It’s never too late—or in the case of Paul Bytheway, too early-- to volunteer in the NHS.

Paul Bytheway joined Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust as Chief Operating Officer in October 2017 and has had a long and storied career in healthcare. However, he is the first to admit that he started rather young. “I was 16 year old when I started volunteering at my local hospital in the Emergency Department. I worked every Monday night and I absolutely loved it.” The team there noticed his dedication and helped guide him towards becoming a bank healthcare assistant.

However, for as long Paul can remember he wanted to be a nurse—and he eventually attended the University of Wolverhampton where he received his nursing degree. Even though Paul went on to managerial positions (he was previously Director of Operations for Medicine and Community for Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and has worked in the Worcestershire Acute Trust and at St. John Ambulance) he has kept his nursing certifications up to date. 

Paul admits to feeling lucky that he has been able to work in a profession he loves. “The NHS is fantastic,” he notes. “They have looked after me and my family and all our healthcare needs—and working in the NHS as a nurse and then in managerial roles has been brilliant; it has allowed me to make some life-long friends and also to make a difference in people’s lives. I’ve been employed in the NHS for going on 20 years and I do not want to work anywhere else. “ 

To hear Paul’s thoughts about the NHS 70’s birthday, click here.