Keri Barsby, a physiotherapist with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, is celebrating a recent win in a national competition.
Keri, Physiotherapy Professional Lead for Mental Health Services for Older People, who is based at Highbury Hospital, was part of the victorious East Midlands team in the Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Leadership Challenge. AHPs work in a variety of clinical settings and include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and dietitians, amongst others.
Held in London on 16 and 17 June, the challenge was designed to give AHPs the confidence to lead on innovation across health and social care.
Having performed best in the regional heats earlier in the year, the team progressed to the national final where they fought off competition from nine other teams representing each Strategic Health Authority in the country.
Keri and the team were faced with a number of fictional tasks set around realistic scenarios within health and social care. They were tested on their teamwork, delegation and leadership qualities in responding to ever changing scenarios which required them to work under pressure and to tight timescales.
Judging was carried out on individual tasks and the team scored consistently well across the board. The awards were presented by David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS.
Keri said: “I am still over the moon to have won. The challenge was a step into the unknown. I didn’t know the team before we met at the regional heat, so was unsure as to how everyone would work together. I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone throughout both the regional heat and the national final. It was a fantastic experience and has boosted my confidence in relation to my leadership skills. In fact, I have now developed an interest in strategic working and, who knows, may be able to re-evaluate my career to take advantage of this. I would recommend this challenge to other AHPs; if we can do it, so can they!”
Professor Rachel Munton, Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s Executive Director: Nursing and Allied Health Professionals said: “I am delighted for Keri. This is fantastic news and shows the great leadership skills so many of our staff have to offer.”
The other members of the winning team came from Lincolnshire Community Health Service and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
One of the regional heat prizes awarded was a bespoke development course which is currently being developed. As part of their national success, the team has been given places to attend the Chief Health Professions Officer’s leadership conference in London.
