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Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 22 December

December 22, 2023

As I write this message, we are near the end of the first part of this month’s industrial action days.   Thank you for your all for your continued professionalism and hard work in supporting the organisation to manage to care for patients in the way we would want to.  Nearly 60 per cent of our non-consultant doctors have chosen to participate in this period of industrial action, this means colleagues across the Trust are supporting a gap of 241 roles on our medical rotas each day.

On behalf of the Trust Board, thank you for everything that you do to provide the best possible care for our patients, and for demonstrating support for your colleagues on a day-to-day basis. My Executive colleagues and I have been out meeting staff on the frontline to get a feel for how it’s feeling on the ground and how we can help support you.

Whilst we have seen the calm and professional approach teams are displaying during this pressurised and difficult period, looking after the health and wellbeing of our staff remains important throughout these periods of industrial action. Wellbeing sessions are in place for colleagues who may need that extra support during this time, and I am pleased so say that staff are finding these helpful. Please contact syeda.naqvi@nhs.net or michael.blaber1@nhs.net I would encourage you to drop in and have a chat , or if you have a concern or question, please feel free to email myself on rachel.barlow2@nhs.net, Mel Roberts,  Chief Nursing Officer – Melanie.roberts7@nhs.net or Mark Anderson , Chief Medical Officer –  mark.anderson5@nhs.net.  Planning has also started for the second period of industrial action in early January 2024,  where we will be working on a reduced workforce over a historically busy winter period and public holiday. Again, thank you in anticipation for support during this time.

As we reach the end of the year and reflect on 2023, we should not underestimate the successes and milestones that we have been achieved together. Clinical transformational of services has been evident during the year with the increase in Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) patient pathways avoiding unnecessary admissions which has been enabled in part with the opening of the new SDEC unit at Sandwell.  The development of the Neonatal Community Outreach Service and community based Virtual Wards supporting some of youngest patients as well as our older frail patients at home, are demonstrating impressive clinical outcomes and yielding national recognition as leading best practice. Technical innovation has enabled the introduction of robotic surgical procedures. I-refer Imaging referral pathways have gone live to facilitate the right tests for patients and ultimately help increase optimisation of our radiology facilities through intelligent demand management. Fundamentals of Care remains our key safety focus and has been a driver behind the achievement of 12 months with zero never events and no serious medication incidents. We were also pleased to launch the personalisation of care workstream and the response to our advert for colleagues to become patient experience ambassadors was phenomenal – we know this will enable a better patient experience for those in our care.

Please take some time out at your next team meeting to reflect on your team successes and be very proud of what you have achieved.

We now are less than one year from opening the doors of our new hospital, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. Some of the highlights this year have included:

  • Detailed move planning with colleagues and Healthcare Relocations
  • Recruitment of our induction and move champions
  • Transforming clinical/operational pathways
  • Extensive community and stakeholder engagement
  • Scoping and starting to deliver our strategic long-term benefits
  • Beginning the switch on and testing of our IT network
  • Omnicell pharmacy dispensary robot installation and automated guided vehicles commissioned
  • Welcoming 1,100 visitors to see the progress at Midland Met

The Midland Met project has been going on for some time. Some of our colleagues still do not believe that our new hospital will open its doors,  but I want to reassure all , that as Senior Responsible Officer you have my personal commitment that Midland Met will opens to patients in Autumn of next year.  It will be a superb environment to work in and revolutionise healthcare, improving the health outcomes and wellbeing of people in Sandwell and West Birmingham. It will boost employment with our learning campus opening in 2025 offering access to vocational education – all things that will make it #morethanahospital.

It has been impressive to see the festively decorated departments, to support the wonderful festive events being held by the chaplaincy team and thank our catering and support staff for the festive food created in our staff restaurants and eating areas.  We hope your teams enjoyed the chocolates delivered to your area on behalf of the Trust Board as a small thank you for your continued hard work and dedication to the NHS and the Trust.

Finally, thank you to all of you who are working over the festive period to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care. Christmas is of course a time for rest, relaxation, and reflection – and we hope you enjoy spending time with those who matter most to you.

We look forward to working with you all in 2024.

Regards and best wishes

Rachel