Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 29 July

July 29, 2022

After years of planning, the Commonwealth Games has officially opened, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors, spectators and athletes to the City of Birmingham and across Sandwell. Last night’s opening ceremony was a true celebration of diversity, recognising the many nations that will be participating and also the vibrancy, multiculturalism and optimism that is characteristic of our part of the world.  Birmingham is one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse cities in Europe.

Whilst we have the world on our doorstep over the next couple of weeks, let’s seize the opportunities that this brings. I know that our services will be busy, particularly our urgent care provision, but we are not shouldering the bulk of the health care needs that will arise, as the CWG22 has extensive medical support with on site clinics at all the major venues and dedicated clinical teams. Several of our own staff are spending their valuable annual leave joining such teams, or volunteering in other ways and we really hope you enjoy this experience.

We can show the world just how great we are as an organisation – whether that is by providing the latest health care treatment, our pioneering research and development or simply in the way we welcome, value and care for everyone who comes through our doors.

Although the sporting activities will only last for a fortnight the cultural programme alongside it continues. Do take the time to pop to the Abundance garden outside BTC at City Hospital to enjoy one of the arts projects that we have been involved in. The legacy of the Games must be geared towards opportunities for our various communities, with additional sports programmes in fantastic facilities, cultural activities and new routes to employment. We have our own part to play in this and we should fully commit to doing all we can to improve the life chances and health outcomes of the populations we serve.

Earlier in my message I mentioned that we will have the world on our doorstep in the coming weeks, by virtue of the Commonwealth Games being in our city.  However, we mustn’t forget that the diversity and variety of economic and social deprivation of the two “Places” we serve means we have the world on our doorstep, all the time.  This week I welcomed our new FY1 doctor intake.  I made it clear to them this fact about our local population and how it was an opportunity for them to learn from the wide variety of clinical presentations we see, as well as an opportunity for us to ensure they help deliver the fundamentals of care to that population.

I do hope you are able to make the most of Birmingham 2022 and enjoy seeing different nations come together with some inspiring sport and great entertainment.  The challenge and benefits of our diversity locally will continue long beyond the games themselves.

Richard