We meet Dee Farris, Modern Matron at Benenden Hospital.
Q Describe a typical day
A My days are varied, and to be truthful, that is probably what I love most about my job. The one thing I strive to do each day is to visit and talk with the patients. We talk about their experiences, the hospital, the care they receive, and if I can, I try to make them feel at ease. It’s easy to forget how alien the hospital environment is to people who have never experienced it and a little reassurance can go a long way.
Q What is the best thing about your job?
A The freedom and support I am given to fulfil this role and to make the patients’ experience the best it can be.
Q And the worst?
A I’m not sure there is anything I would consider as the worst, as in every job there are good days and not so good days.
Q And the most unusual?
A Where do I start! Most recently it was doing a photoshoot for an article in the Nursing Standard. I now know why supermodels are paid so much!
Q If you were in charge at Benenden Hospital, what’s the first thing you would do?
A When I first read this question lots of different things sprang to mind. After much thought, the very first thing I would do is to say thank you to all the staff for their unfailing commitment and contribution to the delivery of good patient care. Then I would ask them to join me on a journey to the future of Benenden Hospital.
Q What did you do before you began working for Benenden Hospital?
A It’s nearly 10 years since I came to work here and before that I worked in the private sector as a staff nurse on day care.
Q What do you do in your spare time?
A I love to read and I have to admit that once I get my nose into a book the rest of the world no longer exists. My husband and daughters would be happy to verify! Apart from books, I attend dance classes (notice I didn’t say that I dance) and I usually spend Sunday mornings with friends, either cycling or walking the back lanes around my home, putting the world to right.
Q What’s your proudest moment?
A Professionally, my proudest moment was being offered the post of matron. I have to confess I never had any inclination or burning ambition to be a nurse. I entered the profession based on a need to find work. I also knew I wanted to work with people in a job where I might be able to make a difference. From day one I knew I had found something I could be good at, and apart from a couple of blips along the way, I can honestly say I love being a nurse.
Q Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why?
A I had never really thought about this before but my choice would be Florence Nightingale and Mother Theresa, because they are women who had strong values and beliefs and succeeded in their chosen field, in their own way, through very different approaches. The third person I would invite would be Dawn French, again another successful woman, to bring humour and a little naughtiness to the occasion.
Q What would be your dream come true?
A I have had my dreams come true on many occasions, in fact each time I have achieved a goal I have set for myself, the birth of my children, each new job and career progression. My wish is that I will always be able to recognise and acknowledge a dream come true then set a new goal.
This article first appeared in issue 10 of benhealth, the magazine for Benenden Healthcare members.
