I want to focus today on some ‘thank you’s’.
Firstly, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond to recent blogs. Whether you’re in touch by email, through comments on social media or grab a quick hello if you see me out and about – know it is welcome and I do take all feedback and suggestions on board.
In particular, I was pleased to have received so many invitations from various teams who would like to be shadowed in the future following a recent update about it. This open and warm culture is something I really value about the Trust. The fact colleagues actively want to show me what they are doing and the incredible work going on across all hospital and community settings is both assuring and brilliant to see.
I have responded to them all and am working to get them in the diary throughout 2022.
This brings me to another ‘thank you’ and it is simply for all the hard work being delivered each and every day. On this one I want to especially mention all colleagues working in Pendle Community Hospital, in Clitheroe Community Hospital, in Accrington Victoria Hospital, in the Rossendale drop in centre and in every single community team in ELHT.
I know it can feel as though Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital is the epicentre of the Trust’s world sometimes and that colleagues or pressures in our urgent and emergency pathways are referenced more often – but I want to be clear here and now that we are one Trust and one team and we are all in this together. There is no doubt in my mind that if one part of the complex and detailed system isn’t working as it should, we will all very quickly know about it.
Things are pressured and the demand for all services is huge at the moment – but I do intend to be across all sites as much as I am able to, week in week out, and I value everyone equally when it comes to delivering safe, personal and effective services for everyone in East Lancashire (and often beyond).
My next thank you is for everyone who has volunteered to do a shift over Christmas and New Year. I know this is a time when many people around us, working in sectors outside health and social care, take some down time to be with their families and friends. I know that after last year’s restricted festivities, this year will also be more important than ever.
So to see colleagues come forward to fill shifts during this time is again testament to the spirit of ELHT. We will be providing a festive breakfast for all staff in the coming weeks, both in our restaurant and as a ‘grab box’ for those who want to take theirs away. I will be joining Exec colleagues to serve breakfast some mornings, which I am looking forward to, and we will also be getting out to give some personal seasons greetings to as many wards on as many sites as possible before the big day. If you’re working Christmas Day, safe to say our fabulous and award-winning catering team will be looking after you in style.
This links to our Ho-Ho-Home for Christmas campaign, launched this week, which aims to get as many patients home to their families instead of spending it in hospital. There is lots everyone can do to help – in every team, ward, department and setting – to achieve this.
We are also working extremely closely with everyone in the wider system to ensure we act effectively together to support discharges. I would like to say thank you to everyone focused on this for the next two or three weeks. It will make a huge difference to colleagues and to patients I have no doubt.
Lastly, this might seem like an unusual thank you for some, but I want to recognise our local media across the press, digital platforms and broadcast channels who support us year round by amplifying important messages. In particular, I will single out Gill Dummigan who is health correspondent for the BBC in the North West. Gill has once again been with ELHT this week filming some updates for North West Tonight. You will know that she has been a regular visitor to the Trust, particularly through the pandemic, when she has captured the challenges, the effort and, not least, the incredible spirit of this organisation during some very difficult times.
This week she has been to see the teams in Burnley, Rossendale, Blackburn and those based in the community to try and explain how each part of the system works together in a cohesive response. At a time when we continue to struggle from relentless pressure on services, Gill has also tried to explain how individual behaviour and choices can support us, encouraging people to dial 111 before attending ED and spotlighting the new appointment system up and running at Burnley’s Urgent Care Centre.
These films are always thought provoking and impactful not least for the spotlight they place on people affected – and I include patients and colleagues in that. I am thankful we are able to work together to illustrate what life is like inside the Trust at the moment and to try to explain and influence local people about their own choices and behaviour.
Of course, I would thank also those colleagues and patients who agreed to be filmed. It is not something any of us does lightly or without an element of anxiety but, if that helps ease some of the pressure, it is very welcome indeed.
Martin