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Unlocking joy at work

Authors:

  • Dr Catherine Browne, Anaesthetics Registrar, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
  • Dr Emma Plunkett, Consultant Anaesthetist, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
  • Dr Nancy Redfern, Consultant Anaesthetist, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Six weeks into the academic year, 40 resident anaesthetists and Locally Employed Doctors gathered on a grey September morning in the Military Seminar Room. 

The room was equipped with a flipchart, coloured pens, and a selection of baked goods — all designed to foster an atmosphere of collaboration and engagement.

Our event was facilitated by Nancy Redfern, a consultant anaesthetist from the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who has extensive mentoring experience and who had facilitated a similar event in our organisation in 2023. Nancy began with a brief presentation that outlined the current context, the principles for enhancing staff wellbeing, and the change-management model guiding the event.