It’s been a great year
2022 has been a busy but good year at our hospital. We’ve cared for and supported thousands of patients, delivered thousands of surgeries and appointments and delivered hundreds of babies.
There’s been investment in the hospital, including our new modular building and the refreshing of two of our theatres. We’ve had many new colleagues join the team. And we’ve invested in our staff’s wellbeing, with a purpose-built wellbeing hub (funded by Barts Charity) and provided new bike lockers for those who cycle.
But don’t just take our word for it. Read on to see more of our highlights and to hear from some of our colleagues about why 2022 has been a good year.
Dr Liat Sarner, medical director
“On a personal level, 2022 has been quite a special one for me because I was appointed as the new medical director for the hospital. I’m thrilled to have been appointed and am so pleased that I get to work with such fantastic people and teams. I’m learning loads from everybody and look forward to learning even more.
“I’m also very proud of our progress in maternity. It really feels like the department has turned a corner, thanks to the hard work and commitment of the staff and leadership there. We had a fantastic visit to maternity from the London regional team and a recent CQC visit, which both went really well. I'm really proud of what the maternity team is achieving.”
Vera Brako-Hiapah, matron in neonatal unit
“It’s been a very positive year this year. In particular, I think it’s been a great year for us as a team in how well we have worked together – our teamwork has been really good. At one point this year, we had nine sets of twins on the neonatal ward – that’s 18 babies! We’d never had that many sets of twins before!
“It was very challenging, but the team didn’t get overwhelmed – instead we worked together and said we’ll manage it. And we did! All the babies were discharged safely, and it was an amazing feeling for the team. We will keep marching on together.
“It’s also been a great year in terms of the wellbeing support we’ve been offered. There’s the new wellbeing hub, the psychotherapist and psychology support team and much more. Wellbeing is being embedded into the way we work and we’re being supported very well by the Trust.”
Blessy Kurien, matron in the acute admission unit
“2022 has been a good year for me and my team – we’ve been shortlisted as one of finalists for the Barts Health Hero Awards for our work on improving our board round. Our board round happens three times every day, and we are constantly working hard to get the numbers and the board run-down, which is not easy. We are constantly learning on how we can do this and do it better. We work collaboratively with our multidisciplinary team to accomplish our discharges and maintain the patient flow from ED.
“There are challenges with doing this and it’s hard to do it well – that’s why we’re really proud as a team to have been selected as finalists. Me and my team are more than happy to provide training to anyone who would like some so they can run their board round effectively and in a better way.
“It’s also been a great year for me personally because I feel like I’ve always had great support from the senior leaders at the hospital and all my other colleagues too. When I stepped up to be a leader, I was excited but nervous, but everyone has supported me, trusted me, and told me I could do it, which is what’s led me to do the work and enjoy doing it. Behind my journey I had the prayers and support of my loved ones and the grace of God. All this has given me the strength to face challenges and overcome them.”
Simon Ashton, CEO
“This year has been difficult in lots of ways, but at the same time, it’s been brilliant. We’ve had lots of new people come to work here, we’ve had colleagues nominated for awards, we’ve had a huge amount of investment in the hospital, and much, much more.
“On a personal note, I was privileged to be appointed as the new substantive CEO this year. I feel very proud and lucky to be leading a hospital like Newham, not least because over the last year I’ve come to know the many brilliant people who work here and have been made feel welcome by them. Meeting colleagues has shown me the potential that we have as a hospital, thanks to the great people who work here.
“From colleagues in ED who are working tirelessly to treat patients, to those on the wards working to speed up discharge; from teams delivering babies, to those delivering surgeries; from our porters, domestic staff, security guards who keep things running smoothly, to everyone else who makes Newham Hospital great, the staff here have done themselves and our hospital proud this year.”