Here are a few highlights from the last fortnight – my last diary for a few weeks due to holiday

 

 

 

 

Emergency care

 

Despite the summer weather we are still experiencing severe pressure at times, with a record attendance in our Emergency Departments of over 800 on one day last week

I always defend our organization and staff strongly, but internally we are continuing to have frank discussions about improving our 4hr performance. Each hospital has different ‘pinch points’ – at Good Hope it remains difficult to achieve sufficient discharges, while on the Heartlands site the current issues are at the ‘front door’. I and my deputy are closely involved, and we are supporting wherever possible while our comprehensive urgent care plan is being implemented

 

Our staff are excellent, hard-working and committed, and I know we have a strong plan and that our performance will steadily improve. It is really important that it does because we know the pressure can translate into a poor patient experience, but the time it is taking and the absence of any ‘summer respite’ is making this an uncomfortable time for us all

 

 

The next generation of doctors and managers

 

Over the fortnight I have been fortunate to meet a good number of inspirational young people – I met several great young managers who I mentor, all of who demonstrate a thoughtful approach to management and a very strong values-base.

We also held our second learning set for young doctors interested in leadership. At the session we had an excellent presentation and discussion led by Dr Gavin Ralston who is a GP and Chair of our largest local CCG – the following slide he showed generated a lively discussion!

 

 

I also attended the graduation dinner at Birmingham University and was lucky enough to meet one of the prize-winning new graduates. It is astonishing how much she had packed into her time at university and while it was a very long day I left feeling a strong sense of optimism for the future

 

When the going is tough and everything feels hard it is truly refreshing to spend time with young people – their optimism and idealism is infectious and motivating, and if the people I met over the fortnight are typical, then our service is in good hands!

 

 

Pathology Laboratory opening

 

Our fantastic new laboratory facility was formally opened by Lord Carter of Coles this week – we were delighted he agreed to come along as he authored the influential 2008 report on the future of the service. Inside the lab, the new automated track for blood test analysis is really impressive and will allow us to both improve service quality and reduce costs.

 

It is always nice to re-visit to my pathology roots, and great to see such positive developments in what is one of our most effectively managed directorates

 

 

Personal coaching and transformation

 

We all need to reflect and take stock occasionally, and use the opportunity to think through our challenges and how best to address them. I met my new coach last week, spent some time discussing current and future imperatives, and came away determined to move along the transformation of our organization more speedily. This was timely in view of this weeks comments from the NHS CEO.

Most people I meet believe significant transformation is necessary but I’m not sure that, as a health service, we are moving ahead at sufficient scale and pace. Locally, we are looking at transforming the organization through strategies for clinical service realignment, service integration, business systems and digital streamlining, digital clinical record and systems, and estates

 

These are the right areas to be working on, but we are too cautious. I am resolved to progress these more quickly now – where the groundwork has been carried out there are decisions to be made!

 

 

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