From staff working to safeguard children to the vital role played by the security team and the challenges across Theatres, and the Emergency Department – Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Chair Danielle Oum has had a real insight into those working on the frontline.

Danielle has been spending time with teams across Walsall Manor Hospital and out in its community services, shadowing staff in a variety of settings.

She has visited Walsall Palliative Care Centre, talking to patients as well as colleagues, observed clinics being run in paediatric outpatients and pain management and caught up with the Learning Disability team. She has also spent time in Maternity and shadowed Finance and Library staff.

Danielle is keen to continue this and plans to join other teams over the coming weeks.

She explained: “I think it is really important to have a real sense of the challenges and opportunities that my healthcare colleagues are managing every day.

“I have been inspired, impressed and amazed and the one thing all teams have in common is their passion and commitment to care for and support our patients, enhancing their experience.

“Equally, I have been concerned at some of the difficulties faced by staff. In our Emergency Department it was fantastic to see the way staff are pulling together to provide the best care for patients in an inadequate physical environment, yet concerning to see a chaplain hurrying to be with an elderly End of Life patient in an ED cubicle; possibly one of the least suitable places to die.

“It was wonderful to spend time with the Theatres team and witness the high levels of commitment there but the staff shortages are apparent and it is clear that sustainable workforce models need to be built and implemented soon as we are over-reliant on agency staff and retired returnees.

“The Trust launched its new set of values in the summer, as chosen by staff, and I saw many examples of Respect, Compassion, Professionalism and Teamwork. But it’s important that we work together to embed those values at every level of our organisation and our Trust Board must lead by example.

“This experience has been an enlightening one and I want to make sure I spend time with many other teams in the near future to continue this insight.”

Danielle visited:

Walsall Palliative Care Centre

Lung Cancer

Older People’s Mental Health

Maternity

ED

Theatres

Safeguarding Children’s Team

Learning Disability Team

Medicines 

Paediatrics

Security

Pain Management

Library & Knowledge services

Finance