Interview with Suzan Collins
My guest
this evening is a multi-talented lady who balances her day job of running SPC
Consultancy, a health and social care advisory company, with being the writer
of a number of related books. Her latest book Beyond My Control: Why The Health And Social Care System Need Not Have
Failed My Mother, is published on Nov 1st.
Suzan,
you’ve worked in the four main care sectors for more than 30 years now. What
convinced you to make it your career and start SPC nearly 10 years ago?
Gosh,
has it been that long?
Throughout
my career I have had some great posts from being an Officer with Social
Services to being a Manager of care homes for adults with learning disabilities
and behaviours that challenged the service. These were homes in the NHS, Voluntary
and Private sectors.
After
managing various services and meeting the government standards 100% compliance I
went to other homes to trouble shoot and raise standards and after this I
delivered some training across the country. There were many things with each
post that I thoroughly enjoyed and took these to start SPC Consultancy.
Your
experience in the various care sectors is fascinating. Which did you find the
more challenging, and which one was most in need of your consulting services?
I
have enjoyed working for the four sectors and continue to do so. They all have
their merits.
Which do you
prefer, actually being involved in hands-on care, or advising and helping
others ensure care is provided appropriately and correctly?
Both!
I like the hands-on and I also like delivering training to staff to provide
best practice. I also enjoy going into care homes and carrying out audits to
see if the homes meet the requirements of the essential standards of quality
and safety. If they don’t then I suggest ways of meeting them or work with them
to meet them.
Local
Authority care and to some extent that provided by the NHS has had some
unfortunate press of late. In your experience is this warranted?
There
are a great number of staff who do a fantastic job, despite working under a lot
of pressure. Unfortunately there are some staff, for various reasons, who do
not or who are unable to do a good job. I believe training and support is vital
for all staff. ….
Can you tell me about your upcoming book Beyond My Control, Suzan, and what made you decide to write it?
Beyond My Control is a book about
my late mum having an accident in the nursing home and being admitted to
hospital with two fractures, one on one leg and one on the other side. I was
astounded to see the poor care my late mother experienced. My mother developed
a grade 4 pressure sore whilst in the hospital. She was admitted with two
fractures and died from blood poisoning. I wrote the book to tell the story but
also to inform readers on what they can do if they have a relative receiving
care that is poor.
I
share my story from my personal and professional perspectives and looks ahead
to how we can all contribute to keeping vulnerable people in health and social
care system safe from harm.
Many thanks
for joining me tonight, Suzan. I’m really looking forward to reading your book
after it’s released on 1st November.
Thank
you, Richard, I have enjoyed it.
Where you can find Suzan’s books:
You can find
out much more about Suzan and her excellent work on the following: www.spcconsultancy.com
Twitter: @suzancollins
Great interview! xxxx
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, JB!
DeleteAn interesting and sobering interview, Richard and Suzan, thank you.
ReplyDelete