Dear Member, 

 

I’d like to thank you all for your continued support and feedback, it’s invaluable. The Trust is still very busy, but like most Trusts across the country, we are relieved to see far fewer COVID-19 positive patients being admitted, although the pressures on our departments remain.

 

COVID-19 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHSFT

 

Although we are seeing a decline in COVID-19 admissions, the number of patients in our Intensive Care Units remains high and there remains incredible pressure in these areas.

 

The government guidance to help reduce transmission of the virus remains vitally important to protect yourself and your family: wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering and keep a safe distance and get yourself vaccinated. Getting vaccinated only protects you from the virus, so you will still need to follow the government guidance of ‘hands, face, space’. I urge our local communities to speak to their GP to discuss any concerns or questions about the vaccine. You will note that we are continuing to check temperatures and issue hand gel and face masks upon entry to our hospitals. In terms of visiting arrangements, please check our website and with the ward staff to understand the guidance.

 

We understand that this has been a frustrating time for many patients. We are currently working with our partners in London and North West London to review and plan our elective care work.

 

Vaccination programme continues

 

As it was recently announced over 15 million doses of the vaccines has been given, I wanted to thank our teams and volunteers at both hospitals, who are dedicated to vaccinating our local communities, our health and social care staff, and supporting the vaccination hubs created across North West London.

 

A significant majority of our staff have had the first vaccination – 73% of front line staff. They will be keeping themselves safe, and protecting their families, patients, and their colleagues. The vaccine gives you the best protection against coronavirus:

 

The vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus, however you can book your vaccination appointment online through the NHS website if any of the following apply: you are aged 65 or over; you have previously received a letter saying you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable); you are an eligible frontline health worker; you are an eligible frontline social care worker.

 

Prioritising Our Staff Health and Wellbeing

 

In order to responds to this latest surge of COVID-19 in our hospitals, our staff yet again, stepped up to work differently across our organisation. For example, our medical colleagues from the sexual health service volunteered to work in Critical Care to support their colleagues. We are running a wide range of benefits to help staff maintain their health and wellbeing throughout the pandemic. This has recently included free coaching to all staff impacted by COVID-19, support for childcare, free bike servicing, a bespoke online massage workshop, as well as counselling services as part of a full mental wellbeing support offer.

 

Thank you to the troops

 

It was a delight to be able to thank the Army, by presenting them with certificates of recognition, for those who have been supporting us at both of our hospitals.  They have made such a difference in recent weeks. The troops impressed us all with their good cheer and hard work seven days a week – assisting on Covid and non-Covid wards, portering and deliveries, distributing food to wards, liaising with families, talking to patients, and supporting changes to facilities. Most of our current Army volunteers are moving to other duties but we are keeping some and we are promised reinforcements. It is good to hear they also found it a positive experience.

 

 

I hope you find this update useful, and we will continue to update you. In the meantime, thank you again for your support.

 

 

Lesley Watts

Chief Executive

 

 

 

Highlights

Equality and Diversity: LGBTQ+ History Month

The theme of LGBTQ+ History Month for this year is Mind, Body, Spirit, and it’s a great time to raise awareness of the health inequalities

 and issues still disproportionately impacting LGBTQ+ people.


We are so proud at our Trust to be part of the conversations and in doing so tackling some of those inequalities—for instance, our sexual health service, specifically designed for the needs of trans* and non-binar
y people at Dean Street, is the first of its kind in the UK. 

 

 


Support our hospital charity CW+

 

 

CW+ COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund: Advancing Innovation at the Trust

 

Our charity's dedicated COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund has facilitated the introduction of a range of innovations, digital systems and platforms into our day-to-day functioning to help us continue to deliver safe, consistent and high-quality clinical care during this wave. Examples include the rapid introduction of portable COVID-testing; new digital systems including the delivery of virtual consultations to reduce the need for patients to come into our hospitals; and research projects to improve the care of COVID patients and ultimately protect as many people as possible.

 

The CW+ COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund continues to welcome donations here to help us respond to the evolving needs of our staff and patients.

 

CW+ is the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust including its hospitals and clinics. www.cwplus.org.uk

                                          

 

Members’ Health Seminar Event – 13 April 2021

  

The Trust will be holding the next Health Seminar on Tuesday 13 April, 4.00-5.00pm and this will take place via Zoom.  The topic will be on ‘Older adults and frailty: staying healthy’.  For further details please visit our website https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/about-us/get-involved/members-events

 

 

Your Experience Matters

 

We want your time at Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex Hospitals to be the best possible.

Learning of your first-hand experience of the hospitals' services would provide valuable insights and help us improve our performance.

If you would like to share your experience to make a difference, please contact the Membership Team on E: [email protected] or T: 020 331 56716.

 

Meet a Governor Sessions

The Council of Governors play an important role in making sure your views as members and the wider public are represented by the Trust, as governors are directly elected by you. 

If you would like to speak to a governor directly, please attend one of our upcoming Meet a Governor Sessions for 2021.  For more information please click here.

 
 

 

Staying in touch

 

Your next e-newsletter will be out in March with more news and events. In the meantime, keep safe and well and thank you for your continued support, we will be in touch again to tell you more about events and opportunities.

  

There are several ways for you to keep in touch. We love to share information about our work, and you will find lots of stories about us on social media.

 

• Instagram: Trustwide

• Twitter: Chelsea and Westminster • West Middlesex

• Facebook: Chelsea and Westminster • West Middlesex

  

For any queries, or to update on any changes in contact information, please contact the Membership Officer by emailing [email protected] or call 020 3315 6725 for more information.

 


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