Closer working with Barts Health

Under the umbrella of the north east London integrated care system, ourselves and the Barts Health NHS Trust group are looking at ways in which our two organisations can work together more closely to transform healthcare services for the benefit of patients, staff and communities, while remaining separate statutory bodies.

Discussions are at an early stage regarding the shape of this collaboration. We will be talking to as wide a range of staff and stakeholders as possible over the coming weeks to listen to their views and inform discussions. We aim to come to a broad agreement on a model which will maximise the strengths of all our hospitals, while delivering added benefits for local communities.

Thank You Week

I’ve said on many occasions that the commitment and resilience shown by our workforce since the start of the pandemic has been incredible.

While we know we can never fully express how grateful we are for how each and every one of our teams stepped up, we’ve dedicated this week as ‘Thank You Week’ to show our appreciation.

We’ve got a packed schedule of activities throughout the week, which was kicked off with a visit from the Metropolitan Police wellbeing dog Dexter and horses to Queen’s Hospital.

Other activities include a virtual exercise class with Mr Motivator (yes from the 90s), a nutrition webinar with West Ham United, African drumming and yoga, meditation and Pilates classes. All of our staff will also benefit from an additional annual leave day as part of the week and there will also be a number of thank you messages, so please look out for these on our social media channels.

The wellbeing of our staff is a priority for us and while we celebrate our colleagues this week, we know that we must continue to offer the support they need. We are continuing to roll out a variety of wellbeing measures including improved staff rest areas and better food and drink options at both of our hospitals.

Making a difference in such tough times

During a week in which we are recognising and thanking our staff, it is poignant to share the story of Emily Petersen, usually a sister on one of our surgical wards, who volunteered to support in intensive care.

Like many of our staff who were redeployed into different areas, Emily had no experience in intensive care and she spent her first day managing four Covid-19 patients alongside a newly qualified intensive care nurse.

Emily had no idea at the time how doing what she does best – providing bedside nursing care for a patient, Micky Miller – would make such a difference for one particular family.

She suggested a phone call to Micky’s love ones might help get his “fighting spirit back” but Emily didn’t know what that call would mean to the family. It was the final time Micky spoke with his wife and daughter, as he later sadly died.

It’s a reminder of just how much our staff care about making a difference, even in such difficult times.

Pioneering scheme to reduce nurse shortages

Sometimes it’s only later in life when we decide what career path we want to take, and as we all know, life can get in the way and having bills to pay can stop us from getting the qualifications we need.

This is why I am so proud that our Trust was the first in England to offer staff the opportunity to train to become nurses while continuing to work full-time with us.

For whatever reason, it’s not always possible to take the usual degree route after leaving school, so the apprenticeship route into nursing is perfect for our staff who are already working in patient care.

One person who took advantage of this opportunity was 36-year-old Thomas Hill, who worked as an electrician but knew it wasn’t the career for him.

I’m delighted to say that Thomas is now a qualified nurse thanks to our scheme. Five years ago, our nursing vacancy rate was at times up to 40 per cent, so I also want to say well done to all involved in this fantastic scheme as we now have a vacancy rate of four per cent.

I hope, as always, you have a good week. If you’d like to join in with our Thank You Week, please do share a message on social media. 

Best wishes. 

Tony Chambers
Chief Executive