While workplaces across the country are winding down for Christmas, our NHS is here for patients every day of the year! And what keeps our hospitals going, of course, is our wonderful staff working hard over the festive period.   

Today I have been visiting as many wards as possible to say thank you to staff in person. Walking around, I have been hugely impressed, as always, by the care and compassion shown by staff.

I spoke to colleagues in various wards and our Emergency Departments at both Queen’s and King George hospitals.

I would have liked to be able to visit all wards of course, but from the teams I’ve visited today, I can see how hard our staff work for our patients, particularly when we are in a very busy winter period. I have seen that our staff have a real commitment to patient safety and quality of care is at the forefront of their work.

So, once again, thank you very much to all of our staff working hard over Christmas and the New Year. I do hope that you have some time to rest and to spend with your loved ones.

Joe Fielder

Chair