Working Life Balance

Sue Salas asasasasasassasaasasasasasassasaasasasasasassaaView Sue's profile

We have been working for well over 18 months now to support BLPT throughout their application for Foundation Trust (FT) status. This type of involvement, over a long period, and addressing a wide range of related issues has enabled us to develop a real and detailed understanding of the Trust and its environment – and to respond quickly when new issues arise.

I joined the team at Mental Health Strategies as a Senior Consultant in September 2004. I was previously a Service Manager at Camden & Islington Mental Health & Social Care Trust. I work from home in London and work for the company three days a week. My specialist area is in Cultural Diversity matters.

I initially had a few anxieties about leaving the NHS, joining a company which is based in Manchester and about working from home. However, all my anxieties have been gradually dispelled. James Fitton, Director was allocated as my direct line manager and supervisor prior to my joining the company. We agreed a list of objectives for my first six months and he has been very supportive in helping me meet them. We have been working jointly on projects so we quickly established a working relationship. I visit the office in Manchester once or twice a month and James is frequently in London so it is not difficult for us to meet.

I have found my first five months with Mental Health Strategies very exciting. I have been able to use my previous clinical and managerial experience when working with clients. I met some very interesting clinicians in the process of reviewing specialist services in South West London. I have been running Equality & Diversity Workshops in Westminster Primary Care Trust. My knowledge of computer software has increased since joining the company and my report writing skills are improving. I remain in awe of all of my colleagues who are so knowledgeable. Each of them has specialist knowledge e.g. offender healthcare, law and ethics, health economics. I am therefore in a very fortunate position of being able to learn from colleagues all the time. They have all been very welcoming and helpful despite my lack of knowledge about football.

I can work from home some of the time. Working from home is great. I no longer have to spend time commuting just to get to work every day. The rest of the time I am out with clients. The main difference from working in the NHS is that I now have fewer interruptions, I now only receive telephone calls and emails which are relevant to me and also attend fewer meetings in a given week. I feel I can use my time more productively. At times the pressure is on as there can be tight deadlines to meet but the rewards come when a client is delighted with the work we have just completed and asks us back to do more.

On a personal front I am now able to do the school run some mornings which was something I could never do before, as I needed to get to work on time. I have also found I have enough time to embark on a second masters degree. The new job has improved my work/family life balance.