Spending time with staff

It has been a busy few weeks at Liverpool Women’s.  Last week we had meetings with members of our Council of Governors to discuss our 5 year strategic plan and our CQC report.

Last week I spent time with our staff who are based at Aintree Centre for Women’s Health, they provide a great service for women in the north of the city. I also had a catch up with Dr Tim Neal, our Director of Infection Control.  Tim and his team work so hard to ensure that our patients are not exposed to risk through infection.  Tim also has a great sense of humour and so every meeting with him leaves you feeling happier about the world. I had a catch up with Dr Bill Yoxall our Clinical Director for Neonates.  The staff on our Neonatal Unit do a tremendous job, the Unit has been very busy in recent weeks with most of the 50 cots full.  The Liverpool Echo this week did a lovely story on baby Connie, who after being born at just 1lb 14ozs is now at home. You can read the story here. I also had the opportunity to have a catch-up with Professor Zarko Alferivich, Consultant Obstetrician and the University of Liverpool’s lead for women and children’s faculty.

I spent some time with our shift leaders on maternity, talking through how short term sickness absence impacts on their service.  This will continue to be a focus for us to reduce the amount of short term sickness absence.

Last Thursday morning I had a wonderful few hours with Dr. Umber Agarwal, Consultant Obstetrician in our Fetal Medicine Centre.  Umber and his team do an amazing job at supporting women who have had previous complications in pregnancy.

I am the lead Chief Executive across Cheshire and Merseyside for Workforce and Education of healthcare staff.  Last week we held our bi-monthly meeting and approved a project plan to develop a strategic workforce review across the whole of Cheshire and Merseyside.  This has significant buy in from other Chief Executives and will join up workforce needs across the many different sectors that impact on health.  It is a very ambitious plan but one that I believe is well over due.  We will scope out the work over the summer period and aim to be liaising with organisations early in September.

Last but not least, last week the Health Service Journal published its list of the top 50 Inspirational Women in health, Liverpool Women’s has three staff listed, Dianne Brown – Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Angela Douglas – Scientific Director for Genetics, and Annmaria Ellard - Miscarriage specialist nurse, we are the most well represented of any organisation in the country. You can read more on this here.

Last week was the final Board meeting of our Chair Ken Morris.  Ken formally leaves his position of Chairman of the Trust in August.  Ken has been a massive supporter of Liverpool women’s over many years.  He has been a tremendous support to me personally and I will always be grateful to him for his challenge, support and sense of humour.  I will miss you immensely.