There’s only one topic I could possibly write about this week and that’s the departure of our much loved and equally well-respected Chairman, Professor Eileen Fairhurst.
It doesn’t seem two minutes since Eileen joined us in 2014 at what was such an important time to take up such a critical role.
The Trust had been placed in ‘special measures’ and as someone who was already here, it was a tough and challenging time for everyone.
Since then, the change in the Trust itself, in Pennine Lancashire and in the wider health and social care system in Lancashire and South Cumbria has been immense and we find ourselves in a situation and landscape that’s barely recognisable compared to then.
I’m beyond proud to say that ELHT has progressed to an organisation that is now rated ‘good’ with large pockets of ‘outstanding’ and a clear and proud ambition to further build on that overall position to an official and overall ‘outstanding’ next time we are inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
In addition, it is worth noting also that we are the only Trust in Lancashire and South Cumbria to be ranked as ‘SOF2’ in the NHS Statutory Operating Framework and through hard work and relentless dedication to improvement we have retained that position for more than five years.
I want to rightly reflect on and acknowledge Eileen’s contribution to these achievements. She has been a consistent and positive influence and a constant and unwavering support. Not just to me, but to colleagues across all settings and services and the system too.
She is leaving a gaping hole that will be very difficult for anyone to fill, there’s no doubt about that at all.
When anyone reflects on her success within her earshot, Eileen often says that no one individual can deliver anything on their own and I would accept that our performance is the culmination of a lot of actions and activities by many, many people over a very long period of time.
But it is right and proper, especially today, that we put on the record the important part Eileen has played in helping us to improve and progress, day in and day out, week after week, month after month – and, in the most recent years, through some of the most difficult times anyone in the healthcare has ever experienced.
On our darkest days, as the pandemic hit Pennine Lancashire hard and fast and the team was tired, scared and struggling, she was there. Her support was visible when we needed it and making sure colleagues got what they needed as quickly as possible without question or delay.
As I have got to know Eileen it is obvious she is politically and professionally adept and astute as you might expect any good Chairman to be. She has purposefully created and sustained important relationships with colleagues which enable better collaboration and partnership working that just simply wasn’t there before. This has underpinned our success and our reputation in so many ways.
But what I want to say and pay special tribute to in this moment is that behind all her professional prowess and natural talent in the role, her ability to influence and progress with ease, she is also genuinely kind.
My overriding experience of Eileen and my memories when I look back are about how she really cares for people. She cares about you, your family and all the ups and downs of life, demonstrating the most touching compassion when hearing someone is suffering with illness or tough times which can affect us all.
She genuinely, genuinely feels empathy and that, for me, really sets her apart. In healthcare I can think of no better leadership quality.
And, so, I want to say thank you Eileen, not only for everything you have done but for the compassionate way you did it. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with you and particularly this past year in the role of Chief Executive.
During a moment in headquarters earlier this week I said our loss was Northern Care Alliance’s gain – and I meant it – as Eileen moves into the Greater Manchester system to take up her new role as Chairman there.
I wish her every luck and success and I know I speak for the whole Trust when I say she takes all of our good wishes with her for the future. She’ll be missed and remembered always in the fondest of ways.
If you want to listen into her memories, Eileen has recorded a special farewell podcast to mark the end of her tenure here and we also created a video of messages here which is worth a watch too.
Of course, this brings me to the matter of a new Chair for ELHT, who in line with the NHS constitution is appointed by NHS England and not the Trust itself.
That said, two stakeholder panels were convened this week as part of the recruitment and interview process – one including colleagues from the Trust and another full of people who work closely alongside us in Pennine Lancashire or wider including GPs, public health specialists, local authority Chief Executives and from the team at UCLaN who support us in training our workforce of the future.
There was then a robust interview panel chaired by the Regional Director of NHSE in the North West Richard Barker and including esteemed system colleagues with a range of experience and expertise. They have made a recommendation now to a further panel – and once all approved and ratified, they’ll make an announcement about the successful candidate.
The Chair has always been such an important role for the Trust and I look forward to working with our new incumbent when they’re announced, but with the advent of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Provider Collaborative, the Chair will also need to work seamlessly with everyone, right across the system, to deliver better outcomes for local people as standard.
I am committed to the sense that ELHT will work with everyone to share learning and help improve services across the board. The Chair will be instrumental in that objective as we aim to help other Trusts ‘level up’ and achieve equal access to the same high-quality services wherever you live across the patch.
It won’t be easy and we’re going to need someone who is every bit as astute and agile as Eileen to help us traverse this unprecedented and very challenging operating landscape. I look forward to introducing you to them as soon as I am able.
Martin