Interim Non-Executive Director cycles round our patch

13 August 2013 Written by Dave Stewart

Having recently been appointed as a Bristol Community Health Non-Executive Director I pledged at the Shareholders' meeting on July 4 to cycle round the Bristol Community Health patch. I wanted to meet staff and discover what they thought was awesome about working for Bristol Community Health, and what was needed to make working conditions and service delivery ever better. So I decided to try and visit as many services as I could on August 5.

I also wanted to understand how our wide range of services are delivered across the geography of Bristol, and inquire into the operational reality of working with other organisations and stakeholders. A bike tour is a great way of doing this. It was a bonus that I was able to trial and showcase an electric bike as part of the "Go Low" scheme.

On a day which threatened torrential downpours, I found the whole experience of visiting staff across Bristol North and West incredibly uplifting. Our company has an honourable purpose, and everyone I met was passionate about their roles. Warmth and good humour blend with professionalism and a clear focus on care - for patients and one another. There is some great leadership being displayed every day as staff at all levels work to create successful relationships with GPs and other stakeholders.

The electric bike from Sustainable Travel Solutions was fantastic, and staff at many locations were excited about its possibilities. The bike has a range of power settings and gears to enable the rider to enjoy an as effort-full or effort-less ride as required. I personally enjoyed effortlessly overtaking non-powered cyclists on several hills! The electric battery lasted for my 20 mile, 9 hour day; although it is easily recharged off the mains. The panniers were roomy and should provide sufficient capacity for staff in a number of roles.

Last modified on Tuesday, 13 August 2013 09:32
 
 

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