After a long and varied NHS career, I’m now retired and living in Worthing.
The NHS has modernised and adapted more in my lifetime than any other public service, yet the fundamentals of a good patient experience have barely changed. Despite the Service being under heavy pressure it’s never been more vital to the nation’s ongoing economic, physical and mental health; helping keep people in work and to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
I feel privileged to serve as a Trust Governor for Worthing, not far from the area where I began my career as a hospital administrator, at Brighton’s much-loved Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
On leaving RACH I worked on various region-wide projects, gaining valuable experience at the interface between the NHS and Local Authorities, professional bodies, voluntary organisations and the public at large.
My later career focused, from the legal and service perspectives, on learning from untoward, sometimes catastrophic, events: assisting with Enquiries, helping promote safe practice and reduce incidents of harm.
I hope to continue as a volunteer Wayfinder, a role that offers me invaluable contact with patients, visitors, and staff throughout the hospital. As a Governor I shall do all I can to ensure the voices of all service-users in the Worthing area are reflected in the Trust’s deliberations.