Ward Manager Francesca Kenyon has retired from the Trust after 44 years service.

Francesca started off as a cadet nurse and was an enrolled nurse for many years, before undertaking the conversion course,and becoming  Respiratory ward manager at the Calderdale Royal for the past 17 years.

Colleague Heather Hanson baked a cake for Francesca's farewell and other colleagues also brought in enough food to feed most of the hospital!

Matron Janette Cockroft thanked Francesca for her service to the Trust and wished her a happy retirement.

Francesca thanked all ward colleagues both from the past- some of who were in attendance, and the present ward staff for their dedication,hard work,and support;she also thanked them for the kindness and compassion they show to patients,caring for them as if they were their own relatives,and she said it had been a pleasure working with them.

Francesca also thanked the MDT and Respiratory Consultants and doctors, as well as thanking staff from all over the Trust for the many gifts and cards she received.

She now plans to  relax and spend more time with family and grandchildren and has three grandaughters under three years old.

She has also booked 3 holidays!

Her career highlights have been becoming ward manager on the  respiratory ward and it becoming an accredited practice development unit by Leeds University for 10 years.

Her team also won the trust award for clinical excellence and went to Kentucky to see how the American heath system worked.

So how does she get through?

" I laugh on a daily basis at some of the things that happen. It helps to have a positive attitude believe me!"