Coronavirus - keeping in touch with our staff during these uncertain times

A message from our Chair and Chief Executive

These are challenging and uncertain times for us all, but we wanted to let all our staff know more about our actions as a Trust in response to the Coronavirus crisis.

As you may be aware, our actions are being led and coordinated by our Chief Operating Officer Joanna Forster Adams, and our Director of Nursing, Professions and Quality Cathy Woffendin.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the daily meetings and actions related to this matter.

Circumstances resulting from the virus seem to be changing on a daily basis. Across the NHS and across the world people are continually learning more about this new virus, the risk it presents and how to reduce the risk. The 24 hour news cycle and social media are focusing on little else. This volume of information – some of which is helpful, but some of which is confusing or contradictory – can be very worrying and, for some people, a source of anxiety.

We recognise that over the coming weeks, the NHS may be experiencing unprecedented levels of pressure and demand.  This is also something many people are concerned about.

We have every confidence in the motivation, commitment and dedication of all our staff across the Trust. Whether you work directly with service users in the wards, departments or community, or in roles which support or manage these and other services, we are extremely proud of you and want to encourage you as much as possible.

In the next few weeks and months, we will be working with the Board and teams across the Trust to ensure we are focused on the right things, and things that will make a positive difference. Some of our usual processes, meetings and activities might need to be changed, or postponed for a while to allow us to focus on key priorities. We will however, make sure that there are regular updates and ‘keeping in touch’ communications like this during this period of uncertainty.

We can all continue to make every effort to reduce the risk of the virus by washing our hands, adopting good infection prevention and control practice, and by self-isolating at home if we develop any symptoms – particularly a new continuous cough and/or high temperature – the latest guidance on self-isolation is here. We all have a responsibility to look out for the most vulnerable and help one another to get through this as best we can.

Thank you for all you do for the Trust, for our service users and for each other. We will ensure that we keep you informed as to the latest developments for this Trust and our services.

Dr Sara Munro and Dr Sue Proctor