As is customary when I have been on leave for a couple of weeks, I want to start today by thanking those who so ably stepped into the blogging breach whist I was away.
I know from feedback I get, when I am out and about around the Trust especially, that people really like reading the blog – so whilst I am glad to be back, I recognise the value of hearing from other voices with their own perspectives and experiences too.
I genuinely thought Sharon and Jawad as my deputies and ‘in charge’ in my absence provided some really interesting insight – while Cat as our guest blogger on all things ‘out of hospital’ services was informative, with some real, relevant food for thought. If you missed any of these entries, please do find a moment and catch up here.
In addition, I want to do a quick thank you to everyone who stepped in to provide cover and support while I was away. I don’t mind admitting I was running low on energy in the lead up to finishing – but I am pleased to say I have really felt the benefit of a break with my family.
Knowing the Trust was in safe hands, with people not just in my immediate team but across all services and settings working tirelessly for patients and their families, cannot be underestimated. Working in the NHS is a relentlessly busy and at times unforgiving vocation, so it’s of paramount importance that we take a break, guilt free, knowing that when the time comes, we will do the same for others.
A couple of things particularly have happened while I have been away that I want to mention, including the verdict in the Lucy Letby case.
It’s clear the ramifications of the conviction of the neo-natal nurse who was murdering babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital will continue for quite some time in the NHS – and rightly so when you consider the horrific nature of her crimes, the suffering of the families who lost children and the allegations that more could have been done much sooner than it was.
I won’t comment further about the case as a statutory inquiry has now been announced, but I do want to add a couple of things pertinent to ELHT.
First, a plea from me for all colleagues or patients and their families to speak up about anything they see that doesn’t seem right. The Trust will listen and act – and I personally always and without question want to know about patient or staff safety issues as a priority.
Secondly, of course, there will be developments as more is known and understood and I want to be overt that ELHT, as part of our commitment to continuous learning, will take on and implement any suggestions for improvements there are.
I do feel able to provide assurance about the quality and safety of the Trust’s services and especially around maternity and wider family services after a number of recent inspections and accreditations. I am confident the culture in the team is positive and parents are receiving the care and support they need. If this is not your experience, please let us know.
Turning to other headlines, I want to provide some further assurance on the topic of widely reported issues around safety issues connected to Reinforced Autoclaved Aeriated Concrete – known as RAAC and referred to as ‘crumbling concrete’ in the media.
ELHT has two areas of RAAC – both in Royal Blackburn Hospital. The first is in the roof and the second in an admin block. We’ve known about both for quite some time, have safety inspections in place and have made good progress on our plans to sort the problem out. I’m comfortable we are managing the risks and both staff and colleagues are safe.
I feel overtly providing assurance on the issues arising from both the Letby case and RAAC is important as people consume headlines and perhaps feel anxious about coming into our buildings for care.
But in amongst all this negativity it’s equally important never to lose sight of the great things that happen across the NHS in every area, saving lives and providing compassionate care which touches an incredible 1.6million people every day. The vast majority of these experiences are positive.
There has also been more industrial action announced as part of the national dispute with the Government over pay and this continues to impact on our performance. I have reiterated many times that we respect the right of colleagues to take action in this way and also appreciate where people do decide to come into work, whilst acknowledging also the impact it has on the Trust and the inevitable cancelling of elective procedures and appointments, which affects the quality of life of those involved.
In the latest announcement, both junior doctors and more senior medical consultants will take industrial action at the same time, firstly on September 20 and a second period starting Monday, October 2, until Wednesday, October 4. We have not experienced this before and, on these days, we’ll have to cancel hundreds of elective procedures and appointments, with cover likely to be similar to that provided on Christmas Day.
Let me apologise now if you have treatment postponed. We will, as ever, do our very best to rearrange this for you as quickly as we can. Please, hold off ringing for information, it is our intention to let you know what is happening as soon as we can.
I also want to say thank you to the colleagues who come in to ‘hold the fort’ at these times, work extra hours and do more (and more) to help us keep going. It is appreciated and I recognise the impact this ongoing dispute is having on everyone. It’s clear people are tired and, with no resolution seemingly in sight, I know we’re digging really deep into the resilience banks.
It is an unfortunate co-incidence that the October period of industrial action is planned in the same week as our annual colleague recognition event the ‘Star Awards’. For those outside of the Trust, this is a virtual ceremony where colleagues are nominated in various categories and we spend about 90 minutes in the evening celebrating the amazing people and work that goes on across ELHT.
Both colleagues, patients and their families are able to nominate staff and it is a key date in our calendar where we focus on the incredible people, work and outcomes delivered by the ELHT family each and every single day and night.
When I think about the totality of that, 90 minutes to celebrate seems woefully inadequate in so many ways. We have had more than 600 nominations and whilst I have sent a letter to each one thanking them personally – it just feels like we can never thank people enough.
With this in mind, I’m sad to say I have a dilemma and a question for you about the event. It is this: Should we postpone the Star Awards from October 5 or go ahead in the light of the industrial action in the three days before?
I’m genuinely interested in your view – and I have set up a vote here which will run until next Thursday.
In the ‘go ahead’ camp, I know people will be keen to stick with the plan and recognise our ELHT ‘stars’ and I am so conscious that it is exactly this kind of event that often refills the resilience cup for colleagues, reminding them not just of what we do, but who we are and why we do it too.
I have seen and read some of the nominations and – wow – the energy and dedication colleagues bring to the Trust is overwhelming.
But there are others who feel that taking time out to celebrate when we have cancelled hundreds of procedures and appointments in the same week is just not appropriate and it would be wrong to go ahead. I understand this point of view and if you’re waiting for treatment it might be difficult to swallow a celebration. I am mindful of colleagues who have covered shifts and may be tired as well as those who take industrial action and will be keen to get back in and start catching up.
Maybe an award evening that week just isn’t the thing to do?
I’d love to hear what you think, simply because I’d never want to do the wrong thing and I’m genuinely interested in how people feel about this.
For this reason, whether you’re a patient or a colleague, let me know your view or simply vote if you can. I appreciate all feedback, views and opinions and, as I try to be fair, open and transparent with everyone, I can’t do that without it.
Martin