Where has this year gone? Can’t believe it is almost October!
If you follow our twitter feed you will know that we have been looking for Governors to be elected onto our Council of Governors. Our new Governors will join us in October and will be a welcome addition to the many dedicated and committed Governors that we have at Liverpool Women's Hospital. On Thursday we had a Governor Development Day which was designed to support our Governors in holding the Board of Directors to account. The day explored the challenges faced by NHS Boards and explored the differences in the roles of Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors and Governors. We explored what is working well and what needs to change. Thank you to everyone who took part in the day.
On Wednesday we had our Annual Review meeting with Monitor the Healthcare Regulator for Foundation Trusts. The meeting covered the Trust’s strategic direction and our high level priorities in the context of the local health economy. We discussed our excellent performance on compliance with mandated NHS targets in relation to patient access and waiting times. We discussed our key organisation and clinical risks and the mitigation we have in place to reduce / control these risks. We shared with Monitor our Quality Strategy. We also outlined our plans for growing and expanding our fertility services. What I have outlined is a summary of a comprehensive review of our performance as a Foundation Trust. A big thank you to my Executive Team who did a fantastic job on the day and in the preparation for what is always a comprehensive review of our performance.
Earlier this week I met with two of our Community Midwifery Team Leaders. It was great to hear them describe how engaged and empowered they feel working for Liverpool Women's. Rachel and Christine are very motivated midwives and have done so much to improve the community care that is delivered to women they care for. They are a credit to Liverpool Women's and we are fortunate to have them working with us.
On Friday morning I was at Whiston Hospital for a meeting of all the Hospital Chief Executives across Cheshire and Merseyside. Our hospitals are all different but many of the challenges we face are familiar to all of us. My day was really brightened up when I came back into the Hospital. This morning we are hosting a MacMillan Coffee morning. Our reception area was buzzing with the sounds of our EVOC choir. The choir is made up our MacMillan Nurses and a group of our patients who have survived cancer. Listening to them singing "Something Inside So Strong – I know that I can make it", was a joy to behold. I even witnessed two of our security guards having a cheeky little dance when they thought no one was looking. You should know better boys – I have eyes everywhere!!!
Had a really interesting telephone interview today with a Communication Manager who is doing research into leaders who use Twitter. Looking forward to seeing the results of the research.
Today we say goodbye to Professor Michael Weindling – Consultant Neonatologist, who is retiring after a long and distinguished career. Thank you Michael for all you have done for babies and their families over the years.
Well it is Friday afternoon now and I am heading off to London for a dinner at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in honour of our very own David Richmond who takes up the Presidency role on Monday. We are all very proud of him.
Have a great weekend.