Proud NHS staff celebrate long service

Staff from Scarborough and Bridlington hospitals, who, between them, have clocked up over 600 years of service, were invited to be honoured at a long service ceremony in Scarborough.

The annual event took place on Thursday 21 June at the Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough, where Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive, Andrew Bertram, 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 Andrew 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.  These awards recognise outstanding commitment to duty and I would like to congratulate and thank each recipient for their valuable years of service.

“This year the NHS is turning 70 on 5 July 2018, so this event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of the nation’s most loved institutions, to appreciate the vital role the service plays in our lives, and to recognise and thank the extraordinary NHS staff - the everyday heroes - who are there to support and care, day in, day out.”

Celebrating their long service were staff who have served 25 years with the National Health Service - ten years of which have consecutively been with York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Amongst those being rewarded were Suzanne Meek, Senior Sister Outpatient Services at Bridlington and Scarborough hospitals and Sarah Kemp, Clinical Pharmacist at Scarborough Hospital – both of who have served an entire 25 years with the Trust.

Suzanne, Senior Sister, who retired just a few weeks ago, explained: “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 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.”

Sarah added: “I trained at Nottingham City Hospital and I have worked at both Scarborough and Bridlington hospitals ever since.  The NHS cares about people - if it wasn’t for the NHS I would have lost my mum, my brother and my uncle.”

Andrew said:  “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, held later this year at York Racecourse.

22 June 2018