Piedmont’s Post

I have been watching with keen interest all the LinkedIn posts from many ex-colleagues about the move-in process as the Midland Met Hospital opened its doors to staff, visitors and patients over the weekend. It seems like a remarkably well planned and managed transition, and I am really pleased for those involved. I also applaud Balfour Beatty plc for completing the project from the graveyard it once inhabited. Sadly however, such a well-run process should not overshadow or allow people to forget what came before, which was probably one of the worst public-private partnership procurements ever witnessed by the industry, where 2 of the 3 bidding consortia walked away leaving the Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust to negotiate a contract with Carillion. Everyone thought that Carillion could not lose from this position. By the time financial close and start on site was occurring in January 2016, the cracks in the company were already there for all to see. Within 2 years the project was reported as being 17m pounds over the contract price Carillion negotiated and was significantly delayed, which contributed towards the liquidation of the parent company. Upon liquidation it was clear the facts were far worse than had been reported. Now we sit here the day after the NHS Trust has moved in and I reflect on the procurement meetings with the NHS Trust almost 10 years ago to the day. They chose arrogance over collaboration as the NHS Project Director and CEO at the time laughed off the private sector concerns (yes, I mean actually laughing at us). The result? A project that has taken 10 years to complete and a construction bill way in excess of one billion pounds. A somber lesson to show that dismissing private sector concerns can lead to a costly outcome and that the only way complex projects should be procured is through collaboration, not ignorance.

The South West Compassionate Communities Network is proud to be part of a consortium with Compassionate Communities Australia the Perron Institute, Milligan. and the City of Kalamunda to upscale the Compassionate Connector program. Lotterywest is providing almost $800,000 in funding over three years to expand the Compassionate Community Connectors program and for the development of an online resource hub to support others in WA to develop their own Connector programs. The Compassionate Connector program draws on the research undertaken by our Chair Professor Samar Aoun here in the South West which found that when Community Connectors supported those in the community experiencing serious illness to develop their caregiving networks, they felt cared for and supported in times of need, less socially isolated and better able to engage in activities of daily living. The research also found that people who were supported by Compassionate Connectors were less likely to use hospital services. It was a pleasure to meet the Hon Samantha Rowe MLC who announced our Lotterywest grant and is pictured here with Steven Arnott - CEO at the Perron Institute, Prof Samar Aoun and our Deputy Chair, Dr Julieanne Hilbers. #CompassionateCommunities #compassionateconnectors

Two years ago, Washington County Regional Medical Center was on the brink of closure. With the help of Aletheia Health Partners, the hospital has turned losses into profits, regained community trust, and secured $15.5M in funding for major upgrades, including a new Emergency Department. "Aletheia has proven they're fully invested in our hospital and community," says Pamela Stewart, WCRMC's new CEO. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/en_fbESa

🗣️ How to Discuss Hospice with Children Navigating conversations about hospice with children can be challenging, yet it’s crucial for their understanding and emotional well-being. Here are key points to consider: • Be Honest and Clear 🗨️: Use age-appropriate language to explain what hospice is and why it is important, avoiding euphemisms that may confuse them. • Encourage Questions ❓: Allow children to express their feelings and ask questions about hospice, creating a safe space for open dialogue. • Use Creative Outlets 🎨: Engage children in art, stories, or play to help them express their feelings and process their emotions surrounding hospice care. For more resources on how to discuss hospice with children, please visit www.amedicushospice.org or contact us at (469) 389-1028. #HospiceCare #ChildrensHealth #AmedicusHospice

It's FAQ Friday again! Question: I live in New York City. My loved one, my Dad lives in California. He is showing signs of forgetfulness and we have no relatives on the west coast. How do I manage his senior care? Answer: The situation you are in is one of the main reasons we founded CARESULTANTS. The additional burden of figuring out how to find and manage the needed care can be very complex on families who are out of state. We can examine the needs your Father has and provide clear next steps with/for you so that you can stay where you are while we oversee the process. Once we define the right care plan together we can coordinate and manage the journey. #FAQs #Caresultants #CaregivingJourney

It's FAQ Friday again! Question: I live in New York City. My loved one, my Dad lives in California. He is showing signs of forgetfulness and we have no relatives on the west coast. How do I manage his senior care? Answer: The situation you are in is one of the main reasons we founded CARESULTANTS. The additional burden of figuring out how to find and manage the needed care can be very complex on families who are out of state. We can examine the needs your Father has and provide clear next steps with/for you so that you can stay where you are while we oversee the process. Once we define the right care plan together we can coordinate and manage the journey. #FAQs #Caresultants #CaregivingJourney

Check out the full article below to discover how our CEO and President, Don Mueller, plans to use good business to improve the lives of children and families in our community. 🤝

What can you do to ensure every child and family has access to high-quality, affordable child care? Start by assessing your community’s needs with the 2023 Closing the Gap report: https://bit.ly/3vMe74r and think about how you can make a difference!

🎤 Need a Speaker for Your Organization or Community Group? 🎤 End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) offers engaging and educational presentations on topics such as: ✅ Understanding the California End of Life Option Act (MAiD) ✅ Exploring all end-of-life options ✅ Advance care planning and communication with loved ones and physicians ✅ EOLCCA’s work and mission to support Californians We tailor our presentations to your audience’s needs—whether it’s a hospice, senior community, medical providers, nonprofits, educational groups, or houses of worship. 📍 Available in-person (location permitting) or via Zoom. 💬 Interested? Request a speaker here: https://lnkd.in/gCcyKBNS Let’s start the conversation about end-of-life planning, options, and choices—empowering individuals and their families to make informed decisions. #EndOfLifeChoices #MAiD #AdvanceCarePlanning #SpeakerRequest #CommunityEducation #EndOfLifeCare #EOLCCA #KnowYourOptions

Compassionate Communities Australia is proud to be part of a consortium with the the Perron Institute, the South West Compassionate Communities Network, Milligan. and the City of Kalamunda to upscale the Compassionate Connector program. Lotterywest is providing almost $800,000 in funding over three years to expand the Compassionate Community Connectors program and for the development of an online resource hub to support others in WA to develop their own Connector programs. The Compassionate Connector program draws on the research undertaken by our Chair Professor Samar Aoun which found that when Community Connectors supported those in the community experiencing serious illness to develop their caregiving networks, they felt cared for and supported in times of need, less socially isolated and better able to engage in activities of daily living. The research also found that people who were supported by Compassionate Connectors were less likely to use hospital services. It was a pleasure to meet the Hon Samantha Rowe MLC who announced our Lotterywest grant and is pictured here with Steven Arnott - CEO at the Perron Institute, Prof Samar Aoun and Dr Julieanne Hilbers. #CompassionateCommunities #compassionateconnectors