Proud NHS staff celebrate long service
This month more than 50 staff from across the Trust celebrated 25 years’ NHS service at award ceremonies in York and Scarborough.
The annual NHS long service awards were celebrated in style, and staff who had clocked up hundreds of years of service between them, attended celebratory dinners at either the Radisson Park Inn in York or the Crown Spa Hotel in Scarborough. Chief Executive Mike Proctor paid tribute to the dedicated and caring staff from across the Trust - many of whom have spent much of their working lives in the National Health Service
Speaking about the awards Mike said: “Our staff make a difference to hundreds of people locally every day and this is one way we can recognise the positive impact they have. I would like to congratulate and thank each recipient for their valuable years of service and outstanding commitment to duty.
“This year the NHS is turning 70 on 5 July so these events are the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of the nation’s most loved institutions. Appreciating the vital role the service plays in our lives, and recognising and thanking the extraordinary NHS staff - the everyday heroes - who are there to support and care, day in, day out has never been more important .”
Staff celebrating their long service have served 25 years with the NHS and ten years consecutively with the Trust. Amongst those being rewarded were Nicola Lockwood, Matron for Child Health, and Vikki Smith, Sister on the Special Care Baby Unit at York Hospital.
Nicola, who qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1995 and went on to specialise in paediatrics, said: “I am very proud of working in the NHS and in particular at York. I have had a very enjoyable, and at times challenging, career - but one that has been rewarding and happy. I feel privileged to have been part of, and made a difference to, so many children’s and families lives.”
Vikki, who started her nurse training in 1992 and qualified in 1995, said: “It’s hard to believe that I will have worked on the special care baby units in York and Scarborough hospitals for nearly 18 years - and some of the infants that I have nursed are now reaching adulthood themselves. “I have always felt very proud to be part of an organisation that pulls together to provide high standards of care for the patients in the local area.”
At the Scarborough event Suzanne Meek, Senior Sister Outpatient Services at Bridlington and Scarborough hospitals who has served her entire 25 years with the Trust, said: “I started my career with the NHS as a student nurse in 1977. My mother was a nurse and worked for many years in a GP practice in Bridlington, so I knew from a young age I also wanted to make a difference to people’s lives and felt that nursing was the best way to do this.
“I have spent over 20 years as the Senior Sister for the Outpatient Services at Bridlington and Scarborough hospitals where I have met to meet some wonderful patients, carers and families. I will look back on my career with pride and fulfilment knowing I helped make a difference to the many patients I have cared for over the years.”
Mike added: “Our staff are without doubt our greatest asset and work extremely hard to provide the very best possible care to our patients. Each and every one of them is a credit to our service and the public they serve.” Staff celebrating 40 years will be invited to the Trust’s annual Celebration of Achievement awards to be held later in October.
