CEO’s Blog

Dear all,

It's been a brighter week. I rode to work this morning with a golden sun rising against a pale blue sky. Across moors and farmland. White frosted hills and misty valleys. It’s such a contrast to the dark days of late.

The numbers of patients in our hospitals with Covid-19 has continued to fall this week. We now have around 170 patients, compared to a peak of over 500 just a couple of weeks ago. We've also seen the pressure easing slightly in some of our critical care and high dependency areas, which is obviously good news.

Dear all,

I'm sorry to say that this week heralded some more sad news with the death of one of our Speciality Trainee doctors Anna Lewis. This was not as a result of Covid-19 but there is something particularly tragic about the unexpected loss of someone so young and talented. We gathered outside of RDH yesterday for a minute’s silence which was led by Magnus, our Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive. It was moving to see so many colleagues gather to pay their respects and to celebrate the things that they admired about Anna.

Dear all,

So this week started once more with some sad news as we learned of the death of Joe Wilson, who was a chef at QHB. Joe had been with us since 2013 and was a well-liked and popular colleague. Sadly after a period of illness, including COVID-19, he passed away on Saturday. We gathered for a minute’s silence at the remembrance garden at QHB on Thursday morning, the reflection was movingly led by our lead chaplain, Alison Thorpe, and I was able to pass on our condolences to his family.

Last week ended with the saddest news that we had lost a much loved colleague, Michelle Hart, to Covid-19. Michelle worked for the Trust for nearly 20 years, including on the old Ward 4 at Derby Royal Infirmary and more recently as a receptionist on cardiology Ward 408. Senior Sister Marie Jackson and her 408 team will be heartbroken by Michelle’s death. They described her as a very bubbly person, always chatty and always helpful. Many of you who’ve visited the ward will have those same memories of her.

Regular blog readers will know that I try hard to put a positive slant on things even though these are challenging times. However, I think this week has probably beaten me. So, if you’re looking for a cheery read you might want to stop now.