Members E-Newsletter
Dear Member,
It has been a delight to launch a year of celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of West Middlesex University Hospital.
To commemorate the occasion we commissioned a video (watch here), which we hope will make you feel as important a part of the Hospitals’ centenary as you are. There is a fascinating history behind our hospital and the community we serve, and I do hope that by watching this video it will give you more insight into our contributions to the local community and beyond.
We have also been celebrating Black History Month this October, to mark the contributions of our staff that are largely of African or Caribbean heritage. We have been able to celebrate the occasion in a number of ways, largely virtual in nature but a befitting celebration never less – including stories on our website, internal bulletins, hospital radio shows and films selected for our patients through the MediCinema and whole host of virtual events across North West London.
With London being declared at high risk of Covid-19, as a Trust, we have developed comprehensive plans in line with other NWL healthcare providers to ensure a coordinated and timely response to any surge. Our Trust is currently undertaking research trials for a COVID-19 vaccination and we regularly share details on our social media platforms.
We encourage all members to keep well this winter by protecting themselves and others from the Flu by getting immunised. It is an important time to be protected from any infections especially as COVID-19 has not yet got a vaccine. By protecting yourself you enable us to prioritise those who are vulnerable and in need of urgent care during the winter months.
We continue to drive innovation, through our latest key initiatives such as:
Our Trust remains safe and open, we have put in place important infection control measures and limited the number of visitors within our hospitals to ensure the upmost safety of our patients and staff. Please note the updated policy for visitors here.
All the best,
Lesley Watts
Highlights
#BlackHistoryMonth
The 1st of October marked the start of #BlackHistoryMonth.
Black History Month recognises, rewards and celebrates the contribution made to our society over many years by the African and Caribbean communities. During Black History Month we remembered and celebrated the important people from the past and also those who contribute a great deal to our society today.
We want to thank and celebrate our Black colleagues, past and present. The diversity of our NHS workforce is our strength. Click here to see a timeline of two millennia of world-shaping individuals and momentous events that define Black history and a range of contributions made by Black men and women, which we all benefit from within our society today.
#WorldMentalHealthDay
The world is experiencing the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 that has also impacted on the mental health of millions of people. The current worldwide pandemic arose against an already dire mental health landscape that saw mental health conditions on the rise across the globe.
World Mental Health Day was on Saturday 10 October 2020 with the aim to raise awareness in the global community about the mental health agendas. We need to take action to create lasting change in order to achieve parity between physical and mental health. By starting a conversation and providing support, we can help prevent suicides and help save lives.
Take a look at these 10 tips on how to look after your own mental health. #ItsOkNotToBeOk
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Disability Focus Groups
The impact of Covid-19 on mental health and wellbeing cannot be underestimated, and we need to continue to understand how to best support the workforce over the coming months. It is particularly important for the Trust to know how staff with a disability can be supported. This will enable us to improve staff experience and opportunities for all.
In anticipation of a future disability network, we are running a series of focus groups. We want find out what more can be done to support staff with a disability, how we can improve our disability declarations rates, and what staff would like from a future disability network - it is an opportunity to start the conversation.
National Freedom to Speak Up month
Freedom to Speak Up is a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of speaking up. Freedom to Speak Up is about encouraging a positive culture where people feel they can speak up and their voices will be heard, and their suggestions acted upon. There is a FTSU guardian available in each NHS trust in England, who can support staff to speak up.
We now have ten Freedom To Speak Up Champions in the Trust – they wear a green or white badge to show their role as a Freedom to Speak Up champion.
Invitation to join this year’s Research, Innovation and Quality Improvement Event – ‘RIQI 2020’
Building on the success of RIQI 2019, Research, Innovation and Quality Improvement we are working together again to celebrate and showcase best practice across the Trust at our RIQI 2020 event.
We will showcase our growing portfolio of staff-led research, innovation and improvement projects, whilst raising awareness of the support available to help staff bring new ideas that deliver better, more responsive and cost-effective care to fruition.
The event will include a virtual poster gallery and three live lunchtime Zoom sessions, each comprising a brief keynote lecture and a number of project presentations around our three themes:
We hope you can join us! … via on Zoom https://chelwest-nhs-uk.zoom.us/s/98810251775
#ScarfUp: knit a scarf for patients with respiratory illnesses
Hospital charity CW+ have launched #ScarfUp, and all members are invited to get involved and knit scarves! Knitting patterns, designed by a talented group of artists, can be downloaded for free on the CW+ website. The scarves will be used by patients in our hospitals suffering from respiratory illnesses including asthma, COPD, and COVID-19, as they are particularly vulnerable during the winter months.
Whether you want to recreate Michael Landy’s cockney rhyming slang inspired piece, or an NHS United football scarf, simply choose a pattern and get knitting! To donate a scarf for patients, please post it to CW+, Unit 4 Verney House, 1B Hollywood Road, London, SW10 9HS.
CW+ Digital Arts Programme: Virtual Connections
CW+ are uploading a host of new Virtual Connections content to their website. The online arts programme was created in response to the COVID-19 crisis and allows artists to engage digitally with patients, their families and friends, as well as Trust staff and the wider local community. Click here to take part in a range of free online workshops including music, mindfulness, yoga and more!
Be a part of history and contribute to the West Middlesex coronavirus legacy mural
As we celebrate West Middlesex University Hospital’s 100th year, CW+ is collaborating with The Surface Design Studio to create a legacy mural for the hospital, marking the COVID-19 pandemic – and you’re invited to get involved in this historic project by sponsoring a tile!
The mural will provide a lasting place to reflect and give thanks to key workers at West Middlesex, and to remember those sadly lost. The project will also raise funds for CW+ to improve the environment and experience for patients and staff at West Middlesex.
Click here to sponsor a tile and have it printed with an image of your choice.
There are many other ways you can support our hospitals at this time through our official hospital charity CW+. To find out more details or have a query about donations, please contact CW+ on [email protected]
Health Seminar – Managing health & wellbeing during Covid-19
On the 20th of January, we will be inviting you to join us for a free 'Your Health' Education seminar; the next coming seminar will be focusing on Managing health & wellbeing during Covid-19. To keep up to date with the health seminar news, please click on the following link:
https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/about-us/get-involved/members-events
Some of our top health care professionals will be giving you crucial information; you don’t want to miss this! To RSVP contact our Membership officer, Mumsie Uwakhoye on 0203 3156725 or email [email protected]
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 our next up and coming Meet a Governor Sessions on the 2nd, 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 26th and 27th of November.
For more information click here.
Staying in touch
Your next e-newsletter will be out in November 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’ll 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.
To unsubscribe click here. Please note this will just take you off our email list, you will still be a member of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Please note this will only take you off our email list, you will still be a member of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.