Trees are going up, Christmas jumpers and hats are being worn and there’s mince pies everywhere! I love it! It is the season of goodwill, and it seems that there is goodwill a-plenty both for, and from, our staff, volunteers and fundraisers. The Christmas markets in our main corridors have proved a great success and have really brought a sense of excitement. This has been enhanced further this week by great performances from choirs – including some of our own staff, and local children. Raffle tickets are being snapped up. All of this is raising welcome donations to ELHT&Me towards our Million Pound Appeal, so thank you to everyone involved.
On Monday night I attended the NHS Carol Concert, with my wife and mum, in the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and I was very proud that our own choir were part of this. The event is a pure joy and raises money for the wonderful CLIC Sargent Charity. We do have a choir here at the Trust, but they tend to keep their light under a bushel, but they are fantastic and without them and their fellow choristers from across the NHS, there would be no NHS Carol Concert. So a big thank you to all of you. It was fab. And…if you are interested in joining our choir (enthusiasm is more important than talent, and it doesn’t take up too much time) then why not email Moira Rawcliffe – she’d love to hear from you.
We had a great event on Tuesday this week, when around 100 of our senior staff met in Accrington to plan for 2019/2020. The energy in the room was palpable and it was great to witness people’s professionalism, commitment and determination. Some key themes emerged, and divisional priorities were articulated. Outputs, messages and actions – must dos, could dos, should dos and business as usual - will be cascaded through the divisions (who will of course be taking the work forward).
If it’s Christmas, then it must be winter – so it’s not all good. Like all Trusts, we are seeing really high demand at the moment, even though the weather hasn’t been too bad. This is clearly not going to get any easier so as well as repeating our mantra – every minute matters, every person plays a part – to encourage all staff to think of and contribute to patient flow, I am also going to appeal to others who may be reading this. If you should have a flu jab, and haven’t had it yet – please get it done. You will be helping to protect yourself, and others around you from an awful illness; if you need medical help or treatment – please make the right choice, and approach the right service, A&E is for genuine accidents and medical emergencies. Follow us on social media (Twitter @eastlancshosp) or go to our website www.elht.nhs.uk for more information; if you have elderly neighbours – keep an eye on them and make sure they are ok. And, in the words of the rock band, The Eagles – ‘take it easy’.
Until next week, stay safe!