NCIC News
All the latest from the Trust | October 2025
Intro from the Chair
Hello and welcome to our newsletter for foundation trust members and the wider community.
I’m delighted to introduce myself as the Interim Chair. It’s a real privilege to join such a dedicated and compassionate organisation that plays such an important role in the lives of our people across North Cumbria. Earlier this month, we were all very saddened to learn that Steven had decided to stand- down as Chairman due to ill health. His loyalty and dedication to the organisation, staff and patients have been inspirational. We will miss him very much and wish him a speedy recovery.
For those that don’t know me I have worked in healthcare as a nurse and senior leader through service in both the NHS and the military. During my 40 year career I have worked at all organisational levels and delivered care in some of the most austere and hostile environments. Drawing on this experience I will work with colleagues, governors, and partners over the coming months to support our staff on NCIC’s improvement journey to provide the very best care we can for our communities in North Cumbria. Having served as a Non-Executive Director at NCIC for the past 3.5 years, I also have a strong understanding of our challenges and the opportunities ahead. As a senior leader I am passionate about contributing to an NHS that is resilient, compassionate, and future-ready.
I very much look forward to meeting you over the coming months and hearing YOUR ideas as how together we shape a positive future for healthcare in North Cumbria. In the meantime please play your part in taking steps to make yourself and your family as ‘winter health ready’ as you can by taking the advice below.
Until next time,
Teresa Griffiths CBE ARRC
Interim Chair
Chair of NCIC steps down due to ill health
Steven Morgan will step down from his role as Chair of NCIC with effect from 1st November, 2025 following a period of illness. Mr Morgan has been Chair of the Trust since February 2023. Since his appointment the Trust has developed an ambitious corporate and clinical strategy designed to deliver more care closer to home.
Mr Morgan had strengthened relationships with partners locally, and in the wider region through NCIC’s membership of the Great North Healthcare alliance alongside the Northumberland, Newcastle and Gateshead NHS trusts. We wish Steven all the best and thank him for his contribution to NCIC.
Winter is coming, NCIC helps you to get prepared
As winter fast approaches, we’re sharing advice on how you and your family can stay well. It's that time of year when we start to see more people becoming ill with the flu and other viruses, both in our hospitals and out in the community.
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself is to get the flu vaccination, and we are offering all of our staff a free flu vaccine to help keep them and our patients safe. Our teams are also offering vaccinations to pregnant women, and school aged children. Getting your flu vaccine helps protect everyone. By getting vaccinated, you’re protecting yourself, your family, your colleagues, and your community — especially those whose immune systems are more vulnerable.
Find out if you’re eligible for a free flu and Covid-19 vaccination here: nhs.uk/vaccinations
Because flu strains change, it’s important to get your vaccine annually to stay protected. The more people who are vaccinated, the stronger the protection is for everyone. If you do feel unwell, please don't visit your loved ones in hospital as they are more vulnerable, and viruses like flu are more serious for those who are already ill. It also contributes to staff sickness.
Make sure the kids are alright
A lead nurse from NCIC, has shared her top tips for keeping your child well ahead of the winter months.
Katie Raine, Lead Nurse for Children and Young People at NCIC said: “Now is a good time for parents and carers to familiarise themselves with some of the common illnesses that could affect children's health or even cause more serious illness during the colder months and how you can prevent and treat them.
“Your local pharmacist is often a great place to start for help and advice, they are expertly trained and can offer advice or over the counter medication to help a range of ailments, or can point you in the right direction for further support. Pharmacists are often open longer than other NHS services, and can be in more convenient places."
Health advice is available at any time by contacting 111 or from your local GP. If parents do think their child is more seriously injured or ill, then they should seek medical advice as soon as possible at one of our A&E Departments.
How we are performing
In the latest NHS data published this month, our Referral to Treatment waiting list has reduced for the fifth month in a row, even with over 6,000 new referrals. Our diagnostic waiting list also decreased and our cancer performance remains a focus as we experienced a decline in performance in August. During September, we saw fewer patients overall across our emergency departments than August, however patients were more ill and therefore there were more emergency admissions than the month before.
Earlier this month the Trust Board agreed to prioritise some schemes to provide extra capacity for cancer care and additional staffing for our new Urgent Treatment Centre in Carlisle. The schemes focus on reducing long waits in urgent and emergency care, reducing our waiting times for elective procedures and improving the Trust’s performance in relation to cancer care. Our urgent treatment centres in Penrith & Keswick are also experiencing staffing issues at the moment, please keep an eye on our website and social media feeds where we will share information about any temporary changes.
