How I got here: Saffyna Elleston, Capacity Manager

Our capacity managers work to manage and maintain patient flow, from admission through to discharge. With our new strategy and values in mind, this is a crucial role as it focuses on the patient journey and helps link up clinical and corporate procedures. We spoke to Saffyna Elleston, Capacity Manager, to learn more about her background and how she ended up in her role.

Can you give a brief background of your career – where did it all start?

In my childhood years I was a very active individual committing to various sporting activities, however during my teenage years I was inspired by my grandmother and great grandmother’s work ethic in the health sector, both being nurses. I graduated in 2016, and I was appointed a job within SWB on the acute medical unit (AMU).

During my five years on AMU, I gained many clinical skills including arterial blood gases, non-invasive ventilation, assessments, cannulation and immediate life support. Whilst on AMU I was successfully seconded for a band 6 sister role. Within this role I was able to gain leadership and managerial skills, where I supported junior staff and coordinated the unit.

What attracted you to capacity management?

During the band 6 role, I exposed was to different elements of the emergency chain of command. I found it to be a great eye opener, giving me a birdseye view on the overall process. This enlightened me and I felt that it would be beneficial for my career if I understood the corporate and clinical aspects of the NHS. This prompted me to look into career changes, and when the position came to light it seemed like a natural progression for me.

What skills do you bring to the role?

Throughout my nursing carer I gained various skills which have enabled me to progress into this position. As I come from a clinical background, I’m able to use my knowledge to advise members of the team. I thrive on challenging and busy working environments, and I can adapt to situations quickly: a beneficial attribute due to the constant pressures and unpredictability of the sites. I am a great team worker and I have worked in collaboration with members of multidisciplinary team, which in turn has enabled me to gain great relationships throughout the Trust.

What does your role entail?

As a capacity manager it is my role to work with the clinical teams to ensure we maintain patient flow from admission to discharge. Working closely with all levels of staff across all four sites of SWB assessing the sites at varies stages of the day, I then in turn create plans and suggestions to ensure safe patient flow.

What do you like the most about your role?

I enjoy working with diverse groups of staff and communicating across all levels. I support and advise colleagues around patient flow, maintaining key relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

What do you want to achieve in your role in the next 12 months?

Working as a capacity manager over the last 10 months I work closely with the senior capacity manager, and I aspire to shadow and learn more from them. I am also undertaking additional competencies for my personal development.

What are your future career aspirations?

I am young and very career driven; I want to achieve outstanding outcomes for our patients, people and population whilst enhancing my knowledge and skills.