Behind the scenes: David Allen, Area Clinical Lead

We are continuing our ‘Behind the scenes’ feature, where we showcase a person or team from within the Trust. This week in the hot seat is Area Clinical Lead, David Allen.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I joined the Trust in 2006 as a student technician in West Norfolk. In 2007, I moved to Central Norfolk and qualified as a paramedic in 2009. Taking on various opportunities, I was seconded as a station supervisor and then duty locality officer, whilst also working with colleagues as cardiac clinical champions.

I am always keen to help develop people and became a qualified mentor in 2010, following the Open University pathway. I then became involved with enhanced clinical triage and the clinical support desk and became a clinical coordinator in 2012. In this time I have completed the Mary Seacole Programme with the NHS Leadership Academy and look forward to utilising these skills in my new role as area clinical lead.

What aspect of your new role are you most looking forward to focusing on?

Working with all our stakeholders, internal and external, and helping to deliver the Trust strategy in line with the NHS Five Year Forward View. I think the next five years is an exciting time for the ambulance service. The strategy will give us the opportunity to be at the forefront of urgent and emergency care and act as the central point to deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

What kind of things should people get in touch with you about? What can you help them with?

Anything that staff are worried about in the clinical arena. If they have any innovative ideas, then we can look to take those forward together. We in the clinical team are all good listeners and welcome staff to come to us either face to face or phone, or email us individually or as a group at clinical.leads@eastamb.nhs.uk.

And finally, tell us something people might not know about you.

I am from Sheffield and when I was younger, I trialled with Sheffield Wednesday football club youth team (but didn’t quite make it!).

Published 25th January, 2016