As of today, I will be writing the weekly CEO blog as I cover for Oliver who is on annual leave this month. Oliver’s last working day at NELFT was yesterday and he is now enjoying some well-earned leave throughout December.

This is my last CEO blog post before I leave our organisation. I wanted to express my personal thanks and gratitude to each and every one of my colleagues and all of our partners for all that you do. It has been such a privilege to serve alongside you, particularly during the pandemic.

Today is Nursing Support Workers Day 2021. Nursing support workers are vital members of our nursing teams in wards, clinics and community teams working with children and adults in all aspects of physical and mental health. 

This week is International Fraud Awareness Week and an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of the work undertaken to tackle fraud against the Trust and the wider NHS. 

Thank you everyone who joined us last week for our Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is a formal meeting where we present our annual accounts and report for the previous financial year, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on the previous 12 months and to celebrate our achievements.