Having trained as a Chartered Physiotherapist at University of East London, gradutating in 1997 with a BSc (Hons), I went back to the NHS hospital local to my home in Southend who had supported my learning when I went from physio assistant to undergraduate. My career took me to other NHS hospitals, private sector hospitals, my own private practice, employing other physiotherapists and in 2011 the biggest step of all. 

I stepped outside the relative safety of my familiar territory of health and into social care. Accepting the offer of fantastic business partners and setting up Doris Jones Ltd has led me to a different level of understanding of leadership, structure and a compassionate business approach. 

Leadership  in a caring profession

I will always be grateful for the role model of Sheila McEvoy MCSP who as lead physio at Southend Hospital, a large general hospital saw potential in me as a very young mother of 4 and never wavered in her encouragement, despite the obvious challenges that taking on a full time degree with small children would present. Her faith in my ability was truly what made me even more determined to succeed and it still drives my own leadership style – to believe that anyone is capable of reaching their goals and that being a good boss means supporting that ambition every time. 

Difficult conversations – Mediation in the health and care sector

In 2005 I trained with CEDR to be a commercial mediator. My thought process the the time was clinical, the impact  of expectations of  “compensation” was evident in my clinical work particularly with hand injured patients who were hung up on awaiting compensation through negligence claims – some did  no exercises or made less than expected recovery or progress as they hesitated to move on until they felt they had their day in court.

This  is familiar territory for physiotherapists; the patients who linger too long and become chronically disabled by an injury which with earlier attention to rehabilitation would have had a better outcome. Fortunately the UK now recognizes mediation early in legal claims, settlements as interim payment to promote recovery and a better insight into the psychological impact of traumatic injury leading to better outcomes for many patient. 

I felt that mediation skills and a better understanding of the legal processes involved in legal claims would add to the tool box of my clinical work, it was indeed fascinating and has been put to good use in business. Working in highly emotional situations in social care, with families facing difficult choices and the huge challenges of seeing family members health and wellbeing deteriorate with age, dementia or frailty has involved many difficult conversations. 

My insight into the family and the expectations of care providers is something I am happy to share with you.

As a mentor or advisor to your care business or physiotherapy clinic, speaker at a conference or to host a meeting with your customers and their families to help resolve conflict over care issues…