Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 19 February

February 22, 2021

Hello, everyone.  Welcome to my second attempt at a weekly blog and I hope that at least some of its content inspires you – because this week I want to talk about people who inspire us, to be both better in our roles at work, but also better people.

Firstly, some important notices for you all:

Star of the week this week is Randeep Degun from Estates who has been instrumental in putting in place the changes needed in response to the pandemic, including converting the education centre to a vaccine hospital hub. Liam Kennedy, our Chief Operating Officer, is presenting this award.  This is particularly appropriate because much of the work that Randeep and colleagues have delivered, in particular its responsiveness and urgency, will have benefitted the schemes and services that Liam and his teams have delivered during the course of the last few testing months.

We have recently produced a film for women about the breast screening service, emphasising the safety measures that are in place to reassure patients and encourage them to take up screening appointments.  Nationally, screening services will be coming to the fore again as amongst our immediate priorities for service restoration post-COVID wave 2.  Breast screening is hugely effective and we hope this film reminds women of this.

ITV weatherman Des Coleman has produced a film for us talking about the importance of getting the COVID vaccine when it is offered. Des has hosted our staff awards ceremony for the past two years.  The film will be available on our intranet from today.

We will be announcing the winners of our Flu-Per Trooper competition next week, but I would like to congratulate everyone who took the time to go and get vaccinated. We managed to vaccinate 5498 colleagues in total which include 80.3% of patient facing colleagues.

Finally, some reflections on inspirations and inspirational people, many of whom we work side by side with.  This week, we said “happy retirement” to Emergency Medicine Consultant, Jonha Rizkalla, after 30 years at Sandwell.  In that time, he will have inspired medical students, doctors in training, nursing staff and others.  His acquired wisdom and experience will have benefitted many a patient, family and colleague.  All of us will have worked with or do work with, a Jonha.  We wish him all the best in his retirement.

I have also myself been inspired and enthused by the colleagues I have met in this, my second week at the Trust.  I’ve been inspired to help put my weight behind the inclusion agenda after great discussions with both LGBT and Disability action staff leads.  I have met a terrific group of Deputy Medical Directors and Group Directors, each with a unique experience, talent and role which will help the Trust realise its integrated care ambition, deliver better quality services and radically change its care model for the move to the MMUH.  I’ve seen a talented executive team start to lift their heads up from the immediate management of the pandemic and look to what the Trust and our populations need in the longer term and I’ve discussed how our organisation, with its significant reach and size, can play an increasing role in the research and development of clinical care, so this isn’t always just seen to be the preserve of the traditional university teaching hospitals.

Many people have inspired and motivated me this week.  Who has inspired you?  We are all leaders – so who have you inspired today and how?

Best wishes

Richard