Whittington Health

Happy #WorldRadiographyDay! A massive thanks to all our fantastic radiographers, especially our three apprentice radiographers and everyone at our Trust who supports them 📷🦴

Hi, my name is Catherine Wardle, and I am an Assistant Librarian at Whittington Health. A typical day might involve me organising training sessions and off-site visits and clearing through my inbox. I could be preparing for journal clubs, where I meet with a group of clinicians who have read a research article, and we appraise that article together. I could be running training sessions, buying book stock and processing them or developing training content. It is a real variety with each day bringing a new challenge. My speciality lies in health literacy, and I am a passionate advocate and trainer of the subject. I love teaching, training and supporting colleagues to do the work they do best. NHS Librarianship is an incredible career choice and requires a professional qualification. A Masters degree in Librarianship or Information and Knowledge studies (which many universities offer) can open so many doors and you can become a Chartered professional too. I see NHS Librarianship as a form of social good. It’s about taking some of the information seeking load off clinician’s shoulders and most crucially, it’s about enhancing patient care. I cannot pretend to be something that I am not. Bringing my true self, into everything I do, makes me feel authentic and my passion for my work is real. Realising that has been the key to enjoying my work and achieving a work/life balance. My father always referred to the NHS as “the great equaliser” and I stand by that notion. The idea that anyone can walk into A&E and receive the absolute same level of excellent care is a thing to be cherished and upheld. I am proud to work within an institution that, despite the odds, champions that ideal. The Whittington Health Library Team are so dedicated, they are a special team to be a part of and incredibly supportive and creative. Indeed, they make this job a pleasure. It’s my privilege to work here. #WhyICare 💙

Calling all health and social care professionals! Join us for an enriching day dedicated to enhancing cancer care for LGBTQIA patients. Date: 15th January 2025 Time:10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Location: Hargrave Hall, Archway, N19 5SP Free Tickets: Register now via the link in the comments. Cancer care can be challenging enough, but for LGBTQIA patients, it can come with additional layers of complexity. This event is an opportunity for professionals to listen, learn, and develop strategies to provide better, more inclusive care. Why Attend? - Hear patient stories - Participate in discussions focused on improving care - Learn from health professionals and LGBTQIA leaders - Engage in live performances and creative activities - Network over complimentary breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea For more information, contact Tracey at 07881 834433 or [email protected]. We hope to see you there as we work towards better, more inclusive cancer care. #SpeakOUTAboutCancer

Calling all Whittington Health staff! This is your reminder to complete your NHS Staff Survey! Last year’s survey led to multiple changes at Whittington Health. The survey provides valuable insights into how staff feel about work and drives improvements in our organisation. The survey is completely anonymous. And as a bonus, all Whittington Health NHS Trust staff who take part in the NHS Staff Survey will be in with the chance of winning an iPad or one of 15 Amazon vouchers. Staff can search their inbox for their survey link via an email from 'Picker'. Your voice matters so let it be heard by completing this year's NHS Staff Survey!

