Five minutes with ... the chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health

'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

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Five minutes with: a sexual health specialist

Jane Hatfield was inspired to work in healthcare when she saw one in five children dying before they were two in Africa.

Describe your role in one sentence: Supporting healthcare professionals to deliver the highest standards of sexual and reproductive healthcare to anyone who needs it.

Why did you want to work in healthcare? I worked in Africa in my early 20s where one in five children were dying before they were two. I worked with women who wanted to educate each other to tackle the health issues they faced. This remains my motivation.

How do you want to see the sector change in the next five years? I would like to see sexual and reproductive healthcare services at the forefront of the move to a more people-focused, community-based and open access model of healthcare.

My proudest achievement at work was ... getting a commitment from David Cameron to collecting data on the number of people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (so that services to this group could be properly designed).

The most difficult thing I've dealt with at work is ... the inertia that is built into a system as complex as the NHS, including outdated attitudes to contraception.

The biggest challenge facing the NHS is ... how to encourage people to take more responsibility for their own health when facing many other challenges in their lives.

The people I work with are ... extremely knowledgeable about our members and their work in delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare in many different settings.

I do what I do because I ... like to organise things well that make a difference.

Sometimes people think that I am ... very serious because of my expression but I'm actually quite funny.

Right now I want to ... make everything work perfectly and deliver a great service to our members.

At work I am always learning that ... everything you do in a charity must lead back to improvements for your users.

The one thing always on my mind at work is ... what can I tell my son that I learned today?

If I could go back 10 years and meet my former self I'd tell them ... that everything you are learning now will be useful later (and to smile!).

If I could meet my future self I'd ... expect them to be making a difference.

What is the best part of your job? The passion of our officers and members in delivering family planning services to their patients.

What is the worst part of your job? Setting limits to what we can sensibly achieve.

What makes you smile? Remembering that I can look very serious.

What keeps you awake at night? My own children waking up and the impact of the lack of access to contraception for women in all parts of the world – on their own health and their families' [health].

If you would like to feature in our "Five minutes with ..." series, or know someone who would, then you can let us know by emailing healthcare@theguardian.com

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Five minutes with ... Jan Flawn, nurse turned chair of PJ Care Ltd

'I am passionate about ensuring patients receive the best quality care from skilled and experienced staff,' says Jan Flawn.

Describe your role in one sentence: I am chair of my company, PJ Care Ltd.

Why did you want to work in healthcare? I had a passion to become a registered nurse from a young age and when my daughter was born with a disability this urged me on.

How do you want to see the sector change in the next five years? A slimmed down NHS executive that will listen to the highly skilled NHS and private sector clinicians.

My proudest achievement at work was ... winning The First Woman In Business Award.

The most difficult thing I've dealt with at work is ... managing the unreal expectations of commissioners. NHS commissioners don't understand the cost breakdown of providing a bed; it is unrealistic that we can provide a bed for less. If we want quality care we have to pay for it.

The biggest challenge facing the NHS is ... integration of health and social care, and maintaining healthcare budgets that will focus on obtaining high-quality care for its patients.

The people I work with are ... highly skilled and dedicated within the NHS, social care and the private sector.

I do what I do because ... I am passionate about ensuring patients receive the best quality care from skilled and experienced staff.

Sometimes people think that I ... have expectations that are too high for what I want to achieve – I don't.

Right now I want to ... share my life experiences with other women who have not achieved what they want to in life, but who have a dream and would like to reach their full potential.

At work I am always learning that ... each day will bring a new challenge and to treat each day as a learning experience.

The one thing always on my mind at work is ... to keep to my planned day so I have time for anyone (staff) who wants to chat.

If I could go back 10 years and meet my former self I'd tell them ... the same as I did then – they are wrong and that I will achieve my business case!

If I could meet my future self I'd expect them to be ... just the same as I am now – maybe with a few less pounds on the hips!

What is the best part of your job? Meeting and helping the people I come into contact with.

What is the worst part of your job? Being stuck in my office. I'd rather have my uniform on and be out working with the clinicians and patients, because that is my passion.

What makes you smile? The care staff and how they shine in their work looking after the patients in my neurological care centres.

What keeps you awake at night? Too much Diet Coke and dishonesty from others.

