Kate Oake

Background

About Kate Oake

I am a qualitative researcher specialising in improving patient and service user experience; delivering valuable stakeholder engagement and using insight to shape planning and strategy. My experience spans the pharmaceutical industry, NHS, local government, higher education and voluntary sector. I am an experienced communications professional, project manager, workshop facilitator and qualified adult education tutor. Improving patient & carer experiences Working client-side for Pfizer, I project managed a qualitative study through to publication to increase the knowledge base on improving the patient experience for people with incurable kidney cancer. In partnership with Picker Institute and Age UK I also project managed international quantitative consumer patient research into older people’s attitudes to risk and cancer treatment in response to data showing inequalities. At Healthwatch Surrey I undertook fieldwork with patients and/or carers with a range of conditions from dementia to ADHD. I have carried out face-to-face depth interviews and delivered survey engagement with harder-to-reach groups to help identify and shape local service improvements, for example, those on a low income; homeless people; and people recovering from substance misuse Using insight to deliver value After researching the key challenges facing charities, I conceived and developed Pfizer Thinkspace, an industry-leading learning and development programme with a 100% recommendation rate from attendees. Over 3 years, practical workshops delivered on identified areas of need such as volunteer management; income development; communications on a low budget; and improving evidence of social value. I also devised and planned an internal, global live-learning event to advance the patient and public involvement agenda to key business stakeholders, focusing on opportunities to embed patient voice from early clinical trials through to patients taking a more active role in decisions about healthcare. Working with external consultants McKinsey, I managed the internal project communications for a major change management programme at a large NHS trust, transforming staff engagement through improved feedback and insight. Shaping business planning & strategy through insight I create frameworks for gathering patient feedback to support the development of disease awareness campaign messaging and tone of voice and initiated an insight-driven approach to the development of medicines patient information materials. In my spare time, I play the piano, sing and enjoy acting.