Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 15 July

July 15, 2022

Thank you for your continuing hard work to keep going, delivering safe patient care in these extremely challenging times. As you are aware, our COVID-19 cases in our hospital beds, and in the community are on the rise again. Many of you have fallen victim to this latest wave (myself included – which is my fourth time of catching the virus!), which is proving to be extremely transmissible. Staff absence has increased as people isolate on receiving a positive test result. This is putting additional pressure on all of our teams.

In light of this, on Monday we reintroduced mask wearing in all areas of the Trust (indoors) and we are fully expecting everyone to comply with this vital measure. And, yesterday, we reviewed our staff isolation guidance encouraging people to test from day 4 enabling colleagues to return to work after two consecutive negative LFD tests 24 hours apart, if people are medically well. This strain does not appear to lead to more serious illness among most of the population, however vulnerable people remain exactly that – vulnerable to more severe health outcomes which is why we need to continue to be vigilant, practising our robust infection prevention and control policies to protect ourselves, our colleagues and our patients.

On the theme of vigilance, please be aware that phishing attempts are increasing (people trying to access your email accounts). If you get an email that looks a bit odd, or asks you to download something / click a link, please don’t respond but let our IT helpdesk know on ext 4050. Don’t use the same password for work and home as our IT team won’t be able to help you if your home accounts get compromised.

The urgent and emergency care pressures are continuing and this week have been intense right across the region. We are supporting even more patients due to other partners being very challenged and in a more difficult state than ourselves. And this weekend and the start of next week will lead to severe heat that, as you know, can be dangerous to patients and the population at whole. We are continuing to encourage the local population to take care, avoid the sun and keep hydrated. From Sunday our catering and portering teams will be delivering bottled water out to staff across many clinical areas in recognition of the difficulties in getting a break to replenish your water supplies. It is my promise that water will be on hand for those who need it. Uniform policies have also been relaxed from Saturday morning to Wednesday morning so make sure you are familiar with the alternative options that you can wear at work. Do take care of yourselves and your colleagues over the next few days. Keep an eye out for those around you and check that people have enough water and are protected from the sun as the temperatures soar.

Thank you, once again, for keeping patient safety at the forefront and for your compassion in supporting one another. I am truly proud of all of you.