“It’s been a huge boost to my confidence and self-esteem”
Amanda, one of our original Digital Critical Friends, blogs on the benefits of working with us. It’s even helped her during challenging times.
Hi, my name is Amanda and I’m a Digital Critical Friend.
A what? Is that some kind of AI virtual conscience?
Haha, no I’m a real person!
Digital Critical Friends, or DCFs, are members of the public forming part of the team behind the South West Secure Data Environment (SDE). DCFs get to see the inner workings of the SDE programme, giving them an understanding of the complexities involved in establishing the South West SDE.
Before leaving full-time work to care for my late husband, I worked in the pharma industry. My last role was in a multi-disciplinary team which gave me skills transferable to the SDE.
Myself and two other DCFs joined at the programme’s infancy, and found ourselves warmly welcomed into the existing team. From the start we were included in all regular meetings and discussions, including management meetings, board meetings and working sessions making the initial decisions about the direction of our SDE.
No question was too annoying or stupid, and my view was always listened to. It took me back to my days working as a Quality Assurance Officer, sharing an office and team, meetings with the manufacturing team, part of the team, part of another team, and needing to maintain independence while working together to solve challenges.
When teams value and respect one another as people, not just roles, it leads to a constructive working environment. I believe the South West SDE has this in abundance.
Transparency matters too. It’s been a nice surprise for funders to see members of the public in attendance at progress monitoring meetings.
There’s a policy of working in the open with the SDE. As a Quality Assurance Officer, I was often aware of the conversations that took place when I wasn’t in the office about the things colleagues thought I didn’t need to know. There has been nothing like this with the SDE.
At the time I joined the team I was caring for my housebound husband, which left me effectively housebound too. He couldn’t be left alone and replacement care was stressful for him. So finding myself a part of the SDE team was a huge boost to my confidence and self-esteem at a difficult time.
I’ve relished being able to use my skills, and learn new ones, while making new connections and gaining a wider appreciation of the transition to digital health care.
It’s easy to underestimate the value and self-worth of being part of a team. With two significant losses in 13 months, having people around me, virtually and in person, has been a source of support.
So what does it mean to be a Digital Critical Friend? It’s being part of a team, being willing to learn about technology and digital developments, asking questions of in a constructive way, listening and evaluating the response. I aim to do the best job I can, to be a good public advocate. I thoroughly enjoy the various experiences from this project, opportunities like being part of the NHS England audits, reviewing documents, and sharing lived experience.
I would recommend anyone to give public involvement like this a try. Never assume that your voice and experience don’t matter.