Behind the scenes: Andrew Beardsley

Today we go behind the scenes to introduce you to Andrew Beardsley, an EOC Manager over in Bedford who has been with the Trust since October.

So let’s find out how he’s found his first few months with #TeamEEAST!

Q: Welcome on board Andrew. What made you want to come and join us here at EEAST?

A: I can’t imagine a career outside of the health sector and I enjoy being part of the modern day NHS. Urgent care and the ambulance service are changing rapidly, with such good things occurring in our EOCs, and I wanted to be part of that and be involved with the changes.

I’ve spent the majority of my career working for the NHS in a number of operational management roles, both with the ambulance service and acute NHS trusts. I came here from an NHS hospital where I was a service manager for A&E and urgent care access.

Q: And we’re very happy you did! So how have you enjoyed your first 16 weeks?

Very much. I love that every day is different and I truly learn something new every single day. It’s also great to see how everyone works together so well as part of a team. It’s so important to respect and support each other to provide a good service and improve the quality of care we deliver to our patients. We can only do that when we share the same goal and move forward.

It’s a really busy role; in simple terms I oversee the day to day running of the EOC. That can include everything from daily staffing and people management, operational issues, performance, quality and standards of care, to supervising the effective and efficient deployment of resources to maximise patient care. But we work as part of a team and I really couldn’t do my job without the support of colleagues.

Q: You’ve joined us at a fairly full on time – what do you think is the biggest challenge we face at the moment?

Performance, finances and safe staffing levels are things I feel are important in the ever changing NHS. The demand on the ambulance service and urgent care network continues to grow and we need to adapt to meet that demand. A statement which is much easier said than done.

Q: So if you could change one thing, what would it be?

To make money for frontline resources and staffing not an issue anymore.

Q: A good answer. What motivates you to keep pushing through those challenges?

The people. I work with talented people who put in 100% every day and go above and beyond in difficult and challenged situations who are often overlooked. I’m inspired every single day.

Q: So if you had to pick one, would you choose ‘teamwork’ as the Trust value that’s most important to you?

I think each one of our values is important because they all link into each other. But I’m going to go 50/50 - in order to move forward we need to respect each other, but to also work better together as part of one united team.

Q: Time for our quick-fire questions now, are you ready?

Go for it!

Q: What did you want to be when you were young?

I always wanted to be a TV or news presenter… probably a little bit of me still does!

Q: Excellent, new Trust spokesperson found! Tell us something people might not know about you.

I have a Blue Peter badge…

Q: Wow! Did you make a really good Tracy Island?

Not quite! When I was about 12 I set up a series of fundraising days at my school and in my community to raise money for one of the Blue Peter appeals. I became hooked on the fame (such an attention seeker) and ended up organising more fundraisers for their next appeals, and some bring and buy sales. They invited me to the Studios and gave me a badge - how embarrassing!

Q: Well we think this is awesome! So Blue Peter glory aside, where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully still in a similar role with the ambulance service.

Q: And what was your first job?

I worked in a petrol station. “Pump number one please!”

Q: Last but not least…if you could have one super power, what would it be?

Mind-reading!

Want to go and observe a shift in Bedford EOC to see how Andrew’s job works first hand? Get in touch with him at andrew.beardsley@eastamb.nhs.uk to arrange, or for any other EOC questions.

If you’d like to be our next ‘behind the scenes’, or there’s someone in your team who you’d like us to highlight, please get in touch with tara.rose@eastamb.nhs.uk and/or hollie.cowan@eastamb.nhs.uk.

Published 2nd February, 2017