People Story | Kerry Barrett | Key Account Manager, Endoscopy & Dermatology Services, DMC Healthcare
Kerry Barrett explains why her character is perfect for a career in healthcare and why working at DMC has been life changing, after 22 years in the NHS.
"I was at my local NHS Foundation Trust for 22 years"
I’ve always loved anything medical and wish I’d studied to be a doctor. I had my first child when I was quite young and started working in my local hospital on an evening. Soon after this, my NHS career took off. I started off working part time in catering services office and then transferred over to the medico-legal team dealing with third party claim requests. From there, I went into Legal services working with the Trust solicitor and completed a Capsticks clinical risk and claims management course.
"I moved into governance and thought I was going to change the world!"
I really loved the idea of being able to change a process to improve patient outcomes. I was invested in making things better. After a few years, I felt jaded as things weren’t changing, there were many pressures on staff and a lack of investment & buy-in. I used to work for DMC’s former governance manager, and she asked if I’d like to come and work with her, the rest is history and I’ve been at DMC ever since.
"I joined DMC's governance team in January 2021"
I started off as quality and governance lead for primary care. I prepared for CQC visits, dealing with compliance, policies, incidents and complaints, making sure lessons were learnt and embedded to drive change to improve the service. I also carried out audits and made sure any findings from the audits were acted upon.
"I'm loyal and invested"
My character makes me perfect for a career in healthcare. I’ve always been a natural risk assessor, just ask my sons! Having worked in Governance for several years, dealing with S.I’s and complaints including highly emotive cases, this does emotionally impact you and you must be empathetic, a critical thinker along with having emotional intelligence to investigate and find the root cause of whatever you are dealing with.
"Started my new role in May 2022"
Changing direction in my career, I moved to a new role as account manager for dermatology. My role is to manage the contracts end-to-end, owning and managing the relationships, ensuring the DMC delivers a frictionless patient experience of the highest quality, wherever needed. I am responsible for overseeing the mobilisation and delivery of contracts.
I also prepare all the quarterly quality reports, carry out the CRM meetings with our stakeholders in the ICB. I also review and update policies and procedures, ensuring that they’re up to date and in-line with industry best practice and that they’re fit for purpose. I’m also currently in the process of implementing PSIRF throughout the organisation.
"When you've got a great workforce, you can do great things!"
For DMC, my priority is to see growth and stability. We nurture our staff, which in turn helps ensure all our contracts are running successfully. I aim to provide a seamless service to all our stakeholders and Trusts. First and foremost, we’re here to help patients and ensure they are treated in a timely, professional manner and support the NHS by reducing their waiting lists.
"I'm proud that I'm helpful and resilient"
I troubleshoot and like to solve issues, which is necessary in an operational setting, but I couldn’t do it without the support of my colleagues who are a great team. I’m proud to be part of trying to fix something for the bigger picture. Now more than ever the NHS is really struggling so if I can help to ease that pressure, by providing a service for patients in the community that allows them to access a service and be seen for their condition quicker, then it’s incredibly fulfilling.
"I love the flexibility of home working"
DMC has been leading the way with innovation in terms of hybrid working. I work remotely full time and enjoy coming to our lovely new office space at Head Office once a month, it’s great to see my colleagues and get treated to lunch from the bosses, that’s always a nice gesture. No day is the same and you truly do learn something new every day at DMC.
"I've learnt so much at DMC"
I’ve really broadened my knowledge base. I never thought I’d be able to mobilise a new contract but now I’m adept at understanding the number of sessions required, KPIs, financing and contracting, I even know the requirements of fitting a cryotherapy dewar!
"My advice to others is don't be institutionalised and take the jump. They say the grass isn't always greener, however it could be filled with flowers!"
My future is about being successful in my realm, and maybe becoming a CQC inspector! My advice to others is – don’t be institutionalised and stuck in a rut. I was 22 years in the NHS and I thought I’d be working there when I was 80, I’d be the little old lady volunteer. However, working at DMC has truly allowed me to grow and fly. It’s really refreshing working for a smaller family run organisation – you don’t feel like a number and you truly feel appreciated.
I feel respected by my peers and my ideas and opinions are listened to. We all look out for each other and offer advice and support.
Outside work, I like good food and visiting National Trust properties and places of interest. I also love my cats (I am a self-confessed crazy cat lady), riding my bike and in the summer, you’ll find me in my garden tending to my rose bushes or walking along a beach at sunset. I also enjoy watching Arsenal…but don’t hold that against me!
