It’s hard to believe that it’s now been a year since I hung up my regulatory boots and made the move from NHS England (NHSE) to Stand.
In that time I have been overwhelmed by the amount of great stuff I’ve had the joy of working on with my new colleagues.
During my time at NHSE I loved working on service change. I had some great opportunities, especially working with the Department of Health and Social Care to develop new policies. It was also a testament to my team that in the three years I worked with them we were able to launch the first ever handbook for major service change, a national learning and development programme, and so much more.
To be able to build on that at Stand with practical, hands-on experience of supporting clients with their programmes of change has been remarkable.
Here, I’ve already had the privilege of working with so many people on so many different projects – from helping a team in a provider organisation to reimagine the future of their workforce; to working hand-in-hand with cancer alliances to redesign the delivery of oncology services; and to lead on facilitating workshops to help commissioners appraise options for major service change.
All of this has been done with the cause of championing the voice of patients and the public in mind, which is so much at the heart of what we do at Stand.
It’s also been a pleasure to bring my experience of policy and training to help develop Stand’s unique service change snakes and ladders training, and to provide expert briefings to organisations on new regulatory changes for major service change.
What has been the most thrilling aspect of this year, however, has been getting to know the heart of Stand: its people.
Stand describes itself as values-led and value-driven. Nowhere before have I seen a group of individuals hold as hard and fast to that belief as I have with my colleagues here at Stand.
I have been welcomed with open arms, celebrated for my professional achievements, and supported in my personal needs. I am respected and appreciated by my colleagues, as much as I respect and appreciate each and every one of them. Above all, we enjoy each other’s company and enjoy the work we do together. It’s hard to understate how much I have valued that in this past year.
To be able to help our NHS colleagues to tackle tough issues in a challenging environment is an honour; to do that hand-in-hand with such wonderful people as Stand’s staff is a joy.
I’m looking forward to all that comes in the next year, and all the great clients, partners and friends I’ll get to meet – especially at NHS ConfedExpo, where we’ll be exhibiting once again this year!
Blog by: Jonny Williams
