24 Dec 2021, 9:21 a.m.

For many of us the festive period is a time to be with family and friends, to relax and to have some well-deserved rest but for others it will be time spent at work

With the arrival of another variant threatening festivities, we can be forgiven for having a sense of déjà vu, in what has been another unrelenting year.

The pandemic continues to present us with unprecedented challenge both, in our work and personal lives. Yet, even with these deeply trying circumstances, there are so many examples of your compassion, commitment and resilience. It is this fortitude which will help us through the current and any future twists that this pandemic may have in store. Hearing your experiences over the past year has been humbling and inspiring in equal measure.

The “glue” that binds us together is the care we provide to our patients. So, whatever your role, and whether you’ve been onsite or homeworking, we want to personally thank each and every one of you for the part you’ve played in delivering care to our patients and support to your colleagues. The current turn of events should not diminish from the impact that you’ve made despite many of you feeling that you cannot deliver the quality of care that you would like to. Collectively our patients, their families and the community we serve are far better off as a result of your efforts, for which we are truly grateful.

For some, however, Christmas is not a celebration. It may be the first Christmas without a loved one or a time when loneliness or illness is felt more keenly and we hope you find the strength to look to 2022 with optimism.

We are hugely indebted to each and every one of you and would like to take the opportunity to thank you for everything you have done this year and will continue to do for us next year. Season’s Greetings from the whole Board.

We are hugely indebted to each and every one of you and would like to take the opportunity to thank you for everything you have done this year and will continue to do for us next year

Deborah Lee, Chief Executive and Peter Lachecki, Chair