Jo Cullen, Director of Primary Care

Jo Cullen, Director of Primary Care across BSW CCG, was nominated by her colleagues for 'working tirelessly to promote primary care within our system and wider.'

'She is highly respected by her team, all those who work with her, and the BSW GP practices. Over the past two years in particular, Jo has done everything possible to support practices to ensure they are able to continue to provide high quality primary care services.'

Read Jo's interview below.

What does your day look like?

No day is really ever the same, particularly over the last two years as we have faced challenges of working in very different ways. We are working closely with the GP Practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in restoring and recovering all of the services from the challenges from the last few years and the impact this has had, on our front line staff particularly.

I have lots of meetings and calls online – from webinars with all our GPs to corporate meetings held in public and calls with individual GPs.

I have been involved in setting up and supporting the delivery of the Covid Vaccination programme since December 2020 – which has been one of the hardest but most rewarding programmes in my career.

What do you love about your job?

I love the day-to-day challenges and working with GPs and GP Practice teams as independent contractors. It relies on good communication and relationships with those who are working across our CCG in order to deliver on any of the projects or programmes.

I think, having a clinical background myself, I truly believe in the values and culture within the NHS, of putting the patient first in the commissioning of high quality and clinically safe services.

What have you learnt over the last two years?

Our front line staff are amazing and dedicated.

We are stronger working as a team than individually.

There is always something new to work out – and we can usually find a solution of how to achieve it!

Keep focused on the patient experience and always ask your self – what if this was my loved one?

Try and keep a good sense of humour.

Be mindful of yourself and kind to others.

What would you say to a young girl looking to come into your profession?

I would say this is a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to really flourish.

There are so many entry points into the NHS and opportunities for personal development and progression to build your experience and expertise.

Why is celebrating women in healthcare important?

As a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and auntie – being part of the NHS and building a rewarding career can be flexible, supportive and gives back as much as you give!