Proud NHS staff clock up years of service

30 June 2023

Staff from York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals 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 29 June at the Radisson Hotel, York, where chief executive, Simon Morritt, 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.

(L-R Suzanne, Simon, Kev and Alison.)

Speaking about the awards, Simon said: “Our long service awards are about celebrating the service, commitment and skills of staff who’ve shown their loyalty to the Trust over many years.

“There is no doubt the last few years have been a challenging time for the NHS but one thing it’s highlighted is how much our people are the glue of this organisation.  The fact that so many of our staff stay with us and dedicate their working lives to the patients we care for, makes for a very special place to work.

“It also speaks volumes about their personal values that so many of them have chosen to stay and to inspire newer colleagues to thrive.”

This year, over 200 members of staff from York and the surrounding areas have reached the milestone of 40 or 25 years dedicated service to the National Health Service.  Between them they have worked over 6,000 years.

Amongst those being rewarded was Dr Alison Forrester who retires shortly, after previously delaying her planned retirement during the Covid pandemic to continue her outpatient clinics and to care for patients.

Alison said, “I’m proud to have worked for the NHS as a doctor since 1981, including two years in York as a medical registrar, before training in public health medicine - and latterly for 25 years here in outpatient gastroenterology.

“I’m delighted to get this long service award just as I retire.  I’ve experienced many changes in the NHS over the years but at the heart of it for me has always been doing our best for the patients we serve.  It has been a privilege to listen to their concerns with empathy and try to offer sensitive and appropriate advice, supported by wonderful outpatient colleagues.  I feel passionately about the principles underpinning the NHS and I hope it can continue to offer expert care with warmth and humanity.

“Michael Rosen’s poem These Are the Hands - marking its 60th anniversary - still moves me to tears and I’m delighted to have a seat at the NHS75 service at Westminster Abbey next week.”

One of Alison’s most memorable York patients is from the 1980s, whose life she saved by her actions when he was admitted.  She subsequently reconnected with him during the first lockdown after discovering he was alive and well, and she is delighted that they remain in touch to this day.

Also celebrating was Suzanne Burnett, who has worked at York Hospital for nearly 42 years.  Suzanne currently works in the patient experience team after serving many years as a nurse.  Suzanne added: “I’ve loved being part of a team that, for the most, has been like my second family.  I have made lifelong friends because of working here.”

Also celebrating was Kevin Beatson, who has worked for the Trust for 26 years, mainly leading in the development of its electronic patient record systems.  Prior to working for the NHS, Kevin had a career in engineering, largely in the coal mining industry, including several years on the coalface.

Kevin commented, “I feel really proud of some of the work we have done over the last 25 years, and I’ve enjoyed being part of the wider team to make a difference and contribute to improvements in the way we delivery safe and effective care to our patients.”

Simon Morritt added: “I would personally like to congratulate and thank each and every recipient for their valuable years of service.  I hope they all stay with us for many more.”

Another long service event took place earlier month for staff based on the east Coast and surrounding areas.