10 minute read
10 16
Clare Panniker Reflections on the pandemic
LOCAL ISSUES
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This past year has been one unlike any other, for all us, it has had a huge impact on our hospitals.
Clare Panniker, Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which is formed from Southend Hospital, Basildon Hospital and Broomfi eld Hospital, spoke about staff rising to the evolving challenge of Covid. We now have new Covid treatments "Throughout the pandemic, we have seen the dedication and strength of our staff in responding to the events of the last 12 months. It has been a huge test for us all and a year like no other. Our staff have transformed the way we work so that we could increase critical care capacity but also so that we could safely deliver non-Covid care. Everyone has had their part to play and risen to the signifi cant challenge - whether it is a nurse or doctor on the frontline, a porter, or someone behind the scenes helping keep things going – we are so grateful for their extraordinary hard work. We have learned a lot – we now have new Covid treatments and services and so we have been even more ready to fi ght Covid as we have progressed through the pandemic.
Clare Panniker Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
in responding to the events ❝
LOCAL ISSUES
Alongside providing specialist treatment for Covid to thousands of people in Essex, we have also been keeping other care going for our local community, including for cancer treatment. Local people have really helped staff Our maternity direct app has meant that mums to be can be connected with one of our midwives through a touch of a button. Staff are working extremely hard to continue to increase the number of routine operations we are carrying out. These unprecedented times have also brought with it fantastic support from our local community across mid and south Essex. Local people have really helped staff at the Trust, whether it has been through volunteering their time or donating money or goods. It has all been a huge morale boost for everyone who works here. A ray of hope for us all The vaccination programme is also a ray of hope for us all – thanks to the eff orts of staff , millions of people across the country have been given vital protection against the virus. When you get your invite, I would encourage you to take up the off er – it is simple, straightforward and eff ective. While the vaccine rollout goes from strength to strength, our message to those in our local community continues to be that we must continue to follow the 'Hands. Face. Space' rules to reduce transmission of the virus and take up the jab when off ered. It could save your life."
CHARITY UPDATE FROM LUCY THOMAS-CLAYTON
We have been overwhelmed by the level of kindness and generosity that we have received from the community during the second wave of Covid. From local businesses and a whole village near Chelmsford rallying together to sports clubs and individual members of the public, we are so thankful for the all the ambient food, toiletries and bottled water donations. These donations have been stocking up our wellbeing hubs and we have also been distributing them to our staff on the wards, where they have been gratefully received and appreciated. A new charity campaign has been established to help support staff wellbeing and ease the strain as staff go above and beyond to care for patients during these challenging times. The #MSEHealthyBodyHealthyMind campaign was launched in January and has been funding activities including the delivery of fruit baskets to wards and counselling sessions for staff . The campaign has also received public support and backing from British professional road racing cyclist Alex Dowsett. The support and messages of thanks from the local community has been incredible and by getting involved with #MSEHealthyBodyHealthyMind you can make a big diff erence to the staff at Southend. Visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/MSECharityhealthybodyhealthymind As lockdown begins to ease and society starts to open up again, we will be starting to get back to normal with the resumption of our charity events, beginning with our Nuclear 5km obstacle course race on 11th July. We strongly encourage members of the community to sign-up to these events but also take part in their own fundraising challenges as well as supporting our campaigns through monetary donations which collectively makes a signifi cant diff erence to the lives of both our staff and patients. Looking ahead to the future, we will be launching new appeals and you can keep up to date with these by following us on social media @MSEHospCharity.
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ADVERTORIAL
Celebrate the end of lockdown with A FANTASTIC OFFER for Oracle readers
Say goodbye to lockdown with a government guideline friendly driving experience with local company, Vintage & Classic Car Hire.
During the fi rst lockdown, local classic car enthusiast, Tim Grigsby, had one of his lightbulb moments of providing government guideline friendly experiences and bringing together local businesses at the height of a pandemic. Opening in fi ts and starts over the past year, Vintage & Classic Car Hire based in Shoeburyness, a stone’s throw away from the station, opens its doors again on 12 April to welcome the fi rst 50 fellow petrolheads who book a full day driving experience with an exclusive discount of 20%
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You get to drive the car for the whole day! The cars for hire are centred around the MG marque, with MG Midgets, MGB Roadster and GT models but also includes a Morgan Roadster for those wanting something a little diff erent. The experience is for two people and unlike most, with Vintage & Classic Car Hire you get to drive the car for the whole day! It was important to Tim to keep everything local and give opportunities to businesses and individuals that have been aff ected by the pandemic with a view to expand the business into a franchise over the coming year. His team includes local design and marketing company, I am Emily, photographer Karen Butler and ATTIC café on the Esplanade to provide Vintage Picnic Hampers throughout the Summer months and a Winter Warmer, Soup and Sandwich pack off season when the cars still go out, but customers may need a bit of warming up on their travels! Book a date for a driving experience To support this local business and help get others back on track head on over to vintageandclassiccarhire.com and book a date for a driving experience or a voucher to use at a later date and tour the sights of our beautiful county. Don’t forget the fi rst 50 bookings will receive a
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SPOTLIGHT
My local parking experience!
Looking forward to May 1st, my 25th Anniversary and my 2nd Covid Jab at the Westcliff Theatre, not sure which is the more exciting?! At least, I’ll get a Free and unfettered parking space at the Theatre, which is more than I can say for the rest of the Borough!
The last week of February I parked in Thorpe Bay unhindered, fi rst week of March I parked in same place and not noticing the huge 6 inches x 12 inches ‘No Parking Sign’, gathered a £35 Fine! I have to say, that I am a considerate Parker always doing my best to comply, but the only place I’ve ever been caught out (always by oversight) is in Southend. The irony is the place is running alive with Parking Wardens, but without any spaces to park.
The return of normality It can’t be denied that the Highways Dept is very effi cient and focussed, ‘tis a pity those attributes are not shared with the rest of the organisation. Parking cash cow Hopefully, now we can see light at the end of the Covid tunnel, the return of normality, and visitors happy and willing to spend money on the pleasures provided by the local commercial ratepayers, the Planning Dept can harness some of the funds gathered from the Parking Cash Cow and divert it to the Visitor Experience, giving them a bit more diversion than walking up and down the Prom to fund Arts and Recreation, similar to the South Bank or Covent Garden. There’s plenty of space around the Theatre and the Promenade to accommodate such. Maybe provide pragmatic support to the aforementioned ratepayers to enhance and diversify their off ering. Even, perhaps some left over, to do something with the dystopian nightmare known as the High Street! You never know, if made attractive with a bit of thought, Southend could attract even more visitors and even more parking fi nes! A Virtuous Circle!!
Ron Radway Local resident and business owner
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