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Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 15 September

September 15, 2023

Stakeholder visits to MMUH have really gained momentum over the summer and into autumn. In late August we shared an update and tour with Richard Parker (Labour Mayoral Candidate) and last week we welcomed HealthWatch Birmingham (and next week HealthWatch Sandwell) on site for a tour of progress.

Yesterday, I was delighted to host National NHS system partners in a visit to our new hospital.   In the morning I led a contingent from the Black Country ICB, CEO Mark Axcell and Chair of the Black Country Healthcare NHS Trust, Jeremy Vanes. Joining the tour were directors from NHS England – Matt Neligan who is Director of System Transformation, Adam Doyle, National Director of System Development and Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer and National Director for Vaccinations and Screening.

In the afternoon we hosted a visit from colleagues from NHSE Regional Team including Rebecca Fellows and Katrina Boffrey.  Both parties were taken on a tour of MMUH and were extremely impressed at the progress of the hospital to date and the momentum showing for completion of the build, ready for opening in 2024.

Both visits allowed also allowed time for a wider system leadership discussion.  It is really important that we host meetings like that as it allows us to provide not only an overview of the progression of MMUH but to also give feedback on what help that we need from them. In our discussions this included financial, operational, and political and we made good inroads in all areas.

I feel that our visitors left with a greater understanding of the support we need to get us over the finish line, and they were immensely impressed with progressive approach to population health, employment and regeneration as well as partnership working across systems. I would like to reiterate my thanks to colleagues for organising the tour and supporting presentations.

Yesterday,  we also held a volunteer taster session. I was delighted to hear that there were over 100 applicants for volunteer roles at the new hospital and our volunteer lead, Pat Hunt welcomed many of them to explain more about what their roles would entail and a look around MMUH and what is has to offer.

It is so exciting to get the opportunity to reach so many different stakeholders who are all imperative to the delivery and success of MMUH.

Our next opportunity to talk to internal stakeholders is at the Clinical Group MMUH Away Day on 26 September – if you are not in that audience don’t worry, there are plenty more opportunities to learn more about MMUH by attending one of the regular Lunch and Learn sessions, visiting the MMUH Community Bus, looking on Connect and on social media.

Finally, preparations are already underway for the next round of industrial action by our non-consultant and consultant colleagues. Consultants will strike on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 September and non-consultant doctors will strike on Wednesday 20, Thursday 21, and Friday 22 September. For the first time during this pay dispute, non-consultant and consultant colleagues will undertake joint action on the same day (Wednesday 20 September), which means we will be calling on you even more to provide support where you can, so we are able to maintain safe, quality care. Whether you are helping out in a key admin role, providing a vital support function, or supporting colleagues clinically – thank you so much for everything you are doing. I appreciate and understand the pressure and challenges you are all facing and remind you that there is support available should you need it, either through your line manager or our occupational health and wellbeing team. The exec team and I will be doing wellbeing checks throughout next week – so please do let us know how we can better support you.

Thanks Richard