I have worked alongside and in the NHS for over 39 years, in that time I have experienced all parts of the NHS at both a local and national level. As I approach what will likely be the final chapter of my career as the new Chief Executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, I feel it has all been leading to this. I sense this will be the most important chapter, not just for me but for those who rely on our services and for those who I am proud to work alongside.
I truly feel I have joined the Hampshire Hospitals family. Like most families, we are complex and we do not always get everything right, but what stands out is how deeply we care. For many our hospitals are familiar places, while for others a visit is a single, significant moment, yet every time it can feel daunting.
In my four months here, I have seen and felt a genuine commitment to our patients, their families and our colleagues. There is a tangible sense of compassion, curiosity and dedication in the way people approach their work. We know we can always improve, and we are honest about that, but we work hard to learn, to do better, and to treat every patient as if they were a member of our own family.
These qualities will help us to respond to the changing needs of our patients. Our services are only ever one part of the pathway of care and support that our patients’ families and carers may need over the course of their lives and so we must adapt how we work to meet these changing needs and improve health outcomes for our patients. Our new Strategy that will be launched in the coming months, will create an exciting vision for Hampshire Hospitals and build the road map that will guide our decisions over the next five years.
Our strategy will require fundamental changes in the way we deliver care and how we work with wider services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It must embrace the technology that supports patients to access the care they need in a user-friendly way and help our teams to be efficient and productive. We must use taxpayers’ money carefully, striving for value at every turn. I hope our Strategy creates a compelling picture of our future that gives confidence to our patients their families and our staff. Hampshire Hospitals can make such a significant difference to people’s lives.
I am so proud to be the Chief Executive of Hampshire Hospitals, it is a real privilege to play a small role in such an important part of people’s lives. I started my career as a nurse and now as get near the end of my career I am back where I want to be, surrounded by wonderful people and in a trust that has a big heart and so much more to give.
Sue Harriman
Chief Executive, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
