Publish date: 19 July 2024
Plenty to celebrate despite the challenges
Northumbria Healthcare is looking to the future
These were just two of the latest developments highlighted at a special council of governors meeting and annual celebration event held in the trust’s newest building.
Governors, members and the general public heard from key figures from Northumbria Healthcare about how the organisation had performed during the past financial year as well as what is planned for the coming months.
This included updates on performance against the national NHS standards, financial reporting, and safety, quality and improvement measures.
The event took place at a new £32 million facility, on the site of the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, which has now welcomed the first cohort of trainee nursing associates.
The focus of the Academy is nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, radiographers, podiatrists and occupational therapists, and its offer is bolstered by a trail-blazing partnership with the University of Sunderland.
The audience also heard how medics at the trust have been working on a new strategy to help meet the changing healthcare needs of the local community called Lifelong Care, when and where it matters most.
A new Northumbria Patient Charter, which has been developed alongside local people, sets out explicitly the trust’s promise to patients when they receive care and the standards they should expect.
Chief executive Birju Bartoli said the last 12 months had been a time of real change for the organisation:
"Every year we deliver more than 2 million patient interactions including 270,000 visits to A&E, urgent care or minor injury units; 27,000 operations and a further 860,000 out of hospital visits.
"I’m really proud of the care we’ve been able to deliver in the past 12 months, but I’m equally determined to ensure that we keep on improving, keep on doing the right thing for our patients and staff.
"This has been a very challenging year for the NHS both nationally and locally so while there should be no hiding from that, we should also recognise everything we have done to support people living in Northumberland and North Tyneside.
"At a time of significant leadership change, with a new chief executive and chair, it's really pleasing that we continue to rank among the best in the country against the national NHS standards, continue to provide outstanding levels of care and continue to develop our services, clinically, digitally and operationally so they remain fit for the future.
"I’d like to say a special thank-you to all of our staff and volunteers for their commitment and hard work over the past year, as always your dedication to the organisation and the care you provide for patients has been outstanding."
Sir Paul Ennals, who is chair at both Northumbria and Newcastle Hospitals foundation trusts, said: "While there is much work to be done for the NHS nationally, there is also lots of progress to celebrate at Northumbria and it is heartening to see that we remain one of the best performing trusts in the whole country.
"Our levels of patient and staff satisfaction remain very high and we continue to see investment, innovation and ideas flourish in our area. Our primary care offering has doubled in size to see more than 135,000 patients and there is a genuine focus on supporting rural areas with our services.
"It’s also very good news that we are able to work even more closely with our partners and neighbours as part of the Great North Healthcare Alliance so that we can improve things even further for staff and patients.
"Thank you again to our governors, staff and volunteers."