Writing the blog on a Friday always creates a natural moment in the week to look back on everything that has happened and reflect: what has gone well or what could have gone better?
For me, this week has been really tough.
Now, I don’t say that lightly bearing in mind the terrible events that continue to unfold in Ukraine and I want to acknowledge that, no matter what we are going through here at the Trust, nothing can compare to the pain and suffering of people there.
My heart and thoughts and prayers are with everyone caught up in the war and, also, those closer to home within the Trust and our communities who call Ukraine home or have friends and family they are worried about.
We do have people in the ELHT team with links to Ukraine and I have written to them personally to offer my support. I cannot really imagine what they are going through but I hope it helps to know we all care.
And whilst, closer to home we have had one of the most difficult weeks we have ever experienced, one thing I do know I can count on is that we care.
But between the sheer number of really poorly people coming into our hospitals, the ongoing need for inpatient treatment on our burgeoning wards and trying relentlessly to reduce our waiting lists, it’s been the most intense and challenging week.
In particular, attendance in our urgent and emergency departments has been huge and at times it has seemed like however hard we work and whatever we do or try to do to reduce the pressure has escaped our grasp.
I have been into A&E and a number of other departments throughout the week to offer support and check in on colleagues.
I want to say this to everyone working right across the Trust – both in hospital and in the community: I know you are doing everything you can, that you cannot work any harder and that we could not ask for any more. Thank you for turning in every day and every night and for doing everything you can to help our patients and each other, it is appreciated.
I also want to acknowledge the view from the opposite side of the lens, where people are worried about their loved ones and just want to be seen or treated or admitted as quickly as possible. Please know, we’re working hard to do what we can for everyone.
One of the most visible and upsetting things we see in hospitals across the NHS at times of pressure and demand is people being cared for on the corridors.
Of course, this isn’t what anyone wants and only happens when every other conceivable option has been exhausted and care is needed nevertheless. This is hard for everyone to see and accept and do – always and without exception – but know that in every moment there is a team of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to ease flow around the hospital and, indeed, discharge people home, to get those that need treatment into a bed as swiftly as we can.
It’s a relentless task with hundreds of people everyday coming in and being moved around. We are doing our level best in the most challenging circumstances and the team is tired but determined.
It is that strength and spirit that keeps the ELHT family going. I often describe how immensely privileged I am to be Chief Executive. That is something that never fades.
I’m proud of everyone equally, for different reasons, across a diverse organisation with a team of people from all backgrounds and with an incredible range of skills and expertise.
A lot of these are women, which I say specifically as we gear up to mark International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8.
With everything I have just described I am aware that this type of thing might sound frivolous to some, but you won’t convince me it isn’t right to celebrate people and champion equality and diversity whenever we can. Not just for those who put so much into the Trust but for our communities too.
This type of recognition and activity provides an opportunity for energy and smiles and I’ll take both of those in spades, any day of the week.
The stature of IWD has grown through the depth of support and feeling about gender-based bias not just corporately, but within families and people’s everyday lives and we have a strong and thriving women’s network of colleagues across the Trust.
We will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday to raise issues and shine a spotlight on the challenge of continued gender-based bias. It will be chaired by our undeniably brilliant and inspirational woman and colleague Uma Krishnamoorthy. Everyone is invited and I would encourage you to drop in if you can – or watch it back on catch up later.
There is also a podcast which will be released to mark the day which features the women who make up the Executive Team here, sharing their personal stories, exploring ongoing issues and sharing tips and support. I work with these women every day and can confirm they are a formidable bunch, so to hear how they have been affected within their careers and personal lives is interesting and thought provoking – and well worth a listen in my opinion.
I’m really proud of everything they have and continue to achieve – as well as their spirit to ensure others are supported too.
That goes for everyone in ELHT without exception, actually.
Take care,
Martin