Shelagh Alderson, Theatre Manager at Spire Washington Hospital
I’m Shelagh Alderson and I’m the Theatre Manager at Spire Washington Hospital.
I’m not sure I would have been given the opportunity to change disciplines had I not been working for a company like Spire.
I’ve been with Spire for 16 years, starting as a Bank Physiotherapist whilst my children were small, and then working part time as a senior physiotherapist. 3 years later I became the Physiotherapy Manager and was happy in that role for 7 years. In a hospital restructure Physiotherapy, Radiography and BUPA Wellness were merged and I applied for the new role of Paramedical Services Manager. As an experienced manager I was recently asked to support Theatres which were without a Head of Department and was subsequently appointed as Theatre Manager.
It might seem an unusual appointment but it hasn’t been an issue that my clinical training is not Theatres, because in my team I have a deputy and team leaders with strong clinical backgrounds. What have proved most important are my managerial skills which have transferred easily across the departments. My prior knowledge of the consultants and staff has also been invaluable.
I deal with all the governance issues, staffing, finance and efficiency measures. A big part of my role is looking for opportunities to expand the services offered by the hospital and working with consultants to identify and accommodate their needs.
I have a keen interest in helping my team to realise their true potential through skills development, and at the same time improve the flexibility of service we can offer. Presently I am developing Theatre Healthcare Assistants to NVQ level 3 and then on to the Diploma in Operating Department Practise. It’s very rewarding to be able to create skilled practitioners, knowing that they have a great career pathway ahead of them.
I’m not sure I would have been given the opportunity to change disciplines had I not been working for a company like Spire. When I moved across disciplines I feel Spire looked at me as a manager first - rather than categorised me as a Physiotherapist.
Why do I like working for Spire? As a business manager its really clear what is expected of me so I can focus and prioritise. The hospital is of a size where you can get to know all the staff which helps build really good working relationships. I enjoy teambuilding, exploring new ways of working and managing big projects - all this I can do at Spire.