Anchor2Meet our people

Anchor3Denise Tandy - Management Accountant

I am a Management Accountant based in the Finance department. Denise Tandy - Management Accountant

I relocated with my family to this area from South Wales and initially worked for a local primary care trust before joining Weston Area Health Trust in February 2007.

Rather than having typical days, the Finance department works in cycles reporting the financial position of the Trust for the previous month. I regularly meet with budget holders, discussing how possible savings can be made and working with them to assist them in achieving operational objectives within financial balance. I enjoy the wide variety of my job and dealing with people throughout the Trust means it’s far more than number crunching on the computer.

Whilst the hours of work in the Trust are agreed at the outset, flexible working is well supported and with the agreement of my manager I often start work early at 8 am, meaning I can take time back when I need it, or leave earlier than my set 5pm finish.

I enjoyed the Trust Induction Day which all new starters undergo on their first day. It was well organized and ensured all the relevant paperwork and information was dealt with prior to starting.

I enjoy working with figures but I also have an element of people contact which I also like. It is a challenging job, which keeps me busy, which is just how I like it.

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Anchor4Sally Furniss - Head of Dietetics

I am the Head of Dietetics and have worked at the Trust for 10 years.

Prior to this I was working as a Dietician in General Practice.

It was my interest in science, food, and medicine which led me to choose Nutrition and Dietetics as a profession. I specialise in paediatrics and diabetes.

I particularly enjoy the variety and challenge that working at the Trust offers.

I am keen to ensure that every in-patient has their nutritional needs addressed and that the Department be recognised as doing a good job and to be able to respond to change.

Working with a wide variety of patients and clinical conditions, using food to improve health, makes my job endlessly fascinating.

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anchor5Linda Vellacott - Emergency Department Technician

I currently work in the Emergency Department but have worked for the NHS for 28 years.

Initially, I worked at the Royal until the inception of Weston General Hospital in 1986.

A neighbour, who knew that I was looking for a job, initially advised me to apply to the Hospital for a job.

When I first started working at the Hospital I was as a member of the domestic staff. My hours were 6 pm - 9 pm which fitted in with my family life, as I had two small children and the hours complemented my Husbands working day. I particularly enjoyed this position as I got on very well with the other staff and I found the environment supportive and friendly. I have also worked as a Housekeeping Supervisor.

I was the first unqualified person to become part of the Emergency Team. I am able to treat and dress minor wounds, burns etc. carry out observations, ECG’s, I take blood, plaster bones as well as keeping care plans in order, filing and spend time on reception.

I was encouraged to undertake the ‘Back to Basics’ training in 2002, and was supported through this. I was the first person to complete the course in a record 5 months (it usually takes 2 years).

I particularly like that no two days are the same. I find the work very rewarding and enjoy meeting with a variety of people and having a laugh with the patients.

I do occasionally use the on-site gymnasium and the discounts available to NHS staff at places such as Dorothy Perkins.

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Anchor6Carina Thompson - Staff Nurse Manager

I am the Staff Nurse Manager in the Assessment Treatment Centre, which is a pilot unit situated in the Mendip Down Ward.

The purpose of the unit is to see, assess and treat patients and then release them, only admitting patients if absolutely necessary. The unit has seven beds and a seated area, where I can talk to patients. I find this a very effective means of finding out information.

The unit is supported by a rota of Doctors and works closely with Community and District Nurses. I started work for the Trust on qualifying, having been a student at Weston. Prior to Managing the ATC I worked on Draycott Ward.

As the only Staff Nurse Manager on the unit, I start work at around 8.30/9 am and often do not finish until 7 pm or later, when the last patient has gone home, however, I don’t work weekends or shifts. I don’t mind the long hours, I love my job. No two days are the same. I am able to sit, listen and talk to the patients. I just think that any one of the patients could be a member of my family, and feel it is important to listen, and maintain their dignity. I like working in this unit which sees patients treated and able to return to their home at the end of the day, allowing them to rest within the comfort of their own home often resulting in happier patients and a quicker recovery time.

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