If you would like to feature in our 'Five minutes with ...' series, or know someone who would, then you can let us know by emailing healthcare@theguardian.com

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Five minutes with ... a director of strategy and policy

Toby Lambert, director of strategy and policy at Monitor. Photograph: Monitor

Describe your role in one sentence. I lead on what Monitor is doing on a range of health care policies, such as enabling integrated care and how we are going to achieve it.

Why did you want to work in healthcare? My grandfather was a surgeon and always wanted me to follow in his footsteps, but, I studied history instead. Subsequently, I came into healthcare because of the opportunity to make a difference and because simplifying complex problems is what I do best.

How do you want to see the sector change in the next five years? I want to see a leap in how healthcare organisations bring about improvement. This could lead to more integration between the health and social care sectors. In turn, this should enable the sector to provide patients with more responsive, person-centred co-ordinated care.

My proudest achievement at work was ... shaping healthcare reform in Egypt. We got off to a good start then the revolution happened.

The most difficult thing I've dealt with at work is ... trying to join up the work of the national arm's-length bodies so that we pull together in supporting the frontline in treating patients.

The biggest challenge facing the NHS is ... maintaining quality and access in the current financial climate. So, we'll have to find new ways of preventing and managing disease, which in turns means creating new models of care which could mean integration.

The people I work with are ... highly committed and professional.

I do what I do because ... it is the best place where I can make a difference.

Sometimes people think that ... I'm focused on the analysis. Which is true – a few facts always help and increase the chances we might get a workable answer. Doesn't mean I'm not passionate though.

Right now I want to ... get local commissioners to use their freedoms to develop new – and possibly integrated – models of care.

At work I am always learning that ... there's always more to learn.

The one thing always on my mind at work is ... that Monitor treats precisely no patients, but through our work we can effectively promote and protect their interests.

If I could go back 10 years and meet my former self I'd tell them ... to have more fun.

If I could meet my future self I'd expect them to be ... still trying to have more fun.

What is the best part of your job? Working with lots of talented, nice and passionate people.

What is the worst part of your job? The sheer amount of stuff I have to juggle but that's also what makes it fun.

What makes you smile? Sailing, I find it relaxing.

What keeps you awake at night? Reading, normally trashy fantasy novels.

If you would like to feature in our 'Five minutes with ...' series, or know someone who would, then you can let us know by emailing healthcare@theguardian.com

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Five minutes with ... Jan Flawn, nurse turned chair of PJ Care Ltd

'I am passionate about ensuring patients receive the best quality care from skilled and experienced staff,' says Jan Flawn.

Describe your role in one sentence: I am chair of my company, PJ Care Ltd.

Why did you want to work in healthcare? I had a passion to become a registered nurse from a young age and when my daughter was born with a disability this urged me on.

How do you want to see the sector change in the next five years? A slimmed down NHS executive that will listen to the highly skilled NHS and private sector clinicians.

My proudest achievement at work was ... winning The First Woman In Business Award.

The most difficult thing I've dealt with at work is ... managing the unreal expectations of commissioners. NHS commissioners don't understand the cost breakdown of providing a bed; it is unrealistic that we can provide a bed for less. If we want quality care we have to pay for it.

The biggest challenge facing the NHS is ... integration of health and social care, and maintaining healthcare budgets that will focus on obtaining high-quality care for its patients.

The people I work with are ... highly skilled and dedicated within the NHS, social care and the private sector.

I do what I do because ... I am passionate about ensuring patients receive the best quality care from skilled and experienced staff.

Sometimes people think that I ... have expectations that are too high for what I want to achieve – I don't.

Right now I want to ... share my life experiences with other women who have not achieved what they want to in life, but who have a dream and would like to reach their full potential.

At work I am always learning that ... each day will bring a new challenge and to treat each day as a learning experience.

The one thing always on my mind at work is ... to keep to my planned day so I have time for anyone (staff) who wants to chat.

If I could go back 10 years and meet my former self I'd tell them ... the same as I did then – they are wrong and that I will achieve my business case!

If I could meet my future self I'd expect them to be ... just the same as I am now – maybe with a few less pounds on the hips!

What is the best part of your job? Meeting and helping the people I come into contact with.

What is the worst part of your job? Being stuck in my office. I'd rather have my uniform on and be out working with the clinicians and patients, because that is my passion.

What makes you smile? The care staff and how they shine in their work looking after the patients in my neurological care centres.

What keeps you awake at night? Too much Diet Coke and dishonesty from others.

