It is heartening how the pandemic is no longer dominating our lives as it once did. The number of patients we are treating with Covid-19 is reducing and we’ve eased the visitor restrictions that were in place. A significant factor in these changes is the success of the vaccine programme and we are offering the jab to five to 11-year-olds at the King George Hospital (KGH) Vaccination Hub

One of the joys of being the CEO of our two hospitals is the opportunity it affords me to celebrate my many talented colleagues. I used an appearance in January on the flagship Today programme on BBC Radio 4 to highlight the innovation and learning that has come out of the pandemic.

I would like to wish all readers of my report a belated Happy New Year and I hope you managed to rest and recharge over the Christmas period.

I’m sure I’m not alone in believing that now, more than at any other time, we must treasure the NHS and those who work for it.

I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead an organisation with so many passionate staff and so much potential.

We have all been able to savour the gradual return of much cherished freedoms we lost temporarily as we responded to the pandemic.

It is a great pleasure, after the year we’ve all lived through, to start my report with some positive news.

Our CEO, Tony Chambers, delivers his March 2021 Board report.

I am sure I am not alone in starting this year very conscious of the two conflicting emotions of hope and sadness

2020 has been a really tough year for all of us and I would like to acknowledge the pressures our staff are under and express my gratitude for all they are doing to keep our patients safe and well cared for.