Nick Ireland’s Foreword: Sutton Care Bulletin #3

I hope you were able to enjoy some restful time off over the Easter break and made the most of easing restrictions to see family or friends. 

The weather’s getting warmer (for the most part), the days are getting longer and we continue to move along the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. All of these things will likely contribute to a cautious lift in the mood nationally and here in the London Borough of Sutton.

The wider world is beginning to open back up again. We have seen limits on the number of people we can socialise with loosened and local businesses begin to spring back into life. Though I appreciate many in the world of health and social care have been working on the frontlines despite the lockdown imposed on most of the nation, so it may not feel that different to many yet. 

Going forward, we want to support Sutton’s care providers to recruit the best staff for all positions. From management, to clinical staff, support workers and administrative support, we want to ensure support is available and aids the high standards of care and support locally. Therefore, we have created the Sutton Care Hub Job Portal. This new section of the website will allow providers to list available jobs in one central location, which potential employees can then publicly access allowing them to submit their applications, streamlining the recruitment processes across the care sector in Sutton. 

The COVID-19 vaccine remains our best defence against the virus and our clearest route out of the current restrictions. If you haven’t had yours yet, it’s easier than ever to get it, particularly if you work in health and social care. Walk-in sessions are now available in South West London vaccination centres and many local pharmacies, so please do make the time to get your jab to help us on our way back to normality.

While we look optimistically to the future, we cannot escape the impact of the last year. Many of us will have lost loved ones, colleagues and will have seen those we care for suffer. Some will have been scared for our own wellbeing during an unprecedented period. Please continue to look after your own wellbeing and that of your loved ones, as well as those you care for professionally. To mark the anniversary of the first lockdown, Sutton Council, in partnership with the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and Sutton Housing Partnership, have announced plans for a COVID-19 Garden of Reflection on St Helier open space. However you choose to look back on the recent past, please know that your work and your efforts have been greatly appreciated; by myself, the Council, our borough’s residents and those you care for. 

Thank you again, for all that you have done and continue to do.

Warm regards,

Nick Ireland

Strategic Director of People – London Borough of Sutton