Reflections on Father's Day

For some of our colleagues EEAST really is a family business. We’ve got husbands and wives both of whom work within the organisation, and we also have parents and children working here.

With Father’s Day just around the corner we asked father and daughter, Neil and Paige Hogg, from Clinical Engineering, what it’s really like when a family member is also your colleague.

How long have you both been working for EEAST and what are your roles?

Neil: We both started in March 2020. I was working for the AA, who volunteered their staff to help the NHS during the pandemic. Paige was an apprentice chef in a local pub and going to college once a week, but Covid unfortunately closed all the pubs, so she was furloughed, and driving her mum and me mad at home. Whilst I was working here at Barton Mills I asked if there was anything that Paige could help with just to get her out of the house and that’s how we both started our journey with the NHS.  

Paige: We’ve both been working for EEAST for around 2 years. Dad is a Clinical Engineer, so he does the big and little repairs on medical devices and services them. My role is Clinical Engineering Equipment Support, so I go around to various sites doing simple repairs on medical devices, a bit of admin and a bit of stock control.

Is that what you always wanted to do?

Neil: Working with Paige was the last thing I had ever thought of doing.  Having said that, it has been great to see her build up more and more confidence by the day.  She used to find it hard to ask people to help or tell them they need to get something done.  As the months went on, she was phoning engineers asking for their paperwork and delivering equipment to other stations.

Paige: When I was younger I always said I wanted to be a nurse or a police officer, some of the well-known jobs. Now, actually doing what I’ve done for the past 2 years I realised that there is so much more within the NHS that no one really talks about and it has made me realise that I want to build my career within the clinical engineering department.  

Neil, has it been challenging being both a Dad and a colleague to Paige?

Having a teenage daughter is always challenging, but whilst we are at work, she is a work colleague and at home a daughter. We always separate that as much as we can.

What’s the best thing about working together?

Neil: There is no one best thing working with Paige. It is all good. It’s rewarding to see her build confidence each day, this is the thing parents don’t often get to see when they are at work. Plus, it’s a free lift to and from work. I always tell everyone that I work with my best mate.

Paige: There is no one best thing about working with Dad, I love every moment of every day working alongside him and learning from him. We have fun working together. My Dad has always been an inspiration to me, and I’ve always enjoyed following in my dad’s footsteps even when it came to repairing cars. I always loved learning new things with him.

Paige, what would you like to say to your Dad on Father’s Day?

This Father’s Day I would like to say to my Dad thank you for putting up with me at home and at work, I know it can’t be easy. A massive thank you for all the support you have given me throughout the years. Happy Father’s Day Dad, I love you.

Published 17th June 2022