Calmness, complexity and carrots: Reflections on my first three months

Three months into the job and I’m starting to feel a little less like the new girl. It’s been brilliant getting out and about and meeting so many colleagues, who have welcomed me and been willing to share their experiences openly and honestly.

I visited the minor injury units at Sheppey and Sittingbourne, both great services with an excellent local offer for patients, who all spoke very highly of the service they have received. These teams perform a vital role, supporting people close to home and freeing up space in A&E for those that really need it.

Our minor injury units and urgent treatment centres are a real success story and are highly valued by local people.

I also visited Hawkhurst Community Hospital and I think I managed to meet every colleague on duty; all highly professional, kind and compassionate, with a great sense of humour too. A particular highlight was a tour of the kitchen garden with Sarah Agyemang our chef and recent staff award winner. The principle of good food, organically grown and freshly delivered to the plate was evident and the efforts to create a great outdoor space for patients was a pleasure to see. I came home with a carrot in my bag that I added to my dinner that evening. Thank you, Sarah.

Sarah Agyemang in the Hawkhurst garden

Hawkhurst had a wonderfully calm atmosphere and this impressed me even more when I realised the complexity of patients that colleagues are caring for. It’s clear that patient needs are becoming more complex and the environment will need some work to adapt, such as more bariatric equipment.

One of the upsetting things I heard that has stayed with me was from a colleague who had been racially abused by a patient. This is absolutely unacceptable and we will take firm and appropriate action when this occurs. We need to work together to make sure all our colleagues feel safe and respected at work.

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, I have a tremendous sense of hope for the future. We have the innovation and willingness in our teams to innovate our services to meet the growing complexity of our patients, but also tackle the prevention of ill health.

I’m confident that our community teams will rise to the challenge of continuing to provide outstanding care.

Mairead