Ric Procter

What attracted you to come and work at South Tees?

During my training I rotated around six different departments in the North East. 

I worked here once also as registrar. I enjoyed it here very much, the main difference it being a major trauma centre rather than a district general hospital. 

As a trainee I was well supported by senior staff.  Colleagues are really important, the emergency department is a cohesive team. 

Everyone supported my training and had a real enthusiasm to develop me as an individual, plus they were great fun to work with. 

The consultant body are a great group as is the wider team.

What is living in the north east of England like?

I was brought up in Perthshire and went to University in Dundee, I then moved to Glasgow with my wife where I did two years of my foundation training.

I then moved to the north east as a result of the changes to the National Application system.

There were only 13 emergency department places in Scotland and 13 in the north east. 

The north east was the closest to home and for me, but has been the best decision we have made.  It is a real hidden gem of an area. 

I travel to Middlesbrough each day from Newcastle, the travelling doesn’t bother me as I feel it’s worth it to work somewhere that you really enjoy.

The north east has a very friendly feel, it’s a great place to live.

Are you given time and support to develop your career?

I get good support from senior consultants in the department to help me to progress. 

You agree to a lead role and help and support is given, this is promoted at appraisal. 

I have had two so far and it’s been really good to help me understand how I want to develop and where I want my career to go.

How do you manage your work life balance?

My job plan helps me to manage my own diary and also allows me to take very little work home, so my time off really is my own.

It is intense when you are here but that is balanced by having enough time off for hobbies, I regularly go mountain biking, and of course I have time for my family.

I do quite a lot of out of hours work here which also allows me to avoid travelling in the rush hour. 

I have developed some good friends in the nursing and consultant staff here, and regularly socialise with them out of work.

Would you recommend working here to friends and family?

Yes. 

For trainees I would say to them that this has been a great place to work, intense, high demand but enjoyable, fun and we work well as a team. 

Having been a trainee here and given great teaching and career development, I now try to provide this back to those trainees rotating through us.