#ThisIsMe - Darren Wyatt
#ThisisMe – Darren Wyatt
“North Mid truly feels like an extended family and I hope that feeling continues. I will never work anywhere else but here.”
Words by Darren Wyatt
My name is Darren Wyatt.
I am one of the systems engineers in the Information Technology (IT) department.
I have worked here at North Mid for over 11 years after a 17 year stint looking after St Bartholomew’s Hospital as part of the Barts Health NHS Trust.
We are a relatively small team and I am constantly impressed by how often and by how much all my colleagues within IT all step up when facing a challenge.
My team’s particular role is to keep your personal computers and printers working, and we are the people who come to visit you if your fault cannot be resolved over the phone.
I excelled at school and up until I was 13 it was assumed I’d study mathematics at university. That ended on a fateful day in 1980 when I was allowed to touch the school computer. Cue 44 years of IT Programming (as we called Coding back them) ,Project Management, Systems Analysis, Site Management and Deskside Support.
There was such a shortage of us “nerds” in the 1980s that I felt there was no need to go to university.
I am also a qualified electronics engineer who has been known to do TV, Video and HiFi repair in my spare time.
My main hobby is music.
I am a multi-instrumentalist who concentrates mainly on stringed instruments, like guitar, bass, mandolin and bouzouki.
I have created several prototype instruments and have patents pending on several of my innovations.
I have undertaken -pretty much- every role in the music industry at some stage: engineer, roadie, singer, musician, producer, manager… everything except drummer.
I have performed twice in the hospital atrium, but remains more of a studio musician than a live performer.
I have a large YouTube channel with many recordings. Many different genres are covered: Soundscapes, Ambient, Folk, Prog Rock, Funk and Reggae amongst them.
Have a watch on my latest track:
https://youtu.be/sJmhgi-lAyg?si=N4I5sT8ncHGDG3hN
The outstanding thing for me about this Trust is its huge diversity.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to talk to people from all over the world. I have had so many wonderful conversations and learned do much.
This is very important to me as I consider ignorance to be inexcusable.
Without knowledge, you cannot achieve wisdom.
Having come here from a larger Trust has given me the opportunity to feel the real warm community spirit that pervades here.
North Mid truly feels like an extended family and I hope that feeling continues. I will never work anywhere else but here.
Covid was a very tough time for all of us. I was on site every day and will never forget the staff pulling together to get everything done as quickly as possible.
We all have scars from 2020. The pain fades, but the love we have for one another remains. We did well and should be proud as a Trust for how well we did.
We thank Darren for taking part in our #ThisIsMe blog series which focuses on the incredible diversity of our workforce across North Mid, beyond the usual protected characteristics of age, disability, ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender, sex and sexual orientation.
Please help us encourage fellow Trust colleagues to do the same by sharing this post.
Feel free to share any feedback or comments. If you wish to share your own story or think you know colleague who might want to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences about diversity, please contact our communications team at northmid.comms@nhs.net