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Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 24 July

July 24, 2020

This week I have been reflecting on how small things matter and really make a difference to people. Often, things we do that seem inconsequential to us actually have a big impact on people’s day and overall experience. The sort of things I am talking about could be; checking in with a friend to see if they are ok, making someone a cup of tea, helping with directions, assisting a colleague with the care of a patient, or chatting to a family member who is worried about their relative. For our patients it often makes the difference between a good experience of care at our Trust or a poor one. And for our colleagues and ourselves, it can transform how we feel about our work as an employee at SWB. We all need to feel valued and recognised, and small acts of kindness – the theme of our response to COVID-19 – mean a lot in keeping us motivated and resilient in the face of hardship.

This way of behaving is exemplified in Star of the Week, training nurse associate Bradley Parsonage on N3. Bradley is well-loved and appreciated by his ward team and was nominated for the work he has done during the pandemic, particularly supporting two COVID+ dementia patients but also because his team recognise and value his helpfulness and the general support he provides to the ward. He has shown willingness to learn and is always ready to offer a helping hand to patients. Bradley was amazed to receive this award and for being recognised for all the small things he does to make life easier for his colleagues and more pleasant for the patients he looks after. Well done, Bradley!

Small things we do, added together, can have a huge impact on the people around you. Our infection control approach is similar – you may think that wearing a mask in a clinical building is a small thing that makes no difference, but, combine that with our responsible approach to social distancing, regular handwashing and the wearing of all the appropriate PPE in close contact with patients, then you can be assured, and our patients can be assured, that you are doing your best to keep people safe. So, here is a reminder that you must wear a mask in our clinical buildings, not just in our consulting rooms, patient homes, theatres and wards but in the corridors of our premises and as you enter through the communal areas. NHS workers have been held up as heroes throughout the pandemic and recognised for all the essential, caring work that you do, day in, day out. Let’s make sure we set the right example and maintain high standards both when at work and at home. People look to us for guidance and will follow what we do as trusted experts. It’s our duty not to let them down.

You will have seen news coverage this week about the increasing cases of COVID-19 across Sandwell. My thanks go to our fantastic community outbreak team who have been in to workplaces in Smethwick to do rapid testing. We are keeping a close eye on the numbers of cases so that we can best support patients in the community and those who may need hospital admission. These cases are a stark reminder that the virus has not gone away and we must remain vigilant, despite the easing of restrictions in our daily lives. Please share the messages about staying safe from Sandwell’s director of public health, Lisa McNally, which are available in other languages, with your family, friends and patients.

Pictured above is our latest cohort of WoW (World of Work) participants. This programme is led by our volunteer service with support from the learning and development team, widening participation and finance colleagues who are delivering a programme of support to people who want to develop their skills and experience, progressing into work or further education. The programme gives them volunteering opportunities at the Trust and with partners in the community as well as training to stand them in good stead when applying for posts. If you have volunteers from the WoW programme supporting your team with a placement please help them and support them. The programme is needed perhaps now more than ever as people in our communities experience job losses, businesses failing and loss of confidence in finding work. Contact the volunteer team to find out more about the programme and if you know of anyone who could benefit in future cohorts.

Next month we welcome new medical students from Aston and Birmingham Universities and I am really delighted with the partnerships we have built with these two institutions. The programme at Aston is focused on widening participation, taking on students who have been previously underrepresented in the medical workforce as well as international students. This, combined with the good work already done at the University of Birmingham on widening participation, means we will see more trainees from a varied background progressing through their medical careers at our Trust. We consistently receive positive feedback from students who take part in placements here, thanks to our brilliant education teams, tutors and supportive colleagues and I am confident that this summer’s cohort will have a really positive experience. As you see the new starters out and about do take the time to welcome them and offer them your help. As I said at the start of the message, it will be the small things you can do that they will remember and it will help them to settle in well at the Trust.

Further new arrivals have been seen on our Trust estate this week with mobile scanners at Sandwell and City Hospitals. This additional capacity is helping support our restoration and recovery plans, completing tests that were rescheduled due to the pandemic. Thank you to everyone who is working hard across the Trust delivering sessions during the evenings and weekends to minimise delays for our patients. It is great to see activity increasing and confidence building that we can provide safe care for our patients.