Looking back at 2013, I can't quite believe that this time last year the Connecting programme did not exist.
Of course, people in DH had always gone out into the health and care system. The difference though now is that it gives us the permission and push to go to places across the system, and to spend longer with staff, patients and people who use services.
We have had some really positive feedback from staff who have been out connecting:
“I finished my week connecting feeling really proud; proud of the NHS, proud to be part of it, proud to be contributing”
“Now I think about what impact my work will have on frontline staff as well as on patients’”
Una O'Brien has written out to all our connecting partners to say thank you. We have had so many positive replies from CEOs about the benefits to their organisation, my favourite so far has to be:
"We can all understand each other better - and respect our roles in improving care "
Last week we had 14 of our connecting partners come into DH. It was great to share with them what we do in the Department, what it’s like to work here and also to share our common purpose to continuously improve the quality of healthcare.
Well, I wish all a Happy Christmas and look forward to connecting in 2014.