Proud NHS staff celebrate long service

STAFF from York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who between them have clocked up hundreds of years of service, were invited to be honoured at a long service event in York.

The annual event took place on Thursday 23 May at the Radisson Park Inn, York, where 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: “This year 73 members of staff have reached the milestone of 25 years dedicated service to the National Health Service.  Between them they have worked a staggering 1,825 years.

“One of the strengths of the Trust is the experience provided by our staff who have devoted their working lives to the NHS.  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.”

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

Amongst those being rewarded was Dr Joanne McVey, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Deputy Head of Psychological Medicine.  Jo said: “I started work in the NHS when I was 21, as an assistant psychologist.  I was so excited and lucky to get that first post and it put me in good stead to pursue and train for my dream job as a clinical psychologist.  Since then, I have worked all over Yorkshire and latterly as a consultant clinical psychologist at the Trust for the last 13 years.

“Working in the NHS gives me a sense of being in a team with a shared purpose - we are here to help people have the best quality of life and to be as healthy as possible.  Walking down any hospital corridor or in outpatient clinics gives me the same feeling now, some 27 years later, as it did when I was 21.

“I have been lucky to work with so many fantastic colleagues and to have received quality, professional, training along the way.”

Also celebrating was Sue McAulay, midwife.  Sue added: “I love coming to work.  Every day is different and there is always something new to learn, even after these years - it certainly keeps me on my toes!”

Mike added: “I would personally like to congratulate and thank each and every recipient for their valuable years of service.”

Another long service event will take place in June for staff based on the East Coast, and a further 12 staff, celebrating 40 year, will be invited to the Trust’s annual Celebration of Achievement awards in October.

24 May 2019