Chief Executive sets out ambition to reimagine healthcare at Annual Members Meeting
There were plenty of questions from governors and members of the public on the future of our services at our Annual Members meeting for the financial year of 2024/25 on 29th September. Around 50 people gathered to hear a presentation from Interim Chief Executive Trudie Davies who set out on behalf of Chair, Steven Morgan our ambition to reimagine healthcare in north Cumbria. She outlined the harsh facts presented to us recently in the new National Oversight Framework where we were ranked 130 out of 134 acute trusts in the Country. “In the short term we must have a laser focus on performance – long waits in A&E, for routine operations and cancer care are unacceptable. In the medium to long term we have to reconsider how we deliver healthcare in our Trust. Using the NHS 10 year plan as our guide – we will change.“
No place for hate crime at NCIC
Interim Chief Exec at NCIC has spoken out during Hate Crime Awareness Week to condemn physical and verbal aggression experienced by colleagues.
Trudie Davies said: “Very sadly, we are hearing that our colleagues are experiencing an increasing amount of racial discrimination both at work and while in the community. We are proud that over 13 per cent of our colleagues are from ethnic minority backgrounds from over 72 countries. We celebrate and value diversity and we couldn’t run our services without them. It’s very sad and upsetting to hear what some of them are having to deal with. At NCIC we will not tolerate racism, violence or aggression of any sort. We are encouraging colleagues to report verbal and physical aggression and we will do everything we can to support them where they experience it.” The Trust’s HUMAN campaign posters are across the Trust’s sites featuring close up images of local staff, to remind patients, families and the community to treat health care professionals with kindness and respect.
Celebrating Success: Awards Recognition for NCIC This Month
We’re proud to share that NCIC has received two fantastic accolades this month, highlighting the dedication and innovation of our teams. These achievements reflect the incredible work happening across our Trust
eCommunity Initiative Wins Top Award: Our pioneering e Community programme has been honoured with a prestigious award, recognising its transformative impact on patient care. The initiative, which streamlines referrals and enhances collaboration across services, stood out for its innovation and measurable improvements in patient outcomes.
Tammie Dobie Goes the Extra Mile: Congratulations to Tammie Dobie, who has been recognised for her outstanding commitment and compassion. Tammie received an award from the Northern Cancer Alliance for consistently going above and beyond to support patients and colleagues, embodying the very best of NCIC’s values.
Positive Feedback from Kidney Patients
Every year the Kidney Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM), collects the views of kidney patients across the UK to build a national picture of renal care experiences. We’re delighted to share that kidney patients at NCIC have reported a highly positive experience with their care. Feedback highlights the professionalism, compassion, and dedication of our renal teams, who continue to make a real difference in patients’ lives.
Some of the feedback includes:
- “Specialist nurses are key and keep me on track”
- “I've got a great kidney consultant who treats me as a whole person with a number of comorbidities, not just kidneys.
He goes above and beyond for his patients and listens to you” - “Post-transplant I have felt well supported in all aspects of care. All staff are first rate and could not ask for better”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October might be Breast Cancer Awareness Month but checking your breasts is important all year round. Consultant Breast Surgeon at NCIC, Ioannis Michalakis, (pictured here) took on the Altra Kielder Marathon at the beginning of October to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now.
Clinical Nurse Specialists Julia Forsyth and Belinda Fitzwilliam also completed the Great North Run in September and have raised a total of £2,190 so far. It's not too late to donate.
Early detection saves lives, Ioannis shares the signs and symptoms to look out for:
- A lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
- Changes in size, shape, or feel of your breast
- Skin changes like puckering, dimpling, or redness
- Nipple discharge or inversion
- Persistent pain in your breast or armpit
You don’t need to be an expert, just be breast aware. If something doesn’t feel right, speak to your GP.
Member and Governor update
Governor column by Jacqueline Nicol, Lead Governor
At the beginning of the month we welcomed our new and re-elected governors to the council. Three new governors have been appointed Michael Sydney, Russell Norman and Richard Carnegie. They will be joining fellow Governors to fulfil the duties of the council and engaging with our members and our wider community.
During the month we were shocked and saddened to hear of the resignation of our Chair due to health problems this month. Since Steven joined us a couple of years ago he has led the board and Governors Council with enthusiasm and total commitment. His vision of the future of NCIC will carry on as he has laid the foundations for a much improved Trust. We wish him well and will miss him.
On 24th October a group of governors attended an Alliance event at Hexham Hospital. We met with governors from Newcastle, Northumbria and Gateshead and took the opportunity to explore ways we can all work together irrespective of which Trust we belong to for the benefit of all. The Alliance has been formed to bring more collaborative working between trusts and the aim is to improve the outcomes for patients. If you’re interested in finding more about how the Alliance will affect us in Cumbria contact us and we can tell you more. NCIC governors are ensuring your voice is heard.
Become a member
Anyone living in Cumbria over the age of 14 can become a member, you can choose how much or how little you want to be involved – join today.
Concerns or comments
If you have any concerns or comments please contact your governors on the email below. We are here to raise any concerns on your behalf. More information on the members of the Governors’ Council and their role can be found on our website. If you have any comments or suggestions please contact us via the email below: AskYourGovernor@ncic.nhs.uk
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