Perhaps it’s indicative of feeling like I don’t see as many people as I would like, as often as I would choose, but I do love it when colleagues or patients and their families reach out to me, say hello, offer ideas or provide feedback on their experience of the Trust.
I have said previously that this can be positive – which is welcome – or include areas where we should have done better, which is often just as helpful when trying to understand what is really happening on the ground.
I don’t think I am defensive in these things, disappointed sometimes maybe, but all information is useful in triangulating between complaints, compliments and data to decipher what is truly going on.
It’s true also that feedback from colleagues makes me feel like part of the team, someone that others are comfortable to talk to – and it’s so helpful in understanding the themes or issues arising and what improvements we can make.
So let me say thank you to everyone who has asked how I am after recent facial surgery. I appreciate that and, if I have seen you in person (or more likely on a screen) it’s been fun to hear whether you think the beard borne out of not being able to shave effectively suits me or not!
As an aside, I’ve had a few comments that I should keep it for ‘Movember’ as part of the annual awareness push on men’s health issues. I’ve not decided, but it is often these moments of light relief that make us smile and keep us going, isn’t it, and as a Smoggy (Teesside lad and Middlesbrough football fan) I have come to embrace being teased, so it’s all good.
I also had a note this week from Kelly Holehouse, Program Manager for Personalised Care and one of our MSK physiotherapists, thanking me for raising the importance of personalised care in last week’s blog. Without repeating my support, I am a big believer in the philosophy and I thanked her and the team for everything they are doing to take it forward in ELHT.
It’s important because we are having an incredibly tough time in the Trust, like nothing I have ever experienced in more than 30 years of working in the NHS and I’m acutely mindful of the pressure on everyone. You might think it’s colleagues who mostly bear the brunt of the record numbers we are seeing in urgent and emergency care, but as hundreds of people will testify every day – it’s very stressful indeed waiting to be seen when you’re worried and in pain.
I often consider how that pressure might then play into interactions between patients, relatives and colleagues alike – and the impact then on our ability to maintain our commitment to personalised care. We all recognise that even minor things can escalate when you’re busy. Maybe someone is perceived to have been a little blunt or short in their manner as they both physically and mentally juggle lots of things at once. For this reason, also, perhaps the normal things that happen are delayed or even forgotten.
Whilst not an excuse, I’m convinced the prevailing culture in ELHT is that whilst this kind of thing inevitably does happen, it would never be purposeful or intended by any of the team. At the same time, I recognise it must feel like no one cares, though it’s clear colleagues are dealing with such a lot, day to day.
I am sorry that we are all stuck in the middle of this and the impact this is perhaps having on quality of life. Please know everyone at the Trust is genuinely doing everything possible to ease the pressure and I know, in return, we can count on local people to genuinely consider the best place for care before landing at A&E.
This tallies with another message which struck me from one of our midwives this week. Allison Whitehead will be retiring later this year after an incredible 37 years of dedicated service to the Trust (albeit I understand is intending to return part time next year, which is great) and as a staff representative for the Royal College of Midwives, I think it’s right to properly consider her views.
Passionate about creating a kind and respectful culture and encouraging others to do the same, she said: “I feel privileged to have been an advocate for women and families through respectful and kind care and I have also shown this to colleagues and peers. Staff just want to be heard and valued but ultimately to be treated with kindness, after all we are human too.”
I couldn’t agree more. The idea that no one is more important than another in any environment speaks to me in spades and I would advocate ditching any self-sense of entitlement for mutual respect any day of the week . This simply means acknowledging patients need effective help, of course, whilst accepting equally that those there to help need kindness, compassion and support too.
I am fortunate that people are interested in what I have to say as Chief Executive and I get lots of feedback on the blog too. My best hope in writing it is to provide a true reflection of the challenges we face and how we’re trying to overcome them, whilst saying thank you to colleagues who run at everything, every day, but sometimes must feel they haven’t covered any ground at all.
Whilst acknowledging we’re not perfect, I believe it is right to recognise the incredible efforts ongoing across all services and settings and the personal resilience that continues to be demonstrated across all teams.
To this end, don’t forget to watch the Trust’s colleague recognition event The Star Awards next Thursday, October 5, at 7pm where we will be celebrating the winners of a range of categories – whittled down from the most incredible and touching nominations we have ever received.
I have been involved in some of the judging and the preparations – and let me tell you it’s going to be emotional in so many ways. I do hope you’ll catch the show live or watch it back when you have some time, it really does showcase everything that is amazing about ELHT.
Lastly while I am handing out accolades, I have three to finish with.
The first is a thank you to Kathryn Patel and Alison Sugden, part of the wider vaccination and Well teams respectively, who are out and about offering ‘flu and Covid jabs to colleagues to help everyone stay healthy this winter.
Thank you to everyone who is part of this – I know convincing some to take it up can be a challenge in itself, but it really is critical to our winter plans.
The second is a mention to everyone who helped last Friday when we had a blockage in a sewage pipe in one of the wards at Royal Blackburn that quickly escalated, impacting on other areas and leaving us moving more than 60 patients around at very short notice indeed.
The way in which this was done, calmly, safely and efficiently was nothing more than a master class in minor crisis management and I want to thank everyone involved. I’m not sure it was exactly what we wanted on a wet Friday afternoon, but we got on and sorted it and that’s what people at ELHT do. Thanks – it’s really appreciated.
And finally, I couldn’t close today without a quick mention to my predecessor at ELHT and long-time colleague Kevin McGee, who has this week as Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals waved a fond farewell to the NHS after many, many, years of service, to take up a role overseas.
I enjoyed working with Kevin, learned a lot and in becoming peers really appreciated his support. Good luck Kevin in everything you do and thanks for everything you did for me and ELHT previously. It was appreciated and we wish you every success for the future.
The fact he is a Liverpool fan only added to my natural ability to bite my tongue after most weekends – but that’s life as a Smoggy as I have said. A couple of weeks ago I went to Ewood to see Rovers beat the Boro 2-1 – and I was sat in the Blackburn end! And in the spirit of equality, I have endured a similar fate at Turf Moor a number of times too.
On that note, enjoy the weekend when it comes if you’re off. If you’re working, we appreciate that and, please, stay safe.
Martin