Dear colleagues,
Many of us will be feeling a deep sense of loss today as we absorb the news about the death of Queen Elizabeth who has been such a constant in all our lives until now.
As we watch the TV pictures and social media feeds and listen to the many tributes and condolences which are pouring in from across the world it is hard not to be deeply moved and saddened, for the end of an era which it represents and on a personal level for the Queen’s family at coping with bereavement in such a public way.
Please remember there is wellbeing support available to you at DCHS if you are feeling the need of someone to talk to. You can find the details here: DCHS staff wellbeing services. The Royal Family has also opened a book of condolence which you can find here: The Royal Family, and mourning arrangements here.
Amanada Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, has asked all of us in the NHS to pause all non-essential communications until after the mourning period is over. At the time of writing we are awaiting news of the date of the state funeral. For that reason, we are silencing our social media feeds, we are standing down Facebook Friday today and we are postponing the annual members’ meeting which was due to take place on 15 September. All other internal communications will be on an urgent operational basis only. You should avoid any organised gatherings or in-person events and carefully consider any patient communications you have planned in the coming days. Please check in with our communications team for advice before anything is issued: dchst.communications@nhs.net.
There are some very limited exemptions to communications during the mourning period, either for essential operational or patient information reasons, but these need to be signed off on a case by case basis and with agreement from the NHS’ director of communications.
The Queen dedicated her life to public service and it was a proud moment when she awarded NHS staff the George Cross earlier this year for the care and compassion shown during the pandemic and throughout the 74 years of the NHS. She understood public service as a life-long commitment which she upheld until the very end.
Tracy
Tracy Allen (she/her)
Chief Executive
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
Ash Green Learning Disability Centre
Ashgate Road
Chesterfield
S42 7JE