This week Matron for Critical Care, Outreach and Vascular Surgery, Mary Hytch features in our NHS70 campaign. From surgery-phobe to Matron, who would have thought it?

Find out what the NHS means to Mary below.

How long have you worked in the NHS?

I trained at the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) qualifying in 1995 and my first job was in Vascular Surgery.  Initially I didn't think surgery was for me! Can you imagine? How one's views change!   To broaden my experience I then moved to a staff nurse post in the newly opened Medical Assessment Area and did not look back,  transitioning from a staff nurse to Junior sister.  My first Senior Sister post was a female general medical ward.  I then went on to a Senior Nurse post in Sexual Health.  Never underestimate the flexibility of a nurse is my motto!

I have worked at CHFT since September 2008 when I moved from LGI where I trained to take up my Matron post in the Surgical Division initially in Trauma Orthopaedics, but have had the privilege of working with a number of different teams since that time including CRH Emergency Department and a Dementia role.  I am currently Matron for Critical Care, Outreach and Vascular Surgery.

The NHS is special to me because:

It's special to me, my family and my community.  As long as I can remember I always wanted to work in public service and that is what makes getting up for work worthwhile.

My perfect birthday present for the NHS's 70th birthday would be:

If I was to give the NHS a present on its 70th birthday it would be eternal life to enable it to forever continue to provide care for our communities.

***If you would like to feature in our campaign contact Alex.Hallsworth@cht.nhs.uk or called HRI x5253.