Firstly, let me say a huge thank you to everyone who read and shared last week’s blog and then took the time to feedback or message me with support afterwards, I really appreciate it.
If you haven’t read it yet, you can still see it here.
On a related note, this week as part of the Festival of Inclusion we have introduced two new things. The first was to capture some honest conversations with colleagues from our incredible staff networks, supporting those who have common ground across the ‘protected characteristics’ such as (but not confined to) race, gender, sexuality and disability but also on wider themes and areas often stigmatised like mental health.
The conversations were edited into podcasts which are honest, interesting and designed to challenge and provide an insight into the perspective of others – and you can listen to all of them here or by asking for ELHT Audio on any smart speaker or music streaming app.
In addition, we have also hosted some private ‘safe space’ events on the same themes, with colleagues invited to talk openly but confidentially about how it feels for them, what the Trust does well to support them and, of course, where we could improve.
All of the ‘safe spaces’ were facilitated by the Executive Team and I want to thank them for taking the time to listen about life within the Trust for different people.
I know each of them agreed with their individual groups what – if any – feedback would be shared afterwards and in some cases this will be nothing and that is OK. I am here to attest that we cannot underestimate how important ‘just’ talking about our experiences is and I know we will all have gained valuable insight and understanding.
Again, thank you to everyone who came forward to join a safe space and trusted each other to open up and support some very brave conversations.
I personally joined colleagues from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) network and it was a thought provoking, brave, worthwhile and valuable conversation.
Of course, I won’t break any confidences here but let me take the opportunity to again reiterate my view on racism, discrimination and inappropriate behaviour towards others that clearly still exist but have no place whatsoever at ELHT.
If you hear or are subjected to inappropriate language, values or behaviour of any type or feel unfairly treated or subject to someone behaving in an unacceptable way by anyone for whatever reason, please say something. I simply won’t tolerate it, please, speak up for yourself and others too.
After the BAME network session I joined the Trust’s Executive Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive Jawad Husain in the Spiritual Care Centre at Royal Blackburn for the ‘Visit My Mosque’ event.
It was great to see so many people taking time out to pop in, over 200 in total who talked to Imam Fazal Hassan, took part in the prayer room tour and discussion, had their hands painted with henna and tried on hijabs. It was enlightening to be part of such an amazing display of inclusivity and diversity.
I said last week that the Festival of Inclusion would demonstrate that we had more in common than will ever set us apart and I still truly believe that. I know lots of colleagues have taken part in the wide range of activity provided as part of the programme and learned from it, as well as being inspired and challenged in equal measure.
Of course, while we are making great strides in our inclusion programme, we know there is room for improvement and we all have a part to play in that.
A timely reminder that October is Freedom to Speak up month which provides a focus for us all on speaking out when we witness behaviours which fall below our own and the Trust’s core values and beliefs. This year the themes being explored are safety, civility, inclusion and everyone, so the Festival of Inclusion has offered a great starting point for conversations.
By speaking to your manager or Jane Butcher, the Staff Guardian, when you see something that is wrong, by being an ally and challenging someone who is using inappropriate language or by completing your NHS Staff Survey and having your say – together we can make an impact and improve not only the Trust, but the lives of those who work and are cared for here.
For this reason, I have asked our Staff Guardian Jane Butcher to draft a guest blog next week.
I have also been reflecting on the significant changes we have experienced in the last few weeks, including the passing of HM the Queen and proclamation of the new King and the advent of a new Prime Minister Liz Truss and a new Secretary of State for Health, Thérèse Coffey, with a whole new health team.
Last week a new document was launched that summarises Government thinking on health called Our Plan for Patients. You might have also heard the Health Secretary herself describe this as ‘ABCD’ which stand as reminder to focus on ambulances, backlogs, care itself and doctors and dentists.
As we head into winter, the Trust continues to make progress on these important areas, but I want to also reiterate that we continue to be incredibly pressured, particularly in our urgent and emergency care pathways. To manage this involves the entire team across all settings and services to deliver optimum flow around the hospital and across our community services, especially timely discharge of patients who no longer need to be on our wards.
Thank you to everyone who remains focused on our ultimate aims, the ABCDs and also our internal mantra to provide safe, personal and effective care – for colleagues and for patients and their families – not just through the winter months but during every day and every night, 365 a year.
To this point, I’ll end by mentioning the brilliant Medicines for Older People (MFOP) team who invited me and Jawad to join their conference this week where they were discussing new and innovative ways to care for some of our most vulnerable patients. It was clearly very productive and excellent practice for everyone in ELHT to remember to focus on continuous improvement.
As always do let me know if you think we could be doing anything differently or better. Feedback, ideas and suggestions are always welcome and appreciated.
Martin