Weeknote: 26 to 30 October 2020

What connections did I make?

An introductory call with Fran, a new director in NHS Digital’s Data Services area
Peter joined the user-centred design team as associate delivery manager. I’m looking forward to having some help as a team to focus on our objectives and work in a more agile way

What feedback did I give?

It’s not often that I make this point, but on one important service, I highlighted a risk of too many designers and not enough developers. Even the greatest user researchers and service designers will fail to make an impact if they don’t have a route to delivery

How did I uphold the NHS Constitution?

“The NHS is accountable to the public, communities and patients that it serves”

Contributed to a response to a query from one of the organisations that is here to hold us to account

What did I do to understand the barriers to accessing our services?

Got the go-ahead to recruit a contract service designer to help our team with – among other things – understanding barriers to access and wider equalities issues. When colleagues are back next week, we’ll move forward on finding the right person for this important role

How am I developing leaders and leadership?

Welcomed a group of education and development professionals to the profession group that I look after. I’ve asked for expressions of interest in being practice lead for this new role, and look forward to working with them all

What leadership teamwork did I see?

I got involved with a long-running piece of work in the primary care area. I’ve been impressed by the level of collaboration among the people I’m working with, and hope to find the same as we engage with the wider group of decision-makers and stakeholders in the coming weeks

What inspired me this week?