I'm Sacha, Engagement and Communications Manager at Whittington Health. I stumbled into the NHS by accident. At the time, I was working as a social media assistant when, one Friday, I found myself jobless. By the following Monday, I had accepted a bank role at what I later discovered was a Mental Health Trust. I often joke that my journey was a bit of a fluke. I was fiercely driven, yes, but had no clue of where I was headed after my degree (Psychology). It was through this NHS bank position that I was exposed to the Assistant Psychologist role and Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy course I later went on to complete. It took me several years to really begin intentionally carving my path, several secondments later I am pleased to have found myself in the Engagement and Comms space and at my current role at Whittington Health. My background and experiences are deeply rooted in why I’m passionate about the work I do. Being a familiar face and listening ear that allows our patients and colleagues to feel at home when they come to Whittington Health is incredibly important to me. I know first hand what it’s like to be the ‘only one’ in the room, whether that be through the lens of gender, class or race. I also understand that there is more than one way of doing things to arrive at the same outcome. This is particularly important when you are from a minority group as you often have to carve alternative paths to arrive at your destination. When representation lacks, you sometimes have to imagine a future that no one who looks like you may have ever stepped into before. This is where having vision, creativity and a little bit of whimsy comes in. Outside of my role at Whittington Health I facilitate vision boarding and goal setting workshops to provide a safe and supportive space to empower people to access their visions and achieve their goals. I must admit ‘reclaiming narratives’ although essential, can be exhausting. When you yourself are represented by the statistics you are trying to improve in a system, your work is personal and can take a toll. At the start of my career, I remember having to justify my seat at the table or speak up for groups of people that weren’t considered in decision making. I assumed that speaking up would get easier and the risk of being tarnished with the trope of being angry or aggressive would feel less over time. I’m still waiting for that moment to arrive! However, I would say it’s super important to find ways to look after yourself in the process. Mentoring, coaching, and finding people along the way that you can trust and confide in have proven to be worthy self-care remedies. For me, a truly reclaimed narrative would mean you could show up unapologetically without the worry of how that comes across, but in reality, I think it looks a little more like continuing to show up, and trying every day to do your best and be yourself, with people surrounding you that support you to do so.

In honour of Black History Month we spoke to Babatunde Ige, Patient Pathway Co-ordinator, as part of our ‘Why I care’ series. Here is his story. My story starts just down the road. I studied Social Policy at London Metropolitan University. Back then, I didn’t know anything beyond Holloway Road station. I stuck to my commute to and from university and didn’t discover anything beyond that until a friend of mine suggested I apply for a job here at Whittington Health. That was back in 2015, and I have been with the Trust since. My first role within the NHS was in acute paediatrics; I later moved to community paediatrics, where I coordinate the referral and triage pathways for the service. I recently completed a secondment with the Governance department, which was an amazing experience. It came at a time when I really needed a breakthrough, and I was able to learn a lot. The person who gave me my first opportunity in the NHS was a Black man. That was a huge positive. I came into the organisation and thought, ‘Wow, there are so many opportunities in whichever direction I want to go in.’ The NHS is so diverse, and our BME colleagues are the cornerstone of many of our services. It is hugely important that we continue to not only support young Black people in entering the NHS but also share our wisdom with them on how to find the path they enjoy and can progress in. I myself have faced challenges in accessing job opportunities in the past, where I found myself being only a few points away from being successful. In these moments, I always try to look for a learning point. It can be easy to get bogged down by challenges and barriers; we have all seen the data across the NHS on banding and ethnicity. However, I still prefer to focus on what I can learn from the experience ahead of the next opportunity. ‘Reclaiming narratives’, for me, means reminding myself and others that we are victors, not victims. We still face challenges as a community, and I can admit that sometimes this can be hard. Telling and listening to the stories of the challenges and barriers we have had to face in the past reminds us of just how much we have overcome. This, along with my faith and family, anchors me in hope and has been key in my journey in the NHS over the past nearly 10 years. What has been consistent throughout my journey is my mission to add value. It is important to me that the work I do makes a difference to people, not only to patients but also to my colleagues. I think it’s important not to underestimate the difference we can make to people. Take a small Lego brick for example, the sensation you feel from the pain of stepping on a tiny brick is immense. Even the small things are significant and can leave a huge impact, so never underestimate your value.

