Julie Bottomley is one of breast care specialist nurses with a tremendous reputation for caring.  She started out as a "scared little enrolled nurse" to use her own words.. and now has two degrees.

For years she was one of our fab fashion show organisers where our patients were turned into the stars of the catwalk to boost confidence through togetherness and sharing experiences.

Here's Julie's thoughts in this, the year of the NHS's 70th which is in exactly 70 days time (as at Thurs 26th April).

How long have you worked in the NHS and why did you join?  I started my training on 05.11.1979, because I wanted to be a nurse and felt this was my vocation in life

What makes the NHS special to you (any personal experiences you could share?) Having been employed within the NHS for nearly 40 yrs, I have seen many changes, some good some not so good. But from my personal experience, I have always been supported, I have worked my way up from a scared little enrolled nurse, to an Advanced practitioner in my specialist field, gaining 2 degrees along the way. Most recently my mum was a patient within the stroke unit, and the care she received was second to none, sadly she passed away but the clinical staff and nursing staff were commendable.

What present would you buy it and what are you looking forward to at CHFT in its 70th year. A memory stick, so patients and staff can look back at what has been achieved, how services have improved and staff have developed to provide exemplary care. I look forward to bigger and better in the NHS, and in particular developments within  breast services in providing a single site service.

If you want to follow in Julie's footsteps then answer the same questions and email them to chft@cht.nhs.uk and we'll do the rest.