I’d like to start this week’s post by acknowledging the news of our new Chief Executive, Paul Calaminus. I have already had the chance to congratulate Paul on his appointment and look forward to working with him when he joins later in the summer. Until then I will continue in the role as acting Chief Executive. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support over the last 18 months in the role, it has been a real privilege and I am sure there will be an opportunity for me to say more by way of a thank you as I hand over to Paul when he joins.

This week sees the sees the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain on 22 June 1948 and is an opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the Windrush generation and their descendants to the NHS. Over the years it has been a privilege to learn more about Windrush and to hear from colleagues and patients about their experiences.

As you know the latest junior doctor industrial action has now finished. I know the decision to strike is not an easy one and we support your right to take such action. I also wanted to thank everyone who stepped in to support our patients and to everyone else who worked over this period.

It’s Clinical Audit Awareness Week and we marking the week by celebrating the benefits and impact of clinical audit work in healthcare organisations by sharing good practice and demonstrating best care here at NELFT. You can find out more here.

It is also Learning Disability Awareness Week and it was great to hear from our colleagues Bini Thomas, Darren Savarimuthu and Daljit Kaur Marway on the webinar, sharing the work that is taking place across the Trust to improve the care and experiences of our patients with learning disabilities.

Supporting patients, communities and colleagues who are part of the armed forces is an area of focus for the Trust and one where we receive external recognition for the work we do. As it is Armed Forces Week you can find out more about how we support veterans in the workplace as well as other innovative work we are doing in this space here.

As always, I will sign of this week with a reminder to look after yourselves and each other.

Take care and stay safe,

Jacqui Van Rossum

Acting Chief Executive