As a part of the NHS Change Day 2014 , I pledged to volunteer time to graphically facilitate and record for some NHS organisations. The idea for my pledge was help the NHS communicate messages and thoughts of the staff and patients in a visual rather than ‘written’ way.
In my opinion, pictures can demonstrate so much more than words. In addition , the graphic produced becomes a permanent record for staff and patients to refer back to remind them of what happened on the day.
So it was on a sunny March morning I made my way round the M25 to Queens Hospital in Romford. They had a NHS Change Day stall set up in their atrium area with lots of NHS Change Day branded materials to share with staff and patients to explain what NHS Change Day is all about. ( For more info please visit http://www.changeday.nhs.uk )
So usually I position my paper on a wall so I can draw straight onto the paper. However, in that atrium there was no wall for me to tape up my paper! So….. I taped my paper up the outer side of the escalator.
The funny thing is that I was then drawing at a 30 degree angle! it did look strange !
As staff came to talk to us and consider what they could pledge , I started to ‘draw’ their pledges. They ranged from simple things like smiling more, to bringing wheelchairs abandoned in the car-park back to the hospital, to increasing access to research projects and not ‘DNA-ing’ appointments. Very varied pledges , all heartfelt and collectively showing the passion of the staff to improve things for their patients.
Help make patients experiences as good as possible!
It was a great day, I met some inspirational people, heard firsthand about some great pledges………. and here is the final result!
I had feedback that the hospital staff were really pleased with the result. So much so , they produced some coloured copies which they have put in the wards. I have to say , that is just the best feedback I could have received. So a massive thank you to them all for looking after me and making me feel so welcome.
I would love to go back and see how they did with their pledges. Maybe that will be possible one day !
Passionate about the NHS and making it better; for patients and staff. An avid fan of social media with the belief that, along with social marketing, social media the potential to positively affect how we use the NHS and how it provides services to us. First love is music, spending as much time as possible at gigs and festivals. Enduring, everlasting love for my two beautiful sons. All views my own.
The Graphic World of Michaela Finegan 
I recognise you art work now, unique ability to capture in an image which instantly shows the message. Excellent.
I am hoping to encourage our team to have a workshop on aligning values and behaviours, would be interested to utilise your talents – need to book you please !
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Thank you ! I am trying to build up a portfolio so I can improve my skills and gain more experience facilitating and recording for people. I’d be really pleased to discuss what I can do to support you and your colleagues. Michaela.finegan@btinternet.com
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