Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 14 August
August 14, 2020
I start this message with an urgent ask of all colleagues, and that is to adhere to the rules of wearing a face mask at all times whilst in clinical areas of our main hospital buildings. Where social distancing is not possible then this remains important during handovers, breaks and with ward based teaching. Hand hygiene is equally important. The reason for this is clear, we need to remain vigilant against the transmission of COVID-19 and do everything we can to keep our patients and colleagues safe from infection. Complacency is our enemy, so we must all work together to continue to fight the spread. I think we all recognise the burden of wearing PPE, including face masks, during the recent heat wave, and I would like to thank everyone who has continued to do so in order to prevent further spread. It is a kindness to endure a burden in order to protect others.
I have spoken about kindness in this message in the past, and I’d like to take the opportunity to share some feedback from one of our patients who recently experienced our emergency services. She said: “I was taken to A & E after falling on my face. During my time there which was over five hours the care I received was 100% by each member of staff, with kindness, respect and much more. Just appreciate that the NHS is there for me. Had a number of tests which reassured me after the fall. Thank you all the staff that treated me and other staff on A & E. for being there for everyone.” When we read messages like this, it demonstrates how important kindness is, that it defined this patient’s experience and inspired her to record it in writing.
Today saw the launch of ‘Why Weight?’ – the healthy weight element of our wellbeing strategy. Some of you may have joined in the Webex launch hosted by Head of Your Trust Charity, Johnny Shah. In it he talked about all the opportunities for colleagues to get involved and get fitter and healthier with the support of their colleagues and the Trust. Johnny advised how to access our new health and wellbeing calendar and how to dance with Dr Nick Makwana as he hosts weekly online dance classes every Friday for an hour from 1pm. If you missed today’s launch you can find how you can get involved and registering your interest on Connect.
We were delighted to hear on Thursday that we have now achieved financial close on our two multi-storey car park developments at City and Sandwell hospital. Thanks go to Jim Pollitt and Chris Archer for their work on securing this alongside our partners Q Park and Prime. The new car parks when built will provide safe and secure car parking for staff and visitors with increased electric vehicle charging points for colleagues and visitors. However in the short term we will experience disruption to car parking on the Sandwell and City sites during the construction phase. If you use our car parks please be patient while they are being built. The construction will start with small scale work on 1 September building up to full construction towards the end of September with the demolition of the SCaT building at City and the staff accommodation block at Sandwell.
Just another reminder that from tomorrow (Saturday 15 August) our car parking barriers will be back in use. Earlier this year we raised the barriers and suspended car parking charges for staff, patients and visitors in response to government guidance and risks associated with COVID-19. Unfortunately this has seen an increase in both inconsiderate parking and security incidents in our car parks. Parking remains free until further notice, however staff with valid parking permits must only park on designated bays on staff car parks. Staff who park at New Square are asked to resume doing so. Much like the one at City, a new afternoon car park for staff working late shifts opens at Sandwell tomorrow – the car park at the back of Trinity House. Parking is allowed between 11.30am and 8am (the next day) only. Vehicles must have left by 8am – vehicles parked outside of these hours may incur a £50 parking charge. With today’s Why Weight? launch, this may be a good time to consider alternatives to driving to work, such as using public transport, E-bikes, cycling to work, or car sharing if that is an option for you.
Next Friday (21 August) Sandwell Council launches its online Jobs and Skills event, showcasing the range of support available to find employment or enter training for our local communities. The event will include information of interest to residents of all ages and career stages. If you know of someone who might be interested in this please tell them to search the council’s website.
Finally, big congratulations to our Star of the Week – Nicole Miles – who has been described most eloquently as ‘a breath of fresh air on the neonatal unit’. During the Covid-19 restrictions Nicole introduced V-Create to the neonatal unit, enabling colleagues to take photos and videos of our youngest patients and send them to their parents when they are unable to come in. This aids close and loving relationships, reducing parents stress and anxiety during an already hard time for them. Nicole is a great advocate of family integrated care, educating staff and patients on developmental care optimising the babies brain growth and development. Well done Nicole.
David Carruthers, Acting Chief Executive