Well all good things come to an end, so they say. When I took up the post of CEO at Liverpool Women's in September 2008, the first appointment I made to my Executive Team was Gail Naylor as Director of Nursing and Midwifery. Gail joined us in June 2009 and has provided fantastic leadership to our nurses and midwives. We have faced many challenges together over that time. We have had many laughs and have also shared many moments of pride at the achievements of our people and our organisation and indeed I am not ashamed to say we have shared some tears when faced with some of the tragic events we hear from some of our families. Gail will be leaving Liverpool Women's at the beginning of May to take up her new post in North Cumbria, although we will miss her we wish her well. The search for a replacement for Gail has begun.
We have some amazing people at Liverpool Women's:
Dianne Brown, Deputy Director of Nursing was recently voted the North West Leadership Academy Inspirational Leader and this week was a finalist at the NHS Leadership Academy Awards. Well done Dianne.
We are delighted that our Specialist Miscarriage Nurse Annmaria Ellard has been short listed in the NHS Employers ‘Kate Granger’ Awards. The awards for compassionate care recognise inspiring work and individuals and teams who are making a difference to patient care. I have spent many hours in clinics with our recurrent miscarriage team. The support, encouragement and hope they provide to couples from across the United Kingdom is inspirational. My personal views on this are mirrored on the many contacts we have had on Twitter and Facebook from our staff and patients who know Annmaria. We are all delighted and very proud.
Angela Douglas, Scientific Director Genetics has been shortlisted for the Inspiring the Workforce of the Future Award in the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2014. Well done Angela.
On Monday Andy Craven from our Finance Department was interviewed on BBC Radio Merseyside. Andy and his wife faced the trauma of a stillbirth with their first child. Andy is writing a book which he hopes will help other men cope with the loss of a much wanted baby.
Our Delivery Suite Matron Claire Fitzpatrick was on BBC Radio Merseyside last week talking about pregnancy for older mums. Ruth Francom Gynaecology Matron will feature on Mersey Hour on 8th March. We’re also delighted that BBC Radio’s ‘Woman’s Hour’ will be broadcasting live from our hospital at the end of April. This will be a great opportunity to spread the word about the fantastic work that goes on all over Liverpool Women’s.
As well as providing first class services to patients, what really defines Liverpool Women's Hospital is our commitment to research. A two year research study led by Dr Colin Morgan, Consultant Neonatologist on our neonatal unit, funded by the Bliss Charity and the Liverpool Women's Newborn Appeal Charity, has proven that improving the intravenous nutrition of very premature babies, through a special drip will help their brains grow better in the first weeks after birth. This ground breaking research will have benefits worldwide for babies born prematurely. Well done to Colin and the rest of the Research Team. You can read more about this study here.
A big part of my role, and that of the Chairman, is to influence politically. Myself and our Chairman Ken were delighted to welcome Dave Watts MP for St Helen's North constituency to Liverpool Women's last Friday. Dave is very familiar with our services as his grandchildren were born here and one of them was cared for on our Neonatal Unit.
I was delighted on Thursday afternoon to be invited for tea at the Liverpool Town Hall. Councillor Kemp invited myself and a number of our staff to say thank you for taking care of her daughter and grandchild.
Our Kitty Appeal which raises money for our hospital is holding a 24 hour spin-a-thon on Saturday 21 June to Sunday 22nd June. Staff from Liverpool Women's and Birmingham Women's will be cycling 110miles between the two hospitals to raise money. Whilst our staff do 'their bit' to raise money, we want the public to take part in our 24 hour Spin-a-thon. Would your school, company or family like to get involved and help us raise much needed funds? Details of how to participate can be found here.
Well my week has ended with a morning in Manchester at the Health Education England Board meeting and then back to Liverpool for a meeting with the Executives from Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Also this week we welcome Education Secretary Michael Gove’s announcement that he will write to all schools in England to raise awareness of the issue of Female Genital Mutilation. As a Trust we are committed to stamping out FGM and our Lead Governor Dorothy Zack-Williams received a Merseyside Woman of the Year Award last year for her struggles to rid the North West of this practice.
Have a good week.