Hello everyone. Have you got that Friday feeling? Hope so.
Whether you have or haven't, we are genuinely interested in your health and wellbeing. That is why we are currently conducting a staff health and wellbeing survey. It is really important that we do all we can to prevent illness, help you face the challenges of your work, and respond positively to any concerns you may have. This is easier if we understand better how you feel about your own health and wellbeing, at home as well as at work. Please take the time to complete the survey; as always, the more people who respond, the more useful and accurate the information is. It will take you just 10 minutes and rest assured, the survey is confidential, guaranteed, so do be honest in your responses. The results of the survey will help us develop a comprehensive health and wellbeing strategy to equip you with the tools and support you may need to lead a healthier lifestyle. The survey is closing Monday, so do it now! Thank you.
Have you seen our new website? It's great and much easier to use than the previous one. This has been an extensive piece of work by our communications team, with the support of many staff throughout the trust and I'm delighted it has been done with minimum disruption. Do take a look and check the information relating to you or your service is as good as it can be. The team will be happy to receive more from you and help you get the most out of the website to benefit our patients and the community. It's our shop window, so let's make sure it reflects accurately how good you are. Thanks to Sally from the Comms team - I know she's worked really hard on this.
Our collaborative Falls Response Service, run in conjunction with North West Ambulance service continues to impress. It received a major seal of approval this week when Professor Keith Willett, Medical Director, Acute Care & Emergency Preparedness NHS England visited following the Royal College of Occupational Therapist's second publication, 'Reducing the Pressure on Hospitals - 12 months on', in which the East Lancashire Falls Response Service was featured.
Professor Willett met the ELHT and NWAS staff and chatted to them about progress to date and ideas for further progression, before spending the afternoon out in the community visiting patient homes to see the team in action. I understand he was very impressed with the number of health, social care and voluntary services working together to prevent people from being admitted to hospital, and the vast range of services that are available within the Pennine Lancashire footprint.
Professor Willett was keen to thank the staff involved and said the service will be his best exemplar for at least the next year! Well done everyone, and thank you.
Please join me in wishing Mental Health Practitioner Toby Campbell, who is running the London Marathon on Sunday in aid of our charity, ELHT&Me, the very best of luck. Given that it is set to be the warmest ever London marathon, let's hope he stays cool and hydrated, otherwise Mo Farah might beat him! This is a great event and a great opportunity for Toby, so I hope he enjoys it and raises lots of money. You can sponsor him here Go Toby!!
Only a week to go to the best night of the year - our STAR Awards presentation ceremony and I can't wait. If you are unable to attend, you’ll be able to follow proceedings on the internet as once again, we will be live streaming the event via our Facebook channel. Good luck to all our shortlisted 'STARs'.
I cannot end this blog without making some reference to our performance. We are on track to achieve 92% for our referral to treatment standard, and I am really proud of this. You all know how difficult conditions have been over a sustained period, so to maintain this level of performance is really fantastic. Despite the well documented pressures for the back half of 17/18 ELHT had a generally very successful year; much better than many others. On behalf of our patients and community, I am grateful for this and I sincerely thank each and every one of our staff for your dedication and skill that has enabled this performance.
Well, we are now three weeks in to 18/19, so it's onwards and upwards!
Have a great weekend.