Hello everyone - it's Friday afternoon and, like many of you, I have my fingers crossed that the good weather we’ve enjoyed recently will last throughout the weekend and into next week.
One of the things I’ve noticed is how an extended period of good weather – combined with long hours of daylight – brings out the best in many of us. As the UK basks in sunshine, we instinctively believe that warm weather makes us happier. I can certainly believe it and week I received two pieces of good news which very definitely brought a smile to my face.
Last year we became the first hospital Trust in England to achieve the UNICEF Baby Friendly ‘Gold Standard’, a thoroughly deserved recognition four our Infant Feeding Team. Children need a healthy start in life if they are to become healthy adults. Good child’s health means providing the right conditions for their growth and development and the Trust has worked closely with UNICEF for many years to achieve this high standard. And this week we received the excellent news that our UNICEF accreditation has been renewed for a second successive year, wonderful news for local mums and babies, and a superb achievement by our infant feeding staff.
In addition, the new Paediatric Hub at Rossendale Primary Health Care Centre – a joint venture with East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (ELCCG) – won the Service Transformation Award at the ELCCG Excellence Awards. The Hub is transforming the way in which we deliver healthcare services by bringing more paediatric services out of hospital to provide treatment and advice closer to families’ homes. In less than 12 months, the Paediatric Hub has reduced hospital admissions and A&E attendances, and moved 40 per cent of appointments from hospital to GP practices. In short, it’s an excellent example of collaborative working between NHS service providers that is making things better for staff, patients and the NHS.
On Thursday I had the pleasure to attend the first ELHT/UCLan Medical Conference at Blackburn Rovers Football Club. In recent years we’ve extended our partnership with UCLan and today, more and more ELHT clinical staff are studying and graduating at the University of Central Lancashire. This is without doubt excellent news for the future of NHS healthcare across our region and a partnership that continues to break new ground. Just this week, we welcomed 90 medical students from the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) to our first ‘summer school’ programme, led by International Undergraduate Lead, Dr Helen Coutts. The AUC, in partnership with UCLan, are keen for their students to gain exposure to a real clinical environment in a different healthcare setting. Such is ELHT’s outstanding reputation for undergraduate education that we were chosen to pioneer the ‘out of academic year’ programme. Welcome to the students and a feather in the cap of our Undergraduate Team.
A quick reminder that on Thursday 5 July – as most of you will already know - the NHS turns 70! The birthday is the perfect way to say a special thank you to our staff and volunteers, and to recognise their hard work and commitment. There’s lots going on at ELHT – plenty of tea parties, live radio broadcasts and other special events – and I want to encourage all staff (and patients as well) to join in the unique celebrations. If you’re organising or attending a special NHS birthday event, don’t forget to share with your friends and colleagues using the hashtag #NHS70 and send your photos to our Twitter (@EastLancsHosp) and Facebook (EastLancashireHospitals) pages.
Until next time……