The ‘Get to Know’ series showcases staff from around the NHS Workforce Alliance to give you a glimpse of the variety of roles in our organisation and the people who perform them.
This month, we’re pleased to introduce Paul Britton, Commercial Agreement Manager – Health Workforce.
What is your background?
Previous to my current role I worked for 11 years as a Team Manager in the Legal Aid Agency and before that I have had management roles in various arenas including traffic enforcement for Manchester City Council and an Operations Manager for a telecommunications company.
What is your role within the NHS Workforce Alliance and what does it involve?
I’m the Operational Lead for the Alliance Health Assurance Audit. I look after all things Health Assurance Audit related including the planning, tracking and recording of all audit information as well as managing the remediation process that follows when a supplier has undergone an audit to ensure that their compliance requirements are being met and strengthened.
I liaise closely with suppliers to assist and support with any enquiries that relate to the audit process and the requirements that are aligned to the NHS Employers Check Standards, frameworks, and all legislative and regulatory standards.
I help manage the current contract with our audit provider and work closely with their management team and auditors to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of the audits.
Why are you passionate about this?
My role can directly impact on the standards of temporary workers operating within the NHS which in turn means that it will impact on patient safety. Being able to drive improvements in this area is a great opportunity with worthwhile and tangible impacts.
What is the greatest challenge you face at work?
Dealing with systems to provide the information that we need and trying to get things automated as well as dealing with multiple suppliers every day and the myriad of queries that they can throw at you.
What was your first job and how has it impacted your career?
I worked in a bank and I knew then that I didn’t want to work in a bank.
How would you spend a perfect day off?
Playing football and not getting injured or feeling any pains afterwards, which is probably too unrealistic so I’d settle for being in the pub and watching football.