Chief Executive's Column - August 2020

As I write this month’s column, we are experiencing a heatwave which has given England the hottest recorded temperatures for August in 17 years.

While there are cooler temperatures forecasted in the days ahead, it still provides challenging working conditions for our teams across Lincolnshire and Peterborough, who are working to provide the safest possible care to their patients and themselves in full PPE.

Despite this, they rarely grumble and continue to provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This also includes the forthcoming August Bank Holiday, which is now less than two weeks away.

A big thank you to all NHS staff, and all our partner organisations, who continue to work hard during this time.

My ask of you, living in or visiting our communities, is to play your part to support them, by making sure you’re prepared with any medication you may need, prescription or over-the-counter, and choose health services appropriately should you need help. If you are in doubt, please ‘talk before you walk’ and contact us via NHS111.

Please also make sensible choices over the extended weekend by following Government advice relating to COVID-19.

Our preparedness has already taken us well into winter and you will have seen campaigns starting for seasonal topics like flu.

Our Immunisations team are busy planning their visits to schools, where all primary age children (aged 4 to 11), those in Year 7 at secondary schools and all children who attend special educational needs schools are eligible for a free flu vaccine.

If you are a parent who has not yet provided consent and you would like your child to receive a flu vaccine, please do so as soon as possible. The details can be found via your school or on our website (https://lincolnshirecommunityhealthservices.nhs.uk/flu-consent) and social media channels (@lincscommhealth). 

Finally, a date for your diaries. Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust’s Annual Public Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 8 September.

This will be held virtually and broadcast live from 12.15pm, following our September Board of Directors meeting, which takes place from 10am-12noon.

Please see our website and social media channels for more information on how to join us.