Terry's Journey - Head of Operations

Terry Hicks is our head of operations for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. He has been with the Trust for 24 years.

Before joining EEAST, I worked in military and industrial sector careers. This gave me the basics of role modelling standards and delivery of expectations when working within roles, as well as an understanding of timekeeping and delivery of targets and outcomes.

I started in the Trust in 1999 as a student, and then progressed from academic studies to paramedic quite quickly. I became a team leader and assessor, allowing me to be in a position where I could positively influence my teams and students delivery of clinical care to our patients. I progressed to become a senior leader, with joint operational and clinical responsibilities, before moving into a projects and planning role where I was able to develop and introduce large scale organisational change.

From there, I moved into a more senior management role where I was managing larger groups of staff but still maintaining the ability to shape and develop improved patient outcomes.

It could be challenging at times, competing with the demands of operational shift work, studying and family life (especially with a young family at the time). Going away for residential courses always came with its own challenges too, especially with young children. I am proud to be a part of EEAST and the NHS; what we do day in, day out delivering the best patient care possible and providing support for our staff is incredible.

It is a privileged job, where you get to see the best and worst of people in all walks of life, and sometimes you get the opportunity to provide a positive outcome for them and their families. Everyone in the Trust plays their part, whether they are in a frontline role or not, in doing the best for our patients with the resources that we have available.

If you are interested in joining the Trust, my advice would be to focus on you and the role that you are in. Be the best that you can be as often as possible and speak up if you are struggling. It isnt all plain sailing, and there will be times where things dont go as you would want them to, but there will be other times where you will have a positive impact on your patient that they will never forget. There is no greater feeling than saving a life, or helping someone in their time of need.