Behind the scenes: Sotu Marshall-Wyer

Our ‘behind the scenes’ feature continues this week with our Patient and Public Involvement Manager, Sotu Marshall-Wyer.

Tell us a bit about yourself
I was a paramedic for 10 years before retiring. I then did two degree courses before going on to teach in a prison. I then worked as a falls and orthopaedic practitioner in a community team before going on to a clinical commissioning group (CCG), and then onto running a winter scheme at Ipswich Hospital.

As part of my role, I ensure that patient voice is heard throughout the service as per our vision and values. With my colleague Gill Langley, I travel across the patch to share any important messages we want the public to know and to find out from them how we are doing. We attend all manner of events and meetings to represent the Trust, and we work closely with other patient-facing staff who attend events with us and support us to engage the public - we are always looking for volunteers!

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Talking to people and having a real, positive impact on the experience of patients, public and staff. I am constantly (and maybe somewhat annoyingly) pushing the 'expert by experience' agenda! I am enthusiastic about public involvement and that motivates me!

Which of the Trust values (respect, care, teamwork, quality, honesty) is most important to you, and why?
Teamwork. I think you can't have that without bringing in all of the others, so it encompasses all of the values for me.

What made you want to work for the ambulance service?
It epitomises all that is good about the NHS - there in a crisis, professional, caring, expert, with broad-based and unique care.

What did you want to be when you were young?
A vet, but I can't even see an animal dead in the road without blubbing!

Want to be our next behind the scenes, or know someone that would? Contact us and let us know!

Published 12th July, 2016