Craig spoke to us as part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Craig is a medical device safety and quality officer, based in Clinical Engineering who was diagnosed as autistic quite recently, and this is his CUH story.
What is your name and your role in our hospitals?
I’m Craig Jamieson, and hold several roles within the Trust. I’m medical device safety and quality officer, based in Clinical Engineering, and also a training and development lead across the East of England for Clinical Engineering.
As if that wasn’t enough, I’m also a rep and branch secretary for Unite the Union here at CUH, as well as staff side secretary for a committee of all trade unions within the Trust.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The problems that I deal with as part of my role can be complex, and sometimes they all come at once! That’s less enjoyable – but the common theme running through all of my roles is the need to understand why problems happened, work towards getting them fixed, and ensuring they don’t happen again.
There’s a pretty tangible feeling of accomplishment when you can help resolve a problem to make things better, whether it’s working with medical devices or people!
Tell us a bit about your CUH journey.
I joined the Trust in October 2012 as a medical equipment technologist, maintaining equipment. I then progressed to medical device evaluation specialist where I would assess equipment before purchase.
Why you like working at CUH?
We’re a world leading hospital – it’s an inspiring place to contribute to.
Getting things right isn’t always straightforward, but that’s what keeps me working hard.
Tell us about a case study/experience at CUH that really stands out to you.
Sometimes union members have difficulties at work or outside of work. Being able to support a member with some health difficulties, through the process of reasonable adjustments and back into a supportive workplace is vital, and working with the Trust management to do that is key. This can often be a stressful time for everybody involved, but having knowledge of policies and access to a wealth of union resource enables people to navigate this process for a more successful outcome, for the person and the service.
How do you feel your role benefits our patients?
I hope – through all of my roles – that my work ensures a safe and engaged environment. This means patients get the best care they can, from safely operating devices and a workforce committed to making a difference, in a supportive environment.
What is your neurodifference and does this impact on your work?
I was diagnosed with autism about a year ago, in my early thirties. Given that it took me this long to get a diagnosis, it should demonstrate how subtle a neurodivergence can sometimes be - it might just a few things you might do or perceive differently, but for others it can be much more apparent to them.
No two neurodivergences are quite the same!
For this reason, I'm still figuring out exactly what I need in terms of support at work. My manager fosters an environment where I was comfortable to share my diagnosis, and accessing flexible working and communicating more through written words both really help me, day-to-day. I know written instructions and communications help, and I know I can sometimes misperceive intentions or misunderstand implications and subtleties. I know I can seek adjustments through our Trust processes, and with the help of my union, Unite, when I have a clearer picture. Having that supportive environment is really beneficial, as I learn and understand more.
Viewing disabilities through the "social model" - as the Trust does - means that by tweaking a few things, we can all be much more inclusive.
Viewing disabilities through the "social model" - as the Trust does - means that by tweaking a few things, we can all be much more inclusive.
Are you involved in our staff networks? If so, which ones and how do they help you?
I wish I had more time to spend with our fantastic networks. As somebody diagnosed as autistic quite recently, I am a member of the Purple Network, who do great work, but sadly I’m quite inactive in it.
I am also staff side secretary with our staff side committee, so I get to hear the stories of colleagues on the ground all over the hospital.