If you would like to feature in our 'Five minutes with ...' series, or know someone who would, then you can let us know by emailing healthcare@theguardian.com

This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to receive regular emails and exclusive offers.

View the original article here

Five minutes with ... Jan Flawn, nurse turned chair of PJ Care Ltd

'I am passionate about ensuring patients receive the best quality care from skilled and experienced staff,' says Jan Flawn.

Describe your role in one sentence: I am chair of my company, PJ Care Ltd.

Why did you want to work in healthcare? I had a passion to become a registered nurse from a young age and when my daughter was born with a disability this urged me on.

How do you want to see the sector change in the next five years? A slimmed down NHS executive that will listen to the highly skilled NHS and private sector clinicians.

My proudest achievement at work was ... winning The First Woman In Business Award.

The most difficult thing I've dealt with at work is ... managing the unreal expectations of commissioners. NHS commissioners don't understand the cost breakdown of providing a bed; it is unrealistic that we can provide a bed for less. If we want quality care we have to pay for it.

The biggest challenge facing the NHS is ... integration of health and social care, and maintaining healthcare budgets that will focus on obtaining high-quality care for its patients.

The people I work with are ... highly skilled and dedicated within the NHS, social care and the private sector.

I do what I do because ... I am passionate about ensuring patients receive the best quality care from skilled and experienced staff.

Sometimes people think that I ... have expectations that are too high for what I want to achieve – I don't.

Right now I want to ... share my life experiences with other women who have not achieved what they want to in life, but who have a dream and would like to reach their full potential.

At work I am always learning that ... each day will bring a new challenge and to treat each day as a learning experience.

The one thing always on my mind at work is ... to keep to my planned day so I have time for anyone (staff) who wants to chat.

If I could go back 10 years and meet my former self I'd tell them ... the same as I did then – they are wrong and that I will achieve my business case!

If I could meet my future self I'd expect them to be ... just the same as I am now – maybe with a few less pounds on the hips!

What is the best part of your job? Meeting and helping the people I come into contact with.

What is the worst part of your job? Being stuck in my office. I'd rather have my uniform on and be out working with the clinicians and patients, because that is my passion.

What makes you smile? The care staff and how they shine in their work looking after the patients in my neurological care centres.

What keeps you awake at night? Too much Diet Coke and dishonesty from others.

If you would like to feature in our 'Five minutes with ...' series, or know someone who would, then you can let us know by emailing healthcare@theguardian.com

This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to receive regular emails and exclusive offers.

View the original article here

Five minutes with ... the founder of a healthcare technology company

'I'd like there to be a much more open and transparent culture in the NHS, in terms of information sharing,' says Frank Hester.

Describe your role in one sentence. My role now is completely varied – from being a spokesperson for our vision of connected healthcare to working hands-on with our teams in the Leeds office, every day brings something different.

Why did you want to work in healthcare? I was inspired by my wife's work as a GP. She worked so hard to care for her patients yet I could see her constant struggle with the lack of connectivity and integration between NHS services.

How do you want to see the sector change in the next five years? I'd really like there to be a much more open and transparent culture in the NHS, in terms of information sharing, procurement and contracts.

My proudest achievement at work was ... being invited to be part of the trade mission to India with David Cameron earlier this year. We've been working alongside Healthcare UK to export SystmOne abroad.

The most difficult thing I've dealt with at work is ... managing to keep our small company values and culture despite growing very quickly.

The biggest challenge facing the NHS is ... achieving the digital strategy. The technology to make it happen is here now, but the NHS will have to make some necessary cultural changes.

The people I work with are ... unbelievably inspiring. We have very passionate, driven staff who are excited to come to work every day.

I do what I do because ... I'm one of those people who believes I can make a difference to the world and I now know our product has made that difference. I regularly meet the doctors and nurses who use SystmOne, and every time they tell me it makes their working lives easier, or has helped patient care, I know I'm still in the right job.

Sometimes people think that I ... am just the chief executive but in reality, I have a very hands-on approach to the company. At heart, I'm still a computer programmer and nothing gives me greater pleasure than sitting down with our software developers and getting to the heart of a technical problem.

Right now I want to ... make sure that we don't take our foot off the gas. We're accelerating at a very quick rate and sometimes that can be a little daunting.

At work I am always learning that ... communication is key. At TPP we have a very open culture and I'm constantly reminded that people working in teams, talking to each other, gets a better, faster result than someone struggling on their own.

