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Friends and colleagues gathered together today for our virtual AGM, which was a wonderful look back over the last decade and a look forward to the next 10 years.

From becoming a Major Trauma Centre and opening our Stem Cell Unit, to our response to COVID, caring for positive patients and vaccinating our local population, there was plenty to look back on over the last decade. There is also plenty to look forward to: with plans to begin building work on a new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre and a new Royal Eye Infirmary next year.

The meeting was also Richard Crompton, our Chairman’s, last ever meeting with us after ten years in the hot seat. It made for an emotional meeting at which he said: “This is a wonderful way to end ten years …it has been a remarkable 10 years, with a few rollercoaster-like moments however, this is reflected in the tremendous progress made. What came out from everything we heard is the importance of people: our patients, our volunteers, our colleagues and our partners.  I'd just like to say, what has become so clear to me, is just how committed all staff here are and our volunteers are one of the foundations of the hospital and we simply couldn't do what we do, without them. I wish you all the best of luck and success to you all as you negotiate the future.”

During Richard’s time as Chair of UHP, we have become a university teaching hospital, opened a helipad and become a Major Trauma Centre, created a Partnership with Livewell Southwest to deliver care which is more integrated for our local population and in January the independent Care Quality Commission rated our organisation Outstanding for ‘Caring’, and improved our ratings for ‘Well-Led’ and ‘Effective’ to Good.

Chief Executive Ann James said: “Richard’s values-based leadership, his commitment to putting the people we serve first and to working with others in partnership has been the embodiment of excellent public service. During the last decade, Richard has been both supportive and challenging as Chair and has always worked to create the right climate for our #1BigTeam to be the best we can be.

“There are many things we could credit Richard’s leadership for, not least our recent improved regulatory ratings. But we know he would simply say that this is a team effort and would want the personal acknowledgment reflected back to the fabulous team within UHP, because that’s the sort of person Richard is.”

Kyeiyanne James, co-chair of the BAME network told Richard during the meeting: “You have always been there for us, with a listening ear and great advice,” while Tony Gravett, from Plymouth Healthwatch described how he had always felt confident that patients voices were being listened to and heard.

James Brent will succeed Richard Crompton as Chair, serving from 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2026 in the role. You can read more about James on this link.

 

Watch back

You can watch our AGM back at your own leisure, including hearing from our Patient Council, Healthwatch, our partners, staff, volunteers and carers – listen to them talk about what they most value and what they’re hoping for in the future.

• AGM link to watch back
• Video film shown during the AGM can be viewed on Youtube (8 mins 18 secs)