It is some time since I posted the first edition of my blog and I would like to take this opportunity to update you on Trust issues and events.
As you may be aware our new Chief Executive Mary Burrows joined us on Tuesday the 8th of May. Mary has worked extensively in health in the United Kingdom and overseas and joins us from groundbreaking work with the new Northern Ireland Health community.
I am delighted to be welcoming her to North East Wales and, along with the other members of the Trust Board am looking forward with great anticipation to working closely with her to put in place further improvements to the services and facilities we can offer to the public.
The Trust finished the year ending 30th March 2007 with a slight deficit of £100,000. This position was possible with the diligent effort of trust staff with the active co-operation of Wrexham and Flintshire Local Health Boards and I extend my appreciation and thanks to all for their determination to achieve the best outcomes for the public of North East Wales. The financial position continues to present the health community with challenges and further efficiency improvements and strict fiscal controls will be necessary in the coming year. However the Trust Board is determined to continue with its policy of maintaining existing services and is not prepared to risk disruption to the work of the Trust.
In my first entry, I made reference to a number of issues which I know are of interest and concern to members of the local communities, and I want to take the opportunity to update you briefly on these topics.
Hospital acquired infections - The Trust performance in this area is simply not good enough and we have launched a new campaign to drive through improvements. The infection control team and the scrutinising committee has been strengthened and a programme of rigorous controls is currently being implemented. We will be publishing information concerning infection rates and details of our improvement programme and performance at information points throughout our facilities so that the public are aware of the real situation and our progress to ensure improvements.
Clean hospital - My previous comments on hospital cleanliness caused a few raised eyebrows, but I repeat my belief that there can be no justification for untidy and unclean hospitals. The Trust has agreed that additional resources need to be put into place in order to ensure a better hospital environment and this programme is currently being implemented. In a recent inspection the hospital score for cleanliness showed an improvement and we are determined to continue to build on this progress.
Communications - We have drifted from our original plan for the implementation of an improved communication policy but we have taken on board comments from our partners in this field and we will shortly begin our improvements with the establishment of an information service and redesign of our notice boards to ensure that information is presented in a clear and effective way. We have consulted on the type of information the public want and we will make every effort to meet expectations. If you have any views you would like considered please do not hesitate to contact me.
Safer Patient Initiative - Working in partnership with the Countess of Chester Foundation Trust we have been successful in our bid to take part in the Safer Patient Initiative. The work has begun and its whole purpose is to ensure significant and measurable improvement in patient safety through a rigorous and demanding series of audits and protocols. We are confident that utilising the expertise we have been offered we will be able to demonstrate progress in many areas of safety including infection rates, cleanliness and prevention of prescribing errors. We will report regularly on the progress of the scheme using our new communications strategy.
Diary points for the coming weeks
- May 16th/17th - All Wales Trust Chairs meeting
- May 23rd - Consultant interviews
- May 25th - Finance Committee
- May 30th - Regional Chairs network
- June 5th - Learning Disability interviews
- June 6th - Trust Board meeting
- June 28th/29th - Consultant interviews
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any views you wish to pass on
If you have any comments, please email the chairman.