Meet Paul Byrom: 45 years of caring, learning and teaching

After 45 years in the NHS, Paul Byrom still isn't ready to hang up his lanyard.

Having officially retired before returning to work three days a week as a Clinical Skills Trainer at East Cheshire NHS Trust, Paul says he still feels privileged to help colleagues develop the skills and confidence they need every day. His NHS journey began almost by chance.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do at 16 or 17," Paul said. "I applied for three jobs and the pupil nurse training came through first. I thought I'd do it for a couple of years, get my qualification, and then decide what I really wanted to do."

Forty-five years later, he's still here.

Over the course of his career, Paul has worked across mental health nursing, ward management, community services, training and education, continually saying yes to new opportunities.

"I never said no to anything," he said. "You get asked to do something else, then something else after that. It's great saying yes because you end up doing things you never thought you'd do."

Today, Paul delivers everything from conflict resolution and basic life support to immunisation training, helping colleagues across East Cheshire while also supporting other NHS organisations through specialist external courses.

For Paul, training has become the perfect blend of everything he's learned throughout his career.

"It's an absolute privilege talking to staff. It always has been in training," he said. "The Trust is trusting you to deliver good practice, policy, law, procedures and clinical expertise. That's a huge responsibility."

One of the reasons colleagues enjoy Paul's sessions is his informal, discussion-based approach.

"I like pictures rather than lots of writing. I ask staff lots of questions and guide the discussion. I never say someone's right or wrong – it's about getting people thinking."

Humour also plays an important part.

"I like to inject humour into training because conflict resolution isn't exactly a sexy subject," he laughed.

Paul believes the best trainers never stop learning themselves.

"The biggest thing isn't all the positive feedback," he said. "It's when someone gives you constructive criticism. That's the bit that helps you improve."

Although his career has taken him in many different directions, one thing has remained constant, his passion for helping people.

Reflecting on how healthcare has changed over the decades, Paul says today's NHS faces enormous pressures but remains full of dedicated staff.

"I see staff not having as much time with patients as they used to. It's very time-driven now because of the pressures everyone is under," he said. "But I take my hat off to frontline staff. They do an incredible job."

Even after retiring from full-time work, Paul had no desire to step away completely.

"I've had my career. I enjoyed it fantastically. I got to higher places than I ever thought I would when I left school," he said. "Now I'm more than happy to continue doing what I do."

Looking back, there's one reflection that sums up his NHS career better than anything else.

"I don't know... I feel as though I've never had a real job," he smiled. "I've enjoyed it too much. I've been very lucky with the choices I made and the people I've worked with."

And if you think that's enough to keep him busy, think again. Away from East Cheshire, Paul also runs his own training company and, in his younger years, spent 15 years performing in an Iron Maiden tribute band.

"I really wanted to be a rock star," he laughed. "I never officially made it, but I had a good time trying."