I couldn’t possibly start the blog this week in any other way than to talk about the Royal Visit to Clitheroe Community Hospital yesterday, which I know without question will be a highlight of this year for the Trust (and I say this knowing it is only January).
To meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was an honour and a privilege and I was so proud to be able to introduce them to colleagues and patients who work in and around the hospital.
I want to thank them for taking the time to call in on us and also every single person who was involved in the meticulous planning and preparation an engagement of this magnitude requires.
I know the photographs and news coverage captured the uplifting spirit and genuine joy of the afternoon perfectly – but make no mistake there was a huge and detailed amount of work that went on behind the scenes in advance.
In particular, I want to mention Catriona Logan, Jane Pemberton, Dr Vanessa Warren and Rachel Walton from the Community Integrated Care (CIC) division for the effort they put into making it the brilliant event that it was but also the personal pride and attention they provided to every detail.
They considered everything, thought of everything and fixed everything in a very short space of time – and the result could not have been any better, in any way.
The initial invitation was something developed by Denise Gee, who manages the Trust’s charity ELHT&ME, through her connection with the national charity NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) who were beneficiaries of the money raised by the late Captain Tom. Denise is chair of the North West committee and has been instrumental in identifying very large grants for the Trust from the charity and in ultimately bringing Their Royal Highnesses to Clitheroe.
I know the team were (of course) excited to meet the Royal couple themselves, but the number one objective, from the start, was to put colleague across ELHT front and centre and make sure it was about them. I was part of the initial discussion and it was clear this event would provide a really big morale boost across all settings and services - and we really weren’t wrong.
Between those that organised, to the brave colleagues who sat around the table with the Duke and Duchess to talk about the impact the pandemic has had on their health and wellbeing, to the team supporting the fabulous patient Bill Taylor – who charmed the Royal couple with stories about his life and care – the visit was a perfect reflection of the Trust, everyone in it and everything we do around here.
Of course, the input and support from NHSCT and ELHT&Me was part of that – and never more than when our new therapy puppy was introduced. Alfie – named after a suggestion made by a number of colleagues on our private, staff-only Facebook group – was unveiled by the Duchess as she gave the apricot Cockerpoo puppy a cuddle. By Royal assent, Alfie will now be trained and available for cuddles across the Trust soon.
Thank you to everyone involved, including the team at Clitheroe Community Hospital for the way you represented the Trust yesterday. The visit was a firmly guarded secret at the request of Kensington Palace and I know took some by surprise – but every single person was an absolute star.
Earlier this week, on Wednesday, this same sentiment was writ large in the Trust Board meeting when Non-Executive Director (NED) colleagues and the Chairman Professor Eileen Fairhurst took a number of papers to assure them of the focus and performance of the Trust.
They asked me to pass on their thanks and admiration to staff for everything that has been achieved not just in recent weeks and months, but day in and day out through the pandemic.
And whilst there is a clear need for NEDs and other regulatory colleagues to ensure the Trust is operating effectively, it is equally important to know that this continues to happen despite these unprecedented times.
In recent weeks ELHT has operated with high sickness absence levels as colleagues befall Covid or the need to self-isolate – or suffer from illness generally – as well as managing the impact of the Omicron variant and high demand for services across the organisation.
But, as I said in a previous blog, we have done as well and at times better than could have perhaps been expected and that is down to the sheer hard work and determination of colleagues and a continued pride in providing safe, personal and effective care.
It is important for colleagues to know this is recognised and appreciated at all levels of the organisation and by the Trust Board.
I want to end on a topic which is linked and, I know, creating anxiety for many people - that is the looming deadline for all front-line NHS workers to be vaccinated. The cut-off date as set out by the Government in national legislation is April 1 – but be clear that if you have not had your first vaccine by February 3 it is unlikely you’ll be able to get both in time.
February 3 is really not very far away and I have asked colleagues across the Trust to understand who has yet to have their vaccine so we can chat about why, help and support where we can and if people are adamant they do not want to be vaccinated, then at least we can be upfront and clear about the consequences and what it might mean to them.
The Trust will not seek to coerce anyone who does not want to have a vaccine and we will, of course, always respect personal choice in this matter.
But this is national legislation that we must comply with, there is no discretion or ‘grey area’ and I want to be sure everyone understands the implications of their decision and is able to weigh it, fully informed, with all of the options available to them and clear information about what might happen next.
If colleagues have not had their vaccine, I am encouraging them to talk to their line manager. For anyone who wants to have it, staff or in the community, we have supply and capacity and we can and will sort it out without delay.
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions or feedback, whatsoever, please let me know.
Martin