Key Priorities for the year ahead

The Board recently  shared with staff at a number of open sessions, the revised mission statement where we have  said that our ambition is to the safest, most patient centred  and efficient Trust.  We also identified our 6 key priorities for the next 12 months:-

1.        Delivering safe, effective innovative and compassionate patient care

2.        Achieving strong operational performance

3.        To ensure that the Trust is financial viable

4.        To build a positive reputation with our wider community

5.        To develop a culture that is patient centred

6.        To invest and realise the full potential of our staff

Nursing and Midwifery are pivotal in the achievement  of these priorities and  as both Harry and  Penny  underlined at the sessions everybody has their part to play in all 6.

As Nurses and Midwives were are already on the journey to achieving excellent patient care  with our work around the Safety Thermometer, the Rapid Spread Solution work around the prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers, dementia training and  more. However we also have a part to play  in the achievement of the other objectives and  whilst continuing the work  around improving patient care we are also  undertaking projects around succession planning and development for all  nursing and midwifery staff,  reviewing  and improving our recruitment  processes and procedures reviewing our use of E Rostering to ensure we  use  our workforce  efficiently and effectively.

We are also developing and are in the process of recruiting a  dedicated  Safe Care Team to help  develop and facilitate education training and development around the prevention of harm to patients  in our hospitals.

There is a lot going on  to improve care across the Trust, achieving national and local standards, improving our reputation as a provider of great care, ensuring we manage our money whilst making this Trust a great place to work. I hope that you  will all  try to get involved in  what is going on in your areas. Do discuss the changes with your Ward Sister Charge Nurse, Matron or Head of Nursing. I  would also welcome any ideas you have about  how nursing and midwifery  can contribute  to the achievement  of  our key priorities.

Best Wishes

Helen

'A taste of patient safety'

Today sees  the launch of the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) and Patient Safety First week focused on nutrition and hydration: 'A taste of patient safety'.

Poor nutrition and hydration leads to poor health, increased and prolonged hospital admissions, and increased costs to the NHS. The consequences of poor nutrition and hydration are well documented and include increased risk of infection, poor skin integrity and delayed wound healing, decreased muscle strength, depression and, sadly, premature death. Put simply poor nutrition and hydration causes harm.

Nutrition and Hydration week will take place with the support of key partners to reinforce and focus energy, activity and engagement on nutrition and hydration as part of patient safety improvement.

There will be a number of  informative and interactive WebEx  sessions as will as   other activities that  you can access on the Patient Safety Website. They also have a number of promotional  materials that you can access here.

Closer to home there will also be a  number of activities take place around the Trust  for example:

Locally Critical Care Outreach will also be  out and about   proving training on hydration, and fluid balance as week as undertaking audits.

There will also be food tasting session and the Alexandra Hospital.

The Catering staff  at the Alexandra are also inviting staff to  come  and see  what it takes to cook 1000 meals a day!   You can  pop along in the mornings everyday except Wednesday to see how its done by  contacting Cath Cox Catering Manager at the Alexandra on ext 42764.

We all know how important Nutrition and Hydration are so please try and get involved in some of the activities locally or nationally via the web site.

Best Wishes
Helen