Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to hold online board meetings that can be attended by the public via a digital link.
David Walker, Chair of the Trust, has made this short video to explain some of the key topics discussed at the June 9 meeting.
The Board approved the Annual Report 2020/21 and looked back at what has been a tumultuous year – in David’s words: “One that has brought immense change, opportunity, fortitude, heartache and loss.”
“Staff across the Trust battled with the pandemic, finding new and imaginative ways to care for patients and service users and have been playing a pivotal, regional role in the NHS vaccination programme.”
David notes that the Trust quickly deployed new laptops and new technology, helping us work better together and care for our patients.
“In just one week we engineered a seamless transition from face to face to online appointments. One year later we have conducted 180,000 online consultations and have been shortlisted for a national award.”
David also notes that the emergency forced the pace of working together with our neighbours – other NHS trusts and local authorities – and pushed forward the formation of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System.
Among other topics the June Board meeting also considered annual reports on infection control – so vital during the pandemic – on complaints and on the Trust financial accounts.
In his review David also highlights new developments in research:
“We want Oxford Health to win renown in research and innovation in our provision of mental health and community care. The Board heard details of the application our colleagues at the University of Oxford are making to renew and expand the Biomedical Research Centre, dedicated to research into the mind and the brain. There are only two such centres in the UK.”
And finally, there are exciting plans for the Warneford site in Oxford:
“The old headquarters of the Trust at the Warneford Hospital is housed in an ancient building, in a wonderful, green setting. We are working on a renewal of the site, building a modern mental health hospital, fit for the 21st century, transforming the old buildings into an educational use in the midst of a world-leading brain sciences campus.”
David concludes:
“Re-development is a great opportunity to build an exceptional new hospital serving our area. Its design would help patients to recover, attended by dedicated staff, using state-of-the-art equipment.”
You can also see David’s reviews of previous Board of Directors’ meetings:
Published: 10 June 2021