With the adverse weather comes a remarkable response from those working in the caring profession, and those who support them. And no one is prouder of the combined efforts of her staff than Group Chief Executive Diane Wake who explained: “As a category one first responder, our integrated health Trusts have plans for every eventuality, and whilst our winter plans may be drawn up in the balmy days of summer, it is now in freezing conditions, that they are tested and our people judged by their response.
“I am extremely grateful for the colleagues who have gone to extraordinary lengths to look after the patients in our care, from endurance hikes through freezing conditions to get into the hospital as was the case of Dr Josephine Wareham last night, who walked over an hour through last nights snow storm to get into Midland Met, and then worked through the night to care for patients, to community matron Simon Lines who set out this morning loaded with essential supplies to walk his way round his patient list in ankle deep snow and slush.
“I’ve seen photographs of Laura Gadsby and her palliative care team taken at Sandwell very early this morning, where determination won the day as two colleagues pushed and one steered to get their car free from the overnight snowfall. We’ve had Danny Wilkinson putting in a 12 hour shift to clear snow overnight and keep paths safe for patients and staff and Sue Butler donned her arctic weather gear, high vis vest and walking poles and took to the streets to walk in to work to support her team this morning.
“These are a few examples of the values we prize most highly – Ambition, Respect and Compassion – but arguably we expect our people to do the right thing to help others. What I also want to applaud is the support from our communities as they reacted very quickly with offers of support and practical help to keep us doing the jobs we need to. We are only just at the beginning of January, and it is possible we will have more resilience to find as we move through winter. But I am sure whatever winter throws at us we are stronger together and I am confident we will work through it together.”
Earlier this morning Diane and a couple of her executive team from across Dudley Group and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust used their 4X4 vehicles to pick up staff that were critical to the smooth running of both trusts today, thereby demonstrating their own commitment to the snow response.