Dorothy Hosein
Head of Strategy and Service Redesign for Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust

The NHS interested me as a career move as I wanted to use my years of business experience in the private sector in a healthcare environment and potentially make a difference. I had experience of the NHS in a number of different ways: as a non-executive director of an NHS Community Trust, assisting businesses gain entry into the NHS market and being married to a medical consultant for many years.

Though I had never seriously considered working for the public sector until I applied for the Gateway programme, attracted by the opportunity to join the NHS at senior level. If I’d applied directly I wouldn’t have got this opportunity.

My role means I have a very broad network of contacts both internally and externally. I report directly to the Director of Performance, Planning and Partnership and I frequently interact with the executive team including our CEO. I also work very closely with the General Managers, Business Managers and Clinical personnel at all levels.

Externally, I am in frequent contact with the PCT’s and I have had a great deal of contact with key review bodies such as the Independent Reconfiguration Panel. I am a very committed individual and I really enjoy making a difference and adding value to whatever organisation I work for. I would really hope that I can become an effective leader within the NHS and becoming a CEO would probably be my ultimate goal. However, working as an effective Director making a real difference would also be very satisfying.

Keith McCabe
Associate Director, Oldham Primary Care Trust

My background is in strategic procurement and supply chain management in the private sector, where I had significant experience of negotiating contracts in excess of £50 million annually across Europe. I had toyed with the idea of moving across to the public sector a few times but never in a very serious or concerted manner – until now. It just became the right time for me to move for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the ‘World Class Commissioning’ agenda requires many of the strategic procurement skills and experience that I have, so I felt I could add value in a transferable way. I was also looking for an environment where I could gain greater job satisfaction from a more worthwhile cause. Finally, but very importantly, the scheme was structured in a way that allowed me to make the move from a financial perspective.

The key focus of my current role is to lead the development of an effective commissioning cycle covering needs assessment and service review, service and market redesign, contracting and procurement and quality assurance and performance review. I’m also responsible for a specific portfolio which is in the process of being defined at present. The quality of internal relationships are key and I liaise with the Executive Director of Commissioning and other members of the Management Executive and Board, Clinical Executive, Practice Based Commissioners and other Associate Directors and staff members within the PCT. Externally, I deal with representatives of patients and the local population, the Department of Health, the North West SHA, primary health care teams, other provider organisations, other PCTs, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, organisations in the voluntary and independent sectors and clinical networks.

Over the next 5 years, I aim to gain good experience of working in or very closely with a PCT, Hospital trust and an SHA. Then I’ll have the confidence and experience necessary to achieving an Executive Director role. Longer term this will allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of being a Chief Executive. I also plan to enjoy myself in the process!