IT has been another eventful week with plenty to talk about and consider once again in terms of Coronavirus.
The last couple of days has seen some measures introduced that point to a gradual relaxation of some of the lockdown rules with infection rates in parts of the country falling.
Unfortunately Blackpool’s Covid figures have remained pretty static and we haven’t seen the same sort of reductions here. That means we cannot take our foot off the gas. The virus is still very much there in our communities and we must stay alert at all times with the main message for me still relating to the need to social distance at work. It is still hugely important to stay two metres apart and to wash hands regularly.
As more people do start returning to work please check your office spaces and make the changes you need to keep people apart and please look at all times to make sure the environment is safe and clean to look after yourself and your colleagues.
My message is also one of huge praise for everything you have done to combat the effects of the pandemic. There was another great and powerful story in the Gazette this week about a brother and sister who were treated for Covid and were full of praise for the care the received. I have had lots of letters saying similar things and it makes me immensely proud to read every one of them.
Thanks once again to each and every one of you for all you are doing.
Huge boost for research capabilities
I WAS delighted to see that we were one of only five sites in the country chosen to be part of a major Government investment into boosting research facilities.
The Government has invested £7M to launch the five new regional Patient Recruitment Centres (PRCs) across Eng-land and the fact we have been chosen is a major coup for the trust and the Fylde coast.
The centres will be managed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and run by NHS trusts. They will provide dedicated space, purpose-designed facilities and medical expertise to deliver clinical research within NHS hospital sites, with the aim of increasing the number of studies being run across England.
This is a huge boost to the Fylde coast and is testament to the commitment the Trust has made to building up its re-search skills and capacity over the past few years and the excellent work undertaken by colleagues in the Research and Development teams and across the organisation.
We look forward to welcoming new studies and offering our patients increased opportunities to access cutting-edge therapies. Through playing a major role in recruitment to research studies, the Trust will make a significant impact to the lives of patients both now and in the future.