Testimonials
Zoe Girdis
Fellow Royal Pharmaceutical Society - Pharmacist prescriber - Director Formula Zoe Girdis Ltd
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As an unscripted clinician (Pharmacist prescriber that is focussed on patient centred care through shared decision making ), working with Actors for Health, I was struck by the ease and professionalism they brought to our shared decision making in lipid management consultation sessions.
Their ability to embody diverse patient personas with authenticity made the sessions feel incredibly real, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the interaction. This natural dynamic helped me hone my consultation skills in a way that felt organic and fluid and reflective of a real life consultation .
The actors’ responsiveness and adaptability made the entire process seamless, and their presence allowed me to focus entirely on delivering patient-centered care without feeling pressured by the format. These sessions offered invaluable learning opportunities, pushing me to think on my feet and refine my approach to complex clinical consultations (all whilst cameras where rolling, lights were dazzling and the reality of filming becomes apparent) . We are all really proud of the final product. To me - it’s not perfect - but that’s the beauty of it - no consultation is ever perfect ! I highly recommend Actors for Health for their unique skills and contribution to medical training and real-world consultations practice.​
Zoe Girdis, October 2024
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Richard Greaves
Curriculum Support Manager - Tarporley High School & Sixth Form College
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It is my pleasure to recommend Pauline Fleming for employment with your organization. I have known Pauline for over two years during which time she worked as a teaching assistant and cover supervisor.
I have been consistently impressed with Pauline’s attitude and productivity during the time that she has worked with me.
Pauline is both very bright and quite motivated. I am confident that she will devote herself to a to the work she is doing with young people. She is a quick learner and has shown the ability to digest large volumes of information. Pauline has demonstrated the ability to articulate information and ideas in both verbal and written forms.
Pauline has also been effective in her efforts to engage the media we outreach to. She has been able to bring interesting concepts into her work with young people. She will reach out to people and involve them with projects. I particularly appreciate Pauline's willingness to take the initiative to help the students.
I recommend Pauline without reservation. I am confident that she will establish productive relationships with your staff and students.
Richard Greeves, July 2023
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Mrs Helen Buckenham
Exams Officer - St Mary’s Catholic College, Wirral
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Pauline is punctual and has excellent time management skills. She is honest and reliable and will approach any task given with a positive attitude. Pauline is able to keep calm in stressful situations and always carries out her duties with a professional manner. She has been involved in working as a team and as an individual and has demonstrated the ability to use her own initiative. I have no doubt that Pauline would be a valuable asset to your company.
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Mrs Helen Buckenham June 2023
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DNP, MSN, RN - Lecturer - University of Bradford
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Pauline's work as administrator, facilitator and actor in the University of Bradford's Advanced Communication module has been superb. Using scenarios we generated which are relevant to the students' clinical practice areas, Pauline prepared a group of professional actors to interact with students. This allows students practical experience, opportunity for insightful formative feedback and the refinement of the clinical communication skills required for excellence in healthcare. Her team of actors are highly skilled to react authentically in Mock OSCE and OSCE scenarios. Students routinely have highly positive feedback and evaluation of these study days. More importantly, their communication skills improve demonstrably along with their self-efficacy, confidence and efficiency in time management. For the past three years, our students have benefitted significantly from Pauline's and her team's expertise.
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Patty Peebles, July 2022
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Ray Sutton
ACTOR/EDUCATORS INC. 27 LEYLAND ROAD, SOUTHPORT PR9 9JG
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I have known Ms Fleming as a colleague and friend for some fifteen years.
I run a team of freelance actors which specializes in supplying Simulated Patients for medical communication skills training. Ms Fleming has worked with me as an SP on training workshops and OSCEs (practical communication skills examinations ), covering the whole spectrum of undergraduate medical training from Year 1 to Year 5. Facilitators, assessors and students have always expressed their admiration for her flexibility in workshops and the required balanced consistent representations she gives in OSCEs. Her workshop feedback is always sensitive, clear, constructive and insightful.
She has taken part in the team’s work with GP registrars on selection, in-service training and examination preparation for the MRCGP. Such advanced-level training demands a high degree of sophistication in presentation and response that would stand Ms Fleming in good stead in any area of theatrical production and administration.
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She has also been involved in formulating plans for extending the team’s management structures, where her thoughtful input was invaluable.
I have followed Ms Fleming’s acting career on stage and television with friendly interest, and always found her performances to be considered, truthful and lively, attributes which she invariably brings to the portrayal of every simulated patient.she presents.
I have always found Ms Pauline Fleming to be honest, honourable, conscientious, committed, thoughtful, sympathetic, good-humoured and an excellent team player and I have no hesitation in recommending her to you.
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Ray Sutton, 19th March 2014.​
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Assistant Professor at the University of Bradford
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Pauline Fleming has worked with the Advanced Communication Skills module team for several years, providing a team of actors to participate in role play with students to facilitate formative and summative assessment of communication skills.
In April we were unable to deliver the role play sessions in their usual format due to the lockdown restrictions. Pauline and her team immediately adapted to online delivery of the sessions enabling the students to complete their module and assessments without delay. The acting team connected with the academic team and students via Skype. The sessions were a great success and will continue to be used in the future.
Pauline’s dedication, organisation and enthusiasm is infectious and empowers the students to strive to improve their interactions.
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Mrs L. Wem, 10th October 2020.
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John Tandy
Veterinary Surgeon, Tudor House, Kingsley Road, St Helens Merseyside, WA10 6JN
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I am a retired veterinary surgeon still playing an active part in the organisation of the veterinary profession’s activities. It was in that role that I first met Pauline Fleming some 10 to 12 years ago.
At this stage I was acting as a consultant to the Veterinary Defence Society, the body responsible for professional indemnity insurance for veterinary surgeons in practice. Research had shown that about 80% of all claims brought against veterinary surgeons had some communication breakdown content. At that stage claims were rising significantly and a decision was made to introduce a strategy to improve communication. As part of that strategy we were recommended to have discussions with a team of actors working at the Liverpool Medical School to help illustrate matters relating teaching and examinations. Our discussions led to the formation of a team to highlight areas were communication, in day to day veterinary practice, could be strengthened. Pauline Fleming played a significant part in this team. She played the roles of animal owners and veterinary staff to illustrate the importance of communication skills at meetings with veterinary surgeons, practice staff, recent graduates and students. This proved to be of great interest to all concerned. Research indicated that from the time these meetings were initiated the rising number of complaints against veterinary surgeons showed immediate improvement. This showed the strategy of illustrating the importance of good communication in veterinary practice by teams of actors was well proven. Pauline Fleming played a major role in this initiative. Such meetings, with scenarios played out by actors remain very popular and effective at the present time. I have no doubt that improved communication skills are of great value in all walks of life.
Having first met Pauline in her active role of training in both the veterinary and medical professions, I have become aware of her much wider involvement in acting and entertainment. She works tirelessly in stage plays, pantomimes, and television (including a major role in Coronation Street). In addition she is a playwright and director.
I have no hesitation in recommending that Pauline’s expertise should be included in training programmes to improve people’s communication skills, where-ever this may be necessary
John Tandy, 28 February 2014.Birkenhead Priory, Wirral 219