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Hello,
There is a real buzz around the organisation as preparations continue at pace for our Breaking the Cycle Week from Monday. If you missed the email from Mandy about the week, you can read it here.
The aim of the week is to rapidly improve patient flow to produce a step-change in performance, safety, and patient experience. During the week our focus (alongside our partners) will be on improving the emergency care pathway. This is about much more than meeting targets, it is about reducing harm, saving lives, and improving patient and staff experience.
We know that both safety and quality link directly to good patient flow, so this is an important opportunity for us to ‘reset’ the organisation ahead of Christmas and the approach of winter.
I would like to thank everyone for their hard work in preparing for next week and I look forward to seeing the impact that your efforts will have on the care we provide for our patients.
 Improving the experience of patients
I’m really pleased to say that Keats Ward is currently undergoing a £1.4million makeover.
External contractor Kirkman and Jourdain (K&J) is carrying out the work, which includes new flooring throughout, new fire doors, a new emergency lighting system, new nurse call, upgraded LED lighting, plus a new ventilation system, dedicated staff room and a new dedicated Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) room. In addition, there will be increased storage facilities and two areas for direct patient supervision when required.
It is anticipated that the refurbishment will be finished by mid-December. Once completed the unit will provide a clinically suitable and comfortable environment for patients to receive acute inpatient care and treatment. The staff working on the ward will also benefit from a modern, clean and organised work space to deliver the best of care to patients. The designated and suitably equipped staff area will also provide colleagues with a place to enjoy refreshments during break times and rest periods during busy shifts.
The new ventilation system is designed to reduce airborne transmission of infection and will provide a more comfortable environment to both patients and staff during the warmer weather.
Once operational, the ward, which will have 26 beds, will come under the care of Acute Frailty following a transfer of staff from Wakeley Ward to the new improved Keats Ward.
Before the refurbishment the ward was under the care of the Specialist Medicine Care Group and specialised in the care and treatment of patients with acute gastroenterology conditions (relating to the liver, intestines and colon) and acute endocrinology issues (hormonal conditions). Before work started the Specialist Medicine Care Group transferred acute gastroenterology and endocrine inpatient services to Nelson Ward, located on Level one.
 Patient First
I was delighted to see colleagues from Unplanned and Integrated Care making the most of their new Patient First improvement board after it was installed outside Gundolph. Visual management boards are a key part of the delivery of Patient First and it is always exciting when you see them displayed across our hospital.
The boards allow for greater visibility of how each driver metric is improving and gives a space for the divisional teams to meet weekly, to agree new actions for the coming weeks, escalate any issues, and work as a team to focus on their six chosen driver metrics, as well as to celebrate successes. Thanks to all colleagues for your ongoing commitment to Patient First – this is another brilliant example of how it is being used effectively to improve care for our patients.
Pictured from left – Beth Williams, Divisional Director of Nursing; Dr Godwin Simon, Divisional Medical Director; and Holly Reid, Divisional Director of Operations.
 Shining a spotlight on our support workers
This week, two awareness days allowed us to shine a spotlight on two very important staff groups.
Nursing Support Workers’ Day on Thursday (23 November) allowed us to recognise the work of the 603 Clinical Support Workers (CSWs) who work across multiple areas at the Trust, while Thursday (24 November) was Maternity Support Worker Celebration Day.
Both roles are vital to helping us deliver the best of care to patients, women, families and carers. From me and the rest of the Executive Team, thank you for all that you do, day-in, day-out, for our patients.
NHS Staff Survey – just a few hours left to have your say!
You still have until midnight tonight (Friday 25 November) to complete your NHS Staff Survey.
We all want Medway to be a great place to work but change doesn’t happen by itself. We all need to be involved. We need you to tell us what it is like on the ground every day, what is great about your working life and what needs to change so we can actively make the changes that matter to you and ultimately create a better work culture.
Please make your voice count and fill it in. It takes just 15 minutes to do and is completely anonymous. To everyone who has completed it so far, thank you!
 Get boosted this winter
The national autumn / winter vaccination campaign is drawing to a close, which means there is just three weeks left to receive your COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine.
If you haven’t had yours yet you can attend a walk-in clinic which is being held in Seminar Room 9 in the Education Centre on Monday 5 December from 8.15am to 11.45am and from 1pm to 3pm. Please note, priority will be given to booked appointments. To book an appointment, visit the Trust’s portal - https://medway.healthit.org.uk/patheks
We’re now offering staff the Pfizer/BionTec Comirnaty bivalent COVID-19 vaccine which replaces the Moderna Spikevax bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that was given to colleagues during the initial vaccine roll-out. Both vaccines target both Omicron and the original strain of COVID-19. Bivalent vaccines broaden immunity and therefore potentially improve protection against variants of COVID-19.
Importantly, please remember to email the Vaccination Team and let them know if you have received one or both of the vaccines in the community so they can update their records - medwayft.covid@nhs.net
If you have not had your earlier doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not too late to come forward. You can get these at any time in the community. To book visit https://www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/coronavirus/covid19vaccine
If you have any questions regarding the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine, please click here to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document.
Join us at next week’s staff briefing
After a false start due to business continuity last month, I’m looking forward to hosting our first hybrid monthly staff briefing next week (Wednesday 30 December at 10 am) in Below Deck Dining.
If you are unable to attend the session in person, you can join via the link here
I look forward to seeing you there.
Feedback Friday
Each week, through this feature, I share with you some of the amazing feedback we’ve received from patients, their friends and loved ones, through the Friends and Family Test (FFT). Take a look at the latest comments below:
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