. They are interested in what you have to say and we have a reputation here for staff engaging in the process and telling the ELHT story. A number of focus groups are being held next week on the Blackburn and Burnley sites. You can find more information on them and how to register in this week’s e-bulletin.
So, have a great weekend everyone, and, see you in a fortnight!