Our latest Long Service Awards took place last week – bringing together colleagues who have recently achieved 40 years’ service in the NHS, and those who achieved 25 or 40 years during Covid and hadn’t been able to attend an event.

Between them they've clocked up more than 650 years in the NHS. Many are CHFT legends, like Assistant Domestic Service Manager (CHS), Kev Pollard (pictured sixth from left), who will have been at CHFT for 50 years in October.

Kev said: “I can’t quite believe I’ve completed almost 50 years at CHFT! I’ve had numerous roles in the Trust and I’ve loved every second. My most memorable moment was probably the New Year's Eve of the Millennium when everyone thought the systems would go down also when Princess Diana came to visit.”

Here are a few more memories from some of the attendees:

• Alec Philliskirk: “I’ve loved my time here at CHFT. I have very fond memories back in the good old days. There was a corridor in the department that used to get sun all day, so we grew some lovely fruit and vegetables.”
• Christine Bentley: “My most memorable moment was getting my ‘stripes’ as they called it then. I loved my role in Intensive Care, as every aspect of nursing is covered in that role.”
• Leslie Dalley: “My most memorable moment is my first patient that I brought back around with a defibrillator.
• Mary Nolan: “My proudest moment at CHFT would have to be setting up the Medical Assessment Unit with colleagues.”
• Nigel Murphy: “I started here on a Youth Opportunity Programme. I have so many fond memories, having worked in many different roles. I remember when I worked in transport, I had to drive a patient over to another hospital. On the M62 the patient decided to reach round from the back seat and poke his hands in both my eyes! Lucky my colleagues travelling in the back managed to rescue me.”
• Susan Robinson: “Working through those hard times of Covid makes me so proud of everyone. I’ve loved my time here at CHFT and wouldn’t change anything.”

The next event in July will bring together colleagues celebrating 25 years in the NHS and who have been approved for their Award since November 2023.

Here is a list of those recognised: