Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 16 July
July 16, 2021
You will have heard the government’s announcement this week that most COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted from Monday 19th July. We may all have very different views about this next stage in our country’s response to the ongoing pandemic, however, I want to make it really clear that within our hospitals and healthcare facilities our infection prevention and control arrangements will remain for the foreseeable future.
You must continue to wear the appropriate PPE for you and for the area you work in. This means wearing Trust-issued masks in any shared public area, maintaining a social distance from colleagues and patients where you are able, frequent and thorough handwashing.
These arrangements will remain in place for all patients and visitors to the Trust. Face masks (Trust-issued) must be worn as people enter our buildings.
A national NHS announcement was issued yesterday that confirms this position for all NHS organisations in England which is welcome. We will step up our arrangements on main entrances with additional staffing to ensure that people continue to follow these rules.
I know that many of us are tired of these restrictions at work but it is vital that we are alert to the very real situation in our hospitals where the number of patients with COVID-19 continues to rise. Last week I wrote about the stark reality of the pandemic and the impact it is having right now on our services. This, perhaps inevitably, caused some media interest which was able to reinforce the need for vaccination rates to increase. Sandwell rates are better than those in West Birmingham but there remains some way to go to ensure all who can, take the opportunity to protect themselves from COVID-19. The mortality risks in younger age groups is smaller however, COVID-19 is a nasty illness and the impact of long COVID is only beginning to be fully understood.
This weekend is a second Big Walk-in Weekend for vaccines where everyone over the age of 18 is encouraged to attend a nearby vaccination site to “grab a jab”. This is for first and second doses although second doses shouldn’t be taken sooner than 8 weeks after the first dose. Please tell those you know and love to step forward and get a jab. None of us want to see restrictions continue with no end in sight and nor do we want a return to peaks of COVID-19 patients that subsequently impacts our ability to safely deliver important planned procedures for patients who have been waiting.
Yesterday we held our AGM and it was a privilege to see and present the highlights of the Trust’s past year. Thank you to those of you who joined us. The past year has been unprecedented and yet all in the Trust have continued to pull together to face the challenges of the pandemic head on, with kindness and compassion. Have a look at the short film to remind yourself of just a few key moments in our Trust’s calendar. Such a lot has been achieved amidst very difficult circumstances. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to care for our patients, support our communities and stand alongside colleagues.
While I have your attention, I’d like to say a few words about the shocking abuse of the black members of the national football team following last Sundays final. The abuse was repulsive and has absolutely no place in a society which should, in the 21st century, be more tolerant and inclusive than it has ever been.
I am concerned that we are becoming more divided as a society. Maybe we are not, perhaps it is just that the world of social media and increasing preparedness to expose such intolerance makes it seem that way. Either way, for the avoidance of doubt, our Trust Board is committed to developing an organisation which is inclusive and promotes diversity, so we are reflective of the community we serve. Racism has no place in our Trust and strong action will be taken when it occurs. Please do step forward and help us to tackle racism if you have experienced or witnessed it. Speak up.
Richard