A dedicated veteran has celebrated his university graduation after his daughter’s operation at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary inspired him to change career paths.
Ian Lewis, 33, of Whitehaven, joined the Royal Navy aged 19, and thought he would be in the armed forces for life. But just four years later he was made redundant.
Following his transition out of the military, Ian enjoyed success in managerial roles but wanted to find a role with more meaning – and when Jessica, his now 11-year-old daughter, needed an operation, the incredible care she received gave Ian the career inspiration he was looking for.
Ian quickly applied for a role at his local hospital trust and was employed within the theatre department; it was there he learned that the NHS staff who had made such an impression on him during Jessica’s hospital stay were operating department practitioners.
Ian said: “I saw how these members of staff play a major role in the whole process of a person’s operation, providing high standards of skilled care and support during each phase – from anaesthetic, through surgery, and into recovery. I knew that working towards making this my career would be hugely rewarding and decided to go for it.”
Starting his degree apprenticeship in operating department practice, Ian studied at the University of Central Lancashire.
It looked like it was going to be smooth sailing for Ian, until March 2020, when the COVID pandemic hit and hospitals all over the UK found themselves in the eye of the storm. Operating lists at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, where Ian was working, were cancelled, and the operating department was converted into an auxiliary intensive care unit to meet the demand of increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients who needed ventilator support.
For three months, Ian worked as part of the unit, as a student operating department practitioner, but while also being supervised in carrying out critical care tasks.
He said: “It was my family, colleagues and tutors who all provided an essential support network that helped me get through the course during this time. Without them, I couldn’t have done it.”
Ian is now working as a qualified anaesthetic operating department practitioner at the West Cumberland Hospital.
Ian said: “I’m really proud and excited about being at the start of a career which I’m genuinely passionate about. Making the change to this job feels like I’m giving something back and helping people, rather than just chasing profits.
“I understand that when any patient comes into the operating theatre, they are often incredibly nervous and vulnerable; I really want to do everything I can to help them through that time and provide them with the highest standard of care. That’s what motivates me most now. I also look forward to taking everything I’ve learned and using it to mentor future ODP students, so they can develop their knowledge and skills as I have.
“I am really grateful to be where I am today, and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the support of my family, especially my wife Lindsey and daughters Jessica and Chloe, my colleagues, and the tutors from UCLan.”
