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A day in the life of ... a human resources director A day in the life of ... an NHS human resources director
(about 7 hours later)
I live in a small village in Lancashire, just outside of Liverpool. I am the human resources director for an acute specialist trust in Liverpool. The Walton Centre NHS foundation trust is the UK's only free standing neurosciences hospital and the biggest and busiest neurosurgical unit in the country. It provides neurology, neurosurgery, spinal surgery, neurorehabilitation, neuropsychology and specialist pain services, supported by specialist diagnostics for Merseyside, Cheshire, north Wales and the Isle of Man.I live in a small village in Lancashire, just outside of Liverpool. I am the human resources director for an acute specialist trust in Liverpool. The Walton Centre NHS foundation trust is the UK's only free standing neurosciences hospital and the biggest and busiest neurosurgical unit in the country. It provides neurology, neurosurgery, spinal surgery, neurorehabilitation, neuropsychology and specialist pain services, supported by specialist diagnostics for Merseyside, Cheshire, north Wales and the Isle of Man.
My day starts about 6am. Normally I am woken by my dog who is the family's official alarm clock. I start the day with a compulsory cup of very strong builders' tea (I don't function otherwise) and answering a few emails while the rest of my household sleeps.My day starts about 6am. Normally I am woken by my dog who is the family's official alarm clock. I start the day with a compulsory cup of very strong builders' tea (I don't function otherwise) and answering a few emails while the rest of my household sleeps.
By 7am most mornings I am rushing my daughters to get up, eat breakfast and prepare for the day ahead. Depending on my diary my start time varies significantly. I can be on the road any time between 7.30am and 8.15am. I also try to go to the gym at least once a week before work to meet a colleague for a swim where we talk business literally length by length! I take regular exercise and try to watch my diet, but I do admit to having a sweet tooth and I do succumb to the odd chocolate bar or cake.By 7am most mornings I am rushing my daughters to get up, eat breakfast and prepare for the day ahead. Depending on my diary my start time varies significantly. I can be on the road any time between 7.30am and 8.15am. I also try to go to the gym at least once a week before work to meet a colleague for a swim where we talk business literally length by length! I take regular exercise and try to watch my diet, but I do admit to having a sweet tooth and I do succumb to the odd chocolate bar or cake.
Typically my day consists of meetings, which focus on the everyday business of the trust and future strategic direction as a trust board member. I hold team meetings with individuals who report directly to me and with heads of departments; or conference calls, all of which lead to numerous strategic pieces of work or operational actions.Typically my day consists of meetings, which focus on the everyday business of the trust and future strategic direction as a trust board member. I hold team meetings with individuals who report directly to me and with heads of departments; or conference calls, all of which lead to numerous strategic pieces of work or operational actions.
I always make it my business to engage with the wider workforce and I lead regular staff summits, walkabouts and senates to ensure I listen and talk to those on the frontline.I always make it my business to engage with the wider workforce and I lead regular staff summits, walkabouts and senates to ensure I listen and talk to those on the frontline.
I bring my lunch – usually from M&S – to work and I eat on the go between meetings. I do attempt to get time away from the office when I can and take a working lunch with a colleague over a coffee. If I am feeling particularly energetic there are plenty of lunchtime exercise classes which are a great opportunity to exercise and engage with the staff at the same time.I bring my lunch – usually from M&S – to work and I eat on the go between meetings. I do attempt to get time away from the office when I can and take a working lunch with a colleague over a coffee. If I am feeling particularly energetic there are plenty of lunchtime exercise classes which are a great opportunity to exercise and engage with the staff at the same time.
A key passion for me is the health and wellbeing agenda, which is very much supported by the government's new mandate for the NHS commissioning board. I take a real pride in leading a team of human resources professionals who have excelled in this area. Our trust was the first in the north to achieve the Investors in People health and wellbeing initiative, developing the trust's first health and wellbeing strategy, with the key aims of improving health, reducing sickness absence and cutting down on the use of bank and agency staff.A key passion for me is the health and wellbeing agenda, which is very much supported by the government's new mandate for the NHS commissioning board. I take a real pride in leading a team of human resources professionals who have excelled in this area. Our trust was the first in the north to achieve the Investors in People health and wellbeing initiative, developing the trust's first health and wellbeing strategy, with the key aims of improving health, reducing sickness absence and cutting down on the use of bank and agency staff.
The trust has received Sir David Nicholson's gold and silver ribbon marks on behalf of the NHS Sport and Activity Challenge, in recognition of our focus on health and wellbeing by leading the second NHS NW Games in 2012. The NHS Games was a landmark event launched in 2011 which has seen more than 23 north-west NHS organisations taking part in competitive sport. I was personally delighted to win the NHS leadership academy's outstanding health and wellbeing leader award in July 2012, which was partly due to the success of the Games.The trust has received Sir David Nicholson's gold and silver ribbon marks on behalf of the NHS Sport and Activity Challenge, in recognition of our focus on health and wellbeing by leading the second NHS NW Games in 2012. The NHS Games was a landmark event launched in 2011 which has seen more than 23 north-west NHS organisations taking part in competitive sport. I was personally delighted to win the NHS leadership academy's outstanding health and wellbeing leader award in July 2012, which was partly due to the success of the Games.
As for unwinding after my day, I have to admit I do find it hard to switch off completely. While driving home I think through plans for the coming days and weeks. I pick one or both of my daughters up from their wonderful grandparents or their after-school hobbies and then head home.As for unwinding after my day, I have to admit I do find it hard to switch off completely. While driving home I think through plans for the coming days and weeks. I pick one or both of my daughters up from their wonderful grandparents or their after-school hobbies and then head home.
Being a full-time working mum, I have to be well organised and I plan and cook some of the family meals for the week every Sunday. My youngest daughter often eats with my parents as she can't wait for teatime with mum and dad! After dinner it's time to supervise homework, half watching some light-hearted TV and then back to work, reading and replying to emails, before bed.Being a full-time working mum, I have to be well organised and I plan and cook some of the family meals for the week every Sunday. My youngest daughter often eats with my parents as she can't wait for teatime with mum and dad! After dinner it's time to supervise homework, half watching some light-hearted TV and then back to work, reading and replying to emails, before bed.
Relaxation happens at weekends and for me there is nothing better than a quick gym session, some retail therapy, then a lovely family meal and trip to the cinema.Relaxation happens at weekends and for me there is nothing better than a quick gym session, some retail therapy, then a lovely family meal and trip to the cinema.
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