60 seconds with Debbie White
What’s your job title? I’m a microbiology secretary.
How long have you worked here? I’ve worked at Whipps Cross Hospital for 14 years but I remember my first day like it was yesterday!
What attracted you to the job? My previous role was working at a bank as an account manager and I fancied a change. Whipps Cross is my local hospital, so I thought why not try my luck and apply for a role there.
What does your job involve? It involves supporting our consultants with administrative work and tasks such as printing, booking patients into clinics and writing clinic letters.
What do you like most about your job? I like the variety of tasks and every day is a new learning experience. Working in the Microbiology department is really interesting and my team are great to work with.
In what way does your role help put patients? I don’t have face to face contact, but I keep in touch with patients via the phone. Sometimes patients can feel anxious or upset if their appointments have changed, or if they’re awaiting test results, so it’s my job to reassure them and provide them with support over the phone if needed.
What’s your proudest achievement? Working closely with consultants to make sure our clinic runs well.
What’s been your biggest challenge? Our buildings are old and are ICT systems are out-dated, so when the IT systems crash this can cause major problems.
How would you spend an ideal day off? I’d visit my son and grandson in Chester.
Tell us something surprising about yourself? I used to teach ballroom dancing.