And here we are – the last blog of 2023… which might be useful if you’re now in the time between Christmas and New Year where you inevitably, at some point, have no idea what day it is, who you are, what you’re meant to be doing or where you’re supposed to be.
For some this is the greatest moment of the entire festive period – if not the year – where you can legitimately remain in your pyjamas all day, eating cheese and remoulding your body into the shape of a settee. Where meal times and routine fade in favour of unlimited trips to the fridge and binge watching bad TV.
Of course, whilst this is the reality for many, it’s important also to remember it isn’t for all and that includes colleagues who are or have been working, people who have lost someone during the festive period and those who aren’t as fortunate generally in their lives.
Many if not most colleagues across the NHS work at some point during the Christmas holidays with wards and services remaining open, around the clock, to care for people who need help and support. Illness, accidents and emergencies wait for no one, including Father Christmas, and the team at East Lancashire Hospitals (ELHT) continues to be here, always, to provide safe, personal and effective care for all.
It is traditionally the case that it feels quieter over Christmas when less elective treatment and procedures are scheduled, but we also experience a dramatic reduction in the number of people who attend either Royal Blackburn or Burnley General hospitals for urgent or emergency care.
I can’t provide a categoric answer as to why this happens, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out it lies somewhere between people choosing not to come to hospital at this time and there being less accidents because most are languishing unapologetically in the comfort and safety of their own home.
Certainly, this was the case earlier this week on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day when we had very low numbers of patients and waits to be seen in A&E.
Most important and pertinent to this festive scene were the observations of colleagues who noted a calmer environment and experience for patients and their families. The department felt like it was an easier place to be for everyone, more dignified and appropriate for patients and quite different compared to the relentless overcrowding and long waits to be seen that have prevailed in recent years.
Please, do remember this as we head into the New Year celebrations, when it’s traditionally very busy and numbers attending for treatment mark the beginning of the truly intense winter period we always experience in January and February.
Only come into A&E at Blackburn or Urgent Care at Burnley or the Minor Injuries Unit at Accrington Victoria if you really need to. If you don’t have an urgent or life-threatening condition you can actively choose to seek alternative pathways here and leave those settings free for people who need them. This helps patients, their families and the team who always want to do their best for other people.
For all colleagues who have worked over the last week or so, who have volunteered or been rostered for shifts on days they may have preferred not to be in, thank you.
I especially want to mention those who have faced particularly upsetting or challenging situations during this time, including bereavements and providing support to those at the end of their lives, which are always going to be the most difficult to manage emotionally.
To work over Christmas is one thing, but the professionalism and compassion that ensues in the most difficult but special times across all teams is truly humbling and amazing to see.
I must mention here everyone working in our community services helping people remain safe and cared for in their own home. I cannot think of a greater gift to give to someone who is struggling at this time of year.
In amongst all of this pressure, responsibility and sheer hard work, I was touched also to see colleagues finding a moment to celebrate together where appropriate and share good tidings and cheer. This is the spirit of ELHT throughout the year and I am convinced is the key to the incredible personal resilience we see across all services and settings all of the time.
To this point, it’s extremely difficult to find a way to recognise and reward everyone in an organisation which includes almost 10,000 people working across a huge geographical patch – but we did our best to make it special and happy for as many people as we could.
I saw teams posting festive messages and wishes, making nominations for people they felt were ‘Christmas Crackers’ to win towers of treats and congratulating the winners of a series of prize draws across the Trust. The catering team served Christmas lunches to everyone and I know the Head of Happiness, Alfie the Cockerpoo, was out visiting wards with his handler Rachel, which is always so warmly and positively received.
Thank you to everyone who contributed, worked hard, support others and generally made Christmas special despite difficult circumstances – it really is appreciated beyond words.
As I have said previously, 2024 is going to be both challenging for the NHS as a whole and ELHT as a team but, together, we will get through it and if we can’t, I genuinely don’t think anyone can.
Let me take this opportunity to wish you all – colleagues, patients, families and the East Lancashire community as a whole – a heartfelt Happy New Year when it arrives.
If you’re off, enjoy yourself and stay safe whatever you are doing. If you’re working, thank you but do try and find a moment to reflect and acknowledge the massive contribution you are making to people’s lives.
I look forward to seeing you, working with you and doing it all again in 2024.
All the best,
Martin