Published on: 29 October 2021

Hello everyone,

Firstly, I’d like to start with a big ‘thank you’ for all my colleagues working in or supporting our frontline emergency and acute services at ELHT. We’ve had a very challenging few weeks with high demand for urgent care as well as coping with the continued presence of COVID.

I’m conscious that every part of our #ELHTFamily is working flat out now. Whether that’s in our maternity services, paediatrics or critical care, which have all faced challenges, or indeed those helping to clear back logs of planned treatments and appointments.

Whether you’re in a patient facing role or a supporting one like me – you’re all doing incredible things for our patients and our communities. Thank you.

As the community cases of COVID continue to rise across East Lancashire, it is sadly only to be expected that some of those people need additional support and care and are being admitted to our hospitals. It’s so incredibly important that, as a community, we work together to reduce the spread of the virus and do all we can to keep each other safe, particularly those who are clinically vulnerable. We know from the scientific evidence that following the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance and taking up the COVID vaccination and the booster when offered to you, is the best way to provide protection. Please play your part in keeping yourself safe.

I think I have to say that we know this winter is going to be challenging but we have to do our best to deliver safe urgent and emergency care, carry on with the work to reduce elective waiting lists/backlogs, achieve the financial targets for the second half of the year whilst continuing to look after our colleagues when we know people are tired. 

This is going to be really tough but it’s what is expected of us, both nationally and by the public and our patients. It is the current ‘leadership challenge’. It will be hard but If anyone can do it, it’s ELHT thanks to the dedication, hard work and tenacity of our great staff.

In the midst of these very challenging circumstances, I want to be able to take a moment to shine a spotlight on our fantastic, diverse #ELHTFamily. It’s their drive, commitment and passion that have allowed us to continue to provide safe, personal and effective care despite the continued pressures we are under.

Throughout Black History Month, we’ve been highlighting the work of black colleagues across the Trust who have shared their experiences and given an insight in to their cultural background, like Lola Winter, Mental Health Practitioner, and Oladunni Akinbulumo (‘Dunni’), Staff Nurse.

Lola is also a Freedom to Speak Up Champion, and as part of Freedom to Speak Up Month, we’ve been promoting the support available to colleagues who would like raise concerns at work, safely and confidentially. I’d encourage you to read the guest blog from Nicola Bamber, Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, if you have a few spare minutes. We want to do everything within our power to foster an honest, open culture where people feel comfortable and confident to speak out, resolve issues and make positive changes. And this will continue all year round.

We’ve also been able to celebrate our black colleagues’ successes and achievements, such as Junior Doctor Chanelle Smith’s feature in Captain Sir Tom Moore’s book “One Hundred Reasons to Hope”. I’m so proud to be leading a team of colleagues from a range of backgrounds, with different religious beliefs, customs and traditions.

I want to take the opportunity to reiterate a statement we made in July 2021. ELHT is an anti-racist organisation. We will not and do not tolerate racism.

Being against racism is not enough. If we see something, we must actively say something. If you face abuse, do not accept it. If you see someone else being abused, do not ignore it.

Be in no doubt – unacceptable language or behaviour towards others has no place in our culture, within our wards, in our community or our workplaces. We encourage you to speak up, call it out and reject it. We want colleagues, service users and carers to feel supported and safe, irrespective of skin colour, culture, ethnicity or faith, gender, sexuality or if they have a disability.

We are pro-actively raising and tackling the issue, with events such as our annual Festival of Inclusion aiming to bring people together to talk about these issues. The launch of our ‘Inclusion Wall’, prominently displayed on one of our main corridors on the Royal Blackburn site, acts to promote our fantastic and diverse workforce. It demonstrates that each and every individual who passes through our corridors is valued and respected.

I am proud of our diverse workforce and the care we provide to everyone, no matter their background. We will play our part in creating a society free from discrimination and a workplace that is safe, happy and where everybody can thrive.

There is more to do, but with your help as a colleague, volunteer, patient or partner, we can achieve equality for all. You can read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Intent which contains further details. Let’s continue to be actively anti-racist and work together for a better future for all.

And finally, on behalf of the Executive Directors and the Board I’d like to say one last thank you for your continued care, compassion and always putting our patients first.

Have a wonderful weekend. And a special #CEOShoutout to everyone who is working this weekend. Especially those who will be working an extra hour due to the clocks going back on Saturday night/Sunday morning. I hope you are able to find some time to relax and rest.

Until next time,

Martin