Administrative Professionals Day is celebrated on Wednesday, 22 April. It's an opportunity to recognise the essential contribution our amazing administrative colleagues and teams have across our Trust.

Often these individuals and teams work behind the scenes to ensure the best care for our patients.

Patient Pathway Manager, Jo Helliwell, is pictured with some of her Orthopaedic and Urology medical secretarial colleagues. She said: "The whole team are just brilliant. They all pitch in together as one, always putting the patient first, juggling calls and amongst other things quickly responding to changing appointments. They work together like a well-oiled machine!"

Medical Secretary, Linda Beaumont-Peace, seated front, has been working as CHFT in her role as a Medical Secretary for more than 25 years. She said: "The long and the short of it is I just love helping people and I feel needed in this role, and can still contribute so much. If I had to sum up my role in three words it would be supportive, organised and helpful."

Colleagues Jayne Micklethwaite, Rachael Peaker, Paula Mabbott and Emma Dobson (pictured below) work as secretaries and admin assistants in various medical specialties. Speaking about her role, Emma said: "I enjoy helping patients and making sure they’re getting the care that they need." Together the group described their roles as: "Varied, fulfilling and busy."

Another area which may go unnoticed but plays a huge role in our Trust is our Legal Team. Their work helps to protect the Trust, our colleagues and our patients. They manage clinical and non-clinical claims, Coroner's Inquests and offer legal advice. Head of Legal Services, Sarah Mather, pictured below with Deputy Head of Legal Services, Yvonne Saunders, said: "Every day is a school day in Legal and I love that I get to learn new things and feel privileged to be able to support such brilliant people across the Trust."

Yvonne added: "I have recently joined CHFT and very much enjoying working within the Legal Team and building relationships with the wider Trust. I look forward to what the future at CHFT brings!"

We also have colleagues in our patient-facing roles, such as ward clerks and receptionists. Thank you to each and every one of our admin professionals who all help make up Team CHFT.