A passion for helping others
Jerome Allen, GP liaison officer, has worked at the Trust since 2018. From participating in and driving impactful initiatives to advocating for inclusion, he highlights the importance of embracing differences and fostering a supportive workplace culture where everyone feels seen and valued.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the NHS?
I had hit a glass ceiling in terms of progression and needed a new challenge. I took a pay cut to join the NHS because I am so passionate about helping others through my work. I was attracted to the Trust because the organisational values align with my own and I can honestly say that it has been an incredibly rewarding career so far.
How has your career evolved at the Trust?
I started as a scheduler for Professor Raymond Anakwe, now medical director, in orthopaedics at St Mary’s Hospital. I then moved to neurology and worked within the multiple sclerosis (MS) team at Charing Cross Hospital overseeing the nurses that administer MS drug treatment and the team of specialist consultants, before progressing to oversee the unit as a whole. My next career move was to my current role as GP liaison officer, where I support GPs and other primary care professionals with any queries or feedback about the Trust or our services. It is an exciting role – no two days are the same – and I am always learning and working collaboratively outside of my immediate team.
Aside from working in the communications team, how do you use your voice to advocate for others at the Trust?
I have been the secretary of our multidisciplinary race equality network since its inception in 2020, just as the COVID pandemic started. The disproportionate impact of the virus on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities highlighted the need for the Trust to create a safe space where staff from ethnic backgrounds could meet, share concerns and get support. It has been a privilege to support the running of this network and to ensure the voices of staff from ethnic backgrounds are heard and valued.
Through this role I have been able to develop my communication and cultural intelligence skills which has benefitted me in my role as a race equality ambassador, where I represent minority ethnic staff when any issues or concerns arise from a management perspective. I act as a neutral buffer, helping to offer resolutions and understanding so that both parties can walk away having learnt something.
These roles have enabled me to build a sense of community and togetherness with my fellow colleagues.
Why is it important to promote inclusion and celebrate diversity at our Trust?
We all have value, even if our value is perceived differently by different people. Our services are made up of multidisciplinary teams, where every individual adds value with a unique set of skills and expertise. When I think of protected characteristics such as race, gender or sexual orientation, I don’t see why any differences between staff should be viewed as anything other than positive. It is through embracing these differences – and by choosing to be curious – that we can find more value in learning from each other’s experiences and building a workplace culture where everybody is able to thrive.
From an operational perspective, it is important that everyone feels valued and included. If we are kind in how we think and treat each other, it will positively impact the way in which we work together to provide the best possible care to our patients.
You are taking part in the Trust’s inaugural executive pairings programme. Tell us about your experience so far.
The programme saw 20 staff from Black, Asian and other minoritised groups paired with executive directors for shared learning and development. I was paired with Nick Fox, director of Imperial College Private Healthcare, Private care who leads the private patient activities across our hospitals. It has been really insightful to get to know someone I never would have come into contact with in my day-to-day role and who comes from a completely different background. It has also helped to humanise the executive team and encouraged me to think about my own career progression and next steps.
What have been some of your career highlights?
I really enjoyed my first role within orthopaedics as that has set the tone for the rest of my NHS career. However, the main highlight is how I manage my current role as GP liaison officer. We have seen such an increase in queries since I’ve been in the role, and it is a huge undertaking to respond to them all. I manage these queries independently 98 per cent of the time and I have never had a complaint from a GP about my email or hotline service, not even during COVID when things were even more intense.
How does it feel to be the ‘voice’ of our new Trust video?
It was humbling to be asked, and I am proud to have narrated the amazing work that goes on across our hospitals, especially as I have worked across many of them and my friends and colleagues have received care from them personally. I believe in the work we do and the impact of our work on our patients and local communities. I hope that anyone who watches the video can see and feel this impact too.
