A HEALTH boss swapped the boardroom for the frontline in a series of visits with nursing and social care teams in Northumberland.
Throughout January, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Jim Mackey was out shadowing community healthcare workers and he also spoke in depth with staff and patients about a range of issues.
The trust employs around 3,000 community-based staff across Northumberland and North Tyneside. Mr Mackey spent time with district nurses, as well as the ‘short-term support team’, which is provided in partnership with Northumberland County Council to offer care and rehabilitation support for elderly people in their own homes.
He also visited health trainers from the ‘weight management service’ and attended a ‘New Year, New You’ health improvement session.
“I wanted to spend this important time on the frontline to understand exactly what their daily pressures are and where we can further improve services,” he said.
“I have seen first-hand many examples of exceptional care over the past few weeks and I would like to thank each and every one of our community staff for their continued hard work and dedication.
“My priority is to make sure all of our services, from the moment someone is admitted to one of our hospitals to the point where they are ready to go home with the right care and support, are as streamlined and integrated as possible so that patients have real continuity in their care.”