Russell Houghton, our Clinical Services Operational Manager, has been with us since the very beginning.  Read what he has to say about his experiences of working for us.

Seven years ago, I was very fortunate to be part of a small team of people that started Conexus Healthcare; embracing the challenge of testing new ways of working in General Practice and finding our feet with working at scale.

Way back then, it felt gratifying to be part of something you could see so much potential from in my own backyard. We worked with local practice staff and partners to start up GP Care Wakefield and kicked-off our tour around the country training thousands of Care Navigators along the way. We had lots of faith put into us from practices, our partners and the people who joined us in our mission to grow and develop in the early years.

During those early years, our efforts were marked by several significant milestones. For instance, we delivered 50,000 appointments in GP Care Wakefield, provided Care Navigation training in 67 places across England, delivered the first primary care NHS Lung Health Checks service and joined forces with the General Practice Resilience Academy.

Then when the world came to a standstill, we seemed to take our energy and determination to another level to support Wakefield. Mobilising new services to support patients and practices in days not months, finding new ways to deliver training and cheering on practices from the touchline.

To work somewhere that every single year you take what you do to another level to make a difference is extremely satisfying, and for those of you know me well, you know at this point I’d love to add some stats or records we have broken in here, but I won’t spoil this year’s annual report for you all.

It is quite mind blowing that I regularly occupied our small office on my own seven years ago and we now have 500 people pulling towards improving care and health outcomes for the people of Wakefield & beyond. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect my journey here has been experiencing it with my colleagues. Whether we have been celebrating successes, seeing them achieve what they have wanted in their careers or lives, or just getting our hard hat’s on and grafting through the tougher times; it has been special.

So, as we celebrate seven years of working together as one, let us hope for many more years of continuing to push ahead, and working positively together to make a difference in Wakefield.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way and a very special thank you to team Conexus.

Russell