12 60 seconds with… Cornelia Rowe-McKay Senior sister, CFH outpatients Tell me a bit about your role I’m the senior sister for the main outpatients department at Chase Farm Hospital. We provide care across various specialities such as rheumatology, ENT and the breast clinic. Nursing staff help get patients to the right appointments and with observations before seeing a doctor. I’m in less of a clinical role, leading the team. The job consists of managing nursing staff, making sure they have all the competencies required to help patients, ensuring a safe environment and mentoring the junior sisters. Some of the challenges are clinic delays, ensuring fairness and making sure patients and staff are safe and supported. What are you most proud of? In my career it would be how far I’ve come. I left college and wanted to be an occupational therapist, but quickly realised that it wasn’t for me. When I was on a placement on a ward I saw how great the nurses were, how quickly they dealt with an emergency. I started out as a healthcare assistant in a nursing home and then got a job as a nursing assistant at the Royal Free Hospital and was encouraged to do a nursing course. I was lucky enough to be seconded by the trust to do the training and I finished with a firstclass honours degree. I’m proud because most of my potential wasn’t seen by me, it was seen through the eyes of my managers or others working with me. Are there any things you’d do differently? I know the NHS is very stretched with patients often experiencing long waits for an initial appointment. There can also be communication and booking challenges. In addition patients can face transport and logistical issues which might make it difficult for them to attend. If I could change one thing in the outpatient department it would be to introduce a system where the patient can have more input in to whether they continue to require additional follow-up care and also whether that needs to be in person. That could help reduce unnecessary appointments as well as rates of non-attendance. We need to design the care we offer around the needs of our patients. How do you like to unwind? Spas! Relaxation. I go to quite a lot of spas with family and friends to unwind, and I also like music. I’m mum to a four-year-old, so I try to find some peace and quiet as it’s quite rare! Taking care of your wellbeing Every day, our staff go above and beyond to care for our patients. Please take the time to also look after your own wellbeing: • 24/7 helpline (out of hours) contact Care First on 0800 174319 (24/7) service) for emotional and psychological support or access online via carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk; login details can be found on Freenet • Contact the Samaritans (on 116 123), NHS Helpline (111) or your GP • Cost of living worries can have a huge impact on our mental health – visit our financial wellbeing page on Freenet • Visit Freenet for a range of resources, information and other wellbeing tips
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