Weeknote - WC 20th November 2023 - what's the weather like?

It's been a while hasn't it? I'll not attempt to capture everything that I've been up to since I last wrote a weeknote. Sincere apologies to those that have enjoyed the radio silence. There have been a few blockers to my weeknoting in recent weeks/months, which include a teething baby, work challenges and some personal health challenges too. I was lucky enough to get some time in the sun, but that's not the only weather reference I wanted to share today.

So what have you been up to?

Lots, so much so that I'm going to launch into a list:

• Launched our bi-monthly client tech briefing
• Onboarded our second tranche of staff onto the cyber futures programme with NHSE
• Discussions with an NHSE region about how we can support some of their intentions for use of AI
• Supported a number of bids and proposals across a number of SCW service lines, for some really exciting opportunities
• Supported some critical recruitment in the broader organisation
• Had a wonderful holiday, celebrating a big birthday for my dad
• Spent lots of time working closely with our Innovation team, helping our architecture team become more integrated with innovation
• Hosted colleagues from NHS England, who visited our service desk in Bridgwater
• Spoke with a number of NHS organisations we've not worked with before about opportunities for collaboration
• Met with portfolio leaders and managers to look at how we can strengthen ways of working
• Took a volunteering day, where I spoke about careers in technology and the NHS more generally. This was really fun, but I've not missed my calling!
• Made some amazing progress on our data centre programme
• Learned lots of lessons from our one drive migration pilot
• Collaborative discussions with CSU colleagues about we can develop more consistent working practices

Sounds easy breezy then?

Nope, sadly not....we've had the dual challenge in recent weeks in that we have had to work through two sets of plans for next financial year that are quite complex. Whilst we're doing our usual business planning, we've also been working through a management of change process in response to some of the running cost allowance challenges I've previously referenced. I've been around the NHS for long enough for this to not be my first rodeo, but of course it is hard to be in a position where you must draft proposals to respond to new constraints, particularly where this involves risk for people. I have found responding to, and keeping track of both processes in parallel quite tricky - particularly on the basis that I was on holiday right in the middle.

There has been a lot of work required around the change programme, particularly with respect to developing proposals themselves and also communicating with colleagues. Simon kindly agreed to an extended directorate briefing and I took the role of Michael Parkinson, asking the questions that had come in from colleagues. This obviously was not without some preparations in advance, as well as follow up actions after. We have returned to a more standard DDaT briefing format now that organisation wide briefings have started.

What's the weather like?

Sadly, this is not about the wonderful spanish weather of a couple weeks ago. I really appreciated some wise words from my colleague Steve Aulman, that have seen me through some of the trickier days recently. Having second guessed an approach I had taken to something, Steve remarked that climate is more important than weather, which I took to mean don't judge things at their best or worst - think about what the consistent level is, and judge yourself based on that. I think the same applies when you think organisationally about change...we've had some sunny weather, we're getting the brollies ready just in case it rains, but the climate is good.

There has been a lot of sentiment with regards to well-being and checking in with each other. Obviously we're navigating a tricky period organisationally, and it is difficult for everyone. In most cases, what I'm seeing from people is lots of kind and supportive behaviour between colleagues, which I'm very pleased with.

That's all for now - lets hope the weekend brings a little winter sun to help us all recharge!