Staff can continue to get their flue vaccines from our peer vaccinators across the trust. The flu vaccination campaign will run until the end of December, having began earlier than normal this year to give as many people as possible protection coming into the winter months. It is not too late to get your vaccine. This time of year, when gatherings and celebrations bring us closer, viruses can spread more easily. Getting vaccinated not only shields us individually, but contributes to patients, family, friends and patients remaining safe and healthy over the festive period. Margaret Sherrif, junior sister in the private patients’ unit at RFH, is one of the peer vaccinators who has been taking part in the campaign. “I think we are supposed to be the model for the rest of society and our patients, and lead by example with getting vaccinated,” she said. “I get the flu jab every year and have never been sick or had to go to hospital, so I really think it has helped my immunity.” Kathleen Riley, ward manager at BH, has also been vaccinating staff throughout the campaign. “We have given out more than 6,000 flu vaccines and we Thank you to all our colleagues who shared their views in this year’s NHS staff survey. More than 6,600 staff completed the survey – at 57% of the workforce that’s 11% higher than last year’s response rate and the first time our trust has reached this number since the survey began. The trust took action based on staff feedback last year and we promise to do so again. Results from the survey will be benchmarked against national data and shared with staff next year to help us improve life here at the RFL. Thank you for taking the time to have your say and help make the RFL the best it can be. 10 11 Governors’ update Looking back at 2023 Our governors are elected to represent the interests of members and to hear the views of staff, patients, and the public. If you would like to get in touch, please email rf.governors@nhs.net Protect your festive plans with the flu vaccine Record-breaking number have their say COVID-19 vaccines For the most up to date information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the winter vaccines Freenet page. There, you can find details of walk in vaccination sites, festive clinics to protect you ahead of Christmas and links to report vaccines received outside of work. The COVID-19 vaccine offer is due to close after 31 January. continue to promote vaccination to the whole hospital so we can protect our patients and family,” she said. “I would encourage all staff to get their vaccine if they have not already done so.” Julie Hamilton, group chief nurse, also encouraged staff to get vaccinated ahead of Christmas. “By getting vaccinated, we’re making our hospital environments safer when winter months can bring added pressures,” she said. “This season, let’s prioritise the health of our community, friends, family and patients by getting vaccinated against flu.” Visit the winter vaccines Freenet page for more information and resources. FLU The RFL has seen another unprecedented year, with fresh challenges such as industrial action and increasing demand for elective and non-elective services. The Council of Governors would like to extend a huge thank you to all trust staff for their commitment and perseverance to providing world class care for our communities. As staff have been carrying out their duties, the Council of Governors have been carrying out their own statutory duty of holding the trust’s nonexecutive directors to account. There have been a number of highlights and milestones in the past year, including our ‘go-see’ visits and approving the appointment of Peter Landstrom as the trust’s group chief executive. Michelle Wayne (patient governor) Michelle is a life-long local resident and qualified professional tennis coach and nordic walking leader. She is trilingual and has worked in banks and schools. Sean Baine (public governor) Sean has a background in senior management in local government and the voluntary sector. He is concerned about health inequalities and interested in the connections between our hospitals and primary care. Jane Gizbert (public governor) Jane has spent nearly 30 years working within the health and care system and medical research sector. She has an excellent understanding of how the NHS operates and the challenge it faces. Gisela Botelho (public governor) Gisela has extensive experience of working in governance, performance, and quality assurance in both the private and public sectors. She is committed to making a contribution to her community by ensuring people’s voices are represented to inform and improve care and patient experience. Jackie Robinson (staff governor) Jackie is currently working in the private patients’ unit and has previously managed a number of services at the RFH. She is a local resident and cares passionately about local services for local people. Vijendra Ingle (staff governor) Vijendra has been an ear nose and throat (ENT) surgeon at RFL for 15 years and is the specialist, associate specialist and speciality doctors representative for ENT and an appraiser of doctors at the RFH. Paul Phillips (staff governor) Paul works as a security manager at the RFH and has an extensive protective services career. He works closely with the local community, council and Metropolitan police. He helps ensure staff have a safe and happy workplace. Justin Alpha (staff governor) Justin is a dedicated manual handling trainer with knowledge in biomechanics and exercise prescription. He is passionate about health and safety, giving underrepresented voices a platform and promoting equality. Our new governors In addition, elections saw eight new governors welcomed to the council. Find out more about our newest governors below and on our website. We also celebrated the milestone of welcoming trust members, staff and the public to the first in person Annual Members’ Meeting since the pandemic. We’d like to thank all attendees for their support and feedback. Medicine for Members’ events took place throughout the year. This year’s events included topics such as developing a deeper understanding of Type 1 diabetes, and heart failure as a serious yet reversible condition. The latest session explored the incredible work being done in the liver transplant unit to help give patients with end stage liver disease a new lease of life. If you missed any of our members’ events, you can catch up with recordings on our website. Margaret Sherrif
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