Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 7 May
May 7, 2021
There are two important campaigns being marked next week. National Nurses Week begins on Monday and I will talk about that in next week’s message. The other campaign, that I want to focus on today, is Mental Health Awareness Week that runs from Monday up to 16 May. It is a timely reminder for all of us to ensure we spend time reflecting on our own mental health and accessing the resources and help that we need, whatever that may be.
The year we have just experienced has thrown into the spotlight the importance of mental health and individual (and team) wellbeing. The pandemic has had a significant impact on everyone’s lives and it is natural that this impact can cause mental health issues or exacerbate pre-existing conditions.
Throughout the pandemic, the impact on key workers, particularly those of us working in health care, has been significant. National and international reports have cited the potential risks of mental trauma affecting clinicians and others who have been directly supporting COVID-19 patients. Critical care services nationally, for example, when surveyed, showed that over 30% of their staff were suffering symptoms of post-traumatic stress. 12% had had or were having, suicidal thoughts. As a response to this, our Trust enhanced its range of resources to support people during the year that have been well-used and valued. We will continue to provide these resources to you and refine them in the coming months. Your recovery is important to us.
The pandemic may at present be in a retreating phase in terms of prevalence of COVID-19 cases but the mental impact of the pandemic does not retreat in the same way. We all need to create the time and space to reflect and recover. Mental Health Awareness Week provides us with a useful prompt, along with helpful tips to enable us to do this.
“Nature” is the theme this year which was selected by the Mental Health Foundation because of the positive benefits that being in green spaces has on our mental health. Their research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic showed that going for walks outside was one of the top coping strategies, and that people spent time noticing nature more during the year. Some walks are more pleasurable than others, of course. At the weekend my wife and I struggled our way up Cader Idris and wondered whether our mental wellbeing had improved at the obvious expense of our physical state!
I would encourage you all to reflect on your own mental wellbeing next week and check out the resources on offer. You can also access the Foundation’s top tips and share your experiences with #ConnectWithNature. Look out for more information in our Communications Bulletin next week. And make sure you check in with your colleagues, friends and family too. By looking out for each other we will be more able to find the right support to make things better.
And, on the theme on mental wellbeing, what better way to kick off the month than taking part in Dr Nick Makwana’s May dance4wellbeing. Nick was joined by a host of senior nurses and others this month, all busting their moves for your entertainment, but also so you can take part and boost your physical and mental health. Nick would welcome hearing from you about your participation so be sure to share your own photos and films.
Thank you to the maternity team for hosting me on Wednesday as part of their celebrations for International Day of the Midwife. We were lucky enough to receive an unannounced inspection from the Care Quality Commission in maternity services on the same day! Whilst I am not yet in receipt of the CQC’s full findings following their two day visit, the inspectors who have shared initial views have expressed how much they enjoyed their visit and how welcomed they felt. No doubt they will be sharing areas where they recognise we can make improvements and I welcome their oversight as we continue to progress our maternity improvement plan, led by Helen Hurst, Director of Midwifery and the Group/Directorate leadership team.
Congratulation to Zaheer Iqbal, Portering / Security Manager who is our Star of the Week. Zaheer was nominated by a colleague for his hard work and dedication that has been an inspiration. Throughout the year Zaheer has risen to the challenges of the pandemic and is consistently friendly and helpful to all he comes across. Thank you, Zaheer.
Richard Beeken
Interim Chief Executive