Endoscopy Unit Manager, Michelle Roberts retires this week after 37 years at CHFT – and has already sold her five-bedroomed house so that she can live her best life in her new motorhome.

Michelle trained at the Calderdale School of Nursing and immediately joined the theatres team, remaining there for 35 years. Her roles have included the clinical operational manager for CRH theatres and the clinical educator across site for theatre. For the last two years, Michelle moved into the role of clinical operational manager in endoscopy where she is finishing her career.

Michelle said: “I moved to endoscopy to support one day a week, but colleagues asked me why I couldn’t join them full-time.

“I’d always been a theatres colleague at heart, but I was coming to the end of my career, so I agreed. I offered them my managerial experience in return for their knowledge in endoscopy.

“They welcomed me as a colleague, and it’s been a lovely two years to end my career with – a really positive experience.

“The thing I’ll miss most about CHFT is all the lovely colleagues I’ve come to know as friends too.”

Michelle and husband Gav, who has been in the Army since he was 16, are retiring together and going for a full-on change.

The first part of their retirement plan was to sell their house, a former pub, with five bedrooms. They've downsized and plan to live in their new motorhome with travel high on the agenda, including to Australia where they have family, and Turkey where they have lots of friends.

Matron for endoscopy services, Tracy Burland said: “I would like to personally thank Michelle for the last two years' hard work in endoscopy. She came to a new specialised area which was out of her comfort zone and embraced all that came with it. I wish her all the best in her retirement.”