I want to take the theme of last week’s blog which included a number of ‘thank you’s’ and move on to some acknowledgments this week.
And the first thing to say is how incredibly difficult it is to be in the NHS at the moment.
I say that on behalf of everyone who works in all services and settings right across the Trust and the wider health and social care system as a whole.
Wow, it’s tough. Between the relentless and seemingly never-ending response to Covid, the ‘usual’ winter pressures we face at this time of year, our unwavering dedication to reducing waiting lists as quickly as possible and the real need to support the health and wellbeing of all staff – it’s fair to say there’s plenty on.
Then along comes a new strain of one of the most horrific viruses the world has ever seen, just in time for Christmas.
I want to acknowledge the fact that this is not where anyone wanted to be and whilst the response is proportionate to the concerns and threat of this highly-contagious new variant, it needs to be said fairly and squarely that it has been amazing to see it unfold over the last few days.
We have Omicron in Pennine Lancashire and we have had our first admission of someone suffering from it too. It’s here and we will deal with it – but I want to recognise colleagues who are working in that particular area of Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital. You are all amazing and I know the community owes you a huge debt of gratitude.
I want to also acknowledge those who responded to the national ask to expand an already brilliant vaccination programme when the Government called – by Tuesday we had a new mobile vaccination centre delivered and yesterday I can bear testament to the queue of people waiting to get their jabs.
This might seem like it just ‘happened’ like real Christmas magic but let me tell you the amount of work that goes on in the background to get these additional services and settings up and running is huge.
I want to openly acknowledge the team effort across the Trust. Of course, clinical colleagues – doctors, nurses and health care staff – are rightly recognised by local people and just this week we were awarded an NHS Heroes Award from the local paper the Lancashire Telegraph.
But it is only part of the picture and we must never forget the entire army of people who quietly support the front line in the background. I won’t mention everyone by team or function because there really are too many – but know that I see you and your contribution is immense, recognised and valued.
As Chief Executive I will never stop championing the ‘ELHT family’ as a whole and a team that we are ‘all in it together’.
On that note – we always need more great people to join us across most teams, all the time. If you would like to be part of it – and it is an incredible thing to do – then get in touch. You can see all the roles available here and you can join our ‘bank’ of temporary staff here. I can recommend it – as tough as it is – as a career choice. It’s hugely rewarding and I honestly cannot think of anywhere I would personally rather be.
That said, let’s acknowledge that the festive season is traditionally a time to see friends and family, to eat a little too much and enjoy a tipple in celebration and that it’s going to be different (again) this year.
I know that this is the second Christmas that isn’t going to be quite as we had hoped and we have to acknowledge that we’re not completely sure what the New Year will bring in terms of infections and people needing to come into hospital for care either.
And so while I genuinely wish everyone a safe and peaceful festive season, I’ll acknowledge also the reality might be somewhat different.
What I do know is that we will be here, together and that’s how we will get through it. I do want people to take some downtime for themselves for their own health and wellbeing and to prioritise some self-care too. I am aware of the great number of people who have volunteered for shifts over Christmas and New Year and acknowledge this sacrifice, which is much appreciated.
I will end with the simplest acknowledgment – and that is that we cannot do any of this without the amazing people who make up the ‘ELHT family’. Probably we wouldn’t want to either. Colleagues across the Trust are tired mentally and physically but we turn up and we go again, day in and day out.
For this reason, I want to encourage everyone in our communities to help – get the vaccination, get the booster, get your flu jab and whilst it feels disappointing, think about how you spend your Christmas and who with.
We are all in this together and this will involve everyone making sacrifices. I want to acknowledge that and say thanks.
Martin