Could you tell us a bit about your significant successes in your role?

I started in the team when it was still quite lean and expanding its role across the organisation. This was a wonderful opportunity for me professionally, as it meant that I have been able to make the role my own. Specifically, I was able to get involved as many areas as I was keen to – which were abundant and have developed me professionally in a strong way in a relatively short time. Initially this included partnering closely with I-MED’s robust procurement team to enhance and strengthen the great work they were doing in supporting our approximately 240 clinics with their procurement needs. Over time, this has expanded into supporting our business in our service delivery across our national operations, including as a quality service provider to several public and private hospital providers and other healthcare groups. Overall, my most significant success has been in partnering with internal stakeholders and gaining their trust. I have done so by taking a genuine and active interest in the core work that the organisation performs and that each individual team, and team member contributes to. Knowing the impact of my work is a massively driving force behind what I do and what keeps me motivated.

In your opinion, what are the qualities and skills needed to form a strong legal team?

It goes without saying that a strong leader and mentor for the team is critical. Our legal team is headed up by a strong, passionate, and empathetic leader who sets the tone for our team both internally and outwardly towards our stakeholders. In addition, a diverse mix of skills, viewpoints, strengths, and interests very much lends itself to a collegiate team whereby every individual is a critical part, and deeply valued. Our team embodies this with every individual’s role clearly defined. This means also that our skills are supplemented and complemented by each other – and we are able to learn from each other. Finally, a common interest and goal in the ultimate core focus of the business is critical – that is, working towards the big picture, and in the same direction.

What is the biggest risk to your industry or organisation and how are you contributing to prepare your organisation for this?

The primary concern and goal for all our staff is to provide the highest quality care possible to our patients, in the safest way. This is the ultimate focus in anything that we do and informs every part of our work and my daily practise. In addition to that, a current key risk that is being felt across not only health care, but all industries are the ongoing recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 over the last couple of years.

What challenges have you overcome to get to the position you are in today?

Firstly, that in-house legal counsel roles in healthcare roles are few and initially, finding an interest and passion area that suited me, my personality, my skills, and my interests. On that same topic, there is also the steep learning curve that exists when you enter into a new industry where you are unfamiliar with the landscape, specific nuanced legal frameworks that apply and similar. Finding the right role for me has hugely transformed my professional life, skills, and direction.