Dr David Fluck
Acting Chief Executive

You will, no doubt, have seen extensive media coverage about the ‘second wave’ of the Covid pandemic. Covid cases across the UK are rising and at ASPH we are seeing increasing numbers of suspected and confirmed patients.

The prospect of coping with a second wave, both professionally and personally, will naturally feel daunting. We all have our own unique set of circumstances and things that will worry us, be it related to work, home, physical or mental health, family members, childcare etc.

Having lived through the first wave of Covid we all know it will be a challenge. However, I know Team ASPH will rise to that challenge and I think there are positive things we can draw on.

We’ve lived through the first wave, learnt so much and are, naturally, much more prepared than we were in March at the start of the pandemic.

Andy Field
Chairman

The beginning of September was a major milestone for me, marking the end of my three year term as Chairman.

I am very grateful to the Governors for agreeing to a further three year term and David has kindly lent me the message this week so I can share some of my reflections and thoughts going forward.

It's certainly been an eventful, challenging and for me, highly enjoyable, three years. The journey started with an unannounced CQC inspection and a visit from the then Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt in the first two weeks and has ended with us facing and coping so well with the first wave of a pandemic.

The time in between has seen many highlights, particularly in meeting as many of you as possible and understanding the multitude of the services we offer whilst seeing first hand our 4Ps values in action - never more so than during the pandemic. We have celebrated a multitude of external awards together and, of course, our own staff awards ceremonies with last year's event at Sandhurst being particularly poignant, as I returned to Old College so many years after receiving the Queens Commission there.

Dr David Fluck
Acting Chief Executive

This week I’d like to use the message to talk about the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Strategy. From the start of Covid-19 the infection prevention and control guidance has changed and evolved. I know, at times, this has presented a challenge as we’ve had to rapidly change the way we work, introduce new processes and use new or different personal protective equipment. I think we are now in a place where the pace and frequency of change has settled and we have collated the key elements of the guidance into a short and simple strategy.

It’s really important that all colleagues – both clinical and non-clinical – are familiar with this strategy. It impacts every aspect of our time on the hospital sites, from entering the building, to visiting a checkpoint, hand hygiene, wearing a face mask and processes for patient care. We have to ensure that standards do not slip as the Covid-19 situation continues and evolves. If we are to minimise the risk of cross-transmission of Covid-19 and other infections then robust infection prevention and control is absolutely paramount.

Suzanne Rankin
National Director Contain NHS Test and Trace / PHE

As you will know I have been on secondment at NHS Test and Trace since the beginning of June and I wanted to reconnect with you all and give an update on what I’ve been doing, my plans going forward and importantly for my return to the Trust.

Firstly, I must say that I have really missed Team ASPH! As you will expect I have been in regular contact with both David, Andy and other members of the team over the past three months. It’s clear that David and the leadership team and indeed all of you have been doing a great job in challenging circumstances. I never doubted it and that confidence has made it much easier to be away from ASPH. However I am very much looking forward to returning, seeing you all and catching up on the huge amount of work I know you have all been doing towards restoring and recovering services, focusing on the North Star objective and preparations as we move into the Autumn / Winter.