Editorial

EDITORIAL JON WILKS

I am absolutely delighted to be launching our new quarterly member’s E-Magazine today. It is packed with interesting articles and analysis, all of which have been written by our members, and this will continue to be the case in future editions.

EDITORIAL Chief Executive JON WILKS

For our launch edition I want to reflect on what you have all achieved over the last year. It doesn’t matter one jot what your role is, I am confident that you will have had to adapt and acclimatise to a whole new set of challenges and issues.

It is testament to your abilities that you have been able to come through it all. No doubt in the near future there will be a major public enquiry to explore what was done and why, but this will not be representative of the detailed human factors that you have individually faced.

I am guessing that they will include anything from the following list: anxiety, sleep loss, irritability, family crises, physical fitness, mental resilience, grief, tearfulness, isolation, fatigue... the list goes on.

It is easy to look at the head and shoulders of someone on a Zoom or Teams call and ignore the unseen in our rush to complete a project, event or task. The superficial projection of confidence and efficiency masks the very real difficulties that we have all faced at some stage – and that’s what makes me all the more determined to pay tribute to the straightforward compassion and thoughtfulness of members, which I have been privileged to witness on countless occasions.

Thousands of you have attended IHSCM events, workshops, conferences and meetings over the last year and at every one, somebody has done or said something to offer support and encouragement to a fellow member. I find it immensely moving to have watched and heard these small interactions and gestures, often tiny in the big scheme of things, but mighty in their immediate, personal impact.

This Institute, through its members, has achieved great things during the pandemic but none more important than giving members the opportunity to support one another. Bravo to all of you who have taken that opportunity so selflessly.

If you have a view on anything to do with your work or a general comment piece on aspects of health and social care then do please email me and we will publish. 500 words is the limit on content and feel free to provide a photo or two as well.