Amy Denning:
I joined the NHS in 2003, just after moving house and thinking that hospital up the road would be a handy place to work, right on the doorstep! That hospital (Airedale) turned out to be my employer for the next 20 years! Working in procurement, payroll and financial management, I was supported to learn, develop and grow there and slowly progressed from an assistant management accountant to a finance business partner, supporting various different services, a stint in the wholly owned subsidiary, and becoming their One NHS finance & FSD lead in 2020.
In 2018 at a Health & Wellbeing training session I first heard the term ‘value maker network’, something about it piqued my interest. Logging on to the website I learnt more. A network of passionate professionals who champion One NHS Finance with the team, organisation, and communities. My passion for people, their wellbeing & development, meant there was no way I wasn’t getting involved in this.
Last year I made the massive decision to leave Airedale and my comfort blanket behind and moved over the border to South Yorkshire, as the Assistant Director of Finance for Financial Management (bit of a mouthful) here at RDASH. Moving organisation and sector has been challenging, but so rewarding. I continue to get involved in One NHS Finance initiatives as much as possible, being the regional health & wellbeing lead, the value maker lead, and the chair to the regional FSD network amongst other things.
The value maker network has opened so many doors and opportunities for me. My confidence and self-belief have grown significantly, and I truly believe the opportunities I have had to contribute, present, and get involved in through these networks has been key to that. Pushing me out of my comfort zone, but doing things I’m passionate about and really believe in.
I’d welcome anyone to get in touch to talk about value making, you will see my eyes light up and I’d like to think you would ‘catch’ my enthusiasm for it!
Huge thanks to One NHS Finance and all my friends and colleagues within those networks. I wouldn’t be me without you.
Amy Denning, Assistant Director of Finance – Financial Management, Rotherham, Doncaster & South Humber NHS Foundation Trust. Email: amy.denning1@nhs.net