Timing seems odd, but we need to start the conversation about the second UK NHS restart. Why do this when we are still up to our necks in the current wave? 1/n
Firstly, at some point this will either improve for the NHS or become a cyclical new normal for most of the year. In either scenario we still need to figure out the reopening of services 2/n
This was hard enough first time. Many staff were shell-shocked with no time to recover before being asked to go flat out again to clear backlogs. This meant going into wave 2 with no rest. Wave 2 has become wave 3 and the signs of staff burnout are hard to ignore 3/n
There needs to be a clear and realistic plan for the next time that factors in the current and ongoing human costs to our HCWs. There needs to be a once in a lifetime financial commitment to backing us in this mammoth task 4/n
Close the door on the last 5-10 years worth of perpetual service squeeze and constant focussing on the bottom line that has dominated every decision 5/n
Back us in innovating to help deal with these challenges. Empower and invest in the clinical leaders to make changes. This will not deal with everything. Much of our challenge right now is simple lack of staff on the ground but the... 6/n
...pandemic has already opened a door for change. With the constant threat of cuts removed, a genuine commitment to improving infrastructure for, amongst other things decentralised and quality digital health care and... 7/n
... a clear signal that we are valued and trusted to lead our services (and not just some Heath Robinson public led hand-clapping) then we might just bridge some of the coming gap and prevent the impending exodus of people leaving for other jobs/countries. 8/n
I don’t think we have a lot of time to get this right, but there is also a unique opportunity to get something positive from all of this. 9/n
Most of my colleagues are motivated by visions of better ways to deliver care but rarely have the investment to realise these visions. Now would be a good time to have a punt on letting us try.
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