Clinical Systems Managers
By Kate Parkes, Clinical System Manager, ICT 
What was your experience of the pandemic?
The courage of the frontline staff and the ability of the Trust to adapt to remote and homeworking. Strangely the laughter as ICT soaked up the pressure of re-provisioning and building laptops from all directions. The new phrases…you’re on mute and the staff pets/kids that popped into meetings.
What was the hardest part?
The staff losses, especially Vish, as he was a very keen IT supporter and I had started to work closely with him.
The strength of his family when they stopped the funeral cortege and allowed the IT team to perform our own tribute at the bottom of Mindelsohn Way,
How did you cope?
We all supported each other and had family support.
What did you learn?
That ICT is a resilient team that can rise to a challenge as well as the Trust.
That I’m a Grinch and forever shouting wear your mask correctly, please!
How do you think it changed the team?
Made members more independent and they all wanted a daily Zoom check-in team session for the teams within ICT.
Beyond your team, who has inspired you during the pandemic?
The Chaplaincy Team is never frightened to have difficult conversations or support staff/patients.
Fiona Reynolds for the personal effort in getting as many staff injected as possible.
Celebrating BWC Spirit
We are highlighting the amazing things our colleagues have done and achieved during the pandemic.
Our teams have bravely stood by the side of our patients, changed how they have worked to keep key and emergency services running and gone beyond the Trust to help colleagues in other parts of the NHS.
They have done so with an approach and spirit that is uniquely BWC and we want to celebrate that and what has been achieved.
From frontline clinical colleagues to our unseen and often unsung heroes in labs, offices and in our corridors - everyone has had a part to play and we’re sharing some of their stories over the next two weeks.
If you would like to thank individuals or teams either by sharing some kind words, pictures or a short video we would love to see them. You can submit your messages, pictures or videos by emailing bwc.communications@nhs.net