A veteran has celebrated his graduation from the University of Central Lancashire, after his daughter’s operation at Cumberland Infirmary inspired him to change careers.

Originally from Liverpool, 33-year-old Ian Lewis joined the Royal Navy at the age of 19, and thought he’d be in the Armed Forces for life.

But just four years later, he was made redundant, leaving him feeling uncertain about the future.

Following his transition out of the military, Ian enjoyed success in managerial roles; but he 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 in fact Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs).

Ian says: “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.”

It looked like it was all going to be smooth sailing for Ian, who now lives with his family in Whitehaven, Cumbria – until March 2020, when the global Covid pandemic hit and hospitals all over the UK found themselves in the eye of the storm.

Operating lists at West Cumberland hospital, 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 a total of three months, Ian worked as part of the Intensive Care Unit, still in the capacity of Student Operating Department Practitioner, but while also being supervised in carrying out critical care tasks. 

Ian is now working as a qualified Anaesthetic Operating Department Practitioner at West Cumberland Hospital and hopes to continue honing his skills as a dependable member of the theatre team.