Managers in the NHS
Real life stories
Name: Angela Paice
Job title: project manager, Eastbourne Downs PCT
Entry route: secretary in a health authority
I'd certainly say that my career in the NHS demonstrates how you can move around and progress. And of course, you learn new skills at every stage.
I started work in the NHS when I was 17. I got a summer holiday job as a secretary in the district planning office of a health authority – then I was offered the job permanently. After about a year I moved to general practice as a medical secretary and receptionist. Two years later I was promoted to practice manager. Then I studied for my diploma in practice management.
My next move, seven years later, was to become a management assistant to a community health manager and mental health manager. When the organisation changed I became business management co-ordinator. This led to a job as a business assistant to a mental health manager, supporting the management of his team, services, facilities and personnel.
Three years later it was time to move again, this time as an operational co-ordinator in an acute mental health hospital. From there I was seconded to the NHS Trust’s information department and my role was to train a community mental health team on piloting an electronic patient record system.
As this project reached a successful conclusion, I was approached to become a project assistant on a team working on setting up a new primary care trust for Eastbourne. Eventually I became the communications manager for the PCT.
It is very satisfying having a direct impact on patient care. For example a patient focus group I set up in the mental health hospital met monthly to discuss issues identified by the patients. My role specifically looked at improving the environment in which they were staying. I was also involved in redesigning the acute psychiatric wards, to create an intensive care area and improving the patients’ environment.
The NHS has supported me 100 per cent throughout my career and I have had plenty of training opportunities. I have enjoyed the ability to move around and gain knowledge. The flexibility for different working arrangements in the NHS has been fantastic.
I have never set myself specific career goals but I have always kept an open mind and been on the look out for opportunities to take advantage of. I don't think any other employer could have offered me such a range of possibilities.
