A What Do You Do at DHU with a difference today as we introduce you to Gemma Payne-Wright, who is about to take on a new role after being promoted to Operational Performance Manager.
It’s a role within our 111 service and after six years at DHU Healthcare, Gemma is a perfect example about how you can progress your career and develop with hard work and support.
“I joined DHU in 2016,” recalls Gemma, “starting as a Health Advisor on what we call the twilight shift which was from six in the evening to two in the morning. I came in as we were awarded one of the new contracts at the time and some might say I’m a bit of a night owl, so the later hours suited me quite well.
“In 2018 I became DHU’s first Night Team Manager in Chesterfield which is a role that was needed because, at the time and as the service grew, there wasn’t as much support for our night team. It was a good role for me to develop as I knew the service, understood the unique challenges that came with overnight calls when access to other health services isn’t as readily available.
“I helped to reinstate what we call the ‘four on, four off’ shift which are four eleven hour shifts overnight, followed by four days off. This was well received and for many of us it gives us a better work life balance. There’s with more time to recover from what can be mentally demanding night shifts and allows us to make personal plans months in advance because we would always know what day of the week we would be free.
“The Operational Performance Manager role is one that I actually applied for two and half years ago and something I really wanted to do. Unfortunately, I wasn’t successful but my managers at DHU realised that it was an ambition of mine and supported me in starting a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership. DHU funded it as part of my development, the course started in June 2020 and I’m pleased to say that I passed it in September last year.
“It put me in a good position as when the role came up again very recently, I went for it and got it which I’m delighted about and can’t wait to get started. My development isn’t stopping there either, I’m also doing a Business Management Degree with The Open University so you could say I’m on the up!
“After six years of being on nights I’m definitely ready for a change. The team I’ve worked with have been absolutely amazing and have really come into their own during the well documented Adastra outage. That’s what we all do so well; we are a very close-knit team and I will miss them but it’s definitely the right time for a new challenge and to push myself in a new direction.
“I’ve not had much chance to meet my new colleagues yet but I know some of them anyway and I’ve received a few messages of congratulations, welcoming me to the team. I’ll be involved more specifically on the operational and performance side as well so I’ll be working more closely with the performance management team. Coming from a Health Advisor background and considering my night shift experience, this will be invaluable to understanding the new role, giving me a full, 24 hour insight into the service and its needs at the different times.
“I’ll be moving from Ashgate to Orbis in Derby as well as changing from nights to days. I felt that I’d developed as far I could on nights so getting those skills through further education and altering my working times and environment will be quite a change. I’ve worked very hard for this over the past few years and I’m ready for the additional responsibility and challenge that will come my way. I just can’t wait to get started.”
Gemma starts her new role on September 5th.
Thanks to Gemma for telling us about her role and keep your eyes peeled for DHU’s next #WhatDoYouDo.7
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