Page 2 - Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Newsletter

Chairman welcome
Looking back over the summer, our three hospitals con nued to be extremely busy with no relief from the pressures we have experienced since last winter. Despite this, we opened our doors to welcome our members, our sta , their friends and family and the public into our hospitals in Winchester and Andover for the rst of our Open Days, as well as for our Annual General Mee ng in Basingstoke. Thank you to everyone who came to these events.
It was wonderful to see so many members and local people enjoying a chance to see behind the scenes at our hospitals.
We had a number of other reasons
to celebrate over the summer. We paid tribute to the nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who were nominated for awards by the people they had cared for in our annual Director of Nursing Award event. The number of sta nominated con nues to grow and is a true re ec on of our sta ’s compassion. Our hyper acute stroke unit in Winchester was named third best in England and Wales; our maternity services were awarded Baby Friendly accredita on by UNICEF and the World Health Organisa on and
we became one of only three trusts in the country to o er two forms of non- invasive treatment for prostate cancer.
Having said that, I am sure you will
be familiar with the news that the NHS is under extreme pressure. Like so many other hospitals, we have been struggling to meet the na onal Emergency Department target for 95% of pa ents to be seen and treated within four hours. Our performance
is set against a uniquely challenging year for NHS. We face severe nancial constraints and yet we need to care for ever sicker pa ents. The problem we face is in nding a safe place for those elderly and frail pa ents when they are medically t to go home, or no longer need hospital care, but may s ll need ongoing support. While those pa ents remain in hospital, it makes it harder for us to nd a bed for the newly arriving pa ents who are very sick and need to be admi ed. We are doing everything we can to ease that problem and are working closely with our partners in adult, social and community care to make sure our pa ents are cared for
in the best possible way in the most appropriate place.
Finally, as you may remember from my le er, our much-admired and widely respected Chief Execu ve of 13 years, Mary Edwards has decided to re re
at the end of 2016. I am very sad to see her go, but Mary leaves behind a legacy of a caring and compassionate
culture and a strong leadership team. I am focused on nding a new Chief Execu ve who, alongside the whole of the leadership team, will make sure our focus stays on pa ent care. I will let you know as soon as I am able to announce the name of the new Chief Execu ve early in the New Year.
I hope you and your family keep well this winter and enjoy the fes ve season safely when it comes round.
Best wishes
Elizabeth J. Padmore. Chairman
Welcome to our new Non-execu ve directors
Being a governor
It’s a real privilege being a Governor of HHFT. One of the things we do is to go on the wards talking to pa ents about their care and experience which also includes their thoughts on the food we provide.
I belong to the Governor Working Group where recently we have been into colleges, libraries and shopping centres talking to people about becoming members of our Trust, also listening to their queries and
concerns.
I am also a volunteer in Basingstoke hospital spending Tuesday and Friday helping in a variety of ways. I enjoy every moment of my me in the hospital whatever I am doing.
Paul Musson
Jane Tabor
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www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk