#ThisIsMe Julia Kitteringham
About Me
Hi, I’m Julia and I’ve been Divisional Director of Operations (DDO) for Women, Children, Cancer & Diagnostics at North Mid for the past three and a half years.
I have had a varied NHS career which began about 20 years ago when I started as a part time booking clerk for podiatry at my local trust. I guess my curious nature and need to make things better for the people that we provide care for meant I have been lucky enough to have a variety of roles in the NHS, ending up where I am now.
I am clear that whilst I absolutely love my job, it is so important to have a life – work balance that works for you. Between my partner and I, we have five fantastic children and more recently, the addition of a beautiful grandson, so making sure we have time for them, and our other passion - Harry the Campervan - is super important.
Life however isn’t all roses and loveliness is it? Thirteen years ago, my life was turned upside down when my little brother, after a long illness died.
The Trust I worked for at the time, and its leadership team there (Richard Gourlay, that would be you!) were so lovely and supportive – they gave me time to grieve. Work was not an issue for me and I knew I didn’t have to worry about it.
That experience and how I was treated has meant (I hope), that for my team – whilst I can be a tough cookie and expect high standards of work, to deliver the best care for our patients - when “life” happens, they know that they just need to tell me and work will be sorted. Acknowledging that we all have a life outside of the NHS is so important.
The menopause and my symptoms
It’s not a Big Bang. It creeps up on you and it takes a while to recognise what’s happening. I always thought it was just about being a bit hot ... how naive was I?!
I’ve had mood swings (more so than normal), tears (I very rarely cry), fatigue like I’ve never had before, joint aches, brain fog (having always been able to compute and think about at least 20 things at once and at the speed of a bullet), sleepless nights (never had trouble sleeping before), oh and hot feet - what is that about!
Generally, all a bit rubbish that sneaks up on you stealth like and then slaps you round the face!
I’m super lucky: When I finally realised I needed help and asked for it through tears, snot and general ranting the lovely Shola (Adegoroye, our interim COO) was great. She took the time to listen to me, mopped up my tears and agreed to me setting up a flexible working pattern to manage and recognise when I need rest. This has made a massive difference to my wellbeing.
Of course, there are things I can do to help myself – cut down on the wine, lose a few pounds in weight, do more exercise (yes, I am one of those middle aged women who has started wild swimming!).
However, I have also been fortunate to be referred to see Abha Govind, one of North Mid’s fabulous gynaecologists, who after very clearly telling me to look after myself a bit better is helping me through the symptoms with HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Will it work – who knows, so watch this space!
I couldn’t manage without the support of my great triumvirate and office mates Shereen (Nimmo) and Dhruv (Rastogi), who on an hourly basis put up with me asking “Can we open the window?”, “Can we put the heating on?”, “Is it me, or is it hot in here?” and “What was I doing again?”.
So, as it is World Menopause Day today (Monday 18 October), I ask all of my female colleagues across our Trust who are worried, need help, feeling confused or a bit tearful, to please ask for help. I also ask our male colleagues to be more considerate and understanding.
I am more than happy to chat to anyone about it. I’m not an expert but, I make a great cup of coffee and there can always be time to listen.