'I would like to see much better integration of health and social care as this will improve the quality of people's lives,' says Shirley Cramer.Describe your role in one sentence: Leading an energetic and professional multi-disciplinary organisation that is improving the public's health.
Why did you want to work in healthcare? There is nothing more important than healthcare, especially focusing on preventing ill health. If you are unhealthy it affects every other part of your life. Healthcare is fundamental.
How do you want to see the sector change in the next five years? I would like to see much better integration of health and social care as this will improve the quality of people's lives. We certainly need to have plain packaging for cigarettes and a minimum unit price for alcohol and it should happen sooner rather than later. It is important that we improve awareness and training for the frontline workforce on improving the public's health and wellbeing.
My proudest achievement at work was ... getting Hillary Clinton to speak at a conference
The most difficult thing I've dealt with at work was ... facing down the chief executive of a company who claimed he could cure a condition without evidence. There were media interviews over several years – it was exhausting but he went bankrupt in the end.
The biggest challenge facing the NHS is ... to motivate and energise a dispirited staff. Good leadership is essential.
The people I work with are ... very professional, energetic and innovative.
I do what I do because ... the role is endlessly diverse, interesting and an exciting challenge.
Sometimes people think that I am ... Pollyana because I always look on the bright side. It's always better to be optimistic.
Right now I want to ... find more hours in the day.
At work I am always learning that ... there is another way to do things. The one thing always on my mind at work is how we can achieve our goals faster.
If I could go back 10 years and meet my former self I'd tell them ... to put maximum time and effort into the planning process, evaluate as you go along and you will get the outcomes you want.
If I could meet my future self I'd expect them to ... feel happy that I tried my best and hopefully be able to look back on a job well done.
The best part of my job is ... working with great people on public health issues that I believe will make a difference; improving the public's health is a vital role.
The worst part of my job is ... keeping my paper in order, I am filing on the floor again!
What makes you smile? Someone smiling at me for no obvious reason.
What keeps you awake at night? I usually sleep soundly but occasionally I am kept awake worrying about budgets which is always a concern when you run a charity. There is always more you could be doing.
Shirley Cramer is chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health
This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to receive regular emails and exclusive offers.
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