Behind the Scenes: Adam Gretton, Media Officer

This week we’re ‘behind the scenes’ with Adam Gretton, who works in the communications team as a media officer for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire (NSC). Adam joined the Trust in November 2014 after working as a newspaper journalist for 12 years.

So Adam, tell us a bit about your role

I handle reactive media inquiries/ interview requests that come in, which mainly tend to be about incidents that the Trust has attended. I also coordinate proactive stories to share the good news that concern the Trust and our staff, and raise public knowledge of the work of EEAST. Part of my job is to get the media to run public education messages that concern the Trust, such as the appropriate use of 999, awareness of serious medical conditions and the importance of CPR and defibrillators. I am also communications lead for community first responders and volunteers.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love working in an organisation with such a dedicated bunch of brilliant professionals. The best bit of my job is reuniting patients with the staff that have helped save their lives. I’ve organised many meet-ups in NSC and they are always very humbling moments.

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

The communications team has good media contacts in the east and we can help share your story if you are a member of staff doing something for charity. If you had received positive feedback from a patient you have helped, please let me know as it could be a story that we can share with the media. Also, let us know at media@eastamb.nhs.uk if you have been to an incident that is of media interest such as a road traffic collision, traumatic injury, cardiac arrest.

Which of the Trust values (respect, care, teamwork, quality, honesty) is most important to you, and why?

Teamwork – by everyone working together, the Trust can achieve its goals and ambitions.

What is your favourite thing about your career?

Last year I put together a piece of work around inappropriate 999 calls, including releasing audio regarding a call about a dying squirrel, which was picked up by national and some global media.

What made you want to work for the ambulance service?

I love the NHS. We are lucky to have it and it is worth fighting for.

Tell us something people might not know about you?

I wanted to join the circus when I was young. I can ride a unicycle and juggle, but can’t do the two together!

Published 21st July, 2016