Richard Houghton
Informatics Management Trainee
I am currently working through a programme of specific roles within different directorates of a PCT to build on my Informatics background and supplement it with an understanding of how other roles use and require Health Informatics to deliver advanced commissioning. I am based within the Strategy Directorate, planning and managing Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) projects.
Monday
Unless my presence is required elsewhere, I always try to hold a few hours on Monday morning for desk work. I use this time to reflect and consider my actions from the previous week and to develop my weekly task list, either ongoing or discrete, that I plan to undertake during the week.<br><br>I am currently involved with a current practice based commissioning (PBC) business case, involving the enhancement of care home services through a local enhanced services (LES) proposal. I meet with the PBC manager delivering the LES to discuss practicalities around delivery, considering especially the areas to be monitored. We discuss what is to be considered as a success and to identify and devise a strategy to enable knowledge sharing between relevant individuals, including GPs, commissioners and performance staff (both PCT and consortia).
Tuesday
Every Tuesday morning, 9-11am, I attend the weekly Strategy Team Meeting. The meeting is a forum to ensure commissioning intentions are raised between PBC managers and specification managers (such as long term conditions, unscheduled care or elective). The meeting is chaired on a rotational basis, but whose principle owner is the assistant director of strategy.<br><br>One of the many support mechanisms of the scheme is the mentor relationships that we enter into with individuals who can provide strategic guidance outside of the internal workings and politics of everyday life. My mentor also happens to be my director, who I meet with at least once every 4-6 weeks.
Wednesday
I again utilise the 'hold for- desk' block in my diary to ensure I wrap up any loose work areas prior to travelling down to Warwick for the 2008 24 hour Leadership Challenge. It is quite common that I will be required to travel for work, scheme or educational events every week.
Thursday
Having arrived in Warwick yesterday, the volunteers taking part in role-playing activities are put through our paces with vocal and acting training. This is not a 'regular' 9-5 job!
Friday
Today is assessment day for the 2008 graduate candidates. The day involves ensuring that all role-players are clear of their responsibilities and character, to ensure a fair and consistent approach is provided to all candidates. The day ends with another long drive back home for the weekend.