Support services
From Private Sector to Healthcare: Christopher's UHS Experience
From Private Sector to Healthcare: Christopher Lovelock’s UHS Experience
Meet Christopher Lovelock, an Estates Contract Manager, here at UHS.
What initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in healthcare?
What initially sparked my interest was the ability to make a difference and positively impact people's lives, something I don't believe you get a chance to do as much in the private sector.
And from a perspective, the benefits of working with the NHS, such as the pension and generous holiday allowance, were also appealing.
How have you grown and evolved both personally through your healthcare journey?
Personally, I feel that my healthcare journey has made me more resilient and empathetic as a person.
How does the collaboration with your team and teams across the Trust contribute to providing the best patient care?
We are a support service, so we work closely with every other department to ensure equipment and facilities are working correctly, which can directly impact patient care in some cases such as our lifts, which is a critical area for all visitors, patients, and staff to have access to.
Can you tell us what your first day was like in healthcare/profession?
It was slightly daunting initially. The size of the site alone is huge and the shift from the private sector into healthcare was quite different. However, I adapted quickly and felt like I integrated well into the healthcare environment.
What are the primary tasks you handle on a daily basis and how does it impact the overall function of the hospital?
I manage the water hygiene and the lift maintenance contracts. My day-to-day tasks involve overseeing the contractors on-site for these services. I’m also lucky to manage an in-house team of staff who are very hard-working and dedicated.
I look after the lift maintenance, which is crucial for the site, especially for people with disabilities, patients, and visitors. On the other hand, water hygiene is essential for providing safe water for staff, patients, and visitors.
Could you discuss a recent training you attended and its impact on your job?
My most recent training involved becoming the lift authorizing person for the Trust. It covered both practical and theoretical aspects of how lifts work, which, surprisingly, was easier than expected. The NHS and UHS in particular are excellent at investing in training and development.
What advice would you give to those considering entering the profession?
I started as a contractor on-site and worked as a contractor for about three years before transitioning into the NHS. I then progressed to the role of a Water Hygiene Team Leader and, more recently, became a Contracts Manager about six months ago. UHS has provided opportunities for progression and development, unlike many other companies.
My advice to those looking to develop yourself and climb the career ladder is that UHS is the place to be. They are committed to investing in their staff and providing opportunities for growth and development. We have a great variety of skill sets and job roles within our department ranging from maintenance assistants, compliance management, fitters, and electricians to technicians. All have unique skill sets, so I would urge you to, even if you feel that your job is quite niche, reach out and inquire.
