Hospital leader Sally says key to job is staying close to staff (From Gazette)

Hospital leader Sally says key to job is staying close to staff

10:00pm Tuesday 15th March 2011 in Woman By Louise Mackenzie

WITH multi-million pound budgets and thousands of lives at stake, running north Essex’s two main hospitals is a daunting task.

But it’s all about being in the heart of the action and getting to know the people, according to Sally Irvine.

Mrs Irvine was appointed chairman of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust in August, taking charge of Colchester General Hospital and Essex County Hospital.

In her role, she has to oversee the running of the hospitals’ staff, patients, governors and its community.

Reflecting on her role so far, Mrs Irvine says: “I think the biggest challenge for me personally has been to get to know every level of the hospital, all the members of staff.

“For example, I went along to the Essex County Hospital a couple of weeks ago on a night shift.

“It meant I could get to know the night staff.

“The hospitals operate round the clock.

“You need to get to know every aspect of it and the people who work there.”

Mrs Irvine says she os focused on what is happening on the ground in the hospital.

She adds: “It’s vital for the trust to be connected to the work going on in the hospital.

“For this reason we are going to be moving from our office, which is 500 yards away, to one in the heart of the hospital.”

Mrs Irvine was appointed for an initial period of three years.

She says: “We are going through a challenging time economically. However, we are still aiming to enhance the care patients receive. It is important to us that staff feel part of this change and we can all work together.”