Simon says he will use leadership to make improvements for local NHS
Wakefield man, Simon Plummer, a clinical manager for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is improving his leadership skills via a prestigious course to benefit NHS staff and, ultimately, local people who use specialist NHS learning disability services.
Simon secured a place on a highly competitive training programme run nationally by the Health Foundation. There were 76 applicants to the Leadership Fellows programme from across the country, and just 16 places, and Simon’s success is expected to have a positive impact on learning disability services provided by the Trust.
As well as his managerial role within learning disabilities, Simon, 49, leads staff working within the Trust’s physiotherapy, occupational therapy, arts therapy, dietetics and speech & language therapy departments. He was recommended by the Trust’s chief executive and assistant director for learning disabilities who both felt that Simon had the potential to become an excellent leader and help improve NHS services for local people.
The 2 year programme aims to develop clinical leaders within the NHS as a way of improving the quality of services for the people that use them. Simon is keen to use everything he learns through the Leadership Fellows programme in his work for the Trust to benefit both his fellow colleagues and local people using the Trust’s services.
He said, "The Leadership Fellows course has boosted my confidence no end and already taught me a lot about how I can lead my colleagues to make sure we deliver a first rate service to local people. It has also enabled me to develop contacts with people working in a range of different healthcare areas across the country who I can network with for ideas and advice. "
Tim Breedon, assistant director of learning disabilities is Simon’s manager and said, "The Trust is keen to support clinicians to enhance their leadership skills whenever the opportunity arises. The Leaders Fellowship programme is a fantastic opportunity both for Simon as an individual and us as an organisation; because it enables him to pass on everything he learns and have a positive impact on how the Trust develops its services."
He continued, "Simon has worked as a clinical leader within a number of different services within the Trust and has clearly demonstrated his commitment to improving clinical services in all areas. We felt this programme would be an ideal opportunity for him to develop his potential and achieve his and our goal of improving care for local people."