The one thing always on my mind at work is ... remembering that everything we do is for the benefit of patients and health professionals.

If I could go back 10 years and meet my former self, I'd tell them ... not to worry about making mistakes. We're always learning and evolving, making mistakes is an inevitable part of developing and growing a product.

If I could meet my future self I'd expect them to be ... exhausted! My team works extremely hard and as a result I do, too, but I have no plans to slow down any time soon.

What is the best part of your job? Hearing stories about how SystmOne has saved someone's life. The amount of information available to clinicians is enormous, and having visibility of that data can drastically change the decisions that are made about how to care for a patient.

What is the worst part of your job? Hitting barriers created by bureaucracy. It's sometimes frustrating for people who are as creative and innovative as we are to wait around for endless processes to be implemented. The NHS is a wonderful thing, but it is bogged down by slow moving management.

What makes you smile? Sitting alongside my staff in the pub on a Friday night. I think the social side of working is extremely important, and, after a hard week at work, having a drink with my staff reminds me how lucky I am.

What keeps you awake at night? I've been a computer programmer for 33 years and I still get excited about how IT can improve the quality of our lives. I'd say the only thing that really keeps me awake at night is me looking forward to getting on with the next day!

If you would like to feature in our 'Five minutes with ...' series, or know someone who would, then you can let us know by emailing healthcare@theguardian.com

This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to receive regular emails and exclusive offers.

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Five minutes with ... the chief executive of Community Health Partnerships

Sue O'Connell workes as a GP for 20 years before she became more involved in strategic service and estate planning, and her current role. Photograph: Sue O'Connell

Describe your role in one sentence: I run Community Health Partnerships — a company that is owned by the Department of Health — that works to provide the community-based buildings and facilities needed to deliver 21st century health and social care.

Why did you want to work in healthcare? I can't remember a time when I didn't want to become a doctor, and as a result I worked as a GP for 20 years. It was during this time that I became interested in a more holistic approach to improving the health of local communities and this then led to me becoming more involved in strategic service and estate planning, and my current role.

How do you want to see the sector change in the next five years? I am a firm believer in the power of localism to drive change. I'd like to see the sector being more responsive to what people need to improve their health. Concentrating on building local services, responding to local need and helping people stay well. Inevitably this means a much greater role for NHS and local authority integration and in particular, public health, but its remit needs to broaden. In our experience, partnership working (public and public, plus public and private) is a really effective way to do this, but you have to learn to partner effectively.

My proudest achievement at work was ... I am lucky that I get to visit the buildings that have been developed through the local improvement finance trust programme and directly experience the impact they are having on local communities. Seeing a well used facility where people are receiving high quality services that are tailored to their needs — all delivered in a building and an environment that is a pleasure to visit and work — gets me every time.

The most difficult thing I've dealt with at work is ... changing behaviours and perceptions.

I think the Health and Social Care Act is ... a good start.

The people I work with are ... intelligent and committed to making a difference through what they do. We work closely with a wide range of people and organisations in both the public and private sectors who are similarly committed — whatever their background. I find that hugely empowering.

I do what I do because ... it is needed so badly and what we do really makes a difference to people on the ground who are delivering and accessing services.

Sometimes people think that I ... have far too high expectations, which I probably do, but this is because I always want to ensure we can demonstrate how we are making a difference.

Right now I want to ... have more hours in the day and not to be late for any more meetings!

At work I am always learning that ... if you treat people right you get the best from them. 

The one thing always on my mind at work is ... how to ensure that we put public money to work effectively, that we spend it wisely and drive efficiencies.

If I could go back ten years and meet my former self I'd tell her ... it doesn't get any easier with age, whingeing doesn't get you anywhere, but finding clever solutions does.

If I could meet my future self I'd expect her to be ... frustrated that she couldn't achieve more.

What is the best part of your job? The good people that I am fortunate to work with.

What is the worst part of your job? Seeing progress and improvements being blocked because of mantra or dogma rather than evidence.

What makes you smile? Photos of my children, which is a bit sad as they are 25 and 27! 

What keeps you awake at night? Time being wasted tinkering about at the edges when what is needed is a national debate and a complete national re-think about what a health and social care system — faced with an aged and ageing population — should look like.

If you would like to feature in our 'Five minutes with ...' series, or know someone who would, then you can let us know by emailing healthcare@guardian.co.uk

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