Trust colleague Paul Robson has a double birthday to celebrate on July 5th – his own and the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
Paul, who creates and designs e-learning courses for staff, was born 14 years after the creation of the NHS and is a huge supporter of the world-renowned institution.
“If someone asked who, or what I would like to share a birthday with, I would have to say the NHS. I couldn’t share my special day with anything better,” he said.
“The NHS has always been there for me. It has helped care for my family, as well as given me the best job I’ve ever had. The 75th anniversary deserves to be celebrated.”
Changing career ambitions
Paul, who was born and still lives in Middlesbrough, was in the sea cadets as a young man and originally hoped to join the navy – but an eye injury sadly brought an end to his ambitions.
Instead, he trained as a decorator before joining Royal Mail, serving as a postie for 11 years, then moving to the training and development department for another 15.
“When Royal Mail started getting ready for privatisation, I decided to look for another job – which is when a role as a PARIS trainer came up at the Trust,” he said.
“I applied but didn’t get it, as I didn’t have the clinical experience. I really liked the idea of working for the Trust and the NHS though, so I didn’t give up.”
Happy move to NHS
Paul was quickly snapped up to help implement the transfer from TEWV Mail to NHS Mail, moving on to digital dictation and then working on the SMART card project.
He is now a digital learning officer, helping to design and create e-learning courses for all staff, as well as working on CITO and the new electronic prescribing project.
“I am proud to work for the NHS. My wife has two serious illnesses, and the NHS has always been there for her, and me. I don’t know where I’d be without it,” he said.
“The NHS is one of the best institutions in the world.”
