Craic-ing the week 02/09/24

W/C 2nd September

September is here, the kids are back to school, and I've only got 2 months left at SWB… sad times, but also very, very exciting. I’ve been reviewing documentation over the weekend to stay ahead of my new role, but my focus remains on BAU at SWB— along with managing major initiatives for the new MMUH hospital opening, completing external funding bids, and ensuring a smooth handover. The coming months will be hectic!

?

This week started with my usual Monday meetings: work planning, 121s, and the SMT at 2:15. Progress on the Infrastructure side is solid, with the team effectively managing final requests ahead of the new hospital opening date. Despite the challenge of balancing "small requests" with broader plans, I’m confident in our team’s ability to triage, prioritise, and deliver.

?

Financial pressures are an ever present part of life in the NHS, with discussions about stricter controls and recruitment limitations. My commercial team are working to support and influence this, though recent turnover and my impending departure add operational challenges.

?

I caught up with a former retail colleague, Mark Hancock, now the Assistant Director of Digital Education at the University of Birmingham. We explored potential collaborations on nurturing the emerging digital workforce for Healthcare IT and had a good chin-wag. I've spoken about it before, but there is definitely something in the grounding you get from a retail career, that translates so well to digital leadership.

?

Key operational activities remain a focus. We spent time this week refining our commitment to DSPT progress, and getting to grips with the new CAF aligned changes. I also attended the quarterly estates asbestos compliance board—a reminder of the importance of operational diligence alongside strategy and transformation. No-one wants to talk with you about strategy if you're not getting the basics right!

?

I wrapped up the week learning about the NHS Federated Data Platform. This initiative has significant potential and, in my view, with absolutely the right intention. Identification of, access to, and management/use of data are absolutely things we should be putting energy into.

?

The sun’s shining, and life’s good. Time for a BBQ!

?

Onward!

The views expressed are entirely my own and do not necessarily represent the views of any organisation with which I am affiliated.