Robert's desire and determination helps develop colleagues' skills
PICTURED: Robert Workman, deputy head of occupational therapy within Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Robert Workman only intended to spend six months in Swansea Bay, but 26 years later he is paving a pathway for health care professionals to develop.
With over a quarter of a century of experience under his belt, Robert is now deputy head of occupational therapy within Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Having started as an occupational therapy health care support worker, he is well placed to help develop colleagues starting their careers.
Development is an important part of our three-year Strategic Equality Plan – called We All Belong.
However, feedback from patients, family member and staff told us that sometimes their differences, including protected characteristics, made it more difficult to access healthcare or to fulfil their potential in our workplace, which can result in poorer physical and mental health.
We have committed to further improvements in service accessibility and acceptance for all, and giving our staff a platform to strengthen their skills forms part of that.
Robert said: “In my role as occupational therapy deputy head, I am really proud that one of my main focuses has been on career development for staff in the service – particularly the health care support worker workforce.
“It’s close to my heart as I started 26 years ago in this organisation as an occupational therapy healthcare support worker. In that time, I’ve been supported to develop my career to the post I am in now.
“I had only intended to spend six months with the health board as I had already secured a place on an occupational therapy degree programme but wanted to have some clinical experience while waiting to start, but I realised there was a part-time study pathway here for me to grow and develop, and I’m glad I stayed.
“In that time I’ve had networking opportunities, training in clinical, development and leadership, along with doing my own OT degree and post grad study.
“I want to make sure all our staff can access that career pathway if they want it.”
The health board has forged partnerships with education providers within the region, meaning staff can broaden their skills.
Robert added: “The work that we are doing across therapies with health care support workers is developing level 3 and 4 diplomas and moving them into apprenticeships with local colleges to widen access even further.
“We also work with our local universities to develop part-time courses that our staff can have degree courses while maintaining their employment with the organisation.
“This is a great way of widening access and allowing those who might not be in a position financially to give up work to develop their careers, and we can support people to do that.
“People can stay with the organisation throughout their careers because of that, and that is one of the things that makes me feel that I belong in this organisation.
“I hope it’s something the health board can develop so that everyone feels that they belong – because we do all belong.”
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