Heartbeat: Farwell to Dawn, Mary and Sue – 90 years serving the NHS
July 27, 2021
With a total of over 90 years between them working within the NHS, healthcare assistants, Dawn Norman, Mary Mumford and Sue Steadman look back upon their time having all recently retired from the Trust.
Not many people can say they have worked in a job they love; in a role they are passionate about and alongside great friends. But for Mary, Dawn and Sue, their time as healthcare assistants (HCAs) has come to an end as they soon enter their well-deserved retirement. Their combined 90 years within the NHS shows their true dedication and passion for their roles and their commitment to caring for others.
Heartbeat caught up with them to find out more:
So, tell us about your journey
Mary: I started as a domestic in 1988, loved the contact I had with patients on the ward, so when an opportunity for an auxiliary nurse arose, I couldn’t wait to apply and get started.
Then I started working on Priory 2 surgical ward with Dawn – I loved every single minute. It’s also lovely that Dawn and I stayed on the ward together for all this time, and are now leaving together too.
Dawn: My career within the NHS started as a member of the NHS Bank staff. I then joined Mary on Priory 2 and we worked together for 30 years. From there we went on to outpatients. I can honestly say I’ve loved every minute of the job.
Sue: I became a HCA many years ago after my gran was admitted to hospital with a shoulder injury. While I was there I started helping patients and chatting to them. This inspired me to leave office work and work in a nursing home for two and a half years before applying for outpatients.
What advice do you have for those at the start of their career?
Dawn: My advice would be to get to know your patients and build a rapport with families. Patient interaction is by far one of the best parts of the job.
Mary: To find pleasure in what you are doing. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and it really has been like working with a family.
Sue: Make sure you enjoy the area you are in and maybe think about training opportunities to perhaps become a nurse.
What have you enjoyed most about working within the Trust?
Sue: I have enjoyed the variety my role has given me and to learn different clinics.
Dawn: I’ve always wanted to work within the care sector. We’ve had ups and downs on the wards and it has been hard work. But when you’ve got a great team behind you, it makes all the difference.
Mary: I’ve loved all of it but working with a great team makes all the difference.
If you hadn’t worked for the Trust, what would you have done instead?
Dawn: I always wanted to go into care work. If I hadn’t followed this career path, I think I would have worked in a nursing home or another line of care.
Sue: If I had not worked for the Trust, many years ago I wanted to be a midwife. I also did some office work too.
What are your plans for your retirement?
Sue: For me, I plan to spend time baking, catching up on reading, walking and generally enjoying life! I also want to spend some more time in the garden.
Dawn: I can’t wait to enjoy myself and spend lots of time with family throughout my retirement.
Mary: I plan to spend my retirement with my husband, as we approach our 50 year anniversary. We can’t wait to spend more time together and enjoy ourselves.
Jaswinder Verdi, Sister, outpatients department said: “We say a fond farewell to three of our highly thought of HCAs. They have shown dedication and commitment throughout their time working for the Trust and outpatients department. They have worked tirelessly and professionally caring for patients, their knowledge, expertise and presence will be sorely missed in outpatients. We wish them all the very best for their retirement and the future ahead.”