A Christmas message from Kathy McLean, Chair of NHS Derby and Derbyshire

It’s been a very busy year for the NHS and its partners, and this has come with both challenges and opportunities.

Firstly, I’d like to say thank you very much for continuing to follow the progress of the Derby and Derbyshire NHS and wider system.

And while we know there is so much great work happening, I must acknowledge that the NHS and of course some of its partners are going through difficult times with restructures, redundancies and other additional financial pressures. We know how difficult this can be and aim to continue supporting one another in whichever ways we can.

Having travelled around the county over the last year, I’ve met many of the teams delivering crucial frontline care, both medically and in other more holistic ways and I’m always extremely impressed by their dedication and commitment.

I’ve seen everything from sexual health services in hotels and exercise programmes in community halls to social prescribing in towns, addiction groups in communities and renovation projects bringing health services to underserved groups.

They are all aiming to help the most vulnerable, bringing partners together to make the most of resources, and trying to make a positive impact on health inequity. Our neighbourhood model makes strides every day and brings together local organisations which would otherwise work in silo, forging links and helping us to help one another.

As we head into Christmas, let’s all try and work together to continue the good work, keep thinking about health inequalities and use our collective strength to make as much positive impact we can for those who need it the most.