From paramedic to executive director.

Executive Director of Strategy and Planning Salman Desai looks back on his 23 years with the ambulance service and tells us what he’s learnt from his varied and exciting career.

After completing a degree in health studies and being unsure which path to take, Salman realised his heart lay in emergency care when he came across a road traffic collision involving a family friend.

“What was really clear was that nobody knew what to do besides pick up the phone. For me it was that moment that I realised that I would like to work for the ambulance service.”

After completing his studies, Salman applied to become a student paramedic for Greater Manchester Ambulance Service. He then spent some time travelling around the USA and almost missed out on the spot due to his travels. Deciding to cut the trip short to follow his ambitions, in 1997 Salman joined the ambulance service and began his training at Ladybridge Hall. The same building he is based at today.

Salman spent the next seven years in patient facing roles where he has fond memories of the willingness of his colleagues to learn from each other and give the best they possibly could to their patients: “It was not just another job to them, they always had the patient in mind.”

During this time Salman also trained colleagues and other healthcare professionals in advanced life support and later went on to undertake a training role focusing on reducing drug related deaths. This work saw him speaking at conferences around the UK and even as far as Vancouver, leading him to receive an NHS Outstanding Contribution to Health award as a result of his efforts.

Over the years that followed, Salman undertook a number of managerial positions within the newly formed North West Ambulance Service, working to align the former ambulance services into one trust. He successfully secured a position on the National Breaking Through Leadership Programme before undertaking a two year secondment as Transformation Lead at a large teaching hospital in Manchester.

Salman returned to NWAS to join the board of directors in 2015.

Looking back over his career Salman says: “The proudest moment for me is still the patient facing element. I really enjoyed being on the road but I wanted to work to improve the care we deliver for patients. Patient care continues to shape and remain at the centre of what I do today.”

Sharing the knowledge he has learnt over the years with younger colleagues, Salman says: “If you set your mind on something, nothing will get in your way but don’t underestimate the value of a trusted group of individuals who can guide you on your journey.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that’s human nature, learning from them is what’s important.”