Another landmark for DHU Healthcare after taking its first 111 call from South Central Ambulance Service in its role as a national contingency provider.
DHU is now taking national contingency calls for Yorkshire, London and South Central Ambulance Services (YAS, LAS and SCAS) as part of a unique contract designed to enable ambulance services that take both 999 and 111 calls to concentrate resources on emergency calls at times of pressure.
Health Advisor Joanna Przybylska (pictured) took the call in January, she said: “I joined DHU Healthcare in November and started taking calls in December last year after getting through some quite thorough training and great support from our coaching team.
“My background is in health, having worked previously as a support worker in the care of people with challenging behaviour and before that working in a nursing home, both in Stafford. I wanted a change, but to something that kept me in care and working with patients so, when I saw that they were looking for Health Advisors for this new advice centre in Oldbury I thought I’d go for it.
“I’ve got quite a bit of experience with patients and know about how to care for unique individual needs but the training I received gave me the insight I needed to apply those skills to 111. I don’t really remember much about the SCAS call but understand that it is a first for DHU so it’s quite an historic moment I suppose.
“Like any call, they’re all different and it’s up to us as Health advisors to find out what help the person on the other end of the phone needs, identify the problem and what help they need. Each person is different and each condition is different so the variety is there which I enjoy.
“I’m looking forward to establishing myself here, make sure I learn everything I can about the Health Advisor role and be the best I can be with the support of our clinicians and shift leads. After that I can see where to develop my skills further, whether that’s in coaching or something else, but I need to work at this first, settle in and then explore my options.”
Joanna will be part of DHU’s national contingency team until 28th February when the service ends and she will form part of the expanding Oldbury team that will take over the running of the West Midlands 111 service.
“It’s another big moment,” adds Joanna, “and I’m excited to be a part of what looks like being an exciting year for me and the team.”
Publish date: 2 February 2023