Dear Members,

This year, the 75th anniversary of the NHS, has certainly been a very significant one for us. 

We have seen pressures on our urgent care services like never before, strikes by nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals and historically high waiting lists, with similar challenges across the NHS throughout 2023. You will also have read in this newsletter, or heard at our health events, about some of the positive steps we have been taking to rise to these challenges now and in the future.

Our teams have worked incredibly hard to find new and more effective ways to treat patients – like hospital level treatment from our teams at home and quicker access to specialists so patients can get the care they need without having to be admitted to a hospital bed. And our dedicated staff have pulled together during every strike to make sure we focus on keeping patients safe. 
We also significantly reduced the number of our patients waiting over more than 15 months for planned treatment this year, but we know we must continue to focus on supporting all of you who are waiting for care and further reduce the time it takes to get care in 2024.

In May this year we had the brilliant news that Frimley Park Hospital has been added to the government’s New Hospital Programme, which means we are now moving full steam ahead to find the site for the new hospital, which will open in 2030. This is in addition to work starting on new wards and diagnostic centre at the hospital and plans unveiled for a new community diagnostic centre in Slough.

And earlier this month we announced that our chief executive Neil Dardis would be leaving in the spring of 2024 to take up a new role overseas. I will be very sorry to see him go, but understand why he felt the time was right for himself and his family to take such an amazing opportunity. The fact he was chosen for a senior leadership role in the State of Qatar reflects the reputation that Frimley Health holds.

I wish you a happy and healthy Christmas a New Year – if you do find yourself needing to access healthcare in the coming days please remember to access the right services for you at the right time, including urgent care centres at Slough, Aldershot and Bracknell.  There are further national strikes by junior doctors planned this week and in the first week of January, so it is especially important to choose the right care – if in doubt call 111 or access 111 online.

All the very best of season’s greeting and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2024!

Bryan Ingleby
Chair
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Chief Executive Neil Dardis moving to overseas role

After six years as Chief Executive of Frimley Health, Neil Dardis announced last week that he will be leaving the Trust next spring to take up a new senior leadership role in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar.

Neil has worked in the NHS for more than 25 years and was formerly chief executive at Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust. 

Neil said in an announcement to staff: “This was an unexpected offer and it has been a really hard decision to make. As many of you will know, this has been a difficult year for me personally after losing my mum in February and so, after very careful thought, I have decided that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that is right for me and my family at this time.

“I will be incredibly sad to leave Frimley Health and I have made many friends and colleagues who I will be so sorry to say goodbye to. Being a leader in the NHS is special, and to be chief executive of Frimley Health is one of the best jobs in the NHS – it is the greatest privilege I have ever had to work with you all in caring for the communities we serve.” 

In additions to Bryan Ingleby’s comments above, our trust chairman described Neil as a “visible, ambitious and passionate leader” and said he is grateful for all he has done at Frimley Health.

New Frimley Park Hospital - Thank you for sharing your views 

During recent weeks it has been lovely to meet so many of you at our new hospital events and a huge, warm welcome to our new members who have joined us to find out more about the plans.

Throughout November and December, we have been busy gauging the views of patients, local people and staff to find out what’s most important to you when choosing the site for the state-of-the-art replacement for Frimley Park Hospital.

If you haven’t had chance to share your views about the site evaluation yet, there is still time. You have until 7 January 2024 to tell us what you think. More information is available on the 'New Frimley Park Hospital' webpage, including how people can get involved and an online questionnaire.

We look forward to sharing all of the latest news about the development of the new hospital with you during the coming months.

Frimley Health Charity spread Christmas cheer to staff and patients

A huge festive thank you for your overwhelming generosity supporting this year’s Frimley Health Charity’s Golden Christmas Appeal. 

At this time of year, with a surge in winter illnesses and patient numbers, it can be a particularly challenging time for staff in our hospitals. But with everyone’s generous donations, the charity can help to spread some Christmas cheer just when it’s needed most.

We think our Frimley Health heroes, who give up their own family Christmas to care for others during their long 12-hour shifts deserve a special thank you and the appeal will help us deliver festive meals to those working on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day and Christmas hampers full of well-deserved goodies for our incredible staff to share.

For our patients in hospital on Christmas Day, the charity will be distributing presents, so they can have something to open when they can’t be at home with their loved ones – all thanks to the Golden Christmas Appeal. There is still time to donate, see the appeal charity page.

Urgent Care Centre launches at Aldershot Centre for Health

In partnership with Frimley Health and Care we have launched an urgent care centre at the Aldershot Centre for Health, to provide more access to same day urgent care for illnesses not requiring emergency care.

The service is open Monday to Saturday from 8am – 8pm. If you contact 111 or your local GP practice, you may be offered an appointment here. You may also be redirected to this service if you attend A&E. There is a walk-in clinic for under-12s, available Monday – Saturdays from 2-6pm. However, booking is strongly recommended as those with the most urgent clinical needs will be prioritised. For more information about the service, visit: www.aldershoturgentcarecentre.co.uk

Last month we launched a similar service for residents in Berkshire when we opened the Urgent Care Centre in Slough. See here for further details.

Toasting out dream tea-m of volunteers

Last week FHFT held their ‘thank you’ afternoon tea at Ascot Racecourse for over 100 of their volunteers.

Volunteers were welcomed and took their seats. Chair, Bryan Ingleby and Chief Executive Neil Dardis expressed their thanks for the support they give our patients and staff. The Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, also attended the celebration.

Live music accompanied the sandwiches, scones and cake. The volunteers’ team and other supporting FHFT staff served tea and coffee, making the rounds to ensure all our volunteers were well taken care of. 

We currently have over 800 volunteers across Frimley Health providing a total of more than 2,630 hours of support to our staff and services each week – the equivalent of 40+ full-time permanent staff.

There are over 28 different volunteering roles across the Trust that support our staff and help improve the patient experience; ranging from buggy driving to end-of-life companions. 

Festive unveiling of new Heatherwood children’s area  

Frimley Health Charity has been busy creating a brand-new children’s waiting area at Heatherwood to give our youngest patients a designated zone for awaiting appointments, just in time for Christmas.  

Artist, Anna Haselden from Alphabet Ink created the unique design in keeping with the natural surroundings of the hospital.

Art and creative health manager, Emma Carr said: “The woodland animals and colour bring the area to life and with the child-friendly furniture it’s a wonderful, designated space for our young patients. Artwork in these areas is incredibly important for children, it helps to calm and comfort them ahead of their treatment and we’re delighted with the results.”

Help us develop our strategy for the future

We’re creating a new Trust strategy that will steer us through to 2030 – and we want as many people as possible in our local communities to get involved. 

Please complete the survey and help us plan our direction for the next seven years. You can also contact the engagement team at fhft.engage@nhs.net to share any ideas you might have for our future.