Stakeholder update from Chief Executive Tony Chambers: 19 October 2020 | Chief Executive’s video diary and stakeholder update

Stakeholder update from Chief Executive Tony Chambers: 19 October 2020 | Chief Executive’s video diary and stakeholder update

Stakeholder update from Chief Executive Tony Chambers: 19 October 2020

I hope you are all keeping well. I feel quite rested now after a week of annual leave – I’m a strong advocate of us all looking after our physical and mental wellbeing, particularly as the darker nights are drawing in and we need to prepare for the challenges winter brings. One thing that I believe always makes us feel better is in knowing we’ve been able to help others – so my message around plasma donation may very much strike a chord with you.

Plasma donation to support Covid-19 research

Since the first wave of the pandemic we have learnt an incredible amount and as with any new virus, sharing of best practice and research have been key in helping us find new treatments and new ways to improve care for patients.

Which is why I’m pleased we have been taking part in a ground-breaking national clinical trial whereby patients who are struggling to develop their own immune response receive the antibody-rich plasma of people who have survived the virus.

We have now treated nine patients with COVID convalescent plasma, which could slow or stop the virus spreading, potentially saving lives.

The plasma is being collected and supplied by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and we are supporting their urgent call for people who have had coronavirus to donate plasma at their Stratford Donor Centre. Around 500 donations have been taken so far and more are needed urgently, so that if the trial confirms the benefits to patients, stocks can be made available for general use.

If you or your friends and loved ones have had confirmed coronavirus or the symptoms, you can volunteer to donate plasma at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk. I do hope many of you will help support this vital trial.

Perfect Endoscopy Week

I recently wrote to you about our Orthopaedic Perfect Week – well this week it’s the turn of our Endoscopy team. Endoscopy is a procedure that looks at organs inside the body, by inserting an endoscope - a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at one end – into the body.

It’s a vital procedure that helps diagnose various conditions, such as stomach or oesophageal cancer, so it’s crucial that patients who need to have their endoscopy do come in for it. We know that many patients continue to be concerned about coming into hospital – below I have highlighted some of the ways we’re continuing to keep them safe.

I look forward to updating you on how the week goes.                                                                                                                                                     

Keeping you safe

Whilst we continue to manage living with Covid-19, other serious health concerns don’t go away – and it is worrying that so many patients across the country are still fearful of seeking the diagnosis and treatment they need.

Your support in informing our local communities how we are looking after them is a huge help and I’d encourage you to do everything you can, so that people’s health does not deteriorate due to non-Covid related illnesses such as heart conditions and cancer.

Planned procedures such as endoscopies, and planned surgeries, are set up as ‘green pathways’. In essence this means we keep them as covid-free as is humanly possible.     

A few days before, patients are tested for Covid-19 and are asked to isolate until they come in for their procedure. When they do come in, they enter through a separate, dedicated entrance and are screened – they have their temperature taken and are asked a series of questions. They will be asked to sanitise their hands and need to wear a surgical mask or face covering, as and where appropriate. All our staff are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, and are required to stay within the ‘green zone’ for their whole shift. Access to these areas is strictly controlled to minimise footfall.

Our short video sets out what to expect; there is also information on our website.

My plea to you is to encourage our local communities to look after their pressing health needs and re-iterate the ways in which we are keeping them safe.

National recognition for our paediatric asthma team

Another great thing we can all do for our health is stop smoking. I’m delighted to share that our paediatric asthma team has been recognised by the Royal College of Physicians. Thanks to their incredible work, the Trust has been identified as one of the top-performing sites in the country by the National Asthma and COPD Audit Programme (NACAP) for providing parents and carers with support and advice on stopping smoking.

An audit we carried out demonstrated that 100 per cent of parents and carers of children or young people with asthma received information and advice on tobacco dependency which is fantastic. And with tobacco prices so high these days, it’s not just theirs and their children’s health needs that will benefit!

Black History Month  Rising Star Angela shares her story

As you know, I love to share the incredible stories of our staff.

Last week Kathryn talked with pride about our two Black History Month (BHM) Rising Stars. This week nurse Angela Simiyu tells us about starting her career in nursing in Nairobi before moving to continue her vocation here in the UK, and how as a respiratory nurse she was so involved in caring for our Covid patients. You can read Angela’s story on our website.  

Our second Rising Star Lola Smith will be sharing her story too, as we continue to celebrate BHM during October.

Allied Health Professions (AHP) Day

And another star in her own right, Sarah Davies, previously an AHP herself and now a Senior Intern mentoring new AHPs, talks about her role in supporting colleagues. After 27 years at our Trust she’s certainly well placed to guide and advise them! You may recognise Sarah from the BBC daytime documentary Saving our Nurses that followed the work of the intern team.

As always, do continue to look after yourselves.

Best wishes

Tony Chambers

Chief Executive

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