We’d like to introduce you to Stephen Collier, a valued member of our Urgent Care (South) team, based at Northampton General Hospital also covering Daventry. Stephen wears multiple hats within DHU Healthcare, serving as a shift lead (Dispatch Controller), Driver, and Driving Assessor.
Stephen's journey with us began back in 2009 when he joined as a driver, but it was at the start of DHU Healthcare's contract in Northamptonshire that he moved into the role of Dispatch Controller. Stephen predominantly works only the weekends and is dedicated to ensuring the smooth operation of our urgent care services.
But there's more to Stephen than his roles at DHU Healthcare. In his previous life, he served as a Police Officer for 30 years before retiring in 2005. But retirement didn't slow him down; Managing his training company for seventeen years whilst also publishing his first Crime Fiction book, a passion that he pursued post-retirement. "I started writing in 2012, and my first book was published in 2014. It keeps the little grey cells going, as Poirot says." Stephen shared.
Despite his background in law enforcement, Stephen's entry into healthcare was somewhat serendipitous. "It was a bit of a fluke, really," he admits. "I was speaking to my GP at the time, and he suggested I join the out-of-hours service as a driver. I thought ok, I’ve got the skills, and it turned out to be a perfect fit.
”My background as a retired grade one police advanced driver meant that I was able to take on the responsibility of conducting driving assessments for our team. The standards have risen incredibly since then and now, I am proud to say, we have a set of really good drivers for the Northants area."
Beyond his professional duties, Stephen enjoys the solidarity within the team. "It's a close-knit group," he says. "I get along well with Stuart, Gary, and everyone else in the management structure, as well as those who I work with on a regular basis. Building those relationships is essential when you're all working together in such a busy environment.
"I certainly enjoy working for DHU, even if I should be taking it easy at my time of life," he added with a grin. With his dedication and diverse skill set, Stephen adds invaluable depth to our team. "And who knows," he adds, "maybe one day I'll pen a crime fiction novel inspired by the out-of-hours service."