Hello everyone, it's me, Kevin, blogging this week!
I'm really glad to see that the current arrangements with Damian Riley, our Medical Director acting as CEO while I am at Blackpool are working well, and you are giving him your full support - thank you.
This week, we were both together with our Chairman and the rest of our executive and non-executive colleagues, at our public Trust Board meeting. Once again, it was great to see members of staff in attendance (as well as members of the public) as part of their personal development. Talent spotting, growing our own leaders and succession planning are all so important, particularly in the current climate of significant staff shortages. We must - and in fact we do - recognise that our staff are under incredible pressure, and supporting and helping them is key to keeping them! So, I was delighted to read the paper outlining our forthcoming 'People Strategy' that will go to the Board in September, and which will reflect the sentiment of the national, interim People Plan. It encapsulates the spirit of ELHT, a truly caring employer, as well as the ambitions of the Pennine Lancashire Integrated Care Partnership for 'one workforce'. We value our staff and their skills; we care about them. And for them, we aim to provide a culture of community, compassion, inclusion, innovation and improvement.
ELHT was one of the first organisations to appoint a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian back in 2015. I think that was a tangible example of our determination to ensure a culture of safety and confidence, enabling staff to raise concerns. Jane Butcher attended the Board to summarise her annual report. Activity has increased as you'd expect in an environment where staff feel confident to utilise the Staff Guardian, and Jane gave powerful examples of immediate responsive action and resolution, and others which required more detailed processes. Generally though, a very high level of satisfaction amongst users of the service and another strong example of our commitment to workforce support. We'll be publishing the FTSU Guardian's Annual Report soon so do please read it.
I feel that I cannot ignore the current problems around the pensions tapered allowances and tax, and the impact that is having on many of our staff and therefore our patients. Whilst I can offer no immediate solution, please be assured we are supporting the move to get this matter addressed quickly and providing all information necessary to assist.
Finally, our Communications Team are currently finalising the arrangements for a series of tea parties to celebrate the NHS and our fantastic staff who make it, and ELHT, what it is. All divisions, all grades and all professions will be involved so if you get the opportunity to go to one, please take it - and have a great time!
Until next time.....