I was listening to Zoe Ball’s cheery voice on BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show this week when she asked what sort of day we’re having, she encouraged that if we’re having a ‘wonky day’, hang on in there.
It got me thinking that we all have ‘wonky days’ those days when things get out of sorts for a host of reasons and things get really challenging.
We focused a bit more on this at our Children’s Clinical Board meeting this week. Our clinical board brings nursing, medical and AHP colleagues along with the management team who provide care to CYP and their families/carers together from across all sites, we share best practices, address inequities and encourage each other as we all work to provide outstanding care to the CYP and families/carers we serve. Dr Susie Minson shared the work that along with a fab multi disciplinary team she’s been leading to create ‘joy at work’. There’s more information about the IHI ‘Joy at Work’ approach here ‘Joy in Work | IHI – Institute for Healthcare Improvement’ Some of the things that have been introduced following coproduction and collaboration with staff, have included a monthly divisional shared lunch, improved break areas, starting handover with a reflection on what’s gone well in a shift, small welcome gifts for new starters, thank you notes on one year of service, and adopting the ‘you’ve been mugged’ approach (a lovely mug is filled up with goodies and left for someone to show how much they are appreciated). All approaches have all made a difference in enhancing the community that we all work in. It’s been significant to staff wellbeing and recognises the contribution of staff in providing great care day in day out.
@PaedPDNSRLH shared their gifts to staff on twitter recently ….
There was certainly joy too as I was travelling on the underground this week, the cheeriness of the @TfL staff on the Victoria line made me smile with their fun (slightly bonkers) reminders to keep safe, as weery soggy commuters headed into work. Their unconventional unscripted announcements certainly made me smile and lifted my spirits! It’s often small moments of joy that can make the difference in a challenging day.
So when ‘wonky days’ happen (as they often will!) hang on, look around, seek out a colleague, a smile, and if we’re able to be the provider of that smile, word of encouragement let’s be the ones that offer it, a bit like team TfL and the fab Children’s team at Barts Health 😉
Kath Evans Connecting 