Sian

Background

I have years of experience, both as a patient and as a carer. As such, I’ve seen healthcare working well and not so well, and I’m pleased to have an opportunity to put my experience to good use. I’m a big believer that good communication is essential for good care, and if we all work hard at listening well and conveying our messages appropriately, good things will happen.

Professionally, I have worked as an audiologist. A quality improvement exercise raised my awareness of the importance of the patient voice in developing better services, and I haven’t looked back. I’m passionate about inclusivity and accessibility for all, and I’m a fan of Plain English!

My first opportunity for patient and public involvement work was in 2019. I’ve been involved in various healthcare research projects, from conception to output. I’ve helped to produce patient-facing literature, reports and papers, and along the way I’ve learnt about a lot of interesting health-related research.

Why I love being in S-B-S

From the very beginning, the atmosphere in S-B-S has been really welcoming. I’ve enjoyed meeting new people, sharing interests and discovering new networks. I’ve had unexpected opportunities for learning and training within the Trust, and have been delighted to be able to use my experiences of life and healthcare to work with others towards a shared goal of excellence. I’ve been really impressed with the Trust’s positive attitude towards public and patient involvement, and the feeling that my contribution genuinely matters. Thank you Carl and Natalie!

More about me

While there’s nothing I like better than spending time with my family, I also enjoy playing music and exploring nature. I’m trying to do what I can for the environment and to develop a more sustainable lifestyle. Some days that might just be composting the veg or remembering to take my keep-cup when go out, but every little helps, right?