Even delays on the bypass couldn't stop the teams from outpatients sending Linda off with a bang. And with Huddersfield Town coloured balloons to doggy shampoo as part of her leaving gifts, Linda was given a fab farewell by the team.
Matron, Rachel Roberts, told colleagues: "I've managed Linda for two and a half years and it's been a total pleasure .I think if Linda had done something other than nursing she would have been an accountant. What she can't do with a budget isn't worth knowing about - she's brilliant!".
Linda’s 37 years have certainly been action packed. We caught up with her before her retirement do and she answered a few questions:
Tell us about your history at CHFT
I started as a Student Nurse on 29.12.1980 at Huddersfield School of Nursing – retiring on the same day 37 years later. See a photo of Linda in the early days below.
I qualified in May 1984 and secured a job on one of the surgical wards at St Luke's.
In June 1988 I moved to Outpatients at St Lukes. It didn’t take me long to realise that I loved it and dedicated the rest of my career to providing my patients with the best service I could.
In the early 90’s I achieved promotion to Sister and when outpatients at St Lukes closed, we relocated with the clinics to HRI.
From 1989 I was the lead nurse in Breast Clinic at HRI
I worked with a succession of breast surgeons and specialist nurses who together earned the prestige of being one of the best providers of Breast Care Services in the country. It was this team and my friends in Medical OPD who saw me through the worst year of my life in 1996 when I was diagnosed with Cancer and needed a year off having Chemotherapy and a Transplant.
In 2015 I was persuaded [eventually] to apply for my current position of OPD Manager initially covering CRH OPD. In the past year I’ve also covered ENT & Orthopaedics.
It’s been a hectic two years with CQC visits and EPR, but we have got through it by working as a team. It took me a long time to decide and it is with a sad heart but I feel the time is right for me to let someone else take outpatients forward and I wish my successor well.
What plans do you have for the future?
To spend more time while I can with my Dad who has just turned 98!
I have joined the Staff Bank as a staff nurse to cover OPD shifts when/if needed
Buy a new car as my old one I’ve decided hates me lol
And one that will please a lot of my concerned colleagues – give up smoking - for good this time!
What will you miss about working here?
I know we put the patient first, but it’s all my fellow workers at CHFT – I have had the privilege of working alongside some fantastic people at all levels/grades. I will even miss those I haven’t worked with but know from walking the same corridors these last 37yrs
Highlight of your career?
Being the Breast Clinic sister for over 20 yrs and the privilege of caring for some very courageous women!
Any funny moments?
I have had a lot of laughs with colleagues and patients over the years, but one patient always comes to mind when swapping stories at break times.
I remember a very Yorkshire, elderly patient coming to a clinic with her husband misunderstanding a question by the Registrar whose p’s sounded like b’s.
Dr – have you brought your water pills
Pt to husband – have tha fetched em?
Husband to wife – fetched what?
Pt to husband – Watter bills
Husband – why would I bring our watter bills t’hospital
Wife – cos doc here’s asked for em that’s why
Me [trying not to laugh]- the doctor wants to know if you have brought your water PILLS not your water BILLS
Pt – well why didn’t he say that int first place! No I aven’t anyway.
Dr to me – could you ask her if she’s taken them please
Me – have you been taking your water pills?
Pt – Nah love they mek me wee!
Did you always want to be in the NHS?
Yes. My mum went in HRI for her gall bladder removing in 1972 and I wanted to be a nurse from then on. Following my GCSE’s I wanted to do the nursing cadet course when I left school but they persuaded me to go to college and do my A-Levels.
I applied to do my nursing course as soon as I left college but I wasn’t quite 18 and there was a waiting list so whilst I waited I got the only other job I ever had as a shop assistant. So even then I was serving the public!