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Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 2 July

July 2, 2021

It has been a privilege to be part of several outstanding events this week, demonstrating the breadth of commitment and focus that this Trust has to make a difference in areas that really matter.

Thanks to Dr Sarb Clare and the Women’s Clinician Network for putting on a great learning event on Thursday “Stand with me, not by me”, that encourages everyone to be an ally not a bystander where colleagues are facing discrimination and unconscious bias. People who attended and joined in virtually were treated to some excellent speakers and challenged to think about their own behaviours and how best to “upstand” to eliminate inequality.

I was also able to join Your Trust Charity’s kick-off event to mark the public element of our major fundraising appeal which aims to raise over £2.4m to provide enhancements to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital development. In this week’s message I wanted to describe the importance of this campaign and encourage you all to play your part.

You will all know that the new hospital, being built in Smethwick, has its costs of construction secured by public finance. So, the charity fundraising appeal, “We Are Metropolitan”, is not to fund the building work or “bricks and mortar”. It is instead about providing additional benefit to patients, staff, carers, visitors and communities, which exceeds what NHS funding should cover. Charitable funding adds value to the value we add to patients as a healthcare organisation.  Those little extras, in the form of enhanced environment, equipment or person resourced services, are vital, particularly for a population like the one we serve.

The appeal seeks to ensure that MMUH secures its vision as being ‘more than a hospital’ because of the learning, heritage, research and cultural programmes attached to it. The funds will support:

  • Providing leading clinical research
  • A learning programme to support young people to play and develop interest in health care and future careers
  • Enhanced clinical equipment
  • Creating an arts, heritage and cultural centre at MMUH and in the community
  • Outdoor play equipment with community gardens
  • An opening festival programme and ongoing events

The campaign is already half way to its target with thanks to the Campaign Council, who are drawn from representatives of the regional business and voluntary community. Through their efforts, schools, companies and community-based organisations have already made significant pledges of support.

The remaining £1m is down to us and our local communities to find and there are a number of ways that you can contribute. You can sign up to the amazing zip wire challenge and generate sponsorship; you can take part in the Big Tea on Monday where you can donate to raise a cuppa with your colleagues on the NHS’s birthday; you can donate and get your name, or the name of your loved ones, displayed on glass within the building; or you can get creative and organise your own fundraising events. Whatever you choose to do, you will be making a difference to patients, colleagues and local people.

Let’s get behind the campaign and show just what we can achieve together. To find out more get in touch with Your Trust Charity team on trustcharity@nhs.net or call on 0121 507 5196. You can also read more on Connect.

A reminder for all teams that we remain absolutely committed to everyone having time and space to reflect together on your experiences over the last 18 months. Lots of you have taken up the opportunity to book some time off site where you can jointly learn, share and understand your team needs going forward. The Trust has set up a process for supporting and funding your activity so please make the most of this opportunity. You can access the form here or see the supporting information in the COVID-19 bulletin.

Congratulations to this week’s Star of the Week, Jenny Bordicott, Occupational Therapist in iCares who was nominated by a colleague for always going above and beyond for her patients, making them feel well cared for and with the right support in place. She was also praised for her kindness and support to a colleague following a recent bereavement. Thank you, Jenny.

Richard Beeken
Interim Chief Executive