Lewis Atkinson

North East NHS 2005 to July 2024. Archived professional account. Now solely at @LewisAtkinson. ‘The NHS belongs to the people’.

[Lewis Atkinson MP @LewisAtkinson]

Following election as MP for Sunderland Central, I have resigned from the NHS after 19 years.

The expertise, humanity & commitment of NHS colleagues I’ve worked with across the North East will forever be with me.

Thank you for the amazing things you do. I will miss you.

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[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

Finally, it feels like spring at the RVI 🌸

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

@RevdCaptKatie I'm sorry you've had such a tough time Katie, thanks for sharing which certainly helps others. Your courage, kindness & hope shine through as always. In the words of L.Cohen: 'There's a crack in everything - that's how the light gets in'. Wishing you a sustainably paced recovery.

[Time to Change @TimetoChange]

💬 It can be difficult to know what to say when someone opens up about their mental health.

You don't need to have all the answers. Asking open questions lets them share as much as they're comfortable with.

#TimeToTalk

@coopuk @MindCharity @Rethink_

[Insights North East @insights_ne]

Our new policy briefing draws on the research of @ProfBambra to offer actionable insights on the use of targets to tackle health inequalities. It is particularly pertinent for the North East, given it has the lowest life expectancy of any English region.

https://t.co/yOk2HRZ0CJ

[emmamccone @emmamccone]

A testing week but as always, one of the only things we have in our complete control is kindness. It’s free, it’s important and for me this week, it made that difference 💙

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

Proud to have played a role in securing real living wage accreditation for Newcastle Hospitals.

The Trust is only the 2nd North East NHS org, and perhaps the largest Trust outside London, to have done so.

If paying a real living wage was the norm, the NE would be healthier.

[Dame Jackie Daniel @DameJackieD]

I'm proud to have signed @LivingWageUK accreditation for @NewcastleHosps: our commitment that we will always pay wages that allow staff to meet the essential cost of living.

Here's a quick thread on why I think this the right thing to do, especially as an NHS organisation... 🧵

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

A joy to have been at the leaving do of @Gateshead_NHS site resilience leader & legend @claireelly4277.

I did on-calls at the QE for 7 years: we couldn’t have managed tough situations, inc Covid, without Claire & the team.

A hands-on leader of great character & knowledge 🙌

[Dame Jackie Daniel @DameJackieD]

I’m absolutely delighted that Jim will be taking the reins at @NewcastleHosps. A man with a true passion for the North East.

Jim, I know you will be welcomed by everyone here in Newcastle and wish you all the very best.

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

Good to join @UniofNewcastle and @NorthumbriaUni colleagues in Westminster yesterday, discussing digital health and care - and showcasing the strength of our region’s research and how we collaborate to maximise its impact.

[Dr Gemma Wilson-Menzfeld @gwilsonmenzfeld]

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of representing @NorthumbriaUni at the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee alongside Prof. @mattkiernan95. This session focused on digital health in the 21st Century.

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

My Dad retired last month… and today he’s starting volunteering at @Gateshead_NHS - an organisation that has given our family great care and where I proudly worked for 8 years 🩵

Don’t put up with any mischief from him mind @davies_trudie @AlisonRMarshall @mkatory

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

It’s a bonny #NHS75 day here at the Freeman.

“The service must always be changing, growing and improving” - Bevan, 1948

The work goes on.

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

An honour to speak at the inaugural @insights_ne conference.

We’ve brought together policy-makers + academics to create a new way of informing policy in the region.

We want to better use research from our Universities - and we want to shape future research to maximise impact.

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

The usual disclaimers apply: the arrangement that suits each person and job role will differ.

We agreed my arrangement so it worked for my family circumstances and our team’s schedule.

Flexible working can & should be for everyone: it starts with a conversation and open minds

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

#NHSstaffsurvey results are out, there’s an increase in @NewcastleHosps staff saying they have access to flexible working.

But there’s much further to go here & across NHS. We need to model & celebrate working flexibly (as @FlexNHS do constantly).

Here’s what it means to me..

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

Today I joined the start of an Exec meeting virtually because I was doing school drop-off.

Today I left at 2pm to do pick-up even though (mid NHS planning round) it is v busy.

Today I’m happier at work and home than I was when I felt I had little time with the kids.

[Dame Jackie Daniel @DameJackieD]

Great to share what I've learnt about leading an anchor org at the @haln_uk #NHSanchors event.
At @NewcastleHosps we're proud of our work to improve health, wealth & wellbeing and we're collaborating with partners to maximise our collective social, economic & environmental impact

[Lewis Atkinson @LewisNHS]

It’s just heartbreaking reading messages from colleagues around the country tonight about the level of pressure across the NHS and the impact on patients and staff.