Calling all Whittington Health Managers! You are invited to the upcoming Leadership Conference: The Power of Listening. Join us for this year’s leadership conference, which will focus on the power of the staff voice and how effective listening can transform leadership at Whittington Health. Our guest speaker, Cherron Inko-Tariah - Non-Executive at Homerton NHS Trust, Vice Chair of the Seacole Group, and author of The Power of Staff Networks - will share her expertise on building effective staff networks and amplifying employee voices. Through interactive activities and insights from influential leaders, you will explore strategies to enhance communication, create a more inclusive environment, and strengthen your teams. This is a fantastic opportunity to network and collaborate with colleagues across the Trust. Reserve your space here: https://buff.ly/3AkgqhN

In honour of Black History Month we spoke to Dr Sola Makinde, Consultant Anaesthetist, Associate Medical Director – Workforce, and Responsible Officer, as part of our ‘Why I care’ series. Here is her story. My parents came to the UK in the early 60s, like many Black parents at the time – and I say Black because this applies to both Caribbean and African parents - they weren’t always able to achieve everything they had hoped for when they arrived, and so many lived their dreams through their children. My father, for example, always told me I was going to be a doctor. Back then, it was considered a highly respected and stable career, carrying a great deal of prestige. Fortunately, I was bright enough for this not to remain just a pipedream. After retaking my A-levels, I finally achieved the grades I needed to secure a place at The Royal Free Medical School. There was a point in my career when I was unsure of my path. I started in general medicine, then moved into elderly care, searching for the right specialty that suited me. I’m a very practical person, and I enjoy working with my hands. That, along with the anaesthetists seeming to be the happiest of all the doctors I spoke to, led me to pursue training as an anaesthetist within north central London, starting at Whittington Health in the 90s. Once I found my niche, I progressed fairly well, and most recently, I furthered my leadership portfolio by becoming the Responsible Officer for the Trust, having been appointed an Associate Medical Director in April 2020. When I started my career in the 80s, social media didn’t exist. One of the advantages of that was you didn’t know how easy or difficult things were going to be. I read recently that less than 1% of consultant anaesthetists are Black. If I had known that back then, I’m not sure if I would have seen it as a mountain I could climb, or whether it would have discouraged me. On the other hand, social media today offers a platform for connection. I would have really valued a Black mentor in my early career, but there weren’t many around at the time. Now I would encourage young professionals to make use of it to gain career guidance and support. For me, ‘Reclaiming narratives’ means living life on our own terms – without being boxed into stereotypes or forced to conform. I want to be recognised for my individual attributes, rather than being reduced to the many tired tropes, like being seen as overly strong or aggressive. It would mean that just being ourselves is enough, without the burden of representing our entire race. When I first entered the NHS, it was a different time. The goal was to fit in, not stand out, and that meant I never truly brought my whole self to work. It’s refreshing to see the NHS now acknowledging the contributions of Black colleagues and celebrating Black History Month with events and initiatives like this one.

Last week, I had the pleasure of stopping by our hospital’s atrium and meeting William Henry, the author of ‘The History Behind the Naming of Africa’. He spoke with @Whittington Health staff as part of our Black History Month (BHM) celebrations. It's been an incredibly busy BHM here at Whittington Health, and I want to give a huge shout out to our brilliant EDI team for organising a great calendar of events. A special mention goes to Margot Innocent, who not only plays a key role in the team but also has an incredible talent for creating beautiful balloon arches – as you can see in this picture! BHM is about recognising often overlooked Black British history and promoting understanding, respect, and diversity. However, these values should always extend beyond October, and we all have a role in ensuring equity is at the heart of everything we do. Whittington-born initiatives like our See ME First campaign, are wonderful examples of how we can promote the message that we are an open, non-judgemental NHS organisation, treating everyone with dignity and respect. I encourage all colleagues to take a look at the BHM event schedule on the intranet and join in the celebrations.

Monday 14 October was Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day and I had the privilege of attending our AHP award ceremony, where we celebrated the outstanding efforts of this talented group of professionals. We had over 250 nominations for the awards, recognising excellence from AHPs who work from Whittington Health’s acute site, community centres, and in patients' homes. Colleagues came together both online and in person to honour their peers who were nominated for a special award. A huge congratulations to all the winners! Those who choose to become AHPs do so out of a passion for helping patients overcome obstacles and helping patients improve their lives. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our AHPs – your everyday efforts make a profound difference, and you are all winners in our eyes.