Last month, we welcomed our newest member of Northumbria Primary Care’s Senior Management Team, David Pierce. David is joining us as our Senior Group Manager; a new role that is key to strengthening our offering to patients and partners alike. Our Senior Group Manager provides oversight to all divisions of NPC, including our core GP practice services, our Primary Care Network and our externally facing collaborative service.
We sat down with David to get to know a little bit more about him, his career and what motivated him to join our team.
Can you give a brief career history
Prior to my role in NPC I was Practice Manager of Collingwood Health Group for just shy of two years, a 25k patient group of GP surgeries in North Shields. Prior to that, I had a 17 ½ year career as an Air Operations (Control) Officer in the Royal Air Force. During that time I had postings at various points in the UK, Northumberland, Lincolnshire and Buckinghamshire as well as overseas detachments to Afghanistan, two tours of the wider Middle East, Falkland Islands and Iceland to name a few.
Why did you leave the RAF?
I left the RAF for a new challenge but also primarily to concentrate on a more stable family life. I have two young children (5 and 7) and my wife owns her own business in Northumberland, so the time away from home was becoming increasingly difficult to manage. I’m very proud of my new status as a veteran though! I had an amazing career in the RAF and would recommend it to anyone.
What made you want to work in the NHS and in primary care in particular?
My interest in the NHS probably first came about while I was in the RAF. Whilst I was serving, I volunteered for the Military Co-Responder Scheme with the ambulance service. I found the experience to be very interesting and I really loved the insight that it gave me. My interest in primary care specifically came from a previous RAF boss of mine who had become a practice manager. Once that interest was sparked, I had some insightful conversations with other veterans that had followed the same path. From that moment, I was sold!
How have your first few weeks in the job gone?
Really well, thanks! Everyone at NPC has been very welcoming. It’s amazing to see the types of things that can be achieved utilising NPCs model.
What does success look like to you in your role?
Success for me is having nine NPC GP practices that feel supported and are able to perform at their best. Also, driving a continuous hunger to want to improve the way we do things and grow NPC to a position where other practices realise the benefits of joining the organisation.
How do you relax?
I live in Warkworth, so naturally I love the coast. Spending time with the family and walks on the beach tends to be how I relax.
Tell us a bit about your life outside of work
I was born in Shrewsbury in Shropshire in 1985. When I was 4 we moved to Congleton, Cheshire with my dad’s job and I lived there until I joined the RAF at 18. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother. My mum still lives in Congleton but, unfortunately, my father passed away in 2016 from Motor Neurones Disease. I now live in Warkworth with my wife and two children (Isla and Madeleine).
What song do you listen to if you need a ‘pick me up’?
“Getting Started” by Sam Fender, “Thunderstruck” by ACDC or “(What’s The Story) Morning Glory” by Oasis depending on what mood I’m in!
Best advice you have been given in relation to leadership?
“Look after your people”
I know it’s cliché, but when someone really means it and values the message then you get the best out of your team. It’s not just about looking after them in their work environment but emotionally as well. The best leaders I worked with in the military had high levels of emotional intelligence. They had the ability to foster a rapport with an entire room of people, regardless of their position and rank.
Want to find out more about the team at Northumbria Primary Care? Click here to get to find out who’s who!
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