The Trust Chair David Walker alongside Chief Executive Dr Nick Broughton kicked off the start of HealthFest 2021 with a webinar to look back on Oxford Health’s pandemic story – including the vaccination programme, Health and Wellbeing and Oxford Health Charity.

David and Nick were joined by: Tehmeena Ajmal, Covid Operations Director; Sophie Grimshaw, Project Lead for Enhanced Occupational Health & Wellbeing; Kerry Rogers, Director of Corporate Affairs; and Julie Pink, Head of Charity and Involvement.

The webinar was a chance for Oxford Health to extend huge thanks to staff and local communities for their commitment and kindness, to help make a difference.

David Walker recognised staff for their efforts and the importance of their wellbeing, commenting: “We’ve learnt a lot about ourselves as an organisation, as people, as communities. Oxford Health is its staff – you do the caring, administer the therapies, you who maintain our laptops, who clean the ward floors, who do the research, who run the foot clinics. It’s a long and diverse list. ”

Dr Nick Broughton added: “People have gone above and beyond in every part of our trust and for that I am incredibly thankful. I am very proud to lead this organisation and to be a member of such a great team; a team made up of people who are passionate and committed about what they do. People who care incredibly about the people who use our services – our patients and our service users. And people who are absolutely focused on trying to provide the best possible care and support to those individuals at all times.”

The webinar recognised the efforts of vaccination centres and the support provided by the Health and Wellbeing team and Oxford Health Charity.

Members of the community were able to ask our presenters questions and seek reassurance as we approach Winter.

Watch a recording of the webinar here.

HealthFest is taking place for the whole of a September – a month-long mini festival themed Reflect and Recover. Predominantly for Oxford Health colleagues, its purpose it to remind staff that although it is their job to care for others, they must also look after themselves.

The Health and Wellbeing of every member of the Oxford Health family is important and they’ve been through a lot since the pandemic started and continue to do so. They’ve worked around the clock to provide compassionate and excellent care on our wards and in our communities, whilst managing challenges and taking care of each other.

September also marks National Self Care Awareness Month – a chance for us to remind everyone to take time for themselves as well as others.