Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 16 September

September 16, 2022

Firstly, thank you to everyone who is working this weekend and on Monday that has been designated a Bank Holiday. In the NHS the work to care for patients comes first and all our usual urgent and emergency care services remain open so that patients who need immediate care can be looked after. We are running some emergency theatre lists and of course, our essential community services and inpatient ward activity remains. Thank you for your dedication to our patients during this time.

For those of you who are working I wanted to bring to your attention some key moments over the weekend.

At 8pm on Sunday a national moment of reflection has been announced. I would like to encourage you to participate in this minute of silence wherever you are and if it is safe and practical to do so. Many patients and staff will want to join in and show their respects.

On Monday 19 September the State Funeral will be broadcast online and on TV channels. If you are working at Sandwell and City and are able to leave your area of work you are welcome to attend the Postgraduate Centre at City (Dining Room) and the Education Centre at Sandwell (Conference Room) where the funeral will be shown. The buildings will be open from 10.30am and the funeral begins at 11am.

We are aware that bedside TVs that are in place in some ward areas are allowing free access to watch the funeral. Other devices that are not being used for patient care can also be used during the period of the funeral to watch it online. At the end of the funeral at 11.55am the Last Post will be played and a two minute silence will follow this.

Our chapels remain open for any colleague or patients to visit and our books of condolence are also available (now at Leasowes and Rowley Regis Hospital until Tuesday 20 September). You can also sign the national online book here.

Thank you for the respectful way you are going about your daily work and continuing to provide outstanding care to patients and families.

The loss of a very public figure can often bring feelings of personal grief and loss so please look after yourselves and each other. Our health and wellbeing support services for colleagues are here to help if you need a confidential conversation, as well as the Black Country hub, run by the Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

I hope that this weekend you can take some time for some personal reflection as we progress through this period of national mourning.

Dinah Mclannahan, Chief Finance Officer
Richard Beeken is away