Celebrating 40 years’ service to the NHS
Today, (7th October 2024), Alison McCree, Managing Director of Synchronicity Care Limited (SCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT), celebrates 40 years’ service to the NHS.
Alison joined the NHS at the former Dryburn Hospital in Durham City in October 1984, initially part-time whilst studying for a Health and Social Care Qualification.
In 1985, Alison secured a position on the NHS National Trainee Cook’s training scheme. On completion of the three-year programme and further studying Alison progressed onto her first management role in 1989 at Bishop Auckland Hospital. Following a merger between Bishop Auckland Hospitals and Darlington Memorial Hospital, Alison was promoted to Head of Hotel Services at the newly formed South Durham Healthcare NHS Trust. During this time Alison was seconded part-time to the Department of Health/NHS Estates initially working on Section 4 of the NHS Plan, investing in NHS Facilities, which was launched in 2000 and then as a joint Project Manager along with June Lancaster who was a former Director of Nursing with responsibility for developing the Ward Housekeeper role as part of the Better Hospital Food programme. Alison was also part of the working group which developed the original Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) inspection criteria and has continued to contribute over the years as it changed from PEAT to PLACE.
Following a further merger between North Durham and South Durham hospitals in 2003 Alison was promoted to the Associate Director of Facilities position at the newly formed County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospital NHS Trust. During this time as well as gaining additional qualifications including CMI Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership and an MBA, Alison also performed at a national/international level including National Chair of the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) and Chair of Healthcare Caterers International (HCI), which covered the UK, Canada, America, Australia, and the Far East. In recognition of her contribution to the hospitality industry Alison was invited to a reception with the Queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace along with other industry colleagues. During this time Alison also contributed to the development of the Premises Assurance Model (PAM) along with other NHS colleagues from the E&F family.
In 2015, Alison was promoted to the Director of Estates and Facilities position within CDDFT, which is in one of the largest integrated care providers in England serving a population of around 650,000 people across eight hospitals and a significant number of community properties, leading a workforce of over 600 staff.
In 2017, Alison became the Managing Director of Synchronicity Care Limited, which provides a wide range of Estates, Facilities, and Procurement services across multiple hospital sites. Under Alison’s leadership these services have been nationally recognised with a number of awards as well as external accreditations. Alison continues to perform at a national level in the capacity of Vice President of the HCA as well as HefmA National Secretary a role she has held since 2006 and she actively encourages her team to participate in the work of professional organisations and national initiatives, which she sees as a key part of their development.
During the many mergers, reorganisations, as well as the transfer of the Estates, Facilities, and Procurement services into the wholly owned subsidiary Alison has always been able to motivate and instil confidence into the workforce to provide high quality, efficient, and professional estates, facilities, and procurement services to support CDDFT and other organisations and continues to do so.
Alison’s dedication to ensuring the best possible patient care through our Services is unwavering and provides a clear focus for our Company to ensure all our staff are patient focused and delivering quality. Her experience and devotion to the NHS provides an inspiration to us all.
Thank you Alison.