Five minutes with… Emma Dixon, Director of Clinical Services
Emma Dixon joined St Ann’s in March this year as Head of Clinical Services for Heald Green and The Neil Cliffe Centre. She has recently taken on a new role as Director of Clinical Services for the hospice. We caught up with her to find out more about her role, what’s important to her, and what her guilty pleasures are too…
What attracted you to the role at St Ann’s?
I’ve always had an ambition to work at St Ann’s, as the hospice has such a great reputation for providing excellent care and driving forward innovation and change. I’d seen Eamonn O’Neal, the hospice’s Chief Executive, presenting at a conference about four years ago and his words really inspired me and cemented my ambition to work at St Ann’s. When I saw the role of Head of Clinical Services advertised I knew I had to apply and be part of the St Ann’s journey.
What does your role involve?
In my role as Director of Clinical Services, I’m part of the clinical team in the hospice, and also part of the Executive Team. I have responsibility for delivery of our clinical strategy, and work with teams from all departments of the hospice to ensure that our patients and their families have the very best quality care and support. No two days are the same, which I love – one day I will be on the ward supporting teams there, and the next I will be meeting with our commissioners or potential funders.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the team at St Ann’s most. I’m really be proud to be part of Team St Ann’s, and am always inspired by how everyone really does go the extra mile to support both each other and our patients and their loved ones. It’s like a family at the hospice, and everyone really gets stuck in to support each other, whatever challenge is thrown at them.
What makes you happiest?
Spending time with my husband Mark and our children Josh and Jess makes me happiest. I particularly love being by the sea – there’s something really relaxing about listening to the sound of the waves. I’m always planning our next holiday too. I really love to travel.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I’m a sociable person so really enjoy meeting up with friends and family for dinner or drinks. I also love shopping and a visit to the Trafford Centre is always something I enjoy. As mentioned already, I love to travel too – I’m a natural explorer I think, and always want to discover new things.
The hospice has its own set of values, as we all know. What are your personal values?
My own values very much resonate with the hospice values, inclusive, professional, compassionate and respectful. Being honest, kind and fair are also very important to me.
What do you think makes a good team player?
The ability to listen, a positive attitude and commitment to their team. Accountability for their own actions and behaviours is also really important, as is being honest, reliable and adaptable.
Finally, what are your guilty pleasures?
To unwind I like nothing more than binge-watching reality TV shows – Selling Sunset is my current favourite and I’ve been counting down the days for the return of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. I also love lotions and potions so a pampering session is also something that I really enjoy. That, and smelly candles…my ultimate favourite is the Jo Malone Christmas candle in pine and eucalyptus scent.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I’ve been on stage with Take That!
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We provide specialist palliative care for people with cancer and non-cancer life-limiting illnesses, at all stages of their illness.
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