Our spotlight feature highlights different colleagues’ roles within our trust and what it means to them.
How would you describe what you do if you were explaining it to someone who doesn’t work in the NHS?
Hi! I’m one of our Lead Digital Delivery Partners, working alongside Debra East and Mat Alonso. Together we’re getting to know the different divisions across the trust – building relationships and understanding how each team works.
Our goal is to support teams in finding digital tools and solutions that make their day-to-day work easier and more effective. When we find something that works well in one area, we look for ways to share it more widely so others can benefit too.
With the launch of EmPoweR, we’re working closely with Organisational Readiness Owners, Product Owners, Subject Matter Experts, and Super Users to make sure they’re at the heart of the programme. We’re also involved in the Digital Multidisciplinary teams, undertaking digital system reviews, ensuring we are use each division’s priorities to guide our work.
From time to time, we represent ESHT Digital at trust and ICB meetings, and we also connect with other digital teams across the region and nationally to share best practice.
At the end of the day, we’re here to help build a more connected, efficient, and digitally confident culture across the organisation.
My favourite part of my job is…
One of the best parts of my role is getting to connect with colleagues from all over the trust. I really enjoy learning about how they work day-to-day and then teaming up to see if there’s a smarter, more efficient way to do things. In my role we work alongside a range of amazing digital teams including digital clinicians, digital change and training, config and testing, client devices, the network team, health records, registration authority, infrastructure, information security, data quality, service desk, the benefits team and the digital programme management office. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact that comes from working together to shape better ways of working.
Tell us about an interesting, funny or rewarding experience you’ve had at work.
I’ve recently rejoined the digital team after spending eight years in the Community Health and Integrated Care Division. I really valued that time – it gave me a whole new appreciation for what it’s like to work on the operational side. I got to see first-hand the passion, dedication, and hard work that goes into supporting our patients every day.
It’s also really great to be back with the digital team. It’s been inspiring to see how much the team has grown in the years I’ve been away and how far things have come. I still remember when I first joined digital – there were just a handful of us working across the trust, juggling a wide range of projects. Back then, a lot of the work felt very top-down, with projects handed to us as “must-dos” rather than something we shaped together with teams. It’s been great to see how much that’s changed over time, with a real shift toward collaboration and co-design. Now, it feels like we’re part of something much bigger, with real momentum behind it.
What makes it even more special is being able to bring what I’ve learned from my time in Community Health and Integrated Care. That experience gave me a real appreciation for the challenges our clinical and operational colleagues face every day. Now, I get to bring that learning back to the team which I hope will help us develop how we implement positive digital change – and ultimately, to help improve things for our patients. That’s what it’s all about.
What made you want to work for the trust?
Honestly, I kind of stumbled into the NHS. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life at the time, and a friend suggested I join the clerical bank for the Hastings and Rother Trust – this was over 20 years ago now! One day, a fax came through asking for reception cover for something called “the PCT” (We didn’t even know what that stood for). I figured, why not give it a go?
A few months later, I found myself working full-time as the receptionist for the Primary Care Trust. Since then, through the PCTs and now ESHT, I’ve had so many opportunities to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. It’s been a bit of an unexpected journey, but one I’m really grateful for.
Who inspires you?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be supported and inspired by some truly amazing women in leadership throughout my career. While there are many who’ve made a difference, a few names stand out – Abi Turner, Hilary Kircher, Elaine Tate, Alison Ridout, Judith Wycherley, Annie Singer, Veronica Prebble, and Magda Barker. Each of them has played a meaningful role in shaping the path I’m on today.
One moment that really stands out is when I was working with Hilary Kircher. I was facing a big challenge of setting up the Hastings and Rother iMSK Service—something I wasn’t sure I was ready for. Hilary didn’t just tell me I could do it; she gave me the space to try, the support to grow, and the confidence to believe in myself. That experience taught me so much about trust, leadership and the power of someone simply saying, “I’ve got your back.” It’s something I carry with me and try to pass on to others.
Their encouragement, wisdom and belief in me – especially during moments when I doubted myself – have made all the difference. They’ve shown me what strong, compassionate, and authentic leadership looks like. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am without them, and I hope I can pay that forward by supporting others in the same way.
What do the trust values mean to you?
For me, kindness is the foundation of everything we do. A very wise person once told me, “Be kind to your staff and they will be kind to you,” and I try to live by that every day. Kindness isn’t just about being nice – it’s about creating a culture where people feel respected, supported, and safe to be themselves.
It naturally connects to integrity, because when we treat others with kindness, we’re more likely to act with honesty and fairness. And it goes hand-in-hand with inclusivity, because kindness helps us listen better, understand different perspectives, and make sure everyone feels they belong.
Kindness might seem like a small thing, but it has a huge impact. It builds trust, strengthens teams, and ultimately helps us deliver better care for our patients.