Seven retired nurses, who spent around 200 years of their careers working in HRI's current A&E, got to deliver their verdict on the new one last week.

They were escorted round the new facility by ED Consultant, Mark Davies, and Operations Manager, Tom Whittle, during a private tour on Thursday evening. 

Tracy Brierly, second from the right, is a retired Senior Sister who worked in HRI's A&E for 33 years between 1989 and 2022. She said: “We were delighted to be asked to visit the new department before it opens. We were very impressed. It is very bright, modern and spacious and it will be a great place to work. I hope the team enjoy the fantastic work area they have and look after it for years to come!”

Tom said: "It was an absolute honour to show our retired A&E nurses round our new department. They were extremely impressed and full of praise. It was lovely to hear them reminisce about their careers and happy memories they have from CHFT."

Pictured left to right: Marine Taylor, Julie Dean, Rachel Duce, Mary Willoughby, Dawn Hepplestone, Tracy and Deb Orlopp.