News

Hello Team Derian, I hope that you are all well, it has been a few weeks since my last update email which shares news and info from across the charity.  There is so much great work and news, here’s a few things that I think you’d be interested to hear about. It’s a long one…grab a brew and enjoy!

 

• Congratulations to Rosie who has now started in her new role as Head of Integrated Care. Rosie and Bridget will be reviewing the in house and community offer over the coming months and we’ll be sure to share the outcome and plans for growth.

 

• Bridget has asked that we remind all staff regardless of role that all activity including home, community and hospital visits should be recorded on Care Database. This will be monitored this over the coming months particularly when reviewing the community offer.

 

• We’ve had a successful clinical update day with external speakers. Back to basics on mouth care and positioning to ensure pressure area care is prioritised.  We’re committed to supporting our staff to be the very best they can be, and this includes regularly remembering the basics.

 

• PSIRF policy is out for comment and overview was presented at away day – this is a shift to a learning culture when errors are made with Just Culture, Duty of Candour and staff support central to the framework.  Great work to date everyone that has been involved so far.

 

• A new Activity Heat map/Performance Dashboard is now in final draft all team KPIs and performance will be included for Directors, CEO, QSI and the Trustees  This is with me at the moment for review.

 

• Well done to Sue Ward on achieving Queens Nurse status, what an amazing achievement for Sue, and for Derian, we’re all really proud.

 

• AN open evening for more nurse recruitment is planned on 16^th October with a similar format to previously.

 

• Hospice activity is busy with an increased offer for end of life and Sunflower admissions, thank you to all the team who have worked extra shifts to accommodate a 7 night opening for EOL and Sunflower children, it is very much appreciated, and it is wonderful so the services growing following our reset period.

 

• We have 2 newly qualified Nurses joining us on Monday the 23^rd September, Sam & Shannon so will be doing their preceptorship with us.  We are fully committed to preceptorships and see this being a key part of our workforce plan.

 

• Perinatal Nurse Vicky, Midwife Maria and Team Leader for Community, Vicky are all  joining us in October.  Great to see us expanding the team and employing all aspects of the register.

 

• Internally we will be recruiting for a Team Leader to fill the gap that Rosie leaves, this could include a great development opportunity for a 6 month secondment.

 

• A new Individual Giving Administrator, Bev, will join us in October.  Bev’s role will support the Lottery, Raffle and Individual Giving aspects of fundraising, which we are growing.

 

• Thank everyone for taking part in the Employee Engagement survey, the initial results are fairly encouraging which is wonderful to see, if you didn’t have the opportunity to take part Kim has resent the link so please do… you have until the end of September!  The final results will be produced by the end of October and shared with everyone.

 

• Tracey Scott, our new Director of Finance and Resources has started, please do say hello.  Tracey has a lot to do, one of the key things being reviewing and improving all of our financial procedures.

 

• Dawn in Finance has started her Level 4 AAT qualification, which will mean study off site every Tuesday, we wish Dawn well in her development.

 

• Risk Management training has been completed for Middle Managers and Team Leaders on 5^th We continue to raise awareness around risk.

 

• Care Database – laptops now in place for remote working for staff visiting patients/families at home, hospital, etc.

 

• Anthony has asked me to remind everyone regarding ensuring all computer screens are locked when not in use.  In addition, I’d like to add to this a reminder about a tidy desk policy, and ensuring that any papers left on desk do not contain any personal information about anyone.

 

• The annual Quality Account which we compete is almost near completion, and is with me for review, This is a public facing document.

 

• A Trustee development session on 4 CQC Quality Standards (Safe, Caring, Effective & Responsive) is scheduled for 14^th October, following a successful session on Well Led.

 

• We have finalised the contract for this year (finally) with the L&SC ICB (lead contract for our children’s hospice grant across LSC, GM and C&M), and have agreements in place with Bolton and Wigan.

 

• We have an exciting piece of research that we are embarking on which Catherine is leading on behalf of Derian, we will share more soon.

 

• You’ll have noticed an increase number of visitors across the hospice, this is a key part5 of our strategy which Catherine’s new role is focussing on, the visits are being extremely well received and lots of outcomes from them, thank you everyone, especially the care tem for accommodating these.

 

• I have submitted a proposal to the Finance and Investment sub-committee of the board for investment across the site, including increased car park (don’t worry we are not losing the seaside garden!), installation of solar panels, a brand new Smile Park and activity Hub, and a nursing station.  This is a proposed investment of around £400k,and I’ll share with you all the outcome over the coming month.

 

• Our Retail portfolio is expanding, we are currently negotiating a lease on a new store – our biggest to date – on a retail park in Bamber Bridge.  This will test out a new approach for retail, and we look forward to sharing more with you.

 

• Most of you will already know that Kim will be leaving Derian House later this year, and therefore we are currently reviewing the role and will be advertising soon for her successor.

 

• And finally… the news you’ve all been waiting for… we’re just finalising the details of the cinema screen showing of the documentary “The Little Things”.  This will be in October and EVERYONE will be invited.  As soon as the details are finalised we will share them….. I can’t wait!!!!!!

 

If you’re still reading this (J)thank you for everything that you do at Derian, and have a great week.

 

K

 

Best wishes   Karen   Karen Edwards OBE Chief Executive Officer