Stephen Brown is a Remote Clinical Performance Manager for the NHS111 team at DHU Healthcare, where he has worked for six years. With a wealth of experience in both frontline emergency care and clinical leadership, Stephen plays a vital role in supporting remote clinicians, ensuring high-quality patient care, and building a strong, connected team.
A Lifelong Passion for Healthcare
"I started my journey in healthcare at 16, teaching first aid and training lifeguards while also working as a fitness instructor. That passion led me to the ambulance service, where I spent 20 years—11 of those as a rapid response paramedic. After leaving, I worked in private healthcare before joining the NHS111 service. Two years later, I moved to DHU as a remote clinician, and I’ve never looked back."
Supporting Remote Clinicians
"My role as Remote Clinical Performance Manager involves overseeing a team of around 22 staff. I handle audits, manage daily challenges, and provide clinical and wellbeing support. A big part of my job is making sure our remote clinicians don’t feel isolated, so I hold one-to-one catch-ups at least once a month. It’s important they know they can reach out anytime.
I also look after appraisals, manage complaints, and provide coaching through our UXL program, offering staff 10 hours of structured support to enhance their skills. We spend time on rota reviews, policy discussions, and process improvements to ensure DHU continues delivering top-tier patient care."
The Remote Work Experience
"When I first transitioned to remote work, I wasn’t sure how I’d adapt, having spent so much of my career in face-to-face environments. But I took to it straight away. It’s allowed me to be more productive, avoid constant interruptions, and maintain a setup that works best for me. That said, remote staff can sometimes feel overlooked, which is why having a remote manager to support them is so important.
Working remotely also gave me the opportunity to progress in my career at DHU, something that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise, as I live nearly four hours from Derby. The flexibility and trust DHU has in remote staff are what make it such a great place to work."
Looking Ahead
"I love my role because it allows me to use my experience to help clinicians develop their skills, which in turn benefits patient care. While I still take some clinical calls, my main focus is on mentoring and guiding our team.
Having spent years working nights in emergency care, I appreciate the balance I have now. It’s been a rewarding journey, and I’m proud to be part of DHU’s commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare."