NHS
James Paget
University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Briefing Sheet following Council of Governors Meeting – March 2020
This summary has been produced following the latest Council of Governors meeting that was held in public on 11th March 2020. We do hope that you find the content useful.
- The James Paget Hospital Charity has been re-launched as “Raise a Rainbow for the Paget”. The first appeals will raise funds to enhance the Emergency Department with better facilities for children and create the right environment for bereaved relatives. For more information please visit the website: https://www.jpaget.nhs.uk/news-media/news-events/2020/february/help-us-raise-a-rainbow/
- #Paget’s People online conversation with staff has led to many changes being made including better food for night workers, swapping plastic cutlery for wooden, installing more secure bike storage as well as lots of IT initiatives. The next conversation is planned
- Coronavirus - An Incident team meet daily and we are assured that the JPUH is following Public Health England guidance and Trust plans are working effectively. Contingency plans are in place to deal with pandemic incidents and a “swab pod” has been set up. Notices have been posted on all doors warning people “at risk” not to enter the premises. Latest national information is available at
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
- Work is progressing to develop plans for a new hospital following last year’s seed funding announcement whilst continuing with existing projects including a complete re-design and expansion of the Emergency Department, a new outpatient hub, an upgrade in Theatres, front foyer re-design and installation of a charity pod and a redevelopment of the fracture clinic.
- The three Trusts in Norfolk & Waveney will be collaborating more closely in the future so a small number of Board members from each Trust will meet on a regular basis to progress “working as one”.
- A Never Event (surgical) was reported in January which was fully investigated. No harm was done to the patient and lessons have been learnt to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
- Staff sickness absence reduced slightly in January but remains an extreme risk. As such, much work is being done to alleviate this including health and wellbeing events and support from the Chaplaincy Department and Wellbeing Champions.
- The updated People Strategy will be presented to Board in April as the JPUH wants to be an outstanding place for care and for people to work in. Vacancies are reducing and the recruitment process is being streamlined to reduce any unnecessary delays.
- The Healthcare Academy, which started at the JPUH, has been successful and will now be expanded across the region.
- Despite a saving of £7m, which was a testament to the hard work of staff, the Trust still had savings to make in January. Additional processes to “check & challenge” are seeing more savings being made and a change in the transformation processes, whilst patient safety is always paramount.
- Staff are involved in any transformation, a long-term programme of improvement with initiatives taking place including ICT & E-learning.
- The Trust achieved 20 out of 30 of its measurable indicators in January 2020. The ED performance remains challenging achieving 82.81% against the 95% four-hour standard. Patient flow remains difficult with delayed discharges normally averaging 50/60 and currently standing at 100. Despite a 13% increase in cancer referrals in January the 2-week target was achieved, and the 62-day target improved. Appointments are being managed for Dermatology, but this remains a concern and JPUH will be joining with N&NUH to deliver this service across the Norfolk and Waveney area.
If you have any questions, would like clarification on any of the items covered, or have any other matters that you would like to raise please do not hesitate to contact us. You can do this via the Governors’ email which is governors@jpaget.nhs.uk. We would welcome any feedback and look forward to hearing from you.