Well it’s definitely been a dreary start to the week weather wise, but the same cannot be said of the staff I have met recently. Kick starting the week was a great session with staff over breakfast where people shared concerns over some service specific issues and also more general issues that we should be able to sort such as the phone book not being up to date.
Over the last couple of days I have shared my latest team brief, both at Brierley Hill and Russells Hall and I am encouraged by the amount of questions being asked and the feedback I am getting from you. The only way we can continue to make Dudley Group the very best place to work is if people are prepared to say what it is that concerns them and then more importantly are happy to be part of the solution. We are making head way with the IT niggles that community staff have had for some considerable time now which should see all staff with the Lenovo laptops truly ‘mobile’ within the next two months.
When I say I want to hear what it’s like I really do mean it and a few of you have already contacted me directly about issues and invited me to spend some time with their service, something which I particularly enjoy doing. I’ve spent time with Halesowen GPs and Moss Grove GPs which has been very informative and enlightening about what we can do as a Trust to help support our primary care colleagues.
I’ve also spent some time out on the wards most recently visiting ED, EAU, AEC and A2. The hard work and commitment is evident in bucket loads and I could really see the work that had been put in by staff in AEC following the recent quality and safety review. It is important that we use the process to make sure our services are the very best they can be and it was clear staff had taken on board the actions and delivered.
A huge thank you goes to all of our volunteers. There are over 450 people who willingly give their time for free to the Trust to help make our patients stay that little bit easier. They help patients find their way around the hospital, they provide support at the end of life to patients and their families and help wards and departments with anything they need to go that extra mile for patients. Your support is invaluable and is very much appreciated by all of us – Thank you. For those of you that missed our event there are some lovely pictures on facebook.
I am passionate about essential communication and keeping staff in the loop with news and also ensuring you are consulted and supported to deliver the very best care to our patients. Our patient feedback says we do not always get communication right with patients, their carers and families so we have more work to do to make sure we are all focused on making their experience as comfortable it can be. But first we need to make sure we are all communicating effectively with one another so please take my team brief and share it with your colleagues, it is also on the hub to download for anyone who couldn’t make it.