Publish date: 19 December 2023
I am delighted to say that I have now been the Chair of Mersey Care for a full year. While reflecting on a very challenging time for the NHS nationally, I wanted to take this opportunity to write my first blog entry, to share some thoughts about this first 12 months in my new role.
Beginning on a personal note, I want to express my thanks to everyone who has welcomed me to the Trust. I have been absolutely bowled over by the hard work, care and compassion of staff members across the Trust.
When I first started, I encouraged staff to get in touch if they had any comments, compliments or suggestions for how we might improve the care and services we provide. Lots did, and I have had some really insightful emails and conversations and have shared that feedback with Executive colleagues. I am delighted that this has already led to positive differences being made in services and teams across Mersey Care.
I have done my best to visit as many services as I can, meeting many frontline colleagues, patients, and service users along the way. At every service I have dropped in on, I have seen firsthand the Trust’s ‘CARES’ values and Perfect Care Goals are at the centre of what we do. I am proud to be part of an organisation that takes these aims so seriously and with such enthusiasm.
I am conscious that I haven’t managed to meet every one of you yet – with approximately 12,000 staff at Mersey Care, that may take a bit more time(!), but my door remains always open so please, get in touch with me if you are a staff member or patient that has something to say.
This is undoubtedly a difficult time for the NHS. But it is this genuine desire and enthusiasm to make a difference to the lives of our patients that gives me confidence that we will overcome the challenges we face both in Mersey Care and the NHS more widely.
People who know me well, know that I have a relentless focus on outcomes. In board meetings, committees or in calls with local and national colleagues I will always keep coming back to ‘what are the outcomes?’ or ‘what difference will this make?’ Mersey Care already does this in spades of course, and as a continuously learning organisation, it’s important that we keep focused on the basics of care and improving outcomes for patients. I have been extremely impressed with how the team manages quality and financial balance.
The CQC report, published earlier this year, contained very positive feedback, rating us as “Outstanding” in Caring and Well-Led domains. The report also highlighted some key areas for improvement that we have tackled head on. Overall, we received a ‘Good’ rating, which I see as a terrific achievement for everyone at the Trust, given the difficult conditions we have faced in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year, in partnership with the University of Liverpool, we have launched M-RIC (Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre) our groundbreaking mental health research facility, funded by £10.5m Office for Life Science and National Institute for Health and Research. Having spent the majority of my career campaigning for health equality, I genuinely believe that innovation is fundamental to the long-term sustainability of the NHS and to delivering better outcomes for patients now and in the future. I’m delighted to see that M-RIC has already brought new jobs, investment and opportunities which will enable us, as an NHS provider, to transform the model of mental health care which treats patients more effectively.
Another area of innovation has been Mersey Care’s consistent approach to upgrading its estate, so our mental health service users get the best chance of recovery within state of the art facilities. The next new facility will be a low secure learning disability unit, Aspen Wood, based at Maghull Health Park, which will be fully operational in the early months of 2024. Building also continues on the new Mossley Hill Hospital, which will be an 80 bed mental health hospital featuring some of the latest advances in new technology and, crucially, will end dormitory style wards in Liverpool.
Looking forward to next year and beyond, I still have plenty of ground to cover, visiting services and sites across the patch. I love to drop in on services to hear how things are going. So please, if you see me out and about at your place of work, stop me for a chat or just even just to say hello.
Wishing our fantastic Mersey Care family all the very best for 2024!
Rosie