Hello everyone
I thought I’d do a ‘mini midweek blog’ to say a big ‘thank you’. I understand how hard you are all working, and I want to let you know that we are in this together. I don’t think it is going to get much easier for the foreseeable future, but be assured, like you, I am fully committed to this wonderful Trust, its brilliant staff and our patients.
I am determined that together, we will continue to provide safe, personal and effective care. All day, every day. We are undoubtedly under a lot of pressure at the moment, but it’s not the first time and I’m sure it won’t be the last! The four hour standard is the yard stick by which we are measured, and on which a large part of our (great) reputation rests. Don’t forget though, whoever you are and whatever you do – you can have a positive impact on our four hour performance. Please do everything you can to optimise flow through our hospitals.
It fills me with enormous pride that despite the challenges you all face on a daily basis, you still manage to stay positive and professional and deliver a brilliant service. I am always getting good feedback about our staff and only recently, Russ McLean – Chair of the Patient Voices Group and critical friend of the Trust – wrote to me following his experience of the emergency department recently.
He said “Your staff worked through the patients according to their clinical need and I was - as I always am - mesmerised by the professionalism of the staff in the ED. Each and every one of them was polite and engaging to their patients. I witnessed, first hand, the camaraderie between the Team and no one complained at the heavy and relentless workload. They are quite simply a credit to you and to the Trust”.
I couldn’t agree with him more! Well done!
Me, our Chairman Eileen, and every single member of the Board just want to say ‘keep up the good work everyone, and thank you.’