Hello everyone and welcome to my blog for this week; hope you enjoy it.
Working well with other organisations is one of our many strengths and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate for the benefit of our patients, staff and the wider community. This week, we've been working with the North West Utilisation management Unit (part of the GMAHSN) on a100% Challenge. The objective was to see, treat, admit or discharge every patient in our ED and UCCs over 24 hour period within four hours. Unfortunately we didn't meet the challenge- in fact our performance was 90.51% - but it was a useful exercise that has given us some key areas to address as part of our ongoing efforts to consistently achieve 95%. A personal thank you from me, to everyone involved in this - I know you all committed yourselves, and I really do appreciate your efforts. I'm also going to take this opportunity to repeat that the 95%/4hr standard is everyone's responsibility. Remember every minute matters, every person plays a part.
Another key collaboration is our strategic alliance with the University of Central Lancashire. Today (Friday) I had the pleasure of attending a reception hosted by the Pro Vice Chancellor and Chancellor to formally welcome staff and students of the American University of the Caribbean who's own facilities in St Maarten were devastated by Hurricane Irma. It's great that we're working with UCLan to offer medical education and training facilities and exercising our corporate social responsibility. I hope this leads to long term stronger links with our friends at AUC, as well as supporting our already-strong partnership with UCLan.
Our 'flu fighters' have begun their campaign to vaccinate all members of staff against flu. This is an important aspect of our winter plans and it's vital that staff get the jab to protect themselves, and therefore, others.
The National NHS Staff Survey went live this week and I am urging you to fill it in. What you say gives us the opportunity to respond to your views and feelings about your job with us. The more people who take part, the more accurate and useful the feedback. I know it's a cliche, but it's true - your views matter! Please complete the survey.
How would you like to be a record breaker? This year the Royal College of Emergency Medicine is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the inception of emergency medicine. To mark the occasion ELHT will be taking part in a world record attempt. We will be part of a country-wide effort to break the world record for the number of people being taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in two hours.
On Monday, medical staff from ELHT will demonstrate and teach CPR to as many members of staff and the public as possible. It's a great opportunity to educate and inspire people about the work our A&E and emergency medicine staff do, as well as pass on an important life skill.
Emergency Medicine is so important in East Lancashire and has made a real difference to the lives of millions. CPR is a life-saving technique that helps maintain some blood flow to the brain and heart, and can help "buy time" until paramedics arrive with more advanced care. The world record attempt will raise more awareness of CPR and, and ultimately help save lives. It's in the main entrance of Burnley General Teaching Hospital on Monday 9 October at 9.09am. If you would like to take part in this world record breaking event please arrive at the main entrance (near WH Smith) for 8:30am.
Health blogger, commentator and raconteur Roy Lilley is visiting the Trust on Tuesday next week as part of our Engaging Managers programme. Roy is highly respected and much reported and I am confident he will be impressed with ELHT and our fab staff. I'm sure his visit will generate a lot of publicity, particularly on social media, so please join in.
As ever, thanks to all of you for ongoing hard work and commitment. Have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Kevin