NHS London leader thanks “extraordinary” Barts Health staff
Sir David Sloman, regional director for the NHS in London, praised our heroic staff this week for their extraordinary efforts in caring for patients through the pandemic.
He joined a webinar for our senior leaders to consider the challenges ahead for the NHS, and asked them to pass on his heartfelt thanks in person.
“I have been humbled by the response I have seen from your 17,311 staff and supporters as they stepped up to the plate and did truly remarkable things,” Sir David said.
“Your contribution has been absolutely extraordinary, not only in maintaining existing services but also adding to them with the Nightingale, in both its incarnation as an intensive care hospital and now as a vaccination centre. Thank you for everything you have done, for the population you serve so well in these extraordinary times.”
Alwen Williams, our group chief executive, told the webinar that it was important our staff had the opportunity to take time out to rest up, be refreshed, and reflect on their experiences as we prepare for the next phase of the pandemic.
The group executive is drawing up an outline roadmap for the coming months which puts staff recovery at its heart, recognising that we all need a breathing space from recent exertions before planning to restore routine services.
This means encouraging staff to take annual leave, and access the expanded range of health and well-being facilities we have put in place if they need help and support.
Dr Carla Croft, our lead consultant clinical psychologist, welcomed the help available to protect vulnerable and stressed staff. She urged leaders and managers to promote healing opportunities for their teams, by encouraging staff to tell their stories about the trauma they may have experienced, or reflect on their natural resilience.
Dr Croft said staff had gone beyond the call of duty in recent months, but once the adrenalin had worn off it was vital to find time to rest and reflect, in order to recover from the exhaustion that many would feel.