Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 25 December

December 25, 2020

So here we are – Christmas Day 2020. When we think of the last year it’s almost unimaginable to think how what started as a mysterious respiratory disease in Wuhan, China almost a year ago, has completely changed our lives and how we work.

It has been a difficult year for all of us, and one where we have all pulled together to help each other through with kindness. This pandemic has taxed us way beyond what we would ever have expected. And, we are still stepping up and responding, as we continue to endure all that COVID-19 brings to our door.

To say thank you, you will all be receiving a little package (distributed through your Groups) as gratitude for your hard work. Within it you will find a commemorative rainbow badge, a £10 shopping voucher and of course the obligatory bar of chocolate – after all tis the season to be jolly! This, just a small token to thank you for all you do for each other and our patients. Our fight against COVID-19 is not over, but there is a glimmer of hope as we continue to learn about improved treatment for coronavirus patients and the new vaccine that some of our most vulnerable are already benefiting from.

It’s great to see Christmas cheer going on around us, despite the difficulties of the restrictions we face. This, like all years, local organisations such as West Bromwich Albion have come together to ensure our younger patients in hospital with us today get to experience Christmas day with some normality. Your Trust Charity have also once again teamed up with Mission Christmas – Cash for Kids Midlands to help support our local children at Christmas. Earlier this week the charity were invited to the Fort, Birmingham to select a variety of Christmas presents to give to our younger patients. Additional presents will also be distributed by our health visitors amongst the local community to support our most vulnerable children and young people.

And in keeping with the spirit of season, thank you to the City ED team who have come together to provide presents for families who have been most impacted by the pandemic. Every year the team focus on a different patient group or charity – for example the homeless or Women’s Aid – but this year they wanted to give back to the community who supported us during the pandemic.

The entire team including nurses, ward services and porters played their part from donating toys, food, wrapping paper and money to go shopping to buy items – all to bring joy on this Christmas morning to families in our communities. Do take time to find out more about this project in the short film available on our You Tube channel.

Many of you will be working over the Christmas period caring for our patients – thank you. Remember it is important that you consider your own wellbeing, take a break and make use of the expanded Wellbeing Sanctuary on the City and Sandwell sites. This is an opportunity for you to take a moment away from your clinical areas. Details have been shared in the daily communications bulletin.

This Christmas week is extra special as we have not one but two stars of the week from Your Health Partnership. Jacqueline Clarke and Davinia George rapidly set up the successful delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations for the over 80s within the local community. They have both worked incredibly hard, attending work on rest days to ensure the team were in a position to administer the vaccines rapidly and safely. They considered all aspects of the patient journey, ensuring patients were cared for holistically. They worked with the local community and other services within the Trust demonstrating and embracing integrated care.

As we look to the future we must remember there is much to look forward to. Midland Met is still scheduled to complete in 2022. I know most of you are now actively working on your plans and how you will deliver your services in the hospital. Over the next few months we will be begin to share more information on the build how you play a part within it. This week I was delighted to see the short video looking at the progress made so far. Please do take a look at the video and start to visualise how you will work and treat patients in our new hospital. Remember, you are welcome to visit the site; simply contact Jayne Dunn to arrange an appointment for your team.

And it is also good news that we have been selected as a hospital hub to deliver the COVID vaccine; which means we can start to administer vaccinations as early as next week.

For many of you this Christmas Day will be like no other as these extraordinary times mean you may not be able to spend time with the people you love. But, as we try and find a moment to pause, and look towards 2021, let’s reflect on the last year and recognise the kindness you have demonstrated to our patients, relatives and each other.

However you spend your day, I wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas.

Dr David Carruthers, Acting Chief Executive